This is one of the greatest sports items I’ve ever run:
On Saturday in Staten Island, Westport’s own remarkable athlete (and artist) Norma Minkowitz broke the 400 meter world — yes, world — indoor record,
For the women’s 85-90 year-old age group.
Norma’s record time was 1:50.99. That smashes the previous record of 1:51.89 — held by Emma Mazzenga of Italy, since 2019 almost a full second.
Here she goes:
And here’s what happened next:
But wait! There’s more — much more!
Norma had just 30 minutes to prepare for her next race: a grueling 800 meters.
Typically they’re run on separate days — certainly not just half an hour apart.
Yet Norma smashed/demolished/obliterated the American record. She ran a 4:33.38. The old record was — are you sitting down? — 6:14.93, set by Florence Meiler last year.
With a bit of rest, Norma might have made it 2 world marks in less than an hour.
Norma Minkowitz, with her medals. (Photo/Jeff Mitchell)
Congratulations, Norma. You’re amazing.
And to the rest of Westport: What did you do this past weekend? (Hat tip: Jeff Mitchell)
BONUS LAP: Click here for an in-depth “06880” story on Norma Minkowitz.
Earlier this winter, Wendy Van Wie was the winning bidder on a work of art. It showed Marigny, France — our first sister city, since just after World War II — and was donated by residents there to help raise funds for the new sister city our two towns share: Lyman, Ukraine. (Click here for the back story.)
The artwork recently arrived in Westport. Wendy’s husband Mark Yurkiw, his fellow Westport Artists Collective member Miggs Burroughs, and Katya Wauchope of Ukraine Aid International created a short film. It honors and thanks our friends from Marigny, and celebrates our connection with Lyman.
Longtime Westporter Martin (Marty) Albert died on Thursday, from complications of Parkinson’s disease. He was 77 years old, and had been diagnosed nearly 30 years ago.
The Brooklyn native graduated from Jamaica High School in 1962. He earned degrees from the Wharton School at University of Pennsylvania, Boston University Law School, and a master’s in taxation from NYU. He worked as an attorney at Cohen & Wolf for 35 years.
He enjoyed golf, skiing and walking. He served as vice president of United Way (Bridgeport), vice president of the United Jewish Appeal, board member of the Jewish Home for the Elderly Foundation, president of Birchwood Country Club and vice president of Temple Israel.
Martin is survived by his wife Janet, children Elizabeth Heyer (Joseph) and Andrew (Rachel), sister Naomi Gardner, and grandchildren Samson, Austin and Presley Heyer, and Madison and Aaron Albert.
Funeral services will be held tomorrow (Tuesday, February 28, 10:30 a.m., Temple Israel). Burial will follow at Temple Israel Cemetery, 225 Richards Avenue, Norwalk. Shiva will be observed at the home of Janet Albert on Tuesday, February 28 and Wednesday, March 1 from 2 to 8 p,m. To share a condolence message, click here.
Tomorrow’s important affordable housing community conversation — “The Impact of Connecticut State Statute 8-30g: What We Can Expect for 2023” (Monday, February 27, 7 p.m., Westport Library) — will also be livestreamed on the Library’s website. (Click here for the link).
Panelists include State Representative Jonathan Steinberg, Westport town attorney ira Bloom, Planning & Zoning Commission chair Danielle Dobin and Connecticut Center for Ending Homelessness CEO Evonne Klein. The event will be led by Westport Representative Town Meeting moderator Jeff Wieser.
The session was organized by a diverse group of RTM members, all interested in finding out more about the controversial state housing regulation: Nancy Kail, Seth Braunstein, Ross Burkhardt, Jimmy Izzo, Sal Liccione, Matthew Mandell, Liz Milwe and Claudia Shaum.
It will be followed by a Q-and-A, with audience members. The session will also be posted online, for those who miss it live.
Last night, the Staples High School boys basketball team avenged their regular season overtime loss to Wilton, in a big way.
The Wreckers dominated the Warriors defensively, and rode a balanced offense to a 53-43 win in the FCIAC quarterfinals at Fairfield Warde.
The victory vaults them into the league semifinals for the first time since 1996. The 4th-seeded Westporters’ opponent on Tuesday’s semi will be #1 Ridgefield. The Tigers downed New Canaan 47-33 in their quarterfinal. It was their 16th win in a row — following a 61-54 loss last month to Staples.
The Wreckers and Ridgefield tip off Tuesday (February 28, 7:15 p.m.) at Wilton High.
The 2023 Staples High School boys basketball team.
Mark this Donnerstag — Thursday — on your calendar.
La Plage offers a dinner tasting of world-class wines from iconic German estates. A 5-course menu marries those selections with their own New England offerings. Click here for the menu.
The special meal begins at 6:30 p.m. (March 2). The cost is $145 per person. Click here for reservations.
And finally … on this date in 1616, Galileo Galilei was formally banned by the Roman Catholic Church from teaching or defending the view that the earth orbits the sun.
Of course, we know better today. Galileo’s discovery is now taught all over the world, except perhaps in Florida.
(PS: Happy belated birthday to George Harrison. He would have been 80 years old yesterday.)
(Celebrate “Sun”-day by making a contribution to “06880.” Our non-profit, hyperlocal blog depends entirely on reader support. Please click here — and thank you!)
Posted onFebruary 25, 2023|Comments Off on Roundup: VersoFest, Staples Basketball, MoCA Open Mic …
VersoFest keeps upping its game.
The 4-day music, media and more festival at the Westport Library has just added a musical oral history with drummer/writer/music historian/label owner/publisher/collector/archivist Miriam Linna.
The founding member of the Cramps, Flamin’ Groovies Fan Club leader, co-founder of Norton Records and Kicks Books, and mastermind of Kicksville Radio, will be interviewed by Queen Bee Christine Ohlman.
Miriam will also DJ the Smithereens concert Friday evening (March 31), and host a Norton Records/Kick Books table at the VersoFest Record Fair. She’ll have the familiar R&B, rock ‘n’ roll, primitive grease on hand, as well as memorabilia from the Norton/Kicks archives never seen anywhere before.
The record fair (Sunday, April 2, 11 a.m.) includes a discussion panel. On hand for the “breakfast nosh”: Kid Ginseng (Kraftjerkz Records), Karen Ponzio (New Haven Independent Arts Writer), Alec Cumming (“Snap Crackle POP!” on WPKN), Dooley-O (hip-hop legend), and Eric Holland (WFUV). The moderator is Dave Schneider of the Zambonis.
The music oral history and record fair are free. For the full VersoFest schedule, ticket information and more, click here.
The date of the next Westport volunteer trash pick-up — on Elaine Road (Compo Road South, between I-95 and the train tracks — has been changed. The new day and time is Saturday, March 4, 11 a.m. — not Sunday.
Elaine Road serves as the entrance to the water sewage treatment plant, and public access for boat and kayak launches, along with Animal Control. It attracts plenty of I-95 trash too, from vehicles and their irresponsible drivers and passengers.
All volunteers are welcome. Bring garbage bags, and dress appropriately.
The Staples High School boys basketball team is enjoying one of its most successful seasons ever.
Today (Saturday, February 25, 5 p.m., Fairfield Warde High School), the Wreckers begin their quest for the FCIAC championship with a quarterfinal match. Ranked #4, they face #5 Wilton. Last month, the Warriors won 69-68, in a thrilling overtime game.
MoCA’s first open mic night in October was a great success.
An encore performance — called “MoCA Some Noise” — is set for April 6 (5 to 7 p.m.). Local (aspiring) performers are invited to share their acoustic music with the community. Cocktails and drinks will be available for purchase.
The cost is $5 to perform, $10 to attend. Both fees are waived for MoCA members.
Click here for information, tickets and an application form.
And finally … writer Anthony Burgess was born on this date, in 1917. He is best known for “A Clockwork Orange.” And the movie version by Stanley Kubrick is best known for …
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Westport native and longtime, well-respected Parks & Recreation Department employee Joseph “Joey” Arciola died peacefully on February 14. He was 52 years old.
Joey came from a long line of family members who served the town of Westport, as Public Works employees, police officers, firefighters and teachers.
Joey was retired from Parks & Rec, where he started his career as dock master at the age of 19. He worked his way to foreman for the department.
Joey Arciola
Joey was an avid sailor, hiker and camper. He loved Cockenoe Island. He was a passionate sports fan who never missed a Yankees, New York Rangers or Dallas Cowboys game.
His family says: “Joey devoted himself to his friends and family with unwavering commitment, love and loyalty. Throughout his life, he prided himself on making everyone around him a better person as well.”
Joey is survived by his parents, Sam Arciola Jr. and Jo Ann (Austin) Arciola, brother Sam Arciola III (Kelly), nephews Sam Arciola IV and Dominic Arciola whom he adored and treasured, and many aunts, uncles and cousins.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joey’s memory to Save the Sound.
Friends are welcome to attend a Mass of Christian Burial this Friday (February 24, 10 a.m., Assumption Church).
==============================================
Longtime friend Andrew Colabella adds a tribute to Joey. He writes:
Joey Arciola lived and loved like every day was his last day fearlessly. He was a man who lived life to the fullest.
Today, Joey would have been 53. Six days ago, Joey left the earth, after making an imprint on thousands of lives.
Joey grew up in Westport, with his wonderful brother Sam. His hardworking parents, Samuel and Joanne, who still live in the same house today, still happily married. They followed in the same footsteps as their father, serving Westport.
Their father worked at the sewage treatment plant. Sam recently retired from the Westport Police Department, with over 30 years of service. Joey started working for the town on the docks and marinas, eventually making his way to the Parks & Recreation maintanence division as a laborer.
Joey spent the next 20-plus years in that department shape the town’s athletic and recreational fields. His work partner was Joey Saviano (click here),
The 2 Joes could be seen riding around in Truck 100, a blue single cab long bed, checking on all their hard work. Joey was easy to spot, always in cargo shorts, sneakers, a Yankees ball cap with perfectly trimmed short hair, walking fast on the ball of his feet.
He never stopped moving, except to stop at Junior’s Hot Dog Stand. He’d sit at the counter having lunch with the other Westport local legends and celebrities. His cousin Jeff was behind the counter.
In 8 hours his crew of guys had the lines stripped, grass rolled and cut, PH soil levels balanced, sprinklers timed, baseball fields ready, beach raked, trash picked up, guardrails weed whacked, and equipment ready to go. It all fell under Joey.
The town was ready to go, for all to enjoy. His style of management was sincere, yet tough. He expected the work that day to be done. But if variables beyond our control prevented completion, Joey would either show up to pitch in and help, never afraid but excited to teach, or call before it was started so that no one’s time was wasted. Joey was resourceful, fast thinking and organized.
Joey was elected president of his union, AFSCME 1303-194. He fearlessly went head to head with any and all for fair wages, incentives, protecting pensions and benefits for his employees. Joey knew the value of his talented workers and colleagues, and how much family meant to him.
Joey Arciola, enjoying Cockenoe Island. (Photo courtesy of Linda Gilleran)
Joey had no kids, but was there every step of the way from the birth of his nephews Samuel and Dominic. Those independent and successful bright boys both graduated from Staples, and went on to the University of Alabama.
Joey’s extended family members all too were influenced by his strong determination to give all and be all. Hard work, dedication and loyalty runs in all their blood.
If he had not employed me in his department for 9 years seasonally as I juggled school full time, I am not sure where I would be today. Joey gave me a chance. He gave me life, an education, knowledge, strength, determination, laughter (a lot), honesty and integrity. But he was also a boss at the same time. Respect was given and returned.
So whether you are an Arciola or a Meier, a child or adult who played on any of our athletic and recreational fields in town, or visited the Saugatuck restaurants and bars, or if you were lucky enough to go to a Yankees game with Joey, his impact is eternal.
So as I write this, knowing I unfortunately will not see Joey tomorrow, or every other tomorrow for the remainder of my existence, the ripples of his fingerprint on earth in this town will remain for decades to come.
Westport was not represented on the field, at last night’s Super Bowl.
But our neighbor Christian Siriano was part of the action. At least, part of one of the multimillion-dollar ads.
The fashion designer — whose Collective West store is a popular Post Road East destination — was there in the front row, in a “Clueless”-themed Rakuten advertisement with Alicia Silverstone.
(Screenshot and hat tip/Dave Briggs)
There must have been other “06880”/Super Bowl connections. If you know of any, click “Comments” below.
Speaking of the Super Bowl: On Saturday residents flocked to Stop & Shop, stocking up for the big game.
Many paused at both entrances. Members of the Sunrise Rotary Club, Westport Police Department, Westport Police Athletic League and Representative Town Meeting were there to collect non-perishable items.
From a couple of cans to a few full shopping carts, generous Westporters reaped rewards for 2 great causes: Homes with Hope, and our Department of Human Services food pantries. (Hat tip: Andrew Colabella)
Westport Police Department officials and others, with food at the Gillespie Center. Rear, from left: Officers Sean Doyle and David Lovallo, Chief Foti Koskinas, RTM member Andrew Colabella, Officers Scott Thompson and Dominique Carr. Front: unidentified, and Anna Rycenga of the Westport PAL.
Not everyone who wanted to, could make it to the coat-and-more collection drive for Ukraine, at the last 2 Westport Farmers’ Markets.
Organizer Mark Yurkiw said he’d accept donations at his home.
Yesterday, he welcomed a big one. Several Rowayton residents showed up in 5 cars. All were completely filled with clothes and other gear — including fur coats. It took an oversized van to truck it all to Redding, where it will be crated and shipped overseas.
The Rowayton folks said they felt powerless to help — until they heard of the coat drive. They asked what else they could bring, and do.
Mark continues to accept donations. Email mark.think3d@gmail.com for details.
From Rowayton to Ukraine, with live. Artist Mark Yurkiw created the Ukrainian symbol on his garage door.
The Westport Astronomical Society’s 25 Obsession telescope has been a workhorse for over 30 years.
But it’s a beast — and very difficult to set up and take on the road. With great attendance at their public nights, the WAS needs another instrument.
It’s got to be powerful — but light enough to pack it up and set it outside, for sidewalk astronomy.
They’ve got their eyes set (ho ho) on a New Moon Telescope — 20″, with an f3.5 mirror and some cool add-ons.
For nearly a decade, they’ve fundraised on Fairfield County’s Community Foundation Giving Day. They’ll do it again on February 23. Their goal is $10,000.
The 24-hour online drive is a local competition. All tax-deductible contributions could help WAS win major prizes. Mark your calendar for February 23 — and bookmark your calendar here.
It’s hard to know who had a better time Saturday night, at the Westport Weston Family YMCA’s first-ever Winter Ball: the young girls, or their dads (or other loved ones) who escorted them.
A crowd of over 100 danced to a DJ, enjoyed refreshments, and visited a photo booth and nail painter.
Attendees also brought food items, and made other donations to Homes with Hope.
Jay and Sophia Skye Norris visit the photo booth, at the Y’s first Winter Ball.
The other day, 12 Coleytown Middle School students participated in the Southwestern Connecticut “Mathcounts” competitions. Adan Wang, Adrianna Gavriloiu, Ayush Rudra and Owen Wood finished second. All 4 mathletes will represent the school at the state competition next month.
Ayush, Owen and Adan finished #1, 7 and 11 respectively in the individual competition.
Other Coleytown competitors included Adrianna Gavriloiu, Akil Arvind, Anit Arvind, Zylan Wang, Luke Cooper, Ulysses Nixon, Alex Liakh, Justin Jendrock and Luci Trinchi.
Congratulations to all!
Joining the competition host and Coleytown Middle School Math Club coach Archi Rudra are (from left) Adan Wang, Ayush Rudra, Owen Wood and Adrianna Gavriloiu.
Marcello Deaguero is a noted local DJ for schools, charities, parties, bar and bat mitzvahs — and the instructor for the popular “Dance with Marcello.”
He recently relocated his class to a new studio. It’s in the back of the Dance Collective building (222 Post Road West).
Marcello is celebrating the move with free classes throughout the month. Everyone — from people who know him through his DJ work, to newcomers looking for a good dance or fitness class — is welcome for free, all month long.
Today is the 47th anniversary of Dorothy Hamill’s near-perfect, gold medal-winning, ice skating performance at the Winter Olympics in Innsbruck, Austria.
The Greenwich native became an international superstar. In 1993, an AP poll ranked her and Mary Lou Retton as the most popular athletes in America, far ahead of people like Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Troy Aikman, Dan Marino, Wayne Gretzky, Joe Montana and Nolan Ryan.
Today, Greenwich’s town-owned rink is named for Dorothy Hamill.
But in 1976, Westport took pride in her accomplishments too. As a youngster, she frequently skated on Round Pond, off Compo Road South — just opposite the entrance to Longshore, where her relatives lived.
Click here for more on Dorothy Hamill, thanks to “Today in Connecticut History.”
Last week John Hamilton and Fiona Wilkes of Liberation Programs — a Bridgeport-based nonprofit that provides support to people with substance use disorders — addressed the Westport Rotary Club.
Liberation president and CEO Hamilton noted that fentanyl has surpassed heroin and other opiates as a leading cause of drug overdoses. With 100,000 overdoses per year nationally, the need for recovery programs has increased dramatically. But only 1 out of 10 people who qualify for treatment reaches out and accepts it.
Wilkes — the director of development and communications — said that all households should have the opiate overdose treatment Narcan in their medicine cabinets.
John Hamilton of Liberation Programs, at the Westport Rotary Club. (Photo and hat tip/Dave Matlow)
Today’s “What’s Next in Weston” podcast features 1st Selectwoman Sam Nestor’s interview with the town’s public safety communications director, Larry Roberts.
It’s the first in a 2-part discussion of the Connecticut Land Mobile Radio Network, the statewide emergency communications system that will provide important coverage for area towns.
Click below to listen. The podcast is a service of the Y’s Men of Westport and Weston.
The Monkees’ keyboardist and bass guitarist grew up in northeastern Connecticut; his father was an economics professor at the University of Connecticut. He was a member of the first-ever graduating class at E.O. Smith High School in Storrs.
Tork — whose real last name was Thorkelson — had cousins who attended school in Westport.
He died in Mansfield, Connecticut in 2019, 10 years after being diagnosed with cancer.
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Posted onFebruary 12, 2023|Comments Off on Team Velominati Powers Pan-Mass Challenge
In music, there’s the Beatles. In soccer, Messi.
In fundraising, the Pan-Mass Challenge stands far above all others. The Massachusetts bike ride earns more money for charity than any other single athletic fundraising event in the US. Since 1980, it’s donated $900 million to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Last year alone, it was $65 million.
And in the Pan-Mass Challenge, Team Velominati is the Beatles and Messi, rolled into one.
The group — many of them Westporters — raised $675,000. Last year.
Bill Loftus — the founder of Coastal Bridge Advisers, a Wilton Road wealth management firm — is a crucial part of the team. He joined a few years ago.
Instantly, he was hooked.
Team captain Dave Hazard and Bill Loftus cross the finish line at mile 192 in Provincetown last August. Additional Team Velominati members ride in behind them.
Bill is one of 2,500 riders going the full distance: 112 miles from Sturbridge to Bourne on Saturday; then another 90 miles to Provincetown the next day.
Another 3,500 ride shorter distances, for one day.
Up to a quarter of all riders are cancer survivors.
“The human spirit is on full display,” Bill says. “It feels like the entire state is cheering us on.” Streets are filled with spectators. Bands play; cowbells ring.
The energy of the crowd — and the camaraderie of the riders — keeps him going.
Team Velominati always looks for new members. (The group rides in other fundraisers too, like the Bloomin’ Metric. They ski together too, in winter. But the Pan-Mass Challenge is the big one.)
Each team member commits to raising at least $6,500. Some do far more.
Bill notes that 100% of all funds go directly to cancer research. There are only a few paid staff members for the entire Challenge — and their salaries are covered by corporate sponsors.
“When I started, I wondered how I could give up a weekend in the summer,” Bill says.
“But never once did I feel like I missed anything. This is the best possible use of my time. It’s the best weekend of the year.”
(To learn more about the Pan-Mass Challenge — and how to join Team Velominati — email dhazard@gmail.com.)
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George and Libya Kocadag moved to Westport years ago, from Turkey. Many Westporters know him as one of the friendliest members of the very friendly Trader Joe’s staff. She shares her wonderful baked goods, yogurt and hummus with everyone (those great raspberry cookies at Layla’s Falafel are hers).
Libya’s family lives in Samandag, Turkey, not far from the center of the recent earthquake. In the aftermath of the devastation — with lives lost and houses destroyed — the Kocadags are asking for help.
She set up a GoFundMe page. The goal is $20,000. All money will go directly to Samandag. Click here to contribute. (Hat tip: Danielle Teplica)
A small part of the devastation in Turkey and Syria.
Whether you’re rooting for Kansas City or Philadelphia, or have no idea who’s playing: Everyone is invited to tomorrow’s Super Bowl tailgate party (Sunday, February 12, 12:30 to 4 p.m.).
It’s at the Senior Center — but all ages are welcome. The afternoon includes hot dogs, spring rolls, chips and cake, and a guess-the-score contest.
Former director Sue Pfister will be honored, along with the state champion Staples High School girls soccer and boys lacrosse teams. The Staples cheerleaders will be there too.
The only thing missing: the game. Kickoff is 6:30 p.m. — 2 hours after the party ends.
“Little Things Run the World” — and that’s the subject of the next Aspetuck Land Trust free seminar.
“Insects with Benefits: Pollination and Pest Control” is the sub-head of the Wednesday, February 15 event (1 to 4 p.m.).
ALT says: “Learn about the most important part of our web of life, and be inspired to make your yard more welcoming for them. Without our insects, the web of life comes apart. Love our spiders, moths and wasps from the comfort of your home.”
Click here to register, and for more information. (NOTE: The 3 previous sessions were recorded. All are available with registration.)
Registration is now open for the CT Challenge. The July 29 bike ride — with distances of 10, 25, 40, 62, 100 and virtual — raises funds for the local non-profit Mission. They help 16.9 million cancer survivors in Connecticut and throughout the US rebuild, improve and prolong their lives through exercise, nutrition, mind-body health and community-building support programs.
Staples High School offers courses in Spanish, French, German, Italian, Latin and Mandarin.
All will join in, to celebrate World Language Week. Among the events:
The cafeteria will serve themed dishes, and promote international cuisine.
Students are invited to wear t-shirts or sweatshirts supporting the language they’re studying (for example, sports teams, international universities, and souvenir shirts from abroad).
Music will play in a variety of languages before school, during the 5 minutes of passing time, and immediately after school ends.
Students will make morning announcements, in the languages they’re taking.
The library will display world language literature, art and more, and will host international karaoke and a trivia competition.
The “Connections” period will feature trivia games, video links, and basic conversational instruction.
¡Vamos!
Students studying Italian will celebrate World Language Week.
And finally … the recent death from lung cancer of David Harris — the journalist who went to jail for refusing the draft during Vietnam, and encouraged others to do the same — brought to mind the song Joan Baez wrote for and about him. They were married at the time; he had just been sentenced to 3 years in prison. (Click here for a full obituary.)
(To celebrate World Language Week [story above], please consider a donation of euros, pounds, yuans — or dollars — to “06880.” Just click here — and thank you!)
The other day, alert reader Peter Gold noticed that the mural of long-ago Westporters that once hung behind the Banana Republic register — and before that, Klein’s Department store and, way earlier, the Townly restaurant — is gone.
I guessed that Oka — the British furniture and home accessories retailer that moved in right before Christmas — had no idea of its provenance. I also guessed that an email to their headquarters would yield no response.
Surprise! I got this quick reply:
Thanks for reaching out! The beautiful, historic mural has been well-preserved behind a purposely constructed wall that is papered in grasscloth. If you ever stop by the showroom, the manager, Susan Benedetti, would be happy to show you where it is. Hope this helps!
I emailed back, wondering why it no longer hangs where the public can see it.
So far: crickets.
Judging from the video below, there’s no room amid the “timeless” décor for this perhaps time-worn artifact of history.
For the past 2 week, the Westport Winter Farmers’ Market has collected coats, mittens and more for Ukrainian relief.
Shoppers donated generously. In fact, co-organizer Mark Yurkiw says, “Thanks to everyone, we need a bigger truck!”
With donations at the Westport Farmers’ Market, at Gilbertie’s Herbs & Garden Center (from left): Farmers’ Market director Lori Cochran-Dougall, organizer Mark Yurkiw, 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker and Wynne Vaast, who brought many bags from L.L. Bean and his employer, Ring’s End.
But more than 160 employees of Synchrony, the Stamford financial services company — including CEO Brian Doubles — plunged into the 39-degree water.
It was a charity event, for the benefit of Westport-based global community of 30 camps and programs for children living with serious illnesses, and their families. Synchrony employees raised and matched more than $180,000 to the non-profit.
Synchrony says: Everyone into (and out of) the water!
Once again, kindergarteners through 8th graders will learn the basics of running from experts — and have fun, with friends.
Instructors include Coach Alex, who just ran his personal record marathon (2:55). He’s a founding coach at Central Park Running Club, the fastest-growing run club in New York.
Coach Brenn is a collegiate cross country and track athlete. His post-college PRs include a 4:49 mile, 1:22 half marathon and 3:08 marathon. He previously trained with the elite Central Park Track Club.
Coach Dave has competed in 13 Half Ironmans,12 Olympic triathlons, 4 marathons and 1 Ironman. He is a cycle instructor at Equinox Fitness in New York, and runs competitively for Central Park Running Club.
Coach Skye is a graduate of The Joggers Club Jr. She placed second in her age group in the 2022 Minute Man 10k, and has competed in every Turkey Trot since she was 9.
The camp takes places Sundays from 2 to 3:15 p.m., from April 23 to June 11 at the Staples High School track. It is limited to 40 runners.
Before March 1, the fee is $49 for Joggers Club members, $99 for non-members. Venmo @CPRCandTJC (include name, age and shirt size of participant). Then go to www.TheJoggersClub.com, and complete the waiver under the “Members” tab.
And finally … the legendary Burt Bacharach died Wednesday, in Los Angeles. He was 94.
The New York Times calls him “the debonair pop composer, arranger, conductor, record producer and occasional singer whose hit songs in the 1960s distilled that decade’s mood of romantic optimism….
“A die-hard romantic whose mature style might be described as Wagnerian lounge music, Mr. Bacharach fused the chromatic harmonies and long, angular melodies of late-19th-century symphonic music with modern, bubbly pop orchestration, and embellished the resulting mixture with a staccato rhythmic drive. His effervescent compositions epitomized sophisticated hedonism to a generation of young adults only a few years older than the Beatles.
“Because of the high gloss and apolitical stance of the songs Mr. Bacharach wrote with his most frequent collaborator, the lyricist Hal David, during an era of confrontation and social upheaval, they were often dismissed as little more than background music by listeners who preferred the hard edge of rock or the intimacy of the singer-songwriter genre. But in hindsight, the Bacharach-David team ranks high in the pantheon of pop songwriting.” (Click here for a full obituary.)
His most famous songs may be “Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head,” “Do You Know the Way to San Jose” and “That’s What Friends Are For.”
Here are a few of my favorites. What are yours? Click “Comments” below.
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