Like many people, Heather Wirkus loves crime shows. And, like many, she dreamed of being an FBI agent.
For a while, she thought she was doing the next best thing: teaching Forensics at Staples High School. She helps students learn criminal investigative procedures and lab techniques. They work on case studies, discuss ethical issues, and listen to guest speakers.
One of those speakers inspired Wirkus to take another step. Now she’s really done the next best thing: She took the intense FBI Citizens Academy course.
She’s eager to spread the word about what’s she learned. And to inspire students to consider some of the many FBI career opportunities.
Heather Wirkus, with her FBI Citizens Academy certificate.
The Citizens Academy course meets every Thursday for 3 hours, at the field office in New Haven. It normally takes 6 weeks.
But after Wirkus’ first class in February 2020, COVID struck. The program was shut down for 18 months. It resumed in September.
Entering the Citizens Academy entailed more background checks and clearances than she needed to get her teaching job, Wirkus says. Because she was entering a secure facility, she could not bring any technology. Her car was checked for bombs — just like in crime shows.
Once inside, Wirkus and her fellow students had many eye-opening experiences.
They learned about human intelligence gathering, domestic terrorism, violent gangs, cybersecurity, crisis negotiations, SWAT teams, public corruption, civil rights, human trafficking and victim assistance programs.
Heather Wirkus and her FBI Citizens Academy classmates.
Wirkus was the only teacher in the group. Her classmates came from all walks of life, and all over Connecticut.
All were there for the same reason: to learn more about the FBI, then build relationships in their communities and workplaces in ways that special agents can’t.
So what did she learn?
“Everything!” Wirkus says.
Her main takeaway, though, is that the general public sees only “the outer shell” of the FBI. “We don’t realize how many layers there are to protecting our nation.”
The FBI offers a high school version of its Citizens Academy: the Future Law Enforcement Youth Academy, for 20 teenagers around the state each year. Wirkus is encouraging her students to apply.
She’ll never be an FBI special agent. For one thing, the maximum age to apply is 36. For another, she loves her job as a Staples Forensics teacher.
But now, as she does it, an FBI Citizens Academy certificate hangs on the wall.
Now through 6 p.m., the Sconset Square store is collecting non-perishable food items for Connecticut Foodshare.
You can give cash or online too (click here). There’s a free gift from Brooks for donations over $100 — and you’re entered into a raffle to win a Brooks running shoe.
There was a lot of action at the Staples stadium last night.
The football team honored its seniors. Then the Wreckers beat Ridgefield 26-10, keeping their postseason tournament hopes alive.
They also dedicated “Paul Lane Field.” The legendary coach died in June, at 93.
On hand were many former players, and family members. Among them: Skip Lane. The star — who was coached by his father — sported his Super Bowl ring, earned as a member of what was then called the Washington Redskins.
Skip Lane, with his Super Bowl ring. (Photo/Baxter Urist)
One more “Oaktober” event (slightly delayed from November).
On Thursday, the Westport Garden Club planted a swamp white oak at Grace Salmon Park. Club members will mulch and water it for the first 2 important years after transplant.
It’s a fitting spot. Grace Salmon was an early member of the club.
A hat tip to Frank Geiger of Greenscape Design in Fairfield. He provided the tree at a reasonable price. His staff then carefully planted it close to the water.
The Westport Astronomical Society’s 2022 calendar is available now.
Amateur astro-photographers — led by president Shannon Calvert — took the photos. There’s daily astronomical data too, courtesy of Phil Harrington.
The cost is $15 for members, $20 for non-members. Shipping is $5 for 1 or 2 calendars, $10 for 3 to 5. It can also be picked up at WAS events, To order, email alex@was-ct.org,
Longtime Westporter and noted hair stylist Frank Migliarese died unexpectedly last week. He was 88 years old.
Following graduation from Staples High School, Frank served his nation in the Army.
Returning to his beloved Westport, he enrolled in the Sassoon Academy and began a career in cosmetology. With his haircutting skills and charming personality, he won the hearts of many.
He owned Salon Coiffeur in down Westport, where he made his mark in the world of beauty. He loved his customers, and worked well into his 80s.
When he was not at his salon, Frank enjoyed Compo Beach, a special place all his life.
Frank’s obituary calls him “family-oriented, warm, personable, well-dressed, understanding, with a great sense of humor.”
A funeral is set for 10 a.m. Wednesday, November 17 at Assumption Church. Interment will be private. The family will receive friends in the Harding Funeral Home on Tuesday, November 16, from 4 to 8 p.m. Click here to leave online condolences.
Many Westporters support Adam J. Lewis Academy, the innovative Bridgeport elementary school that for nearly a decade has changed many lives.
On November 18, they’ll unveil a “Hope Quilt.” Artist Lizzy Rockwell led a community production with over 200 volunteers. The quilt will hang proudly in the school.
For more information on Adam J. Lewis Academy, click here.
Congratulations to Staples’ November Students of the Month!
Alonzo Darby, Nina Driscoll, Max Levy, Christina Meehan, Maria-Despina Mutescu, Michael Porzio, Tyler Rockwell and Chanel Wash “help make Staples a welcoming place for peers and teachers alike. They are the ‘glue’ of the Staples community: the type of kind, cheerful, hard-working, trustworthy students that keep the high school together, making it the special place that it is.”
Teachers nominate students who are friendly to staff and fellow students, and make positive contributions in class as well as the Staples community.
From left: Max Levy, Alonzo Darby, Nina Driscoll, Tyler Rockwell, Maria-Despina, Mutescu, Christina Meehan, Michael Porzio. Missing: Chanel Wash.
Posted onNovember 9, 2021|Comments Off on Schools Survey: Input Sought From All Westporters
As part of the Westport Public Schools’ efforts to develop a long-term strategic plan, a series of surveys has been sent to parents, staff members, administrators, and students in grades 5 through 12.
But all Westporters have a stake in our school system.
“As we project the world our students will inhabit as young adults, it is critical to have robust input from all members of the school community,” says superintendent of schools Thomas Scarice.
He and fellow educators have developed a survey for Westporters without students currently in the school system.
Information gathered from the surveys will be combined with feedback from spring and fall focus groups, and a variety of other data sources, for the initial design of the plan.
“Your contribution in completing this survey will help inform this work,” Scarice says. The deadline is November 15. Click here for the survey.
Comments Off on Schools Survey: Input Sought From All Westporters
Results of yesterday’s election — filed with the Secretary of the State — show just how tight the selectman’s race was.
Jennifer Tooker and running mate Andrea Moore edged Jonathan Steinberg and Candice Savin 4,237 votes to 4,168. The winning Republican ticket had 50.03% of the vote, to the Democrats’ 49.21.
Libertarians TJ Elgin and Louis D’Onofrio garnered just 64 votes (0.76%).
Jen Tooker
But Elgin may become Westport’s 3rd selectman.
Steinberg — currently in his 6th term as a state representative — has declined the 3rd selectman’s position. By statute — and long Westport tradition — it goes to the candidate for 1st selectman who places second in the voting.
Steinberg chairs the legislature’s Public Health Committee, and serves on the Transportation, and Energy and Technology, Committees too.
He told Westport Journal this afternoon that he does not want to be a “third wheel” on the 3-person selectmen board.
Elgin believes that the 3rd selectman position should not go to Savin — Steinberg’s running mate — but rather to him.
The town charter says: “The defeated candidate for First Selectman having the highest number of votes shall be elected a Selectman.” Elgin contends that because Savin was not a candidate for first selectman, he should be next in line for the post.
Assistant town attorney Eileen Lavigne Flug says, however, that there is only one second place candidate for first selectman: Steinberg. If he declines the post, Flug said, Tooker and Moore must appoint a Democrat to replace him.
Meanwhile, Democrats led in all other races. The results:
Board of Education (contested)
Party-endorsed Democrats Kevin Christie (5,097 votes) and Christina Torres (5,177) and Republicans Robert Harrington (3,850) and Dorie Hordon (3,913) will form a newcomers’ majority on the 7-person board. Write-in candidate Alma Sarelli received 130 votes, and was not elected.
Planning and Zoning Commission (contested)
Democratic incumbents (and Save Westport Now-endorsed Danielle Dobin (5.396), Michael Cammeyer (5,095) and Neil Cohn (4,923) return to office. Republican Jack Whittle (3,368) failed in his bid to recapture his old seat. Coalition for Westport candidate Ron Corwin (786) also lost.
Board of Finance (uncontested)
Democratic incumbents Brian Stern (5,207 votes) and Lee Caney (4,950) will be joined by Republican Michael Keller (4,100).
Board of Assessment Appeals (contested)
Democrats Lynette Pineda (4,547) and Heseyl Gayle (4,446) were elected. Republican Town Committee chair Joseph Sledge (3,470) lost.
Zoning Board of Appeals (uncontested)
Josh Newman and Amy Wistreich were elected.
Representative Town Meeting
Three districts had contested races.
In District 1, Liz Milwe (436), Matthew Mandell (360), Chris Tait (337) and Kristin Mott Purcell (277) won. Abby Tolan (253) and Rick Jaffe (228) lost.
In District 3, Jimmy Izzo (403), Mark Friedman, Don O’Day (35) and Arline Gertzoff (328) won. Ross Burkhardt (252) lost.
In District 9, Kristin Schneeman (427), Nancy Kail (401), Sal Liccione (347) an Lori Church 9343) won. Clark Thiemann (315) and Marla Cowden (300) lost.
Winners in the uncontested districts:
2: Joy Keenan, Harris Falk, Louis Mall, Christine Meiers Schatz.
4: Andrew Colabella, James Bairaktaris, Noah Hammond, Jeffrey Wieser.
5: Peter Gold, Dick Lowenstein, Karen Kramer, Claudia Shaum
The Democratic Town Committee issued this statement earlier today: “The Westport Democratic Town Committee congratulates Jen Tooker and Andrea Moore on their election as Westport’s next first and second selectmen. Their success is Westport’s success. We look forward to working together to keep Westport the vibrant and welcoming place that we all cherish.”
I have not posted anything about the Board of Education campaign — nor did I intend to. The race was uncontested (until the emergence of a write-in candidate), and the Republican and Democratic nominees are largely in agreement on issues like learning loss and infrastructure.
But at the end of Thursday’s mostly uncontroversial League of Women Voters’ forum, one candidate addressed an issue that has percolated both locally and nationally: Critical Race Theory.
In doing so, Robert Harrington broke with the Republican Party that had endorsed him.
Addressing the anti-CRT signs that have appeared around town — and an anonymous website — he said:
Thank you to the other candidates — and fingers crossed, I hope to be working with all three of you after November 2nd election.
Hopefully tonight has shown it is not about about “Republican vs. Democrat” or “Red versus Blue” when it comes to a local school board election.
But that is the system that Westport chooses. Political parties nominate candidates.
So as a Republican candidate for the Board of Education in Westport, I have a strong and direct message to my local Republican Party.
To be clear: This is not about my running mate, Dorie Hordon. I look forward to working with her.
But my party’s response to “Wake Up Westport CRT: signs is not okay with me.
Their response to the an anonymous website has not shown leadership throughout the party.
This goes beyond those behind this website, and the lawn signs. They have full right of free speech. There is no issue with that. But it is about how we respond to that message. My party’s response is not okay.
I fear in my local Republican Party I am paying the price for speaking out. I suspect tonight it won’t get any better.
In terms of the local campaign, I have 4 points to make to my party:
Joint Facebook Page/Account: The Republican Party has deleted all the content, and has not allowed me to put up any new content — not even highlighting an upcoming meeting about our failing school bus schedules. If you go to HordonHarrngton4BOE, you will see there is zero content there.
Campaign email: The same here. As a candidate I have not be able to email voters or residents — not even a personal statement.
Message from my party: I’ve been asked or told to stop campaigning, shut up, sit down and cancel meetings.
Questions from residents: A resident asked me online (before the entire contents of the site were deleted) a series of legitimate questions on my views on the future of Trump, my response to January 6, and the way I dealt with “The Big Lie.” I answered all these questions, and was happy to do so. However, the Republican campaign, without my knowledge or approval, deleted all my answers.
This is not democratic. It’s not transparent — for a party that often talks about transparency. It’s not a good look for Westport.
Worst of all: It’s not a good look for local Republican Party. They are acting like the national Republican Party
For the sake of Westport and the local Republican Party: We must change.
I reached out to Republican Town Committee chair Joe Sledge for a response. He referred me to the “Westport Republicans” page on Facebook. and this post pinned at the top of the page:
At last night’s League of Women Voters debate, Robert Harrington commented on procedures that the Westport Republican Town Committee put in place with respect to campaign communications by candidates on campaign social media accounts.
Connecticut State law requires that campaign communications contain specific attribution language, and the WRTC has sought to assure that candidates comply with these rules. Understandably, Robert may not be fully familiar with these regulations. We commend Robert’s passion and willingness to express his perspective.
Tomorrow (October 30, 2021) is the deadline for Fairfield County non-profits to apply for a grant from the Westport Woman’s Club. They go to deserving groups working in education, health and safety, and the arts.
Applications are being accepted too for a one-time use of their clubhouse, for an event.
Typed proposals should be sent — postmarked by tomorrow — to: Westport Woman’s Club, Attn.: Community Service Grant, 44 Imperial Avenue, Westport, CT 06880.
For more information, call 203-227-4240 or click here.
The Westport Woman’s Club on Imperial Avenue is giving out grants — and offering the use of its clubhouse for an event.
The 2nd remarkable season of the Remarkable Theater’s drive-in comes to an end with an exciting Halloween weekend.
Tonight (Friday, October 29, 6:30 p.m.), it’s Beetlejuice.
Tomorrow (Saturday, October 30, 6 p.m. — “come in costume; truck or treat!”), there’s a double feature: “Its the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” and “Curious George: A Halloween Boo Fest.”
Craig Schmarr, the Westport Public Schools’ supervisor of building operations, died yesterday morning at Bridgeport Hospital. He served the district for over 27 years, in a variety of capacities. A full obituary will appear later.
The tent outside Savvy + Grace was packed last night. Owner Annette Norton hosted a special “shopping and cocktails” benefit for The Cancer Couch breast cancer foundation.
WICC;s “Melissa in the Morning” was among the dozens of guests. The event was held in memory of Laura Nelson, the beloved Westporter who died last month.
Annette Norton, at last night’s Savvy + Grace benefit for The Cancer Couch.
COVID has dramatically altered the college landscape — and the application process.
Private counselor Amy Chatterjee believes that a transcript is the most important part of a student’s application. On November 8 (7 p.m., Zoom), the Westporter offers a 1-hour workshop for parents.
She’ll discus “what it actually is, how students can show a love of learning through their courses,” and more. Click here for more information, and to register for the free event.
Autumn means more than changing leaves. Tree Board chair Monica Buesser’s “Westport … Naturally” photo shows the sometimes overlooked beauty of this familiar scene:
And finally … Robin McNamara died last week, at 74. He played Claude in the Broadway production of “Hair,” and had this very ’70s-ish pop hit. (Hat tip: Amy Schneider)
When Eric Chiang moved to Westport in 1993, he lived across the street from the legendary illustrator Howard Munce.
Growing up in Taiwan, Chiang had loved art. But he didn’t know anyone who made a career of it. So he went to New York University, majored in computer science and math, earned a master’s, and got a “normal job” as a programmer and financial modeler at Goldman Sachs.
Watching Munce — then in his 80s — create sculptures outside, even in winter, intrigued Chiang. He watched with added interest as Leonard Everett Fisher — another iconic artist — came to visit Munce.
Chiang realized that Westport’s arts legacy lived on, in the spirit of real, working artists.
Around 1997, he carved out half an hour or so every night to create art. He had no formal training. He did not have an actual studio either — just a small easel in a corner of his living room.
But after nearly a decade, he’d accumulated plenty of works. He had ideas for many more.
Chiang wanted no regrets. He decided to leave Wall Street. His wife gave her blessing.
In 2007, Chiang became a full-time artist. His painted realistic objects, arranged surrealistically.
“The Year 2020, No. 2” — oil on canvas.
In the past few years he’s moved into less precise landscapes. His works are big, and tied to his love of nature.
For example, he says, he always wondered what would happen if the earth wrote a story about itself.
To keep his hands off the work — he wanted the art to be as primordial as possible — Chiang sprayed paint to represent rain, storms and the erosive process at work. To mimic gravity, he tilted the canvas.
The resulting “Land Scripts” series of more than a dozen paintings is 50 feet wide.
Eric Chiang with his “Land Scripts XIII.”
Chiang applied the same technique to “Water Scripts,” a series of 12-foot high waves and waterfalls.
“Water Scripts I” — oil on canvas.
Another work fills a large space at Coleytown Middle School. When Westport Permanent Arts Collections officials realized they had nothing suitable to hang near a staircase and skylight in the newly renovated school, they asked Chiang to help.
He presented 5 options. Students chose an intriguing work called “Are We Born Connected?,” which included guitars.
“Are We Born Connected?” (Eric Chiang, acrylic on canvas)
When that was selected for an exhibit at the Housatonic Museum of Art, the second choice — a 16-foot, 4-panel “History of Civilization” — took its place.
“A History of Civilizations,” at Coleytown Middle School.
Not all of the artist’s creations are enormous. His most recent work — “Westport: A Perspective From Early Days” — is one of 5 murals unveiled this month at the Main Street entrance to Bedford Square. His depicts the earliest days of our town.
Chiang explains:
This mural brings us into an imaginary world back in the early days of Westport, when the Paugussett Indians occupied the area with a farming and fishing culture. Then the European traders came to transact with the indigenous tribes, just to be followed by the English colonists, who built towns, church, and farms.
From there, someone in the painting invited us to peek into the future – Let’s go over the bridge and see a bigger town and a much greater nation in the making.
“Westport: A Perspective From Early Days”
Inspired by Howard Munce and Leonard Everett Fisher — and his own career change — Chiang is a firm believer in the importance of arts to Westport.
“It’s less about the exhibits and displays, than the spirit of the people,” he says. “And it’s not just visual artists. It’s musicians, dancers and writers. Their activities make the whole town artistic.”
In Taiwan, Chiang had no role models. In his first years as an artist here, he worked alone. But when the Westport Artists Collective began in 2014, he was an avid founding member.
He is eager to keep passing Westport arts’ “spirit and culture” on to future generations.
Meanwhile, visitors to Bedford Square — and hundreds of students at Coleytown — are enjoying Eric Chiang’s work.
A long way from Taiwan — and Goldman Sachs — he enjoys creating it too.
(To see more art at Eric Chiang’s website, click here. Hat tip: Kris Szabo.)
Six weeks into the school year — as the Westport schools see a continuing drop in COVID cases — superintendent of schools Thomas Scarice offers this update.
Starting tomorrow (Wednesday), the Westport Public Schools will allow teachers in grades 7 to 12 to teach unmasked, provided they are vaccinated, in the front of the room, and students are masked and seated.
The option will be considered for kindergarten through grade 5 after November 1, when there is more information on vaccines for children ages 5-11.
Lunch tents will remain in place for the rest of the month. They will be re-examined at the end of the month, pending a better understanding of K-6 vaccinations.
Scarice notes, “lunch coverage at the elementary levels is very challenging. We will move as quickly as we can to return to ‘normal’ lunch.”
A normal school cafeteria.
Westport schools will continue to require visitors to show proof of vaccination at least through December 31. Larger groups of visitors will be permitted to meet in person with building administration permission, provided there is an opportunity to distance (for example, larger rooms), and that visitors are masked with proof of vaccination.
Elementary parent conferences will be held in person for vaccinated parents, virtual for unvaccinated parents. Virtual accommodations for any parent can be made.
With a number of performances scheduled in the next 2 months, the district and Westport Weston Health District decided to monitor COVID transmission rates to guide mitigating measures. Measures to consider include the amount of capacity allowed, and spacing between attendees.
The district is open for building and space rental by community groups after hours. Universal masking is recommended; however, the district does not have however, the district does not have the capacity to enforce measures outside of school hours.
Last April, superintendent of schools Thomas Scarice was the first guest on my “06880” podcast. He spoke eloquently about his background, the Westport school system, and education in general.
This week he visited the Westport Library again. This time, we chatted about one specific topic: Critical Race Theory.
CRT has generated a lot of controversy, nationally and locally. The town’s chief education official discusses where it came from, what it is, and how it impacts the Westport schools.
Westporters have responded generous to a call to help Afghan refugees resettling in the area.
A final collection of needed items is set for this weekend (Saturday and Sunday, October 16 and 17, 12 to 3 p.m.).
Men’s and women’s coats; teen and children warm clothes; boots, scarves, warm hats and umbrellas; backpacks filled with school supplies, and household toiletries, towels and cleaning supplies can all be dropped off at Greens Farms Congregational Church.
Backpacks and school supplies are among the items needed for Afghan refugees.
The weather looks great for tomorrow’s oft-postponed Dog Festival.
The event is set for Sunday (October 17, Winslow Park, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.).
Sponsored by the Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce and TAILS, it features demonstrations, fun competitions, police K-9 presentations, kids’ activities, vendors, food trucks, a special appearance by Piglet (the blind and deaf chihuahua) and more.
Tickets are $10 per person, $25 for a family of 4. Dogs go free. Proceeds benefit non-profit organizations.
Dog owners can register for the competitions online or at the festival.
Interested in the kind of world today’s students will inherit? Do you have ideas how our schools can prepare them for it?
The Westport Public Schools invites all Westporters to an Education Summit next Wednesday (October 20, 6 to 8 p.m., Bedford Middle School auditorium).
Futurist Michael Weiss offers a keynote address, then lead an interactive discussion. It’s part of superintendent of schools Thomas Scarice’s Strategic Plan, aimed at taking our district into the next decade and beyond.
Fred Cantor is many things: an attorney, off-Broadway and documentary producer, longtime Westporter and avid “06880” reader.
he’s also the author of “Fred from Fresh Meadows,” a memoir of his many years as a New York Knicks fan.
Now the NBA team has repaid the honor.
A 15-second commercial spot featuring Fred, his brother’s older son and brother’s almost 3-year-old grandson premiered last night, during a Knicks preseason game.
It’s part of an MSG Network promotional campaign spotlighting diehard fans. Fred’s spot focuses on his book, and his 6 decades of fandom.
It was filmed earlier this month in the schoolyard behind his former elementary school in Queens.
Fred Cantor (right), being filmed with his nephew Sam and great-nephew Brody.
It’s been a while since we ran an osprey update. The other day, Franco Fellah spotted this young bird in the trees over the Saugatuck River, opposite his office on Riverside Avenue. Ospreys epitomize “Westport … Naturally.”
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