Bedford Square (Photo/Rowene Weems Photography)
This is one of the greatest sports items I’ve ever run:
On Saturday in Staten Island, Westport’s own remarkable athlete (and artist) Norma Minkowitz broke the 400 meter world — yes, world — indoor record,
For the women’s 85-90 year-old age group.
Norma’s record time was 1:50.99. That smashes the previous record of 1:51.89 — held by Emma Mazzenga of Italy, since 2019 almost a full second.
Here she goes:
And here’s what happened next:
But wait! There’s more — much more!
Norma had just 30 minutes to prepare for her next race: a grueling 800 meters.
Typically they’re run on separate days — certainly not just half an hour apart.
Yet Norma smashed/demolished/obliterated the American record. She ran a 4:33.38. The old record was — are you sitting down? — 6:14.93, set by Florence Meiler last year.
With a bit of rest, Norma might have made it 2 world marks in less than an hour.
Norma Minkowitz, with her medals. (Photo/Jeff Mitchell)
Congratulations, Norma. You’re amazing.
And to the rest of Westport: What did you do this past weekend? (Hat tip: Jeff Mitchell)
BONUS LAP: Click here for an in-depth “06880” story on Norma Minkowitz.
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Amis restaurant closed yesterday.
The restaurant — one of the anchors of Bedford Square when it opened 6 years ago — posted this sign:
(Photo and hat tip/Larry Bartimer)
In response to a request for information, a restaurant representative said: “Simply put, just not enough sales.”
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Earlier this winter, Wendy Van Wie was the winning bidder on a work of art. It showed Marigny, France — our first sister city, since just after World War II — and was donated by residents there to help raise funds for the new sister city our two towns share: Lyman, Ukraine. (Click here for the back story.)
The artwork recently arrived in Westport. Wendy’s husband Mark Yurkiw, his fellow Westport Artists Collective member Miggs Burroughs, and Katya Wauchope of Ukraine Aid International created a short film. It honors and thanks our friends from Marigny, and celebrates our connection with Lyman.
Click below to see:
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Longtime Westporter Martin (Marty) Albert died on Thursday, from complications of Parkinson’s disease. He was 77 years old, and had been diagnosed nearly 30 years ago.
The Brooklyn native graduated from Jamaica High School in 1962. He earned degrees from the Wharton School at University of Pennsylvania, Boston University Law School, and a master’s in taxation from NYU. He worked as an attorney at Cohen & Wolf for 35 years.
He enjoyed golf, skiing and walking. He served as vice president of United Way (Bridgeport), vice president of the United Jewish Appeal, board member of the Jewish Home for the Elderly Foundation, president of Birchwood Country Club and vice president of Temple Israel.
Martin is survived by his wife Janet, children Elizabeth Heyer (Joseph) and Andrew (Rachel), sister Naomi Gardner, and grandchildren Samson, Austin and Presley Heyer, and Madison and Aaron Albert.
Funeral services will be held tomorrow (Tuesday, February 28, 10:30 a.m., Temple Israel). Burial will follow at Temple Israel Cemetery, 225 Richards Avenue, Norwalk. Shiva will be observed at the home of Janet Albert on Tuesday, February 28 and Wednesday, March 1 from 2 to 8 p,m. To share a condolence message, click here.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Michael J Fox Foundation.
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I’m not sure if a rock has ever been the centerpiece of our “Westport … Naturally” feature.
But it doesn’t get more natural than this view, from Compo’s South Beach:
(Photo/Jonathan Prager)
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And finally … in honor of Norma Minkowitz (story above):
(“06880” — your hyper-local blog — relies on reader support. Please click here to make a tax-deductible contribution. Thank you!)
Bedford Square and downtown (Drone photo/John Videler for Videler.com)
Some Photo Challenges can be answered by anyone who has once lived in Westport. They’re permanent parts of our landscape.
Others are solvable only by those who live here now. But those bits of town will still be around for a while.
Last week’s Challenge could only be known by the latter grouop. If you haven’t seen it though, you better not wait too long.
Amy Schneider’s photo showed a beautiful butterfly. It’s hidden in plain sight — the alley behind Anthropologie, in Bedford Square — but it won’t be there forever. (Click here to see.)
The colorful charcoal work by Susan Fehlinger is part of an outdoor art project called “Vanishing Species/Vanishing Murals.” Sponsored by the Artists’ Collective of Westport, it’s one of 4 pieces that — exposed to the elements — will disappear.
Which is exactly what’s happening to so many creatures around the globe.
“The process of aging, fading and degradation speaks to the attention span of our fast-paced world, and offers its own lesson on the ephemeralness of art and life itself,” the Collective says.
Rindy Higgins, Nancy Axthelm, Lynn Untermeyer Miller, Michael Calise and Jeanne Esposito all knew exactly where to spot the lovely butterfly.
For now, at least.
This week’s Photo Challenge is a lot more permanent. And a lot less friendly.
If you know where in Westport you’d see this, click “Comments” below.
(Photo/Elaine Marino)
Posted in Arts, Downtown, Organizations, Photo Challenge
Tagged Anthropologie, Artists Collective of Westport, Bedford Square, Susan Fehlinger
“Commercial, Institutional, Educational and Multi-Family Residential Design” sounds like a pretty dull category.
But the American Institute of Architects found 12 projects worthy of honors this year.
Two — a full 16% — are in Westport. In fact, they’re within a few yards of each other.
Bedford Square’s Centerbrook Architects and Planners earned a citation for its “thoughtful and highly sympathetic renovation and re-adaption” of the former Westport Weston Family YMCA.
The judges noted, “it’s a multi piece development, and when you walk along the sidewalk, it’s just a remarkable improvement and investment. Westport was lucky to have selected this architect.”
Bedford Square (Photo/Nathaniel Riley)
Across Jesup Green, HMA2 Architects earned a citation too. They transformed the Westport Library from a less-than-workable building on a beautiful property into a functional and handsome space, now worthy of its setting.
Library director Bill Harmer praises HMA2’s “fine sense of design (and) keen understanding of how we were altering the space for 21st century use.”
The firm’s founder, Henry Myerberg, adds, “The design of the transformed library speaks to the extraordinary energy and participation of the Westport Library staff and community. The pandemic has not slowed them down to find new ways to make the library a special part of everyone’s life.”
The Westport Library, before coronavirus. (Photo/Aida Sulova)
Now, if only an architect could do something about the Post Road that separates these 2 award winning projects …
(Click here for the full story of AIA Connecticut Design Award winners.)
Broadway is dark. But the catchy song “On Broadway” — you know, about neon lights — inspires Westport youngsters to keep their musical theater dreams alive.
Right here in Bedford Square.
The dance floor is concrete. The kids use store windows as mirrors.
But they’ve got a real-live Rockette — 15-year veteran Stevi Van Meter — as their dance instructor.
The Saturday morning classes are the brainchild of Laura Prendergast. The Theater Camp 4 Kids Broadway Academy owner vows to keep musical theater going, whatever it takes.
Bedford Square owner David Waldman donated the space.
When the weather gets cold, the kids will just bundle up and keep dancing. Hey — they’ve already got their face masks. Click below for the video!
Westporters know L.J. Peltrop as a server at Rye Ridge Deli.
He’s also a writer. His debut novel, “Waiting Face,” is a thriller involving addiction, mental health, and the fight to “belong.”
It launches this Tuesday (September 22) on Amazon.
There’s a new holistic business a few feet over the border.
Veda Healing Spa (596 Westport Avenue, Norwalk — just past Whole Foods) is a spa. Owner Harpreet Kaur was born and raised in Punjab, India and has 20 years’ experience as a licensed esthetician in Ayurvedic skin treatments, healing and wellness.
And finally … 50 years ago, Black Sabbath’s “Paranoia” offered not-very-uplifting songs about war, corruption and trauma. Happy half-century! (Hat tip: Mark Yurkiw)
Posted in Arts, Children, Downtown, Local business
Tagged Bedford Square, LJ Peltrop, Theater Camp 4 Kids Broadway Academy, Veda Healing Spa
Finding Westport turns 2 years old today. The website for local businesses and services — which includes a comprehensive what’s-up list during the pandemic — is the brainchild of Jillian Elder.
Yesterday she ran around town celebrating. She brought a pineapple — hey, why not? — and visited businesses and other sites, hoping her photos would bring smiles.
She’ll post the shots on social media throughout today. Here’s a preview.
Smile!
Bedford Square
Train station
Compo Beach cannons
Compo Beach lifeguard stand (Photos/Jillian Elder)
Posted in Beach, Downtown, Media, People, Transportation
Tagged Bedford Square, Compo Beach, Compo Beach cannons, Finding Westport, Jillian Elder, Westport train station
Laura Curley Pendergast writes:
David Waldman has been so kind to our Theater Camp 4 Kids Broadway Academy.
We were in a tough spot, because my studio — where we always do my summer camps — is closed because of COVID. There was no place to take the young actors who depend on these camps all summer.
David Waldman and friend.
David offered his beautiful Bedford Square courtyard. He was so kind and generous, and made all the young actors feel at home. (He even brought his new puppy, for the kids to see.)
One day, when rain was predicted, he even put up 2 tents. He wanted us to be outdoors, where it is much safer for children. (When thunder and lightning came, he let us all inside!)
I can’t thank him enough for giving our young actors an opportunity to thrive under our “new normal.” It has not been easy for anyone in the theater industry.
I know downtown is hurting economically. But David never asked for any money. He did this out of the kindness of his heart, and made us feel so welcome.
He saved the day. And he did it with such grace, gentlemanliness, humor and love for the next generation. He really deserves our praise!
This is why I love Westport. David is the kind of person who makes this such a great place!
Broadway Academy, at Bedford Square.
Downtown Westport, courtesy of Brandon Malin’s drone:
National Hall, and the west bank of the Saugatuck River
Downtown
Bedford Square
Westport Library
Town Hall (Drone photos/Brandon Malin)
Posted in Downtown, Library, Pic of the Day
Tagged Bedford Square, National Hall, Saugatuck River West Bank, Town Hall, Westport Library
On the first day of wiinter: A reminder of summer, between Bedford Square and Main Street (Photo/Stephanie Mastocciolo)
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