Patch St. Pat's Picks

Normally, I’m Swedish on my dad’s side and a smorgasbord of nationalities on the other -- thanks to my mom’s well-traveled kin. Today, like lots of other folks, I’m happy to pretend to be Irish.

On St. Patrick’s Day, I don’t like to wander too far from the Patch, so here’s a few events I thought might be interesting. Keep an eye out for me. I’ll be the off-duty editor holding a Guinness.

Barnes & Noble 4015 Medina Road Akron, OH 44333 (330) 665-5199

If you’ve got little ones in tow, story-time at Barnes & Noble will get them into the holiday spirit. Kids celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with Irish tales, Irish songs, a hunt for four-leaf clovers and a dance lesson. Time: 10 a.m. Cost: free.

F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm 1828 Smith Rd., Akron (330) 865-8065

Another family-friendly event, the Visitors Center hosts Go Green. Naturalists show you how to become more environmentally responsible -- green in a globally good way. Create treasures from old bottles and help feed your feathered friends. Learn how recycled items are all around, sometimes even on our backs. Time: 6 p.m. Cost: free. 

Gasoline Alley 870 North Cleveland Massillon Road Akron, OH 44333-2165 - (330) 666-2670

This feels like the neighborhood hangout it is.  Inside is a friendly low-key bar and probably not even a dozen tables. If you snag one for a meal try their huge kosher deli sandwiches or fried fish. Of, course there’s a corned beef and cabbage special for $10.99. Try the carrot cake for dessert.

On Tap Grille & Bar 3997 Medina Road Akron, OH 44333  (330) 668-1116

On Tap— in the heart of Montrose – is often my respite from mega shopping.  Normally, the restaurant serves respectable gyros, big honking burgers, a selection of yummy deep-fried appetizers, and, as the name would suggest, all kinds of beer on tap and mixed drinks.  For St. Pat’s Day, corned beef and Irish stew have been added to the menu.

Buck heck, forget the food. On the high holy day of the Green Season, On Tap is all about rowdy revelry, and for that there's  Westside Steve Simmons.

Simmons is a solo singer/songwriter who spends the summers on Put-In Bay, and who was the lead singer of the Easy Street Band, back in the day. He starts singing at 5:30 p.m. The show is a mix of party songs, Irish standards, originals and bawdy humor. Plus, the man owns a kilt. I'm just sayin'.

Tangier, 532 W. Market St., Akron, OH, 44303 (330) 376-7171

Here’s a celebration in a more formal setting. The Tangier hosts a lunchtime "Blarney Stone Buffet." On the menu is carved corned beef, Irish stew, beer batter fish & chips, Irish colcannon" (mashed potatoes, cabbage & carrots), Irish soda bread and old world style bread pudding. Live Irish music starts at 5 p.m. with Maidens IV. Time: 11:30 a.m. Cost $12.