There’s one less place to get vapes and other paraphernalia — plus, according to police reports. joints, canisters of THC flower, cannabis resin and edibles — in town today.
The Savvy Smoker — a scourge of neighbors, and an unwelcome neighbor of fashion designer Christian Soriano, who opened a store in the same Post Road East mini-plaza, back when Subway occupied the space — has closed.
All signage has been removed. (Hat tip: Christian Hunter)
Scores of Westporters took advantage of nice weather — and a special invitation — to tour Prospect Gardens yesterday.
The magnificent 9-acre arboretum-style Greens Farms space is open to the public only twice a year.
Main garden designers Cindy Shumate and Judy Gardner were there all day, telling stories and answering questions.
Greens Farms Garden Club members explained how they plant, tend and harvest the 3-tiered vegetable garden. Last season, their harvest of over 1000 pounds was donated to local organizations that feed families in need.
The next public event is set for September.
One view of Prospect Gardens …
… and another. (Photos/Candice Cardenas)
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We’ve got a new header photo for “06880.” William Weiss took this great image of Ned Dimes Marina:
Kerri Kenney-Silver is an actress, comedian, writer, singer, and musician. As Trudy on “Reno 911!” she was nominated for 4 Emmys. She was the only female cast member on MTV’s “The State,” she’s been on “Superstore,” “2 Broke Girls,” “Love” and “The Ellen Show,” and she fronted the all-female rock band Cake Like.
Kerri is also a 1988 Staples High School graduate.
On Friday, the Wall Street Journal profiled her. She notes the first time she felt noticed — in 4th grade, when she teased a substitute teacher — as well as feeling “miserable and inadequate” in middle school.
Staples was different. She discovered Players — the theater company. “I knew immediately I fit in,” she says.
Looking both ways — and keeping their young ones together — these Canada geese parents look just like Westport moms and dads, out with their kids at Compo Beach.
Well, not “just like.” Those outfits are sadly lacking in aura.
And finally … following up on the news about Savvy Smoker (story above):
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We’re just 2 days away from the 53rd annual Fine Arts Festival.
Across North America, over 150 artists will head to Westport. (Six already live here — they’re hometown favorites.)
Selected from more than 320 applications, and representing 12 categories, they come from 23 states and Canada.
All 2025 award winners return (click here for a full list). Meanwhile, a record 52 artists make their Fine Arts Festival debut.
New this year: Staples High School art students will paint a BMW in the family area (Sigrid Schultz parking lot). There are lots of other kids’ activities there too.
Plus, of course, music and food.
Two new judges join the panel: art enthusiasts Lonnie Quinn (CBS weatherman) and Louise Crowley.
Also downtown, coming soon: an interesting reshuffling of space.
After more than 25 years in Westport, Brooks Brothers will vacate its space in what used to be called Brooks Corner, at the corner of Main and Elm Streets.
But they’re not closing. In fact, they’re moving a few yards away, to bigger digs.
Brooks Brothers’ new location is 44 Main Street. For decades, it was Klein’s department store. For a couple of decades after that, it was Banana Republic. For a few minutes most recently, it was Oka furniture.
(Before Klein’s expanded north from its smaller beginning, the space belonged to the Townly restaurant. During Banana Republic’s renovation, they discovered a long-lost painting, depicting life — in Westport? — during that era. They preserved it. Hopefully, Brooks Brothers will too.)
The move is planned for late October or early November — in time for the holidays.
The new space will be 1,000 square feet larger. It will include new women’s casual and everyday wear, in addition to the current inventory.
DOWNTOWN TRIVIA: Brooks Corner (now called much more generically “Main & Elm”) was not named for Brooks Brothers.
It’s a tribute to B.V. Brooks and his family. The real estate developer created the small shopping plaza in the 1960s — years before Brooks Brothers arrived in Westport.
Of course, the clothing company has a much longer history than that. They were founded in New York City in 1818 — 17 years before Westport was incorporated.
That makes them the oldest apparel brand in continuous operation in the United States.
There will be no Democratic primary in the 26th State Senate district race.
Weston 1st selectwoman Sam Nestor is assured of a clear path to the November ballot. State Representative Lucy Dathan of New Canaan had explored a bid after Nestor outpolled her nearly 2 to 1 at the nominating convention, but decided against it.
Nestor’s Republican opponent for the seat being vacated by Ceci Mahar will be Westporter Alma Sarelli.
Last month, Dr. Matthias Becker led a powerful Westport Library conversation about decoding bias and hate.
Next Thursday (May 28, 6 p.m.), the noted linguist returns for a follow-up discussion.
The evening includes screenings of video shorts about the subject, created by local teens — and an announcement of the winners of the “Decode Hate Video Challenge Awards.”
Parents, teens, and all community members are invited to learn — and to celebrate the next generation, using creativity to tackle an enormous social problem.
The Brubecks are one of the jazz world’s leading family.
They’re also local. Their roots in Wilton date back decades.
So it was fitting on Tuesday night for for Dave Brubeck’s son Chris to bring his trio, Triple Play, to MoCA\CT, for an intimate, high-octane performance. A full house enjoyed the warm, playful and intimate show.
Arts supporters and blues lovers joined together in the gallery space where the current exhibition, “Art, Jazz + the Blues,” has drawn raves.
Chris Brubeck (left) and his trio, in the MoCA\CT gallery. Two of Westport artist Eric von Schmidt’s majestic paintings, telling the stories of America’s jazz, blues and folk music history, hang on the wall. All 7 of his works are part of the show. (Photo/Roger Young)
The Pierrepont School junior will perform there in November, with Pierrepont dance faculty members Jamal Jackson and Emily Pacilio.
They’ll be in “Timaeus and The Teacher,” an opera written by former Pierrepont teacher Tammy Nguyen.
It will cost $100,000 to produce the piece. Tax-deductible donations can be made through the Center for the Arts at Wesleyan University. Designate a gift to the “Venice Biennale Project Fund,” or email Joshua Lubin-Levy, director and chief curator: jlubinlevy@wesleyan.edu.
Questions? Email Lisa Manimala: lisamanimala@gmail.com.
And finally … in honor of yesterday’s wonderful (if fleeting) weather:
(“06880” delivers hot fun — and news, features, photos, and much more — all summer long. Plus spring, fall and winter too. We rely on reader support to do it all. Please click here to help. Thank you!)
Staples Orphenians are synonymous with the holiday season.
The high school’s elite a cappella group — fresh off performances at Radio City Music Hall and Westport’s Holiday Stroll — have added another date to their crowded calendar.
And it’s a chance to not only hear their great caroling, but to shop for gifts from local vendors too.
The Orphenians Holiday Market is next Tuesday (December 16, 6 to 8 p.m., Westport Woman’s Club).
Along with shopping and songs (including a sing-along, sponsored by Mitchells of Westport), enjoy seasonal treats and festive foods from The Granola Bar, Old Mill Grocery & Deli by Romanacci, and Ed’s Fusion.
Click here for tickets. Proceeds help fund performance and travel opportunities throughout the year.
Direct from Radio City and the “06880” Holiday Stroll: Staples Orphenians.
Vaccines are all over the news. The most recent headlines involve hepatitis B, for newborns.
Village Pediatrics strongly recommends protecting newborns, with the inoculation.
Dr. Nicole Gorman and her colleagues say:
“Hepatitis B is a virus that can cause lifelong liver disease, liver cancer, and even death. Newborns are especially vulnerable. If exposed, 9 out of 10 infants will develop chronic infection. The birth dose provides protection right away, before any potential exposures occur.
“It’s also important to know that a negative Hep B test in the mother does not guarantee a baby won’t be exposed. In fact, up to 50% of hepatitis B cases in children have no known source.
“This happens because the virus can survive on surfaces for up to 7 days, meaning exposure can occur in unexpected ways — from contact with caregivers, household items, or environments outside the hospital.
“This vaccine has been used safely for decades. It is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics and all major medical organizations. Giving it shortly after birth is the most effective way to prevent infection.
“We encourage all families to include the Hep B birth dose in their baby’s routine care.”
Dr. Nikki notes, “I was always struck by the statistic that 50% of children who get Hep B can’t trace the source. Everyone should elect for this vaccine in the hospital at birth.”
Dr. Stephen Grevious adds, “Once someone has it, it can’t be eliminated.”
The Y’s Men of Westport and Weston have announced the winners of their photo contest. It was open to members, their wives, and Senior Center participants.
Here are the first place honorees, followed by the runners-up, in all 8 categories:
Architecture: Alan Zimbard, Holly Betts
Critter: Robert Pravder, Bob Weingarten
General: Lee Walther, Jean-Piere Montillier
Landscape: Jean-Piere Montillier, Ed Simek
Manipulated: Susan Garment, Jeffrey Rothman
Nature: Jeffrey Rothman, Greg Battersby
Portrait: Lee Walther, Karen Harman
Waterscape: Michael Hehenberger, Jeffrey Rothman.
Those images — and all others that were entered — are now on display at the Senior Center.
Susan Garment won 1st place in the “Manipulate” category for “Trafalgar Square in the Rain.”
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Check out the newest addition at Sherwood Mill Pond:
(Photo/Matt Murray)
No, it’s not new affordable housing.
It’s an office and storage area for workers on the tidal gates and pedestrian path renovation project.
But if it was housing — those are quite some water views.
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Everyone loves Christmas decorations.
Even those who don’t celebrate the holiday.
Celia Campbell-Mohn captured this cute image, for our daily “Westport … Naturally” feature:
And finally …on this date in 1864, Major General William Tecumseh Sherman’s Union Army troops reached the outer Confederate defenses of Savannah, Georgia.
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