Yesterday’s “06880” Roundup noted that several trees near Linxweiler House — on the Post Road between Fresh Market and McDonald’s — have been marked with pink tape.
Alert “06880” reader Andrew Colabella adds this information: “Those trees are proposed to be cut down for sidewalk installation and lane expansion.
“The state Department of Transportation also wants to cut down the 2 beautiful cherry blossom trees at Sakura.
“Want to save the Linxweiler trees, or have comments or concerns about the cherry blossom trees at Sakura? Email Joseph.Aiello@ct.gov.”
One of the trees possibly slated for removal near Sakura.
=======================================================
Sixty Artists Collective of Westport members recently received a 12-inch by 12-inch blank panel, and a 6-inch square section randomly selected from a single iconic music-themed painting.
Their assignment: Created an individual piece, replicating a part of the larger painting in their own style.
The catch: They would not know what the final painting would look like until it was revealed at an opening reception.
That reception came last night. A large crowd was there to see the finished, 10 foot-by-6 foot work.
The reveal!
Contributors include Miggs Burroughs, Katherine Ross, Michael Brennecke, Nina Bentley, Susan Fehlinger, Eric Chiang and Elizabeth DeVoll.
“Piece by Piece” runs is on display at the Library through May 9.
Westport Library director Bill Harmer addresses last night’s reception, before the reveal. (Photos/Dave Matlow)
======================================================
Speaking of the Library: Their 2023 “Booked for the Evening” honoree is …
… Laura Linney.
The award-winning theater, film and TV actress will appear in person at the annual gala on July 13. Tickets go on sale in May.
For 24 years, “Booked for the Evening” has highlighted someone whose work “reflects the purpose of the Library: to nurture a love of learning, and to enhance our understanding of the world.”
Library director Bill Harmer says: “Laura Linney is not only one of the great actresses of her generation; she is also a lifelong supporter of the power of the arts and creativity, a humanitarian lauded for her work on behalf of cancer patients and their families, and a champion for women in film.”
Her film credits include Genius, Nocturnal Animals, Mr. Holmes, Kinsey, You Can Count on Me, Mystic River, Love Actually, and The Truman Show. Among her Broadway productions are The Crucible, Time Stands Still, Sight Unseen, and Six Degrees of Separation. On television she has starred in The Big C and the mini-series John Adams, as well as Tales of the City and Frasier. She currently stars as Wendy Byrde in Ozark, a role for which she has earned Emmy and SAG Award nominations.
Linney has been nominated for 3 Academy Award, 5 Tonys, and 8 Golden Globes.
Linney holds honorary doctorates from her alma maters, Brown University and The Julliard School. She has been honored for her work in cancer advocacy, and speaks often on reconsidering the arts as essential for success, easing the pain of cancer, finding beauty in tragedy, and navigating gender inequality in the film industry.
Previous “Booked” recipients include Shonda Rhimes, Tom Brokaw, E.L. Doctorow, Calvin Trillin, Wendy Wasserstein, Pete Hamill, Martin Scorsese, Doris Kearns Goodwin, David Halberstam, Oscar Hijuelos, Adam Gopnik, Will Shortz, Patti Smith, Barry Levinson, Jon Meacham, Nile Rodgers, Lynsey Addario, Ron Chernow, Alan Alda, Justin Paul, Frederic Chiu and Itzhak Perlman.
Laura Linney
=======================================================
Leonard Schine Aspetuck Land Trust Preserve on Weston Road was the site of a majestic owl release on Sunday.
Three barred owls — all found injured in Westport over the past two months — were freed. Joint rescues had been performed by the Westport Police Department and Animal Control. They were transported to Wildlife in Crisis for rehabilitation.
Animal Control officer Peter Reid says, “It is common for owls to be struck by cars at night. They often hunt in the ‘edge habitat’ by the roadside. Once they are on their glide path, they have little peripheral awareness of approaching cars.
“They can also be dazzled by headlights, become disoriented, and side-slip into a car. Fortunately these 3 suffered only minor injuries — head trauma and concussion — and were ready for release fairly quickly.
“This species is an early nester. They are courting right now, so the release gives these owls a chance to get back into the owl dating pool.
“One of the barred owls was from Partrick Road, one from Compo Road North by Winslow Park, and one from Bayberry. The Weston Road property was a good central release point, and relatively close to their points of origin, as the owl flies.”
Three WPD members helped with the release: Chief Foti Koskinas, Lieutenant Matthew Gouveia and Officer Dominique Carr.
Also involved: Reid’s wife Dara, director of Wildlife in Crisis, and their resident owl expert.
Officer Dominique Carr, with rescued owl.
=======================================================
The theme for this year’s Memorial Day parade is: “Veterans Serving the Community.”
Certificates will be awarded in 6 categories: Best Development of Theme, Best Youth Organization Float, Most Creative, Best Community Organization, Most Colorful, and the Best Overall Float.
Groups should concentrate on the first 5. The Y’s Men of Westport and Weston have won the last 2,2462 “Best Overall Float” competitions, dating back to the Peloponnessian War.
The Memorial Day parade steps off on Monday, May 29 at 9 a.m.
The Y’s Men’s 2021 award-winning Memorial Day float. (Photo/Dan Woog)
=======================================================
Rick Kalmans was concerned about the slow pace of reconstruction on the Bayberry Lane bridge.
He contacted town engineer Keith Wilberg. He quickly responded:
“The construction of the bridge is now in the phase called the Connecticut Department of Transportation shutdown period, from December 1 through March 31.
“That doesn’t mean that no work can be done in that period, but the nature of the work tends to be limited.
“Also, as asphalt plants have closed for the season as of the second week in December, we cannot reconstruct and pave the roadway until they open. That will most likely be at the end of March, give or take.
“The contractor has about a month’s worth of work left to finish, so my estimate is that they will be done by the end of April. The ‘on paper’ finish date is the end May 31. It is my belief they will be done and have the road open long before that, again, end of April.”
Fingers crossed …
(Photo/Bill Dedman)
======================================================
Westport Police made 4 custodial arrests last week.
One was for violation of condition of release (after being charged with disorderly conduct, and failure to appear.
One was for larceny and identity theft, after a fraudulent withdrawal from Webster Bank.
One was for criminal attempt of larceny and identity theft, after a fraudulent withdrawal from a bank account.
Another arrest was for failure to appear.
The Police Department’s system still cannot report citations issued.
======================================================
The Democratic Women of Westport celebrate Women’s History Month with a special panel: “Women Leading in CT: Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow.”
The event (March 13, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Westport Woman’s Club) features Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz, Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas (a Norwalk resident), former PepsiCo senior vice president Lori Tauber Marcus, Staples High School senior (and National Merit Semifinalist) Lilly Weisz, and League of Women Voters president Laura Smits.
The event is free. Light refreshments and wine will be served.
Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas.
====================================================
Longtime Westporter Carol Frawley died Saturday at St. Joseph’s Manor, surrounded by her family, after a brief illness. She was 86.
The Norwalk native was employed part time as a cashier at Peter’s Bridge Market when her children were in school. She also enjoyed working weekends at Planter’s Barn in Darien and Geiger’s Nursery in Westport, where she indulged in her love of plants and flowers, and shared her knowledge.
In 1977 she joined Pepperidge Farms’ headquarters in Norwalk, and stayed until she retired.
She was a lifetime member of VFW Joseph J. Clinton Post 399 Ladies Auxiliary.
She is survived by her children Colleen (Edward) Mezerewski of Shelton, Debbie (Philip) Grabell of Milford, William of Shelton, Edward (Karen) of Milford, Michael (Stephanie) of Westport, James (Donna) of Fairfield; grandchildren Casey (Trinh) Mezerewski, Colby (Glendys ) Mezerewski, Jacob (Rachel) Grabell, Nicole (Thomas) Cadigan, Helen Frawley, Alex Frawley, Kyle (Elicia) Frawley, Katie (Scott) Frawley, Kenzie Frawley and Kieran Frawley, and great-grandchildren Trinity, Edward, Leia and Ethan Mezerewski, Kaylie, Adriana and Logan Mezerewski, Charlotte and Chase Cadigan, as well as many nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her husband Harold, andsisters Marcella Palinkas of Oklahoma, Georgianna Bolton of Norwalk and Joan Goulart of Norwalk.
Funeral arrangements will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Carol’s name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
======================================================
As spring nears, here’s a “Westport … Naturally” look back a couple of weeks:
(Photo/Richard Abramowitz)
======================================================
And finally … speaking of owls (see story above), Canned Head’s co-founder, co-lead singer, guitarist, harmonica player and primary composer was Alan “Blind Owl” Wilson. (It was either this, or a “Who” reference…)
(Today — like every day — “06880” rounds up every bit of news, big and tiny. Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
