Everything on Sale

Westport's Gap store had the big sale signs out, as did most Main Street retailers today. WestportNow.com photo

Martha Stewart Trial Date Delayed

The Jan. 12 trial date for Westport’s Martha Stewart has been delayed until at least until the third week in January, according to a court schedule for the proceeding.

Potential jurors in the criminal trial of Stewart, who is accused of obstructing justice and securities fraud, will be asked to complete a questionnaire about the case on Jan. 6, Bloomberg News reported.

In an order issued on Dec. 4 but just disclosed, U.S. District Judge Miriam Cedarbaum said potential jurors who are summoned to the courthouse in New York that day will receive a questionnaire asking them about their biases and other issues.

The questionnaire, which is not publicly available, is designed to weed out unsuitable jurors.

Copies of the completed questionnaire will be given to Stewart's lawyers and prosecutors on Jan. 7, Cedarbaum said. Both sides will have until Jan. 12 to identify potential jurors who should be excluded.

On Jan. 20, Cedarbaum will hold a hearing to question other potential jurors further and Stewart is expected to first appear in court on that day. The judge has said she expects opening statements to begin about two days later.

Earlier, the court had indicated the trial would begin Jan. 12.

Westport Students Learn Through Holiday Giving

This year’s holiday season provided ample opportunity for Westport students to learn about the spirit of giving.

They raised money for gifts, donated toys and food to the needy, and played Santa to dozens of youngsters who had written to the North Pole via the Bridgeport Post Office.

Westport Schools Asst. Supt. Joyce Losen provided a rundown of some of the giving activities.

At Long Lots Elementary School, students and the PTA raised $13,000 to buy presents for more than 100 adults and children in 29 families. The gifts were wrapped and distributed through the Westport Department of Human Services.

At King’s Highway Elementary School, the school’s outreach program, “Cheetah’s Care,” raised and donated $3,000 to Positive Youth Development for the purchase of gifts for designated families.

This activity was tied to the school-wide reading of “The Quilt Maker’s Gift” a tale that confirms that the giver is equally or more abundantly blessed than the receiver.

At Coleytown Elementary School, students and staff brought in hundreds of toys that were distributed to children through the Interfaith Housing Authority.

The school community at Green’s Farms Elementary School responded to a Food Drive call. Their gifts were distributed by a local group in time for holiday meals.

At Saugatuck Elementary School, kids and parents provided gifts to fulfill wish lists from needy families, and students also gave their pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters to the “Giving Tree.”

The two middle schools and Staples were active in various outreach projects.

Seventh and eighth grade students at Bedford Middle Schol worked in the ‘Tis the Season project which fulfilled family wish lists. Eighth graders brought gifts and seventh graders raised money for the project.

Sixth graders bought toys for children at the Longfellow School in Bridgeport and were personally thanked by a Longfellow staff member today before school was dismissed.

At Coleytown Middle School, students undertook a toy drive that benefited many organizations, among them The Children’s Aid Society, the Yale-New Haven Children’s Hospital, Westport's Bacharach Center, the Make a Wish Foundation, and the Hole in the Wall Gang organization.

Students also sold candy canes to raise money for an organization to be announced in January.

At Staples High School, one drive filled the “Dear Santa” wishes of 120 children that had been passed on by the Bridgeport Post Office. Among the bundles of toys donated by students and staff members were bicycles, tricycles and other large items.

The Staples PTA sponsored a food collection and gift certificate drive, donating all items to the Westport Department of Human Resources.

Another group at Staples busy helping others is the Youth Ending Hunger Club which is currently sponsoring a “Baby Drive” that ends Jan. 23.

The students are collecting new and gently used baby items and clothing as well as non-perishable baby food.

Martha Stewart Proclaims Her Innocence Again

Westport's Martha Stewart appeared on CNN's "Larry King Live" tonight and once again said she is innocent of federal insider trading-related charges for which she goes on trial next month. CNN/WestportNow.com photo

Judge Continues Daybreak Nurseries Case Until Jan. 12

A Superior Court judge today continued until Jan. 12 the Town of Westport’s request for an injunction against Daybreak Nurseries to stop using a residential area for its business operations.

Judge David Tobin approved the request in Stamford Superior Court submitted by Daybreak’s attorney, Larry Weisman. He asked for the continuance because he was in the process of moving his office, according to Town Attorney Ira Bloom.

The town has issued repeated cease and desist orders against Daybreak Nurseries this year. WestportNow.com photoThe town issued cease and desist orders against the nursery on March 14, Sept. 16, Sept. 19, and Oct. 9 after neighbors complained it was splitting logs and moving dirt on the property in violation of conditions set down in a 1983 variance approval.

Kathy Barnard, Planning and Zoning director, said the town sought a court order against the nursery, located at the intersection of Weston Road and Main Street, only after repeated attempts failed to get it to comply with regulations.

Asked if she was disappointed by today’s action, Barnard said: “We had hoped to get some resolution for the neighbors, but it didn’t happen.”

The town had sought a temporary injunction against the nursery and it was ordered to appear in court today to present its case why such an injunction should not be issued.

Neighbors have complained that commercial activity at the nursery has expanded considerably over the last summer or two.

A Busy Last Sunday Before Christmas

It was a busy last Sunday before Christmas today on Westport's Main Street. Many shoppers were unaware of the announcement the government was raising the terrorist threat level. WestportNow.com photo

What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?

By Fran
WestportNow Consumer Correspondent
fran@westportnow.com

Surely no one would think of going anywhere but Westport’s First Night on New Year’s Eve. It’s always been the deal of the century with a $15 button– or $10 if you were clever enough to buy before Dec. 15 – buying you a night of great music and top-notch talent.

But if you’re in the mood for something a little more substantial than what you’ll get at First Night concession stands, I heartily recommend dinner at one of Westport’s local restaurants. Many are serving special New Year’s Eve menus at set seatings. For others, it’s just another Wednesday night. In any case, it will be good to duck in from the cold.

The following restaurants are still taking reservations. All prices exclude tax, gratuities, and alcoholic beverages unless otherwise noted.

You won’t have to go far to take a break from First Night festivities to dine at Acqua, 43 Main St., 222-8899. They will be serving a few New Year's Eve specials such as lobster and rack of lamb, although the menu will be a la carte and reservations will be accepted any time throughout the evening.

The cozy Blue Lemon at Sconset Square, 226-2647, will feature a four-course menu price fixed at $55 before 9:30 p.m., $60 afterward. The higher price includes a glass of sparkling wine. Make yourself comfortable – the welcoming restaurant will definitely stay open past the stroke of midnight.

Bridge Café, 5 Riverside Ave., 226-4800 will also offer two seatings. Reservations between 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 pm will be a la carte. Second seating reservations between 8:15 and 10:30 p.m. will offer a fixed price four-course menu and a champagne toast for $70 per person. Best of all will be that gorgeous view from the patio where you will catch the midnight fireworks over the Saugatuck River. Romantic? I’ll say.

My hands-down favorite? If I’m lucky enough to get a reservation, you’ll find me at Westport’s classiest newcomer, Chez Stephane Bistro Francais, 3 Bay St., 226-8356. There will be two seatings: the first a six-course dinner served from 5:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. for $75; and the second from 9 p.m. to midnight at $95 per person for a seven-course dinner which includes a glass of champagne, party favors and noisemakers.

There will be an amazing menu at both seatings -- a choice of appetizers such as cannelloni of seafood with lobster sauce or venison paté, entrées like filet mignon with Béarnaise sauce or a baby rack of veal with Morel mushroom sauce, and choice of dessert. Just a few tables are left for the second seating.

It will be party all night at Conte’s Market and Grill, 540 Riverside Ave., 226-3474, with two seatings; the first from 5:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. and the second from 8:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. The menu is a la carte all night with some additional New Year's Eve specials available at either seating such as caviar, oysters, king crab legs, and prime rib. The second seating is definitely the place to be – there will be a live five-piece band from 10 p.m. to 1:30 a.m., with party favors, noisemakers and – would you believe – no cover charge.

Da Pietro’s Restaurant, 36 Riverside Ave., 454-1213, may have one or two openings left for its two seatings at 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. The fixed price is $75 for the first seating, $110 for the second. As always, don’t plan on discussing anything too personal at the ultra-cozy Da Pietro’s, where you may be as likely to rub knees with your fellow diners as you are with your date.

Although the chef hasn’t yet made up his mind, there will be special New Year’s Eve menu offerings at Mario’s across from the Westport railroad station. But otherwise it will be just another Wednesday night with a la carte prices and reservations accepted any time throughout the evening. You will be watching the ball drop from your TV at home – Mario’s kitchen will close at 11 p.m.

If you like dinner music, definitely ask to be seated in the piano room at the Red Barn, 292 Wilton Road, 222-9549, where two pianists will play on New Year’s Eve. There will be a special menu priced between $34 and $59.95, with selections such as tournedos, pan seared duck, lobster, rack of lamb, and other specialties. Seatings are 6 p.m., 8:30 p.m. or later.

The eternally young will be partying at Splash, 260 Compo Road South, 454-7798. The always-hot Splash will offer a regular menu all night long in addition to a special New Year’s Eve $75 prix fixe dinner. Seatings will be at two-hour intervals, but keep an eye on the clock and arrive on time. If your reservation is for 7 p.m. but your party arrives at 7:25 p.m., you’ll still need to skedaddle by 9 p.m., says the manager. There will be an open bar after 10 p.m. with a DJ, dancing, and appetizers served at midnight for $25 if you’ve had dinner there, $50 if you haven’t.

Tavern on Main, 146 Main St., 222-7222 will offer a spot of fire-lit, early American calm just one short stair flight above all the First Night hoopla. Billing the evening as “American Fare and Wine by the Hearth” the restaurant will offer three seatings priced at $55 for the 5:30 p.m. seating and $75 for reservations at 7:30 p.m. or 9:30 p.m. Since Tavern on Main specializes in American cuisine, many of the 50 states will be cleverly represented in dishes such as Maine lobster bisque, certified angus New York steak, Iowa veal chop, Minnesota wild rice cake, Baked Alaska and Hawaiian macadamia caramel tart. If you're there for the last seating the restaurant and bar will stay open just a bit past midnight for that New Year’s kiss.

Although there will be a few special items on the menu, it will be just another night at V Restaurant & Wine Bar,1460 Post Road East, 259-1160. No fixed price or seatings, and the restaurant will close at 11 pm – when the staff will head off to their own New Year’s Eve plans.

If you’re thinking of partying at Villa del Sol, 36 Elm St., 226-7912, you might want to come back Cinqo de Mayo. Because New Year’s Eve this south-of-the-border eatery will serve its regular menu but close early with its last seating at 7 p.m.

Whatever you do and wherever you go, have a safe and happy holiday.

Compo Fun Run

Staples track coach Laddie Lawrence (l.) gives instructions to participants in today's two-mile third annual Staples Alumni Run at Compo Beach. About 100 Staples students, parents and alumni participated in the fun run in 25-degree weather to raise money for the Laddie Lawrence Scholarship Fund which benefits a needy Staples athlete. Andrew Yemma for WestportNow.com