Calendar: November’s Business and Cultural Events

fri, november 21
Translate
ACTFL Conference & World Languages Expo
Orlando

In a 30 Rock episode last season, Liz Lemon, played by Tina Fey, accidentally sold NBC to a German company. It was a costly, literal case of a loss in translation (Fehlübersetzung, in case you were wondering). While it's nice that more of the world speaks American nowadays, the attendees at the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages convention have a vested interest in getting you to learn another language: It's their job. They'll gather to talk strategy for boosting U.S. foreign-language skills. Only about 10% of Americans speak two languages, compared with just over half of Europeans. In the global economy, that is erbärmlich -- pathetic. -- Sean Ludwig

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fri, november 21
Unveil
The Reopening of the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History
Washington, D.C.

When the National Museum of American History began its $85 million renovation two years ago, one goal was to create a rotating showcase of objects from its 3 million -- plus archive. In reorganizing its artifacts along themes like "Home and Family" and "Business, Work, and the Economy," says renovation-program director Patrick Ladden, "we're aiming for people to look at them and say, 'This is what it means to be American.'" One featured item is an early shopping cart from 1937, whose designer, an Oklahoma grocer, had to hire models to demonstrate its use to a skeptical public. In a separate but related sign of what it means to be American, the museum's new gift shop sprawls over 6,000 square feet. -- Clayton Neuman

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fri, november 21
Click
World Television Day

In 1996, the UN declared a holiday to honor TV, urging members to observe the occasion by exchanging good, wholesome programming. The Germans condemned it as a "rich man's day" -- they like radio. Twelve years on, one could argue that video is more democratic than ever, and you can celebrate all day long, right at your desk. All hail YouTube. -- JLA

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fri, november 21
Watch
Twilight
Directed by Catherine Hardwicke

"I was in danger of being distracted by his livid, glorious face. It was like trying to stare down a destroying angel." This understated prose scored first-time author and Mormon housewife Stephenie Meyer a $750,000, three-young-adult-book deal and chatter that she's the next J.K. Rowling. The Twilight series, centered on a teen torn between her vampire boyfriend and werewolf best friend, has sold 10 million copies, and the big-screen adaptation hits theaters in time for Thanksgiving. If Twilight's box-office take mirrors the release of the last book (1.3 million sold in 24 hours), movie sequels and more endorsement deals are sure to follow. Cue squealing tweens. -- KR

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mon, november 24
Save
100th anniversary of the first credit union in the U.S.
Manchester, New Hampshire

In 1908, a pastor founded St. Mary's Bank to help mill workers in his parish save and borrow money. Now, as the nation's first credit union marks its centennial, there's another reason to celebrate: Credit-union membership is up almost 2% over the past year, a big jump over the laggardly sector's recent growth. That may be a timely, if unintentional, birthday present from the folks over in the mortgage sector. Explains Katye Long, spokeswoman for the Credit Union National Association: "I've heard a lot of credit unions gaining members from helping people in a bad mortgage situation." -- ACL

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