The only thing better than watching a World Cup final in person is being part of a watch party, joined by tons of other soccer fans.
Most of us have not shelled out our mortgage for a seat (plus parking!) at MetLife Stadium, for today’s Spain-Argentina clash.
Instead, we can head to the Westport Library. They host a (free!) afternoon of “Where Westport Meets the World Cup”: the final match, and more.
The Library opens at 1 p.m., for Panini card trading.
From 1:30 to 2:30, Westport soccer folks — including Dan Woog, Chris O’Dell, Paddy Donovan, Joe Pierce and Clemson coach Mike Noonan (video) — will tell stories about their experiences with The Beautiful Game.
At 3 p.m., the match will be shown on the Trefz Forum’s giant screen (the pre-game show will begin at 2:30). The audience here will join billions of others around the globe.
Oh, yeah: There’s Riko’s pizza too (courtesy of “06880”).
Wear your jersey. Bring your friends. See you today at the Library!
(Graphic courtesy of Isabelle Sareen)
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On Friday, “06880” noted that in April, 1st Selectman Kevin Christie said he’d appoint a Cribari Bridge Advisory Committee.
He responded yesterday to our query about its status: “The Cribari Bridge Advisory Committee has not yet been formed. I am continuing to work on its composition and charge, and will provide an update when those details are finalized.
“There have not been any significant recent developments in conversations between the Town and state Department of Transportation. DOT is aware of Westport’s collective focus on safety in the area of the bridge and beyond.”
Cribari Bridge (Photo/Ferdinand Jahnel)
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Dick Fincher’s family, friends and neighbors remembered the former Tree Board chair and Lillian Wadsworth Arboretum visionary yesterday.
A plaque honoring Fincher — a longtime Westporter who died in 2024, at 86 — was unveiled near the entrance to the 12-acre park, at the corner of Stony Brook Road and Woodside Lane. It contains one of his favorite quotes about trees.
Fincher lived across the street. Representative Town Meeting member Lou Mall, who worked with Fincher to turn the overgrown property into a beautiful area with woods and hiking areas, spoke about Fincher’s contributions to the neighborhood and town.
Mall hailed Dick Stein, several RTM colleagues, the Tree Board, former 1st selectpersons Jim Marpe and Jen Tooker, and tree warden Bruce Lindsay, for all they did to carry out Fincher’s vision.
Lou Mall (far right) speaks at the Dick Fincher plaque dedication.
Mall recalled the history of the Woodside Lane land. Wadsworth donated much of it to Earthplace, along with 12 acres to the town, for a new school. But there was not enough room for that building, so it lay forgotten, unused and unmaintained, until Fincher prodded the town to act.
Fincher’s son Doug and wife Dottie also spoke about Fincher’s legacy. The Lillian Wadsworth Arboretum is open sunrise to sunset. Click here for more information.
Town officials, at the new plaque honoring Dick Fincher: From left: RTM members Jay Keenan and Chris Tait, Parks & Recreation Commission chair David Floyd, RTM members Jimmy Izzo and Lou Mall, former 1st Selectman Jim Marpe, former Earthplace director Tony McDowell, former 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker.
Dottie Fincher, with her sons and grandsons. (All photos/Dan Woog)
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Players from Staples High School’s state championship soccer teams of 1981 and ’82 have remained close.
Many still live in the area. And — more than 4 decades later — they still work out together.
Seen Saturday at TAP Strength in downtown Westport, with (at bottom, in photo below) owner EJ Zebro (a former soccer player himself) were (from left) Mike Brown, Guy Claveloux, Dan Donovan and Todd Coleman.
They look like they could still play. And win.
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Speaking of sports: Westport has a new non-operative musculoskeletal care facility.
CT Sports Recovery at 215 Main Street calls itself “the only clinic in Fairfield County offering focused shockwave technology, Unlike traditional radial shockwave systems, focused shockwave delivers energy to precise tissue depths, making it a valuable option for chronic tendon injuries, calcific tendinopathy, plantar fasciitis, joint pain, and other musculoskeletal conditions.”
Founders Dr. Michael Betler and his wife Dr. Anupama Kurra urge clients to “support the body’s natural healing processes through evidence-based, non-invasive therapies before considering more invasive interventions whenever appropriate.”
Their goal is to complement traditional medical care. They serve athletes, active adults, post-operative patients, people with chronic orthopedic conditions, and anyone seeking non-surgical solutions to improve function and reduce pain. Click here for more information.
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The #1 cause of a preventable death after an injury is … bleeding.
A free Westport Volunteer Emergency Medical Service “Stop the Bleed” class can help save lives.
It’s August 10 (7 to 8:45 p.m., EMS headquarters, 50 Jesup Road). Click here for more information, and to register.
The next class after that is September 24 (same time and site). Click here to register.
And while you’re at it, consider a donation to WVEMS. Many residents don’t realize they pay for everything — from ambulances to Band-Aids — themselves.
There are many worthy causes and organizations in Westport. Few are as life-changing — and life-saving — as this.
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Today’s “Westport … Naturally” featured photo shows what Ed Simek believes is a yellow crowned night heron. He spotted this handsome bird — which he had not seen before — at Burying Hill Beach.
(Photo/Ed Simek)
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And finally … who will win today’s World Cup final?
We have no idea. That’s why they play the game.
In the meantime:
(And finally … no matter what happens today in New Jersey, you’re always a winner when you check out “06880.” And you’re a true champion if you click here to support our work. Thank you!)
The First Selectman notes the Town’s focus on how the Cribari Bridge Project will protect and improve safety, which is certainly an important consideration.
At the same time, the ongoing federal Section 106 review encompasses additional issues. Earlier this year, four federally recognized consulting parties submitted a joint letter to FHWA addressing questions about the Area of Potential Effects, indirect and cumulative impacts on the Bridge Street Historic District, traffic analysis and diversion in the Greens Farms-Saugatuck-I-95 corridor, visual impacts, and the treatment of the Scenic Road and other historic resources.
FHWA acknowledged the letter and advised that a substantive response would be forthcoming. Those issues are separate from, and in addition to, bridge safety.
Typical politician get voted in and ignore the people who voted you in EXCEPT if your invited to eat and drink for free at an opening of a new restaurant in town or you bandwagon on other openings, but u know what, it’s common practice amongst those who are voted in and those who head town and State agencies to ignore the people of Westport, although there are a very few individuals ( a very few) who will actually respond to a email message, and those that recognize my name you know who you are and Thank You, and those that have their nose way up in the air you will also recognize my name and have ignored my emails, shame on you
christe appointed the obfuscation committee 3 months ago
it’s working 😁😁🇺🇸
boy he moves at lightning speed NOT