Harvest Wine Bar on Railroad Place closed last week.
But not permanently.
The restaurant will reopen, with new partners joining current ownership.
The menu will be Mediterranean-based, including seafood.
Renovations are underway, with a new look to suit the next venture. The kitchen and liquor license remain intact, for an easy transition. (Hat tip: Matthew Mandell)
Harvest restaurant
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Speaking of Saugatuck: As the Cribari Bridge rehabilitation/renovation/ replacement/etc. project creeps forward — right in time for election season — Westporters may wonder where to find background information.
The link is to a state Department of Transportation slide show. It includes the history of the project; a variety of alternatives; “Concerns & Considerations,” and a timeline.
It may not answer all your questions. But — like the intersection of Riverside Avenue and Bridge Street — it’s a good starting point.
Cribari Bridge (Photo/Sam Levenson)
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The Citizens’ Police Academy is one of the best — and most unpublicized, and underrated — programs in town.
25 Westport residents participate in classes that cover many aspects of law enforcement.
They learn about specialized units in the Westport Police Department, as well as how it operates and its role in the criminal justice system.
Participants observe demonstrations, and get hands-on experience with equipment the police use every day.
Instructors include experienced officers, and attorneys from Stamford Court.
In addition to classes, students experience a ride-along with a patrol officer.
They also receive Stop the Bleed training.
The next Westport Citizens’ Police Academy begins September 18. Classes run from 7 to 9:30 p.m. for 8 Thursdays, through November 20.
The academy is open to Westport residents 21 and older. Applications are available at police headquarters or by email from Officer Jill Cabana (jcabana@westportct.gov), and are due by August 27.
Residents can learn about this vehicle — and many other aspects of policing — at the upcoming Citizens’ Academy. (Photo/Dennis Wong)
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Speaking of police: The Westport Police Benevolent Association’s “Coffee with a Cop” program is so popular, they’re rolling out a kids’ version.
Called, of course, “Cones with a Cop.”
Tomorrow’s event (Thursday, August 21, 6 to 8 p.m., Sunny Daes) is a chance for kids (and adults) to enjoy a free ice cream cone, while chatting with police officers.
It’s a perfect way to cool off and connect, in the final days of summer.
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Two types of innovators — a UFC and WWE mogul, and a bakery offering opportunities to people with disabilities — will share the stage, at StartUp Westport’s Innovator of the Year Awards.
The October 8 event (6 p.m., Westport Library) honors Mark Shapiro and Sweet P Bakery.
As president and COO of TKO Group Holdngs, and president and managing partner of WME Group, Shapiro has helped shape some of the most infuential names in sports and entertainment.
He’ll talk about bold calls that changed the trajectory of companies, industries — even culture itself — at the StarUp Westport event.
The highlight will be a conversation with CNBC’s Sara Eisen, called “Pivotal Moments: The Risks That Paid Off (and the Ones That Didn’t).”
Sweet P Bakery will share the spotlight, as recipient of StartUp Westport’s Community Impact Innovator Award.
Founders Andrea and Bill Pecoriello will be honored for “their dedication to social good, and sustainable business practices in the local community.” Sweet P’s mission includes job creation, teaching transferable skills, and building independence, confidence and a sense of belonging.
The Innovator of the Year event is free, but reservations are required. Click here for complimentary tickets, and more information.
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An alert “06880” reader/avid beach walker (who asked for anonymity) writes:
“We are so fortunate to have new sidewalks in the Compo area that encourage walking, social interactions, and appreciating the beauty of the sound and surroundings.
“That’s why I was surprised to see numerous new signs erected between the ‘blue house’ near Old Mill Grocery, and Schlaet’s Point at the Hillspoint Road/ Soundview Drive corner. They all say ‘No Parking.’
“I don’t think people trying to park on Hillspoint is a major problem. It seems like overkill. And marring the views, especially at the wide open areas, seems unnecessary.
“Even if parking attempts here are a pressing problem, a few signs likely would deter such activity.”
4 of more than a dozen Hillspoint Road signs.
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Tired of watching interminable “Coming Attractions” at the movie theater?
But tired also of streaming films at home?
A unique Wakeman Town Farm online auction item may be answer.
They’re offering a “Movie Night on the Farm,” for 20 of your closest buds.
You pick the night. You pick the flick. You invite your friends. You bring the chairs, blankets and beverages.
WTF sets up the 20-foot screen, runs the movie and provides munchies.
The minimum bid is $700. Bidding is blind, and ends at midnight tonight.
Email info@wakemantownfarm.org. Put “This is my best + final bid for Movie Night” in the subject line.
Then fill in the rest: “I’d like to bid on the online auction item, Movie Night at the Farm. Below is my name, contact info and best and final bid. The opening bid is $700.00. The winner will be notified by August 20.”
Outdoor movie night.
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Haven’t gotten your LobsterFest tickets yet?
Wait till 2026.
The Rotary Club’s massive fundraiser sold out in just 4 days.
It was the 4th straight quick sellout year.
Meanwhile, if you did snag one of them: See you September 20!
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Live, from Oggi Gelato: It’s “The Candy Bowl”!
Next Thursday (1 p.m.), Westport podcaster Paula Conway hosts her show live, at the Fairfield store. The public is invited.
And on that day only, a new flavor (banana and strawberry gelato) — for Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day, which honors pets who have passed away — will be served. 10% of scoops will support PAWS in Norwalk.
Conway is a travel and leisure writer with Forbes.com. Her podcast covers luxury travel, theater, candy and special guests.
Paula Conway
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Mike Borchetta — the 1961 Staples High School graduate who, in a long music industry career, worked with Glen Campbell, the Beach Boys and Four Seasons, Dusty Springfield and Wayne Newton — died in mid-June, at 84. (Click here, then scroll down for his obituary.)
His niece, Laura Lawhon, says there were many great photos at his memorial service in Nashville earlier this month.
Among them was this one:
Mike is on the right. His daughter does not know the name of his friend on the left.
It was taken before he moved from Westport, in 1961. If anyone knows — or thinks they do — click “Comments” below.
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You may not recognize today’s “Westport … Naturally” featured insect.
It’s a cicada — many times its actual size.
Clarence Hayes spotted — and snapped — it off Sylvan Lane.
Who knew a cicada looked like this?
(Photo/Clarence Hayes)
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And finally … on this date in 1858, Charles Darwin first published his theory of evolution through natural selection in The Journal of the Proceedings of the Linnean Society of London.
(Since we published our first post in 2009, “06880” has certainly evolved. You can help us grow even further: just click here, to make a tax-deductible show of support. Thank you!)
I agree with the comment about the signs along the beach. This is something that both myself and fellow RTM Chris Tait have discussed and will be addressing with the Town. There are 18 signs by my count. There only need to be a few and certainly not when they impede the beautiful view of the water.
Matthew Mandell RTM D1
Speaking of the stretch of road between Compo and Old Mill, the sidewalk is still unfinished as the DPW apparently waits for Eversource to show up.
I am still waiting for someone to answer the quesions I raised a few weeks ago.
1. Why was the project started before Eversource had completed its work? Why wasn’t the work coordinated with Eversource?
2. Who is responsible for project management in Westport to make sure these types of inter-agency issues get resolved quickly? How do we make sure these types of avoidable problems are “avoided” in the future?
2. Did the RTM Public Works Committee as a group make inquiries and ask questions along the lines of my question #2? It does look like this falls within its “purview.” “The proper sphere of business of the Public Works Committee shall include the operations of the Department of Public Works and the Public Site and Building Commission and the budget appropriations therefor.”
3. When will the work finally be done?
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RTM Publc Works Committee members (Matt, that includes you) are welcome to respond here
RTM Publc Works Committee Members
District 2: Jay Keenan, Chair
District 8: Wendy Batteau
District 8: Ari Benmosche
District 4: Andrew Colabella
District 5: Peter Gold
District 9: Jennifer Johnson
District 7: Jack Klinge
District 1: Matthew Mandell
District 3: Don O’Day
District 1: Chris Tait
Paint stripes on the curb‼️🇺🇸
I hope they can id who’s in that photo with Him, that’s just such a great USA kids in the summer 1960’s photo, looks like a Made In USA Levi’s ad.
For a primer on the history of the William F. Cribari Bridge and the MANY previous plans the Connecticut Department of Transportation proposed since the 1960’s, go to the Preserve Westport web site…
https://preservewestport.com/
The Preserve Westport website recounts the efforts of activist Westporters to insist CTDOT make reasonable choices to respect the rights of residents to safe streets, cleaner air, and relieve not add tractor trailer truck traffic to the 13,100-16,000 vehicles that cross the bridge every day.
The CTDOT link takes you to the current plan, a thoughtless choice by a novice project planning team allowed by a First Selectperson who ignored two years of work by a Planning Advisory Committee composed of local stakeholders.
Dear Anonymous re no parking signs might be a result of out of towners parking and illegally crabbing and shellfishing in Mill Pond at night.
I agree with the above – paint the curb red meaning “No Parking”. They could even stencil the words in. And use reflective paint.
It’s a terribly narrow road for 2 way traffic and a lot of cyclists.
Certainly maintaining absolutely no parking there is essential for the safety of our cyclists, and motorists.
That said it’s really unfortunate to have big no parking signs impeding the lovely view.
Perhaps they should keep them in the vicinity of the blue house, where there’s not much of a view anymore anyway.
Surely painting 2 yellow lines or red whichever is correct in order to show absolutely no parking would suffice where there is a view.
Possibly they were put up because people were parking there illegally.
It’s astonishing how much effort is being expended on what is arguably, the least attractive minimalist industrial erector-set bridge in the USA.
The effort is primarily directed at keeping I-95 spill-over tractor trailer trucks from local roads. CTDOT insists their passage must be added to the 13,000+ vehicles that will cross any replacement bridge daily…an obviously unacceptable condition to local roads and affected residents…
To many the “erector-set” bridge is the aesthetic epitome of “Coastal Living.”
An aesthetic rooted in and a prisoner of nostalgia for a past that exists in the fog of memory. For guidance look to New Milford for a truly American style historic bridge aesthetic.
The lovely New Milford bridge carries less than 1000 vehicles per day.
The National Register Williamsburg F Cribari Bridge carries 13000 to 16000 vehicles daily.,,, engineering significance is part of the recognition.
CTDOT’s replacement will be twice as tall almost twice as wide and will welcome overflow 18 wheeler traffic.
It would s a cookie cutter design with no engineering significance.
Nostalgia is a very small part of oppression to replacement.
The primary factors in Westport’s decades long oppression are safety, health, noise, pollution, and overcrowding traffic.
Sorry. I think his name is William not Williamsburg.
Opposition not oppression
Another argument against AI suggested spelling
Listen up Werner!! Mr. William Weiss has spoken..
Look up… https://portal.ct.gov/dot/-/media/dot/bridge-design/cribaribridge/conceptual-swing-span-elevation–public-061919.pdf?rev=fffb40f9ca224e3a8cc5516803a1edc8&hash=AA74906FDC5BB0C58DB214D31795B1CA
The proposed replacement bridge is a monster almost twice as high as the current bridge… and it allows tractor trailer truck traffic.
How that satisfies anyone’s idea of aesthetics is a mystery.