Staples Girls Basketball Hosts Their First Summer Slam Jam
On August 22nd, the Staples Girls Basketball program hosted its first Summer Slam Jam 3 on 3 tournament at Staples High School. The tournament was held from 9am-2:30pm for grades 3-8. In addition to the tournament, the youth players participated in three point contests and skills challenges with hopes of winning each respective trophy! Over 60 youth basketball players participated in the event and had the opportunity to meet players and coaches from the Staples Girls Basketball Program. It was a fun filled day of competition and was a great day to bring the community together.
contributed photos.
Wreckers Varsity Head Coach Tommy Sparks, left and Assistant Coach Tara Bennett and the Staples Girls Basketball Team with the 3rd/4th grade Summer Slam Jam participants. Coach Sparks led the Wreckers to 2nd place in the FCIAC last year and the semi-finals of the Division II State Championship. He is working to train players to reach varsity level skills.
Above, left, Staples Girls Basketball players Kennedy Do(center) and Presley Heyer (right) pose with a few of the contest participants and above right, Assistant Coach Tara Bennett, Varsity Captain Chloe Smith ('24-25 1st Team All FCIAC, '25-26 2nd Team All FCIAC) , Assistant Coach Jim O'Donoghue all helped run the event.
Head Coach Sparks described the event this way: “The boys team has utilized this is as a fundraiser for their program. We decided to emulate it for the girls and try it this summer. It was a great opportunity to raise money for the program and also created excitement within the basketball community in town. It allowed youth players to interact with current HS players and build connections between the youth and HS programs. We pride ourselves on establishing synergy within the entire basketball community from the rec level to the HS level. Other schools may not do exactly this. They have their own ideas of how to raise money for their programs. We decided to utilize this because it also gives parents an opportunity to see their kids compete in a fun-filled day at their future school".
Coach Sparks told WestportLocalPress, “Fundraising goes towards pre-game attire, basketball supplies, pre-game meals and extracurricular team activities. Generally, the school has a flat rate of funding. We just raise the difference for everything we need.”
Above: At the conclusion of the 3 on 3 games, girls had the opportunity to compete in a skills contest and 3 point shooting contest.
Head Coach Tommy Sparks, Asst. Coach Tara Bennett and the Staples Girls Basketball Program with some of the 5th/6th Grade participants.
Grammy Winner, Icon Bonnie Raitt Thrills Audience At The Levitt Pavilion
Photos And Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge.
The Levitt Pavilion had sought to bring iconic recording artist Bonnie Raitt to the Epstein Stage for many years and her performance on August 9, 2026 was the happy result of those efforts and as expected, was more than worth the wait. As expected, tickets for the concert which was part of the Levitt Pavilion's annual gala program sold out quickly and the packed house of close to 2000 attendees got exactly the memorable performance from this 14-time Grammy Award winning singer, songwriter and guitarist extraordinaire they were expecting.
Few recording artists can boast the resumé that Bonnie Raitt has compiled during her stellar, 55 year career which began in the 60's plains coffeehouses and clubs while attending Radcliffe College, at that time, the women's college associated Harvard University. Her remarkable talent has been proven to be outstanding in multiple genres, including her deep roots in traditional blues. Bonnie Raitt is widely considered one of the absolute best slide guitar players in blues and rock history. Icons like B.B. King famously called her the “best damn slide player working today”, praising her fluid tone, vocal-like phrasing, and deep emotional feel. Raitt has achieved success and is widely recognized as a top musical artist in both rock, pop, R&B and in her early career, folk genres.
Photos And Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge.
The audience was delighted when Raitt performed some of her longtime fans' favorites including "Three Time Loser" from one of her early best selling albums, "Sweet Forgiveness", released in 1977. Fans instantly recognized the opening of "Something To Talk About" from "Luck Of The Draw", one of her biggest hits which reached #5 on the US Billboard Hot 100 list winning her another Grammy in 1992 and which brought the crowd to their feet again.
Her cover of the INXS song, "Need You Tonight" was followed by one of her most beloved songs, "Nick Of Time", from her eponymous, epic 10th studio album which earned her not only THREE Grammy's including Album Of The Year, but notched her first number-one album on the Billboard 200 in 1989, selling more than 5 million copies.
Photos And Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge.
Bonnie performed the hauntingly beautiful "Angel From Montgomery", which appears on "Streetlights", a song written by John Prine whom Raitt loved and deeply admired, remarking that she did not perform Prine's music for some time after he passed in 2020 from COVID complications. "Angel" has been called an American Roots standard and Prine, after hearing Raitt's cover was heard to remark that that he felt the song was written just for her. The two performed together frequently over the years and upon his passing Raitt performed the song as a poignant tribute to Prine at the 62nd Grammy Awards.
Her encore also included a cover of the major Talking Heads hit, "Burning Down The House" Her final song, "Dimming Of The Day" was performed on her 1994 studio album "Longing In Their Hearts". The track featured guest acoustic guitar and background contributions from the song's writer, Richard Thompson.
Nearly 2,000 ticket holders stream into the Levitt seating area as showtime nears.
Were You There?
If not, see the wonderful show that everyone enjoyed in this story and photos. Please share with friends!
Bonnie Raitt takes the stage to the thunderous applause of the audience, many of whom are longtime fans.
Photos And Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge.
Audience members include, clockwise: Shelly Kahan, CEO of Interstate Premier Building Products and wife Joanne, Roger Leifer, Leifer Properties, both longtime Levitt Pavilion sponsors, artists MIggs Burroughs and Kathrine Ross, and Nancy Axthelm, Christine and Jim Corgel.
Above, the Plotkin family, Fred, Janet and Amanda, supporters for whom the Plotkin Family Terrace was dedicated, the Siegel family and friends, Beth and Russ Berkowitz, Evita Allen and friend, Abby Siegel (in black), Peter and Alyson Angus, Beth Berkowitz, and Carleigh Welsh, unknown couple with Shelly Kahan, CEO of Interstate Premier Building Products and wife Joanne, Dan Woog, Jim and Lisa Farnen.
The Annie Lenox song, "Little Bird" was another cover she performed near the end of her set which inspired another "Standing O" as she left the stage. The eagerly anticipated encore brought yet another with the audience welcoming her as she began "I Can't Make You Love Me", also from "Luck Of The Draw" is one of her fans most loved songs and became one of her most successful singles, achieving a Billboard Hot 100 top-twenty spot and a top-ten on their Adult Contemporary chart. There was yet another accolade, In August 2000, Mojo magazine voted "I Can't Make You Love Me" the eighth best track on its "The 100 Greatest Songs of All Time" list.
Her encore also included a cover of the major Talking Heads hit, "Burning Down The House" Her final song, "Dimming Of The Day" was performed on her 1994 studio album "Longing In Their Hearts". The track featured guest acoustic guitar and background contributions from the song's writer, Richard Thompson.
Photos And Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge.
For more than 50 years, Westport’s Levitt Pavilion has been a premier music and entertainment venue in Fairfield county. The Levitt Pavilion Gala & Concert is made possible by lead underwriting from the Arthur and Claudia Cohen Family; the Gala cocktail party which was a prelude to this incredible performance is supported annually by Roz & Bud Siegel. The proceeds from the Gala help support the Levitt Pavilion’s signature free programming. Each season includes over 50 shows presented free-of-charge as well as diverse programming, from May into October.
Photos And Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge.
The Levitt Pavilion remains an independent and unique not-for-profit organization established by the Westport community in 1973. Now in its 52nd season, the organization continues to light up the iconic intimate amphitheater it built as its home with ambitious programming and dynamic community outreach.
For information about the Levitt Pavilion, visit www.levittpavilion.com
Westport's First “National Night Out” Draws Hundreds
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
On Tuesday, August 4, 2026 Westport hosted its first National Night Out in the Taylor parking lot alongside Jesup Green in downtown Westport. National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live and Westport this year joined more than a dozen other CT Police Departments, many of which have participated in the past. National Night Out 2026 saw participation from approximately 17,000 communities across all 50 states, U.S. territories, and military bases worldwide. While an exact individual count of separate municipal police departments is not centrally tallied, thousands of local law enforcement agencies join the annual campaign.
Planet Pizza's food truck was there and partner Marc Tomasulo, pictured above, gave out 150 pizzas to hungry attendees. Sunny Deas Ice Cream on Riverside Avenue gave out nearly 400 ice cream treats.
National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign held on the first Tuesday of August that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie. Established in 1984 by Matt Peskin in the western suburbs of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, National Night Out is sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch and is celebrated by communities across the United States. What began with neighbors turning on their porch lights and gathering outside their homes has grown into a nationwide event focused on making neighborhoods safer, stronger, and more connected.
Westport's inaugural National Night Out offered an evening of fun, education, and entertainment for the entire family. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet members of the Westport Police Department, Fire Department, and EMS while learning about crime prevention, fire safety, and first aid.
There were great local Westport bands entertaining the guests including Cecilia’s Garden, picture above, and The Splits.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
One of the big hits of the day was the Dunk-A-Cop booth. Here one of the kids takes careful aim to try to hit the red bull-eye causing the platform to collapse, dropping the Cop into the “pool”.
Going, Going, GONE!
Above, Corporal Bergamo challenges kids to hit the red bulls-eye and give him a good soaking in the Planet Bounce Dunk Tank.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
After getting a little water logged with the repeated successful attempts by kids eager to “dunk-a-cop”, Corporal Bergamo was given a chance to dry off a bit and it was then Officer Ned Batlin’s turn to make a splash, which he truly did, and more than a few times!
Above, clockwise: Westport PD Chief Dave Farrell opted for a drive demonstration of skill (rank has its privileges as they say) taking on all comers in a foul shot shooting contest. Farrell displayed some real skill, sinking bucks after bucket in the competition with visitors.
Officer Zach Lopez was proudly holding his little girl, Detective Ashley Delvecchio greeted guests, animal Control Officer Joe Saponare joined volunteers from partner organization Westport Animal Shelter Advocates with one of the dogs who are available for adoption.
Patrol Shift Commander Sereneti Dobson, member of the Westport Patrolman's Benevolent Organization was on hand to speak with visitors at the Italian American Police Society booth.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Westport Freemasons had a table and chatted with Night Out guests. Pictured above are Bruce Duff, Niko Hatsiandrou, Tom Fagan, Rich Soares, Jon Achar, Nick Tarzia, Westport PD Captain Eric Woods.
The event featured activities and demonstrations for all ages, including an Impaired driving course, K-9 demonstrations, Police drone demonstrations, Fire Department smoke trailer, and Crash simulator and a variety of games for the kids.
As with almost any event in Westport, there was at least one gorgeous dog, in this case a striking red and white Malamute, five-year old Rowan who was all to eager to demonstrate his ability to snag a treat and was a big hit getting lots of love from the attendees.
Above, Detective Sean Doyle taking the fingerprints to provide free child identification kits to Moms and Dads to help insure their children’s safety.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Hopalong Andrew Says "Howdy Pardners" At The Levitt Pavilion Children's Show
On Wednesday July 29th Westport families enjoyed a real treat when New York City’s famous singing cowboy Hopalong Andrew returned once again to the Levitt Pavilion with his five-piece band.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Singing clever and whimsical cowboy songs about city life performed in the great tradition of the American West, Hopalong Andrew pays homage to the singing cowboys and folk singers of yesteryear. It is high-spirited music meant for the all ages to enjoy, and enjoy they did, on a summer night which got off to a rough start with rain which fortunately ended just as Hopalong Andrew took the stage.
Andrew punctuated his performance with hijinks that delighted his young audience. He showed off his ropin' skills at one point lassoing a plush taxi cab perched on a stand. He loves to interact with his audience going into the crowd to sing and show off his cowboying skills.
More about Andrew:
Hopalong Andrew is a folk and western music artist from New York City who performs original and traditional songs, and often tapped by presenters for his “family music” appeal. His recordings include his multi-award-winning debut album “Howdy Do!” (2018) which celebrates city life and it’s inspirational “Can-Do Spirit.” His long-awaited follow-up release, “Everybody’s Invited to the Party,” is coming soon.
Everybody’s Invited to the Party is a richly produced, Americana-inspired album that brings the incredible-but-true multicultural heritage of the American West to life through the voice of the cowboy. Blending storytelling, humor, and history, the songs invite listeners of all ages into a shared musical experience—one that feels equally at home in the living room, the car, or out on the dusty trail.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
He often invites members of the audience to join him on stage to enhance their show experience. Here, the kids were invited to do their “buffalo dance”.
The new album features members of Bob Dylan’s band, Lake Street Dive, Bonny Light Horseman, and JRAD—along with a remarkable group of collaborators, including 19 GRAMMY winners and nominees—the album showcases a wide-ranging musical palette, from cinematic Western arrangements to folk, funk, Latin, and roots-inspired grooves. The album recognizes the cowboy as a co-created cultural icon—shaped and shared by the many voices and traditions within the interwoven tapestry of peoples that have comprised the American West. It celebrates this common heritage and the enduring “can-do spirit” that continues to bring people together across time and place.
Hopalong Andrew performs large concerts with a full band for major events and renowned national venues such as Wolf Trap National Park (VA), Levitt Pavilion (CT), State Theatre (NJ), Lancaster Fair (NH), New York Public Library, Central Park, Bryant Park, Oldtone Music Festival, Brooklyn Folk Festival, and many more. He also performs very a popular weekday morning concert series — as a one-man band in his hometown of New York City as chronicled in the May 2023 New York Magazine feature: “Hopalong Andrew Is the Hardest Working Cowboy Musician in Brooklyn”.
To find other performances and to stream his award-winning music online visit HopalongAndrew.
Addios Until Next Time!