Tonight is the night for a forum on “Addressing Incidents of Antisemitism and Bias in our Schools” (Wednesday, March 13, 7:30 p.m., Temple Israel).
The event — including educators, clergy and community leaders — will provide an opportunity to share best practices for preventing and responding to identity-based bullying in public schools. A Q-and-A session will follow.
Originally scheduled for February, the forum was postponed by snow.
Click here to attend in person (pre-registration is required). Click here to watch via livestream. Click here to watch via livestream.
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Several big capital spending projects loom in Westport.
What are the rationales, goals and processes?
Town Hall and Westport Public Schools leaders share insights on March 26 (7 p.m., Westport Library) in a community conversation.
1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker and Superintendent of Schools Thomas Scarice will present their capital spending strategies and rationales. A panel of experts will discuss possible funding strategies, capital planning best practices, and the approval process for achieving capital spending goals. An audience Q-and-A session will follow.
The event is sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Westport, and the Westport Library’s Common Ground initiative.
Longshore is one of several large capital projects planned for the future.
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Congratulations to the Staples High School Model UN Club.
Inklings reports that 16 delegates attended the recent National High School Model UN Conference in New York.
Staples delegates represented South Africa in 8 committees, debating topics like healthcare and renewable energy.
Club president Tucker Peters and vice president Jameson Russell were given the Commission on Science and Technology for Development’s Awards of Distinction, the highest possible award.
Alessandra Spadea, Jori Altman, Mia Bomback and Graysen Peters earned Awards of Merit for their contributions in the UN Human Rights Council and International Organization for Migration, respectively.
Jacob Calandro and Julien McMahon received Awards of Excellence for the Commission on Crime Prevention and Justice.
Staples’ Model UN Club, at the real UN. (Photo/Mia Bomback)
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Speaking of Staples: What does the world see when they think of our high school?
If they’re one of the 83,000 followers of “thekingof5thave” — actually, Nicholas Pinsker — this is what they saw:
He’s not a Staples graduate. So how well — or poorly — did he describe our high school? Click “Comments” below. (Hat tip: Donna O’Donnell)
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From a quick glance at this photo, it looks like just some guy playing piano at last night’s Artists Collective of Westport pop-up gallery opening party.
(Photo/Dan Woog)
But look closely. “That guy” is Mark Naftalin. A spectacularly talented keyboardist, he played with the Paul Butterfield Blues Band — and was inducted with them into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2015.
It did not take long for the large crowd to realize they were in the presence of greatness — musically, as well as artistically.
Attendees of all ages gathered around the piano, as the famed Westport resident played blues, boogie-woogie, and lots more — just like he was back on stage at Monterey.
Mark Naftalin: a master at work. (Photo/Tomoko Meth)
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The Gaelic American Club is in Fairfield.
But plenty of Westporters are members of the 75-year-old organization.
And sure, they’ll all be there this St. Patrick’s weekend to celebrate.
You’re invited too!
From Friday to Sunday (March 15-17; $10 non-members), Irish and non-Irish alike* will enjoy live music from a pipe band, with step dancers; corned beef sandwiches and more.
Click here for details.
*But isn’t everyone Irish on St. Patrick’s Day?
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As our national mental health crisis escalates, TAP Strength — the individualized coaching center in downtown Westport — is offering an intriguing discussion.
“Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy” features a discussion with Jennifer Boyd, a physician assistant, ecopsychologist and Reiki master. TAP founder Dr. EJ Zebro will moderate.
The event is March 26 (6-7 p.m., 180 Post Road East). Proceeds from the suggested $25 donation will go to the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
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Westporter Atara Nova’s unique “Cosmic Misfit” concert and one-woman show of all original music heads to Newtown’s Sticks & Stones Farms this Saturday (March 16, 7 p.m.).
Organizers say: “As the music from pulsating beats to haunting melodies unfold, you’ll embark on a journey woven with intricately layered harmonies and rhythms, each reflecting a chapter of Atara’s profound inner quest.
“The music tells a story of Wetiko, a deadly virus of the mind, and one celestial being’s quest to heal herself and her community.”
Tickets are $22 (sliding scale available). Click here to buy, and for information.
PS: If you haven’t heard of Atara Nova, you may know her as Atara Horrigan.
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We can never have enough dogs in our “Westport … Naturally” feature.
Ellen Wentworth captions this: “Ever feel this way?”
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And finally … in honor of Mark Naftalin, last night’s featured musician at the Artists’ Collective of Westport gallery opening (story above):
(Today — as every day — “06880” is “Where Westport meets the world.” But we couldn’t do it without our readers’ support. Please click here to contribute. Thank you very much!)
