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Valentine's Day

Friday, February 8, 2013

The Editor's Corner

Valentine's Day: Have You Made Your Plans Yet?

A quick and easy guide to Valentine's Day in Wheaton.

Dear Grandma, Can I come over and watch that documentary about cats you keep telling me about?  Some of us just hate Valentine's Day—and will do anything to try and avoid it. But for those in relationships—committed or on the rocks—it's a day full of opportunities. If you have a girlfriend who says Valentine's Day not a big deal, this is a time—an opportunity—to remember the advice you read about, "What she says vs. what she means." "It's not a big deal," means: "I don't like teddy bears that say 'I love you', but I do like flowers, chocolates and extra attention." "Valentine's Day is the best," means: "I'm really hoping Valentine's Day is the best—so make it happen." Women are planners. No matter how spontaneous or easygoing she is, …

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Valentine's Day by the Numbers

The popularity of candy and flowers can't be beat.

Valentine’s Day is a day for displays of affection, and for years, two popular signs of that affection have been candy and flowers, with chocolate and roses on the top of the list. Some U. S. Census calculations follow. CANDY 1,177 Manufacturing establishments that produced chocolate and cocoa products in 2009, employing 34,252 people. $12.6 billion Total value of shipments in 2009 for firms producing chocolate and cocoa products. Nonchocolate confectionery product manufacturing, meanwhile, was a $7.4 billion industry. 3,386 Number of confectionery and nut stores in the United States in 2009. 24.7 pounds Per capita consumption of candy by Americans in 2010. FLOWERS $375 million The combined wholesale value of domestically produced cut …

Friday, February 1, 2013

Convalescent Center Seeks Valentine's Day Donations

DuPage Convalescent Center seeks Valentine's Day donations for residents.

The DuPage Convalescent Center in Wheaton is offering the community an opportunity to send Valentine wishes to residents who reside at the facility.  Last year, more than 800 heart-shaped helium balloons decorated the corridors and rooms of the Center on Valentine’s Day, according to a press release from DuPage County. Volunteers and staff delivered the balloons to the more than 350 residents living at the Center, brightening the day and bringing lots of smiles along the way.   “We are looking forward to continuing this 25-year old tradition,” said Beth Welch, Convalescent Center administrator. “Every year, Valentine’s Day gives us an additional opportunity to warm the hearts of the many elderly and disabled individuals who live here in …

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Early Warning: 'Romantic Night Hike' Planned to Celebrate Valentine's Day

The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County will hold its hike for adults on Feb. 9 at Fullersburg Woods. Registration is required.

Love is in the air. For the outdoorsy lovebirds out there, the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County has romantic evening planned in advance of Valentine’s Day. The forest preserve district is hosting its Valentine’s Day tradition, the “Romantic Night Hike” at the Fullersburg Woods Nature Education Center in Oak Brook. The hike will be held Feb. 9 from 7 to 9 p.m. Couples, who register, will be invited to stroll along lantern-lit paths that meander through the woods, while enjoying the sound of burbling water as the Salt Creek passes under the scenic bridges, according to the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County. In addition, there will be hot chocolate and at the end of the trail there will be a fire for roasting marshmallows and…

Gregg Slapak

12:03 pm on Friday, February 1, 2013

As posted by the original source days ago   more ›

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Under the Tower

Paulette Delcourt: Do-It-Myself Home Unimprovement

If I didn't see it done myself, I would have sworn Stevie Wonder hung my closet rods.

After almost six years in my house, I decided it was time to clean my closet. The only problem is my version of cleaning usually includes some sort of remodeling.  In my head, the job was simple enough: I would reduce three walls of inaccessible hanging space to one well-organized wall by removing the rod from one, and installing it on the other. I even measured. As it turned out, the project was more archeology than architecture—the builder made a mess of the original job. Years ago, as the carpenter installed the rods, I walked into the room to tell him how I wanted the space configured. He told me he didn’t care and he was going to do what he wanted. Once I dug into the project, it was clear why.  Behind the rods and brackets, it was …

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Darren McRoy

1:29 pm on Wednesday, February 15, 2012

I did. Are there any bad errors that I overlooked?   more ›

Monday, February 13, 2012

Health Department: Put a Healthy Spin on Valentine's Day Snacks

Incorporate vegetables in eye-catching ways to promote healthier eating on this very sugary holiday.

from the DuPage County Health Department Looking to trade your child's heart-shaped chocolates for something with nutritional value? The DuPage County Health Department suggests that parents use Valentine's Day—an occasion for candy and sugary snacks—as a festive opportunity to get their little ones to eat healthier foods and treats.   Generally, children will gravitate toward foods that are attractive, novel and eye-catching, so use this holiday to alter snacks to encourage healthy consumption. Remember that while it is fine to occasionally give your children sweets for a festive occasion, it is also important to establish healthy eating habits. Now is your chance to get the kids to eat some healthier foods by making these Valentine's Day…

Friday, February 10, 2012

The Editor's Corner

Editor's Picks: Movies About Love to Watch this Valentine's Day

In the spirit of Valentine's day here are five lovey-dovey movies to watch and re-watch.

There's no way to narrow down the best movies about love—there are just too many. But in honor of Valentine's Day, here are a few I can't get enough of: The Graduate No, it's not a typical love story, but anyone who remembers being a recent college grad in love might have a soft spot for the confused and misguided Ben Braddock (Dustin Hoffman), despite his affair with the mother of the love of his life. The Graduate is not for the typical sap, and is an all-around classic that the anti-saps can appreciate. Pretty Woman Pretty Woman  is another love story that involves an unconvential path to the happily-ever-after pair of Vivian (Julia Roberts), a younthful, beautiful and quirky prostitute and Edward (Richard Gere), a rich and powerful …

Mark Kmiecik

2:37 pm on Friday, February 10, 2012

Or the grand John Ford work "The Quiet Man". or George Stevens Work "Giant" and not the lest "To Catch a Thief" By Alfred Hitchcock.   more ›

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Buy Local Online for Your Valentine

You can order flowers and treats for your Valentine from these local businesses.

No time to go to the store? These Wheaton businesses let their customers order flowers, candies and other potential Valentine's Day gifts online: Edible Arrangements: Chocolate-covered strawberry arrangements ranging from $40 to $120 can be ordered for delivery with a $12 charge, or pickup at the store at 123 Front Street in downtown Wheaton. Fannie May Confections: Fannie May has Valentine's Day gifts ranging from $8 to $100 in chocolates on its website. Graham's Fine Chocolates & Ice Cream: Order online from a selection of hundreds of sweets from this local shop that range in price from $3 for a little heart-shaped chocolate to $60 for a truffle assortment. Hollyhocks: This downtown florist lets customers choose from floral arrangements …

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