Westport First Selectman Jim Marpe bites into a burger today at Tavern on Main as the Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce kicked off its month-long Great Westport Burger Contest. He also issued a proclamation declaring March Burger Month in Westport. Sponsored by the Berchem Moses law firm, the contest allows hamburger gourmets an opportunity to rate burger offerings in seven voting categories. Participating restaurants include Amis, Black Duck, Border Grille, Dunville’s, Harvest, Jesup Hall, Jr’s, Little Barn, Match Burger, McDonald’s, Parker Mansion, Rothbard Ale + Larder, Rye Ridge Deli, Shake Shack, Spotted Horse, Tarry Lodge, Tavern on Main, and Viva Zapata. Looking on are Ira Bloom, town attorney and Berchem Moses principal, and Selectman Jennifer Tooker. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
Comings & Goings: Desi’s Corner Closing
The changing face of Westport’s Railroad Place opposite the Metro-North station continues with the closing Thursday of Desi’s Corner, 16 Railroad Place. Purveyor of newspapers, magazines, coffee, candy, smokes and more, Desi’s Corner has been under owner Himanshu Patel’s hand for 10 years. Employee Sudhakar Rao said Patel will continue to operate his 7-Eleven store in Hartford. As for Rao, he said he has found employment at Wall Street Wine and Liquor in Norwalk. The closing after seven decades follows the loss of Commuter Coffee, 46 Railroad Place, in June after 42 years. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
Attempting to Save a Seal at Compo
UPDATE Sandi Schaefer Padgett of the Mystic Aquarium moves a seal found today on South Beach at Compo Beach. At first, she thought the seal was dead after lying on the beach for almost two hours. But as she and Animal Control Officer Joe Saponare attempted to move the animal, it showed signs of life. Additional personnel from the Mystic Aquarium Rescue Team arrived and were monitoring the animal as high tide came in. The Mystic crew removed the seal from the beach at about 2:30 p.m. after determining it was dead. The aquarium planned a necropsy to determine the cause of death. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Gordon Joseloff for WestportNow.com
Compo Buddies
Compo Spectacular
Ice on the Saugatuck
For the Birds
Storytelling at Playhouse
Westport resident and best-selling author Jane Green was one of five storytellers tonight at the Westport Country Playhouse’s “The Ties That Bind:The Moth in Westport.” Also appearing at the sold-out event was local blogger Dan Woog. The Moth is a nonprofit group based in New York City founded in 1997 dedicated to the art and craft of storytelling. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
Dousing the Flames
Westport firefighters today attack flames in one of two cars involved in a crash near 28 Roseville Road. One person was transported to Norwalk Hospital by Westport EMS. Witnesses said the driver of one vehicle was entering Roseville from a residential driveway and crashed into a vehicle traveling north on Roseville. The driver heading north on Roseville was the one taken to the hospital with non life-threatening injuries. Westport Fire Department photo