Roundup: Fatto A Mano, Groove’s Fire Donations, Peter Reid’s Bald Eagle …

For more than 2 years, Westporters have salivated over Pierluigi Mazzella’s sourdough bread, focaccia, panettone, biscotti and pastries.

All are made with natural ingredients.

All are also made (of course) by hand. That’s why the Italian-born baker calls his business Fatto a Mano (“made by hand”).

Until now, his many fans could buy his fresh-baked goods only at the walk-up window of his commissary kitchen behind Cycle Dynamics, or at the Westport and Ridgefield Farmers’ Markets, and Wakeman Town Farm.

Now Pierluigi is taking the next step, turning a long-time dream into reality.

He’s opening a retail location at 1835 Post Road East, next to Fjord Fishery across from Stop & Shop.

Breads and other baked goods will be delivered hot out of the oven from his kitchen, just a couple of minutes away.

Pierluigi plans to add specialty coffees, cooking classes, menu tasting, a selection of high-end retail products (local and important), and Farmers’ Market foodie collaborations to the menu.

He’ll start with breakfast and lunch, probably Wednesdays through Sundays. He’s shooting for a soft opening before Valentine’s Day.

Pierluigi knows Westporters are hungry — for his breads, and the opening of his new place. “06880” will feed you all the details. (Hat tip: Peter Gold)

Pierluigi Mazzella, at Fatto a Mano.

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Many Westporters have donated clothing to vicitms of the Los Angeles fires.

Corri Neckritz is donating 2 entire truckloads.

As the owner of 2 Groove stores (in Westport across from Whole Foods, and New Canaan), she’s got plenty of clothes.

Her customers have more.

When she heard how many Angelenos lost everything, Corri decided to help. Her daughters helped her contact people in California, who could accept and distribute donations.

She posted on social media. She expected a few hundred views, and a few donations.

It went viral: over 60,000 views.

People — customers, and those who’d never heard of Groove — dropped off enormous bags of clothes at her shop. She took them all — plus more, off the store floor — to her garage. It’s now overflowing with clothing, shoes and bags.

Corri Neckritz’s garage, 3 days ago. There are even more bags now.

Someone donaated a 26-foot truck. Corri got a very reduced rate on another — this one 58 feet long — which she is paying for.

This morning, the first truck will arrive, load up and depart.

Tomorrow, the larger truck will come. Corri has rounded up volunteers to help load it.

“I just want it all to get there soon,” Corri says.

Thanks to her — and generous customers and strangers — it will. (Hat tip: Joan Lipson)

Groove, on Post Road West.

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Another day, another animal rescue.

Yesterday, Westport animal control officer and Wildlife in Crisis intake director Peter Reid responded to a request for mutual aide from Wilton Animal Control.

A bald eagle had been sighted for a few days in the area. It was flying a bit, but staying on low branches. Yesterday, the eagle sat on a stone wall.

Officer Reid caught him safely. The eagle was very skinny and weak.

He was taken to Wildlife in Crisis, where he gorged on a large bowl of beef heart.

Officer Reid thinks the bird may be suffering from a bacterial infection, or be a victim of rodenticide poisoning.

Soon, hopefully, the eagle will soar again above our skies. (Hat tip: Westport Animal Shelter Advocates)

Peter Reid, with the rescued bald eagle.

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The Board of Education has one item on its January 16 agenda (7 p.m., Staples High School cafeteria).

But it’s a big one: the board will discuss the proposed 2025-26 budget.

The meeting can be viewed on Cablevision Channel 78, will be livestreamed at http://www.westportps.org.

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The Westport Library kicks off Super Bowl week with a talk by Jeff Benedict.

On February 3 (7 p.m.) — 6 days before the big game — the author/producer/ commentator will discuss his book on the New England Patriots, “The Dynasty.” (Spoiler alert: The Pats will not be playing in New Orleans on February 9.)

Benedict spent 5 years inside the team. Sports Illustrated says he “slips inside, lowers the drawbridge, and waves us in to see the ramparts, towers, turrets, and castle keep where the Brady-Belichick-Kraft trinity ruled.”

The event is free. Click here to reserve a seat (and, if interested, purchase a copy of “The Dynasty”).

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Westport Police made 3 custodial arrests between January 8 and 15.

A 58-year-old Newtown man was charged with breath of peace, criminal attempt at assault on an elderly victim, and threatening, following a road rage incident near the Post Road East/Roseville Road intersection.

The 62-year-old complainant admitted that he instigated the incident, by blowin his horn and following a vehicle in front with the intent to harass. Both vehicles pulled into a parking lot and assaulted each other. The complainant shoved the other man, who pulled a boxcutter. The complainant returned to his vehicle, where the other man slashed at his jacket with the boxutter through an open window, ripping his jacket and undershirt.

The man who instigated the incident wsa given a misdemeanor summons for brach of peace, and following too closely with intent to harass.

A 56-year-old Fairfield man was charged with driving under the influence, traveling unreasonably fast and failure to drive in the proper lane, after an investigation into a single vehicle crash on Beachside Avenue last June.

A 19-year-old Bridgeport man was charged with larceny and identity theft, after a complaint about fraudulent checks totaling more than $5,600. He was held on $100,000 bond.

Westport Police also issued these citations:

• Traveling unreasonably fast: 12 citations
• Operating a motor vehicle without a license: 6
• Operating an unregistered motor vehicle: 4
• Driving while texting: 4
• Speeding over 70 mph: 3
• Operating a motor vehicle under suspension: 3
• Assault: 1
• Disorderly conduct: 1
• Breach of peace: 1
• Identity theft, and conspiracy to commit: 1
• Illegal possession of personal ID information, and conspiracy to commit: 1
• Reckless driving: 1
• Failure to remove snow/ice from motor vehicle roof: 1
• Failure to renew registration: 1
• Operating a motor vehicle without minimum insurance: 1
• Failure to obey stop sign: 1
• Improper turns: 1
• Failure to comply with state traffic commission regulations: 1
• Failure to obey traffic control signals: 1

It’s the law: You must remove snow and ice from your vehicle.

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On May 18, Schoke Jewish Family Service celebrates 50 years of service to Fairfield County . The, with a gala at Temple Beth El in Stamford.

What began in the late 1970s with one secretary, a part-time director and a part-time social worker primarily focused on helping Russian immigrants resettle, has grown into a diverse service provider.

Schoke JFS now offers a wide range of programs, including counseling, geriatric care services, emergency assistance, and initiatives to combat food insecurity. The agency is also home to the Freedberg Family Kosher Food Pantry and the Kosher Mobile Food Pantry, Connecticut’s only kosher food truck.

An Evening with Schoke JFS features a cocktail reception, dinner, awards presentation and dessert.

Tickets are $250. For more information and purchase tickets, click here. http://www.ctjfs.org.

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Today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature is a geometrically intriguing look at Minute Man Hill:

(Photo/Laurie Sorensen)

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And finally … in honor of Peter Reid’s heroic rescue yesterday:

(From Westport, Connecticut to Winslow, Arizona, “06880” is your hyper-local blog. If you enjoy our work, please consider a tax-deductible contribution. Just click here — and thank you!)