For well over 50 years, the Levitt Pavilion has hosted thousands of concerts and shows. Hundreds of thousands of folks of all ages have enjoyed all sorts of entertainment.
Soon, the outdoor venue will be even more accessible.
Work is proceeding well on a ramp, from the Imperial Avenue parking lot to the Levitt.
The ramp is funded through the town budget via an appropriation. Construction is expected to be completed by mid-September — perhaps earlier.
The new ramp, near the Levitt Pavilion. (Photo/Lauri Weiser)
Public Works director Larry Roberts says, “We built flexibility into the construction schedule to allow the contractor to work around the busy lineup of shows at the Levitt. I am pleased with the progress to date.”
The ramp is just one part of a broader effort to improve accessibility to town-owned facilities — including the Imperial site. Newly configured ADA-compliant parking and a new handicap-accessible bathroom have recently opened there.
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For more than 70 consecutive months, VFW Post 399 sponsors a blood drive.
But it’s not enough. For only the second time in its history, the Red Cross has declared a national blood crisis.
All blood types are urgently needed, but the shortage is particularly severe for type O blood. The supply of type O positive blood has fallen below 1 day, and the Red Cross has begun limiting distribution of certain blood products to hospitals.
NOTE: The Westport Library has just scheduled a blood drive for August 13 (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.).
In Connecticut, only about 1/3 of blood donation appointments for the next month are filled. Thousands of open appointments are critical to meeting patient needs.
You can help by:
- making an appointment through the Blood Donor app (RedCrossBlood.org), or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
- Referring businesses, organizations or individuals interested in hosting a blood drive to the app.
Remember: At any moment, someone we love, a neighbor, or complete stranger could depend on a lifesaving blood transfusion.
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A reminder: The safest way to mail something — especially checks — at the Playhouse Square post office is by handing it to a clerk.
Second safest: The drop box inside the building (open 24/7).
Least safe: The drop box outside.
Reminder #2: The least expensive way to get a passport is through the official State Department website: https://travel.state.gov/en/passports.html.
Some post office patrons google “Passport application,” and click on a “service” that charges an additional fee, beyond the standard one.
Use the drop box just to the left of this photo!
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Amy Gray writes: “We spotted a dolphin pod about 2 miles off Sheffield Island yesterday morning.
“There were probably 30 total. The whole family (even the dog) loved seeing these amazing animals here. Hope they stick around a while!”
(Photo/Amy Gray)
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More nature! Lucy Ambrosino says, “Here’s something I never expected to see in my 33 years in Westport: an egret in our driveway on Crescent Road.”
Crescent is the street that loops behind Post Road East, from McDonald’s to fire headquarters.
It is not known for a beach, river or pond.
Then again, maybe the Fresh Market ospreys recommended the area.
(Photo/John Marchak)
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Missed the recent Westport Library/CT Mirror event, offering insights into recent Supreme Court decisions, and their impact?
It was an information evening, with New York Times Supreme reporter Ann Marimow and host John Dankosky.
No problem! The Library has posted the video on its website. Click here or below to see.
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Deer are a dime a dozen here. We get several photos a day, for our “Westport … Naturally” feature. Sorry; we can’t use 99% of them.
But an albino deer — that’s worth posting.
Marie Gross spotted this one in her back yard. It was visiting her bird feeders.
(Photo/Marie Gross)
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And finally … in honor of the Long Island Sound dolphin pod (story above):
(From dolphins and albino deer to blood drives and ADA ramps, “06880” reports it all. And we do it 24/7/365. If you enjoy this hyper-local blog, please click here to support our work. Thank you1)
I just received my new passport on Friday. My online renewal was submitted the previous Friday. The renewal process was quite simple. It required answering a few very simple questions, uploading a recent photo, and submitting a credit card number. That was all there was to it!
Levitt Ramp: When attending an event at the Levitt about a month ago, I noticed this excavation project getting underway, but I didn’t know what was planned there. What was most interesting to me at the time was the 1-2 inch layer of what looked like compressed plastic garbage bags running across the breadth of the excavation site, layered a few feet below the soil surface. It was evidence of the former garbage dump/landfill upon which the library and Levitt were built. When these buildings were being planned back in the day, there was much soil and methane gas testing required beforehand. I wondered if the same was needed or performed before this ramp project got underway. Fingers crossed that the workers and the excavated soils were properly handled.
Mailboxes: Please heed this warning. In 2018, I was a victim of the mail theft from the box located just outside the Post Office. The docs I naively dropped in that box were ripe for identity theft and therefore required a huge defense strategy response. Now, I always bring my mail inside the PO, and only when they’re open.
Egret: The same thing happened behind my house – an egret walking through a cul-de-sac (coincidentally located not far from Crescent Rd). I researched it at the time and learned there are a few reasons why they do this. It’s not uncommon and the reasons are interesting if you’re into birds like I am. Use your favorite search tool to check it out.
The accessibility enhancements at the Levitt are commendable. It’s way past time, however, to address the chronic sound bleed problem at this town-owned facility. At present, the Levitt’s tenant has no earthly idea what its actual sound footprint is. And that’s because it lacks a modern Concert Management System. Instead, aggrieved residents are obligated to call a “Sound Hot Line” – which, more often than not, just goes to voicemail. On paper, the facility is overseen by a committee of individuals who serve at the pleasure of the First Selectman. However the committee rarely meets, has never voted on a single matter and is chaired by a person whose open hostility towards the legitimate concerns of residents is absolutely impossible to miss. Making matters worse, the town has assigned its police powers to the tenant. In others words, the entity generating the noice is currently responsible for policing same – not that it even has an actual sound standard to enforce in the first place. Taken altogether, it’s small example of broken government eroding quality of life. And small things have a way of adding up.