No, “06880” is not turning into The American Poetry Review.
And no, neither I nor Paul Lebowitz claim to be Emily Dickinson, Robert Frost or Rudyard Kipling.
Or even Ogden Nash.
But on the heels of my Monday attempt at rhyme — hey, readers had a good time — the Planning & Zoning Commission chair sent his response.
Planning & Zoning Commission chair Paul Lebowitz.
He speaks not for the entire board But read it; perhaps it strikes a chord:
It was just before New Year’s,
And all through the land,
Developers whispered, “Let’s build something grand.”
“We’ll max out the density,
Go up 6 more floors,
Throw on a big cupola—
Heck, add some more doors!
“Let’s fill in the wetlands,
And dig a big pool
Add some stone walls,
Maybe a patio or two
“No permits, no site plans,
We won’t bother asking,
Why slow down the fun
With all that red-tape tasking?
“Setbacks are suggestions,
The code’s just a guide,
If we squint at the map
It all fits inside.
“Let it be the next buyer’s
Problem, not really ours—
It was like this already,
We just added them towers.”
Then off to the P&Z
With a straight-faced appeal,
Claiming hardship and fairness
And “neighborhood feel.”
And the neighbors all sighed,
As they muttered, “Oh dear…” For it’s always the same,
This time every year.
(“06880” is your hyper-local blog. All voices are welcome. But we rely on reader support. Today is the final day to gain a tax deduction for a 2025 contribution. Please click here. Thank you!)
When Governor Lamont vetoed HB 5002 in June — wide-ranging housing legislation that would have dramatically changed the ability of local governments to impose zoning restrictions — many Westporters breathed sighs of relief.
But state lawmakers soon passed an amended version. HB 8002 takes effect January 1.
“It also expands the number of fair rent commissions — a government body that can hear complaints about rent increases and make decisions on whether to change that rental increase number — and bans ‘hostile architecture,’ or the use of things like armrests in the middle of benches or spikes to make it harder for people experiencing homelessness to lie down.”
Lamont said, “This bill tells mayors and first selectmen, ‘What do you want your town to look like in five or 10 years? Start planning accordingly. Where do you want that housing to go? Are you going to zone accordingly? What else do you need? We want to be your partner.'”
In 2024, Governor Lamont spoke at the dedication of 122 Wilton Road. All 19 units are considered affordable housing, under state regulations. (Photo/Dan Woog)
“06880” asked 1st Selectman Kevin Christie about 8002’s effect here. He says, “it does take effect January 1. But it does not trigger immediate zoning changes or new development in Westport.
“The intent of the law is to keep towns in control by encouraging proactive planning and execution. For Westport, that means building upon our existing affordable housing plans to develop a Housing Growth Plan, informed by community input and aligned with our long-term goals and Plan of Conservation and Development.
“We expect to focus on creating our own plan rather than defaulting to a regional approach, while working with the state and WestCOG as resources to support a solution that works for Westport.
“Some technical provisions of the law take effect later, including zoning-related updates beginning in July 2026, which will require thoughtful local review and public process.
Kevin Christie
“In addition to being part of the solution to the housing crisis and expanding affordable opportunities in Westport for our workforce, young families, and seniors, HB 8002 provides incentives for towns that plan and execute responsibly, including protections from adversarial 8-30g outcomes, access to state planning and technical assistance, and potential financial benefits tied to housing, infrastructure, and school construction.”
We also spoke to Westport Planning & Zoning chair Paul Lebowitz. He says it “creates a very complicated situation, with both near- and long-term aspects.
“Town attorney Ira Bloom is going through the law line by line, and will advise the commission on what steps we will have to take. This should come some time in January.
“In addition, Francis Pickering at the Western Connecticut Council of Governments is engaged in helping municipalities interpret and integrate the bill into our local regulations.”
In the short term, Lebowitz says, we must deal with the removal of any parking standard for projects less than 16 residential units. He notes, “While we hope developers would realize the need for onsite parking for their residents, they don’t have to offer any. Where their residents or tenants would park is of course the issue.”
Traffic and a parking garage were controversial elements of the Hamlet at Saugatuck plan. Now, a developer could build 8-30g affordable housing there — with no parking provisions at all.
In addition, owners of commercial properties can now try to convert to residential without the P&Z’s oversight.
“While Westport has approved such conversions in the past, it was always weighed by the commission as to whether there was a benefit to the town,” Lebowitz says. Under the new bill, any benefit to the town is no longer a consideration.
The bill also requires towns like Westport to either individually or regionally via their COGs (Councils of Government) create Housing Growth Plans, as well as an Affordable Housing Goal. Westport’s (and WestCOG’s) would be due in June of 2029.
P&Z chair Paul Lebowitz. (Photo/Dan Woog)
“This might seem like its far off,” Lebowitz says. “But with our need to create a new Plan of Conservation and Development, it will need to be integrated this year to help guide future developments.
He adds, “we have many smart minds working on this — first to interpret it for Westport, then to integrate it into our statutes.”
Town attorney Bloom says, “my legal team and I have been reviewing HB 8002 since Governor Lamont signed it. We will work with the P&Z, and Planning & Zoning director Michelle Perillie in the weeks ahead.
“HB 8002 replaced HB 5002, vetoed by Governor Lamont, but in my view only offers small improvements. The new law is intended to expand housing opportunities, but at the expense of local control.
“For instance, a required housing needs assessment must be completed, and it is possible that it will be done with the assistance of the regional Council of Government (COG).
Town attorney Ira Bloom
“Local parking minimums for certain residential developments are no longer allowed. Local regulations must allow for smaller residential units in certain areas by a non-discretionary review.
“There are dates and details associated with all of this — and more — in the new law, so there is a lot to digest.
“Advocates say it will enhance badly needed housing. Opponents object to the loss of local control. We will have ample time to discuss and have spirited debate on this in 2026.”
Several other bills take effect on Thursday too. They include:
Condominiums can no longer prohibit or “unreasonably restrict” owners of single-family detached units from putting solar panels on their roofs. Condo associations can opt out, if at least 75% of their board of directors vote to do so by January 1, 2028.
In addition, the state’s minimum wage will rise by 59 cents, from $16.35 per hour to $16.94.
Revaluation assessment reviews for Westport properties can be made today or Friday.
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Two Staples High School graduates — both Pulitzer Prize winners — have 4 photos, in the New York Times‘ annual “Year in Photos” section.
Tyler Hicks (SHS ’88) contributed 3 images, all from Ukraine (February 9, May 18, October 8).
He describes this one (below): “A volunteer with the Platsdarm group collecting the remains of soldiers and civilians killed in the Ukraine war. The recovery of the dead was not always possible as fighting raged along the front, sometimes for weeks or months.”
(Photo/Tyler Hicks for the New York Times)
Lynsey Addario (SHS ’91) took this haunting image in Syria (February 15):
(Photo/Lynsey Addario for the New York Times)
It shows a mother tending to her 15-year-old son, who had stepped on a landmine while herding sheep.
Lynsey says: “Many people think of war as the dangers during active combat, but there are so many casualties after a war finishes. These are the quiet stories that speak volumes about how war has tentacles everywhere.”
And while you’re at it, consider a donation to WVEMS. Many residents don’t realize they pay for everything — from ambulances to Band-Aids — themselves.
There are many worthy causes and organizations in Westport. Few are as life-changing — and life-saving — as this.
“Building Bridges Through Storytelling” — a quilting exhibition — is on display in 3 Westport Library galleries, through March 17.
Like a patchwork quilt itself, the show weaves together 3 distinct yet interconnected exhibits. Each explores how art, memory and narrative bind communities across generations and geographies.
Receptions and talks are set for January 15 (6 p.m.) and January 31 (1 p.m.).
“Covid Quilt” by Maybeth Wirz (left); “Green and Orange” by the Southern Connecticut Modern Quilt Guild.
For more information, including details on each exhibition, click here and here.
Westport Police made 1 custodial arrest between December 17 and 22.
A 34-year-old Stamford man was charged with larceny, payment card theft, 6 counts of stolen card theft, 12 counts of identity theft, and criminal impersonation, following investigation into a July 2923 report that credit cards and identity documents had been stolen from a wallet in an unlocked vehicle at Birchwood Country Club. He was unable to post $10,000 bond.
Police also issued these citations:
Traveling unreasonably fast: 3 citations
Operating a motor vehicle under suspension: 3
Failure to renew registration: 2
Texting while driving: 1
Operating an unregistered motor vehicle: 1
Falsification of markers: 1
Failure to insure a motor vehicle: 1
Operating a motor vehicle without minimum insurance: 1
Illegal display of a handicap plate: 1
Failure to comply with handicap parking regulations: 1
Tinted glass infraction: 1
Following too closely: 1
Failure to comply with state traffic commission regulations: 1
And finally … Jerry Kasenetz, a record producer who was one of the kings of bubblegum music, died this month in Florida, from complications of a fall. He was 82. Click here for a full obituary.
Westporters have long admired the classic New England home-and-attached-barn on Hillandale Road, just down the hill from Green’s Farms Church.
Now House & Garden readers around the world can enjoy it too.
Anne Hardy — who with her husband Jim transformed the home, linking a former blacksmith’s forge to a 19th-century wagon barn — has written about the project for the magazine (which she once served as decorating editor).
Anne — a Staples High School graduate — describes how her years in London influenced the home’s design (with great help from architect Deirdre O’Farrelly). She details the family’s Christmas (and Boxing Day) preparations in the warm, welcoming space.
An “Everything Must Go!” sale is set for today (Tuesday, 4 to 7 p.m.).
Champagnes, spirits, and their carefully curated selection of wines will all be sold — at 30% below Basso’s cost.
Stock up for the holidays! (Hat tip: Sal Liccione)
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Speaking of restaurants: Dandelion — the hot new spot in the Delamar Westport — celebrates the season with some big events.
On Christmas Eve, a holiday-inspired à la carte lunch (noon to 2:30 p.m.) is followed by à la carte dinner service (5 to 10 p.m.), highlighting Christmas selections.
Christmas day brings a 3-course prix fixe menu (noon to 6:30 p.m.). Click here for reservations, or call 203-266-3111.
New Year’s Eve features DJ Omary. From 10 p.m. to 1 a.m., he’ll spin Afro-house, traditional rhythms, and familiar favorites. Click here for tickets.
Among the appropriations up for approval on the Board of Finance January 7 meeting (7:30 p.m., Town Hall auditorium):
$330,000 to address an IT storage replacement initiative.
$815,000 for Town Hall ADA improvements.
$275,000 for an ADA-accessible ramp between the Imperial Avenue parking lot and the Levitt Pavilion lot.
$31,500 for emergency elevator repair at Town Hall.
$65,027.49 for a 2024 Chevrolet work truck to replace a 2008 model; the same amount for a dump truck, to replace one from 1999.
The Board of Finance will meet in Town Hall, to make the building more accessible.
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That’s a short meeting, compared to what the Board of Education has planned.
They’ll meet at Saugatuck Congregational Church on January 9, starting at 8:30 a.m.
It’s an all-day work session, to review superintendent of schools Thomas Scarice’s fiscal year 2027 budget.
The public is invited. Bring your lunch!
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A few weeks ago, superintendent Scarice participated in a podcast focused on the Westport Public Schools’ strategic plan, specifically its work being “AI-powered and human-centered.”
Looking for a kids’ activity over the holiday break?
The Westport Garden Club is partnering with the Westport Arts Advisory Committee, town poet laureate and Westport Library to sponsor a youth poetry contest.
Affiliated with the National Garden Club, it’s open to all in kindergarten through 12th grade: public and private schools, home-schooled, special education and English as a Second Language students.
This is the fourth year the WGC is sponsoring the event. Past winners have advanced to state, regional and national levels.
And finally … speaking of Christmas or New Year’s at Dandelion:
(As you make holiday plans — and plan your year-end giving — please consider “06880.” We’re here for you 24/7/365, but we rely on reader support. Just click here. Thank you!)
Judy Szablak was — coincidentally — driving when she heard that Briggs Cunningham’s house was for sale.
She’s a Coldwell Banker realtor “with drive,” she says — and an automobile aficionado.
Cunningham was a sportsman, race car driver, entrepreneur and automotive pioneer. He built beautiful, powerful machines that are still revered, decades later.
Among his designs: the C-3. Just 36 were built, in the 1950s. Eight were race cars. They are among the rarest and most valuable in auto history.
Briggs Cunningham’s C-3 Cabriolet.
He and his wife Lucie Bedford lived at 92 Beachside Avenue. That’s where he drew his ideas, tuned his engines, and turned his dreams — like the C-3 — into reality.
Now that property was for sale.
While her friend, fellow car enthusiast — and C-3 owner — Chuck Schoendorf told her about Cunningham’s house, she drafted a plan.
She knew the listing agent, Cyd Hamer of William Pitt Sotheby’s in Westport. Judy knew the marketing boost that could come if she connected the cultured car world with the luxury real estate one.
How often would a Cunningham owner — and a possible buyer — get the chance to stand inside his home? And drive his classic automobile through those gates?
92 Beachside Avenue: the view from Long Island Sound.
She called Cyd. She asked to show the property. She told Cyd that Chuck wanted to see the house. To him, it was more than just a piece of real estate. It was living history.
“Real estate agents see a lot: enthusiasts, architects, investors, tire kickers, dreamers,” Judy says.
“But a man arriving with one of Briggs Cunningham’s own cars? That doesn’t come along every day.”
Briggs Cunningham, on the cover of Time magazine.
Cyd quickly said yes.
The appointment was set for a Friday. Snow was predicted. Salt on the roads would have been a deal-breaker. Fortunately, the forecast changed.
The day was slightly overcast — perfect for photos. Chuck arrived, in his “work of art on wheels.” If the house had been human, Judy says, it would have smiled.
“The scene looked staged, cinematic — too perfect to be accidental,” Judy says. “It was as though time had folded in on itself.”
Chuck Schoendorf’s C-3 at Briggs Cunningham’s home …
Cyd took them on a tour of the 7,700-square foot 1926 Tudor, with 200 feet of waterfront on 3.55 acres. She had done extensive research on the property.
Chuck did not view it as a typical potential buyer. “He walked it like a curator — like someone reading a chapter of a book he’d studied for decades,” Judy says.
He particularly appreciated Briggs’ study. The room was crafted out of a sailing ship imported from England. It pays homage to his other love — sailing — and the yacht Columbia that he skippered to victory in the 1958 America’s Cup race.
Watching her friend look around with a mix of reverence and joy, Judy realized, “This wasn’t a showing. It was a reunion. The car, the history, the house, the moment — it all braided together. And I got to be the one who tied the ends.”
… and Chuck, with his classic car.
Because Judy lives in two worlds — real estate and car culture — she knows that a a rare automobile deserves a home worthy of it. A collector deserves spaces that honor their legacy.
And sometimes, she says, “If you’re lucky, a house and a car meet each other again, after decades apart.”
In real estate, she says, “we often talk about numbers — square footage, days on market, comps, cap rates, upgrades.
Judy Szablak
“But behind every home is a human story waiting to be honored. Behind every collector car is a lifetime of admiration, mechanics, memories and pride.
“When those worlds intersect, something rare happens. It’s something that can’t be captured on an MLS sheet.
“You can make history feel alive again. You can summon the past into the present. You can give someone a moment they didn’t even know they needed.
“And sometimes, you can make a legendary car feel — just for a second — like it found its way home.”
(“06880” covers the waterfront — and real estate. If you enjoy stories like these — or anything else on our hyper-local blog — please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
Last night — barely 24 hours after a mass shooting at an Australian Hanukkah celebration — Westporters gathered for the first night of the Festival of Lights.
Rabbi Yehuda Kantor told the crowd: “We must not be pulled down — only up. Light your candles to bring warmth to your home, and light to the world.”
Rabbi Yehuda Kantor, with Chabad’s ice menorah. (Hat tip and photo/Matthew Mandell)
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If you hoped for a resolution of the “Blue House” — aka 233 Hillspoint Road — saga by the end of the year: You’ll have to wait (quite a bit) longer.
This is one wish not even Santa can grant.
Any closing or progress on the completion of the years-long eyesore diagonally opposite Old Mill Deli has been postponed again.
The reason: new litigation.
Unknown to either the seller or buyer at the October auction, the underlying borrower filed 4 liens less than 24 hours before the auction.
Two were against Summit Westport LLC, who owned the property. Two were mechanic’s liens against the property.
The lender — GLP 2206 LLC — initiated foreclosure action on December 2, to clear title. Any Stamford-Norwalk court action will happen in 2026.
The primary defendants are Summit Westport, LLC and James Pendry personally.
233 Hillspoint Road, in July. Not much has changed since then — except the weather.
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The Connecticut Department of Transportation hosts a “consulting meeting” on how its plan for the William F. Cribari Bridge will affect the landmark properties of the National Historic Bridge Street District.
The session is this Thursday (December 18, 6 p.m., Town Hall).
The Cribari Bridge is on the National Register of Historic Places. (Photo/Ferdinand Jahnel)
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Westporters were out in droves yesterday, photographing the very New England holiday season-ish snow.
“06880” posted more than a dozen great photos. This one from downtown came in later — and it’s a bit more whimsical than all those shots of back yards, fences and (of course) the Minute Man:
Friday’s first-ever Holiday Craft & Gift Sale at the Westport Senior Center was a hit!. A large crowd enjoyed — and bought — items from local artisans.
Senior Center director Wendy Petty, and her staff and volunteers, organized every detail. It was one more special offering, from a center that continually delivers them, to seniors — and many others too. (Hat tip: Linda Doyle)
The Senior Center welcomes the holidays. (Photo/Ed Simek)
A gentle reminder: As you plan year-end giving, please keep “06880” in mind.
We’re a non-profit dedicating to educating the public and creating community, so all contributions are tax-deductible. Corporate matching grants are welcome too!
You can donate online, or by Venmo, Zelle or old-school check. Click here for details. And thank you!
And finally … on this date in 1893, Antonín Dvořák’s “Symphony No. 9” — the “New World Symphony” — premiered at Carnegie Hall.
(From the blue house to the Cribari Bridge — and everywhere in between — “06880” brings you all the Westport news. And we do it 24/7/365. Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
Basso — the tapas-and-more restaurant that moved to Westport from Norwalk in the middle of the pandemic — is closing.
An email sent yesterday from the Jesup Road spot that replaced Matsu Sushi says: “After nearly 19 wonderful years of serving our community, it is with mixed emotions that we announce the closing of Basso on Thursday, December 18.
“This decision was not made lightly; we have truly cherished every moment shared with you, our loyal guests and friends.
“We want to express our deepest gratitude for your unwavering support, kindness, and the many memories we’ve created together. It has been an honor to be part of your lives—celebrating milestones, hosting your special occasions, and sharing countless meals and conversations.
“As we prepare to close this chapter, we warmly invite you to visit us one last time to reminisce and enjoy your favorite dishes. Thank you for being such an essential part of our story. You will always hold a special place in our hearts.”
I’ve long held a special place in my heart for Basso. The food has been delicious and creative; the hospitality is warm and genuine; the vibe has been great for the town.
Thank you, Renato, Ela, and all who made Basso a favorite destination.
Along with tapas, Basso featured pizzas, from its great wood-fired oven (rear).
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One (restaurant) door closes, and another opens: Westport will soon have another fast-casual, create-your-own-bowl-or-salad dining spot.
Naya arrives Wednesday (December 17), in the Gold’s half of Compo Shopping Center.
The offerings are similar to Sweetgreen, Just Salad, and the very similarly named Cava (click here for the menu). Naya, though, positions itself as “Middle Eastern.”
They’ve got more than a dozen locations in New York City and Long Island. This will be Naya’s second restaurant in Connecticut, after Darien — and its northernmost and easternmost site.
Sticking with today’s food theme, there’s news from Pop-Up Bagels.
Like Basso, they popped up in Westport during the pandemic. In just a few years, Adam Goldberg turned his COVID hobby into a full-blown, award-winning business.
Outlets sprouted in Fairfield, Greenwich and Newtown. Then came New York — a bold (and winning) move — followed by Massachusetts, North Carolina, Florida and California.
The latest Pop-up Bagels is in Portland, Maine. Chip Stephens — a 1973 Staples High School graduate and former Planning & Zoning commissioner, now chief enforcement officer for two Maine towns — spotted this on yesterday’s news:
They’re not stopping now. The next Pop-Up Bagels is planned for Wailea-Makena, Hawaii.
Which means they may need to rethink their motto: “Not famous, but known.”
From coast to coast — and beyond — everyone is learning about (and loving) Pop-Up Bagels.
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Also on the move — though this one is up, not out: a house on Danbury Avenue, near Soundview Drive.
(Photo/Matt Murray)
Like many in the oft-flooded neighborhood, it is being raised to become FEMA-compliant.
Which is a lot better than being razed, to become bigger, taller and broader.
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The first snowfall of the season was perfect: overnight, not overpowering, light and lovely.
Westport celebrated National Wreaths Across America Day yesterday.
VFW Post 399 quartermaster Phil Delgado, Post 399 Auxiliary vice commander Patty Kondub, Joan Polayes, and Scout Troops 39 and 139 honored veterans with a tribute at Assumption Church’s Greens Farms Cemetery.
Post 399 members and volunteers lay remembrance wreaths on over 400 graves. Each wreath symbolized the community’s gratitude, respect and commitment to never forget those who served.
Scouts participating in National Wreaths Across America day (from left): Blake Schuler Ashley Charise, Preston DeRosa, Austin Charise, Will Bernard, Will Manes, Sam Pollack and Alec Mraz. Not pictured: Jacob Luna and Ian Curran.
“A Sherlock Carol” — the family-friendly holiday show written and directed by Mark Shanahan, Westport Country Playhouse artistic director, opened last night for its third annual run there. Click here for tickets, and more information.
The cast of “A Sherlock Carol” takes their bows …
… and writer/director Mark Shanahan is thanked by audience members, after the show. (Photos/Dave Matlow)
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Hanukkah begins tonight, at sundown.
Steve Stein welcomed some early visitors yesterday:
More times than not, I’ve had good interactions with Optimum’s customer service.
Yesterday was one of those “not” times.
The (very) short version: I called the “retention” department to ask for a lower rate. I’ve been a customer since 1993 — I was one of the first dozen or so in Westport to sign up for a cable modem — and this is a ritual I now go through every few months.
The first question — after giving the same information twice, to a bot and a human — was “if we get disconnected, what’s the best callback number?”
(I’ve always found it odd that a company that provides phone service worries about disconnected calls, but whatever.)
I provided my cell number. She read it back to me. On we went.
She spent 15 minutes (supposedly) researching the best retention option. I’m sure she was juggling 3 or 4 other calls at the same time.
Then we got disconnected.
I expected a call back.
It never came.
I finally called again. This time, the customer service representative may have asked again for a callback number. I could not tell though, because whatever language he was speaking, it was not English.
Finally — a full 1 hour and 12 minutes after I began — I got a (middling) retention offer. I’m saving about $30 a month, and will have to go through the same dance again next year.
Was it worth it? I bill my writing clients $200 an hour, so 12 months to save $360 is a bit of a savings.
Weighing in the agita factor, though … probably not.
PS: If anyone at Cablevision is reading this and wants to contact me — well, someone there has my number.
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Years ago, the group below would spend weekday mornings teaching, writing lesson plans, meeting with students, and dealing with administrators and parents.
These days, they do none of that.
And every so often, these ROMEOs — Retired Old Men Eating Out, all of whom spend decades in the Westport schools — get together for breakfast at the Monroe Diner.
How many can you name? Answers below the photo.
From left: Jim Wheeler, Al Jolley, Jim Honeycutt, Bruce McFadden, Toby Watson, Steve Rexford, Bob Selverstone, Werner Liepolt, Ed Bludnicki, Pete Van Hagen, Stan Rhodes.
Yesterday’ Roundup story on the Eartha Kitt/”Santa Baby” composer connection left out one key detail: That it happened at WEST, the Post Road East store owned by the singer’s daughter, Kitt Shapiro.
Here it is again. Hopefully it makes more sense this time:
More than 70 years after its release, “Santa Baby” remains one of the most popular Christmas songs of all time.
Eartha Kitt sang it in 1953. She later moved to Weston, where she died of colon cancer on — coincidentally — Christmas Day, in 2008.
Her daughter Kitt Shapiro now owns WEST, a very popular women’s shop, on Post Road East.
An older woman came into the store on Thursday. Her name was Joan Javits — and she co-wrote “Santa Baby,” all those years ago. (She’s 97 years old — though she sure doesn’t look it!)
Kitt Shapiro and Joan Javits, at WEST.
It may not be the Christmas miracle of 2,000 years ago.
But it’s still pretty amazing.
PS: Among the lyrics Eartha Kitt sang were:
Come and trim my Christmas tree
With some decorations bought at Tiffany’s.
I wonder if after leaving WEST, Joan Javits crossed the street and walked a few yards west.
To buy some decorations at — you know the rest.
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Nancy Vener was up early yesterday. She photographed the fiery sunrise over Burritt Cove, for today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature:
And finally … to all the customer service agents at Optimum (story above):
(Your favorite restaurant may be closing. Your internet service provider may drop your call. But “06880” will always be here for you — so long as you click here to support our work. Thanks!)
A decade and a half after it was first proposed, a 2-story office building will be built at 715 Post Road East.
That means the towering log pile on the 1/3-acre site — across Roseville Road from McDonald’s — will finally be gone. The target date for removal is 3 months. The building is expected to open, for medical and other uses, in a year.
The Planning & Zoning Commission approved the office plan — finally — on Monday. The vote was 6-1, with Michael Calise dissenting.
Westport-based national journalists Alisyn Camerota and Dave Briggs have done some great interviews on their “Sanity” podcast. They’ve asked tough questions of figures like Senator Richard Blumenthal and (former Westporter) James Comey.
Their most recent interview may be their deepest and most insightful yet.
Our Congressman — Jim Himes — is the ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee. He’s one of the few people on Capitol Hill (or anywhere) to have seen the full video of the US military’s twin strikes on suspected Venezuelan drug dealers’ boats.
For half an hour, Himes spoke about the video (“it made me nauseous”), Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, the 53% of Americans who approve of killing suspected drug dealers, along with other subjects like his colleague, Marjorie Taylor Greene.
Click here or below for the full, fascinating interview.
The Residence at Westport invites Westport residents — and everyone else – to today’s Holiday Pop-Up Shop (Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., 1141 Post Road East).
Local artisans will sell handmade works, including jewelry, pottery and gifts.
The Residence at Westport
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Army and Navy may no longer be at the top of the college football heap.
But there’s still plenty of interest, when the military academies meet.
They kick off for the 126th time this Saturday (3 p.m.). And what better place to watch than VFW Post 399?
There’s a party there (465 Riverside Avenue), beginning at 2 p.m.
Everyone is invited. But if you’re a veteran (or active duty): Wear something that lets everyone know which team is yours.
Roni Goldberg — the new executive director of A Better Chance of Westport — spoke to the Westport Rotary Club on Tuesday.
Since 2002, the organization has provided outstanding and academically-gifted young men of color a home, and other support services, while they attend Staples High School.
The community has gotten behind the local chapter of the national ABC program — and the dozens of teenage scholars have given back plenty to our town.
Roni Goldberg, ABC executive director, at the Westport Rotary Club. (Hat tip and photo/Dave Matlow)
Westport Police made 2 custodial arrests between December 3 and 9.
A 69-year-old Bridgeport man was charged with criminal mischief and intimidation based on bigotry, after an investigation into vandalism at the former Westport National Bank building. A large symbol, described as a Star of David combined with a swastika, was drawn in blue paint. Identical symbols were painted on other structures in the area. He was unable to post a $75,000 bond.
A 30-year-old Westport woman was charged with risk of injury to a minor, after signs of injury were observed by school staff on a juvenile student. She was released on a $50,000 bond.
Westport Police also issued these citations:
Texting while driving: 5 citations
Traveling unreasonably fast: 4
Failure to renew registration: 3
Speeding in a school zone: 2
Distracted driving: 2
Assault: 1
Breach of peace: 1
Speeding in a school zone (2nd offense): 1
Speeding: 1
Operating a motor vehicle under suspension: 1
Operating a motor vehicle without a license: 1
Failure to obey stop sign: 1
Improper turns: 1
Failure to obey state traffic control signals: 1
Failure to obey state traffic commission regulations: 1
And finally … on this date in 1913, the Mona Lisa was recovered in Florence, Italy. Leonardo da Vinci’s famed painting had been stolen more than 2 yeares earlier, from the Louvre.
(“06880” is where Westport meets the world — from Jim Himes to the Mona Lisa. If you enjoy these daily Roundups — or any other feature of our blog — please click here to support our work. Thanks!)
Fred Cantor was a longtime Westporter. The 1971 Staples High School graduate still feels connected to this town — and our blog. Fred writes:
My wife Debbie and I are moving soon for health-related reasons from Oronoque Village, a senior community in Stratford, to a senior community in Southern California.
So we made a visit to Westport. We stopped by my childhood home on Easton Road — where Debbie and I got married in a small family ceremony in 1982 — and the home on Drumlin Road where we lived for 22 years.
Fred Cantor’s childhood home on Easton Road …
Both houses epitomized the era they were built: the 1950s. The Easton Road home was roughly 1,850 square feet. The Drumlin one was approximately 1050 square feet.
I am fortunate in that, in contrast to many childhood friends, stopping by my old stomping grounds feels almost like a step back in time. Neither home became a “Teardown of the Day.”
… and Drumlin Road, where he and Debbie lived for 22 years.
So being back there triggers a variety of memories.
But in going back, it’s not just the memories of family — many of whom are gone now — that make these places feel special.
I realize too what will always make Westport feel like my hometown are the wonderful neighbors and friends from the times I lived in these houses.
We sold our Drumlin home privately to a friend and former neighbor who was looking to return — and Debbie and I are so glad we did. Cheryl enjoys the home every bit as much as we did, and has put such loving care into the property.
When Debbie and I approached our former longtime home Cheryl, in her 60s, was out in the yard cutting the grass and mulching leaves with her very quiet electric mower. Gotta love that.
And seeing our former Drumlin neighbor, the beloved Staples teacher and administrator Gordon Hall, to wish him an early happy 98th birthday brought back memories of the various kind things he and his wife Dot — and several other Drumlin neighbors as well — did for us over the years.
This visit came not long after attending the boys soccer FCIAC championship match in Fairfield. I sat near my former Staples coach, Jeff Lea, former teammate Jim Bacharach, and other Staples soccer alums. This was accompanied by a flood of emails with former Staples teammates during the remarkable postseason run by the 2025 squad.
These combined experiences reinforced the feeling that there have indeed been a number of terrific friends and neighbors over the years who helped make Westport seem like I was living the story in “It’s A Wonderful Life.”
So here’s a farewell toast to all of those people who made me feel lucky to have lived for decades in such friendly and supportive small-town surroundings.
Fred Cantor and Debbie Silberstein wave goodbye. (Photo/Tracy McIntosh)
1st Selectman Kevin Christie says: Westport will soon complete its state-mandated property revaluation. Connecticut law requires all municipalities to conduct a revaluation every 5 years.
Property owners will receive updated assessment notices by mail on or about December 8. They reflect assessed values as of October 1, based on field reviews and sales analysis completed by the Assessor’s Office and Vision Government Solutions. Assessed value is 70% of fair market value.
Residential values have risen sharply since the October 2020 revaluation. Estimates indicate an average increase of about 61% for residential properties, and about 17% for commercial properties. Individual assessments will vary.
A higher assessment does not mean your taxes will rise by the same amount.
A change in your assessment is only part of how property taxes are calculated. When the overall Grand List increases, the mill rate typically decreases (all else being equal). Any change to your tax bill will depend on how your new assessment compares to others in town, and on the Town’s approved budget in spring 2026.
Updated property data and values will be available online once notices are sent.
Property owners who believe information about their property is incorrect, or who would like to discuss their valuation, can request an appointment with Vision later in December.
Appeal applications to the Board of Assessment Appeals will be available after the Grand List is signed. They must be filed by February 20, 2026.
Main Street may soon have a new casual dining space.
159 Main Street — occupied most recently by a deli with that name; before that, Rye Ridge and, most famously for decades, Oscar’s — will be the site of Luya.
Westport Journal reported today that the family spot — with smoothies, along with healthy and diner food — is the third project for Ciara Webster, Patrick Jean and Zoli Kovacs.
They are the owner, general manager and chef of Nômade, across the street from Luya.
The trio are also partners in Anan. The French-Vietnamese restaurant — on the site of the former 190 Main — also hopes for a spring opening.
Long-time Westporters remember 159 Main Street as Oscar’s Deli. (Photo/Andrew Colabella)
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On Wednesday, Playbill posted a long, intriguing story about the 6 actors who play the lead role every night in “Masquerade,” the innovative, immersive staging of “Phantom of the Opera.”
One of the six — Staples High School graduate Clay Singer — is one of the youngest to play the Phantom ever, anywhere.
His insights into his character — how he prepared for it, how he plays it — are well worth reading.
But the piece is notable for something else: homages by the actors to Kevin Gray. Broadway’s first-ever Asian American Phantom in 1990 has the same roots as Singer. Gray graduated from Staples in 1976. Both Westport Phantoms were Staples Players stars.
Gray died of a heart attack, at just 55 years old, in 2013 — just 4 months before Singer graduated from Staples.
Westport art teachers are superb educators. From elementary through middle and high school they instruct, encourage and inspire students to express themselves creatively and fully.
But those teachers are superb artists themselves.
Now through January 3rd, they’ve got a showcase for their own work.
One River School’s Westport Art Teacher Exhibition provides a special opportunity to see the personal and professional sides — and the wide range of mediums and styles — of Mark Derosa, Cecily Cowburn Anderson, Stephanie Sileo, Angela Simpson, Paula Morgan, Timothy Soper and Danilo Sierra-Giraldo.
A reception is set for December 18 (5 to 7 p.m., 833 Post Road East). The public — including students — are invited to check out this other perspective on Westport’s art teachers.
Part of the Westport Art Teacher Exhibition, at One River Gallery.
Speaking of art: The Artists Collective of Westport’s 12×12 Holiday Exhibit runs December 17 -21, from noon to 4 p.m. at the Westport Country Playhouse barn. The opening reception (December 16, 6 to 8 p.m.) features food, beverages, and music by Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Mark Naftalin (Paul Butterfield Blues Band).
All works are 12×12. And all are for sale, just in time for the holidays.
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We’re just one day away from the Westport Downtown Association/”06880″ Holiday Stroll.
And merchants keep signing up for giveaways and promotions.
The latest is Chocolatieree. The Church Lane shop offers “blissfully toasted and gooey s’moresticks,” with every purchase of at least $20.
That — and 60 other specials — are part of tomorrow’s (Saturday) Stroll. Some are available only during the Stroll itself (4 to 7 p.m.); others run all day. Click here, then scroll down for the full list.
Among the attractions at the 5th annual Holiday Stroll: caroling with the Staples Orphenians, selfies with Santa and Westport’s favorite piglet, thanks to Riverside Realty Group (plus the brand-new downtown clock), face painting, a DJ, a “letters to Santa” mailbox, and much more.
The Staples Orphenians are a Holiday Stroll favorite. (Photo/Dan Woog)
See you at the Stroll!
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As the weather gets cold, Earthplace heats up. On tap this month:
Winged Wonders (Sunday, December 7, 1 to 1:30 p.m.; free with admission): Experience birds of prey outside their enclosures, in a bird-on-glove demonstration.
Kids’ Night Out (December 12, 6 to 9 p.m., ages 4-13; $50 members, $60 non-members): A nature-themed evening, including a winter-themed movie, popcorn, and a special treat from Bartaco
Winter Solstice Campfire (December 21, 1 to 2:30 p.m.; member families $25, non-member families $35): Celebrate the days getting longer with s’mores, a craft project, and a roaring fire.
Also: Drop-off programs — with immersive, nature-based experiences — begin January 6:
Free-Range Homeschoolers (Wednesdays, 1 to 3p.m., ages 4-11)
Lil’ Naturalists (Wednesdays, 4 to 5 p.m., grades K-2)
Nature Art Club (Thursdays, 4 to 5 p.m.,. grades 3-6)
Junior Staff (Fridays, 4 to 5 p.m., grades 6-12_
Animal Care Crew (Tuesdays, 4 to 5 p.m., grades 6-12).
Speaking of Earthplace: They just received a $162,600, from the Long Island Sound Futures Fund.
The grant will help provide watershed science programs for high school and college students. The total amount of the project $243,900. (Hat tip: Peter Gold)
Staples High School’s November Students of the Month are seniors Jennifer Londono and Avery Michalowski, Jaicelynn Denny and Elias Ramos, sophomores Lucy Bughman and Noa Katz, and freshmen Max Landau and Blake Serotta.
Students of the Month are “the ‘glue’ of the Staples community: kind, cheerful, hard-working, trustworthy students (who make it) the special place it is.” Nominations are made by teachers.
From left: Blake Serotta, Avery Michalowski, Jaicelynn Denny, Lucy Bughman, Noa Katz, Elias Ramos.
Westport resident Julie Parillo died in her sleep yesterday. She was 65 years old.
A 1978 graduate of CVA in Norwalk, Julie began her career at Deluxe Check Printers in Norwalk before moving to New Jersey, where she worked for One Call Medical.
Julie loved all creatures, especially her dogs Reba and Brandy. She was a kind and gentle soul who treasured time spent with her family and with her best friend, Teresa Smith.
She is survived by her mother Arlyne, brother Peter (Dana) Parillo, niece Jessica, nephew Dan, close cousin Pamela Mahon, and several other cousins. Her best friend was Teresa Smith. She was predeceased by her brother, Michael Parillo.
A funeral is set for December 9 (10 a.m., Harding Funeral Home). Interment will follow at Willowbrook Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Connecticut Humane Society, 701 Russell Road, Newington, CT 06111.
Julie Parillo
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Every full moon draws “06880” photographers.
It’s tough to choose. But this shot by Rick Benson — overlooking Old Mill Beach, at very low tide — works especially well for today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature.
And finally … Steve Cropper — who the New York Times calls “the prodigious guitarist, songwriter and producer who played a pivotal role in shaping the lean gutbucket soul music made at Memphis’s Stax Records in the 1960s and ’70s,” died Wednesday in Nashville. He was 84.
Casual music fans may not have known his name. But nearly everyone knows his work: the “snarling Fender Telecaster lick” on Booker T & the MGs’ “Green Onions”; the “ringing guitar figure” that opened Sam & Dave’s “Soul Man,” and the “bell-toned guitar work” on Otis Redding’s “(Sittin’ on) The Dock of the Bay” (which he co-wrote). He later worked with the Blues Brothers.
In 2015 he was ranked 39th on Rolling Stone‘s list of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time. In 1996, Mojo had him second — behind only Jimi Hendrix.
The Times notes, “the original MG’s lineup, with both Black and white members (Mr. Cropper was white), helped integrate Stax at a time when the four men would not have been permitted to appear on a public bandstand together in the segregated South.” Click here for the full Times obituary.)
Staples High School graduate Roger Kaufman — a musician and events producer with Old School Music — knew Cropper. Kaufman urged him to donate the guitar he played on “Dock of the Bay” to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.
On December 1, 2016 — almost exactly 9 years ago — there was a special ceremony there. In attendance were Booker T. Jones, Sam Moore, Eddie Floyd, and members of the Otis Redding, Rufus Thomas and Isaac Hayes families. Cropper and his band played many of their greatest hits.
Then the guitar went on display — right next to Judy Garland’s “Wizard of Oz” slippers.
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