When Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana opens at 361 Post Road West — formerly the Naan restaurant — on June 1, it may seem like an Italian restaurant replacing an Indian one. (Which previously took over from Kibberia, a Middle Eastern spot.)
Residents with longer memories will recall that for many years, the space was occupied by John’s Best Pizza. So — like a big pizza pie — things are coming full circle.
But Frank Pepe has been around the block far longer than John’s Best. The “Original New Haven Apizza” place opened in 1925, on Wooster Street.
The Westport location — its 18th nationally, and 9th in Connecticut –features a large coal-fired oven, enclosed with a cast iron door that matches the original one in New Haven location. The dining room seats 110.
Frank Pepe Pizzeria will be open every day, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Takeout, delivery and catering ordering is available here. Diners get $10 in their account by signing up signing up here, or downloading the Frank Pepe Pizzeria app.
Tomorrow (Wednesday, May 20, 7:30 p.m., Town Hall auditorium), the Board of Finance will set the town’s mill/tax rate.
That’s item 6 on the agenda. They’ll also hear:
A request for additional funds to cover legal expenses, due to an atypical cost overrun. The item allows residents to glimpse the type of litigation the town faces (agenda item 8).
Funding to prepare the 2027 Plan of Conservation and Development. The state requires each town to create this, every 10 years. The POCD is important, as Westport thinks about housing in the years ahead (agenda item 9).
In addition, the Board of Finance will hold office hours this Thursday (May 21, 10 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.), Westport Library room 213). The public is invited to meet a member, and ask questions about any aspect of the board, and public finances.
Railroad station parking permits expire on June 30.
To renew a railroad permit, click here. Then click the “Permit” icon at the top of the page. Double-check that your email address is correct.
All renewals are online, or dropped off in the Police Department lobby. Drop-offs require cash or a check made out to “Town of Westport – Railroad Parking,” and a copy of the current vehicle registration(s). The Police lobby is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Time to renew! (Photo/Elle Bowe)
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Weston 1st Selectwoman Sam Nestor took a big step toward a new job last night.
She earned the Democratic Party endorsement to run for the State Senate’s 26th District. She captured 48 delegate votes, nearly twice as many as State Representative Lucy Dathan. A primary is set for August 11.
The winner will face a Republican opponent in November: Westporter Alma Sarelli.
Prospect Gardens — the spectacular 9-acre arboretum-style Greens Farms space featuring flowers, plants — is open to public on Sunday, May 31 (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.). The event is a partnership with the national Garden Conservancy.
Main garden designers Cindy Shumate and Judy Gardner will there all day, telling stories and answering questions.
Greens Farms Garden Club members will explain 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.
Prospect Gardens dates back to an 1812 Victorian farmhouse and onion farm. Property acquisitions over the past 20 years have created the current gardens. Mature deciduous and evergreen trees create a sweeping canvas.
Key features include a Mediterranean entry garden, 2 orchards, berry houses, bee hives, perennial garden, shady woodland walk, conifer collection, numerous flowering shrub and grass borders, a Japanese-inspired meditation garden and maple collection, citrus and cacti, a glasshouse, sculptures, 1-acre perennial/ native wildflower meadow, and a 4-tiered grassy amphitheater with a stone-medallioned stage.
The Staples high School Jazz Ensemble plays at 10:30 a.m. They’ll be fresh off an appearance 2 days earlier at New York’s Birdland Club.
The Westport Weston Domestic Violence Task Force is collecting items for their Crisis Center.
They need toothbrushes, toothpaste, menstrual products, deodorant, lotion, soap and body wash, shaving gel, shampoo and conditioner, and hair care products.
Drop-off locations are the Westport and Weston police stations.
To purchase items directly through an Amazon wish list, click here.
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Anyone can get scammed.
Before scammers hack your accounts, they hack your emotions.
In response, Westport’s E3 Wealth Advisory Group is sponsoring a 30-minute webinar. Attendees will learn how to recognize emotional manipulation, before they react.
It’s repeated 4 times: 12 noon and 2 p.m., tomorrow (Wednesday, May 20) and next Wednesday (May 27). Click here to register.
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Singer Melissa Newman — Westport’s own, and a Jazz at the Post favorite — kicks off their first-ever Voices of Spring festival this Thursday (May 21, shows at 7:30 and 8:45 p.m.; dinner from 7; VFW Post 399).
Posted onMarch 23, 2025|Comments Off on Roundup: Library Lights, Kids’ Smartphones, Jazz Blowout …
The Westport Library shines brightly every day.
Now it shines at night, too.
From April 3-6, VersoFest will bring visibility to the building. Local branding expert John Nunziato is helping our crown jewel become even more visible.
On Friday night, his vision came to (literal) light:
(Photo/Andrew Colabella)
The palette ties in with the current branding.
In addition, Nunziato has been working with a local high school “street team” to support VersoFest marketing efforts. They’re generating excitement for the opening ceremony (April 5, 10 a.m.), as the Library attempts to become “the loudeset library in history” (#loudestlibrary).
The local chapter of the national organization for parents concerned about the effects of early and excessive use of social media and smartphones invites Westporters to 3 upcoming events.
The first, on April 8 (7 p.m., Long Lots Elementary School) is a viewing of “Screenagers: Elementary School Age Edition). Physician and filmmaker Dr. Delaney Ruston “takes a deeply personal approach into the vulnerable corners of family life, including her own, to explore struggles over social media, video games, academics and internet addiction.”
On April 30 (7:3 p.m., The Wonder, 1200 Post Road East), OK To Delay national director Jessica Hirsch will discuss the challenges — and opportunities — of parenting in the digital age, plus collective actions to improve childhood.
Then, on May 8 (2 to 6 p.m., Westport Library), parents can see alternatives to smartphones. Vendors from a variety companies will demonstrate their products. Children are welcome!
OK To Delay organizers Erika Brunwasser, Nicole Glick and Becca Zipkin say, “We are inclusive, and we don’t believe in shaming.”
For more information, email OKtoDelayWestport@gmail.com, or follow on Instagram: @OkaytoDelayWestport.
Westporters say: It’s OK to delay!
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JazzFC can be forgiven for blowing their own horn.
But they’re proud to announce their 3rd Anniversary Birthday Blowout Bash.
It’s April 24 (6 to 10 p.m., VFW Post 399). Over 25 musicians — including Melissa Newman, Giacomo Gates, David DeJesus, Mike Mossman, Greg Wall, Boots Maleson and Harvey S — are set to jam.
There’s a New Orleans-style dinner (of course), and silent auction too.
Proceeds benefit JazzFC young musician clinics, music college scholarships, and senior center outreach — all throughout Fairfield County.
Tickets are $125, $250 (including premium seating, JazzFC CD, 2 concert tickets and a JazzFC t-shirt or totebag), and $500 (all of the above, plus a 1-hour jazz listening session or improv lesson on any instrument, with Greg “The Jazz Rabbi” Wall). Click here for tickets, and more information.
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Westport is filled with senior executives.
Many — well, at least some — are thinking about reframing their careers.
A free workshop on May 6 (6 p.m., Serendipity Labs, 55 Post Road West) can offer insights.
Mike Raleigh, founder of Graymatter — a networking, advocacy and support community of and for senior executives — hosts a workshop on “Thawing Out the Frozen Job Market and Taking Control of Your Career.
Topics include reframing your career mindset, strategizing for the third act, diversifying opportunities, and personal branding.
The event is free, but pre-registration is required. Click here.
Thinking about a career change? A May 6 workshop could help get your thinking on track. (Photo/Jonathan Alloy)
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Only one team can win the NCAA’s March Madness basketball tournament.
Only one won Friday night’s March Madness event at the Westport Weston Family YMCA, too.
But everyone — the middle schoolers who played, the Y junior board members who organized and helped, even a local non-profit were winners as well.
Thirty-three youngsters played 3-v-3 (with no adult coaches!). The actual tournament was livestreamed in the nearby Schine Room (with pizza and sodas), for players waiting their turn.
The top 2 teams donated their prize winnings to a non-profit of their choice.
Congratulations to the first place team: Lennox Van Kolken, Eli Moneyhon and
Andrew Freeman. They donated their share to Homes with Hope.
Runnersup were Tyler Talley, Ryan Tackman and Lucas Riera. They chose Livestrong at the YMCA — a program for cancer survivors — to receive their prize.
The event was conceived and executed by junior board director (and Staples High School junior Danny McHugh, with an assist from the Y team. Staples Service League of Boys (SLOBs) refereed. (Hat tip: Kristin McKinney)
From left: winners Lennox Van Kolken, Eli Moneyhon, Andrew Freeman; organizer Danny McHugh; runnersup Luca, Riera, Ryan Tackman, Tyler Talley. (Photo/Dan McHugh)
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The curtain rises Tuesday, for the first preview of the Westport Country Playhouse production of “Theatre People.”
But you don’t have to wait 2 days for a preview (before the preview).
Westporter Bill Shakos — whose “What Do I Know?” podcast recently debuted — sat down with director Mark Shanahan, and several cast members.
They offered insights into the show, themselves, and more. Click below to listen. Click here for more information on “Theatre People.”
Next up in the Wakeman Town Farm Dahlia Growing Series: a hands-on demonstration on dividing them for spring.
Master gardener Paul Rossi and farmer Dasha Horton lead the April 26 (10 a.m.) event. They’ll also cover where to source your dahlias, and how to start from cuttings.
Bring your own clumps. Starter kits will be on sale. Click here to register, and for more information.
Dahlias, duh.
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On Friday morning, Kings Highway Elementary School families participated in an early morning “Rise & Feed” event.
They made 25 lunches for Homes With Hope. Trader Joe’s generously donated the food.
Kings Highway PTA co-president Christina Royce and her daughters, with some of their lunch bags.
That’s today, anyway. In a couple of weeks, it will be bursting with color.
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And finally … in honor of the lighting of the Westport Library (story above):
(Sure, it’s Sunday. But as we do every day, 24/7/365, “06880” offers another Roundup, chock full o’ news you can use. We do it every day. All we ask is a bit of reader support. Please click here. Thanks!)
Comments Off on Roundup: Library Lights, Kids’ Smartphones, Jazz Blowout …
Their 22 Main Street gallery opened in February. Last night, a large crowd welcomed them, at their official launch party.
CEO Helen Swaby loved Westport, from the moment she saw it. She calls our town ‘a flourishing cultural and creative center (which), like Clarendon, has a strong commitment to preserving community, traditions, and quality of life.”
The world’s largest gallery group wants to make art “accessible to all.” They showcase an eclectic portfolio of artists, across a broad range of genres.
The new 2-story building features 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 view — and sale — at Clarendon.
Clarendon’s 2nd floor. (Photo/Dan Woog)
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Speaking of art: There are plenty of great works at this weekend’s Westport Woman’s Club 8th annual show.
Yesterday, there was also A-list entertainment.
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame keyboardist Mark Naftalin (Paul Butterfield Blues Band) and Crispin Cioe — who has played sax with James Brown, the Rolling Stones, Solomon Burke, Darlene Love, Tom Waits, Ray Charles, Robert Palmer, Bronski Beat, the Ohio Players, Usher and others — offered music to admire art by. Both are Westporters.
The show ends today: 2 to 5 p.m., 44 Imperial Avenue.
Mark Naftalin and Crispin Cioe, at the Westport Woman’s Club. (Photo/Miggs Burroughs)
In an age when every youngster seems to be on a device — and/or traveling up and down the East Coast playing youth sports — it’s nice to see that these kids had good old-fashioned fun yesterday, decorating a driveway on Gorham Avenue.
Elle and Axel Enslin, their mom Kara, and Charlotte Peters, hard at work.
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Lovely lilacs are today’s “Westport … Naturally” featured flower. Thank you, Dana Kuyper!
Jerry Footlick is a newcomer to Westport. At the urging of his daughters Robbyn (who lives here) and Jill (who lives nearby), he moved here from North Carolina after his wife died.
The other day, he had a “Westport experience.” He wanted to share it with “06880” readers, in his new home. It’s a great story. Thanks — and welcome, Jerry!
A few evenings ago I attended an event in Manhattan. As I boarded the train back, I found that I had carelessly allowed my phone battery to go dead. The conductor shrugged, and chose to believe I really had a ticket hidden on that phone.
When I got off the train in Westport, I realized I had no way to call a taxi, an Uber, or my daughter.
No taxis in sight. But the tale has a happy ending.
In the parking lot, I asked a likely-looking gentleman where I might find a taxi. You’re on the wrong side, he said. After I had walked under the tracks, I discovered that all the bars and restaurants, where I might have called a taxi, were closed,
My plan, such as it was, was to hope for the arrival of a taxi or a police cruiser. Then the gentleman who had guided me pulled up; he had driven his car around to where I was standing.
“Where are you going?” he asked. I told him. He said, “I live near there. Hop in!” He trusted me. I trusted him.
I noted his British accent. He said he had been raised in London, and his name was Simon. I said I had a son-in-law who lives in Westport, had been raised in London, and whose name was Simon.
I said I had spent a fellowship year in London at the London School of Economics. He said he attended the LSE.
He said he had had a flat in Richmond, which led us to “Ted Lasso,” its real-life pub, and its real-life restaurant. As we arrived at my residence, he said he had a friend living there and to give her his love (I did).
By that time we seemed like old pals.
I don’t know if I was just lucky, or if Westport is really a friendly town.
A little pandemic can’t keep Westport’s Sunrise Rotary club down.
Every April, they do a volunteer clean-up in town. The lockdown postponed this year’s event. But yesterday the members were out in force, ridding the I-95 Exit 17 parking lot of trash.
It was just like old times. Except for the masks.
Westporters have been intrigued by a Ford Escort at the train station.
During the pandemic it sat for weeks in the same spot. Last week it finally vanished. Some folks were pleased because it seemed the driver was okay; others wondered if the car had been towed, because the driver was not okay.
Well, the Ford is back. But now I’ve got another question:
There are hundreds of empty spots in the lot. Why does he (or she) choose such a random place to park?
(Photo/Curtis Lueker)
Bridgewater got Paul Podolsky to Westport. The 1991 Brown University grad liked the town so much, he moved here.
Five weeks ago — after more than 20 years with the firm — he retired. His goal is to write full time. Judging by his memoir — released today — he’s got another great career.
Raising a Thief is the powerful, insightful and searingly truthful story of the orphan girl Podolsky and his wife adopted from Russia. They imagined she’d blend in well with their son, and enjoy all the wonders of Westport.
But she suffered from Reactive Attachment Disorder — a condition in which a child who has suffered physical or emotional neglect or abuse cannot form a healthy emotional bond with new parents.
Sonya lies and steals. She has an eating disorder, and tries to jump out of a window.
It’s a difficult story to read. It must have been even harder to live through — and then write.
Yet, Podolsky notes, Bridgewater helped. “The culture is all about radical honesty. I was accustomed to that.”
Founder Ray Dallio says of the book: “I am passionage about understanding how people think, and why … This book offers an invaluable picture about how the earliest childhood experiences shape thinking. I recommend it for all parents.”
Podolsky’s wife became a therapist, and now treats struggling families. They — and anyone with an interest in the human condition — will appreciated Raising a Thief.
As for Podolsky, his next book is fiction. It’s based on his work in international finance, specifically China and Russia.
For more information and to buy Raising a Thief, click here.
Paul Podolsky
They’re the gifts that keep on giving.
From the earliest days of the coronavirus, stones bearing uplifting messages have been spotted around town.
They’re at Grace Salmon Park. Outisde the police station. On Burying Hill Beach.
Yesterday, Lauri Weiser spotted this particularly pretty one. Rock on, Westport!
And finally … summer arrived yesterday. Of the squintillion summer songs, this Gershwin tune — and this Billy Stewart version — stands at the top.
Empty parking lots on a weekday downtown … (Drone photo/Brandon Malin)
… at the train station, and on I-95 (Drone photo/Patrick Sikes)
The message has gotten through. Teenagers stay in their cars, practicing social distancing — but hang out together at Longshore.
A mid-March late afternoon dip at Old Mill Beach (Photo/Robin Tauck)
Lindsay Blaivas, her daughter Kenzie and dog Ruby went for a neighborhood walk. Along the way, they left some messages. “Getting creative and staying connected!” Lindsay says. Here’s one.
Two weeks ago, you’d say “huh?” Now you say, “Where’d you get it?!” (Photo/Darcy Hicks)
Santa Claus comes early to Stop & Shop (Photo/Chip Stephens)
A year after it was published in 1955, “The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit” became a major motion picture.
Gregory Peck starred as Tom Rath. He and his wife Betsy (Jennifer Jones) live in a rundown house in Westport. They have 3 kids; he commutes to an unfulfilling job in New York. The title quickly became a ’50s metaphor — one that endures today.
Some of the movie was filmed in Westport. The most memorable scenes — still recalled here more than 60 years later — took place on Main Street, and at the train station.
These 2 shots show Peck as a typical commuter. Besides the lack of a platform — and the demise of the New Haven Railroad — what else has changed? Click “Comments” below.
We’ve still got a few more hours of this. So put another log on the fire, open up one more bottle of wine, and enjoy these wonderful views of Westport in winter. (Click on or hover over to enlarge)
Snow bunny #1…
…snow bunny #2…
…and #3. (Photos above/Irene Penny)
One view from John Videler…
…and another, with a bit of color from the flag. (Photo/John Videler)
Compo Beach, from the (relative) comfort of a Soundview Drive home. (Photo/Betsy P. Kahn)
No picnics today on South Beach! (Photo/Briana Walegir)
You know that old saying about “neither snow nor rain…”? (Photo/Fred Cantor)
No word from Metro-North on whether (weather?) there was “Good Service” today. (Photo/Fred Cantor)
It was slow going — just as the sign says — on Saugatuck Shores today. (Photo/Gene Borio)
A serene scene on Highland Road. Look closely though: That’s an unplowed driveway at the bottom of the photo. (Photo/Ellen Wentworth)
Blizzard bonus feature: Seagulls were out surfing at Compo. Thanks to Dee Dee Scanlin, Chip Stephens and Betsy Pollak for sharing!
For some reason, people have started emailing me great photos of the Westport of yore.
I know plenty of “06880” readers like them. Longtime residents, expats, even recent arrivals appreciate seeing where what’s changed in our town — and what hasn’t. (Click on or hover over any photo to enlarge it.)
So, without further ado:
A dealer called simply “Foreign Cars” did business on the Post Road near the Southport line, just past Barker’s (or, as we know it today, Super Stop & Shop).
This looks familiar: near the train station. In the 1950s, it was Frank Reber and Charlie Cole’s Imported Cars. This photo, and the one above, came from Hemmings Daily, thanks to David Pettee.
A few years earlier, this was the scene around the corner, at the train station. There’s Black Horse Liquors on the corner. The newsstand was Baer’s.
Here’s the eastbound view. Both photos are courtesy of Debbie Rosenfield.
This 1949 view of downtown comes (as do all the photos below it) from the Thomas J. Dodd Research Center at the University of Connecticut, via Brian Pettee. Colgan’s Pharmacy was where Tiffany sits today. Across Taylor Place was the trolley-shaped diner. Opposite that — hidden by trees — was the small park behind the old Westport Library. And that car in the middle of the intersection? It was turning onto the Post Road from Main Street, which had 2-way traffic.
Main Street Mobil occupied the current site of Vineyard Vines. In the distance you can see what for many years was Westport Pizzeria.
Back when the Merritt Parkway was for motoring, this was the signage (watch out for those jagged edges!).
And when you came off Exit 41, this is what you saw. Underneath the “Westport” arrow, the sign says “State Police 3 mi.” The barracks were located on the Post Road where Walgreens is now — opposite the diner. Pretty close to I-95 — though in 1949, the “Connecticut Turnpike” had not yet been built.
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