Tuesday, April 27, 2004
Wall of Art
Bedford Middle School tonight marked the opening of the “Art Cafe” featuring work by every student in grades sixth through eighth. Organized by BMS art teachers Pete DiFranco, Cecily Cowburn and Lynne Karmen, it was the first school-wide middle school art exhibit to be held in Westport in recent years. See another photo on ARTS & LEISURE page. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Emily Laux Roche for WestportNow.com
Lining Up for Free Ice Cream
They gave away hundreds of free ice cream cones today at Ben & Jerry’s on Post Road East in an effort to draw young people to register to vote. The drive was organized by the “Rock the Vote” group. WestportNow.com photo
Free Ice Cream Draws All Ages
It was free ice cream day at Westport’s Ben & Jerry’s on Post Road East today in conjunction with the teen “Rock the Vote” voter registration drive. Here 3-year-old Emily waits for her mom to exit the store. WestportNow.com photo
Westport’s Gary Seevers to Receive MSU Honorary Degree
Michigan State University announced today that it will award an honorary degree May 7 to Westport’s Gary L. Seevers, an economist and financial market specialist.
The Morningside Drive South resident will receive an honorary doctor of business at the advanced degree ceremony.
National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice will address approximately 6,000 undergraduate students at the event. She will receive an honorary doctor of humane letters.
In its announcement, the university said Seevers “is an accomplished economist and financial market specialist whose career has encompassed academia, government service and private sector financial markets.”
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Westporters March on Washington for Abortion Rights
Westport First Selectwoman Diane G. Farrell (c) poses with fellow marchers from Westport during Sunday’s abortion rights march in Washington (See WestportNow April 26, 2004). Joining her in this photo made available today are (l to r) Jane Fraser, Barbara Bernstein (of Weston), Manny Margolis, Carol Waxman, Valerie Wagenfeld, Sandra Wagenfeld, and Estelle Margolis. (CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGE) Jo Ann Davidson for WestportNow.com
Monday, April 26, 2004
RTM Finance Committee Recommends Town and Education Budget
The Representative Town Meeting (RTM) Finance Committee has unanimously recommended approval of the town and education portions of the proposed 2004-2005 $135.6 million budget.
The full RTM takes up the budgets at its May 3 meeting.
The committee acted Monday night after a lengthy discussion about the Board of Education’s purchasing policies.
The committee took no action on a request by committee member Michael Rea, District 8, to investigate the assessor’s office following postponement of the 2003 property assessment.
First Selectwoman Diane G. Farrell and Finance Director Don Miklus assured the committee that the newly-appointed Revaluation Working Group would look into many of the areas of concern to Rea and other committee members.
Tuesday, April 27, 2004
10 a.m. - Town Hall Room 201 - Planning & Zoning Commission (Discussion Sewer Extension Plan)
10 a.m. - Town Hall Room 309 - Arts Advisory Committee
11 a.m. - Town Hall Room 201A - Planning & Zoning Fence Committee
Noon - Toquet Hall - Westport Arts Center presents encore performance of “Play With Your Food”
4 p.m. Ben & Jerry’s, 14 Post Road East - “Rock the Vote” teen voter registration drive
6 p.m. - Bedford Middle School—Student art exhibition
7 p.m. - Town Hall Room 206 - Historic District Commission
NOTE: A local newspaper mistakenly listed tonight at 7 p.m. as the public meeting on noise. The correct date is Thursday, April 29, at 7 p.m. in the Town Hall Auditorium.
7 p.m. - Town Hall Room 201/201A - Mill Pond public meeting
7 p.m. - Bridgeport Transportation Center, 525 Water St. - Hearing on proposed 5.5 percent New Haven Line fare increase
7:30 p.m. - Town Hall Auditorium - Zoning Board of Appeals
7:30 p.m. - Town Hall Room 309 - Architectural Review Board
7:30 p.m. - Town Hall Room 102 - RTM Transit Committee
Farrell: Women’s Washington March for Abortion Rights “Amazing Experience”
First Selectwoman Diane G. Farrell says the abortion rights march in Washington, D.C. was “an amazing experience.”
Farrell was among about 140 Westport residents who participated in the Sunday march and rally that drew hundreds of thousands of participants from around the country.
“It was an amazing experience you felt you were part of history,” Farrell said today.
She marched with about 140 Westport residents who boarded three buses before dawn Sunday for the five-hour drive to Washington.
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Sunday, April 25, 2004
Monday, April 26, 2004
11:30 a.m. Westport YMCA - Y’s Women present Jean Krasno, a Yale foreign policy expert, speaking on Is the United Nations Relevant Ӗ A Look at a Side of the United Nations Few Know About
11:30 a.m. - Town Hall Room 307 - Board of Education anticipated executive session
7 p.m. - Town Hall Auditorium - Connecticut Department of Social Services Public Forum
7 p.m. - Town Hall Room 201 - RTM Planning & Zoning Committee
7:30 p.m. - Westport Public Library - David Pogue, weekly personal technology columnist for The New York Times, “High Tech Show-and-Tell”
8 p.m. - Staples High School Library - Board of Education
8 p.m. - Town Hall Room 309 - RTM Finance Committee
African Violets and Other Exotic Gesneriads
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The Silvermine African Violet Society held its annual judged show and sale this weekend at Westports Earthplace, The Nature Discovery Center. Best in Class winners included (l to r) Sally Shauer, Jane Sherman, Marjorie Rosenberg, Lynn Wallach and Jean Simons. All are Westport residents except Rosenberg who lives in Weston. The group has been active in the area for more than 35 years. (CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGE) Julia Mally for WestportNow.com
Saturday, April 24, 2004
A Compo Saturday in Spring
Saturday was a good day for riding your bike at Compo Beach, walking, or sitting on the sand. The temperature was in the upper 60s with plenty of sunshine. (CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGE) Emily Laux Roche for WestportNow.com
Sunday, April 25, 2004
3 p.m. - Westport Public Library - “Poet’s Voice” with Colette Inez
Westporter John Vlahos, TV Writer, Dies at 87
John Vlahos, a scriptwriter who earned an Emmy for “The Defenders,” has died at his Westport home. He was 87.
A native of Springfield, Ohio, Vlahos grew up working in the family restaurant,
playing violin and acting in school plays and local theater.
After graduating from Carnegie Mellon University, he moved to New York City to become an actor, but segued into writing instead.
Vlahos served as a Navy lieutenant in the South Pacific during World War II,
and then returned to New York, where he wrote sketches for a Broadway musical review called “New Faces.”
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“Damn Yankees” at Greens Farms Academy
Upper School students at Westport’s Greens Farms Academy will be performing the musical production of “Damn Yankees” at 7:30 p.m.. tonight after an opening night performance Friday. See another picture on ARTS & LEISURE page. Contributed photo
Friday, April 23, 2004
Survivors of Armenian Genocide in Westport
Today marks the 89th anniversary of what is now called the Armenian Genocide and among those recalling it are the owners of the well-known Westport food store The Organic Market. See STORY by WestportNow Community Correspondent Juliet Balian.
Saturday, April 24, 2004
7:30 p.m. - Greens Farms Academy—Upper School production of “Damn Yankees”
8 p.m. - Pequot Library, Fairfield - Westport Arts Center presents jazz guitarist Larry Coryell
Westporters Make History on the Queen Mary 2
As well-known experts on the town’s past, Westporters Barbara and Allen Raymond are used to recounting the history of others. 
Westporters Allen and Barbara Raymond were all smiles as they set out on their historic voyage. Contributed photo
But now they are makers of history themselves. They were among the first trans-Atlantic voyagers on Queen Mary 2, the world’s biggest ocean liner.
“I’ve been on a lot of trips to a lot of countries, but this was the most amazing thing,” said Allen Raymond today after the couple returned home on the ship Thursday to a spectacular New York Harbor welcome.
“The ship is the last word in everything. The service is great, the food spectacular, and the structure itself unbelievable.”
“It was like being invited to a party and it lasts six days,” said Barbara Raymond.
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Thursday, April 22, 2004
State Senate Approves funds for New Rail Cars for New Haven Line
The state Senate has approved funds to purchase new cars for Metro-North’s New Haven Line.
The Senate quickly passed the bill Thursday with no debate. The measure had sailed through the House a week ago.
House Speaker Moira Lyons and Gov. John G. Rowland announced a $60 million plan in March to upgrade the aging line.
Along with the $25 million in bonding, it includes $35 million in funding that was previously planned for new cars.
The money would be used to immediately purchase 20 cars, adding 2,000 seats to the busy line.
About 30 percent of the 343 cars on the New Haven Line fleet were sidelined this winter because of snowstorms, cold weather and age.
Planning & Zoning Approves Long Lots School Parking Project
The Westport Planning & Zoning Commission tonight, by a 6-1 vote (Cochrane against) approved with conditions an application by the School Building Committee to expand and reconstruct the parking lot at Long Lots Elementary School. The plan calls for space for 196 cars, a bus drop/pickup area, parent drop/pickup area and storm drainage improvements The project now goes to the town funding bodies. (CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGE) Stephen Rubin for WestportNow.com
Westport’s Paul Newman Urges Princeton Abandon Binge Drinking
Westport’s Paul Newman has appealed to Princeton University to end a campus tradition in which participants binge drink, trying to consume a beer an hour for 24 hours.
Newman’s Day, set for Saturday, derives its name from an apocryphal quote attributed to the actor: “24 beers in a case, 24 hours in a day. Coincidence? I think not.”
On Newman’s Day, students have been known to show up for class inebriated or with beer poured into coffee mugs, according to an AP report. Part of the event’s challenge is to make it through classes.
Last week, Westporter Leo Nevas, Newman’s lawyer, sent the university a letter calling for the tradition to stop.
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Update: Woman Dies in Accident on Greens Farms Road
A woman motorist was killed today when her car drove off Greens Farms Road and hit a tree, police said.
The accident occurred shortly after 7 a.m. near Beachside Avenue.
The woman was later identified as Nancv E. Gendreau, 55, of 398 Greens Farms Road, Westport.
The car ended up close to Interstate-95, leading to some initial confusion that it occurred on that roadway.
Police said the state police initially received a call about a car on I-95 southbound just south of the Beachside Avenue overpass.
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Watching Film Festival Submissions
Members of the Westport Youth Film Festival Committee recently gathered at the Westport Arts Center to go over more than 300 submissions for the May 22 event at the Fairfield Community Theatre. They are (l to r standing) Stephen Davis-Koss, Lindsay Rothenberg, and Emma Wiseman; ( l to r seated) Michel Ann O’Mally, Chris Casey, and David Burstein. Emily Laux Roche for WestportNow.com
Wednesday, April 21, 2004
WN Fact Check: Westport’s Top 10 Taxpayer List
If you thought your tax bill was high, check out these figures. WestportNow asked the office of the Westport Tax Collector to provide a “Top Ten” list of the town’s taxpayers.
Westport’s Top 10 Taxpayers
1. Nyala Farms Inc. office complex (account A) - $771,496.20
2. Connecticut Light & Power Co. (utility poles and equipment) - $387,750.45
3. 55-57 Greens Farms Road office complex - $198,356.85
4. Irving Byelas Irrevocable Trust 1790 Post Road East, Stop & Shop - $173,599.68
5. Luella Davis, 60 Beachside Ave. - $170,379.68
6. Westport View Corp. Center LLC office complex 8 Wright St. - $162,968.80
7. Westport Benenson LLC, 1595 Post Road East - $159,382.84
8. Nyala Farms Inc. office complex (account B) - $149,738.49
9. Howard Juster, 1850 Post Road East - $130,250.04
10. 130 Beachside Ave. Corp. - $129,321.40
The top 10 taxpayers collectively contribute $2,433,244.52 to the town coffers.
Thursday, April 22, 2004
7 p.m. - Town Hall Auditorium - Planning & Zoning Commission Work Session
7:30 p.m. - Town Hall Auditorium - Planning & Zoning Commission
7:30 p.m. - Town Hall Room 309/307 - TEAM Westport Committee
Westport Schools Arts Collection Wins State Award
It was lights, camera, action at Bedford Middle School today in honor of the Westport Schools Permanent Art Collection winning a 2004 Governor’s Arts Award given by the Connecticut Commission on Arts, Tourism, Culture, History and Film. Mollie Donovan, historian and a senior committee member for the collection, was interviewed by Karen Zeitlin, a producer for New Haven station WCTX, in preparation for the June 15 awards ceremony in New Haven. The Westport collection was one of seven recipients of the prestigious award. (CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGE) Emily Laux Roche for WestportNow.com
Surfin’ the Waves
This kite boarder at Compo Beach had the water to himself late today. (CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGE) Stephen Rubin for WestportNow.com
Volunteers Donate Another Ambulance to Westport
Westport First Selectwoman Diane G. Farrell today accepted on behalf of the town a new ambulance donated by the Westport Volunteer Emergency Medical Service. The $125,000 vehicle is the 10th ambulance and 17th vehicle the volunteers have purchased and given to the town through their fundraising efforts in their 25-year history. Joining her at today’s presentation at the weekly brown bag lunch were (l to r) WVEMS volunteers Diane Salvo, Pasquale Salvo, president of the group, and Alan Stolz. (CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo
Tuesday, April 20, 2004
Wednesday, April 21, 2004
10:30 a.m. - Town Hall Room 102 - International Hospitality Committee
Noon - Town Hall Room 309/307 - Citizens Brown Bag Luncheon
7 p.m. - Town Hall Auditorium - Conservation Commission
Westport to Request Pedestrian Crossing Light at Busy Post Road Intersection
If you have ever tried to cross the street at the busy intersection of Post Road East and Compo Road North and South near Winslow Park you know it’s a tricky and often dangerous feat. But help is on the way.
The Board of Selectmen, acting in its capacity as the Traffic Authority, will take up a motion at its April 28 meeting to request the Connecticut Department of Transportation to include an exclusive pedestrian phase on the traffic signal at the intersection.
Seek Approval of Increase in Railroad Parking Permit Fee
The Westport Board of Selectmen will consider a $50 increase from $175 to $225 ֖ for an annual permit to park at Westport’s railroad stations.
The board will take up the almost 29 percent increase at its Wednesday, April 28 meeting at 5 p.m. in Room 309 of Town Hall.
According to an agenda for the meeting, the increase was requested by the Westport Police Department and would take effect July 1.
The date is also when a proposed 5.5 percent fare increase takes effect on the Metro-North New Haven Line.
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Monday, April 19, 2004
Sunset at Old Mill
This portion of Old Mill Beach was deserted at sunset Monday and made for a pretty picture. (CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGE) Emily Laux Roche for WestportNow.com
Tuesday, April 20, 2004
10 a.m. - Town Hall Room 201 - Administrative Review Committee
5:30 p.m. - Town Hall Room 201 - Tree Board
Can Summer Be Far Off?
Today’s summer-like weather with the temperatures in the upper 70s brought Westporters to Compo Beach until late in the evening. Some sat on the beach, some walked, and this youngster enjoyed a sunset skateboard session. (CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGE) Emily Laux Roche for WestportNow.com
Newman Performance Tickets at Playhouse Available With Subscription
The Westport Country Playhouse announced today that tickets are now on sale—with the purchase of a subscription—for its production of “Trumbo” with Gordon MacDonald and Paul Newman.
The performances are on July 13-15 and July 19-20 at the Ridgefield Playhouse, home of the Playhouse productions while the Westport facility is undergoing renovation. Tickets are priced at $90 each.
Tickets are also available for a special benefit performance of “Trumbo” on Wednesday, July 21 at 8 p.m., the announcement said.
“Trumbo” benefit tickets are $750 and $500 for orchestra seating, which includes admission to a post-performance reception with special guests.
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Foggy Morning
An early morning fog covered the Westport area today. This was the scene at about 6 a.m. on I-95 in the Saugatuck River Bridge area as seen from a Department of Transportation camera. DOT photo
Realtime NY Metro-area traffic reports from Traffic.com
PROPERTY TRANSFERS
Westport Property Transfers April 29 - May 3, 2013MORE >>
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