As “06880” reported more than 2 weeks ago, the state Department of Transportation is changing the near-century-old Merritt Parkway exit numbers.
The new ones — “20” for our familiar Exit 41, and “21” for 42 — conform to federal standards, which mandate that exits show the approximate mileage from a starting point. With the Merritt, that’s the New York border.
Old habits die hard. This may take some getting used to.
Fortunately, for at least 2 years small signs underneath the larger ones will say “old Exit 41” or “42.”
Fingers crossed that GPS picks up on the change pretty quickly.
(Photos/Adrian Mueller)
In a couple of years, an even bigger change is coming.
Say goodbye to Westport’s I-95 exits 17 and 18. (Hat tip: Bill Dedman)
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All is ready for Alo’s opening.
The “activewear brand,” offering “studio-to-street clothing, yoga gear and luxury skincare,” replaces Oka — previously Banana Republic, and before that, Klein’s Department Store — tomorrow (August 1).
Can’t wait? There’s an Early Access Shopping event today (Thursday, July 31, 4-7 p.m.), at their “newest sanctuary.”
There’s a DJ, yoga performances, beverages, and a $500 Alo gift card giveaway.
The first 100 shoppers get an “exclusive gift” with their purchase.
But that’s not the only new activewear store opening downtown tomorrow.
Or the only one with a special opening event.
Beyond Yoga opens their second Connecticut store (after Greenwich) near Lux Bond & Green, in the “Elm & Main” shopping plaza (formerly called Brooks Corner).
They’ll host their own preview party tonight (Thursday, July 31, 5 to 7 p.m.), with their own DJ, light bites, sips, 20% off purchases, and a gift with any purchase of $300 or more. Click here to RSVP.
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LobsterFest is one of our town’s greatest parties.
The Westport Rotary Club event features lobsters (duh), steak, drinks, live music, kids’ activities and much more, all on a beautiful late summer day at Compo Beach. (This year it’s September 20.)
Over 1,500 guests help raise over $400,000, for nearly 50 community organizations.
But all that fun takes work.
At least 250 volunteers are needed — and as hard as Rotarians work, there are not that many club members.
Volunteers can purchase a lobster or steak ticket, or get a free hamburger or hot dog. All volunteers enjoy free drinks too.
All ages (youngsters and up) are needed for set-up on Friday, September 19 (3 to 6:30 p.m.) and Saturday, September 20 (9 a.m. to 1 p.m.); shifts during the September 20 LobsterFest (from 2 to 7:30 p.m.), and clean-up on Sunday, September 21 (9 a.m. to 1 p.m.).
The Clubhouse — Westport’s very popular sports simulator/big TV screen/ karaoke/rooftop event space hosted Club 203’s volunteers.
The town’s social club for adults with disabilities, and their partner Westport’s Department of Human Services, said “thank you” to the men and women who make each monthly gathering special.
“They are the glue to all of our celebrations. We would be nothing if not for them,” says Club203 co-founder Stacie Curran. She also thanked owners Tim and Emily Zobl of The Clubhouse, for their help.
Volunteers were the first to see the 2025-26 calendar. The year kicks off with a bash at Lachat Town Farm in Weston, and continues with Halloween, Thanksgiving and holiday gatherings. January brings a night at Westport Country Playhouse.
It’s on the bank of the Saugatuck River, behind the Levitt Pavilion.
She worries it may become a hazard.
“06880” often reminds drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians: “Be careful out there.”
Now we’ll add rowers and boaters to the list.
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Westport Police made 1 custodial arrest bewteen July 230 and 29.
A 40-year-old Norwalk man was charged with failure to appear. The warrant stemmed for a previous motor vehicle arrest. He posted a $10,000 bond.
Westport Police also issued these citations:
Traveling unreasonably fast: 4 citations
Failure to obey stop sign: 2
Failure to comply with state traffic commission regulations: 2
Failure to renew registration: 2
Criminal trespass: 1
Distracted driving: 1
Operating a motor vehicle under suspension: 1
Failure to insure a motor vehicle: 1
Operating a motor vehicle without minimum insurance: 1
Failure to obey traffic control signals: 1
Improper use of markers: 1
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Noted lawyer and 1959 Staples High School graduate Michael Cardozo died July 23 in White Plains, after a short illness. He was 84.
His career included over 45 years at Proskauer Rose, and 12 as New York City’s corporation counsel (appointed by Mayor Bloomberg). He also served as president of the New York City Bar Association, the New York State Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government, and on many non-profit boards.
He earned a BA political science in 1963 from Brown University, and a JD 3 years later from Columbia Law School.
Michael is survived by his wife Nancy Cardozo; daughters Hedy Cardozo (Michael Rosenblut) and Sheryl Cardozo (Adi Diner), and grandchildren Lucy, Josh and Ellie.
(Sure, the Merritt Parkway may switch numbers. But “06880” will never change. We’ll keep delivering news, features, history, photos an much more. Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
Today — and every Thursday — shoppers flood the Westport Farmers’ Market. Over 2 decades it’s earned a county-wide reputation for stocking the freshest berries, veggies, eggs, tomatoes, and anything else that can be grown locally.
Along with Mexican and Thai food, pizza, bagels, baked goods, dog treats, honey, mushrooms — and live entertainment, knife sharpening, and much more.
Plus swordfish, tuna and other seafood. It’s direct from the source. Sustainable. And — thanks to an innovative program — portions of each sale go right back to boats working the Northeast waters.
Oceans 180 by Nordic Fish complements the WFM’s mission: to provide fresh, local, healthy and seasonal food, while increasing awareness, knowledge and support for local producers focused on sustainable and healthy growing practices.
Jardar Nygaard
The creation of Jardar Nygaard — well known to area residents through his businesses, Fjord Fisheries and Nordic Fish — Oceans 180 bridges the gap between local seafood producers and farmers’ markets. (Besides Westport, they work with Fairfield and Greenwich.)
They provide the freshest seasfood directly from the source, while easing the financial uncertainty faced by every fishing vessel.
Nygaard is passionate about fishing. A native of Norway who moved with his family to Seattle at age 4 — how about those fishing chops? — he’s been in the business since he was 16. He opened his first store 2 years later, in 1990.
In his early years with Fjord Fisheries — which he ran with his family — Nygaard learned from experts, at Fulton Fish Market.
After selling Fjord in 2012 Nygaard got into oyster farming. His next venture, Nordic Fish in Fairfield, attracted many loyal Westport customers.
Seafood lovers are thrilled to see him back in town, at the Farmers’ Market. They know the quality of his products.
Oceans 180, at the Westport Farmers’ Market.
But they don’t always know the back story to his stall.
“Oceans 180” refers to the distance his fresh fish come from: no more than approximately 180 miles, from Maine to Delaware.
They may also not know that Nygaard pays producers the current market price upfront, upon delivery. That eliminates two of the most challenging parts of the fishing industry: delays and guesswork.
In addition, Oceans 180 caps their gross margins. They return any revenue above the cap directly to their producers, as bonus payouts after each market closes.
The model removes risk for producers. They are never asked to cover losses if margins fall short.
Ocean 180’s bonuses help take some of the uncertainty out of fishing.
“By prioritizing honesty and shared success, we build long-term relationships rooted in trust,” Nygaard says.
“Our producers are not just suppliers. They are partners in creating a more ethical and sustainable food system.”
Those partners supply seafood that Westporters love, like swordfish, tuna, steelhead salmon, steamers, sea scallops, black sea bass, halibut, oysters and clams.
Often, it’s just a day or two off the boat.
Fresh fish (and shellfish).
Nygaard is passionate about fishing. It has been his life, since he was a little boy in Norway.
Now he’s sharing that passion with Westport Farmers’ Market shoppers — and paying it forward, to his producers.
As every youth sports parent knows, young athletes quickly outgrow their uniforms.
Very quickly.
Occasionally, a club or league organizes a day for parents to pass jerseys along. But Westport PAL basketball has done more.
Full Court Peace is a non-profit founded by local resident Mike Evans. It provides basketballs, sneakers, court repair — and uniforms — to underserved communities in Norwalk, Bridgeport, Stamford and Queens.
Plus Havana, Santo Domingo, San Juan, and a refugee camp in Jordan.
Recently, Westport PAL partnered with Full Court Peace. Greg Downes and Gery Grove led the effort.
Six players — all PAL alums — traveled to the Dominican Republic. They restored 2 courts, and handed out 30 basketballs and 50 Westport uniforms to young players.
They also joined in games with the youngsters.
This is not the first time Full Court Peace has brought Westport teenagers and their parents. In the psat 10 years, over 100 have traveled to Cuba, Puerto Rico and the DR.
This week’s Unsung Heroes are Mike, Greg, Gery, Westport PAL basketball president Jordan Schur, and Full Court Peace players Ryder Flaherty, Luke Moneyhon, Jasper Robinson, Jared Sale, Aaron Schor and Micah Turner.
You are all true champions!
(“06880” is proud to honor Unsung Heroes — and tell many other tales of town too. Please click here to support your hyper-local blog.)
Posted onJuly 30, 2025|Comments Off on Roundup: Wheels2U, Top Dems, SNL Alum …
There’s no such thing as a free lunch.
But there are 5 free rides for anyone who downloads the Wheels2U app for the first time.
Those rides can be used to deliver you to the train station platform. Or to head downtown for the Senior Center, Farmers’ Market, or shopping (and that non-free lunch).
The Westport Transit District’s Wheels2U provides rides to and from anywhere in Westport, and the Saugatuck and Greens Farms train stations every weekday from 5:30 to 10:30 a.m., and 4 to 9:30 p.m. Your first 5 rides are free.
Wheels2U also goes between anywhere in Westport and downtown locations every Tuesday through Thursday, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Again: the first 5 rides are free.
Just download the Wheels2U app, available at the App Store and Google Play.
Book your ride 20 minutes in advance. Track the vehicle on the app (like Uber). Then enjoy the ride in an SUV.
Connecticut’s top Democrats — Governor Ned Lamont, Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz, Senator Richard Blumenthal, Attorney General William Tong, and Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas — came to Rive Bistro on Sunday.
They joined nearly 100 Westport Wesporters, and the Democratic Town Commitee’s candidates in November elections, at the party’s annual summer social.
Governor Ned Lamont (microphone), with (from left) Democratic selectperson candidates Amy Wistreich and Kevin Christie, and Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz.
Earlier in the day, Bysiewicz canvassed door to door with Kevin Christie and Amy Wistriech, the 1st and 2nd selectperson candidates respectively.
Canvassing on Sunday (from left): Kevin Christie, Amy Wistreich, Susan Bysiewicz. The deer is not registered to vote.
Singer/songwriter — and noted “Saturday Night Live” alum — Ana Gasteyer brings her jazz standards, Broadway classics and comic stories to the Westport Country Playhouse on August 8 (8 p.m.).
SNL fans remember Gasteyer’s characters from her 6-year run: middle school music teacher Bobbie Moughan-Culp, NPR radio host Margaret Jo, Lilith Fair poetess Cinder Calhoun, along with impressions of Martha Stewart, Celine Dion and Hillary Rodham Clinton.
The gorgeous hideaway off Bayberry Lane joins with the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra for 3 “Music in the Garden” Sunday concerts. Each blends music, poetry and nature, in a serene woodland setting.
The series opens on August 3 with the Quantum Leap String Quartet, featuring composer Gwyneth Walker reading her adaption from the writings of Henry David Thoreau with her suite “Trails and Open Spaces.”
On August 17, the Harmonia V Woodwind Quintet fills the gardens with lyrical melodies.
The final event (August 31) showcases “So Sings the Garden,” a collaboration of poetry reading led by Westport poet laureate Donna Disch, with performances by soprano Maureen McKay, baritone Marcelo Guzzo, pianist Thomas Cuffari, and cellist Gunnar Sahlin.
Each evening includes an optional garden tour from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., with concerts beginning at 6. Guests are encouraged to bring a picnic before the performances. Parking and shuttle service is provided at Coleytown Elementary School.
Speaking of gardens: It’s still July. But have you noticed an unusual number of leaves on the ground?
Johanna Keyser Rossi has. She took this photo …
(Photo/Johanna Keyser Rossi)
… and searched online for more information.
She found this: “Trees may shed leaves to conserve water, due to prolonged hot weather and insufficient rainfall.”
Today’s forecast is for 94-degree heat (and possible afternoon thunderstorms).
The heat breaks tomorrow, with a predicted high of 78. With a little luck, we won’t see many more falling leaves until fall.
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“Cheese Fries & Chili Dips” — Weston native Chris Fuller’s one-man “hilarious and heartfelt story of a pro golfer’s bipolar journey to wellness” — returns to the barn at the Westport Country Playhouse on August 22.
There’s a pre-show wine party at 6 p.m.. The show is at 7. It’s followed by a special post-performance discussion on “breaking the stigma,” with Yale University mental health specialists.
Kay McGhee Leary — a 1973 Staples High School graduate — died peacefully on Saturday in Jacksonville, Florida. She was 70.
In Westport she was involved in Girl Scouts, and the Staples band, orchestra and choir.
She earned a bachelor of science from Skidmore College, a master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania and a Ph.D. from the University of Florida — all in nursing.
She worked as a women’s health nurse practitioner, and served as a professor at Jacksonville University and the University of Florida – Jacksonville.
Kay loved history, travel and learning, along with bridge, book clubs, and involvement with the Women’s Giving Alliance and the PEO Sisterhood, DQ Chapter.
She is survived by her husband, Todd Leary, daughter Kay Lewis Hood, and sister Bonnie McGhee Strittmatter.
A celebration of life is set for Palms Presbyterian Church in Jacksonville Beach on August 1 (11 a.m.).
In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to a women’s health or education-focused charity in Kay’s honor, such as the Women’s Giving Alliance.
Marisa Longo grew up close to both sets of grandparents — geographically, and culinarily.
Even with a full-time job, her maternal grandmother cooked everything — pasta, bread, dessert — from scratch. Her maternal grandfather made wine.
Marisa’s paternal grandmother made hot lunch for everyone at Marisa’s parents’ clothing store. Every afternoon at 3, she brought espresso: hot in winter, iced in summer.
Marisa’s mother was also a great cook.
As they grew older, Marisa and her 3 sisters shared their grandparents’ and mother’s recipes. They added tweaks here and there, and tested them among themselves.
Marisa Lambert
In 2006 she — now Marisa Lambert — and her husband Thomas moved to Westport. He’s a partner in FLB Law on Riverside Avenue.
She’s an attorney too. Next month, their twins will enter Staples High School.
Food has always remained close to Marisa’s heart. She’s taken cooking classes, and is part of a cooking club that began with parents on her son’s baseball team.
Now she’s sharing her passion with a wider audience.
“Cooking Like Nonna” — a nod to the beloved Italian word for “grandma” — began a year ago. When Marisa shared it with a wider audience in January, it took off.
On Instagram and TikTok, she offers recipes with personal twists. Often rooted in her heritage — whether a slow-simmered Sunday sauce, pasta primavera or ricotta pancakes — her goal is to bring people together through food.
“Just like both my nonnas, and my mom did,” Marisa notes.
TikTok screenshot.
In addition to home cooking, she spotlights local restaurants and businesses. She has featured the “cozy comforts” of Tutti’s Ristorante and Fatto a Mano, and the fresh, healthy offerings aat Organika, among others.
“Cooking Like Nonna” has caught the eye of major brands and platforms. Appetito recently featured Marisa. Her cooking videos have been shared by Italian companies like Bono di Sicilia (the largest producer of certified EVOO in Sicily) and Mutti, a maker of tomato products since 1899.
Locatelli Cheese — even older, at 200-plus years — gave her a like.
Just as gratifying are comments from individual followers. A thank-you for Marisa’s stuffed zucchini recipe warms her heart. She knows she is following in her nonnas’ footsteps.
Marisa Lambert celebrates National Smoothie Day at Organika.
Like making a family dinner, being a content creator takes plenty of behind-the-scenes work. Marisa constantly tests, adjusts and modernizes her recipes.
The other day it was a microwavable asparagus dish, with Parmesan cheese and olive oil. “Old school recipes, with a modern twist,” she says.
Since going online, Marisa has discovered a “large and friendly community” of creators and foodies.
She also learned new skills — including video editing.
Marisa’s goal is to expand — first throughout Fairfield County and Connecticut, then around the tri-state region.
She’d like too to start an international segment. One friend from the Republic of Georgia, and another from Hungary, are inspiring her to add new dishes.
In the works: a 2-video series on the Westport Farmers’ Market. The first will focus on what’s available there; the second, on what she makes with those ingredients.
Though she now has an international audience — with some of her most avid followers living in Italy — Cooking Like Nonna remains a family affair.
Marisa began by sharing recipes with her sisters. She still does.
Her son and daughter help film her segments.
And of course, whenever she tweaks a recipe, cooks a meal or uplodads a new reel, Marisa thinks of her nonnas.
A number of Westport residents were surprised yesterday to receive this email, from “Westport Parks & Recreation Department”:
“Hi! You used our online services to purchase a parking emblem. The registration is only in Lisa’s name, and she is not a senior, the fee for this purchase is $60 plus CT sales tax. You may contact us at 203-341-5152 to provide us with your credit card information for the difference or you are more than welcome to stop into the office. We are here Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. -4:30 p.m. Look forward to hearing from you!”
There was one little issue: Recipients did not purchase a parking emblem “in Lisa’s name.”
A call to the number brought up a recording, saying it was sent in error, and to disregard the message.
As for Lisa: Well, most people lie about their age to seem younger.
Westport 10 — our town’s social and networking group of Black men, which has grown to far more than 10 members — celebrated their annual Jamaican BBQ on Sunday, with wives and children.
Westport 10 men …
Howard and Olga Roberts hosted the event. The menu included the national dish — ackee and saltfish, along with oxtails, curry goat, rice and peas, cabbage and more.
The annual “Stand Up for Homes with Hope” comedy show (get it?) has snagged a great headliner.
Tom Papa — star of 6 specials, including a recent Netflix show, and with more than 20 years’ experience as an actor, host and author, in film, TV, radio, podcasts and the live stage — comes to Fairfield University’s Quick Center on October 17.
The fundraiser helps the Westport non-profit continue its 40-year mission of addressing homelessness and food insecurity.
That’s not the only difficult spot in town. (Surprise!)
Sandy Rothenberg sends this photo of Compo Road South, heading north to Post Road East:
(Photo/Sandy Rothenberg)
With only 3 cars able to make the left turn onto the Post Road — but many others backed up waiting to go straight or turn right — drivers sometimes have to wait several cycles just to get into that left lane.
Others — like the one above — often take matters into their own hands.
And the cluster*** that is cars exiting or entering Compo Acres Shopping Center, by the narrow passage by [solidcore]* is a whole other sorry story.
*Don’t get me started on their absurd punctuation.
The Caribbean Jazz Connection headlines this week’s Jazz at the Post (Thursday, VFW Post 399; shows at 7:30 and 8:45 p.m.; dinner from 7; $20 music cover, $15 veterans and students).
Drummer Jim Royle crosses jazz and Caribbean Latin styles. His band features steel pan player Bryan Garbe. A former student of Royle’s, he grew up in Fairfield.
Other members include bassist John Mobilio, pianist Dave childs, and saxophonist Greg “The Jazz Rabbi” Wall. Click here for tickets, and more information.
Jim Royle
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Congratulations to Westport Softball’s CT Wreckers 10U team. They won the Southwest CT Fastpast League Silver Division championship in Southbury, finishing their league season undefeated.
Front row (from left): Megan Acampora, Zoey Klauser, Lila Salotollo, Natalia Hernandez, Addie Lewis, Lane Haberstroh, Juliette Rocco, Blythe Yanover, Amara Stocker, Bella Sable. Coaches (rear): Jeff Yanover, Ried Salotollo, Jason Sable. Not pictured: Ava Konig.
And finally … following up on the erroneous Parks & Rec message yesterday:
(A gentle, mid-summer reminder: “06880” — your 24/7/365 hyper-local blog — relies on the generosity of readers like you. If you enjoy our coverage, please click here to donate. Thank you!)
Don O’Day is a former Board of Education chair. He led the Coleytown Middle School renovation, and currently serves on the Representative Town Meeting (RTM) and Long Lots School Building Committee.
Andrea Moore is Westport’s 2nd selectwoman. She is a former Board of Finance vice chair and former RTM member.
They are running on the Republican ticket for the Board of selectmen. In the wake of last night’s Planning & Zoning Commission decision on The Hamlet at Saugatuck, they say:
ROAN Ventures’ proposal to build a mixed-use waterfront development called The Hamlet was denied by the Planning & Zoning Commission last night.
This has been a long and difficult process — for Westport residents, the P&Z, and ROAN Ventures. But make no mistake: Last night’s decision by the P&Z is not the end of the road. Far from it.
The Hamlet plan was denied last night. But discussion of what comes next for Saugatuck will continue.
Westport’s leaders, property owners and residents must now consider the next steps. The O’Day–Moore campaign for selectmen sees two:
The applicant withdraws and resubmits a new Hamlet proposal.
This is our preferred outcome.
Very often, a denial — however frustrating — is simply one step on the road to a mutually agreeable solution. Come November, Westport will have new members and leadership across our local government. With new faces may come fresh thinking, and new ideas should be on the table. Thoughtful suggestions recently offered by several respected members of the community deserve serious evaluation.
Let’s also acknowledge that developers seek a return on investment. Investor profitability isn’t about greed; it is a basic reality of business — but by no means guaranteed. It is why people risk personal capital.
The O’Day–Moore campaign views this moment not as a final rejection, but as an opportunity to move forward constructively, with the knowledge that development in the Saugatuck area is a positive outcome. Importantly, the O’Day–Moore pledge is that all development must consider the myriad concerns raised by residents during the many hearings held on this issue.
The applicant moves ahead with a large-scale 8-30g project.
We hope this does not happen.
First and foremost, threats — explicit or implied — make resolution harder. We urge a tone of collaboration, not confrontation.
As we all know, Connecticut’s 8-30g statute allows developers to bypass local zoning regulations in towns where less than 10% of housing is considered affordable. A massive 8-30g development in Saugatuck could place significant strain on Westport’s infrastructure—particularly our schools, roads and other vital services.
One possible 8-30g proposal for Saugatuck.
ROAN Ventures’ Hamlet proposal was not presented under the terms of the 8-30g statute. Therefore, it went through a robust local process where zoning protections applied.
Losing local control through a state override is not in our town’s best interest.
Let us be clear: Affordable housing must be part of Westport’s future. If elected, the O’Day–Moore team is committed to working with the Planning & Zoning Commission to promote an affordable housing provision in town and a cohesive zoning plan for Westport.
On Traffic: Let’s Try Solutions — Now
Traffic in Saugatuck is a known and daily frustration. Commuters rushing to or from the train experience it. So do parents, business owners and visitors.
Interestingly, the Hamlet proposal included ideas to reduce congestion while adding density — something that may sound counterintuitive but merits exploration. Proposals such as smart traffic-light management (via remote monitoring), converting one-way streets to two-way, or other design tweaks deserve immediate consideration.
If we can implement even a few of these ideas and they help — why wait?
ROAN Ventures offered several ideas for traffic mitigation and improvement.
A Path Forward
Reopening this discussion will require a willingness to begin again — by both sides. A reassessment period makes sense. Then let’s return to the table with a shared goal: smart planning for Westport’s future.
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