Category Archives: Westport Country Playhouse

Next Monday’s Planning & Zoning Commission meeting (April 27, 6 p.m.; Zoom) will begin with the consideration of a pre-application that’s been discussed for a while.

Representative Town Meeting member Andrew Colabella will initiate discussion of a fenced dog area at Winslow Park. It would be located near the end of the asphalt walkway, in the area where construction equipment was staged a couple of years ago.

There would be one section for small dogs, another for large ones.

A pre-app is an informal, preliminary review process for a proposed project. It’s a way to present a conceptual plan and receive early feedback, before formally filing a special permit or site plan application.

There are currently on- and off-leash sections of Winslow Park — but no special fenced-in area. (Photo/Mark Mathias)

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Speaking of the great outdoors: Yesterday was Earth Day.

As she has done for over 20 years, longtime Westporter and environmental advocate Rindy Higgins cleaned up garbage at Canal Beach (after a full day of substitute teaching at Coleytown Middle School).

She reports: “Finding mostly paper scraps, tar chunks, an odd large jar full of dirt topped with a lid like a terrarium, and some plastic bits and bobs, I’m glad to announce there is much less this year than in the past!”

Next year, let’s put Rindy out of a job. (Clean-up, that is — not teaching.)

Rindy Higgins, at Canal Beach.

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An update on an ongoing accessory dwelling unit (ADA) case:

In January, the Zoning Board of Appeals unanimously denied an appeal of a previous Planning & Zoning Commission decision, to allow construction of an ADU at 21 Norwalk Avenue.

Adjacent Compo Beach neighborhood property owners David Johnson and Holly Jaffe had objected to the ADU, based on its 26-foot height and location 10 feet from the existing house. (Click here for a previous “06880” story on this issue.)

James Ezzes, ZBA chair, wrote that zoning regulations in effect at the time of the application allow construct of accessory dwelling units as of right; the proposed plans conform to the definite of an ADU and all applicable standards; regulations allow a 350-square foot coverage exemption for lots of 1.5 acres or less; and the zoning enforcement officer does not have discretion in the review of permits.

With a suit pending in Superior Court (set to be heard in August), alleging that the Zoning Board of Appeals erroneously approved the permit, Johnson and Jaffe requested an injunction to prevent construction. A judge will rule on that motion on April 29.

This week, however, work began on the new structure.

Construction begins at 21 Norwalk Avenue.

Meanwhile, the P&Z has already revised regulations for ADUs in small lots. They removed a 350-foot exemption on lots of 1.5 acres and less. The lot in question (above) is .11 acre.

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“Affordability” — a hot topic nationally these days — is the theme of this year’s 10th annual Westport Woman’s Club Art Show.

Sixteen local artists — with works curated by Miggs Burroughs — kicks off with an opening reception today (Thursday, 4 to 7 p.m.). The exhibit continues Saturday and Sunday, April 25-26 (2 to 5 p.m.).

Artists include Robin Babbin, John Bygott, Bonnie Edelman, Susan Fehlinger, Hernan Garcia, Rachel Hall, Elisa Keogh, Shelley Lowenstein, Paula Morgan, Larry Morse, Jon Puzzuoli, Butch Quick, Jodi Rabinowitz, Cindy Wagner and Tammy Winser.

Guest artist Sean Keating will show work in the drawing room, where small works donated by the participating artists as chance prizes will be on display.

This year’s show honors the memory of Jo Fuchs Luscombe. The former WWC president — who also served as state representative, 3rd selectwoman and Zoning Board of Appeals chair — died last year.

Net proceeds benefit local community service organizations, and need-based scholarships.

The Westport Weston Family YMCA is all about health for all — especially youth.

So it’s a no-brainer for them to invite everyone to Healthy Kids Day (April 25, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.).

Part of a national Y program, Healthy Kids Day highlights the importance of nutritious eating, physical activity, mental resilience, and developing lifelong healthy habits.

The event includes mini-classes, food trucks with healthy options, a bounce house, water safety demonstrations, and community vendors and partners.

To register (it’s free!), click here.

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“Art, Jazz + the Blues” — MoCA\CT’s current exhibition — is open through June 7. It’s visually expansive, and the music it evokes is equally broad and inspiring.

But that’s far from the only reason to visit the Newtown Turnpike gallery.

A host of activities complements, draws upon and adds to the exhibit. For example:

• East Coast Contemporary Ballet Salon Series (tonight, Thursday, 7:30 p.m.).
• Teen Open Mic Night (April 30, 6 p.m.)
• Inside Art & Jazz with WPKN’s Richard Epstein and Jim Motavalli (May 2, 6 p.m.)
• Intuitive Painting: Analyzing Your Creative Flow with Melissa Benedek (May 3, 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.)
• 1 Degree of Separation: Jazz in Connecticut — A Conversation with Yale School of Music’s Tom Duffy & Wayne Escoffery (May 7, 6 p.m.)
• Mother’s Day at MoCA\CT (May 10, 12 to 5 p.m.)
• Sound Bath Meditation with Hummingbird Healing Arts’ Lisa Pak (May 12, June 30, July 14, 6 to 7 p.m.)
• Westport Writers’ Workshop at MoCA\CT (May 14, 6 p.m.)
• Camp MoCA Open House (May 16, 9:30 to 11 a.m.)
• Karisa Chiu, Violin, and Frederic Chiu, Piano (May 16, 7 p.m.)

Click here, then click on “Events” for details, registration information and more.

Karisa Chiu and Frederic Chiu.

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Lewis Black is an upcoming Westport Country Playhouse attraction.

Well, he won’t be on stage. But the comedian has written a lively, insightful comedy — “One Slight Hitch” — that is the next Script in Hand reading.

It’s set for Monday, May 4 (7 p.m.).

His inspiration was a wedding invitation from a woman he had dated years earlier.

“That really blew my mind,” Black says. “I thought, ‘What if I did go?’ That was the beginning of the idea: What would happen if someone from the past suddenly showed up on a day that’s supposed to be completely planned out?”

“Everyone loves Lewis Black for his razor-sharp stand-up, his incredibly funny books, and his unforgettable appearances on ‘The Daily Showm’” says Mark Shanahan, Script in Hand series curator and Playhouse artistic director.

“But he’s also a remarkably funny playwright, and ‘One Slight Hitch’ proves it.”

The face “feels both wildly entertaining and all too familiar to anyone who’s ever navigated family, love, or the chaos of a wedding day.”

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

Lewis Black

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In 2024, “06880” profiled Daniel Maya.

Born 16 weeks prematurely, doctors said he would be blind, and never walk.

He proved them very, very wrong.

Buoyed by support from his parents and sister, and many others — including eye doctors and occupational, speech and physical therapists — he survived.

At Staples High he ran cross country, and competed in indoor and outdoor track. He graduated in 2017.

But that was just the start.

Daniel ran 4 marathons. He got his undergraduate degree in human services from Beacon College, and pursued a master’s through the University of Vermont. in physical activity and wellness science.

The other day, Daniel provided this update:

“I believe that in our digitally connected world, we might be missing out on human support and contact.

“I saw the challenges my fellow neurodiverse individuals and I face in that digital world. My solution is developing a local neurodiverse mentoring community.

“Because resources are commonly developed and brought about from a neurotypical perspective, while well-intentioned they unfortunately often fail to support individual goals of people they are meant to serve.

“I offer personalized coaching for teen and young adult neurodivergents. Across several levels of functioning. my support from an empathetic perspective helps people achieve their goals and navigate their lives, from daily routines and indepedence to fitness and school.

“My background as a neurodiverse individual, and my professional experience as a paraeducator and fitness coach allow me to help. But my most important credential is my lived experience.”

For more information, email danielimaya@gmail.com; call 203-644-6877, or
click here.

Daniel Maya

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Pop Shop Market offers a special pre-Mother’s Day event, with local vendors showcasing fashion, accessories, home goods and more.

It’s May 2 (10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Westport Museum for History & Culture).

Other gift ideas include graduations and teacher appreciation.

For more information, click here.

Popshop Market at the Westport Museum for History & Culture.

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David Aasen — a 1974 Staples graduate whose interest in foreign affairs led him to a long career as a field manager, policy analyst and representative of international organizations in the Middle East, Africa and Europe — died of natural causes on April 7, in Dubai. He was 69.

A resident of Mombasa, Kenya, David had expertise in governance,
democratization, and relations between non-governmental organizations and the
media. He worked to make the world better and safer, in places many would have thought too broken to fix.

David worked for the United Nations, US State Department, Organization of African Unity, and Organization of American States.

Previously, he served as a long-time program officer for Amnesty International USA. Field assignments included reporting on civil conflict in Sudan, coordinating electoral assistance in Haiti and relief aid in Somalia, monitoring elections in the Republics of the Congo and Angola, and overseeing refugee repatriation projects in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

David spoke French, Spanish, Portuguese and Arabic.

After Staples High School, David earned a BA  in international affairs from George Washington University. He also received certificates in mass media from Stanford University, and international peacekeeping from the Inter-American Defense College.

He was predeceased by his parents, Martha and Lawrence Aasen. He is
survived by his sister Susan Aasen (David), of Rockland, Maine.

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The Longshore golf course is up and running … and ready to shine, as the featured photo in today’s “Westport … Naturally” daily series.

(Photo/Marie Gross)

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And finally …  Dave Mason, who had success both with Traffic and as a solo artist, died Sunday. He was 79.

Mason — inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, with Traffic — headlined more than once at the Levitt Pavilion. His most recent appearance there was a 2017 fundraiser.

In his long career, he played with Paul McCartney, George Harrison, the Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Michael Jackson, David Crosby, Graham Nash, Steve Winwood, Fleetwood Mac, Delaney & Bonnie and Cass Elliott.

Click here for a full obituary. (Hat tip: Amy Schneider)

(“06880” is where Westport meets the world. From local news and upcoming events to a connection you forgot or never knew, we’re here for you, 24/7/365. Please click here to support us. Thanks!)