“06880” has warned of checks being taken from private mailboxes — and from legit blue post office boxes, near places like the UPS Store.
But now the thieves are even more brazen. Bruce Schneider writes:
“Yesterday morning, I dropped off a package at the post office in Playhouse Square.
“As I left, 2 Westport police officers were standing by the mailbox outside. One was holding a handful of letters.
“A woman approached the box, with a letter. The offices told her to bring it inside, since there was some sticky substance in the drop box, allowing someone to steal mail.
“Given the numerous stories on ‘check washing,’ I thought that dropping a letter in a mailbox right outside the post office would be pretty safe. But I guess not.
“It seems the only safe way to mail a letter is inside the post office, or handing it directly to your mail carrier.”
Like this mailbox outside the UPS store, the one outside the main post office in Playhouse Square may be “compromised.”
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On Sunday, “06880” noted that Westport’s Nile Rodgers and Weston’s Keith Richards were #7 and #15, respectively, on Rolling Stone’s list of “The 250 Greatest Guitarists of All Time.”
Oops!
We forgot to mention that another neighbor — Westonite José Feliciano — checks in at #212. ¡Felicidades!
Bonus track: John Mayer of nearby Fairfield is #61.
Click here for the full list. (Hat tip: Bill Dedman)
José Feliciano (Photo/David Bravo)
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Daisy Fording — a Staples High School senior — has kick-started the TopSoccer program.
A national program run locally by the Westport and Weston Soccer Associations, it provides learning, developmental and participation opportunities for youngsters in kindergarten through 8th grade with physical and/or learning disabilities.
Together with trained coaches, each player is paired with a volunteer buddy to learn teamwork and soccer skills, and have fun.
Games are Saturdays from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Morehouse Town Park in Weston.
There are 3 more weeks in the fall season. For more information (including registration) click here, text Daisy at 203-957-2390, or email dkfording@gmail.com.
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The VFW is well known for its “Jazz at the Post” Thursday night series.
But there’s more jazz at Joseph J. Clinton Post 399 on Riverside Avenue on Wednesday, November 15 (7 p.m.).
And it’s got a close military connection.
The US Air Force Rhythm in Blue Jazz Ensemble — featuring trumpeter Michael Mossman — comes to town for a concert.
And it’s completely free.
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Meanwhile, this week’s “Jazz at the Post” includes a twist.
Saxophonist/composer Wayne Shorter — who died earlier this year at 89 — will be remembered for his work with Art Blakey and Miles Davis, and his own recordings.
Featured artists include trumpeter Michael Mossman, guitarist Paul Bollenback, bassist Boots Maleson, drummer Tim Horner and saxophonist Greg “The Jazz Rabbi” Wall.
There are 2 shows this Thursday (October 19): 7:30 and 8:45 p.m. Dinner service starts at 7. The cover charge is $15. Reservations are highly recommended: JazzatthePost@gmail.com.
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To honor Native American Heritage Month, living historian Drew Shuptar-Rayvis presents “Life in the Eastern Woodlands: Pre-contact – 1620” (November 19, 2 p.m., outside at the Weston History & Culture Center.
On display are artifacts like bark baskets, stone axes, cookware, bows and arrows, animal pelts and leather.
Shuptar-Rayvis’ heritage includes indigenous Pocomoke, Pennsylvania Dutch, Welsh, Swiss, English, Scots-Irish, Boyko Ukrainian and Ashkanazi Jewish. He reads Wampum, works to preserve the Eastern Woodland languages, and is educated in many European languages used in colonial times.
Advance tickets ($5 each) are required. Click here to purchase, and for more information.
Drew Shuptar-Rayvis
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Nature abounds here … even in the midst of downtown.
Check out today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature. Enjoy a peaceful vibe, just yards from Main Street.
(Photo/June Rose Whittaker)
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And finally … happy 81st birthday to Gary Puckett. His band the Union Gap wore Civil War-style uniforms, though they were from the Pacific Northwest.
There is a connection: Puckett grew up in Yakima, Washington — not from the small town of Union Gap.
His band had several hits in the late 1960s. Nearly all had “girl,” “woman,” or some form of female in the title.
(“06880” covers the local news — and all that jazz. But we can’t do it without readers’ support. Please make a tax-deductible contribution by clicking here. Thank you!)
Jose Feliciano may clock in at #212 on this list, but he’s a lot better than that! Look forward to seeing him at the Wall St. Theater in Norwalk in November.
Dan – El Kempner is a younger on the list at 226. At 29, she grew up in Westport and tours with her successful band Palehound.
I’ve encountered “Stickyness” on “snout”, drive-by mailboxes as well, on two occasions, the one(s) on Bay St, as well as the popular drive-thru one at, wait for it, the USPS Westport Carrier Annex on Post Rd W. I always get out of the car and make sure the letter goes all the way down the normal door. Interesting that Westport’s Finest need to get involved. The USPS has its own cops, the US Postal Inspection Service. What are they doing about felony mail theft in general? What about the Postmaster General? Oh, wait, never mind…
Let’s go to the video tape‼️
The “peeping Tom” USPS famous for its 2 way high ceiling mirrors in rest rooms must have surveillance ⁉️
I also thought that taking important mail into the post office was “safe”. I think people need to know, I found out the hard way that that is not the safest way unfortunately.. several years back I took three envelopes (all with checks) inside to the Westport post office handed it to person. This was in the month of January when I guess the thieves are looking for tax checks, etc.. Two of my three envelopes were clearly marked IRS and one New York State.. bottom line they were all stolen en route apparently and cashed. they were doing investigation I never heard the end but at one point they told me they thought something happened in Westchester post office apparently along the route. they were still able to steal these envelopes and even more amazing that they could cash a check made out to the IRS by signing a persons name but they obviously have the means that somebody allowed them to cash it I just had to respond to warn this can happen even if you bring it into the post office which is probably still safer than the mailbox but now I do my taxes and pay electronically only.
Gary Puckett. Brings back the magic of the late sixties.
Rolling Stone is a laughable rag of a magazine.