A little something extra this week, thanks to my most durable friend, the ever-lovely Mary Katherine Aldin of, of course, L.A.. If that name seems familiar to Prairie Home Companion fans, she is the same Mary Katherine who, along with her radio show, Preachin' The Blues, got the shout-out from Bonnie Raitt a while back. Go, Bonnie!

In time for Cinco de Mayo: kosher tequila

Production of the alcoholic beverage will be certified by a rabbi.

The Associated Press updated 4:40 p.m. CT, Fri., March. 27, 2009

NEW YORK - A New York businessman is launching a new kosher tequila in time for Cinco de Mayo.

Martin Silver says Agave 99 will be on the market in time for the holiday that celebrates Mexico's defeat of French forces on May 5, 1862.

Silver, president of Long Island-based Star Industries, says he wants to satisfy the craze for high-end tequila with one that observant Jews can drink — "to help the Mexican economy and the Jews."

Silver says a half million cases of the 99-proof kosher tequila are being produced at a Mexican plant using methods certified by a rabbi. It will retail for $41.95 a bottle.The product launch — with Mexican songs sung in Yiddish and Spanish — is set for May 5 [alas, RadioJew's Revenge will not be represented there; I'll be on a movie set. More on that later], but it will also be sold earlier, for Passover.

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Yee-Hah!

Freilichen Pesach.