The Parks & Rec Department has held open houses on its Longshore Capital Improvement Plan. Residents weighed in — pro and con.
Now there’s another way to provide feedback. They’ve posted a survey on the project website, along with all the concepts already presented. It’s open through November 9.
Click here to take the survey. Be sure you have some time — it’s comprehensive.
The full project website is available at Stantec Longshore Club Park.
What changes would you like to see at Longshore?
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A new, revised leaf blower ordinance got its first reading at last night’s Representative Town Meeting.
Because there are a number of changes from the original proposal — including the elimination of fines — there was no vote. After new committee hearings, the ordinance may be voted on in January.
Click here to read the full proposal.
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Actor/director/Weston resident Jim Naughton writes:
“State Senator Will Haskell has told me that when he visited senior centers in several of the towns in his 26th District, he found that ‘Medical Aid in Dying’ was the bill they most wanted passed.
“This did not surprise to me. When my wife Pamela, having battled pancreatic cancer for 4 years, got to the end of her journey, she said to me, ‘Jimmy, I don’t want to wake up anymore.’ If Connecticut had made it available to her then, she would have used it.
“Also known as ‘Death With Dignity,’ the law has been adopted in 10 states and the District of Columbia. It came within one vote of making it out of the Connecticut Legislature’s Judiciary Committee last spring. A Gallup poll determined that 75% of Connecticut residents want it.
“I urge our neighbors to know where the candidates stand on the issue before voting next week. It will be revisited in the next session.”
Pam Naughton
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Earth Animal cares about pets — and the humans who love them.
For the 15th straight year, they’re participating in the Mitten Project, for Connecticut Food Share. Last year, they raised over $40,000. This year — with increased need for help — the goal is $45,000.
Froom now through December 31, people can buy “mittens” at the store (and others in the area). Each “purchase” is a $5 donation.
In addition, cashmere mittens, Advent calendars and wreaths will be sold December 3 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.) at Earth Animal. The store will match every dollar donated.
Special “Sip and Shop” events will also benefit CFS at:
- J. Mclaughlin (342 Pequot Avenue, Southport,, November 17, 1-5 p.m.)
- The Post (1799 Post Road East, November 17, 3 to 6 p.m.)
- Millie Rae’s (1011 Post Road East, December 8, 4 to 6 p.m.)
- Scout & Molly (283 Post Road East, November 16, 2 to 6 p.m.)
- Outdoor Design and Living (1301 Bronson Road, Fairfield, November 17, 4 to 7 p.m.)
- Mo’s Wine and Spirits (957 Post Road, Fairfield, December 8, 7 to 9 p.m.)
- Milestone Restaurant (2 Main Street, Redding, CT, December 8, noon to 5 p.m.).
In addition, a homemade pie sale (apple, apple crumb, cherry, cherry crumb, pumpkin) at Wakeman Town Farm will send all proceeds to Connecticut Food Share. Click here to order between November 14 and 18. Pickup is November 22, from 3 to 7 p.m. at WTF.
And … Earth Animal is selling wreaths December 3 (11 a.m. to 2 p.m.), also for the CFS cause.
Want to make a donation without a purchase? Click here.
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Sami DeWitt scored on a pair of corner kicks, and Annabel Edwards knocked in a third goal, as Staples High School’s girls soccer team downed Greenwich 3-1 last night, in the FCIAC tournament semifinals. A late Cardinal goal ruined Cami Kolek’s shutout bid.
The Wreckers — defending state and FCIAC champs — look to add another league title in tomorrow’s championship match against longtime rival St. Joseph (Thursday, November 3, 7 p.m., Wilton High School’s Kristine Lilly Field).
The Wreckers are ranked 3rd in the tourney. The Cadets are first. St. Joseph won the teams’ regular season match 2-1, less than 2 weeks ago.
Staples High School girls soccer Senior Day.
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Congratulations too to the Staples field hockey team!
They also play for an FCIAC championship tomorrow (Thursday, 7 p.m., Brien McMahon High School).
The #3-seeded Wreckers topped #2 Wilton 3-1 last night. Their opponents tomorrow are top-rated Darien. Staples will seek to avenge a 3-0 loss to the Blue Wave earlier this year.
The Staples field hockey team, after last night’s FCIAC semifinal win. (Photo courtesy of Inklings/India Ahl)
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Stacie Curran writes:
“Without much fanfare, a new stop sign appeared at the intersection of Greens Farms Road and Bulkley Avenue South.
“It seems that no one is observing it. Waze and other apps direct traffic this way when I-95 get congested- The morning (race car) commuters are in their zone, and blissfully unaware of this change.
“Without some police presence (or the addition of a stop sign 🛑 to map-apps), this interaction is actually more dangerous now.”
Greens Farms Road, looking west. South Bulkley Avenue is to the right; Stop and Shop (not pictured) is off it. (Photo/Stacie Curran)
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Yesterday was the day after Halloween — November 1.
Time to put up the Christmas lights!
This was the scene on Hillspoint Road. One homeowner — well, the landscaping crew — was already hard at work.
You’ll have an extra hour to see them twinkle soon. Daylight Savings ends on Sunday.
(Photo/Matt Murray)
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Michael Chait has a large and well-deserved following for his original photographs, which he blends with aspects of paint technique. He is particularly fond of photographing Westport and New York City.
His work has been exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art, Museum of Natural History and the permanent collection of the Brooklyn Museum.
Now — just in time for the holidays — he’s got a new website. Click here to explore.
Michael Chait’s flag over the Saugatuck River.
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Folk and other music lovers know Voices Café — tucked inside Westport’s Unitarian Church — is a hidden gem.
Now kids can enjoy it too.
A special Voices youngsters’ event brings Dan and Claudia Zanes back to Westport this Saturday (November 5, 4 p.m.). They entertained a large Levitt Pavilion Chidren’s Series crowd a couple of years ago.
Voices Café is a sensory-friendly, open environment. There’s space up front for movement and fun.. Tickets are $25 per adult, $15 per child ages 2 to 17; children under 2 are free. A 15% discount is available for families of 4 or more. Click here for tickets and more information.
Claudia and Dan Zames.
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There are many things to love about the Saugatuck Rowing Club. High on the list this time of year: the view from the river.
Rachel Halperin stopped long enough from her workout to snap today’s “Westport … Naturally” shot.
(Photo/Rachel Halperin)
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And finally … Happy 2nd Day of the Dead!
======================================================= (On this Day of the Dead, help keep “06880” alive. Please click here to support your hyper-local blog.)
Dan, you are NOT kidding about the “comprehensiveness” of the Parks and Rec Longshore survey. I couldn’t make heads nor tails of the graphics, even on my large monitor, and the drag-and-drop requirement just made it all the harder. I wish they offered a simpler version with some basic questions like, “Do you want two-way traffic at the entrance/exit?”; “Should the driving range feature a water view?” and “Do any of these plans sufficiently support walkers/runners?”
Agreed. This is one of the worst surveys I have seen. Obfuscation and murkiness must be the goals…..So much for a “light touch” of Lonhshore
The whole Longshore project planning has been a disaster. I’m not sure if it’s due to incompetence or some weird set of goals, but everything about the plan seems overly complex and dedicated to fixing problems that never existed. I also continue to be amazed with the design of walking paths in the middle of the golf course. Do they really want the town to get sued when someone’s baby in a stroller gets beaned by an errant driver?
Has the Parks and Rec department done anything to get rid of Hook’d for next summer so they can hire a competent vendor? That would have a lot more impact than this whole project.
Sheesh. I agree with all comments above. This “survey” is even worse than the Downtown plan. A foregone conclusion is presented as a choice in both. It’s like, “Would you like a mink muff or mink hat with that ermine coat?” And, does every playground need a water view (and just how many playgrounds does this town need)? I can understand rebuilding the Club House because it really needs some work, and, repairing water and fuel supplies is always important infrastructure updates. But, pathways through the golf course or changing the beautiful, iconic entrance? Why not some more practical things for town residents, such as a simple cyclone fence-enclosed area at Winslow Park for dogs under 25 pounds only, with a couple of benches inside for owners to watch their smaller dogs play safely? The bigger dogs can still run in the open fields. Or, how about more quality day care options for working parents? Or… well, hopefully you get the picture. Certainly there are better ways to spend millions of dollars than practically razing Longshore, only to make it more complicated and potentially hazardous. Same with the Downtown plan.
The proposals for the golf course are proposals for a 1950’s golf course. There is no environmentally friendly priority in any of the “zones.” Planning for upgrading Longshore should include native plant landscaping, reduction of fertilizer use, better run off, reduction of gas powered equipment, and the like.
I don’t see a plan for improvement in this vast, overly complicated series of maps and choices, just a plan to squander money.
Golf courses can be and are being planned for the future, just not here.
You aren’t permitted to use a driver at the driving range.