Event Calendar

What better way to start March 10th than with National Blueberry Popover Day? Popovers are airy rolls that puff up when baked, popping over the edge of the tin. They are light and crispy on the outside while the insides are warm and often hollow. They can be filled with custards, creams, and fruits for a sweet treat, especially blueberries.

Popovers are similar to Yorkshire pudding and can also be served with savory combinations.

Most popover recipes are made using mostly eggs, milk, flour and salt.  When making popovers, using eggs and milk that are at room temperature produces the best result. The resulting batter is thin but has enough air it that when it bakes the steam expands the batter, causing it to puff up and pop over the tin. The egg proteins help the pastry hold its shape and eventually the crust turns flaky and golden.

** 1850 – The oldest known reference to popovers in a letter of E.E. Stuart.

** 1876 – The first cookbook with a popover recipe was Practical Cooking by M.N. Henderson.

National Mario Day on Mar 10 recognizes an iconic character from a popular video game. The character, known today as Mario, first appeared in 1981 in a game called Donkey Kong made by Nintendo. Dedicated fans knew Mario before his time as a plumber. At his creation, Donkey Kong portrays Mario as a carpenter named Jumpman. Then in 1983, Nintendo launched a new game in which bad guy Jumpman reinvents himself into an Italian plumber who rescues princesses.

Italian plumbers, Mario and his brother Luigi face numerous obstacles in the games produced by Nintendo. Over the years, gammers help Mario cross several different landscapes all to rescue Princess Toadstool or Princess Peach, depending on which game they play. No matter the kingdom or galaxy, video game fans find the games entertaining and challenging. Many will admit, they find the characters endearing. The storylines provide hours of fun and continue to be a part of the pop culture landscape.

Mario Fun Facts

• Similar to Michael Michaels or Adam Adams, Mario’s last name is his first name. Luigi and Mario are known as the Mario Brothers making Mario’s last name Mario.
• Maybe there’s a reason National Blueberry Popover Day shares the same date. Mario pops up in all sorts of other video games.
• With over 210 million copies of the Mario game series sold, Mario ranks as one of the most popular video games of all time.

Hoffbrau Steaks Honors Veterans Today! (Check each location’s hours for your convenience)

We honor our Veterans on the 11th of each month:

50% Off lunch or dinner entrée!

(Bring your Military or Veterans’ ID)

7203 I-40 West
Amarillo, TX 79106
806-358-6595

On 3/11, National 311 Day offers an annual reminder that 311 is a resource for communities around the country to connect with their city and non-emergency services. The 311 system is the non-emergency number to call in many cities across the country for residents to report issues, find out about city services, and ask questions.

Since the creation of the 911 emergency system, non-emergency calls have slowed operators’ response times to true emergencies. In 1996, Baltimore, Maryland adopted the first 311 system as a way to ease pressure on the overburdened 911 system. The new system freed up emergency phone lines and shortened wait times for emergency calls, helping 911 dispatchers get emergency services to folks that need them more quickly, ultimately saving lives. The 311 system also invited the citizens to be the eyes and ears of the city while more closely connecting the public sector to its citizens.

Citizens call the 311 number to report concerns they notice in their own cities. Some examples of the kinds of reports residents make include:

• graffiti
• road, park or fence damage
• debris on the road
• noise
• trees needing to be trimmed
• illegal parking

On March 11th, National Promposal Day prompts the ultimate question each year. “Will you go to prom with me?” It’s the day for high school students across North America to craft their unique invitation to the event of the year.

Prom takes a lot of planning. That includes finding the right tux, the right dress, shoes, and accessories. Does mom teach you how to dance or do you take a dance class? Do you borrow dad’s car or rent a limo? Those are just a few of the details. But that’s getting ahead of the plan. First, ask the question on March 11th, #NationalPromposalDay.