High Wired: St. Patrick's Day sites 2007

St. Patrick's Day is here again! As is our tradition, we like to offer good websites to celebrate the occasion. Unlike Halloween, however, it's slim pickings when it comes to good St. Patty's Day sites. Nevertheless, we've searched high and low to bring you some top picks.

One of the best places to start your holiday fun is at www.marvelicious.com/stpatrick.html. The site itself is basic, but the information is good. Find out who St. Patrick really was, learn the truth about leprechauns, impress your friends with a real Irish toast, and learn why wearing green may not be such a great idea after all. If you're a real enthusiast, scroll down to the bottom of the page to find some recommended reading.

This year, we can't help but again feature the History Channel's site, at www.historychannel.com/exhibits/stpatricksday/index.jsp, one of our favorites. While most sites we find are frivolous and often loaded with pop-ups, this site serves up compelling photography, interesting facts and a variety of things to do including learning about the history of the holiday, an Irish quiz, and an interesting video (once you've watched the commercial, that is).

Another not-to-be-missed site from previous years is a live broadcast from Ireland at www.liveireland.com/live.shtml. This year, the celebrations began in Liveireland on Thursday with "live programming of famous and not so famous musicians and personalities." And be sure to watch the live coverage of the parade in Dublin!

Entertaining this St. Patrick's Day? Make the event special with 10 interesting drinks found at http://cocktails.about.com/od/cocktailrecipes/tp/st_pty_cktl_tp.htm. Though we're not big fans of About.com, the list is complete and the drinks seem fun.

For some truly whacky humor, a favorite from previous year's columns is Cap'n Wacky's Boatload of Blarney at www.capnwacky.com/stpats/. You'll find the Gallery of Unfortunate St. Patrick's Day Cards, the Leprechaun Hall of Shame and whacky Traditional Irish Blessings.

For the kids, a new feature this year is www.paddymagic.com/, which promises to bring magical good luck. The kids can read about the history, learn some Irish phrases, watch cartoons, and experience the Paddymagic story. Also, be sure to visit a favorite from last year, www.kidsdomain.com/games/patrick.html. The site includes safe online games, jokes, activities and coloring pages.

Test your knowledge with a St. Patrick's Day quiz, play tic-tac-toe, catch the slippery leprechauns, or help the leprechaun find his pot of gold at http://blackdog.net/holiday/pat/.

Care to take in a scavenger hunt? Visit www.lovetolearnplace.com/SpecialDays/StPattys/ScavengerHunt.html#anchor545276. According to the site, there are two separate hunts, one for those who have not yet passed their ninth birthday, and one for those who have.

And though we too are computer enthusiasts, we encourage you to step away from the screen and venture out for the occasion. For a brief list of activities in Colorado, visit Westword's http://www.westword.com/search/events.php?eventSearch=1&;amp;category=oid:34843. Another great source for fun in Denver is http://denver.citysearch.com/roundup/38357.

Check out Click and Hack's website at www.friscocomputerstore.com or send your favorite sites to clickandhack@friscocomputerstore.com.