Category Archives: Environment

Roundup: College Protests, Mother’s Day, Robbie Mustoe …

Posted on April 27, 2024 | 5 comments

Westport college students are on both sides of the protests roiling campuses nationwide.

One made it into the Washington Post.

Reporting from the University of Texas, where Governor Greg Abbott is sending in troops, the paper quoted students who called his actions politically opportunistic.

However, the Post said: “Not every student found the response unsettling.

“Lily Caplan, 19, a sophomore journalism major from Westport, Conn., joined fellow members of Longhorn Students for Israel at a counter-protest next to the pro-Palestinian gathering Thursday, waving Israeli flags and chanting ‘Bring them home now’ — a reference to Jewish hostages in Gaza.

“‘Yesterday we saw a totally different response than other universities around the country and me, as a Jewish student, I was so grateful for that. Don’t mess with Texas,’ she said, echoing a state slogan as she stood in a circle with other counter-protesters.

“Caplan said she was reassured by support from Abbott and university president Jay Hartzell.

Click here for the full Washington Post story. (Hat tip: Douglass Davidoff)

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Husbands and kids’ alert: Mother’s Day is May 12.

Westport Marketplace has the holiday covered. Brunch spots, spas, chocolates, other gifts and more are all in a handy list. Click here to see — then act!

The mom in your life will thank you.

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Officer Joe Saponare of Westport Animal Control wants Westporters to know: “All wildlife animals — especially coyotes — will be out more now, both day and night, searching for food because of their newborn babies.”

He suggests taking dogs out on leashes. Owners of little dogs should be especially vigilant.

Compo Beach coyote. (Photo/Richard Gabor)

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Soccer fans around the US know Robbie Mustoe as a keen-eyed commentator on NBC Sports’ Premier League coverage. Soccer fans around the world know that he’s a former English professional player.

Westporters know him as our neighbor — and a golfer.

He may not have scored the winning goal at Wembley. But on Monday he did the next best thing: He got a hole-in-one.

Don’t take our word for it. Here’s what he posted on X:

(Hat tip: David Groner)

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Tonight is A Better Chance of Westport’s annual Dream Event (Saturday, 6:30 p.m., Westport Library).

If you’re going, you know it will be an inspirational evening. But those not there can still take part in a great online auction.

Broadway and Yankees tickets, golf, Arabian horse lessons and more are up for bid. Just click here, then click “Not attending” and follow the prompts.

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ABC’s Dream Event is just one of many galas this spring. All are important, for excellent causes.

But the Westport Weston Family YMCA is hosting an “Extra Special Spring Bash” on May 4 (6 to 8:30 p.m.).

The evening is tailored to students ages 12-18 with disabilities. 

The Y promises fun and excitement, with food, a photo booth, gift bags and a DJ.

Students will be partnered with a student volunteer buddies who spend the evening with them. Parents can stay in a separate room where they can mingle, and enjoy refreshments.

Click here to register, and for more information.

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Jesse Terry and Sam Robbins share the bill next Saturday (May 4, 8 p.m.), at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Westport’s Voices Café.

Terry — a full-time touring artist for well over a decade, and Wilton native — has been called “a gentle soul with a formidable songwriting talent and a clear artistic vision.”

Sam Robbins is based in Nashville. He brings a modern, upbeat edge as a storytelling troubadour.

The concert supports local social justice programs. Click here for tickets, and more information.

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That’s not Sam Robbins’ only upcoming Westport appearance.

Carolyn Miller runs Westport-based Meals for Music. The non-profit provides free meals to touring musicians.

Their first fundraiser is May 8 (7:45 p.m.) at Fairfield Theatre Company. Damn Tall Building — and Robbins — provide the entertainment. (And presumably will eat well.)

Click here for tickets, and more information.

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Speaking of entertainment: Nearly 300 musicians have signed a letter, urging US senators to help fix the broken concert ticketing system.

Three of the them — more than 1% of all of signees — have Westport connections. Nile Rodgers lives here. And Billie Eilish and Finneas’ father, Patrick O’Connell, is a 1975 Staples High School graduate.

They’re in good company. Other signers include Duran Duran, Fall Out Boy, Graham Nash, Green Day, Cyndi Lauper, Indigo Girls, Jason Mraz, Siaand Lorde. (Hat tip: Mark Mathias)

Finneas has some Westport roots.

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Johanna Keyser Rossi loves Burying Hill Beach.

The other day, she noticed that artificial flowers placed along the fence at the top of the hill had been removed.

She thought they were a tribute or memorial to someone, and was sad to see them gone.

Yesterday, to her delight, someone — the same person perhaps, or someone else — had replaced them.

Beautifully.

(Photo/Johanna Keyser Rossi)

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Sometimes the Fresh Market osprey leaves its nest to fish.

Sometimes it just wants a change of pace, from its platform in a busy parking lot.

Hilary Ellis spotted today’s “Westport … Naturally” scene on Spicer Road.

(Photo/Hilary Ellis)

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And finally … Mike Pinder, founding keyboardist of the Moody Blues, died this week in California. He was 82. Click here for a full obituary.

(Go now! But before you do, please click here to support “06880” — your hyper-local blog. Thank you!)

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Posted in Beach, Education, Environment, Longshore, Politics, YMCA

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Roundup: AEDs, HWH, NAACP, KES …

Posted on April 26, 2024 | 6 comments

The Westport Fire Department did not have to travel far Wednesday night.

They — and a couple of hundred Westport friends — gathered at Autostrada, next door.

The classic car-and-event space was filled for the Westport Uniformed Firefighters Charitable Foundation’s 2nd annual whiskey tasting fundraiser.

The cause was a great one: $80,000, to replace 55 Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs), in every fire, police and ambulance in town.

The turnout — and vibe — was fantastic. And though the mood was festive, it was important too to hear Deputy Fire Chief Nick Marsan’s description of lives that have been saved by AEDs.

One grateful woman — 34 years old — returned to the fire station to thank him. With her 4- and 2-year-old sons.

Raising money for AEDs is something the firefighters do, above and beyond the call of duty. Last night, Westport toasted them in style.

First responders, town officials and friends at the firefighters’ gala.

Checking out auction items — and classic cars — at Autostrada.

From left: Firefighters Eric LaRiviere, Rob Lenois, Ryan Farrell, Pete Nichio and Shareef Conjura. Lenois is president of the Westport Uniformed Firefighters Charitable Foundation. (Photos/John Videler for Videler Photography)

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If you missed Homes with Hope‘s fantastic video — celebrating the non-profit’s 40 year history, from a controversial small men’s shelter to a supportive housing institution supported by the entire town — you’re in luck.

It will be screened again on June 9 (2 p.m., Christ & Holy Trinity Church). It’s a fascinating look at changing attitudes toward homelessness and hunger, as told by the men and women who have worked for 4 decades to end it here.

Also in Homes with Hope news: Yesterday, the Westport Downtown Association presented the organization with a check for $20,000. The generous proceeds come from last month’s Fashionably Westport event, at the Westport Library.

The donation will help expand Homes with Hope’s pantry, and bring back the Project Return program — along with all the other good works HwH does.

Westport Downtown Association president Maxx Crowley and Homes with Hope CEO Helen McAlinden (5th and 6th from left), and representatives of the 2 organizations, with their $20,000 check.

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The Connecticut NAACP State Conference and Greater Norwalk NAACP branch have organized a “town hall meeting” to address “concerns and experiences related to racism in the community.”

It’s set for May 9 (6 p.m., Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Westport).

Norwalk NAACP president Brenda Penn-Williams told Nancy on Norwalk: “Individuals throughout Fairfield County are invited to participate and voice their perspectives on combating racism in our society. The initiative stems from recent allegations around incidents of racist bullying, which have deeply affected families in the Westport community….

“This event aims to create a platform for open dialogue, advocacy, and solidarity against racism. It will provide a space for community members to share their stories, offer support, and advocate for meaningful change to combat racism.

“The Town Hall meeting will serve as a collective effort to address racism as a community-wide issue and promote inclusivity, equity, and respect for all individuals. Join us on May 9 to stand together against racism and work towards a more just society.” (Hat tip: Sal Liccione)

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The Westport Country Playhouse continues to add intriguing new events.

“Girl Rising” celebrates the untapped potential of girls to address the world’s urgent challenges, like climate change (May 29, 7 p.m.; click here for tickets and more information).

The evening features screenings of portions of the documentary “Girl Rising,” which helped spark a global movement for girls’ education. Girl Rising’s co-founder and CEO Christina Lowery will be on hand with young advocates for girls’ rights, education equity, and climate justice, to tell powerful stories and engage in empowering conversation.

Following February’s sold-out Swiftie singalong, “A Night for Swifties & More” takes the stage June 1 (7 p.m.; click here for tickets and more information).

Drew Wutke’s powerhouse band returns, with Broadway singers and beyond. At 5:30 before the show, there’s friendship bracelet-making, a photo both, other activities and live music.

The New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players present “The Pirates of Penzance in One Act and an Evening of Gilbert & Sullivan Players” (June 28, 7:30 p.m.; June 29, 2 p.m.; click here for tickets and more information). The performers will take audience requests, too.

“Imagination Movers” offers the fun of one of their concerts — it’s kids’ music at its best. A limited number of pre-show meet-and-greet tickets are available too (September 22, 1 p.m.; click here for tickets and more information).

Girl Rising, at the Westport Country Playhouse.

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Kings Highway Elementary School students, staff members and parents celebrated Earth Day on Tuesday. Among the highlights:

  • “Zero Hero Helper” students were honored for their work keeping the school clean, through litter removal, lunch room composting and food rescuing.
  • Mother Earth Melodies: Music teacher Amy Laurino led students in Earth Day songs.
  • The Science of Seeds: Science coach Kate Romano shared updates on the planting in the new science garden center.
  • Food Rescue: Priscilla Jones, math and workshop teacher, described how this year KHS has donated over 1,400 pounds of uneaten food to the Food Rescue US Fairfield County.
  • Cans to Coins: KHS is collecting redeemable cans and plastic bottles throughout April. Proceeds will be donated to World Bicycle Relief to complement their One School One Book project. Cans and bottles redeemed so far have enabled students to send $160 to Lucy Ackemann from Food Rescue US.

Kings Highway Elementary students celebrate Earth Day.

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Also celebrating Earth Day: Rindy Higgins.

The Westport Shellfish Commission member and Saugatuck Shores resident headed to Canal Beach at low tide. She cleaned up the large stake (photo below),  plus “lots of little bitty plastics and metals, Styrofoam, cardboards, and tar road chunks.”

The good news: She collected “much, much less than last year.”

Rindy Higgins, and her Canal Beach haul.

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“Civil War” — the new film generating tons of buzz — offers a new take on social collapse. It follows 4 journalists on a road trip from New York to Washington,

The central character is Lee (Kirsten Dunst), a photojournalist.

So when “On the Media” — WNYC’s popular radio show and podcast — wanted to dive deeper, they went to one of the world’s most talented and honored photojournalists: Lynsey Addario.

The Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times staff member — who has photographed harrowing scenes in Ukraine, the Middle East and Africa, and is a 1991 Staples High School graduate — talked with Brooke Gladstone about her experiences covering wars abroad, and how accurately the film depicts reporting during conflict.

Click here to listen. (Hat tip: Paul Lowenstein)

Lynsey Addario, on Fox News. 

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Speaking of Staples: Students Anna Ji, Andrew Rebello and Jackson Tracey will represent their high school at the Hwa Chong Institution’s Asia-Pacific Young Leaders’ Summit in July.

Principal Stafford Thomas will accompany the delegates to the conference, in Singapore.

Each year, HCI invites 80 top student leaders from leading schools around the world.

For the past 11 years, Westport has been invited to send 3 juniors who are high performing academically and interested in world affairs, with a special interest in Asia. Congratulations to Anna, Andrew and Jackson!

From left: Anna Ji, Andrew Rebello, Jackson Tracey.

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Mark Mathias writes: “One of the unofficial ways Winslow Park operates is as a lost and found, on top of the (unfortunately empty) AED box.

“Last week there was a key to a Mini. Today, there’s a key to a Mini and a Jeep.

“Anyone want a car?”

(Photo/Mark Mathias)

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Read to Grow is a non-profit organization with one mission: embracing literacy from birth.

They profit with 17 hospitals to provide babies with their first book, and parents with educational materials to guide them as their babies’ first and best teachers.

In addition, a books-for-kids program enables anyone in Connecticut to request books for their home, while a bookmobile allows children to select books to take home.

Read to Grow hosts a fun fundraiser on May 2 (Westport Library, 6 p.m.). Highlights include food and drinks based children’s books, from Zucca Gastrobar; games of chance; music by Andrew Maskoff, and a silent auction.

TikTok-famous librarian Mychal Threets will be there, along with noted local author Victoria Kahn. Longtime New York radio celebrity Ian O’Malley hosts.

For tickets and more information, click here.

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Radio host, actor and author (“Happier Made Simple”) Randye Kaye gave a humorous and interactive presentation to the Westport Rotary Club lunch meeting on Tuesday. The topic was “What’s EI Got To Do With It.”

Kaye said that emotional intelligence and human connection are the keys to achieving joy, and surviving tough times.

She led the Rotarians through exercises to show how changing perceptions and thoughts about a situation can also change emotional reactions.

Randye Kaye, at the Westport Rotary Club. (Photo/Ellin Curley)

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Tulips are beautiful.

But they don’t stay around long.

So when we see a great photo like Patti Brill’s, we grab it for “Westport … Naturally.”

Enjoy this scene, from Saugatuck Shores:

(Photo/Patti Brill)

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And finally … On this date in 1969, the Edwin Hawkins Singers’ “Oh Happy Day” entered the Hot 100 at #72. It was the first pure gospel song to make that chart. It went on to reach #4, and became an international hit.

(It’s a happy day when readers support “06880.” If you enjoy our work, please click here to help. Thank you!)

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Posted in Education, Entertainment, Environment, Media, Staples HS, Westport Country Playhouse

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Roundup: Dunville’s, James Comey, Henry Wynne …

Posted on April 23, 2024 | 43 comments

Dunville’s has been around for over 40 years.

And — under the leadership of Doug Grabe, who owns 5 Little Pubs and has now taken over operation of the Saugatuck landmark — it aims to be around for at least 40 more.

But not every restaurant makes it that long.

Even the landmarks.

To honor them, Dunville’s has unveiled a new “icons mural.”

Some flourished nearby. Others were across town.

All are gone, but warmly remembered.

There’s still some room left.

Any suggestions? Click “Comments” below.

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James Comey returns to Westport on May 23.

The former FBI director will be at the Westport Library. He’ll discuss his new book with TV host (and Westporter) Dave Briggs.

Comey’s book is called “Westport.” The suspense thriller features Nora Carleton, lead counsel at Saugatuck Associates, the world’s largest hedge fund.

What a coincidence! Before entering government service, Comey was general counsel of Bridgewater Associates — the world’s largest hedge fund. He and his family lived in Greens Farms, just a couple of miles from his office.

Click here for more information, and to register. Books will be available for purchase at the event.

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Henry Wynne has set many Connecticut and collegiate running records.

Now he’s part of a new world mark.

The 2013 Staples High School and 2017 University of Virginia graduate anchored the Brooks Beasts team that won the men’s distance relay at Friday night’s Oregon Relays.

Their 9:14.58 time sliced nearly a second off the record that stood for nearly a decade: 9:15.50.

It’s not his first world record, either. In 2019, Wynne’s Brooks Beast team won the 4 x 1 mile relay in 16:03.68, smashing the previous mark by as astonishing 9.13 seconds.

Wynne covered the 1600 meters — the longest leg of the 4 runners — in 3:52.64.

He told DyeStat.com that he fed off the energy of the crowd. “It was pressure,” Wynne said, “but such a fun atmosphere.”

Teammate Brandon Miller said: “Seeing Henry, that last 200, pulling away from the lights – it was so hype for me and the boys. It was a dream come true.”

(Click here for the full story. Click here for a video of Oregon Relays highlights. Hat tip: Jeff Mitchell)

Henry Wynne crosses the finish line, with a world record. (Photo/Becky Holbrook courtesy of DyeStat.com)

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Earth Day was yesterday.

But the celebration continues this Saturday (April 27, 10 a.m.)

Members of the Westport Police and Fire Departments, Staples Service League of Boys, Police Athletic League, VFW Post 399, Sons of the American Legion Westport Animal Shelter Advocates will gather at the animal control building on Elaine Road (off Compo Road South, between the I-95 underpass and railroad tracks), for a trash pick-up.

Even more help is needed. The area — which includes the state boat launch — is a mess.

Bring gloves and trash bags. Questions? Email acolabellartm4@gmail.com.

Westporters of all ages — including RTM member and organizer Andrew Colabella (standing on trash bags) and Police Chief Foti Koskinas (2nd from right) turned out for an earlier trash pick-up. Among the items: the large discarded signs (left).

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Compo Beach was almost empty on Sunday.

There were hundreds of parking spots.

This should not have been one of them:

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A home on Pumpkin Hill is well known for its lawn signs. They celebrate big events: Halloween, Thanksgiving, graduations.

Yesterday, it was Passover.

(Photo/Ed Simek)

“06880” can’t say it with as much spirit as the sign shows, but: “Sameach Pesach!”

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Westport loves our ospreys.

The most famous pair nest on a tower next to Fresh Market. Others find homes on platforms at Burying Hill Beach and Sherwood Island State Park, drawing admiring gazes from springtime visitors.

Another osprey couple is less visible. Johanna Keyser Rossi’s eagle eyes (ho ho) spotted them high up on the cell tower next to the Westport Weston Family YMCA.

(Photo/Johanna Keyser Rossi)

It’s nowhere near as beautiful as the beachside nests.

But for these 2 raptors, it’s home.

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What’s for lunch?

Johanna Keyser Rossi doesn’t know if it’s an eel or a snake. But her Saugatuck River photo is definitely an intriguing addition to our “Westport … Naturally” series.

(Photo/Johanna Keyser Rossi)

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And finally … today is the birthday of the amazing Roy Orbison. He died far too young of heart failure in 1988. He was just 52.

The man Elvis Presley called “the greatest singer in the world” had a 4-octave range, earning him the nickname “the Caruso of Rock.”

In fact, music scholars say, Orbison and Enrico Caruso were the only 20th century tenors capable of hitting E over high C.

(“06880” can’t sing as well as Roy Orbison. But we’ve got pretty good range — at least, for our coverage of all things Westport. Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)

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Posted in Beach, Environment, Library, religion, Restaurants, Sports, Staples HS

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RTM Petition: Restore Community Gardeners’ Hours

Posted on April 22, 2024 | 35 comments

On April 3, Westport’s Parks & Recreation Commission adopted a regulation restricting access to non-school personnel and guests, on schools and adjacent property, between 7:30 a.m. and 4:15 p.m.

The Board of Selectwomen approved the regulation on April 10.

The Westport Community Gardens, near Long Lots Elementary School, is among the sites impacted by the new rule.

Toni Simonetti — a 23-year town resident, and longtime Gardens member — has petitioned the Westport Representative Town Meeting to reject the regulation, or modify it to restore prior hours of operation for the Community Gardens. (Gardeners were previously restricted from 8-9 a.m. and 3-4 p.m. only, when school was in session.)

The RTM has not published the agenda for its May meeting yet. Simonetti’s petition has 24 signatures.

Simonetti hopes members will examine these points:

— The Westport Community Gardens are “non-school grounds, but rather public town land adjacent to a school but a great distance from the school building and outdoor play area.”

— The garden is fenced and locked. No other part of the property, encompassing the entire perimeter, has a security barrier. Bauer Place is “within a few feet of the school’s’ playground.”

— Only Garden members can unlock the gate. The combination is changed each season.

The Westport Community Gardens gate. (Photo/Peter J. Swift)

— “Members and registered guests, restricted to town residents and employees, are screened by the garden’s Steering Committee; names and addresses are submitted to the town of Westport for sex offender status. Those approved must carry a hand pass while in the garden when school is in session. The town
knows exactly who the gardeners are and where they live. This is a significant security measure that far exceeds any other public space in Westport — including the unrestrained and unrestricted access that Compo provides anyone from anywhere to approach the hundreds of children (and staff) at Camp Compo.”

— There have been no “untoward incidents” in the Gardens’ 20 years at the Hyde Lane location.

— Gardeners can actually serve as “a valuable early notification adjunct for school resource officers and local law enforcement.”

— “Resources are better spent securing the grounds at more exposed school sites such as Greens Farms, Saugatuck and Kings Highway Elementary Schools.”

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Posted in Education, Environment, Local politics

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Shreyas Gorre Serves To Sustain

Posted on April 21, 2024 | 7 comments

“Tennis” and “sustainability” don’t often go together.

But in the US alone, 125 million tennis balls are tossed into landfills each year. That’s about 20,000 metric tons of rubber waste.

Serve2Sustain is a national student-led non-profit aimed at making tennis an eco-friendly sport.

And it’s led by teenagers, right here in Westport.

Serve2Sustain chapters work with local tennis clubs to collect used balls. They’re sent to a facility where machinery separates materials for reuse. They then go to RecycleBalls and Laykold, which supplies tennis courts for events like the US Open.

The companies grind the rubber into crumbs used to construct courts.

Student chapters raise money to cover the cost of shipping balls to recycling centers, and collects balls from local tennis clubs.

Serve2Sustain was founded by Staples High School junior Shreyas Gorre and Ari Fayne, a sophomore in Chicago. Both avid tennis player, they met through the Wharton Global Youth Program at the University of Pennsylvania, where they studied entrepreneurship.

Shreyas’ Staples friends (and Wrecker tennis teammates) Lucas Ceballos-Cala and Noah Wolff, are national vice presidents of operations and outreach, respectively.

Shreyas Gorre drops off used tennis balls, at the UPS Store.

The Staples chapter has partnered with Intensity Racquet Club and Westchester Tennis Center in Port Chester.

Every month, members pick up used tennis balls, and ship them off.

Looking ahead, they hope to add more clubs (and players) to help. To help, or ask questions, email serve2sustain@gmail.com. To donate, click here. To learn more about Serve2Sustain’s national operations, click here.

(“06880” is where Westport — and the environment, sports, and more — all meet. If you enjoy this hyper-local blog, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)

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Posted in Environment, Sports, Staples HS

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Pics Of The Day #2559

Posted on April 20, 2024 | 2 comments

One view of life near Willowbrook Cemetery …

… and another (Photos/Claudia Sherwood Servidio)

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Posted in Environment, Pic of the Day

Tagged ,

Save Cockenoe From Mile-a-Minute

Posted on April 20, 2024 | 5 comments

Since graduating from Greens Farms Academy in 2003, Sefra Alexandra has been on a mission: preparing people around the globe to survive.

Jesse Levin and Sefra Alexandra.

She and her twin brother Jesse Levin have brought “readiness skills” to the veteran, disaster response and entrepreneurial communities.

As part of their efforts, their company Tactivate outfitted customers with gear, and offered advice and training for every conceivable emergency, at a Bedford Square pop-up shop.

Their Norwalk-based Readiness Collective invites residents to train and learn alongside medics, veterans and first responders, in a “fun club-like environment.”

But Sefra cares about the environment too.

As the lead “boatanist” — not “botanist” — of the Boatanical Expedition, she coordinates The Ecotype Project. They grow seed crops of Connecticut’s native pollinator plants, bringing them to nursery growers and homeowners to produce plants that restore native pollinator habitat.

In 2021 they paddled in outrigger canoes down the Connecticut River to Long Island Sound. Along the way they removed invasive species, and spread “the seeds of ecological resilience.”

Of course, rivers are not the only places under threat.

Cockenoe Island is rife with “mile-a-minute.” The vine smothers other herbaceous plants, shrubs, even trees, by growing over them, almost as quickly as the name implies. (Click here to learn more.)

Mile-a-minute is a very invasive species.

On Friday, April 26, the Boatanical Expedition invites residents to paddle to Cockenoe Island, where they’ll remove mile-a-minute.

The date is significant: It’s the 247th anniversary of the Battle of Compo Hill. On that day in 1777 local Minute Men fought Redcoats, on their way back from burning the patriots’ Danbury arsenal.

British ships were anchored off Compo Beach, not far from Cockenoe.

Sefra calls the upcoming event “The Minute WoMan Mile to Fight Off Mile-a-Minute.”

It’s a clunky name, but it includes all the main ideas: Minute Men. Mile-a-Minute. Cockenoe Island, a mile off shore. And women are more than welcome.

RSVP to theboatanists@gmail.com, to reserve a spot. Bring a canoe, paddleboard or kayak, plus a life jacket, canteen, gardening gloves and vine removing tools.

Sefra — and the planet — thank you.

(From the Revolutionary War in 1777 to Cockenoe Island in 2024, “06880” is where Westport meets the world — every day. Please click here to support our work. Thank you!) 

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Posted in Beach, Environment, History

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Roundup: Tennis & Pickleball, Free Saplings, House Fire …

Posted on April 18, 2024 | Leave a comment

This week’s spring weather has Westporters ready to play outdoors — the 1% who were still in town anyway, during the schools’ annual spring break.

Those who headed to the Doubleday tennis courts behind Saugatuck Elementary, or the pickleball courts at Compo Beach, were disappointed. Both facilities were closed.

Westport’s Parks & Recreation Department explains:

“Due to the weather over the winter, with large fluctuations of cold and warm temperatures and little snow to insulate the court surface, the Doubleday courts sustained damage beyond what was anticipated. The damage consists of cracks, as well as shifting, lifting, and bunching of material used in prior crack repairs.”

Due to the safety risk, those courts were closed. Nighttime temperatures are still too cold for repairs.

With other tennis courts in the area in a similar situation, companies are booked until late July.

A rough estimate to repair the cracks is $55,000 — and they “would not be expected to last much beyond this fall,” Parks & Rec officials say.

They’ve moved the replacement of the Doubleday courts up a year, in their capital plan.

The new courts will be built with post-tension concrete. They typically last over 20 years without the need for crack repair.

The department is working on the bid document. They hope to begin construction in late summer or early fall.

The Compo pickleball courts, meanwhile, are being redone with all new asphalt, net posts, nets and painting.

The asphalt will need to cure for 28 days, then painted with temporary lines. Opening day is set for around Memorial Day.

“We understand this will be an inconvenience,” Parks & Rec says.

“But believe we are taking the most fiscally responsible path forward, with a result that will be beneficial to all court users.”

Doubleday tennis courts, and PJ Romano Field.

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Happy Arbor Day!

The Westport Tree Board will hand out free saplings on Friday April 26 (3 to 5 p.m., Town Hall rear parking lot).

We’ve lost so many trees recently, to new construction, storms and simple old age. This is welcome news indeed.

In 2014, a cherry tree was planted in front of Town Hall. Saplings will be given away there on April 26.

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Yesterday morning, the Westport Fire Department responded to a structure fire on Hunt Club Lane, off Maple Avenue North.

Responding units found a 2-story home with heavy smoke coming from 3 sides, with evidence of a possible explosion from inside.

Two injured occupants had already gotten out of the home.

Firefighters contained the blaze to the basement, but heavy smoke filled the home.

The building was ventilated and monitored for carbon monoxide.

Westport Police and EMS treated and transported the 2 occupants to the hospital, with unknown injuries.

Assistance from Wilton, Fairfield and Norwalk Fire Departments allowed simultaneous calls to be handled while Westport units were on scene. The last WFD unit cleared the scene at 1:30 p.m.

The fire is under investigation by the Westport Fire Marshal’s office.

Hunt Club Lane fire. (Photo courtesy of Westport Fire Department)

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In the latest chocolate news, Le Rouge by Aarti is Connecticut’s representative on EatThisNotThat.com’s list of “The Best Chocolate Cake in Every State.”

It says:

Aarti Khosla created Cafe Le Rouge in Westport to blend the flavors of her home country of India with chocolate. Her website says she wanted to “capture the flavors from around the world in the divine language of chocolate.”

Her Kentucky Bourbon Chocolate Ganache cake speaks that language well. The chocolatier modeled this cake after a popular truffle, rich, chocolatey, and infused with Kentucky bourbon.

Click here for the 49 other best chocolate cakes.

Aarti’s best-in-state cake.

Mashed followed up with another honor: a mention in “The Absolute Best Chocolate Cakes in America, According to Foodies.”

Here’s that writeup:

Le Rouge Chocolates by Aarti may be in Connecticut, but they sure know their Kentucky bourbon, as evidenced by the fact that the shop’s Kentucky bourbon truffles are their most-ordered truffle variety. So, on the heels of that success, Le Rouge Chocolates by Aarti baked up a ganache cake infused with the same Kentucky bourbon.

Made with white chocolate or dark chocolate ganache (although they recommend the white chocolate), the $45-$65 cake can also be adorned with pecans. However, you’ll have to make a trip to the Constitution State to get it, since it can’t be shipped like some of the shop’s other products.

And if you make your own chocolate ganache at home and you can’t understand why it’s not coming out right, this may be why your chocolate ganache’s texture is off.

Baker and founder Aarti Khosla makes all of her desserts in small batches to ensure quality, and she also hand-paints and hand-decorates them, so you know your Kentucky Bourbon Chocolate Ganache Cake is one that’s made with love. Plus, she only uses fair-trade dark chocolate, so you know it’s ethical, too.

Click here for the rest of that story.

But wait! There’s more!

On Tuesday, Congressman Jim Himes informed Aarti that, as part of his recognition of Women’s History Month, she’d been nominated as a female leader.

Himes called her Aarti “a role model, source of inspiration, and an integral part of the community.”

To learn more about Aarti (and her Le Rouge chocolate shop), click here.

Aarti Khosla

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Westport Police made 1 custodial arrest between April 10 and 17.

A 26-year-old Stamford woman was arrest for larceny, and conspiracy to commit larceny, after a fraudulent check was deposited into a First County Bank account, and funds were then withdrawn from it. An alleged co-conspirator had already been arrested for the same incident.

Westport Police also issued these citations:

  • Speeding: 6 citations
  • Traveling unreasonably fast: 6
  • Failure to obey stop sign: 3
  • Operating a motor vehicle under suspension: 3
  • Operating an unregistered motor vehicle: 3
  • Failure to drive in the proper lane: 2
  • Driving while texting: 1
  • Distracted driving: 1
  • Traveling too fast for conditions: 1
  • Operating a motor vehicle to endanger an occupant: 1
  • Following too closely: 1
  • Illegal passing on the right: 1
  • Operating a motor vehicle without a license: 1
  • Operating a motor vehicle without minimum insurance: 1
  • Failure to renew registration: 1
  • Violation of license class: 1

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The Westport Library’s spring book sale returns Friday, May 17. The always-jammed event runs through Monday, May 20.

It includes thousands of “gently used” books for children and adults in over 50 categories of non-fiction and fiction, plus vinyl, CDs, movie and television DVDs, and more.

Of special interest:

  • A large collection of philosophy books from the library of a retired professor, along with books on Eastern and Native American spirituality,
  • An extensive collection of history books, especially military history, with many very scarce titles. The focus on World War II encompasses illustrated studies of aircraft, weaponry, ships and combat vehicles.
  • A large assortment of framed artwork, from small desktop pieces to large wall ones.
  • A huge assortment of jigsaw puzzles.
  • A small number of laser videodiscs ($3 to $5).
  • The “Fiction for $1” room: hardcover fiction, mystery, science fiction, fantasy books, young adult, plus paperback novels.

Click here for hours, and more information.

A small part of the large Westport Library book sale. (Photo/Dan Woog)

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Every Thursday is special at VFW Joseph J. Clinton Post 399: It’s “Jazz at the Post,” with an all-star selection of great musicians.

But May 9 is extra special. That’s JazzFC’s annual “Blow-Out Bash” fundraiser. Over 20 stellar performers are already confirmed. The show runs from 7 to 11 p.m.

Paul Bollenback, Michael Mossman, Melissa Newman, Greg “The Jazz Rabbi” Wall, Janice Friedman head the long list. Bridgeport’s Keys Music Jazz Ensemble opens the concert.

All proceeds benefit JazzFC’s educational clinics for students from Westport to Bridgeport, the JazzFC Scholarship Fund, outreach concerts to seniors and other underserved groups, and weekly concerts in Westport.

Tickets — including a special expanded dinner, begin at $100 (early bird price, until April 26).

A $250 sponsor ticket includes preferred seating, a festive dinner and listing in the program.

$500 benefactor tickets include premium preferred seating, dinner, an hour- hour jazz lesson or listening session with the Jazz Rabbi, and listing in event booklet.

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In 1926 Agatha Christie vanished, then reappeared 11 days later, without explanation.

It was a tabloid sensation. Nearly a century later, the myster remains unsolved.

That’s the back story for the Westport Country Playhouse’s next Script in Hand reading (May 13, 7 p.m.): “Mrs. Christie.”

Fast forward to today: Lucy, a Christie aficionado, journeys to the author’s estate. When she finds an unpublished diary in Christie’s own hand, Lucy resolves to crack the case.

All tickets are $30. Click here to purchase, and for more information.

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This spring, we’ve got a ton of beautiful images to choose from for our “Westport … Naturally” feature.

Today’s winner: Steve Stein’s purple azaleas.

(Photo/Steve Stein)

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And finally … today is National Lineman Appreciation Day.

No — not Anthony Munoz and his NFL brethren.

These are the guys (and girls) who climb the poles — in good weather, and really, really bad — to keep the juice flowing.

In a town like ours, where power conks out as regularly as Donald Trump in a Manhattan courthouse, we owe special thanks to our linemen. And linewomen.

Enjoy your day!

(Linepersons keep the power going. Reader support does the same for “06880.” Please click here to help support your hyper-local blog. Thank you!)

 

 

 

 

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Posted in Entertainment, Environment, Library, Local business, Police, Westport Country Playhouse

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Painting The Town Yellow!

Posted on April 16, 2024 | 5 comments

Debra Kandrak’s one-woman crusade to paint the town yellow is paying off beautifully.

Every autumn for 5 years, she has used a wide variety of outlets — social media, emails, and of course “06880” — to encourage Westporters to plant daffodils.

She brings her message to friends, strangers, town organizations and committees and businesses.

Her ask is simple: “Paint the Town Yellow.”

Every spring around this time, we are blessed with the results of her — and their — work.

This year, the gorgeous yellow flowers are everywhere.

From neighborhoods like Greens Farms to the Westport Library, around mailboxes and street signs, by the Cribari Bridge, in traffic islands and at the entrances to Staples High and Bedford Middle Schools, Debra’s yeowoman efforts pay off for all of us.

As perennials, each year brings more and more explosions of color. Here are just a few examples of Debra’s efforts:

Debra Kandrak’s driveway, in Greens Farms

Cross Highway and Bayberry Lane

Assumption Church 

Saugatuck Elementary School

Adams Academy

Long Lots Road at Morningside Drive North

Parent Child Center, Hillspoint Road

Roseville Road

Exxon gas station, Post Road and Maple Lane South

Hockanum Road

Debra Kandrak’s own traffic island: Greens Farms and Prospect Roads (All photos/Debra Kandrak)

(“06880” is often inspired by Westport’s beauty. If you’re inspired by our hyper-local blog, please click here to contribute. Thank you!)

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Posted in Environment, Westport life

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Mary Lou Roels: Artist Branches Out, Fruitfully

Posted on April 12, 2024 | 2 comments

In 2012, Stephen and Jessica Rose decided to solve the lack of wonderful fresh peaches he was accustomed to from his farm in Georgia.

Stephen loaded a 1968 Jeep Gladiator with fresh, hand-picked peaches, and brought them to Nashville. In 5 weeks, the couple sold 10 tons of peaches.

Today, The Peach Truck delivers pickup joy to over 25 states. They also ship direct to homes, across the country.

Mary Lou Roels

Westport resident Mary Lou Roels — a professional artist — is a delighted Peach Truck customer.

She notes, “super-fresh fruit needs to be used quickly.” But there are only so many peaches a person can eat.

So Mary Lou started making peach jam. 

Her batches have no preservatives. They’re simply the fruit, fresh-squeezed lemon juice and cane sugar. 

“It’s as organic and pure as possible,” Mary Lou says. 

She makes them in small quantities — cooking down for hours, and watching to release the flavors and natural pectin. 

She gave jars as gifts. (Full disclosure: I was a very satisfied recipient.) 

As demand grew, she created a website.

And she branched out beyond peaches.

Her strawberry-lemon rind jam is so tart and fresh that people tell her they couldn’t help themselves — they ate it with a spoon right out of the jar.

Other flavors include blueberry, strawberry, raspberry, black plum, and a special fig jam that complements a charcuterie board of dry cheeses and breads.

A sampling of Mary Lou Roels’ jams.

Her jam has been requested by an oncology unit at a hospital, for a young girl on oral chemotherapy with severe allergies. The staff tried everything to take the taste away.

They needed something pure, organic, with no preservatives — not even added pectin. 

Mary Lou’s strawberry jam did the trick. The fruit flavor was so intense, the girl did not taste the medicine.

Customers buy Mary Lou’s jars for teacher, holiday and birthday gifts. She designs each label, and can be personalize them for any occasion.

It’s not easy making all those jams. Mary Lou is working right now on a big order: 250 custom jars, as wedding favors.

But she doesn’t mind. It’s a labor of love.

It’s for her son’s wedding.

(For more information, click here. Local delivery is available. A portion of the proceeds are donated to Child Life Disaster Relief).

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Posted in Arts, Environment, Local business

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