No snow this winter means no snow days.
Unless you’re at private school.
Heads there have far greater leeway than public school principals to make unilateral decisions like hey, in the middle of a snowless winter, their students (and staffs) still need an unexpected break.
Greens Farms Academy head Bob Whelan has set the gold standard with his snow day videos.
This year he prepared another classic. But with no snow — and none in the forecast — it looked like he’d never get to post it.
Boarding schools have a tradition of “head of school day.” GFA is a day school, but the idea sounded great.
Voilà!
Click below to see how GFA students and parents got the news that this coming Monday is a “Snowless Snow Day.”
Public school students: See you in class.
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Monday’s “Energy Rates Town Hall” at the Westport Library included State Senator Ceci Maher, and State Representatives Jonathan Steinberg and Anne Hughes. The meeting covered price hikes from Eversource and United Illuminating.
Missed the meeting? Click below to see:
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Every few months since 2017, alert “06880” reader Bob Weingarten counts the number of “For rent/lease” or “For sale” properties on Post Road East and West. He does not survey Main Street, Riverside Avenue or other commercial parts of town.
His most recent count includes 2 bank buildings, another former bank that was rented last year as a health facility, an entire office complex, rentals within other office buildings, small retail stores, a gas station and more.
The count usually varies between 50 and 72 properties. The current count: 56.
(Photos/Bob Weingarten)
(Graph courtesy of Bob Weingarten)
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The Westport Police Department reports 3 custodial arrests for the February 2-8 period.
One person was charged with larceny, credit card theft and identity theft, after a purse was stolen.
The other two people were charged with failure to appeaar.
Due to a change in the department’s reporting system, citations were not available for this reporting period.
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Justin Paul is heading back to Broadway.
The 2003 Staples High School graduate — who, with his songwriting partner Benj Pasek won a Tony Award in 2017 for “Dear Evan Hansen,” and another last year as producers for “A Strange Love” — will see their Oscar-winning film “La La Land” adapted for the stage. An opening date has not been announced.
The 2016 movie starred Emma Sone and Ryan Gosling, as they pursued their dreams in Los Angeles. Click here for the full story.
Justin Paul (left) and Benj Pasek, moments after learning they’d won a Golden Globe for writing the lyrics to “La La Land.”
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A reminder: Materials are being collected for Ukraine at today’s Farmers’ Market (Thursday, February 9, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Gilbertie’s Herbs & Garden Center, 7 Sylvan Lane).
Items needed include gently used winter coats, mittens, hats, gloves and rain gear. Cash contributions to help with shipping costs are welcome too.
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Aspetuck Land Trust’s next “Lunch and Learn” webinar is called “Advancing the Habitat Gardening Movement, One Yard at a Time.”
It’s Friday, February 17 (noon to 1 p.m.). Missy Fabel and Dave Baker of Plan it Wild, a sustainable landscaping and design company specializing in ecological design, will share new trends in native landscaping that can transform a yard into a beautiful native habitat that increases biodiversity, captures carbon and absorbs storm water.
Click here to register.
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Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities’ Parent Conference this Saturday (February 11, Winston Preparatory School, 57 West Rocks Road, Norwalk, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.) goes to the heart of that great organization’s work: providing resources parents need to help their children succeed in school and beyond.
Eleven presentations cover a variety of topics, plus a special webinar: “Making Math Accessible for Students with Learning Disabilities” by Randy Ewart, The “CT SPED Math Dude.”
The day ends with a youth panel. “LD and ADHD from the Student’s Perspective” features 6 students, from 7th grade to post-college. They’ll describe how they learned to cope with their challenges. It’s inspiring — and meaningful to parents who have trouble imagining futures for their kids.
Catering will be done by The Porch at Christie’s and Sweet P Bakery. Both offer training and employment to adults with disabilities.
Click here for more information, and registration. Financial assistance is available; email christine@smartkidswithld.org.
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The Representative Town Meeting seeks candidates for a District 8 representative, to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Lisa Newman.
It must be filled by a registered voter residing in RTM District 8. No party affiliation is required, as Westport’s RTM is non-partisan. The term expires November 21, 2023.
Residents of RTM District 8 interested in being considered should send a resume by February 22 to town Clerk Jeffrey Dunkerton: JDunkerton@westportct.gov.
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50-year YMCA veteran, avid Y’s Men member and former popular Staples High School substitute teacher Marvin Goldstein died Tuesday, from complications after open heart surgery in September. He was 88 years old.
Born on New York’s Lower East Side, he grew up in Brooklyn. He was a lifelong member of the Brownsville Boys Club, where he created friendships lasting more than 7 decades.
Marvin was a dedicated runner, with Pequot Running Club. His joys were his family and friends, music, theater, and traveling the world. He felt blessed in having a life filled with love and connection.
He lost his wife Chic Goldstein of 43 years, but lived with his daughter and family in Westport for the past 10 years.
Marvin is survived by his daughters Lee Goldstein (Charlie Dockter) and Beth Muller (Kurt), 3 granddaughters and 3 great-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends and family at Lee’s house (31 Greenlea Lane) this Saturday and Sunday (February 11-12, noon to 4 p.m.). A celebration of Marv’s life will be held this spring. In lieu of flowers, people consider a contribution to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.
Marvin Goldstein
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Peter McCann — leader of the popular 1960’s local band Repairs, who went on to become a successful singer, songwriter and activist for songwriters’ rights — died on January 26.
Former Staples High School media instructor Mike Zito offers a radio tribute to Peter today (Thursday, February 9) on WPKN (89.5 FM, 2 p.m.). It includes interviews with former band members, including longtime Staples media instructor Jim Honeycutt.
A Bridgeport native, Peter and Repairs recorded 3 records on Motown with Rolling Stones producer Andrew Loog Oldham. Peter went on to write songs like “Right Time of the Night” and “Do You Want To Make Love.” Whitney Houston, Isaac Hayes, KT Oslin, Buck Owens, Mickey Gilley, Michael McDonald and Jennifer Warnes were some of the performers who covered Peter’s songs.
Peter McCann
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Today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo brings a bit of optimism to anyone tired (okay, exhausted) of winter.
Rick Benson spotted these sprouts at Winslow Park.
(Photo/Rick Benson)
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And finally … if you’re an old fan of the band Repairs (see Peter McCann’s obituary above), click below for a great trip down memory lane.
If you never heard of them, click below to see what you missed.
(If you enjoy the “06880” daily Roundup — an ever-changing smorgasbord of stuff — please consider a donation. Click here to help — and thank you!)
Kudos to Bob for doing the IRL count. Of course if you use LoopNet you get 134 properties for lease in 06880 but you miss the fun of the drive.
Tired of winter? What winter exactly…