Westporters Richard “Deej” Webb and Robert Steven Williams were decked out in black tie today for the inaugural ceremony commemorating Great Gatsby Day in Westport as First Selectman Jim Marpe read a proclamation honoring the 99th anniversary of Scott and Zelda Fitgerald’s signing of a lease on a home (background) at 244 Compo Road South. Webb and Williams have collaborated on a book and documentary about the Fitizgeralds’ time in Westport. They were joined by Ramin Ganeshram, executive director of the Westport Historical Society. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

By Susan Granger

Apparently based on a true story, “Poms” is a gentle dramedy, aimed at the AARP demographic, about making the most of the time you have left.

After a diagnosis of terminal cancer, Martha (Diane Keaton) is determined to quit chemotherapy and leave New York City. She’s sold most of her possessions, loaded the rest into her car, and is driving south to spend her remaining months in Sun Springs, a spacious retirement village in Georgia.

“I came here to die,” Martha crisply informs her sassy, Southern Belle neighbor, Sheryl (Jacki Weaver), a substitute teacher who’s hiding her teenage grandson, Ben (Charlie Tahan), in the ‘adults-only’ condominium complex, retorts: “You’re dying today. You will be dying next week. In between, you should be dancing your ass off!”

Exasperated by Sun Springs’ arbitrary rules and regulations, Martha recalls a youthful dream by starting a Cheerleading Club, much to the consternation of prissy, power-hungry Vicki (Celia Weston).

The Westport Library today announced that its popular “River of Names” tile display will not be returned to its transformed library building but instead will become available digitally.

The “River of Names” mural was created in 1997-98 by Redding artist Marion Grebow. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

The announcement brought cries of a broken promise from many who said they were among original donors to the 26-foot long, 6-foot high work created by Redding artist Marion Grebow in 1997-98.

“‘Stunned’ is not really adequate to describe my reaction to this decision—and I say this as a longtime supporter of the library,” wrote Fred Cantor on the local blog 06880.

“ I have a hard time accepting that there wasn’t some space in the library that could be found for this wonderful work that was such a perfect blend of local art and local history.”

By Susan Granger

Since the 1930s, audiences have loved Hollywood’s screwball comedies. Unfortunately, in this highly politicized, PC-oriented time, they’re few and far-between. Now, Charlize Theron and Seth Rogen team up as mismatched lovers in “Long Shot,” a raunchy, far-fetched but funny romance.

Scruffy Fred Flarsky (Rogen) is a fearless journalist who quits his job when an unscrupulous media tycoon (think Rupert Murdock) Parker Wembley (Andy Serkis) takes over his Brooklyn-based alt-weekly. Despondent, he joins his childhood buddy Lance (O’Shea Jackson Jr.) for a pity-party that winds up at a fancy Manhattan gala.

When he spies Wembley, Fred causes a commotion by telling him off, catching the attention of glamorous U.S. Secretary of State Charlotte Field (Theron), who recognizes him as the 13-year-old neighbor she used to baby-sit for. That’s their “meet cute” moment.

Since the current Oval Office occupant (Bob Odenkirk), a vain former TV actor, now wants to be a movie star, savvy, idealistic Charlotte is readying a run for POTUS. 

The cast takes a break from the rehearsal of a new comedy thriller, “Murder Too,” a script in hand play reading tonight at the Westport Country Playhouse. It was created by David Wiltse of Weston, the Playhouse’s former playwright-in-residence who is married to director Anne Keefe, Playhouse associate artist and curator of the popular script in hand play reading series. Pictured: Playwright Wiltse (c) with cast (l-r) Andrew Veenstra, Joanna Gleason, Deirdre Madigan and David Beach (standing) Keefe and Alexandra Rappaport, stage directions. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

The owners of the house at 116 Greens Farms Road are the newest recipients of a Westport Historical Society (WHS) historical plaque. Bob Weingarten (l), WHS plaque historian, presented the plaque, signifying the Elwood-Taylor Barn c. 1862, to owners Hope and Al Hageman, accompanied in the photo by Ebbie, 3, a black Lab rescue dog.  According to Weingarten, the current house is a converted barn circa 1862 built by either John B. Elwood or William H. Taylor. In the 1862 era, ownership was transferred from Elwood to Taylor for use on the south side of Greens Farms Road to support farming. The Hagemans acquired the house in in 1988 and constructed the silo, an aesthetic addition, in 1996. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

There was a panel discussion today at the “Uncovered What She Hides” exhibit at 1 Main St. organized by Staples High School students. Darcy Hicks (3rd r) said the purpose was “to bring together different generations of Westporters, men and women, to have a meaningful and intimate conversation about women’s issues using art as a platform.” Pictured (l-r) artists Melissa Newman, Julie Gannon, Chloe Blythe,Tammy Winser, Liz Leggett, Darcy Hicks, Sarah Koskoff, and Barbara Ringer. Organizers described the exhibit as “a platform for women artists in Westport to bring forth works that frequently remain hidden: creative responses and expressions that we all too often keep at bay.” (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Lynn U. Miller for WestportNow.com

Scenes from TEFAF (The European Fine Art Fair) at the Park Avenue Armory in Manhattan and Frieze, the United Kingdom-based art fair at Randall’s Island, now in its eighth year. Both shows are open to the public this weekend. Helen Klisser During for WestportNow.com

Scenes from tonight’s opening reception of “Uncovered What She Hides” exhibit at 1 Main St. The exhibit by 10 female artists runs through June 1. Dave Matlow and Helen Klisser During for WestportNow.com and WestportNow.com photos