Looking Deeply into Valentine's Week in Simsbury

My little cherubs are off to school today with their hand cut valentines and the weather is downright warm, for now. Keep your eyes out for men wandering aimlessly in shopping malls or running to flower shops and jewelry stores or just lost in general, they are following a time honored tradition that is romantic in its own way. Valentine’s Day is a time to appreciate all of the love in your life, and there are a myriad of ways to do this. Here’s to hoping your expectations of this day are exceeded and your hearts are full, and your husband knows better than to buy you an appliance (unless you really want one, which is different).

A few reminders for this week:

• Change your calendar if you have kids in Simsbury Public Schools. Due to all the of snow days, February 16 and March 25 will now be full days of school.
• It is time to register for spring soccer, if you are so inclined. Here is the link: www.simsburysoccer.org.
• Winter Session 2 at the Farmington Valley YMCA is starting Feb. 22, so it is a good time to sign up for classes now before they fill up. See http://www.ghymca.org/farmington/news.cfm.

And here are five things to do in the next five days:

Monday, February 14 – The at Eno Memorial Hall is having their Valentine’s Day Pizza Party where pizza, salad and a special dessert will be served while the string quartet plays. Advanced sign up was required, so if you missed that try some of heart shaped red velvet cheesecake. If you need some romance, local musicians from the Hartt School will perform their favorite romantic selections at the from 1-2:30 p.m. Programs are free but seating is limited. Register by calling the reference desk at 860-658-7663 or on-line www.simsburylibrary.inf0 and click “calendar.”

Tuesday, February 15 – If you are concerned about your little cherub’s reading progress or that they write everything backwards, is having a seminar “Early Literacy Strategies for Parents of Young Children.” From 6:30-7:30 p.m., presenters Kathryn Anastasio and Sheri Jennings will be giving strategies including: alphabet recognition, phonological awareness (rhyming, blending, segmenting), print awareness (sight words), and choosing "just right" books. To register, call 860-658-9412 or email heatherjomeara@gmail.com.

Wednesday, February 16 – The Farmington Valley Quilt Guild meeting is taking place at 6:45 p.m. at Eno Memorial Hall. Members are free and guests are $5 and a service project will be worked on. The guild is making quilts for Simsbury’s ABC House students. Bring your sewing machine, rotary cutter and other supplies. This is a great way to brush up your skills, get back into the swing, or even begin to learn quilting, and for a good cause.

Plus Relay for Life in Simsbury is holding its rescheduled kick off celebration at the building on Old Mill Lane from 6-8 p.m. Come and sign up your team and learn more about Relay for Life and the American Cancer Society. See the webpage for more info at www.relayforlife.org/simsburyct.

Thursday, February 17 – Today is the last day for auditions, from 7-10 p.m., for the (Tuesday Feb. 15 was the first day of auditions from 7-10 p.m. at Eno Memorial Hall). They will be doing “The Foreigner” in the spring and need five men in their 20s, 40s, and 60s, as well as two women in their 30s and 60s. “The Foreigner” is a comedy about personal change and miscommunication.

Friday, February 18 – Since you may have to celebrate your Valentine’s Day belatedly, check out live music which starts at 9 p.m. with a band called Lost Together, which sounds romantic. There is no cover charge. Happy Hour starts at 3 p.m.