State Department of Transportation engineers have shared with Stina Sternberg Snow, and other neighbors, what the $400,000 landscaping plan looks like for the renovated maintenance garage off the nearby Sherwood Island Connector.
Click on or hover over to enlarge. The Sherwood Island Connector is at left; Post Road East is at top.
The area highlighted in red will be a turn lane into the new entrance (from the Connector). It will have an 8-foot privacy fence next to it.
This Thursday (July 17, 6 p.m.) is the day and time. The far end of Compo’s South Beach — away from the cannons, near the boat and kayak launch — is the place. (Still confused? See the aerial view below.)
The blue arrow marks the “06880” party spot.
Please bring your own food, beverages, beach chairs and blankets. (If you bring extras to share with others, we won’t say no). If you’ve got a folding table, we could use a few too 🙂
Then mix, mingle and enjoy the evening with the “06880″ crowd.
There’s no charge. It’s a “fun-raiser,” not a fundraiser. A “blog party” — the “06880” version of a block party.
Marie Gross woke up this morning a bear breaking up her bird feeders. on Kings Highway North.
(Photo/Marie Gross)
It then sauntered casually down the road, toward the cemetery.
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Michael Franti & Spearhead brought a message of love, hope, acceptance and positivity to the Levitt Pavilion yesterday. It was Franti’s third time at the open-air venue.
He engaged intimately with the audience on stage — and while performing as he walked around.
(Photo/Sean Bernand)
(Photo/Copyright DinkinESH Fotografix)
Cimafunk was the opening act last nigh — and also high-energy. The musician’s funk and hip hop, with Cuban and Afro-Caribbean roots, got the crowd moving from the moment he stepped on stage.
(Photo/Copyright DinkinESH Fotografix)
Backing up, on sax. (Photo/Nathan Greenbaum)
This week’s shows include Hopalong Andrew (Children’s Series; Tuesday, 7 p.m., free); I’m with Her, with Ken Pomeroy (Wednesday, July 16, 7 p.m.; ticketed); Nellie McKay Trio (Thursday, July 17, 7:30 p.m.; free), and Pete Muller & the Kindred Souls (Friday, July 18, 7:30 p.m.; free).
The Hive — Frederic Chiu and Jeanine Esposito’s cultural community-building collaboration — has launched a small-group series, at the Hive loft.
Each event will revolve around a music and arts theme, and include a conversation inspired by the arts. Beverages and small bites will be served.
The dates are July 23 (7:30-9:30 p.m.), July 27 (4-6 p.m.), July 30 (7:30-9:30 p.m.), and August 9 (8-10 p.m.).
The Hive strives to gather groups with a wide range of ages, backgrounds, perspectives and experiences. Ticket purchasers (click here) are invited to make an additional donation, to go toward a ticket for someone who otherwise could not join.
And finally … Happy Bastille Day, to all who celebrate!
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Compo Beach and Weston’s Bisceglie Pond are closed for swimming, due to elevated baceria levels.
Swimming will remain prohibited until samples come back within acceptable levels. Those will be taken on Monday.
Burying Hill and Old Mill Beaches, as well as Sherwood Island State Park, are all open for swimming. Compo is open for all other activities except swimming.
It’s summer. But “OK To Delay” — the group urging parents to protect middle schoolers from smartphones and social media — is not delaying their efforts.
Next Thursday (July 17, 7:30 p.m., on the sand near the playground), they’ll host “Books on the Beach 203” event, at Compo.
Westport moms, educators and community members will discuss Jonathan Haidt’s “The Anxious Generation.” It examines the role of “phone-based childhoods” in the youth mental health crisis,
The conversation will touch on the challenges modern families face, and how families can work together to overcome them. RSVP: oktodelaywestport@gmail.com.
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Emmy-winning CNN correspondent Gayle Young is a native Westporter. Her journalism career began as a Westport News writer. She was Connecticut’s finalist for NASA’s Journalist in Space competition.
She’s just published a memoir, “Update: Reporting From an Ancient Land.”
There is plenty about her adventures reporting from the Middle East at the start of the first Gulf War; her work as CNN bureau chief in Cairo and Rome; her award-winning documentaries as a writer and producer for National Geographic Film & Television, and her career as head of multimedia production at the World Bank.
There is also quite a bit about growing up here.
Whether in South Africa for the election of Nelson Mandela, or with Moama Gadhafi and Yassir Arafat, she was always grateful to come home.
She writes too about how helpful Westport officials were in the 1990s, when she was gathering documents to adopt her baby daughter from a Russian orphanage orphanage.
Speaking of journalism: The New York Times real estate section regularly runs “Renters”: stories of regular people, as they seek a rental that suits their needs, lifestyles (and bank accounts).
The most recent piece highlights Patricia Brennecke, a retired teacher who had to move from a great place in Oakland. She found — miraculously, to anyone familiar with Bay Area housing — an equally great spot in Emeryville.
The cross-continental Westport angle? “Imagine my surprise,” says Steve Doig — who emailed it to me — when I realized the story I was reading was about my classmate!”
Both he and Patricia graduated together, in Staples High School’s Class of 1966.
The non-profit — started and nurtured by longtime Westporters Frederic Chiu and Jeanine Esposito, to “deepen community connections through the arts dialogue, ideas and transformation” — was honored with a US Senate certificate of special recognition.
It included information about the couple’s Beechwood Salons in Westport, and their continuing work with arts organizations across Fairfield County.
Senator Richard Blumenthal presented the honor last weekend, at The Hive’s digs.
From left: Senator Richard Blumenthal, Frederic Chiu, Jeanine Esposito. (Screenshot courtesy of News12 Connecticut).
… and writes: “Shucks! Another joy of summer disappearing. Remember the days when, as soon as school let out, we kids rode our bikes down to the grocery to shuck corn.”
Westport Police made 2 custodial arrests between June 25 and July 9.
A 57-year-old Bridgeport man was arresed for driving under the influence, failure to drive right and operating a motor vehicle without a license, following a complaint of an intoxicated man in a resident’s yard who refused to leave. He did so before police arrived, but he was stopped on Greens Farms Road near Valley Road.
A 50-year-old New Milford woman was arrested on an active re-arrest warrant, for failure to appear.
Westport Police also issued these citations:
Traveling unreasonably fast: 8 citations
Failure to renew registration: 7
Operating an unregistered motor vehicle: 5
Operating a motor vehicle without a license: 5
Operating a motor vehicle without minimum insurance: 5
Failure to comply with state traffic commission regulations: 5
Driving while texting: 4
Failure to obey stop sign: 4
Improper use of markers: 3
Operating a motor vehicle under suspension: 2
Failure to grant right of way: 2
Driving under the influence: 1
Traveling too fast for conditions: 1
Improper entry/exit on a limited access highway: 1
Transporting a child without restraints: 1
Following too closely: 1
Unsafe backing: 2
Failure to drive right: 1
Failure to obey traffic control signals: 1
Failure to return plates: 1
Always look behind when backing up!
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Robert Horne — a former member of Westport Boards of Finance and Tax Review — died June 28, after a lengthy illness. He was 86.
The UK native earned a degree in chemical engineering from Cambridge, and an MBA from Harvard. He held leadership positions at ICI, Digital Equipment Corporation and Nortel, and was president and CEO of BioCad.
After his public service in Westport, he helped shape the city of Johns Creek, Georgia. Robert enjoyed sailing, water sports and skiing.
He is survived by his wife Ann; sons Mark and Adam; daughter Hannah, and grandchildren Ayden, Addison, Morgan, Paige and Luke.
A celebration of Rober’s life is set for July 26 (2 p.m., Lanier Village Estate chapel, Gainesville, Georgia). In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the LVE Samaritan Fund.
Robert Horne
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Beach plums are blooming — beautifully — near Old Mill Beach.
They’re so beautiful, they’re today’s featured “Westport … Naturally” image.
They look good enough to eat, right off the screen!
And finally … on this date in 1553, Lady Jane Grey took the throne of England.
(It’s okay to delay giving your child a smartphone. But delaying support of “06880,” your hyper-local blog? Nah! If you enjoy anything we do, 24/7/365, please donate by clicking here. Thanks!)
The 2013 Staples High School, 2017 University of Virginia graduate, and holder of many Connecticut and collegiate running records, finished third in the semi-final heat of the 1500 meters at the Olympic trials yesterday, at the University of Oregon. He ran a season-best 3:34.40.
That qualifies him for tomorrow’s (Monday) finals (8:47 p.m. EDT; NBC and Peacock) — and a spot on the US track team that will compete at the Olympics next month in Paris.
Also yesterday, another Westport athlete fell just short of her Olympic goals.
Annam Olasewere competed in the 50 and 100 meter freestyle trials in Indianapolis, and reached the semifinal of the former.
She’s got a fantastic future. A rising senior at Staples, who competes year-round for Chelsea Piers Athletic Club, she’s already committed to Stanford University for the 2025-26 school year.
Next stop: the 2028 Olympics, just down the California coast, in Los Angeles.
Compo Beach residents are used to drivers speeding down Bradley Street, and blowing past the stop sign at Danbury Avenue.
But they were stunned today as a car driven by a teenage boy, with another teen as his passenger, raced along Compo Road South, roared onto Bradley without stopping, then passed several vehicles in the other lane on its way to the beach.
Without stopping at Danbury Avenue, it turned left onto Compo Beach Road, slammed against a car driving past, drove off and continued into the beach.
The car that was hit …
The young driver was apprehended quickly. No one seemed injured.
But if anyone had been walking or biking on Bradley or Compo Beach Road, it could have been much, much worse.
Speaking of the beach, here’s a new trend: Cars parking on the Hillspoint Road bridge over I-95.
Of the 6 cars in this photo, 4 are from out of state.
At first, it seems odd.
But apparently it’s the new way to avoid paying the daily out-of-town rate at Compo.
Signs warn that vehicles parked on Hillspoint between Schlaet’s Point and Old Mill, and at Sherwood Mill Pond Preserve, must have beach stickers.
There are no such signs this far north.
So folks park on the bridge, and hoof it to the beach.
On the one hand, it’s great that Compo is so attractive to out-of-towners.
And they should probably be applauded for creativity.
On the other hand …
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And speaking of dangerous behaviors (see above), Rob Jackson writes:
“I live in Saugatuck Shores, and drive to and from downtown on Route 136.
“With the onset of warmer weather, the electric scooter parade begins. There are some adults, but the majority are young teenagers.
“There is no bike lane, so these kids ride in the narrow strip between the traffic and the grass. It’s terrifying to see these young people, sans helmets, at times with headphones or earbuds, speeding along at 15-20 mph with cars, trucks, etc. blowing past a foot or two away. (The 35 mph speed limit seems to be only a suggestion)
“No helmets is downright lunacy. But the small diameter tires on these scooters (as opposed to a much larger bicycle tire) are an invitation for the first small rock to send the riding flying, possibly into a passing vehicle.
“I invite any parent to come watch their child navigate this roadway on their electric scooter. This isn’t Compo Beach or Saugatuck Island. It is a disaster in the making.”
The Westport Weston Family YMCA marked its 100th annual meeting last week with a number of awards.
Honorees included Diane Dubovy Benke (Lee J. Edelstein Volunteer of the Year0; Robin Tauck (Legacy & Impact Award), and Kate Murray and Andrew Berkowitz (Youths of he Year).
Employee Recognition Awards went to James Leask, maintenance technician (Above & Beyond); Victoria Walters, lifeguard and swim instructor (Commitment to Mission); Alejandro Flores, maintenance technician (Relationship Champion), and Tina Turechek, digital marking manager (Rookie of the Year).
Robin Tauck (right) with Westport Y CEO Anjali McCormick.
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The Westport Library will be buzzing this afternoon.
The Hive — Frederic Chiu and Jeanine Esposito’s new community-building project — brings an intriguing music-making event to the Trefz Forum stage (today, Sunday, 2 p.m.).
It’s called a “LID Session.” The acronym stands for “Lay It Down.”
Chiu — a world-renowned pianist, who lived for many years in Westport — has always been fascinated by the way pianos connects people of diverse ages, backgrounds and experiences.
He has invited local people to take a chance, and “Lay It Down” for an audience of fellow community members. The 6 who will perform range in age from 12 to 94.
“The playing doesn’t have to be perfect, and the audience doesn’t need to know how to play,” Chiu says.
“The shared experience creates connection for everyone.
Chiu will kick things by playing a short piece. Six guest pianists then take their turn on the Library’s special Yamaha Disklavier, which captures the performance for posterity.
To close, Chiu will lead a community conversation. (For more information, click here.)
A good crowd headed to the Westport Observatory yesterday, for the start of ARRL Field Day.
The Westport Astronomical Society hosted the local meeting of a nationwide ham radio event.
Attendees young and old heard from ham operators, and got on the air themselves.
ARRL Field Day continues today (Sunday) through 8 p.m. at the observatory on 182 Bayberry Lane. For more information, click here.
Coleytown Middle School student Dylan Rosen learns about ham radio yesterday from Larry Reed (AB1JC), at the Westport Observatory. Dylan contacted a ham operator in Iowa — and the hams in Westport stopped to applaud. PS: Check out Dylan’s shirt!
And finally … on this date in 1713, French residents of Acadia were given one year to declare allegiance to Britain or leave Nova Scotia.
They did not pledge their allegiance. The result: a vibrant Cajun culture in Louisiana.
(“06880” wants everyone to be safe. That way we can all enjoy our town — and this hyper-local blog. And if you get a chance, please consider supporting us too. Just click here. Thank you!)
Lyman — Westport’s Ukrainian sister city — was struck by Russian missiles recently.
A video from Ukraine Aid International — the non-profit formed by Westporters Brian and Marshall Mayer, which has delivered over $300,000 donated by Westporters to our friends in that town — shows some of the horrific destruction. Click here to see.
To donate to Ukraine Aid International by credit card, click here; click the “I want to support” box; then select “Westport — Lyman Sister City.” Scroll down on the Donate page for other options: mail, wire transfer and Venmo.
A resident of Lyman — Westport’s sister city — after a Russian air strike.
Meanwhile, Lyman’s police chief asked his counterpart, Westport Chief Foti Koskinas, for help. The town needs 2 EcoFlow batteries to power up their charging stations for the Starlink (provided by Westport), their computers and other important devices.
Ukraine Aid International is providing the funds, using money from last summer’s LymanAID fundraiser.
Wednesday’s Roundup included an email from a reader who slammed me for reckless driving on Thomas Road, in “my” BMW with “06880” plates.
I noted that I don’t have a BMW, and that just because I publish “06880,” it doesn’t mean that’s my license plate.
Yesterday, I heard from Gary Shelton, who has some skin in this game. He wrote:
“I’m the driver of the blue BMW ‘06880,’ and a very aware and careful driver.
“The man who wrote you should learn how to properly walk a dog between himself and the side of the road. He had the dog on a long leash between himself and the middle of the road on a blind corner.
“The ‘heads up display’ in my car says the speed limit on Thomas is 25. I was going 20 mph up the hill approaching that blind curve. He gave me a choice of slamming on my brakes and hitting his dog, or accelerating and going quickly around him.
“Fortunately I have extensive evasive maneuver driver training. I would much rather have hit the other car than his dog. He should have been appreciative of that, but clearly is not a good dog parent.
“The other car simply went on the small shoulder as I was around him and back in my lane before he was at any impact point. Cars can be fixed; lives cannot.
“I hope you add this to your blog as a response. I have been a longtime Westporter, and that has been a longstanding family license plate.”
The Staples High School baseball team plays for the state “LL” (extra large schools) state championship tomorrow (Saturday, June 8, 12 p.m., Palmer Field, Middletown).
The #19th-ranked Wreckers face #4 Amity.
Fans are invited to gather at the Staples fieldhouse at 9:15 a.m., to give them a great send-off.
Tickets must be purchased through GoFan. The game will be live-streamed here on game day.
Club 203 celebrated the end of another great year on Wednesday.
Westport’s social club for adults with disabilities hosted a party at Ned Dimes Marina. It was their biggest turnout ever: 175 guests.
The Super Duper Weenie truck served delicious treats, with kind service. Guests enjoyed games, MoCA art projects like message-in-a-bottle and decorate-your-own kites, and cookies from Big G.
Club 203 volunteers were joined by others from the Westport Rotary Club. Special thanks go to the town’s Department of Human Services and the Commission on People with Disabilities. Selectwomen Jen Tooker and Andrea Moore stopped by to enjoy the event.
Staples High School students respect and admire Cathy Dancz Schager.
Now the Contemporary World Studies teacher has been recognized as a “US Presidential Scholars Most Influential Teacher,” and through the University of Connecticut Office of Early College Experience Teacher Appreciation Campaign.
Leigh Foran, a senior — also the Class of 2024 valedictorian and a US Presidential Scholar honoree — chose Schager as the teacher who inspired her, and contributed the most to her success as part of the Scholar process.
“I’m so thankful to have had a teacher like Ms. Schager who teaches her students to apply what we learn in the classroom to the real world,” Foran says. “She’s truly encouraged us to become global citizens, which I deeply admire.”
In addition, students participating in UConn’s ECE program nominated Schager for her dedication, passion and commitment to supporting students and creating an incredible UConn course experience.
Cathy Schager
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As the LGBTQ community celebrates Pride Month, many look back at a time when they were less certain of their place in the world.
On June 27 (6:30 p.m., Westport Library), Dr. Alan Downs discusses his book “The Velvet Rage: Overcoming the Pain of Growing Up Gay in a Straight Men’s World.”
Downs is a clinical psychologist. The vent is sponsored by Westport Pride.
He sends this photo, from Kings Highway North between Main Street and Canal Street …
(Photo/Michael Lonsdale)
… and writes: “Wiring in Westport is a mess. It depresses me to drive around.
“It’s time for the town to come down on independent vendors who are wiring massive amounts of cable with no protocol. Ridiculous. It is out of control!”
He’s right. Wires are always added — never subtracted.
There’s no incentive for cable or utility companies to remove unused or obsolete wires. It’s easier for them to leave it in place, and move on to the next job.
Of course, they have to return when it all comes tumbling down. But hey …
Nearly every Westporter of a certain age has a story about Paul Newman, and his Volvos.
(Mine: He picked me up hitchhiking a few times. “Hop in, son!” he’d say.)
“06880” reader Todd Suchotliff sends along a link to a car website called The Autopian.
The story is about the legendary actor and his souped-up Volvo wagons.
It’s an insanely long story, of interest to auto enthusiasts — but also anyone who knows Ian Warburg and the late Michael Brockman, 2 Westporters who feature prominently in the piece.
The article also mentions a “missing” Volvo wagon, of which Suchotliff says, “I’m pretty sure I’ve seen bit before around town, and parked at a house on Compo Road South close to Soundview. It’s a Volvo wagon, with an ‘RR’ emblem on its grille.”
If you’ve ever had an experience where you found yourself coming together with others whose mindsets, approaches, and/or backgrounds were completely different from your own — yet ended up with surprising or inspiring results — you’ll know what this Sunday will be like at the Westport Library.
In “Unexpected Human Pollination” (June 9, 2 to 4 p.m.), artists will share art and true stories about those times. The storytelling ends with a community conversation on the subject.
It’s the first public event of The Hive — the new project of Frederic Chiu and Jeanine Esposito. The mission is to create opportunities to engage, discover connections and build understanding fueled by the arts, dialogue, ideas and transformation.
The HIVE partners delivers programs in “cross-pollinating community gatherings, arts immersions, and transformation workshops.”
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Art is soothing. So is a sound bath.
On June 20 (6:30 to 8 p.m.), Sorelle Gallery hosts a “Sound Bath Meditation” evening.
The evening begins with a look at Sorelle’s coastal exhibit, Summer Crush. Attendees will then relax on yoga mats for a soothing session led by Hummingbird healing Center founder Lisa Pak.
Tickets are $25 each. There is room for 20 guests. Click here to register, and for more details.
Johanna Keyser Rossi reports that a pair has been hanging around the high tower behind by the police station for a few weeks. Their most recent activity: building a nest.
When Frederic Chiu and Jeanine Esposito sold Beechwood — their magnificent Weston Road property, including a 216-year-old home and towering beech tree — and ended their Beechwood Arts & Innovation series, artists, musicians, foodies and the couple’s many friends were heartbroken.
Over 12 years, Beechwood had evolved from a music showcase in a sunny, circular room, into a multi-generational, ever-changing, truly innovative salon.
Violinist Joshua Bell, artists in every medium, chefs — and an eclectic cast of culturally curious area residents — gathered every 3 or 4 months. They listened, observed, ate, asked questions, debated, and gained new perspectives on our universe.
But since moving to Norwalk, Frederic — an internationally known pianist — and his equally talented artist wife Jeanine were hard at work on a new project.
They’ve been as busy as bees. Now they’ve unveiled “The Hive.”
The first 2 public events will take place at the Westport Library. After 32 years here, Frederic and Jeanine remain firmly tied to their town.
The Hive’s mission was inspired by the couple’s experience at Beechwood — especially, the community connection and collaboration that evolved among a diverse mix of artists and audiences.
The connections that developed between people who would not otherwise have met led them from a focus on “reimagining what the arts experience could be,” to “reimagining what the community experience can be – within and across communities.”
Thus, the Hive’s mission focuses on deepening community connection and understanding.
The Hive’s values “embody the ethos of the beehive: enthusiastic collaboration, continual communication, flexibility, transformation, respect, empathy and belonging.”
That should create quite a buzz.
After leaving Beechwood as a venue, they’re now collaborating with a number of community-driven organizations across Fairfield County: arts, libraries, community services, teen groups and more.
Jeanine Esposito and Frederic Chiu. (Photo/Jane Beiles for he New York Times)
They’re meeting with directors throughout the area, gaining input on how to provide value for their organizations through Hive programs.
It’s important for Frederic and Jeanine that at every event, community members be active participants.
“Without them, there is no ‘show,'” Jeanine notes.
The first 2 afternoons present community members on stage, showing art, telling stories, or “laying it down” on the piano.
Both will be followed by a community conversation (not, Jeanine emphasizes, “a Q&A”) on the subject.
The artists’ story share, on the subject of “Unexpected Human Pollination,” is the initial event, on Sunday, June 2 (2 to 4 p.m.).
Artists should think about this prompt: “Have you ever had an experience where you found yourself coming together with others whose mindsets, approaches and/or backgrounds were completely different from your own, and it ended up with very surprising or inspiring results?”
The deadline for artists to apply is May 25. (Artists do not have to tell a story to share their work.)
Community collaboration is a passion for Jeanine Esposito (middle row, center) and Frederic Chiu (far right).
The “laying it down” sessions — in which 6 accomplished amateur pianists follow Frederic on stage to play for an audience, followed by a community conversation revealing piano-connections threads — is Sunday, June 23 (2 to 4 p.m.). The application deadline is June 8.
Click here for more information on The Hive, including ways to get involved.
And how to pollinate interesting, important ideas, all across Fairfield County.
(Like the Hive, “06880” is your place for community-building and conversations. Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
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The Hive’s mission was inspired by the couple’s experience at Beechwood — especially, the community connection and collaboration that evolved among a diverse mix of artists and audiences.
