This video was filmed in Greater New Haven – including New Haven, West Haven and Milford. Friend and colleague Frank Chi and I created this in response to the anti-immigrant and xenophobic hatred spewing from the mouths of Republican politicians during the Republican primaries. And then the New Year began — with our government launching…
There are times when a work of art moves us deeply, so much so that we find ourselves thinking about it, talking about it and even sharing it with our loved ones. For me, this video is one such example. It brings art and social justice together to create a moving and powerful work that…
Having access to a shopping cart is something we all take for granted when we go grocery shopping. So why is the Stop & Shop on Whalley Avenue hoarding its shopping carts? It used to be that the shopping carts were in abundance, though the quality of the carts always left much to be desired.…
The elections are over, and it’s time to push President Obama to fulfill his promise to deliver administrative relief for the undocumented, including those who live in the Elm City. Please join Senator Blumenthal Thursday, November 6 (tomorrow) at 1pm outside of New Haven City Hall for a rally and press conference. Let us continue…
Swim lessons for children ages 5 to 13 begin next week at LEAP’s Community Center Pool at 31 Jefferson Street in New Haven. Classes are twice a week. Pick either Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday and whether you want class from 6 to 6:45 or 7 to 7:45. The 10 class session costs $100. To sign up, Call…
Tucked away in a corner of Fair Haven is one of New Haven’s community gems: the Bregamos Community Theater. Founded 14 years ago by Rafael Ramos, the theater today is a thriving hub of high quality theater, arts and culture — by and for the community. Our community. Last Saturday, September 12th, Bregamos was at…
I met a young man a few weeks ago named Daniel (a pseudonym). He was visibly upset at an otherwise upbeat gathering, so I asked him what was bothering him. His 13-year-old cousin had just hanged himself in the town square, he told me, unflinchingly attributing it to the domestic violence that runs rampant in…
The Connecticut Immigrant Rights Alliance (CIRA) is having a rally at the old Gateway Community College, Long Wharf Campus (60 Sargent Drive in New Haven) at 4 pm Tuesday July 22nd. CIRA is calling on Governor Malloy to identify places where children coming to the US as refugees from violence in Honduras, Guatemala and El…
The crisis at the border has finally hit Connecticut. And to the horror of many, Governor Malloy has reacted in a way that is making xenophobes and nativists squeal with joy. To recap: since last October, approximately 57,000 children – some as young as 5, have crossed the border in to the US to escape poverty,…
The wonderful band La Santa Cecilia played this past Saturday on the New Haven Green as part of the International Festival of Arts & Ideas. Their performance was preceded by an immigrants’ rights rally on the Green organized by Unidad Latina en Accion (ULA) as part of the National Day to Stop Separating Families. Little…
It is a car aficionado’s dream: a room filled with classic and vintage cars. A Mustang Mach 1. 1960 Buick LeSabre. 1967 Ford Mustang Shelby GT 500. A Jaguar convertible. A 1939 LaSalle. A Harley Davidson motorcycle. Rows and rows of cars, 60 in all, lovingly restored or in stages of restoration, sitting in a…
Last Sunday, after returning home from celebrating Father’s Day, a flicker of light caught my eye from across the street: it was the site where Varnouard “Nard” Hall died just three months ago. Since his death, Mr. Hall’s family has regularly visited the site to light candles and leave small objects in his memory.…
Over the years, I’ve started many workshops for parents and child care providers with a simple brainstorm activity. I ask, “What are your dreams for your children, or for the children in your child care?” I’ve completed this activity more than twenty times. Every time, the answers are the same: independence, love, safety, relationships. This…
Graduation marks the beginning of my favorite time of year in New Haven. When the Register starts writing about who’s delivering what commencement speech where, I start doing my happy dance. Because during the months of May to August, the city becomes a different place – and here are some of the reasons why. Yalies leave…
To me, on My Graduation Day. It is graduation season and, consequently, inspirational commencement speeches will soon flood our social streams and email boxes. Always one to spot a trend and also, as per my habit, one to write speeches to imaginary audiences celebrating fictional events, I have decided to write a graduation speech of my own…
new haven speaks 