Latest news with #Pastore
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Advocates push for increased support at Women-Owned Business Day at State Capitol
HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — Tuesday was Women-Owned Business Day at the Connecticut State Capitol. While the number of businesses owned by women keeps growing, the organization that helps them is facing some serious challenges this year. Every year, the Women's Business Development Council holds a Women-Owned Business Day to remind state officials the importance of women in the economy. 'This year, it's even more important, because we learned on Friday night that our federal funds were eliminated from the president's budget,' said Fran Pastore, the CEO of WBDC. All Smithland Pet & Garden Centers closing after 40 years of business That funding represented almost 10% of the council's budget. The council helps women entrepreneurs secure capital. 'I have met a great group of women at WBDC,' said Dr. Natasha Louis-Charles who runs Family Eyecare of Orange. 'I've partnered with them and was able to get multiple grants and funding to help my business grow.' It also helps them market their products, which is Maria Miranda's specialty as a 'brand manager' with her company, Miranda Creative. 'So, social media, website, traditional media,' Miranda explained. 'We manage their brand and their reputation across all of those spaces.' In addition to the funding challenges, the WBDC is also facing another challenge. The Stamford office building where they have their headquarters had a fire earlier this year. 'But we have had an incredible response from our community of women and men throughout our state, and so we are going to keep forging ahead and we are going to be there for the women in our state who need our support,' Pastore said. A lack of federal funds would make state support more important than ever in continuing recent momentum. 'Just to give you a quick snapshot, in 2019, we worked with about 800 women entrepreneurs in Connecticut,' said Pastore. 'We closed out 2024 with over 3,500 women.' That's more than four times as many in just five years. The question now is: Will that increase keep going in the current economic climate? Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to
Express Tribune
09-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Sopranos' Vincent Pastore is shaping the future of acting with his new theater group
Veteran actor Vincent Pastore, best known for his role as Salvatore 'Big Pussy' Bonpensiero on HBO's The Sopranos, is now dedicating his time to teaching and mentoring the next generation of performers. Pastore, 78, recently launched a theater group in collaboration with Maureen Van Zandt—wife of Sopranos co-star Steven Van Zandt—producing both classic and contemporary plays while also offering acting classes to aspiring actors. Despite his celebrated career, Pastore revealed he never intended to become an actor. 'My dream was to be a nightclub owner. I love putting shows together,' he shared. His journey into acting began unexpectedly while running a travel agency in the 1970s, where a chance encounter with Alan Arkin's son led to his first acting role in The Jerky Boys. That role opened doors to films like Gotti, and eventually to his iconic part on The Sopranos. Though many students enroll in his classes to meet a Sopranos legend, Pastore reminds them, 'I'm Vinny. I'm a teacher. I'm not that guy on television.' He's also preparing to pass the torch to his 13-year-old granddaughter Maya, who was recently inspired after watching him on stage. 'Let me know when you want to be an actor and I'll teach you,' he told her. With heartfelt memories of co-star James Gandolfini and a passion for performance, Pastore is finding new purpose in guiding others toward their acting dreams.
Yahoo
10-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
New data reveals disturbing side effect of sending kids to private school: 'I'm confident there is a strong association'
A grassroots advocacy group involving parents has found a shocking correlation between private schools and health-harming air pollution in south London. As detailed by the Guardian, a new analysis by Solve the School Run found that nitrogen dioxide pollution increased by 27% when private schools were open along with public state-run academies, even though private schools have around 50% fewer pupils than state schools. The levels of fine particulate matter, or PM2.5, also rose by 25%. "It's well established in the area that in the weeks when only state schools are open, the traffic is much lighter, partly because those schools have much lower driving rates," Nicola Pastore, parent and co-founder of Solve the School Run, told the Guardian. "It may be that the exact numbers are not precise, but I'm confident there is a strong association," Ben Barratt, an Imperial College London professor in environmental exposures and public health, said of the analysis. The group used data from Breathe London's community air monitoring program and bus times from Transport for London to monitor the levels of air pollution. Exposure to nitrogen dioxide pollution is associated with a variety of health complications, including heart problems, lung cancer, and asthma — a disease resulting in school absences for more than one in five children in the United Kingdom each year, per the University of Brighton. Meanwhile, researchers at the University of Southern California linked PM2.5 to poorer learning and memory performance. This type of air pollution is also associated with asthma. Speaking to the Guardian, Pastore also highlighted how her community was more peaceful when it didn't have to deal with private school traffic. "As a mother of three children, it feels like you can breathe again because you don't have to worry so much about your children getting hit, and there isn't the stress of noise and pollution," Pastore said. "It's just a much calmer and more enjoyable journey to school." Do you feel like the air quality is safe where you live? Always Usually Not in the summer Never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Dulwich College, a private school in London, met with Solve the School Run and shared that it is "very aware" it needs to encourage more sustainable modes of transportation, such as walking or cycling, according to the Guardian. A spokesperson added that 32% of its pupils already commute to school by foot, bike, or scooter. Pastore also spotlighted how infrastructure can influence transportation decisions, saying: "We'd like to see more safe, convenient and sustainable travel choices for families. These include parent-free travel options like primary-age school buses as well as much safer cycling routes." Advocating for your community at town halls or school board meetings is one way to raise awareness about this issue in your own jurisdictions. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
