In the weeks leading up to the July 27 event, we’ll post information on the great new tradition. All day long, the Compo Beach exit road will be closed to traffic, and open for live music, kids’ activities and games, food, community gathering and fun.
On our Instagram we’ll offer information on the bands that will play, times for the photo booth and face painting, food vendors, and everything else you need to make the day special.
Please follow the page, check out the reel, and add a comment if you’d like. If you’ve got any photos from last year, add them in!
The Soundview Summer Stroll is a gift to the town, from “06880” and the Compo Beach Improvement Association. See you on July 27, at the Stroll!
Blau House & Gardens — the magnificent property high on a ridge off Bayberry Lane — is one of Westport’s true hidden gems.
The gardens were developed over 50 years by the late advertising entrepreneur, Barry Blau. The intimate series of interlocking garden rooms, incorporating native plants interspersed with a blend of exotics — surround a mid-century modern house designed by celebrated theatrical designer, Ralph Alswang.
Since 2017, Emily Blau and Robert Cohen — the BH&G stewards — have opened their special garden for events like signings by bestselling authors, children’s book readings, scavenger hunts, garden tours, horticultural classes and more.
Next up: “Music in the Garden.” Two concerts this summer — presented in collaboration with the Norwalk Symphony Orchetra — offer a chance to hear beautiful music, in an unparalleled setting.
The first is August 3, with the Quantum Leap String Quartet. The second is August 17, featuring Harmonia V Woodwind Quintet.
Both days begin with a garden tour, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. ($25). The music begins at 6 p.m., through 7:15 ($75). Picnicking in the gardens is encouraged.
Shuttles will run from the parking lot at Coleytown Elementary School. Click here for tickets.
Saturday’s Levitt Pavilion show — the Disco Biscuits’ 30th anniversary tour stop — included great celestial lighting, for the popular EDM/jam rock band.
For disco biscuits 30th anniversary tour stop!
Click here or below for an intriguing look at the “mother ship.”
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The New York Times gave plenty of coverage in yesterday’s “Vows” section to the marriage of Jackie Hornung and Ben Jacob.
Much of the story involved their dog, Little Bear Lumi. He’s social media famous. In fact, Jackie — who majored in psychology at Tulane University — handles his accounts full time.
The couple met as 11-year-olds at Camp Echo Lake. At 16 — more than a decade ago — they became a couple.
Another newspaper feature, another Westporter: Taking a break from tough topics, this weekend the Wall Street Journal asked: “What Do You Wear Though Your Partner Hates It?”
One person who does understand affordable housing — its definitions, regulations, ambiguities and nuances — is Michelle Perillie.
The other day I headed to Town Hall, for a tutorial from the town’s Planning & Zoning director. Here’s what I learned.
Any discussion of affordable housing starts in Connecticut with “8-30g.” If less than 10% of a town’s housing stock is classified as affordable, it can be subject to 8-30g.
The statute allows developers to build housing that otherwise might be denied by munipal zoning regulations, unless there is a “significant” health or safety concern.
One of Westport’s newest 8-30g projects — 122 Wilton Road, at Kings Highway North — opened last fall. All 19 units are deemed affordable.
Towns can apply for moratoriums — usually 4 years — if they add a certain number of units, showing significant progress to their stock.
Moratoriums are awarded on a points system. Different points are given for different types of units, at different income levels. There is a difference too between points for government funded projects, and those that are simply deed restricted.
While some cities and larger communities have met the 10% goal, most smaller towns have not.
Westport had a moratorium from March 5, 2019 through March 4, 2023.
Affordable housing is generally defined as costing no more than 30% of a household’s income, at 80% of the area median income, and is deed restricted to remain affordable for a specific period of time.
However, only housing built after 1990 — when 8-30g took effect — is considered, when making affordable housing calculations. That means certain units do not count.
Westport currently has 424 units designated as affordable housing. That’s 3.97% of our 10,567 dwelling units (2020 census).
8-30g requires calculations for affordable income and housing costs be based on whichever is lower: the state median income, or area media income. Here, the state median income of $124,600 is lower, so that is what’s used.
There’s a complex formula, involving studio, or 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom units, along with units rented at 40%, 60% or 80% of maximum monthly housing costs.
The lowest unit — a studio at 40% of maximum monthly housing costs — would be $697 a month. The most expensive — a 3-bedroom at 80% — would rent for $2,217.
Maximum family income allowable would be $34,888 for a single person at 40% of state median income. The highest income to qualify would be 6 people at 80%: $115,629.
Which brings us back to dwelling units in Westport.
Nearly 90 units qualify under 8-30 because they are government funded. The biggest is Canal Park near Kings Highway North, with 50 units.
Canal Park offers affordable housing for seniors, near downtown.
There are 17 units on Wassell Lane, 8 overseen by Homes with Hope on Saugatuck Avenue, 6 in CLASP homes at 4 sites, and others scattered throughout town.
Many more units are deed restricted. There are 93 units at Hidden Brook and Sasco Creek Village on Post Road East, near Stop & Shop; 78 at Hales Court; 29 at 1177 Post Road East, opposite Greens Farms Elementary School, 19 at the new 122 Wilton Road building, and others on Post Road East, Riverside Aveneu, West End Avenue, Cross Street, Bradley Lane, Belden Place, Oakview Lane, Crescent Park, Myrtle Avenue and Church Lane.
The 6 units at Susie’s House — the former Project Return home for young women on Compo Road North, now run by Homes with Hope — are also deed restricted.
Susie’s House, on Compo Road North, welcomed its first residents in April.
There are 2 units that might not be expected, on Crooked Mile Lane and Cross Highway. Both were formerly illegal accessory apartments that have been converted to affordable housing units.
Certain units that seem affordable do not count, however, for technical reasons. Among them: 36 units at The Saugatuck, on Bridge Street.
Westport is adding points toward its next moratorium, with 4 projects approved, and under construction. There are 78 affordable units on Hiawatha Lane Extension, 22 at 85 Post Road West, 3 at 785 Post Road East, and 2 at 259 Riverside Avenue.
Construction on Post Road West will include affordable units.
Another 6 units have been approved, but are not yet under construction, on Ketchum Street and at 1620 Post Road East.
Westport is addressing its affordable housing neds in many ways. The 2017 Plan of Conservation and Development recommends steps like:
Supporting and encouraging the Westport Housing Authority in their efforts.
Considerng ways of integrating affordable and workforce housing in future projects.
Supporting and encouraging non-profit organizations — for example, Homes with Hope and CLASP — that help address housing needs.
Over many previous years, the Planning & Zoning Commission has adopted regulations to promote a variety of housing choice and opportunities, while striving to maintain the scale and integrity of the town that attracted residents here.
The diversity of housing types includes accessory apartments within single-family homes, and as separate buildings; apartments in areas like the Post Road, Saugatuck and downtown; supportive housing; group homes for seniors and youth, and cluster housing.
Some have already been built. Some are under construction, or in planning stages.
All will continue to be discussed, as part of Westport’s ongoing discussion of the complex, confusing — but very important — topic of affordable housing.
(“06880” reports often on housing, local politics and more. If you appreciate our 24/7/365 hyper-local coverage, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
The large, colorful flowers on Railroad Place at the Westport train station — next to the steps leading up to the westbound tracks — are gorgeous.
But, I thought, too many passengers are too rushed to notice it the arrangement.
Happily, I was completely wrong.
Last week’s Photo Challenge (click here to see) was quickly identified by Sandy Rothenberg, David Sampson, Andrew Colabella, Orlando Lehnder-Reilly, Seth Schachter, Ptti Brill, Michael Szeto, Lynn Untermeyer Miller, Jim McKay, Jeff Loechner, Micheal Simso and Mousumi Ghosh.
Nice to know that whoever is responsible for, and tends, them — I’m guessing the Westport Police Department, which oversees the station — is appreciated.
We head inside for today’s Photo Challenge. If you know where in Westport you’d see this, click “Comments” below.
(Photo/Adrian Mueller)
(Every Sunday, “06880” hosts this Photo Challenge. We challenge you too to support your hyper-local blog. Please click here to make a tax-deductible contribution. Thank you!)
Westport’s assistant town attorney married Tim Ritchie on June 14, at Compo Beach.
They met “bravely” on Match, she says, in June 2020 — at the height of the pandemic.
The wedding took place in front of both partners’ immediate families. The officiant was very familiar: Eileen’s daughter Kat.
Eileen Lavigne and Tim Ritchie (Photo/Dave Matlow)
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Cathy Talmadge’s family and friends gathered yesterday at Wakeman Town Farm.
A memorial garden was dedicated to WTF’s co-founder, committee member and treasurer. It honored her legacy of preservation, environmentalism and community involvement
Cathy — who was also a longtime Representative Town Meeting (RTM) member, civic volunteer and environmental advocate — died in January 2023.
It took over 2 years and hundreds of hours for volunteers, interns and farmers to amend the soil, eliminate weeds, and turn a fallowo piece of propety across the street from the Farm into a thriving cut-flower garden.
First Selectwoman Jen Tooker, Westport poet laureate Donna Disch, and friends Amy Ancel and Tony McDowell were among the speakers.
Cathy’s daughter Callie said her mother’s “happy place was always in her garden, under the sun, srrounded by the wild beauty she helped nurture.
“She had an incredible eye for plants, and the kind of green thumb that could bring anything back to life.
“She didn’t just garden; she communed with the plants. She was usually covered head to toe in dirt, with the biggest grin on her face.
“And usually, yes, a solid case of posion ivy.”
Cathy Talmadge Memorial Garden. (Photo/Andrew Colabella)
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Alisyn Camerota and Dave Briggs have done it again.
On Friday, the television journalists recorded a riveting “Sanity” podcast with Joe Walsh.
The former Tea Party co-founder-turned-Democrat (as of last week) spoke candidly about the state of his former Republican Party, his differences with Democrats, and the importance of a “big tent” that covers a variety of views.
Alisyn and Dave both worked at Fox News. Their questions about Joe’s appearances there — including interviews with Alisyn — are particularly fascinating.
Click here or below to view their podcast. It’s a half hour well worth watching.
Were you there, and want to see it again? (With the chance this time to pause for the highlights — even though you still have no idea which duck is yours.)
Sunrise Rotary Club member Mark Mathias taped the entire 8 minute-plus race. Click here or below to see.
“06880” readers love Claudia Sherwood Servidio’s. A relative newcomer to Westport, the professional photographer captures the beauty and natural wonder of our town with a discerning and special eye.
Claudia spends most summer on the Greek island of Lemnos, in the Aegean Sea.
On Friday she had a show there of her underwater photos. Here’s one:
(Photo/Claudia Sherwood Servidio)
Looks like a great show. How about another project: “Underwater Westport”?
On Thursday, the Jazz Society of Fairfield County awarded 2 $5,000 scholarships, to graduating high school seniors who will pursue a career in jazz performance, composition and/or jazz education.
They grants honor longtime saxophonist, educator and supporter of the non-profit’s Thursday night “Jazz at the Post” series.
Liana Nash (Kolbe Cathedral High School) studies music with the KEYS (Kids Empowered by Your Support) program in Bridgeport, which provides free lessons to students whose families cannot afford them. She sings in the KEYS choir, plays cello in its orchestra, and is a vocalist and pianist in its jazz band.
This summer she will intern at KEYS Summer Camp. In the fall she will study music education at Western Connecticut State University.
Maxwell Crook is a saxophonist from Ridgefield. He earned the Outstanding Soloist award at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Essentially Ellington competition, and participated in the Western Connecticut State University Honors Festival.
He will double major in jazz performance and music production/composition at Loyola University in New Orleans.
In addition to their scholarships, Liana and Maxwell performed with a quartet of renowned musicians at last Thursday’s Jazz at the Post.
Liana Nash and Maxwell Crooks, at Thursday’s Jazz at the Post.
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Sure, today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature shows milkweed at Sherwood Island State Park.
But, photographer Marcia Falk wonders: Can you spot the bee?
And finally … in honor of Claudia Sherwood Servidio’s underwater photo exhibit (story above):
(What a weekend! And it’s only half over. If you’re enjoying it — and our coverage of it — please click here to support our work. Thank you. Now enjoy the rest of the day.)
In 1951, Lillian Vernon started a small mail order company at her kitchen table.
Her son, Fred Hochberg. eventaully took over. As president and COO, he transformed it into what Forbes calls “one of the great success stories of American entrepreneurship.”
Hochberg oversaw a near 40-fold increase in annual revenue, from $5 million in 1975 to almost $200 million 18 years later.
He’s also been acting administrator of the Small Business Administration, and chair and president of the Export-Import Bank.
Hochberg wrote a book: “Trade is Not a Four-Letter Word.” And he served as co-chair of the Human Rights Campaign, America’s largest LGBTQ civil rights advocacy organization, as well as on the Democratic National Committee.
With one foot firmly planted in the business world, and the other in Democratic politics, Hochberg can speak to multiple audiences, from a variety of perspectives.
He’ll do that here, on July 10. That evening, he’ll join Steve Parrish in conversation at the Westport Library’s Common Ground Initative. Hochberg will focus on global trade policy, including President Trump’s tariff strategy and other current events.
Steve Parrish (left) and Fred Hochberg.
The Common Ground Initative is the Library’s forum for public discourse on topical issues. The goal is for positive, production discussions on how to move forward as a civil society, and tackle challenging issues.
Parrish — a longtime Westporter, who as senior vice president of global corporate affairs at Altria Group helped engineer the landmark legislation granting the Food & Drug Administration regulatory authority over the tobacco industry — has known Hochberg for many years.
They met while working on Hillary Clinton’s Senate campaign. When Hochberg was dean of the Milano School of International Affairs at the New School, he asked Parrish to teach there. And they served together on the Export-Import Bank.
Hochberg “brings tremendous experience” to the Common Ground event, Parrish says. “He’ll do a great job explaining how global trade works, and the impact of trade policy on big and small businesses.”
There will be a lot to talk about. July 9 — the day before Hochberg comes to Westport — is the date that nations without a bilateral accord in place will face Trump’s high “Liberation Day” tariffs.
“Fred is a centrist Democrat,” Parrish says. “He’s always been very aware of the importance of working with the other side of the aisle.
“He has the perspective of traditional Republican support for business. He’ll talk about how the landscape is changing — Republicans are now less for free trade, Democrats for more — and what it all means.”
Hochberg will share perspectives from his government, business and academic experience — and look to the future.
Westporters of all political stripes want to understand more about the complexities and nuances of global trade — including tariffs — Parrish says.
“Fred is very engaging and charming — and very smart,” he adds. “This will be a good one.”
(“06880” is where Westport meets the world — trade policy and all. If you like learning about connections — and events — like this, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
If you couldn’t find something to do in Westport today, you just weren’t trying.
Downtown pulsed with the energy of thousands of Westporters and visitors, of all ages.
The Sunrise Rotary Club sponsored their annual Great Duck Race and Family Faire, on Jesup Green.
The race offered a chance to win a $5,000 grand prize, among others. The fair offered games for kids, vendors for adults, and food for all.
Meanwhile, the 60th annual jUNe Day offered dozens of United Nations families a chance to enjoy a Westport experience, at Longshore, Compo Beach, Wakeman Town Farm, Earthplace and more.
The day began on Jesup Green — at the start of the Family Faire — with welcomes from dignitaries (including Westporter Aye-Aye Thant, daughter of former UN Secretary General U Thant), food, and a chance to mix and mingle.
Getting away from the UN, for a day in an American suburb.
A few steps away on Main Street and nearby, the Westport Downtown Association’s Sidewalk Sale offered bargains from merchants — some of whose stores are not downtown — along with (hey, why not?) haircuts right there on the street.
The Sidewalk Sale continues today (Saturday) until 5 p.m. It’s on again tomorrow (Sunday), from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Plenty of shoppers outside Vineyard Vines.
There’s always something happening in Westport. Today, there just happened to be a bit more than usual.
Little girl, big duck.
Felicia Catale offers a sidewalk service.
Sunrise Rotarians are feeling ducky.
You’ve heard of touch-a-truck events. At the Family Faire, kids could touch — and get into — a Westport cop car.
The United Nations soccer team, before heading off to play. (All photos/Dan Woog)
Miggs Burroughs created today’s jUNe Day globe. “06880”‘s Dan Woog supports it. (Photo/Miggs Burroughs)
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