Gone Dishin’ partied for all three at three different locations. Read on to see which one drew Heidi Green and Doug Rae (pictured), and why.
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‘Tis the season of annual meetings and fund-raisers. All of the non-profits wishing to take the fear factor out of their events have booked every moment of the short season when the snow birds have returned and before summer vacations to make their cases. They start at breakfast, continue through lunch, onto “high tea” and straight into the evening. They are getting very creative with themes and venues.
Political economist and author, Professor Douglas Rae hosted an event to raise funds and awareness for 1,000 Friends of Connecticut, an organization that promotes Smart Growth, reduce sprawl while supporting development that maximizes existing investment in infrastructure and protects natural and historic resources and farmlands. They concern themselves with housing, job opportunities, transportation and education in compact, diverse and livable communities. The Yale Visitors Center was the perfect setting for the topic.
Heidi Green, formerly with the Greater New Haven Community Loan Fund, is now the Executive Director of 1,000 Friends of Connecticut, part of a growing national organization. Don Chen, a Yale alum and former student of Rae’s, in addition to being the executive director of Smart Growth America, was the keynote speaker. He charmed the audience with his reflections from his formative years as an undergrad disc jockey and later graduate of the Yale School of Forestry. He engaged them in discussion of the problems that we confront as we look to the future.
Bishop Peter Rosazza, Bill Graustein, Bob Santy, Lindy Gold and Pat Wallace (development chair for the organization) were eager participants in the dialogue. Elaine Hooker, Jim Mason (from the Board of Trustees), Herrick Jackson (grandson of John Day Jackson, founder of the New Haven Register) Tom and Eunice Groark (together in photo along with Bishop Rosazza; Eunice was the state’s first female lieutenant governor under Lowell Weicker) were all interested in promotion of these strategies.
In the spirit of encouraging the great things that can happen with the adaptive use of urban buildings, it was most appropriate to cross over to the Ninth Square artist’s loft of Chris and Randima Cavallaro to party for another wonderful group. Children’s Community Programs of CT., the arm of the Children’s Center that provides the important arts and other social and cultural experiential programs to enhance the lives of the youngsters in residential treatment, was the beneficiary of the evening. Tony and Cynthia Cavallaro (he is the director of special education in Branford and she is on staff at the Children’s Center) were working the room with Sandra Tyrell (art therapy director) while guests sipped wine and considered bidding on the wonderful silent auction items. The evening was so festive that Gideon Gebreyesus (Caf√© Adulis and La Piazza) and Debbie Luciani (Diner 21) may have been vying for their own gift certificates. Donations for gifts and services from Soul de Cuba, Estetique Spa, Panache,
Hair Chateau, V. Ferrucci Ltd, Hello Bouthique, Shimmer and Stone, Le Grand Vin, Carmen Anthony’s and Temple Grill, among others, succeeded in raising thousands
of dollars. Orin Bolton (musician and brother of Michael), Lindy Lee Gold, Sandy Kaye, Brian and Palma Lynch, the Farwell and Catalano families and Emily Reynolds all contributed their time and treasure. The crowd grooved to the Bossanova sounds of News Joint, with their terrific vocalist, set the mood.
The Sunday rain was no deterrent to those who traveled from New Haven to Bridgeport to witness Bryan Norwood taking the oath of office as the eighth Chief of Police in Bridgeport’s history. Lindy Gold conjectured that having police chiefs was undoubtedly what made their crime rate decrease and wondered what they ever did without them! New Haven city administrators Karen DuBois-Walton and Sheila Bell were seen among the throng of well wishers from the New Haven P.D., including Chief Francisco Ortiz and Captain Steve Verrelli.
Among the ranks of New Haven expatriates who work in Bridgeport are Bill O’Brien (now their Collector of Taxes), former Chief Melvin Wearing (now the chief of security for the Board of Education), Merle Berke-Schlessel (exec at their United Way) and Cindy Kissin (CEO of the Greater Bridgeport Community Foundation). Bishop Ted Brooks and Attorney General Dick Blumenthal dedicated their entire afternoons to pay tribute to the youngest Chief in the state. Veronica Douglas (WTNH) and her god daughter, Tanica Williams, made a wonderful presentation for the occasion. Police dignitaries from surrounding cities and towns were joined by a representative of the Connecticut State Police in wishing Norwood well. Even in the torrential downpour, the “crowns” worn by the matriarchs would have been worth the trek. As Bryan’s badge was attached to his uniform, he suddenly realized the truth of what every woman knows, it really is all in the accessories! Somehow gold usually looks more outstanding than silver.
The season has just started — ¬¶.so much to do..so little time — ¬¶.All for the Greater Good!!
