Shays Kicks Off Campaign With Westport Stop

Congressman Christopher Shays began his re-election campaign this Independence Day weekend by visiting all 17 towns in the 4th Congressional District in four days. The Westport kickoff event Friday was hosted by David and Daryl Cheifitz at their Hedley Farms Road home. Seen here are (l-r) Totney Benson, Shays, Board of Finance member Rick Benson, and Betsi Shays. Contributed photo

A Compo Spectacular

With only a few clouds in the sky, Compo Beach provided a spectacular setting for the Police Athletic League-sponsored fireworks display tonight. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Emily Laux for WestportNow.com

Compo Fireworks Draw Thousands

The well known Grucci fireworks family put on tonight's Independence Day fireworks display at Compo Beach. The Police Athletic League sold more than 2,000 car passes for the annual event. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Every Seat a Front Row Seat

Thousands of Westporters and their guests watched tonight's Compo Beach fireworks display. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Adding Sparkle to the Scene

Many Westporters brought their own sparklers to Compo Beach tonight, adding to the festive atmosphere. WestportNow.com photo

Awaiting the Fireworks

As the sun set on Compo Beach tonight, the crowd eagerly awaited the fireworks display. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

On the March at Compo

The Junior Colonials of Westbrook, Conn., entertained the Compo Beach crowd before the fireworks tonight. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Stephen Rubin for WestportNow.com

One Big Party

The hours before tonight's fireworks display provided ample time for eating and socializing. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Getting Ready to Go Boom

A sun workshiper at Compo Beach gets some rays in as a barge to be used for tonight''s fireworks display gets into position. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Weather Alert: Risk for Severe Thunderstorms Later Today

The Storm Prediction Center has placed the entire area in a slight
risk for severe thunderstorms for later today, the National Weather Service said.

A cold front approaching the tri-state area later today will trigger scattered showers and thunderstorms, it said.

Any thunderstorms that develop may contain large hail and gusty winds.

The threat of severe weather will end late this evening as the cold front pushes offshore, according to a mid-morning advisory.

Compo Fireworks Early Bird

Westporters were out early at Compo Beach today staking out picnic tables for tonight's fireworks display. Among them was Larry Wasserman who said he hadn't planned on trying to get a table but saw one was available and said why not. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Three Tables for 24, Please

Westporter Kitty Gabal grabs some tables for tonight's Compo Beach fireworks display. A few remaining tickets were available this morning but town official expected them to go quickly. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Making a Last-Minute Buy for Tonight's Fireworks

Lory Pasqua ( r) makes a last-minute purchase Thursday of one of the last remaining tickets to attend tonight's Compo Beach Independence Day fireworks. Selling the tickets on behalf of the Police Athletic League were Gloria Hudson and Buck Iannacone. The festivities begin at 6:30 p.m. with fireworks about 9:15 p.m. Stephen Rubin for WestportNow.com

Friday, July 2, 2004

9:15 p.m. - Compo Beach - Independence Day fireworks

Freedman Offers Congratulations to New Governor, Lieutenant Governor

Westport's state Sen. Judith G. Freedman today offered her congratulations to Connecticut's new leadership.

“I want to congratulate our new governor, M. Jodi Rell, and new lieutenant governor, Kevin Sullivan," Freedman said in a statement.

"Connecticut is now in a position to move forward and go about the business of the state.

"All the ethical problems should be behind us, and we will be focusing on making government move smoothly and cleanly."

Freedman said she believes the new governor "has the ability to not only get things done, but also the wisdom and ability to accomplish great things for our state in collaboration with the legislature and local elected officials."

Freedman added, "That will be a good and positive change for our state."

Bargains Down the Road Revisited

By Fran
WestportNow Consumer Correspondent
fran@westportnow.com

If you're planning to gas up your car today, this one is too good to pass up – even it means driving a few extra miles to Norwalk.
Norwalk's Chestnut Hill Shell offers historic July 4th prices. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Last November (WestportNow Nov. 3, 2003), I let you know about the 49-cent, any-size coffee at the new Chestnut Shell Station at 307 Connecticut Ave., Norwalk, just off I-95 Exit 14.

Well, the coffee price has gone up to 99 cents -- still a bargain -- but there's a lot more beginning today with the station's three-day grand opening celebration.

From 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. today, Friday and Saturday, you can buy a gallon of milk or 12-pack Pepsi for $1.99.

For 59 cents, you can get a dozen extra large eggs, a two-liter Pepsi, 20-oz. Sobe, 20-oz. Arizona Iced Tea, or a 16-oz. Snapple.

And for a mere quarter, you can get a hot dog, popcorn, cotton candy, or a 12-oz. soda, a pint of milk, or an orange drink.

Best of all, the raffle includes a prize of free gas for a year.

That should help ease the pain of $2.19/9 per gallon regular gas.

And while you’re there, kids can have their pictures taken with Elmo and Sponge Bob. If you're at Friday's 9 a.m. ribbon cutting, you probably could even get a picture with Norwalk’s Mayor Alex Knopp.

Chestnut Shell says it's offering the bargains as a thank you to its customers -- some old-fashioned savvy marketing on the eve of Independence Day.

Thursday, July 1, 2004

7:30 p.m. - Town Hall Auditorium - Planning and Zoning Commission

Humane Society Westport Branch Reopens

The Connecticut Humane Society Westport Branch reopened today at 455 Post Road East following extensive renovations. The new improved facility has been expanded to house about 300 homeless animals looking for adoption. CherylAnn Ferandes, district manger, welcomes the latest canine guest. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com

Take Me Home

CherylAnn Ferandes, district manager for the Connecticut Humane Society Westport branch, gets acquainted with a guest ready for adoption. The newly renovated facility at 455 Post Road East is open 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays. Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com

Shays Announces Campaign Kick-Off Tour

Rep. Christopher Shays today announced a "2004 Campaign Kick-Off Tour" in his November battle against Westport Democratic First Selectwoman Diane G. Farrell.

The veteran Republican lawmaker's four-day 4th District tour begins Thursday at 8:30 a..m. at Corelli's Pastry Shop in Stamford and ends Sunday with a reception at 5:30 p.m. at his Bridgeport home.

Among the stops is a Westport reception at 5 p.m. Friday at the home of David and Daryl Cheifetz, a time when many Westporters will be gathering at Compo Beach for the town's Independence Day fireworks.

Hartford Courant Names Westport's Dan Ozar Volleyball Player of the Year

Today's Hartford Courant spotlights Staples High School junior Dan Ozar, 17, as its "State Volleyball Player of the Year."

The 6-foot-1 setter/outside hitter has been a member of three Class M championship teams, including this season's undefeated team, since the CIAC started sanctioning boys volleyball in 2001, the newspaper said.

Ozar earned FCIAC All-Conference honors in 2003 and 2004 and was MVP of the conference tournament both years.

Westport Nursing Home Files for Bankruptcy, Layoffs Planned

A Westport nursing home and six other similar facilities around the state have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and plan to lay off employees Saturday as they reorganize.

In addition to Westport, the homes in Danbury, Darien, Milford, Newington, Stamford, and Wethersfield are owned by Hackensack N.J.-based Care Realty.

The company hopes to reorganize the homes' finances and emerge stronger, according to company spokeswoman Ann Collette.

The Westport facility, Westport Health Care Center, is at 1 Burr Road and formerly was known as Mediplex of Westport. It has 120 beds.

The homes have been losing money under the state's Medicaid and Medicare reimbursement system, and because of the cost of union contracts, Collette said. The company is considering a plan that results in about 160 layoffs.

District 1199 of the New England Health Care Employees union filed a letter of protest with the state Department of Public Health over the planned layoffs. The jobs to be cut include unionized nursing assistants, housekeepers and other staff.

The home's previous owner, Sun HealthCare of New Mexico, signed four-year contracts with the union in 2001. The contracts include a provision that requires the company to pay nursing assistants a fee if the homes' staffing levels drop below specified levels.

"We are trying to stay open," Collette said. "We can't, under the current contract."

Jennifer Smith, a spokeswoman for 1199, said the contracts and staffing levels are similar to agreements the union has with other nursing homes in Connecticut.

The penalty for dropping below staffing levels are minimal, Smith said. It is equivalent of a day's pay to one of the home's nurses. The money goes into is a fund that is spent on job recruitment and training.

"It's not enough to drive a company into bankruptcy," she said.

In 2003, Care Realty replaced the homes' management company, Haven Health Care, with HealthBridge, which is owned by Care Realty.

Smith said the union will ask the bankruptcy judge to study the homes' finances in detail, because the union believes HealthBridge has siphoned the profits back to Care Realty.

"Eight months ago, these homes were operated by Haven Health Care and they were solvent," she said. "Care Realty brought in HealthBridge and they've been driven into bankruptcy. It's a shell game."

But Collette said the cost of union contracts is one of the reasons for the Chapter 11 filing. The contracts include "terms and conditions that are an extreme departure" from contract at other homes, she said.

Care Realty owns three non-unionized homes in Connecticut that are not affected by the bankruptcy protection filing.

Wedmesday, June 30, 2004

10:30 a.m. - Town Hall Room 102 - International Hospitality Committee

Noon - Town Hall Room 309/307 - Citizens brown bag lunch

Motorcycle Accident Ties Up Merritt Parkway Traffic in Westport

A motorcyclist suffered a collar injury today in an accident on the Merritt Parkway in Westport, backing up northbound traffic for miles. Westport fire and EMS personnel tended to the victim before he was taken to Norwalk Hospital. View is from the North Avenue overpass. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Conservation Department Cautions Cockenoe Island Fireworks Visitors

Westport's Conservation Department today cautioned visitors to Cockenoe Island during Friday's Independence Day fireworks to be alert to threatened and endangered birds nesting there.
Piping plover: Cockenoe resident. USFWS photo

"Many boaters often anchor at Cockenoe Island to gain a spectacular view of the event, but docking on the island, especially the spit to the far west, can pose a danger to the threatened and endangered birds nesting there," said director Alicia Mozian.

"The eggs are very difficult to see and the parents are very protective."

Mozian said the endangered birds include piping plovers and roseate terns.

She said her department requests that people pay particular attention to where they walk and to keep their dogs on leash or off the spit of the island altogether.

Clicking at Earthplace

David Mally is enjoying some of the nature photographs on display at Westport's Earthplace – The Nature Discovery Center from the Norwalk Camera Club's annual photography contest and exhibit. The photos will remain on display until Aug. 20.Julia Mally for WestportNow.com

Wine Talk: Zin for the Fourth

This weekend, many of us will be firing up the grill or the barbecue for traditional Independence Day fare like burgers or ribs. But what should you drink with the festive, bold, and sometimes spicy food? WestportNow Community Correspondent Chris Grimm will be drinking the “All-American” wine – Zinfandel. Details in his latest Wine Talk column on the ARTS & LEISURE page.

Westport Property Transfers June 21-28, 2004

Property transfers as reported by the Town Clerk's office for the period June 21-28, 2004:

George S. and Trish M. Lawrence to Daniel E. and Shirley A. Smith, 8 Arrowhead Road, $2,595,000..

Christian J. Trefz to Phyllis F. Trefz, 18 Playhouse 20 60%, $111,000.

Yi Tsai to J. Richard and Anne W. Chappo, 82 Partrick Road, $1,350,000.
82 Partrick Road sold for $1.35 million. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Sir Maple LLC to David B. and Lori Beth Sochol, 47 Maple Ave. North. $1,899,999.99.

Owen E. and Virginia B. Landon Jr. to Paul Fonteyne, 4 Deepwood Lane, $1,385,000.

Louis P. and Patricia Ann Cirillo to Shine Group Holdings LLC, 175 Post Road East, $675,000.

Pequot Development LLC to Hilary P. Califano Trust Joseph A. Califano Jr. Trust 42 Morningside Drive South, $3,300,000.

Jessica Waldman Revocable Trust Jessica Waldman Trust to Butterfly 225 LLC, 7 Edgewater Hillside, $3,850,000.

John J. Lennon to Andrew and Catherine Hardy, 36 Cross Highway, $1,400,000.

Robert E. and Susan J. Barns to Javed and Ada I. Diaz Ahmed, 6 Northfield Drive, $1,375,000.

Marilyn B. Flom to Vesta Development Corp. 38 Arlen Road, $1,275,000.

Janice McGuire to Julie Tuttle Jon Schwartz, 167 Long Lots Road, $1,350,000.

James G. and Craigin H. Salsgiver to Joanne B. and Andrew J. Weidhaas, 49 Partrick Road, $1,500,000.

Bradley D. Furman to Joseph Jackson, 71 Old Hill Road, $1,917,500.

David and Maria Mattera to Paul and Kristin Marie Mattera, 107 Saugatuck Ave. 50% Int., $130,142.93.

Karen R. Mascarenhas to John G. and Elizabeth C. Petti, 5 Charmers Landing, $7,300,000.

Morten and Bente Steinsland to Evan and Andrea Fisher Berkley, 55 Old Road, $1,215,000.

Kiki Vonhoppe to 240 Wilton Road LLC, 240 Wilton Road, $725,000.

Philip Siciliano to Jarrett and Melissa Z. Kovacs, 29 Valley Road, $740,000.

Estate of Barbara E. Lans to George S. and Trish Lawrence Jr., 42 Owenoke Park, $2,350,000.

David C. and Annette M. B. Sherwood to Michael T. and Litsa H. Ryan, 20 Oak Ridge Park, $1,039,000.

Gene Wilder in "Young Frankenstein" Kicks Off Playhouse Film Series

Comic legend Gene Wilder kicks off the Westport Country Playhouse's Film Series tonight with the classic movie "Young Frankenstein" followed by a discussion led by critic Janet Maslin.

Due to ticket demand, there will be two showings of the film at 7 p.m. and 7:45 p.m., at the Community Theatre in Fairfield.

Directed by Mel Brooks and filmed in black and white to simulate the monster movie genre of the 1930s, the 1974 comedy features Wilder as Dr. Frederick Frankenstein, a young neurosurgeon who is the grandson of Dr. Victor von Frankenstein.

After years of living down the family reputation, he inherits his grandfather's castle where he finds a hunchback called Igor (Marty Feldman), a pretty lab assistant named Inga (Teri Garr) and an old housekeeper, Frau Blucher (Cloris Leachman).

Young Frankenstein discovers his grandfather's notes and does some experimenting of his own creating a monster (Peter Boyle). But things
really get out of control when Young Frankenstein's bride-to-be (Madeline
Kahn) shows up at the castle.

Gene Wilder established his relationship with Mel Brooks while appearing in a 1963 Broadway production of "Mother Courage and Her Children." In the cast was Anne Bancroft, who was dating Brooks at the time.

Wilder began his collaboration with Brooks as the frantic accountant Leo Bloom in "The Producers" (1967) for which he earned an Academy Award nomination as best supporting actor.

His starred as the candy impresario of "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" (1971) and reteamed with Brooks for "Blazing Saddles" (1974).

"Young Frankenstein" garnered Wilder a second Oscar nomination for his screenwriting efforts with Brooks.

The Film Series continues with Jane Powell, joined by Turner Classic Movies
host Robert Osborne following "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" on July 6;
Joanne Woodward and Stewart Stern, author of "Rachel, "Rachel," discussing the film on July 20 and 22; and Keir Dullea interviewed by Brooks Community Newspapers film critic Susan Granger after "2001: A Space Odyssey" on Aug. 3.

All films will be at the Community Theatre in Fairfield, with the exception of July 22 at The Ridgefield Playhouse.

For ticket information, call (203) 227-4177, purchase online at www.westportplayhouse.org, or visit the box office at The Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 East Ridge Avenue, Ridgefield, open Monday through Saturday, starting at 10 a.m.

Tuesday, June 29, 2004

10 a.m. - Town Hall Room 201 - Administrative Review Committee

New Color for Westport's Center

A new sidewalk enclosure has gone up in Westport's center at the site of a new Tiffany store to open this fall. The color – Tiffany Blue, of course. WestportNow.com photo

Westporters Host Shays

Westporters Jane Green and David Burke (l) hosted a party at their home Sunday for supporters of Congressman Christopher Shays. Shays (3rd l) invited his friend from Washington, Rich Galen, who earlier in the week testified before the Congressman's House Committee about his six months in Iraq. Galen shared his insights in regard to Iraq and the national political scene. Contributed photo

Monday, June 28, 2004

9:a.m. - Long Lots School - Long Lots Subcommittee
7 p.m. - Town Hall Auditorium - Conservation Commission
7:30 p.m. - Town Hall Room 201/201A - Board of Finance anticipated executive session
8 p.m. - Town Hall Room 201/201A - Special Board of Finance

Changing of the Guard

Outgoing Westport Sunrise Rotary Club president Valery Austyn receives a gift honoring her service from incoming president Leo Cirino today at the club's party at the Westport Arts Center. Looking on is Rick Benson, Roatary assistant district governor. Contributed photo

Compo Sunday

Even some late afternoon clouds did not deter Westporters from enjoying Compo Beach today. It was a beautiful day with sunny skies, temperatures in the 70s, and low humidity. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

The Big Aaaaahhhhhh

By Fran
WestportNow Consumer Correspondent
fran@westportnow.com

If your life is anything like mine you’re now totally strung out from these last few weeks. End of school, graduations, moving up ceremonies, camp trunks locked and sent, down-to-the-wire deadlines, last-minute doctors and orthodontists and haircut appointments … got the picture?
Beautiful Faces owner and makeup artist Gail Sagel puts a beautiful face on a client at her salon at 719 Post Road East. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

But all that is over and done with. And now that everything and everyone is finally settled for the summer, it’s time for the Big Aaaaahhhh -- that time when you finally sit back, exhale, and treat yourself to an hour or two of pure relaxation and indulgence.

A facial would be just about perfect, don’t you think?

To mention a few of my favorites, Meg Murray gives what she calls a “luxury” facial – I call it decadent – that includes back massage, full arm and hand massage, followed by neck and face.

Derma Clinic is where Westport’s toniest facials were born long before Westport was toney.

If you can manage to book her, the very popular Olga gives an amazing facial at Dream Spa.

And at Beautiful Faces, Westport’s newest addition to the beauty scene, owner and makeup artist Gail Sagel has a particularly expert touch. (Now, if only we could look like her after one of her facials!)

Facials vary widely by technique, so don’t be shy about calling around first to ask for details.

The cost of a basic one-hour facial:

Marisa’s Salon 163 Main St., 226-0608, $50
Paul Albert Salon 512 Riverside Ave., 222-2250, $60
Born of Earth 375 Post Rd. E. Ste.2, 226-0888, $75
Coco Spa 1460 Post Rd E., 319-0379, $75
Derma Clinic 299 Post Rd E., 227-0771, $75
Beautiful Faces 719 Post Rd E., 226-9880, $75
Austin-Rolfe 5 Turkey Hill Rd W., 226-7441, $80
Elixir Day Spa1849 Post Rd E., 256-1673, $80
Dream Spa 1220 Post Rd E., 454-3454 $90
Meg Murray 231 Post Rd W.(above Greg & Tony), 227-0400, $95
Prima Ultimate Skin Care 292 Post Rd E., 454-9696, $95
Gigi Of Westport 8 Myrtle Ave., 454-2229, $145

I-95 Accident Causes Westport Traffic Jams

A tractor-trailer accident on I-95 about 1 p.m. Saturday between exits 18 and 19 sent spillover traffic through Westport. This was the scene on Bridge Street. All was back to normal by late afternoon. Stephen Rubin for WestportNow.com