======================================================
Tonight is the night we love to hate.
We lose an hour’s sleep — but we gain an hour of sunlight for the next 8 months. Set your clocks ahead for Daylight Savings Time.
If you’re one of those who forgets between now and bedtime: Stick a Post-It note on the clock by your bed.
Sweet (if shortened) dreams!
====================================================
“06880” has reported on a bill proposed in the General Assembly. If passed, HB 5429 would allow up to 15 housing units per acre within a half-mile radius of Westport’s 2 train stations.
How far is half a mile? Here are maps:
(Map by Danielle Dobin, courtesy of Matthew Mandell)
(Map by Matthew Mandell)
A Zoom hearing on the bill is set for Monday (March 14, 10 a.m.). Residents wishing to testify must register by 3 p.m. tomorrow (Sunday). Send a brief email to PDtestimony@cga.ct.gov. Reference Bill #5429, and include your name and town.
Click here on Monday, to watch the hearing live.
=======================================================
Congratulations to Stephen Perrine. The Westport author’s new book, “The Whole Body Reset: Your Weight-Loss Plan for a Flat Belly, Optimum Health & a Body You’ll Love at Midlife and Beyond,” debuted at #2 on the New York Times’ “Advice, How-to and Miscellaneous” best seller list.
It’s also #1 on Publisher Weekly’s Hardcover Non-Fiction chart.
And last week — following Perrine’s “Today Show” appearance — it was #1 on Amazon.
Not just one of the e-commerce giant’s many lists. It was #1 among all of Amazon’s books.
Click here to join everyone else who has bought the book. Or — if you need to lose weight today — head to Barnes & Noble downtown.
======================================================
Yesterday’s “Roundup” item about Wakeman Town Farm’s project to send medical supplies to Ukraine did not include an important link: how to order those supplies through Amazon. Click here to see what’s needed.
You can have them sent to WTF, Lachat Town Farm in Weston or Ambler Farm in Wilton — or drop them off at any of those 3 sites yourself. More instructions are at the top of the Amazon link. Deadline is 1 p.m. next Saturday, March 18.
=======================================================
Want to help draft a plan for Westport’s future?
On March 23 (7:30 p.m.), Temple Israel hosts a community conversation. Rabbi Michael Friedman and interfaith clergy colleagues will moderate a discussion and brainstorming session. It’s co-hosted by Westport’s Planning & Zoning Commission, and features chair Danielle Dobin and P&Z director Mary Young.
Organizers call it “an introduction to planning for affordability, and an opportunity for public feedback on how to diversify housing in a way that works for Westport.”
Among Westport’s affordable housing options: Sasco Creek Village. Explore other options at Temple Israel on March 23.
=======================================================
Need a feel-good story? Check out this News12 clip on Darien High School boys basketball manager Tripp Lyons.
He’s non-verbal, with a disability that requires the use of a wheelchair. But he fires up the Blue Wave players, and they love him. The other day — on Senior Night — he hit the court with his teammates.
What makes this “06880”-worthy — besides the fact that we need something uplifting these days — is that Darien’s opponent that day was Staples. The Wreckers were as excited as the Wavers to see Tripp with the ball.
Click here for the video. (Hat tip: Matt Murray)
Staples players (in blue) cheer along with Darien for Tripp Myers. (Screenshot from News12 Connecticut)
=====================================================
Like many Americans, Nate Gibbons is watching the price of gas rise.
As Westport’s fire marshal, he’s concerned about more than the economic cost.
“A few residents have resorted to gasoline hoarding. People are taking any and every container to the pump and filling it up,” he says.
Fuels like gasoline and diesel are flammable. The cans to store small fuel quantities are metal or special red plastic, have safety nozzles, and can be effectively sealed against leaking vapors, which can ignite if they find a source of ignition.
“You’ve seen them around and probably have one or two in your garage. It’s what they are designed for, safe storage of flammable liquids,” he says.
The Westport Fire Marshal’s Office reminds everyone to put fuel only in rated, fuel containers. If you need to stockpile fuel, invest in the correct gas storage containers. Store fuel outside your living area, and never in a basement. Transfer fuel using safety nozzles that shut off automatically in the event of a slip or a drop. Always use funnels to minimize the risk of a spill.
Questions? Call the fire marshal: 203-341-5020.
Legal. It even says it on the front!
====================================================
Gas is not the only things whose price is rising.
Food is more expensive too. That may be why donations to Homes with Hope’s pantry have dropped off. Of course, rising food prices mean more people are going hungry than before.
A special food drive runs from today through Tuesday (March 15th). Items can be dropped off between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. at the Gillespie Center on Jesup Road, behind Barnes & Noble and next to Don Memo.
Most-needed items include pasta sauces, canned meats, soups and stews, canned vegetables (other than beans!), hot and cold cereal, peanut butter and jelly, mac and cheese, oatmeal and mayonnaise.
The Gillespie Center. (Photo/June Rose Whittaker)
=====================================================
The bar is high for entitled parking photos. “06880” no longer runs drivers who take up 2 spaces. The limit for hogging more than your own is now 3.
This driver managed that feat. Sure, it’s subtle — a few inches over a couple of lines. But very cleverly, he (or she, though I doubt it) managed to make sure that no one came close to this precious Pacifica Limited.
(PS: Don’t say “the cops should ticket it!” It’s a private lot.)
(Photo/Andrew Colabella)
======================================================
As we stumble toward spring, it’s time to “run” some news from the Joggers Club.
If you sign up for The Minute Man 10k, you get a free Build-up Series training run. Each week is progressively longer (and you’re rewarded after each run with coffee, water, bagels and muffins).
The series starts and ends at Compo Beach. The route is the same roads as the Minute Man 10k. It starts at 8 a.m.: April 9 (3 miles), April 16 (4 miles), April 23 (5 miles), April 30 (race day!).
·
The Joggers Club also sponsors a club for youngsters grades kindergarten through 8th. The goals are form, endurance and (most important) fun.
The program is run by elite athletes, every Sunday from April 3 to May 29 (2 to 3:15 p.m., Staples High School track. Its $49 for Joggers Club members, $99 for non-members.
The club also offers a great social run series: 42 weeks of enjoyable group running. Click on TheJoggersClub.com,or follow on Instagram: @TheJoggersClub.ct.
=======================================================
Longtime Saugatuck Harbor Yacht Club member and volunteer David Bate died Monday in Fairfield, with his family by his side. He was 78.
The Birmingham, England native graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering from Aston University there. He joined Jaguar Rover, and moved to the US in 1965.
David stayed with Jaguar for nearly 25 years, retiring as national technical service manager at their US headquarters in New Jersey. He later founded EnviroSolutions, a distributor of environmentally safe cleaning products. He spent the remainder of his career traveling the country, brokering private sales of classic cars.
David was a member of Saugatuck Harbor Yacht Club for over 40 years, and served as chairman of the racing committee for 6. An accomplished sailor, he competed often. He completed the Marion Bermuda Race 4 times, and the Caribbean 1500. He also earned his US Coast Guard 6-Pack Captain’s License.
Summer weekends were spent with his family, trimming the sails of their Cal 39 “Scimitar” on Long Island Sound. He was also an avid classic car enthusiast, and specifically loved the AC Cobra. Music, photography, motorcycles and golf were other favorite pastimes, as was socializing with his many friends.
David is survived by his wife of 43 years, Patrice Choquette Bate; daughter Jennifer Bate Orgera (Theodore), and grandchildren Theodore Jr. and Chloe.
A private celebration of his life will be held later.
David Bate
===================================================
Molly Alger sends today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo — and a wish.
“I hope the weekend weather doesn’t destroy these beauties!” she says.
(Photo/Molly Alger)
=======================================================
And finally … here’s one more reminder to set your clock forward tonight!
