Monday, November 09, 2026

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Susan Granger at the Movies: ‘Entourage,’ ‘Poltergeist,’ and ‘Aloha’

By Susan Granger

If you were enthralled by all eight seasons of the HBO’s “Entourage,” you won’t want to miss the movie.

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If you’re a newbie, you’ll have an all-access pass to glitz and glam, a hedonistic fantasy of Hollywood, parodying the decadence and outrageous excesses of the entertainment industry.

But who really cares about movie star Vincent Chase (Adrian Grenier), his clueless half-brother, actor Johnny Drama (Kevin Dillon), and their buddies: glib superagent Ari (Jeremy Piven), pizza boy-turned-manager Eric (Kevin Connolly) and driver-turned-tequila mogul Turtle (Jerry Ferrara)?

The movie picks up where the series ended, as the ‘guys’ join Vince and a bevy of bikini-clad babes aboard his luxury yacht off the coast of Spain after his five-day marriage went kaput. Newly appointed head-of-production at a major studio, Ari wants Vince to star in “Hyde”—but Vince also wants to direct.

The Reading of Sybil’s List

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Westporter Sybil Steinberg was at the Westport Library today unveiling her annual list of good summer reads. Steinberg, who edited the book review section of Publishers Weekly for several decades and is now a contributing editor, always draw crowds eager to hear her recommendations. See her list here. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com

Staples Players’ ‘Metamorphoses’ Opens Tonight

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Charlie Zuckerman and Sarah Barnett rehearse a scene from the Staples Players spring studio production of “Metamorphoses,” opening today at 7:30 p.m at Toquet Hall. The play by Mary Zimmerman consists of 10 vignettes, all of different Greek myths found in Ovid’s ancient poem, “Metamorphoses.” These myths all have to do with love and desire of some form and how people change, both emotionally and physically, because of it. Evan Klasky is the student director of the production, which continues Friday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 5 p.m.  (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

New Library Trustee

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The Representative Town Meeting (RTM) tonight unanimously approvred Adrian Hinojos, 39, to serve as a trustee of the Westport Library for a four-year term beginning July 1. Hinojos, a native of Mexico who holds dual Mexican and U.S. citizenship, is employed as a corporate development financial analyst for the Genesee and Wyoming Railroad, a short line freight rail holding company, in its Darien office.  He and his wife Hillary Nordholm are the parents of a son, 3 1/2 and daughter 1 1/2.  Hinojos said he is eager to assist the library in its strategic planning as it prepares for the future. “This is an exciting time to be a part of the Westport Library,” he said. Under the Town Charter, the RTM appoints half of the library trustees. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Library Names New Executive Director

The Westport Library’s Board of Trustees announced today that it selected William H. Harmer, director of the Chelsea District Library in Chelsea, Mich., as its new executive director replacing Maxine Bleiweis who is retiring after 17 years. Harmer will assume his duties in Westport on July 27, the trustees said.

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William Harmer meets with the Westport community on May 20. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Harmer served three years as head of adult services before being promoted to its director in 2009, during which time he brought national recognition to the institution, including its selection as the Best Small Library in America by The Library Journal and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

The Library Journal also named Harmer to the Class of 2009 Movers & Shakers, a list of emerging leaders from around the world making a difference in the library field, Westport Library officials noted.

Trustees said in 2013, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation chose Harmer as one of 120 world library leaders to attend its global conference on the future of libraries held in Cape Town, South Africa.

‘Fashion Talks!’ Fundraiser at Westport Arts Center

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The Ellen Gang Studio held its “Fashion Talks!” fundraiser at the Westport Arts Center (WAC) today. The Ellen Gang Design Studio teaches teens and young adults to experience the joy of design. As students plan, construct, and model their own garments, they learn to harness their creativity, build confidence, and develop critical thinking skills. Pictured is Gang thanking the crowd for attending today’s event. Proceeds from the event and silent auction will benefit the WAC’s new Teen Advisory Council, which will hold its kickoff event, Art Slam, on June 20 at 6 p.m. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Marni Smith Katz for WestportNow.com

Taking Possession

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Sven Selander (r) of the Westport Historical Society (WHS), assisted by Max’s Art Supplies former owner Shirley Mellor (c) and his wife, Lucille, takes possession of the Max’s sign after its removal from the storefront on Post Road East today. The WHS will mount a special exhibit next year to celebrate the store’s significance in the town’s art history. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

WWPT–FM to Air Tribute to Kevin Gray on Saturday

Westporter Dodie Pettit, wife of Broadway performer Kevin Gray, who died in February 2013 at age 54 of a heart attack, has produced a CD entitled “Kevin Gray, Broadway’s Tribute CD, Forever Always.”

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Two-CD set features 35 songs and more than 170 performers. Contributed photo

Pettit will guest Saturday from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. on the WWPT-FM Staples radio program “Adam and George on Saturday” to share music and talk about the making of the CD.

As an extra attraction, several performers on the CD will call in to the show to chat with the hosts to share thoughts and stories.

The two-CD set of 35 songs features more than170 performers of the Broadway community, including five performers from Westport: Pettit, Gray, Terry Eldh, Adam Riegler, and Paul McKibbins.