If you’re reading this, you’re part of the great “06880” online community.
Which means you’re invited to our 11th annual “blog party.”
The date is Thursday, July 17. We’ll gather at 6 p.m. at Compo Beach — specifically, alcohol-is-okay South Beach, by the trees (the opposite end from the cannons).
Bring your own food, beverages (no glass bottles, though!), beach chairs and blankets.
The first 10 years were great successes*. They were true community gatherings – chances to meet and mingle with the diverse “06880” community (both online and real). It’s fun, un-fancy, and free!
We extend a special welcome to all our new “06880” readers. And those who have never come to our bash.
This year’s blog party will be better than ever.
I can’t give away any secrets, though. You’ll just have to show up, and see for yourself.
*Except for the rainout. And the heat. And COVID.
A small part of the large crowd. (Photo/Dennis Jackson)
NOTE: The “06880” blog party is free. But we rely entirely on donations to keep writing (and partying.) Please click here to help!
Thanks to all who came to last night’s “06880” blog party. We hope you had a good time!
The weather was perfect. The sunset was gorgeous. The turnout was diverse, the chatter fun.
The “06880” gifts — Bluetooth speakers, sourced by Annette Norton, of Savvy + Grace — were very well received.
Thanks, as always, to Westport’s Parks & Recreation Department. Their front office staff — and the young people in guest services — went way out of their way to make things run smoothly.
The next “06880” event: the Soundview Summer Stroll on Sunday (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.). The entire beach exit road will be closed, for music, food, and tons of kids’ activities. See you there!
Terry Brannigan grabbed Warren Bloom’s guitar, and picked up where the veteran singer left off. His brother Eamon Brannigan, photographer John Videler, and “06880” board member Annette Norton enjoyed the show. (Photo/Dan Woog)
The fun continues this Sunday, with the 1st-ever Soundview Summer Stroll. It’s co-sponsored by “06880” and the Compo Beach Improvement Association. (Photo/Lynn Untermeyer Miller)
As (almost) always at the “06880” blog party, there was a magnificent sunset. (Photo/Ken Schwarz)
Compo Beach wasn’t the only place to be last night.
The Bacon Brothers drew a full — and very enthusiastic — house, at the Westport Country Playhouse.
They played autoharp, electric cello, mandolin, 4 electric ukuleles, harmonica, drums, bongos — and sang “Footloose” as an encore.
Just a year after facing near-calamitous financial difficulties, the Playhouse has enjoyed a spring and summer with a wide range of artistic and musical productions.
The Bacon Brothers, at the Westport Country Playhouse. (Photo/Susan Garment)
Speaking of entertainment: Tower of Power is the newest addition to the Levitt Pavilion lineup.
The funk and soul band — recording and touring favorites for over 55 years — come to the amphitheater (itself celebrating 50 years) on Saturday, September 21 (7:30 p.m.).
For this event, chairs will be provided for all ticket-holders. There will be a full bar and food trucks, too.
There’s plenty going on at the Levitt before then, of course. This weekend, for example:
Tonight (Friday, July 26, 7:30 p.m.): NYC SKA Orchestra. Click here for free tickets, and more information.
Tomorrow (Saturday, July 27, 6:30 p.m.): Westport’s own Chelsea Cutler; opening acts Jake Minch and Lisa Heller. Click here to purchase tickets, and more information.
Sunday (July 28, 7 p.m.): Singer-songwriter Griffin House. Click here for free tickets, and more information.
Now the 2016 Staples High School graduate is in Paris.
The first heat for his men’s pair is Sunday (July 28, 5 a.m. EDT). Click here for the full schedule. Click here for a story from Dartmouth, where Oliver rowed in college.
The Sunday Compo Beach worship service is always meaningful.
This week’s event (July 28, 8:30 a.m.) is even more special.
The United Methodist Church of Westport and Weston is sponsoring a food drive. Attendees are invited to bring non-perishable items to the area near the cannons. All are welcome; bring a beach chair!
The UMCWW will also collect food tomorrow (Saturday, July 27) at the church (49 Weston Road), from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The goal is to stock the Homes with Hope pantry with cereal, pasta, peanut butter, tuna, soup, fruits and veggies.
United Methodist Church, 49 Weston Road. (Photo/Dan Woog)
Carl Addison Swanson has a warning for Westporters. He writes:
“I am not a scientist (although I did get an A in 11th grade Chemistry at Staples.)
“Both of my maternal grandparents were chemists and professors at Harvard, with an actual building named after them (Esselen) before it crumbled to the ground.
“That said, my recent run down North Avenue and some of its side streets revealed to me a number of little yellow signs on lawns indicating caution, for pesticides had been just sprayed.
“I decided to do some research on what they are spraying. The most popular: 2,4D, organophosphates, carbanmatees and other phemaxy and benzoic acid herbicides.
“I have no idea what these are. But if you cannot pronounce them, beware.
“And my research indicates you all should beware! 2,4D, for example, causes cancer, birth defects, and a whole slew of bad stuff. If your kids and/or pets are frolicking in the grass, this is not good.
“I respectfully suggest Westporters ask your landscapers what they are spraying for.
“They told us in Vietnam that the 19,000 pounds of Agent Orange was harmless. More than 300,000 vets have died from its exposure since we left in 1975.”
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Coming up this weekend at Sherwood Island State Park:
Saturday (July 27, 1 p.m.): The Nature Center hosts Cia Marion of Westport. The avid monarch butterfly “nurturer” will speak discuss its life cycle. If the timing works, she will show actual eggs, larvae, chrysalis and adults she has watched grow this summer.
Sunday (July 28, 1 p.m): Master wildlife conservationist Paul Colburn discusses Eastern coyotes in Connecticut.
Monarch butterfly (Photo/Johanna Keyser Rossi)
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Since 2006, Soles4Souls has distributed more than 94 million pairs of shoes to people in need.
Westporters have done their part, donating over 3,000 pairs.
That means 3,750 pounds of shoes have been diverted from local landfills. Westport’s donations created $27,150 of economic opportunity for families and communities around the world, through the non-profit’s “4Opportunity” program.
In countries like Haiti, Honduras and Guatemala, Westporters’ donations provide consistent, quality food, housing and education for 3 families for an entire year.
Ken Bernhard (left) and Ted Freeman, with June’s Soles4Souls shipment.
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Bear — the dog that hangs out at Westport Hardware — is away this week.
But he’s not far from the heart of customers. This sign hangs in the popular store, during his absence:
(Hat tip and photo/Jonathan Alloy)
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John Eric (Jeb) Ball — a well-known graduate in Staples High School’s Class of 1983 — died peacefully July 19, surrounded by his family. He was 59, and lived in Duxbury, Massachusetts.
While always active and healthy, Jeb was suddenly diagnosed with a serious infection that required heart valve surgery. Despite fighting extremely hard for his life for 3 weeks in intensive care, Jeb passed away due to complications from endocarditis.
In the days and weeks before Jeb’s hospitalization he played golf with his sons, went horseback riding in Utah, traveled to Australia for business, and celebrated his 32nd wedding anniversary in Maine with Ginger.
Jeb was born in Tokyo on January 14, 1965, and grew up in Westport. He earbed a BA from Wabash College in 1988.
Jeb held executive leadership roles in the printing industry before moving into HVAC, where he served as vice president of sales and marketing at Fieldpiece Instruments.
Jeb is survived by his wife and high school sweetheart, Ginger (Grace) Ball; children Jack, Bridget and Colin (24; his mother Stephanie of Cotuit, Massachusetts; brother Scott of Cotuit; sister Jacqueline Vitaro of Duxbury; sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his father Robert.
A celebration of Jeb’s life is set for August 12 (noon to 4 p.m., Marshfield Country Club).
His family says, “All will remember Jeb for his sense of humor, sharp style, quick-tempered wit, passion for the art of conversation and debate, and sly dancing. It is our wish for everyone to spread Jeb’s big personality in all that they do.”
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association. For an online guest book, driving directions and more, click here.
And finally … as Oliver Bub, the rest of the US athletes, and thousands from around the world gather in Paris: Let the games begin!
(From our beach party and Soundview Stroll, to the Olympic Games with Oliver Bub, “06880” is where Westport meets the world. Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
From 6 p.m. until dark, everyone in our community — online and real — is invited to Compo’s South Beach, for our 11th annual “06880” blog party.
It’s a very casual, very fun, bring-your-own-food-and-drink (and chairs) event. Meet old friends; make new ones; watch the sun set (if the clouds part), and enjoy a summer evening with people drawn together by this hyper-local blog. See you there!
PS: Don’t worry. The clouds will be gone by the time we begin 🙂
Bring yourselves (and a bit of food) to tonight’s “06880” blog party! (Photo/Johanna Keyser Rossi)
But the fun doesn’t end when our blog party is over.
This Sunday (July 28, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.) marks the first-ever Soundview Sidewalk Stroll.
The family-friendly street festival is a gift to Westport, from “06880” and the Compo Beach Improvement Association. We’ve got help from the Parks & Recreation Department and Westport Police.
With Soundview Drive closed to traffic, Westporters are welcome to walk, bike, rollerblade and play, from the Soundview parking lot to the Compo Road jetty.
In addition to music from 4 great bands, youngsters can enjoy face painting, a balloon artist, craftsand more.
Volunteers from the Compo Beach Playground Committee will run this schedule, all day long:
On the hour: Tug of war
20 minutes after: Water balloon toss
40 minutes after: Inflatable relay race.
Old Mill Grocery & Deli will offer favorites from their menu.
The Soundview Summer Stroll is a great chance to meet old friends, make new ones, join the cool street scene, and enjoy Compo without worrying about traffic.
Best of all: It’s free! (Beach emblem required to park.) Don’t miss this one!
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Superintendent of schools Thomas Scarice got a raise, and an additional year on his contract, this week.
The Board of Education vote was unanimous. His new salary — retroactive to July 1 — is $321,661. His contract runs through the 2026-27 school year.
Superintendent of schools Thomas Scarice
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Speaking of education: Coleytown Middle School has a new principal.
Her commute will scarcely change. Janna Sirowich moves to her new post from Coleytown Elementary School, where she has spent the past 16 years as principal. Before that, she was a literacy leader and classroom teacher in Westport.
“While Janna is overwhelmed with gratitude for her years at CES, she is equally excited about this new opportunity and what lies ahead for her and CMS,” says superintendent of schools Thomas Scarice.
Janna Sirowich
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Westport Police made 3 custodial arrests between July 17 and 24.
A 58-year-old Westport man was charged with assault, disorderly conduct, and tampering with a witness following a June incident at Birchwood Country Club. An employee was pushed to the ground by the man, who he did not know. Despite being warned not to contact the complainant, he did so twice.
A 48-year-old Westport man was charged with driving under the influence following a complaint by a passenger in the vehicle.
A 22-year-old New Britain man was charged with burglary, criminal mischief and larceny, and conspiracy to commit those crimes, following the early morning theft of an ATM from the Wheels gas station and convenience store on the Post Road in February.
Westport Police also issued these citations:
Failure to obey state traffic control regulations: 17 citations
Traveling unreasonably fast: 8
Failure to obey stop sign: 6
Operating a motor vehicle without a license: 6
Operating an unregistered motor vehicle: 5
Driving while texting: 3
Illegal shellfishing, closed area: 3
Illegal shellfish taking at night: 3
Violation of local shellfish regulations: 3
Failure to obey traffic control signals: 2
Reckless driving: 1
Speeding: 1
Distracted driving: 1
Failure to yield to a bike at an intersection: 1
Following too closely: 1
Driving while texting, 2nd offense: 1
Operating a motor vehicle without minimum insurance: 1
This beautiful butterfly flitted past Lauri Weiser.
It alit just long enough for her to catch it, for today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature.
(Photo/Lauri Weiser)
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And finally … John Mayall, the pioneering British bluesman best known for influencing some of rock’s biggest names, died Monday in California. He was 90.
(“06880” looks forward to 2 great events: tonight’s “blog party,” and Sunday’s Soundview Summer Stroll [stories above]. As always, we look forward too to readers’ support. Please click here. Thanks!)
President Biden’s decision yesterday to not seek re-election set social media a-twitter.
Two Westporters were among the many people sharing their thoughts.
Producer/screenwriter/author/CEO Shonda Rhimes wrote about the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee: “I stood behind her in 2016 when she ran for Senate, I was behind her when she ran as @vp and I continue to stand behind her today.”
Both posts drew over 60,000 likes — and plenty of comments. Some were very positive. Others were strongly negative.
Meanwhile, CNBC reports: “Among the top party fundraisers now planning to help Harris is longtime Wall Street executive Marc Lasry, according to a person with direct knowledge of the matter.
“Lasry helped raise money for the vice president when she ran against Biden in the 2020 Democratic primary. He later raised campaign cash for Biden when he beat Trump during that election cycle.”
Lasry — a billionaire businessman and private equity manager — lives on Beachside Avenue. He is the co-founder and CEO of Avenue Capital Group, and former co-owner of the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks.
Meanwhile, one Westport voter did not wait for official news. He created his own yard sign with a pair of scissors, on Bayberry Lane:
Everything is set for this coming Sunday’s first-ever Soundview Sidewalk Stroll — including the bands.
The lineup includes:
11:30 a.m.: Christian Servance
12:30 p.m.: Drew Angus and the Connecticut Songwriters Alliance
1:45 p.m.: School of Rock
3 p.m.: Rock Paper Soul.
The music is just part of the July 28 day-long festival along the Compo Beach exit road.
The Soundview Sidewalk Stroll also builds on the excitement of the annual fireworks, when for a few hours Soundview Drive becomes a street fair.
With Soundview Drive closed to traffic, Westporters are welcome to walk, bike, rollerblade and play, from the Soundview parking lot to the Compo Road jetty.
From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. — in addition to the 4 bands — youngsters can enjoy face painting, a balloon artist, crafts like shell painting and games like tug of war. Members of the Compo Beach Playground Committee have planned a great day for kids.
Old Mill Grocery & Deli will offer favorites from their menu.
The Soundview Summer Stroll is a great chance to meet old friends, make new ones, join the cool street scene, and enjoy Compo without worrying about traffic.
Best of all: It’s free! (Beach emblem required to park.) The Soundview Summer Stroll is a gift to Westport from the Compo Beach Improvement Association and the “06880” blog, with help from the Westport Police and Parks & Recreation Department.
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The Soundview Summer Stroll is just one of 2 great “06880” beach events this week.
The 11th annual “06880” blog party is thisThursday (July 25). From 6 p.m. until dark, everyone in our community — online and real — is invited to Compo’s South Beach.
It’s a very casual, very fun, bring-your-own-food-and-drink event. Meet old friends; make new ones; watch the sun set, and enjoy a summer evening with people drawn together by this hyper-local blog. See you there!
A small part of the large “06880” blog party crowd. (Photo/Dennis Jackson)
Speaking of Soundview Drive: When it’s closed to vehicular traffic for this coming Sunday’s Summer Stroll, drivers — human and canine — will have to find another way to enjoy the open air.
(Photo/Dana Tofel)
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While many Westporters were outdoors in the weekend’s wonderful weather, members of the Westport-Weston Community Emergency Response Team attended Red Cross training at Staples High School.
The CERT volunteers — who support our police, fire and EMS first responders during emergencies — joined Elaine Daignault (director of Westport’s Department of Human Services), First Chief Nick Marsan and Deputy Fire Chief Matt Cohen, Westport Deputy Fire Chief, learning how to safely manage shelter operations at Staples, in the event of a widespread electrical outage or other disaster.
CERT volunteers (from left): Juan Rodriguez, Sergio Roque, Ricardo Arce, Mark Rozelle, Molly Alger, Lourdes Roque, Zulma Heidelberg, Mike Vincelli, Juanita Visconti, Steve Levine, Margaret Cain, Quijani Silveira. Missing: David Kinyon, Frank Rosen.
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Sherwood Island State Park was packed yesterday, as the background of the photo below shows.
But there was plenty of room on Long Island Sound, off of adjacent Burying Hill Beach — for this pair to enjoy this special father-son outing.
One of the most fun parts of a Levitt Pavilion concert is hanging out, waiting for the entertainment to start.
It’s not just the folks on the large lawn. Yesterday, there was this group:
(Photo/Johanna Keyser Rossi)
They made their own music, cawing to each other.
They happily posed too, for today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature.
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And finally … in honor of the photo above:
(Whether you donate to Kamala Harris, Donald Trump or Robert F. Kennedy Jr., all “06880” readers agree: Clicking here to support his hyper-local blog is a great investment in the future. Thank you!)
The 2002 Staples High School graduate — and his writing partner Benj Pasek — has just been nominated for an Emmy.
The category is “Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics.” The song is “Which of the Pickwick Triplets Did It?” The show is Hulu’s “Only Murders in the Building.”
An Emmy would be very cool.
It would also be very historic. Pasek and Paul have already won Grammy (“Dear Evan Hansen” cast album), Oscar (“City of Stars,” from “La La Land”) and 2 Tony awards (“Dear Evan Hansen” Best Musical; “A Strange Loop”). This would complete the coveted — and very rare — EGOT quadruple crown. (Hat tip: Kerry Long)
Justin Paul (left), Benj Pasek and their Grammys.
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Westporters are cleaning up, after yesterday’s swift yet strong storm.
This was the scene next to 27 Imperial Avenue. Phil Levieff, who sent the photo, says, “The early assessment is it is lucky to have minimal damage. It’s built like a tank.”
They’re the target audience for “Pinkalicious: The Musical.” Based on the book by Westporter Victoria Kann and Elizabeth Kann, it’s the newest show at the 93-year-old theater.
There are 2 shows on Saturday, August 17: 1 and 4 p.m. All tickets are $30.
Audience members are encouraged to dress as their favorite “Pinkalicious” character. Click here for tickets, and more information.
For nearly a decade, Westporters have been generous supporters of Catch a Lift.
The non-profit was founded in memory of Army Corporal Chris Coffland, who was killed in Afghanistan in 2009. The organization has helped over 13,000 combat-injured veterans from Afghanistan and Iraq regain mental and physical health through gym memberships, home gym equipment, personalized fitness and nutrition programs, and a peer support network.
Giving money, time and personal support, Westport has welcomed Catch a Lift to town. They’ve visited our gyms, our police and fire station, the VFW, and our homes.
The 10th annual Connecticut fundraiser is September 9 (Patterson Club). There’s a full day of golf, with an after-golf event from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Sponsorships and tickets are available; so are opportunities to help with silent and live auction donations. Click here for details. Questions? Email jdrew@catchaliftfund.com.
Catch a Lift veterans and volunteers, at Birchwood Country Club.
Manny Margolis was a nationally known civil liberties lawyer. He died in 2011, at 85.
His wife Estelle was a noted artist and longtime political activist. When she died in 2019, at 86, “06880”‘s tribute was told through the words of her grandson, Jonah Newman. He inherited his grandparents’ eloquent way with words. (Click here to read.)
The son of Staples High School Class of 1979 graduate Abby Margolis still has a way with words.
And with illustrations.
Simon & Schuster just published Newman’s “Out of Left Field.”
The graphic novel — about a nerdy gay teenager who jumps into “the bro-y world of high school baseball” is semi-autobiographical. Like his protagonist, Newman struggled to fit in in high school, playing sports while coming to terms with his sexuality.
When he’s not creating, writing or reading comics, he’s a cartoonist and editor. And when he’s not doing that, he listens to history podcasts, plays in an LGBTQ+ softball league, and follows his fantasy baseball team. He lives in Brooklyn with his husband and 2 cats.
Click here for more information on “Out of Left Field,” including how to buy it. (Hat tip: Tommy Greenwald)
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Speaking of sports: It’s mid-July, but many Staples teams are already preparing for the fall.
Among them: the boys soccer squad.
They met for a 6:30 a.m. run yesterday at Compo Beach. Then — with the whole day still ahead — they cooled off with a quick swim in the Sound.
(Photo/Luca Caniato)
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A reminder: The 11th annual “06880” blog party is Thursday, July 25. From 6 p.m. until dark, everyone in our community — online and real — is invited to Compo’s South Beach.
It’s a very casual, very fun, bring-your-own-food-and-drink event. Meet old friends; make new ones; watch the sun set, and enjoy a summer evening with people drawn together by this hyper-local blog. See you there!
Three days later — on Sunday, July 28— we’re back at Compo, for the 1st-ever Soundview Summer Stroll.
Co-sponsored by “06880” and the Compo Beach Improvement Association, this event builds on the fun and community spirit we all feel at the fireworks, when the beach exit road is closed.
Thanks to the cooperation of Parks & Rec and the Westport Police, the street will be shut again. Enjoy live music; kids’ activities like face painting and balloon-making; a photo booth; food trucks — and plenty of room for walking, biking, rollerblading, and the best street scene east of Venice, California.
It runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Mark your calendars for the “06880” blog party, and the Soundview Summer Stroll. See you at both!
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Westport Police made 1 custodial arrest between July 10 and 17.
A 27-year-old Bridgeport man was arrested for larceny, forgery and identity theft, following an complaint that a fraudulent check had been written for $5,972.
Police also issued these citations:
Traveling unreasonably fast: 11 citations
Failure to comply with state traffic commission regulations: 11
Operating unregistered motor vehicle: 7
Distracted driving: 4
Failure to obey stop sign: 4
Illegal shellfishing – closed area: 3
Illegal taking shellfish at night: 3
Violation of local shellfish commission regulations: 3
Simple trespass: 3
Speeding: 2
Failure to insure motor vehicle: 2
Failure to obey traffic control signals: 2
Operating motor vehicle without a license: 2
Improper use of markers: 2
Traveling too fast for conditions: 1
Driving while texting: 1
Disorderly conduct: 1
Improper turn: 1
Driving with a foreign license: 1
Violation of license class: 1
Failure to display plates: 1
3 people were issued citations for illegal shellfishing. (Photo/Barry Lytton)
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A heads-up: The Republican primary is August 13.
Early voting takes place August 5-11 (Town Hall).
On primary day, Republican electors should visit their regular polling locations (6 a.m. to 8 p.m.).
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You had to look carefully to see this action on a milkweed plant — or have a great camera, as Molly Alger did for today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature:
The 11th annual “06880” blog party is Thursday, July 25. From 6 p.m. until dark, everyone in our community — online and real — is invited to Compo’s South Beach.
It’s a very casual, very fun, bring-your-own-food-and-drink event. Meet old friends; make new ones; watch the sun set, and enjoy a summer evening with people drawn together by this hyper-local blog. See you there!
Three days later — on Sunday, July 28— we’re back at Compo, for the 1st-ever Soundview Stroll.
Co-sponsored by “06880” and the Compo Beach Improvement Association, this event builds on the fun and community spirit we all feel at the fireworks, when the beach exit road is closed.
Thanks to the cooperation of Parks & Rec and the Westport Police, the street will be shut again. Enjoy live music; kids’ activities like face painting and balloon-making; a photo booth; food trucks — and plenty of room for walking, biking, rollerblading, and the best street scene east of Venice, California.
It runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Mark your calendars for the “06880” blog party, and the Soundview Stroll. See you at both!
Human youngsters can snuggle with baby goats at Wakeman Town Farm in small-group, half-hour sessions. Click here for tickets, and more information.
But that’s not the only “kids” activities at WTF.
A cooking camp — covering the basics, and promising fun — runs July 29 through August 1 (12:30 to 3 p.m.). Click here for registration, and more details.
“Little Farmers: Parent & Me” hands-on experiences for 0-3-year-olds are planned for July 29, 30 and 31 (2 to 3 p.m.). Click here to register, and learn more.
Everyone is invited to the July 13 Family Fun Day (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.). The event includes games, music, food, crafts and more. Click here for tickets, and a full schedule.
And of course, the Wakeman Town Farm farm stand is open every Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. It’s your spot for organic produce, microgreens, honey, flower, and rotating local artisanal products including organic coffee, bread, pastries, extra virgin olive oils, gourmet balsamic vinegars and salsas.
To break through the clutter though, a podcaster needs an angle.
Maxwell Valencia and Henry Morrison have theirs: “careers for kids.”
If you think that’s not exactly unique, consider this: They are kids themselves.
The friends are rising 8th graders at Coleytown Middle School. They’re a few years away from careers, but they’ve gotten a head start by asking adults in a variety of jobs to talk about what they do, what they like about it, and how they got where they are.
This being Westport, they’ve lined up some interesting folks to talk about careers.
They’ve chatted with Congressman Jim Himes and 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker, along with an aerospace engineer, financial advisor, Westport police lieutenant and fire marshal, and the New York Knicks’ high performance coach.
None of the men or women talk down to the youngsters. They answer in depth, and seem to enjoy talking about their work.
(I particularly enjoyed hearing Himes say that he prefers calling himself a “representative,” as opposed to a “congressman.”)
The website is aimed at middle and elementary school students. But it’s available at nearly every podcast outlet — and on this website.
So — no matter how old you are, or what your job is — you can hear it too.
Maxwell Valencia and Henry Morrison interview 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker, in her office.
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Interior designer Jared Frank is a 2002 graduate of Staples High School, and NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. Based now in California, his clients include musician Reggie Watts, actor Matthew Gubler and filmmaker Jon Watts.
The other day, the Los Angeles Times featured his $150,000 renovation of a home in Van Nuys. It includes an 18-foot, custom-built couch (Frank is also a furniture designer). Click here to read the full story.
Dwell Magazine featured the same project. Click here to see.
And finally … on this date in 1947, reports were broadcast that a UFO crash-landed in Roswell, New Mexico. Reports of the incident — and a purported cover-up by the US government — persist today.(
(“06880” — your hyper-local blog — relies on support from readers like you. Please click here to help. Thank you!)
Dan Donovan and his aunts, longtime Westport arts and history advocates Eve Potts and Marion Morra.
Westport Rotary Club stalwart Rick Benson, recent Staples High School graduate James Dobin-Smith, and Planning & Zoning Commission chair Danielle Dobin. (All photos/Dan Woog unless otherwise noted)
(Photo/Jo Shields Sherman)
Former Staples High School principal John Dodig and his husband Rodger Lawrence get ready for the sunset. (Photo/Susan Garment)
The rains have moved on. The heat is nowhere as bad as Phoenix, Houston or Greece.
Which means: We’re on for our 10th annual “06880” blog party!
We’re all set for 6 p.m. at South Beach — the alcohol-is-fine-except-no-glass-bottles end, furthest from the cannons.
This is a bring-your-own-food-and-beverages event. If you’ve got something extra to share, feel free!
Bring a beach chair. And we can always use folding tables.
“06880” provides the rest: a chance to meet commenters and lurkers. Each year we welcome old-timers, newcomers, politicians and normal human beings. It’s a chance to talk, laugh and trade stories about this wild, wacky and only slightly dysfunctional town we share and love.
See you tonight!
We’ll be just to the left of this jetty (near the boat and kayak launch). Without the car, though, (Photo/Linda Gramatky Smith)
It’s been a while since we checked in with our ospreys.
Carolyn Doan visited the Fresh Market raptors on Saturday. She reports:
“I found mom on the very top of a neighboring pine tree. She was giving herself full view of the action around her.
“To her left, the first of her 3 chicks had fledged and was enjoying space away from his sisters. To her right, 2 female nestlings were front and center in the nest, getting ready for their first flight. It may happen this week!”
Speaking of our fine feathered friends: “Birdbrain” is not a compliment.
But for the past few years, birds have been bright enough to build nests on top of a fire alarm signal box in the Playhouse Condominiums parking garage.
It’s warm. It’s protected from both weather and predators. And because they’re birds, “home” is a lot easier to access than residents who battle the shopping center traffic every day.
Still, bringing a chick into the world is not easy. In years past, the condo’s cleaning crew has dismantled the nest; other times, the parents abandoned it.
But this year, all’s well in birdland.
The Playhouse Condos proudly announces its newest resident:
Chick, atop the fire alarm box. (Photo/Dick Truitt)
On Saturday, the Westport Community Gardens held an open house.
Dozens of residents of all ages flocked to the Hyde Lane oasis. They toured the 100-plus plots; marveled at the wide variety of fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers grown there; enjoyed the pergola and bocce court, and toured the Long Lots Preserve that rings the plots.
Gardeners shared tips — and some of their bounty too.
Enjoying the Westport Community Gardens… (Photo/Lou Weinberg)
Last week, members of Club203 enjoyed art classes at the museum. The next Club203 art class is August 14 (6 p.m.).
The organization — Westport’s social club for adults with disabilities — is just one of several MoCA Gives Back partner groups.
The goal of the MoCA program is to offer art experiences to all, through high-quality programming, and strong outreach to under-resourced populations.
MoCA Gives Back is successful, thanks to dedicated volunteers and instructors.
An exhibition on August 27 will showcase works created by MoCA Gives Back participants.
Meanwhile, Friday night’s MoCA Some Noise: Open Mic Night offered performers a chance to share poetry, readings and acoustic music in the gallery. More are planned.
But that gives us 4 days for the weather to clear before Thursday’s 9th annual “06880” blog party.
We’re all set for 6 p.m (July 20). The site is Compo Beach — the alcohol-is-okay South Beach, by the trees (the opposite end from the cannons).
Bring your own food, beverages (no glass bottles!), beach chairs and blankets. We can always use a folding table too.
Our blog party is a community gathering – a chance to meet and mingle with the diverse “06880” community (both online and real). It’s fun, un-fancy, and free!
We extend a special welcome to all our new “06880” readers. And those who have never come to our bash. See you July 20!
Patti and Doug Brill and friends say: “Come to the blog party!”
Longtime Westporter Bernard Dorogusker died on June 29, with his family at his side. He was 97.
The Bronx native was born to immigrant parents. Times were not easy, but he and his 2 siblings experienced a full New York City childhood. He helped in his father’s store, and sold comics on the corner and hot dogs at Yankee Stadium. At 13, he attended the 1939 World’s Fair.
Bernie served in the Army in the European Theatre under General George S. Patton, Jr.
After his service he attended RCNY and the RCA Institutes for post graduate work in radio and electrical engineering. He loved everything about computers, instrumentation and technology, and started his career building computers at IBM.
This led to a decades long engineering career at the Perkin Elmer Corporation. He worked on government projects, including instrumentation for aircraft and the Hubble Space Telescope.
He met his wife, Barbara Helen Zepko, at Perkin-Elmer. They married in 1959, settling down to start a family near Compo Beach.
Bernie’s passion for all things sports included racing cars, skiing and sailing. In the early 1960s he turned in his iconic Austin Healey to focus on One Design competitive sailing.
Bernie was fascinated by wind patterns, aerodynamics and sail performance, and spent years studying data and research.
Cedar Point Yacht Club became his second love (after his family), and Bernie and his Thistle #1124, “Zelda III,” were a fixture of an award-winning fleet for many, many years.
He was instrumental in growing various fleets at the club, and was a master technical scorekeeper for all things racing at CPYC. After decades of successful racing he retired his boat, and became principal race officer for the cruising fleet. The cruising class honors him every year with the Bernie Dorogusker Trophy for every division in their Wednesday night series.
Bernie also was instrumental in publishing a book on Cedar Point’s history.
Seth Vanbeever honored him with a social media post. Seth wrote:
“35 years ago I was in the junior sailing program at Cedar Point. I wanted to race on the big boats, the cruising class, in the Wednesday night series. No one wanted to take a 12-year-old on the boat.
“I went to the race committee and asked if they needed any help. Bernie, who was in his 60s, said, ‘Shuuuuur’ in his New York accet.
“Bernie didn’t put me to work. He taught me to how to do race committee. He took me under his wing (while explaining Bernoulli’s principle) for the next several years.
“I did race committee on Wednesday nights, raced Thistles on the weekends with Bernie and Walt Stuebner. We even sailed in the Frostbite Series at Essex Yacht Club.
“these two men taught me a tremendous amount about the sport of sailing. I will always remember Bernie.”
Bernie is survived by his wife Barbara of Trumbull; daughters Robin of Boxford, Massachusetts and Laurie of Trumbull; grandsons Erik and Alex Weisensee; brother Alvin, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister, Renie Zinsmeister.
A graveside service with military honors will be held this Friday (July 21, 11 a.m., Oak Lawn Cemetery, Fairfield). A memorial service at the Cedar Point Yacht Club will take place at a later date.
And finally … Andre Watts died last week, at his Bloomington, Indiana home. He was 77, and suffered from prostate cancer.
The New York Times called him “a pianist whose mighty technique and magnetic charm awed audiences and made him one of the first Black superstars in classical music.”
He was “an old-world virtuoso — his idol was the composer and showman Franz Liszt — with a knack for electricity and emotion. He sometimes hummed, stomped his feet and bobbed his head while he played, and some critics faulted him for excess. But his charisma and his technical powers were unquestioned, which helped fuel his rise to the world’s top concert halls.” Click here for a full obituary.
(If you enjoy our decade of osprey coverage — or anything else “06880” does — please consider a contribution. Just click here — and thank you!).
Posted onJuly 13, 2023|Comments Off on Roundup: Community Gardens Bounty, “06880” Party, Pink Aid Golf …
It’s one of the joys of summer here: eating veggies picked — literally — straight from the garden.
This Saturday, Westport Community Gardens celebrates 20 years by hosting a giveaway garden pop-up stand.
On July 15 (10 a.m. to noon; Hyde Lane just south of Long Lots Elementary School), gardeners share their bounty — vegetables, herbs and flowers — from the summer harvest.
You can also take a tour of all 120 plots (plus the pergola, community tables, bocce court and adjacent Long Lots Preserve).
To learn more about the Westport Community Gardens, click here.
Bounty from the Westport Community Gardens.
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The annual “06880″ party is just a week away.
And if you’re reading this: You’re invited.
Next Thursday (July 20, 6 p.m.) is the day and time. The far end of Compo’s South Beach — away from the cannons, near the boat and kayak launch — is the place. (Still confused? See the aerial view below.)
The blue arrow marks the “06880” party spot.
Every member of the “06880″ (as in, this website) community is invited. We welcome frequent commenters and lurkers. Folks who have lived here all their lives, and those who moved here yesterday. People who want the Cribari bridge to stay the same, those who want a new one, and everyone in between. (Don’t worry: The party is a politics-free zone.)
The tagline for “06880″ is “Where Westport meets the world.” Next Thursday, that world comes to Compo.
Please bring your own food, beverages, beach chairs and blankets. (If you bring extras to share with others, we won’t say no). Then mix, mingle and enjoy the evening with the “06880″ crowd.
There’s no charge. It’s a “fun-raiser,” not a fundraiser.
A “blog party” — the “06880” version of a block party.
See you next Thursday!
(PS: Because “06880” is now a non-profit, Westport Parks & Rec allows a limited number of out-of-towners without beach stickers. Please email 06880blog@gmail.com to be put on the list. First come, first served!)
The “Play4PinkAid” fundraiser — with your choice of golf, tennis, pickleball, canasta or mah jongg — is set for Wilton’s Rolling Hills Country Club (Monday, July 24).
But there are plenty of Westport connections.
Jarret Prussin and Brian Falik are running the event. Jarret’s wife Courtney is Pink Aid’s co-president.
And of course, many Westporters have long been involved with the non-profit, which offers compassionate support and emergency financial assistance to patients in treatment for breast cancer, supporting families during a critical time.
“Play4PinkAid” is a day-long event, with lunch, dinner and drinks. Susan Hess, founder of women’s golf wear brand Golftini will share her personal connection to breast cancer, and how she is paying it forward.
A few foursomes as well as several tennis and pickle spots remain. Click here to register, and for more information.
The players on Westport’s 12u Little League team were just 2 years old when our town’s boys made it all the way to the World Series national championship game.
Now they’re embarking on their own road to Williamsport.
Westport takes on Fairfield National — their fiercest rivals — in Connecticut’s District 2 championship contest this Friday (July 14, 5:30 p.m., Unity Park, Trumbull).
There’s nothing better than a summer baseball game like this. Play ball!
Jack Klinge is a true friend of the Senior Center.
Last night at the Ned Dimes Marina, the Friends of the Westport Center for Senior Activities honored and thanked him for more than 20 years of service.
The retired executive — and current RTM member, and Westport Public Schools substitute teacher — is stepping down as president. He’ll remain (thankfully and happily) a Friends board member.
Jack Klinge, flanked by Sue Pfister and Wendy Petty, the former and current Senior Center directors, respectively. (Photo and hat tip/Diane Bosch)
Otis & the Hurricanes storm onto the Weston History & Culture Center’s lawn.
Their Sunday, July 23 show (5 p.m.) is part of the 8th annual “Music at the Barn” series. Attendees can bring a picnic dinner, beverages and lawn chair.
Otis & the Hurricanes play American roots rock, influenced by Fats Domino, Professor Longhair, Little Feat, Alan Toussaint, Delbert McClinton abd Chuck Berry.
Otis Cross has opened for and played with James Montgomery, Mark Naftalin, Buddy Guy, Johnny Winter and Buckwheat Zydeco.
Also on-site: a kids’ crafting table, lawn games, and the Daniel E. Offutt, III Sculpture Garden.
Tickets ($15 members, $20 non-members, children under 12 free) are available at the show or online.
And finally … you don’t have to be a Mensa member to have guessed who today’s featured artists are:
(From actual turtles to The Turtles, you can read about it all on “06880.” If you appreciate our coverage, please consider a donation. Just click here — and thank you!)
Comments Off on Roundup: Community Gardens Bounty, “06880” Party, Pink Aid Golf …
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