Since our first post in 2009, “06880” has published over 20,100 stories.
Thanks to our “Search the Archives” box, you could find any of them. “Cribari Bridge,” “Community Gardens,” “Remarkable Book Shop” — type in keywords (don’t forget the quotation marks!), and you’d get every reference, from most recent to oldest.
Then your work really began. You had to click on each story individually. The search engine did not distinguish between, say, a story about a Cribari Bridge Department of Transportation hearing, holiday lights there, or a photo of it.
And you couldn’t search the Comments section — that rich repository of over 180,000 opinions (plus bombast and bile).
But “Search” is so yesterday.
Now it’s 2026. AI is taking over the world.
Today, “06880” introduces a new way to explore our blog.
It’s as hyper-local as we are. And as revolutionary as any AI search engine on any blog like this, anywhere.
We call it “the ‘06880’ Widget.” It’s the product (of course!) of a Westport business.
With it, you can take a deep dive into not just what “06880” has written about, but how those stories tie together. How readers responded to them. And what it all means for you, your life here, and what’s ahead.
The “‘06880’ widget” floats in the upper right hand corner of every page. (NOTE: It’s not yet available via a button on the app. That’s coming soon.)
The arrow points to our new “06880” AI widget.
Click on the box, and type in a request:
- “Tell me about last year’s real estate trends.”
- “What do readers think about the Community Gardens?”
- “What should newcomers know about Westport?”
- “What events are happening on Saturday, February 14, 2026?”
- “What was the restaurant before The Bridge at Saugatuck?”
You’ll see 3 dots. AI plows through 17 years of “06880” posts — and only “06880” — to deliver, within seconds, a comprehensive reply.
i asked our AI widget what readers think about the Community Gardens. This is the start of the reply.
Many responses include clickable links, bringing you to a relevant story.
AI is not perfect, of course. It hiccups. And — as with any AI engine — the quality of the response relates directly to the clarity and specificity of the prompt.
The more you use it, the better you understand how to frame your request.
For example, “What is the best Italian restaurant?” is not a good question. “What readers say about Westport’s Italian restaurants?” is better.
Boy, is this a cool tool!
“06880” readers love Tutti’s, owned by Pasquale and Maria Funicello (above). The “‘06880 widget’ knows what those readers say.
The “‘06880’ widget” was developed by ThoughtPartnr. The Westport-based startup creates practical, easy-to-use AI tools for local businesses and community organizations.
While big tech companies build AI for Fortune 500 firms, ThoughtPartnr leverages its proprietary local language model to create AI for “Main Streets”: Chambers of Commerce, stores, libraries, Y’s and other community institutions.
The ThoughtPartnr widget is already available on the Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce website. More local partners are coming soon.
The company was founded by Westport resident Jay Norris, with fellow residents Anil Nair and Matt Snow.
From left: Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce director Matthew Mandell, with ThoughtPartnr’s Jay Norris, Anil Nair and Matt Snow. (Photos/Dan Woog)
ThoughtPartnr’s team — including Michael Salzinger — insert code into the site’s HTML. The widget scans the site every day to stay current.
For a Chamber of Commerce, the AI widget can answer questions like, “What stores specialize in home decor?” For a Y it might be, “Are there swim programs for 4-year-olds?”
For “06880” meanwhile, there is 17 years’ worth of stories and comments to analyze, summarize and offer up, to anyone who wants to know.
If you have questions about this story, don’t email “06880.”
Just ask our widget.
(Our new widget is just one more feature, for our ever-helpful, always-evolving “06880.” To help support all that we do, please click here.)
I like this because in the decades to come, the truth will eventually be told, readers will be able to look back and see who blindly believed, supported and admired Donald Trump! They’ll also see individuals like me, who stated he openly bragged that he abused women, with the Hollywood Access Tapes. Now the latest is a woman claims Trump raped her at age 13, and she sued him, but somehow the lawsuit went away in 2016! Trump and Epstein were close friends for ten years! Epstein raped or abused a 1,000 women, so my conclusion is, as Epstein’s closet friend for ten years, he was involved. Let this post reflect my disgust for this 34 count felon!
Stop.
Bravo David Loffredo.
did Jack state facts about our president ?
Let it be known that Tim Rowen and David Lofftedo have embraced Trump’s bragging he can do anything he wants to do to any woman in the Hollywood Access Tapes, and doesn’t seem care that a woman said Trump raped her at age 13. You both will be remembered for not speaking out about these horrific events!
Jack, I respect your history.
As a 70’s kid, it brings me back. I used to ride the MiniBus to Longshore from 4 Fillow Street. Wednesday children theater at the Playhouse, Lums, all in. Went to Bedford El. Saw the OG Star Wars with my Dad at the Fine Arts Theater in ’76 which I will take to my grave. No one ever talks about Fur, Fin and Feather tho, which frustrates me.
What we need to collectively stop doing, and I’m guilty Dan, is injecting partisan political bullshit into unrelated threads. I joked with Dan once that he should periodically put up a picture of Trump or Obama and say “have at it”.
We’re better than this, and I’m doing my part. And I’ve noticed that others have as well, so let’s keep it going.
Westport is a jewel, somehow even in 2026. Let’s tone it down and keep it that way.
And then battle it out when the post calls for it.
David, A very respectful response. With that said, this isn’t partisan on my part. Every Democrat, every Republican, and every Independent voter who abused and raped these 1,000 females need to be exposed! Just think if your own 13 year old child was abused or raped! I totally support these 1,000 women! Everyone needs to condemn this!
This is a word salad post even Kamala would be proud of.
And Jackie, it’s, ‘Access Hollywood’
Hmmm.. I spelled the words correctly, just put them in the wrong order. By the way, Yale computer science professor David Gelernter is the individual whose name appeared 563 times In the released Epstein files. He’s not teaching anymore.
Dan, your contributions to this town and to the people who live in Westport are not even describable in words. You are a true treasure. I hope everyone has signed the petition to support naming the ball field after Dan Woog. I look forward to the widget and exploring your blog, even more!!!! thanks for all you do. You are so appreciated by our family.
Frannie , I totally agree with your post. and would like to add that his contributions are not limited to those who live in town, but those like me and my family who spent decades living in town going as far back as 1903. Dan is our connection to Westport now that we’re gone!
AI may save humanity. AI will resolve questions on COVID Ai will resolve the global warming issues and what we can do about it. AI will be our radiologist and wealth managers. AI will be our teachers. Ai will not be our roofers masons and painters electricians plumbers and landscapers. Dans contributions to 06880 make our lives better. thank you Dan.
Cool!!
Just tried it! Short and sweet answer!
Hey, Dan, is there a way to search while avoiding the Widget? I love me some environment.
Ah! I see it down below! Thanks for leaving it up.
I was in the same military draft as Trump. I had a low number and immediately sighed up. I’m a Vietnam era veteran! Trump’s father paid off a Podiatrist to falsely claim he had bone spurs! Every time I see the coward salute it reminds me what a coward and liar he is!
You … just … do … not … stop.