After reading yesterday’s “06880” story on bird flu in Westport, a reader noted that the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection does not cite any cases in Westport.
Peter Reid — the town’s animal control officer, who provided much of the information to “06880” — says: “I informed DEEP wildlife division in February that we were seeing high goose mortality in Westport. They told me they were aware that avian flu is afflicting geese in the state, and would not be testing any additional specimens.
“I think the lack of confirmed cases in the statistics cited by the ‘06880’ reader simply indicates that no test was conducted on a carcass sourced from Westport.
“DEEP is well aware of the presence of avian flu in the state, and has noted it on their websites. However, that agency likely does not have the budget to test every bird. (Necropsies can cost several hundred dollars per bird).
“Absent a positive test result, and any other convincing explanation for the high rate of bird deaths, I think we have to consider it likely that avian flu is striking birds in Westport.
“Geese fly where they will, and do not recognize our political boundaries, so some will inevitably land in Westport. So far a relatively small percentage of geese have been infected. These are the carcasses people are seeing.
“In the past few weeks we are also noting high mortality in hawks, crows and vultures, the species most likely to scavenge the carcasses of dead geese. These birds are exhibiting the same neurological distress we saw in the infected geese, and mortality is close to 100% in infected birds.
“I would stress that we have not seen any cases in the songbird population, or received any reports from elsewhere in the state, so leaving feeders up should be fine for now.
“Avian flus have hit this area before, and in the past these flu events seem to subside by mid-summer.”
Dead birds, in Ned Dimes Marina.
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One more sign that spring is near: Tomorrow’s Westport Farmers’ Market is the last of the winter.
After the 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. event at Gilbertie’s Herbs & Garden Center, the farmers take a break. The outdoor market opens May 8.
Executive director Lori Cochran has a special message for all. She says:
“As we look back with gratitude for those that paved the way for this local food community, I am reminded of the importance in remembering what we have been taught — what we have learned.
“Selma Miriam of Bloodroot Restaurant, who recently passed away, comes to mind. Selma and Noel have supported this market since it opened 17 years ago. Their restaurant of 48 years buys from this market weekly.
“Selma has held me to task since the day we met. Her strength was palatable — she was mighty. Her love for growers and her community was heartfelt — she showed it with ease and passion. Her genuineness and commitment to her beliefs were and will remain inspiring. Selma will be missed by this market, this community and me.
“Thank you Selma, for the many gifts you shared with WFM.”
Selma Miriam: Westport Farmers’ Market friend.
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The Grand List is out. Got a gripe?
The Board of Assessment Appeals meets Wednesday, March 19, (7 p.m., Town Hall green room, downstairs) to hear from taxpayers who are “aggrieved by the doings of the assessor on the Grand List of October 1, 2024, and the 2023 Supplemental Motor Vehicle list.”
Residents should bring supporting documents to the session.
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Coming up at Wakeman Town Farm:
Cocktails and dinner fundraiser for Altadena Girls (program for teenagers affected by the Los Angeles wildfires): March 20, 7 p.m.; $250; click here for details.
“Goat togethers”: Chances for families and small groups to cuddle with newborn goats (“kids with kids”); 30-minute sessions, $20; click here for details.
Spring break 1-hour farm playdates: March 14 and 15, 10 a.m.; ages 1-3; click here for details.
Wakeman Town Farm goats. (Photo/Michelle Cardello)
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Sure, you order paella. But can you make it?
Basso Restaurant & Wine Bar can help. On Sunday, March 23 (12:30 p.m.), chef Renato Donzelli offers a “paella-making showcase.”
Attendees will learn the history of paella; how to select tools, pan and rice; the “secret ingredient,” and (of course) how to cook it.
The $130 ticket includes a course of traditional Spanish tapas, wine, printed materials — and paella. Click here to register, and for more information.3333
Paella!
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Students from Staples High School, and Bedford and Coleytown Middle Schools, didn’t just do well at the recent Connecticut History Day competition.
They crushed it.
Dozens of Westport students submitted entries that focused on this year’s theme, “Rights and Responsibilities in History.”
Middle school students placing in the top 3 in various categories, advancing to the statewide competition, include:
- Zayd Hemdan (“Harvey Milk: A Voice for Equality, A Responsibility for Change”)
- Avery Hand (“The Scopes Trial: Rights and Responsibilities in Education”
- Hanna Calandro (“Richard Nixon and the Watergate Scandal”)
- Hugh Devine and Arjun Aujla (“Clay vs. USA”)
- Serena Beitel and Charlotte Worraker (“FDR and the Four Freedoms Speech”)
- Zoe Abrams (“How Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. Advanced Womens’ Rights in the Workplace”)
- Penelope Whitbourne (“Rebel, Rebel: David Bowie and the First Amendment”)
- Ashley Charise, Maia Steigler, Janaki Velugula (“1970 Kent State Shooting and the Effect on America”)
- Paige Turnbull, Reiko Nagata, Charlotte Carkey (Junior Individual Website)
- Evie Sloan (“Order 9066, Why it Happened, Who it affected, and What it Impacted”)
Staples High School students advancing to the state competition include:
- Amelia Berkowitz, Jori Altman (“The White Rose: How Student Activists Redefined Nonviolent Youth Resistance”)
- Jessica Anderson, Siri Klassen, Maddie Sine (“COINTELPRO: The FBI’s Hidden Agenda”)
- Brendan Whitbourne (“WWII and the Birth of Human Rights”)
- Juliet Cutler, Gavin Jamali (“Voices of Empowerment: Women’s Roles, Rights, and Responsibilities in the Harlem Renaissance”)
- Sam Viner, Emm Himes, Ethan Selva (“Stepping Up to the Plate: Jackie Robinson’s Impact in the Fight for Civil Rights”)
Hugh Devine and Arjun Aujla, with their medals.
History Day winners.
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This month’s Westport Book Shop guest exhibitors are students.
Barbara Silk, Angelina Wu, Frankie Gray, Agnes Paulsson, Paula Fleming and Cynthia Ellis all study with instructor Connie Manna.
A reception is set for March 19 (6 p.m.). The exhibit will be up all month.
March art exhibit, at Westport Book Shop.
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More signs of spring, in our “Westport … Naturally” feature: these crocuses, in Elizabeth Levey’s yard near Longshore.
(Photo/Elizabeth Levey)
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And finally … happy 76th birthday to James Taylor!
(You’ve got a friend in “06880.” We’re here for you, 24/7/365. We hope you’ll be a good friend to us, too. Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) had been working on human bird flu vaccines, but that work has been paused, Reid notes.
