Sunday brought an epic flood.
Monday was spent cleaning up.
And learning that one damaged bridge may disrupt downtown traffic for up to 18 months.
The small, almost unnoticed, span on Jesup Road linking Imperial Avenue with the police station, Jesup Green, the Westport Library, Levitt Pavilion and Taylor parking lot — and a way to avoid the parallel Post Road — was severely damaged.
It’s early in the process. Further study is needed. But repairs — if necessary — could take up to a year and a half.
More information will be available as the process unfolds.
Small bridge on Jesup Road, at Imperial Avenue.
Off Church Lane, plenty of work remained.
And in Deadman Brook by Myrtle Avenue, a dumpster remained stuck.
(Photos/Sal Liccione)
While the rest of the town had dried out, however, significant standing water remained at Bradley Street and Fairfield Avenue.
Here’s a shot from yesterday afternoon, 24 hours after the rain ended:
As a reminder: Town officials ask residents affected by Sunday’s weather to report flood-related damage through the Connecticut Division of Emergency Management & Homeland Security Damage Self-Report.
This is a survey only. Submitting it is not a claim or request for assistance, and does not guarantee that disaster relief or other recovery assistance will be available.
Information collected will help state and local emergency management officials document the extent of the damage, and determine whether the State of Connecticut may be eligible for post-disaster programs through FEMA and/or the Small Business Administration.
Finally: CBS News sent a reporter to Westport, to document the cleanup effort. Interviewees included Sal Liccione and Morley Boyd — and a photo from our “06880” blog. (Hat tip: Jeff Mitchell)
Click here to see the CBS clip.
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After nearly 3 hours of debate, the issue of lights on athletic fields came into clearer focus last night.
Planning & Zoning Commission members discussed — in detail, with civility and plenty of back and forth — applications for 70-foot poles at PJ Romano and Wakeman Fields.
PJ Romano came first. The site behind Saugatuck Elementary School has elicited little public comment, because there are already temporary lights, and it is on well-traveled Riverside Avenue.
Traffic was more of a concern than noise. Commissioners insisted on a 9 p.m. weekend cutoff; no multi-team tournaments, and use restricted to Westport sports and Parks & Recreation Department activities. A straw vote showed 5 of the P&Z members in favor of the application.
Those and other restrictions will be clarified in writing by P&Z staff, and presented to the Commission on October 5 for a vote.
Temporary lights are currently used at PJ Romano Field. Here, a Westport PAL football team practices. (Photo/James Kingsley)
Wakeman — adjacent to Bedford Middle School — has elicited greater concern by neighbors.
Commissioners discussed the need for low-level lighting to ensure safety of players and parents once the lights are off; for audio limited to varsity games only (no practices), and to end once the game begins; a prohibition on multi-team tournaments; limited hours of usage, and the addition of several trees along the perimeter.
Another straw poll showed a majority in favor of the proposal, with those conditions. P&Z staff will clarify those conditions, and it too will be presented for an October 5 vote.
The Wakeman B turf field (left-center, above) is the only one that would be lit. (Drone photo/David Pogue)
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If you liked “Fiddler on the Roof,” you’ll love tonight’s (Tuesday) Westport Country Playhouse show.
It’s not “Fiddler” itself. Instead, Ari Axelrod offers a warm, witty and moving journey through the songs and stories of that classic production.
It’s called “My Year in Anatevka.” Click here or below for a preview.
Click here for tickets, and more information.
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Speaking of the Playhouse: Last night marked the first Script in Hand play reading of the season, with the premiere of “The Next Best Thing.”
The cast and crew. Front row (from left): Mia Dillon, Ayla Kopp, Tina Johnson, Hauako Stepper, Cindy Cheung, Grant Shaud, Alicia Thompson. Rear: Director Mark Shanahan, playwright Matt Hoverman. (Photo/Kelsey McFarland)
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This year — as every year — LobsterFest is sold out.
So this is not a plug for tickets. It’s just an interesting update.
On Saturday, Compo Beach will welcome 1,500 guests for Westport Rotary Club’s annual event.
In celebration of its 15th year, Rotarians recently presented 1st Selectman Kevin Christie with an official LobsterFest hat.
From left: 1st Selectman Kevin Christie, LobsterFest chair Denise Thomas, Rotarian extraordinaire Rick Benson (in lobster suit), president Ron Henkoff, and LobsterFest entertainment chair Robert Augustyn. (Photo/Dave Matlow)
As the afternoon nears, Rotary offers heartfelt thanks to the Westport community for its overwhelming support.
LobsterFest’s sponsors have been exceptionally generous. This year’s event will raise over $400,000.
Special help comes from the Westport Fire and Police Departments and Emergency Medical Services, and many children’s entertainers (some work gratis).
The success of LobsterFest depends on over 200 volunteers. A few spots remain. Click here to sign up.
In other Rotary news, they’ve announced the winner of their lobster-naming contest.
It’s … Clawdia!
Congratulations to Vienna Tranquillo of Oxford. She earns a $25 gift certificate to The Sandbar at Compo Beach.
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There’s always something cookin’ at Wakeman Town Farm.
And not just in the kitchen.
Coming up this fall:
- Trick or Treat + Eat: A Spooky Halloween One-off Special Kids’ Cooking Class (October 16)
- Session 2: Flavors of Winter, Kids’ Cooking Series for Grades 3-7 (Starts October 28)
- Beer Garden (October 18)
- Pies for Good: Thanksgiving Pie & Ice Cream Sale for charity (November 3-21).
- Late Fall Farm Dinner with Chef Genee Habansky, Herbaceous Catering (November 5)
- Fall Session 2: 6-week Cooking Series for Minis (Grades K-2) (Starts November 9)
Click here for details and registration.
And don’t forget: The WTF farm stand is open every Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., through October.
Looking ahead, at Wakeman Town Farm.
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For 27 years, “Booked for the Evening” BOOKED for the evening has served as
the Westport Library’s signature celebration of ideas, achievement and community.
What began as a fundraising event has evolved into a cherished tradition that reflects the heart of the Library’s mission: fostering a love of learning, inspiring curiosity, and expanding our understanding of the world.
Each year, BOOKED brings together Library supporters, town leaders, cultural advocates and others for a night honoring a man or woman whose work has
made a lasting impact on society.
Tom Brokaw, E.L. Doctorow, Billie Jean King, Calvin Trillin, Wendy Wasserstein, Pete Hamill, Martin Scorsese, Doris Kearns Goodwin, David Halberstam, Patti Smith, Nile Rodgers, Lynsey Addario, Ron Chernow, Alan Alda, Justin Paul and Itzhak Perlman are just some of the honorees over the past quarter century.
This year, the Westport Library honors award-winning director, actress, choreographer, producer and cultural icon Debbie Allen. The event is Wednesday, October 28.
She is perhaps best known as dance instructor Lydia Grant in the 1982 series “Fame.” She was also the show’s principal choreographer.
Allen has earned 3 Emmys, a Golden Globe, 5 NAACP Image Awards, a Drama Desk honor, the first-ever Astaire Award for Best Dancer, 4 honorary doctorates, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
She has choreographed the Academy Awards 10 times, directed and produced episodes of “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Scandal” and “A Different World,” and was the creative force behind Steven Spielberg’s “Amistad.”
Appointed by President George W. Bush as a Cultural Ambassador of Dance, Allen spent more than 15 years as an artist-in-residence at the Kennedy Center.
She’ll be in conversation with Shonda Rhimes. The noted TV creator, producer, author, CEO of global media company Shondaland — and a Westporter — was the 2022 “Booked” honoree.
Click here for tickets, and more information on this year’s “Booked for the Evening” celebration.
Debbie Allen (Photo/Marvin Joseph for the Washington Post)
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Business leaders, professionals and community members are invited to he next Executive Network Series event.
VTB Financial Group and Prestige Cabinetry & Design host the September 29 gathering (6 to 9 p.m., Rizzuto’s). It’s a benefit for Ann’s Place, a non-profit providing support and resources for individuals and families impacted by cancer.
Click here for details and registration.
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Pianist Marc Copland headlines this week’s Jazz at the Post (Thursday, 7:30 and 8:45 p.m., VFW Post 399; dinner service at 6:45). Bassist Yuriy Galkin, pianist Steve Johns and saxophonist Greg Wall join in.
Click here for tickets, and more information.
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Maryssa Miller sends today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo, and writes: “Every sunny afternoon, this little guy comes out of his home and perches in the same exact spot on the stone wall in my backyard to get some sun.
“Then he goes right back to wherever he lives. He’s been doing this since early August.
“I’m going to be moving in town soon. I’ll miss seeing him every day!”
(Photo/Maryssa Miller)
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And finally … in honor of tonight’s Westport Country Playhouse “Year in Anatevka” (story above):
(If I were a rich man … I wouldn’t have to suggest that readers help support this blog they read every day. But I’m not, so I do. Here goes: Please click here. And thank you!)
