Jen Greely and Lindsay Weiner rock!
In more ways than one. Their new project — Westport Rocks — spreads joy all around town.
The women encourage everyone to paint rocks with colorful, encouraging messages — then leave them for others to find.
But that’s not all. To share the spirit, they’ve created “virtual gathering spaces” for everyone’s creations. Before leaving your rocks, take a photo. Then upload them to the website, Instagram and Facebook page.
It’s a community project — and one that entire families can enjoy. For more info, email westportctrocks@gmail.com.
On Sunday, I posted a wonderful video of 1970 Staples High School grad — and Seattle Opera star — Stephen Wall lifting up his neighbors with beautiful Italian opera.
Now Stephen sends along this clip of his former Smoke bandmate — and ’71 SHS alum — Jeffrey Dowd. He’s spent the last 40-plus years singing opera around the world, from his home base in Germany.
Here’s his important (and funny) message on social distancing. It’s a new spin on Fats Waller’s classic song. And no, Fats never sang opera.
The Gillespie Center needs 23 meals a day — but they no longer have access to the kitchen they use.
Fortunately, they’ve teamed up with Mystic Market. The great Saugatuck spot makes all the meals, each day. They’d love to donate them all — but unfortunately they can’t afford to.
Fortunately, with their new app and website, anyone can help. You can buy 1 meal for 1 person; all 23 meals for a day; all the meals for a week — even all the meals for a month.
Click here for the website. Choose “Takeout” as if you’re ordering; then scroll to the meal donation section.
To order via the app (easier): download the app, search for “Mystic Market Westport.” Just look for the “Meal Donation” button — the one with 2 hands holding a heart (below).
Among the many Westporters who have reached out to others in the pandemic: helping people with intellectual and developmental disabilities through STAR.
Chef Lisa Finn from Wakeman Town Farm, Yvonne O’Kane, Miggs Burroughs, MoCA and Zumba Westport YMCA all offer virtual classes via Zoom for STAR participants.
They — and the entire STAR staff — are grateful. For more information (including how to help), email jthompson@starct.org.
Miggs Burroughs teaches art by Zoom.
Dr. Allen Levy is a psychotherapist, clinical social worker and modern psychoanalyst. He has been in private practice since 1978, the last 20 years in Westport.
He has long offered free meditation classes in Bay Street office. Now he’s providing them, via Zoom, to the community (Fridays 12-1 p.m., Mondays 8-9 p.m.). They appeal to spiritually minded people, as well as professionally minded scientists.
Dr. Levy also offers psychotherapy sessions through Telehealth. For more information on his meditation classes and therapy sessions, click here.
Dr. Allen Levy
This time of year, the Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce usually gears up for big events. Now they’re busy rearranging them.
The May 31 Dog Festival has been pushed back to October 4.
The May Supper & Soul is canceled. The next one is set for November.
The annual First Citizen Award gala dinner will be held in the fall, instead of June.
All in-person networking events are being run virtually. The first one is next Thursday (April 16, 9 a.m.). Click here for details.
Slice of Saugatuck, meanwhile, is still on as of now. Save the date: Saturday, September 12.
For more Chamber information — including their list of restaurants and markets that are open for curbside and/or delivery — click here.
Around town, there seems to be some confusion over what “social distancing” means. Six feet apart should be pretty clear — even on an outdoor walk.
Need a photo? Mary Sikorski provides one. Just follow what these guys are doing on the Longshore golf course:
And finally, give it up for the awesome O’Jays as they offer both an inspirational message, and the greatest bell bottoms in the history of fashion:
