Posted onSeptember 6, 2024|Comments Off on Slice Of Saugatuck Postponed!
The 12th annual Slice of Saugatuck Festival — slated for tomorrow (September 7) — has been postponed one week, due to expected rain and possible thunder.
The event will now be held Saturday September 14 (2 to 5 p.m.).
After 10 straight Slice events without rain, this is the second year in a row the festival will be rescheduled.
The family-friendly event features food tastings, retail experiences, 7 bands, 4 bouncy houses, a balloon bender, an antique fire truck, 2 beer/wine gardens and more.
The price is $15 per adult; $13 for children under 13; age 5 and under are free. Admission is available on-site.
The sponsoring Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce has donated over $49,000 to the Gillespie Center’s food pantry from proceeds of prior events. This year will push that over the $50,000 mark.
The start of construction on the new Long Lots Elementary School — originally planned for this fall — will not take place until next year.
That’s the most recent news from the Long Lots School Building Committee, which met Thursday for the first time since May.
As a result, the 125,882-square foot school will open later than the anticipated September 2026 date.
Site plan for the new Long Lots Elementary School.
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JT Penny understands the power of video games.
And not just because the Staples High School senior is ranked among the top 350 Overwatch players in North America.
He knows that gaming relieves stress, reduces boredom, and offers an escape into a digital playground when times are tough.
JT also knows that, for some children, video games can be actual lifelines.
In addition to defending his Grand Master gaming title — and rowing with the Saugatuck Rowing Club varsity — JT has partnered with a national non-profit charity.
Gamers Outreach has one mission: provide specialized video game stations (“GoKarts”) to kids receiving treatment or recovering in hospitals.
Over the past year, JT collected donations by livestreaming video game playoffs on Twitch from home, and at the Stream-A-Thon hosted by Gamers For Giving at Eastern Michigan State University.
On Wednesday, JT delivered his first GoKart to Yale New Haven Hospital’s Pediatric Unit.
It’s a great partnership. Through the process, JT worked closely with Yale New Haven’s child life gaming and technology specialist Tyler Mahoney.
JT has mastered a high-level video game. He’s won big crew races. Both are great accomplishments.
But his real prize is empowering hospitalized kids, at a time they need it most.
JT Penny (left) and Tyler Mahoney of Yale New Haven Hospital with JT’s GoKart donation, ready for its first patient/gamer.
Ever since the October 7 Israeli massacre by Hamas, Haaretz reporter Lee Yaron has been at work investigating the lives of some of the victims. She’s spoken with survivors, their family members, and first responders in Israel and beyond.
“100 Human Stories” will be published this fall.
On October 14 — one year and one week after the first anniversary of the attack — she’ll be at Temple Israel (7 p.m.). She’ll speak with Rabbis Michael Friedman and Evan Schultz about the events of 10/7, and their continuing impact on Israel today.
The event is free, but pre-registration is required. Click here for details. (Hat tip: Sal Liccione)
Three exciting and diverse events have been added to the Westport Country Playhouse fall calendar.
At “Perfectly Westport: A Fireside Chat with Westport’s Bestselling Author Emily Liebert,” the “Perfectly Famous” writer chats with Westport Magazine editor-in-chief Samantha Yanks about story inspiration, finding an agent, getting published, editing, ghostwriting for celebrities, and balancing career and motherhood.
It’s September 30 (7 p.m.). Click here for tickets, and more information.
Hitchcock fans will enjoy “Rear Window: A Night of Suspense.” In advance of the WCP production of “The 39 Steps,” there’s a special screening of the “Rear Window” movie.
Artistic director Mark Shanahan — a Hitchcock scholar and fan, who taught a course on the director at Fordham University for over 21 years — shares his knowledge and insights about Hitchcock.
He’ll highlight key details to watch for. After the movie, Shanahan will explore why “Rear Window” is such a classic.
It’s October 2 (7 p.m.). Click here for tickets, and more information.
Then comes “Ghost Stories and Legends” — an evening of classic stories of the supernatural with Broadway’s John Rapson (“Sweeney Todd,” “Les Misérables”).
He’ll present a special version of his solo show of Washington Irving’s “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” plus other ghostly tales.
It’s October 10 (7 p.m.). Click here for tickets, and more information.
Featured authors include Clay McLeod Chapman, May Cobb, Gabino Iglesias and Cynthia Pelayo.
The evening also includes a performance by author/puppeteer GennaRose Nethercott, a story told by acclaimed photographer Jesse Freidin, and an appearance from Northeast Storytelling President ChaChanna Simpson, who oversees the Library’s Storytelling Sundays monthly series.
The Power of Story kicks off at 7 pm in the Library’s Trefz Forum. Light refreshments will be served.
StoryFest writers include (clockwise from top left): Clay McLeod Chapman, May Cobb, Gabino Iglesias, ChaChanna Simpson, Jesse Freidin, GennaRose Nethercott, and Cynthia Pelayo).
The switch of 95.9 The Fox — from rock to simulcasting WICC’s news and talk format — has Westport connections, beyond listeners losing a longtime Fairfield County music staple.
WFOX is owned by Westport-based Connoisseur Media. It says the move was made in part because of the departure of New York’s WCBS Newsradio 880.
The other “06880” angle: Westporter Lisa Wexler, host of a very popular morning talk show on WICC, will now be heard by many more listeners.
Lisa Wexler
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How old is the universe?
Pretty old. 13.8 billion years (give or take a hundred million years).
Don’t take my word for it. Ask David Weintraub.
The Vanderbilt University professor of astronomy discusses “How Old is the Universe?” at the Westport Astronomical Society’s next virtual lecture (September 17, 8 p.m.). Click here for the link.
A spectacularly small portion of the very old universe.
Our “Westport … Naturally” feature sometimes showcases egrets doing their thing: hanging out, looking smooth, in water.
This one is doing its other thing: soaring majestically, above the Riverwalk by the Westport Library.
Kudos to Johanna Keyser Rossi, for this very cool capture:
(Photo/Johanna Keyser Rossi)
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And finally … in honor of our 13.8 billion-year-old universe (story above):
(“06880” is where Westport meets the world — and the universe. But we can’t do it without our loyal readers’ help. Please click here to make a tax-deductible contribution. And thank you!)
Kids (and staff) have been back in school for over a week.
The Board of Education is back in action too.
They’ve got a full plate this year. (Though I can’t imagine any year when they don’t.)
Among the items to tackle: elementary school redistricting.
Last night, at the BOE meeting in the Staples High School cafeteria, superintendent of schools Thomas Scarice was expected to address that topic.
The timeline he planned to propose includes:
September 19: First presentation of options by demographer Mike Zuba, for public discussion
October: Continued public discussion
Winter/spring: Review
Summer/fall 2025: Phase I implementation (for Bedford Middle School feeder schools).
Planning would then continue in 2025-27 for Phase II (for Coleytown Middle feeder schools). That phase is predicated on the opening of a new Long Lots Elementary School for the 2026-27 school year.
Scarice was expected to note that redistricting is driven by resources, not finances.
While there is no “crisis,” there is a need to “modestly rebalance” the elementary schools, due to enrollment influxes seen since the pandemic. Officials also expect an enrollment spike at Long Lots, following construction of a new building.
Among the criteria Scarice listed in prepared remarks:
Adherence to natural boundaries; keeping neighborhoods together “to the greatest extent possible.”
Prioritizing proximity (minimizing travel distances, where possible)
Minimizing student disruption “to the greatest extent possible.”
In addition, Scarice was expected to say, no student will be redistricted more than once (unless the family moves).
“Grandfathering” 5th graders will be considered, based on capacity and “operational considerations.
A new Long Lots Elementary School is expected to drive enrollment in that district. (Drone photo/Brandon Malin)
Enrollment figures prepared for last night’s meeting show that as of August 30, the Westport Public Schools had 5,210 students in grades K-12. That’s 73 fewer than called for in budget projections.
That number will change. A second report will be provided after the October 1 to present numbers to the state Department of Education.
At the elementary schools, Coleytown had 37 fewer students than projected, meaning one less kindergarten section than budgeted for.
Greens Farms has 8 fewer students than projected, with one less 1st grade section.
Kings Highway also has 8 fewer students than projected, but no changes in the number of sections (24).
Long Lots has 13 fewer students than projected, but maintains 29 sections.
Saugatuck has 1 more student than projected. Based on disbursement of students, additional sections have been added at grades 3 and 4.
Saugatuck is the only elementary school to see an increase in enrollment this year. (Photo/John Videler for Videler Photography)
The 2 middle schools saw a total decrease of 16 students, while Staples High has 8 more students than projected. The largest classes are freshman and junior.
As of August 30, assistant superintendent John Bayers was to report to the BOE, Westport Public Schools have hired nearly 60 new staff members. Interviews were continuing, to fill remaining vacancies.
The new hires include 27 certified staff members, 3 of whom are administrators.
That’s a decrease of 21 certified staff from last year, though 5 vacancies remained.
The 30-plus non-certified staff include paraprofessionals, secretaries, custodians, and building and long-term substitutes.
The district also welcomes 5 interns, and 19 student teachers.
Scarice was expected to make a presentation to the Board of Education on the “No Place for Hate” program.
Run in partnership with the Anti-Defamation League, it’s a district-wide effort to address bias, bullying and hate speech.
Coleytown Middle School faculty member Faith Sweeney will serve as the district’s program coordinator.
(Education is important to Westport. It’s part of our mission to deliver news and information, 24/7/365 — but we can’t do it without your help. Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
Paulie Veneto is not your ordinary former flight attendant.
The retiree — who was working on September 11, 2001 — is honoring the memory of his colleagues who were killed that day by pushing a beverage cart 210 miles from Boston to the National September 11 Memorial & Museum at Ground Zero in New York.
This is the 4th tribute walk for “Paulie’s Push,” fourth tribute walk. to raise awareness of their heroism in the face of unimaginable danger.
Once again yesterday, the Westport Fire Department offered a welcome pit stop for lunch and hospitality, at their Post Road East headquarters.
“It’s a powerful reminder of the bravery and sacrifice that defined those tragic events” — and a fitting way to honor Paulie too — officials say.
Paulie Veneto (center), Fire Chief Nick Marsan (far right), and Westport firefighter, at headquarters yesterday.
Matthew Torres — the longtime Westport Weston Family YMCA Water Rat swim team member — finished 5th in the 400 meter freestyle yesterday, at the 2024 Paralympic Summer Games in Paris.
He was clocked at 4:32.25. The winner, Alberto Amodeo of Italy, finished in 4:23.27.
This is the 2nd time on the world stage for the 23-year-old Ansonia resident. He finished 3rd in the 400 meter freestyle at the 2020 Paralympics in Tokyo.
Matthew was born with amniotic band syndrome. He is missing half his right leg, and has deformities on both hands and moderate hearing loss.
Despite those challenges, he has achieved great success. He set a world record in the 1500 meter freestyle, to go along with many medals in international competition.
He’s got another chance for gold on Friday, in the 100 meter free.
Then it’s off to Sardinia, Italy, where Matthew will represent the US in the international Open Water Cup.
Matthew Torres
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Congressman Jim Himes is the speaker at the Friday, September 13 meeting of the Westport Sunrise Rotary Club.
Now in his 8th term, Himes is ranking member of the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, and serves on the Financial Services Committee. He will discuss the work of both committees.
The public is invited. But you have to get up early: The meeting at Green’s Farms Congregational Church begins at 7:30 .m. Coffee, bagels and muffins are served, starting at 7. Rep. Himes will begin around 8.
Club203 — Westport’s social organization for adults with disabilities — opened its 2024-2025 season with an “Aloha” gathering last night, at Sherwood Island State Park.
It was a picture-perfect night. Friends were elated to see each other again, after summer break.
They danced and limboed the night away, while enjoying snacks, drinks and desserts, courtesy of Alina’s Bakery.
Fun art projects were also part of the evening, thanks to MoCA CT.
Club203’s next event is October 16: Halloween bingo, at the Senior Center. Click here for more information.
Club203 last night, at Sherwood Island State Park. (Photo courtesy of Stacie Curran)
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A novel set in Venezuela is the Westport Library’s 2024 Prize for Literature award winner.
“Freedom is a Feast” — Alejandro Puyana’s debut, a multigenerational tale of love and revolution — earned the author a $10,000 cash prize.
In addition, he’ll be honored at the Library on Saturday, September 21, between 1 and 2 p.m., as part of StoryFest.
Puyana will be in great company. The annual literary festival’s lineup of authors includes Roxane Gay, Christopher Golden, Claire Messud, Peng Shepherd, and Joyce Carol Oates. (Click here for the full list.)
“I’m extremely honored,” Puyana says. “Venezuela is going through a rough time right now, with people out on the streets fighting for freedom and democracy. It means so much to have this Venezuelan story highlighted, at a time when we need voices everywhere to stand with us.
But Staples High School graduates Ben Gault and Alex Angus are partnering with BMW of Bridgeport, on a special car show. The September 15 “Cars & Coffee” event (Sherwood Island State Park, 8 to 10 a.m.) benefits the Westport Police K9 unit.
The idea began several years ago, when Alex raised $17,000 with a similar show for Fairfield’s K9 group.
There’s a DJ, and free coffee from Jack’s of Westport (in the former Shearwater space). Local businesses — some automotive-related, some not — are also involved.
Collectors, families, kids — and everyone else — is invited. Youngsters will enjoy seeing a big Gault oil tanker.
All proceeds go to food, care and support for the Westport K9 dogs and officers.
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The Westport Senior Center celebrates “The Power of Connections” at its new outdoor sanctuary on Tuesday, September 17 (1:30 p.m.).
The landscape, pollinator and greenspace project will be dedicated to the late Irma and Joe Schachter. Funds were provided by Connecticut’s ARPA Grants for Senior Centers.
The event is part of National Senior Center Month — and includes treats from Skip’s Ice Cream Truck.
Rebecca Rose is The Westport Book Shop’s exhibitor for the month of September.
She’s showing watereolors she created for a new children’s book, “In the Beginning! A Love Story, written by Westporter Michael Hendricks.
Rebecca and Michael will both be at a reception and book signing this Sunday (September 8, 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. at the Westport Book Shop, 23 Jesup Road.
Rebecca Ross, at the Westport Book Shop.
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Just when we think we’ve seen all the spotted lanternfly photos we can handle … here comes a different view.
Today’s “Westport … Naturally” image shows the underside of the pest.
Ugh is right.
(Photo/Marvin Frimmer)
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And finally … on this date in 1836, Sam Houston was elected the first president of the Republic of Texas.
Nearly 200 years later, most of us have forgotten Sam. But we haven’t forgotten another Houston:
(From the Paralympics to Congress, “06880” has you covered. If there’s a Westport connection, we’ll find it. Now, we hope you find a few seconds to click here, and support our work. Thanks!
Redistricting is on tonight’s Board of Education agenda (Thursday, 7 p.m., Staples High School cafeteria).
It’s a discussion item only. Many more steps and meetings lie ahead, before any decisions are made.
But parental anxiety is already high.
On social media and in conversations, there is concern about leaving friends, adapting to new schools, and more.
“NIMBY” might become “NIMSD”: Not in my school district!
The current Westport school district map. Hover over, or click on, to enlarge.
This would not, of course, be the first time some Westport youngsters would change schools.
It occurs every so often, over the years. Populations shift. Adjustments are needed. Stuff happens.
“Change is hard,” one parent wrote online.
Actually, kids are pretty resilient.
That was the point a Westport resident made to me recently.
He’d been redistricted when he was in elementary school. (And, he said, some kids changed schools twice during those years.)
He said he made friends quickly. (Some new classmates were already familiar, from outside activities.)
By the time everyone got together in Staples, he knew more people than he otherwise would have.
In fact, he said, he adjusted better to middle school and high school, because he’d already had the experience of change.
A sample size of one proves nothing, of course.
But I wonder: What the redistricting experience was like for others?
Was it stressful? Stress-free? Something in between?
Were your parents more worried than you were?
What helped you adjust to your new school? What hindered a quick adjustment?
If you changed schools during your youth in Westport — or anywhere else — click “Comments” below.
Fire away. As a new school year — with redistricting on the table — your stories are important.
(“06880” will cover the redistricting story regularly — along with the rest of the education beat, and everything else in town. If you appreciate our work, please support it by clicking here. Thank you!)
Once again, another summer is gone, with no news from the Westport Police Marine Division.
That’s good news.
Quietly, efficiently, and under the radar, the unit keeps Westport waters — and beyond — safe for boaters of all kinds, from all over.
The town’s website notes: “Currently the Westport Police Marine Division operates 3 boats, from 18 feet to 33 feet.
“Approximately 25 officers are currently qualified to work on the police boats, and 3 officers are assigned to the Marine Division full-time from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.
“These officers patrol Long Island Sound and the Saugatuck River, enforcing marine laws, shellfish regulations, and conducting safety inspections on hundreds of pleasure craft each season.
“In 2013 a jet ski was added to the Marine Division and is used for shellfish enforcement and special events.
“Usually, Marine One, a 2014 33′ NAID, is kept in the water 365 days a year in mission-ready shape, and can be en route to any marine-related emergency within minutes.”
Westport Police Marine Division, at work. (Photo/Johanna Keyser Rossi)
The Marine Division was part of the dramatic rescue of 29 Saugatuck Rowing Club teenagers and coaches last March.
They did not have any job nearly as difficult this summer.
But that didn’t mean they weren’t busy.
We seldom hear about all the great things they do. They make rescues when they have to, and spend the rest of their time preventing the need to do so.
Thanks, WPD Marine Division, for yet another successful summer. You are our very Unsung Heroes!
(Unsung Hero is a weekly “06880” feature. To nominate a hero, email 06880blog@gmail.com. To support our work, please click here. Thank you!)
For years, Westporters have been distressed watching Coastal Link bus riders standing on the side of the Post Road.
Employees of local businesses are there in broiling heat, freezing cold, torrential rain and driving snow.
Two new shelters should provide some protection.
Measuring 6 by 12 feet, with roof solar panels for light, electric heat and a small computer screen displaying bus arrival times, they’ve been built on Post Road West.
One is in front of Schulhof Animal Hospital. The other is across the street.
Each shelter costs $60,000. Funding is shared by the state and town (through an ARPA grant).
At the other end of town, Big Y took a big step toward its opening.
The logo is up over the supermarket, in the former Barnes & Noble building.
(Photo/Arthur Hayes)
A soft launch is set for October 24.
Meanwhile, they’re hiring in the bakery, meat, seafood, deli, produce and floral departments, along with cashiers, overnight stock clerks, and assistant management and management positions.
Sometimes the wheels of government grind exceedingly slowly.
Other times they work at warp speed.
On Sunday, a Westporter — frustrated he could not find a map of Representative Town Meeting districts on the town website — emailed RTM moderate Jeff Wieser and 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker.
Couldn’t it be somewhere much more visible, he wondered? Like, in the main menu on the RTM page?
Voilà!
By yesterday afternoon — the first day back at work, after Sunday and the Labor Day holiday — the link was right there, just below “Members/Contact Information.”
Speaking of government: “A Public Conversation on Marxism in CT, Trafficking in America, Rank Choice Voting, and Election Integrity” is the title of a September 18 event (7 p.m., VFW Joseph J. Clinton Post 399.
The event is sponsored by Connecticut Centinal.
Panelists include Lt. Gen. Rod Bishop, USAF Ret., chairman of STARRS.us; Joe Oltmann, host of the Conservative Daily podcast; Connecticut State Senator Rob Sampson, and Linda Szynkowicz, founder of Fight Voter Fraud.
In-person tickets are $30 ($100 premier). Livestream tickets are $25. A percentage of the proceeds will be donated to VFW Post 399 to fund infrastructure development.
Click here for tickets, and more information. (Hat tip: Sal Liccione)
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The bad news: Next Tuesday (September 10), the Starbucks near Carvel closes for a month, for renovations.
The good news: For 4 weeks, we can all drive safely on that stretch of the Post Road.
(Photo/John McKinney)
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On August 18, “Paulie” set out on his fourth “Push.”
The former flight attendant is honoring the heroes of American Flight 11, the first aircraft hijacked on September 11, 2001.
Paulie left from Boston’s Public Garden 9/11 Memorial. He’s pushing an airline beverage cart 210 miles, to the National 9/11 Memorial & Museum at New York’s Ground Zero.
This morning (Wednesday), he’ll come from Fairfield through Westport. Around noon, he’ll stop at Westport Fire Department’s Post Road East headquarters.
Keep your eye open for Paulie, as he “pushes” his way through town.
“Paulie” pushes his cart through Westport, on a previous journey.
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If you’ve never been to an Artists Collective of Westport pop-up exhibition: You’ve missed some of the most creative shows in town.
The opening receptions are especially fun.
The next one is set for Thursday, September 19 (6 to 8 p.m., Westport Country Playhouse barn).
It runs Friday and Saturday, September 20-21 (noon to 4 p.m.), with an artists’ talk on Sunday, September 22 (4 p.m.).
Exhibiting artists include Peter Mendelson, Lisa Silberman, Lois Goglia, Rosalind Shaffer, Melissa Newman, Lucienne Buckner, Erin Nazzaro, Elizabeth DeVoll, Andrew Graham, Nancy Woodward, Miggs Burroughs and Susan Lloyd.
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Sara Deren — yesterday’s Westport Rotary Club lunch speaker — has a unique job, and a moving story to tell.
She is founder and CEO of the Westport-based national non-profit, Experience Camps. They provide a free week of sleepaway camp for 1,300 children a year who are grieving the loss of a parent, sibling or caregiver.
Deren noted that the camps don’t try to “fix” the grief. Instead, they ameliorate the sense of isolation it causes, by teaching youngsters how to talk to the staff and with other youth in the same situation.
That, and the support of others, gives them the tools they need to move on with their lives in a positive way.
Sara Deren, at the Westport Rotary Club. (Photo/Dave Matlow)
Norwalk native Mike Camacho headlines this Thursday’s Jazz at the Post (September 5, VFW Joseph J. Clinton Post 399; shows at 7:30 and 8:45 p.m.; dinner at 7 p.m.; $20 music cover, $15 for veterans and students).
The drummer will be joined by pianist Ben Rice, bassist Alec Safy, and saxophonist Greg “The Jazz Rabbi” Wall. Click here for tickets.
Nature photographer Lou Weinberg took today’s very compelling “Westport … Naturally” image. It shows a green sweat bee on Autumn Joy Sedum, at the Westport Community Gardens.
(Photo/Lou Weinberg)
Lou explains: “The green sweat bee gets its name from the fact that is attracted to the salt in human perspiration. (Don’t worry — it won’t sting unless it is really threatened; even then, its sting is mild.)
“These beautiful critters live in the soil and feed on the nectar from flowers and a sweet ‘honeydew’ created by little bugs called aphids. They store ‘pollen bread’ for themselves and their young.
“Green sweat bees add to the incredible biodiversity found in the Long Lots Preserve surrounding the Community Gardens. They are one of over 300 species of native bees found in Connecticut. Native bees are incredible pollinators, more efficient than the European honeybee.
“They have innate habits adept at pollinating hundreds of important native plants — the same plants (trees, shrubs and wildflowers) that have been planted in the Long Lots Preserve.
“As habitat loss and decreasing plant biodiversity are the primary sources of native bee population decline, it would be incredibly disappointing to destroy the Long Lots Preserve as well as the Westport Community Gardens.
“Populations of dozens of other species are being brought back by the native plantings reestablished there. When you disturb the soil, you destroy the bees.”
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And finally … in honor of our new bus shelters:
(Politics, art, business … just another day at “06880.” If you enjoy our daily Roundups — or anything else we do — please click here, to make a tax-deductible donation. Thank you!)
Everyone in America has heard of “The Apprentice.”
The quasi-real TV series featured eager businesspeople battling for a $250,000 contract. It made “you’re fired!” a national catchphrase, and catapulted Donald Trump onto the path to the presidency.
You may not have heard of the movie version of “The Apprentice.”
At least, not yet.
The film explores a young Trump’s rise to power, beginning in the 1970s with attorney/fixer Roy Cohn.
It debuted at the Cannes Film Festival in May, and earned an 8-minute standing ovation. Its North American premiere at Telluride last weekend was equally successful.
But because the film offers “an unfiltered look at Trump’s complicated and often unseemly journey,” his campaign issued a cease and desist order. They hoped to halt its release in the US — at least before the November election.
It was reported that Trump (who had not seen the film) was particularly incensed by scenes that depict him raping his first wife, Ivana; abusing amphetamines to lose weight, and undergoing liposuction and plastic surgery to remove a bald spot. (The rape scene was based on divorce records.)
Legal threats caused major media companies to shy away from distribution.
“The Apprentice” stars (from left) Sebastian Stan as Donald Trump, Jeremy Strong as Roy Cohn, and Maria Bakalova as Ivana Trump.
Filmmakers are now pursuing a grassroots, independent approach. It is scheduled for limited theatrical release on October 11.
That’s good news for the cast, crew and producers of “The Apprentice.”
Including the writer, Gabriel Sherman.
The 45-year-old attended Kings Highway Elementary, Bedford Middle and Staples High School (through 10th grade).
After graduating from Holderness School in New Hampshire and Middlebury College (2001), he wrote for New York magazine and Vanity Fair. He’s been a regular contributor to NBC News and MSNBC.
In 2014, Sherman wrote a biography of Fox News Channel president Roger Ailes called “The Loudest Voice in the Room: How the Brilliant, Bombastic Roger Ailes Built Fox News – and Divided a Country.”
He began work on “The Apprentice” in 2018.
Gabe Sherman
Hoping for widespread distribution before the election — and fearing possible retribution after, if Trump wins — the film’s backers have started a Kickstarter campaign.
The goal is to raise $100,000, to enable additional distribution beyond the first 17 cities where it is planned to be screened.
As with all Kickstarter projects, donors will be charged only if full funding is secured.
That seems likely. The deadline is September 29. In just 2 days, nearly the entire amount has already been raised.
Donors are offered streaming rights, tickets to a preview screening, on-screen memorabilia from the production, access to the filmmakers — and their name in the credits.
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!)
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Planning would then continue in 2025-27 for Phase II (for Coleytown Middle feeder schools). That phase is predicated on the opening of a new Long Lots Elementary School for the 2026-27 school year.
