We’re less than 7 weeks away from an important election.
How free and fair will it be?
The Brennan Center for Justice is working hard to ensure complete freedom and fairness.
The non-profit — inspired by Justice William Brennan’s devotion to democratic freedoms — does not get headlines. But the New York University School of Law-based organization works hard, behind the scenes, to protect elections, counter abuse of presidential power, and encourage transformative ideas that power change.
Their activities include research, publishing, advocacy and impact litigation.
A couple of small events have introduced the Brennan Center to Westporters.
On October 1 (5 to 7 p.m., Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Westport), a larger “friend fundraiser” will raise their profile locally.
Brennan Center director Michael Waldman will join elected officials, for cocktails and conversation. The suggested donation is $100. Click here to register. Questions? Email danlev314@gmail.com.
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Think the assessment on your motor vehicle is too high?
The Board of Assessment Appeals meets on September 23 (6 to 7 p.m., Town Hall lobby).
They’ll hear appeals for the 2025 Grand List. You must bring the vehicle you’re appealing. (Not all the way inside, obviously).
We have no idea what Briggs Cunningham’s C-3 Cabriolet — which he designed himself, seen here at his former Beachside Avenue home — was assessed at in the 1950s. Nor what the assessment is today. We’re guessing a lot: Only 36 were ever built.
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The Westport Country Playhouse is 95 years young.
They’ll celebrate their almost-century milestone on October 3, at a gala filled with (of course) Broadway talent.
Performers include Santino Fontana. Javier Muñoz, NaTasha Yvette Williams, and our own James Naughton and Kelli O’Hara.
Joyce Hergenhan will be honoed with the Playhouse Leadership Award.
Tickets begin at $250 (performance and post-show reception). $500 includes a pre-show cocktail party. A $750 ticket adds a premium seat. Click here for tickets, and more information.
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Speaking of the Playhouse: “Ailey II: The Next Generation of Dance” lights up the Westport Country Playhouse stage next Thursday (September 24, 7 p.m.).
Ailey II — the second company of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater — merges the spirit and energy of early-career dance talent with the passion and creative vision of outstanding and emerging choreographers.
Ailey II’s repertory will include “In the Moment,” a meditation on presence, transformation and the profound impact of being truly seen; “Open Door,” an enlivening work set to recordings by Arturo O’Farrill & the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, and “Night Creature,” a Ailey’s buoyant choreography and Duke Ellington’s music.
Tickets are $75 and $80. Click here to purchase, and for more informaton.
Ailey II’s Jada Ammons. (Photo/Nir Arieli)
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Popular local musician/singer/actor Warren Bloom pops into the Westport Book Shop on September 25 (6 to 8 p.m.).
The author of “In and Out of Key” — a memoir of his career, on stage and behind the scenes — will include an introduction by artist Miggs Burroughs, stories and conversation with Warren, a Q-and-A and book signing.
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Westport litigation attorney-turned-young adult author Diana Sussman’s next book drops September 22.
“The Texter’s Secret” tackles a middle school girl dealing with threatening texts and cyberbullying. It’s a fast-paced mystery for readers ages 8 to 14, with a theme that resonates for many tweens and teens.
Click here to pre-order, and for more information.
Diana Sussman, and her book.
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StartUp Westport’s first-ever Pitch Competition last year was a winner — and not just for the wheels marketplace platform that won the $20,000 first prize.
Over 75 hopefuls applied. Five were chosen as semi-finalists. For months they honed their ideas, and were mentored by StartUp Westport volunteers.
The energy was sky high at the Westport Library, for the final pitches.
The second Pitch Competition is November 19 (6 p.m., Library). The start-ups are hard at work. Who will make it to the stage?
Last year’s event was filled to capacity. Click here to reserve your seat.
Last year’s winners and runners-up.
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The Westport Woman’s Club is seeking applicants for its Woman’s Scholarship.
The grant supports Fairfield County women 25 and older seeking to complete a degree or certification after following a non-traditional educational path after high school.
Scholarships are based on financial need to those who have demonstrated resilience, resourcefulness, and a commitment to growth.
The deadline is October 10. Click here for details. and an application form.
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Third View Private Wealth — an independent, employee-owned wealth-management firm — is opening new headquarters at 257 Riverside Avenue.
Launched just a year ago, the firm now advises $1.3 billion in client assets, with clients in over 30 states.
A grand opening is set for September 24 (4 to 7 p.m.).
Third View offices, on the Saugatuck River.
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Westport Police made 3 custodial arrests between September 9 and 15.
A 25-year-old Rahway, New Jersey man was charged with identity theft, forgery, larceny and unlawful possession of a personal identifying information access device, following an investigation into check fraud at Maplewood Senior Living. He was held on a $75,000 bond.
A 31-year-old Bridgeport man was charged with assault, interfering with an officer and breach of peace, following an assault, with fists and neck pressure, in a vehicle at the Wheels gas station. The man walked away from the scene, but was tracked by a canine to the Sherwood Island commuter parking lot. He was released on a $10,000 bond.
A 44-year-old Norwalk man was charged with operating under the influence of alcohol/drugs, following a report that a vehicle had pulled into a Charcoal Hill Common driveway, and the driver appeared to be intoxicated. Officers responded, and found the vehicle traveling on the wrong side of the road, nearly hitting a police vehicle. He was released on a $500 bond.
Westport Police also issued these citations:
- Failure to renew registration: 3 citations
- Failure to comply with state traffic commission regulations: 2
- Failure to obey state traffic control signals: 2
- School zone violation: 1
- Texting while driving
- Improper passing: 1
- Unsafe movement of a stopped motor vehicle: 1
- Operating an unregistered motor vehicle: 1
- Operating a motor vehicle without minimum insurance: 1
- Out-of-state plate violation: 1
- Littering on public property: 1.
Westport Police made one arrest for littering. Take that, Arlo Guthrie and Officer Obie!
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We run an occasional full moon photo, as part of our “Westport … Naturally” series.
But a crescent moon can be interesting too. Becky Keeler captured this image over the Saugatuck Rowing Club, across the river. The pink reflection is particularly intriguing.
(Photo/Becky Keeler)
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And finally … in honor of the littering arrest, noted in the Police Reports above (perhaps the first we’ve ever seen here):
(It takes Arlo Guthrie nearly 20 minutes to tell his story. You can read ours on “06880” much more quickly. And it takes just a few seconds to click here, and support this hyper-local blog. Thank you!)