Onyx dedicated her life to the Westport Police Department.
As a member of the K-9 unit, she helped officers sniff out drugs and track bad guys. She was faithful, energetic, and very good.
Now, the retired police dog faces a potentially serious medical challenge. A tumor is affecting her eye.
Surgery can remove it. Though difficult, it will prevent further pain and help stem the spread of disease.
Onyx is strong, resilient, and surrounded by people who are committed to fighting for her every step of the way.
Onyx
But this is just the start of Onyx’s medical journey. Surgery will cost a few thousand dollars. If a biopsy confirms malignancy, total care will be much higher.
Harlow’s Heroes is a non-profit that provides medical care, critical services and support for active and retired K-9s.
They’ve already covered all pre-operation expenses. Now they’re looking for help through surgery, and after.
Funds would cover surgical removal of Onyx’s eye; biopsy and diagnostic testing; post-operative care and medications, and follow-up treatment.
“06880” culture correspondent Robin Moyer Chung reports:
Over the past few days, “06880” has posted several readers’ praises of Westport Country Playhouse’s latest production, the Pulitzer Prize-winning “Primary Trust.”
I’ll add mine.
Eboni Booth wrote the play during the pandemic, while a student at Juilliard. It premiered Off-Broadway in May 2023.
Touching on isolation, neurodiversity and self-worth, “Primary Trust” illuminates the “invisible” people who float in the margins of our lives.
The characters are rich. The powerful script is tender and charming, with unexpected turns — a quiet uncoiling of the long, relentless tentacles of childhood trauma.
Alphonso Walker Jr., and Lance Coadie Williams.
The show follows Kenneth (Alphonso Walker Jr.), a lonely and unobtrusive 38-year old Black man. Kenneth has worked in the same small bookshop for 20 years. He wanders to Wally’s Tiki Bar every night for the 2-for-1 mai tai special, which he drinks with his only friend, Bert.
Bert, played brilliantly by Lance Coadie Williams, is a jovial and committed companion.
Jasminn Johnson, who effortlessly plays a carousel of entertaining Wally’s waitresses, also plays Corinna, Kenneth’s favorite waitress.
When the small bookstore closes, Kenneth follows a tip from Corinna and applies for a teller position at a local bank.
I don’t want to reveal much else.
Alphonso Walker Jr. and Jasminn Johnson. (Photos/Carolyn Rosegg)
For me, there was one small nag. The 3 main characters — Kenneth, Bert and Corinna — are Black (in accordance with the script). One actor is white: Kenneth’s boss at the bookstore, then the bank, played by the comical Greg Stuhr.
Though not denoted in the script, this casting choice was also in its original smash success off-Broadway.
An antagonistic relationship between older white men and younger Black men is a strong thread throughout modern theatrical and cinematic history, and it threw me off-course. Throughout the show I anticipated a clash or misunderstanding to be its climax, which never happened.
This expectation distracted me from the important themes of the play. Perhaps the casting was intended to disrupt this thread, and alter our preconceptions. I’m all for that.
Lighting designer Jonah Bobilin and sound designer Andrea Allmond deserve a special shout-out for their mastery of some tricky and impactful effects.
(“06880” covers Westport’s vibrant arts scene — and much, much more. If you appreciate any features on your hyper-local blog, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
Next Monday’s Planning & Zoning Commission meeting (April 27, 6 p.m.; Zoom) will begin with the consideration of a pre-application that’s been discussed for a while.
Representative Town Meeting member Andrew Colabella will initiate discussion of a fenced dog area at Winslow Park. It would be located near the end of the asphalt walkway, in the area where construction equipment was staged a couple of years ago.
There would be one section for small dogs, another for large ones.
A pre-app is an informal, preliminary review process for a proposed project. It’s a way to present a conceptual plan and receive early feedback, before formally filing a special permit or site plan application.
There are currently on- and off-leash sections of Winslow Park — but no special fenced-in area. (Photo/Mark Mathias)
Speaking of the great outdoors: Yesterday was Earth Day.
As she has done for over 20 years, longtime Westporter and environmental advocate Rindy Higgins cleaned up garbage at Canal Beach (after a full day of substitute teaching at Coleytown Middle School).
She reports: “Finding mostly paper scraps, tar chunks, an odd large jar full of dirt topped with a lid like a terrarium, and some plastic bits and bobs, I’m glad to announce there is much less this year than in the past!”
Next year, let’s put Rindy out of a job. (Clean-up, that is — not teaching.)
An update on an ongoing accessory dwelling unit (ADA) case:
In January, the Zoning Board of Appeals unanimously denied an appeal of a previous Planning & Zoning Commission decision, to allow construction of an ADU at 21 Norwalk Avenue.
Adjacent Compo Beach neighborhood property owners David Johnson and Holly Jaffe had objected to the ADU, based on its 26-foot height and location 10 feet from the existing house. (Click here for a previous “06880” story on this issue.)
James Ezzes, ZBA chair, wrote that zoning regulations in effect at the time of the application allow construct of accessory dwelling units as of right; the proposed plans conform to the definite of an ADU and all applicable standards; regulations allow a 350-square foot coverage exemption for lots of 1.5 acres or less; and the zoning enforcement officer does not have discretion in the review of permits.
With a suit pending in Superior Court (set to be heard in August), alleging that the Zoning Board of Appeals erroneously approved the permit, Johnson and Jaffe requested an injunction to prevent construction. A judge will rule on that motion on April 29.
This week, however, work began on the new structure.
Construction begins at 21 Norwalk Avenue.
Meanwhile, the P&Z has already revised regulations for ADUs in small lots. They removed a 350-foot exemption on lots of 1.5 acres and less. The lot in question (above) is .11 acre.
=================================================
“Affordability” — a hot topic nationally these days — is the theme of this year’s 10th annual Westport Woman’s Club Art Show.
Sixteen local artists — with works curated by Miggs Burroughs — kicks off with an opening reception today (Thursday, 4 to 7 p.m.). The exhibit continues Saturday and Sunday, April 25-26 (2 to 5 p.m.).
Artists include Robin Babbin, John Bygott, Bonnie Edelman, Susan Fehlinger, Hernan Garcia, Rachel Hall, Elisa Keogh, Shelley Lowenstein, Paula Morgan, Larry Morse, Jon Puzzuoli, Butch Quick, Jodi Rabinowitz, Cindy Wagner and Tammy Winser.
Guest artist Sean Keating will show work in the drawing room, where small works donated by the participating artists as chance prizes will be on display.
This year’s show honors the memory of Jo Fuchs Luscombe. The former WWC president — who also served as state representative, 3rd selectwoman and Zoning Board of Appeals chair — died last year.
Net proceeds benefit local community service organizations, and need-based scholarships.
The Westport Weston Family YMCA is all about health for all — especially youth.
So it’s a no-brainer for them to invite everyone to Healthy Kids Day (April 25, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.).
Part of a national Y program, Healthy Kids Day highlights the importance of nutritious eating, physical activity, mental resilience, and developing lifelong healthy habits.
The event includes mini-classes, food trucks with healthy options, a bounce house, water safety demonstrations, and community vendors and partners.
“Art, Jazz + the Blues” — MoCA\CT’s current exhibition — is open through June 7. It’s visually expansive, and the music it evokes is equally broad and inspiring.
But that’s far from the only reason to visit the Newtown Turnpike gallery.
A host of activities complements, draws upon and adds to the exhibit. For example:
East Coast Contemporary Ballet Salon Series (tonight, Thursday, 7:30 p.m.).
Teen Open Mic Night (April 30, 6 p.m.)
Inside Art & Jazz with WPKN’s Richard Epstein and Jim Motavalli (May 2, 6 p.m.)
Intuitive Painting: Analyzing Your Creative Flow with Melissa Benedek (May 3, 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.)
1 Degree of Separation: Jazz in Connecticut — A Conversation with Yale School of Music’s Tom Duffy & Wayne Escoffery (May 7, 6 p.m.)
Mother’s Day at MoCA\CT (May 10, 12 to 5 p.m.)
Sound Bath Meditation with Hummingbird Healing Arts’ Lisa Pak (May 12, June 30, July 14, 6 to 7 p.m.)
Westport Writers’ Workshop at MoCA\CT (May 14, 6 p.m.)
Camp MoCA Open House (May 16, 9:30 to 11 a.m.)
Karisa Chiu, Violin, and Frederic Chiu, Piano (May 16, 7 p.m.)
Lewis Black is an upcoming Westport Country Playhouse attraction.
Well, he won’t be on stage. But the comedian has written a lively, insightful comedy — “One Slight Hitch” — that is the next Script in Hand reading.
It’s set for Monday, May 4 (7 p.m.).
His inspiration was a wedding invitation from a woman he had dated years earlier.
“That really blew my mind,” Black says. “I thought, ‘What if I did go?’ That was the beginning of the idea: What would happen if someone from the past suddenly showed up on a day that’s supposed to be completely planned out?”
“Everyone loves Lewis Black for his razor-sharp stand-up, his incredibly funny books, and his unforgettable appearances on ‘The Daily Showm’” says Mark Shanahan, Script in Hand series curator and Playhouse artistic director.
“But he’s also a remarkably funny playwright, and ‘One Slight Hitch’ proves it.”
The face “feels both wildly entertaining and all too familiar to anyone who’s ever navigated family, love, or the chaos of a wedding day.”
Born 16 weeks prematurely, doctors said he would be blind, and never walk.
He proved them very, very wrong.
Buoyed by support from his parents and sister, and many others — including eye doctors and occupational, speech and physical therapists — he survived.
At Staples High he ran cross country, and competed in indoor and outdoor track. He graduated in 2017.
But that was just the start.
Daniel ran 4 marathons. He got his undergraduate degree in human services from Beacon College, and pursued a master’s through the University of Vermont. in physical activity and wellness science.
The other day, Daniel provided this update:
“I believe that in our digitally connected world, we might be missing out on human support and contact.
“I saw the challenges my fellow neurodiverse individuals and I face in that digital world. My solution is developing a local neurodiverse mentoring community.
“Because resources are commonly developed and brought about from a neurotypical perspective, while well-intentioned they unfortunately often fail to support individual goals of people they are meant to serve.
“I offer personalized coaching for teen and young adult neurodivergents. Across several levels of functioning. my support from an empathetic perspective helps people achieve their goals and navigate their lives, from daily routines and indepedence to fitness and school.
“My background as a neurodiverse individual, and my professional experience as a paraeducator and fitness coach allow me to help. But my most important credential is my lived experience.”
For more information, email danielimaya@gmail.com; call 203-644-6877, or click here.
Daniel Maya
=================================================
Pop Shop Market offers a special pre-Mother’s Day event, with local vendors showcasing fashion, accessories, home goods and more.
It’s May 2 (10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Westport Museum for History & Culture).
Other gift ideas include graduations and teacher appreciation.
David Aasen — a 1974 Staples graduate whose interest in foreign affairs led him to a long career as a field manager, policy analyst and representative of international organizations in the Middle East, Africa and Europe — died of natural causes on April 7, in Dubai. He was 69.
A resident of Mombasa, Kenya, David had expertise in governance,
democratization, and relations between non-governmental organizations and the
media. He worked to make the world better and safer, in places many would have thought too broken to fix.
David worked for the United Nations, US State Department, Organization of African Unity, and Organization of American States.
Previously, he served as a long-time program officer for Amnesty International USA. Field assignments included reporting on civil conflict in Sudan, coordinating electoral assistance in Haiti and relief aid in Somalia, monitoring elections in the Republics of the Congo and Angola, and overseeing refugee repatriation projects in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
David spoke French, Spanish, Portuguese and Arabic.
After Staples High School, David earned a BA in international affairs from George Washington University. He also received certificates in mass media from Stanford University, and international peacekeeping from the Inter-American Defense College.
He was predeceased by his parents, Martha and Lawrence Aasen. He is
survived by his sister Susan Aasen (David), of Rockland, Maine.
================================================
The Longshore golf course is up and running … and ready to shine, as the featured photo in today’s “Westport … Naturally” daily series.
And finally … Dave Mason, who had success both with Traffic and as a solo artist, died Sunday. He was 79.
Mason — inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, with Traffic — headlined more than once at the Levitt Pavilion. His most recent appearance there was a 2017 fundraiser.
In his long career, he played with Paul McCartney, George Harrison, the Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Michael Jackson, David Crosby, Graham Nash, Steve Winwood, Fleetwood Mac, Delaney & Bonnie and Cass Elliott.
Click here for a full obituary. (Hat tip: Amy Schneider)
(“06880” is where Westport meets the world. From local news and upcoming events to a connection you forgot or never knew, we’re here for you, 24/7/365. Please click here to support us. Thanks!)
Jonathan Dobin-Smith is a Staples High School senior, and regional director for Circle of Friends. The non-profit involves children, teenagers and adults with autism and disabilities in a full array of inclusive social experiences.
In the fall, Jonny — who received Circle of Friends’ Mildred H. Schwartz Scholarship for Outstanding Volunteering and Leadership — heads to the University of Chicago. He writes:
No place epitomizes the meaning of “community” quite like Circle of Friends, on a Sunday afternoon. Volunteers, instructors and neurodivergent participants burst through the door in a torrent of excitement.
Neurodivergent kids often find themselves feeling left out. They aren’t invited to birthday parties or playdates, and have a hard time creating lasting friendships.
At COF, teen volunteers spend time with our friends one Sunday per month. We schedule weekly 1-on-1 playdates separately with our neurodivergent buddies.
Walking in the door for the first time as an 8th grader, I was nervous. I had no experience working with kids with special needs. My brother had been the president of Staples’ COF chapter, and I was anxious about filling his shoes.
However, the fantastic community of volunteers and organizers make everyone feel like they belong. What was once anxiety quickly turned to excitement.
Jonny Dobin-Smith (right) and fellow volunteer Aiden Lapatine, with their friend Shai during a baking activity.
Being a part of this year’s senior class of volunteers has been a huge honor. But as our senior class heads off to Emory, Michigan, Vanderbilt, Chicago and other great schools, we leave behind a group of amazing buddies looking for new friends.
COF only works when teens in our area step up to help. I hope that everyone reading this will consider volunteering, or encouraging a middle or high school student they know to volunteer.
Getting involved with COF isn’t just a chance to positively change someone else’s world a little. It’s an opportunity to change your own, in a meaningful way.
Volunteering with COF is super flexible. There’s an opportunity to participate in group events one Sunday per month. That’s enough for plenty of volunteers. Many others also participate in my favorite program, Home with Friends, where volunteers are paired with a buddy who they visit each week, in a way that works for the volunteer’s schedule.
Volunteers easily balance activities like rowing, lacrosse, football, Players and academics with this discrete time commitment.
In 9th grade I began visiting my buddy, G. A highlight of my time with G was Halloween, when I got to relive all the best parts of trick-or-treating.
G had a buddy to go out with that night, and I had the greatest time showing him “the best streets” for candy. We had a blast.
Volunteering with COF is truly impactful. Showing up to befriend someone who feels disconnected or lonely changes their world. Being present to go for a walk, play video games, grab ice cream or play a little basketball provides an opportunity for connection and engagement. Seeing your buddy’s face light up when you knock on their front door feels amazing.
Getting to know them, and their families, is even better. Whether you volunteer for 1 year or 4, you’ll become a part of the family in the best way.
Mischpacha is a Yiddish word that means “extended family.” As part of COF, you become a part of the mischpacha.
Circle of Friends volunteers (from left) Sammi Dreizen, Juliet Jannes, Elijah Falkenstein and Jonny Dobin-Smith.
Volunteering with COF requires no previous experience — and everyone is welcome.You don’t need any special education training or past involvement with special needs or disabilities to get involved. Just an interest in being friendly and making a difference.
The program is run out of a synagogue, but people of all different religions participate as friends and volunteers. During the recent Purim holiday, some of my friends from Staples who are Christian and Muslim helped pack gift boxes.
Volunteering with COF allows students to be creative. From creating science workshops to an entire baking program, if you have an interest that will work for the group, Freida Hecht, COF’s executive director, will encourage you to pursue it.
This is such a fun way to provide engagement during Sunday Circle events and lean into your own interests. There’s even a new leadership program next year that will award college credit to volunteers.
Working with an organization so dedicated to changing lives has been an honor. I encourage you and your families get to experience it, too!
COF wants to meet the needs of every family that contacts them for help. But that only happens when enough people show up.
Our annual Evening of Recognition, which raises programming funds for the entire year, is coming up Sunday, May 3. I very much hope to see you there.
(“Students Speak” is a regular “06880” feature. Any student living or studying in Westport or Weston can submit a piece. Email 06880blog@gmail.com. To support this local blog, click here.)
AI is changing the way customers find — and choose — local businesses.
Some businesses have harnessed artificial intelligence to learn about those customers, better serve those customers, and grow in the processes.
Other businesses would like to, but don’t know how.
And others have no idea they even need to.
ThoughtPartnr — the Westport-based company that helps local businesses use AI productively and efficiently (and which created the very popular “06880” AI widget) — is hosting an event to learn more.
“The Impact of AI on Search for Small & Medium-Sized Businesses” is set for April 29 (6 to 8 p.m., Dandelion at the Delamar Westport).
The training and networking event — with live demos and apps (the kind you eat) features local business experts like the Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce, Greg & Tony Salon, and (of course!) “06880.” We’ll talk about how we use AI every day.
1st Selectman Kevin Christie addressed the Westport Rotary Club yesterday. The introduction by a club member was special: It came from former 1st Selectman Jim Marpe.
Christie detailed his first 5 months in office. He has focused mainly on the town’s finances.
Increases in the Parks & Recreation and Public Works budgets, and managing the town’s public debt to finance the new Long Lots Elementary School, were highlights, he said.
Addressing beach erosion and a new Longshore maintenance facility are among upcoming proposed capital expenditures.
Christie also noted that local developer Spinnaker has purchased a portion of the land that comprised the Hamlet proposal for Saugatuck area, after its denial by the Planning & Zoning Commission.
Christie said of Spinnaker’s upcoming proposal, “Hopefully it will be of a more reasonable size and include a meaningful affordable housing component.”
He added that advance planning is a key to heading off town issues before they become crises. Much of that work is done by committees outside of formal town meetings.
Kevin Christie, at yesterday’s Westport Rotary Club meeting. (Hat tip and photos/Dave Matlow)
=================================================
For nearly 50 years, the Minute Man Race has been a fun and important Westport event.
Scheduled every year around the date the British landed at Compo Beach — and were ambushed on the way back from their march to Danbury — the Minute Man Race (get the connection?) brings together runners, walkers and families.
Hosted by the Women’s League of Westport, the event features a USATF-rated 5K run/walk, 10K run, and Kids Fun Run. All ages and levels (including strollers) are welcome.
Race day begins at 8 a.m., with warmups led by Performance Optimal Health. At the finish line are health and wellness partners, including platinum sponsor Saatva, plus The Home Cook, Fleet Feet, and Velocity Sports Medicine. The Tasty Yolk keeps everyone well-fed.
Awards are presented to the top 3 male and female finishers in the 5K and 10K, All Kids Fun Run participants receive recognition.
Net proceeds support the League’s grants program. They’ll distribute $65,000 this year to local nonprofits including Open Doors, the Westport Astronomical Society, VFW Post 399, Levitt Pavilion and Staples Tuition Grants.
Pre-registration and bib pick-up are at Performance Optimal Health on Thursday (5 to 8 p.m.) and Saturday (9 a.m. to 1 p.m.), or register in advance at www.minutemanrace.com). Registration also takes place in person on Sunday morning, up to start time.
For more information, including the race schedule and the race course, click here.
Positive Directions — Westport’s center for prevention and counseling — is gearing up for their 2nd annual “I Ride for Mental Health Spinathon. All funds support the non-profit’s treatment fund, and free support groups and training.
The event is May 3 (12 to 2 p.m., Westport Weston Family YMCA).
It features 2 45-minute rides, 24 bikes, and 1 shared mission: mental well-being for all.
Bikes are $100 each. Riders can raise additional funds, for a chance to win prizes for most miles ridden.
Speaking of great causes: KEYS is one of those life-changing organizations that many Westporters support.
And many others have never heard of, but should.
The non-profit — whose acronym stands for Kids Empowered by Your Support — provides free, high-quality music education, mentorship and performance opportunities for under-resourced students in Bridgeport.
Individual instrument lessons, ensembles, workshops, summer programs and internships help youngsters build confidence and creativity, and discover their passions.
On May 28 (7 p.m., Park City Music Hall, Bridgeport), a night of live music, dinner, cocktails and dancing raises funds to provide much-needed free music education.
The Rock ’N Roll Collective — a Westport-based group of talented young musicians — will perform.
The night also features performances by talented KEYS students, including jazz selections and special collaborations, bringing young musicians from neighboring communities together through the power of music.
The Rock ‘n’ Roll Collective (from left): Zach Newshel, Aidan Schwarz, Jackson Doyle, Brooklyn Setterberg, Ava Vercllone, Bronson Kaiden, Faith Del Grosso, Charlie Glines. Band members not shown: Manny Gerard, Sofie Gerard, Campbell Cohen, James Buck, Mia Zibly.
Studio Café is a wonderful, hidden-in-plain-sight restaurant.
IYKYK. And if you don’t, you should.
You can discover the Sconset Square spot’s magic any day. But there’s a special treat the week before Mothers Day.
An “elevated brunch experience” promises “a curated experience designed to bring women and families together in a space of connection, beauty, and feminine energy.”
The May 3 event (11 a.m. to 2 p.m.) includes a luxury giveaway, fashion pop-up, perfume experience, and complimentary Champagne and empanadas.
The Westport Garden Club recently hosted the 3rd annual Youth Poetry finalists, at the Westport Library.
Sponsored by the National Garden Clubs, the contest encourages students to embrace the art of writing while exploring environmental themes. This year’s theme was “Plant America for the Next 100 Years”.
Winners include:
Grade 2: G. Olanoff (Long Lots Elementary School) – “I Planted a Seed”
Grade 3: L. Gordon (Pierrepont School) – “I Love Flowers”; R. Shrestha (Saugatuck Elementary)– “The Big Journey”
Grade 4: D. Deeckan (Homeschool, Westport) – “Pollinators”
Grade 5: R.R. Paransky (Kings Highway) – “A Century of Care”; A.Malhotra (Ridgebury Elementary) – “Small Seeds, Small Me”
Grade 6: S. DeVito (Bedford Middle School) – “Our World” (regional winner; national finalist)
Grade 7: G. Toler (Saxe Middle School) – “A Walk in the Park”
Following the awards, audience members enjoyed a creative “ode” workshop led by Westport poet laureate Donna Disch.
In a world of influencer marketing, it’s difficult to know what’s real.
“Hot Takes” (May 13, 6 p.m., Westport Country Playhouse) offers science-backed, clinically sound information to support women on their midlife wellness journey.
The evening features leading voices in women’s health. Before the event, attendees can visit pop-up shops selling chic eyeglass readers, skincare products, accessories, pajamas and books. Restore Hyper Wellness and Performance Optimal Health will share information on their services.
VFW Post 399 has become Westport’s premier comedy venue.
The laughs continue this Friday (April 24, 8 p.m.; doors open at 7).
Comedians include Teddy Smith, Westport legend Joe Pontillo (Amazon Prime), Jeffrey Paul (“The Irishman”), Susanna Spies, and local favorite John Kenneth. City’s Backyard Podcast Matt Zako is the host.
Stories about how potatoes dominate diets around the world, and pineapples were guarded in European courts, are just part of a new book — “Unknown Facts of Known Plants: Plants That Shaped Our Societies,” by environmentalist, botanist and part-time Westporter Dr. Sibdas Ghosh.
He reveals how plants have quietly influenced human history, cultural traditions, and food habits, and invites readers to look at the greenery around them with fresh curiosity. I
Tomorrow is Yom HaAtzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day.
The Blondinit will donate a portion of proceeds from all sales — including online — to #EndJewHatred and The Lawfare Project. Both organizations combat antisemitism and advocate for justice.
=================================================
Today’s spectacular “Westport … Naturally” spring foliage comes from Cross Highway, through the talented lens of Claudia Sherwood Servidio:
(Photo/Claudia Sherwood Servidio)
=================================================
And finally … happy Earth Day!
(This is indeed a wonderful world. And “06880” is where Westport meets it. If you have a good time sharing it with us, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
To celebrate, Sustainable Westport announces their first-ever group of Restaurant Champions.
These restaurants do far mor than whip up delicious food. They’re also serious about operating sustainably, and supporting our local food system.
The Restaurant Champions program celebrates those that lead by example — and offers guidance and resources to those wanting to improve their sustainability efforts.
The program focuses on 4 key areas: complying with Westport’s single-use plastic ordinance, sourcing ingredients sustainably, engaging in responsible waste management, and prioritizing energy efficiency.
Led by Samantha Schwab, the Restaurant Champions program offers personalized support to help businesses cut waste and hauling costs, earn tax incentives, avoid penalties, improve employee satisfaction and gain recognition.
Here’s how some of the Restaurant Champions are already making a difference:
Kneads excels at sourcing local and sustainable ingredients from farms they know and trust; they even mill their own grains on-site.
The team also goes above and beyond while recycling food scraps and limiting waste. Not only does Kneads compost — they also donate end-of-the-day leftover baked goods to US Food Rescue, feeding the hungry while preventing waste.
Kneads is a proud Sustainable Westport Restaurant Champion …
Momu is another strong example of sustainable sourcing. Their dairy is Arethusa Farm (Litchfield). Their coffee comes from Irving Farm in New York. And they’re at the Westport Farmers Market every Thursday, seeking inspiration for seasonal flavors.
The Whelk team does an exceptional job with the restaurant’s waste management. They partner with CORR (Collective Oyster Recycling & Restoration) to recycle oyster shells for an oyster habitat restoration project in Long Island Sound. This prevents shells from ending up in landfill, while also providing environmental benefits.
Massi Co regularly donates excess food to the Gillespie Center — a few yards behind it on Jesup Road — to minimize food waste. Since becoming a Restaurant Champion, they’ve swapped out their plastic to-go lids for paper ones, reducing single-use plastic.
… and so is Massi Co.
AlliumEateryhas also shown dedication to limiting single-use plastics. The buvette uses compostable containers for their to-go provisions, and since partnering with Sustainable Westport, they’ve swapped out their plastic bottles for glass. Allium also hangs educational signage, to help customers properly dispose or compost their takeaway containers.
For the launch, the Sustainable Westport team zoned in on Saugatuck. But they plan to open the program up to downtown and beyond. Click here for details.
Do you know of a food business in Westport with a strong commitment to sustainability? Send all nominations to restaurantchampions@sustainablewestport.org — and spread the word!
“06880” culture correspondent Robin Moyer Chung writes:
The Westport Community Theatre is far more passionate about theater than about public relations.
Which is too bad, because that means not enough people may know about their current production. “The Savannah Sipping Society” is terrific. It’s funny, energetic, and a steal at $30 a seat.
Truthfully, I wasn’t expecting the show to knock me over. Perhaps my low expectations raised my appreciation of it, but I’m pretty sure it’s great by any measure.
First, a bit about WCT. I’m pretty sure, judging by Saturday night’s smattering of theater-goers, precious few of you have seen one of their productions.
Now in its 68th season (68!), WCT is a non-profit company run largely by volunteers. It embraces local talent, and provides opportunities to community members for acting, backstage work and directing.
The play, written by Jones Hope Wooten (a 3-woman comedy writing team), is a Southern-based comedy about 4 middle-aged/liminal senior women who wilt out of a hot yoga class, and bond over their shared disdain for it.
From left: Heather DeLude, Gillian Holt, Dandy Barrett, Ellen Krinick Porto. (Photo/Westport Community Theatre)
They’re all single, they all have baggage, and they all decide to overcome their discomforts and hang weekly with appetizers and libation.
It’s “Sex and the City” without the sex and designer wardrobes — “Sip and the City.”
There are tropes – Marlaflaye’s husband dropped her for a younger woman, Randa was fired from her high-pressure job after a professional meltdown, Dot is recently widowed without financial security, and sexpot-adjacent Jinx has decided to become a life coach.
However, it avoids caricature and melodrama. The play is less about coping with past trauma, and more about 4 strangers navigating new friendship territory after a hard crack from their previous lives.
The women are a strong ensemble, adeptly playing off of each other in witty asides and differing levels of enthusiasm for awkward ideas. I especially liked the unapologetic Marlaflaye, played by Dandy Barnett, with fiery red hair.
The prop master and set designer delightfully bolster their lifestyle and culture: Dot shows up at Randa’s home with a dinner plate full of appetizers, speared with frilly supermarket toothpicks and covered loosely with a square of plastic wrap. In Randa’s home is a makeshift curtain rod and sort-of-coordinating-but-not-really throw pillows on a worn wicker sofa.
The costume designer’s wardrobes, from synthetic separates to artsy/ menopausal ensembles to cautiously décolletage-baring dresses, define each woman’s personality.
One word of caution: Yes, the theater is in Town Hall — but it’s not the upstairs auditorium. They perform in a black box tucked in the basement. Directions to it are helpfully scrawled on a piece of paper taped to the stair railing.
The WCT’s passion for theater outweighs their passion for professional signage as well.
“The Savannah Sipping Society” ends its run this weekend. Performances are Friday and Saturday, April 24 and 25, at 7:30 p.m., and Saturday at 2 p.m. Click here for tickets.
Click here to help support “06880” via credit card or PayPal. Any amount is welcome, appreciated — and tax-deductible! Reader contributions keep this blog going. (Alternate methods: Please send a check to “06880”: PO Box 744, Westport, CT 06881. Or use Venmo: @blog06880. Or Zelle: dwoog@optonline.net. Thanks!)
GET THE “06880” APP
The “06880” app (search for it on the Apple or Android store) is the easiest way to get “06880.” Choose notifications: whenever a new post is published, or once or twice a day. Click here for details.
This is such a fun way to provide engagement during Sunday Circle events and lean into your own interests. There’s even a new leadership program next year that will award college credit to volunteers.
The Restaurant Champions program celebrates those that lead by example — and offers guidance and resources to those wanting to improve their sustainability efforts.
