#WhatsHappening for September 5, 2016

Hey, hi, howdy kids. Welcome to the start of another week. Of course it's Labor Day in the United States, so some of us won't start our work week until tomorrow, but still...

I don't know about you, but it seems that any time there's a short week like this, the work you come back to is always rush, rush, rush. It's kind of like going on vacation. I'd always try to have everything done before I left- but when I got back, there'd be a pile of crap that had to be done because there's no one else capable (not true, though- I don't work in that specialized an industry). 

That kind of thing was a big contributor to me leaving my last job. Back in February, my sister called me early on Saturday to let me know our mother had been taken to the hospital. Before I could even get a bag packed, she called back to say the doctors hadn't been able to resuscitate her. 

I finished packing and drove to Savannah. Before I left, I emailed my boss (the owner of the company) and explained what was going on- and said that I'd most likely be back to work on Wednesday (as I wasn't really certain what I'd need to do before being able to come back). All of my work was done, schedules were set, materials ordered, everyone had assignments. 

I went back to work on Wednesday and everything was fucked. In my two day absence, the production and install schedules that I had planned out had gotten so jacked up that, in the two months I was there after that, they were never in good shape again. 

While I may not be the most organized guy in the world (I forget shit all the time, the office at home is cluttered- to be kind, so is the coffee table in the den, and my nightstand), I do a pretty good job at keeping a work schedule. I know what needs to be done when, and how long jobs take to complete. 

Still, there's always something that crops up. Work isn't a four letter word for nothing, I suppose. I guess that's part of what Labor Day is supposed to be about, huh? Struggles of the working class and all that?

Jerry Heller, longtime music manager, died Friday at the age of 75.

Heller is best known for helping launch the career of N.W.A and the gangsta-rap movement, though he had worked in the music business since the 60s as an agent and promoter for groups like Creedence Clearwater Revival, Marvin Gaye, the Who and Black Sabbath.

TMZ reports that Heller died after suffering a medical emergency while driving that resulted in him sustaining serious injuries after crashing his minivan in California, though it was unclear whether he died from the medical emergency or the injuries from the crash.

Beach Boys singer Mike Love's memoir, Good Vibrations, hits the shelves later this month and it's reported that in it, Love goes into detail about the band's relationship with Charles Manson.

People magazine reports that Love wrote that Manson and his followers moved in with bandmate Dennis Wilson in 1968- a little over a year before "the family" killed seven people, including actress Sharon Tate.

Love recalls being at the house with band mate Bruce Johnston when Manson handed out LSD and was "orchestrating sex partners" for some of his female followers. Love says he tried to bow out of the situation and went to take a shower, but was confronted by Manson, who Love says told him, "you can't leave the group."

The White House is getting into the festival game, bringing together music, film and tech innovators for South By South Lawn.

The October 3rd event was described by White House chief digital officer Jason Goldman as a "call to arms for every American to roll up their sleeves and make a positive mark on our country- and a celebration of the great work so many of us have already accomplished."

The festival was inspired by President Obama's speaking engagement at South By Southwest in March, where he suggested Americans use innovation to "address our ills."

"The reason I'm here is to recruit all of you-" the President said, "to say to you as I'm about to leave office: ‘How can we start coming up with new ideas and new approaches across disciplines and across skill sets to solve some of the big problems we face today?'"

The film portion of the festival will feature the 3rd Annual White House Student Film Festival, for kids K-12, while the interactive section will include panel discussions with "influencers who are using their platforms to bring about positive change." 

There has been no announcement regarding performers. The White House is partnering with the American Film Institute, concert promoter C3 Presents, the President's Committee on Arts and Humanities, and South by Southwest organizers for the event.

You have to be nominated to attend through a form on the White House website, so get moving now if you're interested.

Birthdays today include: Dweezil Zappa; Brad Wilk of Rage Against The Machine; Terry Ellis of En Vogue; Dave Clempson of Humble Pie; Loudon Wainwright III; and Al Stewart. Today would also mark the 70th birthday of the late, great Freddie Mercury. #MusicalBirthdays