Tag Archives: Zander Bauer

Roundup: Parking Survey, Women Of Westport, 50 Cent …

Posted on June 4, 2025 | 7 comments

Everyone has an opinion on parking in Westport.

Now the Downtown Plan Implementation Committee wants to hear yours.

A 30-question survey is live. It covers respondents’ use and knowledge of parking options, metered parking, a deck and more.

Several questions have the opportunity to expand on answers.

The aim of the survey is to vet the recommendations already developed by consultants and DPIC. Final recommendations will be presented by DPIC to the Board of Selectwomen next month.

To take the survey, click here.

Some of the parking survey questions cover a parking meter app.

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It’s not easy to pass a bill in Hartford.

But for months, Zander Bauer and Elijah Falkenstein plugged away.

The Staples High School juniors — founders and co-presidents of the local Make Our Schools Safe chapter — pushed for a law to authorize the purchase of emergency response communications systems and personal emergency communication devices for school personnel.

Yesterday, their efforts were rewarded. The state House of Representatives voted unanimously — 145 to 0 — to pass the legislation. 

Passed earlier by the Senate, it now goes to Governor Lamont for his signature.

Congratulations to Zander, Elijah, the entire Staples MOSS club, and our own Senator Ceci Maher, its sponsor.

Elijah Falkenstein and Zander Bauer, with “stop the bleed” kits — another Make Our Schools Safe project.

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The Planning & Zoning Commission continues its dizzying round of meetings, on a series of controversial projects, next Monday (June 9, remote).

This time, it’s the Long Lots Elementary School project. Commissioners will consider a new 8-24 request from the town, and a new special permit/site plan.

Long Lots Elementary School site plan.

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Every year. Westport Lifestyle magazine celebrates outstanding “Women of Westport.”

But they do more than just highlight business owners, civic volunteers and others in their pages.

With sponsorship from Saugatuck Financial, they throw a great garden party.

Last night’s bash honored the 2025 women: Mary Dobson, Arvia Few, Sharon Finkel, Bridget Flynn, Ashley Freeman, Kira Greenfield, Joanna Manfro, Liz McKay, Rachel Mila, Tara Welch, Ambar Zaatar and Becca Zipkin.

Congratulations to all. Women of Westport rock!

A few men joined the Women of Westport, at the Westport Lifestyle party. “06880” founder Dan Woog and Monique Hodges enjoyed one of the Vespas on display. (Photo/Jerri Graham)

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Rich Dean and Nas Dean are known for their great work, training people of all ages at Rich Dean Boxing & Fitness on Post Road East across from the Saugatuck Church.

Now they’re known as philanthropists, too. The pair just donated $6,000 to Westport PAL’s scholarship fund.

Thank you both!

Nasir and Rich Dean.

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What does 50 Cent have to do with Westport?

About $1 million.

According to The Source — a hip hop site — the rapper/actor/producer/ entrepreneur recently won a legal victory. He can now seize the Main Street home belong to Mitchell Green, a former executive with 50 Cent’s Sire Spirits Champagne and cognac company.

Green reportedly owes the firm more than $7 million, following an alleged kickback scheme. Read more details here. (Hat tip: John McCarthy)

50 Cent may soon own a Westport home.

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Speaking of entertainment: Steely Dan comes to Weston on Sunday.

Well, at least Logical Pretzel — a cover band — does.

They’ll kick off the 10th season of the Weston History & Culture Center’s “Music at the Barn” series (June 8, 5:30 p.m.).

Tony Pizza Napolitano’s food truck will be there. Bring your own lawn chairs and beverages for the outdoor event. Tickets are available at the door, or here. 

Logical Pretzel

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A bit more than a year ago, Bond Vet replaced Freshii, in the Parker Harding Plaza space near Starbucks.

The veterinary chain — with locations from Boston to Washington, and Chicago too — has closed its Westport and Fairfield offices.

A representative in Bond Vet’s call center said she did not know the reason for the closures.

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The 2nd annual Pickleball To Slam Alzheimer’s event is set for June 20 (6 to 8 p.m., Intensity Racquet Club, Norwalk).

All proceeds from $100 tickets go toward the October 26 Walk to End Alzheimer’s at Sherwood Island State Park.

The pickleball event is hosted by Westporters Mary Sue Teplitz, Dina Upton and Lori Snow. Mary Sue’s mother died from the disease in 2012. Dina’s partner, Gary Cosgrave, passed away from it this year.

Tickets and more information is available here. Esthetic Dental Group of Westport, Saatva, cieTrade and Intensity are sponsors.

Carolyn Rothenberg and Gary Cosgrove.

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Hopkins is a popular private school option, for Westport families.

The New Haven school held its prom last night. Some attendees began with photos at Compo Beach. (Tessie the dog does not go there.)

Congrats to all the upcoming graduates, wherever you live!

(Photo/Richard Abramowitz)

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You could travel far north to see the aurora borealis.

But on Sunday, you didn’t have to.

The northern lights were visible across much of Connecticut. Here’s what Steve Stein saw, near Wilton Road:

(Photo/Steve Stein)

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Seen on Facebook yesterday, in the Marketplace section under the “Casket & Casket Trailer” tab:

The description says: “Selling a couple caskets that were used in haunted houses. Casket trailer has some dents and rot and the inside is stripped – $300 Blue casket is in great condition overall on the outside but has some scratches and the inside is stripped – $600 Pick up in Westport, CT.”

There’s always a back story. If you know this one, click “Comments” below. (Hat tip: Frank Rosen)

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We’ve showcased lots of interesting animals in our “Westport … Naturally” feature.

But we’re hard pressed to find any as intriguing as barred owls.

This one posed willingly for Lee Bollert. In fact, she says, it stared right at her — through a window — for 10 minutes.

(Photo/Lee Bollert)

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And finally … in honor of the items currently for sale on Facebook, from right here in Westport (story above):

(From downtown parking to caskets, and barred owls to 50 Cent: If there’s a Westport connection, we’ll find it. If you enjoy this hyper-local blog, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)

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Posted in Downtown, Education, Local business, Staples HS

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Staples Students Lead School Safety Effort

Posted on March 25, 2025 | 1 comment

If you went to school in the 20th century, your biggest safety concern was a throw to your head during gym dodgeball.

If you’re in school now, it’s being killed in your classroom.

Every student today has grown up with “active shooter” drills. They’re taken very seriously: Locking doors. Remaining quiet. Waiting for help to arrive.

Many students realize the reality of school shootings as part of their lives.

Zander Bauer and Elijah Falkenstein want to do something about it.

The Staples High School juniors are founders and co-presidents of the local Make Our Schools Safe (MOSS) chapter.

They first learned of the non-profit from someone directly impacted by the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High massacre in Florida.

After hearing about its mission (to empower students and staff to help create and maintain a culture of safety and vigilance) and initiatives (for example, passing Alyssa’s Law, which calls for installing silent panic alarms directly linked to law enforcement, dramatically reducing response time), the friends organized the first MOSS club in Connecticut.

At the beginning of this school year, they met with State Senator Ceci Maher. She introduced the bill, and has been very supportive.

Last month, Zander and Elijah testified before the state legislature. They spent hours preparing their testimony.

They expected to be in Hartford, But a snowstorm forced the hearing onto Zoom.

“We waited in a room nervously for what seemed like days,” Zander says.

The format was difficult. Several bills were introduced throughout the hearing. Many people spoke.

Finally they got their chance. Zander was the 56th speaker. Elijah was 81st. “In this generation, I have never fully felt safe at school,” Elijah said.

“In the end, we felt really proud of ourselves. We accomplished our mission, and learned a tremendous amount about the legislative process.”

But the legislative wheels grind slowly. So far, Connecticut has not yet joined the 7 states — New York, New Jersey, Tennessee, Florida, Oklahoma, Texas and Utah — that enacted Alyssa’s Law.

The bill has passed through the Committee for Children. Next up: a vote on the Senate floor. If it passes, it goes to the House, then to Governor Lamont for his signature.

Zander and Elijah have taken action in other ways too. They raised funds to install 7 “Stop the Bleed” kits at Staples, and ensured that all teachers are been trained to use them.

Now — because no level is immune to gun violence — their goal is to donate kits to Westport’s 7 middle and elementary schools. (Click here to help raise $5,000.)

Elijah Falkenstein and Zander Bauer, with “stop the bleed” kits.

The club presidents have enjoyed strong encouragement from superintendent of schools Thomas Scarice. Assistant principal Christine Cincotta helped the club earn official status. Brennan Morgan serves as faculty advisor.

MOSS secretary Mary Stevens, treasurer Dylan Shackleford, social media managers Julian Gravelle and Kate Coykendall,and PR managers Reece Dearborn and Gabe Hellmann have also been very active in the cause.

Elijah and Zander have been bolstered by friends’ support also. “They understand that the work we’re doing will benefit all of us, and the entire community,” Zander says.

And — if their efforts in Hartford are successful — the entire state too.

(Click below for the entire legislative hearing. Zander’s comments begin at 5:52:47. Elijah’s starts at 7:07:27. The testimony of Lori Alhadeff — the mother of Alyssa, for whom the bill is named — are at 6:06:03.)

(“06880” reports regularly on activities at Staples High. If you appreciate those stories — or any others on this hyper-local blog — please click here to support our work. Thank you!)

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Posted in Education, Politics, Staples HS, Teenagers

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