Tag Archives: entitled drivers

Roundup: Brush Fire Threat, Imperial Avenue Parking, Compo Entitlement …

Posted on October 24, 2024 | 11 comments

The weather this month has been spectacular: blue skies, warm temperatures, no rain. What’s not to like?

Well, the risk of brush fires.

A strict ban on open burning includes all recreational fire pits, chimineas and campfires.

Be careful out there!

Chimineas are included in the open burning ban.

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A local website reported yesterday on a letter sent to the town by the Westport Woman’s Club attorney. At issue was the Imperial Avenue parking lot, which — the attorney noted — belongs to the WWC “in perpetuity,” according to 1956 and 1968 agreements.

The Imperial Avenue lot has been mentioned as a possible site for renovation, as part of a new downtown parking plan.

The website story was illustrated with a photo of the large, paved lot — the site of the Farmer’s Market every Thursday, the former Remarkable Theater drive-in, where savvy Levitt Pavilion-goers park to make quick post-show exits, and school bus drivers hang out between runs — along with the smaller dirt lot, where the Yankee Doodle Fair is held every June.

However, that lower dirt parking area is the only one that the 2 agreements cover.

The Imperial Avenue parking lot (red balloon) is owned by the town. The smaller lot to its right belongs to the Westport Woman’s Club; their building is directly to its north. (Hat tip: Gloria Gouveia)

“06880” reached out to Department of Public Works director Peter Ratkiewich for clarification.

He said, “When we speak of redesign, and reconnecting the riverfront, we are specifically referring to the upper lot and its perimeter. We are not contemplating doing anything with the lower lot other than to maintain the status quo.”

The Yankee Doodle Fair takes place on the lower Westport Woman’s Club parking lot.

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Sure, it’s the off-season. Compo Beach is less crowded than in mid-summer.

But that doesn’t mean you can do whatever you want there.

Check out this entitled driver.

Is he harming anyone?

Not really. There are enough parking spaces to go around.

But why does he (and you know it’s a guy) have to send a message to everyone else that the rules don’t apply to him.

And the photo below answers a reader who read yesterday’s Roundup item about dogs on on the boardwalk — where they’re not allowed — and commented, “I cannot imagine why dogs harmlessly walking on a boardwalk would be a priority.”

(Photos/Linda Stein)

We await his reply.

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Yesterday’s Unsung Heroes feature gave a shout-out to the Department of Public Works crews who every year install the nearly 200 international flags for UN Day (today!) and jUNe Day, as well as the American flags that fly proudly on the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge all summer long.

A couple of hours later, Bill Hass — president of the United Nations Association of Southwestern Connecticut — sent a long this great photo, of the guys who did the work this year.

Thanks again, for connecting our town — colorfully and symbolically — with the rest of the world. Happy UN Day!

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Every year, Westport kids get a jump on Halloween, at the downtown parade.

This year’s event is on Tuesday (October 29). Children (and parents) meet at the Post Road East/Main Street intersection at 3:30 p.m.

The event — geared toward youngsters 8 and under — is sponsored by the Parks & Recreation Department, Westport Downtown Association, and Westport PAL.

The parade includes trick-or-treating along Main Street, then on to Avery Place and Myrtle Avenue. It ends at Veterans Green at 4 p.m., with entertainment, refreshments and a small gift.

Seen at a previous Halloween parade.

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If you missed Tuesday’s forum, featuring candidates for Westport’s 3 General Assembly races: No problem.

The sponsoring Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce taped the Westport Library event.

Click below to see Kami Evans and Ceci Maher (State Senate, 26th District), Jonathan Steinberg and John Bolton State Representative, 136th District 136), and Peter Bang and Dominique Johnson (State Representative, 143rd District).

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Got drugs?

This Saturday (October 26, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Senior Center), the Westport Police Department partners with the US Drug Enforcement Administration, for the 26th annual Prescription Drug Take Back Day.

Residents are asked to look in medicine cabinets and drawers for medications that are no longer needed, or out of date. This includes tablets, capsules, patches, and other solid forms of prescription drugs.

The service is free and anonymous, with no questions asked.

Take Back Day has removed 9,285 tons of medication from circulation since its inception.

Collection sites cannot accept illicit drugs, needles or sharps; only pills or patches.

Liquid products, such as cough syrup, should remain sealed in their original container, with caps tightly sealed.

Vape pens with removable batteries can be disposed of at the take-back site. Vape pens without removable batteries are not accepted.

A year-round collection bin is available in the lobby of Westport police headquarters. Prescription drugs can be disposed of any time there. Click here for more information.

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Westport Police made 2 custodial arrests between October 16 and 23.

A 19-year-old Bridgeport man was charged with burglary and larceny of a motor vehicle; conspiracy to commit those crimes, illegal transfer/purchase of a pistol or revolver; carrying a pistol without a permit; illegal possession of a firearm with an illegible serial number, and illegal possession of a large capacity magazine, following the May theft of an unlocked 2024 Audi from a driveway.

The keys were left in the vehicle, but it was equipped with tracking software. It was located parked at a Bridgeport residence that day. A ghost gun and large capacity magazine were found in the suspect’s home. He was held on a $75,000 bond.

A 30-year-old Bridgeport woman was arrested for breach of peace, following a domestic violence altercation at the Westport train station parking lot. She was held on a $10,000 bond.

Westport Police also issued these citations:

  • Failure to comply with state traffic commission regulations: 5 citations
  • Failure to obey stop sign: 3
  • Failure to obey traffic control signals: 3
  • Operating a motor vehicle under suspension: 2
  • Operating an unregistered motor vehicle: 2
  • Operating a motor vehicle without a license: 2
  • Failure to renew registration: 2
  • Larceny: 1
  • Conspiracy to commit larceny: 1
  • Breach of peace: 1
  • Traveling unreasonably fast: 1
  • Failure to grant right of way 1
  • Failure to drive right: 1
  • Following too closely: 1
  • Failure to renew registration: 1
  • Failure to carry driver’s license: 1

Large capacity gun magazines.

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One of Mary Sikorski’s last dahlias of the season earns notice, as today’s “Westport … Naturally” featured image.

(Photo/Mary Sikorski)

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And finally … Happy UN Day!

(How will you spend UN Day? Please take a moment or two to click here, and support “06880.” We accept dollars, pounds, euros, and all other currency. Thank you!)

11 Comments

Posted in Beach, Downtown, Local politics, Police

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Roundup: I-95 Live Webcam; Really Bad Driver; Gillespie Renovations …

Posted on May 4, 2024 | 5 comments

This was the scene yesterday in Norwalk, as workers dismantled the fire-damaged Fairfield Avenue I-95 overpass:

(Photo/News12 Connecticut)

Last night, massive “shears” were brought in from Long Island, to cut the metal. Work will continue all weekend.

Want to watch the ongoing operation, from the comfort of your home? Click here for this fascinating live webcam, courtesy of the state Department of Transportation.

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Just when you think you’ve seen everything … you realize you haven’t.

A driver yesterday — perhaps unhappy with the I-95-related traffic, perhaps confused, perhaps distracted, but definitely not someone you want behind the wheel — decided to create a new street, in the pedestrian alley between Don Memo and Barnes & Noble.

Employees of Walrus Alley finally stopped him.

(Hat tip and photo/Joelle Malec)

But that’s not all.

He also ran the red light right there.

And drove right past pedestrians in the crosswalk, to make that right hand turn off the Post Road into the very narrow alley.

You can’t make this stuff up.

Nor would you want to.

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The Gillespie Center and Hoskins Place men’s and women’s shelters, and the Westport Food Pantry at the same site, have temporarily closed.

Homes with Hope has embarked on a $1.2 million renovation of the Jesup Road facility.

Food pantry pick-ups can be made at the Sasco Creek Village community building (1655 Post Road East) across from Goodwill) every weekday except Wednesday, from 1 to 4 p.m.

“It’s sad,” says Homes with Hope CEO Helen McAlinden. “But the result will be happy.”

Gillespie Center and Hoskins Place: temporarily closed.

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Marc Hartog appreciated “06880”‘s recent Roundup item, noting that AEDs are back in a number of public outdoor locations.

The deputy director of Westport Emergency Medical Service adds: “PulsePoint AED is an app that shows locations of public access AED (automated external defibrillators.

“As long as the user has location permission allowed on their cellphone, it shows the location of the closest AEDs, along with a picture of the location. Clicking on the picture then adds more specific information.

“For example, if I’m near Winslow Park, it says ‘Entrance behind Westport Country Playhouse, by map and dog fountain; address 295 Post Rd East.’

“It also shows who is responsible for that AED (in this case, Norwalk Hospital EMS), along with the email address of the responsible party.

“Or if I’m around Main Street, the map shows 3 public access AEDs: 2 inside Town Hall, 1 outside at the ball field in the rear parking lot.

“The only downside is that the app only shows AEDs that have been registered with PulsePoint by the entity that owns and is responsible for it. There may well be other public access AEDs downtown, possibly within stores or restaurants, but they are not registered and do not show up.

“We strongly encourage any business with an AED to register their location.”

The AED at Winslow Park. (Photo/Mark Mathias)

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The Westport Country Playhouse’s move to a new format — with plays scheduled for October through April, rather than the summer — will generate a lot of laughs.

In a good way. The 3 shows are comedies, in what the 94-year-old theater is called a “Season of Laughter.”

Each play runs for 3 weeks. The season also includes a holiday offering and musical revue.

“The 39 Steps” (October 22-November 9) is “a fast-paced frenzy of espionage and murderous mayhem … (mixing) Alfred Hitchcock’s classic film with a juicy spy novel, and a dash of Monty Python.”

“Native Gardens” (February 18-March 8) features 2 sets of neighbors, who become “feuding enemies in a backyard battle for the ages.”

“Theatre People” (March 25-April 12) is set in 1948, as Broadway stars gather in a Newport mansion for a weekend of “romance, chaos, and misunderstandings.”

The shorter-run productions are “A Sherlock Carol” (the family holiday show by artistic director Mark Shanahan, back after last year’s sold-out run; December 17-22), and “Broadway Scores at the Playhouse,” songs from the Golden Age to recent musicals (January 23-26).

Season ticket packages for all three longer-run productions start at $68. Tickets will go on sale soon. Click here for complete season details.

PS: In other Playhouse news, a limited number of tickets remain for Bernadette Peters’ evening of songs from music masters (May 19, 7 p.m.). Click here to purchase, and for more information.

Also: A third Mike Birbiglia “Please Stop the Ride” show has been added next month. It’s June 4 (8 p.m.).

Tickets to his June 7 performance are sold out. There are only a few seats left for the second one (June 5). Click here to purchase, and for more information.

Westport Country Playhouse (Photo/Lynn Untermeyer Miller)

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The Westport Book Shop is going to the dogs.

Exhibitor of the month Clark Hanford is showing oil paintings featuring dogs. They are painted in 19th century style, and are presented in antique frames.

Hanford has been an artist for over 5 decades, working in painting, clothing and sculpture. Before returning to Westport in 1985, the 1962 Staples High School graduate lived, worked and studied in London for 17 years, making and selling works from his Notting Hill shop.

He has created lifelike sculptures of Marlene Dietrich, Lucille Ball, Katherine Hepburn, Liz Taylor and others, dressed in period clothing made by Clark.

Hanford’s notable clients include Burt Bacharach, Demi Moore, John Entwistle, Elton John, Debbie Reynolds and David Bowie.

A reception is set for May 15 (6 to 7:30 p.m.).

Clark Hanford, at his Westport Book Shop exhibition.

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All month long, the Mid-Fairfield County Association of Realtors is running a food drive, to benefit Person-to-Person.

Items — including especially cereal, oatmeal, hearty soups, peanut butter and jelly, protein and granola bars, bags or boxes of rice, canned fruit and vegetables, pasta and sauce, dried and canned beans, nutrition bars, coffee and tea — can be dropped off at the MFCAR office (19 Imperial Avenue, weekdays between 9:30 a.m. and 3:15 p.m.).

The month-long drive ends with a shredding event (June 1, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Colonial Green). Anyone bringing a food donation gets complimentary shredding.

To give a monetary donation to People-to-People, scan the QR code below:

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Greens Farms Garden Club members are digging in the dirt, preparing for their annual plant sale.

It’s May 18 (9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Sherman Green, Fairfield). They’ll sell locally grown perennials, annuals and surprises.

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Is there life (besides ours) in the universe?

No one knows. But Caleb Scharf’s insights are probably far better than the rest of us.

NASA’s senior scientist for astrobiology at the Ames Research Center returns to the Westport Astronomical Society’s free online lecture series. He’ll discuss “The Search for Life in the Universe: 2024 and Beyond” on May 21 (8 p.m.; click here for Zoom; click here for YouTube livestream).

This is his third appearance at the WAS. He’ll speak specifically about research in exoplanetary science, exploration of the solar system, and upcoming plans for Mars, Titan, and the Habitable Worlds Observatory (NASA’s future space telescope).

Hello out there!

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The Joggers Club is moving to the Greens Farms train station, with “fun runs” on Saturdays starting at 8 a.m. It’s a buildup series, free to all registrants in the Fairfield Half Marathon.

The Joggers Club also runs (ho ho) Track Nights (Thursdays, 6:30 p.m., Staples High School track) and a Kids Run Club (Sundays, 4 p.m., Staples High School track; $25 per session, grades K-8).

Joggers Club memberships ($50) include a free Lululemon running shirt ($78 value), a year of free coffee and bagels after each run, plus fitness and friends.

They’re on Strava, Facebook, Instagram and www.TheJoggersClub.com.

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The Cottage is offering a prix fixe, 4-course Mother’s Day meal.

From noon to 5 p.m. next Sunday (May 12; $110 per adult, $55 per child, not including tax and tip), chef Brian Lewis rolls out the red carpet for Mom and her family.

Click here for the menu, and reservations.

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When Fantasia headlined a tribute to Clive Davis recently at Carnegie Hall, she did so with her voice — and an elegant gown.

It was designed, Essence says, by Christian Siriano, “who has built quite a name for himself in the fashion industry. The lavender long sleeve dress featured a leg slit and a black feather trim all around the gown, causing a dramatic, old Hollywood effect.”

Siriano is — in addition to being a former Project Runway winner — a Westporter. His Collective West collection is on Post Road West.

Click here for the full Essence story. (Hat tip: Danielle Teplica)

Fantasia, and her Christian Siriano gown. (Photo courtesy of Essence)

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Lift Wellness will hold a ribbon cutting for the opening of its mental health and eating disorder partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient treatment for teens and adults at their 8 Myrtle Avenue location on May 17 (11 a.m.).

The timing is appropriate: This is Mental Health Awareness Month.

Attendees can enjoy food, take a tour, and pick up swag. Click here for more information.

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Today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo highlights the Longshore golf course, in full, beautiful bloom:

(Photo/June Rose Whittaker)

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And finally … Fantasia was wearing a non-Christian Siriano outfit (see story above) in this 411 million-view video.

But she still looks (and sounds) great.

(From high fashion to homeless shelters, “06880” has our town covered. This is “where Westport meets the world.” We rely on reader support. Please click here to help. Thank you!)

5 Comments

Posted in Environment, Westport Country Playhouse

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[OPINION] Westport Drivers: “Hare” Today, Gone Tomorrow

Posted on September 10, 2023 | 27 comments

Dr. Jay Walshon is a 38-year resident of Westport. Like many, he is concerned about the twin terrors of local driving: recklessness and incivility. He writes:

For the last 2 years we have been fortunate to have a beautiful large hare living in our neighborhood.

Multiple times a week he frequented our front yard, munching his dinner of lawn provided salads. He survived 2 Westport winters without any sign of wear, and greeted us so commonly in our driveway that my wife named him AJ, and periodically provided him with leftover organics from our dinner table.

Not AJ. But close.

It was amusing to watch AJ scamper about … his speed and agility likely a major contributor to his survival against the hungry red fox that nightly prowled our yard all winter long.

Mid-afternoon the other day, I headed out of my Roseville Road driveway on my scooter to run errands on the Post Road. From the right, it was totally clear. On my left, only a single vehicle approached from at least 50 yards away.

There was plenty of distance for me to enter the road, especially given the 25 mph speed limit.

However, perhaps 10 seconds later in my side mirror I saw the vehicle behind fast approaching. It then tailgated me dangerously closely as I approached the Post Road red light to turn left.

Although I moved to the right, this driver refused to pass — instead choosing to remain dangerously close behind me.

When I stopped at the light, the driver pulled next to me, and lowered the window.

An older woman with a silver ponytail berated me for “daring to pull out in front” of her.

Although her behavior was shocking, an elderly woman yelling this way was also somewhat comical.

Not the Roseville Road driver. It’s the Little Old Lady From Pasadena…

I calmly informed her that at the time she was quite distant, adding that for her to catch up to me as she did, she had to have been driving extremely fast — perhaps even 50 on a 25mph road.

She loudly and emphatically exclaimed: “I don’t give a shit how fast I was going.”

Nice.

Who this woman is is not important. But her words and attitude are critical.

Later that same afternoon, while leaving the Westport Library I was at the Imperial Avenue stop sign waiting to turn left. As I was about to go, the vehicle approaching from my left blew through this stop sign — slamming the brakes in the intersection only when the driver saw me entering my turn.

Not the car that almost blew past Dr. Walshon. But the same spot. (Photo/Susan Teicher)

As I passed by her window — a stone’s throw from the police station — the young girl driving stiffly stared straight ahead, intentionally refusing to look at me.

A couple of mornings later I discovered AJ lying on Roseville Road, flattened by a tire.

Despite his quickness, agility and survival skills against natural predators, AJ was no match for that encounter.

I’m not suggesting that the woman driver on Roseville was to blame. But very likely, her attitude  was.

Please: “Give a shit.”

(“06880” covers all of Westport — the good, the bad, and the ugly drivers. Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)

AJ the hare.

27 Comments

Posted in Environment, Transportation, Westport life

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Roundup: Last Push For Lyman, Eversource Slammed, Main Street Meathead …

Posted on December 25, 2022 | 11 comments

Less than 24 hours remain, to reach our goal of $250,000!

That would help rebuild every home and apartment in Lyman — our Ukrainian sister city — that can be salvaged. It would give them each a generator. It would provide a water filtration system for the town. (Click here for the first story about Westport and Lyman, with important details.)

It would get them through a dark, dangerous winter. Those brave, embattled men, women and children need to know that they are not alone.

They already know that Westport has their back. They are very, very grateful for what we’ve done.

Westporter Brian Mayer (right) and his on-the-ground support team of Richard von Groeling and Liz Olegov flank Lyman Mayor Oleksandr Zhuravlyov. Brian, Richard and Liz wear protective equipment, because they’ve just been outside. The Ukrainian and Lyman flags will soon be joined by one from Westport.

Now, on Christmas Day, let’s give them everything they need.

$250,000 sounds like a lot. But it breaks down to just $10 for every resident of Westport.

Can you spare that? If not, no worries. Someone who can, will cover you. Right?

Just click here for the credit card “Donate” button. Click the “I want to support” box; then select “Support for the City of Lyman.” You can also scroll down on that page for other donation options (mail, wire transfer and Venmo.) Or you can donate directly, via Stripe (click here). 

Meanwhile, our online auction for an oil painting of Marigny — our other sister city in France, which joins us in helping Lyman — ends at 11:59 p.m. We began the bidding at $1,000. It is now up to $1,500. Email 06880blog@gmail.com, or click “Comments” to bid; you don’t need to fill out your real (but please include your email).

This Marigny scene is being auctioned to the highest bidder.

Westporters have been supremely generous so far. We are nearing our audacious — but crucial — $250,000 goal. Every dollar helps our sister city of Lyman. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

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Eversource earned props for putting crews on the road early during Friday’s wind and rain storm. The number of outages in Westport was halved throughout the day, from 700 or so to about 350.

Their performance since then has been less praise-worthy.

An “06880” reader wrote last night, just before midnight:

“I am spending the holidays with my 92-year-old homebound mom on Bayberry Ridge Road. Power has been out for the whole street since 4 a.m. Friday. Despite 40-plus hours elapsing, Eversource still has no projection for repair, citing ‘To Be Determined’ as the date when one inquires.

“They no longer even list Westport on the updated outage report, because over 99% of homes have power. This is cold comfort to residents on this street, who cannot get any information out of this vastly overpaid and underperforming public utility. With zero communication since the beginning, we worry that they’ve forgotten about us entirely.”

The reader responded at 1:04 a.m. that his power was back on. He doesn’t know if it was the result of his phone call, Tweet, or because they were about to do it anyway.

I’m keeping his complaint up though, because it’s not isolated. I’ve heard from other readers in the north end of Westport, who also had issues with Eversource.

Most seemed to understand the severity of the problem. What bothered them was Eversource’s lack of communication about when power was expected to return.

“We just want to be able to plan,” one reader said.

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Compare the situation in Lyman (top story above) with the behavior of one Very Entitled Driver downtown yesterday.

He ignored several “One Way/Do Not Enter” signs. He headed past all the cars, on 2 sides of the street, facing toward him.

Drivers stopped. One rolled down his window, and explained the driver was going the wrong way.

He couldn’t be bothered. Perhaps backing up was too difficult or time-consuming. Maybe doing so would be admitting wrongdoing, or a blow to his masculinity.

So he got out of his car. He had angry words with one of the right-way drivers.

Then he got back in his vehicle, swerved around a couple of cars, and kept driving.

All the way to the Post Road.

Very Entitled Driver — after already being told he is going the wrong way on Main Street.

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Also downtown: Our own Barnes & Noble was featured in the opening seconds of Yahoo News’ recent feature on the chain’s resurgence.

Young readers in particular have driven the opening of new (and newly designed) stores.

CEO James Daunt was interviewed by Dave Briggs. The Yahoo journalist knows what he’s talking about — he lives here in Westport, just a couple of miles from one of those slimmed-down, brighter, more open and less “library-looking” Barnes & Noble’s than the previous one.

Click here for the full Yahoo story.

Screenshot of the Yahoo story

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The Burying Hill High Tide Club has earned an “06880” mention — and props — for weekly swims at that Greens Farms beach, all the way through fall.

Now another group is earning even more awe (and raised eyebrows).

Nico Eisenberger reports: “This year we spawned a crazy cousin of the High Tide Club. Inspired by some of the hardy originals, and carried forward with an unreasonable and illogical vigor, is Club Plunge.

“We’ve done it every week since early November. It’s amazing and wonderful — and makes you think that maybe the extremophiles one sees on YouTube are really on to something.”

The group includes 8 regulars.

“We try to stay in for at least 3 minutes,” Nico says. “The screaming subsides after 1 minute, then picks up again after 2.”

No word on “weather” they ventured in yesterday.

Club Plunge at Burying Hill Beach.

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Today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo shows how a gifted decorator can transform beautiful plants and flowers into something even more stunning.

This is the holiday table at the home of Elena and Richard Nasereddin. She’s Catholic. He’s Muslim.

Both wish everyone in the “0688o” community — in Westport, and cyberspace — “happy holidays, and many blessings in the new year.”

(Photo/Maria Elena Nasereddin)

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And finally … Christmas music ends tonight. Whether that’s good or bad depends on your threshold for jinglyness.

But before we say goodbye (till next year) to Mariah Carey, Josh Groban, Michael Jackson, Bruce Springsteen, Bobby Helms, Bing Crosby and Gene Autry, let’s tip our Santa hat to Johnny Marks.

He lived for many years on Green Acre Lane, off South Compo. He died in 1985 from complications of diabetes. His son still lives here.

Who was Johnny Marks?

Just the guy who wrote “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer.”

And “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.” “Run, Rudolph, Run.” “Have a Holly Jolly Christmas.” And many others.

Not bad for a Jewish kid from Mount Vernon, New York.

Merry Christmas! Oy!

 

11 Comments

Posted in Beach, Downtown, Local business, Media, Politics, Transportation, Weather

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Roundup: Malone Refuse Gets Scammed; Turkey Trot T-Shirt Goes Viral …

Posted on December 2, 2022 | 6 comments

Kristen Stroud posted this important — but depressing — information on social media:

“My family owns Malone’s Refuse Service. A customer brought to our attention that someone is fraudulently soliciting holiday tips.

“The person placed these cards (photo below) in mailboxes, hoping the customer will then mail them a holiday gift. This person is not employed by Malone’s Refuse Service. We will be reporting it to the police.

“Between this scam and all of the recent issues with check washing and mail being stolen, if you would like to gift your actual refuse collector, you can email me at malonesrefuse@gmail.com and we will figure out the safest way to do so.”

Calling Sherlock Holmes!

Or really, any 1st grader who can read.

With the address provided, it should not take long to crack this case wide open.

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Every organization in Westport (and beyond) asks Miggs Burroughs for favors.

He always obliges.

For over 30 years, the talented and generous artist/graphic designer (and longtime runner) has designed t-shirts for the Pequot Running Club’s annual “Turkey Trot.” Proceeds go to the club, and charity.

They’re great souvenirs. Then they end up in the bottom of runners’ drawers, replaced by their next race t-shirt.

This year Miggs commemorated 45 years of Turkey Trotting. He chose historic national and world events from those past years, and included them in the design.

Uh oh.

A Tik Tok user named “Crawlie” — who did not run in the race, and apparently had way too much time on her hands — did not like Miggs’ choices. She posted her thoughts.

@crawlie

#greenscreen my outfit is giving miscallaneous star wars girlie but i cant do anything about it now #thanksgiving #fyp #kellyclarkson

♬ original sound – crawlie

For reasons known only to Tik Tok users, Crawlie’s post has received over 688,000 views. It’s generated more than 2,800 comments.

Most people did not share her outrage.

In fact, requests to buy t-shirts have poured in from across the country.

Take that, Crawlie!

PS: Another Tik Toker attempted a Billy Joel/”We Didn’t Start the Fire”-style video. It’s pretty weak. Still, it gives you an idea of the “controversy” surrounding the shirt.

https://www.tiktok.com/@lucybiggers/video/7169625172947815723?is_from_webapp=v1&item_id=7169625172947815723&web_id=7172301626379765291

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Staples High School’s elite Orphenians sang …

… and 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker made brief remarks (including a shout out to the Public Works Department, for decorations). She then asked kids in the crowd to join her, counting down “3 … 2 … 1!” …

… and wham! Last night, Westport’s Christmas (aka Holiday) tree was lit, in front of Town Hall by Myrtle Avenue.

(Photos/Dan Woog)

Missed it? No problem!

There’s another tree lighting tonight (Friday, 4:30 p.m., Wakeman Town Farm). Stick around for carols and treats, too.

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Speaking of Christmas songs: The Saugatuck Caroling Crawl returns a week from tomorrow (Saturday, December 10).

The Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce event was last held in pre-COVID 2019.

This year once again, 6 Staples Orphenians will sing holiday songs, moving from one restaurant to the next. They’ll hit 14 in all.

Carolers begin their rounds at the Boathouse at 6:30 p.m. They’ll head to Parker Mansion, Kawa Ni, The Whelk, Tutti’s and the Black Duck, before making their way to Railroad Place to sing at Tarantino, Harvest, Romanacci and Allium.

They finish by 8:30 p.m., after entertaining diners at Match Lobster Burger, Rizzuto’s, Viva Zapata and Dunville’s.

Participating Orphs include Sophia Betit, Madelyn Spera, James Dobin-Smith, Alyssa Lee, Deneil Betfarhad and Ethan Tober will be performing.

Reservations are recommended.

 

A scene from the 2018 Caroling Crawl.

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The Westport Farmers’ Market adds a special “Holiday Artists’ Market” a week from tomorrow (Saturday, December 10, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Gilbertie’s Herbs & Garden Center, 7 Sylvan Lane). The market features a wide range of handcrafted gift ideas, from 25 local artists.

Carolers will entertain. Bubble & Brew will provide cold and hot beverages, plus sweet treats.  Chef Dan Kardos will bring his Oak & Oar food truck too. “Mark(et)” the date right now.

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Yesterday’s “Roundup” featured a Jeep smushing a traffic pylon on Main Street.

Today we feature a different scene, from almost the exact same spot:

After zipping past several prominent “One Way/Do Not Enter” signs, the driver continued the wrong way, refusing to back up or turn around — even when told to. (Had she looked around, she might have noticed every other car pointed in the other direction.)

The driver never stopped (or acknowledged reality). She just kept going, all the way to the Post Road.

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‘Tis the holiday season. So Westport Country Playhouse ends its 2022 Script in Hand series on December 12 with …

… “Bad Jews.”

Spoiler alert: It’s a comedy.

The night after their grandfather’s funeral, 3 cousins engage in a verbal (and sometimes physical) battle. There’s Daphna Feygenbaum, a “Real Jew” who is volatile, self-assured and unbending; her equally stubborn cousin Liam, a secular and entitled young man with a shiksa girlfriend Melody in tow, and Liam’s brother Jonah, who tries to stay out of the fray.

There’s live music at 6 p.m. in the lobby before the show. Click here for tickets, and more information.

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Baby, it’s cold outside. But Misty shows off her fashionable winter coat, in today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature.

(Photo/Bob Weingarten)

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And finally … Lucy Biggers tried to mock the Turkey Trot t-shirt, by channeling her inner Billy Joel (story above).

She failed miserably. Here’s how it’s done:

(You won’t get a souvenir t-shirt for supporting “06880” — just our eternal thanks. Hopefully, that’s enough. Please click here to donate.)

 

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Roundup: Depression, Dumb Driving, Club 203 …

Posted on October 21, 2022 | 7 comments

“Is My Teen Just Moody? An Overview on Adolescent Depression” is the depressing — but very important — title of a Westport Public Schools’ workshop.

Set for November 3 (7 p.m., Bedford Middle School auditorium), it offers parents ideas for distinguishing “normal” teenage mood swings from symptoms of something more serious.

The event explores signs and symptoms of clinical depression, and offers treatment options.

Presenter Elizabeth Cotter of Effective School Solutions ha over 20 years’ experience as a therapist, program director and in clinical leadership roles.

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Traffic was normal — that is to say, busy — yesterday at noon.

Pat Prenderville was 5th in line on Imperial Avenue, waiting for the Post Road/Myrtle Avenue light.

Suddenly, the driver of a white Audi pulled in front of all the cars waiting in Pat’s line, and zoomed to the front.

In the left lane.

And proceeded to wait there — now first in line — until the light changed.

The very entitled white Audi. (Photo/Pat Prenderville)

The Very Very Very Important Driver then headed straight across, onto Myrtle.

“It’s amazing they weren’t hit by cars turning onto Imperial,” Pat says.

It’s also amazing that I’m not amazed anymore to hear — and see — stunts like this one.

PS: It was lunchtime, so this was not a teenage driver.

And you wonder why kids drive like they do.

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Club 203 — Westport’s new social group for adults with disabilities — had its second event this week.

Once again, it was a smashing success.

Attendees, their guests and volunteers came dressed for Halloween. Trunks were decorated, and filled with treats, Scary movie clips played on the Remarkable Theater screen, and there was dancing and games for all.

As they did at their first outing, Club 203 members greeted old friends, met new ones, and had a blast..

Next up: Gaming and Pizza Night (November 19, Toquet Hall). For more information, click here.

Club 203 members Jamie Taylor and Andreas Wagner enjoy the Halloween party.

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With nearly 300 members, Staples’ Service League of Boys is the high school’s largest club.

They spend most meetings planning events. But this week they Jay Paretzky of Westport Volunteer Emergency Medical Services led hands-on CPR and AED instruction for the teenagers — and their parents.

Other meetings are “working” sessions. For example, SLOBs will pack and deliver hundreds of snack bags for Bridgeport schoolchildren.

SLOBs has a great reputation, at Staples and throughout the community. It’s not hard to see why.

SLOBs’ CPR training.

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Speaking of Staples: Jo Shields was impressed to find this message chalked on the high school sidewalk the other day, next to the main entrance:

(Photo/Jo Shields)

It says “Asking for help is not a sign of weakness. It’s a sign of bravery.”

Similar messages could be seen on sidewalks all around the school. They’re part of the Guidance Department’s ongoing efforts to raise awareness of the importance of mental health.

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MoCA Westport’s first-ever Open Mic last night sounds great!

Sixteen performers — as young as 14, and as old as 87 — shared poems and music with the community. Westport poet laureate Jessica McEntee also participated. Performers ranged in age from young as 14 to as old as 87.

Click here for the full program.

Vivian Shamie performs at last night’s “MoCA Some Noise” open mic event. (Photo/Cynthia Dempster)

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Today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo comes courtesy of Susan Leone. It was taken from the Riverwalk, behind the Library.

Once again, she — and her friend — remind us how fortunate we are to live here.

(Photo/Susan Leone)

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And finally … on this day in 1879,  Thomas Edison applied for a patent for his incandescent light bulb.

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Roundup: Urgent Care, Classic Cars, Housing Rally …

Posted on August 14, 2021 | 1 comment

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NOTE: Our “0*6*Art*Art*0” art gallery is closed for summer vacation. It will reopen next week!

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Westport Urgent Care‘s air conditioning unit has been in urgent need of a part for a while. It’s still on back order.

What was merely an inconvenience earlier became — well, urgent — this sweltering week. With latex gloves sticking to doctors and nurses’ hands, dangerous heat levels, and ill patients being exposed to even more danger in the waiting area, the health care center tried to adapt.

Yesterday, the walk-in clinic closed early. A sign cited “equipment failure,” and apologized for “inconvience.”

There was no notice on the website, or voice message, whether Urgent Care will be open today. It usually opens at 9 a.m. on Saturdays.

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Then there’s this heat-related postponement: Today’s Car Cruise has been rescheduled for next Saturday (August 21, 4 to 8 p.m., Saugatuck train station parking lot #1).

The sponsoring Westport Police Benevolent Association decided it was just too hot.

Cars of all years, makes and models are welcome. The fee to enter and display is $20. Funds benefit charities like the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, Special Olympics, and Veterans and Families of Fallen Officers.

The first 100 cars to arrive get a gift bag. The family-friendly event includes music, food, trophies and raffle prizes.

Westport PBA car rally

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Speaking of cars: This was spotted a couple of days ago, by Ned Dimes Marina at Compo Beach. I guess he (and you know it’s a guy) wanted to park as close to his boat as possible.

(Photo/Michael Lonsdale)

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Still on: Wednesday’s (August 18, 2 p.m., Jesup Green) rally to end a message about the importance of supportive housing for Connecticut’s most vulnerable residents.

As the housing market is at a fever pitch, a coalition of groups — including Homes With Hope, the Westport Housing Authority and The Partnership for Open Communities — are working on funding initiatives.

Vulnerable residents include homeless people, the housing insecure, domestic violence survivors, youth, and families struggling to stay in our community.

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Yesterday’s “06880 Roundup” about an upcoming Mikey’s Way event included outdated information. The spread of the COVID Delta variant raised concerns about an in-person gathering.

The “Beacon of Hope” fundraiser — to help provide electronics for youngsters undergoing treatment for life-threatening illnesses — will be all virtual this year. A live auction begins October 13.

. Click here for more information.

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 Like ’em or hate ’em, you can’t deny: The New England Patriots are generous.

Every year, the Kraft family owners’ foundation  honors community volunteers. This week, at Gillette Stadium, 26 volunteers were cited — and donations made in their name to charitable causes.

Among them: Westporter Amy Katz, and — to the tune of $10,000 — Pink Aid.

In 2011, she founded the organization to help underserved women undergoing breast cancer treatments. It has provided more than $6.5 million in assistance, to over 10,000 women.

Katz also launched a mentorship program, and established Norwalk Hospital’s Community Mammogram Program for underinsured women.

The Kraft Family Foundation received more than 250 applications this year from nonprofit organizations. Congratulations, Amy — and thank you, Pink Aid and the Krafts! (Hat tip: Jean Lepore)

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Congrats too to Tallula Stvan. The June Staples High School graduate heads off to the University of Connecticut as winner of the Westport Woman’s Club’s Leah Scherzer Scholarship.

Tallula’s activities included the school newspaper Inklings, and a community service project. Her award — part of the WWC’s $31,000 given in student aid this year — is named for the Woman’s Clubs most active member.

Tallula Stvan

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And more kudos: rising Staples High School sophomore Leigh Foran just had a paper published in The Pre-Collegiate Global Health Review. It’s called  “A Disease Called Poverty: The Sickness Dismantling Global Health Equity.”

PGHR — a Johns Hopkins University student- and faculty-led publication — is the first international, peer-reviewed journal that features articles on global health topics written by high school students. Leigh’s article underwent a rigorous review process.

In it, she discusses the inequitable correlation between poverty and illness, including how poor people are disproportionately more devastated by preventable diseases. She comments on the role of non-governmental organizations in adding to this problem, and what can be done to find a solution.

Click here to read Leigh’s piece.

Leigh Foran

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The Westport Garden Club sure gets around.

This week’s #FridayFlowers grace the front entrance of Earthplace. It’s appropriate. The arrangement was created by club member Becky Newman, who in her spare time directs the center’s nature programs.

#FridayFlowers at Earthplace.

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Which leads us, naturally, to today’s “Westport … Naturally” beautiful butterfly photo:

(Photo/Mikayla Doyle)

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And finally … it’s too hot to do much during the day. But tonight, head outside. Look up. You’ll see the Perseid meteor shower. If you’re lucky — and away from too much light pollution — you’ll see one of nature’s true wonders.

And you can’t beat the price.

 

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Roundup: Joey’s, Vaccine, Seniors’ Blog …

Posted on March 21, 2021 | 9 comments

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Yesterday’s gorgeous weather brought beach-lovers to Compo.

It also kicked off the season for entitled drivers. First off the mark: This person, who believes the only way to enjoy the water is to park as close as possible to it.

(Photo/Roseann Spengler)

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Another sign of spring (and summer): Joey’s by the Shore (featuring Elvira Mae’s Coffee Bar) opened yesterday.

Hours are currently 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., weather dependent. Joey, Betsy and the crew say hi!

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After all the stories about difficulties scoring a COVID vaccine appointment, I heard the other side: how efficiently the process runs, once you actually get a slot for a shot.

The operation at the former Lord & Taylor parking lot in Stamford sounded particularly well organized.

That’s where I was scheduled yesterday, for my first dose. It’s all true.

From check-in to the shot itself and on through the 15-minute observation period afterward, the process was top notch. It was run with military precision. That’s not surprising: Connecticut’s National Guard was in charge.

Kudos to all involved. A big shout-out to the Guardsman pictured below. We had a great time chatting. He represents his unit — and the entire operation — exceptionally well.

The only tweak needed is laughably minor. The address given for the Lord & Taylor lot is 110 High Ridge Road. But the entrance for vaccines is on Long Ridge.

I can live with that.

(Photo/Dan Woog)

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Westport Police say:

“The Westport Police Department is shocked and saddened by the murders that occurred this past week in the greater Atlanta area. Our hearts go out to the victims as well as their loved ones. Violence committed against a person because of their race is something that should never be tolerated or excused.

“The Westport Police stands with law enforcement agencies nationwide as well as our partners at the Anti-Defamation League in condemning this horrible crime.For more information and resources please go to the Anti-Defamation League’s website.”

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Electric vehicle brands and state legislators hold a press conference tomorrow (Monday, March 22, 10 a.m.) at the Westport train station’s eastbound side.

They’ll discuss what they call “outdated dealer franchise laws that have plagued direct electric vehicle sales for almost a decade.”

A proposed bill would give “innovative companies the ability to have an uncorked presence in Connecticut.” Without this legislation, they say, many EV manufacturers will continue to be blocked from opening sales sites, offering test drives, and selling directly to consumers.” Click here for more details.

Westport is an appropriate site for the press conference. We have the highest percentage of EVs registered in the state — over 250 Teslas alone.

Electric vehicles lined up by the Staples charging stations (from left): Chevy Bolt, Tesla S, VW, Tesla X, Nissan Leafes,

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For nearly 2 years, Rosemary Cass’ blog has enriched the lives of people age 55 and older.

“Seeing it Clearly Now” inspires everyone — retired or not — be better with age. Her focus is on learning new things, finding purpose, and exploring the arts.

The blog features creative works of older writers and artists. For example, a recent post explored the writer’s gratification from her volunteer work with Al’s Angels.

Many contributors are members of the Westport Senior Center. Cass herself is a student in Jan Bassin’s writing workshops.

She’s always looking for submissions. Click here for the blog; email cass.rosemary@gmail.com.

Rosemary Cass uses the pen name “Rosy Prose.”

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And finally … Happy 436th birthday, Johann Sebastian Bach!

 

9 Comments

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Roundup: Real Estate, Burying Hill, Bridgewater, More

Posted on January 9, 2021 | 2 comments

Just how hot was last year’s real estate market?

COVID-19 pushed the number of single-family home sales to a record 639. That compares to 356 the previous year.

Including condos, there were 688 residential transactions in 2020. The year prior: 389.

It wasn’t just volume that soared. Check out the MLS graph below, showing the dollar volume of closed sales over the past 3 years. Westport is in blue; Weston is green, Fairfield yellow, Wilton red.

Westport’s median sales price in December was $1,399,000. (Hat tips: KMS Partners and Chuck Greenlee)

Remember the November photo of the driver who zoomed past the fence and up the hill at Burying Hill Beach, parked at the top and admired the view of Long Island Sound?

Either she inspired a copycat. Or — just like the US Capitol on Wednesday — it is now okay to breach every normally accepted rule of behavior that has governed us forever.

Rusty Ford spotted this yesterday. And no, it’s not the same car at all.

(Photo/Rusty Ford)

Looking for a job?

Bridgewater Associates is looking for an executive chef.

The Westport-based world’s largest hedge fund ran a classified ad in the current Westport News.

The chef will provide catering services for executive-level meals and VIP meetings — over 150 business and social events annual, from small breakfasts to parties for more than 100.

But he or she won’t be stuck in the firm’s 2 offices here (Weston Road and Nyala Farm). Some of the cooking will be done on the VIP yacht.

The ad explains: “International sailing catering services include … creating menus for daily fare and social events; and procuring necessary culinary supplies in ports of call around the world for extensive travel time on the water. Travel to various unanticipated locations domestically and internationally, including onboard VIP yacht, is required.”

Interested? Send your resume to bw_talentacquisition@bwater.com, or mail to Bridgewater Associates, 1 Glendinning Place, Westport, CT 06880. Don’t forget the job code: BW55.

Bridgewater’s new executive chef will not be stuck at Westport headquarters.

Westport is a Transportation Leader.

That’s the official title. Our Department of Human Resources received the silver award for our CTrides 2021 Transportation Leaders program.

Earning Transportation Leader status requires an annual commitment by town government to work with CTrides to educate, encourage and incentivize employees to use greener modes.

Westport was recognized for providing commuting and CTrides information to all employees, establishing a telework and flexible work schedule program, and access to electric vehicle chargers at Town Hall.

1st Selectman cited interim Transit District director and RTM Transit Committee member Peter Gold for his support in receiving the award.

And finally … happy 80th birthday to singer/songwriter/activist Joan Baez!

 

 

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Main Street Madness

Posted on December 22, 2020 | 14 comments

Every once in a while, a driver heading south on Main Street — past Rye Ridge Deli on the right, and Brooks Corner on the left — will ignore the several large “One Way/Do Not Enter” signs.

And the oncoming traffic. And two rows of parked cars, one on either side of the street, all facing the same way.

It happens.

When it does, the wrong-way driver will get all embarrassed and shame-faced. Then, v-e-r-y s-lo-w-l-y, she (or he!) will slowly back up.

But not yesterday.

When surprised motorists and pedestrians informed this driver that he (or she!) was headed the wrong way, they* kept right on going.

And backed right into a vacant parking spot.

I have no idea what happened later. Did the driver leave the same way it came?

Or just keep going to the Post Road?

*It’s now proper usage.

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Posted in Downtown, Transportation

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