Early voting for Connecticut’s primary began yesterday.
Connecticut’s primary will be held a week from today: Tuesday, August 11.
Registered Democrats are choosing between Governor Ned Lamont and his challenger, Josh Elliott.
Registered Republicans are voting for a 4th Congressional candidate, to challenge Jim Himes. The candidates are Michael Ted Goldstein and Daniel Miressi.
There are 3 ways to cast ballots.
Early voting at Town Hall takes place:
- August 5, 7, 8 and 9: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- August 4 (today) and 6: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Voting on Primary Day, at your regular polling place:
- August 11, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
To file an absentee ballot, you must click here for an application. You will receive a ballot in the mail. Completed ballots can be dropped off at the town clerk’s office in Town Hall, in the drop box located behind Town Hall, or mailed back. Click here to learn more. For more information, click on the Secretary of the State’s website here.
If you have any questions, please visit the Secretary of the State’s website.
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The good news: In the 6 months since its debut, our new “06880” AI widget has gotten plenty of use.
The less-than-good news: Many readers still treat it like Google search, rather than the much more robust engine it is.
Queries like “Kevin Christie,” “downtown plan” and “Westport library” are not the best way to interact with our AI widget.
To get a much deeper answer — one that scrapes all 17 years of “06880” content, as designed by Westport-based Thought Partnr — you should ask things like:
- “What is Kevin Christie’s plan for downtown?”
- “Who is speaking this week at the Westport Library”
- “Why was the Hamlet at Saugatuck plan rejected?”
Here’s a great example of a query: “I’m thinking of moving to Westport with a young family. What are the pros and cons I should consider?”
Think of it as a conversation starter. The widget will respond; you can then continue the conversation, refine it, or simply walk away more knowledgeable about a local subject.
We’re all used to typing in a word or two in a search engine. We get a list of links that we then plow through.
But that’s not our AI widget. It responds in complete paragraphs, and invites an ongoing dialogue.
Bottom line: Take a few extra seconds to frame your question — just as you would with a friend. Give your AI buddy enough information to offer a complete, detailed response.
The more you use it, the better you’ll get. And the smarter our AI widget will become too.
The arrow points to our AI widget.
PS: If you’re just searching for stories on a specific topic — “High Point Road,” say, or “Library director Bill Harmer” — then use the traditional “Search the 06880 archives” button.
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Yesterday morning’s downpour created a familiar sight: a swollen Deadman Brook, and flooding on Myrtle Avenue.
Deadman Brook, between Violet Lane and the Frontier building.
It doesn’t take much to make them happen.
Fortunately — at least for now – the high waters recede quickly.
Myrtle Avenue, near Post Road East. (Photos/Sal Liccione)
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The Westport Fire Department has hired 2 new recruits.
Welcome to Westport, Isaiah Walker and Gianni Perrotti!
Isaiah Walker and Gianni Perrotti.
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The Westport Book Shop kicks off the dog days of August with a mouse.
This Sunday (August 9, noon to 3 p.m.), former resident Amy Lamb brings Cooper — her curious and adventurous little mouse, the namesake of her new children’s book “Uh-oh, Cooper” — to the Jesup Road store. She’ll sign copies, near a special craft station.
The next session of the Book Shop’s Short Story Club is August 26 (6 p.m.). The 3 stories are “Eyes of a Blue Dog” (Gabriel Garcia Marquez), “Woman Hollering Creek” (Sandra Cisneros) and “The Sun, the Moon, the Stars” (Junot Diaz).
Registration is required: call 203-349-5141, or email RSVP@westportbooksaleventures.org.
Meanwhile, all month long the Drew Friedman Art Place features contemporary impressionist paintings of local artist Gregg Ziebell. The longtime member of The Artists Collective of Westport blends light, color and emotion to create original oil landscapes, seascapes, and still lifes. A reception is set for August 13 (6 to 7 p.m.).
Gregg Ziebell, with his Westport Book Shop exhibit.
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The August Guitar Festival gets underway Thursday at VFW Post 399.
Headliner John Basile — known for his soulful melodic playing, sophisticated harmonic sense, and conversational approach to improvisation — has worked with Peggy Lee, Rosemary Clooney and Tony Bennett, among many others.
He’s joined by bassist Dan Falzone, drummer Eric Halvorson and saxophonist Greg “The Jazz Rabbi” Wall.
Shows are 7:30 and 8:45 p.m. Dinner service starts at 6:45. Click here for tickets, and more information.
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Sure, today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo looks like a shot of boats at the Ned Dimes Marina.
(Photo/Pippa Bell Ader)
But look closely. Those are cormorants, resting atop the twin structures.
Nature is all around. We just have to know where to find it.
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And finally … happy 65th birthday, Barack Obama!
(You never know what you’ll find on “06880,” right? But whatever it is, we need reader support to keep it coming. Please click here to support our work — and thank you!)
