For nearly 50 years, Bloodroot has served delicious vegan food — spiced with healthy amounts of feminist ideology, and a side helping of social justice-type books — in a funky, you’ve-got-to-know-it-to-get-there spot on Bridgeport’s Black Rock Harbor.
Co-founder and longtime Westporter Selma Miriam died in February, 2 weeks short of 90.
But Bloodroot lives on. It’s gotten plenty of national attention. (Just the other day, it was mentioned on Brian Lehrer’s WNYC show as a restaurant well worth taking a detour to.)
On the other end of the political spectrum: This bus — part of the “Take Back Connecticut” tour — drew plenty of attention, as it drove through Westport yesterday.
Here’s one view, in front of Splash car wash. Images include the flag raising at Iwo Jima, Martin Luther King, Donald Trump after the assassination attempt, and — oddly — John F. Kennedy, just before he was killed in Dallas.
“The Edge of Water” by Olufunke Grace Bankole, “O Sinners” by Nicole Cuffy and “Rabbit Moon” by Jennifer Haigh are finalists for the 2025 Westport Prize for Literature.
It is awarded annually, to honor an original work of literary fiction that is both relevant and timeless.
This year’s winner will be honored at The Westport Library on November 6. The conversation with the winning author will be moderated by The Yale Review editor Meghan O’Rourke.
This is the third year for the $10,000 prize. The first grant went novelist Zadie Smith for “The Fraud.” The 2024 recipient was Alejandro Puyana, for his debut novel, “Freedom is a Feast.”
Submissions for the 2025 prize were read and vetted by nearly 50 volunteer readers. The best-reviewed manuscripts advance to the jury, which will select the winner.
(“06880” is your hyper-local source for news, information, features, and lots more. We rely on support from readers like you. Please click here to help. Thank you!)
Each Christmas season, the Wreaths Across America program honors fallen servicemembers, and all who serve. Over 2 million volunteers take part, in all 50 states and overseas.
Tomorrow (Saturday, December 14, 11:30 a.m., Assumption Cemetery, Greens Farms Road), Westport joins it. It’s our town’s third year with the project.
Everyone is invited to join VFW Post 399 and American Legion Post 63, their Auxiliaries, Sons of American Legion, and Scouts from Troops 39 and 139.
After a short ceremony, everyone will place a wreath on a veteran’s grave, and thank that veteran for their service.
Then, from 1 to 6 p.m., the community is invited to an Army-Navy football game watch party at the VFW (465 Riverside Avenue).
None of this would happen without Patty Kondub. The popular Westport Family YMCA and Senior Center fitness instructor (and Staples High School girls golf coach) is the local coordinator.
As part of her many other Westport activities, she’s also vice president of the VFW Joseph J. Clinton Post 399 Auxiliary.
Click here to sponsor a wreath. To designate a wreath for a specific veteran at the Assumption cemetery, email Patty: nortonpk@aol.com.
For Patty, the project is personal. Her father — John Kondub — was a World War II Marine, and VFW Post 399 member. He earned a Purple Heart, for hand-to-hand combat in the Marianas Islands (Saipan).
He is buried at Assumption Greens Farms Cemetery — almost across from the farm where he was born, before I-95 was built.
“There are over 350 veterans buried in this cemetery,” Patty says. “I hope they all get wreaths.”
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We’ve got justices. And peace!
Yesterday morning, a new class of justices of the peace were sworn in at Town Hall.
Another group was sworn in last week. Town Clerk Jeffrey Dunkerton did the honors both times.
Westport’s 60 justices of the peace are evenly split between Democrats, Republicans and independents.
Community volunteers, they officiate weddings, sign affidavits, and perform arcane and archaic tasks like issuing tax warrants.
Justices of the peace serve 4-year terms, and can perform their services across the state.
For more information, and to engage the services of a justice of the peace, click here. (Hat tip: Jonathan Alloy)
Sworn in yesterday as justices of the peace (from left): Robin Weinberg, Christopher Buckley, Nicole Klein, Alma Sarelli, Ifeseyi Gayle, Jonathan Alloy, Denise Nicoletti, Jim Marpe, Jeff Wieser.
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In all his years in New York, Donald Trump never rang the New York Stock Exchange opening bell.
Until yesterday.
The president-elect was there as part of Time magazine’s Person of the Year celebration.
Dave Briggs, on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. President-elect Trump, family members and officials stand near a mockup of Time magazine’s Man of the Year cover.
La Plage closes for a few months on January 2. It’s part of the Inn at Longshore renovation.
Before their hiatus, they offer some holiday specials.
La Plage’s Christmas Eve dinner (4 to 10 p.m.) includes a 3-course prix fixe menu. They’ll be open on Christmas Day too (noon to 7 p.m.).
Prices for both days are $90 per person, $55 for young adults (12 and under), $20 for the kiddy menu.
New Year’s Eve begins with a la carte seating, from 5 to 7 p.m. At 8:30, a gala dinner includes a 5-course tasting menu, with live music by Jay Prince & Friends. The cost is $185 per person.
New Year’s Day brunch will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Menna Olvera, former program director for Donna Karan’s Urban Zen Integrative Therapy program, and co-founder of New York’s wellness The Oleon House, is bringing her healing services to Westport.
Menna, her husband Yanni and young son moved here from New York City during COVID. Yanni grew up in Westport.
As a functional medicine health coach, yoga instructor, caregiver coach, palliative caregiver, integrative wellness specialist and Reiki practitioner, Menna crafts tailored to each client’s journey.
Recently, Menna supported a Westport client through the emotional turbulence of divorce and the sale of her home. Combining mindful yoga movements, Reiki energy work and touch therapy, she helped calm and balance the woman’s nervous system, providing strength and resilience.
In addition to private wellness sessions, Menna teaches integrative yoga classes at Studio45 on Main Street.
For more information about Menna’s services, click here.
Menna Olvera
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If you’ve lived in Westport for more than a day or two, you know that deer go pretty much anywhere they please.
These 3, however, recently met their match, at Gray’s Creek.
And finally … following up on Dave Briggs’ morning with President-elect Trump yesterday:
(Another day, another Roundup filled with interesting, important and random stuff. If you enjoy our this — or anything else on “06880” — please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
Good news for employees: More all-day parking has been added downtown.
Since May 1 — when 3-hour parking enforcement began — officials have monitored the lots. Parker Harding Plaza has seen “a significant increase” in available spaces.
Meanwhile, all-day spaces in the Baldwin lot (off Elm Street) have been heavily utilized — but some 3-hour spaces were vacant, especially in the morning and early afternoon.
The Selectwoman’s office and Police Department will now convert 18 3-hour spaces in the Baldwin lot to all-day spots.
In addition, 25 spaces in the Jesup Road North lot (next to the Gillespie Center, near the police station) will be converted to all-day too.
For more information about parking, and a map that includes space count and locations for timed and all-day parking, click here.
Baldwin parking lot (tan), on Elm Street. Brooks Corner is the white building to its left.
On Wednesday night, he took matters into his own hands — literally.
Around 6 p.m. a passerby saw him, near his Trump-festooned golf cart, hammering at least 6 signs in the same area. He dug holes, then used 2x4s glued together to secure them in the ground. The resident — who contacted “06880” — hopes he will fill in the holes, once the the election is over.
(Photo/Tony Litman)
Another reader saw the signs later, and wrote to “06880”: “It can’t be legal to put up permanent campaign signs.”
It may be.
Under “Temporary Signs,” Westport’s Planning & Zoning regulations allow “Signs for political purposes.”
Yesterday marked the 11th anniversary of Andrew Accardi’s death. The 2011 Staples High School graduate and golf team member lost a 15-year battle against neuroblastoma. He was 20 years old.
Andrew’s family, and his many friends from Staples and Villanova University remember him lovingly. And, more than a decade later, they are honoring his memory generously.
On Wendnesday, “Andrew’s Army” presented a $90,000 check to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
The funds — raised by Andrew’s Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, friend and family — come from events like an annual golf outing.
In the front row of the photo below are (from left) Dr. John Maris, professor of pediatrics at Children’s Hospital, and a University of Pennsylvania professor; Professor and lab director Dr. Yale Mosse, and Dr. Frank Accardi, Andrew’s father.
The young people behind them are brilliant doctors and technicians at the Maris lab in the Colket Translational Research Center at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
Dr. Accardi says that Dr. Maris “has more awards, and has contributed more than anyone perhaps in the world, to the study of and therapies for neuroblastoma.
“More importantly, he is the most sympathetic, compassionate physician I have ever known. He treated Andrew as if he were his own son.”
The Westport Country Playhouse has a 93-year tradition of presenting top-notch plays and musicals. This year they’ve added concerts, cabarets, one-person shows, and much more.
Next up: tours of the historic theater.
They’re available by reservation on Fridays and Saturdays (10:30 a.m. to noon), November 15-16, December 13-14, January 17-18, and February 7-8. Each is limited to 25 people.
Guided by Playhouse archivist Bruce Miller, participants will learn how the past has been preserved since 1931, and how state-of-the-art technology has been introduced.
Attendees will explore backstage, the greenroom, dressing rooms, scene shop, wardrobe room, posters, photos, costume designs and set models. They’ll stand on the same stage as Gene Wilder, James Earl Jones, Jane Fonda, Eartha Kitt, Paul Newman, Kelli O’Hara, Patti LuPone and Audra McDonald.
Along the way Miller tell stories, including how the WCP helped inspire Oklahoma!” and “My Fair Lady.”
There is no fee for the tour, but donations are encouraged. Click here for reservations, and more information
Westport’s first responders have returned from North Carolina. They deployed there to help victims of Hurricane Helene.
On Wednesday, 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker, emergency management director Nick Marsan (far left and far right) and Police Chief Foti Koskinas (2nd from left) awarded certificates to (left to right) officer Gregory Gunter, tirefighter Michael Durette, Deputy Chief Matthew Cohen, firefighter Patrick Dailey and dispatcher Devin Mulligan.
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A PS to the story of Ben Casparius’ World Series championship:
After the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrated their victory Tuesday, they had time for friends who watched them win the final game.
For Casparius — the pitcher called up from the minor leagues only in August — that group included fellow Staples High graduates, from the classes of 2016 and ’17.
They knew him from his Little League days.
It was a special moment, on the hallowed Yankee Stadium grounds, with the newest World Series champ.
But it was also just like old times.
Ben Casparius (center, in his new championship t-shirt), with (from left), college friend Kenny Campbell, and Staples buddies Nathan Panzer, Justin Seideman and Kenny Brill. Panzer is a former Wrecker teammate.
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In an age of Amazon and Yelp reviews, many people still rely on old-school Consumer Reports.
Next Thursday (November 7, 10 a.m.), the Y’s Men of Westport and Weston invited the public to an inside look at how CR delivers information.
Panelists include editorial director Ellen Kunes, communications director Barrie Rosen and chief content officer vice president Jen Schecter.
Westport Police made 2 custodial arrests between October 23 and 30.
A 25-year-old Bridgeport man was arrested for larceny, and conspiracy to commit larceny and criminal mischief, for his part in the May 9 smash-and-grab theft from Lux Bond & Green. He was held on $250,000 bond. Another suspect was arrested earlier.
A 21-year-old Bridgeport man was charged with assault and threatening, after a complaint by a co-worker. The suspect allegedly grabbed the other man by the hair and neck while driving home from work, and threatened to shoot him.
Westport Police also issued these citations:
Failure to comply with state traffic commission regulations: 13 citations
Operating a motor vehicle under suspension 3
Operating an unregistered motor vehicle: 3
Disorderly conduct: 1
Operating a motor vehicle without a license: 1
Traveling too fast for conditions: 1
Following too closely: 1
Failure to drive in the proper lane: 1
Failure to yield to a pedestrian: 1
Unsafe passing: 1
Unsafe backing: 1
Be careful when backing up!
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Daniel Szymczak — a 1996 graduate of Staples High School — died this week. He was 46.
A writer, teacher, boat captain and worldwide adventurer, Dan climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro last year. He lived in Florida, the Virgin Islands, Texas, New Mexico, Mexico, Alaska, and most recently Maryland.
At Staples, Dan wrestled and played football. He enjoyed fishing and hunting, and loved Ernest Hemingway, the English language, and his dog Charlie.
Dan earned a BA in English from the University of Texas, and an MFA in creative writing from Texas State University.
After serving as an English lecturer at Texas State, an editor at the University of Texas and with Mc-Graw Hill Education, and a proofreader for the Texas Legislative Council, he embarked on a new career. Dan was a captain on a 205-foot offshore supply vessel; an engineer, mate and bosun on private yachts, and a deckhand with Lindblad Expeditions.
Dan is survived by his mother and step-father, Paula and Edward Barta; father and step-mother Gordon and DJ Szymczak; siblings Penny, Matt, Gregory and Stephen Szymczak, and Luke and Ben Barta; nieces and nephews Alexa, Easton, Jackson and Max Szymczak, and Hailey and Bailey Barta, and his former fiancée Faith Harty.
A memorial service will be held at a date to be determined.
(It’s a longtime All Saints Day tradition: show your support for your hyper-local blog with a tax-deductible donation. Just click here. And thank you!)
In response to the recent mailing from Aquarion to water customers about possible lead pipes, 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker asked Public Works director Peter Ratkiewich to contact the utility. Aquarion told him: “The water has been and will continue to be safe.”
First Selectwoman Jen Tooker adds, “I encourage residents with questions and concerns to contact Aquarion directly, or research online at Aquarion Water Company.”
The 2017 Staples High School graduate did not pitch in last night’s 7-6 Los Angeles Dodgers victory over the New York Yankees.
But he’s a World Series champion — the first-ever former Wrecker baseball player to earn that feat.
The champs will be honored with a parade in LA tomorrow, and an event at Dodger Stadium.
Then — at some point, when he returns here — Westport will no doubt throw a party for our newest hometown hero.
Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate, at Yankee Stadium.
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Content Studio — Chirag Shah and Jay Norris’ Saugatuck Avenue production studio that’s earning raves as Westport’s newest, most versatile party/meeting/ media location — hosted a great pre-Halloween masquerade ball last night.
A diverse, intriguing crowd celebrated with DJ Marcello, enjoyed excellent food and drinks — and raised money for A Better Chance of Westport.
There were no tricks at all. But plenty of treats.
From left: Dan Woog, 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker, Jay Norris, Noah Fenn, Crystal Norris. (All photos/Ryan Allen)
Westport’s Parks & Recreation Department has announced new programs for youngsters.
Better Babysitting: This class teaches teens and young adults how to be a successful babysitter. It includes infant and child CPR, how to handle emergency situations and child development. Participants will leave this course as certified babysitters ready to work. (November 7, December 5, January 2, February 13, March 6, April 3, May 1; 4 to 6 p.m.; ages 11+).
Crafty Kids Art Classes:A fun space for children to grow creatively and socially through process art, DIY crafts and sensory play. (Tuesdays, November 12-December 10; 4 to 5 p.m.; grades K-5).
Food Explorers: Children make new food each week. Fridays, November 15-December 13; 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.; grades 2-5).
Exploring food encourages children to learn through sensory experiences, hands-on activities and working together to create delicious results. Children will have the freedom to explore food thanks to our unique “food neutral’ approach to teaching about food. During this class, children will learn to make a new food every week.
Water Polo: (Fridays , November 12-February 6; 5:30 to 7 p.m.; ages 8-13).
Speaking of kids: The Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce has announced the winners of this year’s Halloween Window Painting Contest, sponsored by Village Pediatrics.
Over 50 children painted 40 windows throughout town, thanks to the generosity of local businesses.
Winners received gift certificates for ice cream, thanks to Momu.
Winners in the 2 school levels and 3 painting categories are:
This past summer, Saugatuck Harbor Yacht Club’s Fishing Committee ran a competition. The goal: Who could “catch” the most Mylar and plastic balloons.
The results far surpassed chair Maggie Carey’s expectations. Nearly 2 dozen families collected 431 balloons — plus plastic bags full of cans, pool floats, a beach ball, soccer ball and more.
On Sunday, prizes were awarded to winning families.
Evan, Lorraine and Kendall Berger (age 9) of Weston finished first, with 191 balloons (plus other items).
Second place went to Hannah and Eric Peck of Fairfield with 102 balloons (and assorted trash).
Rowayton Seafood found out about the competition, and doubled the value of gift cards SHYC purchased as awards.
Kendall also received a pair of Grudens fishing bibs, to help catch more balloons next year.
The balloons were collected in bunches, and solo. They represented R2D2, dinosaurs, pineapples and Spidermans.
Saugatuck Harbor hopes to repeat the contest next year. They may challenge other local yacht clubs to see who can collect the most.
And, Maggie notes, members — and everyone else — can continue collecting balloons they find on the water and washed up on shore, all year long.
This summer, the longtime Westporter and Longshore-area resident — provoked a debate by driving his golf cart, festooned with a large political banner, around the golf course and Compo Beach. Residents thought the private citizen was a town employee.
A heated confrontation with an irate anti-Trumper was caught on video.
Now, the Connecticut Centinal reports:
A female jogger running south on Compo Road South intentionally tipped over two Trump lawn signs before she turned right into the Longshore complex. The signs had been placed between the sidewalk and the roadway.
Romano contacted police and an officer met him to review video footage he had taken of the jogger. The footage did not show the jogger tipping over the signs.
But while speaking to Romano, the jogger coincidentally reappeared.
The police report indicates the jogger identified herself as a doctor, specifically a gynecologist. She told the officer she felt that the Trump signs were “offensive” to her “as a taxpayer in the Town of Westport” and she “doesn’t want to see” Trump signs on public property.
The officer reminded the doctor that regardless of one’s political views, everyone had a right to free speech, and that includes voicing their support for candidates in the election.
The officer asked the doctor to remain patient considering the election is only a week away, and gave her a warning. Meanwhile, Romano replanted the Trump signs.
Y’s Men of Westport and Weston member Mario Ottaviano died Sunday, surrounded by his family. He was 91.
He was born in Stamford to parents who immigrated from Italy. Mario graduated top of his class from the RCA Institute. For 27 years he owned and operated Economy TV, a television and audio sales and service company.
He received a BS in business from the University of Connecticut. He later earned a real estate broker’s license, a graduate certificate from the University of Georgia Real Estate Management program, and an ICSC Shopping Center Manager CSM degree.
Mario founded Ottaviano Associates, which owned properties around Stamford. He also owned and maintained properties in Bristol. He was knowledgeable about engineering, architecture and electronics. With his keen eye for craftmanship, he oversaw the restoration of two historic family homes.
An avid boater, Mario and his wife Marilyn enjoyed living by the water in Westport for 30 years. His interests included squash, handball, skiing, square dancing, theater, and biking with his children and grandchildren.
He played guitar and ukelele, and gardened and canned what he grew.
With the Y’s Men he spearheaded the Cooking Club, and was a member of the Hiking Club and Classical Music Society.
Mario was pre-deceased by his sister Angelina Concetta Lionetti. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Marilyn Lovallo Ottaviano; children Susan of New York, John (Cindy) Stamford, Christy (Kevin Ohe) of Fairfield, and David (Jessica Bruck) of Albuquerque; and grandchildren Casey Ottaviano, Francis Ohe, Vincent Ohe, Henry Boone, Craig Ottaviano, Elena Ohe and Antonia Ottaviano.
A celebration of life ceremony will take place November 30 (10:30 a.m., Harbor Lights, 82 Seaview Avenue, Norwalk). Remembrances can be shared in the memory book on Cognetta Funeral Home’s website.
Like many voters, Bernard Stahursky put up a sign this summer promoting his candidate.
But it didn’t just have a name. His — on Maple Avenue North — included a call to action.
“Honk 4 Trump,” it said.
Passing motorists did.
Often. At all hours.
Maple Avenue North sign.
That upset Carole Bernstein, an attorney and legal mediator, who lives across the street and works at home. Her husband, Dr. Neil Herbsman, is a New York gastroenterlogist.
It wasn’t the first time. Stahursky — a 91-year-old retired garage owner — had posted the same sign in 2020.
At the time the couple’s daughter was stuck at home, studying for a medical exam. Her bedroom faced the sign. All day long, she heard the horns.
Herbsman asked Stahursky to remove the sign. He refused. In retaliation, the couple put up a “Honk for Biden” sign.
After the election, it came down. But Stahursky’s stayed up. He added others. One said, “If you voted for Biden, thanks a lot, asshole.”
Eventually, Stahursky took his signs down. But this August — around the time of the Democratic convention — the “Honk” sign returned.
Bernstein created a log of the number of honks. On August 27, she and her husband called Westport Police.
An officer asked Stahursky to remove the sign. He adamantly refused, citing the First Amendment.
The honking continued.
Bernstein researched state law. She found “private nuisance” legislation. It says that a person’s First Amendment right ends when it impacts another person’s quiet enjoyment of their home.
In early September, she and her husband filed a complaint in Superior Court. The same day, the sign came down.
But a few days later, Stahursky replaced it with one linking Kamala Harris to pedophiles, human traffickers and drug traffickers. This one was directly across from the couple’s property.
Bernstein found a Connecticut statute that prohibits “malicious structures” targeted at neighbors. It was aimed she says, at spite fences, not signs. But she added the new sign to her complaint.
A hearing was scheduled for November 1. Stahursky’s lawyer, Eugene Zingaro, asked for an adjournment.
Bernstein and Herbsman said they’d consider it, provided the case was heard earlier.
In court this week, she, her husband, Stahursky, and his next door neighbor all testified.
Bernstein and Herbsman’s lawyer played a Ring recording of honks between August 31 and October 16. (Click here to see and listen to a driver leaving Stahursky’s home, and leaning on the horn down Maple Avenue. Click here for a second recording; click here for a third.)
Screen shot of Ring recording of a car leaving the Stahursky home.
Stahursky again invoked his First Amendment rights. He said he wanted to spread the truth about Harris and her ties to pedophilia, sex traffickers and drug traffickers, which he heard about on Fox News and Newsmax.
Judge Dale Radcliffe ruled today that since the “Honk 4 Trump” sign was no longer up, it was no longer a nuisance.
However, he added, a sign urging honking is not free speech. If the sign returns, he could issue an injunction.
As for the sign that is now up, Radcliffe ruled that while it is distasteful, it is protected speech. (Click here to read the complete decision. Click here to read the amended complaint.)
Bernstein and Herbsman are pleased that the “honk” sign is down.
Stahursky’s lawyer was pleased too. He told Connecticut Insider: “It’s unfortunate the delicate sensibilities of the plaintiffs were affected.
“Mr. Stahursky, who farms the land he was born on and who served this country in the Korean War, has earned to right to support the candidate of his choice.”
A recent episode is “must listen” for Westporters.
Wexler — a Westport resident herself — interviewed Fire Department Deputy Chief Matthew Cohen.
He discussed his own, and 3 other Westport first responders’, work in North Carolina, helping with Hurricane Helen relief efforts.
Cohen described the team’s role in restoring communication networks and helping local communities recover. Click here to listen.
Deputy Fire Chief Matthew Cohen, in a helicopter over North Carolina.
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“The Apprentice” began its limited theatrical release on Thursday, at Trumbull’s AMC Marquis Theater complex.
Written by Westport native Gabriel Sherman, the film explores a young Donald Trump’s rise to power, beginning in the 1970s with attorney/fixer Roy Cohn.
Westport attorney and “06880” was at the movie’s debut. He reports: “It was every bit as good as we had hoped, and even better than I had expected.
“The movie manages to be an entirely believable, enlightening and interesting glimpse of Donald Trump over several years early in his business career, without much of this early-Trump story involving politics, and just getting us up to the beginnings of ‘The Art of the Deal’ — the ghostwritten pre-‘Apprentice’ book that put Trump on the mass media map. Well worth seeing!
“We hope the word spreads quickly so that the movie can get the broader theatrical release it (and the public) deserves. It is playing all this weekend at the AMC Marquis 16 in Trumbull.
“The town of Westport should be proud to have one of its own associated with the making and production of this important, memorable and very timely biopic.”
Gabe Sherman
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Not long ago, Westport Animal Shelter Advocates organized a rescue of 5 kittens and a mother cat from a storm drain on the Post Road, near Southport.
The town-wide effort included the Fire and Public Works Departments, Westport Animal Control, local businesses and Animals in Distress, a Wilton-based cat rescue organization.
Three of the kittens and the mother cat were adopted, but 2 kittens remained.
WASA’s Julie Loparo posted on social media. The little faces caught the attention of Freda and Carleigh Welsh, longtime directors of the Levitt Pavilion. They had followed the storm drain story on “06880.”
The Welshes’ senior cat had died at the end of August. Both felt this was not the right time to adopt kittens.
They also believed the line would be long for those wanting to adopt. Maybe it was — but the Animals in Distress folks were looking for the right family.
But when Freda and Carleigh read about the 2 kittens, they decided they were needed.
The Welsh family has a long history as great cat owners. WASA was thrilled that the final 2 animals were going to an exceptional home.
Freda and Carleigh report: “The kittens are amazing — already super-social and outgoing. That is a huge credit to their foster family.”
PS: In keeping with the Welsh family tradition of geographical names for their cats, the kittens have been renamed Wolf and Daphne (Galapagos Islands).
Yesterday’s Roundup gave an incorrect date for the Westport Library’s “Common Ground Conversation.” It is Tuesday, October 15, at 7 p.m.
Ken Feinberg — who as special master of the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund was responsible for the disbursement of over $7 billion dollars — is the special guest..
At “Civil Discourse to Resolve Complex Disputes,” Feinberg will share his experience and expertise in bringing people together to analyze, understand, and resolve complex disputes. Steve Parrish will moderate the discussion.
The Common Ground initiative will also be livestreamed. Click here for the link.
Sure, you can have your pumpkin spice latte at Starbucks.
But for a real Halloween treat, head to a local coffee shop.
Amy Schneider spotted this spook-tacular display at GG & Joe’s:
(Photo/Amy Schneider)
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An interactive pop-up — including a black light exhibit, prints, merch and more — has appeared at the former Oddz space, next to Il Pastaficio at 139 Post Road East.
It’s the work of Joe Kazer (aka Gnar Giant). There’s an opening reception October 17 (4 to 9 p.m.). The exhibit runs October 18 through November 10; Thursdays through Sundays, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
(Photo/Sal Liccione)
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Mickey Herbst noticed this little bit of nature, at Birchwood Country Club yesterday:
(Photo/Mickey Herbst)
“I think it is a wonderful metaphor for perseverance,” he says.
Agreed! It’s also an inspiring image for today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature.
And finally … happy 67th birthday today to Vince Gill!
(Happy Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples Day weekend. Have a great holiday! But “06880” never rests. Please click here to support your hyper-local blog. Thank you!)
Every year on September 11, Westport Representative Town Meeting member Andrew Colabella attends the memorial service at Ground Zero.
He was there today with John Ryan. In 2002 the New York detective found Andrew’s cousin’s headstone — a memorial to the 1993 World Trade Center bombing victims — while cleaning the grounds. Andrew and John have been friends ever since.
The Ground Zero ceremony is always intensely moving.
This morning’s event was particularly poignant.
At the site were a number of dignitaries, from both parties. In the midst of a heated campaign — and just 12 hours after last night’s debate — the mood was “peaceful, cordial, friendly and respectful,” Andrew reports.
At Ground Zero this morning (from left): Governor Kathy Hochul, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Senator Chuck Schumer, Vice President Kamala Harris, President Joe Biden, former Mayor Michael Bloomberg, former President Donald Trump, Senator JD Vance (Photo/Andrew Colabella)
Connecticut’s 9/11 Memorial, Sherwood Island State Park, on September 11, 2024. (Photo/Ted Horowitz)
Westport Weston Family YMCA, today … (Photo/Dan Woog)
Everyone in America has heard of “The Apprentice.”
The quasi-real TV series featured eager businesspeople battling for a $250,000 contract. It made “you’re fired!” a national catchphrase, and catapulted Donald Trump onto the path to the presidency.
You may not have heard of the movie version of “The Apprentice.”
At least, not yet.
The film explores a young Trump’s rise to power, beginning in the 1970s with attorney/fixer Roy Cohn.
It debuted at the Cannes Film Festival in May, and earned an 8-minute standing ovation. Its North American premiere at Telluride last weekend was equally successful.
But because the film offers “an unfiltered look at Trump’s complicated and often unseemly journey,” his campaign issued a cease and desist order. They hoped to halt its release in the US — at least before the November election.
It was reported that Trump (who had not seen the film) was particularly incensed by scenes that depict him raping his first wife, Ivana; abusing amphetamines to lose weight, and undergoing liposuction and plastic surgery to remove a bald spot. (The rape scene was based on divorce records.)
Legal threats caused major media companies to shy away from distribution.
“The Apprentice” stars (from left) Sebastian Stan as Donald Trump, Jeremy Strong as Roy Cohn, and Maria Bakalova as Ivana Trump.
Filmmakers are now pursuing a grassroots, independent approach. It is scheduled for limited theatrical release on October 11.
That’s good news for the cast, crew and producers of “The Apprentice.”
Including the writer, Gabriel Sherman.
The 45-year-old attended Kings Highway Elementary, Bedford Middle and Staples High School (through 10th grade).
After graduating from Holderness School in New Hampshire and Middlebury College (2001), he wrote for New York magazine and Vanity Fair. He’s been a regular contributor to NBC News and MSNBC.
In 2014, Sherman wrote a biography of Fox News Channel president Roger Ailes called “The Loudest Voice in the Room: How the Brilliant, Bombastic Roger Ailes Built Fox News – and Divided a Country.”
He began work on “The Apprentice” in 2018.
Gabe Sherman
Hoping for widespread distribution before the election — and fearing possible retribution after, if Trump wins — the film’s backers have started a Kickstarter campaign.
The goal is to raise $100,000, to enable additional distribution beyond the first 17 cities where it is planned to be screened.
As with all Kickstarter projects, donors will be charged only if full funding is secured.
That seems likely. The deadline is September 29. In just 2 days, nearly the entire amount has already been raised.
Donors are offered streaming rights, tickets to a preview screening, on-screen memorabilia from the production, access to the filmmakers — and their name in the credits.
Last month, a reader sent a photo of a golf cart at Longshore.
A large flag, draped across the back, said “Trump 2024 — Save America Again.”
The reader wanted to know why a Longshore employee could drive around the course, displaying a political message.
One view of the golf cart …
Not wanting to jump to conclusions — I’ve learned that lesson — I contacted Westport’s Parks & Recreation Department.
They said the cart belongs to a nearby neighbor — not an employee. I posted that photo, and the explanation, on July 27.
Since then, several other readers sent similar photos. I referred them to that item, emphasizing he does not work for the town.
A couple of days ago, things escalated.
Someone approached the golf cart driver. He’s a Staples High School graduate with a thriving local business. He lives on the Saugatuck River in a home on the private road just off the golf course, a couple of hundred yards from the first tee.
He uses his cart, apparently, to voluntarily help maintain the course.
The other man demanded that he remove the banner.
“Don’t touch my flag!” the driver responded.
… and another.
A video obtained by “06880” does not show either man, but the audio is clear. The man continues to demand the flag’s removal.
“”I will f—ing blow your head apart!” the golf cart driver says, as the man apparently tries to rip the flag off, tearing it in the process. “Who the f— do you think you’re talking to?!”
The other man angrily retorts, “I’m talking to a worker.”
“Don’t tell me what to do!” the golf cart driver — who is most definitely not “a worker” — says.
The very heated encounter ends when, apparently, a police officer arrives.
“He’s gonna f—ing buy me a new one!” the video ends. “Motherf—er!”
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