The Swag Lab — Stacey Levkoff’s Westport-based branding and design business — wants to keep kids safe at this year’s fireworks.
They’ve partnered with Westport PAL, sponsors of the July 2 event. The Swag Lab is donating wristbands. Parents can write emergency contact information on them, then fasten them around their children’s wrists.
They’ll be available free at the Westport Police station and Parks & Recreation Department office, where fireworks tickets can be purchased beginning June 1 and June 3, respectively. You can contact email stacey@theswaglab.com for them too.
Levkoff will eave some at the lifeguard station too, the afternoon and evening of the big event.
Meanwhile, watch “06880” for more fireworks news!
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Today is World Hunger Day.
It’s a global event. But it hits home, right here in Westport.
Every single week. Homes with Hope’s Gillespie Center food pantry serves over 300 households facing food insecurity.
That’s not an abstraction. Those are neighbors in need.
But the work can’t happen without help.
Many Westporters donate food, and help stock shelves. But on World Hunger Day you can help right now, right here.
Homes with Hope’s Amazon Wishlist allows you to browse what’s needed most. Just click here, and pick your items. Your donation ships right to the Gillespie Center.
For more information on Homes with Hope, click here.
Homes with Hope, Westport Rotary Club and Westport Police members unpack food, at the Gillespie Center. You can send supplies directly there, through Homes with Hope’s Amazons Wishlist.
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The 2026-27 Westport Country Playhouse season features 6 shows — and 2 are world premieres.
Artistic director Mark Shanahan introduced the plays yesterday, before an enthusiastic Sheffer Barn crown.
Speaking passionately about the importance of live theater, as the historic Playhouse enters its 96th year, he praised the variety of the upcoming offerings. In a “dour world,” he said, all 6 productions will be “filled with possibilities, and lift people up.”
Three will be 3 weeks in length; the others will be shorter runs. They are:
- “Ken Ludwig’s Pride and Prejudice Part 2: Napoleon at Pemberley” (world premiere; October 20-November 7)
- “A Sherlock Carol” (written and directed by Shanahan, returning for a 4th season: December 12-20)
- “Murder For Two” (musical comedy mystery; March 4-7)
- “The Pancake Club” (world premiere; a Script in Hand selection, now staged by popular demand; April 20-May 8)
- “The Goldsmith” (another Script in Hand selection; May 19-22)
- “The Legend of Georgia McBride” (July 13-31).
For more information on the 2026-27 season, click here.
Mark Shanahan introduces the 2026-27 season. (Photo/Dave Matlow)
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“Unvaccinated Under God” is the title of a compelling book just published by Dr. Kira Ganga Kieffer.
It’s also the focus of a special Westport Library discussion on June 4 (7 p.m.).
The event — part of the “Saugatuck Scribes” series spotlighting Westport authors — features a conversation with primary care physician Dr. Caroline Andrew.
Both graduated from Staples High School and Brown University.
Vaccine hesitancy in America is not new. In her book, Kieffer ties debates over vaccine safety and mandatory vaccinations with “existential concerns about justice and morality.” She says that vaccine hesitancy here is a religious expression — not the product of scientific misinformation.
Kieffer is a scholar of American religions, history, culture and politics. She is a visiting assistant professor of religious studies at Fairfield University, after teaching at Boston University, the University of Vermont and Wesleyan University. The Brown University graduate now lives in Westport with her husband and daughter.
Click here for more information.
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Spring paving begins Monday (June 1). It continues all month.
These roads will be paved (though not in this order):
- Kings Highway North
- Maple Avenue South
- Whitney Street
- Bayberry Lane
- Cross Highway
- Park Lane
Questions? Call the Public Works Office: 203-341-1120.
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Sure, the Levitt Pavilion (Tedeschi Trucks, Cyndi Lauper) and Westport Library (Wyclef Jean, The Wallflowers)) rock the music world.
And the Westport Country Playhouse regularly showcases stars like Audra McDonald and Judy Collins.
But don’t overlook the VFW. Post 399 — on the river, at the Riverside/Saugatuck Avenue split — hosts some legendary names too. (Most recently: Corky Laing, former Mountain drummer.)
On June 27 (6:30 p.m. doors, 7:30 music), it’s Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Mark Naftalin.
The Paul Butterfield Band keyboardist — and longtime Westport resident — joins Connecticut Blues Hall of Famer Paul Gabriel, Connecticut Blues Challenge winner Mark Zaretsky, and bassist Paul Opalach, drummer Nick Longo and singer Washboard Slim, in a must-see show.
Tickets are $20 (cash only), at the door.
Mark Naftalin (Photo copyright DinkinESH Fotografix)
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Speaking of entertainment: “Music at the Barn” — The Weston History & Culture Center’s 11th annual summer concert series — returns June 7 (5:30 p.m.).
Steely Dan cover band Logical Pretzel headlines the show. Guests can bring a lawn chair, picnic and bottle of wine
Tickets are available at the door or online ($15 members, $20 non-members; 12 and under free).
Coming up: One Bad Oyster (ska and surf music, June 28) and Faded is the Crimson (acoustic Grateful Dead tribute, July 26).
Music at the Weston History & Culture Center barn.
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Westport Police made 1 custodial arrest between May 13 and 26.
A 19-year-old Trumbull man was charged with reckless driving, engaging police in pursuit, interfering with an officer, improper passing, failure to drive right and failure to display plates, following a May 19 incident. The motorcyclist cut in front of an officer on Post Road East, past a vehicle in a no-passing area, then cut between traffic when signaled to stop. The officer provided a description; a Westport detective observed the biker at Sasco Beach in Fairfield. He attempted to flee, but dropped the motorcycle in the sand. He was released on a $6,000 bond.
Westport Police also issued these citations:
- Failure to obey state traffic commission regulations: 16 citations
- Traveling unreasonably fast: 13
- Failure to obey stop sign: 9
- Failure to renew registration: 7
- Texting while driving: 6
- Distracted driving: 2
- School zone violation: 3
- Operating an unregistered motor vehicle: 2
- Failure to insure motor vehicle: 2
- School zone violation, 2nd offense: 2
- Improper passing: 2
- Failure to drive in the proper lane: 2
- Improper turn: 2
- Improper use of markers: 2
- Speeding: 1
- Following too closely: 1
- Failure to grant right of way: 1
- Failure to obey traffic control signals: 1
- Operating a motor vehicle under suspension: 1
- Operating a motor vehicle without a license: 1
- Operating a motor vehicle without minimum insurance: 1
- Failure to carry registration: 1
It’s not a good idea to cut in front of a police officer.
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Every dog has its days.
And these (at least 6) had theirs — a “Westport … Naturally” day — recently, in Greens Farms.
(Photo/Bob Weingarten)
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And finally … happy 82nd birthday to Gladys Knight, and 81st to John Fogerty!
(Another day, another Roundup, another chance to learn all about Westport — what to do, how to help. If you appreciate our 24/7/365 work, please click here to support this hyper-local blog. Thank you!)
