Bobby Valentine celebrates 70 with a virtual party
Scene… Stamford’s own Bobby Valentine, a former Major League Baseball player and manager, celebrated his 70th birthday at his home on Wednesday, with about 600 people sharing in the festivities in a virtual conversation that included former New York Mets players Wally Backman, Greenwich resident Lee Mazzilli and Ron Darling. The retired baseball greats shared their stories about the 1986 World Series Championship and talked about baseball past present and future. Valentine raised over $14,000 for the athletic department at Sacred Heart University, where he is athletic director, by giving away some of his memorabilia to the first 70 people who contributed $100 through the virtual celebration. To make a further donation, go to www.sacred heart.edu/bv70.
Out there… The Breast Cancer Alliance will host its inaugural Poker Night online from 8 to 11 p.m. Thursday, June 25. Card players will compete to raise funds for the Greenwich-based nonprofit, which fights breast cancer by making investments in early-stage research, fellowships, education and support. For tickets and more info, go to breastcanceralliance.org.
Book club… The Greenwich Library’s AuthorsLive event will feature novelist Joanne McNeil in a virtual conversation with Greenwich librarian Stephen Schmidt at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 27. McNeil is the author of “Lurking: How a Person Became a User,” a concise but wide-ranging personal history of the internet. To register for a direct link to the interview, which you can stream on your devices, visit www. greenwichlibrary.org/ authors-live/. Subscribe to the library's YouTube channel to watch the interview at your convenience.
Out there… Spring for Abilis, the nonprofit’s annual fundraiser, raised a record $400,000 through its virtual annual Gala in May. Abilis provides services and support for individuals with special needs and their families. The event featured fitness and dance superstar Billy Blanks Jr., and celebrity guests from the Broadway and dance worlds who joined in support of Abilis with a virtual Sing & Dance Party. Gala co-chairs included Greenwich residents Bibi Clarke and Dina Urso and Weston resident Fran Cohen. For more information, visit www.abilis.us.
Canceled… Stamford’s Alive @ 5 outdoor summer concert series has been canceled in due to the coronavirus pandemic. Also, the Norwalk Seaport Association canceled its 43rd annual Norwalk Oyster Festival, which has been scheduled for September.
Open its doors… Tony’s at the JHouse at 1114 E. Putnam Ave. in Greenwich has reopened, serving lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch on the Garden Patio. Limited seating is available by reservation only, and safety guidelines are all in place. Curbside pickup and delivery are also available. For more info and to reserve a table, visit Tonysatthejhouse.com or call 203-698-6999.
“Perhaps nothing helps us make the movement from our little selves to a larger world than remembering God in gratitude. Such a perspective puts God in view in all of life, not just in the moments we set aside for worship or spiritual disciplines. Not just in the moments when life seems easy.”
And that’s all for now. Stay safe.
Later…