Westport Schools: Public Library Kicks off Common Ground Series
The Westport Library, in conjunction with our community partners, is striving to bring civility back to civic discourse with its new Common Ground Initiative. The aim of the initiative is to host positive, productive conversations on how we work together to move forward as an engaged and respectful society, encourage constructive dialogue, and build capacity to tackle challenging and controversial issues.
The kickoff event in the Common Ground series will be held in the Library at 7 pm on Tuesday, May 2, featuring former U.S. Representative and Senator Roy Blunt of Missouri (facebook.com/RoyForMissouri), who earned a reputation for working across the aisle during his 30 years in Congress. He will be joined by noted attorney Steve Parrish, the founder of Steve Parrish Consulting Group, LLC, which specializes in corporate social responsibility, public affairs, and communications.
A more perfect union starts with us. Don’t miss this inaugural common ground conversation!
Event details: https://westportlibrary.org/event/common-ground-initiative-senator-roy-blunt-on-civil-discourse/
Morning Weather Report
Today
Mostly cloudy, with a high near 61. East wind 7 to 11 mph.
Tonight
Showers likely, mainly after 2am. Cloudy, with a low around 46. East wind 9 to 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Tomorrow
Showers. High near 54. Breezy, with an east wind 16 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Tomorrow Night
Showers likely, mainly before 2am. Cloudy, with a low around 48. Northeast wind 10 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Staples Jazz Takes 2nd Place Nationally; Lindau Named Outstanding Musician
contributed photoPress ReleaseThe Staples High School's Music Department is proud to announce that its Jazz Ensemble, directed by Mr. Phil Giampietro, took second place in the top division at the National Jazz Festival held in Philadelphia on Saturday, April 22nd. The ensemble's drummer, Witt Lindau, was also recognized with one of three Outstanding Musician medals.
The impressive showing at the festival is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the students and their instructors, including Bedford Middle School Band Director and Staples' Assistant Jazz Band Director, Gregg Winters, who played a critical part in the ensemble's development.
The Staples High School Jazz Ensemble's performance at the festival included a repertoire of outstanding pieces including "Cubauza" by Michael Philip Mossman, "Movin’ Uptown" by Benny Carter, edited by David Berger, "Groove Merchant" by Jerome Richardson, arr. Thad Jones, and "Shades On, Roof Down" by Eric Richards.
This marks the second time that the jazz program at Staples has been recognized nationally in recent years. The Staples High School Jazz Combo received first place in Small Ensemble Division 1 Live Performance at the 2021 National Jazz Festival.
Director Giampietro stated, "the Staples music faculty and I are so proud of our students and their hard work. This incredible achievement is a testament to their perseverance during the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic. I am inspired by their continued commitment to making great music.”
For more information about the Staples High School Music Department and its programs, please visit the department website www.staplesmusic.org.
Morning Weather Report
Today
A 20 percent chance of showers after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 60. Light and variable wind becoming southeast 5 to 7 mph in the morning.
Tonight
A 50 percent chance of showers, mainly after 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43. South wind 5 to 7 mph.
Tomorrow
A 30 percent chance of showers before 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 60. Northeast wind 5 to 7 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Tomorrow Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 43. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming light and variable in the evening.