Latest Work, News Coverage, Photo Essays
Reporter for the Fairfield County Business Journal. Contributing Writer at WAG Magazine.
Experienced copywriter and editor in both agency and freelance spaces, former online editor of The Tartan, which serves a population of 30,000, intern at Bedford + Bowery.
2020 graduate of the Magazine Writing & Digital Storytelling MA at New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism institute.
Graduated from Carnegie Mellon University in 2015 with a BA in Creative Writing and a minor in Professional Writing.
Latest Work, News Coverage, Photo Essays
The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) was passed in 2021 with goal of requiring the disclosure of corporate ownership and the prevention of money laundering and the financing of terrorism.
An interview with Fairfield First Selectman Bill Gerber.
The AI Task Force recently held its fourth meeting as a public forum at Yale University.
"I'm just so impressed with the efforts of these young workers to make a difference in our country in terms of organizing," said State Sen. Julie Kushner.
Justin McGown is a Norwalk based writer, journalist and photographer. Over a decade of freelancing has given him extensive experience writing for targeted marketing campaigns, national humor sites, and local publications in New York City, Fairfield County, and Pittsburgh, PA.
Hayvn Halftime, a series of short seminars hosted at the Darien-based Hayvn Coworking Community, recently focused on an issue that impacts many people in the workforce: imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome, originally called the "imposter phenomena" when first described in a 1978 paper published by a pair of psychologists at Oberlin College, is typically (though not always) experienced by women who are successful professionals or students.
Ahead of World Down Syndrome Day on March 21, Ridgefield's Prospector Popcorn has launched "Down to Sparkle," a limited-edition flavor of their gourmet popcorn featuring 21 total ingredients. The number 21 is significant because Down syndrome is also referred to as Trisomy 21. The term describes the arrangement of chromosomes possessed by those born with Down syndrome.
Cassidy MacNamara is conducting a screening for dyslexia among students at a Bridgeport elementary school with the help of an animated toucan named Pip. MacNamara is a senior student at Sacred Heart University studying elementary education with a focus on STEM topics.
Deb Volansky, CEO and owner of Danbury-based Connex International, has been part of the world of teleconferencing for more than 35 years. She can recall a time before services like Zoom and Webex were household names, let alone available in homes as the key to keeping in touch with distant relatives and quarantined coworkers.
House Bill 6710, "An Act Concerning Association Health Plans," could provide a transformational benefit for Connecticut small businesses. The bill would allow multiple small businesses to buy insurance for their employees together as a single entity instead of each negotiating individually.
The Greater Norwalk Chamber of Commerce hosted its 2023 Legislative Forum at the Norwalk Inn last week, with the city's Hartford-based legislators elected officials offering updates on the General Assembly's priorities and challenges. State Senator and majority leader Bob Duff was introduced alongside Representatives Kadeem Roberts of District 137, Dominque Johnson of District 143, and Tracy Marra of District 141.
The Norwalk Planning and Zoning Commission (PZC) held a public hearing on March 2 to further discuss the state of the ongoing joint development between Spinnaker Real Estate Partners LLC and M.F. DiScala & Co. at Cemetery Street. Dozens of Norwalk residents were in attendance with more viewing the proceedings by Zoom.
Madeline Duarte-Canahui conceived of the idea for a full-service luxury event decoration business as a 20-year-old following the birth of her daughter. "I couldn't find someone that could create the vision that I had for what I wanted to do for her," Duarte-Canahui recalled of organizing baby showers and birthdays.
A recent webinar hosted by the FDIC featuring speakers from both the agency and representatives of organizations working with the Connecticut Association for Human Services (CAHS) outlined the scale of the problem and offered insight regarding what banks can do to better serve those communities.
T he state of the economy was front and center at the Greater Norwalk Chamber of Commerce's Economic Outlook Breakfast on Feb. 16, sponsored by Webster Bank and held at the Norwalk Inn.
O ne of the biggest challenges in training a medical professional is having a live patient for the procedural instructions. As a result, simulation has become a key tool for training staff at leading medical facilities, including Stamford Health. "We used to say with physicians 'see one, do one, teach one,'" said Dr. Suzanne J.
" I was one of those really lucky people that met a computer when I was a 10th grader in high school and fell in love with the notion of computer programming," recalled Linda Kuppersmith, president and chief technology advisor for the Connecticut franchise of CMIT Solutions, with offices in Stamford and West Hartford.
T he Norwalk Parking Authority advanced its rebranding as Park Norwalk with the grand opening of a new space for bicyclists at the South Norwalk train station. A small section of the station's garage, equivalent to the dimensions of approximately two parking spaces, has been set aside and consists of a newly painted blue floor with 10 sturdy metal posts alongside a fixed bike pump and repair station.
A text amendment which would grant the Ridgefield Planning and Zoning Commission (PZC) the power to allow developers some latitude with aspects of the zoning code if they include a minimum percentage of affordable housing units was hotly debated during a recent meeting.
U .S. Rep. Jim Himes joined elected officials from Fairfield and surrounding communities on Feb. 13 to learn more about the Pine Trees Apartments in Fairfield and to discuss the ongoing housing crisis in Connecticut. The event was hosted by the Fairfield Housing Corp., Partnership for Strong Communities and Fairfield County's Center for Housing Opportunity (FCCHO).
" This is a project that has been a long time in the making," said Dave Barry, founder and CEO of Urby, which opened a new apartment community in downtown Stamford that reanimated a once-dreary section of the city.
Mark DiGirolamo once worked at a major software company but grew frustrated when his projects were repeatedly canceled. "We were involved in a lot of big strategic programs around transforming big software companies," DiGirolamo recalled.
Many people have plans for how to respond if their house catches fire — they know where the important documents are, which exits to use, what to grab if they only have a few critical moments to exit the inferno. But far fewer people have worked out plans for what to do after a house fire.
The Connecticut Banking Commission has levied a $100,000 fine against Samuel Klein of Greenwich for purposely misleading investors who believed they were investing in distressed real estate debt even after a prior cease and desist order.
In October 2021, an error in the disposal of a small piece of radioactive waste by St. Vincent Medical Center in Bridgeport resulted last month in an $8,000 fine imposed by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). In total, 12 apparent violations of established NRC procedure resulted in both a financial penalty and a comprehensive evaluation and training program of the use of radioactive materials at the medical center.
American Can once had its headquarters in a striking Brutalist structure surrounded by more than 154 acres of forest in a quiet corner of Greenwich along the New York border and a stone’s throw from the Westchester Airport. Developers are now proposing a major housing development on the land around the office building and its adjoining facilities that could add up to 309 new units of housing along American Lane, which acts as an access road for the offices.
M any people have plans for how to respond if their house catches fire - they know where the important documents are, which exits to use, what to grab if they only have a few critical moments to exit the inferno. But far fewer people have worked out plans for what to do after a house fire.
I n 2020, 63% of the homes sold were purchased "sight unseen" according to a survey conducted by Redfin. The start of the Covid pandemic likely drove much of that shift, but an increasing number of young homebuyers are willing to rely on photos, videos and other means to virtually explore a potential home without ever setting foot in it.
T he Jan. 4 meeting of the Norwalk Planning and Zoning Commission (PZC) discussed the city's proposed regulations regarding the placement of stores that can sell recreational use cannabis. Steven Kleppin, the director of Norwalk's Planning & Zoning Department, provided updates to the commission and highlighted potential issues with the current phrasing prior to a public comment period.
A cross the street from the East Norwalk Historical Cemetery - where local lore has it the legendary Yankee Doodle is buried - a proposed mixed-use development featuring 77 housing units, retail and office space has received the nod from Norwalk's Planning & Zoning Commission (PZC) to begin preparations for a public hearing in February.
K athy Lechler has found fertile ground for creating art and growing her business after moving to Connecticut two years ago. A graphic designer working in marketing for a hospital in Westchester by day, Lechler has crafted a studio space for herself in her Norwalk home where she can engage in her passion for painting.
C onnecticut's new "Clean Slate" law took effect on New Year's Day and requires the state automatically erase records of certain felonies and misdemeanors and expand the protections granted to job seekers with criminal records. For misdemeanor offenses, the law mandates the automatic erasure of convictions seven years after the court entered the judgment.
T he morning of Jan. 10 saw camera crews and reporters descend upon Research Drive in Stamford for what promised to be the hottest retail story of the year: Fine Fettle Dispensary, which had opened its doors to medical use several years earlier, was about to conduct its first sales of recreational cannabis in Connecticut.
B y mid-January, Fairfield's Post Road and Mill Plain Road will feature banners celebrating local businesses and their role in shaping the town's economy. Placed by the Fairfield Chamber of Commerce, a total of 86 banners will be hung from lampposts lining the two major thoroughfares, highlighting more than 65 companies based in the town.
Competitors ripped, tore, drilled, slashed, crushed and even immolated each other inside an unassuming brick building on Water Street in South Norwalk as the National Havoc Robot League (NHRL) hosted its championships in the three-, 12- and 30-pound weight classes at the NHRL.
T he Connecticut State Department of Education recently published the results of the 2021-2022 Next Generation Accountability System and Wilton's school system received top marks, exceeding state averages in all measured categories but one. Wilton's school system also scored better than others within its District Reference Group (DRG) of similar school systems and improved over its previous score in the Accountability System.
The former Bowtie Theater at the corner of Steamboat Road and Railroad Avenue in the heart of Downtown Greenwich will be replaced by a large "signature restaurant" as well as a second space that could host a fast-casual eatery if a plan by GP Holding Co. Inc. moves forward.
P lans for multifamily housing at Wilton Center have come into potential conflict with the Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD), also casually referred to as the master plan, currently being developed by the Town of Wilton. The proposed housing development, tentatively named the Wilton Center Lofts, would consist of 32 one-, two- and three-bedroom units located at 12 Godfrey Place.
T he Stamford Savings Bank building at 160 Atlantic St. was built in 1939 but has been vacant for years. Now, a plan put forward by Old Town Square LLC proposes to use the existing building as the foundation for a 10-story, 84-room hotel in the heart of Downtown Stamford.
The Bridgeport Regional Business Council (BRBC) gathered its members from across the eastern section of Fairfield County at The Waterside in Monroe on Dec. 7 for its 2022 Holiday Party & Leadership Awards. BRBC President and CEO Dan Onofrio opened the event by highlighting the role collaboration has played in allowing BRBC members to have a productive 2022.
After more than 105 years of serving the homebound and needy across Connecticut communities, the Ridgefield-based nonprofit RVNAhealth has made its first-ever step into television advertising. During October, RVNAhealth premiered a series of commercials for their different services that include hospice, home health and personal caregiving.
The Bridgeport Regional Business Council (BRBC) recently convened its first Impact Together Expo at the Wakeman Boys and Girls Club in Bridgeport. The exposition, which had M&T Bank as its primary sponsor, featured numerous opportunities for businesses and nonprofits to meet and develop the relationships that will allow them to have an even greater impact on the communities they serve.
The Norwalk Planning and Zoning Commission (PZC) has given its unanimous approval for the transformation of 129 Woodward Ave. from its current state as a disused warehouse into a new sports complex to be called "The SoNo House."
The Connecticut Main Street Center, a nonprofit focused on developing and sustaining vibrant downtowns within the state, recently held a webinar to explain how small-business and nonprofit owners can take advantage of free technical assistance and loans of up to $500,000 through the Connecticut Small Business Boost Fund, a program supported by the Connecticut Department of Economic & Community Development (DECD).
The report found significant changes in comparison to CHNA reports from 2016 and 2019 that were driven in large part by the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, but was also heavily influenced by underlying social issues.
Addressing a gathering of business leaders and alumni, the governor stated how he was introduced to the rapidly evolving world of television by the business leader for whom the school is named. The idea of having 54 channels to fill at the time had seemed challenging, but Lamont recalled how Dolan pointed to a magazine rack, with dozens of specialist publications publishing deep dives on their own topics as the model television could pursue.
The line between so-called Generation Z and millennials can be blurry at times. Some divide the groups based purely on age, others point to whether they were merely born in the ‘90s or actually remember it. But regardless of the blurred line, there is real clarity about what members of those generations can achieve.
“My company name was Maidique Design and Build, and a couple other iterations,” he explained to the four HAYVN members with marketing backgrounds who joined the meeting. “But my name is always hard to spell and hard to remember and maybe even a little too fancy for the kind of stuff that I wanted to do.”
After more than a decade running tournaments, Pauly has seen the game’s more recent transformation from a social occasion for retirees to a serious sport with over a hundred full-time professional players. The emergence of professional leagues, official gear, high profile team purchases such as Mark Cuban’s purchase of six teams, and even televised celebrity competitions like Stephen Colbert’s “Pickled” have brought a large infusion of cash and interest.
Many hotel guests are increasingly drawn to hotels that can boast about ethically sourced food, high-efficiency showers, locally sourced soaps, recycled materials and carbon offsets. These things serve as both a mark of high quality and modernity, but a way to ease the guilt of the Eco-conscious worried about the environmental impact of their trip.
In mid-November, Rabbit Ears will launch a pop-up shop at 114 Washington St. in South Norwalk, once the site of the home decoration store Sassafras. The store will operate seven days a week through the holidays unless their inventory is depleted
Thirteen businesses are participating in Fairfield County’s Premature Awareness Month. Among the participants are Maple Craft Foods, which is donating 30% of its online sales to Tiny Miracles when customers use code TTMF at checkout, and the Danbury Hat Tricks hockey team, which is hosting special raffles and experiences during games on Nov. 12 and 26.
LGB students tour the city, attend lectures and have conversations with experts in a wide range of fields and aspects of business. They are encouraged to form bonds with both program members and their instructors. Each class also performs a service project for a local nonprofit.
“This is really a glimpse into the future for our other two projects, both Revolution and Sunrise when we are going to be using a similar technology,” said Ray Collins, government affairs and community relations manager for offshore wind at Eversource Energy.
“In March of this year, there was a very large study that revealed if you control all other factors, socioeconomic background, race, and geography or where somebody lives, the single-highest indicator for death by Covid was whether or not the individual had an internet connection,” Margaret Käufer said to a small gathering in the boardroom of the Open Door Family Medical Center in Port Chester on Oct 14.
Some of the most influential and innovative business leaders across Westchester and Fairfield counties gathered at the Stamford Hotel on Oct. 27 for recognition in Westfair Communications’ 2022 C-Suite Awards.
The three candidates running for governor of Connecticut – Democratic incumbent Ned Lamont, Republican challenger Bob Stefanowski and Independent Party candidate Rob Hotaling – met for a debate at Mohegan Sun on Tuesday evening. This was the final gubernatorial debate before Election Day and was produced by News 8 WTNH and the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities (CCM).
B Local Connecticut is a new group dedicated to helping businesses across Connecticut understand, apply for, and maintain B Corp Certification. This corporate status is provided by B Lab, a nonprofit which assesses companies on how well they adhere to certain guidelines and principles regarding ethics and environmental impact – among the most notable B Corp Certified companies are Ben & Jerry’s, Nespresso, Ecosia and The Body Shop.
ull-time employees in these programs will receive a $1,000 bonus and part-time employees will receive $400. The payment will support 3,400 programs providing child care services, composed of more than 30,000 employees, and the program will distribute $30 million in wage supports for the remainder of 2022 while the remainder will be paid out in the new year.
Datto’s Vice President of Business Development Mike DePalma set the tone for the event by sharing information from an upcoming report that found most U.S. cybercrime victims are small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), and the aggregated value cybercriminals can extract globally from these targets would make them the world’s 9th largest economy.
The candidates were in broad agreement on most issues, with both underlining the relative civility of the debate and Himes repeatedly crediting Stevenson for breaking with the Republican party on divisive issues such as the validity of the 2020 election, abortion access, and gun control.
Tom Cingari Jr. is not worried about the arrival of Wegmans’ first Connecticut store just a stone’s throw away from his family’s ShopRite location along the busy Route 1 corridor in Norwalk.
“With the acquisition of Caaresys, we gain market-leading in-cabin radar sensing technology and radar-enabled features that can quickly integrate into our products,” said Christian Sobottka, president of Harman’s automotive division, in a press statement announcing the acquisition. “And by partnering with Harman, automakers can deliver the key safety and well-being features that consumers demand today as opposed to years from now.”
JDanbury Mayor Dean Esposito welcomed the Chamber members warmly, telling them he appreciated all of their work and the economic impact which he said has made Danbury the “shining star of Connecticut.”
“I was drawn to the casualness and coastal elegance of the aesthetic,” Dichiora said. “We thought it was a great location for us, a perfect location with great visibility.”
David Lehman, the commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Economic and Commercial Development (DECD), recently addressed members of the Greenwich Chamber of Commerce about the steps being taken by the state to secure and improve its economic future.
After a town hall-styled meeting on Sept. 19 and a meeting of the Ordinance Committee on Sept. 20, Norwalk’s ordinances on marijuana passed 6-1.
Medical professionals with diverse backgrounds and specialties from throughout Westchester and Fairfield County were recognized for their achievements on Sept. 22 at Westfair Communications’ 2022 Doctors of Distinction event.
The Sleeping Potato, the latest eatery to open in Norwalk’s SoNo Collection, held a ribbon cutting on Sept. 23 featuring servings of the loaded baked potatoes that give the stand its name.
The Center for Family Justice, a Bridgeport-based nonprofit focused on providing free, confidential services for people impacted by domestic violence, sexual violence and child physical and sexual abuse, recently hosted its 25th annual Speaking of Women event that serves as a fundraiser and an opportunity to honor those who contributed its mission as volunteers, donors, and participants.
Denise Cesareo said she is both excited and sad to be retiring from her role as executive director of ElderHouse after 30 years on the job. The Norwalk-based not-for-profit adult day center provides seniors with community, engaging activities and medical supervision during the day before returning them to their homes.
The Rotary Room at the Fairfield Library was recently packed for Tom V. Quinn, a local businessman with deep-running family ties to the library, who held the launch of his newly published book "Delivering Greatness: How I Found Success...and You Can, Too!"
There were more than 300 mass shootings in the U.S. in the first half of the year.
A groundbreaking ceremony for new facilities at the ASML plant in Wilton on Sept. 12 marked both an expansion for the company but also a step toward meeting the demand for semiconductors. The plant produces the photolithography equipment used to etch patterns into silicon wafers to produce microchips by manufacturers all over the world.
Ganim’s speech was dubbed “A New Buzz, A New Beat” and was presented at the Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater — a fitting choice of venue according to Howard Saffan, president of the Amphitheater.
James Porter, president of Norwalk-based stress management instructional company StressStop has just received a patent for a new board game called Tip Tac Toe.
“Since the inception of oncology as a distinct discipline of medicine in the 1960s, there have been three ways of treating cancer: surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy,” said Dr. M. Sung Lee, medical director of the Smilow Cancer Hospital Care Center in Greenwich. “Historically, these treatment modalities have been used in various combinations and sequences to treat cancer patients with the simple goals of improving the quality of patient life and longevity.”
In a case filed with the Superior Court of Stamford-Norwalk on Aug. 23, two daughters of late actor/philanthropist and Westport resident Paul Newman are suing the foundation that bears his name.
The EPA is providing a $100,000 grant to SoundWaters Inc. of Stamford, which will be used to provide students from disadvantaged backgrounds, along with their family members, with the opportunity to participate in research projects conducted from aboard the SoundWaters, the organization's 80-foot sailing schooner.
Y ale New Haven Health System (YNHHS) continued its expansion into Fairfield County with the opening of a new facility at 325 Riverside Ave. in Westport. The new location, launched in association with the New England Medical Group, is the first YNHHS digestive health facility in the county and will offer a wide range of services, including bariatric, colorectal and hernia surgery, as well as gastroenterology services.
T he Inn at Fairfield Beach, one of the region's best-known boutique lodging establishments, has new owners with Jeff and Mike Giannone, a father and son duo from Southport who purchased the property earlier this month for $2 million.
T he Ridgefield Chamber of Commerce's "Wine, Cheese and Chamber Chat" event on Aug. 11 offered local business professionals a chance to network among themselves and to gain insight from First Selectman Rudy Marconi on the issues impacting the town.
Aribbon cutting hosted by the Stamford Chamber of Commerce on Aug. 10 celebrated the opening of the Alliance Center, a facility dedicated to providing the mental and emotional support parents need before, during and after a pregnancy. Their services consist of therapy, movement courses and support groups among other forms of support.
Anthony Truglia, founder of Bitcoin-Abroad LLC, is pursuing his dream by installing digital kiosks across Stamford that will allow customers to purchase the cryptocurrency Bitcoin quickly and easily. "I think the number one reason I got into this is because I feel there are a lot of people who don't have access to Bitcoin and other cryptocurrency that could benefit them," Truglia said.
Gina Roch understands trauma, having dealt with the emotional impact of an abusive relationship and the physical pain of a car accident that left her bed bound for months. During her healing process, she not only achieved balance but also discovered an opportunity for personal empowerment that resulted in a now-burgeoning business-focused trauma-informed yoga sessions.
Elena Rivera-Cheek recalls starting Copy & Art in the basement of a small house in the historic Battle Hill section of White Plains. Eleven years later, it has become a top advertising agency in Westchester County, offering a quality of service comparable to any of the larger agencies in New York City but on a smaller scale that is more agile and responsive to client and employee needs.
A s recreational use cannabis sales in Connecticut continue to near fruition and medical use continues to become more common, there is a growing need to ensure that pharmacists are ready for that changing landscape.
The July issue of The Connecticut Economic Digest, a joint publication of the Connecticut Department of Labor and the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, featured an in-depth analysis of the state's housing market by Nandika Prakash, the latter department's senior economist.
T he Connecticut Public Utility Regulatory Authority's (PURA) incentives to promote the installation of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at businesses and homes throughout the state have thus far proven effective, according to a recent webinar hosted by Eversource and United Illuminating.
T he Stamford Partnership held the inaugural Room for All event at the Palms Nightclub on July 20. Set in the evening to the sounds of smooth jazz and conversation, Room for All was designed not only to provide a networking event for early and mid-career entrepreneurs from across Stamford and the surrounding area, but also to improve access to the resources available to small-business owners and those who aspire to become self-employed.
The bandshell at Seaside Park in Bridgeport saw the first Seaside Sounds for Environmental Justice event on July 15, with environmentally oriented businesses and organizations joining forces with local musicians and vendors to fight for a better future.
T he bingo caller reached for his microphone and intoned in a deep but upbeat voice: "N 41." That was the first number called at the start of the inaugural game in the newly renovated and revamped High Stakes Bingo Hall at Foxwoods Resort and Casino.
G ov. Ned Lamont announced Connecticut's small businesses will be receiving $119.5 million in funds through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI). In a July 18 press conference, Lamont was joined by White House ARPA Coordinator Gene Sperling, House Majority Whip Rep.
S tamford's newest business, Pure Chateau Med Spa, held its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on July 12, and the warm weather made it the perfect day to use one of the spa's signature services: IV Hydration.
The Danbury Fair mall will soon add a Target to its lineup, but malls have always been about more than just the convenience of retail options. Entertainment is a key part of what draws shoppers to malls, particularly ones with historic connections to fair grounds and antique carousels at their heart.
A lawsuit filed in the Stamford Judicial District alleging breach of contract, spoilation of evidence and wrongful termination stemming from complaints to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is the latest issue to disturb the peace of a Stamford cemetery.
T he potential arrival of the Wegmans grocery store chain in Norwalk was not warmly embraced by several city residents who gave public comments at a meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission on the evening of July 7. The proposed store, which would also feature a two-story parking garage, is planned for the current site of MBI's Norwalk offices.
Connecticut's minimum wage was increased on July 1 to $14 an hour as a result of legislation signed into law during pre-pandemic 2019. In 11 months, the state minimum wage will again be increased up to $15.
Dean Esposito grew up in Danbury and served the city as a councilman, town clerk and director of consumer protection and sealer of weights. He became chief of staff to Joseph Cavo when Cavo was appointed to complete Mark Boughton's 10th term as mayor in late 2020, and he was elected mayor last November.
For the past decade, the J House has served as a premier destination for visitors to Greenwich as well as an attraction in its own right. Prior to John Fareri's acquisition the property was a Howard Johnson's, but since then an infusion of style, art and creativity has brought forth a unique luxury boutique hotel known to draw both local residents and world-famous celebrities.
Named one of banking's 15 powerful women this year by American Banker, Becky Lansen of Synchrony in Stamford is part of a trend to move beyond the work-life balance to seeing work and life as part of a whole, even as she spearheaded the creation of Venmo's first credit card.
The Bridgeport Regional Business Council (BRBC) held its 2022 Annual Meeting & Luncheon on June 21 at Knowlton's Boathouse in Bridgeport, overlooking the Pequonnock River.
N od Hill Brewery has sold out of cans of their latest creation - a fruity and floral New England style IPA produced on-site at the company's Ridgefield-based solar-powered facility. And while the beverage could certainly move units on its own, the cans were also in high demand owing to brilliant label art crafted by local artist Bobbi Eike Mullen and its name: Friends of Weir Farm India Pale Ale.
D evelopments across Norwalk continue to make it one of the fastest-growing cities in Connecticut, with an increasing population and an economy that saw the opening of new businesses even in the midst of the pandemic.
W estfair Communications held its 17th annual 40 Under 40 event at The Stamford Hotel on June 16. The pandemic forced the previous two events to occur online, and some prior award winners from 2020 and 2021 were in attendance to receive their awards.
A s Norwalk continues to grow, efforts are being made to ensure that the Wall Street area not only benefits from the rising population and increasing number of visitors to the city, but can also contribute toward driving those numbers.
A s part of the Stamford Partnership's Tech Hub series, local business leaders and interested parties once again gathered at the Third Place for a discussion between experts in a critical industry.
L ocal business owners from across Trumbull and the surrounding communities gathered at Jeff Works in the town's Hawley Lane Mall on the morning of June 8 to network, meet with community leaders and practice their elevator pitches in a "Shark Tank"-style presentation before a panel of business development experts and representatives of local resource agencies.
J une 6 brought the official opening of the new wing of the Charter Communications building at 400 Washington Blvd. in downtown Stamford. Cutting against the trend of many corporations embracing a work-from-home model or flex space, Charter and its employees under the Spectrum brand will be attempting to encourage a return to office with an attractive set of features for 1,700 employees.
Though already at 60% capacity after an earlier soft opening, Waterstone on High Ridge marked its grand opening on May 25 by literally rolling out the red carpet. Ice sculptures were erected and a wide array of fine food was prepared by Waterstone's kitchen staff.
Perched on the waterfront within walking distance of the New Rochelle train station's Amtrak and Metro-North lines and a stone's throw from the on and off ramps for I-95, the Stella is proof that geography is destiny. The 28-story luxury apartment building - a joint venture of Wilder Balter Partners Inc.
Growing up on Long Island, Joseph Graziose, senior vice president of residential development for RXR Realty LLC, used to gaze out across the Long Island Sound at New Rochelle and wonder what it was like. Now he's helping it grow.
Ryan George is blazing a new path on an often-overlooked aspect of the country's growing cannabis industry: real estate. George launched 420 Property in 2016 and it has since become the premier platform for growers, dispensaries, retailers and distributors to find space for their businesses.
Norwalk's Glover Avenue runs between the I-95 to Route 7 Connector and the Norwalk River. Across the river are the offices of Merritt 7 along Main Avenue. Building and Land Technology (BLT) is striving to turn what was once a little-known street near the edge of Norwalk into a burgeoning new residential and retail district.
O n May 19, a gathering of Bridgeport business leaders came together at the Downtown Cabaret Theatre to discuss ways to revitalize the city's downtown commercial area. The businesses represented were diverse, ranging from an art gallery and a massage parlor to high-end cosmetic retailers and a brewery.
T he global supply chain has faced major shocks in the past few years. Many of them stem from the pandemic, which caused quarantines, production shutdowns and shuttered logistics offices, all making the movement of products harder at a time when demand for delivery was rising.
T he state of economic development in Norwalk was the focus of a recent event at The SoNo Collection that was hosted by the Greater Norwalk Chamber of Commerce in association with the Westport-Weston Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by FLB Law.
F irst Selectman Vicki Tesoro highlighted her efforts in bringing new business to Trumbull and previewed upcoming endeavors in her annual Address to the Business Community, held May 11 before an audience of members from the Trumbull Chamber of Commerce and the Bridgeport Regional Business Council in the banquet hall of the Tashua Knolls golf course.
The Stamford Executive Center at 1111 Summer St. is a handsome glass-clad office building near the center of the city that is home to a number of lawyers and other businesses. It is also at the center of a legal tussle between New York City developers over a ground lease.
A May 9 webinar presented Norwalk residents with a preview of proposals for how the city might better use the city's riverfront. Much of the meeting focused on potential rezoning options in what are currently industrial sections in Norwalk north of the Walk Bridge.
The Connecticut state budget bill recently signed into law by Gov. Ned Lamont includes an innovative carve out to explore the use of psychedelic drugs like MDMA and the mushroom-derived compound psilocybin. The pilot program is the first in the country and will provide around $1.5 million to fund the establishment of facilities for administering the therapy and developing best practices while conducting further research.
"Transit Oriented Development" was the watch word for Gov. Ned Lamont's visit to Norwalk on May 16 to announce a new public-private partnership between the city and Spinnaker Realty.
Last month, the Connecticut House of Representatives voted 98-48 to restrict advertising cannabis products and services to those who hold industry relevant licenses. The impetus for the proposed law came largely from towns along the border with Massachusetts where billboards advertising stores just over the state line have proliferated since legalization took effect in the Bay State.
The Connecticut Green Bank was the first institution of its kind in the country. Dedicated to helping state funds reach projects to improve energy efficiency, expand green power projects and generally improve the state of Connecticut's electric grid, the Green Bank achieves its goals through competitive loans and financial instruments.
During the Connecticut Business & Industry Association's (CBIA) recent 2022 economic update session held at the Trumbull Marriott, the watchword was arguably "infrastructure." This was especially on display during the panel discussion titled "How Connecticut Should Spend Federal Infrastructure Funds."
Jeff McDonough became the new executive vice president of human resources and community relations at Danbury's Union Savings Bank on April 14. McDonough, who joined Union Savings in 2016 as senior vice president, will also join the bank's executive management committee and continue serving as a member of the bank's management council.
Serendipity Labs already differentiates itself from other coworking solutions in the minds of office workers with its emphasis on providing a hotel-like atmosphere with a high level of service. For landlords, it sets itself apart by working for them as a property manager that provides services to tenants, instead of the current model their competitors use where they rent from the landlord and then sublet that space further.
When she moved to Weston from New York City and then the pandemic hit, Cristina Villegas decided to reintroduce her children's/home goods boutique Yoya - and interior design business Casa Yoya - in Westport, a place not unlike the small town she grew up in in her native Colombia.
While many states granted liquor stores essential businesses status in the early days of the Covid pandemic, South Africa took the opposite approach and banned liquor sales entirely under the belief that it would eliminate social gatherings and prevent people taking up hospital beds with drinking related injuries.
Stamford Mayor Caroline Simmons erred on the side of safety in not attending the Stamford Chamber of Commerce's recent State of the City address - her husband, former state senator Art Linares, had tested positive for Covid-19 earlier in the day, and Simmons herself tested positive after the event as well.
Economic development was on the agenda at the latest edition of the Stamford Partnership's TechHub Fireside Chat series, with Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner David Lehman and his local counterpart Loren Nadres, the director of economic development for the city of Stamford, engaged in a discussion before a business professional audience on ...
Point32Health Foundation, the Massachusetts-based nonprofit created by the combination of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation and Tufts Health Plan Foundation, recently announced a $90,000 grant to The Center for Food Equity and Economic Development (FEED Center) in Bridgeport.
The managed services firm Mirador LLC, whose motto is "We Serve Those Who Serve Wealth," is moving its headquarters to Stamford. Currently headquartered in Darien, the bulk of the 90-person team will relocate to a new office space currently under construction at The Village, an upscale waterfront office community at 4 Star Point.
The state of affordable housing within Greenwich was the focus of an April 14 meeting at the Greenwich Water Club chaired by Katie DeLuca, the town's director of planning and zoning, and state Sen. Ryan Fazio (R-36th District).
Opening a liquor store in the midst of the Covid pandemic was no small feat. While it was true that sales of liquor increased dramatically at the start of lockdown - April to June 2020 saw 34% more sales of alcoholic beverages than 2019, per a University of Southern California study - by March 2021 the boom had begun to decline and supply chain issues threatened to create sudden and sharp shortages of in-demand products.
History was made on the evening of April 9 at the Westport Library - for the first time, an independent music label run as part of a public library launched a record. Verso is the new record label run by the library that makes use of its collection of recording and editing equipment.
New Canaan's Waveny LifeCare Network reopened its outpatient facilities in February after almost two years of closure due to the Covid pandemic. The timing of the closure was especially unfortunate since the facilities were recently upgraded and modernized, according to Suzanne Cleary, Waveny LifeCare Network's director of rehabilitation.
Mahfuja Malik, an associate professor of accounting at Sacred Heart University, was cited as one of the best in the country by Poets & Quants, a magazine dedicated to reporting on the top MBA programs across the country. Malik beat out more than 1,000 educators who were nominated for the 100 spots that were split evenly between graduate and undergraduate business education.
A new study by The Morning Consult has shown that the chief concern of younger urban voters across the country is the availability of affordable housing. The study was part of a series of polls aimed at gauging the priorities of this influential demographic, which is also a fast-growing segment of Fairfield County's population.
Grameen America, the U.S. unit of Grameen Bank, has announced the launch of its first statewide microloan program in Connecticut. Grameen Bank was started by Muhammad Yunus in 1976, who was studying ways to provide the rural poor in Bangladesh with access to capital, credit and banking services.
A new Westport initiative called Employment is for Everyone (E4E) seeks to offer improved access to employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. By providing job seekers and businesses with the resources to integrate people with differing levels of ability into jobs, the town hopes to affirm its inclusivity and promote an economically beneficial addition to the workforce.
After a long winter with many avoiding indoor gyms and sports for the sake of Covid safety or just due to disrupted routines, the urge from desk-bound business professionals to get up and start running, golfing, biking or otherwise playing is strong.
New York Times columnist and best-selling author David Brooks discussed the forces that shape him as a journalist and a political conservative during a March 23 event at Fairfield University's Quick Center for the Arts.
Governor Ned Lamont and Sikorsky Aircraft President Paul Lemmo announced an agreement that would keep the company's corporate headquarters in Stratford until at least 2042 while it is in pursuit of two separate U.S. military aircraft lines that would be manufactured in the state.
For more than 35 years, Kyber Security has provided essential internet services to small and medium-sized businesses throughout Fairfield County and beyond. Founded in 1985 as Connect Computer, the company started out providing critical information technology services at a time when few realized how central the internet and networked computing would become.
Gov. Ned Lamont, U.S. Rep. Jim Himes, State Senator Bob Duff and Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling came together at a press event on March 21 to announce the allocation of $1.4 million in federal funds for improving the aging sidewalks in the area around Norwalk's West Rocks Middle School.
Earlier this month, Gov. Ned Lamont proposed House Bill 5045, which is designed to tighten standards for lead concentration in the blood of children while making available funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to help cities cover resulting costs. The ARPA funds will come from a proposed investment of $70 million in the 2023 Fiscal Year budget.
Gov. Ned Lamont provided an update on Connecticut's efforts to improve cybersecurity during a March 9 press conference at Fairfield University. Lamont said that his background in telecommunications made him cognizant of the potential damage of a cyberattack. "Our first tabletop exercise in the emergency operations center was simulated cyberattacks on a regional basis, since cyber threats don't respect borders," he recalled.
A free month of rent for a prime retail space in the heart of South Norwalk is only a contest entry away. AGW SONO Partners, a real estate collective that manages 27 properties on Washington Street, the center of SoNo's nightlife, has announced a contest to open a pop-up shop in one of their three vacant ...
On March 1, the first of a series of free public webinars about Connecticut's efforts to modernize the electric grid was hosted as a collaboration between the Clean Energy Group and the Connecticut Green Bank. The focus was mainly on the development of power storage solutions, primarily in the form of batteries, and the design of an incentive structure to promote their adoption.
In 2013, Cindy Merkle made history in becoming the first female president and CEO of Union Savings Bank in the Danbury-based financial institution's 155 years. And according to Merkle, she is overseeing the bank during a particularly historic stretch of time as well.
During 2021, roughly 4,000 bank branches closed across the country, a record level. Among those closures were two Wells Fargo locations in Norwalk that are based within properties owned by M.F. DiScala & Co. One of those locations was at 295 Westport Ave., which became Connecticut's first Jimmy Johns sandwich shop.
The Alliance for Cannabis Equity (ACE), a collaboration between Connecticut Community Outreach Revitalization Program (ConnCORP) and The WorkPlace, a Bridgeport-based incubator and workforce development board, has released the Cannabis Manifesto, a document designed to aid Black and Hispanic entrepreneurs and workers in understanding how they can take full advantage of the emerging recreational marijuana industry in Connecticut.
Alla Ionescu's Happy Hands pottery center at Wilton Center was full of children on a cold Friday last month. The children, ranging in ages from four to 11, were making bowls with floral designs and spring colors. They eagerly worked with their hands and imagination, without the need for any digital component.
Stamford-headquartered Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits (DFSW) andits associated constellation of companies have collected an impressive portfolio of wine and liquor brands over the course of more than 40 years, including the popular Josh Cellars brand of Californian wines, the Yellow Tail label from Australia and several brands of whiskey, vodka and gin.
Mayor Caroline Simmons has the perfect backdrop for Zoom calls. Behind her desk at Stamford Government Center is a view of the city's changing skyline. To the left is a distinctive cylinder of one of the St. John's Towers, affordable housing units completed in 1971.
Danielle Bibbo, executive vice president of business development and strategy at the media production company ITV America, became the latest member of The Stamford Partnership's board of directors, as well as the head of the Partnership's first media industry advocacy group.
Behind an unassuming garage door at a private residence in Westport is a hand-crafted television studio set which includes a desk based on the dimensions of Conan O'Brien's talk show perch, along with lights, cameras and a model train set that delivers drinks.
Jo-Marie Kasinak has extensive experience studying the ecology of Long Island Sound. Horseshoe crabs, the fearsome looking but harmless living fossils from the genus Limulus, became a main point of focus for her work, which included participation in Project Limulus, a community-oriented program where volunteers received training and instruction in cataloguing horseshoe crab numbers.
While the Covid crisis disrupted public access to Philip Johnson's Glass House, the influential architectural site in New Canaan, it also sparked an opportunity for the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which owns and operates the site, to expand its visibility for new generations.
Following an unusually warm December, January brought bitterly cold temperatures that many in the state bemoaned. But it was enthusiastically welcomed by the state's small but serious community of maple syrup producers who rely on the freeze-thaw cycle to coax the sap they refine into syrup out of the state's maple trees.
The Learning Experience, a chain of education and daycare centers for children ranging from infancy to kindergarten, is expanding its Connecticut presence with a new location in Wilton this spring, in Enfield and Avon by the end of the year and in Danbury and Vernon during 2023.
Waterstone on High Ridge, a new community for seniors featuring independent living, assisted living and memory care residential units, has opened in Stamford at the former General Electric campus. Created by Epoch Senior Living and National Development, the facility is already at 60% capacity and the first residents have begun moving in.
The first metal used by humans was probably gold - around 40,000 B.C., give or take a few years - which means it was probably also among the very first things to ever be traded. Fast-forward to the 21st century and cryptocurrency is a thoroughly modern invention built on the infrastructure of the digital age, designed to live on the internet without a physical component.
It started with an Instagram page. Brad Kerner began the.eco.dude in December 2019 to document his efforts to live a more sustainable life. Kerner was making a serious attempt to reduce his carbon footprint and environmental impact, but the page was supposed to be primarily for fun.
For those who have not been vaccinated or who have health conditions, which make it difficult to fight off infections even after full vaccination, monoclonal antibodies offer one of the most effective treatments of Covid-19. Unfortunately, the omicron variant, now the dominant strain across much of the U.S., is less responsive to two of the three versions of the treatment currently available.
Gov. Ned Lamont has proposed four major changes to the state tax code that would result in $336 million in tax cuts. Speaking at a Tuesday press conference with Melissa McCaw, secretary of the Office of Policy and Management Melissa McCaw, Lamont described the tax cuts as the result of the state government's navigation from deficit to surplus.
Stamford-based Sema4 gained new prominence throughout 2021 by providing rapid polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing for Covid-19. While the testing was a necessary service for an extraordinary health crisis, Sema4 considered its mission to be an AI-driven genomic and clinical data intelligence platform company, with an eye toward improving medicine atlarge.
Gabriel Phillips hails from Westport, but he spent most of the past 20 years outside of Connecticut building a resume full of commodities trading and energy services experience. Now he is coming back to the state as CEO of Catalyst Power Holdings, an independent provider of commercial electricity and gas and distributed energy solutions.
Connecticut enjoys high rates of economic achievement and some of the best health outcomes in the country when compared on a state-by-state basis. However, within Connecticut the gap between the wealthy and the poor continues to widen. According to a recent report from Access Health CT, "Reducing the uninsured population is not possible without targeting the subpopulations with the largest groups of uninsured.
Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo celebrates its 100-year anniversary in 2022, marking a major evolution from a small collection of exotic birds and retired circus animals to a learning and education center as well as an economic driver for Bridgeport. Even before Beardsley Zoo, the city's Beardsley Park was known for sightings of exotic animals.
Building C of the Grist Mill Village development on Glover Avenue in Norwalk is the subject of a lawsuit filed in the Stamford Judicial District between a contractor and the owner for up to $500,000 including damages over non-payment and breach of contract.
Before the Covid-19 pandemic, the Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk typically drew close to 500,000 visitors a year.
Despite the ongoing pandemic, rising inflation, supply chain issues and labor shortages, a new survey finds small and midsize businesses (SMBs) across the country are predicting a bright future. JP Morgan Chase's 2022 Business Leaders Outlook Survey, released Jan. 5, found 83% of midsize and 71% of small businesses said they were anticipating a good year ahead.
John Arenas was not able to make it to his 2 p.m. appointment at Serendipity Labs in Westport on Jan. 3 because a massive snowstorm had hit the mid-Atlantic and motorists all along I-95 were trapped in their cars for up to 20 hours.
Gov. Ned Lamont hosted at a Zoom press conference on Jan. 11 that provided an update about the efficacy of efforts to improve and expand the state's frontline workforce through training and education programs. Dr. Kelli-Marie Vallieres, the Connecticut Chief Workforce Officer, opened the press conference with an outline on how new programs will be built on the successes of prior high impact programs started with CARES Act funding.
On Jan. 3, Andrea Gartner became the executive director of the Norwalk River Valley Trail (NRVT), a nonprofit dedicated to the creation of a 30-mile, multi-use, soft surface trail running from Calf Pasture Beach in Norwalk to Rogers Park in Danbury.
New tools for digital engagement and exploration are playing a part in shaping the future of Norwalk. A tool called Social Pinpoint has been used to solicit comments and ideas about the future of the city's waterfront.
An increasing demand for orthopedic services in the region, particularly for those living along the Norwalk-Danbury corridor, has inspired a new chapter in the ongoing collaboration between two leading healthcare providers: Stamford Health and the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) have joined forces to open a new medical facility at the Wilton Crossing complex at 195 Danbury Road in Wilton.
DraftKings, FanDuel and other sports betting apps have blitzed Connecticut with advertising throughout 2021 after Gov. Ned Lamont signed a bill in May that legalized both online sports books and internet gaming.
Greenwich has long been the destination for luxury cars in Fairfield County. High-end domestics and imports are both common sights on the streets of the affluent town. Legendary supercars from Italy and the upscale comforts of a Rolls Royce or Mercedes-Benz in the form of both the latest models and rare classic editions can be found in driveways and parking lots.
Stamford Mayor Caroline Simmons made her first public remarks since her swearing in at a Dec. 15 "Fireside Chat" hosted by the Stamford Partnership's TechHub program and sponsored by commercial realty company George Comfort & Sons.
Gov. Ned Lamont spoke about infrastructure projects, climate resiliency, and funding from the heart of Norwalk on Dec. 17. Standing in the parking lot for the Sheffield Island Ferry, the governor was joined by U.S. Rep.
Wells Fargo has given the Connecticut State Colleges & University (CCSU) Foundation a $75,000 grant to support equity-based programs and services at Gateway, Norwalk, and Housatonic Community Colleges. These programs are aimed at improving educational outcomes among students who are facing material hardships.
Inflation has skyrocketed at an intimidating rate according - the latest data from the U.S. Department of Labor showed a 6.8% rise from November 2020 to November 2021, the fastest rate of increase since 1982.
The leadership of the Mid-Fairfield County Association of Realtors (MFCAR) is eager to share what they have learned from both the recent annual conference held by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) in San Diego and what they have seen while working throughout the pandemic and all of the attendant challenges it brought.
The New Year will bring with it both fresh opportunities and regulations courtesy of the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA). Starting Jan. 1, a nine-year program to provide homes and businesses with incentives for installing electric vehicle charging stations will go into effect.
When the Fairfield Community Theatre first opened in 1920 at Unquowa Road and the Post Road in the center of Fairfield, a pandemic was ravaging the world and the question of wearing masks was being hotly debated.
Despite contending with Covid-19 and statewide economic challenges, newly reelected Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling remains optimistic about the city's future and the state of its business community. Rilling, a Democrat, won his fourth consecutive two-year term as mayor with over 60% of the vote against Republican challenger Jonathan Riddle.
"Hey," some of you automotive aficionados might be saying right now, "Mitsubishi makes those cars, and it's spelled spyder!" And you'd be right, but the spiders in question weren't the model of car, but rather thousands of literal spiders that were attracted to the Mazda 6.
Technically, "don't be evil" was never Google's official motto, but it was a line in their code of corporate conduct until 2018 . Sure, one could argue that a multinational industry-dominating company run by billionaires and able to shape the world economy may not have the best grasp of "good" to begin with.
In 1911, John D. Rockefeller was forced against his will to become the richest man in the world. Rockefeller was one of the chief architects of the trust, a system of interstate business ownership and board memberships that allowed him and some close allies to circumvent much of the regulation of business that existed within the US during the 19th century.
Kerosene was typically sold at hardware stores where an employee would use a "Bowser" patent hand pump or siphon to fill containers out of a barrel. The same model was adopted for gas, so filling up often occurred in front of the local general store, pharmacy, dry goods emporium, or even in front of a stable owned by somebody who realized that horses were on the way out.
Westport Rehabilitation Complex at 1 Burr Road. The Planning and Zoning Commission is reviewing plans to replace the building with a new assisted living/memory care facility. / Photo by Justin McGown By Justin McGown WESTPORT - The future of the Westport Rehabilitation Complex at 1 Burr Road, across the street from King's Highway Elementary School,...
Anybody attending a school with a computer lab in the early 2000s almost certainly played (or at least tried to circumvent a firewall to play) a game that ran on Flash.
Shortly after beginning a new life and a successful barrel-making business in still sparsely settled Illinois, Alan happened upon a camp where some outlaws were producing counterfeit money, a common occurrence in the United States' early days. Pinkerton got the local sheriff, who in turn deputized him and a whole posse to arrest the counterfeiters.
And when it comes to ground beef, Connecticut's hamburger history goes beyond even the singular steamed hams at the state's heart. New Haven, known widely as the home of Yale University, is also home to the institution behind an innovation arguably more important than anything to come out of an Ivy League University: the hamburger itself.
There are more than 27,000 restaurants, bars, and cafes in New York City. Or at least, there were before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite efforts to prevent the loss of cultural institutions and economic drivers embodied in these eateries, the New York Times estimated that more than 1,000 closed their doors for good by September.
In 2011, magazine named "The Protestor" the person of the year, specifically those who were taking stands against governments in the series of popular uprisings known as the Arab Spring. While they escalated into civil wars and instability across North Africa and much of the Middle East, it became clear that "The Protestor" as an influential character was here to stay.
As winter approaches, the city's restaurants have scrambled to replace their outdoor dining areas with structures that offer shelter from not just the sun but also the wind, cold, and snow. But how safe are these "covid cabins," as they've been snarkily coined on social media?
Sneezeguards used to be the stuff of Vegas buffets and midtown lunch delis, but as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, they're now essential equipment in New York's trendiest restaurants. While not strictly mandated by the safety regulations put in place by both Albany and City Hall, barriers made of plexiglass, acrylics and other varieties(...)
I planned to spend election night in Connecticut with my parents, but work and Cuomo's cautioning against traveling to neighboring states with spiking COVID rates have conspired to keep me here in the city. So I began casting about for somewhere to be or something to do on Election Night.
A live action scene plays out at the start of a new game, made up of reports about a mysterious outbreak, failures to contain the disease, riots erupting, and an oversized body bag covered in caution tape being loaded into a helicopter.
The Democratic primary debate at Saint Anselm College came on a brutally cold Friday night in New Hampshire. When the wind blew, ice fell off the trees in crystalline shards. It did little to dissuade the supporters and protestors at the college's entrance. They chanted, they shouted, they yelled.
On a warm Sunday morning in September, Bahar Hallaeva, the 3rd ranked female chess player in Turkmenistan, and the 801st best International Chess Federation (FIDE) registered woman in the world, was playing her second round of the day in the basement cafeteria of PS 183. Her opponent began to fidget, then glance at the neighboring...
Women and their supporters gathered in Washington Square Park on Sunday, March 8 to mark International Women's Day, though the event was billed on Facebook as the International Women's Strike, subtitled Paro Internacional de Mujeres.
When it comes to housing at Carnegie Mellon University, after students' first year, two of the most luxurious options for those looking to live on campus are Webster Hall Apartments and Fairfax Apartments. While both are owned and operated by NDC Real Estate Management, Inc., Carnegie Mellon leases numerous apartments in both buildings.
Shortly after a closure for the University of Pittsburgh's annual Bigelow Bash, Bigelow Ave. was once again closed to traffic last Wednesday. This closure wasn't for a student event; instead a large crowd filled the cordoned-off street and rallied around a pickup truck. Speakers acted as a makeshift stage.
Despite gray skies and near-freezing weather for most of the day, Conflict Kitchen's reopening last Wednesday - after it closed due to a recent letter containing death threats - was met with all-day traffic and enthusiastic support. On the day of the reopening, a line stretched from the counter to the edge of Schenley Plaza, accompanied by a visible police presence.
Crepes Parisiennes is looking to provide customers with more than its already-wide range of crepes, waffles, and pastries - it is now applying for a liquor license. According to documents from the Office of City Clerk, a resolution for a transfer of licenses to the owners of the creperie has passed.
Both Horowitz for Microsoft and Lee and Katz for Google said that their superiors were reached mainly through online means: either conference calls to corporate headquarters (frequently at odd hours due to time zone differences) or emails.
Students said goodbye to the Panther Hollow Inn, a popular bar for the campus community located at 4611 Forbes Avenue that closed its doors for the last time at the end of the last academic year. Since that time, the building has been gutted.
Last year, Carnegie Mellon University became the exclusive higher education partner of the Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Theatre. As a result, the next Tony Awards will feature a new category: The Excellence in Theatre Education Award. Nominations for the award are now open, and Carnegie Mellon will play a major role in granting this award.
Arts and Entertainment
If you see somebody screaming something like "JTCHOK-CHOK-CHOK-CHOKTA!" with an accompanying dance in the next few weeks, don't worry. Chances are they're emulating the musical stylings of the Norwegian musical cabaret act known as Ylvis, rather than indulging in something that's illegal in the state of Pennsylvania.
Iain M. Banks is a Scottish author who is renowned for his series of space opera novels about "the Culture." The Culture is a galaxy-spanning civilization that's solved most of its problems. Everybody can have any material thing they desire; people can take on inhuman appearances and change sex at will over the course of a month; and for the most part, people only die if they choose to, usually after 400 years or so.
Over 3,000 people converged at the Wyndham Grand hotel in downtown Pittsburgh when it hosted Tekkoshocon X, a Japanese culture convention, last Wednesday to Sunday. Many participants, known as cosplayers, came in hand-crafted costumes as anti-zombie commandos, school girls, wizards, aliens, knights, monsters, and more.
After a lengthy renovation the former Pizza Sola location on Atwood Street reopened a couple weeks ago as the location of Top Shabu-Shabu & Lounge. The restaurant was packed, although it was hard to determine how much of that came from the place being new and how much came from the popularity of the Japanese take on the traditional hot pot style of cooking.
Among Spring Carnival's attractions this year was a chance to catch an early glimpse at Sweet Jesus!, a new musical with music and lyrics by senior music composition major Eric Dietz, in the form of a concert reading. The script was written by Carnegie Mellon alumna Shannon Deep (BHA '10, HNZ '11) and Dietz's score was orchestrated by Matt Aument (CFA '10).
MultiMedia
Let There Be Neon is a unique gallery of neon based works and active workshop supplying some of the city's most iconic signage. I was granted a behind-the-scenes tour of this positively glowing piece of New York history. One of the first things to greet visitors to Let There Be Neon is this display behind...
A brief look at a historic Greenwich Village bar which appears in the Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Copywriting and Marketing
One look at all these fresh AF donuts, and we know what's going through your head, Los Angeles: You want one. We know. We did it on purpose. (#SorryNotSorry) So the big question becomes: What kind? Maybe it's the classics: a French cruller, a maple bar, or a jelly-filled donut covered in powdered sugar.
Across the country, tech entrepreneurs and pop culture fans alike are gearing up for this year's South by Southwest (SXSW) festival in Austin, Texas, which will feature hundreds of musical performances, dozens of film screenings, and almost 300 exhibitors between March 10 and 20. Some 72,000 people have already registered for the event.
What is the best way to learn the physics behind bridges? By building one.
Sometimes, inspiration comes in the form of a misprinted dinosaur. In 2011, WobbleWorks was developing Troody, a robotic dino toy. At the time, the company's business model was to develop toy ideas to sell to other companies. Maxwell Bogue and Peter Dilworth, founded the company together in 2010.
ExxonMobil has been following this recipe for years at its tire-testing facility in its Baytown Technology & Engineering Complex in Texas. The extensive tire testing has made the facility's staff the world's experts on subjects like how fast a tire loses inflation pressure - known as inflation pressure loss rate - which hurts vehicle fuel mileage ...
Natural gas is, in many ways, a substance of the future. It's a powerful fuel source that will be a key part of meeting the world's growing demand for energy. It is also the source of chemical compounds that are key to the creation of plastics and other materials used in daily life.
For some, the adventure doesn't end when the book closes or the credits roll. Fan Creators take inspiration from their favorite movies, games, comics, and cartoons and make incredible things. To see what that passion can produce, we gave some hardcore fans the latest 3Doodler Create for two weeks.
If you are reading this on a phone, tablet or laptop, you should probably thank Dr. M. Stanley Whittingham. In the 1970s Dr. Whittingham was working in a battery technology lab for ExxonMobil when he created the very first examples of a radical new technology: the rechargeable lithium ion battery that's most likely powering your ...
Artists and creators the world over recognize the 3Doodler as a powerful and revolutionary tool. But what impact do the critics, professors, and curators of the art world think the 3Doodler will have?
The first thing you might notice as you approach ExxonMobil's Baytown Petrochemical Complex is the billowing plume of water vapor rising from the facility. What you might not realize is just how far steam and water have traveled...