Josh Springer spent 10 years with Save the Children. For another decade, he worked with youngsters of color, through non-profit organizations.
Now the Ridgefield native has a new project. He’s not saving lives, exactly. But he is helping boys and girls — and adults — in other ways.
Through martial arts, he teaches respect, self-discipline, self-control, honesty and patience.
Technical skills like blocking and kicking are important, Springer says. But so are character and values. He offers self-defense, a full-body workout, and mental skills to cope with life challenges.
His venue is SDSS Martial Arts. Located in a basement space in Compo Acres Shopping Center — between Sweetgreen and Choice Pet, not far from Trader Joe’s — the dojo is Springer’s third. He runs another SDSS in Fairfield, and is a partner in one in Ridgefield.
From left: Josh Springer, lead instructor Sifu Kyle, Professor Mikael Meyer.
His work has brought him full circle. Intrigued by Eastern philosophy, Springer studied both the techniques and business sides of martial arts. He ran the Ridgefield location in his 20s.
After earning a graduate degree in non-profit management and public administration, he embarked on his “other” career.
But while envying the work his boots-on-the-ground Save the Children colleagues were doing, Springer always had an entrepreneurial itch.
He knew Mike Meyer, who oversees more than a dozen SSDS locations in Connecticut and Massachusetts. Three years ago, Springer took over his Fairfield location.
Springer lives in Norwalk’s Cranbury neighborhood, adjacent to Westport, and searched for the right location here. Compo Acres is great, he says; parents can drop their children off, and take care of errands easily.
SSDS Westport opened July 1.
With many youngsters away for the summer, classes have begun slowly. The dojo also offers birthday parties (transforming every guest into “a martial arts hero for the day”). A special camp week is set for August 17-21.
All ages are welcome, but as with many martial arts school, a major focus is on 4- to 12-year-olds.
Pre-K classes are 30 minutes each. Others are 45 minutes.
Springer’s approach is child-centered. He hires “‘people’ people.” They’re patient and understanding. They want to know what motivates each person. One size does not fit all.
“Everyone learns differently,” he adds. A number of students have ADHD; some are on the spectrum, and find traditional sports and teams less appealing than individual activities (though done in groups).
Adults come for a variety of reasons: to get back in shape, rehabilitate after injury (or addiction), or find a social outlet.
Whatever the age, Springer says, students learn that every kick and punch is actually a lesson in focus. The mental discipline is as important as the physical tools.
And, he notes, every first lesson is free. (Hat tip: Negin Janati)
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But as she prepares to self-publish a book, she knows she must track expenses and sales, calculate net profit, etc.
Online tutorials jump way too fast, she says. So she turned to one of Westport’s most reliable sources for help: teenagers at the Senior Center.
That’s not a misprint.
Every Thursday afternoon all year long, high school students volunteer at the “Tech Hub.” They offer support for devices, software, and anything else computer-, laptop- and phone-related that older residents have trouble with, or questions about.
One view of the Senior Center’s Tech Hub …
The other day, Stacy met Alan Mello. The rising junior at Staples High School was “a natural,” she says.
He asked about her Excel goals. Then — “very patiently” — he walked her through whatever she needed.
“He explained everything as we created a spreadsheet, giving me every opportunity to ask questions, and without making me feel stupid,” Stacy reports.
She left with a great basic template, enough understanding of how to use it — and Alan’s contact info, in case she needed to follow up.
Alan is one of a few dozen volunteers at the Senior Center Tech Hub (not all are there every week). He volunteers because he saw his own 4 grandparents struggling at times with technology.
“I’m super-fortunate that they’re healthy,” he sys. “But they didn’t grow up with this. I’m fortunate that I did. This is a way I can help people like them.”
Alan was not entirely familiar with Excel. But he knew how to learn whatever he needed, and how to explain it to Stacy.
… and another.
That learning process is part of what Alan enjoys about working at the Senior Center. He discovers different devices and systems, and how other people use them.
Some want to interact with technology a lot, Alan says, citing a woman who was eager to learn the difference between AI assistants ChatGPT and Claude.
Others see technology as a burden. “That’s okay,” he says. “I’ve learned to be patient, and how to communicate, so they can feel a little more comfortable.”
Senior Center director Wendy Petty calls the students “friendly, patient and encouraging with everyone they help. The program bridges the generation gap, and for the students, it all seems to come naturally. They give our participants reassurance and confidence, helping with tasks that can feel frustrating or overwhelming.”
Among the issues the high schoolers solve:
Navigating website to make appointments and reservations (very important, as more services are now online-only)
Setting up new cell phones; changing settings, understanding notifications, organizing icons
Transferring and downloading photos
Setting up and and navigating social media like Instagram and Facebook, and connecting with family and friends
Setting up Tile trackers for travel
Troubleshooting email accounts
Answering questions about AI, and exploring how to use it
Registering for Senior Center programs, and using MyActiveCenter.
… and a third.
“If students don’t know the answer to a question, they collaborate to figure it out,” Petty says. “And it’s wonderful to watch these generations working together and learning from each other.”
Someone called Tech Hub “the Senior Center’s ‘Genius Bar.'”
Here’s the genius: It’s a lot closer and easier than an Apple Store or Best Buy.
(The Tech Hub at the Westport Center for Senior Activities is open from 1 to 4 p.m. every Thursday, all year long. During the school year, adult volunteers staff the first hour. For more information, call 203-341-5099.)
(Do you know an Unsung Hero? Email 06880blog@gmail.com. “06880” is proud to honor them — and tell many other tales of town too. Please click here to help us do that, by supporting this hyper-local blog.)
It’s mid-August. With many Westporters away, and others’ attention directed more to the beach and barbecue grill than politics, nearly every town board has canceled this month’s meetings.
But not the Planning & Zoning Commission. They’ve got too much on their plate.
This Monday (6 p.m., Zoom), they’ll discuss a proposal for lights on the Wakeman turf field next to Bedford Middle School, and PJ Romano Field behind Saugatuck Elementary. The special permit request must be closed by August 21.
Before that item, the P&Z will consider a pre-application for the development of 606 Riverside Avenue — the site bordered by Railroad Place and Charles Street, where Spinnaker is proposing 175 apartments (and one retail space), with 283 parking spots. The Architectural Review Board heard a pre-app last month.
Click here, then scroll down for all meeting materials. For Wakeman Field, search for “70 North Avenue.” For PJ Romano Field, look for “170 Riverside Avenue.” For Spinnaker’s Saugatuck plans, click on “606 Riverside Avenue.”
PJ Romano Field
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Turnout was low for yesterday’s primaries. Just 16.9% of registered Westport voters cast ballots (9.8% in person yesterday, 5.2% early, 1.9% absentee).
Democrats renominated Governor Ned Lamont for a 3rd term. He beat Josh Elliott here, 1,402 to 236 (85.6% to 14.4%). Statewide, his margin was 67.9% to 32.1%.
Republicans chose Michael Goldstein to challenge Congressman Jim Himes for the 4th District seat, in a rematch of 2024. He won Westport over Daniel Miressi, 184 votes (72.4%) to 70 (27.6%). Those totals were very close to the entire district.
It was a quiet election. There was little buzz, few mailers, not even a yard sign.
Quiet scene at Saugatuck Elementary School. (Photo/Samira Dinkin)
A few Westporters who wanted to cast ballots yesterday found it difficult. Dr. Norman Klein writes:
“Those of us who vote at Long Lots School Elementary School had been sent notices to vote at Bedford Middle School, given the enormous construction at Long Lots.
“Upon arrival (in a desolate parking lot), the school was closed. I called the town Registrar of Voters. We had some contretemps. She claimed having sent a postcard (likely looking like so much of our junk mail) changing the venue back to Long Lots.
“I am fastidious about all my USPS mail. I never saw it; neither did multitudes. Bedford’s double doors had only one small sign at the far right, saying “No voting here today.”
“So at Long Lots — I may have actually heard crickets — I voted.
“The polling people and I had some exchanges about my sole presence being ‘the crush of voters’ (10 a.m.). So this anomalous situation resulted in even fewer voters in a mid-summer primary. Happily, I figure my single vote now counts perhaps 20x.
“I hold deep respect and gratitude to these front-line volunteers who stand sentry on the battlements of this fraught time, where our democracy is headed to life support. But I’m just sayin’…”
Voting, in the dog days of summer. (Photo/Jo Shields)
One of the coolest opportunities anywhere is the Westport Police Department’s 9-week Citizens’ Police Academy.
Through classroom instruction, demonstrations, hands-on activities and direct interaction with department personnel, participants gain a first-hand understanding of what our officers do, how they do it, and how the WPD fits into our community.
At the same time, residents and officers get to know each other much better.
25 community members — of a variety of ages and backgrounds — receive an inside look at the WPD’s divisions and specialized units, including patrol operations, criminal investigations, emergency response, and other law enforcement functions. Participants will do a patrol ride-along, and receive Stop the Bleed training.
Instructors include officers, attorneys from Stamford Superior Court, and members of Westport Emergency Medical Services.
The program runs from 7 to 9:30 p.m. on Tuesdays from September 8 through November 10.
The academy is open to Westport residents age 21 and older. Applications can be picked up at police headquarters, and are due by August 21. Questions? Email jcabana@westportct.gov, or call 203-341-6026.
Westport’s Citizens Police Academy offers an inside look into every aspect of the department.
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Madison Square Garden is not the Levitt Pavilion.
But 2 days after playing that famed New York venue, the Revivalists took the Westport stage.
And gave the crowd of nearly 2,000 people a high-energy, rockin’ performance just as if they were 20,000 strong.
The Revivalists (Photo/Dave Briggs)
The Levitt’s summer of entertainment continues this week, with 5 free shows. They include:
Today (Wednesday), 7 p.m.: Joanie Lewis (Children’s Series)
Thursday, 7 p.m.: Improvement Movement with Memo
Friday, 7 p.m.: Christine Ohlman & Rebel Montez, featuring The Sin Sisters & Guests
Saturday, 7:30 p.m.: Logical Pretzel — The Songs of Steely Dan
The “Career Coach” will be in the Westport Library parking lot a week from tomorrow (Thursday, August 20), for a session covering “Tips for Resumes and Cover Letters.”
It returns September 17, for “Interview Success.”
There are 2 sessions ( 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.) each day; both are 2 hours long. Registrants can choose one.
The service is available to people who are exploring career opportunities, actively looking for a job, or seeking additional part-time employment. Click here to reserve a spot.
And finally … Arlene Smith, the lead singer and songwriter of the Chantels, whose powerful vocal on “Maybe” helped start the “girl group” doo-wop wave in the 1950s, and influenced many others like the Ronettes, Shirelles and Shangri-Las — died last month in the Bronx, of a heart attack. She was 84.
Ecclesiastes (and Pete Seeger) weare right: To everything there is a season.
A time to be born. A time to die. A time to plant. A time to reap.
A time to move to Westport. A time to move away.
And a time to move back again.
David Loffredo lived here as a child. He went to the Nature Center pre-school, Riverview kindergarten and 3 elementary schools.
He was a Westport YMCA Water Rat, and caught the final out in the 1976 Little League Cap League championship game. He rode the Minnybus everywhere, and saw “Star Wars” at the Fine Arts Theater.
A remnant of David Loffredo’s Westport youth.
He returned as an adult, with a wife and toddler. Over 2 stints totaling 27 years, the family grew and thrived. He works in private equity. His wife — an obstetrician/gynecologist — is at Columbia University.
A couple of years ago, the Loffredos relocated New York’s Upper West Side. But David remains connected to Westport, through “06880.”
His journey is not unique. In fact it mirrors the arcs of many lives. I’ve often thought about families’ movements in and out of town — what brings them here, and what pushes (or pulls) them away.
But the other day, David articulated it far better than I could. He describes the various seasons of Westport life this way:
A family moves here. (“It’s the rare childless couple who moves before kids,” he notes. “We came with a 3 year old, then added 2 more.”)
The family “spends 20+ years doing all the 06880 stuff. The kids grow up, go to college, hopefully don’t move home, and ideally move to New York so you can still see them.” All 3 of theirs did.
The parents “suddenly feel old, disconnected from long time friends who either retire somewhere or fade away because the kids as glue are gone.” With their children not planning to return for at least a decade — if at all — the parents sell. David says, “I exchanged my property tax bill for an entertainment budget.”
With kids gone, empty nesters often look for a smaller place. There are many in New York City. (Photo/Dave Matlow)
With everyone in New York — David’s family is scattered across 4 apartments — there is time and space for “family dinners, concerts, plays, movies, etc. This makes all that parenting worth it.”
As time passes, “kids become adults.” They exchange roommates for “partners.” That’s where David and his wife are now, with 1 child.
As the young couple matures, “they get a French bulldog. Eventually they create a human (one of the only free activities in New York). As that human grows, they realize how intimidating it is to raise a kid in the city.”
The new family moves back to Westport “to recreate their upbringing, because how do you top it?” Hopefully, David adds, “they don’t have to commute full-time like their parent(s) most likely did.”
Meanwhile, their parents — former Westporters — “realize how much fun it is to be around their new grandchild.” So they ditch Manhattan and retake Westport — either in “a fancy condo” or less expensive rental apartment.
Residences like The Mill attract former residents back to Westport.
David and his wife are partway through the process. But they’ve seen friends go all the way through it. He’s sure they’ll eventually do the same.
Of course, this is just one scenario. It’s not for everyone. Everyone’s life, lifestyle and life circumstances vary.
But to everything there is a season.
A time to kill. A time to heal.
A time to laugh. A time to weep.
A time to cash out, and a time to buy or rent again — keeping the Westport real estate market turning.
(“06880” regularly covers Westport real estate, Westport life — and the lives of people who live here. If you enjoy stories like this, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
Westporters love Jamie Camche’s jewelry — at her JL Rocks store, and Bungalow.
Jamie is one of a number of successful women business owners here. Theother day, we chatted at the Westport Library about her work, her life in Westport, and much more.
Click here and below for an interesting look into Westport’s small — in name only — business community.
“Dear Westport parents, I’m very worried about the safety of 2 boys in town, as well as the safety of all kids using electric transportation.
“I’ve repeatedly seen the same boys on Valley Road — one on an electric bike and the other on what looks like an electric skateboard. Valley is a winding road with limited visibility. I’ve seen them riding in the middle of the road, talking to each other, looking around, and not paying attention to traffic.
“I happened upon the same 2 boys again on Imperial Avenue at the 3-way stop sign near the police station. They came around another car at the stop sign, slowed down (did not stop or wait their turn), then continued through the stop sign.
“Recently, I was behind one of the boys on the e-bike as he turned from Valley onto Greens Farms Road. He rode down the middle of Greens Farms as though he were a car, before eventually moving over to the side.
“In a separate incident, I was approaching the stop sign at Hale Street when a different boy on an electric scooter suddenly came around the corner from Valley onto Hale on the wrong side of the road. Thankfully I saw him in time.
“I’ve seen another boy in the neighborhood on an electric bike trying to pop wheelies while riding. It reinforces my concern that some kids may not realize how quickly things can go wrong when they’re on roads with traffic.
“I don’t know if the boys on Valley are the same ones I’ve also seen riding in the middle of Compo South, but I’m worried that someone is going to get seriously hurt.
“This isn’t about getting anyone in trouble. It’s simply a plea for parents to remind their kids to stay alert, ride predictably, and understand that drivers may not be able to see them in time, especially on winding roads.”
Not the Valley Road boys. These 2 were not in the middle of the road — but they were not wearing helmets. (Photo/Diane Lowman)
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For more than a decade, Westport has had a special relationship with Catch A Lift Fund. The national non-profit provides gym memberships and home gym equipment to help wounded post-9/11 service members heal physically and mentally, through physical fitness.
Westporters have donated funds, welcomed veterans, and joined in workouts at venues like the police station, VFW, beach and Birchwood Country Club. The vets give plenty back in return — as inspiration, and serving as “angels” for children, teens and adults with disabilities through myTeamTriumph.
The 25th anniversary of 9/11 — and 250th birthday of the United States — is a great time for Westporters to continue supporting Catch a Lift.
On September 9 (6:30 p.m., Inn at Longshore), a special fundraiser will benefit the noon-profit.
Catch a Lift veterans, at a Birchwood Country Club event.
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Congratulations to Dhilan Lowman!
For the 2nd year in a row, the Westport basketball player is the Best Shooter in Connecticut.
That’s not some vague term. Dhilan retained his title against 15 other elite athletes, from around the states.
The event — a fundraiser for Shot for Life is an intense 2-hour contest, involving free throws, mid-range and 3-pointers. Competitors must raise at least $1,000 for cancer research.
Dhilan — a member of last season’s Staples High School state finalist hoops team, who is transferring to Hotchkiss School — took over 1,500 shots. He hit a very impressive 85.46%.
And he did while taking over 100 shots more than the runner-up (who hit “only” 81%)!
Dhilan Lowman, in the state finals at Mohegan Sun. (Photo/Ryan Allen)
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Summer comedy nights keep rolling — and keep audiences rolling (with laughter too) — at VFW Post 399.
This Friday’s headliner is Matt Vita (August 14). He’s joined by Joe Pontillo, Tony Liberti, Autumn Harvist and John Kenneth.
Tickets are $20 online, plus a 1-drink minimum at the show. The VFW has a full bar, and a light food menu. Doors open at 7 p.m.; the show starts at 8. Click here for tickets, and more information.
Also at the VFW: The Jazz Society of Fairfield County’s “Festival of August Guitars” continues this Thursday.
Bob DeVos offers originals and masterpieces, backed by a soulful band: organist Roberta Piket, drummer Steve Johns and saxophonist Greg “The Jazz Rabbi” Wall.
Today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo is our first-ever queen of the night cactus, from the Greens Farms neighborhood.
Koralina Wisniewska explains, “the flower blooms only in summertime; it is huge and smells amazing. They open when it gets dark and close before the sun is out, which is how it gets its name.”
That’s the result of a (highly unscientific) survey, conducted by “06880.”
The poll — spurred by readers’ emails about a noticeable increase in dogs being brought into public places — was posted Sunday.
As of yesterday afternoon, there were nearly 200 responses.
The first question was simple: “Should leashed dogs be allowed in indoor public places?”
Almost exactly 2/3 of respondents — 67.6% said no. Only 32.4% answered yes.
An increasingly common Westport scene. (Photo/Charles Rosoff)
The second question was only for those who said “yes” to the first one. It offered 9 specific choices, about where leashed dogs should be welcomed.
Proponents hardly gave carte blanche to pets, however.
More than 9 in 10 — 90.5% — thought outdoor restaurants should allow dogs.
But the only other spots garnering more than 50% approval were retail stores (63.5%), the post office (also 63.5%) and luxury stores (54%).
Lagging behind were business offices (47.6%), small markets/convenience stores (39.7%), supermarkets (20.6%) and indoor restaurants (also 20.6%).
Dogs would be least welcome in doctors’ offices (19%).
Some of the more than 2 dozen commenters noted that in Connecticut, dogs are prohibited from indoor restaurants and grocery stores. However, employees are sometimes hesitant to enforce the law with customers. One reader pointed out that dogs are not allowed in the Westport Farmers’ Market.
Dogs are not allowed at the Farmers’ Market. (Photo/Sam Levenson)
There were comments about the difference between service dogs (trained, allowed everywhere) and emotional support dogs (often untrained, not allowed everywhere).
In one additional discussion, a reader noted that some people bring dogs into indoor spaces because it is too hot to leave them in a car.
Another countered, “If it’s hot, leave your dog home.”
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Senior Center director Wendy Petty calls the students “friendly, patient and encouraging with everyone they help. The program bridges the generation gap, and for the students, it all seems to come naturally. They give our participants reassurance and confidence, helping with tasks that can feel frustrating or overwhelming.”
