Tag Archives: Staples High School tennis courts

Roundup: “06880” Comments, Bonnie Raitt, Tennis Court Trees …

The “06880” Comments section has occasionally gone off the rails.

It belongs to all readers — not just a few, who veer off topic or use it to communicate with each other.

Effectively immediately, we’re instituting a few new rules:

A limit of 3 comments (1 initial one, and 2 replies) per thread. This is down from the previous 5. Think before posting: Is this really worth using one of my 3 comments for? (NOTE: This rule can be waived by the executive editor, for truly worthwhile, in-depth and/or serious topics.)

All comments must be directed to all readers. Offer your thoughts to the topic at hand. Do not engage in back-and-forth with 1 or 2 readers. If you do address a specific reader, this is acceptable: “Susie, I’d like to know more about why you think xxxxx. Have you considered yyyy?” Unacceptable: “Sally, were you the person who did xxxx  and yyyy?” If you’d like to correspond directly with another commenter, please send me an email. I’ll forward it to that person.

One exception to the above rules: Our Friday Flashback posts are open to unlimited comments, and unmoderated back-and-forth dialogue. Have at it on Fridays at noon! For every other “06880” post: Please use common sense, and common courtesy. Thank you!

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For as long as the Levitt Pavilion has hosted a Big Name for its annual fundraiser, they’ve tried to get Bonnie Raitt.

Last night, they did.

The 13-time Grammy-winning singer-songwriter/Rock & Roll Hall of Fame member/guitarist whom B.B. King called “the best damn slide player working today” thrilled a sold-out crowd, on a humid but gorgeous evening.

Backed by musicians she’s worked with for decades, the 76-year-old showcased her wide range of guitar and vocal talents, blending rock, blues, country and folk. She even took a turn on keyboard.

The Levitt has welcomed stars like Willie Nelson, John Fogerty, Cyndi Lauper, Smokey Robinson, Chuck Berry, the Tedeschi Trucks Band, and many more.

At last, they’ve added Bonnie Raitt to the list.

Bonnie Raitt, at the Levitt Pavilion. (Photo/Dan Woog)

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A few hours earlier, Westporters took advantage of perfect summer weather to head to Compo.

Longtime beachgoers have noticed an increase in the number of people who actually leave the shore, and go in the water (one of the primary functions of a beach, after all). Sandbars created by recent storms have made it easier to wade out.

This was the mid-afternoon scene. It’s one of the reasons we live here — and love it so much.

(Photo/Dorothy Robertshaw)

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Speaking of Compo: We’ve got a new “06880” header, on our desktop and laptop platforms.

Thanks to William Weiss, for this classic mid-summer view:

(Photo/William Weiss)

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Richard Fogel continues to document the renovation of the Staples High School tennis courts.

Today’s photos show the removal of a number of fir trees, between the parking lot and the courts themselves.

Trees have been removed from between the parking lot (left) and tennis courts (right)

View from the top of the Staples “hill” parking lot. Tennis courts are in foreground; trees that have been removed are center rear. (Photos/Richard Fogel)

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The next Executive Networking Series — set for August 27 (6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Nômade), is for the dogs.

The event — bringing business owners, executives, entrepreneurs and local leaders together, while introducing companies to non-profit organizations — highlights the Pet Animal Welfare Society (PAWS0.

The series is a partnership between VTB Financial and Prestige Cabinetry & Design LLC. Click here for tickets, and more information.

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Sure, we understand that registration for Westport Weston Family YMCA programs have already begun.

And yeah, it’s kind of cute that the Y’s promotion includes an orange-clad family, with cute little jack-o-lantern outfits.

But adding a paper pumpkins throughout the building is a bit much.

Dude, it’s August 10th.

(Photo/Dan Woog)

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We’ve gotten a lot of deer photos lately, for our “Westport … Naturally” series.

Sometimes, there are 2 in the shot.

Seeing 3 — including a fawn — is a rarity.

Dalton Delan captured this early morning “breakfast” yesterday, on Spicer Road.

(Photo/Dalton Delan)

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And finally … speaking of the tennis courts (item above):

(Anyone for tennis? How about anyone for clicking here to support “06880,” your hyper-love blog? We’d “love” that. Thank you!)

Roundup: Gulls, Lanternflies, Ukraine …

“06880” offers 2 warnings today about gulls.

The first comes from the Sandbar. The new (and highly regarded) Compo Beach concessionaire has posted a sign at the register, warning that the birds may swoop down and snatch your food.

(Photo/Dan Woog)

Perhaps they need to be more visible. Leigh Gage writes: “My husband and I bought sandwiches. We took them over to ‘sunset beach,’ found an empty table and sat down.

“I noticed large seagulls. They seemed agitated.

“The tray with the sandwiches was right in front of me, I turned my head toward our cooler. A seagull swooped down and grabbed my sandwich, which was maybe 1 foot from me. I yelled, but it was gone in a flash.

“The seagulls continued to stay close. I threw a stone at one who was acting too aggressively for my taste.

“Later on, a seagull landed on the table next to ours — eyeing our food. They spoiled our dinner.”

Beware!

Waiting for dinner. (Photo/Celia Campbell-Mohn)

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Beware too of lanternflies.

Susan Garment “spotted” her first of the season on Friday, in her back yard.

I have an idea: Why don’t gulls eat them, instead of our food?

(Photo/Susan Garment)

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Two Connecticut theater teachers took their classes to Moscow and Crimea in 2014, just before the  Russian invasion.

They worked with and befriended students in Crimea, and stayed in touch throughout the last 12 yeas of war. The result is a play by Nancy Herman and Lynda Sorensen that uses the actual voices of Americans, Russians and Ukrainians in correspondence, to bear witness to the fighting.

Next Sunday (August 16, 2:30 p.m.), the Weston Public Library hosts a staged reading of “Words from the Front.” Click here for more information, and to register.

The event is sponsored by Ridgefield Responds for Ukraine.

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Since the discovery of the first exoplanet in 1992, research has grown exponentially. So far, over 6,000 exoplanets have been discovered.

Michael Telesco helps uncover faint transits in the Kepler data. He has found over 30 exoplanets — 2 of them in the habitable zones of their stars.

And he is still just a teenager.

On August 18 (8 p.m.), the Stanford University incoming freshman discusses “Discovery of the First Solar System-like Planetary System Architecture” at the Westport Astronomical Society (182 Bayberry Lane). The recent New Canaan High School graduate is a WAS member.

His talk will also be livestreamed on YouTube, and available via Zoom.

Michael Telesco

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Richard Fogel has been documenting the renovation of the Staples High School tennis courts.

Yesterday’s photos show the complete removal of the current surface …

… and the removal of several tall pine trees surrounding the site.

(Photos/Richard Fogel)

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Today’s serene “Westport … Naturally” photo highlights the still-under-the-radar-but-growing-in-popularity Sherwood Island State Park:

(Photo/Ron Henkin)

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And finally … speaking of the birds that steal meals at the beach (story above):

(Unlike certain birds, “06880” does not take. We give — information, insights, inspiration, and much more. But we do rely on you to give us support. Please click here to show this blog some love. Thanks!)