We are WhoaBamming right along this week! We've got a few special events that are taking the place of our regularly scheduled programming. :)
So this week as many of you might know is St. Patrick's day. Now as most folks here in the states use this as an excuse to start drinking green beer at 6am and plow through the day wearing a shirt that says "Kiss me, I'm Irish" (when really, we know you AREN'T!) , I'm hoping that this year we can exploit this national holiday in a more earth conscience and globally minded way.
Before we go there though, why do we celebrate this day? Who was St. Patrick and why is HE so special that he gets a day all to himself?
Well, St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, is one of Christianity's most widely known figures. But for all his celebrity, his life remains somewhat of a mystery. Many of the stories traditionally associated with St. Patrick, including the famous account of his banishing all the snakes from Ireland, are false, the products of hundreds of years of exaggerated storytelling. LIARS! St. Patrick was actually quite fond of snakes and used to put mice outside his door for the snakes to have a free meal.
It is known that St. Patrick was born in Britain (that's right folks, he's not even IRISH!) to wealthy parents near the end of the fourth century. He is believed to have died on March 17, around 460 A.D. Although his father was a Christian deacon, it has been suggested that he probably took on the role because of tax incentives and there is no evidence that Patrick came from a particularly religious family. HA! Death and Taxes my friends!
At the age of sixteen, Patrick was taken prisoner by a group of Irish raiders who were attacking his family's estate. They transported him to Ireland where he spent six years in captivity. During this time, he worked as a shepherd, outdoors and away from people. Lonely and afraid, he turned to his religion for solace, becoming a devout Christian. (It is also believed that Patrick first began to dream of converting the Irish people to Christianity during his captivity.)
After more than six years as a prisoner, Patrick escaped. According to his writing, a voice-which he believed to be God's-spoke to him in a dream, telling him it was time to leave Ireland. To do so, Patrick walked nearly 200 miles from County Mayo, where it is believed he was held, to the Irish coast. After escaping to Britain, Patrick reported that he experienced a second revelation- an angel in a dream tells him to return to Ireland as a missionary. Soon after, Patrick began religious training, a course of study that lasted more than fifteen years. After his ordination as a priest, he was sent to Ireland with a dual mission-to minister to Christians already living in Ireland and to begin to convert the Irish. (Interestingly, this mission contradicts the widely held notion that Patrick introduced Christianity to Ireland.)
So, how can we truly honor him this year? By attending these 2 fantastic events:
The St. Patrick's Rally, on Saturday, March 15th, from 2-3 pm at the brick park next to the Truckee River. Bring a friend and a picture of a renewable energy source to put into our "pot of gold" at the end of our handheld St. Patrick's rainbow. This is an activity being sponsored by our friends at the Sierra Club (and my friend Colin) so we should go.
Also, Saturday night there is a Bluegrass Showcase at Maytan Music Center, (777 S. Center Street). Admission is $5, which includes 7 great bluegrass groups, plus free refreshments!! The music starts at 7pm and continues until about 10pm.
I know that these are both special events, but they are SO special that they were bumped up! Other events this week- Trivia Tuesday night at the taproom. Let's see if Brad will show up before 10 tonight! :)
There is no Delicious Dish this week, however, I heard that there may be a housewarming party coming up soon, so be ready to get your potlatch on!
Blink
"For those in the 'No"
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