Category Archives: Local business

Roundup: Lifeguards, Main Street, Levitt …

Posted on August 20, 2026 | Leave a comment

Effective today (Thursday), there are no lifeguards on duty at Burying Hill Beach. The beach remains open, with swimming at your own risk. Beach emblems are required at Burying Hill through Labor Day (September 7).

Compo Beach lifeguards continue their regular schedule through September 7. Beach Emblems are required at Compo through September 30.

Burying Hill Beach (Photo/Drew Coyne)

=================================================

For over 25 years, “Holiday Time, Main Street, Westport CT” — a festive Main Street. by internationally known folk artist Kathy Jakobsen — has been a favorite of Westporters. Many business names are clear (though most are long gone).

Now Westport River Gallery is offering a few signed and numbered unframed 23×17 serigraphs. The prints were originally $450. These are just $25.

Jakobsen’s works are part of the permanent collections of the American Folk Art Museum in New York and the Smithsonian in Washington. She is a former Weston resident.

Email westportrivergallery@gmail.com, or call 203-226-6934.

=================================================

Longtime Levitt Pavilion favorite Frank Mastrone returns to the Levitt Pavilion stage this Saturday (7:30 p.m.).

The Broadway artist’s repertoire — show tunes and American Songbook classics, with a few pop and classical selections thrown in — appeals to a broad crowd.

The Levitt says he’ll be joined by “friends.” We’re not sure who they all are, but we do know 2: Dodie Pettit and Rex Fowler.

After singing and dancing in “Cats,” Dodie performed in “Phantom of the Opera” —  on Broadway, and the national tour. That’s where she met Mastrone.

Fowler — co-founder of Aztec Two-Step — and Pettit are now married. They perform as Aztec Two-Step 2.0.

It should be a great show. And tickets are … free! Click here for more information.

Frank Mastrone

Also on the Levitt calendar:

  • Today (Thursday): Barboletta, Tribute to Santana (7:30 p.m., free)
  • Friday, August 20: The Machine Performs Pink Floyd (7 p.m.; tickets)
  • Sunday, August 22: Andy Frasco & the UN, and Kitchen Dwellers with special guests Magoo (5 p.m.; tickets).

Click here for more information, and tickets. 

================================================

Earthplace welcomes fall with 2 of its favorite events.

The Fall Festival (October 3) and Woodside Bash (October 17) are great ways for friends and newcomers to gather and celebrate nature, while supporting environmental education, conservation, wildlife care and scientific research.

The Fall Festival includes the reopening of Earthplace’s renovated Birds of Prey Exhibit, with new and expanded habitats for raptors, and a more engaging and accessible experience for visitors. .

As always, there are live animal encounters, hayrides, pumpkin-themed activities, food trucks and games, Fpr Fall Festival tickets and sponsorship opportunities, click here. 

The Woodside Bash, meanwhile, transform Earthplace into an adult celebration with live music, a seasonal dinner menu, cocktails, entertainment, and opportunities to support Earthplace’s mission. For Woodside Bash tickets and sponsorship opportunities, click here.

Earthplace serves thousands of children, families, students and visitors each year through its nature center, animal ambassadors, nature-based preschool, Harbor Watch water quality program, summer camps, community programs, and 62-acre wildlife sanctuary.

Hanging out at the Woodside Bash.

==================================================

Westporters are great supporters of Mercy Learning Center.

They serve on its board, volunteer at and donate to the Bridgeport non-profit, which impacts countless women’s lives — and those of their families — through education and support services.

So it’s no surprise that MLC’s annual benefit (September 27, 5 p.m., Shorehaven Country Club) has a strong Westport flavor.

The event honors Allison and Tony Allott. Former Westporters and Staples parents, they introduced their Green’s Farms Church congregation to the non-profit. Congregants (including the Allotts) volunteer with MLC on Service Sunday.

Allison has been an ESL and citizenship tutor since 2014. She is also a board and event committee member.

The Mercy Learning Center board chair is Tammy Barry. The event committee includes local residents Gina Beranek, Sara Connolly and Theanne Feldman.

Click here for tickets, and more information.

==================================================

Rach’s Hope — the non-profit honoring the memory of 2015 Staples High School graduate Rachel Doran, which provides nutritious food, lodging, transportation and encouragement to family members when a child is in intensive care — is as active as Rachel herself was.

On Sunday, October 4 (3 p.m., Compo Beach), everyone is invited to join the 5th annual “Walk the Extra Mile … For Rach’s Hope” event.

It’s a fun, community-wide beach walk, with live music, a gourmet pizza truck, wine and beer, dessert and special Rach’s Hope swag.

Click here to buy adult and student tickets.

==================================================

The contributions, struggles and sacrifices made by Native Americans during the Revolutionary War are often overlooked.

On October 4 (2 to 4 p.m.), Pocomoke Indian Nation member Drew Shuptar-Rayvis brings his outdoor demonstration station — including artifacts, reproduction pieces and traditional clothing — to the Weston History & Culture Center. He’ll answer questions too, about Native American life.

The free event is is part of the History Center’s “America 250: The Revolutionary Spirit Lecture Series.” For more information, click here.

Meanwhile the Weston History & Culture Center will be open for exhibits, guided tours, children’s activities and more on 3 Sundays this fall: September 27, October 4 and October 25 (1 to 4 p.m.).

Attractions include the interactive “Weston at Work,” the 1940s-era Coley House, and stories from the American Revolution. Click here for details.

Drew Shuptar-Rayvis

==================================================

Westport Police made 3 custodial arrests between August 12 and 18.

A 49-year-old Stamford man was charged with breach of peace, following an investigation into a July incident in which a cyclist became irate about an automobile driver’s driving. The cyclist yelled, used profanity, made obscene gestures and spat on the vehicle. Video did not support his claim that he had been unsafely passed. He was released on a $1,000 bond.

A 31-year-old Oxford, Ohio man was charged with stalking and violation of a restraining order. He allegedly traveled from Seattle to Connecticut after learning from social media that the business he was arrested at was affiliated with a relative of the victim. He was held on a $250,000 bond.

A 45-year-old Holyoke, Massachusetts man was charged with failue to appear, stemming from a previous arrest for felony charges. He was held on a $10,000 bond.

Westport Police also issued these citations:

  • Operating a motor vehicle under suspension: 3 citations
  • Operating an unregistered motor vehicle: 3
  • Operating a motor vehicle without minimum insurance: 3
  • Improper use of markers: 3
  • Traveling unreasonably fast: 2
  • Failure to register a commercial motor vehicle: 2
  • Violation of town ordinance (dogs): 2
  • Failure to obey stop sign: 2
  • Failure to obey traffic control signals: 2
  • Speeding: 1
  • Illegal operation by a motor carrier: 1
  • Failure to obey state traffic commission regulations: 1

================================================

With exactly 14 weeks left before Thanksgiving, John Karrel’s Muddy Brook photo is perfectly appropriate for today’s “Westport … Naturally” image:

(Photo/John Karrel)

=================================================

And finally … in honor of Mercy Learning Center’s upcoming benefit (story above):

(If you learn about upcoming events on “06880” — or anything else — we hope you’ll click here to support our work. We rely on support from readers like you. Thanks for showing us a little love!) 

Leave a comment

Posted in Arts, Beach, Downtown, Entertainment, Environment, Local business, Police

Tagged , , , , ,

Roundup: Top Hat Tutors, Swim Around Manhattan, Blood Drive …

Posted on August 19, 2026 | 2 comments

Top Hat Tutors — Staples’ High School highly regarded, student-run, very popular (and cool) tutoring service — is gearing up for a new year.

They’re looking for both new tutors, and families needing them.

Top Hat Tutors are juniors and seniors from around Fairfield County. They provide high-quality, in-home tutoring across a wide range of subjects, including science, math, English, social studies, world language, music and SAT/ACT. Last year, they worked with 150 clients.

All tutors have taken the classes they work with — and passed it with at least a 90.

Top Hat charges $50 per hour for individual students. Group sessions are $25 per hour for each additional student ($75 for 2 students, $100 for 3, etc.).

To request a tutor, click here. To apply to become a tutor, click here. 

Questions? Email tophattutors@gmail.com.

=================================================

Derek Yach is a 3-time cancer survivor: melanoma, prostate and, most recently, esophageal. He swims regularly at Compo Beach, in summer and winter.

Mary Money — a breast cancer survivor — is a regular swimmer too. (And a baker, famous for her 6 a.m. Friday muffins.)

With prostate cancer survivor Keith Kirkpatrick (who swims mainly at Fairfield’s Penfield Beach) and fellow Westporter Leila Shields (a regular Compo swimmer, and strong supporter of several community based programs), they’ve formed a tight-knit community.

Next month, they’ll take the plunge in different waters, in a far different way — and for an excellent cause.

On September 10, they’ll swim 28 1/2 miles around Manhattan. That’s right: from Battery Park, up the East River, into the Harlem River, then down the Hudson River to the Statue of Liberty.

The 8-hour event will raise funds for cancer treatment in underserved Kenyan communities. The Phangisile Mtshali Cancer Center and other health facilities provide desperately needed chemotherapy ports, to deliver treatments.

“As cancer survivors we know that our diagnosis, treatment and follow-up has been successful due to outstanding care available in Connecticut — mostly at Yale Smilow,” says Derek.

“So much care is often taken for granted. My work takes me with the Catholic Medical Mission Board to Kenya, where a rural cancer center lacks most of the critical diagnostics, treatment and even chemo ports we take for granted.”

The swim is especially timely. given recent deep cuts to global health programs. Click here to contribute.

Derek also urges “06880” readers to “join advocacy efforts to urge greater support for cancer care through government, corporate and nonprofit programs.”

And, he adds, “join us in our early morning swims. It’s the best way to promote your health!”

Compo Beach early morning swimmers.

==================================================

There’s always something special at the Westport Farmers’ Market.

Tomorrow (Thursday, Imperial Avenue parking lot), winners of the Young Shoots photography contest will be honored at 12:30 p.m.

Photos will be on display throughout the market’s regular hours (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.).

Michael Veltri’s award-winning Young Shoots photo, 2025.

================================================

The most recent Red Cross blood drive goal was 29 units. They blew past that number, finishing with 44. An impressive 14 donors were there for the first time.

Eight were “Power Red” donations, equating to 16 units. Those are very valuable,  often prioritized for trauma, surgical, and cancer patients.

There were 25 Type O donors, especially critical for their universal compatibility.

But the need for blood is constant. Nationwide, someone needs a unit of blood every 2 to 3 seconds. Most of us will need blood at some in our lives

The next Westport blood drive is Friday, August 28 (11 a.m. to 4 p.m., VFW Post 399). .

Donors are encouraged to schedule appointments to donate blood or platelets in advance. Click here; then use sponsor code VFWWESTPORT; call 800-733-2767, or use the Red Cross Blood Donor app.

 

 

 

==================================================

A small mini-plaza opposite Goodwill includes a popular Italian deli (Gaetano’s), 2 Asian restaurants (Shanghai Gourmet and Yama Fuji Sushi), and a nail salon.

Soon, you can buy all your closet and organizing needs there too.

Around Labor Day, Closet Factory will open a flagship showroom there. The owners — Westporters Dan and Melanie Zuller — already own franchises in Westchester and Fairfield County.

The Westport location will replace the current Darien site. It will occupy half of the former Calico Corners space. The design and fabric store moved to 224 Post Road East in 2021.

==================================================

Westport Swim Club — the great, fun program for young swimmers of all abilities in grades 1-8 (and a feeder program for the Staples High School swim teams) — has added 3 tryout dates: Sunday, August 23 (9:45 a.m.), Saturday, August 29 (10 a.m.) and Sunday, August 30 (9:45 a.m.). All are at the Staples pool.

There are 5 practices a week — but they are not mandatory. An option of 1 weekly practice is available, for 50% of the regular fee. Westport Swim Club offers 4 seasons a year. Click here to register for a tryout.

Westport Swim Club fun.

==================================================

Speaking of sports: The old(er) guys did it. Congratulations to Team Schur!

They took last night’s Compo League men’s basketball championship was won by Team Schur 59-48, over the younger team of recent Staples graduates.

Both teams prevailed in their semifinal by double digits to advance to the title game. The top 2 seeds were tied 28-28 at the half.

A not-quite-sold out crowd watched the match, held at the Staples fieldhouse due to lighting issues at the beach courts.

Compo Beach men’s basketball champs. From left: Charlie Stoebe, Travis Test, Noah Hammond, Jordan schur, Don Snyder, Baptiste Bataille. Team members not pictured: Zach Gut, Kevin Cline, Michael Carter-Williams, Brandon Barton, Steve Goldenberg, Connor Whelan.

================================================

A reader writes: I was at Compo Beach on Sunday after the storm — Schlaet’s Point, where Soundview Drive runs into Hillspoint/Compo Road South — when I saw something large at the water’s edge.

“I found a large, heavy sign. It is a memorial for a dog, Ollie. It must have been placed on Cockenoe Island, and floated away in the storm.

“Whoever made it would probably want to know where it is — and maybe bring it back.

“I dragged it to the top of the beach, and planted it next to the benches at the corner of Compo South and Hillspoint. My guess is it’s still there.”

=================================================

We all know that love rocks.

But here’s literal proof.

Kim Mathias painted some rocks at her Saugatuck Church’s women’s retreat. She placed them — gently and lovingly — around the base of her mailbox, for anyone strolling by (and looking down) to enjoy.

(Photo/Mark Mathias)

==================================================

Longtime Westport resident Mary Condon died peacefully in her sleep on August 13, in Southport.

Born in Cork City, Ireland in 1944, Mary carried deep pride in her Irish heritage throughout her life. At 14 she emigrated to New York, and lived in the Bronx with her family. After marrying she moved to Westport, where she raised her family.

Mary’s passions reflected both her Irish heritage and her deeply held values. She treasured time spent with friends, loved literature and lifelong learning, and generously supported organizations that were meaningful to her, including the ASPCA, NPR, PBS, Planned Parenthood and the American Cancer Society.

Her daily ritual of drinking Barry’s Tea was a lifelong comfort, and a cherished connection to Ireland.

After surviving breast cancer, she gave back by volunteering for many years at Norwalk Hospital.

Mary is survived by her brother, John O’Donnell; her children Christopher and Claire, and her grandchildren, Ryder and Teagan.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mary’s memory to the American Cancer Society. A celebration of life will be held at the Gaelic-American Club, 74 Beach Road, Fairfield, Connecticut, on August 28 (12:30 to 2:30 p.m.).

Mary Condon

===============================================

Wendy Levy sends along today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo, and adds, “Backyard garden veggies still going, despite various animal tastings.”

(Photo/Wendy Levy)

==================================================

Frank Beard — ZZ Top’s drummer who, ironically, was the only band member without a beard — died Monday. He was 77. Click here for a full obituary.

(“06880” covers Westport 24/7/365 — and from A to ZZ. If you enjoy even half of what we do, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)

2 Comments

Posted in Beach, Children, Education, Environment, Local business, Obituaries, Sports, Teenagers

Tagged , , , , ,

Jason Bird’s Magical Journey: From Vegas To Westport

Posted on August 19, 2026 | Leave a comment

For more than 25 years as a magician and mentalist, Jason Bird did it all.

A Las Vegas headliner, he performed over 9,000 times. He appeared on NBC, Fox and The CW’s “Masters of Illusion.” His work captivated audiences of pro athletes, Hollywood stars and royal families. He’s awed corporate clients like Google, American Express, Microsoft, BMW and AT&T.

What can possibly be next?

Westport.

On October 25, November 22 and December 13, Bird brings his new “Parlor of Impossibilities” show to the Delamar Westport.

The intimate setting — a private room by the Dandelion restaurant — is far different from Bally’s 1,040-seat Jubilee theater, a cruise ship or TV studio.

And Bird can’t wait to work it.

His new show is “much more than card tricks,” he tells “06880.” “Everyone in the audience is involved. It’s thought-provoking. I’m able to relate to every person there.

“I spent years performing big shows in big rooms. But there is something entirely different about magic when the audience is only a few feet away. You can see everything. You can hear everything. People hold the objects. They make the choices. There’s nowhere for me to disappear.”

Connecticut is now Bird’s home. The Wisconsin native spent more than 2 decades based in the desert. He’d fallen in love with magic at 15. At 17, he told his parents he wanted to move where “all the magicians were”: Vegas.

His parents said fine — provided he went to law school. Bird took pre-law courses at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas, before beginning his entertainment career.

“I didn’t hold up my end of the bargain,” he admits. “But I got work for 25 years.”

During the pandemic — when no entertainers were working — he and his wife discussed next steps. He wanted to do an off-Broadway, East Coast-type show. Besides, he missed “trees and living things.”

“It was almost like throwing a dart,” Bird recalls. “We didn’t know anyone in Connecticut.”

But after looking at several towns — including Westport, which they loved — the Birds moved to Glastonbury. The schools are excellent, and they admire the state.

“There are beautiful hotels, restaurants, historic towns, and people here who want interesting things to do,” he says.

The next step was designing a show. “Parlor of Impossibilities” blends sleight of hand, psychological illusion, mind reading, impossible predictions, inexplicable coincidences, storytelling, humor and wonder, just inches from the audience.

“Magic has a reputation for being either something for children, or something enormous with fire and dancers and people disappearing from boxes,” Bird says.

“There’s another tradition that I’ve always loved: the magician in a beautiful room with a small group of people, where the impossibility happens right in front of you. That’s what I wanted to bring back.

“Adults become very good at knowing how everything works,” he says. “We Google it. We explain it. We solve it. There are not many opportunities left to sit in a room and genuinely say, ‘I have absolutely no idea how it happened.'”

The Delamar hotels are a perfect partner for “Parlor.” In addition to Westport, Bird will perform 3 shows at another boutique property, the Delamar West Hartford. He’s in talks with the Delamar Mystic too.

Delamar Westport.

The Delamar Westport’s room — with its upscale, luxurious feel — is almost a character in Bird’s show.

It will be decorated with vintage magic and vaudeville posters. A Victrola will play old-time music. The mood evokes private salons and drawing rooms of generations ago.

As for Westport, Jason knew the town’s long relationship with the arts, theater and creative people.

The more he’s learned about it — and the more time he’s spent here — the more it feels like exactly where “Parlor of Impossibilities” belongs.

It’s a place where “people value live performance, great restaurants, theater, art, and the idea of actually going out and experiencing something.”

And because we’re so close to New York, Westporters “know what a great show feels like. I like that challenge.”

He hopes to build upon his first 3 shows, to create “something with roots” here. He wants “Parlor” to be “one of those things people associate with a night out here — something you bring friends to when they’re visiting, something you tell someone they have to experience, something you come back to because no 2 audiences, and no 2 shows, are exactly alike.”

Jaosn Bird is ready. “Parlor of Impossibilities” promises to be a wonder-ful time.

(For tickets to the October 25, November 22 and December 13 Delamar Westport shows, and more information, click here.)

(What “06880” — your hyper-local blog — does every day is not magical. But it’s close. We can’t do it, though, without our readers’ help. To support our work, please click here. Thank you!)

Leave a comment

Posted in Entertainment, Local business

Tagged ,

Roundup: Snag Tickets Now: LobsterFest, Westoberfest, Booked For The Evening …

Posted on August 18, 2026 | 1 comment

You Snooze, You Lose alert: LobsterFest returns to Compo Beach on Saturday, September 19.

Tickets go on sale at noon today (Tuesday, August 18). Click here at 12 — and be quick. They sell out fast.

LobsterFest is a fun-filled day, with over 1,500 guests, plenty of food, live entertainment, kids’ activities, booths and much more.

The Westport Rotary Club event generates over $400,000, all of which goes to local charities and international projects.

Over 250 volunteers help make it all happen. Tasks range from light duty to heavy lifting. Set-up is Friday, September 18; Saturday shifts are 2:30 to 4:45 p.m., and 4:30 to 7. Clean-up crews help out on Sunday, September 20.

NOTE: There is a special need for strong people (18 years and older) for the lobster cooker and cracker jobs.

Click here for more details, and to sign up. 

Volunteers who would like to eat lobster or steak and enjoy beverages should buy a LobsterFest ticket. There are beverages, hamburgers and hot dogs available at no cost for volunteers who do not buy a ticket.

The money shot. (Photo/Dan Woog)

==================================================

Speaking of tickets: Westoberfest’s are on sale now.

The October 3 Westport Downtown Association event has more beer than ever.

From 1 to 5 p.m., Elm Street will be filled with over 50 beers from more than 20 breweries.

Plus wineries, food, live entertainment and family fun. Click here for early bird pries.

===============================================

And … one more set of tickets, on sale this morning (Tuesday), beginning at 10 a.m.: the Westport Library’s 27th annual “Booked for the Evening.”

This year’s signature fundraising event (October 28) features award-winning director, actress, choreographer and producer Debbie Allen.

She’ll be in conversation with Shonda Rhimes. The noted TV creator, producer, author, CEO of global media company Shondaland — and a Westporter — was the 2022 “Booked” honoree.

Click here for tickets, and more information.


Debbie Allen (Photo/Marvin Joseph for the Washington Post)

=================================================

As Democratic registrar of voters Deborah Greenberg steps down from her post, the party is seeking a replacement.

Registrar is a part-time elected official responsible for administering all local, state and federal elections. The annual salary is $52,086. There is a $750 transaction allowance, a $6,000 stipend for primaries; a $10,000 stipend for each November election, and a small daily stipend for conferences.

Interviews take place between August 31 and September 1. Email Andrew Nevas (abnevas@gmail.com) with interest.

==================================================

“The End of Oak Street” opened earlier this month.

The science fiction survival film is set in Flowervale, Michigan. But a few real residents of the end of Oak Street — the one in Westport, off Clinton Avenue — went to see it the other day.

End of Oak Street residents (from left): Mark Shannon, Kenny Wildstein, Karen Kleine, Barbara Ryan, Edward Boyle, Trish Boyle, Eileen Ludy, Jay Ludy.

That’s not the only Westport connection. The movie stars Anne Hathaway, who lived here for several years.

Though not on Oak Street.

=================================================

Dozens of Staples High School football players gathered at Paul Lane Field last week for the 7th annual Murph Challenge.

It was the culmination of their summer fundraising for the Catch a Lift Fund (the non-profit that helps post-9/11 combat-injured veterans regain mental and physical health).

The workout honors US Navy SEAL Lieutenant Michael Murphy, killed in Afghanistan in 2005.

Over the last few weeks the 100 or so athletes in the football program raised money individually, did team lemonade stands, and prepared for a tough workout.

Coach Matty Jacowleff and the Gridiron Club reiterate the message of both physical and mental fitness, and a team first mentality — the same spirit carried by the veterans served through Catch A Lift.

The event began with US Army Sergeant Jason Smith talking to the players about sacrifice, resilience and commitment.

Sgt. Jason Smith

Then the athletes took on the Murph Challenge. It included a mile run, 100 pull-ups, 200 push-ups, 300 squats, and another mile run.

The 2026 season begins next month.

Staples players, coaches and Catch A Lift officials, at Paul Lane Field. (Photos/Adam Vengrow)

=================================================

Speaking of Staples: We’re proud of all our 2026 graduates.

And we get it: So are you.

(Photo/Dan Woog)

But come on! This is mid-August.

Your kid graduated more than 2 months ago. He or she is either already in college, or has one foot out the door.

It’s time to stop being proud. Start looking ahead.

And proud families of seniors: Order your Class of 2027 sign now.

June will be here before you know it.

================================================

Speaking of Staples grads: It was a Westport reunion, on the Appalachian Trail.

Class of 1982 alum Jon Atwood is hiking the 2,198-mile route, from Maine to Georgia. His son Finn joined him for part of the journey.

Jon’s classmate and longtime friend Chris DiVecchio met them in New York. He did not look like he was ready to hike the entire trail. (Hat tip: Dan Donovan)

From left: Finn Atwood, Chris DiVecchio, Jon Atwood.

==================================================

If you thought the New York Knicks’ NBA championship was exciting … well, just wait for tonight’s Compo Beach Men’s Summer Basketball League tourney.

It’s down to the final 4 teams. (And the semifinals have been moved to the Staples fieldhouse, due to lighting issues at Compo). Tip-off is 7 p.m., with the finals at 8.

One semi pits Team Clachko — with recent Wrecker grads Sam Clachko, Derek and Cody Sale, Caleb Tobias, Matty Corrigan and Griffin Kass — against Team Raus.

The other semi features defending champ Team Schur, against Team Dymond. Staples alumni on the court include Jordan Schur, Charlie Stoebe, and Aaron and Josh Shapiro, plus PAL travel coach Jamill Powell and former RTM member Noah Hammond.

Spectators are welcome.

Compo Beach summer league action.

================================================

Westport children’s author Nicole O’Connor is launching the 3rd book in her “Kiera and Lamby” travel-themed picture book series.

It’s based on stories she told her daughter during the pandemic, inspiring her to dream about traveling the world. In each books Kiera and her stuffed lamb take a magic blanket to a different city: New York, Madrid, and now Tokyo). They explore famous landmarks and try new foods, in a playful, accessible way.

The launch includes a book signing and Japan-themed craft (origami ice cream bookmarks!) at Momu: Sunday, August 30 (1 to 3 p.m).

From Tokyo to Momu — with ice cream!

==================================================

The latest addition to Riverside Park is this concrete pad.

We’re not sure if it’s for a bench, memorial, or something else. Like checked it out (see photo below), but did not act like a little kid. She left no paw prints.

(Photo/Mark Mathias)

==================================================

The Village Voice called Dave Stryker “one of the most distinctive guitarists to come along in recent years.” He was voted one of the Top Jazz Guitarists in the 2025 Downbeat Critics and Readers Polls — for the 15th time.

This Thursday (August 20, shows at 7:30 and 8:45 p.m.; dinner service at 6:45; VFW Post 399), he headlines Jazz at the Post.

Stryker is joined by bassist Marcus McLaurine, pianist David Berkman, drummer Steve Johns and saxophonist Greg “The Jazz Rabbi” Wall. Click here for tickets, and more information. 

==================================================

Clouds are part of nature too.

Eric Bosch captured this write-your-own-“Westport … Naturally”-caption scene the other day at Compo Beach.

(Photo/Eric Bosch)

==================================================

And finally … on this date in 1868, French astronomer Pierre Janssen discovered helium.

(Supporting “06880” is no laughing matter. We rely on readers like you to help us do what we do, 24/7/365. Please click here to help. And thank you for putting a smile on our face.)

1 Comment

Posted in Downtown, Entertainment, Local business, Politics, Sports, Staples HS

Tagged , , , , , , , ,

[OPINION] Beware! Your Optonline Address May Not Be Safe

Posted on August 15, 2026 | 18 comments

Sam Disraelly, his wife and their 2 girls have been Westport residents for 7 years. A Navy veteran, he is on the board of the Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce. He is also a founder and CEO of Your Tech Department, a cybersecurity and IT support firm with offices in Wilton, Stamford and Westport.

Sam addresses this warning to “every neighbor still using an optonline.net email address.”

If you signed up for Optimum internet more than 5 years ago, there’s a good chance you got a free email address along with it — something ending in @optonline.net or @optimum.net.

If you’ve had it a while, you might still be using it. A lot of Westport and Fairfield County residents still are. They’re familiar. They work.

And that’s exactly the problem.

Sam Disraelly

I run a cybersecurity and IT support company in Fairfield County. People call me all the time after their optonline.net or optimum.net email gets hacked. Of everything I see in this business, it’s the one service that generates the most calls of this kind.

Three things are considered baseline in 2026 for any email provider:

Two-factor / multi-factor authentication (MFA). This is a second proof of identity beyond your password — an SMS code, an app confirmation — before anyone can log in. Microsoft’s research shows MFA blocks more than 99.2% of account compromise attempts, even when a password has already been stolen. It’s become standard on nearly every major email provider.

Session logs. The ability to see where and when your account has been accessed, so if something looks wrong (a login from a country you’ve never visited) you’d actually know.

The ability to kill an active session. If you discover you’ve been breached, the ability to remotely log out every open connection to your account.

None of these exist in Optimum’s email settings. There’s nothing to configure, because the option was never built.

Optimum notes the importance of 2-factor authentication (above). However, they do not offer it. 

Changing your password isn’t enough, either.

If you call Optimum and say you think your email’s been compromised, the advice you’ll get is to change your password. What they won’t tell you — because there’s no way for them to check — is whether that actually locks the hacker out.

Without session logs or the ability to end an active session, an account that’s already open in a hacker’s session before the password change simply stays open. A new password doesn’t close an existing connection; it only stops new logins. The old session keeps receiving mail as if nothing happened.

So a compromised Optimum account can stay compromised indefinitely, silently, even after you think you’ve fixed it.

An email address isn’t just an address. It’s the recovery point for your bank, your medical portal, your retirement accounts, your kids’ school logins — nearly everything password-protected online gets reset through email. If someone controls your inbox undetected, they control the keys to reset almost anything else you own.

Why hasn’t this been fixed? Because Optimum has quietly stopped investing in this service.

Buried in Optimum’s FAQ, under a page titled “How do I check my Optimum email?”, is this: “As of May 4, 2021, Optimum no longer offers the ability for new and existing Internet customers to create new Optimum email accounts.”

This means Optimum won’t create new addresses for anyone. It’s not an announcement of a shutdown, and existing accounts still work.

But Optimum’s own residential Terms of Service go further: any email account inactive for 90 days — no login, no sent or opened mail, no active forwarding — is deemed inactive and permanently deleted, contents unrecoverable, with no obligation to notify you first.

Screenshot of Optimum’s Terms of Service.

An address you’ve had for 15 or 20 years, tied to accounts you may have forgotten about, can simply vanish if you go 3 months without opening it.

Taken together: no new accounts issued since 2021, no security features added since who knows when, and inactive accounts wiped without warning. It’s a strong signal about where Optimum’s investment in this “free feature” has gone.

You don’t have to wait for Optimum to fix this, because there’s no sign they’re going to.

Instead: Set up another email address. I recommend buying a domain. Use it to host your own email on a trusted service, so you can control your own digital identity.  If you need to use a free account, there are other providers like Gmail, Outlook, or a similar provider that supports MFA, session logs and remote sign-out.

Forward your Optimum mail there in the meantime, or notify your important accounts (bank, medical, etc.) of the new address or switch them over directly.

If you’re not sure how, ask someone: a neighbor, a local IT person, your kid. This isn’t a hard switch, just an overdue one.

I’ve started gathering stories from people in the area whose Optimum.net or Optonline.net email has been hacked or compromised, as part of a push to get Optimum to bring their email security up to a basic 2026 standard. If that’s happened to you and you’re willing to share what happened, I’d like to hear from you. My email is sam@yourtech.team.

This isn’t about switching internet providers. It’s about one free feature that’s been quietly neglected for 5 years while sitting at the center of — and now endangering — a lot of digital lives.

(“06880” wants our readers to be safe. We want them to be informed. And, every once in a while, we want them to show support for this hyper-local blog. Please click here. And thank you!)

18 Comments

Posted in Local business, technology

Tagged , ,

Roundup: Dog Safety, E-Bike Safety — And Fun …

Posted on August 14, 2026 | 2 comments

Recent discussions about a possible fenced-in dog run at Winslow Park (or elsewhere), plus a debate over dogs in stores and restaurants, have Westporters barking about canine safety.

Cat Malkin — a local animal communicator, pet loss grief counselor and animal Reiki teacher/practitioner — has created a “Guide to Staying Safe Around Dogs.”

It’s free, and filled with practical tips to help children, adults and families better understand dogs, respect boundaries, and feel safer around them. Click here to download.

You can also click here for here blog post: “Staying Safe Around Dogs.”

================================================

Speaking of safety: An increasing number of Westporters are alarmed at the increasing number of electronic bikes, being driven recklessly and thoughtlessly all around town.

An “06880” reader sends this photo from the Post Road near ASF …

… and writes: “Technically, I think this is legal.

“But it feels like an episode of ‘Lost in Space,’ where something’s bound to go wrong. I am very concerned about the safety issues presented by this.”

We’re glad the young riders are wearing helmets. And they are riding single file.

But we hope they’ve been properly instructed — and reminded, over and over — about the rules of the road.

=================================================

Harvest Fest is one of Westport’s best parties ever.

Wakeman Town Farm’s biggest fundraiser (and food & wine) event of the year includes tons of seasonal fare from local farmers and chefs, wine and signature cocktails, live music, an auction with culinary and travel experiences, and much more.

It’s the closest thing our town has to an old-fashioned barn-raising party. And proceeds help WTF provide education to folks of all ages, incomes and abilities.

This year’s event is September 26. Tickets go on sale Monday (August 17) at http://www.wakemantownfarm.org. Get ready — they always sell out fast!

Harvest Fest scenes.

==================================================

Looking for a fun kids’ activity for this fall — and far beyond?

Westport Scout Troops 39/139 invite students in grades 5-12 (and their families) to Compo Beach on Thursday, September 3.

From 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., they’ll make pizzas with their camping ovens. They’ll have a fire pit (with s’mores!). Scouts and leaders will answer questions, and share experiences.

The troops note, “We’re organization. Almost all of our Scouts do other activities — sports of all kinds, Staples Players, music and more. Scouts can choose to do some or all of our activities they find most interesting, and that fit with their schedules.”

The civic and outdoor-oriented troops’ 2026-27 calendar includes:

  • Hiking in the Adirondacks, and part of the Appalachian Trail
  • Biking the Rail Trail in Trumbull
  • Haunted Lake Compounce
  • Sleeping on a battleship
  • Visiting the Eastern State Penitentiary
  • Winter cabin camping
  • Skiing
  • Weekend campout on Block Island
  • Helping with Lobster Fest, veterans’ grave flags and wreaths, myTeam Triumph
  • And more!

Questions? Interested, but can’t be there? Email Troop39westport@gmail.com.

===============================================

An upstairs leak damaged the Westport Book Shop Thursday night.

The popular Jesup Road store lost its entire vinyl section, along with some furniture and books. But an extraordinary morning effort by staff, neighbors and volunteers helped clear the damage.

They opened at their regular time. Last night, they hosted a reception for guest artist Gregg Ziebell.

While full restoration of the music section and damaged areas will take a few weeks, the non-profit bookstore is open to all. They offer a massive “thank you!” to all who jumped in to help.

Westport Book Shop clean-up.

==================================================

We’ve got one more photo of this week’s solar eclipse.

This is from Stratford-upon-Avon, England, where Diane Lowman — Westport’s first poet laureate, and a prominent Shakespeare scholar — observed the phenomenon.

As the Bard said in “King Lear”: “These late eclipses in the sun and moon portend no good to us.”

(Photo/Diane Lowman)

==================================================

Financial Times reports that Goldman Sachs is buying NEOS. The deal is worth up to $2.3 billion, and is expected to close early next year.

NEOS — based in Westport — is an asset management/ETF firm. Its SEC filings showed about $14.7 billions in assets under management as of last September. Click here for the full FT story.

=================================================

Our “Westport … Naturally” photo series includes natural phenomena of all kinds.

Including this 70-foot tree near Cross Highway and North Avenue. It was burned and flayed by lightning last weekend. Huge shards landed up to 30 feet away, and buried themselves into the ground.

(Photo/Jonathan Rosenoer)

==================================================

And finally … in honor of Diane Lowman, and everyone else in Europe was saw much more than we did (story above):

(From safety to fundraisers, “06880” has Westport covered. If you enjoy our daily Roundups — or any other feature on our hyper-local blog — please click here to support our work. Thank you!)

2 Comments

Posted in Environment, Local business, Transportation

Tagged , , , , , , , ,

New Dojo Teaches Physical Skills, Mental Discipline

Posted on August 13, 2026 | Leave a comment

Josh Springer spent 10 years with Save the Children. For another decade, he worked with youngsters of color, through non-profit organizations.

Now the Ridgefield native has a new project. He’s not saving lives, exactly. But he is helping boys and girls — and adults — in other ways.

Through martial arts, he teaches respect, self-discipline, self-control, honesty and patience.

Technical skills like blocking and kicking are important, Springer says. But so are character and values. He offers self-defense, a full-body workout, and mental skills to cope with life challenges.

His venue is SDSS Martial Arts. Located in a basement space in Compo Acres Shopping Center — between Sweetgreen and Choice Pet, not far from Trader Joe’s — the dojo is Springer’s third. He runs another SDSS in Fairfield, and is a partner in one in Ridgefield.

From left: Josh Springer, lead instructor Sifu Kyle, Professor Mikael Meyer.

His work has brought him full circle. Intrigued by Eastern philosophy, Springer studied both the techniques and business sides of martial arts. He ran the Ridgefield location in his 20s.

After earning a graduate degree in non-profit management and public administration, he embarked on his “other” career.

But while envying the work his boots-on-the-ground Save the Children colleagues were doing, Springer always had an entrepreneurial itch.

He knew Mike Meyer, who oversees more than a dozen SSDS locations in Connecticut and Massachusetts. Three years ago, Springer took over his Fairfield location.

Springer lives in Norwalk’s Cranbury neighborhood, adjacent to Westport, and searched for the right location here. Compo Acres is great, he says; parents can drop their children off, and take care of errands easily.

SSDS Westport opened July 1.

With many youngsters away for the summer, classes have begun slowly. The dojo also offers birthday parties (transforming every guest into “a martial arts hero for the day”). A special camp week is set for August 17-21.

All ages are welcome, but as with many martial arts school, a major focus is on 4- to 12-year-olds.

Pre-K classes are 30 minutes each. Others are 45 minutes.

Springer’s approach is child-centered. He hires “‘people’ people.” They’re patient and understanding. They want to know what motivates each person. One size does not fit all.

“Everyone learns differently,” he adds. A number of students have ADHD; some are on the spectrum, and find traditional sports and teams less appealing than individual activities (though done in groups).

Adults come for a variety of reasons: to get back in shape, rehabilitate after injury (or addiction), or find a social outlet.

Whatever the age, Springer says, students learn that every kick and punch is actually a lesson in focus. The mental discipline is as important as the physical tools.

And, he notes, every first lesson is free. (Hat tip: Negin Janati)

(Click here for the  SDSS website.  Click here for Facebook. For more information, call 203 293-4129 or email
westport@sdssofct.com.)

(“06880” often highlights local businesses. If you enjoy learning about them — or any other feature of this hyper-local blog — please click here to support our work. Thank you!)

Leave a comment

Posted in Local business

Tagged ,

“06880” Podcast: Jamie Camche

Posted on August 11, 2026 | 2 comments

Westporters love Jamie Camche’s jewelry — at her JL Rocks store, and Bungalow.

Jamie is one of a number of successful women business owners here. Theother day, we chatted at the Westport Library about her work, her life in Westport, and much more.

Click here and below for an interesting look into Westport’s small — in name only — business community.

2 Comments

Posted in Library, Local business, Media

Tagged , , ,

Roundup: Storm Outages, Free Ice Cream, Lost Blankie …

Posted on August 8, 2026 | 2 comments

Last night’s storm was brief — but very, very intense.

In the half hour or so when lightning sizzled and thunder clapped, people lost power.

As of 7:15 this morning, Eversource reported 146 Westport customers — 1.14% of the total in town — still without electricity.

In Weston, it was 77 customers (1.96%).

In this area, New Canaan and Darien had even more outages. Statewide, 8,289 customers — 0.63% — lacked power.

Storm over Saugatuck, heading toward Compo Beach and Longshore. It looked “apocalyptic,” says photographer Mark Laclair.

==================================================

When it comes to safe bike riding practices, kids may not always listen to their parents.

But if it means free ice cream … well, now you’re talking.

The Westport Police Department, Westport Youth Commission and Sunny Daes have partnered on an initiative to reward good biking habits.

Officers will keep an eye out for young bicyclists who follow essential rules, like:

  • Always wearing a helmet
  • Riding safely and smartly
  • Being responsible.

Young riders “caught” practicing safe habits will receive a special reward voucher. Each card can be redeemed at Sunny Daes for free kiddie cone or cup.

Now, if anyone can convince another local business to do the same for adults — in bikes and cars …

The voucher …

… and those who make it happen.

==================================================

There is life after the Planning & Zoning Commission.

In 2021 Chip Stephens — a native Westporter, 1973 Staples High School graduate and longtime civic volunteer — surprised many here.

After 3 terms on the P&Z (including a stint as chair); service on the Superstorm Sandy Recovery Regulation Committee; preservation efforts for Bedford Elementary School (now Town Hall), Cockenoe Island and open space; a run for state representative, and coaching Staples wrestling, and PAL football, basketball and baseball, he headed north.

For 5 years, Chip was code enforcement officer, plumbing inspector, and Department of Environmental Protection and health official for Readfield and Wayne, Maine — 2 towns northwest of Augusta.

Now, he’s launched a new business. Kennebec Shore and Land Use Consulting helps property owners navigate shoreland zoning, permit applications, board presentations and regulations — “clearly and efficiently,” Chip says.

For decades in Westport, Chip was the man to call with land use questions and concerns.

Now central Maine residents can do the same. With — as always — a response that is professional, fast and (even) fun.

Chip Stephens. He seldom wore a tie in Westport. He’s probably never worn one in Maine.

================================================

It doesn’t quite rise to the level of “Unsung Hero.”

But Jonathan Alloy sends along a social media post, from the mother of a young child. He’d lost his favorite blankie at the beach. She described it, and said, “If you find it PLEASE let me know. PLEASE PLEASE.”

Donna Stark did.

But, the mother said, there were other heroes too. “EVERYONE walking the beach was so kind and helpful. Someone else found it first and put it on a bench. So whoever that was is also our hero!”

Found!

==================================================

Uh oh! We gave an incorrect date for next weekend’s huge Universalist Unitarian Congregation in Westport tag sale.

It’s Saturday, August 15 (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; early birds 8 a.m., $20).

See you there!

A small part of the big crowd at the Unitarian Universalist tag sale.

==================================================

Registration begins Monday for Lachat Town Farm’s 3 fall children’s programs:

  • Caregiver & Me
  • Pre-school drop-off
  • K-8 after-school (bus available from school).

Click here for details. Questions? Email childrensprograms@lachattownfarm.org.

==============================================

Many of our “Westport … Naturally” photos are cool.

This one — from Compo Beach — is especially so.

One more reason that every sunset there is special.

(Photo/Carrie Kuhn)

==================================================

And finally … in honor of Carrie Kuhn’s great photo (above):

(Don’t let clouds get in your way. Just click here, to support this hyper-local blog. Thank you!)

2 Comments

Posted in Children, Local business, Police, Weather

Tagged , , , , ,

After Prison: Cookies, Muffins, Hope And Work

Posted on August 7, 2026 | 23 comments

Last winter, on a ski trip to Stowe, Sonam Sethi Tejpal’s family took a side trip to the nearby Ben & Jerry’s factory.

A random fact on an interactive quiz caught her eye: The company gets its chocolate fudge brownies — used in her favorite flavor — from Greyston Bakery in Yonkers. The New York firm provides jobs for people who were previously incarcerated.

There are no background checks, resume requirements or questions about convictions. Instead there is stable employment, for men and women who have great difficulty finding it.

“I couldn’t stop thinking about it,” Tejpal — who lived all over the world and ws a TV producer for the Discovery network, before settling in Westport 9 years ago with her children, now 10 and 7 — says.

She learned that the employment rate for people leaving incarceration is over 27% — nearly 5 times the national average.

It’s not for lack of will, Tejpal says. It’s a lack of open doors. Background checks, stigma and gaps in employment history shut people out before they even get a chance to prove themselves.

“I realized I wanted to do something like this. It became my north star.”

She’d already sponsored opportunities for girls in education, working with a teacher in her native India. She and her husband contributed to causes like the Red Cross and St. Jude’s.

“God has been very kind to us,” Tejpal says. “We always look for ways to give back.”

Now she wanted to do something closer to home.

Tejpal loves cooking. “Food is a love language,” she notes.

She enjoyed baking cakes and muffins for her children. After a friend made granola, she’d been inspired to make her own, and incorporate it into healthy snacks.

Sonam Sethi Tejpal’s granola.

Tejpal calls herself “a home baker.” But teaching previously incarcerated men and women how to bake — and working with them to sell it — seemed like something she could do.

It was not easy.

She found a shared commercial kitchen in Norwalk. She became a certified food handler by ServSafe, and can now certify others.

Tejpal contacted Entry Point Staffing — an agency experienced with the post-prison population. She did not feel comfortable working with anyone who served time for murder with malicious intent, or a crime involving children or sex. But she would consider anyone else.

The agency offered a half dozen names. She interviewed 3.

Her first employee is a man in his late 40s, with a child and grandchild. A Fairfield County native, he “made bad choices,” she says. But he is “finding his way back to society.”

Tejpal’s Hope & Hearth Bakery has begun production. She’ll soon sell her products —  chocolate pecan granola, chocolate chip muffins and cookies, chocolate granola and pretzel toffee bark — at the Wilton Farmers’ Market. (Westport’s vendors’ list is closed for this season.)

Chocolate granola bark.

She’s “a little bit nervous,” she admits. But she is also “excited and thrilled.”

“I’ve learned I can do hard things,” she says.

“I’ve been very fortunate. My life has been fairly easy so far. Now I’m starting from scratch. I did everything — the planning, the applications, all the rest — on my own. I’ve built this from the ground up.”

Tejpal believes “the measure of a person is not their worst moment, but their willingness to move forward.” To do that, she provides training, fair pay, and support.

Her daughter “is nervous for me,” Tejpal says. “I hope she and her friends see this as a good thing. I hope they understand that kindness is number one.

Tejpal’s goal is to “employ a lot of people, and bake lots of good food.” She offers “not temporary placement, not charity.” This is “real careers, real wages, and a real path forward.”

She mentions Homeboy Industries. The re-entry program for formerly incarcerated and gang-involved men and women provides job training, employment, legal services, mental health counseling, anger management and parenting classes, substance abuse support — even tattoo removal.

Hope & Hearth Bakery is just beginning. Right now, they just make and sell granola.

Tejpel hopes one day she can expand into areas like education and loans.

Why not? Homeboy Industries started small.

And Ben & Jerry’s did too.

(To learn more — and to pre-order products, for delivery the week of August 24 — click here.)

(“06880” often covers interesting local people, doing important things. If you enjoy stories like this, please click here to support our work.) 

23 Comments

Posted in Local business

Tagged , ,