Tag Archives: David Kaplan

Roundup: Rink Ring, Hillspoint Homes, Newman’s Own …

Posted on January 11, 2025 | 6 comments

Longshore is Amy Feder’s happy place.

So it was a natural place for John Recine to propose to her.

What he didn’t expect was that — as he popped the question, on the PAL Ice Rink — a skating stranger would capture the moment on camera.

Amy was there with Ali, her 22-year-old daughter, and Johnny’s daughter Angela and boyfriend Zach (visiting from Austin).

The happy couple have not set a date or place yet. No one asked me, but I can think of a great spot very close to that rink …

From left: Zach Springer, Angela Recine, Amy Feder, Johnny Recine, Ali Feder. (Photo/A random but great stranger)

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As a large new house rises near Schlaet’s Point, anoather big house will not be built a few yards away.

The Zoning Board of Appeals has denied an application for a 36-foot tall house at 238 Hillspoint Road. The proposed 2,200-square foot structure would have replaced a one-story cottage, built in 1920.

The current home at 238 Hillspoint Road.

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On January 26, Paul Newman would have been 100 years old.

In his honor, Newman’s Own — the philanthropy started in Westport, where the actor/race car driver/humanitarian lived for over 50 years — will launch “Paul Newman Generosity Day.”

First Selectwoman Jen Tooker, local officials and celebrities will gather at the Newman’s Own office on the Post Road at Morningside Road North for an afternoon of “celebration and generosity.”

Newman’s Own will unveil the “100 Acts of Generosity Challenge.” Participants will perform acts of kindness, share stories, and inspire others to do the same on social media.

Nearly 100, and still looking good.

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Richard Huntley is an internist/primary care doctor in Norwalk, and a Westport resident since 1988.

In 2023 he got a chance to do charitable medical work. He traveled to Kenya to screen for high blood pressure (Africa has the highest rate of hypertension globally.

80% of hypertension cases in Kenya are unrecognized, and only 10% is treated. Only 2% of the population has health insurance, so most people focus on illness rather than preventive care.

Dr. Huntley first worked in rural areas of Kenya. In 2024 he volunteered in Kibera — Africa’s largest slum, with over a million people.

He has partnered with Crossing Thresholds, a New Canaan-based nonprofit, to start a clinic to screen and treat high blood pressure. He organized a fundraiser to provide hypertension medications. For more information on the project, and donate, click here.

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After leading Williams College to a 3-0 record, and averaging 22.7 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.7 steals per game, senior captain (and 2021 Staples High School graduate) Arianna Gerig was named New England Small College Athletic Conference Player of the Week honors.

She was also selected for the First Team of the Week, the New England Women’s Basketball Association. (Hat tip: Don Kubie)

Arianna Gerig

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David Kaplan started his movie-making career the way you always hear it should be done: in the mailroom of a Los Angeles talent agency.

In 2013, “06880” profiled the 2003 Staples High School graduate. His film “Short Term 12” had just won the SXSW Grand Jury Award for Narrative Feature.

Now he’s got a Golden Globe

“The Brutalist” — backed by Kaplan Morrison, Kaplan’s New York-based production company — won 3 awards Sunday night, including Best Motion Picture – Drama. (Hat tip: Adam Friedland)

David Kaplan

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Andrew Wilk is a Big Name in entertainment.

The Westporter is a 5-time Emmy Award-winning executive producer and director of network television. He has worked with Itzhak Perlman, Yo-Yo Ma, Joshua Bell, Renee Fleming, Audra McDonald and Kelli O’Hara.

He is also a noted stage director and writer. But symphony conducting remains his first love. He is a frequent musical director and conductor at the Paper Mill Playhouse, and been involved with the Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra and New Jersey Symphony Orchestra.

On May 17, Wilk will be at Waterbury’s Palace Theater. He will conduct the Waterbury Symphony Orchestra for a night of music and memories, celebrating 20 years of Broadway musicals.

The show will include musical numbers from “The Phantom of the Opera,”
“Ragtime,” “Evita” and “Dreamgirls,” plus “Over the Rainbow,” “Memory” and “Tomorrow.”

Click here for tickets, and more information.

Andrew Wilk with one of his Emmys, at his Lincoln Center office.

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And finally … today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo, from the Balducci’s parking lot, gives new meaning to the “Rover” in Range Rover.

(Photo/Neal Radding)

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And finally … in honor of Andrew Wilk’s upcoming show at the Waterbury Palace Theater (story above):

(Do you hear the people contributing to “06880”? Just click here to join in. Merci!)

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Posted in Children, Entertainment, Environment, Longshore, Real estate, Staples HS, Totally random

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12 Hrs 4 12K

Posted on May 13, 2017 | 1 comment

Ten years ago, David and Gwen Baker’s oldest daughter was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. The incurable illness — and related inflammatory bowel diseases like ulcerative colitis — cause abdominal pain, persistent diarrhea, rectal bleeding, fever and weight loss. They may also attack the joints, skin, bones, kidneys, liver and eyes.

Needless to say, IBD affects not only the 5 million people worldwide who suffer from it, but their entire families.

Baker knew what was ahead for his child. His family has a history of Crohn’s. Unfortunately, 2 years later one of their other girls faced the same agonizing diagnosis.

The Bakers are not alone. But David banded together with Westport friends whose children also have Crohn’s. They’re fighting the battle with fitness.

Last year group member Peter Bassler rode his bike for 24 hours straight — and raised over $24,000 for the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation.

This year, the 4 friends — including David Kaplan and David Popkin — will all ride for 12 hours. They’ve set individual goals of $12,000 each — nearly $50,000 total. They call the event “12 Hours 4 12K.”

The quartet knows they’re not superheroes. So they’re asking others to help out. You can take an hour on the bike to relieve them — or clip in your own bike and cycle alongside (adding your own fundraising to theirs).

It happens on Saturday, May 20 (6 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Total Training and Endurance, across from New Country Toyota). There will be plenty of activities all day (and food!).

The date is significant: May 19 is World IBD Day.

TT Bassler will be riding for his older brother Carter.

“It’s frustrating and heartbreaking to see your child in pain,” Popkin says. “It’s unbearable to have your child subjected to intense medications that might work for only a short time, or have them tethered to IVs for infusions that come with potentially dire side effects.”

He noted that all 4 of the riders’ children have missed school, endured numerous ER visits and hospital stays. Some have had multiple surgeries and invasive tests.

“Battling Crohn’s disease, like my son Carter has for more than 8 years, requires strength, resilience and determination,” Bassler says.

He, the 2 other Davids and Baker are also strong, resilient and determined to help find a cure. They hope many Westport friends — and strangers — will join them.

(To donate, click here. To relieve or ride along with the 4 bikers, email peterbassler89@gmail.com)

Click below for an inspiring video — featuring a young Carter Bassler. He’s now a Staples High School soccer player.

 

 

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Posted in Children, Local business, People, Sports

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David Kaplan’s SXSW Success

Posted on March 17, 2013 | 4 comments

Here’s a review every filmmaker would kill for.

Variety calls “Short Term 12”

a film about scars, some physical, others emotional, but all examined with a sensitivity and understanding that cuts deep.

Set in a group home for damaged adolescents where staff members face many of the same challenges as their young charges, this compelling human drama finds fresh energy in the inspirational-teacher genre, constantly revealing new layers to its characters….

Inexplicably passed over by Sundance…the stunning SXSW fest winner puts the recent Park City competition lineup to shame.

“SXSW” is, of course, South by Southwest — the film, music and interactive festival/conference that concludes today in Austin.

David Kaplan

David Kaplan

“Short Term 12” — which won the SXSW Grand Jury Award for Narrative Feature — is the 1st film from Animal Kingdom Films. Co-owner David Kaplan — a 2003 Staples and 2007 Colgate grad — started his movie-making career the way you always hear it should be done: in the mailroom of a Los Angeles talent agency.

“You push a cart, and hope the desk you’re gunning for opens up,” David explains. “Then it does, and you get kicked around by the masters of the universe.”

He learned about movies at “the macro level,” but wasn’t enamored of either LA or the studio system. He moved to New york, and worked for independent producer Christine Vachon (“Boys Don’t Cry”).

After working his way up to director of development, David left to become a strategic advisor. He helped indie producers raise funds, then began consulting and producing his own films.

“Short Term 12” — his new company’s 1st effort — could be a game-changer. The response has been great, David says, and he’s now in “the incredibly fortunate place where it seems to be selling itself” to distributors.

A scene from "Short Term 12."

A scene from “Short Term 12,” with Brie Larson and Keith Stanfield.

Though a decade out of high school, David credits much of his success back to Westport.

He was surrounded by students like Justin Paul, Daryl Wein, Leslye Headland and Peter Duchan — all of whom are making significant marks on Hollywood and Broadway.

At Staples David took a very meaningful film course taught by Gerry Kuroghlian. At Coleytown Middle School, David was inspired by drama teacher Ben Frimmer.

He also credits his supportive parents. “They didn’t push law school on me — even though they’re both lawyers,” he says.

David looks forward to the day “Short Term 12” is screened in his home town. He’s excited by the news that a theater is planned for Main Street.

He says, “it’s crazy Westport doesn’t have one now.”

Particularly since we’ve just added a SXSW Grand Jury winner to our long list of clever, creative film-making pros.

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Posted in Arts, Entertainment, Organizations, People, Staples HS

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