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Snow came fashionably late this year, but it when it did it came in style, covering Westport with a powdery white mantle that attracted hundreds of ski boarders and sliders of all ages to "potato hill," and left the rest of us to marvel at winter's icy beauty (above, Forge Pond.)

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Local news and events you may be interested in. Updated Friday, February 24, 2012

Photos/EverythingWestport.com

02/24/2012 - Massachusetts Presidential Primary is March 6th. Get a firsthand look at the three ballots available to Westport voters. Preview Republican, Democratic and Green-Rainbow ballots. Please contact the Town Clerk's office at 508.636.1000 with any questions. Get out and vote!

02/23/2012 - Stymied, almost! Our latest mystery photo had everyone baffled, but at the eleventh Town Clerk Marlene Samson correctly guessed the location. "I've been so busy and our office is in such a turmoil (floor being retiled) I hadn't had a chance to check out the Mystery Photo," Samson said. "I've only been looking at it for almost 34 years!"

The official opening to traffic on Route 195, enabling easier access to Cape Cod for thousands of seashore-seeking southern New Englanders, was on June 30, 1967.

For her correct guess, Marlene wins a $25 gift certificate to Lees Market, Westport's hot social spot and a supermarket as well.

Click here to see what Marlene knew that escaped everyone else's attention.

02/23/2012 - Simple Pleasures - The 20th annual Rhode Island Spring Flower & Garden Show opens today. New England's premier flower show will highlight thirty gardens that marry the beauty of nature with popular romantic love stories that touch the heart. Stroll through their gardens, each a reminder of a favorite movie, song or novel like, “Casablanca”, “Gone with the Wind” and “Sleepless in Seattle.” Evoking the simple joys of living, the Show’s early preview of spring will captivate visitors with glorious colors and fragrances as they enjoy a romantic trip down memory lane. Runs Thursday, February 23 through Sunday, February 26 at Providence's Rhode Island Convention Center. More.

More 2012 preview photos and video available later today.

02/23/2012 - The news of Valcourt's candidacy has been greatly exaggerated. Local newspaper weeklies are reporting a contested selectmen's race. But a funny thing happened on the way to Town Hall; Brian Valcourt's nomination papers never showed up.

In a curious development in an otherwise lackluster April town election, former selectman Brian Valcourt didn't return his nomination papers, citing business reasons.

But Selectmen, at Tuesday's meeting, voted 3-2 to place two non-binding ballot questions on the upcoming Town Meeting's warrant, and are proposing two more that are sure to peak voters' interests: Westport's electorate will be asked their opinion concerning the town's participation in the Community Preservation Act, and the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. More.

02/22/2012 - It's a shoe-in for all candidates in the upcoming April elections. No contested races this April 10th as in another strange twist in the Brian Valcourt saga, the former Westport selectman didn't return his nomination papers, making the only contested race now uncontested. Valcourt's papers, taken out just 15 minutes before the deadline, were not returned by 5:00 p.m. last night.

Will Westport residents be spared the clutter of candidates' signs sprouting up all over the landscape?

Will write-ins rule the day?

02/21/2012 - A bittersweet dining experience. Customers and employees of Westport's Bittersweet Farm Restaurant briefly evacuated the building Sunday night as the result of a chimney fire.

"The fire started shortly after 6 p.m.," said Lt. Brian Beaulieu. The Westport Fire Department responded with two engines and a ladder truck. They remained at the scene for an hour, ensuring the fire was extinguished and had not spread to other parts of the building.

"The fire was contained to the chimney,” Beaulieu said. “There was no damage to the structure.”

The restaurant reopened later that the evening.

02/21/2012 - Let there be shellfishing. Only recreational shellfishing will be allowed in an area southeast of Westport Harbor known as the Let, according to Westport's Shellfish Constable Gary Sherman.

For years, Westport had allowed recreational and commercial shellfishing in the Westport River, but Sherman said the new system will allow for families to more easily fish quahog or oysters and make it more likely for the town to win grants for recreational shellfishing.

The new recreational zone extends from the Emma Tripp landing off the inland side of East Beach Road out 1,000 feet, as wide as both sides of the inlet. More.

02/21/2012 - Westport Lions Food Drive on Saturday, March 3. The Westport Lions is sponsoring a food drive from 10 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Lee's Supermarket, Main Road, Westport. They are collecting for The Food For Friends food pantry located at the Westport Council on Aging, 75 Reed Road, Westport. The pantry serves anyone in need who lives in Westport and is at least 18 years old. Food, paper goods and monetary contributions are all welcome and much appreciated.

02/17/2012 - Campsites to remain, for now. "We have no plans at this time to make any changes to the 32 oceanside campsites at the Horseneck Beach campground," DCR Commissioner Edward Lambert told a gathering of Westport Business to Business members at their monthly meeting.

Lambert, speaking to the business networking group Thursday morning at White's of Westport, gave an overview of the finalized Horseneck Beach Resource Management Plan.

The DCR Commissioner labeled the proposal to move the sites as part of a dunes protection plan, as "controversial."

"The Department of Conservation and Recreation has to weigh the protection of valuable environmental resources with the use of those resources for recreation," he said. "And sometimes our conservation mission clashes with the environmental side of our agency," Lambert said.

02/16/2012 - Breaking news! At 3:45 p.m. today, just minutes before the deadline, former Selectman Brian Valcourt took out his nomination papers for one of the two positions of Selectman, pitting himself against incumbent Craig Dutra and the Conservation Commission's Chairman, R. Michael Sullivan.

The April elections, with the possible exception of a controversial ballot question or two, had little to motivate the electorate to get out and vote.

But things just heated up with Valcourt's intention to run for selectman.

02/16/2012 - Westport election races are taking shape, but what that shape is, is phlegmatic at best as few candidates pull nomination papers.

It could be the year of the "write-in."

Today at 4 p.m. is the deadline for filing nomination papers with the Board of Registrars.

Incumbent Selectman Craig Dutra plans to run for another three year term, and Conservation Commission Chairman R. Michael Sullivan has taken out papers to run for the seat being vacated by Selectman James Coyne, who has announced he will not seek reelection.

James Bernard has announced he will not run for reelection to the School Committee.

Several positions will have no candidates.

All will run unopposed.

It's the most lackluster turnout Westport's Town Clerk has seen in years.

Robert Grillo plans to run for reelection as Assessor (three years); John Colletti for reelection to the Board of Health (three years); School Committee member Antonio Viveiros plans to run for another three-year term; Planning Board member James Whiten for reelection to another five-year term; and newcomer William Raus pulled papers for the two-year unexpired term on the Planning Board. Carl Tripp pulled papers for a three-year stint on the Landing Commission, and Jefferson Bull intends to run for the other available Landing Commission three-year seat.

Nancy Dawson and Paul Cabral pulled papers for the two, three-year spots as Trustees of Public Library.

Inset: Antone Vieira being sworn in as Selectmen by Town Clerk Marlene Samson in last year's annual election.

Town Clerk Marlene M. Samson had announced that Nomination Papers for the April 10, 2012 Annual Town Election were available on January 5, 2012, with two selectmen's seats up for grabs. The Town Clerk cautions that deadlines must be observed! Read more.

The deadline for filing nomination papers with the Board of Registrars is Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at 5 p.m.

Candidates will no longer have to pick up their certified nomination papers from the Registrar's office and hand deliver them to the Town Clerk; that step was negated by a Superior Court judgment made in April of 2011.

However, it will be the responsibility of the candidate(s) to check the validity of the signatures; failure to do so could leave them off the ballot.

Stayed tuned for all the election news as it happens, only on EverythingWestport.com.

02/15/2012 - Westport River Watershed Massachusetts Estuaries Project Report Coming to Westport.

Public meeting scheduled for March 8th at Macomber School.

The Massachusetts Estuaries Project (MEP) Report for the Westport River Watershed will be released to the public and made available on the MEP website.

Additionally, on March 8, 2012, there will be a public presentation of the results of the report given by the Dr. Brian Howes, MEP Project Director at UMass Dartmouth School for Marine Science and Technology (SMAST). This presentation will be held from 7 - 9 p.m. at the Alice Macomber Primary School, 154 Gifford Road, Westport.

All are encouraged to attend. Read more.

Betsy White, WRWA Advocacy Director, speaks out in support of nitrogen management planning for the Westport River watershed, urges cooperation and encourages working for a cleaner, healthier ecosystem. Read more.

02/13/2012 - EverythingWestport's top 10 stories for 2011. There were no royal weddings, no nuclear accidents or tsunamis, no deposed middle eastern dictators and certainly no celebrity tomfoolery in Westport this past year. But life in Westport was anything but routine.

#10 on our list is - World Trade Center steel comes to Westport. The flag-draped, 435 pound steel I-beam was silently clutched by members of the Westport Fire Department. Like pall bearers carrying the casket of a fallen comrade, firefighters took the steel remnant down from the bed of the green pickup truck, which had transported it all the way from an airport hangar in New York City, and brought into the fire station's front foyer to its final resting place.

Read about all of the top news stories for 2011.

02/13/2012 - Westport Cultural Council seeking new members. Are you a resident of Westport who is looking for a way to make a difference in the quality of life in your town? As a volunteer member of the Westport Cultural Council you will be part of a small but active group that supports artists, musicians, dancers, theater groups, historians, educators, naturalists, and others seeking funding for cultural events and programs. Read more about this volunteer opportunity and others on our Community Board.

02/13/2012 - The Westport Cultural Council reminds area artists that, starting today, they are invited to apply for project grants sponsored by the Helen Ellis Charitable Trust. More.

02/10/2012 - Select Board sound bites. Selectmen firm up warrant articles for the upcoming May annual Town Meeting.

54 articles are on the warrant, but Selectmen are still waiting for the School District to submit their article for a long-term funding arrangement to refinance the one year, short-term borrowing of $3.2 million that is currently paying the bills for the PCB remediation project at the Westport Middle School.

"If all these articles are passed," Town Administrator Jack Healey said, "it will present a $185,000 impact on the town's fiscal 2013 budget."

Click here to view most current warrant draft. PDF

At their meeting Monday night, Selectmen also worked over the budgets of the Police and the School District, seeking level funding for both departments.

Selectman Antone Vieira praised Police Chief Keith Pelletier for submitting a level funded budget. The school district's budget is another matter, as School Superintendent Dr. Carlos Colley came in $1.1 million over level funding. The 7.5% increase would prompt a structural override, a difficult request to make of taxpayers as the town will probably face a $3.2 million debt exclusion article for PCB costs. Selectmen pressured the Superintendent to explain the reasons for the increase, and requested a resubmission of his budget closer to level-funding.

In other business Verizon was granted permission to install an electric utilities pole at the new bank location across from Lees Market; unanimously appointed Jodi Sullivan of 610 Gifford Road as a republican poll worker; unanimously appointed Selectman Craig Dutra as the BOS representative to the School Committee with Chairman Richard Spirlet as alternate.

They unanimously approved the Estuary Report Peer Review Agreement after a lengthy discussion of the no-bid contract granted for the review.

Selectmen also gave unanimous approval of the application process with fees for Constable-civil process only appointments.

Selectmen accepted a letter of resignation from Westport Historical Commission member Donna M. Lubell.

02/10/2012 - WRWA Merit Scholarships for 2012. The Westport Watershed Alliance is pleased to offer two $500 scholarship opportunities for graduating seniors in the Westport River watershed: Fall River, Dartmouth, Freetown, Westport, Little Compton, and Tiverton. One award, was made possible by the generosity of the late Margot C. Boote, who was active in education and the environment. The second award, was initiated by Bill Heath in memory of his parents Ruth and Bill Heath. Click here for all the details and an application.

02/10/2012 - Country Travelers schedules Twin Rivers and Atlantic City trips. Country Travelers will offer trips to Twin Rivers on February 20, May 27, August 12, and October 14, 2012. They will also offer a trip to Atlantic City from Sunday to Tuesday, March 11 to 13, 2012. All trips require advance reservations.

Atlantic City trip's reservation deadline is February 20th. Click here for all the details.

02/09/2012 - Tinytown Gazette Unleashed's publisher, Tanna Kasperowicz, reports that Cohasset's Town Manager, Mike Coughlin, was given his marching orders in an executive session Tuesday night. He was told to resign or be fired.

Kasperowicz had written Coughlin in as the Cohasset Mariner’s Person of the Year.

Read the latest on Coughlin's troubles with the Town Of Cohasset.

"He is as honest and ethical as the day is long and of course he could never fit in with this Town. We are fortunate in having him for the 'while' that we did. If he is not the Mariner’s person, he’s ours," blogger Kasperowicz wrote Wednesday morning in tinytownunleashed.com.

Inset: former Westport Town Administrator Michael Coughlin (left) was given a good sendoff at Westport Point on July 28, 2011 by Westport's State Senator Paul Schmid and friends.

02/09/2012 - Select board member Antone Vieira (left) scuffled with CPA proponents over a proposed non-binding ballot question to repeal the town's participation in the Community Preservation Act.

The selectmen will take up the non-binding question again at their February 21st meeting where a divided select board will vote on its inclusion in the April 10th election ballot. More.

02/08/2012 - The Westport Board of Registrar of Voters announce the following registration session for residents not yet registered to vote, so that they may qualify to vote in the Presidential Primary on Tuesday, March 6.

The registration session is Wednesday, February 15th from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Town Hall, 816 Main Road. This is also the last day to change party enrollment. Please use the Town Hall's front entrance.

Residents may also register daily from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Town Hall or by mail-in.

02/08/2012 - Westport Rivers has been awarded Gold again; that's 7 Gold Medals this past few months!

The Russell's farm is the home of the fourth generation of a family of winegrowers. In 1982 they set themselves up on the sunny, southcoast of Massachusetts. They knew, based upon a study of the climate and soils, that this is a wonderful location for growing the kind of wine they love: gloriously aromatic, deliciously crisp wine.

And they were right.

"Rob (Russell) and I opened the envelope together announcing the results of the tastings," winemaker Bill Russell said. "We hadn't submitted many wines in the last few years. These results were exactly what we were hoping for.

We're especially pleased with the medals our Westport Rivers 2010 Pinot Noir and our 2001 Blancs de Noirs won at the nation's most prestigious Pinot Noir competition, the Pinot Noir Shootout." Read more.

02/08/2012 - EverythingWestport wishes to note the passing of Lincoln S. Tripp, 80, of Westport who died Friday, February 3, 2012 at Morton Hospital, Taunton. Born in New Bedford, son of the late Leslie J. and Evelyn G. (Lambert) Tripp, he was a lifelong resident of Westport.

Prior to retirement, he was a teacher in the Fairhaven School System. Mr. Tripp was the former president and honorary lifetime board member of the Westport Historical Society, and most consider him the father of that institution.

Mr. Tripp is generally credited with keeping the Westport Historical Society alive through its infancy and over the next two decades, and overseeing the renovation of the venerable Bell School House originally built in 1841.

Interment was in Beech Grove Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Westport Historical Society, P.O. Box N188, Westport, MA 02790.

02/06/2012 - The Westport Board of Registrars announces that 2012 census forms have been mailed to every household in town.

A yearly census is mandated by the state and must be returned in the envelope provided within ten days.

Any resident who does not receive a form, including those in new dwellings, are asked to notify the office at 508.635.1001.

Follow the instructions on the back of the form and be sure to include information on any new residents. If family members have moved, include their new addresses.

The form must be signed, dated and returned even if no changes have occurred in the household. If any resident’s form is not returned and updated, state law requires that the resident’s voting status be changed to inactive.

As a result of the 2010 federal census, here have been some boundary changes that will result in some people voting in different precincts. Check the bottom of the form to find out if any changes have been made for your location.

The Registrars say that it is important that all residents are reached in order to obtain an accurate count and street listing. The local census has an impact on school enrollment planning, senior citizen needs, veterans benefits. It also helped determine the amount of state aid received by the town.

There are drop-off receptacles in front of Town Hall and on the sides of mail boxes.

02/06/2012 - The sun is shining a little less bright today, and our step a little less lively as the New England Patriots lose a squeaker, again, to the New York Giants. But weather in the high 40s throughout the week should help clear the cloudy doldrums in which all Patriot's fans find themselves as they wake this morning.

One bright spot was the Senior Center's pre Super Bowl party led by indefatigable COA Director Mary Ellen Gomes and volunteers who provided a lot of excitement to the many seasoned citizens who dropped by for a bit of fun and camaraderie.

Inset: Mary Ellen "Amarillo Slim" Gomes (center) knew when to hold 'em and when to fold 'em as she led the Texas Hold 'em tournament.

02/06/2012 - SER-Jobs for Progress Inc. is now offering a free GED (high school diploma) program for young people ages 16 to 21. According to M. Paula Raposa, SER’s executive director, “The Youth Education for Employment Program at SER-Jobs for Progress, will help youths prepare for the GED examination and give them the skills they need to get ready for the workplace. We also offer internships in various local businesses and nonprofit organizations to help prepare our students for the future.”

The program includes small classes, tutoring, career counseling and PLATO, an interactive computer learning program that students can access from home.

The GED classes are self-paced and promote independent learning. Students will work in small groups and one-on-one with an instructor.

For more information, stop by the SER-Jobs office at 164 Bedford Street, Fall River, or call or click Rosa Sousa, YEEP coordinator at 508.676.1916 or email admin@ser-jobs.com. You may also stop by the Youth Connections office at 139 South Main Street, Fall River to begin the application process. Visit their website.

02/04/2012 - Westport Art Group is now offering art classes for adults and children. Click here for all the details.

02/04/2012 - Bills overdue? Hardly. But it is time to clean up the cleanup costs. It's been reported in the local papers that the PCB remediation company, Triumvirate Environmental, Inc., is threatening to sue Westport if its remaining bills aren't paid for work performed over the summer to remove PCB contamination from the Westport Middle School.

At the December 6, 2011 Special Town Meeting, voters approved an article to allow the town to short-term borrow $3.2 million plus interest to be paid back over one year to fund the cleanup costs.

For a project originally quoted to cost the town less than $1 million, and with the bills now approaching $3.2 million, Triumvirate owes the town a little more time to understand why remediation costs have ballooned to three times the original quote.

"We are performing due diligence in examining these bills," Selectman Antone Vieira said at recent Selectmen's meetings.

For a company used to working with municipalities and their funding processes, Triumvirate should know the drill by now.

But for the more litigious-minded among us, take heart; as of Friday, February 3rd the Town Treasure's office reports the short term borrowing is in place and the approved PCB bills have been paid.

Longer term borrowing proposal to come up at the annual town meeting.

Look for the town to propose a longer term funding article at the upcoming annual town meeting, such as a 20-year debt exclusion article.

If the article fails at town meeting, then the Treasurer will seek to arrange a 19-year, long-term borrowing plan to pay off the debt. Payments would be about $200,000 per year, a lot of money to be sure, but one the town can probably manage. Stay tuned.

02/03/2012 - "The Veteran's Service Officer handles 30 active cases of veterans requiring state services," Jerry LeBoeuf told the roomful of ROMEOs at their luncheon Thursday where LeBoeuf was a guest speaker.

"We have 350 veterans in Westport affiliated with the four local veterans groups," he added.

But there are about 1100 veterans in Westport, and LeBoeuf considers it his mission to reach out to all of those who, by choice, remain in the background, and make them aware of the state and federal programs that might be available to assist them, their widows and/or their families.

Quite a load for one man.

But the marine veteran of Desert Shield and Desert Storm, and recently appointed Veteran's Service Agent, is committed to the task.

Under the gaze of the 44 Commander-in-Chiefs in the Presidents' Room, LeBoeuf explained the duties of the town's Veterans Service Officer, and the responsibilities of local and state government to help those who so nobly served their country.

LeBoeuf said he would like to form an advisory counsel that would solicit input from local veterans that could help coordinate the support and services provided by the different veterans groups in town along with the Veterans Service Officer, who administers state benefits to Westport veterans.

LeBoeuf said he also refers veterans to the many services, including benefits and medical care provided by federal agencies.

Westport veterans can reach Jerry LeBoeuf by calling or clicking 508.636.1028 or emailing:

veterans@westport-ma.gov.

02/03/2012 - Archaeology Day at the Handy House. "The day went brilliantly," said Westport Historical Society Directory Jenny O'Neill. "The kids just didn't want to go home!"

Over 150 archaeology wannabes traipsed the grounds of the Handy House Saturday with visions of discovering the next Rosetta stone dancing in their heads.

Well, maybe not that ambitious, but the prospect of a "find" just inches from their trowel kept the "amateur" archaeologists looking for buried artifacts that might help interpret the ancient language of life in olden times.

"Visitors were excited," O'Neil said. "Many said they wanted to see more of this type of activity at the Handy House, and some were hopeful they could see more of the house's interior.

As the Westport Historical Society prepares to embark on the stabilization of the building, this excavation might provide significant information about the occupants and evolution of the Handy House property.

"The Handy House is listed in the National Register of Historic Places," O'Neill explained. "A archaeology survey is required by the Massachusetts Historical Commission before the ground is disturbed by a renovation process."

Read more with photos and video now.

Click here to view new video of Archaeology Day at the Handy House.

Click here to view photo album of Archaeology Day at the Handy House.

02/01/2012 - Energy Committee steams forward. No one was more surprised than Westport Town Administrator Jack Healey.

He received 79 RFP (Request For Proposal) responses seeking proposals for a Purchase Power Agreement from commercial solar and wind farm companies hawking their green energy electricity to municipalities looking to supplement tight town budgets by transforming energy savings into cold, hard cash.

Competition is a good thing, right?

Maybe not.

A reinvigorated Energy Committee, staffed for the first time with a full complement of nine members, is energetically pursuing all forms of green energy projects that might help avoid costly Proposition 2 1/2 overrides, certain to tax the patience of Westport taxpayers.

But the realities and the risks of low percentage income streams to the town, while appealing in hard times, highlight the downside of long-term, high risk contracts while keeping the town from seeking newer, more technically advanced projects in the future. More today.

01/25/2012 - Select Board sound bites. Selectmen met Monday night with representatives of Charter Communications, the town's cable provider, to discuss in a public hearing extending the current cable television license.

But how do you negotiate with a single-source vendor.

It is true that Westport residents can switch to satellite TV, Verizon's DSL not-so-high speed internet service (if available in their area), or for the truly unfortunate, dial-up internet.

Not exactly a suite of advanced multi-media services.

To be fair there were few options years ago when Westport picked struggling Charter Communications; many vendors couldn't cope with Westport's large geographical area and small number of residential households.

"We're renegotiating a contract that just ran out," Selectman Jim Coyne told the Charter reps. "We're not negotiating or trying to pick a company in competition with (Charter)," Coyne said. More on the public hearing.

In other business, Selectmen unanimously appointed Anthony Connors of Westport Point to the Energy Committee, Sandpiper Drive's James Sabre to Westport Affordable Housing Trust, renewed Al Lees' shellfish aquaculture license, granted a request by Portas da Cidade of 231 State Road to build a 646 square foot outdoor patio, and awarded Henry's Diesel Performance Plus, Inc. a Class II Motor Vehicle License.

And Selectmen voted unanimously 4-0 (Selectman Craig Dutra was absent) to establish a recreational shellfishing area for family and recreation permit holders to shellfish in the area. Commercial permit holders beware; they will incur a $200 fine if caught shellfishing in the area. Shellfish Constable Gary Sherman will designate the area from Emma Tripp Landing northward about 1000 feet between the marshes. More.

01/24/2012 - The Friends of the Westport Council on Aging would like to inform people looking for the Community Cares Coupon Books that the books are available at the WCOA office at 75 Reed Road in Westport. The cost is $10.00 per book. Included are discount coupons to area businesses, restaurants and attractions such as Buttonwood Park Zoo, the Whaling Museum and various hotels. One hundred percent of the sales goes to the Friends of the Westport Council on Aging for the benefit of the Westport Senior Center.

01/23/2012 - Genealogy at your Fingertips through the Westport Library. Interested in searching your family history?

Check out two, new Genealogy Databases available through the Westport Library. These databases search census information within the United States and abroad as well as family and local history records, says Library Director Susan Branco.

Search from home by visiting the Westport Library website through www.westport-ma.gov . Once on the

library page, click on Heritage Quest Online. Just type in your library card number. Public computers

at the Library have AncestryLibrary.com for searching family histories as well.

Please stop by any time to apply for a Library card.

01/20/2012 - R. Michael Sullivan has taken out nomination papers to seek a seat on the Westport Board of Selectmen. The Cherry and Webb Lane resident, who is the Chairman of the Conservation Commission, certainly has experience with bringing civility to a town board well known for its rancorous behavior among members. More.

01/20/2012 - This summer on July 2nd Westport will turn 225 years old, and the town wants to throw a party.

Selectman Steven Ouellette brought up the subject at the last Selectmen's meeting, and is looking for volunteers to form a committee, other than town officials where a conflict of interest could exist, that would seek donations from local businesses and residents. The committee will be looking to conscript someone with fundraising experience.

Anyone interested in helping or donating funds may contact the selectmen’s office at 508.636.1003, or contact Ouellette at 508.677.0905 or email wpt02790@yahoo.com.

According to Ouellette the annual fourth of July parade will have an anniversary theme, and he is exploring a formal gala and fireworks.

A committee that will plan the celebration is being put together, with the first meeting likely to be held in February, Ouellette said.

01/19/2012 - DA Sutter throws his hat in the ring for the 9th congressional district.

Bristol County District Attorney Sam Sutter announced Wednesday, January 11th that he will form an exploratory committee to consider a run for the 9th District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.

An official announcement on Sutter's candidacy is expected next month.

“I’m in,” Sutter said. Sutter will face William Keating in the democratic primary. Read more.

01/18/2012 - Senator Michael Rodrigues calls to freeze unemployment insurance rate.

Measure would save hundreds per employee for businesses.

Yesterday, Senator Michael Rodrigues (D-Westport), along with Senators Barry Finegold (D-Andover) and Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester) asked Senate President Therese Murray to pass legislation that would freeze the Unemployment Insurance rate at its current level, a measure that would save businesses close to $400 million statewide. More.

01/18/2012 - Today, Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport) and Representative Lori A. Ehrlich (D-Marblehead), the respective Vice-Chairs of the Joint Committee on Labor & Workforce Development, will announce the creation of a working group on independent contractor and employee classification at a meeting with invited stakeholders. The working group will bring together interested stakeholders from all sides of the issue to find a practical and reasonable solution to this vexing policy problem. More.

01/17/2012 - Selectman James Coyne will not run for reelection this April.

"When I first ran last April, I said I would try it for one year," Coyne said. Coyne ran successfully for the one year unexpired term left vacant when then Westport selectman Paul Schmid won election to the Massachusetts State Legislature to represent Westport. Schmid replaced the vacancy left open when Westport's then representative Michael Rodrigues won a term in the State Senate.

The Westport businessman brought a fresh tone to the sometimes embroiled board with a direct approach in cutting to the quick, and a man who listened more than he spoke at select board meetings.

His common sense approach in solving problems will be missed.

Inset: Led by Selectman James Coyne (left, in picture), select board Chairman Richard Spirlet read a proclamation on September 25, 2011 raising recognition of "International Ataxia Awareness Day." Coyne lost his wife, Janet, to Ataxia on September 21, 2008.

"I am now facing a new challenge that will require a full effort in order for the project to be successful," Coyne said. "It has been an honor to work with the dedicated employees in the Selectmen's office and throughout the town."

Coyne became part of a select board whose new makeup dramatically changed the political landscape in Westport's executive branch, resulting in the delay or cancellation of several controversial projects such as involvement in the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act and the construction of a commercial wind turbine behind the new fire station in Beech Grove Cemetery.

01/16/2012 - Town officials remind Westport residents that third- and fourth-quarter fiscal 2012 real estate and personal property tax bills were mailed December 30th. Read more.

01/16/2012 - Adam Machado’s love for American roots music began when he was a child, splitting his time between his father’s home in Westport and his mother’s in Little Compton.

His stepfather, Bob Sayer, introduced him to the genre, which encompasses artists like Mance Lipscomb, Country Joe and the Fish, and Fred McDowell.

Thirty years later, Mr. Machado’s love for the music and the path he took to work in the industry has gained him a Grammy nomination. He is nominated for Best Album Notes for the 136-page book he wrote to accompany “Hear Me Howling! Blues, Ballads & Beyond: The Arhoolie 50th Anniversary Box Set. More.

01/13/2012 - The Westport Fire Department received a grant to help create a base and plaque for its World Trade Center Steel display. Funds will assist in the production of a steel base fashioned in the shape of the Pentagon that would allow for the permanent display of the beam salvaged from the World Trade Center, and to purchase some plaques to memorialize the victims and events, including the late Dianne Snyder, a Westport resident.

01/12/2012 - The Westport Art Group proudly presents its Winter 2012 Classes which includes Fun Saturday Workshops for Kids 8 to 13, and Beginning Drawing and Beginning Painting Classes for Adults. Click here for all the details.

01/12/2012 - Mass Audubon Allens Pond Wildlife Sanctuary is offering an exciting vacation week opportunity (2/20 to 2/24) for children in grades K-5 that encourages and activates a child's sense of curiosity and love of nature! Each day starts with a discovery map, charting the course for both the morning and afternoon program topics. We'll start exploring each topic indoors with some learning games and activities, then venture outside for more field investigation, winter fun and ecological exploration! Read more.

01/10/2012 - Select board sound bites. Troubling financial times are ahead for Westport boards and departments, according to Town Administrator Jack Healey.

Healey broke the ice at Monday night's select board meeting on possible overrides after a preliminary review of budget submissions for the upcoming fiscal year.

"Westport may need a "structural deficit override," possibly up to $2 million to provide for the essential services as wanted and indeed deserved by town residents," Healey told selectmen Monday night.

“We will no longer be able to support important services like those provided by the Council on Aging and the library, and our infrastructure will continue to deteriorate."

Healey feels the school system may worsen under current funding.

Selectmen voted 5-0 to form an exploratory (steering) committee to examine the projected budget deficits, and consider a proposition 2 1/2 override, an action sure to meet resistance from taxpayers in light of a probably $3.2 million override to fund long-term PCB remediation costs (Westport Middle School) that will face voters at the ballot box this year.

And voter generosity at December's special town meeting put the town in a hole for another $400,000. More.

In other business, selectmen announced the resignation of Jack DeVeuve from the Energy Committee, and then appointed Paul Velho to this same committee by a vote of 5-0.

"Jack was a long-term and very respected member of this committee," select board Chairman Richard Spirlet said. "He will be missed." One other open position remains.

Inset: Gordon Price (far left) interviews with select board members before his appointment.

Gordon H. Price, highly recommended by the COA's Director Mary Ellen Gomes, was appointed by a vote of 5-0 to the board overseeing the Westport Council of Aging.

School Committee Chairwoman, Michelle Duarte, notified the select board on the resignation of school committee member Eric Larrivee effective January 1, 2012. Word is other resignations may be forthcoming.

The Ponds Committee received approval by a unanimous vote to proceed with a free evaluation by the Massachusetts Division of Wildlife and Fisheries to quantify the status of projects under consideration by the committee. "Trout Pond is not part of this project, and no dam construction is proposed," said member Claude Ledoux." More on Select Board sound bites.

01/10/2012 - Local Westporter to receive book award. John B. “Red” Cummings Jr. of Westport has been notified that his highly acclaimed book, “The Last Fling” will receive an award from the 2011 New England Book Festival at a ceremony to be held on Saturday, January. 14, 2012 at the Omni Parker House Hotel in Boston. This grand literary hotel was where Thoreau, Emerson and Longfellow met at the legendary Saturday Club. The Festival will be honoring the best books of the holiday season.

“The Last Fling” tells of life in the mid-20th century in Westport and highlights stories from Hurricane Carol in 1954. It is a fascinating tale of a life-altering event of courage, terror and survival.

This book can be purchased at local bookstores and gift shops in Greater Fall River or directly from the author at www.thelastfling.net.

01/08/2012 - ". . . then all collapsed, and the great shroud of the sea rolled on as it rolled five thousand years ago." With that line, so emotionally read by the great-great grandson of Herman Melville, ends the last chapter of Melville's Moby Dick and the 25-hour marathon in which the 135-chapter American seafaring classic was read by 160 readers.

Even though Moby Dick appears only in three of the novel's chapters, the great white leviathan takes center stage in a story beloved by many around the world.

"31 staunch devotees stayed for the entire 25 hours," said NBWM President, James Russell.

Retiring U.S. Representative Barney Frank was a guest reader, and told Moby Dick enthusiasts packing the Museum's Theater in the final hour that he will be back next year to continue the 17-year tradition. More later with photos and video.

Inset: Jonathan Boyd, the critically acclaimed American tenor starring in the San Diego Opera’s co-production of Jake Heggie’s “Moby-Dick,” sings under the pulpit in the Seamen's Bethel accompanied by Reverend Edward Dufresne who is portraying Melville's character, Father Mapple. Boyd sang the hymn from Chapter 9.

Click here to view video clip 1 of 3 - 2012 16th annual Moby Dick Marathon.

Click here to view video clip 2 of 3 - 2012 16th annual Moby Dick Marathon.

01/08/2012 - Roland Lavallee of North Smithfield won the 5th annual Little Compton Scenic Winter Road Race.

And the records fell like bowling pins.

On a Saturday morning with clear skies, dry ground, and a day heading towards 55 degrees, Roland Lavallee (pictured left) of North Smithfield, RI set an unprecedented, record-breaking pace, finishing a full 30 seconds ahead of almost 400 runners, a record in itself, in the 5th annual running of the 2012 Little Compton Scenic Winter Road Race.

"We had 240 pre-race registrations, and over 150 new registrations on race day, bringing us to almost 400 runners," race organizer Matt Allder said. "The most pre-race registrations we have ever had in the past was a little less than 150."

"It was a great day for a run," said Lavallee, who circled the 4.8-mile course in 23:16, breaking Bronson Venable's record of 25:06 set in 2008.

William Sanders of Wethersfield, KY was second at 23:46, and Alan Bernier of Providence, RI of Providence, RI finished third at 25:14, almost a full two minutes behind the winner. Both broke the 2008 record.

More with photos and video.

01/06/2012 - The "interim" is gone, but "Town Administrator" Jack Healey will stay, at least for another year.

Westport select board Chairman Richard Spirlet announced that Town Administrator John Healey has signed a contract with the town through the end of 2012.

"The term can be ended with a three-month notice by either Healey or the town," Spirlet said.

"We're very fortunate to have Jack Healey as our town administrator," Town Clerk Marlene Samson said.

That feeling has been echoed throughout most of Westport's town boards and committees.

According to the Fall River Herald, Selectmen Vice Chairman Craig Dutra said he looked forward to Healey helping the town through the fiscal 2013 budget process. “We’ve been very fortunate to get someone with Jack’s experience,” he said. “He brings an awful lot to the table.”
According to Spirlet, Healey is salaried at $880 per week, has the use of a town vehicle, but has no vacation days, sick leave, retirement plan or health benefits.

Healey will work at least 16 hours a week, but both Healey and the town agreed that the time and hours may vary.
He is restricted to working no more than 47 weeks in a calendar year to comply with pension laws.

Read more about Jack Healey.

01/05/2012 - Linden tree passes visual exam. The now famous Main Road tree, originally slated for removal by an order of the Westport Board of Selectmen, was recently saved from the ax by fierce public outcry.
The Central Village Public Improvements Committee had initially planned to put the sidewalk behind the tree, but couldn't obtain the abutters' approval to allow passage over their property. The committee had no other option but to request removal of the lone linden tree, the last of six trees bordering the old farmstead where Westport Village Estates senior housing is now sited, as the town moved forward installing new sidewalks in Central Village.

A recent visual examination by two certified arborists declared the tree to be in good physical shape, according to committee member, Elaine Ostroff. In a presentation to selectmen last week, Ostroff said the committee will work with new proposals for a sidewalk workaround to insure pedestrian safety while preserving the tree.

"Mass DOT is currently reviewing our proposal to construct the west side sidewalk beginning at Village Way and without interruption," Ostroff said. "Both the Police Department's safety officer, Lt. Bell, and Lt. Holden recommended this to our committee," she said.

"A team including a certified arborist will surgically remove, by hand, soil around the roots, and then install ventilation tubes prior to the careful placement of concrete to complete that portion of the sidewalk affected by the linden tree."

"The arborists feel the tree's root system is stable, and shouldn't shift the sidewalk over time," Ostroff added.

The sidewalks will be installed in the road's layout, with lanes designated for 4 foot shoulders (which will accommodate bicyclists), 5-1/2 feet per sidewalk, and two 11-foot travel lanes.

The arborists also recommended the pruning of basal sprouts and low lying suckers, and structural pruning of dead and broken branches, including the cabling together of two large limbs to strengthen their junction and limit movement, a method designed to reduce the risk of branch failure, Ostroff said. The placing of a concrete sidewalk over an ancient adjacent tree's roots has been done successfully in the past, most recently in Bristol, Rhode Island, Ostroff said.

"We are now waiting to hear from Mass DOT," she said.

01/04/2012 - The Westport River Watershed Alliance is losing a great, long time employee to retirement. Cindy Scheller who has been the friendly face greeting people when they walked through the door is retiring after seven years. Ms. Scheller ran the fundraising and membership department at WRWA. Read more.

01/04/2012 - Westport Town Clerk, Marlene M. Samson, announces that Nomination Papers for the April 10, 2012 Annual Town Election will be available on January 5, 2012, with two selectmen's seats up for grabs. The Town Clerk cautions that deadlines must be observed! Read more.

01/04/2012 - Westport Town Clerk, Marlene M. Samson, announces that 2012 Dog Licenses are due April 1, 2012 and are now available at the Town Clerk's Office. A Valid Rabies Certificate must be presented in order to obtain a dog license. Read more.

Click here to watch clip 1 of 2 Back Eddy Polar Bear Plunge 2012 videos.

Click here to watch clip 2 of Back Eddy Polar Bear Plunge 2012.

Click here to view video of Westport Penguin Plunge 2012.

Read more now with photos and video

Inset: Kurvin Li, Eric Dugan, Do Kim, Nick Mailloux, and Molly McGreavy take the plunge together off the Back Eddy floating dock. The UMass students, polar bear wannabes all, are enjoying their winter break.

01/02/2012 - Will winter ever show its face? Without even a "trace" of snow, Westport in December will go down as one of the least snowy in history, something that’s only happened five times before in weather service records, according to the National Weather Service in Taunton. The last time was 1973.

However it's certain we'll get walloped sooner or later.

Here are some helpful hints from Westport's Highway Surveyor when clearing your driveway this winter.

Click here for all the details.

01/02/2012 - Plunging into 2012! The Back Eddy smashed their Polar Bear turnout record, but further down the street attendance was off at the Penguin Plunge, an annual event since 1975.

While most of us were sleeping off a late night of New Year's partying, those more hardy were breaking records at the Back Eddy Polar Bear Plunge.

Hundreds took the traditional jump under sunny skies with balmy 51 degree temperatures, all for a free, deliciously-prepared Back Eddy brunch.

The gratis meal prompted over 240 plungers to take the big one into the 45 degree water of the Westport Harbor.

"It's refreshing!" exclaimed Stacy Goes of Westport after her jump.

"Holy @#&$, this is crazy!" yelled another female jumper as she flew through the air.

Inset: Rebecca Oddsund watched from a safe distance as her husband, son and family friends took a leap of faith into the Westport River. "We came from Acton, Lexington and Winchester just to take the plunge," a smiling Mrs. Oddsund said.

"We had a great day," Back Eddy general manager Sal Liotta said. "It was a little nuts. We served over 400 brunch meals. We had wanted to limit the Plunge to 150 jumpers, but we got overwhelmed." Liotta had flirted with jumping himself, but only briefly. "No time, it was too busy," he said.

Thousands throughout New England took the plunge, but no other human polar or penguin plunge is as dramatic as the Back Eddy, where for a few moments each jumper has center stage all to themselves.

Click here to watch video clip 1 of 2 Back Eddy Polar Bear Plunge 2012 videos.

Click here to watch clip 2 of 2 Back Eddy Polar Bear Plunge 2012.

Click here for more previous events and news you may have missed.

Find out about all local area upcoming events.

Click here for our weekly calendar!

See all theater and art events now!

Community Bulletin Board

2012-13-01 WESTPORT - Westport Cultural Council seeking new members. Are you a resident of Westport who is looking for a way to make a difference in the quality of life in your town? As a volunteer member of the Westport Cultural Council you will be part of a small but active group that supports artists, musicians, dancers, theater groups, historians, educators, naturalists, and others seeking funding for cultural events and programs. The council, which is sponsored by the Town of Westport and the Massachusetts Cultural Council, administers two important grant programs - the state Local Cultural Council program and the Helen E. Ellis Charitable Trust.

Volunteers must commit to a three-year term, and are required to attend approximately 12-14 meetings throughout the year and selected programs funded by the Council. Meetings generally take place on weekday evenings. We welcome people with energy, creativity, and ideas. Artistic talent or experience is not required - but ability to use email is. Please join us today!

To apply, send a letter requesting appointment to the Westport Cultural Council to the Board of Selectman, Town of Westport, 816 Main Road, Westport MA 02790. Your letter should describe your interest and qualifications.

For further information, visit www.westportculturalcouncil.org or call Terry Somerson, co-chair, at 508.801.9521.

2012-02-01 WESTPORT - The Westport Cultural Council has announced that area artists are invited to apply for project grants sponsored by the Helen Ellis Charitable Trust.

Application forms will be available beginning Monday, February 13, 2012 online at their website. The deadline for completion and submission of all applications is Friday, March 9, 2012. Please mail to: Westport Town Hall, 816 Main Road, Westport, MA 02790. Notification of grant awards will be sent out in early April. All submissions must include 8 copies. Late applications will not be considered.

They encourage all artists, including painters, dancers, musicians, sculptors, writers, storytellers, theatrical groups, environmentalists, scientists and others, including organizations and schools to plan a project and apply to the Cultural Council for consideration. Proposed projects must address one or more of the following priorities:

· Celebrate and preserve Westport’s diverse cultures and/or its history.

· Promote and support longstanding agricultural and fishing traditions in Westport.

· Enhance school activities which reach beyond the traditional scope.

· Expose local artisans, musicians and artists to the Westport community.

· Engage a significant number of Westport participants of all ages.

· Promote good design in public places.

· Encourage responsibility for our environment.

Grants will be awarded based on project costs and availability of funds. All projects must be for the benefit of the Westport community.

Helen E. Ellis (1889-1978) lived in Westport for more than a half century. She had a lifelong interest in the arts and culture which led her to cultivate community-wide interests and to encourage others to develop their creative talents. An avid carver of wood, she was elected to the National Association of Women Artists and Sculptors. The Helen Ellis Trust through annual grants provides an opportunity for individuals or organizations to pursue worthy projects that benefit the Westport community’s understanding and appreciation of the arts.
The Westport Cultural Council is a town agency appointed by the Board of Selectmen to administer funds each year for two grants: grants from the Massachusetts Cultural Council and the Helen Ellis Charitable Trust.

Find out about all local area upcoming events.

Click here for our weekly calendar!

We are proud to announce that for two consecutive years EverythingWestport has been awarded ConstantContact's All Star Award in recognition of our high standards of marketing and ongoing audience communication.

Happening Today in Westport!

Events today you don’t want to miss!

Upcoming Holidays and events:

February is National Heart Month and

Black History Month

Wednesday, February 29 - Leap Day

Friday, March 2 - Read Across America Day - Dr. Seuss' Birthday

Click here to view all scheduled Westport town board and committee meetings this week.

Click here to view all Theater and Arts events this week in and around Westport.

The Tiverton Arts Council is hosting an art exhibition by 11 practiced members of the Fall River Art Association at Tiverton Town Hall, 343 Highland Road, Tiverton. Runs through March 5, 2012 during normal business hours - 8:30 a.m. -4 p.m. Monday - Friday.

Inset: A graphite and pencil rendition entitled 'Adamsville, RF' by Ron Lister of Westport.

This first-rate exhibition is free and open to the public, and should not be missed.

Click here to take a virtual tour of the exhibit.

Need Adobe Flash to view album? Click here!

Monday, February 20 to Friday, February 24 - Mass Audubon Allens Pond Wildlife Sanctuary is offering an exciting vacation week opportunity (2/20 to 2/24) for children in grades K-5 that encourages and activates a child's sense of curiosity and love of nature! Each day starts with a discovery map, charting the course for both the morning and afternoon program topics. We'll start exploring each topic indoors with some learning games and activities, then venture outside for more field investigation, winter fun and ecological exploration!

Each day starts at 8 a.m. and ends at 4 p.m. (half-days available), with an extended-day option to 5pm. Must wear and bring suitable clothing and footwear for outdoor activity and a sack lunch. Morning and afternoon snacks are provided in the program cost.

Monday 2/20: Tracking Winter Animals & Owl Prowling; Tuesday 2/21: Compost and Underworld Critters & Rock Out!; Wednesday 2/22: Beach Explorers & Quansett Trail Quest; Thursday 2/23: Winter Ducks & High Flyin' Artwork; and Friday 2/24: Snow and Ice, How Nice! & Hot Chocolate Olympics.

Participants will be going home with daily projects and artwork to share with family and friends! Cost is $30/day ($15/half-day) for each participant with a 10% sibling discount. $5.00/day per child for extended day option.

Instructions and Directions: Drop off and pick up is at the Allens Pond Field Station, 1280 Horseneck Road in Westport, MA.

Registration is required. Register by mail: program registration form. (PDF 66K); Register by phone: with a credit card by calling 508.636.2437.
For your own security, DO NOT send credit card information via email.

For more information, call or click 508.636.2437 or email: allenspond@massaudubon.org.

Allens Pond Wildlife Sanctuary, 1280 Horseneck Road, Westport.

Monday, February 20 to Friday, February 24 - Sandywoods Farm Hosts 'Re-Cycled City' During February Break.

20February

Today, February 20, 10:00 a.m. to noon, and 2 to 4 p.m. each day.

Bulgarmarsh Recreation Area, Crandall Rd & Bulgarmarsh Road, Tiverton, The event is free and open to all.

Bring your recycled materials and your imagination!

Saturday the 25th they will have a closing Pot Luck party and celebration from 3 to 7p.m.!

During the week of February Vacation they will be creating a city from recycled materials at Sandywoods Farm. Open for children and families of all ages! What can you make from cardboard boxes, string, egg cartons, and other found objects?

Children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult.

Thursday, February 23 thru Sunday, February 26 - Simple Pleasures. The 20th annual Rhode Island Spring Flower & Garden Show, New England's premier flower show, will highlight thirty gardens that marry the beauty of nature with popular romantic love stories that touch the heart. Stroll through their gardens, each a reminder of a favorite movie, song or novel like, “Casablanca”, “Gone with the Wind” and “Sleepless in Seattle.” Evoking the simple joys of living, the Show’s early preview of spring will captivate visitors with glorious colors and fragrances as they enjoy a romantic trip down memory lane. Runs Thursday, February 23 through Sunday, February 26 at Providence's Rhode Island Convention Center. More.

Click here to view photo album from 2011 show now.

Friday, February 24 - American Red Cross Westport Community Blood Drive from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m. at White's of Westport, 66 State Road, Westport.

Call or click 1.800.REDCROSS (733.2767) or visit www.redcrossblood.org to make an appointment.

The website also provides more details on other local blood drives planned this month, including February 18th at Minuteman Harley in Dartmouth, February 22nd at saint Anne's Hospitality in Fall River, and February 22 at UMass Dartmouth Woodland Commons.

Click here to get more information on the above blood drives.

Friday, February 24 - Quilt ladies invite all to Friday meetings at Holy Trinity Church, 1956 Main Road, Tiverton from 10 a.m. to noon. A weekly hand quilting group. Pro or novice welcome. Come one time or every meeting! Bring your own project. For more information call Lynn Sluiter at (401) 635-8941, or email her at lsluiter@cox.net.

Friday, February 24 - T’AI CHI classes every Friday at the Westport Senior Center. Advanced 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.; intermediate 12:30 -1:30 p.m.; and basic 1:30 - 2:30 p.m.

T’ai Chi is the Chinese system of slow meditative physical exercise designed for relaxation and balance and health. The fee is $5.00 per session or $25.00 for 6 weeks. The instructor is Nikolas Ukleja. Please call 508.636.1026 for further information.

Friday, February 24 - Ballroom Dancing at the Point!

Westport Point United Methodist Church will host Ballroom Dancing lessons at 7:30 p.m.. There will be a 1- hour lesson followed by social time to practice what has been learned. Then you can impress your friends at your holiday party. The cost is $10 per adult and $5 for kids. You don’t need a partner! Come join the fun at 1912 Main Road, Westport Point. Please call the church office with any questions at 508.636.2036.

Friday, February 24 - The Tiverton Public Library offers a weekly computer drop-in session that offers assistance with beginner computer skills and Windows; the internet, on-line resources and social networking; Microsoft Office programs; downloading ebooks and audiobooks from the library; on-line job searching; and any other topics you may have a question about. All ages and skill levels welcome.

2 - 3 p.m. on Fridays. No cost.

Essex Public Library, reference room, 238 Highland Avenue, Tiverton.

For more information please call (401) 625-6796.

Friday, February 24 - Ocean State Bridge Club meets each Monday and Friday at 12:30 p.m. at Sakonnet Bay Manor, 1215 Main Road, Tiverton. Call or click if you need a partner: (401) 862-2131 or Director@OceanStateBridgeClub.com Cost is $6. A free lunch is served once a month by Sakonnet Bay Manor. www.oceanstatebridgeclub.com.

Friday, February 24 - Karaoke featuring country music - VFW Post 5329, 134 Shove St., Tiverton, hosts karaoke every Friday from 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. Featuring, Del Rios, playing a variety of American and Portuguese music. Donation $6. Call (401) 624-2697 for more information.

Friday, February 24 - The weekly Bingo at the Tiverton Senior Center, 207 Canonicus Street, Tiverton. 1:00 p.m..

This event is free and open to the public.

For more information please call For more information please call 401.625.6790, or visit their website.

Friday, February 24 - Karaoke Night featuring Rick and Joan - Bayview Holy Ghost Citizens Club, 66 Bottom St, Tiverton, hosts karaoke every Friday from 8:00 to 12:00 p.m..

Friday, February 24 - Bluegrass jam at the VFW on Fridays at the Dartmouth VFW, Cross Road (behind Wal-Mart) from 7 to 10:30 p.m. The open jam, with bluegrass rules, is for adults only and is held every Friday.

Find out more about the above and other local area events coming up this week.

Click here for our all of this week's event listings!

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Tips for healthy and safe living.

09/29/2011 - Do you heat your home with fuel oil? Then you'll want to review new safety standards for protecting against costly oil leaks that could be very expensive to remediate.

Click here PDF to see how to protect your oil tank's fuel line as required by law. The Massachusetts Homeowner Oil Heating System Upgrade and Insurance Law requires you to upgrade your home heating system equipment to prevent leaks from tanks and pipes that connect to your furnace. By making a relatively small expenditure now, you can prevent a much greater expense in the future.

08/28/2011 - Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) positive mosquito findings in New Bedford, Freetown and a widening swath through Southeastern Massachusetts. Click here for more information and learn how to protect yourself from EEE.

03/01/2011 - A defective or non-functioning smoke alarm almost cost a young Westport woman her life in a recent July 4th Drift Road fire. The house burnt to the ground but the woman was saved by an alert Fire Chief. Protect yourself, your family and pets with proper smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Is your property safe? Click here to get all the details and state requirements for all age homes. Do it now. PDF Large file, Please be patient.

16 tips you need to defend yourself against deer ticks and Lyme Disease for 2010. Click here to get them now!

10 tips for living with coyotes in Westport. Click here to learn how. PDF

Westport News!

Westport articles from the local newspapers.

02/21/2012 - Let there be shellfishing. Only recreational shellfishing will be allowed in an area southeast of Westport Harbor known as the Let, according to Westport's Shellfish Constable Gary Sherman..

The new recreational zone extends from the Emma Tripp landing off the inland side of East Beach Road out 1,000 feet, as wide as both sides of the inlet. More from the Fall River Herald News.

01/16/2012 - Adam Machado’s love for American roots music began when he was a child, splitting his time between his father’s home in Westport and his mother’s in Little Compton.

His stepfather, Bob Sayer, introduced him to the genre, which encompasses artists like Mance Lipscomb, Country Joe and the Fish, and Fred McDowell.

12/28/2011 - Westport's Capital Improvement Planning Committee (CIPC) re-assembled last week to begin the arduous but necessary task of preparing another six-year capital needs list for the town. The list will include projected municipal capital expenses of $25,000 or more for all departments, said Chairman Jack Baughan. More.

12/18/2011 - Massachusetts veterans now have an easier way to identify themselves as eligible for services and benefits thanks to a new feature on driver’s licenses.

In an effort spearheaded by Westport's State Senator Michael Rodrigues, effective next month, veterans can bring their DD214 forms, which identify them as having served in the military, to the Registry of Motor Vehicles to have a special note on their licenses, state officials announced Friday at the Fall River RMV.

According to Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray, there are 400,000 veterans in Massachusetts, including 37,000 who have served since 9/11. More.

12/05/2011 - State takes control over East Beach Road. About three months after tropical storm Irene ravaged the east end of Westport's East Beach Road, the town was notified that the state will pay for most of the repair costs.

"We received favorable reports in terms of reimbursements for the damages caused by the tropical storm," Selectman Antone Vieira said. "It's taken a little bit of time, but has been worthwhile."

"East Beach Road is a state Road now, " select board chairman Richard Spirlet said, "and the state is accepting responsibility for it." More.

10/17/2011 - Prima CARE medical group expanding with office in Westport. Prima CARE, a multispecialty medical group, is expanding once again with a new medical office in Westport.

The building, under construction, will be located behind Westport Family Medicine at 829 Main Road. It will be a 6,500-square-foot, single-story building.
The property, about 11 acres, is owned by Prima CARE family medicine physician Dr. Dennis Callen.
“It’s an opportunity to expand Prima CARE’s reach,” Callen said. “It’s well-positioned between Fall River and Dartmouth. It’s a nice setting ... a nice place to heal.” More.

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