Since 2002, the Malloy Lecture in the Arts — sponsored by the late artist Susan Malloy — has brought major creative voices to Westport. Speakers included Arthur Miller, Joyce Carol Oates, Christopher Plummer, Clive Davis and Salman Rushdie sparking thought-provoking and engaging conversations.
Now, through the Malloy Fund for the Arts, The Westport Library has relaunched the series. A new event celebrates Westport’s artistic legacy, while looking toward its future.
A large crowd attended last night’s reimagined concept. Weston actor James Naughton moderated a panel with graphic artist Miggs Burroughs, Staples High School graduate and Broadway director Gina Rattan, artist/singer/actress Lissy Newman, and arts leader Melody James.
Ann Sheffer — the passionate arts advocate, philanthropist and Malloy’s niece, whose family’s contributions have helped shape the cultural fabric of Westport, opened the evening.
From left: Melody James, Lissy Newman, Gina Rattan, Miggs Burroughs, James Naughton last night. Behind them on the Westport Library stage are posters of Westport Country Playhous shows. (Photo/Dave Matlow)
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Also last night: the Staples High School boys basketball season came to an end.
The Wreckers — ranked #4 in the state Division I basketball tournament — fell 67-56 to #5 St. Bernard-Uncasville, in the quarterfinals. The game was played before a large, raucous crowd at Fairfield Warde High.
The loss was bitter. The Saints edged Staples earlier in the regular season, and topped them 2 years ago in the state championship.
But the future is very bright. The blue-and-whites graduate only 2 seniors who saw substantial time: Adam Udell, the MVP of the FCIAC title game who led his squad to their first league championship in 62 years, and Charlie Bowman
All the other retutnrees — and the deep bench — are underclassmen.
Congratulations to coach Dave Goldshore, and his team, on a superb year!
Adam Udell. (Photo/Ryan Allen)
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Last night was filled with activity. StartUp Westport (the town’s public/private tech entrepreneur/innovator partnership) packed The Clubhouse (the town’s neweset and coolest event space) for their annual networking and social get-together.
Among the energetic crowd (below, from left): Nat Brogadir, Sam Hendel, Jay Norris, Noah Fenn and Dan Bikel.
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As “06880” reported first on Monday, 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker is running for governor of Connecticut.
Her campaign just released her first official video. Click below to see:
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The Grand List is out. Got a gripe?
The Board of Assessment Appeals meets Monday (March 10, 7 p.m., Town Hall room 201) to hear from taxpayers who are “aggrieved by the doings of the assessor on the Grand List of October 1, 2024, and the 2023 Supplemental Motor Vehicle list.”
Residents should bring supporting documents to the session.
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After very successful events focused on women, minorities and young entrepreneurs, StartUp Westport is planning its next major event.
This time, it’s “Innovation in Sports.” The event is April 30 (6:30 p.m., Westport Library).
Among the topics: emerging technologies in athlete performance and data analytics; advancements in fan engagement, sponsorships, and media, and how startups and leaders are reshaping the sports business landscape.
Moderator Andrew Marchand is senior sports media columnist at The Athletic (and a 1986 Staples High School graduate). Panelists include NBC Sports president Rick Cordella, and Westporter Rob Simmelkjaer, CEO of the New York Roadrunners Club.
Click here to register, and for more information.
In other StartUp Westport news, the mentorship program continues to thrive. This month’s session — “Legal Bootcamp for Startups and Founders” — will be led by Jack Sousa, partner at Wiggin & Dana, on Monday (March 10).
Next month’s Mentorship Circle is on “The Key Steps to Launching a Successful Non-Profit.”
To register and for more information, click here.
StartUp Westport’s special interest groups are very active too. Upcoming:
Investor SIG: Advanced Startup Due Diligence (March 24, 2025, 6 p.m., Serendipity Labs). Connect with other experienced investors; gain advice on how navigating the world of startup due diligence and fundraising.
Women in Tech & Innovation SIG: BRAND YOU: Creating and Managing Your Personal Brand (April 24, 6 p.m., Serendipity Labs). Insights, tools and tips to help build a strong, authentic personal brand. Click here to learn more about Startup Westport’s special interest groups.
Andrew Marchand
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“Pink Chicken” does not sound particularly appetizing.
But that’s the name of a new children’s clothing store — “renowned for its vibrant colors, original prints and family focused designs” — opened yesterday in Sconset Square.
The boutique is Pink Chicken’s ninth US store, joining those in New York, Maryland, North and South Carolina, and California.
A “Flock Party” is set for Saturday (March 8, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.). The event includes special offers, face painting, florals and sweet treats.
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It’s great that your kids play sports.
It’s not great that they grow out of their equipment. It just hangs around, cluttering your house.
Sustainable Westport can help. They’ve launched a “Play It Forward” program, giving used sports equipment a new life.
They’re kicking off with soccer. Westporters can drop off shoes, shin guards and balls at the Westport Weston YMCA from today (March 7) through March 22.
On March 24 (4 to 7 p.m., Christ & Holy Trinity Church), residents can brose for needed items. It’s not necessary to have donated anything to shop.
Any remaining items will be donated to the Bridgeport Field of Dreams Foundation. For more information, click here.
The program may expand to other sports.
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Online registration begins at 9 a.m. Tuesday (March 11) for 2 of the most popular Parks & Recreation Department summer programs: Camp Compo and RECing Crew.
Registration opens the next day (March 12, 9 a.m.) for all other spring and summer offerings.
Parks & Rec officials urge residents to log in now to their online accounts, to verify family information.
Log in and select “Manage Family Member” (bottom right). Click the first name in the column under “My Family Members” to check key details. Verify date of birth and ensure your child’s grade (as of September 2025) is correct. Click “Save” at the bottom.
Go to the “Contact Information” tab and review/update your contact details. Click “Save” again. Repeat for each family member in your profile.
Address Change? Email us at recreation@westportct.gov with updated information.
Login issue? Don’t create a new profile. Email recreation@westportct.gov, or call 203-341-5152.
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Speaking of Parks & Rec: It’s that time of year again.
(Photo/Karen Como)
Contractors are busy preparing Compo Beach for the upcoming season.
The sand is looking good. Let’s hope the weather gods are with us, and that there’s no late-winter storm to wreck all that good work.
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Westport Police made 5 custodial arrests betwen February 26 and March 5.
A 26-year-old Westport man was charged with assault, strangulation, unlawful restraint, threatening and interfering with an emergency call. A complainant reported that over the course of the past few years, they were the victim of mental and physical abuse by their live-in boyfriend. He was released after posting $100,000 bond.
A 57-year-old Fitchburg, Massachusetts man was charged with larceny, payment card theft and identity theft, following an investigation into valuables taken from a locker at the Westport Weston Family YMCA.
A 52-year-old Norwalk man was charged with identity theft and criminal attempt at larceny, after an investigation intoto 2 checks stolen from a mailbox in September. He was held on $25,000 bond.
A 40-year-old Bridgeport woman was charged with failure to appear. She was pulled over for a motor vehicle violation, and was found to have an active rearrest warrant for an incident that occurred in Newington in 2013.
A 41-year-old Eastchester, New York man was charged with failure to appear, after being pulled over for a motor vehicle violation. He had an active rearrest warrant for an incident that occurred last year in Westport.
Westport Police also issued these citations:
- Traveling unreasonably fast: 6 citations
- Operating a motor vehicle without a license: 4
- Operating an unregistered motor vehicle: 3
- Speeding: 2
- Operating a motor vehicle under suspension: 2
- Evading responsibility: 1
- Driving while texting: 1
- Failure to drive in the proper lane: 1
- Failure to obey stop sign: 1
- Failure to display lights: 1
- Improper marker lights: 1
- Failure to obey traffic commission regulations: 1
- Failure to insure a motor vehicle: 1
- Operating a motor vehicle without minimum insurance: 1
- Failure to renew registration: 1
Turn on those headlights!
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Tammy Barry provides today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo, and wonders: “Compo Beach or Jersey Shore?”
It’s Compo, of course. (Cockenoe Island gives it away).
Wednesday — when this image was taken — was blustery. Today should continue windy, with gusts of perhaps 40 miles an hour.
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And finally … in honor of Westport’s newest store, Pink Chicken (story above):
(Seriously, where else but “06880” would you find all this stuff? And in one place?! Crazy. But it’s here — every day — on your hyper-local blog. Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
Tooker’s site has this as a headline: “Bringing People Together to Solve Tough Problems – the Hallmark [sic] Jen Tooker’s Leadership.” Both a lie AND a typo: An auspicious start to her campaign.
My recommendation is to avoid voting republican! Yo heal the country we need to bounce the house and the senate !
Thank you!
Have you seen the woke Democratic Party. You’ll be lucky to win another election. Only in CT and Westport will the Rich white woke hateful elites win.
Your in a bubble. This site has become like the racist ladies on the view.
Westport is a bunch of sore losers.
After just 40-something days of Trump II, his approval ratings are down as is the stock market. 2086 will change things. And your accusations, Jeff, as to racism and “rich white” folks apply more to the GOP than this town. Sore losers? You folks on the right wouldn’t even acknowledge the 2020 election which was not even close. One comment on Ms. Tooker: since when has reinsurance become a vital part of our economy? Your party ignores climate change which is when such kicks in. It is merely a back stop.
And Jeff: It is “You are” vice “your.”
http://www.carladdisonswanson.com