The latest Westport tradition to fall victim to COVID-19: the Westport Library’s summer book sale.
In its place: a “virtual” fund-raiser.
Auction item previews begin June 10. Online silent bidding takes place from June 17 through June 19. To receive a link to the auction website when it is activated, click here.
Donations are being sought for the auction. “No item is too big or too small,” they say: experiences (concert, theater or other event tickets, backstage passes, tickets for TV shows tapings, private chef services, private wine tastings, spa days, cooking lessons, art classes); travel (use of vacation homes, tours, boat trips); food and wine packages; picnics; restaurant gift certificates; unique jewelry; works of art; children’s birthday parties — you get the idea.
For more information or to donate items, call 203-952-0070 or admin.book@westportbooksaleventures.org.
The Westport Rotary Club always books interesting guest speakers. This Tuesday (June 2) at 12:30 p.m., they host a particularly timely one.
Anne Diamond — president of Bridgeport Hospital, and executive vice president at Yale New Haven Health System — will talk about how her organizations responded to and allocated critical resources during COVID-19. She’ll also discuss a unique collaboration among hospitals in Fairfield County.
Because it’s a Zoom meeting, everyone is invited. Click here for the link. The meeting ID is 859 6608 8043; the password is 624628.
In the midst of so much sad, bad news, there is also this:
Tina Green reports that yesterday morning, the Compo Beach American oystercatchers successfully hatched one chick. Another egg has yet to hatch.
A pair of piping plovers also has a nest in the same roped-off area of South Beach. Stay away — and rejoice!
American oystercatcher and chick. (Photo/Tina Green)
Parks & Recreation director Jennifer Fava follows up on Governor Lamont’s announcement raising the limit of people in outdoor recreational gatherings from 5 to 25:
- No contact sports or sports that include shared handling of objects such as balls or Frisbees are allowed.
- Attendees shall remain 6 feet apart, excluding immediate family members, caretakers and household members, and except when dining, masks shall be worn when within 6 feet of those not in the same household.
- If the event is an organized gathering, the organizer shall demarcate 6 feet of spacing.
This increase applies to outdoor recreational gatherings including the opening of the Wakeman, Staples (including the track), and Kings Highway fields for individual use and exercise.
Moving trucks came today for Restoration Hardware.
However, the closing of the home furnishings store –they did not sell hammers or weed killer — is not COVID-related.
The company says the 11,000-square foot spot opposite Anthropologie, a few yards from Main Street, is not in keeping with the current large-format stores (“galleries,” in Restoration-speak) they’ve opened the last few years.
No word yet on what will replace it. Although for nearly the entire 20th century, it sure worked well as a movie theater.
(Photo/Chip Stephens)
The Westport Police Department, TEAM Westport, and the NAACP are partnering on a food drive this Saturday (June 6, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.) at Stop & Shop in Westport.
The event was organized in the wake of last week’s death of George Floyd, at the hands of members of the Minneapolis Police Department.
And finally … one of the most powerful anthems ever written, from one of the greatest singers of all time.
Westport is the Bermuda Triangle of retailing. All anyone sees from afar are blue skies and placid water, then revenues plummet like an on-fire, budget-priced airliner deep into the swamp.
Dan, your plan is incredible and I’ve been thinking the same thing for the last several years. I’d like to add to your plan a multi-use pathway to Winslow Park, Compo Shopping Center, the Senior Center and Saugatuck. Lynda Hennessey
Powerful!! Both the video and Sam Cooke’s anthem. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for sharing Sam Cooke’s song. So powerful then and important now!