carly simon

Although the weather lately has been more like October than November, Thanksgiving is this Thursday, and with it, perhaps the busiest racing day in the United States. Dave Monti of Race Results Weekly posits that more people will run on Thanksgiving than any other day of the year, and he's probably right. Locally at least.  

Most will be counting our blessings next week — a wonderful way to spend some idle time. All things considered, life is good. I wake up in a soft bed, with a roof overhead, plenty of food in the larder and everyone in my immediate family in good health.  

On her album "Never Been Gone" on Iris Records , an indie label co-founded by her son Ben Taylor, Simon draws from her rich past. Her new release is a showcase for fresh recordings of some of her best-loved songs, such as "Anticipation," "Coming Around Again" and the Oscar-winning "Let the River Run," presented in a largely-acoustic format. As she recorded the new album, she found that lyrics like "these are the good old days" from "Anticipation" took on added significance.

Four days before the record came out, Starbucks dissolved its Hear Music label   -Carly Simon

 

Turkeys are being bought, stuffing is being prepared and families are gathering. Yes, Thanksgiving is upon us. When your family gets together this Thursday, turn the TV to NBC and take in the visual treat of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, which airs from 9 a.m. to noon.  

Carly Simon sings "Let the River Run" from her new album, "Never Been Gone," at the WSJ Cafe with WSJ's Christopher John Farley.  

For the first time in its history, the 193 member Harrison High School Marching band from Kennesaw will march in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. One of just 11 High School marching bands chosen nationally each year, Harrison is scheduled to appear between the Santa balloon and the Hello Kitty Balloon. Macy's estimates that the parade will be seen by 50 million viewers nationwide, 3.5 million of them lining the streets of New York City to watch the spectacular live.  

Pink ribbons call attention to the reality of breast cancer and its impact on families after diagnosis. Women are reminded to get mammograms, and we are asked to support breast cancer research. According to the American Cancer Society, nearly 200,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed this year, but more than seven times that number, 1.5 million women and men, will learn that they have some type of cancer, including breast.  

Our society covets few things so passionately as the gift basket — the richer, fancier cousin to the gift bag. People will gush over gift baskets full of crap nobody could possibly want, that's how much cachet they have. To make the people on your shopping list feel special, consider loading up a basket with these themed suggestions.  

I sent a request out to a variety of people--different ages, demographics, orientation, income levels and professions--to send me a list of sexy songs. Initially, I thought I might have to throw out some of the responses because people listed songs that aren't usually thought of as sexy. But, instead of omitting anything, I broadened the definition of sexy to include songs beyond those that sound like '70s blue-movie soundtracks and are stimulating because of thoughtful lyrics, the memories evoked or that