Sure, you know the importance of voting for Representative Town Meeting (RTM) members.
Our town’s legislative body has the final say on budgets, reviews certain text amendments, adopts ordinances, and does much more.
But how do you get information on candidates (beyond yard signs)? And — more basically — how do you even know which district you’re in?
The town website (www.westportct.gov) is one place. But Bike Westport has ridden to the rescue (ho ho), with a very functional page.
Just click here. Enter your address; you’re taken immediately to your district’s page. There’s a great map, and a 2-line note about each candidate.
For more in-depth positions on issues, check out the League of Women Voters’ Voter Guide.
Back to Bike Westport: Don’t forget their Bridge to Bridge Walk tomorrow (Sunday, 9 a.m.). Residents and all candidates are invited to meet at the Westport Library. Everyone will walk over the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge, turn left on Riverside Avenue, and head to the other (Cribari) Bridge, in Saugatuck.
The final destination is Kneads, for coffee and more conversation. Click here for details.
==================================================
Speaking of elections: Early voting begins Monday (October 20), at Town Hall. Click here for the schedule.
There are still a few opportunities between now and November 4 to talk hear candidates for various offices. The schedule is below. NOTE: Registration is required for several events.
- Select Board Candidates Debate: October 21, 12 p.m., Westport Library. Sponsored by Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce.
- A Seat at the Selectman’s Table: October 21, 6 p.m., Westport Library. Sponsored by Westport Library Common Ground Initiative. Registration required; click here.
- A Conversation with Board of Education Candidates: October 22, 7 p.m., Toquet Hall. Co-sponsored by League of Women Voters Westport and “06880.” Register: lwvwestportct@yahoo.com.
- A Conversation with Planning & Zoning Commission Candidates: October 23; 7 p.m. Senior Center. Co-sponsored by League of Women Voters Westport and “06880.” Register: lwvwestportct@yahoo.com.
- Candidates Debates: Board of Education, Zoning Board of Appeals, Board of Assessment Appeals, Board of Finance: October 27, 6:30 p.m., Westport Library. Sponsored by the League of Women Voters Westport.
- Candidates Debate: 1st Selectman and Planning & Zoning Commission: October 28, 6:30 p.m., Westport Library. Sponsored by the League of Women Voters Westport.
==================================================
The next Public Works and Westport Police Traffic and Pedestrian Safety update session is Thursday (October 23, 7 p.m., Town Hall Room 201/201A).
It includes news about the Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Task Force’s progress, and input from on traffic safety concerns in area neighborhoods.
The Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Task Force.
=================================================
Speaking of making the town better: The next clean-up — organized by Andrew Colabella, and hosted by Michele Harding and her group — takes place tomorrow (Sunday, 1 p.m.).
Everyone is invited. Meet at 55-57 Greens Farms Road (the office building next to Assumption Cemetery). Bring bags and trash pickers. Gloves are mandatory.
And thank you to all!
A previous trash pick-up, near the Greens Farms office building.
================================================
It’s a delicate dance, combining comedy with homelessness.
But for 18 years, Homes with Hope has done it well. Last night, they did it again — perfectly.
The 18th annual “Stand Up for Homes with Hope” — a gala fundraiser, highlighted by a comedian — raised over $250,000, at Fairfield University’s sold-out Quick Center.
Raucous laughter, thanks to Tom Papa’s on-target show, was balanced with the sobering mission of the non-profit: to address homelessness and hunger, in Westport and surrounding towns.
Tom Papa, on stage.
Before Papa took the (hilarious) stage, HwH CEO and president Helen McAlinden made 2 announcements.
The organization’s mentoring program will now be named in honor of Carol Randel, the longtime and well-loved board member.
And John Walsh — chair emeritus — was recognized for his 30 years of service. He received a commendation from 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker. Governor Ned Lamont declared yesterday “John Walsh Day” in Connecticut.
And he got one more gift: a plaque with last month’s “06880” column, hailing him as the Unsung Hero of the week.
John Walsh (left), with Homes with Hope CEO and president Helen McAlinden, and former CEO Jeff Wieser.
=================================================
More laughter last night: a comedy show, at the VFW.
(Photo/Lou Weinberg)
Tonight (Saturday, 6 p.m.) at the VFW: their annual Chili Cook-off.
The fee is $25; all funds go to veterans and Westport’s first responders.
==================================================
But that wasn’t all last night.
The Westport Library also rocked.
A special screening of the documentary “Bonnie Blue: James Cotton’s Life in the Blues” was followed by a concert featuring songs from the film.
Legendary bluesman James Montgomery produced the film. His famed James Montgomery Blues Band performed the post-film concert.
They were joined by Saturday Night Live “Beehive Queen” Christine Ohlman, saxophonist Crispin Cioe (a Westport resident who has played with the Rolling Stones and J Geils Band), and other guests.
Both events were part of StoryFest. tt continues today a full schedule of panel discussions, author signings, book talks. and podcast recordings. StoryFest ends on Monday, with the 10th anniversary celebration of Shonda Rhimes’ memoir, “Year of Yes.”
The James Montgomery Blues Band. Westporter Crispin Cioe is at far left. (Photo/DinkinESH Fotografix)
==================================================
Speaking of music legends: Longtime Westporter Harvey Brooks checks in from Jerusalem, where he and his wife Bonnie Behar Brooks now live.
The legendary bassist — who played with some of the most iconic musicians of the 1960s and ’70s (Jimi Hendrix, the Doors, Miles Davis and, perhaps most memorably, Bob Dylan on songs like “Like a Rolling Stone” — is still going strong.
He’s just published a new book: “Lessons: Bass Lines, Sessions, and On the Road Stories.”
In addition to teaching how to play the electric bass, Brooks offers transcriptions (charts) of some of his most outstanding recordings. They’re woven with personal accounts of life as a professional musician.
Click here for more information, and to order “Lessons.”
=================================================
When we last checked in with Lauren Barnett, in 2021, she had just launched Family Consultants of Westport. They clients with psychologists, psychiatrists, trained therapists, recovery specialists, nutritional counselors, educational consultants and more.
Now, she’s published a book. She describes “Don’t Tell My Mom That I Love Her” as: “Think Judy Blume’s Margaret meets early Carrie Bradshaw: same inquisitive insight, different shoes. A funny, tender story about mothers, daughters, and the complicated love that connects them as they navigate the messy magical dance of growing up — together.”
The lighthearted story took 10 years to write. Thom Fiffer and Julia Bobkoff of Westport-based Christmas Lake Creative helped Barnett finalize it.
WEST (117 Post Road East) hosts a reading and book signing October 23 (6 p.m.). A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the American Heart Association. Click here for more information on the book, including excellent Amazon reviews.
==================================================
First Folk Sunday has waited a long time to pay tribute to Peter, Paul & Mary.
November 2 (12:30 p.m., Saugatuck Rowing Club) is the perfect time, organizers say. It comes 2 days before Election Day. The timing “reminds everyone that democracy is pro-active and participatory, just like the music gifted to us by Peter, Paul & Mary.”
Suzanne Sheridan and Matt Livigni take on the multiple PP&M identities, in this special show.
Audience members are encouraged to sing along with well-known songs like “Blowin’ in the Wind,” “If I Had a Hammer,” “Puff the Magic Dragon” and more.
In addition to the $20 ticket, Saugatuck Rowing Club offers a First Folk Sunday brunch menu. Doors open at noon; music begins at 12:30. Click here for tickes, and more information. For more information call 203-984-7562.
=================================================
The final United Methodist Church Jazz Vespers of the year takes place on Sunday (October 19, 4 p.m.; free will offering).
Pianist Jen Allen joins bassist Matt Dwonszyk and drummer Jonathan Barber, for an uplifting service of music and word. Fellowship will follow the service.
Music director John Hoddinott — a young, talented classical and jazz guitarist—continues to bring dynamic music to the church and community. As the photo below shows: All are welcome.
(Photo/Dan Woog)
==================================================
There’s always something going on at the Senior Center.
And always something to see.
Right now, it’s Peter Gold’s woodturning exhibit.
The co-chair of the Westport Transit District (and Representative Town Meeting member) is also an accomplished artisan.
He began only 7 years ago. Peter works primarily with found wood, mostly from Westport, gathered when people take down trees or they come down in storms.
He cuts the logs on a bandsaw to create turning blanks — blocks of wood prepared for shaping on a lathe. Once dried — which can take several years — he turns the blanks into compelling objects.
“Sometimes my vision prevails,” Peter says. “Sometimes the wood wins. Each piece is a unique creation.”
Peter Gold’s Senior Center exhibit. (Photo/Dick Lowenstein)
==================================================
Club203 had a “spook-tacular” time Thursday evening, at Earthplace.
Members of Westport’s social organization for adults with disabilities enjoyed “tree trunks full” of candy (courtesy of the New York Yankeees), pumpkin decorating with MoCA CT, and dancing to thrillers with Marca.
Earthplace volunteers were the “magic potion,” ensuring the event’s success.
Smiles (and costumes) tell the Club203 story. (Photo/Stacie Curran)
==================================================
Sure, parking at Bridge Square is tough.
Now it is literally going to the dogs.
John McKinney was enjoying dinner at Kawa Ni the other night. He looked out at the parking lot and saw:
(Photo/John McKinney)
John decided to not leave quite yet.
==================================================
The Westport Astronomical Society welcomes Naveen Vetcha for its next online lecture series (October 21, 8 p.m.;
The aerosciences team lead at Amentum Space Exploration Division will talk about the Webb Space Telescope, and its journey so far.
Click here for the YouTube livestream. Clikc here for the Zoom link.
Naveen Vetcha
===============================================
Autumn is here — and every New Englander loves it.
But instead of looking at all those leaves on the trees (and the ground), check out just one: today’s “Westport … Naturally” featured image.
(Photo/John Maloney)
==================================================
And finally … Ace Frehley — the original lead guitarist of Kiss — died Thursday in Morristown, New Jersey. of complications from a recent fall. He was 74.
Click here for a full obituary.
(You can rock and roll all night. You can party every day. But every once in a while, you really should support “06880.” Please click here to show us some love. Thank you all!)
