The Westport Library is ready to rock.
VersoFest 2025 has announced its first big names — and they are Very Big.
Singer/songwriter and National Book Award winner Patti Smith kicks off the 4th annual music and media festival on Thursday, April 3.
Henry Rollins, frontman of the seminal hardcore punk band Black Flag and noted writer and spoken word artist, will be in conversation on Saturday, April 5.
Legendary “Saturday Night Live” performer and David Letterman musical director Paul Shaffer appears on Sunday, April 6, with SNL Beehive Queen Christine Ohlman.
Tickets for all 3 events — and much more — go on sale later this month. More guests will be announced soon. Click here for full VersoFest information.
From left: Paul Shaffer, Patti Smith, Henry Rollins.
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Westport’s loss is Ridgefield’s gain.
Michael West has resigned as Parks & Recreation Department parks superintendent. On January 13, he joins Ridgefield Parks & Recreation as assistant director.
“It has been an honor to serve the town of Westport and its incredible community,” West — who came here nearly 4 years ago — says.
“I’m deeply grateful for the opportunities I’ve had here, and for the relationships I’ve built over the years. While I will miss Westport, I’m excited for this next chapter in Ridgefield and the opportunity to continue growing.”
Among his many projects, he told “06880” he is proudest of being part of the improvements at Riverside Park.
Michael West
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Speaking of Parks & Rec: the long-range plan to upgrade Longshore moves slowly forward.
On Wednesday (January 8, 7:30 p.m., Town Hall auditorium), the Board of Finance will be asked to approve — among other items — $222,000 for “architectural study, schematic design, land-use permitting, and preparation of an opinion of probable cost,” for a new maintenance facility there.
The current one — between the golf course, road and tennis courts, near the La Plage parking lot — would be demolished, to allow space for more racquet courts.
Four new courts would replace the maintenance facility, during renovations to Longshore.
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Many people read yesterday’s “06880” story about trash at Parker Harding Plaza.
But not everyone.
The piece noted that a few employees of downtown businesses and restaurants drop garbage bags next to the compactor, rather than lifting the lid and tossing them in. (A sign instructs them to open it up.)
Often, the Westport Downtown Association says, the compactor has plenty of room. Sometimes, it’s empty.
This was the scene again yesterday:
(Photo/Shawn Kapitan)
The WDA’s Shawn Kapitan reports: “I just cleaned up another trash pile. The compactor’s intake hopper was completely empty, and was working fine.
“Whoever dumped this trash didn’t even bother to open the door and simply look inside. All the trash that was just on the ground, fit in the compactor with room to spare.”
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If you haven’t been there yet, you will be.
You or someone in your family needs a wheelchair, for a few days only. Or someone you know had hip surgery, and is looking for a temporary shower chair or portable chair ramp.
As a trained occupational therapist, Pippa Bell Ader appreciates the value of maximizing independence.
And as a longtime environmentalist (she’s a Sustainable Westport leader), she is distressed that so much medical equipment is used for a short time, then thrown out.
Which are 2 reasons she is excited about Wheel It Forward. The local nonprofit lends out equipment.
Just complete this form to arrange a pick-up in Bridgeport or Stamford.
If you have durable medical equipment to donate you can do that too. (Pick-up is available on a case-by-case basis).
Don’t need equipment, or have any to give? Wheel It Forward can always use financial help. Just click here.
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AAPI Westport is bringing author Katie Gee Salisbury to town to discuss her intriguing book, “Not Your China Doll: The Wild and Shimmering Life of Anna May Wong.”
The event is next Wednesday (January 8, 7 p.m., Westport Museum for History & Culture).
Everyone is welcome — even if you have not read the book. Click here to RSVP.
Anna Mae Wong and Vincent Price, at the Westport Country Playhouse.
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Mark Yurkiw knows a thing or two about bringing compasssion to the world.
The Westport artist does that regularly, through his art.
On January 15 (2:30 p.m.), “Bringing Compassion to the World” is the topic of Yurkiw’s Senior Center talk.
He recently returned from 3 weeks in Ukraine. He brought medical supplies to the war-torn nation.
The trip brought an invitation to exhibit in Kyiv in 2026.
The mission was part of a larger global initiative to bring compassion to the world through art, actions and words.
Yurkiw and Miggs Burroughs recently exhibited “Signs of Compassion” at United Nations headquarters in New York. The exhibit will travel to Taiwan, then throughout Asia.
At the Senior Center, Yurkiw will present a slide show about his efforts in Ukrain, then answer questions from the audience.
Mark Yurkiw, with Ukrainian artwork at his Westport home.
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Fleet Feet is more than just a running store in the Fresh Market plaza.
Among their offerings:
Group training: Led by New York Road Runners coaches, in partnership with the Westport Weston Family YMCA. A great option for running with others, and working with a variety of coaches. Meet-ups are Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 6:30 a.m. Also ncluded: Wednesday evening strength classes at the Y.
Individual coaching: One-on-one guidance. and someone to hold you accountable for training. Customizable for all levels of runners.
Zoomerangs Kids Running: Returning in April. Youngsters learn the fundamentals of running, from warming up to running form, with creative drills and surprises. 6 weeks; meets Sundays at 3 p.m. at the Staples High School outdoor track.
To learn more about these programs, click here.
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Westport Police made 1 custodial arrest between December 25 and January 1.
A 26-year-old Bronx man was charged with forgery and criminal impersonation, following a report by a resident about a scam where iPhones were scheduled for delivery. The suspect had fraudulent driver’s licenses, one of which was in the name of the complainant.
Police also issued these citations:
- Operating a motor vehicle under suspension: 2 citations
- Failure to renew registration: 2
- Speeding: 1
- Following too closely: 1
- Failure to obey traffic control signals: 1
- Failure to obey state traffic commissions regulations: 1
Some people wait at the DMV for driver’s licenses. Criminals forge them.
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There is no admission fee at Sherwood Island State Park for vehicles with Connecticut license plates.
Also free: anyone arriving on horseback.
Becky Keeler captured this scene on New Year’s Eve, for our ever-intriguing “Westport … Naturally” feature.
(Photo/Becky Keeler)
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And finally … in honor of Patti Smith’s upcoming appearance at the Westport Library’s VersoFest (story above):
(Because “06880” relies on reader support, we’re including this donation link. Please click here to show a little love to your hyper-local blog. Thank you!)
Michael West told me he was taking a position in Ridgefield. I thanked him and wished him well. I have previously been complimentary to Michael. He did a fine job during his somewhat brief tenure. Our parks, indeed all open space, is very important to the beauty and enjoyment of Westport. Michael and his team did an excellent job.
Wouldn’t it be great if by simply opening one of those trash bags at PHP the perpetrating restaurant or business could be identified and its manager or owner be the subject of one of those “custodial arrests” for littering.
It’s easy. Didn’t you notice all the discarded orange halves and the Sunkist box? Only one restaurant in the vicinity of PHP serves “fresh oj”.
Why the cowardness? Just name the place.
Because I won’t know it for a fact, that’s why. All I did was look at restaurants on Main Street and looked at their menus for fresh OJ. I’ve contacted them and they have not responded.
You’re 165 miles away. Did you drive down for a dumpster duve?
Never done any dumpster diving. Why don’t you tell us all how it’s done.
If I was the store owner or landlord I would require the manager of the store to remove the garbage until they train the staff to do it correctly.
management….
Mike will be missed I love working with him as a rtm member we work well together you will be missed by the town but do we have a parks and recreation director yet Thanks for working for Westport Mkke
Westport PD had 8 traffic arrests last week. Fairfield PD had 140..Go figure,,,
2 questions on the Parks and Rec: 1.) $222,000 for an architectural study of a maintenance facility? I use Longshore a ton and am excited for the improvements over time, but I hope the board of finance understands what we’re getting for the money. 2.) Isn’t the town’s contract with Hook’d up as of the end of the 2024? It was 5 years ago they unceremoniously kicked Joey out the door at new year’s and signed a 5-year contract with Hook’d where they have since failed to meet basically all expectations. If we’re planning to replace them as the vendor for spring, when does the RFP process start?