A fresh take on still life and a local haiku highlight this week’s online art gallery.
As we say every week: 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.
“Last Harvest” (Jay Walshon)
Untitled — artist Kathleen Burke says of this golden crowned kinglet: “They nest in tall pine, spruce or coniferous trees, and hang upside down looking for insects. One used to visit my studio window. This tiny bird weighs about 5 grams, the same as two pennies.”
“Turbulence” — acrylic pour (Amy Schneider)
“Easterly Winds” — acrylic impasto on textured canvas (Dorothy Robertshaw)
Untitled (Tom Doran)
Untitled — photographer Mike Hibbard says, “Don’t stand behind a road sign during hunting season in Alaska! Target practice for shooting bear, caribou, elk, moose, muskox, mountain goat and Dali sheep.”
“Shapes” (Peter Barlow)
“Sailing Off Compo — All Winners!” — pencil and watercolor (Steve Stein)
“Homestead” (Lawrence Weisman)
Untitled (Diane Lowman)
Untitled (Duane Cohen)
(Entrance is free to our online art gallery. But please consider a donation! Just click here — and thank you!)
On Wednesday, the Federal Reserve cut interest rates by half a percentage point.
Implications ripple across the economy. One of the most significant areas is real estate.
In Westport, that’s always a lively topic. “06880” asked our friends at KMS Team at Compass what the news means for home buyers. They say:
According to to Lawrence Yun, National Association of Reatlors chief economist, much of the rate cut had already been factored into existing mortgage rates.
However, he said, “due to already low mortgage rates compared to spring, the purchasing power for home buyers has been lifted by around $50,000 for those with a $2,000 monthly mortgage payment budget. Consumers who were priced out due to earlier higher mortgage rates could now be back in the market.”
For those buyers still in the looking phase, this offers an opportunity to reach just beyond their target range, perhaps opening up a new selection of homes to consider.
Let’s say buyers set a price range between $1 million and $1,149 million. Today, that search in Fairfield County shows 35 properties.
Simply changing the upper end of the range to $1.2 million brings 62 homes to consider.
In Westport, a search range of $1.5 million to $1.649 million returns just 2 homes on the market. Increase the range to $1.7, and now there are 6 homes.
The Federal Reserve’s rate cut puts this 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom, 2,304-square foot home on 1.41 acres at 163 Cross Highway in the range of buyers who might not have afforded it otherwise. It’s listed for $1.699 million.
For buyers who have already identified a property to purchase but have not locked into a mortgage, the potential savings are a bonus.
One client, looking at a 5-year adjustable rate mortgage, received a quarter point reduction in the rate overnight.
While this amounts to less than $100 a month on a $500,000 loan, it is not insignificant. If just half that amount were applied as extra principal payments, the borrower would save more than $24,000 over the life of the 30-year loan — and finish paying the mortgage off 15 months sooner.
The Mortgage Research Center offers a great calculator, for playing with the numbers.
Most importantly, the rate cut is a psychological signal for nervous home buyers that things are looking up.
The idea of “dating the rate and marrying the home” — refinancing when rates drop — is unfamiliar to many first-time home buyers. And why not? This is the first rate cut in over 4 years.
(Real estate is of prime interest for many Westporters. “06880” covers the topic often — along with so much else. If you like our work, please click here to support this hyperlocal blog. Thank you!)
Posted onSeptember 20, 2024|Comments Off on Tom Scarice: A Tribute To Max Harper
At the start of last night’s Board of Education meeting, Thomas Scarice offered a heartfelt tribute to Max Harper.
Westport’s superintendent of schools did not know the Staples High School senior, who died last week in a dirt bike accident.
But, Scarice said, he realized the impression the young man made in just 2 years. “He was so well known and loved, in a massive high school. From all accounts — students and faculty — he had a magnetic personality. He made a palpable impact” on the lives of many.
Scarice noted several highlights from 2 gatherings at Compo Beach: Max’s father’s words, the morning after the tragedy; the healing words of Staples principal Stafford Thomas, and the tributes from Max’s friends. Even at his age, the superintendent said, “I could not do what those students did.”
Scarice also lauded the “depth, quality and caring” of Staples’ counselors, and assistant principal Pat Micinilio.
Max made “an indelible impact,” Scarice concluded. “We grieve his loss.”
To see Thomas Scarice’s remarks at the Board of Education meeting, click here.
Max Harper
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For decades, a “trolley car” — actually a diner — was an iconic part of downtown restaurant.
Located at the corner of Post Road East (East State Street) and Taylor Place, across from Colgan’s (later Thompson’s) drug store (now Tiffany), the diner served good, basic food to generations of downtown workers, and students from nearby Staples High School (now Saugatuck Elementary).
(Photo courtesy of Christopher Maroc, via Facebook)
In the photo above , it’s shown next to Klaff’s, and across the street from the original Westport Public Library.
The diner — and the entire block — burned down, in a 1970s fire.
Muriel’s trolley car diner was a legendary piece of Westport history.
But why was “trolly” spelled incorrectly — in such large letters — on the side?
(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!)
Carvana — the Arizona based used car dealer selling entirely online — appears to have gone the way of the Edsel.
After 5 years on Post Road West, diagonally across from Kings Highway Elementary School — at a site previously occupied by (among others) a Volkswagen dealership, and classic car showroom — the large lot is empty.
The interior has been stripped of its fixtures.
(Photos/Adrian Little)
Looks like one more niche for Amazon to fill.
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It takes a while to write a great (or even meh) poem.
Fortunately, it does not take long to put up a poetry box.
On Tuesday, at her installation as Westport’s new poet laureate, Donna Disch announced there would soon be a poetry box at Compo Beach.
Yesterday it was installed at the end of Soundview Drive, near where Hillspoint Road becomes Compo Road South.
The Woodside Bash — Earthplace’s great under-the-stars fundraiser is well known for its great food, live music and woodsy vibe.
This year’s event (Saturday, October 5, 7 to 10 p.m.) adds something new: contemporary line dancing.
After a filling harvest dinner, Bash-goers will enjoy a special lesson from experts.
All proceeds support Westport’s popular nature center. Earthplace continues its focus on bringing quality, nature-based programming and education to everyone – especially urban youth in Fairfield County and beyond.
Tickets include a harvest dinner, open bar, fire pit with s’mores, and band. Click here to purchase, and for more information.
Attendees at last year’s Woodside Bash. This year, they’ll be line dancing.
StartUp Westport is starting up another season, offering innovative and impactful ideas.
This Tuesday (September 24, 6:30 p.m., Westport Library) features a night of cocktails, networking and information. The focus is on B Corporations, a new business model that allows companies to pursue both profit and purpose.
Hosted by Jen Gorin, founder of Impact Growth Partners, with a roundtable discussion led by Phil White and Heidi Schoeneck of Grounded World — both Westport-based Certified B Corps — the event highlights the importance of impact-driven business practices.
Michael Hermus of Westport-based mental health startup Halespring, Felicia Rubenstein of HAYVN, and Adam Thatcher of Grace Farms Tea & Coffee will share insights into how B Corp certification can enhance employee retention, market positioning and fundraising efforts.
The event is free, but registration is required; click here.
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Marc Lasry earned his billionaire status as a private equity manager.
He earned an NBA championship ring as co-owner of the Milwaukee Bucks.
Now — as women sports are having a moment — the Beachside Avenue resident may buy a controlling stake in a women’s team.
Sportico reports that Lasry is nearing a dal to purchase 60% of the National Women’s Soccer League North Carolina Courage from Steve Malik. The valuation is around $108 million.
Previously, Lasry expressed interest in the Seattle Reign. Sportico says he was also in the running to buy Angel City FC, before Willow Bay and Bob Iger purchased control of the NWSL’s most valuable club ($250 million valuation).
It’s not yet the holiday season. But it’s never too early for Earth Animal’s “Buy Joy to Gift Joy” project.
From now through December 31, the popular Post Road East store will donate 1 No-Hide Strip to shelter dogs, for every Pumpkin Spice or Holiday Feast No-Hide Chew purchase.
The goal is to donate No-Hide Chews to 80,000 shelter dogs. They’re an alternative to rawhide, offering dogs safe nutritious and enjoyable chew experiences.
Earth Animal
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We’ve posted this before, but it bears repeating.
This reminder comes from Cindy Nigro: “A basket in the lobby of Westport Police headquarters on Jesup Road is filled with lost keys. They’re dropped off by helpful folks all over town.
“I dropped off a set with an electronic fob that was unclaimed at Old Mill Beach for most of the summer.”
As anyone who has replaced them knows, those fobs are expensive! If you’ve lost one, it may be at the police station.
(Photo/Cindy Nigro)
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An appreciative crowd enjoyed the Matsiko World Orphan Choir yesterday. The Jazz Society of Fairfield County presented the concert, at Bedford Middle School.
The Liberian choir performs traditional African songs around the world, to champion the rights of all children to receive a basic education.
Dancing in the aisles, at Bedford Middle School. (Photo/Dinkin Fotografix)
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There are still 2 days left of summer.
But squirrels have started gathering acorns for the winter already.
This guy stopped briefly, to pose for our daily “Westport … Naturally” feature.
Then it was right back to work. Those nuts don’t store themselves!
And finally … in honor of our town’s new poet laureate, and our first poetry box (story above):
(We’ll spare you a rhyme. But here’s a reason: If you enjoy these daily “06880” Roundups, please consider a tax-free contribution. Just click here. And thank you!)
If you see 90 or so white-haired, spunky septuagenarians around town this weekend, there’s a reason: The Staples High School Class of 1964 is celebrating their 60th reunion.
(Note: That sentence is not mine. It came directly from one of the organizers, Deb Holliday Kintigh.)
The weekend includes the usual reunion activities: a cocktail party, dinner and Compo Beach gathering.
But there’s a lot more — including ideas other reunion classes might steal (er, borrow).
In a “Deep Dive” this afternoon (Friday), 6 reunion-goers — selected from many proposals — will offer insights into their careers, volunteer work and passions that impacted their lives, and others.
The diverse span of experiences features Tom Dublin, who co-created a women and social movements document history website subscribed to by libraries and universities; former Staples lacrosse coach Paul McNulty, who coached and built an integrated football team in Mississippi; Nancy Wilson, who founded a Quaker school, and now teaches in a prison; Tim Honey, who spent a foreign exchange year in South Africa, and has revisited the much-changed country since apartheid ended; Sandi Crosby Goldie, who works on climate change, and Melody James, talking about bridging silence and sound, pioneering medical technology and navigating the opposition to the cochlear implant.
The session will be videotaped, to be shared with a wider audience.
In 1962, the Staples Class of ’64 presented the director of the World Health Organization with a check the class raised to support the WHO. Among the attendees: Tim Honey (striped jacket, center). He will be part of today’s “Deep Dive.”
The other new event is “Roundtable Short Stories,” following the Saturday morning breakfast. There will be talks from current students, and principal Stafford Thomas.
Then, after a tour of the “new” school (as of 20 years ago), led by alum (and longtime track and cross country coach) Laddie Lawrence, the class will gather in a circle.
A mic will be passed, for anyone to share 3 to 5 minutes of whatever they wish.
The Staples High School that the Class of 1964 remembers.
The Saturday banquet at the Norwalk Inn includes song parodies by Eric Multhaup, Sylvia Robinson Corrigan, Nancy Wilson and Melody James, a solo Linda Clifford, and a compilation/adapted scene from Staples Players’ 1962 production of “Our Town,” with John Parriott, Claudia Daub Crawford and Melody James.
“Then we have a playlist of ’60s and ’70s music,” says co-organizer Melody James.
“We plan to boogie — well, move and sway.”
The reunion ends Sunday. The Compo Beach picnic features a hootenanny (remember those?), games and food, plus a tribute to departed classmates with a reading of names, and music by Mike Haydn.
Welcome back, Class of 1964! Have a great reunion — and many more.
NOTE: The Class of ’64 also has one of the best reunion websites anywhere. Click here to see.
(Whether you were in Staples’ Class of 1964, 2024 — or never went there — you’re part of our community. And part of our “06880” online community too. Please click here to support our work.)
Up and down Riverside Avenue, there’s been renovation and new construction. More is on the drawing board.
Friends of Eloise A. Ray Park is comprised of neighbors, some of whom have lived in Westport for more than 30 years. They write:
Several months ago we alerted the community to attempts by a developer – Vita Design Group – to build a new luxury townhouse adjacent to Eloise A. Ray Park.
As we noted, the park is one of very few public spaces along the Saugatuck River. It would be damaged, permanently altered, and encroached upon if the project is approved.
Eloise A. Ray Park
Unfortunately, while the project was slightly delayed, Vita has now submitted plans to the Planning & Zoning Commission.
A hearing is set for this Monday (September 23, 6 p.m., Zoom).
Eloise A. Ray Park sits on the west bank of the Saugatuck, and offers incredible views up and down the river. It is used every day by people walking to and from the center of town, and also those who come specifically to sit on a bench to watch the daily river activity.
With its location and impressive views, the park is also used for family gatherings and special occasions. It’s truly a wonderful place.
Unfortunately, Vita has been able to purchase what many believed was public land immediately adjacent to the park, and has submitted plans to build a multi-level luxury home which will change the park forever.
This land – 79 Riverside Avenue – borders the park immediately to the north. It has a number of old trees, and also offers prime habitat for wildlife. For this reason among others, it has been a perfect neighbor to the park for many years.
Benches at Eloise A. Ray Park.
But all that will change – along with the character of the park itself – if the town allows this development to proceed. In particular, we can expect the following:
The park itself will effectively be unusable for long periods of time while construction is ongoing, and will be used in part as a staging area for construction equipment.
The park will be damaged by construction equipment.
Once construction is complete, the park will be forever altered by having a multi-level house, driveway, patio and walls encroaching upon it.
Construction will also require razing the land at 79 Riverside, cutting down a number of old trees and eliminating wildlife habitat,
Construction will also seriously impact traffic on Riverside Avenue — already very busy – because heavy equipment will need to use the roadway on a regular basis.
In sum, there will undoubtedly be a loss or permanent alteration of public waterfront space, of which there is very little these days. And while the developer will no doubt downplay these concerns, as they always do, those of us familiar with the reality of new development projects know better.
Autumn view, from Eloise A. Ray Park.
It is also worth noting that the Town has already allowed multiple new construction projects to proceed in the area.
Anyone who drives on the Post Road is familiar with the huge eyesore at 85 Post Road West, which now features several 2-story piles of dirt, trash and damaged construction fencing. This is only the beginning phase of what will be several years spent erecting a 68-unit apartment building that the town approved last year.
The Town also approved a multi-unit apartment building at the intersection of Wilton Road and Kings Highway North, which eliminated prime wildlife habitat along the west bank of the Saugatuck.
The town has also approved 2 additional new construction projects along the west bank of the Saugatuck near Saugatuck Elementary School. Incredibly, one involves a complete teardown of a historic 1700s house which is in good condition. Its only crime: being located just outside the official historic district.
Of course, all these projects pale in comparison with attempts by another developer to create an entirely new zoning district in Saugatuck in order to build 10 new buildings, up to 65 feet high, including a 100-seat theater, condominiums, a hotel, retail buildings and parking.
But no matter the scope or scale, each project necessarily results in eradication of the natural environment, elimination of wildlife habitat, and further urbanization of Westport.
These concerns are all the more pressing when a project is set to destroy spaces the town has officially designated as public land, such as Eloise A. Ray Park.
Anyone who would like more information can email saveeloise@gmail.com. There are fewer places like Eloise A. Ray Park every day. Each loss is a loss for all of us.
(“06880” Opinion pages are open to everyone. That’s the beauty of a hyper-local blog. If you value our work, please click here to make a tax-deductible contribution. Thank you!)
Posted onSeptember 19, 2024|Comments Off on Read It Here: StoryFest’s Back Story
StoryFest ’24 — the Westport Library’s multi-day, genre-spanning literary festival — kicks off tomorrow (Friday, September 20).
All weekend long, the event celebrates the story in all its forms, and storytellers from across all media. Every genre is covered, from memoir to literary fiction, fantasy to cottage-core.
Over 50 award-winning and debut authors will talk about their craft. Headliners include Roxane Gay and Claire Messud.
From left: Claire Messud, Roxane Gay, Christopher Golden.
Also on tap: live podcast recordings, a special tribute to longtime and beloved Library friend Sybil Steinberg, the 2024 Westport Prize for Literature, a Saturday evening storytelling event, a Sunday pitchfest, and more.
In just 7 years, StoryFest has become the largest annual literary festival in Connecticut — and one of the biggest in the Northeast.
How did it happen?
It started in a coffee shop. Westport Library associate director of program and events Alex Giannini and his colleague Cody Daigle-Orians casually chatted about bringing a literary festival to Westport.
Alex Giannini (left) and Cody Daigle-Orians.
The idea grew quickly. Soon, the Library was not asking for authors; publishers began reaching out to the Library with offers.
Giannini is involved in nearly every aspect of Library programming. But, he says, StoryFest is his favorite activity.
He’s welcomed authors like Jason Reynolds, R.L. Stine, Stephen Graham Jones and Michael Lewis.
This year — in a full-circle moment — Daigle-Orians returns to Westport. This time it’s as a featured author. “The Ace and Aro Relationship Guide” will make its debut (a month before its official publication date) at StoryFest.
You can’t make tales like that up.
(For more information on StoryFest ’24 — including a complete schedule — click here.)
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