Today (Tuesday) is Primary Day in Connecticut.
Registered Democrats are choosing between Governor Ned Lamont and his challenger, Josh Elliott.
Registered Republicans vote for a 4th Congressional candidate, to challenge Jim Himes. The candidates are Michael Ted Goldstein and Daniel Miressi.
Polls opened at 6 a.m. They close at 8 p.m. Regular Representative Town Meeting (RTM) polling places are in use:
- Districts 1 and 2: Saugatuck Elementary School
- Districts 3 and 8: Coleytown Middle School
- Districts 4 and 5: Greens Farms Elementary School,
- Districts 6 and 7: Long Lots Elementary School
- District 9: Westport Library
Not sure of your district? Click here. Questions? Click here.
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A concerned “06880” reader writes:
“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.
Save the date — and click here for information on how to purchase tickets or sponsorships, and donate raffle items.
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.
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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.
Shows are 7:30 and 8:45 p.m.; dinner service begins at 6:45. Click here for tickets, and more information.
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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.”
(Photo/Karolina Wisiewska)
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And finally … in honor of Dhilan Lowman, Connecticut’s best shooter (story above):
(Dhilan Lowman hit 85% of his shots. If just 1% of our readers click here today to support this hyper-local blog, we’ll be thrilled. Hit it!)
Roundup: “06880” Comments, Bonnie Raitt, Tennis Court Trees …
The “06880” Comments section has occasionally gone off the rails.
It belongs to all readers — not just a few, who veer off topic or use it to communicate with each other.
Effectively immediately, we’re instituting a few new rules:
A limit of 3 comments (1 initial one, and 2 replies) per thread. This is down from the previous 5. Think before posting: Is this really worth using one of my 3 comments for? (NOTE: This rule can be waived by the executive editor, for truly worthwhile, in-depth and/or serious topics.)
All comments must be directed to all readers. Offer your thoughts to the topic at hand. Do not engage in back-and-forth with 1 or 2 readers. If you do address a specific reader, this is acceptable: “Susie, I’d like to know more about why you think xxxxx. Have you considered yyyy?” Unacceptable: “Sally, were you the person who did xxxx and yyyy?” If you’d like to correspond directly with another commenter, please send me an email. I’ll forward it to that person.
One exception to the above rules: Our Friday Flashback posts are open to unlimited comments, and unmoderated back-and-forth dialogue. Have at it on Fridays at noon! For every other “06880” post: Please use common sense, and common courtesy. Thank you!
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For as long as the Levitt Pavilion has hosted a Big Name for its annual fundraiser, they’ve tried to get Bonnie Raitt.
Last night, they did.
The 13-time Grammy-winning singer-songwriter/Rock & Roll Hall of Fame member/guitarist whom B.B. King called “the best damn slide player working today” thrilled a sold-out crowd, on a humid but gorgeous evening.
Backed by musicians she’s worked with for decades, the 76-year-old showcased her wide range of guitar and vocal talents, blending rock, blues, country and folk. She even took a turn on keyboard.
The Levitt has welcomed stars like Willie Nelson, John Fogerty, Cyndi Lauper, Smokey Robinson, Chuck Berry, the Tedeschi Trucks Band, and many more.
At last, they’ve added Bonnie Raitt to the list.
Bonnie Raitt, at the Levitt Pavilion. (Photo/Dan Woog)
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A few hours earlier, Westporters took advantage of perfect summer weather to head to Compo.
Longtime beachgoers have noticed an increase in the number of people who actually leave the shore, and go in the water (one of the primary functions of a beach, after all). Sandbars created by recent storms have made it easier to wade out.
This was the mid-afternoon scene. It’s one of the reasons we live here — and love it so much.
(Photo/Dorothy Robertshaw)
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Speaking of Compo: We’ve got a new “06880” header, on our desktop and laptop platforms.
Thanks to William Weiss, for this classic mid-summer view:
(Photo/William Weiss)
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Richard Fogel continues to document the renovation of the Staples High School tennis courts.
Today’s photos show the removal of a number of fir trees, between the parking lot and the courts themselves.
Trees have been removed from between the parking lot (left) and tennis courts (right)
View from the top of the Staples “hill” parking lot. Tennis courts are in foreground; trees that have been removed are center rear. (Photos/Richard Fogel)
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The next Executive Networking Series — set for August 27 (6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Nômade), is for the dogs.
The event — bringing business owners, executives, entrepreneurs and local leaders together, while introducing companies to non-profit organizations — highlights the Pet Animal Welfare Society (PAWS0.
The series is a partnership between VTB Financial and Prestige Cabinetry & Design LLC. Click here for tickets, and more information.
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Sure, we understand that registration for Westport Weston Family YMCA programs have already begun.
And yeah, it’s kind of cute that the Y’s promotion includes an orange-clad family, with cute little jack-o-lantern outfits.
But adding a paper pumpkins throughout the building is a bit much.
Dude, it’s August 10th.
(Photo/Dan Woog)
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We’ve gotten a lot of deer photos lately, for our “Westport … Naturally” series.
Sometimes, there are 2 in the shot.
Seeing 3 — including a fawn — is a rarity.
Dalton Delan captured this early morning “breakfast” yesterday, on Spicer Road.
(Photo/Dalton Delan)
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And finally … speaking of the tennis courts (item above):
(Anyone for tennis? How about anyone for clicking here to support “06880,” your hyper-love blog? We’d “love” that. Thank you!)
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Posted in Categories, Entertainment, Environment, Staples HS, YMCA
Tagged "06880" comments, Bonnie Raitt, business networking, Levitt Pavilion, PAWS, Staples High School tennis courts