State Announces Dip in Electric Bill Beginning Tomorrow
Press Release Beginning tomorrow, September 1, more than 1.5 million Connecticut households will see their electric bills drop by $93-$120 a year.
"When utility bills arrive each month, I hear from dozens of constituents who want to know what Connecticut is doing about the high cost of energy. The lower rates that become effective September 1 are a step in the right direction," said Sen. Haskell. "Connecticut must continue working to build a grid that is affordable, reliable and green. I'm grateful to our Public Utilities Regulatory Authority for granting this relief for families in my community and across the state."
Two weeks ago, the state Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) lowered allowable electric rates for Eversource and United Illuminating that are expected to save the average residential Eversource electric customer (who uses 700Kw of energy per month) $9.78 per month, and save the average United Illuminating customer $7.72 per month. Savings would be higher for people who use more energy.
The lower rates are effective from tomorrow, September 1, 2022, through April 30, 2023.
Eversource serves 1.2 million Connecticut electric customers in 149 towns, and United Illuminating serves 341,000 Connecticut electric customers in 17 towns in Fairfield and New Haven Counties, including Bridgeport and New Haven.
The electricity price cuts are the result of energy company savings that are tied to state-approved purchase agreements from Dominion Energy's Millstone nuclear power station in Waterford. In 2017, the state legislature approved a new law that permitted Millstone to compete with other carbon-free sources of electricity, including hydro, wind and solar. Then, in 2019, Governor Lamont announced that PURA had approved a new contract between Dominion, Eversource and United Illuminating requiring the utilities to purchase approximately 50 percent of Millstone’s output (9 million MWH/year) for 10 years.
That cost savings is driven by the millions of dollars the electric companies saved by buying power from Millstone and the Seabrook Nuclear Power Plant at rates that are now below the market average in New England.
Westport COVID-19 Cases Up 6; State Positivity Rate 9.44%
The State Department of Public Health reported 6 more COVID-19 cases in Westport over the past day. The State positivity rate was down to 9.44% while 353 people are hospitalized around the State.
Westport total positive or probable cases: 5,743 cases.
Westport total COVID-19 Deaths: 39 deaths
State Daily Test Positivity: 9.44% [up from 9.59%]
Morning Weather Report
Today
Sunny, with a high near 86. West wind 7 to 14 mph.
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 63. West wind around 6 mph.
Tomorrow
Sunny, with a high near 83. Northwest wind 7 to 10 mph.
Tomorrow Night
Clear, with a low around 58. North wind around 7 mph.
High Tides
2:09 AM / 2:29 PM
Low Tides
8:21 AM / 8:52 PM
Westport COVID-19 Cases Up 11; State Positivity Rate 9.59%
The State Department of Public Health reported 11 more COVID-19 cases in Westport over the past day. The State positivity rate was up to 9.59% while 321 people are hospitalized around the State.
Westport total positive or probable cases: 5,737 cases.
Westport total COVID-19 Deaths: 39 deaths
State Daily Test Positivity: 9.59% [up from 9.26%]
Slice of Saugatuck is Back Saturday, September 10th
Press Release
The Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that the 10th Annual Slice of Saugatuck Festival will once again be taking over the streets of Saugatuck on Saturday September 10th from 2pm – 5pm. (Rain date Saturday September 17th).
Started in 2011, the highly successful food tasting and retail experience celebrates its 10th anniversary with over 40 businesses participating and its largest number of sponsors to date. Each of those years over 2000 people have come to see what Westport’s Saugatuck neighborhood has to offer by going venue to venue and sampling all the restaurants, merchants and activities that this mom and pop driven area has created and has to offer.
“We’re back and Saugatuck is stronger than ever, despite the impact of the pandemic,” said Matthew Mandell Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce. “It only took 12 years to have the 10th event, but everyone embraces the festival, from the merchants and restaurateurs right down to the residents who come out to see what’s up. Where else can you just walk the streets with friends and neighbors and enjoy what an entire community has to offer.”
Bouncy houses are back as well as the balloon bender and roving performances for the kids. And of course, tastes from over two dozen venues as the anchor to the event.
There will be live music located at seven different locations all playing at the same time, with notable local bands: Outside Chance, Silver Steel, Otis and the Hurricanes, The Howling Barncats, Elana Zarabi, Accidental Breakdown and The School of Rock.
The event will also have two “Beer Gardens” with wine as well, located on Bridge Square and Railroad Place which will allow adult eventgoers to enjoy a cold one and watch the bands. Many of the restaurants will also be offering specialty drinks inside their venues. The 2pm to 5pm time slot has proven to be a winner and stays the same this year. Many of the participating venues will be holding a special Saugatuck Happy Hour offering festival attendees the opportunity to return at 5pm to enjoy more food and libations after the event.
The price will again be $15 per adult, kids under 13 remains $5, with age 5 and under free. Cash only.
The Chamber has donated over $39,000 to the Gillespie Center’s food pantry from the proceeds from the prior events. This year will take it past $40,000. “The Slice of Saugatuck is a unique event that helps fill our pantry and supports the most vulnerable with food insecurity in our community,” said Helen McAlinden Executive Director of Homes with Hope. “We thank the Chamber and all the merchants for their support in putting on this wonderful festival that highlights a gem of Westport.”
For more information on the event and see participants a map go to www.westportwestonchamber.com/saugatuck - Tickets go on sale onsite only at 1:50pm day of the event, cash only.
Mid-Term Election Campaigns Shift Into High Gear
Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz introduces Ceci Maher who is running to fill the 26th district State Senate seat of Westport's Will Haskell, who is retiring to attend law school. From left to right: CT Attorney General William Tong, Maher, State Comptroller candidate Sean Scanlon, Weston DTC chair and EmCee Gayle Weinstein, Governor Ned Lamont and the Lt. Governor.
The Democratic Town Committees of Weston, Wilton, Westport, Redding, Ridgefield and Easton joined forces to host a rally for Democratic candidates. The event was held at Merwin Meadows Park in Wilton and was attended by more than one hundred people.
The theme was “Democracy Depends on You: Vote Blue in ’22.” The rally served as a campaign kickoff for the 6 towns, and included opportunities to sign up and volunteer for the various campaigns. Weston DTC Chair Gayle Weinstein, served as EmCee for the event. Entertainment was provided by the Wilton Steel Band. Treats were available for purchase from the Old Mill Café (Redding, CT) and CT Ice Cream truck.
Speeches by the candidates included Governor Ned Lamont, Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz and U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal drew loud applause as they outlined their positions on issues including protecting a women’s right to choose, increasing voter access, and funding for priorities such as mental health and the environment. Also, the biggest tax cuts in history, funding pension obligations, job creation and attracting businesses and families to CT.
Candidates addressing the crowd included; Attorney General William Tong who is seeking re-election as is State Rep Jonathan Steinberg from Westport. Candidates for Comptroller Sean Scanlon, for Treasurer Erick Russell, for Secretary Of The State, Stephanie Thomas, for State Senate for the 26th district Ceci Maher and State Representative Candidates, Anne Hughes, Dominique Johnson and Keith Denning.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Morning Weather Report
Today
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Patchy fog before 8am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 88. South wind 5 to 9 mph.
Tonight
A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 11pm and 2am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2am. Increasing clouds, with a low around 70. Southwest wind 6 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Tomorrow
A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly before 8am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. West wind 7 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Tomorrow Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 61. Northwest wind 5 to 9 mph.
High Tides
1:29 AM / 1:49 PM
Low Tides
7:09 AM / 7:29 PM
Westport COVID-19 Cases Up 4; State Positivity Rate 9.26%
The State Department of Public Health reported 4 more COVID-19 cases in Westport over the weekend. The State positivity rate was down to 9.26% while 326 people are hospitalized around the State.
Westport total positive or probable cases: 5,726 cases.
Westport total COVID-19 Deaths: 39 deaths
State Daily Test Positivity: 9.26% [down from 10.64%]
Sarey Frankel Bernstein, 85, Died; Westport News Writer, Creative Mind
Sarey Frankel Bernstein died on August 30, at 85 years of age, at her home in Stamford, CT. Sarey was born on December 2, 1935, to Lillian Bunis Frankel and Harold Frankel of Stamford, CT.
Sarey is survived by her husband, Attorney Samuel J. Bernstein; her son, Rabbi and Attorney Harold Frankel Bernstein (Darona Bernstein, spouse); daughter, Cathy Bernstein (Bud Freund, spouse); her grandchildren, Leora Hauptman (Yaakov Hauptman, spouse), Frances Nagel (Joshua Nagel, spouse), Robert Bernstein, Hannah Freund and Charlotte Freund; as well as her three great-grandchildren, Ezra, Lilly, and Donny Hauptman. She is also survived by her first cousins, Lewis Cherniack and Susan Cherniack Wise; her nephew, Henry (Hank) Mantell; and nieces, Patti Mantell Broad and Lis Mantell.
Sarey, a long-time resident of Stamford, was the granddaughter of Hyman and Sarah Frankel of Stamford. Her grandfather, Hyman Frankel, was the founder of H. Frankel and Sons, Clothiers. Her grandfather was also a founding member of the 100-year-old Jewish Center of Stamford.
Sarey was an alumna of Low-Heywood School of Stamford, CT, where she was the Editor of Hey-Day, the school newspaper, and a member of the Drama and Glee Clubs. Sarey Bernstein also attended Connecticut College for Women in New London, CT and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications and Journalism from Bridgeport University, Bridgeport, CT. Sarey was a former theater critic and the Public Relations Director of The Oceanic Society, a Stamford and California based environmental non-profit. She went onto become a feature writer for The Westport News and its affiliates in Darien, Fairfield, and Norwalk, as well as a contributing feature writer to The Stamford Advocate. She was also a member of Women-In-Communications (W.I.C.S.), the Fairfield Division of Presswomen, and The Outer Critics Circle. Sarey was also a member of B'nai Brith and Agudath Shalom Synagogue in Stamford, CT (since 1955).
Sarey was an avid reader and loved to paint in watercolors. She was very creative, and she and her husband, Samuel, enjoyed many years together taking trips to the theater, concerts, and museums. Sarey grew up in the Shippan neighborhood of Stamford and loved to spend time by the ocean in one of her favorite spots in Newport, Rhode Island, and at the Stamford Yacht Club in Shippan. She also loved amusing her family with funny stories and poems.
Above all else, Sarey treasured her relationship with her five grandchildren and sharing in their achievements. Contributions in her memory can be made to: The Library of New Canaan, CT, Children's Department.
Erin Hill Plays The Music Of Kate Bush At The Levitt Pavilion
Rock Harpist & Singer Erin Hill brought her electric harp and vocals to the Epstein Stage at the Levitt Pavilion Sunday night singing and playing the music of Kate Bush. Erin will be singing and playing Kate Bush songs from almost all of Kate's albums, along with Erin's backing band of drums, percussion, violin, cello, flute, and pedal steel guitar.
She’s had a #1 album on the Billboard world chart and Erin has performed with Cyndi Lauper, Kanye West, moby, Sinead O’Connor, a-ha, Josh Groban, Jewel, Randy Newman, Martha Wainwright, and Dave Chappelle, as “The Pretty White Girl Who Sings Dave’s Thoughts” on Comedy Central’s “Chappelle’s Show” (she also wrote the music for the sketch). Her Celtic album hit #1 on the Billboard World chart; she’s performed for two First Ladies and for royalty, and she played the "Game of Thrones" theme on her harp for HBO’s Season 3 promo.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Erin’s been heard on SiriusXM The Beatles Channel and she released her harp & vox cover of “Eleanor Rigby” as a single & a music video in 2021. On her album Harp Town (Cleopatra Records), Erin sings and plays songs by Kate Bush, Smashing Pumpkins, Lady Gaga, The Beatles, Alicia Keys, Roxy Music, Adele, Tim Buckley, Til Tuesday, Kansas, Leonard Cohen, Rihanna, Radiohead, U2, and even Edith Piaf and Frank Sinatra. Cleopatra also released Erin’s holiday album Christmas Harp, featuring Erin singing and playing holiday classics, and Girl Inventor, which includes her original hits “Lookout, Science” and “Giant Mushrooms.”
In addition to being a rock harpist, Erin is also a Celtic/Irish harpist and singer; her Celtic album Four Leaf Clover hit #1 on the Billboard World chart.