This Thursday (July 21, 5 p.m., Zoom session), the Planning & Zoning Commission considers 3 COVID-related items.
Two are text amendments aimed at striking a balance between promoting economic vitality and protecting nearby residents.
One would extend the current temporary outdoor dining regulations through March 31, 2021. The other would allow fitness businesses to use certain outdoor spaces, enabling them to serve clients in a socially distanced way.
In addition, Pierrepont School is seeking to use additional space at 220 Post Road West — across the street from its current home at 1 Sylvan Road North — to provide more social distancing space for its approximately 48 students in grades 7-12, and staff.
The meeting will be livestreamed on www.westportct.gov, and shown on Optimum channel 79 and Frontier channel 6020. Public comments may be sent by noon on Thursday to PandZ@westportct.gov, and during the meeting as well (PandZcomments@westportct.gov. For full details, click here.
Outdoor dining has been successful on Railroad Place.
Yesterday’s Roundup featured a photo of the Fresh Market osprey fledglings.
A bird-watching friend writes about other osprey platforms in town. They include:
Two on the exit road from Longshore. One is along Gray’s Creek at the back of the out-of-town parking lot for the marina. The other is along the exit road just past Gloria’s mooring, opposite the 12th green.
Two are at Sherwood Island. One is north of the Nature Center in the salt marsh between the island and Beachside Commons; the second is on the west side of the island, in the marsh alongside Sherwood Mill Pond, north from the end of the second bridge at the tidal gates,
One more is off Beachside Avenue, east of Burying Hill Beach and Harvey Weinstein’s former home.
All 5 are occupied, and have 2 or 3 hatchlings each. They’re practicing flying and fishing prior to their late summer migration to South America for the winter.
A local osprey nest (Photo/Jen Greely)
Staples High School 2003 graduate Justin Paul has gone on to fame (and many honors) for his off-the-charts songwriting (“Dear Evan Hansen,” “La La Land,” “The Greatest Showman”).
But he has not forgotten his home town. He recently volunteered as a judge for the Norwalk-to-Bridgeport Project Census Throwdown contest, encouraging high school students to write creatively and educationally about the 2020 Census.
Justin was very impressed with the winning rap submission, from Elijah Atkins of Bridgeport’s Bridge Academy. He encouraged Elijah to further explore his gift for lyrical structure and creativity.
Congratulations, Elijah — and thanks, Justin!
Justin Paul
A few spots remain for the Earthplace Summer Teen Volunteer Club. Daily activities include animal care, special event preparation, and maintaining the Earthplace private preserve.
Sessions run July 17-August 7, and August 10-21. For information, click here.
The Westport Downtown Merchants Association has decorated the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge downtown with summer-color lights: blue, green and white.
Pretty lit!
And finally … Happy 72nd birthday, Cat Stevens (Yusuf Islam). There are so many songs to pay him tribute. Here are 3. What’s your pick? Click “Comments” below.
I’ll go with Peace Train.
Who has seen Harold and Maude lately? Great movie, all Cat Stevens music.
I immediately thought of Harold and Maude myself. Might be a good flick for the drive-in.
Definitely Peace Train.
PEACE TRAIN. We need it now!
Ditto: Peace Train. When I lived in the Hartford area back in the 80’s, there was a community foundation called PeaceTrain, headed by Paul Lemay, a giant man with a giant heart, who was quite the character. Every year, they put on the New England Fiddle Contest, which drew thousands. They also sponsored many great concerts of other music genres. Hartford has a reputation for being a boring city, but in those days, it never lacked wonderful entertainment.
Peace Train
Peace train
If one must choose
Wild World
In olden days, I would have picked something from “Tea for the Tillerman,” as people have here. That was the record that made Cat a superstar. But now, my favorite of his albums is the one that came before it, “Mona Bone Jakon.” When I listen to him at all, it’s to hear the last four songs on that one, especially “Lilywhite,” a lush orchestral piece that I now consider to be by far his most beautiful song.
Thank you for sharing. He was my first musical ❤️ love
Father and Son.
Cat Stevens was my first concert when I was 15. I still have the ticket stub. I went to see him at the Beacon Theatre in NYC in 2016 and ever since have followed his newsletter to find out when he might tour again. I love this man, and my favorite song is “HOW CAN I TELL YOU..” Keep us posted if you hear anything Dan