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Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Westport firefighters today credited a fire alarm system and smoke detector for alerting residents of a Bayberry Lane home of a dryer fire in their basement. The occupants of the home were able to evacuate safely and firefighters quickly extinguished the blaze at 25 Bayberry Lane shortly before 7 a.m. “The fire was confined to the dryer to the credit of a working fire alarm system and the metal dryer vent hose,” said Assistant Chief Robert Yost.  “The combination of a working smoke detector and the monitored fire alarm system also gave the homeowner and her children the time to get out of the house before the smoke made the house untenable.” Cause of the blaze is under investigation. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

By James Lomuscio

When it came to movie houses, Westport had “an embarrassment of riches” into the late 1990s, says Jonathan Steinberg.
Film buffs meet at the Westport Historical Society on Tuesday night. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com

With five theaters throughout town, the community was both a cultural and commercial draw for those who flocked to first-run films and dinner afterwards.

But with the rise of multiplexes in Fairfield and Norwalk, the last Westport picture show came to the end of its reel by 2000, leaving a hole in town, to hear Steinberg, a member of Westport’s Representative Town Meeting (RTM), tell it.

On Tuesday night, Steinberg assembled more than two dozen community members at the Westport Historical Society to launch a film society aimed at bringing movies back to town. 

More "Reels in Motion: Seeking a Return of Movies to Westport"

A Long Island Sound voyager makes his way home at dusk off Westport’s Compo Beach on Tuesday. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributd photo

10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Westport Historical Society - “Westport Modern: When Cool Was Hot!”
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Westport Arts Center - “Found: Making Art from the Material World”
10 a.m. – Town Hall Room 201 – UN Hospitality Committee
7 p.m. – Town Hall Room 309 – Board of Assessment Appeals
7 p.m. – Town Hall Room 201 – RTM Library, Museum & Arts Committee

See more events:  Celebrate Westport Calendar

Tuesday, March 09, 2010

By Jacqueline Rabe
www.ctmirror.org

A fresh idea is catching on at the State Capitol: budget transparency. A searchable database of the state’s checkbook. Available online for free.

Kind of like the one set up a month ago by a conservative think tank.

The new Web site created by the Yankee Institute for Public Policy showing all state expenditures, including payroll, has drawn thousands of viewers since it appeared Feb. 8. It also has drawn complaints from some, including legislators, of inaccuracies.

Rep. Demetrios S. Giannaros, D-Farmington, said the site overstates his wife’s salary as a part-time teacher at Tunxis Community College by $130,000. Similarly, the legislative salary of Rep. John E. Stripp, D-Weston, is over-reported by about $12,000.

More "Budget Transparency Web Site Catching On"

The float contest at Westport’s annual Memorial Day Parade this year will have the theme “A Salute to the Our Defenders of Freedom.”
The Y’s Men float won top honors for Best Overall Float in the 2009 parade. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com

The theme was announced by William Vornkahl, president of the Westport Veterans Council, and the Westport News.

Certificates will awarded in the following categories: best development of theme, best youth organizational float, most creative, best community organization, most colorful, and best overall float.

The parade will begin its traditional route on Riverside Avenue at 9 a.m. and will be followed by a memorial service on Veterans Green immediately after the parade.

The driver of a late model sedan lost control of the car today on I-95 southbound between the Saugatuck River Bridge and the Exit 17 off ramp, sending two of the four occupants to Norwalk Hospital with minor injuries. Deputy Fire Chief Jonathan Gottfried said the car hit the median divider jersey barrier, causing significant damage to the car and minor damage to a small truck traveling in an adjacent lane. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

The lifeguard station at Westport’s Compo Beach seemed like a perfect place to catch some sunshine at mid-day today. Temperatures warmed up to the upper 50s. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

With a sunny, warm temperatures evoking feelings of spring today—and thoughts of golf, tennis, baseball and summer day camps in the air —Westport’s Parks & Recreation Department announced it will begin online registration for all summer programs beginning Monday at 9 a.m.

Beginning Monday, March 22, walk-in, faxed and snail-mail registrations will commence at the Parks and Recreation Sales Office at Longshore Park during regular business hours.

“Many programs will fill quickly, and the fastest way to register will now be online,” said Stuart McCarthy, department director.

Now in its second year, online registration requires a log in ID (e-mail address) as well as a password to access an account. If additional information or family members need to be added to the account, McCarthy said, the resident must contact the department at . 

More "Online Parks and Rec Summer Registration Begins Monday"

The winning team members in the Staples Spectacular Challenge (See WestportNow Feb. 9, 2010) were awarded a $5,000 check at Monday night’s Westport Board of Education meeting. They came up with the top entry to the question “How do we make Westport a greener place to live?” Their solution included adding solar panels at Staples and Bedford Middle School, community-supported agriculture, and endorsement of a Brazilian initiative urging residents to urinate in the shower, estimating that if every Westporter did that once a day, it would save 11 million gallons of water a year. Pictured are Kat Krieger, Nick Cion, Lena Ziskin, Lexa Koenig and Annie Harnick. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

A large sign at the Westport Pubic Library reminds everyone of this weekend’s big winter book sale.  Thousands of hardcover and trade paperbacks, fiction, mysteries, science fiction and fantasy, mass market paperbacks, children’s books, as well as video cassettes and LP records, video and computer game guides will be on sale. Special at the sale will be early hard cover issues of American Heritage Magazine. Also, wildlife posters and prints by artist Betsy Fowler, wife of Jim Fowler of Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com

Nita Cohen: Successor sought. Contributed photoThe Westport Democratic Town Committee is seeking candidates for Democratic Registrar of Voters, Committee Chairman Jim Ezzes said today.

He said any Westport resident and a registered Democrat interested in running for election in the fall should contact him at Westportdemocrats.org or call (203)227-4861.

Nita Cohen, the current Democratic registrar, has decided not to seek another term.

Cohen was sworn for a four-year term in November 2006 along with Judith Raines, the Republican Registrar of Voters. Raines has not said whether she will seek another term.

Members of Westport’s Staples Players traveled to Coleytown Elementary School to perform readers theater as part of the “Read Across America” effort. Their work honored Dr. Seuss’ 106th birthday. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

8:30 a.m. – Town Hall Room 201 – Human Services Commission
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Westport Historical Society - “Westport Modern: When Cool Was Hot!”
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Westport Arts Center - “Found: Making Art from the Material World”
2 p.m. – Senior Center, 21 Imperial Avenue – Senior Center Policy & Planning Board - ADDITION
7 p.m. – Town Hall Room 201 – Historic District Commission
7 p.m. – Town Hall Room 201A – Board of Assessment Appeals
7 p.m. – Town Hall Room 309/307 – RTM Finance Committee
7 p.m. - 9 p.m. - Westport Public Library - “Is Testing Taking a Toll?” with Heather Simonson, PeaceWorks
7:30 p.m. - Westport Public Library - Authors@the Library: Leticia Moreinos Schwartz, “The Brazilian Kitchen”
7:30 p.m. – Town Hall Room 102 – Architectural Review Board

See more events:  Celebrate Westport Calendar

Monday, March 08, 2010

Proponents who sought to build supportive housing on the town-owned Linxweiler property on Westport’s Post Road East have asked to withdraw their application to the town’s Planning and Zoning Commission, First Selectman Gordon F. Joseloff said today.
The Linxweiler Homestead, bequeathed to the Town of Westport by Joanna Linxweiler upon her death in 1981. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

In a letter to Joseloff, they said the application process had been “caught up in what appears to be politically sensitive issues that are not of our making” and diverted attention from “the good work we are trying to extend on behalf of Westport’s most vulnerable citizens.”

The group had hoped to build up to 12 units of supportive housing on the property at 655 Post Road East which it has leased from the town for housing for the formerly homeless since 1984.

The letter from the group formerly known as the Interfaith Housing Association was signed by John F. Walsh, chair of the board of directors, and Jeffrey N. Wieser, president-elect of the group that provides support to the homeless.

More "Homes With Hope Asks to Withdraw Linxweiler Application"

JP Morgan Chase & Co is the world’s largest hedge-fund firm by assets, according to a new report from Pensions & Investments magazine.

JP Morgan, which owns Highbridge Capital Management LLC, managed a total of $53.5 billion at the end of 2009, according to a survey that the magazine published on its Web site. Highbridge oversaw $32.5 billion and JP Morgan’s Asset Management unit had $21 billion in hedge-fund assets.

Bridgewater Associates LP, based in Westport, ranked second with $43.6 billion in hedge funds assets. It had been ranked No. 1 a year ago after dethroning JP Morgan. (See WestportNow April 23, 2009)

The magazine said Bridgewater was among the hedge fund managers that showed healthy growth during the period, rising 21 percent.

More "Westport’s Bridgewater Slips to No. 2 in Asset Management"

This was the view of the east bank of the Saugatuck River in central Westport today from one of the rooms at the Inn at National Hall as it closed down indefinitely. Checkout time at 11:30 a.m. passed without fanfare, according to hotel’s resident manager, and his orders were to turn off the lights and lock the doors. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com

Westport’s Inn at National Hall said goodbye to its last guests today for the indefinite future. A sign in the lobby summed up the staff’s feeling about orders to close down the luxury hotel pending transfer of ownership. Marco Degl’Innocenti, the inn’s resident manager for 13 years, said the checkouts were without fanfare and the building will be closed at 4 p.m. today. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com

The sands of Westport’s Compo Beach were crowded with visitors Sunday as sunny skies and temperatures in the 50s gave a sense that warmer days are ahead. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com

9 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. - Westport/Weston Health District - Wellness Clinic, adults and children
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Westport Arts Center - “Found: Making Art from the Material World”
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Westport Historical Society - “Westport Modern: When Cool Was Hot!”
11 a.m. – Town Hall Room 201 – TEAM Westport Committee
7 p.m. – Town Hall Room 102 – Boating Advisory Committee
7 p.m. – Town Hall Room 309 – Board of Assessment Appeals
7:30 p.m. – Town Hall Room 201/201A – Parks & Recreation Commission
7:30 p.m. – Staples High School, Cafeteria B – Board of Education (televised on Ch. 78)
7:30 p.m. – 180 Bayberry Lane - Westport Weston Health District Board of Directors
7:30 p.m. - Westport Public Library - Authors@the Library: Irene Levine, “Best Friends Forever: Surviving a Breakup with Your Best Friend”

See more events:  Celebrate Westport Calendar

Sunday, March 07, 2010

A ship anchored in the waters of Long Island Sound appears as a mirage as seen tonight from Westport’s Compo Beach. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

ABC and Cablevision tonight reached “an agreement in principle” ending an impasse that returned New York’s WABC-TV to Cablevision subscribers in Westport and area 14 minutes after the Oscars telecast began.

“We’ve made significant progress, and have reached an agreement in principle that recognizes the fair value of ABC7, with deal points that we expect to finalize with Cablevision,” said Rebecca Campbell, president and general manager of WABC-TV.

“Given this movement, we’re pleased to announce that ABC7 will return to Cablevision households while we work to complete our negotiations.”

“We are happy to report that WABC Channel 7 has returned to Cablevision’s 3 million New York area homes,” said Cablevision communications executive vice president Charles Schueler. “We are very grateful to our customers for their support and pleased to welcome ABC back.”

Today’s sunny skies and temperatures in the mid-50s brought out crowds to Westport’s Compo Beach, including this visitor who preferred climbing on the cannons upside down. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com

Westport artist and illustrator Elaine Clayton took a stroll along Hillspoint Road between Old Mill Beach and Compo Beach and saw some signs of spring. See more of her work at illuminara.com. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Elaine Clayton for WestportNow.com

Concentration was the order of the day for this young artist today participating in the Westport Arts Center’s WACky Family Day. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

This youngster was one of the more than 300 children, parents, and grandparents who filled the Westport Arts Center today for its final WACky Family Day of the season. Local artists facilitated art activities in which families worked collaboratively on art that will be presented as part of an exhibit at the Arts Center through March 21. An opening reception for the exhibit, “Found, Making Art from the Material World,” will be held Sunday, March 14 from 2-4 p.m. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

Parents and children worked together today to make art for the Westport Arts Center new exhibit “Found, Making Art from the Material World,” set to open nesxt Sunday. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

Today’s WACky Family Day at the Westport Arts Center was a sell out as children made art from found material. WestportNow.com video

Workers at Stop & Shop today accepted a new three-year contract proposal, ending the threat of a strike at the supermarket chain.

The 5,000 members of Westport-based Local 371 voted in New Haven while those of Local 319 based in Farmington with 10,000 members voted in Hartford.

The two sides had been negotiating for weeks and late Saturday company officials and union negotiators announced they had reached a tentative agreement.

The company employs 36,000 workers in New England.

By James Lomuscio

Westport’s Inn at National Hall closes indefinitely on Monday and like the murals and tapestries adorning its high walls, wallpapered and framed with decorative cherry moldings, certain memories remain imprinted on the mind of Marco Degl’Innocenti, the inn’s manager for 13 years.
Marco Degl’Innocenti, resident manager of the Inn at National Hall, looks over the Turkistan Room, the $695 per night, two-level, balconied suite where President Clinton stayed. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) James Lomuscio for WestportNow.com

One easily recalled is the first of President Clinton’s several visits to Westport for Democratic National Committee fundraisers in 1998.

“We had Secret Service agents everywhere, a guy at every corner on every floor,” said Degl’Innocenti, a native of Florence, Italy. The streets were also blocked off, and frogmen patrolled the adjacent Saugatuck River.

“We’ve had Clinton stay here, Al Gore stay here, and Monica Lewinsky stay,” he added, catching himself. “But not all at the same time.”

More "Heartbreak Hotel: Inn at National Hall Set to Close Monday"

UPDATE Westport customers of Cablevision were unable to access the New York ABC television station, WABC-TV, early today after Cablevision and ABC owner Walt Disney apparently failed to resolve a financial dispute over monthly subscription fees. In addition, ABC’s New Haven affiliate, WTNH-TV, which has not been part of the ABC-Cablevision dispute, went black on Cablevision customer screens at midnight as well but returned an hour later. Unlike on the channel 7 screen which carried audio and video messages concerning the dispute, channel 8, where WTNH-TV is normally seen, was dark for the period with undecipherable sounds. WestportNow.com photo

A large crowd gathered at Westport’s Earthplace, The Nature Discovery Center, on Saturday to learn how maple trees are tapped in early spring. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Julia Mally for WestportNow.com

1 p.m. - 4 p.m. - Westport Arts Center - “Found: Making Art from the Material World”
1 p.m. and 5 p.m. - Westport Country Playhouse - V-Day Westport 2010 presents “The Vagina Monologues”
2 p.m. - Westport Public Library - Music@the Library: Bonefide Brass
1 p.m. - 4 p.m. - Westport Arts Center - WACky Family Sunday

See more events:  Celebrate Westport Calendar

Saturday, March 06, 2010

Members of the Westport Police and Fire Departments, including Fire Chief Christopher Ackley (r), were among those taking the plunge at Westport’s Compo Beach today in a fund-raiser for Special Olympics. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com

Westport police officers and firefighters get set for their Penguin Plunge today at Westport’s Compo Beach. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

PROPERTY TRANSFERS

Westport Property Transfers Feb. 15 - 19, 2010
MORE >>

ARTS & LEISURE

Reels in Motion: Seeking a Return of Movies to Westport

Reading Dr. Seuss to Coleytown El Students

BUSINESS

Westport’s Bridgewater Slips to No. 2 in Asset Management

Inn at National Hall: No More Rooms With a View

COMMUNITY

Neighbors Assail Zoning Change for Linxweiler Property

Going to Beautiful Lengths for Cancer Patients

HEALTH & FITNESS

New York Sports Club Reopens After Fire

Restrictions Eased on H1N1 Flu Vaccinations

EDUCATION

Staples Challenge Winners Honored

Fairfield County Foundation Offering Scholarships

OBITUARIES

Gordon P. Huppi, 83

Hugh B. Kennedy, 71

POLITICS

Democrats Seek Registrar Candidates

Ken Bernhard Resigns Ethics Board Post

REAL ESTATE

Heartbreak Hotel: Inn at National Hall Set to Close Monday

Honoring Our Heritage: 13 Hillandale Road

SPORTS

Put Me in Coach

Yankees World Series Trophy at State Capitol

SPECIAL REPORTS

Memorial Day 2009 photos
 
♥♥♥Valentine’s Greetings from WestportNow Readers♥♥♥
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Note: WestportNow Publisher Gordon F. Joseloff is also First Selectman of Westport