Shred it!
Westport’s 13th annual annual Shred Day is Saturday, September 24 (9 a.m. to noon, Greens Farms train station).
Residents may shred up to 8 paper bags (bags recycle too) or 3 boxes (12 inches by 18 inches) per household. Each car will be charged $10. Proof of Westport residency is required.
Among the items often shredded: personal, confidential and sensitive papers, bank statements, cancelled checks, credit card statements, tax records and medical records.
For more information, contact Town Clerk Jeffrey Dunkerton by phone (203- 341-1110) e-mail (JDunkerton@westportct.gov).
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Everything is set for Saturday’s (September 17, 5:30 p.m.) Westport Country Playhouse benefit.
Broadway star Renée Elise Goldsberry (Angelica Schuyler in “Hamilton”) headlines a high-energy concert of Broadway, pop and soul, backed by a 7-piece band.
There’s a pre-show cocktail party and after-party with a DJ and dancing — plus an auction. Among the items:
- A week’s stay for 8 at a Malibu beachfront home, and dinner at Pier Café.
- 3 -hour sail on the 72-foot yacht Ticonderoga, from Riverside Yacht Club. Choose a dinner sail for 12, or a cocktail cruise with appetizers for 20.
- Metropolitan Opera premium box seats for 8 at the world premiere of “The Hours,” starring Renée Fleming and Westport’s own Kelli O’Hara. Post-performance champagne with Kelli in her dressing room.
- 2 house seats for 5 must-see Broadway shows, curated by Mark Lamos, Playhouse artistic director. Dinner prior to one evening’s performance, plus round-trip car service.
- A round of golf at Shorehaven Golf Club with Stephanie Szostak (avid golfer, film and TV actress), plus a lesson with a Shorehaven golf pro, gift certificate at the pro shop, and drinks at the club.
- Coffee and conversation with Tony and Olivier Award winner Gavin Creel.
- Catered dinner for 10 on the Playhouse stage with Playhouse actors and Mark Lamos.
- Drinks or coffee in New York with film, television and stage actor Michael Urie.
Raffle prizes include a $15,000 Shopping Spree at Lux Bond & Green, and mezcal and taco tasting for 10 at Don Memo.
For more gala details, including tickets, click here.
Renee Elise Goldsberry
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50 Post Road West — the once-handsome, now decaying building on the left, heading into town — will not be redeveloped.
At least, not now.
50 Post Road West (Photo/Frank Rosen)
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Land use expert and engineer Rick Redniss reports: “After careful evaluation of the challenges in achieving a redevelopment that enhances the historic building and navigates the complex lengthy local and state approval process, the contract purchaser has elected to withdraw the pending text application (before the Planning & Zoning Commission).
“While trying to achieve a successful balance of costs and benefits it has become clear that taken as a whole, the effort does not ‘pencil out’ at this time.
“We thank everyone for their participation and hope that a future effort will help protect this historic building, so it can once again be an asset to Westport.”
There’s another Bridgewater in town.
Besides the world’s largest hedge fund, Westport is now home to Bridgewater Chocolate. The two have nothing to do with each other, besides our Zip Code.
The chocolatier — located in Parker Harding Plaza, near GG & Joe’s — was founded in the upstate town of Bridgewater (hence the name). This is their 4th store. Other locations are Brookfield and West Hartford.
Bridgewater Chocolatier’s grand opening is 4:30 p.m. today.
Bridgewater Chocolate (Photo and hat tip/Ifeseyi Gayle)
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Much-loved photographer Jerri Graham is September’s guest art exhibitor at Westport Book Shop.
It’s a true local show. Her images highlight the beauty and bounty of Wakeman Town Farm.
As a young girl, Graham learned darkroom techniques with her father. Together they experimented with negatives and light.
The exhibit is open during regular business hours at the used book store on Jesup Green. All artwork is available for purchase — and Graham will donate a portion of the proceeds back to the Town Farm.
To see more of Graham’s WTF photos, click here.
Jerri Graham’s photos, at the Westport Book Shop.
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Interested District 2 voters are invited to apply for a Representative Town Meetng vacancy. It was created by the resignation of Christine Meiers Schatz.
No party affiliation is required, as the RTM is non-partisan. The term runs through November 2023.
To apply, send a resume by September 23 to Town Clerk Jeffrey Dunkerton: JDunkerton@westportct.gov.
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Piano master Brian Marsella returns to the VFW this Thursday. He headlines Jazz at the Post, the weekly series that’s drawing rave reviews and large crowds.
He’s joined by Reid Taylor, Brian Floody and of course Westport’s own “jazz rabbi,” Greg Wall.
There are 2 sets on Thursday, September 15: 7 andn 8:30 p.m. (VFW Joseph J. Clinton Post 399, 465 Riverside Avenue). There’s a $10 cover, and dinner beginning at 6:30 p.m. Reservations are suggested: JazzAtThePost@gmail.com
Brian Marsella
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Aspetuck Land Trust’s next “Lunch & Learn” webinar features writer, author and wild bird rehabilitator Suzie Gilbert.
The author of the memoir “Flyaway: How a Wild Bird Rehabber Sought Adventure and Found Her Wings” and the novel “Unflappable” shares her love of the natural world and passion for wild birds, and her journey from raptor center volunteer to founder of a bird rehab center and author.
Click here to register.
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Kids love nature. They also love Victoria Kann.
On October 9 (11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.), they can combine both. The author will read from her popular “Pinkalicious: Treasuretastic” book, and sign copies. There’s also a scavenger hunt for natural treasures through the remarkable Blau House gardens, and a chance for children to take a bean home and watch it grow.
The gardens are at 9 Bayberry Ridge Road. Registration and payment ($10 per child, which includes a copy of the book) must be done by October 7. Click here for details.
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Sure, this entitled parking photo is from a few feet over the Westport line — it’s at Equinox, in Southport.
But the driver is a few feet over several lines — handicapped lines.
Allison Ziering Walmark, who saw this spectacularly selfish act, took note of the flag on the back. She writes: “Whoever parked this way must be so traumatized by the Queen’s demise, that he or she can’t think straight. Not one, but two handicapped spots!”
(Photo/Allison Ziering Walmark)
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Today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo is both wondrous and scary: a ginormous wasp (or hornet?) nest, hanging heavily on a branch at the entrance to Grace Salmon Park:
(Photo/Marc Frankel)
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And finally … today’s song is a collaboration of 3 generations.
Longtime Westporter Barbara Reis has spent over 50 years writing musicals. They’ve been produced at the White Barn Theater, Fairfield Playhouse, Orpheum in New York and others.
She wrote the music in the video below. The lyrics are by her daughter, Rosalind Mae Reis. And the photos were taken by Barbara’s grandson, Eli Melet, at various national parks.
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(That’s it — another great grab bag o’ stories. To help keep them coming, please click here to donate to “06880.” Thank you!)
