Staples High School’s two basketball teams have had magical seasons.
Coach Dave Goldshore’s boys are undefeated: 22-0. Coach Tommy Sparks’ girls have lost only twice; they’re 20-2.
The magic continues tonight (Wednesday). Both squads battle for the FCIAC championship. It’s a Wrecker doubleheader, at Fairfield University. The girls tip off at 5:30 p.m.; the boys follow at 7:30.
The top-seeded boys team faces #3 Ridgefield, for a rematch of last year’s final –won by the Westporters, for their first league title in 62 years.
A week ago, in the regular season finale, Staples downed the Tigers 67-49.
The #2-ranked girls play #1 Greenwich. Earlier this year, the Cardinals handed the Wreckers their first defeat, 55-42.
Click here for tickets, and livestream information.
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Last month, Sustainable Westport rolled out their “UnPlastic Westport” initiative. The initial focus was on reducing use of plastic in the bathroom.
Now they’ve augmented it with an easy-to-follow video. What’s particularly impressive is that it includes not just successes, but “compromises” and a “fail.”
Gretchen Hoffmann — Sustainable Westport’s program manager — shows how she’s tried to UnPlastic her own bathroom.
She’s swapped out soap, toilet paper and a loofah, with great results. She’s had to compromise around her use of face care products and disposable contact lenses. She’s had the least success with shampoo and conditioner.
Gretchen talks honestly about all that in the video below.
Sustainable Westport asks for feedback, in the Comments section here or on YouTube. You can also take the UnPlastic Pledge, and let them know one swap you’re committed to making.
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The 69th consecutive monthly VFW Red Cross blood drive takes place tomorrow (Thursday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; VFW Post 399).
Donors are encouraged to schedule appointments in advance. Click here; then use sponsor code VFWWESTPORT, or call 800-733-2767.
Donors can get a $15 gift card by email, and A1C testing, to diagnose and monitor prediabetes and diabetes. Click here for details.
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There’s a new tailor in town.
Welvin Rosario has just opened up on the 2nd floor of 141 Main Street — a few steps north of The Gap.
He offers style consultations, bespoke fittings and alterations. Click here for the website. (Hat tip: Sal Liccione)
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Westport youngsters have many opportunities to discover and thrive in the arts.
Those in Bridgeport have fewer chances.
Neighborhood Studios fills a vital role. For nearly 50 years, the non-profit has provided an inclusive, welcoming environment that offers high-quality art, music, theater and dance instruction to children of all ages, regardless of ability, background or finances.
They do it through after-school, Saturday and summer programs; partnerships with schools and non-profits; performances, and transportation and financial assistance.
Many Westporters support Neighborhood Studios.
On March 20 (6 p.m., Foolproof Brewery, Bridgeport), several local couples –Jeffrey and Laurie Gross, Jim and Lizzie Wolf, Zach and Erica Barratt, and Zack and Sheera Gross — are sponsoring a “Spring Fling Fundraiser.”
The night features live music from Sonic Bullet, food, an open bar, beer tastings, a silent auction — and of course, memorable performances from the students at Neighborhood Studios.
Click here for tickets, and more information.
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Speaking of young artists: The Westport School of Music combines its former fall faculty chamber concert and its biennial student chamber music concert on Saturday, March 21 (1 p.m., Pequot Library).
Faculty members will join some of the duos. The concert will feature classical jazz and pop music for voice, piano, guitar, violin, viola, cello, bass and flute.
The performance is free/ For more information, call 203-227-4931, or email smiller@wsmusic.org.
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Upcoming this month at (or sponsored by) the Westport Book Shop:
An afternoon with children’s author Lauren Tarshis (March 15, 3 p.m., Westport Library): The Staples High School graduate talks about her “I Survived” series, and signs book. Participants can win prizes playing “I Survived Kahoot!” trivia.
It’s a ticketed event, to benefit the Westport Book Shop. Children’s tickets are $10, and include 1 book. Chaperone tickets (or for those who do not want a book) are $5. Click here to purchase, and for more information.
Meet children’s author/social advocate/actress/producer Ebbe Bassey (March 21, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Westport Book Shop): On World Down Syndrome Day, Bassey reads from and discusses her children’s book “Anoushka’s Extraordinary Heroes.” A spunky 5-year-old and a diverse group of superheroes show that true strength comes from friendship, compassion, inclusivity, and embracing what makes us different.
March Short Story Club: March 25 (6 p.m.): The selection will be about the immigrant experience, and announced soon. Registration is required: 203-349-5141, or RSVP@westportbooksaleventures.org.
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Meanwhile, Shark Week comes early to Westport.
This Sunday (March 8, 2 p.m. Westport Library, Emmy Award-winning natural history filmmaker Kevin Bachar offers “Sharks by The Saugatuck”: stories and films for the whole family. (Arrive early, for family-friendly shark crafts).
In the event — presented by Andrew Wilk — Bachar will talk about swimming with hammerhead sharks, tiger sharks, bull sharks, and the fearsome great white.
He’ll also show photos and videos of killer whales, on the rim of exploding volcanoes, and tracking moose in the north woods of Connecticut. Click here for more information.
In 2023, a baby shark washed up on Burying Hill Beach. (Photo/Margaret Schwabe)
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The subject of last night’s Westport Country Playhouse Script in Hand series was “The Subject Was Roses.”
The Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winner has been performed on stage at the historic theater before. This was its first incarnation as a play reading.
From left: director Joe Delafield, stage director Faith Sandberg, actors Lenny Wolpe, Isabel Keating and Etai Benson, artistic director Mark Shanahan, stage manager Caitlyn Ostrowski. (Photo/Kelsey McFarland)
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We’ve run bobcat photos before, as our “Westport … Naturally” feature of the day.
Most show them slinking around at the edge of a property.
This one — on Richmondville Avenue — came close enough Monday to pause, and pose.
Be careful out there!
(Photo/Natalie Kollman)
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And finally … in honor of Sunday’s “shark” event at the Westport Library (story above):
(You don’t need to draw out all your hard-earned cash to support “06880.” Whatever you can afford is great! Just click here. We’re not “back in town,” after all. We’re here, and not going anywhere.)
Best wishes to Bespoke Tailor Mr. Rosario. His digs is a charming building whose survival to this day lends down-home charm to Main Street.
I know the 2nd floor from its being the location (1966 Town Directory) of the bookshop “The Eagle I.” It was set up by Frederick Cheever after he “left” the NYC ad business. I visited twice. He talked me into buying Albert Camus (RH Vintage MMPB) of The Rebel & then Resistance, Rebellion & Death (ditto). Not the origin of me as a Camus fan — that was getting through The Plague in a Bedford Jr High reading enhancement program. But I took those books to college.
Fred Cheever & his family resided on Stonehenge Road from say 1957 until they moved to Colorado about 1970 (Ancestry). At least two of his kids were in Staples when I attended; pretty sure one of the daughter’s played field hockey, 1964-1965.
Fred’s claim to fame was being the older brother of noted American writer John Cheever. When JC’s novel Falconer came out, Fred was quoted as saying, “John finally killed me off as a character in his stories.”
Of course, Westport knows John Cheever as the author of the short story “The Swimmer” which was filmed partially in Westport. None of that came up in 1965 when I shopped at Fred’s store. I should have gone back a few more times just to kibitz with Fred when I realized, later, who he was related.
My suspicion is that Westport as location was due to Fred likely hosting meetings with brother John and the producers as neither John nor the producers ever being residents. More like –This truly is a suburban town, isn’t it and Fred replies –Yeah and its got a lot large pools!