On Wednesday, the Board of Finance unanimously voted to accept nearly $900,000 in federal funding, through a Safe Streets for All grant.
On November 10, the RTM will be asked to give final approval.
Walk Bike Westport — which has championed the grant — says, “board members asked thoughtful, challenging questions of the town’s Department of Public Works and consultant Tighe & Bond, emphasizing something we wholeheartedly agree with: Securing this funding is only the beginning. Making sure it’s spent wisely and leads to meaningful improvements is what matters most.”
Walk Bike Westport thanks 1st Selectman Kevin Christie, Public Works director Larry Roberts and town engineer Keith Wilberg for their presentations, and work on the proposal.
“We are proud to be part of this community and optimistic about the incredible potential Westport has to become a safer, more walkable and bikeable town,” organizers say.
Some of the participants in last year’s Bridge to Bridge walk.
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For a few weeks, residents have admired the town’s newest outdoor sculpture.
On Tuesday (October 13, 5 p.m.), Westport will formally welcome “The Couple,” with a reception at Riverside Park.
The sculpture was donated to the Westport Public Arts Collection by philanthropist and long-time Westporter Susan Malloy.
In 1991, she and her husband Edwin commissioned William King to create an aluminum 12-foot high 2-person grouping for their Dogwood Lane property.
After her death in 2015, “The Couple” was installed at Earthplace. When the Westport Arts Advisory Committee sought a more accessible and visible home for the work, they recommended Riverside Park.
The move was possible with the help of Susan’s family: granddaughter Meredith, son Timon and niece Ann Sheffer.
With support from Westport’s Parks & Recreation Department, the installation was completed in August.
WAAC oversees the installation and care of Westport’s sculptures and monuments. In addition to The Minuteman monument and Doughboy statue on Veterans Green, Westport maintains 15 sculptures on town and school property.
In 2024, WAAC initiated a “loan program” with area artists. For an annual stipend, sculptors loan their sculptures to Westport for 5 years.
Since 2024, WAAC has overseen the installation of 5 “borrowed” sculptures: “Passages” by Westporter Niki Ketchman (Pasacreta Park); “Tulip Bulb” by Emily Teal (Grace Salmon Park); “Egrets” by Babette Bloch (Canal Park); “Enso” by Mark Zaref (Eloise Ray Park), and “Queen of Hearts” by Carole Eisner (Westport Center for Senior Activities.) Click here for more information.
“The Couple,” at Riverside Park
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The weather is getting chillier. The Westport PAL Rink at Longshore is nearly ready to reopen.
And Mar Jennings is preparing to return as head coach and program director for the popular Learn to Skate program.
Jennings – a lifestyle expert, TV host and real estate agent — is also a world champion gold medalist. Under his leadership, the US Figure Skating-sanctioned program offers a welcoming, confidence-building environment for toddlers taking their first steps, youth developing competitive skills, and adults rediscovering their love of the ice.
The 10-week Learn to Skate curriculum provides progressive instruction, merit badge evaluations, and a supportive environment to nurture personal growth.
For more information and to register, click here.
Mar Jennings, at the Longshore rink.
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Westporter Sara Kempner is director of creative campaigns and collaborations at the US Vote Foundation. The nonpartisan non-profit helps millions of American citizens around the world cast ballots.
They get their message out in fun, creative ways. A recent campaign involved placing a QR code linked to voter registration on pizza boxes.
With flowers blooming behind Town Hall, and Connecticut’s new no-excuse absentee voting policy rolling out, Sara figured she’d feature her hometown in a national spot.
Click here or below for the result — starring local ballerina Isabella Corridon.
But that’s not all. Another reel will feature local yoga and Pilates teacher Vicki Lopez. She’ll show how breathing techniques can quell anxiety about voting (and how to use your time in the voting line well).
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Three years after the October 7 attacks, Chabad of Westport will host Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, former chief of the IDF General Staff, for an important community conversation.
This will be one of his first public speaking engagements since stepping down as chief of staff a year and a half ago.
The event is November 2 (7:30 p.m.; sponsor reception at 6:45).
Halevi served as Israel’s top military commander for 515 days following October 7, leading the IDF through one of the most consequential periods in Israel’s history.
Advance registration is required; space is limited. Due to security considerations, the location will be shared with registered guests prior to the event. For information, registration and sponsorship opportunities, click here.
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A few times a year, a few lucky folks get to share a private Saturday morning of movement, breakfast, conversation and community, on a rooftop overlooking the Saugatuck River.
Jennifer Ruspini offers a chance to “step away from the noise. Say hello to the neighbor you have not had time to meet. Move gently. Enjoy the morning without pressure, a sales pitch, or a crowded room.” It’s complimentary, too — with gifts from Southern Tide.
The next one is October 17 (10 a.m.). Katy Ingulli of Strong by Katy will lead the yoga. Click here for more information, and to snag a spot.
Yoga on the rooftop.
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Yesterday was moving day for the Sherwood Mill Pond crane.
After many months — many more months than expected — repairing the tidal gates, the project seems to be nearing an end.
This scene in the Old Mill Beach parking lot was no doubt welcomed by many nearby residents — so long as the machinery is finally gone.
(Photo/Matt Murray)
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Jude Siegel grew up in Westport. Her father owned Westport Pharmacy downtown, across from the Library on Post Road East. Jude is a 1964 Staples High School graduate.
Since 1973, she has lived in Oregon — first on farms in the Willamette Valley, now in Portland.
She has long taught nature and bird journaling — a combination of drawing, watercolor and writing — to children and adults.
“This time of year,” she says, “I get homesick for the land, beaches and beauty of Connecticut.”
Of course, it is beautiful in Oregon too. Jude captures that beauty every year, in a watercolor and pen bird calendar she draws and produces.
“Birds bring such joy to our daily lives,” she notes. “It gives me peace to draw and paint them. I like the idea that they then go out on the calendar pages to people all over, and grace their lives as well.
This year’s calendar is now available for purchase. They’re $35 each, plus $5 per calendar for shipping. Email colorfuljude@gmail.com. (Originals are available for purchase. Just ask!)
One month, in Jude Siegel’s 2027 calendar.
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From nature to music: The next Christ & Holy Trinity Church “Music & Arts” event is New York Polyphony. The 4-part choral ensemble — called “larger and more complex than the sum of its parts” by NPR — performs on October 17 (5 p.m.). A reception follows.
Tickets are available at the door, or by clicking here.
New York Polyphony.
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Some of the businesses and non-profits that “adopt” a traffic island don’t follow through much, once their name is on the sign.
Others take their stewardship role much more seriously.
One of the most conscientious is the Y’s Men of Westport and Weston. They’re in charge of the Long Lots Road/Maple Avenue North intersection.
Paul Liistro makes sure it always looks great — and is season-appropriate.
Today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo offers the latest look.
(Photo/Paul Liistro)
PS: Here’s an idea: An annual award for the “best traffic island.” Any group — without any skin in the game — want to take this on?
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And finally … on this date in 1701, the Collegiate School of Connecticut was chartered in Old Saybrook. Today we know it as Yale University, in New Haven.
(Happy 325th anniversary, Yale! You’re just 308 years older than “06880.” And while they have a $44.1 billion endowment, we don’t. To help us close the gap, please click here. Thank you!)