Last night, a controversy brewing on social media bubbled over to the Board of Education.
In the meeting’s public session, several residents spoke about a “banned books” display at the Staples High School library. The event — held for 17 years, and sponsored by the American Library Association — includes the 10 most challenged books from the previous year.
Three of the books addressed LGBTQ issues. They are “Gender Queer,” “Lawn Boy” and “This Book is Gay.” All have been in the Staples library for 3-5 years. Some or all of them are also in the school libraries of neighboring towns, and districts similar to Staples elsewhere in Connecticut and Westchester County.
Seven speakers last night spoke vehemently against the display. They called the books “pornographic” and “inappropriate for children.”
Some of the speakers said that Westport schools are “grooming” and “sexualizing” students.
One woman charged Staples with “indoctrinating” students into Marxism. “You obviously want to dismantle the nuclear family,” she said.
Two speakers voiced approval of the banned books display. “It is important for disparate views to be heard” in school, one said.
The controversy was not on the Board’s agenda. A motion to add it for discussion last night was defeated.
Last week, Superintendent of Schools Thomas Scarice sent a long letter to the Board of Education. He explained relevant Westport Public Schools policies; the materials selection process; the results of his investigation into “Banned Book Week,”and the process by which residents can challenge materials.
When Jen Tooker ran for 1st Selectman last fall, one main issues was traffic.
This spring, she organized 9 meetings — one for each Representative Town Meeting — with high-level Police Department officials. Residents shared their biggest traffic concerns.
Tooker and Police leader separated the issues into 3 buckets: relatively simple fixes; those needing longer-term attention, and “sorry, unfortunately impossible.”
Starting soon, the Westport Police will have a tool for addressing one complaint they heard at every meeting: aggressive and distracted drivers.
A new Traffic Safety Unit will target “motor vehicle enforcement on area roadways.” Two officers — Scott Thompson and Dominique Carr — will devote all their time to traffic issues.
“Traffic safety has always been one of our top priorities,” says Police Chief Foti Koskinas.
“But our officers are very busy. They spend a lot of their time answering calls. We don’t want to assign someone to an hour at a particular location, then all of a sudden they have to respond to a call.
“So we’re re-allocating our resources. The Traffic Safety Unit officers will work strictly on this.”
AFter the 9 RTM meetings, Koskinas’ department identified 55 Westport sites where targeted enforcement could help. Some might be where drivers routinely plow through lights or stop signs; others might attract particularly aggressive or fast (even for Westport) drivers.
Rush hour — with commuter and school traffic — will be one of the highest priorities.
The traffic agent at Bedford Middle School may get some help from the new Traffic Safety Unit. (Photo/Adam Vengrow)
Officers Thompson and Carr will work regular shifts: 5 days on, 2 off. But those shifts will be staggered, so the Traffic Unit will operate 7 days a week. The officers will sometimes work alone, sometimes with other patrol cars.
“We realize traffic can be frustrating,” Koskinas says. “And coming out of COVID, we know that driving habits have changed.
“We think this Traffic Safety Unit will address what we’ve heard. And we continue to encourage feedback from residents about traffic, and how we address it.”
Giles Goodburn lives in Westport. But he grew up in the UK, where he became great friends with rugby teammate Marc Bennett.
They stayed close over the years. Their families celebrated special occasions together; they vacationed together too, all over the world.
Most recently, the Goodburns would visit the Bennetts in Dubai, where Marc — a travel industry executive — worked. Marc, Nancy and their 2 boys would reciprocate, in Westport. Marc loved fishing off the Westport shoreline, and Cockenoe Island.
One memorable Christmas Eve, Marc, Giles and and their sons skated at Longshore. Marc fell, dislocated his shoulder, and spent that night in the ER.
“He was the life and soul of the party, and a dear friend,” Giles says.
Marc’s most recent job was with Qatar Airways to boost Qatar’s tourism trade, in the runup to the coming soccer World Cup.
Near the end of 2019, he was found hanging in a Doha hotel. He had been arrested at his office 10 weeks earlier. He told friends he had been detained for 3 weeks, blindfolded, stripped, blasted with high-pressure hoses, slammed against wall and deprived of sleep, by the country’s secret police,
After his release he could not leave Qatar. Authorities there called his death a suicide. But British officials, and Marc’s family, are not so sure.
Last week, the Times of London published a story about the case, and of the secret Qatari unit that was involved. In the run-up to the World Cup, Qatar has attracted international attention for its human rights abuses, and the deaths of foreign workers building stadiums and other infrastructure.
Westport Zoning Board of Appeals member Thomas Hood Jr. died on Thursday at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York. The New Jersey native was 65.
Thomas received his BS in civil engineering from the New Jersey Institute of Technology, an MBA from the University of Connecticut, and a master’s in architecture from NJIT.
He had over 40 years of experience in the design, planning and construction of buildings, software engineering, advanced product development, marketing, and consulting.
Thomas was appointed to the ZBA in 2018. Previously, he spent 2 terms on the Flood & Erosion Control Board.
He was a member of the United Methodist Church of Westport and Weston for more than 30 years, where he served as a trustee and sang in the choir.
Thomas’s favorite activities were spending time with his family, painting, cooking, and being near the water. An avid sailor, he was a member of both Cedar Point Yacht Club and the Mantoloking (New Jersey) Yacht Club.
Thomas is survived by his wife of 40 years, Mary Jane (Pascale) Hood; their children, Elizabeth (James Ifert) of Philadelphia, and Thomas and Meredith, both of Brooklyn; his sister Barbara Hood Benz (Charles) of Mantoloking, and extended family.
Visitation will be held Thursday, (October 6, 4 to 8 p.m., Magner Funeral Home, 12 Mott Avenue, Norwalk, CT). A memorial service is set for Friday (October 7, 11 a.m., United Methodist Church of Westport and Weston).
But if you’ve got children, try to make time to the 2nd annual Fall Family Festival (Saturday, October 15, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Greens Farms Academy; $20 per family).
Sponsored by WestportMoms — the multi-platform we’ve-got-kids-covered organization — it features food, crafts, games and fun (bouncy houses, ninja course, music, art projects, DJ, pumpkin and cookie decorating, face painting, hair extensions, glitter tattoos, magic, STEM activities and more).
Many businesses will show off their products and services — all with activities for kids.
Organizers Megan Brownstein and Melissa Post ask attendees to bring gently worn jackets, for donations to a local non-profit.
Speaking of kids: They love nature. They also love Victoria Kann.
This Sunday (October 9, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.), they can combine both. The author will read from her popular “Pinkalicious: Treasuretastic” book, and sign copies. There’s also a scavenger hunt for natural treasures through the remarkable Blau House gardens, and a chance for children to take a bean home and watch it grow.
The gardens are at 9 Bayberry Ridge Road. Registration and payment ($10 per child, which includes a copy of the book) must be done by October 7. Click here for details.
The 3rd grade Brownies troop from Long Lots School recently raised funds through cookie sales to purchase a native tree for the Long Lots Preserve, next to the Community Gardens.
The Preserve protects land for future generations, while educating Westporters about a healthy environment. It is turning open space overrun with invasive plants and pests into a native New England forest.
The girls — who have been a troop together since kindergarten — worked with Long Lots Preserve director Lou Weinberg, and their troop leaders to dig a hole and plant their tree. It was a great project — one they can see every day, outside their school.
Long Lots Brownies, Lou Weinberg and their Preserve tree.
Westport’s National Charity League chapter invites 6th grade girls to apply for the 2023-24 year.
With over 275 members, NCL Westport has more than 275 members (women and their daughters in grades 7-12) provide volunteer service for over 30 community non-profits.
The 6-year core program includes leadership development and cultural activities. Click here or email mmurphy33Wyahoo.com.
National Charity League seniors, at Ned Dimes Marina.
Lynn Flint writes: “I’m really concerned about the number of people walking on the side of the road with traffic, not against it, wearing dark non-reflective clothes, in the early twilight and darkness — especially where there are no sidewalks, and the streets are poorly lit.”
As darkness falls earlier, this long-running (and walking) problem gets worse. “06880” readers: Please wear light clothing. Walk against traffic, not with it.
And if there’s a sidewalk nearby, use it. Taxpayers have paid good money to save your life.
Light clothing is good. Walking with traffic is not.
Posted onOctober 3, 2022|Comments Off on Urban Scholars Youth Program May Forge Suburban Ties
It’s hard being a Westport middle schooler.
Navigating academic and social pressures in class, then during a gantlet of after-school sports, tutoring and other activities — it’s a perilous journey discovering who you are, and who you wnat to be.
But being a middle school student in Bridgeport is exponentially more difficult.
Options and opportunities are much more limited. Meanwhile, the burdens — financial, family and the like — are far greater.
Run by LifeBridge — a remarkable community service organization — Urban Scholars is an after-school STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) program with an important SEL (social emotional learning) component.
Drawing 6th through 9th graders from throughout Bridgeport to a bright, colorful facility in the city’s West End, it offers a welcoming, loving, challenging — even life-changing — home for 3 hours every day.
And it’s completely free.
Urban Scholars provides art, robotics, music (guitar, piano, drums), performing arts, science, dance, yoga, and special interest clubs like baking, games, cosmetology, community service and sports. There is tutoring and homework help every day too.
Teachers, social workers, AmericCorps VISTA workers, volunteers, interns and working artists all help. They expose dozens of boys and girls to opportunities they’d never get, like working with robots or playing a musical instrument.
One of the 2 music rooms.
They urge them to try new things, and encourage every success. They model teamwork and leadership. They help participants with self-esteem, relationships and managing emotions.
They are, literally and figuratively, “life bridges” at a crucial time in children’s development.
Youngsters hoping to be part of the Urban Scholars program are interviewed; so are their parents, grandparents or other guardians. The directors work with those adults are partners, making sure attendance is regular and any issues are dealt with together.
Things that Westporters take for granted, like transportation, can be big barriers to participation. Participants walk, ride bikes, are dropped off, or ride city buses. Staff members accompany them to bus stops. Small details like that mean a lot.
Staff members in the robotics lab. One of the student-designed robots is on the right.
I know all this because Bill Harmer arranged a tour last week. The Westport Library executive director is committed to sharing his institution’s many resources, with partners that align with its mission.
He is exploring ways that the Westport Library can collaborate with LifeBridge and the Urban Scholars program.
“Our donors, staff and board believe in sharing,” Harmer says. From the Verso Studios, StoryFest and music festivals to its people, he wants the Library to reach out beyond its physical walls.
Ultimately, he hopes that youngsters from Westport and Bridgeport can collaborate — and perhaps other towns too.
Last week’s tour was eye-opening. Program officials proudly showed off the bright rooms on 2 floors of the LifeBridge building. Three working robots sat on lab tables. Student art decorated the walls (a larger mural program is in the works). Musical motifs encourage exploration in 2 rooms filled with instruments. The tutoring center includes both small tables and an adjacent “quiet room.”
Students’ art work is displayed throughout the building. (Photos/Dan Woog)
The Urban Scholars program runs through the summer too. This year, nearly 120 boys and girls took part.
Though families pay nothing — a big reason so many children are able to participate — the program is expensive. The school-year program budget is approximately $800,000; the summer one is another $200,000.
Funding comes entirely from grants, individual donations and AmeriCorps VISTA.
It’s less than 10 miles from the Westport Library to the Bridgeport Urban Scholars After School Program at LifeBridge. If Bill Harmer’s vision comes true, that distance may soon be even shorter.
(To learn more about the Urban Scholars After School Program, click here, or contact CEO Edith Boyle: eboyle@lifebridgect.org; 203-368-5550. To donate, contact Lori Goertz: lgoertz@lifebridgect.org; 203-368-5581.
(LifeBridge also runs a community closet, with free clothes, school supplies, books, infant goods and more. Once a month, every member of an Urban Scholar’s family can choose three complete outfits. It’s also open to everyone getting any services through LifeBridge. To learn more bout the community closet and other LifeBridge programs — including how to donate –, watch the video below, and click here.)
(“06880” is “Where Westport meets the world.” To help us do that, please click here.)
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Last week’s Photo Challenge was nautically themed. Tammy Barry’s photo showed international code flags at the Sherwood Island State Park pavilion.
I knew that (well, photographer Tammy Barry told me where they were). But I did not know — until readers commented — was that because they are outside the ladies’ restroom, they spell “Women.”
Or not. Howard Potter said they supposedly do, but are incorrect.
I sure don’t know the answer. But congratulations to Howard, and Tom Sladek, Chris Swan, Robert Mitchell, Peter Swift and Ralph Balducci. Sail on! (To see the photo and all answers, click here.)
This week’s Photo Challenge is not on the water. If you know where in Westport you would see this, click “Comments” below.
(Photo/Eve Potts)
(“06880” features like the Photo Challenge are all reader-supported. If you enjoy it, please click here to help.)
Posted onOctober 2, 2022|Comments Off on Roundup: Staples ’71, Saturn, Dinosaur …
Staples High School reunion organizers often struggle to find the right venue.
Not many places in Westport can handle a large crowd, at a decent price. In just the past few weeks, events have been held at LaKota Oaks in Norwalk (Staples Class of 1980), Norwalk Inn (Class of 1970) and the Gaelic-American Club in Southport (’72).
Class of ’71 organizer Bonnie Erickson was determined to keep her COVID-delayed 50th (51st) reunion in Westport. When she found the Westport Woman’s Club, she realized it offered more than just an in-town location.
It was also well-remembered by many classmates, from their years at the WWC-sponsored Yankee Doodle Fair.
More importantly, the Woman’s Club uses the entire rental fee in its charitable efforts. Each year, they provide hundreds of thousands of dollars in aid to worthy organizations — and in scholarships to Staples students.
The WWC’s Bedford Hall was packed last night with reunion-goers, thrilled to be back in their home town. They continue the festivities this afternoon, at Compo Beach’s Ned Dimes Marina.
Many reunion-goers from Staples High School’s Class of 1971 wore ’70’s-themd garb.
After 5 years at 135 Main Street — and being closed the past 2 months — Marine Layer has moved closer to the Post Road.
The new, bigger location for the clothing shop named for an air mass in a temperature inversion is 51 Main Street. The “grand re-opening” was yesterday.
Wondering how and why NASA is sending Dragonfly — a car-sized relocatable rotorcraft lander equipped with instruments that can examine surfaces, interiors and atmospheres of galactic bodies — to Saturn’s’ moon, Titan?
Mark October 18 (8 p.m.), for the Westport Astronomical Society’s free online science lecture series.
Dr. Jani Radebaugh of Brigham Young University will tell you all you need to know. Click here for the Zoom link; click here for the YouTube link.
Posted onOctober 2, 2022|Comments Off on Westoberfest Arrives October 15. We’ll Drink To That!
Oktoberfest: It’s not just for Germans with huge steins anymore.
Westport’s version — “Westoberfest” — returns to downtown 2 weeks from yesterday (Saturda, October 15, 2 p.m., Elm Street).
There is (of course) a wide selection of local and regional brews. But the Westport Downtown Association-sponsored event also features food (from Walrus Alley, Manna Toast, Kneads, Nit Noi, Dough Girls and Brigy Bites) and music (Amber Anchor).
A family area will host a pumpkin giveaway, with Artists Collective of Westport members on hand to help kids decorate them.
MoCA Westport adds a “decorate-your-tote” activity, while Earthplace will have seed bomb making and animal artifacts. (I’m not sure what either of those are, but I’m sure your kids will love them.)
Westober family activities are free. The craft tasting area — with dozens of offerings — runs from 2 to 5 p.m. Click here for tickets, or purchase them on-site (for $10 more).
See you there. Lederhosen is optional.
A scene from last year’s Westoberfest. (Photo/JC Martin)
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A new Traffic Safety Unit will target “motor vehicle enforcement on area roadways.” Two officers — Scott Thompson and Dominique Carr — will devote all their time to traffic issues.
There is (of course) a wide selection of local and regional brews. But the Westport Downtown Association-sponsored event also features food (from Walrus Alley, Manna Toast, Kneads, Nit Noi, Dough Girls and Brigy Bites) and music (Amber Anchor).
