Westporters Tom and Mary McCarthy added bags of books today to the collection for sale Saturday and Sunday at the Westport Public Library holiday book sale. The sale will go on during the regular library hours. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com

UPDATE Less than 24 hours after announcing platform changes affecting riders on Metro-North’s New Haven Line beginning Monday, the railroad today abruptly canceled the changes. (See WestportNow Nov. 29, 2007)

Metro-North gave no reason for the about-face, but Gov. M. Jodi Rell said in a statement a short time later that she had stepped in and ordered the reversal. She also criticized her Department of Transportation for its handling of the matter.

“The original plan was simply unacceptable to commuters and to me,” Rell said.

There was intense criticism from commuter advocates following Thursday’s announcement that all morning rush-hour trains to New York at 12 New Haven Line stations will arrive on the opposite track while overhead catenary wires are upgraded.

Pretty sunsets are not confined to Westport’s beaches. This was the view tonight in the area of 166 Kings Highway North. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Jane Sherman for WestportNow.com

Tom Appleby, news director of Cablevision News-12 Connecticut, told the Y’s Men of Westport Weston today that he is concerned about new technologies that allow for customizing news for consumers. He said computer or telephone users can program in selections—“if you’re a Red Sox fan, you don’t have to hear about the Yankees or Mets”—but that could mean they also won’t get important international or national news. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com

Replacement work on the old catenary system on Metro-North’s New Haven Line will cause platform changes at the Westport and Green’s Farms stations next week, the railroad announced today.

Beginning Monday and continuing for approximately four months, from 4 a.m. to 11 a.m., trains to Grand Central Terminal will arrive on Track 4 while trains to New Haven will arrive on Track 3.

At all other times, trains to Grand Central Terminal will arrive on Track 3 while trains to New Haven will arrive on Track 4.

“Please use caution using the bridge plates and temporary platforms while boarding trains,” Metro-North said in an advisory.