
UN Day is tomorrow. Flags of member nations were on display today, on the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge. (Photo/Susan Garment)

UN Day is tomorrow. Flags of member nations were on display today, on the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge. (Photo/Susan Garment)
President Kennedy was killed on November 22, 1963.
You’d think that 3 days later, the New York Daily News’ “Inquiring Fotographer” feature would ask about that nation-shaking event.
You’d be wrong.
The column — which paid $10 for each question used by readers — went ahead with their pre-planned query: “Is the average American afraid to take a chance today?”
That’s so vague. Afraid to take a chance on what?
As for “average American”: inquiring “fotographer” Jimmy Jemail asked it in a decidedly unaverage place: Westport.
And he chose some far-from-average Westporters to answer it.
The first was Board of Education member Robert Anstett. The well-known attorney — later a town prosecutor — said: “Absolutely not, at least as far as Westport is concerned. Our citizens are willing to work hard in their careers and to provide the best schools for their children. They know real success is a combination of knowledge and the gumption to act when opportunity knocks.”

Police Chief Sam Luciano answered the question through his own profession’s lens: “Far too many risk their lives on the road by taking foolish chances.
Westport Woman’s Club president Mrs. George W. Patch — those were the days when women were identified by their husbands’ names — believed that while the average adult took chances, “many of our young adults are reluctant to start at the bottom and work up. For many, unfortunately, college is merely a means of landing a soft job at a good salary.”
And Lou Nistico, “restaurateur” — known, then and now, as owner of the legendary Arrow restaurant — said, “Yes. This attitude is nationwide. How do you expect people to act on their own initiative when the Administration is moving closer and closer to a welfare state? The average person feels what’s the use, the government takes most of our money.”

(Hat tip: Diane McGrath)
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This week, Spinnaker announced plans to build 142 apartments in Saugatuck, on property bordered by Riverside Avenue, Railroad Place and Charles Street.
Ten percent of the units would be deed-restricted as affordable to families making up to 80% of the statewide median income.
Another 10% would be deed-restricted as “workforce housing.”
So what exactly is “workforce housing”? Who qualifies.
Michelle Perillie — director of the Westport Planning & Zoning Department — explains: “Section 5 of the Westport Zoning Regulations define Workforce Housing. The area median income this year is $156,800, so the maximum income for a family of 4 is $172,480 per year.”

How does one apply?
“The application process will be the same as for an affordable unit. (It) includes an income certification form…. There is also an applicant interview where income compliance is verified.”
Spinnaker’s plan has a long way to go before it is approved. Then, of course, comes construction.
It will be a while before anyone moves in, to either the affordable or market rate units.
Questions? Email mperillie@westportct.gov.

One view of the proposed Saugatuck apartments.
Speaking of $$$: The Board of Finance meets November 4 (7:30 p.m., Town Hall auditorium; click here for the livestream). Among the agenda items up for approval:
Specifically:
BMS-008 Install Air Vapor Barrier Metal Panel Facades $40,000
DW-012 Installation of Ductless Split Systems $507,635
GFS-002 & 004 Evaluation of Building HVAC System & Indoor AHU $100,000
GFS-003 Assessment of Water Side Balancing & DPS Replacement $50,000
KHS-006 Evaluation of Building HVAC System $50,000
SES-003 Replace Cooling Towers $1,038,982
SHS-005 & 007 Replacement of Air Handling Units for Pool & Supporting Areas $1,523,082
SHS-008 Replacement of Hot Water Pumps, Rebalancing, Control Valves $1,103,973
SHS-009 Replacement of Cooling Towers & Structural Evaluation $1,451,934
SHS-010 & 011 Replacement of AHU for Field House, Gym, Locker Rooms & Fitness Center $6,499,810
SHS-015 Replacement of Gas Fired Roof Top Units $1,322,330
GFS-008 Roof Replacement & Repair, and Replace Exhaust Fans $2,235,137
SHS-035 Exterior Doors Monitoring $50,000
BMS-011 Upgrade Science Labs $1,036,921
SHS-031 Renovate Girls Locker Room to Create New Team Room(s) $509,908
SHS-032 Renovate Girls Locker Room $50,000
There is this additional Board of Ed request, for $138,942:
DW-013 Installation of Room Numbers at Exterior Windows $93,942
SHS-033 Auditorium – Acoustical Study $20,000
SHS-034 Auditorium – Interior Renovations $25,000

Scheduled for renovation: the Staples girls locker room.
Speaking of the Board of Education: Its Teaching & Learning Committee meets Tuesday (October 27, 1:30 p.m., Town Hall Rooms 201/201A).
The agenda includes 2 new courses proposed for Staples High School.
The Science Department hopes to introduce “AP Cybersecurity,” for students in grades 10-12.
The course would cover core security principles, risk assessment and ethical responsibilities; physical security and social engineering; network and device protection; and application and data security, including encryption, cloud security, and web vulnerabilities.
Students would apply these concepts to realistic workplace scenarios, analyzing vulnerabilities and developing security recommendations. The course would also address defensive uses of AI, emerging security risks, and data privacy standards.
The prerequisite would be AP Computer Science Principles or Intro to Programming.
The Social Studies Department proposes a new 1/2-credit Early College Experience course, “If You Love It, Teach It,” for students in grades 11-12 interested in exploring careers in K-12 education. The course would examine the historical and social foundations of education, and provide hands-on field observation opportunities in local elementary and middle schools.

Right on the heels of a 4th place finish at the Head of the Charles race last weekend, the Saugatuck Rowing Club is getting ready for tomorrow’s River of Roses.
The event (Saturday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.), includes live music, great food, and — of course — the ceremonial scattering of 50,000 pink rose petals on the Saugatuck River.
The 9th annual event commemorates loved ones lost to breast cancer — and raises funds for survivors. After names are read aloud, the petals are swept out to sea.
Proceeds support SurviveOAR, the empowering, supportive community that provides mental, physical and emotional healing to women with breast cancer after traditional treatment ends.
This year’s River of Roses includes a naming ceremony of the Club’s beautiful pink rowing shell, in memory of beloved member Sarah Bianchi, who passed away last year.
Tickets are $75; rose petals are $25. Click here to purchase, and/or donate. Brunch includes a full raw bar, clam chowder, pumpkin bisque, charcuterie, egg frittata, apple crisp, and complimentary “Sarah Bianchi” Sauvignon Blanc.

Scattering petals, remembering friends.
As it’s done for 95 years, the Westport Country Playhouse continues to set the bar high.
And surpass it.
The historic theater kicks off the 2026-27 season with a world premiere. “Ken Ludwig’s Pride and Prejudice, Part 2: Napoleon at Pemberley” — a stage sequel Jane Austen’s novel “Pride and Prejudice” runs from now through November 7.
The play picks up with Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy happily married at Pemberley. Then their world is upended by an unexpected house guest: Napoleon Bonaparte.
As the fallen emperor awaits exile, his presence ignites a revolution among the Darcys, and their colorful circle of friends and relations.
For more information, including tickets, click here.

Napoleon in action, at the Westport Playhouse. (Photo/Carol Rosegg)
Fall into fun this weekend, at St. Luke Church’s Fall Festival.
The event (Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.) includes kids’ activities, a “shabby chic boutique,” craft and outdoor vendors, kids’ closet, raffles.

The Compo Beach neighborhood is one of Westport’s most popular, for densely packed trick or treating. (Sorry, residents — I don’t think any readers didn’t know.)
Most residents get in the spirit — handing out hundreds of dollars worth of candy (and a few drinks for the parents), and decorating their homes appropriately.
This is one particularly spooky scene, on Soundview Drive:

(Photo/Susan Garment)
In a related vein, some of the organizations and businesses that “adopt” traffic islands take care of them well. Others, well …
The Y’s Men of Westport and Weston not only take their commitment seriously — they go the extra mile.
This is the scene now, on Long Lots Road at Maple Avenue North:

(Photo/Paul Liistro)
If there’s a traffic jam in front of Saugatuck Congregational Church these days, perhaps drivers are slowing down to look at the fantastic fall foliage, framing the iconic building.
Molly Alger was walking — not driving — by, and snapped today’s “Westport … Naturally” featured photo.

(Photo/Molly Alger)
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And finally … to honor Saugatuck Rowing Club’s River of Roses, raising money for the SurviveOAR program (item above), a song by Survivor:
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Westport is not a good place to do business.
It’s a great place.
That was one of the takeaways from Tuesday night’s first “In Good Company” event.
Sponsored by Stifel Investment Services and the Westport Downtown Association, it was the initial outside event held at hi’Amba, the buzzy new restaurant/market on Jesup Road.

Socializing at hi’Amba, before the panel.
Three rock star panelists — hi’Amba and Kawa Ni restaurateur Bill Taibe, PopUp Bagels founder Adam Goldberg, and Savvy + Grace owner Annette Norton — shared their success.
And their struggles.
The former far outweighed the latter. All gave great props to local officials they’ve worked with, like 1st Selectman Jim Marpe, for creating a business-friendly environment.
They offered equal praise to the town itself. Residents support small businesses that reach out and treat them well, they said.
And the mix of sharp, creative and energetic Westporters spurs owners to innovate and grow.
(Full disclosure: The event was moderated by “06880” founder and executive editor Dan Woog — hey, that’s me!)

Panelists (from left) Bill Taibe, Annette Norton, Adam Goldberg; moderator Dan Woog.
Panelists’ stories revealed common themes that apply to businesses of all sizes and stages. Among them:
For me as moderator, one of the most interesting takeaways was the recognition that, as Westport changes — with new residents pouring in from (often) New York and Brooklyn, and younger families joining older ones — an exciting vibe makes this one of the most attractive communities around.

“In Good Company” audience. (All photos/John Videler for Videler Photography)
Our restaurant scene rocks. Taibe’s newest venture is a smash. But he welcomes competition. It makes him work harder and better — and everyone benefits.
We may look nostalgically on the mom-and-pop shops we’ve lost. There will always be a place though for a place like Savvy + Grace. Amazon is a difficult competitor, Norton acknowledged. But her personal touch, and unique knowledge of what Westport customers want, is impossible to duplicate.
And PopUp Bagels is just one example of the startup entrepreneurial culture that is everywhere in town.
From individuals and couples starting businesses in their home offices (and kitchens), to a few collaborating on new ideas — leveraging market knowledge, AI and intuition to build companies that solve old problems, create new niches or take us in directions we didn’t know we wanted to go — Westport is in a great spot.
We are “In Good Company” for sure.
(“06880” was a start-up once too. Like all local businesses, we rely on the community to keep us in business. If you enjoy this hyper-local blog, please show your support by clicking here. Thank you!)

Long Island Sound, from Sherwood Island (Photo/Clarence Hayes)
Superintendent of Schools Thomas Scarice sent this note today to the Westport School Community:
I am writing to provide an update regarding police activity along Long Lots Road this morning that led Staples High School and Bedford Middle School to activate the district’s security protocol and place both buildings in temporary holds.
Shortly before 8 a.m., the Westport Police Department received reports of a man acting erratically and yelling at vehicles in the area of Long Lots Road. In response, police officers, including multiple members of the department’s School Security Unit, acted quickly to assess the situation and identify the individual.
Through their coordinated efforts and ongoing communication with school administrators, the situation was addressed, and both schools were able to return to normal operations.
We understand that any situation requiring the activation of our school security protocols can be concerning for students, staff, and families. Please know that these protocols are in place to help protect our school communities, and decisions to implement them are made with careful consideration of the information available at the time.
This morning’s response demonstrated the importance of our strong partnership with the Westport Police Department and the constant communication between law enforcement and school administrators. That coordination allowed us to respond promptly, take appropriate precautions, and return both schools to normal operations as quickly as possible.
The safety and well-being of our students and staff remain our highest priorities. We are grateful to the Westport Police Department and our school security personnel for their swift response and continued partnership in keeping our schools safe.

Gigi New wanted to be an actor.
She earned a BFA in acting at Virginia Commonwealth University, then moved to Chicago and Los Angeles.
But with her Italian and Panamanian background, she says, she was pigeonholed as “the maid or nanny.”
Disheartened, she told her story to Nick Sadler, the actor she was dating. (And, since 2003, her husband.)
He encouraged her to write it down.
She realized that — based on her years spent learning dialogue — she had an ear for it.

Gigi New
Gigi landed a job as a personal assistant on “Everybody Loves Raymond.” On the set, she watched how scenes were put together. That led to work as a writer for Nickelodeon. She then developed film and television projects with Killer Films, AGC and Lifetime.
Writers often critique other writers’ work. Gigi realized she had a talent for that too.
Gradually, she turned a side hustle — teaching writing — into a full-time gig.
In 2016 Gigi, Nick and their son Cooper moved to Connecticut. Nick had been in the cast of “All the Queen’s Men” at the Westport Country Playhouse, and loved the town.
Cooper joined Staples Players; he’s now a junior at NYU Tisch School of the Arts.
Gigi set up an office in an old caboose, set in the woods off Newtown Turnpike, between the Country Store and Bette Davis’ old house. (That’s a story in itself; click here to read.)

Gigi New, at work in her caboose.
Gigi taught at the Westport Writers’ Workshop. Word of mouth grew. She branched out.
The result: New Way Writer (get it?). It’s a one-stop shop for aspiring and professional television and film writers. Services include personal consultation, online classes, special workshops, and work with film school applicants, plus high school and middle school students.
She helps analyze scripts and explore ideas. She also consults on projects.
Workshop topics include story fundamentals, creating a character or series, finding your voice, and writing a pilot.
It sounds straightforward. But Gigi wants clients to dig deep. “Everyone has a story. I always ask, ‘Why are you the one to tell this story?'” she says.
“Things pour out from there. We begin with the emotional side of storytelling.”
Feelings are key. “You have to put yourself into your writing,” she says. “Lean into the mess — because life is messy.” She helps writers understand “how your character can grow out of this mess.”
Writers grow as well, finding stories inside themselves that are “scratching to get out.”
Gigi grows too. “The process of teaching makes me a better writer,” she notes.
Some writers want a single conversation, in which Gigi critiques their work. Others work with her in 4- or 6-week blocks.
Success can be measured in many ways. One student recently won the Nantucket Film Festival — and with it a chance for meetings in Los Angeles with studios and agents.
Another just sold a script.
For some writers though, success means the satisfaction of putting ideas on paper, and molding them into a script.
Every client is different. (They’re in different places, too, from New York and Atlanta to Dallas and San Francisco. Gigi works primarily by Zoom.)
With some, she speaks “script shorthand.” With others, she patiently explores every angle and possibility.
High school students are especially exciting. “Their minds are so open and fertile,” Gigi says. “Anything goes!” Teenagers get a special discount rate.
Gigi New is not the actor she once thought she’d be.
But her journey might make an interesting film or TV show.
Anyone want to learn how to write it?
(To learn more about Gigi and New Way Writer, click here.)
(“06880” often covers entertainment, the lives of interesting Westporters — and, like today their intersection. If you enjoy stories like this, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)

Compo Beach (Photo/Larry Silver)
A few times a year, a few lucky folks get to share a private Saturday morning of movement, breakfast, conversation and community, on a rooftop overlooking the Saugatuck River.
Jennifer Ruspini’s Above Saugatuck offers a chance to “step away from the noise. Say hello to the neighbor you have not had time to meet. Move gently. Enjoy the morning without pressure, a sales pitch, or a crowded room.”

Jennifer’s rooftop event, in Saugatuck.
The most recent one was scheduled for this past Saturday morning. A dozen or so people were ready.
But the weather forecast seemed too cold for the rooftop.
She headed to Dandelion, the popular restaurant in the Delamar Westport hotel.
The manager knows Jennifer. “Your community got a nice writeup in ‘06880!'” she noted.
“That’s what I need to talk to you about,” Jennifer said.
Within minutes, Dandelion had agreed to host the event indoors.
And the room, coffee, pastries — all were complimentary.

From dining room to yoga, at Dandelion.
“They loved the idea of having something like Above Saugatuck in Westport,” Jennifer says — even if it as the opposite end of town.
“This is what a community gathering is all about: People coming together and helping each other,” Jennifer says.
Kudos to her, for creating such an interesting, unique space.
And a big shout-out to Dandelion and the Delamar for helping out, when Jennifer and her guests had to come in from the cold.
(Do you know an Unsung Hero? Email 06880blog@gmail.com. “06880” is proud to honor them — and tell many other tales of town too. Please click here to help us do that, by supporting this hyper-local blog.)
Posted in Local business, Restaurants, Saugatuck, Unsung Heroes
Tagged Dandelion, Delamar Westport, Jennifer Ruspini