Month: November 2018 - Page 4

Sunday, December 03, 2023

Granger at the Movies: ‘The Green Book,’ “A Private War,’ ‘Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch’

By Susan Granger

Special to WestportNow

“The Green Book” is the fascinating, true story of an unlikely friendship that begins with Dr. Don Shirley (Mahershala Ali), an elegant, educated Jamaican-American classical pianist who lived in an apartment above Manhattan’s Carnegie Hall.

In 1962 when his record company sends him on a concert tour of the Deep South, Dr. Shirley hires a gruff, gluttonous, street-wise bouncer from the Copacabana nightclub to be his driver/road manager.

Known as “Tony Lip” (Viggo Mortensen) because his real name of Vallelonga was difficult to pronounce, Tony is an admittedly racist Italian. Married to Dolores (Linda Cardinelli), they live in the Bronx with their two kids and extended family. Even though this job will take him away for two months, it’s a good payday — and he’ll be home for Christmas.

So chain-smoking Tony hits the road in a turquoise Cadillac with starchy, stoic Dr. Shirley. Along the way, they discover much about one another, overcoming their personal differences while facing the inevitable humiliations and indignities of racial prejudice.

Eve C. Carey, 94

Eve Casey Carey of Naples, Florida, a former Westport resident, died Sept. 16 at Naples Community Baker Hospital. She was 94.

She was born in Arlington, Massachusetts on April 9, 1924 to Norine and John Casey. She received her BS in biology from Regis College in 1945.

In 1947, she was invited to attend the International Congress of Junior League of Catholic Women in Rome, representing the college women of Boston with Bishop Wright and participated in a private audience with Pope Pius XII.

She taught school for a few years, and in 1949, Bishop Wright performed the ceremony when she married David Marsden Carey of Concord, Massachusetts.

No Sign of Flooding

There was no sign of flooding several hours after the early morning high tide in Westport’s Parker Harding Plaza today. Police reported minor flooding that forced closure of Imperial Avenue at Baker Avenue for a period, but the flooding did not appear to reach the level seen last month. Several merchants downtown had erected flood barriers after the National Weather Service issued a Coastal Flood Warning. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Tuesday, November 27, 2018 – Giving Tuesday

7:30 a.m. – Town Hall Room 307/309 – BOE Finance & Facilities Committee (live on cable channel 78, Frontier channel 6021, & www.westportps.org)
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. – Westport Arts Center – Exhibition: “Paradise”
7 p.m. – Long Lots Elementary – Superintendent Parent Forum
7:30 p.m. – Town Hall Auditorium – RTM Supplemental (live on cable channel 79, Frontier channel 6020, & westportct.gov)
7:30 p.m. – Town Hall Room 201/201A – Zoning Board of Appeals (vidostreamed)
~~7:30 p.m. – Town Hall Room 309 – Architectural Review Board~~ Canceled

See more events: Celebrate Westport Calendar

Monday, November 26th, 2018

Heavy Rains Slow Rush Hour Traffic

Heavy rains made for slow going during tonight’s rush hour. About 1 inch had fallen by tonight. View is westbound on Post Road East from Fresh Market parking lot. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Police Ask Help in Identifying Suspects

UPDATE Westport Police detectives are asking for the public’s help in identifying these two individuals who are suspecting of stealing $1,600 in cash from a victim at Whole Foods Market. Police said the man and woman are accused of stealing a money clip containing the cash mistakenly left by a customer in a checkout line. Police said the couple are believed to be shopping couriers for local customers. If you are able to identify them, please contact the Detective Bureau at 203-341-6080. Westport Police photos

Westport Property Transfers Nov. 5-9, 2018

Westport property transfers as reported by the Town Clerk’s office for the period Nov. 5-9, 2018:

David I. & Victoria Dear to Michael W. & Ivette C. Belby, 3 Jonathan Lane, $735,000

Richard B. & Laurie D. Price to Marc Joshua & Sarah Margaret Frankel 8 Riverview Road, $785,000

Edward & Elizabeth Keith to Maria A.R. & Alvaro A. Morales, 24 Mills St., $572,150

Mike (Myron) Belaga, 88

Mike (Myron) Belaga of Westport, a retired oil company executive who became a longtime community activist, died Nov. 24 at the Fairfield County Hospice House in Stamford. He was 88.

Mike Belaga: community activist. Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com

He was born in Baltimore, Maryland on Dec. 31, 1929. He attended Baltimore Poly Technical High School and then graduated from Johns Hopkins University. He went on to get his graduate degree from MIT and then served as a 2nd lieutenant in the Air Force during the Korean conflict.

After his military service, he worked for 18 years at Exxon where he traveled the world.

He left Exxon to become vice president of A Johnson, a Swedish oil company. In 1982, he became president of GHR, the largest independent oil refinery in the country.

Tree Lightings Set

Westport’s annual tree lighting ceremony will take place at Town Hall, 110 Myrtle Ave. on Thursday at 5 p,m., First Selectman Jim Marpe announced.

Last year’s Christmas tree outside Town Hall. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

The Staples High School Orphenians will perform a selection of seasonal songs. The public is invited.

Meanwhile, Famed Westport illustrator Victoria Kann, creator of the beloved children’s character “Pinkalicious,” will contribute a handmade ornament and sign books on the 40th anniversary of creation of the Heritage Tree at the Westport Historical Society on Saturday, Dec. 1 at 1 p.m.

This is the first year the tree will not be displayed at Town Hall.

Comings & Goings: Library Pop Up Store Opens

The Westport Library opened a satellite pop-up store at 31 Church Lane opposite Spotted Horse Tavern. According to Heli Stagg, Library’s retail manager, it offers “a wide range of unique, carefully curated gifts for people of all ages as well as a great selection of greeting cards and holiday and hostess gifts. Many items are handmade, some are quirky and all are thoughtfully selected.” The space was formerly occupied by CronArt. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com