Westport Reads “In The Distance”

Posted on December 7, 2024 | 2 comments

Westporters love to read.

Hardbacks, paperbacks, e-books, audiobooks; fiction, non-fiction, mystery, horro; popular, obscure — you name it, we devour it.

There is pleasure in enjoying a book by ourselves: on a couch or car, in bed or at the beach.

But there is something to be said too for reading, and discussing, a book with others.

That’s why there are book clubs.

It’s also why, for nearly 25 years, the Westport Library has sponsored WestportREADS.

Hernan Diaz

The idea is simple. The staff picks one volume. They make it available in a variety of formats. Then they organize a variety of events around it, for an immersive, month-long community experience.

The 2025 WestportREADS selection is Pulitzer Prize-winner Hernan Díaz’s “In the Distance.” It’s about a young Swedish immigrant who travels east from California in search of his brother, moving on foot against the great current of emigrants pushing west.

Driven back again and again, he meets naturalists, criminals, religious fanatics, swindlers, Native Americans and lawmen.

His exploits turn him into a legend. Moving beyond the conventions of historical fiction and genre, Diaz probes stereotypes from our past, and offers “a portrait of radical foreignness.”

But the town won’t simply read “In the Distance.” They can meet the author in person, on February 13.

Meanwhile, throughout January and February, the Library has planned events and programs: discussions, celebrations and more.

It’s a chance to read a great book — one that might otherwise be overlooked — while meeting new people, and learning from them.

Limited copies of the book are available for borrowing now. More copies will arrive in mid-December. It’s also available in e-book and audio formats.

A lecture led by U.S. historian Kris Klein Hernández kicks off the WestportREADS festivities on Thursday, January 16, followed by a film series screening “First Cow,” “The Gold Rush” and “Meek’s Cutoff” on January 17 and 24, and February 7, respectively.

Discussion groups are scheduled for January and February. A Book Pub at Walrus Alley on February 4 is another special event.

“In the Distance” was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize and the PEN/Faulkner Award. It was also a Publishers Weekly Top 10 Book of the Year, and one of Lit Hub’s 20 Best Novels of the Decade.

For past WestportREADS selections, click here.

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Pic Of The Day #2788

Posted on December 6, 2024 | Comments Off on Pic Of The Day #2788

Casting at Compo (Photo/Sunil Hirani)

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Friday Flashback #428

Posted on December 6, 2024 | 27 comments

There’s a new pizza place in town.

Riko’s took over the space vacated in May of 2022 by Mystic Market.

The building just off I-95 Exit 17 has come full circle.

Before Mystic Market it was the Blu Parrot restaurant, bar and music venue. Earlier, it was Jasmine — an Asian fusion spot.

But earlier — for several decades, starting in the mid-1900s — the space across from the train station parking lot and Luciano Park was the Arrow.

It was legendary.

At a time when there were far fewer restaurants in Saugatuck and the rest of Westport, the Arrow served great Italian food, at affordable prices.

It was where generations of Westporters got their first jobs. (And learned the challenges and rewards of hard work.)

It was where families celebrated birthdays, anniversaries, sports banquets, graduations.

It was where New York Giants football players ate, drank and hung out, during pre-season at Fairfield University.

And it was where the Nistico family — the longtime, loving and beloved owners — welcomed everyone, every day.

Lou Nistico, son of the Arrow’s founders.

Like every restaurateur, they offered food and drinks. But they did far more.

If anyone needed anything — money, clothes, a helping hand — the Nisticos were there. They took care of you, no questions asked. In doing so, they took care of Westport.

They set the standard for what a restaurant, and its owners, could and should be.

Tommy Nistico, back in the day.

After they sold the building (and took over The Red Barn), the Arrow cycled through different businesses.

But it still looks pretty much like its heyday.

And, once again, there’s Italian foodo on the menu.

FUN FACT: Charles Street was not the Arrow’s original location.

It opened first where Franklin Street runs into Saugatuck Avenue — which looks a bit like an arrow. Today it’s another restaurant, with a different cuisine: Lomito’s Peruvian.

(Friday Flashback is one of “06880”‘s many regular features. If you enjoy this — or anything else on our website — please consider a tax-deductible contribution. Just click here. Thank you!)

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Roundup: Tree Lighting, Holiday Giving, Wreath Sale …

Posted on December 6, 2024 | 4 comments

With a countdown by little kids (and 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker), some blasts from the Westport Fire Department’s trucks, and the flick of a switch, the Town Hall holiday tree was officially lit yesterday.

1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker, and her helpers.

The Staples High School Orphenians provided music. The Westport Museum for History & Culture added hot chocolate.

Choral director Lauren Pine leads the Staples Orphenians.

The ceremony was quick, fun — and cold.

The tree will shine brightly, throughout New Year’s.

The tree — and the fire trucks that salute it. (All photos/Dan Woog)

At the start of the ceremony, Westport poet laureate Donna Disch offered this special poem, called “Lights Up”:

We spar with darkness in December.
The day’s light fed and put to bed by four.
We resist with hymns and gingerbread,
wreathes and songs, Dancer, Prancer,
Cupid, Vixen and that soul who steers the sleigh.
Tonight we gather to sing and illuminate our living tree.
No chainsaw teeth, for us, nothing felled, hoisted or hauled.
We affirm the ever of living and green and spatter our spruce with stars.
And so our noble tree reminds us to trust the truth we know.
There is living. And there is loving.
And there is no more light than that.

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The Westport Human Services Department’s annual Holiday Giving Program is in full swing.

And it’s important.

The department is seeing more families in need. Parents are dealing with unemployment, underemployment, rising costs, and other stresses.

With multiple jobs and tight budgets, there is little or no money left over for gifts.

100% of donations go directly to families in need.

Click here for the  “Family to Family Seasonal Holiday Giving Program,” or mail a check to Department of Human Services, 110 Myrtle Avenue, Westport, CT 06880.

Westport residents facing financial difficulties can contact Human Services for free, confidential consultation and assistance. Call 203-341-1050, or humansrv@westportct.gov.

Questions? Contact Annette D’Augelli: adaugelli@westportct.gov; 203-341-1183.

A little gift goes a long way.

Westporters will be out in force this weekend, buying Christmas trees and gifts.

But don’t forget holiday wreaths!

Scout Troop 36 is selling wreaths Saturday (December 7, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.) and Sunday (December 8, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Saugatuck Congregational Church.

Wreaths are $30 and $45. Baked goods are also available.

Funds will help projects like the installation of Eastern bluebird houses and bat boxes at Earthplace. The troop also partners with Sustainable Westport each year, for a mattress recycling drive.

Troop 36 Scouts, and a few of their wreaths.

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As the story above shows, Westporters help neighbors.

They also help strangers — who have become friends — thousands of miles away.

Luca Caniato is a senior at Staples High School, and president of Il Circolo Italiano (the Italian Club). He writes:

“For many children in Rione Sanità, Naples, the holiday season doesn’t come with the joy and celebration it should. This year, we have the opportunity to bring a little extra Christmas magic into their lives.

“Centro La Tenda, a beacon of hope in this community, provides a safe haven for these children, offering them education, support, and the chance to dream beyond their circumstances. With your help, we’re raising funds to buy Christmas gifts for these children. It’s a simple but meaningful way to spread holiday cheer and show them they are cared for.

“Every donation, no matter the size, will go directly toward purchasing gifts that will bring smiles and joy to these kids.

“Let’s come together to create a Christmas full of hope, happiness and community for the children of Centro La Tenda. Thank you for your generosity, and for helping make the holidays a little brighter for those who need it most!”

Click here to donate.

Children at Centro La Tenda, in Naples.

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You may be tired of hearing “Jingle Bells” (and/or “Jingle Bell Rock”) everywhere you turn.

But the Westport Weston Family Y’MCA’s Jingle Bells Jamboree is well worth checking out.

The Saturday, December 14 family event (5:30 to 7 p.m.) includes ornament decorating, face painting, a bouncy house, and a bus ride/light show to the “North Pole” (Mahackeno Outdoor Center).

Once at Beck Lodge, children will meet Santa, explore his holiday workshop, enjoy free hot cocoa and snacks, and create a special ornament for display in the Y lobby.

A pizza truck will be on-site, serving food.

Tickets for the Jingle Bells Jamboree are $10 for Y members, $20 for non-members (admission is for children only; adults go free). Parents are required to accompany their children. Click here to purchase.

Jingle Bell Jamboree, at the Y.

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The curtain rises tonight on the Bedford Acting Group’s production of “Shrek: The Musical.”

The young actors and tech crew have worked hard on their comedic timing, beloved music, fun costumes, great puppetry and spectacular sets (with help from a “Saturday Night Live” designer).

the beloved fairytale to life with stunning performances, hilarious comedic timing, and unforgettable music.

Shows are tonight (Friday, 7 p.m.); tomorrow (Saturday, 3 and 7 p.m.), and Sunday (3 p.m.). Click here for tickets, and cast lists.

Bedford actors (from left): Maya Greenblatt, Beya Altman, Dylan Post, Genevive Watras,  Maya Steigler, Olivia Wollowick.

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Ed Simek writes: “My was driving yesterday, when suddenly her ‘low tire pressure’ light went on.

“She drove to Fetzer Tire to have it checked out. The first question they asked was, ‘Have you been near Staples today?’

“We live next to the high school, so the answer was yes. Fetzer said that 7 cars pulled in already, with the same problem.

“Apparently a truck near the school spilled a box of 3-inch drywall screws all over the road.

“The guy at Fetzer pulled a screw out of our tire. One woman had 5 screws in her tires.

“I guess there’s not much we can do about it, except warn people. I’m sure there are still many screws lying in the road.”

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Johanna Keyser Rossi could not tell what kind of bird this was. It took off too quickly.

But it’s a good candidate for today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature. If you know the name, click “Comments” below.

(Photo/Johanna Keyser Rossi)

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And finally … in honor of the YMCA’s Jingle Bell Jamboree (story above), here is the song you hoped I wouldn’t post.

Fortunately, it’s not the ubiquitous Bobby Helms version. This is one you may not have heard.

Plus, it’s not the song you always hear from this group, either. Party on!

(“06880” is your hyper-local source for everything Westport-related. If you enjoy learning about our community — and don’t mind the occasional song like this — please click here. Thank you!)

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Saturday’s Holiday Stroll: Downtown Is Ready To Rock

Posted on December 6, 2024 | Comments Off on Saturday’s Holiday Stroll: Downtown Is Ready To Rock

When we say there’s something for everyone at this year’s “06880”/Westport Downtown Association Holiday Stroll, we’re not kidding.

Tomorrow’s event — Saturday, December 7 (5 to 7 p.m.) — checks every box.

For kids, there’s a candy wagon, photos with Santa and the Grinch, face painting, crafts, Buddy the Elf and other Staples Players costumed characters, a mailbox for Santa letters … you get the idea.

Families — and everyone without kids too — will enjoy smores at Nômade, a DJ dance party, kettle corn, hot chocolate, a human snow globe, and a holiday market with artisans, non-profit booths, plus goodies from non-downtowners like Alina’s Cakes, and The Clubhouse.

A special guest is a celebrity piglet from Hulu’s “Only Murders In the Building” — Celebrity Sprinkle (Hammy Faye in the show). She’ll be joined by 2 pig sisters. will be part of the Holiday Stroll?

Don’t forget to bring an unwrapped toy too, for the Westport PAL and Police Department collection.

It all happens in and around the 2 parking lots on Elm Street (see map below).

But that’s only part of the fun.

A dozen new merchants signed up recently, to offer deals, discounts and giveaways. That brings the total to 90.

Many are downtown. Others are just across the river. Several are in Saugatuck.

Some of the specials are good only during the Stroll (5 to 7 p.m. this Saturday). Some happen all day. A few go on all through December.

The list is wide, broad, and very cool.

Here’s a small sampling: Complimentary nibbles and hot chocolate at stores. Cocktails and Champagne at restaurants. Raffles. Gifts with purchases. 15, 25, 50% off. Free classes.

There is a lot to do. Plan ahead!

Look at the map above. Then check out the list of free and discounted stuff below. For the deals that begin early: Make a day of it.

But be sure to be on and around the Main and Elm Street parking lots, from 5 to 7 p.m. tomorrow.

See you at The Stroll!

Advanced Dog Behavior Solutions: $150 off Puppy Dog Training program (mention “Holiday Stroll”; through December 20

Alina’s Cakes & Cookies: Complimentary hot chocolate

Animal Muse Communication & Rehabilitation: Complimentary animal Reiki session, with a VIP animal communication session (all day)

Arezzo: Half-priced appetizers; 1 complimentary glass of wine per person

AROGYA Holistic Healing: Complimentary hot tea

Basso: Complimentary house cocktail or sangria, with purchase of entree (5 p.m. until closing)

Bella Bridesmaids: Champagne bar; $50 off $500 or more (all day)

Bloom Salon: Complimentary hair tinsel; refreshments; 10% off future service

Bobbles & Lace: Wine; $10 off future purchases (all day)

Bridgewater Chocolates: All purchases entered into a $50 gift card raffle

Candle Caboodle: Buy 1 candle, get dessert candle mini for free (while supplies last)

Castle Wine & Spirits: Free tote bag with purchase; get 5% off applicable wines when used in the future (all day)

Staples’ elite Orphenians ring in the Stroll season. (Photo/Jerri )

Catherine H: Chance to win with every purchase (through December 24)

Chait Fine Art Gallery & Photography: 30% off prints and $100 head shots; complimentary holiday refreshments (4 to 7 p.m.)

Clarendon Fine Art: Complimentary coffee table art book with purchase (through December 24)

Cobs Bread: Buy 6 scones, get a free cranberry & sea salt French bageutte (through December 11)

Cold Fusion Gelato: Free wrapped chocolates

Core Burn Pilates: 1 free 30-minute session, or 1 free group class, plus 10% off any regular-priced package; sign up during Stroll for free grip socks (all day)

Cove Collective: 15% off, and festive treat (all day)

Crafty Kids Westport: Arts and crafts station

Diana Blau: Free bear ornament crafts for kids

Don Memo: Complimentary horchata

Every kid loves the Holiday Stroll. (Photo/Dan Woog)

Earthplace: Free t-shirt with new membership (all day)

Eleven11 Biz: 11% off

Faherty: Auburn Permanent Jewelry pop-up

Fred Accessories: Complimentary holiday treats (5 to 6 p.m.)

Glowbar: $10 off facials for non-members (through December 31)

Head to Tail Books: 15% off online purchases with code “Stroll” (through December 20)

Homes with Hope: Complimentary hot chocolate

Hummingbird Healing Center: Hot chocolate and tea, plus free 10-minute session

The Stroll is great for families — and those without kids too. (Photo/Jerri Graham)

Huntington Learning Center:  Enter to win holiday basket; $100 off academic evalutation

Jenny Kayne: Hot chocolate; 15% off

Jeweled Coquette: TBD

Joe’s Pizza: Free garlic knots (3 per person)

Johnny Was: $50 off purchase of $300 or more

A serious talk with Santa. (Photo/Dan Woog)

Kerri Rosenthal: 20% off

Le Beaute Artistry: 10-20% off voucher cards

LEVENthal Bakery: Free cooke samples; raffle tickets to win custom cookie, with purchase

Lux Bond & Green: Traveling jewelry cases and holiday treats

Madewell: TBD promo; gift with purchase; hot chocolate

Mexicue: Holiday margaritas $10

Middlemarch: Join mailing list; be entered to win $50 gift card (all day)

Myr’s Designs: Free red cashmere scarf with $100 purchase (all day)

Naturino Kids Shoes: 20% off single item (all day)

NEST Agency: Complimentary OGGI ice cream cart (3 to 7 p.m.)

Office Evolution: All the Starbucks you can drink; free private office until December 31 with signed 6- or 12-month new office agreement beginning January 1; brokers excluded (all day)

Nômade: Free s’mores and holiday chocolate calendar

Everyone loves s’mores! (Photo/Dan Woog)

Old Mill Shell Company: Hot chocolate

Party Harty: 15% off all Westport clothing (Saturday and Sunday)

Pizza Lyfe: Complimentary dessert

Rhone: Complimentary Grace Farms tea

Rowan: 15% off non-piercing jewelry (excludes diamonds); enter to win gift card (all day)

Savvy + Grace: Gift, with purchase of $50 or more

Scout & Molly’s: 20% off single item; snacks and drinks (all day)

Sculpt by Sara: Fitness bands, raffle, hot drinks, 15% of packages, 1/2 off class for new customers

Serena & Lily: Snacks and drinks; enter to win $500 gift card

Serendipity Lab: Discounts on rooms and meetings (through December 31)

Sorelle Gallery: Holiday poinsettia cocktails and treats; 20% off all in-store and online artwork (all day)

Lovin’ the Stroll. (Photo/Jerri Graham)

Shoe-Inn: Up to 75% winter sale (all day)

South Moon Under: 30% off select holiday styles and gifts (all day)

Southern Tide: Free gift with $150 or more; wine totes (all day)

Spash of Pink: Free Lilly Pulitzer printed mug with $100 purchase; printed plush blanket with $300 purchase (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

Spice: Holiday cocktail napkins with purchase of $75 or more

Squeeze Massage: 25% off gift cards (through January 2; use code GIFT25)

Staples MOSS (Make Our Schools Safe) Club: Bake sale

Stephen Kempson London: Free hot chocolate; hostin women-founded businesses (all day)

Strands for Support: Buy 2 pieces of jewelry; get 1 pair of earrings free

Studio Cafe: 50% off holiday lattes and peppermint mocha lattes (all day)

Sundance: Save up to 20% with SMS sign-up; season cocktails and light bites

The Bridge at Saugatuck: Complimentary hot chocolate and churros; buy $200 worth of figt cards, get a complimentary $25 gift card for yourself

The Clubhouse: Putting competition; enter giveaway for the Ultimate Clubhouse Experience

Free garlic knots at Joe’s Pizza: one of the many participating restaurants. (Photo/Dan Woog) 

The Sugar Wagon: Candy; 10% off for party commitments

The Toy Post: Small gift for each child who comes to the store

Theory: Via Carota cocktail tasting (1-4 p.m.); gift with purchase (all day)

Unsubscribed: Special promotion

Vince: 15% off signup for SMS; complimentary champagne (all day)

Vuori: Free gift with purchase of over $250 (all day)

Walrus Alley: Happy hour specials, including traditional Gluhwein

WEST Boutique: Gift with purchase

West Out East: 15% off all accessories (all weekend)

Westport Book Shop: Coupon for shoppers

Westport Country Playhouse: Use code Stroll25 for 25% discount for 2 play packages (through Sunday)

Yozo Studio: Select from list of fonts, colors and quantities for special pricing; email hello@yozostudio.com; now through the Stroll

 

 

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Pic Of The Day #2787

Posted on December 5, 2024 | Comments Off on Pic Of The Day #2787

Waiting for “little birders” at Earthplace (Photo/Rob Jackson)

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Roundup: “Sherlock Carol,” Swim Club, Sprinkle The Pig …

Posted on December 5, 2024 | Comments Off on Roundup: “Sherlock Carol,” Swim Club, Sprinkle The Pig …

Just in time for Christmas, “A Sherlock Carol” returns to the Westport Country Playhouse. It debuted last year, with great success.

The family-friendly holiday production, based on Sherlock Holmes’ “The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle” and “A Christmas Carol,” runs December 17-22.

The plot features characters from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Charles Dickens. Six actors play multiple roles. Click here for tickets, and more information.


Sherlock Holmes (Drew McVety) and Ebenezer Scrooge (Byron St. Cyr) in “A Sherlock Carol.” (Photo/T. Charles Erickson)

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The Westport Swim Club — the fun, competitive-technique-packed program that has taught hundreds of kids to swim, to enjoy the water (and, for a good number, join the Staples High School team) — has open spots for 2nd through 8th graders.

Tryouts are set for the Staples pool on Sunday December 8 (10:30 to 11:30 a.m.); Tuesday and Thursday, Deeember 10 and 12 (5:30 to 7 p.m.), and Sunday, December 15 (4 to 5 p.m.).

Click here for more information on the WSC, including its coaching staff, flexible practice sessions and monthly enrollments. Click here for the tryout registration form. Click here for the “06880” back story.

Westport Swim Club

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Wakeman Town Farm says: “Winter kids’ programs make great holiday gifts!”

Among them:

  • Little Farmers Parent & Me (ages 0-3)
  • Crafting with Nature (ages 3-5)
  • Curious Sprouts (ages 3-5)
  • Fantastic Farmhands (ages 6-10)
  • Winter Warmup Cooking (grades 2-6)
  • Cozy Winter Cooking (grades K-2)

Click here for information on these and other programs, and registration.

Cooking classes are just part of Wakeman Town Farm’s programs.

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This Sunday (December 8, 4 p.m., Zoom) Cathy Malkin — Westport’s favorite animal communicator, animal Reiki master teacher and practitioner, pet meditation master teacher, and a pet loss and grief counselor — hosts a “Chat Pawty” fundraiser.

Sprinkle — Hammy Faye, in Hulu’s “Only Murders in the Building” — and her pig family will be celebrity guests.

Attendees can ask questions of the pigs. Cathy will translate.

It’s free, but also a fundraiser for Pigs Fly Rescue. “Pawty-goers” are encouraged to donate. $10, for example, buys one bale of hay.

Click here to join the Pig Chat Pawty.

PS: Cathy’s last chat pawty, with “Only Murder”’s Winnie in the Bulldog, was a great success. Everyone had fun, and they raised $1,200 for bulldogs in need.

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The community is invited to a Christmas Concert of Lessons and Carols (Sunday, December 22, 2 p.m., St. Luke Church).

It features the choirs and instrumentalists of St. Luke and Assumption Churches in Westport, and St. Philip in Norwalk, The children of St. Luke will present a Nativity pageant too.

The concert is free, but free will offerings will be accepted, in support of the St. Luke music ministry.

St. Luke’s pews will be filled for the December 22 concert.

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Westport Police made no custodial arrests between November 27 and December 4.

They issued these citations:

  • Failure to comply with state traffic commission regulations: 10 citations
  • Operating a motor vehicle under suspension: 5
  • Operating an unregistered motor vehicle: 4
  • Failure to obey stop sign: 4
  • Traveling unreasonably fast: 2
  • Failure to renew registration: 1
  • Operating a motor vehicle without minimum insurance: 1
  • Driving while texting: 1
  • Improper turn: 1
  • Failure to obey traffic control signals: 1
  • Improper use of markers: 1

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Just over 2 weeks before winter, the only greenery that remains at the Imperial Avenue parking lot is the ivy on this tree.

Johanna Keyser Rossi snapped it, for today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature.

(Photo/Johanna Keyser Rossi)

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And finally … on this date in 1848, President James K. Polk confirmed that large amounts of gold had been discovered in California. The rush began.

(You don’t need to give “06880” gold. Or silver. But a contribution to help us with our hyper-local, several-times-a-day blog would be golden. Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)

 

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OPINION: Scratching Heads Over Schools’ Lice Response

Posted on December 5, 2024 | 15 comments

Clarence Hayes, who represents RTM District 4, is very engaged in local issues. He recently retired from a career in information technology. He is an avid amateur naturalist, gardener and walker, and enjoys hanging out with his 5 grandkids.

He writes:

“The lice problem is “out of control.”

This was stated in letters and in person, by several parents at the Board of Education meeting last month.

This is not being exaggerated by a couple of annoyed parents. I have grandkids in elementary school, and am part of the parent gossip grapevine. It’s everywhere, in all the elementary schools.

Head lice: a familiar sight.

What should be done? At the BOE meeting parents were told “the district follows state regulation. Lice has been a persistent issue for many years in many schools.”

What are these “state regulations”? Information posted on the Westport Public Schools website states the school should do nothing, and rely entirely on parents to inspect their children at least weekly, then treat appropriately.

The “Head Lice Management in Schools” section states:

  • There should be no screening of students at school
  • No child should be excluded from school due to the presence of nits or live lice
  • If lice are discovered by a nurse, no one is to be notified other than the parent.

It adds that school nurses should educate parents on how to identify and treat lice.

Why do nothing? The WPS website says:

  • “A head lice infestation is not a communicable disease and no health risks have been associated with head lice … It is merely a nuisance, not a health issue.”
  • “Exclusion from school can adversely affect students emotionally, socially and academically.”
  • “Decrease stigmatism of these children”

11% of the total population of Westport (elementary age students), residing in perhaps 25% or more of the housing of Westport, goes to an environment every day, where they are mixed together.

Being active children they tussle and roughhouse, and share hats. brushes, helmets, masks, hair bands, play outfits, etc.

To sum up: Lice are rampant. Kids like to play. Parents don’t tell the schools or other parents when their kids have lice, so others cannot act in response. This cycle cannot be broken without common shared intervention. It will go on forever. The BOE says as much, stating it’s been a problem for years.

School is the only institution in a position to do anything substantial enough to resolve this problem. That is where transmission happens, and that is the only place where all transmission vectors are gathered.

My proposal: Bring back school lice inspection, but do not exclude students from school if lice are found.

The district can periodically hire inspectors who will work with school nurses, to inspect students. This might need to be done annually, at the start of the school year.

If it is too expensive, a GoFundMe campaign could collect sufficient funds from parents. Initially everyone must be screened multiple times, over at least 9-12 weeks.

Confidentiality and effectiveness can be combined. Every child will be inspected by a professional, one at a time. If nits or live lice are present, that information would be provided only to that student’s parents. The child would still attend school. Any concerned parent will treat their child immediately.

However, that student will have to be inspected again to determine if treatment was actually done, and was effective. To mask this, there could be a random lottery of “re-inspection,” and those with nits would be included.

Or we could not worry about the supposed stigma, and just re-test as needed those initially found to have lice. If they are still going to school they will not lose academic time, nor will parents need to take off work to watch them at home.

This is common sense. I think the CDC and others have gone overboard in their attempt to “avoid stigma.” Their documents focus primarily on what not to do, due to concern about exclusion, rather than outlining ways that public institutions can solve the problem.

I call on the Westport schools to play a more active role in solving a problem only they are positioned to solve, instead of pushing it off solely on parents (who cannot solve it independently), in an effort to avoid any appearance of “stigmatizing.”

(“06880” is your hyper-local blog. Opinion pieces of all kinds are always welcome. So are tax-deductible contributions, to help us continue our work. Please click here — and thank you!)

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Pic Of The Day #2786

Posted on December 4, 2024 | 4 comments

Compo South Beach bathroom (Photo/Jonathan Rosenoer)

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Unsung Heroes #362

Posted on December 4, 2024 | 5 comments

It doesn’t take an Einstein to guess this week’s Unsung Heroes.

If you were part of the large crowd at the Cribari Bridge on Monday evening,  watching its magical transformation from 135-year-old steel span to a riot of color — or if you were or will be anyone crossing it, or strolling through Saugatuck, any night from now through well beyond New Year’s — you’ve already figured out who our heroes are.

The lights are a visual delight, for residents, visitors, and anyone who believes in the spirit of the holidays.

They also demonstrate — more than any mushy card or mawkish Christmas song — the power of community.

(Photo/Andrea Moore)

Less than 2 weeks ago it looked like the Cribari Bridge would be dark, for the first time in 25 years.

After being hit by a couple of vehicles, and coming loose, the lights were removed earlier in November. Al’s Angels — the longtime sponsor — could no longer continue.

Suddenly, up stepped a passel of folks who worked a holiday miracle.

Second Selectwoman Andrea Moore took the lead on the town side.

Representative Town Meeting member Kristin Mott Purcell ordered the lights. Fellow RTMer Andrew Colabella helped pull in sponsors and volunteers.

Police Chief Foti Koskinas coordinated with the Fire Department, Public Works and state Department of Transportation.

AJ Penna & Sons Construction, Kevin Ancker of Riverside Mobil and a corps of others unboxed, strung and tested hundreds of bulbs on Sunday.

(Photo/Andrew Colabella)

Helpers included Kristin, Andrew, the Fire Department’s Jennifer Petrosinelli, Gault Energy’s Jim Donaher, RTM member Jimmy Izzo, Neat Lending’s Justin Carmichael, and Joe Bottone.

Colonel Craig Bergamo of the Police Department and PAL stepped up in a huge way. The foreman on this very special and complex job, he spent most of the night in the bucket truck hanging lights.

The Police Department added logistical support.

They worked through the night, finishing at 3:50 a.m. Monday.

Meanwhile, Emma Rojas ordered the thank-you sign, and collected toys for the PAL/Police Department’s collection.

Doug Pardon and The Bridge at Saugatuck restaurant hosted a post-lighting celebration, with drink specials.

Financial support for the project came from lead sponsors Neat Lending, The Bridge at Saugatuck restaurant, and Saugatuck Financial.

Other sponsors were LandTech, the Colabella Family, our own “06880” blog, and Westport PAL (which also collected the donations).

Volunteers and sponsors made sure there were lights.

Monday’s ceremony capped a frenzied few days of activity.

Now — amid the holiday hustle (and all that bridge traffic), we can sit back, relax, and enjoy one of Westport’s most beloved traditions.

There may not be a Santa Claus. But this week’s Unsung Heroes made sure there was a gift for everyone, right next to the towering (and well lit) Bridge Street tree.

(Unsung Hero is a weekly “06880” feature. To nominate a hero, email 06880blog@gmail.com. To support our work, please click here. Thank you!)

The Cribari Bridge, from across the river. (Photo/Margot Simmons)

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