creativity

A Year of Yes: A new science center at Edelman Fossil Park

Christa Avampato

“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.

creativity

A Year of Yes: Open House New York and my inner book nerd

Christa Avampato

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.

creativity

A Year of Yes: I switched my electricity to 100% renewable wind and solar

Christa Avampato

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.

creativity

A Year of Yes: Today is the last day to register to vote in New York

Christa Avampato

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!

creativity

A Year of Yes: Bringing back my monthly newsletter

Christa Avampato

My friend, Dan, recently asked me if I would bring back my monthly newsletter because his social media feeds are overwhelmed. And because I love Dan and because I have a lot of fun creative projects happening, I’m doing it! It’ll be filled with my fun shenanigans like my storytelling shows, my book and journalism work, my travels, podcast interviews I do, various creative projects like my museum work, and plenty of inspiration and resources to help you with your creative work! If you’d like to sign up, just like this post or drop me a line at christa.avampato@gmail.com. The newsletter will only be once a month (at about the 1st of the month) and this list will never be used for any other purposes so no spam worries.

 

creativity

A Year of Yes: NYC’s Secrets & Lies, October 9th at 7pm w/ special guest Julie Gaines of Fishs Eddy

Christa Avampato

Sea monsters, grandma gangsters, punk music, and high society fashion. Plus a secret society obsessed with hidden history for you to join and tales of activism, art, and entrepreneurship with Julie Gaines, Founder of Fishs Eddy. It’s all waiting for you at Caveat on Tuesday, October 9th at 7pm when my storytelling show New York City’s Secrets & Lies returns. Oh, and if you can separate fact from fiction when it comes to secret NYC history, there could be a big prize from UntappedCities.com with your name on it! Grab your tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/new-york-citys-secrets-and-lies-tickets-49367374145

Screen Shot 2018-10-08 at 8.27.12 AM

creativity

A Year of Yes: If Mister Rogers ran the world today

Christa Avampato

“Love, or the lack of it, is the root of everything.” ~Mister Rogers, Won’t You Be My Neighbor

Fred Rogers was a life-long Republican. He saved PBS by testifying before Congress. He accepted all people. He cared about the arts, education, and feelings. Imagine the world today if he ran the GOP.

creativity

A Year of Yes: Starting a secret society in NYC

Christa Avampato

41852145_10104544950240096_8564755427831578624_oYou’ve always wanted to be in a secret society, right? These skeleton keys are your way in and I’m saving one just for you. To claim it, grab a ticket to New York City’s Secrets & Lies storytelling show at Caveat on October 9th w/ Zak Martellucci, Alex Taylor, Michele Carlo, Erin Leafe, and Julie Gaines. Tickets are available here: https://www.caveat.nyc/event/new-york-city’s-secrets-and-lies-10-9-2018. See you there!

 

creativity

A Year of Yes: Cross-polliNation podcast about everything I love about my career

Christa Avampato

8df410eb-5004-4241-b7de-8fdbd820fdff-originalExcited to share this podcast episode where I talk about everything I love in my career: product development, science, biomimicry, the arts, writing, my book, storytelling, technology, and the power of our imagination coupled with curiosity. Thank you to host N.B., and to Carolyn Kiel for recommending me! You can listen at this link (www.crosspollination.co) and wherever you get your podcast feeds!

creativity

A Year of Yes: Excited to welcome Julie Gaines of Fishs Eddy to NYC’s Secrets and Lies at Caveat on Oct 9th at 7pm

Christa Avampato

43109636_10104575925001426_3294082999401840640_nThrilled that the talented, funny, and feisty Julie Gaines, founder of Fishs Eddy, will be our special guest at New York City’s Secrets & Lies storytelling show at Caveat on October 9th at 7pm. We’ll talk about design, activism, entrepreneurship, and her new book. She rarely speaks publicly so this will be a real treat for all of us. Grab your tickets at https://www.caveat.nyc/event/new-york-city’s-secrets-and-lies-10-9-2018