For nearly 9 years, the town and neighbors have battled over a cell tower proposed for 92 Greens Farms Road.
The 120-foot structure — on private property adjacent to I-95 — would address a gap in cell service coverage.
The battle is over. As reported first on Westport Journal, the Connecticut Siting Council recently approved the tower. As those decisions nearly always stand, the town will not appeal the decision.
A cell tower has been approved for 92 Greens Farms Road, the property on the left of the photo. (Photo courtesy of Google Maps)
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This week’s “Westport … What’s Happening” podcast takes a look behind the scenes at Town Hall.
1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker interviews Westport’s operations director Tom Kiely, about the many projects that he oversees.
To learn more about priorities and progress in this Y’s Men of Westport and Weston-sponsored podcast, click below.
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Dr. Winston Allen — a Westporter, and the author of “I Pried Open Wall Street in 1962” — discusses that memoir, and his life as the first Black man to open a broker-dealer service — this Thursday (February 23, 7 p.m., Westport Museum for History & Culture; $5 suggested donation).
The event includes a Q-and-A session. Click here for more information.
Dr. Winston Allen
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Another book talk: Westport author Paul Podolsky shares the challenges of “Raising a Thief,” his memoir of parenting an unusually difficult child, at the Westport Book Shop (March 9, 6:30 p.m.).
He and his wife adopted a baby girl who had been severely neglected as an infant. Their daughter, now in her early 20s, was ultimately diagnosed with reactive attachment disorder.
Paul Podolsky
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Fairfield County Giving Day is February 23. But Wakeman Town Farm has their “Donate” button up and ready already.
They ask help for 3 programs. All support their commitment to outreach and inclusion, as WTF makes programs accessible to less advantaged groups by offering them at low — or no — cost.
The first is a project with the Connecticut Transitions Program. It offers services to students ages 18-21 with emotional and physical disabilities, ages 18-21, as they enter adulthood.
WTF provides opportunities to volunteer, gain work experience, and attend social events. Tasks include working in the gardens, gleaning produce, merchandising, setting up the weekly Farm stand, and selling and interfacing with the public.
A second partnership is with STAR: Lighting the Way, for people of all ages with intellectual and developmental disabilities. WTF offers a popular weekly cooking class, along with outdoor experiences in the gardens and animal enclosures.
The third partnership is with Horizons, a national network of educational programs for disadvantaged students grades K-8 from surrounding urban areas. Their summer curriculum is enhanced by weekly visits to the Farm, where some see a vegetable garden, farm animals, beehives, fruit trees or a working farm for the first time. Youngsters learn how vegetables are grown, retrieve warm eggs from nesting boxes, feed baby goats and pick fruits, berries and vegetables.
Click here to contribute to those 3 Wakeman Town Farm programs.
Wakeman Town Farm programs benefit on Fairfield County Giving Day.
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The good/bad news: TAP Strength’s CPR/AED training session on March 11 is sold out.
The better news: They’ll offer a second session on Saturday, March 18 (3 to 5 p.m., 180 Post Road East.)
The cost is $50; $10 of each registration is donated to Westport EMS. For details, email nancy@tapstrength.com, or call 203-292-9353.
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Grammy Award-winning pianist Dave Kikoski headlines this Thursday’s Jazz at the Post (February 23; shows at 7:30 and 8:45 p.m.; dinner at 7 p.m.; VFW Joseph J. Clinton Post 399).
Kikoski emerged on the New York jazz scene in the 1980s and quickly established himself as a go-to performer working with top musicians. He is known for his adept post-bop style, and spontaneous swinging play. Chick Corea calls his playing “sparkling.”
Also sitting in on this week: bassist Yuriy Galkin, drummer Vinnie Sperazza and saxophonist Greg “The Jazz Rabbi” Wall.
Reservations are highly recommended: JazzatthePost@gmail.com.
Dave Kikoski
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Jonathan Prager is intrigued by the “super-ugly sign/signal affixed to a metal stake” that has been up for some months near the Compo Beach cannons.
He thinks it may be a storm warning device. Flipping up the lower section of the metal turns it from white to red.
But he’s not certain. I sure don’t know.
So, “06880” readers: What’s up down at the beach?
(Photo/Jonathan Prager)
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Today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo — and naturalist lesson — comes from Lou Weinberg.
The Westport Community Gardens director writes: “Chickadees nest in tree cavities. Their natural food sources consist mostly of insects. Insects love tree bark and dead wood. So, when possible, leave trees standing even when dead. Nature wins!”
(Photo/Lou Weinberg)
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And finally … Huey “Piano” Smith, a 1950s pioneer of Top 10 New Orleans R&B, died last week in Baton Rouge. He was 89.
He wrote and recorded — among many other songs — “Don’t You Just Know It,” “Rocking Pneumonia and the Boogie Woogie Flu,” (later covered by Johnny Rivers) and “Sea Cruise” (which was taken by his record company and given to a white singer, Frankie Ford).
For a full obituary — including other examples that forced Smith to pawn his piano and declare bankruptcy — click here.
(If you enjoy our daily Roundup — bringing together people, events, and random bits of Westport — please consider a contribution to “06880.” Click here — and thank you!)
