Woog’s Web World

Everyone loses something — and no, we’re not talking about car keys.

We lose loved ones and friends.  Jobs.  Money.  Marriage.  Even — with retirement or unemployment — our sense of identity.

Unlike many of life’s low points, however, we find it tough to talk about loss.  As inevitable and painful as losses are, we can’t easily express our feelings about it.

Speaking with a therapist helps — but that may not make us feel comfortable in the social situations that define most of our days.

So Jeff Klomberg — a Westport clinical social worker with 25 years’ experience — has organized “Living With Loss” groups.  He believes that respect, acceptance, trust and support flourish in groups — and those elements, he says, are crucial in learning to live with unpleasant feelings, not being in control, and perhaps a sense of failure or inadequacy.

Groups meet weekly, for an hour.  For more information, contact Jeff Klomberg at 203-454-2246.

If the Y’s Men, Rotary and Earthplace can do it, so can you.

Those civic organization — and many others — throw their substantial weight behind Make a Difference Day.

As with their contributions, the “Day” is even more than meets the eye.  It’s a week-long effort (Oct. 16-23), in which volunteers reach out to help people in need, in Westport and surrounding towns.

Anyone can help — individuals, families and organizations.  The Make a Difference Day committee organizes volunteers, and matches them with projects and needs.

To learn more — and help — click on www.westport-makeadifday.org; call 203-341-1037, or email makadif@aol.com.

I don’t know what Westport’s young soccer players eat before their rec and travel league games.

What’s more important is the food they bring to the field.

This Saturday and Sunday (Oct. 2-3), the Westport Soccer Association sponsors a “Breakfast of Champions.”  Collection boxes will be set up at the Wakeman, Burr Farms, Long Lots and Coleytown fields.  Players and parents are encouraged to bring cereal, oatmeal or non-perishable breakfast items.  The WSA will then donate everything to the Gillespie Center food pantry.

The idea came from a soccer parent who volunteered at the center, and knew that the first item the food bank runs out of is breakfast cereal.
For further information, or to volunteer to help, email volunteers@westportsoccer.org.

The Westport Country Playhouse is well known for augmenting each show with special events — talkbacks, social gatherings, whatever.

But — befitting its important message — the current production of “The Diary of Anne Frank” offers an unprecedented series of lectures, film screenings, exhibits and discussions.  All provide a wider context into the life of Anne Frank, the Holocaust, genocide and issues of social justice.

Sixteen community organizations have partnered with the Playhouse to provide something for every theatergoer.

Among the highlights:

“Parallel Paths and the Last Seven Months of Anne Frank:  A film screening”  (Mon., Sept. 27, 7 p.m., WCP Sheffer Studio; free and open to the public).  The film is a first-hand account of the Holocaust, as seen through the eyes of survivors, witnesses and rescuers who had experiences similar to Anne Frank’s.  The screening will be followed by a discussion.

“Symposium:  Anne Frank and the Americanization of the Holocaust” (Sun., Oct. 3, following the 3 p.m. matinee, WCP Jason Robards Studio; free and open to the public).  Lawrence L. Langer — an acclaimed literary and cultural scholar of the Holocaust — will discuss the evolution of Anne Frank’s story over the last 50 years, and the history behind its “co-option” as a universal story of hope and redemption.

“From Outrage to Advocacy:  Raising Public Awareness of Genocide” (Thurs., Oct. 7, following the 8 p.m. show, WCP Jason Robards Studio; free and open to the public).  The history of genocide in the 20th century is paralleled by tales of daring men and women who raised awareness of these harrowing crimes.  This event covers the history of advocacy, and how today’s advocates are trying to avert the next human rights catastrophe.

“Together at the Table Family Dinner” (Thurs., Oct. 7 and Thurs., Oct. 14, 6:30 p.m., WCP Sheffer Studio; discounted ticket price of $10 includes dinner and show; must attend as a family group with at least 1 student-age child).  “Family Nights” allow families to enjoy a communal dinner in the rehearsal barn, and a casual conversation about the show before the performance.

“Making Diaries:  A Family Workshop Based on ‘The Diary of Anne Frank’” (Fri., Oct. 8, 4-5:30 p.m., Westport Arts Center; free and open to the public, recommended for ages 6-12.).  Molly Ephraim — the actress who plays Anne Frank — will recite her character’s powerful words.  Youngsters will tehn create their own story in a mixed-media diary, using innovative art materials.

“Words of Defiance” (Wed., Oct. 13, immediately following the 8 p.m. performance, WCP Jason Robards studio; free and open to the public).  Ellen Umansky, director of the Judaic Studies center at Fairfield University, explores diary writing as a form of non-violent resistance during the Holocaust.

“Thursday Talkback” (Thurs., Oct. 14, immediately following the 8 p.m. show).  The cast discusses the creative process, the historical research required of them as actors, and the responsibility they feel bringing this story to life.

Cindy Gibb has been a Ford model, and movie (“Stardust”) and TV (“Search for Tomorrow,” “Fame”) actress.

She’s been a singer and dancer (and girlfriend of former teen heartthrob Christopher “The Blue Lagoon” Atkins).

Gibb returned to her hometown of Westport last year, drawn by its arts scene and beauty.  She promised to get involved in the community.

She has — in many ways, including voice teaching.  Her latest contribution comes Monday (Sept. 27, 7 p.m.).  Gibb — who now goes by the 1st name Cynthia — be at the Westport Library, talking about “the business side of performing.”

Gibbs’ discussion — including making the performing arts a career, and how to run a “business” while performing — will appeal to potential performers.  And — this being Westport — some of their parents.

Teenagers are not known for the planning-ahead skills.

But the Westport Youth Film Festival is already looking ahead to June 2011.

They’ve hired Kate Lupo — a former WYFF volunteer — to raise awareness of, and participation in, next spring’s 8th annual event.  Students (and parents and teachers) interested in learning more are invited to meet Kate at an information session on Tuesday, Sept. 28 (7 p.m. at the Westport Arts Center, 51 Riverside Avenue).

An added attraction at that session:  pizza.

The festival is also seeking applications from teenage entrepreneurs, filmmakers, writers, artists and leaders interested in joining “Team WYFF.”  Members interact with high school filmmakers from around the world; meet industry professionals; coordinate sponsorships and donations, marketing and communications materials; book venues for student film screenings, and write press releases.

For more details, click on www.westportyouthfilmfestival.org, the Westport Youth Film Festival Facebook fan page, or call 203-222-7070 ext. 112.  The application deadline is Friday, Oct. 8.

Trust the Westport Public Library to find a tie-in with any community event.

Even this weekend’s Blues, Views & BBQ Festival.

Honoring the upcoming foot-stomping, mouth-watering event — which takes place just a short rib away — the library is hosting 3 free events.

This Saturday (Sept. 25, 10 a.m.), barbecue chef and PBS host Rick Browne will talk about all things BBQ.  He’ll also discuss his cookbooks — how’s that for a library tie-in?

On Saturday at 2 p.m., the library screens the classic 1980 musical comedy The Blues Brothers. That’s not too much of a stretch, is it?

Finally, on Sunday, (Sept. 26, 2 p.m.), music journalist Mary Lou Sullivan discusses her new book, Raisin’ Cain: The Wild and Raucous Story of Johnny Winter. He’s the blues musician Rolling Stone called one of the greatest guitarists ever.

Books will be available for purchase and signing at the Browne and Sullivan talks.  For BBQ, though, you have to go the festival itself.

Halloween comes a bit early this year — at least, for people taking the Westport Historical Society Lantern Tour.

For the 7th straight year, actors will take WHS guests back in time.  They’ll visit graves at a local cemetery, and reenact the life stories of some of Westport’s most notable (dead) people.

This year’s event is set for 4 p.m. this Sunday, Sept. 26, at the Green’s Farms Congregational Church upper cemetery on Hillandale Road.  Participants will hear stories of the Sherwood family, Edward Coley Birge and Charles Rowe — church sexton, and a freed slave.

The tour concludes with ghost stories (and music and refreshments).

The cost is $5 per person; $15 per family.  For more information, click here or call 203-222-1424.