January 29, 2005
We Could Always Try a Dog Sled, No?
Westport's Winslow Park hosted dog walkers and sledders today as sunny skies and warmer temperatures made getting outdoors a little easier. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Lawrence Zlatkin for WestportNow.com
For All the Tea in Westport
By Fran
WestportNow Consumer Correspondent
fran@westportnow.com
On a very cold day this week a friend and business associate suggested we meet for lunch at the Saugatuck Rowing Club. “Their salads are a bargain, about the same as carry-out at Abbondanza,” he assured me. Which is why we were both surprised when the bill came to over $35.
Where the tea is steep: Dunville’s. WN photo
Has this ever happened to you?
Here’s the culprit – we had asked to warm up with a cup of hot tea while looking over the menu. Only after lunch did the check reveal that we were charged $3 each for tea, which if you include tax and gratuity, comes to well over $7.
This got me wondering what Westport’s other eateries charge for that innocuous cup of tea. Here’s what I found. (Note: no information was available for restaurants missing from the list.)
Hot and on the house – here’s where the tea is free:
Jasmine Restaurant, 60 Charles Street, 221-7777
Matsu Sushi, 33 Jesup Road, 341-9662
Sakura, 680 Post Road East, 222-0802
Ships Corner, 23 Jesup Road, 226-6233
Tengda Asian Bistro, 1330 Post Road East, 255-6115
Didn’t know Asian restaurants now charge for tea? Well, some do:
Little Kitchen, 423 Post Road East, 227-2547, $.60
Well-priced – we’ll come back for more:
Mario’s Place, 36 Railroad Place, 226-0308, $1
Peppermill, 1700 Post Road East, 259-8155, $1
Athena Diner, 3350 Post Road East, 259-0603, $1.25
Commuter Coffee Co., 46 Railroad Place, 226-9010 $1.25
Angelina’s Trattoria, Post Plaza Shopping Center, 227-0865, $1.25
Sherwood Diner, 901 Post Road East, 226-5535, $1.30
International House of Pancakes, 520 Post Road East, 454-9709, $1.36
Coffee An’ Donut Shop, 343 Main Street, 227-3808, $1.40
Black Duck, 605 Riverside Avenue, $1.50
DeRosa’s, 577 Riverside Avenue, 227-7596, $1.50
John’s Best, 365 Post Road West, 227-7247, $1.50
Still comparatively reasonable, given the menu prices:
Villa Del Sol, 36 Elm Street, 226-7912, $1.95
Chez Stephane, 3 Bay Street, 226-8356, $2
Conte’s Market & Grill, 540 Riverside Avenue, 226-3474, $2
Tai Pan, 376 Post Road East, 227-7400, $2
Tarantino’s, 32 Railroad Place, 454-3188, $2
Tartine, 7 Sconset Square, 226-2647, $2
Pane Vino, 1431 Post Road East, 255-1153, $2.25
Bogey’s Grille and Tap Room, 323 Main Street, 227-4653, $2.25
Positano, 233 Hills Point Road, 454-4922, $2.50
Mansion Clam House, 541 Riverside Avenue, 454-7979, $2.50
River House Tavern, 299 Riverside Avenue, 226-5532, $2.50
Tavern On Main, 146 Main Street, 221-7222, $2.50
Three Bears, 333 Wilton Road, 227-7219, $2.50
V Restaurant and Wine Bar, 1460 Post Road East, 259-1160, $2.50
Bombay, 616 Post Road East, 226-0211, $2.50
At these prices, the tea is steep:
Saugatuck Rowing Club, 521 Riverside Avenue, 221-7475, $3
Seminara’s, 256 Post Road East, 222-8955, $3
Tiger Bowl, 1872 Post Road East, 255-1799, $3
Da Pietro’s, 36 Riverside Avenue, 454-1213, $3.25
Dunville’s, 41 Saugatuck Avenue, 227-0511, $3.50
Staples Players Perform One-Act Plays at Toquet Hall
The Staples Players presented a One Act festival Friday night at Westport's Toquet Hall. The event, which repeats tonight at 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., features 18 student-directed and student-produced 10-minute plays -- a product of the school's directing class. Shown are (l-r) Rachel Ritter, Sarah Morris, and Alec Galambos in "Time Flies" by David Ives and directed by senior Kathleen Hessman. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Kerry Long for WestportNow.com
Bayberry Horsey Set
Horses on Westport's Bayberry Lane share some hay in the bitter cold. Today's forecast called for slightly warmer temperatures with the high around 30. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Emily Laux for WestportNow.com
January 28, 2005
Today's Westport Teardown: 9 Half Mile Common
Today's WestportNow teardown is at 9 Half Mile Common off of Cross Highway. A demolition permit has been submitted for the 1954 home which sold Jan. 18 for $750,000. Because it is more than 50 years old, the application must be heard by the Historic District Commission, which has put it on its Feb. 8 agenda. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
Westport Property Transfers Jan. 17-21, 2005
Property transfers as reported by the Westport Town Clerk's office for the period Jan. 17-21, 2005:
Westport Auto Sales to C. Lawrence Tirreno, 1350 Post Road East, $1,400,000
C. Lawrence Tirreno to Westport Auto Sales, 19-25 Mills St., $1,400,000
David C. Larson to Shawn B. Liprie, 24 St. John Place, $781,000
Brendan M. and Jeanne L. Lesch to Craig A. and Allison C. Wiele, 114 Imperial Ave., $1,199,000
Leigh and Anne Randall to Robert C. and Monica E. Moore, 121 Newtown Turnpike, $1,405,000
John F. and Sarah W. Gillespie to Brendan M. and Jeanne L. Lesch, 8 Pond Edge Road, $1,450,000
Daniel and Christopher Renzulli to Anteaters LLC, 5 Renzulli Lane, $163,720
David S. and Cheryl Weinstock L R & Jeff LLC, 9 Half Mile Common, $750,000
David Chang and Weihong Lu to Andrew and Nancy Shapiro, 11 Iron Gate Hill, $870,000
Estate of Azima Ann Leylas to O M G Properties LLC, Unit 71 Regents Park, $16,500
Matthew H. and Deborah P. Golden to Land Group Inc., 1 Canning Lane, $632,500
All Eyes on the Staples Windows
Members of the Board of Education and other town officials toured the new wing of Staples High School Thursday to get a better understanding of the windows in the building. A $2.5 million request for additional funding for the Staples project has been held up by the board pending clarification of why all windows in the building were not made to open and close as specified in the board's educational specifications. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Allen Bomes for WestportNow.com
A Little Color on the Winter Landscape
A home in Westport's Compo Mill area provides a little color on the bleak winter landscape Thursday. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Emily Laux for WestportNow.com
Promoting the Westport Historical Society's Latest Exhibit
Mollie Donovan and Wally Woods show attendees at the Westport Historical Society annual meeting tonight a poster promoting the Society's latest exhibit opening Feb. 6 "Hilla Rebay -- A Baroness in Westport." Hilla Rebay was the visionary spirit and co-founder of what is now the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York, as well as a noted painter of non-objective art. A special section of the exhibit is devoted to her home and life in Westport, including her Franton Court estate on Morningside Drive South. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo
January 27, 2005
A Compo Moment Frozen in Time
The sun was out and skies were clear, but the mid-day temperature at Westport's Compo Beach today was 16 with winds that made it feel like 2. Forecasters said tonight would be even colder with wind chill values as low as 14 below. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo
Greens Farms Winter Scene
It looks like someplace in the wilds of New England, but it actually is a property in Westport's Greens Farms section after Wednesday's snowfall. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Lawrence Zlatkin for WestportNow.com
Westport Sign of the Times
Westport properties destined for demolition are getting a new look – a sign warning that the structure is unoccupied. The Westport Building Department is requiring posting of the signs in a prominent place so in case of fire, firefighters don't rush into the building risking their lives to search for people. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
Thursday, Jan. 27,2005
10 a.m. - Earthplace - Sasco Brook Abatement Committee
7 p.m. - Town Hall Room 309 - Sherwood Mill Pond Committee
7:30 p.m. - Town Hall Room 201 - Planning and Zoning Commission work session
January 26, 2005
Westport Man Named in Federal Securities Fraud Indictment
A Westport man who is a former executive of the Internet ad firm L90 has been indicted by federal prosecutors in Los Angeles on charges he fraudulently booked revenues to boost the company’s performance.
Keith Jon Kaplan, 36, was charged with three counts of conspiracy, securities fraud and falsifying books and records. He faces a maximum of 25 years in federal prison and is expected to be arraigned on Feb. 22, according to the U.S. Attorney's office.
Kaplan is former senior vice president and chief of sales for the Internet advertising firm. It had been based in Marina del Rey, Calif., before merging with a unit of Doubleclick, changing its name to MaxWorldwide in 2002, and moving its corporate headquarters to New York.
Kaplan is alleged to have conspired with two other former executives to inflate revenues to meet analysts’ fourth quarter 2000 projections, the U.S. Attorney’s office said.
In one example, he is alleged to have offered the founder of a failing Internet company $500,000 worth of free advertising and recording $546,000 in advertising revenue in fourth quarter 2000, which allowed L90 to meet analysts’ estimates.
The other executives, John Bohan, L90's former chief executive and president, and Lucrezia Bickerton, its former vice president of finance, already have pleaded guilty to criminal charges.
Two other executives have pleaded guilty to similar charges as part of the L90 investigation, lead by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Securities and Exchange Commission.
An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty, the U.S. Attorney's office said.
Joanne Woodward Bows Out as Westport Playhouse Artistic Director
Joanne Woodward, saying she is the same age – 75 – as the Westport Country Playhouse, today announced she is resigning her artistic director post at the historic facility at the end of the year.
Joanne Woodward : "I'm the same age as the Playhouse." (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo
Woodward, who has served in the role since 2001 and who oversaw the Playhouse's $30 million renovation and expansion, will become "Playhouse artistic director emeritus."
"I'm the same age as the Playhouse. It got a renovation, but there's not much they can do for me," Woodward said.
The Playhouse said a search for a new artistic director will be led by the Playhouse board of directors, coordinated by Management Consultants for the Arts of Cos Cob.
The firm has conducted more than 40 comparable searches for artistic leadership for many of the nation's professional theatres, an announcement said. Woodward's successor will begin on Jan. 1, 2006.
A longtime Westport resident, Woodward became the theater’s artistic adviser in 2000, following the resignation of executive producer James B. McKenzie, who ran the theater for 41 years. In 2001, Woodward took on the role of artistic director, with Anne Keefe as associate artistic director.
As artistic director emeritus, Woodward will remain involved with the historic theatre as a member of the board of directors, with special interest in an area dear to her heart, strategic educational initiatives, the announcement said.
"I was happy to be there in the beginning, and I'm looking forward to passing the baton while continuing to play a role in this wonderful place,"
she said.
In addition to selecting the plays for six summer seasons at the Playhouse, Woodward directed Playhouse productions of "The Constant Wife" in 2000 and "Three Days of Rain" in 2001.
The new updated and winterized facility is expected to open in mid-June for a four-show summer season. The building, which now is capable of hosting productions year-round, also will feature a holiday show and two other productions for its first full year of operation.
Izzo Reiterates Opposition to Underage Drinking Ordinance
John Izzo: in no hurry "to turn our parental responsibilities over to the police." WestportNow. com photoWestport Selectman John Izzo today reiterated his opposition to an underage drinking ordinance.
He was the lone vote against a "sense of the meeting" resolution at a Board of Selectmen meeting tonight that endorsed the ordinance to be acted on by the Representative Town Meeting (RTM), the town's legislative body, next week.
First Selectwoman Diane G. Farrell and Selectman Carl Leaman voted in favor.
In a letter to WestportNow, Izzo said he agreed to a postponement of the non-binding "symbolic" resolution at the board's Jan. 12 meeting to comply with Farrell's request that he attend a forum on the subject Jan. 19 organized by the PTA Council.
"For the public record, I am holding to my original position and do not support a new underage drinking ordinance for some of the following reasons in no particular order of the importance," Izzo said.
"The police did not request this ordinance. The PTA maintains a neutral position and did not endorse this ordinance."
Izzo reviewed the provisions of the proposed ordinance – including allowing police to enter private property if they suspect underage drinking – and wondered whether police would ticket everyone if "perhaps only one or two children are drinking."
"Most likely, yes," he said. "So certainly innocent kids will be ticketed. A record will exist and newspapers may print their names if 16 years of age or older."
Izzo said he has not seen any police records indicating any frequency of such parties. He added, "Ordinances on the books already allow any adult to be ticketed for serving minors. The key words here are 'private property' and 'police power.'"
"I could go on at some length, but I see no need -- my position remains the same, 'parents should parent and police should police,'" Izzo said.
He noted that when his sons were growing up, he and his wife had a curfew for them. "It, of course, grew later as they grew older, but we always made sure we were awake when they came home. I'll bet the same tactics will work today," Izzo said.
He concluded, "In my view we shouldn't be in any hurry to turn our parental responsibilities over to the police."
Westport YMCA Announces Architect, Details of Mahackeno Move
New YMCA: nestled on northern part of property near Merritt Parkway. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed graphicThe Westport/Weston YMCA took another step today in its announced move from its crowded and costly 82-year-old downtown headquarters to its sprawling Mahackeno complex in northwest Westport long used as a summer camp.
At a morning news conference in the downtown building's board room, officials announced selection of well-known New York-based architect Robert A. M. Stern Architects to design the Y's new home on the 32-acre site.
Mindful of objections already voiced by neighbors, they said the new 95,000-square-foot facility would cost an estimated $35 million and sit on the northern part of the property near the Merritt Parkway, far away from residences on River and Rice's Lane. It would be accessed by the Y-owned Sunny Lane.
The building would be of "New England character" and take advantage of the naturally hilly terrain to blend in with the surroundings, they said.
"It will have minimal impact on the land," said Ted Davis, chairman of the project steering committee.
Dick Foot, the Y's executive director and CEO, declined to release any preliminary designs.
But a person familiar with sketches submitted by the winning architect said they showed a multi-level, mostly stone building built into the hillside above the Saugatuck River so as to maintain a low profile.
The preliminary plan envisions a separated roadway from the Merritt Parkway access road to get to Sunny Lane with a traffic light at the intersection of Sunny Lane and entry to the parkway, the source said. There is already a traffic light on Route 33 and the parkway roadway.
YMCA officials have had preliminary talks with Connecticut Department of Transportation personnel who have voiced no objection to the plan, according to the source.
Aerial view of the YMCA's property at the Mahackeno Outdoor Center. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed graphic
A "site analysis" released at the news conference showed only an "improved intersection and access road" without much detail. It did depict a buffer of trees between the parkway and the building, shown as sitting at about a 45-degree angle to the nearby Saugatuck River.
Kevin Smith, a Westporter associated with the winning architectural firm, said he was "absolutely delighted" to be involved in the project. "For once I have a job working at home in Westport instead of flying on planes as I did this morning," he said.
He added, "This is a fantastic site," and said his firm, headed by architect Robert A. M. Stern, dean of the Yale University School of Architecture, was delighted to be able to situate the building in a manner that will enhance the property.
Foot told the gathering that today's announcements were "a truly historic occasion." "For this generation, we are the stewards of this venerable institution," he said.
He briefly recounted the long history of trying to find a new home for the Y. He reiterated why the YMCA had decided – even upon a new, recent review – it could not use part of the 22-acre, town-owned downtown property known as Baron's South even if the town changed its stance and allowed it.
"It simply is not feasible even if physically possible," Foot said. "It would turn the entire property into a development – something the town would not stand for and the Y would not endorse."
"Remaining in this (downtown) location would result in the Y's eventual demise," he said. He noted that upkeep of the aging structure with its 16 different elevations and ceilings too low to accommodate children taller than 5 feet in some activities was costing $1 million a year, money that could be better spent on its programming.
Trying to split the Y's operations between two or more locations would be financially burdensome and result in inefficient operations, he said.
He said Y officials finally realized that the answer to the Y's relocation problem was one that was always in front of them – the sprawling Mahackeno Outdoor Center complex in northwest Westport. "It is a perfect choice," Foot said.
Y officials said they anticipate a two- or three-year building effort and hoped to have the facility open for business in 2008. Foot said $2 million has been spent so far on planning. He declined to estimate how much might be received through sale of the downtown building.
The official did estimate that the town would reap about $500,000 a year in tax revenues by having the building back on the tax rolls. Asked if the Y would press its case in the courts, if it came to that, Foot replied, "We understand that (possible litigation) to be a fact of life and we are prepared."
In answer to another question, the officials said no decision had been made whether the site would be on the town sewer, which presently does not extend there, or septic. A source familiar with the Y's planning said the site easily could have its own septic system.
Using the theme "Imagine the Possibilities," the Y established a special section on its Web site to present plans for the new building.
YMCA Discloses New Details of Proposed Move
In addition to announcing selection of an architect today (see photo below), Westport/Weston YMCA officials disclosed some new details of their plan to move from their 1923-built downtown headquarters to a 32-acre site near the Merritt Parkway. They said construction would take two to three years and cost about $35 million, no decision has been made on town sewer or septic, they have established a Web site for the project, and, if necessary, they are prepared to wage a legal battle to see it to completion. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo
YMCA Selects Architect for New Building
The Westport/Weston YMCA today announced it has selected New York-based architect Robert A.M. Stern Associates to design its new $35 million facility on its 32-acre Camp Mahackeno site. Dick Foot (l), the Y's executive director and CEO, and Ted Davis, head of the project steering committee, announced details of the plan at a news conference. They promised an environmentally-sound building that would nestle on the north side of the property near the Merritt Parkway, be of New England character, and take advantage of the naturally hilly terrain to blend in with the surroundings and have minimal impact on the land. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo
Overnight Snow Cancels Classes But Causes No Major Traffic Problems
Traffic easily moves through Westport's center today after an overnight snow left several inches in the area and caused cancellation of classes at Westport schools. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo
Metro-North: Trains Subject to Delays
Metro-North said today that its New Haven Line trains were subject to 15-minute delays because of two unrelated problems.
At Larchmont station, it said there was a wire down on a track that is currently out of service. The wire was also partially blocking an in-service track next to it, an announcement said.
Compounding this problem, there was a train that had to remain at New Rochelle station because a customer on that train required medical assistance, the railroad said.
Westport Schools, Senior Center Closed, Brown Bag Lunch Canceled
Westport schools are closed today because of the weather, the supreintendent's office announced.
The Westport Center for Senior Activities announced it is closed today -- all activities including the noon congregate luncheon program are off.
Town Hall announced that the weeky citizens brown bag lunch scheduled for noon today was also canceled.
Longshore Club Park Sparkles
Westport's Longshore Club Park sparkled under Tuesday's sunny skies. The forecast for today called for 3 to 5 inches of snow by late afternoon. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
Compo Beach Playground to Get a Makeover, Hopefully Minus Controversy
Westport's Compo Beach playground turns 17 next year and a group of residents wants to mark the occasion with a makeover – and hopefully not rekindle the kind of controversy its construction sparked almost a generation ago.
Compo playground: "the wood has outlived its useful life." (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Emily Laux for WestportNow.com
"The wood has outlived its useful life," said Joanne Heller, a Westport mother who sent an e-mail to fellow parents this week asking for volunteers to attend a meeting Sunday at 2 p.m. at Westport Police Headquarters to discuss renovating the playground.
The playground was built by hand by Westporters with private funding amid much controversy in the spring of 1989.
Controversy in Westport is a way of life, of course, but this one was especially notable for its pitting neighbor against neighbor. After four lawsuits and a series of polls, petitions, and t-shirt wars that attracted national attention, the project went ahead.
"It was not one of our prouder moments," said Betsy Wacker, one of the organizers of the original playground project. "It was completely bizzarro."
Yet she said she has fond memories and multiple lifetime friendships as a result of the project designed by children with planning by playground designer guru Robert Leathers.
And she has offered to help this time around – along with the original lead organizer, Jim Bennett -- but staying in the background so younger families can take the lead.
"It was magical," Wacker recalled of the hectic building days in April 1989. "It was a throw-back to the old barn-raising times. It tested people in a way they weren't tested in their daily lives. It was emotionally, psychologically, and physically satisfying to very many people."
Bennett said rebuilding of the playground is "a wonderful opportunity for the next generation to experience the incredible high of a community barn-raising event."
Opponents at the time had concerns about the playground structures' height (too tall – they were eventually lowered), design (too ugly), construction (too amateurish) and the building materials (too much arsenic in the wood), according to a New York Times account.
Longtime resident Dan Woog said the two major points of contention at the time were that it would ruin the vista at the beach, and that it would attract lots of out-of-towners.
"I think most people would agree that the vista is fine, that plenty of out-of-towners come in non-sticker months to use it, and that the sky has not fallen because of either event," he said in a comment posted on this WestportNow story.
After the controversy had died down, even some of those most stubbornly against it acknowledeged that it wasn't so bad after all. But Wacker said there are probably a few people around who still don't like it.
Heller, who, as president of the Westport Young Woman's League was asked to help organize the 2005-06 Compo Beach Playground Committee, said she is looking for people willing to engage in fund-raising, publicity, working with the schools and children for ideas, "and more."
"The hope would be to have the same type of community build in the spring of 2006 that happened over five days in 1989," she said. The League was one of the major participants in the original playground construction.
Stuart McCarthy, Parks and Recreation Department director, said his department will be very much involved in the effort. But he is hoping for community involvement and support of the kind that eventually prevailed the first time around.
The 1989 construction – which replaced an antiquated playground on the site -- cost about $65,000, according to Bennett, who said organizers raised $75,000. He estimated the makeover would cost about $100,000.
McCarthy said the town long has had $150,000 listed in its capital projects forecast to rebuild it. "But if it can be done with private funds, so much the better," he said, adding that financial details still have to be worked out.
Heller said the big question is exactly how to rebuild the playground. McCarthy said he envisions use of "plastic lumber" built on a real wooden structure. Both said the design firm of Robert Leathers – known as the Frank Lloyd Wright of the playground set – would once again likely be involved.
The Westport Police Athletic League and the Staples Gridiron Club are also part of the initial planning discussions, Heller said.
Above all, Heller said, she hopes to avoid the kind of controversy that erupted over the 1989 construction. "One might think it would be easier this time," she said, "but having lived here for almost 12 years, I wouldn't bet on it."
Two RTM Committees Split on Recommending Underage Drinking Bill
Two committees of the Representative Town Meeting (RTM) met Tuesday night to discuss whether to recommend that the full RTM pass a controversial underage drinking ordinance next week. One endorsed it overwhelmingly; the other did not on a tie vote.
The Health and Human Services Committee voted 10-1-1 (McHenry against, Rome abstaining) to recommend RTM passage of the measure at its Feb. 1 meeting. The Public Protection Committee split on the issue 3-3 (Mioli, Mathias, and Lowenstein in favor; Flynn, Krause, and Starr opposed. See committee list here.)
The committees voted after meeting for several hours and hearing testimony from members of the public, many of them members of the Westport Youth Commission, which drafted the bill. The measure would allow police to ticket underage drinkers on private property, something they cannot do under current law.
(Editor's Note: The editor of WestportNow.com is also moderator of the RTM.)
Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2005
10:30 a.m. - Town Hall Room 102 - International Hospitality Committee
Noon - Town Hall Room 309/307 - Citizens brown bag lunch - CANCELED
5:30 p.m. - Turner Trailers - School Building Committee Staples Subcommittee
7 p.m. - Town Hall Room 309/307 - Board of Selectmen
January 25, 2005
Paul Newman, 80 on Wednesday, Set for Daytona Race
Westport's Paul Newman, who turns 80 Wednesday, said today he is ready to drive in the Rolex 24 at Daytona International Speedway next month.
"You bet," the Academy Award-winning actor said during a conference with reporters.
Just more than two weeks ago, Newman escaped injury when the car he was driving caught fire. He will return to the cockpit of the same car on the same track for the race on Feb. 5-6.
"The car should be rebuilt and ready to test hopefully at another track in Florida before we actually start testing at Daytona," he said.
Newman, an accomplished sports car racer, has appeared in five previous Rolex 24s, winning the GTS-1 class and finishing third overall in 1995.
This time, he will share the No. 79 Ford Crawford in the 24-hour endurance race with Champ Car World Series champion drivers Cristiano da Matta and Sebastien Bourdais, as well as friend Michael Brockman.
Newman may elect to let his younger teammates, da Matta and Bourdais, do most of the driving.
"I get to log a sleeping shift," Newman said. "The rest of it will be up to the (other) drivers. I try to get about 23, 23 1/2 hours of sleep."
Asked how he prepares for such a race, Newman replied: "I try to mentally move myself backward in time. Yesterday I spent a lot of time sucking my thumb trying to get back to my childhood.
"I'm starting to lie about my age, as you can see. The car says 79 on it. Next year it will be 78, then it will be 77, so...
"I don't know. I may joke about it. I guess we all try to push the envelope as much as we can. Sometimes you make a mistake and we'll see whether this is a mistake or not. "
A Neighbor Offers a Snack
A neighbor stopped by to offer a snack to the animals at the Kowalsky farm in Greens Farms today. Temperatures got to just about freezing in the afternoon – almost balmy – but forecasters said more snow was on the way overnight with 2 to 4 inches expected by the time it is over. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Ron Malone for WestportNow.com
Shays to Observe Iraqi Elections, Participate in World Economic Forum
Rep. Christopher Shays will travel to Iraq again to observe the Iraqi elections, his office announced today. He also will visit Switzerland where he will participate in the World Economic Forum.
The 4th District congressman, who represents Westport and much of Fairfield County, is chair of the Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging Threats and International Relations. He will make the trip as part of his panel's oversight work of key military, diplomatic and humanitarian efforts.
Embarking on his seventh trip to Iraq, Shays will observe the first election in Iraq since Saddam Hussein's regime fell. He will also meet with Ambassador John Negroponte, Prime Minister Allawi, and other Iraqi government officials, an announcement said.
Shays is scheduled to appear on CNN's "Larry King Live" to discuss Iraqi elections Sunday between 9 and 10 p.m.
"The Iraqi elections are an historic opportunity for the Middle East, and for the Iraqi people. Being in Iraq allows me to see our military and diplomatic work on the ground and to speak with Iraqi leaders and citizens," Shays said.
"This perspective is invaluable in guiding my assessment of our efforts in country, and making sure our military forces are adequately trained and equipped. I am grateful to have the opportunity to witness this unique moment in Iraqi history."
Shays will also travel to Geneva, where he will meet with officials from the World Health Organization (WHO) to discuss ongoing global disease surveillance and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to discuss tsunami relief efforts.
Shays recently returned from a trip to Southeast Asia where he assessed tsunami relief efforts and the unfolding needs of the region.
He will discuss emerging issues in Southeast Asia and the ICRC's work in the region, particularly their FamilyLinks program which connects family members separated during the tsunami.
Shays will be the lead co-sponsor of the Women and Children in Crisis and Conflict Protection Act. The measure seeks to protect women and children who are internally displaced, made refugees, or otherwise affected by a complex humanitarian emergency.
Shays and Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.) will introduce the Global Tsunami Detection and Warning System Act -- the House version of Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman's bill -- which seeks to create a global tsunami warning system.
Shays will also participate in the World Economic Forum in Davos which will focus on international economic issues, U.S. leadership in the world, and the future of Iraq, the announcement said.
While in Davos, Shays is scheduled to appear on Bloomberg's "Money and Politics" program Thursday between 2 and 3 p.m. to discuss the U.S. economy and Iraq.
"Meeting with WHO will give me the opportunity to continue my work on global disease surveillance, an issue which I have delved into as chairman of the Subcommittee on National Security," Shays said.
"I will also meet with the ICRC to discuss tsunami relief efforts. After visiting Southeast Asia earlier this month, I am committed to helping the region recover and prosper."
Weekend Storm Just a Memory
The weekend snowstorm was mostly a memory Monday, but many people were still shoveling out. This was the scene near the Westport Library as the temperature didn't even make it out of the teens. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com
Board of Ed Puts Off Action on Additional $2.5 Million for Staples Project
The Board of Education Monday night put off recommending an additional $2.5 million requested by the School Building Committee for the $74 million renovation and expansion of Staples High School.
The board acted after receiving a memo from project director Susan Chipouras saying it would cost $900,000 to make 746 windows throughout the school able to open and close as was specified in the original educational specifications for the project.
The board was told that the Staples Subcommittee had decided to eliminate operable windows as part of its "value engineering" that reduced the cost of the project by $500,000.
Earlier, committee officials had told the board that making all windows operable was not necessary because of the modern air-handling technology installed in the school.
"It seems to me…that if there were 746 windows that were not going to open, that is something that the Board of Ed should have been consulted on," said member Lewis Brey. "It's done. That didn't happen."
He said the board now must decide whether it wants to make any more changes in the windows of the building before moving ahead with recommending approval of additional funds by the town's funding bodies.
Brey expressed displeasure that neither Chipouras nor Dan Kail, chair of the Staples Subcommittee, was present for Monday night's meeting.
"In the years I have served on various boards and on the RTM, I have never had such a maddening experience getting information from people," he said. "And what is shocking to me given all that these people have done for this project and for the community is why they are not here."
Subcommittee member Allen Bomes, who presented on behalf of the subcommittee, said he was not sure why the two were not there.
Board member Linda Merk-Gould said she understood that there were already problems with the ventilation system in the new Staples wing.
"We have a beautiful building. We are all in agreement on that," she said. "But we also have the reality of the situation where the ventilation system is not operating 100 percent. In fact, I understand that for the science rooms, it was turned off until it can operate.
"So the reality of the discussion of how many operable windows do we have and what sort of air quality flow do we have is a very real one."
She, too, expressed unhappiness that Chipouras and Kail were not present and said she was not prepared to act on the request to recommend additional funding until her questions were answered.
Merk-Gould said the memo indicated the project architect might absorb some of the cost of the window adjustments but that was not clear.
"I feel that it has created a very awkward situation and that perhaps we should table this until we get our questions answered," she said.
The board then voted 4-2 (Halstead, Owades opposed, Urist absent) in favor of postponing action on the item until a later date when Chipouras and Kail are available.
Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2005
7:30 p.m. - Town Hall Room 309 - Architectural Review Committee
7:30 p.m. - Town Hall Auditorium - Zoning Board of Appeals
7:30 p.m. - Town Hall Room 201/201A - RTM Public Protection and Health and Human Services Committees
January 24, 2005
Staples Principal Outlines Strict "No-Food-Outside-of-Cafeteria" Policy
John Dodig: Health order will "completely change how we do business at Staples High School." WestportNow.com photoWith limited exceptions, the days of students snacking on foods in hallways and teachers celebrating special days in the classroom by bringing in food are over at Westport's Staples High School.
In an announcement to students and an e-mail message to parents today, Staples principal John Dodig outlined a strict "no-food-outside-of-the-cafeteria" policy. He said it would "completely change how we do business at Staples High School."
Dodig said the policy was in response to an order from the Westport/Weston Health Department aimed at ridding the school of vermin.
"Recently, Staples High School was issued an order from Judy Nelson, Health Director of the Westport/Weston Health Department, requiring us to cease consuming food in unauthorized areas of the building," he told parents in the e-mail.
"Understanding that food consumption in the pre-school, life skills, culinary arts, nurses suite (for medicinal purposes only), and the community room in the new building are logical exceptions, permission was granted.
"She also allowed teachers who voluntarily give up a lunch period to help a student while eating at their office desk to continue to do so during regularly scheduled lunch periods."
Dodig added, "What this order really means is that we must completely change how we do business at Staples High School.
"Teachers will no longer be able to reward, or motivate students by bringing in food. Teachers will no longer be able to eat with their colleagues in department offices.
"Celebrating Bastille Day in our World Languages Department, for example, will now have to be done in the cafeteria. Food plays a very important part of everything we do here. We will have to change our behavior radically.
"What this means for students is that they must consume food in the cafeteria only. Students may no longer leave the cafeteria with muffins, bagels, chips, and whole meals.
"They will be stopped and asked to return to the cafeteria. I informed all students this morning on the public address system."
He said the message will appear on the school's communication bulletin for the next two Tuesdays.
"If returning to the cafeteria means that they will be late to class, that is what it means," Dodig said. "There can be no exceptions. We must comply with this order."
Dodig said that "in the long run, I know that this change in how we do business will be good for our school."
He said that generations of students and hundreds of adults have lived at Staples High with vermin. "The only way to rid this school of these pests is to deprive them of their food source," Dodig said.
"This new way of living will help. Please support us in our efforts to comply with this order and make Staples High School a healthier place to learn and teach."
Westport's Save the Children Expanding Tsunami Relief Efforts
Westport's Save the Children said today it is expanding its relief efforts in Indonesia, Sri Lanka and India almost a month after an earthquake and tsunami killed tens of thousands of children and left hundreds of thousands homeless.
"Save the Children has stepped up its efforts in providing life-saving food, clean water, shelter and medicine to thousands of children and families in need while also moving rapidly to reunify separated children with relatives," the charity said in a statement.
It said it has helped distribute almost 500 tons of food and other health and relief materials to tens of thousands of tsunami survivors.
"In many Asian locations, where Save the Children has operated for decades, the agency has increased staff and resources dramatically," the statement said.
"In the Aceh province of Indonesia , where Save the Children has assisted children and their families since 1976, staff levels have quintupled since Dec. 26."
“Our initial efforts have been focused on keeping children healthy and safe,” said Rudy von Bernuth, vice president and managing director of Save the Children’s Emergencies and Crisis program.
“However, we all understand that it will take five years or more for the hardest-hit communities like those in the Aceh province to rebuild and recover.
"Over the long term, we plan to focus on helping families and communities rebuild their lives through job-skills training and microcredit loans, repairing or rebuilding infrastructure - including schools, homes and health centers -- and providing emotional support for tsunami survivors, especially children.”
Besides providing immediate aid to tsunami survivors, Save the Children has led efforts to protect children, launching a major effort to register and reunify separated children with families and communities, and to get these children back in structured activities and in school as quickly as possible, the agency said.
"Save the Children already has begun reuniting children with family members, with the first reunion taking place this week," the statement said.
In many of the temporary camps filled with displaced survivors, it is creating child-friendly spaces for children to give them the opportunity to play and begin the healing process, according to the agency.
Metro-North Survey Shows Commuters More Dissatisfied
The latest Metro-North customer satisfaction survey shows a precipitous decline in commuter ratings for train service in Connecticut, it was announced today.
Only 83 percent of those asked said they were satisfied with the trains in Connecticut (a 4 percent decline) compared to a 90 percent approval rating given by riders of the Westchester lines.
“It is clear that the aging equipment operated in this state is taking its toll on riders, especially in light of recent fare hikes,” said Rodney Chabot, chairman of the Stamford-based Connecticut Metro-North Rail Commuter Council.
“Until we get new rail cars, as they have on the Harlem and Hudson lines, customers won’t be happy."
He said New York planned ahead and ordered new M7 cars five years ago. "The Connecticut legislature should have done the same and if they had, we wouldn’t be in the situation we are now,” Chabot said.
Lowest ratings from Connecticut riders came from those who use stations between Stamford and New Haven to commute to New York -- an area where service is less frequent, there are widespread parking problems, and the commute time is the longest.
“I honestly believe that Metro-North is doing all it can to keep this aging fleet in running order," said Jim Cameron, vice chairman of the commuter group
"The maintenance people, the engineers and conductors continue to get high marks from riders. But even good people can’t make broken down equipment comfortable, clean and reliable."
He added, “Even if the Connecticut Legislature acts today and appropriates the money for new cars, it will take five or six years for their delivery.
"That means there is every reason to expect these customer service satisfaction numbers to continue a downward spiral for years to come.”
Cameron added: “As I’ve been saying for years now: service on Metro-North is going to get a lot worse before it gets any better. These survey results are, unfortunately, proof that I was right.”
Created by the Connecticut legislature to represent the interests of riders, the Connecticut Rail Commuter Council meets each month in various communities served by the railroad.
The group said commuters are welcome to attend the meetings to address their complaints directly to Metro-North and the Connecticut Department of Transportation, or they can contact the council through its Web site at www.trainweb.org/ct
C-C-C-Cold
The temperature sign at 6:30 a.m. today outside of the downtown Westport Bank of America branch on Post Road East told it all – c-c-c-cold. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Ron Malone for WestportNow.com
A Coat of White at Compo Basin
Westport's Compo Basin had a coat of white after Sunday's snowstorm ended. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Stephen Rubin for WestportNow.com
After the Storm, the Fun
Cross-country skiing on the Longshore Club Park golf course appealed to these folks after the snowflakes stopped flying Sunday. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Stephen Rubin for WestportNow.com
Monday, Jan. 24, 2005
9:30 a.m. - Town Hall Room 201 - Planning & Zoning - Fee in Lieu of Open Space Committee
7:30 p.m. - Staples High School, Room 516 - Board of Education anticipated executive session
8 p.m. - Staples High School Library - Board of Education
January 23, 2005
Westport Library Sets 6th Annual Crossword Puzzle Contest
The Westport Public LIbrary will hold its sixth annual crossword puzzle contest Saturday, Feb. 5 at 1 p.m. at the library.
Contestants will test their skills and have fun working on unpublished puzzles provided by Will Shortz, puzzle editor of The New York Times, who will be on hand to talk puzzles and answer questions.
Call or e-mail Joan Hume at the library for registration and further information -- jhume@westportlibrary.org or (203)291-5818.
You Got a License to Drive That Thing, Ron?
Cedar Road resident (and WestportNow contributing photographer) Ron Malone doesn't fool around with itty-bitty snow throwers. He used a small front-loader to move the white stuff from his driveway today. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Claudia Loup for WestportNow.com
Westport Police Honor Retired Chief, Detective
The Westport Police Benevolent Association (PBA) is honoring retired Chief William Chiarenzelli and Detective Arnold DeCarolis at a dinner Feb. 10.
The event will be held at the Trumbull Marriott and is open to members of the public who wish to honor the retired officers.
Chiarenzelli retired at the end of 2003 after 38 years with the Westport Police Department, 14 as chief. DeCarolis completed 28 years before retiring last year, 22 of which were as a detective in the Youth Bureau.
Tickets for event are $50 and reservations must be made no later than Feb. 4. Call (203)341-6008, or send checks payable to the Westport PBA, c/o George Taylor, president, 50 Jesup Road, Westport, CT 06880
Save the Children CEO Says Donations Still Needed for Tsunami Relief
The president and CEO of Westport-based Save the Children said today that while the outpouring of support from the U.S. public and people around the world has been unprecedented in its generosity, the relief and recovery effort will take time and donations are still needed.
The text of Charles MacCormack's statement:
"At Save the Children, we are marshaling our global resources to carry out a major regional response focused on the three worst-affected countries: Indonesia , Sri Lanka and India with smaller scale responses in other affected countries.
"Save the Children has operated in each of these countries for decades and has significant capacity to provide short- and long-term humanitarian assistance. Our special emphasis is to bring immediate and lasting, positive change to children affected by this epic disaster.
"Throughout the region, Save the Children is supplying food, water, medical kits, shelter and other necessities to meet immediate needs of the survivors.
"Save the Children is also taking the lead on protection of children from exploitation, including launching a major effort to register and reunify separated or orphaned children with families and communities, and to get children back in school settings as quickly as possible.
"This will be followed by a long-term focus on recovering livelihoods through job skills training and micro loans, repairing or rebuilding infrastructure - including schools, homes and health centers, and providing emotional support for trauma victims.
"We take our stewardship role of donor money very seriously. We will be closely monitoring the results from the generous resources given to us by the public and reporting back on a regular basis.
"The bottom line is to ensure that the money is spent efficiently and effectively to meet the immediate and long-term needs of those affected by this historic tragedy, particularly children.
"We are proud that 90 percent of Save the Children's expenditures go to program services -- average, based on fiscal year 2004 budget -- and of our four-star rating from Charity Navigator, a leading independent charity rating agency.
"The public response to the tsunami shows powerfully that people do care about the rest of the world. Save the Children works in the United States and in over 40 countries around the world, including many other emergency and long-term development situations that have been forgotten.
"We encourage people to consider donating to our work in these countries."
Main Street Cleanup
The snow cleanup on Westport's Main Street began even before the snowfall ended today. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
Today's Compo Football Game Had a Slight Snow Delay
Come rain, shine or snow these hearty athletes play football every Sunday at 8 a.m. on Westport's Compo Beach -- and today was no exception. But they did delay the game two hours because of the snowstorm to let the out-of-towners get there. The Compo Beach Football League has been playing between November and March at Compo since 1997. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
Update: Metro-North Running Normal Sunday Schedule
Metro-North said it will run a normal outbound from Grand Central Terminal Sunday schedule beginning at 4 p.m. today and a regular inbound to New York schedule beginning at 6 p.m.
Earlier, the railroad said it was running a special blizzard schedule on its New Haven Line with trains running every two hours and making all stops.
Outbound trains are departing New York's Grand Central Terminal at 6:37 a,m, 8:37 a.m., 10:37 a.m. (continuing every two hours); and arrive at Stamford at 7:53 a.m., 9:53 a.m., 11:53 a.m., (continuing every two hours); and arrive at New Haven at 9:07 a.m., 11:07 a.m., 1:07 p.m. (continuing every two hours).
Inbound trains are departing New Haven at 5 a.m., and arrive at Stamford at 6:11 a.m., and Grand Central Terminal at 7:28 a.m.; the second train departs New Haven at 6:55 a.m., and arrives at Stamford at 8:08 a.m. and Grand Central Terminal at 9:25 a.m.
Trains then depart New Haven at 8:57 a.m., 10:57 a.m., 12:57 p.m. (continuing every two hours); arrive at Stamford 10:10 a.m., (and 10 minutes after the hour every two hours); and arrive at Grand Central Terminal at 11:27 a.m. (27 minutes after the hour every two hours).
Snowy Going on I-95
Interstate-95 was passable but almost deserted early today. View is looking south from Westport's Hales Road overpass at about 9 a.m. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
