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Earl Won't Dampen Her Plans

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Katie Morrison of Westport is taking Labor Day as one last opportunity to get away before the sun sets on summer. And she isn't letting the threat of bad weather hamper her plans.

"We're going to head to [Martha's] Vineyard until Monday, hopefully," Katie said.

But a weekend trip to the Vineyard with her husband and younger son will actually be the second stop on her list. The first stop will be to Boston College, where oldest son Dan, 20, is starting his junior year Tuesday.

"We plan to get an early start Friday, stay the night in Boston, and get to the Vineyard

Earl Prompts Closing of 7 Parks

by Alissa Letkowski48 min 56 sec ago

Earl may not have packed much of wallop in Fairfield County, but some residents probably were forced to change their weekend plans. Severe weather warnings caused by Hurricane Earl have prompted the Department of Enviromental Protection to close seven state parks and beaches.

Hammonasset Beach State Park in Madison, Rocky Neck State Park in East Lyme, Hopeville Pond State Park in Jewett City, Devil's Hopyard State Park in East Haddam, Salt Rock Campground in Sprague as well as Mount Misery Campground and Green Falls

Storm Watch Canceled As Earl Weakens

by Vanessa InzitariToday

As of 11 a.m. Friday, the tropical storm watch for coastal Fairfield County had been canceled with Hurricane Earl off the coast of Maryland, moving up the East Coast. The Category 1 storm was predicted to bring rain to Connecticut by the afternoon and into the evening. Winds of 10 to 20 mph are possible. But the holiday weekend won't be ruined. Saturday, Sunday and Monday are predicted to be sunny and breezy with high temperatures in the 70s.

Gov. M. Jodi Rell held a conference call with municipal officials from across the state Tuesday, including Westport First Selectman

Michigan Alums Watch in Stamford

by Tom RennerToday

University of Connecticut football fans probably have their favorite haunts to watch Saturday's game against Michigan, but what about Big Blue fans? Not too wory, as the University of Michigan Club of Fairfield County will be gathering in Stamford for Saturday's 3:30 p.m. kickoff.

Wolverines' fans can watch with other alumni at Route 22 Restaurant and Bar, 1980 W. Main St. in Stamford. The group will have balloons for children and poster-sized schedules.

Weather Or Not, Westport Runners Ready

by Jim GerweckToday

Earlier this week, when the weathermen were warning about the potential perils of Hurricane Earl, most people were worrying about their weekend plans. Not Laddie Lawrence. He’s been through hurricane races before.

Lawrence, the long-time Staples High School track coach, has been directing the Road Runners Summer Series of road races for 46 of its 48 years, and during that time has seen just about every type of weather save snow and ice. But in almost half a century, the races have gone on every Saturday from July through Labor Day, in spite of what Mother Nature throws the

Cops School Minor on Alcohol Use

by Vanessa InzitariToday

School was not yet in session Monday when Westport resident Cody Ropiak of 436 Riverside Ave. decided to pay a late-night visit to Kings Highway elementary.

Police saw Ropiak, 18, walking away from his car after he parked in the entranceway to the school shortly before midnight. When police questioned him, they smelled alcohol on his breath. Ropiak admitted to police that he had been drinking and that there were alcoholic beverages in his car. Police seized several bottles of alcoholic drinks from his car and he was served with an infractions summons.

Also from the police

Oval Office's New Do Gets Mixed Reviews

by Fenella PearsonToday

It took the Obamas 18 months to get round to redecorating the Oval Office, apparently a requirement of the job. This week's Home section in The New York Times ran a feature on the new look, with photos comparing the Bush look with the new Obama Oval Office. Reactions from the design community were mixed to say the least, centering to a great extent on musings about who was going to eat the apples from the bowlful on the coffee table.

Since the Times editors forgot to ask me for my opinion, I

Musician Dies at 67

by Vanessa InzitariToday

Recent Westport resident Duron A. "Al" Dainwood, a guitarist and vocalist, died Thursday, Aug. 26, at the Rosenthal Hospice Residence in Stamford. He was 67.

Dainwood was born March 26, 1943, in Dallas to the late Duron A. and Bessie (Smith) Dainwood. He moved to Westport in July to be near his sister, Sandra Wagenfeld of Weston.

In 1971, Dainwood moved to Houston to continue his career as a guitarist and vocalist. There, he developed a loyal following for his interpretations of songs from the "Great American Songbook," a compilation of popular American songs from the 20th

Many Gear Up, But Earl Will Miss

by Vanessa Inzitari09/02/10

At Westport Hardware on Post Road East, owner Robert Velez said that with the possibility of storm-related weather Friday, his store has been abuzz.

"It hasn't been crazy, but it's been steady," Velez said.

In preparation for the storm, Velez said many people have

Woman’s League Seeks New Members

by Tom Renner09/02/10

The Westport Young Woman's League is accepting applications for membership through Sept. 16. For more information or to fill out an application, visit the group's website or contact Kristin LaFleur, vice president for membership, at membership@wywl.com.

The league is a nonprofit philanthropic organization of women committed to promoting a sense of community through volunteerism, social activities and fundraising for local charities. Membership is open to women who live in Westport and are ages 21 to 50. Members can participate

Rowers Have Awesome Summer

by Tom Renner09/02/10

Since becoming the Junior Program Director at Saugatuck Rowing Club four years ago, Sharon Kriz has established one of the most competitive junior programs in the country. The proof? Six rowers earned spots on national teams this summer, including five who represented the United States in the World Rowing Junior Championships last month in the Czech Republic.

"Every year, the level gets raised,'' says Kris, who rowed at Rutgers University and was a former member of the U.S. under-23 team. "The organization gets better every year."

Westport's Max Meyer-Bosse and Weston's