Monday Photographer Take Over: Uzi Greenman, 7th Grader
While the Editor is away this week, local photographers have volunteered to take over the photography for The Westport Local Press - giving the community a new perspective on the town day-by-day, photo-by-photo, through the lens of our community's photographers. Monday: Uzi Greenman, Bedford Middle School 7th Grader
Today’s take-over photographer is seventh grader Uzi Greenman. Uzi may be new to the photography world, but he and his Canon catch the community as he sees it. Uzi will have the day to seek out the photos he wants to share with the viewers, and then he’ll send them to the editor for publishing later today. Good thing there’s no school this week!
Thank you, Uzi, for volunteering to take over today.
Drive-In Concert Tickets Go On Sale Monday at 10:00 AM
The Dark Desert Eagles BandThe Westport-Weston Chamber of Commerce and Westport Library are pleased to announce the next weekend of Drive-in Concerts. Dark Desert Eagles, will perform the music of America's greatest rock act, the Eagles, on Friday and Saturday night May 14 and 15.
The nationally touring act is staying close to home during the pandemic and will play Westport for two nights bringing a phenomenal recreation of the Eagles, including Joe Walsh music to the drive-in. These are not to be missed concerts.
"If you love the Eagles, you will truly enjoy this show," said Matthew Mandell, Executive Director and president of the Westport-Weston Chamber of Commerce. "There are cover bands, and then there are truly tributes and this band will meet every expectation.
“It will be ‘One of These Nights" remarked Westport Library Executive Director Bill Harmer. “Time to ‘Take it Easy’ at a Supper & Soul concert at the drive-in! I can’t wait!”
Tickets for each show are $150 per car (5 person max). Tickets for both shows will go on sale on Monday April 12th at 10am. www.westportwestonchamber.com/supper
The rain date for either show is Sunday May 16th.
The sponsor of the event is Franny's of Westport.
Please support local businesses by getting takeout and bringing it to the show.
It is unknown where things will be in terms of the pandemic come the fall. The Chamber, Library and Town will assess the situation as it relates to outdoor concerts. Hopefully things will have returned to normal and Supper & Soul will once again be held in the Library’s Trefz Forum
Westport is Remarkable Once Again as Drive-in Movies Return for the 2021 Season
James and Jack Fenn enjoyed the Remarkable Theater's season opening last night with their father Noah. The boys, wrapped in sleeping bags in the tailgate of their car, enjoyed National Lampoon's Vacation. Westport is Remarkable once again as the silver screen was constructed and sound tests were completed at nearly 1:00 AM Thursday morning in preparation for yesterday’s opening night.
Previews before last night’s 2021 debut. The Remarkable Theater, a non-profit organization run by volunteers, began last year as a way to bring movies back to Westport. However amidst the pandemic, the big screen and staff accomplished much more than showing a movie - they brought a community together in a year when it was so far apart.
With social distancing and safety guidelines in place, the pop-up drive-in movie theater has quickly become a part of the Westport community and became an event that many wanted to keep as tradition, even when movie theaters opened again for customers.
The Remarkable Theater’s mission is to “Build a culturally rich, community focused movie theater to provide purposeful employment to individuals with disabilities.”
Projectionist Daniel Meeson assures the show goes on for viewers at the Remarkable Theater’s opening night. He works from the back of a small box truck, with all equipment being tested until nearly 1:00 AM Thursday morning. Mission accomplished.
While driving into the Imperial Avenue parking lot, guests become part of the remarkable community of staff and fellow guests. The reflective vest-wearing staff guide your car into the lot and answer any questions you may have, or just to say hi. As the engines turn off, neighbors and friends enjoy each other’s company from a distance while lawn chairs and rollable tables are set up for dinner and drinks.
Through the appreciation from the staff members and the honking of the horns in celebration - this is no ordinary movie experience, and it’s one that’s here to stay.
The Remarkable Theater tickets can be purchased here on their website.
Movies include classics such as Jaws or Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, or Minari - a movie still in theaters that was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture, and won a Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film.
A young viewer enjoys the movie from the trunk of their family’s car. Upcoming Movie Schedule:
Today: Ratatouille (7:30 PM)
Tomorrow, April 10th: When Harry Met Sally (7:30 PM)
Tuesday, April 13th: Minari (7:30 PM)
Dining Al Fresco at Basso on Jesup Road
Tonight’s warm weather and the invitation of live music had Basso Wine Bar busy tonight. The restaurant had applied for live music after their opening a few months ago, hoping to bring life to the usually quiet section of downtown by the Library.
Setting Sun over Myrtle Avenue Cherry Blossoms
The setting sun gave bright light to a cherry tree along the canal at Myrtle Avenue, near Route 1.
Compo Hill Scene
A Nordic Tug, which hails from Ned Dimes Marina, passes by Compo Beach with Compo Hill overlooking the scene this evening.
Let’s Go Fly a Kite
A family flies a kite off of Compo Beach this afternoon ahead of a blustery Saturday.
Town Marinas Open Today to Boaters
A boat on B dock at Ned Dimes Marina sits in its berth this afternoon as the gates were unlocked to boaters this morning, beginning the boating season in Westport. Town marinas at both Compo Beach and Longshore Club Park sell out quickly each year, with some spots having a waitlist of over a decade.
Note From the Editor: Being Human
From the Executive Editor & Founder, Jaime Bairaktaris
There is a human behind the scenes here. It’s - truly - just me at the moment.
After these few months of working independently, I’m more sure on what the future is for The Westport Local Press; a wonderful experience filled with beautiful photos, a wider scope of coverage, and more consistent content on media like Instagram. It’s filled with other photographers and writers, thinkers and creators.
But sometimes, like this weekend, I’m reminded that it really is just me. And sometimes, like this weekend, I get emails about why I missed a story.
Yesterday hundreds of members of our community lined the driveway to the YMCA building to support a six year old boy being moved into hospice care. The boy is a recipient of a Make a Wish foundation wish, and his wish was to swim at the YMCA, enjoy a pizza party, and to pet a bearded dragon.
The call for people to support him spread like wildfire in a town filled with people who care about others. After hundreds reacted to the post, it was clear that our community would support this little boy and his family with as many cheers, posters, claps, balloons, and people as possible.
A commenter described a request for no news coverage. I took a moment to reflect on how this story would work on The Westport Local Press - what purpose it would serve.
At the end of the day, any story I write would not make that boy any happier. The purpose of the day was for him to feel the love of the strangers around him, for his family to feel the love of the strangers around him, and for him to eat his pizza, swim in the pool, and pet a bearded dragon. Nothing I could write will provide those things.
So I put my camera away, put my phone in my pocket, and I walked to the side of the roadway to await the boy’s arrival.
As the limousine pulled up to the driveway, I recognized the crowd around me feel the weight of the moment. Hundreds of families, firefighters, police officers, sports teams, and YMCA staff members all clapping and cheering - balloons raised and posters waving.
And there I was, waving and cheering with them as the boy’s small face poked out from the window of the passing limousine.
I felt the weight of mothers explaining to their children that it wasn’t his birthday. I felt the weight of the people whose masks were absorbing their tears. I felt the weight from the power of our community, and I felt the weight of a little boy’s simple wish for a pool, a pizza, and a bearded dragon.
Sometimes it’s not possible to feel that weight with a camera in-hand.
Sometimes I’m reminded that I’m human, and I miss a story.
This was one that I did not miss. I experienced it with so many of you. I felt the weight.
Full Gallery: Protest Against Asian Hate on Jesup Green
Photos by Jaime Bairaktaris, Jenaé Weinbrenner, and Harris Falk for The Westport Local Press.