“Shoah” — Hebrew for “catastrophe” — refers today to the killing of nearly 6 million Jews and others by Nazi Germany and its collaborators.
This evening (Monday, July 10, 7 p.m., Westport Library), Sam Gustman — associate dean and chief technology officer at the University of Southern California Shoah Foundation and USC Libraries, discusses “Humanity Through Technology.”
Founded by Steven Spielberg in 1994, the foundation is the world’s largest collection of video testimonies about the Shoah. It is used for research, education, and outreach for the betterment of humankind.
Shoah collects testimonies, develops innovative research and educational materials for schools, universities, and museums. Gustman will demonstrate AI, video streaming, search, and learning management system technologies.
The event is sponsored by the Library, and the Y’s Men of Westport and Weston.
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This year’s “06880” blog party is just 10 days away.
The date is Thursday, July 20 (6 p.m). The site is Compo Beach — the alcohol-is-okay South Beach, by the trees (the opposite end from the cannons).
Bring your own food, beverages (no glass bottles!), beach chairs and blankets.
Our blog party is a true community gathering – a chance to meet and mingle with the diverse “06880” community (both online and real). It’s fun, un-fancy, and free!
We extend a special welcome to all our new “06880” readers. And those who have never come to our bash. See you July 20!
A small part of the large crowd. (Photo/Dennis Jackson)
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Keeping “track” of Henry Wynne:
The 2013 Staples High School and 2017 University of Virginia graduate — one of the greatest runners in Connecticut history placed 5th at Saturday’s USA National Track & Field 1500 meter championship in Eugene, Oregon. His time was 3:35.99.
He missed being one of the top 3 to advance to the World Championships in Budapest next month by only half a second. But his time equates to a 3:51 mile.
Henry Wynne is on the right, wearing yellow.
The field included the top 12 milers in the US — including 2 Olympians.
Wynne — who won the NCAA championship in the mile, and is a 3-time high school national champ — is sponsored by Brooks.
Click below for the exciting race. (Hat tip: Reess Kennedy)
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Jared Frank — a 2002 graduate of Staples High School, and then of and NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts — writes about art and architecture. He designs original furniture, and creates bespoke environments.
His interiors have been featured in Vogue, Dwell, Elle Décor and the Los Angeles Times.
Now a new book includes a chapter on his own home, Casa Larissa. “The New Antiquarians: At Home with Young Collectors,” is “an inspiring compendium of idiosyncratic interiors assembled around eclectic collections of objects with life and history.” Jared is proud to be among peers who also “brazenly blend the old with the new, . . . employ serious knowledge with humor and wit, and consider vintage and historical objects through the lens of contemporary values.”
Jared Frank, in a page from “The New Antiquarians.”
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Calling all Ukrainian-American US military veterans (or current servicemembers)!
At yesterday’s LymanAID event for Westport’s sister city, Ihor Rudko asked “06880” to spread the word about Ukrainian American Veterans, Inc.
The organization has 26 chapters across the country. The closest are in New Haven and Yonkers, New York.
For 75 years, the group has provided support, resources and camaraderie to Ukrainian-Americans serving in our military.
For more information, contact Rudko, the national commander: irudko@rudko.com; 860-705-1849.
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Saturday’s Roundup noted that beginning with the 2024-25 school year, the kindergarten age cutoff changes from December 31 that school year to September 1, so that any student entering kindergarten must already be 5 years old. (Interestingly, it’s called HB 06880.)
State Senator Ceci Maher checked in with “06880” (the blog). She notes: “A waiver available in HB 5003 allows parents whose children are not age 5 by the September 1 to be admitted to kindergarten upon written request, and assessment of the child by principal or certified staff to ensure admission is developmentally appropriate.”
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We’re not sure exactly how this weekend accident happened. But it looks like 2 cars were trying to turn at the same time, at the Franklin Street/Charles Street intersection.
Be careful out there!
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On Saturday morning, over 60 members of the Y’s Men of Westport and Weston ventured to a third town.
Westporter Deej Web led a walking tour of historic Southport. He knows his stuff: He’s a member of the Pequot Library board of directors, its historian — and a former history teacher.
Among the topics: the role of Southport in the American Revolution, the War of 1812, the Civil War, World War I and the rum runners of Prohibition, along with its historic harbor, onion fields, taverns, and the slave and China trades.
Y’s Men in Southport. (Photo and hat tip/Dave Matlow)
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Wildlife photographer and Westport Community Gardens director Lou Weinberg offers today’s compelling “Westport … Naturally” photo. He says:
“Red squirrels love eating black walnuts in the Long Lots Preserve.
“During the summer, American red squirrels collect and hide seeds and nuts so they have food storage during the lean winter times. Sometimes they forget to dig up the seeds. This benefits their local habitat because the squirrels are unintentionally planting trees in new places.
“Nature wins!”
(Photo/Lou Weienberg)
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And finally … on this day in 1553, Lady Jane Grey took the throne of England.
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