Americans discard 20 million mattresses and box springs annually. 55,000 end up in incinerators and landfills each day.
Sustainable Westport can help.
On May 2 (8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Earthplace), they’re sponsoring a free mattress/ box spring recycling event.
Up to 90% of old mattresses can be recycled into new products, like carpet pads, exercise equipment cushioning, bike seats, insulation, air filters and steel materials.
Dry and unsoiled mattress and/or box springs are welcome. Please, none that are damaged, wet or contaminated (e.g., bed bugs).
If you can’t transport your mattress or box spring, Westport Scout Troop 36 will provide a pickup service for a small donation. Click here to register.
Scout Troop 36 helps with the mattress recycling drive.
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Who says today’s teenagers don’t care about the future of their country?
On Wednesday, the League of Women Voters of Westport partnered with US Vote Foundation to register seniors at Staples High School.
In just 2 1/2 hours, 118 students completed forms. Many others took forms with them, or captured a QR code to register, or make a plan to vote where they attend college.
Registering voters at Staples.
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Voter registration was just one part of Staples’ “Invest in Yourself” program.
The day-long event helped seniors build practical skills, as they prepare for life after high school.
A Financial Reality Fair and series of health and wellness workshops gave students hands-on experience with the kinds of decisions they will face as young adults.
In the Financial Reality Fair, held in partnership with Connecticut’s credit unions, students managed personal budgets based on their chosen career paths and projected net salaries.
At booths staffed by PTA and credit union volunteers, seniors made spending decisions about housing, transportation, utilities and other expenses, before reviewing their financial choices with financial professionals.
The health and wellness sessions included “Know Before You Go,” a sexual violence prevention program presented by the Rowan Center of Norwalk, and a documentary about the dangers of mixing alcohol and prescription drugs.
The sessions were followed by conversations with the Westport Police Department, Positive Directions, and Staples mental health professionals.
In addition Chartwells presented “Nutrition 101″L practical guidance for maintaining a healthy diet away from home.
Staples students, at “Invest in Yourself” Day.
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Van Gogh meets Mr. Brainwash at Clarendon Fine Art in Westport.
This month, the Main Street gallery — the British-based company’s first in the US — unveils a new collection.
Mr. Brainwash — who fuses street art, vibrant color, mixed media and cultural references, in an intriguing intersection of street art and contemporary pop — now reimagines Van Gogh’s most recognizable motifs.
The artist will be at Clarendon April 23 (6:30 to 8:30 p.m.). The exhibition is on view through May 3.
“Sunflowers Reimagined” (Mr. Brainwash)
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Carolyn Doan — Westport’s osprey whisperer — noticed a lot of activity at the Fresh Market osprey nest yesterday. She writes:
“Both raptors were relaxing in the sun. A few moments later they were visited by a third osprey, vying for the attention of the female. It was quickly chased away by the male after 2 low flying swoops.
“The couple then engaged in mating attempts, and relaxed some more in the sun. Mother Nature never disappoints…”
We won’t comment on their mating attempts. But if this spring is like previous ones, we’ll be welcoming another osprey pair back next year.
Fresh Market ospreys (Photo/Carolyn Doan)
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Speaking of wildlife: Scott Smith has enjoyed several sightings of a large flock of turkeys this spring at the H. Smith Richardson Wildlife Preserve, on the Southport border.
He writes: “I’m happy to stop for them as they cross Sasco Creek Road heading over to the Christmas Tree Farm from the meadow, which is being restored by the Connecticut Audubon Society.
“The big birds roost high up in trees at night, which is why a group of them is called a rafter.”
Scott adds that next week, Audubon will permanently ban dogs from the meadow, as well as the biggest parcel of the property: the open space that goes all the way to the playing fields of Greens Farms Academy.
He adds, “I can see why dog walkers would be upset — but not me, or the turkeys, or all the other field-nesting birds like the indigo bunting that call this rare habitat home.”
(Photo/Scott Smith)
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Roadwork — repairs, maintenance and improvements — are going on all over town.
This is the scene on Whitney Street, where sidewalks are being torn up, and trees removed, as the first steps in repaving the road and replacing sidewalks.
(Hat tip and photo/Molly Alger)
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Miles Davis is coming to the Levitt Pavilion.
Well, not quite.
But “Get Up With It! A Miles Davis Centennial Celebration” kicks off the 2026 season on May 24 (7 p.m.).
The event — honoring the jazz legend’s 100th birthday — features a longstanding project of The War on Drugs drummer (and Greens Farms Academy graduate) Charlie Hall.
Now in its third decade, the 10-person ensemble focuses on 3 of Davis’ most influential albums: 1969’s visionary “In a Silent Way,” the 1970 magnum opus “Bitches Brew,” and 1971’s “Jack Johnson.”
Tickets go on sale to the public on Sunday (April 12, 10 a.m.). Click here to purchase, and for more information.
Charlie Hall
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It’s pansy day!
Our “Westport … Naturally” featured photo comes from Saugatuck Congregational Church. It’s a beauty:
(Photo/John Maloney)
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And finally … Wayne Perkins, a guitarist who “injected Southern rock into the reggae of Bob Marley and the Wailers’ breakthrough album, ‘Catch a Fire,’ auditioned for a spot in the Rolling Stones and turned down an offer to join Lynyrd Skynyrd,” died last month in Alabama. He was 74, and had suffered a stroke.
Click here for a full obituary of this little-known, but greatly accomplished, musician.
(We hope you’ve enjoyed this week of “06880” Roundups, stories, photos and more. We’ll be here all weekend too. We hope too you’ll click here, to support our 24/7/365 work. Thank you!)
