Solutions to Westport’s traffic woes may move more slowly than the vehicles that race around town.
But they’re coming.
That was one of the messages delivered at last night’s Traffic Pedestrian Safety public meeting.
Three dozen residents — many of them RTM representatives and other town officials — heard members of the Traffic & Pedestrian Task Force, and an outside consulting firm, describe steps they’ve already taken, and will take, to address the thorny issue.
The task force, created by 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker, was represented by Public Works director Pete Ratkiewich, Police Corporal Al D’Amura and Deputy Chief Ryan Paulsson, Deputy Fire Chief Nick Marsan, town operations director Tom Kiely, and town engineer Keith Wilberg.
Four members of the Tighe & Bond engineering firm presented too.
Traffic & Pedestrian Safety Task Force members (from left) Pete Ratkiewich, Al D’Amurra, Ryan Paulsson, Nick Marsan and Keith Wilberg, last night at Town Hall.
Increased traffic enforcement — particularly around schools — has led to 3,580 traffic stops since October: a 39% increase. More than 170 of those stops have been made on Easton Road, near Coleytown Middle and Elementary Schools.
That’s a direct result of the 4 police officers assigned to Westport’s 8 schools (Staples/Bedford, Coleytown Middle and Elementary, Kings Highway/Saugatuck and Long Lots/Greens Farms), Paulsson said.
In addition, several sidewalks have been built, crosswalks have been designated, and no-parking zones created.
A map showed that traffic enforcement takes place all over Westport. “It’s not just on the Post Road,” Deputy Chief Ryan Paulsson noted. (Photos/Dan Woog)
A $562,500 grant — 75% of it federal, 25% local — will help Tighe & Bond devise a safety action plan by next February.
It may include traffic enforcement cameras, at selected locations. State legislation passed recently now allows municipalities to install the devices. But there are many stipulations, such as demonstrated need. Westport is moving forward to qualify, Paulsson said.
Data collection on accidents and “hot spots” continues, the consultants explained. There have been 2,944 motor vehicle accidents over the past 5 years, with 5 fatalities and 37 serious injuries.
Among the most troublesome areas: the Post Road, and Riverside and Saugatuck Avenues.
Twenty-eight involved pedestrians, while 6 involved bicyclists.
The “interactive survey map” has been helpful. Over 1,350 people have logged on, to register complaints and comments, and offer solutions.
Many involve the Post Road, Riverside Avenue, Main Street, Compo Road North and Cross Highway. Low responses have come from the northwest (Redcoat Road) and southeast (Greens Farms) sections of town.
The survey is open until May 10. Click here to see and respond.
In the public portion of the meeting, several RTM members spoke about their districts’ concerns.
Congestion, dangerous drivers and poor visibility were mentioned frequently.
Bicyclists were not forgotten. RTM member Peter Gold asked for debris to be cleared from roadsides, potholes filled and vegetation removed, so that cyclists would not have to veer into roadways.
Bike Westport co-founder Markus Marty urged the creation of more bike lanes, noting studies that show narrower lanes lead to safer streets.
(Click here for Westport’s Traffic & Pedestrian Safety page.)
(Everyone talks about traffic. “06880” brings you news about it — along with everything else going on in Westport. But we can’t do it without you. Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
The Yellow Tulip Project is a national, youth-driven movement aimed at smashing the stigma and silence surrounding mental illness.
It began when teenager Julia Hansen was dealing with her own depression, alone. It took the tragedy of losing her 2 best friends to suicide for the high school sophomore to find her voice, and speak out.
Julia’s mother, Suzanne Fox, helped her create an online space to inspire conversations about how to combat the rising tide of suicide. Yellow Tulip Project members speak and conferences, schools and youth events; provide programs, and plant “hope gardens” in the fall that bloom in spring.
Julia lives in California. But her mom Suzanne grew up in Westport, and graduated from Staples High School.
Westport Department of Human Services director Elaine Daignault did not know that when she learned about the Yellow Tulip Project, and brought it to Staples’ Teen Awareness Group. She’s an advisor to TAG, a student-led group that takes a realistic, impactful role in trying to reduce teens’ risky behavior, and promote personal and shared responsibility.
TAG loved the project’s message about instilling hope. They bought 500 tulips.
Inspired by Julia’s story, TAG looked for locations to plant yellow tulip bulbs. They’d serve as a visual reminder of hope for those dealing with mental health issues.
In November they planted 2 hope gardens. One was at Staples, near the peace pole in the courtyard by the auditorium. The other was at the Senior Center.
TAG members planted tulips in the Staples High courtyard …
“We liked the idea of spreading hope to seniors who may experience isolation, grief and loneliness as they age,” Daignault explains.
“And the kids recognized that our active seniors may also appreciate an inter-generational initiative that encourages the community to talk openly about mental health.”
Senior Center director Wendy Petty and program specialist Jason Wilson suggested using the dormant winter garden, to protect the bulbs from deer.
Jason helped prepare the soil, and gave TAG members “the confidence to get a little dirty,” Daignault says.
… and, with help from Jason Wilson (rear), at the Senior Center.
It was only then — after talking with Senior Center member Dorothy Fox — that Daignault learned of her daughter Suzanne and granddaughter Julia’s Westport connection.
TAG members plan a small dedication ceremony today (Friday) at 3 p.m., when the blooms look their best.
The timing works well too, because TAG is preparing for Staples’ Get Real Day on May 8. It’s a school-wide focus on mental health and substance abuse awareness.
“The Yellow Tulip Project’s Hope Garden is another way TAG hopes to encourage open conversation about wellness, and spread awareness about available resources,” Daignault says.
“Next year we’ll try to build some programming around the initiative. But for now, we’re just thrilled to spread some light and cheer this spring.”
Westport Center Senior’s “Hope Garden,” in bloom.
(“06880” covers Westport’s youth, seniors, and everyone in between. If you enjoy our hyper-local blog, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
Westport native Chelsea Cutler returns home for a special Levitt Pavilion show July 27.
The platinum-selling singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer and engineer has generated over 3 billion streams, sold out worldwide tours, and been named to “Forbes 30 Under 30.”
In addition to Coachella, Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo and more, she has performed on Jimmy Kimmel, Stephen Colbert, James Corden, Seth Meyers and the Times Square New Year’s Eve Special.
Chelsea Cutler
That’s just one highlight, on a jam-packed outdoor entertainment schedule that begins in May, and runs through October.
The Levitt presents over 50 free shows each year, along with a few special paid- ticket events. Programming ranges from every type of music, to dance, comedy and a children’s series.
New shows are added throughout the season. Here’s what’s the Levitt has announced so far:
Free shows
May 31: Prince/Bowie: The Music of Prince and David Bowie (members of Twiddle, Pink Talking Fish, Remain in Light, Deep Banana Blackout and more ), plus the Cal Kehoe Band.
June 1: Couch: Boston-based pop, funk, rock and R&B/soul.
June 6: Pine Leaf Boys: High energy Cajun & zydeco rock from Louisiana.
June 18: Isle of Klezbos: Powerhouse all-female klezmer sextet celebrates their 25th anniversary.
Isle of Klezbos
June 20: Molly Grace: Nashville-based queer pop-funk star.
June 21: Carbon Leaf : Indie quintet from Virginia, playing bluegrass, rock, folk, Celtic and pop.
June 27: Alysha Brilla Trio: Composer, music producer and multi-instrumentalist weaves together rhythmic global roots sounds with a flourish of esoteric lyricism.
June 29: Buffalo Nichols: Blue with 808 programming, chopped up Charley Patton samples, washes of synth.
June 20: NYC SKA Orchestra: 20-piece big band performing original compositions and arrangements of songs from ska, mento, rock steady, reggae, and jazz from the 1950s and 60s.
June 13: The Lone Bellow: Their 2021 Levitt show sold out instantly. Brooklyn-based Americana, alt-country folk band known for transcendent harmonies and raucous live performances.
June 16: The Wood Brothers with the Bygones: American roots band that blends folk, blues, gospel, and jazz; joined on Father’s Day by an indie folk duo that ties together traditional jazz, 70’s singer-songwriter classic country and bossa nova.
June 22: Mihali & Friends return (more information to come).
July 4: Umphrey’s McGee and July 5: Moe. Best.Summer.Ever. With Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country and Neighbor. 2-day Independence Day celebration. Umphrey’s McGee reinvents musical styles including rock, metal, funk, jazz, blues, reggae, electronic, bluegrass, country and folk. Rock progressive neo-psychedelia jam band moe defies categorization. Alt-country and jam artist Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Universe and Neighbor is an exciting, unpredictable live band. (Two-day and single-day tickets available.)
A few of this summer’s many Levitt Pavilion performers.
July 14: Aoife O’Donovan & Hawktail: Grammy winner returns to the Levitt in support of her new album “All My Friends,” inspired by women’s suffrage.
August 17: Andrew Bird with Amadou & Mariam: Multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, whistler and songwriter is joined by Amadou and Mariam, husband- and-wife Malian musical duo.
(Click here to receive announcements of upcoming Levitt Pavilion shows.)
The Levitt Pavilion is often packed for shows. (Photo/JC Martin)
(The Levitt Pavilion offers many free shows — but puts on paid-ticket shows too, to pay the bills. “06880” is also free. But we too rely on support from our fans. Please click here to help. Thank you!)
Two dozen electors have petitioned the Representative Town Meeting to appoint a committee to “review the Downtown Plan Implementation Committee’s plans for both Parker Harding and Jesup Green, the scope of the work and the associated costs; and to consider the merits and costs associated with feasible alternatives to what is being proposed by the DPIC, including a parking deck at the Baldwin lot; and to report its findings to the entire membership for such action as may be appropriate.”
The petitioners note “a great deal of concern and consternation among the citizenry surrounding the DPIC proposal, focused upon both the encroachment into Jesup Green and perceived flaws in the redesign of Parker Harding.”
RTM moderator Jeff Wieser has asked the RTM Rules Committee to review the petition prior to the full body’s May 7 meeting.
Wieser says that the RTM will take up that topic at the full meeting, along with the request for design funds to propose construction drawings for Jesup Green and the Imperial Avenue parking lot.
“Various committees have met regarding the design funds,” he notes. In addition, the RTM will have field trips next week at Jesup Green to review the proposed plans.
It’s very appropriate: WestportMoms is hosting a Mother’s Day celebration — called “MOMents that Matter” — next Thursday (May 2, 6 to 10 p.m., Birchwood Country Club).
The event includes:
Mother’s Day shopping boutique with curated vendors
Panel discussion “rock star local moms” (including CNN anchor Alisyn Camerota, actress Stephanie Szostak, “Devil Wears Prada” author Lauren Weisberger, Melissa + Doug co-founder Melissa Bernstein and others) on balancing careers and motherhood, and the “MOMents That Matter.”
Gift bags for 50 attendees ($100 gift card to WEST, massage at Squeeze, and much more)
Appetizers from the new Birchwood chef, and cash bar.
Attendees are asked to bring a pack of feminine napkins, for women in need. The be donated to the Diaper Bank of Connecticut.
Tickets are $30. Click here to purchase, and for more information.
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Stacie Curran reports:
“What a wild nightyesterday at the Westport Library!
“Attendees from Club 203 members (our social group for adults with disabilities) and friends packed the Trefz Forum with a night of ‘speed friending; by TeenSLP (Staples High School’s speech and language expert Deirdre Flores), and rockin’ out with karaoke by our MC extraordinaire volunteer PJ Pitcher.
Thank you, Westport Library, for this incredible space. A special shout-out to associate director Alex Giannini, and the sound manager of Verso Studios, Travis Bell. You turned dreams into realty!”
Part of the Club 203 fun last night at the Westport Library.
There’s a new addition to Saturday’s annual Drug Takeback Day (April 27, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Westport Senior Center).
A Wellness Fair — sponsored by Positive Directions — will take place, along with a collection by Westport Police and the Drug Enforcement Agency of tablets, capsules, patches and other solid forms of prescription drugs.
Syringes, sharps and illicit drugs are not accepted. Liquid products like cough syrup should remain sealed in their original container.
Residents can bring expired and unwanted medications for safe disposal, then stay for “wellness fun.”
The event includes a free behavioral health screening and blood pressure check, a sensory table for relaxation, and nutrition tips.
Prevention resources include drug awareness activities (drunk goggles, liquor stickers, lock bags, Narcan demonstration), tick and mosquito prevention resources, and gambling awareness materials.
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Prep work continues for the upcoming beach season.
Speaking of police: The Westport PD made 6 custodial arrests between April 17 and 24.
A 26-year-old Bridgeport woman was arrested for larceny, illegal taking of a payment card, illegal use of a credit card exceeding $500, receipt from illegal use of a credit card, and identity theft, following complaint of fraudulent credit card charges over $12,000. Surveillance footage at Walgreens determined that an employee had used the card to purchase gift cards. Surveillance footage at other locations also showed the same user.
A 52-year-old Elizabeth, New Jersey woman was arrested for larceny and forgery, and conspiracy to commit those crimes, after a $560 check was stolen from their mailbox, and fraudulently deposited for $5,500..
A 43-year-old Westport man was charged with disorderly conduct and interfering with an emergency call, following a domestic disturbance. His comments made a family member fear for their safety, then held their car keys so they could not leave and interfered with a 911 call for help
A 47-year-old Stamford woman was charged with disorderly conduct and assault, after a domestic violence incident in a Westport home.
A 33-year-old Norwalk man was arrested for illegal operation of a motor vehicle with a suspended license, evading responsibility, failure to obey a stop sign and operating a motor vehicle without a license, following an accident with injuries at the Compo Road North/Evergreen Avenue intersection. The driver — who fled with the passenger on foot — had failed to stop at the Evergreen Avenue stop sign. He and the passenger were quickly apprehended. The operator of the vehicle that was struck sustained minor injuries.
A 39-year-old Darien man was arrested for driving under the influence after his vehicle was stopped in the travel portion of the street, near 1655 Post Road East. Officers found the driver disoriented, unable to follow basic instructions, and with the odor of alcohol on his breath.
Westport Police also issued these citations:
Traveling unreasonably fast: 3 citations
Operating an unregistered motor vehicle: 3
Speeding: 2
Operating a motor vehicle without a license: 2
Interfering with an officer: 1
Reckless driving: 1
Distracted driving: 1
Failure to yield to a pedestrian: 1
Following too closely: 1
Failure to obey traffic control signals: 1
Operating a motor vehicle under suspension: 1
Operating a motor vehicle without minimum insurance: 1
Improper use of markers: 1
Drivers must yield to pedestrians at crosswalks like this one, on Riverside Avenue at Sylvan Lane.
Suzuki Music Schools are best known for their violin instructions.
Sophie B. Hawkins does not play the violin.
No matter. The Westport-based singer/songwriter is the special guest performer at Suzuki’s annual gala this Friday (April 26, Aspetuck Country Club, Weston). She’ll be accompanied by Suzuki students.
The event includes a cocktail hour with open bar, dinner, and a live auction.
Last year’s gala raised nearly $40,000 to support their Bridgeport Outreach programs, to provide music lessons to children in need.
This year’s goal: raise enough funds to provide violins for those children to take home for practice.
Dimitri Alatakis — a part owner of the Sherwood Diner — died last week, after suffering a heart attack. He lived in Fairfield, and was 61.
Dimitri is survived by his wife of 31 years, Donna; children Dimitri, Zoe and Alexei; mother Galatia and brother Stephen. He was predeceased by his father Andreas.
Services will be private. Memorial contributions may be made to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 4070 Park Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06604, to benefit the preschool program.
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We don’t often post a nighttime “Westport … Naturally” photo. Here’s an exception: Jerry Kuyper’s image, “minutes after the moon hit full.”
Even if he’s spent the entire time going backwards to reach it.
The 2016 Staples High School graduate has just been named to USRowing’s national team. This summer, he heads to Paris to race in the Olympics.
Rowing is a natural sport for Bub — and not just because he’s 6-6. Both parents rowed at Boston University; his 2 older brothers were rowers too. Every year the family headed to Boston, to watch the Head of the Charles races.
As a freshman, Bub joined the Saugatuck Rowing Club program. It was a perfect fit.
“It’s such a great team sport,” he says. “You’re quite literally in the same boat as your teammates.” The people he met through rowing remain his closest friends.
Bub achieved plenty of success. He and fellow Staples 11th grader Lucas Manning won the Junior Nationals pairs race, then finished 9th at the world competition in Rio de Janeiro.
Oliver Bub (center), with Saugatuck Rowing Club coach Sharon Kriz and teammate Lucas Manning.
He gives much of the credit to SRC’s former head coach Sharon Kriz, and former assistant (now head) coach Dave Grossman.
“Their early guidance was so helpful,” Bub says. “I’m super grateful.”
Colleges came calling. He chose Dartmouth, whose coach was a 2-time Olympian. Bub earned Freshman of the Year honors in 2016-17.
But his senior season was canceled by COVID.
Graduating with a degree in economics, Bub took a job with Citibank’s Bay Area tech lending group.
In June of 2023 he was chosen for the senior national team, to compete in Belgrade. He a bold move: He left the industry, to train full time.
Oliver Bub, on the water.
Rowing is not a lucrative sport. USRowing and the US Olympic Committee offer small stipends. He’s lived off savings, in Oakland.
It’s a frugal life (though, Bub admits, “I do eat a lot”).
He spends his days training and racing with the California Rowing Club. “It’s a simple life. I don’t have the daily stresses that could get in the way of optimized performance,” he says. “I’m always keeping the end goal in mind.”
That goal grows closer every day.
Bub will spend the next 6 weeks training with the team in Oakland. (It helps that it’s now his home city.)
Then he’s off to Lucerne, Switzerland, where the US will face many of the boats they’ll see at the Olympics.
Back in the US, they’ll train at Dartmouth (another “homecoming”) and Princeton, then compete in Italy. After that: Paris.
Bub’s teammate in men’s pair is Billy Bender, a Dartmouth student taking his senior year off to concentrate on the Olympics. Last year, with another partner, Bender placed 5th in the world championship.
Oliver Bub and Billy Bender, earlier this month.
Bender and Bub’s aim is simple: to win a medal. “There’s no real difference after third,” Bub notes.
When that race is over — after 11 years of grueling work, for a few fleeting minutes on the world stage — Bub will …
Well, he’s not sure.
“It will be time to get back to work, move on with my career,” he says. “I probably should figure it out.”
While he expects to spend a year away from competitive rowing, he won’t give up certain routines.
“I enjoy exercising and working out, so I expect to continue that,” Bub says.
“And If rowing calls my name back — we’ll see.”
(Hat tip: Lisa Marriott)
(“The Olympics unites the world. “06880” does the same for Westport. If you enjoy our hyper-local blog, please consider a tax-deductible contribution. Click here to help. Thank you!)
As the busy summer season nears, Westport’s Parks & Recreation Department is searching for a new director.
Jennifer has resigned, effective May 8. She will assume a new position, as director of the Darien Parks & Recreation Department.
Deputy director Rick Giunta will take over on an interim basis, until a permanent director is named.
Jennifer Fava
Fava began her Westport career on September 1, 2015. The University of Massachusetts graduate’s previous position had been in North Hempstead, Long Island.
She told “06880” then that her background there — including managing golf courses, marinas and beaches — would be very helpful here.
This afternoon, Fava told “06880” that, among other accomplishments in Westport, she is particularly proud of the South Beach restroom project, the redevelopment of Riverside Park, and re-turfing of athletic fields.
Parks & Rec is in the initial stages of a 10-year capital improvement project for Longshore Club park. “I hope people keep moving it forward,” she said.
Fava added, “It’s been a good ride. Darien is an exciting opportunity.”
She thanked “all the people I’ve worked with in Westport: elected officials, town committees, the Parks & Rec Commission and volunteers.”
Fava’s tenure involved several controversies, including awarding the Compo Beach concession contract to Hook’d; the possible relocation of the Westport Community Gardens, and concerns about maintenance of the town’s grass fields.
Dick Harris received the 2024 award for his “extraordinary, enduring support of the organization as a volunteer.” Nearly 600 guests attended the recent ceremony.
Dick Harris (2nd from left) at the Unsung Hero ceremony. Also in the photo (from left): Special Olympics Connecticut president and CEO Mike Mason, and athletes Brian Drexler and Nick Sinicori.
During his more than 35 years with Special Olympics, Harris has coached track and field, and swimming.
He also served as local coordinator of Special Olympics’ Our Vision team. It serves athletes of all abilities in Westport and surrounding towns, offering opportunities to participate in inclusive sports training, competitions and health and fitness programs.
As local coordinator Harris managed the team, coordinated practices, recruited coaches and volunteers, accompanied athletes to state Special Olympics games. He also involved members of the Our Vision team in Special Olympics Connecticut’s annual Fairfield Penguin Plunge fundraiser
He continues serving Our Vision as a mentor to its newer leaders.
Congratulations, Dick Harris: Special Olympics Connecticut’s Unsung Hero — and “06880”‘s!
(Unsung Hero is a weekly “06880” feature. To nominate a hero, email 06880blog@gmail.com. To support our work, please click here. Thank you!)
… and writes: “I drove by this today. I took it down. Horrified.
“I am Jewish. I attended Columbia a few decades ago. I am distraught. Then this, where I live.
“It was defaced on the highly trafficked corner of Cross Highway and North Avenue.
“I drove by it on my way to drop my child off at an after-school activity. I did not want to stop with my child in the car. So I left it there.
“I drove back 20 minutes later to retrieve it. How did people drive by this for 20 minutes and not remove it?
“I hoped beyond hope it would be gone before I got back, but it wasn’t. It was there. How many people drove by and didn’t stop? How could someone do this in the first place? It is now in the Westport Police’s hands.”
35 Staples High School students and 6 teachers recently returned from 12 days of cultural and artistic immersion in Italy and France.
Led by Stephen Zimmerman, town-wide coordinator of music and visual arts, the itinerary was packed with visits to renowned art museums including the Uffizi and Accademia Galleries in Florence, the Guggenheim in Venice, and Musée d’Orsay and Louvre in Paris.
Students also participated in hands-on activities, such as a fresco art workshop in Florence and an impressionist painting class in Paris.
Staples art students, at a fresco class.
The trip also included guided tours of landmarks like the Roman Forum, Colosseum and Vatican City. The group took gondola rides in Venice, and exploring the streets of Burano, Florence and Paris.
“This trip was an opportunity for our students to deepen their understanding and appreciation of art and culture,” says Zimmerman.
“By experiencing these iconic works of art firsthand, students gained a deeper appreciation for the scale, texture, color, and more.”
There are not many “Rosie the Riveters” left, in 2024.
But one of the originals — women who worked in factories and shipyards during World War II — will speak at the Connecticut Air & Space Center in Stratford on May 1 (5 p.m.; $25 tickets, children under 12 free).
And (of course) there’s a Westport connection.
This Rosie — Jean Hunt Tucker — is 99 years old. Her father built the house on Imperial Avenue that she grew up in. It’s where Sharon Levin — who told “06880” about the event — now lives.
“Rosie” will talk about her important work at Chance Vought Aircraft in Stratford.
Beginning at age 18, Jean made drawings of parts for electrical installations — without ever seeing the actual equipment. She also worked on fuselages.
Chance Vought sent her to the Academy of Aeronautics, near La Guardia Airport, to train women entering the industry.
In 1945 Joan entered Northeastern University, as one of its first class of women.
She married in 1949. When the company moved to Dallas, she stayed here. She earned a degree in industrial engineering, and taught math for 38 years in 3 states and 2 foreign countries.
Click here for more details, on Westport’s own Rosie the Riveter.
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“06880”: where Westport meets Talladega.
Last weekend, 2007 Staples High School graduate — now vice president of marketing at Liquid Death (and an Ad Age “40 Under 40” honoree) — was at the Alabama Super Speedway to announce his company as the official iced tea sponsor of NASCAR.
But wait! There’s more! He met his friend, Staples ’09 grad Parker Kligerman, the NASCAR Xfinity Series driver.
Kligerman drives the #48 Chevrolet Camaro for Big Machine Racing. When he’s not behind the wheel, he’s a NASCAR analyst for NBC Sports.
Greg Fass, Parker Kligerman and NASCAR’s official iced tea.
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The always-popular Westport Woman’s Club’s “pop-up art show” is set for Friday, May 3 (5 to 7 p.m., opening reception) and Saturday and Sunday, May 4-5 (2 to 5 p.m.).
Curated by Miggs Burroughs, the event features many local artists. Over 200 works, including paintings, mixed media and ceramics, are available for purchase. Prices range from $50 to $1,500.
Admission is free, and refreshments will be served. Refreshments will be served. Curated by Westport Artist Miggs Burroughs, this popular show features a variety of local artists whose works are available for purchase.
Among the artists and works at the Westport Woman’s Club show.
Alert “06880” reader Paul Rohan was curious about the pavement-grading activity to the right of the northbound entrance at I-95 Exit 18.
He asked State Representative Jonathan Steinberg, who serves on the General Assembly’s Transportation Committee.
A representative from Steinberg’s office said that the property near the Sherwood Island Connector is a “reuse stockpile area.” It is a hub for storing dirt and gravel salvaged from the Norwalk WALK railroad bridge site, allowing the contractor to minimize waste and disposal.
The materials are “carefully inspected, sorted, and organized for future use on the WALK Bridge and related projects. Repurposing these materials instead of disposing of them reduces waste and contributes to environmental sustainability.”
Materials salvaged from the Norwalk railroad bridge work are being stockpiled near I-95 Exit 18 in Westport.
Speaking of bridges: Yesterday’s “06880” floated a what’s-old-is-new-again idea: the possibility of a “new” Cribari bridge similar to the temporary one built in the early 1990s, during the span’s last major renovation.
Alert “06880” reader Gloria Gouveia goes back more than a century before that. She sends along this rendering of plans for the original bridge, built in the 1880s:
Hey, it looks better with holiday lights.
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The Westport Garden Club, Westport Library and Westport Arts Advisory Committee announces the winners of their Youth Poetry Contest, for students in grades K-9.
The winning poems are “Forever Awake” by Tessa Lederer (Grade 4) and “Thoughts on a Fresh Spring Day” by Katya Bank (Grade 9).
The theme for the 2024 contest was “I Spy with My Little Eye, Something Green Outside — Celebrating Our Green World.”
But that’s not all. Both young poets won first place in their grade at the state level. They now advance to The New England Garden Clubs’ regional contest. Those final selections will be submitted for National Garden Club awards.
Tessa and Katya will be honored at the Library this Sunday (2 p.m.).
Their readings will be followed by a poetry workshop with town poet laureate Jessica Noyes McEntee. Attendees will be invited to write their own poems, inspired by natural materials provided by The Westport Garden Club.
The event is free and open to the public.
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The Saugatuck Sunday Afternoon Concert Series continues this weekend (April 28, 3 p.m.) with “When Music Connects Us.”
Performers include The Naugatuck Valley Chorale — an ensemble of students and community members — and the Western Connecticut State University Chamber Singers.
The concert is free, and the public is invited. A reception will follow.
Two groups perform Sunday at the Saugatuck Church.
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Many Westporters use “Hair of the Dog” — just over the Southport border, near I-95 Exit 19 — for pet grooming, walking and sitting.
The owner, his wife and their 4 children have been displaced, after a kitchen fire at their Fairfield home last week. The contents of their home are a total loss.
The owner suffered serious burns on his hands and face, and may take a year to fully heal.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help with housing, clothes, furniture and other expenses. Click here to read more, and contribute. (Hat tip: Seth Schachter)
And finally … in honor of the Rosie the Riveter (story above):
(“06880” is your go-to source for all things Westport. But we rely on our readers for help. To make a tax-deductible contribution, please click here. Thank you!)
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Julia’s mother, Suzanne Fox, helped her create an online space to inspire conversations about how to combat the rising tide of suicide. Yellow Tulip Project members speak and conferences, schools and youth events; provide programs, and plant “hope gardens” in the fall that bloom in spring.
