Not feeling the love?
Chattanooga Public Library is kicking off a Salty Craft Hour series with a Salty Anti Valentines session from noon 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, on the fourth floor of the downtown branch, 1001 Broad St. It’s a chance to make a citrus salt scrub for yourself instead of buying a gift for someone else.Future Salty Craft Hours will find other ways to create crafts that break the mold, such as embroidering swearwords or typography for antisocial purposes, all enjoyed to a variety of salty snacks to match your mood.Registration is required, as space is limited. Use the library’s website event calendar to reserve a spot: http://chattlibrary.org/events/salty-craft-hour-anti-valentines-day. Call 423-634-7700 for more information.
How can you celebrate Valentine's Day? Let us count the ways...
You can start with these 20 ideas, and there are others throughout the section.
DAILY THROUGH VALENTINE'S DAY
* Love notes: Let your sweet talk to your sweetheart - or anyone else you're sweet on (kids, grandparents) - go high-tech by posting your message on The Barn Nursery's digital billboard, easily seen by travelers along Interstate 24 at the Fourth Avenue exit (181). Love notes change daily, and you have through Tuesday, Feb. 14, to submit your message. Just keep them less than 45 total letters, numbers and spaces. Email LoveNotesTBN@gmail.com.
TODAY, FEB. 9
* Wine tasting: Break out the bubbly and whet your appetite for romantic things to come with a sparkling wine tasting from 6:30 to 8:30 tonight, Feb. 9, at Back Inn Cafe, 412 E. Second St. Bluff View wine director Michael Vasta leads this monthly sip-and-savor series, this time focusing on an effervescent group of wines. Cost is $40, and advance purchase is required. Call 423-265-5033, ext. 4, to inquire about availability for tonight's session.
FRIDAY, FEB. 10
* Father Daughter Ball: Four Points Inc., which works to prevent domestic violence in Walker, Catoosa, Dade and Chattooga counties, will have its 10th annual Father Daughter Dance from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10, at the Colonnade, 264 Catoosa Circle in Ringgold, Ga. Snacks and drinks are included in the $5 (per person) ticket price. The night has a fairy tale theme. Roses and corsages will be available for purchase. Purchase tickets at the door or in advance at www.fourpointsinc.org.events. Call 706-638-1555 for more information.
* Father Daughter Dance: Hamilton County Parks and Recreation will sell tickets until noon Friday, Feb. 10, for its annual Father Daughter Dance, scheduled from 7 to 10 that evening at Chattanooga Convention Center, 1100 Carter St. Tickets are $30 per person and include light hors d'oeuvres and a dessert buffet. Commemorative photos of dads and daughters (ages 3-18) arriving for the dance will be made starting at 6:30 p.m. Call 423-842-6748 for reservations. Email maureend@hamiltontn.gov for more information.
* Ladies Appreciation Dance: Alhambra Shrine Temple, 1000 Alhambra Drive, will host this Valentine's-themed dance, with music by DJ Keith Smith, from 8 to 11 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10. Each woman will receive a red rose, and door prizes will be awarded. Light hors d'oeuvres will be served; coolers are welcome. Doors open at 7 p.m. Cost is $20 per couple. Call 423-892-0223 to reserve a table.
* Grandview Twirlers Sweetheart Dance: This square dance club in Grandview, Tenn., holds dances on the second and fourth Fridays of the month. The next, 7:30-10 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10, will be themed to Valentine's Day. Johnny Chambers will be caller. Cost is $5 per person, no partner required. Dress is casual. For more information, call 931-707-0766, email grandview.twirlers.tn@gmail.com or look them up on Facebook.
FRIDAY-SUNDAY, FEB. 10-12
* Chocolate Lovers Wine Trail: Visitors to eight Upper Cumberland wineries, including two in Crossville, Tenn., are invited to spend the weekend before Valentine's Day sampling chocolates and wine pairings on a Chocolate Lovers Wine Trail. In Crossville, Chestnut Hill, 78 Chestnut Hill Road, will serve fudge torte and blackberry wine, and Stonehaus, 2444 Genesis Road, will offer berry-infused mini cupcakes with sparkling wine. Also on the trail are Highland Manor in Jamestown, Holly Ridge in Livingston, Northfield in Sparta, Delmonaco in Baxter, Cellar 53 in Brush Creek and Red Barn in LaFayette. Event hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Feb. 10-11, noon-5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 12 (all times are Central, and winery hours may vary). Participants may start at any winery on the trail, picking up a souvenir glass, then visiting the rest in any order. Tickets are $30 (must be at least 21). Participants may enter a drawing to win an overnight stay at Saltbox Inn in Cookeville, Tenn., a $60 gift certificate and a gift basket stocked by the participating wineries. Visit www.upper cumberlandwinetrail.com for complete details about the event, plus suggestions for dinner and overnight accommodations.
FRIDAY-SUNDAY, FEB. 10-12, AND TUESDAY, FEB. 14
* Romance at Ruby: Ruby Falls, 1720 S. Scenic Highway, invites couples to come hear the love story of Leo and Ruby Lambert, the discoverer of the waterfall and its namesake, respectively. The lantern-led explorations are a smaller, more intimate tour through the cavern. Packages include a souvenir photo, rose, gift and the romantic views from the Lookout Mountain Tower. Cost is $69.95 per couple. Tours leave at 8:30, 8:45 and 9 p.m. Friday through Sunday, Feb. 10-12, and at 8:30 p.m. only on Tuesday, Feb. 14. Reservations are required. Call 1-800-755-7105 or book online at www.rubyfalls.com.
* Valentine's Date Night: You'll need to be quick to pick up the very last Valentine's Date Night package at the Sweet & Savory Classroom, 45 E. Main St. Of the four nights originally offered, only one night, Sunday, Feb. 12, had an open slot at press time. The hands-on cooking class, offered 6-9 p.m., is themed to "An English Love Story," and each couple will create and dine on four courses that include tea sandwiches, grilled pork kebabs, beef Wellington and trifle. Beer, wine and an English cocktail may be purchased during class (bring your ID). Cost is $195 per couple. Visit www.sweetandsavoryclassroom.com to check on availability.
SATURDAY, FEB. 11
* Gwendolyn's Bleeding Heart Ball: "Deadly Ever After" is the theme of this fourth annual soiree presented by Dark Princess Theatre Productions. For this dark fairy tale dream, set for 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, you'll enter into an enchanted forest to dance, nibble on delectable treats and watch character performances. Costumes are not required, but they add to the fun, and two winners will battle for a grand prize by trying to best the other with a story about their character and costume. Several area businesses have donated prizes for a silent auction, with winners announced at 9:15 p.m. The fun takes place at Heritage House, 1428 Jenkins Road. Advance tickets are $35 for singles, $60 for couples. Tickets sold at the door will be $40 each. Purchase online at www.darkprincesstheatre.com/upcoming-events.html.
* Living Valentine Wreath: Signal Mountain Nursery, 1100 Hu1428 bbard Road, has found a use for leftover wine corks. They'll be used in a workshop, along with a selection of succulents, to make a Living Valentine Wreath at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 11. Cost is $19.99. Call 423-886-3174 for reservations.
* Parent/Child Valentine Cupcakes: Sweet & Savory Classroom, 45 E. Main St., is offering two sessions for a parent and child to bake and decorate Valentine's cupcakes on Saturday, Feb. 11, but only the earliest, 8:30-11 a.m., has openings. Participants will learn how to bake cupcakes from scratch, make buttercream frosting and put on finishing touches involving piping, dipping and spreading, along with sprinkles, chocolates and candy. Cost is $60 for parent and child (recommended for ages 5-13). Visit www.sweetandsavoryclassroom.com to check on availability.
* Valentine's Extravaganza: McMinn County Living Heritage Museum, 522 W. Madison Ave. in Athens, Tenn., invites friends, families and significant others to an evening food, music and fellowship, "celebrating love for all the right reasons," scheduled 6:30-10 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11. September Song will provide music for dancing. Tickets are $50. Proceeds benefit the museum. Find out more at 423-745-0329 or www.livingheritagemuseum.com.
SUNDAY, FEB. 12
* Valentine's Sunset Cruise: The Tennessee Aquarium's River Gorge Explorer will double as a "love boat" for a romantic, three-hour cruise into the Tennessee River Gorge from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 12. A naturalist will point out wildlife along the way and divulge a few facts about the courtship rituals of the animals that live and love along the river. Passengers are invited to pop the question, renew their vows or even tie the knot during the cruise. The captains are ordained ministers. Just let them know beforehand and bring the license and witness. A cash bar is available for wine, beer and soft drinks. Member fare is $38 for adults, $24 for children up to age 12. Nonmember fare is $42 and $32. Register at www.tnaqua.org (click on Events & Programs).
TUESDAY, FEB. 14
* Breakin' Hearts Valentine's Day Dance Party: Dance On Party Everywhere, a silent disco and live event promoter, will present an EDM Nigh from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 14. The 21-and-older party takes place at the Living Room Night Club, 1400 Cowart St. Cover is $5. Call 423-641-2057 or find DOPE on Facebook.
* Cocktails: The Chattery, a community collaboration nonprofit, will present "Love Potion No. 9: Valentine's Day Cocktails" from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 14, at The Fix Lounge, 825 Houston St. Mingle with a date or a bar full of mates as you learn three specialty cocktails: Sweet Tart, Cupid's Margarita and a Love Potion you can make at home again and again. Cost is $30. Register at www.thechattery.org.
* Dinner: One of the city's most romantic restaurants, Back Inn Cafe, 412 E. Second St., will serve a five-course wine-pairing dinner Tuesday, Feb. 14. Guests can spend the evening by the fire in the library or enjoy the views of the Tennessee River in the upper sunroom. Seatings are scheduled between 4 and 10 p.m., and reservations are strongly recommended. Cost is $75 (prix fixe). Ask about adding chocolates or flowers to the table. Call 423-265-5033, ext. 4, or email eventcoordinator@bluffview.com.
* Hidden Heart Hike: A Fort Mountain State Park ranger will guide this Valentine's Day hike on the Stone Tower Trail to see the heart carved in stone in the 38-foot fire tower, built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The story of the young stone mason's romantic gesture will be told along the way. The round trip is scheduled between 3 and 4:30 p.m. at Fort Mountain, 181 Fort Mountain Park Road in Chatsworth, Ga. The hike is free; parking is $5. 706-422-1932.
* Singing Valentines: The Choo Choo Chorus, the local affiliate of the Barbershop Harmony Society, will send out quartets to serenade your sweetheart in four-part a cappella harmony on Valentine's Day, plus deliver a card, rose and chocolate to the lucky listener. Spokesman Chet Tschetter says the guys "have a lot of fun singing for others. As you can imagine, there are tender scenes, warm surprises and the occasional embarrassment." To order a Singing Valentine, call 423-265-SING (7464) and leave a message with your name and contact number. A chorus member will call back to arrange a time and place.
* Surf & Turf Valentine's Special: You might be hard-pressed to find a Valentine's dinner for two for less than 10 bucks, but Krystal has you covered with a special Surf & Turf menu available from 11 a.m. to close on Tuesday, Feb. 14. For $9.99, couples can share eight classic Krystals, a dozen fried shrimp, a Chili-Cheese or Junkyard fry and either two chery Icee beverages or two chocolate chip cookies. "On Valentine's Day, we celebrate perfect pairings - and there's no better pairing than classic Krystals and delicious fried shrimp," says Heather Schlesinger, director of calendar, programs, and promotions for the Krystal Co. The meal can be ordered for eat-in or in the drive-through. "Whether you've been married 50 years or known each other 50 minutes, we want to be part of your holiday," Schlesinger says.