A star-studded bunch of Westporters and friends turned out for Saturday’s family-and-friends preview at Massi Co.
The Neapolitan-style pizzeria and Southern Italian restaurant officially opens tonight. It replaces Don Memo, in Westport’s original Town Hall, across the Post Road from Patagonia.
The newly refreshed space features Naples wood-fired pies, fresh pastas, craft cocktails, and a curated all-Italian wine list.
Guests included actors Marika Domińczyk and Scott Foley, private equity manager Marc Lasry, sports journalist (and Staples High School graduate) Andrew Marchand, ESPN chair Jimmy Pitaro, and New York Road Runners CEO Rob Simmelkjaer.
Owners of the new, highly anticipated restaurant are Massimo Tullio; Mark Shapiro; president and COO TKO Group Holdings, parent company of UFC and WWE; Charlie Collier, president of Roku Media; hospitality entrepreneur Ron Tarsy, and Newmark executive Matt Leon.
The fresh new interior at Massi Co. (Photo/Jenae Weinbrenner)
Also opening tonight: Dandelion. The Mediterranean restaurant in the new Delamar Westport hotel hosted its own high-energy party Saturday night.
Over 250 guests enjoyed food and wine, in a benefit organized by realtor Judy Michaelis. The event raised nearly $25,000 for Westport Volunteer Emergency Medical Service.
Dandelion restaurant. (Photo/Dan Woog)
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A new store has replaced Mohegan Smoke Shop opposite Stop & Shop.
Parents throughout town must breathe a sigh of relief.
The new tenant is World’s Greatest Card Shop.
Trading cards and collectibles have replaced vape pens (and more).
Owner Zach Merrill says, “We buy and sell trading cards, submit cards for grading to PSA, and host trade night events.”
Click here for the WGCS website. Click here for their Instagram.
World’s Greatest Card Shop.
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Staples High School sophomore Chloe Mitchell, and home-schooled 5th grader Hunter Carleton, are more than just interns at local educational toy company Domino & Juliette. The firm focuses on screen- and sensory-friendly learning tools for young children.
They’re helping the brand — and youngsters in need.
For every order D&J receives, they’ll donate a 24-pack of Crayola crayons to schools in need.
They just conducted their fourth crayon drop: 2,700 packs of crayons, to 7 Bridgeport schools.
Later this month, they’ll deliver their 4,000th pack.
To learn more about Domino & Juliette — and place an order — click here.
Chloe Mitchell, Hunter Carleton, and their crayons.
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Secret feelings, thoughts and dreams are the centerpiece of the Artists Collective of Westport’s pop-up show September 17, 19, 20 and 21 (noon to 4 p.m., Westport Country Playhouse barn). There is an artists’ talk at 4 p.m. on September 21.
A special wine and hors d’oeuvres reception on September 18 (6 to 8 p.m.) offers a chance to meet the 8 artists in the show: Hernan Garcia, Mary Harold, Holly Hawthorne, Gail Ingis-Cluas, Elisa Keogh, Jean Krasno, Lucy Krupenye, Nancy Lindauer, Jay Petrow, Barbara Ringer and Karen Schlansky.
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Sunday’s running of the myTeam Triumph Triathlon continued a 20+ year tradition, uniting 7 myTeam Triumph’s “captains” (athletes with disabilities) and over “angels” (volunteer helpers).
Despite rain, athletes of all kinds showed up with heart and determination. Triathletes from across the region swam 1/2 mile, biked 5 miles, and ran the 2 1/2-mile super sprint course (½ mile swim, 5-mile bike, 2.5-mile run) as individuals or on relay teams.
Westporters making the highlights reel included captains Jacquie Marumoto (completing her first myTeam Triumph event) and Rohan Stokvis (finishing his first-ever triathlon).
In the overall competition, Westporter Sophie Chevrier placed 2nd among female finishers.
Volunteers made the day possible: individuals, and groups from the National Charity League, Staples Service League of Boys, and Staples High School girls swim and dive team, and boys track and field squad.
myTeam Triumph is part of a nationwide nonprofit, led locally by Westporter Todd Ehrlich. They welcomes donations and volunteers, and encourage individuals with all types of disabilities to participate. Their next event is a 5-Mile race in Darien on September 21.
myTeam Triumph: fun for all! (Photo/Steve Dodd)
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Neighbors & Newcomers of Westport invite everyone — new residents and those here for decades — to a Fall Coffee and Open House.
The event is this Friday (September 12, 10 a.m. Compo Beach brick pavilion).
It’s a chance for members to reconnect, and for anyone interested in learning more about the group to meet friendly faces and see they’re about.
Join Neighbors & Newcomers of Westport here. (Photo/Rowene Weems)
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Hard to believe, but Club203 is about to begin its 4th season!
Westport’s social organization for adults with disabilities welcomes old friends and newcomers at a “Barnyard Bash” (September 16, 6:30 to 8 p.m., Lachat Town Farm, Weston).
Guests are encourage to wear flannel shirts and cowboy hats. Entertainment includes line dancing, games, treats, and (as always) art by MoCA CT.
Click here for registration, and more information. Questions? Email Club203ct@gmail.com.
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The Downtown Plan Implementation Committee holds a public meeting this Thursday (September 11, 8:30 a.m., Town Hall Room 307-309(,
The agenda includes a strategic priority review, parking lots reinvention, the downtown design master plan, pedestrian access and streetscaping.
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Eric Bosch was on the scene yesterday, when a 3-foot-long electrical arc came out of an Eversource pole on Compo Road North at Country Lane yesterday.
The Westport Fire Department arrived very quickly. It took Eversource wll over 30 minutes to arrive.
“It looks and sounds like something out a Frankenstein movie,” Eric said.
Electrical arc, on the Eversource pole. (Photo/Eric Bosch)
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Another season of Westport Country Playhouse Script in Hand play readings began last night, with “The One Good Thing or Are Ya Patrick Swayze?’
The darkly humorous play, about 2 brothers in a remote Irish cottage after a storm, explores themes of brotherhood, grief, guilt, and forgiveness.
Taking bows last night: Actors David McElwee and Kieran Mulcare, and stage director Faith Sandberg. (Photo/Dave Matlow)
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Also yesterday: Walt Mattison of the Fairfield Museum reminded the Y’s Women about the beginnings of Fairfield and Westport.
Just 19 years after the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock, Fairfield was formed.
Westport was not incorporated until 1835, breaking away from Norwalk, Weston and Fairfield. Greens Farms — part of Fairfield — joined Westport in 1845.
Walt Mattison, and his map. (Photo/Jilda Manikas)
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Internationally acclaimed pianist/composer/author Jeb Patton headlines this Thursday’s “Jazz at the Post” (September 11, VFW Post 399; 7:30 and 8:45 p.m. shows; buffet dinner at 7 p.m.).
He’ll be joined by trumpeter/flugelhorn player Michael Mossman, bassist Matt Dwonszyk, drummer David Alvarez, and saxophonist Greg “The Jazz Rabbi” Wall.
Tickets are $20 for the early show ($15 for veterans and students); $10 for the late show. A buffet dinner, including vegetarian options, is $25. Click here for tickets.
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Ifeseyi Gayle spotted this handsome bird enjoying itself in Deadman Brook, near the Westport Library. He (or she) was happy to pose for our “Westport … Naturally” feature.
(Photo/Ifeseyi Gayle)
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And finally … Tom Shipley, half of the Brewer & Shipley duo whose song about weed became a generational anthem in the 1970s, died recently in Missouri. He was 84.
Click here for a full obituary — including a typical-but-hard-to-believe story about Lawrence Welk.
Click below for 2 great songs. One is their best known. The other is less noted, but brilliant and beautiful.
(From the Playhouse to the VFW — and from young kids to Lawrence Welk — “06880”‘ is your 24/7/365 source of information, news, and random stuff. Please click here to support us. Thanks!)
