Interesting upcoming agenda items of note:
On Monday (February 5, 12:30 p.m., Town Hall auditorium), the Board of Selectwomen meet to consider just one item: a request by Parks & Recreation Department director Jen Fava to approve a 1-year lease extension between the town and Longshore Sailing School.
The original request, for 10 years, was scuttled by the Board of Finance last month.
The meeting will be livestreamed here, and broadcast on Optimum channel 79.
Next Thursday (February 8, 5 p.m., Zoom), the Public Site & Building Commission has a full plate.
They’ll talk about the Staples High School re-roofing project; Gillespie Center renovations; the Westport Police Athletic League renovation/construction projects, Longshore renovations, and “other business.”
The Longshore Sailing School is up for a one-year lease renewal.
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There were plenty of smiling faces yesterday at Cava.
The build-your-own Mediterranean bowls-and-pitas fast casual dining place next to Westport Hardware/across from Fresh Market invited residents to a “Community Day” celebration.
Meals were free — and donations to Food Rescue US were matched by the chain, which now has over 300 locations in 24 states.
Cava is open today. There’s no longer a free lunch (or dinner). But the lines are sure to be long anyway.
The crowd at Cava last night. (Photo/Laney Lloyd)
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The Westport Book Shop asks: “Do you enjoy talking about books and comparing notes with fellow bibliophiles? Do you wish you were in a book club, but don’t have time to read a whole book before each meeting? Can’t commit to meet every single month, but want to participate occasionally?”
If so, their new Short Story Book Club is for you.
They’ll meet at the Westport Book Shop across from Jesup Green on the fourth Thursday of every month (6 to 7:30 p.m.), beginning February 22.
Books include classics and contemporary short stories. Come to one session, some, or all — it’s up to you!
The first session covers “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. Published in 1892, it is an important early work of American feminist literature, examining attitudes toward women’s mental and physical health in the 19th century.
Space is limited; pre-registration is requested by phone (203-349-5141) or email (bookshop@westportbooksaleventures.org).
Copies of stories are available to borrow through the Westport Library’s digital collection. A limited number of physical copies may be borrowed at the Library too.
Other Book Club dates are March 28 and April 25. To suggest a story, email bookshop@westportbooksaleventures.org.
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When Westporters gorge themselves at Super Bowl parties next weekend, they may not think about people who are hungry.
But the Westport Police Department, Westport Police Benevolent Association, (PBA) and Westport Sunrise Rotary know there are many people in need.
On Saturday,, February 10 (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.), those groups will sponsor a food drive at Stop & Shop.
All donations will support Homes with Hope’s food pantry at the Gillespie Center, and Westport Human Services’ food pantry.
Police officers and volunteers will accept non-perishable food items, and cash donations. Suggested items include applesauce, breakfast bars, boxed macaroni and cheese, canned vegetables, canned fruit, canned meat and tuna, canned soup and stew, cup of noodles soup and ramen noodles, cereal, gluten-free foods (pasta, soups, cereals), granola. protein bars, hamburger or tuna helper, hearty soups, ketchup, mayonnaise, mustard, oatmeal, pancake mix and syrup, pasta and sauce, peanut butter and jelly, rice, and any miscellaneous snacks.
Glass jars are prohibited.
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As antisemitism rises, Dora Horn speaks.
The author of the best-seller “People Love Dead Jews” will discuss the need for collective action on February 28 (7:30 p.m., Chabad Lubavitch of Westport).
Click here for tickets, and more information.
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Sherwood Island — the oldest state park in Connecticut — is a popular spot in summer.
And the winter.
Friends of Sherwood Island announce two upcoming, free events.
A February 11 nature walk (11 a.m., main pavilion) with park ranger Melanie Kikta and master wildlife conservationist Ginny Apple will look for dens and nests of mammals and birds that start families this month.
The naturalists will point out where foxes, coyotes, deer and bobcats have been sighted, and look for nests of bald eagles and other birds of prey.
On March 10 (10 a.m., main pavilion), there’s a nature photography walk.
Click here for more information on both events.
Sherwood Island may look quiet in winter. But there’s plenty going on. You just need to know where to look. (Photo/Neal Radding)
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Last night, Gilbertie’s hosted a spirits tasting event. It featured herbal cocktails from Fifth Estate, made locally and sold at the garden center.
Guests also enjoyed hors d’oeuvres from the Blondinit chef. The Israeli restaurant opens on Church Lane next month.
(Photo and hat tip/Claudia Sherwood Servidio)
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A couple of weeks ago, “06880” ran a photo of the demolition of the unique castle-style home on Edgemarth Hill Road.
Work continues. Here’s the scene yesterday, from Greens Farms Road:
(Photo/Susan Garment)
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Richard Epstein describes today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo:
“’Arnold’s Promise’ witch hazel is the first flower I look for to announce the start of a new year of spring. It blooms in February — snow, ice or unseasonable warmth.”
(Photo/Richard Epstein)
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And finally … Chita Rivera died on Tuesday in New York. She was 91.
The New York Times called her a “fire-and-ice dancer, singer and actress who leapt to stardom in the original Broadway production of ‘West Side Story’ and dazzled audiences for nearly 7 decades as a Puerto Rican lodestar of the American musical theater.” She was the first Latina to earn Kennedy Center honors.
Click here for a full obituary.
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