Tag Archives: Paris Looney

Roundup: Election Results, Santa Run Sign-ups, Paris Looney Thanks …

Posted on November 4, 2026 | 3 comments

dems win big in state, town

Connecticut voters mirror much of the nation.

Democrats representing Westport won the 3 races for the state General Assembly. As with statewide races, margins were generally 2-to-1.

Weston 1st selectman Sam Nestor will replace retiring 26th District Senator Ceci Maher. With 99% of the votes counted, she leads Westport resident Alma Sarelli 65.4% to 34.6% (28,572 votes to 15,114).

Board of Education chair Lee Goldstein has a substantial lead over resident Doug Ouellette, in her bid to replace retiring 136th District Representative Jonathan Steinberg, 72.9% to 27.1% (7,309 to 2,722, with 99% of the votes in).

The 143rd District includes the westernmost part of Westport. Incumbent Dominique Johnson returns. With 99% of the returns counted, she leads Greg Helms 6,308 to 3,195 (66.4% to 33.6).

Democrats also swept statewide offices. Governor Ned Lamont, Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz and Congressman Jim Himes all return to office. With Democrats taking control of Congress, Himes is in line to become the chair of the House Intelligence Committee.

The blue wave spelled defeat for 2 Westporters on the statewide ballot.

Former Westport 1st selectwoman Jen Tooker lost her bid for comptroller to Sean Scanlon. With 93% of the votes in, the incumbent led 744,608 to 444,399 (62.5% to 37.5%).

Former Planning & Zoning Commission member John Bolton failed to unseat Attorney General William Tong. With 92% of votes counted, the incumbent was ahead 745,403 votes to 442,975 (62,7% to 37.3%).

Probate judge Lisa Wexler ran unopposed. Westporters also elected Michael Durkin and Maria Signore as Democratic and Republican registrars of voters, respectively. Turnout in Westport was over 57%.

Click here for all Connecticut results.

Candidates Sam Nestor (3rd from left) and Lee Goldstein (5th from left) posed yesterday at Coleytown Middle School’s polling place with (from left) Westport Democratic Town Committee chair Michelle Mechanic, retiring State Senator Ceci Maher, Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz and DTC vice chair Robin Weinberg.

SANTA RUN SIGN-UPS START AT 10 TODAY

The Westport Uniformed Firefighters Charitable Foundation “Santa Run” is one of Westport’s most cherished  — and amazing — traditions.

For a $50 donation to the Foundation, Santa arrives by fire truck to drop off a present at a (limited number of) children’s houses.

(Kids, stop reading here! The gift is dropped off at the firehouse previously, by the parents.)

This year, Santa will be in town December 2-5 and December 9-12, from 5 to 9 p.m.

Signups begin today, at 10 a.m. — first come, first served. Click here to register.

Be quick. Santa’s spots go very quickly!

Santa popped out of his fire truck to delight these youngsters (and one oldster).

PARIS LOONEY SAYS THANKS

Last month, “06880” posted a link to a GoFundMe for Paris Looney — the longtime and much-loved vice president and chief operating officer of Homes with Hope — and her family.

Her daughter Tausha had just donated a kidney to her brother Don, suffering from stage 5 kidney disease. The funds would help pay for medical bills, lost income, rent, groceries, utilities and transportion.

The fund raised $19,465. Paris says:

My son’s follow up appointments are going well, as he continues to heal with the new kidney donated by his sister. Some days bring a bit more pain and discomfort, but he continues to work through it.

My daughter is doing well in her recuperation and with your support, can slow life down to focus on recovery. We are extremely grateful that both are on the path to full and complete recovery.

We have a way to go, and I have no doubt we will get there. Your overwhelming support has been invaluable to me and my family, and we are profoundly grateful to you all. Thank you!

Don and Tausha Looney

westport book shop salutes compo

Sure, it’s November. But all year long, Compo Beach is one of Westport’s favorite spots.

“See You at Compo” is this month’s featured Westport Book Shop art exhibit. Jason Pritchard is showing new original oil paintings of Westport’s shoreline.

He works both en plein air and in the studio to capture its light, weather and quiet moments.  “See You at Compo” follows his 2024 “Westport Skies” exhibition at The Westport Library.

Pritchard began going to Compo as a child. And one of the paintings in the show, “History through Young Eyes,” started with his son looking up at the cannons on the beach where British troops landed in 1777.

He says, “Born in Britain myself, I was struck by how differently history looks to a child. I hope people feel their own connections in these paintings.”

A reception is set for November 12 (6 p.m.). All artwork on display is available for purchase. To see more of Pritchard’s work, click here.

Jason Pritchard

WHAT’S UP DOWN AT LACHAT FARM

December will be a busy month at Weston’s Lachat Farm.

Among the activities:

  • Handcrafted holiday gifts, grades 2-5 (December 1)
  • Wreath-making (December 4)
  • Holiday block printing (December 8)
  • Winter market (December 13)
  • Fireside concert with the Gingersnaps (December 18)
  • Candy cane hunt (December 19)

 

bedford community: “between the lines”

Fantasy and reality collide, when Bedford Theater Community kicks off its season next month

“Between the Lines Jr.” is a musical about “finding your voice, discovering where you belong, and having the courage to rewrite your own story.”

It runs December 11-13 at Bedford Middle School. Tickets go on sale November 14 (click here). This is only the second school staging of the show in Connecticut.

Based on the novel by Jodi Picoult and her daughter Samantha van Leer, the show follows Delilah, a teenager struggling to find her place at a new school
following her parents’ divorce.

Feeling like an outsider, she escapes into the pages of her favorite fairy tale and discovers something extraordinary: Prince Oliver, the story’s handsome hero, can actually speak to her.

“Between the Lines Jr.” resonates with dreamers of all ages — particularly young people navigating friendship, self-discovery, and the challenges of growing up.

Bedford’s young cast gets ready.

medical aesthetics brand comes to town

A national medical aesthetics brand is coming soon to downtown.

JECT — which specializes in “full-face consultations and deeply
individualized treatment plans” — will move into 24 Taylor Place, opposite Green & Tonic.

JECT already operates New York, California, Florida and New Jersey.

Vacancy will soon be filled. 

“westport … naturally” & song of the day

Westporters don’t agree on much.

But we pretty much all think this has been one of the most spectacular falls in years.

Today’s beautiful “Westport … Naturally” image comes from Sherwood Island State Park.

(Photo/Karen Kim)

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And finally … the story about Westport firefighters’ Santa Run (above) got us thinking about our first Christmas song of the year.

There’s no “Santa Run” tune — but this comes very close:

(You don’t have to run — or even walk — to support “06880.” Just click here, to help this hyper-local blog keep chugging along. Thank you all!)

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Posted in Arts, Beach, Education, Entertainment, Local business, Politics

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Roundup: Paris Looney, Mad Dog Russo, Miggs Burroughs …

Posted on October 17, 2026 | 8 comments

LONGTIME HOMES WITH HOPE HELPER NEEDS HELP 

For more than 20 years, Paris Looney has helped the most vulnerable people in our community.

As vice president and chief operating officer of Homes with Hope, every day Paris  helps people in crisis find a safe place to sleep.

Now her own family needs help.

Six years ago, Paris’ son Don was diagnosed with stage 5 kidney disease. He has relied on life-sustaining dialysis for many years.

Paris’ youngest daughter Tausha was found to be a 100% compatible match for her brother. A mother of 4 who tutors 2nd-grade children with learning disabilities who come from military families, she lives in Massachusetts.

One day earlier this month, Don and Tausha had surgery at Hartford Hospital. The transplant was successful. Both went home 6 days later, and are doing well.

But the road ahead is long, and expensive. Don will need lifelong medications and ongoing follow-up care. Tausha, still recovering from major surgery, will be out of work and away from her family routine while she heals.

A GoFundMe campaign has set a goal of $20,000. All funds go directly to Paris, and will help cover:

  • Medical bills, equipment and follow-up care
  • Income lost by Don and Tausha during recovery
  • Rent, groceries, utilities and transportation
  • Repairs to Don’s car, which he needs to drive himself to appointments
  • A reclining chair and bed wedge for Tausha
  • Movers and cleaners, since Don must leave his apartment this month and move in with Paris.

Every gift, of any amount, helps. Click here to support the Looney family.

Tausha and Don Looney, recovering.

early voting starts monday

The 2026 election is here.

Early voting starts Monday (October 19) and continues through Sunday, November 1.

Early voting locations are open 7 days a week throughout the state, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Extended hours (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) are set for Tuesday, October 27 and Thursday, October 29.

Westport’s early voting site is the Town Hall auditorium.

On Election Day (Tuesday, November 3), all regular polling places will be open.

(Photo/Mark Yurkiw)

mad dog russo MEETS THE Y’S MEN

The Y’s Men of Westport and Weston have a robust speakers series.

Most are at their regular meeting place: Saugatuck Church.

This past Thursday, they moved to the Westport Library. They knew this one would draw a huge crowd.

Chris “Mad Dog” Russo did not disappoint.

After 40 years in sports broadcasting, he knows his stuff.

Well, maybe not all of it.

Mad Dog predicted that the Dodgers would win the World Series, likely over Cleveland. That won’t happen.

He also said that Major League Baseball would lose at least a month next season to a labor dispute, and that the NBA is headed for an especially strong year, fueled by major-market rivalries and rising young stars.

Chris “Mad Dog” Russo, at the Westport Library. (Photo/Allan Siegert)

MIGGS BURROUGHS, AT (AND ON) 80

With many Americans living longer*, the New York Times recently asked readers who are getting close to their sell-by date about longevity.

Several hundred responded. One was our own Miggs Burroughs. He is, after all, 80 years old. Though no one (least of all him) can believe it.

The very energetic, creative, talented, still-working-hard, always-willing-to-volunteer artist made the cut.

On Thursday, the Times printed his response:

No matter our age, health or station in life, we are all passengers on the same planet and live through the same 24 hours each day. My father who died at 80, the age I am now, used to say that there is no shame in being the best passenger you can be during the ride.

My mother who lived to 102 held grudges to the day she died. A friend said that her behavior was like setting her own hair on fire, hoping the people who had done her wrong would choke on the smoke. Longevity is no guarantee of enlightenment, but enlightenment never grows old.

Well said, Miggs! To read the many other interesting responses. click here.

*The jury is still out on whether this is something good.

Miggs Burroughs, at 80. (Photo/Tony Cenicola for The New York Times)

RTM MEMBERS CELEBRATE RESTAURANT WEEK

Nearly a dozen former and current Representative Town Meeting (RTM) members gathered at La Plage yesterday, for their annual Restaurant Week lunch.

They looked forward to a tour of the newly renovated were all invited back to take a tour of the all new renovated Inn at Longshore.

But there was a wedding party there. The group was offered a rain check — and promised to return.

Lunch at La Plage.

SEA BAGS SUPPORTS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS

Sea Bags — the new popup shop in Bedford Square — is honoring Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

20% of gross sales from the 2026 Hope In Bloom Collection will be donated directly to National Breast Cancer Foundation to support early detection, education, and patient support services for those affected by breast cancer.

obituary: peter maloney

Peter Maloney died at his Westport home on Tuesday. He was 77.

Peter fought a long battle with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, but was determined to live his life to the fullest until the very end. He worked at Bloomberg for 28 years, retiring this past July.

He enjoyed spending time outside: on a golf course, swimming at Compo Beach, or hiking anywhere from Redding, CT to the Catalonia Coast of Spain. 

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Carol, and children Tim, John and Kate; brothers Edward and Jeffrey Maloney; sisters Maureen Bowen, Mari Maloney and Tara Parsley; 15 in-laws, and 21 nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother James Maloney and sister Barbara Maloney.

A mass will be held at St. Luke Church on Monday (October 19, 11 a.m., with a reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to the Bronchiectasis Research and Education Fund at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, or West Haven Community House.

Peter Maloney

“westport … naturally,” & song of the day

Fall continues to inspire, with ever-changing colors. Today’s “Westport … Naturally” images comes from the Lansdowne condos.

(Photo/Lauri Weiser)

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And finally … in honor of Miggs Burroughs, and the New York Times’ celebration of longevity (item above):

NOTE: Neil Young was 26 when he wrote this.

(“06880” readers are old, young, and everything in between. And — no matter what age — all are welcome to click here, to support this 17-year-old, young-at-heart hyper-local blog.) 

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Posted in Local business, Longshore, Media, Obituaries, Politics, Restaurants

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Unsung Hero #363

Posted on December 18, 2024 | 13 comments

Today’s Unsung Hero is one of those I-can’t-believe-she-hasn’t-been-recognized-before honorees.

Helen McAlinden — president and CEO of Homes with Hope, Westport’s non-profit working to end homelessness and food insecurity — nominates her colleague Paris Looney.

Paris is well known, and much admired, by the hundreds of Westporters who have been served by, volunteer at or otherwise know Homes with Hope. Helen writes:

As we celebrate Paris Looney’s 20th anniversary with Homes with Hope, we also celebrate her incredible achievements and unwavering dedication to helping those in need.

Paris is an exceptional vice president and chief operating officer, because she has worked in nearly every role within Homes with Hope’s wide continuum of services.

Paris Looney (back row, center) with Homes with Hope colleagues …

No one understands the challenges of each job better than someone who has done them all. This unique perspective allows her to empathize with the workers who perform these tasks daily, and understand the diverse needs of the clients we serve.

Paris’ journey with Homes with Hope began as a case manager at the Gillespie Center (our emergency shelter for men and women). Over the past 2 decades she has worked tirelessly on behalf of homeless individuals and families, rising through the ranks to become vice president and COO.

Throughout her tenure Paris has made an immeasurable impact on countless individuals and families, always greeting them with warmth, respect, and a deep commitment to their well-being.

She approaches each person with empathy, no matter the challenges or barriers they may present. Her caring nature helps disarm those who are hesitant to engage, and her dedication to creating positive change has transformed many lives.

She coaches, supervises, and leads the staff and clients with patience and tolerance, setting clear boundaries and holding people accountable.

… and (near the left in rear, holding flowers) at a celebration marking her 20th anniversary at Homes with Hope, earlier this month at Christ & Holy Trinity Church.

One of the most important lessons Paris teaches is how to meet clients’ needs without simply solving their problems for them. Instead, she focuses on building skills and connecting clients with the resources they need to achieve independence and self-sufficiency. Through her guidance and leadership, she has helped both clients and staff move forward with confidence and dignity.

I cannot think of anyone more deserving of the “06880” Unsung Hero award than Paris Looney. She is a true role model, and her influence has touched many lives.

As president and CEO of Homes with Hope, I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to work alongside Paris. I know that her impact on Connecticut’s homeless population will continue to inspire others for years to come.

She is a true gem to Homes with Hope’s work, ensuring that the people we serve with food and housing insecurity are treated with dignity and respect. We love you, Paris. People like you are one in a million!

(Unsung Hero is a weekly “06880” feature. To nominate a hero, email 06880blog@gmail.com. To support our work, please click here. Thank you!)

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