It’s a Christmas miracle!
Lucia Palmieri — who every year cooks, then gives away, a whole bunch of Thanksgiving dinners — is also bringing Santa Claus to her home.
And she’s inviting Westport kids and parents, too.
The Westport Uniformed Firefighters Charitable Foundation already sponsors “Santa” runs, complete with a fire truck. But spots are limited, and not every parent who wanted to could sign up.
So on Friday, December 8, Santa (and the fire truck) will come to Lucia’s house, at 4 Narrow Rocks Road.
The Big Guy will hand presents to children. But first (kids — stop reading here!) — their parents need to make a minimum $35 donation to the Firefighters Foundation. Click here to do that.
Parents also must drop off a wrapped gift for their child (kids — you should not be reading this!) at Lucia’s house before the event.
Lucia will also provide a fire and hot chocolate. She may even lead a few carols.
And — spoiler alert — she is not just a very generous woman. Lucia is also a professional opera singer, with gigs at Carnegie Hall and the US Open, and on ESPN, Bravo, ABC and NBC.
To RSVP, and for questions, email luciapalmieri@yahoo.com or call 917-578-8443. (Hat tip: Katherine Calise)
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Westport Downtown Association president Maxx Crowley and his SCA team picked up 3 Christmas trees this week, from Izz0 & Son Country Gardens.
Each is 12 feet tall.
They’ll go up around downtown tomorrow — just in time for Saturday’s Holiday Stoll (5 to 7 p.m.; co-sponsored by the WDA and “06880”).
Click here for Stroll details. Meanwhile, check out these beauties:
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Also, just in time for the holidays, a shop has popped up in Westport.
West | Out East — with locations in New York City, East Hampton and Miami — is now open at 1 Main Street. That’s near the intersection of Post Road East — the previous site of POP’Tart gallery.
This is a bigger space than their previous location, 9 Riverside Avenue.
Modular products are “versatile in style and function, accentuated by customizable millwork.” The collection includes indoor and outdoor furniture, decorative and architectural lighting, closets, storage systems, kitchens, bath fixtures, rugs and accessories.
PS: West | Out East is part of the “06880”/Westport Downtown Association Holiday Stroll. They offer prosecco, presents and a raffle to win home décor accessories.
West | Out East pop-up, at 1 Main Street.
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Congratulations to the Staples football team!
Led by quarterback Caleb Smith and the offensive line, they rallied from a 9-6 halftime deficit to nip Fairfield Prep 13-12, in last night’s state “LL” (extra large schools) quarterfinal game.
The Wreckers are seeded first; the Jesuits were 8th. Prep ended the Westporters’ season last year, with a 23-22 state playoff win.
The victory earns Staples a home semifinal contest against #5 Southington, at 12:30 p.m. this Sunday. Staples beat the upstaters 34-27 earlier this year.
Quarterback Caleb Smith. (Photo/John Nash for The Ruden Report)
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Neighborhood Studios — the multi-discipline, multi-dimensional Bridgeport arts program supported by many Westporters — and the Curtis Summer Camp Fund have partnered on a very cool benefit concert.
With very cool local musicians.
“Give Kids a Chance!” (December 5, Fairfield Theatre Company; reception at 6 p.m, concert at 7 p.m.) features great local talent. They’re backed by the Zambonis: the greatest (and only) hockey rock band on the planet.
Many musicians’ names are familiar to Westporters: Jim Francis, Jeffrey and Laurie Gross, Dave Hart, Stanton Lesser, Rob Morton, Leila Shields, Rick Smilow and 5th State Band. They’re joined by students and alumni of the Neighborhood Studios Contemporary & Jazz Ensemble.
Neighborhood Studios serves more than 1,000 Bridgeport youth, ages 3 to 19, with after-school programs and summer camps. It transforms lives through arts education, and empowers youngsters to make differences in their community.
The Curtis Summer Camp Fund changes lives by sending Bridgeport youths to sleepaway camp.
Click here for tickets, and more information.
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Dr. Robert Altbaum is now retired. But he’s still helping Westporters live healthy lives.
On Tuesday, he brought 40 years of experience to the Y’s Women meeting. Altbaum discussed osteoporosis — its causes, dangers, and how to live with it.
It was an important topic. Osteoporosis predominantly affects women over 50. 30% of women over 65 have the disease; only 4% of men do.
Altbaum said that strong bones are the key to osteoporosis prevention. He recommends weight-bearing exercises like walking, running or the elliptical; vitamin D; reduced alcohol consumption, and no smoking.
He also discussed ways to reduce falls, including night lights, getting rid of throw rugs, clearing clutter, a chair or grab bars in the shower, and always using stair rails.
Dr. Robert Altbaum, at yesterday’s Y’s Women meeting.
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Tomorrow’s Jazz at the Post features The Caribbean Jazz Connection (Thursday, November 30, 7:30 and 8:45 p.m., VFW Joseph J. Clinton Post 399; dinner at 7 p.m.; $15 music charge).
Led by drummer Jim Royle, who crosses jazz and Caribbean Latin styles, it features steel pan player Bryan Garbe, an internationally acclaimed percussionist who grew up in Fairfield.
The band also includes bassist John Mobilio and pianist David Childs.
Reservations are highly recommended: JazzatthePost@gmail.com.
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“Lux Freer” — the award-winning short film shot and produced in Westport last year — screens this Sunday at the Dances With Films festival in New York.
Show time is 2 p.m., at Regal Union Square.
It was the first film directed by actress (and Staples High School graduate) Cynthia Gibb, known for her on-screen work in “Gypsy,” “Fame” and “Youngblood.”
“Lux Freer” won Best USA Film, and Gibb was named Best First-Time Director, at the New York Cinematography Awards. It was also honored as Outstanding Narrative Short at the Ridgefield Independent Film Festival). Gibb’s film also earned Honorable Mention in the Best LGBTQ Short Film category at Los Angeles’ Indie Short Fest.
The lead, Echo Bodell, will attend the New York showing, along with Gibb, writer Jill Johnson Mann and other cast members, including Staples senior Cameron Mann (who played the killer in HBO’s “Mare of Easttown.”
Click here for tickets.
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Thanksgiving is nearly a week in the rear view mirror. Most turkeys are gone — eaten (including leftovers), the carcasses disposed of.
Except for this one.
Judy Auber Jahnel spotted it in an usual spot: the Riverwalk, outside the Westport Library and smack in the middle of downtown.
There must be a back story.
If you know what it is, click “Comments” below.
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In all his decades in Westport, John Kantor says, he never saw a bobcat around Grove Point.
Until this one visited his garden yesterday afternoon.
It doesn’t get more “Westport … Naturally” than this.
(Photo/John Kantor)
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And finally … Jean Knight — whose only hit (“Mr. Big Stuff”) lives on more than 50 years after its release — died last week in Florida. She was 80.
It was nominated for a 1971 Grammy Award nomination for best female R&B vocal performance (Aretha Franklin won for “Bridge Over Troubled Water”), and best R&B song (Bill Withers won for “Ain’t No Sunshine”).
Click here for a full obituary.
(Hey, Mr. Big Stuff! Please consider a donation to “06880.” It’s tax-deductible, too. Just click here. Thank you, sir!)
Go Wreckers!
Thanks for letting all your readers know about Neighborhood Studio of Fairfield County’s “Give Kids A Chance!” Benefit Concert. It promises to be a great night!