Once again, the Planning & Zoning Commission discussed lights for 2 athletic fields last night.
Once again, they sought more information before voting.
Neighbors near Wakeman Field reiterated concerns about noise, light “spillage” from the poles and landscaping.
A proposal by the Parks & Recreation Department for lights at another site — PJ Romano Field behind Saugatuck Elementary School, which has had temporary lights for several years — has drawn far fewer comments.
Parks & Rec officials, led by director Erik Barbieri and superintendent Carm Roda, were asked for further review of the design from Musco Lighting; more details on landscaping, sound mitigation, and oversight by their department of both field usage and noise.
The P&Z will continue its discussion on August 17.
Lights are proposed for the turf field (center left, next to softball diamond) at Wakeman. (Drone photo/David Pogue)
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This year’s “06880” blog party is just 2 days away.
The date is Thursday, July 23 (6 p.m). The site is Compo Beach — the alcohol-is-okay South Beach, by the trees (the opposite end from the cannons).
Bring your own food, beverages (no glass bottles!), beach chairs and blankets.
Our blog party is a true community gathering – a chance to meet and mingle with the diverse “06880” community (both online and real). It’s fun, un-fancy, and free!
We extend a special welcome to all our new “06880” readers. And those who have never come to our bash. See you Thursday!
A small part of the large crowd. (Photo/Dennis Jackson)
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The Westport Country Playhouse production of “The Murder of Roger Ackroyd” is based on one of Agatha Christie’s most famous mysteries.
So it’s no surprise that the Playhouse has placed copies of it in various “Little Free Libraries” in Westport and surrounding towns.
If you know a free library, look for the book. Then peek inside. You may find a voucher for 2 complimentary tickets to the stage adaptation of the classic whodunit.
(Here’s a clue: For a map to find free libraries, click here.)
Of course there’s another, less mysterious way to see the show: click here for tickets. It runs through August 1.
Little Free Library.
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Mourning comes Thursday to MoCA\CT.
And yes, that’s spelled correctly.
“Architectural Elegy: A Mourning Ritual for Lost Spaces” is set for Thursday (July 23, 6 p.m.).
The immersive performance art piece — part of Ellen Harvey’s exhibition “The Disappointed Tourist,” in MoCA’s current exhibition exploring lost places — explores the question: “If you could visit one place that no longer exists, where would you go?”
The “meditative gathering” invites participants to remember the places that shaped them through drawing, writing, conversation, and a simple collective ritual.
Led by artist Dannielle Tegeder, guests will create “temporary memorials that acknowledge both personal memory and shared history.” Some attendees may share their story; others may participate quietly. The evening is designed for everyone to reflect and connect.
All materials are provided. Participants are invited to wear black or mourning attire (not required).
The event is sponsored by the CORA Foundation. Click here for tickets, and more information.
Artists Ellen Harvey and Dannielle Tegeder, in front of Harvey’s MoCA exhibition.
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Speaking (as we were earlier) of the Playhouse: “Cheese Fries & Chili Dips” — the autobiographical play written and performed by former professional golfer and Weston resident Chris Fuller — returns to the Lucille Lortel White Barn theater there August 7-8.
Now a 2-person production directed by Mark Graham, it follows one man’s pursuit of a PGA Tour career, while navigating bipolar disorder. Fuller is joined by Broadway actor Beau Allen, portraying the golfer’s “inner voice.”
“Cheese Fries & Chili Dips” explores mental illness, resilience, family, and unexpected paths that lead to hope and healing.
A wine and cheese reception precedes the shows, at 6 p.m. A talkback after the August 7 performance features Dr. Tobias Wasser, chair of psychiatry and beheavioral health for Hartford HealthCare’s Fairfield Region. Click here for tickets, and more information.
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Svetlana and the Delancey Five — the New York -based jazz and swing band led by vocalist and bandleader Svetlana Shmulyian, who sold out shows at the Blue Note and Joe’s Pub –headline this Thursday’s “Jazz at the Post” (July 23, 7:30 and 8:45 p.m.; dinner from 6:45; VFW Post 399).
Click here for tickets, and more information.
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Melissa Osborne offers today’s “Westport … Naturally” featured photo of 4 monarch larvae (caterpillars) eating a milkweed leaf.
(Photo/Melissa Osborne)
“You can see the silhouette of the 4th in the lower left – it’s on the underside of the leaf,” she writes. “They are probably 3 days old.”
Melissa adds: “This isn’t completely ‘natural,’ because I’m raising them in captivity. Last year I noticed that the few tiny larvae I found on my plants never made it to the pupa (chrysalis) or adult stages; they were likely eaten by other bugs in the first days of life. I brought these indoors to hopefully give them a better start.”
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And finally … did you know that July is National Ice Cream Month?
Not that we ever need an excuse to eat ice cream, but still …
(There are few things better than ice cream — except, maybe, the feeling you get when you support “06880.” Just click here. Thanks for the treat!)
What new information is needed in order to render a lights decision? Lights on these fields are inevitable. The SHS decision dragged out due to a few neighbors and ultimately got done and it was a great decision. Why is the town dragging this out? The new Long Lots school was a much more complicated and expensive decision, and the town rushed that decision through much more quickly?!
Folks we don’t have the supply of fields to keep all our kids playing during the day. The lights will allow us “equitable” use for all on our fields once we add the lights.
These lights will not be on 24-7. Yes, people can “nit pick” the time, the process, and continue the delay tactics.
Let’s find a compromise on time and days for use of lights. It really is all about the kids here, and the lights should overwhelmingly supported by our community.