Beth Atlas has been an active member of the Westport community for nearly 30 years. In addition to raising 3 children, and running her own nutrition and chiropractic business, she has always found time to volunteer and help others.
Beth Atlas
For the past 17 years Beth has spearheaded the Holiday Store Event for children in Bridgeport. This program provides gifts to over 100 families each year — families who otherwise would have nothing over the holiday season.
The idea is simple. Children at Bridgeport’s Ralphola Taylor Community Center after-school program earn points for good behavior, and trying their best in class.
Then youngsters then use their points to “buy” holiday gifts for their family members.
Incentives for children to behave well and try hard in school are strong, as those who earn the most points shop first.
Ralphola Taylor Holiday Store shoppers …
To stock the Holiday Store in the Ralphola Taylor Community Center gym, Beth organizes the collection of hundreds of donations each year.
She then sets up the donations like a store. Children cruise the aisles to select gifts for their families.
Yet the holiday would not be complete if the children did not receive a gift themselves.
Each child makes a wish. Beth coordinates with the Westport Young Woman’s League to make sure each wish is fulfilled.
Often, these are the only gifts the families receive for the holiday.
Thank you, Beth for creating and continuing this holiday tradition, for nearly 2 decades!
… and volunteers.
Beth does her job. Now “06880” readers can do ours.
Donations of new, unwrapped presents are being accepted through December 10. There will be a collection, facilitated by What Up Westport, at the Imperial Avenue parking lot (across from Thomas Road) on December 7 (11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.). To drop donations off other than that time, contact Marcy Sansolo through What Up Westport on Facebook.
Gift ideas for children include books, dolls, board games, stuffed animals, educational toys, arts and crafts, cars and trucks, Legos, games and sports equipment.
Gif ideas for men include cologne, tools, scarves, hats, gloves, wallets, grooming kits, headphones, slippers, mugs, watches and electronics.
Gift ideas for women include perfume, costume jewelry, scarves, hats, gloves, makeup kits, manicure sets, nail polish sets, slippers, toiletries, books and picture frames.
You can roder online using special links. All items will be picked up by Marcy Sansolo. Savvy + Grace (for all donations, the store will add an ornament with your name to a Westport Downtown Association Christmas tree). Awesome Toys. Amazon.
The Board of Selectwomen yesterday agreed to a request from the Remarkable Theater to use the Imperial Avenue parking lot from August 28 through November 3.
This marks the 4th year for the popular Imperial Avenue pop-up drive-in. The “curtain rose” for the first 3 — beginning with the socially distanced season of 2020 — in late spring.
A schedule will be announced soon. Meanwhile, representatives of any organization interested in sponsoring a movie should contact Doug Tirola: doug@4throwfilms.com.
After years of COVID-fueled frothy growth, trends appear to be leveling, according to Judy Michaelis.
Some July 2023 statistics, with July 2022 (in parentheses) for comparison:
New listings: 40 (48)
Number of properties for sale: 97 (124)
Number of properties sold: 53 (48)
Average days on market: 61 (55)
Average list price: $3,023,148 ($2,752,077)
Median list price: $2,450,000 (2,137,500)
Sales price/list price ratio: 103.8% (105.4%)
Average sales price per square foot: $574 ($726)
Click here for a full report. (Hat tip: Judy Michaelis)
The most expensive property for sale in Westport right now is this 9-bedroom, 8 1/2-bathroom, 10,959-square foot home on 3 acres, at 50 Sylvan Road North. It is listed for $3.9 million.
Westport Police made 3 custodial arrests between August 9 and 16.
A man at the International Wine Shop was charged with illegal sale of alcohol to a minor after 2 18-year-olds were seen leaving the store after making a purchase. He confirmed he had not checked identification of the buyer.
An investigation into the theft of a motor vehicle and credit cards led to charges of larceny, payment card theft, illegal transfer, fraud, forgery, illegal use of a payment card and identity theft.
A woman was arrested on a warrant for failure to appear.
Westport Police also issued these citations:
Failure to comply with state traffic commission regulations: 5 citations
Failure to obey traffic control signal: 3
Failure to renew registration: 2
Distracted driving: 1
Operating a motor vehicle under suspension: 1
Operating a motor vehicle without minimum insurance: 1
Speaking of police: Around 4:44 p.m. on August 7, Awesome Toys reported the theft of a “Traxxas” truck and art supplies.
Captured on film, the suspect appears to be 6-2, 220 pounds.
Four days later, on August 11, the same man returned. He filled 2 large bags with items, and left without paying.
Suspect in Awesome Toys theft.
Westport Police ask for help identifying the suspect. Email swongwon@westportct.gov, or call 203-341-6080.
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Two Connecticut residents died after contracting infections from a flesh-eating bacteria that can be caused by eating raw oysters or swimming in saltwater, the New York Times reports. A third person survived.
“Infections from the bacteria, called Vibrio vulnificus, are rare but extremely dangerous. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that one in five people who become infected die. Many survivors lose limbs to amputations, according to the C.D.C.”
People with open wounds should avoid swimming in warm seawater. Those with compromised immune systems should be careful eating or handling raw seafood.
Vibriosis is caused by a bacteria found in salt water, during warm weather. Symptoms include diarrhea, stomach cramps, vomiting, fever and chills, slong with ear infections, sepsis and life-threatening wound infections.
Two of the state victims had open cuts, in Long Island Sound. A third became sick after eating raw oysters, though not at a restaurant here. Their towns were not identified.
As ocean temperatures rise, infections may spread.
The Times notes,”Connecticut has seen a few cases in recent years. One person died of a Vibrio vulnificus infection in the state in 2019. In 2020, five cases were reported; all recovered. The people who became infected had open wounds and were exposed to salt or brackish water.”
Inspectors have never detected the infection in Connecticut’s commercial oysters. Click here for the full story.
Speaking of the Times: Its “Ethicist” column often tackles thorny issues.
Yesterday’s will resonate with many Westporters. A reader wrote:
I live on Cape Cod, and I have recently noticed something of a current trend in which beachgoers claim valuable (and sometimes scarce) real estate by arriving several hours early to set up chairs, blankets and umbrellas before leaving to return (in some cases several hours later) to eventually move into their pre-claimed territory.
I always thought that you had to be on hand to occupy some piece of public space. Does an empty chair or blanket constitute actual occupancy? Do such phantom claims have any merit? Would someone have the right to ignore such maneuvers by removing these chairs or blankets? If so, what should be the response to the claimant who might return to find their items no longer claiming possession?
“The Ethicist” replied:
The aim of such public space is to allow as many people as possible to make the proper use of it. That aim is undermined by absentee claims that prevent others from enjoying a spot on the beach for extended periods. It’s fine to leave evidence of occupancy if you’re just going off to get an ice cream, say, or to visit a restroom. If you do this, though, it might be wise to leave an explanatory note. (“10:15, buying a snack, back by 10:45.”) That’s within the spirit of the social convention. But your beach-blanket buccaneers are abusing this convention and effectively privatizing what should be public.
At the same time, moving other people’s things isn’t to be done lightly. You’ll certainly want to be sure that their owners haven’t just stepped away for an acceptable interval. The social conventions about claiming areas in these public settings are not, of course, precise. Half an hour or so strikes me as a good marker in most such circumstances, but take a poll among people you know. If the beach-spot hogs return while you’re around, you can show them where their possessions are and tell them that you waited for a while and assumed they were not returning. (Should you ever mistakenly displace a bathroom-breaker, you should apologize and immediately cede the spot.)
It’s best when these issues can be settled through social, rather than statutory, means. Certain beach towns in Spain, I’ll note, punish such infractions with stiff fines on beach-spot hogs; the Italian Coast Guard has even seized unattended towels, umbrellas and chairs, holding them until their owners pay a penalty. Let’s hope that at your beach, norms and social sanctions will eventually suffice to discourage these parasol-planting land-grabbers.
Remember that the next time you’re heading to the fireworks.
Or — on any day — thinking of reserving one of those South Beach picnic tables that say (quite clearly) “Tables May Not Be Reserved.” (Hat tip: Jay Petrow)
Reserving early spots for the fireworks, 2018. The arms race has grown substantially since then. (Photo/Doris Ghitelman)
The Ralphola Taylor Center is a Bridgeport community organization serving low- income children.
They earn points for good behavior during after-school activities, and doing their homework. At the Holiday Store each year, the youngsters redeem their points to buy holidays presents for their families.
It’s a fantastic motivator for good behavior. The children feel proud and empowered to provide joy to their loved ones — which in turn reinforces their good behavior.
There are 2 Westport stores where shoppers can buy items that Ralphola Taylor Center children then “purchase” for their families: Savvy + Grace (146 Main Street) and Awesome Toys (Compo Shopping Center).
You can also order from the stores online. Click here for Savvy + Grace; click here for Awesome Toys.
Savvy + Grace — and Awesome Toys — both help kids and families. Photo/Lynn Untermeyer Miller)
Speaking of giving: Barbara Tirola was among the many Westporters who dropped off toys this weekend, at the Westport Police Department and Police Athletic League drive for underprivileged children in Fairfield County.
Barbara Tirola and friends.
It’s on next weekend too. Officers will accept new, unopened and unwrapped toys — plus cash donations — in the ASF Sports & Outdoors parking lot (1560 Post Road East) Saturday and Sunday, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Toy collection boxes are also available all week at:
“Jay Myself” (Saturday, December 10) is an intimate, behind-the-scenes documentary on the fascinating life of photographer and artist Jay Maisel, directed by noted Westport photographer Stephen Wilkes.
The film documents the sale of Maisel’s 35,000-square foot, 100-year-old landmark building in Manhattan (“The Bank”), showing a man grappling with time, life, change and the end of a New York era. The screening will be followed by a conversation with Wilkes.
“The Art of Making It” (Sunday, December 11) examines the lives of 17 compelling young artists navigating emerging careers in the contemporary art world. Who gets seen? Who gets left behind? The screening will be followed by a conversation with the producer, director and featured film artist.
Each event runs from 3 to 6 p.m. Tickets include cocktails and light bites. Click here to purchase, and for more information.
And finally … on this day in 1848,President James K. Polk told Congress that large amounts of gold had been discovered in California. The Gold Rush was on!
(“06880” is not looking for pots of gold. However, contributions of any amount are always welcome. Please click here to help. Thank you!)
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