Morning Weather Report
Today
Sunny, with a high near 43. Northwest wind 3 to 6 mph.
Tonight
Clear, with a low around 27. Calm wind.
Tomorrow
Sunny, with a high near 48. Calm wind becoming southwest around 6 mph.
Tomorrow Night
A 20 percent chance of rain after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a temperature falling to near 39 by 8pm, then rising to around 43 during the remainder of the night. Calm wind.
Bashkin “Bash” Derti, 56, Died; LA Rams Fan, “loved a good joke.”
Bashkim "Bash" Derti, of Westport, Connecticut passed away peacefully at home while in the presence of his loving wife on December 1, 2022 after a long struggle against Glioblastoma. He was 56 years old.
Bash was born in Manhattan, New York on November 16, 1966. Bash graduated from Dartmouth College with a BA in Political Science in 1988. He later attended Duke University and received his MBA in Finance in 1997.
Bash was predeceased by his father, Nazmi Derti and his mother, Lihe Derti. Left to cherish his memory are his wife Melissa Kindle, and his two children, daughter Laura Granda and son Knox Derti. He also leaves behind his two brothers, Gzim Derti and Petrit Derti as well as many nieces, nephews and sisters-in-law who adored him.
While Bash had many interests, he most enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, playing golf, reading, and watching football. He was especially passionate about his Los Angeles Rams. He loved a good joke. Most of all, Bash will be remembered for his sense of humor, genuine interest in others and his unfailing kindness to friends and strangers alike.
Bash will be missed by his family and the many friends and acquaintances whom he has left a mark on forever!
Friends may greet his family on Saturday, December 10, 2022 from 12:30 – 2:00 p.m. at the Shaughnessey Banks Funeral Home, 50 Reef Rd., Fairfield, CT 06824. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2:00 p.m.
To sign his online guestbook, please visit www. shaughnesseybanks.com
Morning Weather Report
Today
Rain, mainly before 5pm. High near 58. Breezy, with a south wind 11 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 32 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 29. Wind chill values between 20 and 25. Northwest wind 9 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.
Tomorrow
Sunny, with a high near 44. Wind chill values between 25 and 35. West wind 6 to 9 mph.
Tomorrow Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 27. Calm wind.
Westport Property Transfers: November 11th - 18th; Highest Sale at Buena Vista Drive for $3.5 Million
Westport Town Clerk’s Office:
Total Conveyance Tax: $30,695.00
Total Sales: $12,773,000.00
Highest Transfer Price: 27 Buena Vista Drive: $3,500,000
Lowest Transfer Price: 87 Strathmore Lane: $495,000
Transfers:
27 Buena Vista Drive: $3,500,000
12 Terhune Drive: $2,500,000
26 Appletree Trail: $1,985,000
48 Colony Road: $1,200,000
126 Old Road: $1,150,000
7 Willowbrook Drive: $716,000
11 Lockwood Circle: $705,000
195 Regents Park: $522,000
87 Strathmore Lane: $495,000
Holiday Season Officially Begins With Town Hall Tree Lighting
The annual tradition of lighting the Westport Town Hall Christmas tree was held last night before a large crowd of 150 ore more Westporters and area residents.
Photos by J.C. Martin for WestportLocal.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery
First Selectwoman Jen Tooker was joined by by second selectwoman Andrea Moore, Westport Operations Director Tom Kiely and CT 136th District Representative Jonathan Steinberg for the well loved annual holiday tradition. Ms. Tooker noted the efforts of Westport DPW in getting the tree ready for the big moment, which takes the entire day to accomplish. Said Ms. Tooker, “While this is always a special occasion, full of hope and warmth, it feels even more significant this year. The last few years have brought us closer together as a community. We’ve demonstrated that we can face any challenge with kindness and support for one another – and we’re always striving to be a more welcoming community where everyone feels like they belong. That’s really what it’s all about isn’t it? Coming together as Westporters, as neighbors and as Americans to make this a happy and joyful holiday season for everyone”.
Getting this event together takes quite an effort. The nearly 50 foot tree is out of reach for the town bucket truck so the town has contracted with The Davey Tree Expert Company for the last several years which brings a pair of very tall bucket trucks enabling them to wrap the approximately 3500 LED lights around the tree, a project which takes the entire day.
As usual Westport's Ophenians provided the entertainment and began the event by performing several holiday favorites. When the big moment arrived Ms. Tooker invited children from the crowd to help with the countdown. The Westport Museum For History And Culture provided hot chocolate to warm up the audience on what was a chilly night.
The glowing lighted tree delighted the children and was a perfect backdrop for family photos.
Photos by J.C. Martin for WestportLocal.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery
Thursday Night Jazz At Joseph J. Clinton VFW Westport
Each Thursday night for the last 34 weeks there has been a cool jazz concert at the Westport VFW Post 399 at 465 Riverside Ave. Well known area musicians including Chris Coogan, Brian Torf and Westport's own Jazz Rabbi, Greg Wall of Beit Chaverim Synagogue have given their audience at the Post a great show.
A great buffet is served by Fairfield's Latina Cantina which is available for $25.00 per person. For those interested in just the music, a $15.00 cover charge is collected solely for paying the band. The Clinton VFW which is also home to the American Legion post, is volunteer-run with bartenders and staff working for tips.
Last night, the Melissa Newman Quartet performed to a packed house. Newman is a well known singer and artist who lives in Westport and her bandmates last night included Phil Bowler on bass, David Morgan on piano and Bob Leonard on drums. Another Westport musician, Michael Mossman sat in on trumpet for a few songs in their first set.
For information on upcoming shows visit: https://vfw399ct.org/event-calendar/ or email jazzatthepost@gmail.com or call 203.227.6796 to make reservations.
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 47. Calm wind becoming south 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon.
Tonight
Increasing clouds, with a low around 36. Southwest wind 3 to 6 mph.
Tomorrow
Showers, mainly after 8am. High near 58. South wind 9 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 34 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Tomorrow Night
A 50 percent chance of showers before 8pm. Mostly clear, with a low around 29. Northwest wind 7 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.
Wexler: PURA Chair “in Disbelief” as Eversource, UI Announce Dramatic Energy Rate Increases
Lisa Wexler interviewed Marissa Paslick Gillett, Chairwoman of PURA: Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Public Utilities Regulatory Authority yesterday. When asked her first reaction to the proposed Eversource and UI rate increases she replied:
“Just a lot of disbelief…I don’t think that we were expecting such a dramatic increase…I look around and I think, people can’t really take anymore, so honestly we’re all feeling a little bit helpless…I was really pleased that the Governor and the utilities were able to come together for some sort of short-term relief that was announced this past Monday, but it’s not going to be enough for a lot of the people that are struggling.”
Caroling Comes to Town for the Holidays
Press Release
The Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce is pleased to bring back and once again be sponsoring the annual Saugatuck Caroling Crawl to entertain patrons at all local member restaurants on Saturday evening December 10th, from 6:30 - 8:30pm.
Last done in 2020, and finally back after a two-year pandemic delay, six Staples Orphenians will sing a medley of songs at each eatery, a total of 14 venues, before moving on to the next. This year Sophia Betit, Madelyn Spera, James Dobin-Smith, Alyssa Lee, Deneil Betfarhad and Ethan Tober will be performing.
“I’m excited to have such a talented and committed set of carolers who will be helping to spread holiday cheer,” said Matthew Mandell, Executive Director of the WWCC. “Diners will get quite a thrill when this ensemble comes in and treats them to a few songs each. So, make your reservations now.”
The Carolers will begin their rounds at the Boathouse at 6:30pm then stop off at Parker Mansion, Kawa Ni, The Whelk, Tuttis and the Black Duck, before making their way around the train station area to sing at Tarantinos, Harvest, Romanacci, and Allium. They will then proceed north entertaining the guests at Match, Rizzuto’s, Viva Zapata and finally ending at Dunville’s.
This event is another part of the WWCC’s campaign to “Eat Local,” and enjoy the holidays while at it.
Charlie Brooks, 68, Died; Staples Grad, Air Force Veteran, Talented Jet Mechanic
Charlie of Safety Harbor Fl died suddenly from previous health conditions while on a trip, visiting relatives in Connecticut.
Charlie was born in Winchester MA on October 11, 1954, he lived in MA until 1965 when his family moved to Westport Connecticut. Charlie attended Greens Farms Elementary, Long Lots Junior High, and Staples High School.
After High school, Charlie enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1971 and worked as a jet mechanic repairing and maintaining the single seat jet fighter A-7 Corsair. During this time Charlie was stationed in Myrtle Beach South Carolina with the 354th Fighter Wing.
In 1976 Charlie began working at Sikorsky Aircraft in Stratford, CT, and did so for almost 20 years. During this time Charlie earned his A & P license which qualified him to perform almost any repair on any type of aircraft. For many years Charlie worked exclusively on the fleet of Presidential VH-3 Sea King, which is operated by the Marines Corp in transporting the President of the United States.
Charlie was preceded in death by his parents Charles and Mary as well as his younger brother Daniel, he is survived by his sisters Martha (Tom Donaher) of Fairfield CT, and Mary Hart (John Wagner) of Trumbull CT, and a younger brother Robert of Blue River Colorado and many nieces and nephews.
Published by Westport-News on Nov. 30, 2022.