Beginning yesterday, town personnel are monitoring facilities closely. The goal: making sure that physical distance standards are adhered to by all.
Director Jen Fava says, “We continue to find people not only using our closed facilities, like athletic fields, courts, and other recreational areas, but also gathering in groups at these and other Parks & Rec and school facilities. In addition, there continues to be an issue with people not having dogs on leash.
“Parks and Recreation Department staff, in conjunction with school security staff and the Westport Police Department, will monitor the facilities to ensure compliance in an effort to protect the health and safety of our residents. Any non-compliance with staff will be referred to the Westport Police Department.”
Crowds have been gathering at the Staples football field, among other venues.
Looking for a new hobby, for yourself or your kids?
Learn to code — for free.
Staples High School Class of 1992 graduate Mark Lassoff has made a career offering tech ed videos online. Now he’s paying it forward.
Lassoff’s Fairfield-based Framework TV COVID-19 Code Camp teaches digital skills like coding, web development and digital design — for free. No prior experience is needed.
Video lessons and activities are offered 4 times a week. It’s interactive: Participants get to know each other, and ask questions of instructors.
For more information and registration, click here.
Mark Lassoff
For the past 2 years, Virginia Jaffe helped make costumes for the Greens Farms Elementary School play. Now she and her fellow designers are putting their creative skills to use by making masks for men and women on the front lines — in food stores, markets, hospitals, medical offices and the like.
Virginia, Jurga Subaciute, Marisa Zer and Taran Gulliksen set up production lines in their homes. They make over 100 masks a day. “We’re home schooling, house cleaning and meal making,” she says. “But we can also cut fabric and sew.”
As national and state officials urge Americans to wear masks, the need will grow.
The women need unused flat 5mm or thin rope elastic. Colors do not matter.
In addition, they’re looking for people with sewing machines who wants to help. “We’ll give you instructions and patterns for making masks,” Virginia says. “And we will coordinate where they need to be sent.”
If you can’t sew but want to get involved through a financial contribution (to purchase fabric, threads and elastic directly from a Norwalk supplier who offers heavily discounted prices), see below.
If you know of a group of local front line workers who need masks, she’d like to know too.
To donate elastic and/or funds, offer to help, or suggest recipients, email Westportmasks@yahoo.com.
With all that’s going on, add another stress: how to fill an Easter basket.
Savvy+Grace’s doors are closed. But energetic, creative owner Annette Norton offers safe (curbside pickup) for orders. And every one includes a solid chocolate bunny!
Email savvyandgracewestport@gmail.com. Include:
- Your full name and cell phone
- The age, name and gender of the gift recipient
- The gift recipient’s size (top and bottom)
- The recipient’s interests (dance, theater, type of sport, etc.)
- Pierced ears? Likes jewelry?
- Any other info that might be helpful.
Annette will text back with photos and prices, for your perfect basket.
Annette Norton is ready for Easter.
Laura Blair is one of STAR’s best fundraisers. This time of year, she’s usually a familiar figure outside stores and Staples sports contests, collecting pledges and donations for the annual Walk, 5K and Roll at Sherwood Island State Park.
STAR serves individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. The event helps support 12 group homes and 10 apartments, assisting 110 people with independent living, plus training and job placement to nearly 250 adults.
This year, the fundraiser is online. Click here to help Laura reach her $15,000 goal.
Laura Blair is a fundraising STAR.
And finally, what better way to end the week than with the wonderful Louis Armstrong:
Hi Dan!
Thank you so much for all the work you put into your newsletter. I look forward to reading it every day.
I’m running a fundraiser for Feeding America, which ensures people in need are getting food through local food banks. My fundraiser is called the Kitchen Sink Project, and I am donating $5 for every photo I receive of a kitchen sink. I’d love to have a bunch of photos from Westport. You can see the details here: https://www.mayaporrino.com/kitchen-sink-project
Would you be willing to share my project with your readers?
Thanks so much, Maya Porrino
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Sat here listening again and again,to this perfect, “What a Wonderful World’ sung by Louis Armstrong. What a thrill for me it was that when my son John married the love of his life, Kim Lisi, he chose this song to dance with me. I didn’t know, until we started to dance. What a gift to give your Mom on your Wedding Day. And Thank You Dan for this gift!!
What a beautiful memory, Pat.
Love to you and your family.
Thank you Rose. Hope all is well.
xo
Savvy+Grace is a wonderful local boutique. Annette will create a unique. personal, and beautifully wrapped Easter basket. I can’t wait until I can go into her store again. Keep it local!