VALENTINES DAY is all about being with the one(s) you love.  For some people, it means dinner for two at a nice restaurant or a smoldering romantic evening in front of a fireplace.  Growing up, it was knowing that Dad would walk through the door with small boxes of chocolates for me and my sister and a larger, more ornate one for Mom.  He never missed it.  The origins of this holiday are many and varied, but do we need a reason to express how we feel to the ones we love? Tonight, my lovely wife and I will be dining at Charlie Gitto’s – a traditional Italian restaurant and St. Louis favorite.

Awareness Spotlight shines on…

Supported by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, NATIONAL DONOR DAY was started by the Saturn Corporation in 1998.   Many non-profit groups sponsor blood and marrow drives on this day as it focuses on organ, tissue, marrow, platelets and blood.  If you are in a position to donate, it would make a big difference

Our Furry Friends

PET THEFT AWARENESS DAY is another event that shouldn’t have to be.  This low life crime can be prevented by making sure your pet has secure surroundings.  If that is not possible, definitely think about getting your furry friend chipped.

For Fun

NATIONAL FERRIS WHEEL DAY is celebrated on the birthday of its inventor, George Ferris.  His creation was unveiled at the Chicago World’s Fair in 1893.  It was 264 feet high and had 36 gondolas, each about the size of a train car.  Each car could hold 40 people sitting and 20 more standing.  The accompanying pic is of that wheel at the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair. Today, the tallest wheel is the Dubai Eye in Dubai Marina and has a diameter of 820 feet.  Who wants to ride it with me?

On Today’s Menu…

Here’s an idea for Valentine’s Day.  NATIONAL CREAM FILLED CHOCOLATES DAY.  Marshmallow, strawberry, chocolate, vanilla and even coffee creams can fill these candies making them decadent and delicious.  If you are not quite sure what to get that special someone, then get a box of these and celebrate two holidays at once.

Sneak Peek at Tomorrow’s Events and Celebrations

International Angelman Day – blue is the color of support

International Childhood Cancer Day

Gumdrop Day

I Want Butterscotch Day

Singles Awareness Day

On this day…

270 AD – A priest of Rome by the name of Valentine is beheaded after defying the King and conducting illegal marriages.  A tale is told surrounding this tragedy, that he would write letters to the jailor’s daughter signed “Your Valentine”.

1779 – Captain James Cook is killed by an angry mob of Hawaiians over the possible theft of one of his ships

 1876 – Alexander Graham Bell applies for a patent of the telephone

1920 – The League of Women Voters is formed

1929 – The infamous St. Valentine’s Day Massacre occurs in Chicago when 7 of Bugsy Moran’s gang are killed by some of Al Capones men who are dressed as cops.

1948 – Bill France Sr. puts together the National Association of Stock Car Racing – NASCAR

1965 – The Canadian Flag is hoisted over Parliament Hill for the first time

2005 – Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jared Karim come up with a web site called You Tube

Happy Birthday to…

Enjoy the day and make it your own

Most Awesome God, Thank You for Love and thank you for my beautiful wife.  Amen.

Thank you to National Day Calendar; National Today; History.com; Britannica.com; Wikipedia; on this day.com

#ValentinesDay, #NationalDonorDay, #PetTheftAwarenessDay, #CreamFilledChocolateDay, #NationalFerrisWheelDay, #Enjoythedayandmakeityourown

Happy Birthday to Frederick Douglass, Christopher Latham Sholes, Jack Benny, Jimmy Hoffa, Florence Henderson, Carl Bernstein, Gregory Hines, Rob Thomas