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Monday, February 08, 2010

Don’t forget Valentine’s Day is Sunday and what better way to profess your love than through WestportNow.

WestportNow this year will run a Valentine’s Day compilation of words and photos from its readers for you and your love (and everyone else) to read and cherish. Please submit 100 words or less per message (with photo, if desired) and WestportNow will include them in a special Valentine’s Day roundup.

Westport-themed stories and pictures are especially welcome. Tell us your Westport love story, your most romantic spot in Westport, or how Westport has been important in your love life. (Submissions are subject to editing for length.)

All entries should be sent to . They must be original and submission shall constitute your permission to publish words and pictures without restriction. Share your love!

Tuesday, February 09, 2010

The National Weather Service in Upton, N.Y. has issued a Winter Storm Warning for Westport and area which is in effect from midnight tonight to 6 a.m. Thursday.

Snow is expected to develop later tonight and may become heavy at times on Wednesday before slowly tapering off Wednesday night, an advisory said.  Snow accumulations of 8 to 13 inches are expected.

At this time the higher amounts are expected across the New York City metropolitan area and Long Island, the advisory said.

As the storm intensifies, east to northeast winds will become strong and gusty during the day on Wednesday, and these winds continue Wednesday night. 

More "Winter Storm Warning Issued"

8:30 a.m. – Town Hall Room 201 – Human Services Commission
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Westport Arts Center - “The Judge: Jazz Photographs by Musician Milt Hinton”
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Westport Historical Society - “Westport Modern: When Cool Was Hot!”
11 a.m. – Town Hall Room 201 – Zoning Citation Hearing
6:30 p.m. – Town Hall Room 201 – Historic District Commission Work Session
7 p.m. - 9 p.m. - Westport Public Library - Simpsons Night@the Library
7 p.m. – Town Hall Room 201 – Historic District Commission Public Hearing
7 p.m. – Town Hall Room 309 – RTM Finance Committee
7:30 p.m. – Town Hall Room 102 – Architectural Review Board
8 p.m. – Auditorium – Zoning Board of Appeals (live coverage cable channel 79 and westportct.gov)

See more events:  Celebrate Westport Calendar

Monday, February 08, 2010

The Westport Board of Education tonight approved its 2010-2011 budget of $96. 5 million, a 2.13 percent increase over the current year.

The adopted budget was less than the 2.9 percent increase requested last month by Schools Superintendent Elliott Landon.

The Board of Finance, which had urged the educators to come in with a flat budget, will consider the education budget along with the municipal budget in April.

The education budget was pared by saving money on a bus contract, economizing on fuel costs, and cutting back on supplies.

Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced she is assembling a panel of state agencies--to be chaired by Westporter Alan H. Nevas a retired Senior U.S. District Judge--to identify the cause and origin of the Kleen Energy power plant explosion in Middletown on Sunday that killed five and injured 12.

Alan H. Nevas: will seek explosion cause. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com

The investigation will include including any potential contributing factors such as construction problems, worker safety issues and licensing or permitting matters.

Nevas retired in January 2009 after 23 years on the bench. (See WestportNow Jan. 30, 2009)

Rell said she is forming a second group of state agencies, local officials and subject-matter experts to review the disaster and the findings of the Nevas-led panel and other investigations.

More "Rell Names Westporter to Lead Plant Explosion Probe"

Effective Tuesday and continuing until March 5, Westport police have again extended daily parking at the Metro-North Railroad New Haven Line Westport station.

An announcement said the expanded daily parking is due to lower usage of permit spots which police attributed to the weakened economy.

Under the expanded parking, the permit parking area located in the center of Lot 8 on Saugatuck Avenue near Exit 17 will once again be open for additional daily parking, the announcement said.

In addition, the western end of Lot 4, also off Saugatuck Avenue and south of the railroad tracks, will be open to daily parking. Daily parkers will receive a $4 daily fee envelope.

More "Saugatuck Railroad Parking Extended Again"

The National Weather Service in Upton, N.Y. has issued a Winter Storm Watch for Westport and area from Tuesday evening through late Wednesday night.

Snow is expected to overspread the region starting late Tuesday evening, an advisory said. The snow may become heavy at times on Wednesday before slowly tapering off Wednesday night.

The potential for 6 to 12 inches of snow accumulation exists, the advisory said. At this time the higher amounts are expected across the New York City metropolitan area and Long Island.

As the storm intensifies, east to northeast winds will become strong and gusty during the day on Wednesday with gusts up to 45 mph possible especially in coastal sections, the advisory said.

More "Winter Storm Watch Issued"

The Westport Police Department today identified the 18-year-old assaulted and left in critical condition early Sunday after an underage drinking party in Westport as David Keith of Fairfield, a freshman at Fairfield University.
The house at 80 Hillspoint Road where Westport police said a party took place Saturday night with underage drinking. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Lt. Vincent Penna, commander of the Detective Bureau, expressed frustration that with an estimated 100 persons attending the party Saturday night at 80 Hillspoint Road no one has come forward with relevant information about the assault.

“I find it inconceivable that almost 100 people attended this party and that more people are not forthcoming with information regarding this serious assault of a fellow student,” he said in a statement.

Penna said Keith‘s condition “continues to improve, however he is still located in the intensive care unit of Norwalk Hospital.”

More "Westport Police ID Assault Victim"

Westport artist and illustrator Elaine Clayton watched the recent rough waters of Long Island Sound from the Compo Beach Pavilion. See more of her work at illuminara.com. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Elaine Clayton for WestportNow.com

Congressman Jim Himes got a briefing from Westport Fire Department officials today on emergency preparedness in Westport and the region. Westport houses the Mid-Fairfield County Hazardous Materials Unit and Communications Truck and recently received a $265,000 federal grant arranged by Himes for a new headquarters generator. Pictured (l-r) are Selectman Shelly Kassen, Himes, Fire Chief Christopher Ackley, First Selectman Gordon F. Joseloff, Deputy Chief Jonathan Gottfried, and Assistant Chief Andrew Kingsbury. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Congressman Jim Himes (r) gets a briefing from Westport Deputy Fire Chief Jonathan Gottfried today in the Emergency Operations Center at Westport Fire Headquarters. Himes, a member of the Homeland Security Committee, visited the Department to check on the $265,000 federal grant he obtained to replace the aging headquarters generator. (See WestportNow Oct. 21, 2009) With him are Assistant Chief Andrew Kingsbury and First Selectman Gordon F. Joseloff. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Westport’s Homes with Hope announced today that the agency has selected Jeffrey N. Wieser of Westport to be president/CEO of the Interfaith Housing Association dba Homes with Hope.
Jeffrey N. Wieser:  Succeeds Peter Powell. Contributed photo

Wieser, 57, will assume his responsibilities in late March, taking over from the recently retired Peter R. Powell who had led Homes with Hope for the last 22 years. 

Cathy Cohen, who has served as interim executive director of Homes with Hope since mid-January, will continue in that capacity until late March.

Wieser, a member of Westport’s Representative Town Meeting (RTM), has a long association with Homes with Hope having served on the board in 1989-1990 and from 1995 until last month. He was board chair from 1998-2002. 

More "Homes with Hope/IHA Names Jeff Wieser New President"

Westport firefighters said today that discarded fireplace ashes are the suspected cause of an early morning fire on April Drive off of Wilton Road. Flames destroyed an outdoor shed and damaged the rear of the home. There were no injuries. Officials said precise cause of the blaze is under investigation. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Westport firefighters check for extension of a fire which destroyed an outdoor shed and damaged the rear of a home at about 6 a.m. today on April Drive off of Wilton Road. Assistant Chief Larry Conklin said discarded fireplace ashes were the suspected cause. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

UPDATE An outdoor fire apparently caused by discarded fireplace ashes erupted early today at the rear of a home on Westport’s April Drive, destroying a storage shed and causing damage to the home’s exterior.

A melted electric meter and charred exterior attest to the intensity of the fire early today on April Drive. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Westport firefighters quickly extinguished the blaze but not before it tore through the shed, melted an electric meter at the rear of the home, and charred portions of a wall, according to witnesses.

Assistant Fire Chief Larry Conklin said the owner discarded fireplace ashes around 4:30 a.m. onto the ground outside of the house. An hour or so later the house dog was barking awakening the residents and those inside smelled burning. 

Conklin said the ashes apparently fired up the leaves which initiated the shed fire which spread to the exterior of the house.

More "Outdoor Fire Threatens Westport Home"

Westport police today were investigating a break-in at a Post Road East liquor store.

Police responding to the Greens Farms Spirit Shop at 1250 Post Road East found someone had smashed a hole in a front door.

Detectives were attempting to determine what, if anything, was taken.

By Jim Cameron
Special to WestportNow

There’s been a lot of media hype and political hoopla of late about Connecticut receiving $40 million from the feds for “high speed rail.” While any money spent on rail is great, let’s take a reality check.

That federal money (combined with $26 million from the state) is merely a small down payment on an $880 million, five-year plan to bring just commuter rail service to the New Haven – Springfield corridor.

That first money will be spent adding a second track on a 10-mile stretch of existing rail between New Britain and Newington. That’s a good start, but the rest of the project is far from a sure thing. And it sure ain’t “high speed rail.”

Media reports that we’ll soon have 110 mph rail service to our capital are folly because they assume our cash-strapped state will continue funding the other 90-plus percent of the project.

More "Talking Transportation: High Speed Rail--Really?"

Harpist Bridget Kibbey (l) and flutist Claire Chase entertained an audience of more than 100 persons Sunday at the Westport Arts Center. The varied program included solo performances by both artists as well as selections that displayed their combined talents with music that ranged from Bach to Piazzoll. Perceptive program notes and comments by WAC Curator for Chamber Music Russell Platt added to the audience’s enjoyment of an afternoon of music. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untermeyerfor WestportNow.com

9 a.m. – Town Hall Room 201 – Board of Finance Audit Subcommittee
9 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. - Westport/Weston Health District - Wellness Clinic, adults and children
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Westport Historical Society - “Westport Modern: When Cool Was Hot!”
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Westport Arts Center - “The Judge: Jazz Photographs by Musician Milt Hinton”
Noon - Westport Public Library - Authors@the Library: Susan Abulhawa, “Mornings in Jenin”
7 p.m. – 5 Canal Street Community Room – Westport Housing Authority Board
7:30 p.m. - Westport Public Library - Connecticut’s Achievement Gap & Race to the Top, Alex Johnston
7:30 p.m. – Town Hall Room 201 – Parks & Recreation Commission
7:30 p.m. – Staples Cafeteria B – Board of Education

See more events:  Celebrate Westport Calendar

Sunday, February 07, 2010

By Jacqueline Rabe
www.ctmirror.org

Towns across the state are required by law to spend thousands of taxpayer dollars to print notices in local newspapers to inform the public of government happenings – a mandate Gov. M. Jodi Rell is calling on the legislature to throw out.

But at a time when they are already struggling to stay afloat, newspapers say the loss of legal advertising revenue could be a fatal blow.

“There’s no question some newspapers would go out of business,” said Jim Leahy, executive director of Connecticut Daily Newspapers Association.

Rell’s proposal to allow municipalities to use Web sites instead of newspapers to publish legal ads is part of a package to reduce “unfunded mandates” on Connecticut’s 169 cities and towns.

More "Newspapers Oppose Plan to Put Legal Ads On-line"

More than 100 persons turned out today at the Westport Arts Center for a concert by two engaging young musicians, the harpist Bridget Kibbey and the flutist Claire Chase—both winners of the prestigious Concert Artists Guild International Competition. They offered solo and duo works by Bach, Britten, Paganini, Takemitsu, Piazzolla, and Elliott Carter. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

The Fairfield County chapter of The Embroiders’ Guild of America, Inc. celebrated National Embroidery Month today in the Great Hall of the Westport Public Library today. Westporter Diane Zaslow (l) and Westonite Jane Gordon displayed some of the finished embroidery pieces. The group meets the fourth Monday of the month at 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m for classes, and the second and fourth Friday of every month for work study – both in the library’s seminar room. The president of the group, Valerie Erichs, said visitors and new members are welcome. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com

UPDATE Westport police today said they were seeking one or more assailants after an 18-year-old Fairfield University student was found unconscious in a driveway of a home on Hillspoint Road after an underage drinking party that attracted more than 100 persons.

According to police news release, at 12:51 a.m. a Westport patrol officer was flagged down by a resident of 76 Hillspoint Road who directed the officer to an unconscious 18-year-old male located in the driveway suffering from facial and head trauma.

The male, later identified as David Keith of Fairfield, was treated at the scene by Westport EMS and transported to Norwalk Hospital where he was reported in critical condition in the Intensive Care Unit.

Subsequent investigation linked Keith to an underage drinking party which was located at 80 Hillspoint Road, police said.

More "Police Seek Assailants in Assault on 18-year-old"

Joe Mioli on the campaign trail. Lynn U. Miller WN photoState Representative Joe Mioli said today he will not seek re-election in Connecticut’s 136th Assembly District.

Meanwhile, Stephen Rubin, a veteran member of the Representative Town Meeting (RTM) said he intends to form an exploratory committee to get on the ballot for the seat.

Mioli is a Democrat serving his third term. A popular former owner of Westport Pizzeria and native of Italy, he defeated his Republic rival, Nitzy Cohen, 65 to 35 percent in 2008.

Rubin is a registered Republican but was unclear whether he will seek that party’s nomination or possibly switch to the Democratic line.

More "Mioli Not to Seek Re-Election; Rubin to Seek 136th Seat"

Today’s Super Bowl Tailgate Party at the Westport Center for Senior Activities included a visit from stars of the Staples High School football team. Coach Mac DeVito (r), himself a Wrecker football luminary and star player at Temple University, introduced (l-r) Matt Kelly, senior running back; Brandon Pacilio, senior quarterback, and Devin Graber, senior defensive linesman. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com

Guests at today’s Super Bowl Tailgate Party at the Westport Center for Senior Activities were welcomed by (l-r) Sue Pfister, Jack Klinge, Fran Reynolds, Betty Lou Cummings, and Bill Meyer. The event was sponsored by the Friends of the Westport Center for Senior Activities which honored Reynolds with a Lifetime Achievement Award for her years of service to Westport’s Human Services Department. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com

Westport First Selectman Gordon F. Joseloff and former Selectman Betty Lou Cummings posed with cheerleaders from Staples High School at today’s Super Bowl Tailgate Party at the Westport Center for Senior Activities. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com

The PAL cheerleaders were at today’s Westport Center for Senior Activities Super Bowl party along with cheerleaders from Staples High School. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com

Staples cheerleaders performed today at the Westport Center for Senior Activities as it hosted a Super Bowl Tailgate Party. WestportNow.com video

Hot dogs from Oscar’s were a popular item at today’s Super Bowl Tailgate Party at the Westport Center for Senior Activities. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untemeyer for WestportNow.com

A pretty sunset Saturday as seen from Westport’s Compo Beach. While it felt and looked like snow much of the day, the mid-Atlantic storm stayed south of the Connecticut coastline. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com

11 a.m. - 1 p.m. - Staples Field House - Westport Parks & Rec Football Clinic (boys and girls, grades 6-8)
Noon - 4 p.m. - Westport Arts Center - “The Judge: Jazz Photographs by Musician Milt Hinton”
Noon and 5 p.m. - Seabury Center (45 Church Lane) - Center Stage Theatre Company: “Beauty and the Beast”
1 p.m. - 3 p.m. - Cedar Point Yacht Club (1 Bluff Point) - Summer Junior Sailing Program Open House (ages 8-17, membership not required)
1 p.m. - 5 p.m. - Westport Public Library - Embroidery Guild celebrates National Embroidery Month
1:10 p.m. - 4 p.m. - Westport Senior Center - Super Bowl Tailgate Party
2 p.m. - Westport Public Library - Music@the Library: Bennet Harris Acoustic Blues Trio
2 p.m. - Westport Community Theatre (Town Hall) - “Ice Glen”
3 p.m. - Music Theatre of Connecticut (246 Colonial Green) - “The Story of My Life”
4 p.m. - Westport Country Playhouse - Laura Ingalls Wilder
4 p.m. - Westport Arts Center - Bridget Kibbey and Claire Chase: works by Bach, Britten, Paganini, Takemitsu, Piazzolla, and Carter
4 p.m. - Steinway Piano Gallery (501 Post Road East) - Stamford Symphony violinist Liz Lim Dutton performs Bach, Prokofiev, and Sarasate

See more events:  Celebrate Westport Calendar

Saturday, February 06, 2010

At the Unitarian Church in Westport tonight more than 70 people came in from the cold to enjoy fresh homemade soup and a free screening of the movie “Fresh,” a film that celebrates the farmers, thinkers and business people across America who are helping create a sustainable food system. Frances Sink leads a discussion over dessert and coffee following the film. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Monique Bosch for WestportNow.com

While the mid-Atlantic states reeled under heavy snow, Westport’s Compo Beach today was cold and generally deserted with some rough surf. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com

The winners at today’s 11th annual Westport Public Library crossword puzzle contest posed with New York Times puzzle editor Will Shortz (2nd l). They are (l-r) first place winner Peter Rimkus, a software developer from Ashford, Conn., and runners-up Jan O’Sullivan and Alice Dutton, both Connecticut residents. After completing the assigned puzzles, the three winners each had to solve a final puzzle in an allotted time on a board on the stage while the other contestants followed along but were not scored. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com

PROPERTY TRANSFERS

Westport Property Transfers Jan. 19 - 22, 2010
MORE >>

ARTS & LEISURE

Westport Sketchbook: Rough Waters of Long Island Sound

Concert Crowd at Arts Center

BUSINESS

Comings and Goings: Paper Dolls Opens on Post Road West

Comings and Goings: Then Again Opens on Post Road East

COMMUNITY

Cub Scouts Visit Westport EMS

UJA Honors Two with Woman of Valor Awards

HEALTH & FITNESS

Restrictions Eased on H1N1 Flu Vaccinations

Seasonal Flu Clinic Scheduled for Dec. 17

EDUCATION

Board of Ed Approves 2.19 Percent Budget Increase

Staples Student Advances to Intel Science Finals

OBITUARIES

Benjamin F. Grywalski, 93

Constance B. Boylan, 92

POLITICS

Mioli Not to Seek Re-Election; Rubin to Seek 136th Seat

Key Piece of Rell’s Proposed Budget Already in Trouble

REAL ESTATE

Westport Property Transfers Jan. 19 - 22, 2010

WestportNow Teardown of the Day: 10 Broadview Road

SPORTS

Super Bowl Party Features Wrecker Footballers

Cheerleading at the Senior Center

SPECIAL REPORTS

Memorial Day 2009 photos
 
Green Talk: Growing the “Fresh” Movement
MORE >>

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Note: WestportNow Publisher Gordon F. Joseloff is also First Selectman of Westport