If you’re stressed — and between COVID-19, Isaias, the state of the nation and the world, who isn’t? — you can talk to a shrink. You can take it out on your spouse or kids.
Or you can spend an hour or two on the Saugatuck River, on a kayak or paddle board.
For relaxation (and cost), I’ll take the water. On these hot August days, there is nothing like a leisurely (or harder workout) paddle up toward downtown, or down toward Long Island Sound.
And one of the most popular places to do it is Westport Paddle Club.
The facility — at Bridgebrook Marina, on Riverside Avenue between the VFW and Saugatuck Rowing Club — has quickly become the go-to place for rentals, group activities, and a very popular summer camp for kids.
Now there’s more. Last night was the first “Taco Tuesday” in the parking lot by the dock (near the palm tree).
A taco truck will be there every Tuesday, from 5 to 7 p.m. A nice breeze, the calming river, fun food — you won’t care about the pandemic, a tropical storm, or anything else.
Westport Paddle Club owner Robbie Guimond (left), with employees and Staples High School seniors George Smith and Jack Douglas, at the taco truck.
As of early this morning, 98 Westport customers still lack electricity. That’s 0.78% of the town — meaning Eversource met their promise of 99% by Tuesday midnight.
The utility notes that a derecho storm that caused nearly a million outages in the Midwest caused some crews from those states to be called home to restore power there. Just think of those drives those workers had, getting here and back — and the work they do, here and there.
Eversource says, “at this time, we do not expect this to impact our restoration process” across Connecticut.
However, Jeff Jacobs takes issue with Eversource and the town’s announcement that all Westport roads are now passable.
Kings Highway South is closed just below Birchwood Country Club.
Finally yesterday, a barrier — mostly traffic cones — was erected at the junction of Kings Highway and Treadwell Avenue. There are still no signs or barriers at Post Road West, however, so drivers keep coming. And keep turning around.
Meanwhile, as Westport’s cleanup continues, residents — including David Meth — remain concerned about a utility pole in a very visible spot.
It rests on cables attached to another utility pole across from Willowbrook Cemetery, near the Main Street/Cross Highway split.
“If it crashes, it will pull down all the cables and then some,” David says. “I spoke to 2 Eversource workers nearby. One said he would take a look. The result: nothing.”
(Photo/David Meth)
Today marks the Westport Library’s return to normal — that is, COVID-normal — hours. Curbside pickup is available weekdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The building is open for browsing and staff support weekdays from 2 to 6 p.m., and noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays.
Beginning this Monday (August 17), appointments are recommended for the Children’s Library.
A family (or cohort of up to 5 people) will have the Children’s Library to themselves for 30 minutes. If they leave before their 30 minutes are up, walk-ins can book the remaining time.
Click here to reserve an appointment for the Children’s Room.
The Longshore golf course reopened today. The tennis courts will be back tomorrow (Thursday, August 13), after reconditioning.
Some of the damage on the Longshore golf course. (Photo/Brian Sikorski)
Next up in the Remarkable Theater’s remarkable summer drive-in movie series at the Imperial Avenue parking lot: “The Jungle Game” (Thursday, August 13), “Thelma and Louise” (Friday, August 14) and “School of Rock” (Saturday, August 15).
The lot opens at 7:45 p.m. Movies begin around 8:45. Tickets are $50 per car. Click here to reserve a spot, and for more information.
Last night, Darren Spencer and his family made their first trip to the pop-up series. He reports:
“It was a balmy evening in the parking lot with 49 other cars, but you would not have known it. Tuned in to 90.9 FM with clear audio and a brilliant screen, it made for a memorable evening.
“Thank you, Remarkable Theater, for breathing life into Westport in these uncertain and unusual times, and for turning what used to be unremarkable before the pandemic into the truly remarkable. And to Westport Town officials, I let’s ensure we turn this into a Westport institution every summer for many years to come!”
(Photo/Darren Spencer)
Still need a place to work? Serendipity Labs — the co-working space which opened at 55 Post Road West just a month before COVID hit — is offering complimentary day passes for the first visit. Click here to learn more.
Serendipity Labs, 55 Post Road West
Many voters in yesterday’s Democratic and Republican primaries sent ballots by mail. But those who ventured to the one polling place in town — Bedford Middle School — gave high marks to local officials.
Everyone working wore masks. They hand voters plastic gloves. They strictly enforced the 6-foot rule. And — though you couldn’t see them — they did it all with smiles.
It’s not easy voting in the midst of a pandemic, right after a treacherous storm. In Westport at least, we proved we can multi-task. On to November 3!
First, an outdoor volleyball court popped up at the old Save the Children property on Wilton Road.
Now there’s a floating water polo game in the waters off Compo Beach.
Click “Comments” if you know what’s next.
(Photo/Seth Schachter)
And finally … you may not recognize the name Wayne Fontana. The lead singer of the Mindbenders died last week in England, at 74. But if you’re a certain age, you probably remember his signature song:
The Imperial Avenue drive-in — the surprise smash of the season — announces “Christmas in July.”
The Imperial Avenue parking lot was filled with film buffs, folks eager to revisit Spike Lee’s 1989 film through the lens of 2020 American life, and parents hoping to introduce their kids to a classic movie (or just get out of the house).
