Looking for a list of open restaurants and delis — those with outdoor dining, along with takeout and delivery?
The Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce has you covered.
They maintain an up-to-date list. Click here for their website. As of this morning, the list included Arezzo, Bartaco, The Boathouse, Calise’s Market, Granola Bar, GG & Joe (the new acai bowl spot in Parker Harding Plaza, near TD Bank), Joe’s Pizza, Little Barn, The Naan, Pearl at Longshore, Rive Bistro, Rizzuto’s, Romanacci Xpress, Spotted Horse, Viva Zapata and The Whelk.
The Chamber site also includes FAQs, applications, and rules and regulations for restaurant owners.
There’s also this: a great new logo. It was created by (of course!) Westport’s go-to graphic designer, Miggs Burroughs.
On the long list of things people really, really want, then never look at again after wearing them once, the only thing less than a wedding dress is a graduation gown.
Except now. That goofy, floor-length outfit could save a life.
As healthcare workers lack personal protective equipment in the fight against COVID-19, they grab anything they can think of. Even trash bags.
Graduation gowns are a lot more effective than that. They cover legs and arms, and offer easy zipper access.
The Gowns4Good program provides graduation gowns to the men and women who desperately need them. Whether yours from years ago is gathering dust somewhere, or yours is spanking new for that less-than-raucous, socially distant 2020 ceremony: It can help.
Just click here. Fill out a short form. Select a medical facility from the dropdown list (pro tip: the closest to Westport is Stamford Hospital). Submit.
You’ll get an email back, with instructions on how to ship your gown.
Whether you graduated first in your class or last, you know: This is a very smart idea! (Hat tip: Becky Acselrod)
Despite the cigar smoke, these gowns will be useful.
Talk about “burying the lede”!
At the bottom of an email sent yesterday announcing new outdoor hours for The Whelk (Tuesday through Saturday, 4 to 8 p.m.), and the opening of a new Kawa Ni patio in “the next few days,” there was this momentous news from Bill Taibe’s group:
“With the seismic change that is happening in the world, we look at this as an opportunity to pivot and grow. Over the next few weeks Jesup Hall will evolve into Don Memo.
“While it is bittersweet to say goodbye to Jesup Hall, it is so exciting to create this new concept and be able to bring what we love about this cuisine and culture to downtown Westport. See you soon!”
“06880” will keep you posted. One thing is for sure: Don Memo won’t have to worry about creating outdoor seating. The patio in front of the old stone building next to Restoration Hardware — Westport’s original Town Hall — is already perfect.
Jesup Hall, soon to be Don Memo, aka the old Town Hall.
Westport’s Parks & Rec Department is posting clever new signs at their facilities around town.
Good thing they didn’t try to spell out “Recreation.”
If you wander by Jeff Franzel’s Saugatuck Island house any Thursday from 5 to 6:30 p.m., you may hear him playing piano.
But you don’t have to live here to hear Jeff. His listeners span the globe, via Facebook Live. They suggest themes; he improvises. Original songs, plus those by Elton John, Billy Joel, Stevie Wonder, Thelonious Monk, Count Basie, Ed Sheeran, Billie Eilish — he plays them all.
And very well. The Westport native has quite a resume. He’s played piano for the Hues Corporation (“Rock the Boat”), Les Brown, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Mel Torme and Bob Hope. He wrote hits like “Don’t Rush Me” for Taylor Dayne, and others for the Temptations, NSYNC, Shawn Colvin, Josh Groban, Placido Domingo and Clay Aiken. He mentors songwriters around the world, and brings some to his Songwriting Academy, at his home.
Intrigued? You’re in luck: Today is Thursday. Click here at 5 p.m., for Jeff’s 10th concert.
Jeff Franzel
Looking for a good read — and podcast? Persona’s Rob Simmelkjaer interviews Westporter Emily Liebert. Her 6th novel, “Perfectly Famous,” will be published June 2.
And finally … it will be a while before we get 400,000 people together in one place.
Or even 40.
But the Youngbloods’ message is as relevant today as it was more than half a century (!) ago.
Thank you, Dan.
I was busy with the start of a civil war in Nigeria then, but the video gives me a taste of what I missed here in the US! Thanks.
Thank you, Dan. We had the best music back then, never gets old.
1967 was the first of my 2 memorable years living in Westport.
Another song that is very appropriate today is Arlo Guthrie’s “Presidential Rag” from 1974. I recently listened to it for the first time in years, because my grandson born this April is named Arlo.
Here’s a brilliant idea: Let’s promote illegal teen smoking among ignoramus high school grads getting all trendy with their cigars. Smart kids. Addiction, oral cancer and heart disease are so much fun!
Don’t they have any health classes at Staples??