The fire pits are here!
The newest addition to Compo Beach — and Westport’s Parks & Recreation Department latest town amenities — are ready for rental.
Two fire pts are available per night, for $150. Westport residents 21 and older can mail a request form to croda@westportct.gov.
Applications must be made at least 7 days in advance. They’re limited to 1 reservation per household per season (a second may be granted, based on availability).
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June is Pride month.
The centerpiece is Westport Pride’s townwide celebration (Saturday, June 22, 12 noon to 3 p.m., Jesup Green). Music, food, vendors, rainbows and much more — and (of course) everyone is invited!
Two weeks earlier (June 8, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.), Saugatuck Congregational Church hosts a family picnic and party on their front lawn
LGBTQ families — and allies, or course, — are invited to enjoy a bounce house, lawn games, face painting, crafts, hot dogs, cake, and more.
For more information, call 203-227-1261, or email sarah@saugatuckchurch.org.
(Photo/Sal Liccione)
Temple Israel has a host of activities planned for Pride Month too. They include:
“Unspoken” screening and discussion (June 10, 6 p.m.). The film is about a closeted teen in a religious community who discoverd that he might not be alone. A discussion with writer/director Jeremy Borison follows. Register here.
Pride Shabbat and concert with Elana Arian (June 13, 6:30 p.m.) open to LGBTQ+ individuals and allies.
Rainbow challah bake (June 21, 5:30 to 8 p.m.) — to be shared the next day, at Westport Pride. Open to all; register here.
Temple Israel is also organizing its first LGBTQ+ affinity group — a safe place for those who identify with the community, and allies. For more information, email jcadrain@tiwestport.org.
Meanwhile, Weston celebrates its own Pride on June 3 (4 to 6 p.m., Town Green, 56 Norfield Road).
They’ll raise a rainbow flag, hear from local officials supporting the town’s inclusive culture, and (in conjunction with the Weston Library) host a craft- and Pride-themed story time.
Oh, yeah: There’s an ice cream truck too!
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The Westport Library’s spring book sale opened yesterday, with a rush.
But there are still plenty of great volumes — and music, movies and more — available.
Hours are:
- Today (Saturday): 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Sunday: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (almost everything half-price)
- Monday: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (fill our logo bag for $10 per bag, or your own equivalent bag for $8, or buy individual books at half-price).
A tiny portion of the many books. (Photo/Pam Docters)
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The Architectural Review Board meets on May 27 (7:30 p.m., Town Hall Room 309).
Among the agenda items: “To review and comment on the proposed construction of a new Long Lots Elementary School/Stepping Stones Pre-School…. Comments offered at the meeting will be considered in anticipation of further zoning review and approvals.”
So far, only general drawings have been shown of a new Long Lots School.
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In just a few weeks,”Sunday Gravy” — the talk radio show hosted by Chris O’Dell (Staples High School athlete and coach), Mac DeVito (Staples football legend and coach), and Brian Philpott (son of Staples’ football defensive coordinator) — has gained a devoted following.
The conversation and banter is wide-ranging, casual, and always interesting.
Tomorrow’s show — from 12:10 to 1 p.m., on 95.9 FM and 600 AM WICC should be especially intriguing.
The 3 hosts will dive into the recent controversy involving the non-renewal of Staples boys soccer head coach Russell Oost-Lievense.
O’Dell has intimate knowledge of the situation. He was part of the Staples soccer staff for 20 years, and worked closely with Oost-Lievense.
“Sunday Gravy” is broadcast throughout southern Connecticut. But it’s very much a local production. Shows are taped at the Westport Library’s Verso Studios — and the 2 stations are owned by Westport-based Connoisseur Media.
“Sunday Gravy” crew, at Verso Studios (from left): Mac DeVito, Brian Philpott, Chris O’Dell.
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As they prepare to leave Westport after several decades, Carl Swanson and JoAnn Miller must dispose of several large, compelling — but heavy — sculptures by their longtime friend, the late Kelley Spearen.
One has already found a new life. The couple donated it to Wakeman Town Farm, not far from their home off North Avenue.
The move was made recently. Today, it’s the newest — and most intriguing — addition to the Cross Highway farm.
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The mural showing early-20th century Westport life — a decades-long feature of the long-gone Townly restaurant — was resurrected when Banana Republic moved in.
That store was briefly replaced by Oka. Now it’s gone.
But the mural can be seen, as work is done inside.
Jerri Graham spotted this intriguing view:
(Photo/Jerri Graham)
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Sabeth Pérez performs tomorrow (May 18, 4 p.m.), at the United Methodist Church of Westport and Weston’s jazz vespers music and word service.
The event is free, but there is a free will offering.
Sabeth Pérez
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We may never have featured a snake before, in our “Westport … Naturally” series.
But — as this one on Rayfield Road shows — we’ve got ’em in Westport. Naturally.
(Photo/Jerry Kuyper)
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And finally … of course!
(Don’t be a snake! If you read “06880” — and you’re here doing just that — please toss us a few bucks, to support our work. Just click here. Thank you!)
This great mural was in Klein’s for as long as Klein’s was an existence. anyone remember Klein’s?
I think the original owner of Klein’s bought the property on Main Street in 1936. Dan Woog can correct me if I’m wrong.)
You bet I remember Kleins. I miss that place…and others, too.
I absolutely remember Klein’s and fondly from the 60’s and 70’s. Back before the internet and Amazon two-day delivery of whatever you want, Klein’s carried an eclectic inventory but it was their music and book departments that set them apart. As a younger kid I liked their well stocked toy section too. It was a great store for a relatively small town.
Thanks for mentioning the mural. Keeping it in the public eye may help ensure some new owner/developer doesn’t decide to ‘clean up’ the wall.
Would love to listen to that radio show, but in case I forget or something else comes up, will it be avail as a podcast?
As it relates to “fire pits”…
There is a famous quotation from Bridgeport’s own P.T. Barnum that comes to mind…
If you know, you know…
My question is: what town wing-nut came up with this plan ? !
some say PT Barnum is still running the country
Others say the clowns have ruined Westport.
$150 a NIGHT?? Can’t be. You can buy a f…ing grill for that and take it to the beach any night you want…who’s thoughtless, numskulled idea was this “fire pit” shit anyhow?
Dan (Katz, not Woog). It was a “goodbye kiss” from Jen (Fava not Tooker).
Thanks, Eric…numskulled, indeed.
I wondered when I saw the price..
$10 a night more like it..
150 dollars a night for a fire pit.? 10 dollars maybe? There are many people who live in Westport who can’t afford that. What are they thinking? and it sends the wrong message.