Tag Archives: Wheels2U

Roundup: Pops Concert, Long Island Sound, Adopt A Kitten …

Posted on May 18, 2024 | 2 comments

Westport’s great end-of-school-year/start-of-summer tradition — Staples High School’s Pops Concert at the Levitt Pavilion — is back!

This year’s show is Friday, June 7 (lawn opens at 6 p.m.; concert at 7; BYO chair; food trucks on site). The always sold-out event features the Staples Symphonic Orchestra and Band, Jazz Ensemble, Orphenians, Choralaires and other small group ensembles.

Once again, media personality David Pogue will serve as the warm, welcoming emcee.

Tickets are free, but a suggested donation of $15 per ticket is suggested to offset the production costs.

Tickets are available at staplesmusic.org beginning next Wednesday, May 29 at 9 a.m.: first-come, first-served! In the event of inclement weather, the concert will be performed in the Staples High School auditorium at 70 North Avenue, where tickets will be honored.

This year’s graphic was designed by Staples senior Shivali Kanthan. 

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Which Westport beach is the best? We can debate that all summer long.

Of course, there are many ways to define “best.”

But if you’re looking at water quality alone, Save the Sound has an answer.

It’s Burying Hill Beach.

Their grades — based on 2023 date from 197 public and private beaches, in Connecticut and New York — gave an A+ to the small Greens Farms spot.

Compo Beach and Sherwood Island State Park both earned a B+.

Click here for an interactive map of those and other Long Island Sound beaches.

Burying Hill: #1 for water quality in Westport. (Photo/Ed Simek)

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Since they began in 2007, Westport Animal Shelter Advocates has watched with dismay as the number of abandoned animals her grows.

Recently, a little puppy was left in a shopping bag near the Volvo dealership.

WASA brought it up to date on vet care. After an adoption process involving an application, meet and greets and a home visit, it was adopted by a loving family.

On Wednesday, WASA was notified of 3 kittens abandoned in a box at the transfer station. They were kept safe there by long-time employee Bud Valiante.

WASA arrived quickly. The kittens were examined, vaccinated, treated for tick infestations, and are now in the care of a skilled and wonderful WASA volunteer.

They are about six weeks old, and doing very well

Interested adopters should call WASA (203-557-0361), or email wasa1@optonline.net.

To make a donation so WASA can continue its important work, click here.

3 kittens need adoptive families.

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There are many important days on the Westport Rotary Club calendar.

But this past Tuesday was extra special. Members handed checks to Fairfield County charities they support.

Nearly 100 people attended the luncheon, at which 41 non-profits received a total of $200,000.

That’s a Westport Rotary Club record. Congratulations to the hard-working members — and the recipients.

Rotary Club members and recipients. (Photo/Peter DePalo)

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Over 4,000 teams from more than 50 countries competed in the recent Wharton Investment Competition, sponsored by the University of Pennsylvania.

Using an online stock market simulator, they learn about strategy building, teamwork, communication, risk, diversification, company and industry analysis, and many other aspects of investing.

Upholding Westport’s hedge fund “capital” reputation, the Staples High School team placed second.

Congratulations to the young financiers (names in caption below):

From left: Eli Lesser, director, Wharton Global Youth Program; Andrew Rebello and Srish Popuri, Staples co-presidents; Alex Sod, founder; Mack Haymond, Henry Watson, Will Boberski, Sam Rossoni.

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Kings Highway Elementary School officially opened its Outdoor Learning Center yesterday.

Superintendent of schools Thomas Scarice joined principal Tracey Carbone, vice principals Catherine Carmona and Jame’el Lawrence, PTA presidents Denise Acampora and Arielle Leighton, and past PTA president Jeni Bianco, for the ceremony.

The Outdoor Learning Center will be used for activities like reading, morning meetings, writing, snack breaks and more.

Students enjoy the Kings Highway Outdoor Learning Center.

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Congratulations too to the recipients of a Westport Green Building Award for Achievement in Sustainable Design and Construction. It goes to a Saugatuck Shores home damaged by a tornado in 2020, and rebuilt for resilience and sustainability.

The project team includes lead Patricia Miller of Residential Design; Marc and Joseph Fuscaldo of Fuscaldo Builders, and smart home designer Barry Reiner of InnerSpace Electronics.

The award, given by the town and Sustainable Westport, recognizes residential and commercial projects that make significant contributions to sustainability, and Westport’s future as a net zero community.

Click here for details of the Saugatuck Shores project.

To nominate a project for the Green Building Award, click here.

To learn more about how to make homes more sustainable, click here, then follow the link to “Guidance for Applicants.”

Celebrating the Green Building Award, on Saugatuck Shores.

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This spring, the Westport Transit District updated its Wheels2U app. Users who downloaded it before March 26 need to update it. New riders are encouraged to download it now.

To thank everyone for downloading or updating, rides on Wheels2U are free for all riders next week (Monday through Friday, May 20-24). The normal $2 fare will be waived.

Click here for a link to the app, and more information.

Riders use the Wheels2U Westport app to request a pickup  between 5:45 and 10 a.m., and between 4 9:30 p.m. for rides between the Westport 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

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For underserved people with writing talent, finding resources is no laughing matter.

But “Lit & Wit” is. The comedy night fundraiser is a Westport Writers’ Workshop initiative to raise funds for pro bono writing workshops in underserved communities.

The brainchild of WWW writers Aline Weiller and Alyssa Katz, plus WEstport comedian Jerry Kuyper, it’s set for June 6  (7 p.m., Saugatuck Rowing Club).

Tickets are $55. More than a dozen top comedians will entertain guests (see below). The evening also includes snacks, a food truck (starting at 6 p.m.), cash bar, comedy trivia for prizes, and door prize gift basket. Click here for tickets, and more information.

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Meanwhile, things were in a bit of a pickle yesterday, outside the rear entrance to Rye Ridge Deli:

The mess was cleaned up quickly, before birds or other animals could dine.

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Today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo comes from busily traveled Riverside Avenue, near Sylvan Lane.

We should all slow down and enjoy the beautiful scene.

Even though the impatient drivers behind us might not appreciate that.

(Photo/Dan Souza)

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And finally … Perry Como was born on this date, in 1912. He sold over 100 million records worldwide, and hosted a weekly musical variety television show, during a 50-plus-year career. He died in 2001, age 88.

(It’s the weekend, but “06880” never rests. Here’s another information-filled Roundup If you appreciate our hyper-local coverage, please click here to support our work. Thank you)

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Posted in Beach, Entertainment, Environment, Staples HS, Teenagers, Transportation

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Roundup: Gather ‘Round The Table, Dan Hurley, Scrabble …

Posted on March 25, 2024 | 2 comments

Homes with Hope invites residents interested in helping young women in need of a supportive home to “Gather ‘Round the Table” on May 14 (11:30 a.m., The Inn at Longshore).

The theme of the non-profit’s annual event — “home as a place of healing” — inspires local designers and home stores to create and donate unique tablescapes. Attendees can purchase raffle tickets for a chance to win the table designs.

The luncheon benefits Project Return at Susie’s House, on Compo Road North. Plans have been approved for renovations, to better accommodate the needs of homeless women in Fairfield County.

Once completed, the unique program will offer a longer-term housing solution, in a nurturing and home-like environment.

Click here for tickets.

Project Return’s “Susie’s House.”

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The University of Connecticut is the #1 seed in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament.

And who better to interview Husky coach Dan Hurley than another Nutmegger, Dave Briggs?

During March Madness, the longtime Westporter is hosting “Fast Break” for Turner Sports.

It includes live game action, analysis, post-game reaction and social media moments.

The show is available at MarchMadness.com, and the “March Madness Live” app.

Click below for the Dan Hurley clip:

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Speaking of media: A few years back, young Jeffrey Pogue and his partner won the North American School Scrabble Championship — 2 years in a row.

This year — as a first-year Brown University student — the 2023 Staples High School graduate was back.

This time, he was an event commentator.

No, it does not capture national attention like March Madness. There are no brackets, and you won’t talk about it today at work or in school.

But it does have a website. Click here to see.

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Last night around 7:25, a truck turned into Trader Joe’s.

Literally.

(Photo/Chris Fanning)

Chris Fanning — who was there — writes: “Westport Police were soon on the scene, and smoothly straightened things out. I’m not so sure about the building!”

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Half an hour later, a Westporter coming off I-95 exit 18 saw this sight:

Her son’s first thought, as the string of lights moved, was “aliens!”

They quickly learned though, it was Elon Musks’s  Starlink satellites.

Not quite extraterrestrials. But still pretty cool.

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Picture taken at approx 8:08pm coming off of exit 18 on I-95 where we came to a full stop to view (and I’m sure the cars behind us weren’t thrilled – but were nice enough to not honk).

Fans of the “06880”/Westport Downtown Association Holiday Stroll know Frank Murgalo as the event’s Santa Claus. (Shhh…don’t tell the kids!)

On May 3 (6:30 p.m. food and cocktails; 8 p.m. show), VFW Joseph J. Clinton Post 399), he trades his St. Nick suit for a microphone.

Frank joins 2 other US military veterans — Rodney Norman and Howie Mason — for an evening of laughs. It’s called “The Young Guns of Comedy” (get it?!)

The 3 comedians specialize in military stories.

Dinner includes a lobster roll and wings. Click here for reservations, or call Frank: 203-856-4222.

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Whatever goes around, comes around.

In 2005, Allyson Stollenwerck was sworn in to the Board of Finance by Patty Strauss. The new board member was pregnant with her first child, and just beginning 6 years in office.

The 2005 swearing-in …

On Friday she was sworn in again — this time by Ruth Cavayero — to the same body. She’s filling Brian Stern’s seat, after his recent resignation.

,,, and 2024.

Her child is now 2 months away from his Staples High School graduation.

Congratulations, Allyson!

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The Wheels2U app, used to book rides on Westport’s door-to-train station shuttle service, will be upgraded tonight. Riders can use the upgraded app beginning tomorrow morning (Tuesday, March 26).

To keep riding on Wheels2Um after tonight:

  1. Log into the Wheels2U app. You will be prompted to create a new account. You can use your current one, or new credentials;
  2. Re-enter your payment information;
  3. Book your next ride.

Riders should add an extra 5 minutes before booking your next trip, to update your account.

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As rain poured down on Saturday, these deer sought refuge on Bayberry Lane.

Jonathan Alloy snapped today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo, near Easton Road.

(Photo/Jonathan Alloy)

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And finally … happy 77th birthday to Elton John!

And of course, my favorite:

(Don’t go breaking my heart! Please support “06880” — your hyper-local blog. Just click here to make a tax-deductible donation. Thank you!)

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Posted in Local politics, Sports, Transportation

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Roundup: School Redistricting, Capital Spending, Riverside Avenue …

Posted on March 23, 2024 | 8 comments

In 2018, the Board of Education broached the subject of redistricting.

It went nowhere.

Another attempt — the first in over a quarter century — has begun. It involves only the 5 elementary schools.

A demographer consultant presented the first scenarios Thursday night, at the BOE meeting.

The first phase, in the 2025-26 school year, would balance enrollment between Long Lots, Greens Farms and Saugatuck Elementary Schools.

Phase II (2026-27) would balance enrollment between Kings Highway and Coleytown Els.

Click here for the full report.

Students at Kings Highway and Saugatuck Elementary Schools celebrated Earth Day together last year.

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Several big capital spending projects loom in Westport.

What are the rationales, goals and processes?

Town Hall and Westport Public Schools leaders share insights this Tuesday (March 26. 7 p.m., Westport Library), in a community conversation.

1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker and Superintendent of Schools Thomas Scarice will present their capital spending strategies and rationales. A panel of experts will discuss possible funding strategies, capital planning best practices, and the approval process for achieving capital spending goals. An audience Q-and-A session follows.

The event is sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Westport, and the Westport Library’s Common Ground initiative.

Longshore is one of several large capital projects planned for the future.

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Two virtual meetings next week have implications for Riverside Avenue.

Oak trees on 2 properties host bald eagles that perch in the trees while fishing. The trees may be removed if development plans go through.

On Monday (March 25, 7 p.m.), the Planning & Zoning Commission continues with Text Amendment #841. That involves a 1756 house, at 125 Riverside. Click here for more information; click here for the Zoom link.

The next night (March 26, 7:30 p.m.), the RTM Environment Committee discusses development on the Saugatuck River at 79 and 125 Riverside Avenue, and its impact on wildlife. Click here for the Zoom link.

Part of the property near 79 Riverside Avenue.

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In the 6 years since the Parkland High School shooting, Fred Guttenberg has become one of America’s most prominent anti-gun violence advocates.

On May 21 (noon), he’s the guest speaker at CT Against Gun Violence’s spring benefit luncheon. He’ll discuss his — and his fellow activists’ — efforts to turn pain into purpose, as well his book “Find the Helpers: What 9/11 and Parkland Taught Me about Recovery, Purpose and Hope.”

Since its founding in 1993, CAGV has lobbied effectively for some of the strongest gun laws in the country. ​

They were behind Connecticut’s 1993 assault weapons ban, the 3rd in the nation. Since Sandy Hook, they’ve  worked closely with the state legislature to enact universal background checks, an expanded assault weapons ban, and limits on large capacity magazines.​

Click here for tickets, and more information.

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Joaquin Phoenix and Emma Stone are stars of a new film, “Eddington.”

They’ll be joined by a rising young star: Cameron Mann.

The Staples High School senior  played the surprise killer in “Mare of Easttown.” He has been seen on “For Life,” Law & Order,” “New Amsterdam” and “Daredevil” — and had significant roles with Staples Players.

The film began production this month.

Cameron Mann (Photo/Michael Kushner)

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Today’s predicted rain has postponed WestportMoms’ Easter Egg hunt to this coming Friday (March 29, 11:45 a.m. for 2-5-year-olds, 12:30 p.m. for 6+ — schools are closed, for Good Friday).

Click here for tickets, and more information.

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Tomorrow’s (Sunday, 10:30 a.m.) trash clean-up is along Greens Farms Road, and the Sherwood Island Connector.

Volunteers are welcome. Park at the transfer station on the Connector, or the office building at 55-57 Greens Farms Road.

This is the perfect time — before the leaves return — to clean up this heavily trashed area.

Dress warmly, wear boots, and bring garbage bags.

Questions? Email acolabella@westportct.gov.

These folks picked up trash last month. Now it’s your turn!

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Just a week remains in the Westport Transit District’s annual poetry contest.

This year’s theme is “acrostics.” That’s where the first letter of each line spells something special — in this case, “Wheels2U.” For example:

Why are you still driving?
How about trying the bus?
Easy,
Efficicent,
Lively conversation with fellow commuters.
Simple to use
2 get to the train.
U should give it a try.

Gift certificates to Westport restaurants of their choice — ranging from $100 to $25 — will be given to the top 7 poems.

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. For more details, click here and scroll down.

Wheels2U.

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“Bonfire from the Holy Spirit” –the first single from 1971 Staples High School graduate Brian Keane’s soundtrack from the new PBS “Dante” series — has been released.

Click here to listen, and download. Click here for more on Keane, and the show.

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From time to time, “06880” posts “entitled parking” photos.

This one — from the heart of Main Street — is equal parts entitled and thoughtless.

(Photo/Evan Chevrier)

What’s even more remarkable, says photographer Evan Chevrier, is that at the time he took the image, there were no other cars in front of or behind them.

At least that made driving away easy.

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“Rumors” — Neil Simon’s fast-paced farce — is on stage tonight (Saturday, March 23, 7 p.m.) and tomorrow (Sunday, March 24, 2 p.m.) at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Westport.

There’s a suggested donation of $25, for the UU Players’ performance.

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Today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature combines something created by nature, and another by man.

(Photo/Richard Fogel)

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And finally … on this day in 1775, patriot Patrick Henry delivered his most famous line — “Give me liberty, or give me death!” – at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Richmond.

(Today — and every day — “06880” fills you in on what happened, is happening, and will happen in Westport. Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)

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Posted in Education, Entertainment, Environment

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Calling All Poets: Transit District Wants U!

Posted on March 15, 2024 | 1 comment

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
U can 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
2 make 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.)

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Posted in Transportation

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Roundup: Broadway In Westport, Compo Vandals, Pickleball …

Posted on December 22, 2023 | 4 comments

After successfully producing “An Evening With Justin Paul, Kelli O’Hara and James Naughton” at the Westport Country Playhouse, what can Ben Frimmer do for an encore?

Why not another great show?

The Coleytown Company director and Staples High School graduate is producing and directing another one-night-only extravaganza.

Once again, he’s tapped (mostly) local friends and former students.

All are (of course) enormously talented.

As in: Broadway professionals.

The evening of song — honoring people who volunteer their time in support of Westport-area organizations — is set for Wednesday, January 24.

Among the Broadway headliners: Staples graduates Adam Kaplan, Mia Gentile, Jacob Heimer and Remy Leifer.

Joining them are cantors Julia Cadrain and Becky Mann from Temple Israel.

Click here for tickets, and more information (including how to underwrite tickets for volunteers). Organizations can purchase tickets for their volunteers too. Bundles of 10 tickets ($400) are available through the box office: 203-227-4177.

The Elayne and James Schoke Jewish Family Service of Fairfield County is co-sponsoring the event, with the Playhouse.

Mia Gentile

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Either vandals struck Compo Beach, or there is a very poor (or intoxicated) driver out there.

JD Dworkow spotted these “Stop” signs, all knocked over at a variety of spots:

(Photos/JD Dworkow)

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The beach vandals remain at large. But Westport Police did make 2 custodial arrests between December 13 and 20.

A Westport woman was arrested for violation of the Deadly Weapon Offender Registry. She failed to register, 9 months after being released from incarceration.

A man was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, and failure to drive to the right, following a motor vehicle accident on the Parker Harding Plaza exit road.

Westport Police also issued these citations:

  • Traveling unreasonably fast: 11 citations
  • Speeding: 2
  • Driving while texting: 2
  • Failure to comply with state traffic commission regulations: 2
  • Operating a motor vehicle without a license: 1
  • Failure to renew registration: 1
  • Failure to obey traffic control signals: 1.

Connecticut defines a deadly weapon as any device, whether loaded or unloaded, from which a shot may be discharged — as well as a switchblade or gravity knife, billy, blackjack, bludgeon, or metal knuckles.

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You may not have gotten the Westport Transit District anything for the holidays.

But they’ve got a gift for you.

Between December 26 and 29, the Westport Transit District will provide free rides to all Wheels2U users.

Wheels2U is the WTD’s on-demand, group ride, door-to -train platform shuttle service. It’s ideal for anyone going to New York, or coming here, by train.

Riders use the Wheels2U Westport app to request a pickup  between 5:45 and 10 a.m., and 4 and 9:30 p.m., to be taken to or from the Saugatuck or Greens Farms train platform and their front door or other Westport location. Pickups should be requested about 20 minutes before normally leaving to drive to the station.

For more information about Wheels2U, click here. To learn about services for the elderly and people with disabilities, click here.

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If your New Year’s resolution is “learn to play pickleball” — or “play more” — you’re in luck.

Westport’s Parks & Recreation Department is partnering with Norwalk’s Northeast Athletic Club, to offer indoor clinics. The instructor is well-known Westporter Kevin Cunningham.

Beginners and intermediate clinics run Mondays and Wednesdays, or Tuesdays and Thursdays. Sessions are January 2-31, and February 5-March 14. Click here for more information, and to register.

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The final Winter Farmers’ Market before Christmas was packed yesterday.

Shoppers jammed Gilbertie’s Herbs & Garden Center to picked up everything from, well, jam and herbs to pies and olive oil.

Some of the longest lines were at Fatto a Mano. Pierluigi Mazzella’s focaccias and panettoni were selling like, um, hotcakes.

Fatto a Mano — and many other vendors — had plenty of customers at yesterday’s Winter Farmers’ Market. (Photo/Frank Rosen)

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At most lunch meetings, Westport Rotary Club members hear from guest speakers.

On Tuesday, they heard something especially meaningful: holiday music from Staples Orphenians.

The elite a cappella group carried on a Rotary tradition that began at least 30 years ago.

The set included popular numbers like “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” traditional carols like “Silent Night,” and complex, beautiful and less-known songs like “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming.”

Orphenians, at Westport Rotary Club. (Photo/Dave Matlow)

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All month long, Kings Highway Elementary School students have collected gifts for their annual “Holiday Bear” drive. The Connecticut Education Foundation provides gifts for children whose families face financial or other hardships.

This week, the KHS Caring Council helped package up 27 Holiday Bear bags.

In addition, the school collected enough gifts to support 3 other families, through Westport’s Department of Human Services.

Kings Highway’s Caring Council, with staff members John Brakeman and Tara Doyle, and principal Tracey Carbone.

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 Jazz Vespers is a modern take on the ancient tradition of evening prayer service.

On January 21 (4 p.m.), the United Methodist Church of Westport & Weston hosts its 4th jazz vespers service ever. Like the others, it will incorporate live jazz music, poetry and prayer.

Featured musicians include Malin Carta (saxophone), John Hoddinott (guitar), Matthew Munzer (bass), and Conor Brennan (drums). Hoddinott is the Methodist Church’s music director.

Jazz vespers at United Methodist Church.

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The day after the longest night of the year is a good time to post this “Westport … Naturally” sunset, from Compo Road South:

(Photo/Patricia McMahon)

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And finally … today was quite a day in Vienna, back in 1808. Ludwig van Beethoven conducted and performed the premiere of his Fifth Symphony — along with his Sixth Symphony, Fourth Piano Concerto and “Choral Fantasy.”

(Beethoven had his patrons. “06880” has some too. You can be one, simply by clicking here. Thank you, from our blog and — if he were here, probably Beethoven too.)

 

 

 

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Posted in Beach, Police, religion, Sports, Staples HS, Westport Country Playhouse

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Sustainable Westport: Town Needs “Holistic Transportation Plan”

Posted on October 1, 2023 | 17 comments

Sustainable Westport inspires, supports and connects residents, organizations and the town on our goal to becoming a Net Zero community by 2050.

The non-profit advises the first selectman, Westport Public Schools, commissions and departments on determining and setting environmental policies and decisions, to transform Westport into a more sustainable community.

Co-directors Gately Ross & Johanna Martell say:

As commuters head back to work after summer vacations and school drop-offs and pick-ups resume, it’s hard not to notice the recent uptick in traffic throughout Westport.

The major roads in town are a mess of congestion most of the day. Traffic is not only frustrating and inconvenient, but also terribly unhealthy for us and our local environment.

Just another day downtown.

Did you know that the promotion of clean and convenient choices for transportation is one of the 5 pillars that Sustainable Westport identified as critical for the town of Westport to address to reach its goal of becoming a Net Zero community by 2050, or sooner?

Sustainable Westport works to educate the community about the harmful health and environmental effects of idling, promote the adoption of emission-free EV cars and buses, and advocate for the use of public transportation and rideshare options like Wheels2U.

Our transportation efforts pair nicely with Bike Westport, a new grassroots organization dedicated to making our town more bike and pedestrian-friendly.

The benefits of biking and walking extend far beyond the environment; our health, both physical and mental, age-appropriate independence, and increased community are also benefits that the residents of Westport wholeheartedly endorse.

Imke Lohs, Adam Ganser and Markus Marty of Bike Westport. 

As counsel to the municipal government, Sustainable Westport recently wrote a memo of support regarding an additional increase to railroad parking fees as an opportunity to begin the conversation about developing a holistic transportation plan that supports our collective goals.

The town administration, Representative Town Meeting and Board of Education need to develop a more comprehensive transportation plan that includes a highly connected, zero pollution, zero carbon transport system, including commuter shuttles and ridesharing, as well as biking, footpaths, and pedestrian walkways.

Although our town has set a formal resolution to reach Net Zero by 2050, we lack an actionable, comprehensive plan to get there. As we look around at the increasing traffic and inability to get from Point A to Point B in Westport in a timely manner, let’s demand that our leaders seek out collaborative and innovative solutions to move us forward. 

 We will continue to keep you posted on our collective progress.

 

17 Comments

Posted in Environment, Local politics, Transportation

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[OPINION] Traffic Troubles? Look In The Rear-View Mirror!

Posted on August 10, 2023 | 48 comments

Long-time Westporter Scott Smith is a keen observer of Westport’s beauty.

And its issues.

Today he takes issue with common complaints about traffic. Scott writes:

I read the frequent gripes on “06880” about local traffic congestion.

Yes, it is often a nightmare.

One thing I never hear mentioned: personal responsibility.

Traffic is always someone else’s fault. You’re the one being inconvenienced by all these other cars on the road, right?

But let’s ask ourselves: How many of the car rides we take each day are truly essential? How many trips are to get a latte at Starbucks, or to pick up that one thing at CVS or the cleaners? How many trips are made simply because “I just needed to get out of the house”?

“Saving time” at the Starbucks drive-thru. (Photo/John McKinney)

I’m willing to bet that fully half of our daily car trips are in no way “necessary.” Leaving aside the occasional Waze-induced traffic jam, wouldn’t it be wonderful if there was 50 percent less traffic on our local roads?

And let’s not just beat up on parents for their part in creating twice-daily, self-inflicted jams driving their kids to and from school. According to this federal survey, 1 in every 3 discretionary car trips is for shopping, with seniors accounting for the highest proportion of such travel.

The proportion of trips for social/recreational purposes has grown steadily in recent years as well, with — you guessed it — us baby boomers reporting the highest level of that discretionary travel.

Clearly, for the generation that has always equated cars with freedom and the mythical open road, they are going to have to pry the steering wheel out of our cold, dead hands.

Some mornings I ride my bike to the train station to go to work, especially on gridlock Wednesdays. There are rarely as many as 10 bikes in the racks.

Plenty of room at the Saugatuck station bike rack.

Why is that the case in such a health-conscious, affluent community where on weekends the roads are filled with cyclists riding for exercise? How many of us get in our cars to go someplace to take a walk?

How many of my fellow commuters have ever used the Westport Wheels2U van, much less stepped foot on a Norwalk Transit bus?

And who the heck carpools? Nine out of 10 cars I pass on my way to the train station are single drivers.

Speaking of those vehicles, how much of any local traffic backup is due to the simple fact that practically every other car in Westport is a 20-foot-long, 6,000-pound, 9-passenger Suburban?

Tax vehicles by size and weight and mileage. Use that revenue to help make our roadways safer for cyclists and walkers, especially around schools.

Alarmed by congestion, pollution and spiking rates of child deaths on the roads, a generation ago the Netherlands invested in cycling infrastructure. Today, 36% of Dutch people list the bicycle as their most frequent way of getting around on a typical day. Two-thirds of all Dutch children walk or bike to school, with 75% of secondary school kids cycling to school, preventing an estimated 1 million car journeys each day.

Imagine the benefits of adding a bike trail along the Merritt Parkway’s 300-foot-wide right-of-way. (When I worked in Westport, a colleague who lived in Trumbull would ride his bike to the office, using surface streets, faster than it took him to crawl along the Merritt at rush hour in his car.)

Could the next construction project include a trailway?

With the rise of e-bikes, investing in a multi-use trailway makes increasing sense, rather than encouraging yet more sprawl in outer suburbs. Not only would a bike path cut into the 70,000 cars crowding the parkway each workday, but it would also be a safe and healthy haven for weekend cyclists and charity riders alike.

And before you go all NIMBY in opposing sensible new development around train stations, or if you think our built environment is too complex to upgrade or the Merritt too historic to be enhanced with an adjacent pathway, consider this: Paris is working to become a “15-minute city” where everything you need is located within 15 minutes. Every street will have a bike lane, and 60,000 parking spots are being removed and replaced with parks.

A 2020 report on traffic congestion finds “if development is clustered closer together, people can take shorter trips between home, groceries, entertainment, and other destinations—sometimes even short enough that they can take those trips by walking or biking. But if that development is dispersed along a corridor instead, it leads to longer trips and more vehicles turning on and off the corridor to reach destinations spread along it, creating more traffic on those local roads as well as freeways that serve the area.”

Does that sound like Fairfield County? “If we were going to design a system to generate the maximum amount of congestion each day, this is exactly how it would be done,” the authors conclude.

So my fellow Westporters: Next time you’re stuck in traffic, take a look in the rear-view mirror. We all share responsibility for why our local roads are a mess, and we all can be part of the solution.

That includes driving less and driving smarter and supporting public and private initiatives aimed at moving away from the car-centric culture that is ruining our lives and our planet.

(Do you agree or disagree with Scott’s thoughts? Click “Comments” below. And while you’re at it, please consider a donation to help “06880” continue to open a wide range of topics tor discussion. Please click here. Thank you!)  

Want a solution to traffic? Look in the rear-view mirror! (Photo/Tracy Porosoff)

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Posted in Environment, Transportation, Westport life

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Roundup: Dog Fest, Equity Study, Fire Danger …

Posted on May 17, 2023 | 12 comments

This Sunday, Westport’s dog park really goes to the dogs.

The 7th annual Dog Festival takes over Winslow Park on May 21, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The event — produced by the Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce and TAILS — celebrates all things canine.

The day includes guide dog and training demonstrations, a police K-9 presentation, an obstacle course (the winner gets a year’s supply of dog food), adoptables, kids activities, food trucks, information on non-profits, and more.

Prizes will be given for best tail wagger, best dressed, best kisser, best trick, best lap dog over 50 pounds and dog that most looks like its owner. Dog owners can register for the competitions at the festival, or online.

Surrounding the main activities are over 60 pet-related vendors, picture taking, caricatures, face painting, balloon bending and giveaways.

Proceeds from the entrance fee of $10 per person, and $30 for a family of 4 will benefit nonprofit organizations. So far, over $36,000 has been donated by the Chamber to local groups.

Parking is available at business lots along Post Road East. Click here for more Dog Festival information.

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For months, the Board of Education has discussed an “Equity Study Action Plan.” The goal is to help all students feel a sense of belonging.

The debate continued Monday night, for 3 hours. But one of the most compelling comments came not from a board member, but from a teenager.

One who cannot even speak.

Wynston Browne — an autistic Staples High School sophomore — has made remarkable progress over the past 2 years, using a spelling device. His parents and teachers realize now that a very keen and incisive mind had been locked away for over a decade. Wynston’s goal is to be a neuroscientist.

On Monday, Wynston typed. His words appeared on screen: “I want to do things that all kids my age do. I want to eat lunch with friends in the Staples cafeteria, and laugh instead of being laughed at. I want to attend classes that are challenging.”

And, he concluded: “Everyone got it wrong, for so long. It’s time to make it right, starting now.”

Click here to see Wynston’s compelling 6-minute speech. He did not speak out loud — but his words said it all.

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Effective immediately, the Westport Fire Department has banned all outside burning until further notice. The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning for the entire state, due to extremely dry conditions.

The ban includes all recreational campfires and fire pits. Brush fires spread rapidly, and can threaten homes and property. 

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Today’s “Westport … What’s Happening” podcast features an introduction to the Westport Center for Senior Activities’ new director, Wendy Petty.

She discusses her plans for the center with 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker. Click below to listen to the Y’s Men of Westport and Weston production:

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Westport Rotary club’s weekly lunches are always illuminating.

For 39 local non-profits, yesterday’s was also lucrative.

In a ceremony at Green’s Farms Church, the civic group distributed grants to each one. Funds came from the more than $200,000 raised by ticket sales and from sponsors of September’s LobsterFest.

Giving Committee chair Peter Helt handed charitable checks to representatives of, among others (in alphabetical order): A Better Chance of Westport, Builders Beyond Borders, Carver Foundation of Norwalk, Domestic Violence Crisis Center, Mercy Learning Center, Norwalk Housing Foundation, Positive Directions, Remarkable Theater, Staples Tuition Grants, Westport Book Sales Ventures, Westport Country Playhouse, and Westport Volunteer EMS.

75 percent of LobsterFest proceeds go to local organizations; 25 percent to international organizations.

Rotarian Rick Benson described a few of those projects, including water sanitation efforts in Kenya and providing medical equipment to a hospital in Uganda.

Rotary Club members and grant recipients, at Green’s Farms Church.

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Jeff Scher is a prolific filmmaker and animator.

The 1972 Staples High School graduate — now back in Westport, working in a Cross Highway studio a few steps from his house — has created everything from an HBO documentary about a Holocaust survivor, to holiday videos for Bob Dylan and Paul Simon, and a short film about summer and water.

He made the official video for Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young’s “Teach Your Children.”

Now he’s made another one for Graham Nash’s new album. It’s environmentally themed — and there’s a “no mower” section that’s very Westport.

Click below to see:

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Wheels2UWestport’s Park Connect returns this summer. The service — funded by Connecticut’s Departments of Transportation, and Energy and Environmental Protection — provides free rides to and from anywhere in Westport and Sherwood Island State Park.

Similar free-ride programs are available at 6 other state parks.

Rides are available from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekends and holidays, beginning Memorial Day weekend and running through Labor Day.

Rides are available through the Wheels2U app Westporters use to and from the train station.

For more information about Wheels2U and Park Connect, click here. For more information about the Westport Transit District’s services for the elderly and people with disabilities, click here.

Sherwood Island — Westport’s “other” beach — is Connecticut’s first state park.

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The Westport Woman’s Club and Congregation for Humanistic Judaism team up for an important event this Sunday (May 21; light breakfast, 9:30 a.m.; program, 10 a.m., 44 Imperial Avenue; click here for the livestream link with passcode 581845).

Dr. Deborah Varat, professor of art history at Southern New Hampshire University, presents “Arthur Szyk’s ‘The New Order’: How the Cartoons of a Polish Jew Helped Prepare the US for War.”

The cartoonist’s work helped Americans visualize and personalize the Nazi evil, against which they ultimately had to fight. Today his illustrations and impact on moving American public opinion toward readiness for war are commemorated in museums around the world. For more information on Szyk, click here.

Arthur Szyk’s “Freedom From Fear.”

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Lime Rock Park celebrates the 37th anniversary of Paul Newman’s Trans-Am win with an exhibit of his racing estate on May 27, during the Trans Am Memorial Day Classic.

It includes helmets, racing suits and other memorabilia that former Westport resident Newman used during his storied career. Click here for tickets. (Hat tip: Frank Rosen)

Paul Newman at Lime Rock.

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The Saugatuck Rowing Club was not around — not even a dream — when the Staples High School Class of 1983 graduated.

But that’s where their 40th reunion will be, on July 29 (6 to 10 p.m.).

Click here for tickets. Click here for the ’83 Facebook page.

Graduation Day, 1983.

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This pond did not look particularly inviting — unless you’re a dog.

Mark Mathias captured today’s wet “Westport … Naturally” image at the Leonard Schine Preserve, off Weston Road.

(Photo/Mark Mathias)

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And finally … happy 81st birthday to Taj Mahal.

The multi-talented musician (guitar, piano, banjo, harmonica and many other instruments) has incorporated Caribbean, African, Indian, Hawaiian and South Pacific sounds into his blues/rock/gospel/funk repertoire.

He has played all over the world — including, in 1971 and ’73, at Staples High School. He returned in 1974, to the Westport Country Playhouse.

(It’s a dog’s world, as the first story above explains. Don’t be a bitch. Help support “06880.” Please click here. Thank you!)

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Posted in Transportation

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Transit Committee Votes To Restore Wheels2U Funds

Posted on April 18, 2023 | 6 comments

Peter Gold is director of the Westport Transit District. He is also a member of Westport’s Representative Town Meeting, and sits on its Transit Committee. He abstained from last night’s committee vote on WTD funding, because of that conflict of interest.

Writing in his capacity as Transit Director, he reports on last night’s meeting:

By a vote of 8 to 0, the RTM Transit Committee voted to recommend that the full RTM restore all funds the Board of Finance cut from the Westport Transit District’s Wheels2U budget. Wheels2U is the Westport Transit District’s on-demand, door-to-train platform shuttle service.

Approval of 70% of the full RTM present and voting at its May 1 meeting is needed to restore the Wheels2U funding. Before that, the RTM’s Finance Committee will meet April 26 to decide whether to recommend that the RTM approve restoring the funding.

RTM Transit Committee members noted Wheels2U’s growing ridership. Ridership is projected to exceed 26,000 rides in the current fiscal year ending on June 30. Members also noted the environmental and economic benefits, traffic reduction and service to residents that Wheels2U provides.

Peter Gold, director of the Westport Transit District, reported that Wheels2U will use over 45% fewer gallons of fuel and drive 56% fewer miles this fiscal year than in fiscal year 2019, the last year with the old fixed route system.  He also noted that unlike the old fixed route system, Wheels2U covers the entire town and meets all peak hour trains in the morning and evening.

Members made suggestions to reduce Wheels2U’s cost to the town. They include raising the fare from $2, investigating other sources of revenue, and increasing marketing for Wheels2U to help bring in more riders.

The RTM received over 200 letters to date in favor of restoring the funding, with 6 opposed. Many were from people who chose to move to Westport in the last 2 years instead of to other Fairfield County towns, partly because of Wheels2U.

Others were from families with young children but without a second car, who rely on Wheels2U to get to the train. Others were from people who rely on Wheels2U to get to their jobs in town.

Wheels2U.

Committee members as well as the members of the public who spoke at the meeting felt strongly that the town administration needs to take a more active role in dealing with the town’s transportation and mobility needs.

A suggestion was made that the selectwomen’s office form a task force to look holistically at the town’s transit and mobility needs, with a sufficient budget to enable it to obtain any necessary expertise to deal with these issues.

Several members felt it would be beneficial to have the town establish a permanent paid position to deal with the town’s transit, traffic, parking and mobility issues.

Possible benefits of looking at transit issues on a regional basis was also discussed.  However, many committee members felt that having local control over transit is crucial to ensure town residents’ needs for local transportation are met.

(More information about Wheels2U and the budget process can be found here.)

 

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Posted in Local politics, Transportation

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[OPINION] Transit Director: Restore Funding For Wheels2U

Posted on April 15, 2023 | 15 comments

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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Posted in Local politics, Transportation

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