Tag Archives: Community Emergency Response Team

Roundup: Kamala Harris, Soundview Stroll, Blog Party …

Posted on July 22, 2024 | 25 comments

President Biden’s decision yesterday to not seek re-election set social media a-twitter.

Two Westporters were among the many people sharing their thoughts.

Producer/screenwriter/author/CEO Shonda Rhimes wrote about the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee: “I stood behind her in 2016 when she ran for Senate, I was behind her when she ran as @vp and I continue to stand behind her today.”

Designer Cristian Siriano said: “What an honor to create suits for you @kamalaharris and I can’t wait to do it again!”

Both posts drew over 60,000 likes — and plenty of comments. Some were very positive. Others were strongly negative.

Meanwhile, CNBC reports: “Among the top party fundraisers now planning to help Harris is longtime Wall Street executive Marc Lasry, according to a person with direct knowledge of the matter.

“Lasry helped raise money for the vice president when she ran against Biden in the 2020 Democratic primary. He later raised campaign cash for Biden when he beat Trump during that election cycle.”

Lasry — a billionaire businessman and private equity manager — lives on Beachside Avenue. He is the co-founder and CEO of Avenue Capital Group, and former co-owner of the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks.

Meanwhile, one Westport voter did not wait for official news. He created his own yard sign with a pair of scissors, on Bayberry Lane:

(Photo/Howard Matson)

(Hat tip: Dave Briggs)

==================================================

Everything is set for this coming Sunday’s first-ever Soundview Sidewalk Stroll — including the bands.

The lineup includes:

  • 11:30 a.m.: Christian Servance
  • 12:30 p.m.: Drew Angus and the Connecticut Songwriters Alliance
  • 1:45 p.m.: School of Rock
  • 3 p.m.: Rock Paper Soul.

The music is just part of the July 28 day-long festival along the Compo Beach exit road.

The Soundview Sidewalk Stroll also builds on the excitement of the annual fireworks, when for a few hours Soundview Drive becomes a street fair.

With Soundview Drive closed to traffic, Westporters are welcome to walk, bike, rollerblade and play, from the Soundview parking lot to the Compo Road jetty.

From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. — in addition to the 4 bands — youngsters can enjoy face painting, a balloon artist, crafts like shell painting and games like tug of war. Members of the Compo Beach Playground Committee have planned a great day for kids.

Old Mill Grocery & Deli will offer favorites from their menu.

The Soundview Summer Stroll is a great chance to meet old friends, make new ones, join the cool street scene, and enjoy Compo without worrying about traffic.

Best of all: It’s free! (Beach emblem required to park.) The Soundview Summer Stroll is a gift to Westport from the Compo Beach Improvement Association and the “06880” blog, with help from the Westport Police and Parks & Recreation Department.

=================================================

The Soundview Summer Stroll is just one of 2 great “06880” beach events this week.

The 11th annual “06880” blog party is this Thursday (July 25). From 6 p.m. until dark, everyone in our community — online and real — is invited to Compo’s South Beach.

It’s a very casual, very fun, bring-your-own-food-and-drink event. Meet old friends; make new ones; watch the sun set, and enjoy a summer evening with people drawn together by this hyper-local blog. See you there!

A small part of the large “06880” blog party crowd. (Photo/Dennis Jackson)

==================================================

Speaking of Soundview Drive: When it’s closed to vehicular traffic for this coming Sunday’s Summer Stroll, drivers — human and canine — will have to find another way to enjoy the open air.

(Photo/Dana Tofel)

===============================================

While many Westporters were outdoors in the weekend’s wonderful weather,  members of the Westport-Weston Community Emergency Response Team attended Red Cross training at Staples High School.

The CERT volunteers — who support our police, fire and EMS first responders during emergencies — joined Elaine Daignault (director of Westport’s Department of Human Services), First Chief Nick Marsan and Deputy Fire Chief Matt Cohen, Westport Deputy Fire Chief, learning how to safely manage shelter operations at Staples, in the event of a widespread electrical outage or other disaster.

CERT volunteers (from left): Juan Rodriguez, Sergio Roque, Ricardo Arce, Mark Rozelle, Molly Alger, Lourdes Roque, Zulma Heidelberg, Mike Vincelli, Juanita Visconti, Steve Levine, Margaret Cain, Quijani Silveira. Missing: David Kinyon, Frank Rosen.

=================================================

Sherwood Island State Park was packed yesterday, as the background of the photo below shows.

But there was plenty of room on Long Island Sound, off of adjacent Burying Hill Beach — for this pair to enjoy this special father-son outing.

(Photo/William Weiss)

==================================================

One of the most fun parts of a Levitt Pavilion concert is hanging out, waiting for the entertainment to start.

It’s not just the folks on the large lawn. Yesterday, there was this group:

(Photo/Johanna Keyser Rossi)

They made their own music, cawing to each other.

They happily posed too, for today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature.

=================================================

And finally … in honor of the photo above:

(Whether you donate to Kamala Harris, Donald Trump or Robert F. Kennedy Jr., all “06880” readers agree: Clicking here to support his hyper-local blog is a great investment in the future. Thank you!)

 

25 Comments

Posted in Beach, Politics

Tagged , , , , , ,

Unsung Heroes #341

Posted on July 3, 2024 | 5 comments

Last night was — once again — Westport’s Best Party of the Year.

Ten thousand of so people crammed Compo Beach for several hours of parties, picnics, strolling, socializing, and — no matter what our individual political bents — celebrating our town and country the way it’s been done for nearly 250 years.

But those fireworks don’t just fall from the sky. (Metaphorically, at least.)

It takes a town-wide effort to put on that show.

Who, exactly, spent months making sure that last night went off with a bang?

Westport PAL: For more than half a century, they’ve organized the event. The small volunteer organization punches far above its weight. This is their major fundraiser of the year, enabling them to help thousands of youngsters with athletic programs and scholarships — and the entire town, with the Longshore skating rink. (If you enjoyed the fireworks, but did not purchase a beach ticket, you can still contribute. Just click here.)

Melissa and Doug Bernstein: The longtime Westporters are known both for their eponymous toy company, and their staunch support of many groups and activities in town. Their financial contribution relieves the PAL of many expenses, so they can direct even more of the proceeds back to kids.

Westport Parks & Recreation Department: From distributing tickets, directing traffic into and out of the beach, providing guest services and lifeguards at the event, offering all kinds of unseen logistical support — and, crucially, picking up prodigious amounts of trash all day long, then through the night after the show so that Compo looks pristine when the sun rose this morning — Parks & Rec plays a huge (and largely unappreciated) role.

That trash does not pick itself up. (Photo/Dan Woog)

Westport Police Department: Getting hundreds of cars into and out of the beach — on 2 access roads — is no small feat. Our police do it brilliantly. Throughout the event, they make sure that thousands of people feel (and are) safe.

Westport Fire Department: In countless ways — seen and unseen — the Fire Department helps the event run smoothly. And despite all the precautions, these are fireworks we’re talking about. It’s great to have these professional men and women on the scene.

Westport Emergency Medical Services: What can go wrong when thousands of people gather in one spot (and party hard)? Plenty. EMS is on the scene, with personnel, ambulances, and their always reassuring, very professional presence.

Community Emergency Response Team: These often-overlooked volunteers provide extra helping hands whenever and wherever they’re needed. They’re trained in disaster assistance. But CERT is one more reason last night turned out so well.

Town of Westport: From the Selectwoman’s office to Public Works — and I’m sure many other departments — we would not have fireworks without Town Hall. There are plenty of moving parts to a party like this one, and a ton of employees work behind the scenes to make sure all those parts keep moving.

Doug Bernstein (5th from left) handed Police Chief Foti Koskinas the ceremonial first fireworks ticket. Also part of the townwide effort (from left): Parks & Rec operations director Carmen Roda, 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker, PAL president Craig Bergamo, Melissa Bernstein, Parks & Rec interim director Rick Giunta and Lieut. Matthew Gouveia. (Photo/Dan Woog)

Sure, it’s easy to complain. All the good spots were reserved by 8 a.m.! There was trash piled next to the garbage cans! It took 45 minutes to get out of the parking lot! 

But who cares?

We had a glorious Independence Day celebration — and it’s not even July 4th yet.

Hundreds of people worked hard to make yesterday great. We owe them our profound thanks.

It was definitely a blast.

(Unsung Hero is a weekly “06880” feature. To nominate a hero, email 06880blog@gmail.com. To support our work, please click here. Thank you!)

Parks & Recreation Department operations director Carm Roda, checking in at yesterday’s fireworks. (Photo/Dan Woog)

5 Comments

Posted in Beach, Police, Westport life

Tagged , , , , ,

Roundup: Compo Playground Logo, CERT Spanish Class, Mill Pond Plunge …

Posted on February 18, 2024 | 2 comments

The winner of the Compo Beach Playground K-5 logo contest is …

Jack Burke. The Greens Farms Elementary School 5th grader designed the graphic that will be used as the Westport Rotary Club and Westport Young Woman’s League plan — and fundraise — for the renovation of the beloved kids’ spot. (Hat tip: Andrew Colabella)

Jack Burke’s winning logo.

=================================================

On Thursday, the Westport-Weston Community Emergency Response Team held a swearing-in ceremony at the Westport Library for 17 graduates of their course. Nine will join the local CERT team as volunteers.

For the first time, all 20-plus hours of training were held in Spanish. It was only the second CERT basic training class conducted in Spanish in the state.

Attendees learned a variety of emergency skills, including first aid, AED, CPR, disaster psychology, fire safety, traffic control, hazardous materials awareness, emergency shelters, light search, and rescue and terrorism.

CERT assists Westport and Weston Emergency Services during situations like snowstorms, floods, and other natural (or manmade) incidents.

To learn more about CERT, including upcoming classes, text or call Westport-Weston CERT president Mike Vincelli: 203-984-4051. Click here for their Facebook page.

CERT graduation and swearing-in ceremony, at the Westport Library. (Photo and hat tip/Frank Rosen)

==================================================

Some Westporters greeted yesterday’s snowfall by shoveling or sledding. Others stayed inside, with a fire and hot chocolate.

Many missed it entirely. This coming week is winter break for the public schools, so they were already at Vail, Antigua, and everywhere else.

This couple celebrated the snow a different way. Here was the scene at Sherwood Mill Pond:

(Photo/Matt Murray)

Hey … whatever floats your boat.

==================================================

The combination of flute and harp has been popular with composers for over 250 years.

On March 3 (2 p.m., Westport Library), flutist Elizabeth Mann and harpist Amy Berger offer  “After the Dream.”

Joining them is Grammy Award-winning producer/guitarist (and Staples High School Class of 1971 graduate) Brian Keane. He has scored hundreds of films and TV shows, and produced over 150 albums. Keane is currently completing final edits to the soundtrack of Ric Burns’ 4-hour “Dante: Inferno to Paradise” for PBS.

He will talk with Mann, who has played on dozens of soundtracks, about composing for movies, and introduce his work for solo harp that he wrote for Berger.

The afternoon includes wine, courtesy of Jim and Mary Ellen Marpe.

 

Brian Keane, in his Connecticut studio.

===============================================

Claudia Sherwood Servidio captured this serene Earthplace scene yesterday, for today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature:

(Photo/Claudia Sherwood Servidio)

==================================================

And finally … happy 89th 91st birthday to Yoko Ono!

(“06880” is your hyper-local blog. We rely on reader. To make a tax-deductible contribution, please click here. Thank you!)

2 Comments

Posted in Arts

Tagged ,

Unsung Heroes #323

Posted on February 14, 2024 | 3 comments

“06880” reader Burt Grad nominates Ernie and Zulma Heidelberg as Unsung Heroes.

Unfortunately, for Ernie it’s a posthumous honor. He died on Friday, at 85.

They were long and active members of the Westport Community Emergency Response Team. Ernie was president for 13 years; she helped him run it.

CERT  is one of Westport’s most important — and unheralded — volunteer organizations. It provides aid during and after hurricanes, blizzards, power and communication failures — you name it. If Westport needs help, CERT is there.

They’re there for non-emergencies too. CERT assists at big public events, like the Compo Beach fireworks. And they offer education programs in personal preparedness, active shooter awareness and response, and situations involving domestic and international terrorism.

Zulma and Ernie Heidelberg (Photo/Pam Einarsen)

During their long service, Ernie and Zulma made CERT a strong, well-trained organization that is little know, but always present.

Ernie also coordinated with other area CERTs to provide cross-training and mutual assistance.

Ernie and Zulma were born in Argentina, and moved to the US as adults. Ernie worked for IBM, then at the American Society for Mechanical Engineers. Zulma was a bilingual school psychologist in New Haven until recently.

Ernie and Zulma epitomize quiet, committed service to Westport. Today we thank them for their work — and honor Ernie’s memory.

(Email Unsung Hero nominations to 06880blog@gmail.com. To support “06880,” please click here.)

3 Comments

Posted in Categories

Tagged , ,

Unsung Heroes #157

Posted on September 2, 2020 | 4 comments

Zulma Heidelberg writes:

My husband Ernie and I have been very active members of the Westport Community Emergency Response Team. He was CERT president for 13 years, and I helped him for a long time.

[NOTE: The Community Emergency Response Team is one of Westport’s most important — and unheralded — volunteer organizations. CERT provides aid during and after hurricanes, blizzards, power and communication failures — you name it. If Westport needs help, CERT is there.

They’re there for non-emergencies too. CERT assists at big public events, like the Compo Beach fireworks and Maker Faire. And they offer education programs in personal preparedness, active shooter awareness and response, and situations involving domestic and international terrorism.]

Westport CERT volunteers, at a training session.

In July, I got very sick and needed emergency surgery. I spent a week at Norwalk Hospital.

When I returned home my family was overwhelmed taking care of me around the clock, cooking and overseeing the household.

Mike Vincelli

We reached out to current CERT president Mike Vincelli and senior member Andrée Brooks. They immediately came to our rescue. They formed a “Food Train,” and for the following 4 weeks members cooked and delivered food to our door.

Friends and neighbors helped too.

We are infinitely grateful for the help we received.

CERT helps every Westporter — friends and strangers, old-timers and newcomers, and everyone in between. They “CERTainly” deserve kudos as Unsung Heroes of the Week! For more information on the organization, click here or email certwestport@gmail.com.

Zulma and Ernie Heidelberg. (Photo/Pam Einarsen)

4 Comments

Posted in Organizations, Unsung Heroes

Tagged

CERTainly You Can Help

Posted on February 2, 2017 | 2 comments

In times of crisis — a hurricane, blizzard, prolonged power outage — most of us want to be safe and secure. If not, we want to be helped.

A few of us want to be the ones helping.

If you’ve ever wanted to be trained — for free! — in first aid, CPR, disaster psychology, search and rescue and other emergency skills, help is at hand.

CERT — Westport’s Community Emergency Response Team — is offering 20 hours of instruction. And you do not have to be a Westport resident to join.

Part of the CERT crew that keeps Westport safe.

Part of the CERT crew that keeps Westport safe.

Training takes place on Friday, February 24 (6:30 to 10:30 p.m.), Saturday, February 25 (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and Sunday, February 26 (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.). The site is Westport Police headquarters.

CERT is a little known but hugely important volunteer agency that supports our uniformed services like police, fire and EMS. It’s run in conjunction with the Department of Homeland Security and Westport’s emergency management personnel.

For more information click here, email info@westportcert.org, or call Ernest Heidelberg at 203-226-0780.

2 Comments

Posted in Organizations, Police

Tagged ,