Roundup: Gun Act Signed, Sales Tax-Free Week Coming …

On Thursday, Governor Lamont signed into law a firearm industry responsibility act.

Connecticut Against Gun Violence board chair Melissa Kane — a former Westport 3rd selectwoman — worked hard, for a year and a half, to get it passed.

Another key advocate was Josh Koskoff, the Staples High School graduate and partner at the law firm Koskoff Koskoff & Bieder.

The act requires gun manufacturers, distributors and retailers to implement safeguards to prevent firearms from being sold to prohibited purchasers, traffickers or individuals at risk of harm.

“This holds them responsible,” Kane says.

“We need more of this. We need to stop gun violence. And we will all keep working until we do.” (Hat tip: CAGV board member Lisa Newman)

Melissa Kane watches proudly, as Governor Lamont signs gun legislation on Thursday.

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Speaking of poltiics: Yesterday’s New York Times included an essay by Cameron Stracher — a writer and lawyer specializing in media and entertainment law — about his role in helping the National Enquirer kill 2 stories during the 2016 presidential campaign.

Stracher — who at the time lived in Westport, and was general counsel for the Enquirer’s owner — describes the what-ifs regarding his decision to write 2 contracts to pay informants to not run articles that might have hurt Donald Trump’s campaign.

He concludes with a different decision 2 years later. This time he refused to write a contract, and was forced out of his job.

Dave Briggs and I spent a gorgeous, relaxing Thursday evening at Don Memo.

We had our Instagram Live camera set up, for a chat with owner Massimo Tullio.

He gave Dave and me all the info about what’s ahead for the popular Post Road restaurant, in Westport’s handsome original Town Hall.

Dan Woog, Massimo Tullio and Dave Briggs, enjoying one of the final days at Don Memo.

The last Mexican meal is August 16. On September 6, it reopens as Massi Co.

Massimo described the Neopolitan pizzas — different than any others in this area — and the rest of the Italian-American menu.

He talked too about Westport’s culinary scene in general. It was a quick, but informative chat — one you can see by clicking here or below.

Then Dave, Massimo and I went back to our drinks.

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State Senator Ceci Maher reminds residents: Connecticut’s sales tax-free week begins Sunday, August 17, and runs through Saturday, August 23.

Timed with back-to-school and return-to-office late-summer sales, most clothing and footwear valued under $100 sold in the state will be tax-free. That also applies to purchases made from online retailers.

Exceptins include specialized boots, globes and shoes for athletic and professional purposes, handbags, jewelry, wallets and other accessories, and sports helmets and uniforms. Click here for a full list of non-taxed items, and those that will still be taxed. Click here for an FAQ about the tax-free week.

For some reason, this item is not part of Connecticut’s sales tax-free week.

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When Westport’s Kiwanis Club chapter folded last year, the fate of the Westport Triathlon — its signature event — was uncertain.

But myTeam Triumph — the non-profit that helps people with disabilities compete in races, by pairing them with able-bodied volunteers — stepped up, to continue the 20-year tradition.

This year’s Westport Triathlon is Sunday, September 7, at Compo Beach.

It’s a super sprint distance (1/2-mile swim, 5 1/2-mile bike, 2.2-mile run), making it very beginner-friendly — great for families and “tri-curious” first-timers.

Participants can register as an individual, or with a team (click here). They can also sign up with myTeam Triumph (click here), as a captain (with a disability) or angel (a swim, bike or run volunteer).

MyTeam Triumph provides all the adaptive equipment: inflatable rafts for the swim (pulled by Angel swimmers), and wheelchairs that convert to bike trailers for the ride, then convert back for the run. Angels can support any or all of the legs.

Full event details are available here.

MyTeam Triumph captain and angels, in the run portion of the Westport Triathlon.

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Alert — and none-too-happy — “06880” reader Ben Meyer knows that “06880” posted recently about the new and not-improved Post Road East/Bulkley Avenue intersection.

But he’s adding his own thoughts too. Describing the state Department of Transportation, Ben writes:

“They had plenty of room at this intersection to make 2 lanes: a left turn lane, and a straight/right turn lane.

“Instead, they simply built1 lane, as it was before the construction.

One lane on Bulkley Avenue North, at Post Road East. (Photo/Ben Meyer)

“As a result, there are often several-minute backups down Bulkley Avenue North in the morning or evening.

“Alas, this intersection is but one example of road intersections that are inadequate for the traffic volume.

“If the state is going to the expense and trouble of redoing intersections, why are they not opening up the lanes approaching these intersections wider where possible/needed?

“Traffic delays at many Westport intersections are due to poor design. They waste our precious time and gas! Is the town aware of serious cross-town traffic delays? And if so, what are they doing to address it?”

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Of all the full moons, the sturgeon — the  August one, named for its occurrence with a fish run in the Great Lakes — is one of the most spectacular.

Jim Hood captured its rise — spectacularly — over Compo Beach last night.

(Photo/Jim Hood)

And this was the scene a biti later:

(Photo/Toni Simonetti)

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Also last night: Lulada Club, at the Levitt Pavilion.

The all-female salsa orchestra from Brooklyn had the crowd on its feet, right from the start.

And the audience knew what they were doing: For a half hour before the show, the group offered a dance lesson.

(Photo copyright DinkinESH Fotografix)

Tonight (Saturday), Grammy Award-winning Adrian Quesada – co-founder of Black Pumas — brings his solo project full band show Boleros Psicodélios, for a free 7:30 p.m. show. They head to Washington soon, for an NPR Tiny Desk session.

Tomorrow (Sunday), it’s the Wood Brothers, with Mason Via (ticket purchase; 6 p.m.).

Click here for more information, and tickets. 

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The Westport Fire Department, with help from Fairfield, spent nearly 3 hours fighting a brush fire yesterday on I-95 southbound, between exits 19 and 18.

Two lanes of traffic were closed, as were 2 local roads.

Fighting the brush fire on I-95. (Photo courtesy of Westport Fire Department)

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Speaking of the Department: 4 Westport firefighters will be promoted to lieutenant on August 26: deputy fire marshal Robert Lenois, and firefighters Michael Peck, Ronald Burgess and Todd Hall.

The public is invited to the 3 p.m. ceremony, at Fire Department headquarters.

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Seen on social media, with no other context:

“Is anybody on Kings Highway North missing a white domestic bunny?”

Inquiring minds would love to know the answer.

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Butterflies are back!

And Jamie Walsh captured — on camera, the best way — this glorious swallowtail, for our daily “Westport … Naturally” feature.

(Photo/Jamie Walsh)

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And finally … as Don Memo gets ready to say “adios”:

(The weekend is here. We hope you’re doing something fun, relaxing and/or interesting. Whatever it is, “06880,” will continue to serve you, 24/7/365. Please click here to support our hard work. Thanks!)