The Statistical Abstract, aka “Uncle Sam’s Almanac,” perennially the federal government’s best-selling reference book, has been published since 1878 — before automobiles, airplanes and motion pictures had even been invented. Contained in the 129th edition are more than 1,400 tables of social, political and economic facts which collectively describe the state of our nation and the world. Included are 53 new tables, covering topics such as worldwide space launch events this decade, the use of complementary and alternative medicine, the type of work flexibility provided to employees, employment status of veterans and road fatalities by country.

Source: Census Bureau Releases 2010 Statistical Abstract Depicting the State of Our Nation — US Census Bureau

The past decade was the worst for the U.S. economy in modern times, a sharp reversal from a long period of prosperity that is leading economists and policymakers to fundamentally rethink the underpinnings of the nation’s growth.

It was, according to a wide range of data, a lost decade for American workers. The decade began in a moment of triumphalism — there was a current of thought among economists in 1999 that recessions were a thing of the past. By the end, there were two, bookends to a debt-driven expansion that was neither robust nor sustainable.

There has been zero net job creation since December 1999. No previous decade going back to the 1940s had job growth of less than 20 percent. Economic output rose at its slowest rate of any decade since the 1930s as well.

Source: Aughts were a lost decade for U.S. economy, workers – washingtonpost.com.

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2. American Idiot — Green Day (2004)

3. Magic — Bruce Springsteen (2007)

4. Live From Madison Square Garden — Eric Clapton & Steve Winwood (2009)

5. Stay Human — Michael Franti & Spearhead (2001)

6. All the Roadrunning — Mark Knopfler & Emmylou Harris (2006)

7. There Will Be a Light — Ben Harper & The Blind Boys of Alabama (2004)

8. Love & Theft — Bob Dylan (2001)

9. Gold — Ryan Adams (2001)

10. Into the Wild (Soundtrack) — Eddie Vedder (2007)

Appetizer: Butternut Squash Soup

Entree: Roast Leg of Lamb with Mint Aioli, Roasted Fingerling Potatoes, and Braised Green Beans

Dessert: Homemade Apple Pie

From The 1987 album ‘A Very Special Christmas’ in aid of the Special Olympics.

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Run-DMC’s classic “Christmas in Hollis” set to “A Charlie Brown Christmas” — extraordinary!  Thanks to the Brentwood High School Media Class ‘05.