Roundup: Shop Local, Free Ice Cream, Spotted Lanternfly …

Posted on August 28, 2021 | 2 comments

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Looking for a reason to shop local today?

Local to Market — on the former Talbot’s patio, at the Main Street entrance to Parker Harding Plaza — features:

  • Silverman’s Farm fresh produce (corn, peaches, tomatoes, peppers and more)
  • Kneads Bakery (breads and pastries)
  • Luke Molina, musician (12-2 p.m.)
  • Fresh Connecticut- grown flower bouquets
  • The Artists Collective of Westport (various artists)
  • Little Bits Pottery

The Local to Market patio is open today until 2 p.m., across from Cold Fusion.

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Looking for a way to clean up the community?

First and 2nd selectman candidates Jen Tooker and Andrea Moore are sponsoring a downtown event tomorrow (Sunday, August 29, 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.). It starts and ends at Cold Fusion Gelato. All are welcome!

Ugh! (Photo/Amy Berkin)

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Looking for a “sweet” way to welcome the start of school?

Embrace Orthodontics invites everyone in the community to enjoy a free scoop of ice cream at their office (24 Imperial Avenue), from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Great idea! Also, a lot better for teeth than taffy.

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Sara Harris’ last day as Westport’s director of operations was yesterday. She’s moving to the private sector, after 4 years assisting Jim Marpe.

Her colleagues sent her off at Town Hall — and sent us this photo. Sara is posing with the right long-time resident — and wearing the right hat. (Hat tip: Mary Young)

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The end of summer has come quickly.

The last day for lifeguards at Burying Hill Beach is tomorrow (Sunday, August 29).

Compo Beach guards will be on duty through September 6.

Beach emblems are required through September 30, 2021.

Burying Hill Beach lifeguard coverage ends tomorrow. (Photo/Yvonne O’Kane)

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All 36 Representative Town Meeting seats will be contested in November’s election. Four members from each of Westport’s 9 districts vote on town appropriations, and give final approval to the budget; approve town ordinances; make recommendations regarding ordinances, and review certain decisions of town boards and commissions.

So far, all members in districts 2 (Jay Keenan, Lou Mall, Christine Meiers Schataz, Harris Falk), 3 (Mark Friedman, Arline Gertzoff, Jimmy Izzo, Ross Burkahrdt) and 6 (Jessica Bram, Seth Braunstein, Cathy Talmadge and Candace Banks) have submitted letters of intent to run again.

So have 3 members in districts 1 (Chris Tait, Matthew Mandell, Kristin Mott Purcell), 4 (Andrew Colabella, Noah Hammond, Jeffrey Weiser), 5 (Peter Gold, Dick Lowenstein, Karen Kramer), 7 (Brandi Briggs, Lauren Karpf, Jack Klinge) and 8 (Wendy Batteau, Lisa Newman, Stephen Shackelford). In District 9,Sal Liccione and Kristin Schneeman are running again.

Petitioning candidates who have been certified to run are Richard Jaffe (District 1), Ellen Lautenberg (7) and Nancy Kail (9).

Other candidates still collecting signatures are Abby Tolan, Carolanne Curry and Liz Milwe (District 1), James Bairaktaris (4), Claudia Shaum (5), John Toi (7), Rachel Cohn (8) and Marla Cowden and Lori Church (9).

Petitions are due September 14. Click here for a petition. Click here for a map of all 9 districts.

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Flags ae flying at half-staff throughout Connecticut, in honor of the servicemembers and others killed in the Kabul attack.

This is the scene at the VFW, on Riverside Avenue:

(Photo/Johanna Rossi)

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MoCA Westport kicked off its new exhibition — “Between the Earth and the Sky” — last night.

It features over 50 large-scale photos by Anne Burmeister and Ashley Skatoff from the Who Grows Your Food initiative. The intimate photographic journey celebrates the farms and farmers associated with the Westport Farmers’ Market.

The exhibition also includes site-specific installations by Kristyna and Marek Milde. The Brooklyn duo explore environmental issues, and the alienation of contemporary lifestyles.

The exhibition is open through October 17. It was created in collaboration with the Westport Farmers’ Market.

The new MoCA exhibition. (Photo/JC Martin)

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Also last night: Mihali entertained a large crowd at the Levitt Pavilion.

Speaking of large crowds: Both tonight’s performances (Gunsmoke) and tomorrow’s (Dr. K’s Motown Review) sold out a while ago.

Congratulations to the Levitt — and all who made possible this year’s 60 nights of free entertainment, under the stars!

Mihali (Photo/JC Martin)

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This week’s #FridayFlowers arrangements decorate the plaza between Saugatuck Sweets and The Whelk. As always, they’re compliments of the Westport Garden Club.

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Friends of Sherwood Island “shore” know how to have fun.

Shorefest — their annual fundraiser — is set for Friday, September 10 (6 to 9 p.m.). It’s environmentally (and COVID) friendly, in the open air of the main pavilion.

Shorefest includes a seaside evening of food, live music and a silent auction. Catered by Westfair Fish & Chips, dinner options include lobster, steak, salmon, or vegetarian. Burgers and hot dogs are available for kids.

All proceeds support the habitat restoration, education, and advocacy work of the Friends group. Click here for tickets, and more information.

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Ronnie Hammer sends along this report from our friends at News12 Connecticut. Residents are urged to be on the lookout for an invasive species — the spotted lanternfly — in Fairfield and New Haven Counties.

It destroys some plants and vineyards, but won’t harm humans or pets. Click here for the full report.

(Photo courtesy of News12 Connecticut)

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Paul Delano writes:

The last couple of days you had a spider and a cicada in “Westport … Naturally.”

How about a cicada, hummingbird and katydid all in one? They are all big fans of my trumpet vine flowers.

(Photo/Paul Delano)

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And finally … Richard Tucker, the great American tenor, was born today in 1913. He died of a heart attack in 1975, in his dressing room before a performance in Michigan. His funeral was held on the stage of the Metropolitan Opera House, the only singer ever to be so honored.

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Posted in Arts, Beach, Downtown, Entertainment, Environment, Local business, Local politics

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Scarice Offers Update, Preview On New School Year

Posted on August 28, 2021 | 1 comment

Superintendent of Schools Thomas Scarice says:

The entire Westport Public Schools team has been gearing up for an incredible start to our school year. In a matter of days the 2021-2022 school year will be underway.

Before our year starts I’d like to share some more updates:

New District Website
We have launched a new district website. As you scroll the site you will find a much more modern appearance with easy-to-use buttons. This effort is just Step 1 in the process of improving our overall online presence.  The updating and overhaul of current content on our site is underway, and a plan to add weekly content and “news” about our schools will begin when the school year starts.

We will engage our district Facebook page next week as we share district “news” through this social media outlet. Finally, we are aiming for an October launch of a new district app that parents can customize and add to their smartphone.

Communication is a high priority for our district, and these tools will further advance our communication improvement efforts.

Outdoor Lunch for Students
The district recently secured formidable tents to provide students an opportunity to eat lunch outside for the first few months of the school year, in an effort to thin out the number of students in the cafeteria. These structures provide an opportunity for fresh air and appropriate cover in the event of rain and wind. I suspect the outdoor lunch will be a big hit with our kids,

Vaccines for All WPS Employees
As you are aware, the Governor issued an executive order requiring all pre-K-12 employees to have the Covid-19 vaccine. Routine testing will be enforced for any employees exempt from this provision due to religious or medical reasons.

Vaccines for All WPS Visitors
During the 2020-21 school year, school visitors were prohibited. In keeping with our approach of reevaluating our strategies every 4-6 weeks while we confront the pandemic, we will add and remove layers of mitigation as the conditions permit.  At this point, we will incrementally welcome back visitors to our schools this year with certain restrictions.

Given that we are requiring all WPS employees to show proof of vaccination, we are also requiring all visitors to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination to be permitted to visit school buildings. Visitors in the buildings will be limited to educational or school business needs and will need to be approved by the building administration. Access for contractors and vendors will be limited to essential building operations. For parents attending Planning and Placement Team (PPT) meetings, Section 504 meetings, and other required meetings, we will offer virtual meetings, but also host in-person opportunities with proof of vaccination.

Superintendent of School Thomas Scarice was vaccinated last spring. (Photo/John Bayers)

Back to School Night
As with last year, we will host our Back to School Night virtually. We are in the process of determining the most secure and reliable manner for our network to accommodate a live session for parents on Back to School Night. Additional information will be provided in the next week or so with finalized plans; however, I can assure you that the night will be virtual.

Provisions for Unmasked Teachers During Instruction  
Last week I informed the school community that the state Department of Public Health has released the latest guidance that permits teachers to remove their masks during instruction, provided they are vaccinated, all students are wearing masks, and the teacher is at the front of the classroom at least six feet from any student. Although I welcome this change as we start the year, after some feedback, I am recommending that we wait a few weeks into the school year before implementing this provision.

We will add and remove mitigating measures as the conditions warrant. This provision will be revisited later in September and will either be implemented or delayed, depending on the virus conditions.

Thank you for your support of our efforts. I can assure you that the team is energized and ready to kick off the school year, and to provide your child with an outstanding experience. Again, as we continue to confront the pandemic, we will do our best to reassess our approach every 4-6 weeks with an eye to peeling back layers of mitigation when possible so that our children can fully return to normalcy in our schools.

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0*6*Art*Art*0 – Week 74 Gallery

Posted on August 28, 2021 | Comments Off on 0*6*Art*Art*0 – Week 74 Gallery

As summer wanes, beach scenes abound.

There’s not much time left for them. Soon though, our online gallery will be filled with different seasonal themes. Will you be part of it?

Whatever your age and level of experience — professional or amateur, young or old — this feature is open to everyone.

All genres and styles are encouraged too. Watercolors, oils, charcoal, pen-and-ink, acrylics, lithographs, macramé, jewelry, sculpture, decoupage (and now needlepoint) — whatever you’ve got, email it to dwoog@optonline.net. Share your work with the world!

“I’ve Been to Sea Before” — Artist Jude Gray Smith says, “My family travels to Cape Cod every year. While we while away the hours, we do art – exclusively collage, with visitors’ guides and magazines collected from around the area. We have a home gallery
This years theme is Chatham Pier Fish Market.”

“Landscapes” — taken near Bartaco (Rowene Weems Photography)

 

“It’s All About Us” (Ellin Spadone)

“Just Because” (Ellen Wentworth)

“Shoreline” (Amy Schneider)

“Support Your Local Independent Bookstore (If You Still Have One)” (Lawrence Weisman)

“Through the Window” (Karen Weingarten)

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Studio Cafe Settles In Sconset Square

Posted on August 28, 2021 | 1 comment

Some new restaurants open with a splash. La Plage, Hudson Malone and Basso all appeared during the pandemic, with plenty of well-deserved press.

Others open their doors more quietly.

You may not have heard of Studio Café. It’s hidden in plain sight — inside The Tailored Home, the interiors and furniture design store at Sconset Square. Partners Scott Falciglia and Jhon Ortiz combine design and hospitality. The café showroom and garden all complement each other.

Studio Cafe,in Sconset Square.

That’s by “design.” Scott and Jhon have been inspired by dining experiences around the world. They realized that Westport has a robust restaurant scene, some of them — on the water or downtown — quite picturesque.

There are many cuisines here already. Studio Café adds Spanish flavors. The menu ranges from bacalao-stuffed roasted Navarro peppers with cream sauce  and butternut cream soup with grapefruit pieces to escalivada (roasted vegetable board) and arugula salad. There’s a fresh juice bar, coffee, tea and  baked goods too.

Studio Café is a quiet, comforting corner. The kitchen is small and open to the front counter, making guests feel like they’re “home.” Entertainment is on tap soon.

You can order online too (click here).

As for what to order, Scott recommends:

Breakfast: tortilla española (Spanished baked egg dish with seasoned potato or onion), with a fresh orange juice and latte.

Lunch: Roast asparagus with hummus and tapenade, with classic iced tea.

Afternoon snack: Chai latte and Spanish cheesecake.

(Follow Studio Cafe on Instagram and Facebook: @studiocafect.) 

Sampling Studio Cafe’s fare.

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Posted in Categories, Downtown, Local business, Restaurants

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Pic Of The Day #1592

Posted on August 27, 2021 | 3 comments

6 a.m. soccer, at Wakeman Field (Photo/Barry Guiduli)

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Friday Flashback #259

Posted on August 27, 2021 | 23 comments

Newcomers may have heard that Westport was once an “artists’ colony.”

Oldtimers remember the Famous Artists School on Wilton Road (just north of Bartaco — click here).

For a while, magazine ads and matchbook covers all over the world invited aspiring artists to learn from Famous Artists School masters.

They did not exactly “teach.” They lent their names to the enterprise. But they were quite an accomplished (and very male) bunch.

Anthony Dohanos sent along a great photo. His father — Stevan Dohanos, the famed Saturday Evening Post and US postage stamp illustrator — sits prominently on a rock at the front left, wearing plaid pants.

Norman Rockwell puffs his trademark pipe in the row behind, near the right.

Sitting in the front row on the right is Rod Serling. He was, I guess, part of the auxiliary Famous Writers’ School. (There was also a Famous Photographers’ School).

How many of these men (and 2 women) can you identify? Click “Comments” below — and add any memories you have of the years when the Famous Schools made Westport famous.

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Roundup: 3rd Moderna, Modern Thermometer, Polestar EVs …

Posted on August 27, 2021 | 3 comments

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The Westport Weston Health District will host a “3rd dose” Moderna vaccine clinic — for moderately and severely immunocompromised people — on September 10 (1 to 4 p.m., Senior Center).

Appointments can be scheduled here. Bring your vaccination card to the appointment.

The CDC’s additional dose recommendation includes people who have:

Been receiving active cancer treatment for tumors or cancers of the blood

Received an organ transplant and are taking medicine to suppress the immune system

Received a stem cell transplant within the past 2 years, or are taking medicine to suppress the immune system

Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency

Advanced or untreated HIV infection

Active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids or other drugs that suppress an immune response.

To learn more, speak with your healthcare provider. Click here for the CDC website.

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Polestar2 — an all-electronic vehicle — is giving test free test drives to the public. From now through Sunday (11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.), they’re doing it at Bedford Square.

If you’ve never driven a fully electric vehicle, this is a great. chance. Everyone is welcome — so long as you have a driver’s license!

Polestars, at Bedford Square.

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On Wednesday, Bob Weingarten went to Town Hall, for house research.

Usually he signs in at the front desk, and heads to the Town Clerk’s office. This time, he was asked for a temperature check — and to do it himself.

There’s a device, just inside the main door. Stand in front, and get a readout.

I haven’t been in Town Hall in months. I don’t know if this is new and noteworthy, or not news. It could be cool — or a story like George H.W. Bush’s surprise at how a supermarket scanner works.

You be the judge. I’m just passing along Bob’s photo.

(Photo/Bob Weingarten)

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2003 Staples High School graduate Jesse Levin owns the Readiness Collective — an emergency training club and outfitter in Norwalk. Earlier, he opened a pop-up shop in Bedford Square.

After the chilling news from Afghanistan, Jesse turned the Collective into am ad hoc volunteer emergency operations center, to facilitate emergency evacuation efforts.

We have turned our training club, The Readiness Collective into an ad hoc volunteer emergency coordination operations center to facilitate efforts under way for emergency evacuations in Afghanistan.

Professional logistics and disaster response experts on site help guide volunteers on how to contribute. They’re tied in with working groups on the ground, and assisting from abroad.

Recent efforts include the expatriation of 20 targeted Afghan nationals and their families to Uganda, critical medical advice provided to parents of a young girl injured by a tear gas canister and unable to reach medical help, and the development of overland evacuation plans for wide distribution.

Jesse’s Collective needs help and support. “Just bring a computer and a willingness to dig in,” he says.

Offices are in the SoNo Collection (just off I-95 Exit 15 in Norwalk, Level II0. Questions? Email ready@readinesscollective.com, or call 203-275-7297.

Jesse Levin, providing aid in Puerto Rico.

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Sure, Westport Book Shop is the go-to for “pre-owned” (okay, used) books and more — including music.

But they also run an online store. It’s got a selection of new, sealed CDs, in categories from pop and oldies to classical and jazz.

Click here to browse the online selections.

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Three attorneys at Westport-based FLB Law have been named to the Best Lawyers in America list.

The FLB honorees are managing partner Stephen P. Fogerty, and attorneys Alan S. Rubenstein and Leslie E. Grodd.

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Seen the giant sunflower at Viva Zapata?

The restaurant’s Sam O’Mahony explains today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo, growing out of the 2nd-floor window boxes:

“We didn’t plant sunflowers this year! We’re assuming a bird dropped it up there last summer from our garden in the side yard.”

(Photo/Sam O’Mahony)

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And finally … in honor of Town Hall’s new temperature scanner:

 

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Posted in Downtown, Local business, Local politics, Restaurants, Transportation

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Steve Axthelm: Build The Skate Park!

Posted on August 27, 2021 | 12 comments

Steve Axthelm is one of those unheralded, overlooked, under- (as in “non-“) paid volunteers who make Westport what it is.

He served for many years on the Parks & Recreation Commission, and the board of Westport Baseball & Softball. His goal was to give everyone an opportunity to play sports, have fun, and enjoy Westport’s amenities.

Two weeks ago — when the sale of his house closed — Steve resigned from both posts. He and his wife Laura headed to North Carolina.

Steve Axthelm, with his skatebaords.

Here’s his final message to Parks & Rec — and to the town he’s loved, and given so much to:

“It has been an honor to serve on the Westport Parks & Recreation Commission. I’m proud of what we have accomplished together, and think we have been an example of a group that puts serving the community over politics or personal desires.

“I’m especially pleased with what we were able to accomplish at Compo Beach, especially the walkways and the bathroom on South Beach to provide accessibility and enjoyment to all. The stewardship and improvement of the town’s parks and sports facilities has been steadfast. Thanks go to Charlie Haberstroh and my fellow commissioners, and to Jen Fava and her team for outstanding work over the years.

“One regret: we did not get the skate park done. It is severely outdated, and an eyesore at Compo. No other sports group has to use such a poor facility in Westport.

The Compo Beach skate park.

“A beautiful concrete skatepark will be an enhancement to Compo and a boon to a robust skateboarding community. Skate Camp counselor Gabriel Dick and Skate Camp director James Bowles will rally the skateboarding community for fundraising.

James Bowles and Gabe Dick, at a rally 8 years ago to save the Compo skate park.

“In the past skateboarding was an afterthought, and participants were sometimes characterized as misfits (hmmm, I was a skateboarder when I was a grommet, inventing gnarly moves to grind the dinosaurs). It is simply a great sport in which to hone athleticism and creativity. And now it is an Olympic Sport.

“Our skateboarders and our town deserve this. Let’s get it built!

Skate park at a beach.

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Posted in Beach, Children, Local politics, Sports, Teenagers

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Pic Of The Day #1591

Posted on August 26, 2021 | 1 comment

Intense deliberations at the Westport Library (Photo/JC Martin)

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Remembering Robert (“Bobby Q’s”) Le Rose

Posted on August 26, 2021 | 6 comments

His name was Robert Le Rose. But generations of Westporters knew him as Bob or — even more familiarly — “Bobby Q.”

The owner of the popular downtown restaurant — the go-to place for ribs, casual conversation, fun, and a rooftop deck featuring bands and beer — died peacefully on Sunday, surrounded by his loved ones. He was 56 years old,

Bob Le Rose

In 2012 Bob — who also founded Westport’s Blues, Views & BBQ Festival — was diagnosed with a rare soft tissue cancer. Given 2 years to live, he beat that prognosis by nearly a decade.

Bob was born in Greenwich in 1965. From the baseball fields at Greenwich High School, to his DJ group Incognito, to Westport and Norwalk and his beloved Bobby Q’s, the University of Richmond, and everywhere in between, Bob left his mark.

He started his career at Del Monte Foods as a sales associate. He then worked for Gallo Wines, Poland Spring, Nestle Waters and Velocity.

Bob and his wife Kelley opened Bobby Q’s in 2004 in Westport, combining Bob’s passion for community and authentic Kansas City BBQ. The Blues, Views & BBQ Festival grew out of Bob’s love for music.

Countless projects in between reflected his desire to bring people together. That never changed, even during the toughest years of his life.

Bob is survived by his high school sweetheart Kelley; daughters Alex and Meghan; brothers James and Christopher, and loving nieces and nephews.

A celebration of his life is set for this Saturday (August 28, 1 to 4 p.m., Coxe & Graziano Funeral Home, 134 Hamilton Avenue, Greenwich). To leave an online tribute, click here.

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Posted in Entertainment, Obituaries, Restaurants

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