Issuu

Being Bethenny

M A R C H 2 022

WHEN LOCAL KNOWLEDGE MEETS BUSINESS EXPERIENCE, YOU WIN.

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LIFESTYLE LETTER

Home

March 2022 PUBLISHER

Marisa MacLean | marisa.maclean@citylifestyle.com EDITOR

Robin Moyer Chung | robin.chung@citylifestyle.com

A House is Made of Walls and Beams; A Home is Built with Love and Dreams. Home. It's a place of retreat, rest, love, and shelter from the outside world — a place where you can let your guard down and just be. Some homes feel just like that, and some can be filled with conflict and strife. Always remember it's never too late to change the climate of our homes. In a world that can be cruel, let the home be a place where we build each other up. Make a continual effort to teach with love, correct with love, and express love everyday. Take time to enjoy all the small moments with family instead of getting caught up in all the daily tasks that can steal our attention away, to be truly present when spending time with your family instead of dividing your attention with technology or to-do lists. Although we usually aren’t perfect at accomplishing these things, it is worthwhile to strive for it. March is our Home and Design issue. Creating a home that you want to spend all of your time in isn’t easy. The memories made within the walls of your home are what last regardless of whether it has the latest trends or if it hasn’t been updated in years. While it's fun to look at beautiful houses and dream about renovations, we all know that the love we share in our homes is what matters most. In this year’s Home issue, we take a peek inside some local homes that boast beautiful designs that I hope will leave you inspired.

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Proverbs 3:5-6 Westport Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the Westport area’s most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in Westport Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the

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accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

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MARCH 2022

inside the issue The Home Issue

F E ATU R E D

D E PA RTM E NTS

22 Tusk Home + Design's Beautiful New Office

Lifestyle Letter

City Scene

Business Monthly

Open House

HO ME + DES I GN

Curb Appeal

HO ME + DES I GN

Trend Setter

HO ME + DES I GN

Inspired By

LI FE + C U LT U R E

Expert Help

R EA L ESTAT E

Local Limelight

House Call

Giving Back

Events

How To

An Interior Designer Becomes Her Own Client

30 Peter Cadoux and the Latest in Home Design What Homeowners Want Today

42 Being Bethenny

A Modern-Day Renaissance Woman

50 The House Keepers

Top Real Estate Agents Weigh In On Today's Market

O N T H E C OV E R

Bethenny Frankel sets her sights on Fairfield County for flipping homes.

HO ME + DES IG N

HO ME + DES I GN LI FE + C U LT U R E

LO CA L S ERV I C ES

the art of organization Locally Owned, Operated and Custom Manufactured

Visit our showrooms: 100 Wooster Street, Bethel, CT 06801 | 110 Post Rd, Darien CT 06820

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N OT O N LY A R E W E C O L D W E L L B A N K E R W E S T P O R T ’ S N O . 1 S M A L L T E A M , W E A L R E A D Y H AV E $ 1 0 M M I N W E S T P O R T U N D E R C O N T R A C T S I N C E T H E S TA R T O F 2 0 2 2 . Our singular purpose is to provide our clients with an exceptional experience from start to finish. Whether you are purchasing or selling a property, our team works on your behalf to provide expertise, guidance and advice on current market trends and conditions. This helps you maximize your investment decision while minimizing your stress.

Our concierge styled approach begins with you from the moment we first meet. We recognize how invested you are, both financially and emotionally, throughout the process of buying and selling a home. We invest our time, emotions and energy right with you. We are delighted to have helped hundreds of buyers and sellers throughout Fairfield County. Let us help you experience the Cindy Raney & Team difference.

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MARCH 2022

city scene

Where neighbors can see and be seen in the city. 1

7 5

1: Christian Siriano celebrated his new book with a signing at Kerri Rosenthal's new store on December 17, 2021. Christian Siriano and partner Kyle Smith. 2: Enjoying the party! 3: Christian Siriano, Robin Moyer Chung and Griff Conti 4: Caroline Smith, Jayln Ferguson, Harley Kowalsky and Katherine Sicangco 5: Sara Weiner and Bret Michael Benjamin. 6: Kerri Rosenthal and daughter, Alexandra. 7: Susie Kowalsky and Daryle Kowalsky Photography By: John Videler

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C I T Y SC E N E

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MARCH 2022

business monthly A round-up of exciting news from local businesses.

MTC Mainstage - The Buddy Holly Story From March 18 - April 10, MTC MainStage continues its 35th Anniversary Season with Buddy - The Buddy Holly Story The true story of Buddy’s meteoric rise to fame, from the moment in 1957 when ‘That’ll Be The Day’ hit the airwaves until his tragic death less than two years later (!) The show features over 20 of Buddy Holly’s greatest hits including ‘That’ll Be The Day’, ‘Peggy Sue,' ‘Everyday,' ‘Oh Boy,' and more. MusicTheatreOfCt.com

Fashionably Westport The Westport Downtown Association presents the 2nd annual Fashionably Westport runway show, featuring the latest styles from downtown merchants, beauty salons, and makeup artists. Modeled by local friends and celebrities. All net proceeds from this year’s event will benefit Project Return, Westport's young women's crisis shelter. Enjoy a dazzling and social night of fashion and music, plus cocktails and light bites. Westport Library, March 31 at 7:00 p.m. (Pictured, L to R: Anne Epstein, Dana Noorily, Kitt Shapiro, Felicia Sale, Julie Mountain)

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Homes With Hope: Please Volunteer More than ever, Westport's Gillespie homeless shelter needs volunteers to make dinner and, once Covid abates, to cook and serve dinners from the kitchen. It's a wonderful philanthropic activity for families and high schoolers, and anyone else who wants to get involved in our town's charity. HwHCt.org/ Volunteer-Application (Pictured, L to R, during non-Covid days: Ann Banks, Homes With Hope CEO Helen McAlinden, Robin Moyer Chung, Daisy Chung, True Chung, Ty Chung, and Homes With Hope VP Paris Looney)

B USIN E SS M ON T H LY

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Sarah Murray Recognized As “Lawyer Of The Year” Broder Orland Murray & Demaitte LLC is happy to announce that Sarah Murray is named a "Lawyer of Year" by Appellate Practice by Best Lawyers, 2022. Only a single lawyer in each practice area and designated metropolitan area is honored, making this accolade particularly significant. Receiving this designation reflects the high level of respect earned among other leading lawyers in the same communities and the same practice areas for their abilities, their professionalism, and their integrity.

Stephanie Rapp Interiors Stephanie Rapp Interiors is a full-service interior design firm located in the heart of Westport at 489 Post Road East. Recently awarded by Westport Lifestyle readers as the Best Interior Designer in Westport, Stephanie Rapp is acclaimed for creating outstanding award-winning designs that are both chic and inviting. For more than 25 years, Stephanie Rapp Interiors has seamlessly created functional and beautiful spaces in collaboration with qualified builders, architects, and fabricators. (203) 216-5835 StephanieRappInteriors.com @stephanierapp.interiors

Gray Matters: Offering Free brain recording baselines Gray Matters, the experts in QEEG brain imaging and neurofeedback, has partnered with Dr. David Wang, team physician at Quinnipiac University and medical director for the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation, offering free baseline brain recordings for schools and teams in the area. QEEG measures the electrical activity of the brain at rest. Fast, reliable, and non-invasive, it is quickly gaining traction as the best way to record baselines, identify concussion, and track recovery. They hope this approach will become the standard for protecting and informing our athletes.

MAR CH 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM / W E ST P O RT

E M O H COME E S U O H Y A L P E TO TH ! 2 2 0 2 IN APRIL 5 - 23

NEXT TO NORMAL

MUSIC BY TOM KITT BOOK + LYRICS BY BRIAN YORKEY DIRECTED + CHOREOGRAPHED BY MARCOS SANTANA

The 2009 Tony Award®-winning hit musical and winner of the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Drama pushed the boundaries of contemporary musical theater.

AUG 23 - SEP 4

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Two unlikely roommates — 21-year-old Leo and his feisty 91-year-old grandmother Vera — infuriate, bewilder, and ultimately find each other in this funny and moving play.

OCT 18 - 30

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STRAIGHT WHITE MEN

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This Pulitzer Prize-nominated play about one woman’s journey out of Mississippi offers us a gripping tale of resilience and the human spirit.

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A convenience store sets the stage for this delightful comedy about a Korean-Canadian family. Before it was a hit on Netflix, it was this warm and joyous play.

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T U S K H O M E + D E S I G N ' S ARTICLE BY ROBIN MOYER CHUNG | PHOTOGRAPHY BY MINDY BRIAR

Sarah Weiland, Owner & Founder of Tusk Home + Design.

B E A U T I F U L N E W O F F I C E AN INTERIOR DESIGNER BECOMES HER OWN CLIENT

O PE N H OU SE | HOM E + DE S I GN

Sarah in her showroom.

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The team: Molly Ardalan, Caroline Dolan, Janet Braverman, Kathy Wyckoff, Jessica Manela, Sarah Weiland, Shannon Stirling.

Tusk showroom.

O PE N H OU SE | HOM E + DE S I GN

YOUR DOOR TO

WATERFRONT

LIVING This past year Sarah Weiland, Interior Designer and owner of Tusk Home and Design (Tusk), chose to relocate her business. “We needed larger offices and a smaller showroom. Retail is just the cherry on top.” Indeed, 95% of her work is interior design, renovations, and home builds. So she became her own client and built her new office from the studs up. The three color-themed retail showrooms are full of unique, beautiful items sourced from vendors all over the world. Strings of bleached wooden beads from Bali, structural silver lamps, colorful abstract paintings, and witty photos. Tiny, cherubic brass elephants sit beside a large exotic fan and a mirror framed with black orbs. The dramatic glassed office in the back houses a light wood conference table and is lined with baskets of fabrics. One can imagine tossing down swatch after swatch of fabulous cloth, dreaming of a room or a home filled with their color and texture. (Or just texture, because not everyone wants loads of color.) She’s created a fun, elegant space for her business which inspires and energizes, much like the homes and rooms she and her staff design. No single design aesthetic is prominent; she works in all genres. “Part of our training,” says Sarah, “is how to bring to life what the client wants and how they live.” TuskHomeandDesign.com

MICHELLEANDCO.COM | 203.454.4663 (HOME)

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Tusk office.

Pillows and lamp.

The three designers Jessica Manela, Sarah Weiland, Shannon Stirling.

Sarah Weiland, Owner & Founder of Tusk Home + Design.

Showroom detail.

O PE N H OU SE | HOM E + DE S I GN

Danna Rogers & Jen Kass Team

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ARTICLE BY ROBIN MOYER CHUNG

Peter Cadoux and the Latest in Home Design WHAT HOMEOWNERS WANT TODAY

Dry spa.

Indoor pool.

C UR B A P P E A L | HOM E + DE S I GN

Indoor/Outdoor space.

It’s that time of year when I turn to one of our favorite architects, Peter Cadoux, to learn what’s trending in homes for the year ahead. I find it fascinating how lifestyles can be distilled into how we build or renovate houses, especially after the sea change in living these past wacky years. What are the trends? Well, imagine 2021 trends hopped up on Red Bull. Buyers are snapping up properties to renovate, raze, and erect. Remote work and staycations are making our homes a place to live, work, and recreate. We also remain cognizant of our carbon footprint, health, and convenience. So there's a rush for pools, indoor/outdoor spaces and, says Peter, “destination locations on your own property.”

Peter Cadoux (Photo: Mindy Briar)

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Small is the New Big Smaller homes facilitate the inevitable downsizing while maintaining a welcoming space for visitors and new family members. “It’s important to be clever about designing [for smaller spaces]. Smaller homes live large and have special features.” For example, multi-functioning built-ins and “pocket door” walls that create multiple rooms. Bunk Beds Aren’t Just for Kids… Home has become the center for socialization and the number of “residents” and guests expand and contract. Sophisticated bunk beds allow for a greater number of overnighters. Themed Rooms Jazzed up basements and attics. “They don’t have to be the same aesthetically,” Peter explains. “So there’s an opportunity to make them a ‘destination location.’” He recounted a couple who lived by the water who decorated their attic in a nautical theme to display the husband’s fishing gear.

Angled windows for natural light.

C UR B A P P E A L | HOM E + DE S I GN

Outside In Kitchens, especially, are conducive to this trend. According to Peter, “Kitchens are largely on the back of the house and, especially if overlooking a pool, can have a wonderful indoor/ outdoor adjacency.” Also, natural light is a bright spot. Homeowners are “really pushing to find clever ways of bringing light in, with angled glass and large windows.” Inside Out BBQs are tricked out with more functionalities, and durable fabrics are creating more choices for outdoor design. You can literally create an “indoor” room on your patio. Pumped Up Home Gyms and More Ever popular in our town, these are getting jacked with spas, indoor pools and more. Peter says “I designed one home with a half-court basketball that converts to a pickle ball court, hot and cold plunge pools, fitness area, hydrotherapy, and viewing room.” As he mentioned earlier, a destination location right where you live. CadouxAIA.com

Verandas lend themselves to indoor/outdoor living.

Outside living with BBQ.

Bunk beds to accommodate extra friends and family members.

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Kitchen and Bathroom T r e n d s Yo u Can Count On KAREN BERKEMEYER HOME

ARTICLE BY DAVE BRIGGS Karen Berkemeyer always had an eye for spatial concepts, knowing both where and how things went together. She initially utilized that talent in the classroom as a high school math teacher. When (her own) two kids were added to the equation, she needed another outlet for her inspiration. So, for the last thirty years she’s put the same intuition to work in kitchens and bathrooms across Connecticut for her company Karen Berkemeyer Home (KBH) and frankly, everything since has fit together perfectly. Thanks to decades of experience and a talented team, KBH was well positioned to handle the sudden spike in business during the pandemic. Recent data from a Houzz and Home Study showed the amount of money people spent on home renovations in 2020 increased by 15% and

Bathroom as oasis. (Design: Iris Michaels; Photo: Tim Lenz)

T R E N D SE T T E R | HOM E + DE S I GN

Design: Mary-Beth Oliver; Photo: Tim Lenz

numbers suggest an even bigger increase in 2021. The biggest area of focus is the kitchen, where consumers spend on average $40,000. Karen estimates her business grew 25% last year alone. KBH is seeing a trend of simple home design. People want an escape from the complications of their lives over the last two-plus years. In the kitchen that means primarily two things: a versatile and beautiful island and a splash of color, think blue or green. How customers use that island is also evolving, from cooktops and sinks to multiple outlets and a space where kids can do homework, mom and dad can occasionally work or have the farmore-frequent-these-days glass of wine! According to Karen, bathrooms have become homeowners “oasis where they can get away

from everybody and relax.” Feature walls are in demand, typically in the master shower, and they’re doing more floating cabinets and large drawers which fit around the plumbing. Karen and her team will take their designs on the road in-person and virtually. Many of their new clients are purchasing second homes and, fortunately, Zoom has widened the playing field for KBH who also has projects in Florida, Michigan, Colorado, Rhode Island, and Ohio. No matter the location, KBH handles your project from start to finish. Though Karen still loves complicated geometry and algebra equations she prefers a very simple formula with her clients: ONE-STOP-SHOP service. KarenBerkemeyerHome.com

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Mary-Beth Oliver, Amy Bryant Eisenberg, Karen Berkemeyer, Cindy McCreight, Angela DeCarlo, Iris Michaels. Not pictured: Nicole Costa (Showroom Coordinator) and Joe Buzzeo (Media Coordinator)

Kitchen with a bit of blue. (Design: Iris Michaels; Contractor: Stephen P. Bliss of Highland Builders Corp.; Photo: Tim Lenz)

T R E N D SE T T E R | HOM E + DE S I GN

Large "floating" drawers. (Design: Iris Michaels in collaboration with Spencer Cox Interiors; Photo: Jane Beiles Photography)

(Design: Mary-Beth Oliver; Photo: Tim Lenz)

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WESTPORT'S CHICEST NEW SHOP FOR ENTERTAINING INVITATIONS • FLATWARE • LINENS • TABLE DECOR • FRESH FLOWERS CANDLES • SILVER • CRYSTAL • STATIONERY • REGISTRY

BEING BETHENNY A Modern-Day Renaissance Woman

ARTICLE BY EMILY LIEBERT PHOTOGRAPHY BY SARA HAILE

Don’t ask Bethenny Frankel what she does—because the real question is, what doesn’t she do? As a self-made entrepreneur, her career description ranges from multi-New York Times bestselling author and TV producer, to Founder & CEO of Skinnygirl, a lifestyle brand boasting practical solutions for women. Additionally, she’s launched her own eyewear collection called Bethenny Eyewear, and a new line of wine labeled Forever Young. Not to mention her real estate transactions, her recent HBO Max business competition series The Big Shot with Bethenny, and a partnership with iHeart Radio to create Just B with Bethenny Frankel, her runaway hit podcast. Wait, there’s more. Bethenny’s tenth book, BUSINESS IS PERSONAL: The Truth About What it Takes to Be Successful While Staying True to Yourself, including anecdotes, personal stories, and advice on how to succeed professionally (plus a range of other topics), will publish this May. Sounds like a full plate, right? Not for this powerhouse. Bethenny also devotes an exceptional amount of her time to giving back. Her BStrong program is a disaster relief initiative that provides real time emergency assistance to individuals and their families in crisis. BStrong’s mission is to embolden people struck with tragedy by providing gift cards, emergency aid, food, and shelter. The breadth of her philanthropic efforts is astounding. Yet, even with all of this to oversee, Bethenny’s private life is thriving too. She’s been engaged to businessman and film producer Paul Bernon since March 2021 and her most important “job” of all is being a present and nurturing mother to her 11-yearold daughter, Bryn. We caught up with Bethenny to learn more about how she manages her one-woman empire and what really makes her tick. It might just surprise you… CONTINUED >

I NSP IR E D BY | L IFE + CULTURE

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YOU FOUNDED SKINNYGIRL IN 2009 AND SOLD THE COCKTAIL PORTION OF THE COMPANY A COUPLE OF YEARS LATER. WHAT’S YOUR CURRENT INVOLVEMENT WITH THE BRAND AND WHERE DO YOU SEE IT HEADING IN THE FUTURE? BF: I'm not involved in the cocktail brand anymore. The cocktails were an instant success, because I created a whole category by being the first person to use the word skinny. Suddenly it was on every menu. With that said, I still own 100% of the Skinnygirl brand, which is thriving and growing. With the other categories— (including cookware, bakeware, drinkware, supplements, apparel, and food & drink) —I started small and I’m growing them authentically and organically each year. So, it's a different trajectory. I don’t just slap my name on things. I'm very involved, very connected, and very attached. It's not easy to constantly have to be promoting, but it's also what makes it genuine. As a result, the brand has great loyalty, which is important to me.

IT FEELS LIKE THERE ARE A ZILLION PODCASTS OUT THERE, INCLUDING MANY FOCUSED ON BUSINESS, WHAT SETS JUST B APART FROM THE PACK? WHAT CHARACTERISTICS DO YOU LOOK FOR IN A GUEST? BF: The truth of the matter is, I've been fortunate to have amazing guests like Hillary Clinton, Matthew McConaughey, and so many more. Our conversations are what make the podcast successful, which includes my natural curiosity about a person's story and the questions I ask. People keep saying to me, “No one has ever asked me that before. I'm going to use that.” My listeners are also obsessed with my rants. I could be talking about something very serious like divorce and something ridiculous like cilantro in the same sentence and people love them equally. The rant has become a breakout star. I got a massive response to the one I did on divorce—thousands of letters.

I NSP IR E D BY | L IFE + CULTURE

As far as the guest, it doesn’t have to be somebody rich and famous whom everybody knows. For example, I’m interviewing Dorothy Hamill; she was the face of a sport, but she’s not the same as having Cameron Diaz. I choose the individuals I want to speak to. I don’t do what I think will sell. I don't rat people out. I don't go for the low-hanging fruit. People need to trust me. It could be, with any luck, Warren Buffett or Mark Zuckerberg, or someone much lesser known as long as they’ve built something, and I find them interesting. My podcast is a passion project. When I started it, I had no idea that there was any metric. I didn’t know that we could be the top five of anything. I didn't even know there was a top five. I did it because I like talking to people, and I'm excited to hear what they have to stay. I’ve remained true to that.

YOU’VE INVESTED IN AND FLIPPED MANY HOMES. HOW DID THIS INTEREST DEVELOP? AND WHAT DRAWS YOU TO A SPECIFIC PROPERTY? BF: When I bought my first big apartment in New York City, I didn’t know I could completely customize it. I didn’t realize you could pick your faucets or your caulk color. I was always the person who lived in a studio apartment that you bought the way it was, and the closet was the way it was, and it was really glamorous if you switched out your microwave and got some nice towels. So, I ended up renovating that apartment, and I really had a knack for it. I’m very decisive about it—the way I am in business. Right away, I know what I want to do and what I don't want to do. I could think longer on a bowl of pasta at a restaurant. I paid around $5 million for the place and sold it for $7 million in one day, all cash, full ask. After that, I renovated another place, kept gaining more and more experience, and I continue to invest in properties and flip them in markets that I predict will go through the roof. I do really well because I'm good at getting things done economically. I'm good at using space. And I'm creative and fast. Real estate is not a business for me. I couldn't do that. There are too many details involved and I’m too organized, but I do really like it as another passion project. I like looking. I’m always curious CONTINUED > MAR CH 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM / W E ST P O RT

and love to calculate that something is going to increase in value or that a specific area is going to be hot. If I see something that I feel is such a deal I can’t pass it up, I’ll buy it. It’s an investment, but—at the same time—I would never purchase a home I wouldn’t live in myself.

YOUR COMMITMENT TO PHILANTHROPIC RELIEF EFFORTS ACROSS THE GLOBE HAS BEEN INCREDIBLE. AS A CELEBRITY, YOU COULD HAVE SAT BACK AND THROWN MONEY AT THESE DISASTERS. WHAT INCITED YOU TO ROLL UP YOUR SLEEVES AND TAKE ON THE ACTUAL WORK? BF: If you throw money at these things, you might as well flush it down the toilet because the big companies that post links to

I NSP IR E D BY | L IFE + CULTURE

donate can’t work as immediately, as hands-on, and in such a lean way. With us, 100% goes to the effort. We’re right there while it’s still going on, in many cases, and our model is efficient; we execute. Nobody has been able to do what we’ve been able to do on the same budget. With these major organizations, you’re just giving your money to someone who’s going to take a large percentage of it; it’s very bureaucratic. No disrespect, but we don’t do that. I don’t want any awards. I don’t care about that stuff. My only focus is getting the money from the people donating to the people suffering; it’s very simple. If you care about your money, treat it like a business. What is your ROI? You wouldn’t buy a stock and just throw the money in the air. You have to know where your money is going, and we’ve

been very transparent from the beginning. I don’t pretend that I’m an expert. We figure out what the problem is, what people need, and we formulate a plan. Sometimes our goal is to raise $100 thousand and we hit $3 million. Things change based on what’s actually happening, but we never make promises we can’t deliver on.

IN AN INTERVIEW WITH FORBES YOU SAID, “IN MY LIFE, I ONLY EVER WRITE A BOOK IF IT’S JUST SORT OF DYING TO COME OUT OF ME.” WHAT PROMPTED YOU TO AUTHOR YOUR FIRST BUSINESS BOOK? AND WHAT CAN READERS EXPECT TO LEARN FROM IT? BF: Through talking to so many entrepreneurs on my podcast and also discussing so many of my own stories, I found that people kept saying, “It’s not personal, it’s business.” And I kept thinking, business is personal, which really inspired the book. It sounds ridiculous and tiresome, but when you do a juice fast, at the beginning you might be hungry, then you cleanse for a couple of days and all of a sudden you’re not hungry anymore. Once you start to get hungry again, the juice fast is over. It’s kind of like the book process, you’re writing and you’re expelling all of this information. You’re up at night remembering these stories and takeaways—everything you’ve learned along the way. Then, just like that, one day you’re not doing that anymore. The book is done. It’s really me pouring out the majority of the crazy stuff that’s happened to me in business, which is so great because it’s a roadmap that people can learn from.

WHAT DOES MOTHERHOOD MEAN TO YOU? BF: Everything. It’s the point of entry for every single thing I do. It’s always about Bryn. The second that a business opportunity gets offered to me, my whole team knows that if it’s a day I have Bryn, it’s off the table. It’s probably slowed my business down or impacted it in a negative way at some point, but that’s what you do when you have a child, because you want to be the best role model you can be. Motherhood affects your whole outlook on the world—your safety, your health, all of it.

I can’t live without… Obviously my daughter Bryn, my fiancé Paul, and my dogs, but superficially…matcha lattes, kombucha, salty snacks, my Biologique Recherche P50 1970 lotion, my weighted blanket, my bed, my own bathroom, and my own separate closet. My last meal would be… Eggplant parmesan with angel hair pasta. I’m currently binge watching… All Narcos, all the time. My ideal vacation spot is… Miraval or Rosewood Mayakoba. I also love St. Barts and Portofino, Italy. Two items on my bucket list are… Visiting Morocco and hosting Saturday Night Live MAR CH 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM / W E ST P O RT

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The House Keepers

Michelle&Co Team at William Raveis Real Estate

EXP E RT H E LP | R EAL ESTATE

TOP REAL ESTATE AGENTS WEIGH IN ON TODAY'S MARKET ARTICLE BY ROBIN MOYER CHUNG

Michelle Genovesi

Michelle&Co Team at William Raveis Real Estate

In a bidding war: The first thing I say to a client is try not to get caught up in the emotion of a bidding situation. Put a number on the table that you’ll be okay with if you don’t win the bid, your walk away number. And believe in “meant to be.” You put your best out there, if it doesn’t happen there is another house out there you will make your home. Question she’s most often asked: “Will I ever be able to find the right home in this crazy market and not overpay?” We encourage our clients to be patient, to work together to keep an eye on the market. (We actually will even reach out to homes not on the market to see if we can discover our buyer’s dream home). We help prepare for a bidding situation by helping put their best foot forward with their terms on the agreement...and help educate them on recent comparables so they feel confident of the purchase price. Craziest question she’s been asked: “Will I be allowed to install colorful strobe/disco lights in my backyard?” As a team, we do our best to find answers even when the questions take us by surprise! How the markets has changed: As with any purchase today, so much begins online. Technology has allowed us to use virtual tours to walk through a property without a buyer ever leaving home. During Covid, we were able to sell a $16 million home without the buyer ever physically stepping inside. Still, buyers realize there’s more to purchasing a home than browsing online and the value of working with an agent is more important than ever to understand location, value, and the idiosyncrasies of the market. Michelle@MGHomes.com (203) 454-4663 CONTINUED > MAR CH 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM / W E ST P O RT

(Photo by: Jennifer Schulten)

Marilyn Heffers William Raveis

What’s happening in today’s market: Prices are still increasing due to city dwellers wanting to relocate to the suburbs and work remotely. The stock market continues to soar, unemployment continues to fall, and mortgage rates are expected to increase which motivates buyers to buy. Active listings are down and are quick to sell, making the market highly competitive. Answering a tough question: One client wanted to know if there was ever a pet in the house since she was allergic and preferred not to take medications or injections. I called every listing agent for the homes that were of interest to provide the status of pets. The agents were accommodating and did not envy my research. Several clients have asked if I miss nursing since I ran a Critical Care Unit at Norwalk Hospital before real estate. My response is simple: I use my background in psych nursing every day! Advice to win a bidding war: I try to think what might be appealing to the sellers besides price. The offer should be concise without a lot of contingencies and as high you can bear knowing this may be your only opportunity to be considered. A documented cash offer, truly cash, is always attractive. You may offer perks - allow the sellers to remain in their home for a short period of time while transitioning to their new home. Focus on what is attractive to the sellers especially with regards to closing. You need to have the support of your buyers’ attorney as well as the mortgage broker since you need their advice and support throughout the process. Favorite part of Westport: I find the beach area relaxing and it helps me to clear my head. Just driving along the water is extremely therapeutic and I appreciate what the community has to offer. I can think I am on vacation even if it is only for a few brief minutes. Marilyn.Heffers@raveis.com Marilyn.Heffers@gmail.com (203) 984-1068

EXP E RT H E LP | R EAL ESTATE

Marilyn Heffers William Raveis (Photo: CT Plans)

(Photo by: Julia D'Agostino)

Cindy Raney

Cindy Raney & Team Coldwell Banker Global Luxury

Going above and beyond for a client: One example: our client was relocated to Europe on short notice and needed to sell their estate after moving abroad. To accommodate them we coordinated several critical logistics on their behalf, including hiring a moving company to ship their furniture overseas and a staging company to prep their home for sale. We held Zoom calls to keep our client apprised of interest and activity in their property. In the end, we helped them accept an offer at 7% over asking on a premium property. They in turn referred a client, which is the greatest compliment anyone can pay us. How the market has changed: I’ve been selling real estate since 2004, so I’ve experienced a number of market cycles. Without question, Covid’s impact on the real estate market was as dramatic as anything I’ve seen. For years, buyers were in the driver’s seat. Post-Covid, the balance of power shifted immediately to the seller. The greatest impact: how buyers make offers today. Today, it’s almost impossible to compete against other bidders who are buying with cash or are willing to take on the risk of getting financing on their own. In situations with bidding wars, we’re seeing buyers routinely waive their mortgage contingency. In the past the seller needed to wait for a buyer to get a mortgage approval. That risk has now shifted to the buyer. We advise our buyers to work closely with their financial team and mortgage broker to determine if waiving their mortgage contingency is sensible. Here’s the bottom line: the competitive landscape in towns like Westport has driven today’s buyer to make offers that are out of the ordinary based on historic norms. We simply do everything we can to put our buyers in the best position to have their offer accepted in a way that gives them peace of mind. Cindy@CindyRaney.com (203) 257-8320 CONTINUED > MAR CH 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM / W E ST P O RT

(Photo by: J. Schulten)

Barbara Bross, Alexander Chingas, Doug Bross

The Bross Chingas Bross Team Regarding turnkey residences: Because the amount of available properties for sale has diminished tremendously, buyers need to be flexible and consider what can be changed about a home vs. what cannot. When there was much more for sale, buyers were drawn to the most recently improved houses, but now they are discovering they may personalize homes to their own taste. The properties that offer “instant gratification” are generating tremendous amounts of offers, practically overnight. Partial to pools: The majority of home buyers today view a pool as a positive, and if one is not already present they want room to build one in the future. We always said that Westport and Weston are “pool towns” and they were an overwhelmingly positive feature before, but now people are thinking about canceled vacations, closed summer camps, and they want to make sure they have their own recreation available. Recurring question: The number one question is always “When is the right time to buy?” Prospective buyers that delay getting a great house that meets their needs won’t derive as much value from the purchase if they put off enjoying what they could have now. Also, with the market this robust it is important that buyers align themselves with the right real estate and financing experts well in advance of when they plan to make a decision, so that they can enter into the transaction well-informed. Over-the-top client request: Someone called and asked to see one of our listings as soon as possible. We were at the office working late - which is our trademark - it was 1:00AM.* They had a unique circumstance which checked out. Since the house was no longer occupied by the seller, we did not mind accommodating. *Editor’s Note: They bought the house. Info@BrossChingas.com (203) 454-8000

EXP E RT H E LP | R EAL ESTATE

The Bross Chingas Bross Team (Photo: Oliver Bencosme)

(Photo by: Alan Barry)

Rick Higgins Higgins Group

(Photo by: Capital Photos)

Who’s buying: We’re still getting plenty of New Yorkers moving here because of Covid. But not just New Yorkers - Californians are coming out because of the floods, the fires, the fact that housing out there is three times what it is here, the droughts, state income tax of 10% etc. etc. Design trends affect home improvements: Kitchen and bathroom styles are changing faster than they did years ago. I remember when kitchens and bathrooms were good for ten years. It seems that overnight there’s the latest style in the newest magazine and everybody wants it. Another thing that’s changed since Covid: pools are incredibly important to people now, much more than they used to be. Real estate and technology: I’ve been in the business for 50 years. I was a real estate lawyer for 20 years and built 200 homes before I moved to Connecticut. Technology didn’t exist before like it does now. Buyers know more about the house market than ever before with all the information at their fingertips. But when you get right down to it, real estate is still old school in the sense that the brokers really know the market better than anybody. Opinions and ideas: I don’t have a favorite section in Westport. I think the whole town is great and people who live here are very lucky. One thing that I would like to see is to re-name and re-brand Coleytown Middle School to Paul Newman Middle School. Rick@HiggingsGroup.com (203) 254-9000 MAR CH 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM / W E ST P O RT

Celebrating 25 Years Est. April 1, 1996

SGBBW Attorneys from left to Right: Jake DelGreco, Natassia M. Fodor, Aidan R. Welsh, Jill H. Blomberg, Cynthia C. George, Peter M. Bryniczka, and Molly C. Sanford

(203) 862-5000 | sgbfamilylaw.com 1700 East Putnam Ave Suite 206 Old Greenwich, CT 06870 | 180 Post Road E., Westport CT, 06880

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In today’s unparalleled real estate market, whether buying or selling, you can count on my experience and professional commitment to superior customer service, with persistence, attention to detail, creative negotiating and communication to result in a successful transaction.

I bring a wealth of knowledge of local markets gained from 30 years as a realtor, long-time residency in Westport, and active involvement in community service, youth athletic activities and schools. In navigating the twists and turns of a real estate transaction, I utilize my experience as a critical care unit head nurse to analyze a situation and respond quickly and appropriately. . I look forward to the opportunity to prove

experience matters

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Westport Lifestyle Magazine Fairfield County’s Best Realtor marilyn.heffers@raveis.com | marilynheffers.raveis.com 47 Riverside Avenue | Westport, CT 06880

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Backyard Beautiful (Photo: Titus Built LLC)

The Houses That Titus Built Jeff's Team Remodels Homes As They Were Meant to Be ARTICLE BY MEREDITH GUINNESS

You might say Jeff Titus is a bit of a construction chameleon. When presented with a new project – whether it’s a kitchen refresh, a well-planned addition or a wholehouse overhaul – the building and design expert looks at the original bones of the house for inspiration. “We transform the space – the look, the feel – but we don’t impose a specific style that’s ours,” Jeff says. “Those kinds of things don’t work. We are guided by what is architecturally correct for what is already there. “Our goal is to make it look like it was designed and built like that from the beginning.” To that end, Titus has spent the last 27 years fulfilling customer wish lists across Fairfield County. With a degree in construction engineering and an early career learning the real-world ropes from architects and an engineering firm, he and TitusBuilt – named a “Big 50” remodeler by Remodeling Magazine – focus on professionalism and craftsmanship. Their time-tested system takes homeowners through the ins and outs of design, the oft-labyrinthine world of town approvals and FEMA compliance to confident construction of their dream homes.

LOCA L LIM E LIGH T | HOME + DE S I GN

The fourth of a full five family generations who’ve made their homes in the area, Titus is the great-grandson of an industrious fellow who moved to the area in 1918. When he’s asked his expert opinion on a home renovation or rebuild, it’s sometimes because he’s already worked on a house once or twice or he’s familiar with the historical significance of the original builder. Recently, he was asked to recommend a plan for a local home originally designed by Frazier Forman Peters. With an early eye to sustainable design and a signature flair with stonework, the renowned architect is credited with at least 41 Westport homes and his work is chronicled by his granddaughter Laura Blau in Frazier Forman Peters: Westport’s Legacy in Stone. Titus was well acquainted with Peter’s heritage in town. And he was sure the current cabinets bought at a home improvement store were not what the architectural master had in mind for the gourmet kitchen. “It was just not right,” says Jeff, who custom designed and built a kitchen more in keeping with the home. Another recent rebuild reshaped a cavernous 1980s spec home “with zero personality” into a warm and

Jeff Titus, General Manager/ Owner, Titus Built

An airy eating space overlooking a lower entryway speaks to a modern lifestyle. (Photo: Titus Built LLC)

Guests move effortlessly to a welcoming new outdoor space. (Photo: Titus Built LLC)

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Titus Built created custom kitchen cabinets for a local Frazier Peters home. (Photo: Titus Built LLC)

LOCA L LIM E LIGH T | HOME + DE S I GN

welcoming family space with new moldings and countertops inside and an outdoor entertaining oasis with a pool, patios, and two toasty fireplaces. The kitchen cabinets alone are showstoppers: custom designed with stained walnut, paint and stainless steel inlays with glass. “It was a cookie-cutter Colonial,” he says. “We literally went room by room and transformed it.” An antique from the 1800s got a similar full treatment. “It has beautiful bones and character, but we effectively gutted it inside,” Jeff says. “New windows, copper gutters…we completely modernized it inside.” Known throughout the region, Jeff often steps in as a trusted advisor. A realtor friend asked if he’d tour some possible future homes with a couple actively hoping to set down roots in the area. After looking at three, he found out a fourth home was on the market – one he had worked on twice. He was able to advise the couple of moving walls to open up the kitchen, adapting it to a modern lifestyle while honoring the home’s integrity. One of his favorite recent projects involved a Greenwich house that boasted a huge lower-level space filled with a dearth of warmth or convenience. With small, traditional basement windows and no easy access to the outdoors and the property’s enticing pool, the space wasn’t even fit for a gaggle of visiting teenagers. “You wouldn’t want to go down there,” Jeff says, laughing. The Titus team excavated near the wall, adding 14-foot-wide steps up to ground level and generous French doors that allowed natural light to pour into the once-dank space. The plans added a mudroom to towel off and a unique bunkroom with walnut ladders and ship lights at each of six bunks for spectacular sleepovers. A new kitchen and movie screening area completed the entertaining mecca. “Now even the adults want to be there,” Jeff says. TitusBuilt.com (203) 834-0275

Now more than ever, a house becomes a home. 2 THOMAS ROAD | WESTPORT, CT | $3,299,000

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Serving the legal needs of individual and business clients in Fairfield County since 1919 Family Law • Trusts and Estates • Real Estate • Business Transactions • Tax 253 Post Road West • Westport, CT 06880-8180 • 203.254.5000

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Make Your Life Easier With

Genius On The Go

Vin Bhagirath and Shem Sabovic, Experts on All Things Apple 64

H OU SE CA LL | HOM E + DE S I GN

Vin & Shem shatter the nerdy stereotype of tech guys. Besides the obvious that they’re extremely helpful, they are very cool and so much fun to work with.

ARTICLE BY ANNA BARNES

I’m on my computer a lot. A lot, a lot. And if it’s not my computer, it’s my phone. I would make a guess that you, too, spend a lot of time on your devices. We all do. But what happens when they go on the fritz? What happens when we have that inkling that it may be time for a new computer? If you’re an Apple user like me, you know their products are pretty user friendly even in their end stages, though I’m certainly not a pro. But there are two guys who are pros and certified Mac Technicians at that. Meet Vin Bhagirath and Shem Sabovic of Genius On The Go. These two guys blow the stereotype of ‘Geek Squad’ or ‘nerdy IT guy’ out of the water. They’re quick and creative problem solvers who teach their clients how best to optimize their experience with their Apple products. You know, along with fixing the really important stuff. Vin and Shem met ten years ago working at the Apple store in Greenwich but their love of computers and technology started years prior, coincidentally both stemming from music. For Shem, he says “Music made me more savvy in computers. I was working on Garageband and using a second-generation iPod when I figured out I could upgrade the hard drive. Macs were made for creatives and the Apple operating system was the segue.” For Vin, it was a popular ritual many of us may remember, “When burning CD’s became popular, I knew I needed an internal CD burner. So, I got one and was able to take the computer apart, install it, and reassemble.” Back when they worked at the Genius Bar it was the place to get all your questions answered. As technology advanced, the appointments at the Apple stores were made shorter. Vin and Shem had a hard time keeping appointments to fifteen minutes (Apple’s standard) since technology issues are usually not a one-way street: there can be a lot happening all at once. So they made the minimum appointment with Genius On The Go an hour. They’ll pick up your device and return it when it’s fixed, tunnel into your computer to fix on the fly or, for someone who wants a tutorial, do a house call. With so many people working remotely, I had to ask what the most frequent issues they hear when clients (or new clients) reach out. Pre-pandemic we may have put up with a computer glitch here or there, but now, with so much of our personal and professional lives in front of a screen, everything needs to function properly. “Because we CONTINUED >

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“Technology moves at such a quick pace, so something we update today could change in a month. It’s our job to stay on top of all the changes happening so we stay the experts and are able to teach others.”

Top: If you need tech assistance, want to learn how to sync and optimize your Apple products, or simply Marie Kondo your files, Vin and Shem are the team to call. Bottom: Vin Bhagirath and Shem Sabovic of Genius On The Go.

H OU SE CA LL | HOM E + DE S I GN

offer a range of services, we hear a lot of different problems and questions. A few big ones are WiFi issues, iCloud assistance, overall computer slowness, data transfer, and parental controls. The good news is all of these can lead to training to help clients fix problems or avoid them all together” according to the geniuses. Ah yes, computer slowness. A big indicator that it just may be time for a new computer. But what about all the files on my old computer? The photos? How does one even decide what they need? “Our first step here is figuring out when the computer was generated. Usually, computers start to slow around six years. If you’re a ‘power user’ (what Vin and Shem define as someone who uses a lot of RAM; meaning photographers, videographers, people working with large files or alternatively, someone who’s a multitasker with many tabs open at once) we estimate three years. We do consultations with our clients when it’s time for a new computer to understand their usage and wants so there are no surprises when the new machine arrives.” They even offer a white glove service where they assess your needs, help you pick out a new computer, and deliver your device once data has been transferred so it’s set up and ready to go. And with so many important documents going digital, it’s best to know how to store or organize those files. Vin and Shem have a perfect system in place, “Digital organization by creating file architecture. Don’t leave important files in your downloads folder - that’s the messy kitchen drawer of your computer. Create a file structure so you can easily locate all the files you need and then save them onto the Cloud. You can even sync your devices so you can scan a document with your iPad or iPhone and have it appear instantly on your computer.” Whether you need tech assistance with your computer, want to learn how to sync and optimize your Apple products, simply Marie Kondo your files, Vin and Shem are the team to call. “Technology moves at such a quick pace, so something we update today could change in a month. It’s our job to stay on top of all the changes happening so we stay the experts and are able to teach others.” GeniusOnTheGo.com

OVER $100M SOLD IN 2021

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TOP PRODUCING AGENTS SERVING WESTPORT, FAIRFIELD, WESTON AND SURROUNDING TOWNS. Coldwell Banker #1 in Westport, Weston & Connecticut

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MAR CH 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM / W E ST P O RT

HOMES WITH HOPE RENOVATES, PREPARING FOR MANY NEW CLIENTS

A BETTER

GILLESPIE Before: Men's Dorm.

ARTICLE BY ROBIN MOYER CHUNG

G IV IN G BAC K | L IFE + CULTURE

After: Men's Dorm. Coordinated linens are a generous gift from Temple Isreal Synagogue.

We walked through the newly renovated Gillespie’s men’s dorm. A locker was open. In it was a sweater, t-shirt, pants, and a worn journal laying on the bottom. On a hook was a gold-tone chain with a calligraphed, crystalled Sagittarius charm. Helen McAlinden, CEO of Homes with Hope (HwH) remarked while closing the locker, “All he has in the world is probably in here.” As you may know, Gillespie is one of the many local shelters run by HwH. The house contains a kitchen, common area, men’s dorm, and a food pantry on the 2nd floor. During quarantine, community living in the modest home near Jesup Green became impossible: most of the HwH residents are immunocompromised, therefore more susceptible to the sinister side of the pandemic. Separating the individuals was key to ensure they maintained good health. So throughout these long months, while we bought pets and tinkered with Zoom filters, Helen and her staff spent countless hours and minimal resources finding hotel rooms and meals for HwH clients. Every night since Gillespie’s inception in the ‘80s the beds have been nearly full and the common area invited a steady stream of residents and diners. When the last client left for a hotel, HwH staff looked at the shelter, empty for the first time in 38 years, and felt a resounding “meh.” They promptly applied for grants to overhaul the outdated, worn residence. With help from Westport’s Department of Housing and Greens Farms Church, donors, and friends, they installed a new floor, placed lockers/wardrobes and new bedding in the dorm, and re-painted the interior in grey and blue to freshen and modernize the space. A grant from the Westport Woman’s Club enabled them to purchase comfortable club chairs, replacing the lumps of torn couches and old chairs. HwH is planning more improvements: insulating the food pantry and adding heat and air conditioning so it can be used

Before: Gillespie Community Area with Wendy Epstein, Paris Looney, Lynn Abramson, Lauren Wacknicki- Staff of Homes With Hope. CONTINUED >

MAR CH 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM / W E ST P O RT

After: Gillespie Community Area with Ana Hitri of Westport Woman's Club.

After: Gillespie Community Area.

G IV IN G BAC K | L IFE + CULTURE

year ‘round and keep the groceries edible, building a separate entrance to allow people access without walking through the common room. For Project Return, a shelter for women in crisis, they’re renovating the home and adding ensuite bathrooms to each room so clients who need to stay longer may do so. It’s important to bear in mind why these improvements, while wonderful, are necessary: the need for shelter and food is greater than ever. Yet for a moment we should be proud of what our town, through HwH, has accomplished, and continue to help those who suffer and seek help. Oh - and to date, Helen can proudly although she doesn’t do “proudly,” she simply serves clients to the best of her ability - attest that very few of Westport’s HwH clients have tested Covid positive and that its mission, to help people find independent living, remains possible. Helen remarks of her clients, “This is their only home, a temporary home, but it’s a stepping stone for people to move into permanent housing.” One of these people is Antwayn, who has become a symbol of hope for HwH clients. He’s a former client who now lives a productive life and is reunited with his family. Given the unfortunate increase in food insecurity, HwH hired him to help manage and food from the upstairs pantry and serve community dinners. So impressed by Antwayn’s dedication and work ethic, they nominated him for the prestigious Reaching Home Awards. These awards celebrate those “that have demonstrated exceptional commitment to preventing and ending homelessness in Connecticut.” This past May, they learned he had won. To learn more about the amazing, and critical, work Homes With Hope does for our county, contact: Helen McAlinden, President & CEO (475) 225-5292

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MAR CH 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM / W E ST P O RT

MARCH 2022

events A curated selection of the most intriguing upcoming events in the city. MAR CH 7TH

Jai Chakrabarti Discusses “A Play For The End of the World”

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WE ST P O RT L I B R A RY | 7 :0 0 P M Meet author Jai Chakrabarti as he discusses his debut novel A Play for the End of the World . A dazzling debut novel—set in early 1970’s New York and rural India—the story of a turbulent, unlikely romance, a harrowing account of the lasting horrors of the Second World War, and a searing examination of one man’s search for forgiveness and acceptance. WestportLibrary.org MAR CH 10 TH

The Iron Maidens

WA L L ST R E E T T H E AT E R , 71 WA L L ST R E E T, NO R WA L K | 8 :0 0 P M The Iron Maidens cover Iron Maiden material from all eras of the band’s career, encompassing the band’s biggest hits as well as fan favorites. The stage show includes appearances by Maiden mascot Eddie, the grimreaper, the devil and more. The Iron Maidens have packed houses everywhere they have played. MAR CH 11TH

Guitar Festival Kickoff Event

Saul Zion, DPT, SMP, CMP, AHC and Jean Paul Desrosiers Free Consultation – zoom or in person 1555 Post Road East, Westport, CT 06880 76

EVE N TS

WE ST P O RT L I B R A RY | 7 :0 0 P M Join us for an exciting kickoff to a three-day festival of performance, education and vendor events celebrating the variety and diversity of guitar. We are going hybrid this year with online and in-person free concerts, international artists, vendor exhibits, educational opportunities, and international discussions. Classical, rock, jazz, world, folk - there is something for everyone at every age. ConnecticutGuitarFestival.com and WestportLibrary.org

CONTINUED >

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OF WE S T P OR T, C T Registrations are open for all our dance programs. dance in a safe environment with The Best Dance teachers.

Open to Adults, Kids and Tots in Group Classes, Private Lessons, Livestream Classes Available. Director Enrique Alarcon | (203) 341-8900 | 222 Post Rd. West TheDanceCollective | thedancecollectivect.com MAR CH 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM / W E ST P O RT

MARCH 2022

events A curated selection of the most intriguing upcoming events in the city. MAR CH 13TH

Rosie Revere, Engineer & Friends

WE ST P O RT C O UNT RY P L AYH O US E | 1 :0 0 P M A fun new musical based on the books Rosie Revere, Engineer; Iggy Peck, Architect; and Ada Twist Scientist by Andrea Beaty, which spotlights

the STEM curriculum (focusing on science, technology, engineering and math). Rosie Revere, Engineer & Friends is a TheaterWorksUSA production presented by Westport Country Playhouse. WestportPlayhouse.org MAR CH 15TH

Pageturner’s Book Club

WE ST P O RT L I B R A RY | 1 1 :00 A M Discuss The Extraordinary Life of Addie LaRue by V.S. Schwab, a dazzling and exciting adventure story that will play across centuries and continents, across history and art, as a young woman discovers herself and how far she is willing to go to leave her mark on the world. Room 210. Contact Carolyn Karwoski, ckarwoski@westportlibrary.org for more information. WestportLibrary.org MAR CH 27TH

Holy Cow! Steve Martin and Martin Short!

T H E PA L AC E T H E AT E R , STA MF O R D | 7 :30 P M Steve Martin & Martin Short’s “The Funniest Show in Town at the Moment” is a show that redefines the form in unexpected and profound ways, from two of the funniest, most influential and acclaimed talents of the past century. The show was filmed for a Netflix special that earned rave reviews and garnered four Emmy® nominations. PalaceStamford.org

EVE N TS

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MAR CH 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM / W E ST P O RT

A Local Expert's Guide to Moving to Westport/Weston

ARTICLE BY ROBIN MOYER CHUNG

Moving has a lot of moving parts. Emptying one’s home down to the last paperclip and then filling up another is just the beginning. We turned to moving expert Tracey Reeves, owner and founder of boutique concierge home service Home on the Porch, to make a check list of what to do when re-locating to Westport or Weston. Drivers License: If out of state you have 30 days to change to a CT DL. Contact the DMV for information. Essentials: Instead of searching for move-in necessities among your boxes, order for delivery: garbage bags, light bulbs, cleaning products, paper blinds, etc. Movers: Consider an experienced local moving company who knows the town. I like Purcell Movers, (203) 227-2518 Locksmith: Schedule lock change for the day you collect your keys. Garbage: Get ahead with a weekly pick up; it piles up quickly. School: New out of state residents need a CT health form completed by your pediatrician for enrollment. Security: Register your alarm with the Westport Police Department, 50 Jesup Road. Cleaning: Schedule a pre-move deep clean for the interior, windows, and gutter. Introduction: On a blank postcard write a friendly “Hi, we’re here!” and pop it into neighborhood mailboxes. WESTPORT Longshore Parks and Rec: Tennis, sailing, golf, skate park, summer camps, and so much more. WestportCT.gov Compo Beach: Best part of summer, but you’ll need a parking sticker. WestportCT.gov Tutors: Top Hat Tutoring by Staples High School students. TopHatTutors.com Junk Removal: Staples High School Wrestling Team drops junk at the dump, moves furniture, and helps out in the yard for tips or a team donation. Salaugeri@me.com or terrybrannigan5@gmail.com WESTON Hiking: Great hiking trails - Devils Den alone offers over 1,700 acres of beautiful nature. Moving Day Meal: Lunch Box restaurant delivers to you pre-order the day before you move. LunchBoxWeston.com Community: Weston Garden Club: Meet people and be part of the community. WestonCTGardenClub.com HomeOnThePorch.com

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