Tag Archives: Drew Riker

“06880” Is 1

A year ago tomorrow — March 6, 2009 — “06880” was born.

The first post described what this blog would be:  open-ended conversations with a Westport angle, no matter how tenuous.  I invited comments, feedback, tips — anything.

No one responded.

Things picked up soon — my 2nd post, on a Staples PTA’s “Risky Behaviors” panel — drew 3 comments.  “06880” was off to the races.

Time flies when you’re having fun.  Exactly 1 year later, my blog and I celebrate our 1st anniversary.

Thinking of a gift?  That’s sweet.  Ironically, the traditionally 1st-year gift is paper.

But I’d prefer money.

Feel free to donate as much as you wish to "06880."

For the past year, “06880” has offered up approximately 650 posts — nearly 2 a day.  Some have been international in scope — the ones on porn star Marilyn Chambers, “Paranormal Activity” star Micah Sloat and supermodel twins and “Amazing Race” stars Derek and Drew Riker still draw viewers, months later — while others are intensely local:  drivers who leave the Robeks parking lot by going directly over the curb onto the Post Road.  Arby’s taking advantage when Westport eased up on its sign regulations.  Edyo Keehan‘s tireless work on behalf of Westport’s World War II veterans.

And it’s all been free.  A public service, if you will.

In honor of my anniversary, I’m making an NPR-style plea.  If you like what you hear read, please consider supporting “06880.”

Am I worth $1 a month?  $1 a week?  Perhaps (my choice!) $1 a day.

Unlike Channel 13, you won’t get a Peter, Paul and Mary DVD.  Or a tote bag.  Donations are not even tax-deductible.

What you will get is the chance to help me recover a bit of the cost of registering domains, keeping “06880” ad-free, and spending an hour or 2 each day interviewing, writing, responding to comments, and scouring the web for appropriate (and occasionally inappropriate) photos and graphics.

Thanks for a great year.  I’ll keep doing what I’m doing, whether anyone sends an anniversary gift or not.

But it would be nice.

(Checks may be made out and sent to:  Dan Woog, 301 Post Road East, Westport, CT 06880.  Put “06880” on the memo line.  It won’t do anything for the IRS, but it may help you remember at tax time why you sent me some money.)

The Riker Twins Fight For Equality

Few Staples graduates have resumes as interesting as Derek and Drew Riker.

The ’88 alums shed careers in corporate America to become supermodels.  They posed with Cindy Crawford, for the lenses of Bruce Weber and Herb Ritts, and for clients like Abercrombie & Fitch, Armani and Revlon.

The twins made a close run on “The Amazing Race.” Derek — for whom Ben Stiller named his famous character Derek Zoolander — married Miss Illinois USA.

Derek and Drew Riker - Amazing Race

Now the Rikers have moved to the other side of the camera.  They’re well-known photographers, specializing in fashion, beauty and celebrities.

Recently, they’ve branched out to political activism.  Inspired by stories of their many gay friends, they’ve thrown their straight weight behind New York state’s push for same-sex marriage.

Derek and Drew took all the photos for the web site of One Day Equals, last week’s day-long lobbying effort in Albany.  Their shots link the cause to other freedom movements, such as the Revolutionary War, French Revolution and fall of the Berlin Wall.

In New York’s capital, the Rikers met with some of the state’s leading legislators. “It’s a conscience issue,” Derek said simply.

“Lots of people had very personal stories,” he added. “From knowing people like Herb Ritts, right down to today, we see how the lack of marriage rights affects their lives.”

The Rikers are not stopping until a New York bill is passed.  Their next project is a gallery event. They’ll sell their work, and donate all proceeds to the same-sex marriage cause.

Riker brother photo - Gay Marriage New York

Derek and Drew Riker captured diverse views of the gay-marriage debate.

Derek and Drew Riker captured diverse views of the gay-marriage debate.