Happy Friday!
It’s happier for people living near the Post Road, from the Roseville Road (McDonald’s) light to the Southport line.
Their power is back on. Congrats, guys! Let’s hope the rest of us follow soon.
Eversource says that the “vast majority of customers” will have power restored by 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, August 11. Customers in isolated areas or those with issues close to individual homes may be without power for longer.
As of 9 p.m. last night (Thursday), Eversource had restored power to 434,919 customers across the state. It was still out for 480,125 customers.
That includes 10,169 Westport customers. That’s still 80.5% of the town without power.
In Weston, meanwhile, the emergency dispatch center — damaged by fire — has been restored to full capacity. Power is out in that town to 93% of customers.
Evesource says crews arrived yesterday from Massachusetts. We saw some here from Pennsylvania. Others are coming — hopefully soon — to Connecticut from New York, Maryland, North Carolina, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Missouri and Canada.
Drive safely, guys. But quickly!
Valley Forge Road in Weston is still closed. (Photo/Steve Mochel)
This will put a smile on your face — and keep you smiling all day.
Lisa Russ lives in Georgia. Her parents — both in their 90s — live on Rocky Ridge Road, off Valley Road. It’s impassible still, due to a downed tree.
Concerned about ambulance access in case of an emergency, Lisa called Westport’s Department of Human Services. Margaret Pinheiro and Kristen Witt sprang into action.
They worked with the Fire Department to evaluate the situation. They offered to find hotel space, if needed.
Then last night, director of Human Services Elaine Daignault surprised Lisa’s parents with dinner, fruit, water — and toilet paper.
“Their level of care and concern is amazing,” Lisa says. “I can’t thank them enough!”
Rocky Ridge Road is still cut off from the rest of Westport. (Photo/Linda Doyle)
Other Westporters are helping too. The Conservative Synagogue on Hillspoint Road, near the Post Road, now has power and WiFi. Rabbi Jeremy Wiederhorn says all are welcome!
And Jacques Voris has a generator, which anyone can use to charge devices. Call his cell (203-505-4957) for details.
Some folks have wondered why the Longshore golf course has been closed. Here’s one reason:
(Photo/Tracy Porosoff)
Pippa Bell Ader of Sustainable Westport proudly announced that thousands of food scraps have been recycled since the program began July 6.’
But it’s temporarily suspended. The transfer station employee who oversees the project is helping with other duties after the storm. And not enough volunteers are available to assist either.
The food scraps recycling effort will begin as soon as possible, Pippa promises.
Cynthia Mindell understands this is a First World problem. She empathizes with everyone sitting in a car in a parking lot trying to use WiFi. But, she cautions, please don’t idle! It’s against the law — and it can be harmful to people sitting nearby.
Speaking of free WiFi: Is the Westport Library parking lot, Riverwalk or Jesup too crowded?
Sharon Fiarman reports you can log on at the Imperial Avenue parking lot. That’s where the Farmers’ Market and Remarkable Theater drive-in movies are (in better times).
And speaking of our great (and new) Westport tradition of hanging out on Jesup Green, scarfing up the library’s internet access: With all the folks there, I’m surprised no one has taken it upon him or herself to pick up the many branches and limbs still scattered all over the green.
A big branch lies in the foreground of this peaceful, post-Isaias Jesup Green scene. (Photo/Ted Horowitz)
Need an absentee ballot to vote in Tuesday’s Democratic and Republican primary elections?
They’re available this Saturday (9 a.m. to noon) at the rear entrance to Town Hall (accessible, if Myrtle Avenue is still closed, via St. John Place).
That’s also where you can return completed ballots — in a secure drop box — any time before 8 p.m. Tuesday.
Pick up absentee ballots here on Saturday morning; drop them off here before Tuesday at 8 p.m. (Photo/Pippa Bell Ader)
A warning to art lovers: There will be no “06880” Saturday morning art gallery tomorrow. All the great works I planned to run are locked up on my desktop computer, inaccessible for (hopefully) not too much longer.
A blast from the past: “Mid-July Flowers” (Amy Schneider)
And finally … sure, markets are opening up in town. But this is still an appropriate tune:
