Want to know more about local politics?
Want free pizza?
Both are on the menu this Monday (January 26, 7 p.m.). The League of Women Voters of Westport hosts their annual “Pie & Politics” panel, a few days before the General Assembly session begins in Hartford. It’s a decades-old tradition, organized by LWVs all over the state.
Local State Senator Ceci Maher, and State Representatives Jonathan Steinberg and Dominique Johnson will meet voters (and enjoy dinner). There’s also a panel, moderated by former State Representative Ken Bernhard.
They’ll discuss statewide issues like the budget, and local ones they’ll wrestle with, including affordable housing and the Cribari Bridge.
It’s free, but registration is required: lwvwestportct@yahoo.com.
==================================================
Two Representative Town Meeting (RTM) committees — Health & Human Services, and Environment — meet jointly on February 4 (7:30 p.m., Zoom).
The agenda includes:
- Water contamination
- Synthetic turf fields vs. grass fields
- Reducing town pesticide applications
- Tree preservation and clear-cutting
- Noise ordinance.
Clear-cutting is on the RTM committees’ agenda.
=================================================
The VersoFest lineup just got even more festive.
Peter Shapiro — longtime owner and operator of concert venues like the Capitol Theatre and Brooklyn Bowl, and producer of many music festivals — and rock author, writer and documentarian Dean Budnick will discuss the legacy of the Grateful Dead, and the development of the jam band scene over the decades.
Their free session is March 29 (12 p.m.).
Shapiro produced Fare Thee Well: Celebrating 50 Years of the Grateful Dead. He founded Lockn’, a 4-day festival featuring Bob Weir, Phil Lesh, Widespread Panic and Tedeschi Trucks Band.
Budnick is the author of books on the music industry, and has written for Billboard, Variety and The Hollywood Reporter.
Click here for more information on this session. Click here for the VersoFest home page.
Peter Shapiro (top) and Dean Budnick.
==============================================
It’s prix fixe time at Finalmente Ristorante.
The popular Post Road restaurant introduces a 3-course (appetizer, entree, dessert) menu this Sunday (weather permitting).
It’s available on Wednesdays and Sundays only, from 4 to 9 p.m. Click here for reservations.
==================================================
Speaking of prix fixe menus: Dandelion is serving up one for $95 on Valentine’s Day.
The February 14 “intimate and elevated” meal is “designed to be shared and savored,” at the restaurant in the Delamar Westport hotel.
It includes “a welcoming amuse bouche, followed by your choice of vibrant starters and beautifully composed entrées inspired by Mediterranean and Levantine flavors, from fresh seafood and wood-fired specialties to refined cuts of meat and seasonal vegetables. End on a sweet note with indulgent desserts created exclusively for the occasion.”
Dandelion restaurant.
==================================================
Henry Wynne has hung up his spikes.
After 8 years as a professional with Brooks Beasts, the 2013 Staples High School and 2017 University of Virginia graduate — and holder of many Connecticut and collegiate running records (plus a world record, as a relay anchor) — is retiring.
Wynne began running as a freshman as a way to stay in shape for lacrosse. He soon realized he was a natural. He flourished under coach Laddie Lawrence, then went on to even great heights.
He missed the Olympics twice, by only two spots at the trials. But he stands tall, as one of Staples’ most accomplished athletes ever.
Congratulations, on a great career! You have inspired many young Westporters to follow — hopefully quickly — in your footsteps. (Hat tip: Reess Kennedy)
Henry Wynne (Photo/Will Hoffman for Runner’s World)
==================================================
It hasn’t generated much discussion in Westport.
But the proposed remediation and redevelopment of Manresa Island — just off the Norwalk coast — is a Very Big Deal.
On Tuesday, the Westport Rotary Club heard all about it. Jessica Vonashek — executive director of the Manresa Island Corporation — described what may be ahead for the former NRG power plant. (That’s the smokestack we see from Compo Beach.)
The hope is to transform the site into a thriving (and accessible) 125-acre park. It would unlock almost 2 miles of shoreline access, and create a unique destination alongside the adaptive reuse of the structures at its center.
Click here for a previous “06880” story on the Manresa plan.
Jessica Vonashek, at the Westport Rotary Club. (Hat tip and photo/Dave Matlow)
==================================================
Westport Police made 3 custodial arrests between January 14 and 20.
A 30-year-old Piscataway, New Jersey man was charged with operating under the influence, traveling unreasonably fast and following too closely, after his vehicle struck a trash truck on Post Road West just before 4:30 a.m.
A 64-year-old Stamford man was charged with operating an unregistered motor vehicle, improper use of registration market plate, failure to maintain minimum insurance coverage, operating a motor vehicle without a license, and failure to appear, following a motor vehicle stop on Beachside Avenue.
A 53-year-old Westport woman was charged with failure to appear. Officers were called to a trespassing complaint, and learned that she was the subject of a warrant for an unrelated matter.
Westport Police also issued these citations:
- Texting while driving: 7 citations
- Traveling unreasonably fast: 5
- Operating a motor vehicle without a license: 2
- Speeding: 1
- Evading responsibility: 1
- Following too closely: 1
- Failure to obey stop sign: 1
- Failure to obey state traffic commission regulations: 1
- Operating a motor vehicle under suspension: 1
- Operating an unregistered motor vehicle: 1
- Operating a motor vehicle without a tint inspection: 1
- Failure to remove snow from a motor vehicle: 1
- Failure to renew license: 1
- Failure to renew registration: 1
- Improper windshield: 1
- Improper rear/marker lamps: 1
It’s the law: You must remove snow and ice from your vehicle!
==================================================
Sure, you know New Haven’s Long Wharf Theater.
But what about Weston’s Short Wharf?
It’s a lot closer. And even though it’s a Middle School company, their “Addams Family” production may be worth checking out.
The curtain rises at Weston High School at 7 p.m. on January 30, and 3 p.m. on January 31 and February 1. Tickets are available online, and at the door.
Short Wharf Theater’s “Addams Family” cast. (Photo/Greg Cohen Photography)
==================================================
Today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature takes us to Park Lane, off Compo Road South.
Beth Keane reports that since Monday, it’s been too cold for any of this to melt.
(Photo/Beth Keane)
Meanwhile, who knows what the weekend will bring?
Fingers crossed …
==================================================
And finally … in honor of Weston Middle School’s upcoming “Addams Family” show (story above):
(“06880” is your full-service, 24/7/365, hyper-local, “Where Westport Meets the World” blog. But we can’t do it without the support of readers like you. Please click here to help. Thank you!)
About the joint RTM Health and Human Services and Environment Committees meeting: this is an organizational meeting to review previous and ongoing activity as we consider the 25-26 year. We hope it will be useful to new committee members and, as always, the public is welcome to attend (the agenda also includes “Public Education”.)
As per the announcement, we’ll also, importantly, be considering the programs, activities, and preliminary needs assessments for ’25 – 26′ of the Aspetuck Health District and Department of Human Services – always significant, but in today’s climate especially so.
Because some but not all topics we’ll be discussing have both environmental and public-health aspects, as the agenda says, the committees will meet jointly for part of the time and then separately. The actual agenda can be found on westportct.gov.