“06880” missed this a week ago. But — as Tommy Greenwald points out — a recent New York Times Magazine story on Nicholas Britell (“The Composer at the Frontier of Movie Music”) notes that he’s a former Westporter.
Despite winning a Westport Arts Horizon Award in 2012, Britell — who scored “Succession,” “Moonlight,” “12 Years a Slave” and “The Underground Railroad,” among others — is often overlooked here.
He graduated from Hopkins School in New Haven in 1998, then headed to Juilliard and Harvard. Click here for the full Times story.
The other day, “06880” noted that the Westport Library parking lot is being repaved. Swimmers — er, readers — all over town hope this means the end of the lakes that form whenever it drizzles.
But as alert — and sopping wet — reader John Richers points out, the library is not the only place in town where a life vest is as important as a seat belt.
On Monday he sent a photo of one of the 2 major lakes at Compo Beach. You may not remember that it rained — it did, a bit, Sunday night — but this was the scene hours later:
(Photo/John Richers)
That’s the loop road heading toward South Beach and the kayak launch, with Ned Dimes Marina off to the right.
To get there, you first have to navigate the enormous lake between the guard houses on the entrance road.
“Have you ever ridden your bike into Compo the day after it rains?” John asks.
“Probably not!” he answers himself. “Me neither. Instead of doing the loop inside Compo, I don’t bother turning in to the beach on days like today.
“Today I was not as daunted though since I was driving my SUV. Still, it always feels sketchy plowing slowly through a body of water of undetermined depth.”
Compo Beach entrance, after a February 2020 rain. (Photo/Patricia McMahon)
But there’s hope!
On Wednesday — 2 days later — a crew was at work paving the road by the kayaks. Fingers crossed this will be all that’s needed.
Paving in progress. (Photo/John Richers)
Compo Beach is not the only rough spot to ride by the water.
“Don’t get me started on the abominable condition of Hillspoint Road between South Compo and Greens Farms Road,” John says.
But he’s just getting started.
“This segment of Hillspoint remains a work in progress as Rondano & Company continue to mess around with water mains on behalf of Aquarion. If you’ve driven or (God forbid!) ridden your bike along this stretch over the past 6 months, you know it feels like driving through the South Bronx in the mid-’70s. Here’s hoping for a swift wrap-up and an immediate resurfacing.”
Fingers crossed. But when John asked someone working on the project how much work remains, he was told that right now they’re smoothing rough patches. Final re-paving may not happen until after the summer, because the current work needs to settle first.
There is one waterside bright spot. Unfortunately, it’s not in Westport.
“Have you ridden along Pequot Avenue from Southport Beach to the Pequot Library since they resurfaced?” he wonders.
We all know that Westport’s real estate market has been hot during COVID.
But did you know that it’s the hottest in the entire state?
Our town has gained 672 people since 2019, according to CBRE. That’s the most of any place in Connecticut. Other Fairfield County towns showed strong gains too. Cities like Stamford and New Haven lost residents.
Click here for a report from WTNH-TV. (Hat tip: Tricia Freeman)
Westport has been an attractive destination for homebuyers since COVID struck. (Photo courtesy of Compass)
It’s May, which means it’s time to … “click it or ticket.”
That’s the Westport Police Department’s annual campaign to remind drivers and passengers to buckle up every time they drive or ride.
All month long — leading up to the Memorial Day unofficial start-of-summer/ let’s-hit-the-road holiday — local and state law enforcement will vigorously enforce seatbelt laws for everyone in a motor vehicle.
Connecticut law requires that all drivers and passengers in the front seat regardless of age — and all children under 16 anywhere — wear seatbelts. Fines start at $92 for the first offense.
Attention, lacrosse (and all sports) fans. And anyone else who wants to honor our military.
Staples is the Staples High School boys lacrosse program’s 9th annual “Sticks for Soldiers” event.
The JV (12:30 p.m.) and varsity (2:30 p.m.) host Ridgefield. The Wreckers are ranked #5 in Connecticut. The Tigers are #4.
The varsity game includes a presentation of colors by the Westport Police honor guard, and a brief address by John Sabino. A Westport resident, he served as an Army Ranger in Bosnia, Kosovo and Macedonia.
Donations at the gate go to Sticks for Soldiers, which raises funds for wounded military personnel.
Lars Bolander just opened a new store at 1300 Post Road East (opposite the Lexus dealer). It joins others in New York, Easthampton, Miami and Palm Beach.
The shop features contemporary furniture, textiles and decorative accessories from all over the world, alongside a mix of 19th century Scandinavian, European and Swedish antiques.
Highlights include tents from India, lacquerware from Hong Kong, faux Mediterranean olive trees, custom Venetian paintings and umbrellas from Bali.
The store is light, colorful and eclectic, with a mix of colors and styles. Owners were attracted to Westport by its artistic heritage, institutions like the Playhouse and MoCA, and the diversity of stores in the area.
Chris Kalachnikoff runs the Westport operation. His father and mother are involved too.
Hours are Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Organizers of a community, outdoor art event at the Aspetuck Land Trust’s Leonard Schine Preserve (Glendinning Place, off Weston Road) are all set. The event is June 12 (2 to 6 p.m.).
They just need your art.
Works will be hung along the paths. The natural playground will be the site of live music
The prompt is: “Something about nature that makes you feel wow!” Submissions can include drawings, paintings, photos and writings. The maximum size is 15″ x 15″.
Susan Filan has been a trial lawyer, Connecticut state prosecutor and senior legal analyst for MSNBC.
As a child growing up in Weston, she found an arrowhead and mortar in the woods behind her house. Ever since, she’s been fascinated by the history and culture of Native Americans.
That led her to the Indigenous Peoples Law & Policy Master of Laws program at the University of Arizona Law. She just graduated, and is focusing on indigenous human rights.
She’ll start work on a doctoral degree in juridical science there. Her goal is to become an advocate and scholar, and teach, write and argue before international human rights bodies and domestic courts.
Click here for a full story on the University of Arizona website.
There’s a “For Lease” sign outside the old Post Road West building, near Wright Street.
But, Frank Rosen notes, the building is in disrepair. Paint is peeling; shingles are askew. It will take a lot more than a new tenant to bring back some of the beauty to this once-handsome mansion-turned-office.
There was a school bus accident yesterday, on Easton Road near Bayberry Lane. In the photo below, a small car was wedged under the far side of the bus.
Sandy Rothenberg says: “I have traveled this intersection for the past 35 years. It has become increasingly dangerous. The sight lines are very limited, and cars fly around the curve on Easton Road towards Westport. A very small sign indicates ‘slow curve.’ I hope this brings needed attention and improvements to this road.”
Tickets are still available for the Westport Library’s “Booked for the Evening” event this Thursday (May 13, 7 p.m.).
This year’s livestreamed “Booked” fundraiser will include videos, live musical tributes, and a conversation with Perlman that is just for this audience. No recording will be made of the program.
Speaking of the Library: One of the “star attractions” of the transformed space is Verso Studios. The state-of-the-art audio and broadcast studios can help anyone become a music, podcast, video or audiobook star.
Yesterday, the library launched a new Verso Studios website. Click here to watch and listen to a wide variety of recordings, podcasts and videos — and to find out how to use the studios yourself.
The Planning & Zoning Commission has granted a permit for a second floor addition, interior and exterior renovations, and site work for apartments for 4 special needs people, and another unit for an income-eligible staff member.
More approvals are needed. But this is good news for special needs individuals and their families. And it’s 5 more important affordable housing units for our town.
Dr. Anthony Fauci and former 2nd Selectman/Board of Finance chair Avi Kaner shared a stage last night.
The New York Board of Rabbis honored both men with Humanitarian Awards , for their work during the pandemic.
Dr. Fauci’s contributions are well known. Kaner’s may be less famous. But the co-owner of Morton Williams Supermarkets was cited for the work his family-owned business did during the pandemic.
Morton Williams stores never closed. Employees kept working; senior executives ensured that the supply chain continued.
The company became a lifeline to New York. They worked with the CDC to adjust trucking regulations so that truckers would be comfortable making deliveries. They were among the first in the nation to set aside special hours for seniors and immunocompromised customers; they lobbied aggressively for mask use, and ensured that supermarket workers were included in phase 1B of the state’s vaccinations.
Staples High School Class of 2019 graduate Anthony Salgado met Pierce Slutzky years ago, at Camp Laurel. Anthony says:
“Pierce was an amazing kid who was taken from us at age 17. He was diagnosed with brain cancer at age 14, and tirelessly fought medulloblastoma for 3 years.
“Pierce did not complain. He continued in high school, achieving an A average and making National Honor Society and Foreign Language Society.
“It is my honor to ask people to join in a CT Challenge bike ride to keep Pierce’s fight alive forever. I want to help those who are currently diagnosed, and those who may be diagnosed in the future.” Click here for the link.
And finally … Lloyd Price died last week in New Rochelle, from complications of diabetes. He was 88.
He had “Personality.” He had many other hits, including “Stagger Lee” and “Lawdy Miss Clawdy.” He’s a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee. He led quite a life inside and outside of music. Click here for a full obituary.
Non-COVID health emergencies don’t take a break during a pandemic. Unfortunately, Westport Volunteer Emergency Medical Services had to.
Not responding quickly, professionally and compassionately, of course. Their service never wavered. But they did have to pause their public education.
Now, with threats lessening, WVEMS is cleared to resume reduced-capacity classes at their Police headquarters facility. CPR/First Aid and Stop the Bleed courses begin this month. EMT certification is set for the fall.
All classes have limited capacity. For more information, click here.
Construction of the I-95 overpass at Beachside Avenue is cruising along. (As opposed to, say, the Kings Highway Bridge replacement near Canal Street — a far less complicated project).
For years, Staples High School seniors have had a non-school-sanctioned Homecoming tradition: a motorcade from Compo Beach to the football game. Students pile into and on top of cars and trucks, hanging out and waving wildly as drivers honk.
There was no Homecoming this year, due to COVID. Seniors resurrected the tradition for today’s boys lacrosse game against Trumbull High School.
A girl reportedly fell out of the back of a truck en route to the school, near the Post Road and North Compo, and was taken to a hospital. There is no word yet on the extent of her injuries.
Posted onMay 8, 2021|Comments Off on Winfield Coffee Cruises The Coast
Winfield Street Coffee is a fixture on Post Road West. There are other shops in Stamford and Croton, New York; a delivery service in Wilton, and 4 more set to open this summer in Rye and Manhattan.
But that’s just part of the plan. Owner Breno Donatti wants to expand Winfield’s horizons even more — along with his charitable mission of helping people in need.
A truck — coffee-colored, with “Espresso Yo’self” painted on the back — will soon hit the streets.
Almost ready to hit the road.
Serving coffee, espresso (natch), nitro on tap, bagel sandwiches and pastries, the mobile unit will introduce the brand into new neighborhoods — and states.
It will also expand Winfield’s Giving Back program. Instead of delivering pre-made meals to shelters, they’ll be made fresh, to order. The goal is audacious: 21,000 meals, in 2021.
Breno’s family is in Naples, Florida. There’s a lot of requests for New York bagels and (good) coffee in southwest Florida. So the truck will spend June at Park Shore Plaza. Then it will cruise up the East Coast.
Where exactly?
Breno wants to know. If you’re a landlord and want the truck in your parking lot — or if you’d like it to come to your neighborhood — email bdonatti@winfieldcoffee.com.
The Staples High School auditorium has been dark for 14 months.
But later this month, Staples Players will be back on stage.
Tickets go on sale tomorrow (Saturday, May 8) for a unique show. “Words Words Words … And Music” is a feel-good, very funny journey through 5 short plays by award-winning (and witty) playwright David Ives, plus 2 mini-musicals and a smattering of songs and monologues.
The curtain goes up May 20 and 21 (7:30 p.m.), and 22 (2 p.m., 7:30 p.m.). Socially distant seating is available tomorrow (click here). NOTE: Cultural starvation and fewer seats may create a toilet paper-in-2020 situation.
Just bring a container (no larger than a kitchen trash can) to the mattress and box spring recycling event at Earthplace tomorrow (Saturday, May 8, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.). Boy Scouts will fill it!
Sustainable Westport is thanking Westport for making the food scrap recycling program such a success. Started less than a year ago, residents now divert 10 tons of food scraps a month. (That’s in addition to me compost piles.)
That’s great. But the goal is to double participation in the Zero Food Waste Challenge in the next 6 months. For options, and guidance, click here. For more information on tomorrow’s event, email ZeroWaste@SustainableWestport.org or call 203-293-6320.
Speaking of Earthplace: This year, their annual fundraiser has been turned into a special “Cocktails & Clams To Go” have-your-own-picnic event.
100 boxes of Copps Island oysters or clams (your choice) are on sale (along with a shucking knife, cocktail sauce and mixer, Harbor Watch car magnet, and raffle entry.
Each basket purchased allows Harbor Watch to continue its fight against pollution in local waterways. Click here for more information, and to purchase your shellfish.
Ever since she opened Le Rouge Aartisan Chocolates, Aarti Khosla has helped people and organizations in need in Westport, Bridgeport and throughout Fairfield County.
Now she’s helping people in her native land.
As COVID causes havoc in India, Aarti is helping raise funds to mobilize oxygen concentrators and other equipment. “No amount is too small to make a difference,” Aarti says. She is working with Vibha, a non-profit whose tagline is “Save lives. Save India.” Click here for details, and to contribute.
She is also donating 20% of all sales from Mother’s Day and Teacher Appreciation Week to Vibha. So this is the perfect time for some fantastic chocolate — and to help an important cause.
Tickets for individual Westport Country Playhouse virtual performances are now on sale.
This season’s online offerings include a comedy (“Tiny House,” June 29-July 18), a Script in Hand (“The Savannah Disputation,” June 14-20), a classic (“Man of La Mancha 2018,” August 23-September 5), and a gripping drama (“Doubt: A Parable,” November 2-21).
Virtual tickets start at just $20. Click here for more information, and to order. Questions? Call 203-227-4177, or email boxoffice@westportplayhouse.org.
Staples junior Katie Davitt has found a way to combine her passions for art and advocacy. She draws pet portraits for families — and donates 100% of the proceeds to causes she cares deeply about, like racial justice (Equal Justice Initiative), animal welfare (Connecticut Humane Society) and combating climate change (Environmental Defense Fund).
So far, she has raised and given away over $1,500.
Katie says, “the pandemic has given me an opportunity to look inward and realize what is truly important to me: family, friends, pursuing my passions. At the same time it’s opened my eyes to injustices in the world. I feel like I am doing my small part in making a difference.”
Katie is busy with schoolwork. But anyone interested in pet portraits this summer should send a photo of the pet, its name and your background color preference to kateedavitt@gmail.com. She charges $65 for a printed portrait in a 9”x11” black frame with a white matte, $45 for a digital file.
“Ten days ago, I urged the community to ask the RTM to support public transit in Westport by restoring funds cut from the Westport Transit District’s budget for the Wheels2U Westport shuttles.
“The response was overwhelming. Over 100 letters were sent to the RTM from individuals and organizations in favor of restoring the funding. The RTM heard your voice, and voted 32-to-1 to restore the budget and keep Westport’s Wheels2U shuttle running and growing!
“Wheels2U Westport was launched in October 2020 to support Westport residents and businesses. It provides a convenient and environmentally-friendly way for Westport residents and reverse commuters to travel between the train stations and their homes, employers and downtown. Wheels2U is now an integral part of Westport.
“We cannot thank you enough! A diverse group of residents, commuters and key Westport organizations came together to share your stories, explain the shuttle’s benefits, and lend your voice to restoring the budget.
“There are exciting things planned for Wheels2U Westport in the next year. We look forward to keeping everyone up to date about our growth and new initiatives.”
Westport’s wonderful spring continues. Judith Katz spotted these tulips on Myrtle Avenue, across from Sconset Square. Just a few of the many colorful flowers that make our town so beautiful.
And finally … in Vienna today in 1824, Beethoven’s 9th Symphony was first performed. It’s considered the composer’s greatest work — and one of the finest musical achievements of all time. Groundbreaking in its use of voices, it is also one of the most performed symphonies in the world.
Of course, Beethoven never heard his masterpiece. When he began composing the 9th Symphony in 1822, he was already deaf.
Comments Off on Roundup: Staples Players, Mattress Recycling, Pet Photos …
The I-95 underpass at Elaine Road, near the state boat launch and Westport Animal Control. The backs of Sea Kayak and Saugatuck Sweets are across the Saugatuck River (Photo/Patricia McMahon)
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