5 Things To Know Today: March 17 (St. Patrick's Day)

Wearin' O' The Green: students are invited to wear green to school today, so don't freak if your typically blue jeans-clad high schooler suddenly seems to have a yen for those "nice" pants they never wear (or, if they're a little "eccentric," a set of Army fatigues — though I wouldn't know anyone who's ever done that).

Tuck Into Corned Beef & Cabbage: The senior center is cooking up a corned beef & cabbage lunch. Get there early — center staffers ask that you call ahead to reserve a spot with Brenda Martin at 944-3343 x109, and get your seat by 11:30 a.m. Suggested donation is $3 for those older than 60, $4 for youngsters (or liars).

Benefit O'Celebration: Rhodes on the Pawtuxet in Cranston is hosting its 13th annual St. Patrick's Day charity event to support The Church of St. Michael the Archangel in Providence, beginning at 2 and going until 10:30 p.m.

McMohr Library Program: Students in grades 6 to 12 (including those green-clad highschoolers) are invited to the library's celebration beginning at 3 p.m. today. Participants can make a leprechaun book and listen to Irish music. Refreshments, most likely green, will be served.

A Pioneering Irishwoman: On this date in 1989, Dorothy Cudahy became the first female Grand Marshall of the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Manhattan. The Queens Chronicle reported that Mrs. Cudahy, who passed away last August, was also a founding member of the Irish Institute of New York.

Local Editor Joe Hutnak graduated from Johnston High School after attending Bishop Hendricken for two years — and actually did wear fatigues to school one St. Patrick's Day while at Hendricken. The Brothers were less-than-amused with his explanation that he was "showing solidarity with the Catholic IRA in Ireland."