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Sunday, November 14, 2004

Practicing “Taking a Hydrant”

Westport Volunteer Fire Department members practice “taking a hydrant” during a training exercise Saturday at Compo Beach. Active members, who ride alongside regular members of the Westport Fire Department, have all obtained state firefighter certification. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

11/14/04 11:49 AM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Update: New Details Emerge in Westport Party Shooting Incident

A 20-year-old Wilton man was shot and wounded early Saturday in Westport as he tried to break up a robbery at a birthday party attended by about a dozen guests, a source familiar with the incident said today.
26 Franklin St.: scene of Westport shooting early Saturday. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

The suspect entered the premises and put a gun to the back of one of the guests, demanding money, wallets and cellphones, the source said.

Clinton Chizinski, a sophomore at Fairfield University, was shot in the abdomen as he wrestled with the alleged robber outside of 26 Franklin St. in the Saugatuck area, according to the source and a police statement issued Saturday afternoon.

He underwent surgery at Norwalk Hospital and was later reported in stable condition, police said. (See WestportNow Nov. 13, 2004)

A short time later, police arrested Brian Mincieli, 22, of Staten Island, N.Y., at a house on Greens Farms Road, and charged him in the incident. They said a male accomplice was still being sought.

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Saturday, November 13, 2004

Nobody Here

Westport’s Sherwood Island State Park was deserted Saturday morning after an overnight snow left a dusting. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Laura Glickstein for WestportNow.com

11/13/04 11:06 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Making New Friends

Staples cheerleaders get together with Westhill cheerleaders in a “friendship circle” during half time of today’s game in Stamford. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

11/13/04 03:09 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Robbery and Shooting at Westport Party

A robbery at a party at a Westport home early today led to the shooting of a 20-year-old Wilton man, police said. A suspect was arrested a short time later and charged in the incident.

Police said they responded at 3:24 a.m. to a call of a shooting at a house on Franklin Street in Westport’s Saugatuck area where a party was taking place involving youths aged 18 to 23.

They found Clinton Chizinski of Wilton with a gunshot wound in the abdomen. Witnesses said he was shot when one of the guests at the party displayed a gun and announced a robbery.

He was transported to Norwalk Hospital where he underwent surgery and was later reported in stable condition, police said.

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11/13/04 02:27 PM Comments (1) • Permalink •

Footprints in the Snow

Today’s overnight snow was just a dusting, but it was enough to create some footprints along the Compo Beach boardwalk. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Emily Laux for WestportNow.com

11/13/04 12:08 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Not Even the Dogs Were Out

Not even the dogs were out at Compo Beach early today after an overnight dusting of snow. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Laura Glickstein for WestportNow.com

11/13/04 12:07 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Friday, November 12, 2004

Cartoonist Hank McIver Honored at Library

Westport cartoonist Hank McIver was honored Friday night at the Westport Public Library where an exhibition of his drawings for the Y’s Men newsletter went on display. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com

11/12/04 11:05 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Testing, Testing

Emissions testing of automobiles in Connecticut resumed today seven months after questions and concerns about accuracy and honesty of the program shut it down. Technician Rich DiGuiseppi of Danbury runs a test on a car at Greens Farms Sunoco on Post Road East, one of two emission testing stations in Westport. The other is Bridge Mobil in Saugatuck. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

11/12/04 04:09 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Bracing for Winter

The white birches in the Cross Highway area of Westport Thursday looked like they were bracing themselves for winter. The forecast called for increasingly colder temperatures with a low in the upper 20s expected by Saturday night. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Emily Laux for WestportNow.com

11/12/04 01:36 AM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Thursday, November 11, 2004

Knitting for a Cause: Event Helps CancerCare of Connecticut

By Juliet Balian

WestportNow Community Correspondent

There was a temporary knitting parlor on Westport’s Post Road East this week all for a good cause.
Making hats and scarves for CancerCare. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

The Lillian August furniture store at 180 Post Road East Tuesday night hosted 60 knitters working on hats and scarves for CancerCare of Connecticut.

The comfy couches, the ample light from table lamps and the large space were ideal for the project.

This was the first annual ֓Knit Out CancerCare event in Connecticut and the turnout was tremendous.

The 60 knitters of all levels of expertise donated $50 each to attend the event and make a hat or scarf for someone undergoing cancer treatment.

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11/11/04 11:52 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Westport Country Playhouse Names New Chairman and President

The Connecticut Theatre Foundation (CTF), the non-profit that operates the Westport Country Playhouse, has a new president.
Change at the Playhouse: Morten passes gavel to Vaccaro. Contributed photo

John Vaccaro of Weston replaces Elisabeth Morten of Fairfield who becomes chairman of the CTF board of directors, it was announced Thursday.

As president, Vaccaro will preside at all board meetings and serve as a member ex-officio of all committees, the announcement said.

As chairman, Morten will continue to serve in the areas of strategic planning, fundraising and board relations.

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11/11/04 11:17 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Another WestportNow Teardown Goes Down

A month ago, 22 Bluewater Hill was WestportNow’s teardown of the day (see “before” picture). Today it was knocked down, leaving a view of Long Island Sound and no doubt soon to make way for a multi-million dollar replacement. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

11/11/04 09:40 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Veteran’s Show and Tell

Westport resident Tom Feeley, a U.S. Army Ranger during the Vietnam War, brought a display board to highlight his service experiences during a Veterans Day presentation today at Westport’s Bedford Middle School. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Julia Mally for WestportNow.com

11/11/04 04:41 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Learning First-Hand of War

World War II veterans George Ritchie, Leighton Wood and Lee Archer (l to r) spoke about their wartime experiences as part of the 8th Grade Veteran’s Day presentations at Bedford Middle School today. Archer, a member of the famed Tuskegee Airmen group of black pilots, later spoke at Westport Town Hall. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Julia Mally for WestportNow.com

11/11/04 04:37 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Westport News Editor Christina Hennessy Leaving

Christina Hennessy: moving to Stamford. WN photo Christina Hennessy, editor of the Westport News for the past five years, is leaving to join the editorial staff of The Advocate of Stamford.

Hennessy’s move was mentioned today by Westport First Selectwoman Diane G. Farrell in remarks at the Town Hall Veterans Day ceremony.The editor presented the newspaper’s Memorial Day parade float awards at the event.

Hennessy, 34, said afterwards that she would be joining the copy desk of the newspaper owned by the Chicago-based Tribune Company.

Hennessy, who has won numerous editorial awards during her tenure, said the change will be effective next week. She said no successor has been named.

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11/11/04 03:57 PM Comments (8) • Permalink •

Saluting Veterans

Saluting after presenting a memorial wreath to honor veterans at today’s Town Hall ceremony were (l to r) Tom Dubrosky, commander Joseph J. Clinton Post 399 Veterans of Foreign Wars, Sue Henry, president, Ladies Auxiliary, Post 399, and William Vornkahl, president of the Westport Veterans Council. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

11/11/04 02:40 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

A Combat Veteran Shows Off His Pride

Retired Lt. Col. Lee A. “Buddy” Archer, 85, shows off a drawing of his “Macon Belle” P51C aircraft that he flew in World War II at today’s Westport Town Hall Veterans Day ceremony. Archer, flanked by Westport First Selectwoman Diane G. Farrell, served as a member of the distinguished Tuskegee Airmen, a group of black pilots who won acclaim for their outstanding combat record. He earlier addressed students at Coleytown Middle School and Bedford Middle School. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

11/11/04 02:07 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Annual Veterans Day Ceremony at Town Hall

Westport First Selectwoman Diane G. Farrell addresses today’s Veterans Day ceremony at Westport Town Hall. Attendance was down from last year. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

11/11/04 01:16 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Staples Sophomore: “I Will Try to Be Worthy of Veterans’ Sacrifices”

Staples sophomore Samuel Goodgame delivers today’s Veterans Day address at Town Hall. He told the annual ceremony he intended to spend his life “trying to be worthy of what generations of veterans have sacrificed for me.” (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

11/11/04 01:08 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

From Their Hearts

Members of the Ladies Auxiliary of Westport’s VFW Post 399 were among those participating in today’s Town Hall Veterans Day ceremony. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

11/11/04 01:08 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Paying Their Respects

Today’s Town Hall Veterans Day ceremony attracted scores of persons who wanted to pay their respects to veterans. Among them were Barbara Butler, director of the Department of Human Services (l) and Police Chief Al Fiore (4th ld). (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

11/11/04 01:07 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Veterans Speak at Bedford Middle School

Veterans from World War II and the Korean, Vietnam and Iraq wars spoke to 8th grade students at today’s Veteran’s Day presentations at Bedford Middle School. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Julia Mally for WestportNow.com

11/11/04 01:01 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Staples Players Production of “Cabaret” Opens Friday

Staples sophomore Brandon Floch plays master of ceremonies in the Staples Players production of “Cabaret,” which opens Friday and continues next weekend. More information is available on the Staples Players Web site. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Kerry Long for WestportNow.com

11/11/04 09:28 AM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Wednesday, November 10, 2004

Today’s Westport Teardown: An Historic Property at 372 Main Street

Today’s WestportNow teardown is an 1860s house at 372 Main St. The Historic District Commission, which must approve the demolition, asked for a 90-day delay at its Sept. 8 meeting. Land records show the property was purchased by Cornelius Connelly from Jeremiah Ryan in 1858. The house was built in the 1860s and remained in the Connelly family until 1918 when it was purchased by Judson and Lily Cottet who retained ownership until the 1950s. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

11/10/04 11:11 PM Comments (11) • Permalink •

Thursday, Nov. 11, 2004

11:00 a.m. - Town Hall Auditorium and lobby - Veterans Day Ceremony

11/10/04 11:04 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

A WestportNow Teardown Goes Down

The wrecking crew did its job today at 11 West Branch Road in Westport near the Weston line. Check out the “before” shot when it was WestportNow’s teardown of the day on Oct. 30. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

11/10/04 09:26 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Westport Memorial Service Set for Bernice Corday

The Westport-Weston United Way board of directors has scheduled a Westport memorial serice for the organization’s executive director, Bernice Corday, for Thursday, Nov. 18.

Corday died Oct. 15 in Danbury Hospital after a four-month struggle with cancer. She was 57.

The Westport service, to be held at 11 a.m. at Temple Israel, 14 Coleytown Road, follows one held in Danbury on Sunday at the United Jewish Center.

Corday had been executive director of the Westport-based charity for more than 20 years and was active in numerous other local civic organizations.

11/10/04 12:26 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Martha Stewart Asks Her Company for Help with $3.7 Million Legal Bills

Westport’s Martha Stewart, now in the second month of her five-month jail term, has asked the company she founded, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc., to reimburse her for $3.7 million in legal bills.

The company disclosed the request in a regulatory filing Tuesday.

The $3.7 million figure applies to Stewart’s defense on a single criminal count—a charge that she propped up the company’s stock price, and therefore her own wealth, in 2002 by declaring her innocence in a personal stock scandal.

A federal judge threw out that count before it went to a jury. Stewart and her ex-stockbroker were later convicted of lying to investigators about why Stewart sold ImClone Systems Inc. stock in 2001.

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11/10/04 10:01 AM Comments (3) • Permalink •

Tuesday, November 09, 2004

Today’s Westport Teardown: 11 Half Mile Common

Today’s WestportNow.com teardown is at 11 Half Mile Common off of Cross Highway. It sold last month for $685,000. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Julia Mally for WestportNow.com

11/09/04 11:42 PM Comments (2) • Permalink •

Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2004

10:30 a.m. - Town Hall Room 102 - International Hospitality Committee
Noon - Town Hall Room 309/307 - Citizens Brown Bag Luncheon
7:30 p.m. - Westport Public Library - Library Board

11/09/04 11:03 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Blumenthal: Approval of Underage Drinking Bill Would “Send a Message”

Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumental addresses the Westport Representative Town Meeting tonight, telling members that if Westport passes an underage drinking ordinance, it would send “a very powerful message” to all parents, including himself. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Emily Laux for WestportNow.com

11/09/04 09:52 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Blumenthal Urges RTM to Adopt Underage Drinking Ordinance

Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, saying he was appearing as a parent rather than a state official, tonight urged Westports Representative Town Meeting (RTM) to pass an underage drinking ordinance.
Fiore and Blumenthal: Attorney General praises Westport police chief in remarks to the RTM. Emily Laux for WestportNow

ғIt sends a very powerful message, Blumenthal told the legislative body. “Westport has the opportunity to send that kind of message to parents like myself.”

The official said he has four children and ԓit helps me to say no, for the law to say no. We’ve all been there. If a parent can say it’s against the law, that kind of message is reinforced.

“You’re telling a young person you can’t go to that party if alcohol is being served.”

The RTM was taking up an ordinance that would allow police to ticket underage drinkers in private homes.

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11/09/04 08:27 PM Comments (4) • Permalink •

Government Sues Westport Man Over Weight-Loss Ads

Westport man sued over diet ad. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) File photoThe government, as part of its “Operation Big Fat Lie,” has filed suit against a Westport man and his companies it said promised weight-loss regimens that were too good to be true.

It was one of six similar complaints announced today by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) which, for the first time, also pressed publications that advertised the programs to identify and reject them instead.

An FTC announcement said the complaint against Martin Howard, whose address was listed as the Regents Park condominium in Westport, was filed last Thursday in U.S. District Court in Bridgeport.

It named Howard and Bronson Partners, LLC, doing business as New England Diet Center and Bronson Day Spa.

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11/09/04 03:44 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Westport Weston Health District Sets Flu Clinic for High-Risk Residents

With the flu vaccine shortage relieved somewhat, the Westport Weston Health District has scheduled a second flu clinic for high-risk residents.

The district Monday held its first flu vaccination clinic for residents 75 and older.

The health district still has a limited supply of influenza vaccine available, according to an announcement today, and will begin distribution of vaccine next week for highrisk Westport and Weston residents.

Those who qualify must be 18 to 74 with one or more chronic medical conditions requiring frequent or ongoing medical management.

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11/09/04 12:21 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

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