Looking Back: 2020 in Photos | January
In celebration of the new year, The Westport Local Press is looking back at the past 12 months in Westport. Throughout the day, viewers can follow the year through published photographs representing the community.
In a year filled with so much sadness, not all things were bad as the community grew together during what will forever be known as the year of the pandemic.
Happy New Year.
Westport parents James Haman and Meghan Johnson assist their daughter Olivia, 4, and son James. 2, build a snowman at Winslow Park.
Taken January 18th, 2020 at Winslow Dog Park after a snow storm. Photo by Jaime Bairaktaris , originally for WestportNow.com.
Ending 2020 with Hope: EMS Personnel Receive COVID-19 Vaccine
The Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine administered to Westport First Responders yesterday at the Westport-Weston Health District.
According to a Westport Emergency Medical Service Press Release:
“EMTs and Paramedics serving on Westport’s ambulances have begun to receive the COVID-19 vaccine as part of the national roll-out to front line medical personnel. The vaccines are a sign of hope for the local EMS volunteers and staff after ten months of treating the community’s COVID-19 patients.
Westport Emergency Medical Service Deputy Director/Paramedic Marc Hartog.
Yesterday, several Westport EMS members, along with other 1st responders from the Police and Fire Departments, received the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at the Westport-Weston Health District - making history for the essential service as it begins to protect its front line volunteers and staff members against the coronavirus as it heads into the new year.
Volunteer EMT Lynette Pineda, Volunteer EMT / Westport Volunteer EMS President Mike Burns, and Paramedic / Westport EMS Deputy Director Marc Hartog were the first ones to receive the vaccine at the health district, whose nurses were able to administer the shots after a small shipment of the vaccine was received.
1st responders have been authorized by the CDC to go to any certified vaccine clinic in the State, allowing personnel who live outside of Westport to find a clinic closer to their own home. However, having the ability to administer vaccinations in-town will make it easier and more efficient for the emergency medical service providers to receive their shots, keeping them protected as COVID-19 case numbers rise in the region.
Volunteer EMT/Westport Volunteer EMS President Mike Burns.
“We encourage everyone to get vaccinated as soon as it is available to you. In the meantime, we'll continue to wear masks, wash our hands frequently, and practice social distancing, and ask all of you to do the same.” said Deputy Director Hartog.
Only one member of Westport Emergency Medical Service has been diagnosed with COVID-19 throughout the pandemic, a monumental feat for the nearly 75 members which can be attributed to strict infection control and PPE protocols that keep them, and patients, safe.
A majority of the service’s volunteers and staff members have said they’ll get the vaccine as soon as it's available to them, with many receiving their first dose just this week.
Volunteer EMT/Westporter Lynette Pineda.
Westport Emergency Medical Service, a division of the Westport Police Department, provides pre-hospital emergency medical care to the Westport community with its team of nearly 75 volunteers and seven staff members aboard its fleet of state-of-the-art ambulances. More information on the service can be found at westportems.org.”
Soundview Sunset
The Compo Beach neighborhood was active this evening as the sun set behind it.
Basso Restaurant: Hopeful Opening This Week Brings Nightlife to Jesup Road
Co-owner Gilda Scorza, left, stands with Co-owner and Chef Renato Donzelli in their newly finished restaurant space at 33 Jesup Road, the former home of Matsu Sushi. They are hopeful to open this week to the public, pending their liquor license approval from the State.
Basso Restaurant and Wine Bar has been a 15 year veteran on the food scene of Norwalk, and with the passion of owners Gilda and Renato - the renowned mediterranean cuisine and live music will now fill the Jesup Road area of Downtown Westport. The husband/wife duo began work on the 33 Jesup Road space in the early Fall, renovating and remodeling the former sushi bar with interior architectural design by Stamford based CPG Architects.
The space includes a main level with dining room seating as well as a full bar overlooking the large copper pizza open, a loft dining space, a small private dining room, and outdoor dining along Jesup Road. Scorza added that they were finalizing plans to extend their outdoor seating into the alleyway between the restaurant and next-door 23 Jesup Road - allowing more customers to enjoy the outdoors in warmer weather.
Chef & Owner Renato Donzelli tends to the wood-fired pizza oven.
Cuisine will be a warm mix of mediterranean style meals designed and prepared by Chef Renato, who is Venezuelan and Italian, and will include favorites from their former Norwalk location. Some of the favorites include authentic Napoletana wood-fired pizza, Tapas, seafood dishes, Italian pastas, and signature salads. Meals will be available dine-in or take-out.
Although restaurants are currently bound to State COVID-19 restrictions, Basso has applied for hours that will go until 2:00 AM on Fridays and Saturdays with live music until midnight, when the restrictions are lifted. They hope to be open by New Year’s Eve, however if not, plan to be open by the first week of 2021.
Learn more about Basso at their website: bassobistrocafe.com