As students head off to college, they pack many things: Clothes. Electronics. Favorite items from home.
And: Narcan.
Positive Directions offers a safety kit with the medication that quickly reverses the effects of an opioid overdose, plus fentanyl test strips and more.
There’s also a 15-20 minute info session on mental health, substance risks and resources at college, including overdose signs and how to administer Narcan.
It’s August 14, any time between 1 and 6 p.m. at 90 Post Road West. For more information, click here.
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Speaking of substances: There is one less smoke shop in Westport.
Mohegan — diagonally across from Stop & Shop — has closed.
As their hastily written (and grammatically incorrect) sign notes, they are now in Norwalk:
(Photo/Dan Woog)
Still open: Savvy Smoker and Westport Cigar & Vape.
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Alert “06880” reader Jessica Branson writes:
“Who knows what will come of the legendary caboose that has lived off Newtown Turnpike for decades?
“For months, a large demolition sign has been on the door of the house (120 Newtown Turnpike, or 1 Crow Hollow Lane) that the caboose sits in the rear of.”
The demolition sign …
“Legend has it the caboose was flown in, as in literally dropped via air, by a doting father for his daughter’s birthday party. And so it has been there for years, now encroached by brush, no one living in or near, though at one point it was an office for the nearby house.
… and the caboose today. (Photos/Jessica Branson)
“Neighbors hope the caboose will stay when ‘the little red house’ is finally torn down.”
In 2016, “06880” featured the caboose — and Gigi New, the writer who used it as her office (and muse). Click here for that fascinating back story. (Spoiler alert: It includes plenty of facts. And a lot of mystery.)
The caboose in 2016 …
and writer Gigi New, who used it as an office. (Photos/Dan Woog)
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For Steve Moen, painting means returning — to physical places and emotional landscapes.
For the 1972 Staples High School artist, his “Circling Back” series began with visits back to Westport, where his childhood memories live in tidal marshes, rocks and boulders along the shore.
The exhibit is on display at the Westport Library’s Sheffer Gallery from now through October 5. On August 13 Moen returns, for a 6 p.m. reception and 7 p.m. conversation with Artists Collective of Westport co-founder Miggs Burroughs. Click here for more information.
Steve Moen, with his Westport Library exhibit.
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The 2025 FCIAC champion Staples boys basketball team is hooping it up with a community favorite: the 2nd annual Summer Slam Jam 3v3 Tournament.
On August 24, all 3rd–8th grade boys — of all skill levels — are invited to Bedford Middle School for a full day of fun.
It includes:
- 3-v-3 tournament for players of all abilities
- 3-point shooting contests
- Raffle prizes
- Meet and play with Staples varsity players.
Click here for more information, and to register.
Meet and hang out with the FCIAC champs!
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Speaking of sports: An “06880” story about Westport’s Domestic Violence Task Force request for donations of items needed by their clients caught the eye of the Staples cheerleaders. They wanted to help women in need.
The captains asked dteammates to bring an item from the list to the next practice.
But — wanting to raise more awareness, and collect more items — they reached out to the football team.
With help from the Gridiron Club and captains, they collected many more items.
The other day, they dropped off their donations at the police station. The officers — and “06880” — thank the Staples cheerleaders and football team!
A portion of the cheeerleading and football teams’ donations.
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Speaking of community service: In just 2 weeks, the Westport Rotary Club collected 153 musical instruments, and assorted sound gear.
They ranged from drums, guitars and keyboards to ukeleles, clarinets, flutes — even music stands and conductor’s batons.
The collection — worth about $14,000 — is being shipped to the Youth Orchestra of Ecuador.
Green’s Farms Church served as the collection point. Westport Rotary president Peter Helt drove all over Fairfield County to pick up donations, then hauled it all to New London, for shipping.
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Speaking still of community service: Staples High rising junior Mika Smith volunteers with the National Charity League.
Organizing book drives for Caroline House in Bridgeport, she has collected 2,000 books over the past 3 years.
This year Mike and her sister Gretchen — a rising freshman — also customized tote bags to deliver the books. They’ll be used long after the books are delivered — and will be a constant reminder of Caroline House’s great work.
Mika and Gretchen Smith, with their donated books and tote bags.
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Low Cut Connie got the Levitt Pavilion rocking last night.
They brought a creative, inclusive take on rock ‘n’ roll, channeling early Elton John, punk, Rod Stewart, Philly soul and other genres into a musical stew.
(Photo/copyright DinkinESH Fotografix)
Frontman Adam Weiner often jumped into the audience, to sing — and dole out hugs.
(Photo courtesy of Levitt Pavilion)
This week’s free shows include:
- Tuesday, August 5: Comedy Night, 7 p.m.
- Wednesday, August 6: Children’s Series: Danny Weinkauf & His Red Pants Band, 7 p.m.
- Thursday, August 7: Barboletta: A Tribute to Santana, 7:30 p.m.
- Friday, August 8: Lulada Club: New York City’s All-Women Salsa Orchestra, 7 p.m. dance lesson, 7:30 show.
Click here, then click on “Calendar” at the top to reserve free tickets.
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The Westport Book Shop’s Short Story Club meets August 28 (6 to 7:30 p.m.).
The 3 stories honor the dog days of summer:
- “Black Dog” by Penelope Lively (1986)
- “Dog Heaven” by Stephanie Vaughn (1989)
- “My Lord You” by James Salter (1994).
Registration is required. Call 203-349-5141, or email RSVP@westportbooksaleventures.org.
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For over 20 years, St. Vincent’s Hospital “Swim Across the Sound” has raised funds to help cancer patients facing financial hardships. Last year’s event raised $590,000, to help pay for rent, utility bills and groceries.
The 17-mile swim begins in Port Jefferson, Long Island, and ends at Captain’s Cove in Bridgeport.
Among the boaters escorting swimmers yesterday: Westport Josh Schwartz. Here is the Clarkson University swim team — before they got wet:
When they got in the water — and back out — they finished third, in the college division.
(Photo/Laura Schwartz)
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We’ve all seen the bumper stickers and decals:
“Baby on Board” (often on NASCAR-speed vehicles)
“My Child is an Honor Student”
“My Kid Beat Up Your Honor Student.”
They’re old. But John McCarthy spotted this very new — and true — one yesterday, in Westport:
(Photo/John McCarthy)
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Giften photographer Lou Weinberg sends along today’s stunning “Westport … Naturally” image:
(Photo/Lou Weinberg)
And, as a bonus, he offers this nature lesson:
“These birds are amazing in so many ways.
“They weigh about as much as a penny, and have approximately 20 heartbeats per second. It takes a lot of energy to keep up that pace, so the hummingbird will eat up to 3 times its body weight a day. One of their favorite sources of energy is the jewelweed, a native yellow flower.
“Some of them migrate from Southern Canada as far as Costa Rica. They can cross the Gulf of Mexico — approximately 500 miles — in a non-stop single flight.
“Their aerial displays are unmatched. Up, down, backwards and forwards, hovering and with great speed, they are marvels to watch.
“As we continue to eradicate green open space, such as the planned destruction of the 4 acres of open space adjacent to Long Lots Elementary School, we continue chipping away at the ability of our beautiful natural environment to sustain itself.
“Destroying green open space like this is exactly the opposite of what we are teaching our kids in school, and is in direct contrast to helping a world that seems to be falling apart at its environmental seams.”
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And finally … tying together a couple of the first items in today’s Roundup:
(You never know what you’ll find in our Roundup. But there’s always something special here — and, hopefully, news and info you can use. We also hope you’ll click here to support us. Thank you!)
I loved Alan Abel’s cosy red caboose. He was a lovely man – with a fabulously wicked sense of humor. I still chuckle over his famous hoax campaigns – against animal nudity; for installing a lie detector in the White House; adding truth serum in the Senate water fountain, the Fat Tax – and so on. He once described the way in which the caboose made its way to his property. That was so long ago that I’ve forgotten the details. But I recall that it was trucked in. And that there was not a little drama involved. Naturally.
Steve: it’s been a very long time but, I have to say, you still look fit enough to go back out on the soccer field. In any case, great stuff and congrats!
And I have always been so impressed by the talented artists who came out of Staples in our era.
That little caboose was a writer’s dream. It was magical and inspired many stories. I’m honored to be a part of its history.
Great picture of the humming bird Lou!
Gulf of MEXICO! Thank you, Dan.
That sticker on the rear window is repulsive and the parent who put it there should both be ashamed and give his/her “burden” up for adoption…fuck them!
It’s a joke…
Or a shot from someone who is “Childfree®️” at “breeders” and their “crotch goblins”. That’s a joke, though I hear it is a thing.
Why would someone without kids have a sticker like that on his or her car?
I would imagine as a joke mocking people with children and/or babies on board stickers.
I took the picture at the dump on Saturday, and talked to the dad, Nice guy, funny guy. My son, one of my former financial burdens, was with me. We all got a good laugh. Had my other Financial Burden been with me (she was adopted), she would have gotten a good laugh as well…….
What a wonderful service Positive Directions provides to our community. Educating us on how to identify signs of overdose and administer Narcan is critical, especially among young people in high pressure environments like college. I hope many take advantage of this opportunity on August 14th. My gratitude goes out to all the dedicated staff and volunteers who enable Positive Directions to continue providing such excellent resources.
If that caboose had a kitchen and a bath, I’d live in it!