Staples Seniors Savor last Moments as High Schoolers on Compo
Staples seniors met on Compo Beach this afternoon for pre-graduation photos with their caps and gowns. The annual Staples tradition of senior photos along the shoreline allow the teens to enjoy their last few hours as classmates, with graduation beginning tonight at 6:00 PM on the Staples athletic field.
No Drones Over Compo Nesting Sites, or Face Heavy Federal Fines
Press Release, Westport Conservation Director Alicia MozianThe Conservation and Parks and Recreation Departments are reminding people to not fly drones over the nesting bird sites at Compo Beach.
An area of Compo Beach has been cordoned off as two types of rare birds, American Oyster Catcher and Piping Plover, have established nests in this area. Drones flown over the nesting site have disturbed the birds and caused them to become aggressive, resulting in injuries to the birds. Beachgoers and others are reminded that both the American Oyster Catcher and the Piping Plover are listed on the Connecticut and Federal Threatened Species List and are protected by the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Disturbing nests is punishable by law including up to a $20,000 fine.
Conservation Director, Alicia Mozian stated, “It is important for us to be careful not to disrupt the birds while they are in this vulnerable state. For the safety of the birds, please admire them from a distance and do not hover drones near them.”
Anyone witnessing a drone over one of the nest sites is encouraged to call the Westport Police Department and/or report it to a Compo Beach staff member
Westport Paddle Club: Free Kayaking, Paddle Boarding for Families who Help Clean the River; Dinner, Live Music to Follow
The Westport Paddle Club is offering to rent families kayaks or paddle boards for free on Saturday evening to help clean up trash along the Saugatuck River. All equipment - paddle boards, kayaks, and PFDs - will be given to families who volunteer to paddle with their trash bag to help collect litter found while paddling.
The family-owned marina is working in conjunction with the Westport Police Department and Longshore Sailing School to put on the Paddle for Trash, with dinner from JR’s Deli, live music, and discounted beverages from Ninety 9 Bottles following the event.
The event will take place on Saturday, June 19th from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM at the Westport Paddle Club, in the Bridgebrook Marina, 471 Riverside Avenue. Contact the Westport Paddle Club for more information.
New Neighbors: La Fenice Caffé and Gelateria Opens on Main Street This Morning
Owner/Operators Simona Silvestri, Salvatore Scuro, and Ricardo Galati stand in front of the counter at La Fenice. After four months of renovations to the former Lucky Brand Jeans storefront, La Fenice celebrates their opening today as the 49 Main Street doors unlock at 8:00 AM - hot espresso, flaky pastries, and fresh gelato waiting beyond it.
La Fenice, Westport is the third storefront for Simona Silvestri, her husband Salvatore Scuro, and their son Ricardo Galati - a dream that’s been years in the making. “We tried to come to Westport seven years ago” sai Silvestri, “but it was too expensive, and there was no space.” After the Lucky Brand Jeans store closed last year, Silvestri stumbled upon the papered-up windows while out for a walk and realized “this was it.” They’ve run La Fenice is both the Greenwich and Rye, New York communities.
With a soft opening last night, crowds of Italians - friends and family of Silvestri - exploded through the front doors of the new downtown shoppe with flowers, exclamations of “Auguri!”, “congratulations”, and wide eyes while looking over the pastries and gelato.
Evident by the lively italian conversations buzzing around the room, everything is proudly imported from Italy. “Everything” Silvestri explained, “except the fruits - those are freshly grown in the United States.”
Coffee? Italian import. Cookies? Italian technique. Gelato? Secret Italian recipe. The freezer? Shipped directly from Italy. The owners? First generation Italian immigrants.
Silvestri and her family came to Connecticut from Lecce, Italy in the Puglia region, or the “heel” of Italy’s boot, with their culture and family traditions being carried through their work at La Fenice right here on Main Street.
The store will be mainly managed by Silvestri’s son Ricardo, a Wilton High School graduate and Quinnipiac University Senior. “I grew up helping with the business. Most of the people here tonight remember me as a ten year old working with my parents” he said as his parents looked on.
Galati said that the store will open today from 8:00 AM until 10:00 PM, adding “We’ll see what works, and we’ll look into staying open later if we see we need the flexibility“ he said.
La Fenice is located on the beginning of lower Main Street, at 49 Main Street, and serves savory breakfasts, pressed panini lunches, and sweet gelato desserts. Stop in to say “Ciao” to Westport’s newest neighbors.
