The once-sleepy Westport Animal Control shelter is now full.
So are the foster slots for Westport Animal Shelter Advocates. They care for a number of abandoned and surrendered canines, in need of homes.
This Sunday (September 6, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.), WASA hosts a meet-and-greet with adoptable dogs at VFW Post 399 (465 Riverside Avenue).
Attendees can also bid on a signed Aaron Judge baseball, and enter a drawing for giant Penny and Gus New York Yankee dogs, and Yankee tickets.
The VFW grill will be open too, offering hot dogs, hamburgers and bacon-egg-and-cheese sandwiches.
For more information, click here; call 203-557-0361, or email wasa1@optonline.net. The Instagram is @wasawestport.
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Amy Shapiro’s 3 young sons are athletes: basketball football, soccer and lacrosse.
While coaches focused on skill and technique, they seldom gave advice on moving well, recovering properly and caring for their bodies.
Tight muscles, limited mobility, nagging aches and minor injuries were the norm for her sons, and their teammates.
Amy encouraged her kids to stretch. But like many young athletes, they did not always listen.
Amy — who has always exercised, and tried to get her boys to join her when she stretched did yoga and foam rolled (they were bored) — had an idea. What if young athletes stretched, and cross trained, as a team?
“The LAB” was born.
Rather than emphasizing sport-specific skills, its comprehensive approach combines performance training, mobility, recovery and mindset development.
Specifically, the “Grind LAB” focuses on speed and agility, footwork and coordination, explosive power, and athletic movement patterns.
The “Mind LAB” combines movement, mobility, stretching, mindfulness, breathwork and recovery techniques. Participants improve flexibility, reduce injury risk, manage stress, and develop mental toughness.
The LAB offers program for 1st grade through high school. Offerings include private training, small group sessions, weekly classes, specialty clinics and seasonal programs.
Classes start at $35. They’re held throughout Westport, including at Forme Barre next to Party Harty, Compo Beach, and private homes and yards.
Instructors include a former Staples High School football captain and pro player, and a woman who has taught over 5,000 hours of movement and mindfulness to children and families.
For more information, email TheLABSportsCT@gmail.com. The Instagram is @TheLabSportsCT.
13-year-old basketball players work on flexibility with a LAB coach.
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Speaking of students: Our “06880 Students Speak” feature is gearing up for another school year.
Any youngster in a Westport school, public or private; any Westport student who goes to school outside town, and anyone who is home-schooled is welcome to contribute.
We’re looking for insights into any aspect of your life. Is your school a place of excitement or joy? Or do you hate it? Fear it?
Do you use AI to learn, or about yourself, or because you’re lonely, or to cheat?
Have you overcome body image issues? Were you bullied — or unfairly called a bully?
The goal of “Students Speak” is to give young people a voice. Our readers want to know what and how you feel. You deserve to be heard.
Posts can be anonymous, if desired. What’s important are your insights, your honesty, and the power of your words.
Unsure about your writing skills? We’ll work with you, to make sure it sounds right — while at the same time keeping your voice authentic and true.
To submit a “Students Speak” piece — or to learn more — email 06880blog@gmail.com.
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A new school year brings a new calendar for Neighbors & Newcomers of Westport.
The low-key — but very fun and welcoming — organization has been around since 1963.
It’s a place to socialize, make new friends, discover local treasures, and become more involved in the community. Events include casual gatherings, coffee meetups, book and cooking groups, special events and more.
Neighbors & Newcomers is open to recent arrives, longtime residents and everyone in between.
A $65 annual membership includes invitations to activities, access to the membership directory, a monthly newsletter, entry to the December holiday party and June beach party, and the fun of being connected to town. Click here for more information, and to join.
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All year long, the Westport Farmers’ Market has celebrated its 20th anniversary.
CTbites — Connecticut’s go-to food blog — took note this week. They posted a special video, with insights from a variety of vendors (and longtime director Lori Cochran-Dougall).
Spoiler alert: nearly every interviewee praised the market’s “community spirit.” (And not just customers — many vendors buy from each other, and even hang out together.)
The Farmers’ Market runs every Thursday (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.) through mid-November, at the Imperial Avenue parking lot.
Click here or below for the CTbites video.
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Work continues at Sherwood Island. Dirt removed from the newly paved West Beach parking lot — piled high for a while — is being removed this week.
The state park is being readied for next week’s 9/11 ceremony, at Connecticut’s official memorial. It’s set for Thursday, September 10.
Tidying up, at Sherwood Island. (Photo/Chris Swan)
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Former resident Joseph Zambelli died July 28. He was 91.
The Iona College graduate served in the Navy from 1952 to 1954. He worked at General Foods for 37 years as a financial analyst, financial planning manager, controller, and consultant. He and his family lived in Westport for 27 years.
An expert in efficiency and cost strategy, Joe analyzed potential acquisitions and streamlined business operations across the US, Europe, South America and Asia. He also mentored scores of colleagues.
Joe loved sailing on Long Island Sound and playing golf at Longshore and in Florida, along with big band swing. He was a member of the Florida State Elks Association, and played in the Stonegate Golf Club men’s league.
Joe is survived by his wife of 63 years, Barbara Zambelli of Poinciana, Florida; children Bara of Asheville, North Carolina, Jean of Westport, Jay Zambelli (Caryn) of Portland, Oregon, and Carolyn of Darien; grandchildren Emma and Tasha Taggart; Isabel and Georgia Nichoson; Katherine, Thomas and Joseph Cavolo, and Freddy Zambelli; siblings Dolly Orza of Briarcliff Manor, New York, and Alfred Zambelli, of Harrison, New York, and many nieces and nephews. Joe was predeceased by his brother Andrew Zambelli, and sisters Mary Riggio, Rose Goldsmith and Jane Lieto.
A celebration of Joe’s life will be held at a later date.
Joe Zambelli
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Every sunrise is special.
But yesterday’s was extra-special.
Matt Murray captured its glory. It’s perfect for our “Westport … Naturally” feature of the day.
(Photo/Matt Murray)
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And finally … in honor of the dog adoption meet-and-greet set for Sunday (story above):
(How much is that doggie in the window? A better question: How much is “06880” worth to you? We rely on readers for support. Please click here, to donate what you think we deserve. Thanks!)
We headed to the house to see if there was anything we could do to help rescue the dog, who had been on the lam at least 5 days. Her image appeared on several Ring cameras in the area.
