Tag Archives: Salsa Fresca

Roundup: Jam Bands, Mexican Food, S’mores …

Posted on August 21, 2024 | 3 comments

Jack Stoler is a rising Staples High School senior. He plays on the state champion football team.

But his biggest score may come off the field.

He’s organized the first-ever Fairfield County Jam.

The August 30 event (7 to 10 p.m., Fairfield Theatre Company) is a fundraiser for KEYS.

The Bridgeport non-profit — whose acronym stands for Kids Empowered by Your Support — provides free music lessons and performance opportunities for under-resourced students.

The Jam will include bands from across Fairfield County — including many Staples students. A number of football players will be on hand too.

The goal is $15,000.

For tickets and more information, click here. Questions? Call Jack at 917-453-4038 ,or email jackstoler@icloud.com.

Jack Stoler (right) and jazz musicians, at the Levitt Pavilion.

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Westporters donate time and treasure to many worthy organizations.

At the top of any list is Mercy Learning Center.

The Bridgeport non-profit offers literacy and life skills training for women with low incomes.

Coming from 40 different countries, they study English, math, science, health, civics, computers, and employment and life skills.

They are supported by an early childhood education program; social services including case management, mental health counseling, health and financial screenings; job and counseling advice, and enrichment opportunities.

Mercy Learning Center clients earn high school equivalency diplomas; learn job skills, and get help finding work; receive assistance applying for college, job training programs and scholarships, and prepare for US citizenship exams.

It’s all offered at no cost, to hundreds of women every year.

Mercy’s many Westport volunteers are gearing up for their annual Empowering Women Through Education Benefit.

It’s Sunday, September 15 (5 p.m., Shorehaven Country Club, Norwalk). The event includes cocktails and light bites — plus inspiring stories of education and empowerment.

Click here for tickets, and more information.

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Run — don’t walk — to Fleet Feet’s 2 fall programs.

The store continues its partnership with the Westport Weston Family YMCA. Its coach-led, 8-week  training will focus on the New York Marathon. However, it is also good preparation for any fall long-distance race. Click here for more information.

The Zoomerangs kids program returns September 8.

Sessions are held Sundays (3 to 4 p.m., Staples High School Laddie Lawrence Track), through October 20.

A certified youth coach will introduce youngsters to the sport of running. Click here for more information.

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Speaking of sports: Girls lacrosse is growing fast.

So fast, in fact, that the Westport PAL program is put out an APB for coaches.

Positions are available for fall clinics: grades K-2 (Sunday mornings) and grades 3-8 (Monday, Tuesday and Thursday evenings), and spring teams (grades 5-8 head and assistant), practices and clinics.

General and specialty (goalies, draw) coaches are needed. Girls/women’s lacrosse experience is required; coaching experience is ideal, but not mandatory. Eager new coaches can be trained.

Pay is “highly competitive.” For more information, contact PAL girls coaching directory Cathy Schager: cschager@westportps.org; 203-554-5691.

Westport PAL lacrosse players, at Paul Lane Stadium.

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Salsa Fresca is officially closed.

The fast-casual Mexican restaurant opened less than 3 years ago, replacing the very similar Qdoba.

Next up: Just Salad.

Work has already begun on the new joint — which, despite its name, also offers bowls and wraps.

Move over, Sweetgreen! There will soon be an even newer salad bar in town.

Now just a memory: A scene from 2021. (Photo/Dan Woog)

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Only 10 days left to snag early-bird tickets for Westoberfest.

The Westport Downtown Association Oktoberfest-style event (in September: the 21st, 2-5 p.m., Elm Street) features over 50 tastings from innovative craft breweries like Kent Falls, Nod Hill, Obscure Oscillation and Space Cat Brewing to name a few, plus activities like keg rolling and pumpkin chucking contests for adults.

Children’s activities include root beer floats, flower crown-making, pumpkin decorating and face painting.

There’s live music too, from One Bad Oyster.

For a complete list of breweries, kids’ activities, food and vendors, click here.

The price through August 31 is $45. Tickets go up to $50 on September 1; they’re $55 at the event. Click here to purchase, and for more information.


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Jay Norris was the speaker at yesterday’s Westport Rotary Club lunch.

The entrepreneur, Startup Westport organizer, and Library and YMCA board member discussed Westport 10, the networking group for Black men he co-founded.

Norris noted that diversity is necessary for innovation in any organization or community.

His definition of diversity is broader than the usual categories of race, gender and culture. To him, it means bringing together a “mosaic” of individuals with different backgrounds, skills, experiences and perspectives to produce solutions to problems in a creative, comprehensive and sustainable way.

He calls diversity more than just a moral issue. It is, Norris says, “the essential ingredient of progress.”

Jay Norris (Photo/Dave Matlow)

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“06880” readers sent plenty of photos of last night’s full moon.

Many were taken at Compo Beach. This was one of the most interesting:

(Photo/Ted Horowitz)

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The public is invited to a Japanese Fall Festival on Saturday, September 7 (1 to 4 p.m., Jesup Green).

The family-friendly festival — sponsored by the Japan Society of Fairfield County — features taiko drum performances, live plays of Japanese folktales, martial arts demonstrations, and traditional dancing.

A scene from the 2019 Japan Festival.

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As summer melts away, Chocolatieree offers a freshly toasted s’more with every purchase of a box of chocolates.

The offer is good through Labor Day weekend, at the Church Lane shop. Sweet!

That’s s’more!

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The recent rains and rising water levels may or may not by why these turtles are basking. on a rock near the Westport Library.

Whatever the reason, they make a great “Westport … Naturally” image.

(Photo/Johanna Keyser Rossi)

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And finally … speaking of turtles:

(Another day, another Roundup chock full o’ news and information you can use. If you enjoy this daily feature, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)

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Posted in Local business, Restaurants, Sports

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Roundup: Aquarion Water Tanks, Levitt Pavilion, Just Salad …

Posted on June 1, 2024 | 9 comments

Connecticut’s Public Utilities Regulatory Authority continues to hear testimony about Aquarion’s construction of 2 large water tanks on North Avenue, opposite Staples High School. They replaced 1 smaller one on the same site.

Marc Lemcke has fought the water company since the tanks were first proposed in 2017. On Thursday, he testified before PURA, on behalf of Smart Water Westport and a group of neighbors.

Lemcke described his group’s investigation into Aquarion’s actions. His 4 main points:

  • The Westport tanks were not needed, and Aquarion knew it.
  • The tanks are part of a $200 million project that was not needed. and Aquarion knew it.
  • The tanks are larger than authorized.
  • Aquarion tried to conceal certain facts.

Specifically, Lemcke said, Aquarion blocked the disclosure of public records; hid payments to their Westport town lawyer’s firm, which had a conflict of interest; concealed information about contamination; knew that tank screening was not possible; engaged in illegal marketing; failed to provide “critically important” reports; violated terms of length of construction, and built the tanks without a wetland permit.

The water utility’s “questionable conduct … has critical implications for future water management, and makes the case for even greater oversight going forward,” Lemcke told PURA.

A hearing on Tuesday (June 4, 10 a.m., Zoom) will be held, covering Aquarion’s permit conditions.

Click here for the full 53-page report of Lemcke’s testimony; then click “Attached correspondence” at the bottom.

Aquarion water tanks under construction, June 2022.

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The Levitt Pavilion’s 50th season features over 50 free shows. And they started yesterday.

Tonight (Saturday) at 7:30, Boston-based Couch entertains with pop, funk, rock, R&B and soul. Click here for more information, and to reserve free tickets.

Tomorrow (Sunday, 7 p.m.), the Arun Ramamurthy Trio fuses South Indian classical Carnatic music and contemporary jazz. Click here for more information, and to reserve free tickets.

For all free shows, all available and returned tickets are distributed at the box office, first-come, first-served, beginning 2 hours before show time.

And for all free shows, audience members are free to bring in outside food and drink.

For a highlight reel of last weekend’s ticketed opening — with Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, Andy Frasco & The United Nations, and Dogs in a Pile, click below.

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The start of June means summer — and summer reading.

The Westport Library has every reader, of every age, covered.

Whether it’s a book for vacation, at the beach or on your couch — or for your kids or grandchildren — read on.

The 8th annual Adult Summer Reading Challenge begins today. It runs through August 31.

The rules are the same as past challenges, this year with a fresh round of 25 categories (click here to see). You can do all or only one, or anything in between. Just have fun!

There are just 2 rules:

  1. Categories may only be fulfilled once.
  2. Each book can only be used for one category.

Once you read a book that fulfills a category, submit it via the form on the Library. Then track your progress on our leaderboard.

The leaderboard is also where you can see what everyone else is reading, and give your own recommendations. You can also join the Westport Reading Challenge Facebook Group, and talk smack — er, books — all summer long.

As for kids: Starting today, children can sign up for the Library’s Summer Reading Program. It wraps up September 2.

Youngsters can read anything. Any time. And anywhere, all summer long.

Register online and keep track of minutes read. For every 100 minutes, you can decorate a summer sun that will be displayed in the Library.

Earn a treat from Shake Shack at 500 minutes. When you reach 1,000 minutes, can choose a book to keep from the Library’s selection of titles.

For more summer fun and prizes, stop in the Children’s Library to play bingo and earn more free books.

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Speaking of the Library: Martha Hodes, professor of history at New York University, speaks about her latest book, “My Hijacking: A Personal History of Forgetting and Remembering,” on June 5.

It’s a memoir about the fallibilities of memory. In 1972 she and her 13-year-old sister were flying unaccompanied back to New York from Israel. Their plane was hijacked by the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, and forced to land in the Jordan desert.

Too young to understand the gravity of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Martha coped by suppressing her fear. Nearly a half-century later, her memories of those 6 days and nights as a hostage were hazy and scattered. Was it the passage of so much time, or that her family couldn’t endure the full story, or had trauma made her repress the experience? A professional historian, Martha wanted to find out.

Drawing on archival research, childhood memories, and conversations with relatives, friends, and fellow hostages, she re-creates what happened to her. As the hostages forged friendships and provoked conflicts, the sisters learned about the lives and causes of their captors, pondering a deadly divide that continues today.

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Westport Police officers carried the Flame of Hope along the Post Road through town yesterday. The event — from the Norwalk line, to the Southport border — showed support for Special Olympics of Connecticut.

Amy Schneider was one of many drivers and passersby who slowed down and snapped photos, as the torch and flags went past.

(Photo/Amy Schneider)

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Qdoba didn’t make it.

Neither, apparently, will Salsa Fresca.

The Connecticut Scoop reports that Just Salad will replace the Mexican grill “before the end of the year.”

There is already a Just Salad location in Greenwich. Another will open in Norwalk too.

Click here to learn more about Just Salad. Spoiler alert: The menu is more than just salad. (Hat tip: Neil Markman)

A guy with Just Salad.

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Mar Jennings’ marvelous Rosebrook Gardens is one of 7 selected for the Garden Conservancy’s Fairfield County Open day (June 8, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.).

It features a garden studio, wisteria-covered wisteria, classic English Folly, and 2 parterre gardens surrounded by flowers anchored by boxwoods.

In the 1920s, the property served as the entire neighborhood’s vegetable garden.

Jennings purchased a then-new home in 1996. He transformed a once-vacant lot into his brand and business.

Tickets are $5 for Garden Conservancy members, $10 for non-members. Click here to purchase, and for more information.

Mar Jennings’ Rosebrook Gardens.

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Westport Pride’s Jesup Green celebration is tomorrow (Sunday, noon to 3 p.m.).

LGBTQ Pride Month continues June 16, when Saugatuck Congregational Church sponsors a Family Pride picnic and party (11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.).

The event is open to all. It includes a bounce house, lawn games, face painting, hot dogs/veggie dogs, cake and more

For more information, call 203-227-1261 or email Rev. Kari Nicewander: kari@saugatuckchurch.org.

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Gail Cohen died yesterday, surrounded by her family.

Her family says, “she was passionate about her family, the theater and canasta. She battled her terrible disease valiantly and courageously for 9 months.

“Throughout her life she inspired those around her with her passion, empathy, zest for life, and devotion to the happiness of others. Gail always led with love. She was a force and advocate for those who couldn’t advocate for themselves.”

She is survived by her husband of 40 years, Eric; children Hayley, Zach and Sydney, grandson Cooper, mother Mimi and siblings Richard, Beth Steinberg Michael and Robin.

A memorial service will be held tomorrow (Sunday, June 2, 1 p.m., The Community Synagogue of Westport). Shiva will be at 32 Burnham Hill tomorrow from immediately after the burial until 8 p.m., and Monday, June (1 to 4 p.m., and 6 to 9 p.m.).

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Cohen Family Scholarship Fund at Cardozo Law School/Yeshiva University, or a charity of your choice.

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It’s been a while since we’ve featured a mighty oak in our “Westport … Naturally” series.

This mighty fine one towers over Nancy Axthelm’s back yard.

(Photo/Nancy Axthelm)

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And finally … in light of the many headlines over the past 2 days:

(Sure, it’s the weekend. But “06880” never rests. Our Roundup continues, 24/7/365. If you enjoy our ceaseless work, please click here support us. Thank you!)

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Posted in Library, Obituaries, Police, Restaurants

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Roundup: Hiawatha Lane, Abortion Ban, Salsa Fresca …

Posted on June 8, 2022 | 13 comments

Though Superior Court Judge Marshall Berger dismissed a suit by Hiawatha Lane residents against Summit Saugatuck — developer of the 157-unit apartment complex by I-95 Exit 17 — the neighbors vow to fight on.

Carolanne Curry writes: “A close analysis by (our) attorney of the findings in Judge Berger’s decision, would show the Judge’s decision to be weak enough, flawed enough, and sufficient enough to warrant an immediate and vigorous appeal. During a conversation on Friday our attorney relayed that the merits of an appeal were convincing and justifiable. (Read the decision dated May 31, 2022  here.)

“We have come too far to simply relinquish our sincere efforts and the many successes we have achieved, especially while there are viable pathways to further success that are still within our reach. Our chances of success today are like all the chances we’ve continuously embraced for nearly 20 years. We’ve gone ahead each time and achieved many wins. We still remain an affordable working class neighborhood. We still remain a community with history… and hope. We still remain committed to stopping something so very wrong.”

An appeal would take 12 to 18 months, Curry says. That would put a hold on construction.

The biggest challenge, she says, is funding. Her email included a goal of $50,000 to cover the current balance owed, and legal fees going forward. Click here for details, and more information.

One of the Hiawatha Lane homes on the demolition list.

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With 23 sponsors, it was already clear that a “sense of the meeting” resolution supporting a woman’s right to abortion would pass the 36-member Representative Town Meeting.

But — after impassioned debate — the non-partisan legislative body enacted the member without dissent from the 29 members still on the Zoom call.

The RTM has weighed in on national issues before. In 1969, they voted 17-15 to oppose the Vietnam War. After the Sandy Hook massacre, they resoundingly called for an end to gun violence.

District 4 representative Andrew Colabella told “06880” after last night’s vote:

“Tonight the RTM, men and women, stood together and in unison, eloquently and passionately to adopt a resolution asserting that Westport supports the constitutional rights and principles established in Roe v. Wade, and opposes the elimination of those rights by any subsequent Supreme Court decision.

“Putting aside individual beliefs and political affiliations, this nonpartisan body, like always, setting precedent by discussing and taking action voiced, loud and clear with great enthusiasm while holding back tears.

“The future is terrifying. We are fortunate and lucky  to live in such an educated and strongly passionate diverse and inclusive town that, like our state, goes above and beyond to protect women’s rights.

“Furthermore, the best health care is provided free of political interference in the patient-physician relationship. Personal decision-making by women and their doctors should not be replaced by political ideology. This was affirmed in our unanimous vote.

“And like the people that we are in this town, ready to give a helping hand, will take pride in helping those beyond our borders whatever decision is rendered.”

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No such thing as a free lunch?

Don’t tell that to the crowd at Salsa Fresca yesterday.

The Post Road healthy Mexican spot gave away free lunches — and dinners — all day long. It was “Customer Appreciation Day.”

Lines were long, but they moved fast. No one worried about swiping credit cards, or fumbling for cash. Customers definitely appreciated that.

Gracias, Salsa Fresca!

A small part of Salsa Fresca’s long line.

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When newly minted teacher Haleigh Donovan put out a plea for books for her underserved 4th grade classroom, “06880” readers came through.

Dozens of Westporters donated hundreds of books. Others sent gift cards, for the 2014 Staples High School and College of Charleston master’s graduate to purchase too.

Soon, she and her parents — Staples grads Dan and Nicole Donovan — will pack up a car, and head south. Haleigh will spend the summer setting up her classroom.

With each book, she’ll be reminded of the generosity of hometown friends and strangers.

Haleigh Donovan, with a small portion of Westporters’ large donations.

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Former 2nd Selectman and Board of Finance chair Avi Kaner — named last year one of the “Top 100 People Positively Influencing Jewish Life” — just returned from a B’nai B’rith trip — to the Vatican.

He and his wife Liz were part of a private audience with Pope Francis.

The pontiff said: “The promotion and deepening of Jewish-Christian dialogue has been something close to my heart since I was a young boy, because at school I had Jewish classmates; it is a dialogue made up of encounter and concrete gestures of fraternity.

“It is good that we should help one another, because in each one of us, in every religious tradition and in every human society, there is always a risk that we can hold grudges and foster disputes against others, and at times do so in the name of absolute and even sacred principles.”

The delegation responded: “Your Holiness, we hope that all people will stand together against antisemitism, against anti-Christian discrimination and against intolerance directed at Muslims. In recognition of our common home and common destiny, let us protect the environment, care for the most vulnerable and promote mutual understanding rather than mutual recrimination. Thank you, Your Holiness, and may God bless all people everywhere with shalom, with peace.”

Pope Francis shook Kaner’s hand, looked him in the eye and said, “Pray for Peace.”

Pope Francis and Avi Kaner.

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It’s been a while since we checked in with the Fresh Market ospreys.

Carolyn Doan reports: “There is at least one chick in the nest. There are probably more, but this was the most visible, sitting right up front with mom. Dad brought in a fish. All is well.”

(Photo/Carolyn Doan)

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It could take years — if ever — for the improvement project at the Main Street/ Weston Road/Easton Road intersection near Merritt Parkway Exit 42 (first reported yesterday on “06880”) to be completed.

Let’s hope there’s some routine maintenance done of the traffic island there before then.

If it looks like this today, just imagine a few years from now.

(Photo/Terry Brannigan)

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On the other hand … there are plenty of handsome entrances to private Westport roads.

But can any of them beat today’s “Westport … Naturally” beauty?

(Photo/Valerie Szeto)

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And finally … Jim Seals — half of the ’70s soft-rock duo Seals & Crofts — died Monday in Nashville. He was 79.

I knew (but never really cared for) the group’s hits like “Summer Breeze” and “Diamond Girl.”

But I did not know — until I read his obituary — that Jim Seals and Dash Crofts were part of the Champs, who had a 1958 hit with “Tequila,” another song that did nothing for me. (They joined after it was a hit.)

Nor did I know that Seals’ brother Dan was a member of England Dan & John Ford Coley (“I’d Really Love to See You Tonight”). You guessed it …

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Posted in Environment, Local politics, Politics, Real estate, religion, Saugatuck, Transportation

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Roundup: Salsa Fresca, Library Cafe, Fireworks …

Posted on July 5, 2021 | 3 comments

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Chipotle didn’t make it. Neither did Qdoba.

But Salsa Fresca is betting the 3rd time’s the charm.

The idea is the same: build your own Mexican meal — burrito, bowl, taco, salad, nachos, quesadilla — from a list of items.

Salsa Fresca is a lot smaller than either of the 2 chains that preceded it. They had hundreds. This will be just the 9th Salsa Fresca in New York and Connecticut. The closest locations now are Danbury and Bedford Hills.

They’ll open in the exact same spot — at the foot of Playhouse Square, underneath Kennedy’s Barber Shop — that Qdoba vacated more than 3 years ago.

So I’ll say this about Salsa Fresca: They’ve got some big cojones.

(Photo/Dan Woog)

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The Westport Library Café is — like so much else — reopening up more and more.

Hours are now 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays.

Come for the treats. Stay for the views!

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Hey — it was a great idea while it lasted.

With no 4th of July fireworks yesterday, “06880” reader Jennifer McCarthy floated the idea of rescheduling the pyrotechnics — this year only — to Labor Day.

Looks like a washout, though (just like Friday night’s would have been). Westport PAL — longtime sponsor of the annual event — says that town officials nixed the concept a while ago, not wanting to risk being a super-spreader.

In addition, staffing would be tough. Many seasonal employees will already be back in college.

See you at Compo in early July, 2022!

Fears of another super-spreader event mean no fireworks until next year. (Photo/Rick Benson)

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The Gillespie Center food pantry is out of essentials.

Items needed include canned meats (chicken, tuna, salmon, Spam), pasta sauces, jams and jellies, hot and cold cereals, canned fruits and vegetables,, and paper and reusable bags.

They can be dropped off at the Gillespie Center courtyard (behind Don Memo restaurant) today, tomorrow and Wednesday, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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Yesterday, America celebrated its 245th birthday.

But anyone wandering by the Dunkin’ Donuts parking lot across from the Southport Diner yesterday — just over the town line — might have thought it was our 145th.

(Photo/Bob Weingarten)

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Today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo shows delicious raspberries, ready to ripen at Baron’s South. Yum!

(Photo/Molly Alger)

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And finally … on this day in 1954, Elvis Presley recorded his first single, “That’s All Right,” at Sun Records in Memphis. The world was never the same.

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