Former Westporter Roni Beth Tower (l) was at the Westport Library tonight where she was in discussion with friend Sybil Steinberg about her memoir “Miracle at Midlife.” She and now husband David met and fell in love in Paris in the spring of 1996, both in their 50s, established professionals, and parents. He was a divorced American attorney living on a converted barge moored in the center of Paris. She was a clinical and research psychologist working from her Westport home. “Both of us had signed off on loving again,” she said. She delighted the packed audience with her tale of a trans-Atlantic romance.  (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com

Westport developer David Waldman tonight addresses the annual Westport Historic District Commission Preservation Awards ceremony at Town Hall. Waldman and members of his team as well as public officials and private citizens behind him were honored for saving the 1890s-built Kemper-Gunn House on Church Lane and moving it to 35 Elm St. where it is now home to Serena & Lily, the national home furnishings, bedding and decor outlet. In all, nine awards were handed out. (See WestportNow Oct. 5, 2016) (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Westport Country Playhouse Artistic Director Mark Lamos accepts The Acting Company’s John Houseman Award at the group’s annual gala tonight at New York’s Metropolitan Club. The award honors Lamos’s commitment to the development of actors and arts education in the United States, including numerous alumni of The Acting Company. The Acting Company was founded in 1972 by Oscar winner John Houseman and producer Margot Harley. Bruce Miller for WestportNow.com

Steve Katz, former guitarist for Blood, Sweat & Tears, today kicked off the Westport Arts Center’s 2016-17 Jazz Series.  Katz also talked with attendees and signed his book “Is Steve Katz a Rock Star?” after the concert. Blood Sweat & Tears, originally formed in 1967, is notable for fusing rock, blues, pop, horn arrangements, and jazz into a hybrid that came to be known as “jazz-rock.” The next jazz concert will be Atla and Matt DeChamplain on Thursday, Nov. 3. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Adriana Reis for WestportNow.com

Best selling author, Hollywood actor and renowned hypnotist James Mapes of Westport talks today about his new book, “Imagine That!: Igniting Your Brain for Creativity and Peak Performance” at Barnes & Noble, 1076 Post Road East.  Mapes told the attendees how he drew from his 30 years experience as a researcher, speaker and personal coach to help readers lead “an exceptional life.”  Founder of Quantum Leap Thinking, Mapes said the book “dives deep into topics as diverse as reframing thinking patterns, shattering self-limiting myths, hypnosis, stretch goals and transforming fear into love and forgiveness.” (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Multiple Connecticut mystery authors today were featured along with panel discussions, forensic, police experts and more at the Westport Library’s CrimeCONN all day mystery conference. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

One of the many events today at the Westport Library’s CrimeCONN all day mystery conference was a panel on “What makes an anti-hero heroic?” Pictured (l-r) David Rich, mystery, film and TV writer; Karen Olsen, mystery writer; Tom Straw, an Emmy nominee for TV writing and current collaborator with mystery novelist James Patterson, and Joe Meyers, a recipient of the Ellery Queen Award for crime fiction. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

The photographic work of Westport-based photographer Richard Frank was on display tonight at the opening of his exhibit, “Always Looking,” at the Westport Library’s Great Hall. A freelance photographer for 40 years, Frank specializes in shooting people on location and depicting them in a natural, authentic style. Among his prized photographs is one of world heavyweight champion boxer Muhammad Ali at Jake’s Diner, Athens, Ohio in 1969. The exhibit runs through Jan. 4. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Wetport artist and illustrator Miggs Burroughs was guest speaker today at the Westport Center for Senior Activities, tracing his career, which has been intertwined with Westport for decades. He showed some of his designs, including a t-shirt for Save the Children in support of the children of Kosovo. He has produced award-winning designs for the American Red Cross, covers for Time magazine, a U.S. Postage stamp, an Easter Egg for the White House, and the the Town of Westport flag among many others. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com