Roundup: License Plate Readers, Hostage Walk, College Mental Health …

Posted on February 22, 2025 | 14 comments

When the Board of Selectwomen meet Wednesday (February 26, 9 a.m., Town Hall auditorium), they’ll discuss the usual types of items: road closures for events like the Memorial Day parade and road races, sewer connections, etc.

One item is different: approval of a maintenance agreement between the town and the state Department of Transportation “for permission to work within the highway right-of-way to install, maintain and replace automatic license plate readers.”

The town already has one set of license plate readers, at I-95 Exit 17. This agenda item is for another set, at I-95 Exit 18 at the Sherwood Island Connector.

The readers are a response to the rash of car thefts in the area. They give the Westport Police Department a head’s-up if a stolen car is entering town off the highway — or headed out of here, onto it.

The selectwomen’s approval is needed to ensure the state that local officials will maintain the devices.

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Early reviews are in for “Native Gardens” — and they’re raves.

Westport Country Playhouse’s current production — a hilarious yet thought-provoking show about a neighborly dispute that turns into a battle of cultures — gets high marks for its acting, message, and breathtaking set.

The show runs through March 8. Click here for tickets, and more information. Click below for the trailer:

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Tomorrow’s Run4TheirLives walk honors the Bibas family. The 2 boys, ages 4 and 9 months, were killed by Hamas, after being kidnapped from their kibbutz. The fate of their mother is unknown.

As they’ve done for over a year, Westporters will gather at 11 a.m. in the Westport Country Playhouse parking lot on Sunday, then walk through town.

They will say the Mourner’s Kaddish, carry orange balloons in memory of the flame-haired brothers, and pray for their mother.

All Westporters of all ages are invited to join. Wear orange sweaters, coats, hats or reflector vests; bring orange balloons or Bibas signs.

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In November, Startup Westport’s “Young Innovators” forum drew an SRO crowd to the Westport Library.

Entrepreneurs and investors from their 30s through 70s were awed by presentations from a quartet of Staples High School alumni — none older than 25 — who have crushed the tech world.

The star of the star-studded panel was Dylan Diamond. The 2017 grad is co-founder and CEO of Saturn. The Gen Z calendar app has raised $68 million, scaled to millions users, reached 18,000 schools, and hit #1 in the App Store  — all after starting out as a high school project.

The event was moderated by Molly O’Shea. The oldest person on stage — she graduated from Staples in 2014 — is no slouch herself. A venture capital investor, Molly founded Sourcery, the VC deal and startup trend newsletter.

Now she’s posted a podcast with Dylan. It opens with a huge shout-out to the Startup Westport event (which she links to, and includes in every Sourcery social post).

Click below for Molly and Dylan’s very insightful — and entertaining — chat.

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There are many ways to prepare students for college. Sometimes overlooked — but crucial — is to focus on mental health.

On Tuesday (February 25, 6:30 p.m., Westport Library), Dr. James Geisler will discuss mental health challenges on college campuses, and help parents support their children’s transition to higher education. For more information, click here.

Graduation is fun. But preparing for the next step is very important.

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This year’s Westport Woman’s Club gala celebrates women who have made significant contributions to philanthropy and service to the community.

The April 5 event (6 p.m., Patterson Club, Fairfield) will be emceed by Scott Foley. His 30-year career in films and on TV include “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Scream 3,” and (currently) “Will Trent” and “La Dolce Villa.”

He lives in Westport with his wife, 3 children and many pets.

The evening includes a performance by the R&B, soul and dance band the  Bernadettes, plus a silent and live auction.

Guests will enjoy a vibrant performance by The Bernadettes, an R&B/Soul and Dance band, creating a lively atmosphere as well as an opportunity to bid on wonderful silent and live auction items.

Click here for tickets, and more information. Sponsorships are available for $1,000 (to provide clothing for children in need), $5,000 (a need-based scholarship for a graduating senioro) and $10,000 (225 bags of food to struggling families).

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Kings Highway Elementary School students spent Kindness Week spreading joy — within the building, and the entire district.

Every student helped design and create a “kindness rock” — a KHS tradition.

Fifty of them will be delivered to Westport’s 4 elementary schools, 2 middle schools and Staples High — along with a video message explaining their significance, and how each school might use them.

That’s “kind” of a great idea!

Kings Highway’s “kindness rocks.”

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As a 2-year captain of Staples’ boys soccer team, Mike Dobbs earned renown on the field. Like any soccer player (except the goalkeeper), he did plenty of running.

After a start at Athletic Shoe Factory in Westport, he’s spent his professional career in the running shoe industry. And he’s still running — though on roads, not soccer pitches.

Mike will compete in the Boston Marathon in April. It’s a way to compete — and raise money for Dana Farber Cancer Research, in honor of his late mother Sharon (a well-known and dedicated Westport Soccer Association volunteer).

The funds Mike raises will go to the Claudia Adams Barr Program. Click here for more information, and to contribute to his campaign.

Mike Dobbs

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There’s always something going on at MoCA CT. Ahead:

Upcycle Sculpture Workshop (today, Saturday, 1 p.m.): Tour of WestPAC’s :On Fire” and the high school exhibition “Humans & Nature”; then create sculptures with artist Remy Sosa.

Darwin Shen (violin), Michelle Kim (piano): Putting on the Fritz  (Sunday, February 23, 4 p.m.): Recital of rarely performed, newly discovered and reconstructed works by Fritz Kreisler.

Art Adventures! Drop-Ins for Kids (Saturdays, 12 to 1:30 p.m.): For children of all abilities: multi-media classes with space to explore new techniques and expression through art.

Community Conversation: Art, Infrastructure, and the Environment (February 27, 6 p.m.): Moderated by curator Ive Covaci; a diverse panel of speakers discuss the intersection of art, sustainability, and community resilience.

Upcoming Art Workshops: Hands-on classes include Ceramic Multi-Bowl Building with Leah Corbett (March 6) and Basket Weaving with Tina Puckett (March 8).

East Coast Contemporary Ballet: Galerie de Danse (March 6 and 7, 7:30 p.m.): Dance  and live music in a gallery setting. .

RSO Quartet: Daylight & Dances (March 8, 7 p.m.): Sring players of the Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra; works by Haydn, Price, Bartok and Puccini.

Sound Healing Meditations with SoulOSoaring (March 18, 6 p.m.): Healing practitioner Terry Eldh uses crystal alchemy singing bowls, crystal harp and koshi chimes.

Current Exhibition, through March 2: “On Fire”: Over 75 works in a variety of media; explores how artists from the 1930s to today have envisioned and responded to the interrelationships of energy, infrastructure, and the environment. The 4th annual exhibition by Westport Permanent Art Collections, inspired by 8 paintings created by Ralph Boyer in 1934 for the old Staples High School, as part of the Federal Public Works of Art Project. These paintings usually hang in the Westport central fire station.

For more information on MoMA CT, click here.

MoMA’s “On Fire” exhibition.

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This kingfisher bird hangs out by the bridge between the Imperial Avenue parking lot and the Westport Library parking lot.

He seemed to be looking sideways — right at Johanna Keyser Rossi — as she captured him for our “Westport … Naturally” feature.

(Photo/Johanna Keyser Rossi)

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And finally … on this date in 1872, the Prohibition Party held their first national convention, in Columbus, Ohio. It took nearly 50 years, but the 19th Amendment went into effect in 1920. Thirteen years later, it was repealed.

(“06880” relies on reader support. Please click here to make a tax-deductible contribution. We’ll drink to that!)

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Online Art Gallery #254

Posted on February 22, 2025 | Comments Off on Online Art Gallery #254

As winter staggers to a close, our online art gallery features … not one seasonal submission.

Perhaps we’re all too weary of snow and slush. Even in the hands of the most talented artists, it’s a subject we’re ready to move on from.

Instead, we’ve got a boat, a beach, hand-holding, abstract art and more.

No matter what style or subject you choose — and whether you’re a first-timer or old-timer — we welcome your submissions. Watercolors, oils, charcoal, pen-and-ink, acrylics, digital, lithographs, collages, macramé, jewelry, sculpture, decoupage, needlepoint — we want whatever you’ve got.

This feature is open to all. Age, level of experience, subject matter — there are no restrictions. Everyone is invited to contribute.

Just email a jpeg to 06880blog@gmail.com. And please include the medium you’re working in — art lovers want to know.

Untitled (Patricia McMahon)

Untitled (Dorothy Robertshaw)

“Underwater Surprise” — acrylic and resin (Amy Schneider)

“This Night Visitor is not the Tooth Fairy!” (Mike Hibbard)

“White Birches at Sherwood Island” (Michael Tomashefsky)

Untitled (Duane Cohen)

“Compo Beach” — construction paper cut-out (Will Luedke)

“Ketch Pantouf on Fishers Island Sound” — acrylic painting (Peter Barlow)

“City” (Tom Doran)

Untitled (Martin Ripchick)

“Como Padre, Como Hijo — Nuestro Amigos!” (Steve Stein)

“Holding Hands” (Lawrence Weisman)

(Entrance is free to our online art gallery. But please consider a donation! Just click here — and thank you!)

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Staples Runner To Drivers: Slow Down!

Posted on February 22, 2025 | 20 comments

Harrison Sydor is a junior at Staples High School.

As a member of the cross country and track teams, you may see him running on Westport roads.

He sure sees you.

He emailed  “06880” about an issue that, he says, has “bugged me and my friends for the last few months.” Harrison writes:

Traffic laws state that pedestrians should always be on the left side of the road. That is something we as a team adhere to most of the time, except for rare occasions where the shoulder is bigger, or we are shortly turning onto a street on the right hand side.

Lately, I have noticed that cars much less frequently give us space on the roads.

When there is oncoming traffic, it is much easier to slow down and safely pass us, instead of rushing through and threading the needle between the car on one side and the group of runners on the other. We have had crashes in the past.

Harrison Sydor (right), at an indoor track meet. Even in winter, Staples runners take to the roads.

On major roads we are 2 wide. One runner will jut slightly into the road, but not by a significant amount.

It is equally as important for the driver as it is the runner to pay attention and be courteous.

Recently, we have worked to make ourselves less of a hazard on the road to drivers. We would appreciate it if Westport drivers could make the same effort to use our roads properly and efficiently.

(“06880” often covers local quality of life issues. And we always like to hear from our town’s young people. If you appreciate our blog’s work, please make a donation by clicking here. Thank you!)

20 Comments

Posted in Sports, Staples HS, Teenagers, Westport life

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Pic Of The Day #2865

Posted on February 21, 2025 | 1 comment

Compo Cove tidal pool, from the tidal gates looking toward Hillspoint Road (Photo/Gregg Jacobs)

1 Comment

Posted in Beach, Pic of the Day, Weather

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Friday Flashback #438

Posted on February 21, 2025 | 6 comments

October 1929 is noteworthy in American history, for the start of the Great Depression.

But John Gowell — a young resident of Westport — would remember it for another reason.

That’s the month he appeared in an advertisement in Farm & Fireside, a semi-monthly national magazine.

It’s not clear what the ad — photographed by Warren Boyer — was for. The caption says: “Who wants to come over and play football with John Gowell of Westport, Connecticut.”

Farm & Firewide — founded in 1877 — lasted another 10 years, after the Depression began.

I have no idea what happened to John Gowell.

But his ad is still around, 96 years later.

And it can be yours for just $24.99, on eBay. (Hat tip: Seth Schachter)

(Friday Flashback is one of “06880”‘s many regular features. If you enjoy this — or anything else on our website — please consider a tax-deductible contribution. Just click here. Thank you!)

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Roundup: BOF Budgets, Remains On PBS, Staples STEM Champs …

Posted on February 21, 2025 | 2 comments

The Board of Finance begins its review of 2 proposed 2025-26 budgets on March 5 (7:30 p.m., Town Hall auditorium; livestream on Cablevision Channel 79, and westportct.gov).

First Selectwoman Jen Tooker will present the town budget. Superintendent of schools Thomas Scarice and Board of Education chair Lee Goldstein offer the Westport Public Schools budget.

Click here to view Tooker’s proposed budget. Click here for Scarice and Goldstein’s proposed budget.

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The Remains remain Westport legends.

The band — including Staples High School grads Barry Tashian and Bill Briggs — were “how you told a stranger about rock ‘n’ roll,” raved young music critic Jon Landau.

They tore up Boston and New York, were signed by Epic Records, appeared on “Ed Sullivan” and “Hullabaloo” — and, in 1966, were an opening act on the Beatles’ last tour.

Then — on the brink, perhaps, of superstardom — the Remains broke up.

The Remains, back in the day.

Their story was told off-Broadway. Now they’re the stars of a PBS documentary.

“America’s Lost Band” captures the group on its return to Los Angeles, for the first time in 40 years. It shows the bond between 4 close friends, and the power of music that united them, decades after comingthisclose to the top.

The documentary was adapted from a feature-length film that played at film festivals 15 years ago. It was never released publicly, due to licensing costs and rights issues.

The film was produced by Fred Cantor. The 1971 Staples High School graduate — a longtime Remains fan and chronicler — previously produced “The High School That Rocked!,” about bands like the Doors, Yardbirds and Cream who played at Staples. It was the only documentary short at the 2018 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Film Series.

“Lost Band” was directed by Michael Stich, longtime director of “The Bold and the Beautiful.”

It will premiere on Connecticut’s PBS station, CPTV on April 7 (9:30 p.m.), and stream nationwide on CPTV’s platforms.

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The checks have been cashed. The food has been distributed.

And Earth Animal thanks everyone who contributed to the Post Road store’s holiday Mitten Project.

The pet supply store raised an astonishing $75,737 to combat food insecurity in Connecticut.

The money came from sales at Earth Animal, participation in Shop & Give events hosted by the local business community, private donations, and contributions from customers.

Earth Animal Ventures, based in Southport, matched every dollar raised.

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Staples High School students struck gold (and silver, and bronze) at the Connecticut STEM Fair.

Under the mentorship of teacher Amy Parent, young researchers presented innovative work across multiple categories at the virtual event earlier this month.

William Boberski captured first place in the Health and Medical Science category (completed projects), for research on diet composition’s effects on lifespan and colorectal cancer progression, using the Drosophila midgut model.

In the same category (for research proposals), Alexis Krenzer placed first for her plan to study curcumin’s potential role in epidermal growth factor driven cancers using C. elegans.

Ezra Schwartz took third, for his proposal on improving glenoid labral tear diagnosis through deep learning applications.

Jonathan Dobin-Smith snagged first place in the Environmental category, for a proposal to mitigate CO2 emissions through bio-concrete development using Cupriavidus necator.

William Kwong tied for second, with research on using curcumin to protect against microplastic damage in C. elegans.

Kendra Chen presented compelling research on generating biofuels from Connecticut microalgae, using bicarbonate as a carbon source.

The STEM Fair drew more than 250 student researchers, and as many judges from science and technology professions.

CT Stem Foundation is an all-volunteer organization. They are always looking for volunteers, including fair judges. Click here for more information.

Jonny Dobin-Smith, with his STEM Fair project.

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Seniors Aviva Ross and Amire Williams, juniors Benjamin Peterson and Emmett Zahler, sophomore Giselle Colon and freshman Noa Katz are Staples High School’s February Students of the Month.

Nominated by teachers, they “help make Staples a welcoming place for peers and teachers alike. They are the ‘glue’ of the school community: kind, cheerful, hard-working, trustworthy students who make Staples the special place it is.” 

From left: Emmett Zahler, Aviva Ross, Amire Williams, Noa Katz,, Giselle Colon, Benjamin Peterson.

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Of the many fundraisers at Sherwood Island State Park, STAR’s Walk & Roll is one of Westport’s favorites.

The non-profit supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and their families. This year’s event — bringing together people of all ages and abilities (the “roll” refers to the many attendees in wheelchairs) — is May 4. Money raised helps STAR continue providing essential programs and services.

For this year’s 20th annual event, STAR invites artists, designers and other creative types design the logo. The winning entry will be featured on t-shirts and promotional materials.

Contestants must take a guided tour of STAR’s Norwalk headquarters to gain inspiration and insight into STAR’s mission. Email kguthrie@starct.org to schedule a visit, or more information. The deadline is March 7.

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Yesterday’s Roundup described Mark Yurkiw’s Westport Rotary Club presentation, about relief efforts in Ukraine.

He partners with 2 non-profits. Ukraine Aid International restores infrastructure, while Ridgefield Responds focuses on family relocation.

Today, Yurkiw and his fellow volunteers will ship another container. This one is filled with $250,000 worth of used medical equipment, from a nursing home in Wilton.

They’re also raising another $8,000, to cover the costs of whatever they can’t ship today.

To donate money, equipment, medical supplies, or volunteer your time, click here call Ridgefield Responds: 646-873-0050. To donate to Ukraine Aid International, click here.

Mark Yurkiw has not forgotten his Ukrainian roots.

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Caribbean mountain folk music, bluegrass, country and gospel come together March 1, at Voices Cafe.

And it’s all in one show.

Rick Reyes & Santos de Palo highlight the 8 p.m. concert, at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Westport. The band includes guitar, drums, sax, bass and cuarto.

Voices Cafe offers tables or individual seating. Coffee and sweets are vailable for purchase; guests can bring their own beverages and snacks. Cconcerts support social justice programs in the area.

Tickets are $25 each. Click here for more information.

Rick Reyes

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Longtime Westporter Mary-Lou Weisman offers today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo.

And back story. She writes: “It’s morning. I lie in bed wrapped snug as a mummy in my quilt. I can see through the slit of space between the window and the shade that the leaves on the rhododendron bush outside are curled as tight as a Cuban cigar against the frigid polar air. Maybe I’ll stay in bed for a while. Maybe I’ll fall back asleep.

“But no. I spot 2 invading stink bugs, seeking indoor warmth — one clinging with all six legs to the TV screen, perhaps remembering the heat of last night’s news; the other snug as a bug on the the rug.

“Oh wee beasties, innocent intruders, I should feel sorry for you. You mean no harm. Like me, you only want to be warm.

“And you don’t even stink until I squish you.”

Stink bug, before squishing. (Photo/Mary-Lou Weisman)

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And finally … on this date in 1878, the first telephone directory was issued. The city: New Haven, Connecticut.

(“You can keep the dime,” Jim Croce sings. Or, you can give it — and any other amount — to “06880,” to help support this hyper-local blog. Please click here. And thank you!)

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Jon Gailmor: Grabbing Vitals, Honoring Heroes

Posted on February 21, 2025 | 8 comments

My reason for being is music,
And to reach a few hearts if I can …

For 6 decades, Jon Gailmor has created music.

Along the way, he has reached countless hearts.

After graduating from Staples High School he wrote, sang and toured writing, with 1966 classmate Rob Carlson. The duo’s album, “Peaceable Kingdom,” was beautiful — yet poorly promoted by Polydor.

Disenchanted with the music business, Gailmor left Westport for Vermont. He crafted a life there as a singer/songwriter, radio show host, children and adults’ workshop leader. He represented his beloved state at the Kennedy Center’s 25th Anniversary Celebration, wrote a campaign song for Burlington mayoral candidate Bernie Sanders, and was named an official Vermont treasure.

Last year, he was diagnosed with leukemia. Gailmor — who just a few weeks earlier had been the subject of an AP story as moderator of Elmore’s town meeting, the epitome of that fading New England tradition — left the land he’d known for 60 years, to be treated in New Orleans and live a few minutes away from his son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren.

Jon Gailmor in Vermont. (Photo courtesy of Associated Press)

Shortness of breath struck quickly last spring. Gailmor’s doctors at the University of Vermont Medical Center were excellent.

But his son Aaron urged him — and Gailmor’s daughter Maya, who worked at Stowe and lived with him — to head south.

The decision was gut-wrenching — but the right one. Gailmor sold his house in Elmore, packed up his and Maya’s lives in a U-Haul, and in October drove to his new Louisiana home.

New Orleans was not unfamiliar. Before marrying his wife Cathy, who died in 2022 of ALS, he had a girlfriend of 7 years whose family lived there.

Aaron loved New Orleans too. It was where he followed his wife, and established Brass Roots, a very successful healthy snack food company that made it to “Shark Tank.”

“This is an amazing city,” Gailmor says. “Perfect strangers say ‘Hi, sweetie, how’s it goin’?”

Jon Gailmor

The diversity excites him — particularly after Vermont. “My heart will always be there. But it is not a very diverse place,” Gailmor says with characteristic understatement.

“And I don’t miss the weather.”

Gailmor — whose optimism makes Ted Lasso look like a sociopath — has made the most of his move.

He continues to make magical music. He’s reaching more than a few hearts — including strangers who quickly become friends in his new home town.

Jon Gailmor: Still singing.

Gailmor’s new (and excellent) hospital is Ochsner Medical Center. He loves its motto: “Long Live You.”

When a nurse said “Okay Jon, I’m gonna grab your vitals,” a creative lightbulb went off over his head.

“Any normal person would know she meant pulse, blood pressure, etc.,” Gailmor says.

His mind works differently. As a songwriter, he knew he had to work “grab them vitals” into a tune.

He sure did:

The oncology head loved it. So did the marketing department. They used Gailmor (though not that song) in a commercial that aired locally during the Super Bowl.

Which, of course, was played right there in The Big Easy.

But that wasn’t all.

Inspired by a sign in a CVS that said “Heroes Work Here,” he expanded the idea to incorporate all the doctors, nurses and staff at Ochsner.

Among the lines:

I’ll give you the finger when you check my O2
You heal all my boo-boo’s when I’m all black and blue
You mop, give me meds and deliver the stew
So good to know heroes work here

Comic book heroes indeed have their place
On the screen and in dreams they’re so brave
But none can compare to the humans who dare
To work hard here with real lives to save.

You work through wee hours from darkness to dawn
I see your eyes shining, even with the mask on
Making magic from messes when hope seems all gone
So glad that you heroes work here.

Gailmor’s artist friend Bonnie Acker created a collage around the theme. Everyone at Ochsner loved — and appreciated — the message.

Heroes work at Ochsner Medical Center.

So did many others — postal workers, trash collectors, school crossing guards – whom Gailmor has hailed.

“The world would be a better place if we acknowledge people like this,” Gailmor says simply.

Gailmor’s recent bone marrow biopsy was clean. He’s waiting for the results of another. If that news is positive, he’ll be in remission.

Whatever happens, he says, “I’m here with my family. My medical care is wonderful. To have found my passion so long ago, and be able to pursue it all my life … I’m a very lucky guy.”

Almost as lucky as all those people in Connecticut, Vermont, New Orleans — and everywhere else — whose hearts have been reached by Jon Gailmor’s music.

(“06880” regularly features Staples alumni, doing interesting and important things. This blog is “where Westport meets the world.” If you enjoy our coverage, please click here to support it. Thank you!)

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Pics Of The Day #2864

Posted on February 20, 2025 | 4 comments

Black and white at Compo Beach … (Photo/Andrew Colabella)

… and Longshore’s ER Strait Marina (Photo/Nancy Breakstone)

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Posted in Beach, Longshore, Pic of the Day

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Roundup: Fashionably Westport Freebies, Lis Comm’s Book, Playhouse’s Garden …

Posted on February 20, 2025 | 8 comments

Tickets are selling fast for Fashionably Westport — the February 28 benefit for Homes with Hope featuring a runway show from many of the town’s mot sophisticated retailers. Models are local friends and celebrities.

But there’s a way to score preferred admission seats.

Just follow @westportdowntownofficial on Instagram (the Westort Downtown Association is the event’s sponsor); follow @davebriggstv (Westport’s own Dave Briggs is co-emcee, with fellow resident Alisyn Camerota); then tag 2 friends in the comments section on Briggs’ Instagram (who would enjoy the show too).

The winner will be chosen at random February 22. They’ll enjoy guaranteed seating with a full view of the stage, open bar, light fare from from chef Claudia Fascenell, and a VIP gift bag.

Click here for tickets to Fashionably Westport, and more information.

Dave Briggs, Fashionably Westport co-emcee

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Thirty years before her death this past August, after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s disease, former Westport townwide coordinator of English Lisabeth Comm wrote a book.

Her husband, fellow Staples High School educator Frank Corbo, discoveed the nearly completed manuscript in a storage unit. He edited it, and has published it as a tribute to her life and work.

“Myths, Mothers, and Mirrors: Split Images of Women in Literature” employs feminist literary criticism to examine how cultural imperatives have shaped the role and image of women in Western literary tradition.

By analyzing patriarchal child-rearing practices, literary traditions rooted in Greek mythology and the Judeo-Christian Bible, and the portrayal of women as objects of the male gaze, Comm showed how feminist psychoanalytic theory can deepen understanding of women’s roles in life and literature.

She applied feminist criticism to popular high school and undergraduate works like “The Scarlet Letter,” “The Great Gatsby” and “Pride and Prejudice,” as well more contemporary novels including “Surfacing,” “Chronicle of a Death Foretold” and “Beloved,” along with modern female poets.

Click here for more information, and to order.

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This Sunday’s Westport Country Playhouse Symposium — “Planting Our Gardens – A Conversation about Growing Stronger Together” — explores themes of inclusivity, respect and equity.

The February 23 event follows the matinee performance of “Native Gardens” — a comedy about neighbors from different cultures who clash over the property line that separates their gardens.

Guest speakers are Lee Goldstein, Westport Board of Education, who will discuss the work being done by No Place for Hate, an ADL program to improve school climate, and Linedy Genao, “Native Gardens” cast member who was the first Latina performer to originate the leading role in an Andrew Lloyd Webber Broadway musical.

Inspired by the production of “Native Gardens,” the symposium will examine “better understanding in shared spaces.”

The Symposium begins are 4:30 p.m., following the 3 p.m. show. The discussion is free, and open to the public.

For tickets to “Native Gardens,” and more information, click here.

Lee Goldstein, Board of Education chair

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You take pretty good photos with your cellphone.

But you can probably take even better ones.

This Sunday (10 a.m., Sherwood Island Main Pavilion), Friends of Sherwood Island invites the public to join Weston photographer Alison Wachstein. She’ll help guests learn how to create inspiring landscapes, sharp nature closeups and beautiful portraits, all on a smartphone.

The event is free; donations to benefit the Friends’ garden team are welcome.

Capturing nature with a cellphone, at Sherwood Island State Park. (Photo/Becky Keeler)

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Seen at Trader Joe’s, and posted here with absolutely no editorial comment of any kind:

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On Tuesday — with the war in Ukraine once again in the headlines — Westporter Mark Yurkiw addressed the Westport Rotary Club.

The artist — who is of Ukrainian descent — visited the war-ravaged country most recently in October.

He traveled up to 18 hours a day around the nation, recording and listening to people’s stories to help spread the word about the realities of the war with Russia.

His message to the Rotarians was that supplies of all kinds are urgently needed. “These are people like you and me,” he said.

“They are working, trying to live their lives while under threat of bombing and suffering from the tragic loss of life. They are constantly trying to build graves fast enough to bury the slain.”

Yurkiw works with Ridgefield Responds, to collect equipment and medical supplies. He ships them to Ukraine, where they help save lives of civilians, and Ukrainian — and occasionally Russian soldiers.

They also collect financial donations. It costs $8,000 to ship a 40-foot container to Ukraine.

Yurkiw noted that he (and Ridgefield Responds) could not do what they do without the help of Ukraine Aid International. That’s the non-profit, boots-on-the-ground non-profit founded by Westporters Brian and Marshall Mayer.

To donate money, equipment, medical supplies, or volunteer your time, click here call Ridgefield Responds: 646-873-0050. To donate to Ukraine Aid International, click here.

Mark Yurkiw shows a slide of devastation in Ukraine, at Tuesday’s Rotary Club meeting. (Hat tip and photo/Dave Matlow)

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The United Methodist Church of Westport & Weston invites the public to a jazz vespers music and word service with vocalist/composer Sabth Perez on March 2 (4 p.m.; free will offering). UMC Westport-Weston church at 49 Weston Road, Westport, CT.

Sabéth Perez

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Westport Police made 2 custodial arrests between February 12 and 19.

A 23-year-old Fairfield man was charged with breach of peace, stalking and harassment, after a complainant said her ex-boyfriend parked near her place of work and tried to engage her in conversation — as he had done since their breakup last May. She said he followed her vehicle, flashing his lights and following very closely. He was released on $25,000 bond.

A 53-year-old Westport man was charged with disorderly conduct and threatening. A woman said they are going through a divorce, and he made statements during an argument that caused her to fear for her life. He was released on $15,000 bond.

Westport Police alos issued these citations:

  • Failure to renew registration: 3
  • Traveling unreasonably fast: 2
  • Distracted driving: 2
  • Disorderly ocnduct: 2
  • Driving while texting: 1
  • Speeding: 1
  • Operating a motor vehicle under suspension: 1
  • Operating an unregistered motor vehicle: 1
  • Operating a motor vehicle without a license: 1
  • Failure to drive in the proper lane: 1

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Clouds frame the waters near Compo Beach’s Ned Dimes Marina, and Owenoke beyond it, in today’s “Westport … Naturally” featured (and frigid) photo.

(Photo/Andrea Cross)

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And finally … in honor of the upcoming “Fashionably Westport” show (story above):

(If you are a dedicated follower of “06880,” please click here to help support this 24/7/365 hyper-local blog. Thank you!)

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Tucker Peters: Harnessing AI For Students’ Good

Posted on February 20, 2025 | 7 comments

If you’re under 50, you grew up with computers. If you’re under 35, you’re the same age as the internet. If you were born in this century, you can’t imagine a world without smartphones.

No one had to teach those “digital natives” anything.

Today, all of us are learning about artificial intelligence.

Some are excited by it. Others are terrified.

No one is sure where it will lead. But Tucker Peters wants to be part of its trailblazing path.

Tucker Peters

Tucker’s name is familiar to “06880” readers. At Staples High School he was president of Model UN, captain of the sailing team, member of the Service League of Boys — and an Unsung Hero.

As a rising junior, he saved the life of a fellow teenage sailor trapped and unconscious under a boat. Tucker freed him from his harness, and performed CPR.

Tucker is now a freshman at the College of William & Mary. At Staples his interests were history, government and finance.

But now he’s watched fellow students — and professors — struggle to understand artificial intelligence. Some rely on it too much, or misuse it. Others shy away from it.

Tucker embraces AI. He’s an evangelist for its potential, particularly with high school and college students.

He developed a new tool and website called GenEdu, to help harness the power of AI for educational good.

And — it doesn’t get more meta than this — though he never took a coding class, he used AI to teach himself how to develop his new product.

“AI” encompasses a suite of tools. Many people have heard of ChatGPT, but that’s just one model. Others include Perplexity, Claude and Lama.

Each has strengths and weaknesses. GenEdu offers a way for students and researchers to find the most appropriate model for their particular needs, then learn the best ways to interact with it and its content.

The idea, in other words, is not to get AI to write a student’s paper. It’s to teach them how to use AI to streamline research, extract insights, and become a tutor beyond what any professor can offer during class and limited office hours.

The easy-to-use interace of GenEdu.

Tucker notes that all kinds of study material can be uploaded to an AI “tutor,” in formats like PDFs, Word Docs and more.

In the works: using AI as test prep, for the SAT, ACT and LSAT.

Though AI streamlines learning, human input is still important. This fall and winter Tucker often stayed up to 2 a.m., sending new prompts and learning about errors.

A typical prompt: “Explain neural networks to me like I’m 5 years old.”

By using AI to teach himself how to harness and optimize AI, Tucker has realized that — just like computers, the internet and smartphones before it — artificial intelligence will change the world.

Tucker Peters at his June graduation from Staples, with (from left) his father Gary, mother Jody and sister Graysen. He credits them with “keeping me sane after all those 2 a.m. nights.”

The downside: “People use it incorrectly,” Tucker says.

“They lose agency. I know kids who use it for every homework assignment. The power of AI is to enhance your life, not take it over.

“This can’t be a moment in history where we just stand around and watch. We need to stand by, and understand how it works.

“There are AI bots now that won’t answer homework questions. They just lead you to think, and come to conclusions on your own.”

GenEdu aims to connect students with AI models like those, in one easy-to-navigate place.

Just a few months out of Staples, he follows with interest the school’s still-uncertain relationship with artificial intelligence.

He is excited by superintendent Thomas Scarice’s plan for pilot programs, beginning next month, in the 6th grade at Bedford Middle School (language arts, math, science and social studies), and across a small number of science electives at Staples.

“They have to be smart, and careful,” he warns.

Just as Tucker Peters has been, as he uses AI to help create his own AI tool.

(Click here for the GenEdu website.)

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