Posted on Wed, Feb. 20, 2008

LEAP YEAR PLOTS

A leap year birthday plays an integral part in one of Gilbert and Sullivan's most famous operas - "The Pirates of Penzance." As a child, Frederic was indentured to a band of pirates until his 21st birthday.

But once the day arrives, the pirate king announces that Frederic has served only five birthdays, not the 21 required, because his birthday is Feb. 29. Here are some other leap year-related stories:

- "Leopold's Long Awaited Leap Year Birthday," by Dawn Desjardins.

- Disney's "Leap Day: No Bouncing, Jumping or Leaping Except on Leap Day."

- "Leap Day," by Wendy Mass.

- "The Leap Year Girl," by Berta Ruck.

- "It's My Birthday ... Finally! A Leap Year Story," by Michelle Winfrey Whitaker.

- "Leap Year Book," by Barbara Sutton-Smith.

THE LEAP YEAR COCKTAIL

The leap year cocktail was created by head bartender Harry Craddock in 1928 for the leap year celebrations at the Savoy Hotel, London. Author of "The Savoy Cocktail Book," Craddock wrote, "The drink is said to have been responsible for more proposals than any other cocktail that has ever been mixed."

- 2 ounces gin

- { ounce Grand Marnier

- { ounce sweet vermouth

- \ ounce fresh lemon juice

- 1 lemon twist, for garnish

Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Add garnish.

SOURCES: www.leapyearcapital.com, www.leapzine.com/FamousLeapies.htm, www.timeanddate.com/date/leapyear.html, inventors.about.com, findarticles.com, marriage about.com