Startup Westport — the public/private partnership working to turn Westport into a tech entrepreneurs’ innovation hub — drew a sold-out crowd to the Library on Thursday.
Dan Bikel — a Westporter and key member of Meta’s AI team — offered fascinating insights into the future of generative artificial intelligence.
Future Startup Westport events include focuses on women and minorities in tech. Click here to be added to their mailing list.
From left: Stefano Pacifico, Jay Norris, Dan Bikel and Cliff Sirlin. All helped found Startup Westport.
The Westport Library kicks off 2024 with 3 new art installations. They run through mid-March.
“How Beautiful, the Universe: Astrophotography by members of the Westport Astronomical Society” (Sheffer Gallery) includes 25 powerful cosmic images.
“Zen Meditations” by sculptor Lucy Krupenye, who specializes in found objects, is featured in the South Gallery. An artist reception and talk is set for January 31.
“Awakenings” — a series of nature photos by Terry Tannen — includes a reception on February 12.
Astrophotography is a special art.
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Dave Brubeck — a longtime area resident who earned a Kennedy Center Honor, a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, before his death in 2012 a day before his 92nd birthday — lives on.
The Brubeck Brothers Quartet is set for a special fundraising event March 9, (Westport Library). Proceeds support the Library’s vast array of free programs and offerings.
The Brubeck Brothers Quartet is led by Chris (bass and trombone) and Dan Brubeck (drums), sons of the jazz legend. They recorded their first record in 1966. Rounding out the group is guitarist Mike DeMicco and pianist Chuck Lamb.
They have performed across North America and Europe, including Newport, Detroit, Montreal, The Hollywood Bowl, and Monterey Jazz festivals.
General admission tickets are $75. VIP tickets ($125) include a pre-event reception with the Brubeck family and gifts, including a vinyl LP exclusive pressing of “Time OutTakes,” featuring previously unreleased takes from the original Brubeck masterpiece “Time Out” — the first jazz album to sell 1 million copies.
Louis Weinberg describes today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo:
‘The red squirrel stores food for the winter in large underground caches. It is particularly fond of the black walnuts prevalent in the Long Lots Preserve. Additionally, it taps sugar maple trees for the syrup. It is a wily veteran of mixed hardwood-conifer forests.”
The “06880” online art gallery curator — yours truly — has been away this week.
But the doors are still open.
And, as always, we welcome your work. Watercolors, oils, charcoal, pen-and-ink, acrylics, lithographs, collages, macramé, jewelry, sculpture, decoupage, needlepoint — whatever you’ve got.
Email it to 06880blog@gmail.com. Share your work with the world! (PS: Please include the medium you’re working in — art lovers want to know.)
Age, level of experience, subject matter — there are no restrictions. Everyone is invited to contribute.
“Namaste” (Patricia McMahon)
Untitled (Kathleen Burke)
Untitled — pastel rendering. Artist Roseann Spengler says, “this visitor to my backyard last month shocked but somehow didn’t terrify me. Four feet from where I was standing, I froze but managed to say, ‘hello bear.’ He looked, then went on his way.”
“Rare Highwatt Puffins” (Mike Hibbard)
“One Picture is Worth a Thousand Word — MJ Moonwalker on Broadway” (Steve Stein)
“Impatient at Supermarket Checkout” (Lawrence Weisman)
Untitled (Tom Doran)
“The Fall” — acrylic paint (Lis Hisgen)
(Entrance is free to our online art gallery. But please consider a donation! Just click here — and thank you!)
“06880” readers know Bruce Fernie as an occasional commenter. His is often the first one on any story.
That’s not because he gets up before dawn. It’s because he and his wife, Katherine Walsh, live in Firenze, Italy.
Bruce Fernie and his daughter Avery, in Italy.
Graduates of Staples High School’s Class of 1970 remember Bruce as a classmate. (He says, though, his classes took place mostly in the Long Lots Junior High School vice principal’s office, and the Staples parking lot).
Bruce retains his ties to town. He spends summer at his family home on Martha’s Vineyard, and visits Westport when he can.
Bostonians know Bruce because of Tealuxe. He and Katherine created those Starbucks-like tea houses in 1996, then expanded to Rhode Island and New York. They sold much of the company in 2002.
Soon, Westporters — and many others — will know Bruce as an olive oil king.
Gabbiano Uno (Gabbiano1) is the Fernies’ “personal adventure.”
It began in 2017, when the couple bought a new home to renovate in Chianti, about 20 kilometers south of Florence.
The property included an orchard of 400 mature — but poorly maintained — olive trees.
Surrounding them are thousands of trees and vines owned by the Antinori vineyards.
Bruce and Katherine did not know that the small valley has an interesting micro-climate, and is well known for producing some of Tuscany’s best Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
They decided to resurrect the orchard, and try to produce the best EVOO they could.
Bruce Fernie’s Chianti property.
Bruce and Katherine spent the first year having the trees pruned properly. They used only organic fertilizer, and hired local crews to mow, maintain and harvest the fruit.
Their first harvest was in 2018. They won a silver award at the NYIOOC — the “largest and most prestigious olive oil quality contest” in the world.
Gabbiano Uno’s 2023 harvest was “a guessing game,” Bruce says. The crop endured hail, drought and extreme heat.
But, he says, “G1 Raccolta 2023 is better than ever.”
Picking early limited their quantity. But they increased both the quality and “peppery spiciness” of the olive oil.
To their surprise, they fared much better than many Italian producers who had no crop at all — the cause of last year’s highly publicized olive oil shortage.
Gabbiano Uno 2023-2024 “olio nuovo” is now pressed, bottled, and ready to ship.
The Fernies sell it at Morning Glory Farm on Martha’s Vineyard.
They would love a Westport retailer. A sample will be sent on demand. (Full disclosure: I’ve tried it. I’m no NYIOOC judge, but it sure tasted good to me.)
(“06880” often reports on the intriguing achievements of Staples High School graduates, of all ages. To support our work, please click here. Thank you!)
With Westporters thinking about office parks — the possible construction of 14 homes at the Glendinning complex on Weston Road, most recently one of Bridgewater Associates’ 2 Westport offices; the planned zoning change to allow medical offices at 55-57 Greens Farms Road — and with the upcoming publication of James Comey’s new book (“Westport”) about a suburban-based hedge fund that looks a lot like Bridgewater, renewed attention is being paid to Nyala Farm,
That 52-acre prime property, between I-95, the Sherwood Island Connector and Greens Farms Road, was once part of E.T. Bedford’s even-much-larger estate.
Nyala Farm (Photo courtesy of Paul Ehrismann)
In 1970, Stauffer Chemical Company bought it the land, for their international headquarters. It was Westport’s first corporate office park, and they were one of the first major firms to flee New York City for the suburbs.
As Carl Addison Swanson notes, Stauffer was founded in 1885 in California. The company manufactured fabricated plastic and agricultural products.
In April of 1972, they moved in.
Stauffer Chemical Company, at Nyala Farm. (Photo courtesy of Carl Addison Swanson)
Despite fears of many Westpoorters, most of Nyala Farm remained — and still is — rolling hills and meadows. Even the iconic well is there.
(Photo/Beth Murray)
Stauffer was not as fortunate. Facing fallout from the Environmental Protection Agency over pollution issues, and an audit by the SEC, it was sold to Rhone-Poulene, S.A, a French company in 1987.
And — tying together today’s mentions of both the Glendinning office park, and James Comey’s book — the major tenant at Nyala Farm today is … Bridgewater.
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50 Years Ago Today:
Little League Baseball announced they would allow girls to play the sport. Westport Little League soon followed.
(Whether you’ve lived in Westport since the Bedford family owned Nyala Farm, or did not hear of it until just now: “06880” welcomes your support. Please click here to donate. Thank you!)
There’s one more plan for Long Lots Elementary School.
Sort of.
1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker began last night’s Long Lots School Building Committee meeting by announcing a new version of the controversial renovation project. The goal was to address objections raised previously by the Planning & Zoning Commission, to a baseball diamond at the location of the current Westport Community Gardens.
A “multipurpose field” would be constructed there instead. The garden would be relocated somewhere else, on the Hyde Lane property.
There was no drawing to accompany the concept.
The LLSBC then held a work session. Microphones were either off or insufficient, making it difficult to hear.
Residents Jennifer Johnson and John Suggs both complained that the meeting was neither livestreamed nor recorded.
The newest plan — with, perhaps, a drawing — may be presented to the P&Z at its January 22 meeting.
For over 90 years, the Westport Country Playhouse has attracted Big Names.
Next up: Audra McDonald.
The singer/actor — winner of a record-breaking 6 Tony Awards (plus 2 Grammys and an Emmy); National Medal of Arts recipient, and one of Time’s 100 Most Influential People — takes the stage on Saturday, February 10 (7 p.m.).
The Jewish Federation of Greater Fairfield County is sponsoring a solidarity gathering on Sunday. It marks 100 days of captivity for dozens of hostages taken by Hamas during their October 7 terrorist attack on Israel.
Sunday’s event — called “Bring Them Home Now” — is at 1 p.m. Click here to register, and receive location details.
In her last issue as editor of Westport Lifestyle, Robin Moyer Chung writes about Henry Putnam. The Staples High School student is a non-verbal 18-year-old with cerebral palsy. As with other classmates with disabilities, he participates in an internship that will help him get a job after graduation.
Click here to read the story. It begins on page 42.
Henry Putnam (Photo courtesy of Westport Lifestyle Magazine)
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Fresh off a national championship, Jake Thaw has entered the transfer portal.
The University of Michigan punt return specialist is a senior, after graduating from Staples High School in 2020. However, he has 3 years of eligibility remaining, after walking on for the Wolverines.
The Detroit Free Press writes: “Thaw, 6-1 and 192 pounds played in 15 games on special teams as a senior this season. He may now be most known for his muffed punt near the goal line against Alabama in the final minute of the Rose Bowl, though it should be highlighted he was able to recover the loose ball and avert disaster.
He had 11 fair catches, and returned 16 punts for 111 yards the season.
A muffed punt with less than a minute to play in the semifinal almost cost UM a shot at the national title. Thaw was vilified on social media, but also praised for not giving up a safety.
He wrote: “For those that have kept unwavering support — thank you. And for those that have not, I understand. I made the biggest two mistakes of my life on the biggest stage, and I won’t ever forgive myself. I’ll always love and cherish @UMichFootball and this fanbase. Go Blue.” (Hat tip: Pete Wolgast)
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Westport artists Miggs Burroughs, Darcy Hicks, Dale Najarian and Tammy Winser — all of whom advocate for common sense guns laws — will show their work in a juried exhibit at Metro Art Studios in Bridgeport. “In Our Hands” explores many perspectives of gun culture in the US. All proceeds benefit Sandy Hook Promise and Street Safe Bridgeport.
The opening reception is January 21 (1 to 3 p.m.).
Matthew Mandell paid a surprise visit yesterday to wish Westporters Dana Noorilly and Julie Mountain good luck with their new Upper West Side Granola Bar location.
Business was brisk, he said, in a beautiful spot.
Mandell is director of the Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce. “We support our members!” he notes.
Dana Noorilly, Matthew Mandell and Julie Mountain, at the New York Granola Bar.
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Neal Radding sends today’s “Westport … Naturally” image from Sherwood Island State Park, plus a George Costanza quote: “The sea was angry that day, my friends.”
And finally … on this date in 1969, the New York Jets of the American Football League defeated the NFL’s Baltimore Colts of the National Football League to win Super Bowl III (and the first championship game with that name). The 16-7 victory is one of the greatest upsets in sports history; the Jets were 19 1/2-point underdogs.
(The Jets and Sharks agree on one thing: Supporting “06880” is cool. Please click here to make a tax-deductible contribution. Thank you!)
Janine Scotti is a longtime Westport resident. She is concerned that — as the town debates contentious issues — many officials have been silent. Janine writes:
Westport is an incredible place. I chose to make it my home shortly after graduating from college.
I soon learned through volunteering what an incredible community I chose. There are many definitions of community, but for me it stands for people who work together towards common goals and who stand by each other when in need.
Many of us are standing with the smaller subset of our communities right now, being supportive and active. However, I need my community leaders more than ever right now.
Over the years when I have had concerns about something adversely affecting members of my community, I stood alongside my neighbors. I became informed and involved in the process.
Westport town government is filled with incredibly intelligent and dedicated individuals who have chosen to serve. We have elected officials who are volunteers, we have paid elected officials, and we have town employees who are paid for their expertise.
All of these groups have their own leadership. We have a 1st selectperson, chairs of the Boards of Education and Finance chiefs of the Police and Fire Department, and a superintendent of schools.
We need those leaders — people who chose to be leaders in those groups — more than ever to step up, and steer the ship of our community.
We are floundering. We are discouraged, we feel disenfranchised, we are disheartened and angry.
As leaders, you have the knowledge of how our town charter works. You have the ability to enlighten and inform the public regarding true, historical facts about any given process. It troubles me when there is not enough information informing, correcting or educating the public about a matter at hand.
During the past year there have been many situations where the community rose to demand explanations, pleaded for collaboration, or needed education. I believe these needs of the community should be satisfied by our various leaders both paid and volunteer.
I am extremely grateful to some elected officials who continue to try to help the public. But too many are silent, except for when an issue is before them in a meeting. Nothing is stopping them from restating the facts, educating the public about a town process, or clarifying a fact. Being silent and letting the public implode is unacceptable.
Leaders: Aren’t you troubled and concerned? Courageous, truthful, and engaged leadership is needed now. Please respond to this call to action.
Among the many attractions at Gilbertie’s Herbs & Garden Center — besides the flowers, herbs and more in 3 greenhouses — is this 100-year-old lemon tree. Very pretty! (Photo/Frank Rosen)
Yesterday’s “06880” Unsung Hero award came from Marty Yellin. The 84-year-old fell into a creek by his house, and was 15 minutes from possible death when he was saved by the Westport Police and Fire Departments, and Westport Volunteer Emergency Medical Service.
Marty did not have the names of those who helped.
Chief Foti Koskinas does. He writes:
“First and foremost we are extremely grateful as a department that Mr. Yellin is doing well ,and we were able to get to him in time.
“Two of the officers who responded to the incident are currently in their field training program, as they are new officers. Officer Melissa Bike was with field training officer Greg Gunther, and Officer Ryan Kardamis was with field training officer Taylor Field. The supervisor on scene was Sergeant Richard Bagley.
“It’s calls like these that our new officers get to see the level of expectation that we have of them, and how we value human life and how we treat people.
“This was truly a team effort in getting Mr. Yellin to the ambulance safely, without further injury in a timely manner .
“Westport EMS staff on scene: Crew chief James Schwartz, Westport Volunteer EMT David Harmston; Norwalk Hospital paramedic Marcos Rodriguez.
“Westport firefighters on scene: Lieutenant Kevin Dumas; firefighters Ron Burgess, Chris Carroll, Ryan Farrell,m Liz Ferguson.
The final installment of the Westport Library’s Short Cuts Film Festival will be entertaining, thought=provoking — and wide-ranging
Award-winning short films from the US, China, Canada, France and Australia will be screened next Thursday (January 18, 7 p.m.; $26.50; popcorn and refreshments provided).
All were curated from the Tribeca Film Festival. They include:
Chat Mort (Dead Cat) (Canada), a humorous look at parents trying to protect their daughter from the truth about her cat.
Sealed Off (China, Macau, US), set in 1940s-occupied Shanghai during an air raid lockdown.
Et Maintenant? (What Next?) (France), about a ballet dancer who ages out after 30 years.
Shadow Brother Sunday (US) about a sibling rivalry.
Blood (Australia), a sensitive look at Tamil customs around fertility and menstruation.
Audience members can ask questions after the show.
“Good Witch/Bad Witch” — a concert by artists who played the roles of Glinda and Elphaba in Broadway’s “Wicked” — is set for the Westport Country Playhouse stage.
There are 2 shows on Saturday, January 20: 3 and 7:30 p.m.
The show features vocals and banter by Alli Mauzey and Dee Roscioli. In addition to “Wicked” music, the performance features songs from “Frozen,” “Funny Girl” and more.
“I’d like to salute whoever trains the checkout team at Trader Joe’s.
“My cart this morning included 2 six-packs of beer. The checker politely asked me for ID.
“At the age of 78 I was at first surprised, then flattered, to be considered under age.
“So I tipped my hat, revealing a mature hairline, but provided my driver’s license just in case. Being carded made my day, which is probably why TJ has its staff pick out the random grown-up for special attention.”
Combining hands-on learning and art, Earthplace and Silvermine Arts Center together create a memorable experience for 2nd and 4th grade students from 4 Bridgeport elementary schools.
Youngsters from Wilbur Cross, Dunbar, Hallen and Beardsley travel to Earthplace to experience the great outdoors with naturalists, and meet resident animals. Earthplace’s lesson plans are aligned with state standards, and augment the school curriculum.
Silvermine Arts Center Outreach then visits the students in their classrooms to create mixed media artwork that helps reinforce new knowledge and vocabulary.
Artwork from this initiative is on display at Earthplace through the end of January.
In 2014, Team Velominati has raised funds for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. They do it through the Pan-Mass Challenge, a great event that crosses the state of Massachusetts. Since the Challenge began, participants from across the country have raised nearly $1 billion,
Team Veelominati does it in conjunction with Coastal Bridge Advisors, the Westport-based investment firm. Last year, the team raised more than $560,000.
This year’s goal: $1 million.
The kickoff comes Monday (Jaunary 15, 6:30 p.m., 54 Wilton Road), at an event hosted by Coastal Bridge founding partner and Westporter Bill Loftus.
The event includes food, beverages, and a presentation about the team and the Pan-Mass Challenge. For more information, email dchilds@coastalbridgeadvisors.com.
Team Velominati, in 2022.
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Turkey vultures fill the sky, in today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature. These were spotted above Bayberry Lane, at Long Lots Road:
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Picking early limited their quantity. But they increased both the quality and “peppery spiciness” of the olive oil.
