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All you need is love: ideas to celebrate Valentine's Day
By Zach Markovic, zmarkovic@acnpapers.com
Valentine's Day is nearly upon us, and with Cupid targeting everyone in sight, coming up with original V-day plans might be a bit daunting.
Well, here are some ideas to freshen up the eternal spring of love shared by all of the couples out there. Today, we'll begin with gifts for the guys.
Sporty Spice
» In case you hadn't heard, there is a little thing called the NBA All-Star Game invading the Metroplex this weekend. While tickets to the game at the space station (read: Cowboys Stadium) might be limited, there are plenty of places to view all of the day's festivities. A sports bar and grill? Romantic? How can this be? Well, here is a spot that has more than 40 televisions showing non-stop sports and an excellent menu for dining couples. He gets to watch sports. You get your date. He is happy and you are happy. I call that a win. Try Frankie's Sports Bar, 2516 S. Stemmons Freeway, Lewisville, 214-488-1100 http://www.frankiesbar.com/Lewisville/index.html
» So, watching sports isn't your thing? You and your boyfriend want a bit more action in Valentine's rituals? Maybe you should try paintball. Nothing says "I love you" like being shot in the face with a 300-feet-per-second projectile. Those north of Dallas might consider Fort Paintball in Allen near Southfork Ranch, which offers a special for Valentine's Day. This Sunday there is a 2-for-1 "show some love" special. Couples get a buy-one-get-one-free field pass at Fort Paintball, 4404 Dillehay Drive, Allen, 972-442-9777 www.fortpaintball.com
» Valentine's day is known for getting heart rates up, but that might also be because McKinney is hosting the annual Cupid Run on Sunday. The certified 5k race winds through Stonebridge Ranch and includes a Couple's Run - your age and your race time will be combined with your sweetie's. Couples must register as a team. Also added this year is the Red Dress Relay. Each team member will run the 5K wearing a red dress. When the first runner crosses the finish line, they will transfer the dress and timing chip to their teammate. McKinney Cupid Run is 8 a.m. Sunday, McKinney YMCA, 300 Ridge Road, McKinney. Fees: $25 for 5K, $45 for the Couple's 5K, $45 for the relays.
Geek Love
So ladies, you are dating a geek. A nerd. Do his favorite pastimes include a 20-sided dice or fan fiction? It's OK; we nerds are quite lovable, though the idea of Valentine's Day, dates or extended social interactions terrifies most of us. Help out your nerd beau by doing the planning for him. Participating in his geekiness is one of the best ways to build a stronger bond.
» First off, gifts. Your nerd loves shiny things, and it might be a while before he can get his hands on the iPad, so check out the selection of gear from www.thinkgeek.com. They have a Valentine section that will allow you to show your love and let him fly his nerd flag high. http://www.thinkgeek.com/interests/valentines/.
» For that science nerd you hold dear to your heart, many would travel down to the Dallas Aquarium or the Museum of Nature and Science. But those in the north know about the jewel that is the Heard Natural Science Museum. Just make sure you have practiced your oh-that-is-so-interesting look so as not to be surprised when he starts going off on the differences between coral snakes and king snakes. The Heard Natural Science Museum, 1 Nature Place, McKinney 972-562-5566, Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
» While you are at the museum, you might notice that his thumb seems to be a bit twitchy. That is "gamer thumb." It happens when the gamer nerd goes without a video game fix. While this withdrawal can be a traumatic experience for the geek, you do not have to fret for your significant other's life. Head on over to the Dave and Buster's in Frisco at the Stonebriar Mall. He can get his game on and you can enjoy some food. And, pleasant girlfriend that you are, you might even join him in some of the video game action. Just make sure you let him win; many a breakup has occurred because of high scores broken in Super Mario Brothers.
Hopeless/Hapless Romantic
Has your boyfriend ever stood outside your window with a boom box held high playing Peter Gabriel's "In Your Eyes?" Does he put on aviators and tell you that "you've lost that loving feeling?" Quote any film by John Hughes. Well, you've got yourself a hopeless -- and more often than not, hapless -- romantic.
His heart is in the right place, but it just never seems to go as planned. Take the pressure off of him this V-day and do the planning to make him feel the love he can't quite express without the help of John Cusack (last '80s reference, I promise).
» Everybody does a special dinner; he needs something original in his life, so have a Valentine's breakfast. Make it an early night on Saturday and then wake up and watch the sun rise on Sunday. Afterwards, take him over to Cindi's N.Y. Delicatessen in Carrollton. It is like the coffee or pancake house that was popular in the '50s and '60s. Cozy and comfortable, it's got the relaxed feel of both a southern diner and a New York deli. Cindi's N.Y. Delicatessen, 2001 Midway Road, Suite 132, Carrollton 972-458-7740.
» Still having nightmares about the time he brought you a box of wine from a convenience store? Give the guy credit -- at least he thought it would be romantic. Which leads us to a point: there is no reason dates cannot be educational. Hunt down a wine tasting in your area and take him to it. Places like the Farpointe Cellar Wine and Bistro in Southlake offer knowledgeable staff to help teach him the difference between a merlot and a riesling. On Valentine's Day the bistro will provide an assortment of desserts from the Main Street Bakery in Grapevine to accompany Champagne, dessert wines, ports or selections from their extensive by-the-glass menu. Cost is $7.50 per person, plus the cost of wine. And for a special on Valentine's Day, try one of their two flights of five wines for $20. Add the bonus wines for an additional $20 from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Farpointe Cellar Wine and Bistro Wine Tasting Lounge, 721 E. Southlake Blvd., Southlake, 817-416-7500.
» Maybe your companion is just green to the ways of love. Instead of focusing on his failed attempts at romance, try this to see if you can help your love grow. On Valentine's Day, head to a plant nursery like a Calloway's or Huggins Nursery & Plant Center in Flower Mound. As a couple, pick out some favorite plants you can grow together. Easy suggestions for the indoor gardeners: amaryllis or a cactus combo bonsai. For those wanting to put their love on display in an outside garden, tomatoes and sunflowers are easy and survive the Texas heat. Huggins Nursery & Plant Center, 972-539-4011, 1616 Arrowhead Drive, Flower Mound.
Next time: And now for the gals
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