DECK THE HOLIDAY'S

    St. Patrick's Day is a lively celebration, traditionally observed with parades, music, dancing, Irish food and green beer.  Chances are, there will be a parade near you, as there are parades and celebrations all over the United States on this Irish holiday.  The following are the top 10 of the heap.   Boston, Mass .    They've been partying since 1901 in "Bean Town".   About 850,000 people attend this spirited party.  The city's population is about 16 percent Irish and they celebrate St. Patrick's Day with enthusiasm.     New York City    New York's parade has been celebrated since 1762.  They expect about 2 million people to line the streets of New York for the largest and oldest St. Patrick's parade in the United States.  The huge parade has about 150,000 marchers.  No floats or automobiles allowed.  Plenty of bagpipes and green beer in...

   Ah, St. Patrick's Day: the day when each one of your friends and even your grandfather seems to be Irish.  This is probably the only day when you'll dig through your closet, just to find that  special green something to wear wherever you go.  St. Patrick's Day is celebrated all over the world, and for many, it's a day to relax and drink, whether it's a favorite ale or just some random green beer served at the bar.  Many think St. Patrick's Day is just about wearing green, drinking, and dealing with the hangover the next day.  However, there are probably some things that many don't know about St. Patrick's Day.    Some of the facts you'll find surprising, while others are a little bit more expected, especially if you've participated in a St. Patrick's Day festivity once in your life.  And of course, have a Happy St. Patrick's Day!   Shamrocks     Of course with St. Patrick's Day comes the m...

   The trappings of St. Patrick's Day are familiar to most Americans these days.  There's drinking, green bowlers , leprechauns with their shillelaghs , four leaf clovers everywhere you can imagine, and parades that usually involve men in kilts playing the bagpipes .  While these celebrations are fairly old, beginning in the 1760's in New York, St. Patrick's Day has been observed by the Irish for over 1,000 years.   As such, to figure out just where everything came from and where this saint came from, you need to dig back into history.    Though we know him today as Patrick, the man's original name was Succat according to Baby Names of Ireland.  Succat , or Patrick to keep things simple, was born to wealthy parents in Britain.  His father was a Christian deacon, though the household appeared to be devoted to the church more for tax breaks than for faith.  Patrick was taken hostage at the age of 16 by Celtic raiders, w...

  In the middle of the Mediterranean coast, Valencia city, celebrates each year the final days of the winter and the arrival of spring with spectacular fires of  pyrotechnics.  From March 15th to the 19th ( the feast of Saint Joseph , day of the father in the whole country), Valencia is given over to a carnival of bonfires, fiesta, fireworks and a healthy dose of satire known as Las Fallas , "the fires".         Displayed on every corner all over the city are colorful ninots , giant paper-mache' figures often 20 feet tall or even more that have been paraded through the streets and then place in fantasy groups to tower over excited spectators.  Each one in some way satires a political figure, or a soap star, or more exotic creatures from the movies, TV, sports idols, or simply imagination.  Some of them are grotesque...others playful and charming...all are larger than life and up for public scrutiny. ...

   The Institute of Holiday Studies has released the top ten fears that people face during the Holidays. Parkaphobia - The fear that you will circle and circle the parking lot for ever, never actually making it into the mall.  You will run out of gas on the 100th time you circle and you will slowly starve to death in your car. Planeaphobia - The fear that someone in your family will actually expect you to pick them up at the airport, when you even offer to pay for their taxi, no matter know much it costs.  Similar to parkaphobia, you will be doomed to circling the airport for ever, while their plane is an hour late, they stop for a Latte' on the way to the baggage counter, then spend two hours looking for their lost bag, which will come in tomorrow, meaning you get to make another trip to the airport. Giftaphobia -You and your new boyfriend are exchanging gifts for the first time on Christmas.  You both promised to keep it simple.  But what does ...