Visitation for Al Fiore —Westport’s former police chief, who died Saturday — will take place this Thursday (December 11, 4 to 7 p.m., Harding Funeral Home).
A funeral Mass will be held Friday (December 12, 11 .m., Assumption Church).
Al Fiore
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Frank Pepe’s pizzas are coming to Westport.
The iconic New Haven restaurant will open its 18th location this summer. The Italian apizza place takes over the spot previously occupied by an Indian eatery, The Naan.
It’s a full circle moment. Before The Naan and Kibberia (Mediterranean), the first tenant in the space was John’s Best Pizza.
The closest Frank Pepe Pizza Napoletana right now is in Fairfield. There are 7 in Connecticut, with others in New York, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Maryland and Florida.
There will be 90 seats, and takeout too.
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Add one more display to Westport’s Christmas lights.
Assumption Church lit theirs Sunday night — the building, as well as the handsome tree beside it.
(Photo/Mary Sikorski)
Slow down and admire the lights.
Or enjoy while stuck in a long line of traffic…
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Also Sunday: Birchwood Country Club’s annual Gingerbread Brunch.
The family buffet was followed by decorating. Each youngster got their own basic gingerbread house, and decorations.
The crowd of 125 had a great time. These are gingerbread houses that will not be re-gifted.
Or used as doorstops. (Hat tip: Mel Sokotch)
Lookin’ good!
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The Pop Shop holiday market returns Saturday to the Westport Museum for History & Culture (December 13, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.).
Among the items sold by the 25 vendors: global accessories and gifts, vintage jewelry with a modern twist, antique treasures, women’s clothing, treats for dogs, and tableware.
The Honey Bee Flower Truck will be there too, with wreaths, winter arrangements and holiday botanicals.
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Alert “06880” reader Rick Leonard noticed some changes at Fred’s Car Wash, just over the line in Southport.
A full dumpster and cones in the parking lot; vacuum hoses pulled.
He dug a bit, and learned that Fred’s is becoming Russell Speeder’s. That’s similar to transformation of the one just over the other line, on Westport Ave in Norwalk.
The Speeder’s chain has nearly 100 locations, in Connecticut, New York, New Jersey — and Missouri and Nebraska.
Fred’s Car Wash — soon to be Speeder’s. (Photo/Rick Leonard)
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The deadline for submissions to Mo\CA CT’s high school art show has been extended. The new final date is February 13.
The 11th annual high school exhibition is “The Sound of Us: Youth Culture Now.” It coincides with the Westport Public Art Collections’ exhibition, “Art, Jazz + the Blues.”
The exhibition explores the effects of contemporary music on today’s youth culture. Music is a catalyst for conversation, inspiring political awareness and mobilizing youth-led movements. It influences how young people speak, what they stand for, and how they connect with one another.
Students will be prompted to select a song from 2020 to today, and create a work of art that shows its effects on youth culture through fashion, social interactions, speech, education, political alertness and activism, or life in general.
Click here for the application, and more information.
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Comedy comes to the VFW this Friday (December 12, 8 p.m.).
Joe Pontillo stars in a Christmas show — “or whatever you celebrate.” Click here for tickets, and more information.
Joe Pontillo
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Speaking of the VFW: This week’s Jazz at the Post (December 11) there features guitarist Ed Cherry. He performed with Dizzy Gillespie from 1978 until shortly before Gillespie’s death in 1993, winning a Grammy together for “Live at Royal Festival Hall.
Cherry will be joined by bassist Matt Dwonszyk, saxophonist Greg “The Jazz Rabbi” Wall, and Jason Tiemann.
Shows are 7:30 and 8:45 p.m. Guest chef Dan Frye serves a buffet with chicken piccata, seared tuna, broccoli, rice and dessert starting at 7. Click here for tickets.
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Longtime local orthodontist Dr. Steven Scher died at his Weston home, with his wife Susan at his side. He was 82. .
The Brooklyn native graduated from Brooklyn College. He served 2 years in the US Army at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, then earned his orthodontic certificate from New York University, graduating at the top of his class.
He opened a practice in Westport where, his family says, “he touched the hearts and teeth of countless members of the community.”
Steven loved tennis, golf, skiing the Rocky Mountains, and vacationing in the sun — all with his family. He was a fixture at the sports events of his children and grandchildren.
Steven is survived by his wife Susan; their children Peter (Lesley) and Alexander (Dylan); his children Jon (Robyn) and Lara (Mike) from his first marriage to Joan; sister, Gloria (Gerald, and grandchildren Scarlett, Brooke, Jordan, Jake and Astrid.
A celebration of Steven’s life will be held at Temple Israel tomorrow (Wednesday, December 10, 11 a.m.). Donations in his name can be made to the American Cancer Society.
Dr. Steven Scher
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Baby, it’s cold outside.
That includes Winslow Park.
But at least in “Westport … Naturally” image, the sun is shining.
(Photo/Duane Cohen)
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And finally … the news about Fred’s Car Wash got us thinking about …
(A reminder this holiday season: “06880” is supported by readers like you! Please click here to make a tax-deductible contribution to Westport’s hyper-local blog. Thank you — and happy holidays!)
Before his appointment as chief, Fiore spent many years in the detective bureau. He liked delving into cases — and bringing them to resolution. Patrolmen, he notes, don’t always have the opportunity to follow cases through to the end.
