Monthly dose useful tidbits, timely trivia & conversation starts

6 Beer cocktails that even non-beer drinkers will love.(All recipes serve 2)

Beer Shandy-divide one 12oz bottle lager & 1/2 cup sparkling lemon soda between 2 glasses. Garnish with lemon slices.
Stout & Ice Cream Float-divide one 12oz bottle stout between 2 glasses. To each, add 1/2 cup coffee ice cream.
Gingery Apple Beer-divide one 12oz bottle lager, 1/2 cup apple cider, 1/2 teaspoon grated fresh ginger between 2 glasses filled w/ice.
Cherry Stout Fizz-divide one 12oz bottle stout & 1/2 cup cherry cola between 2 glasses filled w/ice.
Beer Bloody Mary-divide one 12oz lottle lager & 1 cup tomato juice between 2 glasses filled w/ice. To each add 1/2 tablespoon prepared horseradish, 1/2 tablespoon fresh lime juice, 1/4 teaspoon worcestershire sauce, 1/4 teaspoon tabasco, & a pinch each of celery salt & black pepper.
Stout Royale-divide one 12oz bottle stout, 1 cup sparkling wine, & 1 tablespoon creme de cassis(black currant liqueur)between 2 glasses

1790 - the year in which the 1st census was taken, by US Marshals on horseback. The total? A mere 3.9 million. Fast-forward to 2000, which checked off more than 281million. Look for the form to arrive at your residence this month, & get ready to account for yourself.

40 days - the period of time that a $1 donation can provide clean drinking water to a child in one of 100 countries, thanks to UNICEF'S Tap Project. Donate while dining at any of 2000 participating restaurants during World Water Week(March 21-27) Find one in your area at tapproject.org

25 - the number of squares in Oscar Bingo, a free game that you can download & print at oscars.org/partykit You'll also find other freebies, including a crossword puzzle, ballots, & recipes for food and drinks. Play along and see how fast you can check off "Pregnant Actress" or "Someone Slips on Stairs" during the 2010 Academy Awards, which air on ABC on March 7.

85% - the portion of shelters & rescue programs that have pets that were given up over resolvable issues. To help new owners adjust to life with a puppy or a kitten, Petfinder.com is kicking off the Fur Keeps Program this month. The online initiative will offer everything from an adoption checklist to a panel of experts to answer questions.

Please feel free to shoot me an email erockavella@hotmail.com with any likes, dislikes, comments. Your thoughts on the 2010 Olympics & what is your favorite event and WHO is the farthest city/country away from Mason,OH. Also a new eco-friendly clothing company coming soon. Have a good week...Eric :)