Westport Police and Fire Departments are on the scene at 1550 Post Road East — in the area of ASF and Layla’s Falafel — after wires came down across the road.
Repairs are underway, but it’s uncertain how long it will be closed.
Drivers should seek alternate routes — including I-95, Greens Farms Road and Long Lots Road — to avoid the area.
Over the years, thousands of youngsters have learned safety, techniques and tactics at Longshore Sailing School.
Today it’s a thriving operation. LSS offers group and private lessons for children, teenagers and adults, along with sailboat, kayak and paddleboard rentals. You can book the handsome building for private events.
It’s come a long way. Back in the day — 1966, to be exact — this was the Longshore Sailing School:
(Photo courtesy of Christopher Maroc)
Do you have memories of the Longshore Sailing School — from 1966, 1996, 2016 or any other time? Click “Comments” below.
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Sustainable Westport, in partnership with the town of Westport and People’s Action for Clean Energy, has just launched HeatSmart Westport.
The program helps residents in 3 ways:
Improve home energy efficiency by getting a Home Energy Solutions audit from a certified technician. The typical cost is $75. But for everyone who signs up by August 31, and schedules and appointment between now and October, it’s free.
Insulate your home. and make other improvements to its envelope.
Consider switching your heating and cooling source to an energy efficient heat pump.
A typical HES visit includes about $800 worth of services and materials, and can result in over $180 in annual energy savings,
Each resident receives a personalized report outlining recommended improvements, such as insulation upgrades or more efficient equipment, along with rebates.
The program is open to all Westport homeowners and renters. If youve had an HES audit before 2019, you can have another now.
Weston’s Paul Levesque — better known as professional wrestler Triple H — stood on one side of Trump. Vice President Vance was on the other.
The gathering included Secretuary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and other famous athletes, including golfer Bryson DeChambeau, Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker, and former New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor.
Triple H — who once coached softball here — currently serves as WWE’s chief operating officer. He is married to Stephanie McMahon — a retired wrestler, WWE executive, and daughter of WWE co-founder Vince McMahon and his wife Linda, Trump’s Secretary of Education.
A news story last fall described Triple H’s opulent lifestyle, including a Weston “mansion,” luxury car collection, and Bombardier Global 5000 private jet. (Hat tip: David Loffredo)
From 1972-75, Longtime Westport resident Ron Schooler spent time in a Cuban prison.
Next Friday (August 8, 1:30 p.m., Westport Senior Center), he and Jim Evans will share their personal stories of that ordeal.
The event is part of the Senior Center’s “This is Your Life” series, presented through the Legacy Project.
Ron and Jim were on a sailing trip, delivering a boat from Rhode Island to Jamaica. But boat damage and bad weathe led them into Cuba waters, where they were arrested as “enemies of the state.”
Fifty years later, they’ll offer their perspectives on survival in a Cuban prison, during a time of political and social transformation.
Ron Schooler and Jim Evans
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Speaking of the Senior Center: They just received a $1,000 grant from the Southwestern Connecticut Transit Equity Foundation.
And finally … on this date in 1981, MTV began broadcasting in the US. The very first video was:
(Video killed the radio star. With our readers’ help, “06880” will keep hyper-local journalism alive. Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
Over the course of a career, one teacher can impact thousands of lives.
If a teacher is lucky, years later a few former students may thank him or her for that positive influence.
If that teacher is really lucky, one of those former students may work for McGraw Hill. And choose that teacher’s name for an enormous Times Square “thank you” billboard, where millions of people can see it.
Carson Einarsen is part of the team that conceived and executed the project. And thanks to him, several Staples High School educators are really, really lucky.
Carson Einarsen (foreground), and the McGraw Hill billboard …
To fill out some empty space, Carson — a 2012 SHS graduate — added the names of 6 Westport educators who played a role in getting him where he is today.
Where he is — after studying film and TV at Savannah College of Art & Design — is part of Glass & Marker, a creative video agency.
They specialize in companies going public, replacing tired old road shows with compelling videos.
For a newly public firm, the New York Stock Exchange offers space online, in the Wall Street building — and on 2 ginormous Times Square screens.
When McGraw Hill hired the firm, they wanted something more than just graphics and visuals on those screens.
Carson’s team had a brainstorm. McGraw Hill provides educational content, software, and services for students and educators. What if — instead of touting the company itself — they used that space to thank teachers?
And what better way to say “thanks” than by using actual, real names?
… and Carson’s close-up.
Top executives loved the idea. They asked everyone in the firm to submit 1 or 2 teachers to thank.
The result — besides being the most commented-on internal post in McGraw Hill’s history — was 874 names.
Carson and his colleagues designed the graphics, and organized the columns. When space became available at the end, he was ready with his own Westport list.
Carson chose:
Bill Derry, Greens Farms Elementary School library media coordinator
John Dodig, Staples High principal
Camille Eskell, Staples High art teacher
Anne Pfeiffer, Carson’s sister Mari’s Greens Farms Elementary teacher
Kerstin Warner Rao, Bedford Middle School workshop teacher
Christine Richardson, Staples High English teacher.
But wait! There’s more!
Andrew Fishman added a name. Maggie Gomez — hia Staples math teacher — is honored at Times Square too.
5 educators’ names are on the left column.
One of the billboards ran for half an hour last week.
The other runs once an hour. It debuted last week, and will rotate through over the next few week.
Both are on the north side of Times Square — near the bleachers — near 7th Avenue and 47th Street.
“Some companies going public celebrate a financial goal, or reaching a milestone,” Carson notes.
“McGraw Hill is an educational company. For them, celebrating others worked well. It distilled the core of what they do: making teachers’ lives better, so they can better serve students.”
At the same time, the billboards show the public that the company is about more than textbooks. They’ve moved into digital technology in education.
But the heart of education remains teachers.
Each of McGraw Hill’s hundreds of employees had at least one who made a difference. Even the CEO contributed a name.
But only Carson Einarsen included 6 of Westport’s best.
(Congratulations to all our teachers. But why limit this to Times Square? If an educator has impacted your life — in Westport or elsewhere — click “Comments” below. Let’s add many more to the list!)
(“06880” often highlights Westport education — and our graduates’ accomplishments. If you like stories like these, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
As “06880” reported more than 2 weeks ago, the state Department of Transportation is changing the near-century-old Merritt Parkway exit numbers.
The new ones — “20” for our familiar Exit 41, and “21” for 42 — conform to federal standards, which mandate that exits show the approximate mileage from a starting point. With the Merritt, that’s the New York border.
Old habits die hard. This may take some getting used to.
Fortunately, for at least 2 years small signs underneath the larger ones will say “old Exit 41” or “42.”
Fingers crossed that GPS picks up on the change pretty quickly.
(Photos/Adrian Mueller)
In a couple of years, an even bigger change is coming.
Say goodbye to Westport’s I-95 exits 17 and 18. (Hat tip: Bill Dedman)
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All is ready for Alo’s opening.
The “activewear brand,” offering “studio-to-street clothing, yoga gear and luxury skincare,” replaces Oka — previously Banana Republic, and before that, Klein’s Department Store — tomorrow (August 1).
Can’t wait? There’s an Early Access Shopping event today (Thursday, July 31, 4-7 p.m.), at their “newest sanctuary.”
There’s a DJ, yoga performances, beverages, and a $500 Alo gift card giveaway.
The first 100 shoppers get an “exclusive gift” with their purchase.
But that’s not the only new activewear store opening downtown tomorrow.
Or the only one with a special opening event.
Beyond Yoga opens their second Connecticut store (after Greenwich) near Lux Bond & Green, in the “Elm & Main” shopping plaza (formerly called Brooks Corner).
They’ll host their own preview party tonight (Thursday, July 31, 5 to 7 p.m.), with their own DJ, light bites, sips, 20% off purchases, and a gift with any purchase of $300 or more. Click here to RSVP.
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LobsterFest is one of our town’s greatest parties.
The Westport Rotary Club event features lobsters (duh), steak, drinks, live music, kids’ activities and much more, all on a beautiful late summer day at Compo Beach. (This year it’s September 20.)
Over 1,500 guests help raise over $400,000, for nearly 50 community organizations.
But all that fun takes work.
At least 250 volunteers are needed — and as hard as Rotarians work, there are not that many club members.
Volunteers can purchase a lobster or steak ticket, or get a free hamburger or hot dog. All volunteers enjoy free drinks too.
All ages (youngsters and up) are needed for set-up on Friday, September 19 (3 to 6:30 p.m.) and Saturday, September 20 (9 a.m. to 1 p.m.); shifts during the September 20 LobsterFest (from 2 to 7:30 p.m.), and clean-up on Sunday, September 21 (9 a.m. to 1 p.m.).
The Clubhouse — Westport’s very popular sports simulator/big TV screen/ karaoke/rooftop event space hosted Club 203’s volunteers.
The town’s social club for adults with disabilities, and their partner Westport’s Department of Human Services, said “thank you” to the men and women who make each monthly gathering special.
“They are the glue to all of our celebrations. We would be nothing if not for them,” says Club203 co-founder Stacie Curran. She also thanked owners Tim and Emily Zobl of The Clubhouse, for their help.
Volunteers were the first to see the 2025-26 calendar. The year kicks off with a bash at Lachat Town Farm in Weston, and continues with Halloween, Thanksgiving and holiday gatherings. January brings a night at Westport Country Playhouse.
It’s on the bank of the Saugatuck River, behind the Levitt Pavilion.
She worries it may become a hazard.
“06880” often reminds drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians: “Be careful out there.”
Now we’ll add rowers and boaters to the list.
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Westport Police made 1 custodial arrest bewteen July 230 and 29.
A 40-year-old Norwalk man was charged with failure to appear. The warrant stemmed for a previous motor vehicle arrest. He posted a $10,000 bond.
Westport Police also issued these citations:
Traveling unreasonably fast: 4 citations
Failure to obey stop sign: 2
Failure to comply with state traffic commission regulations: 2
Failure to renew registration: 2
Criminal trespass: 1
Distracted driving: 1
Operating a motor vehicle under suspension: 1
Failure to insure a motor vehicle: 1
Operating a motor vehicle without minimum insurance: 1
Failure to obey traffic control signals: 1
Improper use of markers: 1
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Noted lawyer and 1959 Staples High School graduate Michael Cardozo died July 23 in White Plains, after a short illness. He was 84.
His career included over 45 years at Proskauer Rose, and 12 as New York City’s corporation counsel (appointed by Mayor Bloomberg). He also served as president of the New York City Bar Association, the New York State Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government, and on many non-profit boards.
He earned a BA political science in 1963 from Brown University, and a JD 3 years later from Columbia Law School.
Michael is survived by his wife Nancy Cardozo; daughters Hedy Cardozo (Michael Rosenblut) and Sheryl Cardozo (Adi Diner), and grandchildren Lucy, Josh and Ellie.
(Sure, the Merritt Parkway may switch numbers. But “06880” will never change. We’ll keep delivering news, features, history, photos an much more. Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
Today — and every Thursday — shoppers flood the Westport Farmers’ Market. Over 2 decades it’s earned a county-wide reputation for stocking the freshest berries, veggies, eggs, tomatoes, and anything else that can be grown locally.
Along with Mexican and Thai food, pizza, bagels, baked goods, dog treats, honey, mushrooms — and live entertainment, knife sharpening, and much more.
Plus swordfish, tuna and other seafood. It’s direct from the source. Sustainable. And — thanks to an innovative program — portions of each sale go right back to boats working the Northeast waters.
Oceans 180 by Nordic Fish complements the WFM’s mission: to provide fresh, local, healthy and seasonal food, while increasing awareness, knowledge and support for local producers focused on sustainable and healthy growing practices.
Jardar Nygaard
The creation of Jardar Nygaard — well known to area residents through his businesses, Fjord Fisheries and Nordic Fish — Oceans 180 bridges the gap between local seafood producers and farmers’ markets. (Besides Westport, they work with Fairfield and Greenwich.)
They provide the freshest seasfood directly from the source, while easing the financial uncertainty faced by every fishing vessel.
Nygaard is passionate about fishing. A native of Norway who moved with his family to Seattle at age 4 — how about those fishing chops? — he’s been in the business since he was 16. He opened his first store 2 years later, in 1990.
In his early years with Fjord Fisheries — which he ran with his family — Nygaard learned from experts, at Fulton Fish Market.
After selling Fjord in 2012 Nygaard got into oyster farming. His next venture, Nordic Fish in Fairfield, attracted many loyal Westport customers.
Seafood lovers are thrilled to see him back in town, at the Farmers’ Market. They know the quality of his products.
Oceans 180, at the Westport Farmers’ Market.
But they don’t always know the back story to his stall.
“Oceans 180” refers to the distance his fresh fish come from: no more than approximately 180 miles, from Maine to Delaware.
They may also not know that Nygaard pays producers the current market price upfront, upon delivery. That eliminates two of the most challenging parts of the fishing industry: delays and guesswork.
In addition, Oceans 180 caps their gross margins. They return any revenue above the cap directly to their producers, as bonus payouts after each market closes.
The model removes risk for producers. They are never asked to cover losses if margins fall short.
Ocean 180’s bonuses help take some of the uncertainty out of fishing.
“By prioritizing honesty and shared success, we build long-term relationships rooted in trust,” Nygaard says.
“Our producers are not just suppliers. They are partners in creating a more ethical and sustainable food system.”
Those partners supply seafood that Westporters love, like swordfish, tuna, steelhead salmon, steamers, sea scallops, black sea bass, halibut, oysters and clams.
Often, it’s just a day or two off the boat.
Fresh fish (and shellfish).
Nygaard is passionate about fishing. It has been his life, since he was a little boy in Norway.
Now he’s sharing that passion with Westport Farmers’ Market shoppers — and paying it forward, to his producers.
As every youth sports parent knows, young athletes quickly outgrow their uniforms.
Very quickly.
Occasionally, a club or league organizes a day for parents to pass jerseys along. But Westport PAL basketball has done more.
Full Court Peace is a non-profit founded by local resident Mike Evans. It provides basketballs, sneakers, court repair — and uniforms — to underserved communities in Norwalk, Bridgeport, Stamford and Queens.
Plus Havana, Santo Domingo, San Juan, and a refugee camp in Jordan.
Recently, Westport PAL partnered with Full Court Peace. Greg Downes and Gery Grove led the effort.
Six players — all PAL alums — traveled to the Dominican Republic. They restored 2 courts, and handed out 30 basketballs and 50 Westport uniforms to young players.
They also joined in games with the youngsters.
This is not the first time Full Court Peace has brought Westport teenagers and their parents. In the psat 10 years, over 100 have traveled to Cuba, Puerto Rico and the DR.
This week’s Unsung Heroes are Mike, Greg, Gery, Westport PAL basketball president Jordan Schur, and Full Court Peace players Ryder Flaherty, Luke Moneyhon, Jasper Robinson, Jared Sale, Aaron Schor and Micah Turner.
You are all true champions!
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