A sold-out crowd filled Fairfield University’s Quick Center for last night’s “Stand Up for Comedy.”
The benefit — the 15th annual for Homes with Hope, but the first in-person comedy show for them since COVID struck — featured comedian Pat McGann. He knew his audience, and deftly straddled the line between humor and awareness of the the crucial work HwH does to ease homelessness and food insecurity in Westport.
A “paddle raise” pledge drive before McGann took the stage marked a milestone: Over 15 years, “Stand Up for Comedy” has now raised over $3 million.

Pat McGann, on stage at the Quick Center. (Photo/Dan Woog)
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Also last night: MoCA Westport’s opening reception for “From the Pen to the Knife.” The exhibit features watercolors by Marian Christy. Now 90 years old, she invented Knifed Watercolors — using only palette knives and puddles of paint (no drawing, no brushes).
Christy was a Pulitzer-Prize nominated journalist for the first chapter of her life, when women had limited journalistic opportunities. During this second chapter, she pivoted from “the pen to the knife.”
The exhibition is on view through November 27. Docent-led tours are available on Thursday afternoons (advance registration requested). Admission is complimentary on Thursdays after 4 p.m. For more information, visit click here,

Marian Christy at MoCA. (Photo/Leslie LaSala)
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Also yesterday: Westoberfest — sponsored by the Downtown Merchants Association — and the Fall Fete, showcasing Sconset Square. It was a full day in Westport, for sure.

Selfie at Sconset Square.
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Westport Police are attempting to identify a woman who stole $14,000 worth of jewelry from a Main Street business last week.
Anyone with information about the woman — seen in surveillance photos below — should call the Detective Bureau: 203-341-6017.
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It’s autumn in Westport — a time when everyone has a “favorite” tree.
I have several. They’re at Staples High School’s Loeffler Field — the long-time home of the soccer teams. They hold a special place in my heart, because I had them planted there 16 years ago, when we built a terrace at the top of the hill.
Shira Honigstein loves them too. She sent this photo, for today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature.

(Photo/Shira Honigstein)
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And finally … today is National Boss’ Day.
No, it doesn’t mean a song from Bruce Springsteen. Instead:
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(Speaking of jobs: “06880” takes a lot of work. To help support your local blog, please click here.)