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Valentine 2012

Monday, February 13, 2012

7 Do's and Don'ts to Keep Your Heart Strong

Here are the "super seven" tips for keeping your heart healthy through Valentine's Day and beyond.

Valentine's Day evokes images of heart-shaped candy, heart-shaped cards that children trade with classmates, heart-shaped cutout cookies (I've got four on my kitchen counter right now from Panera, thanks to a thoughtful neighbor in the Valentine's Day spirit), necklaces with diamond-filled hearts ... But we might also want to think about our own hearts this time of year, suggest doctors, wellness experts, nutritionists and others.  Here's a "super-seven" do's and don'ts list that could be the best gift you give your heart this Valentine's Day.  1. Do attend special health classes/seminars throughout the year: If you read about an upcoming event and say to yourself, "Hmmm, I should attend that," then go! For example, Oakwood Healthcare …

Love in the Hallways: Dearborn Public Schools Tighten Rules on PDA

Dearborn Public Schools have joined a national movement aimed at cracking down on student PDA.

Most wouldn’t disagree with school rules that prohibit students from locking lips between classes. But what about handholding? An arm around a shoulder? A hug for a friend? In recent years, the Dearborn Public Schools district has moved in the direction of much of the country in prohibiting public displays of affection amongst students. But the sea change hasn't been without controversy. In 2007, an Illinois eighth grader made national headlines when she got two detentions for hugging her friends. An article that same year in Time examing PDAs in schools showed that policies vary widely among districts nationally–from very relaxed policies, to ones prohibiting even high-fives. According to district spokesman David Mustonen, DPS hasn’t had …

J.E. Buckingham

12:46 am on Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Sheesh, talk about being controlling! That school district should worry LESS about hand-holding, and feelings of love between students, and MORE about test scores! Lighten up, peeps.   more ›

Sunday, February 12, 2012

The Heart Beat

Come on Baby, Light Me a Fire

Ignite valentine passion with blazing flames and sensory candles.

Almost every night around 6, from mid-October until mid-March, my mother would start a fire in the fireplace in our den. As children, we’d grumble when she asked my siblings and me to bring in some logs. The grumbling, of course, didn’t last once the fire was lit. Living in the chilly Midwest, we cherished the flickering warmth that the daily ritual provided. That time of day was special. According to the Virginia-based Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association and the Washington, DC-based National Association of Home Builders, fireplaces rank second among the top features desired by buyers of new homes. And there’s no better time than Valentine’s Day evening to ignite the night, whether fireside or with the flicker and glow of candles. …

Donna Hay

2:54 pm on Sunday, February 12, 2012

Candles are a thing of the past now its Scentsy (which is flameless) that smells so good in our houses!!!   more ›

Saturday, February 11, 2012

The Heart Beat

Hugs & Kisses Not Just for Valentine's Day

Speak from your heart and give kids lots of hugs this week and always, say the experts.

As Valentine’s Day is almost here, this is a perfect time to think about the power of a good hug. “There is lots of research emphasizing the significance of touch, both with humans, and monkeys,” notes Dr. Talia Ziv, a West Bloomfield-based relationship and parent coach. If you have teenagers, hugging doesn’t always come easy, but Ziv doesn’t want parents to give up. “Adolescents push away because it's part of their process of detaching from their parents,” she said. “But they need a loving touch — even when the hugs are pushed away. Consider a comforting touch on the hand, the arm, even loving eye contact,” she said.  Family therapist Marcie Wagner of Birmingham refers to research by Professor Joan LeFebvre, of Family Development at the …

5 Under $25: Lots of Love for Little Cash

Fairlane Town Center's top picks for a fashionable, affordable Valentine's Day.

Valentine's Day is about showing someone that you care–not how much you spend. That said, a gift can go a long way in wowing a potential or long-time love. So how do you strike a balance? We asked Fairlane Town Center for gifts that spur "I love yous," not maxed-out credit cards. Here's the Dearborn mall's top picks under $25. One of Fairlane's newest stories, Charming Charlie, is overflowing with fashion accessories for valentines of all ages. From earrings and necklaces to handbags and scarves, it's a girly-girl's dream–and a breeze for a beau looking for unique jewelry at a bargain price. Buy this: A gold chain necklace accented with gold beads and red heart charms is only $12.97.  Google "love" and "chocolate" and the first hit you'll …

Food Fight

La Bistecca Italian Grille Voted Most Romantic Restaurant

La Bistecca Italian Grille tops Food Fight poll as most romantic restaurant in Wayne County.

Looking for a romantic restaurant? Then try La Bistecca Italian Grille, which Patch users called the most romantic restaurant in Wayne County. La Bistecca Italian Grille, which is located at 120 S Main St. in Plymouth, received 65 percent of the vote to win the Food Fight poll. The Whitney in Detroit finished second, and Ciao Ristorante in Dearborn placed third. Voting took place from Wednesday morning until Friday at 5 p.m. Congratulations, La Bistecca Italian Grille, and thanks to all who participated in the Food Fight by voting in the poll and leaving comments on the site. We look forward to hearing from you again in the next edition of Food Fight. Have you eaten at La Bistecca Italian Grille? Let us know what you thought by leaving a …

Friday, February 10, 2012

The Heart Beat

Show Sweetheart Your Love with Ultra-Romantic Desserts

Smooth and velvety pudding, splashes of cherry flavors, a bit of amaretto ... romantic ingredients stir up love in the kitchen.

With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, Cupid would like to see you whip up something sweet for your loved ones. Sure, you can grab a brownie mix at the grocery store (he’ll give you a few points for that), but wouldn’t it be nice to try something a little more daring?  Here, some sweet ideas for stirring up a little lust in the kitchen: • GET ROLLING  Gayle Harte of the renowned Gayle’s Chocolates in Royal Oak is eager to show you how to make your own chocolate truffles.  Visit http://www.craftsy.com/class/Dipped-Dusted-and-Rolled-Handmade-Chocolates/54 to learn about the secret of Harte’s hand-made goodies. She has spent more than than 30 years working with chocolate and invites you to join her online in an extra-special “Dipped, …

Thursday, February 9, 2012

No Ordinary Love

Show the object of your affection that you care this Valentine's Day with unique options in Dearborn.

As easy as it is to throw a bouquet of flowers or box of chocolates into your cart at Kroger, sometimes doing something out of the ordinary makes all the difference on Valentine's Day. Whether saying "I love you" to your spouse, parents, kids or dogs, here are some ways you can do that–uniquely–in Dearborn. What's better than a romantic mini-vacation? One that doesn't cost an arm and a leg to travel to. Several Dearborn hotels offer romantic packages with special touches, Valentine's day or not. For $169-319, the Dearborn Inn's Fairy Tale Romance Package offers a one-night getaway that would make even Cinderella swoon. It includes a one night stay, champagne, chocolate tuxedo strawberries and a rose on your pillow. The next morning, enjoy …

Om Spa

11:33 pm on Thursday, February 9, 2012

Don't forget a romantic couples massage at Om Spa in Dearborn complete with exotic truffles, chocolate covered strawberries, rose petals, candlelight, and complimentary wine or champagne. 313-565-9686 www.omdayspa.com   more ›

The Heart Beat

Check In with Lonely Hearts ... and Others on Valentine’s Day

Valentine season is not just for the romantic. Make a pledge Feb. 14 to think with your heart throughout the year.

Valentine season is not just for romantic love.  There are two paper red hearts that hang on a cupboard in my kitchen as a reminder that there are several people living alone who need a hug or a kind gesture this Valentine’s Day. Strangers’ names are written on the bright, cut-out hearts, including Ray from Warren and Ann of Troy. I don’t know them, but I have their addresses (also inscribed on the hearts) and will soon put Valentine’s Day cards in the mail for these two. I’ll ask my sons to write a line or two to Ann and Ray, wishing them a good day and letting them know that people — even strangers — are thinking of them on this day. I plucked those little heart ornaments from the Church of St. Alan’s “Heart Tree” after attending Mass …

Contest: Rochester Hills Woman Wins Patch Valentine's Day Contest

Jessica Long's prize is overnight stay at Royal Park Hotel.

It was a last-minute entry on Wednesday morning that was selected as the random winner of Patch's "Object of My Affection" Valentine Contest. The winner, Jessica Long, of Rochester Hills entered a picture of a sunset on Lake Michigan in Leland. In the caption she wrote: ".. one of my favorite vacation spots. I might get back there this summer; I'll settle for a night at the Royal Park in the meantime." Long will receive an overnight stay at the Royal Park Hotel in Rochester. The package will include two Valentine martinis and the choice of one of the following to be delivered to her room: Make Whoopie (the couple can enjoy making their own whoopie pies); Sweetie Pies with Milk Shooters; Champagne and dipped berries. Patch received 194 …

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