Spin Doctors, Rick Derringer Headline Best-Ever Blues, Views & BBQ Fest

Posted on August 10, 2014 | Comments Off on Spin Doctors, Rick Derringer Headline Best-Ever Blues, Views & BBQ Fest

When it comes to blues music, Westport is not exactly Chicago or Memphis.

And when you’re talking barbecue, Kansas City and Atlanta come to mind far quicker than this place.

But over the past 6 years — thanks to the Blues, Views & BBQ Festival — the Westport Downtown Merchants Association has done a phenomenal job putting our town on the music and culinary maps.

The 7th annual event — set for Saturday and Sunday, August 30-31 on Labor Day weekend — will make all previous ones look like county fairs.

Spin Doctors will headline this year's Blues, Views & BBQ Festival.

Spin Doctors will headline this year’s Blues, Views & BBQ Festival.

Blues, rock, brass and funk fans will be blown away by the lineup. The WDMA has signed Spin Doctors, Rick Derringer and a host of other big names — Bill Kirchen, Pop Chubby, Big Sam’s Funky Nation, Raw Oyster Cult and Reverend Raven and the Chain Smokin’ Altar Boys, to name a few — and rented the new Levitt Pavilion for 2 days of fantastic entertainment.

There’s 9 hours of music each day, for the very cool pre-pay price of $50 Saturday and $25 Sunday ($60 and $30 respectively, at the door). A 2-day pass is just $70 — and kids under 12 are free, with a paying adult.

(For Westporters only — and only through August 17 — the Saturday all-access pass is $40. The regular pre-sale price is $50; on-site, it’s $60.)

Meanwhile, the “Family Fun Fest” — in the library and Imperial Avenue parking lots — features plenty of food (including Bobby Q’s, but also from Blue Lemon, Meltmobile, Rolling Cones and others, plus of course a worthy selection of beverages); the always popular BBQ competition; rib- and pie-eating contests; cooking demonstrations; music (including School of Rock kids); bouncy stuff, and all that jazz.

And the price for that has been cut, from $25 last year to just $10. Kids 12 and under go free.

The Packin' Heat BBQ team always provides hot competition. (Photo/MIke Thut)

The Packin’ Heat BBQ team always provides hot competition. (Photo/MIke Thut)

The WDMA does a great job — often without proper credit — promoting free community events, like the Fine Arts Festival, Halloween Parade and Art About Town. They donate to other non-profits, and with projects like Tunnel Vision they beautify downtown.

The Blues, Views & BBQ Festival is the WDMA’s signature event. In just 2 weeks, Westport will be smokin’.

(For advance tickets and more information, click on http://www.bluesviewsbbq.com or call 203-505-8716. Gates open at 11 a.m. Music starts at noon, and goes straight through to 9:30 p.m.)

Big Sam's Funky Nation will also perform at the Blues, Views & BBQ Fest. (Photo/Adam McCullough)

Big Sam’s Funky Nation will also perform at the Blues, Views & BBQ Fest. (Photo/Adam McCullough)

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Posted in Children, Downtown, Entertainment, Organizations, Restaurants

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Remembering Laura Plimpton

Posted on August 9, 2014 | 3 comments

Laura Plimpton — the youngest sister of Martha Stewart, and a longtime writer for the former Westporter’s blog — died Wednesday, after suffering a massive aneurysm. She was 59 years old, and lived in Weston.

Laura left a living will. She was kept on life support until her 3 children could say goodbye, and testing could be completed for organ donation.

Laura’s husband Randy — a Westport realtor and independent property manager — wrote this remembrance.

Laura’s death was totally unexpected. I’m still in shock, but buoyed by my kids, extended family, and wonderful network of friends.

That evening, my kids, sons-in-law and I ate dinner. We served ourselves dessert – a blueberry crisp that Laura baked the day before she collapsed. Laura was a brilliant chef, and eating her delicious dessert was the definition of bittersweet. Here was this perfect creation that she had so lovingly prepared for us, even though she would no longer be here. It felt like we were giving her and ourselves culinary last rites.

This “last” — one of so many for me this week — made me vividly remember a “first”: the first time I met my wife. It was in Westport.

Laura and Randy Plimpton.

Laura and Randy Plimpton.

In the 1980s and ’90s I was the producer for Jerry Simpson, a New York photographer. We were contracted to shoot for a magazine story at Martha Stewart’s property. So Jerry and I drove up I-95 and arrived at Turkey Hill. Laura was working as a food and prop stylist for her sister, and we hit it off immediately.

After shooting all day long, Jerry, Laura and I decided to grab some dinner. Jerry and I were staying overnight at the Inn at Longshore, so the 3 of us went there. Instead of eating we rented some golf clubs and tried our hand on the course. It was a disaster. None of us had any clue how to play, and we sprayed balls everywhere.

Our memorable game led to drinks at the bar. From there we went to the Black Duck for more. Jerry and I went back to Longshore, and Laura drove all the way back to her house in Weston. The house she went home to became our home together for almost 25 years.

The next day we returned to work, still recovering from our antics. Laura told us that she had woken up to find that her shoes were still on, but somehow on the wrong feet. We had a great laugh, and it made for a hilarious beginning to our relationship.

I know there will be many more “lasts” in the days, weeks and months ahead. At the same time, my Laura’s love has already led to healing and warmth in our family this week, and will lead to many “firsts” in the years to come.

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Posted in Entertainment, People, Restaurants

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Matt Marriott: Mick Jagger’s New Drummer

Posted on August 9, 2014 | 1 comment

So what do you do after you’re a Staples High School and Duke University track star?

You work as a production assistant on “Get On Up,” the new movie about the music and moods of James Brown.

And what do you do in the middle of filming on location in Mississippi?

You play drums, while Mick Jagger dances.

Get On Up posterThat’s the crazy twists Matt Marriott’s life has taken in the year since he graduated from college as an English major (no jokes, please), and moved to Los Angeles.

A friend of his aunt’s hooked him up with the 2 producers of the film. They liked him, and hired him for pre-production back East in October.

“I didn’t have any special qualifications, other than I seemed like a nice person and my aunt’s friend vouched for my work ethic,” Matt admits.

“That’s sort of how the film industry seems to work. In the beginning it’s more about who you know, than what you know.”

Matt learned fast. He kept in constant contact with the producers’ personal assistants back in LA — “even if that meant calling doctors to make a house call at 10:30 on a Saturday night.”

Production assistant Matt Marriott, on the set of "Get On Up."

Production assistant Matt Marriott, on the set of “Get On Up.”

Playing with Mick Jagger was much more fun.

He’s one of the film’s producers — the Stones owe a lot to the Godfather of Soul, after all — and spent a week on set.

One Friday night, Matt was hanging out at a Mississippi bar with some friends from the movie. Mick strolled in, with an entourage and a gaggle of higher-ups.

A DJ was playing random pop songs. Mick joined the crowd on the dance floor. Spying an empty drum set on stage — and figuring you only go around once in life — Matt hopped on stage and banged out some rhythm.

“People were enjoying it, so I turned to Mick,” Matt recalls. “He looked right back, and shot me a smile and nod of approval. That was one of the coolest moments of my life.”

The movie was released August 1. Matt is now working at a running shoe and apparel store in Santa Monica, and looking for his next movie gig. In the meantime, he’s producing music.

And, of course, for the rest of his life he can say, “Yeah, I played drums for Mick Jagger.”

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Posted in Entertainment, People, Sports, Staples HS

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iFloat’s David Beats Goliath

Posted on August 8, 2014 | 19 comments

For a year and a half, David Conneely had Westport floating on air.

Okay, water.

His iFloat therapy center above Oscar’s provided a unique way for thousands of men and women to relieve stress and rejuvenate bodies.

But — starting a year ago — even floating quietly in the dark, suspended in a warm solution of Epsom salt, could not relieve David’s stress.

Ten weeks of construction at a women’s store downstairs caused iFloat to close often. Then — after sheet rock ceiling was removed — the store’s music, telephones, even sounds of conversation and laughter shattered the tranquil time that iFloat clients cherished.

One of the iFloat relaxation tanks.

One of the iFloat relaxation tanks.

David tried to work with the store. But months of phone calls, emails and meetings produced no remedy. The store was not legally liable to solve the problem, so David could not sue. Besides, he’s not that type of guy.

David spent plenty of time and money consulting with contractors. No one could help.

He spent more time and money searching for a new site. He did not want to leave Westport, but he’d already lost six figures of income.

In May David spoke with landlord Lee Papageorge about leaving.

iFloat logo

As they worked on a mutually beneficial exit strategy, David’s father died. David spent time in Boston with family, including his brother Martin.

Martin — who owns Conneely Contracting in nearby Arlington — had been one of their father’s primary caregivers. He also had 4 girls, so he’d been unable to help David.

Finally, though, he had time to come to Westport.

Martin assessed the situation. “I can fix this,” he said.

He ripped out a wall and the float tanks. He elevated them — no easy task — and uncoupled the entire float room from the floor and walls. He installed vibration isolators — shipped overnight from California — along with sound-isolating glue and soundboards. Then Milton added new woodwork.

He did not charge his brother a dime.

It all worked perfectly. iFloat is back.

David Conneelly, in iFloat's warm and welcoming lobby.

David Conneelly, in iFloat’s warm and welcoming lobby.

True to his nature — and that of his low-key business — David is not shouting the news. But he is thrilled to offer floats again, proud of the support of his family, and honored by the staunch support of customers like Jamie Walsh, Grayson Braun, Betsy Wacker and Bill Donaldson.

“They kept me motivated and involved,” David says.

At last, David can relax.

Along with thousands of satisfied, gratefully floating customers.

(Click here for hours of operation and more information.)

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Posted in Downtown, Local business, People

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Westport Wins “Fan Favorite Town” Award

Posted on August 7, 2014 | 7 comments

Forget CNN Money‘s “50 Best Small Towns” in America, and their “Top 10 Earning Towns.”  Those are as ridiculous as Newsweek’s rankings of high schools, which give points for the number of kids who take AP tests — whether they pass them or not.

But the Connecticut Fan-Favorite Town of the Year. Now that’s an honor.

And of course, Westport won it. You think I’d write about it if we were 12th?

The contest was organized by the Connecticut Office of Tourism. First Selectman Jim Marpe accepted the award on FOX CT this morning.

A video created by 5th graders Clara Holleman, Sydney Newman and Sutton Lindau, and taped and edited by recent Staples grad Claudine Brantley, helped drive votes. So did posts on the town’s social media sites, as well as (I like to think) a piece about the contest on “06880.”

As winner, Westport receives:

  • Advertising support from the Connecticut Office of Tourism
  • National and in-state public relations support
  • Editorial feature in the 2015 Official Connecticut Visitor’s Guide
  • Week-long social media feature across the Connecticut Office of Tourism’s social channels
  • And, of course, a plaque.

PS: Compo Beach was chosen as the most popular destination within Westport. They needed a contest to figure that out?

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Posted in Children, Organizations, People

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Lifeguards On Duty

Posted on August 7, 2014 | 1 comment

Alert “06880” reader Dick Lowenstein has been puzzled by the permanent-looking “No Lifeguards on Duty” sign at Burying Hill Beach. Clearly though — as this photo shows — guards are very much at work.

Lifeguards on duty - Burying Hill

Burying Hill Beach is just around the bend — as the gull flies — from Compo. It’s got an entirely different vibe, and far fewer folks.

But it’s guarded just as well as the bigger beach.

Thanks, as always, to the guys (and girls) in red.

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Well, Happy Birthday, Betty Lou!

Posted on August 7, 2014 | 9 comments

Betty Lou Cummings turns 80 years old today.

In honor of that milestone, here is an “06880” post from 2011. Nothing says “Betty Lou” better than this.

Generations of Westporters know Betty Lou Cummings as Westport’s #1 cheerleader.

Whether serving as 2nd selectman or leading projects like the Apple Festival, Riverwalk or library’s River of Names, Betty Lou is a big civic booster.

Some Westporters know that Betty Lou’s enthusiasm comes naturally:  She was a cheerleader at Michigan State.

What many don’t know is that she was 1 of the first female cheerleaders there — or in the entire Big 10.

Recently, Betty Lou returned to her native state.  The occasion was bittersweet — she and her husband Tom said goodbye to his mother, who died recently at 103 — but she also stopped by her alma mater’s alumni association.

When they heard her history, they taped her — for their archives, and YouTube.

In 1954, Betty Lou says, 200 students tried out for the cheerleading squad.  Only 6 were chosen.  Four — like her — were blonde.

“We were famous all over Michigan,” she says.  Nearly all cheerleaders at the time were male.

In the video, she talks about her work with Westport’s Senior Center.  Every Super Bowl Sunday, she leads cheers at the annual party — with her green and white Spartans pompoms.

She also says that instead of accompanying the squad to the Rose Bowl, she got married.  Her father objected:  She could get married any time — but there was only one Rose Bowl.

At the end of the video, Betty Lou gives a rousing Michigan State cheer.

She hasn’t lost a beat.

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Posted in Looking back, Organizations, People

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Timing Is Everything: Part 2 [Update]

Posted on August 6, 2014 | 1 comment

[At 9 p.m., Bart Shuldman reports: “The lines are live, and creating quite an issue. CL&P cannot get to us to turn them off. Police are blocking the road as the power lines can snap while live, and create a real issue.”]

Jeb Backus wasn’t the only Westporter with a close call in today’s sudden thunderstorm.

Here’s the scene on Broadview Road, captured by Bart Shuldman:

Broadview

Once again, those trees look great, until…

 

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Posted in People, Places, Weather

Timing Is Everything

Posted on August 6, 2014 | 2 comments

Jeb Backus was on his way to get a haircut late this afternoon, when he ran into a sudden thunderstorm.

This happened right in front of him, at the Westport-Norwalk line:

Westport-Norwalk line

Before he even got to the barber, he had the closest shave of his life.

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Posted in People, Weather

Philip Perlah Says Goodbye To Westport

Posted on August 6, 2014 | 36 comments

Last Sunday’s “06880” post on Christie’s Country Store — aka Vermont — brought this response from Philip Perlah:

After 38 years, it is time to say goodbye to Westport. About 6 years ago we bought a 2nd home in a small town in Vermont. We have now moved in.

Our new town has a population of about 3,000, compared to the 25,000 or so in Westport.

Traffic lights are not merely suggestions.  Actually, we don’t have any traffic lights.

Philip Perlah's new downtown.

Philip Perlah’s new downtown.

There are very few Bimmers and Benzes; more Subarus and pickups (really, really big pickups). Having fewer Bimmers seems to reduce the problems of the entitled self-important. For example, parking is a breeze at the Starbucks parking lot. Actually, we do not have a Starbucks parking lot.

Well, we don’t even have a Starbucks.  But we do have a coffee shop on the green, and an old-fashioned, aluminum diner with Formica tables (narrow — only 1 row of booths and a counter).

But there is a McDonald’s in the next town. And a Shaw’s.

We all remember the Westport Shaw’s –- narrow aisles, dingy, useless clerks. The Vermont Shaw’s has wide aisles and really, really helpful, friendly staff. Like all grocery stores in Vermont, it has an entire aisle devoted to wine.

Our home is on a dirt road (plowed by the town), and a river runs through the back yard. When the wind is right, we are reminded there is a dairy farm a mile down the road.

Philip Perlah's Vermont home.

Philip Perlah’s Vermont home.

We can walk to the town green, which has eclectic shops and restaurants — all locally owned — and a cute library.

The scenery is lovely, and the “vibe” is really mellow and relaxing.

We still have our season tickets to the Westport Country Playhouse, so we were back to see “Nora.” We didn’t miss it one bit.

Next year we’ll subscribe to the Weston Playhouse. As in Weston, Vermont.

A river runs through Philip Perlah's back yard.

A river runs through Philip Perlah’s back yard.

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Posted in People, Places, Westport Country Playhouse

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