Everyone loves Compo Beach and Longshore.
Very few people love — or even like — Hook’d (aka “Bluestone”), the concessionaire at Compo Beach and Longshore.
So tomorrow’s Board of Finance special meeting agenda (Friday, November 14, 10 a.m., Zoom) caught our eye.
The session begins with an executive session “to discuss the lease by the Town to Hooked On The Sound LLC regarding the food service operations at Compo Beach Pavilion, Longshore Pavilion and the Halfway House at Longshore Club Park.
That’s followed by a public session: “Discussion and potential vote to approve a Lease Termination Agreement between the Town and Hooked On The Sound LLC regarding the food service operations at Compo Beach Pavilion, Longshore Pavilion and the Halfway House at Longshore Club Park.”
Will Hook’d get the hook? Will they be let off the hook?
Stay tuned — via Zoom.
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A US president has 2 1/2 months after the election before taking the oath of office.
A Westport first selectman has 13 days.
The swearing in ceremony for the Board of Selectpersons — and all other elected town boards, commissions and the Representative Town Meeting (RTM) — is this Monday (November 17, 7:30 p.m., Town Hall).
The public is invited, to see democracy in action.
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HB 5002 — a controversial bill that would have eliminated much local control over affordable housing — was vetoed by Governor Lamont in June.
But yesterday, the state House of Representatives voted 90-56 in favor of a replacement bill.
According to CT Mirror, it “requires towns to create housing growth programs, changes minimum off-street parking requirements, expands fair rent commissions and incentivizes towns to take steps to allow more housing, among other measures.
House Bill 8002 is “a compromise with local leaders and Gov. Ned Lamont.” Click here for the full CT Mirror story.
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Sure, you could travel above the Arctic Circle to see the Northern Lights.
Or you could step outside your Westport home.
They’ve been visible lately, due to a powerful geomagnetic storm resulting from recent solar activity. Favorable conditions should continue through Friday.
This was the scene Tuesday night, outside RB Benson’s Compo Hill home:
(Photo/RB Benson)
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Despite more hazards than ever, drivers are thrilled that work has resumed on the Post Road project, between the Volvo dealership and Sakura.
It’s been stalled since the Nixon administration.
The new spasm of activity includes not just milling, paving and lights.
A new bus shelter is also being built, at the corner of Rayfield Road just before Cava and Westport Hardware.
Another is going up across the street, in front of Fresh Market.
That’s great news for the employees of area businesses who — since before the Nixon administration — have had to wait, unprotected, in all kinds of weather.
Looks like the shelters will be used well — and soon.
(Photo/Dan Woog)
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The curtain rises tonight (Thursday) on Staples Players’ record 10-performance run of “Les Misérables.”
As they always do, they’re tying their shows in with a good cause.
This year, it’s Homes with Hope’s food pantry. The drama troupe will be collecting non-perishable items (peanut butter and jelly, pasta and sauce, cereal, oatmeal, pancake mix, coffee, tea, condiments, spices, soup, tuna, canned veggies and fruit and chicken and beans, baking items, cooking oil, hamburger helper, toiletries and personal care items) before each show.
It’s their way of making life less miserable, for neighbors in need.
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Westporters are very familiar with National Hall.
Now, millions of Lucia Gulbransen’s social media followers know it too.
The Westport-based stylist and influencer recently teamed up with local photographer and realtor Michael Chait. He shot fall fashions, using the 19th-century former town meeting hall/bank/newspaper office/furniture store/ boutique hotel and soon-to-be AIG office building as a backdrop.]
Lucia’s “wearing vs. styling” reel reached 3.5 million views.
Lucia Gulbransen (Photo/Michael Chait)
Lucia and Michael are continuing to take photos around Westport, capturing the beauty all around us.
Lucia can be found on Instagram @luciagulbransen, and at her website. Michael is @michaelchait_realtor, and his website.
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Westporters are also very familiar with Mar Jennings.
We know him for his or his hit show “Life on Mar’s: The Home Makeover Show”; his bestselling book series, and his award-winning real estate team.
But he’s also an Ice Skating Institute World Recreational Championship gold medalist.
And he’s bringing his talents to the Westport PAL rink at Longshore.
The Parks & Recreation Department has just named Jennings head coach and program director of the Learn to Skate program.
Westport Parks & Recreation is proud to announce that Mar Jennings—America’s Top Lifestyle Expert, Emmy®-nominated television host, bestselling author, and World Championship gold medalist—has been named Head Coach and Program Director of our 2025-2026 Learn to Skate program.
Parks & Rec recreation superintendent Carm Roda says, “His appointment marks a new chapter for the program, which follows the US Figure Skating Basic Skills curriculum, and serves skaters of all ages and abilities.
“His passion for skating, his commitment to youth development, and his deep ties to Westport make him the ideal leader for this program.”
The 10-week Learn to Skate program, for ages 3 and up, offers structured instruction, merit badge evaluations, and a supportive environment for growth. All students — whether skating for fun or aspiring to compete — are welcome.
For more information, click here.
Mar Jennings, having fun on the ice.
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The next Veterans Benefits Luncheon is today (Thursday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.), VFW Post 399).
It’s open to all veterans as part of an ongoing effort to check in on all veterans’ welfare, and connect them with the benefits and support they earned.
Representatives will answer questions, and provide information on services and assistance available to veterans.
RSVPs are encouraged (but not required). Email vfw399ct@gmail.com, and include the number of attendees, or call (203) 227-6796.
PS: If you’re not a veteran, but know one: Please pass the word!
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The Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Westport shows off members and friends’ artistic talents this weekend.
And everyone is invited.
The “UU Art & You” exhibit and sale begins with a reception tomorrow (Friday, 6 p.m.). Weekend hours are Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, noon to 3 p.m.
Some items are for sale. Others are shared, “in the spirit of community and a love of creating beauty.”
Andrew Graham’s “Torment” is one of many works on display.
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Westport Police made 1 custodial arrest between November 5 and 11.
A 27-year-old Waterbury man was charged with reckless driving and engaging police in pursuit, after an investigation into a May 31 incident.
A Westport officer spotted a vehicle traveling southbound on Wilton Road near Newtown Turnpike, whose operator was wanted for charges by Stamford Police and other agencies. The driver disregarded a signal to stop, driving recklessly while continuing south on the Merritt Parkway. In Norwalk, the vehicle was involved in an accident, and was taken into custody. Last Friday, appearing in court in Hartford on an unrelated matter, he was taken into custody relative to the outstanding warrant for his arrest here. He was released on $50,000 bond.
Westport Police also issued these citations:
- Traveling unreasonably fast (8 citations)
- Speeding in a school zone: 3
- Driving while texting: 2
- Failure to obey traffic control signals: 2
- Failure to obey state traffic commission regulations: 2
- Disorderly conduct: 1
- Speeding: 1
- Operating a motor vehicle under suspension: 1
- Operating a unregistered motor vehicle: 1
- Operating a motor vehicle without a license: 1
- Failure to renew registration: 1
- Failure to insure a motor vehicle: 1
- Failure to drive in the proper lane: 1
- Failure to drive right: 1.
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There’s nothing like eye contact for an intimate conversation.
These 2 friends — or more?! — were deeply engrossed the other day, in the Saugatuck River.
Dayle Brownstein did not want to interrupt, but took this stealthy photo for our “Westport … Naturally” feature.
(Photo/Dayle Brownstein)
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And finally … to celebrate tonight’s opening of Staples Players’ “Les Mis” (item above):
(There is so much going on in Westport these days — well, there always is. In addition to reading all about it on “06880,” please take 12 seconds to click here and support our work. Thank you!)
Hook’d should have been tossed years age. Another failure by previous administration(s)…
Never should have let Joey go away because they screwed him 🇺🇸
Joey did get “screwed” absolutely, and hook’d was just a favour for a “friend”.
As did Joe from Valentine’s when he bid and hook’d got it. Many of us fought that very hard, and were duly ignored.
Let’s hope if this lease is terminated that the concession is put out to RFP fair and square with no trickery, ( in other words enough eyes are on all RFP bids, so “friends” who are bidding are not given advance knowledge of other persons bids)
Let’s also hope that the alcohol free beach restaurant remains such, alcohol free.
And current regulations are not changed to benefit “friends.
I have the utmost faith in Kevin Christie that he will be on top of this.
Please name some names.
I live walking distance to Compo and have only eaten at Hook’d once.
It was horrible. Supposed to be a lobster roll, but if I’d found that “lobster” in some sort of seafood-ish kiosk in a NYC subway station, I would have assumed it was defrosted fake crabmeat. $29, but I took two bites and threw it in the trash.
Think of all those wonderful seafood and hamburger shacks in Cape Cod and Maine, with an incredible ice cream stand next door. Why not in Westport?
I think this swan couple might be an item. There was a swan by itself for a long time hanging out along the river and all of a sudden now there’s two. I think if I I’ve heard this correctly,once they mate it’s for life. So I was very worried that that Swan would be alone, but maybe he or she won’t be! Time will tell!
Because the smart/$$ people leave WPT and go to Cape Cod and Maine for lobster rolls, the oceans, salt water smells, views, and the incredible ice cream stands next door.
Compo? Not sure who wants the experience of LIS and the Compo species?
Thanks Sienna,,Good to know..lol
Any time Deputy. You know there’s a big world out there Deputy, right?
That police blotter doesn’t list the 2 people arrested for robbing the armored truck guard at Wells Fargo on Thursday the 6th.
Harris,
Just a swag but they may have been busted by the FBI and/or ICE because robbing a bank and/or armored car that crosses state lines is a federal crime. If that’s accurate, WPD wouldn’t report it. Fortunately, Westport works closely with all legitimate law enforcement agencies so no worries.