Valentine S Day

Just in time for Valentine's Day, this news: Romance is dead. If you get flowers, candy or a card tomorrow, it will be an act of rote. A habit, or somebody's idea of what to do to keep the peace. "It's not a nice picture out there," says Gerald Celente, founder of Trends Research and publisher of The Trends Journal. He keeps track of demographics and cultural behaviors. "It is everywhere we look," he said. "People aren't treating each other lovingly. Romance is off limits." What can you say about the nature of love in this country when "It's Hard Out Here for a Pimp" receives an Oscar for best song, he argues.

Valentine's Day Calling all chocoholics Indulge your sweet tooth today at the Village Learning Place's program Chocolate: Dip Into the World of Chocolate From Beans to Bonbons. Valentines can sample confections from Baltimore chocolatier Ma Petite Shoe and see a presentation by author Phil Grout on the co coa-growing Kuapa Kokoo Co operative in Ghana. The free event is 7 p.m.-9 p.m. at 2521 St. Paul St. Call 410-235-2210.

PSSST. Hey, Susan. Wanna know what Valentine's Day is all about for men?I'll tell you what it's all about: pressure.As the big day approaches, a man gets this jittery feeling in his gut, like he did before the SATs back in high school.And all these thoughts start racing through his mind.Did I get her the right gift?Is it enough?Is it sexy?Is it too sexy?What about the card? Does it say what I want to say?What do I want to say?Men go nuts trying to figure this stuff out, Susan.Honest. You may think all we do this time of year is lay on the couch with the remote and a bowl of Doritos watching David Duvall in theBuick Invitational.

Jeffrey Crise, former chef-owner of the Ambassador, who made his name as a fine contemporary-American chef at the Hunters Lodge in Ellicott City, has moved to the dining room of the newly renovated Sheraton Columbia Inn.As executive chef, Crise has redone the menu completely. His signature dishes include fried lobster tail over warm soba noodles and seaweed salad with a peanut sauce, and charred beef tenderloin with garlic mashed potatoes and mushroom ragout. Entrees run from $15.95 to $29.95.

Valentine's Day is upon us, and once again it is up to the women of America to instruct men on the proper celebration of a holiday.As is the case with Christmas, birthdays and anniversaries, Valentine's Day is an occasion to be marked by gifts and cards thoughtfully chosen with the woman you love as your inspiration.And if we women don't tell you exactly what to do, you might spoil a perfectly good special occasion.In previous lessons on "The Tribute and Adoration of the Woman You Love," we have covered the inappropriateness of electrical appliances and sweat suits as gifts, and the irreparable damage that simple forgetfulness can do.Today, we will deal -- I hope once and forever -- with the meaning of Valentine's Day.It's about sex.Do I have your attention, Kevin?

Valentine's Day is that perfect time to make up to your sweetie for going cheap at Christmas. Our advice? Make 'em pay. Give us a call and tell us about your dream of dreams for a Valentine's Day surprise. The only limit we put on your dreaming is that you keep it in the metropolitan area. Give us your neat ideas, funky ideas, dreamy ideas, funny ideas and unusual ideas. We might be able to use them all. Leave a message at 410-315-8933 or e-mail AAburo@aol.com.Pub Date: 2/02/99

MIAMI -- Overhead, the cargo planes come one after the other, tracing the same flight path that will be followed about 35 times a day, more than twice as often as normal. On the ground, trucks stand ready for dispatch to the fronts.It is an airlift of massive proportions, equal parts military campaign and romantic folly.All may be fair in love and war, but come Valentine's Day, it takes the techniques of the latter to celebrate the former.The goal of this particular mission: to deliver millions of flowers from Colombia and Ecuador into the hands of Valentines across America, all on the same day."

Yesterday a Burger King. Tomorrow an upscale steakhouse. The Governor's Grille is scheduled to open next week at 177 Main St. in Annapolis, where a fast-food place was before a year of renovations.Andy Brickman, one of the owners, describes the new restaurant as having "the elegance of the past," citing mahogany paneling, crystal chandeliers and oil paintings of former governors in ornate gold frames.The food will be classic steakhouse fare, namely prime beef dishes averaging $25. (Entrees will range in price from $18 for the lone chicken dish to $30 for lobster.

SAN FRANCISCO -- As soon as tinsel and elf tracks were carted away, hearts of all denominations, designs and dimensions exploded from store windows.While I was still throwing out soggy bows and crushed wrapping paper, a force was loosed on the land. It shouted, "Wake up, you dunderhead -- it's Valentine's Day!"In January? Where did I get the foolish notion that Valentine's Day was Feb. 14? I also used to believe that this was a holiday that had a lot to do with telling the person you love that you truly, dearly do love them.

Valentine's Day is that perfect time to make up to your sweetie for going cheap at Christmas. Our advice? Make `em pay. Give us a call and tell us about your dream of dreams for a Valentine's Day surprise. The only limit we put on your dreaming is that you keep it in the metropolitan area. Give us your neat ideas, funky ideas, dreamy ideas, funny ideas and unusual ideas. We might be able to use them all. Leave a message at 410-315-8933 or email AAburo@aol.com.Pub Date: 1/28/99

Even in a recession, people are still saying it with flowers. But with Valentine's Day fast approaching, local florists are wishing their customers would say it perhaps just a little bit louder. "We've been getting fewer orders all the way across the board," says Avalon Thompson, owner of Enchanted Petals Florist on Lombard Street, who says her business is down significantly from last year. "Absolutely, it's hard. ... We're just trying to basically wait this out, like everybody else." Several Baltimore-area florists said business has declined between 8 percent and 20 percent during the past several months.

High on love but low on cash? Swooning couples shouldn't have to shell out hundreds of dollars on Valentine's Day. And with the recession in full swing, who can afford to splurge on champagne and chocolate, anyway? There is a world of options available, from dancing to Frank Sinatra's hits in front of a live orchestra to sipping red wine over spaghetti at a Hampden pasta joint. Leave the roses on the shelf, and try one of these five Valentine's Day dates instead. Each one has its own theme, multiple stops and an alternative option, in case something falls through or an event sells out. It's always good to have a backup plan, after all. But the best part is: Every date on this list costs less than $50. If you want to celebrate Valentine's Day on a tight budget, here's how to do it. Dance the night away The Plan: : In the beginning of the year, a well-known dance promoter started renting out the building that used to house Gardel's Supper Club (29 S. Front St.)

If there is an upside to the downturn in the economy, it might lie in the fact that we're being forced to go back to basics. We're eating out less, spending more time at home entertaining ourselves, and figuring out what's really important when it comes to material things. Valentine's Day might be a challenge if you're used to splurging on your special one (or the one you're hoping will be your special one!). A dozen roses in a vase delivered to the office could set you back about $100.

Last year was the first Valentine's Day for me and my boyfriend. Never one to fuss over the holiday - it's purely a commercial holiday, in my mind - I casually mentioned to him that I didn't want a big deal made over Valentine's. He agreed, and not another word was said of it. But my casual attitude turned out to be easier said than kept. Since I was covering Valentine's Day for Baltamour, the Baltimore Sun's dating and relationships blog, it was all Cupid, all the time. As I crafted gift guides and picked out card suggestions for those who chose to celebrate the holiday, I fell under its spell.

Valentine's Day Package What's the deal?: The Jefferson Hotel in Richmond, Va., is a National Historic Landmark and a favorite locale for weddings and other special occasions. This February, it hopes to make Valentine's Day one of those memorable occasions with a "Valentine's Day Package" that covers an overnight stay, breakfast for two, a box of chocolates and valet parking, for $215 plus tax. What's the savings?: Room rates in February start at about $255 per night and that doesn't include a meal or sweets.

Read about movies that opened on Valentine's Day. [ Movie capsules, Page 5C]

Wearing pigtails and a pink sweat shirt, Jennifer Gilbert-Duran skipped up the steps of a Pasadena home to deliver a Valentine's Day gift basket. But as 21-year-old Richard McLeod signed for the package, he got a less romantic surprise. A sheriff's deputy placed him under arrest on a charge of failing to appear in court on an open-container violation. "So that isn't mine?" McLeod asked as he was handcuffed. Anne Arundel County Sheriff Ron Bateman is no Cupid, but he did spend yesterday playing matchmaker: pairing a dozen crime suspects with their outstanding warrants.

Valentine's Day was established in the fifth century to honor the saint of the same name, who legend claims was executed for performing marriages at a time when they were illegal. But somewhere along the line, it became a day of chocolate and roses. If you're looking for an alternative way to celebrate, check out this sampling of Valentine's-themed events: Top of the World Observation Level --Today, admission to the Observation Level in the World Trade Center is two for the price of one. On the 27th floor, the level offers a view of the city and Inner Harbor, and is host to a Black History Month art exhibition.

It's Valentine's Day, and millions of folks will be giving one another cards. That includes the denizens of Washington, where America's political leaders also exchange special greetings. Here are a few of this year's potential offerings. David Martin is an Ottawa humor writer. His blog can be found at www.davespoliticalsatire.blogspot.com. George W. Bush to Al Gore How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. From the half-million vote margin To the five Supreme Court votes, You have given me eight wonderful years I never would have known.

This Valentine's Day, don't say it with flowers and candy. You might be misunderstood. Say it with a movie, instead. The words you are fumbling for can probably be found in the dialogue on that DVD. "Movies are a good way to send a message," says Beverly West, co-author of a series of books on "cinematherapy," finding happiness, love and fulfillment, one movie at a time. Just figure out your romantic category - a new love to impress, an old love to jump-start, a celebration of your newly single status - rent a movie that fits, and let the pros do the talking.