In the wake of the tragic — and continuing — Los Angeles fires, WestportMoms.com wanted to send help across the country.
But Megan Rutstein and Melissa Post — the women behind the multi-platform service — needed money, a way to transport the items to where they’re needed most and a place to donate.
Don — the beloved owner of the UPS store across from Fresh Market — quickly stepped up. He arranged to have 4 large pallets shipped out this coming weekend.
Items can be dropped off tomorrow (Wednesday) and Thursday only, at the UPS store across from Fresh Market.
Donors should box their items, and label the contents clearly. Alternatively, bring bags of goods to the UPS store, buy a box, and the amazing team there will help you pack it.
Items most needed include: clothes for all ages and genders, toiletries, makeup, diapers, formula, baby onesies, cribs, baby accessories, school supplies, sports equipment, bags, books, bedding, and similar goods.
Thanks to UPS, and WestportMoms, for their quick, efficient work on this crucial project.
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Congratulations to Craig Melvin!
The longtime NBC personality debuted yesterday as co-anchor of “The Today Show.”
America knows him as a journalist, interviewer, and deliverer of morning news and information.
We know him for all that too. But he’s also our neighbor, friend, a sports coach, restaurant owner, and all-around good guy.
Westport has long been proud of Craig Melvin.
Especially, “today.”
Craig Melvin (Photo courtesy of WestportMoms)
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Have you always wanted to be an EMT?
Westport Volunteer Emergency Medical Service’s next Emergency Medical Technician course begins February 11.
WVEMS also offers 3 orientation sessions for certified EMT.
The hands-on EMT course teaches life-saving skills, from basic bandaging to major trauma care.
Interest in emergency medicine has surged since the pandemic. WVEMS enhanced its programs to streamline volunteer integration and training.
Volunteers with or without prior experience are welcome
In March, WVEMS will offer an Emergency Medical Responder course for students ages 14-15 with a passion to help others. It introduces foundational life-saving skills, creating a pathway to future EMT certification. Participants will take ambulance shifts alongside our crews.
For more information or to register for these programs, click here.
Westport EMS, in action.
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The Porch at Christie’s closed last month.
But their Sweet P Bakery treats are available online, for local pickuip.
Orders placed by 2 p.m. Wednesdays can be picked up Fridays in Westport between 1 and 3 p.m. (location provided with order).
Blueberry muffins, scones, crumb cakes, Rice Krispie treats, colossal cookies — Sweet P’s got ’em all.
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Colin Konstanty thrilled a sold-out audience last night, at the Westport Country Playhouse’s first Script in Hand reading of 2025.
The 2022 Staples High School graduate joined the cast of “How the World Began.” The provocative play probes the conflict between divine creation and evolution, and its effect on a small Kansas town torn apart by a tornado.
Konstanty — now a student at NYU Tisch School of the Arts — has appeared off-Broadway, and on Disney+.
Colin Konstanty (left) and Bill Phillips, in “How the World Began.” (Photo/Dave Matlow)
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Bingo!
The Westport Young Woman’s League’s Galentine’s Bingo Night returns February 6 (7:30 to 10:30 p.m., Saugatuck Congregational Church).
The 5th annual event includes Bingo, with great gifts from local businesses; food and drinks throughout the evening, and “extra fun surprises.”
All net proceeds benefit the WYWL Grants Program, supporting local initiatives and organizations. Last year they awarded $65,000 to 9 non-profits.
Click here for tickets. To offer prizes or sign up as a sponsor, email president@wywl.com.
Galentine’s Bingo, with the Westport Young Woman’s League.
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“Shoulder check” is an ice hockey term.
It’s also the name of an initiative that inspires people to commit to supporting each other through small acts that have big impacts. Put simply: “‘being there’ is as simple as a hand on a shoulder.”
It’s as simple as reaching out, checking in and making contact.
Next Monday (January 20, 1 p.m., Milford Ice Pavilion), Staples High School’s Stormac co-op boys hockey team will play Milford in a “Shoulder Check Game.”
The goal is to raise awareness of mental health issues.
PS: Monday’s MLK Day game is also a “Battle fo the Barn.” Both Stormac and Milford call the Ice Pavilion home. The winner earns a trophy.
PPS: Youth hockey players who wear their youth jersey will get in free. And younbg learn-to-play skaters will compete in a mini-game between the first and second periods.
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Speaking of sports: Staples rugby alumni have gone on to play at colleges across America: Brown, West Point, Navy, St. Bonaventure, Clemson, Colorado, UC-Berkeley, and more.
Rugby players at other schools have had similar success.
Last year, 130 players attended the Staples Rugby College Showcase.
This year’s 5th annual event is February 15 (noon to 4 p.m., Paul Lane Field). The goal is to expose over 200 young athletes to the 70-plus college coaches who will attend.
The Showcase is open to players from all over the Northeast.
The cost is $75 per player. To register, click here. Questions? Email info@staplesrugby.com.
The Staples boys rugby team.
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Singer Giacomo — “an entertainer for all ages and styles” — returns to Jazz at the Post this Thursday (January 16, VFW Post 399; shows at 7:30 and 8:45 p.m.; dinner from 7; $20 music cover, $15 for veterans and students).
He’ll be joined by pianist Joe McWilliams, bassist Phil Bowler, drummer Bobby Leonard and saxophonist Greg “The Jazz Rabbi” Wall. Click here for tickets.
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Carey Weber, executive director of the Fairfield University Art Museum, treated the Y’s Women to a preview of upcoming exhibitions recently.
They range from beautiful paintings of totalism and the black and white photography narratives of Truda Feinstein, to contemporary artistss responses to climate change.
Weber — also president of the Connecticut Art Trail — noted that a $35 passport offers admission to 34 museums and historical sites in Connecticut.
Carey Weber (Photo/Merle Spiegel)
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And finally … Rowene Weems spotted “Snowy” at Winslow Park.
He (or she) makes a great “Westport … Naturally” photo. With or without snow.
(Photo/Rowene Weems)
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And finally … Sam Moore, who as half of Sam & Dave recorded classic and Grammy-winning hits — died Friday in Florida, of complications following surgery. He was 89.
Despite their chart-topping successes, and dynamic live performances, Sam and Dave Prater were never particularly close.
In fact, after performing together on New Year’s Eve in 1981, they never spoke again. Click here for a full obituary.
(Please click here to make a tax-deductible contribution to “06880.” I thank you!)
Dan Woog laid out the problem well: a broken system where high school coaches can be pressured to make coaching decisions, and even forced out of a job, by a small group of unhappy parents. A broken system where a long-tenured and highly successful coach beloved by most of his or her players can lose his or her job based on a single amorphous allegation of “lapse in judgment,” despite never having been trained or given constructive feedback on the issue at hand, and despite there being no clear policy in place that the coach was supposed to have followed.
Right now, the way we treat long-tenured and dedicated coaches is teaching our kids exactly the wrong lessons: that if a parent can reframe disappointment in coaching decisions as a coach having been “vindictive” (an argument any parent can always try to make), that’s the ticket to getting rid of a coach.
A Comment About “06880” Comments
“All commenters must use full, real names.”
That’s been an “06880” rule for over a decade.
Occasionally, readers question the identity of another commenter.
When that happens, I first see if I can find any online mention of the writer — first in Westport, then anywhere else.
Failing that, I send an email. I ask for verification that the writer is who they say they are. I won’t post the info, I tell them — but I need to know they’re legit.
If it bounces back, the comment is deleted. If it’s a real email address, I wait for a reply verifying their identity. If I don’t get one within a day, I delete the comment.
Reviewing yesterday’s comments on a story about Staples High School coaches, I found 2 email domains — attached to very strong, arguably inflammatory comments — that, my security software said, are highly risky, and often used to obscure true identities.
I gave the commenters until 6 a.m. today to confirm their identities. I have not heard back, so I deleted both comments. Responses to their comments were also deleted.
I will reinstate them, if the commenters email 06880blog@gmail.com, and prove their names are real.
I will not post their personal information, or share it with anyone. But I need to know that every commenter is who they say they are.
I want to ensure that all readers take part in a meaningful community discussion, on this — and every other — important issue.
And that when readers weigh in, everyone else can evaluate where that speaker is coming from.
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