The Westport Library’s children’s section bursts with great materials.
Now it’s even fuller. They’ve added 379 new books and audiobooks to their digital collection.
Among the authors: Kwame Alexander, Dhonielle Clayton, Beverly Cleary, Suzanne Collins, Kate DiCamillo, Sarah J. Maas, Rick Riordan, Lemony Snicket, Jasmine Warga and Laura Ingalls Wilder.
Oh yeah: Westport’s own Tommy Greenwald is in there too.
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WPKN-FM (89.5 in Bridgeport) — called by the New Yorker “the greatest radio station in the world” — will air the complete original recording of the 1969 Woodstock festival next month.
Not the double album released as the “Woodstock” movie soundtrack.
Not some outtakes, added later.
The entire concert. Complete musical performances by every band — all 32 sets, from Richie Havens, Joan Baez, the Who, Sly & the Family Stone, Johnny Winter, Ten Years After, Blood, Sweat & Tears, Santana, Joe Cocker, Canned Heat, The Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin, The Band, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Jimi Hendrix and more.
Every stage announcement. The entire 4-day affair, 55 years after it happened.
The show runs August 15-18, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.
What makes this “06880”-worthy is the Jim Motavalli connection. WPKN’s publicity director — a 1970 Staples High School graduate — was at Woodstock.
He drove to Max Yasgur’s farm with his twin brother John (also a longtime WPKN DJ) in their first car, a 1962 Chevy Nova convertible.
Jim Motavalli recalls: “I had a wonderful time. I was 17. People always ask me about the music, but a big part of what made it special was the tribal gathering, Woodstock Nation if you will. Just being there was exciting, though the music wasn’t half bad.”
The Westport Artists Collective’s opening reception at the Ethan Allen Design Center was packed, earlier this month.
There should be a great crowd too, at the closing party (August 1, 5 to 7 p.m., Fresh Market shopping plaza opposite Mitchells).
Ten members’ works are displayed through several room settings, on the walls and easels. The public is invited.
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Set your alarm. (Or program your device.)
“Loving” — the 1970 film about a successful illustrator, his mistress and alcohol — will air on TCM this Friday (July 26), at 12:15 a.m.
It’s of interested to “06880” readers for 3 reasons. The film was based on “Brooks Wilson Ltd.,” a novel by Westporter John McDermott.
It was filmed in part here, at the Saugatuck train station, Greens Farms Elementary School, Main Street, and a private home on 27 Long Lots Road.
And it starred George Segal and Eva Marie Saint (a Westport Country Playhouse regular). Local residents Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward appeared as extras. Westporter Diana Douglas also had a role.
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Westport resident Peggy Lovro — a native of China, and a Mandarin teacher at Brien McMahon High School’s Center for Global Studies in Norwalk — was the guest speaker at the Westport Rotary Club’s Tuesday meeting.
She discussed the benefits of international study tour programs for cross-cultural learning. CGS — a magnet school focused on languages — attracts students from throughout Fairfield County.
Peggy Lovro
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This may not be where you and I — or even many birds — would perch.
But there’s no place like home, for these Cockenoe Island residents.
Carl McNair snapped today’s “Westport … Naturally” image.
And finally … Abdul “Duke” Fakir, the last surviving member of the legendary Four Tops, died Monday in Detroit. He was 88, and suffered from heart failure.
The group — founded in the 1950s and active through the 2000s — achieved its greatest fame with a string of ’60s Motown hits. Fakir’s tenor blended well with lead singer Levi Stubbs’ baritone.
There are way too many great Four Tops songs to include here. These are just some of my favorites. (Click here for a full obituary.)
(I can’t help myself: I’ve got to ask readers to click here to support “06880.” Thank you, sugar pie honey bunch.)
Lynn Flint wrote yesterday: “The ground ozone count for today in Westport is 122 (way high).
“Anything above 70 is considered USG (unhealthy for sensitive groups). Normal is around 10.
“The same high count is forecast for Friday.
“This condition is invisible, not like forest fire smoke. I’ve noticed it the last few days whenever I was outside my eyes started to burn, my vision became blurry, and I started to cough vigorously.”
Be careful out there!
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A reader writes: “Students graduating during the COVID lockdown in 2020 were denied graduation ceremonies, and the accompanying fanfare and celebrations.
“To create alternative markers of these students’ accomplishments, schools produced and distributed lawn signs for each graduate’s family to display.
“Now, 4 years later, I see lawn signs for Staples, Bedford, even Goddard School graduates. Why?
“Can we please stop, for the sake of our landfills? Graduates are able once again to celebrate and be celebrated.
“So let’s end the practice of producing plastic signs that do not get recycled. biodegrade or do anything useful.”
A celebration of Leonard Everett Fisher’s life is set for this coming Monday (June 24, 3 to 6 p.m., Westport Library).
The date is special. It would have been the noted illustrator/artist, longtime civic volunteer and proud World War II veteran’s 100th birthday.
Donations in his and his wife’s name can be made to “Margery & Leonard Everett Fisher Endowment for Children’s Books in the Arts,” c/o Westport Library, 20 Jesup Road, Westport, CT 06880.
Leonard Everett Fisher (Photo/Ted Horowitz)
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Only 2 athletic facilities in Westport — Paul Lane Field at Staples High School, and PJ Roman Field behind Saugatuck Elementary — have lights.
That may change.
Now that a 10-year agreement with Staples neighbors has expired — and with more demands on fields than ever, due to the growth of sports like rugby and girls lacrosse — discussions are beginning about lighting more places.
The Planning & Zoning Commission Recreation Subcommittee meets next Thursday (June 27, noon, Zoom; click here for the town website livestream).
The agenda includes:
Review of participant feedback on athletic field lighting for properties (seen here).
Discussion of temporary vs. permanent lighting, and times of the day.
Discussion of the next steps in implementing athletic field lighting.
Paul Lane Field (lower right) is Staples’ only lighted athletic facility. the baseball diamond, and adjacent Albie Loeffler Field and Jinny Park Field are not. (Photo/Dan Woog)
Tickets for Billie Jean King’s appearance at the 25th annual “Booked for the Evening” — the Westport Library’s signature fundraiser (September 12) — go on sale Monday, July 15, at 10 am.
Speaking of summer: It was the solstice — and a full moon last night.
Dalma Heyn captured the scene, at Old Mill Beach:
(Photo/Dalma Heyn)
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Congratulations to Katie Augustyn. The longtime Westporter is the Sunrise Rotary Club’s new president for 2024-25. She was inducted Wednesday.
Katie Augustyn (center), at her Sunrise Rotary presidency induction. Looking on are the 2023-24 president Liz Wong, and Robert Friend, Rotary district governor.
The former marketing manager of the Westport Library’s Verso Studios — who is also a film director and musician — has been named director of operations and new initiatives at WPKN, Bridgeport’s free-form, listener-supported FM radio station.
At Verso Studios, Toller helped develop the mission, partnerships, and programming and marketing efforts.
Brendan Toller (Photo/Michael Civitello)
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Jianmei “Jamie” Zheng died June 14 at Yale-New Haven Hospital, with her family by her side, after a battle with lymphoma. She was 61.
She was born in China. After she and Ping Zhou married in 1986, Jamie earned a master’s degree in computer science from the Illinois Institute of Technology.
They and their 2 children eventually settled in Westport, where they lived for the past 18 years.
Jamie was a lifelong enthusiast of music and the arts. As a girls she performed traditional Chinese dance onstage, and later developed a love for classical music and opera. She followed that passion through world travel. Locally, she enjoyed MoCA CT, the Westport Country Playhouse, Westport Community Theatre, the Music Theatre of Connecticut and Fairfield University’s Quick Center.
Jamie practiced yoga, and was a founding member of a book club. She also found great happiness at Sherwood Island State Park, and relished in her daughter’s accomplishments.
In addition to her beloved husband Ping of 38 years, Jamie is survived by her daughters Connie (Scott) and Katie, and brothers Jianquan and Jianbin.
A memorial service is set for June 29 (11 a.m., Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Westport).
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Jamie’s memory can be made to the American Cancer Society.
Jamie Zheng
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While Westporters sweltered, these swans enjoyed cool Lees Pond.
Amy Swanson spotted them, for today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature.
AAPI Heritage Month — celebrating Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders — starts this week. AAPI Westport is ready.
Among the events:
Middle School Anime Night (Friday, May 3; 7 to 9:30 p.m., Toquet Hall; $10). Watch “Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods,” play trivia with prizes, and enjoy Japanese snacks and sodas. Open to all students in grades 6-8. Click here to register.
“Flavors of Fun: Filipino Cooking Demonstration with Denise deCastro of Dee Cuisine” (Friday, May 17; 11:30 a.m. to 1:30pm, Westport Weston Family Y; $40). Learn how to cook lumpia and pancit. Click here to register.
AAPI 5K run/walk (Saturday, May 18; 9 a.m., West Hartford Town Hall). Click here to register.
AAPI Westport Book Club discussion of “Yellowface” by RF Kuang (May 22; 6 p.m., Westport Book Shop.
Follow on Instagram: @aapiwestport.
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This is the night for StartUp Westport’s inaugural Innovator of the Year Award.
Westport’s public/private entrepreneurial partnership honors Jimmy Pitaro, CEO of ESPN. He’ll be interviewed by fellow Westporter (and ESPN host) Mike Greenberg.
Tonight’s (Tuesday) event begins at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 in advance (click here), $30 at the door.
Next Monday’s Planning & Zoning Commission meeting (May 6, 7 p.m.; Zoom) includes a pre-application to preserve the existing historic building at 125 Riverside Avenue, and also build a new principal building.
During the public session, the P&Z will discuss a proposal by Longshore Hospitality for interior and exterior renovations to the Inn at Longshore.
Channel 7 reporter Joe Torres came to town. Liz Kaner spotted his van on her street off Roseville Road, asked if he was there to do a coyote story, and told him that her dog had been attacked Wednesday night.
That was the second attack on their road in 2 weeks.
Torres also interviewed Westport Police Lieutenant Eric Woods, and Minette Nelson at Winslow Park.
Meanwhile, Liz reports: “Snickers sustained 2 abdominal wounds. One was very serious, and required immediate surgery.
“She fared well under the competent and loving care of Schulhof veterinarian Lyndsey Westerfield (who stayed with her well into the night, despite having 2 small children at home).
“Today Snickers seems to have turned the corner. Her wounds are healing nicely, and her disposition is returning back to normal (via the excitable tail wag).”
Fantastic bouquets — designed by Sarah Shaw Floral — can be ordered through noon on May 7. Pickup is at WTF on Saturday, May 11 (9 to noon). HINT: That’s the day before Mother’s Day.
The cost is $85. The look on your mother’s (or wife’s) face will be priceless.
Also at the Farm:
“Cooking with Herbs,” with chef Laura Weinman (May 16, 7 p.m., $100; BYOB).
“Make Fruit Preserves” with award-winning preserver Maureen Estony (June 2, 11 to 1 p.m., $100).
“Spring Cooking for Grades K-2” (May 20; June 3, 10, 17; 4:15 to 5:45 p.m.; $200).
Click here for more details, and registration information.
Say it with flowers, from Wakeman Town Farm.
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Staples’ Service League of Boys were not the only young people doing good deeds this past weekend.
On Sunday, Troop 36 gave Saugatuck Congregational Church — its chartered organization — a new flag. The previous one, which hung in front of the building, was destroyed by winter storms.
But that’s not all.
After helping out with the church service, Troop 36 members cleaned up the outdoor chapel, adjacent to Winslow Park. It was a troop Eagle project years ago.
Scouts cleared the nearby path, removed trash and debris, replenished mulch and fixed the border. They also removed benches with rotted footings, and will replace them soon.
Troop 36, near the outdoor chapel. From left: Jack Donroe, Calvin Jahansouz, Vishal Puttagunta, Dylan O’Brien, Finn Martens, Kevin O’Brien, Eagle Scout Dylan Kurpiel. Missing: Naveen Podlich.
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On May 6 (4 p.m., Staples Field), the Wrecker baseball team honors the resilience and strength of people who have triumphed over breast cancer.
The event will recognize individuals who have shown exceptional courage in their battle against breast cancer. The first pitch will be thrown by noted breast oncologist, Westport resident Dr. Richard Zelkowitz.
Attendees — who are encouraged to wear pink — will have opportunities to support the Saugatuck “SurviveOars” Rowing Program, purchase pink items, receive pink giveaways, and engage with the Staples High School baseball community.
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Sure, the temperature climbed near 80 yesterday.
But the temperature was only 48 degrees yesterday morning. And the water was even colder.
That does not deter Andy Berman, who swims nearly every morning. He was joined Monday by Representative Town Meeting member Andrew Colabella and Matt Davis.
“It has so many health positives!” Andrew said.
Through chattering teeth.
From left: Matt Davis, Andrew Colabella, Andy Berman.
The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival draws 400,000 visitors each year, over 10 days, for a musical and culinary all-you-can-consume buffet.
Proceeds fund civic causes (including recovery from Hurricane Katrina), and keep the spirit of the birthplace of jazz alive. Over the years, Jazz Fest expanded to include a greater variety of musicians. This year’s headliners are the Rolling Stones.
Richard Epstein learned about Jazz Fest from friends, and was hooked. The Staples High School graduate has had a dual career — dentist and musician — since moving back to the area in 1976.
He plays bassoon in the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra, and sax with the Westport Community Band.
But his “ultimate play time” is his radio program. “Sometimes Classical” blends just about every genre of music imaginable. It airs on WPKN-FM (89.5) for 3 hours, every other Wednesday afternoon.
Epstein introduced himself to WWOZ, Jazz Fest’s official radio station, as a kindred free-form spirit. They were starting to simulcast Jazz Fest, letting other media outlets tap into their live coverage.
WPKN is now in its 4th year of simulcasting parts of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Tune in this weekend (May 3-5) for the final weekend of Jazz Fest ’24. Click here to see WPKN’s Jazz Fest programming.
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Speaking of jazz: This week’s Jazz at the Post features The Jim Royle Caribbean Jazz Connection. Leader and drummer Bryan Garbe has crossed genres of jazz and Caribbean Latin styles for years.
The Connection features Jim’s former student and steel pan player Bryan Garbe. The acclaimed percussionist grew up in Fairfield.
The band also includes John Mobilio on bass, Greg “The Jazz Rabbi” Wall on saxes, and pianist David Childs.
There are 2 shows at VFW Joseph J. Clinton Post 399 this Thursday (May 2): 7:30 and 8:45 p.m. Dinner service begins at 7. The music cover is $20 ($15 for veterans and students.)
Reservations are strongly recommended: JazzatthePost@gmail.com.
Jim Royle.
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Longtime Westport resident Robert McCarthy died Saturday at home, surrounded by family. He was 94.
Bob served in the Navy aboard the USS Zellars, during the Korean conflict. He owned a successful plumbing business for over 60 years, and was known for his “smarts, humor and dedication to his customers.”
He enjoyed his family, golf, the beach and his wife of 68 years Jennie’s homemade manicotti.
Bob coached baseball, and was a member of the VFW Joseph J. Clinton Post 399, the Knights of Columbus, and the Westport Volunteer Fire Department. He also served on the Church of the Assumption Parish Council.
The Norwalk native was predeceased by his wife, sisters Jean and Mary, and brother Walter.
Bob is survived by his children Kevin (Beth) of Westport, Brian (Lena) of Fairfield, Kathy Sabitsky (Stan) of Milford, and Brennan (Jenny) of Westport; grandchildren Justin, Sarah, Kaitlin, Josh, Matt, Nick, Zach, Jack and Charlie; great-grandchild Maeve, and numerous nieces and nephews.
His family will receive friends on Thursday (May 2, 4 to 7 p.m., Magner Funeral Home, 12 Mott Avenue, Norwalk). A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 3, at Assumption Church. Burial with full military honors will follow at Willowbrook Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Connecticut Hospice or the Tunnels to Towers Foundation.
And finally … On this day in 1975, Communist forces gained control of Saigon. The Vietnam War formally ended, with the unconditional surrender of South Vietnamese president Dương Văn Minh.
(“06880” — your hyper-local blog — relies on readers like you. Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
Posted onJanuary 20, 2024|Comments Off on Library And VersoFest: “Stop Making Sense”
A remixed, remastered, 4K, 40th anniversary re-release of Jonathan Demme’s 1984 film “Stop Making Sense“ has excited Talking Heads fans — and members like Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth, who across the Sturges Highway border in Fairfield.
There’s been a nationwide publicity tour, with everyone from Stephen Colbert to Sonic Youth’s Kim Gordon paying tribute.
Now it’s coming to Westport.
On February 9, the re-release comes toThe Westport Library.
The event is a benefit for both VersoFest and WPKN-FM, where Frantz hosts a monthly radio show (“The Talking Head”).
‘PKN DJs will spin vinyl before and after the film, followed by a Q-and-A with Frantz and Weymouth.
VersoFest 2024 — the 4-day music and media conference and festival featuring performances, panels and workshops — takes place April 4-7. Music producer Tony Visconti and pop rockers the Lemon Twigs have already been signed. More names will be announced soon.
Frantz and Weymouth supported VersoFest since its inception. He has moderated discussions with music producer Steve Lillywhite and Psychedelic Furs front man Richard Butler, and discussed his memoir “Remain in Love.”
For 60 years, WPKN (89.5) has been a hallmark of listener-supported, freeform community radio. The New Yorker called it “the greatest radio station in the world.”
Verso Studios — with its 18×10-foot LED screen and concert hall sound system, has screened Connecticut premieres of Todd Haynes’ Velvet Underground documentary, and other innovative screenings.
Dancing in the aisles is encouraged.
Click here for tickets (starting at $20), and more information. The night includes a cash bar.
(“06880” relies on reader support. Please click here to make a tax-deductible contribution. Thank you!)
Comments Off on Library And VersoFest: “Stop Making Sense”
A Better Chance of Westport’s “Dream Event” is one of the highlights of our fundraising year. It’s a chance to honor the students, graduating seniors and alumni of the program, which brings youngsters from underserved schools to Staples to study, and Westport to live.
COVID pushed the gala back from June to November 13. However, with restrictions still in place, organizers must cancel altogether.
ABC welcome scholars back last month. Resident directors and tutors returned too. They’re all adjusting to the “new normal,” including hybrid learning at Staples High School.
Cancellation of the Dream Event is a big blow to the organization, which relies heavily on community support. Click here to learn more.
Talenthood is a new app that connects families with children (K through 7th grade) and Staples students with talent in different areas. The focus is on sports, music, technology, creative hobbies and academics. There are also babysitting and lifeguard services.
A portion of the profits goes to charities. Amanda Rowan — a Staples student directing the service, who loves working with youngsters — has chosen the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and Pink Aid.
Dr. Bob Dempsey — flight director for the International Space Station — Zooms into Westport on October 20 (8 p.m.) for an online talk.
The Westport Astronomical Society-sponsored event is open to the public. Click here for details. It’s also available on the WAS’ YouTube channel.
The online talk is open to the public: we are one of the few things you cando in Westport that is free and greatly expand your knowledge.
After 57 years of broadcasting from the University of Bridgeport, WPKN (89.5) has moved. The new studio — recently renovated Bijou Square, in downtown Bridgeport — will be the new home for Westporters like programmer Ina Chadwick, fundraiser and development director Richard Epstein; Staples graduates like communications guru Jim Motavalli, and the station’s enormous stable of Westport fans.
And finally … we won’t have ABC’s Dream Event this year. But we can have:
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The event is a benefit for both VersoFest and WPKN-FM, where Frantz hosts a monthly radio show (“The Talking Head”).
