March 11, 2019Edition

Family owned dry-cleaning chain Best Cleaners recently held its annual community coat drive, collecting and cleaning 15,000 coats. The coats were delivered to Salvation Army centers and shelters in Hartford, Middletown, Meriden, Bristol, New Britain, New Haven, Bridgeport, New London and Waterbury. Pictured (from left) are: Laura Krueger, The Salvation Army; Gary Reynolds, Best Cleaners; Scott Franco, Best Cleaners; Major Carol Duperree, The Salvation Army; Shawn McCann, Best Cleaners; Laura Mullaly, Best Cleaners; and Kevin Mullaly, Best Cleaners.

With recent federal clearance and backing from Gov. Ned Lamont, Connecticut farmers are growing optimistic the state is finally positioned to develop a hemp program that would allow the industry to tap into a multibillion-dollar market.

Trends in the branding and advertising world that show no signs of abating are virtue signaling, values marketing and corporate activism communications.

By year-end 2019, prospective Hartford renters will have hundreds more downtown living spaces to choose from.

Should David Lehman be Connecticut's next economic-development commissioner?

As the head of a family trash removal business and chair of the Motor transport Association of Connecticut, Michael Paine is focused on toll opposition and passing on Paine's Inc. Recycling and Rubbish Removal to the next generation.

Q&A talks with Rob Levine, a Realtor and 2019 president of the Greater Hartford Association of Realtors, about the region's housing market and the spring homebuying season.

Well, that was fast. Gov. Ned Lamont, who was sworn into office Jan. 7, has had a rough few weeks. It sure seems as if the honeymoon's over, which is probably a good thing, because it means he's doing the job that needs to be done.

They say those who do not study history are doomed to repeat it.

United Way Women United's Red, White & Chocolate event at the Town & County Club in Hartford raised more than $7,000 to support United Way-backed economic mobility programs and services. The annual event is the fundraising kickoff for the organization's 2019 Power of the Purse Luncheon and Silent Auction slated for June 13 at the Connecticut Convention Center. Pictured (from left) are: Ashley Born; Tisa Rabun-Marshall; Karen Hinds; Patti MacRae; Pamela Senator; Jackie Garofano; Vicky Pace; and Paula S. Gilberto.

Employees from East Hartford-based American Eagle Financial Credit Union partnered with coffee shops in local communities to surprise people with free breakfast on Feb. 1, as part of its “On Us” event. The communities that were served included: East Hartford, Bloomfield, Farmington, Glastonbury, Manchester, New Britain, Newington, Southington, South Windsor, West Hartford and Vernon. Pictured (from left) are: Santo Pirrotta, American Eagle East Hartford branch manager; Priscila de Souza, American Eagle East Hartford assistant branch manager; and Dean Marchessault, American Eagle president and CEO.

Serving as Connecticut's attorney general for eight years, George Jepsen several times joined other state attorneys general in class action lawsuits against corporate entities.