Category Archives: Weather

Roundup: More Snow, Board Of Ed Conversation Postponed, Alzheimer’s Support Group Forms …

After a professional development day, winter break, then 2 more blizzard snow days, Westport schools were finally back in session this morning.

It did not start out well.

A parent of a student reports, “Cars were driving 5 miles an hour on the way to school. Many were sliding all over the place. Scary!”

A Staples High School senior adds, “Wild school opening. 4 students in my first period class. Roads covered in snow. Couldn’t see the center line on the Post Road.”

The good news is: The sun will peek through this afternoon. The temperature will be about 40.

The bad news: Snow showers are predicted, Sunday through Tuesday.

Car and school bus navigate snow-covered roads very carefully this morning. (Photo/Dayle Brownstein)

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The Board of Education “Community Conversation” scheduled for noon today at the Westport Library has been postponed.

A new date will be announced soon.

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And 2 delays: The Senior Center will open at 10:30 a.m. today, 2 hours late.

The Westport Library opens at 11 a.m.

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Residents caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s or other dementia often feel alone.

There’s help available. The Residence at Westport and Westport Library are collaborating on a monthly support group, with professional facilitators.

It’s a chance to share stories with others who understand the challenges, in a safe and supportive environment.

Educational presentations may be provided, and participants will help choose discussion topics.

It meets the second Tuesday of every month (11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Westport Library). No RSVPs are necessary; it’s a drop-in group.

Questions? Email mledney@residencewestport.com.

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For the second time this winter, SCA Crowley lent a clean-up hand.

The property management firm and Penna Construction — both longtime Westport-based firms — lent vehicles and crews yesterday night. Together, they cleared some of the snow that remained on downtown streets and sidewalks.

It takes a village. Thanks, SCA and Penna, for helping make ours a little less treacherous!

(Photo/Andrew Colabella)

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Also downtown: S’mores — courtesy of Nômade — are a winter Holiday Stroll favorite.

But they made an appearance yesterday, on the Main Street sidewalk.

And you thought nothing good would come out of that blizzard …

Who wants s’mores? (Photo/Sal Liccione)

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Many Westport Country Playhouse Script in Hand play reading selections are contemporary works.

The next one is a classic — and an encore presentation.

“The Subject Was Roses” — winner of the 1965 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and a Tony Award for Best Play — comes to the storied stage on Monday (March 2, 7 p.m.).

It was produced at the Playhouse in 1966, then again in 1982.

“Roses” is set in May of 1946. As World War II draws to an end, a young soldier returns to the Bronx apartment where he was raised. Hoping his homecoming will repair his parents’ troubled marriage, he presses for small acts of reconciliation, only to expose years of resentment and emotional distance. As tensions rise, the family confronts the truth of their relationships and the life they share.

Tickets are $35. Click here to purchase, and for more information. 

Etai Benson stars in “The Subject Was Roses.”

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Cohl Katz loves her Smith Corona typewriter.

But it jammed up — and she has no idea who can fix it.

If you know a typewriter repair person — or can do it yourself — email cohlita@yahoo.com.

Who knows — she may write a nice thank-you note on it!

Kids: Do you know what this is?

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Dogs in a Pile — the 20-somethings band with “old souls and limitless chops,”  brings their psychedelic-tinged jazz/funk/rock to the Levitt Pavilion on July 17.

Touring is in their blood: They’ve averaged 130 shows a year since 2022.

Tickets go on sale Friday (February 27, 10 a.m.). Click here to purchase, and for more information.


Dogs in a Pile

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From Dogs in a Pile to a red-tailed hawk in a tree … here’s today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature photo:

  (Photo/Todd Ehrlich)

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And finally … on this date in 1873, 4 years before the invention of the phonograph, Enrico Caruso — the most popular operatic tenor of the early 20th century, and the first great recording star — was born. He died in 1921, at 48, from peritonitis.

(Where else but “06880” can you find Dogs in a Pile and Enrico Caruso in the same place? There’s lot more every day too, on your hyper-local blog. Please click here to support our work. Thanks!) 

Pics Of The Day #3233

One indoor view of the Blizzard of 2026 … (Photo/Judith Katz)

… and feeling a Buddha-like calm (Photo/Claudia Sherwood Servidio)

 

Roundup: Cribari Bridge Zoom, Library Opening, Senior Center Closed …

A reminder: Tonight (Tuesday, 7 p.m.), there is a Zoom meeting (click here for the link) about the Cribari Bridge.

Representative Town Meeting (RTM) members from Districts 1, 4 and 9 will lead the discussion.

The session was organized by District 1 rep Matthew Mandell. All Westport residents — from every district — are welcome to join.

Cribari Bridge (Drone photo/Alex O’Brien)

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24 hours later: How has the town handled the Blizzard of 2026?

Very, very well.

With residents staying off the roads for most of yesterday, plowing proceeded quickly. Many sidewalks have been cleared too.

Of course, that plowed snow had to go somewhere.

Church Lane and Elm Street.

There will be huge piles, for a while. That makes driving — and crossing streets — difficult.

Be careful. Be smart. Be safe.

And — of course — be courteous!

Elm Street, at Main Street. (Photos/Sal Liccione)

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In other blizzard news: The Westport Library will open today (Tuesday) at 12 noon. That will give them (and their employees) a little more time to dig out.

They remind patrons: “Our digital library remains open 24/7, with access to a wide variety of materials including e-books, e-audiobooks, music, movies and TV shows, magazines, and more. And while you’re online, be sure to check out our many resource guides.”

Outside the Westport Library. (Photo/Molly Alger)

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Meanwhile, the Senior Center will be closed again today.

It reopens tomorrow (Wednesday).

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If you’ve been to an Artists Collective of Westport pop-up show reception, you know a few things.

The works are very creative, wildly eclectic, and always thought-provoking. The energy level is high. The artists are eager to chat. And the food and drink is free.

The next one is next Tuesday (March 3, 6 to 8 p.m., Sheffer Barn at the Westport Country Playhouse). Broadway music conductor and composer Caren Cole will play.

The gallery is then open March 4-8 (noon to 4 p.m.). An artist talk (on inspiration, medium, process and more) is set for March 8 (4 p.m.).

This show features works by members who recently joined the Collective:
Laura Appelman, Peggy Dembicer, Tim Eaton, Ira Hara, Julie Hicks, Tom Kretsch, Shelly Lowenstein, Paula Morgan, Erwin Ong, Butch Quick,
Jodi Rabinowitz, Elizabeth Hiltz Thomas, Michael Tomashefsky and Rowene Weems. (Some of those names are familiar to “06880” readers, for their wonderful photos.)

Untitled (Rowene Weems)

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Pianist Ted Rosenthal has performed worldwide as a soloist, with his trio, and with greats including Gerry Mulligan, Art Farmer, Phil Woods, and James Moody.

He joins a quintet — bassist Martin Wind, drummer Tim Horner, trumpeter Alex Norris and saxophonist Greg “The Jazz Rabbi” Wall — this Thursday, for Jazz at the Post (February 26; shows at 7:30 and 8:45 p.m.; dinner at 7; VFW Post 399).  Click here for tickets, and more information.

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With all the snow, we need a bird photo to remind us that spring is not far away.

At least, we hope not.

Outstanding wildlife photographer Lou Weinberg snapped this mourning dove, for today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature.

(And yes, it’s “mourning” — not “morning.” The name comes comes from its melancholy coos. But it’s not a sound of grief — it’s a courtship call from the male.)

(Photo/Lou Weinberg)

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And finally … happy 79th birthday to Rupert Holmes.

We’ll drink to that!

(If you like piña coladas: Great! If you like “06880”: Even better! The next step: Please click here, and support our work.  We’ll toast you with Champagne.)

 

Pic Of The Day #3232

Blizzard of 2026: Bulkley Avenue North (Photo/Anne von Herrmann)

A Blizzard Of Photos: Part 3

Congratulations, Westport!

We made it through the Blizzard of 2026.

Of course, it will take time to clean up all that snow. (Schools are closed tomorrow — c’mon kids, get out there and shovel!)

The town was as quiet as it’s ever been today. Nearly everyone heeded pleas to stay off the roads. Public and private crews worked long and hard, plowing roads and driveways. (C’mon, residents — lend a hand with the sidewalks and fire hydrants!)

Things will start edging closer to normal tomorrow. But for now, here’s another look at what the snow and wind wrought.

Lila, on Wilton Road (Photo copyright/Ted Horowitz)

Post Road, 3 pm (Photo/Michael Chait)

Main Street (Photo/David Martin)

Snowbound on Violet Lane (Photo/Morley Boyd)

The wind wrecked this door, at the Bridge Square Dunkin’ Donuts (Photo/Whitmal Cooper)

(Photo/Tom Lowrie)

(Photo/Jay Petrow)

(Photo/Richard Jaffe)

(Photo/Jeff Ruden)

(Photo/Carl McNair)

(Photo/Mary Sikorski)

(Photo/Yulee Aronson)

Mobile on a porch, in a whiteout (Photo/Pamela Kesselman)

 

A Blizzard Of Photos: Part 2

Off Guyer Road (Photo/Alison Freeland)

One view of Church Lane … (Photo/Sal Liccione)

… and another (Photo/Sal Liccione)

Tufted titmouse takes shelter in rhododendron (Photo/Wendy Crowther)

Cross Highway, 11 pm last night — just the beginning (Photo/Mark Yurkiw)

(Photo/Nancy Axthelm)

Weston, near Bayberry Lane (Photo/Michael Bud)

(Photo/Diane Lowman)

Christ & Holy Trinity Episcopal Church (Photo/Sal Liccione)

Highland Road (Photo/Ellen Wentworth)

No feeding today — off Morningside Drive North (Photo/Jilda Manikas)

 

(Photo/Luisa Francoeur)

Long may it wave! (Photo/Jonathan Alloy)

Meanwhile: It will take quite a while to get rid of all that snow.

Unless of course, you’re Mark Mathias. He did it in just 2 minutes and 10 seconds! Watch below …

 

A Blizzard Of Photos

Westport’s Emergency Operations Center says: “Roads are hazardous. Stay off the streets to allow plowing and emergency access. A parking ban is in effect. Avoid non-essential travel.” 

So what can you do? Enjoy these photos!

And stay warm and dry.

Saugatuck Shores (Photo/Rindy Higgins)

Whitney Street, last night (Photo/Molly Alger)

Main Street, last night (Tomoko Meth)

Jamie Walsh says, “Not even a blizzard stops Birds of Prey from a hearty breakfast.”

(Photo/Diane Lowman)

Off Cross Highway, last night (Claudia Sherwood Servidio)

Japanese maple (Photo/Susan Garment)

Off Whitney Street (Photo/Richard Fogel)

Kitchen window (Photo/Susan Garment)

Roundup: The Blizzard, The Thing Date, The Job Bank …

Westport and Weston seem to have weathered the Blizzard of 2026 well.

At least, judging from the low number of power outages.

As of 6 a.m., Eversource reported only 17 Westport customers without electricity. That’s 0.13% of the town. They all appeared to be in the Center Street area of Greens Farms.

Weston had 85 outages (2.17%).

Statewide, 8,104 residents had lost power (0.61.%).

Snow and wind is expected to continue through noon. Another 2 to 4 inches of snow are possible, with winds continuing at 25 to 35 miles an hour.

Stay warm and safe! If you need anything, please email 06880blog@gmail.com. We’ll do our best to help!

The view outside “06880” headquarters. (Photo/Dan Woog)

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An incorrect date was listed yesterday, in the story on The Thing’s VersoFest show this week.

The band appears this Friday (February 27, 8 p.m.), at the Westport Library. Click here for tickets and more information. Click here for yesterday’s piece on the group.

The Thing

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It may not seem like it now.

But summer begins in 121 days. And the Westport Youth Commission’s Student Job Bank has employers looking to hire teenagers.

The platform helps local businesses and organizations offer part-time, seasonal and intern positions to high school students. Jobs include retail work, business support, non-profit assistance, lifeguarding, camp counseling and more. The Job Bank can be found here. 

The Student Job Bank is free to businesses and students.

Businesses that have summer jobs need to fill out this form.

Students are encouraged to sign up for job alerts with their personal email so they will know when jobs are first posted.

Questions? Email kgodburn@westportct.gov.

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Speaking of high school students: Congratulations to Staples wrestlers Gavin Donaldson (120 pounds), Seamus Brannigan (126) and Julian Rousseau (215) — all first-place winners at Saturday’s state “LL” (extra large schools) tournament.

Congrats too to silver medalist Damian Rousseau.

Those 4 — plus Kai Schwartz (132) and Jessiah Jones (190) — move on to the state open meet this coming weekend.

 

Staples head coach Jordan Marion (far left), and Staples wrestlers at the LL tournament. First-place winners holding their bout sheets are (from left in the middle) Julian Rousseau, Gavin Donaldson and Seamus Brannigan.

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The landscape is very white today.

But yesterday morning, Laurie Sorensen’s yard was green and red.

She snapped this photo of a colorful cardinal, for today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature.

 

(Photo/Laurie Sorensen)

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And finally … what can we do, except:

(Tired of shoveling? Not ready to start yet? Relax … it’s the perfect time to click here and support “06880.” We can’t dig out your car. But we can continue to provide 24/7/365 news and info. Thank you!)

Pic Of The Day #3231

And “snow” it begins: Christ & Holy Trinity Church, tonight. (Photo/Sal Liccione)

Blizzard Update: Lamont Declares State Of Emergency

The town remains under a Local Civil Preparedness Emergency. as a major winter storm impacts the region this evening through Monday.

Governor Lamont has declared a statewide State of Emergency. That includes an emergency order prohibiting commercial vehicle travel on all limited access highways statewide, in effect now, until further notice.

Westport’s Emergency Operations Center has been activated to coordinate storm response operations. Police, Fire, EMS, Public Works, and Human Services are fully engaged, and staging personnel and equipment.

Heavy snowfall, damaging winds and periods of whiteout visibility are expected. Travel conditions are deteriorating, and will become extremely dangerous overnight.

Coastal Flooding & Storm Surge: A Coastal Flood Warning is in effect. Overnight high tides are expected to produce moderate coastal flooding, with storm surge levels forecast between approximately 4 and 4.6 feet above normal astronomical tide levels. Low-lying and flood-prone areas, including portions of Saugatuck Shores, Compo Beach and other shoreline neighborhoods, are expected to experience roadway flooding during the overnight high tide.

 Critical Resident Actions:
• Remain off the roads unless absolutely necessary.
• Remove vehicles from roadways immediately.
• If vehicles must remain on the street, follow alternate side parking based on the calendar date.
• Prepare for possible power outages.
• Avoid driving through flooded coastal roadways.
• Check on elderly neighbors and those who may need assistance.

First Selectman Kevin Christie adds, “Residents should remain home throughout the duration of the storm. Keeping roads clear is critical for plowing operations and emergency response, particularly with the added concern of coastal flooding.”

DPW crews will operate continuously throughout the storm. Emergency services remain fully operational.