There’s a new smoke shop in town.
Mohegan has moved into the mini-strip mall near Stanton Miles, on Post Road East by the Southport border.
Alert “06880” reader Stacie Curran noticed — particularly, the lights.
(Photo/Stacie Curran)
“I thought neon signs were prohibited in Westport,” she wrote.
I emailed my go-to at Town Hall: Planning & Zoning director Mary Young.
She was out of the office. But zoning official Laurie Montagna replied:
“Yes, we have a regulation that prohibits neon signs. 33-3.14 says, ‘Directly-illuminated gaseous signs, such as neon tube signs, that are visible from outside the building shall be prohibited.’
“Unfortunately, almost all signs installed today that look like neon, are actually LED signs.”
I’m no signage expert (or chemist). But if it looks like a duck …
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Tonight’s kickoff of a 3-part Westport Library series on cardiac health has been postponed, due to anticipated bad weather.
The session on coronary artery diseases planned for this evening (March 14) has been pushed back to March 22. The discussion on valvular heart disease planned for that date will be rescheduled. The atrial fibrillation talk is still set for April 17.
The cardiac series is curated by Andrew Wilk, and led by Dr. Robert Altbaum.
Andrew Wilk’s first session on heart disease will now begin on March 22.
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The Staples High School boys basketball took a huge step toward the state championship last night.
Ranked #7 in the CIAC Division II tournament, the Wreckers upset #2 Holy Cross-Waterbury 61-47, in the upstaters’ gym.
The quarterfinal win vaults the blue-and-whites into the state semis. They’ll meet #3 Fairfield Warde tomorrow (Wednesday, March 15), at a neutral site and time TBD.
The Mustangs defeated the Wreckers 51-44, in their regular season matchup earlier this year.
Staples was led by Chris Zajac and Cody Sale (16 points) each, Sam Clachko (11) and Charlie Honig (10).
The 2023 Staples High School boys basketball team.
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Staples’ boys basketball team has snagged all the headlines this winter.
But the school also fields a fencing team.
And not just any fencing team. A 2-time state champion one.
The Wreckers’ boys foil fencers defended their Connecticut crown last weekend.
And they’re only 2 years old.
In that time they’ve grown from 9 participants to over 20 male and female fencers. Beginners are welcome.
They practice 3 times a week, all year long. They’re coached by Westport resident Delphine DeVore, a world-ranked fencer. She’s a member of the Columbia University fencing team, and volunteers her time to work with Staples.
Club leaders, including founders and co-captains Max Peterbarg, PJ Loranger and Gleb Symonchoy are pursuing full recognition as a team sport. They hope to have enough fencers to field both boys and girls teams next year in foil, epee and saber — at both the varsity and junior varsity levesl.
For more information, check out the Instagram account: @staplesfencing.
From left: Coach Delphine DeVore, and team members Gleb Syomichev, PJ Loranger, Eric Wilson and Max Piterbarg
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Speaking still of sports:
TOPSoccer — a national program for youngsters in grades kindergarten through 8 with physical or learning disabilities — is coming soon.
Together with trained soccer coaches, each player is paired with a volunteer buddy to learn teamwork, soccer skills, and have fun.
Staples High School junior Daisy Fording and Weston High sophomore Cole Johnson are spearheading the effort.
Click here for information and registration. Questions? Email dkfording@gmail.com or Colerobertjohnson@icloud.com.
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Refined Lash Studio on Post Road East — across from Design Within Reach — is closing.
A note to clients from “Miss Vic” says: “It is with great hesitation that this chapter of my life must come to a close. I have decided to move back to the West Coast.
“I want to thank every person who ever booked with me, shared personal stories with me, and those who’ve been with me since the beginning. I hope to remain a part of your life even without a professional relationship.
“I will do my best to accommodate all schedules and send updates of my departure. I don’t have a definitive end date, I just wanted to give as much notice in advance possible.”
Sounds like it’s your “lash chance.”
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Today’s weather forecast forced the postponement of the Connecticut Appalachian Mountain Club’s presentation of “Exploring the Colombian Amazon” with Ida Lowe.
The new date is next Tuesday (March 21, 6:15 p.m., Saugatuck Congregational Church). Appetizers, pasta dinner, salads, drinks and desserts will be served. It’s $10 for members, $15 for non-members. For more information, email easasso7@icloud.com.
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This week’s “What’s Next in Weston” is part 1 of a 2-part program. 1st Selectwoman Sam Nestor discusses her town’s upcoming property revaluation , including how’s done, by whom, and how it leads to the mill rate used going forward.
The podcast (click below to listen) comes courtesy of the Y’s Men of Westport and Weston.
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Grammy nominee Paul Bollenback headlines this Thursday’s Jazz at the Post (March 16, shows at 7:30 and 8:45 p.m.; dinner at 7; VFW Joseph J. Clinton Post 399).
He’s joined by a hot rhythm section: Essiet Essiet on bass, Sylvia Cuenca on drums, and Greg “The Jazz Rabbi” on sax.
Reservations are highly recommended: JazzatthePost@gmail.com.
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This serene “Westport … Naturally” scene from the bay at the mouth of the Saugatuck River was taken (naturally) before today’s weather.
(Photo/Dan Vener)
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And finally … in honor (?) of Westport’s newest store, and its bright lights:
(Whether it’s a new smoke shop or a lash store closing, “06880” has got our retail scene covered. Please click here to help support all that we do. Thank you!)
IS THIS REALLY NEEDED ?
In the meantime, the prolific junky “yard signs” are permitted all over town – I counted 15 of them in front of the park on Compo North. Aren’t drivers distracted enough?
Now we really appreciate the work of Chip & Al … 😉
Regarding Smoke and Neon…seems like the Town needs to revise regulation 33-3.14 to include these LED lookalikes.
Yes, that would seem to be an easy enough revision to make. We don’t need signage like this in town. But then in my personal opinion, we don’t need the store either.
Hi Dan, PJ ended up sending you a different imagine so I wanted to correctly identify the fencers in this photo: L-R, Coach DeVore, Gleb Syomichev, PJ Loranger, Eric Wilson and Max Piterbarg. Thanks for including their story!
Westport has very sensible sign regulations and as long as they are adhered to and enforced by Planning & Zoning, we will continue to be refreshingly. more attractive than neighboring Norwalk and Fairfield. Unfortunately, Enforcement is lax, and the P & Z has. Issued permits for signs which are not allowed under our regulations. Whenever permits are issued, or variances are given. for unattractive and unnecessary signage, it just encourages. more businesses to react and look for more and bigger signs. Most businesses do not realize that good service, exceptional products.and fair pricing is what ensures success not unnecessary and unattractive signage. When is the last time you heard someone say I hate their food, but we eat their all the time because of their signage?
I guess every business in Westport with a neon “Open” sign is also in violation of this regulation. Go get’em boys! Throw the book at ’em.
Welcome Mohegan! Making a lotta parents and SHS students very happy! And it’s only good news for all the ice cream, gelato, and ‘bakery’ stores Westport has to offer! YUMMY!
Mohegan Smoke Shop, a new Westport treasure.
Stacie Curran, thank you for the shout out! Hope to see you soon.
Dan, thank you as well and we look forward to welcoming you and the Westport community.
This is great!
Wow a smoke shop. What’s next, liquor stores? Good heavens what will we do?