Science says: "To celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, keepers at the Zoo's Small Mammal House created animal-enrichment activities and objects full of treats for many of the small mammals. These enrichment activities provide physical and mental stimulation for the animals that give them opportunities to use their natural abilities and behaviors. The Zoo’s keeper staff use often holidays as an opportunity to give variety to both visitors and the animals in their care." more ›

Last year, we were kinda disappointed with the shade of green that the White House chose to dye the North Lawn fountain in honor of St. Patrick's Day. Even when the White House sent along an image taken from a different angle, it still didn't measure up to 2009, when the pool was about as green as you can get. Well, we're pleased to see that this year, the White House ditched the sea foam/pea soup nonsense and returned to the freakishly neon shade of two years ago. more ›

St. Patrick's Day doesn't offer much for teetotalers, aside from lots of drunk people and corned beef and cabbage. But today from 3-6 p.m., Z-Burger in Tenleytown will be offering their mint chocolate milkshakes for 99 cents. more ›

It's 10 a.m. on a Thursday and you've got a beer in hand, a fake green beard on your face, and The Dropkick Murphys in your head. Must be St. Patrick's Day! But even though it's the norm, you don't have to celebrate St. Paddy's at a vaguely Irish frat party-like event. While our roundup below does include plenty of opportunities for boozing (including all-day parties), there are also sporty challenges, Irish meals, a movie with Irish accents, some Irish-themed comedy, and more. more ›

Morning Washington. Did you remember to change your clocks an hour forward? If not, do that now. And while you might have lost an hour of sleep, bask in the glory of a sunset tonight at 7:15. more ›

It's never too early -- even if you're an Imperial Stormtrooper -- to celebrate a slice of the Irish life. Even though St. Patrick's Day won't officially be here for another ten days, that wasn't going to stop Alexandria from getting their green on and marching down King Street on Saturday. more ›

Washington, D.C's premier (only?) Irish arts organization, Solas Nua, is once again handing out free copies of books by contemporary Irish authors all day today, in celebration of St. Patrick's Day. They say they plan to hand out a total of 10,000 books, totally gratis. more ›

In response to DCist's accusations that the White House punted on its green dye job in the North Lawn fountain this year, White House Director of Online Programs Jesse Lee sends us this, more authoritative image. More green than seafoam, to be sure. Sort of a pea soup. But still not brilliant, almost neon green like last year. more ›

The Associated Press offers up this photo as evidence that the White House has once again dyed the water in the North Lawn fountain green for St. Patrick's Day. Except, call me crazy, but it doesn't look particularly green. more ›

Fair public notice to those whose idea of St. Patrick's Day fun is less drinking Guinness until you pass out on the couch and more watching others physically exert themselves through a rainstorm: Sunday's St. Patrick's Day 8K Race will be sure to tickle your fancy. Many a runner will wind their way down some heavily-trafficked roads between 9 a.m. and noon, so the District is doing it's usual "close down most of the routes along the Mall, making crossing into or out of Virginia by car a real pain in the ass" routine. more ›

Another March, another run of sold-out Pogues shows at the 9:30 Club. Despite the propitious occasion of St. Patrick’s Day — the equinox 'round which the graying-but-still-preeminent purveyors of Emerald Isle folk-punk (funk?) book their East Coast tours in recent years — Tuesday night’s hootenanny was no more gleefully shitfaced than their 9:30 gig from last year on March 9. In fact, it was arguably less so: Frontman Shane MacGowan seemed more lucid than the last time he stumbled through town, and his snarled vocals more intelligible. And the other seven active-duty Pogues? Affable, enthusiastic professionals all -- especially Spider Stacy, the group's tin whistler and fill-in frontman who who bashed a metal tray against his head whenever additional percussion was required. The mid-show appearance of a two-man horn section gave a warm shading to several unabashedly sentimental tunes, but especially a late-in-the-game “Rainy Night in SoHo.” more ›

It's a hearty top o' the morning for the city from the White House today. The AP reports that indeed, First Lady Michelle Obama has ordered the fountains on the north and south lawns of the White House dyed green in celebration of St. Patrick's Day. more ›