Wearing of the Green and Praying for the Sweet 16

Happy double-holiday, Rockville!

Hope you donned some green this morning.

The first big day of March Madness kicks off at Verizon Center at 12:40 p.m. with Old Dominion against Butler. Your friendly local editor likely will be punching out for a bit around 2:10 p.m.

Let's kick off this awesome double-holiday edition of "The Rundown":

• I tell people everywhere I go that the DC area is a hoops town. Because of the Wizards they never believe me. Here's Defense Exhibit A.
• St. Patrick's Day and the gorgeous weather are cause for celebration.  can help you choose where to celebrate.
• Too concerned about the city to celebrate? Make your voice heard with a i at 8 tonight at .
• If your St. Patrick's Day hangover includes an overwhelming urge to stay green, the city is offering several programs in the coming days that might be just for you, including training on stormwater management and a lecture on renewable energy options for your home.
• Finally, what's a holiday without shopping? Here's a way to do it for a good cause: Save on clothes at Gap stores and give to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's fight against blood cancers today through Sunday. Get a downloadable 30 percent-off coupon for use at all Gap Inc. stores, including Gap, Banana Republic, , Banana Republic Factory Store, and Gap Outlet. By using the coupon 5 percent of the net sales will go to help fight blood cancers and the coupons can be shared with friends. For other great deals this week, check out .
• Tweet your tournament trash talk to @RockvillePatch or post your best free throw shooting distraction (keep 'em clean, please) to Rockville Patch on Facebook.