Spring arrived at 6:28 this morning.
But no matter how nice the weather gets, this pile o’ smushed-together, salted-in, iced-over snow won’t melt any time soon.
(Photo/Britt Steel)
It’s not the only one. An even bigger and blacker mound looms over the Compo Shopping Center parking lot, opposite Planet Pizza.
But this photo is the one I’m running.
Because I really want to know why there’s a highway cone sitting on the hood of that Mercedes.
Sandra Long did not like my LinkedIn profile.
At first, I didn’t care.
In my social media life, the networking website ranked far below Instagram and Facebook (not to mention “06880”). It hovered just above Google Plus — but not by much.
Yet when Sandra — a longtime Westporter who offers LinkedIn training for businesses and individuals, as well as profile makeovers for executives, consultants, attorneys and other professionals — offered to spruce mine up, I said, “why not?”
Yet I was about as enthusiastic as when I had a root canal.
Sandra Long offers LinkedIn training to individuals and organizations.
But then I met Sandra. And once she went to work — drilling down through my profile, into my life, work, passions and dreams — I was all in.
All LinkedIn, I should say.
I had been agnostic about LinkedIn’s potential. But Sandra is a true believer. “You’re missing lots of opportunities,” she said.
I considered myself a freelance writer. I didn’t see how LinkedIn could help. Yet Sandra had already stalked me — I mean, done her homework — and thought that tying together everything I do would help my overall “brand.”
“You write. You coach soccer. You’re an expert on Westport. You’re an LGBT activist and mentor,” she noted. A stronger LinkedIn presence — including keywords, which I sorely lacked — could help people find me, leading to paths I never expected.
And, she pointed out, my entire internet presence was a mess. My LinkedIn profile was not, um, linked to my Amazon author page (which, she added with a sympathetic smile, was pretty weak itself). My YouTube channel did not even showcase my speeches.
There was some good news. My name is unique enough that I could really capitalize on it. Sandra would have a fairly easy time finding my scattered web life, then tying it together.
My LinkedIn main page before Sandra Long got to work. Sure, it says 500+ connections. But I hadn’t really “connected” with many of them in years. Plus, my photo was from before LinkedIn was even born.
Quickly, we got to work.
Talking about myself was sort of like going to a therapist — without the anxiety.
Sandra is a master at asking the right questions, analyzing the answers, and organizing it all in a coherent, presentable fashion.
I am not (for example) an “independent writing professional.” That was my old headline. My new one is much more inclusive.
Turns out I’m a “community builder.” My writing, coaching, LGBT and Westport work — all of it develops community. Who knew?
Part of my new banner. Ta da!
I should note here that Sandra drew from me that 2 sidelines are teaching writing, and consulting on writing projects. Somehow I had forgotten to include that on LinkedIn. Oops!
Also, my photo sucked. Thanks to Sandra: not anymore!
On we plowed. She rewrote my (very important) personal summary; added “Experience” sections with new titles, descriptions and images, as well as more publications, organizations and awards; rejiggered my “Skills” section; gave me a way-cool background banner of Westport scenes; threw in my contact info and a customized URL — and linked to “06880.”
All that was just for LinkedIn. Soon, she worked similar magic on my Amazon and YouTube pages. For the latter, she discovered videos about me in cyberspace I never knew existed. Fortunately, they’re good ones.
My Amazon author page before Sandra Long went to work. Only 2 of my books were listed — and I had no author bio.
The process took just over a month. It was empowering. It was also painless. (At least for me. I was the duck you see on the surface. Underneath the water, Sandra paddled furiously.)
My new Amazon page. It has many more of the books I’ve written — and every “06880” story appears as soon as it’s posted. Crazy!
The results were impressive — and not just to look at.
Throughout the process, Sandra kept telling me that I underestimated the power of LinkedIn. I was missing opportunities, she preached (always, thankfully, with a smile).
The day after my fresh, comprehensive, tied-together profile went live, I got a “notification.” I clicked it. (Sorry, Sandra, but yeah — the first time I’ve ever done that).
A woman developing a new website about sports had searched for “soccer,” “writing” and “community building.” My name popped up.
She liked my “interesting bio,” and wondered if I’d be interested in working for her.
Instantly, I felt linked in.
(Sandra Long’s Post Road Consulting has offices in Westport and Stamford. Click here for more information. To learn more about Sandra’s book, “LinkedIn for Personal Branding: The Ultimate Guide,” click here.)
Bonus feature: My new YouTube channel.
Posted in Local business, Media, People, Sports, technology
Tagged "LinkedIn for Personal Branding", LinkedIn, Post Road Consulting, Sandra Long
Fleishers Craft Butchery co-founder and co-owner Ryan Fibiger posted this note on his website:
“I’m truly saddened to be closing Craft Kitchen. It’s been my place of worship for more than 3 years, and my kids have been raised on Chef Emily’s food. We have the most amazing staff in the business who have showcased how to prepare and serve REAL food for our loyal and generous patrons and friends. The restaurant and staff have been integral to teaching people how to prepare Meat Raised Right.
“However, we’ve always been a butcher shop first. We think that it’s time to get back to our roots and refocus on providing a truly remarkable customer experience.
“In the coming months you can expect to see us double down on the quality and customer service you’ve come to expect from Fleishers, with an added focus on convenience for busy families. We want to be the trusted advisor for anyone who chooses to eat meat, and it’s absolutely imperative that we teach people why they should care and to make it available (and convenient) for everyone.”
Ryan Fibiger, at work.
Fibiger said that with over 10 wholesale restaurant clients in Fairfield County, Fleishers Craft Butchery offers abundant options of ground beef, sausage, bones, offal and more. He adds:
“The culinary scene has come a long way in just a few years. We used to be one of a handful of restaurants that would even consider serving chicharonnes, beef fat fries or oxtail stew. We had to be our own outlet. Now we’re joined by a community of restaurateurs who recognize that buying well-raised meat isn’t just the right thing to do — it tastes better, too.
“We’re proud to call Chef Emily Mingrone a true friend, who demonstrates the passion and creativity necessary to design a menu celebrating our whole animal philosophy. Working alongside Emily over the years has been nothing short of an inspiration. From themed dinners to killer brunches, it was truly our pleasure to have her at the helm. Expect big things from Emily as she starts her own venture later this year.”
Chef Emily Mingrone
(Hat tip: Marcy Sansolo)
Posted in Local business, People, Restaurants, Saugatuck
Tagged Emily Mingrone, Fleishers Craft Butchery, Fleishers Craft Kitchen, Ryan Fibiger
Yesterday’s post about LandTech’s plan to save the Eno Foundation building generated plenty of comments.
Some referenced the handsome waterfront estate directly across Saugatuck Avenue. Owned by Foundation founder William Phelps Eno — the father of modern-day traffic devices like stop signs, pedestrian crosswalks and 1-way streets — it was one of the most majestic mansions in Westport.
Yet as several commenters noted, it met an inglorious end.
Here — with research help from alert “06880” reader/amateur historian/ace realtor Mary Palmieri Gai — is the back story.
I could not find any photos of William Phelps Eno’s Saugatuck Avenue estate. Here is what the property looks like today, after subdivisions.
According to a January 7, 1996 New York Times story, Eno’s estate commanded a sweeping view of the mouth of the Saugatuck River and Long Island Sound. However, the 119-year-old, 15,000-square foot, 32-room 1877 Colonial Revival — featuring an inside hall with 8 fluted columns, a ballroom with an octagonal entryway, built-in organ, and bathrooms tiled in marble — had been unoccupied for 9 years. In wretched condition, it was being offered for a bargain price.
One dollar.
The only caveat: “Cash and carry. You buy it, you move it.”
Oh, yeah: It could not fit under the nearby railroad bridge. So it would have to be put on a barge — all 200 feet of it — and floated down the Sound.
Over the following months the Maritime Center, Anthony Quinn and Diana Ross all expressed interest. But the $500,000 moving cost — and $1.7 million price tag for restoration — scared them off.
The Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation tried to shop the mansion for use as a museum, B&B or inn.
Sherwood Island State Park was interested too. On November 19, 1996, the Times noted that thanks to loans, gifts and pledges, the Eno mansion would be floated 2 miles away, to Sherwood Island State Park.
Sitting on land donated by the state, it would be open to the public for exhibits about Connecticut’s historic homes, as well as conferences and celebrations. The top floors would be used as offices by non-profit preservation and environmental groups.
Sherwood Island State Park: one possible site for the Eno mansion.
A house mover was hired. He planned a system of pulleys to tug the house to the barge. At Sherwood Island, huge dollies would pull it a mile inland. The process would take 3 months.
But, the Times reported 2 months later, the State Department of Environmental Protection reversed its initial approval. After 200 people signed a petition opposing the move, the DEP acknowledged there were too many questions about the impact on wetlands and wildlife.
And that was that. Eventually, the house was demolished. The land was subdivided into five 1-acre lots.
Today there is nothing left of William Phelps Eno’s estate. Fortunately — thanks to LandTech — his Foundation across the street will not meet the same fate.
Oh yeah: According to Westport architectural historian Morley Boyd, some of the house’s elaborate interior was salvaged by volunteers.
“Those materials did hard time in a trailer upstate,” he says. “But the last I knew, they were being woven into the restoration of another structure by the same architect.”
Comments Off on Eno House: The Sequel
Posted in Beach, Looking back, Organizations, People, Real estate
Tagged Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection, Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation, Eno Foundation, Sherwood Island State Park, William Phelps Eno
Hey, I’m sure it will be spring somewhere.
Two weeks ago, only 2 readers knew that the pay phone in our photo challenge was located in the Sherwood Diner parking lot.
But it took Art Schoeller only 4 minutes to post that last week’s Lynn U. Miller image — showing a collage of scenes from Staples Players’ shows — can also be found at the diner. This one is just inside the front steps, in the waiting area, foyer or whatever you call it.
Madison Malin, Bill Holden, Phil Hurd, Drew Angus, Mark Lassoff, Jeanine Esposito, Rebecca Wolin and Andrew Colabella all followed quickly. (It was Andrew’s 2nd straight Sherwood/photo challenge win.) Click here for the image, and all the guesses.
I guarantee the rest of you will never again not notice that Players photo at the diner. Or the pay phone.
This week’s photo challenge is a bit different.
It’s easy to tell what this is: a portrait of some guy.
He hangs in a private home. But who is he?
If you think you know, click “Comments” below.
I only saw Chuck Berry perform live once.
It was in 2002, at the Levitt Pavilion’s annual fundraiser.
He was on a double bill with Little Richard.
Neither was very good. Both were well past their sell-by dates.
Chuck Berry — who died yesterday at 90 — was already 75.
Yet looking back, it’s very impressive that he was still performing — and still doing a (modified) version of his famed “duck walk.”
And how cool that I — and the rest of Westport — could see one of the true legends (and founders) of rock ‘n’ roll, right in our back yard.
That’s my only live memory of Chuck Berry.
But this is “06880,” where “Westport meets the world.” Our town is probably filled with people who played or recorded with, went into business with, or otherwise knew Chuck Berry well. (Weston too: I’m thinking of you, Keith Richards.)
Click “Comments” below, to share your memories.
PS: Roll over, Beethoven! And tell Tchaikovsky the news.
I posted the wrong version of this story earlier today — and omitted photos. The correct date of the march is next Sunday — March 26. Here is the version with photos. My apologies!
It seems like decades. But it’s only been a few weeks since the beginning of the Trump administration.
That’s when Darcy Hicks was getting tired of her worldly concerns being confined to Facebook feeds.
She knew a few others. Soon, 10 friends assembled in her Westport home, to write postcards to politicans.
That grew to a group of 40 Westporters. All said the same thing: How can we be more active?
A couple of days later, “06880”‘s Friday Flashback highlighted Kathie Motes Bennewitz’s story about the Equal Franchise League. Way back in 1913, women demanded suffrage — and marched — right here in Westport.
As Darcy’s postcard group grew into (yes) a Facebook page — DefenDemocracy of CT — a few members reacted with nostalgia. As they met in kitchens, they shared stories of their own pasts as activists, and the role of Westport and Connecticut in activism.
Lauren Soloff, Lisa Bowman and Darcy Hicks, all actively engaged.
Lauren Soloff Malowitz — Darcy’s neighbor when she moved back here 23 years ago — had marched for women’s right to choose. Lisa Bowman — who drove to Pennsylvania with Darcy 8 years ago, to knock on doors during Barack Obama’s first presidential run — had grown up marching with her parents, against nuclear weapons.
Nita Prasad had been very active as a Berkeley student. She helped shut down the San Francisco Bay Bridge after the Rodney King verdict, and raised funds for Oxfam.
Darcy Hicks (front right) demanded that Smith College divest from South Africa — and made the cover of this Newsweek campus publication.
As a student herself, Darcy helped take over the Smith College administration building, until trustees divested from the apartheid regime in South Africa.
The women are still active, in a variety of ways.
Nita — a professor of world history at Quinnipiac University — helps mobilize students and faculty in support of the national popular vote project.
After a long career in broadcasting, Lisa has been a fundraiser for the Democratic State Central Committee and the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp.
Lauren, a lawyer, fundraises for Homes With Hope. Darcy teaches children in Bridgeport and New Haven in Visual Literacy, an arts and language skills program she developed at Yale.
Darcy’s group wondered what their own kids — and others — who are so addicted to social media were learning about activism and social engagement. They decided that if a group of Westport women could march in 1913 — despite what must have been formidable obstacles — then they could do the same.
So on Sunday, March 26, a “CT on the Move March to Defend Democracy — One Small State, One Big Voice” march is set for downtown Westport. It begins at noon at Jesup Green, and ends at Veterans Green. Senator Chris Murphy is the keynote speaker.
“The idea is to celebrate Westport’s history of fighting for change,” Darcy says.
“Westport has often lived up to Connecticut’s ‘Constitution State’ nickname. From our revolutionary history to the examples we set advocating for abolition, women’s rights, civil rights and more, we are a community that does not stay quiet when we want change.”
This is more than a political rally, Darcy explains. “Really, it’s a reminder to all of us that we are part of a very special community — one that is fortunate, but that cares for those who aren’t. That is patriotism.”
Since first publicizing the march, Darcy’s group has joined with many others, new and established: Indivisible, Love in Action, 203 Action, Pantsuit Nation CT, the Westport Democratic Town Committee, and Staples High School’s Young Democrats and Social Activism clubs.
Darcy and her band of once-and-future activists are excited to be back in action.
They’re even more excited that younger folks — like Staples senior Lulu Stracher — are joining them.
“This is one generation showing a younger one that real change needs to happen outside of social media,” Darcy says.
“Engagement lives on. We look forward to passing the torch!”
(For more information, click here or email darcyhicksdtt@gmail.com)
Lauren Soloff at a Planned Parenthood rally, back in the day. She’s third from the left (not counting President Reagan), standing next to Vice President Bush.
I posted the wrong version of this story earlier today — and omitted photos. The correct date of the march is next Sunday — March 26. Here is the version with photos. My apologies!
It seems like decades. But it’s only been a few weeks since the beginning of the Trump administration.
That’s when Darcy Hicks was getting tired of her worldly concerns being confined to Facebook feeds.
She knew a few others. Soon, 10 friends assembled in her Westport home, to write postcards to politicans.
That grew to a group of 40 Westporters. All said the same thing: How can we be more active?
A couple of days later, “06880”‘s Friday Flashback highlighted Kathie Motes Bennewitz’s story about the Equal Franchise League. Way back in 1913, women demanded suffrage — and marched — right here in Westport.
As Darcy’s postcard group grew into (yes) a Facebook page — DefenDemocracy of CT — a few members reacted with nostalgia. As they met in kitchens, they shared stories of their own pasts as activists, and the role of Westport and Connecticut in activism.
Lauren Soloff, Lisa Bowman and Darcy Hicks, all actively engaged.
Lauren Soloff Malowitz — Darcy’s neighbor when she moved back here 23 years ago — had marched for women’s right to choose. Lisa Bowman — who drove to Pennsylvania with Darcy 8 years ago, to knock on doors during Barack Obama’s first presidential run — had grown up marching with her parents, against nuclear weapons.
Nita Prasad had been very active as a Berkeley student. She helped shut down the San Francisco Bay Bridge after the Rodney King verdict, and raised funds for Oxfam.
Darcy Hicks (front right) demanded that Smith College divest from South Africa — and made the cover of this Newsweek campus publication.
As a student herself, Darcy helped take over the Smith College administration building, until trustees divested from the apartheid regime in South Africa.
The women are still active, in a variety of ways.
Nita — a professor of world history at Quinnipiac University — helps mobilize students and faculty in support of the national popular vote project.
After a long career in broadcasting, Lisa has been a fundraiser for the Democratic State Central Committee and the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp.
Lauren, a lawyer, fundraises for Homes With Hope. Darcy teaches children in Bridgeport and New Haven in Visual Literacy, an arts and language skills program she developed at Yale.
Darcy’s group wondered what their own kids — and others — who are so addicted to social media were learning about activism and social engagement. They decided that if a group of Westport women could march in 1913 — despite what must have been formidable obstacles — then they could do the same.
So on Sunday, March 26, a “CT on the Move March to Defend Democracy — One Small State, One Big Voice” march is set for downtown Westport. It begins at noon at Jesup Green, and ends at Veterans Green. Senator Chris Murphy is the keynote speaker.
“The idea is to celebrate Westport’s history of fighting for change,” Darcy says.
“Westport has often lived up to Connecticut’s ‘Constitution State’ nickname. From our revolutionary history to the examples we set advocating for abolition, women’s rights, civil rights and more, we are a community that does not stay quiet when we want change.”
This is more than a political rally, Darcy explains. “Really, it’s a reminder to all of us that we are part of a very special community — one that is fortunate, but that cares for those who aren’t. That is patriotism.”
Since first publicizing the march, Darcy’s group has joined with many others, new and established: Indivisible, Love in Action, 203 Action, Pantsuit Nation CT, the Westport Democratic Town Committee, and Staples High School’s Young Democrats and Social Activism clubs.
Darcy and her band of once-and-future activists are excited to be back in action.
They’re even more excited that younger folks — like Staples senior Lulu Stracher — are joining them.
“This is one generation showing a younger one that real change needs to happen outside of social media,” Darcy says.
“Engagement lives on. We look forward to passing the torch!”
(For more information, click here or email darcyhicksdtt@gmail.com)
Lauren Soloff at a Planned Parenthood rally, back in the day. She’s third from the left (not counting President Reagan), standing next to Vice President Bush.
Comments Off on [UPDATE — CORRECT VERSION] Westport Women On The Move
Posted in Organizations, People, Politics
Tagged #Indivisible, CT on the Move March, Darcy Hicks, DefenDemocracy of CT, Lisa Bowman, Nita Prasad, Westport Democratic Town Committee
It’s ironic: Though no one in Westport stops at stop signs, they were invented by a Westporter.
So were pedestrian crosswalks, traffic circles, 1-way streets, taxi stands and pedestrian safety islands.
All were the brainchild of William Phelps Eno. And for many years, his worldwide traffic institute was headquartered on Saugatuck Avenue.
We pass by the handsome, 11,000-square foot brick and stone 1938 building near the Norwalk line without knowing its history.
That history came quite close to being obliterated — much like pedestrians were, before Eno came along.
The Eno Foundation building on Saugatuck Avenue.
The building and land were on the market. LandTech — Pete Romano’s engineering and design firm situated 2 minutes away (without traffic) on Riverside Avenue — designed a standard suburban use of the land. Their plan knocked down the Eno building, and subdivided the 4+ acres of land into 4 contorted 1-acre lots, with less than half an acre of open space.
But then they applied the open space subdivision regulations. That gave them 3 lots of 1/2 acre each — perfect for homes of 3,000 square feet, designed for empty nesters.
Using a section of the Planning & Zoning regulations for historic structures — offering relief from coverage, setbacks and non-conformities — LandTech preserved the Eno building on a full acre lot, with nearly 1.5 acres of open space.
On Thursday night, the P&Z considered the plan. After hearing comments from commissioners, approval seems likely.
Let’s hope they give it the green light.
LandTech’s plans for the Eno property. The foundation building is on the right, with a circular driveway in front. Click on or hover over to enlarge.
Posted in Local business, People, Real estate, Saugatuck, Transportation
Tagged Eno Foundation, Landtech, William Phelps Eno
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