Valentine's

Day falls on a Thursday this year but there are many events starting this

weekend to help put you in the proper mood and start celebrating this

special day.

If you want

to start your Valentine celebrations this weekend and you need a place

to take a date, why not enjoy some theater. Southside Theater Guild is

presenting the farcical comedy "Moon Over Buffalo" and Fayette

Community Theatre Inc. is presenting the final weekend of Neil Simon's

romantic comedy "Barefoot in the Park." To order tickets for

"Moon Over Buffalo," phone 770-969-2840 and for "Barefoot

in the Park," phone 770-631-8568.

It is always

nice to give someone a creative gift on Valentine's Day and there will

be several classes taking place this weekend. The Tyrone Recreation Department

will present "A Valentine Treat" for children 3-7. Children

will meet from 10-11:30 a.m. and will decorate heart-shaped cookies and

create a Valentine card for someone special. The fee for the class is

$5. Phone Kim Stephens at 770-487-4694.

Chef Kelly

will instruct people ages 18 and up how to cook a romantic Italian dinner,

featuring pasta, asparagus salad, skewered veal and sausage with sage,

lasagna with bechamel sauce, Italian bread and Italian creme tort. The

class runs from 1-3 p.m. at the Fayette County Recreation Activities House.

The fee is $35 and recipes are included. Phone 770-461-9714.

Of course,

going out for an all-encompassing romantic evening can also make your

loved one's heart race. The 17th annual Valentine Ball, sponsored by the

Endowment Committee for Cultural Arts of Fayette County, will take place

at the Wyndham Executive Conference Center in Peachtree City, Saturday,

Feb. 9. Tickets for non-ECCA members are $100. Phone 770-487-8508.

The evening

begins with a social hour at 7 p.m. followed by dinner and dancing at

8:15. Live entertainment will be provided by Class Act and a live and

silent auction will follow the dinner.

Though Valentine's

Day can be hard for a single person, New Direction Christian Singles will

try to make it easier as they will sponsor a Valentine dance at the Ashford

Place Apartments Clubhouse in Griffin Saturday, Feb. 9 at 7 p.m. Please

bring a finger food. Dressy casual. Admission is $5 at the door. Phone

770-233-0145 or 1-706-658-6835.

There will

be another craft class for children eager to make Valentine goodies for

their loved ones. Fayette Coweta Family Theatre presents "Let's Create

a Valentine Holiday" Wednesday, Feb. 13 from 4:30 to 6 p.m. for ages

5 to 8.The fee is $30. Participants will create two Valentine crafts,

act out an original holiday story, experience creative movement and dance

and be visited by Beauty (Belle) at the conclusion of the shop. Registration

fee includes materials for crafts and a photo with Snow White.Phone 770-251-7611

or e-mail [email protected].

As for Valentine's

Day itself, Fernbank Museum of Natural History celebrates Valentine's

Day with its annual party, an evening of romance, from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.

An evening

of romance combines the exciting atmosphere of a star-lit atrium with

the world's largest dinosaurs to create an ambiance like no other. Swing

Factory featuring Little Joey will perform live, keeping toes tapping

to a selection of jump, swing and blues music.

Taste buds

will be tempted with a selection of savories and sweets compliments of

Proof of the Pudding, and a cash bar will be available. The menu has been

expanded this year to include such dishes as shaved roast beef in soft

twist rolls; crispy chicken skewers with a spiced honey glaze; petite

almond cakes with kirsch crème; turtle swirl cheesecake drizzled

with caramel, chocolate and nuts; and a selection of fanciful finger sweets.

Guests will

have the opportunity to view a special engagement of the large-format

film "Shackleton's Antarctic Adventure" at 9 p.m. and 10 p.m.

Based on Caroline Alexander's best-selling book, "The Endurance:

Shackleton's Legendary Antarctic Expedition," the film tells the

dramatic tale of explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton's ill-fated 1914-1916

British Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition.

If cupid's

arrow hasn't struck yet, there's no need to stay at home. You don't need

to be part of a couple to enjoy fine food, great grooves and the unforgettable

IMAX® experience. Tickets for an evening of romance are $20 for members

and $30 for nonmembers and include film admission and food items. To reserve

tickets, call 404-929-6400 by Feb. 11.

In an effort

to celebrate Valentine's Day on the weekend, Callaway Gardens recommends

that you romance your loved one at the Callaway Valentine Big Band Dinner

Dance, Saturday, Feb. 16, at 7 p.m. A cash bar will be available at 6:30

p.m. Patrons will be able to spend this special night enjoying a delicious

veal tenderloin dinner with all of the trimmings in a smoke-free Callaway

ballroom. And, of course, there will be a special Valentine dessert treat.

Afterward,

dance the night away to live big band music performed in the Glenn Miller

style by the Stan Kent Orchestra. The Valentine big band overnight package

starts at $239 per couple in the Callaway Inn. The Southern Pine Cottages

or Mountain Creek Villa rates are also available.

The package

includes Saturday night accommodations, dinner for two, two cocktails

or glasses of wine with dinner for each person, dancing from 7 p.m. until

midnight, admission to Callaway Gardens and use of the Callaway Fitness

Center. Taxes and gratuities are not included in package. To make a reservation

for this romantic getaway, call 1-800-CALLAWAY (225-5292).

Those not wishing

to stay overnight can enjoy the dinner dance for $170 per couple. Taxes

and gratuities are included. Phone 1-800-CALLAWAY (225-5292) ext. 5396.

These are just

a few suggestions of how one can celebrate Valentine's Day. You can also

take your loved one out for a romantic dinner, a romantic round of miniature

golf, a romantic trip to the video store or a romantic stroll. It is entirely

up to you and that special someone.

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