Jens Risom, 100, Pioneering Midcentury Designer

Jens Risom, of New Canaan, Conn. and Block Island, R.I. died on Friday, Dec. 9 at The Inn in New Canaan, where he had lived since early 2010. He was born on May 8, 1916 to Sven and Inger (Henriques) Risom in Copenhagen, Denmark. His father was the prominent and award-winning architect Sven Risom, a student of Nordic Classicism. Risom was one of the first designers to bring traditional Scandinavian values of form, function and craftsmanship to the United States, creating post-WWll “Danish-modern” furniture design.

Did You Hear … ?

The Planning & Zoning Commission on Tuesday decided to postpone to next month its decision regarding the closely followed application from the Philip Johnson Glass House to expand its operations. Designed to help boost revenue in order to keep up the sprawling Ponus Ridge property and its buildings, the National Trust for Historic Preservation site’s plans had drawn some concerns from neighbors. P&Z commissioner Dick Ward said during the meeting that he intended to vote against the Glass House’s application, while chairman John Goodwin said he favored it. ***

Police at about 5:30 p.m. last Monday received a Waveny jogger’s report of a sick skunk in the park, went there, found the animal and dispatched it. ***

The Rotary Club of New Canaan says it’s seeking “three warm and caring families” to volunteer for its well-established exchange student program, involving teens between ages 15 and 19.