Benjamin Franklin is remembered for a lot of things. He is one of the founding fathers of America. He discovered electricity. He was an author, musician, diplomat, statesman, scientist, and inventor. The first library and fire department were both started by him. His face adorns American coins and the fifty dollar bill. He is known as “The First American” because of his campaign to unite the colonies. He is an asset to American history and today is his 306th birthday.

Among some of his publications are Poor Richards’ Almanac, The Pennsylvania Gazette, and his Autobiography, which many think is one of the best autobiographies ever written. Though he began it in 1771, it wasn’t published until after his death.

His life work is fascinating and intricate to read about. This is a man who wasn’t satisfied with being just any one thing. He had to be everything. Curiosity drove him and there is no doubt that you will find his biography to be an interesting and page-turning read.

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For Scottish Heritage enthusiasts, history buffs, and poets alike, the “Auld Lang Syne” exhibit at Morgan Library featuring the works of Robert Burns, is a must see. “Auld Lang Syne” is famous for being sung when the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve. Though most people don’t know all of the lyrics, it doesn’t stop many celebrators from singing this classic Scottish song at the top of their lungs.

More than the lyrics of “Auld Lang Syne” can be found at the exhibit. The exhibition explores the origins of the song, Burns claims he wrote the lyrics down as an old man sang them. It also features manuscripts and letters of the Scottish poet, rare printed editions, a tribute by Sir Walter Scott, a remembrance of Keats’s pilgrimage to Burns’s tomb in Dumfries, Scotland; and an affectionate letter by Sophia Hawthorne. To read more about the exhibit, go here.

If, like Robert Burns, you have a passion for Scottish culture and stories, you may also like the Cosimo Classic Two Scottish Tales of Medical Compassion: Rab and his Friends & A Doctor of the Old School: with A History of the Edinburgh School of Medicine. These two beloved Scottish stories, one about a Highland doctor, and the other about a young surgical apprentice, would be interesting to anyone who also had an interest in Robert Burns.

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One of Cosimo’s Authors, Yasuhiko Genku Kimura, would like to extend a holiday greeting to all his readers.

Season’s Greetings to You and All Your Loved Ones!

We have entered a special time of the year, which calls not only for mutual giving and gratitude for our families, friends, and fellow humanity but also for deep self-reflection and meditation.

Humanity is at a critical and decisive moment in history likes of which have come only rarely throughout history. The decisions we make and the actions we take will have extremely grave consequences not only for ourselves but also for the generations to come.

Read the rest of the letter here.

Yasuhiko Genku Kimura is the author of The Book of Balance a modern, visionary translation of the classic ancient text Tao Teh Ching.

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The last minute scramble to get holiday gifts is one many of us are all too familiar with. But just because you’re scrounging up gifts at the last minute doesn’t mean you can’t find a great gift at a good price. Judy Griffin, author of Flowers that Heal: Aromas, Herbs, Essences and Other Secrets of the Fairies (now available as an e-Book, Nook Book, and Google book), is having a holiday sale on her website.

Judy Griffin is internationally renowned as an herbalist, author, lecturer, and aroma therapist. She has appeared on local and national radio and television shows, lectured at universities, and developed courses on herbal health, aromatic, and organic gardening. On her website she features products that she has organically grown and produced. The product specials range from an individual consult with Judy Griffin, Cold and Flu remedies, shampoos, stress reducers, shoulder relaxers, and wrinkle and cream softeners.

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In a recent opinion piece on the NY Times website, authors and other prominent figures in the literary world get a chance to respond to Amazon’s recent app. For those who don’t know, the new app allows people to go into book stores and scan a product’s bar code, giving amazon a chance to prove that the item is priced lower on their website and shouldn’t be bought from the retailer. Simultaneously, it gives Amazon some pretty incredible competitive research. Anyone who did this last Saturday received $5 off up to three items, other than books, that are sold in bookstores.

While publishers, authors, literary agents, and other bookstores can’t deny Amazon’s presence in the literary world, they can and do feel a bit stunned by Amazon’s actions. More and more it’s become clear that Amazon’s agenda is to oust all other book sellers in the process of becoming the biggest and baddest. But what Amazon appears to be doing most, is cutting any human element out of bookselling.

It used to be that you went to a bookstore and a sales associate helped you locate a book or could make a recommendation based on other books you’ve read. Now Amazon does all that for you and you don’t even need to have a conversation. Just type in a few words and search. The shopping experience may be faster, easier, and cheaper, but it’s certainly not the same.

Authors remember when they first started and the audiences at their book tour readings were solely those who worked at the bookstore. Amazon, though able to sell books like hotcakes, could never provide the kind of support and community that many bookstores have over the years. After all, a computer can do a lot of things, but it can never fully replace an actual human being.

Amazon’s presence may change the landscape of book publishing and selling forever, but many could and would argue that it hasn’t changed for good. For more interesting insight on this hot button issue read the NY Times opinion piece.

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Co-author of Power of Yin, Celebrating Female Consciousness, Barbara Marx Hubbard, is now hosting a weekly radio talk show on Hay House radio called Conscious Evolution. Barbara is one of the most prestigious evolutionary leaders and her new radio show aims to help listeners unleash the power of their awareness. Conscious Evolution is an enlightening hour long show in which Barbara shares her insight on the power of consciousness in addition to that of our collective world consciousness. The talks are meant to help listeners through this overwhelmingly transitional period in the world and the next stage of human evolution. Her various discussions on this topic will be held with many of the top experts in the field of consciousness.

Barbara’s debut show “Paving the Way to a Positive Future” was a discussion on the philosophy of conscious evolution and how to be open to a positive future for humanity and the planet. Her special guest, Neale Donald Walsch discussed his book, The Storm before the Calm. Her second show featured the authors of The Golden Motorcycle Gang: A Tale of Transformation Jack Canfield and Bill Gladstone. The novel is an autobiography and adventure story that acts as a resource guide for anyone who has felt the pull of great change. The third and latest show was an exploration of “vocational arousal” with Barnet Bain. A list of upcoming shows, as well as an archive with the option to listen to past shows, can be found here.

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Mike Clelland author of the blog Hidden Experience, sat down and talked with Peter Robbins co-author of Left at East Gate about the famous UFO pioneer Budd Hopkins. Widely known as the father of the Alien Abduction movement, Budd Hopkins passed away in August, is an interesting person to discuss. The discussion, which is over two hours long, touches on Budd Hopkins’ life as an artist and researcher, Peter Robbins’ experience with UFOs, and the influence Hopkins’ had on the UFO community. Listen to the interview here.

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The News Dissector and Emmy award winning journalist, Danny Schechter offers a behind the scenes look at the Occupy Wall Street protesters in this video.

Danny Schechter’s journalistic work has often reported on the economy. His book Plunder: Investigating Our Economic Calamity and the Subprime Scandal a well-received book about the crimes of Wall-Street which was published in 2008 and is still very relevant today. Soon, Danny will publish another book called Blogothon. The book will be a compilation of Danny’s blogs as well as a commentary on blogs in general and how other people can apply blogging to their own interests. The book is due to be released in March 2012.

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Louis Bohtlingk, author of Cosimo’s new book Dare to Care: A Love-Based Foundation for Money and Finance, is holding a book signing at the Java Dragon Coffee House in Charlottesville, Virginia on Friday November 11, from 5:00pm – 7:30pm.

Dare to Care: A Love-Based Foundation for Money and Finance gives its readers a new perspective on the economic crisis and where we go from here. By offering a whole new set of initiatives and guidelines for business, economics, and finance, Bohtlingk is trying to stimulate conversation about the current systems and how they’re failing. So if you’re in Charlottesville, VA and you’d like the chance to meet Louis Bohtlingk, author of a book with new financial values: Dare to Care, then go down to the Java Dragon Coffee House at 923 Preston Street, Suite F.

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Louis and Sandra Bohtlingk are hosting a workshop in Ocean View, Delaware from October 21-23, that will help you explore your relationship with money. This transformative workshop will teach you how to rid yourself of old habits and move from fear to trust when dealing with money. By learning to live by a “Care First” mantra, the workshop will allow you to set a new tone for the future of economics. With the loving support of five facilitators who each represent an archetype: God of Money, Goddess of Abundance, Community Keeper, Condor and Eagle and the use of sacred ceremony, music and masks, the workshop starts a very personal and communal journey through the land of money.

Fri: 8.00 -10.00 pm Sat: 10:00am-6:00pm Sun:10.00 am-4.00pm. Please arrive on time!

For Registration: 12 participants only. Call Louis on 571-269-3913 or E-mail him: carefirst@cooptel.net
Cost: A love based contribution to care for us and support our work. We always say: “Let your heart speak. Be considerate of your own situation and ours and know that this is our livelihood.”
Suggested fee: $200. You contribute less or more. It will be made at the end of the workshop.
Food: Please bring your own lunch for Sat/Sun plus snacks. We will share a Sat eve. meal
Accommodation: We have places to stay. Maybe a cheap motel is needed for some.
Other: Bring indoor slippers, water bottle, pen and a personal journal.

WHAT OTHERS SAY:

“I have taken many workshops, but this workshop “Meeting the Mystery of Money” is within my heart as the single most powerful experiential workshop I have taken to date. This 2 day intensive works on a cellular level and has completely regenerated my experience with money. My personal experience with money in the past was not that I held no value toward it. I could see that I was, in fact, not holding enough “value” for myself and my work in the world, where money was concerned. Immediately following the workshop I began to incorporate the “blue pot” into my work. I have doubled my earnings in very little time. In short, my world has been transformed.”
Deborah Cameron, Ontario, Canada

“I rarely sign up for workshops, but I felt these very Earth-connected chosen guides are fulfilling the seed of building a new paradigm community. This workshop brought my fears around money to a higher clarity for release in such a profound way. It then revealed how we can build a trusting community providing much greater awareness and support for each other.”
V. Airisun Wonderli, Charlottesville, VA

“The workshop (intensive) is a unique, experiential and interactive opportunity to discover, explore and transform old patterns/core beliefs that block one from fully experiencing financial abundance in their life. Through this deeper unfolding of personal insights and revelations, one is able to discover what is really going on beneath the surface in creating their financial reality and how those beliefs or attitudes relate to personal creativity and community. Louis and Sandra embody the enthusiasm and inspiration necessary in co-creating a love based approach for both community and finance and provide a safe, nurturing space for participants. This workshop is truly life-changing.”
Patty Snyder, Staunton VA

“The workshop took me to a place of strength and courage. Pushing through the fear of success I have opened my heart to new opportunity of community. Care first of myself was the missing link. I have a better understanding of the dynamics of Care First verses Money First. Louis and Sandra are compassionate leaders and teachers and I highly recommend this transformational healing for the planet.”
Jolly Stickley, Staunton, VA

Louis Bohtlingk is the author for Cosimo’s upcoming book Dare to Care: A Love Based Foundation for Money and Finance to be released in November. The book is filled with a collection of ideas and initiatives that could change the world of finance as we know it.

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