The good news: The decade-long Post Road project may be coming to end.
The bad news: Starting this weekend, and continuing for a week (or more), US 1 will be more difficult to navigate than ever.
The Connecticut Department of Transportation begins its “final paving and milling phase” tomorrow (Sunday).
Work will start at the Sherwood Island Connector, and continue west through Westport toward Norwalk.
Expect lane closures, alternating traffic and reduced speeds.
Manhole covers and catch basin tops will be temporarily raised. Be alert!
And, DOT says: “Be patient. This long-awaited final phase will deliver smoother roads and improved drainage once complete.” (Hat tip: Andrew Colabella)
A walk in the park, compared to what’s coming down the pike this week. (Photo/Jerri Graham)
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But hey — there’s this, nearby on Church Lane:
Maman — the bakery replacing Mrs. London’s — opens this Thursday.
Bon appétit!
Maman, last month. (Photo and hat tip/Sal Liccione)
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It’s late notice, but important: Today (Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.), Westport is participating in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.
Westport Police and the Drug Enforcement Agency are collecting tablets, capsules, patches and other solid forms of old, unwanted and expired prescription drugs. The collection site is the Senior Center.
They will NOT accept syringes, sharps or illicit drugs. Liquid products like cough syrup should remain sealed in original containers. For more information, click here.
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Through the first 5 days of early voting, 4.54 % of eligible Westport voters have cast ballots.
The breakdown:
- Democrats: 531 of 7,952 eligible voters (6.68%)
- Republicans: 123 of 3,338 eligible voters (3.68%)
- Unaffiliated: 204 of 7,581 eligible voters (2.69%)
Early voting continues this weekend, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Town Hall.
The early voting schedule next week, also at Town Hall:
Monday, October 27 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Tuesday, October 28 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Wednesday, October 29 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Thursday, October 30 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Friday, October 31 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday, November 1 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday, November 2 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
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Westporters may know Tom Greenwald as a young adult author, and youth sports expert.
But the 1979 Staples High School graduate is also co-founder of SpotCo. The ad agency — specializing in theater clients — has created some of Broadway’s classic (and most successful) campaigns, including “Hamilton,” “Hadestown” and “Rent.”
(You think those shows just sold themselves?!)
Now Greenwald is co-host of a podcast. “The Show Must Go on Sale!” launched yesterday.
The cleverly named podcast (these guys are good!) is the first ever dedicated specifically to Broadway advertising and marketing. Producers, general managers, press agents, ad execs and more will chat about the ups, downs, fun and frustrations of convincing audiences to buy a ticket (+3 = Family Pack!) to a live performance.
“I’ve been doing this for close to 30 years, which makes me somewhat qualified to understand how fantastic and futile, magical and maddening it is to sell Broadway shows for a living,” Greenwald says.
“I can’t wait to talk to all sorts of absurdly optimistic theater people to see if they feel the same way.”
“The Show Must Go on Sale!” is available at all the usual podcast platforms. Click here or below for the first episode.
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Speaking of entertainment: George Barrett has lived many lives.
The 1973 Staples High School graduate has been a teacher, athlete and Fortune 100 CEO.
The former Orphenian is also a very talented singer/songwriter, who grew up in a home filled with classical, folk, rock, blues and jazz.
After honing his skills as a session singer and performer in Greenwich Village, Barrett took a detour into the top ranks of the healthcare industry.
But his life took a significant turn in 2022, when he reconnected with musician/ composer/producer/Grammy-winning 1971 Staples grad Brian Keane. They’ve collaborated on 2 albums. The second, “Rearrange Things” (released this fall) was recorded largely in Connecticut, as Barrett reconnected with Westport.
On November 16 (2 p.m.), Barrett and Keane take to the Westport Library stage. They’ll chat about their unique life journeys and unexpected reunion — hosted by “06880”‘s Dan Woog, who has known both for over 50 years — followed by a special performance by Barrett, his band, and Keane.
Click here for tickets, and more information.
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In the days of voting machines, once we cranked the lever we were pretty sure our ballot was counted.
With the (relatively) new “tabulators,” there’s always a bit of unease. The machine swallowed up my ballot. Did I fill in the circles correctly? Are there any stray marks? How do I know it didn’t get shredded, or fall into the innards?
A steady drumbeat of “election doubters” has sowed distrust nationwide.
This year, Connecticut’s tabulators have a new twist. It should reassure electors that their vote will indeed be counted.
These gizmos have a screen that gives confirmation your vote was registered.
And if you did screw up, the screen tells you that too.
Don’t believe me? Click here, for an instructional video.
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There’s a lot cooking this fall at Wakeman Town Farm. For example:
- Dyslexia screening and panel (parents): October 27
- Halloween tot parade: October 28
- Knitting circle drop-in: November 11
- Adults dessert baking class: November 13
- Kids cooking class (ages 6-12): November 14
- Registration for kids’ fall programs begins November 10.
Click here for times, details, and more information.
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Today’s Halloween house is on Bradley Street.
As photographer Ed Simek notes, it will no doubt see a lot of action on October 31.
Along with the rest of the very generous, always overrun and totally in-the-spirit neighborhood.
(Photo/Ed Simek)
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The leaves turn … but some colors remain the same.
Melissa Makris captured this fall view of the Saugatuck River, just a few yards from Kerri Rosenthal and our busy downtown:
(Photo/Melissa Makris)
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And finally … speaking of Tommy Greenwald, and his very successful Broadway (ad agency) career (story above):
(Hey! Great video! But “06880” can’t pay the rent — or anything else — without support from our readers. Please click here to make a tax-deductible contribution. Merci!
I thought I read previously (a recent DPIC recap, I think) that DOT was next bringing its special brand of construction management to several downtown Post Road intersections. Something about “improving” them. Gulp.