Tag Archives: Mark Mathias

Roundup: Hanukkah, Hillspoint House, Cribari Bridge …

Posted on December 15, 2025 | 5 comments

Last night — barely 24 hours after a mass shooting at an Australian Hanukkah celebration — Westporters gathered for the first night of the Festival of Lights.

A centerpiece was the lighting of a 6-foot “ice menorah” at Chabad.

Rabbi Yehuda Kantor told the crowd: “We must not be pulled down — only up. Light your candles to bring warmth to your home, and light to the world.”

Rabbi Yehuda Kantor, with Chabad’s ice menorah. (Hat tip and photo/Matthew Mandell)

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If you hoped for a resolution of the “Blue House” — aka 233 Hillspoint Road — saga by the end of the year: You’ll have to wait (quite a bit) longer.

This is one wish not even Santa can grant.

Any closing or progress on the completion of the years-long eyesore diagonally opposite Old Mill Deli has been postponed again.

The reason: new litigation.

Unknown to either the seller or buyer at the October auction, the underlying borrower filed 4 liens less than 24 hours before the auction.

Two were against Summit Westport LLC, who owned the property. Two were mechanic’s liens against the property.

The lender — GLP 2206 LLC — initiated foreclosure action on December 2, to clear title. Any Stamford-Norwalk court action will happen in 2026.

The primary defendants are Summit Westport, LLC and James Pendry personally.

233 Hillspoint Road, in July. Not much has changed since then — except the weather.

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The Connecticut Department of Transportation hosts a “consulting meeting” on how its plan for the William F. Cribari Bridge will affect the landmark properties of the National Historic Bridge Street District.

The session is this Thursday (December 18, 6 p.m., Town Hall).

The Cribari Bridge is on the National Register of Historic Places. (Photo/Ferdinand Jahnel)

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Westporters were out in droves yesterday, photographing the very New England holiday season-ish snow.

“06880” posted more than a dozen great photos. This one from downtown came in later — and it’s a bit more whimsical than all those shots of back yards, fences and (of course) the Minute Man:

(Photo/Carrie Kuhn)

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Speaking of yesterday’s snow: It took Mark Mathias a while to clear his driveway.

But he amused himself by filming his work, then speeding it up for a video.

The result — one many homeowners can relate to — is here, and below.

All that’s missing is an appropriate soundtrack. Any suggestions?

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Friday’s first-ever Holiday Craft & Gift Sale at the Westport Senior Center was a hit!. A large crowd enjoyed — and bought — items from local artisans.

Senior Center director Wendy Petty, and her staff and volunteers, organized every detail. It was one more special offering, from a center that continually delivers them, to seniors — and many others too. (Hat tip: Linda Doyle)

The Senior Center welcomes the holidays. (Photo/Ed Simek)

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A gentle reminder: As you plan year-end giving, please keep “06880” in mind.

We’re a non-profit dedicating to educating the public and creating community, so all contributions are tax-deductible. Corporate matching grants are welcome too!

You can donate online, or by Venmo, Zelle or old-school check. Click here for details. And thank you!

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Today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo is a white-throated sparrow.

(Photo/Lou Weinberg)

Outstanding wildlife photographer Lou Weinberg. explains, “In wintertime they grow 40% more body feathers for insulation. They need it these days!”

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And finally … on this date in 1893, Antonín Dvořák’s  “Symphony No. 9” — the “New World Symphony” — premiered at Carnegie Hall.

(From the blue house to the Cribari Bridge — and everywhere in between — “06880” brings you all the Westport news. And we do it 24/7/365. Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)

 

 

5 Comments

Posted in Beach, Real estate, religion, Transportation, Weather

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You’ve Got (Way Too Much) Mail!

Posted on November 12, 2023 | 8 comments

The election is over. The mailings stopped. The lawn signs are (mostly) gone.

But Mark Mathias has a gripe.

The longtime Westporter and active civic volunteer writes:

Running for public office is a noble calling. Serving is rarely easy. Neither is becoming elected.

One of the tools candidates use is email marketing. It’s fast, effective and easy.

If your Inbox is anything like mine, you received a lot of emails from candidates.

Yet I didn’t sign up to receive any of them. So how did they obtain my address?

Mark Mathias

I have a system that lets me track emails. I create a unique email address for everyone I give my email address to. Then, whenever I receive an email, I know the source.

For example, I have given specific emails to the town of Westport for beach passes, taxes and the like. I intend these to be used solely for official town purposes.

Through Freedom of Information requests, the town provides these email lists to anyone who requests them. Candidates for public office are frequent requestors of these email lists, but sitting RTM members and any member of the public can and do make requests.

These lists are then uploaded by people to email services like Constant Contact and MailChimp.

However, doing so violates the Terms of Service for these companies, all of which require email addresses to have explicitly opted in. Here’s a snippet from MailChimp:

And here’s how MailChimp defines Spam:

The key word here is “Unsolicited.” I did not request or give permission for these people to send me email.

Constant Contact has similar rules for “permission-based marketing.” I have not given the senders my permission.

Here’s an example from an email I received from candidate from this week’s election:

Yes, I gave my email address to the Town of Westport for “the town” to use. But giving it to the town did not give anyone else permission to use that information.

I got a similar notification from a sitting RTM member recently.

So what can be done?

First, it is my hope thatall users of email systems will honor the Terms of Service of the provider.+

Second, if you start receiving emails from people for whom you didn’t request, do two things:

  • Unsubscribe, and
  • Report the abuse to the email provider.

PS: How do you track who is providing your email address?

If you’re a Gmail user, you can add a “+” after your name, and some text.

For example, if Tesla.com asks for your email address, type in “yourname+tesla.gmail.com.” If you get an email from another company, you’ll know that your email was given, lent, sold to or stolen by someone.

(You never know what you’ll learn from “06880.” To keep randomly great info like this coming, please make a tax-deductible contribution by clicking here. Thank you!)

8 Comments

Posted in Local politics, technology

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Pic Of The Day #1787

Posted on March 9, 2022 | 1 comment

It’s a small gesture, but it speaks volumes. Mark Mathias has changed his outdoor lights, to show support for the embattled nation of Ukraine. (Photo/Mark Mathias)

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Posted in Pic of the Day, Politics, Real estate

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Got The Vaccine? Tell The World!

Posted on March 16, 2021 | 3 comments

COVID canceled the 2020 Maker Faire Connecticut. It may do the same this year.

But Makers are creative, resourceful and nimble.

And not just with their annual showcase of all things scientific, environmental, magical and cool.

As Makers picked up on all the vaccine buzz — and noticed how eager folks are to let others know they’ve gotten the shot — they had their own Archimedes “Eureka!” moment.

Quickly, they created 9 pins in 2 sizes for people to buy, wear, and show their commitment to eliminating the virus.

But wait! There’s more! All proceeds help fund Remarkable STEAM — Maker Faire’s parent organization.

In true Westport Maker fashion, the pins were all designed — and made by hand — here.

Remarkable STEAM offers “06880” readers a 25% discount on all pins. Just click this link.

COVID vaccine pins “make” great gifts for friends, relatives, employees, customers — anyone who is vaccinated, in fact. For quantity pricing and other questions, contact Mark Mathias by phone (203-226-1791) or email: mark@remarkablesteam.org.

Remarkable, indeed!

3 Comments

Posted in Environment, Organizations

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New Look For An Old Pastime

Posted on February 2, 2021 | 2 comments

It’s a pastime as old as, well, the hills.

When snow falls, Westporters head to their favorite sledding spots.

Birchwood Country Club, Greens Farms Elementary School and Staples High are old favorites. When the town bought Winslow Park in 1988, it quickly became another cold weather hot spot.

Not much has changed since our parents and grandparents sledded, tobogganed and slid down these slopes. That’s the way it should be.

The only thing new, in fact, is this view.

Check out Mark Mathias’ drone footage. And — this being 2021, when we worry about these things — be assured, it’s all FAA regulations-compliant.

2 Comments

Posted in Children, Weather

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Roundup: Slice Canceled; Live Music Returns; More

Posted on July 22, 2020 | 3 comments

 

The latest victim of the coronavirus: Slice of Saugatuck.

The Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce has canceled the annual event, planned for September 12. The food tasting and retail experience draws thousands of people to Saugatuck each fall. There’s music and kids’ activities too.

The announcement is a disappointment to festival-goers, restaurants and shops — and Homes with Hope, which benefits each year from the proceeds.

Hungry for live music? Hungry period?

Head to the Milestone in Georgetown this Saturday (July 25, 7:30 p.m.). There’s an “old school music variety show,” featuring Aztec Two-Step and the Old School Revue with the Saugatuck Horns, plus surprise guest artists.

The large patio offers plenty of space for social distancing. But — as it always does — great music draws everyone together.

There’s not even a cover charge!

Westport was well represented in this year’s Connecticut Entrepreneur Awards.

Sarah Deren of Experience Camps took home first place in the “Entrepreneur of the Year: Scaling Company” category, while Mark Mathias won in the “Community Favorite — Entrepreneur — Social Good” division for his work with Remarkable STEAM.

Mathias also earned honorable mention in the “Judged — Entrepreneur — Social Good” category.

Remarkable STEAM received honorable mention in the “Community Favorites – Event” category, for producing Maker Faire Westport.

Traffic has picked up lately — though it’s still lighter than pre-COVID levels.

Nevertheless, this sight on Morningside Drive South is one you don’t see too often here. The riders are Greens Farms residents.

(Photo/David Squires)

A group of friends gathered at the Longshore golf course 10th tee last week, to unveil a bench and plaque honoring Greg Tapfar. He died in December, of complications from ALS.

And finally … the Summer Olympics were set to begin in Tokyo this Friday. The pandemic has pushed the quadrennial event back to 2021. So it will be another year before we hear:

3 Comments

Posted in Entertainment, Organizations, Restaurants, Saugatuck

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World Record Duck Needs A House

Posted on May 29, 2019 | 5 comments

Last month, Westport entered the record books.

Dozens of Maker Faire-goers joined in a globally crowd-sourced art and tech project. They created the world’s largest 3D printed duck.

Now they’re figuring out what to do with it.

The world record bird will appear at the Great Duck Race this Saturday (June 1, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Parker Harding Plaza). He/she/it will cheer on much smaller plastic ducks, as they bob along the Saugatuck River.

But then what?

Maker Faire maestro Mark Mathias has put out an APB/SOS. The duck needs a home.

It must be indoors — in a place at least 6 feet tall. (Or 8 feet, if you want to keep the top hat.) Add another 5 inches, if you hang onto the wooden platform too.

Mathias’ best hope is that it go to someone who can display it for others. Wherever that is, it must stay there. Unlike actual ducks, this was not designed to move much.

It could promote something: creativity, art, even a business, Mathias suggests.

He hopes to deliver it to its new home immediately after the Duck Race. The person who loaned the trailer needs it back STAT.

If you’d like the world record duck, contact Mathias ASAP: mark@remarkablesteam.org; 203-226-1791.

Yours for the taking!

5 Comments

Posted in Categories, technology, Totally random

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Anthony Buono Named Acting Schools Superintendent

Posted on April 8, 2019 | Comments Off on Anthony Buono Named Acting Schools Superintendent

Anthony Buono

Anthony Buono — Westport’s assistant superintendent of schools — will serve as acting superintendent, Board of Education chair Mark Mathias said tonight.

Colleen Palmer will be on medical leave until August 1, the Westport News reports. That’s when her retirement — announced last month — officially begins.

Buono came to Westport last July from Branford, where he was associate superintendent of schools.

Comments Off on Anthony Buono Named Acting Schools Superintendent

Posted in Education, People

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Schools Superintendent Announces Retirement

Posted on March 14, 2019 | 7 comments

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Colleen Palmer has announced her retirement, effective August 1.

She has been an educator for 35 years, and a superintendent for 15. She was hired by Westport in 2016.

Dr. Colleen Palmer

Board of Education chair Mark Mathias thanked Dr. Palmer for “her many contributions to the Westport Public Schools.”

He added, “She has worked tirelessly on behalf of our students through a challenging time for our community. Her priority throughout has been the growth and success of each child. Her commitment to continual improvement will guide our work for years to come.

“We know that Dr. Palmer will continue her dedicated work on behalf of the Westport school community during her remaining time as superintendent and we wish her all the best for the future. We appreciate Dr. Palmer giving appropriate notice so that the board can assure that the work of the district proceeds without interruption.”

At Monday’s Board of Ed meeting, members will begin the search for a new superintendent.

7 Comments

Posted in Education, Local politics, People

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Westport’s Goal: A World Record Duck

Posted on February 8, 2019 | 3 comments

Each spring, a giant inflatable duck floats in the Saugatuck River. It’s a fun, funny promotion for the Sunrise Rotary Club’s Great Duck Race.

This spring, he gets a companion.

On April 27, the 8th annual Maker Faire features a Great Duck Project. Attendees will try to set a world record for the largest 3D printed duck.

It’s “the first of its kind global crowd-sourcing science and art initiative,” says Mark Mathias. He’s the founder of the Westport’s Maker Faire, and a Sunrise Rotary member.

Artist’s rendering of the 6-foot 3D duck.

“Global” is no exaggeration. People from around the world are invited to 3D print and submit pieces. They’ll be combined into a 6-foot tall, 476-piece duck.

Mathias takes “around the world” literally. He reached out to the McMurdo station in Antarctica, to see if they’ll participate.

He even went galactic, asking if the International Space Station could print a part, then return it to earth on a supply mission. (Party-pooping NASA said no.)

But keeping the Great Duck Project terrestrial should be interesting enough.

Don’t have your own 3D printer? No sweat. There are plenty around, in libraries, schools and offices.

Once the world-record duck is printed, it won’t disappear. You can see it at the Memorial Day parade — and, of course, the Great Duck Race.

Quack!

(The Great Duck Project is a collaboration of the Westport Sunrise Rotary Club and Greens Farms Academy, which serves as the “technical lead.” For more information or to participate, click here. or contact Mark Mathias: mark@remarkablesteam.org; 203-226-1791.)

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Posted in Education, Organizations, People, technology

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