Yesterday’s Roundup reported that the Planning & Zoning Commission would review The Hamlet at Saugatuck on March 31. That agenda item has been canceled.
It will be discussed again at the P&Z’s April 7 meeting (Zoom and http://www.westportct.gov).
Meanwhile, the Board of Education meets April 3 (7 p.m., Staples cafeteria; livestreamed on www.westportct.gov).
The agenda includes the proposed new master schedule for Staples High School; the 2025-26 and 2026-27 district calendars, and a second reading of board policies regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act.
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Wednesday’s New York Times’ front-page photo of a sick child in Ukraine — and nearly a dozen more, over a 2-page spread — were shot by Lynsey Addario.
The Pulitzer Prize and MacArthur “genius grant” winner — and 1991 Staples graduate — also supplied the text and interviews accompanying each photo.
Addario has traveled to Ukraine many times from her London base. She has reported from hot spots around the world, and written a memoir called “It’s What I Do: A Photographer’s Life of Love and War.” (Hat tip: Stacie Curran)
Lynsey Addario’s photo, on page 1 of Wednesday’s New York Times.
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15 current Representative Town Meeting members, and 1 former moderator, joined in the semi-annual RTM lunch yesterday, at Capuli.
The informal gathering celebrated the Great Westport Soup Contest. Guests chose lentil soup or Chowder (along with a sandwich).
Voting in the Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce contest ends Monday (March 31). Click here for details.
Soup’s on for the RTM, at Capuli.
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Ben Casparius picked up yesterday where he left off last fall.
The 2017 Staples High School grad — who became only the second pitcher in baseball history to make his first-ever MLB start in a World Series — pitched 1 inning of relief, int he Los Angeles Dodgers’ 5-4 win over the Detroit Tigers.
Casparius — who was picked 5th in the 2021 draft, out of the University of Connecticut — allowed 1 hit, struck out 1, and walked 1.
It was the season opener, at home, for the reigning champs.
Ben Casparius
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Michael Franti & Sprearhead — with opening act Allen Stone — are set for July 13 (5 p.m.).
Franti — also an activist, hotel owner (Soulshine Bali) and award-winning filmmaker — is renowned for his high-energy live shows, inspiring music, devotion to health and wellness, worldwide philanthropic efforts and the power of optimism. Click here for tickets, and more information.
Dogs in a Pile — the funk/jazz/rock/psychedelic quintet from Asbury Park, New Jersey — perform free on June 20 (7:30 p.m.). Click here to reserve a ticket.
Meanwhile, tickets are on sale for previously announced shows, including Pigeons Playing Ping Pong & the Infamous Stringdusters with Melt (June 1), Umphrey’s McGee (July 11) and I’m With Her, with Ken Pomeroy. Click here for tickets, and more information.
Michael Franti
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Westport firefighters responded yesterday afternoon to a motor vehicle crash on I-95 southbound near Exit 19.
Both a tractor trailer and pick-up truck were located down an embankment. The truck was heavily damaged, and partially underneath the tractor trailer, on its roof.
Firefighters from Westport and Fairfield brought the injured occupant up the embankment, using a basket and rope.
Tractor-trailer, on top of pickup truck.
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The kudos keep coming for the Staples High School boys basketball team.
The FCIAC champions have just won something else: the Harold Swaffield Award.
It’s voted on by the Fairfield County Board of Approved Baksetball Officials, and is presented to a team that demonstrated a consistent level of good sportsmanship.
In addition, 2 Wreckers — junior Sam Clachko and senior Adam Udell– have been named to the All-State 1st and 2nd teams, respectively.
Congrats to all!
Good sportsmanship is not just for “losers.” The best team in the FCIAC also won a sportsmanship trophy.
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The Whiffenpoofs — “the world’s oldest and best-known collegiate a cappella group” — make the short trip from Yale University on April 12.
Their 5 p.m. concert at Christ & Holy Trinity Church includes a mixture of old tunes, jazz standards, and other hits from across the decades.
Tickets are $65, $55, $45, and $20 for anyone under 18. Click here to purchase. Some tickets may be available at the door.
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Front Row Seating $65 | Preferred Adult $55 and General Admission Adult $45 | General Children (18 and under) $20. Tickets available via our QR code. Tickets may be purchased at the door on the day subject to availability. Doors open at 4.30pm.
The Sorelle Gallery’s next show, featuring landscape paintings by Bri Custer, opens April 5. Light refreshments will be available.
The plein air painter explores perception, memory and color through the New England landscape. Her works will be displayed through April 26.
Bri Custer, with her work.
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In late March, these tree branches on Rayfield Road are bare.
Soon — like so many other “Westport … Naturally” scenes — they will look dramatically different.
Any day now …
(Photo/Jerry Kuyper)
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And, speaking of “any day now” (item above):
(Any day now, you can support “06880.” Why not today?! Just click here, to make your tax-deductible contribution. Thank you!)
Ben also pitched in the Dodgers season opening series in Tokyo
against the Cubs, with success.
The discussion of The Hamlet at Saugatuck proposal is such an important one for The Town of Westport and its residents that I encourage the P & Z to consider a hybrid format (in-person + Zoom) to get a better sense of the meeting on April 7th.