A new fence appeared recently at Compo Beach. This one is located just north of the marina, by the grass fronting Compo Beach Road.
Let’s hope geese can read better than deer, who never seem to “X” near their “Deer Xing” signs.
And better than Westport drivers, near any stop sign.
Julie Migliaccio seems to be many things.
She looks like a model, carries herself like a corporate attorney, and in real life is the owner of Evolution Fitness. She still instructs at the Post Road center, where her expertise and energy leave spin class clients’ heads spinning.
Julie Migliaccio
The 1985 Staples graduate is certified in cycle coaching, and has a tae kwon do black belt.
From July 16-18, she’ll try to be an International CrossFit Games champion.
The event is not for the faint of heart.
There are 4 events — but until an hour before it begins, competitors don’t know what they are.
In the Northeast sectional, they were:
Excuse us while we get some water, and take a nap.
Migliaccio qualified for the International CrossFit Games — set for Carson, California — through March’s New England sectional qualifier. She finished 32nd, but forfeited her individual spot in order to compete as the lead member of a 6-person team in the regional qualifier.
They finished 2nd, earning a spot in this month’s international event.
“I’ve always been competitive,” she says. “The variety of contests in CrossFit appeals to me.”
She says the CrossFit Games attract “a lot of firepersons, fitness instructors and gym rats. It’s quite intense.
Julie admits, “I’m beginning to feel my age somewhat. But my mind still tells me I can do so much more.”
Along with her heart, lungs, biceps, triceps, quads, hamstrings and glutes.
Paul the Octopus has gained worldwide fame for correctly predicting all of German’s results — 5 wins and 2 ties — in the World Cup.
In Westport, we’ve got cupcakes.
Rick Dickinson — owner of Great Cakes — says “people are really into” the tournament, including this afternoon’s final between Spain and the Netherlands.
Spain is the overwhelming favorite — not just with bettors and TV analysts, but with Westporters.
How do we know?
Most of Great Cakes’ bakery customers have requested the Spanish flag and colors.
Kickoff is at 2:30 p.m. Though most of Rick’s great cakes may be gone by then.
Posted in Local business, Sports
Tagged Great Cakes, Netherlands World Cup, Rick Dickinson, Spain World Cup
Elaine Clayton is a Westport artist whose sketches of neighborly people and places often appear on WestportNow.com (and, occasionally, “06880“).
Now they’re on view at a quintessentially neighborhood place: Oscar’s.
Clayton has long been intrigued by all the artists who frequent the downtown deli. (She pictures the Ashcan School hanging out there. Oscars’ has been on Main Street a long time, but not that long.)
“The place has great creative energy,” she says. “It feels like the essential townie place to be.”
This week, her sons Jonah and Alistair helped her hang 25 sketches and paintings on Oscar’s walls. They’ll be there all month.
They’re fun to see. Though we’ll refrain from calling them “food for thought.”
Elaine Clayton's Compo lifeguard
Very quietly Thursday night — while many Westporters were enjoying the Italian Festival or Huey Lewis and the News — the Planning and Zoning Commission passed a text amendment. Its impact is exponentially greater than either the annual Saugatuck fair or 50 summer nights of Levitt Pavilion entertainment.
The 6-0 vote — removing distance barriers so that more restaurants can serve alcohol — may be a game-changer.
If you’ve been in Westport a while, you know that Fairfield and South Norwalk have leapfrogged us in terms of nightlife vitality and downtown zippitude.
Back in the day, this was a thriving night spot -- housing a townie bar, an acoustic cafe and an Indian restaurant.
If you’re new to town you probably can’t imagine that once upon a time Westport was filled with hot hangouts: bars like the Bridge Grille next door to acoustic cafes like Grassroots; taverns like Ship’s Lantern just down from dance clubs like Mark’s Place.
The loss of 4 downtown movie theaters was devastating — but so were restrictive regulations that turned Main Street, the Post Road, and across the river into nighttime ghost towns.
The P&Z’s unanimous decision won’t immediately restart our on-life-support night life. But — coupled with changes easing permits for street fairs, and the gestating movement to bring back a movie theater — it may signal the beginning of a much-needed Main Street rebirth.
Posted in Downtown, Local politics, Looking back
There are 2 amazing things about this photo:
Go figure.
Bob Wickey — the PAL treasurer, whose day job is managing director for an investment firm — sent a link to Westport PAL’s 2008 Form 990. The most recent tax document was filed with the IRS early last month.
“The PAL has always and continues to strive for complete financial and operational transparency in what we do,” Bob says.
If you wonder why this is worthy of an “06880” blog post, click here.
If you’d like to see the document, click here.
Among its many contributions to Westport, the PAL sponsors the Longshore skating rink each winter. (Photo courtesy of Madeline Hardy/Inklingsnews.com)
Comments Off on And Now, PAL’s Latest Tax Return
Posted in Organizations
Tagged IRS Form 990, Westport PAL
There must be a story behind this “Student driver” Volvo awaiting repair at Westport Auto Craft on Riverside Avenue.
But I’m not sure I want to know.
Sure, the Italian Festival is about paisans of all ages eating, enjoying rides, trying to win basically unwinnable games, eating, listening to vaguely familiar music, seeing fellow Westporters while wondering where everyone else came from, and then having food.
But some folks have to work — and we’re not talking about the hard-working Sons of Italy volunteers (and others) who make it happen every year. Who ever thinks about — or really sees — the carnies?
Early on the 1st day, this woman waited for customers. The stuffed animal waited to be won.
Elvis came to Luciano Park. Long live The King.
This woman was selling Italy hats, t-shirts and trinkets. I asked if she was Italian. She said no. Then again, at the Italian Fest, everyone is.
Damn! I forgot to ask the psychics who's going to win on Sunday: Spain or the Netherlands?
This guy (left) had one of the toughest jobs around: standing knee-deep in water, playing with heavy kid-filled ballons, unloading them, then blowing them up for the next customer.
This dude was working hard too. Although the Surgeon General does not approve of the message.
The recent “06880” fireworks over Westport’s fireworks included — among other things — assertions that the books of sponsoring agency PAL should be open and examined by all.
Ask, and ye shall receive.
An “06880” reader who works in the non-profit field sent along a link to the IRS Form 990 return from 2008 — the most recent available.
Before conspiracy theorists start squawking, please note: The reader explains it is standard in the non-profit world for completion and publication of the 990 to lag 12-18 months behind the current fiscal year.
Full disclosure: The reader calls himself someone who is “very fond of the PAL Compo fireworks.” It was the site of his “very first, very serious makeout session” back in 19xx.
Click here to view PAL’s 990 document.
Posted in Beach, Organizations
Tagged Compo Beach, Westport 4th of July fireworks, Westport PAL
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