It’s taken a while.
But last night, the Board of Finance unanimously approved funds for a traffic study of Cross Highway, North Avenue and Bayberry Lane.
The project will look at intersection safety, as well as adding a sidewalk on Cross Highway and a crosswalk near The Porch @ Christie’s.
Next stop: an appropriation request to the RTM.
The North Avenue/Cross Highway intersection may be the most dangerous one in Westport without a traffic light. Another contender: Cross Highway and Bayberry Lane.
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Superman came to the Westport Library last night.
The Man of Steel arrived on the Trefz Forum big screen. Westporter Arlen Schumer presented an in-depth lecture on Curt Swan — the longtime local illustrator who for 29 years was DC Comics’ primary Superman artist.
it’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s Arlen Schumer and Curt Swan at the Westport Library! (Photo/Dave Matlow)
Swan’s 3 children were all in the audience. Chris lives in Westport; Karen Brooks is in Wilton, and Ceal Swift is in Westbrook.. (Hat tip: Dave Matlow)
Chris Swan and his sisters Ceal and Karen, in the Westport Library audience. (Photo/Dave Matlow)
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Camp A Cappella CT — the innovative program teaching vocal technique, beatboxing, ensemble skills and choreography to area youngsters — returns this summer with an in-person program.
And another star on its faculty.
Michelle Pauker — the 2013 Staples High School graduate/Broadway performer who wowed a recent SRO MoCA crowd with an evening of song — will work her considerable magic.
Michelle earned a BA in music from Baldwin Wallace Conservatory, concentrating in musical theater. Many Westporters already know her through her private lessons.
Michelle joins music educator Amanda Violone, in the upbeat, fun camp program.
Camp A Cappella CT was created by Danielle Merlis, following the success of her Cello Camp. The award-winning musician was initially inspired at Long Lots Elementary School, earned first chair honors in the Staples High orchestra, and went on to perform with Chris Brubeck and the Eagles, at venues like Lincoln Center.
Camp A Cappella CT welcomes singers in grades 1 to 12. It runs August 22 to 27 at Christ & Holy Trinity Church, alongside The Cello Camp, now in its 7th year.
For information and registration for Camp A Cappella CT. click here.
PS: You don’t have to attend (or have a kid who does) to enjoy the camps’ final concerts (August 27, 5 p.m. cellists, 7 p.m. singers, Christ & Holy Trinity Church). Everyone is welcome.
One day at Cello Camp …
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Next up on the big screen: Westporter Kathy-Ann Hart.
She’s the latest addition to the cast of “Madame Web.” The Marvel comics-based film’s cast includes Dakota Johnson, Mike Epps, Adam Scott and Sydney Sweeney.
Though she began performing as a child in her native Trinidad, Hart is a newcomer to film. After graduating from Harvard Law School in 2003, she worked for many years as a corporate attorney and non-profit executive. She moved to Westport in 2017.
Kathy-Ann Hart
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Gas prices have dropped for over 50 straight days. They’re now nearly $1 less than this spring’s (very high) highs.
Today — and today only — you can get $1 off each gallon, at the Shell station across from Westport Country Playhouse.
They’ve renovated their interior, so it’s a brighter and better-stocked (if not particularly healthy) convenience story mart than before. They’re celebrating today, with the special $1 off offer. (Hat tip: Ifeseyi Gayle)
The Shell station opposite Westport Country Playhouse. (Photo/Ifeseyi Gayle)
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Like many places of worship, the Unitarian Church in Westport welcomes guest speakers.
But this Sunday (August 7, 10 a.m.) is special. Darcy Hicks will also make art with the congregation.
As “06880” reported last week, Darcy is part of Wings4Peace. The grassroots gun safety coalition, formed in the wake of the Uvalde shooting, creates “wings” artwork all across the nation.
The UU church invites artists, non-artists, students, builders, artisans and activists to join them, and Darcy, on Sunday.
Darcy Hicks, with her “Wings4Prace.”
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The Weston Flea is Saturday, September 10 (9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Weston High School). This month, organizers invite anyone looking to sell home goods, tag sale items, crafts, art, new business ideas and more, to reserve space.
Popular items include toys, garage and garden items, tools, rugs, candles, soap and jewelry. The cost is $25 for 2 parking spaces ($20 for seniors).
To reserve a spot, call 203-222-2608 or email wpetty@westonct.gov.
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This fall, Fairfield Museum presents an immersive exhibit on the life and work of Richard Scarry.
The children’s book author and illustrator — known for the book “Busytown,” and characters like Huckle the Cat, Lowly Worm, Miss Honey and Mr. Frumble — lived in Westport. He began illustrating in 1948, but his work remains popular today. The Fairfield Museum show will introduce him to the next generation.
It will include original artwork, unpublished drawings, rare books, large-scale reproductions of his illustrations, a reading nook, and a museum-wide scavenger hunt.
Click here for more information. Click here and click here for 2 “06880” stories on Richard Scarry’s connections to Westport.
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Yale New Haven Health cut the ribbon on its new Digestive Health Center yesterday.
The facility, at 325 Riverside Avenue, provides care for medical and surgical patients, including bariatric, colorectal and hernia surgery and gastroenterology.
Yale New Haven Health, at 325 Riverside Avenue.
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Lauri Weiser writes: “I have no idea why this iris wanted to bloom again now, in my back yard. Maybe it just wanted to be a “Westport … Naturally” photo!”
(Photo/Lauri Weiser)
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And finally … getting ready for next month’s Weston Flea (see story above):
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I always wondered why the town re-did the entire North Avenue sidewalk before adding one to Cross Highway between North and Bayberry… and the intersection at Cross Highway and North Ave is very dangerous because of a private stone wall that juts out, making it impossible for a person traveling on North Ave towards Staples to see if anyone is waiting on Cross Highway to their left… an accident waiting to happen (and it has happened more than once)… how the town allowed that never made any sense to me.
Into the way back machine….April 29th, 1976, my 18th birthday. I was driving a monster 1970’s Vista Cruiser station wagon with a girlfriend. I had just purchased two boxes of beers, wines and liquor (my first legal buy!) when I stopped at North Avenue, getting ready to take a left onto Cross Highway. As I proceeded into the intersection a car barreled through the stop sign and broadsided our vehicle.
We got out of the vehicles and exchanged information, all the while the young man who hit me was totally apologetic, saying that he was from Darien, he wasn’t familiar with the area and that he couldn’t see the stop sign. We walked together a hundred feet or so up Cross Highway and sure enough, a large branch was obstructing the sign.
About this time a police car arrived and apparently, unbeknownst to me, some of the bottles were broken and the vehicles reeked of booze. The officer asked who was driving the wagon and when I said I was he handcuffed me and had me sit in the back of the cruiser while the other driver was trying to do the right thing and explain that it was all his fault.
Eventually I was asked my side of the story and I explained that I had just purchased said bar in the back of the car and that if he looked he would see that they still were sealed, just broken from the impact.
It was then that he looked more carefully at my license and realized that it was indeed my 18th birthday, then checked and confirmed that the bottles had been broken by the impact. He uncuffed me, apologized profusely and proceeded to call for a tow truck and ticketed the other driver.
Postscript; I am not making this up. Later in the week I got a call from a lady who was handling my claim for the insurance company. It turned out it was her son who had broadsided me. She too was terribly apologetic and she assured me that they would do whatever it would take to make things right. I remember getting a loaner and when the Oldsmobile was ready it had 4 new tires and wheels (they had been worn but not really damaged), a great paint job and was immaculately detailed. Happy birthday indeed! I still inch out very carefully anytime I am at this intersection.