Tag Archives: 2nd Selectwoman Andrea Moore

Roundup: Hamlet Meeting, Budget Votes, Selectwomen Bucket Challenge,

Posted on April 26, 2025 | 2 comments

Yesterday’s Roundup item on upcoming town meetings about the Hamlet at Saugatuck project confused some readers. Here’s some clarity:

This Monday’s Planning & Zoning Commission meeting (April 28, 6 p.m., Town Hall auditorium) begins with a discussion on developer ROAN Ventures’ amended presentation. Public comment will follow.

Also ahead: the Conservation Commission on Wednesday (April 30, 7 p.m., Town Hall auditorium) and Flood & Erosion Control Board (May 6, 7 p.m., Zoom).

To view documents, drawings and other material related to The Hamlet,
click here, then scroll down.

Artist’s rendering of the Hamlet project, looking toward the Saugatuck River.

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Speaking of town meetings: There’s been very little debate over the budgets this year.

On May 5, the Representative Town Meeting (RTM) is expected to give final approval to the 2025-26 Board of Education budget.

The next night (May 6), they’ll do the same for the town budget.

Both meetings ae set for 7:30 p.m., in the Town Hall auditorium.

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The #SpeakYourMind ice bucket challenge reached new heights on Thursday.

After I got soaked — thanks, Dave Briggs, for nominating me to help raise funds and awareness for youth mental health issues! — I dared Jen Tooker and Andrea Moore to do the same.

The 1st and 2nd Selectwomen quickly responded. Like me, they had a blast getting wet — and passing along the challenge.

They named the staff at Positive Directions. It’s an inspired choice. The Westport organization provides counseling and support to people and families struggling with mental health and substance abuse disorders.

So how did our town leaders do? Click here, or click on the link below.

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Today — despite the weather — is the final day for the Compo Beach playground rebuild.

Volunteers — skilled and unskilled — are welcome. Everyone will be put to work.

How’s it coming? Check out these screenshots, from Cindy Blount’s video:

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Speaking of the weather: It postponed today’s scheduled Westport Clean-up Day until next Saturday (May 3).

Sustainable Westport is one group taking part. They’ll meet at the Longshore pavilion, and clean up the waterfront from 2 to 4 p.m. Trash bags will be provided. Click here to sign up.

Of course, residents are free to pick up trash and other debris today, too.

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For nearly 120 years, the Westport Woman’s Club has served our town.

Their first projects were cleaning horse manure-filled town streets, planting trees and laying sidewalks.

Their most recent was awarding $50,000 in grants to 19 Fairfield County non-profits. They include:

  • The Workplace
  • Malta House
  • St. Catherine Center for Special Needs
  • Caroline House
  • The Child & Family Guidance Center
  • Clothes to Kids of Fairfield County
  • Horizon at Connecticut State Norwalk
  • The Exchange Club Center
  • Bridgeport Rescue Mission
  • Greens Farms Garden Club
  • Human Service Council
  • VFW Joseph J. Clinton Post 399
  • Food Rescue US
  • Nourish Bridgeport
  • Applied Behavioral Rehab Institute
  • Homes with Hope
  • Team Woofgang
  • Westport Public Art Collections
  • Star Lighting the Way.

Congratulations to all the recipients. And thank you, Westport Woman’s Club!

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Jazz — America’s unique musical genre — is well over a century old.

JazzFC — the Jazz Society of Fairfield County — is only 3. But the non-profit celebrated in style Thursday night, at VFW Post 399.

Their weekly session turned into a “Birthday Blowout Bash,” with over 25 musicians and a New Orleans-style dinner.

Even better: the night raised money for JazzFC’s youth clinics, college scholarships and senior outreach programs, through Fairfield County.

We’re honored to pass the news along, because they don’t often toot their own horn.

Saxophonist Greg “The Jazz Rabbi” Wall (far left) has led the “Jazz at the Post” series since its inception. (Photo/DinkinESH Fotographix)

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The school year just got shorter.

On Thursday, the Board of Education voted to change the last day for students from June 16 to June 13.

That will be the best Friday the 13th ever, for Westport boys and girls.

Staples High School graduate Ari Lehman, as Jason Voorhees.

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Church Lane will not be closed to traffic until May 15.

But these artists got a jump on outdoor fun Thursday night.

The man used charcoal; the woman used watercolors.

And check out the rig on his car, to hold the easel!

(Photo/Jonathan Alloy)

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It’s time for another “Westport … Naturally” tulip shot.

Sure, we’ve shown them before. But they don’t last forever. And a photo like Mark Yurkiw’s — showing his Cross Highway bounty — is too good to pass up.

(Photo/Mark Yurkiw)

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And finally … yeah, you knew this was coming too:

(It’s another busy weekend in Westport. If you’ve got a free minute — and that’s all it takes — please click here to support the hyper-local blog that helps make this, and every other weekend, great. Thanks!)

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Posted in Beach, Environment, Local politics, Real estate, Saugatuck

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Roundup: Fire Pits, Ice Bucket Challenge, Earth Day Clean-up …

Posted on April 24, 2025 | 6 comments

Fire up those fire pits!

With little heat — but plenty of enthusiasm — the Board of Selectwomen voted unanimously yesterday to accept the Parks & Recreation Department’s proposal to add 2 portable fire pits to Compo’s South Beach this summer.

The pits — available for use byWestport residents only, for $150 from 4 to 10 p.m. every day except the fireworks and July 4 — are an added amenity, says Parks & Rec director Erik Barbieri. Several area towns already offer them.

Westport’s Police and Fire Departments fully back the proposal. The fire pits will be monitored by Parks & Rec employees, who will be trained in their use. When the beach closes they’ll be extinguished, and moved to a locked site.

For more details on the Compo fire pits, click here.

A Westport fire pit.

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The Ice Bucket Challenge is back!

First run in 2014 to raise money — over $200 million! — for ALS research, it’s resurfaced in 2025 as a fundraiser for Active Minds, a national youth mental health nonprofit.

Since the first bucket was poured on March 31, it’s collected over $300,000.

It swept through Staples High School. Then I got swept up in it.

Dave Briggs — the TV journalist who contributes great video reels to “06880” — nominated me.

On Tuesday (yeah, I waited a day until it got warm), I took the challenge.

And then I passed on the challenge to 3 other Westporters: 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker, 2nd Selectwoman Andrea Moore, and Police Chief Foti Koskinas.

I don’t mess around. Check out the video below (or click here):

 

(So how is it a fundraiser? If you take the challenge, you should also donate to  Active Minds).

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Earth Day was Tuesday.

But you can still celebrate.

Representative Town Meeting (RTM) member Andrew Colabella offers a list of spots around town that could use a bit (or a bit more) of tidying up.

They include:

  • Elaine Road
  • Greens Farms train station embankment
  • Greens Farms corridor
  • Sherwood Island Connector corridor
  • Merritt Parkway exit 42 Park & Ride
  • Longshore parking lot F (coastline)
  • Saugatuck train station parking lot 4
  • Sipperly Hill Road
  • Ford Road
  • Bottom of Clapboard Hill at Greens Farms
  • Riverside Avenue

Andrew adds: “In addition to these places, anywhere else that needs clean-up is great.

“If you see an area that is unsafe and unreachable due to lack of buffer from the road, or on a blind curve, call the Public Works Department: 203-341-1120.”

Cleaning up Elaine Road (near the Saugatuck River boat launch, animal control headquarters and sewage treatment plant), 2024.

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The auction for A Better Chance of Westport’s Dream Event gala (Saturday, April 26, 6:30 p.m.) is live. All funds support the non-profit’s work, offering educational opportunities and more in Westport to teenage boys from underserved communities. Click here.

A few tickets to the event — which includes excellent food and drinks, inspiring speeches from the scholars, and a chance to meet some very cool present and past ABC folks — are still available. Click here to purchase.

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Congratulations, Jamie Mann!

The 2021 Staples High School graduate — and within-a-month University of Michigan alum — made his Broadway debut last night in “Stranger Things: The First Shadow.”

Reviews were mixed, for the “prequel” to the hit Netflix series. Among the critics who raved: Emlyn Travis, of Entertainment Weekly: “Immersive, heartfelt, and exhilarating, ‘First Shadow’ is a must-see spectacle for the Stranger Things obsessive as much as it is for the theater aficionado who wants to see the medium pushed to new heights.”

Jamie Mann with his parents, Jill Johnson Mann and Ben Mann, at Tavern on the Green Tuesday night.

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Westport Police made 2 custodial arrests between April 16 and 23.

A 38-year-old Westport man was charged with voyeurism, after a complaint about a hidden camera placed in a shared bathroom of an apartment. He was released after posting a $50,000 bond.

A 35-year-old Stamford man was charged with failure to respond to a payable violation, after a traffic stop.

Westport Police also issued these citations:

  • Driving while texting: 21 citations
  • Distracted driving: 4
  • Operating an unregistered motor vehicle: 4
  • Operating a motor vehicle under suspension: 4
  • Operating a motor vehicle without a license: 4
  • Failure to renew registration: 4
  • Speeding: 2
  • Improper use of markers: 2
  • Driving while texting (2nd offense): 1
  • Traveling unreasonably fast: 1
  • Failure to obey stop sign: 1
  • Failure to obey traffic control signal: 1
  • Failure to comply with state traffic commission regulations: 1

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Speaking of police: Around 6 p.m. Tuesday, they responded to an electric scooter accident on Cobble Hill Road, off Sylvan Road North.

The teenage scooter operator was taken to Norwalk Hospital, in serious condition.

Scooters are popular, all over Westport. Operators and drivers: Be careful out there!

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Speaking still of the police: A resident called last night to complain of cars racing down Soundview Drive.

That’s a neighborhood problem — along with drivers going the wrong way on the beach exit road.

Within minutes, a patrol car was there. Quickly, the officer nabbed a driver.

The resident asked “06880” to pass along his thanks for the was grateful for the “speedy” response.

Soundview Drive is attractive to nighttime speeders. But you will get nabbed. (Photo/Andrew Colabella)

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Yale University Law School professor Paul Kahn’s recent book, “Democracy in Our America,” focuses on what happens when national politics enters a small Connecticut town.

It’s not about Westport — but it could be.

On Tuesday night, the Democratic Women of Westport hosted Kahn at the Westport Woman’s Club.

A full crowd listened intently to his insights. The event included Jeff Wieser and Velma Heller — present and former RTM moderators — and was led by Board of Finance member Allyson Stollenwerck.

Saving democracy, at the Westport Woman’s Club. (Photo/Andrew Colebella)

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The Westport Rotary Club learned all about the Norwalk Art Space on Tuesday.

Duvian Montoya and AnnaDea Chavez spokek about the non-profit, located in a former West Avenue church, which provides free art education to underserved youth.

It also offers free studio space to adult artists, in exchange for teaching classes to youngsters. Last year, there were over 70 classes.

A gourmet café is run by Bill Taibe, of Whelk, Don Memo and Kawa Ni fame.

For more information, click here.

AnnaDea Chavez and Duvian Montoya, at the Westport Rotary Club.

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Today’s lovely “Westport … Naturally” spring foliage shot comes from Jerry Kuyper, on Rayfield Road:

(Photo/Jerry Kuyper)

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And finally … in honor of both the new Compo Beach fire pits, and the new/old ice bucket challenge (stories above):

(Compo, cops, Broadway — just another day in Westport. But there’s always something different in our “06880” Roundup. If you like this daily dose of town news, please click here to support us. Thanks!)

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Posted in Arts, Beach, Environment, Police, Politics, Transportation

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Roundup: Town Boards, Staples Cabaret, GFA Robots …

Posted on March 2, 2025 | 3 comments

First Selectwoman Jen Tooker’s most recent newsletter, “Westport in Focus,” has hit email inboxes all over town.

Among the items: a call for volunteers for town boards and commissions.

She writes: “Over the past few years, 2nd Selectwoman Andrea Moore has spent considerable time meeting with and recommending eligible residents for appointments to non-elected town boards, Committees and commissions. Many people have heeded the call for civic involvement, and we are very appreciative of their efforts. These volunteers are making a difference in your community!

“The work of filling these positions is ongoing. Opportunities remain that may be of interest to those with unique skill sets, life or professional experience. This includes those with architectural experience for possible appointments to the Historic District Commission, or perhaps a background in building or engineering for the Building Maintenance Committee or the Public Site and Building Commission.

“Other agencies, such as the Parks Advisory Committee, Racquets Advisory Committee, Human Services Commission, Flood & Erosion Control Board (alternates), and Tree Board are for those seeking an opportunity to volunteer, listen, and learn about town operations and how they may contribute in an advisory capacity.

“You must be a registered voter to be considered. Please submit an interest form (click here) and discover how you may volunteer to serve Westport. You will find it very rewarding, I’m sure!”

The Flood & Erosion Control Board plays an important role in Westport life. (Photo/Andrew Colabella)

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On Friday night, former CNN TV journalists Alisyn Camerota and Dave Briggs emceed Fashionably Westport, the Westport Downtown Association’s fun fundraiser for Homes with Hope, at the Westport Library.

Just moments before though, they were back in breaking news anchor mode. The pair — who recently began a joint podcast series — used the Library’s Verso Studios facilities to interview Ian Bremmer.

They asked the founder and president of Eurasia Group — a highly regarded political risk research and consulting firm — about that afternoon’s global alliance-shaking meeting in the Oval Office between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky.

The interview was almost as stunning as the presidents’ session.

“This was probably the worst day for the world since 9/11,” Bremmer began.

It marked “a catacylsmic shift in the Western order … a core break.”

Bremmer noted that the US has been the only NATO nation ever to invoke Article 5 — the principle that says if one member country is attacked, all other members will defend it.

“America’s allies now look at us and say, ‘We don’t feel we have a trusted ally,'” Bremmer added.

Click below for the full 14-minute podcast:

Click here for Alisyn’s Substack. Click here for Dave’s Instagram.

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Cabaret Olé — the fundaiser for Staples High School’s Orphenians trip to Spain, with performances by that elite a cappella ensemble, and highly regarded VOCES8 — just got even more special.

Mary Kate Morrissey — lead in Broadway’s “Wicked” — and Dan Micciche, the show’s music director and conductor — will also perform at the March 30 event (6 p.m. Christ & Holy Trinity Church).

Morrissey spent a decade touring 92 cities with “Wicked,” “Mean Girls” and “Hair,” before making her Broadway debut in Wicked in 2023. Micciche has been with the show for over a decade, including national and international tours.

He will coach the Orphenians on their song with Morrissey.

Cabaret Olé includes tapas and other light bites, and a silent auction. Funds raised go to both the Spain Choral Festival and the VOCES8 Foundation.

Tickets go on sale tomorrow (Monday, March 3, noon) at www,Orphenians.com.

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Mindy Wolkstein’s husband died recently, from complications of dementia.

During his illness, ElderHouse Adult Day Center in Norwalk took great care of him.

For 48 years they have provided care for many others too, while giving caregivers much-needed breaks.

To give back, Mindy joined their board of directors. Now, she’s spreading the word about an upcoming Elderhouse benefit.

“Night at the Aquarium” (April 3, Maritime Aquarium, Norwalk) features hors d’oeuvres, dinner, drinks and an auction.

The evening will also honor the Greens Farms Academy Community Service Program. Led by Susan Wilchinsky, it has engaged hundreds of students in service to ElderHouse for over 25 years. Students meet weekly at the Norwalk adult day center.

For tickets, sponsorship opportunities and more, click here.

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Speaking of Greens Farms Academy: Their Dragonoid team recently completed a very impressive robotics competition season.

They earned several engineering and programming awards, showcasing their skills at the State Championship, held at Bridgeport’s Total Mortgage Arena.

The Middle School team, Dragonoid Mechanics finished second overall. They also received the Create Award, for innovative problem-solving.

The Upper School team, the Dragonoid Brawlers, demonstrated adaptability and resilience, fine-tuning their robot under pressure. Earlier in the season they received a Judges’ Award, for dedication and ingenuity.

Greens Farms Academy Dragonoids Middle School robotics team. From left: Ben Kiev, Cooper Mleczko, Will Manes, Liam Haverstick, Mackenzie Bloom.

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In 2021, Anjali McCormick was named CEO of the Westport Weston Family YMCA. She came from New Jersey, where she served as senior vice president and chief operating officer with the Summit Area YMCA.

McCormick left Westport this past August, after navigating the local Y through COVID, and celebrating its 100th anniversary.

Now she’s back in the Garden State — at the same Summit Y. She returns as interim CEO of its 4 branches on March 10.

Board chair Maria Brugg says, “Her extensive leadership experience, deep knowledge of the larger Summit area, and business acumen as a graduate of Harvard University with an MBA from New York University will help us forge new paths during this transitional period for our nearly 140-year history.”

Click here for the full story. (Hat tip: Pete Wolgast)

Anjali McCormick, at the Westport YMCA. (Photo/Dan Woog)

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Sorelle Gallery’s new show, “Refraction,” features abstract watercolor paintings by Connecticut artist Nealy Hauschildt.

It opens next Saturday (March 8), with a reception andn artist meet-and-greet from 2 to 4 p.m. Click here for more details.

Nealy Hauschildt

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It’s Tummy Time!

That’s the class — sponsored by Little Gan — Chabad of Westport’s pre-school — to help parents and caregivers support their baby’s physical development (ages 0 to 6 months), through fun activities led by a pediatric physical therapist.

The sessions emphasize the important of “tummy time,” with exercises to build strength, balance and coordination.

The class runs from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. on Mondays, from March 31 to June 2.

Click here for more information, or email jewishwestport.com/grownupandme.

Looking for tummy time.

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Slowly warming temperatures have drawn residents to our beaches — including, in this “Westport …Naturally” photo, Sherwood Island State Park.

Today’s high temperature will struggle to reach freezing. By Tuesday, it will be back near 50. Welcome to March!

(Photo/Celia Campbell-Mohn)

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And finally … in honor of Tummy Time, the program for infants’ parents and caregivers (story above):

 (“06880” echoes 1st Selectwoman Tooker’s call to get involved. Our suggestion: Click here to make a tax-deductible contribution to this hyper-local blog. And then, yeah, join a board. It’s all good.)

 

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Posted in Library, Media, YMCA

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Cribari Bridge: Let There Be Lights!

Posted on November 27, 2024 | 24 comments

Observant drivers* have noticed that lights have been removed from the Cribari Bridge.

For 25 years, they were lit the day after Thanksgiving. Then, every night through New Year’s, hundreds of colorful holiday bulbs brightened everyone’s passage across the 135-year-old span.

(Photo/Andrew Colabella)

A couple of weeks ago, they were removed. It’s unclear by whom — probably the state Department of Transportation — but recently several came loose, and hit at least one vehicle.

For a quarter century the lights were provided by Al’s Angels. Al DiGuido’s non-profit supports children and families battling cancer, rare blood diseases, natural disasters and severe financial hardship.

This year, Al’s Angels can no longer provide and maintain the lights.

(Photo/Joel Treisman)

Is this the end of a beloved 25-year tradition?

No!

Second Selectwoman Andrea Moore, Police Chief Foti Koskinas, Police Corporal Craig Bergamo, Representative Town Meeting members Kristin Mott Purcell and Andrew Colabella, and a few other Westporters began working on a solution.

It’s not as easy as buying new lights, finding volunteers to string and test them, and throwing a switch.

The bridge must be closed for several hours to do the work. Questions about power sources loomed.

(Photo/Patti Brill)

But within 2 days the community came together. Every problem was solved.

The Bridge at Saugatuck — the new, instantly popular restaurant a few yards from the Cribari Bridge — plus Saugatuck Financial and Neat Lending quickly became lead sponsors.

Other sponsors include LandTech, Westport PAL, the Colabella family, and our very own “06880” blog.

A source was located. The lights are being shipped overnight from Georgia.

Late Sunday night, they’ll be strung on the bridge. Saugatuck-based AJ Penna & Son Construction will help make it happen.

The final piece will be an official lighting ceremony. When it’s set, “06880” will let everyone know.

In the space of a few days, the sad prospect of a dark Cribari Bridge turned very, very bright.

It’s a Christmas miracle, Westport-style.

*Perhaps that’s an oxymoron.

(Photo/Andrew Colabella)

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Posted in Local business, Police, Saugatuck, Transportation

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Roundup: CT Challenge, Chariots Of Fire, MAD Magazine,

Posted on July 29, 2024 | 5 comments

Every year, the CT Challenge draws thousands of bike riders. They ride up to 100 miles on scenic roads, raising millions of dollars for cancer survivors.

It’s a team effort — including volunteers.

On Saturday, 2nd Selectwoman Andrea Moore joined members of Westport’s National Charity League, helping at the Mile 17 rest stop in front of Redding Town Hall.

Among the riders who stopped for water (and moral support): Westport Public Schools assistant superintendent John Bayers (2nd from right in photo below), and Westporters Roy Kim (front left) and Victor Garra (back right, without helmet).

The group completed 77.9 hard-earned miles.

2nd Selectwoman Andrea Moore, with riders in Redding. 

Westport’s National Charity League volunteers (from left): Megan Lott, Deanne McGuinn, Maya McGuinn, Ella Moore, Jaden Tracey, Sonja Tracey, Andrea Moore, Stephanie Bulkeley, Kate Bulkeley.

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It’s a simple gesture — and one that most folks driving past the Imperial Avenue office building opposite Jesup Road don’t notice.

But anyone walking or jogging past hears music coming from a small speaker, placed strategically on a tree stump at #27-29.

Yesterday’s selection was particularly apt: “Chariots of Fire.” The film is about 2 runners training for the Olympics — the 1924 Games, in Paris.

Rachel Markus says, “I’m grateful to whomever has decided to share their music!”

The speaker (lower right) plays music that inspires joggers on Imperial Avenue. (Photo/Rachel Markus)

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Everyone of a certain age remembers MAD magazine.

Now — in a new book exploring the impact of the satirical publication on American life and culture — Mary-Lou Weisman remembers it too.

The Westport writer’s remembrances of cartoonist Al Jaffee is one of 28 essays. She is joined by (among others) Roz Chast, R. Crumb, Adam Gopnik and Art Spiegelman.

“The MAD Files: Writers and Cartoonists on the Magazine That Warped America’s Brain” will be published in September. Click here for details.

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Hundreds of youngsters painted rocks yesterday, with the help of Compo Beach Playground Committee members, at the first-ever Soundview Summer Stroll.

Some that were drying were not picked up by their “owners.” They can be claimed today, on the Soundview seawall.

(Photo/Totney Benson)

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A home on Morningside Drive has multiple deer feeders.

As this “Westport … Naturally” photo shows, that’s a lot better meal for homeowners than bushes and flowers.

(Photo/Johanna Keyser Rossi)

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And finally … if the “Chariots of Fire” story above got you thinking about Vangelis’ electronic-sounding music theme song, you’re in luck! Just click below … it’s a winner.

(“06880” is your gold medal hyper-local blog. Like amateur athletes, we rely on the support of our fans. Please click here to help [us, not the Olympians]. Thank you!)

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Posted in Beach, Children, Media, Totally random

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“Westport … What’s Happening”: Jen Tooker And Andrea Moore

Posted on December 19, 2022 | 2 comments

1st Selectwoman has a special guest, on the new Y’s Men of Westport and Weston bi-weekly podcast.

2nd Selectwoman talks about the town’s many commissions and committees. They range from human services to public works — and there are some openings.

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Posted in Local politics, Media

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