Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Adding Some Green
Crews worked Tuesday to add some green to the second phase of the Saugatuck Center retail and residential complex under construction in Westport’s Saugatuck section. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Bob Eckman for WestportNow.com
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Bridge Street Bridge closed for repairs
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Westport Arts Center - “Bird’s-Eye View”
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Westport Historical Society - “5 Generations of Yankee Ingenuity: The Gault Family” & “Tracy Sugarman, Citizen-Artist”
2 p.m. and 8 p.m. - Westport Country Playhouse - “The Show-Off”
4 p.m. - Westport Public Library - ChessClub (grades K-12)
7 p.m. – Town Hall Room 201/201A – Conservation Commission (live coverage cable channel 79, AT&T channel 99, and westportct.gov)
7:30 p.m. – Westport Public Library – Library Board of Trustees
See more events: Celebrate Westport Calendar
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Dems Hear from Probate Judge Hopefuls
By James Lomuscio
Four probate judge hopefuls made their case before Westport’s Democratic Town Committee (DTC) tonight to get the party’s nomination to run in November.
The Democratic Town Committee tonight elected Joe Scordato (l) vice chair to serve with Jim Ezzes (r), chair. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
Kevin O’Grady, a Democrat elected to the Westport-Weston Probate Court judgeship in 1999, resigned in April because of health problems.
DTC Chairman Jim Ezzes said that one of the four will be nominated to run to replace O’Grady at the committee’s July 18 convention.
Each of the four who presented to the DTC touted his background in probate law and estate planning. The candidates were: James M.Powers of Weston; David B. Krauss, an attorney who curently serves as chair of the Board of Assesment Appeals; Kieran Costello, a Westporter and Fairfield attorney; and Westport resident Neil Phillips.
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Sharing Secrets of Laughter
Filmmaker and former Yale Film Studies Professor Michael Roemer (r) tonight talked about what makes people laugh at the Westport Country Playhouse literary salon series “Books Worth Talking About.” Interviewed by Leo D. Meyer of WPKN, Roemer discussed his recent book “Shocked But Connected: Notes on Laughter” before tonight’s presentation of “The Show-Off,” the classic comedy by Pulitzer-winner George Kelly. “Every time you laugh on some level, you survive a bit longer,” said Roemer, 85. He shared his musings on what causes audiences to chortle, snort, and guffaw when they watch antics onscreen or onstage. Born in Germany in 1928 and whose family escaped from the country under Nazi control, Romer said, “There’s a need for humor when surviving.” (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
Adapting to Change by Razing and Raising
By Neena Satija and Michael Gambina
www.ctmirror.orgAs Connecticut’s shoreline braces for a hurricane season forecast to be one of the worst in years, it is still digging out from the damage of previous storms.
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This home on Spriteview Ave. in Westport’s Saugatuck Shores area is one of dozens that have been raised in Westport since Storm Sandy. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
Along entire stretches of coastline in Fairfield and Milford, rows of homes are boarded up, some marked for demolition with thick red paint. Many have already been reduced to rubble.
These coastal neighborhoods are also busy with construction activity. Workers are raising and expanding existing homes, or building large, taller homes in the place of old ones.
The interweaving of tearing down homes and rebuilding, or simply building anew, tells the story of neighborhoods in transition.
Click here for more of story
Westport News Goes to Weekly Print Edition
By James Lomuscio
The Westport News, the town’s newspaper of record published every Wednesday and Friday for almost half a century, will end its twice-weekly print run in July, with the Wednesday edition moving online, Barbara T. Roessner, executive editor of the Hearst Connecticut Media Group, informed readers today.
The same schedule has also been set for the company’s twice weekly Fairfield Citizen paper.
“We’ve decided to alter our traditional twice-a-week print schedule to reflect the 24/7 news cycle our local communities have come to expect,” Roessner said on the newspaper’s website.
“During the first five months of this year, your visits to our websites have soared—up 387 percent in Westport and 284 percent in Fairfield over the same period a year ago,” she continued. “You’re coming to our sites more often and staying longer. Our goal is to serve up the news and information you want whenever and wherever you choose.”
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New Info Board Aids Winslow Dog Walkers
There is a new information board (l) to aid dog walkers at Westport’s Winslow Park. The Westport Animal Shelter Advocates (WASA) Information Center board was erected through the combined efforts of WASA and Bill Dellipoali, district manager of Choice Pet Supply, 374 Post Road East, WASA member Gloria Ginter, WASA Junior Ambassador Brandon Malin and Stuart McCarthy and Tim Burke of the Department of Parks and Recreation. It is located to the right of the entrance to the off-leash area of the park. It currently features information about WASA’s June 22 fundraiser on Main Street and WASA fosters and dogs at Westport Animal Control looking for homes. Additionally, the Information Center will feature information about lost pets in the area and pet-owner-related community events. For more information, contact Julie Loparo, at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or call (203)557-0361. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
High Winds Targeted Small Area at Compo
By James Lomuscio
The storm was as local as local storms get.
Westporter Karen Sherman and her son, Justin Schwebel, pick up their kayak and put it back in place on the rack at Compo Beach today. It was one of numerous kayaks knocked off the racks by the storm. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com
Monday’s 2:30 p.m. downpour and lightning left Westport’s Ned Dimes Marina at Compo Beach unscathed, but dealt a sucker punch to the dry dock boats and water crafts a stone’s throw away between the marina and South Beach.
There, concentrated winds knocked over more than a dozen kayaks, canoes and sailboats, snapping the masts of two Hobie Cats and blowing boats out into the roadway, said Rick Giunta, administrative manager for the Parks and Recreation Department.
The boats were all in the street,” he added about the road that circles the boat stands.
More "High Winds Targeted Small Area at Compo"
Working on National Hall
The National Hall building, built in 1873 and once part of the thriving 19th century Westport waterfront, was getting some touch up work today. In 1993, the building was transformed into a 15-room luxury hotel by developer Arthur Tauck. The hotel closed in 2010 and last year the Planning and Zoning Commission approved plans to turn it into an office, retail and restaurant complex. Plans are in the works to once again have a restaurant on the first floor, according to P&Z Director Laurence Bradley. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Bob Eckman for WestportNow.com
CL&P: Prepare Now for Hurricanes
Even though hurricanes typically do not bear down on the state until early fall, Connecticut Light & Power (CL&P) officials announced today that they have begun gearing up for the storm season.
“Emergency preparedness is a focus for CL&P year-round as New England can experience a wide range of severe weather conditions, including devastating hurricanes,” said Bill Quinlan, CL&P’s senior vice president of emergency preparedness.
“We learned a lot from Superstorm Sandy that will help us prepare for future hurricanes,” he added, “but no utility can stop the wrath of Mother Nature, so we also encourage our customers to prepare in advance for the hurricane season.”
Westport Fire Chief Andrew Kingsbury, Westport’s emergency management director, noted that while most associate September and early fall with bad storm, “the hurricane season does start June 1.
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Levitt Temporary Stage Getting Ready
Finishing touches are being put on the Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts temporary stage at Westport’s Jesup Green. The summer season kicks off with the Levitt gala benefit Saturday night at Staples High School headlining Foreigner. The free summer season on the temporary stage opens Tuesday, June, 25, with Mystic Bowie. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
Blumenthal Headlines DTC Fundraiser
Westport’s Democratic Town Committee’s (DTC) will host a Saturday morning fundraiser June 29 at Tavern on Main featuring U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, state Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman and state Attorney General George Jepsen, DTC Chairman Jim Ezzes announced today.
“We couldn’t be more pleased that Dick Blumenthal, Nancy Wyman and George Jepsen will be joining us for our annual event,” said Ezzes. “They always share valuable insight as to what is happening in Washington and Hartford.”
The breakfast fundraiser, which runs from 9 to 11 a.m., is being sponsored by Ann Sheffer, Bill Scheffler, Linda and Michael Gordon, Betsy and Kieran Costello and Joe Scordato. The cost is $50 per person, and seating is limited.
For further information or to made reservations, visit westportdemocrats.org or call Ezzes at 203-227-4861.
Start of a New Day
The start of a new day Monday as seen looking east from the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge in Westport’s center. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Meghan Lally for WestportNow.com
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Westport Arts Center - “Bird’s-Eye View”
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Westport Historical Society - “5 Generations of Yankee Ingenuity: The Gault Family” & “Tracy Sugarman, Citizen-Artist”
10:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. - Westport Public Library - PageTurners: “Carry the One,” by Carol Anshaw
6 p.m. - Rolnick Observatory - Westport Astronomical Society Pre-Summer Solstice Potluck Picnic & Elections
6:30 p.m. - Wesport Country Playhouse - Books Worth Talking About: “Why Do Funny Plays and Movies Make Us Laugh”
7:30 p.m. – Town Hall Room 102 – Citizens Transit Committee
8 p.m. - Westport Country Playhouse - “The Show-Off”
See more events: Celebrate Westport Calendar
Monday, June 17, 2013
Board Renews, Raises Landon to $292,937
By James Lomuscio
UPDATE Westport’s Board of Education tonight voted unanimously to extend School Superintendent Elliott Landon’s contract through June 30, 2016, and 5 to 1 raise his 2013-14 salary to $292,937, a 1.75 percent increase. 
Elliott Landon: begins 14th year in July. Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
Board member Mark Mathias was the lone dissenter on the raise.
“I believe he is well compensated with his current salary level,” Mathias said, adding that he was in full support of extending Landon’s employment contract, which expires next year, an extra two years.
Landon’s current compensation—$287,899—already makes him the highest paid schools superintendent in Connecticut, according to reports. Landon, 73, has served as superintendent since July 1999.
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Making the Farmer-Chef Connection
Threats of thunderstorms could not dissuade the crowd of 200-plus foodies, farmers, chefs and farm fans who turned out for tonight’s Farmer-Chef Connection event at Wakeman Town Farm. The event featured a lively discussion about the importance of supporting the local farming community, and featured an array of sustainable hors d’oeuvres and local wines. Farm steward Michael Aitkenhead welcomed the crowd. Seated next to him is Bill Taibe, of Westport’s leFarm and The Whelk restaurants and standing is Elizabeth Beller, town farm chair. Contributed photo
Farm Foodie Crowd
Some of the more than 200 persons who attended tonight’s Farmer-Chef Connection event at Wakeman Town Farm. Contributed photo
New Haven Delays
Metro-North said trains traveling into and out of Grand Central Terminal are now operating on or close to schedule after earlier delays due to switch problems in the vicinity of Harlem-125th.
Making the West Bank Westport Scene
With warm weather and the recent opening of Bartaco (foreground) at 20 Wilton Road and the earlier debut of Cafe Moja (background) next door at 12 Wilton Road—plus Arezzo Restaurant on the other side of Post Road West—Westporters have ample choices for drinking and dining outdoors on the west bank of the Saugatuck River. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlowfor WestportNow.com
Preston Hirten Memorial Soccer Tournament Set
Preston Hirten: annual soccer tournament in his honor. Staplessoccer.com photoSoccer players are set to honor the memory of Westporter Preston J. Hirten, a 2007 Staples High School graduate, by playing “the game loved so much” on Saturday, July 6, at 11 a.m. at Wakeman Fields, according to his mother, Lisa Hirten.
Hirten, a midfielder, collapsed and died Aug. 18, 2009 while practicing with his University of Mary Washington teammates in Fredericksburg, Va. (See WestportNow Aug. 18, 2009)
His mother said the 2013 Preston Hirten Memorial Soccer Tournament, designed “for high school and older players from Fairfield County area,” marks the fourth year of an event in his honor.
Last year more than 100 participated, and alumni and current players from Staples, Mary Washington and the Beachside Soccer Club are expecetd to play. There is no charge to participate. For further information, contact .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
NTSB Urges Greater Safety After Metro-North Death
The National Transportation Safety Board today issued an urgent safety recommendation to Metro-North Railroad to provide redundant protection for track maintenance crews who depend on train dispatchers to provide signal protection.
On May 28, a Metro-North track foreman was struck and killed by a Metro-North passenger train traveling at 70 mph in West Haven. The foreman had requested the section of track be taken out of service for maintenance.
Two Metro-North rail traffic controllers, one of whom was a student controller, placed the section out of service. But the student controller reopened the track a little more than an hour later without the appproval of the qualified controller or the foreman, the NTSB said.
Prior to this collision, on May 4, another Metro-North rail traffic controller mistakenly placed out-of-service track back in service. Two days later, Metro-North instituted additional operations control procedures, but these procedures did not prevent the May 28 fatal collision, the NTSB said.
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Bridge Street Bridge to be Closed on Wednesday
The Town of Westport has been notified that the Bridge Street swing bridge, whose official name is the William F. Cribari Memorial Bridge, will be closed on Wednesday between 9:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.
The closure is to facilitate installation of the new machinery components on the bridge said First Selectman Gordon F. Joseloff.
The bridge will be closed to all vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
Signs and markings for detour routes will be posted, Joseloff said.
Tree on Wires Closes Harbor Road
UPDATE A tree that came down on primary wires during the afternoon thunderstorm today caused a brief closure of Harbor Road near Scofield Place in the Saugatuck Shores area. The road was reopened at 3:50 p.m., the Fire Department said. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
And Then the Rain Came
Heavy rains pelted the Westport area in early afternoon today, including the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge in Westport’s center. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Mark Molesworth for WestportNow.com
Storm Clouds Over Westport
A strong thunderstorm moved through Westport in early afternoon today, bringing heavy rain and winds. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Helen Klisser During for WestportNow.com
Severe Thunderstorm Warning Issued
The National Weather Service in Upton, N.Y. has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Westport and area until 2:30 p.m.
At 1:37 p.m., National Weather Service Doppler radar indicated a severe thunderstorm capable of producing damaging winds in excess of 60 mph. This storm was located near Mount Kisco, N.Y, and moving east at 25 mph.
It was predicted to reach Westport by 2:25 p.m.
An advisory said, “This is a dangerous storm. If you are in its path, prepare immediately for damaging winds and deadly cloud to ground lightning. People outside should move to a shelter—preferably inside a strong building but away from windows.”
Emmy for Westport-Based TV Show
The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences has awarded Westport-produced “Born to Explore with Richard Wiese” an Emmy Award for Outstanding Cinematography at the 40th Annual Daytime Entertainment Emmy Awards in Los Angeles. “Born to Explore” was also nominated for Outstanding Travel Program. The program, which airs weekly on Saturday mornings on ABC, is produced by Explorer Films in offices on Main Street in Westport. Pictured (l-r) are: Andy Ames, senior producer; Mercedes Velgot. executive producer; Richard Wiese, host and executive producer; John Barnhardt, cinematographer; Greg Harriott, cinematographer; Laura Cunningham, sound, and Jason Katz, editor. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo
Champs
The Westport Little League AA Twins are celebrating an undefeated season. The team won the championship on Saturday, beating the Devil Rays 10-5. Head coach was David Kass and assistant coaches were Mark Shapiro and Ron Tarsy. Pictured (bottom row l-r) Max Goldenberg, Chase Hynes, Jason Kass, Joseph Kane, George Kocadag; (top row l-r) Alex Laskin, Scott Kosakowski, Rory Tarsy, Jeffrey Shapiro, Troy Askinos; coaches (l-r) Mark Shapiro, David Kass, and Ron Tarsy. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo
Paving of Ketchum Street
Paving was under way today on Ketchum Street in Westport’s Saugatuck section adjacent to the new Saugatuck Center retail and residential development. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Bob Eckman for WestportNow.com
Busy Long Island Sound
Water sports of all kinds filled Long Island Sound Sunday off of Westport’s Compo Beach. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com
Monday, June 17, 2013
8:30 a.m. – Town Hall Room 309 – P&Z Traffic and Parking Subcommittees Joint Meeting
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Westport Historical Society - “5 Generations of Yankee Ingenuity: The Gault Family” & “Tracy Sugarman, Citizen-Artist”
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Westport Arts Center - “Bird’s-Eye View”
6:30 p.m. - Wakeman Town Farm - Moderated discussion on local food sourcing
6:30 p.m. – Staples Room 1025C – Board of Education Executive Session
7 p.m. – Staples Cafeteria B – Board of Education Public Meeting (live coverage cable channel 78, AT&T channel 99, and www.westport.k12.ct.us)
7 p.m. – Town Hall Room 102 – Boating Advisory Committee
7:30 p.m. – Town Hall Room 201/201A – Parks & Recreation Commission
7:30 p.m. - Westport Public Library - Vincent Curcio, “Henry Ford”
See more events: Celebrate Westport Calendar
Sunday, June 16, 2013
Kayaks at the Ready
Kayaks were ready for use late today at Compo Beach. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Helen Klisser During for WestportNow.com
Wynne Earns National Title
Staples senior running sensation Henry Wynne had another record-setting day today at the New Balance National Track and Field Championship meet in Greensboro, N.C. He claimed his second national championship of the school year, running the mile in 4:07.84, more than two seconds off his personal best. The Staples girls distance medley relay team, anchored by freshman Hannah DeBalsi, earned a bronze. The team includes Erica Hefnawy, Emily Troelstra, and Tyler Scanlin. Wynne is pictured last week at the New England Interscholastic Championships in New Britain. Ct.milesplit.com photo
Busy End to Yankee Doodle Fair
It was a busy last day for the 106th Yankee Doodle Fair today sponsored by the Westport Woman’s Club. With the first day of the four-day run rained out, there were crowds on the three successive days. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo
Playhouse Production ‘Captures Golden Era in Theater’
The Westport Country Playhouse Sunday symposium series, an interview following the opening week Sunday matinee, today focused on the art of theater comedy from the perspective of Murray Biggs (r), Yale University associate prrofessor of English and theater. Interviewed by the Playhouse’s associate artistic director, David Kennedy, Biggs said the revival of the 1924 play, “The Show-Off” in its current run at the Playhouse, “captures the golden era in theater that emphasized comedies of manners—plays that dissect and analyze social groups.” Coincidentally, George Kelly, “The Show-Off” playwright, was Grace Kelly’s uncle. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
Realtime NY Metro-area traffic reports from Traffic.com
PROPERTY TRANSFERS
Westport Property Transfers May 27 - 31, 2013MORE >>
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