Tonight’s charrette for the proposed Westport public safety complex has been postponed, due to the weather forecast.
The new date is February 25 (7 to 9 p.m., Westport Senior Center).
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In addition, the Westport Library will delay its opening today until 2 p.m. — unless conditions warrant a closing.
Click on the Library’s website for updates.
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In yesterday’s story about the 2024 Grand List, “06880” included a list of Westport’s top 10 taxpayers.
As it always does, Connecticut Light & Power (aka Eversource) was in first place.
We noted that much of their property consists of utility poles.
It does. But that’s not the full story.
Chris Swan — Eversource’s now retired director of transmission siting (and 1967 Staples High School graduate) — says that the largest item in their property portfolio is the double set of underground 345,000-volt transmission cables, installed in 2009.
They run from the Fairfield border, mostly under the Post Road, traversing town into Norwalk across from Whole Foods, en route from Bridgeport to the Norwalk substation at the junction of Routes 7 and 123.
Eversource also owns the 4 substations in town. The newest (the Sherwood Substation) was built on New Creek Road adjacent to the Greens Farms train station in 2009.
Chris adds: “Most of the company’s facilities are overhead poles and wires. But the biggest taxable valuation is in the underground transmission lines and substations.”
Eversource’s Main Street substation, behind Coffee An’.
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Flood mitigation is an issue of importance to nearly every Westporter.
We can always learn more about it.
This month, the Western Connecticut Council of Governments (WestCOG) hosts two Flood Mitigation Assistance information sessions.
The first is in person: February 11 (6 to 8 p.m., Stamford Government Center, 888 Washington Boulevard; click here to register.
The second is virtual (February 27, 6 to 8 p.m.; click here for the Zoom link; click here to register).
Questions? Email jreelick@westcog.org.
Floods like these are becoming more prevalent. (Photo/Geralyn Rella Breig)
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“Native Gardens” — the Westport Country Playhouse comedy that runs February 18 to March 8 — is about fences and neighbors.
In the spirit of community-building, several special events are planned. They include:
Taste of Tuesday (February 18, 6 p.m.): Reception pairing food from Harvest Restaurant,plus wine. Exclusive for “Taste of Tuesday” season ticket holders. Click here for information.
Together at the Table (February 19, 5:30 p.m.): For $15, a family or group* enjoys a communal pizza dinner and casual conversation before the 7 p.m. show. Call 203-227-4177 for reservations.
Pride Night (February 20, 6 p.m.): Pre-show cocktail party for the LGBTQ+ community and friends, including a limited open bar and appetizers from Gruel Britannia. Use code GARDENSPRIDE online or call 203-227-4177 for reservations.
Opening Night Post-Show Reception (February 22): Celebrate with the cast, crew and creative team.
Sunday Symposium (after the February 23 3 p.m. show): No ticket necessary — open to all.
Stay tuned for an update on the speakers! No ticket necessary — open to all.
Open Caption (March 2, 3 p.m.): Deaf and hard of hearing audiences enjoy the performance while watching a digital screen with actors’ dialogue.
Backstage Pass (after the March 5 2 p.m. performance): Learn how the technical staff brought “Native Gardens” to life. No ticket necessary — open to all.
Thursday Talkback )after the March 6 7 p.m. performance: Q&A with cast members. No ticket necessary — open to all.
For more information on “Native Gardens,” click here.
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Youngsters interested in sailing — and parents who want their kids to learn – are invited to a “Junior Sailing Bagel Bash” (March 1, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., Cedar Point Yacht Club).
No experience is necessary. The Cedar Point program is open to all junior sailors — members and non-members, beginners to experienced.
Questions? Email emelnichok@gmail.com.
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Connecticut Children’s and Hearts in Harmony are sponsoring free EKG screenings this Saturday (February 8, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Westport Specialty Care Center, 191 Post Road West).
Children with abnormal EKG results will receive expedited follow-up appointments with Connecticut Children’s cardiologists.
The event includes kid-friendly activities, a fashion show, food and more.
For more information, contact Dr. Robyn Matloff at 917-439-8941.
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Attention, Westport Library e-book and audiobook users: With a transition from CloudLibrary to Libby, patrons can access more digital titles than ever.
The transition takes place March 18. CloudLibrary. The last date for holds to be placed through CloudLibrary is February 15. (See below for important dates and FAQs.)
The Library will offer online and in-person tutorials from March 18 to March 21 (3 to 4 p.m), to help users with the transition. An “Anyone Can Use” class focused on the Libby app is set for the Library on March 19 (11 a.m. to noon).
For more information, click here.
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The Westport Board of Education Policy Committee’s next meeting is February 12 (9 a.m., Town Hall Room 201A).
Discussion items include:
- Second reading of possible revisions to the suicide prevention and intervention policy.
- First reading of possible revisions to existing policies involving the Americans with Disabilities Act, non-discrimination, and sex-based discrimination and harassment.
- First reading of a possiible new policy on transportation.
- Discussion of a policy on survey of students/student privacy.
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Westport police made no custodial arrests between January 29 and February 5.
Police issued these citations:
- Traveling unreasonably fast: 8 citations
- Speeding: 6
- Operating an unregistered motor vehcile: 3
- Failure to renew registrations: 3
- Texting while driving: 2
- Failure to obey stop sign: 2
- Failure to obe traffic control signals: 2
- Reckless driving: 1
- Failure to yield to pedestrian: 1
- Operating a motor vehicle under suspension:
- Failure to obey state traffic commission regulations: 1
Pedestrians have the right of way in crosswalks. Even those pedestrians (and crosswalks) that are less visible.
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Longtime Westporter and noted writer Barry Tarshis died peacefully at home Tuesday, with his family by his side. He was 86.
His obituary says, “He endured 2 years of brutal health challenges by drawing on a bottomless wellspring of optimism, charm, kindness, generosity, and a weak spot for mediocre jokes. Five days before he died, confined to his bed and afflicted with late-stage Alzheimer’s disease, he was asked by his hospice nurse if he was comfortable. ‘I make a decent living,’ he replied.”
He grew up in Pittsburgh. His father Max was a musician who instilled in Barry a lifelong love of music. Even into his final months, Barry retained his ability to play Bill Evans on the piano, sing along with Pavarotti, and harmonize with Elton John and Jim Croce.
Barry overcame his childhood shyness to star in his high school production of “Guys and Dolls,” play basketball, and capture the heart of his future wife, Karen Ross, who he began dating at the age of 15.
After leaving University of Pittsburgh 1 credit short of graduation, Barry traveled across Europe on a motorbike, appeared as an extra in “La Dolce Vita,” lived on an Israeli kibbutz, and moved into a Greenwich Village hovel to embark on a career as a writer.
After marrying Karen and serving in the U.S. Army in New Mexico, he settled into a 30-plus year career as a freelance author. He wrote a dozen books and hundreds of articles for the New York Times, Playbill, Playboy, Town & Country, and Tennis, among other publications.
Herallied with Chris Evert, walked on hot coals with Tony Robbins, traveled to India, Russia, Colombia and Micronesia, and interviewed a mystic who specialized in casting love spells.
He taught writing, led communications seminars for business leaders, and created the grammar and writing website Communications Fitness.
His family said, “The shaping forces of Barry’s career were an eagerness to learn and his genuine curiosity about and respect for all kinds of people — from tennis champions to the students who took his writing classes at public schools in the South Bronx. He brought these same qualities into his most prized creative endeavor, his family.
“While most fathers dream of their children achieving fame and fortune, Barry’s oft-stated parenting goal for Lauren and Andrew was to ‘raise children he would want to hang out with when they were older.’ They wanted to hang out with him, as often as possible.
“Well into his last weeks, he woke up each day with a renewed sense of life’s possibilities, deep gratitude, and an eagerness to uplift his family, his friends, and anyone lucky enough to cross his path.”
Barry is survived by his wife of 62 years, Karen; children Lauren (David Dreyfuss) and Andrew; grandchildren Leo Dreyfuss (Rebecca Goldman), Jeremy Dreyfuss (Shira), Dylan and Valerie Dreyfuss; Lily, Evi, and Ruby Tarshis, and his sister Carole Cohen.
A private celebration-of-life is planned. In lieu of flowers, consider donating to the Alzheimer’s Foundation, or tell someone a mediocre joke.
Barry Tarshis
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Right after Monday’s snowfall, Pam Kesselman captured these Soundview Drive runners, for our “Westport … Naturally” feature.
Snow, sleet and rain is predicted today.
(Photo/Pam Kesselman)
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And finally … in honor of the upcoming flood mitigation workshops (story above):
(“06880” would love to be flooded with contributions. But even a trickle helps. Please click here to join the torrent. Or be the first. Thank you!
Wonderful ♥️
Good Dylan recall. For those who haven’t the resources to prepare for the next weather disaster (and, sadly, there will be one) you may wish to reference Joe Cocker’s “I Can Stand a Little Rain”.