Sunday, February 28, 2010
Making Sweet Music
Saxophonist Ken Gioffre was among musicians performing at today’s afternoon jazz concert at the Westport Arts Center. Gioffre has recorded for the Sony, Universal, Blue Note-Manhattan, MCA, Dennon, and Sire labels. He has also performed and recorded for the ABC, NBC, CBS, A&E, HBO, ESPN, and BET television networks. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo
Cool Sounds
An audience of more than 100 jazz enthusiasts heard two hours of jazz today at the Westport Arts Center as it concluded its series of jazz events. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com video
Jazz Treat at Arts Center
By Larry Untermeyer
Flanked by the remarkable photographs of jazz icon Milt Hinton, an audience of more than 100 jazz enthusiasts today was happily immersed in two hours of exceptional jazz music at the Westport Arts Center. 
Jazz musicians (l-r) Brian Q. Torff on bass, drummer Nate Barnes, and saxophonist Ken Gioffre perform at the Westport Arts Center. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com
Executive Director Nancy J. Heller introduced the Brian Torff Quartet with Torff, WAC’s artistic director for jazz, on the bass, Nick Bariluk on the keyboard, Nate Barnes on drums, and Ken Gooffre playing tenor saxophone.
Torff introduced the program by explaining that the music was intended to “celebrate some of the deep feelings that jazz can communicate.” He added: “popularity fades, greatness lasts. The audience goes home, but the spirit remains.”
The varied sounds of the performance captured the essence of some of the jazz greats pictured by Hinton.
More "Jazz Treat at Arts Center"
Packed House for Sunday Jazz Performance
There was a packed house today at the Westport Arts Center’s “Looking at Masters of American Jazz” concert which honored the spirit and memory of great jazz artists. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo
Honored by Westport Republicans
The Westport Republic Town Committee tonight hosted its third annual Westport First Awards dinner at the Inn at Longshore. The awards honor “the individuals and organizations that go above and beyond the ordinary to serve and improve the greater Westport Community.” Honorees posing for a group photo included (clockwise from left) Tom, Gary, and Daryl Kowalsky, Al DiGuido, Rick and Totney Benson, and Mary Vickery, president and representative of Westport Woman’s Club. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
Kicking Off Restaurant Week With the WestportNow Roll
The first Westport-Weston Restaurant Week got under way today with 19 restaurants offering special fixed price lunches and dinners. The event is sponsored by the Westport-Weston Chamber of Commerce. At Matsu Sushi, 33 Jesup Road, one of the participating restaurants, chef Sawn Wang shows off the just prepared WestportNow Roll, made up of king crab, asparagus and crunch on the inside, topped with shrimp, tuna, and avocado. The roll is not part of the fixed menus but may be purchased separately. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
Coastal Flood Advisory Issued
The National Weather Service in Upton, N.Y. has issued a Coastal Flood Advisory for Westport and area in effect from 7 p.m. today to 1 a.m. Monday…
Tides running 1 to 1.5 feet above normal will result in minor coastal flooding during the high tide cycle this evening, an advisory said.
High tide in Westport is at 10:58 p.m.
Movie Time in Westport
It was movie time at the Westport Public Library today as it hosted more than 75 persons for a showing of the 1949 film “The Fountainhead.” The event was in conjunction with the “When Cool Was Hot” Westport Historical Society exhibit featuring modernism architecture. “The Fountainhead,” starring Gary Cooper, Patricia Neal, and Raymond Massey, is based on Ayn Rand’s 1943 monumental best-selling book about an uncompromising visionary architect who struggles to maintain his integrity despite pressures to conform and compromise his artistic and personal vision. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
Welcoming Filmgoers
Westport Historical Society executive director Susan Gold welcomes a large turnout for the showing of the 1949 film “The Fountainhead” today at the Westport Public Library. The film was shown in conjunction with the Society’s “When Cool Was Hot” exhibit which runs until May 2. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
Girl Talk
Sisters Emma Loftus (l) 16, and Mollie, 18, both students at Staples High School, enjoy milder weather at a sidewalk table today in front of the Organic Market at Westport’s Playhouse Square. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
High Tide at Gray’s Creek
Water levels were unusually high at Gray’s Creek off Compo Beach Road today following recent rains and snow. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo
Environmental Series Debuts With Rachel Carson Film
Rachel Carson, whose 1962 book “Silent Spring” is considered a cornerstone of the environmental movement, will be the subject of the film “A Sense of Wonder” scheduled for Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the McManus Room of the Westport Public Library.
Free and open to the public, it is being sponsored by the library in conjunction with Westport’s Green Village Initiative (GVI), a grass roots organization stated in Fall 2008 to begin global environmental change at the local level.
It is the first of five events that GVI and the library have scheduled throughout April.
The film which debuted with a 100-city tour last March in conjunction with Women’s History Month, choreographs Carson’s last year of life as she battles cancer and the chemical industry.
More "Environmental Series Debuts With Rachel Carson Film"
Put Me in Coach
Mark Flinn, a Westport Youth Basketball Association coach, ran through strategies with his sixth grade team, Wake Forest, during the season-ending March Madness games at Bedford Middle School on Saturday. Wake Forest narrowly defeated Texas 32-30 in the first game of the series. March Madness concludes this week. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) David Dreyfuss for WestportNow.com
Birdhouses on Display
Among Project Return birdhouses that have appeared in stores in Westport is this one called “The Homestead” by Dick Reilly of Norwalk. It is in the window of Main Street’s Banana Republic shop. Reilly, a builder who specializes in preservation, received the Historic Preservation Award for the restoration of an 1850s house in Westport. He is one of a few artists who has contributed birdhouses every year since the inception of the Project Return birdhouse fundraiser. The birdhouses promote the 15th annual Project Return Art of the Birdhouse Auction on Friday, March 19 at the Rolling Hills Country Club in Wilton. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Noon - 4 p.m. - Westport Arts Center - “The Judge: Jazz Photographs by Musician Milt Hinton” (last day)
1 p.m. and 4 p.m. - Westport Country Playhouse - Charlotte’s Web
2 p.m. - Westport Public Library - When Cool Was Hot! Film Series: “The Fountainhead” (1949)
3 p.m. - Westport Arts Center - “Looking at Masters of American Jazz,” Brian Torff Quartet
5 p.m. - The Inn at Longshore - Republican Town Committee 2010 Westport First Awards and Lincoln Day Dinner
See more events: Celebrate Westport Calendar
Saturday, February 27, 2010
On Broadway
Students at Westport’s ABC (A Better Chance) House attended today’s matinee performance of Broadway’s “In the Heights,” a musical panorama of a neighborhood in Washington Heights undergoing change. After the show, the actors appeared on stage to
take questions from the youngsters. The Westport ABC House boys were joined by the ABC House girls from Darien and aftwards had a pizza party at the Westport house. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Andy Yemma for WestportNow.com
All Gone: 133 Old Road
A crew works at 133 Old Road, off Bulkley Avenue North where the house formerly situated on this property was demolished this week. Built in 1950, the one-and-one-half-story Cape had 1,837 square feet and sat on 1.08 acres. It was the WestportNow Teardown of the Day on Aug. 27, 2008. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
Mission Accomplished
After completing the cut of an 85-pound wheel of cheese, Zachary Stein is all smiles today at Westport’s Whole Foods Market as the company sought a world record for cheese cutting. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
Making the Cut: Cheese Lovers Converge at Whole Foods
By James Lomuscio
The art of cracking an 85-pound wheel of Parmigiano Reggiano, a.k.a. Italian Gold, is so demanding, the term “cut the cheese” seems a gross understatement. 
Zachary Stein, a Trumbull resident and a special department team leader at Westport’s Whole Foods market, cracks an 85-pound wheel of Parmigiano Reggiano at the store today as the company hoped to set a world record. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
Many say that making the cut requires skill reminiscent of master masons, if not sculptors. Even likening it to splitting a diamond does not seem a stretch.
And so today about 30 of the curious foodies and cheese lovers converged at Westport’s Whole Foods Market on Post Road West to watch Zachary Stein, team leader for the specialty department, break the wheel. They also got to have a taste.
All 176 Whole Foods Market stores in the United States, Canada and throughout the United Kingdom had scheduled to crack such wheels simultaneously today. The goal, company officials said, was to beat the stores’ 2008 Guinness World Record of 300 wheels opened at once.
More "Making the Cut: Cheese Lovers Converge at Whole Foods"
Powering Up on Charles Street
Traffic on Charles Street in Westport’s Saugatuck area was reduced to one lane for much of today and will again be starting about noon on Sunday during the replacement of rooftop power and transmission equipment at 21 Charles St. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
Westport Winter Wonderland
Westporters woke up to a winter wonderland today after Thursday and Friday’s snowstorm. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Jane Sherman for WestportNow.com
Jennie Lane Scene
The aftermath of the snowstorm left a winter look all around Westport, including the pond on Jennie Lane. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Jimmy Sikorski for WestportNow.com
Signs of Spring
Some signs of spring seen today on Westport’s Main Street. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Tim West for WestportNow.com
Describing the Art of Film Making
The Westport Arts Center today hosted a program abut film making for young people. Michael Mittelstaedt, director of the Motion Picture Arts Division at the acclaimed Interlochen Center for the Arts in Interlochen, Mich., explained Interlochen’s programs focusing on the motion picture arts. The Westport Youth Film Festival and Interlochen have developed a relationship based on the uniqueness of the opportunities they offer to high school filmmakers. This year’s Westport festival is scheduled for May 7 and 8. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Lefkowitz for WestportNow.com
Save the Children Sending Aide to Chile
Westport’s Save the Children said today it is readying to send its emergency assessment team to Chile, site of a massive 8.8-magnitude earthquake.
The quake struck near Chile’s second-largest city, Concepción, and has caused extensive damage. The capital Santiago, about 200 miles north of the epicentre, was also badly hit. Powerful aftershocks continue.”
“Any disaster increases the vulnerability of children,” said Charles MacCormack, Save the Children’s president and CEO. “And we know from experience that an earthquake of this enormity — with widespread destruction of homes, schools, infrastructure and piece of mind — will put thousands of children at risk.”
He added, “It is critical to reach affected children and families now in the early hours and meet their immediate survival needs. At the same time, we must also ensure that children, because they are at greater risk, are protected and nurtured as their country begins the difficult relief and recovery process.”
Everybody is a Revenue Target When State is in the Red
By Keith M. Phaneuf
www.ctmirror.orgFed up with telemarketing calls? The next one could help Connecticut pay its bills.
Looking to buy a used gun? The state might get in the business of selling weapons seized by the police.
And if you’re not paying your fair share of taxes—at least in the state’s view—lots of folks in Hartford are thinking of ways to take care of that, too.
There’s no shortage of ideas circulating at the Capitol to help erase the red ink that’s plaguing state finances, as legislators test options never considered before, or revisit ones abandoned long ago, in hopes of striking fiscal gold.
More "Everybody is a Revenue Target When State is in the Red"
Coastal Flood Advisory Issued
The National Weather Service in Upton, N.Y. has issued a coastal Flood Advisory for Westport and area which is in effect until noon today.
Tides running 1 to 1.5 feet above normal will produce minor coastal flooding during the morning high tide cycle, an advisory said.
High tide is at 9:42 a.m.
Green Talk: Realizing the Organic Lawn
By Monique Bosch
Spring is coming. That means lawn care companies across the country are gearing up to spread more than 90 millions pounds of pesticides on our lawns. 
These companies are also fighting legislation to study the effects of these pesticides on our children.
They’re worried that the results may lead to a ban of the chemicals they can now spray all over our yards at rates two to four times greater than amounts used for agriculture.
Luckily, we now have organic alternatives to the dangerous “chemical lawn” approach, which is proving hazardous to the health of our children, pets and drinking water.
More "Green Talk: Realizing the Organic Lawn"
Four Hurt in Six-Car I-95 Crash
Four persons were injured early today in a six-car crash on the Saugatuck River Bridge on I-95 in Westport. State police, three Westport police cars, and two ambulances responded in addition to Westport Fire Department units. Assistant Fire Chief Larry Conklin said all injuries appeared not to be life threatening. He said state sand trucks were called to spread sand over icy conditions and deal with fluid spills. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo
Weather Conditions Contribute to Six-Car I-95 Crash
Light snow was falling at the time of a six-car crash early today in the southbound lanes of I-95 on the Saugatuck River Bridge. In addition to Westport fire units, state police needed the help of three Westport police units and two ambulances to transport four injured to Norwalk Hospital. Assistant Fire Chief Larry Conklin reminded drivers that bridges tend to freeze over faster than roadways. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo
Rices Lane Winter Scene
A winter’s scene on Friday along Westport’s Rices Lane. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com
Saturday, February 27, 2010
11 a.m. - Westport Arts Center - “Making Extraordinary Films—in High School,” Michael Mittelstaedt
Noon - 4 p.m. - Westport Arts Center - “The Judge: Jazz Photographs by Musician Milt Hinton”
Noon - 4 p.m. - Westport Historical Society - “Westport Modern: When Cool Was Hot!”
2:30 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. - Earthplace - Critters and Crafts (ages 3-10)
2:30 p.m. - Westport Public Library - Family Program: “Pig Out at the Library,” Paul Minor & Daisy
4 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. - Staples Field House - 5th Annual Westport Softball Jamboree (Girls, grades K-3)
7 p.m. - Toquet Hall Teen Center - Videogame Tournament
See more events: Celebrate Westport Calendar
Friday, February 26, 2010
Winter Weather Advisory Update
The National Weather Service in Upton, N.Y., said a winter weather advisory is in effect for Westport and area until 6 a.m. Saturday.
A late evening advisory said light to locally moderate snow will continue overnight with additional accumulations of 1 to 2 inches with as much as 3 inches possible.
Snow will be more continuous over eastern sections of the tri-state and more periodic over western sections, the advisory said.
In addition, temperatures will fall well below freezing overnight. Any slush and water from today’s snowfall will refreeze forming black ice in places. This will make travel very hazardous in spots, especially on untreated roadways and sidewalks.
Snow Bird
This robin was seen on the driveway at Westport’s Saugatuck Congregational Church, reports Westporter Mary Ann West. “Usually I see my first one in mid-March,” she said. “Did it fly North too soon? Or did it winter over in Westport?” (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Mary Ann West for WestportNow.com
Caught in the Headlights
A visitor to Westport’s Compo Beach poses for a photo in a car’s headlights tonight. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo
Realtime NY Metro-area traffic reports from Traffic.com
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