STYLE Media and Design

A DAY IN THE LAND OF LOVE

Though a dozen roses may be the quickest way to say “I love you,” carving out a day to enjoy together really brings the message home. Take a day this month to see and experience Loveland with your sweetheart. Here is our version of the perfect day in Loveland.

Loveland Photography by Warren Diggles

MORNING DELIGHT:

Start your morning off right with a Loveland favorite: head over to Loveland Coffee Company and snuggle by the fire. Loveland Coffee Co.’s beans are roasted locally and the coffee is always fresh. Indulge in tasty Latte or try the French Roast or Breakfast Blend. If you are a sweets lover, have a warm cinnamon roll or pastry for breakfast along with your coffee. For heartier fare, try a locally made breakfast burrito.

Loveland Coffee Company, (970) 278-1221, 620 East 29th Street

A LITTLE RELAXATION:

After coffee, head east on Highway 34 to Vogue Laser Clinic for a little pampering to start the day off right. Our suggestion for her: a Salt Glow Body Wrap that combines exfoliation, hydration and relaxing massage strokes. For him: try the Massage for Men, a deep tissue massage with essential oils. Just the right thing to invigorate you for the day ahead.

Vogue Laser Clinic, (970) 593-3009, 1625 Foxtrail Dr., Suite 260

ART STROLL:

Now for a little exercise: head outdoors to Centerra and stroll through the Chapungu Sculpture Park. The park is open year-round with a display of 82 sculptures from Zimbabwe. The sculptures represent eight themes: Nature, Village Life, The Role of the Elders, The Spiritual World, Role of Women, Customs and Legends, and Children and Family. Each theme has ten sculptures to represent it, showcasing the breathtaking work of contemporary African artists.

Chapungu Sculpture Park, Promenade Shops at Centerra

LUNCH OR HAPPY HOUR:

After some fresh air and artistic reflection, with a little perusal through the shops at Centerra thrown in, stop in at Bent Fork the Grill for an early happy hour (seven days a week, starting at 3p.m.). Their $3 draft beer or house wine and $5 martinis are a perfect way to catch your breath. Take a look at their selection of light meals for lunch. Our favorite menu items: the fresh Strawberry Brie and Chicken Salad, served with pecans and balsamic vinaigrette or, if looking to share, try the Asiago Artichoke Dip - a perfect warm-up after a brisk walk outdoors.

Bent Fork the Grill, (970) 613-9333, 5971 Sky Pond Drive, Suite C-106, Promenade Shops at Centerra

A SWEET TREAT AFTER LUNCH:

Sunny Jim’s Candy Ranch, on your way back to downtown Loveland, is a family-owned candy store with more than 260 types of candy. But the Valentine’s holiday at Sunny Jim’s is something special. Stop in to see their ornate confections, like the heart-shaped boxes made of chocolate (milk, dark and white), which can be purchased fully loaded with goodies or empty to fill as you please.

Sunny Jim’s Candy Ranch, (970) 667-5075, 5431 West US Highway 34

WALK OFF THE SUGAR:

Continue your enjoyment of Loveland’s art culture with a trip to the Chapungu Sculpture Gallery. Walk through the gallery and look for treasures to take home. Through Valentine’s Day, the Gallery will be holding their Winter Sale, with discounts ranging from 20 to 50 percent off. Purchase or don’t, but it is definitely worth a trip to see the beautiful sculptures. See Lawrence Mukomberanwa’s “Spirit Protecting Children,” 2002, on page 35.Continue to Loveland’s historic downtown and wander through the art galleries and studios scattered along Fourth Street and beyond.

Don’t miss Gallery East on 229 East 10th St. or Columbine Gallery on 2683 N. Taft Ave. Chapungu Gallery, (970) 461-8020, 1052 N. Boise, Unit B

A LITTLE SHOPPING:

Try Cloz to Home on Fourth Street for an eclectic mix of clothing and home décor. The trendy space is a Loveland mainstay and features unique items for the home, from sumptuous furniture to candles and coasters. Their clothing line offers versatile pieces, both trendy and timeless, complete with a full range of accessories and jewelry.

Cloz to Home, (970) 203-9992, 120 E. 4th Street

Loveland Photography by Warren Diggles

DOWNTOWN FOR DINNER:

Dine at a Loveland tradition, the historic 4th Street Chophouse. Begin your evening with the Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes, served with Cajun remoulade and corn relish, while soaking in the ambience of the 1890s building and 1930s decor. As your main course, try the melt-in-your-mouth Blue Cheese Filet, an 8 oz. filet grilled and topped with a Maytag Blue Cheese encrustment. If you make your trek during Valentine’s weekend, don’t miss 4th Street Chophouse’s Lobster Special. Finish your meal with their crème brulée of the night. Delicious.

The 4th Street Chophouse, (970) 613-8287, 125 East 4th Street, www.4thstchophouse.com

Loveland Photography by Warren Diggles

NIGHT OUT ON THE TOWN:

With the sun down and your hunger satiated, head to the Rialto Theater, a short block away. The historic theater has a show playing almost every night. Here are a few excellent choices for Valentine’s weekend:

Friday, Feb. 12 at 8 p.m.: Couples in Love & Music. Three couples share tales of their lives making music together. An intimate performance designed for lovers. Ticket cost: $18 for adults, $14 seniors/students.

Saturday, Feb. 13 at 7:30 p.m.: Best Comedy Shorts from the Trimedia Film Festival. Enjoy these short films with clips of love and comedy throughout. Ticket cost: $15 adults, $10 seniors/students.

Sunday, Feb. 14 at 7 p.m.: An Affair To Remember. This 1957 classic love story stars Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr. Engaged to marry other people when they meet on a cruise ship, they pledge to meet six months later on top of the Empire State Building. Ticket cost: $10.

See the full schedule of shows at Rialto’s website, www.ci.loveland.co.us/Rialto/Rialto.htm. Rialto Theatre, (970) 962.2120, 228 E. Fourth Street

February in Loveland is a magical place. We hope you can experience all it has to offer this year.

MAIL YOUR LOVE

This year is the 64th annual Valentine cachet tradition at the Loveland Post Office. Every year, more than 50 volunteers hand stamp mail with a personalized postal cancellation and custom-made cachet. The world-famous cachet has appeared in more than 110 countries, with a grand total of more than 200,000 Valentine’s cachets mailed each year.

Customize any piece of mail by sending it to the Loveland post office no later than February 11 for in-state mailing. The annual “Love-In” began February 1st and will end on Valentine’s Day. Duane Kaye, Loveland Post Office’s Valentine coordinator, has experienced the tradition for 14 years and his words explain it best, “This is just a journey of love,” he says with a laugh.

The cachet, chosen by the Loveland Chamber of Commerce each year, is the result of a local contest for the artistic design and verse. This year’s cachet had a winning design by Teresa Boynton and verse by Stan Griep, both Loveland residents. This is Griep’s first year to produce a winning cachet verse. Boynton, however, is a champion design and verse creator: she has provided five cachet designs in previous years and two winning verses.

Drop your valentine in the red boxes outside of the Loveland Post Office or at a local King Soopers supermarket. Can’t make it to either? Enclose your valentine in a pre-addressed envelope, affixed with the proper postage, in a larger 1st class envelope and send to:

Postmaster – Attention Valentines
446 East 29th Street
Loveland, CO 80538

Valentines will be stamped and sent on their way. For more information call (970) 663-3010.

Each year the Loveland Chamber of Commerce produces the Official Loveland Valentine Card, a unique design by local artists and residents who contribute the design on the front of the card and the inside verse. This year’s card features a design by Tracie Jenkins and card verse by Wanda Quist, both first time winners of the contest.

The card is available for purchase online at the Chamber’s website, www.loveland.org, or by calling (970) 667-6311.