The Connecticut Humane Society Westport Branch reopened today at 455 Post Road East following extensive renovations. The new improved facility has been expanded to house about 300 homeless animals looking for adoption. CherylAnn Ferandes, district manger, welcomes the latest canine guest. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com
Take Me Home
CherylAnn Ferandes, district manager for the Connecticut Humane Society Westport branch, gets acquainted with a guest ready for adoption. The newly renovated facility at 455 Post Road East is open 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays. Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com
Shays Announces Campaign Kick-Off Tour
Rep. Christopher Shays today announced a “2004 Campaign Kick-Off Tour” in his November battle against Westport Democratic First Selectwoman Diane G. Farrell.
The veteran Republican lawmaker’s four-day 4th District tour begins Thursday at 8:30 a..m. at Corelli’s Pastry Shop in Stamford and ends Sunday with a reception at 5:30 p.m. at his Bridgeport home.
Among the stops is a Westport reception at 5 p.m. Friday at the home of David and Daryl Cheifetz, a time when many Westporters will be gathering at Compo Beach for the town’s Independence Day fireworks.
Hartford Courant Names Westport’s Dan Ozar Volleyball Player of the Year
Today’s Hartford Courant spotlights Staples High School junior Dan Ozar, 17, as its “State Volleyball Player of the Year.”
The 6-foot-1 setter/outside hitter has been a member of three Class M championship teams, including this season’s undefeated team, since the CIAC started sanctioning boys volleyball in 2001, the newspaper said.
Ozar earned FCIAC All-Conference honors in 2003 and 2004 and was MVP of the conference tournament both years.
Westport Nursing Home Files for Bankruptcy, Layoffs Planned
A Westport nursing home and six other similar facilities around the state have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and plan to lay off employees Saturday as they reorganize.
In addition to Westport, the homes in Danbury, Darien, Milford, Newington, Stamford, and Wethersfield are owned by Hackensack N.J.-based Care Realty.
The company hopes to reorganize the homes’ finances and emerge stronger, according to company spokeswoman Ann Collette.
The Westport facility, Westport Health Care Center, is at 1 Burr Road and formerly was known as Mediplex of Westport. It has 120 beds.
Wedmesday, June 30, 2004
10:30 a.m. – Town Hall Room 102 – International Hospitality Committee
Noon – Town Hall Room 309/307 – Citizens brown bag lunch
Motorcycle Accident Ties Up Merritt Parkway Traffic in Westport
A motorcyclist suffered a collar injury today in an accident on the Merritt Parkway in Westport, backing up northbound traffic for miles. Westport fire and EMS personnel tended to the victim before he was taken to Norwalk Hospital. View is from the North Avenue overpass. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo
Conservation Department Cautions Cockenoe Island Fireworks Visitors
Westport’s Conservation Department today cautioned visitors to Cockenoe Island during Friday’s Independence Day fireworks to be alert to threatened and endangered birds nesting there.
Piping plover: Cockenoe resident. USFWS photo
“Many boaters often anchor at Cockenoe Island to gain a spectacular view of the event, but docking on the island, especially the spit to the far west, can pose a danger to the threatened and endangered birds nesting there,” said director Alicia Mozian.
“The eggs are very difficult to see and the parents are very protective.”
Mozian said the endangered birds include piping plovers and roseate terns.
She said her department requests that people pay particular attention to where they walk and to keep their dogs on leash or off the spit of the island altogether.
Clicking at Earthplace
David Mally is enjoying some of the nature photographs on display at Westport’s Earthplace The Nature Discovery Center from the Norwalk Camera Club’s annual photography contest and exhibit. The photos will remain on display until Aug. 20.Julia Mally for WestportNow.com
Wine Talk: Zin for the Fourth
This weekend, many of us will be firing up the grill or the barbecue for traditional Independence Day fare like burgers or ribs. But what should you drink with the festive, bold, and sometimes spicy food? WestportNow Community Correspondent Chris Grimm will be drinking the All-AmericanӔ wine Zinfandel. Details in his latest Wine Talk column on the ARTS & LEISURE page.