This Saturday’s “Meet Your RTM Candidates” event (October 4, 10 a.m. to noon, Westport Library) is a great chance to, well, meet the men and women competing in your district for a Representative Town Meeting seat.
The RTM is our town’s legislative body. They are the final officials to sign off on budgets, and — at times — controversial issues.
Bring the kids! The event includes coffee, donuts, snacks, and art activities for youngsters. It’s co-sponsored by the League of Women Voters Westport, and “06880.”
But that’s not the only event going on Saturday morning at the Library.
From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Westport Volunteer Fair takes place in the Trefz Forum.
Dozens of local nonprofit organizations will have information tables, and members on hand to promote volunteerism.
It’s a fantastic way for adults — and teens — to find out how to put their talents and energy to great use. There is an organization for every interest.
Come for the RTM event. Stay for the Volunteer Fair. See you there!
The scene at last year’s Volunteer Fair. (Photo/Molly Alger)
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Also at the Library: The next 2 Common Ground Initiatives.
They’re both opportunities for positive, productive conversations on how we move forward as a civil society; encourage respectful, constructive dialogue, and tackle challenging and controversial issues.
This coming Monday (October 6, 7 p.m.), Michael Brownstein, Alex Madva and Daniel Kelly — authors of Somebody Should Do Something — will paint a picture of how social change happens, one choice at a time.
With moderator Sharon Suchotliff, the panel will delve into a novel and scientific approach to create transformative social change — and the surprising ways that each of us can help make a real difference. Click here for more information.
On October 14, “From Division to Unity: Lessons in Bridging Divides” (7 p.m.) features a panel of national experts in business, sports, and the military. They’ll share how they’ve navigated complex divisions, to lead diverse teams toward common goals.
The panel includes:
- Bonnie Hammer, Retired vice chair, NBC Universal
- Mel Raines, CEO, Indiana Pacers (NBA)
- Steve Parrish, retired senior vice president, Altria Group
- Tony La Russa, Hall of Fame Major League Baseball manager
- Lindsay Czarniak, Emmy Award-winning sports broadcaster
- General William Welch, US Air Force general (retired)
The conversation will be facilitated by Dr. Allen Hilton, executive director of the House United Movement and consulting theologian at Greens Farms Church. Click here for more information.
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Preliminary work has begun for the new Long Lots Elementary School.
The former Long Lots Preserve — developed a few years ago, adjacent to the Community Gardens — will be used as a staging area for construction equipment. When the school is completed, the land will be converted to an athletic field.
This was the scene yesterday:
(Photo/Robert Steven Williams)
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A new Japanese restaurant has opened quietly in Westport.
Omakase — in the small plaza next to Dunville’s, on Saugatuck Avenue. The name refers to a series of small dishes of the chef’s choosing.
Jessica Ryan reports in CTBites that 10 sit at an open counter, watching Chef Edwin work. “He slices, dices and molds while offering entertaining and informative explanations about the fish, the flavors and his techniques.”
There are seatings at 5, 7 and 9 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. A typical meal features 16 courses, and is $185 per person. Click here for the full CTBites story. Click here for the Omakase website.
Chef Edwin at Omakase. (Photo courtesy of CTBites)
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Want to help shape the future of Westport’s parks?
As part of the Parks Master Plan process, the Parks & Recreation Department hosts a public workshop today (Tuesday, September 30, 6 p.m., Westport Library). All community members are invited. It will be run by the town’s consultants, BL Companies.
The Town’s consultant, BL Companies, will provide residents with the opportunity to engage directly with the consultants, share feedback, and learn more about the planning process.
Riverside Park (Photo/Pam Docters)
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Speaking of Parks & Rec: Less than 24 hours remain until Yogi Bear (below) and his friends can once again romp on the Compo Beach sand.
Dogs are permitted — in leashed and off-leash areas, marked by signs — from October 1 through March 31.
Arf!
(Photo/Cat Malkin)
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Tomorrow is also the day for “Coffee with a Cop.”
From 7:30 to 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Westport police officers will be hanging out at the downtown Starbucks.
There are no speeches; there is no agenda. Just a chance to sit and chat about Westport, ask questions, and discuss anything and everything, over coffee.
And maybe donuts?
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This is prime fundraising/gala season, for Westport non-profits.
Some are held indoors. Others are outside, under a tent.
Only one is almost completely outdoors. It’s also the only one we know of with both a fire pit and mechanical bull.
The event is Earthplace’s “Woodside Bash.” It’s this Saturday (October 4, 7 to 10 p.m.).
Also included: an open bar, harvest dinner, and live band.
A few tickets remain. Click here to purchase, and for more information.
The Earthplace Woodside Bash.
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Also this Saturday: classic jazz and funk from Vibe Cartel, featuring Scott Chamberland on sax. The band was formerly known as Southern Fried.
It’s at VFW Post 399. Doors open at 7 p.m.; the show begins at 8. The VFW has a light bar menu, and full bar. Beers are $8 for this event.
Tickets are $15 online; $20 at the door. Click here to purchase, and for more information.
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Green’s Farms Church’s 12th annual Service Sunday was, as always, devoted to hands-on projects with partners in Westport, Norwalk and Bridgeport.
After a send-off service, congregants put their faith into action on projects like landscaping, cemetery restoration, classroom makeovers, music at an assisted living community, and community-resource organization.
Among the efforts:
- Bridgeport Rescue Mission: lawn/garden work, and cleaning service trucks.
- Residence at Westport: music performance led by the church’s music team.
- Domestic Violence Crisis Center: landscaping/planting, refinishing swing set.
- Colonial Cemetery, Westport: headstone restoration and clean-up.
- Mercy Learning Center: photo collage project and framing.
- Open Doors Shelter: bike tune-ups, neighborhood cleanup, Community Closet organizing.
- Pivot Ministries: painting, flooring, classroom fixes.
- Recovery Community Development: construction-style service project.
One of many projects — this one at Bridgeport Rescue Mission.
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In 2020, Maureen Belford was an “06880” Unsung Hero.
A Westporter and educator for over 43 years in the Catholic school system, she had a remarkable impact on students and families. She helped countless elementary and middle schoolers grow and learn.
Now she’s earned more kudos.
On Saturday Maureen received the St. Augustine Medal of Honor, on behalf of The Catholic Academy of Stamford. It was awarded for her “dedication, service and commitment to Catholic education.”
Congratulations, Maureen! (Hat tip: Madeline Bayliss)
Maureen Belford
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As we get ready to turn the page to October, today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature highlights one of the first trees in town to show its fall colors. Ed Simek spotted it, on Treadwell Avenue.
(Photo/Ed Simek)
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And finally … in honor of tomorrow’s Coffee with a Cop (story above):
(October will bring dogs on the beach, gorgeous foliage, and the final quarter of the year. It’s a great time to support “06880.” Please click here to make a tax-deductible donation. Thank you!)
“The former Long Lots Preserve.” Words almost as sad as the famous old baby shoes story. Worse still: That property will be a ball field after it’s churned up as a construction staging area.
Also sad: “[The Parks & Rec workshop] will be run by the town’s consultants, BL Companies.” I mean sure, it’s great the public can “share feedback,” but the town is run by consultants, so why bother going?
It’s absolutely shameful what happened. In November, Westport voters should remember that Don O’Day was one of the architects of the destruction of the Community Gardens and Preserve and that Kevin Christie (presuming he didn’t recuse himself) supported the destruction from his position on BOE.
If you think Westport is better than this, vote David Rosenwaks for First Selectman.
(For that matter, if you have progressive values but don’t want to vote for DTC lackeys, vote for Harris & Shackleford for BOE, and write-in Robert Harrington with your third vote.)
David did not speak up on behalf of the gardeners because he did not want to alienate the Long Lots parents. He was a bystander to this destruction and did not counter the vilification of the gardeners who supported a new school. Nor did he speak up as an RTM member. Can’t be a fair-weather friend.
Land-use sits at the level of the First Selectperson, to which Andrea Moore is a party, and the appointed LLSBC executed. Amy Wistreich asked the LLSBC and the Town for a viable community gardens solution that was not Baron’s South. Check the tape of P&Z. The only candidates with re-establishing a community garden listed on their platform is Kevin Christie & Amy Wistreich.
Laureen – Kevin Christie actively supported the destruction of the Gardens, so to try to assign blame to David Rosenwaks while completely absolving Kevin Christie is both disingenuous and mind-numbingly partisan. Exactly what is wrong with Westport politics.
Here’s the problem, as I see it. The loyalists of the DTC, who don’t really seem to care about the opinions of voters, said F the Gardeners, they’re a bunch of tree-hugging liberals who will always support us. Now that the DTC’s incompetence is leading them on the path to another BOS election loss, they are suddenly pretending to care. They should have cared when it could have prevented the destruction of the Community Gardens and there could have been a solution that benefited everyone.
Mr Christie had a forum for Community Gardeners last night (though I have seen no coverage anywhere) and, presumably, the context was, “I know I am the fox, but I can best tell you how to protect the hen house.” Respectfully, Kevin Christie did jack sh!t for the gardens and anyone who suggests otherwise should be ashamed of themselves.
The difference between Republicans and Democrats here is that I really have no expectations for the Republicans to do better. But when the DTC says “let’s act as deplorably as Republicans,” well, they should know better. If, in their craven interest to appeal to their cronies, they do not know better, don’t expect progressives to goose-step behind their anointed candidates. What embarrassing leadership.
Chris – Just curious, are you aware who the second and third Selectpersons would be if Mr. Rosenwaks were to win? And how do you see that playing out for the next 4 years?
My exact thoughts and feelings on the garden…..
RTM reminder:
These folks did not vote to exclude you. They deserve reelection. As the other ones why they voted so dishonestly.
1 Mandell
1 Milwee
2 Falk
3 Burkhart
7 Lautenberg
9 Luccione
That photo of a beautiful preserve, and community garden being destroyed tells me everything with whats wrong in this town. Forget about voting for anyone remotely connected to this travesty.