The Connecticut Legislature could cut up to $40 million from the $267 million the state pays to fund Metro-North’s New Haven line.
That would slice the number of daily trains from 309 to 260. Both peak and off-peak service would be affected.
Click here for the full New York Daily News story. (Hat tip: Peter Gold)
==================================================
Club 203 had a super-duper time last night.
Literally.
The Super Duper Weenie Truck) fed over 100 attendees, at Longshore’s Evan Harding Point picnic area.
The group — part of Westport’s social organizations for adults with disabilities — enjoying dancing, dining, dessert, yard games, art with MOCA, and relaxing, all with great views of Long Island Sound.
Organizers give a shoutout too to their “super-duper volunteers.”
Club 203’s next event is June 15 (6:30 to 8 p.m.), at the Westport Library. Click here for details.
Club 203 fun at Longshore. (Photo/Jacqueline Lobdell)
=======================================================
Wakeman Town Farm is a fantastic resource for people of all ages and interests.
Now, it’s accessible to those with mobility issues.
The Westport Garden Club recently donated funds for a Fold & Go all-terrain electric wheelchair. It’s been delivered, just in time for the spring/summer season.
People with limited mobility, or their friends or relatives, should email education@wakemantownfarm.org before a visit. The Farm’s dducation coordinator will have the wheelchair waiting.
From left: Kelle Ruden, Joan Andrews and Ginger Donaher, with the all-terrain wheelchair at Wakeman Town Farm.
==================================================
Visitors to yesterday’s Westport Farmers’ Market enjoyed great weather; the usual wide variety of food, herbs and more — and a “Ducks in Buckets” game.
The Westport Sunrise Rotary Club was there, promoting their annual Great Duck Race.
$10,000.00 in prize money will be given away; the grand prize winner gets $5,000 of it. All proceeds go to charities.
The annual fundraiser is Saturday, June 24 at Jesup Green. Attendance is free. Tickets to compete are available online; at the Farmers’ Market next Thursday (July 1); from any club member, and the day of the race.
Pitching in for the Great Duck Race, at the Farmers’ Market.
==================================================
Climate change and racial justice are key issues.
And they’re related. Environmental impacts cross borders. They affect every group of citizens.
On June 1 (7 p.m., Westport Library), Roosevelt Institute director of climate policy Rhiana Gunn-Wright will explore the connections between environmental justice and racial justice. Her talk is called “Just Transitions to Regional Sustainability.”
The event is part of a Saugatuck Congregational Church initiative to “embrace our coastal community” and is a partnership with the Library, TEAM Westport, and Sustainable Westport. Click here for more information.
Rhiana Gunn-Wright
================================================
“06880” usually bird dogs new businesses.
But we missed the arrival recently of Birddogs.
The mens’ shorts/pants/polo shirts shop is open in Brooks Corner. It’s their 3rd brick-and-mortar store. The others are in New York City and Short Hills, New Jersey.
Click here for their minimalist website. Or check them out for yourself.
(Photo and hat tip/Stacey Henske)
==================================================
Coming soon at the Westport Country Playhouse:
A reading of the comedy “Quick Service” as part of the New Works series (June 5, 7 p.m.; meet the playwright and director afterward). All tickets are $25. Click here to purchase, and for more information.
A “Script in Hand” play reading of Agatha Christie’s “The Murder Of Roger Ackroyd” (June 12, 7 p.m.). All tickets are $25. Click here to purchase, and for more information.
==================================================
A longtime tradition continued this morning.
A group of dads gathered at 5:30 a.m. to install a water slide for Kings Highway Elementary School’s field day.
At 100 feet long and 50 feet wide, that’s no easy task.
Even harder, no doubt, will be wrestling it — big and wet — back into its original packaging.
Great weather for a water slide!
==================================================
Sorelle Gallery on Church Lane showcases Daniel Pollera and Michele Poirier-Mozzone, from June 2 through 24.
He focuses on land and seascapes, while she paints soft, fragmented figures from underwater vantage points. Both explore themes of water and light, and the relationship between them.
Click here for more information.
Artwork by Daniel Pollera
==================================================
Speaking of art: Around the corner from Sorelle, in Sconset Square, Vanessa Lewis’ recently relocated her Penfield Collective “retail concept” (I’m assuming that means “store”) from Fairfield.
Now there’s a new addition, right outside.
Donna Forma’s sculpture has been installed at the door. Made of laminated walnut, it has been treated to become weather resistant.
The new artwork is all in the family. Lewis is Forma’s daughter.
Donna Forma’s sculpture.
==================================================
Summer is near. Which means more and more beachgoers will see sights like this — today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo:
(Photo/Johanna Keyser Rossi)
Horseshoe crabs are fascinating creatures. Scary, ugly, primordial, they send a strong message: “Stay away. This is our beach. We were here first.”
We walk warily past them.
Unless you’re a kid. In which case you pick them up, with a combination of courage and awe.
==================================================
And finally … Rolf Harris, the Australian singer whose “Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport” was a huge novelty hit, but whose long career on British television ended when he was convicted of sexually abusing teenage girls — died earlier this month in England. He was 93.
Click here for a full obituary.
(Celebrate Memorial Day weekend the traditional way: with a contribution to “06880.” Please click here. Thank you!)
If the budget for Metro North is being cut for trains, I imagine they won’t have much money in the budget to clean the elevators at the Saugatuck station which are disgustingly filthy.