Today we are pleased and proud to announce the theme, dates and location for BlogHer '09, our fifth annual conference.

Unless you've been living under a rock, you know that the economy is bad, and it's only getting worse. But it's also November, which means that we're on the brink of Holiday Party Season, AND the weather is changing (finally) so it's time to bust out your brand new fall wardrobe. Except that the economy is bad, so who can afford a new fall wardrobe? Or a new party dress? Or a new ANYTHING?!? Ahem.

"This is your victory. And I know you didn't do this just to win an election. And I know you didn't do it for me," President-elect Barack Obama told Americans from a flag-draped stage in Chicago last night. "You did it because you understand the enormity of the task that lies ahead. For even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime — two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century..."

As the world watches and the US Votes, BlogHer will be updating you on results as they come in. We have bloggers across the nation and widgets galore. From BlogHer's Guide to Political bloggers, to AOL, to CNN, to CBS, to Google and many more.

Gena Haskett took a comprehensive look at how you can safely and legally photograph or video record your vote. After you read her primer, grab your camera and whether you vote early or on November 4, we hope you'll share your photos and videos.

Whether John McCain or Barack Obama wins the Presidency next Tuesday, two things will be clear. First, the United States' electorate will be faced with recovering from a campaign that has left us emotionally overwrought, and in many instances, deeply scarred. The second is that somehow, more of us have to start really listening to each other across lines of difference if the next President is going to be able to effectively govern.

Tell us why Black Friday shopping is an important holiday tradition for you and your family and win a $1,000 Best Buy gift card, VIP treatment, and early entry into the participating store nearest to you on the morning after Thanksgiving!

One of my favorite seasons is upon us. I'm not alluding to sweater season or snowmen (though I'm all about those leather boots you're wearing, you fashion maven, you). I'm not even referring to the holiday season. Nope, I'm talking about something much, much hotter: BlogHer's annual summer conference.

Wonder what moms who blog are saying about....anything? Stop wondering and start searching: BlogHer is excited to unveil the first of many targeted search widgets for our network, The Mom (and Dad!) Blog Search. This widget (pictured below) contains: - A listing of the 1,200+ vetted parenting blogs that are part of BlogHer's publishing network - A targeted search for these blogs only. Try "Palin," "tantrum," "lice". It's all there. - Real-time news and parenting information from BlogHer.com - A link to add YOUR parenting blog to the network

While we're working on finalizing our BlogHer '09 venue contract, so we can announce that by the end of the month, I am happy to keep BlogHer '09 on your mind by announcing the Call for Ideas for BlogHer '09. If you're thinking this announcement seems earlier than last year, you are correct! We aim to have this Call for Ideas running for a month and to be able to announce at least a skeleton schedule before the end of the year! Question: Why a "Call for Ideas" and not a "Call for Speakers" or "Call for Proposals" or something like that?

"Either one of them would be a good president, but which of them is the president we need now?" asked former Secretary of State and retired Gen. Colin Powell on Meet the Press today. His answer: Barack Obama. Powell told Tom Brokaw:

Check out their video interviews taken from the floor of the conferences on Boston and Washington, DC and learn more about Conversations with Playtex® from BlogHer.