Jude Siegel welcomes March, in a novel way (new for our online art gallery, anyway): with a beautiful calendar.
Other submissions this week look ahead to spring, in a variety of ways.
But no matter what your theme, or medium — and whether you’re a first-timer or oldtimer: We welcome your submissions. Watercolors, oils, charcoal, pen-and-ink, acrylics, lithographs, collages, macramé, jewelry, sculpture, decoupage, needlepoint — we want whatever you’ve got.
Age, level of experience, subject matter — there are no restrictions. Everyone is invited to contribute.
Email it to 06880blog@gmail.com. Please include the medium you’re working in — art lovers want to know.
“Flickers” — watercolor (Jude Siegel)
“Floral Fantasia” (Ken Runkel)
“Green Nature” (Karen Weingarten)
“Palm Tree Trunk” (Tom Doran)
“Step Into Spring” (Ellen Wentworth)
“Not Barbie, But Still a Perennial Favorite” — pencil on paper (Roseann Spengler)
Photographer Andy Millard writes: “In Grand Canyon National Park, this section of rock conglomerate is in the bed of the wash at 220 Mile Canyon. The orange and white striped pebble resembles Nemo the clownfish from the movie ‘Finding Nemo.'”
“Salad Daze.” Photographer Judith Marks-White says: “I whipped up a salad and took a photo. Looks like the head of a sleeping dog by way of a mushroom. An accidental optical illusion.”
“30 Types of Cherries?” Artist Steve Stein writes: “Cherries have a pit (stone) center. Not to be confused with look alike berries: acerola, rambutan, currants or cotoneaster parneyi.”
“Beautiful Faces” (Mike Hibbard)
“Enter!” (Peter Barlow)
“Morning Toilette” (Lawrence Weisman)
(Entrance is free to our online art gallery. But please consider a donation! Just click here — and thank you!)
The plan to build 8 single-family homes, and 2 multi-family “affordable” dwellings for people with special needs, at Glendinning Place off Weston Road is on the Planning & Zoning Commission agenda for Monday (March 4, 7 p.m.; Zoom, and Optimum channel 79 and Frontier channel 6020).
Becky Ruthven — who lives nearby — opposes the plan. She writes:
“In 1966, the Planning & Zoning Commission added a clear and unambiguous codicil to a Special Permit approval for the construction of an office building for Glendinning Co. Inc. on land located in a Design Development District Zone.
“According to the codicil, ‘The permit herein granted pertains specifically and solely to the proposed use as described and shown by Glendinning Co. Inc and for no other purpose now or at any other time.” [Emphasis added.]”
The proposal before the P&Z on Monday would waive that condition of the special permit.
The homes proposed for homes at Glendinning Place are shown in green.
The Staples boys basketball team fell agonizingly short last, in the quest for their first FCIAC (league) championship in 61 years.
They fell 70-67 to Trumbull in overtime, in front of a full house at Wilton High School. It was the first league title for the Eagles in a long time too: 41 years.
The #4-seeded Wreckers led for much of the contest. But #2 Trumbull hung around, and caught up to force OT.
The Westporters’ hopes were hurt when junior Adam Udell — who had one of his best games ever in a Staples uniform, with 20 points — fouled out 52 seconds into extra time.
Sophomore Mason Tobias — the 2nd-highest scorer — and Caleb Smith also picked up their 5th fouls. A last-second steal averted a possible tying 3-pointer at the end of the game.
After a decades-long drought, the Wreckers reached the FCIAC championship after a rousing semifinal defeat of #1-ranked Ridgefield.
It was the second straight title appearance for second-year coach Dave Goldshore.
Staples — which graduates only 3 seniors — now pivots to the state tournament. Division I play begins next Thursday (March 7). The #12 Wreckers travel to Manchester, for a 6:30 p.m. game at #5 East Catholic.
Adam Udell in action. (Photo/David G. Whitham for Ruden Report)
Ten diverse entrepreneurs told their stories last night, in a lively, informative session at the Westport Library.
Representing industries from banking and real estate to retail, healthcare, and BlackLight software (“the Google for Black-owned businesses), they discussed the challenges — and joys — of their careers.
Jay Norris, co-founder of Westport 10 (a networking and social group for Black men and their families) noted in his introduction that the town has dealt recently with issues of racism — and his own family has witnessed it too.
However, he said, he believed “more people have love” than hate in their hearts. The event — on the final day of Black History Month — and the array of panelists (nearly all from Westport) offered a welcome opportunity for education and sharing information.
Startup Westport (the public/private tech entrepreneur partnership) and Westport 10 co-sponsored the event.
It included a video on the importance of diverse entrepreneurship by Dale Mauldin, co-executive director of A Better Chance of Westport.
NBC host Craig Melvin — a Westport resident — and Norris moderated the panels.
Craig Melvin (far right) moderates a panel with (from left) Craig Livingston (managing partner, Exact Capital), Adam Moore (co-founder and CEO, Wheelhouse Center for Health and Wellbeing), Ilka Gregory (senior advisor, First Ventures), Eric Freeman (co-partner and managing partner, Grandview Ventures) and Wesly Arbuthnott (owner, 29 Markle Court restaurant).
Jay Norris (far right) moderates a panel with (from left) Pamela Moss (co-founder and CTO of BlackLight), Kitt Shapiro (owner of WEST), Michele Peterson (chief marketing officer of BlackLight), Ted Parker and Paige Parker (co-presidents of Vibrant Health Solutions). (Photos/Dan Woog)
Gallo Express — the takeout and delivery-only store offering salads, pasta, panini and full meals on Post Road East, at the foot of Long Lots Road — has closed. They were in business barely a year.
But it won’t be empty long.
WestportMoms and Megan Rutstein report that Lyfe Café will open in April.
The owners already run Pizza Lyfe, the popular restaurant on the Post Road a few yards away (formerly Bertucci’s/Tanglewoods/Clam Box, for you oldtimers).
The menu will include egg and cheese on brioche buns, a coffee and iced coffee bar, plus pasta dishes.
Pizza Lyfe — and, on the far right, the building where the new Lyfe Café will be.
Working at his Bridgebrook Marina on the Saugatuck River, Robbie Guimond sees a lot.
Lately, he’s watched construction of a dock and sea wall along the eastern shore.
Yesterday, he took this photo of a commercial barge passing through the William F. Cribari swing bridge:
(Photo/Robbie Guimond)
It does not happen every day, Robbie notes. But, he says, it shows the need for a bridge that opens easily.
“Notice the steel ‘spuds’ pilings lying on the deck” he adds. “These hold the rig in position when lowered.
“It was low tide. They need low tide and ‘spuds down,’ plus the smallest (lowest) push/tug boat to just barely clear the railroad bridge. Unfortunately the saga is not reliable enough to ask for a opening.
“They’ve been caught between bridges before. Not a great place for a 110×60 rig to be caught at the mercy of Metro-North and rapid currents.”
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Regular hours resume at Westport’s Yard Waste site (180 Bayberry Lane) on Monday (March 4). Weekday hours are 7 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.; Saturdays, 7 to 11:45 a.m.
Yard waste at 180 Bayberry Lane.
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The deadline is near for TEAM Westport’s High School Essay Contest.
The topic is hate speech. All students in 9th-12th grade in a Westport school — or who attend school elsewhere — are invited to respond to a prompt asking how diverse opinions can be safely and respectfully shared.
There are 3 prizes: $1,000, $750 and $500.
Click here for details, including the full prompt and how to submit essays.
The former Soviet republic, tucked in the Caucasus between Asia and Europe, was the world’s first Christian nation. Many ancient religious sites remain.
If you don’t know much about Armenia — or you do, and want to know more — check out “Armenia, My Home.” It airs nationally on PBS this month (Connecticut Public Television, March 3, 4:30 p.m; WNET Channel 13, March 20, 8 p.m. and March 24, 4:30 p.m.; check other stations for other times).
Director Andrew Goldberg lives in Westport. He has worked for virtually every major TV news organization — ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN and Fox — and this is his 16th PBS documentary.
His topics have included the US Army, immigration, the Holocaust, antisemitism and LGBTQ issues.
But ever since he took a college course on the country, Armenia has been close to his heart.
Goldberg interviewed a number of Armenians in the area, including 1986 Staples graduate Christina Maranci. She is now a professor of Armenian studies at Harvard University.
(He did not interview the world’s most famous Armenians: the Kardashians.)
“Armenia, My Home” will appeal to anyone interested in history, travel, religion or geography, Goldberg says.
“Heavenly Days in the Palouse” — a photography exhibition by noted Westport photographer Tom Kretsch — opens with a reception Mach 22 (5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Green’s Farms Congregational Church). The show runs through April 26.
The Palouse is a fascinating region of southeastern Washington and northern Idaho, filled with mounds formed over millions of years by wind erosion.
Once home to Native American tribes, the landscape evolved from grasslands to fertile farmland for wheat, legumes and canola.
The green, brown and yellow hills create surreal beauty. And Tom Kretsch has captured it all.
Staples High School Class of 1993 graduate Ken Coulson knows the asset management world well.
Now it’s part of the plot points in his debut novel, “The Arsonist.”
Much of the story takes place in “Riverwatch” — a fictionalized Westport. Coulson calls it “a corporate thriller and classic David and Goliath story, set against the backdrop of the collision between Wall Street and the climate crisis.
Are there any chances left for a man who helped stoke the flames of a global financial meltdown and then reaped the rewards?”
Coulson had a fast-paced, over-the-top career with Wall Street’s biggest banks before an epiphany during the financial crisis set him on a path of sustainability and music.
He has written and released over 100 songs, many in support of climate action. He founded the sustainability think tank Future Bright, and writes on Medium on mindfulness and the art of here and now. For more information, click here.
As the weather warms, more Westporters will be walking outdoors. Some of them will do it before or at sunrise, or at or after sunset.
A reader asks that I remind everyone to wear light clothes. It seems like a no-brainer, but anyone who drives in Westport knows that not every walker has that it’s-not-just-about-me brain.
The reader also would like to see folks walk facing traffic. It’s easier for drivers to see them — and vice versa.
Two simple requests. From her lips to …
Which of these people is most likely to be hit?
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Bedford Acting Group provided the wrong information yesterday for show times of the upcoming “Lion King.”
Correct times are 7 p.m. on March 15 and 16, and 2 p.m. on March 16 and 17. Click here for tickets, cast lists and more information.
Jay Cimbak has framed a 1634 ink rendering self-portrait by Rembrandt.
He’s also framed blood-stained cloth from Abraham Lincoln’s assassination, and blood-stained leather from President Kennedy’s limousine; the American flag that Admiral Byrd carried to Antarctica; Marilyn Monroe’s bras and stocking; Jerry Garcia’s briefcase, and artwork by Picasso, Matisse, Dali, Chagall, Calder, Currier and Ives, Miro, Christo and Escher — among many others.
A vintage Christmas card by the Bush family, framed by Jay Cimbak. George W. and Jeb Bush were little boys.
Chances are, Jay has framed something for you too.
He’s been in Westport for nearly 40 years. He established the framing department at Max’s Art Supplies, and was responsible for 80% of the store’s revenue from 1994 to 2014.
He has worked for local clients like Ann Chernow, Dr. Scott Gottlieb, the Talking Heads’ Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth, the first selectman, Westport Library and Westport Police Department.
And he’s the exclusive framer for the Westport Public Art Collections.
Jay Cimbak framed this black light Phish poster using a deep frame with black suede mats, and LED black light strips behind the top floating mat. The light strips are controlled by remote control.
These days, Jay plies his trade at Rockwell Art & Framing. He is the manager of the Westport location. (There are 2 others, in Wilton and New Canaan.)
If you want to see a master at work — or you need a shadow box for your art, poster, historic artifact or anything else — the Post Road shop is the place to go.
The Sacred Hart University illustration major’s love of framing began while working at Koenig Art Emporium in the Trumbull Mall.
He joined Max’s — the downtown gathering spot for artists — in 1985. After nearly a decade, with sales of supplies falling, owner Shirley Mellor asked him to run a frame shop.
She sent him to Janow Wholesale Frames in West Hartford to brush up on his skills, and order what was needed.
Max’s quickly became one of Westport’s premier frame shops. Jay ran the business side of the department too.
The beloved staff at Max’s Art Supplies, in 2014 (from left): Nina Royce, owner Shirley Mellor, Jay Cimbak, Rita Englebardt. (Photo/Ned Gerrard)
Framing seems basic. But it is — well, an art.
“A good framer not only needs knowledge of the materials used, and their capabilities,” Jay says.
“He also has to correctly handle, store, mount, size and finish a frame, with the correct hanging hardware.”
Jay Cimbak
A framer must also know how each type of artwork can be properly and archivally frame, for both the safety of the art and its aesthetics.
He should also know where the art will be displayed.
Rockwell is a perfect fit for Jay. After 39 years in town, he feels a deep connection to Westport — its artists, and all other residents.
Working with WestPAC, he sees and works on art from men and women he knew, admired and misses.
“I treat every customer as a friend,” he says.
“I enjoy their stories of how and why they acquired their art. And I treat every piece as if it were my own.”
(For many examples of Jay Cimbak’s work, click here for his Instagram page.)
(“06880” covers the Westport art and business scenes — and much more. If you appreciate our work, please consider a tax-deductible contribution. Just click here — and thank you!)
As pressure mounts on young athletes to be more competitive than ever, Sebastian Little says: Enough!
The leadership coach — who works with clients in MLB, the NBA and NHL, and is in his 3rd year as Yale University football’s performance coach — will speak on a Westport Public Schools and Westport Together panel called “For the Love of the Game: How Parents Can Promote Successful Athletes on and Off the Field.”
The session — for parents and coaches — will offer insights and strategies into “balancing competition with compassion and growth with enjoyment.”
The event is on Tuesday, March 5 (7 p.m., Bedford Middle School auditorium). Click here to register.
Speaking of sports: The Staples boys basketball team is in the FCIAC (league) final for the 2nd time in 2 years tonight.
The #4-seed Wreckers — fresh off Tuesday’s huge upset over #1 Ridgefield — are playing for the championship for the 2nd straight year. Tip-off is 7 p.m. at Wilton High, against Trumbull.
Staples fell to Danbury in last year’s title match (and then went on a great run, to the state Division II final).
But it’s been a while since the Westporters last won the FCIAC crown. 61 years, in fact. Their first — and only — league championship came in 1963.
Charlie Scott — Staples’ talented senior video producer/WWPT-FM announcer — has created another superb pump-up video. Click below to see:
Last night’s winds knocked out power in a few areas of Westport and Weston.
Trees and wires were down at 15 Partrick Road, 119 Hillandale Road and 30 Prospect Road.
Outages affected the Greens Farms and Wilton Road neighborhoods.
At 8:30 a.m., 78 Westport customers (0.61%) were without power. There were 105 outages (2.66%) in Weston. The total number statewide was 3,399 (0.26%).
Wires down at South Morningside Drive and Hillandale Road. At 8:30 a.m., crews were on the scene. (Photo/Bob Weingarten)
Dara Horn forcefully addressed the recent rise of antisemitism last night, at Chabad of Westport.
Dara Horn — author of “People Love Dead Jews” — headlined the event, part of Chabad’s Critical Conversations series. Nearly 200 people attended.
“People ask: Are Jews a race, a religion, or a nationality? she said.
“Jews existed before these structures existed. What is clear is Jewish civilization is indigenous to the land of Israel. It’s not a political statement. It’s fact.
“People want to erase Jewish culture, but instead that is exactly what needs to be explained and taught to ensure its survival.”
Dara Horn, at Chabad of Westport. (Photo and hat tip/Matthew Mandell)
Her fans know here as Jean Louisa Kelly. Her Westport neighbors and friends call her Jean Pitaro.
Whatever name she goes by, Jean is featured at the Westport Country Playhouse’s first Mic in Hand of 2024. She takes the stage April 4 (7 p.m.).
Jean’s stage and screen credits include the original Broadway cast of “Into the Woods,: and the movies “Mr. Holland’s Opus,” “Uncle Buck” and “Top Gun: Maverick.”
Her uplifting show will be a journey through her life in and out of show business, with songs from “Gypsy,” “The Fantasticks,” “Next to Normal” and “Company.”
All tickets are $40. Click here to purchase, and learn more. Proceeds benefit education programming at the Playhouse.
Also new at the Playhouse: the first Barnstormer event.
It’s “Ann Talman: Elizabeth Taylor and the Shadow of Her Smile” (April 21, 7 p.m.).
Broadway veteran Talman portrayed Taylor’s daughter on Broadway in “The Little Foxes,” beginning a lifelong friendship.
This show is an evening of story and song about Ann and Elizabeth’s bond.
All tickets are $20. Click here to purchase, and learn more.
Called “Jewels of Westport,” they visit the hidden — or at least lesser-known — gems of our town.
On Tuesday they toured Westport Public Art Collections’ Town Hall display.
Overall, WestPAC’s collection includes over 2,000 artistic treasures. Many are in schools, where they are enjoyed by students and staff, yet often unseen by the public.
But how many of us walk by all the art on the Town Hall walls, without giving it a second glance?
The Y’s Women Town Hall tour was led by WestPAC co-president Anne Boberski. It was “eye-opening,” for sure.
Anne Boberski leads the Y’s Women Westport Permanent Art Collections tour in Town Hall.
Westport Police made 6 custodial arrests between February 21 and 28.
One — reported earlier — was for larceny, in connection with the theft of 5 Israel flag yard signs in December.
One was for larceny, illegal use of a credit card, identity theft, criminal impersonation and forgery, following a February 7 complaint that a mailed check was stolen, altered from $830 to $18,300 and deposited.
A woman was arrested for criminal attempt at larceny, identity theft and forgery, after a complaint in April 2022 that a check had been stolen from a US Postal Service box on Myrtle Avenue, altered from $250 to $4,300, and attempted to be cashed.
Another woman was arrested for criminal attempt at larceny, larceny and identity theft, following a complaint in January that a check had been stolen, altered and cashed.
A man was arrested after he and a juvenile shoplifted $492 worth of groceries from Stop & Shop. They were found with the bags at the HomeGoods bus stop. The man was charged with larceny, criminal impersonation and failure to appear. The juvenile was issued a summons and released.
One woman was arrested for failure to appear.
Police also issued these citations:
Operating a motor vehicle under suspension: 5 citations
Operating an unregistered motor vehicle: 3
Failure to obey traffic control signals: 3
Traveling unreasonably fast: 2
Operating a motor vehicle without minimum insurance: 2
Kicking + Screening is a film festival dedicated solely to soccer. (Now do you get the clever name?)
It returns next month for its 15th year in New York. But it’s very much a Westport production.
Current Westport resident Rachel Markus co-founded Kicking + Screening in 2009, with former professional player Greg Lalas.
Always an avid fan (and a ruthless striker), Rachel studied film at New York University. She has worked in the film industry for over 2 decades.
The other local connection: This year’s festival will be held at Football Cafe, the Lower East Side “soccer cultural center” founded by Kyle Martino.
He’s the 1999 Staples graduate — and former Gatorade National High School Player of the Year, MLS Rookie of the Year, US men’s national team player and NBC Sports Premier League broadcaster. Kyle is now a soccer analyst with Warner Brothers Discovery Sports.
The 2024 festival lineup — 11 features and shorts, plus panels, special guests and more from March 14 to 16 — includes Eric Cantona’s Manchester United biography, “The United Way.” Click here for more information, and tickets.
Norwalk Hospital — once independent, now part of Nuvance Health — may soon become part of a larger group.
Nuvance — owner of 4 Connecticut hospitals, and 3 in New York — plans to merge with Northwell Health. They are New York State’s largest healthcare provider and private employer, with more than 81,000 employees.
Together, the companies will own 28 hospitals, and more than 1,000 other care sites.
In 2019, Ruth Sherman was an “06880” Unsung Hero of the Week.
At 79 years old, she had just returned from a 100-mile spiritual trek in Spain.
We hailed her for her civic work — teaching exercise and fitness at the Westport Weston Family Y, Senior Center and Arthritis Foundation family aquatics program.
We noted that every day for 50 years — in all kinds of weather — Ruth walked from Hillspoint Road to the top of Compo Hill.
She’s now in her mid-80s. And she’s still walking.
Tammy Barry spotted her yesterday. The weather was meh, but there was Ruth, getting in her (many) steps.
Tammy writes: “Ruth walks in rainy, snowy, and sunny weather. What a beautiful woman, on the inside and out!
“She is an inspiration and role model for us all. She told me she wakes up every day and never has a complaint— it’s not allowed. Keep on moving and grooving. Ruth!”
Tammy sent a great photo too.
So — apropos of nothing, and everything — here’s another “06880” to the indefatigable, wonderful Ruth Sherman!
And finally … do you know how hard it is to find a leap year song?!
I’ve spent my February 29 searching the internet. This will have to do.
(“06880” is your hyper-local blog. We cover news, events, businesses, restaurants, sports, trends, history and more — and we do it 24/7/365. Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
As the Staples High School boys basketball team prepares to take on Wilton in today’s FCIAC quarterfinals (Saturday, 4 p.m., Fairfield Warde High), there is no better way to get pumped than with Charlie Scott’s hype video.
The Staples senior has made a name for himself with his great reels, which he shoots and edits himself. (He is also a standout WWPT-FM sportscaster).
Click below. And then get ready to root the Wreckers on.
Speaking of sports: Giannis Antetokounmpo is coming to Westport.
Well, a feature-length documentary about the Greek-Nigerian NBA star is, anyway.
On February 28 (6:30 p.m.), the Westport Library screens a new, feature-length documentary. “Giannis: The Marvelous Journey.”
Before the 2-time MVP led the Milwaukee Bucks to the championship in 2021 he lived on the margins of society in Athens. His parents immigrated there, in search of a better life.
The film includes interviews with his family, and basketball stars.
A talkback with director Kristen Lappas and ESPN analyst/former hoops star Jay Williams follows.
Velma Heller had a long career in education. She spent 20 years on the Representative Town Meeting, including 4 as moderator.
Now, the 87-year-old has taken up landscape painting.
Her love of lifelong learning will be featured nationally. “Supercharge Your Brain: Maximizing Your Cognitive Abilities” debuts on PBS this month. It’s scheduled for New York’s Channel 13 next Saturday (March 2, 8 a.m. and 10:30 p.m.). Check local listings for other PBS stations.
The show was written and co-produced by former Westporter Andrew Ames. It explores lifelong learning plays a major role in brain health and improved cognitive function.
Velma Heller, in a screenshot from the new PBS documentary.
A week from tomorrow (Sunday, March 3, 3 p.m.), Saugatuck Congregational Church hosts DNR — Fairfield County’s (almost) all-physician rock band — in a free concert.
The local favorites — who are as talented as musicians as they are doctors — have been diagnosed as favoring danceable tunes from the ‘60s and ’70s, from artists like Bruce Springsteen, the Rolling Stones, Van Morrison and the Beatles (with an occasional 80s or ’90s song, and classic jazz standard).
Sure, and it’s still more than 3 weeks till St. Patrick’s Day.
But the animals outside Winslow Park Animal Hospital are not wasting any time.
They’re wearing the green already. Say “Lá fhéile Pádraig sona dhuit!” — that’s “Happy St. Patrick’s Day” in Gaelic — the next time you’re stuck at the light by Playhouse Square.
(After all that dancing, take a break. But “06880” never rests. We’re here, with hyper-local news and information, 24/7/365. Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
Perhaps anticipating spring, this week’s gallery features a few flower-themed works.
No matter what your them, or medium — and whether you’re a first-timer or oldtimer: We welcome your submissions. Watercolors, oils, charcoal, pen-and-ink, acrylics, lithographs, collages, macramé, jewelry, sculpture, decoupage, needlepoint — we want whatever you’ve got.
Age, level of experience, subject matter — there are no restrictions. Everyone is invited to contribute.
Email it to 06880blog@gmail.com. Please include the medium you’re working in — art lovers want to know.
“Reflections at Midtown” (Patricia McMahon)
“Mama Ganso” — digital art (Ken Runkel)
“Malmaison Roses” (Kathleen Burke)
Untitled (Bruce Borner)
“Cheeky Flower” (Michael Tomashefsky)
“Where’s My Seed?” (Ellen Wentworth)
“Off Season Still Life” (Peter Barlow)
Untitled (Tom Doran)
“One Head For Eating, And One Head As Lookout” (Mike Hibbard)
“Wish I Was Here” (Steve Stein)
“Flat Out” (Lawrence Weisman)
(Entrance is free to our online art gallery. But please consider a donation! Just click here — and thank you!)
Rebel & Rose Tattoo Studio celebrates its second anniversary March 2 (noon to 6 p.m., 155 Post Road East).
Women vendors — Mica Blaise, Candle Caboodle, Hemma Kitchen, Jeweled Coquette and Rebel Daughter Cookies — will be featured. Light bites, tarot cards and more, too.
“06880” has partnered with the Drew Friedman Community Arts Center to help the next generation of artists develop their talents.
They’re offering $5,000 worth of scholarships. But the deadline is soon: February 29.
The grants will go to current high school seniors with financial need who want to pursue an arts education at any level — university, community college or an arts school. All Westport 12th graders are eligible, no matter where they currently attend school.
The DFCAC is funding the scholarships. It was founded by Friedman — the downtown property owner, restauranteur (Onion Alley, Cobb’s Mill Inn, Stonehenge Inn) and philanthropist whose first wife Bobbie was an accomplished artist.
Students who currently participate in art classes or art activities should send up to 8 digital images (JPEGs) of their work. It can be any medium — photography, painting, sculpture, drawing, digital art, or other.
Applicants should also submit a statement of up to 300 words describing the value of art in their life, and the world at large.
Send images and the statement (or any questions) to info@DrewFriedmanCommunityArtsCenter.org (subject line: “2024 Scholarship”).
Submissions will be evaluated by an independent panel of professional artists. Awards will be announced by the end of March, with the winners’ work posted on “06880.”
Drew Friedman Community Arts Center representatives Miggs Burroughs and Nick Visconti (far right) and then-1st Selectman Jim Marpe congratulate previous arts scholarship winners.
Every year, the Staples High School boys swim and dive team hosts a Swim-a-thon. Members swim lengths of the pool; they ask relatives, friends, neighbors and businesses to pledge money per lap, or make a flat donation.
Funds go toward transportation, equipment, and the team banquet.
This year’s event is March 1 (3 to 5 p.m.). Click here to pledge or donate.
Trumpeter Frank London headlines this week’s Jazz at the Post (Thursday, February 22, VFW Joseph J. Clinton Post 399; shows at 7:30 and 8:45 p.m.; dinner begins at 7 p.m.; $20 music cover, $15 for students and veterans).
Jazz at the Post Rounder Greg “The Jazz Rabbi” Wall says London “tears down the walls of parochial practices of old and new jazz, swing, bop, klezmer, gypsy, Baltic, Cuban, West African and many other musical genres. He creates community across the globe.”
Wall and London were partners in Hasidic New Wave, which combined traditional Jewish celebratory music with downtown jazz, funk and “improvised mayhem.” They currently play together in Zion80, which mixes avant jazz and Afro beat.
London and Wall will be joined by pianist Roberta Piket, bassist Hilliard Greene and drummer Greg Borrows.
Reservations are strongly suggested: JazzatthePost@gmail.com.
And finally … on this date in 1877, Tchaikovsky’s ballet Swan Lake premiered at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow.
(From Dunville’s and a tattoo shop, to jazz and the Bolshoi, “06880” is where Westport meets the world. If you enjoy “06880,” please support us by clicking here. Thank you!)
The winner of the Compo Beach Playground K-5 logo contest is …
Jack Burke. The Greens Farms Elementary School 5th grader designed the graphic that will be used as the Westport Rotary Club and Westport Young Woman’s League plan — and fundraise — for the renovation of the beloved kids’ spot. (Hat tip: Andrew Colabella)
Jack Burke’s winning logo.
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On Thursday, the Westport-Weston Community Emergency Response Team held a swearing-in ceremony at the Westport Library for 17 graduates of their course. Nine will join the local CERT team as volunteers.
For the first time, all 20-plus hours of training were held in Spanish. It was only the second CERT basic training class conducted in Spanish in the state.
Attendees learned a variety of emergency skills, including first aid, AED, CPR, disaster psychology, fire safety, traffic control, hazardous materials awareness, emergency shelters, light search, and rescue and terrorism.
To learn more about CERT, including upcoming classes, text or call Westport-Weston CERT president Mike Vincelli: 203-984-4051. Click here for their Facebook page.
CERT graduation and swearing-in ceremony, at the Westport Library. (Photo and hat tip/Frank Rosen)
The combination of flute and harp has been popular with composers for over 250 years.
On March 3 (2 p.m., Westport Library), flutist Elizabeth Mann and harpist Amy Berger offer “After the Dream.”
Joining them is Grammy Award-winning producer/guitarist (and Staples High School Class of 1971 graduate) Brian Keane. He has scored hundreds of films and TV shows, and produced over 150 albums. Keane is currently completing final edits to the soundtrack of Ric Burns’ 4-hour “Dante: Inferno to Paradise” for PBS.
He will talk with Mann, who has played on dozens of soundtracks, about composing for movies, and introduce his work for solo harp that he wrote for Berger.
The afternoon includes wine, courtesy of Jim and Mary Ellen Marpe.
Brian Keane, in his Connecticut studio.
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Claudia Sherwood Servidio captured this serene Earthplace scene yesterday, for today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature:
First Selectwoman Jen Tooker reacted yesterday to charges of racial incidents in Westport schools, leveled at Thursday’s Board of Education meeting.
She said: “Every time I speak publicly, even as recently as last week at the State of the Town address, I state that one of my top priorities is to ensure Westport is a place where everyone feels like they belong – where people feel safe and seen and heard. I regularly acknowledge that we have more work to do as a community.
“It is with shock and disappointment that I listen to the devastating comments made by parents at the Board of Education meeting this week. I want the residents and business owners to know there is no place for any form of hate in Westport. There is no place for racism in Westport. Our community strongly rejects hate in all forms.
“We must all stand together and speak clearly and unequivocally on this issue. We should demand accountability. Westport has my unwavering commitment to continue to work with local leaders, including TEAM Westport and the school administration, to create a supportive environment where we, as Superintendent Tom Scarice said, treat each other with dignity and respect. We all want to feel like we belong. Every one of us deserves to feel valued. When one of us is harmed, we are all harmed.”
Connecticut’s presidential primary begins this month.
Early voting is set for Tuesday through Thursday, March 26-28 (Town Hall Room 201) and Saturday, March 30 (Town Hall auditorium); polls are open fro 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on those days.
Election Day is Tuesday, April 2 (6 a.m. to 8 p.m., Town Hall auditorium).
Republican candidates are Donald Trump, Ryan Binkley, Nikki Haley and “Uncommitted.” Ron DeSantis is listed, but may not be on the final ballot.
Democratic candidates are Joseph Biden, Dean Phillips and “Uncommitted.” Cenk Uyuger and Marianne Williamson are listed, but may not be on the final ballot.
Workers are needed at the polls (for pay). Contact registrars Maria Signore (Republican) or Deborah Greenberg (Democrat) at 203-341-1117 for more information.
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A fed-up reader wants help or advice from “06880” readers. She writes:
“Can anyone tell me how to stop Westport News home delivery, which we never asked for and never pay for?
“When we are away, it is impossible to stop delivery. There is no phone number to call, no email to send to, and lots of newspapers cluttering up our driveway indicating we are away. Since we live on a major thoroughfare, this is particularly concerning.
“Does anyone have any suggestions on how to fix this problem – who to call or write to so we can stop delivery forever?
“My husband is apoplectic. I am mad. Your suggestions and any info are most welcome.”
If you get voicemail from someone claiming to be Captain David Wolf from the Westport Police Department, requesting a call back — and then hear there’s a bench warrant for your arrest, or a $5,000 fine — don’t worry.
It’s a scam.
The WPD will never request that a fine be paid over the phone — or solicit payment of any kind.
And of course, do not ever give personal banking information like an account number to someone who calls, unless you are absolutely sure who you are speaking with.
Weston author Lisa Grunwald’s 7th novel, “The Evolution of Annabel Craig,” will be published this spring.
It is set in 1925 in Dayton, Tennessee during the infamous Scopes “monkey trial.” In the midst of a town and marriage divided by issues of faith and science, Annabel Craig must learn to question her own beliefs.
Mingling fictional characters with famous figures and events, the novel is both a portrait of a marriage and a harbinger of many of today’s deepest controversies.
Much of it was written in her Weston house (and discussed with her husband, a journalism professor and former head of Reuters) during walks on Compo Beach.
Click here for more information, and to pre-order.
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the East Coast Contemporary Ballet celebrates its 5th anniversary with a gala at MoCA Westport (March 2, 7 p.m.).
The evening includes a dance performance, open bar, auction and live music.
Many of the dancers teach in the area. Every summer, they offer a dozen free outdoor performances at the Fairfield County Dance Festival.
For more information on East Coast Contemporary Ballet, click here. For tickets to the gala, click here.
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Today’s “Westport … Naturally” image highlights Winslow Park, in serene winter stillness:
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