One of the most overlooked (so far) local environmental stories involves erosion and related issues at Westport’s beaches.
The “sandbar” (natural, not food) at Compo Beach, and the continuing disappearance of Burying Hill, are 2 noticeable impacts.
On October 1 (6:30 p.m., Town Hall auditorium), RACE Coastal Engineering will present their second Comprehensive Beach Resilience Planning Studies forum.
It covers existing site conditions, potential beach profiles, and anticipated regulatory requirements, among others.
The topic has not been on many residents’ minds. It should be.
Very little actual beach remains at Burying Hill. (Photo/Ed Simek)
In related news, the Parks & Recreation Commission’s September 16 meeting (7:30 p.m., Zoom) includes a couple of interesting items:
- Parks Master Plan update
- New parks maintenance facility.
Commissioners will also accept a gift to install dugouts at the Greens Farms Elementary School softball field, dedicated to Nat Brogadir.
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Westport firefighters honored 9/11 yesterday, with their annual memorial service at headquarters. This year’s 25th anniversary carried special meaning.
(Photo/Westport Fire Department)
Then came a visit to the Westport Weston Family YMCA.
Three firefighters climbed aboard a Stairmaster, and completed 110 stories.
That’s the number of floors their New York City colleagues attempted to climb in rescue attempts that awful morning, 25 years ago yesterday.
343 FDNY members lost their lives on September 11, 2001.
Westport firefighters, at the YMCA. The TV on the right shows the New York City 9/11 memorial service. (Photo/Christina Scherwin)
Back at headquarters, Westport firefighters were treated to a nice lunch, by Julie and James Whamond.
The meal was accompanied by a note, thanking the WFD for all they do for our town, and for stepping up for Julie’s family 25 years ago. Her husband, Jonathan Uman, was killed in the World Trade Center attack.
Firefighters, with lunch. (Photo/Westport Fire Department)
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Last night’s New York City lights memorial to 9/11 was visible from Compo Beach. Rick Benson captured this somber moment:
(Photo/Rick Benson)
Rick’s son RB was on a boat. This was the view of Manhattan, from Long Island Sound:
(Photo/RB Benson)
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Also honoring 9/11: this man, spotted by Debra Carson on the Post Road yesterday.
She doesn’t know more about his mission .But we appreciate his journey, and admire his determination.
(Photo/Debra Carson)
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School is back in session.
Parties are in full swing.
And Compo Beach neighbors are not pleased.
For the past 2 weekends, they report, “hundreds” of students — primarily freshmen — have gathered at night on the beach along the Soundview Drive exit road.
Residents report noise and drinking. Police arrive.
One part of the large scene.
Eventually the party ends. “But the seawall and beach are trashed,” one homeowner says.
This morning, Parks & Recreation Department crews cleaned up the mess.
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The Harmonetiks Project is a non-profit fostering recovery and resilient leadership for veterans and first responders.
It brings community wellness and veteran support together, as public classes and treatments help fund free care for veterans. The project teaches practical self-care skills through programs including Harmonetiks Easy Breath, acupuncture, tai chi, yoga and more.
Owner Mike Williams is an Army veteran and former combat medic.
Harmonetiks opened a training center at 420 Post Road West last month. A grand opening is set for today (Saturday, 12 noon). The public is invited. Click here for more information.
Harmonetiks Project
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Westporters are enjoying the town’s newest outdoor art.
“Circle of Peace” — a bronze sculpture outside the upper entrance to the Westport Library — is a playful work that invites passersby to stop and smile.
It will be officially dedicated on Monday (September 14, 5 p.m.). The public is invited.
Youngsters enjoying “Circle of Peace.” (Photo/Jamie Walsh)
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Speaking of the Library: An extra-special author talk takes places October 2 (7 p.m.). Ocean Vuong discussed his new bestseller, “The Emperor of Gladness.” Oprah Winfrey picked it for her Book Club.
Born in Saigon and raised in a working-class Hartford household, he set his latest story in the fictional town of East Gladness, Connecticut.
The theme is survival. The book tackles the daily weight of caregiving, poverty, addiction, family by choice, and the strange relief that comes when another human being truly notices you when you feel invisible.
Vuong has spoken about Buddhism, the reality of suffering, and how he might have ended up as a monk if writing had not found him first. He’ll be joined on stage by poet, memoirist, and Yale Review editor Meghan O’Rourke.
Tickets include a signed copy of “The Emperor of Gladness.”Click here to register.
Ocean Vuong (Photo/Gioncarlo Valentine)
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Speaking (as before) of art: MoCA\CT celebrated the opening of “Michael Borders: Connecticut Industry” with a public reception Thursday night.
On view through November 15, the exhibition includes 8 monumental painted panels by the Connecticut artist. Individually and collectively, the offer a vivid portrait of our state’s history, industries, landscapes and communities.
For more information, click here.
Michael Borders, at MoCA\CT. (Photo/Mariana Roman)
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Great actors are a Westport Country Playhouse tradition.
But what does it take to get stage — there, or anywhere else?
On Sunday, September 20, Andrew Keenan-Bolger — the original Crutchie in “Newsies” on Broadway — offers 2 master classes for students.
“Building Characters from the Inside Out” gives participants a chance to explore character development through monologue work, script analysis and imaginative storytelling.
The middle school class is 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The high school session follows, from 2 to 4.
The fee is $100. Scholarships are available. For details and registration, click here.
Andrew Keenan-Bolger
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Summer is over. But the Levitt Pavilion keeps rockin’.
A new free show has been added to the calendar. King Stingray brings their unique “Yolŋu surf rock” sound — a blend of ancient Australian indigenous melodies with surf, indie and funk influences — to Westport on September 23 (7:30 p.m.). Click here for tickets, and more information.
Stingray
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Meanwhile, 5 shows — all free — highlight the coming week, at the outdoor theater.
- Saturday, September 12, 7:30 p.m.: The always popular Sweet Remains.
- Sunday, September 13, 7 p.m. Brian López Electric Trio
- Tuesday, September 15, 7 p.m., Comedy night
- Wednesday, September 16, 7 p.m., Westport Community Band
- Thursday, September 17, 7:30 p.m., Barboletta: Tribute to Santana.
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Avid state park-goer Chris Swan offers this update on work at Sherwood Island:
“Late Thursday afternoon, the contractor finished rough grading a large area on the north side of the newly paved West Beach parking lot.
“I’m guessing they’ll hydro-seed. That will hold this soil from eroding while grass germinates, returning this to an overflow parking lot like what was there pre-project.
“The contractor also painted some lines, and a few remaining crosswalks. Likely some odds and ends remain, but it looks like the paving project is finally approaching the finish line.
“We’ll see how long it takes to tear down and then replace the pavilion roof. I’m not holding my breath on that one.”
Sherwood Island State Park (Photo/Chris Swan)
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Our new header — visible on laptop and desktop versions of “06880” — is a great shot of a Saugatuck Rowing Club crew. Thanks to photographer Bruce McFadden.
Click here or below to see.
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Today’s “Westport … Naturally” featured photo comes from Izzo & Son Country Gardens.
“Always a pleasure seeing these beauties,” she says.
(Photo/Elisabeth Levey)
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And finally … Happy National Video Games Day!
(You may not win every video game. But when you read “06880,” everyone is a winner. And if you like pushing buttons, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
