Five Things You Need to Know Today: It's All About St. Patrick's Day!

 1. Happy St. Patrick Day! Everyone recognizes St. Patrick as the champion of Irish Christianity, but there are a few things that aren’t common knowledge about Ireland’s patron saint. For example, did you know that green wasn’t the original color associated with St. Patrick? The saint’s color was blue until the early 17th century, when green became a symbol of Irish nationalism and the color was transferred over to the country’s Catholic hero. Did you also know that St. Patrick wasn’t Irish? Patrick was a resident of Britain who was kidnapped by Irish slave raiders and later escaped after spending six years away from his native land. But although Patrick might have thought he was done with Ireland, the country was apparently not done with Patrick. Patrick received a vision from God to return to Ireland as an ordained bishop, where he baptized thousands and converted entire communities. That was interesting, huh? Well, don’t even get me started on the history of leprechauns….

2. Tonight, memoirist and short story writer Neela Vaswani will recount her experiences growing up as the daughter of an Irish Catholic mother and a Sindhi Indian father at the Scarsdale Public Library. Vaswani, who is the author of “You Have Given Me a Country “ and “Where the Long Grass Bends,” will be reading from her works and engaging in discussion with audience members at 7:30 p.m. For more information, contact the Scarsdale Public Library at (914) 722-1300.

3. What’s luckier than finding a new friend? Pets Alive Westchester and Pets Alive Animal Sanctuary would agree with that sentiment – especially if it’s four-legged! In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, the sister shelters will be hosting a “Lucky Charms Adoption Event” from Thursday, March 17 through Monday, March 21. Specially selected Lucky Legacy Pets can be adopted for just $50 – and they’re all spayed or neutered, micro-chipped and updated on their vaccinations!  All participants will be entered into the Lucky Charms Raffle for prizes valued at $50 or up. Plus, if you show up wearing green, you will receive a free gift. Call Pets Alive Westchester at (914) 592-7334 to find out how you can bring home a new pet today. Pups and prizes – who says today’s luck is reserved for the Irish? 

4. The White Plains St. Patrick’s Day Parade was last Saturday, but that doesn’t mean that the neighboring town is done celebrating today’s holiday. “The Secret of Kells,” a fantastical film detailing a young boy’s quest to complete the legendary illuminated Book of Kells, will be screened at the White Plains Public Library at 4:30 p.m. Call the library at (914) 422-1476 for more information.

5. There are few things better than a pint of Guinness Stout and a heaping plate of corned beef and cabbage on St. Patrick’s Day. Check out our Patch Picks at 6 p.m. to find out where you should be dining this evening. Hint: One of our selections, the , makes a mean Irish coffee.