James D’Amico Resigns As Staples Principal

Posted on March 8, 2019 | 18 comments

New Fairfield High School has a new principal: Staples’ James D’Amico.

The announcement was made last night by New Fairfield superintendent of schools Patricia Cosentino. New Fairfield is a town of about 14,000, in northern Fairfield County.

“He’s done a great job in Westport for 18 years,” she said. “He has a strong background in curriculum design. He’s student-centered, and has developed wonderful relationships with students, staff and the community. He has a vision to make New Fairfield High School the best it can be.”

Taking the podium, D’Amico thanked his colleagues in Westport — especially his Staples administrative team. Together, he said, “We try to move mountains to help kids. I’ll miss them tremendously.”

In 2016, new principal James D’Amico stood in the foyer of Staples High School.

A 1994 New Fairfield High graduate, D’Amico has spent his entire professional career in Westport. In 2001, after earning a master’s in education, he was hired as a Staples social studies teacher. He was named department chair in 2005, townwide director of secondary education in 2014, and principal in 2016.

Following John Dodig, and a one-year interim, D’Amico made his own mark by addressing issues like scheduling, graduation requirements and exam stresses. He championed Pathways Academy, an alternative school-within-a-school that opened in September.

This morning, D’Amico told the faculty of his decision to leave. A staff member who attended the meeting said he called it “a unique opportunity to do a job I’ve come to love.”

He said he loved working with the staff, loved the high school, and had not anticipated leaving. But the opportunity was too good to pass up.

He vowed to be “completely dedicated to the school” until June 30, the end of his 3rd year at the helm of the 1,885-student school. This year Staples was ranked the #1 public high school in Connecticut. New Fairfield, with 904 students, was #91.

Superintendent of schools Colleen Palmer said, “We extend our best wishes to Mr. D’Amico as he moves on to his new role this summer, and thank him for his years of dedicated service to our district.”

The search for a new Staples High School principal begins soon.

Last fall, Staples High School principal James D’Amico had a star turn in Players’ production of “Legally Blonde.” (Photo/Kerry Long)

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Toscanini Lives!

Posted on March 8, 2019 | 3 comments

From 1937 to 1954, Arturo Toscanini was one of the most famous men in America.

Already acclaimed for his intensity, perfectionism and ear for orchestral detail as director of La Scala, the Metropolitan Opera and New York Philharmonic, his appointment as music director of the NBC Symphony Orchestra — first on radio, then TV — brought him into nearly every household in the nation.

“He had a singular approach to music making,” says Lucy Johnson. “He was what today we would call a rock star. Thousands of people lined up for tickets to see him perform.”

Today, she says, his work and vibrant reputation remain. He may not be a rock star, but he is revered in musical circles. “People are still inspired by the man, his personality and his musicianship,” Johnson says.

She should know. The longtime Westporter’s father, Samuel Antek, played first violin with the NBC Symphony.

Arturo Toscanini (left) and Samuel Antek.

He died at 48, of a heart attack. Before his death — one year after Toscanini’s, at 89 — he wrote a series of essays about the conductor, from the point of view of an orchestra member. They were published posthumously, in a book called This Was Toscanini.

Two years ago, music historian Harvey Sachs wrote a new biography, Toscanini: Musician of Conscience. During his research, he and Johnson became friends.

She had quite a career of her own. She majored in art history, then got an entry- level job at NBC in New York. She worked in production with Harry Belafonte and David Susskind.

Lucy Johnson

Moving to Los Angeles, Johnson became senior vice president of daytime and children’s programming with both NBC and CBS. She launched The Smurfs, and worked with the legendary Fred Silverman.

She met Bill Klein. Thirteen years ago, they decided to move back East.

Her LA colleague Sonny Fox — the former “Wonderama” host, now a broadcast industry consultant — had lived in Weston. He suggested she look at Westport, and introduced her to friends he thought she and Bill would like: library director Maxine Bleiweis, and Larry and Mary-Lou Weisman.

They moved here — and have remained friends with those first contacts. “Westport is a very cultured town,” Johnson says. She has met many people who remember Toscanini — either first hand, or through his recordings.

Several years ago, Johnson took Weisman’s memoir writing course. So when Sachs was speaking with her about his Toscanini biography, he told Johnson she should reissue her father’s old memoir. She did — adding her own essays before each chapter.

Thanks to the efforts of Johnson — and others — Toscanini still lives. Tomorrow (Saturday, March 9, 3 p.m.) biographer Sachs speaks about “Toscanini: Musician of Conscience” at the Westport Woman’s Club.

When World War II began, Toscanini fled the fascism of his native Italy. After Mussolini fell, Toscanini participated in a legendary film, “Hymn of the Nations.” It honored the role of Italian-Americans who aided the Allies.

Toscanini took Verdi’s 1860’s work, including the national anthems of European nations, and added arrangements of “The Star Spangled Banner,” and “The Internationale” for the Soviet Union and Italian partisans.

Sachs will talk about all that tomorrow. He’ll also include rare film footage of the NBC Symphony.

Perhaps Lucy Johnson will see her own father on screen, playing violin under the baton of one of America’s most legendary maestros.

(Hat tip: Joel Davis)

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Pic Of The Day #689

Posted on March 7, 2019 | Comments Off on Pic Of The Day #689

Nearly every night, there’s a worthy fundraiser.

One of the best each year is the Galaxy of Gourmets. Sponsored by STAR Lighting the Way — the advocacy and support organization that since 1952 has helped individuals of all ages with developmental disabilities live full, independent lives — it’s a night of fantastic food, wine and craft beer. A couple dozen area restaurants and caterers turn Aitoro’s Appliances in Norwalk into a wonderful party room.

There’s live music too, from Rubberband and the Suburban Chaos Band. The groups include STAR clients.

Make no mistake:  They’re good. The place rocked. Rubberband: You guys are STARs!

(Photo/Dan Woog)

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Tyler Jent Helps “Lion King” Roar

Posted on March 7, 2019 | 3 comments

Everyone knows “The Circle of Life” from “The Lion King.”

But the song took on new meaning recently. As Greens Farms Elementary School prepared for its first-ever musical production — of, yes, “The Lion King” — it got a big boost from a very special alum.

Tyler Jent — who graduated from GFS  in 2006, and Staples High School 7 years later — returned to his alma mater to help prepare the young actors and dancers. He spent every Monday for 2 months with them — then more intensely as showtime neared.

This was way cool. After starring in more than a dozen Staples Players productions, then graduating from the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, Tyler launched his professional musical theater carer. He just finished a run in the national tour of “Kinky Boots.”

Tyler Jent — and a future Broadway star?

The Greens Farms kids were already in great shape. Westporter Laura Curley Pendergast — a former actress and dancer — had spent countless hours, along with teachers and many others, working with the cast and crew.

Tyler just gave them an extra Broadway boost.

“It was so emotional for me returning to GFS,” he said. “These kids are amazing. It’s been a blast helping Laura pull this show together.”

“The Lion King” opens tonight (March 7, 7 p.m.). It continues tomorrow (Friday, March 8, 7 p.m.), and ends Saturday (March 9, 4 p.m.). Tickets are available at the Greens Farms Elementary School door.

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Staples Students Merit Praise

Posted on March 7, 2019 | 3 comments

This is not the kind of photo I usually post on “06880.”

For one thing, I stay away from lines of people staring at a camera.

For another, I’d much rather give a shout-out to a kid doing something different or unusual — carving his or her own path through high school — than the ones who are used to getting praise and applause.

But I love this photo of Staples High School’s National Merit Scholar finalists.

Front row (from left): Isabel Powell, Emma McKinney, Orly Salik, Genevieve Domenico. Middle: Andrew Moy, Angela Ji, Anisa Prasad, Sirina Prasad. Back: Martin Menz, Preston Lust, Joshua Zhang, Benjamin Tobben, Zachary Katz, Carter Teplica.

Take a look.

They’re split right down the middle by gender: 7 girls, 7 boys.

They’re ethnically diverse.

More importantly, they’re some of Westport’s brightest students. But they sure don’t look like they spend all their time all alone in their rooms, squeezing every last decimal point out of the GPAs.

No. They look like they’re having fun. They look like they like each other.

Plus, everyone has their own style.

I particularly like Preston’s hat.

And Anisa’s shirt.

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Dream On: A Better Chance Changes Lives

Posted on March 7, 2019 | 1 comment

Five years ago, Michael and Karen Wolfe were invited to A Better Chance of Westport‘s Dream Event.

They knew little about the organization, but were happy to support their friend. Michael expected a typical charity night: a fun cocktail party, silent auction and dinner.

Then the speeches began.

Two seniors were graduating from ABC — the program that brings academically gifted, economically disadvantaged and highly motivated young men of color to Westport. They live in Glendarcy House on North Avenue, attend Staples High School, and take full advantage of the opportunity. But they give back to this community at least as much as they get.

That night, the young men spoke passionately about their 4 years with A Better Chance. Ruben Guardado talked about growing up in the San Diego barrio, and how coming to Westport opened his horizons to new worlds.

Khaliq Sanda spoke directly about overcoming metaphorical walls, and how ABC allowed his parents — immigrants from Cameroon — to fulfill their dreams of providing an excellent education for their son.

Khaliq Sanda, speaking at the 2014 A Better Chance Dream Event.

Ruben was headed to the University of Southern California, Khaliq to Duke. The Wolfes were in awe, hearing how one organization touched and changed two lives, on such profound levels.

Almost immediately, Michael and Karen decided to become more involved. Fortuitously, Diane Johnson sat at their table. She ran the host family committee. (Each ABC scholar is paired with a Westport family, with whom they spend every Sunday and one full weekend a month. The broadening experience often leads to lifelong friendships.)

The Wolfes’ own children — Jacob and Rachel, twins about to enter Staples themselves — were all in.

Over 4 years, they watched Jarod Ferguson blossom from a shy freshman from Philadelphia into a strong, capable young man, now proudly attending the University of Pittsburgh.

Jarod Ferguson (far left) with the Wolfe family.  They had dinner together every Sunday. This was their final get-together, at Compo Beach.

Last year, Michael introduced Jarod at the 2018 Dream Event. He said, “All we did was share our home over the weekend. But Jarod was willing to share his heart, his mind and his dreams with us. For that, we’re eternally grateful to him, his amazing mother Angela, and to A Better Chance of Westport.”

Michael — now ABC’s vice president of fundraising — is getting ready for this year’s Dream Event. It’s set for Saturday, March 30, at Rolling Hills Country Club in Wilton.

As he learned 5 years ago, it’s far more than a charity fundraiser. It’s a inspiring, remarkable evening. And it can be as life-changing for attendees as ABC has been for the scholars.

Once again, 2 graduating seniors will speak from the heart.

David Li and Darby Aurelien, A Better Chance of Westport’s 2 graduating seniors.

Since joining ABC 4 years ago from Queens, David Li has been active in basketball, rugby and track. He excels in art, which ABC helped facilitate.

David says:

ABC has been very helpful in my growth and development as a person. Not only have I been able to mature and better myself, but I had the opportunity to continue to pursue my interests and further my creativity.

Since sophomore year I have taken art lessons with Roe Halper. She has helped me immensely, guiding me to perfect my craft and exposing me to new styles and techniques. I am very grateful for everything that ABC and the Westport community have offered me.

“Woman,” an ink drawing by David Li.

It’s hard enough for most ABC scholars to leave their homes in 9th grade — but at least they start as new freshmen with their peers. Darby Aurelien made the transition from Teaneck, New Jersey as a sophomore.

But he too has thrived. Staples fostered his passion for music and public service. Last year Darby traveled to the Dominican Republic with Builders Beyond Borders, where he helped build classrooms. Next month, he heads to Guatemala.

He says:

My time in ABC has been filled with action-packed and memorable experiences. What was once a yearning attempt to just attend a new high school has turned into amicable relationships, wholehearted support, and a growing maturity.

The ABC program provides lots of opportunities to volunteer and give back. With B3 I bond with other students, learn to immerse myself in a community culture, and adapt to living conditions. It is a delight to see what we accomplished as a team to better the lives of others — as A Better Chance of Westport has done for me.

Every year Westporters head to their first Dream Event, expecting just another charity fundraiser.

Like Michael and Karen Wolfe, they never dream of the impact it will make not only on the very special scholars’ lives — but on their own.

(A Better Chance of Westport’s Dream Event is set for Saturday, March 30 at Rolling Hills Country Club in Wilton. For more information and tickets, click here.)

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Pic Of The Day #688

Posted on March 6, 2019 | 2 comments

Dinner at OKO (Photo/Dan Woog)

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Remembering Micky Golomb

Posted on March 6, 2019 | 3 comments

Micky Golomb — a tenor saxophone player who for many years was a major face of Westport jazz — died last weekend, peacefully at home. He was 88.

When Micky was a teenager in the late 1940s, his family moved from Brookline, Massachusetts to Brooklyn. In Manhattan he heard legendary musicians like Charlie Parker, Dexter Gordon, Lester Young and Stan Getz. They influenced him profoundly.

He joined the military during the Korean War, hoping to fly. But when an officer found out he played sax, he was given a choice: KP duty or the band. He served the entire time as an Air Force musician — including a fondly remembered year in Iceland.

After he was discharged, Micky enjoyed a long career playing in jazz bands, ensembles, and the occasional big band (most notably Art Mooney and Jimmy Dorsey’s orchestras).

Micky Golomb

In 1987 he toured Italy with a sextet billed as “Veterans of Jazz.” The bulk of his career was spent playing in New York City, and Fairfield and Westchester Counties.

Micky’s long-term engagements included playing and singing at Dameon’s, and the Westport Inn. He also loved monthly jam sessions in Port Chester. Most recently, he sang with the Y’s Men’s Hoot Owls.

Micky ran Regency Music Studios in Rye for over 20 years. He then served as director of the Rye Arts Center’s music division.

He taught sax and clarinet to many local young musicians. Blessed with perfect pitch, Micky also tuned pianos for individuals and and businesses.

He met Katherine, a library administrator, in 1973, when a friend brought her to the club where Micky was playing. They married 5 years later, and lived on Nash’s Pond for many years. When they downsized, they moved to Harvest Commons.

Micky loved cruising and sailing on Long Island Sound. He owned a succession of boats, named Adagio, Sea Melody and Coda. His last vessel was Fine — the musical term marking the end of a composition or movement.

Micky had a song lyric for every occasion. He sang Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” just a few days before he died. He indeed lived a life that was full. He traveled each and every highway. And he did it his way.

Greg Wall — the Jazz Rabbi — lived not far from him. Micky enjoyed listening to Greg’s Thursday night jazz series. The last time was a few weeks ago, at Pearl at Longshore.

Greg saw Micky shortly before he died. “He was fully present, at peace, comfortable, and not at all hesitant about embarking on his ultimate gig,” the rabbi says.

Micky is survived by his wife Katherine, daughter Liorah, stepdaughters Diane, Rachel and Rebecca Paxton, and grandchildren Martha and Toby Stueward. he was predeceased by  his son Kenneth.

The Jazz Society of Fairfield County will present a memorial program on Thursday March 21 (6:30 p.m., Pearl at Longshore). Greg, and Chris Coogan and his trio, will play. They invite Micky’s fellow “senior statesman musicians and collaborators” to join them for the second set.

A scholarship fund has been created, to support a local student pursuing jazz at a college or conservatory. Click here to donate.

(Click here for Micky Golomb’s memorial page on the JazzFC site.)

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Unsung Hero #88

Posted on March 6, 2019 | 4 comments

Little things mean a lot.

This year, Greens Farms Elementary School is performing its first play: “The Lion King.”

Director/producer Laura Pendergast — a GFS parent — and teachers Ellen Hardy and Suzanne Sherman Propp have prepared for months for this week’s show.

Dozens of school hours, plenty of work at home, and countless contributions from parent volunteers have gone into the production.

A crucial full-cast rehearsal was scheduled for last Saturday. Then, disaster struck. In anticipation of snow, all Westport school activities for that day were canceled.

Finding space for 70 children seemed impossible. Realizing that Town Hall auditorium might be an option, GFS parent Danielle Dobin called 1st Selectman Jim Marpe.

Rev. Jeffrey Rider

It was not available. But Marpe suggested she contact Greens Farms Congregational Church, and ask about using the Fellowship Hall.

It was Friday evening. Danielle called Rev. Jeff Rider. She did not know him at all — they’d never met or spoken.

He said he’d check the calendar. Soon, he said the space was free — and that GFS was more than welcome to use it.

The location — smack in the middle of the Greens Farms neighborhood — was very convenient. The room was perfect. The cost was free.

And on Monday — when Westport schools were closed because of the overnight storm — Greens Farms Church opened its doors again, for another rehearsal.

Speaking for the entire GFS community, and citing his flexibility and generosity, Danielle nominates Rev. Rider as “06880”‘s Unsung Hero this week.

As she notes: “Thanks to Rev. Jeff, we went from stressed out to Hakuna Matata in no time flat.”

(Do you know an Unsung Hero? Send nominations to dwoog@optonline.net)

The show must go on: Rehearsing in the Greens Farms Church Fellowship Hall.

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Dovecote Closes One Door

Posted on March 6, 2019 | 2 comments

First it was The Brownstone. Then Lester’s. Now one more popular store is closing.

But at least Dovecote is not going away entirely.

Last night, Sarah Kaplan — owner of the popular, eclectic home and jewelry store, on Post Road East underneath Toquet Hall — posted this news on social media:

Dear Friends,

Seventeen years after starting Dovecote, I’ve decided to take it in a new, smaller direction.

Many factors have led to this decision. The most important being a mother to my two sons, Henry and Samuel. Raising them is the main priority in my life.

Over the past few years, I have struggled to find a balance and I realized that something had to give. I need to realign my life so my work life is smaller, less stressful, and hopefully more fulfilling.

I love Dovecote and its spirit will continue, but in a smaller way so I have more time to spend with my family, friends, and doing other things that bring me happiness.

This has been the hardest decision of my “business” life but I know it’s the right one. It is bittersweet to say the least. The main Dovecote “home” store will close this month. Dovecote Jewelry will remain open and will evolve into something new and exciting.

I want to thank all of Dovecote’s customers. So many of you have been with us since we opened in September 2002. I also want to thank the incredible Dovecote store team, who are both friends and co-workers.

Finally, I am grateful to all of our amazing vendors and would like to especially thank our landlord, Rand Real Estate. Every business owner should be so lucky to have a landlord as supportive as they have been.

Now for the details…

Dovecote will run a store-wide closing sale starting Wednesday March 6 at 10 a.m. All merchandise will be 50% off.

Please come by! We have lots of great furniture, lighting, accessories, art, gifts, books, jewelry, and more.

And just to be clear, Dovecote Jewelry will remain open, as small and as beautiful as ever.

Thank you!

(Hat tip: Marcy Sansolo)

Some of the intriguing finds inside Dovecote.

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