Yes, it's 'open', just a bit quiet at this time of the year.
Madeline and JimD have been doing trojan work, providing us with news - both general and BB-related, right throughtout winter and spring, and as you've noticed, Christine has had the decorators in.
Forums in general are much quieter these days, due to the 'Facebook/Bebo/MySpace/Whatever You're Having Yourself/factor', amongst other things, but as the Annual Time of Torment (aka BB) will be commencing in less than a month, we expect things to liven up soon.
And it's always great to see our more 'seasonal' friends show up!