“06880”‘s “Students Speak” pages are open to all teenagers. If you live in Westport, go to school in Westport or are home-schooled: Tell us about your lives.
What is growing up here like for you? What causes stress? What brings you joy? What is your passion, and how has this town helped you develop it (or hindered)? Is there too much emphasis — or not enough — on academics, arts, athletics, activities? What’s your friend group like? What do you think about social media? The state of the world (or town, or school)?
You can use your name, or be anonymous — your choice. You can be positive, negative or neutral. You can offer suggestions and solutions, or not.
The important thing is to offer insights and perspectives, to the broad “06880” audience. You’re an important part of our online community, and we want to share your stories.
If you’re unsure of what to write about — or want a little guidance — we’ll work with you. But we’ll make sure that in the end, your voice comes through loud and clear.
To send submissions or learn more, email 06880blog@gmail.com. Thanks!
Of course no one writes like this anymore. But it’s the only graphic I could find about “writing.”
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Westport’s Wheels2U is branching out.
The on-demand service is joining with Norwalk Community Health Center to bring patients with transportation challenges to Norwalk Community Heath Center’s medical mobile unit at Jesup Green every Tuesday, from 9 a.m. to noon.
The unit was brought back to Westport by Homes with Hope, following the pandemic.
Residents needing rides can use Wheels2U’s app, or call 475-258-7893.
The fare is $2 — and new users get their first 5 rides free.
Cary Pierce — the 1987 Staples High School graduate who, as half of the alt/ rock/folk duo Jackopierce has been entertaining audiences around the world for over 30 years — played a “hometown” concert last night.
The Fairfield Theatre Company was filled with a wide range of fans — including former classmates.
Former Staples teachers Jim and Denise Honeycutt were there too. Jim shot this video, with 2 of Jackopierce’s most popular songs: “Please Come to Boston” and “Vineyard.”
This was the temperature yesterday on Saugatuck Shores. Did anyone record a lower one?
(Photo copyright DinkinESH Fotografix)
At Old Mill, James White reports: “It’s been a good 10 years plus since the Sherwood Mill Pond froze over.
“Back then we formed the Mill Pond Explorers Club. Here are some hearty members on a current excursion out on the ice.”
(Photo/James White)
Today’s high is predicted to be 30 degrees. Tomorrow, it’s 36; on Wednesday, a positively tropical 41.
See you at the beach!
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Have you seen the signs? Pink Floyd is coming to Westport!
And they’re not playing at a big venue, like Staples High School or the Levitt Pavilion.
(Photo/Jonathan Alloy)
But wait! Jonathan Alloy — who sent along the photo — notes that 2 of the original members are dead. And the other 3 have not worked together since 2005.
Spoiler alert: The group — called Prognosis The American Pink Floyd — is a tribute band.
Their website says they’ve been “performing the music of Pink Floyd
with incredible album accuarcy [sic] for 15 years both in the USA and internationally. Known for their elaborate lights, lasers and video projections, Prognosis The American Pink Floyd is considered to be the best and most accurate Pink Floyd experience.”
Too bad. Still, it sounds like a great show. And for $20, how can you go wrong?
Meanwhile, we look forward to the upcoming Beatles concert. They’ll be playing at Little Barn.
The topic for the next Westport Astronomical Society science lecture is dark.
Dark matter, that is.
Dr. Yue Yu of Columbia University’s International Axion Observatory
It’s set for February 17 (8 p.m.), at the WAS’ classroom on Bayberry Lane. It will be livestreamed too, on YouTube and Zoom.
Axions and axion-like particles are among the leading candidates for dark matter. This talk will introduce the International Axion Observatory, the next-generation experiment designed to search for solar axions, along with its pathfinder mission, BabyIAXO. For more information, click here.
Dr. Yue Yu
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On Saturday, this majestic bird took a break on a small woodpile, just a few feet from a window at Johnny Clark’s High Point Road home.
It sat long enough for a “Westport … Naturally” photo — a gorgeous start to our week.
Westporters of all ages celebrated the season Friday, at Wakeman Town Farm’s annual holiday tree lighting.
The event included Staples High School’s jazz duo, On the Count of Two; musicians from Greens Farms and Saugatuck Elementary Schools; Staples band members, and goodies from The Granola Bar and Sweet P Bakery.
The main attraction saw 1st Selectman Kevin Christie and Bill Constantino — a Wakeman family member — keep a generations-old tradition alive.
Many attendees donated diapers, toys and food, for neighbors in need.
And finally … Harry Chapin was born on this date, in 1942. The singer-songwriter/philanthropist and hunger activist died in an automobile accident on the Long Island Expressway. He was 38.
(Harry kept the change. If you’ve got any spare change hanging around, we’re happy to have it too. Just click here, and you’ll support “06880” — your hyper-local blog. Thank you!)
And residents continue to rashly leave their keys in unlocked cars.
Three vehicles were reported stolen between September 9 and yesterday. That makes 51 incidents since January 1.
Thefts occur in parking lots, and private driveways.
Westport Police say: “Under no circumstances should a vehicle ever be left unattended and running, unlocked with the keys inside it, or with valuables left in plain view.
“Unfortunately, nearly all stolen vehicle and vehicle burglary reports involve an unsecured car with keys immediately accessible.”
This is not the first time “06880” has conveyed this message from the WPD. It’s probably not even the 50th time.
We hope it’s the last. But we won’t hold our breath.
There will be many opportunities this fall to hear — and question — candidates for 1st selectperson.
Some will be general sessions. Others — like the one sponsored by Sustainable Westport and Earthplace — have a narrower focus.
The October 6 event (6:30 p.m., Christ & Holy Trinity Church) centers on the environment. All 3 candidates — Don O’Day, Kevin Christie and David Rosenwaks — will participate.
Topics include clean energy initiatives; waste reduction strategies; climate resiliency planning, and Westport’s long-term sustainability goals.
Following the moderated discussion, attendees can continue the conversation informally at Emmy Squared. Click here to submit questions.
StoryFest — The Westport Library’s annual literary festival — kicks off its 8th year by celebrating Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
It includes a book launch for “We Survived the Night,”a memoir by noted filmmaker Julian Brave NoiseCat.
He will be joined by Ramin Ganeshram, executive director of the Westport Museum for History & Culture, for a keynote conversation on October 13 (7 p.m.).
The event comes the day before the book’s official release.
Tickets are $30, and include a copy of the memoir. (The price is the same for 1 or 2 seats, and 1 book). A signing follows the talk.
StoryFest — the largest literary festival in Connecticut — draws scores of authors and hundreds of readers, writers and fans each year. With an interdisciplinary career that defies creative boundaries, NoiseCat’s work aligns with the mission: a celebration of storytelling in all forms, across all types of media.
NoiseCat’s journalism has appeared in The New York Times, Washington Post and The New Yorker. In 2021 he was named to Time Magazine’s “100 Next List of Emerging Leaders.”
His film “Sugarcane” was nominated for an Academy Award. It follows an investigation into abuse and missing children at the Indian residential school NoiseCat’s family was sent to in British Columbia.
StoryFest runs from October 13 to 20. It opens with NoiseCat’s book launch, and ends with a 10th anniversary celebration of Shonda Rhimes’memoirYear of Yes.
The Board of Finance holds a special Zoom meeting today at 4:30 p.m., with one item on the agenda: the Hook’d on the Sound concession lease, at Compo Beach.
The public notice says the BOF anticipates discussing this in executive session.
This year, Hook’d rebranded itself as Bluestone.
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Speaking of the shoreline: Work has begun to renovate the tidal gates and pedestrian bridges at Sherwood Mill Pond, leading to Compo Cove.
Equipment is in place at the Compo Beach Soundview parking lot, in the Old Mill lot, and at the garages on the Mill Pond.
The job is expected to be completed next May.
Compared to the Post Road East project, that’s warp speed.
Equipment at the Old Mill garages. (Photo/Tammy Murray)
Jazz at the Post’s September “Piano Madness” continues on Thursday (September 18), with David Hazeltine.
Called “the most recorded contemporary jazz pianist of our time,” he has 35 CDs as a leader, and hundreds more as a sideman.
He’s joined by trombonist Steve Davis, bassist Boots Maleson, drummer Jason Tiemann and saxophonist Greg “The Jazz Rabbi” Wall.
Tickets are $20 for the early show ($15 for veterans and students); $10 for the late show. A buffet dinner, including vegetarian options, is $25. Click here for tickets.
And finally … in honor of the Board of Finance’s upcoming discussion of the Hook’d contract:
(Another day, another Roundup packed with news you can use. It’s one of the many “06880” features we provide, several times a day. If you like even part of what we do, please support our work. Thanks!)
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