Tag Archives: Billie Eilish

Roundup: College Protests, Mother’s Day, Robbie Mustoe …

Posted on April 27, 2024 | 33 comments

Westport college students are on both sides of the protests roiling campuses nationwide.

One made it into the Washington Post.

Reporting from the University of Texas, where Governor Greg Abbott is sending in troops, the paper quoted students who called his actions politically opportunistic.

However, the Post said: “Not every student found the response unsettling.

“Lily Caplan, 19, a sophomore journalism major from Westport, Conn., joined fellow members of Longhorn Students for Israel at a counter-protest next to the pro-Palestinian gathering Thursday, waving Israeli flags and chanting ‘Bring them home now’ — a reference to Jewish hostages in Gaza.

“‘Yesterday we saw a totally different response than other universities around the country and me, as a Jewish student, I was so grateful for that. Don’t mess with Texas,’ she said, echoing a state slogan as she stood in a circle with other counter-protesters.

“Caplan said she was reassured by support from Abbott and university president Jay Hartzell.

Click here for the full Washington Post story. (Hat tip: Douglass Davidoff)

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Husbands and kids’ alert: Mother’s Day is May 12.

Westport Marketplace has the holiday covered. Brunch spots, spas, chocolates, other gifts and more are all in a handy list. Click here to see — then act!

The mom in your life will thank you.

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Officer Joe Saponare of Westport Animal Control wants Westporters to know: “All wildlife animals — especially coyotes — will be out more now, both day and night, searching for food because of their newborn babies.”

He suggests taking dogs out on leashes. Owners of little dogs should be especially vigilant.

Compo Beach coyote. (Photo/Richard Gabor)

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Soccer fans around the US know Robbie Mustoe as a keen-eyed commentator on NBC Sports’ Premier League coverage. Soccer fans around the world know that he’s a former English professional player.

Westporters know him as our neighbor — and a golfer.

He may not have scored the winning goal at Wembley. But on Monday he did the next best thing: He got a hole-in-one.

Don’t take our word for it. Here’s what he posted on X:

(Hat tip: David Groner)

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Tonight is A Better Chance of Westport’s annual Dream Event (Saturday, 6:30 p.m., Westport Library).

If you’re going, you know it will be an inspirational evening. But those not there can still take part in a great online auction.

Broadway and Yankees tickets, golf, Arabian horse lessons and more are up for bid. Just click here, then click “Not attending” and follow the prompts.

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ABC’s Dream Event is just one of many galas this spring. All are important, for excellent causes.

But the Westport Weston Family YMCA is hosting an “Extra Special Spring Bash” on May 4 (6 to 8:30 p.m.).

The evening is tailored to students ages 12-18 with disabilities. 

The Y promises fun and excitement, with food, a photo booth, gift bags and a DJ.

Students will be partnered with a student volunteer buddies who spend the evening with them. Parents can stay in a separate room where they can mingle, and enjoy refreshments.

Click here to register, and for more information.

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Jesse Terry and Sam Robbins share the bill next Saturday (May 4, 8 p.m.), at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Westport’s Voices Café.

Terry — a full-time touring artist for well over a decade, and Wilton native — has been called “a gentle soul with a formidable songwriting talent and a clear artistic vision.”

Sam Robbins is based in Nashville. He brings a modern, upbeat edge as a storytelling troubadour.

The concert supports local social justice programs. Click here for tickets, and more information.

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That’s not Sam Robbins’ only upcoming Westport appearance.

Carolyn Miller runs Westport-based Meals for Music. The non-profit provides free meals to touring musicians.

Their first fundraiser is May 8 (7:45 p.m.) at Fairfield Theatre Company. Damn Tall Building — and Robbins — provide the entertainment. (And presumably will eat well.)

Click here for tickets, and more information.

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Speaking of entertainment: Nearly 300 musicians have signed a letter, urging US senators to help fix the broken concert ticketing system.

Three of the them — more than 1% of all of signees — have Westport connections. Nile Rodgers lives here. And Billie Eilish and Finneas’ father, Patrick O’Connell, is a 1975 Staples High School graduate.

They’re in good company. Other signers include Duran Duran, Fall Out Boy, Graham Nash, Green Day, Cyndi Lauper, Indigo Girls, Jason Mraz, Siaand Lorde. (Hat tip: Mark Mathias)

Finneas has some Westport roots.

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Johanna Keyser Rossi loves Burying Hill Beach.

The other day, she noticed that artificial flowers placed along the fence at the top of the hill had been removed.

She thought they were a tribute or memorial to someone, and was sad to see them gone.

Yesterday, to her delight, someone — the same person perhaps, or someone else — had replaced them.

Beautifully.

(Photo/Johanna Keyser Rossi)

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Sometimes the Fresh Market osprey leaves its nest to fish.

Sometimes it just wants a change of pace, from its platform in a busy parking lot.

Hilary Ellis spotted today’s “Westport … Naturally” scene on Spicer Road.

(Photo/Hilary Ellis)

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And finally … Mike Pinder, founding keyboardist of the Moody Blues, died this week in California. He was 82. Click here for a full obituary.

(Go now! But before you do, please click here to support “06880” — your hyper-local blog. Thank you!)

33 Comments

Posted in Beach, Education, Environment, Longshore, Politics, YMCA

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Roundup: Billie Eilish, Clear-Cut Trees …

Posted on February 5, 2024 | 5 comments

It was a big night for women at yesterday’s 66th annual Grammy Awards.

And some of the biggest wins were by Billie Eilish.

The 22-year-old singer/songwriter (and her brother Finneas) won Song of the Year for “What Was I Made For?,” from the hit film “Barbie.” It also won Best Song Written for Visual Media.

The “06880” connection? Billie and Finneas’ father, Patrick O’Connell,

Patrick O’Connell — who grew up at the top of Compo Hill — is a 1975 Staples High School graduate. He was an active member of Staples Players, best known for his role of John in “The Crucible.”

Patrick went on to Juilliard, and a career as an actor. He’s appeared in “Iron Man,” “The West Wing” and “Baskets.”

Congratulations, Billie and Finneas — and their proud dad.

Patrick O’Connell (left), at last night’s Grammy Awards. (Photo courtesy of Linda Smith)

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Clarence Hayes knows that there is no legal way to limit tree-cutting on private property.

But he wants fellow “06880” readers to know where it’s going on.

He sent 2 recent photos.

One is 66 Kings Highway North, where all trees have been clear cut in preparation for a new house.

“A tree with a 16-foot circumference in perfect health could not be spared close to the middle of the property,” Clarence says.

66 Kings Highway North

And here’s the scene at 242 Compo Road South, near Compo Beach:

(Photos/Clarence Hayes)

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Ned Dimes Marina in mid-winter is empty — except for the wildlife that frames it, in today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo.

In a few months, it will be hard to see the boats here, through the greenery. For now though, the scene is serene — and brown.

(Photo/Ned Dimes)

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And finally … here is the Grammy Award-winning Song of the Year (story above). It’s had only 104 million views:

(Every day, “06880” is where Westport meets the world — and you learn about our connections to people like Billie Eilish. Please click here to support our online community. Thank you!)

5 Comments

Posted in Entertainment, Real estate

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Roundup: Bubble Tea, Brrrrr, Billie Eilish …

Posted on February 20, 2022 | Comments Off on Roundup: Bubble Tea, Brrrrr, Billie Eilish …

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Since opening earlier this winter in Compo Shopping center near CVS and Planet Pizza, The Whale Tea has quietly earned a loyal following for its bubble tea.

“Series” include fresh milk, whale crystal, crème brûlée, classic milk and tea, fresh fruit milk tea, milk foam, slush and oolong tea.

There’s a wide range of bubble tea add-ons, and options to control the levels of ice, sugar and boba.

Whale Tea is part of a small chain. Other locations are in Fairfield, Stamford, New Haven, Storrs and (why not?) Boise, Idaho.

Reader Bonnie Dubson writes: “I am a (former) New Yorker who really misses Chinatown and the international vibe of bubble tea places. I’m tickled to have one in town. My daughter, husband and I used to pilgrimage to the city for bubble tea. Now we have it right here. We are so excited!”

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It’s mid-February. For most of us, it’s a time to ski, escape to sunny resorts, or count the days until spring.

For these three, it’s a chance to zip up the wet suits and head to Compo.

Plus, there’s plenty of parking.

(Photo/Pam Kesselman)

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On Friday, Billie Eilish played to a sold-out crowd at Madison Square Garden.

Longtime Westporter Larry Perlstein was one of the lucky ones there.

What makes that “06880”-worthy is that the pop idol is the daughter of Patrick O’Connell, a 1975 Staples High School graduate.

Perlstein is a ’75 grad too. Which means he had a bit more of a claim to her fame than most of the rest of the MSG audience.

Billie Eilish sold out Madison Square Garden. (Photo/Larry Perlstein)

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Today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo shows an intriguing view of the Saugatuck River, as seen from the Kings Highway North bridge.

(Photo/Claudia Sherwood Servidio)

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And finally … 2 famous works premiered on this date.

In 1816, it was Rossini’s opera “The Barber of Seville” at the Teatro Argentina in Rome.

Sixty-one years later, Tchaikovsky’s ballet “Swan Lake” debuted at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow.

Comments Off on Roundup: Bubble Tea, Brrrrr, Billie Eilish …

Posted in Beach, Entertainment, Local business

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Grammy Awards: The Westport Connections

Posted on January 27, 2020 | 15 comments

When Billie Eilish swept the top honors at last night’s Grammy Awards, Westporters — at least, those who are close readers of “06880” — felt a bit of pride.

As reported here in October, the entertainer — whose full name is Billie Eilish Pirate Baird O’Connell — lives in LA, with her brother Finneas, and her parents.

But she has local ties. Her father. Patrick O’Connell, grew up at the top of Compo Hill. A 1975 Staples High School graduate, he was an active member of Staples Players.

Billie Eilish and her father, Patrick O’Connell.

Billie won Grammys for Album of the Year, Best Pop Vocal Album, Record of the Year and Song of the Year, and was named Best New Artist. She was nominated for — but did not win — Best Pop Solo Performance.

Finneas earned a Grammy as Producer of the Year, Non-Classical. He worked on 10 albums, including his sister’s “When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?”

They’re not the only winners with a Westport connection. Ranky Tanky — who celebrate the Gullah slave culture that still lives in South Carolina, combining spirituals, poems, children’s songs and lullabies with fresh, jazz-inflected music — won Best Regional Roots Music Album. for “Good Time.”

Ranky Tanky were among the first artists signed by Steve Ruchefsky and Rondi Charleston’s Resilience Music Alliance. Based in Westport, the label empowers musicians who explore, challenge and celebrate the human condition of (you guessed it) resilience.

In 2018, Ranky Tanky played to a packed audience at the Levitt Pavilion.

At the Spoleto Music Festival, Steve Ruchefsky and Rondi Charleston presented Ranky Tanky with plaques commemorating the #1 performance of the first release on the Westporters’ label, Resilience Music Alliance.

In addition there were 2 Westport-ish nominees for Best Children’s Album, though neither won. Daniel Tashian (“I Love Rainy Days”) is the son of Barry and Holly Tashian. He fronted the legendary rock band the Remains; she was a noted singer herself. The couple now live, record and write in Nashville, where Daniel grew up.

Kaitlin McGaw (“The Love”) is part of Alphabet Rockers, which “empowers kids with hip-hop.” Her grandparents are Westporters Ed and Kay See.

Interestingly, the O’Connell, Tashian and See families families all lived on Compo Hill. There must be something in the (Old Mill) water.

Here’s one more local connection to the Grammys — though it’s a stretch.

“Oklahoma!” was nominated for Best Musical Theater Album. The composer lived for many years on Hulls Farm Road in Fairfield, just over the line from Westport’s Long Lots Road.

His name: Richard Rodgers.

I’m sure I missed at least one other Westport tie to last night’s Grammys.

Click here for the full list. If you find someone in any category — jazz, blues, bluegrass, folk, reggae, Christian music, whatever — let us know in the “Comments” below.

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Posted in Entertainment, People, Staples HS

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Billie Eilish: The “06880” Connection

Posted on October 2, 2019 | 5 comments

You may not have heard of Billie Eilish.

But your teen or tween certainly has.

The 18-year-old is a pop sensation. In 2017 her first EP, “Don’t Smile At Me,” hit the Top 15 in the US, UK, Canada and Australia. This year’s album “When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?” contined Billboard Top 40 singles, including the #1 “Bad Guy.” She is the first — and so far only — artist born in the 2000s to record an American #1 single. Billie already has 8 gold and 4 platinum singles.

She lives in LA with her brother Finneas — a frequent collaborator — and her mother and father.

So why is the entertainer — whose full name is Billie Eilish Pirate Baird O’Connell “0688o”-worthy?

Because “O’Connell” comes from her father. Patrick O’Connell — who grew up at the top of Compo Hill — is a 1975 Staples High School graduate. He was an active member of Staples Players, best known for his role of John in “The Crucible.”

Billie Eilish and her father, Patrick O’Connell.

Patrick went on to Juilliard, and a career as an actor. He’s appeared in “Iron Man,” “The West Wing” and “Baskets.”

So even though you have not heard of the teen sensation until this moment, casually tell your kid, “You know Billie Eilish’s dad is from Westport, right?”

Your cool factor will rise exponentially.

(Hat tip: David Roth)

5 Comments

Posted in Entertainment, People, Staples HS, Teenagers

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