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Wednesday, July 05, 2006

Health officials closed Westport’s Burying Hill Beach late today as they investigated the source of a foul smell in the West Parish Road area.

John Cimarosa of the Westport-Weston Health District ordered the closure after a resident on West Parish Road complained of a sewage-like smell in the area.

He said the beach was closed as a precaution in case a contaminant made its way along a stream to Long Island Sound waters. Public Works employees checked for a possible sewer line problem in the area.

Cimarosa said samples of water in the area as well as at Westport’s beaches would be sent to a state laboratory Thursday morning and that results would be known within 24 hours. 

More "Westport’s Burying Hill Beach Ordered Closed"

07/05 09:09 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

The Ned Dimes Marina at Westport’s Compo Beach was mostly quiet today after the 4th of July holiday. Many people returned to work and others may have been discouraged by clouds and occasional showers. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com

07/05 04:18 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

The house at 101 Cross Highway, Westport, came down today. The house, featured as the WestportNow Teardown of the Day April 6, was built in 1911. Dozens of trees were cut down on the property as part of its redevelopment. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

07/05 01:53 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

WestportNow contributing photographer Dave Matlow was out today shooting another followup to his popular WestportNow “Teardown of the Day” feature. This property is at 101 Cross Highway. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

07/05 01:01 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

WestportNow contributing photographer Ron Malone came across this Westport resident eating an early morning breakfast. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Ron Malone for WestportNow.com

07/05 12:58 AM Comments (1) • Permalink •

Tuesday, July 04, 2006

Every month, the Westport Center for Senior Activities highlights an organization or an individual with a special talent or interest in space on a lobby bulletin board. This month, Norwalk Hospital’s 7 West floor is featured, highlighting stroke prevention, signs and symptoms. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Sharon Fawcett for WestportNow.com

07/04 11:06 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

10:30 a.m. – Town Hall Room 102 – International Hospitality Committee
2 p.m. and 8 p.m. - Westport Country Playhouse - “Drawer Boy”
7 p.m. - Levitt Pavilion - “The Magic of Lynn” magical tricks
7 p.m. – Town Hall Room 201A – Board of Finance Audit Subcommittee - anticipated executive session
7:30 p.m. – Town Hall Room 201A – Board of Finance - anticipated executive session
7:30 p.m. - Westport Arts Center - Members Show 2006 Artist Talk II
8 p.m. – Town Hall Auditorium – Board of Finance (live coverage cable channel 79)

07/04 11:03 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

By Jim Cameron
Special to WestportNow

Everybody pays lip service to improving transportation in our grid-locked state, but nobody seems to doing anything, especially the agency in charge, the Connecticut Department of Transportation.

Concerned citizens, activist groups and even lawmakers can’t get that agency to be responsive to their concerns.  Consider the following:

Darien Station: After spending millions rehabilitating the Darien train station, we discovered that the contractor, CDOT’s Highway Department, used indoor light fixtures on the outdoor platforms.  Filling with rainwater, they short-circuit the electrical system and plunge the platform into darkness.  Calls by the First Selectman Evonne Klein for help from the CDOT went unanswered until she turned the matter over the Attorney General for help.  Suddenly, Gov. M Jodi Rell jumped in ordering CDOT Commissioner to fix the lights.

VRE Cars: Though delivered over a year ago, the dozens of used commuter rail cars bought from Virginia still haven’t been put in service to ease crowding.  When state Sen. Bob Duff of Norwalk asked CDOT why, he was stonewalled and had to file a Freedom of Information request for public documents about their repair.  Again, Gov. Rell chimed in and ordered the CDOT Commissioner to get on with repairs.  It now appears those cars will finally be in service in 2007.

More "Talking Transportation: “Does Anyone Care About Transportation?”"

07/04 08:55 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

The Friends of the Westport Center for Senior Activities will host the third annual “Ice Cream Social” at the center on Sunday, July 16 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Flashback: Last year’s “Ice Cream Social” drew a large crowd to the Senior Center. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com

Residents of all ages are invited to the event featuring free ice cream, a balloon man, music, face painting, plus a free Frisbee to the first 150 youngsters who attend, an announcement said.

In addition, the Westport Fire Department will display a fire truck for viewing and climbing.

“This event marks a wonderful opportunity for the people of our community to become acquainted, or reacquainted with this outstanding facility and grounds,” the announcement said.

More "“Ice Cream Social” Set for July 16"

07/04 08:52 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

(Editor’s note: The following commentary by award-winning Westport-based writer Jessica Bram was broadcast on Fairfield County Public Radio WSHU-FM. Click here for the audio file.)

By Jessica Bram
Special to WestportNow

Election season is upon us and already it’s getting me down. George Bush lovers and George Bush haters are going at it with a vengeance. Pundits and self-promoters are using words like “brain-damaged” and “God-less” to describe the opposing party. People are arguing over whether God is a Democrat or Republican and which, therefore, is the party of Satan. As if last year’s hurricanes weren’t enough to muck up America’s landscape, now our national airwaves are growing sooty with sniping and name calling.

And then there’s Connecticut. In what are shaping up to be some very fiercely fought local and state-wide elections, good manners - most remarkably! - rule the day. First, there is the intense contest in Connecticut’s 4th Congressional District, in what I think of as “the battle of the huggers.” Both Congressman Chris Shays and his challenger Diane Farrell are just the nicest doggone people you’d ever want to meet.

When Chris Shays gives you one of those bear hugs and levels those blue eyes on you to let you know he really, really hears you, it’s hard to let a little thing like the war in Iraq bother you. And when Diane Farrell who you may have met only once before spots you in a crowd with one of her big, delighted smiles and seems really interested to know how your son is doing at Cornell and how your mother is doing after her surgery, well, let’s face it, you just melt - and write another check. 

“Going negative” in this campaign consists of recounting the opposition’s voting record - that’s it.  Nothing about anyone’s military record, or shady campaign contributors, or, Lord help us, family values. 

More "Commentary: The Election Conundrum"

07/04 08:46 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

New York artist Karl Anshanslin had some time of his hands at Westport’s Compo Beach today and decided to sculpt a mermaid reading “Jaws” who encounters a not-so-friendly shark. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

07/04 03:53 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

A problem that cut short Westport’s Independence Day fireworks Monday night at Compo Beach brought an apology today from the head of the Police Athletic League which sponsored the event and the Grucci family that put on the display.
A youngster enjoys Monday’s night’s Westport Compo Beach fireworks from atop the cannons before the display was cut short by a problem on the launching barge. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

“Unfortunately toward the last half of the show there was a technical malfunction on the barge where the fireworks were being launched and the show was cut short,” Police Chief Al Fiore, who serves as PAL president, said in a statement.

“The good news is that no one was hurt and everyone, the workers and the spectators enjoyed a safe night. The bad news is that the show did not go off as planned and there were many disappointed people in the crowd.”

Fiore said that Scott Cooper of Brookhaven, N.Y. -based Fireworks by Grucci “worked feverishly with the crew launching the fireworks to solve the problem.”

More "Fireworks: Apologies from PAL Head and Grucci Family"

07/04 10:16 AM Comments (3) • Permalink •

The National Weather Service said today that strong to possibly severe thunderstorms are possible this afternoon and evening in Westport and the tri-state area.

At 12:40 p.m. it upgraded its advisory to a severe thunderstom watch and said storms could bring gusts up to 70 miles per hour, hail 1.5 inches in diameter, and dangerous lightning. The watch is in effect until 9 p.m.

A warm and humid air mass remains in place across the tri-state region and this air mass will become increasingly unstable as the day progresses, an advisory said.

Scattered showers and thunderstorms will be possible at any point during the day. However, an approaching cold front from the west may help to spark strong to severe thunderstorms during the afternoon and evening hours. 

07/04 09:17 AM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Westport Parks and Recreation Department workers were out early today on Soundview Drive cleaning up the trash at Compo Beach after Monday night’s fireworks. Thousands of persons converged on the beach for the annual event that was cut short by a malfunction on the fireworks barge. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Ron Malone for WestportNow.com

07/04 09:11 AM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Visitors to Westport’s Cockenoe Island cool off in Long Island Sound. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Matthew Mandell for WestportNow.com

07/04 08:45 AM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Nick Saviano sets up chairs at Westport’s Luciano Park Monday in preparation for Festival Italiano, which kicks off on Thursday. The festival starts with a parade at 7:30 p.m. Saviano, a longtime festival volunteer, will be the parade’s grand marshal. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

07/04 05:00 AM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Monday, July 03, 2006

A sunset behind the clouds preceded the fireworks Monday at Westport’s Compo Beach. While storms hit many areas of Connecticut, they did not interfere with the annual Independence Day celebration in Westport. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com

07/03 11:30 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

8 p.m. - Westport Country Playhouse - “Drawer Boy”
8 p.m. - Levitt Pavilion - “The Wingnuts” dance band

07/03 11:05 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

The cannons at Westport’s Compo Beach made for a perfect perch for viewing tonight’s Independence Day fireworks display. The annual event by the Grucci family was cut short by a technical problem on the barge that prevented the usual grand finale. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Gordon Joseloff for WestportNow.com

07/03 10:09 PM Comments (7) • Permalink •

As dusk fell at Westport’s Compo Beach tonight, individual fireworks set off by beachgoers attracted attention. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

07/03 09:50 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

A family enjoys some fun with sparklers at Westport’s Compo Beach tonight. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

07/03 09:48 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Smoke from sparklers and other small fireworks covers Westport’s Compo Beach tonight as the crowd awaited the start of the fireworks display. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

07/03 09:40 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

People lined up to purchase ice cream at Westport’s Compo Beach today as they got ready for tonight’s fireworks display. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com

07/03 09:34 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

A barge loaded with fireworks from the famed Grucci family maneuvered into position today off of Westport’s Compo Beach for tonight’s fireworks display. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com

07/03 03:41 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

With little more than a month to go before the state Democratic primary, U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman said today he will hedge his bet and collect signatures for an independent campaign if he loses on Aug. 8.

Lieberman, a supporter of the Iraq War, is facing a challenge from Greenwich businessman Ned Lamont. He made his announcement today in Hartford.

“While I believe that I will win the Aug. 8 primary, I know there are no guarantees in elections,” Lieberman said. “No one really knows how many Democrats will come out to vote on what may be a hot day in August.”

Lieberman said he will remain a Democrat even if loses his party’s primary. He said he plans to remain a part of the Senate’s Democratic caucus if re-elected.

More "Lieberman Says He’ll Collect Signatures for Indie Campaign"

07/03 03:03 PM Comments (1) • Permalink •

Westport’s Compo Beach was crowded today in advance of the evening fireworks. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com

07/03 03:01 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

The Connecticut Rail Commuter Council said today it is launching a “Fix My Station Photo Campaign” so camera-carrying commuters can help the state improve Connecticut’s railroad stations.

The program will enable commuters to assist the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CDOT) in meeting Gov. M. Jodi Rell’s call to them to inspect and repair the stations, an announcement said.

“Many commuters travel with cell phone and digital cameras, so we’re asking them to spend a few minutes capturing pictures and descriptions of needed repairs,” said Commuter Council Chairman Jim Cameron,

“The more detailed the information, the better:  station name, location of the needed repair work and a description.”

More "Commuter Council Launches Station “Fix-It” Photo Program"

07/03 01:52 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Take some rain gear with you to Westport’s fireworks tonight. The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for the tri-state area.

The watch is in effect until 9 p.m.—15 minutes before the start of the Compo Beach fireworks.

An afternoon advisory said hail up to 1.5 inches in diameter, thunderstorm wind gusts up to 70 miles per hour, and dangerous lightning are possible in the area.

Westport’s rain date for its fireworks is Wednesday night.

07/03 01:47 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

By

Absentee ballots for August Democratic primary won’t be available until July 18, but Westport Town Clerk Patricia Strauss said she is accepting applications now.

She said the primary—which is for both the governor and U.S. Senate races—is the first to be held since a law passed in 2003 that moved up state and federal primaries by one month.

The primary will be held on Aug. 8, but before 2003 primaries were typically held in September.

In the August primary, Dannel Malloy and John DeStefano face off in a primary for the Democratic nomination for governor. For the U.S. Senate, Ned Lamont is challenging incumbent Joseph Lieberman.

More "Absentee Primary Ballot Applications Accepted Now"

07/03 01:38 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Sunday, July 02, 2006

Uncle Sam and Ms. Liberty stand watch at the Westport Historical Society. The figures were made by artist Walter Einsel. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com

07/02 11:14 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

A banner at Westport’s Compo Beach reminds everyone that the town’s annual Independence Day fireworks take place there tonight. Police Athletic League sponsors expect the capacity 2,000 cars will converge on the beach for the 9:15 p.m. event. The forecast calls for partly cloudy skies with a chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com

07/02 11:05 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

9:15 p.m. - Compo Beach - Fireworks (rain date July 5)

07/02 11:03 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

This youngster found the cannons at Westport’s Compo Beach a perfect place to get cool as afternoon tempertures soared close to 90 in some areas. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com

07/02 03:47 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Westport First Selectman Gordon Joseloff proclaimed today “Max’s Art Supplies Day” in Westport to mark the 50th anniversry of the Post Road East shop. Joseloff, shown with owner Shirley Mellor, told guests at an anniversary reception that he had a special relationship to Max’s. He said his father, Stanley, sold the building to Shirley Mellor’s late husband, Max Kaplan, in the late 1960s when it was known as Fine Arts Stationery. The store is adjacent to the former Fine Arts Theatre, built by Joseloff’s grandfather, Robert, in 1915, and now occupied by Restoration Hardware. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Ron Malone for WestportNow.com

07/02 03:32 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstom watch for Westport and the tri-state area until 11 p.m.

The 4:05 p.m. advisory followed a special weather statement in which forecasters said a cold front will approach the Westport and the tri-state region this evening and trigger scattered showers and thunderstorms.

Due to the high heat and humidity, there will be enough instability for some storms to become quite strong and possibly severe, a mid-afternoon advisory said. 

The main threat from thunderstorms will be strong and gusty winds along with dangerous cloud to ground lightning and possibly some hail. In addition, thunderstorms will be capable of torrential downpours, possibly producing localized flash flooding, the advisory said. 

07/02 02:29 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

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PROPERTY TRANSFERS

Westport Property Transfers July 12 - 16, 2010
MORE >>

ARTS & LEISURE

It Takes Two to Tango

Playhouse Sets “Perfect Proposal” Contest

BUSINESS

Comings and Goings: AAA Leaving Saugatuck After 20 Years

Comings and Goings: AAA Travel Office to Post Road East

COMMUNITY

Field of Flags Demonstrates Heroism, Loss, and War’s Toll

Westport Woman’s Club Names Board of Directors

HEALTH & FITNESS

RTM Committee Okays Health District Budget Restoration

Comings and Goings: Indeego Day Spa Debuts on PRE

EDUCATION

Staples Graduation Photos by Lynn U. Miller

Staples Graduates Told to ‘Live a Good Life’

OBITUARIES

Estrid H. Coates, 85

William A. (Bill) Hoffman, 81

POLITICS

Westport Tea Group Meets Again

Steinberg Receives Public Funding in State Rep Race

REAL ESTATE

Westport Property Transfers July 12 - 16, 2010

WestportNow Teardown of the Day: 5 Lyndale Park

SPORTS

Seals Celebrate

Westport Girls Under 8 All Stars Win Championship

SPECIAL REPORTS

Memorial Day 2009 photos
 
Mother Nature’s Best
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Note: WestportNow Publisher Gordon F. Joseloff is also First Selectman of Westport