Westport Public Schools to Remain Open Friday

While many federal and sate offices will close Friday in honor of President Ronald Reagan, Westport's public schools will remain open, Supt. of Schools Ellliot Landon announced today.

"We have received notification from the Office of the Commissioner of Education that Governor John Rowland has declared Friday, June 11, 2004, a State Holiday and Day of Remembrance in memory of President Ronald W. Reagan," Landon said in a message to the school community.

"According to state law, public schools that remain open are required to 'hold a suitable nonsectarian educational program in observance' of the holiday."

He said Westport public schools will remain open on Friday, and will, in all schools, "hold suitable in-school programs in observance of the holiday, in keeping with what we have done to commemorate Veteran's Day, in the past."

Martha Stewart Renews Request for New Trial

As expected, Westport's Martha Stewart asked a judge today to grant her a new trial, citing charges that a government witness at her first trial lied repeatedly on the stand.

The request, considered a long shot by legal experts, came four weeks before Stewart and former stockbroker Peter Bacanovic are to be sentenced for lying about a well-timed stock sale she made in 2001.

The motion argues that the conviction is tainted by newly unveiled perjury charges against Larry Stewart, a Secret Service laboratory director who was called as an expert witness at the trial in February.

Prosecutors say Larry Stewart, who is not related to Martha Stewart, lied on the stand about the role he played in ink-analysis tests conducted on a worksheet prepared by Bacanovic. Larry Stewart has not entered a plea.

Court papers filed by lawyers for Martha Stewart said several other Secret Service officials were in court, monitoring the trial, and were aware of the perjury but did not say anything about it.

"Their silence is scandalous and not the way we expect the government to conduct itself," Stewart's lawyers, Robert Morvillo and John T. Tigue, said in a statement.

Prosecutors did not immediately respond to a request for comment. They are expected to oppose the new-trial motion.

The government has insisted the perjury charges do not undermine the conviction. Bacanovic was acquitted on a charge of falsifying a document - the subject at the heart of Larry Stewart's testimony.

Legal experts have noted that defense lawyers face a very high hurdle in arguing for a new trial based on perjury charges against a prosecution witness.

Larry Stewart was charged with perjury in May and formally indicted by a grand jury Wednesday. He is due in court June 16 to enter a plea.

Martha Stewart and Bacanovic were convicted March 5 of lying about why Stewart sold 3,928 shares of ImClone Systems Inc. stock just before it plunged on a negative government report about an ImClone cancer drug.

Stewart made her first bid for a new trial on May 5. She argued that a juror had lied on his questionnaire, failing to mention a prior arrest on assault charges, among other things.

But U.S. District Judge Miriam Goldman Cedarbaum ruled it was not clear that the juror, Chappell Hartridge, had lied at all - or that lawyers would have kept him off the case had they known the truth about his background.

Stewart and Bacanovic, each convicted of four federal charges, are scheduled to be sentenced July 8. Each is likely to receive a prison sentence of 10 to 16 months.

The sentencing originally was set for next week, but Cedarbaum delayed it by three weeks to give the defense time to make its latest new-trial motion.

The government called Larry Stewart at the trial to discuss a worksheet that prosecutors said Bacanovic doctored by adding a notation of "(at)60" to make Martha Stewart's ImClone sale appear to be part of a prior plan.

The main contention of Larry Stewart's testimony was that the ink used to make the "(at)60" mark was different from ink used on other parts of the worksheet. Defense lawyers never contested that point.

Westport Undecided

WestportNow contributing photographer Ron Malone came upon this Westport robin today, which he described as "undecided about today's weather outlook." Ron Malone for WestportNow.com

High-Speed Police Chase in Westport Nabs Four

A high-speed police chase early today in Westport ended with the arrest of four youths after their car was found to be stolen.

Police spokesman Sgt. Jerry Shannon said at about 3 a.m., Norwalk police notified Westport that they were in pursuit of a 1999 Neon that had been involved in a robbery in Norwalk.

The car entered Westport in the northwest part of town around the Stonybrook-Old Hill Road area, he said.

Westport police assisted in stopping the car at the intersection of Kings Highway North and Old Hill Road and apprehending four suspects.

Shannon said two were juveniles and the others were identified as Matthew Pote, 19, and James Drescher, 16. Their hometowns were not known.

The robbery report turned out to be unfounded, but the vehicle was found to be stolen, he said. The four were transported to Norwalk police headquarters.

During the chase and capture, a Norwalk police officer, Randy Monroe, sustained minor injuries to one of his legs and was transported by Westport EMS to Norwalk Hospital, Shannon said.

Thursday, June 10, 2004

7 p.m. - Westport Fire Headquarters - Public Site & Building Commission
7:30 p.m. - Town Hall Auditorium - Planning and Zoning Commission

Rowland Announces Purchase of 38 Used Rail Cars to Ease New Haven Line Woes

Gov. John G. Rowland today announced the addition of 4,000 seats to Connecticut’s rail commuter service by early fall while accepting a new $1.02 billion plan to purchase more than 300 new electric rail cars to replace and expand the state’s aging fleet on the New Haven Line.

A statement from the governor's office said the Connecticut Department of Transportation (ConnDOT) is purchasing 38 used rail cars from Virginia Railway Express that will quickly add approximately 4,000 seats to Connecticut’s commuter rail service prior to the start of the fall commuting season.

The cars are expected to arrive in Connecticut shortly and will be inspected and serviced over the summer, the statement said. ConnDOT will also purchase some new locomotives to support the expanded fleet.

The cars will be used on Shore Line East and some of the branch lines, transportation officials said, freeing Bombadier cars and maintenance equipment for the New Haven Line.

The state is making these purchases from $60 million authorized by the General Assembly and Transportation Strategy Board to provide additional rail commuter capacity on the New Haven Line, Rowland said.

He directed ConnDOT and the Office of Policy and Management (OPM) to come up with a short term solution to alleviate rail line overcrowding and maintenance issues while working on the longer term plan, the statement said.

“I am very pleased that we will be able to deliver some relief to our commuters within a few short months,” Rowland said. “Now we must determine the most efficient way to finance the purchase of new cars over the next few years.”

The governor said he also accepted from OPM and ConnDOT, a rail car fleet replacement plan for the purchase of additional rail cars to replace and expand the aging fleet of electric cars on the New Have Line.

The plan provides a framework for the replacement of the New Haven Line rail car fleet and construction of new maintenance facilities in New Haven through a collaborative effort between the ConnDOT, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and Metro-North Commuter Railroad (Metro-North), Rowland said.

The plan is contingent upon approval by the MTA Board and the New York and Connecticut legislatures for financing.

In response to the governor’s February directive to develop a long-term strategy for replacing the New Haven Line rail fleet, OPM and ConnDOT, in consultation with Metro-North is proposing the purchase of approximately 340 new electric cars.

The plan presented to the governor also identifies the need for new maintenance facilities in New Haven, to provide improved maintenance services and support the new fleet, the statement said.

Under the Metro-North operating agreement, the cost of the new rail cars would be shared between the State of Connecticut and the MTA while the cost of the maintenance facility would be borne by the State of Connecticut.

The total estimated cost of the two projects to Connecticut would be approximately $1.02 billion.

Over the next several months, ConnDOT and OPM will formulate a funding plan for submission to the 2005 General Assembly, the statement said.

Playhouse Construction Work on Schedule

The Westport Country Playhouse took the press on a tour today of its site where work is progressing on its $18 million renovation and expansion project. Playhouse executive director Alison Harris (c) said everything is on schedule for reopening in June 2005. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Downed Power Line Shuts Post Road East

A live power line across Post Road East near the Carvel ice cream store shut down the roadway for about an hour today. Police and fire units blocked the roadway until utility workers could cut power to the line. The road was reopened at 1:37 p.m. Ron Malone for WestportNow.com

Downed Power Line Closes Post Road East

A downed live power line forced the shutdown of Post Road East today near the Carvel ice cream store in the area of 1000 Post Road East for about an hour.

Police and fire units blocked the scene while utility crews worked to shut off power to the line.

Police detoured traffic in the area. The incident occurred at about 12:35 p.m. and the street was reopened at 1:37 p.m.

Cause of the downed wire was not known, according to police spokesman Sgt. Jerry Shannon.

What's New Inside WN: CPR Classes Offered, New Art Exhibit Readied, etc.

To help readers keep up on what's new inside WestportNow, we call your attention to the following:

On the COMMUNITY page: Westport Volunteer EMS to offer CPR courses June 14 and 21...Bob McGrath takes over from Pete Wolgast as head of Westport and Weston Y's Men.

On the ARTS & LEISURE page: The Westport Arts Center readies its Winners Circle exhibit.

On the BUSINESS page: Westport's Cygnus Business Media names Ken Fisher CFO...Fairfield County Bank and Bank of Westport receive merger approval.

On the HEALTH & FITNESS page: Westport/Weston YMCA offers indoor swimming this summer.

Be sure to also check out the WestportNow CLASSIFIEDS for the latest postions offered, wanted, rooms for rent, etc., and post your own.

Relaxing at Compo

The recent warm weather has made fishing from a Compo Beach jetty a good way to relax. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Stephen Rubin for WestportNow.com

TEAM Westport Hosts Amistad Tour and Reception

Amistad reception Friday in Stamford. AMISTAD America, Inc. photoFor many people, the Amistad slave incident of 1839 was brought to life by Steven Spielberg's 1997 film "Amistad." It told the story of 53 Africans who were kidnapped to be sold as slaves. They were held on a ship called La Amistad.

Three years later, a re-creation of the schooner called Freedom Schooner Amistad was constructed at Mystic Seaport and launched as a floating classroom to foster unity and improve race relations.

Now the Amistad is in Stamford through Saturday and to celebrate its docking, TEAM Westport, the town's diversity panel, is hosting Westport/Weston residents at a special reception Friday from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Stamford’s Avalon Dock.

TEAM is short for Together Effectively Achieving Multiculturalism.

The Betty R. Sheffer Foundation is making the 85-foot vessel available to the Westport/Weston community while Gold Main Street Resources, Andrew Tobias, and Fairfield County Preservation Trust are sponsoring the reception.

As a result, Westport and Weston citizens will get a chance to tour the ship without charge.

In addition to the Friday reception and tour, on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., the first 100 Westport or Weston students to arrive will be provided free admission to tour the ship.

“June – with its ‘Juneteenth’ holiday -- has always been a month to celebrate African-American culture,” said Harold Bailey, chairman of TEAM Westport.

“Last year TEAM Westport held a picnic for our members, with traditional food. This year we’re reaching out to the entire community.

"Slavery was a controversial topic throughout Connecticut in 1839, and the price of freedom remains an important issue around the globe in 2004.

"TEAM Westport is committed to issues of social justice, and we believe one of the best ways to understand our community and country today is to see where we were yesterday.”

There is no charge for the reception in Stamford. However, slots are limited and reservations are suggested.

Westporters and Westonites wishing to see the Amistad may reserve a spot, or get further information by calling 341-1050.

The home port for Freedom Schooner Amistad is Long Wharf Pier in New Haven.

The schooner is about 10 feet longer than the original ship, a necessary change to house the engine room.

It weighs 136 tons and was built using similar methods as those used for La Amistad, but with improved techniques and materials to ensure the boat lasts longer than the 8-12-year life span of many ships in the 1800s.

The idea to build it came from a former NAACP magazine editor who was inspired in 1976 as he watched Operation Sail, a parade of the world's tall ships.

Warren Marr II believed in the importance of Amistad's story. The project cost $3.5 million, including an endowment for maintenance, and was supported by a number of organizations.

According to AMISTAD America, Inc., a New Haven-based non-profit group that owns the ship, La Amistad was not one of the infamous "slave ships," but a coastal trading ship that carried trade goods such as food, cargo and sometimes people bought as slaves.

Now captained by Gregory Gooch, the ship is crewed by about a dozen people, some of whom also serve as educators when the public comes aboard.

Westport Property Transfers June 1-4, 2004

Property transfers as reported by the Town Clerk's office for the period June 1-4, 2004:

Brett H. and Jennifer L. Dennett to Robert J. Halderman, 9 Renzulli Road 8.54 percent Westport, $420,000.

Lisa Clyne to David J. Schaefer, 104 Newtown Turnpike, $765,000.
10 Partrick Lane: sold for $900,000. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Amy M. Chan and Ka-Bun Lam to Elena and Philip Mironova, 26 Crescent Park Road, $332,000.

Mark A. and Ann Tegen Hill to Scott Lavina Ind & Trust, 12 & 6 Cockenoe Drive, $2,400,000.

Elaine S. Horelik to David D. Squires, 20 Cross St., $225,500.

Lena Rodino to Carol S. Weissenberg, 241 Sturges Highway, $679,100.

Richard and Karen Freeman to Edward C. Picard and Thea Bishop Osserin, 14 Loren Lane, $685,000.

John J. and Sandra M. Fleming to Hu Yang and Wen-Min Hou, 9 Colony Road, $1,145,000.

Jacqueline M. Zimkin to Pradiv and Sharuna Mahesh, 92 Greens Farms Road, $565,000.

Dorothy K. Tarrant to Timothy D. Pitow, 167A Compo Road South, $719,000.

Om P. Chokriwala to David W. and Maura K. Hirschler, 12 Eno Lane, $1,125,000.

Mark Talbot and Donna James to Yong Xu and Xiaoping Zhang, 9 The Mews, $975,000.

John D. and Celeste J. McGeehan to Eduardo N. T. and Christine M. Andrade, 57 Hermit Lane, $1,850,000.

Eduardo N. T. and Christine M. Andrade to Jose E. Andrade, 155 Riverside Ave., $1,350,000.

Kevin J. and Holly Hutch McCarthy to Stephanie Miller and Theodore Iglesias, 6 Rockland Place, $1,152,867.

John Marchak and Lucy Ambrosino to Richard A. and Lynne C. Openshaw Jr., 13 Daybreak Lane, $865,000.

Nahid Westwood to 83 Old Hyde Development LLC, 7 Burnham Hill, $1,400,000.

Maurice and Hannah G. Opert to Sir-23 Dover LLC, 26 Dover Road, $600,000.

James F. and Paulette L. Flanagan to John Marchak and Lucy Ambrosino, 47 Crescent Road, $1,139,000.

Main Street Westport Inc. et al to Winwest Library LLC et al, 1 Main St., $11,950,000. (See WestportNow June 3, 2004)

Thomas A. Carey to Lisa R. Weitzman and Russell A. Sherman, 127 Imperial Ave., $757,500.

Paul Scutti to Robert Buono Sr., 24 Franklin St., $430,000.

Fergul Moore and Susan McGillion Moore to Kathleen M. and Jerome Doyle, 10 Partrick Lane, $900,000

Wednesday, June 9, 2004

10:30 a.m. - Town Hall Room 102 - International Hospitality Committee
5:30 p.m. - Staples High School, Room 516 - School Building Committee Staples Subcommittee
7 p.m. - Town Hall Room 309/307 -Board of Selectmen
7 p.m. - Town Hall Room 201/201A - Board of Finance work session
8 p.m. - Town Hall Auditorium - Board of Finance

Board of Ed Televises Start Time Hearing

Staples senior Robert Sobleman, 18, addresses the Westport Board of Education tonight on the issue of school start times. He said he has seen no evidence that a later start time produces more sleep for students. The photo is from a live telecast of the two-hour session, the first televised Board of Education meeting in a decade. WestportNow.com photo

Westport Area Air Quality Unhealthy

The orange around Westport and nearby areas of southwest Connecticut indicates an unhealthy air quality due to elevated concentrations of ground-level ozone levels as of 5 p.m. today. The Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency predict similar unhealthy levels Wednesday. More information is available here. EPA graphic

Westport Annual Meeing Set for June 14

First Selectwoman Diane G. Farrell has announced that Westport's annual meeting will be held Monday, June 14 on Veterans Green from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. The meeting is required by the Town Charter.

Members of boards and commissions, volunteers, and Westport residents are invited to attend, Farrell said in a statement issued by her office. In case of rain, the meeting will be held in the Town Hall lobby.

Farrell will present a brief 2003-2004 annual report and also present the 2004 TEAM Westport Community Leadership Award on behalf of the Town of Westport and the TEAM Westport Committee.

TEAM is short for Together Effectively Achieving Multiculturalism.

Also on the agenda will be recognition of students who have participated in the Kids Connected program, Farrell said. Light refreshments will be served.

"This is an opportunity for Westport to thank the many dedicated volunteers who willingly and enthusiastically give their time, expertise and knowledge to our community," Farrell said.

"Westport is extremely fortunate to have these volunteers. Without their loyal service, our town would not be able to be run successfully or efficiently."

The town's annual report will be available on the Westport Web site or, for a hard copy, call the Selectwoman's office at 341-1111.

Hot Ticket for Fireworks

Westport's Independence Day fireworks display July 2 at Compo Beach is a hot ticket. Clara Grucci of the famed fireworks family which will produce the display presents ticket No. 1 to Dave Friezo of Lydian Assset Management (LAM) of Westport, the premiere sponsor of the Police Athletic League (PAL) event. Looking on are (l-r) Chief Al Fiore, Buck Iannacone (PAL), Ken Goldberg, Jim Oakley, Dave Friezo and Andrzej Rojek (all of LAM), Grucci, Bill Krause (PAL), Scott Cooper (Grucci), Officer Ned Batlin and Rick Benson (fireworks committee). Tickets are on sale for $25 per car at the Parks and Recreation Dept. and at police headquarters. The price increases to $30 after June 14. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

Pretty as a Picture at Compo

Monday's sunny weather was just right for some art work at Compo Beach. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Tuesday, June 8, 2004

6:30 p.m. - Staples High School, Room 516 - Board of Education anticipated executive session
7 p.m. - Town Hall Room 309 - Historic District Commission
7:30 p.m. - Staples High School Library - Board of Education public hearing for members of SHS community on school start time (cable coverage channel 78)
7:30 p.m. - Town Hall Auditorium - Zoning Board of Appeals
7:30 p.m. - Town Hall Room 201 - Architectural Review Board

They Will be Missed

The Westport Board of Education tonight held a reception to honor retiring teachers, administrators, and school staff in the district. Shown here are back row, (l-r): Ann Reeves, Christine Cimino, Elliot Kraut, Ken Hanson, and James Welsch. Front row (l-r): Carol Muller, Antoinette Gombeda, Joyce Campbell, Connie Miller, and Grace Welsch. Missing are Arlene Johnson, Barbara Hauer, Bruce McFadden, Britta Nilsson, Richard Rollins, Linval Sinclair, and Barbara Sands. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Westport Fire Department Now at Full Strength

The Westport Fire Department's newest recruit, Jason Kronenberger of Meriden, was sworn in today by First Selectwoman Diane G. Farrell as his wife, Christine, and son, Garrett, looked on. With his addition to the ranks, the department is now at full strength. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Nate Gibbons/Westport Fire Department photo

Rotary Hosts Golf Tourney

It was lunch under a tent today as the Westport Rotary Club held its first annual golf tournament at Longshore Club Park. More than 100 golfers took part in the event, which raises money for club donations to charities. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Monday, Monday

After a weekend of clouds and overcast, today's sunny weather with temperature in the 70s made for a perfect day for boating. But the marina at Longshore Club Park was deserted – it's Monday. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Post Road East Accident Injures One

A three-car accident caused minor injuries to a young child on Post Road East near the intersection with Turkey Hill Road today. The child, who was in an infant seat, was taken to Norwalk Hospital by Westport EMS. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Martha Stewart Sentencing Delayed

The sentencing date for Westport's Martha Stewart for lying about a stock sale has been delayed by three weeks to July 8, federal prosecutors said today.

The sentencing originally had been scheduled for June 17.

Stewart said in a posting on her Web site that her defense team had requested the delay so U.S. District Judge Miriam Goldman Cedarbaum could consider a new appeal.

The chambers of Cedarbaum, who will hand down the sentence for Stewart and former stockbroker Peter Bacanovic, had no comment.

Stewart was convicted in March for lying about why she sold shares of ImClone Systems Inc. stock in 2001. She could face 10 months to 16 months in prison.

Stewart is expected to ask for a new trial because of newly unveiled perjury charges against Larry Stewart, a government ink expert who testified for the prosecution at trial.

Legal experts have said that request is a longshot because Larry Stewart's testimony mainly concerned a charge of falsifying documents against Bacanovic - a count on which he was found innocent.

A previous new-trial request filed by Stewart and Bacanovic has already been rejected by Cedarbaum. In that request, the pair claimed a juror had lied to get on the 12-person panel that returned the conviction.

In a message posted on her Web site, Stewart said the delay would enable the court to "consider a motion my lawyers will make for a new trial based on the improper behavior of a key government witness."

Monday, June 7, 2004

7 p.m. - Staples High School Library - Board of Education
7:30 p.m. - Town Hall Room 201/201A - Golf Advisory Committee
7:30 p.m. - Wesport Weston Health District - Westport Weston Health District board of directors meeting

Making a Joyful Noise

Members of Westport's United Methodist Church choir perform today at Temple Israel as part of "Make a Joyful Noise," a community concert benefiting A Better Chance of Westport, Inc. The concert was presented by the Interfaith Council of Westport & Weston. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Farrell Addresses U Thant Institute Event

Westport First Selectwoman Diane G. Farrell addresses today's Ambassadors' Luncheon at the Inn at Longshore. Sponsored by the Westport-based U Thant Institute, proceeds of the event went to combating the trafficking of women and children in Asia. Among the attendees was Ambassador Joseph V. Reed, UN Under-Secretary General. See another photo on COMMUNITY page. Saul Haffner for WestportNow.com

D-Day Remembered: Westport's Robert Loomis

Today's Sunday Hour of Norwalk features Westport D-Day veteran Robert Loomis in its coverage of the 60th anniversary of the Allied landing at Normandy.
Robert Loomis rides in the Memorial Day parade. Julia Mally/ WestportNow.com

As a native Parisian, Loomis, 79, could have taken a relatively easy assignment as an interpreter, the newspaper reported. But he chose the infantry instead.

"They had plenty of French interpreters, and I wanted more action," he said.

Loomis was 19 when he found himself off Utah Beach on June 6, 1944, when the naval bombardment began.

"I was with the 87th Chemical Mortar Battalion, 32nd Regiment, 4th Infantry Division," he recalled. "We landed at H-Hour plus 90 minutes.

"The tide was so low we jumped off the landing craft into four feet of very cold water and had to wade and swim ashore."

Loomis worked the front lines spotting targets for his mortar crew which had been equipped to loc chemicals at the enemy, if necessary.

"We never used them because the Germans didn't," he said.

Loomis and his wife Joan have lived on Kings Highway North since 1960. A decade ago, he accompanied Westport veteran Clayton Chalfant to Normandy for the 50th anniversary of D-Day.

Chalfant was grand marshal of Westport's Memorial Day parade this week. Loomis rode alongside him as his aide.

Annual Compo Fireworks Tickets on Sale

As first reported by WestportNow on March 30, the annual Police Athletic League (PAL) fireworks display this year is set for Friday, July 2 at Compo Beach.

The rain date is Tuesday, July 6.

The renowned fireworks family Grucci will again produce this year's show, the 49th year the PAL has sponsored the event.

Tickets are on sale at the Parks and Recreation Dept. office at Longshore Club Park and the Westport police station. The price through June 14 is $25 per car and will increase to $30 after that.

All tickets must be purchased in advance.

Learning About Diamonds

Bedford Middle School presented its annual student entertainment show Saturday night. Riley Andrews and Alex Herbertson sang "Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend." (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Julia Mally for WestportNow.com

Juggling Studies at Bedford Middle School

Duncan Raab was one of the Bedford Middle School students performing some juggling Saturday night, thanks to instruction from Vice Principal Tricia Raneri. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Julia Mally for WestportNow.com

Sundy, June 6, 2004

10 a.m. - 5 p.m. - Westport Historical Society's Hidden Garden Tour
Noon - Inn at Longshore - U Thant Institute's Ambassadors' Luncheon
2 p.m. - Quick Center, Fairfield - Music Theatre of Connecticut presents "Funny Girl"
2 p.m. - Westport Town Hall - Community Theatre presents "The Laramie Project"
4 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. - Temple Israel - Interfaith Council of Westport & Weston presents "Make a Joyful Noise"
5 p.m. - Continental Manor, Norwalk - Staples Scholar Athlete Dinner