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Last night was crazy.
Yesterday afternoon, Dick Lowenstein stuck an empty pail outside his home.
This morning, it showed nearly 7 inches of rain.
(Photo/Dick Lowenstein)
But just a couple of hours after Hurricane Ida roared away, our beaches were calm.
If it weren’t for flooded basements, tree limbs on lawns and some ponds in places they shouldn’t be, it could seem like last night never happened.
Old Mill Beach, just after sunrise. (Photo/Matt Murray)
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Lost in last night’s weather news: The Parks & Recreation Commission approved a conceptual plan for a small area of active recreation (pickleball and bocce) on the Baron’s South property last night.
The vote was 3 for, 1 abstention.
In the plan below, one bocce court is just west (below) the Senior Center. The pickleball courts abut Imperial Avenue, on the lower left side of the plan. Click on or hover over to enlarge.
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“Newcomers” groups are great — in theory. In reality, they often bring together only other newcomers.
Neighbors & Newcomers of Westport is different. The club is a mix of recent arrivals and more seasoned residents. It’s a perfect way for newcomers –and there are a ton — to immerse themselves in Westport, while meeting others in the same situation, and those who know the ropes.
N&N activities include a book club, beach walking, tennis, Girls Nights Out, meet-and-greet and other gatherings.
The new season begins with coffee at Compo Beach (September 14, 10 to 11 a.m.).
Click here for more information.
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Congratulations to Jacob Troelstra. The 2015 Staples High School graduate — and 2020 graduate from the US Military Academy at West Point — completed Army Ranger School training.
Called the toughest combat leadership course in the world, t tests physical and mental endurance of soldiers under sleep and caloric deprivation for 62 days.
Jacob now heads to Fort Campbell, Kentucky as a platoon leader.
Jacob Troelstra
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The first 2 nights of “Stars on Stage from Westport Country Playhouse” are already wrapped.
The final two tapings — for a national television audience, after noted producer Andrew Wilk works his editorial magic — are tonight. There are 2 shows: 7 and 9 p.m. Brandon Victor Dixon (NBC’s Jesus Christ Superstar, Hamilton) is the star.
A few tickets are still available. Click here for details.
Shoshana Bean shined during Tuesday’s taping at the Westport Country Playhouse. She was joined by Luke Edgemon and Melanie Nyem. (Photo/Carol Rosegg)
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Today at MoCA Westport, it’s double trouble: monthly Yappy Hour, plus the regular Happy Hour (5-7 p.m.).
It’s a great way to meet other people — and dogs — in the museum’s great outdoor space. You can also purchase cocktails from Bar MoCA (this week’s custom cocktail is Honey Lavender Bee’s Knees), and enjoy free admission to the new “Between the Ground and the Sky” exhibit.
All dogs must be leashed!
Happy scene from the August Yappy Hour.
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This Labor Day weekend should be remarkable — at least, Remarkable Theater-wise.
The schedule for the Imperial Avenue parking lot drive-in includes:
- Friday, September 3: “Stand by Me” (7:45 p.m.)
- Saturday, September 4: “The Graduate” (7:30 p.m.)
- Sunday, September 5: “The Sandlot” (7:30 p.m.)
Click here for tickets and more information.
The “Stand by Me” kids.
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The Westport Weston Health District has a new director of clinical services.
Vanessa Hurta has worked in healthcare for over 17 years, including primary care and preventive cardiovascular medicine, clinical research and teaching. Her most recent position was nurse practitioner for Yale New Haven Health. She has lectured and written about hypertension and obesity.
In other WWHD news, travel and vaccination clinic operations are expected to resume by mid-September. Call 203-227-9571, ext. 224, for appointments.
Vanessa Hurta
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The Levitt Pavilion is not quite finished.
They’ve added one more (great) show: Pete Muller and the Kindred Souls. The date for the intriguing instrumental/vocal quartet is September 26th (7 p.m.).
Click here for tickets, and more information.
Pete Muller and The KIndred Souls.
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Marla Cowden, Democratic Registrar of Voters, will leave office September 13. She has served as Democratic Registrar for 11 years.
The new Democratic Registrar is Deborah Greenberg.
Marla Cowden
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The September/October issue of Westport Magazine includes a cover story on Kitt Shapiro.
The lively owner of WEST is the magazine’s face for its fall fashion feature. There are also interviews with Instagram stars Emily Rosnick, Zac Mathias and (the biggest) little Piglet.
Particularly timely: a chat with Rob Marciano about covering the weather.
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The view from the Westport Weston Family YMCA’s fitness center is gorgeous — and ever changing. Floor-to-ceiling windows look out over woods, water — and wildlife.
Treadmill, erg machine and elliptical users are used to seeing interesting things. But yesterday’s view was particularly intriguing. And worthy of inclusion for “Westport … Naturally.”
(Photo/William Strittmatter)
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And finally … the great, versatile (R&B, rock, funk, soul, gospel) keyboardist Billy Preston was born today, in 1946. He played with Little Richard, Sam Cooke, Ray Charles, the Everly Brothers, Rolling Stones, and Beatles — among others — and also achieved fame with solo recordings.
He died in 2006, age 59, from kidney and other ailments.
