Himes Visits Businesses, Buys CD

The start of a 17-day tour of his district's retail businesses turned into a shopping trip Tuesday for U.S. Rep. Jim Himes, D-4, while visiting Sally White's record store on Main Street.

White, who owns Sally's Place, was telling Himes the history of her business and her lifelong interest in music when he asked, "Got any Louis Jordon?"

If Himes expected to stump her, it didn't work. With a "follow me" flick of her finger, White walked to the middle of her store and pulled out two Louis Jordan CD's from a tray of jazz recordings.

Himes looked at the two CDs, thought for a moment, and selected one to purchase.

Known as "The King of the Jukebox," Jordon was a successful African-American jazz and blues musician and bandleader from the late 1930s into the '50s who died in 1975 at age 66.

Hime's asked White how she developed an interest in music and she said her first boyfriend played the saxophone and that was the start.

Leaving the store, which White has operated since 1985, Himes said, "I could stay and talk with her all day." Then turning to First Selectman Gordon Joseloff, who was accompanying him, Himes said, "You hope a business like that can survive."

The remainder of his Westport tour included visiting several more stores on Main Street before going to Gold's Delicatessen on Post Road East, where Himes bought a sandwich to eat on the way to visiting his next stop; meeting New Canaan First Selectman Jeb Walker.

Himes, who is in his first campaign for re-election, will be facing Republican state Sen. Dan Debicella, R-21, in November.