A Chilly Sunset

Despite today's subfreezing temperatures, Alex, 3, and Matt, 6, Malone took in a pretty sunset in Westport's Greens Farms area. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Ron Malone for WestportNow.com

Sunday NY Times Features WestportNow

The Sunday New York Times Connecticut section features a story about WestportNow.

"A regular part of the morning ritual for more and more Westport residents, aside from coffee and muffins, includes booting the computer and reading their own online town crier," the newspaper said.

"WestportNow.com, a Web site devoted to continuous community coverage, is described as a must-read by many who are politically or otherwise active in town."

The story by freelance writer Bill Slocum is accompanied by photographs and a screen shot of the site. It also devotes coverage to another Connecticut online news site, KentTribune.com, based in Litchfield County.

WestportNow Introduces Interactive Maps

WestportNow today introduced a new feature -– interactive maps of Westport showing properties sold and location of teardowns from its popular "Teardown of the Day" series.

The feature allows users to easily find sold properties or teardowns by placing a cursor on a location and seeing a photo, where available, of the property, as well as details of the sale or teardown.

The maps were developed for WestportNow by Illinois-based MapTeam.com and implemented by WestportNow Webmaster Lee Fleming. Still in development is a feature allowing users to search the maps by street name.

Clicking on a map will allow users to zoom in to a particular neighborhood; clicking on an arrow on the edges will reorient the map in the direction of the arrow. The maps contain data from Jan. 1, 2004, with some data is still to be added.

"We wanted to introduce this as soon as possible to our users and get their feedback," said Gordon Joseloff, editor and publisher of WestportNow. "It's one of several enhancements planned in the coming months for the site to make it even more useful and interactive for our readers."

Another new feature is a listing of Westport-area blogs, short for Web logs, on the right hand side of the page (just above the WestportNow coffee mug). WestportNow welcomes reader suggestions for listing of additional blogs written by Westporters or those with Westport ties.

Westport/Weston Y's Men Donate to Tsunami Relief Funds

Bob McGrath (r), president of the Y's Men of Westport/Weston, today presented a $500 check to Westport's Save the Children for its tsunami relef fund. In accepting the check, Charles McCormack, president of the charity, said, "We thank the Y's Men for their generous contribution and we hope that it will inspire other organizations and individuals to continue to support this long-term relief effort." In addition to Save the Children, the Y's Men organization is also making a $500 contribution to Stamford-based Americares. Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com

Oh, Those Ruby Reds

By Fran
WestportNow Consumer Correspondent
fran@westportnow.com

I’m a sucker for a really good grapefruit. But not just any grapefruit. It’s got to be the Texas Ruby Red kind -- seedless, sweet, and HUGE. Why bother getting out the grapefruit knife for a few miserly sections?
The next best thing to a flu shot: Balducci’s Texas Ruby Reds. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Last week, I noticed some absolute prize-winners – rosy and practically glowing – at Balducci’s, but the price took my breath away. (What happened to the “new low price since we’re no longer Hay Day” policy, guys?)

So I was particularly thrilled to see that the price has come down this week from sub-stratospheric to just-plain-expensive. As good deals go, at $1.99 each they’re about the next best thing to the Westport Health Department’s $20 flu shot. (I got one of those, too.)

If those puny, astringent, seedy white diner grapefruits have turned you off that particular fruit, here’s your chance to change your mind.

A postscript: Just to show that Balducci’s is truly a different, friendlier ilk than its aforementioned prior owners, the Balducci’s manager graciously gave WestportNow permission to photograph their grapefruits for this column.

Compare this to the rather peeved note WN received from Hay Day’s manager when we ran what was actually a very flattering photo of the Hay Day coffee bar, in our inaugural Fran’s List. (See Fran’s List Oct. 25, 2003

Cost of one large red grapefruit

Shaw’s, 605 Post Road East $1.29
The Bridge Market, 19 Bridge Square, $1.49
Stop & Shop, 1790 Post Road East $1.59
Wild Oats, 399 Post Road West $0.79lb. (Or equivalent to $1.64 for the giant I bought today at Balducci’s)
Stew Leonard, 100 Westport Ave $1.69 or 2 for $3
Balducci’s, 1385 Post Road East $1.99
Trader Joe’s, 400 Post Road East $2.39
Calise’s Food Market, 734 Post Road East $2.69

Wall Street Journal Gets E-Mail from Martha Stewart on Prisoner Ruling

Westport's Martha Stewart, one of the nation's most famous felons, has assumed a new role: prisoner advocate, the Wall Street Journal reported today.

In an e-mail to a Journal reporter, Stewart says she is worried that striking down federal sentencing guidelines, which the Supreme Court did Wednesday in a landmark ruling, could "depress" some of her fellow inmates at the minimum-security Federal Prison Camp in Alderson, W.Va, the newspaper said.

In the Jan. 5 e-mail, Stewart, convicted in federal court in March 2004 for lying about a stock sale, wrote that what worried her most about a ruling shooting down the sentencing system "is the hope that the Supreme Court has raised in the minds of so many incarcerated women and men that their sentences will be automatically shortened if the court throws out the guidelines," the Journal said.

She added: "It is astonishing how high hopes are in West Virginia, and I fear that a negative result will cause a severe depression."

The High Court, in rulings Wednesday, limited the cases that could be reconsidered under the new rules to those currently under appeal or those in which a challenge under the Sixth Amendment right to a jury trial previously was raised.

That means the overwhelming majority of the nation's 180,000 federal prisoners -- including the 1,050 female inmates at Alderson -- will have no chance of being resentenced.

The rulings could affect Stewart, who is appealing her conviction.

She was sentenced to five months in prison and five months house arrest, the lowest possible sentence under the now-unconstitutional federal sentencing guidelines.

However, Stewart elected to begin serving her prison sentence on Oct. 8 to "reclaim my life and the quality of life for all those related to me," she said at a news conference in September. She is scheduled to be released March 6.

Stewart could ask to be resentenced in the wake of the court decision. But with less than two months left in her prison term, it seems unlikely, because an appeals court would have to send her case back to a lower court, the Journal said.

In her e-mail to a reporter, Stewart said many of Alderson's inmates are there for long periods of time, many "unfairly or unwisely because of the guidelines, enhancements and conspiracies," the newspaper said.

"As you can imagine," Stewart wrote in her e-mail, "when one gets to talk to these women, most first offenders, and many perfectly nice 'neighbors next door,' it is mind boggling to understand that they have four, six and fifteen years to serve away from family, friends, jobs and homes. It is indeed pitiable."

Westport's Paul Newman: "I am Alive and Well"

In a satellite linkup from his Westport home to movie critics in Hollywood, Paul Newman sent this message: "I am alive and well."

Newman, who celebrates his 80th birthday Jan. 26, addressed the Hollywood audience Thursday as part of the HBO portion of the January press tour for critics at Universal City, Calif.

The Oscar-winning actor escaped serious injury last weekend in Daytona when a car he was testing caught fire.

He looked fit and hearty in the appearance promoting "Empire Falls," which airs in May, according to a report in the Toronto Sun.

Based on Richard Russo's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, the mini-series about a declining New England town will be seen on The Movie Network and Movie Central.

Ed Harris, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Helen Hunt, Robin Wright Penn, Aidan Quinn and Newman's wife, Joanne Woodward, appear in the film. Russo adapted his own book.

"There was even a nice part for myself in it," said producer Newman, who grows a bad beard to play Max, the town curmudgeon, the newspaper said.

Board of Ed Holds All-Day Budget Session

The Westport Board of Education held an all-day budget session at the Westport Public Library today to discuss the superintendent’s 2005-06 proposed budget which calls for a 6.5 percent increase to $79.5 million. Lynn Shain, assistant superintendent of curriculum/staff development, (holding microphone) told the session that emphasis is being placed on “use of data to inform instruction” so that test results and other feedback is not “just put in a drawer.” (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Today's Westport Teardown: 3 Ridge Drive

Today's WestportNow teardown is at 3 Ridge Drive off of Imperial Avenue. A demolition permit is pending. The ranch-style house built in 1955 on one-quarter acre sold in September for $675,000. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Sherwood Gray

Thursday's fog in the Westport area made everything a hazy gray, including this view from Sherwood Island. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Emily Laux for WestportNow.com

Friday, Jan. 14, 2005

8:30 a.m. - Westport Public Library - Board of Education budget workshop

Westporters at Norwalk Meeting on Tsunami Relief

A meeting at Norwalk City Hall tonight discussed ways to aid victims of the Asian tsunami. The Rev. John Danner of Westport's Saugatuck Congregational Church (l) addresses the meeting as panelists listen, among them Norwalk Mayor Alex Knopp (2nd r) and Westport First Selectwoman Diane G. Farrell (r). (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Staples Student "Surprised and Happy" to be Named Intel Semifinalist

Shane Mulligan: Wins $1,000 and chance for more. Contributed photoA 17-year-old senior at Westport's Staples High School said today he was "surprised and happy" to be named a semifinalist in a prestigious national science talent competition sponsored by Intel Corp.

Shane Mulligan said he learned Wednesday that he was one of 300 national semifinalists in the Intel Science Talent search.

"I knew it was being announced, but still I was surprised and happy to hear the positive news," he said.

Shane, who was a regional semifinalist last fall in the equally prestigious Siemens-Westinghouse Science Competition, was one of three semifinalists from Connecticut.

He will receive a $1,000 scholarship and Staples will also receive $1,000 to enhance its math and science program.

At Staples, he studies under Dr. A J Scheetz who established a three-year science research course at the high school soon after joining the Westport school district in 2001.

More than 100 top scientists from a variety of disciplines will now review and judge the semifinalists’ entries and examine each individual's research ability, scientific originality and creative thinking.

On Jan. 26 they will announce 40 finalists who will take an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. to attend the Science Talent Institute where they will participate in final judging and compete for college scholarships totaling more than $500,000.

The winners will be selected based on rigorous judging sessions and announced at a black-tie banquet on March 15.

Shane’s project in the Intel program is the same as in the Siemens program. Every Sunday, for more than a year, Shane did research at New York University in the chemistry department.

There he developed DNA structures that could be used to deliver drugs to specific parts of the body. He designed a group of small pieces of DNA that formed hexagons that could be used to "coat" drugs to be activated only when needed. To prove that hexagons were formed, Shane used atomic force microscopy.

According to information provided by Intel, over the past 64 years, STS alumni have been the recipients of more than 100 of the world's most coveted science and math honors including Nobel Prizes, National Medals of Science, MacArthur Foundation Fellowships, and Fields Medals.

This year's semifinalists were selected from 1,600 entrants in 47 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. Their research projects cover all disciplines of science including chemistry, physics, mathematics, engineering, social science and biology.

The students range in age from 15 to 18 with females representing 50 percent of the total entries.

State's Top Cop Addresses Y's Men

The Westport/Weston Y's Men heard today from Leonard C. Boyle, commissioner of the Department of Public Safety. Appointed by Gov. M. Jodi Rell last July, Boyle outlined his responsibilities as head of the Connecticut State Police. Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com

Making a Day of It

The fog that was supposed to burn off in late morning decided to make a day of it in the Westport area today. View is across the Saugatuck River in downtown Westport at about 2 p.m. today. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com

Shays Says Tsunami Destruction Was of "Biblical Proportions"

Rep. Christopher Shays, just back from a visit to several Asian nations devastated by the Dec. 26 tsunami, said today he would not have believed the extent of the destruction if he had not seen it with his own eyes. He called it of "biblical proportions."

"I would have had one-tenth of the sense of the problem if I had not gone," Shays said. "I have struggled with how to make comparisons…this is a human tragedy of biblical proportions."

Talking to reporters at his office in Stamford, the 4th District Republican said the quick trip to Thailand and Indonesia last week had strengthened his resolve to make sure a year from now that U.S. aid to the area is still continuing.

He urged Americans to continue to donate to organizations such as Westport's Save the Children and Stamford-based Americares, saying they had experience on the ground there and the organizational ability to deliver help on a long-term basis.

Shays said he would like to see some towns from his district "adopt" some of the hardest hit communities in the area and as way of demonstrating U.S. resolve to continue the aid.

"It is a huge opportunity to show the face of America that is a very real face -- caring for others," he said.

Preserving Westport's History

A circa 1934 artist's rendition of two historical Westport documents – the Town Charter and Town Deed – are getting a makeover. The parchments, which have been hanging in a Town Hall stairwell, were removed today to begin their journey to Milton, Vt., where conservator Joseph Marotti will preserve them from further deterioration. The project is being funded by the town clerk's 2005 historic document preservation state grant. Showing off the documents are (l-r) Town Clerk Patricia Strauss, Marotti, Joan Miller and Mollie Donovan. Miller and Donovan are curators of the Westport Schools Permanent Art Collection which gave permission for the project. Preserving the work of Works Progress Administration artist Edward J. Ades is expected to take three to four months. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

Today's Westport Teardown: 25 Waterside Terrace

Today's WestportNow teardown is at 25 Waterside Terrace, located in the Longshore Club Park area. The 1942 home was sold in December for $1.8 million. A demolition permit is pending. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Misty

A foggy morning at Westport's Wakeman Park today. The National Weather Service said the fog would burn off in late morning with the temperature rising to the unseasonably 50s. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Emily Laux for WestportNow.com

Report: Martha Stewart's Lawyers Studying Sentence Guideline Ruling

The legal team for Westport's Martha Stewart is reportedly studying how a Supreme Court ruling tossing out federal sentencing guidelines could shorten the length of her confinement.

"We're having discussions with our client about the implications of the decision," lawyer David Chesnoff told The Daily News, according to today's editions.

The court Wednesday struck down part of a nearly two-decade-old sentencing system and imposed new requirements. Among them, it said appeals courts must ensure that recommended sentences are reasonable.

The decision will affect people whose cases are pending, or defendants whose first appeals are not yet completed, like Stewart.

She was sentenced to five months in prison and five months of home confinement after being convicted of lying about why she unloaded shares of ImClone Systems Inc. stock before the price plunged.

She began serving her prison term at federal prison camp in Alderson, W.Va. in October, and is due to be released in early March.

Foggy Night

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The National Weather Service issued a dense fog advisory for Westport and much of the region overnight. It said visibility would be reduced to a quarter mile or less, lifting only by late this morning as a warm front remains just to the south. View is across the Saugatuck River in Westport's center. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Ron Malone for WestportNow.com

NY Times: Westport's Save the Children Overwhelmed by Disaster Aid

The response to appeals for its Asian tsunami relief fund has been so great at Westport's Save the Children that not only has the charity had to bring in volunteers and add phone lines, but the local post office even had to hire extra personnel to handle the mail, according to today's New York Times.

In a Westport-datelined story, the newspaper said, "Save the Children knows just what to do in case of an earthquake, a typhoon or an outbreak of cholera. But it never thought to prepare for the truly unexpected: an onslaught of money."

More than $10 million has poured into the charity over the Internet alone since the earthquake-induced tsunami wrecked millions of lives from Indonesia to eastern Africa, dwarfing the $30,000 to $50,000 a month that usually comes through Save the Children's Web site, the Times said.

"The organization's mail, almost all of it bearing contributions, has multiplied to the point that the local post office has had to add workers," the report said.

"In my wildest dreams, I couldn't have envisioned this," said Lori Redmer, the charity's associate vice president for corporate relations, who had hoped to raise $7 million from companies this year and then received $6 million in the first eight days. "All the events we've held, all the contacts we've established, nothing has produced anything like this."

Thursday, Jan. 13, 2005

11:45 a.m. - Town Hall Room 201 - Planning and Zoning Commission Committee on Fees in Lieu of Open Space
7 p.m. - Westport Fire Headquarters - Public Site and Building Commission
7:30 p.m. - Town Hall Auditorium - Planning and Zoning Commission

Downtown Improvement Proposal Calls for First-Time Parking Meters

The Westport Board of Finance tonight gave a generally positive initial response to a proposal to improve Westport's downtown by the Downtown Merchants Association. The plan, explained by association vice president David Waldman, envisions a public-private partnership that would include construction of a combined retail-residential building and parking deck off of Elm Street. Its $14.5 million cost would be advanced by the town and be repaid partially with revenues from parking meters – the first to be installed in Westport's center. Board member Gavin Anderson (l) warned that the town would be "crossing a bridge" by installing parking meters and said they would change the character of downtown Westport. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Question Time

Newly-elected state legislators representing Westport fielded questions from constituents tonight at Westport's Town Hall – (l-r) freshman Democratic Rep. Joe Mioli, Republican Rep. Cathy Tymniak, and fellow Republican Sen. Judith Freedman. Topics included the Westport YMCA's proposed relocation to Mahackeno, efforts to save the 1800-era built Abel Bradley house at 131 Sturges Highway, and proposed legislation to limit use of hand-held mobile phones in cars. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

"Unconventional Traveler" Draws Large Westport Crowd

The Fairfield County Appalachian Mountain Club drew a large crowd tonight to Westport's Christ and Holy Trinity Church to hear local documentary photographer Daryl Hawk. The native Westporter and Staples graduate conducted a photography presentation of his recent expedition through the kingdom of Bhutan deep in the Himalayas. Hawk described his visit as "the greatest adventure of my life." He photographed dramatic landscapes, exotic wildlife and the birthday celebration ceremonies of the King of Bhutan. Hawk, a member of the Explorers Club and a fellow of The Royal Geographical Society, hosts and produces a weekly public access television program on Cablevision in southern Connecticut called "The Unconventional Traveler." (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Passing the Basket at Brown Bag for Tsunami Victims

The terrible toll taken by the Asian tsunami was on the minds of guests at today's citizens brown bag lunch at Town Hall thanks to Jessica Olderman, 13. The granddaughter of Selectman John Izzo announced she has launched a fund-raising drive for tsunami victims and passed a basket soliciting contributions. Jessica -- posing here with First Selectwoman Diane G. Farrell -- said she instantly raised $53 and hopes for a lot more that she will turn over to the American Red Cross. Donations can be sent to her at 56 Richmondville Ave., Westport 06880. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Matthew Mandell for WestportNow.com

Westport Historic Commission Considers Demolition of Allen's Clam House Barn

Despite last-ditch efforts, the landmark Allen's Clam House building on Westport's Compo Mill Cove was demolished last year. Now the town is considering doing the same to a 1800's barn still standing on the municipally-owned property – if no alternative can be found. No formal request was on the agenda of the Westport Historic District Commission Tuesday night, just a discussion. Members made clear they wanted all efforts exhausted before agreeing to take the structure down. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Westport Board of Ed Seeks Community Input in Staples Principal Search

The Westport Board of Education and its search consultant firm are seeking community input on hiring of a new principal of Staples High School, the school system announced today.

It said the board and the consultant, Goens/Esparo, LLC, are seeking to develop a “profile” of the kind of educator Westport seeks in its next high school principal.

John M. Dodig is serving as interim principal at the high school following the departure last October of John J. Brady to take the superintendent's job in the Amity Regional School District near New Haven.

On Wednesday and Thursday, Jan. 19 and 20, Dr. Louis Esparo and Dr. George Goens will conduct a series of focus groups to obtain information about the characteristics the Westport community considers essential for Staples High School’s new leader, an announcement said.

To provide the opportunity for many Westporters to be involved, three meetings have been scheduled to hear from the general public. The first will take place on Jan. 19 from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., and the second the next day from 1:20 p.m. to 2:15 p.m., and that evening from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

All meetings will be held at Staples High School: Room 2015 in the new building.

School Board Chairwoman Mary Parmelee said the board hopes that many community members will elect to participate in the process.

On Jan. 20. Esparo and Goens will also meet separately with Staples staff, students, and parents, as well as central office school administrators and town officials.

Staples parents who are unable to attend the meeting especially designated for them are invited to participate in one of the general public sessions, the announcement said.

The feedback from the various groups will be given to the Board of Education and incorporated into a Leadership and Management Profile that will be used in identifying candidates that best fit the requirements of the Westport schools and community, according to the announcement.

Before establishing their present business, in West Hartford, Goens and Esparo were experienced public school educators, serving as school superintendents for 14 and 27 years respectively, the board said.

In 1996, Esparo was the Connecticut Superintendent of the Year.

Superintendent of Schools Elliott Landon said he is confident in the search process established to select the next Staples High School principal.

“We are working with experienced professionals who have demonstrated their effectiveness in prior work with us," he said.

"During the last search, the consultants presented several excellent candidates. Although we ultimately chose the interim principal, Dr. John Brady, whom they also had recommended, we feel certain that their other choices would have been fine selections."

Landon said the school district was pleased to have Dodig serving in the interim and, "although not a candidate for the permanent position, is providing fine leadership"

He said a high standard of excellence "prevails in our schools and town" and added, "We are convinced we can identify yet another educator of unusual stature and vision to be a leader of leaders at Staples.”

White on Red

The overnight snow and sleet left a white coating today on the Gault Barn on Westport's Compo Road South. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Ron Malone for WestportNow.com

Westport Schools Normal Opening

The Westport public schools are on a normal schedule today, according to the superintendent's office.

The View from Saugatuck Shores

Frank Kane, who retired Jan. 1 from the U.S. Postal Service Norwalk station, takes in a sunset from Westport's Canal Road Beach on Saugatuck Shores. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Ron Malone for WestportNow.com

Today's Westport Teardown: 29 Old Hill Farms Road

Today's WestportNow teardown is at 29 Old Hill Farms Road on the corner of Old Hill Farms Road and Old Hill Road in the Old Hill section. It sold in December for $1,385,000. An application for a demolition permit is pending. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2005

10 a.m. - Town Hall Room 309 - Historic District Commission
10:30 a.m. - Town Hall Room 102 - International Hospitality Committee
Noon - Town Hall Room 309/307 - Citizens Brown Bag Luncheon
1:30 p.m. - Town Hall Room 201 - Planning and Zoning/Zoning Board of Appeals training session
2:30 p.m. - 21 Imperial Ave. - Westport Center for Senior Activities Policy and Planning Board
5 p.m. - Town Hall Room 309/307 - Board of Selectmen
6 p.m. - Town Hall Room 102 - School Building Committee Staples Subcommittee
7 p.m. - Town Hall Room 309 - Board of Finance anticipated executive session
7:30 p.m. - Westport Library - Library Board
7:30 p.m. Town Hall Room 201A - RTM Long-Range Planning Committee
7:30 p.m. Westport Arts Center - Panel discussion on "Solos" exhibit
8 p.m. - Town Hall Auditorium - Board of Finance (live coverage on Cablevision Channel 79)

Westport Property Transfers Jan. 3-7, 2005

Property transfers as reported by the Westport Town Clerk's office for the period Jan. 3-7, 2005:

Thomas A. and Margaret Rowley to Lance Rosen, 69 Red Coat Road, $1,120,000

Thomas and Kirsten E. Judd to Paul and Delyth Hirtle, 32 Hogan Trail, $821,700

Estate of Joan E. Massola to Schmiedeck Construction LLC, 60 Clapboard Hill Road, $1,345,000

Armando and Angelina Frusciate Sr. to Armando and Jacqueline Frusciate Jr., 11 Pleasant Valley Road, $799,000

Paul E. Schwartz to Ambler Sweedler, 62 Bermuda Road, $4,900,000

Jean Couturas to 9 Sterling Drive LLC, 9 Sterling Drive, $700,000

176 Post Road West LLC to P M R Fairfield Holdings LLC, 176 Post Road West, $4,100,000

Madeline S. Glad to Mountain Valley Builders LLC, River Oaks Road, $240,000

Linda Howard and J. Tucker Clark to Julie M. Cochran, 5 Marc Lane, $1,020,000

Diane L. Rhodes to Leslie Navajas and James H. Gluck, 8 Maplegrove Ave., $880,000

T N T Developers LLC to Salvatore and Pamela Larocca, 2 Bobwhite Drive, $2,030,380

John R. and Kristina H. Dumke to Ford R. and Carolyn M. Lynch, 39 Maple Ave. North, $1,675,000

Estate of Jean A. Pinter to Csaba L. and Olga M. Rethy, Unit 306 35 Bridge St., $180,000

Joseph P. and Helen H. Hu to Christopher D. and Martina Pepin, 7 Fermily Lane, $745,000

Robert and Regina Keating to Brian and Lisa Montalto Power, 35 Oak St., $680,000

Westport Library Seeking Candidates for Board of Trustees

The Westport Public Library Board of Trustees and Representative Town Meeting (RTM) are seeking candidates to apply for vacancies on the Library board, the library said today.

Appointments will be for a four-year term beginning in June.

There are 20 members of the library board, half of whom are appointed by the RTM and half of whom are appointed by the board itself.

More information about the role of the Library Board is available on the library Web site at www.westportlibrary.org.

There also is a link to the Strategic Plan recently adopted by the board, which guides the library in decision-making and budgeting.

Information sessions for interested candidates will take place in the library’s McManus Meeting Room on Tuesday, Feb. 8 at noon and at 7:30 p.m. It is strongly recommended that prospective candidates attend one of these sessions, an announcement said.

Those interested in applying should submit a letter of interest and a resume no later than Feb. 28 to Barbara Mages Rogan, Westport Public Library, Arnold Bernhard Plaza, 20 Jesup Road, Westport, CT 06880 or by e-mail to brogan@westportlibrary.org.

Paul Newman Gives $35,000 to Westport Historical Society

The Westport Historical Society has received a contribution of $10,000 from Paul Newman and an additional contribution of $25,000 through the Paul Newman Fund at the Fairfield County Community Foundation and Newman’s Own, the group announced today.

It said both gifts will be used in support of the Society’s mission of preserving, presenting and celebrating the history of Westport.

As longtime Westport residents, Newman and his wife, Joanne Woodward, have shown their commitment over many years to the Society’s active role in the community, an announcement said.

“The WHS is extremely grateful for this substantial gift," said Denise Torv, WHS executive director. "Such a vote of confidence renews our energy as committee members, staff, directors and volunteers create programs and activities of the highest and most diverse caliber possible.”

She added, “We are also delighted that in addition to their generous financial contribution, both Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward expressed their personal appreciation and wishes for our continued success which their gift will certainly help to ensure.”

Senior Center Sets Anniversary Celebration

It's birthday party time for Westport's Center for Senior Activities. The facility marks its first anniversary in its new home at 21 Imperial Ave. on Sunday, Jan. 23, from 1 to 4 p.m.

The doors of the Center will be open for an afternoon of entertainment, family fun, refreshments and a short film showing the Center in action, according to an announcement.

Westport Country Playhouse Meets $850,000 Kresge Challenge

The Westport Country Playhouse has succeeded in earning an $850,000 grant toward its renovation from the Kresge Foundation, the Playhouse said today.

The Kresge Challenge grant to the Playhouse was contingent upon the theatre's "Campaign for a New Era" raising $4.5 million between Jan. 1, 2004 and Dec, 31, 2004.

According to Elisabeth Saxe, Playhouse development director, "We actually exceeded the Kresge goal within the year-end deadline. The largest individual gift to the challenge was $500,000 and the smallest $20. Every gift is treasured."

The "Campaign for a New Era" has now raised a total of $27 million, inclusive of the Kresge grant, according to a Playhouse announcement.

The campaign's ultimate goal through 2005 is $30.6 million to renovate and expand the Playhouse as well as create an endowment and support artistic and educational initiatives.

Construction began in early 2004, with the revitalized Playhouse scheduled to reopen in June, its 75th anniversary season.

Westport Public Schools Announce Winter Schedule

The Westport public schools today announced the balance of the winter schedule for students.

Schools will be closed Monday, Jan. 17 for Martin Luther King Day, Monday through Friday Feb. 21-25 for the winter recess, and Monday, Feb. 28 for staff development day, an announcement said.

Save the Children: Making Progress in Tsunami Relief

Westport's Save the Children, in its third week of helping Asian children survive one of history's worst natural disasters, said today it is making make progress in meeting the immediate health and nutrition needs of children left homeless by the earthquake and tsunami.

It said as of today, it has raised $29 million for the effort.

The charity is working to prevent serious outbreaks of disease that could kill even more children while expanding efforts to identify and protect children who suddenly have found themselves alone without parents or relatives, according to a summary released by the Westport-based organization.

In Aceh Province of Indonesia, where Save the Children has worked since 1976 and where an estimated 113,00 people have died in the disaster, hundreds of thousands of children and adults are currently being sheltered in temporary camps and remain in dire need of assistance, the charity said.

Save the Children said it has provided water, food, shelter and medicines to children and adults in many of these temporary camps while also working around the clock to identify and protect unaccompanied children. Much-needed supplies are arriving daily, it said.

On Monday, for example, a 12-truck Save the Children convoy arrived in Ache containing 1,000 critically needed medical supply and household kits, according to the charity.

Save the Children staff have completed interviewing and registering children in 17 assigned camps in two districts of Aceh Province -- Banda Aceh and Aceh Basar, the agency said.

The organization this week is expanding its efforts and beginning to register children in more than 60 camps in Siglie, a sub-district of Pidie District of Aceh Province, an area on the east coast hit hard by the earthquake and tsunami.

Ten midwives and 20 businesswomen involved in Save the Children programs lost their lives in this area of the province when disaster hit on Dec. 26, the group said.

"Save the Children has enormous expertise in reuniting families during and following conflict and displacement. The scale of family tracing required in this region is unprecedented," said John Reinstein, Save the Children protection officer who is overseeing the registration process.

"It is critical that we get children and families who are missing children registered as soon as possible."

Save the Children also is working to create safe areas for children in the camps and give children the opportunity to express themselves through drama, art and games like soccer, the organization said.

Such activities can help inject normalcy into the lives of children who have experienced a crisis, according to its experts.

In addition, the agency is supporting temporary schools and looking longer-term at how to help rehabilitate the devastated school system that has lost at least 500 teachers and suffered severe or total damage to 550 schools, the summary said.

Save the Children said it is working with government as it seeks to get as many students back to school, even in temporary classrooms, as soon as possible.

"When children have lost everything around them, it is important to establish a daily routine and a sense of normalcy for them to start on the road to recovery," said Christine Knudsen, Save the Children senior protection officer currently in Aceh Province.

"By establishing safe areas in the camps, these children can play and come together to begin the healing process."

Meanwhile, in Sri Lanka, where Save the Children has worked for two decades, schools have re-opened this week, and massive efforts are underway to get children back to school, the charity said.

More than 400,000 children are displaced and schools in the coastal areas have been destroyed or badly damaged, it said. Many schools which are still standing after the disaster are being used as shelters for over 800,000 people left homeless.

As of today, Save the Children USA had raised more than $29 million in support of Asian relief efforts -- including more than $10 million through its Web site, the group said.

For more information or to make a donation, go to Save the Children's Web site at http://www.savethechildren.org

Winter Weather Advisory in Effect

Light snow began falling at about mid-day in Westport today after a morning mixture of sleet and rain. The National Weather Service issued a winter weather advisory saying the snow will spread across the area this afternoon – spotty at first but with a steadier snowfall later in the day. It said the snow may briefly mix with sleet at times and the final accumulation is likely to be 1 to 3 inches before ending this evening. View is of Westport's center. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Blumenthal and Farrell Submit Petition to Reject Power Surcharge

Attorney General Richard Blumenthal and Westport First Selectwoman Diane G. Farrell today submitted a petition to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) on behalf of 54 towns and cities to reject a plan to impose a $393 million electricity surcharge on Connecticut ratepayers.

Residents of power-needy southwest Connecticut would pay two-thirds of the federally-mandated charge, called Locational Installed Capacity (LICAP), that will appear on customer bills.

The money from the charge will be paid directly to electric generators as "a purported incentive to build new power sources," according to a joint press release by the officials announcing the petition.

The announcement said numbers from the ISO-New England, the region's power grid coordinator, "however flawed," indicate that the entire state will have to pay LICAP charges of about $393 million in 2006 alone, and as much as $2.8 billion through the year 2010.

Under FERC's plan, in 2006 southwestern Connecticut will pay $230 million in LICAP charges and the rest of the state will pay $163 million, the announcement said. Through 2010, southwestern Connecticut will pay $1.5 billion and the rest of the state will pay $1.3 billion, it said.

In an interview with The Hartford Courant last week, FERC spokesman Bryan Lee said the plan is designed to provide a "rational economic incentive for investment in Connecticut that has not taken place in some 30 years."

He said Locational Installed Capacity is intended to encourage the continued operation of existing electricity generation and the growth of new power plants.

Blumenthal, Farrell and leaders of all 54 municipalities support reasonable efforts to invest in electric service reliability at reasonable rates, the announcement said.

But LICAP will simply impose an excessive wealth transfer from ratepayers to existing generators with no short term reliability benefits and highly questionable long-term benefits, the officials contend.

They said new plants cannot be constructed until the state's transmission capacity is upgraded.

"This proposal is fatally flawed - and destined to fail," Blumenthal said. "FERC cannot impose catastrophic costs on consumers and pay generators wild windfalls without any public interest benefits.

"The priority is upgrading transmission lines in Southwestern Connecticut. All areas of Connecticut will suffer from this new federal program of price supports and subsidies for the electric industry."

Blummenthal said new power plants are impractical until the power can be distributed.

"My office will continue to support environmentally sound transmission upgrades, and vigorously fight this taxing LICAP proposal in alliance with other states and towns across Connecticut," he said.

The Attorney Genera added that "today's petition contains a powerful, compelling message."

Farrell said it is ill-conceived for FERC to attempt to divide a small state like Connecticut into two energy rate zones.

"The governor, attorney general and all 54 affected cities and towns object to the proposal and agree that splitting Connecticut will in fact hinder the state's economic future," she said.

"Play With Your Food" Begins Third Season

The Westport Arts Center and JIB Productions today began another season of their highly successful "Play With Your Food" theater-luncheon programs at Westport's Toquet Hall. The readings of one-act plays by award-winning playwrights, buffet lunch, and discussions with actors is now in its third season. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Eating on the Edge

Patrons at today's "Play With Your Food" theater-luncheon program at Toquet Hall took seats on the edge of the stage to have their lunch before the program began. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Still Life

A sunny winter day at Compo Mill Pond. The boat is in the water not far from where Allen's Clam House stood for many years until it was demolished last year. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Emily Laux for WestportNow.com

Today's Westport Teardown: 57 Owenoke Park

Today's WestportNow teardown is at 57 Owenoke Park, near Compo Beach. The 1940 house with water views was the home of the late Sheila Hehmeyer. It sold for $6 million last April. An application for demolition is pending. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Tuesday, Jan. 11, 1004

9 a.m. - Town Hall Room 201 - Code Enforcement Committee
Noon - Toquet Hall - Westport Arts Center presents "Play With Your Food"
7 p.m. - Town Hall Room 102 - Historic District Commission
7:30 p.m. - Town Hall Auditorium - Zoning Board of Appeals
7:30 p.m. - Town Hall Room 309 - Architectural Review Board

Westport Board of Education Begins Budget Discussion

The Westport Board of Education tonight began discussions on the superintendent's proposed 2005-06 school budget which provides for a 6.5 percent increase over the current year.

The board will hold a all-day session to discuss the $79.5 million proposal Friday beginning at 9 a.m. at the Westport Library's McManus Room.

The budget calls for a $4.8 million increase, 70 percent of which Superintendent Elliott Landon said is to maintain current services.

The proposal includes a $1 million increase in the insurance fund as well as eight new teaching positions at Staples High School, which is undergoing a $74 million expansion and renovation.

Paul Newman Donates $20,000 to Westport's CLASP Homes

Westport's Paul Newman, sole owner of Newman’s Own, has donated $20,000 to CLASP Homes, a Westport nonprofit community organization serving adults with developmental disabilities, the charity announced today.

The donation will support CLASP’s mission of community inclusion by providing homes and other professional services for people with developmental disabilities, the announcement said.

Newman donates all his profits and royalties after taxes for educational and charitable purposes and has donated more than $150 million to thousands of charities since 1982.

Founded in Westport 22 years ago, CLASP Homes is dedicated to increasing public understanding of people with developmental disabilities, and their ability to be contributing members of the community through work or volunteer opportunities.

CLASP offers and supports high quality professional services that enhance each person’s social responsibility, independence, dignity and continued growth.

Since its inception in 1982, CLASP has grown from operating one group home to now operating 10 group homes, eight apartments, and a Career and Community Options Program serving Fairfield County. Program sites are located in Westport, Wilton, Norwalk, Fairfield, Easton, Shelton and Stratford.

Westport Yard Waste Site Initiates Reduced Winter Hours

Westport's yard waste site located at 180 Bayberry Lane initiated reduced winter hours today, the Public Works Department announced.

The winter hours will be Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturdays from 7 a.m. to noon. The hours will be in effect until March 14 when regular hours will resume.

Westport's First Teardown of 2005: 60 Clapboard Hill Road

Westport's first teardown of the 2005 was a house at 60 Clapboard Hill Road. The 1920 house (inset) was featured as WestportNow's teardown of the day on Oct. 27, 2004. The Historic District Commission approved a delay in September in its destruction, but the permit was finally issued Jan. 6. The property changed hands Jan. 3 for $1,345,000. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com