After A Brief Shower, Soundview Summer Stroll Has A Great Turnout
The Soundview Summer Stroll, a gift of 06880’s Dan Woog returned again this year as Soundview Drive became a pedestrian walk with folks enjoying food, music and crafts for the kids. People began showing up in the morning, but a brief shower around noon dispersed some of the visitors as rain was a threat for the day. Fortunately, the skies cleared, the crowd returned and everyone enjoyed a great day of family fun.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Mr. Woog has organized this wonderful event for the second year and has generously provided most of the financial support along with help from the Compo Beach Association, paying the costs of the bands, crafts tables, face painting and the popular photo booth.
The gang from Romanacci’s Old Mill Grocery & Deli offered their superb menu including their world-class pizza Westport has come to love. Their gelato tent was a big hit, given the very warm day.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
As the crowds returned friends including the four-legged kind met up and sometimes had to be untangled. By 2:30 the street was jumping again and folks lined up for food and found a seat on the seawall to enjoy the music.
Above, Rock, Paper, Soul closed out the music performers following Not My Problem (photos below) and opening act Core.
Many folks took advantage of the serene beach scene to enjoy some quality family time.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
One Dad was kept pretty busy on the beach as his son discovered the fun of being spun around over and over, finally wearing Dad out a bit, but nonetheless he kept the fun going.
Knowing the value of “pressing the flesh”, Koda the 7 year old English Cream Golden Retriever and (unoffical) mayor of Compo Beach made sure to keep up with his many admirers.
Above, left, Dan Woog chats with Koda’s Dog Dad, Jim Hood, enjoying seeing friends and getting many wel deserved thank yous for hosting this wonderful Westport New Tradition.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Just Another Sunday On I-95 In Westport
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com
If you absolutely HAVE TO drive south on I-95 in Fairfield County on a Sunday, this is probably what you will find. These photos taken last Sunday from the Hillspoint Rd. bridge show above, looking north and below, looking south.
According to The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) “I-95 between Fairfield and Bridgeport is one of the most heavily traveled roadways in the state, carrying approximately 130,000 vehicles per day. "We don't know if that figure includes Sunday in Westport, but it sure looks likely.
According to their website, CT DOT Press Releases, in 2024 CT DOT launched the I-95 Mobility Study Fairfield/Bridgeport, charged with identifying projects that improve safety, mobility, and operations along the I-95 corridor between Bridgeport and Fairfield.
If you must travel I-95, you can check the live DOT LIve Traffic Camera located at Saugatuck Ave., and the DOT Live Camera at the Sherwood Connector to see what you might be facing. You can page forward from this site to see other live CT DOT traffic cams on I-95.
Also, CT DOT offers a website, CT Roads.org which provides live, up to date information on road conditions on CT roads and highways. The site provides estimated travel times and interactive travel maps, as well as extensive of information on other travel related issues.
The site states, "The outcomes of the planning and environmental linkages study will streamline CTDOT’s project development and environmental review of resulting transportation improvement projects, accelerating project delivery and minimizing overall costs,” said CTDOT Project Manager David Mancini.
For more information on how the DOT is addressing the issue, visit CT DOT for Fairfield Bridgeport. Maybe one day they will announce steps to deal with the kind of congestion that makes this road, shall we say, less than a desirable route to anywhere south of Fairfield County.
This Is What An Invasive Species Looks Like - Spotted Lanternfly
Photos at the Westport Library and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com
As many Westporters are aware, Fairfield County, Connecticut, is currently facing a growing infestation of Spotted Lanternflies, an invasive insect species known for damaging a wide range of trees and plants.
The Westport Library cafe patio has experienced these annoying pests to a substantial degree, enough to take measures to protect cafe patrons who wish to enjoy the outdoor setting of the patio, as well as to protect one specific tree, a Ginko Biloba as Jesus Torrealba, Westport Library's outstanding Building Maintenance & Facilities Coordinator determined, is apparently a preferred host for these destructive insects. Tasked with dealing with the patio pests, Torrealba has installed the device in the photo above which funnels the bugs into netting where their only destination is a large plastic bag, effectively trapping them inside. Mr. Torrealba used this device, above last year as well to at least make an attempt to mitigate the threat. Mr. Torrealba told WestportLocalPress that the quantity captured in the photo above of the plastic bag is the result of only a few days activity. Torrealba explained that the kit comes with replacement bags which can be swapped out when they become full, and then disposed of. The Riverwalk alongside the Levitt Pavilion is also inundated with the insects according to Mr. Torrealba, who does the walk regularly.
These pests have been observed feeding on economically important crops such as grapes, maples, and fruit trees, raising concerns among local farmers and homeowners. Efforts to control the spread include public awareness campaigns, the use of targeted insecticides, and the removal of the insects’ preferred host plant, Ailanthus, also known as Tree of Heaven This species is a fast-growing, invasive tree native to China. It was introduced to the United States in the late 1700s and has since become widespread, particularly in urban areas. Ailanthus is known for its ability to outcompete native plants, disrupt ecosystems, and damage infrastructure. Despite these measures, the spotted lanternfly continues to pose a significant threat to the region's agricultural health and natural ecosystems.
The above left photo shows the tree at the Westport Library with the insects climbing up toward the traps. The next two show eggs and masses attached to a tree, and removal from the from a post. Those two photos are from Lanternflies.org, an excellent source of information on the issue.
A clear environmental challenge of concern locally, the SLF as it has come to be known has a voracious appetite for plants and trees, posing a significant threat to both the environment and quality of life. This pest feeds on the sap of over 70 plant species using its specialized piercing-sucking mouthparts, showing a strong preference for economically valuable plants such as grapevines, maple trees, black walnut, birch, and willow. The damage caused by their feeding stresses the plants, potentially leading to declining health and even death. If left unchecked, the spotted lanternfly could inflict severe economic harm. A Penn State economic study estimating potential losses of at least $324 million annually in Pennsylvania alone. While Fairfield county has been heavily impacted, widespread infestations are more concentrated in certain areas. The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) notes that the bug has been detected in all Connecticut counties, but established populations are more prominent in Fairfield and New Haven counties.
A statement from Westport Tree warden Ben Sykas, when queried on the topic and town efforts to combat the threat posed by the pest, read, “As Tree Warden, my primary focus is public safety. Invasive plant species, including Ailanthus, can pose challenges to public infrastructure and local ecosystems. Decisions regarding specific plants or species are context-dependent and based conditions within my jurisdiction. When needed, guidance from the State or Federal resources is utilized.”
Homeowners should be aware of the need for battling this threat to protect their own trees and plant life.
Resources in addition to Lanternflies.org include UConn College of Agriculture, https://cahnr.uconn.edu/ and the CT State Website, Spotted Lanternfly in Connecticut
A simple, low cost method homeowners might want to utilize as opposed to commercial pesticides which many would rather avoid uses Dawn dish washing soap as shown on YouTube:
For those who might want to determine if they have Ailanthus, or Tree of Heaven on their property, visit Nature.org
Three Little Birds...
Well, they are not really so little. The much loved Bob Marley song which tells us "Don't Worry about a thing, 'Cause every little thing gonna be alright" came to mind when we took this photo of these three Cormorants.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com
Cormorants like these can often be spotted sitting on the large log which has sat in the middle of the Saugatuck, just north of the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen bridge for several years now. It is a frequent resting spot for these large, black birds with the orange spots on their faces. The Cormorant most common in North America is typically 27.6-35.4 inches long and weighs 42.3-88.2 ounces , with a wingspan of 44.9-48.4 inches.
There is a reason they are all sitting on the log with their wings open. They are not waterfowl, like ducks. Water just "rolls off a ducks back" as we all know. This occurs because of the physical structure of their feathers in additional to a special oil they secret which coats their feathers making them fairly waterproof. Cormorants on the other hand have feathers that absorb water, which helps them dive more easily by reducing buoyancy. This is why you often see them perched with their wings spread out, drying their feathers after a dive.
These three likely just finished several dives to feed. Cormorants are skilled at catching fish, using their long, hooked bills to snag prey and their webbed feet to maneuver underwater. Some species have even been trained by humans to help with fishing, says Quark Expeditions. When watching them in the water you will see them disappear as they dive and come up some distance from where they dove. Cormorants can stay underwater for up to 2 minutes while hunting for food, though most dives are shorter, typically around 30-70 seconds. Although not common they can actually dive to depths of 25 feet or more.
We borrowed this musical addition technique that we love from Dan Woog, 06880 blog. Always worth a listen, this song inspiration is often linked to Marley's appreciation for nature and the joy he found in the songs of small birds, which he saw as messengers of positivity.
Here are links to Bob Marley and The Wailers, Three Little Birds: Album Version
And also, here is the Official Music Video which has a wonderful animation sequence
You can learn more about the story of this much loved Marley song here: ‘Three Little Birds’: The Story Behind Bob Marley’s Slow-Burning Classic