People say that words can’t capture the feeling of a (near)-total eclipse.
So, with minimal words — just captions — here are some scenes from today’s once-in-a-real-long-time event.
Today’s free Levitt Pavilion show was in the sky, not on stage. (Photo/Frank Rosen)
The Westport Astronomical Society set up telescopes — and offered safety gear — outside the Westport Library. (Photo/Frank Rosen)
Getting ready, thanks to the Westport Astronomical Society. (Photo/Frank Rosen)
Getting started. (Photo/Benji Porosoff)
Waiting for glasses outside the Library. (Photo/Tracy Porosoff)
An hour before peak totality (90.7%). (Photo/Jerry Kuyper)
Compo’s South Beach (Photo/Ted Horowitz)
The Temple Israel staff takes an eclipse break … (Photo courtesy of Bryan Bierman)
… and so, 6 minutes before totality, so does the Town Hall staff. (Photo/Jeff Wieser)
Linda and Mikayla Doyle could not find glasses. So they used the “pin prick on cardboard” method. To their surprise, they saw a view of the eclipse through the shadows of an evergreen tree, on the cardboard.
Above the trees, a strange sight. (Photo/Lauri Weiser)
Near totality. (Photo/Andrew Colabella)
The payoff: The moon nearly blots out the sun. (Photo/Jerry Kuyper)
Fashion and hip hop closed out VersoFest yesterday. The 5-day event was the best attended and most diverse in the 3-year history of the Westport Library event.
The penultimate event was “Glam to Punk Fashion Roundtable: Alice Cooper, Bowie, Blondie and Beyond.” Christine “The Beehive Queen” Ohlman moderated.
Christine Ohlman (left) leads the fashion panel.
The finale was “Hip Hop Panel and Performances: 51 Years of Wild Style, the First Hip Hop Motion Picture” with Tony Tone (Cold Crush Brothers).
Hip hop on stage. (Photos/Dinkin Fotografix)
VersoFest ’24 drew plenty of Westporters — and many others from throughout the tri-state region.
All were impressed by the depth and breadth of the programming, as well as the venue. Those who had never been in the Westport Library before were awed by the space.
And amazed that no one said, “Be quiet. This is a library!”
Congratulations to all who made it happen: Library staff, sponsors, performers, panelists, and anyone else.
In the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s, WMMM was Westport’s local radio station.
Broadcasting from studios above Oscar’s (now Rye Ridge) Deli, 1260 AM offered local news and sports, plus middle-of-the-road music.
They were there for the Save the Children radio auction, the Great Race, Festival Italiano and the Oyster Fest.
Of course, John LaBarca hosted a weekly Italian house party — and made trips (as Santa) to deliver holiday gifts to the Southbury Training School.
WMMM is no longer (though the FM station lives on, as 50,000-watt WEBE 108). WMMM’s last owners — the Graham family — donated WMMM to Sacred Heart University. In 2000, the call letters were changed to WSHU-AM.
But WMMM is back, at 105.5. Those are the call letters now of a radio station serving the Madison, Wisconsin area.
I don’t know how former Westporter John Kelley stumbled on the station, but he shared the news with “06880.”
PS: When WMMM was our station, the letters stood for “Modern Minute Man” (owner Red Graham owned Minuteman Travel, too).
Out in Wisconsin these days, they call it “Triple M.”
The “new” WMMM …
… and the original.
=================================================
The Fortunoff brothers — Aaron, a Staples High School freshman, and Brett, a Bedford Middle School 7th grader — spent all of yesterday outside Stop & Shop.
The boys were collecting cereal and donations for Cereal4All. The non-profit provide cereals to local food pantries.
Their hard work paid off. Shoppers donated 989 boxes of cereal, and added $2,100 in cash.
If you missed the Fortunoffs, but want to help, you can Venmo @lauriefortunoff, or click here for an Amazon wish list.
There will also be a collection box at Temple Israel in Westport throughout May.
Aaron and Brett Fortunoff, with a few of their many cereal boxes.
=================================================
Suzuki Music Schools are best known for their violin instructions.
Sophie B. Hawkins does not play the violin.
No matter. The Westport-based singer/songwriter is the special guest performer at Suzuki’s annual gala (April 26, Aspetuck Country Club, Weston). She’ll be accompanied by Suzuki students.
The event includes a cocktail hour with open bar, dinner, and a live auction.
Last year’s gala raised nearly $40,000 to support their Bridgeport Outreach programs, to provide music lessons to children in need.
This year’s goal: raise enough funds to provide violins for those children to take home for practice.
Community Conversations: “It Will Go On” curator Victoria McCraven and Black Art Library founder Asmaa Walton (Thursday, April 11, 6 to 7 p.m.; Zoom only): A discussion about the current exhibit, and New England’s first Black art library installation. Click here to register, and for more information.
MoCA Some Noise: Open Mic Night (Friday, April 26, 6:30 p.m.): A night of creativity and talent, celebrating the power of expression and connection through music, poetry and more. Click here for more information.
Voices of Women: Natalia Kazaryan (Saturday, April 27, 7 p.m.): Georgian pianist Natalia Kazaryan celebrates the contributions of women composers. Click here for tickets, and more information.
=================================================
Stéphanie Szostak — the Westport actress whose credits include “The Devil Wears Prada,” “Iron Man 3” and “A Million Little Things.” — is a keynote speaker at the American Cancer Society’s annual Women Leading the Way to Wellness luncheon (May 15, 11 a.m., Stamford Marriott).
Szostak speaks often about overcoming failure, being an outsider and living with authenticity.
Kitt Shapiro — owner of WEST boutique, and a longtime supporter of the ACS — is a tri-chair for the event.
The luncheon highlights the importance of being one’s own health advocate. Over the past 10 years it has raised more than $1 million to support women’s health research, advocacy and more.
A deer silhouetted in the Vista Terrace woods, in Longshore near the 1st and 2nd holes on the golf course, starts this week’s “Westport … Naturally” feature off on a handsome note.
Lux was also the last name of a much-loved Long Lots science teacher.
Yesterday — nearly 2 decades after his death — Norbert Lux got a shout-out in the New York Times.
Melissa Kirsch — who writes the paper’s “Morning” newsletter every Saturday — wrote about tomorrow’s eclipse.
She said:
The first time I heard of an eclipse, I was in sixth grade. My science teacher, too aptly named Mr. Lux (“light,” in Latin), described the mechanics of the event, but what stayed with me, an anxious child, was not the idea of a world plunged into daytime darkness but the risk of permanent retinal damage posed by looking directly at the eclipse.
I couldn’t believe I was permitted proximity to this much peril, this much responsibility over my safety. One glance skyward and I could damage my eyesight forever. Why was I just learning about this now?
Norbert Lux
Staples High School Class of 1975 graduate Doug Davidoff spotted the Times piece, on SHS ’77 grad Dawn McCabe’s Facebook page.
“I’m glad Mr.Lux made it to the New York Times,” Doug writes. “He would have so enjoyed the eclipse on Monday.”
Doug adds: “As Mr. Lux taught, don’t look directly at the sun. It might cause permanent retinal damage and harm your eyesight forever!”
The weather report for tomorrow is “partly cloudy.” Unfortunately, there may not be all the “lux” we need to appreciate the show of nature Mr. Lux taught so well.
(For Melissa Kirsch’s entire story on the eclipse, click here.)
In today’s “Westport … What’s Happening” podcast, 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker covers a topic of great interest: the recently approved town operating budget. She describes what it involves, and explains the 1.8% increase over the current fiscal year.
Click below to listen, courtesy of the Y’s Men of Westport and Weston:
The Representative Town Committee Transit Committee meets next Monday (April 1, 7 p.m., Westport Library Room 216).
They’ll review, and make recommendations to the full RTM for its April 9 meeting, on a request by Public Works director Pete Ratkiewich to approve $630,000 from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), for design and permitting of the redevelopment of Jesup Green and the Imperial Avenue parking lot.
This area of Jesup Green may be redeveloped for parking. Green space would then be added at the lower lot, closer to the Saugatuck River.
While Connecticut is not in the path of the April 8 total solar eclipse, we will experience 85% to 90% coverage.
The eclipse begins at 2:10 p.m., with peak coverage (the sun most hidden) at 3:26 p.m. The eclipse end around 4:35 PM.
The next total solar eclipse that can be seen from the contiguous United States will be August 23, 2044 (save the date!).
The Westport Public Schools have purchased solar eclipse glasses for all elementary school students and staff, including preschool.
Classroom teachers and science coaches will prepare students through age- appropriate lessons, practicing proper use of the glasses and sharing information on their morning news.
Some schools are making this a “Spirit Day,” asking youngsters to wear black to represent the moon (or yellow, for the sun). Teachers will take their students outside for a short period of time between 2:15 and 3:15, for observation.
The district asks parents to talk to their children about what to expect, and the importance of looking up at the sun only when wearing the solar eclipse glasses. Click here for more information on solar eclipse safety.
Parents who want to experience the event with their child away from school can have an excused absence for an “educational experience,” if requested in advance.
The Parks & Recreation Commission meets tomorrow (Wednesday, March 27, 7:30 p.m., Zoom). The agenda includes discussion of the Compo Beach playground renovation project.
Five days after taking part in a dramatic rescue of more than 2 dozen Saugatuck Rowing Club teenagers, the Westport Fire Department was back at Compo Beach.
This time, the event was planned: testing all hoses for leaks and pressure loss. It is a 2-day — and very important — process.
Double L Market — the Post Road spot beloved for sourcing clean, healthy food from local farms and artisans — has expanded. Double L now delivers fresh fruits and vegetables, artisanal food and gourmet products directly to Greenwich residents.
Double L was founded in 1985 by Lloyd Allen, as an outdoor farm stand. It’s now an indoor market next to Calise’s, run by Allen and his wife Gianna Bavido.
Click here for delivery options (in Westport too). The local store is open Monday through Saturday, for in-person shopping.
=================================================
For several years, Lorenza Arnal’s homemade salsas, matcha, guacamole and more — under the name of Alma’s Mexican Foods — have been one of the Westport Farmers’ Market’s most popular items.
For good reason: she was born and raised in Mexico.
One day, a WFM customer suggested she offer culinary tours there. Soon, Capitana Adventures was born.
Last year, Lorenza took her first group of foodie travelers to Mexico. Her guests were very impressed. One said that even if they had seen and done half of what was offered, she still would have been thrilled.
She is booking tours now for next fall and winter. Click here for more information. (Hat tip: Amy Ancel)
Trumpeter Michael Mossman has done it all — almost
After apprenticing as a youngster with jazz legends Lionel Hampton, Dizzy Gillespie, Art Blakey and others, he served as music director for Blue Note Records’ Out of the Blue, while still in his 20’s. He then forged a brilliant career as a soloist, arranger, music director and educator.
There is one thing left, after Mossman’s Jazz at the Post shows this Thursday (March 28, 7:30 and 8:45 p.m.; dinner from 7 p.m. on; VFW Joseph J. Clinton Post 399; $20 music cover; $15 for veterans and students).
That is: marrying Westport’s own Nancy Kail. That takes place the next night!
Joining Mossman are guitarist Bob DeVos, bassist Boots Maleson, drummer Sylvia Cuencal and saxophonist Greg “The Jazz Rabbi.”
Reservations are highly recommended: JazzatthePost@gmail.com.
If the big crowds at VersoFest aren’t your thing, consider a quieter alternative on Saturday, April 6.
Voices Café at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Westport presents the Deep River Ramblers. The trio “roams between” the eclectic music of Doc Watson, Nanci Griffith, Levon Helm, Muddy Waters and John Prine, using instruments like fiddle, guitar, mandolin, dobro and bass.
Tickets are $25; click here to buy, and for more information. Proceeds benefit StreetSafe Bridgeport, a street-based, non-law enforcement program focused on reducing youth violence.
Guests can bring their own beverages and snacks; coffee and sweet treats are available for purchase. Groups of four or more can reserve table space.
And finally … in 1830, the Book of Mormon was published in Palmyra, New York.
(From Westport to the sun, “06880” has you covered. We also help you cover your eyes. If you appreciate our “coverage,” please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
Did you miss this morning’s partial eclipse of the sun?
Franco Fellah didn’t. Here’s what the amateur astronomer saw:
(Photo/Franco Fellah)
A wider view, courtesy of Jay Walshon:
(Photo/Jay Walshon)
Meanwhile, WCBS-TV’s lead weather anchor — and Westporter — Lonnie Quinn set up for his remote shot at Compo Beach. He had a short commute to work today.
Michael Carey — part of NBC Sports’ Sunday Night Football team — was part of the crew awarded the prestigious prize for “Outstanding Live Sports Series.”
Carey — a segment producer — is a 2001 Staples High School graduate. He captained the ’00 boys soccer team.
But the shopping behemoth is taking over Avi Kaner’s parking spots.
Every morning at 8:30, the former Westport 2nd selectman/Board of Finance chair — and, more importantly for this story, an owner of the 16-store Morton Williams grocery store chain in New York — sees trucks part in front of 2 of his Upper East Side markets.
Workers appear. For the next 5 hours, Crains’ New York Business reports, they use hand trucks to deliver groceries to residents who ordered from Amazon online.
“They use it like a warehouse,” Kaner says. “The city is allowing these places to block our business.”
An Amazon spokeswoman described the scene as an “exchange point.”
Kaner notes that Morton Williams’ sales in residential areas are down only 5-15% from pre-COVID levels, but that stores in business districts are still doing just half of their previous numbers. (Click here for the full Crains’ story.)
Avi Kaner in a Morton Williams store. (Photo/Danny Ghitis for the New York Times)
The Westport PAL car show set for June 20 has been postponed to July 17. It’s still 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; still at the railroad station parking lot near Railroad Place and Franklin Street); it still features cool cars, food and raffle prizes.
Tickets are still $15 each. But kids — that is, anyone under 12 — are still free.
And finally … today, people across the Northern Hemisphere can watch an annular (partial eclipse) of the sun. Because no one has recorded a song by that name, this will have to do.
As America goes gaga over the upcoming solar eclipse — it’s August 21, if you’ve lived under a rock — here’s a reminder that “06880” is not only where “Westport meets the world.”
It’s also where Westport meets the universe.
An exceptionally alert reader spotted this item for sale on eBay:
Yes, once upon a time the “Solar-Scope Solar Eclipse Eye Protector” (and souvenir guide) was manufactured right here in Westport.
You must remember that famous company, Solar-Scope, right?
The reverse side described what would happen on August 31, 1932:
So if you want your very own Westport-produced Solar Eclipse Eye Protector — from 1932, but presumably still useful in 2017 — click here.
Click here to help support “06880” via credit card or PayPal. Any amount is welcome, appreciated — and tax-deductible! Reader contributions keep this blog going. (Alternate methods: Please send a check to “06880”: PO Box 744, Westport, CT 06881. Or use Venmo: @blog06880. Or Zelle: dwoog@optonline.net. Thanks!)
GET THE “06880” APP
The “06880” app (search for it on the Apple or Android store) is the easiest way to get “06880.” Choose notifications: whenever a new post is published, or once or twice a day. Click here for details.
