Yesterday’s “06880” Unsung Hero award came from Marty Yellin. The 84-year-old fell into a creek by his house, and was 15 minutes from possible death when he was saved by the Westport Police and Fire Departments, and Westport Volunteer Emergency Medical Service.
Marty did not have the names of those who helped.
Chief Foti Koskinas does. He writes:
“First and foremost we are extremely grateful as a department that Mr. Yellin is doing well ,and we were able to get to him in time.
“Two of the officers who responded to the incident are currently in their field training program, as they are new officers. Officer Melissa Bike was with field training officer Greg Gunther, and Officer Ryan Kardamis was with field training officer Taylor Field. The supervisor on scene was Sergeant Richard Bagley.
“It’s calls like these that our new officers get to see the level of expectation that we have of them, and how we value human life and how we treat people.
“This was truly a team effort in getting Mr. Yellin to the ambulance safely, without further injury in a timely manner .
“Westport EMS staff on scene: Crew chief James Schwartz, Westport Volunteer EMT David Harmston; Norwalk Hospital paramedic Marcos Rodriguez.
“Westport firefighters on scene: Lieutenant Kevin Dumas; firefighters Ron Burgess, Chris Carroll, Ryan Farrell,m Liz Ferguson.
“Thank you to all!”
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Speaking of police: Westport’s Department made 2 custodial arrests between January 4-11
One man was arrested for evading responsibility, following an accident in the Coleytown Elementary School parking lot.
One man was arrested for larceny and identify theft, after a check for $25,500 was intercepted in the mail, fraudulently endorsed and cashed.
Westport Police issued these citations:
- Traveling unreasonably fast: 27 citations
- Failure to obey a stop sign: 7
- Distracted driving: 6
- Operating an unregistered motor vehicle: 5
- Failure to obey traffic control signals: 3
- Operating a motor vehicle under suspension: 2
- Failure to register a commercial motor vehicle: 2
- Operating a motor vehicle without minimum insurance: 2
- Passing a standing school bus: 1
- Speeding: 1
- Evading responsibility: 1
- Operating a motor vehicle without a license: 1
- Failure to renew insurance: 1
- Failure to insure a motor vehicle: 1
- Falsification of marker: 1
- Failure to return plates: 1
- Illegal operation of a motor vehicle class: 1
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The final installment of the Westport Library’s Short Cuts Film Festival will be entertaining, thought=provoking — and wide-ranging
Award-winning short films from the US, China, Canada, France and Australia will be screened next Thursday (January 18, 7 p.m.; $26.50; popcorn and refreshments provided).
All were curated from the Tribeca Film Festival. They include:
- Chat Mort (Dead Cat) (Canada), a humorous look at parents trying to protect their daughter from the truth about her cat.
- Sealed Off (China, Macau, US), set in 1940s-occupied Shanghai during an air raid lockdown.
- Et Maintenant? (What Next?) (France), about a ballet dancer who ages out after 30 years.
- Shadow Brother Sunday (US) about a sibling rivalry.
- Blood (Australia), a sensitive look at Tamil customs around fertility and menstruation.
Audience members can ask questions after the show.
For more information, click here. To purchase tickets, click here.
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“Good Witch/Bad Witch” — a concert by artists who played the roles of Glinda and Elphaba in Broadway’s “Wicked” — is set for the Westport Country Playhouse stage.
There are 2 shows on Saturday, January 20: 3 and 7:30 p.m.
The show features vocals and banter by Alli Mauzey and Dee Roscioli. In addition to “Wicked” music, the performance features songs from “Frozen,” “Funny Girl” and more.
For tickets and more information, click here.
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Carter Wiseman is feeling young. He writes:
“I’d like to salute whoever trains the checkout team at Trader Joe’s.
“My cart this morning included 2 six-packs of beer. The checker politely asked me for ID.
“At the age of 78 I was at first surprised, then flattered, to be considered under age.
“So I tipped my hat, revealing a mature hairline, but provided my driver’s license just in case. Being carded made my day, which is probably why TJ has its staff pick out the random grown-up for special attention.”
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Combining hands-on learning and art, Earthplace and Silvermine Arts Center together create a memorable experience for 2nd and 4th grade students from 4 Bridgeport elementary schools.
Youngsters from Wilbur Cross, Dunbar, Hallen and Beardsley travel to Earthplace to experience the great outdoors with naturalists, and meet resident animals. Earthplace’s lesson plans are aligned with state standards, and augment the school curriculum.
Silvermine Arts Center Outreach then visits the students in their classrooms to create mixed media artwork that helps reinforce new knowledge and vocabulary.
Artwork from this initiative is on display at Earthplace through the end of January.
Artwork on display at Earthplace.
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In 2014, Team Velominati has raised funds for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. They do it through the Pan-Mass Challenge, a great event that crosses the state of Massachusetts. Since the Challenge began, participants from across the country have raised nearly $1 billion,
Team Veelominati does it in conjunction with Coastal Bridge Advisors, the Westport-based investment firm. Last year, the team raised more than $560,000.
This year’s goal: $1 million.
The kickoff comes Monday (Jaunary 15, 6:30 p.m., 54 Wilton Road), at an event hosted by Coastal Bridge founding partner and Westporter Bill Loftus.
The event includes food, beverages, and a presentation about the team and the Pan-Mass Challenge. For more information, email dchilds@coastalbridgeadvisors.com.
Team Velominati, in 2022.
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Turkey vultures fill the sky, in today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature. These were spotted above Bayberry Lane, at Long Lots Road:
(Photo/Tammy Barry)
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And finally … here’s one more “Wicked”-ly good song (see story above):
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The films will be followed by a discussion among 3 directors, and “Short Cuts” producer Nancy Diamond. The talkback has been a key to “Short Cuts”‘ success as a live event for the past 10 years.
