On Thursday, Governor Lamont signed into law a firearm industry responsibility act.
Connecticut Against Gun Violence board chair Melissa Kane — a former Westport 3rd selectwoman — worked hard, for a year and a half, to get it passed.
Another key advocate was Josh Koskoff, the Staples High School graduate and partner at the law firm Koskoff Koskoff & Bieder.
The act requires gun manufacturers, distributors and retailers to implement safeguards to prevent firearms from being sold to prohibited purchasers, traffickers or individuals at risk of harm.
“This holds them responsible,” Kane says.
“We need more of this. We need to stop gun violence. And we will all keep working until we do.” (Hat tip: CAGV board member Lisa Newman)
Melissa Kane watches proudly, as Governor Lamont signs gun legislation on Thursday.
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Speaking of poltiics: Yesterday’s New York Times included an essay by Cameron Stracher — a writer and lawyer specializing in media and entertainment law — about his role in helping the National Enquirer kill 2 stories during the 2016 presidential campaign.
Stracher — who at the time lived in Westport, and was general counsel for the Enquirer’s owner — describes the what-ifs regarding his decision to write 2 contracts to pay informants to not run articles that might have hurt Donald Trump’s campaign.
He concludes with a different decision 2 years later. This time he refused to write a contract, and was forced out of his job.
State Senator Ceci Maher reminds residents: Connecticut’s sales tax-free week begins Sunday, August 17, and runs through Saturday, August 23.
Timed with back-to-school and return-to-office late-summer sales, most clothing and footwear valued under $100 sold in the state will be tax-free. That also applies to purchases made from online retailers.
Exceptins include specialized boots, globes and shoes for athletic and professional purposes, handbags, jewelry, wallets and other accessories, and sports helmets and uniforms. Click here for a full list of non-taxed items, and those that will still be taxed. Click here for an FAQ about the tax-free week.
For some reason, this item is not part of Connecticut’s sales tax-free week.
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When Westport’s Kiwanis Club chapter folded last year, the fate of the Westport Triathlon — its signature event — was uncertain.
But myTeam Triumph — the non-profit that helps people with disabilities compete in races, by pairing them with able-bodied volunteers — stepped up, to continue the 20-year tradition.
This year’s Westport Triathlon is Sunday, September 7, at Compo Beach.
It’s a super sprint distance (1/2-mile swim, 5 1/2-mile bike, 2.2-mile run), making it very beginner-friendly — great for families and “tri-curious” first-timers.
MyTeam Triumph provides all the adaptive equipment: inflatable rafts for the swim (pulled by Angel swimmers), and wheelchairs that convert to bike trailers for the ride, then convert back for the run. Angels can support any or all of the legs.
But he’s adding his own thoughts too. Describing the state Department of Transportation, Ben writes:
“They had plenty of room at this intersection to make 2 lanes: a left turn lane, and a straight/right turn lane.
“Instead, they simply built1 lane, as it was before the construction.
One lane on Bulkley Avenue North, at Post Road East. (Photo/Ben Meyer)
“As a result, there are often several-minute backups down Bulkley Avenue North in the morning or evening.
“Alas, this intersection is but one example of road intersections that are inadequate for the traffic volume.
“If the state is going to the expense and trouble of redoing intersections, why are they not opening up the lanes approaching these intersections wider where possible/needed?
“Traffic delays at many Westport intersections are due to poor design. They waste our precious time and gas! Is the town aware of serious cross-town traffic delays? And if so, what are they doing to address it?”
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Of all the full moons, the sturgeon — the August one, named for its occurrence with a fish run in the Great Lakes — is one of the most spectacular.
Jim Hood captured its rise — spectacularly — over Compo Beach last night.
Also last night: Lulada Club, at the Levitt Pavilion.
The all-female salsa orchestra from Brooklyn had the crowd on its feet, right from the start.
And the audience knew what they were doing: For a half hour before the show, the group offered a dance lesson.
(Photo copyright DinkinESH Fotografix)
Tonight (Saturday), Grammy Award-winning Adrian Quesada – co-founder of Black Pumas — brings his solo project full band show Boleros Psicodélios, for a free 7:30 p.m. show. They head to Washington soon, for an NPR Tiny Desk session.
Tomorrow (Sunday), it’s the Wood Brothers, with Mason Via (ticket purchase; 6 p.m.).
The Westport Fire Department, with help from Fairfield, spent nearly 3 hours fighting a brush fire yesterday on I-95 southbound, between exits 19 and 18.
Two lanes of traffic were closed, as were 2 local roads.
Fighting the brush fire on I-95. (Photo courtesy of Westport Fire Department)
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Speaking of the Department: 4 Westport firefighters will be promoted to lieutenant on August 26: deputy fire marshal Robert Lenois, and firefighters Michael Peck, Ronald Burgess and Todd Hall.
The public is invited to the 3 p.m. ceremony, at Fire Department headquarters.
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Seen on social media, with no other context:
“Is anybody on Kings Highway North missing a white domestic bunny?”
Inquiring minds would love to know the answer.
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Butterflies are back!
And Jamie Walsh captured — on camera, the best way — this glorious swallowtail, for our daily “Westport … Naturally” feature.
And finally … as Don Memo gets ready to say “adios”:
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2011 Staples High School graduate Dylan Meissner pleaded guilty Thursday in US District Court to wire fraud. He was charged with stealing nearly $4.5 million from the crypto company, where he was vice president of finance.
He played baseball at Staples. According to his LinkedIn profile, he graduated with a BS in accounting from Pennsylvania State University in 2015, where he was active in the Penn State Investment Association.
In 2016, Meissner received an accounting MS from Penn State’s Smeal College of Business.
Though his company was not identified, his LinkedIn profile says he was VP of finance at Delphi Digital, during the time frame covered by the court. An FBI investigation found that he diverted $4,461,828 in the firm’s funds to cover “significant personal trading losses.”
Wire fraud carries a maximum prison sentence of 20 years. He will be sentenced on October 11. In the meantime, he has been order to pay restitution of $4,633,424.99.
Kami Evans has announced her candidacy for Connecticut’s Senate District 26.
Democratic incumbent Ceci Maher is serving her first term in Hartford. Evans — a former Westport resident — now once again lives here. The district includes Westport, Weston, Wilton, Redding, and parts of Ridgefield, New Canaan, Darien and Stamford.
In her announcement, Evans — who has worked for non-profits and in public relations, and is running as a Republican — said: “I’m here to champion family values and focus on community strength. Our journey together will be about uniting, uplifting, and creating endless opportunities for our district that everyone will benefit from.
“Your voice matters, and I’m here to listen. Let’s engage in meaningful conversations and work hand in hand to rejuvenate our district. Together, we can achieve greatness and build a brighter, stronger future for all.”
Yesterday’s Roundup included a photo of the “Welcome to Westport” sign at the Sherwood Island Connector and Post Road East.
Actually — depending on which direction you’re traveling — it now says “Welcome to Estport” or “Welcome to Westpor.” A recent accident sliced off a bit of the wood.
How recent? “06880” Mary Lou Roels reports: “The sign was hit on June 29, and the car caught on fire. I approached after midnight to see this (below). Fire crews managed the scene.”
For 10 years, The Ruden Report has been the go-to site for coverage of FCIAC high school athletics. All 16 schools in the Fairfield County Interscholastic Athletic Conference get plenty of ink — well, pixels — in a wide variety of boys and girls sports.
Now, the multi-platform source — the brainchild of 1978 Staples High School graduate Dave Ruden — has been acquired
Westport-based Connoisseur Media is the new owner. Their resources — including 6 radio stations, and various digital brands — will enable Ruden to expand reporting throughout the area.
Connoisseur operates and/or owns WEBE 108, STAR 99.9, WYBC, WICC, 99.1 WPLR, and 95.9 The Fox in Connecticut.
The 1971 Staples High School graduate produced 2 films. In the span of a week, both will have their television premieres on CPTV.
“The High School That Rocked!” — a 2017 documentary that chronicles concerts at Staples by the Doors, Cream, Rascals, Animals, Remains, Sly and the Family Stone, and others (including a very young, pre-Aerosmith Steve Tyler) — is set for October 14 (9 p.m.).
Cantor made the film with Casey Denton, a 2014 Staples grad who obviously was born way after that golden era. The film earned kudos on the festival circuit.
A week later (October 21, 9 p.m.), Cantor’s “It’s a Hollywood Life!” debuts.
That film — released this year — focuses on longtime Westport resident Susan Granger’s 80-plus years connected to the movie business. (Spoiler alert: She started in childhood, appearing with some of the biggest stars during the Golden Age of Hollywood.)
BONUS REEL: People in and near New York City can see “It’s A Hollywood Life!” in a theater. Its NYC premiere is next Saturday (July 27, at the Chain NYC Film Festival). A Q-and-A after the screening features co-director Maya Weldon-Lagrimas, who recently received the Howard R. Lamar Prize in Film from Yale — the school’s top film prize. Click here for ticket information.
Jazz at the Post has announced 3 upcoming dates: August 1 (Melissa Newman), August 15 (Uri Caine) and August 29 (Janice Friedman).
Shows are 7:30 and 8:45 p.m., at VFW Joseph J. Clinton Post 399 on Riverside Avenue. Dinner service starts at 7 p.m. Click here for tickets, and more information.
In other jazz news, on Wednesdays (starting September 11), Greg “The Jazz Rabbi” Wall will coach 2 adult ensembles: beginners and intermediates/ advanced. Both provide “a gentle and stimulating opportunity to learn and refine the repertoire and language of jazz.”
All levels of musicianship and experience are welcome. The first 2 sessions are free. To learn more, email jazzrabbi@gmail.com. Include your instrument and phone number.
Former Westporter Kathryn McCabe died June 30. She was 97, and lived in Fairfield.
The Michigan native, and 1948 graduate of the University of Michigan, spent 43 years in Westport.
She was a social worker in Detroit and Norwalk, where she worked for STAR. Kathryn also volunteered at Earthplace.
She enjoyed reading, opera, the outdoors, water and snow skiing, tennis, boating, playing piano and ukelele, and singing.
Kathryn loved animals, especially her cats and dogs. She celebrated her 90th birthday with horseback riding.
Survivors include her twin daughters, Janet Gibbons (Ken) of Hyde Park, Vermont, and Marjorie Wroblewski (Broni) of Fairfield; son Richard (Donna) of Acton, Massachusetts; grandchildren Greg Gibbons (Jennifer), Geoff Gibbons (Melissa), Lauren Wroblewski (fiancé Ferg Young) and Ryan McCabe, and great- grandchildren Emma, Colin, James, Beckett and Jackson. Kathryn was predeceased by her brothers Richard, Norman and Jack Ellison. She was predeceased by her husband, Barry McCabe.
A celebration of her life was held at the Gaelic-American Club in Fairfield.
Kathryn McCabe
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Among the underappreciated assets of Westport: the flower pots on Soundview Drive.
Paid for and maintained by the Compo Beach Improvement Association, they serve 2 purposes.
They slow traffic (theoretically, at least).
And — changing with the seasons — they are beautiful.
Check out one of them, as today’s “Westport … Naturally” featured photo.
And finally … Bernice Johnson Reagon, “whose stirring gospel voice helped provide the soundtrack of the civil rights movement, then went on to become a cultural historian, a curator at the Smithsonian Institution and the founder of the women’s a cappella group Sweet Honey in the Rock,” died Tuesday in Washington. She was 81.
She was a remarkable, multi-talented woman whose accomplishments may be unknown to many. Click here for her full obituary.
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