If life hands you lemons, make lemonade.
And if life hands you antisemitism, make shawarma.
Last month, someone across from The Blondinit restaurant yelled “F— Israel! You’re committing genocide” as Jonny Daniels left the Israeli restaurant. He posted about the incident on social media. The video went viral.
Now, The Blondinit invites the community to come together on Thursday (June 11) for “Stars, Stripes & Shawarma.”
The day and evening are dedicated to raising awareness about antisemitism, and its growing impact it on communities here and abroad.
Daniels — a British-Israeli activist and advocate for Jewish communities and the State of Israel — will be at the event.
Organizers say, “While the incident was deeply troubling, it also sparked a conversation about the importance of education, dialogue, and community engagement in confronting hatred and misinformation.
“Rather than allowing the moment to divide, The Blondinit and Daniels chose to transform it into an opportunity to bring people together, raise awareness, and support organizations dedicated to preserving Jewish history and combating antisemitism.”
Guests are encouraged to gather with friends and family for dinner at The Blondinit. Daniels will discuss modern antisemitism, the importance of education and remembrance, and the need for meaningful conversations rooted in understanding and humanity.
A portion of proceeds from sales throughout the day will be donated to From The Depths, an international organization dedicated to Holocaust remembrance, Jewish heritage preservation, education and humanitarian initiatives.
To make a reservation, learn more or support the initiative, click here.
“Stars, Stripes & Shawarma”
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Shonda Rhimes gives plenty to Westport. She supports many great causes — some publicly, others behind the scenes.
We’re in good company.
She’s just given something to the Obama Presidential Center Museum: the Oval Office set from “Scandal.”
It’s the same one — noted here and below in this Bluesky post — used by “President Fitzgerald Grant” for 7 seasons.
Not gonna lie, this is a badass museum donation.🇺🇸 Shonda Rhimes donated the Oval Office set from Scandal, the same one fictional President Fitzgerald Grant called home for seven seasons.Now it’s part of the Obama Presidential Center Museum
— Christopher Webb (@cwebbonline.com) 2026-06-04T13:07:37.855Z
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The Long Lots School Building Committee offers a presentation of the elementary school and Stepping Stones pre-school project next Wednesday (June 10, 7 p.m., Town Hall auditorium).
The opening date has been pushed back to January 2028.
Artist’s rendering of the new Long Lots Elementary School.Â
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For many people, the Westport Library is a home away from home.
And “home” is the theme, as Storytelling Sundays returns to the Library on June 28 (2 p.m.).
Five great storytellers will share their interpretations of home: Jennifer Munro, a National Storytelling Network’s Circle of Excellence recipient; Nina Lesiga, Women’s Storytelling Festival and Generation Women participant; Wendy Mages, professor at Mercy University; Rona Levine, yoga teacher, energy healer, and herbalist, and ChaChanna Simpson, curator, host and writer. For more information, click here.
ChaChanna Simpson
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Also at the Westport Library: a Pride Month combination of stand-up comedy and life story, on the big screen.
“Miss Personality: An Evening of Big Laughs, Big Heart & Big PRIDE” (June 18, 6:30 p.m.) with Mina Hartong is “a hilarious and heartfelt look at identity, reinvention, community, and finding your voice.”
Following the screening, Mina will join writer Susan Rukeyser and comedian/ activist Jamie Machotka in a conversation about storytelling, comedy and LGBTQ+ experiences. Click here for more information.
Mina Hartong
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Westonite Chris Fuller’s “Cheese Fries & Chili Dips” — a moving and hilarious 2-person cabaret-style show — comes to the Westport Woman’s Club next Friday (June 12, 5:30 p.m. reception, 6:30 show).
The production follows Chris as he chases his lifelong dream of playing on the PGA Tour while navigating the challenges of bipolar disorder, and the nonstop commentary inside his own head.
A talkback immediately after the show with mental health experts will focus on healing, and breaking stigmas.
Tickets are just $5. Proceeds help fund the WWC’s many philanthropic projects. Click here to purchase, and for more information.
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In 1993, Representative Town Meeting member Andrew Colabella’s cousin John DiGiovanni was killed in the first World Trade Center bombing.
Yesterday — in the aftermath of the victory by New Jersey congressional candidate Adam Hamawy, a plastic surgeon whose life-saving work in the Army has been contrasted with his former association with a Muslim cleric who masterminded the attack — Colabella was interviewed on Fox News’ “The Faulkner Focus.”
He called Hamawy’s victory “a disheartening threat to democracy,” and “an insult to injury” for victims’ families. Click here for the full segment.
Screenshot of Andrew Colabella on Fox News.
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“Looking for History: Rick Shaefer, Ellen Harvey & Michael Borders” — MoCA\CT’s next exhibit, exploring how history is remembered, imagined and contested through monument, memory, and labor — arrives just in time for America’s 250th anniversary.
An opening reception — celebrating Shaefer’s “Colossi” and Harvey’s “The Disappointed Tourist” — is set for June 25 (6 p.m.).
The show — with 3 different artists — runs through November 15. For more information, click here.Â
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Father’s Day is June 21.
Three days later (June 24, 6 p.m.), the Westport Book Shop’s Short Story Club selections are — discusses selections about fathers and children. They are “Midair” by Frank Conroy, “Today Will Be a Quiet Day” (Amy Hempel) and “The Hare’s Mask” (Mark Slouka).
Registration is required. Call 203-349-5141, or email RSVP@westportbooksaleventures.org.
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“Stressed Self to Best Self” — co-written by Westport author Nick Propper — will be published in October.
But it’s already available for pre-order.
Propper works with senior leadership teams at leading organizations like Procter & Gamble and Goldman Sachs. He is also a high-level advisor and facilitator in the US Air Force and federal intelligence community, on building sustainable human performance.
The book focuses on “how to show up at our best, for the people and things that matter most to us, in today’s highly volatile world.” It introduces practical frameworks and tools to help readers manage stress, recover more intentionally and optimize their human energy. Click here for more information, and to order.
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Photographer Yulee Aronson calls today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo “The Gourd and the Appleseed.”
If you’ve got a different interpretation, and would like to add your own title, click “Comments” below.
(Photo/Yulee Aronson)
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And finally … on this date in 1968, presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy was killed.
That night, he won both the California and South Dakota primaries. He told supporters in Los Angeles’ Ambassador Hotel ballroom, “My thanks to all of you, and it’s on to Chicago and let’s win there.”
Walking through the kitchen, he was shot 3 times by 24-year-old Sirhan Sirhan. Five other people were also wounded. Kennedy died 25 hours later.
(“06880” is where Westport meets the world. We rely on readers like you to support all that we do. Please click here to make a tax-deductible contribution. Thank you!)
WRT gourd and apple seed, spring, inter alia, is known to bring out feelings of love and caring….
I attended a talk last night with Jonah Platt in Detroit and his thesis is that despite all the anti-semitism and fear that many of us are feeling for the first time in our lives, this negativity is bringing us together like never before and good times will emerge. I wasn’t sure I was feeling it as he was speaking last night, but in reading today’s post about Blondinit, I am starting to see he might just be right.
impressed and appreciate that you included Andrew Colabella with Harris Faulkner speaking about that candidate in NJ’s ‘association’ with the 1993 WTC bomb terrorist, that the DNP’s New Jersey congressional candidate Adam Hamawy is now out and out lying saying he had no association with that terrorist murderer speaks volumes about how much he did indeed ‘associate’ with that WTC terrorist-murderer.
and, this idea that because he also saved lives of USA soldiers as a plastic surgeon …, i.e., plenty of These Types will do ‘a 100 good deeds’ to get in closer, in position to do, to support the doing, the enabling of really, really nation changing, world changing bad things.
and, while that race is in NJ and not CT, the ongoing fall out fr weakening of USA via 2020 LockDowns and riots, the crimes happening in CT by No Borders Illegals who governor of NY and Illinois and CA ‘mandated’ giving licenses, incl commercial licenses to, etc., shows us all that what happens in other states impacts all states throughout USA.
So, do you in CT really want NJ to have an active WTC terrorist supporter In congress voting on your behalf too?
Couple of quick questions:
1: What are your sources for all your Hamawy assertions? Not saying they may not be true but the certainty with which you write needs some underpinning.
2: Please clarify “These Types” Plastic surgeons?
3: Given that the vast majority of the world lived through the same, if not stricter, 2020 “LockDowns” as we did, how were we weakened vis a vis the rest of the world?
4: Can you give us some numbers concerning the crime rate of “No Borders Illegals” as compared to to Strong Borders Legals?
5: Again, calling someone an “active WTC terrorist supporter demands sources. BTW knowing and even associating with somneone doesnot make someone else a “supporter” of that person’s actions.
Susan Farley. Would you ask AI platforms if Dr Hamaway is a terrorist ?
Ms Farley
Thank you for answering all my questions with so many facts, sources and docuentations. It was just what I had expected. Again, thanks ever so much.
AI is not a party or political ideology. I would suggest that our community use an AI platform to confirm what is a fact and what is a falsehood.
Dan – please clarify or have the organizers at the Bondit even do so. June 11th on my calendar is a Thursday. So is it Wednesday June 10th or Thursday June 11th/
Thanks
Dewey
Thanks, Dewey. The Blondinit press person sent the confusing information. It’s Thursday, June 11. I will post a clarification tomorrow too.
Godwins Law in full effect.