What do Garelick & Herbs, Romanacci, Organic Market, Kawa Ni, Rive Bistro and The Whelk have in common?
They serve the best soups in town.
That’s according to the 1,000-plus voters anyway, in this year’s Great Westport Soup Contest.
Results were announced today by the Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce.
Winners by category are:
Best Chicken Soup: Romanacci
Best Vegetable Soup: Organic Market
Best Beef Soup: Garelick & Herbs
Best Matzoh Ball Soup: Garelick & Herbs
Best Asian Soup: Kawa Ni
Best Onion Soup: Rive Bistro
Best Chowder: The Whelk
Congratulations to all — particularly double-winner Garelick & Herbs (which is actually a couple of yards over the border in Southport, but who’s counting?), and Romanacci (a fourth-time champion, after winning twice for pizza and once for salad).
The winners, with Chamber of Commerce director Matthew Mandell (blue shirt). Clockwise from upper left: Organic Market, Kawa Ni, The Whelk, Garelick & Herbs, Romanacci, Rive Bistro.
Posted onApril 3, 2025|Comments Off on Roundup: Brian Lewis & James Beard, Blondinit & Passover …
Westporters know how talented Brian Lewis is.
Now the James Beard Foundation does too.
The Cottage‘s chef/owner was named yesterday as one of 5 nominees for Best Chef, in the New England region. The others are from Providence (2), Cambridge and Burlington, Vermont.
The winner will be announced on June 16, at a ceremony in Chicago. The Awards will be broadcast live on Eater. Click here for more James Beard information.
Chef Brian Lewis
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Speaking of restaurants: The Blondinit is (“06880” thinks) the only one in Westport offering a kosher menu for Passover.
Available for catering and in-house dining, and made with true Israeli flavors and 100% kosher ingredients, the half and full trays include appetizers (deviled eggs, smoke salmon, fried matzah, flourless potato latkes and matzah ball soup); dips; salads; entrees (baked chicken, mafrum, stuffed peppers, matzah-crusted sea bass and grilled salmon); sides, and desserts.
The catering order deadline is Monday (April 7).
Every dish is served with matzah, Israeli pickles and schug. Available in half or full trays for gatherings big or small.
Click here to order (use the “Passover” tab under “Order Online”), or call 203-557-3277.
If it’s April, it must be time for the Minute Man Race.
One of Westport’s most popular traditions, the event — actually, a 10K run, 5K run, 5K walk and kids’ fun run, plus a Kids’ Zone with games and entertainment — returns Sunday, April 27 (Compo Beach).
All net proceeds benefit the Westport Young Woman’s League Grants program. Last year, they awarded $65,000 to 9 non-profits doing vital work across Fairfield County.
Now is the time to register.
And to sponsor and donate. All are welcome!
Click here for more information, and to register, donate and sponsor.
Another great Westport tradition — the Day of Champions — is coming soon too. Mark your calendars: Sunday, May 18 (9 to 11:30 a.m., PJ Romano Field).
It’s Experience Camps’ morning of family competition and fun — and a major fundraiser for their efforts to provide free programs for children who have experienced the death of a parent, sibling or primary caregiver.
Everyone who has participated (and that’s almost everyone in Westport with an elementary school-age kid) knows it’s a great event.
They also know how much work it takes.
Volunteer sign-ups have begun. There are tons of tasks. Click here to help. Click here to learn more about Experience Camps.
The “En Fuego team”: on fire at the Day of Champions. (Photo/Amy Shapiro)
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This is also the time of year to clean out basements and garages.
CB Sportif and Northeast Community Cycles are collecting “pre-loved” bikes.
They’ll be refurbished, then given free to children and adults throughout Fairfield County who need — but cannot afford — themm.
Bicycles can be dropped off tomorrow (Friday, April 4, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) and Saturday (April 5, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.) at CB Sportif (1554 Post Road East). Tax receipts are available.
Questions? Call 203-586-3030.
New life for old bikes.
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Barbra Streisand celebrates her birthday at the Westport Country Playhouse.
Well — April 24 is her birthday. She’ll be represented there in “Me, Myself, and Barbra,” a tribute by Jenna Pastuszek.
She was inspired by a meeting with the singing star, who inspired her to embrace her inner Barbra.
The show is April 24 — Streisand’s birthday. Tickets for the 7 p.m. show are $45 and $40; pre-show party and show tickets are $55 and $50. Click here to purchase, and for more information.
Westport Police made no custodial arrests between March 26 and April 2.
They issued these citations:
Failure to renew registration: 15 citations
Failure to obey state traffic commission regulations: 15
Traveling unreasonably fast: 12
Driving while texting: 10
Reckless driving: 3
Operating a motor vehicle under suspension: 3
Operating an unregistered motor vehicle: 3
Failure to obey stop sign: 3
Failure to obey traffic control signals: 3
Speeding: 2
Disorderly conduct: 2
Breach of peace: 2
Operating a motor vehicle without a license: 2
Unreadable plates: 2
Interfering with an emergency call: 1
Traveling too fast for conditions: 1
Failure to insure a motor vehicle: 1
Operating a motor vehicle without minimum insurance: 1
Failure to renew license: 1
Failure to display plates: 1
Improper use of markers: 1.
Texting while driving is illegal — even at a red light.
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For the last couple of weeks, we’ve introduced our “Westport … Naturally” feature by saying, “In a couple of weeks, this scene will look very different.”
And finally … in honor of the bicycle collection this weekend at CB Sportif:
(From restaurants and road races to volunteer opportunities, “06880” offers it all to you today. We do it every day too — 24/7/365. Of course, we rely on reader support. Please click here. Thank you!)
Comments Off on Roundup: Brian Lewis & James Beard, Blondinit & Passover …
What’s one of the fastest growing sports in high schools and colleges — and will debut at the 2028 Olympics?
Hint: It’s not pickleball.
The answer: girls and women’s flag football.
With a boost from the NFL, it’s taking off everywhere.
Including Westport.
Last spring, Peak Performance ran clinics here. Interest was high, so in the fall the PAL offered its own program.
One group of excited flag football players …
IST’s Cash Malcolm and Cody Simpson taught skills and strategies. Parents helped run Saturday scrimmages.
The season ended with a jamboree, against teams from Wilton (with players from Fairfield and New Canaan).
… with more friends …
On Monday, PAL’s spring program kicked — well, touched — off.
Clinics — once again run by Cash and Cody, for 1st through 8th graders — are held every Monday, from 4:15 to 5:45 p.m. at Greens Farms Elementary School.
Games and scrimmages are Sundays (9:30 to 11 a.m., Wakeman Field A). Parents will again help coach. Players are divided into 4 groups: grades 1-2, 3-4, 5-6 and 7-8.
The emphasis is on fun. All levels are welcome.
… and a younger group.
Many of the girls play other sports. But flag football is a great addition. They love running, throwing and catching with their friends. They’re all learning together.
The cost for the season is $150, and includes an NFL jersey and flag set that each girl can keep.
Flag football action last fall.
In the works: a high school jamboree with 10 or more other towns. Funding may come from the New York Giants and/or New England Patriots. The NFL supports girls flag football, big time.
Want proof? Check out the fan-tastic video below — the first ad after the Super Bowl LIX halftime show.
Click here to register. Questions? Want to help coach? Email westportpalfootball@gmail.com, or melissa.p.post@gmail.com.
When Staples High School head football coach Adam Behrends resigned this winter, he took a position far away: on the staff at the University of New Mexico.
Athletic director VJ Sarullo did not look far for his replacement.
Matty Jacowleff — announced as the Wreckers’ new head coach this afternoon — was already on staff.
He’s been an assistant football coach since 2019. He’s also an assistant lacrosse coach — and a special education teacher at the school.
Jacowleff is also a 2015 Staples graduate. He captained the 2014 football squad.
At 27, he is the youngest head football coach in Wrecker history.
Matty Jacowleff (Photo courtesy of Staples Football)
Jacowleff earned a BS degree in business administration from Northeastern University, and an MA in secondary education from Fairfield University.
He joined the Staples football coaching staff right after college. He has served as associate head coach, offensive coordinator, wide receiver and defensive backs coach, and head junior varsity coach.
Sarullo says, “Coach Jacowleff brings a wealth of experience, knowledge and unmatched passion to this new role.
“As a lifelong Wrecker, Coach Matty exhibits great pride for the community, school, program and student-athletes.
“Throughout the interview process, Coach Matty communicated a clear vision for the future of the program, ensuring continued success both on and off the field.”
Friday is the 3-year anniversary of Rachel Rothman-Cohen’s stroke.
She was 47 years old.
It was devastating.
Yet rather than avoiding the anniversary, Rachel celebrates it, by raising money for a charity.
Rachel Rothman-Cohen
This year she honors her parents — both of whom have been afflicted with Parkinson’s — by fundraising for research and a cure.
And she’s doing it at Stitch Haven, the yarn, needles and more store where she works part time.
On Friday (April 4), 5% of all proceeds from sales there — including online — will be donated to the Michael J. Fox Foundation.
But that’s not all.
The next day — Saturday, April 5 (11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.; $40) — Rachel will teach a special class to make “Tiny Tulips.” They’re a symbol for April, which is Parkinson’s Awareness Month.
The tulips can be made into little pins, bookmarks or any number of things.
All proceeds from that class will also go to the foundation. Click here to register.
Learn to knit and purl tiny tulips.
Three years ago, Rachel suffered a terrible medical calamity.
For her — and so many others, whose lives she’s touched — it was a “stroke” of good fortune.
Congratulations and thank you, Rachel. You are “06880”‘s Unsung Hero of the Week!
(Unsung Hero is a weekly “06880” feature. To nominate a hero, email 06880blog@gmail.com. To support our work, please click here. Thank you!)
StartUp Westport — our public/private partnership for tech, innovation and entrepreneurship — has already hosted panels focused on women, minorities and youth.
Up next: sports.
With new technology, revenue streams and ways of connecting with fans, that business changes daily.
Discussing “game-changing” (pun intended?) innovations in data analytics, athletic performance breakthroughs, sponsorships and media — with both startups and industry giants — are NBC Sports president Rick Cordella, and New York Road Runners CEO Rob Simmelkjaer. Both are Westport residents.
Moderator Andrew Marchand — sports media columnist for The Athletic — is a 1991 Staples High School graduate.
He says, “This should be a fun and fascinating event. I’m looking forward to hearing where Rick and Rob think sports media and events are headed. There has been so much innovation, especially post the height of the pandemic. They both have been on the cutting edge.”
“Innovation in Sports” is April 30 (6:30 p.m., Westport Library). There will be time for questions and networking. Click here to register.
From left: Rick Cordella, Rob Simmelkjaer, Andrew Marchand.
If you’re the Staples High School Symphonic Band: Practice. Talent. Dedicated teachers.
And an invitation from the National Concerts Band & Orchestra Fest.
The local musicians left Westport yesterday, at 6:30 a.m. They had a clinic with former Columbia University Wind Ensemble director Jasmine Britt.
At 1:30, the musicians took the sage. They performed “Across the Great Plains,” “One Life Beautiful” and “First Suite in E Flat,” with Staples conductors Caitlin Serpliss and Kevin Mazzarella.
They audience included many parents, principal Stafford Thomas, townwide arts coordinator Steven Zimmerman, and the entire Staples music department staff. (Hat tip: John Nash)
Staples’ Symphonic Band, at Carnegie Hall. Conductor Kevin Mazzarella is at far left. (Photo/Skip Sinclair)
On stage (from left): Archie Kobetitsch, Samuel Zwick-Lavinsky, Grace Sinclair, Madeleine Enos. (Photo/Skip Sinclair)
From left: Staples principal Stafford Thomas, musician Lucas Gomez, Symphonic Band director Kevin Mazzarella. (Photo/Maggie Gomez)
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VersoFest — the Westport Library’s 4th annual 4-day music and media conference and festival — kicks off tomorrow.
The first event is a conversation with Rock & Roll Hall of Famer/National Book Award winner Patti Smith, with former CNN journalist (and Westport resident) Alisyn Camerota.
But there may be a bit of activity before the 7 p.m. start. EndJewHatred and The Lawfare Project — a national civil rights movement — plans a rally outside the Library.
A social media post says, “Why isn’t Patti Smith speaking up for Jewish women? It’s time to rally against (her) selective activism.”
Patti Smith
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For the 3rd year in a row, the Fortunoff family — including Scott and Laurie, and their sons Aaron (Staples High School sophomore) and Brett (Bedford Middle School 8th grader) — will host a cereal drive.
The goal is to fill the shelves of local food pantries, so everyone can start their day with breakfast.
This year, they’ve partnered with the new Cereal4All Club at Staples High.
Mannequin Pussy — the Philadelphia-based band that includes 2005 Staples High School graduate Marisa Dabice — was just featured on “Everybody’s Live,” John Mulaney’s new Netflix panel show.
The host introduced them enthusiastically: “You will hear music such that has never poured through your airwaves. That’s right. There are many milestones in human culture. There’s the invention of the printing press, the Armory Show Of 1913, and tonight we bring you the television debut of Mannequin Pussy. It’s the best. Mannequin Pussy plays loud rock music, and their name is fun to say.”
Click here for a full story. (Hat tip: Lisa Marriott)
And finally … Marvin Gaye was born on this day in 1939. The multi-talented Motown artist was shot to death by his father one day short of his 45th birthday, on April 1, 1984.
(How do you get to Carnegie Hall? Practice, practice, practice. How do you help “06880”? Donate, donate, donate. But hey, just do it once. Please click here. Thank you, thank you, thank you!)
A bridge is much more than a physical structure over water.
It can be a metaphor for any kind of span.
The other day, a group of Westporters met to bridge both ideas and ages.
Everyone made it across.
And when they got there, they enjoyed what is always on the other side: a new and different view.
BridgeBuilders is the local chapter of a national organization, BridgeUSA.
The goal of BridgeUSA is “not to change minds or create centrists, but encourage students to engage differing beliefs, experiences and perspectives. What unites us is not agreement on policies, but a shared mindset.
“The BridgeUSA Mindset champions understanding, empathy, open-mindedness, and a willingness to engage those who are different from us.
“It’s not about what you believe, but how you express what you believe.”
BridgeUSA works on 82 college campuses.
But a pair of Staples High School students recently brought it to a younger level.
And an older one.
In the aftermath of last spring’s unrest over Israel and Gaza, and during the 2024 presidential campaign, Jake Shufro realized that plenty of people were shouting about their own point of view, and shutting their ears to others’.
Plenty of other people, meanwhile, were not talking about issues at all. They did not know how to have an actual discussion. Or they were too turned off by polarization to try.
Jake is a very involved junior. He’s secretary of Westport’s Youth Commission; an active participant in Model UN Club and We the People, and a squash player.
His longtime friend, sophomore Sienna Schwartz, is similarly engaged. She’s a Student Council officer; a writer for Staples’ STEM Journal; a member of Women in STEM and participant in the Sikorsky STEM Challenge, and a soccer player and track athlete.
They contacted the national BridgeBuilders group, which is eager to add high schools to their roster of colleges.
Much of today’s discourse consists of shouting — and not listening.
Jake and Sienna were trained on how to moderate effective meetings. They learned, for example, to make sure participants focused on ideas, not on the people presenting them, along with how to keep discussions on track.
They found out it’s best to start with a non-controvesial topic.
But Jake and Sierra also realized that limiting their BridgeBuilders to high school students would exclude other, important points of view.
“We wanted intergenerational dialogue and wisdom,” Jake says. And, he notes, older participants might learn something from younger ones.
Their original idea was to partner with the Senior Center. But it closes at 3 p.m. — just 15 minutes after the school day ends.
Enter the Y’s Men of Westport and Weston.
The group of retired and semi-retired residents is as energetic and stimulating as high school students. They certainly are “wise” — and they’re always looking for new projects.
Y’s Men Jim Marpe and Tucker Mays took the lead. Working alongside Jake and Sienna, they came up with their first topic: whether mandatory national service (military or otherwise) is good for young Americans.
It’s an idea, they thought, that could be viewed from a variety of perspectives, rather than through traditional political lenses.
From left: Jim Marpe, Jake Shufro, Sienna Schwartz, Tucker Mays.
Jake and Sienna invited a range of students they knew, primarily from their social studies classes. None were yet 18: draft age.
Jim and Tucker reached out to a similar range of Y’s Men. Some were military veterans. Others served in the Peace Corps.
The 90-minute discussion, in a Westport Library meeting room, was wide-ranging. It was civil.
And, for the teenagers and senior citizens alike, it was eye-opening.
Listening respectfully, at the Westport Library.
The students learned first hand about the draft, the Vietnam War, and the peace movement.
The Y’s Men learned that many of the teens understood the importance of some kind of service. They learned too about discussions that go on in history and English classes, and what the students feel comfortable writing and talking about.
And the topics they feel uncomfortable discussing.
The 4 organizers had worried that the older participants might monopolize the discussion. That did not happen.
“Everyone spoke. There were lots of rich opinions,” Sienna says.
“There was disagreement, but it was civil. There was no finger-pointing.”
Staples students and Y’s Men, after the first meeting.
Jake, Sienna, Jim and Tucker plan to meet monthly. They’ll invite different students and Y’s Men to join them.
The next topic — later this month — is “the future of work.”
The teens and seniors are excited to keep going.
“In our country, we need to talk with each other better,” Jake says.
“That’s what democracy is. It’s bad for democracy if everyone has the same viewpoint.
“But it’s equally bad if we let those viewpoints pull us apart.”
(“06880” reports regularly on Westport’s teenagers, senior citizens — and everyone else in between. If you like our work, and/or have been featured in it, please click here to support us. Thank you!)
Ron Malone — a highly respected former Westport police chief, longtime Representative Town Meeting member and Westport native — died Sunday. He was 88
Tributes to Malone came from one of his successors, and the current police chief.
Former Westport Police Chief Bill Chiarenzelli says: “Chief Ron Malone was dedicated to his family, his job and the town of Westport.
“His first assignment, dangerous and demanding, was as an undercover narcotics officer for Fairfield County and the state of Connecticut.
Ron Malone
“Upon his return to the Westport Police Department, Ron was assigned as a detective to share his insights and experiences with his fellow officers.
“His career developed as an investigator. He was promoted to chief of police, after many years of dedication to the public.”
Current Westport Police Chief Foti Koskinas adds: “While I never had a chance to work for or with him, I know he loved the Police Department and the town equally.
“He was a fixture in town early in his career. He was always willing to listen to me as a young officer, and give his insights.”
Malone’s first job was not with the Westport Police, however. As a young adult he ran a successful refuse business. In 1968 he sold it, and became a Westport officer.
After a year with the WPD, he joined a federal narcotics task force. He returned to Westport after 3½ years undercover.
Malone was promoted to sergeant in 1975, after posting the highest score ever recorded on the state personnel department promotion test.
He became chief of detectives in 1977, and in 1984 was named police chief.
His family says, “He was ahead of his time when it came to policing strategies. He was well respected by the entire force, for his hands-on leadership and unwavering commitment to his officers and community. He knew leadership is not about authority; it is about relationships and trust.”
Malone was also deeply involved with the Westport Police Athletic League.
Malone retired in 1990 after 22 years on the force. He continued serving his community as a member of the Representative Town Meeting for 16 years.
His family notes, “Beyond his professional accomplishments, Ron was known for his gift of connecting with people. Whether family, friend, colleague or stranger, Ron’s kindness and humor were felt by everyone he encountered.
Malone was an avid photographer. In retirement he enjoyed looking at and creating art, listening to music, gardening, visiting museums, spending time at the Westport Library, and enjoying his grandchildren.
“Ron had a way of putting things in perspective, breaking down complicated situations with humor, patience, and wisdom. Always the storyteller, Ron was a friend to all and treated everyone with dignity and respect.”
Malone is survived by his wife of 68 years, Carol (Davis); sons Joe (Diane) and Bill (Michelle); daughter-in-law Sue; grandchildren Michael, Kristen (Tom), Danielle (Eric), Brian, Matt, Alex and Jamie, and 3 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his son Jimmy.
A wake is set for Saturday (April 5, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.), with a funeral service at 1 p.m. at Harding Funeral Home.
The family is grateful to the staff at the Village of Kensington Place for the loving and compassionate care provided to Ron and Carol over the past 5 years.
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