At approximately 1:50 p.m. today (Sunday), Connecticut State Police contacted the Westport Police Department about an accident on the Merritt Parkway, near the Clinton Avenue overpass.
Three people fled from one of the cars involved. The vehicle they fled was stolen from another jurisdiction.
Westport and Norwalk police officers joined state troopers, flooding the area searching for the suspects.
One suspects was quickly apprehended, and turned over to State Police. That person suffered injuries related to the car accident, and was taken to Norwalk Hospital.
Westport’s K-9 and drone units assisted in the search for the other 2 parties, but they were not located.
It is believed that the 2 people still outstanding are no longer in the area. If anyone sees suspicious activity, call the police immediately: 911 or 203-341-6000.
State Police will release information about the suspect arrested, and the charges made.
Please be advised of heavy traffic and delays due to police activity in the area of the Merritt Parkway, Clinton Road and Ford Road. Avoid this area.
There was a motor vehicle accident on the Merritt Parkway in the area of Clinton Road. Three suspects fled their vehicle, into the neighborhood of Clinton Road and Ford Road.
One suspect was apprehended. There are two outstanding suspects, possibly wearing masks and one with dreadlocks.
There is currently heavy police (multiple agencies) activity in the area conducting a search for the outstanding suspects.
There is no threat to the public at this time. We ask you to contact the Westport Police Department immediately should you see something suspicious that could be related to this incident: 911, or 203-341-6000.
Merritt Parkway closed, in both directions. (Photo/Bryan Bierman, via Facebook)
Residents of the Compo Beach neighborhood are the envy of many Westporters.
They’re a few steps from the water. They enjoy salt air, and magical sunrises, sunsets and moonlight. The vibe is as cool as it gets.
But they give a lot too (and not just to the hordes who overrun them on Halloween). The area draws walkers, joggers, bikers and everyone else, at all hours of the day.
They share their well-kept streets with everyone in town.
Which, I suppose, is how and why so many “06880” readers quickly identified the site of last week’s Photo Challenge.
The Jeff Koons-inspired sculpture sits on the lawn of a home on the corner of Bradley Street and Danbury Avenue. If it was somewhere else in Westport, most folks would probably never see it. (Click here for the photo.)
But 100 yards or so from Soundview Drive, many of us do.
Ed Simek, Paul Rohan, Andrew Colabella, Jonathan McClure, Michael Szeto, Celia Campbell Mohn, Nadine Tanen, Janet Albert, Seth Schachter, John Lisée, Pam Kesselman and Cat Malkin all got it right.
Say hi to them the next time you see them at the beach.
Before that though, turn your attention to this week’s Photo Challenge.
If you know where in Westport you’d see this, click “Comments” below.
(Photo/Seth Braunstein)
(Every Sunday, “06880” hosts this Photo Challenge. We challenge you too to support your hyper-local blog. Please click here to make a tax-deductible contribution. Thank you!)
The Compo Beach playground renovation project takes place next April.
But the planning committee is already working hard, leaving, um, no stone unturned.
They’ve just unveiled a cool new website.
In includes a detailed drawing of the new playground (see below); plenty of options for support (as families and corporate sponsors); apparel like t-shirts (bearing the logo designed by Greens Farms Elementary student Jack Burke), and opportunities to volunteer.
Click here for the website. And get ready: April will be here before we know it.
The new Compo Beach playground.
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Brad Tursi — the 1997 Staples High School graduate whose band Old Dominion has won numerous country music awards — is simultaneously embarking on a solo career.
He’s having just as much success as he is with his group.
The other day, he played at the Grand Ole Opry.
“Surreal, and an opportunity I’ll never forget,” the former Wrecker soccer star says.
“Thank you to everyone at the Opry for the warm welcome and sweet hospitality.”
Westporters who were not in Nashville will get a chance to see Brad much closer to his old home.
He plays the Levitt Pavilion on October 12. Click here for tickets, and more information. (Hat tip: Curtis Lueker)
Brad Tursi, outside the famed venue.
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For over 20 years Movers Rich, Scott, Dave and Smitty have entertained families.
Their Emmy-winning Disney show and catalog of more than 250 original compositions make the Imagination Movers story — well, the stuff of dreams.
The fun-for-the-whole-family show comes to the Westport Country Playhouse on Sunday, September 22 (1 p.m.).
Tickets are $45 and $40 (click here). For an additional $50, there’s a pre-show meet-and-greet (click here).
“06880” gets tons of photos of bad and/or entitled parkers.
I reject some many submissions. The bar for egregious behavior is high. For example, a car hogging 2 spaces just won’t cut it anymore. That’s low-level douchebaggery.
So when I glanced at Glenn Payne’s photo, I was ready to toss it. The guy probably just went in to pay cash, I thought. There’s nothing bad here.
(Photo/Glenn Payne)
I confess: I had to ask Glenn what I was missing.
Duh!
Look closely. This one is truly gob-smacking.
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Nature is amazing.
Hard to believe such small insects can make such astonishing creations.
And hard to believe they also strike such fear in us.
Today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo comes from Susan Garment’s front yard.
Hopefully not too close to her door.
(Photo/Susan Garment)
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And finally … last night was International Bat Night.
How did you celebrate?
“06880” CONNECTION: Meat Loaf lived in Westport, a couple of decades ago. He was a regular presence in town, including playing softball at Compo Beach, and coaching a girls softball team too.
(We hope you learn at least one thing new every day from “06880.” We hope too you’ll support your hyper-local blog. Just click here — and thank you!)
As they mourn last month’s death of their friend Andy Crandall, Ed Katz writes:
“It was just a Sunday softball game — one of thousands, perhaps tens of thousands conducted in the US every weekend.
“But for this group of aging athletes, Boys of Summer Softball (BOSS) was a ritual — something to look forward to every Sunday for 6 months every year — and something to reflect upon every week and throughout the winter. It was a gift, one that will always be remembered, and will always be appreciated by all who were lucky enough to be part of it.” — Eric Baron
BOSS was never just about the game. It was a cherished tradition that for nearly 4 decades united a diverse group of middle-aged men who found joy in the camaraderie as much as in the competition.
Every Sunday, from April to October, these men gathered in Westport — not just to play softball but to relive a piece of their youth, to reconnect with the simple pleasure of a well-played game.
The Boys of Summer: Fall, 2014
BOSS began in 1983, born from a casual suggestion among dads coaching their kids in recreational baseball. Twenty men showed up for the first game, marking the start of a 40-year journey. The games eventually found their home on the softball field behind Town Hall, thriving until COVID brought the tradition to an untimely end.
BOSS was more than a game. It was about lifelong friendships, annual trips, and a yearly banquet celebrating the season with awards, trivia contests, and the presentation of the “Player of the Year.”
Alan Neigher fondly recalls the mix of players who, despite their years, played with the enthusiasm of boys. The banter, the occasional “atta boy” after a solid hit or a clean fielding play — it all created a lively, unforgettable atmosphere.
BOSS was rich with personalities and stories, like radio executive Dick Kalt, Emmy Award-winning TV host Richard Wiese, and lawyer Josh Koskoff (famous for his running — and often falling — catches).
Former judge and state representative Doug Mintz was a BOSS original.
Ed Katz was the winningest pitcher in BOSS history, with approximately 240 wins and 114 losses. He recalls his teammates carrying him off the field after pitching a shutout. His final at-bat in 2018, before moving to Florida, ended with an RBI single to tie the game. He then scored the winning run — a perfect way to end his BOSS career.
Boys of summer, at their annual team dinner. From left: Andy Crandall, Dr. Bob Selverstone, Ed Katz.
The roster of BOSS players reads like a who’s who of local characters. Courtney Wilson, Andy Moss (who called our games “a 2-hour vacation every Sunday”), Mike Berkin, Steve Yudelson, Mike Stiskal, Reynaldo Santana, David Halper, Bob Hertzel, Andy Davidson, Dave Quigley, Bryan Alix, Justin Tishman, Adam Chusid, Mike Walmark, John Brace, Jason Li and Jonas Katz all deserve mention.
One cherished tradition was the end-of-season videotape, edited by Eric Baron (with help from Josh Greenberger), provided much laughter.
Another was the weekly newsletter, first by Eric Baron and later Greg Pinyan, which humorously recapped the games and wove together our BOSS community.
Boys of Summer book.
Games were filled with moments that became legendary in BOSS lore, like Craig Bruce’s towering home runs and an infamous outfield error.
The love and respect among the players were extraordinary. Dr. Bob Selverstone — known for his speed even in his 60s — was the heart and soul of BOSS. He always arranged for the field and shared poems at the banquets — a testament to the dedication and passion that fueled BOSS.
Over the years BOSS lost 11 beloved players, with Andy Crandall the most recent.
Greg Pinyan sums up Andy well: “He could be a real pain in the ass at times.” That’s because he took the game seriously, and spoke harshly to players who made mental mistakes or didn’t hustle. “But he was a good guy and a solid player.”
To honor those who passed, plaques were placed in the dugout. The field was named after Harvey Harris, a fallen teammate. Steve Lindemann and David Vroman were also memorialized.
As we reflect on the passing of Andy, and the end of BOSS, we celebrate not just the game, but the spirit of camaraderie, the unforgettable moments, and the lifelong friendships forged on that dusty field.
BOSS was a tradition, a piece of our lives that will forever hold a special place in our hearts.
With the start of school Tuesday, the Westport Police Department, Board of Education, and Parks & Recreation Department remind residents about new school security guidelines.
On school days, between 7:30 a.m. and 4:15 p.m., only students, staff and people conducting school-related business are allowed on school property.
This includes Wakeman Park at Bedford Middle School, the Community Gardens at Long Lots Elementary, and all athletic fields on school property.
People involved with Wakeman Town Farm can use the parking area located at Wakeman Park.
School security officers and school security guards will monitor all sites.
Wakeman Field — a popular dog-walking site — is closed to the public when school is in session.
Officials have confirmed that the body of a man found Thursday in the Aspetuck River, near Easton Road and Bayberry Lane, is that of Westonite Robert Macisaac.
His vehicle was swept away in Fairfield during last Sunday’s torrential rains. It was discovered several hours earlier, behind Aspetuck Falls. A police diver found the car unoccupied.
Macisaac’s body was recovered during a search-and-rescue team led by Fairfield police. Westport, Weston, State Police aviation and K-9 units assisted.
Submerged vehicle, in Fairfield. (Photo courtesy of Fairfield Police)
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I have no idea idea why “I slept like a baby” is supposed to be a good thing.
Babies get up every 2 or 3 hours. So neither they nor their exhausted parents “sleep like babies.”
The $500 million company — which emphasizes excellent, no-hassle service, at non-premium prices; sustainability, and free delivery — started online, with a direct-to-consumer model. The goal was to counter the pervasive (and not exactly sparkling) reputation of the mattress industry.
In 2019, Saatva opened their first viewing room, in Manhattan: a relaxed, pressure-free environment
There are now 20, in upscale locations like San Francisco’s Union Square, Washington’s Logan Circle and Boston’s Back Bay.
The newest one opened a month ago — right here in Westport.
Ron Rudzin
It’s about time. The firm’s founder, Ron Rudzin, has lived here for nearly 30 years. (Click here for his back story.)
The site is next to Walgreens, in the former Citibank.
That’s where I met a very helpful, and knowledgeable, mattress consultant. Iranie provided plenty of options, asking questions about my sleeping habits I’d never even thought about.
The process went exactly as promised. Delivery by a “white glove team” was quick, efficient, and exactly when scheduled.
Saatva representatives — in Westport and New York — called several times, to make sure everything had gone okay.
Shopping at Saatva was a wonderful breeze. I made a good, informed decision with the mattress I chose.
One of the many aid organizations that Westporters volunteer their time and money with is Filling in the Blanks.
The non-profit works on a variety of fronts to eradicate childhood hunger in Fairfield and Westchester County. They support 8,600 youngsters, and have distributed 300,000 pounds of food to families in need, primarily in Norwalk and Stamford.
Two Westport moms — Maddy Travers and Ashley Dowling — are chairing a big FITB fundraiser: Plates with Purpose. Westporter Meghan Ready leads the auction committee.
Well-known Westporter Mar Jennings hosts the event. Set for October 5 (The Loading Dock, Stamford), it’s a “culinary adventure” designed by chefs like Anthony Kostelis of The Whelk, Luke Venner (Elm), Damon Sawyer (29 Markle Court), Jared Falco Bar Rosina’s), Andréa Stevenson (Abigail Kirsch), and Hannah Gorman (Revel). plus specialty cocktails, a silent auction and dancing.
The 2nd annual MoCA Gives Back and MoCA Summer Camp Kaleidoscope Exhibition opens tomorrow (Sunday, August), with a reception (12:30 to 3:30 p.m.).
The event includes music by DJ Justin and DJ Joe, the Taste of Grill food truck and treats from South Norwalk Ice Cream, plus a fashion show with designs by MoCA Gives Back participants (3 p.m.).
And finally … in honor of my new Saatva mattress (story above):
(We hope you enjoy this “06880” Roundup, today and every day. Here’s our dream: That every reader feels a part of our online community, by clicking here to support our work. Thank you!)
Posted onAugust 24, 2024|Comments Off on Online Art Gallery #228
Today, we welcome perhaps the youngest artist ever to exhibit in our online gallery.
10-year-old Frazer Benton is creative, clever — and a welcome addition to our weekly feature.
As always, our gallery is open to all young artists. And older ones too!
No matter what subject you choose — and whether you’re a first-timer or old-timer — we welcome your submissions. Watercolors, oils, charcoal, pen-and-ink, acrylics, digital, lithographs, collages, macramé, jewelry, sculpture, decoupage, needlepoint — we want whatever you’ve got.
Age, level of experience, subject matter — there are no restrictions. Everyone is invited to contribute.
Email a jpeg to 06880blog@gmail.com. And remember: Please include the medium you’re working in — art lovers want to know.
“Money Can’t Buy Happiness” — spray paint and acrylic paint on cardboard (Frazer Benton, age 10)
“Zen” — acrylic on canvas (Missy Greenberg)
“Radio Heads” — digital oil painting in a “Renaissance surreal photorealistic style” (Ken Runkel)
“Cloisters, NYC” (Bruce Borner)
Untitled — shadow box with flowers and bugs dried by artist Lauri Weiser)
Untitled (Tom Doran)
Mike Hibbard explains: “Two spirits coupling in the black void – the conception of our universe — the Big Bang.”
“La Baie de Théoule Sur Mer” — oil on canvas (Dabere, at Westport River Gallery)
“Available” (Kathleen Burke)
“Skinny Dip,” 22-foot Aquasport” (Peter Barlow)
“A Blue Jay” — pencil and watercolor (Steve Stein)
Untitled (Lawrence Weisman)
(Entrance is free to our online art gallery. But please consider a donation! Just click here — and thank you!)
“No one stops at the stop sign on Long Lots Road, near the High Point Road hill.”
“People always disregard the ‘Do Not Enter’ sign on Wright Street.”
“Put a page on the town website, listing all construction work, road work, tree work, cable work, etc. Prevent bottlenecks before they happen!”
Those are 3 of the more than 1,850 suggestions, comments, complaints and ideas posted to an interactive map of Westport.
Screenshot of the interactive traffic safety map. Orange is a “thumbs-down” icon; gray is for “idea,” while the few blue icons are for “thumbs-up.” Seems like the only place in town without a traffic issue is Sherwood Island State Park.
Among the most popular subjects: sidewalks, crosswalks, stop signs, traffic lights, left-turn signals, speed humps, and roundabouts.
The brainchild of the town’s Traffic and Pedestrian Task Force, the map was developed by consultants Tighe & Bond. The project — part of Westport’s Safe Streets & Roads for All Safety Action Plan — went live in February.
Comments are now closed.
The task force has been processing the public input, examining motor vehicle and pedestrian accident data, and pinpointing overlaps between those records and areas of concern.
Results will be presented at the next public information meeting, this fall.
Meanwhile, you can look at the map — with its 1,850-plus comments — yourself. Click here, click “View the Map,” click on an icon, zoom in, and realize you’re not the only one with an issue.
Or a genius idea.
(“06880” can’t solve Westport’s traffic woes. But we sure can report on them. And we do — often — along with every other aspect of town life. But we need reader support! Please click here — and thank you!)
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