Tag Archives: marijuana

Roundup: Compo Concession Bid, Bird Flu, Breaking Up …

The town has released the bid document for a new food and beverage concessionaire at Compo Beach and Longshore.

Parks & Recreation Department director Erik Barbieri tells “06880” that he will visit all applicants, to see how they operate their current businesses.

His hope is for the new concessionaire to be ready to operate this summer. If not, interim arrangements will be made for food and beverage services.

The deadline is March 23. Click here to request a copy of the RFP.

The former Hook’d concession, at Compo Beach. (Photo copyright/ DinkinESH Fotografix)

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In other Parks & Rec news, Barbieri says that employees found about a dozen dead geese at the beaches earlier this week. None were reported yesterday.

They appear to be victims of a bird flu, which has been seen in the tri-state area.

The Aspetuck Health District and state Department of Energy & Environmental Protection have been notified.

“I’m no health expert,” Barbieri noted. “But this seems to affect waterfowl, not humans.” (Hat tip: Cat Malkin)

In healthier days. (Photo/David Cross)

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Westport Board of Education “community conversations” are wide-ranging affairs.

Residents are invited to raise any topic related to the schools.

And they do.

The next session is Wednesday (February 25, 12 to 1:30 p.m., Westport Library).

Former Representative Town Meeting (RTM) moderator Velma Heller will facilitate.

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There’s snow in the forecast.

But this is your last weekend to enjoy outdoor skating, at the PAL Rink at Longshore.

Sunday’s 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. public skating session is the final one of the season — weather permitting, of course.

As Brooklyn Dodgers fans used to say: “Wait till next year!”

The sun is setting on this year’s outdoor skating season.

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Today — a week after Valentine’s Day — is National Breakup Day.

It’s a time for “reflection, self-love, and ending relationships that are no longer working.” (That’s what Google says, anyway.)

Sustainable Westport knows a thing or two about breaking up, too.

They’ve rolled out a community-wide initiative to reduce the town’s use of plastics — especially single-use — and expand public water-filling stations.

As part of the “Un-Plastic” movement, they’ve begun a social media campaign to help Westporters “break up” with the synthetic material.

It’s pretty clever. You may recognize several neighbors in the video (click here or below). It’s also available on Facebook and LinkedIn.

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Parents: Want to know more about “Today’s Weed and Teen Mental Health”?

That’s the title of a session led by Dr. Amy Swift, who oversees in-patient services at Silver Hill Hospital. The event is co-sponsored by Positive Directions and the Mid-Fairfield Youth Cannabis Prevention Project.

It’s this Wednesday (February 25, 7 p.m.), with both in-person (New Canaan High School) and virtual options. Click here for more information.

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After weeks of sold-out houses, standing ovations and enthusiastic word-of-mouth, this is the final weekend for the Westport Community Theatre production of “Looped.”

Performances are set for today (Saturday, 7:30 p.m.) and tomorrow (Sunday, 2 p.m.), in the lower level of Town Hall.

The play is set during a 1965 recording session, where Tallulah Bankhead must re-record (“loop”) a single line of dialogue for a film. What should take minutes stretches into hours as the star clashes with the weary film editor and practical studio manager.

Sharp wit gives way to honesty, revealing the vulnerability beneath the bravado while turning a hilarious backstage story into something unexpectedly moving.

Click here for tickets, or call 203-226-1983.

“Looped,” at the Westport Community Theatre.

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A “No Kings Festival for Democracy” is set for March 28 (noon, Jesup Green).

This will be the third in Westport, following 2 similar events last year. Click here for more information.

A scene from the October 2025 “No Kings” rally. (Photo/Dan Woog)

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Today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo shows a familiar scene.

After tomorrow’s snow, foraging for food might become even more difficult for these guys.

(Photo/Judith Katz)

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And finally … Sustainable Westport is offering many ways to “break up” with plastic (story above).

So don’t listen to Neil Sedaka. Even though he was once a Westporter too, in the Old Hill neighborhood.

(After breaking up with plastic, sustain — and tighten — your bond with “06880.” Please click here to support Westport’s hyper-local blog, to keep the news, information [and music] coming. Thanks!)

 

Roundup: Marijuana, Senior Living, The Universe …

The Planning & Zoning Commission will discuss 2 interesting pre-applications at its April 24 remote meeting (7 p.m.; click here for the link).

The first is a request by Bluepoint Wellness to discuss converting their medical marijuana dispensary in the BevMax/Julian’s plaza into a “hybrid cannabis retailer.”

That’s a heavy lift. Text amendment #799, adopted in September 2021, prohibits “cannabis establishments” — except for medical marijuana facilities — throughout town.

The second request, submitted by Richard Anderson on behalf of Home Living LLC, is a discussion on a potential text amendment: “how to change the use from a single-family residence into a home for seniors offering in-home services for up to 12 unrelated residents in need of memory care.”

The request for pre-application review says: “Although senior living residences exist in Westport, this is a unique, creative and beneficial project for seniors living in Westport.

“The current senior living options in Westport consist of very large, corporate and institutional-like facilities serving 100 or more senior residents. The subject project will provide real home living and senior services in an intimate and comfortable home setting.”

No further details on the project were submitted.

The waiting area and service desk, at Bluepoint Wellness.

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Reminder: The launch party for “Pick of the Pics” — the “06880” book highlighting over 100 of our blog’s best Pics of the Day — is Sunday, April 30 (2 to 4 p.m., Savvy + Grace, 146 Main Street).

Books will be available for purchase at a special price of $20 (regular Amazon price: $24.95).

I’ll sign copies; so will Lyah Muktavaram, my “06880” intern who did 99% of the work on it.

Photographers featured in the book can pick up a free book at the launch party too.

Can’t wait? Click here to order!

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Looking for the universe’s missing mass?

Dr. Regina Caputo — a NASA particles researcher — can help you find it. Or at least explain what’s not there.

She’s the next featured speaker at the Westport Astronomical Society’s free online lecture series. Her “Dark Matters: The Search for the University’s Missing Mass” webinar is this Tuesday (April 18, 8 p.m.).

 Click here for the Zoom link; click here for the YouTube link.

Dr. Regina Caputo

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Sign-ups end soon for the Joggers’ Club’s great Kids Running Camp, for just $125. Spots are filling up fast.

Boys and girls ages kindergarten through 8th grade learn the basics of running from local champions — and they do it with friends, having fun every step of the way.

Youngsters are divided into age groups. Workouts encourage teamwork and self-motivation.

Also included: track meets, ice cream trucks, free running gear and more.

The Running Skills program runs (ho ho) Sundays (April 23 to June 11), from 2 to 3:15 p.m. at the Staples High School track.

The Speedwork program (middle schoolers only) is Thursdays (April 27 to June 8), from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Staples.

For more information, email TheJoggersClub@gmail.com

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A new exhibition at Betty Cunningham Gallery in New York includes works by Stanley Lewis.

He lives in Massachusetts. But the work chosen by ArtDaily to illustrate his work is this: of Westport’s Winslow Park. The oil on canvas was painted between 2010 and 2014.

Click here for more information. (Hat tip: Robin Jaffee Frank)

“Winslow Park, Westport” (Stanley Lewis)

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Coincidentally, there was an artist at work yesterday too, at Winslow Park.

Based on a Google Images search — and the style of painting — this could very well be Stanley Lewis, back for another canvas.

(Photo/Molly Alger)

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On the Saugatuck River walkway off Parker Harding Plaza, Johanna Keyser Rossi spotted 2 swan eggs.

The next time she looked, there were 7. They’re the stars of today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo.

The most she’s seen before was 4.

“I hope the eggs hatch this time,” she writes.

We all do. And to help make it happen: Stay away! Give this mom some space, and peace.

(Photo/Johanna Keyser Rossi)

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And finally … it’s April 15.

In honor of all those who pay their taxes:

(Got a few pennies left over? Looking for something tax-deductible? “06880” is a non-profit — and we rely on reader support. Please click here to contribute. And thank you!)

Teen Survey: Drugs Of Choice, Coping With Stress, And More

About 60% of Staples High School seniors drink regularly. A quarter use marijuana. The same number vape — mostly THC.

Those are some of the headline-grabbing statistics announced this week by the Westport Prevention Coalition. Working with the Search Institute, Westport Department of Human Services and Positive Directions, they conducted an anonymous survey of 800 7th through 12 graders in April.

In addition to substance use, questions covered developmental relationships, COVID stress and racial justice.

Results were presented at Monday’s Board of Education meeting. Yesterday afternoon, Westport public schools coordinator of psychological services Dr. Valerie Babich and Positive Directions prevention director Margaret Watt did a deeper dive into the statistics, on a Zoom call with Westport educators, youth workers, social service providers and students.

The bulk of the discussion involved the substance use findings. The survey asked about behaviors in the preceding 30 days. Teenagers were still wearing masks and supposed to be socially distanced; COVID continued to limit some of their interactions.

Key substance findings from the Westport Prevention Coalition survey.

Nonetheless, 60% of Staples seniors had had “more than a few sips” of beer in the previous month. For 7th graders, the number was 9%. It rose steadily, most noticeably starting in sophomore year.

Taken together, the 33% total of high school students who drank in the previous 30 days — during COVID — was higher than the Connecticut average in a survey conducted in 2019, before the pandemic.

Marijuana use and vaping begins around 9th grade. It rises in tandem over the years, peaking at 24% (marijuana) and 25% (vaping) by senior year.

Of the students who knew what they were vaping, 2/3 used THC; 1/3 used nicotine. In addition, 28% used multiple substances. But 13% did not know what they were inhaling.

Interestingly, tobacco and prescription drug misuse was virtually non-existent: 0 to 2% in all grades.

The Westport Prevention Coalition has undertaken an educational campaign. This is the front of a postcard. The other side helps parents talk about substance use with their youngsters.

As students get older, they reported, their parents’ disapproval of certain substances goes down. By senior year, only 63% of students said that their parents disapprove of marijuana.

In terms of perceived harm, 78% of high school students think that 5 or more drinks at a time, once or twice a week, is harmful. That means 22% do not believe it is bad.

81% of high school students think vaping is harmful.

In 7th grade, 74% of students surveyed thought that marijuana is harmful. By 12th grade, the number dropped to 34%.

COVID had a strong impact on Westport youth. More than half of students surveyed took steps to resolve pandemic-related problems. The majority said they accepted the reality of the new situation. However, only 34% reached out to others to talk about how they were feeling.

58% of the students felt connected to school staff. A whopping 94% said they felt connected to friends.

In tough COVID times, friends can be lifesavers.

Questions about developmental relationships with teachers revealed “moderate to high” responses. Students felt that they were challenged to grow, provided support, and expanded their possibilities.

Areas for improvement included inspiring possibilities for the future, exposure to new ideas, and introduction to people who could help them grow.

The final section revealed that 3/4 believe they have a role to play in ending racial injustice. A clear majority are aware of the impact of their own words and actions, in the social justice arena.

Data will be reviewed with school administrators, staff, mental health professionals and students. The Westport Prevention Coalition will then determine how best to turn the findings into solutions.

Blunt Humor Raises High Hopes

Connecticut has not yet followed Washington and Colorado’s lead. Marijuana is still illegal here.

So the front window of Jonathan Adler‘s Main Street store offers a helpful link to its website.

Jonathan Adler, Westport CT

But the 24-hour site sells no 420.

Pottery, not pot.

What a buzzkill.

Up In Smoke

According to a survey of 110 Staples students by the school newspaper Inklings:

  • 50 percent have smoked marijuana
  • 31 percent have smoked a cigarette
  • 30 percent regularly smoke marijuana
  • 13 percent regularly smoke cigarettes
  • 76 percent think marijuana is more socially acceptable than cigarettes.

The Surgeon General’s long campaign against tobacco seems to be working.

Ads like “This is your mind on drugs” — not so much.