STAR’s annual Walk & Roll is a great community event. Hundreds of people gather for an energetic celebration, to raise funds for the non-profit that for nearly 75 years has supported children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
This year’s 21st annual Walk & Roll (Sunday, May 3, 10 a.m. to noon) has a new — and very appropriate — location: STAR’s center (182 Wolfpit Avenue, Norwalk).
Some people walk. Others roll in chairs. Some cheer. All have a great time.
Click here to find a team, create your own, and/or donate.
And note: The team leader in donations so far is Laura Blair. The long-time, well-known Westporter — who is always near the top of the board — is raising funds this year in honor Jenna Herbst. Laura worked with Jenna — a STAR client and Westport native — for many years, before her death this winter.
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Earth Day was Wednesday.
But we can — and should — celebrate sustainability every day.
A great chance comes Sunday, May 3 (11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Lachat Town Farm, Weston).
Ecofest features student performers, food, kids’ activities, eco-demos, and more.
Plus: For every 25 bottles or cans you bring, you get 1 entry in a chance to win $250.
Ecofest is sponsored by Lachat Town Farm, the town of Weston, Sustainable Weston, and the Weston Public School Green Teams.
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It’s car wash time!
Kings Highway Elementary School’s 5th graders have you covered.
This Sunday (April 26, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., front of KHS), they’re washing cars for charity.
They’re charging $10 per car. Additional donations are of course welcome.
Proceeds will go to 3 charities, selected by the youngsters: Make-A-Wish Foundation, Project Rescue and New York Marine Rescue Center.
Kings Highway Elementary School
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Delano Melvin was not in school yesterday.
And millions of Americans know why.
Craig Melvin’s 12-year-old son got up early — very early — and left Westport, to join his dad on the “Today” show. (Spoiler alert: It was Take Your Kids to Work Day.)
But Delano did not just sit in the wings.
He got his own star turn.
And we do mean “turn.”
Click here, or watch below. (Hat tip: Sal Liccione)
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A large crowd gathered Wednesday at the Saugatuck Rowing Club, for the Center for Children’s Advocacy’s “Giving Children a Voice” event.
Chris Mattei — a trial attorney and longtime advocate for the state’s most vulnerable youth — gave the keynote address.
In just the last year, CCA:
- Provided 942 children and youth with legal consultation and representation
- Advocated for 421 children to address educational barriers; 99% stayed in school or graduated
- Provided 157 families with help to prevent utility shut-offs, access safe housing and ensure other basic supports
- Helped 64 children access medical or behavioral health care
- Represented 94 children involved in immigration proceedings, through a statewide team of pro bono lawyers.
Speakers described some of the work done with children — as young as 5 — swept up by immigration officials, separated from families, and (until CCA intervened) without access to legal help.
Click here for more details on the Center for Children’s Advocacy.
Chris Mattei, at the Center for Children’s Advocacy event.
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“This Is Your Life” — the person-to-person interview program at the Westport Senior Center — offers 2 intriguing upcoming events.
Former “60 Minutes” writer/producer Tom Anderson visits on May 7. State Senator Ceci Maher follows on June 4. Both are from 2 to 3 p.m. Rozanne Gates moderates.
Since 2023, the Senior Center and Legacy Project USA have collaborated on “This Is Your Life.” The series gives residents a chance to learn about the lives of friends and neighbors. Click here for previous interviews
The public is invited to both events. To register, call 203-341-5099.
State Senator Ceci Maher.
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Westport Police made 6 custodial arrests between April 15 and 21.
A 30-year-old Stamford man was arrested for larceny of a motor vehicle, after officers using a license plate reader at 4 a.m. noticed a BMW X4 that had been stolen a day earlier from a residence in New Jersey. Officers used a stop stick tire deflation device on the Sherwood Island Connector, but the driver drove southbound on I-95. When the vehicle became disabled near Exit 6, 3 individuals fled. A Westport officer located a suspect nearby. He was held on a $25,000 bond.
A 75-year-old Newtown woman was charged with larceny, conspiracy to commit larceny and identity theft, following a 2021 complaint by the conservator of a Westport estate alleging impropriety in the handling of assets. The woman – a former business associate of the man — had held power of attorney. An extensive investigation revealed she had authorized expenditures, and credit and identity usages, exceeding $300,000, made in her and her family’s self-interests. She was held on a $300,000 bond.
A 33-year-old Westport woman was charged with assault, threatenin and disorderly conduct, after a verbal argument escalated to an attempted stabbing with a kitchen knife. The victim sustained minor injuries. The assailant was released on a $2,500 non-surety bond.
A 50-year-old Bridgeport man was charged with failure to appear, after a license plate reader detected a canceled plate that did not match the vehicle. The driver could not produce valid registration or insurance. Computer checks showed he was the subject of an active court warrant for failure to appear, in New Haven. He was released on a $2,500 bond.
A 26-year-old New York City man was charged with failure to appear, after being incarcerated at the Bergen (New Jersey) County Jail on a different charge. He was held on a $100,000 bond.
A 54-year-old New York City man was charged with 2 counts of failure to appear, after being incarcerated at Rikers Island for a different charge. He was held on a $30,000 bond.
Meanwhile, the month-long statewide crackdown on texting while driving continues. Westport Police issued these citations:
- Texting while driving: 48 citations
- Distracted driving: 6
- Failure to renew registration: 5
- Failure to comply with state traffic commission regulation: 5
- Operating an unregistered motor vehicle: 3
- Operating a motor vehicle without a license: 2
- Failure to obey stop sign: 2
- Failure to obey traffic control signals: 2
- Speeding in a school zone: 1
- Traveling unreasonably fast: 1
- Operating an unregistered motor vehicle: 1
- Operating a motor vehicle without minimum insurance: 1
- Failure to display license plates: 1
- Failure to appear: 1
We keep saying it: Don’t text and drive! It’s illegal even when stopped at a light or stop sign.
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Howard Edelstein never gets tired of Saugatuck Shores sunrises.
Here’s yesterday’s — perfect for today’s “Westport … Naturally” series.
(Photo/Howard Edelstein)
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And finally … Alan Osmond, the oldest member of the family singing group, though overshadowed by siblings Donny and Marie — died Monday in Salt Lake City. He was 76, and suffered from multiple sclerosis. He was 76.
Click here for a full obituary.
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