<p class="ql-align-justify"><a href="https://vanleeuwenicecream.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(5, 99, 193);">Van Leeuwen Ice Cream</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">, the NYC born and nationally beloved brand known for its made-from-scratch dairy and vegan ice creams, will open a scoop shop in Westport on February 6. The Westport store is the brand’s fourth location in Connecticut, following New Canaan (December 2023), Darien (April 2023) and Greenwich (October 2022), which was its first suburban scoop shop. The launch also marks a return to its roots for co-founders Ben and Pete Van Leeuwen who are Fairfield County natives and whose ice cream journey began here twenty years ago.</span></p><p class="ql-align-justify"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">In celebration, Van Leeuwen Westport will offer $1 scoops on opening day (Feb. 6) from 3pm-5pm and free totes to the first 100 customers beginning at 3pm. The scoop shop will also showcase a special limited-time offering created by Westport-based cookbook author and creator Julia Dzafic (</span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/lemonstripes/?hl=en" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">@lemonstripes</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">). The vegan sundae features scoops of strawberry shortcake ice cream and banana pudding ice cream, and is topped with sprinkles, hot fudge and a “party hat” AKA a sugar cone.</span></p><p class="ql-align-justify"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Ben and Pete Van Leeuwen became ice cream entrepreneurs back in 2002. The brothers rented a Good Humor truck and drove it all around Greenwich for two summers. With the money he made, Ben went backpacking around Asia and Europe, and found himself most excited by the food he discovered and the revelation that good food was more accessible in other parts of the world. His travels inspired the idea for an ice cream truck serving good ice cream. Not long after, they enlisted co-founder Laura O’Neill and Van Leeuwen was born in the form of a yellow scoop truck on the streets of NYC in 2008.</span></p><p class="ql-align-justify"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Its French-style ice cream (made with more than double the amount of egg yolks as standard ice cream) quickly gained a loyal following. They are known nationally for creative seasonal flavors with a genuine focus on good ingredients and no unnecessary stuff, and for out-of-the-box limited-edition collaboration flavors such as Hidden Valley Ranch, Kraft Macaroni &amp; Cheese, BIGFACE Coffee Affogato in partnership with NBA All-Star Jimmy Butler and Espresso ice cream in partnership with singer/songwriter Sabrina Carpenter.</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">&nbsp;Its extensive menu features more than 30 signature flavors includin</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">g its award-winning Vanilla Bean (named best vanilla ice cream by The New York Times/Wirecutter), Honeycomb, Pistachio (made with Pistachios sourced from Mount Etna in Sicily), Marionberry Cheesecake (made with vine-ripened berries from Oregon farm partner Stahlbush Island Farms), Praline Butter Cake and Earl Grey Tea, in addition to sundaes, housemade waffle cones, ice cream sandwiches, root beer floats, milkshakes and pints to-go. Popular vegan flavors include Banana Bread Pudding, Peanut Butter Brownie Honeycomb, Strawberry Shortcake and more.</span></p><p class="ql-align-justify"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">“We are so excited to bring Van Leeuwen to Westport and open our fourth location in our home state,” said Ben Van Leeuwen, co-founder and CEO. “It’s been amazing to see how warm the reception has been in Greenwich, Darien and New Canaan and we can’t wait to share good ice cream, made with good ingredients, with the Westport community."</span></p><p class="ql-align-justify"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Van Leeuwen’s Westport scoop shop is located at 31 Church Lane and will be open daily. Guests can enjoy their treats at the scoop shop or order pints for takeout or delivery.&nbsp;</span></p><p class="ql-align-justify"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Opening day hours on February 6 are 12pm-11pm.</span></p>

<p>First Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker has announced an Open House Charrette to discuss the concept of a Westport Public Safety Complex. The project, currently in its conceptual and feasibility stage, will be discussed on&nbsp;<strong>Thursday, February 6, 2025</strong>, from&nbsp;<strong>7:00 PM to 9:00 PM</strong>&nbsp;at the&nbsp;<strong>Center for Senior Activities, 21 Imperial Avenue.</strong></p><p>An&nbsp;<strong>Architect Presentation</strong>&nbsp;will begin promptly at 7:00 PM, followed by interactive discussions and feedback opportunities. Residents and stakeholders are welcome to attend and provide their input on the future of a complex. During the charrette, there will also be an opportunity for residents to submit online public comment.</p><p>First Selectwoman Tooker emphasized the importance of this project, stating, “The safety and well-being of our community is always our top priority. A Public Safety Complex will ensure that our first responders have the resources and infrastructure they need to serve Westport effectively for generations to come. I invite residents to join us, share their insights, and take part in shaping this critical initiative.”&nbsp;</p><p>Chief Nicholas Marsan, who also serves as the Town’s Emergency Management Director, added, “This would be more than just a building; it’s a commitment to the people of Westport. Modernizing our facilities will enhance our ability to respond quickly and efficiently in times of emergency. A new complex will also allow for better coordination of resources and planning, ensuring that our community is well-prepared for any situation. We look forward to hearing from our community and working together to bring this vision to life.”</p><p>Police Chief Foti Koskinas stated, “This is a much-needed facility that will greatly benefit our community. Housing police, fire, and EMS under one roof fosters better collaboration, faster response times, and more efficient operations. A project of this nature will strengthen public safety and ensure that we are well-equipped to serve Westport now and into the future.”</p><p>For more details on the Charette, please contact Nicholas L. Marsan via phone at 203-341-5000 or email at <a href="mailto:nmarsan@westportct.gov." rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">nmarsan@westportct.gov.</a></p>

<p class="ql-align-center"><strong style="color: rgb(24, 25, 26);">FC Buzz Weekend Beginning January 31 - February 4</strong></p><p>HamletHub is proud to partner with the Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County and FCBuzz to Elevate Arts and Culture in Fairfield County! Each week, look for a listing of weekend events and activities. The Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County celebrates the vibrancy and diversity of the arts and culture across 15 towns in coastal Fairfield County. Sign up to receive a free eBuzz newsletter with top picks and spotlight events from the hundreds of events posted on FCBuzz.</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/zeppelin-reimagined" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Zeppelin Reimagined</strong></a></p><p><strong>Stamford Center for the Arts, Stamford</strong></p><p>Friday Jan 31, 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm</p><p>From the creators of Magical Mystery Doors comes Zeppelin Reimagined. Zeppelin Reimagined is not just another Led Zeppelin tribute band; they are a groundbreaking experience that merges the timeless power of classic rock with the cutting-edge technology of today. With a dynamic stage presence, LED screens, and a visual spectacle that complements their sound, Zeppelin Reimagined offers a fresh take on the iconic music of Led Zeppelin.</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/pride-and-prejudice-b2a4d" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Pride and Prejudice</strong></a></p><p><strong>Westport Community Theatre, Westport</strong></p><p>Friday Jan 31, 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm</p><p>A new adaptation based on Jane Austen's classic novel, is the 3rd production in Westport Community Theatre's acclaimed season, running January 31 – February 16, 2025. Marriage is far from Elizabeth Bennet’s top concern, yet with four sisters, a determinedly match-making mother, and a parade of ill-suited suitors, the topic is inescapable. When Elizabeth, strong-willed and independent, crosses paths with the intriguing yet reserved Mr. Darcy, she resolves to keep her emotions in check. However, the path to the truth proves more tangled than expected…</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/on-view-sm-nc-giants-f1e9a" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>On View: SM&amp;NC GIANTS</strong></a></p><p><strong>Stamford Museum &amp; Nature Center, Stamford</strong></p><p>Friday Jan 31, 9:00 am - 4:30 pm</p><p>Large in format, bold in color, brash in context. We call them the "giants" of our collection. Representing a range of styles and mediums, many of these works have not been on view for decades, including mammoth works by Hunt Slonem, Rhonda Wall and Nicholas Krushenik. Others you may recognize from previous exhibitions; works from Peter Bradley, William Ronald and Steven Brent. We're pleased to present them once more before they return to our collections vault.</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/rowayton-arts-center-from-the-rac-studio-77fe5" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"> <strong>“From the RAC Studio”</strong></a></p><p><strong>Rowayton Arts Center, Norwalk</strong></p><p>Friday Jan 31, 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm</p><p>This all media exhibition features over 100 pieces of artwork by RAC Instructors and students created in the past year. RAC celebrates the study, creation and appreciation of the arts through classes, exhibitions and events open to all in the community. </p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/artist-talk-anette-millington" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Artist Talk with Anette Millington</strong></a></p><p><strong>Center for Contemporary Printmaking, Norwalk</strong></p><p>Saturday Feb 1, 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm</p><p>Anette Millington is an Assistant Professor of Fashion Systems and Materiality at Parsons School of Design and Associate Director of the Textiles MFA Program. Her interdisciplinary creative practice focuses on patterns and spans print, textiles, and sculpture. Anette abstracts flora and fauna—flowers, butterfly wings— to design new protective surfaces and symbols. She explores the psychological dimension of symmetry, building magic and metaphor from mathematics. In her Artist Talk, Anette will share more about her residency project: creating small-scale sculptures from wood-block printed paper.</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/voices-cafe-presents-the-brian-torff-group" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>The Brian Torff Group</strong></a></p><p><strong>Voices Cafe</strong></p><p>Saturday Feb 1, 8:00 pm - 10:30 pm</p><p>The Brian Torff group has been described as a band driven by a desire to capture the complexity of the American story “through American roots music with an updated twist.” Torff’s music honors Black History Month by blending original music with classic Delta Blues, demonstrating the deep impact of Black music on our nation’s culture through original, creative, inspiring music.</p><p>See these and discover hundreds more events on the <a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">FCBUZZ EVENTS</a> page at <a href="https://culturalalliancefc.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://culturalalliancefc.org</a> Sign up for the <a href="https://culturalalliancefc.org/resources/newsletter-sign-up/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Cultural Alliance eBuzz</a> to receive top picks and spotlights each week in your inbox.</p>

<p>Westport Country Playhouse will present a Script in Hand playreading of a new romantic comedy, “BackTalk,” about first dates and second thoughts, on Monday, February 3, at 7 p.m. The play is written by Rob Ackerman and directed by Jeremy Webb.</p><p>"With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, I’m thrilled to introduce ‘BackTalk,’ a brand-new work by celebrated playwright Rob Ackerman, as part of our Script in Hand reading series,” said Mark Shanahan, Script in Hand curator and Playhouse artistic director. “Set against the backdrop of modern dating, ‘BackTalk’ is a witty and warm exploration of what happens when love makes you question everything—about yourself, your past, and your future.</p><p>“With sharp dialogue, laugh-out-loud moments, and plenty of heart, Rob’s play offers a witty and tender look at what it takes to quiet the noise and take a leap of faith when it comes to love. Director Jeremy Webb has assembled a truly perfect cast to deliver such a warm, romantic comedy on a chilly night in February at the Playhouse. What could be more fun?”</p><p>“BackTalk” dives into the hilariously complicated world of first impressions, second chances, and the voices in our heads that just won't let us be. When Rachel, an ambitious real estate developer, starts falling for Bob, a laid-back plumber, their chemistry is undeniable. As their budding romance unfolds, Rachel and Bob must navigate their insecurities, expectations, and the unfiltered commentary which constantly runs through their minds.</p><p>Tickets are $30. Running time is 90 minutes; no intermission. Age recommendation is 14 and up.</p><p>For full details, visit:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.westportplayhouse.org/show/script-in-hand-backtalk/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);"><u>https://www.westportplayhouse.org/show/script-in-hand-backtalk/</u></a></p>

<h2><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Why Small Businesses Matter</strong></h2><p><em style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Shop small, do big things for your community</em></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Why Small Businesses Matter puts a spotlight on the local merchants who donate their time, talent, goods, and services for the betterment of our community.</span></p><p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Meet Katy Bolan founder of </strong><a href="https://www.katybolan.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Katy Bolan Interior Design</strong></a></p><p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Tell me about your expertise as an interior designer</strong></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Katy has two passions and areas of deep expertise: interior design and sustainability. In this business, she combined both. Katy's unique blend of academic and professional experience positions her to deliver exceptional, sustainable design solutions. With an MBA in Strategy and Sustainability from The Ohio State University and an MFA in Interior Architecture and Design in progress, she seamlessly merges creative vision with environmentally responsible practices. Her decade-long tenure at Google, leading sustainability initiatives, has cultivated a deep understanding of sustainable principles on a global scale. This expertise, coupled with certifications from prestigious institutions like Pratt Institute, the U.S. Green Building Council, Harvard, and MIT, ensures that every project meets the highest standards of sustainability and aesthetics.</span></p><p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">What is your best-selling product or service?&nbsp;</strong></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Interior design consultations and sustainability strategy.</span></p><p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">How many local businesses do you use to support your business (products and services) and can you name them?&nbsp;</strong></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">As part of our sustainability focus, we try to use as many local businesses as possible to keep our carbon footprint low and support our community. Our key service partners include Mike Cusato of Cusato Architecture in Westport, and AJC Contracting in Ridgefield.</span></p><p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Have you reimagined your small business?</strong></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">With virtual consultations, we are now able to scale our sustainable interior design consultations to wherever we can be helpful.</span></p><p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Visit Katy Boylan Interior Design’s website </strong><a href="https://www.katybolan.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>https://www.katybolan.com/</strong></a></p><p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Follow along on Instagram @</strong><a href="https://www.instagram.com/KATYBOLAN" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>KATYBOLAN</strong></a></p><p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">HamletHub thanks</strong><a href="http://www.jkinfordbeautygroup.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong> </strong></a><a href="https://www.fairfieldcountybank.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Fairfield County Bank </strong></a><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">for making our Why Small Businesses Matter series possible!</strong></p>

<p><strong>Westport, CT -&nbsp;</strong>The Westport Book Shop is pleased to welcome local artist Miggs Burroughs as guest exhibitor for the month of February at the Book Shop’s Drew Friedman Art Place.&nbsp;</p><p>Miggs is exhibiting four limited edition lenticular (animated) artworks that he created especially for auction at Westport Book Sale’s upcoming benefit event in March.&nbsp;&nbsp;Each artwork features a pair of iconic figures —&nbsp;<em>Icons of Justice&nbsp;</em>features Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy (Sr.);&nbsp;<em>Icons of Courage&nbsp;</em>features Amelia Earhart and Eleanor Roosevelt;&nbsp;<em>Icons of Innovation&nbsp;</em>features John Lennon and Steve Jobs; and&nbsp;<em>Icons of Style&nbsp;</em>features Marilyn Monroe and Princess Diana.&nbsp;</p><p>These artworks will be on exhibit at the Westport Book Shop through February 28, 2025, and then will be offered at silent auction at Westport Book Sale’s “Growing Our Community” benefit fundraiser event on March 13, 2025.&nbsp;&nbsp;For information about the benefit, visit the “Our Events” page of the Westport Book Sale’s website, at&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.westportbooksaleventures.org/our-events" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(2, 177, 151);">www.westportbooksaleventures.org/our-events</a></p><p>The Westport Book Shop will hold a reception for Miggs and this exhibit on Wednesday evening, February 19, 2025, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.&nbsp;&nbsp;Space is limited; please RSVP to the Book Shop at 203-349-5141 or by email to&nbsp;<a href="https://mailto:bookshop@westportbooksaleventures.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(2, 177, 151);">bookshop@westportbooksaleventures.org</a></p><p>Miggs Burroughs is a lifelong Westport resident, and a full-time graphic artist.&nbsp;&nbsp;He has designed hundreds of logos, ads, brochures and websites for commercial and nonprofit clients throughout Fairfield County.&nbsp;&nbsp;Among other things, he also designed the Westport Town Flag, a U.S. postage stamp, an Easter Egg for the Reagan White House, and four covers for TIME magazine, one of which, along with the Easter Egg, resides in the Smithsonian Institution.&nbsp;&nbsp;Miggs’ work with lenticular imagery has been exhibit in several one-man shows, including a show last year at the United Nations, and “Tunnel Vision”, his permanent&nbsp;&nbsp;lenticular installation in downtown Westport.</p><p>Miggs is a co-founder of the Artists Collective of Westport.&nbsp;&nbsp;He is also an author — his “The What If? Book of Questions” was published in 2012.&nbsp;&nbsp;Miggs has twice been honored as a Paul Harris Fellow by the Westport Rotary, as one of the YMCA’s Faces of Achievement, and as Volunteer of the Year by CLASP of Westport, Save Westport Now, First Night of Westport, and STAR of Norwalk, among others.</p><p>Westport Book Shop, a nonprofit independent used book store, is downtown Westport’s only source for gently used and antiquarian books, vintage vinyl records, CDs, DVDs and audio books.&nbsp;&nbsp;It is located at 23 Jesup Road, right across Jesup Green from the Westport Library.The Book Shop’s “Drew Friedman Art Place” is an area of the store dedicated to exhibiting the work of community artists year-round, on a rotating basis.&nbsp;&nbsp;Miggs Burroughs, who is also a Trustee of the Drew Friedman Community Arts Center, curates these exhibits, which change monthly.</p><p>The art exhibit is open to the public during the Book Shop’s regular business hours:&nbsp;&nbsp;Mondays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sundays from Noon to 5 p.m.</p><p><em>The Westport Book Shop is operated by Westport Book Sale Ventures, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit enterprise with the dual social mission to provide meaningful competitive employment for adults with disabilities, while raising support for The Westport Library, through used book sales. In addition to the nonprofit Westport Book Shop, gently used books are also offered for sale online through the company’s eBay store at&nbsp;</em><a href="http://www.ebay.com/str/westportbooksalesct" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(2, 177, 151);"><em>www.ebay.com/str/westportbooksalesct</em></a><em>, and at periodic large book sale events.&nbsp;&nbsp;For more information, or to make a charitable donation, please visit our website at&nbsp;</em><a href="http://www.westportbooksaleventures.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(2, 177, 151);"><em>www.westportbooksaleventures.org</em></a></p>