Change of Heart

If Valentine’s Day has left you scrambling for ideas, we’ve taken a non-traditional approach that may rev up your imagination and help you plan gifts and outings.

GET OUT!

If your sweetie is intrigued by aviation, try having lunch, dinner or a drink in the second floor Hangar Lounge at Albert Whitted Field, while watching the planes take off and land. Owned by the city of St. Petersburg, it is open to the public: www.stpete.org/airport.

Fishing enthusiasts might like the Skyway Pier. Open 24/7, the bait shops stock live and frozen bait, tackle, rental rods, and beverages, snacks and sandwiches. A pier fishing license is available and all guests are covered by the entrance fee. You might also consider purchasing sea creature wall hangings made by Mike Ewashenko, who uses recycled materials such as filing cabinets for his creations. Contact Mike at mewashenko@tampabay.rr.com.

Gizella-Kopsick Palm Arboretum: This little known gem is located on North Shore Dr. at the foot of 10th Ave. NE, just north of the North Shore Swimming Pool and the Renaissance Vinoy Resort. The Parks Department (727- 893-7335) has information about guided tours, but this free arboretum showcases more than 500 palms. You can also purchase a brick engraved with your sweetie’s name; www.stpete.org/palm and duck in for appetizers at Marchand’s Bar and Grill at the Vinoy. 501 5th Avenue N.E., St. Petersburg, Fla., (727) 894-1000.

The gardener in your life might be interested in edible landscaping, organic landscape design or a lush plant.  Try calling Jai Hambly at Organic Living, (727) 433-1661 or visit her website.

Kayak Nature: For those who love the water, guided nature tours are available on kayaks. Take your sweetie off the coast or buy a gift certificate for a later date on the water. The website offers stand-up paddleboards and used kayaks for sale as well.

Steve & Doris Colgate's Offshore Sailing School: 1110 3rd St. South, St. Petersburg, FL. 33701. 904-381-1400. Three-day sailing courses for those ranging from beginners to experts are offered as well as a six-day live-aboard class that depart from the Harborage Marina in St. Petersburg.

Sunken Gardens:  Engage your five senses and get away from it all while remaining land-based. You can enjoy birds singing, leaves rustling; listen to a babbling brook and immersing yourself in the colors and textures of a lush tropical garden dating back to 1903. Call to reserve spots on a tour, or purchase a gift certificate for classes for the green thumb in your life. From a Mar.5, 2011 class on Edibles in the Landscape to Yoga and Meditation classes, the prices are a bargain.  Call 727.551.3102 for more details.

GET NATURAL!

On the southern tip of Pinellas County, visit Fort DeSoto Park (727.866.2484). Arrowhead Nature Trail, Barrier Free Nature Trail and the Soldiers Hole Trail offer good hiking, vistas and places to picnic and enjoy wild Florida.

In St. Petersburg, you can visit Boyd Hill Nature Park (813.893.7326) and Weedon Island Preserve (727.453,6500)

Dolphin Landings - 4737 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach, Fla.  offers charter cruises that vary in length and destination- from sunset cruises to barrier island destinations. Cruises start at  $25. and sailing times vary. 727-367-4488 /www.dolphinlandings.com

For those who prefer the arts, an array of opportunities await you in downtown St. Petersburg. Currently, the Morean Art Center is showing a Florida centric exhibit; “Paradise Lost/Paradise Found” by contemporary artists. They also house a Dale Chihuily glass collection. The Fine Arts Museum on Beach Drive, www.fine-arts.org/ is showing 48 British artists in an exhibit appropriately entitled, “ From Romantics to Moderns: A Survey of British Watercolors and Drawings” The new Dali Museum on the water in St, Petersburg offers lush gardens with native plants and sumptuous architecture worth a tour, http://thedali.org/

For handmade cards, notebooks and bags, you might choose creative selections by Irene Frazier, owner of Paper Frenzy, From beach-ispired trinkets to Scrabble tiles, vintage cards and sports memoriabilia, she offers something for every interest. You can visit her at www.paperfrenzy.com or call (727)463-5595.

ROMANCE: LIBATIONS AND HISTORY!

Carriage Rides- Straub Park, 300 Beach Drive NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, (816) 215-8613 Horse-drawn  carriage rides take passengers on a tour of the waterfront,  Straub Park, or several parks downtown. You can even map out your own one-hour ride. The tours are available on weekends and some weekdays. Costs start at $40 for  shorter ride and are cash-only though you can bring your favorite beverages on board. Visitors can bring apples or carrots to feed the horses.

Don CeSar Beach Resort & Spa, 3400 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach, FL 33706. Its pink architecture seems the ideal Valentine’s Day destination with its Mediterranean and Moorish architecture. The "Don" has a rich and colorful history that includes among its past visitors, F. Scott and  Zelda Fitzgerald, Clarence Darrow, Lou Gehrig and Al Capone. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the National Archives lists it as a historic monument, Stop in for a drink, lunch or dinner or enjoy a historic tour, available by appointment: 727-363-1881, www.doncesar.com.

Florida-made libations include: Palm Ridge Whiskey, Umatilla, FL. www.palmridgereserve.com, and Siesta Key white and dark rum: www.drumcircledistilling.com.

To concoct some romance with a twist, try the tea with wildlfower blossoms or some of the accessories offered by T and  Me  Tea Company, LLC. Visit them at www.tandme.com), or call owmers Jim and Tania Clark at (727)331-5253.

Locally made chocolates and sweets are in abundant supply. You can stock up at the on anything from cupcakes, cookies, chocolate covered nuts, to breads, cheeses and dips. In town, you can find bath crystals, African art, painted items and an array of restaurants.

You can also purchase home cleaning by contacting  Lynn Jasmin, who uses organic products, by emailing lynjasmin@yahoo.com.

 If your valentine prefers sweets, try contacting Oh Fudge! for an assortment of more than 50 flavors;  1.877-31-FUDGE, or visit Angry Squirrel Confections at www.ascandy.com.. Both offer locally-made confections.

MEALS WITH A TWIST!

The Ale and the Witch Tap House in St. Petersburg, Fla. serves 32 American-crafted brews. For $6 you can order a tasting flight at this courtyard bar. Located at 111 2nd Ave NE, at  Tower Plaza. they offer a Jazzy Jam event on Sun., Feb, 13 , 6:00 -10:00 p.m. Visit www.thealeandthewitch.com for more information.

Café Alma, 260 1^st Ave, So. St. Petersburg, Fla.33701. A  European café, it remains open for dancing until 3:00 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights. Call (727) 502.5002 or visit their web site for couples coupons: www.cafealma.com.

Nitally’s Thai Coffee House, 2462 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, FL. This newcomer serves of fresh and tasty blends of Thai and Mexican fusion cuisine that will delight your valentine. Call 727.321.8424 for reservations.

Fresco’s Waterfront Bistro, 300 2^nd Ave, N.E.., St. Petersburg Fla. 33701. Open seven days a week, al fresco dining and sometimes, live music and New Orleans-inspired cuisine make it feel like a vacation. As you sit in the midst of the marina, it suddenly becomes clear why you live in Florida. Call 727.894.4429 for reservations.

Backfin Blue Café - located in downtown Gulfport, at 2913 Gulfport Blvd.  South, this casual restaurant specializes in Florida seafood.  Call (727) 343-2583 for Valentine weekend  reservations. 

Ceviche St. Pete, tucked into the historicPonce de Leon Hotel at the corner of Beach Dr. and Central Ave. , offers sharing plates, a romantic atmosphere and delicious homemade Sangria. 10 Beach Drive, St. Petersburg, Fla. Call  (727) 209-2302 for reservations.

Gigi’s Italian Restaurant, 6852 Gulfport Blvd., So. Pasadena, FL. This well-known staple, ladies get a free rose and all diners get a free glass of champagne of Valentine’s Day. Reservations are accepted for parties of six or more, by calling 727. 3450191 or you can visit www.gigisitalianrestaurant.com.

However you choose to celebrate, have some fun and be creative.