Ways to Celebrate Valentine’s

Chocolate Soldier’s wares. Last spring, a U.S. Marine stationed in Afghanistan contacted managers of Casa Laguna Inn and Spa, 2510 S. Coast Highway, to enlist their help in his plans to propose to his girlfriend on a surprise trip home.

He asked the best friend of his intended to take her to the inn for a girls’ getaway. At the suggestion of the Casa Laguna staff, the property’s bell tower was chosen for the setting, and the staff decorated it with flowers and candles. When the two women arrived, the best friend asked her companion to meet her in the bell tower. As if scripted in a movie, when the unknowing bride-to-be saw the flowers, she paused thinking they couldn’t be for her. Then, according to the hotel’s general manager Kathryn Mace, “When her Marine stepped out into view, we could hear the girl’s screams echo across the Casa Laguna grounds.”

With Valentine’s Day just nine days away, romantics envisioning a similar fairytale proposal better get moving. Fortunately, whether a wedding proposal is in your plans or not, Laguna Beach offers a bouquet full of ways to celebrate, ranging from romantic inns, gourmet take-home picnics, a reggae concert and even an offbeat green version, a paen to love and Mother Earth.

Romantically

Though no cupid has yet asked Casa Laguna for special assistance this Valentine’s Day, the hotel does offer a “Passion Package,” among other specials. And the hide-away hotel is nearly fully booked for the romantic weekend.

Other restaurants and hotels around town are doing their part to make the day special for lovebirds.

Casey Spies-Bruno, a spokeswoman for Montage resort, fields an array of requests for assistance with proposals around Feb. 14. One included hiring a skywriter to write “Will you marry me?” Last year, they set up special cabana on the oceanfront lawn for another proposal. In addition to flowers, it was outfitted with an iPod playing music, dinner catered by the Studio restaurant with a custom menu and a classical harpist who played before the question was posed.

At Hotel La Casa del Camino, 1289 S. Coast Highway, certain room packages include champagne, fresh strawberries and breakfast for two. And the hotel’s restaurants have a special Valentine’s Day menu for two, which will be served in two seatings at four tables at their ocean view Rooftop Lounge, as well as at all tables in the street level K’ya Bistro. Call 497-2446 for more information.

Across the street, Sapphire restaurant at the Old Pottery Place, 1200 S. Coast Highway, is enticing sweethearts with a Valentine’s Day prix fixe menu from 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Chef Azmin Ghahreman admitted, “We do have a guest that we are helping with his wedding proposal, but I can’t say anymore, since it’s a surprise.” Sapphire will also provide a Valentine’s Day Brunch Box throughout the weekend at $24.50 per person, packed with goodies for couples who want to get cozy earlier in the day. Sapphire Pantry, next door to the restaurant, is also taking orders for “Ready-to-Go Be My Valentine” dinners, for those who prefer a private setting for this three-course gourmet meal at $42 per person. Call 715-9888 or visit www.sapphirelaguna. com for more information.

Watermarc, 448 S. Coast Highway, already booked 100 reservations, all for twos, for Valentine’s Day, said Lucy Delgadillo, general manager. This is the restaurant’s first Valentine’s Day, so they don’t yet have stories about rings in chocolate soufflés, but, said Delgado, “It’ll be fun when we do!”

With Chocolate

If you do nothing else for your valentine, chocolate will only make it better. (And, hey, who says you have to give it to anyone?)

The Chocolate Soldier, at 1200 S. Coast Highway, is taking special orders in a variety of packaging. They supply truffles in heart boxes, ranging from the four-piece size for $10.50 to the 16-piece size for $30. And at La Rue du Chocolat in Peppertree Lane downtown, 448 S. Coast Highway, various sizes of truffle-filled heart boxes range from $15.50 to $45. They say the chocolate dipped strawberries, at $3.50 per piece, tend to be very popular this time of year, as well.

Valentine of a Different Color

Green Valentine will hold their second annual festival over Valentine’s Day weekend at the Neighborhood Congregational Church, with events planned Friday through Sunday. The Green Valentine mission is to inspire simple green-living ways while celebrating those already in action.

Festival events kick off Friday, Feb. 12, with a 5 p.m. gala dinner, auction, entertainment and the Pachamama Alliance Symposium on sustainability, spirituality and social justice.

The green festivities continue from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 12, with food and entertainment for all ages. Highlights include music by Birdsong & the Eco Wonders, a performance by Jason Feddy at 5 p.m. and a 7 p.m. NAAM yoga class with Lemia and Joshua, as well as an environmental film festival. The day culminates with a concert of Conscious Groove and Kirtan music headlined by performer Dave Stringer.

A blessings ceremony led by Linda Crow and Michele Anderson begins the day on Sunday, Feb. 14, a valentine offering of sorts to Mother Earth. A yoga class, meditation workshop and a dancing and moving meditation class are among the day’s activities that will culminate with a drumming circle from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The gala dinner costs is $50 per person, or $85 per couple, and includes all weekend activities. Entry to the festival on Saturday and Sunday is free. Each class or workshop is $5; the Dave Stringer concert is $20. Or, patrons can purchase a $25 weekend pass. For info: visit http:// web.me.com/angelb3/greenvalentine/ 2010.html.

Dancing to Reggae

If your “one love” is reggae music, check out HelpBlueWater. com’s fourth annual V-Day One Love reggae festival to be hosted by Club M, 680 S. Coast Highway, from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Feb. 14. Poet, Shakespearean actor and storyteller John Gardiner will emcee the concert, which will feature Grammy-nominated Pato Banton, as well as Southern California Reggae luminaries the Rebel Rockers and World Anthem. Tickets are $30 per person and can be purchased at The Mail Stop, 1278 Glenneyre, by calling 573-8624, or by sending an e-mail to rickconkey@gmail.com.