As usual, our online art gallery features a wide mix of mediums, styles and themes.
And as always, we invite you to be part of next week’s exhibition. No matter your age; the style or subject you choose — and whether you’re a first-timer or old-timer — we welcome your submissions. Watercolors, oils, charcoal, pen-and-ink, acrylics, mixed media, digital, lithographs, collages, macramé, jewelry, sculpture, decoupage, needlepoint — we want whatever you’ve got.
Just email a JPG to 06880blog@gmail.com. And please include the medium you’re working in — art lovers want to know.
“Hattie” — pencil on paper (Bill Fellah)
“Frozen River” (Rowene Weems — Available for purchase. click here)
Untitled (Duane Cohen — Available for purchase; click here)
“Forgotten” (Nancy Breakstone — Available for purchase; click here)
“Globalization” (Mark Yurkiw — Available for purchase — click here)
“Bren Playing, Sunshine of Your Love” — watercolor (Eric Bosch)
“Don’t Complain and Don’t Explain” — photo with computer enhancements (Evan Stein)
“Ponytail” (Cohl Katz — Available for purchase; click here)
“Arctic Breath” — acrylic resin on canvas (Patricia McMahon — Available for purchase; click here)
Untitled (June Rose Whittaker — Available for purchase; click here)
Untitled (John Maloney)
“Still Life Blueberries” (Miranda Cameron — Grade 8, One River Art student)
Untitled (Tom Doran — Available for purchase; click here)
“Flipping Out About the Snake in His Clothes!” (Mike Hibbard)
“Dream the Impossible Dream” — pencil and crayon (Steve Stein)
Untitled (Martin Ripchick — Available for purchase; click here)
“At Ease” (Lawrence Weisman)
(Entrance is free to our online art gallery. But please consider a donation! Just click here — and thank you!)
Tired of snow? Tired of shoveling? Tired of winter, generally?
We don’t when spring will arrive. But until it does: Sit down. Brew (another) cup of coffee. And enjoy (another) online art gallery.
But you don’t have to just admire our readers’ work. As always, we invite you to be part of next week’s exhibition. No matter your age; the style or subject you choose — and whether you’re a first-timer or old-timer — we welcome your submissions. Watercolors, oils, charcoal, pen-and-ink, acrylics, mixed media, digital, lithographs, collages, macramé, jewelry, sculpture, decoupage, needlepoint — we want whatever you’ve got.
Just email a JPG to 06880blog@gmail.com. And please include the medium you’re working in — art lovers want to know.
“Micha” (Patricia McMahon; Available for purchase; click here)
Untitled (Duane Cohen; Available for purchase; click here)
“Bromance” (Mark Yurkiw; Available for purchase; click here)
“Simple and Elegant” —Chapel Altar at First Parish Church UCC, Brunswick, Maine (Bonnie Scott Connolly)
“The Root of the Story” (Conor Culbertson — Grade 8, One River Art student)
Untitled — mixed media collage (June Rose Whittaker — Available for purchase; Click here)
“Color Splash of Water Lilies” (Eric Bosch)
Untitled (Tom Doran — Available for purchase; click here)
“Lots of Snow” (Karen Weingarten)
Photographer Mike Hibbard says, “This 600-pound snow tiger watches and waits! Deer, scrounging fallen bird feeder seeds, are moving closer and closer …”
“Hello Dali” (Martin Ripchick — Available for purchase; click here)
“Seamstress” (Lawrence Weisman)
“Studying” — pencil and watercolor (Steve Stein)
(Entrance is free to our online art gallery. But please consider a donation! Just click here — and thank you!)
We always showcase a variety of artists in our Saturday online art gallery.
They always span an impressive spread of mediums, styles and subjects.
But this week’s offers the widest range of ages. We’ve got a first-time submission from a 4th grader — and another first-time offering from a 97-year-old.
Can we ever beat that?
Hey: We can try! As always, we invite you to be part of next week’s exhibition. No matter your age; the style or subject you choose — and whether you’re a first-timer or old-timer — we welcome your submissions. Watercolors, oils, charcoal, pen-and-ink, acrylics, mixed media, digital, lithographs, collages, macramé, jewelry, sculpture, decoupage, needlepoint — we want whatever you’ve got.
Just email a JPG to 06880blog@gmail.com. And please include the medium you’re working in — art lovers want to know.
“Mill Pond Foggy Foggy Night” (Michael Chait — Available for purchase; click here)
“Hey There From Emilia-Romagna, Italy” — digitally painted original photograph (Michael Tomashefsky — Available for purchase; click here)
“Running in the Rain” (Salit Kulla)
“Charleston, SC” (Tom Doran — Available for purchase; click here)
“Bitter End Knots” — Bitter End Yacht Club, Virgin Gorda (Nancy Breakstone — Available for purchase; click here)
“Flowers Peeking Through the Ice” — 21 x 21 oil and acrylic on aluminum (Dorothy Robertshaw — Available for purchase; click here)
“Spring Forward” — acrylic and resin (Patricia McMahon — Available for purchase; click here)
“Gold Wave, $5 an Ounce” — Dutch-pour technique on canvas (Eric Bosch)
“Seeing Spots” (Allison Arth, grade 4, One River Art student)
“Shadows of my Former Self (Officer, Golfer, Pickleballer” — triptych photo (Tom Lowrie, age 97)
Photographer Mike Hibbard says, Earthquake hits Kathmandu City. Millions of pieces in this puzzle. AI can help rebuild the temple.”
“A Type Setter’s Nightmare” — watercolor and pencil (Steve Stein)
“Lion Around” (Martin Ripchick — Available for purchase; click here)
“What’s it All About?” (Lawrence Weisman)
“Allison” — pencil on paper (Bill Fellah)
“Jan. 6th” (Mark Yurkiw — Available for purchase; click here)
(Entrance is free to our online art gallery. But please consider a donation! Just click here — and thank you!)
Nineteen artists are featured in today’s online art gallery.
As always, their works span mediums and themes. And their ages, backgrounds and geographic locations are all over the map too. Most artists live in Westport — but some grew up here, and now live and work around the world.
As always, we invite you to be part of next week’s exhibition. No matter your age; the style or subject you choose — and whether you’re a first-timer or old-timer — we welcome your submissions. Watercolors, oils, charcoal, pen-and-ink, acrylics, mixed media, digital, lithographs, collages, macramé, jewelry, sculpture, decoupage, needlepoint — we want whatever you’ve got.
Just email a JPG to 06880blog@gmail.com. And please include the medium you’re working in — art lovers want to know.
“Echoes of Passion” — digital oil painting (Ken Runkel)
“As We Sometimes See Ourselves” — oil on canvas (Mary Madelyn Attanasio)
“Mia” — 10 x 10 acrylic on canvas (Missy Greenberg)
“Cooper” — pencil on paper (Bill Fellah — Available for sale; click here)
“Swimming Upstream” — acrylic and resin (Patricia McMahon — Available for purchase; click here)
“Art Buds” — 30 x 30 acrylic impasto (Dorothy Robertshaw — Available for purchase — click here)
“Off the Wall” (Nancy Breakstone — Available for purchase; click here)
Untitled (June Rose Whittaker — Available for purchase; click here)
“SnowFrame” (Jerry Kuyper)
Untitled (Marina Drasnin)
“Ice Image” (Cohl Katz)
“What Path Will You Take in 2026? All A-BOARD! Go For It!” (Mike Hibbard)
“Cuban Tree Frog” (Werner Liepolt — Available for purchase; click here)
“World’s First Immigrant Alien” (Mark Yurkiw — Available for purchase; click here)
“Me on the Saxophone” — watercolor (Eric Bosch)
“Hail to the Chief” (Martin Ripchick — Available for purchase; click here)
“Every Dancer Has an Aura!” (Steve Stein)
” Cage Free Soul Intention Seeking Peeps” — Hand-drawn clothing culture construction design art processes (Megan Grace Greenlee)
“Lost in Thought” (Lawrence Weisman)
(Entrance is free to our online art gallery. But please consider a donation! Just click here — and thank you!)
Some of today’s artists capture winter, in all its frozen, white glory.
Some look ahead, to the bright colors of spring.
Others get their inspiration elsewhere — everywhere from politics to the mirror.
All make up this week’s online art gallery. Take some time on this cold day to wander through it, and admire the many diverse works.
As always, we invite you to be part of next week’s exhibition. No matter your age; the style or subject you choose — and whether you’re a first-timer or old-timer — we welcome your submissions. Watercolors, oils, charcoal, pen-and-ink, acrylics, mixed media, digital, lithographs, collages, macramé, jewelry, sculpture, decoupage, needlepoint — we want whatever you’ve got.
Just email a JPG to 06880blog@gmail.com. And please include the medium you’re working in — art lovers want to know.
“I Love My Snowman” — oil on canvas (Mary Madelyn Attanasio)
“Cold Spell” (Dayle Brownstein)
“A Winter’s Day” (Patricia McMahon — Available for purchase; click here)
“Friday Frost on our Window” (Copyright Ted Horowitz)
“Footprints” (June Rose Whittaker — Available for purchase; click here)
“Silence on the Saugatuck 1” (Tom Kretsch — Available for purchase; click here)
“Yawn” (Jerry Kuyper)
“Beached” — Dead sea fans on a pure white sand beach in the British Virgin Islands (Nancy Breakstone — Available for purchase; click here)
“Thinking of Spring” — impasto acrylic (Dorothy Robertshaw — Available for purchase; click here)
“Bluejay and Bluebird” — watercolor (Eric Bosch)
“La Vie en Rose” — acrylic on canvas (Melissa Benedek — Available for purchase; click here)
“Shadows Visions Memories, Escape” (Tom Doran; Available for purchase; click here)
“Yearning to Breathe Free” (Mark Yurkiw — Available for purchase; click here)
“Customized Bookmarks” — paint pens on paper (Will Luedke)
“You’ve a frog in your throat? I got a snake in mine!” (Mike Hibbard)
“These Days There is Always an Elephant in the Room” (Steve Stein)
Untitled (Lawrence Weisman)
“Self-Portrait 2026: Happiness is a Feeling, Not a Destination” (Bill Fellah)
(Entrance is free to our online art gallery. But please consider a donation! Just click here — and thank you!)
As the snow flew last weekend — and many Westporters lit fires, sipped coffee and hunkered down — our artists and photographers went to work.
They gathered their brushes, picked up their cameras, and created even more beauty and wonder out of all that lay around.
And while many of us grappled with the horrific news from the day before in Minnesota, some channeled their emotions into their work.
Today’s online gallery begins with nature, makes a brief stop for Valentine’s Day, and ends with humanity.
As always, we invite you to be part of next week’s exhibition. No matter your age; the style or subject you choose — and whether you’re a first-timer or old-timer — we welcome your submissions. Watercolors, oils, charcoal, pen-and-ink, acrylics, mixed media, digital, lithographs, collages, macramé, jewelry, sculpture, decoupage, needlepoint — we want whatever you’ve got.
Just email a JPG to 06880blog@gmail.com. And please include the medium you’re working in — art lovers want to know.
“Baby, It’s Cold Outside!” (Pat Saunders)
“A Long Winter’s View” (Cohl Katz — Available for sale; click here)
“Tired of Snow Yet?” (Copyright Ted Horowitz)
Untitled (Jerry Kuyper)
“Aurora Borealis” — digital illustration (Ken Runkel)
“Frigid Cold Water’s Edge”– impasto crafted with lace for the clouds; acrylic landscape on canvas (Dorothy Robertshaw — Available for sale; click here)
“Burnt Sienna” — acrylic and resin on 24 x 36 canvas (Patricia McMahon — Available for purchase; click here)
“Blue & Orange Color Splash” — acrylic on plastered wood panel (Eric Bosch)
Untitled — mixed media collage (June Rose Whittaker — Available for sale; click here)
“Landscape, Possibly” — digital (Tom Doran; Available for purchase; click here)
Untitled — collage made from all the “love” words in Westport Lifestyle magazine’s February issue (Frannie Faith Southworth)
“Angel Valentine Tree” (Lauri Wieser)
“Peaceful Panoramas” — acrylic (Ari Shervinrad — 2nd grade, One River Art student)
“Beneath the Rush” — under the I-95 Saugatuck River bridge (Nancy Breakstone; Available for purchase; click here)
Photographer Mike Hibbard says, “A blissful watering hole? No! It’s a hundred hippos farting non-stop. Do not light a match downwind of these beasts.”
“It’s Never Too Late to Get a COVID Shot!” — watercolor (Steve Stein)
“Boo Hoo” (Lawrence Weisman)
“Passport on I.C.E.” — sculpture (Mark Yurkiw — Available for purchase; click here)
“Enough is Enough” (Duane Cohen — Available for purchase; click here)
(Entrance is free to our online art gallery. But please consider a donation! Just click here — and thank you!)
In the nearly 4 years since Russia’s invasion, Mark Yurkiw has worked to help Ukraine.
The Westport artist — whose parents emigrated to the US from there in 1949, and whose first language was Ukrainian — has raised funds; collected medical equipment, generators, tools, other supplies, clothes and toys, and kept the country’s plight front and center.
His newest project is ambitious. And artistic.
A well-known Taiwanese artist wants to help. He understands that Taiwan may be the next Ukraine.
Chuang Chih Hui, whose work is exhibited around the world, donated his $15,000 “Winged” sculpture to help fund shipping a 40-foot container of medical equipment to Kharkiv, Ukraine.
The sculpture will go to the first person to donate $7,500, to cover the cost the shipment.
“Winged” (center), and Chuang Chih Hui’s other works.
“Winged” is on display through January 15 at the Senior Center. After that date, it can be seen by appointment; text 646-873-0050.
Yurkiw hopes to fund a second container of medical equipment too. For that, he is looking for additional donors, of any amount. “Every $10 saves a life,” Yurkiw says.
There’s an incentive to donate. Chuang Chih Hui has 2 other sculptures — “Symbiosis” and “Cycle” — worth $16,000 and $10,000 respectively. Both are shown above.
Yurkiw says, “If we raise enough with small donations to pay the artist full price, I will raffle off one or both. I’m certain he would donate back at least 1/3 of what we collect.”
To purchase “Winged,” or donate a smaller amount for a second shipping container and the raffle, email mark.think3d@gmail.com.
Special musical guests will be announced soon. Bowie says, “feel the rhythm, share the love, and stand with us in solidarity as we help bring hope back to the heart of Jamaica.”
Jamaica is not the only place with desperate need.
Mark Yurkiw — who has spent the past 3 years raising funds and providing material help to Ukraine, where he has strong roots.
Mark says, “each night hundreds of Russian drones descend, damaging homes, schools and hospitals and across the country. All the wiring in these buildings needs to be reconnected and made safe.
“They are in desperate need of power cords, extension cords, electrical wires, etc.
“I hope ‘06880’ readers who have wires, of any sort or size or length, can drop them at my garage doors (190 Cross Highway).
“They don’t need to work, and they don’t need connectors at the end. (Ukraine uses different connectors.)
“Any tools used to work with electricity are extremely helpful too: pliers, wire cutters, testers, electrical tape, etc. Donations for shipping are also welcome. Slava Ukraini!”
Questions? Email mark.think3d@gmail.com.
Mark Yurkiw, at his garage with Ukrainian art he created.
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There is need in Westport too.
The (thunderous and well-deserved) applause had scarcely died down after Staples Players’ (sensational) opening night performance of “Les Misérables,” when parent volunteers loaded up the first delivery of non-perishable food and personal hygiene items to Homes with Hope.
Audiences are filling bags for the Westport’s homeless shelter and food pantry. Stew Leonard’s helped, donating 1,000 reusable shopping bags for HwH.
Staples Players’ audience donations, headed to Homes with Hope. (Photo/Kerry Long)
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Speaking of Staples: The field hockey’s team quest to three-peat as state champions came to a tough end yesterday.
Longtime archrival Darien eked out a 1-0 victory, in the state class “L” (large schools) final at Wethersfield High School. It was the Wreckers’ only shutout of the year.
The Blue Wave also barely beat Staples in the FCIAC (league) championship. That game was even closer: 2-1 on penalty strokes, after the teams were tied through 2 overtimes.
In other Wrecker sports news, the boys soccer team meets their own rival, Greenwich, in the “LL” (extra large schools) championship today (Sunday).
Speaking still of Staples: What began years ago as a simple request to help raise funds to fight breast cancer has grown into a very important annual “Get Your Pink On” campaign.
Recently, the school’s field hockey team, Gridiron Club, Pyramid Club, Boys Soccer Foundation, Pink Aid Club, and their fans raised funds for the cause.
The initiative began with Tammy Zelkowitz. The mother of a Staples football player was inspired by national sports teams promoting breast cancer awareness each October. If they could do it, she thought, so could Staples.
Pink Aid, which began as a local nonprofit, has since grown into a national organization providing emergency financial assistance and emotional support to underserved and underinsured women battling breast cancer.
Since launching the campaign in 2011, Staples has donated $95,000 to Pink Aid. Congratulations to all who have shown the power of compassion, collaboration and student action.
Staples’ Pyramid Club, Gridiron Club and captains present a $3,112 check to Pink Aid.
The news that Bloodroot — the women’s collective vegetarian restaurant/ feminist community center, co-founded by Westporter Selma Miriam — is closing after 48 years in Black Rock has saddened its many devoted fans.
They can gather, reminisce — and learn a lot — on December 2 (6 p.m.). MoCA\CT will screen “A Culinary Uprising: The Story of Bloodroot.” The 97- minute documentary was released earlier this year.
The showing will be followed by a Q&A with Bloodroot co-founder Noel Furie, and documentary director Annie Laurie Medonis.
The film is presented in conjunction with the current exhibition, “Enough Already: Women Artists from the Sara M. and Michelle Vance Waddell Collection.”
In addition, there’s a book signing of Emily Larned’s “40 Years of Bloodroot.” It includes personal-political essays by Miriam and Furie, and photographs.
The event is part of MoCA’s continuing exploration of feminist voices in art, culture and community through Enough Already. Tickets are $10; $8 for seniors and students; free for members. Click here to register, and for more information.
The shop featuring “premium hard and soft serve ice cream, plant-based and fat-free options, smoothies, cakes and more” replaced Silver Ribbon, in the strip mall with Fortuna’s and Greens Farms Spirit Shop, in 2022.
The website still lists Westport, along with Darien, Greenwich, New Canaan, Riverside, Stamford and Wilton.
Gofer was a few hundred yards from another ice cream outlet, here much longer. They’ve severed ties with Carvel, but continue to do business with a generic “Soft Serve” sign.
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Work is proceeding on the Sherwood Mill Pond tidal gates renovation project.
There’s plenty of equipment in and around the area.
(Photo/Matt Murray)
The staging area — for those who wonder what’s going on there — is the Compo Beach Soundview Avenue parking lot.
Over 50 volunteers showed up, for Wreathing for Community’s recent project.
They created 60 beautiful wreaths. Fifty apartments at Norwalk’s Open Doors Shelter are now hung with the handsome creations. Ten more are spread throughout the community center.
Faith Sargent — who organized the event — thanks all the wreath-makers, as well as the dozens of people who donated florals, wreath bases, ribbon and tools.
Many donated food, which also helps sustain Open Doors residents during the holiday season.
To learn more about Wreathing for Community, email faithasargent@gmail.com.
Some of the many wreath-makers, with their creations.
The curtain rises this week for Coleytown Middle School’s musical.
“Dare to Dream Jr.” is an hour-long, fun-filled show — perfect for kids of all ages. Shows are 6 p.m. Thursday (November 20) and 7 p.m. Friday (November 21). Click here for tickets.
The cast of Coleytown Middle School’s “Dare to Dream Jr.”
And finally … in honor of Coleytown Middle School’s “Dare to Dream” show (story above):
(Here’s “06880”‘s dream: That everyone who enjoys our hyper-local blog — and has the means to — chips in by clicking here to support our work. Hey, a boy can dream …)
Posted onMarch 22, 2025|Comments Off on Roundup: Mark Yurkiw’s Ukraine, Jim Himes’ Insights, Judy Michaelis’ Sushi Jin …
Westport artist Mark Yurkiw has created over 2,000 “story-telling sculptures” during his 50-year career.
They’ve been seen on TV, films and billboards, and in magazines and newspapers.
Several are now on display at the Senior Center. They make visitors engage, think and smile.
But they do a lot more too. All are available for purchase.
Donations will help ship another 40-foot container of medical equipment to Ukraine. This is the 6th time Yurkiw has done this, for his country of ancestry.
The equipment is in a warehouse, waiting for $7,800 to be raised. In addition to sculpture sales at the Senior Center, tax-deductible contributions can be made by clicking here. Include the words “For shipping” with donations.
But that’s not all.
Yurkiw is also collecting generators, chain saws and tools for auto repairs. All are also desperately needed in Ukraine.
They can be dropped off by the garage doors at 190 Cross Highway. To arrange pickup, call 646-873-0050.
Over 200 Y’s Men of Westport and Weston, and guests, heard US Representative Jim Himes address many important issues on Thursday.
Among the topics: tariffs, international relations, US support of Ukraine, the Mideast, Social Security, Medicare, the balance of power between the 3 branches of governmentn and much more.
Click below, to hear our congressman’s take on the world.
Yesterday, “06880” reported on the decision by Staples High School athletic director VJ Sarullo to replace the handsome metal Block “S” honor — the highest honor for any Wrecker, awarded to 2 athletes on every varsity team, for over 70 years — with much less expensive, generic plaques.
The story included a photo of a typical Block “S”:
But it did not show the replacement. For comparison, here is what athletes this year receive:
Sarullo responded to “06880” yesterday. He said, “The decision was made last summer. I did not hear any complaints until this week.
“We are talking to the company that makes the Block ‘S’ awards, to see how creative we can be.”
Addressing public concerns about the change, he added, “We are not taking this lightly. I hope everyone will be patient. We’ll see what we can do.”
The new restaurant — with a Main Street address, but whose main entrance is off Elm Street, opposite Serena & Lily — was packed, for a special soft opening party last night.
WVEMS deputy director Marc Hartog and his granddaughter enjoy Sushi Jin. (Photo/Lucy Ambrosino)
The sushi, dumplings and other menu items, well-stocked bar, and warm, welcoming Japanese-style decor have all the markings of the town’s newest hot spot.
Sushi Jin chefs at work. (Photo/Dan Woog)
The official opening is tomorrow (Sunday).
Westport Volunteer Emergency Medical Service president Jaime Bairaktaris. (Photo/Dan Woog)
Meanwhile, around the corner at Bedford Square, The Blondinit Israeli restaurant celebrated its first anniversary with a special Shabbat candle lighting ceremony.
Families wait for candle lighting at The Blondinit. (Photo/Dan Woog)
A national audience knows Craig Melvin as the new host of NBC’s “Today” show.
Westporters know him as a youth basketball coach, and an owner of the Bridge at Saugatuck restaurant.
Tomorrow (Sunday, 3 p.m.), he’ll step onto the Norwalk Concert Hall stage. He’ll narrate the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra’s rendition of Aaron Copland’s “Lincoln Portrait.” The work closes with the famous words: “That government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”
Also on the bill: “American in Paris, “Afro-American Symphony,” “Barber of Seville Overture” and more. Click here for more details.
Craig Melvin
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“Southern Fried” — the best in classic rock, blues and R&B — takes over the VFW tonight (March 22, 7 p.m. doors opoen, music at 8 p.m.).
Matt Zako and Barn Brew Co. promise “a night of great tunes, cold drinks, and fun with friends.”
Tickets are $15 in advance (click here), $20 at the door.
Plus: The first draft beer is free. Now that’s Southern hospitality!
For 14 years, longtime Westporter Peter Bradeen and his son Peter Jr. have jumped into Long Island Sound long before the rest of us. His other sons, Ethan and Luke, are regulars too.
They’ve joined a fundraiser for Connecticut Special Olympics. More than 12,000 athletes and Unified Sports partners train and compete in 27 Olympic-type sports, and participate in 4 annual state games.
This year’s event is April 6 (11 a.m., Jennings Beach, Fairfield).To help Peter Jr. reach his goal, click here.
In the wake of a second discovery of a swastika in a Weston school, 2 Westport rabbis, and the pastors of 2 Weston churches, issued this statement:
“Echoing the words used by Weston Board of Education chair Steve Ezzes in his recent message, we too are ‘full of sadness and frustration’ at the unacceptable repeated appearance of swastikas in the Weston Public Schools. These incidents occur in a context of rising antisemitism and a sense of heightened vulnerability within the Jewish community following the October 7 attack.
“Along with our interfaith partners who are supporting this letter, we are committed to opposing antisemitism, bigotry, racism and discrimination in all its forms. We likewise stand united in support of one another when any of our faith communities feels unsafe.
“Today we say clearly: It is essential that our schools are a safe place for ALL our children.
“We emphasize that Weston is a strong, safe Jewish community. We want Weston to remain a great place to raise Jewish children, and a place where people of all faiths feel comfortable and welcome.
“As leaders of the Jewish community, we are grateful for the wonderful support we have received from neighbors, including PTO leaders, and school administrators. The district has reached out to us with a desire to collaborate in solving what they have acknowledged is a significant problem in our schools.
“In dialogue with district leaders, we proposed the following step, to which the administration quickly agreed. The district will post a notice in many public spaces, including restrooms and locker rooms, where many of these incidents seem to have occurred. The message, which will be adjusted for age-appropriate language, will make clear that anyone who writes hate symbols like a swastika or other expressions of hate will be subject to meaningful consequences which could include suspension or expulsion.
“We believe clear public messaging and accountability are important steps in halting this awful pattern, establishing consequences for students, and most importantly changing the culture. It is impossible for school leaders to guarantee that antisemitic incidents will not happen. However, they can create the proper atmosphere and culture within the school, accompanied by the proper curricula and policies.
“We are grateful for the many additional helpful suggestions offered by the PTOs and other parent groups. We know that the district leadership will take them seriously and will explore many of them.
“Please know that we are available for support and guidance as our community moves forward together.”
L’shalom — in peace,
Rabbi Michael S. Friedman, Temple Israel
Rabbi Jeremy Wiederhorn, The Community Synagogue
In Solidarity,
Rev. Katy Piazza, Emmanuel Episcopal Church
Rev. Bernard R. Wilson, Norfield Congregational Church
And finally … Stephen Sondheim was born on this date, 95 years ago. He died in 2021 — 71 years after spending the summer as an apprentice at the Westport Country Playhouse.
There are so many great songs to choose from. Here are 3 — all starting with his initials, “S.”
(“Isn’t it rich …” Hey, we couldn’t resist using that line to remind readers that “06880” relies on your support. Please click here to help us continue our work. No clowning around. Thank you!)
Comments Off on Roundup: Mark Yurkiw’s Ukraine, Jim Himes’ Insights, Judy Michaelis’ Sushi Jin …
The Board of Finance begins its review of 2 proposed 2025-26 budgets on March 5 (7:30 p.m., Town Hall auditorium; livestream on Cablevision Channel 79, and westportct.gov).
First Selectwoman Jen Tooker will present the town budget. Superintendent of schools Thomas Scarice and Board of Education chair Lee Goldstein offer the Westport Public Schools budget.
Click here to view Tooker’s proposed budget. Click here for Scarice and Goldstein’s proposed budget.
The band — including Staples High School grads Barry Tashian and Bill Briggs — were “how you told a stranger about rock ‘n’ roll,” raved young music critic Jon Landau.
They tore up Boston and New York, were signed by Epic Records, appeared on “Ed Sullivan” and “Hullabaloo” — and, in 1966, were an opening act on the Beatles’ last tour.
Then — on the brink, perhaps, of superstardom — the Remains broke up.
The Remains, back in the day.
Their story was told off-Broadway. Now they’re the stars of a PBS documentary.
“America’s Lost Band”captures the group on its return to Los Angeles, for the first time in 40 years. It shows the bond between 4 close friends, and the power of music that united them, decades after comingthisclose to the top.
The documentary was adapted from a feature-length film that played at film festivals 15 years ago. It was never released publicly, due to licensing costs and rights issues.
The film was produced by Fred Cantor. The 1971 Staples High School graduate — a longtime Remains fan and chronicler — previously produced “The High School That Rocked!,” about bands like the Doors, Yardbirds and Cream who played at Staples. It was the only documentary short at the 2018 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Film Series.
“Lost Band” was directed by Michael Stich, longtime director of “The Bold and the Beautiful.”
It will premiere on Connecticut’s PBS station, CPTV on April 7 (9:30 p.m.), and stream nationwide on CPTV’s platforms.
The checks have been cashed. The food has been distributed.
And Earth Animal thanks everyone who contributed to the Post Road store’s holiday Mitten Project.
The pet supply store raised an astonishing $75,737 to combat food insecurity in Connecticut.
The money came from sales at Earth Animal, participation in Shop & Give events hosted by the local business community, private donations, and contributions from customers.
Earth Animal Ventures, based in Southport, matched every dollar raised.
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Staples High School students struck gold (and silver, and bronze) at the Connecticut STEM Fair.
Under the mentorship of teacher Amy Parent, young researchers presented innovative work across multiple categories at the virtual event earlier this month.
William Boberski captured first place in the Health and Medical Science category (completed projects), for research on diet composition’s effects on lifespan and colorectal cancer progression, using the Drosophila midgut model.
In the same category (for research proposals), Alexis Krenzer placed first for her plan to study curcumin’s potential role in epidermal growth factor driven cancers using C. elegans.
Ezra Schwartz took third, for his proposal on improving glenoid labral tear diagnosis through deep learning applications.
Jonathan Dobin-Smith snagged first place in the Environmental category, for a proposal to mitigate CO2 emissions through bio-concrete development using Cupriavidus necator.
William Kwong tied for second, with research on using curcumin to protect against microplastic damage in C. elegans.
Kendra Chen presented compelling research on generating biofuels from Connecticut microalgae, using bicarbonate as a carbon source.
The STEM Fair drew more than 250 student researchers, and as many judges from science and technology professions.
CT Stem Foundation is an all-volunteer organization. They are always looking for volunteers, including fair judges. Click here for more information.
Seniors Aviva Ross and Amire Williams, juniors Benjamin Peterson and Emmett Zahler, sophomore Giselle Colon and freshman Noa Katz are Staples High School’s February Students of the Month.
Nominated by teachers, they “help make Staples a welcoming place for peers and teachers alike. They are the ‘glue’ of the school community: kind, cheerful, hard-working, trustworthy students who make Staples the special place it is.”
From left: Emmett Zahler, Aviva Ross, Amire Williams, Noa Katz,, Giselle Colon, Benjamin Peterson.
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Of the many fundraisers at Sherwood Island State Park, STAR’s Walk & Roll is one of Westport’s favorites.
The non-profit supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and their families. This year’s event — bringing together people of all ages and abilities (the “roll” refers to the many attendees in wheelchairs) — is May 4. Money raised helps STAR continue providing essential programs and services.
For this year’s 20th annual event, STAR invites artists, designers and other creative types design the logo. The winning entry will be featured on t-shirts and promotional materials.
Contestants must take a guided tour of STAR’s Norwalk headquarters to gain inspiration and insight into STAR’s mission. Email kguthrie@starct.org to schedule a visit, or more information. The deadline is March 7.
Today, Yurkiw and his fellow volunteers will ship another container. This one is filled with $250,000 worth of used medical equipment, from a nursing home in Wilton.
They’re also raising another $8,000, to cover the costs of whatever they can’t ship today.
To donate money, equipment, medical supplies, or volunteer your time, click here call Ridgefield Responds: 646-873-0050. To donate to Ukraine Aid International, click here.
Mark Yurkiw has not forgotten his Ukrainian roots.
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Caribbean mountain folk music, bluegrass, country and gospel come together March 1, at Voices Cafe.
And it’s all in one show.
Rick Reyes & Santos de Palo highlight the 8 p.m. concert, at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Westport. The band includes guitar, drums, sax, bass and cuarto.
Voices Cafe offers tables or individual seating. Coffee and sweets are vailable for purchase; guests can bring their own beverages and snacks. Cconcerts support social justice programs in the area.
Tickets are $25 each. Click here for more information.
And back story. She writes: “It’s morning. I lie in bed wrapped snug as a mummy in my quilt. I can see through the slit of space between the window and the shade that the leaves on the rhododendron bush outside are curled as tight as a Cuban cigar against the frigid polar air. Maybe I’ll stay in bed for a while. Maybe I’ll fall back asleep.
“But no. I spot 2 invading stink bugs, seeking indoor warmth — one clinging with all six legs to the TV screen, perhaps remembering the heat of last night’s news; the other snug as a bug on the the rug.
“Oh wee beasties, innocent intruders, I should feel sorry for you. You mean no harm. Like me, you only want to be warm.
“And you don’t even stink until I squish you.”
Stink bug, before squishing. (Photo/Mary-Lou Weisman)
And finally … on this date in 1878, the first telephone directory was issued. The city: New Haven, Connecticut.
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