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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.

Friday, December 1, 2023

Matching Challenge for Giving Season, via Amour Propre Fund/LindyLee Gold

Thanks to the Amour Propre Fund/LindyLee Gold, President, among other key partners/donors, Connecticut Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) is able to match up to $15,000 in donations during this Giving Season--through December 31.

We are grateful to everyone who supports this work for children--at whatever level, anytime!  Please consider donating here.  Connecticut CASA also invites contributions via check or donor-advised funds; there are many ways to help this lean organization extend its reach.

7:26 pm est 

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 

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