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Familiar Faces Open New Restaurant & Cantina

Posted on December 5, 2020 | 19 comments

It takes cojones to open a new restaurant in a pandemic.

But the Osorio family has faced adversity before. They persevered for years as owners of Villa del Sol on Elm Street, serving excellent food (and legendary frozen margaritas), even as construction of nearby Bedford Square made access (and ambience) difficult.

Last night they opened the doors to their new venture. Mexica (pronounced “ma-shee-ca”) replaces another Mexican restaurant, Señor Salsa, on Post Road West at South Sylvan. (It was, for years before that, the site of the popular Connolly’s steakhouse.)

The Osorio family, at Mexica.

Mexica Kitchen & Cantina is a tribute to the Osarios’ patriarch, Joe. He started Villa del Sol around 1998.

The menu is similar: traditional Mexican dishes with a twist, plus new items highlighting true Mexican food and culture. Like Villa del Sol, it is colorful, clean and fun. Of course tables are socially spaced, indoors and out. Takeout and curbside service are available.

Mexica restaurant. (Photos/Chip Stephens)

The distance from Elm Street to Post Road West is short. But the Osorios have traveled a long road of building issues, permits — and of course a pandemic — dating back to their previous restaurant.

Now Jennifer, Colleen and their family are back in business. They look forward to seeing old friends, and making new ones. Bienvenido, Mexica!

(Mexica’s phone number is 203-349-5392. Hat tip: Chip Stephens)

19 Comments

Posted in People, Restaurants

Tagged Colleen Osorio, Jennifer Osorio, Mexica restaurant, Villa del Sol

Pic Of The Day #1327

Posted on December 4, 2020 | 1 comment

Colorful kayaks (Photo/June Rose Whittaker)

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Posted in Pic of the Day

Tagged kayaks

Friday Flashback #221

Posted on December 4, 2020 | 15 comments

“Westport … A Special Place” is the gift that keeps on giving.

Written and compiled by Eve Potts, and designed by Howard Munce, the Westport Historical Society project is filled with amazing local photos from a time long gone.

Speaking of gifts: Here’s an image from the book. It’s Christmas 1888, “at the seaside estate that became Longshore.”

I have no idea who any of these people are. But all have stories.

What are their relationships with each other? Why is the plump guy at the lower left not looking at the camera? Is there an infant in the carriage? How come they all seem so solemn? (Even the “Merry Christmas” sign looks stern.) Are the kids on the top step planning something? Is the boy at the far left slyly pointing to the statute? Whose dog is it? Who knew that people in 1888 even had pets?

This is a wonderful look back at a Westport Christmas, 132 years ago. In 2152, when our descendants see an image of Christmas 2020, what will they think?

I know the first question: “Why did they all wear masks?!”

15 Comments

Posted in Friday Flashback, Longshore

Tagged Christmas 1888

Roundup: Arts Funds, Big Buck, Turtle Update, More

Posted on December 4, 2020 | 4 comments

Five Westport nonprofit arts groups have received a total of $536,100 in COVID relief funds. The money — part of a $9 million Connecticut COVID Relief for the Arts package — is administered by the state Department of Economic and Community Development.

Recipients include

Friends of the Levitt Pavilion: $55,200
JIB Productions (Play With Your Food): $11,900
MoCA Westport: $97,700
Westport Community Theatre: $5,500
Westport Country Playhouse: $365,80

(Hat tip: Dick Lowenstein)

The Westport Country Playhouse received a grant for COVID relief.

Speaking of art: Mysterious monoliths appeared recently in Utah, California and Romania.

Also: Burying Hill Beach.

Nothing concrete is known about any of them.

(Photo/Chris Grimm)

Remember the loggerhead turtle rescued by Mystic Aquarium on Monday?

David Loffredo sends this update:

Our turtle is a male, 5 to 10 years old. [Uh-oh. “06880” first called him a her — who knew?]

The aquarium warmed him up from 53 degrees to 70. He did suffer quite a blow to his head. They think he was hit by a propeller earlier in the fall, so they are watching him to make sure he recovers.

That’s most likely why he wound up in Long Island Sound this late in the season, and on our beach. His buddies are already way further south. He would not have survived for much longer.

So now we wait. It’s like having a child. We try not to call daily….

My wife asked if they’ve named him. The rescue people said they don’t name rescue animals until they’re sure they’ll survive, so right now our guy is #2. We are praying he gets a name!

If and when he does, we’ve been invited for a visit and a behind-the-scenes tour. You know it will be thoroughly documented.

(Photo/David Loffredo)

Speaking of animals: A nearby resident spotted this guy in the Greens Farms Church cemetery. He and his girlfriend then wandered over to her side door. They seem to have settled in for the winter.

As of yesterday, Westport had 699 cases of COVID-19 since March (642 confirmed, 57 probable). There have been 24 deaths (16 confirmed, 18 probable). Click here for full statistics.

And finally … happy 69th birthday to Gary Rossington. The guitarist is a founding member of Lynyrd Skynyrd — and the last surviving original member.

4 Comments

Posted in Arts, Entertainment, Environment, Organizations, Westport Country Playhouse

Tagged "Play With Your Food, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Levitt Pavilion, MoCA Westport, Mystic Aquarium, Westport Community Theater, Westport Country Playhouse

Noya’s Windows Offer Joy And Hope

Posted on December 4, 2020 | 1 comment

Jerri Graham is a noted Westport photographer. She hasn’t felt the holiday spirit for a while. Recently, she was especially Grinchy. But, she writes …:

While around us the world spins, there are those going the extra mile to make the holidays a bit more magical. They decorate with a level of flair that should be appreciated.

Noya Jewelry Design (18 Riverside Avenue) has upped their game this year with a “Nutcracker”-inspired window display that spills over into the interior decor.

Owner Natalie Tortay started talking about decorating for Christmas back in September. I never suspected my Israeli Jewish landlord and mentor would be a Mrs. Claus in disguise.

But, she says, “I lived in Europe for many years. Christmas decorating is taken seriously. You don’t just string lights.”

I thought she was kidding about “doing it up” for Christmas, until she asked for the name of a set designer. I knew Alicia D’Anna builds exhibits for the Westport Museum for History & Culture, and has bad-ass ways with a table saw. She’s also worked for years on sets for Staples Players.

The women met, along with Alicia’s partner in design, Broadway’s Jordan Janota. Together hey flushed out Natalie’s vision.

From left: Jordan Janota, Natalie Tortay, Alicia D’Anna. (Photo/Jerri Graham)

I asked Natalie why she went through the expense of decorating her windows and store for the holidays, while we’re all experiencing trying times.

“It’s because we are in these times that I have to do it,” she said. “It makes me happy, it looks beautiful for people passing by, and it gives artists work. I’m happy.”

Alicia worked in her converted Westport workshop with Jordan. They brought to life the storyboard they’d presented just a week before. With techniques they’d used on the stage here and in New York, they carved out a bit of theatrics.

Jordan Janota, at work in Noya.(Photo/Jerri Graham)

“Natalie is giving the town joy! She isn’t just decorating her store for the holidays; she’s giving our community an experience,” Alicia said as she painted a foam scoop of ice cream bright pink.

The designers created quite a scene in 2 windows. Ballet slippers suggest an invisible foot dance beneath a tutu, surrounded by snow-covered trees and glittery packages.

One of Noya’s windows, with ballet shoes and a tutu. (Photo/Jerri Graham)

At night I’ve smiled as I see little girls with their faces pressed to the window. A jewelry designer turned her store into a studio, where artists created a set for minds to dance.

Though we live in dark times with the shine of the season dimmed, the windows of Noya offers a little glimmer of hope we can all use.

(Noya Jewelry Design is on the west bank of the Saugatuck River, just over the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge.)

A little girl looks in Noya’s window. (Photo/Kami Evans)

1 Comment

Posted in Arts, Local business, People

Tagged Alicia D'Anna, Christmas 2020, Jerri Graham, Jordan Janota, Natalie Tortay, Noya Fine Jewelry

Pic Of The Day #1326

Posted on December 3, 2020 | Comments Off

Reflections of 315 Post Road West (Photo/Amy Schneider)

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Roundup: Accelerating Universe, Mozy Blanket, Knicks Memoir, More

Posted on December 3, 2020 | 5 comments

You may not have heard of Alex Filippenko.

But astrophysicists have.

The University of California professor of astronomy is the only member of both teams that revealed the accelerating expansion of the universe, which led to a Nobel Prize. He’s been voted the Best Professor at Berkeley a record 9 times.

On December 15 (8 p.m.), he’ll visit the Westport Astronomical Society — virtually — for a free lecture on “A New Surprise in the Accelerating Universe.” It’s available on Zoom, and YouTube.

Mozy is a new member of the Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce. The local company produces a “lower-body thermal wrap engineered to keep you 100% warmer than most blankets.”

It’s perfect for “game day, drinks on the deck or a sunset hike” — and the “BYOB” (Bring Your Own Blanket) outdoor dining initiative championed by the Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce. Click here to buy online, or email for in-person pickup: hello@getthemozy.com.

A few Mozys.

The Strickland is a new website about the New York Knicks.

They just released their first book: “Fred From Fresh Meadows: A Knicks Memoir.” Author Fred is also from Westport. The 1971 Staples High School graduate is well known to “06880” readers as a frequent commenter on a variety of topics, a documentary filmmaker, an off-Broadway producer, and a keeper of the flame of local musicians like the Remains and Charlie Karp.

Fred’s Knick bona fides go back decades. He was at Madison Square Garden for the “Here comes Wilis!” game. He stayed up late the night before the SATs to watch a big game on the West Coast. In law school he chose where to live based on which neighborhood had a team cable TV package, then chose an apartment in Manhattan based in part on proximity to Madison Square Garden.

Along the way, Fred might have inadvertently caused Jerry Lucas to have one of the worst shooting nights of his playoff career, drove with Earl Monroe to a business meeting, and sort of sued Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to get revenge for Knicks fans.

Fred is a truly good guy. He’s donating 100% of the royalties from his pandemic project to the John Starks Foundation, which provides grants to college-bound high school seniors with academic excellence, financial need and a commitment to community service.

Click here to order. Click here for more information about Fred’s memoir.

During COVID, many folks are drinking alone. Now you can do it without shame — and with the knowledge you’re helping raise money for great causes.

The Westport Woman’s Club is sponsoring a “Swirl & Sip” wine-tasting fundraiser (Wednesday, December 9, 6 to 7 p.m.). For just $25, Castle Wine & Spirits is providing sparkling wines from Italy and Spain. Silver Ribbon donates the door prize: a $200 gift certificate.

Proceeds from the virtual event help fund grants to local non-profits, and need-based college scholarships. Cheers!

Click here for tickets and more information.

MoCA Westport’s Holiday Open House has been postponed from this Saturday to next (December 12, noon to 5 p.m.).

The outdoor event includes caroling by the Staples High School Orphenians, free admission to the World Peace exhibition, performances by teachers and students of the Westport School of Music, and a holiday-themed project for kids.

There’s free hot chocolate and doughnuts, and food trucks for purchases. There is no admission fee, but MoCA suggests bringing an unwrapped toy for the Westport Police Department’s annual drive.

And finally … in honor of the Westport Astronomical Society’s lecture on the expanding universe:

5 Comments

Posted in Organizations, People, Sports, Staples HS

Tagged Fred Cantor, MoCA Westport, Mozy, New York Knicks, Westport Astronomical Society, Westport Woman's Club, Westport-Weston Chamber of Commerce

RTM Upgrades Radio System, Seawall; Appoints Transit Director

Posted on December 3, 2020 | 13 comments

This is Peter Gold’s report on the December Representative Town Meeting. He is an RTM member writing for himself, not in an official capacity.

December’s RTM meeting featured several housekeeping items, and 3 appropriation requests.

Dan Woog’s invocation gave thanks for America’s democratic traditions. He thanked the RTM for all it does for Westport, describing the RTM as ”its own tradition. It is non-partisan. It represents every segment of town. It is unique. It is quirky. It is ours.”

Members then reelected Velma Heller as moderator and Jeff Wieser as deputy moderator for the 4th time, and thanked retiring Town Clerk Patty Strauss for her 23 years of service to the RTM and the town.

The RTM also thanked Marty Fox and Patsy Cimarosa, who resigned as directors of the Westport Transit District, for their nearly 5 years’ service as directors.

The most expensive appropriation was $4,635,408 for a new public safety radio system. The current system is 15 year old, and has parts that can no longer be repaired.

The new system will piggyback on the state’s existing system. making it significantly less expensive than buying a stand-alone setup. The new system enables the Police Department, Fire Department and Emergency Medical Services to communicate together for the first time, and expands the area covered by the system.

$230,000 was approved to repair the seawall along the river at Jesup Green. The project adds a railing atop the seawall to help minimize accidental falls into the river. While the RTM agreed safety should be a priority, hope was expressed that the railing will obstruct river views as little as possible.

Repairs will be made along the Saugatuck River seawall.

The RTM also approved $80,000 for the design and permitting stage of a project to repair the Old Mill walkway and tide gates.

The final agenda item was to appoint a new volunteer director for the Westport Transit District.

Peter Gold, former chair of the RTM Transit Committee (and the author of this article) was nominated, because of his familiarity with the Transit District’s operations. He would resign once the town came up with a plan for the future of the Transit District.

A motion was made to delay appointing a new transit director until February to give the town additional time to decide on a course of action.

Peter Gold

While some thought the absence of a director would prod the town to take action more quickly, others noted that a director must be in place now to deal with day-to day operations, including the new Wheels 2U Westport on-demand door-to train station commuter service, and to prepare the Transit District’s budget for the next fiscal year.

The appointment of a director would not prevent the town from formulating its own solution. Based on this, and Gold’s knowledge and experience with the Transit District, he was appointed as a director by a vote of 34 in favor, and 1 abstention.

13 Comments

Posted in Local politics, People, Police, Transportation

Tagged Westport Emergency Medical Service, Westport Fire Department, Westport Police Department, Westport RTM, Westport Transit District

Cathy Walsh’s Westport

Posted on December 3, 2020 | 15 comments

After 30 years in town, Cathy Walsh knows Westport.

But despite all that time — and her long service on the Planning & Zoning Commission — it took a pandemic for her to really appreciate the things she sees every day.

For the past 9 months, Cathy has walked all over town. The day after Thanksgiving she did a 7 1/2-mile loop to Burying Hill Beach. The next day she took her regular 6 1/2-mile neighborhood walk.

Like many other Westporters, COVID helped Cathy see Westport through new eyes.

Unlike many others, Cathy stopped along the way to take photos. Here are some scenes from last week’s walks.