Tag Archives: Kayla Iannetta

Roundup: Soleil Toile Closes, Parking Limits Reconsidered, Mahj Players Meet …

Posted on July 8, 2025 | 4 comments

Soleil Toile — the Post Road East lingerie/swimwear/accessories/and more shop — is closing soon.

They started in 1990, with 1,400 square feet specializing in fine lingerie from the US and Europe.

A 1997 move to their 3,400-square foot store enabled them to expand into swim and resort wear.

They opened a second store in New Canaan. It closed last September.

News of the closing — at the end of July — has disappointed many longtime customers.

Until then, many items are 30-60% off.

PS: If you have forgotten your French, Soleil Toile means “sun canvas” or “sun cloth.” (Hat tip/Sal Liccione)

==================================================

Of the 6 agenda items for tomorrow’s Board of Selectwomen meeting (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Town Hall auditorium), the one with the most direct impact on most Westporters is a proposal by the Downtown Plan Implementation Committee to lower parking limits on Main  Street, Elm Street, Church Lane, Bay Street and Jesup Road from 3 hours to 2.

The change would affect on-street parking only. Parking lots — including Parker Harding Plaza, the Baldwin lot, and the Taylor and Jesup lots near the Library — would remain at 3 hours.

Parking lot limits would not change. But street parking would.

==================================================

Pride Month is over. But Bill Shakos is back, with a podcast focusing on LGBTQ+ youth.

The Westporter — who dives deep into important topics, in his “What Do I Know?” series — speaks in Episode 10 with Kayla Ianetta. The Staples High School science teacher chairs the Westport Public Schools’ Pride Coalition.

GenXer Bill and Millennial Kayla chat explore the world of GenZ queer youth. Kayla discusses her own journey, along with the importance of safe spaces, DEI backlash, and much more.

Click here for various ways to download the podcast.

Kayla Iannetta

===============================================

What can be better than a morning coffee and treats, outside at The Blondinit?

How about a chance to play mahjong too?

The Church Lane restaurant has partnered with the Haus of Mahj. They’ll host a “Monday Morning open play” next week (July 14, 10 a.m. to noon; experienced players only).

The $30 fee includes coffee or soft drink (food is available for purchase). Grab your quad or sign up solo. All materials — including tiles, racks and mats — are provided. Click here for more information, and to reserve a spot.

================================================

One last look back at the holiday weekend — specifically, the Levitt Pavilion.

On Sunday, Westport’s outdoor entertainment venue featured Jake Swamp & the Pine.

The Americana/folk/pop/country/and more band was joined by Kaliloops, and emerging folks artists Simon Robert French and Harrison Goodell.

Jake Swamp recently played the Greenwich Town Party — the same festival as Alanis Morissette.

Looking ahead at the Levitt:

  • Tonight (Tuesday, 7 p.m.): Westport Community Band
  • Wednesday (7 p.m.): Children’s Series, with Joanie Leeds
  • Thursday (7:30 p.m.): Richiman and Groove Nice (7:30 p.m.; American-style blues band from South Korea).

All 3 shows are free, but tickets are required. Click here to reserve tickets, and for more information.

Jake Swamp & the Pine, and friends, on the Levitt Pavilion stage.

=================================================

Jazz at the Post swings into summer with pianist/composer Sarah Jane Cion. She’s joined in a classic trio with bassist Alex Safy and drummer Mike Camacho.

It’s Thursday (July 10, VFW; shows at 7:30 and 8:45 p.m.; dinner service at 7; $20 music cover, $15 for veterans and students). Click here for reservations.

==================================================

Former Westport resident and store owner Michael Nappa III died June 30. He was 75, and lived in Milford.

Michael  helped run the family business, Nappa Sales, with his father Michael Jr. and brother Robert from 1971 to 1981. After their father died, Michael and Robert ran it until they closed their doors in 2018.

They also managed 15 apartments behind the storefront on Main Street in Westport, which served low-income tenants. Some kept in touch even after moving away.

Michael enjoyed movies. He also rescued cats, and nursed them back to health.

He is survived by his sister Marion of Westport; brother Robert (Linda) of Wilton; nieces and nephews Linda and Diana DeMattia, and Katherine and and Robert Nappa Jr. and great-nephews and nieces Daniel Landan, and Emma and Louis Parnes.

The Family will receive friend in the Harding Funeral Home on Thursday (July 10, 10-11 a.m.). A graveside service will follow in Assumption Cemetery, 73 Greens Farms Road at 11:15 a.m.

Contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to the American Heart Association. Condolences for the family can be left online here.

Michael Nappa III

==========================================

Most “Westport … Naturally” photos are gorgeous, inspiring, cute or fun.

Occasionlly, they’re all of those in one shot.

Today’s image is none of the above.

Spotted lanternflies can be seen all over town.

Tammy Barry “spotted” this scene on Hillspoint Road. Neaby, the invasive bugs can be seen all over the trunks of another invasive species: trees of heaven.

Ugh.

(Photo/Tammy Barry)

==================================================

And finally … in honor of Soleil Toile (story above):

(What does “06880” need? Well, not lingerie. But we really could use a tax-deductible contribution or two, to support our 24/7/365 hyper-local work. Please click here. Lizzo and I thank you.)

4 Comments

Posted in Downtown, Entertainment, Local business, Local politics, Obituaries, Restaurants

Tagged , , , , , ,

Westport Pride: Celebrating Rainbows, Despite National Clouds

Posted on April 18, 2025 | 3 comments

Five years ago, Brian McGunagle wondered: “Where is Westport’s LGBTQ community?”

After 4 years in town, he and his husband Stephen Gustafson were happy. They felt safe and supported. Through a Facebook group for same-gender parents, they had arranged playdates for their nearly 2-year-old son.

But they wanted more than a quiet, open suburb.

Five years later, much has changed.

Westport Pride — the group Brian founded — has thrived. It’s organized 4 large Pride celebrations; the fifth is set for June 22, on Jesup Green. A party will follow.

Staples High students, at the 2024 Pride celebration on Jesup Green.

Under the leadership of Kayla Iannetta, Westport Pride has partnered with Gender Sexuality Alliances at Staples High School, and the 2 middle schools, and helped organize “UBU” days at the elementary level; worked on Westport Library programming; brought a rainbow crosswalk to Jesup Road, and sponsored 3 drags shows.

A number of LGBTQ parents moved to town during COVID. McGunagle estimates there are at least 2 dozen families with same-gender parents here now — and that is probably low.

Plus: Their son now has a younger brother.

Brian McGunagle (sport coat), his husband Stephen Gustafson and their sons, at the Jesup Road rainbow crosswalk. 

But not all the news is positive. The changing national climate has made young transgender Westporters feel unsafe. Some students who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer or questioning also stand in the shadows.

There is “a lot of fear with parents of LGB — and especially trans — youth,” McGuangle notes.

He says the Supreme Court may take up a case in which parents of trans youngsters could be held criminally responsible for child abuse.

There is “more open bullying” around sexuality issues, he says, in schools and on social media like Westport Back Porch.

Temple Israel had one of the many booths at 2024 Pride.

LGBTQ Westporters without families — singles and seniors — are also looking for a community.

As the father of a 6-year-old and a future Stepping Stones Preschool student, McGunagle continues to search for ways parents like him can connect with each other, and for LGBTQ kids to find others they can identify with.

He has spoken to the Westport PTA Council — the umbrella organization for all 8 PTAs — and with the chairs of their Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Committee.

McGunagle uses the “PTA” letters to describe the groups he wants involved: (P)arents and (T)eachers who identify as LGBTQ, and (A)llies like parents of LGBTQ children.

The DEI Committee has welcomed Westport Pride’s participation, he says. He hopes to find 2 representatives from every school, so that the LGBTQ group can be formalized, much like Special Education is now.

A “playground playdate” for same-gender parents is set for May 4, 3 to 5 p.m. at Saugatuck Elementary School.

“DEI is under fire, at the national level,” McGunagle acknowledges. “But the district seems to be behind it still, in Westport.”

Meanwhile, he says,Westport Pride is always looking for volunteeers: at the board level, and to help with events and fundraising. If interested, email westportctpride@gmail.com.

(“06880” regularly covers every aspect of Westport life. If you enjoy reading about neighbors you know, and those you have yet to meet, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)

3 Comments

Posted in Organizations, Teenagers, Westport life

Tagged , , ,

Taking Pride In Westport Schools

Posted on November 19, 2021 | 7 comments

When Kayla Iannetta was in high school, questioning her sexuality, she had no resources. Lacking clubs or helpful adults, she was on her own.

Now a Staples High science teacher, she quickly signed on as an advisor for the school’s LGBTQ and allies group. (It began in 1993, as the Gay Straight Alliance — the first such organization at any Connecticut public high school. I was a proud co-founder. The name was then changed to the Gender Sexuality Alliance. It’s now called the Staples Pride Coalition.)

Iannetta loved Staples’ “welcoming and open community.” But the small group of Pride Coalition students felt they were not taken seriously by everyone.

She vowed to help. With her co-advisor, math teacher Nicole Giuliani, they’ve expanded the group’s reach. Members have given presentations to health classes, created a newsletter, helped plan Westport Pride’s townwide celebration in June, and served on a panel for the Unitarian Church’s 8th grade Our Whole Lives program.

Staples Pride Coalition members and supporters, at last June’s high school Pride celebration.

All were enthusiastically received. And all have convinced the members that what they’re doing fills an enormous need.

They’re forging ahead with a Gender Identity 101 presentation for Westport Toether, programming at Toquet Hall (movies, a scavenger hunt, a drag show), and a Google Form for students, staff or parents to ask questions.

As the Pride Coalition members talked, Iannetta realized that LGBTQ issues are not limited to high school. Middle school is where they first had questions, they said. Students needed resources there too.

Why not have a District Pride group? she wondered.

Westport Public Schools’ Pride Coalition logo.

Bedford Middle School principal Adam Rosen and Coleytown counterpart Kris Szabo were eager to help. Iannetta found staff members to help: Cassie Carroll and Christie Cardinale at BMS, Jennifer Peppe at CMS. Both groups are now thriving.

The middle school groups — called Bedford Pride Coalition and Coleytown Pride Coalition — are thriving too.

“The most important thing is education,” Iannetta says. “These kids are excited to be part of a change. They want to make Staples a better place, and middle schools better places for LGBTQ+ students coming up in the district.”

Iannetta is energized by support from administrators — everyone from superintendent of schools Thomas Scarice, Staples principal Stafford Thomas and vice principal Chase Dunlap, on down — and from teachers who ask questions about pronouns and seek inclusive curriculum ideas.

She and Sarah Magilnick — another Staples staff member on the school’s team of 4 working on LGBTQ+ school resources — are creating resource pamphlets, for questioning students and allies.

Yet as excited as she is about the new direction of Staples Pride Coalition, and the creation of the 2 middle school groups — all 3 are known collectively as Westport Public Schools Pride Coalition — she knows there is plenty of work to be done.

Even at the high school, some members feel the need to be anonymous. They’ve been rejected at home, or fear they will be.

But — like their advisors — they’re undaunted. “That just makes them want to do this work more,” Iannetta says with pride. “They want to reach younger students. And, maybe, their own parents too.”

7 Comments

Posted in Education, Staples HS, Teenagers

Tagged , , , , ,