Located strategically within the forest region of the town of Motegi in Japan’s eastern Tochigi prefecture lies the Honda Collection Hall, complete with its new Civic World display. The hall itself is part of a setting that offers breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside, a modern playground for children to enjoy while being surrounded by plants and wildlife, and the centerpiece of it all—the world-class Twin Ring Motegi track.

2021 Honda HR-V LX 2WD $99/MONTH 36 MONTHS LEASE | $3,499 DOWN

2021 HR-V LX 2WD – MSRP: $22,395 – plus $395 premium color fee on select trims – RU5H3MEXW. 36 month closed end lease. $3499 trade or cash down. First payment, $595 acquisition fee, taxes and DMV fees due at signing. 10,000 miles/year. $0.15 overage. To qualified buyers through AHFC. Lessee responsible for maintenance, excess wear/tear and up to $0.20/mi. over 10,000 miles/year. Dealer may affect actual payment. Offer valid through 5/3/21.

── 22 YEARS ── Max Harrington (Service Manager) ── 5 YEARS ── Dan Peterson (Technician) ── 1 YEAR ── Alex Rustay (BDC Agent) Taylor McIlvene (Service BDC Agent) Chris Wood (Technician)

1 (5 pound) flat-cut corned beef brisket 1 tablespoon browning sauce (such as Kitchen Bouquet®), or as desired 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 onion, sliced 6 cloves garlic, sliced 2 tablespoons water

Preheat oven to 275 degrees F (135 degrees C). Discard any flavoring packet from corned beef. Brush brisket with browning sauce on both sides. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and brown brisket on both sides in the hot oil, 5 to 8 minutes per side. Place brisket on a rack set in a roasting pan. Scatter onion and garlic slices over brisket and add water to roasting pan. Cover pan tightly with aluminum foil. Roast in the preheated oven until meat is tender, about 6 hours.

The shamrock, which was also called the “seamroy” by the Celts, was a sacred plant in ancient Ireland because it symbolized the rebirth of spring. By the seventeenth century, the shamrock had become a symbol of emerging Irish nationalism. As the English began to seize Irish land and make laws against the use of the Irish language and the practice of Catholicism, many Irish began to wear the shamrock as a symbol of their pride in their heritage and their displeasure with English rule.

Music is often associated with St. Patrick’s Day—and Irish culture in general. From ancient days of the Celts, music has always been an important part of Irish life. The Celts had an oral culture, where religion, legend and history were passed from one generation to the next by way of stories and songs. After being conquered by the English, and forbidden to speak their own language, the Irish, like other oppressed peoples, turned to music to help them remember important events and hold on to their heritage and history. As it often stirred emotion and helped to galvanize people, music was outlawed by the English. During her reign, Queen Elizabeth I even decreed that all artists and pipers were to be arrested and hanged on the spot. Today, traditional Irish bands like The Chieftains, the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem are gaining worldwide popularity. Their music is produced with instruments that have been used for centuries, including the fiddle, the uilleann pipes (a sort of elaborate bagpipe), the tin whistle (a sort of flute that is actually made of nickel-silver, brass or aluminum) and the bodhran (an ancient type of framedrum that was traditionally used in warfare rather than music).

It has long been recounted that, during his mission in Ireland, St. Patrick once stood on a hilltop (which is now called Croagh Patrick), and with only a wooden staff by his side, banished all the snakes from Ireland. In fact, the island nation was never home to any snakes. The “banishing of the snakes” was really a metaphor for the eradication of pagan ideology from Ireland and the triumph of Christianity. Within 200 years of Patrick’s arrival, Ireland was completely Christianized.

Each year, thousands of Irish Americans gather with their loved ones on St. Patrick’s Day to share a “traditional” meal of corned beef and cabbage. Though cabbage has long been an Irish food, corned beef only began to be associated with St. Patrick’s Day at the turn of the century. Irish immigrants living on New York City’s Lower East Side substituted corned beef for their traditional dish of Irish bacon to save money. They learned about the cheaper alternative from their Jewish neighbors.

One icon of the Irish holiday is the Leprechaun. The original Irish name for these figures of folklore is “lobaircin,” meaning “small-bodied fellow.” Belief in leprechauns probably stems from Celtic belief in fairies, tiny men and women who could use their magical powers to serve good or evil. In Celtic folktales, leprechauns were cranky souls, responsible for mending the shoes of the other fairies. Though only minor figures in Celtic folklore, leprechauns were known for their trickery, which they often used to protect their much-fabled treasure. Leprechauns have their own holiday on May 13, but are also celebrated on St. Patrick’s, with many dressing up as the wily fairies.

Drivers Distracted by Dogs, Many Don’t Realize It According to a survey sponsored by AAA and Kurgo Pet Products, 29 percent of respondents admit to being distracted by their dog while driving; however, 65 percent have participated in at least one distracting behavior while driving with their dog: More than half (52 percent) have pet their dog while driving. 17 percent allowed their dog to sit in their lap. 13 percent of drivers admitted to include giving food or treats to their dog. 4 percent acknowledged playing with their dog. All these behaviors can distract the driver and increase the risk of a crash.

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