Roundup: DPIC Meeting, 9/11 Ride, Emmy Squared Pizza …

The Downtown Plan Implementation Committee will hold a public meeting tomorrow morning (Thursday, September 7, 8:30 a.m., Town Hall Room 201).

Agenda items include a strategic priority review, parking lots reinvention, pedestrian access and sustainability. Click here for the full agenda.

Discussion continues on the Downtown Plan Implementation Committee’s Parker Harding Plaza plan.

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The CT United Ride — Connecticut’s largest tribute to the victims and first responders of 9/11 — is important.

It’s also the largest motorcycle ride in the state.

And — as worthy as the cause is — it has a major impact on Westport traffic.

The ride this Sunday (September 10) begins at Sherwood Island State Park at 11:30 a.m. Bikers take I-95 south to Exit 17.

They then travel north up Saugatuck Avenue  and Riverside Avenue (Route 33); they cross the Post Road onto Wilton Road, and continue to the Wilton town line.

The route is closed and continuous. With the assistance of a police escort, motorcyclists drive through traffic lights and do not stop at stop signs.

Expect extended traffic delays along the route — potentially 45 minutes or longer.

Plan alternate routes — and avoid the Post Road West/Riverside Avenue/Wilton Road intersection completely — from about 11:35 a.m. to 12:30. Roads will be completely impassable until the entire procession clears.

Motorcycles mass before the start of the CT United Ride at Sherwood Island State Park. (Photo/Penny Pearlman)

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Emmy Squared Pizza opened officially yesterday. The restaurant — which replaces Amis in Bedford Square — was packed.

Emmy Squared features Detroit-style pizzas (square, with fluffy dough and cheesy crust), a Le Big Matt burger, as well as appetizers, salads, gluten-free and vegan options, craft cocktails, wine, beer, and more.

A special 10- by 14-inch pizza with 10 slices is being tested at the Westport location only.

There are 24 Emmy’s locations in the US, including New York, Philadelphia, Washington, Nashville, Louisville, Charlotte and Atlanta.

Pizzas from Emmy Squared.

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Meanwhile … as Homes with Hope’s food pantry runs low, they’ve reached out to the Westport Farmers’ Market.

And the Farmers’ Market is reaching out to their many customers.

Tomorrow and next Thursday (September 7 and 14, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Imperial Avenue parking lot), a non-perishable food and can drive will help replenish the shelves.

Needed items include canned fruits and vegetables, canned tuna/chicken/meat, peanut butter and jelly, pasta sauce, and hearty soups/chili. Drop-off bins will be clearly marked.

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Registration began at 9 a.m. today for Westport Parks & Recreation Department fall programs. Click here for the link.

That’s also the way to register for Wakeman Town Farm’s youth programs, like “Little Farmer Parent & Me,” “Toddler Sprouts,” “Fantastic Farmhands” and “Farm Apprentice.”

Click here for more information on those programs, and how to register.

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With a heat advisory in effect for the area through tomorrow at 8 p.m. Westport’s Office of Emergency Management has opened 5 cooling centers:

The Senior Center is one of Westport’s 5 public cooling spots.

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One of Westport’s most iconic homes may soon be a teardown.

Among the items on the agenda for the next  Historic District Commission meeting (Tuesday, September 12, 7 p.m., Zoom):

“To take such action as the meeting may determine to oppose the issuance of the demolition permit for 43 Compo Mill Cove and require the full 180-day delay.”

That’s the first house you see on Compo Cove from the pedestrian bridge — and the only one on the left side of the Cove path.

It’s been there for decades. But that’s not its first location. It was moved at some point in the 1900s, from its original location, across the way.

43 Compo Mill Cove (Photo courtesy of MLS)

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Some people worked yesterday at the Westport Library. Others were at the US Open — or watching at home.

At the Trefz Forum, you could have worked and enjoyed the tennis matches.

Thank goodness for closed captioning.

(Photo/Susan Leone)

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“Offshore wind could be the economic engine and energy solution California needs, but only if our state policymakers lead the way — and we’re running out of time to get it right.”

That’s the lead sentence in an op-ed piece — “Wind Farms Off California’s Coast Should be the Future of the State’s Clean Energy Grid” — that ran recently in the Los Angeles Times.

It was co-authored by Taylor McNair. The 2012 Staples High School graduate is a program manager for Berkeley-based GridLab, a non-profit focused on power grid transformation. Click here for the full piece.

Taylor McNair

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There are only 5 national recipients of this year’s Financial Literacy Ambassador Award.

And one is from Westport.

Staples High School student Andrew Rebello earned the honor (and a $1,000 prize). He got a perfect score on the Working in Support of Education Financial Literacy Certification test. His application then went through 3 rounds of judging.

Andrew credits his Financial Literacy teacher, Lenny Klein, for much of his success.

Andrew is co-captain of the Staples Investment and Trading Society, which participates in the Wharton Investment Competition.

He also founded the Staples team for the Federal Reserve Bank of New York Challenge. Last year, the team’s paper was published in the Journal of Future Economists.

Andrew also volunteers at the Long Lots Preserve.

  Andrew Rebello

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The new “Jazz at the Post” season debuts tomorrow (Thursday, September 7; shows at 7:30 and 8:45 p.m.; VFW Joseph J. Clinton Post 399).

Guitarists Kenny Wessel and Rale Micic headline opening night. They’re joined by bassist Essiet Essiet, drummer Jason Tiemann, and Westport’s own “Jazz Rabbi,” Greg Wall on sax.

There is a $15 cover. Reservations are strongly recommended: JazzatthePost@gmail.com.

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“Voice Scapes Audio Theater” — an evening of comedy and drama — comes to Westport next month.

The short, original, contemporary pieces performed by award-winning actors, engineers and directors, with sound effects and music, benefits the Westport Rotary Club’s Education Fund.

The “fully immersive experience” is October 18 (7 p.m., Greens Farms Congregational Church).

Tickets are $25. Mail to Westport Rotary Club, PO Box 743, Westport, CT 06881, or Venmo @Thomas-Carey-73046 (last 4 cellphone digits: 5819).

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The Westport Library’s 3-part series on the brain kicks off tomorrow (Thursday, September 7, 7 p.m.).

Dr. Robert Altbaum and Dr. Daryl Story join Andrew Wilk. They’ll talk about strokes and transient ischemic attacks, focusing on maximizing chances for recovery. The doctors will answer questions after their presentations.

From left: Dr. Daryl Story, Dr. Robert Altbaum, Andrew Wilk.

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One Woody Lane homeowner is not taking any more s—.

He placed this sign on his front lawn:

I’m not sure it will work though.

A lot of dogs can’t read.

And those that do, don’t give a crap.

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Deer can’t read those “Deer Crossing” signs, either.

They cross wherever they please.

Usually they’re bounding — often, in front of startled drivers.

These 3 took their own time. And, as they posed for our “Westport … Naturally” feature on Compo Road South, they did it “Abbey Road” style.

(Photo/Jimmy Franco)

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And finally … sure, it’s September 6. But:

 

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4 responses to “Roundup: DPIC Meeting, 9/11 Ride, Emmy Squared Pizza …

  1. Are screaming big engine motorcycles driving thru Ct the best way to honor 9 11 tragedy ??

  2. The motorcyclists sure seem to think so‼️🇺🇸