And to show that “arts” is more than just drawing, painting, music and theater.
Next Sunday (October 26, 2 p.m., Westport Library), 3 photographers with ties to Westport will be featured at the Westport Arts Advisory Committee’s 10th annual TEA Talk.
The event — TEA stands for Thinkers, Educators, Artists — is called “Seeing is Deceiving: A Search for Visual Perspective.” The conversation will explore ways in which photographers translate their visual perceptions into images, making them wholly their own.
Panelists include:
Spencer Platt: a Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist, and 1988 Staples High School graduate
Rachel Hall: Westport police detective and drone photographer)
Butch Quick: Award-winning Norwalk street photographer).
Spencer Platt’s Pulitzer Prize-winning photo: September 11, 2001. (Photo/copyright Spencer Platt, with permission )
Photographer-graphic artist Miggs Burroughs will introduce the afternoon, with an overview. He’ll ask: Is there such thing as a universal truth in a photograph? Or is it determined by the eye looking through the viewfinder?
Well-known photographer Art Nager will moderate the panel. Westport poet laureate Donna Disch will offer a poem honoring the topic. A reception will follow the event.
Visitors can also enjoy the current show in the Library’s Sheffer Gallery, on display through December 16.
“Every Picture Tells a Story: Photographs from the Westport Public Library Art Collections” highlights 36 images, hung in schools and municipal buildings around town.
The Levitt Pavilion has just signed one of the biggest bands around, for perhaps the biggest concert of the season.
Tedeschi Trucks Band rocks the Levitt on September 14 (7 p.m.). A cocktail party at 5 p.m. is sponsored by Massi Co. (formerly Don Memo) and Walrus Alley. rs D’Oeuvres from the menus of Massi & Co and Walrus Alley
Grammy Award-12-piece rock and soul powerhouse TTB is known for great live performances. NPR called the husband-and-wife team of Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi “two of the best roots rock musicians of their generation.”
Levitt Pavilion members can purchase tickets at 10 a.m. today (Friday). Sales to the general public begin Sunday (August 24, 10 a.m.). Click here for tickets, and more information.
Tedeschi Trucks Band.
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The Delamar Hotel has opened its guest rooms, to great reviews.
Its restaurant — the Dandelion — took a bit longer to prepare. But now the much-anticipated dining spot — with its modern Mediterranean vibe, in a spectacular space — is ready for its reveal.
A grand pre-opening celebration is set for Saturday, September 6 (6 p.m.).
Twenty-five years ago today, Beth Cody began volunteering for Westport Little League. She was the 4th grade baseball co-commissioner.
In the quarter century since, she has continued as commissioner for many grades — mostly 4th.
But that’s just a warmup. In 2013 she and her son Jack — a Staples High School junior, former Little Leaguer and Staples player, LL coach and member of Kool to be Kind — introduced the Challenger league to Westport.
It offers boys and girls ages 5 to 18 with physical or intellectual challenges a chance to play baseball too.
Thanks in large part to Beth, it’s stronger than oever.
“She absolutely loves it, and the families love her back,” Jack says.
“She offers a very personalized experience to all the players, and is friendly with all the families. She always looks for fun events besides baseballm so the kids can bond.”
But that’s not all either. Beth volunteers as executive secretary, and has taken minutes at board meetings since 2000.
On top of all that, she’s had a paid job as Westport Baseball & Softball registrar for 20 years.
Congratulations Beth, on your 25th anniversary, serving so many boys and girls (many of them now men and women), in so many ways. You’re a grand slam!
Speaking of Little League: How about that Fairfield National team?!
Our neighbors have reached the pinnacle of U-12 baseball success. Tomorrow (Saturday, August 23, 3:30 p.m.; televised on ABC), they’ll play for the US Little League championship.
Their opponents are from Nevada — the same team Fairfield came from behind to beat and reach the US championship. Nevada advanced out of the double-elimination loser’s bracket (click here to see).
They’re the first Connecticut team to reach the national finals since — yes — Westport, in 2013.
There is a strong Westport connection on the current Fairfield squad. Ben Herbst, Colin Curley and Boden Dunlap all have parents who are Staples High School graduates. Tommy D’Amura — who belted a home run in Wednesday’s 7-3 win over a Nevada team — has parents who work in our town’s public schools and Police Department.
If Fairfield wins the American title, they’ll play Sunday against the international division winner, for the world championship.
Which even the MLB winner of the “World” Series does not do.
Go Fairfield! (Hat tip: Bill Dedman)
Fairfield players — including Boden Dunlap, Ben Herbst and Colin Curley — celebrate a Little League World Series win.
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Speaking still of sports: The resurrected Compo Men’s Hoops League has been a resounding success this summer. Every Monday, 92 players on 10 teams compete under the lights.
As the Final Four looms (Monday, August 25; semifinals at 7 p.m., finals at 8:15), each squad boasts Westport roots.
Team Schur (Staples High School grads Jordan Schur and Connor Whelan; Travis Test, married to grad Eileen Cooney) faces Team Dymond (SHS alums Aaron and Josh Shapiro).
Team Rivel (SHS grad Sam Jossen, longtime Wesptorter Brian Rivel, Westport native Sean McCurdy, Westport detective James Baker) faces Team Salerno (Oscar Edelman, Greens Farms Academy).
Other notable “old” Westporters in the league include Staples graduates Andrew Bloom and Ben Joseloff, former Wrecker Brett Tessler, and a team of all (relatively recent) alumni: Jared Parnes, Carter Kelsey, Owen Ziegler, Mike Ziegler, Cam Manna, Nick Lukens, Justin Rothenberg, Josh Lapping and Matthew Ambrifi.
Believe it or not, another sports story: The Joggers Club is warming up for another year.
A friendly group of neighbors who enjoy the camaraderie and energy of running, every Saturday at 8 a.m. they host runs along the shore. The meeting place is the Greens Farms train station.
Each run is followed by coffee and bagels. A yearly membership is $50. All new members get a free Lululemon Joggers Club shirt ($78 retail). Click here for details.
Back at Compo Beach: the Parks & Recreation Department and Westport Arts Advisory Committee’s collaboration — the Compo Mural Art Competition — has reached its next stage.
Residents were invited to design a mural to bring “color, creativity and connection to the spirit of Compo Beach.” The site is the long white wall on the side of the Bluestone/Hook’d concession building.
Some great submissions have come in. Now it’s our turn.
Speaking of the beach: The Remarkable Bookcycle has been getting a lot of use this summer.
Dozens of beachgoers have picked up summer reading (and loftier volumes) from the free lending library, parked on Soundview Drive by the volleyball courts.
But it’s attracted a lot more takers than givers.
The shelves look bare. So: The next time you’re headed to Compo, throw a few gently used favorites in your bag.
It’s an easy — and “remarkable” — contribution to make to our town.
(Photo/John Richers)
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Speaking still of Compo Beach: Hurricane Erin will not make landfall on the US.
But the sprawling storm is still affecting coastal North America, from the Carolinas to the Maritimes.
This was the scene yesterday, at Compo:
(Photo/Richard Fogel)
Meanwhile, Compo remains closed to swimming. It will remain closed until the water is re-tested. Results will be available on Tuesday.
Burying Hill Beach is open, but no lifeguards are on duty. Old Mill is open too — and there are never lifeguards there.
(Photo copyright Ted Horowitz)
Meanwhile, with no swimmers to look out for, these lifeguards found a way to pass the time yesterday.
(Screenshot courtesy of Amy Schneider)
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Similar to the photo above, today’s “Westport … Naturally” image shows yesterday’s cool, gray weather.
It grounded even the gulls.
(Photo/Andrew Franco)
Today will be more August-like: Sunny, with a high of 83. The weekend looks good too.
Tuesday is the first day of school, in Westport. Which brings up the annual question: What happened to summer?!
And finally … in honor of the opening of the new Delamar Westport restaurant (story above):
(If you thought this Roundup was heavy on sports … don’t worry. There’s another one tomorrow — and every day after. And if you appreciate any of them, please click here to support us. Thanks!)
Westport’s interesting race for 1st selectman just got even more intriguing.
David Rosenwaks will be the town’s first-ever Independent Party-endorsed candidate. Having secured more than enough signatures, he’ll have his own line on the November 4 ballot.
He joins Democratic-endorsed Kevin Christie, and Don O’Day, the Republican-endorsed candidate who is now unaffiliated.
Rosenwaks, 48, spent 25 years as an unaffiliated voter. He became a Democrat less than a year ago, but is now joining the Independent Party.
David Rosenwaks
Party politics is one of the reasons Rosenwaks is running for the town’s top job. A first-term member of the non-partisan Representative Town Meeting, he says, “I want to change the tenor of town government. As an Independent, I’ll answer to one entity: Westport and its citizens.
“A lot of decisions have been made before weighing all views. A lot of people feel unheard and undervalued.”
Rosenwaks envisions a return to former 1st Selectwoman Diane Farrell’s “Brown Bag Lunches.” A member of the RTM’s Information Technology Committee, he also hopes to “modernize and digitize” the town’s technology system.
Rosenwaks and his wife, actor Liz Fye, moved to Westport from New York at the beginning of COVID. They felt “blessed” by the school system, Library, beaches and rich arts heritage.
Rosenwaks dove into all aspects of the town. He attended commission and TEAM Westport meetings, Westport Library events, the Senior Center, the Westport Country Playhouse and more. He is a member of the Westport Arts Advisory Committee, joined the Citizens Police Academy, served on the PTA Council in a technology role, and coached recreation soccer.
“I learned a lot from the people who have been here for years,” Rosenwaks said. “They helped me understand how this town grew and evolved into what it is now.”
At the same time, he says, “Westport is at an inflection point. The average age is 39 to 45, depending on the data you use. We’re ready for the next evolution of the town. I’m confident I can be the bridge between those who have been here for decades, and the more recent arrivals.”
His RTM District 6 race was very competitive: 7 candidates for 4 seats. He knocked on 700 doors, and heard a diversity of viewpoints on a variety of topics.
David Rosenwaks
In the past 5 years, Westport has grappled with some major controversies.
Rosenwaks — a Long Lots Elementary School parent — was disturbed by the overcrowding and neglect at his children’s school. At the same time, he says, “the Community Gardeners should have been handled differently. They deserved a more honest approach up front.”
Redistricting 30 children “across the river, at 2 of the worst times of day” was an example of decisions being made “piecemeal, not holistically,” he says.
Rosenwaks was also disturbed at the Board of Education’s handling of Staples High’s soccer coaches.
“Over 100 kids sat in Town Hall for 14 hours,” he says. “Their voices were not heard. They were disilliulsioned. That’s a problem for their future, and the future of the town.”
As for the Hamlet, he says, “the majority of people in Westport want some development. But not to the extent of what was proposed. How did we get here, held hostage by a developer that doesn’t connect with what most people want?”
after graduating from Dartmouth College, Rosenwaks joined Salomon Smith Barney/Citigroup as an investment banker.
He then co-founded a multi-billion dollar asset management firm, StoneCastle Partners. After selling it a decade later he pivoted to singing, songwriting and art collecting.
He’s recorded with Paul Shaffer and Phil Ramone. Rosenwaks’ original music has appeared in independent films. He headlined shows at the Public Theater, Joe’s Pub, and BB King’s.
Now, he says, “I spend most of my time dedicated to the town.”
Which brings him back to the reason he is running.
“I want what’s best for my family, my neighbors, and the town of Westport,” Rosenwaks says.
“I want everyone to feel involved. Whether it’s Jesup Green or a parking lot, every decision should be about what’s best for Westport.”
To run on the Independent Party line, Rosenwaks needed signatures from 1% of the number of people who voted in the previous selectperson’s race: 85 registered voters.
He submitted 132.
Now he awaits official certification, from the Independent Party.
He is running solo for the top spot. According to the Town Charter, if a person elected 1st selectman “has not been nominated by political party, the 2 defeated chandidates for First Selectman having the high number of votes shall be elected Selectman.”
It is unclear if that means the 2nd and 3rd selectmen would be the 2 other candidates for that position (Christie and O’Day, in whichever order they finish), or if the candidates of the runner-up party with the most runner-up votes would serve as 2nd and 3rd selectpersons, respectively (Christie and Amy Wistreich, or O’Day and Andrea Moore).
Either way, Rosenwaks says, “I will be happy to work with any combinatiion of ‘defeated candidates. Leadership comes from the top.”
Also yesterday morning, VersoFest attendees attempted to set a world record for the “loudest library.”
They got up to 119 decibels. That’s equivalent to a chain saw, firecrackers — or a rock concert.
Getting ready to get loud! (Photo/Matthew Mandell)
The afternoon continued with a panel discussion on Bruce Springsteen’s breakthrough album — “Born To Run,” celebrating its 50th anniversary — with 4 men who were there at the start.
Dick Wingate and Arlen Schumer hosted The Boss’ manager/producer Mike Appel, Springsteen Archives and Center for American Music executive director Bob Santelli; former Columbia Records executive Michael Pillot, and music culture writer Kenneth Womack.
Dick Wingate (left) with the Bruce Springsteen panel. (Photo courtesy of DinkinEsh Fotographix)
VersoFest concludes today, at 11 a.m. Paul Shaffer — legendary “Saturday Night Live” band member and “David Letterman” music director — chats with SNL Beehive Queen Christine Ohlman. Click here for tickets, and more information.
The local bakery — begun by Westporters Bill and Andrea Pecoriello to provide job training and employment to people with disabilities — now sells its Colossal (and colossally good) cookies at Yankee Stadium (concourses 121 and 211).
Fans are eating them up. Sweet P’s order went from 10 dozen cookies per home stand, to 75 dozen.
National reporter and “06880” contributor Dave Briggs visited Sweet P Bakery the other day. In between bites, he shot a great behind-the-scenes Instagram reel.
Click here or below to meet the very talented bakers, and hear the back story of Westport’s newest baseball stars.
In addition to VersoFest — and the large “Hands Off” demonstration — downtown Westport was also the site yesterday for retired Police Chief Ron Malone‘s wake and funeral.
The highly respected former chief — and Representative Town Meeting member — died last week. In his honor, police headquarters was draped in bunting.
Also yesterday: Dustin Lowman performed at Voices Café.
The 2011 Staples High School graduate — now a Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter, whose career is taking off quickly — entertained a sellout crowd, at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Westport’s monthly coffeehouse.
Next up: a tribute to Peter Paul & Mary (May 10), with Westport’s Suzanne Sheridan, the Kennedys and Mustard’s Retreat. Click here for details.
“Taste of Westport” is one of Westport’s most anticipated — and delicious — fundraisers of the year.
CLASP Homes — the sponsor and grateful recipient of proceeds from the 19th annual event (June 5, 6 p.m., The Inn at Longshore) has announced an all-star lineup of restaurants.
Each has a table, with tempting samples. They include:
Westporters who enjoy Grace Salmon Park — or just drive by on Imperial Avenue — have been intrigued by its new “Tulip Bulb.”
That’s the sculpture by Emily Teall, which she’s loaned to the town.
Next Sunday (April 13, 3 p.m.), the large patinated steel work will be officially dedicated, by the Westport Arts Advisory Committee. The ceremony will include poetry by town poet laureate Donna Disch, remarks from the artist, and music.
Artist Emily Teall, with her work. (Photo/Mary Schwartzman)
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Fire up your Easter Egg hunting nose and toes.
The Westport Uniformed Firefighters Charitable Foundation’s annual free event is April 19 (2 p.m., Long Lots Elementary School).
Bring a basket or bag. And get ready to pose for photos with the Easter Bunny!
Skunk cabbage — which got its name from the odor given off by bruised leaves — is popping up all around town.
Eve Potts snapped today’s “Westport … Naturally” image outside her home.
You can almost smell it, right?!
(Photo/Eve Potts)
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And finally … on this date in 1947, the first Tony Awards were presented for theatrical achievement.
Musicals represented at the ceremony were “Street Scene,” “Brigadoon” and “Finian’s Rainbow.”
(And the award for best hyper-local blog goes to … “06880.” Meanwhile, best supporting cast goes to … “06880” readers. To earn that honor, please make a donation by clicking here. Thank you!)
Comments Off on Roundup: Verso Graffiti, Sweet P Cookie Reel, Taste Of Westport Lineup …
Now she co-chairs the Westport Arts Advisory Committee. She also manages and produces theater and dance.
In Westport Nancy co-founded the very popular lunchtime theater series Play With Your Food, and was the founder and producer of the short film festival Short Cuts.
The other day, we chatted at the Westport Library. Our “06880” podcast ranged from her work in finance to the arts; the changes she’s seen in the Westport arts scene over 30 years, whether this really still is an “arts community,” and many related topics..
Click below, for an inside look into art, music, dance, and much more.
A week from tomorrow, Westporters have a chance to look back in history.
Or forward, to a very uncertain future.
Sunday, November 5 (2 to 5 p.m.) is the day for our “Historic Homes of 06880” house tour. It features 4 great properties, all from the 1700s: 6 Old Hill Road, 39 Cross Highway, 190 Cross Highway, and 29 North Avenue. Click here for details.
But this story isn’t about that.
November 5 is also the day for Westport’s annual TEA Talk (2 p.m., Westport Library).
The acronym stands for Thinkers, Educators and Artists. Sponsored by theWestport Arts Advisory Committee, and based on the one-letter-off TED Talks, it’s a chance for artists to discuss and demonstrate the role of technology in a variety of artistic disciplines.
This year, a panel of experts will use live and interactive demonstrations to explore the impact of artificial intelligence on arts education, music and art. The title is: “What’s Next for the Arts?”
The TEA Talk features a diverse, “A” list of panelists.
Brian Keane in his home studio.
Brian Keane is a 1971 Staples High School graduate, and Emmy- and Grammy-winning composer/musician. He has composed music for hundreds of films and television shows, working with directors like Ken Burns, and produced over 100 albums.
He is leasing thousands of his compositions in a computerized music library to major entertainment companies, utilizing AI for metadata searches.
Steve Zimmerman is the Westport Public Schools K-12 arts coordinator. He faces daily challenges creating curriculum that respects art making, with the abundant available AI resources
Liz Leggett is an artist and arts consultant. She currently advises a tech company experimenting with AI-generated art, design and architecture.
“Robot Painting at an Easel” (Prompt by Eric Griffith; Generated on Midjourney)
“As AI becomes more prevalent in everything we do, there are questions we must answer,” says Shobana Mani, moderator of the panel and WAAC co-chair. “Does AI pose an existential risk to arts makers? And how does AI affect the ‘process’ of making art?”
Panelists will discuss those questions, and many more.
An audience Q-and-Q (and refreshments) will follow the TEA Talk. Admission is free. Click here to register.
(All “06880” stories are certified created by human beings, not AI. To support our people-produced blog, please click here. Thank you!)
The River of Names was created to bring Westport together.
Unfortunately, over the past few days it’s become a symbol of division.
The motives of organizations and individuals — and their reputations — have been questioned, maligned and impugned. Fingers have been pointed (and middle fingers raised), by folks who always worked together — and always should.
The time has come to put all that vitriol aside. Sure, it’s the holiday season. But it’s also the right thing to do.
The River of Names, when it hung in the lower level of the Westport Library.
The River of Names is clearly a beloved, integral part of Westport. It means a lot to many people — those who contributed to it, or whose families did. Those who bought tiles in loved ones’ memories. (And not just “historical” tiles. Hundreds of others simply bear names and dates.)
It is, quite simply, an important piece of our town.
But it’s not a perfect one.
A number of people and groups have worked behind the scenes to seek a resolution to the tile mural situation. Several themes have emerged:
The Westport Library seems willing to extend the storage lease, while discussions about a solution continue.
There may be places in the Library where it could be rehung — for example, the Komansky Room — with structural improvements.
If the Library is not a feasible spot, other places — Town Hall or the Main Street pedestrian tunnel, perhaps — might work.
Because of its construction, it’s unfeasible to cut the mural. Its “river-like” theme mirrors Westport history — but it’s incomplete. More information and details, more nuance, a more modern interpretation of that history is crucial. Residents and visitors alike must understand where our town came from, so we can appreciate — and make it better — today and tomorrow.
Wherever it goes, the River of Names needs to be put in context. It was a work of an earlier time — a snapshot of some historical moments.
Many other moments were omitted. We’ve learned of more, and our views of our history have changed, in the years since.
The time is ripe to add supplementary and interpretive material. It can be done in many ways, using old-fashioned tiles or new technology.
The “River of Names 2.0” could even be a fantastic new fundraiser for the Westport Library.
Let’s turn the corner on the River of Names controversy. (Photo/Lynn Untermeyer Miller)
We’re all on the same page. Let’s all work together — the Library, Westport Museum for History & Culture, TEAM Westport, Westport Arts Advisory Council, other town organizations, and individuals on all sides of the debate — to find a solution.
Please add your positive thoughts to the “Comments” section.
That’s right: Only constructive, positive comments will be allowed. No name-calling, shaming or negativity at all. Thank you.
Here’s news both bittersweet and great:
After 3 years, Westport has a new poet laureate.
Hopefully, she’s a better poet than I am.
Diane Lowman’s 3 years as Westport’s poet-in-residence ends June 30. She’ll pass the torch — or pen, or computer keyboard or whatever — next Wednesday (June 29), at a noontime Westport Library ceremony.
Our new poet laureate is Jessica Noyes McEntee. Her 2-year term begins July 1.
McEntee, her husband, 2 young children (now teenagers) and pets moved into a historic Westport house in 2013. She is active in the community, serving on the boards of the Westport Young Woman’s League and Save Westport Now.
She’s also a working poet. Her debut chapbook, Jackie O. Suffers Two Husbands & Other Poems, was published by Finishing Line Press in 2019. She’s taught at Westport Writers’ Workshop since 2015,
Poet laureate-designee Jessica Noyes McEntee.
Poet laureate is not a full-time gig. McEntee works in marketing for the Pequot Library in Southport. The Amherst College graduate was previously an editor at John Wiley & Sons.
The Westport Arts Advisory Committee oversaw the selection process of the new laureate. Applicants met with a selection committee that included members of the WAAC, Westport Public Schools and the Westport Library. McEntee was officially appointed by 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker.
As Westport’s first poet laureate, her predecessor Lowman enriched town meetings, collaborated with schools, and ran workshops for the Senior Center. She recited original haikus at many local events, including the dedication of the reimagined Library in 2019.
Westport needs registered voters to serve on 5 advisory bodies:
Arts Advisory Committee: advises on the preservation of Westport’s legacy as an arts community, provides oversight of the Westport Permanent Art Collections, and helps increase visibility of the arts in town.
Maintenance Study Committee: the Committee recently completed studies of all major town buildings, and reviewed buildings recently purchased by the Town, or under consideration for purchase and/or demolition.
International Hospitality Committee: advises town officials about local activities related to the United Nations and international visitors.
TEAM Westport: advises town officials about achieving and celebrating a more welcoming, multicultural Westport community.
Wakeman Town Farm Committee: helps WTF serve as an educational demonstration center for sustainable living.
Registered voters seeking an appointment should click here for an application. It must be emailed (selectwoman@westportct.gov) or mailed (110 Myrtle Avenue, Westport, CT 06880) by April 15.
With few exceptions, non-elected members of town boards, commissions and committees are appointed by the First Selectwoman.
First Selectwoman Jen Tooker ways, “Westport’s electorate is dynamic and diverse. This community could not run successfully without the many citizens who willingly and enthusiastically give of their time to benefit us all.
“Among the many appointed boards, commissions and committees, there are a number of vacancies that may filled by the members of our community who seek an opportunity to volunteer, gain knowledge of their municipal government, and provide service to the town. Some boards have minimal commitments, others are more hands-on and skill-driven, but all play an important role in keeping our community strong and vibrant.”
Click here for a list of all town boards, commissions and committees.
Those alpacas didn’t fall from the sky. The Wakeman Town Farm Committee helps oversee activities there. (Photo/Cathy Malkin)
Wayne Blickenstaff — aka “Blick” — was a key member of the Eighth Air Force, part of the England-based World War II air campaign against Germany. Rising to lieutenant colonel, flying P-47 Thunderbolts and P-51 Mustangs, he flew 133 destroyed 10 enemy aircraft.
After the war, Blickenstaff settled in Westport. For many years, he was part of Famous Artists School.
Now he’s written a book. “Ace in a Day” will be published in September.
Amazon calls it “Blick’s honest and gritty personal memoir of his air war in Europe. His vivid writing places you in the cockpit as he and his comrades battle the enemy in the skies or attack ground targets across Europe. His account conveys a true sense of just how dangerous flying World War II fighters, in all weather conditions, really was.
“It was not just the enemy that could kill you. A moment’s inattention, overconfidence or simple mistake could be deadly. As a keen observer of character, Blick’s pen portraits of those around him, including many of those who sadly did not survive the war, offer a poignant and deeply moving tribute to those with whom he served.” Click here for more information. (Hat tip: Laurie Woog)
Staples High School sophomore Grace Power has a big role in Amy Schumer’s new series “Life & Beth.” It debuted on Hulu this month.
Grace — who was part of last year’s Staples Players radio shows — is seen in 7 episodes, as “Young Liz,” the best friend of Amy’s younger version of herself.
The New York Times says: “The straightforward, emotionally grounded acting that much of ‘Life & Beth’ requires isn’t Schumer’s strength, but … Grace Power (is) also good as Beth’s best friend in the flashbacks.” (Hat tip: Nicole Mayr)
Grace Power
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This Sunday (March 27, noon to 5 p.m., 190 Main Street), the CAMP Gallery hosts “Sip and Shop for a Cause.” It’s a closing event for the current exhibition: “Not Dior’s New Look III.”
20% of the gallery’s commission will be donated to Fashion Fights Cancer. The organization provides design-oriented therapeutic programs to cancer patients, survivors and their loved ones.
In addition, all participating brands — Kristi Vosbeck, Rosie Assoulin, The Hidden Gem, Johnny Was, Boho Prep and Le Rouge Chocolates — will contribute a percentage of all event sales towards Fashion Fights Cancer, and efforts in Ukraine.
No, it’s not the Serengeti. But these deer grazing locally — today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature — do have something to do with Africa.
They’re at Nyala Farm. The corporate headquarters between the Sherwood Island Connector and Greens Farms Road, just north of I-95 Exit 18, was once part of the vast Bedford estate.
E.T. Bedford’s son Fred gave the house and farm its “Nyala” name for the spiral-horned antelope that had captivated his attention during a safari.
Forget 1st selectwoman. Who cares about superintendent of schools?
The real cool job is … Westport’s poet laureate.
The position comes vacant July 1. Diane Lowman — our first (and so far only) town poet completes her term June 30.
During her tenure, she recited and curated poetry at town ceremonies and events, schools, Senior Center, Library and arts events.
Diane was particularly creative during the pandemic, launching a lawn sign campaign to help raise spirits.
Haiku, by Westport poet laureate Diane Lowman
Westport’s poet laureate serves as an ambassador for both the town and the literary form, helping continue our vibrant literary history.
Specifically, the poet laureate:
Promotes poetry as a form of communication, inspiration, and entertainment for local residents.
Participates in Connecticut Poet Laureate group programs throughout the state.
Expands access to, and creates connection through, poetry.
Elevates awareness of and appreciation for all forms of poetry.
Advocates for poetry, literature and the arts.
Contributes to the town’s literary legacy through public readings and participation in civic events.
The First Selectwoman’s office appoints the poet laureate. The Westport Arts Advisory Committee administers the program.
Diane Meyer Lowman with her haiku, at the Westport Book Shop.
Candidates should be 21 years of age or older, live in Westport, and have a wide range of relevant knowledge and experience. They must be comfortable with public speaking, and willing to work collaboratively with the school district, Library and other cultural organizations to develop and present poetry-related activities and events.
Of course — this being poetry — the position is honorary and non-compensated. The term runs for 2 years.
Click here for the application packet. The deadline is April 15. Questions? Email waac@westportct.gov,with the subject line “Poet.”
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To run on the Independent Party line, Rosenwaks needed signatures from 1% of the number of people who voted in the previous selectperson’s race: 85 registered voters.
