Westport has a robust youth sports scene. Kids fill our fields and courts, running, playing, laughing and learning life lessons.
None of it would be possible without parent coaches. Thousands of boys and girls benefit greatly from the volunteer efforts of hundreds of dads and moms.
Well — mostly dads.
Tara McCarthy is both a Westport Soccer Association board member, and a youth coach. She’s been surprised at how few other women coach. She writes:
I moved to Westport from New York City in June 2017. The next year — as soon as my daughter Allie started kindergarten, I began coached her “Rec” soccer teams.
Tara McCarthy, with Allie and Leo.
The Westport Soccer Association is a great organization, with wonderful professional coaches (Kelvin is a favorite!) and parent volunteers. Our town is lucky to have it.
That being said, I was so disappointed that first year because there was only one other “mom coach” in the girls’ kindergarten division.
Since then, I have tried to encourage other moms I’ve met to coach their daughters’ soccer teams. As far as I know, I have only successfully recruited one.
For all ages, the vast majority of coaches Rec coaches continue to be dads. Please don’t misunderstand: It’s amazing that dads coach their daughters (and their sons!).
My husband Kevin coaches our son Leo’s Rec soccer team. My own dad coached me in a bunch of sports when I was growing up.
But every season that I have coached, little girls (usually from the opposing team) tell me that they “didn’t know moms could coach.”
For this reason (and so many more), I believe it is important for girls to see that moms can (and do) coach too.
Tara McCarthy, at “work.”
While this is one reason I coach, the main one is because getting out there every Saturday with my daughter is fun! It is an activity that Allie and I do together–just us.
Allie gets to see a side of me that is different from the mom she’s used to seeing (the one that nags her to eat broccoli).
Similarly, I get to see a side of Allie that I wouldn’t necessarily see had I not been out there on the field. She’s determined, resilient, and even tougher than I thought.
Another bonus is that I have gotten to know Allie’s friends and teammates better than I would have had they just come over for a playdate.
It has been a joy to coach Allie and her little friends these past few years. I get way more out of the experience than the girls.
I encourage my fellow moms to coach their daughters’ teams. It’s easy. At least for the younger divisions, no experience is required. It’s mainly about making sure every child plays roughly the same amount of minutes, encouraging them, and teaching good sportsmanship.
Oh, and tying (a lot) of cleats!
Tara has a great idea. It applies to all sports. But I’d add another thought: More women should coach their sons’ teams, too. Boys need those role models. They need to see their mothers in those new lights. It’s a win-win!
Last month, the Milwaukee Bucks won the NBA championship.
This weekend, the trophy came to Westport.
Billionaire owner Marc Lasry — he also dabbles in hedge funds — hosted a party at his Greens Farms home.
Former Fox News, NBC Sports and CNN TV personality — a fellow Westporter — was there.
From right: Dave Briggs, Marc Lasry and Briggs’ son Will pose with the NBA trophy.
So was a non-Westporter, from just over the New York border in Chappaqua.
Former President Bill Clinton is a longtime friend of Lasry’s. And — presumably — the Milwaukee Bucks.
Former President Bill Clinton and Dave Briggs, at Marc Lasry’s Westport home.
PS: Other big names in attendance: NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, players Bobby Portis and Pat Connaughton, head coach Mike Budenholzer, and CNBC’s Scott Wapner.
Westport civic organizations sponsor many good fundraisers. A lot of them are fun.
But for money raised and good times, it’s hard to beat Westport Rotary‘s LobsterFest.
The early fall feast-and-more returns to Compo Beach for its 10th year on Saturday, September 18 (3 p.m. to 7 p.m.), following last year’s COVID cancellation.
LobsterFest is a townwide event. Food and entertainment from the Hot Rubber Monkey Band bring old friends together. It’s a great chance to meet (and welcome) newcomers too.
Children’s activities include a magician, glitter tattoos and face painting.
In past years, LobsterFest volunteers served 2,400 lobsters, 300 steaks and 1,600 ears of corn, and countless raw oysters.
In addition to the usual waterside dining option, there’s a new drive-through option for anyone wishing to eat their delicious Maine lobsters (and/or large steaks) at home, or at a less crowded part of the beach.
Funds support dozens of Rotary grants to local non-profits like Mercy Learning and Child Guidance of Mid-Fairfield County, plus humanitarian projects worldwide.
It’s a great value: $70 per person for 2 large lobsters or a 14-ounce New York strip steak — and corn, cole slaw, bread and butter, potato salad, Peppermint Patties, and all the beer or wine you can drink.
Tickets are available only in advance, online at www.westportrotary.org and directly from Westport Rotary Club members.
For one day yesterday, Westport was the center of the rugby universe.
A special pre-draft event drew Major League Rugby scouts, coaches and star players, including Ben Foden to Staples High School’s Paul Lane Field.
There was physical testing, professional coaching, laser timing and live scrimmaging. It was just like the NFL Combine, without the NFL Network cameras.
It was broadcast on the Rugby Network, however. And TV personality/ Westporter Dave Briggs was there. (It was not the biggest event of his weekend, though. See story above.)
He reports: “I was blown away by the strength (29 reps x 225 pounds), speed and toughness of these dudes. If I wasn’t so damn old and broken, I’d love to try.”
Click below for his interview with international star Ben Foden, and more.
Here’s your chance to put your (well, someone else’s) money where your (well-satisfied) mouth is.
The WFM has made it to the final round of the American Farmland Trust’s 13th annual contest, ranking the best farmers’ markets in the country. The winner gets $2,500; 2nd and 3rd prizes are $1,500 and $1,000.
From rugby to rockin’ the Levitt. Chicago native Isaiah Sharkey brought his gospel, jazz, R&B, blues, rock and funk music to the riverside pavilion last night.
A Grammy winner, he’s recorded and toured with John Mayer, Patti LaBelle, Paul Simon, Keith Urban, Boyz II Men, the Winans and many others.
Isaiah Sharkey
It did not take long for the crowd to dance.
(Photos/JC Martin)
This week’s Levitt lineup:
Tonight (Sunday, August 8): Mimi & the Podd Brothers
Tuesday, August 10: Tony Trischka, Banjo Master
Wednesday, August 11: Elena Moon Park & Friends
Thursday, August 12: The Sweet Remains
Friday, August 13: Baskin & Batteau, and Jesse Terry
Saturday, August 14: The Simple Radicals
Sunday, August 15: Dan Levinson’s Palomar Jazz Band
From tomorrow (Monday, August 9) through Sunday, August 15, the Westport Domestic Violence Task Force is collecting back-to-school supplies. They’ll go to residents of the 2 Domestic Violence Crisis Center safe houses in the area.
Items needed include new and unused backpacks and lunch boxes, notebooks, pens, pencils, highlighters, crayons, graphing calculators, and diapers.
Donations can be left in the collection bin in the lobby of the Westport Police station, 50 Jesup Road.
For information on Westport Domestic Violence Task Force initiatives, click here.
Work continues on what is rumored to be an Amazon Go store. That’s the new grab-and-go technology. There are no checkout lines; you pay via an app.
The old Barnes & Noble — and Marshalls shoe store next door — has been gutted.
Meanwhile, the adjacent former Mobil Self-Serve has finally been leveled.
(Photos/Dan Woog)
On Wednesday, the Board of Selectmen were slated to vote on a temporary exit from the construction site, onto Morningside Drive South. Neighbors objected, citing safety issues with nearby Greens Farms Elementary School. The item has been withdrawn from the agenda.
Local to Market continues to offer fresh, locally grown produce on Saturdays, on its patio at the former Talbots by the Main Street entrance to Parker Harding Plaza.
I’m sure you’ve covered this in the past. But I’m curious about the history of the boat “Gloria” that I pass every day as I ride through Longshore. And what might the future hold for this venerable vessel? (John Richers)
Short answer: Yes, I’ve written about Gloria many times. Click here for some of those stories and photos.
Longer story: Alan Sterling built the wooden oyster boat himself. He named it after an old girlfriend, and took it oystering on 150 acres of beds, between Compo Beach and Cockenoe Island. It was a tough job, but Alan — a Staples grad — loved it from the day he began, in 1964.
Alan moored Gloria in Gray’s Creek, between Compo Beach Road and the Longshore exit. Some winters, he lived on the boat. It was cold — but it was home.
On July 4, 2014, Alan died of a heart attack.
After that, Gloria drifted. Michael Calise took care of it. Earlier this year, it washed up on shore. Its future is uncertain. It’s an old boat that’s seen a lot, and given many Westporters years of joy.
I am new to Westport, from Brooklyn. I know there is talk about revitalizing downtown, and bringing in businesses to fill some of the vacancies. I’m curious if there has ever been a survey of what people would like to see downtown? I am interested in business ownership, and really being part of the community. I wonder what type of businesses folks think would be needed and supported. (Travis Rew-Porter)
Travis, this is awesome. I don’t know of any consumer/user survey. It’s a great idea.
And readers: If you’d like to work with Travis on a business or revitalization project, click “Comments” below!
What kind of businesses do Westporters want? Great question! (Drone photo/Brandon Malin)
Does Public Works have any input into local traffic lights? The timing at Morningside Drive/Post Road has changed to prioritize the Post Road more dramatically. The green light for Morningside lasts just 3 seconds. It is impossible to cross on foot. Help! (Amy Bedi)
Unfortunately, nearly every light in town is on a state road. Those balls are in the Department of Transportation’s court.
Click here for a link to report issues to the DOT. But don’t hold your breath.
Town officials — including the 1st selectman and Department of Public Works — are in contact with the state about traffic lights. They can sometimes push things along. But they don’t hold their breath either.
Can Westporters use the track at Staples to run, jog or walk? If so, is it time restricted? Do you need a pass? (Carmen Castedo)
The Laddie Lawrence Track at Paul Lane Field (the first time I’ve written that!) is open to all — except during the school day, or when it’s used after school by the track team, or if there is another sports event going on.
No pass is needed. But keep Fido home!
The Laddie Lawrence Track, at Paul Lane Field. (File photo; the track is now blue.)
Is Clinton Avenue named after the namesake of Joseph J. Clinton VFW Post 399 on Riverside Avenue? (Linda Velez)
Not only have I never been asked that — I never even thought about it.
Private Joseph J. Clinton was a Westport soldier. He was killed in France just 4 days before the armistice.
That explains the VFW name. But the road off Main Street, opposite North Compo: I have no idea. Except to say that it is not named for either Bill or Hillary.
What happened to the time capsule that was buried at Greens Farms Elementary School for the bicentennial? I heard that at one time 3 people had plans and permission to dig it up. There is a new road in front of the school. You have a lot of fans who were involved in the project. (A passive-aggressive reader: This was sent by mail, with no name or return address.)
I addressed this in 2012. The answer was the same then: No one knows. (Click here to see.)
But one reader responded with a back story:
I remember the time capsule at Greens Farms El in 1976. It was buried in the front lawn. All the classes/grades were asked to participate in drawings (I think that I was in maybe 3rd grade & our class drew pictures of ourselves and described our lives. We all mused how fun it would be for people 100 years later to see how we lived).
A crane dug a deep hole, and there was quite a bit of ceremony around the time capsule being buried. I’ve told people about it over the years, only to wonder if anyone else remembered it, as well:)
If anyone can dig deeper (ho ho), click “Comments” below.
Has anyone seen my time capsule? (Photo/Seth Schachter)
Some 80 years ago I lived on 573 Imperial Avenue, at the corner of Wakeman Place. The numbers have been reset, but the house is still there. My brothers and I used to swim in the river. I remember diving off “White Rock,” which was close to the shore. Is it still there, or am I dreaming? (Karl Taylor)
You’re probably not dreaming, but I have not heard of it. Wakeman Place residents: What’s the deal?
Wakeman Place at Imperial Avenue. Karl, was this your house?
Why did the state Department of Transportation remove and replace the trees, bushes and buffering hills from the northbound side of the Merritt Parkway, near the Westport Weston Family YMCA? It cost a lot of money. Was the outcome worth the expense? (Jacque O’Brien)
I asked State Representative Jonathan Steinberg, who serves on the House Transportation Committee. He says that location was a major staging area for projects up and down the Merritt.
Now that equipment and material has been moved in and out, it’s time to replace what was lost.
New trees on the Merritt Parkway, near the Y. (Photo/Bob Mitchell)
What first inspired you to start “06880,” and did you ever think it would keep you this busy? (Jack Krayson)
Wow! I didn’t expect an “06880” question on “06880.”
I started the blog in March of 2009. I was a columnist for the Westport News (I still am!), but realized the future of print journalism was, um, iffy. I wanted to continue to write about town people, issues, events and history. Someone suggested I start a blog.
“No way!” I said. (That’s also what I said about cell phones, when they came in. And computers, before that.)
But he showed me WordPress, a great blogging platform. I learned the basics in a weekend. Here we are, 13,000+ posts (and 136,000+ comments later).
I never dreamed it would keep me this busy. If I knew then what I know now …
The Connecticut Department of Public Health, Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference and many youth sports organizations are urging all athletes 12 years and older to get vaccinated against COVID.
It’s the best way, officials say, to ensure a healthy, safe and uninterrupted fall season. The organizations suggest that sports groups host and sponsor mobile or other vaccine clinics, to reach students.
They note one major reason to get a shot: people who have been vaccinated do not need to quarantine if exposed to a COVID case, if they are asymptomatic.
La Plage — the great new restaurant at the Inn at Longshore — opens today. But — as noted in a recent 06880″ story — it’s dinner only for now, Wednesdays through Sundays.
The reason: staffing. Finding help — cooks, servers, dishwashers, bussers, front-of-the-house, you name it — is tough.
It’s a town-wide (and nationwide) problem. Basso is one of Westport’s most popular restaurants. This sign hangs near the outdoor tables, on Jesup Road:
(Photo/Dan Woog)
There’s no such thing as a free lunch. But there may be no lunch at any restaurants, if they can’t find enough help.
The popular 1,800-acre Weston preserve — The Nature Conservancy’s largest in Connecticut — closed in the spring of 2020, in the early days of the pandemic. It was overwhelmed with visitors, many of whom parked illegally, brought dogs or stayed past dark.
As of last Sunday, the woodlands, wetlands and rock ledges are open from sunrise to 5 p.m. Click here for more information. (Hat tip: Weston Today)
Speaking still of nature: ButtARfly is inelegantly named.
But it’s a great program, bringing butterflies from the Smithsonian’s Open Access collections to life on a computer screen. Users can learn about butterfly species, add them to a virtual shadow box, and release them into an augmented reality experience for desktop and mobile. There are even different sounds for each specimen.
The Department of Media Arts & Technology at New Mexico Highlands University helped develop the initiative — with the help of 1984 Staples High School graduate Lauren Addario, as audio advisor and content developer.
The Y’s Men (and their wise spouses) meet every Tuesday during the summer at South Beach, for food, camaraderie and sunsets. Jon Fox organized the event several years ago.
Yesterday they added a bit of fundraising, for the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp. Peter Nathan solicited donations — and brought in over $1,300.
That’s one more feather in one of Westport’s premier volunteer organization’s cap!
Y’s Men (from left): Mike Guthman, Roy McKay, David Kalman (hot dog supplier), Peter Nathan, Jon Fox, Baxter Urist and Larry Lich. (Photo/Dorothy Fox)
And finally … our musical interlude usually celebrates birthdays, anniversaries and upbeat events from years gone by. After all, there aren’t too many downer songs about bad things in history. (Okay — “Eve of Destruction.”)
But today is the 47th anniversary of the day 3 civil rights workers — Michael Schwerner, Andrew Goodman and James Chaney — were found dead in Mississippi. They had disappeared 43 days earlier.
So — at the risk of alienating all my friends from that state — I present Phil Ochs:
All 36 Representative Town Meeting seats will be contested in November’s election. Four members from each of Westport’s 9 districts vote on town appropriations, and give final approval to the budget; approve town ordinances; make recommendations regarding ordinances, and review certain decisions of town boards and commissions.
So far, all members in districts 2 (Jay Keenan, Lou Mall, Christine Meiers Schataz, Harris Falk), 3 (Mark Friedman, Arline Gertzoff, Jimmy Izzo, Ross Burkahrdt) and 6 (Jessica Bram, Seth Braunstein, Cathy Talmadge and Candace Banks) have submitted letters of intent to run again.
So have 3 members in districts 1 (Chris Tait, Matthew Mandell, Kristin Mott Purcell), 4 (Andrew Colabella, Noah Hammond, Jeffrey Weiser), 5 (Peter Gold, Dick Lowenstein, Karen Kramer), 7 (Brandi Briggs, Lauren Karpf, Jack Klinge) and 8 (Wendy Batteau, Lisa Newman, Stephen Shackelford). In District 9,Sal Liccione and Kristin Schneeman are running again.
Six candidates have requested petitions, and are collecting signatures. They are in districts 1 (Richard Jaffe, Abby Tolan, Carolanne Curry), 5 (Claudia Shaum) and 9 (Nancy Kail, Marla Cowden).
Petitions are due September 14. Click here for a petition. Click here for a map of all 9 districts.
Westport has a special relationship with Catch-a-Lift. Our town has gone all in, supporting the national non-profit that helps post-9/11 combat-wounded veterans recover and rehabilitate, physically and mentally, through physical fitness, motivation and support.
COVID canceled last year’s event. It returns this year, stronger (naturally) than ever.
Appropriately, it begins on Saturday, September 11 with a community workout, with Catch-a-Lift veterans (Westport Police Station, 1 p.m.). Sunday, September 12 features a family bike ride, in Ridgefield.
The action shifts to Birchwood Country Club on Monday, September 13. There’s a 9-hole golf tournament (2 p.m.); a tennis point play event (3 p.m.), and the highlight: from 5 to 7:30 p.m., a chance to meet amazing veterans; enjoy music, food and drinks, and hear inspiring stories.
Click here for details and information, including how to help with auction items, sponsor a golf hole and more.
Catch a Lift veterans — shown at Birchwood Country Club in 2018 — are inspirational role models.
Wakeman Town Farm calls raising milkweeds and monarchs “the hobby that gives back.”
Next Monday (August 9, 7 p.m., in person), they’re offering a back-by-popular-demand lecture on the subject.
According to WTF, “monarchs, the once plentiful beauties of yard and field, have suffered habitat loss so great that their numbers have dwindled to 10% of their peak population. They are called the ‘poster child’ for pollinator habitat protection, owing to their beauty and the remarkable feat of their annual migration to Mexico and back.
“Protecting monarchs leads to a wider awareness of the fragility of insect populations, the steady assault on their numbers through the indiscriminate use of pesticides, and the vital role that diverse native species play in keeping our planet healthy.”
Alice Ely — “mother of monarchs, University of Connecticut advanced master gardener, master composter, garden coach and Pollinator Pathway member and creator of public and private monarch way stations in Fairfield County (including Wakeman Town Farm) — is the speaker.
Congratulations to Westport Little League’s 10U team: Connecticut’s new state champions!
They won the crown last night in Stamford, 11-0 against East Lyme. The game ended after 4 innings, thanks to the “mercy” (aka “murder”) rule that ends lopsided contests.
Here’s wishing the squad good luck 2 years from now, when as 12Us they hope to emulate the 2013 team’s run to the Little League World Series finals.
Bottom row (from left): Luke Moneyhon, Chris Lambert, Wes Walters, Chase Landgraf. Middle row: Brody Chlupsa, Nolan Walters, Dylan Burdeshaw, Miles Delorier, Noah Smith, Grant Theisinger, Justin Goldshore, Jack McGrath. Top Row, coach Marc Theisinger, coach Dave Smith, manager Justin Walters. Missing: Henry Ellis.
Speaking of sports: This Saturday, Westport becomes the center of the American rugby world.
Players get a chance to showcase their talents in front of Major League Rugby scouts, coaches and star players like Ben Foden. The event at Staples High School’s Paul Lane Field (August 7) takes place 2 weeks before the MLR draft.
It begins at 9 a.m. with physical testing, and continues with professional positional coaching, laser timing technology and live scrimmaging. “Scouts from multiple national rugby teams” will be in attendance, organizers promise.
The event is free, and open to the public. It will also be broadcast on The Rugby Network. For more information, click here.
English rugby star Ben Foden will be at Staples High School on Saturday.
Speaking still of sports: Congratulations to Shira Parower!
She was on the winning North side, which beat the South 16-8 in the All-America Lacrosse Game at Johns Hopkins University.
Shira — a June graduate of Staples High School, who will play at James Madison University next season — had 2 goals and 3 assists.
She told the Baltimore Sun: “I just felt like since the first whistle we came out with a lot of fire and we just wanted to win this game. We were finishing our shots and kept them going through the whole game.”
(Click here for the full story. Hat tip: Don Kubie)
Joanie Landau is August’s featured artist, at the Westport Book Shop. She’s exhibiting her digital collagraphs. They combine photographic elements with graphic design techniques.
Joanie — a member of the Artists Collective of Westport — has exhibited in shows across the country, and won awards.
Recent “Westport … Naturally” photos have featured deer, butterflies and flowers.
But Westport is nothing without dogs. Here are Noah — the 3-legged wonder dog who has way outlived his osteosarcoma diagnosis and amputation from January 2020) and Logan, on an early morning walk at Wakeman Field
We’ve all seen delivery trucks finding creative places to park. We know — it’s not easy finding a spot. (Though hardly impossible. Sometimes you’ll end up further away than you’d like.)
But yesterday’s restaurant deliverer, um, takes the cake.
Miggs Burroughs — who after a lifetime in Westport is still surprised at some of the things he witnesses — watched as a parking officer diligently tried to find where the driver was delivering.
Eventually he gave up, and wrote a ticket.
Which means this guy was parked there, making things difficult in 2 directions, for quite some time.
So no, to refute a common excuse trotted out by some “06880” commenters, the driver probably did not have a sudden “bathroom emergency.”
Last night, the Westport Library presented the North American premiere of “Men of Hope.” The fascinating, way-beyond-soccer documentary follows the Afghanistan national team, as it attempts to qualify for the Asian Cup. Challenges include not just opposing teams, but war, political squabbling and corruption.
When the lights came up, there was a special guest: former Afghan national team captain Djelaludin Sharityar. Now living in New York, he spoke candidly about the problems facing his soccer federation and native land — and lovingly about Afghanistan’s beauty and people.
The Library event was a collaboration with Kicking + Screening. Since 2009, the gloriously named organization has screened hundreds of soccer-related films, raised thousands of dollars for soccer charities, and organized panels, parties, soccer poetry readings and soccer art shows.
Kicking + Screening has (of course) strong Westport roots. Co-founder Rachel Markus — a former “ruthless striker,” and 20-year film industry veteran — lives here.
The film was fascinating. It’s available for livestreaming now through August 1. Click here for details.
Former Afghan national soccer team captain Djelaludin Sharityar made a surprise appearance at the Westport Library last night. (Photo/Dan Woog)
Speaking of the Library: If you love it — and who doesn’t? — why not work there?
The downtown institution hosts a job fair next Tuesday (August 3, 5 to 7 p.m.). Positions are available in circulation, IT, building support and the café. Bring your resume. For more information, click here.
VFW Joseph J. Clinton Post 399 held an open house and Red Cross blood drive yesterday.
Staples High School students Joseph and Michael Pontoriero, with Art Began, played bagpipes to celebrate. Veterans and guests enjoyed the event, which celebrated the state Veteran Service Office, VFW Post 399 Auxiliary, and Catch A Lift.
Of course, the VFW is open to everyone, all the time, to enjoy the facility, food and Saugatuck River views. Click here for more.
George Billis Gallery hosts a reception today (Friday, July 30, 4 to 7 p.m., 166 Main Street) for its new exhibit. It’s an invitational group show, with over 45 artists.
Among them: “Cruising the Hudson,” an oil on canvas (below) by James Wolford.
On March 11, Jimmy Pitaro worked at his home office in Westport. He’d just finished a senior staff meeting, examining different scenarios for his company in the onrushing COVID crisis.
That night, the National Basketball Association announced the suspension of its season.
The decision jolted Pitaro. The company he chairs is ESPN.
The next morning — as sports leagues around the world followed the NBA’s lead — Pitaro and his programming team began planning for every possible scenario. Their goal: keep the global sports network in business, when the business of sports had suddenly changed around the globe.
Jimmy Pitaro, at ESPN headquarters. (Photo/Joe Faraoni)
Pitaro gives his team plenty of credit. They obtained rights to WWE wrestling, and partnered with Korean baseball. They accelerated development of “The Last Dance,” a 10-part docuseries about Michael Jordan and the 1997-98 Chicago Bulls.
Behind the scenes, ESPN scrambled to set up in-home production systems for more than 550 on-air men and women.
The moves kept programming going 24/7, in more than 200 countries. That kept anxious advertisers at bay.
When live events slowly started again, ESPN found ways to cover them remotely. Gone were gigantic production trucks; in their place were producers, play-by-play announcers and analysts covered competitions from studios and homes.
Some of those changes may continue, post-pandemic. So will demand for sports documentaries. ESPN’s features on martial artist Bruce Lee, bike racer Lance Armstrong and baseball sluggers Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire found ready audiences.
The number of outside filmmakers pitching ideas now is “off the charts,” Pitaro says.
ESPN is looking for those that are “big, bold and needle-moving. We’re asking: How can we capture the zeitgeist? Where can we make an impact?”
The network is as much about story-telling and investigative reporting as it is about showing games and matches. Pitaro says he surrounds himself with “great people,” then trusts them to deliver.
Among them: fellow Westporter and ESPN producer Andy Tennant. The other day, over breakfast at The Granola Bar, they discussed shows like “E60,” the newsmagazine that Pitaro says combines “substance, heart and humor.”
Pitaro became chair of ESPN in 2018, after 8 years at its parent, the Walt Disney Company. From his first days at “The Mouse,” Pitaro and Disney chair Bob Iger talked about sports, and Pitaro’s opportunities there.
His athletic background is strong. A Scarsdale native who played football at Cornell University, Pitaro grew up in a house where “ESPN SportsCenter was the soundtrack of my life.” New York Yankees, Giants, Knicks and Rangers games were always on. His sister, Lara Pitaro Wisch, is now general counsel for Major League Baseball.
Jimmy Pitaro, mid-pandemic. (Photo/Phil Ellsworth)
Pitaro’s wife, meanwhile, is actress Jean Louisa Kelly (“Uncle Buck,” “Mr. Holland’s Opus,” “Top Gun: Maverick”). When Pitaro joined ESPN he commuted to headquarters in Bristol, Connecticut from Los Angeles.
That was unsustainable. In mid-2018 the couple, and their 2 children, moved to Westport.
“It’s perfect,” Pitaro says. “My wife needs to be near Manhattan. It’s right between New York and Bristol. We love the water. We had friends here — including the woman who introduced me to my wife 27 years ago. We fell in love with the town.”
Their son Sean, a rising Staples High School senior, is a boxer who trains at Rich Dean’s Post Road studio. Daughter Josy, a rising sophomore, is active in Staples Players, and studies acting, voice and dance with Cynthia Gibb’s Triple Threat Academy. She also enjoys tennis, with Beth Norton at the Westport Tennis Club.
“We love it here. We couldn’t be happier,” Pitaro says.
Countless sports fans across the planet say the same thing about ESPN’s pandemic pivot. At a time of crisis, the company scored.
Westport Local Press reports that “Bear 211” — the black bear tagged with that number by the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, and reported at various sites in northern Westport and environs over the past 2 months — was struck by a car and killed yesterday, on Route 136 in Easton. The driver left the scene.
But never — ever — have I seen anyone swimming off Schlaet’s Point, the area just north of the Soundview Avenue jetty.
Clamming and fishing, yes. Wading out at low tide, sure. Couples making out on the rocks, check. But people swimming? Not a chance.
Okay, so playing water polo is not actually swimming. But that’s what’s gone on recently. An area water polo club has put up a portable court in the public, lifeguard-less inlet. Young players have been practicing there, preparing for a tournament in Dallas.
Which, presumably, will be indoors. The Gulf of Mexico is 600 miles from there.
Speaking of Compo: Yesterday’s beach story was about vandalism of benches. Today’s is about a paddleboard theft.
This year, for the first time, Mitch Raboy has stored a standup paddleboard near the kayak launch area.
On Sunday, his wife took it out on the water. She then secured it to the rack with a heavy-duty cable lock.
Now it’s gone. Only the security metal loop and chain remain.
The Raboys called the police. An officer said this kind of theft is not common.
There are no security cameras in the area, Mitch says. He’d like “06880” readers to be aware of what happened — and hopes the town will install cameras there.
My wife went out in the board on Sunday and secured it to the rack with a heavy duty cable lock afterward. On Sunday we went to check on it and found it had been stolen. The security metal loop and chain remained.
A cable (lower left) is all that’s left of the Raboys’ standup paddleboard.
Sustainable Westport surpassed its goal of $7,500 in challenge grant donations.
That earns them over $15,000. They’ll use the funds to inform, educate and engage residents about food scrap recycling, decreasing food waste. and diverting edible food from the incinerator to food insecure residents.
Congratulations, Westporters. And thanks to Sustainable Westport, for all you do.
There’s a great back story behind today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo.
Dorothy Fitton writes: “We spotted this bald eagle overlooking a gathering of Boston College students in our yard last week. It may be a sign that our BC Eagles will have a great senior year!”
Just a year after SIR Development purchased Roger’s Septic Tanks — and less than a year after the 73-year-old facility was demolished — a new rental complex is open for leasing.
“1480 Post” — on US1, near Maple Avenue South — is the latest project from SIR president Robert Haroun. A trustee of both the Westport Library and Westport Weston YMCA, he’s been involved in building projects at both places.
The 32-unit complex includes 25 market rate units, and 7 designated as “affordable housing.” Haroun says the 1- and 2-bedroom condo-style apartments will attract residents who want to downsize but remain in Westport. Pets are welcome.
The first open house for the leasing office is next Sunday (August 1), from 1 to 3 p.m. Occupancy is available September 1. Click here for details.
And finally … today is a musical birthday bonanza. Darlene Love turns 80. Mick Jagger is 78. Bobby Hebb, Dobie Gray and Brenton Wood were all born on July 26 too.
Rather than single any one entertainer out, I’ll honor another anniversary. On this date in 1775, the office that later became the US Post Office was established by the Second Continental Congress. Benjamin Franklin was named our first Postmaster General.
PS: Alex Chilton was just 16 years old when he sang lead on this #1 hit. He and the rest of the Box Tops did not even pretend they were faking it on this show.
And learn how this Monday (July 26, 7 p.m., Wakeman Town Farm). A panel discussion on “Attainable Sustainable: Simple Steps to Reducing Wasteful Everyday Habits” will give you the tools you need to create meaningful change.
The even is moderated by State Senator Will Haskell. Participants include Peter Boyd (Yale School of the Environment), Haley Schulman (Food Rescue US), Brad Kerner (“public health expert turned low-waster”), and Andrew Colabella (Westport RTM and Environment Committee member).
“The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” senior producer — and 2000 Staples High School graduate — Paige Kendig was part of the show’s nomination for “Outstanding Variety Talk Series,” while its live election special is up for an Emmy as “Outstanding Variety Special.”
Paige joins several other local nominees. Soon there will be a category for “American Town With Most Emmys.”
“Late Show with Stephen Colbert” senior producer Paige Kendig and the show’s star, as they interviewed President-Elect Joe Biden in December.
The Westport Police Department is good neighbors with their across-Jesup-Road friends, the Gillespie Center.
On July 31 (10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Stop & Shop), the department will hold a food drive for the Center, and its umbrella organization Homes with Hope.
Items needed include canned meats, tuna, salmon, Spam, pasta and sauces, chili, hot and cold cereal, canned fruit, canned and dry soups, peanut butter, jelly, mac & cheese, granola bars, pancake mix, syrup and mayonnaise
The popular Church Lane restaurant — which opened last year in the middle of the pandemic — hosted an outdoor dinner the other day, to celebrate its 1st birthday.
One of the guests is a very loyal customer: 118 visits!
Connecticut’s Summer at the Museum program is great. Anyone 18 and under, plus an accompanying adult, visit participating museums free of charge through September 6.
Among those museums: MoCA Westport.
The summer exhibition, Élan Vital, features 11 artists working in a range of mediums, including painting, drawing, prints, sculpture, ceramics and site-specific installation work There are 2 other exhibits too: “Unfit for Print” and “Love Wins,” plus high school works in the Congressional Art Competition. Click here for details.
Speaking of sports: Congratulations to Tighe Brunetti of Staples High School. The rising senior — a member of the state champion Wreckers’ team — has been named USA Today’s state Boys Tennis Player of the Year.
Speaking still of sports: Yesterday’s “Roundup” gave a shoutout to Marc Lasry. The Westport hedge fund billionaire is co-owner of the Milwaukee Bucks, new National Basketball Association champions.
The team may play 1,000 from here. But — as Google’s aerial view shows — his Greens Farms property includes a full-size basketball court.
With the slogan all of Wisconsin (and now the NBA) knows well: “Fear the Deer”!
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Some of those changes may continue, post-pandemic. So will demand for sports documentaries. ESPN’s features on martial artist Bruce Lee, bike racer Lance Armstrong and baseball sluggers Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire found ready audiences.
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