Online registration for fall Westport Parks & Recreation Department programs begins at 9 a.m. on Wednesday (September 7).
Among the events: traditional favorites like tennis clinics, Sports Squirts, IST football, Wakeman Town Farm and Skyhawks Sports Academy, and new ones: Future Wreckers’ basketball clinics, Next Generation skateboard clinics, Overtime Athletics Heads Up dodgeball and Kaboom Kickball.
Click here to search for programs (adult and youth). Click here to make sure your online account and family information is up to date. Click here to register.
Having trouble accessing your online account, or need an address change? Do not create another profile; call 203-341-5152 or email recreation@westportct.gov for help.
=======================================================
A resident of Pequot Trail, off Sylvan Road North, writes:
“A house on our street has the greenest lawn in town, because they water it twice a day. Many neighbors have reported the house to Aquarion and the town, and placed notes in the mailbox. Yet the sprinklers keep running:=
“We’re curious about what happens in this situation, when someone blatantly ignores repeated notices about water usage/restrictions.”
We’re curious too.
Aquarion calls its water restrictions “mandatory.”
But its website says that residents “should” follow the twice-weekly (not twice-daily) schedule.
And its FAQ page answers a question about penalties for “violating the two-day mandatory irrigation schedule” this way:
Our main commitment is to educate the public about how they can use water more efficiently and sustainably; however, we can penalize violators, including shutting off their water, if their failure to follow the schedule impairs public resources.
Sounds as if “can” has not yet translated to “will.”
Perhaps the next step is to print this story out, and put it in the green lawn owner’s mailbox.
And then send a copy to Aquarion.
PS: This was the scene this morning, with several sprinklers going. Sunday is a legal watering day for house numbers ending in even numbers, or homes without numbers. The Pequot Trail home has an odd number:
=======================================================
Meanwhile, Seth Schachter offers this sad photo for our continuing drought coverage.
It’s at the Turkey Hill North/Post Road intersection. He calls it “weeds need water too.”
(Photo/Seth Schachter)
======================================================
On the brighter environmental side:
Fran Taylor graduated from Staples High School in 1971. She’s lived for years in her native Kentucky, and loves it. But she remembers Westport fondly too. Fran writes:
“I love the Ned Dimes Marina photos on ‘06880.’ They bring back many memories of hanging out there regularly with a variety of friends.
“Imagine my surprise when I finally identified the name (Maritime Sunburst Lichen) of the yellow lichen creeping on to my back porch in Lexington — a thousand miles from any ‘maritime’ setting.
Maritime sunburst lichen, in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo/Fran Taylor)
“It looked familiar, but I couldn’t place where I’d seen it before. Cue Ned Dimes Marina — and just like that, so many memories came flooding back.
“Thanks to 06880 for keeping those precious memories, which trigger sights, sounds, smells and emotions, alive a half century later.”
And thank you, Fran. Please come visit whenever you can!
======================================================
The curtain rose officially last night for “4000 Miles.” The Westport Country Playhouse production stars Staples High School Class of 2013 graduate Clay Singer, and Fairfield resident Mia Dillon. The thought-provoking, rollercoaster-of-emotions show runs through September 4.
Last night’s curtain call, wit Clay Singer and Mia Dillon. (Photo/Dave Matlow)
.=======================================================
Jim White has lived or worked in Westport for 18 years.
His sister Kate White has no connection here, beyond knowing how much he loves this town.
But when Kate — a best-selling author, and former editor-in-chief of Cosmopolitan — was writing her 16th suspense novel, The Second Husband, she set it in Westport
Jim had a great time helping his sister with background research. Among the local spots mentioned: Terrain, Spotted Horse and the Whelk.
Surprise! Those are some of Jim’s favorite restaurants too.
“It’s an excellent read,” Jim praises. And, he adds proudly, “Not only is she an amazing writer and editor, but she recently gave the commencement address at Union College — where she received an honorary doctorate of letters.
“She was in the first class of women accepted at Union, and was part of their celebration of 50 years of being co-ed. She has been a great inspiration to me, and I am sure many others.”
Jim hopes to get Kate here for a book signing or discussion. In the meantime, click here to order.
=======================================================
Hayden S. Cabral died suddenly but peacefully in his sleep on Thursday. He was 21 years old.
Hayden is survived by his father Kevin Cabral, his mother Dawn Loecher, step-mother Laura Cabral, brothers Logan and Payton, sisters Lianna and Hailey, aunt and godmother Susan Cabral-Hiltz, uncle Harry Hiltz, uncle and godfather Scott Loecher, grand-uncle Carlo and aunt Marcy Cabral, cousins and many great friends.
He was predeceased by his grandparents Joseph and Betty Cabral, and Janet and Robert Loecher.
Friends will be received at the Harding Funeral Home tomorrow (Monday, August 29, 4 to 8 p.m.) A Funeral Mass will be held at Assumption Church on Tuesday (August 30, 1 p.m. Burial will follow at Willowbrook Cemetery.
Hayden Cabral
================================================
Today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature features a beautiful blue heron. Amy Schneider sighted it on the Saugatuck River, near the Levitt Pavilion.
(Photo/Amy Schneider)
=======================================================’
And finally … today is the 67th anniversary of the murder of Emmett Till. In 1955, the Black 14-yer-old was abducted, tortured and murdered in Mississippi. His brutal death — and the decision by his mother to have an open casket, and a public funeral — helped galvanize the civil rights movement.
(“06880” is supported solely by readers. Please click here to contribute.)
Why not publish the name AND PHOTO of the “entitled” residents on Pequot Trial that believe watering guidelines don’t apply to them? You can be certain they don’t follow any of the other rules imposed by the town
Posting the street name and a picture of the place is pretty much as good as outright doxxing. Between Google Maps and Vision Appraisal, it’s not terribly hard to figure it out.
Yup, there’s something very German about this, and by that I mean today’s Germany, not the one of 77+ years ago. Friends there tell me neighbors are encouraged to turn each other in for failing to sweep one’s steps, incorrect placement of trash/recycling, etc.
The sprinkler systems are automatic. Who knows if the owners are out of town, are busy or ill and haven’t looked at their mail, or maybe they just don’t know how to reset the sprinklers because they’re from the city and are used to have the “super” do everything. They may even have their own well for irrigation purposes, in which case Aquarion has no purview.
In any case, proper etiquette and just plain common sense says if you’re really that concerned about something like this, screw up your courage and speak to the owner directly. If the owner blows you off, then and only then is it right to turn them in.
Anonymous tips are ok for murder and child abuse, but not for lawn watering!
One (of many) anomaly with the water restriction issue is that the requirement is to water 2 x a week but with no limit on how long the sprinklers are running. 2 x week at 45 minutes or 3 x week at 30 minutes is exactly the same amount of water but better for the plants – so – what to do?