Pippa Bell Ader is one of Westport’s most ardent environmentalists.
She saw yesterday’s “06880” story on Main Street stores whose wide-open, come-on-in doors spew air conditioning onto the sidewalk all day, every day.
All is not lost, she says.
She told “06880”: “L’Occitane, a B Corps company (as is Patagonia), wouldn’t be caught dead with the doors open! Look what they have, right on their front door on Main Street:
(Photo/Pippa Bell Ader)
Pippa adds: “The argument that businesses will suffer if the doors remain closed (which is interpreted as unwelcoming) is absurd. Who will they be welcoming in 20 years?!”
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The Westport Country Playhouse has just added another popular singer to its Barnstormer Series.
And this one won’t have far to travel at all.
Sophie B. Hawkins sings selections from her new musical “Birds of New York,” and tells stories about it, on June 25 (7 p.m.).
She’ll be joined by a cast of Broadway performers, as she tells stories from the tale of a daughter who comes home at Thanksgiving to heal, but has no idea what she’s in for.
Tickets go on sale tomorrow (Friday, June 7) at 1 p.m. Click here to purchase, and for more information.
Sophie B. Hawkins
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Talented Westport photographer Pamela Einarsen has spent a couple of years working on a personal project.
“Translations” was inspired by her experience as the parent of a transgender daughter.
Early photos will be on display at “In/SIGHT,” a photography show with 9 other photographers at The Carriage Barn Arts Center in New Canaan.
Westport Artists Collective member Emily Laux is also involved.
The opening is this Sunday (June 9, 3 to 5 p.m.). The show runs through June 30. An artists’ talk is Sunday, June 15 (10:30 a.m.).
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Mike Barbiglia entertained his second straight sold-out audience last night, at the Westport Country Playhouse.
The comedian/writer/director/actor concludes his 3-run show tomorrow night.
Mike Barbiglia, at the Playhouse. (Photo/Susan Garment)
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Congratulations to Ithaca College rising senior Cam Manna.
The Staples High School graduate has just earned honorable mention at the Sportscasters Talent Agency of America Jim Nantz Award and All-America program.
“06880” has been a follower and fan of Cam since his WWPT-FM days at Staples High School.
Of course, this award has another connection to our town . Nantz — the legendary CBS sportscaster for whom it’s named — is a former Westporter.
Cam Manna, in action.
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A reader writes: “Our Compo Beach neighborhood is one of the noisiest in town.
“The houses are close together, so at any moment you can hear someone, or several people, blowing their lawns with one or more gas-powered leaf blowers (not to mention the amount of construction that goes on around here).
“When the town ordinance passed limiting gas-powered leaf blowers, I was thrilled. I know it was designed to address air pollution, not noise levels. But I also know that battery-powered leaf blowers are much quieter than the gas powered ones.
“But no one uses battery powered leaf blowers. It’s like the ordinance never happened.
“I asked a landscaper nearby why they didn’t use them. He said, ‘too expensive; they’re $800.’
“I told him we got ours at Harbor Freight: a whole package — leaf blower, hedge trimmer with lots of attachments, big battery, plus a backup battery — so when our crew is here they use one and have a backup. All for $200-300.
“Maybe this will inspire other homeowners to take the initiative to use battery- powered blowers, and/or provide them to their crews. I don’t think the landscapers will willingly make the switch, especially since there’s no real way to enforce the ordinance.”
Electric leaf blower
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Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 399 quartermaster, Phil Delgado was in command Tuesday, as the guest speaker at Westport Rotary Club’s weekly meeting.
He highlighted the vital role the VFW plays in serving veterans throughout Fairfield County. He described programs and initiatives that support veterans, emphasizing the importance of community involvement and support.
One-third of the members are disabled. Many suffer from PTSD. In addition to community and VFW events, including the weekly Jazz at the Post Night, support and assistance are also offered for mental and physical issues.
Philip Delgado addresses the Rotary Club. (Photo/Dave Matlow)
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Yesterday’s Roundup item about the drive to collect new underwear for Norwalk’s Open Doors Shelter neglected to mention 2 important facts: when and where.
It’s this Saturday (June 8, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Imperial Avenue parking lot).
Any type of new underwear for women and children is great. The shelter requests boxer briefs for men.
Can’t make it Saturday? Lisa will pick items up, or accept them at her Town Hall office. You can also send them to her via Amazon. For details, email lsmarriott@gmail.com.
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Westport Police made 2 custodial arrests between May 29 and June 5.
A 34-year-old Milford man was arrested for interfering with an officer and misuse of 911, after police responded to a 1:22 a.m. call at Nômade restaurant.
The suspect was on the sidewalk, arguing with the manager, who said the man was intoxicated, and disruptive when asked to leave. When officers told him he had to go home, he stated that the bar had been serving minors.
The claim was not substantiated, and the suspect was told to call police when he observed such activity. He said he would call 911 right then, and was advised if he did so, he would be arrested. He allegedly dialed 911, and was arrested.
A 28-year-old Hartford man was arrested for interfering with an officer. At 5:35 a.m., police were on routine patrol in the Wilton Road/Partrick Road area, while other officers investigated an attempted motor vehicle theft from Wilton Terrace.
Officers on Partrick Road were alerted to a suspicious person on surveillance cameras walking through back yards, and attempting to enter a vehicle. When a man emerged from a driveway and saw police, he ran into the woods. Police gave chase on foot, then apprehended and arrested him.
Westport Police also issued these citations:
- Traveling unreasonably fast: 9 citations
- Failure to comply with state traffic commission regulations: 6
- Operating a motor vehicle without a license: 5
- Operating an unregistered motor vehicle: 4
- Failure to renew registration: 3
- Operating a motor vehicle under suspension: 2
- Failure to obey traffic control signals: 2
- Speeding over 70 mph: 1
- Failure to yield to a pedestrian: 1
- Failure to obey stop sign: 1
- Following too closely: 1
- Failure to drive right: 1
- Unsafe backing: 1
- Operating a motor vehicle without minimum insurance: 1
- Failure to display plates: 1
- Improper use of markers: 1
Look carefully before backing up!
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Today’s “Westport … Naturally” image shows a typical large Westport family enjoying Longshore:
(Photo/Elisabeth Levey)
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And finally … in honor of today’s 80th anniversary of D-Day, let’s look back to the poignant 75th ceremony, 5 years ago:
(“06880” is your hyper-local blog. We rely on readers like you to support us. Please click here to help. Thank you!)
I’m surprised the crime blotter doesn’t include any arrests for using a leaf blower! Fifty lashes with a wet noodle!!
If everyone donates one small pack of underwear on Saturday, the Shelter will be fully stocked in a heartbeat. You even have time to order on amazon! Lisa and Marcy make it impossibly easy to help our neighbors!! Kudos!! xoxo
I too have a cordless leaf blower/weed whacker combo that I bought for less than $300. Got mine at Home Depot. It’s very cute. Blower is barely adequate for blowing grass trimmings off sidewalk or quick clean of garage. It would be pretty much useless for larger jobs (e.g. clearing leaves).
The anonymous “Compo Beach reader” should not be confused. Anything at that price point is not intended for professional use, almost certainly isn’t powerful enough, and would generally not be up 4-5 hours of use, 5-6 days/week. A professional grade version probably does cost $800. The high end cordless blowers at Home Depot are $1,000+.
I support environmental protection. I agree with you Bill. I also went to a large demonstration of electric options for lawn maintenance companies. The newest equipemet is very expensive abd requires battery changes every 40 minutes. There are other options. The beach area generally has smaller lawns. electric moerte and even old fashioned manual mowers can cut. The manual mowers work but will not give the Manicured like look. In order to keep 06880 and suburbia quiet and environmentally friendly leadership has to change people’s perceptions of gardening and lawn maintenance. Property values are affected by curb appeal and landscape. Someone needs to take a leadership position on alternatives. Irrigation wastes tons of water and money on lawns. The service companies that provide fertilizer weed control bug control deer control etc must be retooled to work in an environmental friendly way. The lawn is not a Yankee Stadium outfield. I love my green lawn and garden. I would not be willing to modify my behavior unless property values and society accepts the ability to change our ways and methodology. It will take leadership and education and incentives. lawn mowers account for 5 per cent of USA pollution. Suburbia needs the passion and will to change.
Westport police could make a lot of arrests on Greens Farms Road. Every day people pass cars over double yellow lines … even at the three way stop for the train station/post office. Also saw a car pass a student driver on that road.
Just a reminder that Westport’s ban is only in effect May 15 – October 15 when most blowing is light duty – grass clippings (which it’s healthier to leave in your lawn, say Scotts and Lawn Doctor), pollen, dust. Homeowners can offer to let their landscapers use their own electric blowers if they don’t own them (yet), if they need to blow at all. Some neighbors who use the same landscaper have banded together to help purchase equipment for their crew. Commercial electric blowers can now match the power of almost all gas blowers, and Makita makes one with a battery life of up to 5 hours. Landscapers will still be able to use their gas blowers in the fall when the leaves come down. This will be a process, not an overnight transition, and I hope residents will speak to their neighbors rather than their neighbors’ landscapers to encourage compliance and keep things civil. In my neighborhood downtown, things have been significantly quieter this summer so far — not silent, but appreciably quieter!
The most effective way forward on this is for homeowners to let their landscapers know that respecting the ordinance is important to them. I can say that in speaking to Wes Fallon he did say the equipment was expensive but agreed that it needed to be done. He made the switch and I can say that the electric equipment is much quieter and a big quality of life improvement if you work from home. For homeowners who want to be in compliance with the ordinance tell your landscaper or switch to a landscaper who adheres to the ordinance. If you want to reach out to Wes Fallon his phone (203) 515-9479.
depending on the size of your property the difference between electric and gas is night and day. For one half acre and less electric is suitable. When the leaves fall electric cannot accomplish what gas blowers can. In the advanced AI and technology era it’s hard to believe the lawn industry is so far behind.
The blower ordinance is so thoughtlessly drawn, it will never stop usage…the HOMEOWNER is responsible for enforcement; how dumb is that?
it will take public will.
Mike Barbiglia’s show Wednesday night was excellent- very very funny!! No wonder all the shows are sold out!!
There was so much out loud laughter that the audience laughter finally became annoying!! But his timing was impeccable- didn’t miss a single line or joke!!!!