Tag Archives: Whitney Street

The Minute Man — proud symbol of Westport — looks prouder than ever.

(Photo/Andrew Colabella)

The 1910 statue was recently power-washed. Now it’s been refinished, and treated with a UV lacquer coating to prevent it from weather and foreign material.

Thanks go to Francis Miller, owner of Conserve Art. He’s the one who raised the statue a few years ago, to protect it from the elements.

Thanks to Francis, the plaque is now legible too. The next time you walk, jog or bike by, stop and read it. The history of the area — and the monument itself — is fascinating. (Hat tip: Andrew Colabella)

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Signs like these are popping up all over town:

(Photo/Tom Kretsch)

They’re advertising the summer’s biggest (non-fireworks) party.

On Sunday, July 9 (1 p.m. to dusk), there’s a huge thank-you bash honoring our sister city of Lyman, Ukraine.

Everyone’s invited. It’s worth it just to see the great, welcoming site: the Ukrainian-American Club (just past the I-95 Exit 19 northbound entrance ramp in Southport).

The free, family-friendly event includes snacks, drinks, music and more.

There will be opportunities to help Lyman too: a raffle, treasure sale, Yankee auction, coffee table book pull, plant sale, “LymanADE” stand and more. Lyman Mayor Alexander Zhuravlov will speak on a big screen.

VIP tickets ($350) include reserved seating, a commemorative gift, open bar, homemade Ukrainian-inspired meal and more.

VIP Plus tickets ($1,000) receive all benefits above, plus signage with your family name or company logo, a message for the Ukrainian people, and a Ukraine flag signed by Mayor Zhuravlov.

To RSVP, purchase VIP tickets and for more information, click here. And if you’d like one of those cool yard signs, have questions, or would like to be a sponsor, email connievonzwehl@gmail.com.

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Work has begun on the Whitney Street sewer project.

(Photo/Molly Alger)

Between now and August 4, the road will be closed to through traffic during weekday work hours.

So all those drivers who used Whitney as a cut-through between Roseville Road and downtown (shush!) will have to head to the Post Road or North Compo.

But that would have happened anyway. Work on the Evergreen Avenue sewer has closed that important through road weekdays too.

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A simple post on Facebook’s “Westport Front Porch” page urged the town to keep the rainbow crosswalk (on Jesup Road at Taylor Place), after Pride Month ends June 30.

By midday yesterday it had amassed nearly 400 likes, and about 300 comments.

Nearly every comment was positive — “It’s beautiful!” “It makes me so happy!” “There’s no time limit on inclusivity” — except for a tiny handful (“The rainbow is God’s symbol”; “What contribution or what value do the LGBT people bring to the table?…”).

There are several options to make a permanent crosswalk better suited to cars that turn, and New England weather. All material and work would be privately funded.

Meanwhile, a Change.org petition has also begun. As of yesterday afternoon, it had 147 signatures.

At 5 a.m. on June 1, Dr. Nikki Gorman (above) — one of the crosswalk’s sponsors — joined a dozen volunteers, including the 1st and 2nd selectwomen, and Public Works director, for the rainbow installation.

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Pianist Janice Friedman headlines this week’s Jazz at the Post (Thursday, June 22; shows at 7:30 and 8:45 p.m., dinner service at 7; VFW Joseph J. Clinton Post 399).

She’ll play with her longtime saxophone collaborator, Greg “The Jazz Rabbi” Wall, plus bassist Leon “Boots” Maleson and drummer Brian Floody.

The evening begins with a presentation. The Jazz Society of Fairfield County — presenter of the weekly VFW post series — will give a $5,000 check to Ciara Bustillo-Rodriguez of Bridgeport, winner of their first Micky Golomb Memorial Scholarship.

Ciara will perform a few pieces with Janice and her group. She began studying music 8 years ago with the KEYS program.

She excels in both jazz and classical music, as principal flutist with the Greater Connecticut Youth Orchestra Philharmonic, and their Jazz Orchestra.

Ciara is studying music at Western Connecticut State University, with the goal of a career as a jazz educator and performer.

The fund was established in memory of Myron “Micky” Golomb (1931-2019),
a jazz saxophonist and educator who moved to Westport in 1978. The award will be presented by his wife Kathy and their daughter Becky.

This is the final Jazz at the Post of the season. The series resumes in September. Reservations are strongly suggested: JazzatthePost@gmail.com.

Ciara Bustillo-Rodriguez

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This week’s “What’s Next in Weston” podcast explores the town’s new relationship with Silver Hill Hospital.

1st Selectwoman Sam Nestor and Human Services director Alison Lisbon discuss new help for people with mental health issues.

Click below to hear the latest presentation from the Y’s Men of Westport and Weston.

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Every day brings new joy to Westport gardeners.  All are “Westport … Naturally”-worthy.

This is part of Rick Hochman’s back yard, off Long Lots.

(Photo/Rick Hochman)

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And finally … On this day in 1837, Queen Victoria succeeded to the British throne. She ruled for 63 years and 216 days — a record that stood until 2015, when Queen Elizabeth surpassed it. She lived, and reigned, for 70 years and 214 days.

(We’ll never forget Queen Elizabeth. Or Victoria! But please don’t forget to help support “06880.” Just click here. And thank you!)