Yesterday’s Roundup noted that 43 downtown parking spaces have been turned from 3-hour to unlimited spots.
Today’s parking news: At the request of the EV Club and Sustainable Westport, the town will soon waive idle fees for electrical vehicle chargers at Baldwin during overnight hours.
Three hours is not enough time to fully charge most EVs plugging in with a low state of charge. EV owners who live near downtown and do not have home charging will now get a full charge, and will not have to get up at 2 a.m. to move their car.
EV Club president Barry Kresch tells “06880” that he does not yet know the range of hours, or when it will be implemented. He has been told that the software vendor will make the change.
Users still pay for their juice. So this means more revenue for the town.
NOTE: There are no idling fees for chargers in the Metro-North commuter lots.
EV chargers in the Baldwin lot.
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Hungry for news about Pop-up Bagels?
Last year, the 4-year-old company — founded in Westport, now a tri-state sensation — raised $8 million in a fundraising round that included actor Paul Rudd, and athletes JJ and TJ Watt, Michael Phelps and Michael Strahan.
The same group has injected a Series B round of funding. A new CEO takes over, while founder/CEO Adam Goldberg becomes chief brand officer.
There are now 9 Pop-up Bagels shops. Another 6 are under development, with more planned along the East Coast.
Click here for the full story, via RestaurantBusiness.com.
Adam Goldberg, with Brooklyn BagelFest awards.
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More entrepreneurial news: Steven Graf and Zhach Pham are $300,000 richer.
That’s the investment the Staples High School Class of 2011 members — friends since 2nd grade here — just earned on “Shark Tank.”
When they were younger they ran a lemonade stand, built go-karts, and dug for buried treasure in their back yards.
Now — living in Denver — they have a company called RigStrips.
Their main product is a magnetic car mount (SnoStrip) that protects skis, snowboards and car exteriors by providing a space to slot into. It attaches to the side of a car, and helps avoid damage when equipment leans on it.
RigStrips sells a similar product for fishing poles and other outdoor products.
Click here for the full story, via BusinessDen.com. (Hat tip: Elizabeth DeVoll)
Steven Graf and Zhach Pham with RigStrips, on “Shark Tank.” (Photo courtesy of BusinessDen.com)
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As of yesterday, CT Mirror reports, 4,669 Westporters have already voted in this year’s election.
That’s 23.4% of Westport’s 19,991 registered voters.
The breakdown of votes already cast: 2,470 Democrat; 782 Republican; 1,400 unaffiliated; 17 Independent Party.
Meanwhile, praise continues to pour in for the early voting process in Westport.
Jeff Seaver writes: “My daughter and I just came from Town Hall. It was such an uplifting experience. Thanks go to the wonderful volunteers who work very hard to make it work, and have it be such a positive experience.
“At one point a voter came in with their German shepherd. Oohing and aahing filled the Town Hall auditorium. It made me wonder if America doesn’t need emotional voting support animals at every polling place.
“Here’s a hats-off to the incredible volunteers who make this all possible, both here and across the country. Not a bad way to be instantly transported from what feels like an endless wall of doom, gloom, name-calling and meanness into a celebration of the incredible privilege we share — all of us, red, blue, purple, green and every other political shade on the spectrum — living in a democratic republic.”
Balloting runs today (Saturday) and tomorrow (Sunday, November 3), from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the Town Hall auditorium.
Voting on Election Day (Tuesday, November 5), is from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., at regular polling places. Click here to view a district map.
Not the same dog that Jeff Seaver saw. But also an early voter. (Photo/Cat Malkin)
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Sure, it was 80 degrees yesterday.
But the Holiday Shop at the Westport Library is open for business.
The annual event — located on the main level, and now spilling into the Writing Center — includes scarves, hats and gloves (many handmade); humorous socks; unique dish towels; notebooks, journals and planners; handmade desert bells and other decorative items like paper lanterns, felt baskets, planters and birdhouses; snow globes; jewelry; festive candles; games; puzzles; toys; art supplies, and novelty items for kids.
Library Store purchases are tax-free. Proceeds support Library services and programs.
Westport Library holiday shop collage.
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The Westport Farmers’ Market helps us all eat well.
This Thursday (November 7, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Imperial Avenue parking lot), Positive Directions is helping shoppers become even healthier.
A Wellness Fair features several vendors:
- “Check up from the Neck Up” (free mental health screenings)
- Animal therapy team
- Blood pressure screening
- Drug awareness and resources (drunk goggles, liquor stickers, lock bags, Narcan demosntration
- Tick and mosquito information.
It’s funded by the Farmers’ Market’s next door neighbor, the Westport Woman’s Club.
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Southern Tide officially opens its new downtown store on November 15 (5 to 8 p.m., 33 Elm Street). Everyone is invited for drinks, music, and a gift with all purchases.
Southern Tide has partnered with Save the Sound for the event, to help protect local ecosystems and waterways.
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Teachers often tell students to lower their voice.
Later this month, Coleytown Middle Schoolers will raise them loud.
And their teachers, classmates, parents and everyone else will be thrilled.
“Raise Your Voice” is CMS’ fall musical revue. Featuring 15 songs from “Into the Woods,” “Guys & Dolls,” “Fiddler on the Roof,” “Oliver!,” “Mary Poppins,” “Little Mermaid,” “Aladdin,” “Legally Blonde” and more, it appeals to all ages.
Performances are Thursday, November 21 (6 p.m.) and Friday, November 22 (7 p.m). Tickets go on sale Monday (November 4). Click here; then search for “Coleytown.”
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Hurricanes have moved off the front pages.
But residents of the Southeast US are still dealing with the devastation.
The Westport Woman’s Club wants to help.
They’re collecting money to purchase new coats and blankets, and deliver them to impacted areas.
Click here to donate. You can also mail or drop off a check: Westport Woman’s Club, 44 Imperial Avenue, Westport, CT 06880. Put “Hurricane Drive” in the memo field.
Questions? Call 203-227-4240.
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Back in the day, there was one way to get rid of pumpkins: Throw ’em in the trash.
Then came awareness of the environment. Compost! Feed the wildlife! Make a planter!
What not to do?
This.
(Photo/Jamie Klein)
It’s an important reminder that not every “Westport … Naturally” image is uplifting.
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And finally … tonight is the night we regain the hour of sleep we lost last March.
Don’t forget: Set your clocks back an hour. Enjoy!
(We hope you learn at least one thing new every day from “06880.” If this hyper-local blog helps you live your local life better, easier or more fulfillingly, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
