Here’s the video of Niki telling about how she made the sculpture and the process involved in getting it to the park!
The program:
☙ Opening remarks – Jen Tooker First Selectwoman
☙ Comments about the sculpture project – Nancy Diamond co-chair WAAC
☙ Introducing Niki Ketchman – Nancy Diamond
☙ A few words from the artist – Niki Ketchman
☙ Closing with a poem from our poet laureate – Kathie Bennewitz to read the poem.
Here’s how the sculpture got to Westport’s Pasacreta Park along Riverside Avenue.
We prepared Passage for pick up from our home in Westport and enjoyed nice weather for the transport. But we endured a cold, steady rain along the river to install Passage. There is a cement slab below ground level to which the solid base of Passage is attached, so the sculpture is well-secured beneath the surface but appears to be standing on the ground. You can see the process in action in the clips below.
I’m so excited for my mom! To learn more about her work, visit NikiKetchman.com
Are you yearning to infuse your living space with the elegance and vibrancy of fine art? Imagine the walls of your home adorned with captivating 12″ by 12″ canvases with abstract designs, each piece a doorway to a unique realm of creativity and emotion. Abstract art holds a captivating allure, inviting every observer to interpret and embrace its beauty in their own way.
The power of art lies not just in its visual appeal but in the emotions and stories it evokes. Picture these stunning canvases adorning various rooms, effortlessly mingling to create an ambiance that reflects your individuality and taste. These works, crafted by a talented local artist from the Greater New York area, bring a touch of sophistication and character to any space they inhabit.
Whether it’s a burst of color that speaks to your soul or the enigmatic allure of abstract shapes, these 12″ by 12″ masterpieces offer a canvas for your imagination. The beauty of abstract art is its ability to resonate differently with each beholder, becoming a personal journey through creativity and self-expression.
To explore further and discover the full range of possibilities, visit NikiKetchman.com. There, you’ll find an exquisite collection of these captivating artworks, ready to transform your space into a gallery of personal inspiration.
Indulge in the beauty of artistic expression and let these mesmerizing canvases breathe life into your home. Unleash your creativity and curate a space that not only houses art but becomes a canvas for your soul’s expression. After all, your space is an extension of yourself—let it speak volumes with the language of art.
Another idea, now that the holiday season is quickly approaching, is to give fine art as a gift of love!
Here is some more inspiration.
For more information about this art and artist, Niki Ketchman, or how to find a home to go with it, reach out below! ✨ 🏡 💫
Welcome to a sneak peek behind the scenes of a truly remarkable restoration project in the heart of Downtown Rowayton, Connecticut. At 6 Crockett Street, a majestic antique Victorian home is undergoing a meticulous restoration process, breathing new life into its authentic antique windows and preserving the charm of a bygone era.
Behind the Restoration
Restoring a historic home is no small feat; it’s an art that requires passion, dedication, and the skilled hands of experts. At 6 Crockett Street, the team at R. J. Aley Building Contractors, based in Westport, is weaving their magic to bring this antique gem back to life. One of their best practices is to gently steam the windows to preserve the original glass and remove the old paint instead of chipping and sanding. This prevents lead dust and particles from getting into the air and onto the ground. Their commitment to preserving the home’s historic character while incorporating modern amenities is truly commendable.
The Windows That Tell a Story
One of the most captivating features of this Victorian beauty is its stunning antique windows. Each pane of glass, every piece of intricate woodwork, tells a story of a time when craftsmanship was revered. The restoration process involves a delicate touch, a keen eye for detail, and a deep appreciation for the heritage of this home. Witnessing the transformation of these windows is like stepping back in time.
Why 6 Crockett Street Is Special
A Prime Location: Situated in Downtown Rowayton, 6 Crockett Street offers the perfect blend of convenience and tranquility. You’re just steps away from local shops, cafes, and the scenic waterfront.
Historical Significance: This antique Victorian home is a piece of living history. It’s a testament to the architectural beauty of a bygone era.
Modern Comforts: While preserving its historical charm, the restoration project also ensures that this home is equipped with all the modern amenities you’d expect, making it a comfortable and stylish place to call home.
How to See It for Yourself
If you’re captivated by the idea of owning a piece of history and experiencing the beauty of this antique Victorian home firsthand, we invite you to get in touch. You can DM us here or call us at 203-912-4440 to schedule a showing. This is a unique opportunity to own a piece of Rowayton’s history.
To Sum it Up
The restoration of 6 Crockett Street in Rowayton, CT, is a testament to the love and dedication that goes into preserving our architectural heritage. We thank R. J. Aley Building Contractors for their exceptional work in bringing this antique Victorian home back to life. Don’t miss the chance to make this historic beauty your own – contact us today to arrange a viewing!
Yes, definitely reach for the hot chocolate! But first make sure you are proactive about protecting your pipes, especially those that are most vulnerable to freezing. Think about your exterior pipes, pool plumbing and any uninsulated pipes.
Our regional insurance expert, Robert Reade of William Raveis Insurance just sent out the important bulletin below that I wanted to share it with you, especially if this is the first winter you are in a new home or have a new pool.
Good Afternoon, With the temps dropping here in CT this weekend to -35 degrees with the wind chill in some areas I thought it would be good to send a reminder on how to prevent frozen pipes.
Homeowners everywhere in the Northeast need to consider the risks of frozen pipes in their homes. Water damage and freezing claims were the second-most frequent type of claims filed in the United States between 2016 and 2020.
Water damage and freezing claims were the second-most frequent type of claims filed in the United States between 2016 and 2020.
Homeowners who file these claims lose an average of $11,650. About one in 62 insured homes make a claim related to water damage or freezing each year.
Though these are troubling statistics, you can avoid frozen pipes and water damage claims by learning how pipes freeze, taking preventative action, and investing in some tools.
You can avoid frozen pipes and water damage claims by learning how pipes freeze, taking preventative action, and investing in some tools.
No matter where you live, these four types of pipes tend to be the most vulnerable to freezing:
Uninsulated pipes
Pipes on the exterior of the home
Pipes located in attics, garages, basements, crawl spaces, or other uninsulated areas
Copper or galvanized steel pipes
There are other areas in homes that are susceptible to freezing, as well. The connectors and hoses on washing machines, dishwashers, and water heaters are vulnerable to freezing as they can become brittle and break. Sinks and showers also pose potential hazards.
Outside, spigots, sprinkler systems, and swimming pool lines might not be as well insulated as indoor plumbing and could be the first points to collapse during a hard freeze.
How to prepare your pipes for colder weather:
Drain, remove, and store outdoor hoses to keep them from becoming fragile or tripping hazards after a snowfall or freeze. Also, drain water from outdoor lines, such as those connected to swimming pools and sprinklers.
Open outdoor hose spigots but close the inside valves that supply them with water.
This process causes the water to drain and—in the event of a freeze—expand without bursting a pipe.
If you go on an extended vacation, turn off the water to the home and open all the faucets to drain any water remaining in the pipes.
Insulate water supply lines and pipes in the garage, basement, attic, and other unheated areas with foam, heating cables, or pipe sleeves. Do the same for pipes under kitchen and bathroom sinks.
Make sure your home is enclosed and insulated.
Find and seal any cracks, drafts, and holes in the home’s exterior. Even small openings can welcome cold air inside, which impacts pipes and heating bills.
Enclose crawlspaces and insulate the attic. The added layer of insulation keeps warm air in and cold weather out.
Close the garage door to keep heat inside, especially if it closets water supply lines, the water heater, or a washing machine.
Keep the thermostat at a consistent setting—no lower than 60º Fahrenheit—during the day, night, and when you’re on vacation.
You might see a higher utility bill, but it’s cheaper than water damage costs.
Open the cabinet doors when temperatures fall below 32º Fahrenheit.
Opening cabinets allows warm air to circulate around kitchen and bathroom plumbing.
Let hot and cold water trickle through your pipes during frigid nights to help prevent them from freezing.
Find a local plumber. In the worst-case scenario, you should have the number of a trusted plumbing professional on hand.
There are products out there to help prevent frozen pipes and protect pipes against bursting. The Resideo Wi-Fi Leak & Freeze Detector can be purchased on Amazon for only $80. It can sense your homes moisture, temperature and humidity changes. It’s an early warning system when weather changes and pipes are in danger of freezing. There are many other products out there that can help aid in preventing substantial damage from burst pipes, such as pipe heating cables for vulnerable pipes, insulated pipe tape, outdoor faucet/spigot covers, just to name a few.
If the pipes freeze, it’s tempting to head to the nearest hotel for some running water, but don’t be hasty. Follow these steps to keep a freeze from becoming a disaster:
Shut off the main water valve.
Call a plumber if the frozen pipe is in an area you can’t reach—like underground or in an interior wall.
Use warm air to help thaw the pipes if you can access the frozen pipe. You can use a hair dryer, heat tape, or a quality space heater, but don’t leave it unattended—they can catch on fire.
Slowly turn the water back on, watching for leaks. You may need someone to assist you with this step.
Repeat steps three and four if the water doesn’t resume flowing immediately.
If a pipe bursts before you can thaw it, immediately shut off your water to prevent a flood. Mop up any mess you can reach and contact a plumber. Once the plumber assesses the damage, get started on an insurance claim.
Be safe and stay warm! Let me know if you have any questions, 860-690-5052.
During a recent meeting of the Greater Fairfield Board of Realtors, a panel of town officials from several departments presented updates and information for discussion among the group. I was struck by the new Conservation Director’s announcement that the volume of inland wetland violations has skyrocketed recently with all the new homeowners moving into town and being unaware about the presence and importance of wetlands. He asked if we could help him get the word out to people.
So (on an unseasonably hot day in November!) I met with Fairfield’s new Conservation Director, Tim Bishop over coffee to talk about how I can help homeowners in town learn how to protect our precious wetlands. Tim is an expert environmentalist with almost two decades of experience. He is an excellent resource for our town and truly wants to collaborate with homeowners to help them get their home improvements done while protecting our fragile natural resource, the inland wetland areas.
When meeting with Tim, I learned that most people are not aware of the importance of protecting wetlands. I learned that protecting our inland wetlands is critical to controlling flooding and stormwater run-off, maintaining our water quality, and preserving natural ecosystems that need still (vs. flowing) water to breed and live. Healthy wetland areas hold onto water which allows a natural cleaning process to occur and provides the environment necessary for wildlife survival, while controlling flooding.
People don’t realize that their actions could be permanently destroying this critical natural resource, and they don’t realize that what they do in their yard impacts other people. So I assembled the information below to address the key issues and also put it in a handout for people to use and share.
HOW DO I KNOW IF MY PROPERTY IS REGULATED?
Call the Conservation Department. Ask your REALTOR® to check your deed.
Your property may have a water course, wetland soils, a buffer zone from adjacent wetlands, or a conservation easement to preserve another fragile natural resource.
Your property may have wetlands and be regulated even if it appears to be dry. Regulated activities include any “digging” (even 1 inch down) and “dumping” (depositing any material in wetland areas)
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF ACTIVITY ON MY PROPERTY IS REGULATED?
Call the Conservation Department to learn what impact your future plan would have on the environment and how it can be done safely. They will tell you if your project needs a “staff level permit”, a “commission level permit”, or no permit at all.
Be sure to come in for a Concept Review before submitting a permit application online! After your Concept Review, you can submit your online permit application.
WHAT’S IN IT FOR ME?! Water Quality: Healthy wetlands hold onto water & enable a natural cleansing process for clean water. Flood Control: Healthy wetlands control flooding & prevent storm run-off.
Ecosystems: Healthy wetlands hold onto water that is critical to wildlife’s ability to breed & survive. Prevent Permanent Loss: Once a natural wetland area is damaged or destroyed, it can never be restored to its original natural integrity. Prevent Violations: Conservation violations are costly to the department, to you, and to the environment.
Resource to Help You: The Conservation Department is led by expert director, Tim Bishop who is here to help you plan your project and protect our inland wetlands.
Just Give Them a Call!
CALL BEFORE YOU START. Learn whether your property is regulated, what you can do, and where you can do it.
Tim Bishop, NEW Conservation Director 203-256-3071
FAQS:
Q. I’ve heard horror stories about getting Conservation involved in any projects. Why should I jump through hoops and pay the town extra money?!
A. Good news! There is a NEW director of conservation and new staff, all of whom are experts at protecting the inland wetland environments. They want to collaborate with Fairfield residents to ensure we can all enjoy the benefits of preserving healthy wetlands. They are very reasonable and are streamlining pricing, guidelines, and the way they work with homeowners. They truly want to connect with you to help you get your project done in a way that is safe for the environment and protects it for generations to come.
Q. Why would activity on my property be regulated by the Conservation department?
A. There are three possible conditions: 1) There are watercourses or wetland soils on your property. 2) There are wetlands or wetland soils on a nearby property with a protective buffer zone extending onto your property. 3) There is a conservation easement on your property deed (I.e. to protect a meadow). If any of these conditions exist, activity on your property is regulated by Conservation. This does not mean you will always need a permit or that you can’t implement your plans. It means that the experts in the department need to work with you on a plan that is safe for the environment.
Q. Why does conservation regulate my land?
A. The department only regulates activity that has an impact on the environment in regulated areas. It does not regulate your land. What you do in your yard impacts other people and the environment.
Q. What activities are regulated?
A. Any activity that involves digging (even an inch down) and dumping (depositing material in a wetland area) that disturbs wetlands. Some examples are: Installing pools, fences, patios, generators, sprinklers, koi ponds, dumping branches, brush, animal waste, etc.
Q. Can I plant stuff?
A. Check with conservation first if you have a regulated property to learn which species are native vs invasive. A permit will be needed for anything requiring trucks or heavy equipment, but manually planting native species might not even need a
Q. How long will it take to get a permit?
A. There are two types of permits, the CWC (Certificate of Wetland Conformance), and IWP (Inland Wetland Permit). CWC is a “staff level” permit which takes 1 to 1.5 months. It includes a 15-day waiting period for the public to weigh in on the applicant’s posting in the newspaper regarding their proposed activity. The template for the post is provided by conservation.
IWP is a ”commission level” permit which takes 3 to 4 months. The inland wetland commission is a self-managed group that adheres to regulations from the state. They meet monthly. Some projects may need discussion in more than one meeting.
Q. How much will it cost me to get conservation involved?
A. The new director, Tim Bishop is in the process of revamping the fees to make them much more cost effective. There will be a simple menu of activities, each with a very reasonable associated fee.
Q. How can I stay informed about inland wetland information?
A. Tim posts new information each month on the department homepage at Fairfieldct.org/conservation. But you can always call and ask your questions directly. Tim says, “Just give us a call!” Of course you can also stop in during office hours and visit the wetlands map.
If you are thinking of buying and/or selling a property and have questions, you can reach out to me below.
What’s going on in our local Connecticut housing markets as 2022 comes to a close? What’s UP, what’s DOWN? Join me in following this weekly update of what happens in Fairfield and Westport, and you will know first hand!
FAIRFIELD Single-Family
Nov 28 – Dec 4
Dec 5 – 11
Dec 12 – 18
Dec 19 – 25
Dec 26 – Jan 2
NEW
6
REDUCED
2
ACCEPTED OFFERS
3
SOLD
17
AVG % OF ASK
99%
YTD MEDIAN SALE PRICE
$820,000
WESTPORT Single-Family
Nov 28 – Dec 4
Dec 5 – 11
Dec 12 – 18
Dec 19 – 25
Dec 26 – Jan 2
NEW
5
REDUCED
6
ACCEPTED OFFERS
2
SOLD
7
AVG % OF ASK
98%
YTD MEDIAN SALE PRICE
$2,011,000
Source: SmartMLS
DID YOU KNOW that people move all year long and in every market?
Last year in November and December of 2021, 195 people successfully bought or sold a single-family home in Fairfield and Westport, and in 2019 there were 159 single-family sales during these two months. So you shouldn’t feel like you have to wait around for spring if you want to be in your ideal home now.
The best time to sell is when the timing matches your life goals. You can absolutely do it any time of year and in any market!
If you’re feeling concerned about the market conditions but wish you could move on to the home that truly matches your needs and lifestyle, reach out to me now, and let’s have a conversation.
What’s really going on in our local Connecticut housing markets? Does it all boil down to supply and demand? Join me in following this weekly update of what happens in Fairfield and Westport, and you will know first hand! (Click each image below to view a quick Reel on Instagram.)
FAIRFIELD Single-Family
Oct 17 – 23
Oct 24 – 30
Oct 31 – Nov 6
Nov 7 – 13
Nov 14 – 20
Nov 21 – 27
NEW
14
14
8
8
8
1
REDUCED
11
12
7
11
7
2
ACCEPTED OFFERS
11
11
9
9
6
12
SOLD
22
9
13
6
9
9
AVG % OF ASK
98%
97%
98%
97%
98%
97%
YTD MEDIAN SALE PRICE
$810,000
$810,000
$820,000
$817,000
$815,000
$815,000
WESTPORT Single-Family
Oct 17 – 23
Oct 24 – 30
Oct 31 – Nov 6
Nov 7 – 13
Nov 14 – 20
Nov 21 – 27
NEW
8
9
15
6
5
1
REDUCED
4
5
3
5
4
1
ACCEPTED OFFERS
4
6
4
2
7
2
SOLD
3
5
8
1
6
4
AVG % OF ASK
98%
94%
96%
95%
98%
99%
YTD MEDIAN SALE PRICE
$2,050,000
$2,032,500
$2,050,000
$2,050,000
$2,050,000
$2,015,000
Source: SmartMLS
Nov 28: No one made a move in the middle of Thanksgiving and Black Friday, right? Actually they did! 27 happy parties made a big move with 14 accepted offers and 13 sold homes last week! Sale prices averaged 97% in Fairfield and 99% in Westport, so homes are selling close to asking price. Take a look at my quick video update.
Nov 21: Nothing happening the week before Thanksgiving, right..?
Observations: There was actually an UPTICK in accepted offers last week! The median sale price has been pretty steady in both towns in the last five weeks. It’s actually UP a bit in Fairfield from five weeks ago. Sale prices have been averaging 98% of asking, which is what we typically see in strong markets. New listings have been trickling in though.
So my takeaway is that we need more new listings!
DID YOU KNOW that people move all year long?
Last year, in November and December 2021, 195 people successfully bought or sold a single-family home in Fairfield and Westport, and in 2019 there were 159 single-family sales. So you shouldn’t feel like you have to wait around for spring if you want to be in your ideal home now.
The best time to sell is when the timing matches your life goals. You can absolutely do it any time of year and in any market!
If you’re feeling concerned about the market conditions but wish you could move on to the home that truly matches your needs and lifestyle, reach out to me now, and let’s have a conversation.
Oct 13: Observations: The biggest things that jump out at me right now are the price reductions and the ratio of the sale price to the asking price.
We saw ZERO price reductions for quite some time, but in the last four weeks we saw some. I still think these happened when sellers priced too optimistically versus pricing conservatively with comparable sales in the current market.
At the height of the frenzy, the sale/list ratio ran between 103% to 105%. In the last four weeks this ratio moved to the 95%-97% range which is closer to what we see in a more balanced market. Buyers had some opportunity to negotiate again in some cases. However, keep in mind there were still multiple offers and sales at and above the asking price as well.
The median sale price has been fairly consistent in both towns over the last four weeks.
Good news in our local housing markets: Fresh New Listings to Choose From!
17 homes 🏡 Sold last week in Fairfield and Westport! There are 207 Available listings, 65 of which are New (less than 14 days old), plus 10 more are Coming Soon 🏃♀️, offering the opportunity for more people to find a new dream home 🎉!
You are invited to partner with Near & Far Aid as we celebrate our 26th Gala on May 6, 2022(TONIGHT!) at Mitchells of Westport. The annual Gala is our largest fundraising event and attracts wide-ranging support from many stake holders in our community Your support through auction purchasing makes it possible for us to fundraise with outstanding results. Merchants, both near and far, have played a critical role by donating to our auction which has a reputation for offering a well-curated catalog of highly desirable experiences and impossible to get items.
Last night, volunteers came together again to help with the auction set-up while professional teams worked to creatively transform our local Mitchells store into a glorious Gala setting on the French Riviera for the guests tonight. Here is a glimpse behind the scenes.
Near and Far Aid is an all-volunteer fundraising and fund-granting organization dedicated to eliminating the causes and effects of poverty in Fairfield County, Connecticut. We accomplish our mission by finding and funding programs that provide life’s most basic necessities, as well as those that seek to achieve lasting change. Our history of funding spans 68 years and since the year 2000 we have granted more than $19 million to community programs that work to support and create opportunities for underserved individuals and families in our community. For more information on the work we do and our events, please visit www.NEARANDFARAID.org.
Near and Far Aid is grateful for your participation in their efforts and are proud to partner with you to target poverty and change lives in Fairfield County.
Warmest Regards,
Linda Raymond, Volunteer
Near & Far Aid is a registered 501c(3) non-profit organization, Federal Tax ID #23-7036523.
Please send a note below or call me if you have questions or would like to contribute.
Good news in our local housing markets! The spring market is in full bloom!
34 homes 🏡 Sold last week in Fairfield and Westport! There are 205 Available listings, 97 of which are New (less than 14 days old), plus 12 more are Coming Soon 🏃♀️, offering the opportunity for more people to find a new dream home 🎉!
NOTE, THERE WERE TWICE AS MANY NEW LISTINGS LAST WEEK THAN THE WEEK BEFORE! 👍🏻
Linda Raymond Real Estate Blog, Fairfield, Westport & More 