Hartford Business Journal

www.HartfordBusiness.com April 25, 2016 • Hartford Business Journal 7 WHAT'S AHEAD: ■ 5/2 Focus: Small Business ■ The List: Largest Chambers of Commerce ■ Nonprofit Profile: Foodshare CALENDAR THURSDAY, APRIL 28 Banking Compliance Roundtable Netherlands consultancy Wolters Kluwer will co-host a compliance executive roundtable discussion for banking executive leadership throughout New England focusing on pressing compliance challenges in 2016. The April 28 roundtable, which runs from 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Radisson Hotel Cromwell in Cromwell, will be led by Wolters Kluwer Executive Vice President of professional services and consulting Timothy R. Burniston, a former federal regulator who will provide an overview of pressing issues and identify areas where institutions can be proactive in their compliance monitoring and continued compliance program. During the roundtable, Burniston will be joined by Minnie Saleh, executive vice president of retail banking at Liberty Bank, along with Wolters Kluwer co-presenters Jeffrey Robb, senior consultant; Miral Patel, technical product manager; and Mindy Marchetti, product manager. Space for this event is limited. To register, go to: http://www.wolterskluwerfs.com. TRANSPORTATION CTfastrak expanding service to Manchester CTfastrak will expand its bus service east of the Connecticut River to Manchester beginning in August. The ultimate goal is to extend the route to UConn's main campus in Storrs. The idea behind the expanded service is to provide more buses later in the day to Manchester's retail shopping areas for both employees and customers. Currently, several CTtransit lo- cal bus routes serving east of the river cease operations as early as 7:15 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 5:20 p.m. on Sun- day. The transit study's initial recommendation is to extend the transit service until 10.45 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 7:40 p.m. on Sunday. Timothy R. Burniston DON'T MISS THE MOST INSPIRATIONAL NETWORKING EVENT OF THE YEAR 13 th Annual Partners in Achievement Breakfast FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2016 7:15 – 8:00 a.m. Networking/Breakfast | 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. Program Hartford Marriott Downtown | 200 Columbus Boulevard Hartford, CT Partners in Achievement Breakfast JA's 13 th annual Partners in Achievement breakfast in Hartford is a celebration. During the breakfast program, which begins at 8:00 a.m., you will hear firsthand from children, educators and volunteers from local schools who have all experienced JA programs in the Hartford region. We promise you will be inspired! This event is considered one of Hartford's best opportunities to network with the region's top business leaders. From 7:15–8:00 a.m., while you network with old and new friends, you will also have a chance to mingle with JA students. During this time, you will be treated to a sumptuous full breakfast. Don't miss this incredible opportunity to network and support the more than 37,000 young people JA will serve this school year. Please be aware that this is a fundraising event and guests will be asked to make a contribution during the program. Please reserve your spot at JA's 13 th annual Partners in Achievement breakfast by contacting Jeremy Race at 860-525-4510 ext. 225 or jrace@jaconn.org. GOVERNMENT, POLITICS & LAW Murphy wants to drop barriers to medical marijuana research U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) has joined a bipartisan co- alition of 25 senators and representatives calling on President Obama to remove barriers to research medical marijuana and to facilitate new medical research on cannabis and its derivatives. Murphy said 23 states have established medical marijuana programs, but researchers, doctors and patients in those states are still subject to federal barriers impeding innovation and medi- cal research. The senator said there are nearly 10,000 individuals in Connecticut being treated for debilitating medical conditions — such as cancer, PTSD, glaucoma, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis and epilepsy — who are registered for a medical marijuana certificate. The congresspeople told Obama the executive branch could take steps to remove the research impediments by ordering the Drug Enforcement Administration to review its restrictions on medical marijuana, which has been classified as a Schedule 1 substance since 1970 because it is considered to have no medical use. RETAIL Vestis enters into Chapter 11 bankruptcy Meriden-based Vestis Retail Group last week filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and is shuttering all of its Sport Chalet stores as well as certain Eastern Mountain Sports and Bob's Stores outlets. As part of the voluntary reorganization, Vestis has also pro- posed selling remaining Eastern Mountain Sports and Bob's loca- tions to funds advised by Philadelphia private equity firm Versa Capital Management LLC, which would acquire substantially all of the company's remaining assets, pending court approval. As part of the planned transition, Sport Chalet began store clos- ing sales on April 16. Vestis will also close eight Eastern Mountain Sports shops — including one in the Corbin's Corner shopping center in West Hartford — and one Bob's store. CTfastrak riders will soon be able to travel to Manchester. P H O T O | H B J F I L E

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