It's a lucky day... if you work for the feds or New York

Happy Columbus Day from the Dog Denizens of Genesee Park (DDGP)!

Chances are that if you are employed with the United States and New York governments you are enjoying a rare day off. Federal and New York state governments close on the second Monday of October commemorate Christopher Columbus' arrival in the Bahamas on October 21, 1492. Workers in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands commemorate "Puerto Rican-Virgin Islands Friendship Day." The state of Hawaii does not recognize Columbus Day, and instead honors the Polynesian discoverers of the islands with Discoverer's Day... by keeping state offices open.

We could reprise information that you have heard since grade school about the Italian explorer -- 1492, Niña, Pinta, and Santa Maria -- but we decided to instead highlight the works of movie director Chris Columbus. The Ohio native graduated from the New York University's film school at the Tisch School of Arts. Columbus worked for Stephen Spielberg's Amblin Productions as a screenwriter for Gremlins, Goonies and Young Sherlock Holmes. Columbus enjoyed breakout success with the Home Alone series, Mrs. Doubtfire, and Stepmom in the 1990s. In the 2000s, Columbus directed the first two Harry Potter movies and Rent before turning his energies to producing (Night at the Museum and its sequel, Fantastic Four, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer). Columbus branded his production company 1492 Pictures for obvious reasons.

Too much hype for a director of "popcorn movies"? Maybe, it takes a rare movie -- here, Home Alone -- to drive George Costanza of Seinfeld to tears.

For those with the day off who want to toast one or both Columbuses, consider the Americano -- known to others as the Godfather.

Americano, aka the Godfather

• 2 oz. bourbon whiskey.
• 2 oz. Amaretto almond liqueur.

Pour whiskey and liqueur into an old-fashioned glass filled halfway with ice cubes. Allow a brief respite so the ice cubes can melt.

Stir and serve.