A number of new retailers and restaurants have joined the Holiday Stroll.
The December 3 event (5 to 7 p.m., Main Street and environs) is co-sponsored by “06880” and the Westport Downtown Association. There’s kids’ activities (and Santa!) in front of Cold Fusion, special store deals, cocoa and nibbles, and plenty of neighborly fun.
Greens Farms Academy’s Harbor Blues will sing holiday songs at 5 p.m. Staples High School’s Orphenians will follow at 6:30. Both will be at the tent in front of Cold Fusion.
In addition, Nick Calabrese — a professional singer and music teacher — will lead anyone who wants to join in on a carol sing through downtown. It starts at the corner of Main and Elm Streets at 5 p.m., and will head on to Church Lane and back up Main. Everyone is invited to listen — or sing.
A box will be set up for donations for the PAL holiday toy drive. Feel free to bring an unwrapped, new gift (or two!).
(NOTE: There’s still room for a face painter, and other kids’ stuff. If you’ve got a kids’ talent and want to help, email 06880blog@gmail.com).
Meanwhile, here’s the latest list of Holiday Stroll participants:
- Bartaco: Hot chocolate on their patio
- Basso:
- Black Bear Wines & Spirits: 15% off all wines
- Bobbles & Lace: Glass of wine & Bobbles Bucks ($$$ off your purchase)
- Bridgewater Chocolates: Complimentary chocolate tastings and hot chocolate
- Brooks Brothers: The entire store is 30% off all weekend
- Capuli: Giving out churros
- Cold Fusion Gelato: Check back soon!
- Don Memo: Giving out festive adult and children’s beverages
- Fred: Complimentary holiday treats
- Jeera Thai: 20% off on takeout meals
- Joe’s Pizza: Garlic knots
- Kerri Rosenthal: 15% off read-to-wear and accessories
- Le Route Aartisan Chocolates: Free hot chocolate
- Lift Wellness Group: Discount on bundled psychotherapy and nutrition services; gift cards with 10% discount
- Lux Bond & Green: Refreshments and surprises
- Manna Toast: Hot chocolate
- Megan’s Martha’s Vineyard Boutique: 20% off, and a giveaway bundle
- Moxie Salon & Beauty Bar: Spin The Wheel to Win! 20% off hair extensions; $20 off voucher; $25, $50, $75, $100, $200 gift certificates; complimentary spray tan or blowout; $50 off Balayyage or Ombre; complimentary makeup application, girls hair tinsel and/or braids
- Nomade: Candied almonds in bamboo cone, and cookies
- Noya Jewelry: Hot holiday drinks
- Rye Ridge Deli: Free hot chocolate, tea, coffee
- Savvy + Grace: Holiday treat, and mailbox for kids to drop off letters to Santa
- Scout & Molly’s: 20% off purchase, light snacks
- Sorelle Gallery: Gif boxes with discounts from 5 to 15% for any Holiday Collection item; light festive refreshments (prosecco, candy canes, sparkling water, etc.)
- The Cashmere Sale of Westport: Holiday candy
- The Tailored Home & Studio Café: Complimentary Santa’s cookies and hot chocolate; 50% off sale on all pillows
- The Toy Post: A small toy for each child
- Upnorth: 20% off, and a giveaway
- West: Raffle for $150 gift card (no purchase necessary); winner drawn at 7:30 p.m.
- Walrus Alley: Happy hour prices for food and drinks
- Westport Book Shop: Free book, and a coupon for a future visit
- Winfield Street Street Coffee: Hot cocoa and cruffins (pecan cinnamon rolls with a croissant dough)
- Yoga45: Participation in a yoga event.
=======================================================
Former Boston Red Sox pitcher John Trautwein spoke last night at Town Hall on a tough but very important subject: suicide.
He runs the nonprofit Will To Live Foundation. Raising awareness of teen suicide, it is named after Trautwein’s son Will, who took his life. There were no warnings — no signs of anxiety, depression or unhappiness.
His message about his son — a healthy, happy, popular, athletic, and musical teenager, who came from a loving home yet lost the will to live — resonated deeply with the audience.
John Trautwein at Town Hall. (Hat tip and photo/Andrew Colabella)
=======================================================
Also yesterday: A good crowd showed up yesterday, for the first Winter Westport Farmers’ Market of the season.
They’ll run every Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Gilbertie’s Herbs & Garden Center on Sylvan Lane.
Except next Thursday. It’s Thanksgiving.
But wait! A special Holiday Market is set for next Tuesday (November 22, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.), at Gilbertie’s.
Yesterday’s Winter Farmers’ Market at Gilbertie’s Herbe & Garden Center. (Photo/Matt Murray)=====================================================
Also yesterday: a first look at Bankside House.
That’s the 12-unit condo complex rising on the west bank of the Saugatuck River, at the site of the former Save the Children (and before that, Famous Schools) offices.
The buildings were designed by Roger Ferris + Partners. They’re built by David Waldman’s David Adam Realty and Urbane New Haven, and are marketed by KMS Team, at Compass. They’ll be finished next year.
A view from the penthouse. (Photo/Dan Woog)
======================================================
On October 19, our “06880” Roundup included a photo of tree-cutting at 31 Turkey Hill Road South. Soon, the stumps were gone too.
Less than a month later, Bob Weingarten reports, a row of new trees was planted. May they grow tall and strong!
Cut trees on Turkey Hill South (left), October 19; planted trees, November 16. (Photos/Bob Weingarten)
=======================================================
Staples High School’s girls soccer team battles for its 2nd consecutive state championship this Sunday (November 20). The Wreckers — ranked #3 in the “LL” (extra large schools) division — take on #1 Cheshire. Kickoff is 4 p.m. at Trinity Health (formerly Dillon) Stadium in Hartford.
Meanwhile, you can see Staples’ future football stars in action.
The PAL 7th and 8th grade teams play for the Fairfield County Football League title tomorrow (Saturday) at Wilton High’s Fujitani Filed. Game times are 4 and 6 p.m.
====================================================
People working in the Gorham Island office building have many perks: easy parking. A quick walk to downtown shops and restaurants.
And 2 bald eagles, hanging out in a tree overlooking the Saugatuck River.
Jill McGroarty sent along today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo.
Now back to work Jill!
(Photo/Jill McGroarty)
======================================================
And finally … on this day in 1493, Christopher Columbus first sighted the island now known as Puerto Rico.
(Our December 3 Holiday Stroll is just one of “06880”‘s many community projects. Please click here to help support our work.)
Puerto Rico IS America.
Hopefully when those spiffy condos are completed they will be white with black windows!!
Bankside House is so cool. I’m glad Westport is putting its money where its mouth is in terms of affordable housing. I can’t wait to see the new plan for revamping the downtown riverfront.