The weather was spectacular yesterday, as 525 new fish were restocked in Lees Pond.
The state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection effort, at the Westport Weston Family YMCA property on the Saugatuck River, will result in thousands of alewife eggs, for repopulation of the pond and river.
The Y plans to make this an annual event. For details on the effect this will have on the entire food chain — including birds of prey — click here.
State workers restocked Lees Pond yesterday …
… with help from youngsters, part of the Y’s spring break camp.
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Over 150 people filled the Westport Library Monday, to hear Governor Lamont speak about “Your State, Your Business.”
But many others could not make the 11 a.m. Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce event.
No problem! The Library’s ace AV crew recorded it. Click here or below to see.
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Speaking of politics: Alma Sarelli has joined the race to succeed Ceci Maher, as state senator from Connecticut’s 26th District. The district includes Westport, Weston and 5 other towns.
The Representative Town Meeting member serves on their Public Protection, Education, Parks and Recreation, and Planning & Zoning Committees. She is secretary of Westport’s Republican Town Committee, and president of Neighbors & Newcomers of Westport.
Sarelli cited affordability, local decision-making, public safety, support for small businesses, educational excellence and fiscal responsibility as areas of emphasis.
She majored in business management at Berkeley College in New York. She and her husband own an event entertainment production company.
This is her second run for the General Assembly. In 2022, Sarelli lost to incumbent Jonathan Steinberg in the 136th State Representative district race.
Alma Sarelli
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Every Sunday, the New York Times Business section’s “Corner Office” features an interview with a C-suite executive. He or she discussed the challenges (and, occasionally, joys) of the position, the company and the industry
Last weekend, the spotlight was on Peter Stern.
He’s the CEO of Peloton. He’s also a 1990 graduate of Staples High School (and a varsity soccer alum).
After Harvard University — where he majored in English and music — Stern co-founded Apple Fitness+, was president of Ford Integrated Services, and held high positions with Time Warner Cable.
The Times interview covers Peloton’s rapid growth during the pandemic; expansion beyond cardio into yoga, strength and other workouts; 2 rounds of layoffs; reaction to tariffs, and more.
Stern also gives a shoutout to his mother, and notes her work as a fitness instructor with the classic 1980s Westport business Nancy Strong’s Aerobic Slimnastics.
He made mixtapes for her, on his boombox. “In retrospect, it was likely a massive copyright violation,” he notes.
Click here to read the full interview.
Peter Stern
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Today, Finalmente Trattoria celebrates one year since their reopening.
Giuseppe Cinque’s restaurant opposite Design Within Reach — one of Westport’s best Italian spots, in a town filled with them — builds on what was there before.
Cinque — an experienced restaurateur — upgraded the kitchen. He lightened the interior. He hired 2 very experienced chefs. He reworked the menu, taking advantage of daily trips to nearby markets.
The result shows. Finalmente is often packed.
Now that the weather is better, it should be even more popular.
Finally — finalmente! — Cinque’s dream restaurant is coming true.
From Finalmente.
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On Monday (April 20, 6 p.m., Zoom and Optimum Channel 79), the Planning & Zoning Commission will discuss Text Amendment #866.
The proposal would remove references to the maximum number of stories permitted in various residential zoning districts, and regulate building scale solely by maximum building height in feet.
P&Z director Michelle Perillie says, “The current regulation on building height is onerous to both applicants and staff. This change will simplify the process which retaining neighborhood scale.”
Click here, then scroll down to Text Amendment #866 for more information.
Is that an actual third floor?
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Leonard Bernstein — the multifaceted composer, conductor, pianist, educator, author and political activist — continues to fascinate the American public.
On April 24 — 5 years after “Bernstein’s Wall” premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival — the documentary is set for its US theatrical premiere, at New York’s Film Forum.
Directed by Douglas Tirola, and produced by Susan Bedusa — both Staples High School graduates — the film uses Bernstein’s 1989 Christmas Day “Ode to Joy” concert in Berlin as a frame.
Tirola crafts Bernstein’s remarkable career entire from television interviews, news footage, home movies, audio clips and personal letters.
Variety calls it “galvanizing. (It) captures how Leonard Bernstein became the superstar of American high culture (who evolved) into a towering figure …. What the documentary captures, profoundly, is that Leonard Bernstein was a fierce hedonist who worked hard to live the life he wanted.”
The first screening is at 12:15 p.m. It will be followed by several each day, through April 30. Click here for showtimes and tickets.
Leonard Bernstein
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The deadline to transfer from one political party to the other — and be eligible to vote i a state or district primary with a new party — is May 11 (4:30 p.m.).
Voters can change parties in person at the Registrars’ Office in Town Hall (Room 107), or online here.
Questions? Contact Democratic Registrar of Voters Deborah Greenberg (dgreenberg@westportct.gov; 203-341-1116) or Republican Registrar of Voters Maria Louise Signore: msignore@westportct.gov; 203-341-1117.
Paul Newman has the right idea.
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It’s time to toot the Jazz Society of Fairfield County’s horn — and promote their important upcoming fundraiser.
“JazzFC” presents the wildly popular “Jazz at the Post” series every Thursday. Musicians — some internationally famous — play 2 great shows at VFW Post 399. The price is low; the talent level very, very high.
But Jazz FC does much more. Among their projects: workshops for youth and aspiring professional musicians, as well as the local underserved community in senior citizen residences and community centers.
They also administer the Micky Golomb Scholarship, awarding up to $10,000 annually to students who concentrate in jazz studies.
To fund those endeavors, they’re sponsoring a “Jazz Cruise by the Saugatuck” (April 23, 6 to 10 p.m.). NOTE: It’s at the VFW, not actually on the river.
Over 25 award-winning artists will jam. There’s a silent auction and lavish dinner too. Click here for tickets, and more information.
Some of the 25+ musicians appearing at the “Jazz Cruise by the Saugatuck.” It takes place on dry land, at VFW Post 399.
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The Senior Center’s vitrines showcase a variety of sculptors. Every 6 weeks, the display changes. Ten percent of all sales support the Center.
To complement the exhibits, curator Mark Yurkiw has organized a series of talks. The first — this Friday (April 17, 11 a.m.) — features Bob Braczyk, whose work is inspired by the natural and manmade environments of New England. Call 203-341-5099 to register for the event.
Sculptor Bob Braczyk.
Westport has hurricanes and blizzards. We’ve got superstorms and nor’easters.
We don’t have earthquakes.
Except, we do.
The eastern US has surprisingly active seismic history. And although we’re in no danger of a San Andreas Fault-sized Big One, every so often the earth shakes, the dishes rattle, and we wonder, “Was that an earthquake?”
On April 21 (8 p.m.), Professor Alan Kafka — one of the nation’s leading earthquake scientists — comes to the Westport Observatory for a lecture on “The Mystery of Earthquakes in the Eastern United States.”
The talk will also be live-streamed on YouTube and on Zoom. It will be posted to the WAS YouTube channel afterward.
Just over 2 years ago — in early April 2024 — Westporters felt a strong (for here) earthquake. (Data courtesy of Franco Fellah)
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Last Sunday was Greek Orthodox Easter.
In honor of all who celebrate, today’s “Westport … Naturally” featured photo shows a colorful arrangement of Greek Easter flowers, by Sophie Tricarico.
(Photo/Joan Tricarico)
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And finally … in honor of Doug Tirola’s Leonard Bernstein documentary (story above):
(There’s a place for us — right here at “06880.” If you enjoy our daily Roundup — or any other feature, our stories, photos, whatever — please click here to support our work. Cool!)
But they do more than just play. Over the past few years the non-profit has raised funds to buy the famous Steinway piano from the historic Village Gate Jazz Club in New York; conducted workshops for area students; produced a benefit concert for Bridgeport’s Neighborhood Studios at the Bijou Theater, and established the Mickey Golomb Scholarship Fund, in honor of a 
