let there be lights! cribari bridge celebration set for november 29
Sure, it gets dark pretty early. You’re ready for bed, then realize it’s only 6:15 p.m.
But on Sunday, November 29 (5 p.m.), Saugatuck will shine brightly.
The Westport Police Athletic League’s 3rd annual “Let There Be Light” Cribari Bridge lighting takes place, in and around Bridge Square.
This great new tradition brings neighbors, families and friends together, to usher in the holiday season and celebrate one of our town’s most recognizable landmarks.
This year’s event features carols by the Staples High School Orphenians and Chorus.
The Bridge at Saugatuck — the restaurant, not the span — will offer hot chocolate, and extend its happy hour food and beverage menu throughout the evening.
Adding to the sparkle, Daisy Mae Designs will hand out free glitter tattoos.
PAL encourages attendees to bring a new, unwrapped toy, for the drive they’re organizing with the Westport Police Department and Westport Police Benevolent Association.
The bridge lighting is also a fundraiser. Sponsors support the installation and maintenance of the lights. Remaining proceeds benefit the Westport PAL Scholarship Fund.
PAL, town and other officials smile, after the 2025 Cribari Bridge lighting. (Photo/Dan Woog)
RTM CRIBARI, TRANSIT COMMITTEES MEET TOMORROW
Speaking of the bridge: The RTM Transit Committee and Cribari Bridge Subcommittee’s first joint meeting is tomorrow (Monday, 6 p.m., Zoom).
There is 1 agenda item: “To review the CTDOT [Connecticut Department of Transportation] meeting [held last Thursday], and discuss next steps.”
The “on-line alignment” renovation of the Cribari Bridge, proposed by the Connecticut Department of Transportation on Thursday.
TEMPLE ISRAEL OFFERS “THE WHOLE SCHMEAR”
What’s new at Temple Israel? You want the whole schmear?
Read on!
They’ve just launched “The Whole Schmear: A 3-Part Series on Jewish Food, Stories & Community.”
The 3 “delicious conversations about the food we eat, the stories we tell, and the traditions that connect us” are the real deal.
They feature Jake Cohen, best-selling cookbook author and social media star (December 9), Josh Russ Tupper, co-owner of Russ & Daughters (February 10), and Alon Shaya, James Beard Award-winning chef and co-founder of Pomegranate Hospitality, with June Hersh, Jewish food archivist (May 11).
Each event includes a conversation with the chef, and their latest cookbook.
All 3 are $234; a “partial schmear” (a la carte) is $90 each.
Want an extra schmear? A private meet-and greet with Jake Cohen (limited to 50 people) is a $90 tip.
The Whole Schmear series is sponsored in part by The Jewish Federation of Greater Fairfield County. To register and for more information, click here.
Jewish food is a lot more than bagels. But you get the picture.
WESTPORT Y OFFERS “Mini mack” PRESCHOOL
The new year will bring a new early childhood education opportunity to area families.
On January 4, the Westport Weston Family YMCA opens its Mini Mack Discovery Preschool.
Its Reggio Emilia-inspired approach “emphasizes child-led discovery, nature-based learning, and sensory exploration,” the Y says.
The preschool features classroom learning centers, outdoor adventures and creative activities.
Children can take nature walks and garden on the Y’s property, enjoy swim lessons, and use the gymnastics and dance center.
Enrollment will be capped at 13.There are 2 full-day options: 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. ($1,950 per month), and 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. ($2,300 per month). Children must be at least 2 years and 8 months by January 1.
For details and an application, click here. For more information, contact director Kathy Giglio: kgiglio@westporty.org; 203-571-6040.
“06880” photographers among y’s men contest winners
From young to old(er): Winners in the Y’s Men of Westport & Weston’s annual photo exposition contest include several familiar names.
First place winners June Whittaker and Susan Garment, and honorable mention honoree Ed Simek are all (very excellent) “06880” photographers.
Jeff Pivor’s “Baby Baboon” was named Best in Show.
Other winners include:
First place: Lee Davis, Clark Lindberg (2), Warren Jahn, Larry Ackerman, John Warren, Harold Sauer, Karen Harmon.
Second place: Linda Woodruff, Larry Ackerman, Michael Hehenberger, Alan Jones.
Honorable mention: Linda Woodruff, Patrick Goldschmidt Julio Fontan, Jay Dirnberger, Jeff Rothman, Warren Jahn, Holly Betts, Bob Pravder, Karen Harman.
Nearly 100 images were entered, in 7 categories: portrait, waterscape, critters, landscape, architecture, nature and general.
The photos will be displayed at the Senior Center for the next year — until the 2027 contest.
PS: The winning photo from 2025 will be sold at the Senior Center Craft Fair, on December 4.
Susan Garment’s “Madagascar Rice Paddy Angler” took 1st place in the Landscape category.
y’s men get ukraine war update
Speaking of the Y’s Men: Nearly 5 years into Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, 175 members got a first-hand account of the humanitarian crisis Thursday at Hoskins Hall.
Ukraine Aid International co-founder (and Westport native) Brian Mayer urged the audience to remember, as other events eclipse the war in the headlines, not to forget Ukrainians’ need for support.
Marshall Mayer, at the Y’s Men meeting. (Photo copyright/Ted Horowitz)
Over 250 Deadheads enjoyed an encore performance by the Spadtastics last night.
The Grateful Dead tribute band returned to the Westport Library for another 2-set gem. The show was produced by the Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce, as part their long running Supper & Soul series.
Playing in the band: the Spadtastics. (Photo/DinkinESH Fotografix)
“westport … naturally” & song of the day
Oh, deer!
This poor guy is trying to eat a pumpkin, while his antlers are entangled in what looks like sports netting.
It may be the saddest “Westport … Naturally” photo we’ve ever posted.
(Photo/Bruce Geller)
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And finally … in honor of the Y’s Men Photo Contest winners — “06880” contributors and others:
(“06880” is covering every angle of the Cribari Bridge — from lights to [perhaps] litigation. But we report on a lot more, too. If you enjoy this hyper-local blog, please click here to support us. Thank you!)
