Thumbs Up for Anti-War Protest

A passing motorist gives a thumbs up today to participants in an anti-war protest demonstration on Westport's Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge. The event, held every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., urges support of U.S. troops by bringing them home. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com

Organizers Say Protest Numbers Growing

Anti-war protesters wave to passing motorists today on Westport's Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge. Organizers said the number of participants in the weekly protest has grown since it began June 17. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com

Familiar Winners in Point to Point Swim

Despite an early morning drizzle and enough jellyfish to cause swimmer's itch, a record 255 hardy swimmers turned out for today's Westport YMCA-sponsored Point to Point mile-long swim at Compo Beach. This year's winners shown with Bob Knoebel, the Y's aquatics director, were Frisk Driscoll, 18, of Westport, who completed the open swim in 16 minutes and 41 seconds, and Fairfield resident Keenan Koss, 17, who finished in 17 minutes, 5 seconds. It was a repeat win for both swimmers (See WestportNow July 17, 2004). (CLICK TO ENLARGE) James Lomuscio for WestportNow.com

Racing to the Finish Line

Frisk Driscoll, 18, of Westport races to the finish line after being the first to complete today's one-mile Point to Point swim at Westport's Compo Beach. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) James Lomuscio for WestportNow.com

Westport Fine Arts Festival Underway

The 32nd annual Westport Fine Arts Festival sponsored by the Downtown Merchants Association got underway today under cloudy skies. Thousands were expected to attend the two-day event featuring 130 artists. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Gordon Joseloff/WestportNow.com photo

Westport Historical Society Ultimate Sale Opens

Volunteer Celeste Boyer of Southport checks out some of the merchandise at the Westport Historical Society's Ultimate Sale which opened today and continues Sunday. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Gordon Joseloff/WestportNow.com photo

Intense Hunting at Book Sale

About 250 people were on line when today's Westport Friends of the Library Book Sale opened on Jesup Green. The book hunting was intense in the first minutes of the sale. The event continues through Tuesday. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Gordon Joseloff/WestportNow.com photo

Can't We Go to the Kids' Books?

Not everyone thought the fiction area of today's Friends of the Library Book Sale was the right place to be on a Saturday morning. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Gordon Joseloff/WestportNow.com photo

Into the Water

Swimmers take their positions at the start of today's Point to Point swim at Westport's Compo Beach. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Gordon Joseloff/WestportNow.com photo

Getting Set for Point to Point

Members of the Westport Y's Water Wrats team get set for today's Y-sponsored Point to Point swim at Compo Beach. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Gordon Joseloff/WestportNow.com photo

Potter Doings at the Library

The Westport Public Library held a celebration Friday night to mark the publication of the latest Harry Potter book. Omar the Magician wondered about the slime potion on Fairfield resident Kei's head as Westport assistant Emma looked on during the transfiguration class. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Julia Mally for WestportNow.com

First in Line

The lucky shopper at Westport's Barnes & Noble bookstore who held the No. 1 wristband allowing him to be the first to purchase the new Harry Potter book at midnight Friday was Maxima Olshan-Cantin, 11, of Westport. His mother picked up the wristband for him at 5:25 p.m. Friday. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Westporters Join Harry Potter Midnight Madness

This was the scene at Westport's Barnes & Noble bookstore early today shortly after JK Rowling's latest Harry Potter adventure went on sale. Several hundred people were in the store at midnight after earlier receiving wristbands allowing them to purchase the book. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Gordon Joseloff/WestportNow.com photo

Waiting for Midnight

Shoppers line up awaiting the midnight start of the sale of the latest Harry Potter book at Westport's Barnes & Noble Friday night. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Witching Hour

Witching hour passed and Harry Potter fans snapped up copies of the latest installment Friday midnight at Westport's Barnes & Noble bookstore on Post Road East. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Gordon Joseloff/WestportNow.com photo

Saturday, July 16, 2005

8 a.m. Compo Beach - Point to Point Swim
9 a.m. - Jesup Green - Friends of Library Book Sale
9 a.m. Main Street - Westport Arts Festival
10 a.m. - Avery Place/Veterans Green - Westport Historical Society Ultimate Sale
4 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. - Westport Country Playhouse - "Dear Brutus"
8 p.m. - Levitt Pavilion - Irish House Party

Facelift for Westport Town Hall

Westport's Town Hall is getting a new coat of paint. Workers today were doing areas above the main entrance. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Gordon Joseloff/WestportNow.com photo

Traffic Moving Again on Route 7

Traffic is now moving on Route 7 through Ridgefield which had been shut down since a fiery tanker truck crash on Tuesday.

A spokesman for the Department of Transportation said crews worked through the night for the final repairs and the highway was reopened at 5:12 a.m.

The accident occurred Tuesday when a tanker truck carrying gasoline exploded after it jackknifed. It swerved to avoid another vehicle.

The driver of the truck was killed.

Summer Scene

Summer scene: Compo Mill on Thursday. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com

Friday, July 15, 2005

9:30 a.m. – Town Hall Room 201 – Commission for Senior Services
8 p.m. - Levitt Pavilion - Mo'Guaiiro, Cuban salsa
8:30 p.m. - Westport Country Playhouse - "Dear Brutus"

Young Woman's League's Gives $4,000 to Families in Need

The Westport Young Woman's League has donated $4,000 to help single parents and their families in need of emergency shelter, officials at Westport's Interfaith Housing Association (IHA) said today.

IHA officials called the donation welcome since the association turns away an average of 22 families a month from its Wassell Lane shelter -- the Bacharach Community of Westport, Weston, Wilton -- since the demand exceeds capacity.

"Fortunately, the Westport Young Woman’s League has heard the call and responded with a grant of $4,000 to help support the shelter’s general operations," said Karen Mahar, IHA spokeswoman.

"The women sheltered here typically include victims of economic hardship, drug or alcohol abuse, domestic violence and/or mental illness.

The Bacharach Community is unique for Connecticut, Mahar said, because it is located in three small houses on Wassell Lane rather than the more common dorm-like setting.

This style of housing, she said, provides each family with their own space "in a house helping to normalize their day-to-day lives."

The Westport Young Woman’s League is a non-profit group comprising about 200 women who promote social and cultural community welfare via philanthropic and educational endeavors.

The group has distributed almost $3 million to area charities since its inception in 1956. The Westport Young Woman’s League’s major fundraisers include the Westport Creative Arts Festival, the Minute Man Race and their spring House Tour, which combined raise more than $200,000 a year.

Westport Man Pleads Guilty in Enron Case, Agrees to Cooperate

Westporter Christopher Calger, a former Enron vice president, pleaded guilty today to a charge of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and has agreed to cooperate with authorities investigating the energy company, the FBI said.

Calger, 39, entered his plea before Judge Lynn Hughes at the U.S. District Court in Houston. As part of his plea, Calger has agreed to cooperate fully and truthfully with the Enron Task Force's ongoing criminal investigation into the collapse of Enron, an FBI statement said.

Calger pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a fine of $250,000 or twice the loss incurred, the statement said.

He was the 16th person to plead guilty in the Enron debacle in yet another scheme to inflate Enron's earnings, prosecutors said.

Enron, whose stock was trading as high as $80 per share in August 1999, filed for bankruptcy protection on Dec. 2, 2001, and its stock became virtually worthless. It was the largest bankruptcy in U.S. history.

The government release said Calger was a vice president in charge of the West Power Origination group of Enron North America and negotiated the sale of a project called Coyote Springs II involving equity interest in a power plant, a construction contract to build the plant, and a turbine to be placed in the plant.

Calger admitted that he and others engaged in a scheme to recognize earnings prematurely and improperly, the government said.

To get around requirements set by outside auditors, Enron allegedly arranged for LJM2, a side company run by ex-Chief Financial Officer Andrew Fastow, to provide help in the charade.

That alleged scheme is related to what the prosecutors call the "global galactic" agreement, a handwritten memo detailing secret side deals between ex-Enron Chief Accounting Officer Rick Causey and Fastow. In seven different deals it guaranteed Fastow-controlled LJM entities as much as $50 million from Enron.

The Enron Task Force declined to comment while the case is ongoing.

But under his agreement to cooperate with the government, Calger could presumably be called to testify in the January trial against ex-Chairman Ken Lay, ex-CEO Jeff Skilling and Causey.

Westporter Mortimer Levitt, Art Patron, Dies at 98

Mortimer Levitt, the millionaire businessman/patron of the arts and benefactor of Westport's Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts, died Tuesday in his Green's Farms home, his family said. He was 98.
Mortimer Levitt: Recently honored by Town of Westport. Contributed photo

Levitt, who founded Custom Shop Shirtmakers in 1937 in New York City and was a millionaire by the age of 35, was best known around town as the flamboyant, opinionated arts patron sporting a straw hat at summer concerts.

A New York Times obituary today said at 75, Levitt began writing and became the author of five how-to books including: "Class: What It Is and How to Acquire It," "The Executive Look: How to Get It, How to Keep It," and "How to Start Your Own Business Without Losing Your Shirt."

His most recent book published two years ago also evoked Levitt's chutzpah as he pondered his own mortality: "Ninety-Six and Too Busy to Die: A Life Beyond the Age of Dying."

Most recently he was honored by Westport First Selectwoman Diane Farrell for his contributions to the arts in town. (See WestportNow.com July 2, 2005)

"In 1973 he founded the Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts, a band shell overlooking the Saugatuck River in Westport, and for years bombarded its board with suggestions about everything from what sort of grass should be planted (zoysia)," the Times said, "to where the performers should hang their coats (in the storage room)."

The Times also described Levitt's "penchant for micromanaging" which eventually led to his ouster as the pavilion's artistic director in 1996.

Levitt initially gave the Westport Pavilion $25,000 to get started and $5,000 a year afterwards for operating expenses, the Times said. In recent years he tried to take his concept national by endowing music pavilions in Harrisburg, Pa. and Pasadena, Ca.

He is survived by his wife Mimi, son Peter of New York and Elizabeth of Los Angeles.

Westport Young Woman's League Holds Food Drive

The Westport Young Woman's League held a food drive Wednesday night at the children's concert at the Levitt Pavilion. The drive benefited Westport's Gillespie Center, the St. Vincent de Paul Society Food Bank of Norwalk and the Thomas Merton Family Center of Bridgeport. Shown (l-r) are WYWL members Kelly Pollard, Kathie Fording and Holly Hellman. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

Thursday, July 14, 2005

7:30 a.m. – Town Hall Room 309/307 – TEAM Westport Committee
7 p.m. – Westport Fire Headquarters – Public Site & Building Commission
7:30 p.m. – Town Hall Auditorium – Planning & Zoning Commission
8 p.m. - Levitt Pavilion - Moxie, new arrangements of great swing tunes showcase three-part vocal harmony and jazz rhythm section
8 p.m. - Westport Country Playhouse - "Dear Brutus"

Getting Ready

Volunteers worked today to get ready for the 12th annual Friends of the Library book sale opening Saturday on Westport's Jesup Green. More than 60,000 books will be for sale in the four-day event which benefits the Westport Public Library. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Gordon Joseloff/WestportNow.com photo

Rell Announces Route 7 Likely to Reopen on Friday

Gov. M. Jodi Rell today toured the site of Tuesday’s fatal tanker-truck crash on a bridge on Route 7 in Ridgefield and announced that the heavily-traveled roadway would likely be reopened on Friday.

She also said that free bus service is being added between Danbury and Norwalk and that rail commuters will have their fares refunded for travel during the affected period.

Rell also said that temporary shoring will be constructed under the damaged bridge and that it is expected to be reopened to traffic as early as Friday.

The governor said two additional midday trains will be added to the Danbury-Norwalk rail line, and that additional round-trip buses between the two cities will run approximately every hour until the roadway is reopened.

Bus service on the Route 7 link will be free during this period, and rail commuters will be able to receive refunds from the Department of Transportation for the portion of their tickets between Danbury and Norwalk purchased during the affected period.

"The tragedy of this accident has been compounded by the fact that this is one of the busiest roads in Connecticut, carrying thousands of commuters and other citizens every day,” Rell said.

“I live right here too, and I thank the people of western Connecticut for their understanding as we work to resolve the traffic issues and get Route 7 reopened.”

The governor also announced that two toll-free phone lines will provide updated information on alternative road routes: (877)284-9995 and (800)443-6817.

Tuesday’s accident occurred when a tanker truck loaded with more than 8,000 gallons of fuel jackknifed and exploded when the driver swerved to avoid another vehicle. The truck driver was killed, and the Governor extended her condolences to his family.

Requests for train ticket refunds must be accompanied by a receipt and received by July 31. They may be sent to DOT Commissioner Stephen E. Korta II at DOT Headquarters, 2800 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, CT, 06131, the governor's office said.

Farrell Files Paperwork to Challenge Shays Again

Westport First Selectwoman Diane G. Farrell, who is not a candidate for re-election in November, today filed papers to stage a rematch in November 2006 against incumbent Republican Rep. Christopher Shays.

Farrell, who lost by a margin of 52 percent to 48 percent against Shays last November, made the filing with the Federal Elections Commission (FEC) under the name "Farrell for Congress." The move allows her to begin fund-raising.

"The issues are virtually the same today as they were in 2004 - but the problems have gotten worse," Farrell said in a statement.

Among other things, she cited an "out-of-control" fiscal policy, an education policy "that leaves too many children behind," a health care policy "that's left our seniors confused and too many others with no access to affordable care," and a foreign policy "no one can find, identify, or fix."

Shays, meanwhile, will file an FEC report Friday that will show he has already raised about $500,000 for his re-election bid, according to his campaign manager Michael Sohn. Sohn said Shays will finish the second quarter of the year with about $375,000 in cash on hand.

Shays, who would be seeking his 11th full term, has had a number of public battles with his Republican leadership, including his determined push for campaign finance reform that cost him the chairmanship of the Government Reform Committee.

"Chris has a strong record of independent leadership for Connecticut," said Sohn. "This is simply more of the same negative politics as usual, something the voters are sick of. Chris is focused on solving problems and getting things done, just as he always has."

Illinois Rep. Rahm Emanuel, chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, said Farrell has practical experience in financial management and is among the strongest candidates for Congress in the nation. He said the Connecticut race will be a top priority for the DCCC.

Talking Transportation: Terror on the Tracks

By Jim Cameron
Special to WestportNow

The news of the recent terror attacks in London should not really come as a surprise. After the Madrid bombings in March 2004, it was really only a matter of time before terrorism struck again at such a vulnerable target as mass transit.

Our government has proven itself unable to protect the homeland, so seeing state troopers and police riding Metro-North trains seems like an act of PR, propping up public opinion, rather than acting as any deterrence.

According to the House Transportation Committee, since 9/11 we have spent $11 billion improving aviation security, or $9.16 per passenger. In the same time we have only spent $115 million on mass transit, or $0.006 per passenger.

Homeland Security has tried some experiments in improving rail safety -- scanning checked baggage in Washington, D.C. and creating a security perimeter around the Hagerstown Md., rail station.

But their craziest experiment of all happened right here in Connecticut.

In July 2004, a Shore Line East train was outfitted with an extra car carrying bombing sniffing and metal detecting equipment (on loan from manufacturer GE which is obviously eyeing lucrative contracts).

Passengers boarding the train at all stations first had to enter the “security car” and as the train moved along, were screened for explosives. That’s right -- they got on the train and then were screened. But isn’t the idea to keep the bombs off of the trains, not find them in transit?

What can realistically be done to improve safety on our trains and subways? In my view, not much. There are hundreds of miles of track, scores of stations and thousands of passengers to control. Consider some of the possibilities:

ID checks before boarding? For what purpose and of what deterrence value?

Airport-style secure zones and screenings? Can you imagine thousands of riders arriving 60 – 90 minutes before departure to cue for screenings twice each day? They’d abandon the trains and be back in their cars in a flash.

A cop on every train? Be honest: do you really think a determined suicide bomber would stop at his grizzly task if he saw a cop on the train? And with a 10-car Metro-North train carrying more passengers than a 747, what good is a cop at the front of the train if something happens a quarter-mile behind him in the rear car?

Bomb-sniffing dogs on every train? Maybe. But we don’t have anywhere near enough trained canines to handle the hundreds of trains each day on Metro-North.

So what’s a commuter to do? In my view, rely on your own instincts. Be watchful of your surroundings, unattended bags and suspicious behavior. If you see something that doesn’t look right, report it.

Last year, after the Madrid bombings, I was on a Metro-North train headed into the city when a passenger came into my car, spoke softly with the conductor, and sat down. Two other passengers followed him, now speaking in more excited tones.

They said there was a dark skinned man in the other car sweating profusely, looking at his watch, reading an Arabic newspaper and playing with something in his briefcase. The conductor radioed ahead and our train was stopped in the Bronx. MTA Police in body armor boarded and took the man off the train.

To my eye he looked like any other commuter. Sweating, perhaps because he’d run for the train. Looking at his watch, because he was late for an appointment. Fumbling with something in his briefcase, maybe to find his Blackberry. Reading a foreign newspaper, to catch up on the news in his native tongue. The gentleman looked Indian, not Arabic, but he offered no resistance when he climbed off the train.

Paranoia? Xenophobia? Or have our enemies really won and left us terrorized?

I’m still riding the train and taking the subways. But I’m not expecting the authorities to prevent the inevitable -- further terrorist attacks right here in the United States.

(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 is 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)

Today's Westport Teardown: 2 Teragram Place

Today's WestportNow teardown is 2 Teragram Place, off St. John's Place behind Westport Town Hall. The house was built in 1949. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Wednesday, July 13, 2005

10:30 a.m. – Town Hall Room 102 – International Hospitality Committee
2 p.m. and 8 p.m. - Westport Country Playhouse - "Dear Brutus"
6:45 p.m. – Town Hall Room 309/307 – Board of Selectmen Public Hearing
7 p.m. – Town Hall Auditorium – Board of Finance Public Hearing
7 p.m. - Levitt Pavilion - Jeffrey Friedberg & Bossy Frog Band

Westport Aids in Ridgefield Tanker Accident and Fuel Spill

Westport firefighters, acting as part of the Mid-Fairfield County Hazardous Materials Unit, aided in a Ridgefield tanker accident and spill today that sent fuel oil into the Norwalk River. The truck driver was killed.

The incident happened about 3:30 p.m. on a portion of Route 7 that crosses over the Norwalk River. Route 7 is the major north-south highway in western Connecticut.

The Wilton Fire Department, part of the Mid-Fairfield County Hazardous Materials unit, requested that Westport send the Westport-based hazmat truck to the scene.

Ridgefield First Selectman Rudy Marconi told WTNH-TV the tanker was traveling north when an SUV apparently darted out in front of the tanker.

Marconi said the tanker swerved to avoid the vehicle and ended up on its side, bursting into flames. Marconi said the driver of the tanker died in the accident.

Smoke could be seen for miles. State environmental officials said some gasoline spilled into the river and transportation officials believed the accident may have caused structural damage to the bridge.

The truck came to rest on the bridge of the two-lane highway, which is the main route between Danbury and Norwalk. The fire set nearby trees ablaze and even lit portions of the river on fire as gasoline spilled, Marconi said.

"You don't have to be an environmental scientist to know there's environmental damage," he said.

Transportation officials said the accident may have caused structural damage to the bridge and it was unclear when Route 7 would reopen. Traffic was detoured to other major roads.

Another Owner for the Old Westport Bank & Trust Co. as Hudson is Sold

The old Westport Bank & Trust Co., which occupied a landmark building in the town's center for decades before being acquired in 1996, is getting a new owner with today's announcement of the sale of Hudson United Bancorp Inc. to TD Banknorth Inc.

TD Banknorth, a New England banking company, said it has agreed to buy Hudson United for $1.9 billion in cash and stock to expand in the Northeast.

The acquisition is TD Banknorth's first purchase since Canada's Toronto-Dominion Bank paid $4 billion for a 51 percent stake in the Portland, Maine-based company four months ago.

Hudson United took over Westport Bank & Trust Co. and its six-branch Fairfield County franchise in 1996 for almost $69 million through its then-owned Lafayette American Bank. It renamed the bank with its own name in 1999.

Last November, Hudson United sold the downtown building -- which had housed Westport Bank & Trust for 80 years -- to developer David Waldman for $4.2 million. It moved its operations across Post Road East to the old Westport Town Hall.

In addition to its downtown branch, Hudson United has three other Westport branches at 420 Post Road West, 1111 Post Road East, and 50 Charles St.

Slow Going on Post Road East

Engineers doing survey work for a new 69-mile power line from Middletown to Norwalk tied up traffic today on Post Road East. The line includes a 5.5 mile underground portion running through Westport. (See WestportNow April 7, 2005). The engineers said the survey work, which requires shutting down one lane of traffic while they mark existing utility lines, will continue through the week. Spillover traffic also tied up side roads. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

"Seussical, the Musical" Set for July 22, 23

Dr. Seuss is coming to Westport.

The Westport-based Music Theatre of Connecticut will present "Seussical the Musical" Friday and Saturday, July 22 and 23 at Westport's Long Lots School. The Friday performance is at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m.

The show brings to life all of the favorite Dr. Seuss characters, including Cat in the Hat, Horton the Elephant, Gertrude McFuzz, Lazy Mayzie and all of the Whos of Whoville.

The fully staged and costumed production is performed by MTC students. Composers are Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, who also composed "My Favorite Year," "Once on This Island," and "Ragtime."

The play is directed by Deb Levy. The musical director is Justin Paul, and the choreographer is Leanne Allan.

Westporters in the cast include: Caley Beretta, Caroline Corbally, Julia Fein, Maeve Flaherty, Nora Flaherty, Megan Foreman, Emily Garber, Stephanie Klein, Andie Levinson, Adele Mackey, Sitara Mahtani, and Roni Mandelkern.

Also: Cara McNiff, Chris McNiff, Alanna Morton, Jordan Olson, Liam Orly, Daniel Pauker, Michelle Pauker, Rusty Schindler, Max Stampa-Brown, Alison Thomson, and Anita Vohra.

Tickets for "Seussical, the Musical" are $15. For more information, visit www.musictheatreofct.com, or call Music Theatre of Connecticut at (203) 454-3883.

Smiles at the Library

Joanne Woodward (c), artistic director of the Westport Country Playhouse, appeared at the Westport Public Library Monday night to talk about her role as director of "The Member of the Wedding" opening at the Playhouse July 28. She shares a laugh with costume designer Laurie Churba (l) and Ann Keefe, associate artistic director. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Pastel Sky

The setting sun off Westport's Longshore Club Park made for a pastel sky Monday. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Emily Laux for WestportNow.com

Tuesday, July 12, 2005

10 a.m. – Town Hall Room 201 – Planning and Zoning Commission Big House Committee
7 p.m. – Town Hall Room 309 – Historic District Commission
7:30 p.m. – Town Hall Room 201 – Architectural Review Board
7:30 p.m. – Town Hall Auditorium – Zoning Board of Appeals
7:45 p.m. – Town Hall Room 102 - - RTM Ordinance Committee
8 p.m. - Levitt Pavilion - Golden Angels Jazz Band
8 p.m. - Westport Country Playhouse - "Dear Brutus"

RTM Okays Synthetic Turf Fields and $1.55 Million in Bonding

Four Westport playing fields made of synthetic turf are a step closer to reality after Westport's Representative Town Meeting (RTM) tonight approved $1,550,000 in bonding as seed money for the "Field of Dreams" project.

After more than two hours of debate, the RTM okayed the funds – to be repaid by private donations except for about $50,000 in interest costs – as well as acceptance of the monies as a gift to the town.

Both motions passed 25-1 with only Michael Gilbertie, District 9, opposed. His attempt to postpone the project until all the funds have been raised failed by the same margin.

In other action, the RTM also approved $3,030,139 for replacement and upgrading of police and fire department radios, and up to $120,000 to hire a commercial real estate expert to analyze commercial values as part of the town's revaluation of properties.

Also, the RTM okayed naming the marina at Compo Beach the Edwin K. Dimes Marina after the late Board of Finance chair and approved acceptance of a $75,000 gift to purchase automated external defibrillators for the town.

(Editor's note: Gordon Joseloff, moderator of the RTM, is also editor of WestportNow.)

Point to Point Swim Set for Saturday

The 27th annual one-mile, Compo Beach Point to Point race is scheduled for Saturday with the first competition starting at 8:45 a.m., Bob Knoebel, race director, announced today.

Open to all "strong swimmers" more than 9 years old, registration is scheduled for 8 a.m. at the beach's cannons. Knoebel expects about 250 entries.

“We had a record turnout last year with 242 swimmers competing,” said Knoebel who expects the water conditions to be near perfect in light of the last two weeks' warm weather.

Entries are available online at www.westporty.org, at the Y, Compo Beach, the Longshore Pool and at the Parks and Recreation offices at Longshore Club Park.

Knoebel said awards are presented to the top three male and female finishers in 15 different age groups. He added that proceeds benefit the YMCA’s scholarship fund so that swimming lessons can be afforded by all children.

For further information, contact Knoebel at 226-8981, ext. 128.

Checking Out the Ultimate Sale

Cousins Colin McGlinchey of Westport (l) and Nathaniel Fanning, visiting from New Mexico, stopped in at the Westport Historical Society to preview items for the Ultimate Sale this weekend. Also checking out items are Executive Director Denise Torv and Education Coordinator Susan Gold (r). A range of wares including glassware, furniture, china, crystal, jewelry, vintage books and clothing will be on sale on the grounds of the Society and on Veterans Green from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

Books, Books, and More Books

Mimi Greenlee (r), in charge of the 12th annual Friends of the Library Book Sale this weekend, directs placement of some of the books during setup on Jesup Green today. More than 60,000 books packed in 2,100 cartons will be offered for sale with the help of more than 225 volunteers. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com

Busy Weekend: Book Sale, Art Festival, "Ultimate Sale," Point to Point Swim

Get ready for one of Westport's busiest summer weekends. The downtown area will be host to the 32nd annual Westport Arts Festival, the 12th annual Friends of the Library Book Sale, and the 2nd annual Westport Historical Society "Ultimate Sale" on Saturday and Sunday.

Meanwhile, Compo Beach will be the venue Saturday of the 27th annual one-mile Point to Point Swim. And the Senior Center Sunday will host its 2nd Ice Cream Social from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The Levitt Pavilion will be hopping as well with a performance of Irish music Saturday night and "Eight to the Bar" swing and boogie-woogie on Sunday night. The Westport Country Playhouse, meanwhile, will present "Dear Brutus" on both days.

The weekend forecast calls for partly cloudy weather with highs in the 80s during the day. Details of the events will be posted on WestportNow.

Today's Westport Teardown: 296 Main St.

Today's WestportNow teardown is 296 Main St., It is identified on the town's historic resources inventory as the Boland Family House ca.1840. The Historic District Commission will consider the demolition application at its Tuesday meeting. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Westport Scouts Return Home from Camp

Westport Boy Scout Troops 36, 39 and 100 (center, red caps) returned from a week at Camp Yawgoog in Narragansett, R.I. They were led by Jack Berry, Scoutmaster of Troop 36. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

Monday, July 11, 2005

7 p.m. – Town Hall Room 309 – RTM Rules Committee
7:30 p.m. - Town Hall Auditorium - RTM Finance and Employee Compensation Committees
7:30 p.m. - Westport Public Library McManus Room - Joanne Woodward "Before Act I" program about "The Member of the Wedding" at the Westport Country Playhouse (opening July 28) which she directs
8 p.m. – Town Hall Auditorium - Representative Town Meeting (live coverage cable channel 79)

Tea Time

One way to beat today's heat was to take a ride on the tea cups at Westport's Italian Festival. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Jonathan Thrope for WestportNow.com

Italian Festival Draws Crowds Despite Heat

Despite 90-degree heat, the Italian Festival drew crowds today on the last day of the four-day event. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Jonathan Thrope for WestportNow.com

Sidewalk Sale Winds Up With Bargains

There were bargains galore today on the last day of Westport's three-day downtown sidewalk sale. This was the scene on Post Road East near the intersection with Main Street. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Gordon Joseloff/WestportNow.com

Compo Scene

After days of rain, Saturday's good weather was a relief for boaters and swimmers. The scene: the marina at Westport's Compo Beach. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com

Sunday, July 10, 2005

Noon - Luciano Park - Italian Festival
3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Westport Country Playhouse - "Dear Brutus"
7 p.m. - Levitt Pavilion - The Giacomo Gates Quartet, jazz