A century-old Westport institution (the Westport Weston Family YMCA) and one not yet 2 months old (The Sandbar concession stand at Compo Beach) join forces July 27.
Owner Nikki Glekas is supporting the Y’s 47th annual Point to Point Charity Swim, by providing breakfast for participants after the event.
For information on the Point to Point Swim, click here. Click here, for the Y’s story on the new concessionaire.
Thanks, Nikki — and thanks to the Y, for once again raising funds to give back to the community.
Nikki Glekas, at The Sandbar.
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Speaking of the beach: Westport’s lifeguards held an Olympic-style competition yesterday morning, before work.
The yearly event — organized by lifeguard head Danilo Sierra — is a highlight of the summer. There are not many other events that can get young people up early on a Saturday morning.
Waiting for the results. Then it was off to work: another day keeping Compo Beach safe for all. (Photo/Karen Como)
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For more than a decade, Westport has had a special relationship with Catch A Lift Fund. The national non-profit provides gym memberships and home gym equipment to help wounded post-9/11 service members heal physically and mentally, through physical fitness.
Westporters have donated funds, welcomed veterans, and joined in workouts at venues like the police station, VFW, beach and Birchwood Country Club. The vets give plenty back in return — as inspiration, and serving as “angels” for children, teens and adults with disabilities through myTeamTriumph.
The 25th anniversary of 9/11 — and 250th birthday of the United States — is a great time for Westporters to continue supporting Catch a Lift.
On September 9 (6:30 p.m., Inn at Longshore), a special fundraiser will benefit the noon-profit.
Save the date — and click here for information on how to purchase tickets or sponsorships, and donate raffle items.
Catch a Lift veterans, at a Birchwood Country Club event.
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Stephanie Retcho writes: “For many months, we have had a sign from a builder in front of our house. More recently, another was put up. They are for houses on properties near ours.
“Both are in the right of way — the strip of land that is publicly owned by roadways.
“That goes against town ordinances. It’s an eyesore, and the regulations regarding signs are intended to keep the town looking beautiful.
“I naively thought the signs would eventually come down. But I finally complaimed out to the Planning & Zoning Department.
“Within the same day of my first email, both signs were gone.
“Huge thanks to Hannah, Mike and everyone at P&Z who made that happen. It’s not lost on me that everyone is busy. It happened faster than I ever imagined, and anyone driving by our house is the better for them being gone. (One sign in particular kept breaking. and looked quite derelict).
“For anyone with the same issue: contact P&Z. The ordinances are clear regarding signage, and clearly this team is on it.
“If you take the sign down yourself, you could be fined for theft or vandalism. In the immortal words of Ren & Stimpy: ‘happy happy, joy joy.'”
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Speaking of houses: America’s 250th birthday is in the rear view mirror.
But red, white and blue still decorates homes all around town.
Here’s the very visible view, on Compo Beach Road:
(Photo/John Maloney)
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It was quite a term for the Supreme Court.
On July 27 (6:30 p.m., Westport Library), New York Times reporter Ann Marimow will explore the impact of recent decisions (via livestream), with (live) CT Mirror host John Dankosky.
Click here to register for the free event.
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We’ve run plenty of photos of wildlife and flowers recently, in our “Westport … Naturally” series.
Today we feature something that’s often overlooked, but an integral part of our natural Westport life: a tree.
This one stands proudly — and tall — on Post Road West, at Sylvan Road.
(Photo/John Maloney)
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And finally … this is the birthday of Van Cliburn. The pianist earned international acclaim in 1958, at just 23 years old. He died in 2013, age 78.
(A lot always goes on at the beach, as today’s Roundup shows. Before you head over though, please take a quick minute to click here, and support your hyper-local blog. Thanks — see you there!)
Thanks to the team at Sandbar! In a month they’ve done more (and made better food) than Hook’d did for 6 years. Did anyone ever look into how we signed a contract where we had to pay Hook’d to go away when it was clear they didn’t care about their end of the bargain?