Month: March 2019

Wednesday, March 29, 2023

Bistro Photo Exhibit Opens

A large crowd tonight attended the opening reception of a fine arts photography exhibit of the works of Westporters MaryEllen Hendricks (l) and Sue Benton at Bistro du Soleil, 615 Riverside Ave. Two of Hendricks’ works, “Sue’s Thin Place 1” and “Sue’s Thin Place 2” are displayed on wall to her right and Benton’s “Blue Marsh” is on wall to her left. Click HERE for more information. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Staples Students Give VFW Post a Facelift

In commemoration of his deceased grandfather, a Korea War veteran, Staples High School senior, Dylan Mace, 17, today led a team of 12 fellow National Honor Society volunteers, each Class of 2019, in a facelift of the interior of the VFW, Joseph J. Clinton Post 399, 465 Riverside Ave. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Under Pressure, Property Owner Restoring Osprey Nest

UPDATE An osprey looks for its removed nest today in the Fresh Market parking lot, 605 Post Road East. One day after removing it, the property owner responded to a public outcry and said his company would restore the nest as soon as possible. Westport police reported early Monday workmen were at the site replacing the platform. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Helen Klisser During for WestportNow.com

Video: Looking for Their Nest

UPDATE Two osprey today gather on a pole at the Fresh Market parking lot, 605 Post Road East, where their nesting platform had been located until its abrupt removal on Saturday. Workmen for the property owner erroneously told passersby the removal had been authorized by the Connecticut Audubon Society. The workmen said the nest was removed in advance of construction work to take place. At mid-afternoon today, Eric Davidson, a representative of the property owner, Regency Centers, said in a social media posting: “We missed the mark in looking at the whole picture. Therefore, we will be getting the platform back up ASAP, and have even modified our construction schedule to a phased approach so we don’t disturb them during the nesting/breeding season.” WestportNow.com video by Helen Klisser During

BOE to Mull Over CMS Plans

By Jarret Liotta

The Westport Board of Education on Monday will consider the future of the now shuttered Coleytown Middle School (CMS) and how best to configure it in Westport’s school system.

Range of options up for discussion. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

With an eye to getting it back online at the earliest in September 2020 at a cost that could exceed $20 million, educators are looking at a range of options.

A draft report published in advance of the Monday meeting says one option to best balance the current sixth through eight grade model is to redistrict approximately 120 students from Long Lots School (LLS) and 19 from Kings Highway School (KHS).

Two ways to avoid any redistricting would be to create a townwide grade six academy at CMS or a townwide grade five-six school.

Sunday, March 31, 2019

1 p.m. – Westport Library – WestportWRITES Mini-Conference: Query Letter Writing Workshop
1 p.m. – Bedford Middle School – Coleytown Company: “42nd Street”

See more events: Celebrate Westport Calendar

Saturday, March 30th, 2019

Gallery: Playhouse Season Preview Kickoff Event

Scenes from today’s Westport Country Playhouse season preview kickoff event. It featured food trucks and beer tastings and a free admission preview of the 2019 season’s five productions, hosted by Mark Lamos, Playhouse artistic director. Guest appearances included director and choreographer Marcos Santana who appeared with “In the Heights” cast members who sang selections from the Tony Award-winning musical, conceived by “Hamilton” creator Lin-Manuel Miranda. Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Social Media Outrage Over Removal of Osprey Nest

UPDATE Social media was abuzz today with outraged Westporters following the removal of an osprey nesting platform on Post Road East at the edge of the Fresh Market parking lot bordering on Terrain. The Connecticut Audubon Society denied that it had authorized the removal in advance of some construction work as some of the workers told passersby. Officials from the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) were notified and were involved in tracking down those responsible. Meanwhile, osprey circled the pole where the nesting platform had been and began building a new nest atop a nearby utility pole. At mid-afternoon Sunday, Eric Davidson, a representative of the property owner, Regency Centers, said in a social media posting: “We missed the mark in looking at the whole picture. Therefore, we will be getting the platform back up ASAP, and have even modified our construction schedule to a phased approach so we don’t disturb them during the nesting/breeding season.” (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Before Osprey Nest Removal

This is how the osprey nest on Post Road East between Terrain and Fresh Market looked before its removal today by unknown persons. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Photo by Kristie Kistner Photography

Playtime at Compo

Brady, a Great Dane, plays with Zico at Compo Beach today on the last weekend dogs are allowed at the beach. The ban on dogs goes into effect on Monday until Oct. 1. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Chris Greer for WestportNow.com