Tag Archives: Thomas Dolby

Roundup: Lyman Attack, Hillspoint Demolition, Dolby Talk …

Two 550-pound Russian guided bombs injured at least 5 people on Monday, in Westport’s sister city of Lyman, Ukraine.

A photograph in the Kyiv Independent showed some of the damage:

 (Photo/Vadym Filashkin for Telegram)

Aid for our sister city is always needed. To donate to the non-profit Ukraine Aid International — founded by Westporters Brian and Marshall Mayer — click here. Click the “I want to support” box; then select “Support for the City of Lyman.” Scroll down on that page for other donation options (mail, wire transfer and Venmo.) (Hat tip: Thomas Jendrock)

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The tiny cottage sat at 246 Hillspoint Road, across from Old Mill Beach, for a century.

It took just a day for it to be gone.

The home — the last remaining non-modernized structure on that stretch of the street — was demolished this week.

Here was the scene yesterday:

(Photo/JD Dworkow)

Construction begins soon on its replacement.

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A large crowd enjoyed Thomas Dolby and Chris Frantz in conversation yesterday, at the Westport Library.

Dolby — a musician, producer, composer, entrepreneur and teacher who played synthesizer for David Bowie, Stevie Wonder, Joni Mitchell and others during his eclectic career — discussed his new book, “Prevailing Wind,” with the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, former Talking Head and longtime Library supporter.

Thomas Dolby (left) and Chris Frantz. (Photo/Dick Wingate)

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Also yesterday: “06880” founder Dan Woog — hey, that’s me! — was the guest speaker at the Westport Rotary Club’s weekly lunch meeting.

I had a great time, offering a peek behind the scenes at our town’s hyper-local blog.

There was a robust Q-and-A session too. Among the most interesting questions: My take on the most important events in our town’s history — the ones that helped make Westport what it is today.

My answer was — nope, sorry. What’s said at a Rotary meeting stays at a Rotary meeting!

Dan Woog, at yesterday’s Rotary Club meeting. (Photo/Dave Matlow)

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This Saturday, Stop & Shop is the place to stop, shop — and donate food.

The Westport Police Department and Westport Sunrise Rotary are hosting a food drive, at the Post  Road East supermarket. All donations support Homes with Hope and the Department of Human Service’s food pantries.

Police officers and volunteers will accept non-perishable food items and cash donations, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Suggested donated items include applesauce, breakfast bars, macaroni and cheese, canned vegetables, canned fruit, canned meat and tuna, canned Soup & Stew, Cup of Noodles soup and ramen noodles, cereal, gluten-free foods (pasta, soups, cereals), granola and protein bars, hamburger or tuna helper, Hearty Soups, ketchup, mayonnaise, mustard, oatmeal, pancake mix and syrup, pasta and sauce, peanut butter and jelly, rice, and miscellaneous snacks. No glass jars, please!

If you would like to volunteer or have a large pick-up, call Anna Rycenga (203-763.9656).

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“The Best Is Yet to Come!”

That’s the message from the Westport Country Playhouse — and the name of the show celebrating Cy Coleman’s greatest hits. (It’s also the title of one of his most famous songs.)

The September 14 fundraiser features Kristin Chenoweth and Mary-Mitchell Campbell, performing the multiple Emmy, Grammy and Tony Award winner’s music.

In addition, the Playhouse’s 2024 Leadership Award will be presented to longtime board member (and TEAM Westport chair) Harold Bailey, Jr., and his wife, civic volunteer Bernicestine McLeod Bailey.

Tickets are $1,000, $500 and $300. Click here to purchase, and for more information.

Kristin Chenoweth

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The Wednesday Norwalk Community Health Center Farmers’ Market has included onsite meals made by Katie Gervasio. She uses farm produce, and offers samples along with recipes to make them at home.

A voucher program provides customers with bags of fresh-picked vegetables.

What’s makes the market special is its voucher program for the NCHC’s patients with low income. Vouchers have been funded primarily by sponsors, but they have to be rationed near the end of the season.

To supplement the funds, the Health Center hosts a comedy night at Westport’s Joseph J. Clinton VFW Post 399 on Friday, July 26 (7 p.m.).

There will be 3 comedians, plus raffles, a live auction, cash bar and pub grub. Click here for tickets.

If the event’s name — Funny Farm — is any indication, it will be a very  hilarious night.

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This photo is from Monday. But it’s so dramatic it’s worth posting, a few days late.

Jonathan Rosenour captured this lightning strike over Saugatuck Shores, during a very brief afternoon storm:

(Photo/Jonathan Rosenoer)

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It’s hot and humid.

But Westport’s beauty continues. And it’s very, very “cool.”

Here’s today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature, from George and Bevi Bullwinkel’s yard:

(Photo/Bevi Bullwinkel)

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And finally … in honor of the Westport Country Playhouse’s upcoming benefit tribute to Cy Coleman (story above), here’s my all-time favorite performance, of his all-time best song:

(From world affairs to entertainment, food drives to real estate, “06880” is your blog for hyper-local news. Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)

Roundup: Levitt Music, Thomas Dolby Talk, Temple Comedy …

This weekend, the Levitt Pavilion hosts 2 special shows.

Tonight (Saturday, July 13, 7 p.m.) features Marc Broussard and the 20th Anniversary of Carencro. It included the hit “Home,” now going viral again on Instagram.

Also on the bill: local favorites Otis & the Hurricanes. Their gumbo of blues andhttps://www.levittpavilion.com/2024/04/08/marc-broussard-carencro-20th-anniversary-tour/ soul complements Broussard’s “bayou soul,” a mix of funk, blues, R&B, rock and pop, all with distinct Southern roots. Click here for tickets, and more information.

Tomorrow (Sunday, July 14, 7 p.m.), the Levitt invites concert-goers to wear white, while celebrating the 19th Amendment and women’s right to vote.

The show features Grammy-winning folk singer/songwriter Aoife O’Donovan and folk quartet Hawktail. O’Donovan was last at the Levitt in 2022. Click here for tickets, and more information. 

For both shows’ lawn tickets: on Saturday, children 7 and under are free. On Sunday, those 10 and under are free. Ticket proceeds help support the 50-plus shows presented free of charge each season, for all.

PS: The Blind Rhino food truck will be on site both days.

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Speaking of music: Thomas Dolby comes to the Westport Library Tuesday (July 16). He’ll discuss his new book “Prevailing Wind” with another big name: Rock & Roll Hall of Famer and longtime Library supporter Chris Frantz.

The 4 p.m. start time accommodates Dolby’s performance later that evening in the Totally Tubular Festival at Bridgeport’s Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater.

Dolby — a musician, producer, composer, entrepreneur and teacher — played synthesizer for David Bowie, Stevie Wonder, Joni Mitchell and others during his eclectic career. His 1980s hits include “She Blinded Me With Science” and “Hyperactive!”

He also has been music director for TED Conferences. On the Johns Hopkins University Peabody Institute staff, he leads the Music for New Media program.

This is Dolby’s only signing event in the tri-state area. All attendees who purchase a copy of Prevailing Wind may get the book and one additional item signed by the author.

Frantz is a musician, producer, songwriter, and founding member of the Talking Heads and Tom Tom Club. A frequent guest of the Library and the host of the Library series “Chris Frantz Presents,” he also hosts a radio show on WPKN-FM.

Thomas Dolby

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There’s not a lot to laugh about in the Middle East.

But on July 30 (cocktails at 7 p.m., show at 7:45), Temple Israel hosts a comedy night. Five comics — Andrew Ginsburg, Nick Scopoletti, Cody Marino, Olga Namer and Beau McDowell — will all appear, in a fundraiser for Israel relief.

Tickets are $54 (VIP) and $36 (general admission). Click here to purchase, and for more information. (Hat tip: Les Dinkin)

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Yesterday’s Roundup included an item on Homes with Hope CEO Helen McAlinden’s meeting in Washington with Representative Jim Himes.

A photo showed our congressman with a statewide delegation of advocates for the homeless and hungry.

Alert “06880” reader Marlene Siff recognized artwork hanging on the wall.

It was hers.

The piece — “Fallen Heroes/Afghanistan” — has hung in Himes’ office since 2010.

“It is my memorial dedicated to all the soldiers we lost in the war in Afghanistan,” Siff tells “06880.”

“Fallen Heroes/Afghanistan” (Marlene Siff)

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Westport-based Nest Egg Foundation has partnered with the Carlos Rodón Foundation to launch the first-ever Willow Gala.

The September 30 event at the Delamar in Greenwich will bring together community leaders, philanthropists and supporters, to raise awareness and funds for families facing fertility challenges. The evening includes live music, dining, silent and live auctions, and special guests.

The Nest Egg Foundation was created in 2015. It is a collaborative effort of medical and financial professionals, attorneys, and others. The foundation plays a key role role in the application and evaluation process of The Willow Grant, which was developed by New York Yankees pitcher Rodón and his wife.

For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.

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We all know that turtles move at — well, a turtle’s pace.

The other day, Johanna Keyser Rossi spotted this one stranded above Deadman Brook, behind the police station.

Half an hour later he was still there.

Johanna figures he was “waiting for high tide, or to jump in.” Maybe he was just posing for “Westport … Naturally” — at his own speed.

(Photo/Johanna Keyser Rossi)

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And finally … on this date in 1985, the Live Aid benefit concert was held simultaneously at Wembley Stadium in London, and John F. Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia. The goal was to raise funds for Ethiopian famine relief.

On this day too, Live Aid-inspired concerts were held in the USSR, Canada, Japan, Yugoslavia, Austria, Australia, and West Germany. An estimated 1.9 billion people — nearly 40% of the earth’s population — watched the broadcast.

(It’s nowhere near as important as famine relief. But if you’re inclined to toss a few bucks our “06880” way, you can click here and follow the prompts. Thank you!)