Last summer, Outpost Pizza became a drive-through.
At 3:30 a.m. on June 27, a pickup truck crashed into the side of the building. The driver, 21-year-old Jacob Teto of Shelton, came eastbound on Canal Street, taking out a significant portion of the restaurant across from Hudson Malone.
Outpost Pizza, after the crash. (Photo/Miggs Burroughs)
The investigating officer said Teto showed signs of intoxication, including slurred speech and bloodshot eyes. He was taken to the hospital for treatment of minor injuries. A toxicology report showed blood alcohol content over the legal limit.
An arrest warrant was obtained. Last night, Teto turned himself in at police headquarters. He was charged with operating under the influence of drugs/alcohol, and failure to drive in the proper lane.
He posted a $1,000 bond, and will be arraigned at Stamford Superior Court on October 6.
As Westport — and the nation — grapple with COVID’s Delta variant, superintendent of schools Thomas Scarice sent this notice to families:
“Greetings and Happy Summer! I hope that each of you are taking the time to rest, recharge, and most importantly, make some great memories with family and friends. As a parent, the time with my wife and 3 children feels like water through my hands…you cannot hold it, but you can feel it in the moment and you can remember that feeling forever.
“We have entered the beginning of August. This is typically the time of year that we provide some brief updates to our faculty and staff, and to our families. However, as the summer unfolded over the past few weeks, it became apparent that this will again not be a typical summer transition back to school. With that I’d like to share that we will provide updates throughout the month as soon decisions are made, and as guidance is provided to schools from the Department of Public Health and the State Department of Education.
“At the moment, the Governor has extended executive orders through September 30. This includes the masking mandate for all schools through September 30. However, I want to caution the entire school community that there will likely be many changes in guidance provided to schools over the next few weeks. This is frustrating for parents and students. I can assure you that this is equally frustrating for faculty and staff.
“At this time, we expect to follow the mandates that are required of public schools, but to emphasize as much normalcy as permitted within areas of discretion. Our year ended with some positive moves towards normalcy (i.e. changes to our elementary recess), and we will continue to move in that direction, where permitted, while maintaining a balance between safety and the social/emotional wellness of our students. .
There will be much more to come. I want to assure our families that we will build off of our success at the end of the 20-21 school year to make the upcoming year a positive experience for our students. Be well, and continue to make more positive memories over the next few weeks!”
Superintendent of School Thomas Scarice was vaccinated last spring. EMT (and Coleytown Middle School theater teacher) Ben Frimmer did the honors. (Photo/John Bayers)
One business opens, another closes: Sun Reflexology has been hit with a Stop-Work Order.
The state Department of Labor charges the massage therapy business in the small shopping plaza near Layla’s Falafel and Dunkin’ Donuts with “misrepresenting employees as independent contractors,” and “materially understating or concealing payroll.”
A phone call to the spa — and to its 2nd location, between Shearwater Coffee and the Sherwood Diner — went unanswered.
The Brooklyn band brought their indie-folk act to the Levitt Pavilion last night, for a benefit show. A good-sized crowd enjoyed the music, sang along, and danced (in their pods).
(All photos/JC Martin)
This week’s Levitt lineup:
Tonight (Saturday, August 7): Isaiah Sharkey
Sunday, August 8: Mimi & the Podd Brothers
Tuesday, August 10: Tony Trischka, Banjo Master
Wednesday, August 11: Elena Moon Park & Friends
Thursday, August 12: The Sweet Remains
Friday, August 13: Baskin & Batteau, and Jesse Terry
Saturday, August 14: The Simple Radicals
Sunday, August 15: Dan Levinson’s Palomar Jazz Band
Andy Friedland has always watched out for others. The Staples High School graduate worked with AmeriCorps, and for the ADL. Now he’s at the University of Connecticut, earning a master’s to teach English.
It’s for us to watch him. He’ll be on ABC’s “The $100,000 Pyramid” this Wednesday (August 11, 9 pm EDT) — with New York Giants legends Michael Strahan and Tiki Barber.
The show was filmed nearly a year ago. Since that time Andy has scrupulously adhered to his Non-Disclosure Agreement. Even his closest relatives don’t know the outcome.
But whatever happens: Westport knows Andy is a winner.
Andy Friedland (Photo by Harold Shapiro for Connecticut Magazine)
Jon Lindbergh — son of Charles and Anne Morrow Lindbergh, whose life the New York Times says “was shaped by the height of fame and the depths of tragedy that his family experienced” — died recently in West Virginia. He was 88.
The Times obituary mentions that his family lived in Westport. That surprised many people.
Though their time in Darien is more well known, the Lindberghs lived on Long Lots Road — on the right side, just before the Fairfield line — from 1944 to 1946. They kept a low profile, having endured both the kidnapping and murder of Jon’s 20-month brother Charles Jr. (5 months before Jon’s birth in 1932), and Charles’ unpopular political views as an isolationist and possible Nazi sympathizer during World War II.
Click here for the full New York Times obituary. (Hat tip: Peter Gold)
One last look at Sunny the Duck. He (she?) advertised Westport Sunrise Rotary’s Great Duck Race/Raffle, which was held yesterday.
He (she?) will now be deflated. Here’s hoping he (she?) will rise again next year, and that 2,000 plastic ducks will once again bob in the Saugatuck River.
Sunny the Duck, yesterday on Jesup Green. (Photo/Mark Mathias)
This week’s #FridayFlowers grace the entrance to Compo Beach. The gorgeous arrangement is courtesy of Westport Garden Club members Ginger Donaher and Tracy Pollard.
When Outpost Pizza opened in November, the main challenge was starting during a pandemic.
Owners now face a new challenge.
Last night, a driver plowed into the side of the building, located across Canal Street from Hudson Malone restaurant.
It’s hard to envision how that could have happened — given the angle of the road — but this was the scene this morning:
(Photo/Miggs Burroughs)
Westport Police say there were no injuries. They are investigating the cause.
The Westport Fire Department was on the scene too. They checked the building for structural integrity, and deemed it safe for nearby businesses to open.
Here’s one way to look at Westport’s COVID numbers: Since March, we’ve had 516 cases (483 confirmed and 33 probable).
Here’s another: With a population of 26,213, 1.97% — nearly 2% — of the entire town has been infected. (Hat tip: Peter Gold)
Outpost Pizza — an outpost of the Stamford spot — opens Monday. It’s in the mini-shopping plaza with Coffee An’, across from the new Hudson Malone restaurant (most recently, 323). The space was formerly a dry cleaner.
Need a job, as well as a pie? Outpost is looking for cooks, prep workers, cashiers and drivers. Call 203-323-7678. (Hat tip: Jerri Graham)
(Photo/Jerri Graham)
The Westport Police Department has sworn in a new officer: Dominique Carr.
The Hartford native earned a BS in justice and law administration at Western Connecticut State University, where he also played football. He comes to Westport from the Windsor Police Department.
Welcome to Westport, Officer Carr!
Officer Dominique Carr
If you missed “Pride and Prejudice” — Staples Players’ 2nd radio play of the fall — you’ve get another chance this Sunday (November 15, 6 p.m.).
It will be re-streamed by the high school radio station, WWPT. Click here for the link. NOTE: It’s available on the website only — not on the radio dial itself.
Seniors Sophie Rossman and David Corro rehearse “Pride and Prejudice.” (Photo/Kerry Long)
Speaking of teenagers and the arts: High school students throughout Fairfield County are invited to apply for the just-announced Westport Country Playhouse Youth Council.
Meeting 6 times a year (virtually, to start), members will learn about the workings of a professional theater. They’ll also contribute creative solutions for how the Playhouse can broaden its appeal to a more diverse community.
Youth Council members will also participate in a speaker series, attend Board of Trustees meetings, create an event, and have behind-the-scenes access to the Playhouse.
The application deadline is November 20. Click here for more information.
The Leonard Schine Preserve got a spruce-up last weekend. And we can thank a bunch of SLOBs.
The group — okay, they’re actually Staples High School’s Service League of Boys — worked with Meg Armstrong and Barry Guiduli at the Natural Playground, a hidden children’s gem off Weston Road.
(From left): Nick Seitz, Ben Berkley, Bruno Guiduli, Gabe Maiolo at the Leonard Schine Preserve.
I don’t spend a lot of time at Sherwood Island. (I know. My bad.)
But Chris Swan does. The other day, he sent photos of what seemed to me like a strange sight.
But, Chris says, horses (and riders) are a regular occurrence at Connecticut’s first state park.
(Photos/Chris Swan)
And finally … today is a day to honor our veterans. As Billy Ray Cyrus sings, some gave all. And all gave some.
Posted onJuly 17, 2020|Comments Off on Roundup: Hot Yoga Closes; Book Donations; Contact Tracing; Commuter Survey; More
Hot Yoga writes:
“It is with the heaviest of hearts that we tell you we are closing the doors to Westport (/Fairfield) Hot Yoga. This was a difficult decision that was made very consciously, and for a variety of reasons both in and out of our control.
“For 10 ½ years, we brought you the very best hot yoga that we know how. We also spent this time building an incredibly strong and resilient community of beautiful yogis, of which you are an integral member. This is not goodbye. This is just so long for now.
“We feel very connected to each of you in our own way, and hope we can continue to grow and develop these relationships with you, although it will not be at 877 Post Road East. With everlasting grace and gratitude — Rich, Abbey and Yogi.””
There’s a (relatively) new liquor store. An established (and much beloved) donut shop. Across the street will be a (very) new restaurant.
And — in mid-September — Outpost Pizza establishes an outpost at the site of a former dry cleaners, near Coffee An’, The Grapevine, and the new spot soon to replace 323.
Outpost has a great reputation in Stamford. Their prices are good. They’ll be welcomed to the neighborhood, for sure.
Westport Library Book Sales has been “overwhelmed by the generosity of our community.”
They resumed collections yesterday at 9 a.m. By 2 p.m. the shed was full.
Donations must be quarantined for 3 days, so no more can be accepted now. Donations resume next Thursday.
The Westport Weston Health District says: Be aware of scammers posing as COVID-19 contact tracers!
Impostors claim to work for “the sheriff’s office” or local health department. They say they need to load “contact tracing software” onto a victim’s computer.
Do not fall for these scammers. Official contact tracers working on behalf of the WWHD or state Department of Public Health will never ask to enter your home, threaten you with a fine, or ask you for personal financial information. Anyone asking for such information is trying to steal your identity, money or both.
If someone asks to enter your home for “contact tracing,” call the police immediately. Do not let strangers into your home.
Other things to be alert for if you receive a call:
Do not pay a contact tracer. Anyone who says you must pay is a scammer.
Do not give out your Social Security number or financial information. There is no reason why a legitimate tracer would need these.
Do not share your immigration status. Legitimate contact tracers do not need, and will not ask for, this information.
Do not download anything onto your computer. Real contact tracers will not ask you to download any software on your computer.
Contact tracing is an important component of public health, and an essential tool to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Connecticut’s contact tracing initiative is completely voluntary. There is no cost to participate. If you do participate, you may elect to receive daily health assessment reminders via text, email or phone. You will be reminded to do a simple assessment of your symptoms each day.
All information is strictly confidential. Contacts who are identified will not be given information on cases (such as the name of the person who may have exposed them).
The state Department of Transportation is conducting a brief survey about commuting during COVID-19. Answers will help the agency plan funding for future projects.
If you were or are a commuter, click here to take the survey.
MoCA Westport invites all Fairfield County teenagers interested in the arts to join its new Teen Council.
The Council will connect the museum with area youth through events, exhibitions, performances and educational programming. Teen Council members will develop strong relationships with prominent artists and community leaders as they explore their personal creativity.
Teen Council members will enjoy behind-the-scenes access to MoCA Westport — and free memberships.
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