Dozens of “Hands Off! Mass Mobilization” marches are planned for this Saturday (April 5).
One is planned for Westport. The event, on the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge downtown, starts at 11 a.m.
Organizers say: “Donald Trump and Elon Musk think this country belongs to them. Westport is fighting back!
“They’re taking everything they can get their hands on—our health care, our data, our jobs, our services—and daring the world to stop them. This is a crisis, and the time to act is now.
“On Saturday, April 5th, we’re taking to the streets to fight back with a clear message: Hands off!”
They add: “A core principle behind all Hands Off! events is a commitment to nonviolent action. We expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values.”
For more information, click here.

==================================================
The walkthrough of the potential site for a combined Police/Fire/EMS public safety complex on the Sherwood Island Connector — scheduled for this Thursday, April 3 — has been canceled.
A new date will be announced soon.

================================================
The thermometer hit 77 degrees yesterday, around 3 p.m. Compo Beach was — naturally — packed.
Barely 2 hours later, it plummeted to 49.
The exiting traffic on Hillspoint Road reminded Andrew Colabella of July.

“You’d think the fireworks just ended, and everyone was heading home,” he says.
Today’s forecast: Cloudy, with a high of 48.
Yeah, we live in New England.
==================================================
The Economist’s “Plot Twist” is a weekly newsletter about culture.
Normally, their story about Shonda Rhimes — “The Small Screen’s Biggest Hitmaker” — would not be “06880”-worthy.
Our talented, famous neighbor gets plenty of press. Probably daily.
But this paragraph, by deputy culture editor Rachel Lloyd, caught our eye:
Arranging an interview with a Hollywood bigwig … can be tricky. Usually there is an endless back-and-forth with wary publicists who want to vet all your questions. To my surprise, finding a time to meet Ms Rhimes was easy; no one tried to dictate what I could and could not ask. Ms Rhimes and I met a few weeks ago in a library near her home in Connecticut.
We all know “Ms. Rhimes” has been a huge supporter of the Westport Library.
It’s nice to know that — just like the rest of us who are not world famous, and/or will never be interviewed by The Economist — she too “takes a meeting” at the Library. (Hat tip: Stacie Curran)

In January, Shonda Rhimes hosted a Martin Luther King Day conversation with Trey Ellis at the Westport Library. (Photo/Dan Woog)
==================================================
“Theatre People” — the last show of the Westport Country Playhouse 2024-25 season — opened officially last night.
The audience responded appreciately to the fast-paced comedy. Directed by WCP artistic director Mark Shanahan, it runs through April 12. Click here for tickets, and more details.

“Theatre People” cast take their bows. (Photo/Dave Matlow)
==================================================
Tomorrow is International Transgender Day of Visibility.
Yesterday, the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Westport hosted an event, with speakers, a panel and a potluck dinner.
The keynote was delivered by Rev. Aaron Miller, of the Metropolitan Community Church in Hartford.
It was a homecoming of sorts, he told the audience. He grew up in Weston, and was part of Staples High School’s last graduating class (1970) to include students from that town.
He transitioned 17 years ago. He said that ever since, his life has been authentic, and filled with joy.

Rev. Aaron Miller
=================================================
There are few birds more handsome than an egret.
The other day, one enjoyed a Westport amenity: the Longshore golf course. Johanna Keyser Rossi captured the scene, for “Westport … Naturally.”

(Photo/Johanna Keyser Rossi)
==================================================
And finally … in honor of yesterday’s brief flirtation with summertime:
(You can’t always count on the weather. But you can always rely on “06880.” We’re here for you 24/7/365. We’re your hot spot for cool stories. Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
