It’s yet again the cupid time for all the fluttering love birds wanting to express their affection and ardor. Chocolates, flowers, cards are passé as this modish era revolves around technological advancements. Put aside those puffy hearts and confectionaries to bring in this Valentine with a tech-love combo. For all those tech-buffs, here’s our pick of the top 10 gadgets to woo your beloved on Valentine’s Day.

Apple iPod Nano: Love is synonymous to music which makes the renowned Apple iPod Nano a great gift for the music zealots this Valentine. The Nano is brightly lit in several colors including Pink and Red (get the hint) with a polished anodized aluminum finish. This new version of the renowned ‘i’ device sports a large screen accompanied by video recording. So amidst listening to music you can instantly capture those romantic moments. The integrated FM tuner sports two amazing features which further enhance listening, iTunes Tagging and Live Pause. The device ought to impress the fitness freaks with the Pedometer that keeps a track of your footsteps. Shape up, capture those enticing moments and listen to music with this latest Nano. The 8GB version is priced at Rs. 9,400 while the 16GB can be purchased for Rs. 11,200.

If you’re like most couples, you’re watching your pennies this year and looking for ways to romance your sweetheart on Valentine’s Day without breaking the bank. This list will help:

1. There are many local and national Valentine’s Day giveaway contests with great prizes. Enter as many as you can and maybe you’ll get lucky.
2. Burn a CD with songs that make you think of your sweetheart, and give it to him/her.
3. For couples with children, get them involved in an all-family fun Valentine’s Day dinner at home. Mom can prepare a dessert for two and light the candles while dad puts the kids to bed.
4. Create a favorite drink together. Try all kinds of ingredients. Enjoy taste-testing. Besure to record the ingredients, so you can make the “your” drink again on Valentine’s Day year after year.

It’s that time of year when hopeless romantics, new relationships and married couples all share the same excitement and or anxiety. And that can only mean one thing, Valentine’s Day! But don’t worry, Washington Gateway Main Street (WGMS) has you covered with the 2011 edition of the Gateway District Valentine’s Day Gift Guide. Whether you need help deciding what to get that special someone or where to take your Valentine to dinner, Gateway District businesses have a number of options for you and yours to enjoy.

Finding a special something for that special someone

M. Flynn (40 Waltham St., 617-292-0079) has an incredible selection of custom made jewelry and accessories. They are offering free shipping on all orders over $50 (through Feb. 10), use the code Love2011.

Romantic table for two

A Guide to Getting in to Atlanta’s Most Romantic Restaurants on the Busiest Night of the Year

Some say spontaneity is the spice of life and in most cases that’s true — except on Valentine’s Day. On this special day, it’s imperative to plan ahead. Atlanta is known for its abundance of quality restaurants and culinary delights. Though the choices are limitless, the available seats are not. If you want to have the best table in town, book it as soon as possible. You’ll be a hero in your sweetheart’s eyes when you announce your dinner reservations at the most romantic and sought-after restaurant in Atlanta. Here’s the inside scoop on where to go, how to get in, and what makes it so special.

Want to treat your sweetie to a valentine dinner? You aren’t alone.

Valentine’s Day ranks as the second-mostpopular day (after Mother’s Day) to dine out, according to the National Restaurant Association. These restaurants — based on information submitted by each establishment — will offer special menus for the holiday:

Bar of Modern Art
583 E. BROAD ST. (614-233-3000, WWW.BAROFMODERNART.COM)
HOURS »two seatings, 6 and 8 p.m. Feb. 14
FARE »baby field greens tossed in a ginger-grapefruit dressing, or baby hearts of romaine dressed in a roasted garlic vinaigrette, or white asparagus soup garnished with a red-wine-bacon cream, or Rockefeller shrimp; beef short ribs braised in red wine, served with bacon-sage whipped potatoes and kale, or wild mushroom ravioli in a garlic-herb broth with grilled corn, asparagus and tomato, and finished with goat-cheese cream, or orange chicken with pine nuts, served with creamy feta risotto and green olive tapenade, or herbroasted lemon sole and roasted artichoke hearts with a crispy corncake, garnished with arugula-hazelnut pesto; fresh strawberries battered with champagne, then fried and served with a rose-scented vanilla sauce and mint Grand Marnier syrup, or Irish coffee creme brulee, or chocolate-covered bananas ($50 a couple) RESERVATIONS »strongly recommended.

One day solely dedicated to the light of love – Dayenu! It is enough. Named after an ambiguous assortment of early Christian ‘Valentinian’ martyrs, the annual celebration of compassion lifts up self-sacrificing, all-encompassing love and the power of sacred trust between people. Over time, the Valentine’s Day feast has evolved into an occasion for exchanging cards, flowers and chocolate as tokens of appreciation. Driven by the firm conviction that every person deserves recognition of their inherent worth and dignity, Unitarian Universalists are called to reach out, affirm and embrace the Other in radical compassion, while simultaneously working to ameliorate situations where people are being denied their humanity.

Following are a few suggestions for bringing Sixth Principle Ministry to life in relation to congregational ministries related to St. Valentine’s Day in Seven Areas:

1. Spiritually,
2. Through Education,
3. Through Advocacy,
4. Through Partnership,
5. Through Stewardship,
6. Through Pilgrimage and Witness, and