Monthly Archives: July 2013

Beach Party? Bingo!

Posted on July 19, 2013 | 6 comments

I knew Audrey Hertzel was a loyal “06880” reader.

I didn’t know she’s also an excellent photographer.

Yesterday — while the rest of us partied at the 1st-ever “06880” beach bash — she was busy with her camera.

Enjoy her shots. (And I hope she enjoyed a shot or two — or some other drink — in between all her photography, tent-erecting and banner-making work!)

O! It was quite a party.

‘0’! It was quite a party.

Jennifer Hershey and Mary Hoffman were party planners extraordinaire.

Jennifer Hershey and Mary Hoffman were party planners extraordinaire.

Maite Hernandez, Roy Marmelo and Robin Singer. Maite provided some great Cuban food -- less than 24 hours after she and her husband Roy returned from a month in Europe.

Maite Hernandez, Roy Marmelo and Robin Singer. Maite provided some great Cuban food — just 24 hours after she and her husband Roy returned from a month in Europe.

Pete Romano and Robin Tauck -- one of Westport's favorite couples.

Pete Romano and Robin Tauck — one of Westport’s favorite couples.

Achara and her friend shared a fantastic pizza.

Achara and her friend shared a fantastic pizza.

Judy James, Matt Mandell and Dewey Loselle may or may not have been discussing town politics.

Judy James, Matt Mandell and Dewey Loselle may or may not have discussed local politics.

Tom Lowrie, Kelle Ruden and Mike Laux have got the Rotary Club, library and swim team scenes covered.

Tom Lowrie, Kelle Ruden and Mike Laux have got the Rotary Club, library and swim team scenes covered.

Brian Hershey gained "06880" fame for stories on his trips to observe polar bears in the Arctic, and North Koreans in their repressive country.

Brian Hershey gained “06880” fame for stories on his trips to observe polar bears in the Arctic, and North Koreans in their repressive country.

Andy and Meryl Kaplan take a relaxing break.

Andy and Meryl Kaplan relax.

Master cupcake maker Lisa Alter, Linda Hudson and Rick.

Master cupcake maker Lisa Alter, Linda Hudson and Rick.

Newcomer Michelle Benner and oldtimer Terry Brannigan.

Newcomer Michelle Benner and oldtimer Terry Brannigan.

Audrey Hertzel -- who provided the tent and banner -- and her Memphis friend.

Audrey Hertzel — who provided the tent and banner — and her Memphis friend. Debbie Pafford. (Photo by Prill Boyle)

Prill Boyle and yours truly. We go way back -- to Burr Farms Elementary School.

Prill Boyle and yours truly. We go way back — to Burr Farms Elementary School.

60% of "06880" isn't too bad. See you next year, at the 2nd annual party! (All photos by Jo Shields)

60% of “06880” isn’t too bad. See you next year, at the 2nd annual party! (All photos by Audrey Hertzel, except as noted)

6 Comments

Posted in Beach, People, Westport life

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The Sun Always Shines On “06880”

Posted on July 19, 2013 | 20 comments

Sure, it was the hottest day since global warming began.

The temperature was 12 squintillion degrees, but with the humidity at 27 bazillion and the breeze blowing at minus-2 miles an hour, the day seemed quite a bit hotter.

As hot, in other words, as a typical day on “06880,” back when JeffXS, Emma and The Dude Abides were allowed to not use their real names.

Still, more than 100 people who were not wusses braved the heat last evening for the 1st-ever “06880” beach party.

Audrey Hertzel's banner welcomed partygoers.

Audrey Hertzel’s banner welcomed partygoers.

There were little kids, a 95-year-old, politicians, normal human beings, and a couple who moved here 6 months ago. I thought that was pretty impressive, until I met another couple who just arrived 2 weeks ago.

Honest.

And, in typical “06880” fashion, those newest newcomers once almost moved to Mill Valley. The same California town that was the subject of a Westport/Mill Valley comparison blog post, back in 2011.

"06880" does Compo Beach proud -- and vice versa. (Photo by Katherine Hooper)

“06880” does Compo Beach proud — and vice versa. (Photo by Katherine Hooper)

Huge props go to party organizers Mary Hoffman and Jennifer Hershey; tent provider and rafflemeister Audrey Hertzel; Cuban chef Maite Hernandez; cupcake maven Lisa Marie Alter; name tag man Fred Cantor — and all others who helped, came, ate, drank, wandered over, or in any way, shape or form contributed to a wonderful time.

Lisa Marie Alter's cupcakes were snapped up right after this photo was taken.

Lisa Marie Alter’s cupcakes were snapped up right after this photo was taken.

It was so good, no one even noticed the heat.

Or the sand flies.

Hardly.

See you next year. According to global warming experts, it will be even hotter.

But the party will be even cooler.

PS:  If you left your sunglasses on a table, contact me. I’ve got ’em.

The party went on long past dusk. When the last person left, it was a mere 112 degrees.

The party went on long past dusk. When the last person left, it was a mere 112 degrees.

20 Comments

Posted in Beach, Westport life

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Today Is Party Day! (But Bring The Bug Spray)

Posted on July 18, 2013 | 11 comments

It’s all good for tonight’s 1st-ever “06880” Compo Beach party.

We’re set for 6 p.m. at South Beach — the alcohol-is-fine end, furthest from the cannons.

Bring your own food and beverages (and bug spray — it’s sand fly season).

We’ll provide the “06880” community — a chance to meet the commenters and lurkers. To talk, laugh and trade stories about this wild, wacky and only slightly dysfunctional town we share and love.

See you tonight!

PS: Park carefully. You don’t want to end up on “06880,” do you?

This is the area we'll be (near the boat and kayak launch). Without the car. (Photo by Linda Gramatky Smith)

This is the area where we’ll be (near the boat and kayak launch). Minus the car. (Photo by Linda Gramatky Smith)

11 Comments

Posted in Totally random, Westport life

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After Sandy, A Pleasant Surprise

Posted on July 18, 2013 | 2 comments

Sure, it looks a little Guantanamo prison-ish.

But the temporary fencing that replaced the Compo Beach brick wall demolished by Hurricane Sandy has pleasantly surprised a number of Westporters.

Gone is the imposing barrier between the covered pavilion near Joey’s, and the wooden bathhouses next to it.

In its place stands an open fence.

Compo bathhouse

It’s not pretty — and neither are the bathhouses behind it, dating back to the time the first life forms slithered out of the sea — but the airiness of the area appeals to many beachgoers.

When permanent improvements are made — “permanent,” of course, being at the whims of weather — it might be good to consider something along the lines of the current fence, not the old wall.

And, of course, some updates to the bathhouses. As grotty as they are, they’re well utilized, and much appreciated by regulars who store chairs, umbrellas and toys there.

One of whom even said he thought users would be willing to pay for improvements themselves.

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Posted in Beach, Weather

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You Can’t Get There From Here

Posted on July 17, 2013 | 4 comments

If you were driving in Saugatuck or near downtown today, you can appreciate alert “06880” reader Paula McInerney’s question:

Who at Westport Town Hall approved road work on the Saugatuck Bridge, and road repairs on Riverside Avenue (multiple places),  the Post Road at Riverside Avenue, and Saugatuck Avenue?

This was NOT the idyllic scene today at the Bridge Street Bridge. It was closed for several hours, for scheduled repairs.

This was NOT the idyllic scene today at the Bridge Street Bridge. It was closed for several hours, for scheduled repairs.

4 Comments

Posted in Downtown, Saugatuck

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Demolition, Renovation, Relocation Update

Posted on July 17, 2013 | 5 comments

Interested in saving a couple of old Westport houses? (Or want them gone?)

Here are your chances.

Tomorrow (Thursday, July 18), the Planning & Zoning Commission will consider a new plan from Terrain. It will save the 1900-era house on the corner of Post Road and Crescent  Road; will increase the store’s parking by 29 spots, and will move off-loading of trucks from Crescent Road to their own property.

Sources say 8:15-ish is the best time to get there for the Terrain application.

If you can’t attend the meeting, contact P&Z director Larry Bradley (lbradley@westportct.gov). He’ll put all emails in a file for P&Z members to read.

The house on Terrain's Post Road property, at the corner of Crescent Road.

The house on Terrain’s Post Road property, at the corner of Crescent Road.

Then, on Thursday (July 25, 7 p.m.) the P&Z will review use of town land, as it relates to the relocation of the Kemper-Gunn House (35 Church Lane).

RTM member Matt Mandell has organized an online petition, in hopes of convincing town bodies to move the building a few yards away, to the Elm Street parking lot (prior to construction of Bedford Square).

Finally, there’s the Saugatuck firehouse. On Wednesday, August 28, the RTM Long Range Planning Committee will hear public input on possible relocation sites.

And you thought you had the summer off!

5 Comments

Posted in Downtown, Local business, Saugatuck

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O Cecelia!

Posted on July 17, 2013 | 4 comments

If you’re not like me, you open your issue of O — Oprah’s Magazine — the instant it lands inside your mailbox.

If you lingered on an ad from Hormel, you would have seen this:

Cecilia

It’s a celebration of Cecelia Behar of Newfield, New York. Cecelia is the Round 1 winner of Hormel’s “Hardest Working Women” Contest.

The ad copy says: “As a wife, mother of two, teen counselor, mommy blogger and avid swimmer, Cecelia is truly a hardworking woman who juggles it all.”

Cecelia also happens to be a Staples grad.  She’s the daughter of Bonnie Behar Brooks, a music/video/film production company owner/manager. Cecelia’s stepfather, Harvey Brooks, is a noted bassist who has played with every big name from Bob Dylan and the Doors to Miles Davis and Richie Havens.

Lil Mamas logo

So what did she win?

On her blog, Lil Mamas — that’s right, her hard work was featured in “06880” earlier this year — Cecelia says she got:

a trip to NYC with my girlfriend, a 2 night stay in a super-posh hotel, a MUCH needed mani-pedi, a seriously fantastic photo shoot, a full page spread in O Magazine and an insane amount of Hormel Completes coupons (which are very handy, I might add).

Oh – and maybe the most incredible pair of Michael Kors platform shoes that have ever been.

But, she notes,

what I really won was the experience. Like a lot of moms, I almost never get a chance to go away without the kids to spend time with friends for a few days. And I certainly never get an amazing team of professionals fancifying me up, dressing me in spectacular clothing and then taking my picture all day long. I gotta say – I could get used to that.

Oh, yeah. Cecelia adds this PS:

I would like to take a minute to thank my husband for doing his part to ensure that I was able to take this trip. I am very sorry that during my absence, our 6 year old got a case of the vomits.

Well… I’m MOSTLY sorry. Sort of. Almost? Oh, come on! It was his turn!! His turn I tell you!!!

4 Comments

Posted in Children, People, Staples HS

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Max Meyer-Bosse Rows His Boat

Posted on July 16, 2013 | Comments Off on Max Meyer-Bosse Rows His Boat

Lizzie Youngling is not the only Westporter competing for a world rowing title.

She’ll be joined at the Under-23 international championships in Linz, Austria later this month by fellow Staples High School Class of 2011 grad — and Saugatuck Rowing Club teammate — Max Meyer-Bosse.

Max will represent the US in the men’s 8+.

Max Meyer-Bosse

Max Meyer-Bosse

He started rowing at Saugatuck in 7th grade, and it quickly became his passion. In the summers after junior and senior years of high school, he raced for the US Junior National team in Prague and London.

A rising junior economics major at Harvard, he rowed under legendary coach Harry Parker.

“The people I’ve met and the experiences I’ve had because of rowing have shaped me into the person I am today,” Max says.

Like Lizzie, Max must raise all of his training and travel costs. He is a quarter of the way to his $4,500 goal. Click here to help Max represent US Rowing in Austria.

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Posted in Organizations, People, Sports, Staples HS

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Westport’s Hottest Outdoor Art Show Celebrates 40 Years

Posted on July 16, 2013 | 5 comments

This weekend will be blazingly hot.

I know it because this Saturday and Sunday are the dates for the Westport Outdoor Art Show. (Formal name: Westport Fine Arts Festival.)

This marks its 40th anniversary. And I’m pretty sure that each one has been held on the hottest weekend in history.

No matter. The show weathered a move from Main Street to Parker Harding Plaza and Gorham Island. It’s grown to 140 artists, representing 13 categories of art (glass, fiber, wood, ceramics, jewelry and digital art, for example).

A mime and artist, both hard at work during last year's Westport Fine Arts Festival.

A mime and artist, both hard at work during last year’s Westport Fine Arts Festival.

Each year brings new artists, performers and food trucks. The sponsoring Westport Downtown Merchants Association is particularly intrigued this year by newcomer Jason McLeod. He uses math, GPS coordinates, and all kinds of numbers, dates and symbols in his jewelry. Here’s a cuff called “Time Traveler Hinged,” crafted from sterling silver, 14k and 18k gold, crystal quartz, iolite and diamonds:

Arts Festival - Jason McLeod

This year features extended hours for a “cooler” evening experience (both literally and figuratively). Adult beverages will be served.

(The Outdoor Art Show is family friendly, of course, with plenty of hands-on kids’ activities, and children’s entertainment.)

There’s even an artsy new logo:

Westport Fine Arts FestivalThe artists have been chosen. Booths have been assigned. Food and entertainment is ready to go.

Now the weather just has to come through.

5 Comments

Posted in Arts, Downtown, Entertainment, Organizations, People

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Counting Down…And Up

Posted on July 15, 2013 | Comments Off on Counting Down…And Up

Just a few days remain before the “06880” party at Compo Beach.

(It’s this Thursday, July 18, 6 p.m. at the far end of alcohol-is-legal South Beach — the furthest spot from the cannons.)

Please bring your own food, beverages, beach chairs and blankets. Then mix, mingle and enjoy the evening with the “06880″ crowd.

Though it’s BYOEverything, we’re trying to get a handle on numbers. Just so, you know, we know.

Please fill out the survey below. There’s no obligation — you can still change your mind. It’s all very casual — that’s the “06880” way!

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Posted in Beach, technology, Westport life

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