School starts soon. And Wakeman Town Farm is wasting no time rolling out its fall programs. They include:
- Curious Sprouts Farm Class (Ages 3-5)
- Little Farmer Parent & Me
- Neurodiverse Farmer program
- Kids Cooking (Grades K-2, 3-7)
- Teen Cuisine
- Plein Air Painting (Ages 6-11).
Click here for details and registration,
Plein air painting
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The Westport Farmers’ Market is 20 years old this year.
Beyond providing hundreds of shoppers with fresh produce and herbs, meats, seafood, breads, ice cream, lunch, Thai food, pet food and knife sharpening each week, they feed over 50,000 people a year through partnerships with the Gillespie Center, Homes for the Brave, Norwalk Arts Space and Cardinal Shehan Center.
To celebrate — and raise funds — they’ve planned a special, intimate event. “Fork It Over” (September 17, 6 p.m., Terrain) features several Big Names (and friends of the Market): Jen Bengtson (Terrain Café), Dan Kardos (Café Melba), Hoodoo Brown Team, John Nealon and Christian Wiki (Crust Issues) and Piereluigi Mazzella (Fatto a Mano).
Click here for tickets, and more information.
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In February, Rob Simmelkjaer and his daughters traveled to Kenya.
They visited Tirop’s Angels, a non-profit created after elite runner Agnes Tirop was murdered by her domestic partner. The Simmelkjaers spoke with many victims of gender-based violence, an importand issue in the country.
This week Julia — a rising Staples High School senior — announced a “Back to School 5K.” The virtual race will benefit Tirop’s Angels.
Julia is getting many Staples cross country teammates to run, and invites anyone else interested — anywhere in the world — to join them, for a $25 donation.
The race is open through September 13. Runners can race individually, or as part of a team.
Need more incentive than helping a great cause? Runners with the fastest men’s and women’s times get complimentary entry into New York Road Runners’ United Airlines NYC Half Marathon in March.
To register, download the MoveZenGo app here, and use the link. Follow @juliasimmelkjaer on Instagram; she explains each step.
In Kenya, Tirop’s Angels is building a safe house for abused women. Above (left to right): Annika, Rob and Julia Simmelkjaer, with Viola Cheptoo. She founded the Angels, and is an elite runner who will compete in the New York Marathon this November.
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Last December, “06880” reported that the building next to Five Guys — which old-timers still think of as IHOP, and newer-comers know as the Westport Pancake Shop and/or one of many nail salons — would have a new tenant.
JetSet Pilates — the Miami-based “market leader in Reformer Pilates.” with 100 locations open, or in development — would open there.
“In mid-summer,” we said.
Well, that’s come and gone. And here was the scene yesterday:
(Photo/Colin Livingston)
We have no clue whether it’s still the future site of JetSet Pilates.
And if so, when the Jet Setters will move in.
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The Westport Country Playhouse has just added 2 new — and very different — shows.
Coming up next in their Barnstormer Series: “The History of a Brief Time” (September 8, 7 p.m.).
Written and performed by Bill Williams, it tells the very personal story of the loss of his son to opioid addiction. Called a “vividly, beautifully and painfully described experience,” it’s one family’s journey through struggle, grief and, ultimately, healing.
Tickets are $20. Click here to purchase, and for more information.
On September 19 (1 and 4 p.m.), the big red dog Clifford–bounds onto the stage. The new musical comedy adventure (named for him) celebrates friendship, imagination, and the magic of unconditional love.
It’s a show for Clifford’s young fans — and nostalgic parents who remember him too. Click here for tickets, and more information.
For the full fall Playhouse schedule, click here.
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Matthew Mandell reports: “The crowd was Comfortably Numb as The Machine — the internationally touring Pink Floyd tribute band — returned to Westport for an exceptional show at the Levitt Pavilion last night.
“They first played here during COVID at the drive-in concerts hosted by the Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce and the Westport Library on the Imperial Avenue parking lot.”
This weekend at the Levitt:
- Tonight (Saturday): Frank Mastrone & Friends (7:30 p.m.; free)
- Sunday, August 22: Andy Frasco & the UN, and Kitchen Dwellers with special guests Magoo (5 p.m.; tickets).
Click here for more information, and tickets.
The Machine, at the Levitt. (Photo/Matthew Mandell)
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Recently, while visiting the John F. Kennedy Library & Museum in Boston, Staples High School Class of 1967 graduate Ron Berler bought a copy of a book he had last read in high school: “Profiles in Courage.”
He was struck, he said, by its currency. “The same issues that tempered brave acts in some members of Congress when Kennedy published his book in 1956 apply today: The fear of losing their next election. Of being tarred as traitors by their party. Of submitting to power. Of forfeiting pride and honor.”
It made him appreciate all the more “those few in Congress who have demonstrated true courage – even if just once.”
As he thought about the type of person he’d like to see in municipal, state and national offices, he wrote an essay. It was just published in Washington Monthly, under the headline “What is Political Courage?” Click here to read Berler’s piece.
Ron Berler
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Congratulations to winners of the Longshore Women’s Golf Association’s Invitational: Sarah Kim, Sally Rogol, Debbie Thron and MarthaLee Taylor.
Lnnch followed the competition, in the newly (and beautifully renovated) Inn at Longshore ballroom.
Members and guests donated food and money to Homes with Hope, this year’s designated charity.
The LWGA — going strong since 1960 — is open to all women golfers from Westport and surrounding towns.
From left: Sarah Kim, Sally Rogol, Debbie Thron, MarthaLee Taylor, and Longshore head professional Jon Janik.
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Next Saturday’s “Movie Under the Stars” — a Weston tradition — is a double feature.
Local band Good Godfrey open the show (August 29, 6 p.m.; free) at the Weston Middle School Field.
The 8 p.m. film is “National Treasure,” starring Nicholas Cage. It is an apt choice, as the country celebrates its semiquincentennial.
Tony’s Pizza Truck will be on hand, at the Weston Commission for the Arts and 250th Advisory Committee event.
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One of the (many) pleasures of walking around the Compo Beach neighborhood are the gardens bordering lots of homes.
This one caught our eye, for today’s “Westport … Naturally” featured image:
(Photo/Sunil Hirani)
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And finally … on this date in 1902, the Cadillac Motor Company was founded.
(“06880” is the Cadillac of local blogs. But you don’t have to support us at that level. A Ford, or even Yugo level is fine. Please click here to donate what you can. Thank you!)
