Where to Make Your Valentine Swoon

By Fran
WestportNow Consumer Correspondent
fran@westportnow.com

OK, say what you want about silly, commercial holidays. I’ll admit to being a sucker for Valentine’s Day. It must be because I’ve got a new heartthrob of my own this year – who, I expect, has already made a reservation for a romantic dinner at one of Westport’s quiet little corner tables.
Blue Lemon: Enticing Valentine’s Day selections. WestportNow.com photo

In case you haven’t booked something, it’s now or never. I’ve deliberately omitted from this list restaurants that are either not conducive to romance (for example, mega-decibel Conte’s) or already fully booked (Da Pietro.)

Here are a few of my favorites. You supply the gift to make your sweetie blush.

Acqua Ristorante, 43 Main St., 222-8899 will have its regular menu with specials including caviar, lobster, and roast duck. Appetizers include warm oysters osetra caviar. As for fish selections, “nothing is set in stone yet,” according to the chef, who plans to choose only the best fresh fish on Monday – for example, Chilian sea bass. Entrées range between $20 and $28.

Blue Lemon, 7 Sconset Square, 226-2647, offers a special Valentine menu with some enticing selections. Appetizers include seared fois gras with apple and quince chutney ($16), or pan seared oysters ($11). Entrées include Dover sole, filet mignon, venison, pheasant, seared scallops in lemon and white wine, risotto with white truffle oil. Most entrées are priced from $19 to $27, with the Dover Sole at $32. Desserts are priced at $7 and $8.

Jasmine, 60 Charles St., 221-7777, will have a special Chinese New Year/Valentine Special for $19.95 per person which includes appetizer, choice of entrée and dessert. No charge to watch the tropical fish celebrate the Chinese New Year.

Bogey's Grille & Taproom, 323 Main St., 227-4653, will have a special Valentine’s menu in addition to their regular menu. Special Valentine entrées range from $21.95 to $25.95, regular entrées start at $12.95.

Chez Stephane, 3 Bay St., 226-8356 will offer a special three-course prix fixe Valentine dinner at $49 per person excluding tax, tip and drinks. First seating begins 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., second 8:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. The menu includes a choice of appetizers such as stuffed portabella mushroom with spinach and Roquefort. Entrées include monkfish with peppercorn sauce, lamb stew, veal with mushroom. Classic French desserts such as crème brulée and profiteroles top it off.

Positano, 233 Hills Point Road, 454-4922 will serve its regular menu along with some specials for the evening such as filet mignon, priced at $40. Regular entreés such as my favorite, the grilled veal chop, are priced between $18 and $29. My recent dinner companions loved the Tiramisu.

Tavern on Main, 146 Main St., 221-7222 offers a special prix fixe three-course Valentine dinner at $65 per person excluding tax, tip and wine. Choose from appetizers such as Wellfleet oysters on the half shell or wild mushroom ravioli with white truffle butter. Entrées include French cut rack of lamb, roast duckling with raspberry sauce, or sautéed Stonington scallops with a honey, soy, ginger glaze. If you’re feeling especially romantic – or want your date to be – ask for a seat near the fireplace.

Three Bears, 333 Wilton Road, 227-7219 will offer its regular classic American menu that includes entrées priced between $27 and $37. For a little variety from ho-hum appetizers such as shrimp cocktail and onion soup, try the popover filled with Maine lobster, fresh asparagus tips, applewood smoked bacon and sun dried golden tomatoes.

One final word about the Saugatuck Rowing Club, 521 Riverside Ave., 227-3399. The club’s Riverview Restaurant will be closed for the next four weeks, reopening March 16. Contrary to common knowledge you don’t have to be a member to eat at the restaurant. Just tell them you’re a guest when calling for a reservation.

Paul Newman Challenging Lieberman? Democratic Leaders Don't Think So

State Democratic Party officials say that despite a great deal of Internet "chatter" that Westport's Paul Newman is considering a 2006 primary bid against Sen. Joseph Lieberman, they don't expect the 80-year-old actor to actually make the run, Manchester's Journal-Inquirer said today.
Flashback: Paul Newman appears with Diane Farrell at a Norwalk news conference in November. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Several party leaders, however, say they wouldn't be surprised to see another prominent liberal challenge Lieberman, who's widely considered one of the more conservative Democrats in the nation, the newspaper said.

Although Lieberman has enjoyed an overwhelming popularity in state polls, they say, a challenger could easily capitalize on increasingly widespread dissatisfaction among liberal party activists smarting from the Democrats' disastrous showing in last year's election.

They also say a challenger could easily find himself, like 2004 presidential candidate Howard Dean, bankrolled by thousands of small contributions generated through the Internet.

One member of the Democratic State Central Committee even sketched out an obviously well considered scenario for a primary challenge, which he suggested had a "50-50 chance" of happening.

He estimated that a "lefty" candidate with a high public profile could raise as much as $1.5 million and sway as many as 40 percent of "angry Democrats" voting in a primary.

Newman did not return a call to his home seeking comment, the newspaper said.

But newly ensconced Democratic State Chairwoman Nancy DiNardo of Trumbull, a big Democratic fund-raiser who helped Westport First Selectman Diane G. Farrell come close last year to unseating Rep. Christopher Shays, said Thursday that she could "not imagine Paul would be interested" in running against Lieberman, the Journal-Inquirer said.

"Paul and his wife, Joanne Woodward, have had numerous opportunities prior to this, if they ever wanted, to run for Congress,'' she said, "and they never expressed an interest."

Liberal "blogs" and other political Web sites have in recent weeks made much of speculation about a possible challenge to Lieberman, the newspaper said.

Teller Who Robbed His Westport Bank Sentenced to 32 Months

A teller who robbed the Westport bank where he worked was sentenced Friday to 32 months in prison.

Federal prosecutors said Phong Pham of Branford was sentenced in federal court in Bridgeport. He also must spend six years in supervised release and pay $57,400 in restitution.

Pham pleaded guilty last September to robbing a Westport branch of the Hudson United Bank where he worked. (See WestportNow Dec. 4, 2003)

He admitted that in November 2003 he entered the bank wearing a hooded sweat shirt and a plastic bag over his head. Prosecutors said he brandished a knife and gave a teller a note demanding money.

The 25-year-old Pham stole about $8,000.

While working at the bank three days later, Pham stole $30,000 from the bank's vault and more than $19,000 from a teller's drawer.

Barney and Friends

Barney the python was displayed to an audience at Friday night's "Dinner for the Critters" at Westport's Earthplace, The Nature Discovery Center by the graduating class of Junior Curators, a group of fourth through sixth grade students who have been studying animal care. The Junior Curators will also present "A Critter Encounter" animal program today at 2:30 p.m. at the facility at 10 Woodside Lane, Westport. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Julia Mally for WestportNow.com

Today's Teardown: 1 Canning Lane

Today's WestportNow teardown is at 1 Canning Lane off of Turkey Hill Road South. A demolition permit is pending. The home, built in 1965, sold last month for $632,500. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Happy 95th to the Y's Oldest Active Member

The Westport/Weston YMCA recently honored its oldest active member, Len Scheffler, who celebrated his 95th birthday in the Y's Fitness Center where he works out three days a week. He was presented a cake by Y fitness instructor Geri Zatkoff. Len Scheffler is the father of Representative Town Meeting member Bill Scheffler (hidden behind his father). YMCA Executive Director Richard Foot is behind Zatkoff. Contributed photo

Saturday, Feb. 12, 2005

2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. - Bedford Middle School - "Honk!"
2:30 p.m. - Earthplace, 10 Woodside Lane - "A Critter Encounter"
8 p..m. Pequot Library, Southport - Westport Arts Center presents The Fred Hersch Trio jazz group

Playwright Arthur Miller Dead at 89

Arthur Miller, the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright whose most famous fictional creation, Willy Loman in "Death of a Salesman," came to symbolize the American Dream gone awry, died Thursday night at his Roxbury, Conn., home. He was 89. Miller was featured speaker in November 2003 at the Malloy Lecture at Westport's Saugatuck Elementary School sponsored by the Westport Public Library and the Westport Arts Center. (See WestportNow Nov. 22, 2003) WestportNow.com photo

From the Heart

Westport artist and graphic designer Naiad Einsel told a Westport Pubic Library audience Thursday night about the library's exhibit of handmade valentines she exchanged with her late artist husband Walter over the course of their 46-year marriage. The exhibition – "50 Years of Valentines" -- is on view in the library's riverwalk display case through March 31. See another photo below. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Emily Laux for WestportNow.com

Testament to an Enduring Love Affair

Two second-graders peek Thursday night at the Westport Public Library exhibit of handmade valentines exchanged by Westport artists Walter and Naiad Einsel over the course of their 46-year marriage. Although Walter Einsel passed away several years ago, their love affair continues. The valentines, which range from playful, whimsical kinetic sculpture to delicate handmade paper books of poetry, are a testament to an enduring love affair. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Emily Laux for WestportNow.com

Retired Westport Police Chief and Detective Honored for Service

The Westport Police Benevolent Association Thursday night honored retired Police Chief William Chiarenzelli (l) and Detective Arnold DeCarolis at a dinner at the Trumbull Marriott. Chiarenzelli retired in December 2003 after 38 years on the force and DeCarolis retired last September after 28 years. Each was presented with commendations from the town and the state thanking them for their service to Westport. WestportNow.com photos

Americares Names Westporter Catherine Onyemelukwe to Giving Post

Catherine Onyemelukwe: Westporter takes Americares post. Contributed photoStamford-based Americares said today it has named Westporter Catherine Onyemelukwe director of major gifts. She will plan and direct a comprehensive individual giving program for the nonprofit disaster relief and humanitarian aid agency.

“Joining AmeriCares at the time of the tsunami showed me the power of the organization to attract donors," Onyemelukwe said in a statement. "I look forward to leveraging that outpouring of support as well as working with current donors to support AmeriCares’ critical programs."

Onyemelukwe has more than 16 years of development experience. Most recently, she served as the director of development for the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility in New York City, where she provided strategic management and leadership in fundraising efforts.

Prior to that, she was a director of leadership gifts and special events for Episcopal Relief and Development, also in New York City.

Onyemelukwe began her work in development as a volunteer for her alma mater, Mount Holyoke College. Additionally, she chaired the Westport Library Board when it initiated its most recent capital campaign for major renovation.

A graduate of Mount Holyoke College, she holds a Masters in Education from California State University, and a Masters in Public and Private Management from Yale University.

Onyemelukwe resides in Westport with her husband, where she chairs leadership giving for the Unitarian Church in Westport. She also sits on the Finance Committee for the National Peace Corps Association.

Town of Westport Enhances Online Parking Ticket Payment Service

The Town of Westport announced today that its online system to pay parking tickets has been upgraded with an improved interface and security measures.

Since the online parking ticket service was initiated in 2004, more than 16,750 daily commuter parking tickets have been paid using this service, an announcement said.

As a result of the feedback received over the last year, there have been several updates made to the service, including simplified Web pages, more intuitive menus, and a new payment history tab.

The announcement said users can now view the last 12 payments made, beginning with the current payment.

There are also enhanced security levels that require previous users to re-enter bank account information when using the updated system for the first time, according to the announcement.

The system can be accessed through the town Web page.

Westport Car Dealerships Owner Robert Crabtree Sr. Dies at 79

Robert "Bobby" Crabtree Sr., owner of the Lexus and Toyota dealerships in Westport as well as six others in the area, died Wednesday at his Greenwich home of heart failure, The Advocate of Stamford reported today. He was 79.

Crabtree rose before 6 a.m. at least six days a week to run his eight car dealerships, the newspaper said.

"Even as he battled Parkinson's disease for the last few years of his life and was unable to drive his Lexus to his Westport office, play golf at The Stanwich Club or ski at Stratton Mountain, Crabtree spent each Saturday visiting his Connecticut dealerships to boost employee morale and ensure business was running smoothly," the Advocate said.

During his more than 50 years in the business, Crabtree ran as many as 21 dealerships at a time, family members said.

At the time of his death, he ran Lexus and Toyota dealerships in Westport; a Toyota dealership in Milford; Mitsubishi, Cadillac, Kia and Subaru dealerships in Shelton and a Dodge dealership in Derby.

In addition to his wife, June L. Crabtree, he is survived by daughters Margaret "Muffy" Lyster, Constance "Pinky" Markey of Greenwich; sons Robert "Bobby" Crabtree Jr., of Greenwich; Joseph Crabtree of Huntington; a step-daughter, Marilyn Peek Juan of Greenwich; a step-son, Walter Peek of Rye, N.Y.; and a brother, Richard Crabtree of Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Viewing hours will be held from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday at St. Michael Church, 469 North St., Greenwich. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at the church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to St. Michael Church, 469 North St., Greenwich, Conn., 06830.

Today's Westport Teardown: 28 Tamarac Road

Today's WestportNow teardown is at 28 Tamarac Road off of Compo Road North. The house was built in 1953. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Brett Somers Aids Charity Benefit

Westport's Brett Somers, the stage and screen star who was a regular panelist on the long-running "Match Game" TV game show, welcomed guests to Mitchells of Westport Wednesday night. A children's charity fashion show at the store benefited Westport's Save the Children and its tsunami relief fund. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

"Honk!" at Bedford Middle School This Weekend

Bedford Middle School this weekend presents "Honk!," which tells the tale of the Ugly Duckling with humor, singing, dancing, and an enthusiastic cast of 70 sixth, seventh and eighth graders. In this scene, Queenie (Ellie DiBerardino), a cat, and Lowbutt (Nellie Stagg), a hen, sing about their life as domesticated animals. Performances are Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Julia Mally for WestportNow.com

Thursday, Feb. 10, 2005

7 p.m. - Westport Fire Headquarters - Public Site and Building Commission
7 p.m. - Westport Public Library - Westport artist Naiad Einsel talks about exchanging handmade valentines (now on exhibit) over 46 years with her late husband Walter
7:30 p.m. - Town Hall Auditorium - Planning and Zoning Commission

On the Runway for Save the Children

Mitchells of Westport was packed for a fashion show tonight benefiting Westport's Save the Children and its tsunami relief fund. Lizzie Mitchell, 4, of Weston was one of the models showing off skirts designed by Elizabeth”Lizzy” Woodson, 12, of Westport who has her own Lizzy & Co. fashion design business. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Making Music

Students from the Suzuki Music School of Westport played for guests tonight at Mitchells of Westport where children presented a fashion show benefiting Save the Children and its tsunami relief fund. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Red Cross Executive Director to Address Westport Rotary Club Feb. 15

Janet Filling, executive director of the Westport-based Mid-Fairfield County Chapter of the American Red Cross, will be guest speaker at a luncheon meeting of the Westport Rotary Club next Tuesday.

Filling, whose chapter serves Norwalk, Weston, Westport, and Wilton, is a former member of the National Board of Governors Task Force on Disaster Fund Raising.

She also served on the New England Leadership Conference Planning Committees.

The public is invited to attend the luncheon which will take place at the Inn at Longshore at 12:15 p.m.

Special Olympics Athletes to Take the Plunge March 5

The seventh annual “Penguin Plunge” will take place Saturday, March 5 at Westport’s Compo Beach.

The event, sponsored by the Southwest Region of Special Olympics Connecticut, will begin with registration at 8:30 a.m. followed by the plunge at 10 a.m. Registration is also available on-line at www.soct.org.

Prior to the plunge, participants collect donations from family members, co-workers and friends which go to supporting the Special Olympics.

The money collected will be used to support the group’s year-round fitness training and sports competition programs for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Through previous plunges, more than $725,000 has been raised for the cause, according to the group.

Rell Proposes $31.1 Billion Plan; Gasoline, Alcohol and Tobacco Taxes to Go Up

It will cost you more to drive, drink and smoke in Connecticut under a two-year, $31.1 billion plan proposed today by Gov. M. Jodi Rell.

But it also invests $1.3 billion to alleviate traffic gridlock in the state through improvements to Interstate 95, new rail cars for Metro-North's New Haven line, and new transit buses.

To pay for that, Rell, making her first budget proposal, seeks to raise the state's gasoline tax by 6 cents over the next four years, and by another penny in 2016.

She also proposed implementing $1 surcharge on Metro-North tickets in Connecticut beginning in 2008 to buy the new rail cars.

Rell announced her plan before a joint session of the Democratic-controlled legislature.

The Republican governor acknowledged that her budget reflects many difficult choices designed to help close an estimated $1.2 billion deficit in the fiscal year that begins in July.

"The truth is, we cannot afford to pay for every program and every service we should provide," she said.

The budget calls for breaking the state's constitutional cap on spending to take advantage of an estimated $238 million in federal money for cash-strapped nursing homes and other facilities that care for people on Medicaid.

Her budget would increase spending by 3.9 percent in each of the next two fiscal years.

But it also includes about $140 million in new taxes, including a 74 cent increase in the state's cigarette tax, to $2.25 per pack.

While that would be the largest cigarette tax hike in state history, Rell's office said it would keep the state tax lower than similar taxes in New Jersey, Rhode Island and New York City.

Rell's budget also raises taxes on cigars, pipe and chewing tobacco from 20 percent to 90 percent of those products' wholesale value. The tax on snuff would rise from 40 cents to $1.80 per ounce.

The governor also wants to increase the tax on alcohol by 15 percent. Her budget director said that would raise the price of beer by about 2 cents per six pack.

The budget plan also increases premiums for poor people on Connecticut's HUSKY health care program and delays plans to replenish the local property tax credit from $350 to $500.

Democrats said they were disappointed by the taxes Rell chose to increase. They are pushing to revamp the personal income tax and impose a higher rate on those who earn $1 million a year or more.

"It's the same people who've been paying all along, property taxpayers, middle income families, those who can't afford it," said Lt. Gov. Kevin Sullivan, a Democrat.

But Republicans, who typically oppose tax increases, said they're willing to work with Rell.

"She is a tell it like it is governor and was very straightforward. She has made real efforts to control spending," said House Minority Leader Robert Ward, R-North Branford. "Although I don't agree with all of her tax proposals, she is to be given credit for being forthright and saying that's what they are."

Westport's state Sen. Judith Freedman praised Rell's address and said she had taken into account the pressing needs of Connecticut residents, and Fairfield County, in proposing her state budget.

“There is absolutely no question that Connecticut is experiencing tough economic times, and Governor Rell made it very clear that we must face that reality and be prepared to make some difficult decisions," Freedman said in a statement.

"However, she did not lose sight of the fact that Connecticut’s strength is its people and that being smart about how we allocate our resources does not mean neglecting the very real needs that our people have."

Freedman, a member of the legislature’s Appropriations Committee, said she was especially pleased with Rell’s proposals to address transportation issues across the state, especially in Fairfield County, among other issues.

“It is true that Governor Rell is calling for an increase in taxes and, frankly, no one wants to pay more in taxes," Freedman said.

"However, it is no surprise that the state is facing a significant deficit that must be addressed at the same time the state continues to provide necessary government programs and services."

Though potentially unpopular, Rell’s call for an increase in the gasoline tax to support investment in transportation, is a wise move, according to Jim Cameron of the Metro-North /Shore Line East Rail Commuter Council.

“Even those who never take Metro-North will benefit from this investment,” he said in a statement. “Every dollar spent on improving the trains means more drivers will be attracted to mass transit and there will be fewer cars on the highway.”

Westport's Playtex to Retain Corporate HQ Here Despite Cutbacks

Playtex Products Inc. has decided to keep its corporate headquarters in Westport while reducing its worldwide workforce by 20 percent and its corporate headquarters space at the Nyala Farms Corporate Center by about 16 percent, GlobeSt.com reported today.

The real estate news site said the personal care and consumer products manufacturing firm signed a six-year lease renewal for its 59,000 sf offices at the Nyala complex between Greens Farms Road and I-95,

GlobeSt.com, quoting officials of the real estate firm Cushman & Wakefield, said Playtex, which first took occupancy at Nyala Farms 11 years ago, had leased 75,000 sf of space there prior to the lease renewal transaction.

Paul H. Kauffman, executive director, Stephen Baker, senior director, and Gregory V. Frisoli, director of Cushman & Wakefield, serve as exclusive leasing agent to building ownership, Nyala Farms Corp., in the marketing of approximately 80,000 sf of available space in the 372,207-sf, five-building office complex. Jim Randel of Rand Real Estate represented Playtex.

Playtex reported Tuesday that as part of a realignment of its businesses it would be reducing its worldwide workforce by more than 300 positions by the end of this year. (See WestportNow Feb. 8, 2005).

Company officials say the job reductions will be made via attrition, early retirement and layoffs. It was not known how many job reductions are planned for the company’s corporate headquarters, GlobeSt.com said.

Lizzy Woodson Headlines Charity Fashion Event Tonight

Elizabeth "Lizzy" Woodson, a 12-year-old Westport fashion designer, headlines a charity fashion show tonight at Mitchells of Westport featuring some of her designs. Lizzy, who started her Lizzy & Co. business while living in London, has been in Westport for the past four years. The event, to benefit Save the Children and its tsunami-relief fund, runs from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m followed by a silent auction of items donated by local businesses. Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Another Compo Beach Treat

Early-risers at Compo Beach Tuesday had another treat for the eyes. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Richard Barnett for WestportNow.com

Today's Westport Teardown: 55 Woodside Ave.

Today's WestportNow teardown is at 55 Woodside Ave.,, off Stony Brook Road. The house, built in 1953, sold last July for $800,000. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2005

9:15 a.m. - Portable Classroom Kings Highway Elementary - Board of Education Positive Youth Development Parent Committee
10:30 a.m. - Town Hall Room 102 - International Hospitality Committee
Noon - Town Hall Room 309/307 - Citizens Brown Bag Lunch
5:30 p.m. - Turner Trailers - School Building Committee Staples Subcommittee
7 p.m. - Town Hall Room 309/307 - Board of Selectmen

Honoring Good Neighbors

Westport's Partrick Wetlands Preservation Fund (PWPF) joined Norwalk's Save Cranbury Association (SCA) tonight at Norwalk's Common Council meeting to honor Norwalk officials for their efforts to protect the rural and historic quality of Cranbury and neighboring Westport communities. Shown at Norwalk City Hall are (l-r) SCA member Jill Montesanto, PWPF co-director Sean Timmins, SCA director Joanne Jackson, Norwalk Mayor Alex Knopp, state Sen. Bob Duff, Councilman Doug Hempstead, former Common Council president Bruce Kimmel, and PWPF director Matthew Mandell. Mandell thanked the officials and Norwalk citizens for their support of neighborhoods and for embracing regional cooperation. State Rep. Toni Boucher was also honored but could not attend. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

Westport Property Transfers Jan. 31-Feb. 4, 2005

Property transfers as reported by the Westport Town Clerk's office for the period Jan. 31-Feb. 4, 2005:

Lawrence B. and Naomi Cohen to Ernest Frank Ferrari Revocable Trust and Virginia Jean Revocable Trust, Unit 21 Whitney Glen, $465,500

Helen Szondy to Donna E. Haupt, 64 Long Lots Road, $915,000

John S. Coleburn Irrevocable Trust to Lawrence P. Weisman Trustee, 44 and 45 Compo Mill Cove, $3,625,000

Ellen D Miller to Saxony LLC, Unit 142 Lansdowne, $755,000

Joseph Oppedisano to Marilyn J. Gula, 15 Guyer Road, $635,000

83 Old Hyde Development LLC to Michael and Margaret Schwabe, 4 Hideaway Lane, $3,025,000

Suzanne Eliot Revocable Trust and Stephen Eliot Revocable Trust to Geoffrey D. Stanley, 8 Riverfield Road, $1,600,000

Lawrence B. and Lou Anne Freeman to Regan and Ashley Farrar, 8 Promised Road, $640,000

Estate of Stanley Stahl to Thuy Tranthi, 10 Plunkett Place, $2,750,000

Jon M. Healy and Ruth Frantz to Brain M. and Cornelia Parchment Horn, 80 Easton Road, $1,250,000

David L. and Evelyn M. Quigley to Ilaria L. St. Florian-Kruijtzer and Maarten G. M. Kruijtzer, 23 St. John Place, $1,049,999

Daniel R. Lavoie and Joli Lynn Gross to Donna M. Rose, 15 Blue Ribbon Drive, $925,000

Peter J. and Gale E. Zucker to Mark A. Costello, 9 Nursery Lane, $865,000

State Rep. Joe Mioli Resigns RTM Seat

Democratic state Rep. Joe Mioli, who scored an upset victory in November against longtime Republican incumbent Ken Bernhard, has resigned his seat on Westport's Representative Town Meeting (RTM) where he was serving his first term.
Joe Mioli: resigns from RTM with regret. File photo

In a letter dated Feb. 1 to RTM Moderator Gordon Joseloff, Mioli said he offered his resignation "with deep regret" but found his duties in Hartford "place demands on my time that will not allow me to serve on the RTM with the thoroughness that would best serve the citizens of Westport."

Mioli was elected to the RTM in November 2003 for a two-year term expiring in November. His state term runs until 2006.

Town Clerk Patty Strauss said she was notifying other members in Mioli's 9th District of his resignation as provided in the Town Charter. Fellow district members are required to meet to fill the vacancy.

Under the charter, "where possible, such remaining members shall fill the vacancy with that defeated candidate from their voting district who received the highest number of votes in the preceding election…and who is eligible and willing to serve, provided that such person obtained at least 45 percent of the votes received by the person elected by the highest number of votes from that district."

In the November 2003 election, Mioli was top vote-getter in the district with 411 votes, followed by Kim Mathias with 405, Marla Cowden with 350, Jorgen Jensen with 297, and Michael Gilbertie, a former RTM member, with 262. All but Gilbertie were elected as each district has four members.

(Editor's note: RTM Moderator Joseloff is also editor/publisher of WestportNow.com)

Washington Report: Farrell Hesitant to Commit to Another Race Against Shays

Democratic Westport First Selectwoman Diane G. Farrell, narrowly defeated by incumbent Republican Rep. Christopher Shays in November, is hesitant to commit to going up against him again, a Washington report said today.

A story by National Journal reporter Charlie Cook said Farrell was in Washington recently to check in with top House Democrats and fundraisers.

"She's hesitant to commit to challenging Shays a second time, despite the district's movement away from the GOP," the report said.

"Farrell's reluctance is a prime indication of the difficulty that House recruiters from both parties are likely to have heading into the 2006 midterm elections."

The report said for House Democrats -- 15 seats shy of a majority -- recruitment trouble could make it very hard to increase the small number of Republican-held seats that will be truly in play.

"Farrell is concerned about the difficulty of unseating an incumbent, especially in a nonpresidential year," the report said.

"Her worries are not entirely unfounded. Turnout in Shays's district, especially in the Democratic bastion of Bridgeport, has been very volatile. In that blue-collar city, which gave Farrell 70 percent of its votes, almost twice as many voters turned out in 2004 as did in 2002, a midterm election year."

Police Arrest New Jersey Man in Westport Robbery and 30 Others in Area

FBI agents and local police have arrested a New Jersey man in connection with 30 robberies in the metropolitan area in the past 14 months, including one at a Westport women's apparel store just before Christmas.

Westport Deputy Police Chief Donald Brown said Frederick Amerson, 47, was arrested last week in Paterson, N.J., and that Westport police contributed information leading to his capture.

Brown said Amerson was linked to a Dec. 18 robbery at Bodytalk, 281 Post Road East, in the Playhouse Square shopping center. (See WestportNow Dec. 19, 2004)

At the time, Westport police said a man wearing a ski mask and displaying a handgun robbed the store and made off with more than $100 in cash.

The Long Island newspaper Newsday reported today that Amerson, formerly of Lake Ronkonkoma, N.Y., was arraigned Monday on robbery charges and is also accused of sexually abusing female clerks during many of the crimes.

Amerson was arrested last week in Paterson, where he was living, after an intensive manhunt by FBI agents and Suffolk and Nassau County detectives, the newspaper said.

Amerson, who was charged with using violence and robbery to interfere with interstate commerce, was arraigned in U.S. District Court in Central Islip and held without bail by U.S. Magistrate James Orenstein, Newsday said.

Detectives said the robberies typically occurred in card and dress shops, bakeries and health food stores, including stores in Huntington Station and Merrick, N.Y., but also in Bethlehem, Pa., in addition to Westport.

In all, Amerson stole between $50,000 and $75,000, detectives said.

Save the Children and 7-Eleven Launch Tsunami-Relief Wristband

Westport's Save the Children and 7-Eleven today announced they are launching a unique tsunami-relief wristband that will be sold internationally.
Banding together: Save the Children and 7-Eleven. Contributed photo

They said 100 percent of the after-tax profits will benefit Save the Children's Asian Earthquake/Tsunami Relief fund.

The bright blue wristband is different from other cause-related bands in that, instead of words stamped into it, human figures link hands completely around the band to graphically represent global help and support, an announcement said.

7-Eleven will offer the wristband in participating stores in the United States and Canada for $2.99, and in Australia, Mexico and Hong Kong through its licensees.

All after-tax profits from sales (at least $2 per band) will support Save the Children's medium- and long-term relief and reconstruction efforts in South Asia, the announcement said.

"Save the Children is honored to be joining hands with 7-Eleven and its customers to benefit our work for the most vulnerable of tsunami victims -- the children," said Charlie MacCormack, president and CEO of Save the Children US.

"The awareness and support will help boost our efforts to rebuild their lives."

"Although the immediate response needs are being met, the whole rebuilding process is still ahead," said 7-Eleven president and CEO Jim Keyes.

"Helping to protect the youngest victims and restore their lives is an important issue for our customers, and this wristband will allow them to show their support
while raising much-needed funds."

A Compo Sunrise Romp

Even the dogs enjoy a sunrise at Westport's Compo Beach. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Ron Malone for WestportNow.com

Today's Westport Teardown: 5 Roosevelt Road

Today's WestportNow teardown is at 5 Roosevelt Road in the Compo Beach area. The Westport Historic District Commission imposed a 60-day delay on demolition at its Tuesday night meeting. The house, built in 1922, sold last May for $2,275,000. Residents of Roosevelt Road have sought to have the road designated an historic district. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2005

9 a.m. - Town Hall Room 201 - Code Enforcement Committee
7 p.m. - Town Hall Room 309 - Historic District Commission
7:30 p.m. - Town Hall Room 307 - Architectural Review Board
7:30 p.m. - Town Hall Auditorium - Zoning Board of Appeals

Board of Education Approves $79.5 Million 2005-06 Budget

The Westport Board of Education tonight approved unanimously the superintendent's proposed $79.5 million 2005-06 school budget which provides for a 6.5 percent increase over the current year.
Elliott Landon: "No dimunition of program." WN photo

Outgoing Republican member Mark Owades made a motion to reduce the budget by $100,000 in anticipation of possible insurance cost-savings, but it failed 1-6 with Owades the only yes vote.

The budget calls for a $4.8 million increase, 70 percent of which Superintendent Elliott Landon said is to maintain current services. Noting that neighboring districts had asked for larger increases, Landon said,"We have not engaged in any dimunition of program in doing this."

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.

Before the vote, the board heard from a number of parents at Kings Highway Elementary School who asked for smaller class sizes. Landon said three reserve teachers were included in the proposed budget and an additional teacher could be added to the school if necessary.

Earlier, the board approved a request from the School Building Committee to endorse a recommendation to ask town funding bodies for an additional $2.5 million for the Staples project.

The board had held up endorsing the request pending resolution of a question about windows at the new wing of Staples High School that do not open as provided in the educational specifications for the building.

Some windows will now be modified at an estimated cost of $25,000 to be covered by the contingency fund. Sandra Urist voted against the proposal because she said she was unhappy with the process that held up board action on the request but supported the expenditure.

The board also set a timetable for replacing Owades, who has submitted his resignation effective next month. (See WestportNow Jan. 18, 2005). It said it will accept applications from Republicans until Feb. 24 and then begin interviews.

Pete Wolgast, chair of the Republican Town Committee, told the board his group had applications from six Republicans interested in serving out Owades' term, which expires in November.

Ladies Who Don't Have Time for Lunch Switch to Tea

For the past 14 years, Westport's Ann Sheffer has hosted a “Ladies Lunch – for the Ladies Who Don’t Have Time to Lunch” to raise money for charities.
Ann Sheffer: "Let's do tea." Contributed photo

But this year, the ladies don’t have a place for lunch, Sheffer said in a letter to the editor, explaining that the usual venue is unavailable.

"So I’ve decided to have a tea instead, on Sunday, March 6 at 3 p.m. at the Westport Historical Society, 25 Avery Place.," Sheffer said.

"This will be a wonderful setting for tea, especially due to the current exhibit 'Hilla Rebay: A Baroness in Westport.'”

The beneficiaries this year will be Legal Momentum (formerly the NOW Legal Defense and Education Fund), which is the nation’s oldest Women’s Rights Legal Advocacy organization; the Arts for Youth Fund, a new fund for arts education at the Fairfield County Community Foundation; and Dress for Success: Mid-Fairfield County, Sheffer said.

For an invitation or to ask questions, call Ann Sheffer at 227-5522 or e-mail annsheffer@stonypoint.net.

Westport Women Establish Red Hat Society Chapter

Westport has established a chapter of the Red Hat Society, which describes itself as a women's movement changing the perception of aging women in the United States and around the world. The group unites under the umbrella of a Red Hat to have fun and bond in sisterhood as they travel through life together. Attending a recent meeting of Westport's Red Hat Society were (l-r) Wendy McKeon, Linda Amos, Catherine Smith, Diana Zaslow, and Fay Farquhar. The group calls themselves the Red Hot Lobster P.O.T.S (Positively Outrageous Tantalizing Sexpots). Further information is available by e-mailing btrend@optonline.net. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

Save the Children President Shocked by Tsunami Devastation

The president and CEO of Westport's Save the Children is just back from a trip to the tsunami-devastated areas of Asia and said he has never seen anything like it in more than three decades of responding to disasters.
Charles MacCormack: greets children in tsunami-devastated area. J. Carrier/Save the Children photo

He said after a month, 75 percent of emergency needs are being met.

“The images on television cannot capture the reality of destruction and loss resulting from the tsunami,” said Charles MacCormack whose tour included Banda Aceh, Indonesia, one of the hardest hit areas, and Sri Lanka.

“In 35 years in responding to crisis, I have never seen such devastation,” said MacCormack in a statement.

“Mile after mile looks like a wasteland, with all signs of life having been wiped out. Those who survived remain in awe, trying to comprehend how an earthquake and a wall of water turned their lives up-side-down in a matter of minutes.”

Save the Children is the largest independent international assistance organization operating in the Aceh province, and has been operational in Indonesia and the region for nearly 30 years.

Since the first hours of the earthquake and tsunami, Save the Children mobilized resources to address the critical needs of children and their families, including food, health, shelter and protection from exploitation, the statement said.

“One month later, 75 percent of emergency needs are being met,” added MacCormack.

“We were particularly encouraged by the round-the-clock efforts of young people. For instance, in Jakarta , a group of young people worked with their peers and families to raise a generous amount of funds for the families of Aceh. In Sri Lanka , youth helped us with food distribution.”

Westporter Paul Good, Television and Print Journalist, Dies at 75

Paul Good, a television and print journalist known for his coverage of the civil rights movement, died on Jan. 23 in Greenwich. He was 75 and lived in Westport, according to today's New York Times.

The cause was a stroke, said his daughter, Regan.

Good was best known for his reporting from the South in the 1960's, first for ABC News and later as a freelance newspaper and magazine writer, the newspaper said.

He wrote several books on race relations, including "The American Serfs: A Report on Poverty in the Rural South" (Putnam, 1968); "The Trouble I've Seen: White Journalist/Black Movement" (Howard University, 1975); and a novel set in the South, "Once to Every Man" (Putnam, 1970).

Downtown Merchants Support "Responsible" Redevelopment of Y

The Westport Downtown Merchants Association (WDMA) said today it supports "responsible" redevelopment of the Westport/Weston YMCA as the longtime downtown facility seeks to relocate to its Mahackeno Outdoor Center.

The group said the Y's announcement of its intention to move to Mahackeno prompted it to make known its views of redevelopment of the current Y building, built in 1923.

"The members of the WDMA along with its Board of Governors look forward to supporting any responsible real estate developer in the private redevelopment of the Bedford/Weeks complex at 59 Post Road East, as it is the WDMA’s mission to foster the economic vitality of Westport’s destination business district," the group said in a statement.

"The WDMA as an association of merchants encourages the growth and development of the downtown area as a shopping and cultural area."

The WDMA, whose president is Jim Hardin, associate executive director of the Y, noted the area has recently witnessed the opening of nationally-known stores such as Tiffany & Co. and new small shops such as Robert’s, just nancy, Lucy’s and jacadi.

"With the recent announcement of the sale of the Hudson United Bank building, located in this Post Road area, to local developer David Waldman of David Adam Realty, we expect to see new and exciting up scale merchants enter the local shopping scene," the group said.

The WDMA said it is currently presenting to the town its downtown plan which offers improvements to the riverfront and Main Street. The plan calls for creation of a more attractive and comfortable atmosphere for shoppers with new seating, signage, attractive lighting and trees.

"The YMCA buildings located at the juncture of these two streets when redeveloped will further enhance and strengthen the downtown shopping experience," it said.

"With the developer hopefully adding a mixture of cultural, retail and business entities, 59 Post Road East will make a positive impact on downtown as the gateway to both Main Street and the Post Road.

"With these future developments, the WDMA, working with both landlords and merchants, will continue playing a leadership role in making downtown Westport the premier destination shopping district of Southern Fairfield County."

Today's Westport Teardown: 41 Westfair Drive

Today's WestportNow teardown is at 41 Westfair Drive off Bulkley Ave North The property sold in December for $586,000. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

WestportNow Editor Addresses Westport Woman's Club

Gordon Joseloff, editor/publisher of WestportNow, addressed the Westport Woman's Club today about the online publication, his career in journalism, and his service to the town as moderator of the Representative Town Meeting, and as a volunteer firefighter and EMT. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

A Pastel Blend

The pastel sky blended with Long Island Sound waters off of Saugatuck Island Sunday. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Emily Laux for WestportNow.com

All Gone: 3 Gray's Farm Road

A house at 3 Gray's Farm Road off of Bayberry Lane Extension has become Westport's second demolition of 2005. It was featured as WestportNow's teardown of the day on Dec. 20, 2004. The home was built in 1962. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Greens Farms Sunrise

Clear skies made easy viewing of a sunrise from a beach in Westport's Greens Farms area. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Ron Malone for WestportNow.com

Engrossed in History

Visitors showed keen interest Sunday at the opening reception at the Westport Historical Society of its exhibit "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, which runs until May 15, is devoted to her home and life in Westport, including her Franton Court estate on Morningside Drive South. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Talking Transportation: Gov. Rell Seeks a Scapegoat

By Jim Cameron
Special to WestportNow

The recent big transportation rally in Hartford was a huge success. There were over 200 concerned citizens from across the state, who bused and carpooled up to the Capitol to tell lawmakers they must make transportation a top priority in the coming session.

In addition, there were dozens of state representatives and senators, drawn like moths to the flame of the assembled TV cameras, there to pledge their allegiance to getting Metro-North long overdue new equipment.

But it was Gov. M. Jodi Rell, who was not there, who stole the show with a statement read by one of her staffers. She teased the crowd with promises of big surprises to come in her forthcoming budget, promising “a substantial new commitment to alleviating congestion on our highways (and) improving rail and bus operations.”

Good for her. But the devil’s always in the details, and her budget comes out Wednesday.

Other Rell initiatives that got a lot attention were her call for a vote for Connecticut on the MTA Board and her directive to have top Connecticut Department of Transporation (CDOT) officials present at all Metro-North meetings.

As she put it: “Over the years, rail service has suffered because Connecticut does not have an equal voice before the MTA.”

Well… yes, and no.

CDOT has had a seat, but not a vote, on the MTA for years. Rail officials from CDOT spend a lot of their time, perhaps too much, attending meetings at Metro-North in New York City. (At least that gets them riding the trains so they can see firsthand how bad the conditions are).

And it is true that Connecticut is Metro-North’s biggest customer, deriving 65% of its income from running the trains in our state for CDOT. Gov. Rell is right. Connecticut does deserve a seat and a vote on the MTA board.

But it is patently false for her to say that our current plight on Metro-North is due to the lack of a vote on the MTA Board. Our biggest problems today are of Connecticut’s own making, not MTA’s. To blame them for our woes is just wrong.

It was CDOT that raised the fares 20% in the last two years, not the MTA.
It was CDOT’s (and especially Gov. John Rowland’s) neglect of infrastructure that has us scrambling for used rail cars while our Westchester friends enjoy new equipment. That neglect had nothing to do with MTA.

It was poor planning and the NIMBY attitude of Connecticut towns that leaves us with five-year waiting lists for inadequate parking at the train stations, not MTA.

Gov. Rell has done a number of good things since she took office, many of them in transportation. But she must be honest with commuters, or their cynicism with grow.

Commuters aren’t stupid. We know that last winter we had days when 140 of our 343 cars were out of service. So when Gov. Rell says “help in on the way” in the form of 26 used rail cars from Virginia (only eight of which are now in service), what are we to think?

Blaming the MTA for our current crisis is a contention not supported by the facts. We, meaning all of us in Connecticut, created this mess. And we’re going to have to fix it.

If she’s got any guts, the governor’s budget will propose higher gas taxes, tolls on I-95 and the Merritt, and other user fees. There’s one way out of this crisis: money. Enough rhetoric -- it’s time for action.

(Editor's Note: Jim Cameron has been a Darien resident for 14 years. He is vice chairman of the Connecticut Metro-North Shore Line East Rail Commuter Council and a member of the Coastal Corridor Transportation Investment Area, one of five Transportation Investment Areas established by the Connecticut General Assembly in July 2001 to develop 20-year strategic plans for each of the state's major transportation corridors. He ia also a member of the Darien Representative Town Meeting. The opinions and accuracy of information in this article are the responsibility of the contributor. E-mail him at jim@camcomm.com or www.trainweb.org/ct)

Monday, Feb. 7, 2005

7 p.m. - Staples High School Library Classroom - Board of Education anticipated executive session
7:30 p.m. - Town Hall Auditorium - Golf Advisory Committee
8 p.m. - Staples High School Library - Board of Education

Jetty Play

The jetty at Soundview Drive and Hillspoint Road near Westport's Compo Beach was a good place to play late today. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Richard Barnett for WestportNow.com

A Good Reason to Stop at Saugatuck Shores

A good reason to obey the stop sign today at the bridge to Saugatuck Island at Saugatuck Shores was to enjoy the spectacular view. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) David Lissy for WestportNow.com

Dog Day Afternoon at Compo Beach

The warm temperatures today brought out plenty of dogs and their owners to Westport's Compo Beach. The scene also attracted several WestportNow contributing photographers. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com

Dog Day Afternoon at Compo Beach II

Another view of the dog crowd today at Westport's Compo Beach. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Laura Glickstein for WestportNow.com

In the Swing of Things at Compo

Today's unseasonably warm temperatures attracted many Westporters to Compo Beach. The playground, which will get a community-driven makeover next year if all goes well, was a popular place. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com

Westport's Sherwood Island A Popular Destination

Westport's Sherwood Island State Park was the destination of many Westporters and out-of-towners in today's balmy weather. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Laura Glickstein for WestportNow.com

Wine Talk: Spanish Restaurants, Wine, and a Film Choice

WestportNow Contributing Editor Chris Grimm takes a look at area Spanish restaurants, Spanish wine and a film choice in his latest "Wine Talk" column on the Arts&Leisure page.

Front Row Seat for Staples Players Gala

The Staples Players presented their "Thespianage 2005" fund-raising gala Saturday night at Westport's Saugatuck Congregational Church.. The Staples High School group donated a portion of the proceeds to Westport's Save the Children and its tsunami relief fund. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

How Much Am I Bid?

Guest auctioneers at Saturday night's Staples Players gala included Westport First Selectwoman Diane G. Farrell and actor Scott Bryce, a Staples grad and a former Staples Player. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Kerry Long for WestportNow.com

Sunday, Feb. 6, 2005

3 pm. - Westport Historical Society - Opening reception for "Hilla Rebay - A Baroness in Westport" exhibit