The only sure things are death and taxes, Ben Franklin said.
Add to the list: free tax help.
With April 15 just 68 days away, free income tax assistance is available at both the Senior Center and Town Hal.
The government-sponsored program is run by an organization called SimplifyCT.org. In Westport, it’s overseen by Paul Coughlan
All preparers are non-paid volunteers. They’ve been helping Westport residents for the past 7 years.
Sessions are in Town Hall (room 201) every Monday, from 1 to 7 p.m.
They’re at the Senior Center too, on Wednesdays (9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.) and Thursdays (9 a.m. to noon).
There is no charge — but appointments are required. Call 860-590-8910, or click here. (You’ll see other Fairfield County locations too.)
PS: Volunteers are always needed. If you can help, call the number above. (Hat tip: Ed Simek
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For a dozen years, Aarti Khosla has nurtured us.
She has created beautiful, wonderful chocolates. She has provided opportunities through them to thank teachers, first responders and many others, and to raise funds for children in need.
Now — as she prepares to close her Le Rouge shop at 190 Main Street after one final Valentine’s Day — Aarti once again lends a generous helping hand. She writes:
“I lost my father to inoperable brain cancer when I was just 21. Nearly 4 years ago, I flew to India in the middle of the holiday season to be with my mother in India after a breast cancer diagnosis. Today, my older brother is battling cancer. I barely know anyone who isn’t in some way affected by the ravages of this disease.
“A few years back I shaved my head for St. Baldrick’s — not for attention, but in quiet solidarity with children fighting cancer.
“Today, my daughter is raising funds for Memorial Sloan Kettering’s Cycle for the Cure in Chicago. Inspired by her act, I just signed up for the Cycle for the Cure ride happening tomorrow (Saturday) at Equinox in Darien.
“As Le Rouge prepares to say goodbye to the town I have called home for over 2 decades, I would like to reach out my community — our community that always shows up and rallies when it really matters.
“I need your help to turn this moment of saying goodbye into something bigger: action, gratitude, and giving back. 10% of February sales at Le Rouge are always donated to charity — this year, to a cause that is deeply personal to me. If you’re able to support or share my fundraising effort, it would mean a great deal.
“Sometimes the most meaningful goodbyes are also acts of hope. Please click here for my fundraising page. It will remain up through April 15.”
Aarti Khosla, with her ever-present smile.
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A new Emergency Medical Technician course begins later this month.
The class begins February 25, and runs through June 22. It meets Mondays and Wednesdays from 6;30 to 9:30 p.m., with occasional lab work on Saturdays (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
Instructions include traumatic injury management; breathing, cardiac, mental health and pediatric emergencies; childbirth and OB/GYN; EMS operations, and mass casualty incident response.
provides students with the skills to provide pre-hospital emergency medical care for those who are sick or injured. The program meets State of Connecticut guidelines for EMT certification upon successful completion of exams.
Students who pass the exams will earn Connecticut Emergency Medical Technician certification, and be able to join Westport Emergency Medical Services. and the ability to join WVEMS.
Click here for more information, and application materials.
In addition, WVEMS is offering a free “Stop the Bleed” class. It’s Thursday, February 12 (7 to 8:45 p.m.).
The #1 cause of a preventable death after an injury is bleeding. The session helps turn bystanders into immediate responders, for emergencies at home or work, or on the road. Click here for details, and registration.
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Westport resident Susan Filan — a former prosecutor and MSNBC senior legal analyst — trades the courtroom for a church on Sunday.
She’ll be a special guest at the Saugatuck Congregational Church 10 a.m. worship service. Filan will speak about transformation, purpose, and clarity in moments of disruption.
After decades working in high-pressure legal environments, a near-fatal accident in 2022 upended her legal career.
It sparked a profound wake-up call, reshaping how she understood success, identity, and what truly matters. Today, she brings that experience into conversations about reinvention, meaning, and rebuilding from the inside out.
The public is invited to the service.
Susan Filan
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Love was in the air Wednesday night, at the VFW.
Post 399 hosted Club203 — our town’s social club for adults with disabilities — for their monthly event.
DJ Lev provided the music. Planet Pizza donated pies, and Mo\CA CT helped with great heart creations.
There were smiles all around … and love was in the air.
Club203 member Dylan Curran (left) and VFW quartermaster Phil Delgado enjoy the evening.
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Speaking of the VFW: Sure, next Friday is the 13th.
But you’re in luck, if you head to Post 399. Laughing Gas Comedy and The City’s Backyard Podcast return, after very successful past shows.
The lineup includes Davin, Paul Taro, Autumn Harvist and Joe Pontillo. Matt Zako is the host.
Doors open at 7 p.m. The show is at 8. Tickets are $20 online, or at the door.
Comedy at the VFW.
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Many waterways around Westport have been frozen, for nearly 2 weeks.
That’s unusual … at least, for the past few years. (Cue the “I remember back in the day …” crowd.)
It’s not strong enough to skate on, though. So who appreciates it?
The Westport Fire Department. Yesterday, they headed to Compo Beach to train for frozen water rescues.
We’re thankful they got a chance to practice. And we hope they never have to put that training to real-life use.
Fire Department training at Compo Beach. (Photo/William Weiss)
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Speaking of ice: Today’s frozen “Westport … Naturally” photo shows one of many scenes like this, all over town. This one is at Susan Alintoff’s Old Hill home.
(Photo/Susan Alintoff)
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And finally … Chuck Negron — a founding member of Three Dog Night — died Monday in Los Angeles. He was 83, and suffered from pulmonary disease and heart failure. Click here for a full obituary.
(There will be plenty of joy in “06880”‘s world if you click here, and help support your hyper-local blog. Thank you! As Chuck Negron sang: “The show must go on.”)
