Mark Edwards is a familiar Staples High School name.
The 1988 graduate captained the lacrosse and ski teams. He played football and tennis too. This summer, he revived the Compo Beach volleyball tournament.
Now a highly regarded speaker to sales teams, corporate leaders and college audiences about reading people and managing pressure, he’s written his first book.
“The Elements of Golf and Business: Reading the Green, Reading the Room” maps the Big 5 personality traits onto 5 classical elements (fire, earth, air, water and aether) to show how the instincts revealed over 18 holes are the same ones that shape a negotiation, leadership decision or client relationship.
It includes a self-assessment and an original golf game for foursomes.
On October 19 (6 p.m., The Clubhouse), Mark gives his first public talk based on the book.
He’ll discuss each trait using case studies from names like Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Scottie Scheffler and Ben Hogan, along with pop culture moments and business lessons learned over the past 25 years.
“I want my first audience to be the community I grew up in,” Edwards says.
“Golf has a way of showing you who people really are when the pressure is on. I’m happy to put myself in that seat first.”
A $10 ticket includes appetizers. For $20, you also get a signed copy of the book. Click here to purchase. After the talk, guests can stay for Monday Night Football.
Mark Edwards
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Westport Country Playhouse was buzzing on Monday.
Tom Hanks, Wendie Malick and Tony Shalhoub performed in the 100th play reading in the 20-year-old Script in Hand series.
If you missed the historic event: too bad! In any event, here’s the curtain call:
Tony Shalhoub, Wendie Malick, Tom Hanks. (Photo/Kerry Long)
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Meanwhile, coming up at MoCA\CT:
The museum’s executive director Robin Jaffee Frank, artist Rick Shaefer, architect and urban policy leader Rick Bell and executive director of the Avon Theatre Film Center Peter Gistelinck offer a provocative conversation, inspired by Shaefer’s monumental “Colossi” drawings on exhibit now (October 24, 4 p.m.).
They’ll discuss the enduring human impulse to build walls, and what they reveal about ambition, history, borders and our relationship to the landscape.
The event is free, but registration is required; click here.
On October 29 (7 p.m.), the East Coast Contemporary Ballet Salon Series comes to MoCA, for an intimate evening of dance, discovery and conversation.
They’ll present a short excerpt from their upcoming fall season, then go behind the scenes to show their creative journey. Click here for tickets.
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Coming up at Lachat Town Farm: “Spirits of 1776: A Haunted Experience.”
The Weston farm takes visitors back to the 1770s, as the Revolution unfolded and danger lurked in every field.
In an immersive, interactive production, audiences encounter ghostly battles of fallen soldiers and rebels, along with witches, tricksters and evil spirits.
Participants walk on wooded trails and varied terrain in a 45-minute guided adventure filled with live actors and chilling surprises. Parental discretion is strongly advised, as some scenes may be too scary for younger audiences.
Performances are October 22-25, at 6:30, 6:50, 7:10, 7:30 7:50, 8:10 and 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $25. Click here to purchase, and for more information.
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Many Westporters supports KEYS Music.
The Bridgeport non-profit provides free music lessons and musical summer camp to public school students in grades K-12.
It fills an enormous need: Only 8 out of the city’s 34 public schools offer any type of music programming.
On November 8 (5 p.m., Fairfield Theatre Company), KEYS hosts their annual fundraiser.
It’s free — the board covers the cost. Of course, contributions are warmly welcomed.
$300 covers 15 music lessons for 1 student; $450, 1 day’s lunch for KEYS
summer program students; $600, a 1-month paid internship for a KEYS alumnus; $1,200, a 4-week summer program scholarship; $1,500, a concert at the University of Bridgeport; $2,500, a KEYS scholarship for the University of Bridgeport; $5,000, instruments, maintenance, repairs, and supplies; $7,000, 1 student for 2 years of music education; $10,000, a KEYS music program at1 school for a full year; $15,000, 1 ensemble at the Saturday program
Light bites will be served, along with an open bar. Of course, KEYS students and alumni will perform. Click here to register. To learn more and donate, click here.
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Last year, 3 New York City Marathon runners raised $19,000 for Positive Directions.
This year, 5 — George DeNoto, Doug Feinberg, Piya, Brian McGarvey and Gianna — are aiming far higher: $60,000. They’re already more than 1/3 of the way there.
Each has their own reason for running. But all involve mental health.
Every dollar raised goes to Positive Directions, which funds their counseling and prevention work. To read their stories — and donate — click here.
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Westport Police made 2 custodial arrests between September 30 and October 6.
A 37-year-old Westport man was charged with possession of child sexual abuse material, after 2 videos of child pornography were emailed to him. He was released on a $25,000 bond.
A 48-year-old Westport man was charged wit assault and disorderly conduct, after a verbal argument escalated into a physical one. He was released on a $7,500 bond.
Westport Police also issued these citations:
- Failure to renew registration: 9 citations
- Traveling unreasonably fast: 5
- Operating a motor vehicle without a license: 5
- Failure to obey traffic control signals: 4
- Operating a school bus while using a handheld telephone: 3
- Operating an unregistered motor vehicle: 3
- Speeding: 2
- Operating a motor vehicle without minimum insurance: 2
- Failure to grant right of way: 2
- School zone violation: 1
- Traveling too fast for conditions: 1
- Failure to drive right: 1
- Improper use of marker: 1
- Violation of motor vehicle license class: 1
Three school bus drivers were charged recently with using handheld telephones. (Photo/Amy Schneider)
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Bob Weingarten spotted this bird — today’s “Westport … Naturally” subject — sitting on a mailbox.
However, he says, when he got closer it did not move.
“Is this Halloween bird real or not?” he wonders.
(Photo/Bob Weingarten)
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And finally … in honor of the 5 people raising funds for Positive Directions, at the New York Marathon (item above):
(You don’t have to run — or even walk — to support “06880.” Just click here, to make a tax-deductible donation that keeps this hyper-local blog running smoothly. Thank you!)
