Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Temptations and Four Tops Headline Levitt Summer Gala
Westport’s Levitt Pavilion has signed two members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to headline its summer fund-raising gala.
The Temptations will headline the summer Levitt fund-raising gala along with the Four Tops. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo
The Temptations and the Four Tops will perform at the outdoor venue Friday, July 28, an announcement said. The groups were the “Kings of Motown” and defined the soul sound of the 1960s.
The Temptations’ hits include ”My Girl,” and “Since I Lost My Baby.” The Four Tops are known for “Baby I Need Your Loving,” “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch),” “and “Standing in the Shadows of Love,” among others.
The concert, sponsored by SAAB of Westport, will help to underwrite more than 50 nights of free entertainment at the Pavilion this summer. To charge tickets by phone, or for information and pricing on the optional gala dinner before the concert, call (203)226-7600 or visit www.levittpavilion.com
WestportNow Receives Fairfield County Weekly Award
WestportNow tonight received an award from Fairfield County Weekly for being named the “Best Local Blog” in its 2006 readers’ poll.
The award was presented at a reception in Norwalk for all winners in the newspaper’s annual reader survey.
Garbage Rates Increasing
Trash collection prices are going up in Westport and across the region.
Public Works Director Stephen Edwards said the Connecticut Resource Recovery Authority has increased its rates to operate the plant to burn garbage in Bridgeport.
The result is an increase in fees for commercial haulers and a significant increase in the Public Works Department’s solid waste budget, he said.
The rate for commercial haulers, he said, is increasing from $74 to $78 per ton for using the Westport Transfer Station. Residential haulers, however, will feel the pinch in their tax bills, he said.
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Survey Shows Most Not Prepared for Emergencies
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Westport officials say they are doing all they can to help residents be prepared for an emergency, but an American Red Cross survey shows most across the country have not taken the basic steps to ensure safety during an emergency.
The national survey released Tuesday found that seven out of 10 people surveyed believe they are somewhat prepared for an emergency, including hurricanes. Only 52 percent of those responded said they have a disaster kit.
The survey also found that 69 percent said they have not established a meeting place to reunite with family members, 65 percent of pet owners said they have no plan to keep their pets safe, 59 percent said they have not selected an emergency contact, 60 percent said they have made no specific evacuation plan, and 73 percent have not practiced their family disaster plan.
First Selectman Gordon Joseloff said he is not surprised by the survey’s results because he knows people are complacent and generally not prepared.
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Going Down: 175 Imperial Ave.
Peter Murrugarra takes a photograph of his Westport home at 175 Imperial Ave. being demolished on Tuesday. He and his brother Richard plan to build a two-story, pre-fabricated, modular, 2,700-square-foot colonial to replace the 720-square-foot house where his father, a house painter and his mother, a domestic house cleaner, raised them. Murrugarra said they’re demolishing the home and building a larger one so they can move their mother home from a nursing home. The 1940 house was the WestportNow Teardown of the Day on April 5. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
Backed Up
Traffic on Westport’s Green’s Farms Road was backed up this morning due to an accident on I-95. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
Staples Players Present “Diary of Anne Frank”
Staples Players present “Diary of Anne Frank” starting Thursday. Contributed photoThe Staples Players will present the “Diary of Anne Frank” the next two weekends at 7:30 p.m. at Westport’s Staples High School’s Black Box Theater.
Performances are slated for Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The performances continue June 7, 8 and 9.
It is the first major performance from the group in the newly remodeled and expanded theater.
Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students and are available through Friday at Staples from 8:30-10:30 a.m.
For more information, call (203) 341-1310 or visit players.stapleshigh.net.
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
Lingering in the Sunset
Two children linger in the sunset at Westport’s Compo Beach. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
10:30 a.m. – Town Hall Room 102 – International Hospitality Committee
5:30 p.m. – Staples High School, Room 2063 – School Building Committee
8 p.m. – Town Hall Room 201 – RTM Ordinance Committee
8 p.m. – Town Hall Room 309 – RTM Parks & Recreation Committee
Public Input Sought on Town Plan
Westport residents will have the opportunity to give input on the update of the Town Plan of Conservation and Development during a public workshop in late June.
The session is scheduled for Monday, June 26 at 7 p.m. at Bedford Middle School.
The most recent plan for the town was adopted in 1997, and the Planning and Zoning Commission is now evaluating it to consider how it should be amended to reflect current issues and priorities.
“This meeting is an important first step in the planning process because it affects many other aspects of a Plan of Conservation and Development,” said Eleanor Lowenstein, Planning and Zoning Commission chairwoman.
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White Barn Theatre Property Sold for $4.8 Million
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Lucille Lortel 1900-1999: Her White Barn Theatre property sold. File photo
A New Canaan-based company purchased the former White Barn Theatre property, which is on the Westport and Norwalk border, for $4.8 million.
The sale of the 18-acre property was recorded in the Westport Town Clerk’s office last week.
The documents state the Lucille Lortel Foundation—which is based in New York City—sold the property to 78 Cranberry Road LLC. Foundation officials did not immediately return phone calls.
Most of the property—15.5 acres—is in Norwalk with the remaining 2.5 acres in Westport.
More "White Barn Theatre Property Sold for $4.8 Million"
Police Report Few Problems Over Holiday Weekend
Westport police are reporting few incidents over the holiday weekend.
Patrol officers handed out 36 seatbelt tickets and nine cellular phone tickets between Friday and this morning, according to Sgt. Jerry Shannon, police public information officer.
Officers also responded to 11 accidents, he said, and none were fatalities.
None of the accidents were serious, Shannon said.
More "Police Report Few Problems Over Holiday Weekend"
Monday, May 29, 2006
Marking the Day
A flag flew along Westport’s Riverside Avenue Monday to mark Memorial Day. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Frank Collins for WestportNow.com
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
10 a.m. – Town Hall Room 201 – Historic District Commission
Neighborhood Groups to Gather
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Westport neighborhood groups will be gathering at Town Hall for a meeting to discuss a variety of issues.
Partrick Wetlands Preservation Fund officials are organizing the meeting slated for 8 p.m. on June 5.
Matthew Mandell, Partrick Wetlands Preservation Fund director, said there are many things going on in Westport, but each group has a lot in common with the others.
“It’s time for us to come together and talk to see what we can work together to do,” he said.
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Westport Property Transfers May 15-19, 2006
Westport property transfers as reported by the Town Clerk’s office for the period May 15-19, 2006:
Matthew L. and Stacy M. Reid to Craig M. and Juliana Adler, 110 Old Road, $865,000
Ernest Perno to Geoffrey R. and Chandini C. Smith, 51 Cavalry Road, $2,000,000
Samuel J. Heyman Trust to Samuel J. Heyman, 76 Beachside Ave., $10,000,000
Robert and Julie Haroun to Heather and Andrew C. Wilk, Unit 56 Ledge Meadow Lane, $2,150,000
John A. and Jessica Swanciger to Robert and Wendi Mays, 361 Wilton Road, $770,000
More "Westport Property Transfers May 15-19, 2006"
Examining the Honor Roll
A young marcher searched the World War II Honor Roll monument at Westport’s Veterans Green today for a familiar name. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Julia Mally for WestportNow.com For more photos by Julia Mally, click here.
They Are Not Forgotten
In signs and speeches, tribute was paid to those who have lost their lives for their country during today’s Westport Memorial Day parade. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Ward French for WestportNow.com Additional parade pictures may be found below and on the Community page.
Joseloff: Shake a Veteran’s Hand and Say “Thank You”
Westport First Selectman Gordon Joseloff, making his first Memorial Day address, told a rememberance ceremony on Veterans Green today that among the ways to honor veterans is to shake their hand, look them in the eye, and say “thank you.” (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com
Alone in His Thoughts
This vet is among the crowd at today’s Westport Memorial Day parade but he’s alone in his thoughts. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com
Westport Fire Department Marchers on Parade
The Westport Fire Department had a large contingent in today’s Memorial Day parade. Before the parade, there was a memorial service at Westport Fire Headquarters. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com
Hitching a Ride
Some marched, some rode bicycles in today’s Westport Memorial Day parade. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Stephen Rubin for WestportNow.com
Laying the Wreath
A wreath is laid on the monuments on Westport’s Veterans Green today during the annual Memorial Day services honoring soldiers who gave their lives in battle. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com
Police Honor Guard Honors War Dead
The Westport Police Department honor guard honored war dead during today’s Westport Memorial Day parade.(CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com
Candy for the Crowd
Westport Soccer Association players throw candy to the crowd during today’s annual Memorial Day parade. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Jennifer Connic for WestportNow.com
Applause for the Grand Marshal
Memorial Day parade Grand Marshal Art Reale (r) receives applause from Selectman Shelly Kassen and First Selectman Gordon Joseloff following his remarks today on Westport’s Veterans Green. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com
Reale Reflects on Westport
Art Reale, grand marshal for today’s parade, reflects on Westport during a ceremony at Veterans Green. He stands below the Doughboy Monument, which honors World War I veterans, and Reale said the statue reminded him of his father. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com
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Standing below the Doughboy Monument today, Art Reale said how he felt like his father was looking down on him.
Reale was today’s grand marshal for the annual Westport Memorial Day Parade.
He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, and his ship was torpedoed during a trip back to Pearl Harbor on June 21, 1945.
“My father’s name is up there,” Reale said of the statue honoring World War I veterans on Veterans Green. “I feel like he’s looking down on me from the doughboy.”
More "Reale Reflects on Westport"
Flag Duty
A Westport Boy Scout rests while carrying the American flag during today’s annual Memorial Day parade. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Jennifer Connic for WestportNow.com
Aerial Salute
Today’s Westport Memorial Day parade included an aerial salute from the Connecticut National Guard. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Chip Stephens for WestportNow.com
Everyone Marched in the Parade
It was a good day for marching for dogs and people at today’s Westport Memorial Day parade. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) David Dreyfuss for WestportNow.com
Scouting Honor
Scouts carry the American flag in today’s Westport Memorial Day parade. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Jennifer Jackson for WestportNow.com
They Served for Us
Military vets receive applause from the crowd during today’s Westport Memorial Day parade. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com
Grand Marshal
Grand Marshal Art Reale, 84, waves to the crowd during today’s Westport Memorial Day parade. A 1940 graduate of Staples High School, Reale served in the Navy during World War II. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Ward French for WestportNow.com
Dignitaries on Parade
Today’s Westport Memorial Day parade inlcuded local dignitaries (l-r) Former First Selectman Jackie Heneage, state Rep. Joe Mioli, former First Selectwoman Diane Farrell, First Selectman Gordon Joseloff, former First Selectman Martha Hauhuth, Selectman Shelly Kassen, and Selectman Robert Lasprogato. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phylllis Groner for WestportNow.com
Sunday, May 28, 2006
Monday, May 29, 2006
8 a.m. - Westport Fire Headquarters - Memorial Day service
9 a.m. Riverside Avenue - Memorial Day parade begins
Realtime NY Metro-area traffic reports from Traffic.com
PROPERTY TRANSFERS
Westport Property Transfers May 15-19, 2006MORE >>
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