Sirens: Car Accident Reported on Bayberry Lane at Cross Highway
First responders were dispatched to the area of Bayberry Lane and Cross Highway for the reported multi-vehicle accident just after 11:15 this morning. No information has been released. The area has since been cleared.
Morning Weather Report
Today
Increasing clouds, with a high near 48. Calm wind becoming southwest 5 to 7 mph in the morning.
Tonight
A 20 percent chance of showers after 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36. Light south wind.
Tomorrow
Rain, mainly after 10am. High near 56. South wind 3 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Tomorrow Night
Rain. Low around 47. Southeast wind 3 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.
Clear Skies over I-95
Crisp blue skies gave way to the warmth of sunset along the Saugatuck River. Photo by JD Dworkow for WestportLocal.com
UU Players Present “The Laramie Project” to Benefit LGBTQ Community Center
Contributed photoReleaseAfter three riveting performances in November, UU Players will present an encore performance of The Laramie Project on Saturday, December 10, to benefit Triangle Community Center, which serves Fairfield County’s LGBTQ community. For the company’s previous closing performance of Moises Kaufman’s play exploring the reaction to the 1998 murder of gay University of Wyoming student Matthew Shepard in Laramie, Wyoming, the actors took the stage just hours after news broke of the shooting at a gay bar in Colorado Springs. The painful reminder of just how timely this play still is combined with the powerful performances that day on The Unitarian Church stage spurred on audience members to encourage the cast to consider reprising their roles in a benefit performance.
Now community members have another opportunity to see this important play, while supporting an organization that does vital work for our LGBTQ neighbors. Triangle Community Center is Fairfield County’s leading provider of programming and resources to nurture growth and connection within the LGBTQ community. TCC is home to more than two dozen free groups that meet weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly at the center. Groups include peer support, recovery, older adult daytime programming, crafts, sober social events, and youth groups.
The Laramie Project, Saturday, December 10, at 7pm, at The Unitarian Church, 10 Lyons Plain Road, Westport, and via Livestream. $20 suggested donation or pay what you can. All proceeds will go to Triangle Community Center. Talkback with the director and cast immediately following the show. For tickets/info, visit: www.uuwestport.org/uuplayers
More about the show: Part of the power of this production is its simplicity. It involves no set, just ten actors in chairs on stage, with their costumes/props near them to aid in bringing to life the 60+ characters in the play—all of whom were real people in Laramie. Without the distraction of a complex set, attention is focused on the words—all of which were actually spoken by the townspeople of Laramie; the script is made up of direct quotes from interviews conducted by the Tectonic Theatre Project with residents of the area in the year after the crime occurred.
While a play about a brutal hate crime may seem too sad to endure, the story is also about Laramie, Wyoming. It would be easy to dismiss this Western town as one populated by redneck, Trump-y red-staters with whom we enlightened Eastern elites have nothing in common. But you will be surprised by the folks you meet there. The Laramie Project offers a glimpse into a community that was rocked by events both within and out of their own control. And, this story is not just Laramie’s story. Our nation is one which struggles to embrace compassion and tolerance, and so, in a very real way, Laramie is every town.
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.