Westporter Mar Jennnings’ television show has received two nominations in the 39th Boston/New England Emmy Award competition.

Mar Jennings tapes his show “Life on Mar’s: The Home Makeover Show.”  (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

One was for Lifestyle Program/Special while the show’s director, Chris Panton, was nominated for Director in the Non-Live (Post-Produced) category.

Jennings’ eponymous television show features his unique prescription for casual luxury design and lifestyle. It is in its first season with a second in production.

Jennings has starred in Emmy-nominated programming in the past, but this is the first such distinction for his personal production, “Life on Mar’s: The Home Makeover Show,” which airs on WTNH, the ABC New Haven affiliate.

By Susan Granger

You can see Melissa McCarthy’s best bits from “The Boss” in the trailer.

As brash Michelle Darnell, she’s a self-made financial guru – “the 47th wealthiest woman in America” - who gets arrested and convicted for insider trading.

When she’s released from prison, she’s so broke that she’s forced to bunk in with her former assistant, Claire (Kristen Bell). A hard-working single mom, Claire lives in a cramped, second-floor apartment with her tween daughter, Rachel (Ella Anderson).

“You’re dressed like someone who grocery shops at CVS,” Michelle tells Claire as she’s preparing for a date.

By Dave Matlow

The Luxe Wine Bar, 190 Main St., closes at the end of business on Sunday, according to owner Dave Morton, a Stratford resident.

Luxe Wine Bar owner Dave Morton: moving on for personal reasons. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Morton, who reopened the business in November 2013 after acquiring it from prior owner Robert Reilly, has sold it to Sammy Alanz, a Trumbull resident.

Alanz said he will open the space around the end of May as Bankside Social, which he described as a Mediterranean restaurant. He said it will have table service, a full tapas menu, a full bar, and be open seven days a week.

He said it will seat about 25 to 30 not counting the patio which will be open in season. The Bankside name comes from the early bankside farmers of Westport, he said.

Helen Simonson discussed her national best-selling novel, “The Summer Before the War,” today with Westporter Sybil Steinberg, Publisher’s Weekly contributing editor at the Westport Library. The audience was in for a real treat, not only did the interview produce some fascinating information, but Simonson was very humorous and had the audience laughing throughout the program. The novel takes place in 1914 in Rye, England, home to many famous authors, including Henry James. Said Woman’s Day of the book: “What begins as a study of a small-town society becomes a compelling account of war and its aftermath.” (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com

The Westport Arts Center today featured a special program with the Borromeo String Quartet which played the first performance of a new composition by Russell Platt, WAC’s director of classical performances. Platt applauds following the performance by Nicholas Kitchen, violin; Mai Motobuchi, viola; Yeesun Kim, cello, and Kristopher Tong, violin. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com

The group Brother Sun, consisting of Greg Greenway, Pat Wictor, and Joe Jencks, made another visit to Voices Café at the Unitarian Church in Westport today. Their lyrics and singing fused folk, Americana, blues, pop, jazz, rock and a cappella. Guitars and keyboard accompanied the three male voices. Brother Sun stirred the packed crowd to cheers and multiple standing ovations.  (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Jane Sherman for WestportNow.com

The Westport Library today presented the Paul Morin Duet performing classical repertoire and new music from composer, artist and pianist Paul Morin and composer and violinist Patrisa Tomassini. Morin is a New York-based composer, contemporary artist and pianist. Tomassini is a graduate of the Mannes College of Music in New York City and the Accademia Musicale Ottorino Respighi in Italy. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com

Westport Cinema Initiative, the nonprofit that hopes to return a movie theater to Westport’s downtown, today screened the 1987 romantic fantasy comedy film “Princess Bride” at Westport Town Hall. Afterward, a talk back featured Christopher “Chris” Sarandon, Jr. , who played Prince Humperdinck in the film, in conversation with Westporter Susan Granger, film critic for WestportNow and other publications. The Rob Reiner film—which aso starred Cary Elwes, Mandy Patinkin, Christopher Guest, Wallace Shawn, André the Giant, Robin Wright, Peter Falk, and Billy Crystal—was not a major box-office success, but it became a cult classic after its release to the home video market. “We had a good time doing this movie, but we took it seriously,” said Sarandon. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com

Among those in the audience for today’s Westport Cinema Initiative screening of “Princess Bride” at Westport Town Hall were Kerstin Warner Rao and her husband Vijay. Kerstin, a teacher at Westport’s Bedford Middle School, and Vijay, a computer programmer, were married in 2013 at the Inn at Longshore with “Princess Bride” as the theme of their wedding. The nuptials included acting scenes from the film. The marriage was performed by Bill Derry (l),  the Westport Library‘s former assistant director of innovation and user experience who is also an ordained minister. Joining them was Chris Sarandon, who played Prince Humperdinck in the 1987 comedy, now a cult classic. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com

The Westport Country Playhouse today hosted a 2016 Season Kick-off Block Party with various activities, games, prizes, special ticket offers, and a look at the Playhouse’s “backstage experience.” Among the displays was one from the Westport Library featuring a virtual reality experience. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com