Yesterday was an unnerving day in New York City. My office is 7 blocks from CNN where the bomb squad was deployed. All I have to say is this: if extreme right-wing terrorists think for a second that they’re going to deter me from voting in the midterms, I can assure them that they are wrong. I. Fear. No one.
A Year of Yes: Social justice for our students
This week I’m speaking at a social justice event at a high school in New York. The basis of my talk is about mental health and healing. My main points are:
-We can say our weak things in a strong voice.
-The function of freedom is to free others by telling our story.
-We need to show up for others the way we want them to show up for us.
What do you think?
A Year of Yes: My book is almost one year old
My book, Emerson Page and Where the Light Enters, is almost 1 year old. A year ago today I launched the trailer. What a year it’s been! I can’t wait to share the next leg of her journey with you in Book 2. You can grab a copy of Book 1 here: emersonpage.com/shop
A Year of Yes: I’ll be speaking at M-W Cares Day
I’ve been looking forward to this week for a year! On Friday I’ll be at M-W Cares Day, a character education program for over 2300 high school students, telling my personal story about how I overcame obstacles to become an author. The chair of the event read an interview I did when my book, Emerson Page and Where the Light Enters, first came out almost a year ago and contacted me to ask if I would be a speaker. At the time, I didn’t know how big this event would be; I just knew I wanted to talk to as many young people as I could to be the adult for them who I wish I had when I was their age. I’m so grateful for this opportunity to help them through storytelling. This is the work of my dreams.
More details about the event and day here:https://www.mw.k12.ny.us/monroe-woodbury-high-school/about/m-w-c-a-r-e-s/
A Year of Yes: Nightfall at Green-Wood Cemetery
Andrew Ousley of Unison Media did it again. Nightfall, an immersive performance experience at Brooklyn’s Green-Wood Cemetery, is spectacular! Circus performers like sword swallowers and stilt walkers, magicians and illusionists, storytellers, short films, carnival music, and live classical music in the catacombs put me into the Halloween spirit. A huge thank you to Bindlestiff Family Cirkus, Rooftop Films, Morbid Anatomy, and The Moth for sharing your talents with all of us. Also, I just have to say that the cemetery is always a special place; at night, it’s other-worldly. There’s one more show tonight and if you can make it, I highly recommend you go go go! Tickets here: https://www.green-wood.com/event/nightfall/
A Year of Yes: A tour of the North Woods of Central Park
Last Sunday, my dog, Phineas, and I took an invited tour through the North Woods of @centralparknyc. Though I’ve walked through there dozens of times for many years and am a proud donor to the park, I didn’t know the ins and outs of the design elements and how connected the design is to spirituality, art, and literature. It takes so much work, care, and knowledge to make a manicured place wild. I’m in awe of the incredible staff who works tirelessly to make the entire park such a special place for all of us. The city wouldn’t be the same with it! Huge thanks to Jessica, social media wizard at the Conservancy, and our incredible tour guides, Marieka and Juan. Check out all the available tours at www.centralparknyc.org/tours.
A Year of Yes: A new science center at Edelman Fossil Park
“The cosmic chance of our species is almost zero. The chance of YOU is almost zero. And yet, here you are.” ~ Kenneth Lacovara
I started this week by visiting The Explorer’s Club for a day-long planning meeting about the science center that will one day sit on the site of the Edelman Fossil Park. It was a day of pure wonder, imagination, and dinosaurs. I’m so excited by the possibilities of what we’re building at the Edelman Fossil Park. And absolutely thrilled that I get to work alongside my friend, hero, and favorite scientist, Ken Lacovara, along with dozens of other creative minds. This is the stuff of my dreams. Grateful doesn’t even begin to describe how I feel.
A Year of Yes: Open House New York and my inner book nerd
Open House New York is a program here in New York City that encourages cultural institutions to open their doors to the public for learning and discovery. This year, I visited the Center for Book Arts and the New York Society Library. To say that my total book nerd and New York City history obsessed heart is full is an understatement. It’s so full it might just burst right out of my chest. I can’t stop smiling. To be surrounded by books and the people who love them as much as I do was such a treat. It feels good to find your tribe and discover they are your neighbors.
A Year of Yes: I switched my electricity to 100% renewable wind and solar
I want to talk to you about something that I’m very passionate about. I grew up on a farm in the Hudson Valley and spent the majority of my childhood outside. That experience gave me a healthy respect and passion for our planet. It also instilled in me a deep love for science, animals, and our role in the ecosystem.
When I was in high school, I had a summer internship at our local power planet, Central Hudson, as a part of winning the Rensselaer Medal. There I learned so much about energy production and consumption, and it’s remained a supreme area of interest for me.
This week’s climate change report and the news of Hurricane Michael hit me like a ton of bricks so I did some digging about what I could personally do. 90% of NYC’s electricity is generated by coal. Today, I switched to 100% renewable wind and solar energy. The switch took 1 minute online. My service and provider stay the same. Con Ed will just source all my electricity from wind and solar.
I might pay a little more or less than I do now. Rates are variable no matter what their source; they’re based on how many people are using how much power at any given time. Here’s a link to learn more. This is a national program and can be used by anyone in the country with any electricity provider.
Thanks for listening and caring.
A Year of Yes: Today is the last day to register to vote in New York
Register Register Register
Vote Vote Vote
Be heard
Care
Make a difference
You matter
Your voice matters
Your story matters
Democracy only works if we do
Today is the last day to register to vote in New York.
Go to https://voting.nyc to check if you’re registered & REGISTER!
Christa Avampato 