Please register with the Chamber at 203.227.9234 or info@westportchamber.com
Thursday, July 16
5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Dolce Norwalk
32 Weed Avenue, Norwalk
$45 (includes one drink)
*RESERVATIONS REQUIRED
–This very special Business After Hours brings together the Chambers of Commerce of Westport/Weston, Norwalk, Wilton, Darien, and New Canaan for an exclusive picnic social event within the 66-acre pastoral grounds of Dolce Norwalk, complete with barbecue food off the grill, satisfying salads, and various refreshing beverages from the bar. Don’t miss this occasion to network with Chamber members of all the neighboring towns of Westport and Weston. Come make new contacts and celebrate summer!
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Wednesday, July 29
5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
8:00 p.m. How the Other Half Loves
Westport Country Playhouse
25 Powers Court, Westport
Members - $20 (includes complimentary tickets to How the Other Half Loves)
Non-members - $25 (includes complimentary tickets to How the Other Half Loves)
–Complimentary tickets available for all BAH attendees to the performance that evening at 8:00 pm of How the Other Half Loves, which is a hilarious comedy about a late night affair revealed over a dinner party with comedy being the main course! You are encouraged to bring your friends and family for a great night our after the after hours!
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Thursday, August 13
5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Westport Historical Society
25 Avery Place, Westport (across from Town Hall)
Members - $20
Non-members - $25
–Special guests Martin West and Ann Chernow will talk about their documentary: Years in the Making: A journey into Late Life Creativity. As well, the current exhibit features over 50 pieces of artwork from artists who are all interviewed in the film.
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Thursday, September 10
5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
The Bank of Fairfield
2248 Black Rock Turnpike, Fairfield
Members - $20
Non-members - $25
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TD Bank
50 Charles Street, Westport
Members - $20
Non-members - $25
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Monday, October 5
30th Annual Golf Outing
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Berchem, Moses & Devlin, P.C.
27 Imperial Avenue, Westport
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Thursday, November 5
5th Annual Wine Tasting
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Thursday, December 3
5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Westport National Bank
1495 Post Road East, Westport
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Photo by Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
The Westport/Weston Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors is delighted to announce that Lisa V. Thygerson has joined the Chamber of Commerce as our Executive Director, effective May 26, 2009.
Lisa has been committed to the Westport community and the Chamber as a volunteer previously and has already hit the ground running in her new position.
Please make every effort to reach out and introduce yourself to Lisa.
Our local Westport Library needs your help. Over 350 “worker bees” are needed to fill volunteer slots for this annual summer gigantic July Book Sale set up under tents on Jesup Green in downtown Westport. This is a great opportunity for families, neighbors, community organizations, individuals, to support one of Westport’s notable community events. Teens wishing to do community service for credit can participate in as many hours as desired on an hourly shift or project basis. Proceeds from the event support over 900 library programs, the 2000 participants in the summer reading program, teen events, technology, books for book groups and the library’s collection. Volunteer time can be from 9-6:00 PM any day on the following days.
Set-Up days: Mon., July 13 - Fri., July 17
Sale days: Sat., July 18 - Tues., July 21.
Responsibilities will include unpacking and shelving over 65,000 books; cashiering, security, hospitality.
To sign up, do one of the following:
Contact directly Volunteer Chairman Suzy Hooper, 434-7344 or geosoo143@yahoo.com
Visit the library website at www.westportlibrary.org; print a volunteer form to mail or drop off to the library.
Complete a volunteer form at the circulation desk at the library.
Additionally if you are looking for a place to donate your used books, the library accepts donations every day during library hours. Donating now rather than the sale time allows sorters to process the books. Check out the web site for details how to donate.
Submitted by Mimi Greenlee
226-6608
booksales@westportlibrary.org
Penske Automotive Group is opening its doors for your next event. . If you have a trunk show, upscale tailgate cocktail party, or client test drive event that you would like to hold at the stunning new Porsche Fairfield or Audi Fairfield, please contact Terry Doll at 203/246-0754.
Both Porsche and Audi Fairfield sit side by side on Commerce Drive, conveniently located of I 95 at exit 25. There is ample parking and room for a large event. Kitchen and Meeting space is also available in the showroom. ### 
Brian Malcarney of Blue Lemon and Rory's Restaruant at work.
The Annual Tabletop Expo featured more than 100 exhibitors, presented by the combined chambers of commerce of Westport/Weston, Darien, Fairfield, Norwalk, Stamford and the Bridgeport Regional Business Council.
The event is annually held at Norwalk Community College – East Campus, 188 Richards Avenue, Norwalk. Admission was FREE.
Chris Negrin’s Caterer, provided the food for Westport/Weston Chamber. Her Company is “In Good Taste” and she can be reached at: 222-9551.
In Good Taste Catering.
This event was a wonderful, informal, gathering for Chamber members, prospective members and the general public to come together and network. Members exchanged ideas, business cards obtain business leads and made referrals.
The next chamber expo will be held in the Fall in combination with the Fairfield Chamber of Commerce.
“BYOBags: Westport Opts for Reusable Bags” is an art exhibit at the Westport Public Library that features the winners and a total of 141 entries to Westport’s Reusable Bag Contest. The contest was conducted by the four members of RTM District 4, Liz Milwe, Gene Seidman, Jonathan Cunitz and Jeffrey Wieser, in conjunction with the town ordinance that bans plastic bags effective March 19th. The contest to design Westport’s official reusable bag received an overwhelming number of entries from adults and students of all ages. Art teachers in all of the town’s schools encouraged their students to submit designs as part of the education campaign to promote the use of reusable bags. A companion exhibit hanging throughout the Library includes over forty banners made from shopping bags from around the world. The banners were designed by New Jersey artist Karen Guancione.
The submissions presently are displayed throughout the Library for public viewing. The three winning design bags by artists Ross Gendels, Sandra Schulze, Anna Daytz, will be available for sale at the Library during the event and for several weeks thereafter. PTA organizations of various schools also will be selling the Westport reusable bags as part of fund raising events through the end of May. Also reusable bags will be available for purchase from selected town merchants. Call the Chamber of Commerce for more information about purchasing
the bags.
Car window decals reminding shoppers to bring their reusable bags will be available at the Library free to all residents. It is suggested that the decal be placed near the bottom right of the driver’s side window and attached from inside the vehicle. The cost of the decals was graciously funded by the Westport Beautification Committee.
Westport Member Offers
Advertising Consultation Pro Bono
Dick Commer, President of The Ad Works in Westport, has come up with a plan to offer advertising help to members of the Westport Chamber of Commerce business community. “During these trying financial and difficult times, each of us needs (and has the opportunity) to volunteer and offer a helping hand to his own community—business and otherwise. In my case, it’s here in Westport for the business segment of the chamber,” Commer stated.
“With that in mind,” Commer continued, “I decided that I wanted to help out local businesses and non-profit and profit organizations by donating a creative hand to those that might want it or need it. That goes for contributing creative ad consulting and advertising copywriting on a pro bono volunteer basis. I’m sure there might be local folks who could use some professional advice and a hand with their advertising. My time and talent is what I can give to offer support to a Westport neighbor now during these very trying times.”
Commer’s background includes some 40 years in advertising, working on both sides of the desk for daily newspapers, as well as ad agencies, including his own–The Ad Works. He has been a member of the Westport Chamber since 1985. The Ad Works is located at 4 Gorham Avenue. The company can be reached on the Internet at admanoutadmanout@yahoo.com or by phone: 454.2388.
Fairfield County SCORE counselors are men and women with successful business or professional backgrounds who volunteer to help small businesses with free, confidential one-on-one counseling, mentoring and email consultation.
In 2007 the chapter earned the National SCORE Chapter of the Year award for exceptional growth in the services provided to local entrepreneurs, such as workshop programs that offer practical help in starting or running a small business.
With 50+ counselors to call upon, and a wealth of reference information on the chapter Web site, entrepreneurs can create a virtual board of advisors to help them navigate through the challenges of today’s business climate.
HSBC, 19 Post Road East graciously hosted a “bag summit” on Wednesday, January 7th to discuss the ban on plastic bags starting March 19th and the promotion of reusable bags voted in the the RTM.
This project is co-sponsored by the Westport/Weston Chamber of Commerce and Town Fair Tire.
RETAIL CHECKOUT BAGS ORDINANCE
* Intent of ordinance is to improve the environment in Westport.
* Ordinance encourages the use of reusable checkout bags as an alternative to either plastic or paper.
* Only recyclable paper bags or reusable bags are to be provided by retail stores as checkout bags to customers.
* Does not prohibit plastic produce bags used for produce, meats or other items selected by customs to bring to the checkout.
* Does not prohibit plastic cleaners bags or bags measuring 28” by 36” or larger in size.
* Ordinance does not apply to yard sales, other sales at residences or sale by non-profit organizations.
* Guidelines are given for “recyclable paper bags” but are not a requirement.
* Reusable bags can be made from plastic if they are designed for multiple use and are made of durable plastic at least 2.25 mils thick.
* Ordinance becomes operative on March 19, 2009.
* Ordinance will be enforced by the Westport Conservation Department through fines for non-compliance.
