Sandbags are available until 4:30 pm today (Saturday) at the transfer station, on the Sherwood Island Connector.
There is a limit of 10 per person. Town residents and town employees are eligible, as are store and restaurant owners.
Sandbags lined Main Street after Superstorm Sandy, in 2012.
Westport won’t escape this one.
Henri — now a bona fide Category 1 hurricane — will make landfall somewhere on Long Island or southern New England tomorrow.
But wherever he hits, we’ll feel residual effects. From 4 to 6 inches of rain is now forecast, along with winds of 40 to perhaps 70 miles and hour, and storm surges of 3 to 5 feet. The full moon only adds to the danger.
Meanwhile, at Compo Beach, the Parks & Recreation Department prepared by moving lifeguard chairs to safer spots.
But have no fear. If you want to swim — taking a break from storming the grocery stores and battening down hatches — the lifeguards are on duty.
(Photos/Amy Schneider)
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Being proactive here: In the event of a power outage, “06880” may need a temporary home. If any reader has a generator and space where I can work, please email: dwoog@optonline.net. All options are gratefully accepted!
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As summer winds down, the Westport Garden Club found a perfect spot for its #FridayFlowers arrangement: the lifeguard shack at Compo Beach.
Those guys (and girls) definitely deserve the love!
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When the 2020 (’21) Paralympic Games begin Tuesday in Tokyo, Westporters should pay attention to swimmer Matthew Torres.
The 20-year-old Fairfield University sophomore — born without part of his right leg and missing all but one toe on his left foot, along with curvature of his hands — will compete in the 100 and 400 meter freestyle, and 100 meter backstroke.
He’s a proud alum of the Westport Weston Family YMCA Water Rats program — and winner of the 200 individual medley at the 2019 World Para Swimming World Series.
Go get ’em, Matthew. And congrats to the Water Rats, who helped get him there!
Matthew Torres
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The Westport Police Benevolent Association Car Cruise scheduled for today (Saturday), has been canceled due to weather concerns. The new date is October 2 (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
Westport PBA car rally
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All 3 sailors from Longshore Sailing School’s week-long regatta in honor of the late Doug Sheffer are Staples High School students. In the photo below, winner James Russell is flanked by second place finisher Annabelle Lott, and bronze medalist Alex St. Andre.
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Who knows what Henri will bring?
But even as the clouds rolled in, there were few worries last night at Compo Beach:
(Photo/Alina Pitchon)
(Photo/Andrew Colabella)
(Photo/Dorothy Robertshaw)
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In addition to the beach, Westporters flocked last night to Jazz at MoCA, featuring Samara Joy and the Pasquale Grasso trio ,,,
(Photo/JC Martin)
… and more music at the Levitt Pavilion, with Lizzie No. She was spellbinding, and her friend Amy Irving joined her for a “Cecilia” duet …
(Photo/JC Martin)
… and of course outdoor dining, on Church Lane and elsewhere in town.
(Photo/Dan Woog)
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“Tiny jumpers” is the way Molly Alger describes today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo:
(Photo/Molly Alger)
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And finally … in honor of Henri:
It’s still summer. COVID is still here.
Those themes — and more — are part of this week’s colorful online art gallery.
Whatever your age and level of experience — professional or amateur, young or old — this feature is open to everyone.
All genres and styles are encouraged too. Watercolors, oils, charcoal, pen-and-ink, acrylics, lithographs, macramé, jewelry, sculpture, decoupage (and now needlepoint) — whatever you’ve got, email it to dwoog@optonline.net. Share your work with the world!
“Yours for the Taking. Get Your Shot!” — water color and pencil sketch (Ellin Spadone)
“Nature’s Art on Sherwood Rock” (Elena Nasereddin)
“Morning, Noon and Night” (Ellen Wentworth)
“Compo Summit Conference” (Lawrence Weisman)
“Need a Spare?” (Karen Weingarten)
“Returning to the Office” — cut-and-paste magazine collage (Amy Schneider)
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Tagged Amy Schneider, Ellen Wentworth, Ellin Spadone, Karen Weingarten, Lawrence Weisman
Town officials and residents are nervously monitoring Henri. The hurricane/tropical storm continues to head this way, though its path remains uncertain.
The National Weather Service issued a Tropical Storm Warning for Westport. Impacts expected tomorrow include high winds, heavy rain, flooding and power outages..
The Westport Emergency Management team will update residents regularly. They anticipate heavy rainfall, flooding, high winds, coastal flooding, and power outages.
1st Selectman Jim Marpe said yesterday:
“Our Public Works Department is making sure its equipment is at the ready, storm drains are cleared, and any obstructions that might be in creeks and waterways are cleared,.
“The Police and Fire departments are making sure that they have the manpower on call to respond. The Human Services Department is making sure that its list of people who may be vulnerable from a medical standpoint is up to date, and that our first responders are aware of those locations.”
This summer, a Delta Airlines flight attendant handed out snacks.
Glancing at the “Abby’s Cookies” package, alert “06880” reader Susan Shulman spotted a photo of Abby Najarian. What was the 2018 Staples High School graduate/field hockey and lacrosse star doing there, in the middle of the sky?
And why were they named for her?!
Abby’s Cookies – and her story. (Photo/Susan Shuldman)
The story leads to Abby’s dad, Pete Najarian. Well known for his many volunteer efforts here — he even spent a spell as Staples lacrosse coach — he’s also a co-founder of the Safe + Fair Food Company.
He’s no longer involved in day-to-day operations. The headquarters has moved from Westport to Chicago.
But the back story of how a former UBS trader started a company selling plant-based, allergen- and gluten-free, vegan and kosher snacks like popcorn, chips, granola, mixes — and of course cookies — on airlines, and in the country’s leading supermarkets and stores, is a great one.
It started in 2012, soon after Najarian left his long Wall Street career. He wanted to do something entrepreneurial, but had no idea what.
Pete Najarian
He rented an office in Brooks Corner, and began planning next steps. Abby was an active 13-year-old. But her peanut allergy made it hard to find nut-free alternatives that were not exorbitantly expensive, or stocked in specialty aisles that made them “exclusive, not inclusive,” Najarian says.
Then he had dinner with a great friend from Lafayette College, Dave Leyrer. He too had a child with nut allergies.
Bingo!
Safe + Fair Foods — “safe for all kids, and fairly priced” — was launched.
There was a huge appetite (ho ho) for their products. Quickly, the pair landed deals with JetBlue, Costco and Walmart.
Within three years, Najarian realized that managing a consumer brand was “not my skill set.” He and Leyrer hired Will Holsworth — an experienced leader — to run the company.
Safe + Fair now has a large investor base, including 2 major strategic food brands. Its snacks are in Costco, Walmart, Sam’s Club, Target, Kroger and Fresh Market, and on Delta and American Airlines flights.
Some of Safe + Fair’s favorite products.
Najarian has stepped back from a leadership role. His new venture is cryptocurrency, as chief revenue officer of BitGo.
But occasionally, a flight attendant serves Abby’s Cookies to a Westporter. They read the package, recognize Abby, and contact Pete.
He tells the back story — just as he did to “06880.” It’s one more example of how this is “where Westport meets the world.”
Even 30,000 feet in the air.
(Photo/Susan Shuldman)
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Posted in Local business
Tagged Abby Najarian, Pete Najarian, Safe + Fair Foods
Kings Highway Colonia Cemetery (corner of Kings Highway North and Wilton Road). It’s been in this state of disrepair for months. (Photo/David Wilson)
Superintendent of Schools Thomas Scarice sent this information today to Westport families:
I truly hope that this summer provided you and your family with much needed rest and relaxation. As the first day approaches on August 31 I want to inform families that there will be multiple updates to keep you apprised of our reopening plans. You can expect regular updates from my office, or from your child’s building principal, in the coming days. Additionally, the reopening resource on our newly designed website (more on that next week!) will be fully updated, as the most recent guidance from the state Department of Public Health continues to unfold.
Although the outlook with regards to the pandemic is not as positive as it was in June, we will continue to work towards providing as much normalcy as possible for your child as they return to school. Like last year, we will approach matters in 4-6 week increments, while thoughtfully considering layers of mitigating measures.
We have learned a lot since we opened schools last year. While we have hoped that we would begin the year back to pre-pandemic practices, it is clear that we are not quite there yet. With high vaccination rates in our community, and a prudent approach, we can successfully begin the school year, and in consultation with our medical advisor, and our local and state health departments, we can roll back mitigating measures as the conditions permit.
The following are the most current practices in place for the first day of school:
Universal Masks/Face Coverings:
Masks will be required for all students and staff while in the school building and on the school bus. This continues to be an executive order until September 30, and is consistent with recommendations from both the Centers for Disease Control and the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Mask breaks will continue to be provided optimally when outside or students are spaced greater than 6 feet.
No masks will be required outside for recess or other outside activities.
Fully vaccinated teachers will have the opportunity to remove their masks during active instruction at the front of the classroom per DPH guidance.
Vaccines:
Governor Lamont issued Executive Order 13D on August 19, 2021. In short, all Pre-K-12 staff are required to have the Covid-19 vaccine. Any employees eligible for medical or religious waivers will be subject to routine testing.
Social Distancing:
Social distancing of 3 ft. will be implemented to the extent possible in the classrooms and other settings.
Socially distanced school buses (Photo/Amy Schneider)
Lunch:
Return to pre-pandemic provision of school lunch services.
Additional seating will be made available at all levels (i.e. elementary, middle, high) during lunch in order to allow for extra spacing, including outside seating for students during lunch waves.
Visitors:
Visitors in the buildings will be limited to educational or school business needs. School visits need to be approved by the building administration.
Given the Governor’s mandatory vaccination announcement Thursday, it is possible that visitors will be required to be vaccinated.
After-school Activities:
After school activities will continue but will follow the spacing and masking guidelines.
Building Cleaning:
Routine and standard cleaning protocols will be in place. Surface transmission has been found to be minimal.
Hand Washing:
Hand washing will continue to be encouraged throughout the day, and the extra sanitizer will be available throughout the buildings.
Quarantine Practices:
Quarantine practices will continue based on the guideline of being within 6 feet for 15 minutes over a 24 hour period to a person who is positive for COVID-19.
Due to limited transmission in classrooms last year, the CDC has made an important exception for students in the classroom setting only. Students in the classroom where everyone is wearing a mask will only be quarantined if they were within 3 ft. of another student positive for COVID-19.
Vaccinated students and staff will not need to quarantine but will be asked to obtain a test within 3-5 days
Quarantine length will be continued as it was at the end of the school year and consist of a PCR or antigen test at day 5 or later and return on day 8 if the test is negative and the person is experiencing no symptoms. If no test is obtained the student or staff member will be able to return on day 10 if they are symptom free.
Students or staff positive for COVID-19 will need to isolate for 10 days from the start of symptoms or the date of the positive test and may return after the 10 days if they are symptom free.
Travel:
We will continue to recommend CDC guidance for travel both interstate and international.
Ventilation:
Ventilation includes HVAC systems that optimize the most air to be taken into the building. Merv 10-13 filters are used.
Supports for Students in Quarantine or Isolation:
Students needing to quarantine or isolate as a result of COVID-19 will receive certain educational supports while in quarantine.
At the elementary level, these supports will consist of access to essential assignments through Google Classroom, twice weekly scheduled contact with the classroom teacher, and twice weekly contact with support staff to assist in work completion.
At the secondary level, this will consist of access to posted assignments and communication with teachers via email as needed and, for quarantine periods extending beyond 5 school days, scheduled time with staff to support students during and after quarantine.
For students who are medically unable to attend school for a verified medical reason, the district will continue to implement its Homebound Instruction Policy 6173. Individuals with questions about this policy or procedure should contact Michael Rizzo, assistant superintendent for pupil services.
These supports will be revisited periodically, likely every 4-6 weeks, to determine if additional interventions are warranted based on the number of students requiring these services.
District COVID-19 Dashboard:
Our on-line COVID-19 dashboard will continue to be updated daily and available on our website.
What Can Families Do?
Obtain a vaccine for all those eligible 12 years of age and older.
Continue to complete a daily home screening to monitor students each morning for any signs of illness and anyone with signs of illness should stay home from school and contact your school nurse.
Please report any COVID-19 cases to our COVID -19 hotline at 203-341-1016 or email PositiveCovidReport@
If a student has had close contact with a person with COVID-19 they should contact their school nurse.
You can anticipate additional updates in the coming days. These are some of the more salient district wide updates. Building principals will send further school-specific messages as we approach the first day of school.
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Posted in Education
Last month, our Friday Flashback paid homage to Troop G. The story noted that for decades, our State Police barracks sat opposite both a gay bar (Brook Café) and a strip club (Krazy Vin’s).
Over the years, I’ve posted several photos of the Brook. But until this shot of Krazy Vin’s popped up on Facebook — courtesy of Paul Ehrismann, who has a treasure trove of great, long-ago images — I could never find one of its “companion” bar, across Cedar Road on the Post Road. (It’s been replaced by a new building. Today it’s Earth Animal.)
Sure, it’s from Krazy Vin’s final days. But you have to love the self-referentially ironic signs advertising its demise.
(Photo courtesy of Paul Ehrismann)
I’m still searching for interior shots of either the Brook or Krazy Vin’s. If you have any, please send them along.
I promise to blur out any faces.
Posted in Friday Flashback, Local business
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July’s real estate numbers are in.
According to Brown Harris Stevens, while the total number of closed homes declined from 96 to 69 from last year’s frothy July numbers — still the 2nd-highest number of closings for the month since 2001 — the average closing price rose 19%, from $1,627,253 to $1,929, 908. That’s the highest for July since 2008.
Houses sold, on average, for 101% of the list price. That’s the 5th straight month the figure has surpassed 100%.
As of July 31, there were also 103 pending sales. Another 178 were listed as “active inventory.”
As for condos: 31 closed in July 2021, up from 22 the previous July. The average closing price for condos in the first 7 months of 2021 was $628,002, a rise of 34$ since the comparable period a year ago.
The total volume of house house and condo closings since January 1 is $644,692,685. That’s up a whopping 45% since the first 7 months of 2020. (Hat tip: Chuck Greenlee)
This 4-acre property on Beachside Avenue — once part of the JC Penney estate — is listed for $6,495,000. One drawback: It is not actually on the water.
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Lou Weinberg is best known as the chair of Westport’s Community Gardens.
But the Westporter’s stewardship of the earth extends to the water. He writes:
“A recent walk along Burying Hill Beach yielded an astronomical amount of garbage. The bag on the right was what my wife and I picked up. The garbage on the left was left by a generous donor or donors.
(Photo/Lou Weinberg)
“As I’m sure you can guess, there were plenty of single-use plastic bottles, bottle caps, aluminum cans, balloons, fishing line, food wrappers, etc. On this walk, we even saw a used diaper and the leftovers from somebody’s lunches.
“What one can do: The Burying Hill lifeguards gave us the bag. Perhaps others who are taking a stroll along the beach and beyond could bring their own bags, or get one from the guards. Any effort to bag the garbage may result in one less piece of plastic ingested by wildlife, and a cleaner environment. Nature deserves better.”
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Several years ago, the Saugatuck Harbor Yacht Club ordered a historical plaque, commemorating its Westport Historic District Commission Preservation Award of 2018 for the heritage of its building.
Delivery problems delayed the ceremony until this week. Westport Museum of History & Culture house historian Bob Weingarten — who made the presentation to former commodore Paul Rosenblatt — provides the backstory:
The SHYC clubhouse was originally a stable. It was built circa 1887 by Henry C. Eno, as part of his Queen Ann seaside summer estate.
The SHYC was established 1959 by J. Anthony Probst. He remodeled the stable into a clubhouse, with the help of landscape architect Evan Harding. During the 2018 presentation, the HDC noted that underwater marsh land was dredged to create a harbor. It was the first of its kind on the eastern seaboard to feature an underwater bubble system, allowing boats to remain moored year-round.
Former commodore Paul Rosenblatt, the Saugatuck Harbor Yacht Club plaque, and the historic clubhouse.
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As I walked out of the Y yesterday, a man approached.
“Is this the YMCA?” he asked.
Duh! I thought. What else would it be?
Then I looked around. There is virtually no signage anywhere.
There’s nothing on Wilton Road, or Merritt Parkway Exit 41 — the only 2 ways to enter the parking lot — that say “Welcome to the Westport Weston Family YMCA!”
The sign above the entrance reads “Bedford Family Center.” Who — including most members — knows that’s the name of the Y building.
High above the entrance — where no one looks, and besides, it’s very hard to make out — is the “Y” logo. But that’s it. It doesn’t even say “YMCA.”
I guess there really is no such thing as a dumb question.
Can you see the “Y” above the “Bedford Family Center” sign? (Photo/Dan Woog)
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No one likes to see a police cruiser in their rear view mirror.
But everyone should support the Westport Police Benevolent Association’s 3rd annual Car Cruise. It’s tomorrow (Saturday, August 21, 4 to 8 p.m., Saugatuck train station parking lot #1).
Cars of all years, makes and models are welcome. It’s a family-friendly event, with music, food trucks and a raffle.
The fee to enter and display a car is $20, with the funds earmarked for causes like the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, Special Olympics, and Veterans & Families of Fallen Officers.
The first 100 cars receive a gift bag. Trophies will be awarded too.
A previous Westport PBA car rally
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In 2017, Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey broke a story about Westporter Harvey Weinstein in The New York Times. The smoldering #MeToo movement suddenly caught fire.
The 2 journalists will speak at the Westport Library’s inaugural fundraising event, “The Exchange: Conversations About The Issues of Our Time.” The October 5 (10 a.m.) event will be moderated by Westport corporate executive Joan Gillman,
Click here for more information, and tickets.
Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey.
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The other day, “Westport … Naturally” featured a snowy egret enjoying a meal. Today, we show one in flight.
(Photo/Amy Schneider)
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To purchase tickets or a table for this special event go to
And finally … speaking of the YMCA (as we were above): Maybe we need these guys as greeters in front.
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Posted in Beach, Categories, Environment, Library, Looking back, Police, Real estate, Transportation, YMCA
Tagged Bob Weingarten, Burying Hill Beach, Harvey Weinstein, Lou Weinberg, Saugatuck Harbor Yacht Club, Westport Police Benevolent Association
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