At yesterday’s TEAM Westport meeting, Jen Tooker was asked about the controversial Board of Education candidacy of a fellow Republican.
She told “06880”: “I was asked by a member of the public if I was endorsing Camilo Riano. And I responded no, I am not endorsing him. That’s all I said.”
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Last night, some Westporters went to Town Hall for the Long Lots School Building Committee decision (and the future of the Community Gardens).
Others stayed home for the virtual Parks & Recreation Commission meeting on the future of Longshore — including the gardens, a new baseball diamond and the controversial siting of new pickleball courts. (They were disappointed. A “technical problem” ended the once-rescheduled meeting once it was clear it could not begin.)
The best time was had by the sold-out crowd at the Levitt Pavilion. Max Weinberg — longtime drummer for Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band — brought his “Jukebox” show (with 300 songs that each audience picks) to the banks of the Saugatuck River.
The weather was beautiful. They played for 2 1/2 hours.
And at the end, he invited the audience up on stage, to join the fun.
Max Weinberg and friends, on stage at the Levitt. (Photo/Susan Garment)
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Speaking of fun: In preparation for the Compo Beach playground renovation, Westport’s Parks & Recreation Department is looking for ideas.
A planning survey has been sent to Westport and Weston residents. The goal is to “improve the structure, visibility and accessibility” of the popular site, and to add new features.
The project is a partnership with the Westport Rotary Club and Westport Young Woman’s League.
Click here for the survey. It will be live through October 30. For project updates, on Instagram, follow @compobeachplay.
Compo Beach playground.
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Speaking of the beach: As the Hillspoint Road streetscape has changed over the years, there has been one constant: #246.
The tiny wooden shotgun house has stood — if not tall, then proudly — as all its neighbors have been torn down and replaced by far larger homes.
The end is in sight, though, for the 2-bedroom, 1-bath, 695-square foot house that sold last year for $1.5 million.
A “Demolition” sign sits on the front.
Another bit of old Westport soon bites the dust.
246 Hillspoint Road (JD Dworkow)
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Yesterday’s “06880” lead story saluting Westport’s long relationship with Marigny-le-Louzon, our sister city in France.
As the piece noted, our 7-decade relationship began in the aftermath of World War II. Two Westport soldiers — gun sergeant Bob Loomis and heavy machine gunner Clay Chalfant — moved through the Normandy town, just 25 miles from Utah Beach, on their way to Belgium.
Alert reader Mary Manning sent this welcome news along: Clay Chalfant still lives in Westport.
He and his wife Mary are in Greens Farms. In February, they’ll celebrate his 100th birthday.
Best (and early) wishes, sir!
And thank you, all those years ago, for helping begin a transatlantic friendship that flourishes still.
From left: Clay and Mary Chalfant, with then-1st Selectman Jim Marpe.
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Westport Police made 4 custodial arrests between September 27 and October 4.
A 27-year-old man was charged with disorderly conduct, assault, threatening and strangulation, after a domestic violence argument about a cell phone. He punched, pushed and choked the victim. After leaving, he threatened harm if police were notified.
A 57-year-old woman was charged with disorderly conduct, after arguing with a family member. The victim was assaulted, and injured during a fall.
A 28-year-old woman was charged with driving under the influence and failure to drive in the proper lane, following a 1-car crash on Sylvan Road North.
A 34-year-old man was charged with burglary and larceny, after taking keys, checks and paperwork from Westport Auto Craft. Mamaroneck police arrested him during a burglary the same day, and found the items from Westport in his possession.
Westport Police also issued these citations:
- Failure to comply with state traffic commission regulations: 6 citations
- Traveling unreasonably fast: 3
- Larceny: 1
- Disorderly conduct: 1
- Operating a motor vehicle while texting: 1
- Operating a motor vehicle under suspension: 1
- Operating a motor vehicle without minimum insurance: 1
- Failure to obey traffic control signals: 1
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Earth Animal has a long history with both CT Foodshare and the Mitten Project. Together, they tackle food insecurity.
Once again this year, the Post Road East store will match every dollar donated.
Last year, Earth Animal raised $53,000. This year’s goal: $60K.
CT Foodshare sources healthy food donations from the food industry, retail stores, farms, and generous donors. They are donated through a network of over 480 food pantries, community kitchens and meal programs.
The first part of the fund drive is “Pumpkins for Good.” Locally grown pumpkins and gourds will be sold all this month at Earth Animal.
During the holiday season, the store will sell ornaments, handmade mittens and dog treat Advent calendars. They’ll sponsor other fundraisers too. Stop in to Earth Animal to learn more.
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Wakeman Town Farm and Patagonia are partnering to show short film about how food connects to climate change. “Unbroken Ground” screens on October 23 (7:30 p.m., WTF Tim’s Kitchen).
After the film, Ellie Angerame od Green Village Initiative leads a discussion on how a community can make a positive impact.
Click here for tickets, and more information.
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In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Westport Book Shop’s October guest artists are Jane Lubin and Toby Michaels. Both are survivors of the disease.
A reception is set for October 18 (6 to 7:30 p.m.).
Their art is on display at the Jesup Avenue store through through October 31. All work is available for purchase. To learn more about Toby and Jane, click here.
Jane Lubin and Toby Michaels, at the Westport Book Shop.
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It’s a cappella for all! (And for a great cause too.)
The Princeton Nassoons sing at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Westport October 18 (7 p.m.). The Beachside Express is their excellent opening act.
Admission is free. But voluntary donations support UU’s social justice partner, the Domestic Violence Crisis Center.
The Nassoons are one of the country’s oldest collegiate singing groups. And the vocal coach for Beachside Express — Greens Farms Academy’s elite group — is Mike Costantino, a longtime UU Westport member.
Princeton Nassoons
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With so much controversy in Westport — the Community Gardens, the meaning of “shall,” Board of Education candidates and more — now is a good time to take a deep breath, step back, and admire what we have in Westport.
Nancy Lally’s “Westport … Naturally” photo for today is a great place to start.
(Photo/Nancy Lally)
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And finally … the songs in the photo of Max Weinberg’s Jukebox show (story above) is just a sampling of the 300 he offered last night to Levitt Pavilion concert-goers.
Here, for your listening/dancing/air guitar pleasure, are 3 of them:
(Whew! There sure is a lot going on in Westport. And “06880” covers it all. If you believe in local journalism, please support this hyper-local blog. Just click here. Thank you!)
Max Weinberg at the Levitt was awesome. Thanks for all involved in bringing this show to Westport.
I looked him
up on you tube. very impressive.