What? You’re inside reading this? Get out there, it’s a beautiful day. Consider this your thread to rant and rave about what’s going on.

Hope you all have an enjoyable day of presidential activities today. Consider this an open thread.

But for a good overview of why we no longer celebrate Washington’s Birthday, we can blame Nixon or read this great article from the Christian Science Monitor:

Yes, Virginia, there really is a Washington’s Birthday.

Shh! Don’t tell any auto dealers, school boards, or mattress salesmen, but today isn’t officially Presidents’ Day across the United States. The more accurate term would be “Washington’s Birthday,” according to the federal statute designating the third Monday in February in honor of the father of our country, who was born on Feb. 22, 1732. So, why the confusion?

In 1968, an attempt to officially change the day to Presidents’ Day, to celebrate both Abraham Lincoln (who was born Feb. 12, 1809) and Washington on the same day, died in a congressional committee. (Lincoln’s birthday is observed, but it’s never been designated an official federal holiday.) Since that failed effort, 12 states have designated an official Presidents Day.

Looks like the rain is at bay, but use this thread for whatever is on your mind.

As we wind up June, and I still wind up a few things that will keep me away from writing, we’re going to try something new. This �is going to be an open pimp thread.

What’s that you say? You get to tell me, and the world, about something you think people should know about. In a way, it’s an extension of pARTy in the Park. So tell us about a �new book, music, piece of art, blog, event, idea, web site, whatever. It can be shameless self promotion. Promote, as in pimp, �your friends,yourself and even people you don’t know personally. What do you think is cool, interesting, unusual, under the radar, over exposed, whatever. �

Now for a word about links. One per comment. Otherwise you get snagged in the maw of moderation, and since I’m not in front of the whole computer interaface to the blog, you;re multi link comment will hang there till it get released.�

So get out there an pimp your whatever.

I was going to meet the mission by posting the clip from Connecticut’s own Toad’s appearance, but it sucked. Here is an edge of the stage shot of State Radio from an appearance in Philadelphia last year instead.

Feel free to share your maternal stories about your distaff friends & relations.

Thanks to all the mothers. What a spectacular day your Day is today.
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Interesting “what are they doing today” piece on the promoters of the original Woodstock, and the 1994 & 1999 commemorative events, in the New York Times today.

Excerpt:

“The word �Woodstock’ means something — it’s hard to pin down sometimes,” Mr. Rosenman said. “We’re brainstorming about how to take something that was kind of a beacon to the world about counterculture and music and community in 1969 and transforming it into a 21st century phenomenon that has an Internet platform instead of a live one.”

Forty[-two] years gone since the Summer of Love.

Open thread.

Source: The New York Times, Peace and Love, Yes. But Understanding? by Allen Salkin May 8, 2009. Continue Reading

Wondering how Obama and team are dealing with the economy and AIG? Wonder no further:

Otherwise this is an open thread.

Dig it.

Columbia recently released a boxed set commemorating the 50th anniversary of Miles Davis’ landmark jazz album. This is a contemporaneous session including Coltrane.