LOCAL WINERIES (ALL OVER) — Most of the wineries and vineyards of S.W. Washington (Rusty Grape Vineyard, Bethany Vineyard, Three Brothers Vineyard & Winery, East Fork Cellars, and Confluence Vineyards and Winery) have joined forces to bring you an evening of local wine and chocolates. Each winery will be open from 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. and feature a different local chocolatier at each place. This event is a great way to get to know your local wine and chocolate scene, as well as to get to know your county. (Various locations around SW Washington; Saturday, Feb. 14, 11am-6-pm; call 513.9338 or e-mail info@rustygrapevineyard.com for more info.)

AROUND THE TABLE (CAMAS) — Let someone else cook for you and your paramour this year for Valentine’s Day. Around the Table will feature a four-course prix fixe menu of seasonal delights. Around the Table also offers a Valentine’s take-home meal with delicious seasonal sides and your choice of entrée and dessert. Order by Thursday, Feb. 12. (Around the Table, 316 NE Dallas Street; in-restaurant dinner Saturday, Feb. 14, 7 p.m., $35, reservations required; take-home dinner for two $25 - $43; reservations required; call 834.0171, e-mail aroundthetable@comcast.net or visit www.aroundthetable.net to make reservations for either meal.)

1220 MAIN (DOWNTOWN) — 1220 Main Street Restaurant & Bar is throwing a SWEETHEART DINNER FOR TWO on Valentine’s Day, featuring a menu spanning the culinary spectrum with everything from pan-seared sea scallops, sautéed prawns and Petit Filet, all the way to sorbet, champagne and chocolate-dipped strawberries. Make it easy on yourself… (1220 Main Street; 5p.m., 6p.m.; 7p.m. & 8p.m. seating available; $60 per couple; call 448.2020 or visit www.1220main.com for more info.)

MINT TEA (DOWNTOWN) — Celebrate the Day of Love with a little international flavor and dine on the Moroccan-inspired tagin-based dishes of Mint Tea. A tagine is a Moroccan style of slowly cooking foods. Chef Ashley Miller is preparing a special menue sure to please for dinners on both the Friday, Valentines Day Eve, and on Valentines Day itself. Biss’ha! (Mint Tea, 2014 Main Street; $15-$19; call 699-4991 or email ElBaraka2@aol.com for more info.)

FEB. 19 — Knowing that my grandparents lived through the Great Depression and knew a time without TV is amazing to me. Especially when, just today, I read about a Google technology that will allow one person to track another person in real time. Technophobes and technophiles alike must raise an eyebrow at that one. This kind of thing always makes me wonder what it will be that makes future generations marvel at what I lived through, or what I lived with or without. I always assume that cheap, potable water running through the sinks, showers, toilets, and hoses will be of note. Who knows, though, right?
This month, learn about THE FUTURE OF OUR DOMESTIC WATER SUPPLY. The all-star panel lineup includes Dennis Dykes (licensed hydrologist/Bright Fields Groundwater), Tom Loringer (Manager of Water Resources/Dept. of Ecology), Scott Sawyer (Public Works Director and City Engineer/City of Battle Ground), Patty Page (Clark Co. Clean Water Commission), and Steve Prather (Water Quality Manager/Clark Public Utilities). Moderated by Dave Seabrook (Chair/Public Health Advisory Council). (Vancouver Community Library Hall, 1007 E Mill Plain Blvd.; free to the public; 7 - 9 p.m.; call 695.1561 for more info.)

FEB. 21 — Much can be said about Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States of America. He was president through the nation’s largest internal crisis, and managed not only to keep the nation together but was able to issue the Emancipation Proclamation in the midst of it. He was assassinated, which may not be the best way to go, but leaves a lasting impression. He is also one of the weirdest looking men in American history, and it is that transfixing mug that resides on the U.S. penny — a coin as ubiquitous (yet elusive) as Lincoln himself.
If you’d like to learn more about Lincoln, then be sure to attend the LINCOLN REMEMBERED event in celebration of the Bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln’s birthday. Activities include historical re-enactments, kids’ crafts and games, music, birthday cake and more. This event is presented by the City of Vancouver, the Center for Columbia River History, the National Park Service, the Vancouver National Historic Reserve Trust, the Oregon Lincoln Bicentennial Commission, and penny-pinchers everywhere. (Pearson Air Museum, 1115 E 5th St.; 1-4 p.m.; free; call 258.3289 or e-mail info@ccrh.org for more info.)

FEB. 22 — They’ve been shining their instruments, wetting their reeds, and practicing feverishly for months, and now the time has come for the ultimate symphonic smackdown: THE VANCOUVER SYMPHONY YOUNG ARTISTS COMPETITION. The top three local student instrumental finalists in each of three categories will play in concert to win a scholarship and a chance to perform with The VSO April 18 and 19. My money’s on a tubist this year. (Vancouver School for Arts and Academics’ Royal Durst Theatre, 3101 Main St.; 2 - 4 p.m.; free; call 313.4600 for more info.)

FEB. 24 — Fat Tuesday is getting fatter this year and Downtown Vancouver bars are stuffing the monkey (whatever that means). Participate in the DOWNTOWN VANCOUVER MARDI GRAS PUB HOP. Each participating bar (Top Shelf, Dublin Down, Shanahana’s, Captian’s, North Bank, and Pepper’s) wil have a different color of beads to collect. Collect all the strands and make your way (be it walk, crawl, or roll) to Pepper’s to enter a raffle for a Wii. Catholic or not, Mardi Gras represents a purging of all all your earthly desires before Ash Wednesday rolls around and Lent begins. Purge thyself (Begins aroudn 8 p.m. See participating bars for more info).

FEB. 26 — A lot has happened in Vancouver in the past year (most notably, the decision to bring that “evil, filth-ridden crime train” over the river), so this year’s STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS given by Mayor Royce E. Pollard should be pretty damn interesting. The theme of this year’s address is “Accelerate Through the Curves.” What that actually means remains a mystery. Doors will open at 9 a.m. with the speech starting at 10 a.m. Attendees are asked to bring a donation of non-perishable food for the Salvation Army Stop Hunger Warehouse. The event is open to the public, though registration is required. (Heritage Ballroom at the Hilton Vancouver, 301 W 6th St.; doors open at 9:30am, speech begins at 10am; free, but registration is required; call 487.8000 or e-mail alexis.bafus@ci.vancouver.wa.us to register or for more info.)

FEB. 22 — If hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, I’d like to pit her up against an unhappy bride. Seriously, weddings have become so outrageously tedious and inflated with high expectations that they take months to plan and decades to save for. I mean, it’s only the most important day of your life, right??? No pressure, though. What could possible go wrong?
This month, engaged couples can shop their options and get a little help at the FIRSTENBURG BRIDAL SHOW featuring photographers, caterers, wedding dress/tuxedo boutiques, and more. Look for me — I’ll be the one weaving up and down the catering row shamelessly sampling all the cake and champagne. (Firstenburg Community Center, 700 NE 136th Ave.; free; noon – 4 p.m.; call 487.7005 for more info.)

FEB. 13 — The Spring 2009 WSU Vancouver Chancellor’s Seminar Series will host Dr. Bob Ritter to speak on obesity research in a talk entitled GUT FEELING: HOW THE GUT TRIES TO TELL THE BRAIN TO STOP. I’ll be holding out for the follow-up presentation, “Flavor: How the Mouth Tells the Gut and Brain to Pipe Down, I’m Enjoying These French Fries and They’re Gooooood.” (WSUV, Firstenburg Student Commons,14204 NE Salmon Creek Ave.; $25, includes lunch; noon-1:30pm; call 694.2588 or e-mail barbrah@vancouver.wsu.edu for more info.)

FEB. 14 — Tickets go on sale for the July 10 COLDPLAY show at The Amphitheater at Clark County. Coldplay, four-time Grammy® winners and the musical equivalent of Love Potion #9, will launch their North American tour at The Amphitheater at Clark County. So, if you’ve been trying to get that special someone to fall for your sexy self (or re-fall, as the case may be), let Coldplay work their heartstring magic and enjoy the fruits of their musical labor. (The Amphitheater at Clark County, 17200 NE Delfel Road, Ridgefield; 10 a.m.; $35-$97.50; call 573.7700 or visit either ticketmaster.com or livenation.com to buy tickets.)