An in-depth exploration of artificial intelligence — and its implications across law, business, healthcare, education and technology — is set for next Saturday (October 11, Westport Library). The public event is sponsored by Verso University, The Library’s lifelong learning and education initiative.
There are 3 sessions: 12-1:30, 2-3:30 and 4-5:30. Tickets are $10 per session; $25 for all ($15 student rate for all). Click here to purchase, and for more information.
Scott Shapiro, Yale Law School professor leads off with a discussion of AI’s role in legal reasoning, government ethics, and cybersecurity, alongside Kevin Nguyen, features editor at The Verge.
The second session will examine the ways in which AI is shaping Connecticut’s innovation landscape, higher education, healthcare, workforce and legislation.
The final session concludes with reflections from Kate Crawford, one of AI’s leading scholars of artificial intelligence and its material impacts.
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I’m not sure how I missed this, but Melinda Wenner Moyer’s 2021 book might have the best title in the history of publishing: “How To Raise Kids Who Aren’t Assholes.”
She followed it up this May with the less provocative — but equally important — “Hello Cruel World!: Science-Based Strategies for Raising Terrific Kids in Terrifying Times.”
On October 20 (7 p.m., Westport Senior Center), Westport Together brings the Scientific American contributing editor to town. Click here to register.
Melinda Wenner Moyer
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The Westport Country Playhouse celebrated 95 years making American theater history last night, with a high-energy, Broadway-studded gala.
The iconic converted barn has not thrown fundraisers in every year of its near century existence. But for however many they’ve had, yesterday’s may have been the best.
The incomparable Nathan Lane and Anne Keefe — longtime Playhouse mainstay — were honored for their contributions. Both gave warm, graceful speeches.
Anne Keefe
Over a dozen stars belted out familiar tunes, spurred to great heights knowing Lane was in the audience, watching.
The traditional auction and paddle raise zipped along, underscoring the respect and love the full house holds for the Westport Country Playhouse.
Here’s to the next 95 years. And more!
Nathan Lane (Photos/Dan Woog)
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Artist-educator Burt Chernow launched the Westport Public Art Collections (WestPAC) in 1965, with a vision that every Westport student should experience art every day.
Built through donations from local, national and international artist friends, the WestPAC collections today include over 2,000 artworks displayed throughout Westport public schools, municipal buildings, and outdoor spaces.
As WestPAC celebrates its 60th anniversary, they’re launching a fundraising campaign. A gift of $60 (get it?) or more will help fund the care, framing, conservation and educational use of the Collections/
Click here to donate to the non-profit Friends of WestPAC, or send a check to Friends of Westport Public Art Collections, PO Box 92, Westport, CT 06881. Questons? Email Friends.WestPAC@gmail.com.
PS: The next exhibition — “Every Picture Tells A Story: Photographs from the Westport Public Art Collection — is on view at the Westport Library from October 15 through December 15. It opens with a reception and talk by guest curator Arthur Nager on October 15 (6 p.m.).
Among the WESTPAC works: this Saturday Evening Post cover by Westport artist Stevan Dohanos. The models were all Staples High School students.
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A big little shop — called Lille Shoppe — opens soon at 375 Post Road West.
Abby Mattern’s new homewares store is an outgrowth of her first location, in Guilford. Both are stocked with items she sources personally in Europe, most of them uncommon here.
They include linens, dishes, glassware, furniture, candles, pottery, artwork, specialty imported food items and more. it’s a mix of antique/vintage items, and new.
The soft opening is October 10. A grand opening follows on October 18. Click here for the website. Click here for the Instagram.
Lille Shoppe
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The Westport Book Shop’s 5th annual Family Fun & Pumpkin Painting Project is all about treats. There’s not a trick in sight.
Set for next Saturday (October 11, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Jesup Green), it’s a day of pumpkin painting, crafts, face painting, tattoos, guest critters, Monster Mash, music from the Staples High jazz band, and more. Costumes are encouraged (but not required).
Co-hosts are Earthplace and the Westport Tree Board.
Pumpkin painting and more, at the Westport Book Shop’s annual event. (Photo/Frank Rosen)
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George Barrett — the multi-talented (opera singer, teacher/soccer coach/healthcare executive, and singer/songwriter) 1973 Staples High School graduate has just released a single and music video.
“Watch the Moon” — a track from his upcoming album, “Rearrange Things” — is about the loss of a child.
That unimaginable tragedy has touched many people close to Barrett.
He says, “for some, the struggle to keep their spirit as they try to look after the rest of their family, is an ongoing battle. Given the subject, it felt right to keep this song without ornament, stripped down to my voice and piano.”
On November 14, Barrett will be at New York’s Bitter End — the venue where, years ago, he nervously played his first open mic gig.
And on November 16, he and his good friend, Grammy-winning composer/ producer (and ’71 Staples grad) Brian Keane perform at the Westport Library. Details will be announced soon.
Click here or below, to listen to “Watch the Moon.” Click here for “Rearrange Things.”
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Today, the “06880” tagline — “Where Westport meets the world” — takes us to Madrid.
Longtime Westporter Luisa Francouer is there. She visited the “100 Years of Leica” photo exhibition — and spotted this image, by 1991 Staples High School graduate Lynsey Addario.
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Today’s “Westport … Naturally” features marks the first appearance here of “the common garden orange carrot.”
At least, that’s what photographer Mike Hibbard says.
(Photo/Mike Hibbard)
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And finally … in honor of the upcoming appearance by the author of “How to Raise Kids Who Aren’t Assholes” (story above):
(Don’t be a you-know-what. “06880” relies on support from you — you know, readers like you. Please click here to be a nice person, and help us out too. Thank you very kindly.)
