The Westport Downtown Association’s Sidewalk Sale starts today (Friday).
Now through Sunday, merchants on Main Street, Elm Street, Church Lane and Riverside Avenue, and in Sconset Square and Playhouse Square, set up tables outside, overflowing with merchandise.
Everything there is on sale. Except the sidewalk.
Click here, then scroll down for a list of participating stores.
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In April of 2023, “06880” reported that Sanitary Cleaners — right over the Norwalk line, on Route 1 — would close that month.
The business began in 1929. It served local residents (including many Westporters) cleanly, sanitarily and with great spirit, for half a century.
But it — and the Wine Cellar next door, plus 7 homes — were going to be torn down. In their place: 136 new apartments.
The “06880” story focused on Ann and Ben Chung. The South Korean couple were a classic immigrant success story. (Click here to read.)
The need to close came as a shock. It appeared that demolition was imminent.
Fourteen months later, the building stands vacant. The “Store Closing” sign remains. Not one thing has changed.
Except for the Chungs. They were forced to retire more than a year — and counting — before they had to. (Hat tip: Arthur Hayes)
Ben and Ann Chung, days before Sanitary Cleaners closed.
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Michael Phelps is one of the most famous people on the planet.
PopUp Bagels’ motto is “not famous, but known.”
And “06880”‘s tagline is “Where Westport meets the world.”
Yesterday — a month before the start of the Olympics — the man with the most medals in the Games’ history stopped by PopUp’s Greenwich Village site, on Thompson Street.
It was a very Westport event — and not just because PopUp Bagels is one of our town’s most, well, well-known exports.
Westport resident Meghan Lally was there. She’s PopUp’s director of events and partnerships (and, her resumé says, “senior executive bagel bouncer.”
That’s not all. Westport media personality Dave Briggs was there too. He was shooting a story for Cheddar business news.
Which are Phelps’ favorite bagels and schmears?
Unknown.
Meghan Lally and Michael Phelps. (Hat tip and photo/Dave Briggs)
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Timing is everything.
The day after an intense debate on “06880” about Westport’s gas-powered leaf blower ban, the Y’s Men of Westport and Weston dropped a “Westport … What’s Happening” podcast about the very same subject.
This one features an interview with Conservation Department director Colin Kelly. His office is in charge of enforcing the ordinance.
Click below to listen:
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Renovations continue on Saugatuck River Caffe.
Taking over the Winfield Street Coffee & Deli spot on Post Road West, and operated by nearby Arezzo restaurant, the new place will have more salads, and takeout items made to order or pick up to go.
Estimated opening date is about 3 weeks.
Also on that short block, just over the river from downtown: Stephen Kempson London tailor is expanding into the former Age of Reason toy store, next door.
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Among its many programs to stimulate minds and bodies, the Westport Senior Center also provides practical help in a very important area: technology.
The Tech Hub offers open computer hours, along with 45-minute sessions on special topics.
During open hours, student interns are available for assistance all summer long. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to noon on Wednesdays, and 1 to 4:30 p.m. Thursdays.
Laptops and a printer are available to use.
The special sessions are held on Thursdays at 2 p.m. Topics include:
“Navigating the New Senior Center Website, and How to Register on MyActiveCenter” (July 11). Bring your key tag.
“Using Google Maps” (July 18). Learn how to use Google Maps on your phone to find directions (and reverse directions) by car or walking, and how to look up an address or search for places of interest near you.
“Using FaceTime” (July 25). FaceTime on your iPhone or tablet is a great way to connect with friends and family.
Tech help time yesterday, at the Senior Center.
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Alysha Brilla starred at the Levitt Pavilion last night.
The multi-instrumentalist “weaves together rhythmic global roots sounds with a flourish of esoteric lyricism, presenting an entire universe of music as healing medicine for the listener.”
Upcoming free shows include Lulada Club: NYC’s All-Women Salsa Orchestra (tonight — Friday, June 28, 7 p.m.), blues trio Buffalo Nichols (Saturday, June 29, 7:30 p.m.) and NYC Ska Orchestra (Sunday, June 30, 7 p.m.).
Click here for free ticket information.
Alysha Brilla (Photo/Dinkin Fotografix)
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Carole Rubenstein died Tuesday at her family home, after a long illness with dementia. She was 87.
Though she lived in Norwalk for 62 years, Carole was a fixture in Westport. She spent 35 years at the Nature Center (now Earthplace).
She was a pioneer in early childhood education, helping start one of the first preschool programs that incorporated learning with nature.
She served as director and teacher, and was loved by many children and parents.
She also created and implemented all other children’s programs at the Center.
After retiring, Carole was very active in Westport’s Sunrise Rotary Club for over 25 years, particularly on the Charitable Giving Committee. As a Sunshine Lady she welcomed new members, and reached out to current and former Rotarians for birthday wishes and in times of need.
Carole also belonged to Y’s Women in Westport, where she helped plan the annual holiday luncheon. She also spent many years as a Norwalk Hospital volunteer.
Carole enjoyed traveling, with her husband of 60 years, Bob. They took 20 trips to Hawaii.
Besides her husband, Carole is survived by her son Andy (May) of Virginia, daughter Sue (Joe) Collin of Norwalk, brother Robert (Pat) Levin, and step-granddaughter Apisara Deejai of New york.
Private funeral services will be held at Willowbrook Cemetery. Shiva will be observed at the home of Bob Rubenstein in Norwalk on Tuesday (July 2, 4 to 7 p.m.).
Memorial contributions may be made to Westport Sunrise Rotary and the Alzheimer’s Association.
Carole’s family wishes extends their gratitude to Carole’s aide and friend, Sandra Spence.
Carole Rubenstein
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Most trees grow naturally in Westport.
Some are transplanted.
These definitely came from somewhere else.
(Photo/Richard Fogel)
One day they’ll shield the Aquarion water tanks.
When they do — if we’re still here, and if we’re still posting our daily “Westport … Naturally” series — we’ll run another photo of it.
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And finally … on this date in 1838, Victoria was crowned Queen of England. Her reign of 63 years and 216 days — longer than any predecessor — was called the Victorian Era. It was a period of enormous industrial, political, scientific and military change in the UK.
(You don’t need tech help — at the Senior Center, or anywhere else — to donate to “06880.” Just click here, and follow the prompts. Thank you for supporting your hyper-local blog!
Dan, while the trees in front of the massive water tanks are good for what they are, it will take a generation for them to grow high and wide enough to cover the eyesore of the tanks….long after you, I, and many of your readers are gone. Not sure if this is what was promised in the original proposal as screening trees??
Thank you so much, Dan, for posting a remembrance of my Mom, Carole Rubenstein. I would like to give a special shout out to the Westport Sunshine Rotary for their support all these years, including and especially, Rob Hauck and Sheila Keenan. They visited my Mom at home many times in the last few years and it was so appreciated. Mom loved the club and it was her honor to serve the community.
We are holding Shiva at the family home in Norwalk on Tues, July 2, from 4-7pm.
(Sorry to have commented on the wrong post originally!)
I was hoping it would be the Kinks song!