Get ready to rumble!
Tonight is the boys basketball state championship. Staples High School — ranked #1 in Division I — meets #2 West Haven. Tipoff is 8:30 p.m., at Mohegan Sun.
But hey — you don’t have to drive clear across Connecticut.
The contest will be livestreamed. Click here to watch.
It could be historic. The last time the Wreckers won a state boys basketball crown was 1937!
==================================================
In the wake of Thursday’s state Department of Transportation public meeting about the Cribari Bridge, several residents contacted “06880.” They want to know how to urge town officials — particularly 1st Selectman Kevin Christie and the Representative Town Meeting — to get involved.
For example, Robbie Guimond writes: “RTM! It’s time to answer the call. Are you ready?
“After the CTDOT hearing, one thing was clear: Fear about increased truck traffic is widespread across town. While other issues came up, the need to address truck traffic stood out.
“I believe the RTM should begin the process of creating a ‘no through truck’ ordinance immediately.
“This is public shout-out for the appropriate RTM committees to take this on — or form a new committee if needed. It would make sense to include people like Andrew Colabella and Jennifer Johnson, who have consistently raised this issue, along with others who can help move it forward.
“We also know that during reconstruction, a temporary span will allow all legal loads to cross for 3+ years. Even a bridge rehab would bring increased truck traffic back. We should be ready with a plan to act, if and when the trucks show up.
“RTM: It’s time to get to work. Are you ready? Your constituents are.”
=================================================
Mark Yurkiw — the Westport artist who has been very involved in relief efforts for his native Ukraine — shares an item about Westport’s sister city Lyman, from the Ukrainian National News Agency. It reports:
“The main and most relevant objective for the enemy is Lyman. Lyman has long been a target because (Russia’s) long-term goal is to reach the northern outskirts of the Sloviansk-Kramatorsk agglomeration.
“To do this, they need to capture Lyman and then advance further toward Raihorodok. From there, they would directly move on to the Sloviansk-Kramatorsk agglomeration, but for years the enemy has failed to achieve this.”
Lyman has been heavily damaged by Russian forces.
=================================================
Westport Board of Education “community conversations” are wide-ranging affairs.
Residents are invited to raise any topic related to the schools.
And they do.
The next session is Tuesday (March 31, 12 p.m., Westport Library). Former Representative Town Meeting moderator Velma Heller will facilitate the conversation.
==================================================
Connecticut’s secretary of the state has a lot on her plate.
At the Westport Library on Thursday, Stephanie Thomas described some of her many roles. She was the second in a 3-part “Your State — Your Business” series, sponsored by the Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce.
Among the topics: scams targeting business owners and individuals, how businesses and residents can get involved civically, and human trafficking. She also answered questions, including about election policy.
The series continues April 2 (11 a.m., Westport Library), with Connecticut Attorney General William Tong, Click here for more information.
Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas and Matthew Mandell, Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce director.
==================================================
Tonight, live blues comes to VFW Post 399.
The Chicago Dawgs play, starting at 7:30. Bar food (pizza slices and hot dogs) are available, along with early bird bar specials. Click here for tickets.
Chicago Dawgs
================================================
All soccer players in kindergarten through 6th grade are invited to a fun clinic and fundraiser next weekend (Sunday, March 29, 10:30 a.m. to noon, Wakeman Field). Westport travel coaches and Staples players will run the event.
It’s been organized by Bedford Middle School 8th grader Allyson Post. Donations ($25 per player) support the soccer program at Bridgeport’s Columbus School, for grades K-8.
Allyson started working with the Columbus program last year. It was so meaningful, she has continued her involvement.
To register through Full Court Peace, click here. Click “Donate,” and note “Soccer Clinic” in the notes. Then click here, so organizers can plan for each age group.
=======================================================
Read to Grow — the great statewide non-profit that provides free books to newborns and children — gave an incorrect link to their May 7 fundraiser (6 p.m., Westport Library). Click here for the correct link to purchase tickets.
==================================================
The theme of the National Garden Clubs’ youth poetry contest was “Plant America for the next 100 years.”
Local sponsor the Westport Garden Club planted a seed among local students. Four Westport youngsters earned gold medals for their grade levels.
One — S. DeVito — won the New England regional contest too, and proceeds to the national level.
Congratulations to:
- Grade 2: G. Olanoff (Long Lots Elementary School)
- Grade 4: D. Deeckan (homeschool)
- Grade 5: R.R. Paransky (Kings Highway Elementary School)
- Grade 6: S. DeVito (Bedford Middle School, Westport)
A celebration of the poets is set for April 19 (2 p.m., Westport Library). For more information, click here.
==================================================
The Weston History & Culture Center opens for the season on March 29 (1 to 4 p.m.).
Visitors can enjoy a new “Weston at Work ”interactive exhibit in the Coley barn, take a guided tour of the Coley House (circa 1940s), learn about the forgotten village of Valley Forge, and explore the Weston Meteorite. For more information, click here.
Looking at the Lockwood Loom, at the Weston History & Culture Center.
================================================
Is that spring we see, sprouting in Molly Alger’s yard?
We can’t imagine a better “Westport … Naturally” photo for today!
(Photo/Molly Alger)
==================================================
And finally … Happy National Teenager Day!
If you’re a teen — or ever were — this one’s for you.
(Hey, teens! And everyone else! If you enjoy “06880” — and appreciate the work that goes into posting 3 to 6 times a day — please click here, to support our work. Thank you all!)
Do you know the story about Dion? He was supposed to be on the plane on February 3, 1959 that killed the Big Bopper , Richie Valens and Buddy Holly, but he changed his mind at the last minute because he couldn’t justify paying $60 dollars for a plane ride when his parents paid $60 dollars for rent in The Bronx. That bit of frugality saved his life. Thanks for the song.
Sorry but it wasn’t $60. It was $36. He was supposed to be on the plane because he won a coin toss but then gave up his seat to Richie Valens.
“According to Dion, it was Valens, not Richardson, who had fallen ill, so Valens and Dion flipped a coin for the seat. Dion said he won the toss, but ultimately decided that since the $36 fare equalled the monthly rent his parents paid for his childhood apartment, he could not justify the indulgence.”
What a great selection Dan!
You must have been one mean DJ in your younger days