Tag Archives: GG & Joe’s

Roundup: Hurricane Help, “Apprentice,” Kittens …

Lisa Wexler’s radio show is often compelling.

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).

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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.

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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!)

Roundup: Paving, Business, Smart People …

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Westport Means Business.

That’s the name of a Westport Library/Town of Westport-sponsored panel on June 3 (7 p.m., at the Library or via Zoom).

2nd Selectwoman Jen Tooker will lead a discussion with 3 great — and very different — local businesses.

Sam Gault of Gault Energy, Dr. EJ Zebro (TAP Strength Lab) and Gina Porcello (GG & Joe) will share “Stories from the Pandemic.” They’ll describe what they learned, how they survived — and how they’re thriving.

Click here to register.

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Speaking of business:

Westport photographer Nancy Breakstone lives a few minutes from Rive Bistro. It’s her go-to spot.

Yesterday she met a friend for drinks, at 5. Her husband was set to meet Nancy there for dinner, afterward.

But despite a dozen outdoor tables on the plaza — plus under a tent — Nancy called him and said: No go. The restaurant was booked solid. The waitress advised calling 3 days ahead.

That augurs well for outdoor dining in Westport this summer. Bon appétit!

Outdoor dining at Rive Bistro, on the water. The plaza tables have been filled, as well as the always-popular deck.

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Westport’s spring paving program is underway.

The Library and Senior Center parking lots are already done. Paving will continue through mid-June on these roads:

  • Railroad Place
  • Franklin Street
  • Ferry Lane
  • Partrick Road
  • Clinton Avenue
  • Saxon Lane
  • Timber Lane
  • Moss Ledge
  • Dawn Drive
  • Greens Farms Road
  • Maple Avenue North

Once those are done, several school properties will be paved:

  • Greens Farms Elementary
  • Long Lots Elementary (partial repaving)
  • Bedford Middle School entrance and Wakeman Farm Road
  • Coleytown Elementary

That project is a collaborative effort with the Westport Public Schools.

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Getting into Cornell University is hard enough. Graduating in the top 1% of one of its undergrad colleges is insanely difficult.

But Isabelle Amlicke did it. The Staples High School Class of 2017 alum earned recognition as a Merrill Presidential Scholar for that achievement.

Isabelle was deeply involved with Cornell Sustainability Consultants. No word on what’s ahead. But we’re sure it will be impressive! (Hat tip: Cecily Gans)

Isabelle Amlicke

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Speaking of Staples: 4 juniors have earned Superior Achievement in Writing awards. The honor comes from the prestigious National Council of Teachers of English.

Caroline Coffey, Matthew Genser, Maya Markus-Malone and Talia Perkins
were honored as among the best student writers in the nation. In addition to submitting a piece of “best writing,” contest entrants were asked to craft a piece in any genre that took readers inside a community that is important to them, and convey the beauty they see within it.

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Speaking of education: On Monday night, the Bedford Middle School team got together. They celebrate their win at the Connecticut Science Olympiad Tournament, and watched the national event.

Coaches Arthur Ellis, Daniel Cortright and Kathryn Nicholas received special recognition. Congratulations to all!

Sisters Annam Olasewere, Anwara Olasewere, and Ayaan Olasewere are part of Bedford’s state champion Science Olympiad team. All paced in the top 3 of their events.

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Today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo shows black swallowtails at Sherwood Island State Park:

(Photo/Elena Nasereddin)

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And finally … legendary Muscle Shoals drummer Jerry Roger Hawkins died last week. He was 75, and had suffered from numerous illnesses.

Producer Jerry Wexler called him “the greatest drummer of all time.”

Hawkins — a member of both the Swampers and Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section session groups — played on hits like “Respect,” ” “When a Man Loves a Woman” and “Mustang Sally.” As great as those songs are, listen again. Without Hawkins’ drumming, they’d have a lot less respect.  Click here for a full obituary.

 

Goodbye, Garelick & Herbs. Hello, GG & Joe’s.

After 6 years in Saugatuck Center, Garelick and Herbs is leaving.

Owner Jason Garelick told the Westport News, “I had a 5-year lease on our Saugatuck store and the past several months, we were going month-to-month, since our lease ended in 2019. It wasn’t drawing as many customers as it was in the past.

“Parking is tight in the area. You couldn’t get into the lot because of the train traffic. We were mostly only drawing customers from one section of Westport. In Saugatuck, you rely more on customers coming from the train station.

“Also, we were busier during the summer time. Closing a store is always a difficult decision and the area is great, but it just wasn’t worth it for us.”

The final day is Saturday, February 29. The flagship store in Southport, and the Greenwich location, will remain open.

Meanwhile, a new place is getting ready to open on Parker Harding Plaza. It’s near the rear door of Rye Ridge Deli, closer to TD Bank.

GG and Joe’s will feature acai bowls, coffee and toast. Yes, toast.

The sign in the window says they’ll open this winter.

They better hurry. Spring arrives in 24 days.