Y's Men News -- Sunday, February 8, 2026 | | |
Table of Contents
(Scroll Down to Find the Article Behind the Headline. Articles are
in the same order as the Table of Contents)
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GIDG Meets Tomorrow at 9:00 am
- Staples Jazz Band to Perform This Thursday for Y's Men
- Y's Men Life Talk Group to Discuss Mortality on Tuesday
- Jazz and Mixed Music Lunch at VFW This Wednesday
- Jay Norris Spoke to the Y's Men on Community Building
- Classical Music Society Presents "A Celebration of the Flute"
- Mindfulness Group Meeting February 16
- Y's Men Marketers: A Community Service Opportunity
- Invitation to Sherwood Island Friends Valentine's Day Event
- T&E Lists Outings
- New Y's Men Fraud Protection Club to Hear Hacking Victim
- Another Y's Man Winner in the Expo 22 Photo Contest
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GIDG to Meet Tomorrow at 9:00 am
The Global Issues Discussion Group (GIDG) will meet tomorrow, February 9, at 9:00 am in rooms 203/204 at the Saugatuck Congregational Church.
Topic for discussion will be pending world events.
For more information on GIDG, contact Y's Man Harvey Luft at harveyluft@gmail.com
| Staples Jazz Band Performs for Y's Men This Thursday | |
Staples Jazz Band Concert will be featured at this Thursday's regular Y's Men meeting.
This Thursday, February 12; 10:00 am; The Westport Library. Usual social hour begins at 9:00 am with coffee, donuts and bagels.
Mark your calendars for a special morning of world-class jazz when the renowned Staples Jazz Band takes the stage for the Y’s Men’s Thursday gathering in The Westport Library.
The Program
“Who Me?” by Frank Foster opens with infectious big band swagger and playful confidence that defines great jazz.
“A Night in Tunisia” (arr. Mossman) reimagines one of jazz’s most beloved standards with fresh perspectives while honoring its timeless appeal.
“Big Dipper” by Thad Jones showcases compositional brilliance with sophisticated twists, highlighting the ensemble’s precision and soloists’ artistry.
“Oclupaca” by Duke Ellington exemplifies the Master’s harmonic genius and enduring influence on generations of musicians.
“Back to the Basement” by Brett Zvacek closes with contemporary energy, proving jazz is a living, evolving art form that honors both tradition and innovation.
Why Attend?
"The Staples Jazz Band auditions only the most dedicated and talented young musicians, and their performances reflect that commitment,” according to Y’s Men Past President John Brandt, who is coordinating the event. "From traditional compositions to modern arrangements with improvisation, you’ll experience the full spectrum of big band jazz excellence,” Brandt said.
One hour of outstanding music. February 12. 10:00 am. The Westport Library. Don’t miss it.
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Y's Men Life Talk Group to Discuss Mortality
The next meeting of the Y's Men Life Talk Group will be Tuesday, February 10 at 2:00 pm in room 109 at the Saugatuck Congregational Church. The topic will be Mortality.
Is there anything more important to think about? As long as humans have been sentient beings, we have figured out that this life doesn't last forever. The Latin term "Memento mori" (remember you must die) has been around since the ancient Roman philosophers. Buddhists emphasize the impermanence of everything. Christians believe that a heaven (or hell) awaits us.
How do you think about, and embrace the fact that we all shall end? … What, if anything, do you believe happens when we die and how does that affect how you live your life now? … Are you intentionally doing anything to prolong your life (diet, exercise, more social connections)? ... Have you had any health or other warning-bell surprises? … How did you deal with them? Have you lost anyone close to you recently? If so, how have you handled that?
A quote to consider:
“Your days are numbered. Use them to throw open the windows of your soul to the sun. If you do not, the sun will soon set, and you with it.”
― Marcus Aurelius
For additional information about the Life Talk Group, contact Larry Ackerman at larryackerman06@gmail.com.
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Jazz and Mixed Music Lunch This Wednesday at the VFW
The next Jazz and Mixed Music Lunch will be at the Westport VFW at noon this Wednesday, February 11. The cost is $25.00 per person, pay there. Spouses and special guests are invited.
The program will feature video performances by Woody Herman, Willie Nelson, Celia Cruz, Bucky Pizzarelli, Julie London, Duke Ellington, Glen Campbell and more.
Sign up with Jeff Hare at jeffahare@gmail.com. Be sure to note the names of your guests.
| Jay Norris Works Toward Stronger Sense of Community | |
Jay Norris addresses Y's Men last Thursday.
Photo by Ted Horowitz
Like many of us, Jay Norris and his family fell in love with Westport after driving around Compo Beach, and chose to make Westport their home. There weren't many Black families when his family moved here - as few as one percent, although most were highly educated and successful.
Shortly after he moved here, Covid, followed by the murder of George Floyd, raised his consciousness and his determination to not only expand the Black presence in Westport, but to integrate his vision of a diverse and engaged Westport, so that all residents feel civically invested in the future, with a sense of ownership, not just of our homes, but of the quality and character of Westport, and its future.
Jay is a joiner, an adviser, a collaborator, a builder of bridges between and among Connecticut communities, which he feels often exist in their own vacuums and silos. Through "Westport 10" and "Startup Westport," he works together with all residents and organizations to create a stronger and expanded sense of community. This includes working with Y's Men, and we all look forward to talking to him again - "breaking bread," and collaborating on projects that will benefit the town.
Click here to view the video of Jay's presentation.
| Y's Men Classical Music Society Presents Flute Concert | |
Aimee Toner performs for the Y's Men in a concert last Thursday that also included flautist Lynn Padell and pianist Y's Man Dr. Harold Sauer.
The Y's Men Classical Music Society presented an elegant, well-attended concert last Thursday featuring flautists Aimee Toner and Lynn Padell and pianist and Y's Man Dr. Harold Sauer and his wife/page-turner Kathleen Sauer in the Sanctuary of the Saugatuck Congregational Church.
The concert highlighted the many voices of the flute through compositions by composers old and new. The musicianship and varied selection of solos, duets and trios made for a delightful musical experience for performers and audience alike.
The concert is the first of four live concerts in the coming months. They are:
Thursday, February 12, Staples Jazz Band.
Thursday, March 12, Staples Stradivarius Chamber Orchestra.
Thursday, April 30, world-renowned pianist Olga Vinocur.
Click here to enjoy the entire concert.
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Mindfulness Group Zoom Meeting Set for February 16
The Y's Men Mindfulness Group offers two distinct gatherings for Y's Men. Both are facilitated by Y's Man Dr. Paul Epstein.
A Mindfulness Group zoom session explores mindfulness practices and emotional resilience on the third Monday of each month. The next meeting is Monday, February 16 from 7:30 to 8:30 pm.
Just for Men is an in-person discussion group that meets on the first Thursday of each month at the Westport Center for Senior Activities.
For further information contact Paul Epstein or Jeff Rubin at, respectively, epsteinmb@aol.com and jeffrubinwpt11@gmail.com
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Y's Men Marketers: A Community Service Opportunity
Attention Y's Men with marketing/advertising expertise. Here is a Community Service Opportunity to be a member of a potential new official Town sponsored "Westport Sustainable Building Council" whose charter will be making Net Zero/Passive House construction more attractive, and helping develop this as a brand for Westport.
Please contact Y's Man Clarence Hayes at clarence@clarence.net or 203-818-7436 for more information.
| | Y's Men Invited to Sherwood Island Valentine's Day Event | | |
The Friends of Sherwood Island State Park have invited all Y’s Men and their spouses and friends to their first “Love Yourself - Get Outdoors” event on Valentine's Day, this Saturday, February 14.
Linda Gottlieb, FIT Trainer, who has focused her skills on "helping people over 50 embrace exercise for healthy aging, disease management, and for pre and post surgical and cancer recovery," will lead the morning’s activities. Guests will have a chance to practice “green exercise,” experience “forest bathing” and learn to use the “Nature Pyramid” to guide your exercise.
Meet on the west side of the Pavilion at 11:00 am on Saturday, February 14.
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