Latest news with #Todaro
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Wasena Bridge replacement project could take longer than expected after apparent setback
ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) – According to Roanoke City officials, Hurricane Helene damaged a temporary work bridge on the Wasena Bridge replacement project, which put construction behind schedule, but it's unknown by how much. For more than a year now, the bridge's closure has affected people's commute patterns, increased traffic on side roads, and closed portions of the Roanoke River Greenway, decreasing foot traffic. That has hurt adjacent businesses like The Green Goat restaurant. 'It's considerably off, the business,' owner Bruce Todaro said. 'If no one is walking on the greenway anymore and no one's walking by the restaurant, the area is just not as well-used as it used to be.' Todaro said he knows better times will come and remains positive. Wasena Bridge project enters new phase 'I know everybody's working hard on the bridge, and it's not necessarily their fault,' he said. 'To my knowledge, the guys are out there every day, and I see them working, I see them working on weekends and into the evening, but hopefully everything comes together in the end, and everybody comes out and supports us.' However, not all businesses in the area have seen an impact by the bridge's closure. Proud Pops barber Shop is one of them. 'I'm a schedule by appointment barber,' Steven Webb, a barber and the owner of the shop said. 'Business hasn't changed a lot for me, but I know for other businesses it might not be the same.' Both Todaro and Wilks are thankful for the community support they do get. 'We appreciate everybody who does come out, that's for sure,' Todaro said. 'If anybody is still wondering what's going on, we're open seven days a week with regular hours of operation, and whenever you can think of us, come on out and support us.' 'I'm very thankful and very blessed to be in this area,' Wilks said. 'It's a great community and everybody here sticks together, and I think that's what's still keeping everybody thriving.' Nobody from Roanoke city was available for comment on the project. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Business Insider
10-05-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Analysts' Top Financial Picks: Brookfield Corporation (BN), Cleanspark (CLSK)
There's a lot to be optimistic about in the Financial sector as 2 analysts just weighed in on Brookfield Corporation (BN – Research Report) and Cleanspark (CLSK – Research Report) with bullish sentiments. Protect Your Portfolio Against Market Uncertainty Discover companies with rock-solid fundamentals in TipRanks' Smart Value Newsletter. Receive undervalued stocks, resilient to market uncertainty, delivered straight to your inbox. Brookfield Corporation (BN) RBC Capital analyst Robert Kwan maintained a Buy rating on Brookfield Corporation yesterday and set a price target of $67.00. The company's shares closed last Friday at $56.70. Kwan has an average return of 0.8% when recommending Brookfield Corporation. According to Kwan is ranked #142 out of 9504 analysts. Brookfield Corporation has an analyst consensus of Strong Buy, with a price target consensus of $67.00, implying a 16.0% upside from current levels. In a report released yesterday, BMO Capital also maintained a Buy rating on the stock with a $66.00 price target. In a report released yesterday, John Todaro from Needham reiterated a Buy rating on Cleanspark, with a price target of $19.50. The company's shares closed last Friday at $9.20, close to its 52-week low of $7.02. According to Todaro is a 5-star analyst with an average return of 22.6% and a 48.5% success rate. Todaro covers the Financial sector, focusing on stocks such as Applied Digital Corporation, Marathon Digital Holdings, and Coinbase Global. The word on The Street in general, suggests a Strong Buy analyst consensus rating for Cleanspark with a $18.50 average price target, which is a 121.0% upside from current levels. In a report issued on April 30, H.C. Wainwright also maintained a Buy rating on the stock with a $25.00 price target.
Miami Herald
10-04-2025
- Miami Herald
Leader of anti-child abuse group caught sharing child pornography, NY cops say
A leading member of Bikers Against Child Abuse — a non-profit organization that aims to prevent further harm against children who've been sexually, physically and emotionally abused — was arrested on child pornography charges in New York, state police say. John C. Todaro, the vice president of the non-profit advocacy group's chapter in Buffalo, New York, was found with child pornography, according to an April 9 news release issued by state police. He's also been sharing child pornography, authorities say. Felony charges Todaro, 49, of Amherst, is charged with two felonies: promoting a sexual performance by a child and possessing a sexual performance by a child, according to state police. Attorney information for Todaro, who was arrested April 9, wasn't immediately available. Through his position, as a person who's supposed to advocate against child abuse, state police say Todaro 'would have had opportunities to be around children and child victims.' Bikers Against Child Abuse has dozens of chapters in nearly all 50 states, except Delaware, North Dakota and Rhode Island. The non-profit group made up of bikers also has chapters in Australia, Canada, Costa Rica, Europe, Iceland, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. The group's members work with local and state officials to protect children. The goal of Bikers Against Child Abuse 'The goal of BACA is eventually to break the chains of child abuse,' a chapter member said in an informational video shared by Bikers Against Child Abuse International on YouTube. The organization's online mission statement says: 'We desire to send a clear message to all involved with the abused child that this child is part of our organization, and that we are prepared to lend our physical and emotional support to them by affiliation, and our physical presence.' To join the organization, the group requires prospective members to be at least 18 years old, agree to a full background check, attend monthly meetings, bike rides, court hearings and other events, according to Bikers Against Child Abuse's website. When a member is with a child, at least one other member is present, the organization explains on its website. According to Bikers Against Child Abuse's Buffalo chapter, Todaro uses the nickname 'Doc.' Other leading chapter members also use nicknames. Bikers Against Child Abuse didn't immediately return McClatchy News' request for comment April 10. What's next for Todaro? The charges against Todaro stem from an investigation by New York State Police's Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, a national agency that collaborates with federal, state and local law enforcement. The ICAC Task Force is involved in investigating, prosecuting and responding to online crimes that harm children. According to New York State Police, Todaro appeared in court in Amherst, a Buffalo suburb, for an arraignment and 'was released on own recognizance.' He's due to return to court in May, state police say. Authorities ask anyone with information on Todaro to call state police at 585-344-6200. Suspected child exploitation can be reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children's CyberTipline online or by calling 1-800-843-5678.
The Independent
10-04-2025
- The Independent
VP of Bikers Against Child Abuse arrested on child porn possession charges
The vice president of the Buffalo branch of Bikers Against Child Abuse has been arrested on charges of child porn possession. John C. Todaro, 49, was arrested Wednesday for promoting a sexual performance by a child and possessing a sexual performance by a child, according to the New York State Police. Bikers Against Child Abuse, Inc. (B.A.C.A.) pledges 'to create a safer environment for abused children', according to the mission statement on their website. The tax exempt non-profit also seeks to 'empower children to not feel afraid of the world in which they live." Police have said thanks to his role within the group, Todaro had opportunities to be around children. Investigators from Clarence, just northeast of Buffalo, conducted a sweep of the 49-year-old's electronic devices as part of an Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) investigation supported by the Troop A Computer Crimes Unit, according to a statement from the New York State Police. It's not clear what tipped investigators off. Todaro was released on his own recognizance and will appear in court in Amherst again in May. John C. Todaro, 49, of Amherst, New York State has been arrested for promoting a sexual performance by a child and possessing a sexual performance by a child (New York State Police) New York State Police have asked anyone with information to contact them at 585-344-6200. The Buffalo chapter was established in 2014. In 2023, the group's efforts saw them awarded 'Bikers Against Child Abuse' month in Erie County. According to the charity's website, an abused child can contact the B.A.C.A, where a child liaison first speaks to them. 'The Liaison [then] contacts the family, and an initial ride is organized to meet the child at their home or in some other location where the child will feel comfortable,' according to the website. The group of bikers designated to that area then rides to meet the child, who is given a vest with a B.A.C.A. patch sewn on the back to wear. Children who have suffered abuse will then undergo a step-by-step process of being integrated into the group as a 'family member' and B.A.C.A members will even attend the court hearings where, if the children are required to testify against their alleged abusers, providing a judge permits it. However, this is not the first time B.A.C.A members have been tied to child sex abuse crimes. David Wayne Garvey was convicted on four counts of child pornography possession in 2011 (344th Judicial District Court - Chambers County) In 2009, David Wayne Garvey, a member in Houston, was arrested for possession of child pornography. His membership was subsequently revoked. He was sentenced in 2011 to 20 years on four counts of 'possession with intent to promote child pornography,' according to court records seen by The Independent . In 2018, members of the B.A.C.A Sam Bass chapter in Round Rock, Texas, were arrested in July 2018 for 23 counts of abusing foster children in their care, including indecency with a child and injury to a child, according to an affidavit seen by CBS News . The accused were a married couple, Daniel and Shirley Rodriguez. David Richard West, a former B.A.C.A member was charged with child pornography offences in 2019 (Oklahoma Department Of Corrections) A year later, Oklahoma B.A.C.A. member Richard David West, 41, was arrested and charged with lewd or indecent acts or proposals to a child under the age of 16, according to public records seen by The Independent . The Independent contacted Bikers Against Child Abuse (B.A.C.A) for comment.
Miami Herald
08-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Florida Grand Opera's ‘Carmen' has plenty of legacy and a ‘Real Housewife' of Miami
Behind the scenes of Florida Grand Opera's 'Carmen,' there are intriguing legacies: This will be the 24th production for mezzo soprano Ginger Costa-Jackson who will be singing the role of 'Carmen'; Julia Lemigova, one of the stars of the reality television series 'The Real Housewives of Miami,' is in the production in a role that has always been miniscule but now has more stage time; and director Maria Todaro comes from a long line of 'Carmen' history – her mother, a celebrated Brazilian mezzo-soprano, has sung the role of Carmen 250 times. Todaro has reimagined the production, taking it out of George Bizet's early 19th century Spain and placing it in the midst of the Spanish Civil War in 1937. Todaro, who has been with Florida Grand Opera (FGO) since October 2023, first as its interim general director and general director and CEO since 2024, conceived and directs FGO's 'Carmen,' opening Saturday, April 12, at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts. It will also be performed in Fort Lauderdale at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts on Thursday, April 24 and Friday, April 25. 'This is for me, an enormous joy,' says Todaro, who has sung the role as a mezzo soprano in her own professional career, 'because I'll be working with exquisite artists that I've chosen and without changing a word, without changing the music, we are telling a very powerful story. [It is] the same story, but with layers that are deeper and empowering for women.' For the French-born Todaro, 'Carmen' is not just an opera, but a deeply personal, artistic and familial touchstone. 'When I was an opera singer, I performed many Carmens,' says Todaro. 'And my mother was the youngest singer in the history of 'Carmen.' She is the daughter of opera singers José Todaro, a Spanish/Italian operatic tenor, who frequently played the role of Don José, and Brazilian mezzo soprano Maria-Helena de Olivera who, at 21 was the youngest singer to debut in the role, performing at La Monnaie in Brussels. She went on to perform the Spanish gypsy 250 times. In FGO's production of 'Carmen,' Todaro cast Ginger Costa-Jackson in a role that has become her signature, performing as Carmen in productions with major companies in Seattle, San Diego, San Francisco, Nashville, Detroit, Vancouver and Tokyo. In a first, her soprano sisters, Marina Costa-Jackson and Miriam Costa-Jackson, will alternate performances as Micaëla, the first time all three have performed in a production together, albeit only sharing a brief scene. 'There's only one moment that In Act 3 where Micaëla and my character interact on stage. She's disguised as a boy and I am actually the one that removes her hat because she is in disguise and the minute I take off her hat, I see all of her hair falling down and I say, 'It's a woman.' ' Ginger Costa-Jackson recalls that during rehearsals the sisters would all 'break down laughing because we have this face off and we would just crack up when I would reveal Micaëla's identity.' She says they have been working to remain serious when the curtain goes up. While Ginger Costa-Jackson has worked with Todaro in other productions, this will be the three sisters debut with FGO. 'And you've heard that we have a Miami housewife with us,' says Costa-Jackson. Lemigova, the wife of tennis star Martina Navratilova, and the first LGBTQ+ housewife to be featured in Bravo's reality television show, has been studying voice with Florida Grand Opera for the past year, and is making her opera debut in a non-singing role as Manuelita, a factory work and Carmen's rival. 'We have some cat fighting scenes together and it's so fun,' says Costa-Jackson. Todaro says it is a very physical role she's given Lemigova. 'Usually, the character is seen for about ten seconds and, in some productions you don't even see her, she is just mentioned. In my version, you'll see her in all four acts,' says Todaro, who worked with Lemigova on stage combat, a disfiguration sequence, and 'intense interactions' with the cast. Todaro says deliberately expanding the character's presence in the opera emphasizes the role of women in the director's Spanish Civil War setting. 'The Spanish Civil War offers a context that Carmen is a freedom fighter,' says Todaro. She references the book 'Carmen' by Prosper Mérimée, the original novella from 1845 that inspired the classic opera by Bizet. 'Before Carmen dies, she says 'I was born free and I will die free.' So this statement from Mérimée is really the epitome of who Carmen is,' she says. 'Placing it in the Spanish Civil War allowed me to give another sense to the word freedom that is always so emphasized. It's not just her sexual freedom. She says, 'I have had many lovers. And one day they are here and one day they are gone.' Now, her mission is the fight for freedom during a war.' 'Carmen,' Bizet's opera of a free-spirited Gypsy woman, has become one of the most frequently performed operas. Some of the French opera's arias have become part of pop culture, such as the recognizable 'Habanera,' with its familiar pizzicato strings and orchestra used as a soundtrack for television and movie comedic moments — such as the Swedish Chef and Beaker singing together on 'The Muppets,' in a Doritos commercial during the 2008 Super Bowl, and to dramatize Mr. Carl Fredricksen's long descend down the stairs to start his day in Disney Pixar's film 'Up.' 'The traditionalist will look at it with an eye of 'ooh, I'm surprised,''' says Todaro about her 'Carmen.' 'There are things in this production like the treatment of 'Habanera,' for instance and the first time Carmen enters the stage. Usually, you see her as a femme fatale, but I've done something very different. But I don't want to give away the secrets.' She does divulge that she inserted writer Ernest Hemingway into her version – the novelist was in Spain during the Civil War as a correspondent. Since her opera is set in the midst of Francisco Franco's dictatorship she had to consult with her prop master about elements on the set that would be relevant to 1937. Should a poster say 'Libertad' like she had used in a previous production she directed in 2018 or would she rather 'Unidad' in 2025? 'In my other shows I always had 'libertad,' like a cry for freedom. In today's context, we debated about the purpose of art and the responsibility that we have. Whatever is happening in the world does not belong to me, the interpretation is for the audience. This company is a place of connection, of unity, a place where we want to create dialogue and where it should be a safe place for everyone to come and to discuss.' Todaro says as the executive director, CEO of FGO and the director of its current production,' she sees her job as this: 'My role is not to influence. My role is to present.' If you go: WHAT: Florida Grand Opera's 'Carmen' (Sung in French with English and Spanish projected translations) WHEN: 7 p.m. Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday and 8 p.m. April 15; also in Fort Lauderdale, 7:30 p.m. April 24 and 26. WHERE: Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, 1300 Biscayne Blvd., and Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 SW 5th Ave., Fort Lauderdale. COST: Miami: $22- $258; Broward: $25 – $215 INFORMATION: 800-741-1010 or is a nonprofit source of theater, dance, visual arts, music and performing arts news. Sign up for our newsletter and never miss a story.
