When Oprah Winfrey strolled onto the Democratic National Convention stage last night in Chicago, her purple dress was not just something she grabbed from her closet.
It was not even a nod to the movie she produced: “The Color Purple.”
The symbolism was far stronger. A self-described independent, her full-throated endorsement of Kamala Harris was meant to appeal to both Democrats (blue) and Republicans (red).
Oprah
As for the eye-catching outfit — “a peplum-style jacket with sharp shoulders and matching wide-leg trousers … accessorized with simple rings and amethyst-purple earrings,” in WWD’s words — it had a Westport connection.
It was from Christian Siriano. The world-renowned designer lives here, and opened a Post Road East store 2 years ago.
This morning, Oprah’s speech is going viral.
Millions of people are hearing her words.
And seeing her dress. (Hat tip: Dave Briggs)
Wildlife in Crisis has a crisis of its own.
The Weston-based rehabilitation center — the largest in the state, caring for more than 5,000 injured and orphaned wild animals each year, from hummingbirds to black bears — was severely damaged in last weekend’s rain and floods.
On Monday, WIC said:
We have been receiving victims of yesterday’s terrible flood all day today in addition to giving advice on the phone. Countless waterlogged hawks are down, many just need time to dry, others are injured.
So far today we’ve received a juvenile bald eagle, hawks and owls, dozens of baby bunnies, opossums and squirrels, songbirds, turtles, gulls, herons, and bats all drenched and weak. Lots of incubators and heating pads going to warm and dry them first, and slowly we are beginning to hand feed and medicate as necessary.
All of our patients are safe, but our facility sustained significant damage from the record rainfall. The rushing rapids tore through our hill causing interior flooding, downed trees, damaged cages, and driveway erosion. In our 37 years here, we’ve never seen anything like this.
WIC staffers and volunteers field 20,000 calls a year. The center takes in animals from all over the state, plus New York and Massachusetts. Many Westporters use its services every day.
(Another “06880” connection: Besides working at WIC, Dara’s husband Peter Reid is Westport’s animal control officer.)
To make a donation to Wildlife in Crisis, click here. (Hat tip: Scott Smith)
Dara Reid, with a Wildlife in Crisis raptor.
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Registration for Westport Parks & Recreation Department programs begin online on Wednesday, September 4, at 9 a.m.
Click here to see all programs.
To prepare: Sign in to your online account. Under “Account Options,” you’ll see your name with a pencil next to the edit button. Select the edit button; then choose the “Contact Info” tab.
Verify that your email address is current; select the save button at the bottom. You will be directed back to the “account options” page.
Under your family name, you will see your family members. Follow the steps below for each family member.
- select “manage family members”
- choose a name from the list
- Under “Family Member Information,” make any necessary changes. Make sure that the grade (if applicable) is correct; hit “Save.”
- Go to “Contact Information” to verify your cell/home phone, and provide carrier if interested in receiving text messages. Make sure your email is current. Click “Save.”
- Continue this process for every family member.
Have an address change? Email recreation@westportct.gov.
If you are not able to log into your online account, do not create another profile. Email recreation@westportct.gov or call 203-341-5152.
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Ukraine Aid International — the relief agency founded by Westporters Brian and Marshall Mayer — has done incredible work.
Since its creating just a few days after the Russian invasion began, the non-profit has provided over 300,000 people on the front lines with clean water, heat, medicine, food, and critical medical services.
Among its many projects, UAI has developed 9 “sister city” relationships with American and Ukrainian towns.
Westport was the first, with Lyman. In 2 years, we have donated over $300,000 — along with much-needed communications equipment, bulletproof vests, and more. 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker and Police Chief Foti Koskinas are in regular touch with their counterparts, and visited Lyman in May 2023.
Now Ukraine Aid International has been recognized — internationally.
The group earned 3rd place in the “Help From Abroad” category, at the Charitable Ukraine ceremony. There was stiff competition: 1,600 nominees.
The Mayers and UAI president Katya Wauchope say: “To be recognized on this stage, alongside global giants like Coca-Cola and Pepsico, underscores the significance of the work we’re doing together for Ukraine.”
The honor spurs Ukraine Aid International to redouble its efforts.
To donate, click here. Then click the “I want to support” box; next, select “Support for the City of Lyman.” Scroll down on that page for other donation options (mail, wire transfer and Venmo.)
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There are many tragic stories from the floods that roared across Connecticut Sunday.
The collapse of Oxford resident Randi Marcucio’s house was particularly devastating. The ER nurse and single mother lost everything. (Click here for a harrowing News12 video.)
But yesterday, she was reunited with a special item she thought was washed away by the Housatonic River, forever: her son’s sonogram.
It was found 35 miles away — at Compo Beach.
Nancy Lewis found it, on her daily walk. Realizing it was important to someone, she Googled the name. Up came a GoFundMe to help Marcucio.
Lewis took it from there. She drove to Oxford, to give Marcucio the sonogram. The grateful mom called it “a miracle.”
Click below for the full story. (Hat tip: Peggy Lehn)
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Westport Police did not make any custodial arrests between August 14 and 21.
They issued these citations:
- Failure to comply with state traffic control regulations: 10 citations
- Distracted driving: 7
- Traveling unreasonably fast: 4
- Driving while texting: 4
- Failure to obey traffic control signals: 4
- Operating an unregistered motor vehicle: 4
- Failure to renew registration: 4
- Following too closely: 2
- Operating a motor vehicle under suspension: 2
- Operating a motor vehicle without a license: 2
- Larceny :1
- Simple trespass: 1
- Transporting a child under 2 without a restraint: 1
- Failure to obey stop sign: 1
- Improper turn: 1
- Failure to drive in the proper lane: 1
- Failure to carry insurance card: 1
- Improper use of markers: 1
In Connecticut, children under 2 years old or weighing less than 30 pounds must ride in a rear-facing car seat.
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Speaking of police: Janet Sparre reminds “06880” readers to pull to the side — and stop — when emergency vehicles with flashing lights or sirens on are approaching your vehicle from the front or the rear.
In fact, it’s a Connecticut law.
It’s also common sense.
Those lights and sirens are on for a reason. Today, first responders are racing to help someone else.
Tomorrow, it could be you!
Pull over!
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Mike Greenberg does plenty of things at ESPN.
Now, the longtime Westporter has another gig: new host of “Sunday NFL Countdown.”
He replaces fired morning pregame show host Sam Ponder.
One more “06880” connection: millions of people read the news in an Athletic story by Staples High School graduate Andrew Marchand.
Mike Greenberg (left) in conversation at the Westport Library with ESPN CEO, Westport resident Jimmy Pitaro. (Photo/Charlie Scott)
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Yesterday’s Roundup included an incorrect date for the Japan Festival.
The correct date is Saturday, September 7 (1 to 4 p.m., Jesup Green).
The family-friendly festival — sponsored by the Japan Society of Fairfield County — features taiko drum performances, live plays of Japanese folktales, martial arts demonstrations, and traditional dancing.
A scene from the 2019 Japan Festival.
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Turkeys are not new to these parts.
In fact, they were here long before any colonists arrived, in the 1600s.
But they were gone for decades.
Now they’re back. And it’s very cool to see them strutting around.
Today’s “Westport … Naturally” subject was spotted on Whitney Street.
PS: Thanksgiving is November 28.
(Photo/Richard Fogel)
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And finally … on this date in 1902, the Cadillac Motor Company was founded.
(“06880” is where Westport meets the world — from local wildlife, to Lyman. We’ve been doing it since 2009. But we can’t do it without readers’ help. Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
At 7 p.m. the 
Greenberg does too. He wrote his 1st book — 