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Is it true that every new Westport home buyer comes from Manhattan or Brooklyn?
No. It only seems that way.
According to Coldwell Banker realtor Judy Michaelis, 38% of Westport buyers in the 6 months between January 1 and June 30, 2021 came from … Westport.
Whether trading up, downsizing or moving closer to the beach or woods, nearly 4 in 10 new homeowners are actually still our neighbors.
The next biggest chunk — 17% — came from (yes) New York City.
That was followed by “other states” (15%), Stamford (10%), Norwalk and other Connecticut towns (8% each), New York state (3%) and Wilton (1%).
Wherever you’re from: Welcome to our town, 06880. And also to our “06880” blog.
Many New York City apartment dwellers come to Westport seeking more space.
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Save the Sound’s annual Connecticut Cleanup begins at the end of August, and runs through October.
It’s the largest volunteer effort of its kind in Connecticut. Last year, 1,495 volunteers took 7,498 pounds of trash out of 133 miles of coasts and streams.
This year, Save the Sound is adding a crowdsourcing effort to discover new cleanup sites. Westport is one of 15 communities already on the list for an event.
Click here to register, and for more information.
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Brian Keane is headed to the New England Music Hall of Fame.
The Emmy Award-winning film documentary composer — also a professional guitarist, film producer and Staples High School Class of 1971 graduate — joins a glittering case of 2021 inductees. They include the late Muddy Waters and his son, Mud Morganfield; blues greats James Cotton, James Montgomery and Duke Robillard, and John Cafferty & the Beaver Brown Band.
Connecticut Magazine features Keane this month. Click here for the full story. (Hat tip: Fred Cantor)
Brian Keane
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For the past couple of years, the state Department of Transportation has been removing trees, bushes and buffering hills from the northbound side of Merritt Parkway Exit 41, near the Westport Weston Family Y.
Now they’re putting stuff back. It won’t look the same as it did before.
But it won’t look the way it did recently, either.
(Photo/Bob Mitchell)
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Speaking of nature: The Westport Garden Club’s #FridayFlowers arrangements are always gorgeous. This week they had competition, though — they had to look good in a place that’s already beautiful.
They do.
Check out the photo below, from one of Westport’s hidden jewels: the Wadsworth Arboretum. The arrangement comes courtesy of Dottie Fincher and Susan Nettesheim.
(Photo/Susan Nettesheim)
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Local to Market — the new artisan food-and-crafts store in the old Remarkable Book Shop — hosts a farm stand on their patio from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today (Saturday, July 31).
They feature Silverman’s Farm and Shaggy Coos farm. There’s fresh veggies including corn and peaches, fresh milk, and 2 local artists: pottery by Anna Aron and woodturnings by Dick Stein. A portion of all sales goes to charity.
In addition, Local to Market is looking for a store manager and sales associate. It’s a great chance to be part of the resurgence of Main Street — and help all kinds of local folks get to market (duh).
Email info@localtomarket.com for details.
The Local to Market patio opened recently, across from Cold Fusion.
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Also downtown this afternoon: Jack Eigen will be selling his ice cream (featured recently on “06880”) in front of New England Hemp Farm, in Brooks Corner.
There’s a connection: Colin Bannon, the hemp store owner, is Jack’s Staples High School lacrosse coach.
Just one more way in which Westport coaches go the extra mile for their players.
Jack Eigen, making ice cream.
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After Thursday’s rain, a couple of deer appeared at Lori Lustig’s house. This one didn’t know whether to be scared of — or play with — their dog “Ollie.”
And vice versa.
Just one more example of “Westport … Naturally.”
(Photo/Lori Lustig)
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And finally … sure, Brian Keane earned fame (and Emmys) scoring music for documentary films.
But he’s also an accomplished jazz guitarist. He’s played with greats like Larry Coryell. Click below, to a enjoy a classic tune.
