Singles Scene Newsletter 1-25-01 issue 47 sing-@primenet.com! In this issue: * All Singles Dances - alumni and all singles welcome at the last dance Jan. 26! * Valentine gifts for casual dates * Advice from Aunt Janet-- How to make the most of Valentine's Day when you don't have a sweetheart yourself! * Web site of the Week -- Dance for romance! * Arizona Date Ideas for Jan. 25 to Feb. 15 (Visit our web site for our lead February article on how to make the opposite sex feel loved: www.azsinglescene.com.) * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Happy Valentine's Day to all our readers!! ************************ Valentine gifts for casual dates by Janet L. Jacobsen It's time for the holiday of love and while you're pretty sure you're not in love, you're also pretty sure you want to stay on this person's good side, and that not remembering them on Valentine's Day will definitely make you less than popular. But you also don't want to risk a gift that gets misinterpreted and either scares the person off or leads them to romantic expectations you didn't mean to encourage. How do you walk that fine line? While every human interaction is open to misinterpretation, there are some ways to stay on fairly safe ground. Don't send gifts to them at work; even a single rose becomes a major declaration when everyone at the office knows about it. Don't flood them with valentines. One will do, and send it through the mail, if there's time. Sweet humor is better than heavy sentiment when you're trying to take it slow. No gifts of intimate apparel if your goal is to keep it casual. Even boxer shorts with cartoon characters can be inappropriate, especially if you're barely to the kiss-good-night stage. Sweets are safe for the sweet - unless you know you'll be sabotaging a serious diet. A dozen roses is generally considered a major declaration of affection, but a half dozen will do fine for the more casual relationship, as will any mixed bouquet. House plants are only wise if you know the person has a genuine green thumb; otherwise they wind up with a dead plant to remember you by. If a dinner date is part of your valentine agenda, leave the seriously candle-lit to the seriously in love and opt instead for something you'll both consider fun, like a diner, an ethnic restaurant, or a coffeehouse with live music. *********************** Advice from Aunt Janet -- Resist the lure of Valentine's Day! Are you one of those sentimental souls who get to feeling all dejected if you don't have a sweetheart on Valentine's Day? No! No! Actually, it's ok to be sentimental, but not a sentimental fool, such as the person who pursues someone they KNOW is not right for them (or lets a similar person "catch" them) just because they are feeling a little blue around Valentine' s. You can do MUCH better than that! Never settle! Instead, use this as a TERRIFIC opportunity to make lots of new contacts, maybe even meet some new people, or catch the eye of someone who has interested you. Quickly, to the drug store and buy a couple of packages of the valentines that school kids give each other. Pick something that really represents you: they're all kiddish, but that's great. Star Wars? Beauty & the Beast? Perfect! Sign your first name to each and just give them out to EVERYONE all day long -- not just potential love interests, but everyone you come in contact with at work, the mall, the grocery, etc. Don't linger and fish for a date. Onward -- you are spreading the bait! It will make fishing so much better later on, believe me. ************************* Web Site of the Week-- Dance for romance! Cooking may be the way to a fellow's heart, but the way to a lady's heart is dancing! And you don't have to do Fred Astaire. One-two, one-two will do. You get lots of points for effort. For the inside scoop on what men need to know about benefiting from the romance of dance, see www.romanticdancing.com. ******************** SHARE WITH A FRIEND-- PLEASE FORWARD THIS ISSUE ! ---------------------------------------------- If you haven't already done so, please forward this issue to your single friends and associates. Thanks so much! * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ALL SINGLES DANCE SCHEDULE: The FINAL ALL SINGLES DANCE is January 26 at the Camelback Inn, 5402 E. Lincoln Dr. in Paradise Valley. For the first time in the history of the dances, "Alumni" (couples who met at the dances) are invited! Dance admission $8. See for Harlan's discussion of the decision to end the dances after 28 years. *********************** January & February Date Ideas-- Th., Jan. 25: Every Thurs., standup comedy night, 8 p.m., Star Theatre, 7111 E. McDowell, Scottsdale. $4, reservations required. 480-423-0120. Fri., Jan. 26: Evening poetry reading, Changing Hands Bookstore, McClintock & Guadalupe (sw corner), Tempe. Sat., January 27 (to May 6): Opening of "Norman Rockwell: Pictures for the American People" exhibit will show at the Phoenix Art Museum, McDowell &Central. Adm. $12, tickets are timed & dated; advanced purchase is recommended. 602-257-1222. Hogs in Heat, all-you-can-eat barbecue & dance, Rock Springs Cafe, Black Canyon City (exit 242, I-17 n. of Phx.). 4 pm-? 623-374-5794. Sun., Jan. 28: The temperatures are glorious, the folks back East are jealous. Don't send the day inside! Great afternoon for a hike at one of the glorious regional parks. Try McDowell Mountains on the east side, or the White Tank Regional Park on the west side. Mon., Jan. 29: Take advantage of the cold winter's night. Have hot chocolate and play cards. Tues., Jan. 30: It's almost time for Spring Training. Get in shape by hitting baseballs at one of the batting cage places. Wed., Jan. 31: Wednesdays (except first Wed.), Royal Scottish Country Dancing, 7 pm, Scottsdale Senior Center, Civic Center & 2nd Ave. Free. 480-834-5662. Newcomers welcome. Thurs., Feb 1: Sc. Center for the Arts, Civic Center Mall, is open til 8 p.m. 480-994-ARTS. Fri., Feb. 2: 7-10 pm, downtown Phoenix becomes a moving art gallery with several art venues linked by the free DASH shuttle buses. Parking lots to meet the buses are at the Burton Barr Library, the Phoenix Center for Community Arts, and Historic First Church. 602-256-7539. Fri.thru Sun.: 11th annual Chinese Festival, Chinese Cultural Center, 668 N. 44th St., Phoenix. Demonstrations, entertainment, activities. Free. Sponsored by the Phoenix Sister Cities Commission. 602-534-2664. Feb. 3 (Sat.): Parada del Sol, 9 am along Scottsdale Rd. between Indian School and Palm Lane. Includes the free "Trails End" celebration in Old Town Scottsdale after the parade, with entertainment, music and food. 480-990-3179. Feb. 4 (Sun., also Sat.): 11th annual World Championship Hoop Dance Contest, Heard Museum, 2301 N. Central, Phoenix, 10 am to 5 pm. $7 admission. 602-252-8848. Also, see the classic silent film, "Steamboat Bill, Jr." accompanied live on Wurlitzer organ, 3 pm at the Orpheum Theatre, 203 W. Adams, in Phoenix. Tickets $9 and $12. 602-252-9678. Mon., Feb. 5: ArtSalons--Lectures and discussions with guest artists. 7-9 pm, Burton Barr Central Library, Pulliam Auditorium, 1221 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. 602-262-4636. Tues., Feb. 6: Take a class together on cooking outdoors (think of the picnic potential!) 7-9 pm at the Pyle Adult Center, 655 E. Southern, sponsored by Tempe Parks. $5 each. 480-350-5200. Wed., Feb. 7: Adults' Night Out, Arizona Science Center, 7th St. & Washington, Phoenix. 5:30-9 p.m. Includes a special program or lecture. $5 admi., plus $2 for giant-screen film or planetarium. 602-716-2000. Thurs., Feb. 8: Every Thurs., free night at Phoenix Art Museum (donations appreciated). Til 9 p.m. 1625 N. Central. 602-257-1880. (Doesn't include special exhibits.) Feb. 9 (Fri.-Sun.): Parada del Sol Rodeo, WestWorld, 16601 N. Pima Rd., Scottsdale. 480-990-3179. Feb. 10 (Sat.): WB61 Family Day at the Pueblo Grande Museum, 4619 E. Washington St., Phoenix, 10 am to 3 pm. Free. Native American food, entertainment, museum and ruins tours, educational games, etc. 602-495-0901. Feb. 11 (Sat.& Sun.): Celebrate the Indian Bend Wash, Scottsdale, with entertainment, displays, activities, all along the wash, sponsored by the City of Scottsdale. Free. 480-312-2771. Also Sat.-Sun.: Flower Show & Chocolate Tasting, Boyce Thompson Arboretum, US Hwy 60, in Superior, Az. 8 am-5 pm. $5 admission, plus cost of chocolates. 520-689-2723. Mon., 12th: Take advantage of the few remaining chilly nights with a brisk walk, then hot chocolate and dessert. Or, ok, a quiet evening with wine and cheese by the fireplace. Lacking a fireplace? A nice array of candles will do. Tues., 13th: Most Tuesdays there's a backgammon tournament at 7 pm at the George and Dragon pub, 4240 N. Central in Phoenix. Tourney entry is $10; bring your own board. 602-265-1992. Wed., 14th: First dates only today please. For all other dating relationships a date on Valentine's Day is just too loaded with "meaning." Unless of course "meaning" is your intention. If you're planning late, go to the theatre or a sporting event; the restaurants will all be packed. Thurs., 15th: Art Walk (every Thurs.), Scottsdale galleries, 5th Ave. area. 7-9 p.m. 480-990-3939. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * It doesn't have to be an ordeal to meet people, if you know the right conversational skills. (YES, it's a commercial announcement ....) Improve your MEETING PEOPLE skills with the HOW TO MEET PEOPLE audiocassette by Janet Jacobsen, editor of Single Scene. You'll learn **How to overcome your fears **Three sure-fire meeting methods **Where to find interesting people **Simple, fun techniques to improve your social life NOW. To order HOW TO MEET PEOPLE, send $9.95 (first class postage & handling included) to Interpersonal Enterprises Inc. Box 6243 Dept. E Scottsdale AZ 85261-6243. Satisfaction Guaranteed! ************************** To unsubscribe to this newsletter, send a blank email to singlesphx--@topica.com If a friend would like to subscribe, have them send a blank email to singlesphx-@topica.com