New concessionaire Nikki Glekas will soon open “The Sandbar” at Compo Beach.
She replaces the much-reviled “Hook’d” (which in its final death throe year rebranded itself as something like “Bluestone”).
Hook’d was preceded by the much-loved Joey Romeo, whose “Joey’s by the Shore” spent about 3 decades as everything a beach food stand should be.
Before all those, of course, was “Chubby’s.”
Concessionaire Chubby Lane operated at the beach entrance, where the volleyball courts are now.
You could park in front, without a beach sticker.
The screen doors slammed. The smell of burgers and fries was intoxicating.
Throughout the 1960s and ’70s, this was summer in Westport.
Nikki Glekas stands on broad shoulders. She’s got big shoes to fill.
Here’s wishing her a warm, Chubby’s and Joey’s welcome to Compo.
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Today, she and Representative Town Meeting member Andrew Colabella offer an update, clarifying some misconceptions about the idea.
Since the story was published, we’ve continued working with the Parks & Recreation Department and Planning & Zoning Commission, to develop a thoughtful proposal for a fenced-in dog park at Winslow.
With help from “06880” and Westport Moms, we conducted a community survey. We received over 700 responses, with 73% supporting a fenced-in dog park in Westport.
We recently presented the proposal to both commissions, and shared our vision for “Dogport.”
A suggested area for the “Dogport” is the area near Compo Road North, which served as the staging area for a recent nearby sewer project.
A key part of the plan is that the space would not be an unregulated open area. Access would be controlled through a secure key fob system, allowing only registered users with vaccinated dogs to enter. This creates accountability, encourages responsible use, and allows the town to enforce rules if needed.
Unfortunately, some concerns appear to be based on misunderstandings or rumors — including claims that the entire park would be fenced in, or that the space would resemble a “kennel.”
In reality, the proposal involves fencing in one specific section of Winslow to create a safe off-leash area. The rest of the park would remain completely unchanged.
Andrew has spent considerable time meeting with regular Winslow users to explain the proposal, answer questions, and hear feedback firsthand. We’ve found that many residents become supportive once they understand what is actually being proposed.
Only one section of Winslow Park is proposed for the Dogport. The rest of the 29-acre site would remain open. (Photo/Mark Mathias)
For decades, Winslow has been a gathering place for dog owners. However, the lack of an enclosed area and the park’s proximity to Compo Road North create safety concerns for many residents. A fenced-in section would provide a safer, more organized environment while still preserving the park’s existing recreational uses and open-space character.
After reviewing multiple possible locations with town officials, the proposed site emerged as the most practical and least disruptive option. The area is already graded, easier to maintain, and would not interfere with current park activities.
Throughout this process we’ve worked hard to listen to feedback, answer concerns, and approach this responsibly. We truly believe Dogport would be a meaningful, well-managed addition to the community.
Proposed Dogport rules include:
Sunrise to sunset hours
Secure key fob access for registered members only
Dogs must be licensed, vaccinated and registered
Maximum of 3 dogs per person
Dogs must be leashed entering and exiting
Owners must clean up after their dogs
Repeated violations could result in revoked access
A sign like this might be placed at the proposed “Dogport.”
We will have a table at the Westport Dog Festival on May 17, to sell Dogport merch. Here is the link to the merch for anyone who would like to donate!
Thank you for helping bring attention to this project and move the conversation forward.
NOTE: Renderings are only conceptual — not final designs. Official schematic plans are underway.
(“06880″‘s Opinion pages are open to all. Please email submissions to 06880blog@gmail.com. To support this hyper-local blog, please click here. Thank you!)
Effective today (May 15), the use of hand-held and backpack gas-powered leaf blowers is prohibited. The ban is effective through October 15.
Conservation Department director Colin Kelly says, “Let’s keep up the efforts to follow this ordinance. Let us know by email or letter if a property is using a prohibited blower. We will follow up by reviewing each complaint and sending educational materials to those who are not adhering to the ordinance.”
Contact the Conservation Office by email at leafblowercomplaints@westportct.gov, or write Conservation Department, 110 Myrtle Avenue, Westport, CT 06880.
This is also the time of year for beach water testing.
But long closures — like those seen last year — may be a thing of the past.
Aspetuck Health District and the town of Westport will begin Monday, with enhanced testing and reporting protocols.
The Health District will collect samples every Monday morning from Compo and Burying Hill Beaches. They will go to the Department of Public Health Laboratory in Rocky Hill for analysis.
If bacteria levels are high, the water will be closed for swimming and other water activities. The water will be immediately resampled, and sent to the City of Stamford Laboratory for analysis.
This decreases turnaround time. and enable officials to lift closures faster than in previous years.
“Safety is our top priority. says Aspetuck Health District director of health Luci Bango.
“Beach water is sampled weekly during the season to monitor harmful bacteria or the potential presence of pathogens. These tests help us decide when to close waters for swimming and other water activities, to reduce the risk of illnesses like gastrointestinal distress, skin rashes, or ear infection.”
Elevated bacterial levels in water bodies can occur during excessive heat or rainfall.
Burying Hill Beach, last summer. (Photo/Seth Schachter)
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Hundreds of dogs — and even more humans — will enjoy this Sunday’s Dog Festival at Winslow Park.
It’s fun for everyone. But note: Parking is not available at the Westport Country Playhouse. That lot is reserved for attendees of a youth ballet performance, and patrons of Gabriele’s Steakhouse.
Businesses west of the Mobil station on Post Road East will open their parking lots for festival attendees. Saugatuck Congregational Church is available beginning at noon,, after services.
Parking locations will be marked with signs along Post Road.
Meanwhile, WTF has put together a list of items to support their work — everything from plant labels and markers to garden seeders. Click here to order via Amazon.
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Congratulations, Sophie Rossman!
The 2021 Staples High School and NYU Tisch Drama graduate is making her Off-Broadway debut in “Dad Don’t Read This.” The show, at the St. Luke’s Theatre, has been extended to May 29.
The coming-of-age story centers on 4 teenage girls navigating friendship, identity, and the confusing transition into adulthood. Set during a series of suburban sleepovers, it’s both humorous and emotionally honest. Click here for tickets, and more information.
Sophie Rossman, in “Dad Don’t Read This.”
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Speaking of debuts: Sara Robbin is a former attorney. She spent over a decade as a writing professor at Fordham Law School before finding her niche assisting students with college essays.
Now the Westporter adds “screenwriter” to her resume. “Pinky Swear” premiered Monday at the Angelika Theater, as part of the Big Apple Film Festival.
It offers a window into the complex emotions fame causes for children. The film was inspired by Sara’s acting experiences with her daughter Chloe, a Bedford Middle School student, who is part of the cast.
The role of a “crazy stage mom” is played by Westport native Ashley Schoff Iglehart, a former child actor. Her daughter Harper, a 10th grade Staples Player, assisted on set.
The cast and crew, including Chloe Robbin (3rd from left), Ashley Schoff Iglehart (in black, behind her), and Sarah Robbin (blue).
Michael Tomashefsky has lived in Westport for 32 years. He spent a career in trade magazine advertising, focusing on development media for Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America.
He has also had side hustles in standup comedy, writing for a rock ‘n’ roll magazine, and landscape photography. Since retiring 2 years ago, he has given landscape and travel presentations of his photos at senior centers and senior communities throughout the area.
Westport never ceases to provide Michael with photography inspiration, included the Parker Harding Plaza footbridge. He writes:
It sits there day after day, year after year, forlorn, neglected, nearly forgotten and overshadowed by the controversy surrounding its larger brother, the Cribari Bridge.
The Parker Harding footbridge … (Photo/John Maloney)
Lord knows, Westport faces many pressing issues — including the future status of that Cribari Bridge, the lack of affordable housing, not enough bike lanes and sidewalks, anemic downtown parking, a disturbing lack of Albanian restaurants, and absolutely no master plan for dealing with a Martian attack.
I would like to raise our collective consciousness by adding to this list the head-scratching demise of the footbridge behind Parker Harding.
The artfully designed wooden plank walkway that juts out into the Saugatuck River has been closed for several years, presumably because it became unsafe.
Prior to that it offered splendid all-season views of the surrounding wetlands, the river, and downtown Westport. It was a haven for photographers, birders, lovers making out and folks simply looking to enjoy the views.
It was one of many attributes that made Westport a special place to live.
Unfortunately, those of us who used to revel in the footbridge’s many delights must continue to stew in season after season of our discontent. It is a classic case of anti-footbridgeloverism.
… with its “Do Not Enter” sign. (Photo/Michael Tomashefsky)
The Public Works Department has advised me that the footbridge is officially on the property of Gorham Island, and repairs are under their jurisdiction.
The agency that manages the property confirmed this, and advised me they would do a cost analysis re making repairs in the next couple of months.
As private money, corporate bureaucracy and state regulations would be involved as well, I doubt we’ll see an open footbridge any time soon.
But heck — if the citizens of Westport could stop the building of a nuclear power plant on Cockenoe Island, surely, we can get the Parker Harding footbridge open.
Citizens unite!
(“06880″‘s Opinion pages are open to all. Email submissions to 06880blog@gmail.com. To support this hyper-local blog, please click here.)
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Each week, Timothy Schmutte — a Westport resident, clinical psychologist and assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the Yale School of Medicine — and his wife Elenee Argentinis will address a different mental health issue that impacts Westporters.
This week, they focus on how to recognize situations when adolescents may need help. Names and details have been modified, to protect privacy. Timothy and Elenee write:
“Max” was a forward on the high school rugby team. A collision with another player caused a concussion, which took several weeks to resolve.
After being cleared by his doctor to return to playing, Max enjoyed practices. But the night before games he complained of an upset stomach, headache, or other symptoms to avoid playing. His symptoms “magically” disappeared when friends called to get together.
“Sarah” started sophomore year at a Westport private school. Most students already had established friendships. She found it hard to make connections. At her prior school she was a theater star, but now she did not get a leading role. Her grades were notably lower than at her prior school. When her parents asked about her day, she gave short responses like “fine” or “O.K.” She seemed withdrawn, and had secretly started cutting herself to deal with her suffering.
“Axel” had played baseball since age 7. He’d managed his ADHD successfully with medications, but high school brought new challenges. Several boys on the team smoked carts (vaping marijuana), which he used to fit in. Many had also gotten fake IDs, and used them at bars in Norwalk. High school was proving to be a big step up in academic demands. Axel found that vaping and drinking provided a convenient escape from the stress.
What’s common to these vignettes? Before high school, these teens were on successful paths. But high school and teen life came with new challenges, complexity, and adversity that they did not have the tools to cope with alone.
Being a teenager today is arguably harder than it’s ever been. Last week, we mentioned some key statistics worth repeating. The 2025 Connecticut School Health Survey found that in the previous 30 days, 21% of high schoolers reported that their mental health was “not good,” either always or most of the time. One- third of high school students reported feeling sad or hopeless almost daily for at least 2 weeks in a row, to the extent that they stopped doing activities. Staples seniors’ use of alcohol is, on average, 10 percentage points higher than the national average.
So, we still have work to do to help equip Westport teens with the tools to deal with the challenges of their generation.
It starts with shifting our own beliefs about mental health. For prior generations, seeing a therapist was usually reserved for times of crisis. Rather than wait for a breaking point, if parents can identify early signs of challenges and reach out for help, it may help many teens avert a mental health crisis.
How can you tell a teen needs help? Like many things, it depends. It starts with having a good sense of your teen’s baseline (normal everyday) behavior, so you can gauge changes in frequency, intensity, and duration of behaviors.
Communication: Changes in a teen’s depth and specificity of information shared is important. So are changes in the topics they mention (for example, negative views of self, life, social circle, appearance etc.,).
Mood: Frequent anger, testiness and stonewalling are strong signals that something is wrong.
Sleep: Changes in sleep (oversleeping, hyperactivity or excessive daytime fatigue).
Friends: Social withdrawal or abrupt changes to their friend group are especially important at this age.
Weight and diet: Noticeable weight gain or loss can be a sign of depression, eating disorders and other problems.
Screen time: 4 or more hours of daily screen time are strongly associated with teen depression, anxiety and behavior problems. If time online has increased (or teens resist parental time limits), this is important.
If something feels off, trust your instincts.
Reaching out for help can feel daunting. Picking up the phone to call a therapist can feel like an admission of failure or fault. But that notion is part of an old paradigm we should leave behind. When a child shows symptoms of physical illness such as a sore throat, ear pain or fever, we know when to call a doctor.
The same should be true for mental health. If we can flip our internal script about what it means to get mental health support, together we can bend the curve on teen mental health.
But they do provide a snapshot of a certain part of our educational system.
Yesterday, the New York Times published a sobering data-driven story.
Almost everywhere in the US, students are performing worse than their peers were 10 years ago, in both reading and math scores.
The declines are seen in both wealthy and impoverished districts. They cross racial and geographic lines. And — importantly — they began before the pandemic.
The Times included a tool to check thousands of school district, in all the states in the survey. It includes comparisons with similar districts, and each state as a whole.
The (pretty) good news: Westport fell only 0.6 grade levels in reading, and there was no change in math.
That’s better than the Connecticut average, and much better than the nation as a whole.
Speaking of schools: As the Board of Education explores a review of the special education program, they’re hosting a “community conversation.”
The meeting (Wednesday, May 20, 7 p.m., Staples High School library) is a chance for residents to provide feedback on the special education program review.
Jack Klinge is one of Westport’s greatest volunteers.
For decades he has served — quietly, faithfully, always with a twinkle of humor and an enormous heart. He’s the longest-serving member on the Representative Town Meeting (29 years!), a longtime Little League coach, a beloved substitute teacher, a deliverer of meals, and a trusted mentor.
Jack also helped found the Friends of the Senior Center.
Tomorrow (Friday, May 15, 3 p.m.), the Senior Center honors Jack.
Anyone and everyone he’s touched — friends, former colleagues, former students and athletes, mentees formal and informal — is invited to the celebration.
Once again, Westport proved it’s a community with “soul.”
The town-wide shoe collection to benefit Soles4Souls — a non-profit that provides footwear for people in need, and creates micro-business opportunities in under-resourced areas — filled 28 boxes. Each holds 20 pairs.
That means 500 pairs of shoes are on their way, to people who need them far more than we do.
From left: Soles4Souls organizers Ted Freedman, Ken Bernhard, Rick Jaffe and friend, with boxes of donations.
MoCA\CT’s wide-ranging exhibition — “Art, Jazz + the Blues” — ends June 7.
But it’s going out with a bang.
On Saturday, June 6 (7 p.m.), Endea Owens & The Cookout star in a night of soul-stirring jazz.
Owens — a Juilliard graduate and member of the “Late Show with Stephen Colbert” house band — has earned Grammy, Emmy, and Peabody Award recognition. She has been heard on “Judas and the Black Messiah,” H.E.R.’s Super Bowl LV performance, and Jon Batiste’s album “We Are.”
Owens is also a dedicated philanthropist. Her “Community Cookout” initiative has provided thousands of meals and free concerts to underserved neighborhoods. Click here for tickets, and more information.
In addition to representing this area in Congress, he’s the ranking member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.
But he always has time for his constituents.
On Monday, Himes spent nearly an hour answering questions from Y’s Women. He spoke energetically and candidly about the war with Iran, the US going it alone in the world, voting rights and redistricting in Southern states, immigration, and the defense of democratic institutions.
Congressman Jim Himes, at the Y’s Women meeting. (Photo/Vera DeStefano)
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“We help the least, the last and the left out.”
That was Bridgeport Rescue Mission CEO Rhonda Neal’s message to the Westport Rotary Club on Tuesday. The Mission provides food and clothing, addiction recovery services, safe housing, healthcare and more.
Neal’s appearance followed the Rotarians’ distribution of $319,000 to a number of area non-profit organizations, including hers. Funds come several events, particularly LobsterFest.
Rhonda Neal, at the Rotary Club. (Hat tip and photo/Dave Matlow)
Rooted in the traditional Japanese style of fireside grilling, robata involves cooking over open flame to create deeper smokiness, texture and layered flavor, while allowing high-quality ingredients to remain the focus.
Highlights at chef Brian Lewis’ acclaimed Wilton Road restaurant include salmon and Asian pear with miso mustard, hanger steak with black garlic aioli, teriyaki chicken with white miso aioli, and Japanese eggplant and mushroom with umeboshi.
Robata at OKO.
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Westport Police made 1 custodial arrest between May 6 and 12.
A 34-year-old Manchester woman was charged with risk of injury to a child, after she was alleged to have provided a juvenile with a THC-infused cannabis gummy at St. Vincent’s Behavioral Health. She was released on a $10,000 bond.
Westport Police also issued these citations:
Failure to obey stop sign: 16 citations
Failure to renew registration: 8
Texting while driving: 5
Distracted driving: 4
Operating a motor vehicle without minimum insurance: 4
Traveling unreasonably fast: 3
Failure to comply with state traffic commission regulations: 3
Creating a public disturbance: 2
Operating a motor vehicle under suspension 1
Operating a motor vehicle without a license: 1
School zone violation, 2nd offense: 1
School zone violation: 1
Distracted driving, 2nd offense: 1
Traveling too fast for conditions: 1
Failure to drive in the proper lane: 1
Failure to use turn signal: 1
Too many drivers don’t use turn signals. One got nabbed this week.
And finally … reacting to the item above, concerning national standardized test scores:
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The Planning & Zoning Commission does not often debate recreation.
But they do weigh in on issues involving town property. So 2 items of interest to many Westporters — the concession stand operator at Compo Beach and Longshore, and lights on 2 athletic fields — were on their agenda last night.
Nearly 100 people logged on to the virtual meeting. Over the course of 4 hours the P&Z unanimously endorsed Nikki Glekas to run “The Sandbar,” and heard the pros and cons of 4 70-foot poles at the Wakeman and PJ Romano synthetic turf fields.
Glekas — owner of Westport-based NG Entertainment — was enthusiastically recommended by Parks & Recreation director Erik Barbieri.
She said that her beach menu would be both “family friendly” and “a bit upscale,” ranging from smashburgers, chicken tenders and french fries to fresh salads, gyros and souvlaki.
The Compo Beach concession opens soon. (Photo/JD Dworkow)
She would offer catering too — for fireworks parties, for example — and make The Sandbar a “destination.”
With little discussion, the P&Z voted unanimously in favor of Glekas, for Compo, the Longshore pavilion and golf course halfway house.
With Barbieri and Glekas hoping to be operational by Memorial Day weekend, and Board of Finance approval coming 48 hours earlier, the contract now goes to the Board of Selectpersons on May 21 for final approval.
The field lighting proposal drew much more comment, from commissioners and the public.
Citing increased participant numbers, gender equity, the effects on Staples sports and the need to maintain the quality of grass fields by limiting play there, Barbieri, Parks & Rec superintendent Carm Roda and Staples High School athletic director VJ Sarullo called the need for lit fields “urgent.”
Wakeman B, near Bedford Middle School, is currently unlit. PJ Romano, behind Saugatuck Elementary, utilizes temporary lights. The third lit field in town, at Greens Farms Elementary, is used for softball.
Wakeman B field.
The town officials, and Mike Mahoney of Musco Sports Lighting, who has worked with Westport previously, emphasized LED technology, which eliminates the “spillover” of previous generation lights; automatic turnoff, to prevent not-permitted use, and noise restrictions. The lights would comply with Connecticut Dark Sky standards.
Roda promised to pull the permits of any organizations abusing the system.
Dozens of residents emailed public comments before the meeting. But the majority of public speakers — while emphasizing their support for youth sports — questioned certain aspects of the proposal.
Many live near Wakeman Field. the focus of most of the speakers.
Concerns included the effects of lights and noise on neighboring properties; the proposed 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. cutoffs; the effects of night games and practices on youngsters’ bedtimes, and use by adult teams and for-profit organizations.
The tone of the discussion was respectful. Many of the neighbors asked for revisions or “a better solution,” and requested a meeting at the Wakeman site.
The P&Z took no vote. Discussion, including public comment, will continue May 18 (6 p.m., Zoom), and again on June 1.
Navigating the public school special education system is hard.
Despite federal laws ensuring that children with disabilities receive a free appropriate public education tailored to their needs, gaining access to those services can be long, arduous — and costly.
And that’s for families with the time, resources and financial ability to do so.
Jennifer Kanfer
During nearly 20 years in Westport, Jennifer Kanfer learned how to advocate for her child with a learning disability. Many other parents here do too.
But as she navigated the complex system, she wondered about parents who don’t live in an affluent suburb. How could they advocate for their children?
Since 2018, they’ve had help.
The Special Education Legal Fund (SELF) was founded by 2 mothers who wanted to level the playing field for families without the resources they were fortunate to have.
It began by distributing grants to attorneys, who represented parents in meetings and negotiations with school administrators — and, if needed, in litigation that followed.
The grants — first $5,000, now $6,000 — still represented less than what those lawyers would normally charge. SELF works with over 2 dozen attorneys throughout Connecticut (and a few in Westchester County), all with special education experience.
Over the years, they’ve served well over 200 families. All must earn incomes no higher than 300% above the state poverty level.
SELF soon added another service. Specially trained advocates (without law degrees) help families understand the special ed. process, and represent them during Planning and Placement Team (PPT) and other meetings with school officials.
Kanfer trained to become an advocate — and is a staunch one.
The third program involves Laura Sullivan. The full-time attorney — a special ed expert — assists the “most vulnerable” families: those earning no more than 125% over the state poverty level. For a family of 4, that’s about $41,000.
“As costs of special education rise, and there is more pressure to reduce the number and amount of services, districts become more adversarial,” SELF executive director Stephanie Bilenker notes.
“But with advocates and attorneys, districts sit up straighter. They take families more seriously. They listen more to their concerns.
SELF website screenshot.
“I know districts are under pressure to rein in costs,” Kanfer acknowledges. “But families need help.”
SELF provides it.
And not just in English. The website offers information in Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, Mandarin, Creole, Polish and French.
“When there’s a grant, and it leads to securing an outcome, that’s amazing,” she adds.
“We’ve seen kids get special ed services, and go on to good colleges. One intervention made all the difference in their lives.”
BY THE NUMBERS:
SELF has provided over 7,200 hours of legal service; given more than $1.3 million grants; obtained over $15 million in educational improvements, and worked with 70-plus school districts.
49% of SELF families live below the poverty line; 29% speak English as a second language; 61% are led by single parents.
54% of SELF students are of color; 32% are autistic; 22% are diagnosed with ADD/ADHD; 19% are dyslexic.
To learn more about the Special Education Legal Fund — including statistics, how to access webinars and how to donate — click here.
(“06880” regularly covers education issues — and publishes profiles of Westporters doing interesting, important work. If you appreciate stories like these, please click here to support this blog. Thank you!)
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SELF soon added another service. Specially trained advocates (without law degrees) help families understand the special ed. process, and represent them during Planning and Placement Team (PPT) and other meetings with school officials.
