Gilbertie’s Herbs & Garden Center turns a century old this year. Today, they threw a birthday party. And everyone’s invited.
Mystic Bowie played a free concert.
Mystic Bowie, in action. (Photo/Patricia McMahon)
He’s just about finished his set. But vendors selling crafts and (of course) sustainable products, a petting zoo, cornhole, food trucks — and a great, community-wide, fun-in-the-sun vibe — continue on Sylvan Road South until 5 p.m. today (Saturday).
Chilling on Gilbertie’s lawn.
Congratulations, Gilbertie’s. And don’t wait 100 more years for the next one.
Why not celebrate your 101st?
Carrie Gilbertie spent a year planning the 100th anniversary party. Today she relaxed and enjoyed it all.
Staples High School is open today (Monday, August 10) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., for Westport residents to use hot showers. Everyone must bring their own towels and toiletries. The Community Emergency Response Team will assist with scheduling and social distancing.
Yesterday, CERT volunteers delivered food to seniors in need.
The Westport Library is open from noon to 6 p.m. today too, so residents can charge their devices. Everyone must wear a mask, maintain social distance, and limit their stay to an hour.
Need a place to work?
Office Evolution — the work space in the office building opposite fire headquarters — offers a low rate for this week: a $50 day pass for a private office; $25 for socially distanced co-working, with no additional or hidden fees, and free Starbucks coffee! (Strict safety protocols are of course in place.)
Interested? Email Westport.CT@officeevolution.com or call 203-635-8770 and leave a message. They respond quickly. For more information on Office Evolution, click here.
A reader writes:
“Hocon is a big problem. This is the second storm where they let us run out of propane when we have a partial generator. My husband started calling them Thursday to say that we had 55% in the tank and would run out by Sunday. He called Sunday 5 times explaining that we’re not getting power till Tuesday midnight or Wednesday. They promised to come today, without an estimated time, but never came.
“I have a heart condition, atrial fibrillation that gets very exasperated by heat. We have a couple of fans going. When the generator dies, which will happen within the hour, we will have nothing to deal with this heat, and tomorrow’s heat.
“It’s so frustrating to have invested in a generator and not be able to get propane when we need it. This is so upsetting.”
Like many Westporters, John Karrel has been struck by the sudden necessity for actual dollars, quarters and dimes. He writes:
“A week ago, all bets were that cash was on its way out in our world. Yesterday I picked up dinner at March Burger Lobster. I’m now sitting outside Donut Crazy with my iced coffee. Both establishments: cash only!
“The volatility of a pandemic. The shorter-term volatility of a severe power outage. For sure, not our last power outage. Maybe cash does remain a viable Plan B.”
It sure does. Provided your ATM has power.
(Photo/John Karrel)
A reader writes: “Could you provide an update on Optimum, the local cable/internet monopoly? How widespread is their outage? When will they get back online? They are not answering calls or calling back.
“By the way, when I called to cancel part of my service due to an exorbitant monthly fee (before the storm hit), they told me they closed their cancellation department.”
I don’t have any info from Optimum (or Altice, the parent company). I don’t have any sources there either. If any readers knows the answers — or has a special number to call — please click “Comments” below.
You may not have had power. But Mystic Bowie and Talking Dreads had plenty of it yesterday.
The popular band rocked Westport, in the 2nd of back-to-back sold-out “Supper & Soul” shows at the Imperial Avenue parking lot.
Everyone — the powered-up and the power-less — had a fantastic time. Kudos to Mystic and the Dreads. And of course to the Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce. Which should probably change its name to “Chamber of Concerts.”
A small part of the large crowd last night.
For the past few days, Westport was up the proverbial creek, without the proverbial paddle.
But grab those paddles. August 14-31 are the dates for the 5th annual Paddle for the Sound. This year it’s virtual, so even the most land-locked lubbers can join.
For 17 days, Save the Sound will help participants raise awareness and funds to find and fix pollution sources, while leading habitat restoration projects throughout the Long Island Sound region.
Prizes will be awarded to 1st place finishers in the Paddle/Kayak, Sail, and Run/Walk divisions for total distance traveled or time spent doing their sport over the span of the event. Prizes also go to the top fundraisers.
Participants will start their virtual races from self-selected launch points, tracking their miles and time with each excursion. Those interested in supporting without racing can “raise their paddle” in an online virtual auction featuring private boat excursions, local artisan products, and a signed New York Giants jersey. For more information and to register, click here.
Local photographer Michael Chait, whose photographs are part of the permanent collection in the Brooklyn Museum, has an outdoor photo show and sale closer to home.
It’s next Sunday (August 9, 12 to 5 p.m., in the outdoor courtyard at 11 Riverside Avenue). It’s an eclectic, “kooky” exhibit of photos through several decade, including classic cars and cityscapes. All are framed and ready to hang.
A classic car photo, by Michael Chait
Back in action, and with power: (among many other businesses): Granola Bar, Ignazio’s, and Joey’s by the Shore Featuring Elvira Mae’s Coffee Bar. We are getting back to normal!
PS: For the past few days, Kawa Ni has operated a food truck.
And finally … utility crews have arrived in Westport from all over. I haven’t seen a Wichita lineman — but I had a great chat Saturday with 2 from Neosho, Missouri, just a few miles from the Kansas border. They drove non-stop to get here, and are driving back and forth from their hotel — which is in Chicopee, Massachusetts (north of Springfield). Westport owes a huge thanks to all the linemen (and linewomen), working hard for us from all around North America.
You’ve got a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to view a bright comet with tail at a reasonable hour: 80 minutes after sunset, until July 19. (If you’re in the Northern Hemisphere, that is.)
Comet Neowise is trucking through the solar system. It will come within 60 million miles of Earth in a week. These next few days are the best chance to spot her.
About an hour after sunset, keep your gaze on the northeast horizon (the further away from bright lights, the better).
If you miss it, Neowise will be visible again in a mere 6,800 years. For more details, click here.
The Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce/Westport Library’s wildly successful Supper & Soul drive-in tailgate concert series continues. Up next: Caribbean/reggae band Mystic Bowie – Talking Dreads.
Because the format is so popular — as is the group is — two concerts are scheduled. They’re Friday and Saturday, August 7 and 8 (7 p.m., Imperial Avenue parking lot).
As with the Tom Petty Project show earlier this month, cars are set up in every other row. Tailgating begins at 5:30 p.m., using the space in front of each car.
Attendees are encouraged to order takeout from Chamber member restaurants, and bring it to to the show. No food or drink is sold on site.
Tickets are $125 per car (maximum: 5 people per vehicle). They go on sale Monday (July 20, 10 a.m.). Just click here. But note: The Tom Petty Project show sold out in 5 minutes!
Mystic Bowie
Among his many other volunteer efforts, longtime Westporter Ken Bernhard supports the Tree of Life.
The Haiti-based non-profit feeds, clothes, schools and supports orphans; provides a free education and lunch for 200 children; offers micro-financing for single mothers, and sponsors a village soccer tournament.
Founder Roger Garrison is a former classmate of Ken’s. He has spoken several times to Westport’s 2 Rotary Clubs, which support his efforts.
As Roger prepares to retire, the Tree of Life seeks a new president. Ken is casting a wide net — including “06880” readers. If you are interested in that leadership position — or know someone who might be — email kbernhar@optonline.net.
The Westport Police Benevolent Association — with help from principal donors Dennis and Joan Poster — has awarded 13 scholarships, worth $2,500 each.
Though the pandemic knocked out the awards ceremony — and the organization’s major fundraising golf tournament — the PBA is proud to honor Staples High School’s Alyssa Chariott and Julien Zeman, along with these officers’ children: Dominic Arciola, Brandon Benson, Mathieu Colbert, Anthony Falbo Jr., Renee Kelley, Ann Restieri, Emma Simpson, Ella Simpson, Alex Smith, Nicole Thompson and Chris Wolf.
And finally … on this date in 2004 Martha Stewart was sentenced to 5 months in prison and 2 years of supervised release for conspiracy, obstruction of an agency proceeding, and making false statements to federal investigators.
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