Category: Environmentalism

August 13 . Issue #104

Post author By Paul Yanuziello
Post date August 13, 2021

“Who holds the world between His bill

And made us strong or weak.

Is an undying moorfowl,

And He lives beyond the sky.

The rains are from His dripping wings,

The moonbeams from His eye.” William Butler Yeats

Hello and welcome to my weekly journal. This week I share an iconic photo, books and thoughts on climate change and more …

1. This week, August 12, back in 1958; A Great Day in Harlem the iconic jazz photograph was taken by Art Kane.

The Guardian has put together a great spread on that photo.

Tenor saxophonist Sonny Rollins, one of the younger members of that assembled jazz group reflects on that day. CBC’s Tom Powers takes us back to that day with a discussion with Rollins and Robert Benton one of the editors at Esquire back in 1958.

There’s a great documentary based on that day, A Great Day in Harlem.

2. A sobering piece of information this week from the UN Council on Climate Change, Code Red For Humanity.

But it’s not all doom and gloom, we made this mess and with some collective coming together of people who care we can overcome these challenges. Meet 36 Organizations helping to Solve the Climate Crisis.

And Women are leading Climate Change, here’s how:

Women are Leading Climate Change Solutions

3. Thursday, August 12 is World Elephant Day and to celebrate I am painting a toenail grey. Learn about the plight of Elephants and offer support if you can at Wildlife SOS.

My travel plans include a trip to India and I certainly want to see Elephants. My itinerary will have to include Rajaji National Park at the foot of the Himalayas.

There is a book about an Elephant Whisperer that I have started to read, “The Elephant Whisperer: My Life With the Herd” it is the inspiration for a short story I wrote about an Elephant.

My manuscript on martial arts-loving forest animals also features an Elephant, Sifu Ensho who is very good at Tai Chi Chaun Push-Hands.

4. Injuries, age, and fascia; any connections? This week, based on an interesting idea from my friend and karate sensei Scott Langley “Fascia” and how it affects movement. I watched some informative interviews with Dr. Robert Schleip, a 4 part series.

5. What I’m reading this week, actually I just finished, The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon by Stephen King: About a 9-year-old girl lost in the woods.

I am not a big fan of the horror genre but real horror, the fear of the unknown, now that is something I can bite into.

Thank you for reading. If you think someone you know would enjoy my newsletter please share it with them. If you are looking for a great children’s book check out my new book, Samba in Brazil; Paperback version, on sale for a limited time.

Or one of my other books, Samba on a Snowy Day or the Brazilian/ Portuguese version Samba em um Dia de Neve.

Stay safe, stay well, stay strong and keep going.

Tags Dr. Robert Schleip, Scott Langley, Sonny Rollins, Tai Chi Chaun

Environmentalism Reading Writing

June 11 . Issue #95

Post author By Paul Yanuziello
Post date June 11, 2021

“Linger longer in the unrepeatable present.”
– Dorothy Harsen

Hello all and welcome to my weekly newsletter. A place where I share 5 points of interest, things that inspired, motivated or simply made me feel some joy. Hopefully, something will be here for you to enjoy too.

1. World Ocean Day happened this week, something that I feel close to even though I am so far from the Ocean. It still affects me and I do all I can to help protect the World’s Oceans.

With oceans in mind, I wrote a children’s story about a few zany Sea Dragons and an Octopus. (photo courtesy of National Geographic)

2. Italian Heritage Month, I love my Italian heritage and celebrate it all the time but especially this month. In honour of the occasion, I am going to dine at an Italian restaurant in downtown Toronto with the family. The restaurant, one of my favourites, Bella Vista Trattoria and Wine Bar.

Friday, June 11th, Toronto is allowing the opening of outdoor patios for dining. A first for many of us after many months of emergency lockdown, our third during this World pandemic.

3. Euro cup soccer, the beautiful game. Are you a fan of any of the European teams? Of course, Italy is my favourite team followed by Germany and then Spain.

Italy plays Turkey Friday, June 11th, 3:00 P.M EST. Viva Squadra Azzurra!

4. This week I started reading Subtle Energy: Awakening to the Unseen Forces in Our Lives by William Collinge. A fascinating read.

With interesting stories and simple exercises, offering clear, basic descriptions of feng shui, chakra theory, ayurvedic medicine and other ancient energy sciences.

Collinge helps readers to discover and explore their own energy fields and the ways that awareness of these fields can improve their health, relationships and overall happiness.

5. This week I am watching a solar eclipse, there are some fantastic photographs of the event that occurred on the morning of June 10th; this one, over the city of Toronto.

Or one of my other books, Samba on a Snowy Day or the Brazilian/ Portuguese version Samba em um Dia de Neve.

Stay safe, stay well, stay strong and keep going.

Environmentalism

Newsletter 39

Newsletter 39

Hello all. The kids are alright. Life and 5 things that interested me this week and may offer you some enjoyment too.

1.Kids and mindfulness, this could help at anytime but is especially helpful during these unprecedented times. “Mindfulness is not a Chrystal Ball” .

S.T.O.P

Another helpful mindful technique is to remember the acronym STOP. Take one minute and simply stop and take stock.

2. Lu Yao the author of Life, a book I am currently reading, wrote about what he knew, a life of change. He died in 1992 at the age of forty-two, having published only two works, both considered masterpieces. Despite how well known Lu Yao is within China, he has remained untranslated until now. Life is the first translation of Lu Yao’s work to appear in English.

3. My sonic explorations have taken me to Austin Texas and the band Black Pumas. Where did these guys come from? Oh yea Texas!

I really enjoy this bands music, reminiscent of the soul music I loved when I was young. Ottis Redding, Ben E. king and Donny Hathaway all come to mind.

4. My visual stimulation this week has been by way of beauty, the beauty that surrounds us in nature. Travelling to other countries on my great escape via Netflix documentaries. A few of my favourites “Fishpeople”, Described as ‘a film about lives transformed by the sea’, this one resonates with me as I have a deep connection with the open water. Not just being near the water but losing myself in the water, I feel my greatest sense of freedom.

“Jane” A feel-good film about the life and work of primatologist, Jane Goodall. This one was recommended to me by my martial arts training partner Dr. Wayne Rhodes – a PHD in Primatology.

“Koyaanisqatsi: Life out of Balance”, is a 1982 film directed by Godfrey Reggio with music composed by Philip Glass and cinematography by Ron Fricke. The film consists primarily of slow motion and time-lapse photography of cities and many natural landscapes.

Food For Thought

5. Is any good coming from our present world in crisis? As an environmentalist, a supporter of Greenpeace and the David Suzuki Foundation, I was called to action to ensure that some of the good that is happening in our world continues into our recovery from the COVID-19 Pandemic. I have put together a few thoughts on what a sustainable future could look like.

Thanks for reading, if you think someone you know would like my newsletter please share it with them. If you’re looking for a great children’s book, check what Readers’ Favorites reviewers say about my book, Samba on a Snowy Day.

Please consider a contribution to our next book project by buying me a coffee (in a ceramic mug), swing by Ko-fi.com. Every coffee really helps out during these challenging times.

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Tags Ben E. King, Black Pumas, David Suzuki, Donnny Hathaway, Godfrey Reggio, Jane Goodall, Ottis Redding, Philip Glass, Ron Fricke, Wayne Rhodes