This morning, “06880” posted a story about Kevin Nealon’s appearance at this Friday’s “Stand Up For Homes with Hope” benefit at Fairfield University. The event is now sold out.
Great news for the non-profit that addresses homelessness and food insecurity. Bad news for the comedian’s many fans who missed out on tickets!
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Most Westporters seldom think about our water.
We turn on the tap. We drink it. We cook with it. We shower in it.
Ignacy Nieweglowski think about our water, though.
He’s not a hydrologist. He doesn’t work for Aquarion, or the town.
He’s a senior at Staples High School. He and classmate Sahil Vora co-founded the Health Tech Initiative. The entirely student-run public research organization tracks the state of lead contamination in Connecticut. Recently, they won a President’s Environmental Youth Award.
This Saturday (October 10, 9 a.m. to noon), the group will host a free Water Drive. It’s in the main lobby of Staples High.
Residents can bring water samples from their homes. Ignacy, Sahil and their club will screen it — free — for lead and heavy metals.
The results come back in just 3 minutes. They are then added to the Health Tech Initiative Lead Watch database.
For the most accurate results, do not run any water in the house for 8 hours (usually that’s overnight). Then collect a sample, after that stagnation period.
Along with the testing, the Health Tech Initiative will raffle off an automatic flushing system on behalf of their partner, Noah Systems. It automatically clears lead from home pipes.
Any money raised or donated will help fund the group’s project: testing every Westport public school and many public facilities for lead.
Sahil Vora and Ignacy Nieweglowski, with the Presidential awards.
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Speaking of water: Westport’s first public dock is almost ready to open.
The wooden structure extends from Arezzo restaurant’s patio into the Saugatuck River, just south of the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge.
There’s still plenty of great fall weather left. And next spring, this will really be exciting.
(Photo/Ken Warren)
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Looking for an organization to get involved with? A group to volunteer for? More information on Westport’s non-profits?
Teens and adults are invited to the town’s annual Volunteer Fair. It’s this Saturday (October 10, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Westport Library).
It’s a great chance to connect, learn, and find an opportunity that matches your interests, skills and schedule.
Something for everyone, at last year’s Volunteer Fair.
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A reminder: The first event in “06880”‘s newest venture — community celebrations of local businesses — is set for this Saturday.
And everyone is invited.
On October 10 (5 to 7 p.m), “06880” and Kiin Sauna host “Community, Connection and Contrast.” KiiN is at 1555 Post Road East, next to Sherpa, Longevity, Zion and CT Sports Recovery — all wellness businesses too.
You’ll see friends and neighbors. Enjoy complimentary beverages. Meet KiiN founder Ginger Richardson, who will tell you all about the benefits of a sauna and cold plunge.
Ginger Richardson
If you feel adventurous, you can try a sauna and cold plunge yourself. (Sauna and plunge space is limited; click here to sign up.)
Ginger and her crew are great hosts. It’s a fun way to learn about a new spot in town.
Dave Briggs and I will host more events soon, all over town. We look forward to this new series. If your business would like to collaborate with us, email us: 06880blog@gmail.com.
Kiin Sauna
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Chili time is near.
A highlight is always the VFW’s Chili Cook-off.
This year’s event — the 4th annual fundraiser, supporting Westport’s first responders and veteran community — is Saturday, October 17 (6 to 8 p.m. VFW Post 399).
Greg Gunter of the Westport Police Department is the defending 3-time champion. Can he make it 4 straight?
Attendees vote for their favorite, among a wide variety of homemade recipes. There’s plenty of other great food, a 50/50 raffle, and a healthy heaping of community spirit.
Tickets are $25, at the VFW in advance or at the door. Proceeds benefit the VFW, Fire Department, Police Department and Volunteer Emergency Medical Services.
Questions? Email vfw399ct@gmail.com, or call 203-227-6796.
(Photo/Andrew Colabella)
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Here in District 4, it’s been a low-key race for US Congress.
On October 19 (7 p.m., Westport Library), the Lower Fairfield County Leagues of Women hosts a debate. The 3 candidates — Democratic incumbent Jim Himes, Republican Michael Ted Goldstein and Independent Benjamin Wesley — will participate.
Click here to register. To access the livestream, click here. To submit questions, email LWVCongress4Debate@gmail.com.
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Paula Morgan is the Westport Book Shop’s guest exhibitor for October.
She works primarily in oils, exploring the quiet moments and enduring light of coastal New England.
Paula has been a visual arts educator for over 2 decades. She is a member of The Artists Collective of Westport, and her work is exhibited in galleries throughout New England.
A reception is set for this Thursday (October 8, 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Paula’s work will be on display all month, and available for purchase.
Paula Morgan, with her work.
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Lots of stuff floated downstream, in 2 recent weather events.
Susie Kowalsky spotted this near Grace Salmon Park: a very handsome, largely undamaged chair.
(Photo/Susie Kowalsky)
She wonders if it belongs to Casa Me.
She left it under a tree at the park.
No report on whether it’s still there.
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Today’s “Westport … Naturally” featured photo is not from the jungle.
Jamie Walsh and his wife Grayson Braun spotted this bobcat 10 feet from the Riverside Avenue sidewalk, in brush next to Birchwood Country Club.
They watched for a few minutes, before it retreated slowly into the woods.
Be careful out there!
(Photo/Jamie Walsh)
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And finally … in honor of both the new dock at Arezzo, and the chair that made its way downstream to Grace Salmon Park (stories above):
(Want to do something nice, and easy? Click here, to support “06880” — your hyper-local blog. Thanks for rollin’ with us!)
Congratulations for a new public dock.
Now lets get the Army Corp of Engineers of thrir butts and get the Saugatuck River dredging underway that was promised to start over 2 years ago!
The Army Corps moves at its own pace, but the legwork for the town dock on the library side should begin now. It takes time, and Westport should be permitted and ready to start construction directly after the dredging.
Yes that chair belong to casa ma