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Sunday, November 30, 2008

Iranian Film Festival to Honor Paul Newman

Iran’s 27th Fajr International Film Festival will honor Paul Newman, the secretariat of the festival announced today.

Several films in which Newman starred will be screened during the festival, which will be held from Feb. 1 to 11 at various Tehran theaters, organizers said.

Newman died in his Westport home on Sept. 26 of cancer.

11/30/08 10:41 PM Comments (3) • Permalink •

Metro-North Running Weekend Express Service

Metro-North has started its holiday Saturday specials from Westport’s Saugatuck station.

The nonstop trains to 125th Street and Grand Central Terminal leave Saugatuck at 9:20 a.m., 10:20 a.m., 11:20 a.m. and 12:20 p.m. and will run until Dec. 27.

Returning nonstop trains leave Grand Central at 3:04 p.m., 4 p.m., 5 p.m., 6 p.m., 7:04 p.m., 8 p.m., 9 p.m., 10:07 p.m., and 11:07 p.m.

The trains leaving at 4, 5 and 8 p.m. will also run on Sundays until Dec. 28. Tickets should be purchased at the station since tickets purchased on the train incur a service charge of about $5.

11/30/08 10:26 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Teddy Bears for the Needy

Two Westport students, Maya and Layla, had a “Stuff a Bear” party this weekend to benefit Westport’s Al’s Angels charity group. All of the proceeds and stuffed animals will go to the children in need helped by the Angels. The effort produced more than 200 bears. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Stephen Rubin for WestportNow.com

11/30/08 10:14 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Weather for the Dogs

Today’s rain and temperature around the freezing mark did not deter this dog owner and her pet from visiting Westport’s Compo Beach. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com

11/30/08 02:07 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Just Making the Deadline

Westporter Scott Howard hurriedly removes his sailboat just in time to meet today’s deadline for removal of all boats from the Ned Dimes Marina at Westport’s Compo Beach. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com

11/30/08 01:59 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

A Touch of Winter

Westporters awoke today to a dusting of snow as temperatures fell below the freezing mark overnight. View is of Round Pond off of Compo Road South. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com

11/30/08 12:35 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Wet Road Conditions Blamed for Weston Road Rollover

A Stratford man said wet road conditions caused him to lose control of his pickup truck on Westport’s Weston Road near Sipperley’s Hill Road and Lyons Plains Road at about 10 a.m. today. He and a female companion managed to escape without serious injury. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

11/30/08 11:16 AM Comments (2) • Permalink •

Two Escape Serious Injury in Weston Road Rollover

Wet road conditions contributed to an accident on Westport’s Weston Road north of the Merritt Parkway around 10 a.m. today. A Stratford driver and his female companion escaped serious injury when he lost control of his pickup truck, spun around and rolled over on the side of the road between Sipperley’s Hill Road and Lyons Plains Road. The driver said he applied the brakes when the car in front of him slowed down. The driver and passenger in the car promptly parked and went to the aid of the pickup’s occupants. The female passenger in the pickup truck was treated by Westport EMS personnel but declined hospital transport. The truck was towed from the scene. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

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

Longshore Scene

The channel along Westport’s Longshore Club Park made for a pretty picture on Saturday. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com

11/30/08 12:15 AM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Sunday, November 30, 2008

Noon - 4 p.m. - Westport Arts Center - “Not All Rubber Ducks Look Alike” (last day)
Noon - 4 p.m. - Westport Arts Center - “Optimism” (last day)
Noon - 4 p.m. - Westport Historical Society - “Unique Perspectives: Photography by Six Westport Artists”
Noon - 4 p.m. - Westport Historical Society - “WestportNow Photographers: The Best From the Best”
2 p.m. - Westport Town Hall - Westport Community Theatre: “The Importance of Being Earnest”

11/30/08 12:05 AM Comments Closed • Permalink •

Saturday, November 29, 2008

Post Turkey Beach Walk

What a better way to walk off all the Thanksgiving food than an outing at the beach. That’s what many Westporters did on Friday at Compo Beach. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com

11/29/08 12:15 AM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Saturday, November 29, 2008

10 a.m. - 2 p.m. - Fairfield Theatre Company (70 Sanford Street, Fairfield) - Westport/Fairfield Winter Farmers Market
11:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Unitarian Church - Chowdafest ‘08
Noon - 4 p.m. - Westport Arts Center - “Optimism”
Noon - 4 p.m. - Westport Arts Center - “Not All Rubber Ducks Look Alike”
Noon - 4 p.m. - Westport Historical Society - “Unique Perspectives: Photography by Six Westport Artists”
Noon - 4 p.m. - Westport Historical Society - “WestportNow Photographers: The Best From the Best”
2 p.m. - 4 p.m. - Westport Public Library - Wii Teen Gaming Tournament
2:30 p.m. - Earthplace - Turkey Walk and Talk
8 p.m. - Westport Town Hall - Westport Community Theatre: “The Importance of Being Earnest”

11/29/08 12:05 AM Comments Closed • Permalink •

Friday, November 28, 2008

WCT’s “The Importance of Being Earnest” Opens

Westporter Judith Kealey (3rd r.) played the role of Lady Bracknell joining nine other actors in the opening night performance tonight of Oscar Wilde’s classic play “The Importance of Being Earnest” at Town Hall in the Westport Community Theatre’s 232nd major production. The play, which premiered in1895 in London, is set in England during the late Victorian era. Its humor derives in part from characters maintaining fictitious identities to escape unwelcome social obligations.The remaining performances are on weekends through Dec. 14. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

11/28/08 11:31 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Not Everyone Was Shopping

Not everyone was shopping on this day after Thanksgiving. Some hit the links at Westport’s Longshore Club Park. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com

11/28/08 07:28 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Mixed Day of Shopping on Main Street

Everyone agreed the number of shoppers on Westport’s Main Street was down from a year ago on today’s post-Thanksgiving Day “Black Friday.” But there was disagreement by how much. Some retailers said business was better than they expected while others said it was down as sharply as they had feared. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com

11/28/08 07:14 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

“Black Friday” Shopping on Westport’s Main Street

A couple of shoppers make their way along Westport’s Main Street today. Stores promoted sales with steep discounts or two-for-one offers. Business was clearly down from a year ago but some merchants said it was not as bad as expected. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com

11/28/08 06:58 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

A Cautionary Note on Main Street

A lone saxophone player took up a position on Westport’s Main Street today as “Black Friday” shoppers headed for stores to do some post-Thanksgiving shopping. Storekeepers reported business was down compared to a year ago but some said not as much as they had expected. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com

11/28/08 06:26 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Blumenthal Warns on Gift Cards

Attorney General Richard Blumenthal today warned consumers to be especially wary of purchasing gift cards this holiday season because of the precarious financial condition of many large retailers and other businesses in bankruptcy and called for legislation to secure gift card value.

“In light of staggering consumer losses—more than $100 million this year alone—I will propose and advocate legislation requiring retailers to establish a special, separate account for money from purchases of gift cards, so the money can be held in escrow,” Blumenthal said.

“An alternative would be a state fund similar to the Home Improvement Guaranty Fund to provide for refunds in case of retail failures with money from fees paid by retailers.

“In the meantime, consumers can avoid January surprises by giving cash instead of cards, guaranteeing the full value of the gifts. Cold hard cash may be crass, but it’s forever.”

More "Blumenthal Warns on Gift Cards"

11/28/08 06:05 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Sampling the Chowder

Visitors to Chowdafest ‘08 at Westport’s Unitarian Church today sampled some soup from Conte’s Restaurant in Westport, one of a dozen vendors participating in the fundraiser for the Connecticut Food Bank. The event runs until 4 p.m. today and repeats on Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

11/28/08 02:51 PM Comments (1) • Permalink •

Chowing Down at Chowdafest ‘08

It was a chowder fan’s delight at Westport’s Unitarian Church today as Chowdafest ‘08 kicked off a two-day run to raise funds for the Connecticut Food Bank. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

11/28/08 02:47 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

WestportNow Teardown of the Day: 13 Caccamo Trail

An application for a permit is in process to demolish the house at 13 Caccamo Trail in the Gorham Avenue area. Built in 1964, the raised ranch has 1,604 square feet, is situated on a 0.61-acre lot and changed ownership this month at $825,000. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

11/28/08 09:07 AM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Saugatuck Lights

Festive holiday lights, courtesy of Al’s Angels, greet visitors crossing the William F. Cribari Bridge in Westport’s Saugatuck area. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com

11/28/08 12:15 AM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Friday, November 28, 2008

Thanksgiving recess: Westport Town Hall, Public Schools, and Westport/Weston Health District are closed
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Westport Historical Society - “Unique Perspectives: Photography by Six Westport Artists”
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Westport Historical Society - “WestportNow Photographers: The Best From the Best”
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Westport Arts Center - “Not all Rubber Ducks Look Alike”
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Westport Arts Center - “Optimism”
11 a.m. and 2 p.m. - Westport Public Library - Family Vacation Movies (Ages 3+ with adult)
11:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Unitarian Church - Chowdafest ‘08
8 p.m. - Westport Town Hall - Westport Community Theatre: “The Importance of Being Earnest”

11/28/08 12:05 AM Comments Closed • Permalink •

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Making a Pie Choice

Guests at today’s Thanksgiving Day Feast at the Saugatuck Congregational Church had a choice of pies for desert. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com

11/27/08 04:35 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Turkey Line

More than 200 guests were served today at the Saugatuck Congregational Church annual Thanksgiving Day Feast on Westport’s Post Road East. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com

11/27/08 04:29 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Bless This Turkey

The Rev. John Danner of the Saugatuck Congregational Church blessed a turkey held by Kitchen Master Ricki Letowt at the start of today’s Thanksgiving Day Feast at the church attended by more than 200 guests. CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com

11/27/08 04:10 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Greenwich Rolls Over Staples 27-0 in Season Finale

Senior Tae Dangerfield (22) goes up for a pass during today’s game. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dan Gelman for Staplesfootball.com
The Staples Wreckers put up a valiant fight but made mistakes that couldn’t overcome a fired up Greenwich team today as the Cardinals shut them out 27-0 in the final football game of the season.

A crowd of about 2,500 was on hand for the Thanksgiving Day morning FCIAC contest between the perennial rivals at Cardinal Stadium.

Greenwich, which crushed the Wreckers 37-0 last year in the FCIAC championship, ended the season 8-3 overall, 8-1 conference. Staples, which had made the state tournament seven straight seasons, ended 6-5 overall, 4-5 in the conference.

“Everything that had been hurting us all season showed up again today,” Staples head coach Marce Petroccio said. “I was happy with the effort. The kids played hard, but you just can’t make the kind of mistakes that we did against a team like Greenwich.”

11/27/08 02:21 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Turkey Run

A number of participants in today’s 31st annual Pequot Runners Thanksgiving Day 5-mile road race and 2.7 mile walk dressed in keeping with the holiday, among them Emily Jones of Fairfield. The runners’ route took them from Fairfield’s Southport section, through Westport’s Greens Farms area, and back to Southport. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

11/27/08 11:52 AM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Thousands Take Part in Turkey Trot

Roadways in Westport’s Greens Farms area were full of competitors today as more than 3,600 runners and 400 walkers took part in the 31st annual Pequot Runners Thanksgiving Day 5-mile road race and 2.7 mile walk. The event began and ended in the Southport section of Fairfield with the running route winding its way along Beachside Avenue and Greens Farms Road. Many Westporters participated. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

11/27/08 11:48 AM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Picturesque Setting for Thanksgiving Day Run

Runners in today’s Pequot Runners Thanksgiving Day 5-mile Road Race followed a route through the picturesque roads of Fairfield and Westport. Westport police and EMS volunteers were among those providing logistical support. New Zealand-born John Henwood, 36, of Manhattan led all runners with a time of 24 minutes 33 seconds. Henwood was a member of New Zealand’s track team who participated in the 10,000-meter event at the 2004 Olympics in Athens. Today was his first appearance in this event. Stamford resident Sharon Lemberger, 35, was the first woman finisher with a time of 29:12. Tom Harding, 42, with a time of 27:50, was the top Westport finisher. Click here for full results. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

11/27/08 11:45 AM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Westport Property Transfers Nov. 10 - 14, 2008

Westport property transfers as reported by the Town Clerk’s office for the period Nov. 10 - 14, 2008:

Beatrice Wagman to Pardeep Singh, 9 Cross Brook Lane, $325,000 WN property.jpg

Steven and Catherine Herman to Saugatuck Acquisition LLC, 295 Saugatuck Ave., $8,000,000

Steven and Catherine Herman to Saugatuck Acquisition LLC, 297 Saugatuck Ave., $1,825,000

Mark and Jacqueline Shulman to Timothy F. and Molly Sullivan Howe, 181 Cross Highway, $2,500,000

More "Westport Property Transfers Nov. 10 - 14, 2008"

11/27/08 11:01 AM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Preparing for Thanksgiving Day Feast

Kitchen Master Ricki Letowt and her crew of 180 dedicated volunteers were hard at work early Thanksgiving morning in preparation for the annual Saugatuck Congregational Church Thanksgiving Feast. More than 250 guests were expected to participate in the dinner which begins with a blessing at 1 p. m. and features 30 turkeys donated by Stew Leonards. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com

11/27/08 10:46 AM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Kitchen Duty

More than 180 volunteers were hard at work today helping prepare for the Thanksgiving Day Feast at Westport’s Saugatuck Congregational Church. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com

11/27/08 10:40 AM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Chowdafest ‘08 Set for Friday, Saturday

Westport’s Unitarian Church will host the first annual Chowdafest Friday and Saturday as about a dozen chefs test their soup-making skills to raise funds for the nonproft Connecticut Food Bank. WestportNow.com Image

The competition will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the church, 10 Lyons Plains Road.

Organizers hope to raise $5,000 for the Connecticut Food Bank, which has warehouses and distribution sites across the state.

Visitors to the competition, who will pay a $5 admission fee for those 12 and older, also are encouraged to bring nonperishable foods, which will be donated to the food bank.

More "Chowdafest ‘08 Set for Friday, Saturday"

11/27/08 08:19 AM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Thanksgiving Day Feast

Westport’s Saugatuck Congregational Church is holding a community Thanksgiving feast today at 1 p.m. in the church’s Hoskins Hall, 245 Post Road East.

Participation is not limited to members of the church. For information call (203) 227-1262.

11/27/08 07:17 AM Comments (0) • Permalink •