article in the baltimore sun:
Fear the cicada? Or embrace these winged wonders that appear just once every 17 years?
You don't have much time to decide: The first Maryland cicadas of the massive infestation known as Brood X have started emerging from their underground lairs, state agriculture officials say. From now until the end of June, millions of them will join us above ground, noisily mating before they die off and leave behind a crunchy mess.
The Buzz will track the cicadas' brief sojourn in our midst - the delight or dismay that they cause, the events they interrupt or inspire, the soundtrack they will provide to our lives for the next couple of months.
Already, for example, you can toast the coming swarm, or at least calm your cicada-xiety: The Degrees bar at the Ritz-Carlton in Washington's Georgetown is offering a cicada-tini through June. Bartender Michael Brown sought to evoke the flavor of spring with this blend of Grey Goose vodka, pineapple juice and Blue Curacao.
"It has a very light, refreshing citrus flavor," said Damien O'Riordan, the hotel's food and beverage director.
And if you end up enjoying these $12 cocktails a little too much and need to spend the night at the hotel, you'll be treated to a second seasonal treat: a tres ritzy gold leaf-and-Valrhona-chocolate cicada on your pillow.
"We just want to have a bit of fun," O'Riordan said.
We all do - so our cicada correspondents will continue beating the bushes for such cicad-iana, which we'll report here throughout the coming weeks.
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