The Long Lots School Building Committee holds a special meeting tonight (Tuesday, October 29, 6 p.m., Town Hall Room 201/201A).
The agenda includes a project update, and a work session to review “faculty/ staff/administration concept adjacency plan.” Public comment will follow.
Meanwhile, a “Community Conversation on Redistricting” is set for tomorrow night (Wednesday, October 30, 7 p.m., Staples High School cafeteria).
The meeting can also be viewed on Cablevision Channel 78, and by livestream at www.westportps.org.
Residents and town employees are welcome to speak. There is a 3-minute limit.
Elementary school redistricting plan.
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Turning to the Planning & Zoning Commission: Its November 4 meeting agenda (6 p.m., Zoom; livestreamed at www.westportct.gov; Optimum Channel 79) includes a report on a new lease with Longshore Sailing School. This replaces the former lease with a new one, with the same operator. It would run to October 31, 2029, with an option for a 5-year extension.
Also on the agenda: Text Amendment #846. It would allow outdoor eating areas for any retail food establishment existing or operating in a residential zone prior to September 1, 2024, and exempt them from the 50-foot setback requirement; update the “outdoor eating area” definition to include the right to utilize portable food carts and service stations, and expand the sale of alcohol to those same food establishments.
In addition to Old Mill Grocery, the text amendment would benefit The Porch at Christies on Cross Highway, and The Country Store on Wilton Road.
An explanatory statement filed with the application says: “The vision and impetus behind these proposed text amendments is for these establishments to serve as a place where neighbors can enjoy a casual glass of wine, or a beer, with their food, unwind, and socialize with their friends.”
The amendments are also “consistent with the Town of Westport’s 2017 Plan of Conservation and Development,” which encourages “tiny commercial uses embedded” in some residential areas, while “maintaining residential character.”
Click here to view the full pending application of Text Amendment #846. Based on statutory requirements, the Planning & Zoning Commission’s public hearing will wait until November. Residents can comment on the application by emailing PandZ@westportct.gov.
Old Mill Grocery & Deli. (Photo/Dave Dellinger)
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Congratulations to longtime Westporter, generous supporter and exceptional business leader Melissa Bernstein. She has just been inducted into the Connecticut Women’s Hall of Fame.
Her citation reads: ‘Melissa Bernstein is an entrepreneur, creative, and author. As co-founder and former CEO of the wildly successful toy company Melissa & Doug, Melissa has spent the last 30 years helping children discover themselves, their passions, and their purpose through open-ended play.
“In 2020, after her own personal journey of self-discovery and acceptance, Melissa founded Lifelines. Through Lifelines, she is using her unparalleled creativity and imagination to reinvent well-being products and experiences to help adults strengthen their resilience, stay grounded, and unlock their full potential. Melissa lives in Westport Connecticut with Doug and their 6 children.”
1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker — who surprised Melissa with appearance at her induction in Hartford — praises: “You lead with compassion, creativity and incredible competence. Every day you inspire women and girls to realize their own limitless potential, which is the mission of the CT Women’s Hall of Fame.”
Melissa Bernstein and 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker, at the CT Women’s Hall of Fame ceremony.
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Speaking of women: “The Hills of California” is a Broadway show about sisters. (They cram into the guest house of their former home as their mother lies dying.)
So — to drum up social media interest — the producers asked some sisters to see and review it.
Well, not just “some.”
They sent the Utz family. All 7 of them.
The Utzes grew up in Westport, and all graduated from Staples High School. Claire, Chrissy and Cathy remain. Jamie and Jennifer live in Fairfield. Bo is in Rye Brook, New York, while Lis is the furthest away: Fort Lee, New Jersey.
But all reunited for the play.
What did they think? Click below to see.
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If you don’t want to cook on Thanksgiving, be thankful for The Cottage.
Chef Bryan Lewis offers a 4-course, prix fixe menu (noon to 5 p.m.). It’s $125 per adult, $65 for children under 12.
Click here to see what’s cooking, and for reservations.
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Speaking of great meals: CTBites reports that starting today (Tuesday), Saugatuck Provisions will launch “Provisions After Dark.”
It’s a tie-in between chef Matt Storch’s market, and his Match Burger Lobster next door. It’s a way to offer his high-quality products, for people who don’t have the time (or talent?) to cook them.
Customers can select what they want from cases with individual portions of meats and fish — “anything from a dry aged 2-pound porterhouse to a beautiful piece of line caught tuna, or the perfect pork chop,” or a rotisserie chicken, along with a sauce, says CTBites.
Selections will be paired with olive oil griddled potatoes and steamed organic veggies.
It’s available Sunday to Thursday starting at 5 p.m., as an add-on to the existing Match Burger Lobster menu. Provisions will now be open later too. (Click here for the full CTBites story.)
(Photo courtesy of CTBites)
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Thomas Quealy writes: “I hope ‘06880’ can shine a spotlight on a little corner of our town that could be nicer.
“Behind Town Hall are softball fields used by our local girls. One set of bleachers is absolutely filthy and mildly broken.”
(Photo/Thomas Quealy)
Sounds like it’s time for a little love.
Or at least a power washing.
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Trumpeter David Sneider brings his swinging feel, flawless technique and deep roots to this week’s Jazz at the Post (October 31, VFW Post 399; shows at 7:30 and 8:45 p.m; dinner service from 7 p.m.; $20 music cover, $15 veterans and students).
He’ll be joined by pianist David Zaks, bassist Dan Finn, saxophonist Greg “The Jazz Rabbi” Wall, and drummer Mike Camacho. Click here for tickets.
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Today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature looks backward.
Literally.
Here’s an image from Wendy Levy, on her way to Burying Hill Beach:
(Photo/Wendy Levy)
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And finally … today is the anniversary of Black Tuesday. On this day in 1929 the New York Stock Exchange crashed. It marked the end of the great bull market of the 1920s, and the start of the Great Depression.
(“06880” is your hyper-local source for news: political, restaurants, and everything else. If you find this site useful, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
For the past six months every meeting of the LLBC has been a “special meeting” which means the LLBC only has to provide last minute notice. Can the LLBC please start scheduling regular monthly meetings so the public can calendar and follow what’s going on.
Gotta Luv The Utz x7!!!
I recall eating Utz potato chips back in 1958. Any chance the Utz’s are related to the potato chip family?
Posting for a friend.
Here’s a quick off the topic comment about Scooter’s mother. I just got an email from my cousin, Ed Kirik Jr, who once lived on Old Orchard Road. He was a member of the Patterson Club for 25 years and his father, my uncle, was a member for 40 years. He definitely knew your mother and he thinks her first name was Gloria, but wasn’t sure. But he did know her as an outstanding golfer. I know this is off the topic, but I hope you all won’t mind too much.
Irene. She accomplished most (12 championships) of this after I left for college and Vietnam. Remember, however, not much competition back then among the ladies and women could not play on certain days and if widowed, not allowed to be sole members.
My family,( Frank,Jane & Jeff,Nora & myself Pomerantz family from Weston) belonged to the Patterson Club,early 1960’s to mid-late 1970’s.
My parents divorced in 1977, my mom then still a member, until she was told ‘Divorced women not allowed on the golf course.’
(she fought this for awhile, but no go.)
Truly a Different World, back then for sure..
I think there’s enough material among the inimitable Utz sisters to make their own show! They are all hilarious, the perfect cast.