For decades, the Compo Beach basketball courts have attracted players of all ages and abilities.
Fathers teaching their daughters to shoot. High school varsity athletes and wannabes. Guys whose glory days are in the rear view mirror.
The other day, this crew — Cornelius, Srihan, Amir, Jacob and the rest — took over one of the courts. In their late teens and 20s, they organize games via group chats. Ben Meyer snapped some of the action.
They’re not the Knicks. But they’re not half bad at all.
And — here’s the most important thing — they have a ball.
Yesterday’s story on Tom Lowrie — Westport’s “Mr. Pickleball,” former YMCA trustee, Y’s Man and Rotarian (and much more) who died Tuesday at 97 — noted that there will be a gathering at 6 p.m. this Friday (July 3, his birthday), at the Compo Beach Lowrie Pickleball Courts.
His daughter Anne says that this is an informal toast. A celebration of Tom’s long life is set for Greens Farms Church on July 31. More details will be available soon.
Tom Lowrie, at his 97th birthday. (Photo/Andrew Colabella)
Attention, sports fans! The Tuesday night Parks & Recreation adult hoops league is in full swing. Eight teams play weekly, from 7 to 9 p.m.
Players include just-graduated Staples High heroes Sam Clachko, Matty Corrigan and Mason Tobias, and recent graduates Adam Udell, Cody Sale, Caleb Tobias, Derek Sale, Justin Honig and Griffin Kass.
This week’s ringer was a Big Name: former NBA star (and Rookie of the Year) Michael Carter-Williams (now a Westport resident), and former overseas pro and current Westport PAL coach Jamill Powell.
Spectators are always welcome. The Staples coaching staff enjoyed the games last week.
Long Lots Elementary School — built in 1953, and renovated 20 years later — is slated for demolition. (Drone photo/Brandon Malin)
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The String Queens are the newest addition to the free Levitt Pavilion calendar.
The August 16 show features the trio, known for blending classical music with jazz, hip-hop, R&B and popular styles. Click here to reserve free tickets.
Meanwhile, this holiday weekend’s schedule includes:
Friday, July 3 (7:30 p.m.): Clay Street Unit (bluegrass, folk, Americana, country)
Saturday, July 4 (7:30 p.m.): Early Clover (former Coasters’ lead singer; tribute to Marvin Gaye, Sam Cooke, Nat King Cole, Otis Redding and more)
Sunday, July 5 (7 p.m.): Back to the Garden 1969: Woodstock Experience (featuring Staples graduate Michelle Pauker)
Speaking of music: Lachat Town Farm’s next “Music in the Meadow” (July 11, 6 p.m.) features singer/guitarist/ songwriter Quinn Sullivan.
He’s appeared on “The Tonight Show,” “Jimmy Kimmel Live” and with Conan O’Brien. Sullivan has also performed at Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival, and toured and recorded with Buddy Guy for nearly a decade.
Sharing the stage with B.B. King, Sullivan became one of the few artists ever to play his iconic guitar, “Lucille.”
But the celebration continues July 16 (4:30 to 6:30 p.m.).
Eleish Van Breems Home opens it doors for a free celebration. Nômade will provide the food; Black Bear Wines & Spirits, the beverages. Everyone — the LGBTQ community, friends, allies — and fans of fun (and the furniture store) — is invited. Please RSVP: events@evbhem.com.
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The Whitney Street improvement project is nearly done.
Resident Molly Alger could not be happier. And not just because the noise and inconvenience will end.
The new curb is a masterpiece,” she reports.
“The old curb, next to the black paved sidewalk, was just a raised bit of asphalt.
“Now they’re constructing a legitimate cement curb — perfectly formed and absolutely beautiful. Of course it will also be much safer!”
Westport Police made 1 custodial arrest between June 24 and 30.
A 38-year-old Shelton man was charged with operating an unregistered motor vehicle, operating under suspension and failure to appear, following a stop on Post Road East.
Westport Police also issued these citations:
Distracted driving: 6 citations
Evading responsibility: 1
School zone violation (2nd offense): 1
Traveling unreasonably fast: 1
Operating a motor vehicle without a license: 1
Failure to obey traffic control signals: 1
Disorderly conduct: 1
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As the weather heats up, residents slow down … and seek shade.
These folks found it yesterday, at Sherwood Island State Park. It’s a nice “Westport … Naturally” reminder of how good we have it — despite the temperature.
And finally … Victor Willis, the lead singer of the Village People who also co-wrote their smash hits “YMCA” and “Macho Man,” died Monday, after a short illness. He was 74.
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