Meet the 280th day of 2008. Make sure you're nice to lawyers today, unlike every other day of your life and find yourself a mad hat. Send your physician's assistant a card, too.

Former pink Power Ranger Amy Jo Johnson celebrates her birthday today. Elizabeth Shue, Jeremy Sisto and newbie actress Olivia Thirlby (right) also have birthdays.

Today Is...
- Be Nice To Lawyers Day
- Garlic Lovers Day
- Mad Hatter Day
- National German-American Day
- Physician Assistant Day
- World Habitat Day
- Armed Forces Day (Egypt)
- Remembrance Day (Turkmenistan)

Today Was ...

Oct. 6 Birthdays
1921 - Joseph Lowery, American Civil Rights leader
1950 - Thomas McClary, The Commodores
1951 - Kevin Cronin, REO Speedwagon
1955 - Tony Dungy, football coach
1963 - Elizabeth Shue, actress
1964 - Matthew Sweet, singer
1970 - Amy Jo Johnson, actress
1973 - Rebecca Lobo, basketball player
1974 - Jeremy Sisto, actor
1986 - Olivia Thirlby, actor

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Onto the 279th day of 2008. Try to do something nice at some point today and maybe give a teacher a pat on the back. It's also Intergeneration Day which we think means that you should hang out with someone older or younger than you but we're not sure.

Bernie Mac would have celebrated his 51st birthday today. Other birthdays include Guy Pearce, Kate Winslet (right) and Paul Thomas of Good Charlotte.

Today Is...
- National Diversity Day
- Do Something Nice Day
- Intergeneration Day
- National Fallen Firefighters Weekend
- World Teachers Day
- National Sports Day (Lesotho)
- Republic Day (Portugal)

Today Was ...

Oct. 5 Birthdays
1937 - Bill Switzer, football coach
1942 - Richard Street, author
1943 - Steve Miller, musician
1947 - Brian Johnson, singer
1950 - Jeff Conaway, actor
1951 - Bob Geldof, singer and activist
1951 - Karen Allen, actress
1960 - Daniel Baldwin, actor
1962 - Michael Andretti, race car driver
1967 - Guy Pearce, actor
1970 - Josie Bissett, actress
1972 - Grant Hill, basketball player
1974 - Colin Meloy, The Decemberists
1975 - Kate Winslet, actress
1980 - Paul Thomas, Good Charlotte

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We are about half way through the 278th day of 2008. You've still got time to visit your cousin in jail and have some cheap fun as well. Take some time this weekend to remember brave fallen firefighters.

We sadly lost Janis Joplin today in 1970. But this is also the day that we gained Susan Sarandon, Alicia Silverstone and Rachael Leigh Cook (left).

Today Is...
- Visit Your Cousin in Prison Day
- International Frugal Fun Day
- National Frappe Day
- National Fallen Firefighters Weekend
- World Card Day
- Independence Day (Lesotho)
- Peace Day (Mozambique)

Today Was ...

Oct. 4 Birthdays
1929 - Leroy Van Dyke, singer
1937 - Jackie Collins, author
1941 - Anne Rice, author
1945 - Clifton Davis, actor & songwriter
1946 - Chuck Hagel, senator
1946 - Susan Sarandon, actress
1949 - Armand Assante, actor
1959 - Chris Lowe, Pet Shop Boys
1962 - Jon Secada, singer
1976 - Alicia Silverstone, actress
1979 - Rachael Leigh Cook, singer

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When you think of brandy, you probably think of brown liquid sipped from a sifter by very well-to-do looking people. And generally, that's who this drink markets to. But brandy deserves a chance with those of us who are not Donald Trump too.

Korbel, a company better known for its sparkling wines, has recently unveiled a new high-end packaging as well -- targeting that rich demographic. But don't let that fool you. You'll like this drink, too.

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At a grand opening event for Barefoot Books Thursday night, Ed Schmults, the CEO of FAO Schwarz discussed the company's desire to provide quality to the customer. It was this reason, he said, that he chose to bring Barefoot Books into their fold.

Now Barefoot Books offers something novel on the second floor of FAO Schwarz: books that combine words with music and art. This publisher, dedicated to making quality books for children, only has another store in Cambridge, Massachusetts. But now New Yorkers and visitors to New York City will have the opportunity to sit down for story time starting at a public grand opening event this Saturday, October 4.

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It's already the 277th day of 2008. Where does the time go? Wear denim and a smile today and try not to think about federal income tax because you really shouldn't worry about that until April.

Roy Horn celebrates his birthday today and sadly it's the same day he was attacked by a tiger in 2003 -- yikes! Here's hoping this is a better birthday for him. Clive Owen, Gwen Stefani (right) and Ashlee Simpson also have birthdays today.

Today Is...
- National Denim Day
- National Diversity Day
- World Smile Day
- Techies Day
- Virus Appreciation Day
- Federal Income Tax Day
- Unity Day (Germany)
- Soldier's Day (Honduras)
- National Foundation Day (South Korea)

Today Was ...

Oct. 2 Birthdays
1925 - Gore Vidal, author
1941 - Chubby Checker, singer
1944 - Roy Horn, performer
1946 - Biff Henderson, Late Show with David Letterman
1949 - Lindsey Buckingham, Fleetwood Mac
1954 - Al Sharpton, minister & activist
1954 - Stevie Ray Vaughan, musician
1959 - Jack Wagner, actor
1962 - Tommy Lee, Motley Crue & infamous Pamela Anderson ex
1964 - Clive Owen, actor
1969 - Gwen Stefani, singer
1973 - Neve Campbell, actress
1975 - Talib Kweli, rapper
1984 - Ashlee Simpson, singer

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Welcome to the 276th day of 2008. Thank any custodial workers you know today and make sure you finally give your car a name -- if you haven't already. And you might want to celebrate world farm animals in whatever way you know how.

Sting is celebrating his birthday today as are beauties Kelly Ripa, Tiffany and Camilla Belle (left) of 10,000 BC.

Today Is...
- Guardian Angels Day
- National Custodial Workers Day
- World Farm Animals Day
- Republic Day (Guinea)

Today Was ...

Oct. 2 Birthdays
1938 - Rex Reed, film critic
1945 - Don McLean, singer
1948 - Avery Brooks, actor
1948 - Donna Karan, fashion designer
1949 - Annie Liebovitz, photographer
1951 - Sting, singer
1954 - Lorraine Bracco, actress
1955 - Phil Oakey, The Human League
1967 - Gillian Welch, singer
1970 - Kelly Ripa, actress & TV host
1971 - Tiffany, singer & former teen pop star
1986 - Camilla Belle, actress

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Twins are pretty rare but musically-talented twins are nearly mythical. Well, almost anyway. In the eighties, we had long-haired and platinum blond Nelson and in the nineties, we got The Proclaimers. But at this very moment, we've got two sets of twins rocking out on tour: The Veronicas and Tegan & Sara.

The Veronicas hail from Australia and neither one of them is named Veronica. Off stage, they are Jess and Lisa Origliasso. They will be wrapping up their tour soon but they still have five performances left. Over the course of the next seven days, the girls will be stopping in Knoxville and Nashville in Tennessee, Louisville in Kentucky, Atlanta and Birmingham, Alabama. If you happen to be in town for any of those shows, you should check out this band. Their sound is very rock pop and you can definitely dance to it.

Tegan & Sara come from Canada and only kicked off their tour at the end of September. They also just celebrated their birthdays in September when they turned 28. This duo describes themselves as more indie-pop. Their music involves a little less pop and more guitar than The Veronicas. They still have 14 upcoming shows and will be stopping in several cities, including New York City, Philadelphia, Denver and LA.

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A Duncanville, Texas couple has been waging an ongoing legal battle with city government because they've been charged with operating an underground sex club in their suburban home. Their club, known as the Cherry Pit, has allegedly been home to wild swinger parties where hundreds of people have gathered for events like "Naked Twister" nights. On it's Web site, the Cherry Pit is described as "a group of like minded friends who enjoy living the Swinging Lifestyle." The Web site also shows off the Cherry Pit's many mattress-filled rooms and hot tubs.

This is just another example of why strip clubs and peep shows are so passé. These days, unlicensed sex clubs are all the rage. After the jump, read about all the dirty doings that have been going down on the underground sex scene.

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Nowhere else is the political debate watching trend manifesting itself than perhaps in New York City. It could be due to the facts that 8-million people live here or there are thousands of bars in the five boroughs.

In any case, the number of bars and restaurants hosting parties is growing by the day with the VP debate between Governor Sarah Palin and Senator Joe Biden generating more TV buzz than a Yankee-less World Series.

Even main stream media outlets like Good Day New York are covering the debate-watching party scene so we've picked out your best spots to cheer and jeer the Veep candidates while enjoying a refreshing adult beverage and maybe develop your own catch-phrase drinking game.

If you know of any good parties not mentioned, leave a comment below. Hey, it counts as political activism.

NYC VP Debate Watching Parties
Room Service - Flat Iron - 8:30-11PM - Official Site
Mainly liberal crowd with hosts Christine Quinn (who will be speaking), Alan Cumming, Laurie Anderson and Josh Wood Productions -- click here for a flyer.

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The weather is definitely changing for the colder in parts of the United States and it's a good time to talk about coffee. A brilliant cup of coffee can be your best friend on chilly days.

We've looked all over the country for these best friends and came up with the 21 best cups of coffee in America.

Twenty-one is an arbitrary number, but the picks are not. We did stay clear of big coffee chains like Starbuck's, Seattle's Best and Dunkin' Donuts. It's not that we think we're too cool to be caught in these cookie cutter coffeeterias, but everyone knows what they're getting with a chain cup of coffee.

The cups on this list are special and unique in their own way and most focus on hand-crafted processes and socially aware practices.

The 21 Best Cups of Coffee in America

1. Jack's Stir Brew - New York City - The not-so-secret to Jack's success in creating the best cup of coffee in America is the patented stir brewing. Owner Jack Mazzalo invented and patented a machine that stirs the coffee grinds during the brewing process and that is the road less traveled and it makes all the difference. Every time I walk into the claustrophobic space in the West Village, the anticipation of the coffee staves off the panic attacks that usually run rampant upon entering tiny spaces. The coffee is that good.

2. Intelligentsia - Chicago - Intelligentsia has been keeping Chicagoans responsibly caffeinated since 1995 and now have a store in LA (a second one coming very soon) to go with the three outlets in Chicago. Known for direct trade and sustainable policies as much as the lovely brews, your soul will be as satisfied as your taste buds with every cup.

3. Stumptown Coffee Roasters - Portland - Devotees are turned on by the hand-crafted taste made possible by small-batch roasting, super-fresh beans and French pressing. Like Intelligentsia, Stumptown's way of life is based on sustainability not only on the farms but in their cafes. The hip surroundings at the cafe include a cupping room that can turn casual coffee drinkers into connoisseurs.

4. Cafe Brazil - Dallas - The first Cafe Brazil opened with ten tables in 1991 and has grown to ten locations throughout the Metroplex keeping breakfasters and late-night post-partiers buzzed with delight. The Brazilian, Kenyan and Mexican coffee varieties are great, but it's the flavored roasts that put butts in the seats. Coffee snobs may scoff, but the Snickerdoo (vanilla, almonds, cinnamon) can make a hard man humble.

5. Cafe du Monde - New Orleans - Literary romanticism is alive and well in the French Quarter at this legendary coffee stand. When you're tasting the unique, bold flavor of coffee cut with chicory, it's hard not to imagine what artistic endeavors have been inspired by the coffee cut with chicory, and of course the beignets.

6. Espresso Vivace - Seattle - In a town known for coffee, Espresso Vivace uses science in order to form a more perfect cup of coffee. They've spent years on R&D exploring every aspect of in the process of bean to brew including a specialized roasting process. Science may not sound sexy, but the proof is in the cup.

7. 7-Eleven - National - Convenience store coffee isn't normally at the top of "best of" lists, but it should be. The company takes coffee seriously providing several varieties each morning, four understandable sizes (small, medium, large and a 24oz. jumbo) and plenty of flavored syrups and creams for those so inclined. Plus, the prices are cheaper than the coffee chains and you can pick up snacks, cigarettes and condoms for those that are so inclined.

8. Busboys & Poets - Washington, D.C. - The unique name (inspired by Langston Hughes) lives up to the unique offerings (coffee, food, films, books, activism) served up at this unofficial community center in D.C. Patrons are encouraged to engage in social discourses and B&P is a certified B Corporation[TM] meeting environmental and accountability standards. As far as coffee, try the Bid Daddy (raw sugar, steamed milk and three shots of espresso) for a quicker, picker-upper.

9. Caffe Trieste - San Francisco - Papa Gianni was inspired by old-school Italian espresso techniques when he came to America and opened Caffe Trieste in the '50s. The historical North Beach 'Beat' landmark was the first place to get espresso on the West Coast and the reputation has been solid ever since. If you can't make it to Trieste in person, you can buy their coffee online, but you know it won't taste the same, however, it should satisfy your fix.

10. Octane Coffee Bar & Lounge - Atlanta - In addition to the free Wi-Fi and exposed brick walls, this West Midtown spot brings in DJs and art shows for a hipper than hip vibe that makes the coffee taste that much better than bet. A fuel injection or a coffee coolant will get you where you need to go in the buzz department.

11. Gimme! Coffee - Brooklyn - The Brooklyn outpost of the Ithaca original has no drop off in quality and no foam, preferring to keep the flavor in the coffee.

12. Lamill Coffee Boutique - Los Angeles - Silver Lake is becoming a mecca for gourmet coffee and Lamill is one of the reasons to make a pilgrimage. Table-side coffee service is one of the handful of techniques you can choose and the variety of beans fulfills the boutique promise in the moniker. The decor is the best on this list.

13. Coffee Slingers - Oklahoma City - In their own words, Coffee Slingers (slang for baristas) is "the coffee coup battling lazy pervasive brown water." Solid lattes, caps, house-made chai and 18-hour cold-brewed coffee are soldiers in their fight, and they're winning.

14. Coffee to the People - San Francisco - Organic, fair trade and community are the descriptors you'd expect for a coffee shop in Haight-Ashbury.

15. MoKaBe's - St. Louis - Funky coffee shop in the Lou is a popular grazing spot for term paperists, brunchers, vegans and porch fetishists.

16. El Diablo - Seattle - The festive colors in Seattle's only Latin-style coffee shop is as invigorating as the enlightening power of the coffee. Go with a Cubano and you can't go wrong.

17. Urth Caffe - Los Angeles - This West Hollywood institution serves their own organically grown coffee and provide unique blends like the licorice-infused Old Grandpa and signature lattes

18. Lucky's Cafe - Cleveland - One of the points of the aspirational mission statement at this understated Cleveland cafe sums it up: "We will offer our customers an alternative to the mass produced ...." Mission accomplished.

19. Copper Star - Phoenix - Copper Star serves standard coffee drinks, hot and frozen. The locally roasted beans and neighborly service helps the standard transcend into the sublime.

20. Mugshots - Philadelphia - Another organic, fair trade, B Corporation[TM] coffee shop, Mugshots sits across from a prison, hence the name. If you're particularly sluggish or want to treat your co-workers to some of the good stuff, get the "Coffee on the Move" in your choice of 96oz. at $14.95 or 160oz. for $22.95

21. Novo Coffee - Denver - Novo approaches coffee with the same philosophy as oeniphiles approach wine: understanding the varieties and origins of beans as well as manipulating different processes. The even describe their coffee like descriptions found on wine lists. The Gololcha has notes of "honey, toasted nuts, slight wild harar earth flavor, gentle and classic for the area.

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You awoke to the 275th day of 2008. This is also the first day of October which is Class Reunion Month, International Starman Month and National Bake & Decorate Month. Those of you who know how to bake better be ready to make all the rest of us some goodies.

Julie Andrews, Rod Carew and former Fembot Cindy Margolis will all be celebrating their birthdays today.

Today Is...
- Balloons Around The World Day
- Child Health Day
- Fire Pup Day
- International Day of Older Persons
- World Vegetarian Day
- Id al Fitr -- the end of Ramadan
- Unification Day (Cameroon)
- National Day (China)
- Independence Day (Cyprus)
- Stone Fishing Ceremony (French Polynesia)
- Independence Day (Nigeria)
- Independence Day (Palau)
- Independence Day (Tuvalu)

Today Was ...

Oct. 1 Birthdays
1924 - Jimmy Carter, former US President
1927 - Tom Bosley, actor
1935 - Julie Andrews, actress & singer
1945 - Rod Carew, baseball player
1950 - Randy Quaid, actor
1963 - Mark McGwire, baseball player
1965 - Cindy Margolis, Fembot
1966 - Chris Titus, actor

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It's the very last day of September and we are officially into fall. One of the best things about fall is spiked cider. Fall is apple season and the more apples we get, the more cider we can make. You may have seen people selling non-alcoholic hot cider at some fall festivals -- but where's the fun in non-alcoholic cider?

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For the 37th year, shrimp will be the main event on the beaches of Gulf Shores, Alabama. Each year, the National Shrimp Festival is held during the second full week of October. This year, the festival falls on October 9 through the 12. In fact, the Alabama Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce is so excited about shrimp, they've also invited musicians to play the event and set up a 10k Run in shrimp's honor.

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It's officially the 274th day of 2008. Celebrate Ask A Stupid Question Day by asking as many stupid questions as you can manage. This also might be a good day for a facial and a mud bath as it's National Mud Pack Day as well.

Truman Capote would have thrown a huge cocktail party in honor of his 84th birthday but we can party for him. Other birthday kids include Martina Hingis, Lacey Chabert and little Kieran Culkin turns 26 today.

Today Is...
- Ask A Stupid Question Day
- National Mud Pack Day
- Custom's Day (Marshall Islands)
- Agriculture Day (Sao Tome & Principe)

Today Was ...

Sept. 30 Birthdays
1931 - Angie Dickinson, actress
1933 - Cissy Houston, singer & Whitney's mom
1935 - Johnny Mathis, singer
1945 - Ehud Olmert, 12th Israeli Prime Minister
1953 - Deborah Allen, singer
1957 - Fran Drescher, actress & comedian
1961 - Eric Stoltz, actor
1964 - Trey Anastasio, Phish
1964 - Robby Takac, Goo Goo Dolls
1971 - Jenna Elfman, actress
1980 - Martina Hingis, tennis player
1981 - Dominique Moceanu, Olympic gymnast
1982 - Lacey Chabert, actress
1982 - Kieran Culkin, actor
1984 - T-Pain, rapper

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Elevate Film Festival wants to change the world with movie, music and technology.

Elevate Film Festival has only been around since 2005 but in a few short years, it has grown to be one of the largest screen film festivals in the world. Elevate is also the first film festival in the world to challenge filmmakers to produce socially-aware short films in seven days using a combination of science, technology, music, new media and movies. This year, the festival is following a theme of "All Tribes Unite", giving a voice to native and indigenous peoples through technology.

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It's far too early in the football season to even guess who will be playing football in Tampa on February 1, 2009. But for many potential Super Bowl viewers, the only things that matter are the commercials and the halftime show. And with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band headlining this years halftime show, there's sure to be some excitement already.

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We're working on the 273rd day of 2008. It's rumored that if you eat a goose on Michaelmas, you will not want for money for a year. We advise you to get like six geese, in that case.

Baywatch babe Erika Eleniak has a birthday as does the geek-chic actor Zachary Levi (right) who plays Chuck on NBC.

Today Is...

- Michaelmas
- Rosh Hashanah
- VFW Day
- Battle of Boqueron (Paraguay)

Today Was ...

Sept. 29 Birthdays
1924 - Steve Forrest, actor
1935 - Jerry Lee Lewis, musician
1939 - Tommy Boyce, song writer for The Monkees
1942 - Ian McShane, actor
1948 - Bryant Gumbel, actor
1957 - Andrew Dice Clay, actor & comedian
1963 - Les Claypool, Primus
1966 - Jill Whelan, actress, Airplane
1969 - Erika Eleniak, Baywatch
1980 - Zachary Levi, actor
1988 - Kevin Durant, basketball player

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