Romantic or realist? Ideas for Valentine’s Day

Romantics and realists take heed: Valentine’s Day is coming.

You can thank Geoffrey Chaucer, he of the Canterbury Tales fame, and his 14th century pals for linking romantic love to the feast of St. Valentine. It was Chaucer’s poem, “The Parlement of Foules,” that said Valentine’s Day is the day of love birds. It follows a dreaming narrator visiting the temple of love to find Nature holding a parliament for which the birds can choose their mates.

Some birds are even left without dates.

So treat the holiday with good sincerity or fun irony; I’m sure Chaucer would approve of both. Here are a few ideas of how to make a light-hearted day with your friends, family or significant other.

Bees do it …

Following Chaucer’s example, get some love tips from the animal kingdom. Science on Tap Vancouver will be presenting “An Animal’s Guide to Dating Success” at 7 p.m. Wednesday. From crazy dancing to sex changes, animals have unusual strategies for attracting their mates. Professor Allison Coffin of Washington State University Vancouver will explain the different ways to impress someone at the Kiggins Theatre, 1011 Main St., Vancouver. There’s a suggested cover of $8 to $10. www.viaproductions.org

Guidance achieved, you can now proceed to the general flowchart of “What-to-Do.” There is no wrong answer, so choose your own adventure.

Cheap thrills

The best things in life are (almost) free. The Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge has a great walking loop on its Carty Unit. The Oaks to Wetlands Trail is open during daylight hours, and it’s an especially great chance to spot wintering waterfowl, such as swans. It’s a $3 entry fee per car. The Carty Unit entrance is at 28908 N.W. Main Ave., Ridgefield. Grab breakfast or lunch at Pioneer Street Café and Bakery, 207 Pioneer St., Ridgefield.

If gloomy weather isn’t a deterrent, take your loved ones on an adventure to Moulton Falls County Park, 27781 N.E. Lucia Falls Road, Yacolt. A 2.6-mile trail links three waterfalls, the arch bridge over the East Fork Lewis River and volcanic rock formations. The park includes parking and multiple picnic spots. The park is also connected to the larger Bells Mountain Trail, a 7.1-mile shared-use trail that offers glimpses of Mount St. Helens and Mount Adams. Be sure to pack for adventure. Perhaps some heart-shaped sandwiches and cuddling under picnic blankets?

Chocolate-coated kisses

Or spend the weekend upping your knowledge of viticulture. Local wineries will be hosting the classic pairing of wine and chocolate during the self-guided Valentine’s Weekend Wine and Chocolate Tour. From noon to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, visitors can share a tasting glass and sweet treats. A complete list of participating wineries and a map is available online. Tasting fees and activities vary by location. www.clarkcountywine.com

Dining delights

For meals not consisting of just wine and chocolate, Clark County has dining options for all kinds of moods. For the traditional romantics, here are the places fit for reservations: Willem’s on Main, 907 Main St., Vancouver, will be offering a specific three-course meal for Valentine’s Day. The Grant House, 1101 Officers Row, Vancouver, will offer a five-course meal for Valentine’s at $55 per person. Harvest Restaurant, 401 N.E. Fourth Ave., Camas, will be offering aphrodisiac-inspired specials. Meanwhile, neighborhood spot Farrars Bistro, 12514 N.W. 36th Ave., Vancouver, and Italian purveyor Pasta Gigis, 819 S.E. 14th Loop, Battle Ground, will be hosting their own dinner specials. Feast at 316, 316 Dallas St., Camas, is a new steakhouse that’s recently opened in the heart of downtown Camas. And Charlie’s Bodega, 1220 Main St., Vancouver, has switched to a Spanish tapas-style menu.

For those seeking more adventurous flavors, Petra House, N.E. 162nd Ave., Vancouver; Nuestra Mesa, 228 N.E. Fourth Ave., Camas or Keo Thai Cuisine, 1800 S.W. Ninth Ave., Battle Ground, all offer a bit of spice. Twilight Pizza Bistro, 1905 S.E. 192nd Ave., Camas, is a great place to share a love of meat, veggies and crust.

Cinema rendezvous

Two R-rated movies are opening Valentine’s weekend, and they’re on vastly different spectrums. “Fifty Shades of Grey” takes romance to a more intimate place, while “Kingsman: The Secret Service” is a love letter to British spy films. If neither tickles your fancy, there are plenty of Oscar contenders to catch in the theater.

Plus the documentary “The Age of Love” will host a local screening in honor of Valentine’s Day. It follows the adventures of 30 seniors after a speed dating event for 70- to 90-year-olds and the seniors who seek a new chance at love. The screening will be held at 6 p.m. at Prestige Senior Living Bridgewood, 11700 N.E. Angelo Drive, Vancouver. Admission is free. Call 360-254-4666 to RSVP. theageoflovemovie.com

Why not brunch?

For early risers, try breakfast in bed with pastries from Bleu Door Bakery, 2413 Main St., Vancouver, House of the Rising Buns, 1804 N.W. 119th St., Vancouver, or Battle Ground Bakery, 1910 West Main St., Battle Ground. Brunch is a viable way to a person’s heart with comfortable options like OurBar, 1887 Main St., Washougal, whip cream-topped crepes at Mon Ami, 1906 Main St., Vancouver, and the quintessential Breakfast at Valerie’s, 516 S.E. Chkalov Drive, Vancouver.

Trip the light fantastic

Travel to the Venersborg woods for the nostalgic Sweetheart’s Dance. Couples 18 years and older can enjoy a night of dancing with music, photo station, refreshments and door prizes from 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday at the Venersborg School House, 24309 N.E. 209th St., Battle Ground. Admission is a suggested donation of $3, and $5 for a couple. 360-666-4829 or www.venersborg.blogspot.com

Re-creating the era of World War II USO dances, the Pearson Air Museum’s hangar will come alive with music of the 1940s from the 20-piece Beacock’s Swing Band. Attendees at the Hangar Dance can learn a few swing dance steps, enjoy light refreshments and a silent auction, benefiting the education programs at the national historic site. The event runs 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday at the Pearson Air Museum, 1115 E. Fifth St., Vancouver. Tickets are $15. 360-816-6230 or www.nps.gov/fova

Songs of the heart

For less dancing and more music, “The Boogie Cat” Norman Sylvester and other local musicians will be putting on a big Valentine’s Day concert to benefit the Clark County Veterans Garden Project. Art Miller, Eric John Kaiser, Amber Sweeney, and the Ricky Lee Jackson Band with Shawna Quade will join Sylvester. The concert includes desserts and beverages, from 3 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday at Gaiser Student Center, Clark College, 1933 Fort Vancouver Way, Vancouver. Tickets are $25 to $30. 360-907-2391 or www.clarkcountyvetscourtboard.org

Soprano Catherine van der Salm will give a performance of love songs 7 p.m. Saturday at St. Luke’s — San Lucas Episcopal Church, 426 E. Fourth Plain Blvd., Vancouver; free, donations encouraged. She has performed with the Cappella Romana, the Portland Baroque Orchestra, In Mulieribus and Chor Anno. 360-696-0182 or www.stlukesvancouver.com

The Winds and Strings host its annual Celtic Benefit Concert for the Winter Hospitality Overflow Shelters. The concert will include piper Sophie Anna McDuffey and traditional tunes. The concerts will be at 3 p.m. Saturday at St. Andrew Lutheran Church, 5607 N.E. Gher Road, Vancouver, and 3 p.m. Sunday at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 1309 Franklin St., Vancouver. Admission is free, donations are encouraged. www.facebook.com/windsstrings

Pianist Thomas Rheingans and Ensemble will perform a concert dedicated to the City of Lights, and how it’s inspired American composers, artists and writers for over a century. The concert will include a piano transcription of Gershwin’s piece “An American in Paris,” along with other jazz, tango, French art songs and Christian praise music. The concert begins at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Mill Plain United Methodist Church, 15804 S.E. Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver. Admission is free, donations are encouraged for Share Vancouver. www.millplainumc.org