5 Things You Need to Know Today: March 17

1. Happy St. Patrick's Day! And what a day it is. There are plenty of ways to celebrate around Rumson and Fair Haven today with bagpipers, step dancing and all the corn beef you can eat. Click here to learn more about the places where you can get your green on.

2. Kilts v. Lederhosen: Want a little competition for your St. Pat's celebration? David Burke, owner of David Burke Fromagerie and former owner Chef Hubert Peter will celebrate the Third Annual on Thursday, March 17, 2011 at 6:30 p.m., with a multi-course meal, accompanied by a variety of beer and spirits for $75 per person, excluding tax and gratuity. Kilt-wearing David, will vie for the annual trophy against the Lederhosen-clad Hubert, as they present their respective Irish and German interpretations of the holiday.

3. Irish Roots: Claddagh na nGael (clad-dah nah-ngayle) or Irish Shore, the newest branch of Comhaltas, is a preservation and promotion society working for the cause of all things Irish.  Since 1951, Comhaltas has been endeavoring to spread and increase the zeal, appeal and appreciation of Irish music, dance, history and language. Claddagh na nGael, our local branch was officially chartered in August of 2010. Claddagh na nGael instruction is conducted at the Church of the Nativity in Fair Haven. Click to learn more about the group and see one of their classes in action.

4. Fleet Street:  l (RFH) has been gearing up for months in preparation of its production of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. Since December, for four days a week, approximately 100 students—10 percent of the student population at RFH—have been learning their lines, practicing the music and choreography for the play. There are also the costumes being created, the props and stage being worked on, the lighting being planned, and combining all the elements together. All of their hard work will be put to the test tomorrow for their opening night. The first show will be 3/18 at 7:00 p.m.

5. Kids Rock: It doesn't matter how big or small an accomplishment is—kids find countless ways to make their parents and loved ones proud. And we'd like to spread the word. Help us identify the next  Patch Whiz Kid honoree by nominate your kid for Patch's Whiz Kid of the Week. Copy the form below into an e-mail, fill it out, and send it along with a picture to Noel.Aliseo@Patch.com. 

Nominator's Name

Nominator's E-Mail

Whiz Kid's Name

Whiz Kid's Age

Whiz Kid's School

Whiz Kid's Accomplishment

Whiz Kid's Key to Awesomeness (what made him/her successful?)