Traff-Aggedon Returns As Southbound I-95 Bridge Replacement Proceeds This Weekend
A view of I-95 from Hillspoint Rd. last time shows free flowing northbound lanes with a slow moving parking lot southbound. Expect a mirror image this weekend.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com. Click To Enlarge Images.
The I-95 bridge slide-in bridge replacement for the north-bound lanes took place as scheduled last month and as we all know, traffic was horrendous. The replacement was completed hours ahead of schedule however there was still bumper-to-bumper traffic all over town well into the evening.
That early completion did not affect the major traffic congestion all over the area as anyone trying to get their destination can attest to.
Westport PD advises motorists be aware that this weekend will a pretty similar situation. Drivers, no matter what their destination in or out of town, should be prepared for the kind of delays we experienced last time. Craft Westport the annual event presented by the Westport Young Women’s League returns to Staples High School on North St. which will probably see increased traffic both Saturday and Sunday as a result of the bridge work.
The Ruth Steinkraus Cohen bridge was a parking lot at 6:00 PM.
Post Road East approaching Compo Rd. was also backed up as late as 6:00 PM. There is every reason to expect similar scenes this weekend.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com. Click To Enlarge Images.
Even east-west roads in northern Westport such as Coleytown and Lyons Plain were not immune from the bumper-to-bumper traffic. One Westport police officer told WestportLocal that it took him over an hour to get to his job from Monroe, even though he knew all the back roads and short cuts (under normal circumstances).
Even east-west roads in northern Westport such as Coleytown and Lyons Plain were not immune from the bumper-to-bumper traffic. One Westport police officer told WestportLocal that it took him over an hour to get to his job from Monroe, even though he knew all the back roads and short cuts (under normal circumstances).
A Westport Fire Department call which took the engine company onto Coleytown/Lyons Plain Rd. was fortunately able to pass the long line of west-bound lane cars in the clear east-bound lane. We dared not venture into Saugatuck even as reports there presented a not-so-pretty picture.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com. Click To Enlarge Images.
Craft Westport Returns To Staples High School This Weekend
Spend the day with family and friends shopping for one-of-a-kind and uncommon items.
Craft Westport, presented by the Westport Young Woman’s League, is a thoughtfully curated shopping event featuring 200 modern American artists and makers!
CraftWestport is the longest running indoor fine crafts event in Connecticut. For 46 years, this show has been the perfect venue for unique, holiday shopping. This curated Show features 175 artists and artisans from across the country, in genres including jewelry, ceramics, photography, fine art, works on paper, glass, metal, fashion and accessories, and sculpture.
Show hours:
Saturday from 10 AM to 6 PM and Sunday from 10 AM to 5 PM at Staples High School, 70 North Ave. Westport, CT 06880.
BE ADVISED: The I-95 bridge replacement will cause traffic delays all over Westport for much of Saturday and Sunday. Allow extra time to arrive!
Visit the WYWL website for more information: WYWL.com
Meanwhile, Just Over The Line In SoNo, Norwalk Hosts Halloween Nightfair
During both weekend days the city hosted its inaugural “Halloween Nightfair On Washington Street. Washington Street, along with sections of North and South Main Streets were closed beginning Saturday morning for the event, which featured many family activities such as magicians, a bounce house, pumpkin painting and trick or treat bag decorating. A grammy winning band, Goodboys performed along with DJ Laidback Luke.
Anna Breault, special event coordinator for the city helped create the event as a community celebration of the popular holiday and spent many thousands of dollars for the DJ’s, sound systems and stage lighting.
Later that night, the South Norwalk Entertainment District, known as SoNo, which runs along Washington Street and onto North and South Main Streets was crowded with hundreds of Halloween celebrants on Saturday night, with several of the bars hosting costume contests.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Just over decade ago the district was thriving with many shops, restaurants and clubs. Over time, there was a bit of a downturn with some long standing business closing down. Now however it seems the crowds have returned perhaps larger than ever with the addition of several new latin clubs adding to the mix. Tablao, a Spanish oriented restaurant and bar sits alongside Bandido Mexican restaurant on Washington Street.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
There was plenty to see, great music and drinks with the streets filled with party people hanging out and enjoying the holiday.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
There was no shortage of creativity and imagination not to mention sexy styles.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Westport Library Leads Westport’s Saturday Night Halloween Celebrations
Bella's Bartok, a band known for raucous theatrical performances on stage at Saturday’s epic Halloween Party at the Westport Library.
The Westport-Weston Chamber of Commerce and The Westport Library presented a very special Halloween event Saturday night featuring a live performance by Bella's Bartok, a band known for raucous theatrical performances. This band was beyond question every bit of that adjective, bringing many of the 200 Partiers to the dance floor in the library’s Trefz Forum, many of them dressed and accessorized for the celebration of All Hallow’s Eve. The creativity was quite apparent with some very unusual and striking “ensembles”.
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.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Bella's Bartok kept the party rockin’ all night.
Judges with the help of the crowd, determined the contest winners of the night, with winners in the categories of best costume, best couple and most imaginative taking home $50. gift certificates donated by the local restaurants the Spotted Horse, De Tapas and Kawa Ni.
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.
Several of the contest winners with judges Sheriff Matt Mandell and Library Executive Director Bill Harmer.
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
Strolling Down Main Street…
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Basso’s on Jesup Green had a great NYC band, Manny Montañez and his Boogaloo Orchestra, an excellent 7 piece band plus Basso Chef and owner Renato Donzelli on the congas.
The Festivities Over In Saugatuck Were Spooky, Scary Or Just Plain Weird
The scene over at Dunville’s.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Around the corner At Pancho Villa’s the patio was busy.
And Of Course, What Halloween Night Would Be Complete Without The Black Duck And Their Live Band
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Flag Waving Against The Full Moon Backdrop
The flag atop the former Westport Bank & Trust building, now home to Patagonia waves proudly in the light of Saturday’s full moon.
Photo By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com
Not Quite A Full Moon
On Thursday October 26 the beautiful waxing gibbous moon was about 95% full. A waxing gibbous moon is in the sky before it's dark and lights up the early evening. Photo is actually a full color image.
Photo By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com
Main Street Invaded By Creatures; Cute, Scary And Adorable
Hundreds of youngsters, their parents and grandparents flooded downtown Westport Wednesday for the annual Downtown Westport Halloween Parade.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com. Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Sponsored by Westport Parks & Recreation, the Police Athletic League and the Westport Downtown Association who provided what seemed like an endless supply of treats to the eager and very determined children.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com. Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com. Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
The Halloween Party Continued On Veterans Green
After gathering all the candy they could carry, the Halloween Parade-goers met on Veterans Green for music, dancing, and more fun!
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Roads Downtown Will Be Closed For Wednesday’s Halloween Parade
The Westport Parks & Recreation Department, in conjunction with the Westport Police Athletic League and the Westport Downtown Merchant’s Association, will be holding its annual Halloween Parade in the center of town on Wednesday, October 25th, with a rain date of October 26th.
This is a very popular event that attracts hundreds of people. To accommodate the large volume of pedestrian traffic, several roadways in and around the parade route will be closed during the event.
The following roads will be affected:
- Main Street will be closed from Post Road East to Avery Place starting at 2:30 p.m.
- Avery Place will be closed starting at approximately 3 p.m.
- Myrtle Avenue from Evergreen Avenue to Main Street will be closed starting at approximately 3 p.m.
All roads are expected to reopen by 6 p.m. Motorists should expect delays in the center of town due to these closures. The police department asks that motorists use extra caution when driving through the area.
Hundreds Gather For Candlelight Vigil To Support The State Of Israel
On Sunday night 300 or more members of the community gathered on Jesup Green in front of the Westport Library for a candlelight vigil to show their support for the people of Israel and for the more than two hundred hostages, both Israeli and American who were kidnapped in the vicious attack by the terrorists of Hamas.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open galleries.
The Westport community always rises in response to tragic events such as the war in Ukraine and other occurrences which cause great pain and hardship, and Sunday night was one more example of that unity. As expected, there was a highly visible show of security led by Westport Chief of Police Foti Koskinas and backed up by CT State Police presence to insure the safety of all.
Opening remarks began from the Reverend Heather Sinclair, senior pastor of the United Methodist Church of Westport-Weston spoke of comfort and support.
Senior Rabbi Michael Friedman of Temple Israel (above, left) then welcomed the crowd and offered his personal reflections on the devastating attack on October 7th.
Rabbi Yehudah Kantor of Chabad Lubavich of Westport (above, right) then read from Psalms, 122: 6-9 in Hebrew and in English, the prayer for the well being of Jerusalem;
“May those who love you be at peace. May there be well-being within your ramparts, peace in your citadels.”
For the sake of my brothers and friends, I pray for your well-being; for the sake of the house of the LORD our God,
I seek your good”
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open galleries.
Staples student Andrew Maskoff sang the national anthem of Israel. "HaTikva/The Hope“ and was joined by some members of the crowd. "As long as the heart within the Jewish soul yearns forward toward the East, an eye looks to Zion, our hope is not yet lost. Our hope is two thousand years old: To be a free people in our land, the land of Zion and Jerusalem”.
Next, Staples Ethan Walmark led the audience in singing our national anthem, the Star Spangled Banner.
Andrew Collabella, Westport RTM member who organized the event along with Danielle Dobin, Westport P&Z chairwoman, spoke to WestportLocalPress about the goal of the nights gathering. Colabella said, "Tonight’s vigil was to bring peace to the Jewish community of Westport, the largest population of Jewish people in Fairfield county, to not only recognize the horrendous acts that have taken place over the last two weeks but bring solidarity to the community and remember the murdered and innocent lives being held captive. While I am not Jewish, I acknowledge the atrocities for centuries against such a peaceful and traditional bound religion constantly under attack. I hope tonights vigil positively impacted all to think clearer and have a better week".
After the program the three rabbis started to sing “Am Yisrael Chai”, The people of Israel Live, underscoring the focus on life and a song of peace - Oseh Shalom and were joined by some members of the crowd.
Following the remarks of the speakers, the crowd lingered finding comfort in each others presence as they spoke of friends and relatives here and in Israel who have been affected by the tragedy.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open galleries.
Sam Alloy of Westport proudly holds the Flag of the State of Israel.