Lincoln's Log

Normally by this time of July, sailors lament the doldrums afflicting the waters of western Long Island Sound.

But for reasons that are unclear to me, the heat wave has had a silver lining – the winds have been terrific for sailing. It’s been blowing 10-15 knots every afternoon for what seemed like weeks. Witness this sloop on a reach headed back to her mooring at Indian Harbor:

The bankers, hedgies and media mavens may sleep here, but it’s the Townies who run Greenwich.

They left no doubt about that when their overwrought, xenophobic mutterings prompted First Selectman Peter Tesei to snap to attention and order the local constabulary to weed out the outside agitators polluting the purity of our air. If left unchecked Greenwich would soon be a magnet to gangs, illegal immigrants and Communists. This is not San Francisco!

The last Republican first selectman who failed to heed those warnings – Lolly Prince – paid the ultimate price at the polls and lost – heavens! – to a Democrat! We will have none of that.

The result was an orderly – if almost deserted – Island Beach on Saturday. At least that was the view from the water. Here are the photos:

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I was walking along the beach today when I saw an unusual sight – massive party tents set up at Greenwich Point.

The inner reporter in me which is core to every vigilant blogger snooped around and found out it was the annual fund-raiser for the Greenwich Point Conservancy (nice group of people except when they start complaining about silly things like the outside ice machine at Old Greenwich Yacht Club). No one invited me, but it seemed like a nice event. Beautiful spot for a summer gala. I would have easily forked over the money to attend had I known – (tip to GPC: you still have last year’s press release on your site)

The goal this year is to raise money to renovate the “barn” at the beach which houses the science center. The plan is to move the science center to the recently renovated Innis Arden cottage – (none of this info is apparent on the OGC website btw).

There are about 38,000 beach passes in Greenwich. If everyone gave $10, it would help greatly toward achieving that goal. Greenwich Point is Greenwich’s biggest asset. Please give generously. Go to Greenwichpoint.org

The “barn”

The TV satellite trucks have already staked their positions in the parking lot in front of the Greenwich Boys and Girls Club on Horseneck Lane for tonight’s LaBron extravaganza.

This is one of Greenwich’s trophy charities if not its No. 1 charitable institution – certainly its most visible charity given its prominent location next to the Greenwich train station and Exit 3 off of I-95.

The first boys club was founded in Connecticut – Hartford in 1860 – and Greenwich started its club in 1910.

Feel free to make a donation.

Here is a plug for my friends who comprise the Jazz Mariners.

The jazz combo will be playing tonight June 26 from 10 to midnight at the Greenwich Tavern, formerly Palomino, formerly Boxing Cat Grill – across the street from the Mobil Express station on The Post Road near the Hyatt.

Jazz Mariners feature Jay Louden, keyboard, Lou Rupnik, tenor saxophone, John Ehlers, guitar, and Adam Shulman, double bass. They will be playing tunes you know.

Support live music in Greenwich.

The biological genus is limulidae – commonly known as horseshoe crab – which is arguably the ugliest living creature on the planet.

But their resistance to all kinds of biological threat is legendary, and their survival since pre-historic times is a puzzle to scientists.

For several months a year in New England, they breed along our shores. At this time of the year, you can spot them in abundance, such as this video along the shore near Old Greenwich Yacht Club will attest.

“The number you’re calling is no longer in service.” Imagine my horror at hearing the recording.

Friday nights have been pizza nights at our house ever since Beyond Bread on Sound Beach Avenue began offering the thin-crust pies several years ago. At first I thought the bakery had lost its phone line. It was March 14 and the winds were at full gale.

Only later did I receive the news that Harvey and Michelle Edwards, the proprietors of Beyond Bread – the French bakery – had finally decided to call it quits.

I remember our realtor taking us around Greenwich 10 years ago when we were contemplating moving here. She took us to Greenwich Point, showed us the Avenue and pointed out that the bakery in OG was top-notch. That a bakery was on her list of top attractions in Greenwich was testament to the quality of the goods proffered at the simple unadorned store across the street from the CVS.

I remember one summer night about six years ago when Michelle invited my son and some of his friends to give an impromptu concert in front of the bakery with their guitars. It wasn’t long before the officious manager of Beach House Cafe next door called the cops and put a quick end to the music. I have not gone back to the Beach House since. But I went to Beyond Bread often, as did many OG residents.

Old Greenwich seems to have at least two of everything: cleaners, barbershops, gas stations, boutiques, wine stores, opticians, even martial arts instructors. But we only had one fabulous bakery. And now, we are without Beyond Bread, and our lives are poorer for it.