The inspirational Martin Luther King Day conversation between author/writer/ Columbia School of Journalism dean Dr. Jelani Cobb and Westport writer/ professor Trey Ellis is now online.
Click here; then use password Jelani_Cobb_2026. The video is available through February 27.
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We’re just a week from Homes with Hope’s “Soup-er Bowl” food drive.
The event — next Saturday (February 7, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Stop & Shop), is sponsored by the Westport Police Department, and the Westport Rotary and Sunrise Rotary clubs.
It’s a way to help our town’s homeless shelter and food pantry stock up on most-needed items, before the game.
They include cereal, oatmeal, pancake mix, pasta sauce, canned chicken, peanut butter and jelly, rice, laundry detergent and deodorant.
Not headed to Stop & Shop next Saturday? There’s an even easier way to donate needed items: Just click here, and select from the Amazon wish list.
They’ll be delivered directly to the food pantry.
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Speaking of great causes: Earth Animal is well known for its care for canines.
But it sure does a lot for their 2-legged friends.
The Post Road store’s 18th annual Mitten Project raised a whopping — and record-breaking — $100,834.62 this holiday season.
The funds — coming from customers and other concerned residents — supports Connecticut Foodshare.
That translates to over 200,000 nutritional meals — and other resources — provided to families across the state.
The campaign was powered by Earth Animal retail sales, “Shop & Give” events with local businesses, donations, and customer support.
A matching contribution from Earth Animal Ventures, headquartered in Norwalk, amplified the campaign’s impact.
Thanks to all who participated — and of course to Earth Animal, for making it happen.
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Speaking of animals: Wakeman Town Farm just received 4 newborn lambs, from Bluebird Farm in Willington.
The southdown babydoll sheep — a sweet and loving breed — are 2 weeks old, all female, and related to the sheep that currently reside at WTF.
Farm educators, headed by Judy Panzer, train volunteers to help patiently teach the babies how to drink from bottles.
Wakeman Town Farm also offers “Lamb Cuddles,” a hands-on experience through which residents cuddle, socialize and connect with the animals while learning about their care and personalities. Click here for tickets, and more information.
To help defray the costs of care and feeding, WTF is running a fun “Name the Newest Farm Babies” contest.For $10, you can submit up to 4 name suggestions (one per lamb — remember, all are girls!).
Winning names will be drawn February 9. Click here to enter.
Awww … too cute!
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We’re just a few days away from the Winter Olympics. The eyes of the world will be on Milan.
Of course, there’s a Westport connection.
Longtime resident/veteran sports and news journalist Dave Briggs has teamed up with Saatva — the luxury mattress company founded by fellow resident Ron Rudzin, and the official provider of mattresses and bedding for the 2026 and ’28 Olympic and Paralympic Games — on a series of “Superpower” podcasts.
Briggs interviewed gold medalists Tara Lipinski (figure skating), Jessie Diggins (the most decorated American cross country skier), Jessica Long (the Michael Phelps of the Paralympics), and gold medalist Brenna Huckaby (Paralympic snowboarder) — all in bed, on Saatva mattresses.
These are in-depth interviews about the athletes’ lives — including personal challenges. Despite the luxurious and sports-related settings, there are no softball questions. Lipinski, for example, talks about pressure and performance, infertility, pregnancy loss and the LA fires.
Click here or below to see Briggs’ interview with Lipinski. Click here for the podcast on iTunes; click here for Spotify.
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Congratulations to the students involved with Soundings and QED.
Staples High School’s 2 literary magazines have been awarded “Superior” rankings, in the 2025 Recognizing Excellence in Art and Literary Magazines (REALM) contest. The honors come from the National Council of Teachers of English.
Publications are evaluated by a panel of judges. Criteria include the quality of writing, variety of genres featured, excellence of art and graphic design, and overall editorial layout.
At Staples, students oversee everything from the initial call for submissions to the final technical production. Editor-in chief Allison Cancro, and associate editors Eva Slossberg and Jack Robinson, worked with faculty advisor Kim Herzog. 
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Westport is filled with entrepreneurs.
Plenty of youngsters are excited by the opportunity to run their own business. How can they start?
This Thursday (February 5, 5 p.m., Westport Library), they can head to the Mini Moguls Marketplace.
Staples High School junior Aanya Gandhi organized the event, for students in grades 5-8.
Participants will run their own business by selling a product (handmade items; gently used toys, books and games, etc. — no food please!), and creating posters explaining their product, pricing, and marketing strategy, while learning
valuable financial literacy and entrepreneurial skills.
Families are welcome to attend as customers. Click here for more information. Questions? Email aanyagandhi1213@gmail.com.
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Speaking of the Library: VersoFest audiences tap their feet to the music. Sometimes they dance.
On March 28 (10 a.m.), no one will be in their seats.
The Westport Library’s 5th annual music and media conference and festival welcomes master artist Andoche Loubaki. He’ll lead a lively traditional Congolese Dance and Drum workshop, presented by Brooklyn-based Cumbe Dance.
It’s a great family event. After all, who doesn’t want to dance in a library?
Click here for more information on the Congolese workshop. Click here for the VersoFest home page.
Cumbe Dance
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Club203 — Westport’s social group for adults with disabilities — gets a jump on Valentine’s Day.
Their next event (February 4, 6:30 to 8 p.m., VFW Post 399) includes music, dancing, art by MoCA\CT — plus heart-shaped pizza from Planet Pizza, sweet treats, and plenty of Club203 love.
Parents and caregivers can mix and mingle at the VFW cash bar. Click here for the Club203 website.
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For more than half a century, Larry Silver has been taking photos. They hang in some of the most prestigious galleries and museums in the world.
He’s still shooting. He’s been all over the planet, but Westport remains one of his favorite places.
The other day, Larry was at Old Mill Beach. He sent this image to “06880”:
(Photo/Larry Silver)
The cold continues this weekend. Temperatures will reach only the mid-20s today and tomorrow. Nighttime will see them dip to the low teens. Stay warm!
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Meanwhile, today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo is a no-brainer.
It’s a scene we’re all (too) familiar with these days:
(Photo/copyright Ted Horowitz)
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And finally … that’s a smooth segue into today’s featured song:
(Looking to warm up — and warm our heart too? Please click here, to make a tax-deductible contribution to “06880.” That’s such a cool thing to do, and we thank you from — well, the bottom of our heart.)
Larry is a photo genius and a really nice guy from back on da block 📷👍🇺🇸