As Westport reopens, the Downtown Merchants Association swings into action.
They’re getting a great response from volunteers eager to help plant and care for 16 barrel planters the WDMA is putting on Main Street. That’s the first of many enhancements, making the area welcoming and inviting.
The WDMA also produced and donated 1,000 bags for the library to use for their curbside book pickups. The bags feature a link to the new Westport Marketplace, where people can find out where to shop and how.
Main Street planters
Yesterday, both the Town of Westport and Westport Police Department Facebook pages featured an announcement about “Truth & Reconciliation: A Conversation About Race and Policing.”
Set for tomorrow (Friday, June 5, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.), it’s co-sponsored by a number of organizations, including the Anti-Defamation League of Connecticut, Connecticut Police Chiefs Association, state Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, and the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities.
Click here to view.
In the wake of the death of George Floyd, a group of mostly young Westporters has organized another event.
A “Peaceful Against Police Brutality” is set for tomorrow (Friday, June 5, 1:30 p.m.) at the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen (Post Road) bridge in downtown Westport.
Organizers says masks and social distancing are required.
Westport Unitarian Church director of social justice David Vita was at Sunday’s “Unite Against Racism” rally on Jesup Green.
He compiled this powerful 15-minute video about the event, held in the aftermath of George Floyd’s death by a Minneapolis police officer.
Usually, the award of a big scholarship is a big deal. COVID-19 has forced even those ceremonies onto Zoom. But Karen Jacobs made Tuesday’s event a great one anyway.
Her husband died of cancer 10 years ago, at 45 years old. Since then the Chad A. Jacobs Memorial Foundation has provided over $300,000 in academic and athletic scholarships throughout the area.
This year they created a new award, called Seize the Day. Recipients Charlie and Will Capalbo received $10,000 each.
Charlie — a graduate of Fairfield Ludlowe High School — battled 2 separate cancers. His brother Will — like Charlie, a hockey player — donated bone marrow for a transplant. They are the grandsons of Westport writer Ina Chadwick.
Friends, colleagues, teammates and relatives of Chad Jacobs were on the Zoom call. So was the Capalbo family. Karen asked them to step outside, onto their front lawn.
There, she and her children — Staples graduates Taylor and Mac — presented Charlie and Will with a traditional over-sized check. This fall, Charlie will be a sophomore at Fairfield University; Will is a sophomore at Albertus Magnus.
The coronavirus can’t keep a great ceremony down!
The Capalbo family (rear), and the Jacobs family (in front, with over-sized checks).
Beginning June 15th, the Westport Library will offer curbside pickup service for materials placed on hold, and homebound delivery for eligible Westport residents.
To prepare, books and other borrowed materials can be returned to the Annex in the upper parking lot, beginning Monday (June 8). The Library is waiving overdue fines and fees.
Westport’s National Charity League chapter is donating $7,300 to 4 organizations that support the food insecure: the Westport Department of Human Services, Homes With Hope food pantry, Mercy Learning Center and Person to Person.
Part of the funds came from members who opted to not take refunds when the chapter’s annual tea was canceled, due to the coronavirus. Click here for more information on the NCL’s Westport chapter.
MoCA Westport says: “We believe in the power of expression, in the voices for change and in caring for ourselves and for others. We believe that art has the power to reveal, inspire, and affect powerful change.
“We care deeply about the ongoing problem of unequal justice in our country, and stand in solidarity with the peaceful protest movements sweeping our nation and the world.
“In a display of solidarity and reflection, MoCA Westport will cease all virtual classes, concerts and posts this week.”
One more sign the local dining scene is returning (somewhat) to normal: The (socially distanced) scene last night at Bartaco:
(Photo/Sabra Gallo)
And finally … from Fairfield’s own John Mayer:
No link to David Vita’s video.
Yes there is. It works on all my devices. It might not work on your browser. Try this link:
Dan, thanks for continuing to put together these daily covid summaries. They’re very helpful and uplifting.
Thanks, Deb. In the beginning I wondered how long I would be able to keep doing them. The answer now is, apparently: quite a long time!
Keep it up Dan while we’re waiting for the world to change.
Who organized the peaceful protest today? I heard some youth re-shared the image on social media but it was not started by anyone in Westport.