“Is My Teen Just Moody? An Overview on Adolescent Depression” is the depressing — but very important — title of a Westport Public Schools’ workshop.
Set for November 3 (7 p.m., Bedford Middle School auditorium), it offers parents ideas for distinguishing “normal” teenage mood swings from symptoms of something more serious.
The event explores signs and symptoms of clinical depression, and offers treatment options.
Presenter Elizabeth Cotter of Effective School Solutions ha over 20 years’ experience as a therapist, program director and in clinical leadership roles.
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Traffic was normal — that is to say, busy — yesterday at noon.
Pat Prenderville was 5th in line on Imperial Avenue, waiting for the Post Road/Myrtle Avenue light.
Suddenly, the driver of a white Audi pulled in front of all the cars waiting in Pat’s line, and zoomed to the front.
In the left lane.
And proceeded to wait there — now first in line — until the light changed.
The very entitled white Audi. (Photo/Pat Prenderville)
The Very Very Very Important Driver then headed straight across, onto Myrtle.
“It’s amazing they weren’t hit by cars turning onto Imperial,” Pat says.
It’s also amazing that I’m not amazed anymore to hear — and see — stunts like this one.
PS: It was lunchtime, so this was not a teenage driver.
And you wonder why kids drive like they do.
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Club 203 — Westport’s new social group for adults with disabilities — had its second event this week.
Once again, it was a smashing success.
Attendees, their guests and volunteers came dressed for Halloween. Trunks were decorated, and filled with treats, Scary movie clips played on the Remarkable Theater screen, and there was dancing and games for all.
As they did at their first outing, Club 203 members greeted old friends, met new ones, and had a blast..
Next up: Gaming and Pizza Night (November 19, Toquet Hall). For more information, click here.
Club 203 members Jamie Taylor and Andreas Wagner enjoy the Halloween party.
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With nearly 300 members, Staples’ Service League of Boys is the high school’s largest club.
They spend most meetings planning events. But this week they Jay Paretzky of Westport Volunteer Emergency Medical Services led hands-on CPR and AED instruction for the teenagers — and their parents.
Other meetings are “working” sessions. For example, SLOBs will pack and deliver hundreds of snack bags for Bridgeport schoolchildren.
SLOBs has a great reputation, at Staples and throughout the community. It’s not hard to see why.
SLOBs’ CPR training.
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Speaking of Staples: Jo Shields was impressed to find this message chalked on the high school sidewalk the other day, next to the main entrance:
(Photo/Jo Shields)
It says “Asking for help is not a sign of weakness. It’s a sign of bravery.”
Similar messages could be seen on sidewalks all around the school. They’re part of the Guidance Department’s ongoing efforts to raise awareness of the importance of mental health.
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MoCA Westport’s first-ever Open Mic last night sounds great!
Sixteen performers — as young as 14, and as old as 87 — shared poems and music with the community. Westport poet laureate Jessica McEntee also participated. Performers ranged in age from young as 14 to as old as 87.
Click here for the full program.
Vivian Shamie performs at last night’s “MoCA Some Noise” open mic event. (Photo/Cynthia Dempster)
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Today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo comes courtesy of Susan Leone. It was taken from the Riverwalk, behind the Library.
Once again, she — and her friend — remind us how fortunate we are to live here.
(Photo/Susan Leone)
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And finally … on this day in 1879, Thomas Edison applied for a patent for his incandescent light bulb.
