Tag Archives: Conservation Department

Roundup: Farmers’ Market, Teen Essays, Staples Cellphones …

Posted on May 2, 2025 | 2 comments

There is no better sign of spring than the return of the Westport Farmers’ Market.

The annual rite is set for next Thursday (May 8). It runs every Thursday, rain or shine, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Imperial Avenue parking lot near Jesup Road.

WFM will hand out free packets, to “sow the seeds of another incredible season.”

“As we begin this season, we’re not just putting up tents. We’re planting ideas, nurturing community, and growing a better food system,” says executive director Lori Cochran-Dougall.

The 2025 Farmers’ Market includes:

  • Over 50 local farms and vendors, committed to sustainabie practices and “real food.”
  • Non-profit partners, with informational tables, giveaways and more.
  • Cooking demonstrations, a revamped recipe program, kids’ events and community talks.
  • Live music.

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A cellphone-free Staples has been talked about for a while.

On Tuesday, the public gets its say.

A special Board of Education meeting (May 6, 7:30 p.m., Coleytown Middle School auditorium) has one agenda item: “Bell-to-Bell Cell Phone Free Initiative at SHS.”

The meeting notice adds: “The Westport Public Schools invite your feedback on making Staples High School a phone free school.”

Cellphone holders may be a thing of the past, if the devices are banned throughout the day at Staples High School.

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Speaking of Staples: On Monday, TEAM Westport announced the 4 winners of its 12th annual Teen Diversity Writing Contest.

As reported on “06880,” the quartet — Annam Olasewere, Aanya Gandhi, Souleye Kebe and Sienna Tzou — wrote about their identities with tremendous insight, depth, honesty and clarity.

They also delivered their essays powerfully, and passionately.

Click below to view their presentations. Their personal readings give even greater meaning to their compelling words.

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Read to Grow celebrated 25 years of providing books to Connecticut’s babies and children last night, with a great gala at the Westport Library.

Host Ian O’Malley — the well-known Westport realtor and New York radio personality — and other speakers described the impact the program has had on hundreds of thousands of youngsters, and their parents. A flagship program is the gift of baby books and early literacy information to nearly every new mother in Connecticut.

Zucca Gastrobar’s superb catering, and silent auction items featuring (among others) Ron Darling and the Doobie Brothers added to the fun.

For more information on Read to Grow, click here.

Ian O’Malley, Read to Grow gala emcee.

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Also last night: A large crowd welcomed Alex Lehr to Westport.

His Post Road store — American Colors by Henry Lehr — opened in December. But the ribbon cutting for the shop, which features casual, comfortable, contemporary clothing for men and women,  a collection of vintage belts, and much more — was yesterday.

American Colors marks a return to Westport for the Lehr family. Alex’s father, Henry, operated a very successful and much-loved women’s store around the corner on Main Street for decades.

Cutting the ribbon (from left): 2nd Selectwoman Andrea Moore, Alex Lehr, 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker, Chamber of Commerce director Matthew Mandell,  brand strategist Jay Norris.

Checking out the store. (Photos/Ryan Allen)

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Yesterday’s “Westport in Focus” newsletter from 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker included information about the Conservation Department.

She notes their “fascinating presentation about Westport’s natural habitats – vernal pools. They are a delicate habitat pressed by multiple stressors, yet home to a surprising array of life. Species such as fairy shrimp, spotted salamanders, and wood frogs call these places home and struggle to live anywhere else.

“Westport is lucky to contain hundreds of vernal pools, ranging from under 100 square feet to over a few thousand.”

The newsletter includes a link for more information about vernal pools. Another link to the Conservation Department’s page on the town website offers details on protecting natural resources while maintaining lawns and plants.

Vernal pool

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“06880” readers learned last week that Dave Briggs nominated me for the #SpeakYourMind ice bucket challenge. The videos bring awareness to, and raise funds for, youth mental health.

I was honored to be dunked (click here to see), and promptly nominated Jen Tooker, Andrea Moore and Foti Koskinas.

The selectwomen quickly rose to the challenge (the police chief was out of town). They chose Positive Directions as the next victims.

The entire board of the non-profit center for prevention and counseling accepted.

Coincidentally, PD was kicking off their New York Marathon journey the same day. Runners Gianna Affi, Cam Gaylord and Brian McGarvey will run to raise money for the organizaton. They joined Jen in dousing board members with frigid water.

Positive Directions paid it forward. They nominated Rhone, who is helping make the marathon “a huge splash” (including outfitting the runners in training and at the race), plus mental performance coach Rhodie Lorenz, who is inspiring the runners as they train.

Click here or below for the video.

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The Joggers Club — Connecticut’s largest run club — is moving from Compo Beach to Greens Farms train station.

The new routes include Beachside Avenue and nearby beaches.

Organizers say, “All the rules are the same. Have fun, all paces are welcome, enjoy free coffee from McDonald’s and bagels from Village Bagels.”

Runs begin every Saturday at 8 a.m. Membership ($50 a year) includes a free Lululemon shirt for all new members.

For more information, email thejoggersclub@gmail.com.

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Wednesday’s “06880” story — about the partnership between Staples High School drama teacher David Roth’s directing class, Westport’s Shakespeare scholar Diane Lowman and Bridgeport’s Edison Elementary School, to bring the Bard to young students — struck a chord.

Within a day, $2,125 had been raised to help fund more Bridgeport classes take part in the future. Roth and Lowman are grateful for readers’ generosity.

To help reach the $4,000 goal, click here.

Staples directing students and Edison School youngsters, working together to love Shakespeare. (Photo/Kerry Long)

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In March, “06880” profiled Zander Bauer and Elijah Falkenstein.

The Staples High School juniors are founders and co-presidents of the local Make Our Schools Safe chapter. The club empowers students and staff to help create a culture of safety and vigilance, while advocating for laws that promote safery schools.

In February, Zander and Elijah testified before the state legislature.

Yesterday, SB 1216 passed through the Senate. It calls for the installation of silent panic alarms directly linked to law enforcement, which dramatically reduces response time

State Senator Ceci Maher — who worked closely with the Staples students — praised Elijah and Zander in her social media posts. Click here to see.

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Today’s “Westport … Naturally” photos may be the last from the now-closed Community Gardens. As “06880” reported yesterday, the 20-year-old site will at some point be the staging area for construction of the new Long Lots elementary School. Later, an athletic field will be built on the site.

(Photo/Toni Simonetti)

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And finally … Today is the birthday of Manfred von Richthofen. The German World War I pilot was born in 1892. He was killed over France in 1918, age 25.

·(Another day, another Roundup filled with news you can use. If you appreciate this daily feature — or any other part of “06880” — please click here to support our work. Thank you!)

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Roundup: Sidewalk Sale, Sanitary Cleaners, Michael Phelps …

Posted on June 28, 2024 | 3 comments

The Westport Downtown Association’s Sidewalk Sale starts today (Friday).

Now through Sunday, merchants on Main Street, Elm Street, Church Lane and Riverside Avenue, and in Sconset Square and Playhouse Square, set up tables outside, overflowing with merchandise.

Everything there is on sale. Except the sidewalk.

Click here, then scroll down for a list of participating stores.

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In April of 2023, “06880” reported that Sanitary Cleaners — right over the Norwalk line, on Route 1 — would close that month.

The business began in 1929. It served local residents (including many Westporters) cleanly, sanitarily and with great spirit, for half a century.

But it — and the Wine Cellar next door, plus 7 homes — were going to be torn down. In their place: 136 new apartments.

The “06880” story focused on Ann and Ben Chung. The South Korean couple were a classic immigrant success story. (Click here to read.)

The need to close came as a shock. It appeared that demolition was imminent.

Fourteen months later, the building stands vacant. The “Store Closing” sign remains. Not one thing has changed.

Except for the Chungs. They were forced to retire more than a year — and counting — before they had to. (Hat tip: Arthur Hayes)

Ben and Ann Chung, days before Sanitary Cleaners closed.

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Michael Phelps is one of the most famous people on the planet.

PopUp Bagels’ motto is “not famous, but known.”

And “06880”‘s tagline is “Where Westport meets the world.”

Yesterday — a month before the start of the Olympics — the man with the most medals in the Games’ history stopped by PopUp’s Greenwich Village site, on Thompson Street.

It was a very Westport event — and not just because PopUp Bagels is one of our town’s most, well, well-known exports.

Westport resident Meghan Lally was there. She’s PopUp’s director of events and partnerships (and, her resumé says, “senior executive bagel bouncer.”

That’s not all. Westport media personality Dave Briggs was there too. He was shooting a story for Cheddar business news.

Which are Phelps’ favorite bagels and schmears?

Unknown.

Meghan Lally and Michael Phelps. (Hat tip and photo/Dave Briggs)

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Timing is everything.

The day after an intense debate on “06880” about Westport’s gas-powered leaf blower ban, the Y’s Men of Westport and Weston dropped a “Westport … What’s Happening” podcast about the very same subject.

This one features an interview with Conservation Department director Colin Kelly. His office is in charge of enforcing the ordinance.

Click below to listen:

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Renovations continue on Saugatuck River Caffe.

Taking over the Winfield Street Coffee & Deli spot on Post Road West, and operated by nearby Arezzo restaurant, the new place will have more salads, and takeout items made to order or pick up to go.

Estimated opening date is about 3 weeks.

Also on that short block, just over the river from downtown: Stephen Kempson London tailor is expanding into the former Age of Reason toy store, next door.

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Among its many programs to stimulate minds and bodies, the Westport Senior Center also provides practical help in a very important area: technology.

The Tech Hub offers open computer hours, along with 45-minute sessions on special topics.

During open hours, student interns are available for assistance all summer long. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to noon on Wednesdays, and 1 to 4:30 p.m. Thursdays.

Laptops and a printer are available to use.

The special sessions are held on Thursdays at 2 p.m. Topics include:

“Navigating the New Senior Center Website, and How to Register on MyActiveCenter” (July 11). Bring your key tag.

“Using Google Maps” (July 18). Learn how to use Google Maps on your phone to find directions (and reverse directions) by car or walking, and how to look up an address or search for places of interest near you.

“Using FaceTime” (July 25). FaceTime on your iPhone or tablet is a great way to connect with friends and family.

 

Tech help time yesterday, at the Senior Center.

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Alysha Brilla starred at the Levitt Pavilion last night.

The multi-instrumentalist “weaves together rhythmic global roots sounds with a flourish of esoteric lyricism, presenting an entire universe of music as healing medicine for the listener.”

Upcoming free shows include Lulada Club: NYC’s All-Women Salsa Orchestra (tonight — Friday, June 28,  7 p.m.), blues trio Buffalo Nichols (Saturday, June 29, 7:30 p.m.) and NYC Ska Orchestra (Sunday, June 30, 7 p.m.).

Click here for free ticket information.

Alysha Brilla (Photo/Dinkin Fotografix)

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Carole Rubenstein died Tuesday at her family home, after a long illness with dementia. She was 87.

Though she lived in Norwalk for 62 years, Carole was a fixture in Westport. She spent 35 years at the Nature Center (now Earthplace).

She was a pioneer in early childhood education, helping start one of the first preschool programs that incorporated learning with nature.

She served as director and teacher, and was loved by many children and parents.

She also created and implemented all other children’s programs at the Center.

After retiring, Carole was very active in Westport’s Sunrise Rotary Club for over 25 years, particularly on the Charitable Giving Committee. As a Sunshine Lady she welcomed new members, and reached out to current and former Rotarians for birthday wishes and in times of need.

Carole also belonged to Y’s Women in Westport, where she helped plan the annual holiday luncheon. She also spent many years as a Norwalk Hospital volunteer.

Carole enjoyed traveling, with her husband of 60 years, Bob. They took 20 trips to Hawaii.

Besides her husband, Carole is survived by her son Andy (May) of Virginia, daughter Sue (Joe) Collin of Norwalk, brother Robert (Pat) Levin, and step-granddaughter Apisara Deejai of New york.

Private funeral services will be held at Willowbrook Cemetery. Shiva will be observed at the home of Bob Rubenstein in Norwalk on Tuesday (July 2, 4 to  7 p.m.).

Memorial contributions may be made to Westport Sunrise Rotary and the Alzheimer’s Association.

Carole’s family wishes extends their gratitude to Carole’s aide and friend, Sandra Spence.

Carole Rubenstein

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Most trees grow naturally in Westport.

Some are transplanted.

These definitely came from somewhere else.

(Photo/Richard Fogel)

One day they’ll shield the Aquarion water tanks.

When they do — if we’re still here, and if we’re still posting our daily “Westport … Naturally” series — we’ll run another photo of it.

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And finally … on this date in 1838, Victoria was crowned Queen of England. Her reign of 63 years and 216 days — longer than any predecessor — was called the Victorian Era. It was a period of enormous industrial, political, scientific and military change in the UK.

 

(You don’t need tech help — at the Senior Center, or anywhere else — to donate to “06880.” Just click here, and follow the prompts. Thank you for supporting your hyper-local blog!

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Posted in Downtown, Environment, Local business, Obituaries, technology

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Alicia Mozian Leaves Mark On “Wet Westport”

Posted on September 29, 2022 | 17 comments

If you’re a Westport homeowner, there’s a 40% chance you live on wetlands, or in a floodplain.

If you’re part of that 40% and have moved here since 2001, you’ve received a letter — and fat informational packet — from Alicia Mozian, telling you what that means, and how to care for your property.

And advising you to call her, before beginning any work on the land.

That’s just one of the proactive approached Mozian has brought to her job as Conservation Department director.

Alicia Mozian

Low-key but intensely passionate, her blandly named office oversees nearly every aspect of Westport’s environment. Shellfishing, Cockenoe Island camping, the Sherwood Mill Pond Preserve, single-use plastics, the plastic bag ban — all are in Mozian’s domain.

But most important may be protecting the town’s wetlands and watercourses.

We have 13 named waterways. We sit at the bottom of several watersheds, which feed into Long Island Sound. Our groundwater table is very high.

“Westport is very wet,” Mozian says simply.

On Saturday, her 2-decade career as Conservation director — and 36 years of service to Westport — come to an end. She’s retiring — kayaking off into the sunset, you might say.

The Westport she leaves is much different than the one the Pennsylvania native found, soon after graduating from Nasson College with a degree in environmental studies.

Westporters are much more aware now of the effects of water on our properties, and our lives. At the same time, larger houses — and the construction they entail — impact things like runoff and silting.

Large homes and tree-cutting affect water tables and runoff.

Mozian has been the right person to manage the interactions between residential and business property owners, builders, neighbors, politicians, environmentalists, and everyone else with a stake in Westport.

Her first job here was in 1986, as an aide to Planning & Zoning director Mel Barr. She moved on to conservation analyst; earned a master’s in resource administration management, and was named assistant zoning planner.

In 2001 she succeeded Fran Pierwola, as only the second Conservation director in our history.

Mozian had already made an important mark. In the 1990s she helped Westporters get a 10% discount on flood insurance — a reward for town-wide flood hazard mitigation that continues today.

Flood insurance is important to homeowners in flood-prone areas like Compo Cove. Westporters are eligible for discounts.

As Conservation director, she spends much of her time talking to people. Mozian answers questions, and educates property owners about upcoming work.

A lot of that entails “managing expectations. People don’t always know what they bought, or design their project to meet the land. They want their land to meet the project, not the other way around. That can lead to problems.”

During Westport’s booming construction decades of the 1950s and ’60s, many wetlands were filled in. The federal Clean Water Act of 1972 slowed that, but the damage was done.

Now those homes are being torn down. Their replacements are larger — and their high basements sink into groundwater. Nothing in the state building code prevents that, Mozian says.

“Where does the water go? In other directions — on other people’s properties,” she says.

“You’re supposed to capture runoff from driveways and roofs. But you can’t do a lot about groundwater.”

Above ground, large-scale tree-cutting also affects where water goes.

Fortunately, Mozian says, Westporters are environmentally conscious. Her small office is augmented by a host of volunteers, from the Conservation and Shellfish Commissions to Sustainable Westport and the Sherwood Mill Pond Committee.

Fortunately too, she is not stuck in Town Hall. Mozian says her favorite days are “picking up garbage on Cockenoe Island, or the Mill Pond. That’s when I get instant gratification. I can see I made a difference.”

Alicia Mozian picks up garbage at Sherwood Mill Pond Preserve.

It’s harder to see the effects of educating a variety of constituencies about the environment. Still, Mozian says, “I think I’ve done pretty well, balancing what people want versus what they need. I want their plan to be better when they walk out the office than when they walked in.

“I don’t love all the teardowns. But I’ve learned to work with them, and make them as environmentally sound as possible.”

The low point of her career was the protracted fight with the Westport Weston Family Y over its proposed, and largely untested, Fixed Activated Sludge Treatment (FAST) sewage system at the Mahackeno site.

There are many more highlights. Mozian is proud of her Wetlands Community Leader Award from Washington’s Environmental Law Institute. It was presented for her work improving water quality, through the Sasco Brook Pollution Abatement Committee.

Alicia Mozian, with her Environmental Law Institute award.

She’s also proud that none of the Conservation Commission’s decisions have ever been overturned by a court challenge. She’s been sued by developers, homeowners and neighbors — sometimes more than one group, for the same project.

She has done it all with a staff of just 5.25 people. That quarter employee — the sediment and erosion control inspector — is shared with Planning & Zoning.

“We used to have complaints about sediment from construction sites getting into waterways,” Mozian says. “But not now.”

She does not know of any other community that funds such a position.

Overall, Mozian says, Westport is in “pretty good” environmental shape. It can be measured by metrics — which the Board of Finance demands every year at budget time.

She prefers a different measure: “If you can swim in the water, drink the water and eat shellfish, we’re doing our job.”

Low tide clamming at Compo Beach is part of Alicia Mozian’s portfolio too. (Photo/Ferdinand Jahnel)

Next week, Colin Kelly takes over that job. He’s spent 18 years with the Conservation Department, first as compliance officer and now analyst.

“It’s time for the next generation. He knows things I don’t know,” Mozian praises. “He has good rapport with builders and others. He’ll deal with violations quicker. The department is in very good hands.”

It’s been in great hands for the past 21 years, for sure. Now Alicia Mozian looks forward to seeing her 92-year-old mother more, and her niece’s upcoming baby.

She will visit friends across the country, hike, and go to concerts. (She was a DJ in college.) Perhaps she’ll teach; she’s interested in subjects like citizenship, and helping realtors understand wetlands, aquifers and floodplains.

She will not miss the daily commute from Orange. But Westport will miss Conservation Director Alicia Mozian very, very much.

(“06880” covers all things Westport. Please click here, to support your hyper-local blog.)

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Roundup: Bob Stefanowski, Alicia Mozian, Jez Benton …

Posted on September 16, 2022 | 7 comments

Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob Stefanowski addressed a large crowd at the Westport Library yesterday.

The Y’s Men of Westport and Weston sponsored the event, Former 1st Selectman Jim Marpe moderated.

Stefanowski described his youth in New Haven, in a home shared with his grandparents and students from Southern Connecticut State College.

Regarding the 2020 election, the GOP candidate said: It’s over. It was not stolen. It’s time to move forward. If Donald Trump is found guilty of anything, he should pay the consequences.

Connecticut is the 2nd highest taxed state in the nation, he noted, adding that as head of a company he had to chip away at unnecessary costs. Executives earning $30 million to $40 million were upset about losing company cars. Shareholders paid for those perks, Stefanowski said.

Who pays for excesses in state government? Taxpayers, he continued.

On Monday (September 19, 1 p.m. Westport Library), Governor Ned Lamont will speak. The Y’s Men sponsor that event too. (Reporting by  Dave Matlow)

Bob Stefanowski at the Westport LIbrary. (Photo/Dave Matlow)

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Conservation Director Alicia Mozian is retiring, effective October 1.

A town employee since 1986, she began her career as a planning aide in the Planning & Zoning Department. Other posts included conservation analyst, zoning inspector and planning assistant. She was appointed Conservation director in 2001.

Mozian says she is “grateful to have served a community that is so engaged and proactive in environmental affairs. Their enthusiasm both challenged and inspired me to do my very best every day to help protect the many natural resources whose care we have been entrusted to protect.

“I have worked hard to balance the rights of the property owner with the need for environmental protection, and I’m proud of my department in achieving this goal. I also want to thank the many volunteers who have supported and continue to support our department’s mission and foster good stewardship practices of not only our wetland and water resources but also the environment in general.”

1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker promoted Colin Kelly to replace Mozian.

Alicia Mozian

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Jez Benton is a very interesting Westporter. He summited Mount Everest in 2005, and has since had a notable career in leadership development.

This week, he launched a video podcast. Jez interviews 6 CEOs, as they hike a mountain together. It’s called “Route to the Top” (get it?), and was filmed entirely by Jez on his iPhone.

His first guest is Neal Katyal, former Solicitor General of the US. Now a partner in a law firm, he talks about lessons learned while arguing cases in front of the Supreme Court.

Click below for that initial episode. Others will be available on LinkedIn (10 minutes), and Spotify, YouTube and Apple Podcasts (full 45 minutes). (Hat tip: Meghan Bell)

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On September 29, nearly 600 people will gather at Mitchells in Westport for the 12th annual Pinkchella.

The event — the first in-person gathering since COVID — is PinkAid’s big fundraiser. The Coachella-themed luncheon includes fashion, food, music and more.

Among the auction items: a stay at the One & Only resort in Montenegro, use of a private jet and courtside seats at a Milwaukee Bucks game with the team owner, a trip to French Polynesia.

The auction goes live September 22. It’s open to all; you don’t have to attend the event to bid.  Click here for more information and — on September 22 — to bid.

Breast cancer survivors will walk the runway at a “Celebration of Life” fashion show, as Pink Aid honors their experience, and the people in their lives who helped along the way.

Since 2011, Pink Aid has granted $6.6 million to support programs that provide diagnostic testing, wigs, recovery garments, meals, childcare, transportation to treatment, integrative services, education, survivorship programs and personal expenses for patients undergoing treatment.

They fund programs at hospitals, national non-profits and smaller grassroots organizations. They work to make sure everyone gets proper treatment regardless of financial barriers. They’ve helped breast cancer patients in 30 states; their goal is to “turn 50 states pink.”

For more information on Pinkchella, and tickets, click here.

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Three million Americans suffer from inflammatory bowel disease.

This Sunday (September 18, Sherwood Island State Park, 10 a.m.), the first-ever Spin4 Crohn’s & Colitis Cure event raises money for research.

It’s a fun, energetic and community-minded stationary bike ride. People can create a team, join a team or ride solo. Spectators are welcome too.

Click here to register, or for more information.

Spinning for a Crohn’s and Colitis cure.

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For the past 12 months, a generous gift from an anonymous donor ensured free admission to MoCA galleries for everyone.

Fees resume October 16. MoCA officials says: “We are committed to keeping our admission fees low, so that the power of art to educate, enrich and build connections between us continues to be accessible to all. As a non-profit organization, we rely on admissions fees to help fund all of our programs.

“If you have financial need for free admission for yourself or for your family, please email us at info@mocawestport.org.”

Meanwhile, MoCA announces their first Open Mic Night (October 20, 5 to 7 p.m.). It’s an outdoor event, where poets, slam poets and musicians come together not as opponents, but as performers sharing their stories, passions and talents.

To perform, click here to register, pay a $5 fee and complete this form by October 17. Each poem or song must be original (multiple poems or songs are allowed within time frame); memorization is not required. Performers must be in high school or older.

There’s no charge for audience members, but advance registration is requested; click here.

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Aarti Khosla’s “Give a Little Love” campaign is in full gear.

For the 3rd year in a row, the owner of Le Rouge Chocolates hopes to donate a chocolate heart to every Westport Public Schools employee.

It’s a townwide campaign. For $8 each, customers can sponsor a heart for one Westport teacher. To donate one or more chocolate hearts online, click here.

Aarti hand-delivers the treats to each building. This was the scene at Coleytown Middle School:

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Speaking of schools: Staples High musicians Delaney McGee (trumpet) and Witt Lindau (drums) have received All-National honors. They were selected by video audition, from the top music students in the country.

In November they will participate in the National Association for Music Education honors orchestra and “modern band” (rock band) respectively.

Jason Capozucca (bassoon) and Ana Jahnel (tenor saxophone) were selected as alternates,

Witt Lindau (Photo courtesy of Staples Wreckers Instagram)

Delaney McGee

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There’s always something to learn at the Senior Center.

The other day it was electric vehicles.

Dawn Henry and Barry Kresch of the EV Club of Connecticut led an informational session on the value and joys of driving an electric vehicle. Five were on display outside.

Barry Kresch discusses electric vehicles, at the Senior Center. (Photo/Pippa Bell Ader)

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Salon Nash owner Felicia Catale offers a free wash and blow dry — plus discounts on Mary Kay products — on October 10 (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.). Her salon is at 179 Post Road West, in Nash’s Corner plaza.

Felicia Catale

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It’s still mid-September. But Election Day will be here before you know it.

On November 2 (Westport Library, 7 p.m.), Westport’s League of Woman Voters sponsors a debate with candidates for the state Senate and House of Representatives, and probate judge.

“06880” readers are invited to send questions in advance. The email address is lwvwestport@yahoo.com.

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If you’re like me, you probably get 2 or 3 advertising mailers a week, filled with discount coupons. Many are for home improvements — new bathroom (“in a day!”), gutter work, driveway paving and the like.

Also: duct cleaning. One company advertises in all of them. I see this photo everywhere:

I couldn’t figure out what was so weird about it.

Then I realized: He’s doing a pretty poor job of it. I want the guy who cleans my ducts to be watching what he’s doing — not giving me a come-on look.

No matter how hot he is.

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There’s something about monarch butterflies — in all forms — that we can’t resist.

Today’s “Westport … Naturally” monarch photo comes courtesy of Nancy Vener:

(Photo/Nancy Vener)

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And finally … in honor of Jez Benton’s new podcast, interviewing nationally known CEOs as they climb steep mountains:

 

 

 

 

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