A day after passing the $81.3 million town budget, Westport’s Representative Town Meeting okayed a second, much larger one.
Voting 31-0 after little discussion, the legislative body passed the $144.3 million plan.
The final part of the 3-step budget process is approving the mill rate. That comes later this month.
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In journalism, a “dog bites man” story is one that happens so frequently, it’s not really news.
Without downplaying its seriousness, that’s a good way to describe accidents at the Cross Highway/North Avenue intersection.
Another one took place yesterday at the poorly angled, difficult-to-see-past site. This one involved 2 vehicles, with injuries. The Westport Fire Department released a photo, but provided no other details.
Yesterday’s crash at Cross Highway and North Avenue. (Photo courtesy of Westport Fire Department)
The Post Road/Wilton Road/Riverside Avenue intersection has been called Westport’s worst.
But at least it has a light.
And, from time to time, a cop.
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Coincidentally, Today’s “Westport … What’s Happening” podcast features 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker’s take on the recent public meeting on street improvement for traffic and pedestrian safety, and the increased Westport Police traffic safety enforcement program.
Click below to listen to this Y’s Men of Westport and Weston production.
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Happy May! And happy return of the Westport Farmers’ Market!
Our favorite outdoor produce-and-much-more celebration returns to the Imperial Avenue parking lot May 11. It runs every Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., through early November.
This year promises to be the best in the market’s 17-year history. A variety of programs operating under their “who grows your food” banner will add even more community-inspired programs, vendors, sponsors and activities.
Vendors – WFM favorites and new faces – will hold to high standards of sustainable practices, including plastic-free packaging, and participate in other market-to-community efforts. Among them: Farmer-to-School-to-Community, Farmer Kids Community, Friend of the Market, Recipe, Farmer-to-Veterans, Get Growing, Farmer Fund, Young Shoots, and other programs focused on giving back.
This year’s lunch and music areas will be shaded and separated from the central shopping experience. The Westport Library will select musical guests, through Verso Studios.
For more details, click here or email director@westportfarmersmarket.com.
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Tickets for “Booked for the Evening” — the Westport Library’s big fundraiser — go on sale next Monday (May 8, 10 a.m.; click here).
This year’s guest is Laura Linney. The noted theater, film and television actor will be honored in the Trefz Forum on July 13.
Now in its 24th year, “Booked for the Evening” celebrates an individual whose work reflects the purpose of the Library: to nurture a love of learning, and enhance our understanding of the world.
Laura Linney
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Mexicue — the very popular new Main Street restaurant — has expanded both their menu and hours.
They’ve added dinner-focused “Platos Fuertes,” while at the same time opening for lunch 7 days a week. Their new hours are Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to midnight; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., with brunch on weekends from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Weekday happy hour is 4 to 7 p.m.
Updated hours below. We also just launched a new menu with several more dinner-focused “Platos Fuertes” – menu attached.
Mexicue is the newest addition to our “06880” Restaurants tab. Just click on at the top of our home page (or here), for a wide variety of local spots — including menus, websites and social media.
Mexicue’s intriguing interior.
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Speaking of restaurants: Is Emmy Squared coming to Westport?
CTBites — the state’s premier food blog, published by our very own Stephanie Webster — reports the “unconfirmed” news that the “iconic and much-loved” restaurant is looking for staff here.
Begun in Brooklyn in 2016, “they are known for their signature Detroit-style pizza, marked by its square shape, crispy bottom, fluffy dough, cheesy ‘frico’ crust, and signature sauce stripes.
“Their famed double-stack burger, Le Big Matt (served on a pretzel bun), was named ‘#1 Best Burger in Nashville’ by The Tennessean and Nashville Lifestyles, voted one of ‘The Best New Burgers In NYC’ by Gothamist, and listed as one of the ‘20 Best Burgers in NYC’ by The Infatuation. The menu also highlights a selection of approachable salads and sandwiches served on pretzel buns.”
There are now 8 location in New York, Nashville, Philadelphia, Washington and Louisville.”
Pizzas from Emmy Squared.
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In March, “06880” reported on Lynda Bluestein’s crusade. The longtime and very active member of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Westport has terminal fallopian tube cancer. That month she reached a settlement with the state of Vermont, making her the first non-resident to take advantage of a law that allows people with terminal illnesses to end their own lives.
Yesterday, Governor Phil Scott signed a bill that removes the residency requirement from the state’s medical aid in dying law. Bluestein’s case prompted legislators to revise the law for all non-Vermonters. Click here for the full story.
Lynda Bluestein and her husband Paul. (Photo courtesy of NBC Connecticut)
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Westport resident Lee Bly’s home golf course is Longshore.
But on Sunday, at Stamford’s Sterling Farms, the 2007 Staples High School graduate had a hole-in-one. Playing with former classmate Carter Myers, Lee aced the 223-yard par 3 17th hole.
Congratulations, Lee!
Lee Bly, at his now-favorite hole.
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TAP Strength hosts a special Sound Bath Meditation Class tomorrow (Thursday, May 4, 7 to 8 p.m., 180 Post Road East).
Experience deep relaxation, enhanced mental focus, clarity and creativity through crystal and Tibetan bowls, gongs, chimes and other instruments.
Bring a mat and any other items to feel comfortable. Member and non-member class fees apply. Email nancy@tapstrength.com or call 203-292-9353 for more information.
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Jazz at the Post goes international this week.
Japanese pianist Hiroshi Yamazaki will be joined by Takashi Otsuka on bass, and Americans Jason Tiemann on drums and Greg “The Jazz Rabbi” on sax.
There are 2 shows (7:30 and 8:45 p.m., Thursday, May 4; VFW Joseph J. Clinton Post 399). Dinner service begins at 7.
Reservations are highly recommended: JazzatthePost@gmail.com.
Hiroshi Yamazaki
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Since moving here a couple of years ago, Shona Rhimes has become an avid Westporter.
Westport Lifestyle magazine caught up with our new neighbor, for their May issue. She describes how she chose our town, the buzz behind buying her house, what she’s up to now (a “Bridgerton” prequel) and more. Click here to read.
Shonda Rhimes, last year at the Westport Library. (Photo/Jerri Graham Photography)
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Once upon a time, you saw sights like this in Westport.
(Photo/Carl Addison Swanson)
You still see it in New York.
But — as Carl Addison Swanson, who spotted the sofa and sign on Richmondville Avenue — notes, “This may be the last free thing in Westport.”
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Among the recent “Westport … Naturally” sights this spring: a crabapple tree at Ned Dimes Marina.
(Photo/Laurie Sorensen)
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And finally … Gordon Lightfoot died Monday in Toronto. He was 84.
Though never as popular in the US as in his native Canada — where he was a beloved icon — the folk singer was one of my all-time favorites. He had me with “Go Go Round” in the mid-1960s, and never let go.
Click here for a full obituary.
(Every day, the “06880” Roundup is filled with news you can use [or not — your choice]. If you enjoy this feature, please consider a contribution. Just click here — and thank you!)
