The other day, “06880” profiled Ali Dorfman. The “College Concierge” offers everything from admissions consultants, essay coaches and test prep companies to college gifts, swag and dorm décor — plus tips and tricks on how to eat healthfully, and the best places to stay while visiting college campuses.
But before college, another rite of passage cries out for a concierge: summer camp.
That niche too is filled. And like Dorfman, the Camp Concierge is based in Westport.
Actually, the concierge is 2 women: Randi Nazem and Bianca Jonas.
Their first venture began 10 years ago, when they lived in New York. OhSpitBaby sold monogrammed baby gifts.
Since then, Randi and Bianca moved to Westport. They rebranded their business as BRGifts2.
And they pivoted to sleepaway camps.
Randi Nazem (left) and Bianca Jonas help parents pack for camp.
They realized no one was providing one-stop shopping for camp items, tips, custom camp clothing and swag, and everything else campers (and their parents) needed.
The camp concierges meet locally with clients — or virtually, if they’re not in the area.
Randi and Bianca take and fulfill orders, and distribute them locally. They also ship nationwide.
Camp swag for a girl …
In April, an overwhelmed first-time camp mom asked if they would pack for her child, headed to Maine. The concierges quickly added that service to their list.
Two packers will travel to clients’ homes in the tri-state area, to pack trunks. They bring their own labels, bubble wrap, tape, and personalized packing cubes. It takes around 4 hours per camper.
A grateful parent said, “I had all the stuff, but nothing was organized. I needed help editing down. Randi and Bianca came all the way from Westport to the city. They took care of everything my 9-year-old will need, for the best summer of her life.”
… and boy.
It may be too late to use Randi and Bianca’s packing service this year. But you can still book the camp concierges.
They are happy to fill candy treat custom boxes for the long bus ride to camp, along with boxes that parents can bring on visiting day.
Who knows what’s next? Hey — maybe they can write a letter a day to your kid from you!
(To learn more, email brgifts2@gmail.com. Their Instagram is @brgifts2.)
(As soon as your kid heads off to camp — with help from the Camp Concierge — you’ll have some free time. You can fill a minute of it by clicking here, to support “06880.” Then you can really smile!)
Staples High School’s Class of 2024 graduated tonight.
The 137th commencement in the school’s history — held for the 3rd year in a row on the football field, and for the 3rd straight year under cool, sunny skies — featured the traditional processional, remarks from the valedictorian and salutatorian, awarding of diplomas to 426 seniors, and recessional.
Principal Stafford Thomas (left) and vice principal James Farnen lead the faculty onto the football field. Farnen is the proud father of Jack, a graduating senior.
New this year: recognition of the 5 students entering the military. They received hearty applause, when introduced by principal Stafford Thomas.
Here’s the first set of photos. More will follow tomorrow.
“06880” interns Talia Varsano (left) and Jolie Gefen are, as usual, all smiles.
Director Lauren Pine (left) leads the Choralaires in “The Road Home.” Senior Rohan Wadhwani delivered a rousing solo.
Board of Education, school district and town officials …
… and Staples faculty.
Valedictorian Leigh Foran.
Salutatorian Andrew Berkowitz.
Gavin Zahler (left) is headed to the Marine Corps. Cade McGrath will join the Navy.
Graduates receive their diplomas …
… and pose proudly.
Congratulations, to the Staples High School Class of 2024! (All photos/Dan Woog)
Tomorrow, Jolie Gefen graduates from Staples High School.
One of 2 “06880” interns this spring, she helped develop our new “Teens & Tweens” series, giving Westport’s youth a voice on our blog.
Jolie kicks things off today, writing honestly and impactfully about her time in high school. Please share her words with the young people in your life.
According to Google, optimism is “hopefulness and confidence about the future or the successful outcome of something.”
Jolie Gefen
As a moody high schooler undergoing all kinds of stress and drama, the idea of optimism did not come easily to me. As I anticipate graduating on Monday, I reflect on my past 4 years, and now know much more than I did as a freshman.
I wish I had prioritized keeping an open mind and staying positive.
As most of us know very well, Staples fosters an extremely competitive environment. At times, the constant stress and competition I forced myself to undergo and experience over simple assignments was far too overwhelming.
I also often kept a closed mind about taking classes outside of my comfort zone or in subjects I had yet to partake in. I deeply regret that, but I have also learned from it.
High school is a time to learn what kinds of things interest a person, and I feel I neglected to do so. It’s imperative to take advantage of the many avenues Staples offers us and to ignore anyone suggesting that the classes you take have to align with what you may pursue in college, as it is simply not true.
When it came to the topic of college, my situation also was very close-minded and pessimistic. All my life I have had one dream school. This school was pretty much do or die for me, and I made myself feel that my worth and value as a person and student relied on getting accepted by this college.
I constantly doubted my ability of success, and became frantic over each imperfect grade as it could have hurt my chances of acceptance.
I implore future seniors about to embark on this long journey to stay optimistic throughout the process, and maintain faith in yourself. You will end up where you need to be, and at the end of the day, a college does not define you.
One of the biggest regrets I have to this day is how narrow-minded I was regarding friends. Until senior year, I had failed to reach out to new people or be open to becoming friends with some people because of preconceived notions in my head. Right before senior year, however, I joined a big group of amazing girls and found my best friends.
Jolie Gefen and friends.
Although it’s impossible to know it will work out until you’re on the other side of things, I really wish I had just kept an open mind to everyone around me. The people I am closest to today are people I hadn’t even ever talked to a year ago. Things really do have a way of working out, and I believe I am living proof.
I know it’s all easier said than done, but I truly hope anyone reading this who may feel the same as I did when it came to classes, college or friends hears me when I say that keeping an open, positive mind is key. When things are tough, try your hardest to find the silver linings and stay optimistic.
When things are great, savor every moment.
I have learned that high school is truly what you make of it.
(“Teens & Tweens” is an open forum for Westport students. You can write about anything: good or bad, happy or sad, your passions and dreams, your thoughts about your life and community. You can use your name, or be anonymous. You can also submit artwork, videos or other media. If interested, email 06880blog@gmail.com.)
At the beginning of last night’s Staples High School Pops Concert at the Levitt Pavilion, emcee David Pogue made a joke about the number of times the concert has been moved inside due to rain and wildfire smoke — or canceled, because of COVID.
This time the skies were clear, the temperature perfect.
Suddenly — just a few minutes into the show — a fierce wind blew in.
Music sheets scattered. Banners flapped. It looked like an unexpected weather event would ruin the evening.
Suddenly, all was calm again. The “wind ensemble” left. The show went on … beautifully.
The Staples music department’s gift to the town showed off all the performing groups: the Symphonic Band and Orchestra, Choralaires, Orphenians, Jazz Ensemble, and several small ensembles.
The program ranged from Blood Sweat & Tears to Glen Campbell; Björk to the Beatles; Simon & Garfunkel to Freddie Mercury and Queen.
In less than a decade, the Pops Concert has become a cherished Westport tradition. It is entertaining, fun — and very, very professional.
Our Staples instructors and musicians are outstanding. The standing ovations they got were well-deserved.
And the rainbow over the stage made the night even more perfect.
Rainbow over the Levitt Pavilion. (Photo/Harris Falk)
Three groups performed before the show. Seamus Brannigan plays drums on “Ventura Highway.”
The Choralaires sing the national anthem. This is Lauren Pine’s first Pops Concert, as Staples’ new choral director.
The final performance for Phil Giampietro (left), Staples’ highly regarded band and jazz ensemble director. He’s leaving for Hall High-West Hartford, closer to his home in Cheshire and where he will remake their program. Gregg Winters (right) teaches band at Bedford Middle School, and jazz workshop at Staples.
Andrew Maskoff (keyboard) and Rohan Wadhwani (vocals) lead the Jazz Ensemble in “Spinning Wheel.”
Musicians look to the sky, as strong winds blow in.
Curtis Sullivan, Ethan Walmark, Henry Carson and Rohan Wadhwani harmonize on “Crazy Little Thing Called Love.”
Eva Slossberg (2nd from left) wowed the crowed with her vocals on “Would That I.” She was accompanied by (from left) pianist Andrew Maskoff, and cellists Ellia Tobben and Kai Seo. Missing is cellist Shivali Kanthan. (Contributed photo)
The full Symphonic Orchestra, Band and Choralaires close the show with a rousing “Bohemian Rhapsody.” (All photos/Dan Woog unless otherwise noted)
The annual event — organized by the Westport Police Athletic League and Parks & Recreation Department, and sponsored once again by longtime Westport residents/Staples High School graduates Melissa and Doug Bernstein — is Tuesday, July 2.
Tickets to the fireworks — shot from a barge in Long Island Sound, and the culmination of a day of picnics, parties and fun all along Compo Beach — are available in the front lobbies of both the Westport Police Department on Jesup Road, and the Parks & Rec Office in Longshore Club Park, near the first tee.
Tickets ($50 per car) allow entrance into the Compo parking lots. They are on sale 24/7 at the police station now, and during business hours at Parks & Rec (starting June 1). All sales are cash or check; no credit cards.
Proceeds from the fireworks help fund PAL operating expenses. The organization serves thousands of youngsters each year, through sports programs and scholarships. PAL also runs the ice skating rink at Longshore.
Doug Bernstein (5th from left) hands Police Chief Foti Koskinas the ceremonial first fireworks ticket yesterday. Also on hand (from left): Parks & Rec operations director Carmen Roda, 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker, PAL president Craig Bergamo, Melissa Bernstein, Parks & Rec interim director Rick Giunta and Lieut. Matthew Gouveia. (Photo/Dan Woog)
This afternoon (Friday), Westport Police officers will carry the Flame of Hope through town, in support of Special Olympics of Connecticut.
Norwalk Police will hand off the Flame at the Westport/Norwalk town line on Route 1 (Post Road West) at approximately 12:00 p.m.
Westport officers will carry the torch along the Post Road, and pass it off to Fairfield police at the Fairfield border.
Police will escort the torch through town. Residents are encouraged to watch and support this great cause.
The Special Olympics torch run last year: Post Road at the Sherwood Island Connector. (Photo/Dan Woog)
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Dunville’s — the 40-plus-year-old hangout in the heart of Saugatuck — celebrated its grand re-opening last night.
The restaurant/bar is now called Little Pub @ Dunville’s. Doug Grabe — the owner of the local chain — is keeping the name and vibe of the well-loved local institution. It’s open 7 days a week, for lunch and dinner.
Cutting the ceremonial ribbon (actually a caution tape) last night, from row from left: RTM member Sal Liccione, Planning & Zoning chair Paul Lebowitz, selectwomen Jen Tooke and Candice Savin, State Senator Ceci Maher, RTM member Matthew Mandell, owner Doug Grabe. Rear: RTM member Andrew Colabella, State Representative Jonathan Steinberg, RTM member Andrew Bloom.
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As graduation nears, every night brings a different celebration.
All are special. But the High Honors dinner at Staples last night was particularly meaningful.
Twenty students — the top 4% of the Class of 2024 — were honored for their achievements.
Each invited one teacher or counselor. Each educator spoke for a few minutes about “their” student.
Bonds between the teachers and teenagers were strong and deep. A wide variety of disciplines was represented: English, social studies, science, math and music.
There were stories of STEM students who found loves for literature and government; of conversations about life before and after school that transcended classrooms; of challenges made and surpassed.
Each student thanked their teachers — and their parents — for getting them where they are today.
There are many reasons to be fearful about the future of our world. Last night offered 21 reasons to be very, very optimistic.
The High Honors students were Kathryn Asiel, Emerson Briggs, Coco Crombie, Gabriela de Brito, Eitan Eiger, Dylan Fiore, Peter Loranger, Defne Merih, Neva Mermagen, Connor Ng, Ellen Ou, Mabel Propper, Jeremy Rosenkranz, Jameson Russell, Kaitlyn Seo, Elizabeth Turner, Darren Weng, Gabriel Weng, valedictorian Leigh Foran and salutatorian Andrew Berkowitz.
The teachers and staff members they honored were Rasha Tarek, Will Jones, Deborah Slocum, Noreen McGoldrick, Robert Shamberg, Alexandra McHale, Michael Mezzo, Maxim Kolb, Heather Wirkus, Ann Neary, Jon Shepro, Dominick Messina, Heather Colletti-Houde, Joe Barahona and Brian Tippy.
Staples High School’s 2024 High Honors graduates-to-be.
Sorelle Gallery’s new exhibition, “Summer Crush,” showcases original paintings by artists who draw inspiration from water and the coast in a wide variety of styles, from abstract to hyper-realistic.
The exhibition opens on June 15, 2024, with a reception from 2-4 p.m.
An artists’ talk and Q-and-A at 2:30 features Julia Contacessi, Kelly Rossetti, Nealy Hauschildt and Tony Iadicicco. Light refreshments with a summer rosé will be served.
The show runs through July 6. For more information, click here.
“Summer Crush” at Sorelle Gallery.
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Carl Addison Swanson has seen plenty of violations of this rule.
He reminds “06880” readers: If you raise your hand to traffic at a crosswalk, you have the right of the way.
Drivers: Stop for pedestrians who raise their hands at crosswalks.
But pedestrians: Look both ways, to make sure those drivers have stopped!
Stop for pedestrians!
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Have you seen today’s “Westport … Naturally” deer?
Richard Fogel has. And, he says of this one — seen here at the corner of East Main Street and Whitney Road Extension — it is “a family pet. Crazy. You can walk up and touch it.”
And finally … today is the final day of National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month.
(“06880” is your place for hyper-local news, 24/7/365. Every day, we rely on reader support. To make a tax-deductible contribution, please click here. Thank you!)
When she entered Staples High School 2 years ago as a sophomore, after 6 years in Europe, Kylie Kirkham was overwhelmed with choices.
What courses to take? What clubs to get involved with? How could she choose, and who could help her make those decisions?
She settled on Chemistry as one option, and realized she liked science. She volunteered in the Norwalk Hospital discharge lounge, and took the rigorous Westport Volunteer Emergency Medical Service course. She hopes to pursue a pre-med track in college.
Staples High School science options. Electives include astronomy, biotechnology, 3D engineering, environmental science, animal behavior, horticulture, marine biology, aerospace, science research and much more.
Kylie does not have a lot of spare time. But she wanted to pay what she learned forward, to help younger students make sense of the sometimes overwhelming array of Staples requirements, prerequisites — and wonderful possibilities.
She formed a club called SciMentors. The goal was to help middle school students understand what their high school science future could look like.
The other day her club held their first SPRKS fair, at Bedford Middle School.
The acronym means Students Pursuing Real-world Knowledge of Science. It was interactive, engaging, and a great success.
Leearning about blood pressure, at the SciMentors event.
Nearly 3 dozen youngsters, and their parents, learned about Staples science — and built connections with students in those courses.
Club members created displays, showing off different areas of science. Some offered activities; others performed experiments, had trivia games, or demonstrated equipment.
One exhibit at the SPRKS fair.
Then came speakers. Staples biology and forensics teacher Heather Wirkus talked about course selection and research opportunities. Westport Volunteer EMS president Michael Burns related his experiences.
Nurse Cristin Ronca discussed work/life balance.
A panel of Staples students then answered questions.
Kylie was excited to see students taking writing in notebooks her club had created, and paid for through fundraising.
And everyone enjoyed treats, courtesy of Popup Bagels.
Participants at the SPRKS fair (from left): Isla Goldberg, SciMentors vice president; Heather Wikus, Staples science teacher; Kylie Kirkham, founder and president); Sophie Statkiewicz, vice president; Michael Burns, WVEMS president; Cristin Ronca, nurse.
Kylie will graduate next year. But she wants SciMentors to continue for years. She is now mentoring the next generation of leaders.
Soon, she hopes, some of the students who were at this year’s inaugural SPRKS fair will pass on their Staples knowledge to those who follow them.
No one can predict how any science experiment will turn out. But — thanks to Kylie Kirkham and her club — the chances of success for this one are sky-high.
One task of the Historic District Commission is to “take such action as the meeting may determine to oppose the issuance” of demolition permits, and “require the full 180-day delay,” of homes more than 50 years old.
The idea is to allow time for alternate plans to be developed.
That rarely happens. Whether immediately or after 180 days, developers almost always demolish.
Next Tuesday’s HDC meeting (7 p.m., Zoom) includes an especially large number of “delay” requests.
The first is for 125 Riverside — the Coley-Crossman home diagonally across from Assumption Church.
The others are:
2 Windy Hill Road
10 Bauer Place
32 Webb Road
21 Long Lots Lane
158 Compo Road North
159 Easton Road
33 Oak Street
20 Blue Ribbon Drive
35 Evergreen Parkway.
125 Riverside Avenue
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“06880”‘s newest feature wants to hear from any and all Westport “teens and tweens.”
This is your chance to share your thoughts, ideas and insights with our world.
Every kind of experience is welcome: good or bad, happy or sad. You can talk about local issues: what’s going on at school, with your sports or arts or other activities, the skate park, Community Gardens, downtown or anything else.
You can talk about what you love about Westport. Or what you hate.
You can talk about bigger issues: how the debate over Israel and Gaza affects you. What the upcoming election means to you — or why you don’t care. Ditto for climate change.
And you don’t have to limit yourself to writing. If you feel more comfortable expressing yourself through a video, podcast, music or art — send it along.
All submissions, in all mediums and styles, are welcome.
If you’d like your name used with your submission: great! If you prefer anonymity: also great! Just let us know.
The goal is to get your voice heard.
To start, click here; then fill out the short form. We’ll take it from there.
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Tammy Barry had a great experience yesterday, at the Greens Farms post office.
There were no $1 stamps available. So Paul helped her place 3 stamps each, on all of her daughter’s wedding invitations.
Then he hand-stamped them all, preventing them from any possible damage in the machine.
In addition, Tammy says, “he was so friendly with all the patrons. He called many of them by their first names.
“His frequent saying is ‘I got you!’ He’s the best!”
Their loyal customers will probably kill me (and Tammy) for revealing the secret, but the Greens Farms post office is a great alternative to the downtown one.
There’s seldom a line. And always a parking spot.
Paul (right) and colleague Frank, at the Greens Farms post office. (Photo/Tammy Barry)
Karen Mather had a great experience yesterday too.
It did not start out that way, though.
Driving down Greens Farms Road, she saw a adorable — but listless — baby raccoon, perilously close to the street.
She called Westport Animal Control (203-341-5076). Officer Peter Reid arrived quickly.
He told Karen that the mother had most likely been killed; the baby was looking for her.
Fortunately, Peter said, the little critter was just very hungry. It could be saved at Wildlife in Crisis in Weston — where his wife volunteers.
He brought it right over.
The non-profit facility accepts over 5,000 wounded, ill and orphaned animals each year. The goal is to heal them, then return them to their natural habitats.
Who you gonna call if you see a creature needing help? Westport Animal Control or Wildlife in Crisis.
They’re both local life-savers.
Peter Reid, saving a raccoon.
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Rhone — the men’s clothing store on Main Street and a longtime champion of mental fitness — is hosting an evening dedicated to the topic.
Tomorrow’s event (Thursday, May 30, Westport Woman’s Club, 5:30 to 8 p.m.) includes inspirational speakers, a silent auction, and a “Mind & Muscle” experience led by Eric Johnson. It combines dynamic workouts with mental health discussions, combining physical and mental well-being.
Speakers will share personal reflections of recovery, suicide prevention, and the importance of mental health,
Rhone co-founder and CEO Nate Checketts will deliver the keynote. Other speakers include professional trainer Zac Clark (“Bachelorette” contestant and Scarlett Johansson trainer), and Staples High School boys basketball coach Dave Goldshore.
All proceeds from ticket sales and the silent auction will go to Positive Directions. In addition, a generous donor will match funds up to $15,000.
There’s more: Rhone will donate 10% of proceeds from all purchases between May 31 and June 2 to Positive Directions.
Click here for tickets, and more information. Click here to bid on silent auction items.
“Art in Bloom” — a celebration of the Westport Public Art Collections, with drinks, light bites, art sales, a silent art auction, and a special exhibit of flower-themed works — is set for June 6 (7 to 9 p.m., Westport Woman’s Club).
This is the first fundraiser for Friends of WestPAC is 5 years. They welcome old and new friends, to ensure the continued growth, care, display and educational uses of the collections. Works are exhibited in public building throughout town, including schools, Town Hall, and municipal offices.
Artists include: Shirley Black, Paul Camacho, Leonard Everett Fisher, Hardie Gramatky, Clement Kamena, Lisa Daugherty, Jak Kovatch, Philippe Lejeune, Estelle Margolis, John Mavroudis, Howard Munce, Susan Malloy, Fred Otnes, Nancy Reinker, Walter Dubois Richards, Barbara Rothenberg, and others.
Those are some great names. Their work is varied, and outstanding.
Click here for tickets, sponsorship information, and donations.
Staples High School Class of 1997 graduate Lisa Marie Giallanza Sweeting died peacefully of natural causes at Danbury Hospital earlier this month. She was 45.
Her family moved to Westport from Georgia in 1983. Lisa began playing the violin in 4th grade. She played in the orchestra and sang in the choir at Staples.
She graduated from Arizona State University with a BA in broadcast management.
Lisa was the regional president of the MOMS club (Moms Offering Moms Support). She worked as the admissions coordinator at St. Joseph’s School in Brookfield, then as the office administrator and athletic director at St. Rose of Lima School in Newtown, Connecticut.
Lisa loved camping and annual trips to the Outer Banks.
She is survived by her husband, Russell Sweeting; children Lily, Ryan and Evelyn; parents Tom and Patricia, and brothers Tom Jr., and Michael.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Rose of Lima School, 40 Church Hill Road, Newtown, CT 06470.
And finally … in honor of Peter Reid’s nice save yesterday:
(As today’s Roundup shows, Westport is filled with helpful, caring people. That includes “06880” readers! Please join the generous folks who support this blog. Just click here — and thank you.)
Westport’s great end-of-school-year/start-of-summer tradition — Staples High School’s Pops Concert at the Levitt Pavilion — is back!
This year’s show is Friday, June 7 (lawn opens at 6 p.m.; concert at 7; BYO chair; food trucks on site). The always sold-out event features the Staples Symphonic Orchestra and Band, Jazz Ensemble, Orphenians, Choralaires and other small group ensembles.
Once again, media personality David Pogue will serve as the warm, welcoming emcee.
Tickets are free, but a suggested donation of $15 per ticket is suggested to offset the production costs.
Tickets are available at staplesmusic.org beginning next Wednesday, May 29 at 9 a.m.: first-come, first-served! In the event of inclement weather, the concert will be performed in the Staples High School auditorium at 70 North Avenue, where tickets will be honored.
This year’s graphic was designed by Staples senior Shivali Kanthan.
Since they began in 2007, Westport Animal Shelter Advocates has watched with dismay as the number of abandoned animals her grows.
Recently, a little puppy was left in a shopping bag near the Volvo dealership.
WASA brought it up to date on vet care. After an adoption process involving an application, meet and greets and a home visit, it was adopted by a loving family.
On Wednesday, WASA was notified of 3 kittens abandoned in a box at the transfer station. They were kept safe there by long-time employee Bud Valiante.
WASA arrived quickly. The kittens were examined, vaccinated, treated for tick infestations, and are now in the care of a skilled and wonderful WASA volunteer.
They are about six weeks old, and doing very well
Interested adopters should call WASA (203-557-0361), or email wasa1@optonline.net.
To make a donation so WASA can continue its important work, click here.
Over 4,000 teams from more than 50 countries competed in the recent Wharton Investment Competition, sponsored by the University of Pennsylvania.
Using an online stock market simulator, they learn about strategy building, teamwork, communication, risk, diversification, company and industry analysis, and many other aspects of investing.
Upholding Westport’s hedge fund “capital” reputation, the Staples High School team placed second.
Congratulations to the young financiers (names in caption below):
From left: Eli Lesser, director, Wharton Global Youth Program; Andrew Rebello and Srish Popuri, Staples co-presidents; Alex Sod, founder; Mack Haymond, Henry Watson, Will Boberski, Sam Rossoni.
Kings Highway Elementary School officially opened its Outdoor Learning Center yesterday.
Superintendent of schools Thomas Scarice joined principal Tracey Carbone, vice principals Catherine Carmona and Jame’el Lawrence, PTA presidents Denise Acampora and Arielle Leighton, and past PTA president Jeni Bianco, for the ceremony.
The Outdoor Learning Center will be used for activities like reading, morning meetings, writing, snack breaks and more.
Students enjoy the Kings Highway Outdoor Learning Center.
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Congratulations too to the recipients of a Westport Green Building Award for Achievement in Sustainable Design and Construction. It goes to a Saugatuck Shores home damaged by a tornado in 2020, and rebuilt for resilience and sustainability.
The project team includes lead Patricia Miller of Residential Design; Marc and Joseph Fuscaldo of Fuscaldo Builders, and smart home designer Barry Reiner of InnerSpace Electronics.
The award, given by the town and Sustainable Westport, recognizes residential and commercial projects that make significant contributions to sustainability, and Westport’s future as a net zero community.
Click here for details of the Saugatuck Shores project.
To nominate a project for the Green Building Award, click here.
To learn more about how to make homes more sustainable, click here, then follow the link to “Guidance for Applicants.”
Celebrating the Green Building Award, on Saugatuck Shores.
This spring, the Westport Transit District updated its Wheels2U app. Users who downloaded it before March 26 need to update it. New riders are encouraged to download it now.
To thank everyone for downloading or updating, rides on Wheels2U are free for all riders next week (Monday through Friday, May 20-24). The normal $2 fare will be waived.
Click here for a link to the app, and more information.
Riders use the Wheels2U Westport app to request a pickup between 5:45 and 10 a.m., and between 4 9:30 p.m. for rides between the Westport or Greens Farms train platform and their front door. Pickups should be requested about 20 minutes before you would normally leave to drive to the station.
Wheels2U
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For underserved people with writing talent, finding resources is no laughing matter.
But “Lit & Wit” is. The comedy night fundraiser is a Westport Writers’ Workshop initiative to raise funds for pro bono writing workshops in underserved communities.
The brainchild of WWW writers Aline Weiller and Alyssa Katz, plus WEstport comedian Jerry Kuyper, it’s set for June 6 (7 p.m., Saugatuck Rowing Club).
Tickets are $55. More than a dozen top comedians will entertain guests (see below). The evening also includes snacks, a food truck (starting at 6 p.m.), cash bar, comedy trivia for prizes, and door prize gift basket. Click here for tickets, and more information.
And finally … Perry Como was born on this date, in 1912. He sold over 100 million records worldwide, and hosted a weekly musical variety television show, during a 50-plus-year career. He died in 2001, age 88.
(It’s the weekend, but “06880” never rests. Here’s another information-filled Roundup If you appreciate our hyper-local coverage, please click here to support our work. Thank you)
Club 203 “spared” nothing for their monthly party on Tuesday, at Nutmeg Bowl.
And they “struck” a perfect chord for all attendees.
Bowling, prizes, pizza — it was right down everyone’s alley.
Westport’s social group for adults with disabilities gets ready now for their final event before their summer break: a Compo Beach bash on June 5. Click here for details.
Westport Police made 2 custodial arrests between May 8 and 15.
A 47-year-old Westport woman was arrested for disorderly conduct, violation of a protective order and assault, after a report of a domestic violence incident.
A 36-year old Tracy, California man was arrested for identity theft and forgery, after he deposited fraudulent checks, then attempted to withdraw money from a credit card account.
Police also issued these citations:
Traveling unreasonably fast: 10 citations
Failure to comply with state traffic commission regulations: 6
MoCA Westport’s “Gallery of Games” begins at 7 p.m.
The arts center will be filled with poker, blackjack and craps tables. Staples High School graduate Michelle Pauker provides entertainment; there’s tarot card reading too, and a silent auction.
Staples High School juniors Jack Schwartz, Ryan Sunjka, Jackson Tracey and Lucy Barney, plus freshman Sienna Schwartz, serve on the Friends of Yale New Haven Children Hospital’s Junior Board.
They volunteer at the Ronald McDonald house, participate in toy drives, and have special guest speakers at monthly meetings.
They also fundraise.
A lot.
This year’s goal is $30,000.
The money will support sick children and under-resourced families as they struggle through unimaginable medical complications.
The 2nd annual “Heartbeat for Hope” is set for Orange Theory in Westport this Saturday (May 18, noon) and June 1 (1 p.m.). Teams of 3 compete in running and rowing workouts.
There is no entry fee. But to win big prizes, participants are asked to raise at least $450 per team ($150 per person) from families, friends, neighbors and others.
Prizes to the teams with the top times and most amount of money raised include high value tickets (University of Connecticut basketball, Yankees Legends behind home plate, New York Knicks, Brooklyn Nets), gift baskets and gift cards. Participants also receive t-shirts. Click here to join the fundraiser; then click “Support Me.”
The Junior Board members hope “06880” readers will donate, even if they can’t participate. Click here for the donation page.
Staples high School members of the Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital Junior Board.
And finally … on this date in 1888, Nikola Tesla described the equipment that allows alternating currents to transmit electric power over long distances.
(Casino nights, jazz, police reports, duck races — as usual, it’s all here in the “06880” Roundup. If you enjoy this daily feature, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
Diana Capellán has been following the Board of Education’s discussion of a new Code of Conduct for students.
Tomorrow night (Thursday, May 16, 7 p.m., Staples High School cafeteria), they’ll have a third reading of the policy.
Diana writes:
Back in 2016, our community mourned the tragic suicide of a 14-year-old Staples High School freshman.
In an open letter to then-superintendent of schools Dr. Elliott Landon, his parents wrote:
Several current Staples students have reported observing bullying, humiliating or inappropriate behavior by one or more peer or peers toward others, and these students report that [they] do not know how to respond or intervene.
They feel guilty and ashamed of their inaction and passive consent to the blatantly behaviors.
We wish to address school policy regarding mandatory electronics access and usage during class. We spoke with our son’s team of teachers and guidance counselor about limiting his access to his phone and laptop during the day to enhance his focus on his work. We were told that he had to have his laptop with him.
Frankly, there should be more and better options available. Such policy presently seems to result in social media access during school hours, which is counterproductive to the learning environment and subjects kids to additional cyberbullying. “
Fast forward to today. We still have similar challenges with our children being constantly online, and their safety.
Our children have access to their phones and social media during school hours, affecting not only their mental health but also increasing their likelihood of being exposed to hateful content.
Those online exposures inevitably bleed into the real world. In the last couple of months, we have seen concerning cases of racist and antisemitic hate incidents in our schools. Yet students still don’t know how to report or intervene when they see a peer being harassed in school or online.
Along with over 40 concerned parents, and at the behest of our school administrators at the March 13 Temple Israel event on bias, we have been contributing to the code of conduct process to find ways to address the issues of hate-based harassment we’re seeing in our schools.
We launched a website to raise awareness of 4 points that need further consideration in order to have a comprehensive code of conduct and rollout plan.
After further research, we realized that the single most impactful policy is implementing an anonymous reporting system, as has already been done by Darien, Greenwich and Norwalk.
According to a recent study by researchers at the University of Michigan, an anonymous reporting system increases the likelihood of students reporting signs of concerning behavior so it can be promptly investigated and addressed by administrators before it escalates to harassment.
Specifically, we’d like to bring the evidence-based Say Something program by Sandy Hook Promise to our schools.
Their website says: “Sandy Hook Promise’s no-cost Say Something program teaches elementary, middle and high school students to recognize the warning signs of someone at risk of hurting themselves or others, and how to say something to a trusted adult to get help.”
This training and app would not only empower bystanders to take action and help children feel more comfortable reporting bullying, but is also designed to be a powerful tool to keep our children safe from the threat of gun violence.
Tomorrow’s Board of Education agenda includes cellphone use during school hours and voting on the new code of conduct, which includes a provision to implement an anonymous reporting program in our schools.
Comments about a no-cellphone use police during school hours, and an anonymous reporting system to keep our children safe can be sent to boe@westportps.org, and/or made during the BOE’s public comment period.
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Their website says: “Sandy Hook Promise’s no-cost Say Something program teaches elementary, middle and high school students to recognize the warning signs of someone at risk of hurting themselves or others, and how to say something to a trusted adult to get help.”