If you were downtown today, you saw a dozen or so outgoing, active young people collecting money at various street corners to fight pediatric cancer. Their signs and cans noted a Penn State connection.
Alert “06880” reader David Conneely wanted to know more. He interviewed one woman, and learned that this weekend’s efforts are part of a much larger initiative.
Last year, Penn State raised $13 million.
Hopefully, Westporters give generously to the cause.
Westporters enjoyed a rare — and beautiful — double rainbow yesterday afternoon:
But when an alert “06880” photographer snapped this shot, she was the only one who noticed. Everyone else was too busy chatting, or looking at their phones.
Veteran’s Day is Tuesday, November 11.
Many veterans live quietly in “06880”-land. And we’d like to give them their due.
If you’ve got a photo and/or story about a man or woman who served their country — recently or long ago; still living, or no longer with us — send it along (dwoog@optonline.net). We’ll post this special tribute on our veterans’ special day.
Plaques, memorials and a statue fill Westport’s Veterans Green.
Late last month, Frontier took over AT&T’s Connecticut telephone service.
As “06880” reported, the move did not go smoothly.
On Wednesday, Frontier emailed its TV customers. Every one in the state will receive a $50 billing credit.
“We understand that our customers are the reason we exist and we are working very hard to earn your trust and confidence,” the message said.
“We are committed to making sure that every resident and business in Connecticut knows that Frontier is a company that stands behind its services, products and people.”
“06880” won’t take credit for being the only media outlet to publicize the changeover snafu.
But we won’t deny it, either.
Fifty years ago, Hello, Dolly! debuted on Broadway. It danced and sang its memorable way to become — for a while — the longest-running show in history.
In 1985, Al Pia directed Dolly! with Staples Players. David Roth — who as an 8th grader in Illinois played Cornelius — reprised it in 2002, his 3rd year as Players director.
Now, the show is back. Hello, Dolly! opens on the Staples High School stage next Friday (November 14). It runs that weekend and next.
A small part of the large cast sings “It Takes a Woman.” (Photo/Kerry Long)
Like many Players productions, this one melds elements of old and new. Dorian Kail — Dolly in 1985 — will sit proudly in the auditorium. Her son, Jacob Leaf, plays Rudolph this time around.
The cast and crew learned a lot about the Broadway versions from 2 fantastic sources. Sondra Lee (who originated the role of Minnie Fay) and Lee Roy Reams (Cornelius in the 1st Broadway revival, and the director of subsequent revivals) — both visited the set last month.
“We wanted to go back to a classic, and do something accessible to families,” Roth says of his selection.
“I love the comedy. This show is truly a farce — one of my favorite types of show to direct. ”
Roth — who grew up listening to the soundtrack — loves the music, the script, even the pacing.
He, co-director Kerry Long, set designer Peter DiFranco and costume designers Marjorie Watt and Priscilla Stampa, have pulled out all the stops.
Costumes and sets complement Jack Bowman, Claire Smith and Jack Baylis as they sing “Dancing.” (Photo/Kerry Long)
“The sets and costumes are really outstanding,” Roth says. “Every scene is beautiful. This is a candy-colored storybook — a fantasy version of a time gone by.”
The director also appreciates the choreography — which is dazzlingly complex.
In 2002, Roth did not have enough male dancers. So a number of girls dressed as male waiters.
This year, they’re all guys.
It’s so nice to have them back where they belong.
(“Hello, Dolly!” is performed on Friday and Saturday, November 14, 15, 21 and 22 at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, November 16 at 3 p.m. An extra matinee has been added for Saturday, November 22 at 3 p.m. For tickets — including the pre-show gala on opening night — click www.StaplesPlayers.com.)
Posted in Arts, Entertainment, People, Staples HS, Teenagers
Tagged "Hello, Al Pia, David Roth, Dolly!", Dorian Kail, Staples Players
Earlier this fall, the downtown Starbucks closed for more than a week of renovations.
Today they’re closed again. A fire extinguisher blew last night, damaging the newly redesigned interior.
They hope to reopen this weekend.
Meanwhile, there’s always Java.
Ever since the Wright Street and Gorham Island buildings were erected in the 1970s — and those were quite some erections — Westport has been consumed by construction.
Even so, 2014 stands out as a landmark year.
Here are some of the developments — as in, real estate developments — that have occurred in the past few months. Or are occurring right now.
The west side of the Saugatuck River includes the old National Hall and the relatively new Wright Street building. (Photo/Larry Untermeyer for DowntownWestportCT.com)
That’s a lot — as in, lots of building lots.
And nearly 2 months still remain in this year.
P.S. Oh, yeah. The beach too.
Posted in Beach, Downtown, Library, Local business, Places, Real estate, Restaurants, Saugatuck, YMCA
Tagged Jesup Green, Post Road, Saugatuck Center
Tomorrow (Thursday, November 6, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Imperial Avenue parking lot) is the final date for this year’s Westport Farmer’s Market.
They’re ending the year with a bang.
Staples High School’s Advanced Culinary Arts students of Cecily Gans will be among the chef demonstrators (10:15-11 a.m.). And “chef” is the right word. These guys are not just tossing together a Cobb salad.
They’ll feature a recipe by recent graduate Sarah Rountree. Her Crispy Brussels Sprouts in Honey-Mint Sauce was chosen for its seasonality, and the local availability of most ingredients.
But that’s not the only Westport connection. Sarah’s recipe is 1 of 5 featured in Future Chefs: Recipes by Tomorrow’s Cooks Across the Nation and the World. The handsome book — just published by Rodale Press — includes 150 contributions from teenagers around the world.
Sophia Hampton shows off her culinary skills. (Photo/JP Vellotti)
But Sarah is not the only Stapleite with a recipe in Future Chefs. Senior Sophia Hampton is included twice, for her Delicata-Crab Hash with Poached Duck Egg, and her Kale Caesar Salad.
Zach Reiser offers up his Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread; Deanna Baris, her Breakfast Cookies.
But it’s not only Staples students who are featured. Wes Beeler was in 8th grade when he contributed his Competition-Ready St. Louis-Style Spareribs. (The competition was the Blues, Views & BBQ Festival. He placed 3rd.)
But the book is not limited to recipes. Each young chef has a full write-up. Sophia’s, for example, notes that she volunteers one day a month — with the Culinary Club — serving food at the Gillespie Center, and that as features editor for the school newspaper Inklings she moved from fashion writing to the food beat.
But they’re not the only Staples students mentioned. Class of 2013 graduate Rusty Schindler was cited in the introduction, while last year’s entire Advanced Culinary Arts class was thanked — individually — in the acknowledgements, for testing many of the recipes.
But those are not the only local connections. Future Chefs was written by Westport author (and New York-trained chef) Ramin Ganeshram. The compelling photographs come courtesy of her husband — and frequent “06880” contributor Jean Paul Vellotti.
There are probably more Staples/Future Chefs tie-ins. If so, you’ll find them at the Farmers Market this Thursday. And the book — available for signing.
If not, you’ll still enjoy Sarah’s Crispy Brussels Sprouts in Honey-Mint Sauce.
(Click on Future Chefs for ordering information.)
Wes Beeler eating his BBQ on the roof of Bobby Q’s. JP Vellotti took the photo on a very cold day. The roof was still a mess from Hurricane Sandy. The publisher said, “Try to make it look like he’s in Texas.”
At first glance, this seems like one more instance of a Westporter stealing campaign signs. Not cool, but unfortunately not out of the ordinary either.
Last night around 7 p.m., an alert “06880” reader was driving on Greens Farms Road. At the intersection with Hillspoint, he saw a silver Subaru pulled over on Hillspoint. The hazard lights were on, and the rear door opened.
A man pulled a bunch of political signs out of the back of the car, and dumped them on the ground.
Here’s where the tale gets interesting. A photo — taken this morning — shows the pile:
It includes campaign signs for Republicans and Democrats — along with one for the Community Nursery School.
So the skunk-like thief/litterer was not out to create political mischief.
He just doesn’t like lawn signs, period.
So he took the law into his own hands.
People all over the world have fought — and died — for the right to vote.
They still are.
There is no excuse not to vote. None.
Especially not knowing where to cast your ballot. If you’re not sure, click here.
The polls are open until 8 p.m. But do it now!
Both the sun and Election Day signs were up early this morning, at the Westport Library polling place.
Click here to help support “06880” via credit card or PayPal. Any amount is welcome, appreciated — and tax-deductible! Reader contributions keep this blog going. (Alternate methods: Please send a check to “06880”: PO Box 744, Westport, CT 06881. Or use Venmo: @blog06880. Or Zelle: dwoog@optonline.net. Thanks!)