What’s the “state of the town”?
Find out today (Sunday).
At 2 p.m., the Westport Library hosts the annual event, by that name.
Kevin Christie makes his first appearance as 1st selectman. Abby Tolan represents the Board of Education, in place of chair Lee Goldstein.
They’ll cover 2025 achievements, upcoming projects and initiatives, and answer questions.
The event is co-sponsored by the Westport Sunrise Rotary and Westport Rotary Club. It will also be livestreamed; click here for the link.
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Ruben — the tremendously helpful, very patient and always on top of things clerk at the main post office in Playhouse Square — tells Westporters: Mail your local taxes directly to Town Hall, 110 Myrtle Avenue, Westport, CT 06880.
The tax office had a post office box — but no more. To avoid “return to sender,” use the Town Hall address.
Or bring your check directly to them. They’re always happy to see you!
Send your tax dollars here.
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Wheels2U is not just for commuters — or commuting hours — anymore.
Starting Tuesday (February 3), the on-demand program will serve the Saugatuck and Greens Farms stations middays (10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.) on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
The expansion recognizes that train riders include hybrid workers heading to New York for afternoon meetings, museum-goers enjoying off-peak fares, residents heading to lunch in Saugatuck but concerned about parking — and many others.
Wheels2U’s on-demand, shared ride public transit service is operated by the Westport Transit District. For $2, it takes riders to and from anywhere in Westport, and the train stations and downtown destinations. Riders downloading the Wheels2U app for the first time get 5 free rides.
Service hours:
- Monday–Friday (Saugatuck and Greens Farms train stations): 5:30 to 10:30 a.m.; 4 to 9:30 p.m.
• 4:00 PM – 9:30 PM - Also, Tuesday–Thursday (Saugatuck and Greens Farms train stations, Jesup Green/Library/Senior Center): 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
For more information and to download the Wheels2U app, click here.
Wheels2U, at Saugatuck train station.
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Lauren Tarshis — a Staples High School graduate, and author of the very popular “I Survived” children’s book series — celebrates the Westport Book Shop’s 5th anniversary, in a much larger venue: the Westport Library.
On March 15 (3 p.m.), she’ll talk about her stories, and describe her research and writing process.
Before the event, attendees may participate in an “I Survived”–themed Kahoot trivia game. The first-place winner receives a 1-hour Sunday morning session with Tarshis at the Westport Book Shop, with 4 guests. Second- and third-place winners get “I Survived” and Westport Book Shop prize bundles.
All proceeds go to the Book Shop. Children’s tickets are $10, and include one “I Survived” book. Adult tickets, or those for youngsters who do not wish to receive a book, are $5. Children under 5 are free. Click here to purchase, and for Kahoot trvia game details.
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Rugby is one of America’s fastest-growing sports for girls.
It builds confidence, strength and friendships. Westport’s program is always looking for new high school players.
All body types, backgrounds and experience levels are welcome — including first-time athletes, and those who play other sports.
No experience is needed — they’ll teach everything you need to know. It’s open to all high school girls — not only those at Staples.
An informational meeting is set for this Tuesday (February 3, 3:15 to 4:15 p.m., Staples room 186, between the fieldhouse and pool). For more details, click here.
Questions? Contact captains Mia Chatterjee (miachatterjee@gmail.com) and Isabella Pirkl (ip1006111@students.westportps.org).
Staples girls rugby team.
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Jen Bengtson (Terrain), Chris Gonzalez (Kawa Ni) and Matt Storch (Match Restaurants), plus Robin Selden of Marcia Selden Catering, are 4 of the many chefs and caterers who will cook up a storm at Make-a-Wish Connecticut’s “Taste of Wishes.”
The event — one of the tastiest and most fun fundraisers around — is March 26 (6:30 p.m., Aitoro Appliance, Norwalk).
The evening features cooking demos, tons of tastings, delicious bites from other hot spots, and a chance to meet amazing “wish kids.”
Early bird pricing is available through February 23. Click here for tickets, and more information.
Jen Bengtson (front row, left), Matt Storch (rear, 2nd from left) and Robin Seldon (rear, far right), with fellow chefs and “wish kids.”
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“White With Fear” — written, directed and produced by Westporter Andrew Goldberg, which explores how race and religion have been used to divide America — has been nominated for a Writers Guild of America Award for Best Documentary Screenplay.
Goldberg interviews politicians and experts on both sides of the aisle — including Hillary Clinton, Jamie Raskin, Terry McAuliffe, Steve Bannon, Rick Gates and Sam Nunberg — in this fascinating film.
To view the trailer, click here or below. To learn more about “White With Fear,” click here.
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Earthplace recently revamped their animal sponsorship program.
The science, conservation and education center is home to over 50 “animal ambassadors” (including the very cool birds of prey).
But many are injured, preventing them from surviving in the wild. Earthplace provides excellent care. The animals, in turn, help teach about wildlife and the natural world.
Throughout February, visitors can create Valentines, and leave them in mailboxes for the animals.
Earthplace also encourages sponsoring an animal or donating to their “wish list,” to help provide enrichment, food and veterinary care.
Sponsorships are available for owls, rabbits, bats, frogs, tarantulas — even cockroaches. Click here for details and options.
“Who” wouldn’t want to sponsor these guys? (Photo courtesy of Earthplace)
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For nearly 70 years, Mitchells has served Westport. In ways large and small, the family-owned business — now nearing its 4th generation — has looked out for all of us.
The latest example can be seen near its front door, on Post Road East:
(Photo/Dan Woog)
It’s a small thing, sure.
But it’s so thoughtful.
And so important.
If more businesses followed Mitchells lead, we might even break the car theft epidemic gripping our town.
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Westport has a lot of banks.
But on April 30, we’ll have one fewer.
That’s the day M&T Bank closes its small branch at Stop & Shop.
M&T — the successor to People’s Bank — will continue to operate next to Compo Shopping Center and Whole Foods.
FUN FACT: M&T’s Compo Road North location is in the location where, in 1958, Ed and Norma Mitchell founded a small men’s clothing store. Today, Mitchells’ much larger store is located a mile east (see item above).
(Hat tip: Dick Lowenstein)
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The Weston History & Culture Center celebrates both America 250 and Women’s History Month with “A Pocketful of Rosies” (March 1, 2 p.m.).
The event follows the lives of 3 World War II “Rosie the Riveters.” It starts with their Revolutionary War roots, to explore the many generations of women in their families who helped during troubled times. For more information, click here.
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Speaking of impressive women: Quilters had their day yesterday. Pam Docters calls the Westport Library’s “A Traveling Legacy: From Gee’s Bend to the Nutmeg State” an “extremely entertaining and informative afternoon, given by 4 quilters of Gee’s Bend (the Alabama home to a strong quilting tradition).
The women described their experiences growing up in the rural South during segregation and the civil rights movement. They had strong mothers who would “quilt and pray.”
Gee’s Bend quilters, at the Library. (Photo/Pam Docters)
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Today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature photo shows a very cold Westport scene.
So what else is new?
Bill Kutik captured this image, of pack ice piled up against a breakwater, on Saugatuck Island.
(Photo/Bill Kutik)
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And finally … in honor of last night’s 0 degree (or close) temperature:
(Don’t be cold! Don’t have a heart of stone. Please give us some satisfaction: Click here, to support “06880.” Thank you!)
The trickle of emails from People’s about the change has been replaced by a torrent from M&T. They include detailed instructions on how to prepare, with new ways to access services like the app, and a “token” for logging in that always changes.