Tag Archives: I-95

Roundup: Basketball, Wrestling, Karting …

The Y’s Men of Westport and Weston have a number of sub-groups. They cover many interests, like technology, travel and food.

Plus music.

Last week, the Y’s Men’s Classical Society hosted the Staples Jazz Band, at the Westport Library.

The group, directed by Kevin Mazzarella, “displayed musicianship well beyond their years,” the Y’s Men newsletter says.

The concert was the second of 4 performances. Coming soon: the Staples Stradivarius Chamber Orchestra, and the Art Greenberg Memorial Olga Vinokur Piano.

But you don’t have to be a Y’s Man to enjoy the Jazz Band. Click here or below to watch and listen. (The concert starts at the 4:30 mark.)

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Tommy Greenwald got more than he bargained for, when he watched the Harvard-Yale men’s basketball game on ESPNU.

Cooper Boardman was on the call.

The 2017 Staples High School and 2021 Syracuse University grad has broadcast Boston Red Sox games on the  WEEI radio network. He also worked for Fox Sports and Westword One, doing college basketball, softball and lacrosse.

Boardman began his career at Staples. He called a number of sports, and won several John Drury Awards.

(Screenshot/Tommy Greenwald)

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Speaking of sports: congratulations to Staples wrestlers.

Seamus Brannigan and Julian Rousseau finished first, at this weekend’s FCIAC (league) championships.

Damian Rousseau and Gavin Donaldson placed second, while Kai Schwartz was fourth.

Up next: the state and open meets. Go Wreckers:

From left: Head coach Jordan Marion, Gavin Donaldson, Damian Rousseau, Seamus Brannigan, Julian Rousseau, Kai Schwartz, Francesco Beccarra, Charlie Goldman, Amelia Guimond, coach Will Switzer. Not pictured: Jessiah Jones, Amere Miller, Grady McHugh, Kia Halper.

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Speaking still of sports: Congratulations to Dylan Rosen!

The Coleytown Middle School 8th grader recently placed 3rd in Junior 3 Clone Class. It was his first full season of racing with the Norwalk Karting Association, at Calf Pasture Beach.

Dylan is coached by 66 year-old Hugh Gorman. They began a trackside friendship during repairs, and Hugh began offering tips to improve the kart and Dylan’s driving skills.

“He has a lot of patience to talk through things and share his knowledge.” said the 13-year-old racer.

When the season ended in November, Dylan’s 25-year-old Coyote Kart was beyond repair. He and his dad, Frank, called the company. They offered a steep discount on a 15-year-old frame, which they could transfer their working parts to.

Dylan did all the work on it himself. He plans to compete in regional races, beginning next month — with a goal of qualifying for Daytona kart week.

He is looking for local sponsors, to help with karting expenses. Email rosenfamilyracing@gmail.com for details.

Dylan Rosen, at work on his kart.

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The VFW is many things, to many people.

This Friday (February 20, 5:30 p.m.), it becomes a piano karaoke bar.

All singers, of all levels, are welcome. Songs range from rock and pop to standards and Broadway. A piano accompanist will help you sound great.

Admission is free. There’s a cash bar too.

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Bob Mitchell — who hopefully was a passenger in this car, and not the driver — sends this photo …

… and writes: “Will this ever change? It’s been what, 6 years? Doesn’t Delamar want their own signs now?

“But the underlying question: Do these signs really cause travelers to come off the highway looking for accommodations? In this age of ubiquitous GPS?

“Nevertheless, come on, Department of Transporation.”

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Many “Westport … Naturally” photos show close-ups: birds, flowers and the like.

Today’s is a wider view. There is plenty of natural wonder here, in this shot of Old Mill, Long Island Sound and more, from Hillspoint Road.

(Photo/Tracy Porosoff)

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And finally … Happy Presidents Day!

We honor them both straightforwardly …

… and humorously:

(Hail to the chief! And hail to “06880”! Honor your favorite president, by clicking here to support your hyper-local blog. Let us know who he is. Democrats, Republicans, Whigs — all are welcome!)

Traffic Alert!

There’s gridlock throughout Westport.

The Fire Department reports: “A tractor-trailer has become disabled, causing a significant diesel fuel spill on I-95 southbound between exits 18 and 17 (Hillspoint and Hales Road overpasses).

“I-95 is down to one lane of travel southbound in this area. Expect extended delays on I-95 and heavy traffic on local roads.”

The culprit. (Photo courtesy of Westport Fire Department)

Unsung Heroes #334

This week’s Unsung Heroes are a no-brainer.

Too many to count, they worked a couple of miles from Westport. But they made a gigantic impact on our town.

Less than 3 days after Thrusday’s horrific accident closed I-95 in both directions, the fire-damaged Fairfield Avenue overpass at Exit 15 had been demolished.

Northbound traffic flowed once again on Saturday night. Southbound traffic resumed a day later.

It was a remarkable effort, by engineers, demolition workers, pavers and line painters, state and federal Department of Transportation officials, Connecticut State Police and their local counterparts, Governor Lamont, and many others.

I-95 bridge repair, last Saturday.

Traffic in Westport was bad, for a couple of days. It could have been much worse, for far longer.

Another shout-out goes to Westport Police, who had their hands full with the spillover traffic. Special kudos to Ryan Paulsson.

“06880” reader Werner Liepolt wrote that Westport’s Deputy Police Chief  “promptly cut truckers off from a left turn onto Greens Farms Road, after learning of numerous big trucks over running sidewalks” on Bridge Street and Imperial Avenue.

Thanks to all those listed above, we were back — remarkably quickly — to just our own bad drivers.

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

 

I-95 Now Open, Both Ways

Less than 80 hours after a truck with 8,500 gallons of fuel burned an I-95 overpass in Norwalk, the span has been demolished — and the vital highway is back in operation.

The southbound lanes reopened just after 10 a.m. today.

Traffic flowed on the northbound lanes shortly after 7 p.m. yesterday.

Demolition, paving and restriping was completed a full day earlier than expected.

Workers put the finishing touches on the southbound lanes (left).

UPDATE: I-95 Northbound Will Reopen Tonight (Saturday)

Governor Ned Lamont and Connecticut Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto say:

  • Crews from the Connecticut Department of Transportation and contractors stayed at the site of the Fairfield Avenue Bridge throughout Friday night and continued working through the early hours of Saturday morning when additional equipment needed to remove the damaged bridge arrived.
  • Crews were able to complete demolition of the bridge by 12:30 p.m. today.
  • Following demolition, crews then began working to clean up all the debris and materials from the bridge off the highway. They also began making necessary repairs to the highway to ensure that it is safe for vehicular traffic.
  • The Connecticut Department of Transportation estimates that the northbound lanes of I-95 will reopen to vehicles by 8 p.m. tonight (Saturday).
  • All southbound lanes of the highway will remain closed to vehicles through the day on Sunday, May 5, because the pavement on this side of the highway was so damaged from the Thursday morning crash that those lanes need to be milled and repaved.

“Crews are making great progress in Norwalk and I am encouraged that we’ll have one side of I-95 open later tonight,” Governor Lamont said.

“Completely removing that bridge in less than 36 hours is an impressive feat and is credit to the hard work and dedication of the contractors and Connecticut Department of Transportation crews, who are pushing to get the entire highway fully reopened in both directions by Monday morning.”

As of 7:20 p.m. Saturday night, the entire Fairfield Avenue overpass in Norwalk had been removed.

“I continue to be thankful to the CTDOT crews and contractors who are working as hard as they can to get this highway reopened,” Commissioner Eucalitto said. “They made great progress today and I remain optimistic that we will meet our Monday morning deadline. I ask the public to remain patient with the ongoing traffic congestion and to continue using alternate routes and public transportation throughout the weekend.”

“I remain completely impressed with the response from our Norwalk Fire Department, Norwalk Police Department, and the State of Connecticut, including Governor Lamont’s Office, the Connecticut Department of Transportation, the Connecticut Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security and our State Police,” Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling said. “The fact that there were no injuries from the accident and that crews are working incredibly quickly to remove the bridge so we can reopen I-95 in both directions as soon as possible is a testament to Governor Lamont’s leadership and the high level of collaboration between each agency and level of government. I also want to thank our Norwalk residents and business community for their patience, as I know these temporary closures have been a complete inconvenience to their lives.”

A live video feed showing the ongoing work can be accessed at https://share.earthcam.net/CTDOTNorwalkbridge.

I-95 Overpass To Be Demolished; Local Traffic Congestion To Continue

Demolition of the I-95 Fairfield Avenue overpass in Norwalk will begin tomorrow morning. The road, at Exit 15, was damaged this morning, when a gasoline tanker involved in a multi-vehicle accident caught fire underneath.

I-95 will remain closed during demolition. The state Department of Transportation expects the work to last about 4 days.

The goal is for I-95 to reopen on Monday, May 6.

Westport Police say: “Over the next few days, local roads will continue to be severely affected with increased vehicular traffic.

“We urge anyone who does not need to travel to stay off the roads. If you need to travel, please give yourself extra time and be patient.

“We also encourage anyone traveling to and from Westport to use Metro North train service or alternate routes.”

For up-to-date information, click on www.ctroads.org.

Post Road scenes like this will continue throughout the weekend. (Drone photo/Charlie Scott)

Norwalk I-95 Accident Aftermath: Westport Gridlock

A  multi-vehicle accident and fire on I-95 southbound just before 5:30 a.m. today caused gridlock throughout Westport.

And it won’t ease for a while. Officials estimated this morning that I-95 in that area could be closed for several days.

Westbound Post Road traffic, just before noon. The cross streets are Myrtle Avenue (left) and Imperial Avenue (right). (Drone photo/Charlie Scott)

The crash — involving 2 tractor-trailers and a passenger vehicle — ignited a blaze in a tanker truck with 8,500 gallons of gasoline, underneath Fairfield Avenue at Exit 15. None of the occupants were hurt, though a firefighter suffered a leg injury. (Click here for a video of the fire.)

The I-95 accident and fire earlier today. (Photo/Norwalk Fire Department)

Traffic was closed in both directions, and on surrounding streets. Fairfield Avenue connects Martin Luther King Boulevard and Connecticut Avenue.

Officials are checking for damage to the overpass.

The aftermath of this morning’s tanker fire. The truck cannot be moved until all contents are offloaded. (Photo courtesy of News12 Connecticut)

The result was horrendous traffic, throughout Westport.

The Post Road was backed up for miles at rush hour. Alternate routes paralleling I-95, as well as to the Merritt Parkway, were also jammed.

The Post Road, at Wilton Road and Riverside Avenue. (Photo/Craig Bergamo)

Large trucks — including semis — jammed the Post Road. Some headed west on Greens Farms Road, but had to turn right on Imperial Avenue because they could not cross the Cribari Bridge.

That created additional traffic, at the Imperial/Post Road East traffic light.

Officials urge drivers — particularly truckers — to use alternate routes, including I-84 and I-87, if possible. Signs throughout the state, and in New York and Rhode Island, urge motorists to avoid the area.

Another view of the accident and fire. (Facebook screenshot courtesy of Kalin Barber)

Friday Flashback #375

I-95 (aka the Connecticut Turnpike or Thruway — though definitely not the “John Davis Lodge Turnpike”) has been part of Westport for so long that its path through here, largely paralleling the railroad tracks, seems foreordained.

Of course, it was not.

In 1951 — when planning for the highway was underway — 2 different routes were proposed.

One was very similar to what was ultimately decided — though it appears a second, or alternate, exit was included, at the Compo Road South/Greens Farms Road/ Bridge street intersection. (Greens Farms Road was further south then than it is now.)

But a northern highway was also considered.

Two proposed routes, from the October 18, 1951 Westporter-Herald. Click on or hover over to enlarge.

It would veer off just after the Norwalk border. It would rip through Treadwell Avenue and Kings Highway South, cross over Post Road West (with an exit by Birchwood Country Club), then head east at Riverside Avenue (another possible exit).

The “expressway” would continue just south of Post Road East (known at the time as State Street East), obliterating residences in its path through Hillandale Road, then just south of Greens Farms Elementary School (another potential exit), and on eastward through Maple Avenue South.

At the Fairfield line, the highway would continue at what is now its current location.

Legend has it that the more southern route was chosen because the governor — a Westport resident — lived on Easton Road, closer to the northern path.

The governor’s name?

John Davis Lodge.

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50 Years Ago This Week:

The Staples High School boys soccer team, coached by Albie Loeffler, earned its 5th consecutive state title (a Connecticut record).

Jimmy Manning headed in a beautiful cross from Kenny Murphy in sudden-death overtime to defeat #1-ranked Manchester. The upstaters had a perfect record going into the state final.

Staples finished 13-1-5.

(Every day, “06880” covers the Westport of yesterday, today and tomorrow. Please click here to help support our work. Thank you!)

Roundup: Swearing In, Peggy’s Cottage, ’60s Art …

Winners of Tuesday’s election — newcomers and incumbents — will be sworn in on Monday, November 20 (7:30 p.m., Town Hall auditorium).

The public is invited to attend.

Dozens of town officials — including board and commission members, and those on the Representative Town Meeting — will take oaths of office November 20. This is a file photo from 2021. (Photo/Andrew Colabella)

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Loyal customers love Peggy’s Cottage — the great everything-Irish (and English, Scottish and Welsh) Post Road store, opposite Stop & Shop.

It’s a little bit of home — warm, comfortable, welcoming.

But there’s always something new there, too.

For example:

  • Irish Word Bangle Bracelets
  • 100% Irish Wool Socks.
  • Mittens
  • Irish knitwear for babies.
  • Celtic design pashmina wool and silk scarves, inspired by Irish islands with the story of each  isle on the hangtag.
  • Ireland t-shirts
  • Books, from a Celtic wholesale company.

Click here for more very cool (and often green) merchandise.

New arrivals at Peggy’s Cottage.

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Speaking of holiday shopping:

The Westport Library Gift Store is now open, and filled with gifts. It’s located in the writing center adjacent to the Hub on the main floor, alongside the Library Store and Patron Services desk.

There are gifts for readers, writers, and anyone else special: handmade scarves, hats and gloves; puzzles and games; decorative items like unique snow globes; notebooks and journals; toys, art supplies, novelty items for kids, and more.

An added gift: Purchases are tax free. All proceeds support Library services and programs.

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High school students were not around in the 1960s. Most of their parents were not, either.

But MoCA Westport is reaching back to that famous decade, while seeking submissions for their 2024 High School Student Art Exhibition.

The theme of the open call is “Through the Lens of Icons: Revisiting the 1960s.” The idea is to “reimagine the ’60s through your creative lens.” Individuals, moments or symbols that hold cultural, political or personal significance are welcome.

Categories include photography, painting, drawing, sculpture and video. Students may submit only one work each.

The deadline is December 1. For more details, including submission guidelines, click here.

President Kennedy, his wife Jackie and Texas Governor John Connolly, moments before the assassination that changed the world.

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The “bridge slide” portion of the I-95 project is over.

But construction delays remain.

Long ones.

Last night, Jo Shields Sherman reports, 3 state highway trucks were traveling south, “as fast as 5 miles an hour.” Police vehicles kept pace, preventing any vehicles from passing.

 

One view of I-95, from the Hillspoint Road bridge …

The view from the other side of the bridge seemed eerie, she says, with not a single vehicle in sight. Here’s what it looked like:

(Photos/Jo Shields Sherman)

By 8:30, traffic was moving well again.

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After a 3-year hiatus, Stephanie Bass returns to the stage.

Westport’s favorite 70something comedian offers her always-hilarious take on life — including getting older, and raising a kid from 5 to adulthood in this wonderful, odd, often (unintentionally) humorous town.

The free show (including both stand-up and storytelling) on November 17 (7 p.m., Westport Library) is presented by students of Verso University’s Stand-Up comedy series. The host is comedian (and course instructor) Mina Hartong.

Click here for more information.

Stephanie Bass, at the Gotham Comedy Club.

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Staples High School’s November Students of the Month are seniors Dylan Fiore and Dylan Walsh, juniors Will Boberski and Kate Weitz, sophomores Tyler Smalls and Mia Zibly, and freshmen Ishan Pasham and Eliza Wadley.

Students of the Month “help make Staples a welcoming place for their peers and teachers alike. They are the ‘glue’ of the Staples community: the type of kind, cheerful, hard-working, trustworthy students that keep the high school together, making it the special place that it is.”

November Students of the Month (from left): Dylan Walsh, William Boberski, Mia Zibly, Kate Weitz, Eliza Wadley. Not pictured: Dylan Fiore, Ishan Pasham, Tyler Smalls. 

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The Westport Library’s Big Fall Book Sale is set for 3 weeks before winter: December 1-4.

On sale: thousands of gently used books for children and adults in more than 50 categories, antiquarian books, vinyl records, music CDs, movie and TV DVDs, plus a limited selection of ephemera and artwork, and the “Fiction for $1” room.

Hours are Friday, December 1 (noon to 6 p.m.), Saturday, December 2 (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.), Sunday, December 3 (11 a.m. to 5 p.m., nearly everything  half price), and Monday, December 4 (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; fill logo bags for $8 or $10).

On December 1 (8:55 a.m. to noon), the book sale is open via an Early Access ticket (click here to buy). For more information, click here.

To volunteer at the sale, email volunteers@westportbooksales.org.

Can’t make the sale?  Visit the nonprofit Westport Book Shop across Jesup Green from the Library, or shop any time on the Book Sale’s Online Store, or eBay.

Westport Library Book Sale.

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It’s been a few days since Tracy Porosoff sent in this “Westport … Naturally” photo.

Hopefully, these flowers are still hanging on, in her backyard garden.

(Flowers/Tracy Porosoff)

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And finally … if high school students need a prompt to create art for MoCA Westport’s “1960s” exhibition (story above), there are tens of thousands of songs to choose from.

Here are 3:

(“06880” looks back often — and looks to the present and future always. Please help us continue our work. Click here to make a tax-deductible contribution. Thank you!)

 

Roundup: Parks & Rec’s Gardens & Field; Hunt Club & Pickleball; I-95 & Traffic

The Westport Community Gardens/Babe Ruth baseball field saga continues.

A week after the Long Lots School Building Committee recommended relocating the gardens to Baron’s South, the Parks & Recreation Commission voted to place the diamond where the garden is now, just south of the elementary school.

Meeting last night at Town Hall, commissioners spoke about field use and scheduling, including possibilities for new fields to allow the gardens to remain.

Community members spoke. Issues raised included possible toxic chemicals at Baron’s South; the importance of fields for youngsters; the importance of the gardens for mental health and the environment, and contrasts between how often the gardens and Long Lots baseball field are used.

Commissioners then read prepared statements, favoring the baseball field over the gardens. They hope to keep as much of the Long Lots Preserve as possible, as a buffer for neighbors.

Other town bodies will now continue to discuss the entire Long Lots project, including the Board of Finance, Board of Education, Conservation Commission and Representative Town Meeting.

The Parks & Recreation Commission voted that a new Babe Ruth baseball field should replace the Westport Community Gardens.

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Yesterday, 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker acknowledged recent antisemitic incidents in Westport, like the vandalism of an Israeli flag. She said:

“Hate incidents are on the rise in the US following the deadly terrorist attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Specifically, antisemitic incidents have increased by 388% according to a report released by the ADL last week.

“This data is shocking and horrifying. Leaders like me all around the country, in large cities and in small towns, are monitoring these trends and communicating with organizations like the ADL and our local clergy to publicly stand against these incidents in our communities.

“I want the residents and business owners of Westport to know that there is no place for hate — no place for antisemitic behavior — in Westport. Our community strongly rejects hate in all forms. The safety and well-being of each member of our community are my top priority and that of Police Chief Foti Koskinas. If you hear something or see something, please report it.

“We are here for you. We want you to feel safe, and heard. We want you to know that you are a valued member of our community, that you belong here. It is up to all of us to stand together and speak up – clearly and unequivocally – against hate, and specifically antisemitism, and any language or actions that feed or normalize it. Again, when one of us is harmed, we are all harmed.”

A defaced Israeli flag was found near Temple Israel last weekend.

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Fairfield County Hunt Club has withdrawn its Planning & Zoning Commission application to construct to construct 2 pickleball courts, along with a proposed tennis court expansion and parking lot modification.

At a recent meeting, commission members and neighbors questioned the plan, focusing on noise and related issues.

A revised plan may be resubmitted in the future, the Hunt Club says.

This is the second application to be taken off of next Monday’s meeting agenda. Yesterday, the town withdrew its application for a redesign of Parker Harding Plaza.

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It bears repeating: The second “bridge slide” is set for this weekend (Friday, November 3, 8 p.m. to Monday, November 6, 6 a.m.). Traffic throughout town will be heavier than usual.

Then again, it always is.

To keep up to date, bookmark this website.

And check it often.

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Westport Country Playhouse archivist Bruce Miller led the Y’s Women through 93 years of history yesterday.

He described the 1930 beginning, when Broadway producer Lawrence Langner bought a barn and hired a set designer, through Stephen Sondheim’s apprenticeship, and the Joanne Woodward-led renovation 2 decades ago.

Miller took his guests backstage, showing the lighting and sound board; onto the storied stage, then downstairs to see the dressing rooms, green room, and “wall of honor” with head shots of actors who have performed there, including Tyrone Power, Henry Fonda, Ethel Barrymore, Gene Kelly, Olivia de Havilland, and of course Paul Newman.

Y’s Women begin their tour in the Westport Country Playhouse lobby.

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Trombonist Steve Davis and musical partner/pianist David Hazeltine headline this week’s Jazz at the Post.

Davis has appeared on over 100 recordings, while Hazeltine has been on hundreds more.

Also on the bill: Jason Tiemann (drums), Rich Zurkowski (bass) and Greg “The Jazz Rabbi” Wall (saxophone).

The 2 shows are this Thursday (November 2, 7:30 and 8:45 p.m.; dinner at 7; VFW Joseph J. Clinton Post 399; $15 cover charge). Reservations are strongly recommended: JazzatthePost@gmail.com

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A new panelist has been added to Sunday’s TEA (Thinkers, Educators, Artists) talk at the Westport Library (2 p.m.).

The event — which explores the impact of artificial intelligence on the arts — will now include Luciano Floridi. A professor of philosophy at Yale University, he’s also founding director of the Digital Ethics Center. He writes extensively about the philosophy of information and technology, digital ethics and the ethics of AI.

He joins Brian Keane, the Grammy Award-winning composer/producer (and a 1971 Staples graduate), Westport Public Schools K-12 arts coordinator Steve Zimmerman, and arts consultant Liz Liggett. Click here for more information.

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In case you don’t have kids, and (somehow) forgot: Today is Halloween.

Stock up on candy.

And enjoy this sign, on Terhune Drive:

(Photo/Ed Simek)

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Sure, it’s Halloween (see above).

But flowers still bloom. Lauri Weiser sent this photo of the scene at Lansdowne condos, for today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature:

(Photo/Lauri Weiser)

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And finally … everyone plays “Monster Mash” today.

But this if my favorite Halloween song:

(No candy for “06880,” thanks. But if you really want to give us something, a tax-deductible contribution would be sweet. Please click here. Thanks. Now we won’t toilet paper your house.)