Author and experienced falconer Helen Macdonald is scheduled to discuss “H is for Hawk,” a New York Times bestseller and one of its picks as “The 10 Best Books of 2015,” on Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the Westport Library’s McManus Room.

Author and falconer Helen Macdonald comes to Westport on Wednesday. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

A finalist for the National Book Critic Circle Award, the book won the Samuel Johnson Prize and Costa Book of the Year Award for 2014.

According to Kelle Ruden, the Library’s community relations director, the event is free and open to the public, and is being is offered in partnership with Westport’s Earthplace, which will bring its own resident hawk. Books will be available for purchase and signing.

Macdonald has been captivated by hawks since childhood, and she had never even considered training the most vicious of the predator, the goshawk, she writes. But in her grief following her father’s death, she saw that the goshawk’s fierce and feral temperament mirrored her own. She soon decided to raise one to copewith her loss and adopted “Mabel.”

Two-time Grammy-nominated comedian/author/actor Lisa Lampanelli (2nd l), best known as “Comedy’s Lovable Queen of Mean,” tonight led a reading of her new play, “Fat Girls, Interrupted,” at the Westport Country Playhouse in a benefit for The Center for Family Justice in Bridgeport. Directed by Anne Keefe, the cast included Lampanelli with Broadway actress Lisa Howard (r ), TV and film veteran Patricia Kalember (l), and newcomer Jessica Luck. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Scenes from tonight’s “Fat Girls, Interrupted,” at the Westport Country Playhouse, a benefit for The Center for Family Justice in Bridgeport. The play was written by two-time Grammy-nominated comedian/author/actor Lisa Lampanelli. Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Westport’s historic downtown will be the focus of a Westport Historical Society (WHS) one-hour walking tour set for Saturday, April 2, at 3 p.m.
Among places on the tour is the site of the former Fine Arts Theatres, which closed in 1999. WestportNow.com photo

As the walk winds through Business Center District, historic highlights will include National Hall and the former Westport Bank & Trust Company, both listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

According to Barbara Peck, WHS assistant director, the walk will begin at Jesup Green and will be led by Bob Mitchell, WHS board oresident.

“This tour demonstrates how critical the Saugatuck River was to the commercial and economic development of Westport,” says Mitchell, who will also lead the WHS Old Saugatuck Walking Tour on April 16.

Westport artist Ann Chernow tonight accepts flowers from an admirer at the opening reception for her exhibit “NOIR” at the Westport Arts Center. The exhibit, which runs through April 23, features 43 paintings, drawings, lithographs, and etchings inspired by American Noir filmmaking of the 1940s and early 50s. The exhibit was curated by Helen Klisser During, WAC’s artistic director emeritus. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com

Visitors view some of Ann Chernow’s works on display at tonight’s opening reception for “NOIR: Ann Chernow” at the Westport Arts Center. They were inspired by American Noir filmmaking of the 1930s, ‘40s and early 50s. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Marina White for WestportNow.com

Scenes from tonight’s opening reception of “NOIR” at the Westport Arts Center. It features works by Westport artist Ann Chernow, best known for her portrait-style illustrations that evoke the images of female cinematic figures of the 1930s and 1940s. Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy has appointed Helen Klisser During, artistic director emeritus of the Westport Arts Center (and WestportNow contributing photographer) to the Connecticut Arts Council. The term is until Sept. 30, 2017 or until a successor is appointed and qualified, whichever is longer. She succeeds Ann Sheffer of Westport, who has resigned. The 13-member Council is tasked with fostering and supporting the arts and establishing and managing a nonprofit foundation, the Connecticut Arts Council Foundation. The Council relies on staff support from the Connecticut Office of the Arts. Klisser During is pictured today in Dubai, where she is as an art advisor/consultant to Art Dubai, in front of a painting by Iranian-born artist Y.Z. Kami, who now lives in New York. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo