Valentine’s Day Guide 2013

Ah, Valentine’s Day. No other holiday inspires such thoughtful flower-sending, feeling-sharing and chocolate-eating. It’s a day for heart-shaped cards, the Valentine’s Day Bandit and the whispering of sweet nothings. But not everyone feels the love when Feb 14 rolls in on its bedazzled pink bicycle, all giggles and swoons, with a rose bouquet spilling out of the bike basket and the scent of cotton candy lingering in its path through the city.

Frankly, all that love talk makes some people angry. Those folks typically prefer nothing at all to the whispering of anything sweet in their ear. And that’s fine. Curmudgeons are loveable in their own way. But don’t tell them that – they’ll probably just want to shank you. But whether you’re a lover or a hater, there are plenty of things to do to make your February something to love.

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Reservations for love

Find where to dine on Feb 14 with help from this roundup of Southern Maine restaurants featuring special menus, via Press Herald:

Southern Maine restaurants to make it special on Valentine’s Day

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A Dozen (or so) Valentine’s Day Diversions

If you run toward love. Or from it: Love on the Run

Thoughts of love getting people running – sometimes toward it, sometimes very, very far from it. Whatever direction love makes you go, run out those emotions during the inaugural Love on the Run road race. It’s an untimed 5K around Portland and is open to couples and singles.
1 pm Sat, Feb 16 | $30 | Starts at Sullivan Gym, Portland

 

If love is something you make together: Couples dinner & pottery

Enjoy dinner at Portland Pottery Cafe and a one-hour clay lesson creating unique pottery with your valentine. And if you’re not already thinking “Ghost” reenactment – start!
6 pm Thur, Feb 14 | $75 per couple | Portland Pottery, Portland
 

If beer makes your love stronger: Valentine’s Beer & Chocolate Paring

Pairing eight custom chocolates from local chocolatier Sweet Marguerites with eight complimenting brews (some chocolate, some not)
Thur, Feb 14-Sun. Feb 17 | Novare Res Bier Cafe, Portland

 

If you believe love can change the world: Be In Love: Playing for Change

Local musicians who were featured in the awesome “Be in Love” video, put together by Maine Academy of Modern Music, gather on stage for a night of live performances. Local notables includes: Dominic Lavoie, The Fogcutters, Dave Gutter, Anna Lombard, Jason Stewart, and Sara Hallie Richardson.
9 pm Fri, Feb 16 | $15 | The Big Easy, Portland
 

If love is something best sought in bulk: Speed Dating

So you’re single. And while you’re perfectly content to look for love the old fashioned way, one date at a time, packing ten dates into one night couldn’t hurt the process either. That’s what we call “multitasking for love.”
5:30-7:30 Thur, Feb 14 | $20 | Head Games Hair Salon, Portland
 

If you think love – and vintage furniture – are worth searching for: LOVE FOR WHOA at Portland Flea-for-All

The Flea stays open late on Valentine’s Day for a night market featuring over 30 local vendors and live music from Laura Cortese and Dietrich Strause. Shop with the one you love, or bump into someone new over by the antique jewlery.
6:30-9:30 pm Thur, Feb 14 | $5-$10 donation | Portland Flea-for-All
 

If love is something you kinda sorta HATE: Hate the Love After-Party

Maine Roller Derby’s season opener takes place beforehand at Happy Wheels, Portland. Afterward, the bouting women of MRD will be ready to “hate on love, lovers, dating, and all things gushy with our hate cards, hate poems, hate stories, and so on.”
Post MRD bout Saturday, Feb. 16

 

If you prefer it in writing: “Love Letters” at the Chocolate Church

The play follows Melissa Gardner and Andrew Makepeace Ladd III as they sit side by side at tables and read the notes that have passed between them throughout their separated lives.
7:30 pm Tue, Feb 14 | $12 | Chocolate Church Arts Center, Bath

 

If your love is better expressed artistically: Paint by Candlelight at Color Me Mine

Express yourself through paint…on a mug or large serving platter. You can also bring you own beer, wine and snacks. A candlelight dinner is always swell too, but it’s harder to keep the leftovers on the mantle as a V-Day souvenir.
5 to 9 pm Thur, Feb 14 | $5 per person plus cost of whatever you paint | Color Me Mine, Portland

 

If you heart (and hips) could use some help opening up: Free yoga at Portland Power Yoga

Portland Power Yoga is offering free yoga all day on Valentine’s Day. Classes will focus on heart and hip opening poses, so, you know, you’ll be open-hearted and wonderfully bendy.
Classes all day Thur, Feb 14 | Free | Portland Power Yoga, Portland

 

If being well-paired isn’t just for people: Chocolate and Wine Pairings

No, chocolate can’t love you back. But it’s always there when you need it. And gosh, it makes you feel good. And when wine and chocolate get together? Well, it’s a magical duo.

Valentine’s Chocolate & Wine Pairing
4 to 6 pm Thur, Feb 14 | $15 singles/$25 couples | Roost House of Juice, Portland

2nd Annual Valentine’s Day Wine and Chocolate Pairings
6 to 8 pm Thur, Feb 14 | $39 | The Wine Bar, Portland

Still not sure how to spend Valentine’s Day? Let this Insider’s Guide to Valentine’s Day Dining from Maine Restaurant Week: