Only 2 weeks remain for young photographers to take shots at the Westport Farmers’ Market — and enter the “Young Shoots” contest,
The 8th annual event runs this Thursday and next (July 31, August 7). Students ages 5 through 18 can demonstrate their love for local food — and their creative photo talents — to win cash prizes in 3 age categories, plus a chance to attend an art class at MoCA CT.
All photos must be taken at the Westport Farmers’ Market (Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Imperial Avenue parking lot). It’s an amazing place, filled with food, plants, food trucks, entertainers, the farmers themselves, shoppers — everything a young photographer could hope to capture.
Local artists will judge. Age groups are 5-9, 10-14 and 15-18. An exhibit at Gilbertie’s Herbs & Garden Center (August 21, 6 p.m.) will showcase the winners. Every entrant can pick up a framed print of their photo there.
The contest is sponsored by the Farmers’ Market, the Artists Collective of Westport, and the Drew Friedman Community Arts Center.
Click here for rules, registration and more information.
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This terse, 2-line news release was sent to local media yesterday:
“As of July 27, 2024, Alma Sarelli will no longer participate as Campaign Manager for Candidate Kami Evans who is running for State Senate for the 26th District. Alma wishes Kami nothing but the best in her campaign.”
Kami Evans
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Tony Award winner James Naughton, and Aztec Two-Step folk legend Rex Fowler — both local residents — headline an all-star “Best of Broadway” cast.
The performance — a benefit for Sandy Hook Promise, the gun violence education and empowerment non-profit — is set for September 22 (6 p.m., SHU Community Theater, Fairfield).
The evening of music and dance includes stars from the casts of “Phantom of the Opera,”” “Les Miserables,” “Chicago,” “City of Angels,” “Cats” and more. Naughton and Fowler will host and perform.
The cast also includes veteran Broadway stars Dodie Pettit and Terry Eldh of Westport; a special screening of the trailer “A Father’s Promise,” and an auction.
Mark Barden and Nicole Hockley — co-founders and CEOs of Sandy Hook Promise, and parents of 1st graders killed in the vicious school shooting in Newtown — will be at the benefit.
For tickets, a full cast list and more information, click here.
Speaking of entertainment: Westport singer Melissa Newman joins Tony Lombardozzi, Phil Bowler and Bobby Leonard at this week’s Jazz at the Post.
Thursday’s event (August 1, shows at 7 and 8:30 p.m.; dinner from 7 p.m.; VFW Joseph J. Clinton Post 399) kicks off another great season for the popular series.
Reservations are highly suggested: JazzatthePost@gmail.com
Melissa Newman
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This cormorant waited patiently on a Ned Dimes Marina buoy — perhaps for someone to take his “Westport … Naturally” photo?
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.
(Another day, another weekend … and “06880” keeps keeping you informed on all things Westport. It’s what we do — but we can’t do it without your support. Please click here to help. Thank you!)
Staples Tuition Grants’ annual awards ceremony is one of the high school’s premier events.
Last year’s was particularly impressive. The organization — founded in 1943, with a $100 grant from the PTA — awarded $350,000 in need-based scholarships, to 129 students. Nearly half are seniors who graduate this month; the rest are Staples grads, currently in college.
The grants — ranging from $500 to $5,000 — will help them attend a total of 77 institutions, in 24 states.
Guest speakers included longtime STG donor Dick Fincher, and past recipient/current educator, EMT and Westport Local Press publisher Jaime Bairaktaris.
But — as always — the “stars” were the students. To learn more about Staples Tuition Grants, and donate, click here.
As your dog enjoys the great outdoors, remember: June is dog license renewal month.
All dogs over 6 months old must be licensed. Fees are $8 for neutered male or spayed female, $19 for others. Additional fees apply for online applications.
A $75 infraction will be issued for any non-licensed dog, and any dog not wearing a current dog tag.
Click here for everything you need to know about dog licenses.
Speaking of teenagers: Westport Farmers’ Market‘s 5th annual Young Shoots Photography Contest opens soon. And you can be even younger than 13 to enter.
There are 3 age categories: 8-10 years old, 11-14 and 15-18. Any photo taken at one of the Thursday Farmers’ Markets is eligible. Judging is by a panel of local artists, and the public.
The contest runs from a week from today (June 10) through July 18. Winners — who earn cash prizes, special swag and membership to local art organizations — will be celebrated at Gilbertie’s Herbs & Garden Center, with catering by Sugar & Olives. Click here to submit photos.
“Starstem” by Calista Finkelstein placed 1st in the 2016 contest, in the 8-10 category.
What does it mean to be Asian American? That’s the title of a conversation next Thursday (June 10, 7 p.m.) Presented by the Westport Library, TEAM Westport and AAPI Westport, there’s limited seating at the library. But everyone around the world can tune in virtually.
Professors Erika Lee and Jason Chang are the guests. The discussion will be moderated by Westporter Heather Lee. They’ll explore Asian American life through a wide historic lens, as well as the current wave of anti-Asian discrimination and physical attacks, and AAPI communities uniting with others to create an inclusive and equitable society.
To register for in-person seating at the Westport Library, click here. To register for the Zoom link, click here.
A scene from Westport’s Asian-American rally, outside the Library.
An event last night at Mancini Salon honored owner Carla Morales. The staff surprised her with a party, thanking her for all she did to get them through the pandemic year. She kept all her employees on, under difficult circumstances — and kept them and their patrons safe. The salon reopened exactly a year ago.
Congratulations, Carla. Here’s wishing you and Mancini a great summer! (Hat tip: Patti Brill)
Sustainable Westport’s Zero Food Waste Challenge matching grant has a month left to meet its $7,500 goal. The deadline is July 2.
The aim is to double our town’s food scrap recycling participation in the next 6 months. Funds raised will educate and inspire residents about the project. Click here to donate.
Tired of bears? For today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo, let’s go back to our old favorites: deer. Lauri Weiser spotted this cute one (in between nibbles) at her Lansdowne condo complex.
Westport Country Playhouse’s popular Script in Hand play reading series continues with “The Savannah Disputation.” The comedy — filmed on the Playhouse stage — will be broadcast virtually. It premieres June 14 at 7 p.m., and streams on demand from June 15 through 20.
In “Savannah Disputation,” Mary and Margaret are feisty Catholic sisters living in Georgia, who forget about Southern hospitality when a young Pentecostal missionary knocks at their front door to shake up their beliefs. The women call in their local priest for backup, in this entertaining examination of what it means to truly believe.
Before moving to England, Kami Evans was an influencer and video blogger working with local businesses. She grew “Kami’s Kloud” from 1 Facebook group to over 69 social media platforms and 8 shows.
She was thrilled to return to Westport last August. Very quickly, she got re-engaged.
Kami’s team (Kameleon Publicity) is helping businesses and organizations that give back to the community. Organic Krush, for example, raised money for Filling in the Blanks (which provides weekend meals to needy children), while Choice Pet helps rescues like PAWS.
These days, Kami says, “we focus more on impact, and building up the community in a difficult time. Local bloggers have an important job, sharing what’s good and new. I try to add impact and community engagement to that.”
For more information, click here or email info@kameleonpublicity.com.
The latest historic plaque has been hung at 35 Turkey Hill Road North.
The Sealove family bought the house last August. It was built by Anne Selleck in 1912, on land bought from the Banks family.
The historic house program is run by Bob Weingarten, for the Westport Museum for History & Culture. It celebrates homeowners who honor the heritage of their property.
Streetmarc Advertising and Marketing — a Westport-based food marketing agency — is gauging interest for a new retail food concept. To answer their survey, click here.
At Staples High School, Gus Cardello was involved with the Service League of Boys and WWPT-FM. He was a counselor at RECing Crew and Camp Compo, and started a window washing business with friends.
In 2018, during his sophomore year at Providence College, Gus died. A scholarship fund to help students who could not otherwise afford PC honors his life, and generous heart.
A group of friends — including Staples and Providence classmate Griff O’Neill — is selling phone wallets. It’s a fundraiser — and a way to keeping Gus’s name and memory alive. Click here for more information, and to purchase phone wallets.
David Stalling graduated from Staples in 1979. He earned a degree in forestry at Paul Smiths College in 1981, and — after serving in a Marine Force Recon unit — got his journalism degree from the University of Montana in 1990.
Now — 31 years later — he has been awarded an MFA in Creative Writing from Montana.
That’s the good news.
Unfortunately, his student job ended yesterday. He starts a good, new job at the end of May. But between now and then he needs help paying rent, university fees and other bills.
Here’s a “Graduation-Fundraiser Sale.” David is also an excellent photographer. So anyone who contributes $50 can choose a beautiful 16 x 20 canvas print of his wildlife or wild landscape photos. The donation includes printing, shipping and handling.
Click here to see his images. To order, email Stallingd@gmail.com. Include your choice of photo, full name and mailing address. For more information, click here.
To donate and purchase a 16 X 20 Canvas Print, click here: gf.me/u/zrzsft
Vanity Fair‘s May issue includes a feature on Lourdes Leon. Madonna’s oldest daughter talks about Instagram, her dream dinner with Rasputin, and her first boyfriend, Timothée Chalamet.
The author is VF‘s senior West Coast editor Britt Hennemuth. The 2008 Staples High School graduate knows something about acting: He’s a former Players star. (Hat tip: Lynn Flaster)
Lourdes Leon (Photo by Adrienne Raquel, courtesy of Vanity Fair)
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And finally … Lesley Gore was born today in 1946. Though she recorded some of the most famous teen girl-lamenting-teen boy songs of the 1960s, all while a teenager herself — her partner for 33 years was jewelry designer Lois Sasson.
Posted onApril 25, 2021|Comments Off on Kami Evans Helps Sustain Westport
Quietly — but powerfully — Westport has become a beehive of sustainability.
Between composting, our Net Zero 2050 commitment, the Home Energy Challenge, our embrace of electric vehicles, and organizations like Sustainable Westport, Wakeman Town Farm and Earthplace, many residents, businesses and groups are trying to do what we can to save our planet.
It’s not always easy. many areas need improvement. But awareness of the urgent need to act — and concrete steps to do so — seem high.
One small but important step took place Thursday night. Social media/ networking whiz Kami Evans gathered a group at Wakeman Town Farm. All have a product or concept in the sustainable space. Each spoke briefly about what they do, including what’s going well, and what they need.
Connections were made. Conversations were sparked. Community was formed.
There were established businesses like Savannah Bee, whose products and educational programs raise awareness of bees’ crucial role in our ecosystem, and BD Provisions, which sells healthy food in bulk (and sustainable containers).
Savannah Bee manager Julie Cook talked about her company’s mission — and the importance of bees on our planet.
Westport entrepreneurs described their inventions, like Lustir‘s carbon fiber straws, and those they sold, like SKP hair and body care.
Service providers spoke too: Curbside Compost, which picks up your food scraps and drops off a clean pail, and Staples High School graduate Rachel Precious, whose Precious Oysters offers “tide to table” shucking services.
The Eco Dude shared his vision of a space that will include non-plastic retail products, an artisan cooperative, all-compostable coffee shop, and workshops. (He’s still in the funding phase.)
Organic Krush catered, providing delicious, healthy, and pesticide-, GMO- and hormone-free food.
It would have been compostable, of course. Except it was too good. Not a scrap was left at the end.
Then came “Kami’s Kloud.” She connected businesses with non-profits and charities, helping build community. Soon, she launched web-based Kloud9TV.
Last July, Kami and her family moved to England. Her husband is British; they always knew they’d go back.
Kami Evans, in her new digs.
In her new town — Trentham — she noticed the same desire for community engagement she’d found here. Once again, she began developing Facebook pages and a video presence.
At the same time, her Westport friends stayed connected with emails and calls. She tried to connect the two towns across the pond, but realized social media was not the best way to do it.
But an app might be.
The other day, on a visit here, Kami talked about her new Kami’s Kloud app.
The goal is to bring “hyperlocal communities” — Westport, Trentham — together. There are 2 ways: by posting information on little shops, interesting events, and the like.
And by having users in one community share information, ideas and insights with those in others.
(From left): Kami Evans, Shari Lebowitz of Bespoke Designs and Natalie Toraty of Noya Fine Jewelry. The local merchants look forward to having their events featured on Kami’s Kloud.
Kami is all about community. Westport still feels like home. She wants the best for it. And she wants people here to get to know people in Trentham, and vice versa.
Kami’s Kloud launched softly on March 22. By April 15 she hopes to add Google Maps, push notifications about nearby events, and more. She’s partnered with Waze too, so when you’re stuck in traffic, you can check out nearby events.
It’s available for both iPhones and Androids. On both sides of the Atlantic.
Then came “Kami’s Kloud.” She connected businesses with non-profits and charities, helping build community.
Now she’s off on a new adventure. Kami writes:
We moved to Westport in 2012 from New York — like many of our neighbors. We wanted to be near the city, as well as a beach, amazing schools and like-minded people. It fit the bill for sure. Summers on Compo are irreplaceable.
Kami Evans
So people ask me: Why did you move? The short answer: We found a magical home in Fairfield that we wanted to be in forever. It was just over the Westport line, so we felt it wasn’t a stretch.
We still went to Compo ($750 a season was worth it for our family), and we did most of our activities in Westport.
I know I was lucky when I began doing social media outreach. I got my share of passionate moments from members and beyond, but it never took me away from wanting to help the community. It was a gift to help as much as I could. So with honor and pleasure, the brand Kami’s Kloud and Kloud9TV started.
Tony and I always knew we would move back, but an opportunity to move to England came up earlier than we expected.
We have Westport Lake, Weston Road, and a home near us called The Fairfield House. We can’t quit you Westport, even if we try. It’s a lovely reminder seeing all of these familiar names.
Kami Evans lives half a mile from Westport Lake. It’s in Trentham, Stoke-on-Trent, 45 minutes south of Manchester.
As an “American” in the village, people stop and talk to us frequently. I hear “you have a cute accent” — imagine that.
Life here is at a much calmer pace. I wish I took time to enjoy our life back in America as much as we do now. Having people pop over for a cuppa is a daily event, and it’s so sweet. I just need to remember: Don’t put an electric kettle on the hob (stove).
With a quick move comes with many challenges. As we started to work with a Fairfield County realtor we got very lucky to have Inna Agujen help with the transition.
She offered the usual above and beyond support so many local realtors are known for, like taking care of the last documents. But she also showed me other ways to help the community we love as we leave.
Inna contacted Families in Need, Big Brothers, Salvation Army, Veterans of America and Habitat for Humanity. In such a rush, I would never have connected with so many resources myself. It warms my heart knowing nothing went to the dump.
Kami Evans, in her new digs.
Now we are in Blighty, but I cannot share enough how much I miss our friends back in America. We will always hold a special place in our heart for Westport.
Thank you all, and please continue to look out for neighbors who can benefit from a kind word. And oh: The mean ones are only lions with thorns in their paws. Help them remove it. 😘
In 2009 — when Cyd Hamer was considering moving from Greenwich to Westport — she met Kami Evans.
Cyd had worked in marketing and sales. Kami’s business — and hobby — was connecting businesses and non-profits with community members.
They became great friends.
Cyd moved here. She got her real estate license. And she became a huge Westport booster.
Cyd Hamer
“It’s got great schools. There’s a cosmopolitan mix. New people are welcomed. The arts are great. The river is right downtown. The beach is a real gathering place. The Levitt brings people together too. It’s a town of action. Things get done,” Cyd says.
Kami, meanwhile, started several community Facebook pages. She became an “influence marketer.”
If you’re a Westport woman on Facebook, you know Kami Evans.
A local mom, she’s created “Kami’s Kloud.” Thousands of followers — okay, not all of them women — check in frequently. She connects businesses with non-profits and charities, helping build community. (She also creates many separate social media groups and pages, again connecting people with good causes.)
Kami — who could be called a “mom-cierge” — does not favor one event over another. But this one is definitely close to her heart.
Kami Evans
On March 29, she presents a Women’s Empowerment Forum. Focusing on love and money, it features guest speaker Siggy Flicker (author of “Write Your Own Fairy Tale: The New Rules for Dating, Relationships and Finding Love on Your Own Terms”).
In addition, financial expert Jennifer Scheffer will share tips and tricks about managing finances and personal assets.
“More than ever, it’s important for women to come together to benefit humankind, their families and themselves,” Kami says. “You’ll leave with knowledge and inspiration, to balance your hearts and wallets.”
You’ll also aid a good cause. A portion of the proceeds go to Person-to-Person, a longtime, low-key local helping organization.
(Reservation deadline for the March 29 Women’s Empowerment Forum [10 am to noon, Delamar Hotel, Southport] is March 1. Click here for tickets.)
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