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Just before midnight, Westport firefighters responded to a fire alarm at the Townhouse for Dogs building on the Post Road, between Little Barn and Maserati.
There was heavy fire on the 2nd floor apartment of the building, Fairfield and Norwalk Fire Departments provided mutual aid.
Westport firefighters and police officers rescued and removed approximately 50 dogs and cats from the pet boarding facility.
The 3 occupants of the 2-floor apartment were awakened by smoke detectors. With their exit blocked by fire, they jumped from a window. They were treated by Westport EMS, and did not require hospitalization.
The fire is under investigation by the Westport fire marshal’s office. The WFD reminds residents that working smoke detectors save lives.
Norwalk and Wilton Fire Departments provided station coverage during the incident.
Last night’s fire at the Townhouse for Dogs. (Photo courtesy of Westport Fire Department)
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Beachgoers, take note: On May 1, parking emblems (aka “stickers”) will be required to drive into town beaches.
Click here to begin the purchase process online. If you bought an emblem or registered for Parks & Recreation programs previously, choose “Memberships”; in the search box, type “vehicle,” and follow the prompts. It may take 7-10 days to receive your sticker in the mail.
Walk-in purchases are available weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Questions? Email recreation@westportct.gov, or call 203-341-5152.
(Photo/Mark Marcus)
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A towering, powerful band kicks off Levitt Pavilion’s “Stars on Tour” series.
Tower of Power comes to town Saturday, June 4 (7:30 p.m.).
The soul/funk/R&B horn-driven band has been rocking audiences for over 50 years.
Levitt Pavilion members can access the pre-sale now. Click here for information on membership.
General admission tickets go on sale tomorrow (Friday, April 22, noon). Click here to purchase.
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Lynsey Addario is back in Ukraine.
The Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist — and 1991 Staples High School graduate — is once again documenting important front-line stories.
Yesterday, her photos from Avdiivka illustrated the brutal lives of those who live in the Donbas, the eastern territory in Russian forces’ crosshairs, as they begin a new and violent assault.
“God bless her, Tyler” — Hicks, her fellow Times award-winning photographer and Staples grad — “and everyone reaching out providing aid to Ukraine,” Lynsey’s mother Camille says.
“Please let it end.”
Like other residents of Avdiivka, Ukraine, Matviy, 12, sought shelter in a basement. The village has come under increasing artillery fire as Russia shifts its offensive to Ukraine’s east. (Photo/Lynsey Addario for the New York Times)
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A reminder about Arbor Day (April 29), and related events:
This Saturday (April 23, 10:30 a.m. to noon, Jesup Green, free): The Tree Board and Westport Book Shop celebrate Earth Day with a fun event to promote reading for all ages, with attention also on the value of trees. Interactive family-friendly activities involving reading and early learning; educational materials and a native tree sapling giveaway, courtesy of Bartlett Tree Company.
Friday April 29 (Arbor Day, 3 to 4 p.m., Town Hall, free): The Tree Board hosts their annual native sapling giveaway, plus brochures and advice from professional associations on tree-related topics, from site selection to proper maintenance. Native saplings for giveaway are donated by Bartlett Tree.
Saturday, April 30 (3 to 4 p.m., Earthplace): The Tree Board hosts a live discussion and free information session with a tree professional on the basics of tree planting and maintenance, including selection, mulching, pruning, pest management and more. Native tree saplings, courtesy of Bartlett, will be available while they last.
As part of Arbor Day, Earthplace also hosts a “Toast To The Trees” family event 4 to 6 p.m.), with kids’ activities and s’mores, handmade pizza, beverages for adults and kids, plus a “tree walk” tour. Click here to purchase tickets.
Also, the Tree Board and Westport Library have created a “StoryWalk” at the Lillian Wadsworth Arboretum (2 Woodside Lane). The featured book is “Be a Tree!” For more information, click here.
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The District 8 “traffic meeting” — arranged by 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker, with Public Works, Planning & Zoning and Public Safety Department representatives — is set for tonight (April 21, 7 p.m., Town Hall). This is also the middle of our public schools’ spring break.
Residents who can’t attend tonight are invited to an alternate session on Tuesday (same location and time).
RTM District 8 includes Coleytown. Traffic issues include cars waiting on North Avenue, near Coleytown Elementary and Middle Schools. (Photo/David Gottlieb)
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Speaking of traffic:
Replacement of the Bayberry Lane bridge over the Aspetuck River began yesterday. It’s scheduled to be closed from April 28 through November 30.
The detour route is Easton Road to Coleytown Road to North Avenue to Lyons Plain Road to White Birch Road, or the reverse as necessary.
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If you’re not aware of AWARE: You should be.
For a decade, the non-profit (the acronym stands for Assisting Women through Action, Resources and Education) has partnered with non-profits like Mercy Learning Center, Female Soldiers: Forgotten Heroes, Malta House, Caroline House and Cancer Couch.
For a year, AWARE members learn about that particular organization, and its clients. Through hands-on activities and dinners, they offer support and guidance. Through fundraising, they offer financial help.
This year’s partner is the Women’s Mentoring Network. The Stamford-based group offers education and job training, and assistance in areas like financial literacy and computers.
This year’s fundraiser is May 14 (6 to 8 p.m.). “Tapas @ Twilight” includes food, beverages and an auction. Click here or email info@awarect.org for more information.
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Unfortunately, we got this too late to post yesterday (4/20). Still, here goes:
The American Marketing Association Southern Connecticut chapter’s first hybrid event — “CannaCurious? Marketing, Regulations and Social Equity” (May 19, networking at 6 p.m., program at 7, Earthplace and Zoom) — focuses on the booming cannabis sector.
Industry leaders from state and federal regulatory, marketing, social equity and investment advisory groups will share best practices, tips and guidelines for the quickly changing landscape.
To register and for more information, click here.
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Who would put a port-a-potty in the marsh, at the extreme end of Sherwood Island State Park?
(Photo/Art Schoeller)
No one. Well, no one except Mother Nature.
Greens Farms Association president Art Schoeller sent this photo, and an explanation: Monday’s storm floated the portable toilet from the Burying Hill parking lot — where it’s being used for the jetty reconstruction project — across the channel to Sherwood Island.
No s—.
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Westport Country Playhouse has branched out into podcasting.
“Stories from the Playhouse” — a new series — launched this week on Spotify and Libsyn classic feed, and on the Playhouse website.
Hosted by Playhouse assistant artistic director Liam Lonegan, the podcast hopes to inspire artists, audiences and community members. The monthly series will feature guests from throughout the theater world, sharing their stories.
The first episode is “Redefining Normal,” with guest Marcos Santana, director and choreographer of “Next to Normal.” The show runs through Sunday, April 24. Santana tells his story, from growing up in Puerto Rico to performing on Broadway, and sheds light on bringing the pop/rock musical to the Playhouse stage.
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Linda Colletta is launching a new “Westport Studio Concept Space,” open through September.
Her goal with the 33 Elm Street spot is to “make the art studio experience more accessible to the public, enhance education about abstract art, and invite artists and art enthusiasts to connect with the artist in person.”
An opening reception is set for April 29 (6 to 9 p.m.).
Linda Colletta, and her art.
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Westport college admissions counselor Amy Chatterjee offers a free webinar on the admissions process, and the importance – or not – of the SATs and ACTs.
It’s set for Thursday, April 28 (7 p.m.). Click here to register.
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“Westport … Naturally” appreciates our town at all hours of the day. Here was the view at 6:30 yesterday morning, on Riverside Avenue.
(Photo/Tom Cook)
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And finally … tonight on this date in 1977, “Annie” opened on Broadway. The next morning … well, you know.
A business boarding 50 pets should be be etter equipped in the event of a fire. Good smoke detectors , maybe a sprinkler system, and especially a staff member spending the night !!!! What ever caused the fire this business should be more responsible in caring for pets that are lived by their owners !