Today is one of those days when we’re all Irish and the green beer flows.

As is noted in this paper’s police reports pages, drunken driving is a problem that doesn’t seem to be going away. People are coming to grips with it, but there still remains too many who think a six-pack of beer doesn’t affect their driving. Well, they’re wrong and the only good thing that can come of it is if they don’t harm anyone while they’re being stupid.

If you plan to celebrate St. Patrick with a few cold ones at the pub, then make some decisions now to keep others safe and yourself out of jail and thousands of dollars poorer. • Take a teetotaler with you so they can drive you home.

• Put the number of a cab company in your pocket and use it when it comes time to go home. That fare will be the best money you spend the entire night.

• Stay home and behave yourself.

• Answer the phone. An inebriated friend may need a ride.

A bit ‘o Irish in the pot

The best way to celebrate the holiday is with a plate of corned beef and cabbage. If you’re an American. Because we, not the Irish, decided that dish is for St. Paddy’s Day.

Corned beef, however, was an Irish staple, according to “History of Food.” It was one of Ireland’s major exports. Corned, if you are curious, comes from the technique of pouring rock salt over the meat. The salt fragments looked similar in size to grain kernels so it became “corn of salt.” Adding cabbage and other vegetables was an American innovation.

The cabbage may give you some minor gastrointestinal distress, but it’s far better than a hangover. And better yet, the leftovers make a great hash for breakfast or another easy meal later this week.

Corned beef and cabbage also does another thing: It can remind us as winter turns to spring how fortunate we are to have local produce, some of it year-round, like potatoes and carrots. Both are used in the dish, along with parsnips, cream, parsley and onions, all products grown or produced by Valley farmers or dairy operations.

Grassroots movement

The fair board’s interest in selling 40 acres of farm land it owns has generated some concern from regular citizens concerned not only about agricultural land, but open space as well. They are trying to form a cohesive voice. In order to be heard at board meetings, you have to be a member. That costs $15. Applications are online at www.alaskastatefair.org/boe/membership.html.