The rash of stolen vehicles continues.
And residents continue to rashly leave their keys in unlocked cars.
Three vehicles were reported stolen between September 9 and yesterday. That makes 51 incidents since January 1.
Thefts occur in parking lots, and private driveways.
Westport Police say: “Under no circumstances should a vehicle ever be left unattended and running, unlocked with the keys inside it, or with valuables left in plain view.
“Unfortunately, nearly all stolen vehicle and vehicle burglary reports involve an unsecured car with keys immediately accessible.”
This is not the first time “06880” has conveyed this message from the WPD. It’s probably not even the 50th time.
We hope it’s the last. But we won’t hold our breath.
Catnip for car thieves.
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There will be many opportunities this fall to hear — and question — candidates for 1st selectperson.
Some will be general sessions. Others — like the one sponsored by Sustainable Westport and Earthplace — have a narrower focus.
The October 6 event (6:30 p.m., Christ & Holy Trinity Church) centers on the environment. All 3 candidates — Don O’Day, Kevin Christie and David Rosenwaks — will participate.
Topics include clean energy initiatives; waste reduction strategies; climate resiliency planning, and Westport’s long-term sustainability goals.
Following the moderated discussion, attendees can continue the conversation informally at Emmy Squared. Click here to submit questions.
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Stephen Colbert’s show has been canceled, as of next year. But on Sunday night, he walked away with an Emmy.
It was not his alone. He shared it with his senior producer: Staples High School Class of 2000 graduate Paige Kendig.
Congratulations, Paige. Well earned!
And perhaps this gives you and your boss some fresh material to work with, through next May.
Paige Kendig stands in the top row, 2nd from left (next to the laughing blonde woman). (Hat tip and photo/Jeff Wieser)
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StoryFest — The Westport Library’s annual literary festival — kicks off its 8th year by celebrating Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
It includes a book launch for “We Survived the Night,”a memoir by noted filmmaker Julian Brave NoiseCat.
He will be joined by Ramin Ganeshram, executive director of the Westport Museum for History & Culture, for a keynote conversation on October 13 (7 p.m.).
The event comes the day before the book’s official release.
Tickets are $30, and include a copy of the memoir. (The price is the same for 1 or 2 seats, and 1 book). A signing follows the talk.
StoryFest — the largest literary festival in Connecticut — draws scores of authors and hundreds of readers, writers and fans each year. With an interdisciplinary career that defies creative boundaries, NoiseCat’s work aligns with the mission: a celebration of storytelling in all forms, across all types of media.
NoiseCat’s journalism has appeared in The New York Times, Washington Post and The New Yorker. In 2021 he was named to Time Magazine’s “100 Next List of Emerging Leaders.”
His film “Sugarcane” was nominated for an Academy Award. It follows an investigation into abuse and missing children at the Indian residential school NoiseCat’s family was sent to in British Columbia.
StoryFest runs from October 13 to 20. It opens with NoiseCat’s book launch, and ends with a 10th anniversary celebration of Shonda Rhimes’memoir Year of Yes.
Click here for full details of StoryFest ’25.
Julian Brave NoiseCat
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The Board of Finance holds a special Zoom meeting today at 4:30 p.m., with one item on the agenda: the Hook’d on the Sound concession lease, at Compo Beach.
The public notice says the BOF anticipates discussing this in executive session.
This year, Hook’d rebranded itself as Bluestone.
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Speaking of the shoreline: Work has begun to renovate the tidal gates and pedestrian bridges at Sherwood Mill Pond, leading to Compo Cove.
Equipment is in place at the Compo Beach Soundview parking lot, in the Old Mill lot, and at the garages on the Mill Pond.
The job is expected to be completed next May.
Compared to the Post Road East project, that’s warp speed.
Equipment at the Old Mill garages. (Photo/Tammy Murray)
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Jazz at the Post’s September “Piano Madness” continues on Thursday (September 18), with David Hazeltine.
Called “the most recorded contemporary jazz pianist of our time,” he has 35 CDs as a leader, and hundreds more as a sideman.
He’s joined by trombonist Steve Davis, bassist Boots Maleson, drummer Jason Tiemann and saxophonist Greg “The Jazz Rabbi” Wall.
Tickets are $20 for the early show ($15 for veterans and students); $10 for the late show. A buffet dinner, including vegetarian options, is $25. Click here for tickets.
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Yesterday’s “Westport … Naturally” photo showed trash — a discarded chair and road sign — in Deadman Brook.
Today’s image is a bit prettier to look at.
But it’s still gross.
Here is the bane of our autumnal existence: a spotted lanternfly.
Unfortunately, it’s one of tens of thousands.
Ugh!
(Photo/Amy Schneider)
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And finally … in honor of the Board of Finance’s upcoming discussion of the Hook’d contract:
(Another day, another Roundup packed with news you can use. It’s one of the many “06880” features we provide, several times a day. If you like even part of what we do, please support our work. Thanks!)
