Sunday,  savvy suds lovers will celebrate the 80th anniversary of Prohibition’s end on April 7, 1933 — National Beer Day, called to my attention by KRUPS, the coffee maker people who dabble in the Beertender – a kitchen appliance that is a mini-keg.

The hoppy holiday makes the night before New Beer’s Eve, and of course it has its own Facebook page.

Where did National Beer Day come from? Prohibition, of course!  On April 7th, 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Cullen-Harrison Act. It ended the 13 years of alcohol prohibition in the United States. Clever folks made beer the night before to celebrate. 

Even if you don’t like beer, you can celebrate with a shandy, or shandygaff – beer mixed with soda, lemonade, ginger ale or even cider. Wikipedia says a shandy with beer and cider is called a snakebite.

If you’d like a Heineken with that, here’s a picture of the Beertender — the ultimate at home draft beer experience. It costs around $150 and holds five liters of beer that stays fresh for three days. Here comes a weekend to celebrate beer and ingenuity. Cheers!  

Pam Parker is the editor of Lake Erie LifeStyle, Her Times and House to Home at the Erie Times-News in Erie, Pa. She is the mom of three, stepmom to three and step-grandmom to one. 

When I was a kid, an Easter tradition was the annual television viewing of “The Wizard of Oz” with a basket of candy in tow. The cowardly lion jumping through the window made me laugh belly laughs for decades, and those flying monkeys still creep me out.

Colleen Steenberge (sister of Kathy Dahlkemper) and I wrote and directed the play during our junior year at Villa Maria Academy. I know this movie by heart.

The 1939 film was based on the 1901 novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum., according to Wikipedia. It starred Judy Garland, Ray Bolger, Jack Haley, Bert Lahr, and Frank Morgan, with Billie Burke, Margaret Hamilton, Charley Grapewin, Clara Blandick and the Singer Midgets as the Munchkins.

When I had my kids, the Easter Sunday TV tradition expanded right through the year because they loved the movie as much as I did. My older two watched the videotape of ”The Wizard of Oz” so often that it finally broke.

I never thought I could tire of hearing Judy Garland sing “Over the Rainbow,” but I came close.

When the movie “Twister,” came out, my kids were excited to see the flying cows — a flying house in “The Wizard of Oz“ had merely whet their appetites for more tornado footage, and that year — 1996 — was a particularly bad year for storms so we spent a lot of time in the basement.

I’m not sure I want to see the new movie “Oz,”  a supposed prequel that gives us some wizard history background. Some memories are better left alone. The backstory behind the film is fascinating. Buddy Ebsen was the original Tinman, and that makeup nearly killed him. Read it all here.

Pam Parker is the editor of Lake Erie LifeStyle, Her Times and House to Home at the Erie Times-News in Erie, Pa. She is the mom of three, stepmom to three and step-grandmom to one. 

Yes, I am Irish.

I love the idea of shamrocks, claddagh and trinity. These are just a few of the Irish treasures that make their way into rings, pendants and other baubles and bling.

This photo is from a link on the TipperaryWest website in Erie. It links to Solvar, a jewelry website. I am guessing you can ask your favorite jeweler for some Irish gems, and you’ll find them. Some are very inexpensive.

At My Irish Jeweler, I learned that the 3-leafed shamrock is a symbol for the Holy Trinity. Everything about the shamrock is fascinating. If you are looking for a wee bit of a $5 and under gift for a friend for Saint Paddy’s day, try a shamrock plant. I’ve had a few of them. They get beautiful white flowers that bloom all year long, and they thrive outdoors. I found mine at Wegman’s. They are as little as $4, and if I would remember to water them, mine would still be healthy. My first one grew as big as a shrub outside. In Saturday’s  House to Home, Sue Scholz will tell you all about shamrocks.

From Wikipedia, I learned that the claddagh – a blend of hands, heart and crown  – represents love, loyalty and friendship. It originated in Claddagh near Galway in the 17th century.

No matter how you choose to celebrate this weekend, Happy Saint Paddy’s Day.

Pam Parker is the editor of Lake Erie LifeStyle, Her Times and House to Home at the Erie Times-News in Erie, Pa. She is the mom of three, stepmom to three and step-grandmom to one. Her paternal grandmother’s family came to America from Ireland. 

Thanks to fashionista Christine Eddy, director of communications at Cathedral Prep and Villa Maria Academy! She called our attention to Cast Coverz. These colorful sleeves and other fashionable items dress up casts on arms and legs along with surgical boots.

Items retail for $16.99 and up. The company also has a full line of slings, crutch covers and much more. If you’re injured or recovering from surgery, you can still find some colorful styles to dress up any outfit.

Retiring Pope Benedict XVI brought back a centuries old tradition of red papal shoes — something I never knew until Pat Cuneo of the Erie Times-News mentioned it. Wikipedia has the story. The shoes have one tradition and the indoor papal slippers and Episcopal sandals are also very specific. Read the Wikipedia story here.

Papal shoes of Pope Pius VII (1808) from Wikipedia

A set of red loafers, manufactured by papal shoemaker Adriano Stefanelli, Novara – Worn by H.H. Pope Benedict XVI – The Philippi Collection from Wikipedia

I don’t wish to be disrespectful — I just thought this was fascinating. I went through 12 years of Catholic education but don’t recall learning about the significance of the shoes.

Pam Parker is the editor of Lake Erie LifeStyle, Her Times and House to Home at the Erie Times-News in Erie, Pa. She is the mom of three, stepmom to three and step-grandmom to one.

Baby boomers know Shirley Bassey, and this morning — so does everyone else. She’s the 76-year-old chanteuse who belted out the James Bond hit ”Goldfinger” to a standing ovation at the Oscars. Watch her sing at the 3 minute mark in the video tribute to Bond.

But she’s more than that — she sang the title songs to Goldfinger  in 1964, Diamonds Are Forever in 1971, and Moonraker in 1979, according to Wikipedia. Read more about what she’s been doing here. 

Bond won more accolades with Adele’s Oscar for best song for “Skyfall.”

More highlights:

The host seemed to do well. Seth McFarlane was ahead on the Zapitpoll early this morning as best host in five years. 

• “Argo” won for best movie with Ben Affleck, George Clooney and Grant Heslov as producers.
• Daniel Day-Lewis won his third Oscar for his portrayal of Abraham  Lincoln in “Lincoln.” 
• Jennifer Lawrence, 22, won best-actress in “Silver Linings Playbook.” Her dress tripped up on her way up the stairs. 
• Ang Lee hit it big as best director for “Life of Pi.” The movie won a lot of awards.
• Anne Hathaway won supporting-actress Oscar in the musical “Les Miserables.” And the entire cast sang during the Oscars — another huge highlight. 
• Christoph Waltz won supporting-actor in “Django Unchained,” and Quentin Tarantino won for original screenplay for “Django.” 

Pam Parker is the editor of Lake Erie LifeStyle, Her Times and House to Home at the Erie Times-News in Erie, Pa. She is the mom of three, stepmom to three and step-grandmom to one.

We’ve had flash mobs, macarenas and hey let’s do the twist. The Harlem Shake is the latest in a series of dances that’s gone viral. The video clip above is an admirable underwater presentation by the University of Georgia  swim and dive team.

Wikipedia says the Harlem Shake dates back to 1981 in Harlem. Here’s the listing on Wikipedia:

• Harlem shake (dance), a dance originating in Harlem in 1981

• “Harlem Shake” (song), a 2012 song by Baauer

• Harlem Shake (meme), an Internet meme which began in early 2013

Here’s the NPR report – a great listen. 

But not everyone has a sense of humor.  Students in Brownsville,Pa., were suspended when they danced  it up over this viral craze. Read that story here.

Pam Parker is the editor of Lake Erie LifeStyle, Her Times and House to Home at the Erie Times-News in Erie, Pa.

Danica Patrick continues to make history. She won the top spot for the Daytona 500 — the biggest achievement of her career.

With a lap at 196.434 mph, Danica will lead the pack with everyone behind her No. 10 Chevrolet SS when the race begins Saturday. Read the full story here.

I’m not a racing fan, but this 30-year-old woman who stands 5′ 2″ deserves attention and applause. She made $12 million in 2011 in a sport dominated by men. According to Wikipedia, she was born in Beloit, Wisconsin and raised in Roscoe, Illinois. She dropped out of  high school and later earned her GED.

On Saturday, she’ll be leading from the start.

Pam Parker has written about real estate and home decor in the tri-state region for more than 20 years. She is the editor of Lake Erie LifeStyle, Her Times and House to Home at the Erie Times-News in Erie, Pa. She is the mom of three, stepmom to three and step-grandmom to one.  

I’m late to the party on this one, but what a party it is. Bethenny Frankel, one of the housewives from The Real Housewives of New York City and founder of SkinnyGirl, hit the cover of Forbes Magazine in 2011. She’s a millionaire and has a million Twitter followers. And a great idea is what boosted her to the cover of Forbes. I learned more about her on CBS News on Sunday.

Frankel came up with low-calorie liquor for ladies years ago. She took her idea for SkinnyGirl Cocktails to major liquor companies, and they turned her down flat. In 2010, Frankel and a business partner launched her 100-calorie cocktails — some with only 5 carbs. The successful SkinnyGirl Cocktails brand hit it big with female buyers and Beam Inc. purchased it for more than $100 million in 2011.

Frankel is now a mom and making news divorcing her husband Jason Hoppy. In the meantime, her millions continue to grow. Frankel had fame all over her resume long before she hit Forbes. According to Wikipedia, her credits include:  The Apprentice: Martha Stewart, The Real Housewives of New York City, books, exercise DVDs, nutrition bars, food items, and more TV with Bravo’s reality show Bethenny Getting Married, Bethenny Ever After and Skating with the Stars.

SkinnyGirl – a world-famous brand — now includes cleanses, a nutrition line and much more than cocktails.

Pam Parker is the editor of Lake Erie LifeStyle, Her Times and House to Home at the Erie Times-News in Erie, Pa. She is the mom of three, stepmom to three and step-grandmom to one. 

No these are not miniature homes — they are tiny, but people live in them. Read the story in House to Home right here.

The Small House Movement is gaining in popularity in many age groups. The 20 somethings don’t need a lot of space to call home, and they need cheap space. Empty nesters want to downsize and travel but still have a place to call home. Other folks just want some a little space to call their own.

In Erie and everywhere, we are finding folks who buy traveling homes and even sheds that they can convert into small living spaces, offices or playrooms for the kids. Little spaces are finding big fans, and it’s a trend to watch.

Wikipedia credits Sarah Susanka and her book The Not So Big House in 1997 for some of the popularity. Visit the website here — it is impressive. Hurricane Katrina was the mother of necessity for small homes when Marianne Cusato designed the 300+ square-foot Katrina Cottages that offered private shelters much homier than the FEMA trailers.

Small homes, apartments and mobile homes are finding buyers in a tough economy. It’s something to see, and we’re seeing more of it.

Pam Parker has been writing about real estate for more than 20 years. She is the editor of Lake Erie LifeStyle, Her Times and House to Home at the Erie Times-News in Erie, Pa.

In this Associated Press file photo of Phyllis Diller, she was certainly stylish and way ahead of her time. That outfit is high fashion today. Here are a few of my favorite Diller quotes:

“A smile is a curve that sets everything straight.”

“Always be nice to your children because they are the ones who will choose your rest home.”

Diller was a class act and still acting at age 95. She appeared on the daytime soap “Bold and the Beautiful” this year. Read about her role on the show in my good Soapcentral.com bud Dan Kroll’s column here.

Diller was born in Lima, Ohio, in 1917. Wikipedia offers a terrific bio on her. Read it here.

I remember seeing her as a kid with Ed Sullivan, Bob Hope, Jackie Gleason and Johnny Carson. She made appearances on The Jack Paar Show, Groucho Marx, Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In, 7th Heaven, The Drew Carey Show and she was the voice of many animated characters including herself.

Read a great tribute to her here.

She was a pioneer — one of the first female comics to make it big. She did it all when housewives were the norm — not comic women who made fun of themselves and their domestic inabilities. She paved the way for many other female comics. Read another bio here. Diller was married and divorced from two men. She gave birth to six children and three survive.

Rest in peace, Phyllis. I spent the morning smiling and watching some of her many gigs — and enjoying that iconic laugh.