Rich Failla spent nearly 30 years as a Westport police officer, with a variety of units. They included patrol, bicycle, scuba, boat, motorcycle, traffic and K-9.
He volunteered at Ground Zero after 9/11. He started a business — Hot Yoga — and now works at Town Hall (he’s the first person visitors see as they walk in).
Rich has spent his adult life serving Westport. The other day, he chatted about his career, and the town, for the “06880” podcast. Click below, for our conversation.
Every year, the CT Challenge draws thousands of bike riders. They ride up to 100 miles on scenic roads, raising millions of dollars for cancer survivors.
It’s a team effort — including volunteers.
On Saturday, 2nd Selectwoman Andrea Moore joined members of Westport’s National Charity League, helping at the Mile 17 rest stop in front of Redding Town Hall.
Among the riders who stopped for water (and moral support): Westport Public Schools assistant superintendent John Bayers (2nd from right in photo below), and Westporters Roy Kim (front left) and Victor Garra (back right, without helmet).
The group completed 77.9 hard-earned miles.
2nd Selectwoman Andrea Moore, with riders in Redding.
Westport’s National Charity League volunteers (from left): Megan Lott, Deanne McGuinn, Maya McGuinn, Ella Moore, Jaden Tracey, Sonja Tracey, Andrea Moore, Stephanie Bulkeley, Kate Bulkeley.
It’s a simple gesture — and one that most folks driving past the Imperial Avenue office building opposite Jesup Road don’t notice.
But anyone walking or jogging past hears music coming from a small speaker, placed strategically on a tree stump at #27-29.
Yesterday’s selection was particularly apt: “Chariots of Fire.” The film is about 2 runners training for the Olympics — the 1924 Games, in Paris.
Rachel Markus says, “I’m grateful to whomever has decided to share their music!”
The speaker (lower right) plays music that inspires joggers on Imperial Avenue. (Photo/Rachel Markus)
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Everyone of a certain age remembers MAD magazine.
Now — in a new book exploring the impact of the satirical publication on American life and culture — Mary-Lou Weisman remembers it too.
The Westport writer’s remembrances of cartoonist Al Jaffee is one of 28 essays. She is joined by (among others) Roz Chast, R. Crumb, Adam Gopnik and Art Spiegelman.
“The MAD Files: Writers and Cartoonists on the Magazine That Warped America’s Brain” will be published in September. Click here for details.
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Hundreds of youngsters painted rocks yesterday, with the help of Compo Beach Playground Committee members, at the first-ever Soundview Summer Stroll.
Some that were drying were not picked up by their “owners.” They can be claimed today, on the Soundview seawall.
(Photo/Totney Benson)
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A home on Morningside Drive has multiple deer feeders.
As this “Westport … Naturally” photo shows, that’s a lot better meal for homeowners than bushes and flowers.
(Photo/Johanna Keyser Rossi)
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And finally … if the “Chariots of Fire” story above got you thinking about Vangelis’ electronic-sounding music theme song, you’re in luck! Just click below … it’s a winner.
(“06880” is your gold medal hyper-local blog. Like amateur athletes, we rely on the support of our fans. Please click here to help [us, not the Olympians]. Thank you!)
You didn’t have to push a stroller to enjoy yesterday’s first-ever Soundview Summer Stroll.
But it sure didn’t hurt.
Over 3,000 people — men, women and (especially) kids — thronged Soundview Drive (the beach exit road) for 6 hours of music, food, face painting, balloon artists, a photo booth, kids’ games, bicycling, rollerblading, and (literally) dancing in the street.
(Photo/Sunil Hirani)
The event — co-sponsored by “06880” and the Compo Beach Improvement Association — grew out of the annual fireworks show. Why, “06880” (and others) wondered, can’t we close the road to cars on a summer Sunday, and have our own special street festival?
With help from Westport’s Parks & Recreation Department, Police Department and the Compo Beach Playground Committee, we did just that.
The “new” Westport (parents with all those strollers!) mingled with the “old” Westport (folks who actually “strolled”).
What’s more fun for a little kid than playing with chalk on the road? (Photo/Susan Garment)
It was a day to celebrate Westport. And — for at least one couple, who are thinking of moving here — it was a glimpse into the vibrant, fun, always-something-different community Westport has become.
“We thought we were lifers in Manhattan,” the husband said, juggling a kid (and a stroller).
“Then Westport happened.”
Venice Beach, California? No — Westport, Connecticut! (Photo/Benji Porosoff)
(“06880” and the Compo Beach Improvement Association thank Westport’s Parks & Recreation Department, the Westport Police Department, Kristin Mott Purcell, Sunil Harani, the Compo Beach Playground Committee including Erin Hall (and their young helpers), 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker, Old Mill Grocery by Romanacci, Jim Hood, and the 4 musical acts: Christian Servance, Drew Angus and Dustin Lowman with the Connecticut Songwriters’ Collective, School of Rock New Canaan, and Rock Paper Soul.)
Some of the youngest music fans. (Photo/Sunil Hirani)
Old Mill Grocery by Romanacci was hopping all day. They served a full — and very popular — menu (photo below). (Photo/Sunil Hirani)
Gelato sales were jumpin’ too. (Photo/Benji Porosoff)
… but they didn’t need much help chalking the street. (Photo/Benji Porosoff)
Melissa and Doug Bernstein (left) chat with Christian Servance — the first performer (with an “angelic” voice) and his mother. (Photo/Dan Woog)
Former 1st Selectman Jim Marpe, and grandson Charlie. (Photo/Dan Woog)
A young fan enjoys Drew Angus and Dustin Lowman. Both are Staples High School graduates. (Photo/Dan Woog)
Drew Angus and Dustin Lowman entertain the crowd. (Photo/Benji Porosoff)
Compo Beach Playground Committee chairs (from left) Bridget Flynn, Josh Sterling and Samantha Owades spread the word about next spring’s project …
… while teens from Sara Holland Sports helped with the (very wet) water balloon toss. From left: Emma Crino, Emily Crusio.
Davis Goldblat.
Hanging out on the street (from left): Kristin Mott Purcell, 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker, 2nd Selectwoman Andrea Moore, Deputy Fire Chief Matthew Cohen, Fire Department official Jennifer Petrosinelli, Dan Woog. (Photo/JC Martin)
Among the most popular events: tug of war! (Photo/Benji Porosoff)
With Soundview Drive closed, there was plenty of room to rollerblade. (Photo/Benji Porosoff)
Just another day at the beach. (Photo/Benji Porosoff)
(“06880” was proud to sponsor yesterday’s Soundview Summer Stroll. It was a great community event — and we rely on this great community for support. Please click here to help. Thank you!)
Last week’s Photo Challenge was another of those hidden-in-plain-sight puzzles.
Ed Simek’s shot showed the front door — and intricate molding — of the Westport Public Schools’ maintenance building.
Set back a bit from the road, it’s easy to overlook. But if you’re ever stuck at the traffic light at Kings Highway North and Canal Street — and who isn’t? — glance over at the building, nestled between the Saugatuck River and Canal Park. There it is. (Click here to see.)
Eric Bosch, Seth Schachter and Andrew Colabella all knew the answer.
Alfred Herman offered this historical tidbit: In its earlier incarnation, this was the local office of Bridgeport Hydraulic Company. (The local water utility is now Aquarion.)
Seth Schachter returns today, as the photographer of this week’s Photo Challenge. If you know where in Westport you’d see this, click “Comments” below.
(Photo/Seth Schachter)
(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 Parks & Recreation Department held its annual Lifeguard Olympics yesterday morning, at Compo Beach.
Under the direction of Michael Giunta (waterfront foreman) and Danilo Sierra-Giraldo (lead lifeguard), the guards competed in a friendly competition that utilized all their skills.
Operations director Carm Roda notes: “In the eyes of Parks & Rec, all of our lifeguards are gold medal winners.”
Common Ground — the Westport Library’s project to bring civility back to civic discourse — sponsors a timely topic next week.
“Communicating to Open Minds” (Monday, August 5, 7 p.m.) features Steve Parrish in conversation with Sally Susman, Pfizer’s chief corporate affairs officer. They’ll discuss ways to share information in ways that encourage agreement, and avoid confrontation.
During the pandemic, Susman was charged with rolling out Pfizer’s vaccine to an anxious and polarized world. She’ll offer insights learned about leadership and connectivity.
The event is free. Click here for tickets, and more information.
Sally Susman’s book.
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The Westport Winners and Fairfield Red Storm — both Little League Challenger teams — attended a private Junior Mets clinic on the Citi Field diamond yesterday.
The day included hitting, fielding and base running — plus high fives for all after the clinic.
The Challenger athletes, at Citi Field …
… and a special day for all.
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The Westport Book Shop Short Story Book Club meets August 22 (6 p.m.). They’ll discuss 2 authors’ manifestations of technology in the future:
One is “The Veldt” by Ray Bradbury, published in 1950. The other, “Mika Model” by Paolo Bacigalupi, was published nearly 70 years later, in 2016.
Registration is required. Call 203-349-5141, or email bookshop@westportbooksaleventures.org.
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First Folk Sunday — the monthly Saugatuck Rowing Club afternoon of good music and a fun vibe — always showcases excellent talent.
It’s even better when it’s local.
Singer/songwriter Lisa Bastoni — a Westport girl now living in Northampton, Massachusetts — comes “home” on August 4.
Rozanne Gates and Suzanne Sheridan, who created First Folk Sunday, saw Bastoni perform in 2023 in Northampton. They were impressed with her songwriting, musicianship and connection to her audience.
They invited her to be a guest artist at First Folk Sunday — not knowing she is from here.
Lisa knew them both. She had heard Sheridan sing at a 2001 anti-war rally on Jesup Green.
Bastoni has had great success since then. Click here for her website. Click here for tickets to the August 4 First Folk Sunday, and more information.
And finally … Jerry Miller, a guitarist and founder of Moby Grape, the San Francisco group that never achieved the success many predicted for them, died last Sunday in Tacoma, Washington. He was 81.
Posted onJuly 28, 2024|Comments Off on See You At Today’s Soundview Summer Stroll!
Today marks the start of a new Westport tradition.
The Soundview Summer Stroll starts at 11 a.m. The entire beach exit road — from the parking lot to the Compo Road South jetty — will be closed to traffic.
Without cars, it will be filled with music, food, kids’ activities — and people “strolling,” rollerblading, meeting old friends, making new ones, and enjoying Compo Beach in a new, exciting and very fun way.
“06880” founder Dan Woog promotes Westport’s newest tradition.
The Soundview Summer Stroll grew out of the annual fireworks. Why, “06880” wondered, did so much community spirit have to be confined to one day a year?
The Soundview Stroll is co-sponsored by “06880” and the Compo Beach Improvement Association. The Compo Beach Playground Committee is in charge of kids’ fun. The Parks & Recreation Department, and Westport Police, signed on early, and have provided great support.
The family-friendly street festival is a gift to Westport, from “06880” and the Compo Beach Improvement Association. We’ve got help from the Parks & Recreation Department and Westport Police.
Here’s the schedule for youngsters, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.:
On the hour: Tug of war
20 minutes after: Water balloon toss
40 minutes after: Inflatable relay race.
Here’s the musical lineup:
11:30 a.m.: Christian Servance
12:30 p.m.: Drew Angus and the Connecticut Songwriters Alliance
1:45 p.m.: School of Rock
3 p.m.: Rock Paper Soul.
Old Mill Grocery & Deli will offer favorites from their menu.
Best of all: The Soundview Summer Stroll is free! (NOTE: A beach emblem is required to park.)
Bring your strolling shoes. See you from 11 to 5 today, up and down the beach exit road.
Comments Off on See You At Today’s Soundview Summer Stroll!
One of the most dangerous intersections in Westport — Cross Highway and Bayberry Lane — just got (hopefully) quite a bit safer.
The town has installed new warning and stop signs in all 4 directions. All flash brightly. The aim is to attract the attention of drivers before they plow onward.
It’s a great start. And a great reminder to pay attention!
You can’t see the flashing stop sign. But it sure stands out. (Hat tip and photo/Carl McNair)
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The weather was perfect. The vibe was cool.
And every seat was taken last night, at the 3 Church Lane restaurants with outdoor dining: Spotted Horse, The Blondinit and Pink Sumo.
Live music added to the fun.
Just another reason to love summer in Westport — and more proof that downtown has its mojo back.
To make sure everyone has what they need, the Westport Domestic Violence Task Force is collecting supplies. They’ll go to residents of the 2 Domestic Violence Crisis Center safe houses that serve our area, and DVCC’s clients.
The Westport Rotary Club and Positive Directions are important partners. The collection begins tomorrow (July 28), and runs through August 4.
Among the new items needed: backpacks, notebooks, pens, pencils, highlighters, crayons, lunch boxes, 3×3 sticky note pads, 3-ring binders, graphing calculators, and gift cards (Target, Walmart, Amazon, Staples, etc.).
Donations can be left in collection bins at the Westport Police Department (50 Jesup Road) and Positive Directions (90 Post Road West).
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Westporters know Alisyn Camerota as a CNN anchor/ correspondent.
She recently branched into memoir writing. In “Combat Love: A Story of Leaving, Longing and Searching for Home,” the Westport resident explores her teenage years in the 1980s music scenes of the Jersey Shore and New York City, along with her difficult relationship with her mother.
Soon, we’ll see “Combat Love” on film and TV screens. It’s in development by the producers of Broadway musicals like Alanis Morisette’s “Jagged Little Pill” and Green Day’s “American Idiot.” (Hat tip: David Meth)
Alisyn Camerota
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Speaking of writing: Here’s something to write home about: The Westport Writers’ Workshop is 20 years old.
The non-profit celebrates the milestone September 6, with a bash at the Saugatuck Rowing Club.
The event includes dinner, drinks, dancing to the Dylan Connor Trio, a silent auction, and tributes to important people like founder Jessica Bram and former Executive director Valerie Ann Leff.
Tickets are $150, and include an open bar. Click here, then scroll down to purchase.
Funds raised help underwrite WWW’s outreach programs that serve underrepresented populations, like the Bigelow Senior Center, Moms of Children with Disabilities, and STAR. These programs allow students to discover their voices, guided by accomplished faculty members.
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Longshore golfers were surprised yesterday to see a cart, sporting a political message:
It looked like a Parks & Recreation Department vehicle.
But it wasn’t.
Parks & Rec officials said it belonged to a nearby resident, out for a spin.
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Michael Douglas spent his youth in Westport. (He did not graduate from Staples High School; after junior high, he was shipped off to boarding school.)
The veteran film and television actor and producer returns to the area October 22. Stamford’s Avon Theatre will present him with its Lifetime Achievement Award
When Team Velominati sets a goal, they don’t mess around.
On August 3-4, Coastal Bridge founder and Westporter Bill Loftus will ride with the group — many of whom are local residents — across Massachusetts, in his 7th Pan-Mass Challenge, to fund cancer research at Dana-Farber in Boston.
Team Velominati’s goal: $750,000.
This year is particularly exciting. The Pan-Mass Challenge will pass $1 billion in donations over its 44-year history, making it the largest athletic fundraiser in the country.
This year, Loftus is dedicating his ride to his teammate Scott Logie, who is battling cancer.
“Freedom is a Feast” by Alejandro Puyana, “How to Read a Book” by Monica Wood, and “skin & bones” by Renée Watson are the 3 finalists for the 2024 Westport Prize for Literature, The $10,000 is awarded for an original work of fiction that explores issues in contemporary society.
This year’s winner will be announced next month, and honored at The Westport Library on September 21, in conjunction with StoryFest, the annual literary festival.
The recipient will also sit on a StoryFest panel. Confirmed authors for the event include Roxane Gay, Christopher Golden, Joe R. Lansdale, Claire Messud and Peng Shepherd. Click here for the full list.
Submissions for the 2024 Westport Prize for Literature were vetted by nearly 50 volunteer readers. A jury will then select the winner.
From left: Alejandro Puyana, Renée Watson, Monica Wood.
Alice and her baby Apricot are today’s “Westport … Naturally” subjects.
They — along with baby Raisin — live at Wakeman Town Farm. The public can visit (and snuggle) with them. Click here for reservations, and more information.
Click here to help support “06880” via credit card or PayPal. Any amount is welcome, appreciated — and tax-deductible! Reader contributions keep this blog going. (Alternate methods: Please send a check to “06880”: PO Box 744, Westport, CT 06881. Or use Venmo: @blog06880. Or Zelle: dwoog@optonline.net. Thanks!)
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