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Pic Of The Day #1284

Posted on October 22, 2020 | Comments Off

Christ & Holy Trinity Church (Photo/Anthony Evans)

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Posted in Downtown, Pic of the Day, religion

Tagged Christ & Holy Trinity Episcopal Church

Marpe Quarantining Out Of Caution

Posted on October 22, 2020 | 3 comments

On Sunday, 1st Selectman Jim Marpe was in direct contact with an individual who then exhibited symptoms of COVID-19 this week. The individual tested positive for the virus on Wednesday.

First Selectman Jim Marpe

Marpe is not exhibiting any symptoms of COVID-19 himself.

However, in accordance with CDC guidelines and medical advice, he is self-isolating, and awaiting COVID-19 test results.

In an abundance of caution, the town’s chief executive advises everyone with whom he came in contact of the situation.

Westport Weston Health District director Mark Cooper says:

Mr. Marpe is considered a contact of someone who has had a positive COVID-19 test. While there is the possibility that he had a direct exposure to the virus, based on his actions, he does not appear to have exposed anyone. He is ordered to quarantine for 14-days or until he receives a negative PCR COVID-19 test.

If any symptoms develop or his test result is positive, the WWHD will commence contact tracing to know who he has been in close contact with since Sunday or during the preceding 48 hours of either when he was tested, or when the first symptoms present themselves.

Marpe reminds residents to wear a face covering, social distance and practice good hygiene and sanitary measures.

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Posted in Environment, Local politics, People

Tagged 1st Selectman Jim Marpe, Coronavirus, COVID-19

Roundup: Postal Service, Parks & Rec Programs, More

Posted on October 22, 2020 | 6 comments

A reader warns:

“Don’t put checks or anything important — such as your absentee ballot — in your mailbox.

“Although many people pay bills online or by phone, checks are still being mailed as gifts. Bring them directly to the post office.

“A card containing a check, which I put in my mailbox around noon, was stolen out of the mailbox before the mailman arrived. By the end of that day the thief removed the ink from the check, changing the payee’s name and the amount of the check to thousands of dollars more than the original.

“Fortunately my bank contacted me, the funds were restored, and the checking account frozen. I was told that this crime is occurring often in other towns as well.

“Since the current election is so heated, it probably isn’t safe to put the absentee ballot in our home mailboxes.”

Safer than your own mailbox.

Westport’s Parks and Recreation Department has extended its fall programs — and added more sessions through the end of November. The goal is to keep folks active, and outside, as long as possible.

Programs include Keep Kickin’ Soccer, IST Multi-Sports, adult tennis clinics (see below), Wakeman Town Farm, ice skating, and others that are virtual.

Click here for program information. Click here to register.

Speaking of Parks & Rec: Last weekend they sponsored a tennis tournament for 16 women in their Advanced Beginner class. All had great fun — and look forward to continuing. They’ll form small groups, and play outdoors as long as they can.

Interested in joining? Call Dave Kardas (203-520-9815), Alex Walsh (203-644-8779) or Gabriella Gatto (203-803-8472).

Participants at the Town Farm courts.

And finally … the latest rock star to die is Spencer Davis. He was 81.

He was not the lead singer for the group — that was 16-year-old Stevie Winwood — but Davis played rhythm guitar and helped form the band. It was named after him because he did not mind doing interviews — allowing the other musicians to sleep more.

The Spencer Davis Group had several big hits. This one epitomizes them — and their role in rock ‘n’ roll.

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Posted in Organizations, Sports

Tagged mail theft, Westport Parks & Rec department

Granola Tacos

Posted on October 22, 2020 | 2 comments

Now in its 8th year, The Granola Bar is a Westport icon.

The Playhouse Square spot — which also offers coffee, smoothies, salads, wraps and more — has spawned 4 other locations (Fairfield, Stamford, Greenwich, Rye), and a booming catering business.

But no place is immune to COVID-19. The Granola Bar shut down early in the pandemic. When it reopened in May, owners Julie Mountain and Dana Noorily realized their business was solid from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. After that though, it flagged.

They were paying rent, and had fixed costs, for much longer than those 8 hours. Their executive chef, Neil Rohricht, is “amazing,” Mountain says.

So the owners asked themselves: “What does Westport need, and what would we be really good at?”

The answer: tacos!

Which is why The Granola Bar has introduced The Taco Bar.

From 4 to 8 p.m., 7 days a week, Westporters are scarfing up tacos (carnitas, pollo asado, papas con chorizo, pork belly pastor,, carne asada, charred cauliflower and vegan gringo), burritos (cali, mixtos, original), sides (guac, queso, chips, rice and frijoles borracho), and taco packs. Those include 12 “build your own” tacos, and a family dinner kit with a choice of 3 varieties). “Parents really appreciate the ease of feeding their families,” Mountain says.

A few of the Taco Bar’s items.

Like The Granola Bar, The Taco Bar is all takeout or delivery. There is no in-restaurant dining.

“Parents really appreciate the ease of feeding their families,” Mountain says. “And the deliciousness.

“We’re doing this with quality. We’re not just throwing something in a taco shell.”

Which is why — at The Taco Bar at The Granola Bar — you won’t “granola tacos” on the menu.

(Click here for the main website.)

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Posted in Restaurants

Tagged Dana Noorily, Juliei Mountain, The Granola Bar, The Taco Bar

Pic Of The Day #1283

Posted on October 21, 2020 | 6 comments

Halloween spider on Yankee Hill Road (Photo/Mary Sikorski)

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Posted in Pic of the Day

Tagged Halloween 2020

Roundup: Munchkins, Drugs, Halloween, More

Posted on October 21, 2020 | 2 comments

Hey, Westport kids (age 5 to 13 ). If you’ve wanted to be in an amazing Staples Players production, here’s your chance!

Players’ radio theatre kicks off with “The Wizard of Oz” this Sunday (October 25, 6 p.m.) — and they want to hear your best munchkin voice.

Send a recording of you saying “follow the yellow brick road!” (munchkin-style). Players’ senior officers will pick 5 winners. Those recordings will be played on air during the live “Wizard of Oz” broadcast. (Click here for details.)

Winners also receive a $10 gift card to Saugatuck Sweets.

Click here, then click the blue “Submit Recording for Munchkin” button to upload your file. Include your name and phone number in the recording. The deadline is 6 p.m. Friday (October 23).

Need inspiration? Click below.

This Saturday (October 24) is National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.

You can celebrate with the Westport Police Department. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., they’ll be at the Senior Center collecting unused and/or outdated pills and patches. Vape pens are okay if the batteries can be removed.

If the vape pen battery cannot be removed, try an electronics chain store. Also not accepted on Saturday: liquids, needles and sharps.

The service is free and anonymous — no questions asked. For more information, click here.

PS: A year-round collection bin is located in the lobby of Westport Police headquarters. Prescription drugs can be properly disposed of there at any time.

The good news is: This Saturday (October 24) over 100 Westport kids will take part in the 10th annual Window Painting Contest. They’ll vie for prizes in 3 categories: Scariest Artwork, Best Halloween Theme, and Most Original.

The more good news; 48 businesses all around town — shops, restaurants, services, delis, fitness centers and more — have offered up their windows.

The bad news: That’s not enough. The sponsoring Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce needs at least 20 more, to fill the demand.

They plead: Please donate your business window! You’ll do the town a service. In fact, it will be the perfect Halloween “treat.” Click here to register your window.

This Saturday (October 24), the United Nations turns 75 years old.

For over 50 of those years, Westport has celebrated that birthday with colorful flags. They fly every UN Day on the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge. That’s fitting: its namesake founded by the local United Nations Association, and Westport’s’ UN International Hospitality Committee.

On Saturday (11 a.m., Town Hall front steps), a public ceremony marks United Nations Day. First Selectman Jim Marpe, Hospitality Committee vice chair Bill Hass, and Staples High School Model UN president Lucas Slater and vice president Aidan Rogers will speak.

Special guest speaker Aye Aye Thant will discuss the importance of the UN. She should know: The Westport resident’s father is former UN Secretary General U Thant.

After the event, a bipartisan expression of support for the UN takes place at the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge. Marpe and local legislators will gather near the flags of UN member countries — which have flown there proudly, for decades.

(Photo/Jeff Simon)

Mike Burns spotted this sign on Compo Road South, near Longshore.

Finally, a candidate we can all agree on!

The Westport Public Schools’ guiding principles include social and emotional awareness, sincere kindness, principled thoughts and actions, and constant learning.

Several students have been selected, for embodying those principles. They are Caroline Caggiano, James Dobin Smith, Rachel Greenberg, Colin Konstanty, Natalia Maidique and Kyla Race.

Congratulations to all!

Three honorees (from left): James Dobin-Smith, Colin Konstanty, Caroline Caggiano.

How foggy was it last night? Very, as Andrew Colabella’s shot of the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge shows:

And finally … in honor of Staples Players’ “Wizard of Oz” radio broadcast (see story above):

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Posted in Children, Downtown, Education, Entertainment, Organizations, Police, Politics, Staples HS, Weather

Tagged Chauncey Gardner, Staples Players, UN Day, Westport Downtown Merchants Association, Westport police, Westport Public Schools

Unsung Hero #162

Posted on October 21, 2020 | 11 comments

Randy Herbertson is president of the Westport Downtown Merchants Association. He writes:

Jacqui Bidgood has been an on-and-off resident of Westport for over 15 years, and WDMA events director for 4. Under her very capable management we have hosted many well-attended events, from the Fine Arts Festival to Westoberfest and Fashionably Westport. All have contributed to the relevance of our downtown district.

Additionally Jacqui has spearheaded the selection and management of our beautiful summer baskets, working with local growers, as well as our 2020 barrel program. Both further enhanced the public and private beautification of the area.

Jacqui Bidgood, with Fine Arts Festival volunteers.

When the pandemic struck and our big events could no longer happen, Jacqui rose to the challenge to show our community the DMA could mount safe events that would continue to attract local residents (and our many new transplants) to our stores and restaurants, in a much-needed time.

In barely 6 weeks, Jacqui will have made three diverse events happen: Fitness & Wellness Day, Fall Fashion Day (replacing the traditional sidewalk sale), and Family Pumpkinfest (replacing the Halloween parade).

All this took many hours of planning, close collaboration with town officials, and tireless effort to secure sponsors that enable these events to run well — and for free.

Her great attention to detail, tenacity and creative problem solving have turned all these ideas into welcome reality.

Randy is right. These events did not just happen. They happened in large part thanks to this week’s Unsung Hero, Jacqui Bidgood.

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Posted in Downtown, Organizations, Unsung Heroes

Tagged Jacqui Bidgood, Randy Herbertson, Westport Downtown Merchants Association

New Lease For Longshore Inn?

Posted on October 21, 2020 | 14 comments

The Inn at Longshore — a gorgeous, historic (and tired and underutilized) property — may soon get a new “lease on life.”

The Boards of Finance and Selectmen will consider an intriguing proposal foro the town-owned property.

Long-time tenant Longshore Associates of Westport — headed by Rory Tagert — seeks permission to assign their lease to a new group of experienced hotel and restaurant operators.

Tagert has been involved with the Inn for 35 years. He will retire soon.

The Inn at Longshore

Known officially as Longshore Hospitality LLC, the partnership is led by the Greenwich Hospitality Group.

Founded by Charles Mallory of Greenwich, they operate boutique hotels in many states, including the Delamar hotels in Greenwich, Southport and West Hartford, along with the L’Escale and Artisan restaurants in those locations.

Principal Michael Ryan is a Westport resident. Longshore Hospitality was represented by Westport attorney Jim Randel during negotiations.

The current Inn at Longshore lease has 8 years to run. It allows the tenant to assign the lease, with town approval. Those approvals are on the agendas of special online meetings of the Board of Finance (Thursday, October 22, 5 p.m.) and Selectmen (Friday, October 23, 12:30 p.m.).

The ballroom at the Inn.

1st Selectman Jim Marpe says:

I feel comfortable and gratified that the Inn at Longshore will be in the hands of experienced, local and reputable businesspeople who will represent the Town well in the years ahead.

The Longshore Hospitality LLC proposes to continue operating the Inn and the banquet facility as they have been under the proprietorship of Longshore Associates. Hotel and event staff are proposed to remain in place and all scheduled events will be unaffected. The Pearl at Longshore restaurant will continue to stay open.

Christmastime at the Inn at Longshore.(Photo/Katherine Bruan)

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Posted in Local politics, Longshore, People

Tagged 1st Selectman Jim Marpe, Greenwich Hospitality Group, Inn at Longshore, Rory Tagert

“Breathe”

Posted on October 21, 2020 | 7 comments

Rex Fowler calls John Lennon “a genius.” “Imagine,” for example, is “one of the simplest, most straightforward protest songs ever.”

But not all Lennon’s social commentary songs measures up. “Power to the People,” for example, is “one of the worst.”

Fowler should know. Since founding the folk-rock band Aztec Two-Step nearly 40 years ago, he’s written his share of political tunes. “Living in America” and “Naked” are 2 examples.

It’s not easy, though. Fowler — a Westport resident — notes, “there’s a temptation to preach, or use platitudes.”

Fowler and his wife Dodie Pettit — now part of Aztec Two-Step — avoided those pitfalls with their latest release.

Aztec Two-Step: Dodie Pettit and Rex Fowler.

“Breathe” was born out of this summer’s peaceful, passionate protests after the murder of George Floyd, and other unarmed Black men and women.

“I was proud of so many people — young and old, every color and creed — getting out and doing something. It really gave me hope,” Fowler says.

But he knew better than to try to force a song. A good creation must be “visceral, soulful,” he says. “Once it starts, it rolls out. But I can’t manufacture it.”

For a couple of weeks, Fowler fiddled with a guitar melody. He particularly liked Neil Young’s “Down by the River.” Pettit thought her partner was on to something.

“It’s such an iconic song,” Fowler explains. “‘Be on my side, I’ll be on your side … You take my hand, I’ll take your hand…'”

Fowler and Pettit included 2 of Young’s verses, then added their own.

They also drew on Martin Luther King, Sam Cooke’s soaring anthem “A Change is Gonna Come,” rapper Killer Mike’s rallying cry to vote, and a few notable slogans chanted by the hundreds of thousands of peaceful protestors.

The result was “Breathe.”

Aztec Two-Step could not use Neil Young’s lyrics without permission. They tried hard to get it. They hired a lawyer, and sent letters to his publicist and manager. They received a cease-and-desist order. Fowler and Pettit are sure the singer/songwriter never knew what they were asking.

“He rightfully doesn’t want people taking his music, and changing it,” Fowler says. “But I think if he heard ‘Breathe,’ he’d really enjoy it.”

In fact, Fowler adds, in January Young — a Canadian by birth — became an American citizen. He did it in part to be able to vote against President Trump.

Undaunted, Fowler and Pettit removed the “Down by the River” verses. They changed Young’s melodic ideas.

But the beginning — Pettit’s gritty lead guitar solo — sounds like a tribute to Young’s style. “He really resonates with us,” Pettit says.

The song was recorded here in Westport, in Aztec Two-Step’s home studio. Band members came in one at a time — because of COVID-19 — to overdub their parts.

Rex Fowler and Dodie Pettit were married in Westport. Their studio is in their home.

At first, Fowler wanted to send “Breathe” out to disc jockeys and program managers complete with the back story. Instead, he and Pettit decided to let listeners hear it with “clear ears,” and figure the meaning out themselves.

All proceeds will go to Black Lives Matter. That’s controversial, the couple acknowledges. There’s been pushback on social media from some people they thought were friends.

Still, Pettit says, “this is a moral cause we’re proud to lend our support to. We’re setting down our marker. We’re standing up and bein counted. We have a voice, and people listen.”