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The Westport Downtown Association hosts its second (of 3) Summer Outdoor Shopping Days tomorrow (Saturday, July 17, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.).
This isn’t the traditional “sidewalk sale.” But word on the (Main) Street is that some stores will offer great deals anyway.
Main and Elm Streets will be closed. There will be a food truck, bar and live music all day long.
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Luisa Francoeur writes:
I am an avid supporter of Sustainable Westport and a participant in the Food Scrap Recycling Program. The organization needs our help today. Friday, July 16 is the last day to contribute to the Zero Food Waste Grant challenge.
The program’s goal is raising $7,500. Each dollar raised will be doubled. This will allow Sustainable Westport to do so much more for our community. Donors will be entered to win a giveaway from one of the sponsors.
Our Food Scrap Recycling is working to decrease residential food waste by at least 25%. Close to 1 out of 4 bags of groceries are eventually thrown away. Food waste is one of the heaviest, wettest and most expensive types of trash for the town to incinerate.
If food waste were a country, it would be the third largest emitter of greenhouse gases, behind China and the US.
Sustainable Westport has partnered with Earthplace and Wakeman Town Farm to transform Westport into a green community. The goal is to become a Net Zero community by the year 2050, when the community has reduced its impacts across energy, water and waste so they are sustainably managed, using approaches that are economically viable, of social benefit, and environmentally responsible.”
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MoCA Westport is more than an art museum and educational center.
It’s now a full-service bar.
The Newtown Turnpike institution now serves custom cocktails, wine, beer and non-alcoholic beverages.
But what’s a bar without Happy Hour? Starting July 22, they’ll throw one every Thursday (5 to 7 p.m.). There’s a new signature cocktail each week — plus free admission to the exhibition.
The bar at MoCA Westport.
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Speaking of downtown and beverages … “cool beans” dates back to “Full House.”
But it’s both a great expression, and a great way of describing the offerings at one of Westport’s favorite coffee shops.
Plus, this is just a very cool shot.
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Fred Cantor is one of “06880”‘s most alert readers.
And one of the most curious.
He sends this photo …
… and writes:
“This is not the first time I have seen a chimney left standing in a Westport teardown.
“There must be an important reason for taking down everything but the chimney. Perhaps some of your readers know the answer.
“Is it because chimneys are more difficult to build these days (since it involves brickwork that would not otherwise be used in the construction of a new house)?
“Or does it represent some kind of loophole in local regs with respect to teardowns that enables builders to do something they wouldn’t otherwise be able to do if the chimney had been torn down?”
Perhaps there’s another explanation. If you have insights, click “Comments” below.
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As expected, I missed at least one Westport-connected Emmy nomination yesterday.
Staples High School 1974 graduate/former Player Sue Handman is up for her writing and narration on “Once Upon a City.” Good luck to all Westport nominees!
And while I noted that Staples High School Class of 1988 graduate Kerri Kenney-Silver is up for an award as Outstanding Actress in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series for “Reno 911!”, she’s also nominated for an executive producer award for the same show. Kerri had 2 similar “Reno 911!” nominations in 2020.
Emmy Award
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John Porio grew up in the 1970s and ’80s with classic rock. He was pleased when his own kids — like himself, Staples High School students — got involved with the School of Rock.
Then he did too. He met some fellow musicians there, and did a couple of adult shows.
Now they’ve formed their own band. They’re having fun — and raising funds for Homes for the Brave. Since 2002, the Bridgeport organization has provided housing, vocational education and life skills training to over 1,200 veterans.
John’s band — Gold Dust — performed on Memorial Day weekend. On July 24 (4-9 p.m.), they’ve got a bigger gig. The venue is a group member’s property at 399 Center Street in Easton. There’s a barn, patio and big lawn — perfect for any rock show.
Gold Dust includes Westporters Jeffery and Laurie Gross, and Leila Jones Shields. They’ll perform after the School of Rock band. The public is invited.
Gold Dust
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This week’s Westport Garden Club #FridayFlowers arrangement has a special place in “06880”‘s heart: It was made for last night’s “blog party,” at Compo Beach.
And — if I do say so myself — the flowers that graced a picnic table last night was the most beautiful I’ve ever seen!
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A celebration of the life of David Tarqueno will be held this Saturday (July 17, 2 p.m., St. Luke Church). The Staples High School graduate — an avid fisherman and nature lover — died in December, from complications of COVID-19. He was 61.
David Tarqueno
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Paul Delano writes: “The bee balm flowers in my garden bloomed recently. They’re now are attracting hummingbirds.”
Indeed they are. But what’s as remarkable as this “Westport … Naturally” show of nature is that Paul could capture it so well. Hummingbirds are tough to photograph — they sure can fly!
(Photo/Paul Delano)
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And finally … the incomparable Darlene Love headlines tonight’s benefit show at the Levitt Pavilion. There’s a reason she’s on Rolling Stone’s list of 100 Greatest Singers. And in the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame.
Re: the chimney being left up and maybe a foundation being left. If memory serves me it’s to make sure that a newer house can save on taxes. It’s a way to not have a revaluation based on a completely new build (using say built in 1960 instead of 2021). Essentially it would be classified as a renovation of an existing structure as opposed as a new build. They still would obviously have to uphold current building regulations with the town and state save maybe some setback requirements.
Brick is expensive to dump, it also can’t be mixed with footings or stone at a crusher planet as is has arsenic in it so the “red flakes” can ruin a run of gravel at quality crusher operation……. so when we demo a house, we take extra care to separate it from the C+D as well as the foundation and any rock being trucked out. The least expensive way to handle brick is careful separating it and truck it to a designated used brick handler, although many bury it.. : (
Thanks for your explanation and for Henry’s as well. It turned out that this chimney was ultimately torn down. But I have seen others remain including at a neighbor’s home that was otherwise almost entirely demolished.
yes, what Robbie said – just a demo crew being wise with their debris. Think of it as similar to sorting your trash.
Is the photo of the downtown shopping in Westport an actual photo of Westport⁉️😂
They must be here for the Fairfield County Gelato Summit. Downtown Westport is turning into a 95 rest stop. Sbarro anyone?
James, your ability to see the cloud in every silver lining is astonishing. Please explain the connection between 2 very small gelato operations, both locally owned, which bring people together over the joy of a product everyone loves (much of it locally sourced), and an enormous pizza chain?
What a shame your life sounds so miserable. Try some gelato!
Dan, this is YOUR site. Why continually
allow J Waldron to make endless negative comments?
Ban the guy, for everyone’s sake.
He’s not offensive. Just obnoxious. It’s a thin line, for sure.