Matt Davies — the Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial cartoonist (and 1985 Staples High School graduate) — headlines this year’s TEA Talk.
The annual Westport Arts Advisory Committee event is always a thoughtful conversation featuring thinkers, educators and artists.
This year’s TEA Talk — set for the Westport Library on Sunday, November 17 (2 p.m.) — explores “Humor in the Arts: When a Ha-ha is a No-no.”
Davies and his fellow panelists (writer/actor/comedian Olivia Levine, satirical fine artist Norm Siegel, and playwright/screenwriter Frederick Stroppel) will discuss the impact of social media on humor and satire; the challenges of balancing humor with respect and inclusivity; the role of irony and absurdity in contemporary art, and the changing nature of audience expectations and reactions.
WAAC co-chair Nancy Diamond moderates the sure-to-be-insightful event. Click here to register.
Matt Davies’ post-election cartoon. (Copyright Newsday)
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Concerned about gun safety?
Staples High School students Aidan Lapatine and Logan Noorily are.
And they’re doing something about it.
They run the Students Demand Action club. Today (Saturday, November 9, noon to 3 p.m.) they’ll give out free gun locks, at the Post Road East/Main Street corner (near Starbucks, across from Fred).
Questions? Want to learn more about gun locks? Email aidanlapatine@gmail.com.
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Any Artists Collective of Westport show is great (and fun).
The next one will is also practical. Over 100 works — in a wide variety of styles, genres and materials — will be shown.
And sold. They make great holiday gifts. And all are 12″ x 12″, making them easy to ship.
The show runs from Thursday, November 21 through Sunday, November 24 (noon to 4 p.m., Sheffer Barn at Westport Country Playhouse). A reception on Wednesday, November 20 (6 to 8 p.m.) is a great chance to meet the artists, and enjoy wine and hors d’oeuvres.
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For nearly 50 years, quietly — but fiercely — Bloodroot has raised consciousnesses, fought for women’s rights, and served great food on a side street near the water in Bridgeport.
Now, the institution — co-founded by longtime Westporter, 89-year-old Selma Miriam — is getting the film treatment it deserves.
“A Culinary Uprising: The Story of Bloodroot” premieres tomorrow (Sunday, November 10, United Congregational Church, 2200 North Avenue, Bridgeport). The 80-minute documentary will screen twice, at 5 and 7 p.m.
Click here for tickets, and more information.
Selma Miriam, during a quiet moment at Bloodroot.
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Speaking of great food: Yesterday’s Roundup story on Wakeman Town Farms’ “Thanksgiving Pies for Good” — the sale benefiting CTFoodShares — did not include a link to purchase the apple, apple crumb, blueberry, blueberry crumb, cherry, cherry crumb and pumpkin delights. (Or the à la mode ice cream that’s also on sale.)
So: Click here to order. The deadline is noon on November 22.
Thanksgiving can’t come soon enough.
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Tomorrow (Sunday, November 10, 1 p.m., Room 210), the Westport Library hosts an “illuminating” event.
The public is invited to use one of their state-of-the-art 3D printers to create solar-powered lanterns for Open Doors, a homeless shelter in Norwalk.
No experience is needed, to help provide lighting solution for unhoused people, improving their safety and well-being during nighttime hours.
Created and designed by Staples High School sophomore Rohan Sareen and senior Shreyas Gorre, the lanterns use lights, wires, batteries and solar panels for sustainable illumination.
Shreyas Gorre and Rohan Sareen, with their solar-powered lanterns.
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Despite the rise of the internet, Consumer Reports continues to be the gold standard for product reviews.
This past week, the Y’s Men of Westport and Weston brought CR experts Ellen Kunes, Barrie Rosen and Jen Shecter to the Westport Library for an inside look at those reviews.
Click below for a video of the informative and engaging presentation.
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A celebration of the life of Lis Comm — the longtime Staples High School English teacher and town-wide director of language arts, who died in August — will be held this Thursday (November 14, 3 p.m., Westport Woman’s Club).
Her husband and fellow Staples educator, Frank Corbo, invites Lis’ many former colleagues, students and parents to the ceremony.
Lis Comm
In addition, a celebration of the life of Dan Szymczak — the 1996 Staples High School graduate who died last week — is set for Sunday, November 17 (3 to 8 p.m., 1920 Bar & Bistro, 2 Wilton Avenue, Norwalk). The public is invited.
Dan Szymczak
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Callie Jo Meehan died peacefully at her Westport home, after a lengthy illness. She was 58.
Raised in the small town of Hazen, North Dakota, Callie took part in nearly every activity available. She enjoyed sports, music, theater and civics, as well as the family farm tradition of butchering and sausage-making each fall.
At Harvard University she participated in cheerleading and softball, and earned a varsity letter playing volleyball.
Following graduation Callie began a career in banking in Minneapolis and Philadelphia. She retired to focus on her family. They moved to Charlotte and Dallas, before settling in Westport in 2005.
She participated in the Junior League of Philadelphia, Charlotte and Dallas, and bible studies. She attended services at Saugatuck Congregational Church.
Callie is survived by her husband John; their children Grace, Claire and Peter; son-in-law Tate Johnson; parents Harvey and Kathy Huber, and sisters Christie Obenauer and Stephanie Huber.
The Meehan family thanks the many friends and caregivers who supported and assisted Callie and her family during her illness.
Callie Meehan
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Westport Human services offers this calendar:
- November 8,9, 10: Epic Clothing & Accessory Sale – Westport Woman’s Club
- November 9: Food Drive for Homes with Hope – Westport Sunrise Rotary and Westport Police
- November 11 – Veterans Day Ceremony – Town Hall, 11 a.m.
- November 14 – Senior Center Photo Sculpture Tour
- November 14 – Teddy Bear Tea – The Porch at Christie’s
- November 14 – Westport Farmer’s Market – Moving to Gilbertie’s Herbs & Garden Center
- November 15 to December 22 – Lego Drive – Sustainable Westport
- Now through November 22 – Department of Transportation Online survey for people with physical and intellectual disabilities
Open Enrollment and Energy Assistance:
- Medicare open enrollment – Receive help choosing your plan through December 7; Senior Center, with appointment
- Access Health open enrollment – Connecticut resident without health insurance can enroll before January 15
- Connecticut Energy Assistance Program – Make an appointment with Human Services to complete your application
Local Programs and Resources:
- Curbside leaf collection
- Flu and COVID vaccines, and free tests – order your free tests asap
- Community Connect – Register your home
- QPR training – Positive Directions Free Suicide Prevention Training
- The Bridge Project – pregnant moms can apply for cash assistance
- Housing Choice voucher program information and notifications
- Free First Saturdays at the Westport Museum for History & Culture
Westport Human Services links to programs and services:
- Westport Together resources for children and families
- Senior Center
- Toquet Hall
- Westport Warm-up Fund
Donate to the Homes with Hope or Westport Woman’s Club, or contact Westport Human Services for food resources.
Connecticut has a shortage of foster families. Click here to learn more.
Questions? Contact Westport Human Services 203-341-1050 or humansrv@westportct.gov
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This might be the first time a gingko tree has been featured in “Westport … Naturally.”
You can find this beauty near Rive Bistro.
(Photo/Judith Katz)
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And finally … today is one of the most important days in world history.
On November 9, 1961, the Beatles met Brian Epstein after a performance at The Cavern Club in Liverpool, England. He soon became their manager.
(Today is just another day in our “06880” life. But you can make it special, by clicking here to support Westport’s hyper-local blog. Thank you!)
