Tag Archives: Charly Bliss

It looks like a simple legal notice. But it’s a big step.

The first agenda item for the July 5 Flood & Erosion Control Board reads:

Parker Harding Plaza / WPL-11724-23;  Application of Keith S. Wilberg, Town Engineer, on behalf of the Town of Westport, to revise the existing roadway and parking lot, build sidewalks, a riverfront boardwalk, and park areas, and to relocate trash and recycling dumpsters. The proposed activity is within the WPL area of the Saugatuck River.

Click here to view the application materials.

The agenda also includes this:

Upon completion of the Public Hearing, and time permitting, the members of the Board will have an open discussion reviewing the boards efforts to assist The Town of Westport in controlling flood and erosion. The open discussion will include the members of the Board with the opportunity to express their thoughts and recommendations on what can and should be done to help The Town of Westport further control flooding and erosion.

Sounds like an important meeting. It will be held via Zoom. Click here for the link. The meeting ID is 813 1215 9695; the passcode is 236833. The phone-in number is 646-876-9923.

The Flood & Erosion Control Board will discuss plans for Parker Harding Plaza on July 5. 

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LymanAID — the huge July 9 party celebrating Westport’s sister city of Lyman, Ukraine — just got a big boost.

It came from our friends in Marigny, France — our first sister city, and the impetus for our relationship with Lyman.

Sunday, July 9 is LymanAID (1 to 7 p.m., Ukrainian-American club — just past the I-95 Exit 19 northbound entrance ramp in Southport).

The food, drinks, music and other entertainment is free. But there will be plenty of chances — raffles, Yankee auction, plant sale, book pulls, etc. — to help the men, women and children of Lyman.

Several of those auction items come from our Marigny amis. They include:

• 3 copies of “601 Towns & Villages in La Manche” — a 700-page book, with a special inscription
• 3 sweatshirts, which say “Westport/Marigny-Le-Lozon/Lyman
• 1 bottle of “hors d’âge” calvados” — a drink enjoyed by American GIs in Marigny, during World War II.

To RSVP for free admission, purchase VIP tickets and for more information, click here.

And to our friends in Marigny, who will be with us in spirit: Merci!

The Marigny book and dedication flank a bottle of calvados. All are gifts from our sister city of Marigny, as prizes at the July 9 LymanAID event for other city in Ukraine.

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David Grann returned to Westport last night — and was greeted by over 100 people.

The author — a member of Staples High School’s Class of 1985 — spoke about his new best-seller “The Wager.”

He also sold plenty of copies. The line for autographs was long, and enthusiastic.

David Grann, at the Westport Library. (Photo and hat tip/Dave Matlow)

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Speaking of autographs at the Library: Fairfield County basketball fans are already excited about Chris Paul’s upcoming event there.

Now there’s another reason to head to the Trefz Forum next Tuesday (June 27, 8 p.m.). After his discussion about his life and new memoir with journalist, Fox Sports anchor and Westport resident Lindsay Czarniak (she’ll be live; he’s remote), and questions from the audience, copies of his book “61: Life Lessons from Papa, On and Off the Court” will be on sale.

And they’re all autographed.

The free event will be livestreamed and recorded as part of Czarniak’s podcast, “Lunch with Lindsay.”

Click here to register for a seat at the Library event. “61” can be ordered through the same link.

Chris Paul

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Tomorrow, Westport celebrates jUNe Day.

That means the flags of dozens of United Nations countries will fly on the Ruth Steinkraus Bridge.

Early today, town crews were replacing the dozens of American flags on the span.

It’s a small gesture of welcome. But it’s been part of our town’s tradition, for over 60 years.

Getting ready, on the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge. (Photo/Dave Matlow)

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A reader told me there’s a “For Lease” sign outside Ulta Beauty & Hair Salon.

Does this mean they’re closing? I called to find out.

The very long phone message (including “curbside pick-up hours” — does anyone really still do “contactless” shopping?) finally gave me 2 options: Press 1 to make an appointment; press 4 (!) for all other inquiries.

I pressed 4. “Nothing was selected,” the voice said, and sent me back to the long message.

I listened again to all the shopping hours, plus curbside pickup. This time I pressed 1.

“Nothing was selected,” the voice said again. Again, I was sent back to the start.

So they may be closing. Or maybe not.

I couldn’t find out. Perhaps everyone was in back, dealing with shoplifters.

For lease?

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Two local residents were honored last week, at Aspetuck Land Trust’s 57th annual meeting.

Bill Kutik of Westport was named Conservationist of the Year, for saving a key property in the 705-acre Weston Wilton Forest Reserve from development. (It is now called the Bill Kutik Honey Hill Preserve.)

Kutik has been an ALT member since 1999. The first editor of Backpacker magazine, a newspaper reporter, magazine editor and technology impresario, he has written for the Boston Globe, New York Daily News and New York Times. He is a hiker and trail steward, and has donated hundreds of hours to the Land Trust, as an editor and writer.

Michelle Fracasso is the Native Landscaper of the Year. She has planted hundreds of pollinator-friendly plants and shrubs, attracting bees, butterflies and birds (100% pesticide-free).

Fracasso is a long-time supporter of Fairfield County farms. Her own — Wells Hill — is the last working family farm with livestock in Weston. She has been active with Aspetuck Land Trust’s farmland initiatives, and a volunteer and advisor for their homeowner engagement program and native plant sales.

Bill Kutik and Michelle Fracasso

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Charly Bliss has a new single. “You Don’t Even Know Me Anymore” is the band’s first new song since 2019.

What makes that “06880”-worthy is that Charly Bliss is an all-Staples group. Eva Hendricks (lead vocals, guitar), her brother Sam (drums), lead guitarist Spencer Fox and bassist Dan Shure all graduated from the high school.

The new single “celebrates personal growth,” says Rolling Stone.

Eva Hendricks “looks back on a bad breakup that left her wrecked and realizes she doesn’t feel the same as she once did. Instead, she has come to realize that the person she cried over doesn’t know her the way she thought they did.”

Click here for the full Rolling Stone story. (Hat tip: Kerry Long)

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Winslow Park Animal Hospital doesn’t miss a holiday.

But July 4th is a big one. So the display in front of their Post Road East office is even bigger, more creative — and more colorful — than usual.

(Photo/Ed Simek)

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A bunny bopping amid bachelor buttons captures our attention, in today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature.

(Photo/Amy Schneider)

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And finally … there are 2 “birth flowers” for the month of June: roses and honeysuckle. So:

(“06880” is your hyper-local blog — and a non-profit. Please click here to make a tax-deductible contribution. Thank you!)