Westport Patch: Latest Announcements

Mid Fairfield CT Stars Girls Hockey Headed to Nationals

2010-03-14T23:33:36-04:00

The Mid Fairfield CT Stars Girls Hockey U12 Team won the New England Regionals today. Westporter Kate Paliotta is on the team. The girls now advance to the National Championships.

Pete Powell Dinner Postponed Until Further Notice

2010-03-14T16:23:51-04:00

The retirement dinner for Pete Powell, who served as president/CEO of Homes with Hope for 22 years has been postponed until further notice.

"We are trying to find a good date for the event and will advise all ticket holders and interested friends of Homes With Hope as soon as possible," Homes with Hope president elect Jeffrey Wieser said in an e-mail Sunday.

Westport Weston Family Y Open for Members and Guests

2010-03-14T16:06:42-04:00

The Family Y was fortunate to maintain power. Those without power are welcome to be our guests for a hot shower and a stress-relieving workout. Sun 8:30a-5:00p, Mon-Fri 5:30a-10:00p, Sat 7:30a-7:30p.

Westport Public Schools Closed Monday

2010-03-14T15:47:43-04:00

Superintendent of Westport Public Schools Dr. Elliott Landon has announced schools will be closed Monday due to Saturday's storm that has caused many downed trees, wires and dangerous driving conditions.

The school system's offices will be open.

All after-school activities will be canceled or rescheduled, Landon said.

To check the school's information line, call 203-341-1766.

Telemachus Clay Postponed to March 19

2010-03-14T15:37:23-04:00

Due to the heavy storm damage, blocked roads and power loss in Westport the Sunday shows of Telemachus Clay have been postponed (again) to Friday, March 19, at Toquet Hall.

Performances are now scheduled for 6 and 8:30 p.m. Friday.

Trees Down

2010-03-14T16:01:10-04:00

Andrew Bowles captured some photos of the downed trees and damage throughout Westport.

Feel free to add your own or send storm photos to liz@patch.com

Human Services Rep to Discuss Senior Issues

2010-03-14T15:26:15-04:00

Municipal agent Maybeth Wirz of the Department of Human Services will visit the Center for Senior Activities Wednesday, March 24, to discuss prescription drug assistance, tax relief, housing issues, home care, transportation, and any other issue participants may be dealing with.

All visits will start at 11 a.m. Individual appointments can be made in advance by calling Wirz at 203-341-1072 or emailing mwirz@westportct.gov.

Woman's League Holds Kids' Art Contests for Minute Man Race

2010-03-13T18:54:46-05:00

The Westport Young Woman's League has initiated a T-shirt design contest for the 12 and under set, with the winning design to appear on the T-shirts of all entrants in the Kids' Fun Run at the 32nd Annual Minute Man Race on Sunday, May 2. The winner will receive a $75 gift certificate to Max's Art Supply.

In addition, children up to age six can participate in a coloring competition, also sponsored by the league. Seventh-grader Emily Wolfe, a Bedford Middle School student, created a line drawing to be used in the contest. Children may color with crayons, art pencils, markers and watercolors. The coloring winner will receive a $25 gift certificate to the art supply store.

Entries in the T-shirt contest must be an original 8" x 8" line-drawn design created with a felt-tip marker. "Minute Man Race" and "May 2, 2010" must be incorporated.

All entries will be on display at the Westport Public Library. Submissions for both age categories will be judged by local artist Miggs Burroughs.

Winner of the T-shirt design contest will be awarded a $75 gift certificate to Max's Art Supply; the winner of the coloring contest will receive a $25 gift certificate.

For more contest information, or to print a copy of the drawing, visit www.wywl.com.

Time Change Tonight, Check Smoke Alarms

2010-03-13T14:51:32-05:00

Ready to spring ahead? Come 2 a.m. tomorrow, it will be 3 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time. So if you want to get to church or temple—or brunch—on time, change your clocks before bed tonight.

But clocks aren't the only things to change. In a recent press release, the National Fire Protection Association encourages everyone to check their smoke alarms and change the battery if needed. The association reports that more than 66 percent of home fire deaths that occurred between 2003-2006 were in homes without a working smoke alarm. A working smoke alarm significantly increases your chances of surviving a deadly home fire, the release said.

The remainder of the announcement continues here:

A properly installed and maintained smoke alarm is the only thing in your home that can alert you and your family to a fire 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Whether you're awake or asleep, a working smoke alarm is constantly on alert, scanning the air for fire and smoke. Smoke alarms must be maintained! A smoke alarm with a dead or missing battery is the same as having no smoke alarm at all, so test your smoke alarm monthly by pushing the "test" button, if it has one.

Smoke alarms are powered by either a battery or are hardwired into your home's electrical system. Hardwired smoke alarms are usually equipped with a backup battery. If your smoke alarm is powered by battery, the battery needs to be replaced annually unless it is a long-life battery (check the owner's manual). All batteries should be maintained and replaced in accordance with manufacturer's guidance.

Choose an annual date, such as the time change, when you will remember to maintain your smoke alarm in tip top condition. Check the manufacturer's expiration date on the label, replace the batteries if needed, and clean dust away from the slots so that smoke can enter freely. All smoke alarms, hard-wired and battery-powered, should be replaced every ten years. These simple steps will help ensure that you and your family will have the best chance of surviving if fire should strike.

The U.S. Fire Administration has a fire safety campaign called Install. Inspect. Protect., which provides information about home smoke alarms and fire sprinklers. Visit the campaign Web site at www.usfa.dhs.gov/campaigns/smokealarms/

Title Game Awaits for 7th Grade Travel Basketball Team

2010-03-12T16:27:35-05:00

The Westport Weston Family YMCA's 7^th grade boys travel basketball team is the team to watch this weekend in the Fairfield County basketball league playoff tournament.

The boys will play in the championship game on Saturday at Shelton Intermediate School at 2:15 p.m. The team has had a very strong season with nine league game wins and two tournament wins making them the team to watch!

They've won against teams from Danbury, Redding, Ridgefield, Easton, Greenwich, Fairfield, Darien, New Canaan and Trumbull.

The boys are coached by Chris Brown and Dave Hertan.