Westport’s holiday miracle — the less-than-a-week project that ensured the Cribari Bridge will be lit again this year — is nearly complete.
The start of the stringing process, last night. (Photo/Andrea Moore)
The Public Works and Fire Departments, plus AJ Penna & Sons Construction, Kevin Ancker of Riverside Mobil and a corps of volunteers, unboxed, strung and tested hundreds of bulbs last night, on the 135-year-old Saugatuck River span. The Police Department added logistical support.
(Photo/Andrew Colabella)
The new lights worked perfectly. And tonight, the town celebrates.
The test worked! (Photo/Andrea Moore)
The gala bridge lighting is set for 5 p.m. today (Monday). Everyone is invited.
Westport PAL — one of the lights’ sponsors — will have collection boxes for the toy drive they run, with the Westport Police Department. Unwrapped toys can be dropped off at the bridge, and the Bridge at Saugatuck restaurant.
The restaurant will also offer half-priced wine and beer from 5 to 8 p.m.
(Photo/Andrea Moore)
PS: Lead sponsors are The Bridge at Saugatuck, Saugatuck Financial and Neat Lending.
Other sponsors include LandTech, Westport PAL, the Colabella family, and our very own “06880” blog.
(Photo/Andrew Colabella)
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Wheels2U — Westport Transit District’s on-demand transit program offering $2 shared rides between any Westport address and the town’s 2 train stations — has announced new upgrades.
They include:
● More comfortable vehicles. The new fleet of minivans (many of them wheelchair-accessible) provides a smoother, quieter ride than previous vehicles.
● A “greener” ride. The new vehicles are significantly more fuel-efficient as well.
● Longer hours. Morning service has been expanded by half an hour, from 5:45 to 10:30 a.m. Evening service is 4 to 9:30 p.m. weekdays.
● Improved booking. Users can request rides starting at 5:30 a.m. for a pickup as early as 5:45, and as early as 3:45 p.m. for a 4:00 pickup. They can request rides as late as 10:30 a.m. or 9:30 p.m. too.
The new vehicles are already in operation. They replace the entire old fleet.
Wheels2U new vehicle. (Photo/Rick Jaffe)
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Ukraine Aid International — the boots-on-the-ground organization making a difference in that war-torn nation, founded by Westporters Brian and Marshall Mayer — is hosting a holiday celebration this Sunday (December 8, 1 to 5 p.m., Redline Restorations, 2475 Fairfield Avenue, Black Rock).
And it’s free!
The afternoon includes antique cars, plus footage from UAI’s latest missions in Ukraine.
It’s a chance to celebrate the perseverance of Ukraine, with food and drink, holiday activities, and creative kids’ crafts.
Click here for details, and to register.
A reminder: Westport is raising $56,000, to ensure that 200 children in our sister city of Lyman can attend a therapeutic camp this winter, away from the horrors of their country’s 3-year war.
Just click here. Under “Designation,” choose “Westport-Lyman sister city” from the dropdown menu. You can also choose a monthly or one-time donation. If you use the mail or Venmo option, please make a note: “For Westport-Lyman.”
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Before Halloween, our Roundup included a photo of a Bayberry Lane stop sign, at Easton Road.
A very elaborate skeleton dangled beneath the red hexagon.
Bayberry Lane at Easton Road, before Halloween. (Photo/Sandy Rothenberg)
Another holiday is near. An “06880” reader writes:
“Someone has now twice cut down my holiday decorations outside my house. The neighbors and community love it. I get compliments and even ‘thank yous’ from passersby.
“I realize that I may not be allowed to hang stuff on the sign, but making my community happy surpasses that until I’m told by someone with authority that I cannot do it.”
Are private citizens allowed to hang decorations from a stop sign? If they are — or even if they’re not — are other private citizens allowed to take them down? Stay tuned …
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Buffalo Rose — the hot folk/Americana band — returns to Voices Cafe this Saturday (December 7, 8 p.m., Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Westport).
WFUV’s John Platt calls the sound of the 6-person group “intoxicating,” hailing “the combination of their tight string band rhythm and supple harmonies.”
Voices Cafe concerts offer a choice of coffee-house style seating, tables or individually. Bring your own beverages and snacks; coffee and sweet treats are available for purchase.
Voices Cafe concerts support social justice programs through the UU. Click here for tickets, and more information.
Buffalo Rose
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We’re a day late. But let’s welcome December, “Westport … Naturally” style:
Compo Beach sunrise (Photo/Stephanie Mastocciolo)
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And finally … in honor of the controversial Easton Road sign, at Bayberry Lane (photo above):
(Stop what you’re doing! It takes just a few seconds to click here, and donate to “06880.” We appreciate it — and you get a tax deduction too. Thank you!)
Shoutout to Kevin Ancker the former owner of Riverside Mobil for 15 years of service stringing the bridge, back yesterday and this morning donating his service truck and time!! 🇺🇸
AJ Penna’s crew is 💯 so efficient and hardworking 🇺🇸
Hope to see everyone tonight!
Remember to donate to PAL to continue this holiday tradition!!!
Thank you to Saugatuck Financial dropping off firewood and refreshments to keep us warm. ❤️
Street protest: “Everybody look what’s going down” (For What It’s Worth)
Here in San Francisco, where I now live, we have Wheels2You beat. A company called Wayne, owned by Google, has driverless cars. When you book them using an app, they even give you a choice of what kind of music you want to listen to. And starting today, they are expanding to Los Angeles.
Heyyyy, wait a second…In the photo of the folks decorating the tree, there’s a guy using a GAS powered blower in background. Major violation right there…I recommend 50-lashes with a wet noodle!!