Wednesday, September 29, 2004
Threatened Strike Today at Westport Nursing Home Averted
Union workers have called off a strike planned for today at seven Connecticut nursing homes, including one in Westport, with more than 1,000 residents.
The strike was averted late Monday when the owners of the homes agreed to end efforts to set aside union contracts.
They said they would pay $750,000 to employee pension, education and uniform allowance funds, according to officials at the New England Health Care Employees Union, District 1199.
More than 850 workers had voted last weekend to strike.
The nursing homes include Westport Health Care, formerly known as Mediplex of Westport, at the intersection of Post Road West and Burr Road just across from Kings Highway Elementary School. It has 120 beds.
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Tuesday, September 28, 2004
State Clarifies Sewage Plant Concern as Board of Selectmen Meets Today
With a new clarification from the state in hand about funding, the Westport Board of Selectmen today considers two previous actions affecting a planned $37.7 million upgrade to the town’s waste water treatment plant.
A letter received Monday from the state Department of Environmental Protection said the agency did not intend to hold up state funding for the plant.
But it said it wanted the town to address issues concerning a possible extension of a Norwalk sewer into northwest Westport for a controversial housing project.
The board’s 2003 approval of a plan to hook up the Norwalk sewer to the housing development in the Partrick Wetlands had prompted a letter from the DEP in August saying the action complicated funding of the plant.
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Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2004
7:30 a.m. - Town Hall Room 309/307 - TEAM Westport Committee
10 a.m. - Town Hall Auditorium - Arts Advisory 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. - Town Hall Room 309 - School Building Committee Staples Subcommittee
7:30 p.m. - Town Hall Room 309/307 - Board of Selectmen
7:30 p.m. - Westport Arts Center, 51 Riverside Ave. - Mark Schenker on Shakespeare: A Midsummer Night’s Dream
A Good Day to Stay Inside
The remnants of Hurricane Jeanne brought heavy rains to Westport and much of the tri-state area this afternoon. Traffic moved slowly across the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Memorial Bridge in Westport’s center. WestportNow.com photo
Staples Homecoming Pasta Dinner Friday
The Staples High School Homecoming Pasta Dinner takes place Friday in the Staples cafeteria from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are $8 in advance, $10 at the door, $5 for senior citizens.
The event is sponsored by the Westport Kiwanis Club and the Staples PTA. Proceeds will benefit the Staples High School/Kiwanis scholarship program and the Senior Class of 2005.
Further information is available from Sue Colasurdo at 227-0103 or Beth Hagan at 226-8245.
News-12’s Tom Appleby to Host IHA Auction Saturday
Cablevision News-12 anchor Tom Appleby will wield the gavel for Saturday’s third annual fundraising auction by Westport’s Interfaith Housing Association.
Tom Appleby: wielding the gavel. Contributed photo
The event at Christ and Holy Trinity Church in Westport begins at 5 p.m. It will be followed by a dinner honoring community leaders Barbara Butler, Westports director of Human Services, and Richard Foot, executive director /CEO of the Westport/Weston YMCA.
Tickets for the auction and reception only are $100, $250 including the dinner.
ғWere delighted that Tom agreed to help,Ҕ said Peter Powell, IHAs president.
In the 20 years that Appleby has been news director and co-anchor of News-12, the cable channel has won more than 400 major awards.
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Broadway Bound
The Westport Community Theatre has opened its 2004-05 season with Neil Simon’s “Broadway Bound.” It runs through Oct. 10, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m., and one Thursday performance, this Thursday, Sept. 30, at 8 p.m. More information at www.westportcommunitytheatre.com. .Contributed photo
Monday, September 27, 2004
A Sure Sign of Autumn
Leaves are beginning to blow into the bathhouses at Compo Beach, a sure sign that autumn is here. Emily Laux for WestportNow.com
Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2004
9 a.m. - Town Hall Room 309 - Code Enforcement Committee
10:30 a.m. - Town Hall Room 102 - P&Z Committee to Develop Zoning Regulations for Affordable & Work Force Rental Housing on Town-Owned Property
7:30 p.m. - Town Hall Auditorium - Zoning Board of Appeals
7:30 p.m. - Town Hall Room 309 - Architectural Review Board
8 p.m. - Town Hall Room 201 - RTM Health & Human Services Committee
A Standing O for Dr. K
Gerry Kuroghlian gets a standing ovation tonight from colleagues, parents, and community members after being named Teacher of the Year. Among those applauding is Jennifer Giudice (c), a Staples High School math teacher who was also among this year’s six nominees. On the right (striped shirt) is Frank Corbo, a Staples teacher who won the award in 1997. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo
Westporters Promote New Law Giving Tax Break to Hybrid Cars
A new law exempting gas-electric hybrid cars from Connecticut’s sales tax goes into effect Friday. It was proposed last spring by Westport’s state Rep. G. Kenneth Bernhard (l), shown here with Westporter Roy Dickinson and his hybrid car in front of the state Capitol today. Dickinson drove to Hartford to be on hand for a news conference Bernhard held to draw attention to the new law. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo
Oyster Farm Proposal for Westport Withdrawn
A controversial proposal to harvest oysters off the Westport coastline using suspended cages has been withdrawn, a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers official said today.
Garofalo: withdraws oyster application. WN photo
Cori Rose, senior project manager for the New England district of the Corps in Boston, told WestportNow that she received an e-mail notification Friday of the decision by Westport-based Mariculture Unlimited, LLC.
“It’s withdrawn without prejudice,” she said. “But they can resubmit it any time.”
Rose said she had heard unofficially earlier that the Westport proposal and a similar one for waters off of Milford was being pulled, but did not receive official notice until Friday.
The proposal by Mariculture Unlimited, headed by Dr. John Garofalo of Westport, touched off a storm of protest from sailboat owners and recreational boaters, many of whom spoke at a July 23, 2003, public hearing in Milford. (See WestportNow July 24, 2003)
Westport boaters had said the oyster operation would seriously jeopardize their recreational activities on Long Island Sound.
Warning: Suburban Sprawl May be Hazardous to Your Health
A new study says residents of suburbs such as Westport with a high degree of sprawl are more likely to report chronic health problems such as high blood pressure, arthritis, headaches and breathing difficulties compared to residents in less sprawled-out areas.
The differences remained even when researchers accounted for factors such as age, economic status and race.
“People who live in more sprawling areas are more likely to have chronic health problems over time,” said Roland Sturm, co-author of the report by Rand Corp., a nonprofit research group. “People drive more in these areas, they walk less.”
Researchers said the findings suggest that an adult who lives in a sprawling city such as Atlanta will have health characteristics similar to someone four years older, but otherwise similar, who lives in a more compact city like Seattle.
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Westport’s Ken Bernhard Calls Attention to Hybrid Car Sales Tax Exemption
Bernhard at Hartford news conference today. Contributed photoWestport state Rep. G. Kenneth Bernhard was among state lawmakers today drawing attention to a new law that will make Connecticut the only state to exempt gas-electric hybrid cars from the state’s sales tax.
The new law, proposed by Bernhard, takes effect on Friday.
Bernhard and other lawmakers held a news conference at the state Capitol in Hartford where some of the hybrid cars were on display. One was owned by Westporter Roy Dickinson.
The 6 percent sales tax exemption applies to certain hybrid vehicles that get an estimated 40 miles per gallon on the highway.
Bernhard said that hybrid cars reduce smog-forming gases by 10 to 15 percent and consume 21 percent less gasoline than similar, conventional vehicles.
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Westport’s Martha Stewart: They’ve Got Her Number
Westport’s Martha Stewart has been assigned her official inmate number—55170-054—according to a posting on the Bureau of Prisons’ Web site and reported by today’s New York Daily News.
Though Stewart has yet to be assigned to where she will be incarcerated, she has been ordered to begin her five-month term on Oct. 8 for her conviction on conspiracy, obstruction of justice and other charges related to an ImClone Systems stock.
The bureau had not notified Stewart of a prison assignment today, said Martin Weinberg, one of her appeals lawyers.
Meanwhile, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia has renewed an employment contract for five years with its soon-to-be jailed founder, but she will not be paid a cent while in prison, according to a Securities and Exchange Commission filing.
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Sunday, September 26, 2004
Monday, Sept. 27, 2004
11:30 a.m. - Westport/Weston YMCA - The Rev. Charles Allen, executive assistant to the president of Fairfield University, addresses Y’s Women on “College Students in Today’s World”
7:30 p.m. - Westport Public Library - “Venture Investing: What’s Hot in IT,” panel of venture capitalists
8 p.m. - Staples High School Library - Board of Education
Big Turnout for Fairfield County Concours d’Elegance
Morning clouds gave way to sunny skies today, attracting a large crowd to the Fairfield County Concours d’Elegance on Westport’s Veterans Green. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
A Veteran, Too
This 1942 Dodge 5/4 ton command car was a World War II workhorse and fittingly took its place in front of the memorial to Westport’s World War II vets at today’s classic car show. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo
1954 Mercedes 300SL “Gullwing” a Crowd Pleaser
A 1954 Mercedes 300SL “Gullwing” attracted admirers at today’s classic car show in Westport, among them two Westport Bedford Middle School students. See another photo below. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo
Trying it Out
Westporters Kara Tricarico, 10, (l) and Maddy Fass, 11, sixth graders at Bedford Middle School, try out a 1954 Mercedes 300SL “Gullwing” at today’s classic car show in Westport. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo
Color Me Orange
This car was built as a hot rod in the 1960s to look like a 1934 Ford. It was among more than 60 cars on display today at the Fairfield County Concours d’Elegance in Westport. WestportNow.com photo
Fit for a Movie Queen
This 1939 Cadillac Fleetwood was actress Greer Garson’s limousine and seated seven passengers. It was among the attractions at today’s Westport classic car show. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo
Movers and Shakers
The movers and shakers behind today’s Fairfield County Concours d’Elegance included ( l to r) John Schuck, Bill Kraus, president of the Fairfield County Preservation Trust, the charitable benefactor of the event, Bill Scheffler, and Dan Long. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
Classic Cars Converge on Westport
The Fairfield County Concours d’Elegance brought more than 60 classic cars to Westport’s Veterans Green today. Westporter Dan Long (r), one of the event’s organizers, directed traffic before the start of the show. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
Off on a Sunday Ride for Charity
Riders set off today from Westport’s Sherwood Island State Park on the 23rd annual MS Society Bike Tour Down to the Sound. Rep. Christopher Shays (l, back to camera in blue shirt) was among those wishing them well at the start line. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo
They Chose the 62-Mile Route
Among Westporters taking part in today’s MS Bike tour were Jeffrey Mayer (r), a member of the Board of Finance, and son, Marshall. They chose the 62-mile route. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo
Trading Bicycles for Fire Trucks
The Westport Fire Department was represented in today’s MS Bike Tour by ( l to r) Chief Denis McCarthy, Asst. Chief Larry Conklin, and Lt. Andy Kingsbury. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo
WestportNow.com Contributors Ride, Too
More than 600 persons signed up for today’s MS Bike Tour, among them Westporter Jessica Bram and son, Alex, both WestportNow.com contributors. They rode as part of the Westport Rotary Club contingent. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo
Saturday, September 25, 2004
A Ride in the Park
Amanda, 12, of Westport took advantage of Saturday’s sunny weather to take a bike ride in Winslow Park. Many more Westporters will gather at Sherwood Island State Park today for bike rides as part of the 23rd annual Western Connecticut MS Bike Tour Down to the Sound. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Juliia Mally WestportNow.com
Sunday, Sept. 26, 2004
8:30 a.m. - Sherwood Island State Park - 23rd annual Western Connecticut MS Bike Tour Down to the Sound
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. - Veterans Green - Fairfield County Concours d’Elegance classic car event
Cruising the Sound
More than 60 human-powered vessels—canoes, kayaks and rowboats—took part in today’s 14-mile Soundkeeper Lighthouse to Lighthouse race which began and ended at Westport’s Compo Beach. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo
The End is Near
This six-person crew from the Manu’iwa Outrigger Canoe Club of Milford, Conn., finished first in the outrigger division and second place overall in today’s 14-mile fifth annual Soundkeeper Lighthouse to Lighthouse race with a time of 2:10:05. Kathryn Garcia of Wilton, a teacher at Westport’s Coleytown Elementary School, captained the vessel. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo
Into the Water
Compo Beach was full of human-powered vessels today as the fifth annual Soundkeeper Lighthouse to Lighthouse race got underway. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Richard Barnett for WestportNow.com
Friday, September 24, 2004
Saturday, Sept. 25, 2004
9 a.m. - Compo Beach - Fifth annual Soundkeeper Lighthouse to Lighthouse race for human-powered vessels
On Air
Staples cheerleader Kate Oestreicher seems to float on air as she cheered on the Wreckers today as they easily defeated Trinity Catholic-Stamford 43-0 at home. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo
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