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Pic Of The Day #1279

Posted on October 17, 2020 | 2 comments

Sunrise over Pasacreta Park (Photo/Tom Cook)

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Posted in Pic of the Day, Saugatuck

Tagged Eugene Pasacreta Park

Roundup: Lynsey Addario, Bistro Du Soleil, More

Posted on October 17, 2020 | 3 comments

Congratulations, Lynsey Addario!

The 1991 Staples High School graduate (and MacArthur “genius grant” award winner) has been named to the International Photography Hall of Fame. She’ll be inducted October 30.

The photojournalist has covered conflict and humanitarian crises around the Middle East and Africa for the New York Times, National Geographic and Time magazine for nearly 2 decades. Her work is powerful, thought-provoking, and very, very human.

The aftermath of a miscarriage in a Somali hospital. (Photo/Lynsey Addario, courtesy of NPR)

Lynsey joins such legendary figures as Ansel Adams, Richard Avedon and Mathew Brady. Click here to read more about the “pioneers of photography.” Click here for Lynsey’s website.

Lynsey Addario

Yesterday, “06880” highlighted outdoor dining in Westport. Jana Malakoff writes about her favorite restaurant — which has not added al fresco tables:

“Bistro du Soleil is open for take out only from Wednesday through Saturday. They offer a wonderful 4 course dinner for only $32. Bistro is off the beaten track, south of Saugautuck center and north of the restaurants near the railroad station.

“I am a senior citizen and have not felt comfortable dining in or out, nor do I want a fine dining experience marred by faceless servers. I have enjoyed my weekly dinners from Bistro du Soleil since they opened for takeout earlier this year.

“I hope ‘06880’ readers know that Bistro Du Soleil is in business, and certainly worth ordering dinner from.”

Bistro du Soleil

Interested in statehouse candidates’ environmental stands?

Earthplace and Sustainable Westport are sponsoring virtual debates for local Senate and House of Representatives candidates.

This Tursday’s event (October 22, 6 p.m.) features State Senate hopeful Kim Healy and incumbent Will Haskell. Click here to register.

The next day (Friday, October 23, 6 p.m.) House of Representatives incumbent Jonathan Steinberg debates Chip Stephens. Click here to register.

POP’T Art’s new show, “96% STARDUST,” features Brendan Murphy. With a focus on “transmitting positive energy” through his work, he’s making his area debut — at a time when joy, inspiration and hope are needed more than ever.

The show opens to the public next Saturday (October 24), at the 1 Main Street gallery. Email haviland@havilandreed.com for timed reservations, and for private preview showings beginning October 21.

Brendan Murphy’s work.

And finally … in honor of the new “Stardust” art show at POP’T Art:

3 Comments

Posted in Arts, Local politics, Organizations, Restaurants

Tagged Bistro du Soleil, Earthplace, Lynsey Addario, Pop'TArt Gallery

06ArtArt0 — Week 30 Gallery

Posted on October 17, 2020 | 2 comments

In mid-October, it’s no surprise that autumn scenes fill this week’s art gallery. Trees, leaves, gourds — ’tis the season to be colorful.

We began our Saturday series in early spring. We’ve moved through summer, into fall. “06880” readers/artists: Keep ’em coming!

All works should be inspired by, relevant to, or somehow, in some way, connected to our current life. Student art of all ages is especially welcome.

Coronavirus, social justice, politics, or just the beauty around us — have at it! Email dwoog@optonline.net, to share your work with the world.

“Art of Nature” (David Stalling)

“Reunion” (Ellen Spadone)

“Still Life” (Karen Weingarten)

“Purple Forest” (Harry Willis, age 13, Bedford Middle School)

Untitled (Spencer Gabor)

“End of Summer on a Rainy Fall Day” (Werner Liepolt)

“Essential Worker” (Lawrence Weisman)

“Gourd” (Stacy Sobel)

Untitled (Mark Yurkiw)

“Autumn Splendor” (Amy Schneider)

2 Comments

Posted in Arts, Beach

Tagged Amy Schneider, David Stalling, Ellen Spadone, Karen Weingarten, Lawrence Weisman, Mark Yurkiw, Werner Liepolt

Westport Woman’s Club Wants To Give You $$$

Posted on October 17, 2020 | Comments Off

Like all local non-profits, Westport Woman’s Club’s fundraising efforts have been battered by COVID.

But that just inspires the 113-year-old organization to help all those other groups even more.

Last spring — as it does every year — the WWC Community Services Committee was finalizing its 2020 grants. When the coronavirus struck they pivoted, awarding funds to 5 community health challenges.

“Everyone has a favorite Fairfield County non-profit,” the WWC says. “And every non-profit needs a helping hand.” So — as the Woman’s Club accepts grant proposals for 2020-21 — they encourage “06880” readers to share awareness of the opportunity. The application deadline is October 30.

The WWC offers both monetary grants, and a one-time use of the Bedford Hall meeting space for an event. Grants are considered each year for organizations working in education, health and safety programs, and the arts.

Click here for an application. Questions? Email gsmithson@optonline.net.

The Westport Woman’s Club opens its doors to grant applications — including the use of its clubhouse.

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Posted in Organizations

Tagged Westport Woman's Club

Pic Of The Day #1278

Posted on October 16, 2020 | 4 comments

Low tide at Schlaet’s Point (Photo/Andrew Colabella)

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Posted in Beach, Pic of the Day

Tagged Compo Beach low tide, Schlaet's Point

Friday Flashback #214

Posted on October 16, 2020 | 35 comments

Yellow school buses seem to have been around forever. Wherever we grew up, nearly every Westporter rode in one.

Yellow buses are still ubiquitous — though these days, they’re mostly empty. More parents than ever drive their kids to school — the ones who are not still home distance learning, that is.

For many years, 2 families ran Westport’s school buses: the Cuseos and Masiellos.

Here’s a photo — courtesy of John Cuseo — of an early local bus:

What do you remember about your school bus (or driver)? Click “Comments” below, to share.

35 Comments

Posted in Education, Friday Flashback, Transportation

Tagged Cuseo, school bus

Roundup: Amy Oestreicher, Joey’s By The Shore, Jamie Lebish, More

Posted on October 16, 2020 | 5 comments

Amy Oestreicher — daughter of Westport dermatologist Dr. Mark Oestreicher — has had a tough life.

At 18, a blood clot caused her stomach to explode. After a months-long coma, she endured 28 surgeries, and 7 years without food or drink. She also came to terms with a long-kept secret: sexual abuse by a trusted mentor.

She persevered, and developed a one-woman show about her challenges and triumphs. Then she wrote “My Beautiful Detour: An Unthinkable Journey from Gutless to Grateful.”

On Thursday, October 22 (7 p.m.), she’ll talk about her book at the Fairfield University Bookstore. The inspiring event — celebrating positive mental health strategies and the transformative power of creativity — will be broadcast on Facebook Live.

Amy Oestreicher

After a very successful summer, Joey’s by the Shore is pivoting to fall.

It’s a slower time for the beach deli, but they’ve made some menu tweaks and added a few features.

There’s are seasonal specials, like pumpkin spice latte, along with homemade peanut butter chocolate pie, Boar’s Head meats, fresh salads and rotating soups. Breakfast is offered all day long.

Monday through Thursday, they open an hour earlier — 7 a.m. — to catch the Old Mill sunrise. They close those days at 2 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday hours are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Joey’s has added more (socially distanced) outdoor seating.

Jamie Lebish has led quite a life. He left Staples High School before graduating with the Class of 1977. He’s battled drug addiction and been incarcerated.

He’s also used music to heal a relationship with his father Irwin, a noted jazz pianist.

After moving to Maine, Jamie founded El Rancho De La Vida (“The Ranch of Life”) — a fully licensed substance abuse agency and non-profit recovery home.

But COVID has hit El Rancho hard. Federal and state funding dried up. Potential residents are finding it tough to go there.

Jamie says, “As my fiancee and I look at the road we left behind, from what was once our hometown on Main Street to the home we have built here in Maine, in the spirit of recovery and living a life with dignity and purpose, it is our hope that our hometown will support us as we navigate through these turbulent times.”

Click here to learn more about El Rancho De La Vida. Click here to contribute. (Hat tip: Stevi Lee)

El Rancho De La Vida

And finally … happy 43rd birthday (!) to Fairfield’s own John Mayer.

5 Comments

Posted in Beach, Organizations, People, Restaurants

Tagged Amy Oestreicher, Jamie Lebish, Joey's by the Shore

More Outdoor Dining: Hudson Malone Opens Today

Posted on October 16, 2020 | 19 comments

This morning’s lead story highlighted manyWestport restaurants with outdoor dining.

Now another joins the list.

Hudson Malone was packed last night, for a soft opening. The official debut is today.

The “old world culinary saloon” — on the corner of Main and Canal Streets, across from Coffee An’ — is owner Doug Quinn’s second venture. He a former, well-known bartender at P.J. Clarke’s.

Hudson Malone owner Doug Quinn.

Quinn’s first Hudson Malone (named after his 2 kids) is on New York’s 53rd Street. Both feature large bars, classic cocktails and “upscale pub grub.”

Hudson Malone’s well-stocked bar — and welcoming bartenders. They wore masks, but removed them very briefly for the photo. Hudson Malone is very COVID-conscious. Tables are far apart, and there are Plexiglas partitions.

It takes guts to open a new restaurant during a pandemic. But even before COVID, Quinn planned for outdoor, all-weather dining.

Hudson Malone takes over from 323 restaurant. Before that, it was Bogey’s, Oliver’s, and perhaps half a dozen other spots now lost to history.

Here’s to many more years of memorable meals there.

Dig in! (Photos/Chip Stephens)

19 Comments

Posted in Restaurants

Tagged Doug Quinn, Hudson Malone

Westport’s Restaurant Scene: What Will Winter Bring?

Posted on October 16, 2020 | 21 comments

This week, Merri Mueller posed a great question on Facebook’s Westport Front Porch group: Where to dine outdoors in Westport? It’s getting cooler, she said — but she is not yet comfortable going indoors.

Suggestions poured in:

Pene e Bene. Rive Bistro. Pearl at Longshore. The Boathouse at Saugatuck Rowing Club. Little Barn. Harvest. Manna Toast. Walrus Alley. Tarantino. The Cottage. Rizzuto’s (where you can request heaters — and they’ll close your private tent flaps).

I’m sure there are more. I’m also sure that “06880” readers will add them in the Comments section below.

Rizzuto’s has always offered outdoor dining. There are more tables now.

But Merri’s query — and the responses — sparked an idea for more crowdsourcing here.

What else can Westport restaurant owners do for their customers, over the next few months?

The coronavirus will not go away. The holidays will be here before we know it. The weather will be much colder.

The speed, creativity and hospitality with which so many restaurants pivoted this spring and summer was impressive. With new delivery services, curbside pick-up, takeout and outdoor tables, they turned what could have been a disaster into an almost robust dining scene.

The next few months will be crucial for their bottom lines. With winter looming, it won’t be easy.

“06880” is here to help. Let’s hear readers’ creative ideas of what they’d like to see — outdoors and inside — at our many restaurants (and any other place that sells food).

You can be specific (mentioning one or two spots) or general.

So chew on this. Then click “Comments” below.