Westport’s Compo Beach was crowded with visitors today enjoying their Sunday of the Labor Day holiday weekend. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com

A new feature was added to today’s Westport Sunday Farmers’ Market. Westport holistic private chef Tor Sporre’ was on hand to answer questions about food, and to offer advice and ideas using his California/ Mediterranean holistic cuisine and recipes while using ingredients available at the market. He displayed some samples of whole grains such as barley, millet and quinoa, and suggested ways that these grains could be incorporated into healthy recipes. Sporre’ will also be at next Sunday’s market from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Lynn U. Miller for WestportNow.com

As the summer winds down and lifeguards go off to college, there is a shortage of them at Westport beaches. At Compo Beach, red and white flags have been draped over the lifeguard stands at either end of the beach warning beachgoers that no lfeguard is on duty and to swim in closer to the middle of the beach where the stands are occupied. The lifeguards will remain on duty through Monday, the Labor Day holiday. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com

Westport’s animal control officer, Peter D’Amico (r), makes his way along Westport’s Compo Cove today to tell a man walking his dogs at low tide that animals are banned from the area until Oct. 1. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com

A rower pauses for a drink today near the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge over the Saugatuck River in Westport’s center. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com

UPDATE Westport First Selectman Gordon F. Joseloff today expressed condolences to the family of the 3-year-old girl who died in a sailing tragedy Tuesday and said he had ordered a review of safety procedures at the Longshore Sailing School which operates under a town lease.
Alexandra Vitale, 3, is pictured with her father, Michael, and mother, Andrea, in a photo on a prayer card distributed at the girl’s memorial service today in Brooklyn. Contributed photo

“I know I speak for all Westporters in offering our deepest condolences to the family of Alexandra Vitale,” said Joseloff, who was out of town when the incident occurred.  “Our thoughts and prayers are with them.”

The girl was sailing in waters off of Cockenoe Island with two cousins, William Howell, 3, and Andrew Howell, 6, and an 18-year-old female sailing instructor, who was not identified, when a gust of wind blew over their Hobie Cat catamaran, police said. The others were rescued safely. (See WestportNow Aug. 27, 2008)

The first selectman and Selectman Shelly Kassen today met with Police Chief Alfred R. Fiore, Parks and Recreation Director Stuart McCarthy, Town Attorney Ira Bloom, and Assistant Town Attorney Gail Kelly to hear a report on the drowning.

Westport police tonight announced the arrest of a Westport man on possession of child pornography charges.

A brief announcement said Nicholas Battaglino, 29, was arrested by members of the Detective Bureau and Patrol Division on a warrant for one count of possession of child pornography first degree.

“The arrest stems from an investigation completed by the Detective Bureau,” the announcement said without providing additional details.

It said he was being held on $500,000.00 cash bond pending a court arraignment.