Morning Weather Report
Today
Rain likely, mainly before 4pm. Cloudy, with a high near 44. Breezy, with a northeast wind 16 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 43 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Tonight
Rain likely, mainly before 10pm. Cloudy, with a low around 31. Wind chill values between 25 and 30. West wind 11 to 16 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Tomorrow
Sunny, with a high near 42. Wind chill values between 25 and 35. West wind 10 to 14 mph.
Tomorrow Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 25. West wind 6 to 9 mph.
Westport Domestic Violence Task Force Collects $3,250 for Local Survivors after Gift Card Drive
Press ReleaseThe Westport Domestic Violence Task Force is pleased to announce a successful end to its holiday gift card drive. From Tuesday, December 6th through Tuesday, December 13th, we collected gift cards to benefit Domestic Violence Crisis Center (DVCC) safehouse and community clients.
At the conclusion of the drive, the Task Force collected $3,250 in gift cards to local department, specialty, and grocery stores. The gift cards allow survivors to purchase what they most need or want for their families this holiday season.
The Westport Domestic Violence Task Force was once again overwhelmed and grateful for the generosity of our Westport community. We would like to extend our sincerest thanks to all who donated, to our local press who publicized the drive, and for your continued support.
If you or someone you know is in need of assistance, help can be reached via the 24 hour hotline, 1-888-774-2900 and additional information can be found on the DVCC website, www.dvccct.org
Westport Girl's Night Out Raises Thousands To Help Keep People Warm This Winter
Julie Whamond is a long-time Westport resident who hosts an annual "Girl's Nite Out" for friends. This year, Julie contacted Elaine Allen Daignault, Town Director of Human Services to see if the Warm-Up Fund could use an extra boost post-COVID and whether the party could serve a dual purpose. As you may know, Human Services relies on community donations to provide emergency financial assistance to residents in need. This winter season will be challenging with the increasing fuel and electricity prices.
Julie and her friends raised $4,310 for Warm-Up by doing what they do best – celebrating their friendships and dancing the night away, which they did Wednesday night in style at Christ & Holy Trinity Church's Branson Hall. Said Daignault, "We are so grateful for the support and appreciate that CH&T allowed use of the space. The funds raised will change the lives of local families this winter. This event was a shining example of Westport's spirit of community. It's a magical time of year, and Westport Human Services is so grateful and appreciative of our Town and its people!" Julie was joined by First Selectwoman Jen Tooker and Second Selectwoman Andrea Moore who joined right in celebrating the evening.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Town Of Westport Press Release: Westport Warm-Up Program Seeks Donations
The Westport Warm-Up fund, a community-supported initiative managed by the Town of Westport's Department of Human Services, helps income-qualified households with home heating expenses through the cold winter months.
Human Services Director Elaine Daignault says, "The rising costs of food, housing, and fuel will make this season the most financially burdensome winter in history. Those with limited financial means will require more help to heat their homes this year." The Warm-Up Fund relies on the generosity of individuals, businesses, and community service organizations for support. 100% of all donations help income-eligible residents warm their homes during winter. "Unfortunately, we have already experienced increased financial assistance requests for home heating expenses this season. Electricity, oil, and gas costs have doubled, requiring supplemental assistance to meet household necessities." Human Services anticipates a high demand for Warm-up funds this winter due to the critical need for emergency heating assistance. Daignault continued, "The community's generosity will make a significant difference in keeping seniors and families warm in this unprecedented time of need."
Tax-deductible donations can be made to the Westport Warm-Up Fund and other Human Services Programs at www.westportct.gov/donate or by mail to Westport Warm-Up Fund, Department of Human Services, Westport Town Hall, 110 Myrtle Ave., Westport CT 06880
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Westport Collective Artists Host Annual 12 x 12 Art Show At The Playhouse
The weather, attendance, and sales, were all brisk last night at the Artists Collective of Westport’s fifth Annual 12 x 12 exhibit in the Sheffer Studio at the Westport Playhouse.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Local musician Warren Bloom entertained the crowd on guitar, while they enjoyed the art, wine and refreshments. The show will be open today, Thursday, from 2 to 3pm, and 2 to 6pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. 100 affordable works of art by 100 artists in various media, and all 12” x 12” perfect holiday gifts. Ten pieces sold quickly, but many more great ones remain.
Work by the artists may be viewed at www.artistscollectiveofwestport.org. Select ARTISTS from the menu bar.
For purchase information call or text Miggs Burroughs at 203-984-3179.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Morning Weather Report
Today
Sunny, with a high near 38. Wind chill values between 10 and 20. Northwest wind 11 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 25. Wind chill values between 20 and 25. North wind 6 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.
Tomorrow
A 40 percent chance of rain after 1pm. Cloudy, with a high near 43. Wind chill values between 20 and 30. East wind 7 to 11 mph.
Tomorrow Night
Rain. Steady temperature around 39. Breezy, with an east wind 11 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 36 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
DPW Reminds Residents of Plow Route Priorities, Safety Warnings
The Department of Public Works (DPW) reminds Westport residents to slow down and use extra caution when driving in winter conditions and particularly when they are near snowplows.
PLOW ROUTES – The streets are plowed and sanded in order of priority. Main (collector) roads are addressed first with special attention to steep hills and difficult intersections. Side streets are done next, then dead-end streets. A single pass will be made on side streets to keep them open, but primary emphasis will be placed on main roads until the storm has stopped. This may not seem fair to the residents of side streets or dead-end streets, but main roads must remain open.
FOLLOWING PLOWS - Never follow a plow too closely or attempt to pass one. Passing snowplows or driving aggressively can be dangerous for a number of reasons: Plow trucks weigh several tons and have many blind spots; snowplows cannot maneuver easily or stop quickly and by necessity drive slowly when clearing and treating roads; reduced speed allows salt to stay in travel lanes, limiting the amount that scatters off the road. This saves taxpayer money and minimizes environmental impacts.
Plowing can also create a cloud of snow around the truck that causes limited visibility and whiteout conditions for passing motorists. It also creates a ridge of snow between lanes that makes passing inadvisable. Motorists are reminded to stay several car lengths behind plow trucks.
Residents who have questions may call Public Works at (203) 341-1120. Additional information and FAQ may be found at: Public Works FAQ Snowplowing
Westport Museum Announces New Garden Space for Summer 2023
Contributed rendering. In Summer 2023, a new green space will be coming to downtown Westport. Visitors will be able to enjoy lovely grounds, meet friends and simply take a break at Westport Museum’s Revitalized grounds and gardens. Work will begin in December 2022.
The site design was inspired by an archival plan developed by Silvia Erskine Associates in the early 2000’s. Lyonsplain Architecture, Growing Solutions and Fairfield County Engineering advanced the design to further enhance and complement the property and to ensure the walkway system is accessible to all. Growing Solutions’ selection of plantings is deer resistant, incorporates plenty of CT-native and historically significant species, and is attractive throughout the seasons.
The plan includes winding paths through native flower beds and shrubbery that welcomes pollinators. Walkways will be fashioned from the original, antique bluestone pavers that were originally on the property but were removed in 2017 and replaced by engraved and plain bricks. The bricks—purchased by donors as part of a Historical Society fundraiser—will be reset as decorative edging around the new pathways and in other designated areas.
"The garden revitalization is integral to creating a welcoming, beautiful campus anchored by the historic cobblestone barn and the Bradley-Wheeler House," said Przada. "New plantings, walkways, and benches will vibrantly activate the space to create interest and engagement at the far end of the town."
The new garden design is part of a larger project by Lyonsplain Architecture, a woman-owned firm specializing in the cultural design and the restoration and revitalization of historic spaces. Lyonsplain oversaw the heritage restoration of the Museum’s 7-sided Cobblestone Barn, which is the only one of its kind in Connecticut and one of the few in New England. The project included restoration of original windows, replacement lighting, floor and roof replacement, and interior climate conditioning to protect the building from climate-change provoked extremes of heat, cold and moisture that are very different from when the structure was originally built.
"It's been an honor to direct this important mission to save a building that is unique to the town, state, and the region,” said Hanna Przada, owner, and lead architect of Lyonsplain Architecture. The firm’s work includes high-end residential as well as commercial and cultural projects. "Westport Museum has preserved a treasure for generations to come. It's a feather in the community's cap."
While the Museum is private property and not a town entity the organization looks forward to welcoming the public to enjoy the grounds during open hours. The Museum plans to use the barn and revitalized garden space for Museum programs and as an event venue as well. Rentals will be available for weddings, conferences, photo shoots and other special events.
"The Westport Museum for History & Culture engages the public with innovative and exciting approaches to history. The barn and garden revitalization further that public interaction. These projects have been made possible through the efforts of our Executive Director working with our dedicated donors,” said the Museum’s Chairperson, Darcy Hicks. “Our goal is for people of all ages to linger, talk, make art, read, have meetings, or just sit and enjoy a coffee or a lunch break.”
The restoration of the Cobblestone Barn and garden revitalization has been made possible by a generous gift from the Daniel E. Offutt III Charitable Trust. Richard Orenstein, Trustee of the Daniel E. Offutt III Charitable Trust said he was pleased to have delightful open space “smack in the middle of downtown Westport”.
“The Trust is proud to partner with Westport Museum and support its mission of creatively engaging the community in inclusive history and civic discussion,” he said.
There are additional donor opportunities for benches, plantings, and lighting and those interested should contact Jessica DeRosa at jderosa@westporthistory.rog Further plans for the garden improvement project include restoration of the antique iron fence and stone pilasters as well as removal of diseased trees and shrubbery from the grounds.
Staples High School’s December Students of the Month Announced
(L-R): Benjamin Barger, Zoe Webster, Annabelle Katz, Kensley Laguerre, Andrew Cerrito, Ethen Perry. Contributed photo
Mia Vindiola
Principal Thomas has announced Staples High School's recipient’s for December Student of the Month:
Benjamin Barger- Gr.9,
Ethen Perry - Gr.10,
Andrew Cerrito- Gr.11,
Annabelle Katz - Gr.9,
Zoe Webster – Gr.12,
Kensley Laguerre – Gr.10,
Mia Vindiola - Gr.12.
The Students of the Month award program recognizes students who help make Staples High School a welcoming place for their peers and teachers alike. They are the “glue” of the Staples community: the type of kind, cheerful, hard-working, trustworthy students that keep the high school together, making it the special place that it is.
Students of the month are nominated by their teachers, who are asked to think of those students who come to school regularly, are friendly to the staff and to fellow students, and make positive contributions in class as well as the Staples community. In short, these students are all-around good citizens of our school. Students of the Month are not necessarily star athletes, high honor students, or lead performers, and even if they are, this award recognizes the positive attitude they bring to school every day in making Staples High School a genial place in which to learn and teach.
Owenoke Park Home Wins Westport’s Green Building Award
[Bottom Row L-R] Kristen Butts, (Chair of Green Building Awards), Jennifer Tooker (First Selectwoman), Keith Melnick (Owner), Kate Melnick (Owner), Jack Franzen (Franzen Architects), [Top Row L-R] Stephen Smith (Building Official), Peter Boyd (Chair of Advisory Board, Sustainable Westport), Gately Ross (Co-Director Sustainable Westport), Johanna Martell (Co-Director Sustainable Westport), John Segerson (Segerson Builders), Pam Brennan (Segerson Builders). Photography by Jenaé Weinbrenner.Press ReleaseThe Town of Westport and Sustainable Westport announced today that 24 Owenoke Park is the 2022 recipient of The Westport Green Building Award for Achievement in Sustainable Design and Construction.
Team:
Owners: Keith & Kate Melnick
Architect: Jack Franzen
Builder: John & Steve Segerson, Pam Brennan, Segerson Builders
Interior Designer: Chrystal Toth
The Westport Green Building Award for Achievement in Sustainable Design and Construction recognizes residential and commercial projects that make, or have made, significant contributions to sustainability and Westport’s future as a Net Zero Community. This award is a collaboration between the Town of Westport and Sustainable Westport and it acknowledges noteworthy accomplishments that add benefit to the Westport community. 24 Owenoke Park is a stellar example of what is possible with sustainable design and construction in a residential project.
When moving to Westport, CT in 2016, the Melnicks’ goal was to incorporate the sustainable building features they had discovered while living abroad in Switzerland and Australia in their new home. Sustainable aspects of 24 Owenoke Park include an efficient building envelope, use of sustainable building materials, a solar photovoltaic system, and a geothermal heating and cooling system.
The building envelope includes double pane insulated glass with low emittance coating to reflect heat and keep it from penetrating the glass. This reduces heating and cooling demands on the home, as well as the size of the heating and cooling equipment.
The heating and cooling system is an all-electric geothermal heat pump, lessening the home’s reliance on fossil fuels. When heat is required, the heat pump draws heat from the ground; when cooling is required, the heat pump rejects heat back into wells drilled 535’ into the ground. Because the ground temperature is nearly constant year-round, less energy is required to extract and reject heat to the ground than to the air.
A 7.8kW solar array installation of Photovoltaic panels produces clean electricity, powering the home, and allowing it to send electricity back to the electric grid instead of pulling from it. The solar PV panels also power an EV charger for their electric car.
Ultra-High Efficiency Tankless water heaters have also been utilized. Tankless systems provide hot water only when there is a call from a sink or shower, eliminating the need to keep the water heated 24/7.
The interior of the home includes natural finishes and furnishings as well as paint that minimize Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). VOCs are chemicals typically found in building materials and interior furnishings that can cause health problems. The paint also includes cradle-to-cradle (C2C) certification that not only assures the health and safety of the end product, but also sustainable manufacturing practices.
All appliances are Energy Star rated. These appliances meet energy efficiency standards set by the US Environmental Protection Agency or US Department of Energy.
To learn more about what you can do to make your home more sustainable, refer to the Sustainable Westport Green Building Awards Program on Sustainable Westport’s website: sustainablewestport.org, and follow the link to Guidance for Applicants.
ABOUT SUSTAINABLE WESTPORT
Sustainable Westport is a non-profit organization whose mission is to inspire, support and connect Westport residents, organizations and the town in furtherance of the 2017 RTM resolution committing Westport to use best efforts to become a Net Zero community by 2050 or sooner, where the community has reduced its impacts across energy, water and waste so that they are sustainably managed, using approaches that are economically viable, of social benefit and environmentally responsible.
The Town of Westport and Sustainable Westport invites Westport residents to submit an application or a nomination for projects that meet the criteria for a Westport Green Building Award as found on the Sustainable Westport website (sustainablewestport.org). All Westport properties are eligible to receive the Award. Applicants will be considered on a rolling basis and awarded throughout the year.
Morning Weather Report: Cold
Today
Sunny, with a high near 40. Wind chill values between 10 and 20. North wind 6 to 9 mph.
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 23. Wind chill values between 15 and 20. Northwest wind 5 to 7 mph.
Tomorrow
Sunny, with a high near 39. Wind chill values between 15 and 25. Northwest wind 9 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Tomorrow Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 24. North wind 5 to 8 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.