Today is Martin Luther King Day.
Last week, the Westport Senior Center posted 2 of his quotes, on a bulletin board in his honor:
(Hat tip and photo: Laurie Sorensen)
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Fran Hoyte had the perfect spot for a Pilates studio.
Her space on the lower level of Bridge Square offered a peaceful view of the Saugatuck River. It was comfortable, inviting, and — with no advertising or social media, just word of mouth — clients flocked to Saugatuck Studios.
There was just one problem: floods.
The space was inundated by storms like Sandy and irene. Sometimes, it was swamped by high tides.
After 15 years, Fran has found a location guaranteed not to flood.
And it’s just as funky as her previous spot.
Sound Pilates has relocated to 21 Jesup Road. They’re on the 2nd and 3rd floors above the Westport Book Shop. The 200-year-old building — most recently Pause + Purpose wellness center; before that an architect’s office, and earlier a home — offers sweeping (and soothing) views of Jesup Green and the Saugatuck River.
“This is so quiet. But it’s still downtown,” Fran says. “It really feels like home for us.”
Fran has also added a physical therapist. Dr. Victoria Chiappetta has trained with Fran, developing an appreciation for traditional Pilates, alignment, and intelligent movement.
Fran now offers small group classes, in addition to individual sessions. She also teaches Pilates instructors — including many now working throughout Fairfield County.
“We’re not about working until you feel pain,” Fran says of her and Victoria’s partnership. “This is always about joyful movement.”
To learn more about Sound Pilates & Physical Therapy, click here.
Fran Hoyte and Dr. Victoria Chiappetta on Sound Pilates’ 2nd floor, overlooking Jesup Green and the Saugatuck River. (Photo/Dan Woog)
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Werner Liepolt — a longtime Westporter whose home is near the Cribari Bridge — is closely watching state Department of Transportation decisions involving the 145-year-old span.
Last week, he was a guest on Lisa Wexler’s WICC radio show. Click here to listen to their discussion about the bridge’s past, present and future.
The Cribari Bridge, painted by Werner Liepolt.
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Congress did not extend Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium tax credits. But a Connecticut state subsidy program will replace some or all of the federal tax credits that lapsed on January 1, depending on enrollee eligibility for Access Health CT insurance plans.
Congressman Jim Himes’ office can help with questions: (203) 333-6600.
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Yesterday’s snowfall was a great chance for kids to go outside, and have some traditional (aka “non-screen”) fun.
Peter Salwin’s children did just that — with dad.
Here’s the result, on Greens Farms’ Rustic Lane:
(Photo/Peter Salwin)
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Despite yesterday’s snow and cold, Deadman Brook is not frozen over.
That was good news for these guys — the subject of today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature photo:
(Photo/Greg Rosen)
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And finally … we opened today’s Roundup with a tribute to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. And we’ll close it another.
The message of this simple, stirring song is as important to heed today, as it was when Sam Cooke wrote it over 60 years ago, in 1963.
Unfortunately.
Thanks to 06880 and Lisa Wexler, 700 of you have signed my petition
https://c.org/xM7ZPdyV82
to ask The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) to hold the required public hearings on the Cribari Bridge project that they have been postponing, circumventing, and avoiding since 2024.
I have forwarded the petition—which I encourage you to join—to the Federal Highway Administration and all members of our Congressional delegation.
While there are many and varied opinions about what should be done, my appeal for you to join the petition is based on what I think is common to us: our mutual right to be heard and our common need for safety.
So far CTDOT’s record of making Rt 136 safe for pedestrians is frightening:
•In a jury trial CTDOT has been found negligent and responsible for serious injury in a crosswalk near the bridge.
•CTDOT has declined to analyze the likely increase in truck traffic and I-95 diversion traffic that would result from a new bridge.
•CTDOT has further declined to consider permanent tractor-trailer restrictions as a potential mitigation or preservation alternative, despite the direct relevance of traffic impacts to the historic character of the bridge and district.