<p class="ql-align-center"><br></p><p><strong>Westport, CT -&nbsp;</strong>The Westport Library Medical Series returns&nbsp;Tuesday, June 3 with Dr. Lisa Phuong and Dr. Jeanne Capasse visiting the Library’s Trefz Forum to discuss the exciting progress in the diagnostics and therapeutics of breast cancer. Phuong is a board-certified medical oncologist at Nuvance Health; she will discuss the medical aspects of breast cancer care. Capasse, a board-certified breast surgeon specializing in breast cancer at Nuvance Health, will focus on surgical approaches and reconstructive surgery of patients with breast cancer.</p><p>The Westport Library Medical Series is presented by Andrew Wilk, the five-time Emmy Award winner and former producer of&nbsp;<em>Live from Lincoln Center</em>, and will be moderated by longtime Westport internist Dr. Robert Altbaum.</p><p>After the talk, there will be time provided for questions from the audience.</p><p>The event is free to attend.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/andrew-wilk-presents-advances-in-breast-cancer-diagnosis-and-treatment-tickets-1304030854389" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);">Click here</a>&nbsp;to register.</p><p>The Westport Library Medical Series is an opportunity for the community to learn about important medical issues, aiming to provide both practical and thought-provoking information that can help individuals navigate the complex world of medicine.</p><p>The topic for this year's series is cancer, a word that strikes fear and anxiety in everyone. Fortunately, there have been remarkable advances in the field of oncology. We are witnessing a revolution in cancer care that is allowing patients to live longer, healthier, and even experience cures from previously fatal cancer.</p><p>The first event in this year’s series took place on&nbsp;<a href="https://westportlibrary.org/event/andrew-wilk-presents-the-westport-library-medical-series-advances-in-cancer-treatment/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);">Tuesday, April 22</a>, and focused on advances in cancer research. The guest was Dr. Richard Frank, system chief for clinical and translational cancer research at Nuvance Health, who discussed how chemotherapy, targeted DNA treatment, and immunotherapy have transformed the cancer treatment landscape.</p><p>The third and fourth sessions will both be held in the fall, focusing on prostate and urological cancer and advances in lymphoma and leukemia, respectively. More information on those two events will be coming soon.</p><p><strong><u>About the Speakers</u></strong></p><p><strong>Lisa Phuong</strong>&nbsp;is a medical oncologist who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. She completed her internal medicine residency at the University of Connecticut, and her hematology/oncology fellowship at Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine in Bronx, N.Y. Phuong incorporates evidence-based medicine, clinical research, and compassionate care into her daily practice at the Whittingham Cancer Center in Norwalk. She helps patients understand the biology of their disease, as well as treatment options based on the most recent research developments and clinical studies. She also believes it is important to address patient challenges, including treatment-related side effects, financial concerns, and the psychological and emotional impact of being diagnosed with cancer.</p><p>Phuong is the principal investigator of several clinical trials investigating new drugs, including targeted therapies and immunotherapies for breast cancer. She has had several peer-reviewed articles and abstracts published, as well as poster presentations at national cancer conferences. Phuong is an active member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.</p><p><strong>Jeanne Capasse&nbsp;</strong>is a surgeon specializing in breast diseases and a medical director of the Smilow Family Breast Health Center in Norwalk. A native Westporter, Capasse received her bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering at Cornell University, followed by her medical degree at Weill Cornell in New York. She has been practicing in Norwalk for 30 years.</p><p>In addition to caring for and educating patients regarding breast health issues, her passions include skiing, crossword puzzles, travel, and spending time with family.<strong>Robert Altbaum</strong>&nbsp;is a recently retired physician who practiced as an Internist in Westport for 40 years. He graduated from New York University, followed by Harvard Medical School, and completed his residency at Massachusetts General Hospital and Yale University. He is board certified in Internal Medicine and Geriatrics.</p><p>For the past 40 years, he has enjoyed caring for the people of Fairfield County in the group practice, Internal Medicine Associates of Westport. He was awarded Fairfield County and Connecticut’s Top Doctor award for 24 consecutive years.</p><p>Currently retired, he continues to teach medical residents at Norwalk Hospital and coordinates the Andrew Wilk Westport Library Medical Series. He also plays in the (nearly) all-physician rock band DNR, which will be performing a fundraising concert at the Library on Saturday, June 14;&nbsp;<a href="https://westportlibrary.org/event/dnr-rocks-the-forum-a-benefit-for-the-westport-library/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);">purchase your tickets here</a>.</p>

<p><strong>Westport, CT -&nbsp;</strong>Taste of Westport is a week away!<strong>&nbsp;</strong>This epic event is not just a feast for the senses – it’s a fundraiser for CLASP, which provides homes and services for adults with autism and developmental disabilities across Fairfield County. 100% of the proceeds go directly to CLASP and the incredible individuals they serve.</p><p>This year’s lineup is bigger and better than ever. Organizers are thrilled to feature an&nbsp;<em>exclusive</em>&nbsp;first taste from ănăn (the team behind Nômade), along with new participants The Bridge, The Whelk, Bar Bushido, The Blondinit and Barcelona. Expect a decadent caviar bar by Nordic Fish paired with Moët Champagne, plus returning favorites like Gabriele’s, La Plage, Don Memo and Artisan to name a few. More offerings include a martini bar, a signature cocktail, Oggi gelato, Bridgewater chocolate and more.</p><p>The silent auction is packed with one-of-a-kind items: a Lime Rock Driving Experience, tickets to&nbsp;<em>Late Night with Seth Meyers</em>, weekend getaways, fine wines, designer jewelry, opera tickets, an exclusive block party package with live entertainment, a week of dinners from participating restaurants – and so much more!And the Maraschino cherry on top? This year, the event brings Studio 54 to Westport – a dazzling night of disco, indulgence and unforgettable vibes. Steve Rubell once said, “What happened at Studio 54 will never happen again.” But he hasn’t seen what’s coming yet!</p><p>Support a great cause and treat yourself to a spectacular evening – tickets are available now at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.tasteofwestport.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: blue;">TasteofWestport.com</a>.</p>

<p><strong>Westport, CT -&nbsp;</strong>Westport Country Playhouse will bring movies to town with the launch of a classic film series, beginning with the 1953 romantic comedy, “Roman Holiday,” starring Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck, on Wednesday, June 18, at 7 p.m. The screening will be followed by a talkback with Melanie Wyler, daughter of the film’s director William Wyler, and Jay Rozgonyi, film studies professor at Fairfield University. They will discuss Wyler’s career, particularly his work on “Roman Holiday,” with professional and personal anecdotes about the filmmaker.</p><p>“I'm thrilled that my father's cinematic legacy continues to engage and entertain generation after generation!,” said Wyler, a 40-year resident of Westport/Weston, who worked in public relations and marketing, and was a board member of the Women’s Refugee Commission. Since retiring, she’s volunteered with organizations in Bridgeport to support and connect with refugee, immigrant and undocumented families.</p><p>Jay Rozgonyi&nbsp;co-wrote and co-produced the 2025 feature-length documentary “Dear Willy: World War II through the Eyes of One of Hollywood’s Most Prominent Couples,” the story of William Wyler’s wartime filmmaking and the long-distance relationship that he and wife Talli maintained between the warfront and Hollywood.</p><p>“It’s amazing that the man who received the most Oscar nominations for best director, and led more actors and actresses to Academy Awards, has been so often forgotten in discussions of the greatest Hollywood filmmakers,” Rozgonyi said. “’Roman Holiday’ is a joyous example of his work—but one that also carries a serious message about the time in which it was made. Beyond the comedy and romance we clearly see the sense of morality and social conscience that made Wyler not just an exceptional filmmaker but also an extraordinary human being.”</p><p>“Roman Holiday” earned Audrey Hepburn an Academy Award for Best Actress as a young European princess who breaks off an official goodwill tour so she can see Rome incognito. While doing so, she falls for an American newspaperman, played by Gregory Peck, who serves as her tour guide. The film also earned Oscars for Best Story and Best Costume Design.&nbsp;Running time is 119 minutes. Rated TV-G.&nbsp;</p><p>The Playhouse’s celebration of timeless films will continue with&nbsp;“Singin’ in the Rain,” featuring Gene Kelly, Donald O’Connor, and Debbie Reynolds, on Monday, July 14 at 7 p.m.; “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory,” starring Gene Wilder, on Wednesday, August 6 at 6 p.m.; “The Sting,” with Paul Newman and Robert Redford, on Monday, August 18 at 7 p.m.; and Alfred Hitchcock’s “Psycho,” featuring Anthony Perkins and Janet Leigh, on Friday, October 10 at 7 p.m.Tickets are $20 each; $10 each for three of more films. General admission; seating unreserved.</p><p>For full details on the Playhouse classic film series, visit:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.westportplayhouse.org/show/classic-films/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);">https://www.westportplayhouse.org/show/classic-films/</a></p>

<p><strong>Bridgeport, CT</strong>&nbsp;- Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo is delighted to announce the arrival of Ponya, an 11-month-old female red panda from the Detroit Zoo. Ponya makes her public debut this week in the Natt Family Red Panda Habitat, a state-of-the-art exhibit complete with indoor and outdoor viewing areas, climbing structures, and temperature-controlled spaces throughout the seasons.</p><p>Ponya, born in 2024 at the Detroit Zoo, has been captivating visitors with her playful antics and inquisitive nature. Her move to Connecticut is part of a collaborative effort among AZA-accredited institutions to ensure the long-term survival of red pandas through carefully managed breeding programs.​</p><p>Later this month, Dorji, our male red panda, will be transferred to another AZA-accredited institution as part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP). Dorji joined Beardsley Zoo in May 2024 from Utah's Hogle Zoo and has been a beloved resident, known for his sweet and curious demeanor.</p><p>In Dorji’s place, a young male red panda from another AZA accredited facility will soon join Ponya. This pairing has been strategically planned through the SSP program.&nbsp;The SSP program aims to maintain populations of species that are designated, threatened or endangered. Through habitat preservation, public education, and coordinated breeding efforts, the program aims to bolster red panda populations both in the wild and in human care.</p><p>Visitors are encouraged to visit the Natt Family Red Panda Habitat to welcome Ponya and learn more about red panda conservation efforts. For those unable to visit, the zoo offers a live webcam feed&nbsp;<a href="http://www.beardsleyzoo.org/zoo-cams.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);">www.beardsleyzoo.org/zoo-cams.html</a>, available daily from 8:30AM to 6:00PM.​For more information and to plan your visit click here&nbsp;<a href="http://www.beardsleyzoo.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);">www.beardsleyzoo.org</a>.</p>

<p><strong>A Sacred Tribute: Torah Dedicated in Memory of October 7 Victims</strong></p><p><em>Westport, CT</em>&nbsp;— Chabad of Westport warmly invites the community to a meaningful and joyous Torah Dedication Ceremony on Sunday, June 1, honoring the memory of those tragically lost in the October 7 attacks in Israel and their everlasting memory!</p><p>Dedicated by the Rueven Family of Westport, this new Torah scroll stands as a tribute to the lives cut short by terror and as a prayer for resilience, peace, and a hopeful future for the Jewish people and all humanity.</p><p>The event begins at 11:00 AM with the completion of the final Torah letters and children’s activities, followed by an outdoor Torah parade at 11:45 AM featuring joyous dancing and a celebratory brunch.</p><p>This powerful moment of unity and remembrance is open to all. Kindly RSVP to ensure your participation.</p><p>For more information and to RSVP, visit:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.jewishwestport.com/Torah" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.JewishWestport.com/Torah</a></p>

<p><em style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Connecticut’s own Jane Condon headlines this year’s Lit &amp; Wit charity event at the Saugatuck Rowing Club, benefiting the Westport Writers’ Workshop Outreach Program</em></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Aline Weiller and Alyssa Katz have always liked to write—and laugh. The two met through Westport Writers’ Workshop (WWW) instructor Marcelle Soviero, and a fast friendship—and comedy show producing team—was born. Both WWW alums were familiar with the organization’s outreach program (which provides free writing workshops to underserved communities), so they brainstormed Lit &amp; Wit: A Comedy Night Fundraiser to support the initiative. Aline coined the show’s name, then tapped fellow comedian, Westporter, and brand identity expert Jerry Kuyper (jerrykuyper.com) to create the apropos logo. The result: a catchy name and clever image for a feel-good, community-building evening.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Lit &amp; Wit will be held on Wednesday, June 4 at 7:00 p.m. (doors open at 6:00 p.m.) in the Regatta Room of The Saugatuck Rowing Club, 521 Riverside Avenue, Westport.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> Tickets are $55 per person (includes popcorn/pretzels) and can be purchased here:</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </span><a href="https://westportwriters.org/courses/lit-wit-comedy-fundraiser/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">https://westportwriters.org/courses/lit-wit-comedy-fundraiser/</a></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> Walk-ins are welcome.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">The night also features:</span></p><ul><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">The Macho Taco food truck (available for purchase starting at 6:00 p.m.)</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">A cash bar</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">Comedy trivia for prizes</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">A Lit &amp; Wit-themed door prize gift basket</span></li></ul><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">“Westport Writers’ Workshop is beyond excited to present Lit &amp; Wit, a wonderful night of comedy along the stunning Saugatuck River. Comedians, though known for their humor, are inherent writers, and this event showcases a wonderful mix of these two gifts. We welcome one and all to our third funny fundraiser,” — Amanda Parrish, Executive Director, Westport Writers’ Workshop</span></p><p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Headliner: Jane Condon</strong></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Connecticut-based comedian Jane Condon is a mom of two adult sons and, as she puts it, “otherwise everything’s fine.” The Associated Press dubbed her “an upper crust Roseanne,” and The New York Times wrote, “Condon had the audience cackling, guffawing and in hysterics as she sliced through marriage, husband, kids, politics, and other topics.”</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Jane has appeared on ABC’s The View, Lifetime TV’s Girls’ Night Out, the series finale of FOX’s 24, Nickelodeon’s NickMom Night Out, NBC’s Last Comic Standing, and The Today Show. She won the nationwide Ladies of Laughter Contest and was named “Audience Favorite — NY” on Last Comic Standing. Jane has given commencement addresses at Wellesley College (her alma mater), the University of New Haven, and Wilson College. Her humorous cartoon book Chardonnay Moms (co-authored with Bobbi Eggers) is available on Amazon. For more laughs, follow @jcondon4 on Instagram.</span></p><p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Emcee: Ashley Austin Morris</strong></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">The evening’s emcee is New York actor, comedian, and writer Ashley Austin Morris. Ashley played Roxanne Hertz in FX’s Fleishman Is In Trouble, ‘Debbie’ in Peacock’s Perfect Match, and ‘Nicole’ in Shonda Rhimes’ Inventing Anna. Her comedy album Slightly Off debuted at #1 on iTunes and continues to trend. She performs regularly at New York Comedy Club, Gotham Comedy Club, and Stand Up NY, and her stand-up has been featured on AXS TV’s Gotham Comedy Live.</span></p><p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Featured Comics</strong></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">In addition to Condon and Morris, twelve comedians—many of them local—will perform:</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> Olivia Barbulescu, Christine Zalewski, Calder Stokes, Brad Bruckner, Alyssa Katz, Mat Orefice, Kim Berns, Craig Lottner, Ivy Eisenberg, Liz Austin, Aline Weiller, and John Bennett.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">“Alyssa and I are thrilled to bring back the sold-out Lit &amp; Wit Comedy Night Fundraiser, which promises belly laughs while supporting a noble cause—the best kind of win-win. As writers, we’re happy to help fund the Westport Writers’ Workshop Outreach Program and share this talented comedic lineup with the Westport community and beyond. Lit &amp; Wit promises to be a hot ticket and a laugh-filled night stand-up enthusiasts won’t want to miss,” — Aline Weiller, Co-Producer and Performer</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Purchase Lit &amp; Wit tickets:</span><a href="https://westportwriters.org/courses/lit-wit-comedy-fundraiser/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"> https://westportwriters.org/courses/lit-wit-comedy-fundraiser/</a></p>