The high school troupe punched way above their weight, thrilling last night’s audience with a Broadway-quality presentation of “Elf: The Musical.”
It’s fresh, funny and festive — a perfect, high-energy and wholesome respite from reality, and a great way to begin the holiday season a couple of weeks early.
The show continues today (Saturday, November 16, 2 and 7 p.m.) and tomorrow (Sunday, November 17, 2 p.m.). There are performances next weekend too, on November 21 and 22 (7 p.m.) and 23 (2 and 7 p.m.).Click here for tickets. Though some shows may be sold out, tickets are often available at the door.
“Elf” cast members take their bows last night. (Photo/Dan Woog)
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The Westport Board of Education hosts a “community conversation” for all residents this Wednesday (November 20, noon to 1:30 p.m., Westport Library).
Any school-related topic can be raised.
Velma Heller — former RTM moderator, and longtime Westport Public School admistrator, will facilitate the event.
31 men and women have just graduated from Westport’s Citizens’ Police Academy.
They spent 8 weeks learning all about the Westport Police Department’s many functions, including criminal investigations, specialty units, forensic science, financial scams, motor vehicle stops, and post-arrest procedures.
They also participated in firearms familiarization, rode with patrol officers, and received “stop the bleed training.”
A buck jumped in, then became trapped for a day inside a half-finished cement foundation. Two members of the Fairfield County Hunt Club horse barn team provided hay bales.
Public Works Department employees and Westport Animal Control officer Peter Reid began assembling a ramp from the bales.
Suddenly, the buck ran at the wall, and jumped out cleanly. “He just needed the right motivation,” Julie Loparo reports on social media.
Deer trapped in foundation. (Photo courtesy of Westport Front Porch, via Facebook)
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Longtime Westporter — and elected (Representative Town Meeting) official — Dick Lowenstein reminds all candidates for office earlier this month: It’s (past) time to remove your lawn signs!
This photo is from yesterday afternoon:
(Photo/Dick Lowenstein)
Today’s weather is perfect to get out, get ’em — and sotre them for the next campaign.
Like many voters, Bernard Stahursky put up a sign this summer promoting his candidate.
But it didn’t just have a name. His — on Maple Avenue North — included a call to action.
“Honk 4 Trump,” it said.
Passing motorists did.
Often. At all hours.
Maple Avenue North sign.
That upset Carole Bernstein, an attorney and legal mediator, who lives across the street and works at home. Her husband, Dr. Neil Herbsman, is a New York gastroenterlogist.
It wasn’t the first time. Stahursky — a 91-year-old retired garage owner — had posted the same sign in 2020.
At the time the couple’s daughter was stuck at home, studying for a medical exam. Her bedroom faced the sign. All day long, she heard the horns.
Herbsman asked Stahursky to remove the sign. He refused. In retaliation, the couple put up a “Honk for Biden” sign.
After the election, it came down. But Stahursky’s stayed up. He added others. One said, “If you voted for Biden, thanks a lot, asshole.”
Eventually, Stahursky took his signs down. But this August — around the time of the Democratic convention — the “Honk” sign returned.
Bernstein created a log of the number of honks. On August 27, she and her husband called Westport Police.
An officer asked Stahursky to remove the sign. He adamantly refused, citing the First Amendment.
The honking continued.
Bernstein researched state law. She found “private nuisance” legislation. It says that a person’s First Amendment right ends when it impacts another person’s quiet enjoyment of their home.
In early September, she and her husband filed a complaint in Superior Court. The same day, the sign came down.
But a few days later, Stahursky replaced it with one linking Kamala Harris to pedophiles, human traffickers and drug traffickers. This one was directly across from the couple’s property.
Bernstein found a Connecticut statute that prohibits “malicious structures” targeted at neighbors. It was aimed she says, at spite fences, not signs. But she added the new sign to her complaint.
A hearing was scheduled for November 1. Stahursky’s lawyer, Eugene Zingaro, asked for an adjournment.
Bernstein and Herbsman said they’d consider it, provided the case was heard earlier.
In court this week, she, her husband, Stahursky, and his next door neighbor all testified.
Bernstein and Herbsman’s lawyer played a Ring recording of honks between August 31 and October 16. (Click here to see and listen to a driver leaving Stahursky’s home, and leaning on the horn down Maple Avenue. Click here for a second recording; click here for a third.)
Screen shot of Ring recording of a car leaving the Stahursky home.
Stahursky again invoked his First Amendment rights. He said he wanted to spread the truth about Harris and her ties to pedophilia, sex traffickers and drug traffickers, which he heard about on Fox News and Newsmax.
Judge Dale Radcliffe ruled today that since the “Honk 4 Trump” sign was no longer up, it was no longer a nuisance.
However, he added, a sign urging honking is not free speech. If the sign returns, he could issue an injunction.
As for the sign that is now up, Radcliffe ruled that while it is distasteful, it is protected speech. (Click here to read the complete decision. Click here to read the amended complaint.)
Bernstein and Herbsman are pleased that the “honk” sign is down.
Stahursky’s lawyer was pleased too. He told Connecticut Insider: “It’s unfortunate the delicate sensibilities of the plaintiffs were affected.
“Mr. Stahursky, who farms the land he was born on and who served this country in the Korean War, has earned to right to support the candidate of his choice.”
Usually, “The Bridge at Saugatuck is open” means the swing mechanism is in use, so a boat can pass through. Traffic delays mount.
Yesterday, “The Bridge at Saugatuck is open” was welcome news.
Westport’s newest restaurant — replacing Parker Mansion, which replaced the Mansion Clam House — welcomed diners, to rave reviews.
The new space — built by The O’Dell Group for owner Doug Pardon — includes a large downstairs bar, patio, upstairs tables, outdoor deck, and cabanas by the Saugatuck River.
The menu is eclectic. The vibe is fun. It’s one more reason Westport has reclaimed its role as one of the best restaurant towns in the state.
Cutting the ribbon at The Bridge at Saugatuck (from left): Timothy Pardon, Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce director Matthew Mandell, 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker, owner Doug Pardon, general manager Isaac “Patrick” Camaro, executive chef Stephen Lewandowski, William Pardon, Conor Pardon.
Speaking of food: Among the many favorites at The Porch @ Christie’s: colossal cookies.
They come in 8 big flavors: chocolate chip, cookie butter, cookies & cream, halfsies, M&M, snickerdoodle with dulce de leche, sweet & salty, and triple chocolate.
But what if you don’t live around here?
No problem!
Sweet P Bakery — The Porch’s baker, and like the popular deli, an avid employer of people with disabilities — now ships their colossal cookies nationwide. Just click here, and follow the prompts.
Of course, if you do live here, head to to The Porch to taste the flavors, see a sample box, and snag a discount card.
Sweet!
(Photo/Abby Cole Photography)
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Every year at this time, the Westport Library celebrates UN Day with a Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Memorial Lecture. The namesake of our Post Road Bridge was also a founder and strong advocate of the United Nations Association-USA Southwest Connecticut Chapter (and a friend of former US Ambassador to the UN Eleanor Roosevelt).
This year’s event should be a great one. Jim Himes — Westport’s member of the US Congress, and the ranking member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence — will discuss international issues.
The event is on UN Day: Thursday, October 24 (7 p.m.).
As Election Day approaches, we’ve all been inundated with news stories and ads.
It happens every November.
But one thing is different this year.
You may not have noticed, because it’s not something you see. Rather, it’s an absence.
This fall, there are far fewer political signs than usual.
The bad old days.
Sure, there are some Harris/Walz and Trump/Vance signs, on front lawns and in traffic islands. There are several too for US Senate and House, and State Senate and State House races.
But far, far fewer than usual.
Perhaps people realize that no one has ever made up their minds based on yard signs.
Maybe they are afraid, in this fraught political environment, to express themselves.
Whatever the reason, let’s all agree — Democrats, Republicans, Libertarians, Greens, unaffiliated — that this is a very welcome “sign.”
(Election Day is November 5. Early voting begins October 21. But any day is a good one to contribute to “06880.” Please click here to “register” your support. Thank you!)
There’s been a lot of talk recently about the need to have civil conversations about politics.
To lower the temperature.
To listen to those who disagree with us, and not just yell back and forth.
Yesterday on social media, a resident posted this photo of a sign across from his Maple Avenue North home.
It’s around the corner from Long Lots Elementary School.
And, he says, this is not the first time. Other signs there included profanity, and comparisons of political opponents to animals.
“Several families said that their children have come home repeating the words on the signs, and invoked this as giving them permission to speak likewise,” he says.
There are exactly 7 weeks until Election Day.
Support the candidate of your choice. Offer solid reasons why. Rebut opponents with calm reasons and actual facts.
And for the sake of our kids: Be the adults in the room.
PS: If you comment on this story, please keep it civil, clean, and on point. And of course, use your full, real name.
The Long Lots School Building Committee will hold a special meeting tomorrow (Thursday, September 14, 6 p.m., Town Hall Room 201/201A).
The agenda includes a work session with the design team for project status updates, review and discussion. The public is welcome to attend the work session but may not participate.
The work session will be followed by public comment and questions regarding the feasibility study project.
Drone view of the current Long Lots Elementary School.
Mimi Greenlee saw yesterday’s Roundup story on the do’s and don’ts of yard signs, and noted that non-profits are restricted to signs no earlier than 2 weeks before an event. She wondered if the same rule applied to political signs.
I asked Mary Young, Westport’s Planning & Zoning Department director. She says: “Free speech is protected and is not regulated by zoning, including political signs, distinct from signs advertising special events which are regulated as they must be removed after the advertised event is over.”
She sent over Section 33-5.1 of the Zoning Regulations, last revised in 2012:
“The following signs are permitted without a Zoning Permit in all districts, herein.
“One temporary free standing sign not over 2 square feet per side for a residential property or 9 square feet per side for a non-residential property set back from any property line at least 5 feet, advertising the sale or lease of the premises.
“One temporary construction sign not over 24 square feet in aggregate area
identifying the designers and/or builders for a lot on which a building is under construction or reconstruction. Any such temporary sign shall be removed from the premises within 10 days after the rental of the space, sale of the premises or completion of the construction.
“Temporary signs for public and charitable events which shall be removed after the publicized event.
“Signs for political purpose.”
Political signs are treated differently than those for non-profits.
Speaking of local politics: The deadline has passed to declare candidacy for the Representative Town Meeting (RTM).
Four of the 36 incumbents are not running: Liz Milwe (District 1), James Bairaktaris (4), Stephen Shackelford (8) and Lori Church (9).
Four candidates are elected from each district. There will be contested races in 5 of the 9 districts. They are:
District 1: Incumbents Matthew Mandell, Kristin Mott Purcell, Chris Tait; petitioning candidates Richard Jaffe, Andrew Bloom.
District 2: Incumbents Harris Falk, Jay Keenan, Louis Mall, Mike Perry; petitioning candidate Melissa Levy.
District 5: Incumbents Peter Gold, Karen Kramer, Dick Lowenstein, Claudia Shaum; petitioning candidates Katherina Palmer, James Mather.
District 6: Incumbents Candace Banks, Jessica Bram, Seth Braunstein, Brien Buckman; petitioning candidates Alma Sarelli, David Rosenwaks, Louis D’Onofrio.
District 9: Incumbers Nancy Kail, Sal Liccione, Kristen Schneeman; petitioning candidates Douglas Enslin, Jennifer Johnson, John Suggs, Rachel Halperin.
Districts without contested races:
District 3: Incumbents Ross Burkhardt, Lyn Hogan, Jimmy Izzo, Don O’Day.
District 4: Incumbents Andrew Colabella, Noah Hammond, Jeffrey Wieser; petitioning candidate Clarence Hayes.
District 7: Incumbents Brandi Briggs, Lauren Karpf, Jack Klinge, Ellen Lautenberg Hendel.
District 8: Incumbents Wendy Batteau, Rachel Steel Cohn, Julie Uman Whamond; petitioning candidate Ari Benmosche.
Ms President US — a non-profit, non-partisan organization that empowers young girls through leadership development and civic education — has opened a new chapter in Westport.
Girls in grades 4-8 can join. Meetings begin September 29, and are held monthly from 4:15 to 5:45 p.m. The program includes a field trip to the state Capitol, and a campaign and election for “Ms. President US.”
Participants develop public speaking skills; gain confidence; meet with local, state and federal leaders and role models, and work with high school mentors.
Staples boys soccer was in the house last night — in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Kyle Martino — the 1999 graduate who was Gatorade National Player of the Year, and went on to become MLS Rookie of the Year, then played for the US national team — called the USA-Oman game for TNT. Bruno Guiduli — a student at nearby Macalaster College was in the stands, and got his fellow Wrecker’s attention.
Speaking of soccer: Marisa Shorrock — a 3-sport athlete in Staples’ Class of 2020 — has been named to College Soccer News’ National Team of the Week. The Yale University All-Ivy selection was also named Ivy League Defensive Player of the Week, for the second time in 3 weeks.
The senior goalkeeper made 13 saves as the Bulldogs beat Seton Hall 2-1 and the University of Connecticut 1-0.
Shorrock — who began her college career as a 3-sport (soccer, basketball, lacrosse) walk-on at Bowdoin College, before transferring to Yale — will play an additional year of soccer next season as a grad transfer at the University of North Carolina. The Tar Heels have won 21 NCAA Division I national championships.
Last year, a Westport Rotary Club grant helped clients of Bridgeport’s Burroughs Community Center do their taxes for free. Volunteers with the VITA national program helped over 1,600 people save money in refunds, deductions and tax credits.
Yesterday, at their weekly meeting, Rotary Club members learned more about the program, from Burroughs officials.
Burroughs Community Center executive director Michael Quon addresses the Westport Rotary Club. (Photo/Dave Matlow)
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Longtime Westport resident and former Representative Town Meeting member Jane Young died September 6 in Washington, with her family offering love and comfort. She was 91 years old.
The Detroit native attended Indiana University, where she was a member of Alpha Omicron Pi sorority. She and her husband James Edward Young lived in the then-territory of Hawaii, Cleveland and Chicago, before settling in Westport in 1971. Jane worked for MetLife until her retirement.
She was elected to the Westport Planning & Zoning Commission, before serving two terms on the RTM for District 4. Jane was passionate about historic preservation, at a time when Westport was undergoing pressure for new development. A founding member of Save Westport Now, she worked tirelessly to preserve the Baron’s parkland on the Post Road, the William F. Cribari Bridge, and National Hall. She also lobbied to extend the borders of the historic downtown district, to anticipate expansion in the years to come.
Jane was an active member of Assumption Church, and she and Ed were founders of a longstanding social and play reading club called the Turkeys. They traveled extensively throughout the world, including China and the former Soviet Union before they were open to Western tourism.
Jane moved to Iowa City in 2001 to be near family, and spent her final years in the Washington area.
Ed Young died in 2008. Jane is survived by her son Mark (Vicki Grassian) of La Jolla, California; daughter Gayle Young (Thomas Carroll of Washington); brother David Koval, and granddaughters Alexandra Jordan and Samantha Young.
Her ashes will be interred at Assumption Greens Farms Cemetery at a later date.
And finally … Ray Charles was born today, in 1918.
No, not that Ray Charles.
This one — a white guy — was a musician/singer/songwriter/arranger/ conductor. He led the Ray Charles Singers (not the Raelettes) on Perry Como’s records and TV shows for 35, and made 30 albums in the 1950s and ’60s.
His biggest hit was:
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The CT United Ride is a great event. The largest motorcycle ride in Connecticut travels through 9 towns — including Westport — paying tribute to the victims and first responders of 9/11.
But it also has a huge impact on traffic.
Tomorrow’s event starts at Sherwood Island State Park at 11:30 a.m. Riders take I-95 to Exit 17. They head up Saugatuck Avenue and Riverside Avenue, then follow straight on Wilton Road, into Wilton. T
The route is closed and continuous. With the assistance of a police escort, motorcyclists drive through traffic lights and do not stop at stop signs.
There will be long traffic delays along the route — 45 minutes or longer. Roads will be impassable, until the entire procession clears.
It’s an inconvenience, sure. But in comparison to what happened 20 years ago tomorrow, we all ought to be able to cope.
As Election Day looms, lawns and traffic islands will be filled with political signs. And the Westport Police Department will field complaints about the removal of them.
The WPD says:
“Residents and visitors are advised against taking it upon themselves to remove signs that do not belong to them, from either public or private property.
“The enforcement of the town’s rules is the responsibility of the town of Westport, not that of private citizens. The removal of signs from public or private property by someone not authorized to do so by the town, or by the owner of the sign, may constitute theft. Entering onto private property to remove signs may also constitute trespassing. Both of these acts can ultimately result in an arrest.
Town property includes traffic islands and road rights of way. It is not advisable to place signs on State of Connecticut property (including rights of way and islands along Routes 1, 136, 57, 33, and the Sherwood Island Connector, or on the exit or entrance ramps of I-95 or the Merritt Parkway) as the state may remove them.
In addition, signs may not be placed on school property without permission of the superintendent’s office, nor may they be put inside Compo Beach or Longshore, Town Hall, or on trees or utility poles. Signs my not interfere with traffic visiblity.
Signs on private property cannot extend beyond the property line or into the town right-of-way. They should be removed within 2 days after the election.
The 3rd annual Weston Flea is Saturday, September 18 (9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Weston High School). Over 60 vendors will sell tag sale items, furniture, crafts old and new, antiques and more.
Calise’s Market, Christophe’s Crepes and Skip’s Good Humor Ice Cream truck will be there too.
The event benefits the Weston Senior Activities Center. There’s a suggested donation of — can you handle it? — $1 per person.
“Our ‘Black Lives Matter’ sign was stolen from our front yard. We paid for it; it was up for weeks, and we live on a side street.
“I am stunned, having grown up in this town. We disagreed, we debated, but we didn’t do warfare with political signs.
“The sign was on our property. How is this not an invasion of my property? How is it not the bullying or pummeling in the name of what you don’t like or believe?
“Black lives matter. They still matter, even when you steal signs.”
Speaking of political signs: An Old Hill resident offers this warning to a possible thief:
(Photo/Frank Rosen)
The Artists Collective of Westport sponsors an outdoor trunk show of “affordable art” this Saturday (October 17, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Westport Playhouse parking lot).
Artists will display their works from in and around their cars. All COVID restrictions will be followed. But, the Collective says, “we can’t mask our excitement!”
Lindsey Blaivas spotted this house on Long Lots Road. “Instead of hauling away this magnificent tree that fell during one of our many storms, they landscaped around it,” she writes.
“It is a piece of art — and a tribute to the magical gifts that nature sometimes leaves us.”
(Photo/Lindsey Blaivas)
Like many venues, Longshore has been hit hard by the coronavirus.
Yesterday, however, Bruce McFadden spotted a ceremony taking place. It was not big — and there seemed to be plenty of space between guests and tables. Still, it was a nice reminder of a bit of normalcy.
(Photo/Bruce McFadden)
And finally … on Columbus Day, let’s honor the people who knew this land long before the Europeans “discovered” it. Songwriter/saxophonist Jim Pepper adapted “Witchi Tai To” from an ancient chant he learned from his Native American grandfather. It is still the only song in the history of Billboard’s pop chart to feature a Native American chant.
Jaime Bairaktaris is a multi-talented, community-minded Westporter. On Monday the 2016 Staples High School graduate, current Sacred Heart University student and 2020 Connecticut Paraeducator of the Year witnessed something disturbing downtown. He writes:
I’ve heard about hatred in our community. I’ve heard stories from friends, neighbors, social media and news sources. But I had not seen it myself.
This week, I think I saw it. It was ugly and deliberate, in the form of 3 middle school boys with their opinion to display, or partially formed frontal lobes to blame, or a sense of common respect to try to gain.
But there it was, plain as day.
I paused while tutoring another middle schooler. We watched the boys pull up a sign for a national political candidate from Jesup Green. They broke it into pieces, threw it in a trash bin, then took turns spitting on it before walking away, screaming to each other.
Spitting on it!
We were confused. So were the many other kids and adults sharing Jesup Green and Riverwalk tables. My student and I talked about respect, hatred, and why — regardless of opinion — we respect all things, and all people.
A nice day, marred.
We talked about better ways to share our own opinions, and how everyone’s opinion matters in one way or another.
Then we talked about how we never spit. Not during a pandemic, not on a sign, not at another person. Not ever.
As we talked, a group of middle school girls retrieved the sign from the trash. They placed it back on the lawn.
My student and I talked about how there are helpers everywhere. We talked about why we need to restore the good that is sometimes taken from a community, and how sometimes it is taken by people who may not realize they’re doing it — or may not care.
I wish I could have thanked those girls. Not just for putting back the sign, but for caring. For teaching us a positive lesson. And for reminding us that the majority of kids who hang out downtown do care.
But then the boys returned. They ripped the sign from the ground again, threw it onto Jesup Road, and took turns jumping on it. Then they flung it onto the middle of Jesup Green, before finally leaving.
Those boys did not care.
I wish I could have said something to my student, to everyone around us, to the girls who tried to help — something that could have made the situation better.
But I was at a loss. So I went back to our social studies. The hum of conversation and COVID-era working returned to the green.
I reported the incident to the police, so it’s on record. But I don’t know who those 3 boys are. I only know they don’t care. I don’t know their names, their families, their hobbies, their strengths, who they’ve helped in their lives, or who looks up to them.
I don’t know any good things about them. I only know that they destroyed a sign on Jesup Green.
Is this bigotry? Impulsivity? Stress? Lack of education? Too much media? Am I a snowflake? Or a Karen? Do I care too much? Did I not care enough to stop them? Is this a non-issue? Or is this a real probme.
This is not a case of “kids being kids.” The majority of those I see on their skateboards, scooters or bikes, in the deli or on the green, are energetic, loud, and — most importantly — respectful.
They’re doing what they should be doing: having fun, while learning how to make their own choices.
The Westport Police Department is non-partisan. But — like every Westporter – every fall they get caught in the great political sign crossfire.
They say:
With the approaching November elections comes the traditional posting of political signage.
Once again the Westport Police Department has begun to receive complaints related to the disappearance, removal, and/or theft of these signs.
Residents and visitors are advised against taking it upon themselves to remove
signs that do not belong to them, from either public or private property. The
enforcement of the town’s rules is the responsibility of the town of Westport, not
private citizens.
The removal of signs from public or private property by someone not authorized to do so by the town, or by the owner of the sign, may constitute theft.
Entering onto private property to remove signs may also constitute
trespassing. Both of these acts can ultimately result in arrest.
Political signs are considered an expression of free speech, and are allowed on
public property.
It is not advisable to place signs on state property (including rights of way and islands along Routes 1, 136, 57, 33, and the Sherwood Island Connector, nor on the exit or entrance ramps of I-95 or the Merritt Parkway), as the state may remove them.
No sign may be placed on any school property without the prior permission
of the Superintendent’s office.
No sign may be placed within the interior of Compo Beach or Longshore.
No sign may be placed on Town Hall property.
No sign may be placed on trees or utility poles.
No sign may interfere with traffic visibility.
Signs on private property require property owner approval. Signs on private
property must not extend beyond the property line or into the town right-of-
way. It is suggested they be removed within 2 days after the election.
Finally! A candidate we can all agree on. (Photo/Luke Garvey)
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But then the boys returned. They ripped the sign from the ground again, threw it onto Jesup Road, and took turns jumping on it. Then they flung it onto the middle of Jesup Green, before finally leaving.
