An update on the Great Compo Beach Fireworks Land Grab Arms Race: Here was the view as of 8:30 this morning.
(Photo/Karen Como)
(Photo/Amy Schneider)
That’s the scene at ground level.
A drone’s-eye view is different. Our great “06880” teenage photographer Alex O’Brien captured this scene:
And — seen this way — it looks artful, geometric, even beautiful:
(Drone photos/Alex O’Brien)
But we gotta say: Some of those folks are taking up a lot of space.
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Meanwhile: We all know it will be a hot one today.
This was the scene just a few minutes ago.
(Photo/Jonathan Alloy)
The high today is expected to be 100.
If you’re headed to the fireworks — or anywhere else — bring plenty of water.
And patience.
We’re all in this together!
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Yesterday’s story on Tom Lowrie — Westport’s “Mr. Pickleball,” former YMCA trustee, Y’s Man and Rotarian (and much more) who died Tuesday at 97 — noted that there will be a gathering at 6 p.m. this Friday (July 3, his birthday), at the Compo Beach Lowrie Pickleball Courts.
His daughter Anne says that this is an informal toast. A celebration of Tom’s long life is set for Greens Farms Church on July 31. More details will be available soon.
Tom Lowrie, at his 97th birthday. (Photo/Andrew Colabella)
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Attention, sports fans! The Tuesday night Parks & Recreation adult hoops league is in full swing. Eight teams play weekly, from 7 to 9 p.m.
Players include just-graduated Staples High heroes Sam Clachko, Matty Corrigan and Mason Tobias, and recent graduates Adam Udell, Cody Sale, Caleb Tobias, Derek Sale, Justin Honig and Griffin Kass.
This week’s ringer was a Big Name: former NBA star (and Rookie of the Year) Michael Carter-Williams (now a Westport resident), and former overseas pro and current Westport PAL coach Jamill Powell.
Spectators are always welcome. The Staples coaching staff enjoyed the games last week.
(Photo/Jordan Schur)
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The Historic District Commission meets on July 14 (7 p.m., Zoom).
The agenda includes discussion of a demolition permit for 13 Hyde Lane.
That’s not a residence. It’s Long Lots Elementary School.
Other (much smaller) properties up for demolition discussion:
- 1 Dexter Road
- 8 Otter Trail
- 23 Fillow Street
- 23 West Parish Road
- 3 Ivy Terrace
- 11 Clapboard Hill Road
- 6 Weathervane Hill
- 422 Riverside Avenue
- 57 Compo Beach Road
- 190 North Avenue.
To see all the meeting materials, click here.
Long Lots Elementary School — built in 1953, and renovated 20 years later — is slated for demolition. (Drone photo/Brandon Malin)
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The String Queens are the newest addition to the free Levitt Pavilion calendar.
The August 16 show features the trio, known for blending classical music with jazz, hip-hop, R&B and popular styles. Click here to reserve free tickets.
Meanwhile, this holiday weekend’s schedule includes:
- Friday, July 3 (7:30 p.m.): Clay Street Unit (bluegrass, folk, Americana, country)
- Saturday, July 4 (7:30 p.m.): Early Clover (former Coasters’ lead singer; tribute to Marvin Gaye, Sam Cooke, Nat King Cole, Otis Redding and more)
- Sunday, July 5 (7 p.m.): Back to the Garden 1969: Woodstock Experience (featuring Staples graduate Michelle Pauker)
For more information, and to reserve free tickets, click here.
The String Queens
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Speaking of music: Lachat Town Farm’s next “Music in the Meadow” (July 11, 6 p.m.) features singer/guitarist/ songwriter Quinn Sullivan.
He’s appeared on “The Tonight Show,” “Jimmy Kimmel Live” and with Conan O’Brien. Sullivan has also performed at Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival, and toured and recorded with Buddy Guy for nearly a decade.
Sharing the stage with B.B. King, Sullivan became one of the few artists ever to play his iconic guitar, “Lucille.”
Greek Style Grill and Tony Pizza Napolitano will be at Lachat. Cocktails, beer and wine will be available too. Click here tor tickets, and more information.
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Pride Month is over.
But the celebration continues July 16 (4:30 to 6:30 p.m.).
Eleish Van Breems Home opens it doors for a free celebration. Nômade will provide the food; Black Bear Wines & Spirits, the beverages. Everyone — the LGBTQ community, friends, allies — and fans of fun (and the furniture store) — is invited. Please RSVP: events@evbhem.com.
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The Whitney Street improvement project is nearly done.
Resident Molly Alger could not be happier. And not just because the noise and inconvenience will end.
The new curb is a masterpiece,” she reports.
“The old curb, next to the black paved sidewalk, was just a raised bit of asphalt.
“Now they’re constructing a legitimate cement curb — perfectly formed and absolutely beautiful. Of course it will also be much safer!”
Whitney Street curb (Photo/Molly Alger)
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Westport Police made 1 custodial arrest between June 24 and 30.
A 38-year-old Shelton man was charged with operating an unregistered motor vehicle, operating under suspension and failure to appear, following a stop on Post Road East.
Westport Police also issued these citations:
- Distracted driving: 6 citations
- Evading responsibility: 1
- School zone violation (2nd offense): 1
- Traveling unreasonably fast: 1
- Operating a motor vehicle without a license: 1
- Failure to obey traffic control signals: 1
- Disorderly conduct: 1
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As the weather heats up, residents slow down … and seek shade.
These folks found it yesterday, at Sherwood Island State Park. It’s a nice “Westport … Naturally” reminder of how good we have it — despite the temperature.
(Photo/Pam Docters)
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And finally … Victor Willis, the lead singer of the Village People who also co-wrote their smash hits “YMCA” and “Macho Man,” died Monday, after a short illness. He was 74.
Willis performed often as the group’s police officer, occasionally as the sailor. Click here for a full obituary.
(Once again, “06880” proves why it is “where Westport meets the world.” Where else can you find all this stuff? If you appreciate our hyper-local blog, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
These drone shots are great!
As readers know, I was a fierce advocate for keeping Long Lots and only spending 50 million to fix it up. However, I now support building the new building. I guess over the past 70 years, the building wasn’t properly cared for by the town. However, I do have one request, if I come back to Westport before the building is leveled, I’d like to take a quick view inside the building because I have a lot of memories. I can picture the way it was in 1959-1960 when one walked through the main entrance. I still have my 1960-61 Long Lots yearbook too.