The 20-year-0ld Waterbury man arrested after last September’s carjacking of an Aston Martin from a Westport garage pleaded guilty yesterday, in Stamford Superior Court.
Vincys Baez was charged with second-degree robbery (with a carjacking enhancement), first-degree burglary, conspiracy to commit first-degree larceny, and third-degree assault.
He may be sentenced to up to 8 1/2 years in prison.
A 16-yyear-old and 22-year-old were also charged in the crime. Baez and the 22-year-old also face charges related to a car theft the previous day. They are alleged to have stolen a BMW from Church Lane, when the owner was inside a restaurant picking up an order.
Screenshot from a security camera, during the carjacking. The driver is still in the vehicle, in his garage.
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It was the 25th (or so; no one is really sure) annual Mitchells company cookout at Compo Beach last night.
Over 200 employees and family members from the Westport and Greenwich (Richards) stores enjoyed lobster and steak, just a couple of miles from where the original men’s shop opened 66 years ago.
What made it special — and what makes Mitchells the company that it is — is that the grills were manned by the owners.
Mitchells now includes the 4th generation. But Ed and Norma’s 7 grandsons did what the family has always done: led by example.
And the founders’ sons, Jack and Bill — both now in their 80s — were there in their familiar roles: greeting the crowd; making sure everyone felt comfortable; quietly and humbly, giving back in every way they could.
Bill Mitchell, welcoming everyone at Compo Beach. (Photo/Dan Woog)
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July is humming at Earthplace.
Westport’s non-profit science, conservation, environmental and education center has activities for all ages, all month. They include:
- 2nd annual Moth Ball (July 12, 8-11 p.m.; $10 adults; under 21 free); nighttime celebration of summer.
- “Books ‘n’ Bugs: Who’s Living in our Stream?” (July 16, 1-2:30 p.m.; $15 per family). Hands-on, with an Earthplace naturalist.
- “Invasive Plant Removal” (July 22, 10-11:30 a.m.; free).
- “Organic Vegetable Gardening for Beginners” (July 24, 2-3 p.m.); $5 members, $10 non-members).
In addition, there’s a photo contest for inclusion in Earthplace’s 2025 calendar. And a few spots are still available for summer camp.
Click here for details on every program and event.
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Speaking of enjoying the outdoors: Blau House & Gardens and the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra present “Music in the Garden” (August 18).
There’s a pre-concert tour of the magnificent property off Bayberry Lane from 4:30 to 5 p.m. The woodwind quintet plays in the gorgeous gardens from 5:30 to 7:15 p.m.
Bring your own picnic, blankets and chairs. There’s a shuttle from Coleytown Elementary School. Tickets are $75. Click here to order.
A small section of the Blau Gardens.
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“Party School” is a coming-of-age teen romance that “reminds us that it doesn’t matter what college you go to, but what you make of the journey.”
Journalist Jon Hart says his debut novel, with a heavy dose of “school shaming,” was inspired by Fairfield County (his parents lived in Fairfield).
Hart grew up in New York, but says, “Westport is all over ‘Party School.’ One of the main characters, the crowd-pleasing ‘Spicoli with heart,’ was inspired by a Westport native.”
Click here for more information, and to order.
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Wendy Levy calls today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo “First Blush.”
We call it “mouth-watering.”
(Photo/Wendy Levy)
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And finally … happy 77th birthday to Arlo Guthrie.
Woody Guthrie’s son is best known for “Alice’s Restaurant.” But his 5 decades of work go far beyond that 20-minute Thanksgiving garbage dump talking classic.
I saw him at the Westport Country Playhouse many years ago. He was the consummate performer. And I really loved that great head of white hair.
(You can get anything you want at “06880.” This blog is your blog. But we can’t do it without readers’ support. Please click here to help. Thank you!)
Bill and Jack Mitchell! They don’t come any finer!
I worked at Ed Mitchell’s my senior year at Staples and the following two Christmas’. First as a stock boy, then they brought me up on the floor. Ed, who lived to 100, was much like Billy, always active, always the salesman. Jack did not work in the store then, he was a stockbroker. But it was the best experience for a high school kid you could imagine. Someone walked through that door, you had to wait on them. One reason, I strongly recommend a high school kid to work, at least summers. Bravo Zulu Mitchell’s.
During the late 1980s or early 1990s, Ed Mitchell lived near my aunt at Southport Woods Condominiums. I also remember Jack and Bill from the Westport Golf Range. My cousin Susan Parise graduated from Staples with one of the Mitchells, and she just turned 80 herself. The Mitchells are definitely an important Westport family!
All the Mitchells were always the best!