The Westporter (who has Ukrainian heritage) continues to work on a variety of projects to help that embattled country. He writes: “Missiles are raining down on Ukraine today. They are specifically meant to destroy access to heat, light and water.
“A group I am working with was given the chance to fill the balance of the next shipping container going to Ukraine in 5 days.
“‘06880’ readers can save lives by donating used generators, chainsaws, sleeping bags, flashlights and cell phone power banks. Non-working chainsaws and generators are fine. We will repair them.”
They can be brought to 190 Cross Highway and left by the barn any time. For questions or pickup arrangements, call Mark: 646-873-0050.
NOTE: Other containers will follow soon. The equipment collection is ongoing.
Last night’s party honoring Westport Lifestyle magazine’s 2022 Readers’ Choice Awards winners featured fantastic food, an exciting venue (Christian Siriano’s Collective West) — and the most buff Santa ever to hustle down a chimney.
(Photo/Dan Woog)
This one bore a striking resemblance to RTM member/Staples High School graduate/longtime volunteer Andrew Colabella.
Staples and Brien McMahon High Schools compete against each other in many FCIAC (Fairfield County league) sports.
Now the Westport mother of former Wreckers is trying to help the Senators.
Lisa Marriott — whose sons were Staples track stars — heard that McMahon boys indoor track coach Valerie Kalunian needs used track spikes and/or running sneakers for some of her athletes. Without them, they cannot participate this winter.
“Those shoes can be very costly for students, and hard to find in local stores,” she says. “Over the years we have tried to gather extra spikes/racing shoes/training shoes for those that may not have them, but our selection is limited.”
Running shoes can be dropped off at the Town Hall front desk starting Monday (put Lisa Marriott’s name on the bag or box). For other options, email lsmarriott@gmail.com. To donate cash, click here for a GoFundMe page.
Come on, Westport students. You can write a much better garden-related poem than that timeworn ditty.
Here’s your chance. The Westport Garden Club has partnered with the Westport Arts Advisory Committee, town poet laureate Jessica Noyes McEntee and the Westport Library to sponsor a Youth Poetry Contest.
Affiliated with the National Garden Club’s Youth Poetry Contest, it’s open to public and private school students in kindergarten through 9th grade, plus those who are home schooled.
The competition encourages youth to embrace their creativity, using nature as inspiration.
The theme for the 2023 competition is “Seeds, Trees, and Bees…Oh My – Celebrating the Diversity of Nature”
Everyone in Westport goes to Compo Beach in the summer.
Plenty go in late spring and early fall.
December — not so many.
If you don’t know what it looks like when the wind is whipping and the skies are gray — as they were earlier this week — check out today’s “Westport … Naturally” scene:
But a report on a local news site — headlined “With Hamlet Looming, Future Uncertain for Tutti’s Ristorante” — led to rumors of its imminent demise.
“People think we’re closing right after Christmas,” laments co-owner Maria Funicello.
“One person — a regular customer — was mad we hadn’t told him.”
They hadn’t told him, because it’s not true. Tutti’s is here for the long run.
Tutti’s owners Pasquale and Maria Funicello. They’re not going anywhere.
The Hamlet at Saugatuck — a hotel/residential/retail project in and around the train station — is still in its developmental stage. Any changes to the popular restaurant — on Riverside Avenue, at the “T” with Charles Street — are a ways off.
Maria’s history in Westport extends far beyond Tutti’s. Her husband Pasquale Funicello owned Angelina’s — for nearly a decade. His partners included his father, mother and 2 sisters. They sold the Post Road trattoria in 1981.
Pasquale and Maria had been married the year before. They moved back to their native Italy, and started a family. In 1989 the Funicellos and their children returned to the US.
She worked full-time. He made a name as a chef at memorable area restaurants, including Sole e Luna, Pinocchio, Arthur Avenue, Sunset Grille and Apulia.
In December 2002 the couple took a leap of faith, opening their own place, in a former video rental shop. Tutti Invitati soon became simply Tutti’s.
It was a great addition to Saugatuck — an homage to the neighborhood’s Italian heritage.
It still is.
The formula has not changed much. Diners — regulars and newcomers alike — are welcomed into the Funicellos’ home away from home. The space is just the right size. The décor is simple, yet warm.
And the food is delizioso.
Tutti’s Caprese salad — one of the menu’s many favorites.
The secret to Tutti’s success?
“We’re a family. And we treat customers like family,” Maria explains.
The other day, a customer celebrated his 90th birthday. The owners presented a complimentary bottle of wine,
They thank firefighters from the nearby station by feeding them regularly. When a homeless man walks in, they feed him too.
Customers return the love.
When COVID struck, Tutti’s did not miss a beat. Their already steady takeout business boomed.
During COVID, the Staples High School boys soccer program thanked police officers by buying them meals from Tutti’s. Above: 2020 soccer co-captain Jack Douglas, flanked by owner Maria Funicello and Officer Jimmy Sullivan.
“We were so busy,” Maria recalls. “People bought gift certificates they still haven’t redeemed. They handed us cash, and said, ‘Use it for whatever you need.’ They really weren’t our customers. They were like family.”
That’s why the recent rumors of Tutti’s’ demise hurt so much.
“They’re nice people. We’re working with them,” Maria says of the Hamlet developers.
“The Gault project (the previous Saugatuck redevelopment) looks great. I’m sure this one will be beautiful too.
“Whatever happens, happens. But it’s a long way away.”
Nothing is changing at Tutti’s. Certainly not the menu.
The pastas, other entrees, soups, salads, desserts and specials — like the ristorante itself, they’re not going anywhere.
“We’re settled. We know what we’re doing,” Maria says.
Tutti’s is always a Slice of Saugatuck favorite.
Tuesday was typical. At 3 p.m. — the slow, catch-your-breath time between lunch and dinner — several diners lingered. A construction worker picked up a meal to go. The phone chirped constantly, with takeout orders.
Through it al, Pasquale was in the back, cooking. Maria was out front — her usual warm, welcoming self.
Everyone was happy. Tutti’s was open for business.
And — as it celebrates its 20th anniversary — it still will be, for years to come.
This mailbox at Brooks Corner is regularly covered with stickers. Just as regularly, they’re removed. Then just as regularly, they’re back again. (Photo/Lynn Untermeyer Miller)
I posted yesterday’s Roundup story about the Hackett family’s used sports equipment drive — it benefits Leveling the Playing Field, a non-profit that helps youngsters in need — without including where to drop the cleats, balls and more off.
They’ll be at the Granola Bar this Saturday and Sunday (December 10 and 11), from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Click here for a list of items you can donate. You know you’ve got some of it lying unused all around your house!
From left: Max Levitt (Founder of Leveling The Playing Field), Alex Hackett, Daisy Hackett, Chloe Hackett
The Westport Police have released arrest reports for the December 1-7 period.
Two people were detained in custody. One was charged with operating a motor vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol, failure to obey traffic control signal, and failure to drive in the proper lane.
The other custodial arrest was for conspiracy to commit burglary; oeperating a motor vehicle without a license; failure to renew registration; misuse of plates, and insurance coverage fails to meet minimum requirements.
The following citations were issued:
Traveling unreasonably fast: 18
Stop sign violation: 4
Violation of any traffic commission regulation: 3
Operating a motor vehicle without a license: 2
Operating an unregistered motor vehicle: 2
Failure to display plates: 2
Misuse of license plates: 1
Insurance coverage fails to meet minimum requirements: 2
Longtime ESPN reporter, E60 host Jeremy Schaap — a 1988 Staples High School graduate, and current Westport resident — never shies away from important issues.
He is the lead reporter and narrator of a new film, “The Survivor.” The documentary examines the 1972 Munich Massacre. That September, terrorists murdered 11 Israeli athletics at the Summer Olympics.
Schapp will screen the film at the Westport Library on Monday (December 12, 7 p.m.). Immediately afterward, the 11-time Emmy Award-winning investigative journalist will host a talkback
Schaap traveled to Israel and Germany to tell the story through the eyes of 86-year-old Israeli race walker Shaul Ladany. He survived the massacre — as he had World War II and the Holocaust, when he was a child.
“In his long life, Shaul Ladany has seen up close the worst of humanity,” says Schaap. “Not only has he survived, he has pressed forward, constantly, to lead a life of achievement. The lessons of his life are valuable to us all. I was honored to be part of the team that told the story of what he endured and what he witnessed. Ladany’s story is not so well-known here in the United States — but it should be.”
The Munich Massacre was the first terrorist attack broadcast live on television around the world. “The Survivor” breaks down the tragedy through archival video and news reports, along with new interviews and reporting.
If you’re Soles4Souls — the non-profit that collects new and gently used shoes — you’ll distribute them to people in need.
And you’ll do it with Westporters’ help.
This holiday season, Ken Bernhard and Ted Freedman led a drive that collected all those 500-plus shoes here. Collection boxes were placed at Town Hall, police headquarters and the Senior Center.
Ken and Ted thank all who contributed. It’s one small step — now, in proper shoes — to help break the cycle of poverty.
The Westport Rotary Club presented its annual Community Service and Public Protection Awards on Tuesday.
Recipients included artist and homeless advocate Nina Bentley; former Westport 1st Selectman Jim Marpe; RTM veteran Velma Heller; the Westport chapter of the National Charity League (represented by member Lisa Price), and Builders Beyond Borders executive director Amy Schroeder-Riggio.
Firefighter Rob Lenois and police officer Kevin Smith also earned awards for individual acts of heroism.
Nina Bentley receives her Westport Rotary Club award from Karl Mergenthaler and Leslie Roberts. (Photo/Jeff Wieser)
After opening on Main Street in late 2020 — in the midst of COVID, the 3rd outpost after New York and Los Angeles — the exhibit space moved to Post Road East.
Next stop: Fairfield. The 1700 Post Road location opens January 1.
“I love Westport. But the rent it too high for permanent space,” owner George Billis says.
He looks forward to welcoming customers to his new gallery. And hopes they’ll stop by before he relocates, for the moving sale going on now.
The first site of George Billis gallery, on Main Street.
The moon sets every morning. That gets less love from “06880” photographers than when it rises, and hangs high in the sky.
And a lot less love than sunrises and sunsets.
So today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo shines a light on the moonset. It was taken this morning by Matt Murray, and shows Sherwood Mill Pond, looking west toward Hillspoint Road.
And finally … Joyce Bryant died recently, in Los Angeles. She was 95, and suffered from Alzheimer’s.
I’d never heard of her. But according to her New York Times obituary, she was :a sultry singer of the 1940s and ’50s who broke racial barriers in nightclubs and raised the hackles of radio censors before setting aside her show business career in favor of missionary work, then reinventing herself as a classical and opera singer,”
Click here for her fascinating life story. Click below to hear a bit of her work:
(Obscure nightclub singers, police reports, menorah lightings, new Japanese restaurants — “06880” brings you all the Roundup news, every day. If you enjoy our work, please click here to contribute. Thank you!)
Though cannabis has been legalized in Connecticut, no store in the state is yet licensed to sell it.
State law also mandates that all nicotine products be kept behind store counters.
Stores must also post notices about the legality of sales of nicotine and THC products.
It is illegal to sell vaping products within 500 feet of a residential area or house of worship.
Yet all of those laws and regulations are being broken in Westport.
That’s the conclusion of an “Environmental Scan of Westport Smoke Shops.” It was conducted recently by Ben Fitzgerald of Prevention Corps and Rachalle Ubaldo of Positive Directions. The results were presented Tuesday, to the Westport Prevention Coalition.
Fitzgerald and Ubaldo visited 6 Westport smoke shops, gas stations and convenience stores. The project was coordinated with the Westport Police Department.
Names of the businesses were not included in the report.
The pair spoke to clerks to learn about popular products. They also attempted to make purchases, to see if they would be carded.
Only 3 of the businesses were registered with the state to sell electronic nicotine delivery systems (also called e-cigarettes or vape pens), or vapor products. Five of the stores were within 500 feet of a residential area; 3 were within 500 feet of a house of worship. Three did not store all nicotine products behind the counter.
A variety of vaping devices. (Photo courtesy of Wikipedia)
Three of the 6 stores carried pipes, rolling papers and bongs, Fitzgerald and Ubaldo said.
Possession of 1 1/2 ounces of cannabis is now legal in Connecticut, for people 21 and older. However, retail sales have not yet begun. It is also still illegal to grow cannabis at home, except with a medical marijuana license.
Three of the 6 stores did not card Fitzgerald and Ubaldo. A clerk at one store asked if they were “back from school,” while ringing up THC products. Sale of those products is illegal under state and local law.
According to the Prevention Coalition duo, one wellness store sold edibles (gummies) with 15 mg of THC each. State law will cap the serving of one edible at 5 mg.
Two stores carried Delta-8 THC products. Another — which the duo planned to visit — advertised Delta-8 on its website.
According to the Food and Drug Administration, Delta-8 is a psychoactive substance. It has not been evaluated or approved by the FDA for safe use in any context.
Delta-8 “may be marketed in ways that put the public health at risk and should especially be kept out of reach of children and pets,” the agency says.
One store told Fitzgerald and Ubaldo that Delta-8 is illegal, but offered Delta-9 — the most abundant form of THC in cannabis plants — as an alternative.
Three of the 6 stores carried still-illegal TCH products, such as edibles dab pens and cartridges.
At one store, a clerk pushed the conversation toward TCH. “Does your friend vape nicotine or … something else?” he asked.
Though state law requires signage about carding — including notice that giving or selling nicotine/THC products to minors (under 21) is illegal; fake IDs are illegal, and there are fines for illegal purchases — 3 stores displayed no signs. They were also the stores that did not card Fitzgerald and Ubaldo.
Two other stores displayed incomplete signage.
Following the pair’s presentation, Prevention Coalition attendees talked about next steps. Among them: police coordination with state agencies to take enforcement action (including fines and license forfeiture), and discussion by the Board of Selectwomen.
(“06880” is your hyper-local blog. Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
Before Thanksgiving gets too far away, here’s a shout-out to Lucia Palmieri.
The native Westporter cooks meals every year for the holiday — and then gives them away.
This year, it was 10 whole turkeys. (She does 4 at a time, in her ovens.) Then she makes bone broth.
Lucia Palmierii reflects on her Thanksgiving turkeys. She cooks 4 at a time.
This month, she organized a “Santa Run.” A fire truck (and Santa) will come to her house. She’ll supply a fire and hot chocolate; she’ll lead some carols.
In return, guests bring a wrapped gift — and donate $25 to the Fire Department.
Lucia does it all despite a demanding international concert touring schedule. She’s a very talented opera singer. She’s sung at Carnegie Hall, at the US Open, and on ESPN, Bravo, ABC and NBC.
She specializes in Italian and Latin songs — and Italian cooking. (Liza Minnelli, Jon Bon Jovi, Kenneth Cole and the late Marvin Hamlisch have raved about her food.)
Lucia Palmieri, on stage.
Lucia always thinks of others. She does her good deeds quietly, and spectacularly. Thanks, and congratulations: You’re this week’s well-deserved Unsung Hero. (Hat tip: Kathy Calise)
(Do you know an Unsung Hero? Email 06880blog@gmail.com, with details.)
(You can be a hero too! Please click here to support “06880.” Thank you!)
Another accident at the crash-prone Cross Highway/Bayberry Lane intersection sent one person to the hospital just before noon on Monday.
The collision — which closed Bayberry for a while — began when a driver headed toward Fairfield on Cross Highway ran the stop sign. The vehicle slammed into a car headed south on Bayberry. That automobile then hit the front of a car stopped at the northbound Bayberry stop sign.
The motorist who went through the stop sign was treated by EMS and transported to Norwalk Hospital for minor injuries.
The 3-car accident at the intersection of Cross Highway and Bayberry Lane. (Photo/Westport Fire Department)
Back in 2020, the Hackett family wanted to do something meaningful to give back to those in need.
All avid athletes, they chose a project that connects with them, and their Westport community. (It also helps clear out clutter.)
Working with Leveling the Playing Field — a non-profit organization helps underprivileged youngsters who need sports equipment — they’ll collect new and gently used sports and playground equipment.
They’ll be at the Granola Bar this Saturday and Sunday (December 10 and 11), from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The Hackett family, with just a few of their many donations.
You must have stuff lying around: cleats, field hockey sticks, lacrosse equipment, bats, ice hockey skates, footballs, softball gloves, soccer shin guards, etc. Click here for a full list of items — you’ll be amazed at what you forgot you have.
So clean out your garages, sheds and basements. It’s time to level the playing field for everyone!
For more information about this amazing organization, click below:
Gift cards allow survivors the dignity to purchase what they most need or want for their families. Suggested retailers include Stop & Shop, ShopRite, Amazon, Target and Walmart.
Gift cards can be left with the dispatch center in the lobby of the Westport Police Department (50 Jesup Road), between now and December 13.
Staples High School Class of 2020 graduate Terry Brannigan has many talents.
He’s double majoring in physics and music at Wesleyan University. He’s minoring in IDEAS (Integrated Design, Engineering and Applied Science). He’s a varsity wrestler.
And now — as wrestling season is just ramping up — he’s released a new song.
“Sunshine Serenade” is a blend of musical styles, from metal to R&B. Terry has been working on it — evolving and growing — the song for years.
“It finally bloomed into this rollercoaster that it is now,” he says.
Click here to stream “Sunshine Serenade,” on your favorite platform.
Posted onDecember 7, 2022|Comments Off on Staples Student Directors Star At Young Filmmakers’ Forum
Staples High School pulses with exciting, challenging classes.
But there are many chances to learn outside the classroom too.
Staples Independent Learning Experience is one path. Students spend a semester or full year working independently or collaboratively, on a project they’re passionate about.
They’re supported by an Independent Learning Experiences teacher, and a faculty mentor.
Last school year, 6 students directed and produced films. On December 20 (6:30 p.m.), the Westport Library will host their international premieres. Afterward, media studies teacher/advisor Lauren Bullock will moderate a talkback, with the filmmakers.
Staples students have access to sophisticated video equipment and editing software.
The films at the Westport Young Filmmakers’ Forum include:
Chucknea’s Biopic (Filmmaker: Jacob Friedman)
An ex-criminal-turned-interdimensional defense officer investigates a lead on a former crime partner, only to discover a more sinister plot for revenge that implicates the security of all dimensions.
Plus One Filmmakers: Leah Chapman, Tate Mullineaux) Co-dependency and instability challenge 2 teens, as they try to deal with everyday life.
Sincerely, Nadia Filmmaker: Elen Macaluso) Struggling with mental health issues, a high school girl reflects on her life.
Edges of Love (Filmmaker: Ben Seideman) A couple preys on unsuspecting victims in a twisted game of betrayal, manipulation and psychosis.
Crucible (Filmmaker: Jack Rein) A timid youngster suffering from domestic violence is transformed into a confident vigilante, as his family collapses onto him.
If you’re thinking of amateur attempts made with cheap equipment held by shaky hands — think again.
This is 2022. These high school kids have been taught well.
They’ve learned a lot on their own, too.
See their last high school films on the Westport Library’s big screen.
You will probably see their work in years to come.
On a much larger one.
(“06880” covers all the arts, and all the ages. Please click here to support your hyper-local blog. Thank you!)
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According to the Prevention Coalition duo, one wellness store sold edibles (gummies) with 15 mg of THC each. State law will cap the serving of one edible at 5 mg.
Though state law requires signage about carding — including notice that giving or selling nicotine/THC products to minors (under 21) is illegal; fake IDs are illegal, and there are fines for illegal purchases — 3 stores displayed no signs. They were also the stores that did not card Fitzgerald and Ubaldo.
