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Monday, July 31, 2006

Movie Night at the Levitt

The Westport Youth Commission kicked off its summer movie series tonight at the Levitt Pavilion with “Anchorman” starring Will Ferrell. The Aug. 7 movie will be “Jurassic Park,” and the Aug. 14 showing will be “Robin Hood: Men in Tights.” (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

07/31/06 09:15 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Heat Warning Issued for Tuesday Through Wednesday

The National Weather Service today issued an excessive heat warning for Westport and the tri-state area from noon Tuesday to 8 p.m. Wednesday.

A late afternoon advisory said the decision to elevate the alert from a watch to a warning was based on a forecast calling for high temperatures to climb into the mid 90s to near 100 degrees across the area Tuesday.

Combined with oppressively high humidity levels, this will result in heat indices climbing to between maximum levels of 105 to 110 degrees Tuesday afternoon, the advisory said. The highest heat indices are expected to occur between 1 p.m. and 6 p.m.

This dangerous heat wave will continue through Wednesday. High temperatures Wednesday will be similar to or even a degree or two hotter than Tuesday, climbing to the upper 90s to 102 degrees, the advisory said.

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07/31/06 03:15 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Sand Play

A visitor to Westport’s Compo Beach enjoys the sand today as others cool off in Long Island Sound. The temperature along the shore reached 85 today but the forecast called for temperatures Tuesday and Wednesday to be in the 90s. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com

07/31/06 02:58 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Air Quality Warning Issued for Tuesday

The Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection and the federal Environmental Protection Agency today warned that air quality is expected to be unhealthy along the Connecticut coast Tuesday as the temperature soars close to 100.

The agencies said in an advisory that the area will experience elevated concentrations of ground-level ozone, commonly called smog.

The advisory said while anyone can be affected by ozone, groups particularly sensitive include children and adults who are active outdoors, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma.

“Sensitive people who experience effects at lower ozone concentrations are likely to experience more serious effects at higher concentrations. Still, even the healthiest people may find it difficult to breathe when ozone levels are very high,” the advisory said.

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07/31/06 02:26 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Senior Center Open Late to Help People Cool Off

The Westport Center for Senior Activities will remain open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday until 8 p.m. for anyone needing a place to cool off, town officials announced today.

Temperatures are expected to approach close to 100 degrees on those days, and the center is offering a cool environment to anyone in the community regardless of age without air conditioning.

The center is located at 21 Imperial Ave. For more information, call (203) 341-5099.

07/31/06 10:17 AM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Senior Renter Rebate Available

A state-funded renters’ rebate program is available for those who are elderly or totally disabled through the Westport Human Services Department.

Deadline for applying is Sept. 15.

“Persons renting an apartment or room, living in cooperative housing, or a mobile home may be eligible for the program,” said Human Services Director Barbara Butler.

The rebate can be up to $900 for married couples and $700 for single persons.

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07/31/06 10:13 AM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Sunday, July 30, 2006

Smooth Sailing

Boats float on the water off of Westport’s Longshore Club Park Sunday evening after the end of a hot day. More heat is on the way this week with temperatures predicted to climb close to 100 degrees. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Emily Hamilton Laux for WestportNow.com

07/30/06 11:30 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Monday, July 31, 2006

9 p.m. - Levitt Pavilion - “Anchorman”

07/30/06 11:05 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Excessive Heat Watch Issued

The National Weather Service today issued an excessive heat watch for Westport and the tri-state area in effect from Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday evening.

High temperatures are expected to climb to the mid to upper 90s across the lower Hudson Valley, western and central Long Island, and much of southern Connecticut Tuesday and again on Wednesday, an advisory said.

Combined with rather high humidity levels, this will result in heat indices climbing to between 105 and 110 degrees each afternoon.

An excessive heat watch means that a prolonged period of hot temperatures is expected. The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity will combine to create a dangerous situation in which heat illnesses are possible.

07/30/06 05:13 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Compo Picnic Winds Up 40th Staples Reunion

Members of Westport’s Staples High School class of 1966 wound up their 40th anniversary reunion weekend today with a picnic at Compo Beach. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

07/30/06 02:20 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

A Legend of the Game in Westport

Yankees pitching legend Mel Stottlemyre signs a photo for Tom Feige, Jr. (l) and his father, Tom Sr., of Beacon Falls, Conn., during today’s autograph session at Legends of the Game at the Compo Shopping Center. The Westport appearance by the former Yankees pitcher and pitching coach drew scores of baseball fans from the tri-state area. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

07/30/06 01:51 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Waiting for Mel

The crowds started lining up an hour before today’s scheduled Westport appearance of New York Yankees pitching great Mel Stottlemyre for an autograph session at Legends of the Game at the Compo Shopping Center. Stottlemyre, 64, who retired last year as Yankees pitching coach, was one of the anchors of the Bronx Bombers for the Joe Torre era starting in 1996. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

07/30/06 01:41 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Joseloff Suggests CBS News Look to Its Past to Map the Future

In an essay for CBSNews.com’s Public Eye, Westport First Selectman Gordon Joseloff—a former CBS News correspondent, producer and Moscow and Tokyo bureau chief and the publisher and founding editor of WestportNow.com—says news division standards of 30 years ago remain pertinent today and CBS News should look to its alumni for wisdom and guidance.

“I’m not suggesting a return to the past—just that we occasionally review from where we came with those who remember,” Joseloff wrote.

07/30/06 10:22 AM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Saturday, July 29, 2006

1966 Staples Grads Remember Deceased Classmates

Members of Westport’s Staples High School class of 1966 gathered Saturday evening for a clambake as part of a weekend 40th anniversary celebration. Jeremy Jones, a ‘66 grad and currently an Episcopal chaplain in the Philadelphia area, led the group in a memorial tribute to deceased classmates. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

07/29/06 11:53 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Celebrating Their 40th High School Reunion

Members of Staples High School class of 1966 gathered Saturday night at the Westport home of Ann Sheffer and Bill Scheffler for a clambake as part of a 40th anniversary weekend celebration. Pictured greeting guests are (l-r) Jeremy Jones, Ann Sheffer, John Lupton, and Bill Scheffler. Sheffer holds copies of a history of Staples by author and columnist Dan Woog, Staples class of 1971. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

07/29/06 11:43 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Sunday, July 30, 2006

3 p.m. - Westport Country Playhouse - “Constant Star”
7 p.m. - Levitt Pavilion - Gerard Carelli and his orchestra

07/29/06 11:03 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Crawling on I-95

WestportNow.com Image
Traffic on I-95 southbound just south of Westport’s exit 17 slowed to a crawl at mid-day today because of a one-car accident. Westport EMS transported one person to Norwalk Hospital. Photo is from a Department of Transportation camera. DOT photo

07/29/06 12:05 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Garden Visitors

Participants in Westport’s Community Garden Friday evening visited the Fairfield garden of Michel Nischan (center, green shirt). A renowned chef, best selling cookbook author and avid proponent of sustainable farming, Nischan and his work were the impetus for the Westport Farmers Market. He and actor Paul Newman helped launch the market and are working jointly on The Dressing Room–Newman’s Own, A Homegrown Restaurant adjacent to the Playhouse opening later this summer. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Lou Weinberg for WestportNow.com

07/29/06 11:40 AM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Running in the Morning Sun

Runners were out early today at Westport’s Compo Beach for the weekly run organized by the Westport Parks and Recreation Department. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com

07/29/06 11:24 AM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Taking Center Stage

Westport’s Center Stage Theatre Company presented its summer production of “A Little Bit of This and a Whole Lot of That” Friday night at the Seabury Center. Pictured performing “I Can Hear the Bells” from the stage production of “Hairspray” are (l-r) Annabel Fox, Nina Demeter, Zoe Lowenbein, Nicole Lauria, Jessica Perry, Sammy Brownlow, and Campbell Gallagher. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) David Dreyfuss for WestportNow.com

07/29/06 08:32 AM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Friday, July 28, 2006

Saturday, July 29, 2006

4 p.m. and 8 p.m. - Westport Country Playhouse - “Constant Star”
8 p.m. - Levitt Pavilion - Anthem, reggae-infused dance music

07/28/06 11:03 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Four Tops Close Out Levitt Fund-Raiser

The Four Tops closed out tonight’s benefit concert at Westport’s Levitt Pavilion. More than 2,400 persons attended the fund-raiser. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

07/28/06 10:29 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Dancin’ at Their Seats

The Temptations had concertgoers dancing at their seats tonight at Westports Levitt Pavilion. The double bill with The Four Tops was a fund-raiser to pay for the more than 50 free nights of entertainment at the Levitt. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

07/28/06 10:12 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Crowd Pleaser at the Levitt

More than 2,400 persons turned out for tonight’s gala benefit concert at Westport’s Levitt Pavilion. The Temptations and The Four Tops headlined the fund-raiser. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Stephen Rubin for WestportNow.com

07/28/06 10:05 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Levitt Pavilion Celebrates Gala Evening

Several hundred guests dined under a tent tonight on Westport’s Jesup Green as part of the Levitt Pavilion’s gala evening starring The Temptations and The Four Tops. Heavy rain showers passed through the area an hour before the gala began. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

07/28/06 07:54 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

P&Z Approves Imperial Lot Lease

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Workers on a high voltage power line project will be able to park their equipment in Westport’s Imperial Avenue “upper” parking lot.

The Planning and Zoning Commission approved the lease for the lot during a meeting Thursday night.

The approval came despite neighbors and Woman’s Club officials expressing concerns at a public hearing a week ago (See WestportNow July 20).

Planning and Zoning Director Laurence Bradley said the commission listed 15 conditions on its approval, including working with the Woman’s Club for the Yankee Doodle Fair, which is held every June in a portion of the lot as well as the adjacent “lower” lot.

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07/28/06 03:38 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Downed Tree Closes Wilton Road

A large tree fell across Westport’s Wilton Road today near Wilton Terrace, forcing a shutdown of the busy roadway.

The tree came down shortly after 3 p.m. and firefighters on the scene asked that police close the road until workers could clear it.

Power lines were down with the tree and utility crews were summoned to shut off power so the tree clearing work could begin.

CL&P reported 25 Westport customers were without power as of 11 p.m.

07/28/06 02:16 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Getting Ready to Rock

Workers readied Westport’s Levitt Pavilion today for tonight’s gala performance featuring The Temptations and The Four Tops. Organizers said the performance would go ahead rain or shine. The forecast called for possible thunderstorms. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com

07/28/06 02:12 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Thunderstorm Watch Issued for Area

The National Weather Service has issued a thunderstorm watch for Westport and the tri-state area.

A mid-day advisory said a trough of low pressure approaching from the west will likely trigger thunderstorms this afternoon and early this evening in the very warm, humid and unstable air mass in place over the tri-state area.

These thunderstorms may produce damaging winds, heavy rainfall along with urban and poor drainage flooding and frequent cloud to ground lightning, the advisory said.

These thunderstorms will arrive in the lower Hudson Valley and northwest New Jersey during the early to mid-afternoon, then move into the New York City metropolitan area during the rush hour and across Long Island and eastern Connecticut early this evening.

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07/28/06 12:47 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Thursday, July 27, 2006

Sherwood Bike Ride

Two bikers train early Thursday morning at Westport’s Sherwood Island State Park before temperatures climbed into the 80s and humidity levels rose. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Emily Hamilton Laux for WestportNow.com

07/27/06 11:30 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Friday, July 28, 2006

6:30 p.m. - Westport Arts Center - Members Show 2006: Group Show opening
8 p.m. - Westport Country Playhouse - “Constant Star”
9 p.m. - Levitt Pavilion - Summer Gala: The Temptations and The Four Tops

07/27/06 11:05 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Weston Playwright to Speak at Playhouse

Playwright David Wiltse of Weston will discuss “The Making of ‘A Marriage Minuet,’” at a Sunday Symposium presented by the Westport Country Playhouse in conjunction with his comedy, “A Marriage Minuet.”

The symposium is scheduled on Sunday, Aug. 6 following the 3 p.m. performance.

Wiltse was appointed playwright-in-residence for the playhouse by Artistic Director Tazewell Thompson earlier this year.

The comedy of misunderstandings and misbehaving will be staged at Westport Country Playhouse Aug. 3-20.

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07/27/06 03:35 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Big Boy, Tomatoes

A visitor to the Westport Farmers Market today balances baby and produce. The weekly Thursday market at the Westport Country Playhouse is drawing increasing crowds. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com

07/27/06 11:57 AM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Westport Property Transfers July 17-21, 2006

Westport property transfers as reported by the Town Clerk’s office for the period July 17-21, 2006:

William G. Bulakites Jr. to Michael O’Leary, 1 Oak Ridge Park, $662,500 WN property.jpg

Joseph D. Warren Jr. and Judith Ann Johnston to Drew Friedman, 25 Old Mill Road, $872,500

Christopher J. and Rebecca Bergman to Ian T. and Suzannah H. Rogers, 5 Hunting Lane, $1,340,000

John R. and Mary Beth Laux to Aaron and Liane Dahlke, 25 Marion Road, $1,125,000

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07/27/06 09:20 AM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Bridgeport, Norwalk Students Visit Playhouse

By Joanna Pliner

Students from Norwalk and Bridgeport were able to feel the velvety-soft red seats of the Westport Country Playhouse Wednesday to enjoy “Constant Star.”

The Westport Country Playhouse opened its doors to several underprivileged students from Music and Arts Center for Humanity of Bridgeport, ACHIEVE of Norwalk and George Washington Carver Center of Norwalk as part of the Arts Access Fund for the matinee showing of the play.

Patricia Blaufuss, playhouse spokeswoman, said the goal of the Arts Access Fund is to “provide access to the theater to new and under-served audiences through education and community outreach.”

Alonzo Virgil, founder of ACHIEVE, said Wednesday afternoon was many of his students’ first time in a theater.

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07/27/06 05:00 AM Comments (0) • Permalink •