HAILING HI’AMBA
New restaurants often generate a buzz.
But it’s hard to recall a buzzier beginning than hi’Amba.
Bill Taibe’s new Mediterranean-and-more spot in the former Basso/Matsu Sushi/Fine Arts III theater space on Jesup Road has drawn huge crowds — and great raves.
CTBites took notice too. Click here for their take on Westport’s newest hot spot.
Bill Taibe greets the first-day crowd. (Photo/Dan Woog)
board of ed talks special ed
The Board of Education has 2 discussion items on its agenda for tomorrow’s meeting (Thursday, 7 p.m., Staples High School cafeteria and Zoom).
They are the recommendation by superintendent of schools Thomas Scarice of the firm to conduct a review of special education, and the results of the K-12 school climate survey.
The Board is likely to recommend Four Point Education Partners for the special education review. Six companies submitted proposals to the Board of Education.
A group of parents continues to push the BOE to select a firm that will conduct a comprehensive, independent and transparent review of the entire special education program. Click here for their petition.
P&Z: LIGHTS, OLD MILL GROCERY
Different town board, different agenda: Lights on the Wakeman and PJ Romano athletic fields are back on the docket, for the Planning & Zoning Commission meeting next Monday (October 19, 6 p.m., Zoom).
Also planned: a public hearing on text and map amendments, to permit outdoor eating and the sale of alcohol at establishments like Old Mill Grocery & Deli.
To see all background materials: Click here, then scroll down to 70 North Avenue (Wakeman Field), 170 Riverside Avenue (PJ Romano Field) and 222 Hillspoint Road (Old Mill Grocery).
Lights have been proposed for the Wakeman turf field (center).
$10,000 GRANTS AVAILABLE FOR NON-PROFITS
Does your organization want $10,000?
The Westport Woman’s Club is once again offer funding of up to 10 grand to non-profits, for a project during 2026-27 that benefits social services, health, safety, arts or education in Westport.
The Ruegg Grant was founded from an endowment by former WWC member Lea Ruegg. Over $200,000 in Ruegg Grants have been awarded by the WWC since 1995.
Click here for more information, and an application form.
REGISTRATION BEGINS FOR WAKEMAN TOWN FARM KIDS’ PROGRAMS
Registration is open for fall child and teenage programs at Wakeman Town Farm. Click here to see all the educational and hands-on offerings.
Also on tap at WTF: Tots’ Halloween Parade (October 27, 2 p.m.), and Saturday sessions for neurodiverse youth (welcoming, sensory-friendly environment for children of all abilities.
comedy night coming to vfw
New York has great comedy clubs.
But Westport’s VFW Post 399 has become Westport’s go-to comedy stopo.
This Friday (doors at 7 p.m., show at 8), “NYC Comedy Night” features favorite Joe Pontillo, and a new cast of comedians: Rich Shultis, Michael Agunbiade and Trish Bradbury Gernert.
Tickets are $20, with a 1-drink minimum at the show. A light food menu is available too. For tickets and more information, click here.
VFW Post 399 IS a laughing matter.
WENDY MORGAN-HUNTER’S LONDON PLAY
Speaking of entertainment: When opera and musical theater professional Wendy Morgan-Hunter moved here with her family from the Bay Area 15 years ago, she was particularly excited to explore our cultural life.
Wendy is the founder and CEO of High Octave Productions. Working with fellow Westporters Tami Benanav (partner and COO) and documentarian Chris Bolan (producer), they find unheard voices in theater, TV and film, and create opportunities for powerful connections with audiences.
The team’s latest project brings Westport to the London stage with “The Radium Girls: A New Musical.” The cast of 16 — including 12 female roles — is a powerful exploration of the young women who worked the line at radium watch dial factories across North America in the 1920s.
The show is set for the Southwark Playhouse in March, at the exact same theater that launched “Operation Mincemeat” and “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.”
For more information, including tickets, click here.
Wendy Morgan-Hunter and Tami Benanav.
mothers with adhd: learn to cope
Motherhood is not easy. For mothers with ADHD, shifting identity, emotional regulation, executive functioning challenges, and the constant pressure to keep everything moving can make this stage of life especially complicated.
Many women navigate these experiences quietly, feeling unseen or believing they should manage it all better. On November 12 (9 a.m., Beyond Yoga, 136 Main Street) host “Sharing the Invisible Load: ADHD, Motherhood & Identity.”
The morning combines movement, conversation, support, and connection with other women who understand the experience. In addition to coffee and light bites, Beyond Yoga will offer attendees 20% off in-store shopping after the event.
This event is for mothers with a formal ADHD diagnosis, as well as those who identify with ADHD-related experiences and want to better understand themselves during this demanding phase of life.
Click here to register, and for more information.
indoor golf league tees off at clubhouse
The temperatures may be dropping, but golfers have a new option.
The Clubhouse — Westport’s simulator/event space/restaurant — is launching its first fall golf league.
It tees off Wednesday evenings from October 21 to November 18. Golfers of all skill levels are welcome. Click here for more information, and to sign up.
Fore!
alzheimer’s walk at sherwood island
One of the biggest charity walks — the one to end Alzheimer’s — is at Sherwood Island State Park on October 25 (10:30 a.m.).
In a ceremony that begins at 10, walkers carry flowers of various colors, each representing their personal connection to the disease.
Right now, 80,000 people in Connecticut live with Alzheimer’s. Anyone with a connection to the disease, or another form of dementia — and anyone concerned about their own brain health — is invited to join. For more information and to register, click here.
JOHANNA PAGANI LAUNCHES NEW BOOK
Local author Johanna Pagani launches her new book, “Violent Hill,” at Westport Book Shop October 30 (6 p.m.). The evening includes food and drinks, a reading, Q-and-A, and a signing.
Her thriller is about an asylum with terrifying secrets.
Johanna Pagani
obituary: charlie Mcbride
Westport resident Charles “Charlie” McBride died peacefully at Norwalk Hospital on Friday. He was 77.
Charlie lived a full and active life until this June. He walked 10,000 steps a day, spent Memorial Day weekend in Kennebunkport, Maine, and traveled last year to Europe.
Charlie grew up on Wilson Point in Norwalk, where he developed a lifelong love of boating, tennis and being on the water.
He graduated from Fairfield Prep in 1967 and Boston College in 1971. He earned an MBA from Iona College in 1982. He was a certified public accountant and chartered global management accountant.
Charlie served 6 years in the Connecticut Army National Guard, rising to staff sergeant. In 1972 he began a 44-year career at Pitney Bowes, retiring as vice president of investor relations. He also served for many years as board chair of Pitney Bowes Employees Federal Credit Union.
Charlie met his wife of 48 years, Judy, through a bowling team. They married in 1978. He is survived by her; daughter Meredith Frances McBride (Jonathan Hack) of Westpor; his son, Charles McBride II (Hannah Elizabeth) of Needham, Massachusetts; grandchildren Xavier Jonathan Hack-McBride, Quintin, Lily, Owen and Dylan; sisters Theresa (Chris) Levy and Eileen (John) Margherio of Charleston, South Carolina, and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. He was predeceased by his sister Mary McBride Konrad, and his beloved black labs Bogart, Char and Digger.
Relatives and friends may call on Friday (October 23, 4 to 7:30 p.m., Harding Funeral Home). A funeral Mass will be held Saturday (October 24, 11 a.m., St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Fairfield).
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge Welles Remy Crowther Charitable Trust, or a charity of choice.
Charles McBride
“WESTPORT … NATURALLY,” AND SONG OF THE DAY
Our “Westport … Naturally” series continues with more fine fall foliage photos.
This one is from Sherwood Island State Park. Of course, scenes like this are inspiring us all over town.
(Photo/Jamie Walsh)
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And finally … in honor of the VFW’s new role as comedy club central (item above):
(You laugh. You cry. You’re inspired. You’re surprised. You’re disbelieving. You’re an “06880” reader. We deliver all that, every day — but we can’t do it without your help. Please click here. TYVM!)
