She notes: “Unfortunately, it seems the manager is a Giants fan — while at least some of his customers like the Pats.”

Enjoy the game. May the best team Patriots win!

Or not.

A January 23 Norwalk Hour story said that the 9,180-square foot property, on 2.73 acres at the corner of Wilton Road and Newtown Turnpike, was “poised to change hands and become the new home of Chabad Lubavitch of Westport.”

The Three Bears was a famed restaurant/inn — with 6 fireplaces — from 1900 until February 2009. It reopened for about 5 seconds as Tiburon restaurant, but the property was soon abandoned. Weeds sprouted on the once-stately site.

The Three Bears, after abandonment.

According to the Hour, John Zervos of DVB Commercial Realty said that Chabad — an Orthodox sect based in Brooklyn, and by some estimates the largest Jewish organization in the world — was “not planning on changing the outside, and the inside works really well for them with the big open spaces of the dining rooms.”

The Hour paraphrased Zervos as saying that while the group had already moved their offices into the new space, they had not yet applied for permits with town officials “to use the space as a religious institution in order to officially close the deal.” (They appear to be leasing, not buying, the building.)

The Three Bears, in its heyday. (Postcard/Cardcow.com)

The story noted that Westport’s Planning and Zoning Department received a complaint on January 4 from a neighbor “regarding activity taking place at the former restaurant.” A January 11 inspection revealed work being done on the premises without permits.

A letter sent January 13 cited violations of zoning regulations, said P&Z director Laurence Bradley. Chabad’s attorney requested a 30-day abeyance for more time to submit paperwork. It was granted, giving the group until February 23 to file its application.

Bradley noted, “they have been working and doing things without a permit. It’s been a restaurant since probably before there was zoning, so if they want it to become a synagogue, they will have to go through an extensive review and public hearings.”

Chabad attorney Ken Gruder told the Hour that the space will be used for an outreach group that includes prayer services, educational programs and religious discussions.

“It’s not a synagogue in the traditional sense, it’s so much more,” Gruder added.

But the story does not end there, with applications simply pending.

Yesterday afternoon, I received an email from a longtime Westporter. Attached was a letter the resident sent a day earlier to Bradley.

The interior of the Three Bears, also from its glory days. (Postcard/Cardcow.com)

It said: “Without proper permits for use of the premises as an office or house of worship, the group appears to already be working in the building, often at night, although the nature of their activities are unclear.” Apparently, there are 6 to 10 cars there each night.

The resident added that an “extremely bright outdoor security light in the parking area” was infringing on neighbors.

The writer expressed concern about traffic, parking and wetland impacts, and noted that the building — currently enjoying a “pre-existing approval for non-conforming use as a restaurant in a residential area” — would need a new P&Z approval process for any change of use.

One more concern: exterior alterations to historic building.

Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson (1902-94), famed Chabad leader.

In the email to me, the resident added more information: Several years ago Chabad was embroiled in a lawsuit in Litchfield, over proposed renovations that would turn a Victorian house in the town’s 1st synagogue. At one point, according to the Register-Citizen newspaper, Chabad filed suit against the town in federal court, alleging anti-Hasidic prejudice.

Right now, Chabad occupies a house on Kings Highway North that faces the medical complex.

Will they apply for permits by February 23? Will there be hearings — and if so, how contentious will they be?

Will Chabad move a mile or so up Wilton Road? Will the site of what was once Westport’s oldest restaurant become our town’s newest synagogue-or-something-like-it?

And why — despite a story last month in a Norwalk paper — is no one talking about this in Westport?

Some times though, the P&Z deals with lesser issues that — in the end — are just as important.

Like signs.

Right now, elected officials are discussing regulations regarding free-standing business signs. You know — the ones advertising Michele’s pie tastings, or 20% off a pedicure in honor of Martin Luther King Day. (I’m making that up. I think).

Signs like these may be legalized -- though in smaller, more "homemade" form -- by the P&Z.

Rules — they must be small, hand-written on erasable boards or chalkboards, placed in an unobstructing spot or hung on the building, stuff like that — go into effect February 17.

For Saugatuck and the downtown area only.

Talks are underway to extend the regulations to the entire commercial district of Westport — up and down the Post Road.

Right now, those signs are illegal. The P&Z wants to bring order to the process — allowing merchants to advertise in a friendly, local way, without letting large, garish signs sprout willy-nilly.

But what about businesses outside the zone? Christie’s needs signs to draw attention to its Sunday farmers’ market. Daybreak Nursery announces items like firewood and holiday wreaths that way. Positano could highlight daily specials.

And what about Wakeman Town Farm, which could use signs to publicize upcoming workshops and its Community Supported Agriculture program?

What, then, about lawyers, chiropractors, marketing consultants — anyone who operates a home business outside of current business zones? Could they set up small, hand-written, free-standing signs too?

Right now the P&Z has no formal requests from any of those businesses. If there are, they will be addressed.

Signs are not a big deal like office buildings or movie theaters. But we do notice them; they do affect our quality of life. Just think of all the political signs we see for months leading up to elections, or the ones announcing upcoming concerts, road races and charity events that cover the little gardens at road intersections.

“06880″ invites comments on this sign issue. Please be civil — and try to stay on topic.

A body was discovered on the I-95 Exit 18 entrance ramp.

And every day, it seems, there are automobile accidents everywhere in town.

This morning around 10:30, a westbound driver on the Post Road near Patagonia suddenly veered across the street, slamming into a car parked in front of Restoration Hardware.

In the words of Sgt. Phil Esterhaus:  “Be careful out there.”

“The Whelk” is the name of the newest restaurant in town. Located across from the old Doc’s on Riverside Avenue, it’s the latest addition to the funky mix of Italian, Mexican, seafood, steak and Mario Batali-type places that are fast making Saugatuck an actual lively place to be.

The owner’s name — Bill Taibe — is familiar. He also owns leFarm, the highly acclaimed Colonial Green restaurant offering fantastic local produce, fish and meats.

Bill Taibe serves up his octopus, squid and fries in beef gravy dish.

His newest venture is similar — much of the food is locally sourced — but very different. The Whelk’s menu spotlights oysters, clams and shrimp.

There’s smoked fish pate, salmon jerky and lobster rolls, along with chilled seafood salads, a tuna burger and blackened fish sandwiches. I recommend the spectacular (and innovative) octopus, squid and fries in beef gravy.

Meat (for dishes like the lamb burger) comes from just across the plaza — the mouth-watering Craft Butchery — while general manager Massimo Tulio (you know him from Fat Cat Pie and  Fountainhead) has designed an extensive list of hand-crafted wines. “All the growers have their hands in making it,” he says proudly. “There’s nothing with chemicals.”

Like the rest of the Saugatuck development, The Whelk is light and airy. There’s a long white marble bar, a couple of large communal tables, then plenty of window tables. There will be outside dining too (whenever).

Last night, the place was filled for a private party. Bill plans a soft opening next week. It should fill quickly, as many new restaurants do.

A whelk

But The Whelk will have staying power. And when spring and summer finally arrive, it and the entire Saugatuck neighborhood — including a new Asian cuisine and sushi bistro around the corner in the former Peter’s Bridge Market — will be rockin’.

They’ll do it 2012-style. But in many other ways, Saugatuck will be just as alive as it was 50 or 100 years ago.

Also, according to a Westport student-parent initiative, it’s “kool” to be kind.

This week, a “Kool To Be Kind Scavenger Hunt” gives parents and children a chance to have fun, learn about Westport and kindness, and bond in the process.

Kool To Be Kind — a year-old project initiated by mothers/professionals Cindy Eigen, Lynne Goldstein, Sarah Green and Melissa Shein — promotes kindness and compassion at an early age by training high school students to act as mentors and role models to elementary schoolers.

It’s being piloted in all 3rd grade classes at Long Lots and Coleytown Elementary Schools. Staples students — trained by K2BK — lead interactive lessons promoting kindness, empathy and the creation of anti-bullying allies.

The children just finished the 2nd of 5 lessons. Now they’re “hunting for kindness.”

Part of a K2BK poster.

They and their high school mentors created posters, which have been posted in 40 stores throughout Westport. A scavenger hunt for the posters starts tomorrow (Monday, January 16), and runs through Sunday (January 22).

Some do more than simply display the posters. For example, Crumbs is creating a K2BK cupcake. Earth Animal made a K2BKanine cookie. Lululemon has designed a K2BK yoga class.

The plan is for parents to help their kids use scavenger hunt cards to find the posters –and then discuss what they’ve found. If a poster says “Ally Power Rules,” a parent might initiate a discussion of the word “ally.” Hopefully, that will reinforce ideas the youngsters got from their K2BK lessons in school.

Once a child locates a poster, he or she will be given a sticker by a store employee. The class that gets the most stickers will earn a prize.

Long Lots 3rd graders (from left) Chelsea Strober, Rachel Varsano, Josh Leon, Jake Motyl and Justin Honig find a K2BK poster.

Nearly 4 dozen Staples students interviewed for spots as K2BK mentors. They thought they’d be teaching children, but they’ve also learned a lot themselves.

“They see their high school world through different lenses now. They seem changed in the process,” the K2BK founders say.

The scavenger hunt may also spread awareness throughout the community. Customers will see the posters hanging in windows or on walls. Owners will hand out K2BK fliers to anyone who asks about them.

“It’s simple,” the K2BK leaders say. “Being empathetic, nice and inclusive is what high school kids think is Kool. Being the opposite is not.

“If 3rd graders get the message, spread it to the rest of their school, and bring it home to their siblings and parents and then out to the community, we are doing our little bit to stop bullying and promote ‘ally power.’”

The founders have one other hope: that the scavenger hunt “will encourage everyone in the community to commit random acts of kindness, and pay it forward as much as possible.”

The shop — which sells books, CDs, stones “and other gifts for those interested in spirituality, recovery, alternative health, meditation, energy work, Reiki, Feng Shui, yoga and other body work” — started out 39 years ago in Westport, in the days when that kind of store easily found a home here.

Eventually it migrated to the Westport/Norwalk line, near John’s Best. A few years ago it moved to Norwalk’s Wall Street.

For now, everything is 40% off.

Soon, Pymander will just be the answer to a trivia question:  “What was the name of that new age place near downtown…?”

Since 1945, Jimmy raised poultry, eggs, vegetables, plants and flowers on Bayberry Lane.

Lloyd Allen — owner of the Double L Farm Stand — remembers his friend:

Jimmy Belta

Jimmy was a friend of mine. I’ll miss him and the flowers and vegetables that he grew. I’ll miss the stories he told. He always had a story to tell that had a lesson tied to it. He’d often often yell, “I’m not telling you what to do, I’m just trying to teach you something.”

He lived off the land. His hands were leathered and worn. He loved working from dawn to dusk. He grew and packed some of the nicest vegetables in the region. His tomatoes couldn’t be beat. He loved growing basil most of all and his garlic bulbs were huge. He picked his yellow squash small and they gleamed in the sunlight.

He had 1 phone line. It rang up at the house and out in the greenhouse. His wife would pick up the phone and always say, “Call back, maybe he’ll pick up.”

The Belta family will receive visitors today (Thursday, January 12) from 4-8 p.m. at Collins Funeral Home, 92 East Ave., Norwalk. A funeral service is set for 10 a.m. tomorrow (Friday, January 13), 10 a.m. at St. Luke Church.

Jimmy Belta's sunflowers.

The wine and spirits store is leaving its longtime location near Barnes & Noble for a spot in Playhouse Square: next to Massage Envy, just down from the new post office.

So, after a stressful wait in line for stamps, you can relax with a massage. Followed by a fine bottle of wine.

In other booze news, WestportNow.com reports that after nearly 44 years on Main Street, the Liquor Locker is leaving Main Street for a spot near Gold’s.

The rent for roughly the same space — 1100 square feet — will be cut by about half.

Plus, the parking is better. (Provided you can get in and out of Compo Shopping Center safely.)

We’ll drink to that.

A Westport Historical Society exhibit opening January 29 looks at Our Town in TV and films in the 1950s, through the eyes of writers who lived and worked here.

Now comes this, from alert “06880″ reader Larry Perlstein:

This may be common knowledge, but I just noticed that on the inside cover of Richard Scarry’s “What Do People Do All Day?” is a picture of downtown “Busytown.” There in all its glory is the Remarkable Bookshop — with “E. Kramer, Prop.”

The Remarkable Bookshop -- "E. Kramer, Prop." -- is in the lower right corner.

If you’ve just fallen off a turnip truck — or moved to Westport yesterday, or never read “06880″ before — you should know that the Remarkable Book Shop was for decades a downtown icon . It was in pink building on the corner of Main Street and Parker Harding Plaza (today it’s Talbots).

(Today it’s also become a flashpoint for “06880″ commenters. Some lament its demise, calling it a symbol of the loss of mom-and-pop shops. Others say, “Get over it. That’s the way the world works.”)

Oh, yeah: Remarkable was owned by “E. Kramer.” (The name of the store is a play on Esther’s last name, spelled backwards.)

Larry asks: “Is this well known? Does anyone know the connection between Scarry and Westport? I can’t find anything on the Wiki.”

I can’t answer that. But I’m sure “06880″‘s remarkable readers can.

The rest of the time, the place is nuts.

But let an alert “06880″ reader — a woman who wishes to remain anonymous — tell her tale.

I need to vent about the CVS pharmacy lines! Over the 3 years I’ve lived here, it’s gone from driving back from the doctor’s office, popping into CVS and picking up the prescription in less than 15 minutes, to now almost a 3-hour wait tonight.

I have a sick 1 1/2-year-old with an ear infection and needed to get a dose before bedtime. I was at the doctor’s at 2:15. They called in the prescription while I was there. So I went directly to CVS. I figured I’d have to wait a bit, but wanted it ASAP.

I waited in a ridiculously long line, only to be told it would be a 2-hour wait. I returned 2 hours later. They said my prescription hadn’t even been called in, which was untrue.

So they checked and discovered it had been. They told me 5 minutes, which turned into another half hour. By 5:30 I was rushing to get out of there and get the medicine in my son so we could all get some sleep tonight.

I was not the only sad story tonight.  There were many people almost traumatized by their individual situations and long lines. I asked the guy handing drop-offs what was going on. He said that since Walgreens stopped accepting express Rx (?), CVS now handles all of those customers. When I asked how they planned to address this increase in drug traffic, he shrugged his shoulders.

I think I’m about to take my business elsewhere. After spending an entire afternoon trying to obtain this prescription, it would have been more efficient if I had just driven to Fairfield.

Any thoughts on CVS? Walgreens? Achorns? Where do you get your prescriptions filled — and what’s your experience with customer service?

Meanwhile, don’t get me started on that CVS parking lot. Why do you think I only go there on Sunday mornings?

It was the day after a federal holiday — always a busy time for the Westport Post Office, which he serves as postmaster.

It was the first “real” workday after Christmas. Westporters who had been away were laden with packages to return, gifts to send back — and, of course, mail to pick up from PO boxes.

Plus, it was the 1st day in the new, but decidedly smaller, Westport post office in Playhouse Square.

Dennis Kassimis

Over the weekend, the move was made. Kassimis downsized — from 7000 square feet in the downtown location that opened in 1935, to 2700 square feet in the former location of Derma Clinic.

But unlike empty nesters looking for less space, the Post Office staff remains the same. There are, however, fewer sales windows — only 2 — plus 1 to pick up items.

There’s a lot less space everywhere — including the lobby.

The newness of the facility — clerks not sure where everything was, people still moving boxes around, along with the tightness of the waiting area, where bundled-up patrons were burdened with extra packages — made for a tough 1st day.

“We’re getting the kinks worked out,” Kassimis said with a weary smile. “We’re trying to get rid of the clutter.”

Kassimis is sure things will be better soon. He’s already pleased with the PO box area — which finally offers 24-hour access to box holders.

He went from 758 boxes in the old facility, to 678 in the new one. But all 80 boxes that disappeared were inactive. So no one lost a PO box — and everyone got to keep the same number.

The line yesterday at the new post office was literally out the door -- at least, one of the doors.

As a result, the new boxes skip a few numbers here and there. A few years from now, that will no doubt be a trivia question posed to “06880.”

Kassimis is also happy with the parking. There was no dedicated lot downtown; now there are plenty of Playhouse Square spots.

At 3:30 yesterday, they were all filled. One woman parked by the curb, nearly blocking access to the condominiums behind.

Full disclosure: I live in those condos. The new post office will make access a bit more difficult. And the extra traffic will no doubt make leaving the shopping center a lot harder.

Interestingly, the reason for the move was the financial situation of the US Postal Service. Since we all now communicate by email and IMs, and send everything by FedEx, the Postal Service is in tough shape.

Though — judging by yesterday’s lines — there are still plenty of Westporters who need the post office.

Welcome to the neighborhood, post office and patrons! For the sake of us who live (and shop) here: Please drive and park safely!

A woman idling outside the post office -- making driving difficult. She was there when I went in, and was still there when I came out 20 minutes later.

The story drew 30 comments. As expected, they ranged from “hey, everyone does it” to “those people are not only stealing from Stew’s, they’re stealing from me!” (higher prices, for you non-econ majors).

A few minutes ago, Stew Jr. (Himself) weighed in. But his comment is not what you might expect:

Scarfing at Stew’s — Dan, you make me laugh!

Stew Leonard Jr. (right) and a non-scarfing friend/customer.

There are some “scarfers” at Stew’s, but that day we also had about 10,000 really happy people and families because of all the free samples and “tastings.” When we have our demos of free food (100 a week). we get people from local businesses coming in for lunch! What do we do? We can’t let this very small percentage (less than 1%) of our customers dictate our policy.

This morning I watched a mom come in the store with her crying baby. She grabbed a bagel. The baby “teethed” on it and stopped crying. She spent over $300 on food. What’s a bagel?

If you want to go “nuts,” stand by our loose pistachio display. I find shells all over the store! When we package the pistachios, sales drop in half.

Let them scarf. My brother and I will smile! Happy New Year — and let me treat you to some of my mom’s lasagna next time you’re in the store!

Who knew?!

And a couple of lessons learned:

1. Scarfing does not really hurt the bottom line.
2. Stew Jr. owes me a lasagna dinner.

Or the woman who — the same day — grabbed bagels for her 3 kids (and 1 for herself). The family devoured them as they strolled through the store.

Or the guy a few days earlier who served himself a heaping dish of ziti and meatballs, then casually ate it all — with his fingers — before checking out.

Sure, there are tons of free samples at Stew’s. You can eat an entire meal there, if you time it right (Sunday afternoon).

But shouldn’t the store be the one to decide what’s on the house?

What’s next — opening wraps and a soda, then digging in?

Asking for a free slice of pizza or sushi?

Putting on a cashmere sweater, then walking out into the parking lot?

I’m a Stew’s customer, but I’m not sure those folks mentioned above are right.

But if they are — great! The lasagna, blackened salmon and enchiladas are calling my name.

An alert but anonymous “06880″ reader describes an overheard conversation in a (fortunately) unnamed hair salon the other day:

If one more person tells me Merry Christmas, I’ll clobber them. I’m Jewish! Stop telling me Merry F—ing Christmas!

Now that’s the Westport we know and love!

Wait, wait!  I was kidding!

Really!

Well then, Merry F—ing Christmas to you too!

He’s a regular at the Old Mill deli/grocery store/community center.

So are plenty of other Westporters.

But — no matter how often we get our coffee, pizza, a salad or wrap at a regular place — how many of us think to send it a Christmas card?

Plenty, apparently.

This season, Elvira’s is exhibiting dozens of cards from grateful customers.

They even crowd out the school photos of local kids that Niki, Stacy, Nick, Harry and the crew proudly display on the front counter.

Elvira’s is that kind of place.

So — as they say back in Elvira’s homeland — Καλά Χριστούγεννα!

Seven years ago he retired — reluctantly — from the Westport Fire Department. He’d been diagnosed with malignant ocular melanoma, and had his eye removed to help prevent the spread of cancer.

A few days ago, the Myers learned that the cancer has metastasized. Surgery would be necessary — Christmas week — to help rid him of the tumors.

Just hours after learning of the planned surgery, Laura was at Trader Joe’s. Christmas music — cheery and uplifting to most people — jingled from the speakers.

Quietly, Laura wept.

“I tried to maintain composure,” she says. “But these songs that form our life soundtrack began to italicize what was impending.” She thought of Christmases past — and wondered, would there be a Christmas future together with the love of her life?

With great effort she pulled herself together, and joined the checkout line.

“I thought I was doing okay at that moment,” she recalls. “When the clerk asked me if I had found everything I needed today, I said I found everything I needed that could be found at Trader Joe’s.”

He packed her last bag. Then he handed her a bouquet of flowers. “These are for you,” he said simply.

“You cannot imagine how a small, unexpected act of kindness from a stranger can affect you until it happens,” Laura says.

“He did not ask me what was wrong. But I found myself blurting out, ‘My husband has cancer.’”

He asked for her husband’s name, and promised to offer a prayer. Laura thanked him, walked out, got into her car, and sobbed.

Customer service, Laura says, is related to corporate culture. She’s always found folks at Trader Joe’s to be cheerful and helpful — genuinely, not just for show.

“This gentleman was not a friend, not a relative, not an eminent physician,” she says.

“But he gave me a very special moment of hope when I had none. That is nothing less than extraordinary.

“And yes. I found most everything I needed that day at Trader Joe’s.”

Goodwill said no.

The only TVs they accept, they said, are flat screens.

My friends took the rejection in stride. Though they did wonder what’s next. Will the Salvation Army accept only $20 bills?

What a shame! some wailed.

You can’t stop progress! others countered. (I’m paraphrasing here.)

And there, smack in the middle, was this:

Now is about the time someone laments the passing of the Remarkable Book Store.

Well, yeah.

It’s always a good time to lament the passing of “Remarkable.”

For the increasing number of Westporters who never knew it, Remarkable was a homey shop in a former 1700s home at the corner of Main Street and Parker Harder Plaza (the exact end of the block that starts with the new concrete “park,” come to think of it).

The Remarkable Book Shop.

The 2011 way to describe it: It’s now Talbots.

“Remarkable” — the name, uber-cleverly, referred not just to its books, maps and knick-knacks but to the backward spelling of owner Esther Kramer’s last name — was painted a distinctive pink.

Even more remarkable was what was inside.  Books on every topic imaginable — including cutting-edge topics like women’s rights — filled uneven shelves.  Overstuffed chairs invited browsers to sit, read and linger, long before Barnes & Noble turned that concept into corporate policy.

A cat curled in the corner.

The floor was wooden, and uneven — something Esther and her staff never were.  They knew every customer — from Paul Newman and hotshot writers down to 3rd graders — by name.  Esther and her staff knew everyone’s tastes, and never hesitated to recommend a good read.

They knew what a local bookstore could — and should — be:  A community gathering place.  Warm, friendly, funky.  Something remarkable, which no one seemed to remark upon until it was gone.

If some of those words sound familiar, it’s because I wrote them last April, shortly after Esther Kramer’s death.

I lamented the passing of the owner. And I lamented the bookstore’s passing too.

So sue me.

Barnes & Noble

I’m not naive. Having written 16 books myself, I know the economics of bookstores. The bulk of my royalties came from Barnes & Noble and Amazon, not Giovanni’s Room (just hanging on in Philadelphia) or A Different Light (its 3 locations — New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles — are all closed).

Where do I buy my books? Barnes & Noble. Amazon. The iPad store.

But being a realist doesn’t mean I can’t lament the loss of a mom-and-pop (pop was Sidney Kramer, a noted New York publisher) store that was funky, familiar and fun.

A store that added a bit of life to downtown, at a time when other locally owned shops sold African clothing, records, used blue jeans and pizza. (Okay, Westport Pizzeria‘s still there.)

I know we won’t see a return of those shops to Main Street. Nor will we see small bookstores with knowledgeable clerks and a cat curled in the corner cropping up like, um, Gaps in airport terminals.

Santayana said (basically), those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it.

I say, those who diss our past are doomed to spend their lives in soulless corporate boxes, not knowing what they missed.

Though the parking, prices and pastries at Barnes & Noble are all pretty good.

I should mention here that Strouse is a therapist, so he knows a thing or two about mental health.  And stress.

Insurance companies were forcing therapists to use a “pathology model”:  What’s wrong with the patient?

He preferred “intuitive-based work” — looking for insights and perspectives.  That takes more time — and insurance companies hate the “t” word.

Nicholas Strouse

“It’s easier to give a pill than treat the soul,” Strouse says.

His response:  He started Westport Family Counseling.

WFC has grown to 6 clinicians, including social workers, and family and marriage professionals.

There are child specialists; specialists in trauma and PTSD; a nutritionist; psychotherapists; family therapists; psychopharmacologists, and psychoanalysts.

WFC offers a group therapy room and a children’s therapy playroom.  There’s a women’s program and a corporate counseling program.  This year Strouse added a parent consulting program, a meditation group and an online forum (called “Ask a Counselor”).

Yet getting the word out about the importance of mental health — or, as Strouse puts it, “emotional well-being” — is not easy.

Most people see a doctor for physical ailments, he says.  But emotional issues — not unless there’s a real crisis.  It’s a lot easier to talk to a doctor about migraines or heartburn — even ED — than stress or family functionality.

“We live in a country — and particularly a county — where it has become acceptable to live by the ethics that promote looking good over feeling good,” Strouse says.  “When times are tough, it’s even more difficult to help people understand that they would do well to invest in their self, as opposed to their appearance.”

Which brings Strouse to his Catch-22.  “The most important way we can design treatment to fit each individual or a family is by being an out-of-network provider,” he says.

“People love that we are there for them, have available appointments, can work outside the box.  They love what we offer.”

But — you knew this was coming — “they are extremely worried about paying for it out of pocket.”

So Strouse offers a pre-paid discount package plan (20% off, when you purchase 10 sessions up front).

He started a deferred payment plan for clients he’s worked with in the past.

And there’s always been a sliding fee scale — no paperwork needed.

Strouse jokes that — unlike an investment firm that retains clients forever — his goal is planned obsolescence.  He wants people to leave.

But he also knows that people need to come.

“In times of economic hardship, people are often more in need of the support and increased self-awareness therapists provide,” Strouse says.

“Money and financial security have a huge impact on our relationships and feeling of self-worth.  Money trouble can often reveal weaknesses in our relationships, or perceived inadequacies in our selves, that might not otherwise be brought to the fore.”

Therapy, he says, is the best way to deal with the stress of economic hardship — because it helps people “change the self-destructive patterns that prevent more success.”

Prosperity will eventually return, Strouse notes.  (From his lips to…)  But people will still have “that stuff inside that needs to be dealt with.”

And Nicholas Strouse will be there to help.  Provided, of course, he and his group can make it through their own tough, stressful times.

In reality, the spot — adjacent to what was then the library, graced with benches, flowers and a fountain donated by the Sheffer Family — was a great place for playing guitar, protesting the war, hanging out and making out.

The library moved across the street.  Shops and banks (and Starbucks) moved in.  The park fell into disuse.

In May, it was bulldozed.  A construction worker assured me that, after renovation, it would still look like a park.

More like a parking lot.

“Public access” continues to be guaranteed, I am told.  But the only “public” that will ever set foot on that uninviting expanse of concrete that once was Needle Park is whoever goes into whatever store happens to have its door there.

• I did not pepper-spray fellow shoppers to keep them from an Xbox I wanted.
• I did not get into fistfights, or stab anyone.
• I did not shoot anyone in a parking lot.

All that happened at Walmarts, from Milford, Connecticut to California.

Thank god we don’t have a Walmart in Westport.  Though, Lord knows, the soon-to-be vacant YMCA would be a great spot for one.  Talk about bringing action to downtown!

While Westport stores did not open at 10 p.m. Thanksgiving Day — we may be crazy about shopping, but we’re not lunatics — Main Street was mildly to moderately packed this weekend.  I didn’t see anyone I knew, though.  Maybe Yogi Berra was right:  Nobody goes there anymore.  It’s too crowded.

Thanksgiving weekend in downtown Westport.

I’m not sure what attracts out-of-towners to downtown Westport.  Banana Republic, Eileen Fisher, The Gap, J. Crew, Pottery Barn — those are not exactly unique stores.

Of course, there are plenty of local businesses.  And just as the farmers’ market focuses attention on home-grown bounty, this shopping season should spotlight Westport merchants.

No, Mitchell’s doesn’t weave its own cloth.  But here’s what they do:  They always step up to support Westport organizations.  Buy an ad for our program book?  Donate something to our auction?  Help out a kid in need, with no public recognition?

Sure!  Just tell us what you need! says Bill, Jack or any of the 3rd-generation Mitchells now running the store.

When was the last time — to pick a name out of a hat –  Brooks Brothers did something like that?

Steve Silver, in the store that bears his name.

Same with Silver’s.  And Silver Ribbon.  And Sally’s Place.  Think of how many times you’ve seen their ads in programs.  They support school plays, sports teams, every fundraising effort imaginable.

The farmer’s market supports local, sustainable agriculture.  This holiday season, let’s support local, sustainable businesses.

We don’t do all our shopping at farmer’s markets, of course.  Sometimes we go Stop & Shop.

You won’t find every gift at a locally owned store.  If you were to get me, say, a gift certificate for books, I’d recommend Barnes & Noble — it’s close, convenient, and we long ago drove every independent bookstore out of town.

All I’m saying is, stop before you shop.  This month, think about supporting the Westport merchants who, month after month and year after year, support Westport.

Just stay away from Walmart.  You may not make it out alive.

If the name and subject sound familiar, it’s because “06880″ profiled Sam — the son of Double L Farm Stand owner Lloyd Allen — back in May.

But we’ll defer to the Paper of Record.  The Times piece begins:

Several institutions immediately offered space.  Christ & Holy Trinity Church — just down the road, with a 3,000-foot “Great Hall” dedicated only in June — was quickly chosen.

Christ & Holy Trinity Church -- including the new Great Hall, where Thursday's Thanksgiving feast will take place.

Yesterday, dozens of Westport Young Woman’s League women and Boy Scout boys scoured soot-encrusted pots and pans.  They finished at 7 p.m.

Stew Leonard’s and Britt-Air replaced the 30 turkeys destroyed in the fire — and Oscar’s Deli donated space in its walk-in freezer to store them.

Stop & Shop gave produce.  The Westport Garden Club prepared fruit.  Panera Bread offered food and (duh) bread.  Coleytown Elementary School prepared pumpkin bread and centerpieces.  R.J. Mase loaned knives.

Cash always helps.  Among the first donors:  Coleytown Middle School.

Even Gateway Printers pitched in — printing signs to show the way from Saugatuck Church to Christ & Holy Trinity.

You could call it a miracle.

Or you could say it’s what a true community does:  comes together in time of need.

But why argue?  Let’s talk turkey:  Happy Thanksgiving!

Anthony Jordon, manager of the Norwalk Panera store, and associate Dana Boch provide plenty of food for the feast.

Glen Palinkas, Mark Mathias and Paula Mikesh prepare to turn donated goods into a Thanksgiving meal.

Also lost:  over 30 donated turkeys, part of the annual Thanksgiving Feast (now set for 1 p.m. Thursday at Christ & Holy Trinity Church).

It took less than 24 hours for the turkeys to be replaced.  Scott Thommen of Britt-Air, along with Stew Leonard’s, quickly made sure the church had one less thing to worry about.

For Stew’s, it was the 2nd turkey donation to Saugatuck Congregation.  “The world’s largest dairy story” had already donated a bunch o’ birds — the ones caught in the fire.

Oscar's Andy Porier; Scott Thommen, owner of Westport's Britt-Air; Randy Christophersen, chair of the Saugatuck Feast Committee, with newly donated turkeys.