LONGTIME HOMES WITH HOPE HELPER NEEDS HELP
For more than 20 years, Paris Looney has helped the most vulnerable people in our community.
As vice president and chief operating officer of Homes with Hope, every day Paris helps people in crisis find a safe place to sleep.
Now her own family needs help.
Six years ago, Paris’ son Don was diagnosed with stage 5 kidney disease. He has relied on life-sustaining dialysis for many years.
Paris’ youngest daughter Tausha was found to be a 100% compatible match for her brother. A mother of 4 who tutors 2nd-grade children with learning disabilities who come from military families, she lives in Massachusetts.
One day earlier this month, Don and Tausha had surgery at Hartford Hospital. The transplant was successful. Both went home 6 days later, and are doing well.
But the road ahead is long, and expensive. Don will need lifelong medications and ongoing follow-up care. Tausha, still recovering from major surgery, will be out of work and away from her family routine while she heals.
A GoFundMe campaign has set a goal of $20,000. All funds go directly to Paris, and will help cover:
- Medical bills, equipment and follow-up care
- Income lost by Don and Tausha during recovery
- Rent, groceries, utilities and transportation
- Repairs to Don’s car, which he needs to drive himself to appointments
- A reclining chair and bed wedge for Tausha
- Movers and cleaners, since Don must leave his apartment this month and move in with Paris.
Every gift, of any amount, helps. Click here to support the Looney family.
Tausha and Don Looney, recovering.
early voting starts monday
The 2026 election is here.
Early voting starts Monday (October 19) and continues through Sunday, November 1.
Early voting locations are open 7 days a week throughout the state, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Extended hours (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) are set for Tuesday, October 27 and Thursday, October 29.
Westport’s early voting site is the Town Hall auditorium.
On Election Day (Tuesday, November 3), all regular polling places will be open.
(Photo/Mark Yurkiw)
mad dog russo MEETS THE Y’S MEN
The Y’s Men of Westport and Weston have a robust speakers series.
Most are at their regular meeting place: Saugatuck Church.
This past Thursday, they moved to the Westport Library. They knew this one would draw a huge crowd.
Chris “Mad Dog” Russo did not disappoint.
After 40 years in sports broadcasting, he knows his stuff.
Well, maybe not all of it.
Mad Dog predicted that the Dodgers would win the World Series, likely over Cleveland. That won’t happen.
He also said that Major League Baseball would lose at least a month next season to a labor dispute, and that the NBA is headed for an especially strong year, fueled by major-market rivalries and rising young stars.
Chris “Mad Dog” Russo, at the Westport Library. (Photo/Allan Siegert)
MIGGS BURROUGHS, AT (AND ON) 80
With many Americans living longer*, the New York Times recently asked readers who are getting close to their sell-by date about longevity.
Several hundred responded. One was our own Miggs Burroughs. He is, after all, 80 years old. Though no one (least of all him) can believe it.
The very energetic, creative, talented, still-working-hard, always-willing-to-volunteer artist made the cut.
On Thursday, the Times printed his response:
No matter our age, health or station in life, we are all passengers on the same planet and live through the same 24 hours each day. My father who died at 80, the age I am now, used to say that there is no shame in being the best passenger you can be during the ride.
My mother who lived to 102 held grudges to the day she died. A friend said that her behavior was like setting her own hair on fire, hoping the people who had done her wrong would choke on the smoke. Longevity is no guarantee of enlightenment, but enlightenment never grows old.
Well said, Miggs! To read the many other interesting responses. click here.
*The jury is still out on whether this is something good.
Miggs Burroughs, at 80. (Photo/Tony Cenicola for The New York Times)
RTM MEMBERS CELEBRATE RESTAURANT WEEK
Nearly a dozen former and current Representative Town Meeting (RTM) members gathered at La Plage yesterday, for their annual Restaurant Week lunch.
They looked forward to a tour of the newly renovated were all invited back to take a tour of the all new renovated Inn at Longshore.
But there was a wedding party there. The group was offered a rain check — and promised to return.
Lunch at La Plage.
SEA BAGS SUPPORTS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS
Sea Bags — the new popup shop in Bedford Square — is honoring Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
20% of gross sales from the 2026 Hope In Bloom Collection will be donated directly to National Breast Cancer Foundation to support early detection, education, and patient support services for those affected by breast cancer.
obituary: peter maloney
Peter Maloney died at his Westport home on Tuesday. He was 77.
Peter fought a long battle with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, but was determined to live his life to the fullest until the very end. He worked at Bloomberg for 28 years, retiring this past July.
He enjoyed spending time outside: on a golf course, swimming at Compo Beach, or hiking anywhere from Redding, CT to the Catalonia Coast of Spain.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Carol, and children Tim, John and Kate; brothers Edward and Jeffrey Maloney; sisters Maureen Bowen, Mari Maloney and Tara Parsley; 15 in-laws, and 21 nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother James Maloney and sister Barbara Maloney.
A mass will be held at St. Luke Church on Monday (October 19, 11 a.m., with a reception following at The Inn at Longshore.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to the Bronchiectasis Research and Education Fund at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, or West Haven Community House.
Peter Maloney
“westport … naturally,” & song of the day
Fall continues to inspire, with ever-changing colors. Today’s “Westport … Naturally” images comes from the Lansdowne condos.
(Photo/Lauri Weiser)
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And finally … in honor of Miggs Burroughs, and the New York Times’ celebration of longevity (item above):
NOTE: Neil Young was 26 when he wrote this.
(“06880” readers are old, young, and everything in between. And — no matter what age — all are welcome to click here, to support this 17-year-old, young-at-heart hyper-local blog.)
So many thanks Dan for the Neil Young this morning, Amazing how this song and this songwriter still stands up today. Lyrics simple & brilliant all at once.