3641 N. 56th Street, Phoenix • 480-945-9537 • poppreschool.com Northeast corner of 56th St. and Indian School Preschool Registration for Fall 2016 begins on February 1 for New Families Prince of Peace Preschool is ideally located in the heart of the Arcadia neighborhood. Established in 1967, we value our rich history and are honored to serve the families of the close-knit Arcadia community. We appreciate the generations of families that have passed through our school and we look forward to watching future generations grow and learn with us during their precious preschool years. We provide every child with a great preschool experience that includes: Experienced and Loving Teachers Developmentally-Appropriate Toys and Activities Weekly Chapel and Afternoon Enrichment Classes Large Classrooms, Playgrounds and a Gymnasium For Children Ages 2-5 Hours: 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. We welcome you to our school and invite you to call us at 480-947-5645 to schedule a tour during February. Arcadia Cares: Food for Kidz Packathon Saturday, February 27, 2016 9:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m. in our gym Join us for this community event to help feed the hungry. Page 32 February 2016 By Josh Cutlip Valentine’s Day is marketed primarily for couples, but it doesn’t have to be so exclusive. Yes, a fancy dinner can be nice with that special someone, but there are many ways to celebrate your night with (or without) a date! 5. Host a pot luck Valentine’s Day is supposed to be about celebrating love, and food is definitely one thing that everybody loves. If you invite a dozen of your friends over, tell them to bring their favorite dish (make sure everyone doesn’t bring a dessert), and you will have the tastiest party of the night. This can be a fun way to celebrate the day of love, whether you have a date or not. But if you make tasty food, you might have a valentine by the end of the night! 4. Movie night It’s a good thing all of your friends are at your place for the potluck you hosted, because you just happen to have your favorite romantic comedy on DVD. What a coincidence! There are plenty of romance movies to share with that special someone, or you can easily find rom-coms (romantic comedies) on Netflix to enjoy with a group. Again, this is date optional. 3. Ice skating February is still technically winter, even if it doesn’t always feel like it. What better way to woo your boo than by showing some slick moves on the ice? (Don’t worry; there is still time to practice). Arcadia Ice is only a short drive away, and according to their schedule they will be open from 10 p.m. to 12 a.m. on February 14! For $5.50 per adult, this is a fun and easy way to celebrate with a date, or any number of friends. 2. Ice cream What a long night. You ate some great food with your friends, watched a great movie, showed off your skating skills, and now you are hungry again? Have no fear because ice cream is near. Whether you have a valentine or not, some of the local ice cream shops are too good to resist. The Gelato Spot on Scottsdale Road in Old Town Scottsdale is good. The Sugar Bowl is a classic (although it might be crowded), and The Stand has the best milkshakes in town. Maybe call ahead to find out how crowded the restaurant is, since there are plenty of spots close by that will satisfy your screams for ice cream. 1. Dinner Okay, I had to include the classic “date night” event. So, if you’re reading this and you aren’t too confident in your culinary skills, I have a couple dining suggestions. Blanco Tacos & Tequila on Scottsdale Road is great; I love Mexican food and they have an eclectic mix of delicious tacos for a good price. The nachos are also a must. Houston’s (also on Scottsdale Road) is a bit more upscale, but if you can grab a table for two you won’t be disappointed. Before you go, know that this menu is not vegetarian friendly. Lastly, Italian is my go-to, and La Bocca on Mill Avenue delivers with its marvelous menu. They have bruschetta of all kinds and flavors, paired with salads, pastas and incredible personal pizzas that are sure to impress any date. There are dozens of ways to spend this unique holiday, but whatever your plans are for Valentine’s Day, don’t forget to express love to the important things in life: family, friends and, of course, food. Gimme 5 – Celebrate Valentine’s Day with or without a date