“Five Mile River, Rowayton/Darien” (Kathleen Burke)
Untitled (June Rose Whittaker)
Untitled (Tom Doran)
“Dark Times” (Jo Ann Miller)
“Ridgeline” — digital image (Ken Runkel)
Untitled — Norway (Lauri Weiser)
“Coral Head Sculpture.” Artist Dorothy Robertshaw explains: “Thanks to Nancy Breakstone’s generosity and sharing her coral and shell collection, I created Jimmy Durante, Mr. Potato Head, Harry… and I think he looks like Bert from Sesame Street. His frame is a refurbished broken clock.”
“Aerin’s Thermal” — Steve Stein says: “Thiswas done by our 12-year-old grand child. Thermal art is done on a thermoluminescent screen, It is evanescent, and has to be done quickly before it fades away forever (unless granddad takes a screen shot!).”
“Waiting #3” (Lawrence Weisman)
Photographer Mike Hibbard’s caption: “Okay, they’re watching the elephants. You grab the lunch bags, and I’ll meet you in the trees.”
Untitled (Cohl Katz)
(Entrance is free to our online art gallery. But please consider a donation! Just click here — and thank you!)
Julie Loparo is an animal rights advocate. She often shares uplifting stories of work by Westport Animal Shelter Advocates and Wildlife in Crisis.
Not today, unfortunately. She sends along this Wildlife in Crisis report:
A few weeks ago, on a lawn adjacent to the Saugatuck River, a very ill and lethargic adult female bald eagle was found by Westport Animal Control officer Peter Reid.
He immediately transported it to Wildlife in Crisis. Despite a great effort to save the magnificent bird, it died.
Wanting to know the source of the illness, Wildlife in Crisis sought a necropsy. It revealed that the eagle died from rodenticide. Its liver contained compounds used in mouse and rat poison.
It is upsetting to think that if nature had been left alone to deal with mice or rats, this eagle would still soar.
Peter Reid, with bald eagle.
Dara Reid, Wildlife in Crisis director, called this “a perfect specimen, unnecessarily poisoned through ignorance and apathy.
“But this is just the tip of the iceberg. The deluge of pesticides being sprayed throughout Westport should concern every resident, especially those with children.
“All summer at Wildlife in Crisis, we received calls about songbirds dead en masse under recently sprayed trees. This is the proverbial canary in the coal mine scenario. Poisons are never the answer; they only create more problems. Don’t believe anyone who tells you otherwise.”
(“06880” keeps a close eye on our town’s environmental issues. That’s part of our local journalism mission. Your donation helps greatly. Please click here. Thank you!)
The other day, I mentioned Il Pastificio — the great new Italian restaurant — to someone.
“It’s near Capuli, Finalmente, Jeera Thai — you know, across from the old post office,” I described.
She looked at me blankly.
“I mean, Design Within Reach,” I said.
Ah, yes.
The post office has been gone from Post Road East — well, on it — for over a decade.
Hundreds of Westporters have moved in since 2012. They think that dinky little 2,700-square foot Playhouse Square hole in the wall, with poor parking and even less ambience, is what we deserve for a post office. (Fun fact: Before opening in 2012, it was Derma Clinic. Even earlier, it was Friendly’s.)
Once upon a time, we had a real, 7,000-square foot post office. A WPA project, it was dedicated in 1936.
The Remarkable Book Shop ran a full-page ad promoting, in part, “our new garden courtyard and our version of the Left Bank Stalls of Paris!”
The ad featured a rendering of the new setup by local artist Arthur Cady, whose career included more than a decade as art director at Young & Rubicam. (Hat tip: Fred Cantor)
And what did those stalls look like a few years later?
Here are two views:
(Photo/Fred Cantor)
(Photo/Gail Comden)
(“06880” offers local news — and much more. “Friday Flashback” is one of our many regular features. Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
If you want to make decisions based on more than yard signs, come to the Westport League of Women Voters’ candidate debates.
There are 3, all in the Town Hall auditorium. Planning & Zoning Commission candidates take the stage on October 11 (7 p.m.). They’re followed by a double-header October 12: the Board of Education at 7 p.m., Board of Finance at 8:15.
The I-95 reconstruction project is getting more complicatd.
I-95 north and southbound between Exits 17, and the southbound Exit 17 ramp will be closed periodically between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., from October 2 to October 27.
Traffic will be detoured along the Sherwood Island Connector, Post Road and Riverside Avenue.
The state Department of Transportation says closures will be “not more than 15 minutes” at a time.
Should be fun!
Work continues on the I-95 project. (Photo/Dave Stone)
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Yesterday morning, superintendent of schools Thomas Scarice promised that the buses parked at Staples High School — a temporary solution, while First Student searches for a permanent site — would be relocated to the Greens Farms train station by early next week.
A couple of hours later — before noon — they were already there.
Westport school buses, at their new Greens Farms train station home.
Westport Transit District co-directors Peter Gold and Karina Betfarhad will be at the Saugatuck train station next Tuesday (October 3, 6 to 10 a.m.; sidewalk near the elevator on the westbound side, corner of Franklin Street and Railroad Place). They’ll meet commuters (and anyone else who wants to attend).
Peter and Karina want to hear what people think about Wheels2U, and transportation issues in Westport overall.
Ever since Evan Sheiber was born with half a heart (hypo-plastic right heart syndrome). his mother Britt Melsheimer has fundraised for research and support.
“Hoops for Heart” is her latest project (October 15, 10 a.m., Westport Weston Family YMCA).
It’s a non-competitive basketball tournament for players over 10 years old. No experience is necessary.
All money raised supports the Fontan Registry at Boston Children’s Hospital. Click below for a superb video about the registry. (It includes Evan, his twin brother James, Britt, and Evan’s cardiologist.
Teams are already established (Bird and SolidCore have created teams; the other 7 are local families). Click here to be added to one. Spectators are welcome. Click here to make a tax-deductible donation. and for more information.
Granola Bar and Stylish Spoon are donating breakfasts. There’s also a raffle, with Invisalign & Zoom by Imperial Dental Associates, and diamond hoop earrings and a $500 gift card from Sarah Kaplan owner of Middlemarch.
DJ Mo hosts the event, ensuring an especially fun time.
Speaking of Staples students on the national stage: 3 juniors are heading to France.
The Institution Saint Joseph in Le Havre has invited Staples to the 10th ‘Normandy International Youth Leadership Summit (November 27 to December 1). School officials selected Mia Bombeck (an “06880” intern!), Ryder Levine and Sam Rossoni, as high performing students interested in world affairs.
They’ll join representatives from Brazil, South Africa, Netherlands, Great Britain, Italy, Romania, Costa Rica, Mexico, Singapore, Thailand, Spain, Turkey, Poland, Finland, Senegal, Indonesia and Estonia at the event.
Félicitations!
From left: Ryder Levine, Mia Bombeck, Sam Rossoni.
Gently-used items — racquets, gear, shoes, even household items — can be dropped off today and tomorrow (Saturday, September 30) at 104 Long Lots Road — not Lane.
Fortunately, there are no surprised homeowners. 104 Long Lots Lane does not exist.
Every year around this time, a cashmere pop-up shop pops up at a new location.
This year it’s 180 Post Road East (the Da Tapas building).
It opens October 6, and runs through December 17. Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. (Hat tip: Patti Brill)
Bed Beth & Beyond has gone to, well, the great beyond.
The sign on the bankrupt chain was carted away yesterday.
In its place: a new one, for Summit Health.
(Photo and hat tip/Dinkin Fotografix)
So it looks like — contrary to media reports earlier this month — the new tenant in the space just over the Norwalk border will not be a combined Bob’s/Eastern Mountain Sports store.
“Innovators in Wellness Week” begins October 2 at Pause + Purpose (21 Jesup Road).
Five days of special events highlight local businesses that “blend the wisdom of old and new, and offer groundbreaking approaches to nurture your mind, body and soul.”
There are speakers, Q-and-As, massages and more. Clear here for details.
(Daytime, nighttime, 24/7/365 — “06880” is here for you. Please help us continue our work. Click here to make a tax-deductible contribution. Thank you!)
Once again, the Long Lots School Building Committee failed to reach a final decision regarding a plan for a new elementary school.
But last night’s meeting brought a major development.
Literally.
Westport architect Joseph Vallone presented his own plan for the demolition and reconstruction of a new building that preserves the Westport Community Gardens and Long Lots Preserve — and the property’s existing baseball field.
Vallone’s solution? A 3-story school.
It would be built on the site of the current baseball diamond.
He presented 2 versions. The new athletic field would be constructed where the school now stands, or on the current parking lot.
“This is 2023. We need to be designing a 3-story building with compact massing and a smaller footprint,” said Vallone, a licensed architect and developer, and member of Westport’s Public Site & Building Commission.
One version of architect Joseph Vallone’s plan …
Vallone’s idea was met with criticism from committee members. They said that a 3-story proposal violated previously stated Board of Education specifications.
Vallone replied: “Let’s not forget that both Kings Highway [Elementary School] and Greens Farms [Elementary School] are 3 stories.”
… and another.
Following Vallone’s proposal, Jennifer Fava — director of Westport’s Parks & Recreation Department — presented her report on usage of the athletic fields on Long Lots property.
The report revealed that over 11,000 participants utilize these fields annually, excluding physical education classes, adult leagues, and camp rentals. The report said there are 108 participants of the Westport Community Gardens. (Click here for a full report.)
While Fava’s report proposed possible alternative locations for a baseball field, including Winslow Park and Lillian Wadsworth Arboretum, these options pose “challenges” for fields requiring an abundance of space and specific topography, LLSBC member Don O’Day noted.
Rick Koczera then provides estimates from Newfield Construction. Building Plans A and B — involving renovations and extensions — were the most expensive, totaling around $107.5 million and $105.7 million, respectively.
Plan E — calling for the relocation of the gardens — is the least expensive, with an estimated cost of $91.5 million.
Plan C-ALT — the only reconstruction plan retaining the garden’s current site (potentially in exchange of a baseball field) — was slightly more expensive, projected at around $94.3 million.
Cost estimates were projected on a screen at last night’s meeting. (Click on or hover over to enlarge)
The renovation plans take longer to finish, Koczera added, nd will require 29 to 30 months of construction before the school can operate. The reconstruction plans allow students to return to school 18 months after construction begins.
The meeting in Town Hall Rooms 201/201A concluded with public commentary from neighbors and gardeners alike, voicing fears for sustainability of the property.
“Our biggest concern pertains to the demolition of the gardens in lieu of a ball field,” Sloan Sehr said.
“As all of us who live on Bauer [Place] know, there are already a myriad of different drainage and flooding issues, and the removal of these community gardens is going to directly jeopardize the sanctity of our homes.
“When you don’t have all the plants, the trees to absorb all this water, what recourse do we have as residents when our basements are flooded?”
The small Town Hall meeting room was filled last night. Some attendees stood in the hall. (Photo/Karen Mather)
The committee intends to vote on which proposal to recommend to First Selectwoman Jen Tooker at next week’s meeting.
Advocates for the preservation of the garden are wary of a rushed decision.
“I am calling on the First Selectwoman to delay [her recommendation],” Sal Liccione, a Representative Town Meeting member, said, “so we can have a community meeting, ASAP, to discuss all of our options, including Mr. Vallone’s plan.”
(“06880” provides hyper-local journalism every day. Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
Last week, Parks & Recreation Department director Jennifer Fava sent a long-awaited “Property Review and Usage” report to the Long Lots School Building Committee.
It provides a list of properties managed and maintained by her department, along with potentially usable acreage, usage information and more.
The report notes that Parks & Rec assigns blocks of time for use of the fields to various groups, which then manage their assigned times. Last year, more than 11,000 participants used the fields.
Westport’s Parks & Recreation Department allocates field usage to various groups. They then schedule their own games and practices. (Photo/Steve Perkins)
In the fall, Parks & Rec fields are used by Westport Baseball & Softball; PAL football, cheer, boys and girls lacrosse and track, Westport Soccer Association, and Parks & Rec.
In the spring, all those groups plus PAL rugby — except cheer — use the fields.
In summer, Parks & Rec fields are used by Baseball & Softball, PAL football and track, Continuing Education and Parks & Rec.
The report noted increased demands on the fields, as more sports added seasons beyond traditional ones; increased participation numbers; the addition of high school girls rugby, and added numbers for adult baseball, soccer and lacrosse.
The report also anticipates an increase in school enrollment, with the potential for increased demands for youths sports.
The report noted that the Long Lots baseball field is used on fall weekends by Westport Baseball & Softball, and during the spring by Parks & Rec and Staples (weekdays), and Westport Baseball & Softball (weekends).
The loss of one of the town’s 4 90-foot baseball diamonds would have “a significant impact” on baseball and other sports, the report said, citing a domino effect if the Doubleday (Kings Highway Elementary School) field had to be used (as it is also used for football and lacrosse).
PJ Romano and Doubleday Fields are used for multiple sports. Moving one sport can impact others.
Regarding the Community Gardens, the report said that Parks & Rec’s primary role is to “check the list of members provided by the Community Gardens against the sex offender registry which is necessary as it is located on school property. Once cleared, we provide a photo ID for any of those members upon request. The photo is necessary to access the gardens during school hours. Not all members request an ID.”
The report also said that Parks & Rec provides a link to the Gardens on their webpage, and “must be notified of any upcoming work at the Long Lots Preserve for authorization to proceed. We have provided limited assistance with one off issues in the past.”
The report offered 2 possibilities for potential new fields — Lillian Wadsowrth Arobretum and Winslow Park, but noted challenges including rezoning, topography and wetlands.
The report concluded with potential locations for the Community Gardens.
Baron’s South would have to be rezoned. The Lillian Wadsworth Arboretum would require rezoning, removal of forested areas, and the addition of utilities and parking.
Riverside Park and Winslow Park would also need to be rezoned, with more parking added.
(“06880” will continue to cover the Community Gardens story. If yo appreciate our local journalism, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
While controversy grows in Westport over the future of the Community Gardens, dozens of gardeners are crowing.
They’ve just won a national award.
The American Community Gardening Association — a nonprofit with 252 members including parks, school gardens and urban farms — has named Westport the “Sustainability” winner. The honor “recognizes a community garden group leading environmental stewardship efforts in the care of their garden and the environment.”
The Westport Community Gardens won, director Lou Weinberg says, because “we are an organic garden, we compost all our waste, we have wildflower beds and milkweed beds, we are a monarch butterfly waystation, we are part of the Pollinator Pathway and Green Corridor, we donate fresh food, we support our local garden club, we support Eagle Scout projects, we build community, and we have created an ecologically rich habitat in a preserve surrounding the garden that is home to wildlife including resident and migratory birds and thousands of pollinators.”
Weinberg gave credit to “the town of Westport, Parks & Recreation Department, Public Works Department, dozens of local, state and national organizations, and hundreds of town residents who have spent over 100,000 volunteer hours building the Westport Community Gardens and the Long Lots Preserve.”
The award will be presented tomorrow, in Houston.
A few dozen of the Westport Community Gardens. There are 120 plots on the site.
On Monday (7 p.m., Zoom), the Planning & Zoning Commission will review text amendment application #835, for Cottage Cluster Developments. The amendment would create an opportunity for 100% affordable cottage cluster housing on town-owned land.
The targeted beneficiary of this text amendment is 655 Post Road East — Linxweiler House, across Crescent Road from McDonald’s.
The amendment would “promote sustainable development practices through smaller, more efficient housing and effective use of residential land, increase the diversity of housing choices by allowing for a grouping of smaller, single-family dwellings on one lot, and provide additional below market rate housing within Westport, located on lots owned by the Town of Westport.”
The proposed regulations would apply to 63 town-owned properties. However, regulations limits the number of developments in town to 5.
Deputy P&Z director Michelle Perillie says her department “is working to implement the goals of the Town of Westport Affordable Housing Plan, which recommends encouraging sustainably developed modular construction kits and prefabricated cottages to build multifamily and small houses quickly and efficient.”
All application materials may be viewed on the Town’s website. Click here to see all application materials. To see all eligible properties, scroll down to Text Amendment #835: “Cottage Cluster Developments.”
The meeting will be livestreamed on the town website, and aired on Optimum channel 79 and Frontier channel 6020. Comments can be sent prior to the meeting: PandZ@westportct.gov or offered during the meeting. Click here for the Zoom link.
If passed, a text amendment would allow cluster cottage housing at Linxweiler House on the Post Road.
The night before (Monday, October 2, 7 p.m., Town Hall auditorium), the RTM Rules Committee meets.
They’ll address a petition, submitted by 38 electors. It says:
RESOLVED, that the full Westport RTM at its October 3, 2023 meeting affirms that the meaning of the term “Shall” in “Sec. A 162-6. – Agenda” of the “Representative Town Meeting Rules of Procedures” as found in Exhibit A of the “Code of Ordinances of Westport Connecticut” is to be “construed as being mandatory”, per the definition of the word “Shall” in “Sec. 1-2. – Definitions and rules of construction” and that “Sec. A 162-6. -Agenda” compels and requires the Moderator, or in the event of the Moderator’s inability to act, the Deputy Moderator or, in the event of the inability of both, the Town Clerk to place on the RTM meeting agenda such matters as petitioned by at least 20 Westport Electors not less than 14 days prior to a Representative Town Meeting.
The agenda item was submitted by Jeff Wieser. He’s the RTM moderator, and also chair of its Rules Committee.
Bill Mitchell — self-styled “socks salesman” and “doorman,” but actually one of Westport’s most beloved figures, thanks to his generosity, grace, spirit, and senses of humor and fun — will sell his last pair of socks, and open his last door, at Mitchells this Saturday.
He’s been his parents’ employee, then co-owner, and always the public face of the high-end, customer-centered clothing and jewelry store.
He’s retiring now, after 58 years with the family business. His squintillion friends are invited to say thanks and goodbye — or, more realistically, to share stories and laughs — this Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The coffee pot (well, its 2023 equivalent) will be on. There will be plenty to eat (as always).
It’s just another Saturday at Mitchells. But also one for the ages.
Bill Mitchell says goodbye.
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Longtime Westporter Stacie Curran is proud of her town.
So she was very distressed to learn that “the hard-working, super-kind, smart, approachable construction crew” on the Post Road renovation project at Roseville/Hillspoint Roads and Bulkley Avenue “believe we are the most arrogant, horrid town of drivers they have ever worked among — well worse than Greenwich, Darien, Ridgefield (they named a few).”
They cited frequent behaviors: “cursing, speeding, flipping them off, not caring about safety…”
So Stacie did what Stacie does: She brought them homemade chocolate chip cookies, and pounds of donated coffee cake from The Porch at Christie’s and their Sweet P Bakery.
It helped.
Marlin (on the far right in the photo below, holding a tray of cookies and box of coffee crumb cakes) of Guerrera Construction Company said, “Westport, you’re not all that bad.”
But some of us are.
These guys are just doing their job. And their job is to make the Post Road safer, in the long run.
So don’t cruse, speed or flip them off.
Be kind. Smile. Wave.
And if you really care: Be like Stacie. Give them cookies and cakes, not the bird.
Smiles from the Post Road crew. (Photo/Stacie Curran)
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Paul Newman died 15 years ago this week.
But his memory lives on. It’s particularly strong here in Westport, the town he lived in for 50 years, loved — and where he and his wife Joanne Woodward raised their family.
On October 10 (7 p.m., Westport Library), their daughter Melissa will launch her new book: “Head Over Heels: Joanne Woodward & Paul Newman, A Love Affair in Words and Pictures.”
She and her longtime friend — filmmaker/Remarkable Theater co-founder Doug Tirola — will chat, in the Trefz Forum. Melissa will share insights into her affectionately curated and lushly illustrated book, which offers a fresh perspective on her parents.
Newman will sign copies of the book too, which will be available for purchase there.
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Staples Players staged 2 memorable productions of “The Laramie Project” (and one of “The Laramie Project: 10 Years Later”).
Now there’s another Players connection with the ground-breaking play about a town’s reaction to the 1998 murder of gay University of Wyoming student Matthew Shepard.
Staples Class of 2011 grad Matt Greenberg is producing a staged reading of “The Laramie Project” — with its originators, the Tectonic Theater Project.
And it will take place at the University of Wyoming, in Laramie.
The event is October 11 — the day before the 25th anniversary of the 21-year-old’s death.
Greenberg — who starred in Players’ “Curtains,” among other shows — is now assistant professor of acting and musical theater at Wyoming.
Westport Police made 2 custodial arrests between September 20 and 27.
A woman was arrested for driving under the influence and failure to drive in the proper lane, following a 1-car accident at 11:30 p.m. on Cross Highway.
A man was arrested on 4 counts of failure to appear.
Police also issued these citations:
Failure to obey traffic control signals: 4 citations
For 24 years, the non-profit Westport-based Oyebog Tennis Academy has supported underserved children in Cameroon, More than 20,000 children have participated in tennis programs starting at age 3. Two OTA students earned full scholarships, and are competing on NCAA Division I college teams.
This year the Staples girls tennis team raised thousands of dollars for OTA. But the need is great, as demand keeps growing.
Gently-used items — racquets, gear, shoes, even household items — will be shipped soon. Donations can be dropped off today through Saturday, September 30 at 104 Long Lots Lane.
OTA will also sponsor a pro-am tennis event at the Country Club of New Canaan on September 30. The Bryan Brothers will compete against local players, and some of the best young players from Cameroon. Click here for tickets, and more information.
First, Make-a-Wish Connecticut announced the stars of their October 3 (6 p.m., Aitoro Appliance, Norwalk) “Taste of Wishes” event. Six boys and girls will have their wishes come true: They’ll cook with the area’s top chefs.
Now Make-a-Wish has announced the menus.
Jes Bengston: Swedish meatballs, pomme puree, apple and kohlrabi relish.
Matt Storch: Ricotta gnocchi “Rolled Live,” tossed with vodka sauce and garlic bread,
Robin Selden: Braised short ribs with shiitake beurre blanc and butternut squash puree, and salted dark chocolate Bridgewater chocolate chip cookies baked to order.
Dan Kardos: coconut mussels with basil and curry butter.
Anthony Kostelis: Tomato risotto with sundried peppers and taleggio.
Christian Petroni: Surprise dish.
Additional food vendors include Sweet Brioche Artisan Pastries, Forever Sweet, Copps Island Oysters, Crust Issues, Amit, Dave & Charlie’s Hometown Deli, Blind Rhino, Bartaco and Candy Connections.
A VIP ticket includes early entrance and a sneak peek, Prosecco, and great swag. Click here for VIP and general admission tickets, and more information.
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Today’s wonderful “Westport … Naturally” photo comes from the wide-ranging and talented Johanna Keyser Rossi:
And finally … Terry Kirkman, who sang, played 2 dozen instruments, wrote music and formed the group the Association, died last weekend in California. He was 83, and suffered from congestive heart failure. Click here for a full obituary.
If you don’t remember their name, you know at least some of their songs:
(Every day, we “round up” the most important Westport news. If you appreciate our local journalism, please consider a tax-deductible contribution. Click here — and thank you!)
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Untitled (Cohl Katz)
