A few Thanksgiving 2011 links

Photo used by Creative Commons License.  From Flickr user riptheskull

Ah, the start of the holiday season is upon us. Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day in the U.S. Like many folks, I have the day off, and I am planning on spending it with family. As a little treat for my two readers, here are some links to entertain and maybe help them learn a thing or two. I wish everyone out there celebrating a safe and happy holiday.

• As tradition dictates, President Obama has pardoned a turkey for Thanksgiving. (link to C-SPAN). 
• A big fuss this time around is the fact that stores are wanting to start the Black Friday deals much earlier, as in cutting into the Thanksgiving holiday itself. I think this is just excessive on the part of the greedy merchants who honestly need to have a little respect for their workers. Then again, if people are willing to enable this greed by shopping when they should be with their families, then I better not hear them whining later about having to work long hours or some other family values nonsense. The nice folks at Next Media Animation have a nice summary of Black Friday 2011. (link to video)
• Spending time with family is always an issue over the holidays. Whether a positive or negative experience, holidays can be somewhat stressful. The Gentlemen share their rant on family and the holidays (link to video-warning for some strong language).I may also share this when I get to the Christmas posts later given it is applicable.
• The U.S. Census Bureau has their feature with facts and figures for Thanksgiving 2011. For example, did you know that 2.01 billion bushels is The total volume of wheat — the essential ingredient of bread, rolls and pie crust — produced in the United States in 2011? Go over and learn more. 
• For parents, teachers, and kids, here are some "Resources for teaching and learning about American Thanksgiving." Via Free Technology for Teachers blog.
• Liquor.com has some ideas on Thanksgiving cocktails as well as links to other meal suggestions. It may be worth a look if you are looking to make things a bit more interesting for the meal.
• Are you going someplace for Thanksgiving? Did you promise to bring something? This handy guide may help you decide what to bring. Via Chow.
• So, you've eaten, and you want to go shopping. However, the prospect of getting up at the crack of dawn, or staying up all night, to stand in a line is not appealing. Well, hire Dotty to stand in line for you. Here is her advertisement. Via Retail Hell Underground. I think this also qualifies as a sign that the economy is bad. 
• And what kind of librarian would I be if I did not offer some reading suggestions? Via NPR, here are "still more tryptophan-tastic tomes to see you through your turkey coma."  Note also the links they include to additional selections.