Sure, Wheels2U Westport is the Westport Transit District’s on demand, group ride, door to train platform shuttle service.
But every year, it also sponsors a poetry contest.
The first 2 were for limericks and haikus. This year’s event features acrostic poetry. (That’s where the first letter of each line spells something special — in this case, “Wheels2U.” Duh.)
Here’s a sample, from Westport poet laureate emirita Diane Lowman:
Where shall I go How shall I get there Everywhere traffic snarls Everywhere parking dilemmas Let us be your chariot Simply call Wheels2U 2 take you door to door Ur transport dreams come true
Gift certificates to Westport restaurants of their choice will be given to the top 7 poems. One first prize winner will receive a $100 gift certificate; 2 second prize winners get $50 certificates, and 4 third prize winners receive $25 each.
Wheels2U
Here’s another sample from Lowman:
What a joy Having not to worry Every morning Every evening Let us do the driving Sip your coffee 2 station and back home Ucan rely on Wheels2U
Want to win the contest, but don’t know a thing about Wheels2U?
Westport residents and commuters to Westport can use the Wheels2U Westport app to request a pickup between 5:45 and 10 a.m., and between 4 and 9:30 p.m. You’ll be taken to or from the Saugatuck or Greens Farms train platform, and your home or workplace anywhere in Westport.
Pickups should be requested 20 minutes before you would normally leave to drive to the station. The fare is $2 when paid with the Wheels2U app.
For more information about Wheels2U, click here. For more information about the Westport Transit District’s services for the elderly and people with disabilities, clickclick here.
Whisking you away Home to train and back again Exceptional service Every rider pleased Lively conversations with fellow passengers Spark lifelong friendships 2make commuting happy Use Wheels2U
The rules:
The contest is open to all residents of Westport. Enter as often as you like.
Entries should be sent to pgold@westportct.gov no later than March 30. Put “Acrostic Contest” in the subject line; include your name, address and email.
Winners will be chosen by Lowman, and Peter Gold and Karina Betfarhad, directors of the Westport Transit District, at their sole discretion.
All entries become the property of the Westport Transit District. Entrants give the WTD permission to use their entries without compensation to promote the operations of the Westport Transit District and Wheels2U Westport as the directors see fit, including, but not limited to, using the entry as an advertising poster at the Westport and Greens Farms train stations or in marketing emails. The Westport Transit District may modify entries to meet its needs.
Where do you want to go? How about the train station? Exactly where Wheels2U takes you Every weekday. Lovely service. So give it a try 2day. U bet!
(“06880” is your hyper-local blog — and a great place to learn about contests like this. Please click here to support our work. You may not win the Wheels2U contest, but you’ll be a winner for us.)
On the exact (to the day) 100th anniversary of their founding, the Westport Rotary Club celebrated with a gala dinner last night, at the Inn at Longshore.
Rotarians from near and far, town officials and friends honored the club’s long and storied history, from the early days (largely, but not always, strait-laced), to the easing of membership rules and the admission of women, to the current strong and generous nature of the club.
(Everyone received a book by Ron Henkoff chronicling Westport Rotary’s first 100 years, too. Click here for details.)
Videos and slides showed the enormous, multi-million dollar impact Westport Rotary has had on Westport, and the world.
As the next 100 years begin, the Westport Rotary Club prepares for its centennial gift: lead sponsor of the renovation of the Compo Beach playground.
Congratulations to all who made last night (and the reason for the celebration) possible. Special shout-outs go to longtime Rotary organizer and advocate Rick Benson, and last night’s MC, former president Jeff Wieser. Well done, all!
Twenty Westport Rotary Club presidents — representing exactly 1/5 of the club’s 100-year history — gathered for a photo at last night’s celebration. The oldest living former president (1968), George Damman, sent video greetings from Florida.
MC (and former president) Jeff Wieser models 100-year glasses. (Photos/John Videler for Videler Photography)
The Long Lots School Building Committee posted this update yesterday:
The deadline for submission of Request for Proposals/Quotes qualification statements from interested construction managers and architects was February 22.
The committee met on March 5 to discuss the submissions. They agreed on which respondents would be invited to submit proposals and be interviewed by the LLSBC.
Each of the selected firms will be contacted this week. The interview process is expected to be completed over the next 2 weeks. The goal is to select a construction manager and architect by the end of the month.
The design phase can then begin.
The Long Lots School Building Committee is moving forward to select a construction manager and architect for the project.
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On Wednesday, Ukraine Aid International — the non-profit founded by Westporters Brian and Marshall Mayer, which organizes and delivers aid to residents and first responders — hosted a roundtable for officials and volunteers in Fairfield County towns that have sister city relationships with that war-torn nation.
Westport — whose sister city, Lyman, was UAI’s first such project — was well represented. Police Chief Foti Koskinas described his trip there last year, and emphasized the importance of his ongoing relationships with his counterparts in the Donetsk region.
Just hours earlier, he said, he had been texting with the Lyman police chief. The Ukrainian chief — who says often that Westport’s support inspires everyone in his town — proudly wears with a Westport Police Department patch.
Lyman police chief, with the Westport Police logo.
But the star of the event, held at the Ukrainian-American Club in Southport, was 4-month-old Archie Wauchope.
The son of Staples High School graduate Clyde Wauchope and his wife Katya, UAI’s director of development, he wore a bib that said — in Cyrillic letters — “Slava Ukraini! Slava Archie!”
In other words: “Glory to Ukraine! Glory to Archie!”
Archie Wauchope, his bib and his parents.
To learn more about Ukraine Aid International, and donate to Westport’s sister city Lyman, click here.
As the Norwalk Transit District — which oversees the Westport Transit District — “re-envisions” bus service here, they invite Westport residents to a meeting March 12 (7 p.m., Town Hall auditorium).
The charrette-session format will include remarks from Transit District officials, then a chance for attendees to give feedback on improvements they’d like to see.
The unique Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce Saturday night entertainment — dinner at one of 12 downtown restaurants, then a dance party with 8-piece funk and soul band West End Blend at the Westport Library — followed by post-concert happy hour pricing for drinks at any of the 12 participating restaurants (Arezzo, Basso, Capuli, Casa Me, Don Memo, Emmy Squared, Goji, Il Pastaficio, Mexicue, Nômade, Spotted Horse and Walrus Alley.
Tickets ($87) include the concert, dinner, tax and tip (drinks are not included). Tickets for the concert only are $35. Click here to buy, and for more information.
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Aargh!
There was another confusing date in yesterday’s item about beach emblem sales. Here is the re-corrected info. “06880” apologizes for the confusion:
Beach parking emblems go on sale online, and in the Westport Parks & Recreation Department office, at 9 a.m. next Monday (March 11) for Westport and Weston residents. The number of sales to Westport and Weston residents is not limited, and they are not required until May 1.
Sales of emblems to people not living in Westport or Westonbegin online, and in the Parks & Rec office, at 9 a.m. next Wednesday (March 13). A limit of 450 will be sold.
If you have purchased emblems or registered for Parks & Rec programs in prior seasons, you already have an online account established. Click here to log into your account. Then choose memberships; in the search box, type “Resident.” This brings all Westport resident vehicle packages to the top page. Weston residents should type “Weston” in search box.
After verification (Parks & Rec may request a copy of your current registration, or updated proof of residency), online purchases will be mailed to you. It may take 14-21 days.
Longtime Westport resident Phyllis Markoff died Tuesday. From 1982-88, she served proudly as president of Temple Israel.
She is survived by her children John (Laurie), Cathy (Jim Bessent), Janet and Nancy (Jeffrey Burt); grandchildren Alisa (Andy), Bill (Anita), Briana, Lily, Jack (Hanna Wallace), Kane (Lana Holley) and Blaze, and great-grandchildren Aaron, Alec, Sophia, Lydia, Isabella and Axel. She was predeceased by her husband Del.
The family will hold a private memorial service next month.
Today is International Women’s Day. In its honor, Westport-based non-profit Nest Egg Foundation is sponsoring a free online chat about women’s health and reproductive care (including in vitro fertilization).
The event begins at 3 p.m. today (March 8). Click here for the Zoom link.
And finally … in honor of the inaugural boxing exhibition taking place next month at the Westport Country Playhouse (story above):
(“06880” is your one-stop spot for news about beach stickers, buses, boxing, and much much more. Please click here to support this hyper-local blog. Thank you!)
A senior herself, she says there are obstacles. For example, one of the services is limited to Westport.
The second requires pre-booking and a prepaid account, a difficulty for some people. (Uber is tough for some seniors too, she notes.)
Lynn had an idea: purchase a full-size luxury sedan, which people could call — like a taxi, but nicer.
Not one to sit around waiting, Lynn bought one herself: a 2003 black Mercedes S500 VS.
She took it to Smitty’s Gulf Service Center in Norwalk. They checked it out. changed the oil, and installed a new battery.
Lynn Flint’s Mercedes
Lynn called Westport Town Hall, and said she had a car. All she needed was a driver.
But that’s not the way things work in local government. She was told the town could not be responsible for transporting seniors, due to liability.
Now, she’s stuck with a Mercedes. She’s lookin for someone who would like to go into the business of driving people around.
“It’s low to the ground,” she says. “There are no steps. It’s comfortable and sturdy.
“It has a big back seat and floor for walkers and other equipment, and a large trunk for shopping trip. It’s a heavy car, so it would be fine in bad weather. And it’s quite dignified.
“It’s ready to go for anyone who wants to start taking people around.”
The best way to contact Lynn is by cell: 203-226-3849. If she doesn’t answer, text her or send an email: flintlynn711@gmail.com.
The Greens Farms Garden Club helps our town look prettier.
They also help people in food deserts eat nutritiously, and well.
Every summer, the “Growing For Good” initiative provides fresh organically grown herbs and vegetables to local food banks. It’s part of the club’s mission to advance horticulture skills, civic development and environmental awareness.
This year’s harvest donations weighs i at 818.5 pounds. That’s almost half a ton of good food.
Last week, the Greens Farms Garden Club earned an Award of Excellence for Civic Development, at the Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut’s 94th annual awards meeting in (of course) Plantsville,
There is not one car or truck on I-95. Carrie took the shot when the Saugatuck Avenue span — and, here the Saugatuck River bridge — was closed, during the “slide” replacement project.
When was the last time you saw I-95 with no vehicles?
I know, I know: 2 weeks ago, during the first “slide” event. But still, it’s a scene worth memorializing.
Also yesterday, shoppers from throughout the region battled the fear of “traffic-geddon” to reach Staples High School, for the Westport Young Woman’s League’s “Craft Westport” sale.
There were crafters of all kinds, plus food vendors and more. The youngest exhibitor was probably Aiden Schachter. The Staples senior — pictured below — makes and sells LED lightclouds.
“Craft Westport” continues today, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $11; seniors $10, children 12-18 $5, children under 12 are free. Click here for more details.
Aiden Schachter, at his CloudLight booth. (Photo/Susan Garment)
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Compo Beach is timeless.
But there’s always something new there, too.
Early today, there was a photo shoot on the shore.
That’s not unusual. But this morning’s subject was — well, a bit different.
(Photo/Matt Murray)
If you know the back story, click “Comments” below.
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Wheels2U — Westport’s on-demand, door-to-train shuttle service is almost free. ($2 per ride — close enough).
But on Tuesday — Election Day — the coffee is free.
The Westport Transit District and Compass Real Estate offer gratis coffee at Steam to anyone riding between 6 and 8:30 a.m.
Riders use the Wheels2U Westport app to request a pickup between mornings, then again between 4 and 9:30 p.m. to be taken to or from the Saugatuck or Greens Farms train platform and their front door. Pickups should be requested about 20 minutes before you would normally leave to drive to the station.
Wheels2U deposits riders right next to Steam, at the Saugatuck train station. (Photo/Phil Bancroft)
Audra McDonald sings songs from Broadway and the Great American Songbook, in a one-night fundraiser.
The 6-time Tony, 2-time Grammy and 1-time Emmy Award winner received the National Medal of Arts from President Obama. She was also one of Time’s “100 Most Influential People.”
$2,500 tickets include a pre-show dinner and post-show meet and greet; call 203-571-1291, or email cmackay@westportplayhouse.org.
Longtime Westport resident Liz Beeby died September 25, at her Fairfield home. She was 62.
Her obituary calls her “the friend who was bold, thoughtful, fearless, artistic, kind, outrageous, supportive and the coolest….It wasn’t uncommon to see her wearing minks, feather boas and glitter, belting out the lyrics to ‘Layla’ by Eric Clapton. Along with her angelic beauty, she had a sharp wit when needed.”
Liz was an accomplished artist. Her assemblage pieces appeared in Westport art shows and area auctions. “Jewelry Creations by Lucky” was her jewelry design business. She also created “Moving Memories,” which transformed still photos into special occasion videos with music and narration on a DVD.
Liz’s likeness can be seen in many award-winning photographs by Westport artist Miggs Burroughs.
A wake is set for Friday (November 10, 4 to 7 p.m., Spear Miller Funeral Home, 39 South Benson Road, Fairfield.)
Tonight is the night we turn our clocks back one hour, to “standard time.” (Though with Daylight Savings Time now in place for nearly 8 months, isn’t that the “standard”?)
The good news: We get an extra hour of sleep.
The bad news: We get an extra hour of all that “traffic-gedddon,” during the I-95 bridge slide.
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Speaking of this weekend’s bridgework, here’s a photo from this morning:
From now through December 21, then starting again after midterms in January, the Westport Library is teaming with Staples High School students on a “near-peer” tutoring program.
The program — held in the Children’s Library — features Staples students tutoring middle school and elementary schoolers in subjects including English, math, science, social studies, programming and Mandarin
The drop-in program runs between 4 and 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Tutor availability is posted weekly. Click here for the schedule.
All tutors are past participants, or received a letter of recommendation from a current or previous teacher.
Adults with students under the age of 12 must stay in the Children’s Library during the session.
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Thanksgiving is less than 3 weeks away. Pie time!
Wakeman Town Farm’s 4th annual Pie Sale is on. They’ve partnered with Earth Animal’s Mitten project initiative, to raise funds for Connecticut Food Share.
Oronoque Farms is baking apple and blueberry pies (traditional and crumb; served at room temperature or slightly warmed), as well as Pumpkin Pies (frozen and ready to bake; instructions provided).
Orders close November 17. Pick-ups are Tuesday, November 21 (4 to 7 p.m., Wakeman Town Farm). Click here to order, and for more information.
Blueberry crumb pie.
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Westport Transit District director Peter Gold reminds residents:
Many people know about the Westport Transit District’s Wheels2U service from their front door to the Westport and Greens Farms train stations. Less well known are services for the elderly and people with a disability.
The WTD provides an in-town service for the elderly and people with a disability, and a town-to-town service for people with a disability. Like Wheels2U, both services use handicap accessible vans.
The in-town service takes anyone with a disability, and anyone age 65 or over (whether or not they have a disability), anywhere within Westport, for $3.50. Rides must be booked a day in advance. Personal care assistants accompanying an elderly passenger or a passenger with a disability ride free.
The town-to-town service takes anyone with a disability to destinations in Norwalk, Wilton, Weston, New Canaan, Darien, Stamford and Greenwich. The fare is $3.50 each time a town border is crossed. (For example, a ride within Westport is $3.50; a ride to Darien is $10.50). Again, personal care assistants accompanying a passenger with a disability ride free.
Click here for more information, including how to book and pay for rides. Click here for information on Wheels2U.
Dionne Pia is the Westport Book Shop’s guest exhibitor for November. She exhibits 2 large-school paintings: “Brave New World” and “Galaxy.”
She earned a BFA from the Rhode Island School of Design. She also studied Russian icon painting, and landscape graphics. Dionne is a member of the Artists Collective of Westport. Her work has been exhibited in many shows throughout Connecticut.
Sustainable Westport’s second Residential Energy Learning series focuses on solar energy. “Everything Solar” is set for the Westport Library on November 7 (6:30 p.m., reception, 6:45 presentation and Q-and-A).
Westport architect John Rountree and Nathan Hernandez, solar consultant, will discuss how to transition your home or business to solar energy. They’ll cover solar panels, installation companies, design considerations, the expected ROI, and financing options (with federal and state incentives).
Westporter Dan Schlesinger will talk about his recent process of going solar.
Rodolfo Soto returns to the Westport Country Playhouse.
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It’s the lecture you’ve been waiting for!
Westport Astronomical Society’s free online lecture series continues November 21 (8 p.m.) with Dr. Slava Turyshev. The NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory research scientist will discuss “Imaging and Spectroscopy of Exoplanets Using Solar Gravitational Lensing.”
(Hmmm … what to do with those extra 60 minutes? So many possibilities … including making a donation to “06880.” It’s easy — just click here. Thank you very much!)
If you want to make decisions based on more than yard signs, come to the Westport League of Women Voters’ candidate debates.
There are 3, all in the Town Hall auditorium. Planning & Zoning Commission candidates take the stage on October 11 (7 p.m.). They’re followed by a double-header October 12: the Board of Education at 7 p.m., Board of Finance at 8:15.
The I-95 reconstruction project is getting more complicatd.
I-95 north and southbound between Exits 17, and the southbound Exit 17 ramp will be closed periodically between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., from October 2 to October 27.
Traffic will be detoured along the Sherwood Island Connector, Post Road and Riverside Avenue.
The state Department of Transportation says closures will be “not more than 15 minutes” at a time.
Should be fun!
Work continues on the I-95 project. (Photo/Dave Stone)
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Yesterday morning, superintendent of schools Thomas Scarice promised that the buses parked at Staples High School — a temporary solution, while First Student searches for a permanent site — would be relocated to the Greens Farms train station by early next week.
A couple of hours later — before noon — they were already there.
Westport school buses, at their new Greens Farms train station home.
Westport Transit District co-directors Peter Gold and Karina Betfarhad will be at the Saugatuck train station next Tuesday (October 3, 6 to 10 a.m.; sidewalk near the elevator on the westbound side, corner of Franklin Street and Railroad Place). They’ll meet commuters (and anyone else who wants to attend).
Peter and Karina want to hear what people think about Wheels2U, and transportation issues in Westport overall.
Ever since Evan Sheiber was born with half a heart (hypo-plastic right heart syndrome). his mother Britt Melsheimer has fundraised for research and support.
“Hoops for Heart” is her latest project (October 15, 10 a.m., Westport Weston Family YMCA).
It’s a non-competitive basketball tournament for players over 10 years old. No experience is necessary.
All money raised supports the Fontan Registry at Boston Children’s Hospital. Click below for a superb video about the registry. (It includes Evan, his twin brother James, Britt, and Evan’s cardiologist.
Teams are already established (Bird and SolidCore have created teams; the other 7 are local families). Click here to be added to one. Spectators are welcome. Click here to make a tax-deductible donation. and for more information.
Granola Bar and Stylish Spoon are donating breakfasts. There’s also a raffle, with Invisalign & Zoom by Imperial Dental Associates, and diamond hoop earrings and a $500 gift card from Sarah Kaplan owner of Middlemarch.
DJ Mo hosts the event, ensuring an especially fun time.
Speaking of Staples students on the national stage: 3 juniors are heading to France.
The Institution Saint Joseph in Le Havre has invited Staples to the 10th ‘Normandy International Youth Leadership Summit (November 27 to December 1). School officials selected Mia Bombeck (an “06880” intern!), Ryder Levine and Sam Rossoni, as high performing students interested in world affairs.
They’ll join representatives from Brazil, South Africa, Netherlands, Great Britain, Italy, Romania, Costa Rica, Mexico, Singapore, Thailand, Spain, Turkey, Poland, Finland, Senegal, Indonesia and Estonia at the event.
Félicitations!
From left: Ryder Levine, Mia Bombeck, Sam Rossoni.
Gently-used items — racquets, gear, shoes, even household items — can be dropped off today and tomorrow (Saturday, September 30) at 104 Long Lots Road — not Lane.
Fortunately, there are no surprised homeowners. 104 Long Lots Lane does not exist.
Every year around this time, a cashmere pop-up shop pops up at a new location.
This year it’s 180 Post Road East (the Da Tapas building).
It opens October 6, and runs through December 17. Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. (Hat tip: Patti Brill)
Bed Beth & Beyond has gone to, well, the great beyond.
The sign on the bankrupt chain was carted away yesterday.
In its place: a new one, for Summit Health.
(Photo and hat tip/Dinkin Fotografix)
So it looks like — contrary to media reports earlier this month — the new tenant in the space just over the Norwalk border will not be a combined Bob’s/Eastern Mountain Sports store.
“Innovators in Wellness Week” begins October 2 at Pause + Purpose (21 Jesup Road).
Five days of special events highlight local businesses that “blend the wisdom of old and new, and offer groundbreaking approaches to nurture your mind, body and soul.”
There are speakers, Q-and-As, massages and more. Clear here for details.
(Daytime, nighttime, 24/7/365 — “06880” is here for you. Please help us continue our work. Click here to make a tax-deductible contribution. Thank you!)
At 9:48 p.m. last night, police began receiving calls reporting shots fired in the area of Saugatuck Avenue and Franklin Street.
Patrol units immediately responded. Witnesses reported a white vehicle traveling north on Franklin, north on Saugatuck, and turning west on Sunrise Road. Multiple shots were fired as it turned up Sunrise.
Officers established a perimeter, and Sunrise Road was closed to through traffic between Indian Hill Road and Saugatuck Avenue.
Westport Police ask anyone who lives in the area to review surveillance cameras and report suspicious activity that they may have captured to the Westport Detective Bureau (203-341-6080) or Detective John Lauria (dlauria@westportct.gov).
Spotted yesterday outside 233 Hillspoint Road — the notorious, controversial half-finished home construction eyesore on the site of the former Positano restaurant: a truck carrying explosives and other materials for blasting bedrock.
Alas. It turns out they are doing work elsewhere in the area.
Hey, a boy can dream …
233 Hillspoint Road. (Photo/Andrew Colabella)
In other 233 Hillspoint news, Westport Journal reports that the Blight Prevention Board is fining the owners $100 a day. They have not complied with orders to place windows where they were approved, and cover the blue wrap with siding.
The Blight Board meets again tomorrow (Thursday, July 13, 7 p.m.) to discuss the half-finished home. Click here for the Zoom link.
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Railroad parking fees may soon go up.
The Representative Town Meeting Transit Committee meets July 20 to consider asking the full RTM approve an increase for both daily parking (from $5 a day to $7), a yearly permit for 1 car (from $325 to $415), and a yearly permit for 2 cars (fro m$450 to $515).
Those are slightly higher than the fees passed by the Board of Selectwomen in April.
The increased fees — predicted to raise approximately $83,100 a year — would be used to improve and increase transit services in Westport.
Daily and yearly railroad parking fees will rise, if the RTM approves its Transit Committee’s proposals. Lots have not been this full since the pandemic began.
Speaking of transit: Last night, the RTM appointed Karina Betfarhad as a second director of the Westport Transit District.
A 14-year Westport resident, she has a degree in civil engineering from San Jose State University. She also completed all core engineering classes there for a master’s in civil engineering, specializing in transportation and structural engineering. and a background in construction management.
She worked as a civil engineer for 3 construction companies, and for San Jose’s Streets and Traffic Department.
But yesterday, the Westport Rotary Club heard from Team Woofgang & Co.
Aimee Turner — executive director of the Fairfield-based non-profit — described how they make and sell dog treats, to fund vocational and social opportunities for young people with disabilities.
Team members are involved in manufacturing and retail, depending on their abilities.
Team Woofgang has a store at 1300 Post Road, Fairfield. Treats are also available online.
Team Woofgang was a Westport Rotary Club grant recipient of funds from last year’s LobsterFest.
Staples High School has a new — and official — MLB prospect.
Hiro Wyatt — the superbly named Staples High School baseball hero who graduated last month, after helping the Wreckers comethisclose to the state championship — was drafted this afternoon by the Kansas City Royals.
The right-handed pitcher was chosen in the 3rd round. He was the 75th pick overall.
According to CT Insider’s GameTimeCT, Wyatt will join a Kansas City affiliate once he signs his contract. He had been committed to the University of Southern California.
This past spring, Wyatt went 8-0. He struck out 107 batters and walked only 11, in 54.2 innings pitched.
He allowed 4 earned runs all season, with a 0.51 ERA and a 0.677 WHIP. He also hit .367 with 6 doubles, 3 home runs and 17 RBIs.
He was named GameTimeCT MVP, Connecticut Gatorade Player of the Year and CHSCA Player of the Year. He holds Staples records for strikeouts per 9 innings (17.64), most strikeouts in a game (18), scoreless innings streak (42.1) and single-season strikeouts (107).
Wyatt is the 4th Staples baseball player drafted in the past decade. He follows Chad Knight (2019, 31st round, New York Yankees), Ben Casparius (2017, 5th round, Los Angeles Dodgers) and David Speer (2014, 27th round, Cleveland Indians).
In 1976, the St. Louis Cardinals selected Mike Calise in the 24th round. (Hat tip: Jeff Mitchell)
Roe Halper has been a professional artist in Westport for 63 years.
Her work has evolved from social commentary (her woodcuts hung in Martin Luther King’s home) to dance, then nature, and finally abstraction in many forms.
She has worked in woodcarving, pen and ink, and clay. Now she concentrates on acrylic painting.
Roe’s current exhibition, “Circles and Rectangles,” is on view at One River Gallery (next to Shearwater Coffee) through July 30.
On Saturday, July 22 (1 to 2:30 p.m.), she’ll give a class for “older students,” using circles and rectangles.
It’s not her first time as an instructor. For the past 25 years, Roe has taught art to talented high school students, in her studio.
What’s the connection between the Volkswagen emissions cheating settlement, and Weston?
Plenty.
In this week’s “What’s Next in Weston” podcast, 1st Selectwoman Sam Nestor describes how money from that case will help her town build new infrastructure.
Spoiler alert: It will support the use of electric vehicles, and reduce harmful emissions.
The podcast is produced by the Y’s Men of Westport & Weston. Click below to see:
Last night at the Westport Library, the Y’s Men of Westport and Weston presented a talk on “Humanity Through Technology.”
Sam Gustman — associate dean and chief technology officer at the University of Southern California Shoah Foundation and USC Libraries — discussed the ground-breaking ways in which Holocaust victims have been recorded for posterity.
Long after they are gone, people will be able to “interview” them, learning their stories.
The Shoah Foundation’s technology, on view at the Westport Library. (Photo/Bruce Borner)
Speaking of technology: What’s the future of astrophotography?
Richard S. Wright Jr. — contributing editor for Sky & Telescope magazine — shines a light on the subject July 18 (8 p.m., virtual; click here for the Zoom link; click here for the YouTube link).
He’s the next guest lecturer at the Westport Astronomical Society’s free online science series.
Viewers will have a chance to ask questions at the end. Click here for (much more) information.
Richard S. Wright Jr.
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Westport has many notable advertising, marketing and PR people.
Yesterday, one of them became an official “notable leader.”
Michael Gordon was one of 75 men and women in the tri-state area, cited by Crain’s.
His writeup says:
As chief executive of the public relations firm Group Gordon, Michael Gordon oversees client work spanning the corporate, social impact, and crisis practices. He also participates in media engagements and webinars regarding industry trends, such as the influence of artificial intelligence on public relations.
Gordon has led key social impact launches, such as the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation’s restroom finder app. He serves on councils to support undergraduate financial aid and first-generation college students at the University of Pennsylvania, and has been honored by Connecticut’s Anti-Defamation League for his leadership. Gordon has served on the board of the Bridgeport Child Advocacy Coalition.
Westporters know him for him as a former Board of Education chair. Congratulations, Michael!
Michael Gordon
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“Dial M for Murder” opens tonight at the Westport Country Playhouse.
Audience members will enjoy the show — and the garden outside. It’s in full bloom, as today’s “Westport … Naturally” image by Molly Alger shows.
And finally … Peter Nero died Thursday in Florida. He was 89.
The New York Times said the pianist “soared to popularity in the 1960s with a swinging hybrid of classics and jazz and kept the beat for nearly six decades with albums, club and television dates, and segues into conducting pops orchestras.”
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As Westport’s Board of Finance and RTM engage in their annual debates over the fate of theWheels2U service — and the Westport Transit District in general — it’s time for another look back at the minnybus.
Back in the day, they were Westport’s cutting-edge (yet diesel-belching) transportation technology. Driving fixed routes (with Jesup Green as the hub), they ferried people — mostly pre-teens and teenagers — around town. At least one parent was known to park kids on a Minnybus for a round-trip or two, using it as a vehicular babysitter.
At least 10,000 youngsters used it as a place to escape home, smoke cigarettes, and/or make out.
Rick Davis was too young to do any of that stuff.
Kids still ride all over town. Today, Uber delivers them from Point A to B much more quickly (and expensively).
But — no matter how entertaining your Uber driver — it’s nowhere near as much fun.
(Photo courtesy of Gail Comden via Facebook)
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It happens every year: the Westport Transit District pleads for funds.
Peter Gold has 2 roles: He’s the WTD director, and an elected Representative Town Meeting (RTM) member from District 5. He writes:
Westport is in danger of losing the Wheels2U shuttle yet again.
In what has become an annual rite of spring, the Board of Finance voted at its March meeting to eliminate all funding for Wheels2U, the Westport Transit District’s door-to-train station on-demand commuter shuttle.
This will effectively shut down the service as of June 30, 2023. (The door to door service for the elderly and persons with disabilities will not be affected.)
Wheels2U.
We need the public’s help to keep the shuttle alive.
The Transit Committee and RTM Finance Committee meet on April 17 and April 26 respectively. They will make recommendations to the full RTM regarding the budget for Wheels2U.
The full RTM meets May 1 to vote on restoring funding to keep the shuttle running for another year.
Please send an email to the RTM (RTM-DL@Westportct.gov) between now and the end of April urging them to restore the budget, and keep the shuttle alive. All emails sent to this address will also go to members of the RTM Transit and Finance Committees.
Wheels2U provided over 21,100 rides to and from Westport’s 2 train stations to more than 1,170 people since the start of the current fiscal year on July 1, 2022. There were over 2,780 rides to and from Westport’s stations in March alone.
Wheels2U supports Westport residents and businesses. It aids economic development by providing a cost-effective and environmentally friendly way for Westport commuters, reverse commuters and others to link their homes, their employers and downtown to the train stations. By sharing your stories of how useful the service has been to you, we can help to save the shuttle service.
It takes 70% of the RTM members present and voting at a meeting to override the Board of Finance and restore the funding for Wheels2U. Every bit of support matters.
Information about Wheels2U, its cost, the benefits it currently provides to riders and the town as a whole, and what it could become if it’s allowed to continue and grow can be found by clicking this link.
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