Election Day is Tuesday (November 7).
To be ready, the town clerk’s office (Room 105, Town Hall) will be open this Saturday (November 4), from 8:30 to 11 a.m., to issue absentee ballots.
They will also be available Monday (November 6), until 4:30 p.m.
All absentee ballots must be returned to the Town Clerk’s office no later than 8 p.m. on Election Day.
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Speaking of Tuesday’s election:
Yesterday’s “06880” story on Board of Education write-in candidate Jill Dillon noted one particular challenge: educating voters on how to do it.
Several readers wondered how.
There are 2 steps: fill in bubble 5E, 6E or 7E (under “Board of Education”; then write in “Jill Dillon.” (“Dillon,” “J Dillon” and “Jill D” are also acceptable.)
Sample ballot for a write-in candidate.
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It’s leaf season. And time to remind Westporters that dumping leaves and debris in a wetland or watercourse is illegal.
Several leaf disposal options are available to Westport residents. One is to compost leaves in the back yard within a fenced area or a composting receptacle, located at least 20 feet away from any wetland or watercourse. Click here for details.
Another option for Westport residents with a valid sticker: Deliver collected leaves to the yard waste site at 180 Bayberry Lane, behind the Aspetuck Health District (no plastic bags).
The yard waste site is open Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Also, the Department of Public Works begins curbside leaf collection on November 6.
For more information about leaf removal or the yard waste site, call the Department of Public Works: 203-341-1120. For more information on wetlands or composting, call the Conservation Department: 203-341-1170.
Compost, don’t dump!
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Before leaving Halloween in the now-November dust: Here’s one last look back at last night, from Gorham Avenue:
(Photo/Jamie Walsh)
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Everyone needs to laugh.
Especially these days.
This weekend, the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Westport offers 3 evenings of 4 one-act comedies.
The UU Players present the uplifting shows on Friday and Saturday, November 3 and 4, 7:30 p.m.) and Sunday, November 5 (2 p.m.). The suggested donation of $20 will be collected at the door.
“Miss You” explores the tangled webs we weave with the aid of telephones. “Baby Food” and “Crazy Eights” highlight the extreme and bizarre lengths people go to to get what they want. “Sure Thing” proves that connections are all about timing.
For more information, click here.
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It just got easier for seniors to use technology.
A $10,000 grant from AT&T to Friends of the Westport Center for Senior Activities will be used purchase connected devices, and to support technology instruction programs (including workshops conducted by high school students).
For example, new iPads will allow the Senior Center to offer regular classes focusing on computer skills like navigating the internet, scam awareness, video conferencing with family members, and more.
Displaying a new tablet (front row, from left): Diane Bosch and Marsha Darmory, co-presidents of Friends of the Senior Center; rear: Harry Carey, AT&T director of external affairs’ Wendy Petty, Senior Center director; State Representative Jonathan Steinberg.
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Speaking of the Senior Center: Here’s how a few folks looked yesterday:
(Photo/Bob Weingarten)
No, it’s not their normal look. It was Halloween, and they posed behind the pumpkin contest entrants. (The winner was #2 (hidden), courtesy of Jason Wilson.
It just goes to show: You’re never too old to dress up for this holiday.
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Tickets go on sale today for Coleytown Company’s music revue, “Pure Imagination”. Songs from Broadway Junior musicals include “Seussical,” “Shrek The Musical,” “Beauty and the Beast” and “Frozen.”
Launching a new format this fall, the group of professionals leading the production broadened the cast to include students in all three grades (6-8). Veterans and newcomers bring their singing and dancing talents to the stage.
Performances are Thursday, November 16 (6 p.m.) and Friday, November 17 (7 p.m.). For more information and tickets, click here.
Getting ready for “Pure Imagination.”
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Westport Book Shop hosts a children’s book reading and signing of “Bradford’s Walk” == with author Denis O’Neill and illustrator Cyrus Quadland this Saturday (November 4, 10:30 a.m.).
As any parent of a Bradford fan knows, the tale follows the adventures of a lovable brown dog, set against the backdrop of, yes, Westport. It captures the simple pleasures of daily walks that everyone relates to.
Denis is a Westport native, and has lived here for 6 decades.
. Space is limited. RSVP by email or by phone (203-349-5141).
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Speaking of children: Every kid needs a pet.
Every adult too.
This Saturday (November 4, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.), William Pitt Sotheby’s (199 Post Road East hosts an event to benefit Westport Animal Shelter Advocates, PAWS and Hopalong Hollow Rabbit Rescue.
There will be available-for-adoption furry friends to meet (no on-site adoptions, though).
There’s also a raffle with donations from restaurants, merchants and animal service providers (plus New York Yankees merch). Food trucks will feed hungry humans.
For additional information, call 203 557 0361.
One of the dogs that will be at William Pitt Sotheby’s on Saturday.
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The Short Cuts Film Festival returns to the Westport Library on Thursday, November 9 (7 p.m.).
Six short narrative films will be screened, on the state-of-the-art 18-foot video wall.
Curated from the Tribeca Film Festival, Short Cuts showcases current trends in filmmaking. Selected films are a diverse cross-section of stories and perspectives, including one animated short.
“Fourteen years ago, when we began Short Cuts, it was difficult to find films directed by women, people of color, or LGBTQ communities,” says producer Nancy Diamond.
“Now filmmakers of all genders, cultures and life choices abound. Short Cuts brings these award-winning short films to you.” Click here for details on the 6 films.
Following the screenings, Olivia Shapiro, Let Liv writer and actor, will join Diamond on-stage for a conversation. Questions will be taken from the audience.
Tickets are $26.50; click here to purchase. Refreshments and popcorn will be served.
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It’s just a coincidence, but Aspetuck Land Trust’s next “Lunch and Learn” — the noontime webinar series — is about food.
Expert forager and author Russ Cohen hosts “Wild Plants I Have Known and Eaten” (November 10, noon to 1:30 p.m.).
He’ll featuring at least 2 dozen species of native edible wild plants suitable for adding to your landscape, or nibbling on when you find them. Click here for more information, and to register.
Russ Cohen, with wild plants.
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Remember Saturday’s beautiful, midsummer-like weather?
Pat Auber was at Compo Beach (with hordes of others), to enjoy it.
Also having fun: many unleashed dogs (in the leash-only area). She writes:
“This Animal Control officer policed the area. As he said, ‘it’s like putting my finger in a dike.’
“This is not the off-leash area!” a security officer explains. (Photo/Pat Auber)
“Dog owners: We don’t love your dogs off leash sniffing our toes and eating our food, like you seem to think we do.
“Westport is kind enough to offer a leash off area. Respect it! So thank you to this security gentleman, who managed this and made for a pleasant experience for all.”
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“06880” has posted plenty of images of Sherwood Mill Pond, from many angles.
But today’s “Westport … Naturally” offers a perspective we rarely see:
(Photo/Clarence Hayes)
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And finally … Aaron Spears, a Grammy-nominated drummer who played with Usher, Ariana Grande and many other major pop stars, died recently. He was 47.
Click here for a full obituary.
(If you enjoy our daily Roundups, please know: The stories are short, but they take a ton of effort. Please support our work, with a tax-deductible contribution. Click here — and thank you!)
Jamie Walsh, Thanks for that picture on Gorham. We both know how much scarier that picture could have been. If you can’t beat ’em Gorham!!
Well said John!
I enjoy going to Compo beach almost everyday and I see the dogs having a great time. What I also see constantly is that people don’t respect the rules. Occasionally I see people not picking up after their dog and not leashing their dogs in the restricted areas. These folks are not unaware of the rules but make the conscious decision to think they don’t apply to them. Animal enforcement needs to give summons out and the word will spread faster than the dogs run around.
That is not Parks and Rec security, that’s an animal control officer from the Police Department.
Thanks, Fred. I’ll change it now. Much appreciated!
Peter Marks is right. If you want people to follow the rules you have to start enforcing them. Fines would help pay for the enforcement.
Dogs are better than people.