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Practically Idealistic blog
 
The title for this blog originated with use of the term “practical idealist” in this 1996 opinion piece, which asked: “To what kind of work should a practical idealist aspire?” A century and a half earlier, Emerson, in his 1841 essay Circles, wrote: “There are degrees in idealism.  We learn first to play with it academically. . . .  Then we see in the heyday of youth and poetry that it may be true, that it is true in gleams and fragments.  Then, its countenance waxes stern and grand, and we see that it must be true.  It now shows itself ethical and practical.”  John Dewey and Mahatma Gandhi embraced practical idealism in the 20th century, as did UN Secretary General U Thant.  Al Gore invoked it in a 1998 speech. In the context of this blog, the term is meant to convey idealism tempered but not overwhelmed by realism: a search for the ideal on a path guided by common sense.

Thursday, November 30, 2023

Considering a "Crisis" during Adoption Month

Nodding to a recent Dalio Education-commissioned report on "Connecticut's Unspoken Crisis" of "disconnected" or "at-risk" individuals ages 14-26, my recent opinion piece appeared in the Connecticut Mirror and the New Haven Register, among other Hearst CT Media outlets.

The piece is also available via Medium, part of a series published there over the years.
8:14 am est 

Wednesday, August 2, 2023

Profile in Connecticut Mirror

Having contributed opinion pieces on a range of topics over the years, I was profiled in the Connecticut Mirror as part of a series; credit journalist Madeline Papcun.

7:44 am edt 

Wednesday, July 26, 2023

Coverage of Cooking, and Singing, for Connecticut CASA

The New Haven Independent published an account of the July 20 event previewed in the July 8 post below. 

11:17 pm edt 

Saturday, July 8, 2023

July 20 "Cooking for CASA" Benefit Previewed

 

Join us July 20 for Connecticut CASA's 2023 Benefit, following the 2022 Benefit.  Chef Claire Criscuolo—who led a cooking lesson over Zoom in September 2021—will return in person for a “Cooking for CASA” theme featuring seasonal recipes with squash blossoms, and musical entertainment.  


Please register here (https://www.connecticutcasa.org/cook-for-casa-registration-2023/page.html) for this New Haven event.  It will be from 5-7 p.m. at the Dixwell Community "Q" House at 197 Dixwell Avenue, at the corner of Foote Street.


Local musical artist Chynna Sherrod, known for guitar and vocals on American Idol, will perform July 20.


Lead sponsors include Yale University and Akerman LLP, as well as Claire’s Corner Copia, with the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, NewAlliance Foundation, and Better Rhodes among other generous sponsors.  We also thank the City of New Haven, the Q House, and LEAP for Kids for use of the Q House facilities.

 

See  New Haven Register/Hearst CT Media coverage.

7:58 am edt 

Monday, May 22, 2023

From the "Great Give" to "Where We Live"--and July 20 Benefit

Foster Care Month is May, when the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven holds its "Great Give" fundraising event for nonprofits.

This year, Connecticut CASA raised nearly $30,000 during this week-long event, from 114 donors. Many thanks to all who donated these key unrestricted funds, and to matching challenges that helped propel this success!

During the Great Give, WNHH and the New Haven Independent interviewed Connecticut CASA volunteer advocate Tricia Goldburn and me, with the video on our YouTube channel.

In addition, on that YouTube channel is a subsequent interview of Tricia and me on WNPR's "Where We Live" program, which also featured a foster parent and Connecticut DCF Commissioner Vannessa Dorantes.

Now, save the date of July 20 for a "Cooking for CASA" Benefit led by Chef Claire Criscuolo at New Haven's Dixwell Community "Q" House.  Early sponsors include Yale University, Akerman LLP, the Community Foundation, and the NewAlliance Foundation, as well as Claire's Corner Copia.  Please register here.
8:00 pm edt 

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