April Book of the Month: Natural Power by Rock Brynner

Due to its historic and current importance, we are once again nominating Natural Power by Rock Brynner as our April Book of the Month.

The Power Authority made its debut in Natural Power recently here at Cosimo, but is back in the headlines with the National Geographic documentary Edison vs Tesla, which documents some of the history of natural power in New York. Also, with Governor Andrew Cuomo's recent speech on the State of the State (of New York) where he stressed the importance of renewable energy as well as the goal of 50 percent of New York's electricity come from renewable energy sources by 2030. And not to mention April is when Earth Day is celebrated, and the first ever March for Science!

Natural Power: The New York Power Authority's Origins and Path to Clean Energy tells the story of the history, mission, and values of the Power Authority of the State of New York. Beginning with the birth of generated electricity in New York State, Natural Power emphasizes the role of inventors like Edison, Tesla, and Westinghouse; investors like J. P. Morgan; and government figures like Franklin D. Roosevelt and Dwight Eisenhower played in helping to spread electricity from a luxury to a necessity in America.

At its core, the Power Authority played an essential role in establishing public power over the private sector and greatly influenced the development of power from natural resources. It created affordable, sustainable alternatives for citizens across the state with the construction of the Niagara Falls and St. Lawrence River power plants, and provided a template for the rest of the country to establish public power services. Today, this essential public service provides almost a quarter of New York State's power, dedicates much research and development to environmentally-friendly power sources, and consistently leads the vanguard of utilities in sustainability and modernization in the 21st century.

Natural Power is a fascinating read for readers, historians, environmentalists, journalists, and policymakers interested in the birth of electrification, the founding of the New York Power Authority, its role as a public entity and the importance of clean energy when the threats of climate change are obvious to New Yorkers.

About the Author 
Rock Brynner is a writer and historian who lives in Pawling, New York. He earned an M.A. in Philosophy at Trinity College, Dublin, and a Ph.D. in U.S. History at Columbia University and has taught US history at Marist College and Western Connecticut State University. This is his tenth book.

About New York Power Authority
New York Power Authority  is the country's largest state public power organization, producing some of the cheapest electricity in North America. NYPA is a leader in promoting energy efficiency and the use of renewable-fuel technologies.

March Book of the Month: When South Africa Called, We Answered

As South Africa just celebrated the 20th anniversary of the fall of apartheid, author and award-winning journalist, Danny Schechter is back with a new book, and Cosimo is proud to announce the new release of When South Africa Called, We Answered: How the Media and International Solidarity Helped Topple Apartheid as our March Book of the Month.

In this book, Schechter describes the crucial role media played in anti-apartheid achieving worldwide recognition, which enabled outsiders to support the anti-apartheid movement. In Schechter's view, it were ultimately the joint efforts by leaders like the late Nelson Mandela, freedom fighters, activists and media that led to the downfall of apartheid in South Africa.

When South Africa Called, We Answered is an inspiring and educational read for those interested in the role of the media in historic world events, the history of South Africa, journalism, and activism that mobilizes people for the greater good.

When South Africa Called, We Answered is available in paperback and eBook at leading online bookstores, including Amazon (Paperback, Kindle) and Barnes & Noble.

For more information on this timely new release and March Book of the Month, see our press release.

About the Author
Danny Schechter is a writer, television producer, and independent filmmaker who also speaks about media and financial issues. He is the editor of Mediachannel.org and blogs daily as the News Dissector at NewsDissector.net. Schechter is the author of sixteen books and has produced and directed more than thirty documentaries and television specials. His blog was named the 2009 "Blog of the Year" by the Hunter College Media Department of the City University of New York.

“Rituals for the New Year” with Barbara Biziou

Join author Barbara Biziou at her first event of 2015, “Rituals for the New Year” at The Open Center.

About the Workshop:

When: Friday, January 9, 2015, from 7:00pm - 9:30pm
Where: The Open Center,  22 E. 30th Street, New York, NY 10016
Cost: Free for Open Center members ($35 for non-members)

"Rituals can be wonderful tools to help us release old patterns and limiting thoughts and move into the future with clarity and lightness. January is an auspicious time to use the focused power of ritual to align our minds, hearts and actions, and release the blocks and barriers that prevent us from manifesting our goals. 

In this workshop, we will draw from a range of cross-cultural traditions and spiritual teachings to create our own rituals, tailored to modern urban reality and our own contemporary lives. Whether we want to re-ensoul our daily routines, move out of an unwanted situation, complete an unresolved issue, focus our goals more clearly or manifest love and abundance, this workshop can help us move into a new year with energy, inspiration and focus."

For more information, visit Barbara's event page. Click here to register.

About Barbara

Barbara Biziou is an interfaith minister, motivational speaker, and a life-strategy coach. She is the author of The Joy of Ritual and The Joy of Family Rituals, as well as a Huffington Post blogger, executive consultant, dynamic public speaker, and national TV personality. Biziou has a deep commitment to integrating practical spirituality into people's lives, both personally and professionally. She is a frequent guest on radio and television and has appeared in the New York Times, Body and Soul, Harper's Bazaar and Parent's Magazine.