Marilyn Monroe’s seductive version of the “Happy Birthday” song sure gave a new meaning to the phrase, “Happy Birthday, Mr. President.” But on Monday, February 16th, we’ll be celebrating President’s Day to recognize the birthday of the first President of the United States: George Washington. It may be a good excuse to stay home from work/school or take advantage of President’s Day shopping sales…yet there are also many interesting ways to commemorate the man who has been repeatedly ranked by scholars as one of the greatest presidents in U.S. history.

Celebrate President’s Day with a walk back in time to the founding of our nation. The Revolutionary War Walking Tour will take you through the streets of lower Manhattan to discover what New York City was like during the revolutionary era. Walk to the steps of Federal Hall, rally at the liberty pole and learn about the pivotal conflict in U.S. history.

Or, join fellow New Englanders at the Old Sturbridge Village in Massachusetts, to honor the life and achievements of George Washington. You’ll toast the president, learn a 19th century dance, and help make a Washington cake!

Visit Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens near Alexandria, Virginia, which is the location of President Washington’s plantation home on the banks of the Potomac River. George Washington resided at Mount Vernon from the time of his marriage to Martha Washington to his death. Visitors can also visit their burial ground where wreathlaying ceremonies are held daily.

Mount Vernon is open seven days a week, 365 days of the year. You’re invited to discover Washington’s life and history, as you explore the mansion house and buildings, including the slave quarters, kitchen, stables, greenhouse, and gardens.

Photo credit (Portrait): Flickr User s0crates82

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Things are heating up for the presidential candidates as they aggressively campaign across the country in pursuit of the official party nominations. In exactly one week, twenty-four states will hold primary elections on Super Tuesday (February 5th) to select the delegates to the Democratic and Republican national conventions. According to CNN Politics, Super Tuesday is “the biggest single-day showdown of the race.” A record-breaking voter turnout is anticipated on both sides.

Although Democratic front-runner, Hillary Clinton, swept through Florida today, rival Barack Obama is still energized by his South Carolina win last Saturday. John Edwards, who is trailing far behind without a single victory continues to forge ahead, confidently asserting that he is still the “strongest general election candidate.”

On the Republican front, top candidates battling it out are Mitt Romney, John McCain, and Mike Huckabee. Meanwhile, Rudy Giuliani remains the underdog.

The day before Super Tuesday (February 4th), join the Identity Politics and the Presidential Election symposium for an engaging talk about race, gender, religion and sexuality in the upcoming presidential election with Stanford University Professors Clay Carson, Michele Elam, Paula Moya, and Deborah Rhode. Facilitating discussion about the candidates can certainly be helpful if you’re still trying to finalize your decision.

If you’re interested in volunteering to help run campaign booths, there are plenty of ways to get involved - just contact your nearby representative. If you’re politically charged and are organizing events in your local area, be sure to add them to the Zvents search index!

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Halloween is less than a week away! If you’re like most people, you’ll probably:

• Visit the local pumpkin patch to get a pumpkin and carve out a jack-o-lantern
• Eat too much candy (Um…yea…it WAS intended to give away to those trick-or-treaters — oops!)
• Dress up in costume (Remember! You don’t want to be too last minute because you’ll end up scrounging through the remnants at the Halloween stores after all the good stuff gets taken!)
• Admire the local neighborhood decorations (Wow! Black lights, projectors, and strobes?!!)
• Go to a Halloween Party with your friends

But, if you’re interested in doing something unusual, there are some very cool (and freaky) things out there to make this year’s Halloween stand out from all of the rest!

• Venture out for a ghost hunt or paranormal investigation! The Haunted Mortuary in New Orleans leads expeditions, guided tours, and metaphysical workshops. Could be creepy, but intriguing!
• Take a thrilling ride on the Murder Mystery Train from Tacoma, Washington’s Freighthouse Square and play a “who-done-it” murder mystery while dining on a luxury vintage rail car.
• Sail around the Bay on a ghoulish pirate ship for an adventurous cruise with haunting ghost stories, hosted by The Red and White Fleet.
• Take a BOO! tour through the historic Beacon Hill neighborhood in Boston, where you can visit the home of murdered Bostonian Dr. George Parkman and learn what happened to his dismembered body. Discover where murderers walk in their sleep, why James Allen was buried with no skin, and where Quakers were hanged! (Yikes!)
• Witness “The Pageant of the Monsters - Night of the Living Art,” hosted by The Laguna Beach Festival of the Arts and Pageant of the Masters to watch a theatrical spectacle showing a ghostly seance, a torture chamber, an alien autopsy and more.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

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The Nobel Committee today announced that Al Gore and the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change had been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. It’s pretty incredible how Al Gore has transcended from his presidential defeat in 2000 to the success and accolades he’s earned since then: Best Selling-Author, Academy Award Winner (for his widely popular climate change documentary, “An Inconvenient Truth“), Emmy Winner, and now Nobel Peace Prize Winner (strangely, not the Nobel Science Prize).

Now, the big speculation is whether or not he’ll join the presidential election for 2008 and there are several groups who are firmly behind this. Frankly, he seems much better off continuing his remarkable path in business and environmental advocacy rather than getting himself intertwined in the chaotic realm of presidential politics. Yet, perhaps he is now in an even better position to chase the BIG prize which he sought from the very beginning?

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U.S. News and World Report just came out with their latest issue of “America’s Best Colleges.” Of course, they list the top schools based on academics, which is pretty important when considering educational aspirations or career interests. But aside from academics, one of the key considerations should be student lifestyle. After all, most of the best college experiences happen outside of the classroom, right?

Realistically, there is no reason why student life shouldn’t be fun with so many interesting things to do in all the great college towns across the country.

In Los Angeles, experience the historic rivalry between USC and UCLA and tout the school colors around town. If you’re not a sports fan, check out the all-star comedians on College Night at the Laugh Factory.

Otherwise, get wild on the dance floor with Cal Poly San Luis Obispo’s salsa lessons and impress the ladies with your smooth moves!

In Austin, witness the overwhelming Texas Longhorn team spirit at UT’s stadium. After the game, hit the bars on 6th Street for a chance to mingle with fellow students in the heart of downtown.

If you’re in Detroit and interested in showing Barack your love, join the Diversity Walk – Obama for President at the Wayne State University campus. Those who are looking to just meet up friends, head over to the Facebook College Night party at the Esko Lounge on Thursday nights.

As a student, there are tons of things to do to stay entertained. But, if you haven’t found what you are looking for, go ahead and promote your own event so that others can find out about it!

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