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Last month, the Milwaukee Bucks won the NBA championship.
This weekend, the trophy came to Westport.
Billionaire owner Marc Lasry — he also dabbles in hedge funds — hosted a party at his Greens Farms home.
Former Fox News, NBC Sports and CNN TV personality — a fellow Westporter — was there.
From right: Dave Briggs, Marc Lasry and Briggs’ son Will pose with the NBA trophy.
So was a non-Westporter, from just over the New York border in Chappaqua.
Former President Bill Clinton is a longtime friend of Lasry’s. And — presumably — the Milwaukee Bucks.
Former President Bill Clinton and Dave Briggs, at Marc Lasry’s Westport home.
PS: Other big names in attendance: NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, players Bobby Portis and Pat Connaughton, head coach Mike Budenholzer, and CNBC’s Scott Wapner.
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Westport civic organizations sponsor many good fundraisers. A lot of them are fun.
But for money raised and good times, it’s hard to beat Westport Rotary‘s LobsterFest.
The early fall feast-and-more returns to Compo Beach for its 10th year on Saturday, September 18 (3 p.m. to 7 p.m.), following last year’s COVID cancellation.
LobsterFest is a townwide event. Food and entertainment from the Hot Rubber Monkey Band bring old friends together. It’s a great chance to meet (and welcome) newcomers too.
Children’s activities include a magician, glitter tattoos and face painting.
In past years, LobsterFest volunteers served 2,400 lobsters, 300 steaks and 1,600 ears of corn, and countless raw oysters.
In addition to the usual waterside dining option, there’s a new drive-through option for anyone wishing to eat their delicious Maine lobsters (and/or large steaks) at home, or at a less crowded part of the beach.
Funds support dozens of Rotary grants to local non-profits like Mercy Learning and Child Guidance of Mid-Fairfield County, plus humanitarian projects worldwide.
It’s a great value: $70 per person for 2 large lobsters or a 14-ounce New York strip steak — and corn, cole slaw, bread and butter, potato salad, Peppermint Patties, and all the beer or wine you can drink.
Tickets are available only in advance, online at www.westportrotary.org and directly from Westport Rotary Club members.
In 2016, not much remained of the 3,000 lobsters.
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For one day yesterday, Westport was the center of the rugby universe.
A special pre-draft event drew Major League Rugby scouts, coaches and star players, including Ben Foden to Staples High School’s Paul Lane Field.
There was physical testing, professional coaching, laser timing and live scrimmaging. It was just like the NFL Combine, without the NFL Network cameras.
It was broadcast on the Rugby Network, however. And TV personality/ Westporter Dave Briggs was there. (It was not the biggest event of his weekend, though. See story above.)
He reports: “I was blown away by the strength (29 reps x 225 pounds), speed and toughness of these dudes. If I wasn’t so damn old and broken, I’d love to try.”
Click below for his interview with international star Ben Foden, and more.
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Everyone loves the Westport Farmers’ Market.
Here’s your chance to put your (well, someone else’s) money where your (well-satisfied) mouth is.
The WFM has made it to the final round of the American Farmland Trust’s 13th annual contest, ranking the best farmers’ markets in the country. The winner gets $2,500; 2nd and 3rd prizes are $1,500 and $1,000.
Click here to vote. The deadline is September 19.
And don’t forget to visit the Westport Farmers’ Market, every Thursday (10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Imperial Avenue parking lot) through November.
The Westport Farmers’ Market appeals to all ages. Let’s make it #1 in the country! (Photo/Margaret Kraus)
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From rugby to rockin’ the Levitt. Chicago native Isaiah Sharkey brought his gospel, jazz, R&B, blues, rock and funk music to the riverside pavilion last night.
A Grammy winner, he’s recorded and toured with John Mayer, Patti LaBelle, Paul Simon, Keith Urban, Boyz II Men, the Winans and many others.
Isaiah Sharkey
It did not take long for the crowd to dance.
(Photos/JC Martin)
This week’s Levitt lineup:
- Tonight (Sunday, August 8): Mimi & the Podd Brothers
- Tuesday, August 10: Tony Trischka, Banjo Master
- Wednesday, August 11: Elena Moon Park & Friends
- Thursday, August 12: The Sweet Remains
- Friday, August 13: Baskin & Batteau, and Jesse Terry
- Saturday, August 14: The Simple Radicals
- Sunday, August 15: Dan Levinson’s Palomar Jazz Band
Click here for times and (free) tickets.
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From tomorrow (Monday, August 9) through Sunday, August 15, the Westport Domestic Violence Task Force is collecting back-to-school supplies. They’ll go to residents of the 2 Domestic Violence Crisis Center safe houses in the area.
Items needed include new and unused backpacks and lunch boxes, notebooks, pens, pencils, highlighters, crayons, graphing calculators, and diapers.
Donations can be left in the collection bin in the lobby of the Westport Police station, 50 Jesup Road.
For information on Westport Domestic Violence Task Force initiatives, click here.
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Work continues on what is rumored to be an Amazon Go store. That’s the new grab-and-go technology. There are no checkout lines; you pay via an app.
The old Barnes & Noble — and Marshalls shoe store next door — has been gutted.
Meanwhile, the adjacent former Mobil Self-Serve has finally been leveled.
(Photos/Dan Woog)
On Wednesday, the Board of Selectmen were slated to vote on a temporary exit from the construction site, onto Morningside Drive South. Neighbors objected, citing safety issues with nearby Greens Farms Elementary School. The item has been withdrawn from the agenda.
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Local to Market continues to offer fresh, locally grown produce on Saturdays, on its patio at the former Talbots by the Main Street entrance to Parker Harding Plaza.
Shoppers enjoyed these selections yesterday:
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Time again for “Westport … Naturally” to feature a deer.
Hey — we’ve got plenty of deer. Not to mention, deer photos.
(Photo/Karen Weingarten)
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And finally … today is August 8. You know: 8/8. So of course this is our song of the day.
PS: It’s one of many that have been called “the first rock ‘n’ roll record ever.” I’m not going to wade into that swamp.
