NEIGHBORS FILE SUIT OVER LONG LOTS CONSTRUCTION
Work continues on the new Long Lots Elementary.
Homeowners bordering the northern property line are not pleased.
Edith and Samuel Anderson have filed a lawsuit against the town, in Bridgeport Superior Court.
As reported by CT Insider, they allege that excavation work “resulted in the repeated and continuing alteration of the natural flow, volume, direction and concentration of surface stormwater and ground water.”
Soil, mud and silt have been deposited on their Hyde Lane property, including wetlands.
The Andersons call this a violation of the Connecticut Environmental Protection Act. They are also suing for trespassing, and public and private nuisance.
Click here for the full CT Insider story.
The Andersons’ property is just to the right (north) of the construction. (Drone photo/Brandon Malin)
the arts and real estate in fairfield county
Non-profit arts and culture generates nearly $1 billion in economic activity in Connecticut: $600 million spent by organizations, and another $350 million by audiences on dining, parking
and lodging.
On November 17 (8 a.m., SoNo Collection in Norwalk), FLB Law’s 9th annual Real Estate Outlook explores how the arts give Fairfield County properties a second life, while enriching community culture, attracting foot traffic and increasing real estate values.
Panelists for “Second Acts: Real Estate and the Arts in Fairfield County” — including Carleigh Walsh (Levitt Pavilion), Darcy Hicks (Norwalk Art Space), Eric Bernheim (FLB Law), Danny Loftus George (Norwalk Conservatory of the Arts), Jessica Vonashek (Manresa Island — will discuss the artistic uses of these properties, and why they matter to the real estate market, local businesses and community members.
Dan Woog — hey, that’s me! — will moderate.
For more information and to register, click here.
The Levitt Pavilion is more than an entertainment venue. It’s also an economic engine. (Photo/Susan Garment)
KARAOKE TONIGHT AT THE CLUBHOUSE
Karaoke is alive and well at The Clubhouse.
So far though, it’s been confined to 2 special, dedicated rooms.
Tonight (Friday, 9 to 11 p.m.), the event space on the Post Road near Southport brings karaoke into the bar. In addition to song, they promise drinks, food and fun. To learn more about The Clubhouse, click here.
FOOD HISTORIAN LAUNCHES PEQUOT LIBRARY SERIES
The Pequot Library is launching “The Common Table: A Conversation Series on Culture, Place, and Food.” The talks will feature historians. and food and beverage industry leaders.
The first speaker (November 19, 7 p.m.) is Westport culinary historian, author and journalist Ramin Ganeshram.
A press release says her work “traces the hidden histories of American food. A Pequot Library Fellow, she draws on the library’s Special Collections for her research, including her forthcoming biography of Hercules Posey, the enslaved cook of George Washington and one of the most accomplished culinary figures of his era.
“Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, Saveur, and Food & Wine, and her books include ‘Stir It Up!’ and ‘Sweet Hands: Island Cooking from Trinidad & Tobago.'”
Click here for more information, and registration.
Ramin Ganeshram
a compo proposal
Jay Walshon reports: “Last night, just before sunset, 2 guy friends set this up in the sand at Compo Beach, for their friend to surprise his girlfriend with a ring and the question. Then they hid.”
(Photo/Caroline Walshon)
“15 minutes later the couple arrived. He had her stand in the center, and on bended knee presented her with a ring and asked the question. Two hidden friends filmed with their cell phones.”
After that: How could she say no?
jolantha’s halloween
If there’s a holiday, Jolantha celebrates it.
This Halloween, Hans Wilhelm — the popular Weston pig’s keeper — says, “With so much horror, war and suffering in the world and politics, Jolantha does not believe we need more skeletons, skulls, monsters or fear. Rrather, the wisdom of women (witches) and owls.”
(Photo/Hans Wilhelm)
STAPLES GRAD MARKETS WORLDHOTELS
Best Western is bringing more than 4,000 properties, across 18 brands, under one global umbrella: WorldHotels.
The woman telling the story is chief marketing officer — and 1996 Staples High School graduate — Joelle Heise Park
She’s helping oversee a redesigned website, new app and unified loyalty program, connecting 70 million members.
“Best Western is not getting replaced, and I want to be really clear about that,” Chief Marketing Officer of WorldHotels Joelle Park told USA TODAY. “It remains a core foundational brand.”
Click here for the full story — with quotes from Park — on USA Today. (Hat tip: Shirah Sklar)
OBITUARY: THOMAS DEAN
Thomas Dean died on Sunday at Stamford Hospital, after a brief battle with cancer. He was 55, and lived in Old Greenwich.
The youngest of 8 children, he was raised in Westport, Connecticut. As his mother’s last child, Janice doted on Tom. She threw him a grand 50th birthday celebration, unique among her children.
Though quiet by nature, he was the first to answer “I’ll be there” whenever the family came together.
After college Tom worked for Xerox and Chesebrough-Pond’s before joining Glencore, where he spent 27 years on the office services team.
During the pandemic he was one of the few employees considered essential, going into an empty office to keep things running for his colleagues working from home.
Tom met Andrea Orbanowski at Norwalk Community College. They shared 30 years together, 22 as husband and wife.
Their life centered on walks with their 4 dachshunds, time at Old Greenwich Tennis Academy and days at the beach.
The couple set sail on cruises each year. This past summer they traveled to Italy and the Mediterranean.
Tom is survived by his wife, Andrea; siblings Mark (Jaime), Christopher (Carline), Jayne Albani (Gaetano), Eric, Mary Ann Lindwall (Mark) and David (Alison Campbell); 19 nieces and nephews, and his dachshunds.
He was predeceased by his parents, Evan and Janice Dean, and his sister Jennifer Burke.
Funeral services will be held November 3 (9 a.m. Church of the Assumption). In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Tom’s memory to Lucky Dog Refuge, 36 Pulaski Street, Stamford, CT 06902.
Tom Dean
“westport … naturally” & SONG OF THE DAY
Yesterday morning, Dave Wilson headed to Sherwood Island.
Curious to see 20 or so people — many with telephoto lens cameras — crowded around a tree, he asked what was happening.
A knowledgeable birdwatcher told him: a vermilion flycatcher.
But not just any one. This was the first time such a bird has been seen in Connecticut.
The Connecticut Ornithological Association was on the case, Dave reports.
Dave checked a “Rare Bird Alert” social media page.
Sure enough, they confirmed the sighting. (Though they inaccurately described Sherwood Island as being in Fairfield.)
“Wowzers!” one birdwatcher wrote. “No mistaking that for anything else.”
Vermilion flycatcher at Sherwood Island. (Photo/Jo Fasciolo)
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And finally … the item about karaoke tonight at The Clubhouse got us wondering: What’s the most popular singalong tune?
It’s hard to ascertain, obviously.
But this year, according to Singa, it’s …
(Good times never seemed so good … as when you clicked here to support “06880.” Well, maybe a slight exaggeration, but you get the point. Thank you for whatever you do to help!)
