What do Garelick & Herbs, Romanacci, Organic Market, Kawa Ni, Rive Bistro and The Whelk have in common?
They serve the best soups in town.
That’s according to the 1,000-plus voters anyway, in this year’s Great Westport Soup Contest.
Results were announced today by the Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce.
Winners by category are:
Best Chicken Soup: Romanacci
Best Vegetable Soup: Organic Market
Best Beef Soup: Garelick & Herbs
Best Matzoh Ball Soup: Garelick & Herbs
Best Asian Soup: Kawa Ni
Best Onion Soup: Rive Bistro
Best Chowder: The Whelk
Congratulations to all — particularly double-winner Garelick & Herbs (which is actually a couple of yards over the border in Southport, but who’s counting?), and Romanacci (a fourth-time champion, after winning twice for pizza and once for salad).
The winners, with Chamber of Commerce director Matthew Mandell (blue shirt). Clockwise from upper left: Organic Market, Kawa Ni, The Whelk, Garelick & Herbs, Romanacci, Rive Bistro.
Clarendon’s very first American gallery opens at 22 Main Street. That’s the new construction on the right side, just north of Post Road East.
The world’s largest gallery group wants to make art “accessible to all.” They boast an eclectic portfolio of artists, across a broad range of genres.
The new 3,200-square foot building will showcase an international portfolio of originals, collector’s editions, and sculpture from famous names, alongside emerging talents.
Works from artists like Picasso, Miro, Warhol and Hockney; cutting edge pop, street, and contemporary art; more traditional work including landscape, wildlife, still life, figurative and abstract art, is all on sale at Clarendon.
CEO Helen Swaby calls Westport “a thriving cultural and creative center (which), like Clarendon, has a strong commitment to the preservation of community, traditions and quality of life.”
Mark Naftalin’s 3rd “Blue Sunday” rocks the Westport Library on November 20.
The keyboardist/producer/radio host/Rock & Roll Hall of Famer has curated a great set of blues musicians, for the latest in the monthly series.
The November Blue Sunday features “Beehive Queen” and “Saturday Night Live” chanteuse Christine Ohlman, blues and soul man Willie J. Laws, plus Naftalin’s already legendary Blue Sunday Band, with Crispin Cioe, Paul Gabriel and JD Seem.
The first 2 Blue Sundays drew packed houses to the Library’s Trefz Forum. The November 20 concert begins at 2:30 p.m.
You won’t be wailing over the admission price. Unbelievably, it’s free.
On Friday, the Westport Police Department’s 3rd annual Officer Awards ceremony recognized outstanding from 2021.
Among the honorees were 2 civilians: “06880” Unsung Hero Tucker Peters, for saving a friend from drowning after their boat tipped over last summer, and Jose Rodriguez, who helped a woman climb to safety after falling onto the train tracks.
Also recognized: Assistant Fire Chief Matthew Cohen and firefighter Michael Durette who assisted officers in locating a dangerous felon.
Westport Police Department officers were of course recognized for their success in a variety of incidents involving armed suspects, barricaded subjects, the mentally ill, and time consuming, in-depth investigations.
Detectives Ashley Delvecchio and Marc Heinmiller were co-recipients of the 2021 Officer of the Year Award, for their consistent and innate ability to solve investigative cases.
In all, 40 officers received awards. Many were multiple recipients.
Police Chief Foti Koskinas, with Marc Heinmiller and Ashley Delvecchio, co-Officers of the Year.
The Westport Library’s Book Sale is (almost) here.
The upcoming event (Friday through Monday) features thousands of gently used books in more than 50 categories, including children’s, classics, fiction, mysteries, sci-fi/fantasy, art, photography, math, science, psychology, religion, biography, business, cooking, gardening, performing arts, travel, foreign language — to name just a few.
Items of special interest: leather-bound vintage book sets; extensive collections of history books and cookbooks; a new “Fiction for $1” room; from the personal library of Joseph Califano, former US Secretary of HEW, books signed to him by their authors, including one by Dr. Seuss. and a card from the Broadway show “In the Heights” signed by Lin-Manuel Miranda and other cast members.
Also on sale: a broad array of DVDs and CDs, and a limited selection of collectibles and artwork.
The book sale benefits both the Library and Westport Book Shop, the used bookstore on Jesup Green that provides employment for people with disabilities.
It’s become a tradition: Because the Westport Rotary Club meets each Tuesday at noon, the 1st selectperson now address addresses the group every Election Day.
Westport First Selectwoman Jen Tooker did the honors yesterday, at Green’s Farms Congregational Church. She talked about traffic congestion, Longshore and downtown.
She also expressed concern about the state of public discourse in the US, and how it impacts who chooses to serve in positions like hers.
1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker at yesterday’s Rotary Club. (Photo and hat tip/Dave Matlow)
The 91-year-old institution now brings live theater to schools, parks, community centers and other gathering spots.
They supply the fully staged play. Your group supplies the audience.
The first production –“Scaredy Kat Presents” — is designed for grades 5 through 9. But it entertains audiences of all ages, while fostering an understanding of social/emotional wellness.
The tour begins in January, with dates available for booking. School, religious institution, library and community space administrators can click here for more details, and booking information.
The Staples High School musicians participated in the National Association for Music Education conference, as part of the All-National Honor Ensembles. They were selected by video audition, from the top music students in the country.
Delaney played trumpet in the All-National Orchestra, while Witt Lindau was a drummer with the All National Modern Band) (aka known as a “rock band”).
Congratulations too (of course!) to Staples band director Phil Giampietro.
The recent HBO special on Paul Newman, and publication of his memoir, has brought Paul Newman back in the spotlight.
Nearly everyone in Westport has a story about our down-to-earth neighbor. Gil Ghitelman shares his:
“Kenyon College — Newman’s alma mater — is mentioned frequently in his new book.
“My son Nick (Kenyon ’94) gave me a hoodie I occasionally wear on spirited walks to town. Recently several Westporters asked if I knew Paul.
Gil Ghitelman, in his Kenyon hoodie.
“I never met him. But my wife had an encounter that is worth telling.
“They both were in the checkout line at Organic Market in Playhouse Square. Paul was buying, of all things, a couple of Newman’s Own peanut butter cups.
“Dispensing with the unwritten protocol to ignore local celebrities — let alone initiate a conversation — she said, ‘Excuse me. Are those any good?’
“Newman smiled and replied, ‘They better be. I’m paying full retail for them.’”
A few folks grumble about paying admission to the Slice of Saugatuck or Westport Dog Festival.
Quit bitching. Held this fall after a COVID hiatus, they helped fund donations of more than $10,000 to non-profit organizations. The Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce sponsors both events, and announced the grants.
The traditional recipient of the Slice of Saugatuck is Homes with Hope’s Gillespie Food Pantry. This year’s donation of $4,500 brings the grand total since the Slice began to over $30,000. The giant neighborhood food tasting tagline is: “Food for those who can afford it, and food for those who can’t.”
Donations to local non-profits from the Dog Festival total $6,000 this year: $4,000 to co-producer TAILS; $1,000 to the Westport Police Department (split between the K9 unit and Animal Control via Westport Animal Shelter Advocates); $500 to Fidelco Guide Dogs; $250 to the Connecticut Humane Society, and $250 to Adopt-a-Dog.
The Dog Festival returns this spring to its usual date. Slice of Saugatuck will be held right after Labor Day.
For years, Richelle Evarts has been a familiar, friendly face at Organic Market.
She’s been diagnosed with colon and liver cancer. Her husband William is reaching out for help.
He writes: “After exploring many options, she decided to take an integrated holistic medical path to recovery.
“Unfortunately, insurance doesn’t cover such a path. We found a facility in Mesa, Arizona, with an extensive 6 week-stay.
“I’m reaching out to all who know Richelle and what a beautiful, wonderful and giving person she is, I’m asking you to help us reach our goal for her to live many more healthy and active years. Any donation is greatly appreciated.”
Click here for Richelle’s GoFundMe page. (Hat tip: Sarah Gross)
Often, the state Department of Transportation works slowly.
This time, they got the job done quickly. And right.
Earlier this month, the Hillspoint Road bridge over I-95 was named for Khaliq Sanda. He’s the smart, energetic, dynamic and popular 2013 Staples High School graduate (and A Better Chance of Westport scholar) who was diagnosed with brain cancer while majoring in pre-med at Duke University. His death in March devastated Westport.
Today, signs went up on the span. They’ll serve as a constant reminder of all that we lost.
A few days ago, our “06880” Roundup previewed Todd Suchotliff’s upcoming New York Marathon — which he would run entirely in Westport. A recent arrival in town, he invited his friends (and strangers) to run a bit with him, or cheer along the route.
It happened Sunday. Todd reports:
“It was a great day, made all the better with help from the amazing community here in my new hometown, from start to finish.
“My neighbors came out to cheer me on. Three people from the Joggers Club ran with me — one for the first 20 miles (!), the others to run the last 6.2 home. Plus my family chased me all around Westport, holding up signs and cheering for me.
Thank you fall. And we raised close to $8,500 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, in my mom’s memory.”
“The guy who got away. The guy who’s hotter than you. The guy you always go back to. The guy who’s much older. The guy who’s toxic. The guy you can’t remember.
“Gabi Conti knows them all. She’s dated them all.”
The hook was that Gabi — a 2005 Staples High School graduate — had just written a book. Called “20 Guys You Date in Your 20s,” it was a compilation of her greatest hits — and misses.
Gabi is now 34. As of earlier this month, she’s also married.
This past weekend, the New York Times featured her Greens Farms Church wedding. Click here for the whole story.
Spoiler alert: The 31st date was a charm.
Gabi Conti and Daren Johnson (Photo courtesy of Robert Norman Photography)
The Town Clerk’s office (Town Hall, 110 Myrtle Avenue) will be open this Saturday (October 30, 9 a.m. to noon) to issue absentee ballots for the November 2 election.
Absentee ballots will continue to be available on Monday, November 1, until 4:30 p.m. All ballots must be returned to the Town Clerk’s office no later than 8 p.m. on Election Day.
Questions? Click here; email tclerk@westportct.gov, or call 203-341-1110.
And finally … Jay Black, the 2nd “Jay” of Jay and the Americans, died Friday in Queens, of cardiac arrest. He was 82, and suffered from pneumonia and dementia. (Click here for the full obituary.)
The first Jay (Traynor) had a great voice, on songs like “She Cried.” But Jay Black’s baritone made his predecessor sound like a wannabe. Consider these classics:
“Do you know if there’s any enforcement of the mask mandate here in Westport, and if there are any fines for noncompliance?”
(Masks are currently mandated indoors — including town facilities and schools — though there are certain exemptions.)
“It seems that, except for supermarkets and drugstores, a lot of businesses aren’t paying attention to the rule.
Masks are once again mandated indoors in Westport. (“Mask Quilt” by Amy Schneider)
“For example, one of the regular employees at Organic Market never wears a mask, and the boss often wears his under his nose. I love that place, and the people there, but I won’t go in again until the mask mandate is rescinded or COVID is under control.
“Same with the Exxon gas station at 1510 Post Road East. The employees were not wearing masks the last — and I mean last — time I went inside.
“And it’s the same with Hook’d on the Sound. People are in line without masks and employees are behind the counter without masks- even though there’s a sign that says masks are required.
“Employees were wearing masks last time I went down to Joey’s by the Shore, at Elvira’s.”
(Photo/Amy Schneider)
“Is our only option to avoid those places? Or can something be done?”
It’s a great question. Enforcement of the mask mandate — nationally, throughout the pandemic — has been difficult. The town website page on the subject makes no mentions of consequences, though a link to Governor Lamont’s executive order indicates a fine of $100, and empowers “local health directors, district health directors, and their designees; state and municipal police officers and peace officers” to enforce it. Fines go to the state’s General Fund.
“06880” readers: What do you think?
Should Westport enforce the mask mandate more vigorously? If so, should there be dedicated patrols, or a reliance on citizen complaints? Or is this one of those squishier rules, like picking up dog poop or rolling through stop signs?
Click “Comments” below. And if you’ve had a personal experience involving someone without a mask indoors, please let us know too.
If you play the popular Westport game — “Where should we go for dinner?” — your options always change.
This week was particularly head-swiveling.
Here’s an update. NOTE: I wrote this last night, so it might not be the latest news.
Jasmine — closed since 2010 — may reopen as the Blue Parrot by October. The landmark building at the corner of Saugatuck Avenue and Charles Street — known for 44 years as the Arrow — will feature live music.
That’s a no-brainer. There’s a lack of those places in town — and the new owner is Adam Lubarsky. The 1973 Staples grad was the long-time owner of the Georgetown Saloon, one of the shit-kickingest music venues around.
The Arrow restaurant became Jasmine. This fall, it will reopen as the Blue Parrot.
Around the corner, Saugatuck Grain and Grape — a liquor store — earned a Planning and Zoning Commission 5-space parking waiver to open a wine bar at 40 Railroad Place. The spot is currently a realty company. But the block — across from the westbound railroad station platform — is a hospitable place for eating and drinking. Mario’s and Tarantino have been there forever.
As previously reported, plans are moving ahead for 2 new places on the west bank of the Saugatuck River, near National Hall: Safita (Mid-Eastern) and Moja (Brazilian sushi).
Of course, when one (restaurant) door opens, another closes. V — a 15-year mainstay on the Post Road near Maple Avenue — closed last Sunday. The reason had nothing to do with business; it was one of Westport’s most popular basic- food-in-a-nice-atmosphere places. An old-fashioned lease dispute did V in.
Meanwhile, Energy Kitchen — a small chain offering grilled, baked or steamed items, all under 500 calories — will have to wait a bit longer before offering its “fast food, not fat food.”
The P&Z held off voting on Energy Kitchen’s application, citing parking issues in the proposed Playhouse Square location. While the restaurant’s consultant, former P&Z director Mel Barr, said there was plenty of space — he said a 14-day lunch-hour survey showed an average of 14 spots — the P&Z was not buying it.
I don’t either. I live in the condos right behind Playhouse Square, so you can accuse me of NIMFY on this. But if you’ve been in that lot lately — for the post office, the new Achorn Pharmacy, the long-established Organic Market or anyplace else — you know there are seldom 2.7 parking spaces available, let alone 27.
Finally, Terrain. The new garden shop next to the fire station has drawn much attention for its wide variety of plants and garden goods (plus its own parking problems).
Terrain’s restaurant — before the rush.
But there’s a restaurant there too — quite a popular one, my spies say.
There are still a few kinks in the kitchen. Yet the staff works very creatively to solve them. Check out this review by interior designer Olga Adler, on her blog. (Hat tip to alert “06880” reader William Adler, for sending this along).
I was very excited about dining at Terrain, as it is run by people who support locally grown food and only use fresh and organic ingredients. I had high expectations. I wanted to see lots of vegetarian and vegan options.
We arrived on time and even though we had a reservation we were seated at a table all the way in the back and just 2 feet from the kitchen door. …After a short wait we were led outside by an unapologetic hostess. We liked the setting and got immediately lost in a conversation.
I studied (my menu), only to realize there is only one vegetarian option in entrees – the dreaded “vegetarian platter.” I ordered fish instead and moved on. William, also scared of the “platter” ordered a bunch of sides – a vegetarian’s rescue in vegetarian-unfriendly eateries.
About 20 minutes later (as I pictured my fish slowly cooking on the grill) our waitress (who saved the evening with her good sense of humor and desserts on the house) informed us that the kitchen ran out of fish. She asked me and my friend to choose a replacement, but gave us hope that the chef may find another kind of fish after all.
I wanted to find out where exactly he would go fishing at that late hour. It turned out a fish scout was sent to Whole Foods, in an attempt to save our original order. Meanwhile, we were almost done with the first bottle of wine and the situation seemed more funny than annoying.
The salads arrived and they were OK. The second bottle of wine was even better than the first (isn’t that always the case?) and finally we got the good news – the fish is here and ready!
My dish was very good, William liked his veggie combo, and by the time the free deserts arrived we were happy.
(Bonus restaurant news: Remember Positano’s patio? Last week the P&Z voted unanimously to reject their application to lease town-owned land — beachfront property built illegally 12 years ago, by a previous restaurant — for outdoor dining.)
Bonnie and Rick at Great Cakes this morning. The cakes and cookies are gone -- but they've got plenty of bagels and coffee, and are baking right now.
The shelves are a bit bare at places like Great Cakes, Calise’s and Organic Market. But the power is finally back on — and mom-and-pop places need customers.
Rick Dickinson of Great Cakes threw out several thousand dollars worth of inventory. He is re-stocking now. Stop by, say hi — and buy whatever you can.
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