Friday Flashback #190

Posted on April 24, 2020 | 7 comments

By now, you’ve probably binge-watched every television series you ever thought about watching. Plus many you never would have thought of, unless there’s a stay-at-home-in-a-pandemic order.

You’ve probably also watched every movie you ever wanted to see. Plus all those everyone told you you should see, even if their taste in movies sucks.

You can’t watch sports on TV, even if you hate sports, because the only live events are dart championships and soccer in Belarus. (I’m not kidding.)

But wait! There’s another entertainment option! 

Sure, Manny’s Orphans was filmed in 1978. Yeah, it’s a “Bad News Bears” ripoff: A team of misfit orphans plays an elite prep school in soccer. (Spoiler alert: The orphans win.)

Yet there are many compelling reasons to pop this one in the ol’ VCR (or click below).

  • It was directed by Westport’s own Sean Cunningham (just before he got his big breaks with “Friday the 13th” and “Spring Break”).
  • It starred many local kids, as both orphans and Creighton Hall prep school snobs.
  • It was filmed almost entirely in Westport and Bridgeport (you don’t think the orphans lived here, do you?). One of the best scenes involved a massive food fight in the posh, wood-paneled Greens Farms Academy library.
  • Yours truly was deeply involved. I recruited many of the actors. I choreographed all the soccer scenes. I even played the referee (and have an IMDb page to show for it).

Yeah, that’s me. Go ahead, laugh. As referees, we’re used to it.

Westport loved it. There was a world premiere at the Fine Arts Theater. Junior high girls shrieked when their classmates appeared on the big screen, wearing only their underwear.

No, “Manny’s Orphans” did not sweep the Oscars. (To the best of my knowledge, not even the referee was nominated for Best Supporting Actor.)

The Creighton Hall snobs.

Yes, it went from the Fine Arts almost immediately to airplane distribution, bypassing most theaters entirely.

What a movie!

But still, it’s ours. If you don’t have anything to do tonight — and sorry, but you know you don’t — why not gather around the TV or laptop, and watch The Greatest Soccer Movie Ever Made.

Or at least the few clips available on YouTube.

 

And when you’re finished with that, check out Sean Cunningham’s other Bad News Bears ripoff, also filmed in Westport with local talent: “Here Come the Tigers.”

You can find it, at least, on Amazon Prime.

(Hat tip: Russell Sherman)

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SLOBs Set A New Standard Of Service

Posted on April 24, 2020 | 3 comments

For over a decade, SLOBs shined on the last Sunday in April.

The acronym stands for the Service League Of Boys. With over 300 students — plus hundreds of parents — it’s one of Staples High School’s largest, most active clubs.

SLOBs commit to a minimum of 10 hours of service a year (many do much more). And Service Sunday is their Super Bowl.

One scene from a previous SLOBs Service Sunday …

This year, they’d lined up volunteer efforts — landscaping, outdoor projects and the like — at sites all around Westport, Norwalk and Bridgeport. Work sites included A Better Chance’s Glendarcy House, the Audubon Society’s Smith Richardson Tree Farms, Homes with Hopes’ multiple locations, Aspetuck Land Trust, Green Village Initiative, Earthplace, Sherwood Island State Park, Wakeman Town Farm, Evergreen and Open Door.

There were school-related projects for Staples, the Maker Faire and the Read and Curiale Schools in Bridgeport, plus food and donation drives for Person to Person and Quest for Peace.

Yet with current COVID-19 restrictions in place, none of those places will benefit from SLOBs’ generosity.

… and another.

So the group figured out Plan B. They’ll take funds that would have gone to purchase materials for the Day of Service, and redirect them to charities with immediate needs.

None are strangers to SLOBs. They’ve already worked with all.

These organizations will receive $1,100 each: A Better Chance of Westport, Homes with Hope’s food pantry; the Open Door Shelter, Westport’s Department of Human Services COVID-19 Fund, and Person to Person.

SLOBs is keeping a bit of money in reserve, in case some of the planned events can be rescheduled for fall.

In addition, snack bags the students had expected to fill at their March meeting were instead filled by 2 executive board members, and dropped off at the Curiale School for its food pick-up program.

SLOBs’ 2019-20 executive board.

And the SLOBs Blast — a monthly email sent to all 300 members and parents — was reworked into a list of new coronavirus-related service opportunities, for the boys to work on on their own.

There’s no Service Sunday this year. It’s been weeks since the club has met. But — with the need greater than ever — they’ve found new ways to help.

SLOBs is pretty neat! (Hat tip: Beth Massoud)

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Posted in Environment, Organizations, Staples HS, Teenagers

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Staples “We The People” Team Heads Virtually To DC

Posted on April 24, 2020 | 2 comments

Last fall, 23 Staples High School students began preparing for this coming weekend. It would be the finals of the national “We the People” competition.

Getting there — spending 5 days in Washington, DC — would not be easy. But in December, Suzanne Kammerman’s Advanced Placement Politics and Government class was crowned Connecticut champions. The win broke Trumbull High’s 8-year stranglehold on first place.

With the help of interested Westporters like Andy Laskin and Jamie Dockray, the teenagers prepped for nationals.

Staples High School’s 2019 “We the People” champions.

It’s a monumental task. Each team is divided into 6 groups. Each must be ready to answer 3 separate and exceptionally difficult questions on history, politics and law. For example:

“If there is any principle of the Constitution that more imperatively calls for attachment than any other, it is the principle of free thought — not free thought for those who agree with us, but freedom for the thought that we hate.” (Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.)  To what extent has this view influenced American culture?”

The Staples students worked hard, hours a day after school and on weekends.

Then came COVID-19.

On March 11, Westport schools closed. That same night, the Center for Civic Education — We the People’s sponsors — canceled the national event.

Kammerman deliver the crushing news by email.

But quickly, the CCE devised an alternative: a virtual competition.

Kammerman was unsure how her students would respond. Nearly all jumped at the chance.

Ever since, the 2 dozen teenagers have been working together — though apart physically — on their presentations.

It will be a streamlined version. Thirty-one teams elected to compete, down from the original 52. Rather than one round each on Saturday and Sunday, with the finals Monday, the cyberspace nationals will be one round only.

Staples has a Sunday morning slot. Students will log on to Zoom, and enter a secure “room.” Each of the 6 groups will present, then spend 6 minutes answering judges’ questions. The topics are the Bill of Rights, 19th Amendment and America’s system of elections. Winners will be announced Sunday night.

Since mid-March, the Westporters have been researching and writing. This week they honed their responses, in small and large group online sessions.

Andy Laskin is one of several Westporters helping prepare students for the “We the People” competition. He’s in the upper left with Sam Laskin; clockwise are Gary Lu, Sam Powell and William Matar.

Kammerman is impressed with their dedication and perseverance. They all take several difficult classes; distance learning has not meant a lesser workload at all.

Of course, she notes, “their weekends are freer than they used to be.” Still, she is amazed at how hard they work.

“A lot of the excitement had been about spending 5 days in Washington,” she knows. “That was a prize itself. They’re missing out on that. But they’re still very excited.”

Kammerman — who participated in “We the People” herself more than 20 years ago, as a Shelton High student — has worked hard too. In addition to preparing her class, she’s been on conference calls about the contest’s technology and security. On Wednesday she did a full run-through with her class.

An online session, preparing for the “We the People” competition.

Like so many other teachers, she’s been juggling her other classes, her own children’s distance learning, her spouse who works from home, and running a household during a pandemic.

But, she says, “I love it. This is worth it to me. The days fly by. When I sit at night and help kids with their research, it’s really special.

“The kids are so great. They push me forward.”

In another world, they would have all pushed forward to Washington this weekend.

Instead, they’re all home — alone, together — in Westport.

But in true American spirit, “We the People” will prevail.

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Posted in Organizations, People, Staples HS, Teenagers

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New Beach Concessionaire Moves Forward

Posted on April 24, 2020 | 23 comments

No one knows when — or even if 🙁 — Compo Beach will open this year.

But a key piece of summer fun edged closer to reality last night. The Planning & Zoning Commission — acting in its capacity to consider land use issues — voted unanimously in favor of a new concessionaire.

Upsilon Entertainment Group — the applicant chosen by the Parks & Recreation Department — would run the Compo food service that for over 30 years was operated by Joey Romeo. The Larchmont, New York-based company would also take over Romeo’s 2 other concessions: the Longshore golf course halfway house, and the concession by the pool.

Parks & Rec director Jen Fava describd the formal bid process. There were 36 downloads of the RFP. Eight businesses made site visits. Five submitted proposals. In addition to Upsilon’s, they came from Norwalk, Stratford, Woodbridge and Ryebrook, New York.

Fees to be paid to the town ranged from a low of $55,000 a year to a high of $100,000 or 10% of the gross revenue the first year, whichever is higher. The latter bid came from Upsilon.

The new concessionaire will take over from Joey Romeo. For over 30 years, he ran Joey’s by the Shore. (Photo/Lynn Untermeyer Miller)

Fava said that 3 groups were interviewed by a committee of representatives from the RTM, Parks & Rec Department, Parks & Rec Commission, and Department of Public Works.

They selected Upsilon for a variety of reasons. One was those highest fees (which top out at $120,000 a year or 12% of gross revenues, whichever is higher, in the final year of the 5-year contract). An opt-in clause covers 2 additional 5-year terms.

Fava said the committee was enthusiastic about Upsilon’s previous experience, which included operations at New York’s Bryant Park, Prospect Park and Hudson River Park.

The menu would include “typical beach food,” plus “healthier options like smoothies and salads.” They would offer special food nights, like Italian cuisine, and events like cheese tastings.

The company will use biodegradable packaging, and will compost materials. They committed to hire local staffs, and sell Connecticut-based products.

“They’re very professional,” the Parks & Rec director said. “They want to be partners with us, and involved in the community.”

Joey Romeo owned much of the interior equipment. The new concessionaire will have to bring in its own. (Photo/Betsy P. Kahn)

Fava said that while many terms in the original contract were similar to those in the past, the coronavirus pandemic necessitated a rider. It covers uncertainty over starting dates for the beach, and addresses issues like partial openings.

The P&Z vote marked the first step toward town approval for Upsilon. Still ahead: the Board of Finance and Board of Selectmen.

23 Comments

Posted in Beach, Local politics, Longshore

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Pic Of The Day #1102

Posted on April 23, 2020 | 5 comments

“This is the morning view from my window,” says Bob Weingarten. “Every day it gets better.”

5 Comments

Posted in Environment, Pic of the Day

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RTM Approves Local Tax Deferment Program

Posted on April 23, 2020 | 3 comments

Last night, the RTM approved 1st Selectman Jim Marpe’s tax relief deferment program.

The program — worked out with the help of a number of town officials — acts as an extended grace period on tax payments for Westport taxpayers suffering financial hardship due to COVID-19.

Eligible taxpayers can utilize the program for their April and July tax bills on real estate, personal property, motor vehicles and sewer assessments.

Payments made any time within 3 months from each bill’s due date will not incur interest charges or penalties.

Applications for the deferment program must include one of these hardships:

  • Household has suffered a reduction in income of at least 20 percent due to COVID-19.
  • Business or nonprofit revenue from March, 2020 to June, 2020 is expected to be reduced by at least 30 percent compared to the same time last year.
  • For landlords: Income is significantly reduced.

The tax deferment program does not forgive tax payments. Late penalties will apply retroactively, at 18% annually or 1.5% per month.

Applicants must submit documentation. Deadlines are May 22 for April 1 taxes, and July 1 for July 1 taxes. Click here for the form, and other information.

Because Town Hall is closed to the public, residents with questions should call 203-341-1147 or email TaxRelief@WestportCT.Gov.

NOTE: Banks and mortgage services that hold tax payments in escrow must continue to pay the town when the taxes are due, even if the homeowner participates in a moratorium on mortgage payments.

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Posted in Economy, Environment, Local politics

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Police Ground Drone Program

Posted on April 23, 2020 | 48 comments

Westport Police Chief Foti Koskinas said this afternoon that after careful consideration, and in collaboration with 1st Selectman Jim Marpe, the Police Department will not participate in the Draganfly drone “Flatten the Curve Pilot Program.”

The department’s recent announcement of a plan to partner participate in a test of drone technology drew public concern.

“To those who reached out directly to the police department, the selectman’s office or otherwise made public these questions or concerns, we sincerely thank you for your continued community engagement and seek to assure you that your voices have been heard,” Koskinas says.

A Draganfly drone

Marpe notes, “in our good faith effort to get ahead of the virus and potential need to manage and safely monitor crowds and social distancing in this environment, our announcement was perhaps misinterpreted, not well received, and posed many additional questions.

“We heard and respect your concerns, and are therefore stepping back and reconsidering the full impact of the technology and its use in law enforcement protocol.”

Koskinas adds, “I am always committed to bringing our community the most innovative solutions to the public safety problems that it faces. Although I see the greater potential of this technology, I will always be responsive and respectful of the concerns of our citizens in every decision that I make.

“It is a fact that the COVID-19 virus continues to spread through the global community, and therefore poses a serious and credible threat to us all now and in the future. In our steadfast commitment to public service, we remain honored to have been given an opportunity to assist in a pilot program which could someday prove to be a valuable lifesaving tool. We thank Draganfly for offering the pilot program to Westport, and sincerely hope to be included in future innovations once we are convinced the program is appropriate for Westport.

“The Westport Police Department has always made public safety its primary focus while simultaneously respecting the civil liberties of our residents and visitors. We remain steadfast in honoring this commitment.”

48 Comments

Posted in Environment, Local politics, Police, technology

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Remembering Bill Kashetta

Posted on April 23, 2020 | 28 comments

Many Westporters knew Bill Kashetta as a great and generous carpenter, always willing to help with his expertise and a smile. He always charged his friends less than the going rate — and everyone was his friend.

Many Westporters also knew Bill Kashetta as an avid fisherman and golfer.

Generations of Westporters knew him as a coach. He helped start the Westport PAL basketball program, and was a member of the Staples High School boys basketball staff for several years.

But unless you were a native Westporter, you probably did not know that Bill Kashetta was one of Staples’ greatest all-time athletes. He starred in 3 sports — football, basketball and baseball — as a member of the Class of 1970.

Big, fast and talented, he thrilled Wrecker fans with his athleticism, competitive spirit and toughness.

Bill Kashetta died last week at Connecticut Hospice, after a 2-year battle with lung cancer. He was 67.

Bill Kashetta, at Staples High School’s Class of 1970 35th reunion. (Photo/Mark Smollin)

Tributes to his fun, outgoing personality and indomitable spirit poured in on social media.

He is survived by his wife Deirdre; sons David and Daniel; daughter-in-law Sarah; 3 grandchildren; his father Charles; brothers, Chuck, Mike and Tom, and a niece and nephew. He was predeceased by his mother, Jean.

A memorial mass will be held at a later date.

Former teammate Steve Baumann sends this newspaper clipping of Bill Kashetta, leaping high to grab a rebound.

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Posted in People, Sports, Staples HS

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COVID-19 Roundup: MakerSpace Masks; Music Gigs; Sailplane Solo; Charitable Giving; More

Posted on April 23, 2020 | 5 comments

The Westport Library is closed (though it’s online presence is more active than ever). But its MakerSpace is wide open — and doing its part to make and supply PPE to medical personnel across Connecticut.

Westport has partnered with other spaces in the region — Fairfield County Makers Guild in Norwalk; Make Haven in New Haven; Danbury Hacker Space — to assemble face shields. Ours is the only maker space affiliated with a library.

Led by Mike Altis, the MakerSpace has already 3D-printed more than 200 pieces of PPE, such as plastic headbands. After printing, parts are dropped off for final assembly at partnering maker spaces.

Mike prints a headband every 4 hours on the library’s two best 3D printers.

Due to a shortage and slow shipping of supplies, and the need for strict distancing guidelines (only one person in the space at a time), the Westport Library has not produced completed face masks itself.

Fortunately, Mike just received materials. Soon, he and his helpers will assemble completed face shields in their own space.

MakerSpace masks at the library.

Rothbard Ale + Larder posted on Facebook yesterday: “Rothbard will be closing permanently, but we hope this is not goodbye.

“Walrus Alley will be taking its place, with American southern-inspired flavors and dishes you are sure to enjoy. Stay tuned for the occasional Rothbard pop-up, especially in October.

“We hope to see you again.”

Trader Joe’s is closed again today. It is believed another employee contracted the coronavirus.

Like many musicians, 2007 Staples High School grad Drew Angus has been hit hard by the coronavirus.

All gigs through the end of May were canceled. So too have many through August. As a “non-traditional” worker, he’s had a tough time accessing federal and state unemployment benefits.

How’s he coping?

Creatively. After a successful Zoom happy hour for friends last week, he launched “Zoom Pop-Ins.” You can book Drew for a song (or a few) for online birthday parties, Mother’s Day, anniversaries, business meetings, happy hours, whatever. They work especially well as surprises. Click here for more info

Drew also offers drive-by concerts for anyone stuck at home in a 15-mile radius of Westport. He pulls into your driveway, stays safely away, opens his mobile sound system, and plays.

And he teaches virtual guitar and voice lessons. (“Pick up a new quarantine skill!” he suggests.)  Email DrewAngusMusic@gmail.com for concerts and lessons; click here for his website.

Finally, click here for his new single, Mr. Gemini — an introspective rock tune about understanding yourself. (If you buy it on Bandcamp, 85% goes directly to Drew.)

Here’s the stop-motion video. He made it with his marketing manager, Weston High graduate Shari Goldenberg. While strictly socially distancing, of course!

Robert Jacobs has found a new way to self-isolate: soaring solo in a sailplane.

Alone in the sky 8,000 feet above the earth — with no other aircraft around — he feels safe and joyful. The other day, he shot this video:

A reader writes: “My wife and I are looking more closely at our 2020 charitable giving. This is a year for priorities. We want to give where it will have the most immediate and needed benefit, starting with our general community and moving outwards from there.

“For us, food, health, and shelter will come first. Most everything else is on hold. That includes many other very worthy areas.”

How about it, readers. What are your priorities, and why? There are no wrong answers, just opinions. Click “Comments” below.

Spotco — Tommy Greenwald’s marketing, advertising and branding agency — is renowned for its work with Broadway shows.

But with the Great White Way dark, what can they do? Well, how about an uplifting, inspiring video starring Lin-Manuel Miranda?

In just 60 seconds, he manages to let everyone know that after this “intermission,” Broadway will be back with a great 2nd act; offer a way to help people in need, and also provide info on options to assist those in the industry. Take a peek:

Seen on the internet, and worth repeating: “You know all those small businesses you always ask to help out for your silent auction, program book or other fundraiser? Well, it’s time to repay the favor.”

And finally … thanks, Kelly Clarkson, for your words of wisdom!

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Posted in Economy, Entertainment, Environment, Library, Local business, Restaurants, Staples HS

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Remembering Ken And Patsy Olshan: Former Westporters Succumb To Coronavirus

Posted on April 23, 2020 | 1 comment

Earlier this week, Rachel Maddow highlighted newspapers around the country that are devoting more space than usual to obituaries.

Among them: the Hartford Courant. The oldest continuously published paper in the US lists deaths by town. Now, the MSNBC host said, they were reaching all the way to the bottom of the page.

The Courant is also trying to highlight as many of those lost lives as they can. Among them: former Westporters Kenneth and Patricia Olshan.

Patricia and Ken Olshan (Photo courtesy of Hartford Courant)

He was an advertising executive in charge of famous campaigns like “Flick my Bic,” Alka-Seltzer’s “Plop plop, fizz fizz” and “I ♥ New York.” In 1981 he became chairman of Wells, Rich, Greene.

She was an oral historian and volunteered for several charities.

The Olshans moved to Westport in 1981. A few years ago they moved to Meadow Ridge in Redding.

The Courant reports that several weeks ago, Patricia developed a fever. It went away, and she had no cough or other coronavirus symptoms.

On April 7 her husband went into respiratory distress, and had a heart attack. A test showed he was infected with COVID-19.

The next day, Patricia’s fever was back. She died 2 days later.

Their son Matt — a 1981 Staples High School graduate — told the Courant, “If there is a bright spot in all this, it’s that they didn’t have to live without each other.”

(To read the full Hartford Courant story, click here. Hat tip: Matt Murray)

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Posted in Environment, Media, People

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