Renovations to the Inn at Longshore — long awaited, and much needed — will be presented to the Planning & Zoning Commission on Monday (April 8, 7 p.m., Zoom).
Interior work includes a new HVAC system, replacement of windows and doors, more guest rooms (and renovation of current rooms), updated ballroom and drawing rooms, updated lobby, completely remodeled kitchen, plumbing and electrical upgrades, and ADA compliance updates.
Architect Ken Nadler has proposed a new entrance with a porte cochère.
Other exterior renovations include a series of patios extending across the length of the building with access to the lawn and shoreline, new landscaping, upgraded exterior lighting and signage, and replacement of siding and roofing.
Site improvements also include a new drive entrance, enhanced parking, and a robust landscaping plan.
The estimated cost is $5 million.
Click here for the Zoom link to the P&Z meeting. It will also be livestreamed on www.westportct.gov, and shown on Optimum Channel 79.
To see all P&Z materials, click here; then scroll down to 260 Compo Road South.
Inn at Longshore plan, prepared by LandTech. Click on or hover over to enlarge.
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A little rain failed to dampen the VersoFest crowd last night.
Five days of panels, workshops, performances and more kicked off with Chuck D — the front man of Public Enemy — in conversation with Johnny Temple of Akashic Books.
His talk ranged from music, TV and film to politics and his new book.
VersoFest continues tonight with the Lemon Twigs and DJ Hysterica. Click here for a full schedule of VersoFest ’24, and more information.
Chuck D with Johnny Temple, last night at the Westport Library … (Photo/Dinkin Fotografix)
… and the sold-out crowd. Most VersoFest events are free.
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The last few days of rain and wind have brought down trees, all around town.
This was the scene (below) early today on Hillandale Road.
It was quite a welcome to the neighborhood. The new owners moved in a month ago.
(Photo/Bob Weingarten)
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Accidental overdoses kill 2.5 times more Americans than car crashes.
On April 10 (7 to 8 p.m., Toquet Hall), you can learn how to recognize an opioid overdose, and use Narcan to save a life.
Margaret Watt, Westport Prevention Coalition (WPC) co-chair and prevention director at Positive Directions, provides the training. 30 Narcan kits will be available to participants. Click here to register.
In addition, from now through June the WPI is making the documentary “If They Had Known” available for streaming.
The 35-minute film was created by the college friends and family of a college student who died after mixing alcohol and Xanax. It shows the dangers of drinking while taking drugs like antidepressants or ADHD meds.
To receive the streaming link, click here.
Both events are offered in conjunction with Staples High School’s annual “Invest in Yourself Day,” which prepares seniors for life after high school and recognizes Alcohol Awareness Month.
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As the Westport Country Playhouse transitions to a year-round performing arts center, they need a permanent, on-stage piano — not a rental.
They’re hoping someone can donate a piano, for upcoming concerts on their historic stage. As a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization, the Playhouse will provide a letter acknowledging the piano donation for tax purposes,
To comply with artist contracts, they’re seeking one of these:
- 9-foot Steinway Model D concert grand
- 9-foot Yamaha Model C series (CFX)
- 7-foot Steinway Model B classic grand
- 7-foot Yamaha Model C series (CF6).
If you — or someone you know — is downsizing, or for any other reason can donate a piano, email westportcountryplayhousepiano@gmail.com.
It may not be done in time for Judy Collins’ show on April 12. But Bernadette Peters is at the Playhouse May 19.
And many more talented acts follow.
Your piano could be on the Westport Country Playhouse stage.
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Soap opera fans, hold back your tears: Today is Jamie Martin Mann’s last day on “Days of Our Lives.”
The 2021 Staples High School graduate had split his time between Los Angeles — where the TV show is filmed — and Ann Arbor, where he is a junior at the University of Michigan.
Mann — who starred in Staples Players productions before graduation — is a musical theater major. Balancing academics and acting became increasingly difficult.
According to Soap Opera Digest, the 2021 Staples High School graduate “wraps up his brief but memorable run as tortured teen Tate Black on a high note …
“After 6 months of angst and drama, including being arrested for a crime he didn’t commit and sent to rehab, his ‘Days of Our Lives’ character was finally exonerated, much to the actor’s delight.
“I felt a lot of gratitude that I had the chance to close the storyline,” says Mann.
Click here for the full Soap Opera Digest story.
Jamie Martin Mann (Photo courtesy of XJJohnson/jpistudios.com)
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As Big Y prepares to take over the former Barnes & Noble space, Westporters continue to wonder: WTF happened to Amazon Fresh?
After much hoopla and a few months of renovation (plus some back-and-forth with town officials over the size of their sign), the mammoth company abandoned plans to open their cutting-edge grocery store in Westport (and other places).
The high-tech idea had been that shoppers’ purchases would automatically register without the need for a checkout counter. Customers could just pick up their items, walk out, and be charged electronically.
Not so fast.
According to The Byte: “Instead of closing the technological loop with pure automation and AI, the company also had to rely on an army of over 1,000 workers in India, who were acting as remote cashiers.”
They called it “a highly invasive marketing ploy to get more customers to shop at its stores, while actively undercutting the local job market.”
Click here for the full story. (Hat tip: Mark Lassoff)
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Splash of Pink is celebrating over 2 decades in business, with an expansion just in time for Mother’s Day.
The family-owned Playhouse Square store hosts a “grand re-opening” celebration on May 1 (2 to 7 p.m.).
They’ll also offer special promotions, discounts and events throughout May, in honor of their 20-year anniversary.
Click here for Splash of Pink’s Facebook page. Click here for their Instagram.
Splash of Pink
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The Connecticut Humane Society urgently needs donations of dry dog food.
Its pet food pantry provides nutrition for pets of families facing financial hardships. It’s looking for dry dog food, specifically Purina One, Pedigree, Blue Buffalo, and any other grain-free brands.
Donations of dry dog food (and other pet-related items) can be dropped off at the Humane Society, 455 Post Road East.
Cash donations can be made online at CThumane.org/Donate, or by check to the address above.
Every dog deserves to eat.
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Westporter Alison Ziering Walmark is a longtime Fairfield Theatre Company board member — and chair of this Friday’s disco party fundraiser.
At 8 p.m. on April 5, the FTC Warehouse will transform into Studio 54. The night incudes specialty drinks, music, dancing, disco balls, lights and memorable beats.
Awards will be presented for Best Costume, Best Dancer(s), Best Group, and more. Festive attire is encouraged.
Proceeds support Fairfield Theatre Company’s music, art, film, theatre, education and culture programs.
Click here for tickets, and more information.
See you Friday at the Fairfield Theatre Company Warehouse!
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Coleytown Company’s production of “Footloose” debuts this weekend.
Friday’s opening night performance at Coleytown Middle School is sold out. But some excellent seats remain for Saturday (April 6, 1 and 7 p.m.) and Sunday (April 7, 1 p.m.).
The high-energy dancing and music are great for all ages. Click here for tickets.
Ariel (Ella Grove) and Ren (Lucas Soares van Keulen), in “Footloose.”
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Westport Police made no custodial arrests between March 27 and April 3.
They issued these citations:
- Operating a motor vehicle without a license: 3 citations
- Operating an unregistered motor vehicle: 3
- Operating a motor vehicle under suspension: 2
- Failure to obey traffic control signals: 2
- School zone violation: 1
- Larceny: 1
- Disorderly conduct: 1
- Failure to display lights: 1
- Operating a motor vehicle without minimum insurance: 1
- Failure to comply with state traffic commission regulations: 1
- Failure to return plates: 1
Slow down when approaching a school zone!
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We all know the relationship between cats and mice.
So today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo should come as no surprise: A cat — looking quite fat and satisfied — guarding “The Mouse House” on Compo Road South.
(Photo/Tammy Barry)
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And finally … in honor of Friday’s disco party fundraiser at Fairfield Theatre Company (story above), how about something with a Saturday theme?
(Put on your bell bottoms, crop tops and silky shirts. But before hitting the disco floor, please consider a contribution to “06880.” We never go out of style. Just click here — and thank you!)
According to the Prevention Coalition duo, one wellness store sold edibles (gummies) with 15 mg of THC each. State law will cap the serving of one edible at 5 mg.
Though state law requires signage about carding — including notice that giving or selling nicotine/THC products to minors (under 21) is illegal; fake IDs are illegal, and there are fines for illegal purchases — 3 stores displayed no signs. They were also the stores that did not card Fitzgerald and Ubaldo.
The cards come courtesy of the Westport Prevention Coalition. A subcommittee of Westport Together — the collaboration between 
