The center of the art world in recent days has been Venice where the world’s oldest and most prestigious international art festival, the Venice Biennale, opened to the public. Helen Klisser During, director of visual arts at the Westport Arts Center and contributing WestportNow photographer, was among those getting a sneak peek ahead of the official opening. Here is a selection of her photos from Venice. Helen Klisser During for WestportNow.com
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WN Wins 10 Citations in State Journalism Contest
WestportNow has won 10 citations, including three first place prizes, in the 2012 Society of Professional Journalists Connecticut Chapter Excellence in Journalism competition. The awards were announced tonight at the group’s annual banquet in North Haven.
James Lomuscio and Helen Klisser During show off the 10 citations won by WestportNow in the 2012 Excellence in Journalism Competition of the Connecticut Society of Professional Journalists. Winners were announced tonight at the group’s annual banquet in North Haven. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo
First place winners included Helen Klisser During for her photo of a large storm cloud at Compo Beach, Douglas Healey for his photo of a Staples football player being consoled after a defeat, and a contributing photographer for a photo of Storm Sandy victims walking through floodwaters.
James Lomusico, associate editor, won two second place prizes for his story about construction of a Storm Sandy sand berm at Compo Beach, and his story on a man who committed suicide in downtown Westport. He won an honorable mention for a story on a vigil for Newtown shooting victims.
Klisser During also won a second place prize for a photo of artist Susan Malloy sitting on the Compo cannons, and an honorable mention for a photo of a young girl at the Sherwood Island 9/11 memorial. Dave Matlow, associate editor, won a second place prize for his photo of the cleaning of a statue on Veterans Green, while Lynn U. Miller won a second place prize for her photo of Newtown mourners on Jesup Green. See complete winner list here.
Our New Year’s Gift to Readers
The year 2012 in Westport—the 10th year of publication of WestportNow—topped the previous year as the busiest news year since we began publishing.
From crime to natural disasters, moments of joy and to deep sadness, WestportNow was there every day 24/7, providing news and photos—many of them exclusive.
Many of the photos came from you, our readers. And for that we are very grateful.
As is our tradition, our New Year’s gift to readers is a photo review of the past year. Entries include major events, and some not so major. But they were all part of life in Westport in 2012. To enjoy, CLICK HERE. Happy New Year!
WN on the Scene: Africa Up Close
Helen Klisser During, director of visual arts at the Westport Arts Center (and contributing WestportNow photographer) visited Rwanda and Malawi last month on a photo assignment for the United Nations. She accompanied Helen Clark, United Nations Development Programme Administrator, who is a former prime minister of New Zealand. Klisser During, a New Zealand native, compiled this photo essay of her journey for WestportNow. Helen Klisser During for WestportNow.com
Sherwood Island 9/11 Anniversary
Scenes at Sherwood Island State Park today, site of the Connecticut 9/11 memorial, on the 11th anniversary of the 2001 attacks. Lynn U. Miller for WestportNow.com
Dinner with the President
By James Lomuscio
UPDATE About 60 well heeled Democratic National Committee (DNC) supporters were waiting tonight when President Barack Obama’s motorcade arrived at 7:33 p.m. for dinner at movie mogul Harvey Weinstein’s waterfront estate on Westport’s Beachside Avenue.
President Obama addresses a Stamford fundraiser tonight. Cablevision News-12 photo
The supporters, most of them from New York City and Westchester, had been there since 6 p.m. and had their cars valet parked, according to a Westporter who attended. At the request of the Secret Service, they also had to relinquish their phones and cameras, placing them in baggies with their names on them to be returned after Obama left around 9 p.m.
In addition to Weinstein and his wife Georgina, the hosts included Westport’s Joanne Woodward, Clea Newman and her husband Kurt Sunderland, actress Anne Hathaway, “West Wing” producer Aaron Sorkin and Vogue editor Anna Wintour.
“It was terrific,” said Westporter Ann Sheffer, a longtime arts advocate and DNC donor who attended with her husband Bill Scheffler. “To be three feet from the president of the United States is thrilling.”
Obama Uses Westport as Base for CT Visit
UPDATE They appeared over the horizon shortly after 5 p.m. today against a mostly blue sky with a stiff breeze blowing – five helicopters, two with the presidential seals.
President Obama arrives at Sherwood Island State Park today. Cablevision News-12 photo
Moments later, at 5:16 p.m., President Obama was safely on the ground in the large grassy circle just inside the main entrance at Sherwood Island State Park in Westport, the first presidential visit to Westport in 13 years. Shortly after 9 p.m., it was all over.
There was no welcoming ceremony, just a quick walk to the presidential limousine, according to a witness. Then, escorted by a dozen motorcycle policemen from Westport, the State Police, and surrounding towns it was off to Stamford on I-95. (See text below of Obama remarks at Stamford Marriott).
There he appeared at a $500 a head reception before leaving at 7:13 p.m. for the return trip to Westport and a $35,800 a head dinner at the Beachside Avenue home of movie mogul Harvey Weinstein. By 9 p.m., the president was on the move back to Sherwood Island and his helicopter ride to Air Force One parked at New York’s JFK Airport.
WN on the Scene: Beijing’s Heaviest Rains in 60 Years
WestportNow Associate Editor Dave Matlow is in Beijing where the Chinese capital on Saturday experienced its heaviest rains in 60 years that left 37 persons dead and caused widespread chaos. Some parts of the area received up to 18 inches of rain, according to Chinese media. View is of the 17-Arch Bridge in the Summer Palace northwest of Beijing’s center. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
Memorial Day Parade in One Minute
Westport photographer Nicholas Pisarro, Jr. created this time lapse video of today’s Westport Memorial Day parade. Video by Nicholas Pisarro Jr.
WN Wins Eight Citations in Journalism Contest
WestportNow has won eight citations, including three first place prizes, in the 2011 Society of Professional Journalists Connecticut Chapter Excellence in Journalism competition. The awards were announced tonight at the group’s annual banquet in North Haven.
A contributing photographer won a first place prize for this picture of the capture of a murder suspect in Playhouse Square last November. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo, ©2011 WestportNow.com
First place winners included James Lomusico, associate editor, for his coverage of Tropical Storm Irene last summer, Douglas Healey, contributing photographer, for his photo of a father consoling a Staples football player (“Comforting Words from Dad”), and a contributing photographer for a photo (”Captured”) of a murder suspect captured in Playhouse Square.
Lomuscio also won a third place prize for his story “Friends: ‘Kuti’ Loved Family, America and Life,” about the reaction to the murder last December of a Westport jeweler.
Dave Matlow, associate editor, shared a third place prize with contributing photographer Helen Klisser During for their photos of the Saugatuck Congregational Church fire. Matlow also won a third place award for his picture of a woman rescued from a car involved in an accident (“Woman Unhurt in Hillspoint Road Rescue.”)
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