Tag Archives: Lyman Ukraine

Roundup: Ukraine Officials Visit, Bill Taibe Honored, Autos Assessed …

Posted on August 29, 2026 | 15 comments

Beginning with Westport’s connection with our sister city of Lyman, our town has followed Ukraine’s war against its Russian invaders closely.

On September 11 (7 a.m., Green’s Farms Congregational Church), the Westport Sunrise Rotary hosts a rare public presentation by 3 senior Ukrainian leaders, responsible for governing communities on the front lines of the full-scale fighting.

Marshall Mayer — the Westport native who co-founded Ukraine Aid International, the non-profit that delivers direct aid, and facilitated both the Westport-Lyman sister city relationship, and the sister state partnership between Connecticut and Donetsk — will join the officials. UAI brought this delegation — which includes the Donetsk oblast governor – to the US.

“Most Americans experience this war through headlines,” Mayer says.

“This is a rare opportunity to meet the people making the important decisions, to hear firsthand what is happening on the ground. and better understand what is at stake for Ukraine and the world.”

Seating is limited. For more information, email info@westportsunriserotary.org. The meeting will also be livestreamed. Click here for the link.

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Bill Taibe is back in the news.

Yesterday we announced the opening of his new restaurant, hi’Amba.

Today we report that he’ll be honored at the Norwalk Art Space’s 5th anniversary bash.

Through his support of the café in the dynamic East Avenue space, the Westport-based restaurateur and chef has helped its mission of providing free art and music education to under-served students, and exhibition opportunities for under-represented artists.

The Art Space Café is a favorite of gallery visitors, artists and students. It offers an “all-day breakfast” and lunch menu with daily specials, house-made pastries and a full coffee bar. it also highlights local culinary artisans and their products.

In addition, Taibe is launching a food program for Norwalk Art Space students call “Fueling Creativity.” In collaboration with the Westport Farmers’ Market, the café will provide after-school meals once a week for Norwalk Art Space students, many of whom face food insecurities.

Arts Bash 2026 will include music, cocktails, and gourmet bites, exhibits and a live auction. For more information and tickets, click here.

Bill Taibe and his Norwalk Art Space Café staff.

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Talk about a long prep time!

Last December, “06880” announced the arrival of SoHo Pizza. The sign boasted, “Made in New York City.”

A day earlier, we noted that Frank Pepe’s Pizza — the historic New Haven restaurant — was headed to Post Road West.

Pepe’s opened June 1. They’ve been here nearly 4 months, and are thriving.

SoHo?

Crickets.

A reader writes: “It’s taking a really long time for this crew to make a slice. In the meantime, the boarded-up building is an eyesore.

“Not to mention they tore down the iconic Texaco sign.”

Yep — they did that in May.

Not to mention, they’ve had months to fix the misspelling on their sign, and never did:

But, hey! Maybe we shouldn’t wait. They may not be opening at all.

I mean, they’re not “coming” here. Just “comming.”

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Think the assessment on your motor vehicle is too high?

The Board of Assessment Appeals meets on September 8 (6 to 7 p.m., Town Hall lobby).

They’ll hear appeals for the 2025 Grand List. You must bring the vehicle you’re appealing. (Not all the way inside, obviously).

We have no idea what Briggs Cunningham’s C-3 Cabriolet — which he designed himself, seen here at his former Beachside Avenue home — was assessed at in the 1950s. Nor what the assessment is today. We’re guessing a lot: Only 36 were ever built.

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Lizzy & the Triggermen brought their “vintage music for modern times” to the Levitt Pavilion last night. A large crowd enjoyed what NPR calls “one part Eartha Kitt, one part Ella Fitzgerald, one part Amy Winehouse.”

Tonight (7:30 p.m.; free), Billy & the Showmen take the stage. Their R&B, funk, soul and Motown repertoire includes James Brown, Percy Sledge, the Ohio Players, Blood, Sweat & Tears, Marvin Gaye, Wilson Pickett, Tower of Power, Buddy Miles, Kool & the Gang, Otis Redding, the Temptations and Sam & Dave.

Click here for more information.

All ages dance to Lizzy & the Triggermen. (Photo/Susan Garment)

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Graduates from several 1980s-era Staples High School classes held an impromptu reunion at Compo Beach last night.

The weather was spectacular — just as they remembered it from their youth.

And this time, the drinks were legal.

(Photo courtesy of Alison Milwe Grace)

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Eloise Semmelmeyer Peterson died peacefully at her Westport home on May 19. She was 95.

She graduated early from Washington University in St. Louis in 1953, with a BS in marketing. Eloise married John Semmelmeyer III in 1956. They settled in Westport in 1965, and raised 3 children here.

Following John’s death in 1974, Eloise eventually found love again with Robert “Pete” Peterson. They lived in Denver and Palm Springs, California. She donated her time to charitable causes. After Pete’s death she returned to Westport in 2007.

She enjoyed music, theater and opera, and in her younger years enjoyed tennis and skiing. She went ziplining in Alaska at age 80.

In the 1970s Eloise began recycling, and was strongly inspired by the feminist movement. She became a vegetarian in her 80s because of her concerns about factory farming. Throughout her life, she remained engaged in social and political issues. In her later years she described herself as “an armchair activist,” working for liberal and progressive causes.

She said that her “happiest decade” was her 80s, which she attributed to her newfound sense of gratitude.

In her last years Eloise shared a loving relationship with William Hart. She is survived by her children, Kristen, Erik and Jana; son-in-law Tom Ward; daughter-in-law Elizabeth Chambliss, and grandchildren Chris Ward, Micheline Ward, Emma Becker Ward (Rachel), Max Ward, Lucy Semmelmeyer, Jane Semmelmeyer, Johana Semmelmeyer and Ryan Cyprian.

Eloise was a member of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Westport for more than 60 years. Following a private burial, a celebration of her life will be held there on October 3 (12 p.m.).

In lieu of flowers or donations, Eloise asked people to take themselves out to dinner, and have a wonderful time.

Eloise Semmelmeyer Peterson

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Lee Feldman calls today’s “Westport … Naturally” featured photo “Rose in the Rain.”

Fortunately, there’s no rain in the weekend forecast.

Today will be sunny, with a high 0f 78. Tomorrow: partly cloudy, high of 82.

Enjoy!

(Photo/Lee Feldman)

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And finally … on this date in 1885, the first heavyweight boxing title fight under Marquis of Queensberry rules was held.

(From Westport to Norwalk, Ukraine — and everywhere else — “06880” is “where Westport meets the world.” If you enjoy this hyper-local blog, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)

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Posted in Arts, Entertainment, Obituaries, Politics, Restaurants, Staples HS, Transportation

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Roundup: Bill Taibe’s New Restaurant Coming, Motorcycle Ride Sunday, Teardowns Ahead …

Posted on August 28, 2026 | 2 comments

What does Bill Taibe — founder of Le Farm, The Whelk, Kawa Ni and Don Memo — do for an encore?

And what’s next for Basso, the highly acclaimed restaurant that closed last year?

hi’Amba!

The new restaurant and market — featuring eastern Mediterranean food — moves in to the Jesup Road space previously occupied earlier by Matsu Sushi some time this fall.

The announcement came via Instagram, from The Connecticut Edit. It was first reported earlier today, by CT Insider.

The post said, “Think: a working bakery on the ground floor, a grab-and-go market brimming with house-made dips, pantry goods, and a full dining room upstairs with a menu made for sharing.

“The food focuses on flavors of the Eastern Mediterranean: shakshuka, hummus, man’oushe, and a seasonal, locally-driven menu that shifts with what’s fresh.”

Taibe calls hi’Amba “the kind of place you want in your neighborhood and can rely on every day.”

The restaurateur has sold his interests in The Whelk, Don Memo (now Massi Co) and Le Farm (now The Cottage).

He currently operates Kawa Ni in Westport and Denver, and the Norwalk Art Space Café.


Bill Taibe

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Sunday’s CT United motorcycle ride will impact travel on Riverside Avenue, Wilton Road — and cross streets — from Exit 17 to the Wilton line.

The event — paying tribute to the victims and first responders of 9/11 — is the largest motorcycle ride in the state.

It begins around 11:30 a.m. at Sherwood Island State Park. Hundreds of riders head south on I-95; take Exit 17, and then proceed to Wilton, and on through 7 towns before ending in Bridgeport.

The route is closed and continuous. With the assistance of a police escort, motorcyclists drive through traffic lights and do not stop at stop signs.

Drivers should expect extended traffic delays along the route — potentially 45 minutes or longer. Alternate routes are recommended.

The start of the CT United ride, at Sherwood Island State Park. (Photo/Penny Pearlman)

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Speaking of cool vehicles: Mauro Motors BMW of Bridgeport and the Westport Police Department are hosting “Cars & Coffee” on Sunday, September 13, 8 to 10 a.m., Westport train station).

The event features a car show with entrants from around the region, automotive vendor displays, a DJ, live K-9 demonstration with the Westport Police Department, and coffee from Steam of Westport. All proceeds benefit the Westport Police K-9 Unit.

Everyone is invited — to display your car, or just enjoy all the others.

Westport’ sK-9 unit.

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After months of bad news, the situation in Lyman may be improving.

“Ukraine Matters” reports that Ukrainian forces in Westport’s sister city have isolated and cut off Russian invaders. The situation for Russia is “dire.”

Click here or below to see the report. Lyman is first mentioned at the 3:45 mark.

To donate to Lyman through Ukraine Aid International, click here. Click the “I want to support” box; then select “Support for the City of Lyman.” Scroll down on that page for other donation options (mail, wire transfer and Venmo.)

(Hat tip: Robert Gerrity)

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The Historic District Commission meets September 8 (7 p.m.; Zoom).

The agenda includes discussion of demolition permits for:

  • 27 Owenoke Park
  • 15 Jennie Lane
  • 8 Bedford Drive
  • 7 Bedford Drive
  • 31 Richmondville Avenue

Click here for links to all materials.

27 Owenoke Park

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For years, Lorenza Arnal has shared her love of Mexico through food: creating her own brand of salsa macha, selling homemade guacamole at the Westport Farmers’ Market and more.

Now there’s another way to experience her home country, even more deeperly and personally: on trips that celebrates Mexico’s history, culture and traditions.

Lorenza leads culinary, cultural and Jewish history tours, and a trip to Oaxaca to experience the Day of the Dead.

The next Oaxaca journey is October 25  to November 1.In Mexico’s “culinary capital,” streets are filled with colorful altars dedicated to the deceased, food, parades, dancing and flowers. Lorenza’s group dines in the best restaurants in town.

For more information, email lorenza@capitanaadventures.com.

Dining in Oaxaca.

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MoCA\CT says: “We are terribly sad at the passing of Yayoi Kusama, an artist whose limitless vision transformed the way we see ourselves, one another, and the world around us.

“In 2019 Kusama’s work helped inaugurate MoCA\CT (then MoCA Westport), welcoming our community into her unforgettable universe of light, reflection, repetition, and wonder. For 7 remarkable weeks, visitors experienced ‘Infinity Mirror Room: Where the Lights in My Heart Go and Narcissus Garden’ together. It was an unprecedented presentation on the East Coast.

“Her work invited us to step beyond ourselves: into lights that seemed to extend forever, reflections that connected each visitor to the people around them, and a world where wonder felt infinite.

“Today, we pay tribute to an extraordinary artist whose imagination and brilliance continue to inspire us all.” (Hat tip: Chris Grimm)

“Infinity Mirror Room” (Photo/Jenna Bascom)

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Oops!

We mixed up 2 similar-looking photos, and gave an incorrect credit in yesterday’s Roundup.

This is the correct picture by Jim Corgel:

(Photo/Jim Corgel)

And this is the one by Carrie Kuhn:

(Photo/Carrie Kuhn)

Our apologies to both photographers. But please: Keep ’em comin’!

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Westport resident and Staples High School graduate Jaclyn Sharp is the founder and CEO of IMPOSTER 4 Animals.

IMPOSTER is “the exclusive global partner for T-Rex Leather for a variety of products, including small leather goods and equestrian sporting goods.”

The first T-Rex Leather handbag in the world recently made its US debut at the Hampton Classic Horse Show, in Bridgehampton.

The UK company that made the T-Rex Leather is IMPOSTER’s partner. The CEO brought the handbag, which had been under glass in an Amsterdam museum. It’s valued around $200,000. This was the first time  any T-Rex Leather samples have been seen in North America.

The bag, at the show.

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A savanna in Africa?

Nope.

A backyard on Whitney Street.

And a very compelling photo, for today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature.

(Photo/Richard Fogel)

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And finally … in honor of the CT United motorcycle ride this Sunday (story above):

(Get your motor runnin’ … and once you’ve done that, please click here to support “06880,” your hyper-local blog. Thank you!)

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Roundup: Day In The Life, Free Library, Stew’s …

Posted on August 24, 2026 | Leave a comment

Less than 2 weeks remain before “A Day in the Life of Westport.”

On Sunday, September 6, every Westporter is invited to help create a one-of-a-kind portrait of the town. We’ll do it by taking a photograph that captures one real moment from our day.

Whether it’s a sunrise at Compo Beach, breakfast with family, volunteering at a community event, opening a business downtown, walking the dog, cheering from the sidelines or enjoying a quiet moment at home, every image will become part of a collective portrait of Westport.

“A Day in the Life of Westport” is a collaboration between the Artists Collective of Westport, the League of Women Voters Westport, the David T. Langrock Foundation, and “06880.”

As part of Westport’s America 250 celebration, the project will document the town in its everyday rhythms, creating a lasting record of who we are as a community in this semiquincentennial year.

Inspired by the classic Life magazine photo essays documenting “A Day in the Life of America,” the project invites residents of every age to photograph one moment on Sunday, September 6, then submit it online with a brief caption describing what the image means to them.

Photos must be taken on Sunday, September 6, and submitted by midnight that evening at dayinthelife2026.artcall.org. The submission website will accept photographs only on the day of the event.

Each participant may submit up to 3 shots, each accompanied by a brief caption describing the moment.

For more information and submission details, click here or email Westportphoto2026@gmail.com.

“A Day in the Life” sign, next to the Remarkable Bookcycle at Compo Beach. (Photo/James Delorey)

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For years, Village Pediatrics’  “Story Walk” — an often-changing display along the Saugatuck River — has made doctors’ visits fun.

Now they’ve added a new chapter.

Dr. Neysa McDonald has started a “Little Free Library” for kids. It’s by the Riverwalk near their office, at 323 Riverside Avenue.

While it’s a treat children can have after a physical or sick visit, Village Pediatrics says it’s open to the general public too.

Dr. McDonald built the free library, with painting and personalization by medical assistant Caleigh Porter.

Dr. Bill — the very popular office dog — is prominently displayed on the side of the structure.

Cayden — medical assistant Caleigh Porter’s son — enjoys the Little Free Library.

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On Saturday, Ben Stiller was at Stew Leonard’s.

The “Meet the Parents” star was in Norwalk for a well-publicized promo of his recently launched Stiller’s Soda. Entry into the meet-and-greet line required the purchase of a 12-can case ($15, plus tax).

The event drew an enormous crowd. There were reports of fans (presumably of Stiller, not the soda) flying in from Texas.

Gabe Escobar was there too. I didn’t know who he is, but plenty of other people do. AI described him as a “musical theater graduate, and digital content creator with millions of followers across TikTok and Instagram. He is well-known for his solo travel vlogs, comedy sketches, Broadway content, and for sparking the viral ‘girlfriend effect’ fashion trend.”

I also didn’t know what “the viral ‘girlfriend effect’ fashion trend” is, but whatever. (Click here, if you must know.)

Back to Stew’s. Gabe’s encounter with “the worlds [sic] largest grocery store” — (he “didn’t know it was a superlative,” he notes) offers an intriguing perspective on it, as well as on Ben Stiller, suburbia, and the world of influencers in general.

Click here or below to see.

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Lyman — Westport’s sister city, in an especially besieged area of Ukraine — was featured in Friday’s New York Times.

The story begins:

Stay, or try to escape? Nina Ivanova, 77, felt the odds of survival were 50/50 either way, and she had nothing left to lose.

Russian forces were just over a mile away, battering her city, Lyman, in eastern Ukraine, with glide bombs and drones. Her husband was dead after a long illness, and her home was destroyed. She was hiding in a basement with her two daughters.

Lyman was burning, but civilian and military evacuation teams no longer entered the city, given the danger. The only way out was on foot — nine miles under drone-filled skies.

When Ms. Ivanova saw a body eaten by dogs in Lyman, it helped push her to her limit, she said. She and her daughters would take their chances on the road, as countless Ukrainians have done before them all along the front line.

“We got up and left,” she said.
Click here for the full story. To donate to Lyman through Ukraine Aid International, click here. Click the “I want to support” box; then select “Support for the City of Lyman.” Scroll down on that page for other donation options (mail, wire transfer and Venmo.)  (Hat tip: Howard Matson)

Damage after a Russian attack on Lyman in 2024. (Photo/Tyler Hicks for the New York Times)

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Yacht Rock — a live tribute to classic ’70s and ’80s music like Steely Dan and Christopher Cross — returns to VFW Post 399 this Saturday (August 29; doors open at 6 p.m.; show at 7:30).

Tickets are $15 in advance (click here), $20 (cash) at the door. 

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Also at the VFW: The next Veterans Benefits Luncheon (Thursday, August 27, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.), VFW Post 399).

It’s open to all veterans as part of an ongoing effort to check in on all veterans’ welfare, and connect them with the benefits and support they earned.

Representatives will answer questions, and provide information on services and assistance available to veterans.

RSVPs are encouraged (but not required). Email vfw399ct@gmail.com, and include the number of attendees, or call (203) 227-6796.

PS: If you’re not a veteran, but know one: Please pass the word!

VFW veterans’ benefits luncheon.

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Last night’s Levitt Pavilion Andy Frasco/Kitchen Dwellers/Magoo show — a finale to the three band tour — included Frasco doing a crowd-surfing hora hybrid.

Tonight (Monday, 7 p.m.), the outdoor amphitheater becomes a jazz club. Greens Farms Academy graduate Charlie Hall celebrates Miles Davis’ centennial with his “Get Up With It” ensemble project. Tickets are available here, and at the box office.

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We’ve featured lots of creatures in our “Westport … Naturally” series.

This may be the first sting ray, though.

Michael Friedland spotted it last week at Old Mill Beach.

At first glance, it looks like a shark.

It’s much smaller. But still pretty cool!

(Photo/Michael Friedland)

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And finally … Janie Bradford Hobbs died in Los Angeles, following an extended illness. She was 87.

Though nowhere near as well known as fellow Motown songwriters like Holland-Dozier-Holland, Smokey Robinson and others — perhaps because she was a woman? — she wrote several important hits for the label. Among them:

(Hat tip: Michael Taylor)

(Just like Barrett Strong, money is what we want. We’re not as direct as he is — okay, maybe we are — but we remind you again that “06880” is reader-supported. Please click here. And thank you!)

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Ukraine Update: Westport’s Sister City Still Under Siege

Posted on May 17, 2026 | Comments Off on Ukraine Update: Westport’s Sister City Still Under Siege

The war in Iran has pushed the one in Ukraine off the front page.

But more than 4 years after Russia’s invasion, the largest and deadliest European conflict since World War II still rages.

And Lyman — Westport’s sister city — still suffers terribly.

On Thursday, Mayor Oleksandr Zhuravlov joined “06880” and Ukraine Aid International president Marshall Mayer by Zoom. He offered thanks to Westporters for their support — and a grim update.

“The situation overall is quite difficult,” the mayor said through a translator.

Mayor Zhuravlov, via Zoom. He wears a bulletproof vest.

Nearly 130 kilometers of Russia’s front line — 80 miles — stretches through Lyman, the biggest city by area in the entire country.

Every day, there are attacks — by drones, rockets, artillery and assault brigades.

Anti-drone netting and unmanned systems help. But supply lines have been cut. When aid arrives, it comes via drones and trucks.

Many residents — including all the children — have been evacuated. Only about 1,700 people remain in the city.

Before the invasion, there were 4,500 students. About half go to school online; the other half are in new schools, where they have been resettled.

“The situation is quite challenging,” Mayor Zhuravlov said. “Our lives are on the line every day. People are exhausted from the war, and the constant danger.”

One scene of recent destruction in Lyman …

The ones who remain are unwilling to leave their homes. They are very willing, however, to “stay and fight for their land.”

Those who now live elsewhere say they want to return, to rebuild their city.

The main need, the mayor says, is money. Funds are needed to evacuate those who need it, ,and to pay for buildings, services, living quarters and medical assistance in  the “hubs” where many have been resettled.

Also needed: laptops and other office equipment, along with trucks and vans.

… and a second …

Westporters have already donated generously to our sister city. But more is needed. Click here, then choose “Lyman” from the “Support For” menu to give now through Ukraine Aid International. The boots-on-the-ground humanitarian aid organization, which facilitated Westport’s sister city relationship with Lyman, was co-founded by Westport brothers Marshall and Brian Mayer.

… and third.

UAI is also sponsoring a special film documentary fundraiser on Monday (May 18, 7 p.m., Fairfield Theatre Company).

“Second Wiud”follows 4 amputee soldiers and a wounded female sniper, as they climb Mount Kilimanjaro. Their journey of rehabilitation, resilience and human connection redefines trauma through strength, hope, and brotherhood.

The evening includes a pre-event reception, and a discussion with the film’s producer, Gena Gazin. Click here for tickets, and more information.

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Roundup: Basketball Livestream, Cribari Bridge, Lyman …

Posted on March 21, 2026 | 3 comments

Get ready to rumble!

Tonight is the boys basketball state championship. Staples High School — ranked #1 in Division I — meets #2 West Haven. Tipoff is 8:30 p.m., at Mohegan Sun.

But hey — you don’t have to drive clear across Connecticut.

The contest will be livestreamed. Click here to watch. 

It could be historic. The last time the Wreckers won a state boys basketball crown was 1937!

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In the wake of Thursday’s state Department of Transportation public meeting about the Cribari Bridge, several residents contacted “06880.” They want to know how to urge town officials — particularly 1st Selectman Kevin Christie and the Representative Town Meeting — to get involved.

For example, Robbie Guimond writes: “RTM! It’s time to answer the call. Are you ready?

“After the CTDOT hearing, one thing was clear: Fear about increased truck traffic is widespread across town. While other issues came up, the need to address truck traffic stood out.

“I believe the RTM should begin the process of creating a ‘no through truck’ ordinance immediately.

“This is public shout-out for the appropriate RTM committees to take this on — or form a new committee if needed. It would make sense to include people like Andrew Colabella and Jennifer Johnson, who have consistently raised this issue, along with others who can help move it forward.

“We also know that during reconstruction, a temporary span will allow all legal loads to cross for 3+ years. Even a bridge rehab would bring increased truck traffic back. We should be ready with a plan to act, if and when the trucks show up.

“RTM: It’s time to get to work. Are you ready? Your constituents are.”

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Mark Yurkiw — the Westport artist who has been very involved in relief efforts for his native Ukraine — shares an item about Westport’s sister city Lyman, from the Ukrainian National News Agency. It reports:

“The main and most relevant objective for the enemy is Lyman. Lyman has long been a target because (Russia’s) long-term goal is to reach the northern outskirts of the Sloviansk-Kramatorsk agglomeration.

“To do this, they need to capture Lyman and then advance further toward Raihorodok. From there, they would directly move on to the Sloviansk-Kramatorsk agglomeration, but for years the enemy has failed to achieve this.”

Lyman has been heavily damaged by Russian forces.

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Westport Board of Education “community conversations” are wide-ranging affairs.

Residents are invited to raise any topic related to the schools.

And they do.

The next session is Tuesday (March 31, 12 p.m., Westport Library). Former Representative Town Meeting moderator Velma Heller will facilitate the conversation.

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Connecticut’s secretary of the state has a lot on her plate.

At the Westport Library on Thursday, Stephanie Thomas described some of her many roles. She was the second in a 3-part “Your State — Your Business” series, sponsored by the Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce.

Among the topics: scams targeting business owners and individuals, how businesses and residents can get involved civically, and human trafficking. She also answered questions, including about election policy.

The series continues April 2 (11 a.m., Westport Library), with Connecticut Attorney General William Tong, Click here for more information. 

Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas and Matthew Mandell, Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce director.

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Tonight, live blues comes to VFW Post 399.

The Chicago Dawgs play, starting at 7:30. Bar food (pizza slices and hot dogs) are available, along with early bird bar specials. Click here for tickets. 


Chicago Dawgs

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All soccer players in kindergarten through 6th grade are invited to a fun clinic and fundraiser next weekend (Sunday, March 29, 10:30 a.m. to noon, Wakeman Field). Westport travel coaches and Staples players will run the event.

It’s been organized by Bedford Middle School 8th grader Allyson Post. Donations ($25 per player) support the soccer program at Bridgeport’s Columbus School, for grades K-8.

Allyson started working with the Columbus program last year. It was so meaningful, she has continued her involvement.

To register through Full Court Peace, click here. Click “Donate,” and note “Soccer Clinic” in the notes. Then click here, so organizers can plan for each age group.

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Read to Grow — the great statewide non-profit that provides free books to newborns and children — gave an incorrect link to their May 7 fundraiser (6 p.m., Westport Library). Click here for the correct link to purchase tickets.

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The theme of the National Garden Clubs’ youth poetry contest was “Plant America for the next 100 years.”

Local sponsor the Westport Garden Club planted a seed among local students. Four Westport youngsters earned gold medals for their grade levels.

One — S. DeVito — won the New England regional contest too, and proceeds to the national level.

Congratulations to:

  • Grade 2:  G. Olanoff (Long Lots Elementary School)
  • Grade 4:  D. Deeckan (homeschool)
  • Grade 5:  R.R. Paransky (Kings Highway Elementary School)
  • Grade 6:  S. DeVito (Bedford Middle School, Westport)

A celebration of the poets is set for April 19 (2 p.m., Westport Library). For more information, click here.

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The Weston History & Culture Center opens for the season on March 29 (1 to 4 p.m.).

Visitors can enjoy a new “Weston at Work ”interactive exhibit in the Coley barn,  take a guided tour of the Coley House (circa 1940s), learn about the forgotten village of Valley Forge, and explore the Weston Meteorite. For more information, click here.

Looking at the Lockwood Loom, at the Weston History & Culture Center.

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Is that spring we see, sprouting in Molly Alger’s yard?

We can’t imagine a better “Westport … Naturally” photo for today!

(Photo/Molly Alger)

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And finally … Happy National Teenager Day!

If you’re a teen — or ever were — this one’s for you.

(Hey, teens! And everyone else! If you enjoy “06880” — and appreciate the work that goes into posting 3 to 6 times a day — please click here, to support our work. Thank you all!)

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Ukrainian Resilience, On Playhouse Stage

Posted on February 27, 2026 | Comments Off on Ukrainian Resilience, On Playhouse Stage

Westporter Marshall Mayer is executive director of Ukraine Aid International. The non-profit organization delivers humanitarian aid directly to war-torn locations in the eastern part of the nation.

As Russia’s invasion of Ukraine enters its 5th year, Westport’s sister city of Lyman continues to suffer, just miles from the Russian front. The connection between our towns was facilitated in the early days of the war by UAI’s founders, Mayer and his brother Brian. Marshall sends this report, from Kyiv. 

Four years. That is the headline everywhere this week. Four years since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

But Ukraine has not been at war for 4 years. The world has noticed it for 4 years, but Ukraine has been at war for 12.

On February 20, 2014, Russia annexed Crimea and began its assault on Donetsk and Luhansk. Long before the cameras arrived in Kyiv in 2022, Ukrainians were already fighting and dying for their sovereignty. The invasion did not begin when the world paid attention. It began when Russia decided Ukraine did not have the right to exist as a free nation.

For me, this war became personal in July 2014. A friend was aboard Malaysian Airlines Flight 17 when it was shot down over Donetsk by a Russian-provided missile. Two hundred ninety-eight people were killed. He was one of them. That was not geopolitics. It was personal.

Marshall Mayer in Lyman, Ukraine —  Westport’s sister city.

In 2022, as the world finally woke up, we founded Ukraine Aid International. Our mission was straightforward: focus resources on the communities most devastated by war, particularly those near the front line. In the 4 years since we have worked in towns that rarely make headlines, but endure shelling, blackouts, floods, and rebuilding in constant cycles.

We have lost friends. Volunteer friends. Soldier friends. Civilian friends. Far more than anyone should lose at my age.

And yet what stays with me most is not only loss, but resilience.

In Ukraine, life insists on continuing. A couple on a first date in an underground bar. Office workers eating lunch by the river in summer. A husband waiting at a train station with flowers. Even on the edge of war, people choose love, culture, family and future.

Hope amid devastation, in Lyman, Ukraine.

There is endless talk about negotiations and concessions. But what concession is owed to an army bent on destruction? In years of fighting, Russia has measured gains in feet, not miles. “Three days to Kyiv” failed. Ukraine’s integration with Europe continues. Every day Ukraine survives is a victory.

When this ends, however it ends, Ukraine will emerge stronger than anyone expects. Russia will emerge weakened. Because Russia fights for land. Ukraine fights for love. Love of its children, its language, its history, its dignity.

For Ukraine, there is no plan B.

That energy is why we are still here. We support Ukraine because the moral line is clear. This is a fight between destruction and self-determination. Between domination and dignity.

On Thursday, March 5 at 7:00pm, we invite you to stand with Ukraine in a different way. Join us at the Westport Country Playhouse for “Keys for Resilience,” a benefit concert supporting Connecticut’s sister cities in Ukraine, featuring Ukrainian pianist Ruslan Ramazanov and Ukrainian-American soprano and bandurist Teryn Kuzma.

Ruslan rebuilt his life in the United States after the full-scale invasion, and now performs and teaches in Boston. Teryn, a Connecticut native, brings both her radiant soprano voice and the 55-string Ukrainian bandura to the stage. Together they will perform works by Chopin, Prokofiev, Brahms, Debussy, Gershwin, and Ukrainian composer Myroslav Skoryk.

Click here for tickets to this important evening. Thank you for enabling us to continue our important work on the front lines in Ukraine.

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Marshall Mayer: The View From Ukraine

Posted on February 8, 2026 | 2 comments

For nearly 4 years, Ukraine has battled invading Russian forces.

For almost as long, Ukraine Aid International has been helping supply food, communications and medical equipment, portable heaters, clothing, toys and more, to Ukrainians in hard-hit areas.

The non-profit was co-founded by 2009 Staples High School graduate Marshall Mayer. He and his brother Brian — the other co-founder — were instrumental too in helping Westport develop its sister city relationship with Lyman, in the embattled Donetsk oblast.

This week, Marshall was in Kyiv. He reports:

It was 10º in New York this weekend. I bet most New Yorkers stayed home if they could. They huddled by their radiators, watched a good movie, and maybe read a book. Many made coffee with their Keurig, or a mug of hot chocolate.

Cold days like this are terrible if you have to go outside, but they can be a joy to sit through in the comfort of your home.

I am writing to you from Kyiv, Ukraine. Today it is a chilling -7º, with wind chill pushing that even lower.

Marshall Mayer (far left), in frigid Kyiv.

But most residents of Kyiv do not have a warm home to go back to. There’s no working radiator, no soft light to illuminate that novel, and no coffee maker. In the worst winter in more than a decade, Russia has seen to it that Kyiv, and many other cities across Ukraine, have not had any respite from the cold.

Every power station in Ukraine has been hit by Russian missiles or drones — at least 5 times each.

With power stations hit, streetlights are off.

The landscape is ever shifting in Kyiv, but high-level statistics tell the humanity of the situation. In just one district of the city, out of 1,500 residential apartment buildings, only 28 have heat.

98% of the district is as cold inside the walls as outside. Most residents across the city are without power more often than they have it. Rolling blackouts have given way to rolling “power-ons.”

Lack of electricity is now the rule, not the exception. The situation is far more dire than a headline can convey.

I’m stopping for a lunch meeting today at a wonderful café in the Arsenalna area of the capital, a neighborhood named after the Russian Empire-era Arsenal Factory that used to be here.

Europe’s deepest subway station is 350 below our feet. It takes 6 minutes of escalators just to reach the platform. The escalators aren’t working today, but neither is the metro, so at least nobody has to hike the 600 steps up or down — except if they need to use the station as a bomb shelter.

A long way to walk, when the subway escalator is out.

The door to the café is adorned with cute, laminated icons welcoming you: free Wi-Fi, hot coffee, pet-friendly, and delicious food.

Inside, the reality is starkly different. The room, while beautifully furnished, is cold. The lights are off; the kitchen is nonfunctional.

The “lunch” part of our meeting will not materialize. Two pre-brewed towers of warm coffee are all they can serve, prepared earlier in the day during a period of power.

In true Kyiv fashion, the choice is between an Ethiopian and a Rwandan blend. Even at war, Ukrainian hospitality prevails.

We have been out all morning, delivering aid to an orphanage in Bucha, so as we leave the café several of us need the bathroom. No luck; the water in the neighborhood is shut off, which means the toilets cannot flush.

We try 5 different places. Nobody has a working toilet. Two of our group find a tree behind a corner; the rest of us hold on until our next stop.

I’m one of the lucky ones. I don’t live full-time in Kyiv; I get to come and go. My hotel is one of the fortunate ones with a working generator. It has reliable power and some electric heat (the radiator is ice cold).

 

But several members of UAI’s team do live here. They, like many of Kyiv’s residents, have spent the last several weeks alternating between friends’ and family’s homes, crashing on couches or sleeping on floors, following the warmth wherever it’s available.

Marshall Mayer, in Lyman.

This morning we learned that the brother of a UAI volunteer was killed this week on the front lines. It’s not our first devastating loss. But we hope, as always, it will be the last.

This is daily life here. Ukrainians suffer, mourn, and keep fighting.

Despite all this, Kyiv soldiers on. Kyivans know it can be worse. They could be living near the front lines of this terrible war. One regional city leader gave this analogy: Kyiv’s situation in comparison to Donetsk is like comparing Las Vegas and Afghanistan.

At least in Kyiv, city services (mostly) continue, for now. At least in Kyiv, food is not scarce, for now. Fuel for generators is plentiful, for now.

In Donetsk — Lyman’s oblast — and in all the frontline regions in which we operate, none of these are a given.

Ukraine’s capital city is dark. 

And though the intention of the Russian attacks is clearly to terrorize, torture and demoralize Kyiv’s residents, spirits remain high.

If the intent is to push the capital to give up, the reality is the opposite. Citizens have dug their heels in. Few things can bond people more strongly than suffering under an oppressive regime’s terror tactics.

Everyone is more determined than ever.

In times like these, UAI looks everywhere for ways to help. We are currently in discussions with several municipalities in Germany to provide matching public funds to support electrical generation and heating facilities.

Our first goal is to raise $5,000, which will be matched 10:1 to support the purchase of nearly 1 megawatt of generator capacity, with delivery possible within days. This would restore emergency power and heat to nearly 3,000 Ukrainians, helping them survive the cold expected to last well into the spring.

When successful, we plan to replicate this pilot project to support more purchases of the same for Kyiv and other cities.

As the weather warms, infrastructure attacks become less effective, and Ukraine slowly repairs its grid, we will move these generators to wherever they’re most needed.

Every contribution, large or small, truly matters right now. If you are able, please click here to make a tax-deductible contribution towards this goal. If you prefer it to go to Westport’s sister city of Lyman, click the dropdown menu for “Where It Is Needed Most.”

(Here’s another way to help. On March 5, the Westport Country Playhouse hosts “Keys for Resilience.” The evening of classical music — a fundraiser for Connecticut’s sister cities in Ukraine — features Ruslan Ramazanov, an extraordinary Ukrainian pianist and refugee now based in the US, and Ukrainian-American soprano and bandurist Teryn Kuzma. Click here for tickets, and more information.)

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Roundup: Closures & Delays, Ukraine, We The People …

Posted on January 26, 2026 | 2 comments

Among today’s closures: Town Hall.

1st Selectman Kevin Christie says: “Safety is our top priority. We are asking residents to stay home if they are able, avoid unnecessary travel, and keep roads clear so our public safety and public works teams can do their jobs. Please avoid parking on streets if possible, and take a moment to check in on any neighbors who may need assistance.”

Public safety operations, including Police, Fire, and Public Works, will continue under established storm and emergency response protocols.

Residents should sign up for emergency alerts by texting 06880 to 888777, to receive Westport notifications via Nixle.

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Also closed: the Westport Library.

All programs planned for today will be rescheduled.

The Westport Weston Family YMCA plans a noon opening today.

The view from the YMCA is beautiful on days like today. But you won’t be able to see it until noon. (Photo/Dan Woog)

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Speaking of snow: There must be some back stories to these photos, both taken by Harris Falk:

But whatever they are, he didn’t say.

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As Westport’s sister city of Lyman remains under siege, and Russia’s war against Ukraine drags on into a 4th year, Ukraine Aid International continues to help.

The non-profit — created by Westporters Brian and Marshall Mayer, and credited with delivering tons of food, vehicles, supplies, communications equipment, clothing and more, to the most war-torn regions of the nation, while developing partnerships between towns in Ukraine and the US — is hosting a March 5 fundraiser at the Westport Country Playhouse.

The entertainment at “Keys for Resilience” is spot-on: 2 superb Ukrainian artists whose work speaks to resilience, identity and hope.

Pianist, composer and educator Ruslan Ramazanov was forced to rebuild his life and career in the US, following Russia’s invasion in 2022.

Since arriving here, his music has taken on an added layer of meaning, reflecting his personal journey of adaptation and rediscovery through art. He works at the Boston Conservatory at Berklee.

He’s joined by Ukrainian-American soprano Teryn Kuzma. A versatile performer passionate about both contemporary works and rarely heard Eastern European opera and art song, she plays

In addition to her acclaimed vocal career, she is an accomplished performer on the bandura, Ukraine’s 55-string harp-zither instrument.

“Keys for Resilience” weaves classical and traditional music with stories from Connecticut’s sister cities in Ukraine.

All proceeds will support sister cities in Ukraine — including Westport’s own, Lyman — and the sister-state relationship between Connecticut and Donetsk. Click here for tickets, and more information.

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Staples High School’s musicians, actors and athletes get plenty of props.

Today, we applaud the equally accomplished “We the People” team.

For 12 years, students in Suzanne Kammerman’s Advanced Placement Politics & Government class have participated in the state event. Often, they qualify there for national competition.

On Saturday, they did again.

The all-junior team placed 2nd in the state competition, at Hartford’s historic Old State House. That earns them a trip to the national event, this spring in Washington.

“We the People” has both a classroom and extracurricular component. Students prepare and present oral arguments on specific sections of the Constitution in simulated congressional hearings. Then comes an intense questi9n-and-answer session, with a panel of judges.

It is not for the faint of heart. The students grapple with difficult constitutional questions. The judges demand clear, compelling answers.

Several seniors — veterans of last year’s best-ever 8th place national finish — helped coach the squad: Lila Boroujerdi, Olivia Cohn, Gunnar Eklund, Jay Hari, Miles Kahn, Souleye Kebe and Jake Shufro.

Congrats to all. Now go rock DC!

PS: It was a full day for the competitors. Many raced back to Westport from Hartford, to get ready for the County Assembly formal dance that night.

Staples’ “We the People” team in Hartford on Saturday. They were in the same room where the Connecticut House of Representatives convened in the 18th and 19th centuries.

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The Sweet Remains — Westporter Greg Naughton’s band, perennial Levitt Pavilion favorites (and international stars, with over 65 million Spotify streams) — wowed a large Westport Country Playhouse crowd Saturday night.

There was a hometown feel too, as Greg’s wife Kelli O’Hara, daughter Charlotte and father Jim Naughton joined the folk-pop, 3-part harmony group onstage.

Click here for more about the band, and their music.

The Sweet Remains’ Rich Price. (Photo/Jerry Kuyper)

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“06880” is where Westport meets the world.

And Westport meets the World Cup.

Rebecca Lowe will have a memorable year. The former Westport resident will be one of Fox Sports’ primary hosts for the soccer spectacle that comes to the US, Canada and Mexico this spring.

She’ll be on loan from NBC Sports, where next month she’ll host daytime coverage of the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.

Oh, yeah: She’ll also cover the Kentucky Derby.

When Lowe began hosting NBC Sports’ Premier League soccer coverage — from its studios in Stamford — she and her husband, former English player and coach Paul Buckle, lived on Main Street.

At NBC she works with Robbie Mustoe, who also lives in Westport. A former NBC colleague, Kyle Martino, lives here too.

Click here for a full story from Sports Business Journal, on Lowe’s route from “imposter syndrome” to the highest level of broadcasting.

Rebecca Lowe (Photo/NBC Sports)

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World Cup story #2: The other day, Joe Pierce — a long-time area resident, former Staples High School assistant soccer coach, and producer of a film about legendary English star Sir Stanley Matthews — was at Dandelion, the new Delamar Westport restaurant. He writes:

“My friend Hicham, the corporate restaurant director for the Delamar group, was eager to show me around. It’s a stunning space: refined, intentional, full of life.

“But as can happen when 2 football obsessives meet, the talk of interior design lasted exactly 30 seconds.

“We settled onto bar stools, and the conversation shifted to our shared obsession: The Beautiful Game.

“Hicham is a devoted Arsenal supporter. But when he speaks of his beloved Morocco, you feel a different kind of energy.

“He’s a witness to a national metamorphosis. Morocco didn’t become the darlings of the last World Cup by luck; it was a masterclass in strategic infrastructure. They’ve funneled millions into the Mohammed VI Academy, scouting the global diaspora and building a “Golden Generation” that won the U-20 World Cup in October.

“As a Scottish expat living in Connecticut, I couldn’t help but see the parallels to the grit and discipline of the 1970s squads I grew up with. But on June 19, when our nations meet at in Foxboro, Massachusetts, Hicham and I will be on opposite sides of the park.

“He’ll be in the red and green of a rising power. I’ll be in the blue of a Tartan Army. seeking redemption for 1998.

“That is what football is all about. It turns a casual drink in Westport into a geopolitical debate. It takes the “home soil” we walk on every day, and connects it to the “away soul” we never truly left behind.

“If you find yourself at the Dandelion on a Saturday night, stop by and have a chat with Hicham about football. Feel the passion like I did.”

Joe Pierce

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With all the whiteness today, a bit of color really stands out.

Jamie Walsh captured this scene, for today’s very appropriate “Westport … Naturally” feature.

(Photo/Jamie Walsh)

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And finally … on this date in 1863, Massachusetts Governor John Albion Andrews received permission from Secretary of War Edwin Stanton to raise a militia of men of African descent.

Recruitment for the 54th Massachusetts Infantry was helped by Frederick Douglass, whose 2 sons were among the first to enlist.

The writer of this song about the unit is unknown. Richie Havens delivered a stirring version.

(Tired of shoveling? Take a break! Let your fingers do the work: Just click here, and support “06880” — your equally hard-working hyper-local blog — with a tax-deductible contribution. Thank you!)

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Posted in Library, Politics, Restaurants, Sports, Staples HS, Westport Country Playhouse, YMCA

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Roundup: Lyman Gifts, Wakeman Town Farm Programs, WPA Mural …

Posted on December 30, 2025 | 4 comments

For more than a decade after World War II, Westporters sent Christmas gifts to children in our sister city of Marigny-le-Lozon, France.

In the aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine nearly 4 years ago, our friends in Marigny suggested we both aid another town there.

With help from Ukraine Aid International — the boots-on-the-ground non-profit founded by Westporters Brian and Marshall Mayer — we now have a third sister city: Lyman.

Westporters have provided over $300,000 in contributions, which has paid for trash trucks, wood pellet stoves, building supplies, gifts, and much more. We’ve also sent electronic and other much-needed equipment to Lyman, which is very close to the front lines in the Donetsk region.

Meanwhile, for the third Christmas in a row, Marigny residents have sent presents to Lyman’s youngsters.

This year, UAI delivered 288 gifts to the town’s boys and girls. Many are spread across the country, evacuated to safety.

Nikita Shcherinskiy — UAI’s director of logistics) — reports, “their genuine smiles and heartwarming moments are always so touching. A big thank you to everyone who participated in this initiative, and in distributing gifts to children who need them so much today.”

The need for monetary donations to Lyman continues to be great. Just click here; click the “I want to support” box; then select “Support for the City of Lyman.” Scroll down on that page for other donation options (mail, wire transfer and Venmo).

Lyman children with gifts from Marigny-le-Louzon. (Photo courtesy of Ukraine Aid International)

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A new year brings new programs to Wakeman Town Farm.

It begins with “Drop-In Little Farmers” sessions (January 7 and 9), where an adult and youngster hang out with alpacas, sheep, ducks and more.

An adaptive music/movement program — “Joyful Jitterbugs” — is designed for kids ages 3-7, with a caregiver.

Elementary schoolers can enjoy a January 19 MLK Day Camp; a Winter Farm Program with authentic farming experiences; a one-day after-school Chinese cooking class, and 2 weekly Kids’ Culinary Class series.

For adults, WTF offers a Winter Seed Sowing class, Whole Foods Healthy Cooking class, Thai Curry class, a romantic Valentine’s dinner with wine pairings, and a Choosing the Best Garden Tools class, before the garden season begins.

Click here for details, and more information. 

Little kids love going outdoors, at Wakeman Town Farm.

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Where Westport Meets the World, random real estate category:

Joseph Deshane lived in central Connecticut for 15 years. He moved away in 1989.

He has no real connection to Westport. But he recently bought a home in Illinois. Possessions were included.

When he moved in, he found a metal cabinet in the cellar. Inside was a commemorative plate:

(Photo/Joseph Deshane)

His curiosity piqued, Joseph read the inscription on the bank. He learned it was part of 2 large murals, painted by local artist Robert Lambdin for the Westport Bank & Trust Company.

For decades they hung inside. When Patagonia took over — after WB&T had been absorbed by a series of larger banks — they retained the twin works.

The clothing store is now gone too. But the new tenants — Compass Real Estate — will keep the murals, when they move in soon. They’re large, historic, interesting, valuable — and a great way for potential home buyers to learn about Westport’s arts heritage.

Nearly a thousand miles away, Joseph learned details of the plate he found in his new cellar.

Much of the information came from “06880.” Which is why he sent us this very cool photo, and the equally intriguing back story.

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Yesterday’s fog inspired many Westport photographers.

Among them: Nancy Breakstone. She contributes today’s “Westport … Naturally” image — the Library, looking ghostly by the Saugatuck River.

(Photo/Nancy Breakstone)

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And finally …

And finally … today is the birthday of a ton of important musicians: Bo Diddley, Skeeter Davis, Del Shannon, John Hartford, Paul Stookey, Felix Pappalardi, two Monkees (Michael Nesmith and Davy Jones), Patti Smith and Jeff Lynne.

It’s hard to pick just one to showcase. But in the spirit of optimism — at the end of a tough year, and the dawn of a new one — I’ll go with this:

((There are just 2 days left, to make a 2025 tax-deductible contribution to “06880.” Please click here to support your hyper-local blog. Thank you!)

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Roundup: Lyman & Drones, Carols & Saugatuck, Craig Melvin & Church …

Posted on December 22, 2025 | 7 comments

As Ukraine’s war against Russia nears its 4th year, Gray McGuinness sends harrowing news about Westport’s sister city, Lyman.

The town in the Donetsk region has been covered by drones. The unmanned aerial vehicles use a thin, physical fiber optic cable instead of radio waves for control and data, making them immune to electronic jamming and interference. (Click here for a video.)

Gray writes, “Lyman is now under constant attack by air and land, and has been partially occupied by the Russian army.”

Westporters can help. Ukraine Aid International — founded by Westporters Brian and Marshall Mayer — is a boots-on-the-ground non-profit that ensures donations go directly Lyman.

Click here to contribute. Then click the “I want to support” box; select “Support for the City of Lyman.” Scroll down on that page for other donation options (mail, wire transfer and Venmo.

Fiber-optic cables blanket Ukraine. 

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Singing and strolling through Saugatuck on Saturday, 8 Staples Orphenians serenaded diners at 14 restaurants with holiday songs.

The Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce-sponsored “Caroling Crawl” brought smiles — and applause — from patrons at The Boathouse, The Bridge, Kawa Ni, The Whelk, Tutti’s, The Black Duck, Tarantino, Blu Olive, Romanacci, Riko’s Pizza, Zucca Gastrobar, Rizzuto’s, Viva Zapata, and Little Pub @ Dunville’s.

Staples Orphenians: a menu special on Saturday night.

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To a national audience, Craig Melvin is co-anchor of the “Today Show.” To members of Green’s Farms Congregational Church, he is a fellow parishioner.

Those 2 roles merged last week. Melvin spoke with Rev. Jeff Rider in the meetinghouse about navigating the stressed an joys of the holiday season.

Their chat covered everything from life’s strains to how faith speaks to hope and new life.

It wasn’t a private conversation. The “Today Show” aired it this morning — and will rebroadcast it on Friday. A great way to celebrate Boxing Day!

Rev. Jeff Rider and Craig Melvin, at Green’s Farms Church.

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You may not have gotten the Westport Transit District anything for the holidays.

But they have a gift for you.

From December 26 through the December 31, they’re offering free Wheels2U rides.

The on-demand, shared shuttle service takes riders door-to-train (and vice versa), at the Saugatuck and Greens Farms stations.

But it can also be used by people of all ages to go downtown, with drop-offs and pickups at Jesup Green.

Hours are:

  • Mondays through Fridays (train station): 5:30 to 10:30 a.m., 4 to 9:30 p.m.
  • Tuesdays through Thursdays (Jesup Green/Library Senior Center): 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Just download the Wheels2U Westport app, to request a pickup about 20 minutes before you need to leave. To learn more, click here.

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The First Amendment and the importance of a free, independent press are topics for the first “Nancy on Norwalk” talk (January 20, 7 p.m., Norwalk Conservatory of the Arts).

Attendees will hear from 2 people deeply involved in the subject: Westporter  Alisyn Camerota, a 2-time Emmy Award-winning journalist and author formerly with CNN and Fox News, and Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas, who oversees elections and civic processes across Connecticut.

Click here to RSVP. Registrants will have a chance to receive a signed copy of Camerota’s most recent book, “Combat Love.”

Aliysn Camerota

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We’ve posted plenty of photos of entitled parkers in large vehicles.

And plenty of drivers who park as closetothebuilding as possible.

Today, we feature one guy — it has to be a male — who combined both, at Whole Foods.

And no, there was no one in the driver’s seat.

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Today’s “Westport … Naturally” image highlights Sherwood Island State Park.

There may not be many people there this time of year — especially at dawn — but sunrises are magnificent.

(Photo/John Richers)

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And finally … in honor of Wheels2U’s upcoming holiday gift — and with a tip of Santa’s hat to onetime Westporters Edgar Winter and Dan Hartman:

(You may enjoy a free ride. And you may think “06880” is free. But we rely on the support of readers like you. Please click here to send a few bucks our way. Thank you — and happy holidays!

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