Morning Weather Report
Today
Partly sunny, with a high near 46. Wind chill values between 20 and 30 early. North wind around 11 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 27. North wind 6 to 10 mph.
Tomorrow
Partly sunny, with a high near 44. Wind chill values between 25 and 35. North wind around 6 mph becoming calm.
Tomorrow Night
Rain and snow likely before 1am, then snow. Low around 32. Southeast wind 5 to 13 mph becoming northeast after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.
Fashionably Westport Brought Style, Fashion And Fun To The Westport Library
On Saturday the Westport Library hosted what has now joined other exceptional events on the Westport social calendar raising thousands of dollars to help Homes with Hope as they endeavor to fight homelessness and help feed area families in need.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery
The library's Trefz Forum was transformed for a magical evening presenting Westport's version of NY Fashion Week, where dozens of beautiful models strutted their stuff on the runway wearing fabulous fashions from nearly two dozen of Westport's leading clothing stores.
Models included many well-known Westporters and town officials including First and Second Selectwomen Jen Tooker and Andrea Moore and RTM member Andrew Colabella. Notables in the audience included NBC anchor, journalist and Today show co-anchor Craig Melvin and Westport Chief of Police Foti Koskinas.
Backstage, models waited for their cue while several local stylists provided hair and make-up assistance, including Salon Dada, Artistex, Greg & Tony Ouidad salon, Whip, and Hammer & Nails.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery
Maxxwell Crowley, Director of the Westport Downtown Merchants Association, the WDMA, was asked by WestportLocalPress about the tremendous success of this important fundraiser and Maxx told us, “Events like Fashionably Westport truly show you what an incredible town Westport is. So many bought tickets and rallied behind the event knowing the impact it would make for Homes With Hope and their incredible mission. It also gave the merchants and people of the town a venue to have some fun, showcase some beautiful clothing, and celebrate the amazing business of our town.”
The audience, showing their own lovely fashions gathered in the library enjoying delicious food and great drinks and took lots of photos before they were called to the seating area surrounding the runway for the start of the show.
Maxx's team worked hard, led by WDMA event planner Jill Dunn who served as show director coordinating the efforts of vendors, volunteers and staff insuring that a great time was had by everyone in attendance.
Asked to describe the event Maxx told us, "2023 Fashionably Westport was a huge success! We had a sold out event for the second year in a row and are on track to beating financial our goal for a donation to Home with Hope who we partnered with for this event. The event showcased Westporters modeling looks from downtown merchants, everyone from Vuori to Eileen Fisher to Splash of Pink. The Library was the perfect venue for this event allowing us to build out the runway and get all the lights and music the models needed to strut their stuff. Big shout out to Walrus Alley for being our food caterer and Don Memo for mixing the cocktails for the evening. 99 Bottles supplied the wine and beer. We had many supporting vendors who participated and lots of other sponsors who supported this event and the fun goodie bags we handed out to all who attended." Maxx added, "Next year we hope to sell out the show again and most importantly continue to raise lots of money for the incredible team at Homes with Hope"
The second day of the two day event, Sunday guests were offered in-store promos at the 21 merchants who provided fashions for the show, including Athleta, Bella Bridesmaids Westport, Bobbles & Lace, Eileen Fisher, Express Edit, Fred, Scout & Molly's, Splash Of Pink, The Plumed Serpent, Winged Monkey and other fine stores.
About Homes With Hope
Helen McAlinden of Homes with Hope gave a presentation showing a glimpse into the many achievements of the organization, their services to the community and some of the people in need whom they have assisted.
Helen expressed here her deep appreciation of the efforts of the WDMA in producing this highly successful event, saying, "On behalf of the myself, Helen McAlinden, President and CEO of Homes with Hope, our Board of Directors, our staff and the people we serve - a big thank you to Maxx Crowley, President of The Westport Downtown Association and his staff for their hard work and dedication to this brilliant event. We are very grateful to the WDMA and our very generous Westport Community, once again, for attending Fashionably Westport and supporting Homes with Hope’s mission of preventing and ending homelessness in Fairfield County.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery
Morning Weather Report
Today
Sunny, with a high near 45. Wind chill values between 15 and 25 early. Breezy, with a north wind 15 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph.
Tonight
Partly cloudy, with a low around 29. Wind chill values between 20 and 25. North wind 13 to 16 mph.
Tomorrow
Mostly sunny, with a high near 47. Wind chill values between 20 and 30 early. North wind 10 to 14 mph.
Tomorrow Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 27. North wind 7 to 11 mph.
First Selectwoman Jen Tooker Reads Proclamation for Civic Learning Week, Engages With Students in Staples Town Hall
Press ReleaseOn Monday, March 6, Westport’s Board of Selectwomen visited Staples to celebrate the start of Civic Learning Week. The goal of the nationwide week is to empower students with the tools to become active, civically engaged members of their community.
At the event, First Selectwoman Jen Tooker read the Proclamation to declare Civic Learning Week in Westport from March 6th-10th. Then, in a Town Hall moderated by Staples seniors Scarlett Siegel and Spencer Yim, Tooker and her fellow Selectwomen, Andrea Moore and Candice Savin, answered questions from students. Topics ranged from the structure of the town’s government to the Board’s efforts to address sustainability, traffic, and other policy areas.
Members of the Rho Kappa Social Studies Honor Society assisted with the event. Lauren Francese, Social Studies Coordinator, stated, "Staples students asked great questions and really enjoyed learning about public service. It's a great opportunity to see civics in action, especially in a local context. When students have these opportunities, they make meaningful connections to the civics knowledge and skills that they're developing in the classroom." Additional events for students will be held on Thursday and Friday with guest speakers from the Registrar of Voters and Board of Education.
Cross Highway Road Improvement Info Session Slated for March 14
Press ReleaseMembers of the public are invited to attend a Public Information Meeting (“PIM”) on Tuesday, March 14, 2023 at 7:00 PM in the Westport Town Hall Auditorium (110 Myrtle Avenue) to review the proposed improvements to the corridor along Cross Highway from North Avenue to Bayberry Lane (the “Corridor”). First Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker, the Department of Public Works Engineering staff, and other Town representatives will be available to discuss and answer questions regarding the proposals and any potential impacts to the neighborhood. The design engineer will be participating online with access to design data and drawings to aid in the discussion. Resident participation is encouraged.
The Town of Westport has identified this Corridor as an area in need of roadway and sidewalk traffic and safety improvements. To implement these improvements, the Town contracted with a design engineer who has developed several potential traffic and safety improvement concepts. These proposed improvements are designed to manage the traffic volume and congestion as well as reduce the potential for traffic accidents on Cross Highway at its intersections at North Avenue and Bayberry Lane.
The proposed concepts range from minor traffic sign upgrades to complete intersection reconstruction. They include but are not limited to:
Adding crosswalks in key areas;
Construction of new and/or repair of existing sidewalks;
Adding revised signage along the right-of-way;
Relocation of utility poles;
Installation of traffic signals;
Roadway widening at the intersections to realign approach and turning lanes;
Installation of roundabouts at the intersections;
Bridge replacement (over Dead Man's Brook).
Please contact the Town Engineer Keith Wilberg at (203) 341-1128 or kwilberg@westportct.gov should you have any questions regarding this project.
Westport RTM March Meeting: $3.1 Million Appropriated for Public Works Projects
March 7th, 2023 Agenda & Results
Westport’s Representative Town Meeting met via Zoom for a session beginning at 7:30 and adjourning at just after 9:40 this evening. Over 3 million dollars were appropriated for three different projects for the Department of Public Works, all of which involved the community’s sewer systems - including a new pump station on Riverside Avenue and adding several streets to the existing sewer & water lines.
1. To take such action as the meeting may determine, upon the recommendation of the RTM Rules Committee, to approve an amendment to Section 22-1 of the Code of Ordinances, establishing new and/or reaffirming voting districts following the 2020 Census as provided in Section C5-2 of the Town Charter. First reading. No vote needed. First reading completed.
2. To take such action as the meeting may determine, upon the request of the Director of Public Works, to approve an appropriation in the amount of $1,900,000.00 along with bond and note authorization, to the Sewer Reserve Fund Account for the replacement of Pump Station #3 Force Main Sewer Line and Pump Station Upgrades. Unanimously approved by all present RTM members.
3. To take such action as the meeting may determine, upon the request of the Director of Public Works, to approve an appropriation of $416,000.00 along with bond and note authorization to the Municipal Improvement Fund Account for additional funding for construction to extend the Sanitary Sewer System to Whitney Street, Roseville Road, Fernwood Road, Plumtree Lane, Pamela Place and Ledgemoor Lane. Unanimously approved by all present RTM members.
4. To take such action as the meeting may determine, upon the request of the Director of Public Works, to approve an appropriation of $790,000.00 along with bond and note authorization to the Municipal Improvement Fund Account for additional funding for construction to extend the Sanitary Sewer System to Evergreen Avenue, Evergreen Parkway, Tamarac Road, Lone Pine Lane, Gorham Avenue, Compo Road North and Brookside Drive.Unanimously approved by all present RTM members.
Morning Weather Report
Today
Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 42. Wind chill values between 20 and 30. Northwest wind 10 to 17 mph.
Tonight
Partly cloudy, with a low around 26. Wind chill values between 15 and 25. Northwest wind around 17 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph.
Tomorrow
Mostly sunny, with a high near 45. Wind chill values between 15 and 25 early. North wind 15 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph.
Tomorrow Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 30. North wind 13 to 15 mph.
Westport Country Playhouse Offers 23% Discount Tuesday for 2023 Single Tickets
Cast of Westport Country Playhouse’s 2023 Season opening show, “Ain’t Misbehavin’” – L-R: Will Stone, Judith Franklin, Miya Bass, Paris Bennett, Jay Copeland. Contributed Photo by Ron Heerkens, Jr.In recognition of its 2023 Season, Westport Country Playhouse announces single tickets on sale at a 23% discount for one day only, Tuesday, March 7, from noon to 11:59 p.m. Discounted single tickets start at $27 and may be purchased online, no code necessary, at https://tickets.westportplayhouse.org/events. The box office will be open from noon to 5 p.m. for phone orders at 203-227-4177, and in-person sales at 25 Powers Court, Westport. The 23% discount applies to full-price tickets only and cannot be used in combination with any other ticket offer or discount. Following the one-day-only sale, regular single tickets prices will resume at $35 and up.
The Playhouse’s 2023 Season will open with the Tony Award®-winning musical, “Ain’t Misbehavin’,” celebrating in sassy song and dance the legendary composer Fats Waller, playing April 11 through April 29. The recipient of a “Critic’s Pick” from The New York Times, the musical is an exciting new vision by director/choreographer Jeffrey L. Page, an Emmy-nominated and MTV Video Music Award-winning artist. Page’s Broadway choreography credits include “1776” and “Violet.” He was creative collaborator and choreographer for Beyoncé, associate creative director for Mariah Carey, and choreographer for Westport Country Playhouse’s “Mlima’s Tale.” The five-member cast features an “X Factor” and “The Voice” contestant and two “American Idol” finalists. The musical is conceived by Murray Horwitz and Richard Maltby, Jr. Co-producers are Barrington Stage Company in Pittsfield, MA, and Geva Theatre Center in Rochester, NY. Corporate Production Partner for “Ain’t Misbehavin’” is Bank of America. Production Partners are Athena and Daniel Adamson.
A reimagining of “Dial ‘M’ for Murder,” the suspenseful thriller of blackmail and revenge, will run from July 11 through July 29. Focusing on a devious husband, his wealthy wife, and her lover, the play by Frederick Knott is adapted by playwright and screenwriter Jeffrey Hatcher, who has created even more surprises and diabolic twists than in the celebrated Hitchcock film. Director is Mark Lamos, Westport Country Playhouse artistic director. He has helmed many plays at the Playhouse since 2008, earning five Connecticut Critics Circle Awards. Under Lamos’ artistic direction, the Playhouse was named “Theater Company of the Year” by The Wall Street Journal. Corporate Production Partner is RBC Wealth Management. Production Partners are Allen and Lorraine Noveck.
The 2023 Season will culminate with “School Girls; or, The African Mean Girls Play,” by Jocelyn Bioh, from October 24 through November 11. This buoyant and biting, gossip-girl-inspired comedy explores the universal similarities — and glaring differences — facing teenage girls across the globe as those at an exclusive boarding school in Ghana set their sights on the Miss Global Universe pageant. Director Candis C. Jones previously directed a production of “School Girls…” at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. Jones served as associate director of “Dear Evan Hansen” on Broadway. Her directing credits include productions at Williamstown Theatre Festival, The Public Theater, and others. Production Sponsors are Judy and Scott Phares.
Each production runs three weeks. The performance schedule is Tuesday at 7 p.m., Wednesday at 2 and 7 p.m., Thursday at 7 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 3 and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. (No Wed. or Sat. matinees during preview week). Special series include Taste of Tuesday, Black Excellence Night, Pride Night, Opening Night, Sunday Symposium, Post-Play Dialogue, Open Captions, Backstage Pass, and Thursday TalkBack. 2023 Season Post-Show, Opening Night Reception Sponsor is RDM Financial Group at Hightower.
All titles, artists, dates, and times are subject to change.
For more information and tickets, visit www.westportplayhouse.org, email boxoffice@westportplayhouse.org, or call the box office at (203) 227-4177, Tuesday through Friday, 12 to 5 p.m. Stay connected to the Playhouse at westportplayhouse.org, on Facebook (Westport Country Playhouse), and on YouTube (WestportPlayhouse). Westport Country Playhouse is located at 25 Powers Court, off Route 1, Westport.
Staples Gymnasts Score Big At The CIAC Winter Open Championships
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery
The 2023 CIAC Winter Open Gymnastics Championship meet took place on Saturday at New Milford high school and was yet another achievement for Staples Gymnastics which has just finished it's most successful season ever.
Only 40 of Connecticut's best gymnasts qualified in their skill for this prestigious event from the state's top 24 school gymnastics programs, eight of which are in Staples’ division.
The stellar performance on Saturday came on the heels of the girl's 3rd place finish in the FCIAC Championships last month where standout Mia Guster finished first in vault with a 9.6 score, preventing Fairfield Ward's Emma Johnson from sweeping that championship. Guster also finished 2nd on floor exercise and Sarah Arango finished fifth on uneven bars. Both Guster and Arango were both selected first team All FCIAC this season. Staples also scored big in the CIAC state tournament, finishing second.
Leading the way for Staples at the CIAC Championships on Saturday repeating her FCIAC victory was Mia Guster who's first place finish in vault with a 9.5 score became the first Staples gymnast to win vault at the Winter Championships. Mia also grabbed 2nd place in floor exercise in the large school division posting a 9.25 score.
Also doing well was Sofia Alarcon-Frias who placed fifth on balance beam and sixth in the all round. Sarah Arango placed fourth on bars. Mia Cochran, Hannah Bitsky, Victoria Fidalgo were second team. Phoebe Miller was honorable mention.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery
UPDATE: Norwalk Man Dies from Injuries Suffered in Riverside Avenue Accident
WestportLocal.com contributed photo. Westport Police Department UpdateOn Saturday, March 4, 2023, at approximately 11:30PM, officers responded to the area of 575 Riverside Avenue on a report of a motor vehicle accident with serious injuries. The initial report was that the nature of the accident was vehicle versus pedestrian.
Emergency responders located and rendered aid to a male victim that had been struck by a southbound vehicle. The victim sustained life threatening injuries and was ultimately transported to Norwalk Hospital for further treatment.
Members of the Westport Police Department’s Accident Investigation Team, along with the Accident Investigation Team of the Fairfield Police Department, responded to the scene to conduct the investigation into the incident. This necessitated a temporary closure of Riverside Avenue in both directions of travel and has since been re-opened to traffic.
The operator of the vehicle remained at the scene to speak with responding officers and is fully cooperating.
The accident remains under investigation by the Westport Accident Investigation Team.
UPDATE
The victim in this incident has been identified as Matthew Balga, age 54, of Norwalk, CT.
Unfortunately, Mr. Balga did not survive his injuries and was pronounced deceased at Norwalk Hospital shortly after arrival. The Westport Police Department along with the Westport Community extends our thoughts and prayers to the Balga family during this difficult time.
The crash remains under investigation by the Westport Police Accident Investigation Team with assistance by the Fairfield Accident Team and Westport Detective Bureau.