Yesterday, “06880” ran a photo of a Range Rover taking up 3 parking spaces by Dunkin’ in Bridge Square.
Today, another alert reader spotted another vehicle hogging another 3 spots, near another Dunkin’. This one was opposite Fresh Market.
(Photo/Aaron Tobin)
Hey, don’t blame us.
Yesterday’s car had New York plates. Today’s tags are from Florida.
Halloween is 75 days away. But CVS and Stop & Shop have already stocked up on holiday goods. Though I wonder: Does anyone actually send Halloween cards?
Meanwhile: Can Starbucks’ pumpkin spice latte be far behind?
(Photo/Les Dinkin)
And finally … today is the 51st anniversary of the final full day of Woodstock. There were so many legendary performances that Sunday, August 17, 1969 — including this one:
A few times in the week following Isaias, I got no mail at all.
I chalked it up to the storm. Either no one was sending anything, or it got delayed somewhere along the way.
But after reading stories like this one about problems with the US Postal Service, I’m wondering if my empty mailbox is part of a larger issue.
Nearly everyone in Westport loves their mail carrier. These men and women are devoted, efficient and friendly. They know their routes, they know us, they deliver the mail with smiles and speed.
(Photo/Penn Videler)
Similarly, we love the Westport post office. We may not like its crowded parking lot or cramped confines, but we know we will get excellent service. The clerks answer our questions — from basic to complicated, and often idiotic — with patience and clarity.
Whatever is happening to the US Postal Service has nothing to do with them.
But it’s important to crowdsource this one. So: Has your mail delivery been slower than usual lately? Are there fewer collection boxes around town? (The one near CVS disappeared years ago.) Have you noticed anything else in the past few weeks?
Click “Comments” below. And the next time you see your postal carrier: Thank him or her for their service.
Downtown Westport (Photo/Lauri Weiser)
It’s been a while since “06880” has run an Entitled Parking photo.
In the early days of the pandemic, no one drove anywhere.
As traffic returned, there was a nice we’re-all-in-this-together kind of civility.
Most recently, Tropical Storm Isaias elicited even more neighbor-helping-neighborliness.
Today’s scene outside Dunkin’ at Bridge Square looks just like the old days, though.
Posted in Saugatuck, Transportation, Westport life
Tagged Bridge Square, Entitled parking
Aspetuck Land Trust reports:
“There are no downed wires on our 150 open spaces, including our 43 trailed nature preserves. But there are a lot of downed trees!
“We’ve already cleared many of our trails, including nearly 20 miles in Trout Brook Valley. A special thanks to our volunteer trail stewards for pinpointing downed trees and helping with cleanup efforts.
“For information on the status of particular trails or preserves, click here. As we get back to normal (or whatever passes for normal these days), please consider making an additional donation to the Aspetuck Land Trust to help with storm cleanup.
“Also consider replanting your own lost trees and shrubs with natives from our Fall Plant Sale. Up to 50% of your purchase will be tax deductible. We will add many new natives trees and shrubs for pickup at Gilbertie’s Farm in Easton next month. Details and availability will be on our website August 25.”
Did you miss “Friday Night THRIVE Live!,” the virtual showcase hosted by Westport’s Broadway star Kelli O’Hara, featuring teenage talent from throughout the area (including our town)?
No problem! The event — named for the Teens Having Resilience In a Virtual Environment program, created by Westport Country Playhouse, and Shubert and Long Wharf Theatres — lives on. Click below to enjoy:
And finally … 43 years ago today, Elvis Presley died at his Graceland estate in Memphis. He was 42 years old — meaning he’s now been dead longer than he was alive. Here’s his 1956 appearance on “The Ed Sullivan Show,” which energized teenagers and scandalized their parents:
Want more of those swiveling hips?
Last week’s Photo Challenge was a good one. David Loffredo’s clever image showed the tiled plaza by the Saugatuck River, viewed directly from above on the patio between The Whelk and Saugatuck Sweets. (Click here to see.)
Unfortunately, sussing out the scene was lower on most readers’ lists than clearing debris, tossing food from the fridge, and otherwise dealing with the zillion chores and inconveniences that come with a major power outage.
There were just 3 responses. Fred Cantor had the lone correct answer. And he lives in Southern California.
Now that the juice is back on: Try this week’s Photo Challenge. We’re easing back into things with an easy one. If you know where in Westport you’d see this, click “Comments” below.
(Photo/Seth Schachter)
In 2018, Marliese Aguele wrote a guest post for “06880.” She decried the ugliness — and danger — of the increasing number of cables on utility lines.
This update was all set to run in mid-March. It got pushed back several times, due to more urgent COVID and other news.
But now — in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Isaias — it seems more relevant than ever. Marliese says:
Westport is invaded, with trucks everywhere installing heavy 5G cables.
Providers like Optimum, Verizon and Frontier compete for contracts to install cables, which is very lucrative for them.
Contracts are outsourced from providers to companies of their choice anywhere in the country. Trucks do not display the name of a company, so no one can reach them after sloppy installation.
This town is overloaded with thick cables, curled-up cables, new black attachments wrapped around the cables, looking uglier than ever, installed haphazardly crisscrossing overhead in all directions.
Low cables on South Compo Road. (Photo/Morgan Mermagen)
There are poles with 17 cables attached. No consideration for esthetics. The town receives generous revenues from cable installation companies. That is all they care about.
Nobody wants to get involved, or has the authority. Driving on the Post Road, I took the liberty of speaking with an installer. He explained that companies are required to get a license/work permit from the state Public Utilities Regulatory Agency.
I spoke to another installer on Long Lots, working overhead from a truck with a New Jersey license plate. I was shown a document headed “Parkside Utility,” with no town or phone number.
I wondered why a license did not require a stamp and receipt of fee that all professionals and companies must pay. Who makes sure Connecticut is not being defrauded of much needed revenues?
I realize it is a difficult task to install the cables. I appreciate companies that make an effort, as best they can. Unfortunately, other firms perform very sloppy work.
Cables crisscross the crowded Post Road/Roseville/Hillspoint intersection.
How many more cables can they attach to overloaded poles? They droop lower and lower. It is only a matter of time before the pole on Kings Highway North snaps in half, killing the driver of a car waiting for the Wilton Road light to change. I make sure never to stop under it.
Frightened, I called the police. I was told to call the utility company.
There must be an end. Visitors are appalled at the ugliness that invades Westport. We deserve better.
“06880” photographer Amy Schneider took a tour of the town’s al fresco dining spots. Here’s some of what she saw (pre-Isaias):
(Photo collage/Amy Schneider)
Four days earlier, Hurricane Isaias had ripped through Westport. Much of the town was without power.
But a pair of 10-year-olds — Isabella and Alexander Mariani — and their musician friends were undaunted.
After being home for several months, with recitals and concerts canceled by COVID-19, they’d planned a small, socially distanced live concert.
This was not just about them and their parents, either. They were raising money for the Connecticut Food Bank.
Their mom — Carole Chinn Mariani — had called friends she met through the Suzuki Music School of Westport, when Isabella and Alexander had started playing violin and piano.
Bottom row (from left): Owen and Charlotte Naughton, Madeleine and Maria Stiber. Top: Sage and Hugh Kramer, Alexander and Isabella Mariani, Jade and Grant Zimmerman.
(Photo/Carole Chinn Mariani)
Seven of the 10 children are still with Suzuki. The program often tells students, “you should practice every day you eat.”
Especially today, that saying reminds them how fortunate they are to worry only about practicing music, not where their next meal is coming from.
So they decided that the “Make Music Feed” show must go on.
Due to the pandemic, performers and attendees were limited to 5 families, spaced 6 feet apart on the Marianis’ front lawn.
Neighbors and passersby were invited to enjoy the concert from similarly socially distanced spots.
Most acts – who ranged from beginners to more advanced, in elementary and middle school — were soloists. Their selections included classical, pop and Broadway.
An original song — “Waiting in the Dark” — was composed by Sage Kramer. It was the theme song for a film she, Isabella, Alexander and other friends created during a Westport Filmmakers Inc. camp.
Participants in a triolet wore masks and distanced themselves. Pianists used hand sanitizer before and after using the keyboard. Vocalists used disposable mic covers.
Check out the talent here:
Isabella, Alexander and friends hope the concert will spread far beyond the lawn. They’d like the word to get out on social media, so people to contribute to their cause (click here).
“It’s a good feeling to think of how happy the other families might feel to get food from the money we raised,” Isabella says.
Her mother adds, “We invite all young musicians to take the Make Music Feed challenge by hosting their own micro, socially distanced benefit concert, either live or virtually. Children can make a difference!”
Posted in Arts, Children, Organizations
Tagged Alexander Mariani, Connecticut Food Bank, Isabella Mariani
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