Good morning, Westport.

Olufunke Grace Bankole, Nicole Cuffy, and Jennifer Haigh have been named finalists for the 2025 Westport Prize for Literature.

The award—worth $10,000 and featuring a Meet the Author night at 7:00 p.m. on November 6 at Westport Library—will have its winner chosen in August or early September.

The online art gallery remains open during the holiday weekend and welcomes art submissions from all artists & any medium; contributors are asked to email a JPG with the medium noted.

Hydrangeas suffered early summer damage from a recent record heat wave that caused sunscald on leaves and flowers, according to a Connecticut plant expert.

The expert advised gardeners to water the plants weekly+ provide shade during the hottest part of the day to help them recover.

UConn ecologist Bob Fahey said Connecticut’s forests are mostly middle aged—replanted 150 to 250 years ago—and face growing risks from climate change, pests and extreme weather due to a lack of mixed age trees.

This trend limits forest regeneration and may increase damage from deer browsing in the future.

Sustainable Westport is urging residents to join the global Plastic-Free July movement by refusing single-use items—such as straws and takeaway cutlery—to help reduce plastic waste and its impact on health and nature.

The town will host a screening of the documentary Plastic People on July 17 at 6 p.m. at MoCA CT to highlight the hidden dangers of microplastics.

A new law now calculates Connecticut car taxes using a vehicle's MSRP, and drivers with strong resale models are paying less while others see higher bills & local towns choose rates up to 90% for new cars.

Experts say this one-time change will lead to steadier, more predictable taxes in the future.

Michael Franti & Spearhead with Allen Stone

5:00-6:30 p.m. — Levitt Pavilion — Cost info not provided — Experience an electrifying evening of soulful melodies and genre-defying performances.

Camp Invention: Wonder at Staples High School

8:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m. — Camp Invention, Westport, CT — $315+ — Dive into a week of STEM adventures with hands-on challenges and creative problem solving.

Foraging & Wild Food

10 a.m. — Earthplace — $30 — Explore the art of foraging with expert guidance from the Connecticut Foraging Club and discover wild food delights.

Author Talk: Adriana Trigiani on 'The View From Lake Como'

7:00-8:30 p.m. — The Westport Library — Free entry — Join best-selling author Adriana Trigiani as she discusses her latest summer read, 'The View From Lake Como'.

Summer Book Sale

July 25th – 29th — Pequot Library — Free entry — Discover great deals on books at one of New England's largest book sales.