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Wednesday, April 30, 2008

“60 Minutes” Correspondent Pelley Addresses GFA Audience

Scott Pelley, a “60 Minutes” and CBS News correspondent, was featured speaker tonight at Westport’s Greens Farms Academy. Pelley spent the day at the school as the part of the James M. Coyle Endowed Visiting Scholar Program, now in its 12th year. Pelley paid tribute to journalists killed in the line of duty and noted that more reporters have been killed in Iraq than in World War II. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com

04/30/08 11:23 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

31-Cent Ice Cream Night Supports Firefighters

Baskin-Robbins honored firefighters today by donating $100,000 to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and thanked customers and firefighters tonight with a 31-cent ice cream scoop night. Westport Fire Department firefighters and volunteers lent their support to the effort at the company’s store on Post Road East. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

04/30/08 09:36 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

LWV Sending Out “Know Your Town” Booklet

Members of the League of Women Voters of Westport worked today on distributing 10,000 copies of their “Know Your Town” booklet being sent to every Westport household. The booklet contains lists of elected and appointed officials, town departments, schools, agencies and services, and other useful names and contacts. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com

04/30/08 06:28 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Slow Go

A four-vehicle accident in the southbound lane of I-95 in Westport tied up morning rush hour traffic today. No one sustained serious injury in the crash between Exits 18 and 17 near the Hale’s Road overpass. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

04/30/08 04:40 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Westport Will Accept Tax Relief Applications Until May 15

Westport Assessor Paul Friia reminded residents today that his office is still accepting senior tax relief applications through Thursday, May 15.

The programs are open to homeowners who are totally disabled or who have reached the age of 65 by the date of application.

“Qualified applicants for the state program are those who own their own homes or hold a ‘life use’ title to their home, have resided in Connecticut for one year prior to filing application, and whose ‘qualifying income’ does not exceed $29,800 for single, or $36,500 for married couples,” said Friia.

Qualifying income is adjusted gross income, plus tax-exempt interest and Social Security.

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04/30/08 04:33 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Westport Scene

Westport’s Round Pond was a peaceful place on Tuesday. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com

04/30/08 12:15 AM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

8:30 a.m. – Town Hall Room 309 - Plan Implementation Committee
9 a.m. - 5 p.m. - Earthplace - “Recycled Into Art,” works by Harrat Sommerhoff
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Westport Historical Society - “Westport Preserved—Westport Lost: Keeping Our Heritage Alive”
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Westport Arts Center - “Color in 3D”
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Westport Arts Center - “Found”
5 p.m. – Room 309/307 – Board of Selectmen (live coverage cable channel 79 and westportct.gov)
7 p.m. – Town Hall Green Room – Westport Youth Commission Bacharach Committee
7 p.m. - 9 p.m. - Coleytown Middle School Cafeteria - SEPTA presents “Brain Imbalance as a Cause of ADHD, Learning Disabilities, Dyslexia and Spectrum Disorders” by Dr. Mark Goldenberg
7:30 p.m. - Greens Farms Academy (35 Beachside Ave.) - Scott Pelley of CBS: “A Journalist’s View of Our World”
7:30 p.m. – Town Hall Room 309 – Longshore Golf Clubhouse Committee
7:30 p.m. - Town Hall Auditorium - RTM Finance Committee
7:45 p.m. – Town Hall Room 102 – RTM Information Technology Committee

04/30/08 12:05 AM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Large Turnout for Annual Malloy Lecture

There was a large turnout tonight for the Westport Public Library’s annual Malloy Lecture, this year featuring Iranian-born American academic Vartan Gregorian. Gregorian, 74, is currently president of Carnegie Corporation of New York and formerly was president of Brown University and the New York Public Library. “No community can be great…without a great library,” he told the Bedford Middle School audience. He noted there are more libraries in the United States than there are McDonalds. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com

04/29/08 10:30 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Academic Worries that Computers Will Win Over Books

Noted academic Vartan Gregorian was guest at the Westport Public Library’s annual Malloy Lecture tonight at Bedford Middle School. The Carnegie Corporation president said he is concerned that in years to come, people will use computers for their information instead of reading books. He said he worries that misinformation could be spread. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com

04/29/08 10:25 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Westport Scene

After several days of rain, the sun was back out this afternoon at Westport’s Compo Beach and Ned Dimes Marina. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com

04/29/08 06:13 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Staples Students Join in NASDAQ Opening

Five Staples High School students were among invited Connecticut mathematics students joining in today’s NASDAQ stock market opening in New York. The students—Nathaniel Fox, Geoffrey Jordan, Antonella Lisanti, Michael Lubin and Zach Weiner—were invited by the new Connecticut Science Center, a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing science education, now under construction in Hartford. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

04/29/08 01:28 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Seeking Shelter

A lone visitor to rainy Compo Beach Monday sought shelter in the pavilion. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com

04/29/08 12:15 AM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

04/29/08 12:05 AM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Monday, April 28, 2008

Indoor Color

Today’s rain outside did not dull the colors inside at Geiger’s Garden Center on Westport’s Post Road East. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Lynn U. Miller for WestportNow.com

04/28/08 10:37 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Walking in the Rain

Today’s rain was welcome after days of uninterrupted sunshine. The Westport area received more than 1 inch. This resident walked in the rain along Morningside Drive North. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Lynn U. Miller for WestportNow.com

04/28/08 08:05 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Munce Named Memorial Day Parade Grand Marshal

The Westport Veterans Council announced today it has named Westport artist Howard Munce as grand marshal for this year’s Memorial Day parade on May 26. WestportNow.com Image
Howard Munce: saw WWII action in Pacific. WN file photo/Phyllis Groner

Munce, 92, enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1942 and rose to the rank of platoon sergeant, according to a biography supplied by the Council.

He was part of the assault landing on Bougainville, one of the Solomon Islands in the South Pacific that was occupied by the Japanese and used as a base to attack Guadalcanal and other Allied territory.

While there, Munce won a field commission to second lieutenant. When he was part of the assault landing on Guam, he was promoted to first lieutenant.

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04/28/08 12:53 PM Comments (11) • Permalink •

CL&P $1.4 Million Westport Upgrade Project Underway

Connecticut Light and Power Company (CL&P) said today it is undertaking a $1.4 million upgrade project in Westport as part of its ongoing efforts to improve its electrical distribution system throughout Connecticut.

The project, which is already under way and scheduled to be completed in October, is taking place along Riverside Avenue (Route 33), Indian Hill Road, Hogan Trail, Cricket Lane and Robert Lane, a news release said.

The work, including replacement of poles, new wire, new routes in event of an interruption, and new lightning arresters, will improve reliability for customers throughout the area, the company said.

“With the successful completion of this work, our customers throughout this area will have a stronger, more reliable system to meet their current and future needs,” said Bruce Bernier, director of Southern Division Operations for CL&P.

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04/28/08 12:24 PM Comments (2) • Permalink •

Fallen Tree Closes Sturges Highway

Heavy rains may have caused a tree to fall and block passage in front of 15 Sturges Highway near Long Lots Road this morning. The road was closed for about one hour. Westport police blocked off the roadway until it could be cleared. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

04/28/08 11:30 AM Comments (0) • Permalink •

“The Sacrifice (Homage to Katrina)”

Westport artist Nina Bentley is one of 20 artists whose works are on display at the Gallery of Contemporary Art at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield. Among those attending the opening reception Sunday of a new exhibit, “Contemporary Fiber,” was Norwalk artist and sculptor Karen Heffner who studied Bentley’s mixed media assemblage “The Sacrifice (Homage to Katrina).” The exhibit runs through May 29. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

04/28/08 06:00 AM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Westport Scene

Sunday’s sunset as seen from Westport’s Compo Beach. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com

04/28/08 12:15 AM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Monday, April 28, 2008

9 a.m. - 5 p.m. - Earthplace - “Recycled Into Art,” works by Harrat Sommerhoff
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Westport Historical Society - “Westport Preserved—Westport Lost: Keeping Our Heritage Alive”
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Westport Arts Center - “Color in 3D”
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Westport Arts Center - “Found”
10 a.m. – Town Hall Room 201A – Planning & Zoning Affordable Housing Subcommittee
Noon - Westport Public Library - Authors@the Library: Susan Nagel, “Marie-Therese, Child of Terror: The Fate of Marie Antoinette’s Daughter”
3:34 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. - Westport Public Library - Favorite Author Fun: Celebrate Jane Yolen (grades 1 & 2)
7 p.m. – Town Hall Room 201 – Board of Assessment Appeals
7 p.m. – Town Hall Auditorium – Planning & Zoning Commission Public Hearing (live coverage cable channel 79 and westportct.gov)
7:30 p.m. – Town Hall Room 102 – RTM Health & Human Services Committee
7:30 p.m. – Town Hall Room 309/307 – Special Board of Education with anticipated executive session

04/28/08 12:05 AM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Sunday, April 27, 2008

Keeping Up a Compo Kite Flying Tradition

Despite some gray clouds and a few sprinkles, a group of friends gathered at Compo Beach today for their 15th annual kite flying party. Westport resident Phil Pollak, an avid kite enthusiast, and owner of many kites, explained that the party used to take place on his birthday, April 5. The date was changed when the group complained that the weather never cooperated in early April. So, the group arrived today with their “fists holding tight to the strings of their kites” (lyrics- Disney’s “Mary Poppins.”) Pollak did say that there often tends to be more eating than kite flying at this party. Due to the inclement weather, the group set up their picnic under the pavilion. The rain didn’t seem to dampen their spirits as everyone soon had their kites soaring up high in the sky. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Lynn U. Miller for WestportNow.com

04/27/08 09:53 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Texas-Style at the Senior Center

The Friends of the Westport Center for Senior Activities sponsored the Doc Wallace Trio today featuring David Wallace on fiddle, Daniel Levy on acoustics and Dana Scofidio on electric guitar as the trio entertained more than 125 persons. The group featured a unique blend of Texas-style fiddling and swing. This was the last program in a Sunday indoor music series made possible by a grant from Mimi Levitt and the Mortimer Levitt Foundation. Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com

04/27/08 05:03 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Recycled Art

Currently on exhibit at Westport’s Earthplace, The Naure Discovery Center is a collection of artwork by Herrat Sommerhoff, an artist who turns recycled items from the trash into three-dimensional pieces of art. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Lynn U. Miller for WestportNow.com

04/27/08 11:17 AM Comments (0) • Permalink •

10K Winner

Westporter Reess Kennedy, 25, was first place winner in today’s 10-kilometer race at the 30th Annual Minute Man Race at Westport’s Compo Beach. Kennedy, a 2000 Staples High School graduate, was a member of the award-winning Staples track team. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Gronerfor WestportNow.com

04/27/08 10:09 AM Comments (0) • Permalink •

5K Winner

Tyler Johnson, 28, of Chester, Conn., was first place winner in today’s 5-kilometer run as part of the 30th Annual Minute Man Race at Westport’s Compo Beach. More than 1,000 runners took part in the event that took place under rain showers with temperatures in the upper 40s. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

04/27/08 10:07 AM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Making the 10K Start

Runners set off in the 10-kilometer run today at the 30th Annual Minute Man Race at Westport’s Compo Beach. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com

04/27/08 10:05 AM Comments (0) • Permalink •

And They’re Off

Runners set off in today’s 5-kilometer run as part of the 30th Annual Minute Man Race at Westrport’s Compo Beach. The run was organized by the Westport Young Woman’s Leagure. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

04/27/08 10:02 AM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Westport Scene

With a watering can for a head, and pipes for arms and legs, this whimsical farmer sits on his tractor on the front lawn of Westport’s Gilbertie’s Heb and Garden Center on Sylvan Lane where he greets visitors. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Lynn U. Miller for WestportNow.com

04/27/08 12:13 AM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Sunday, April 27, 2008

7:45 a.m. - Compo Beach - Westport Young Woman’s League’s 30th Annual Westport Minute Man Race
Noon - 4 p.m. - Westport Historical Society - “Westport Preserved—Westport Lost: Keeping Our Heritage Alive”
Noon - 4 p.m. - Westport Arts Center - “Color in 3D”
Noon - 4 p.m. - Westport Arts Center - “Found”
Noon - 4 p.m. - Earthplace - Green Earth Fair
1 p.m. - 4 p.m. - Earthplace - “Recycled Into Art,” works by Harrat Sommerhoff
2 p.m. - Staples High School Black Box Theater - “Romeo and Juliet”
2 p.m. - Westport Public Library - An Afternoon with George Guidall

04/27/08 12:05 AM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Saturday, April 26, 2008

Getting Friendly With Water Creatures

The Green Earth Fair opened a two-day run today at Westport’s Earthplace, The Nature Discovery Center. Among the exhibits was the water resources tent sponsored by Norm Bloom & Son which offered a touch tank with creatures found in local harbors, oyster farming display, local water quality information and activities. The fair continues Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Julia Mally for WestportNow.com

04/26/08 10:58 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Compo Blossoms

Last November, Westport’s Compo Beach Improvement Association planted 1,000 daffodil bulbs along Compo Beach Road. (See WestportNow Nov. 17, 2007) The payoff is visible now as the yellow and white blossoms brighten the beach area. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

04/26/08 08:34 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Going With the Wind

Kite surfers had good windy weather today as they soared off of Westport’s Compo Beach. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com

04/26/08 06:28 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Honored for Greening Westport

Westport’s Green Energy Task Force presented the first annual We Green Westport Award today to two Westport individuals and two businesses in recognition of their efforts to reduce their carbon footprint. The ceremony took place at the Green Earth Fair at Earthplace, The Nature Discovery Center. Pictured (l-r) are: First Selectman Gordon Joseloff, John Lupton of Patagonia (corporate winner), Matthew Silver, 14, (individual winner), Louis Pietig, Nate Paulson and John Baken of Patagonia, Westport resident Kevin Green (individual winner) and his son Sunil, Carl Leaman, chairman of the Green Energy Task Force, Scott, Craig and Laila Tiefenthaler of Westport Wash & Wax (corporate winner), and Kimberly Lake, vice chairman of the Task Force. See WestportNow April 22, 2008 for background on award winners. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Julia Mally for WestportNow.com

04/26/08 04:16 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Tracing Westport’s History

Rachel Carley (r), a Westport-born author and historic preservationist. addressed more than 40 attendees today at the Westport Historical Society on the history of Westport and its buildings. The talk was held in conjunction with the Society’s current exhibit, “Westport Preserved – Westport Lost.” Carley, a resident of Litchfield, traced Westport’s evolution from a colonial settlement and seaport to an artists’ colony, country retreat and a 20th century suburb. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com