Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Our top picks to set the mood tonight, from Adele to Whitney Houston
As much as the candles, candy, and flowers, setting the mood on Valentine's Day is all about selecting the right songs. Don't believe us? We witnessed nuptials where the first dance was a Metallica tune ... and watched their union dissolve inside of two years. Since we all hope that love lasts, Patch has produced a playlist of the 100 most romantic songs that will, with a little luck, make this a memorable night. We have the classics (Al Green, Barry White, Sam Cooke) and the contemporary (Adele, Alicia Keys, Norah Jones) covered here. Without further adieu, our 100 songs that are the musical equivalent of getting struck by Cupid's arrow: If there are any songs on this list you disagree with, or others you would add, please share in the …
Which one is worst? Today and everyday, avoid these terrible tunes
More than any other day of the year, music sets the mood on Valentine's Day. However, you want to set the right mood or else romance could turn to ridicule and you could find yourself single. This said, avoid adding these 14 love songs to your Cupid's day playlist at all costs. Aerosmith's “I Don't Wanna Miss a Thing” Remember “Sweet Emotion”? “Walk This Way”? You will want to run away from this unfathomably bad tune that makes some Michael Bolton sound like Metallica. Why the Toxic Twins took this Diane Warren tune for the forgettable flick “Armageddon” … there are no words. Alicia Keys & Usher's “My Boo” So much for the whole being greater than the sum of its chart-topping parts. Outside of being the theme song for a junior-high prom, …
South Orange Parking Authority will offer free parking on Valentine's Day.
- VALENTINE'S DAY GUIDE
- Robin Patric
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Tuesday, February 14, 2012
This Valentine’s Day, spend your loose change on your loved one, not parking. On Tuesday, Feb. 14, the South Orange Parking Authority will provide free parking from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. No bags will be placed on meter heads. Instead, check on-street and parking lot signs and stay in your selected space no longer than the posted limit, whether 30 minutes, three hours, or otherwise. Meter readers will be chalking tires to enforce the posted limits, so park for the allotted time without payment, but don’t go over the limit. The free Valentine’s Day parking does not apply at the main NJ Transit Station or Mountain Station. More information can be found by e-mailing SOPA@southorange.org or by calling (973) 378-7715.
Main Street South Orange presents their 2nd annual Bring Your Valentine Downtown South Orange promotion.
Looking for that last minute Valentine's Day gift? A little short on cash this year? Oops, forgot to make that reservation? Well Main Street South Orange is here to help you out. MSSO is presenting their second annual Bring Your Valentine Downtown South Orange promotion on Feb. 14. Many local stores and restaurants will be running specials all day and night for residents. In addition, there will be free parking all day courtesy of the South Orange Parking Authority. Participating merchants include: Above Restaurant and Bar (1 South Orange Ave.) Special Valentine's Day Menu The Beaded Path (9 Village Plaza) (Valid 2/10 to 2/14) 10% off any finished piece purchased for your Valentine. Matching earrings made free for any necklace or …
Monday, February 13, 2012
Dessert and wine for the holiday
If music be the food of love, as Shakespeare suggests, play on. For many of us, though, food itself feeds love, laughter and pretty much everything else we mark on Valentine’s Day. Blood oranges are ideal for the holiday of love. They look ordinary, a little mottled maybe, among the other citrus fruits. But cut one open, and the ruby juices come forth. They’re a metaphor for all the people we know who, dressed in dark winter coats and hats, keep their passion under wraps…until Valentine’s Day, that is. “Blood” orange can sound more Halloween than happy. The word sangre, Spanish for blood, gives us the word sangria. For that reason, and in case your valentine doesn’t want blood on the menu, I’m calling this “Sangria Sweet(heart) Tart.” This…
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Tuesday doesn't have to be all about love, flowers and candy.
Sick of Valentines, hearts, flowers and candy? Tuesday night is also a good night to curl up with a DVD and put all of the romance behind you. There are a number of new releases coming out on Feb. 14 that have nothing to do with love. Take a peek at Elevate, starring Amadou Gallo Fall, a documentary about a West African boy who gets to America on his basketball skills. The period piece, Mozart’s Sister, takes a look at Mozart's older sister, who was a musical prodigy in her own right. The film Elite Squad, starring Wagner Moura, a sequel to the 2007 action film, is filled with crime, police and guns. And for straight escapism — try Bevis & Butthead, Vol 4 or Penguins of Madagascar: Operation Get Ducky. Other releases coming out this week…
The Victorian language of love for Valentine’s Day
The Victorians have a reputation for stodgy propriety that has outlived Queen Victoria’s reign by a century. Maybe they deserve to be remembered for modestly covering piano legs with frills, but let me tell you; they knew how to say it with flowers. Floriography is the language of flowers, a fitting lesson for Valentine’s Day. Victorian suitors sent single flowers or bouquets of carefully-chosen posies, each of which signified a particular message. Etiquette books such as the 1883 “Our Deportment, or the Manners, Conduct, and Dress of the Most Refined Society; including Forms for Letters, Invitations, Etc.” served as code breakers. The blushing young recipient of a bouquet no sooner said “Thank you,” than she ran into the back parlor to …
Friday, February 10, 2012
Hank Zona's Valentine's Day wine picks
- VALENTINE'S DAY GUIDE
- Hank Zona
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Friday, February 10, 2012
Valentine's Day means different things for different folks. I offer wines for every approach to the day. First, let me focus on a wine for those who see February 14th is a dark day. Perhaps the darkest of wines are the wines of the Cahors region in France. They are malbec-based, but not nearly as approachable as the malbecs of Argentina. Besides, if you are anti-Valentines Day, who wants approachable? Marketed over one hundred years ago as "the black wines of Cahors," if you plan to brood, this is a brooding wine. Of course, if wine won't do the trick, may I suggest a pint (or two) of Ben & Jerry's. Yes, I could have recommended any number of really good wine-flavored sorbets out there, but that's not what this mood is about, now is…
Gearing up for Valentine's Day with mushy, gushy and off-beat tales.
Who says Valentine’s Day needs to be all love and flowers? Let’s face it. Sometimes, love doesn’t exactly work out as planned. Whether it’s bad dates or a good intention that lead to a bad outcome—like arranging a skiing trip and breaking your leg on the trip, or buying a gift that triggered your beau's allergies— everyone has stories about trying to find, impress or keep “the one." Some of those stories are pretty hilarious—in hindsight, of course. That’s why, for Valentine's Day, South Orange Patch wants to hear your bad, unfortunate or funny stories from past dates, break-ups or attempts to impress their significant other. We'll feature the stories as part of our Valentines coverage—hey, it really isn't all love and flowers—that will …
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Bardot Lingerie and MoonShine pair up to bring men downtown for a pre-Valentine's Day night out.
Millburn had its Girls Night Out not too long ago, and tonight Bardot Lingerie gives men their turn. In honor of Valentine’s Day, Bardot has partnered with MoonShine Modern Supper Club for its annual Men’s Night, with wine and refreshments from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the store on Millburn Avenue and half-price drink specials at MoonShine before and after the event. Advertising it as an evening to "Dress Up Your Fantasy...for Valentine's Day," the staff at Bardot has hired models to show off their lingerie during the event, and owners say they will help men pick out the perfect gift for their sweethearts. “Men often are more daring" than the women in their lives, said co-owner Gina Stempler. “We do sometimes have women bring things back to …
Steve Sears
12:41 pm on Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Hey Brian -- Nice list. I just hear Foreigner's " Don't Wanna LIve Without You" on the radio. That's a super love song that, compared to other Foreigner hits, I think doesn't get much recognition. Also, in 1989, Chicago had a single called "We Can Last Forever." Not one of their biggest hits, the lyrics are great. Steve more ›