Polk County
Living
Polk County Itemizer-Observer • February 11, 2015 7A
VALENTINE’S DAY
ON THE CHEAP
10 things you can do for $20 or less in Polk County on the holiday of love
makes it easy to head north to Rickreall past
fields and Lavender Lake Farms. While the
farm is not in bloom, the lavender gift shop
is open. After the ride, you could share a
lunch plate at one of downtown Mon-
mouth’s restaurants — maybe even split
a pint of beer.
By Jolene Guzman
and Emily Mentzer
The Itemizer-Observer
R
oses, chocolates, wine and can-
dlelight dinners. All are perfect
for Valentine’s Day, but those
options can get expensive and cliche.
If you don’t mind trading the
roses for an actual experience in
nature, chocolates for a delicious
mocha, and reservations for a ro-
mantic dinner at home, you get
out of the typical Valentine’s rou-
tine — and save a little money at
the same time.
Polk County has much to offer —
and a lot of it can be done without
breaking the bank. Here is a list of
ideas that can be done for $10 to $20,
whether it be a few hours in the after-
noon or evening, or an all-day affair with
your someone special on Saturday, to
spice up a romance without leaving your
pocketbook hurting.
• Start a private book club
• Vino for your Valentine
If you’ve never been, or even if it’s old hat,
heading out to local vineyards for some sip-
ping and sightseeing is a lovely way to
spend a
few hours.
The
sweeping
views
from most of Polk
County’s wineries
are impressive on
their own, and even
more relaxing and
romantic while en-
joying a taste of the
Eola Amity Hills
American Viticulture
Area.
Many Polk County
wineries offer tastings —
often a half flight — for $5 per
person. One offers up to seven
tastings for free — Eola Hills
Winery. Airlie Winery takes donations to the
local food bank in exchange for tastings.
And if you’ve never been, don’t underesti-
mate the quality of Polk County wines —
they’re some of the best available anywhere.
• Make it a ‘chick flick!’
Ah, the date classic. To be polite to other
movie-watchers, you shouldn’t do a lot of
talking, but what is more romantic than
holding hands in a darkened
theater?
Polk County has two
movie theaters, one is a
multi-screen complex,
Independence Cine-
ma, giving you
and your date
plenty of choices
on what to see.
The other, the
Fox Theatre in
Dallas, is a single-
screen restored the-
ater with a long history in the community.
With ticket prices ranging from $5 to
$7.25 for matinees and $7 to $9.75 for
evening shows, this fits nicely into the
“cheap date” budget.
From action flicks to animated movies,
from thrillers to Oscar-nominated films, you
should be able to find something to fit your
movie-going taste this Valentine’s Day.
• How ’bout a coffee date?
The best thing about the comfortable
confines of the many and varying coffee
shops and bakeries in
Polk County is
they are perfect
for conversa-
tion.
Whether it
be Rick’s Place
in Monmouth,
Courtyard Cof-
feehouse in
Dallas, Lion’s
Share Coffee
and Bakery in Inde-
pendence, The Bread
Board in Falls City or Pressed in Dallas —
where you can also enjoy a glass of wine
and live music — a coffee date is a great
way to get to know your Valentine a little
better.
Even
better?
All of those
aforemen-
tioned establish-
ments offer menus
of sweet treats or light
plates to share.
• Go take a walk or hike
Polk County is packed full of park trails
and easy hiking at Baskett Slough or Luckia-
mute State Natural Area.
Many little parks scattered around have
excellent walking paths, some of those are
paved for easier access for those with dis-
abilities.
Getting outdoors and getting your blood
pumping with some exercise is a great way
to spend a heart healthy afternoon while
adding a dose of romance, walking hand-in-
hand.
The best part about taking a hike? It’s free.
Bring a picnic or snacks, and a good pair
of comfortable shoes. As you eat, see what
kind of birds you can spot. Birding is a
hobby that can be done alone or together,
and smartphone apps can be downloaded
to help with identification — also for free.
If taking your picnic to Baskett Slough, we
suggest eating lunch tailgating style in the
parking lot as there are no picnic tables
along the trail and the ground could be too
soggy for a blanket.
Speaking of soggy, you might want to
dress for raindrops, but a little rain shouldn’t
put the damper on your Valentine’s Day ad-
venture. This is Oregon after all.
what
your
skill
level.
“It’s a sport
that anyone can
do,” she said. “It
doesn’t matter how old
you are. Seniors can enjoy
it just as a much as teenagers.”
• Square dancing at Guthrie Park
Grab your partner and take a swing at an
old-fashioned square dance at Guthrie Park
Community Center on Valentine’s Day from
7 to 10 p.m.
“It’s a good way to socialize, but have fun
at the same time,” said Sally Clark, manager
of Guthrie Park. “You get to act like a kid
again. You mess up and nobody cares.”
The caller will teach all the dances, so no
experience is necessary.
Admission is just $5 — $10 for a pair — so
there’s money left over at the end of the
night for an ice cream sundae.
Guthrie Park Community Center is just a
few miles south of Dallas on Kings Valley
Highway.
If you are to the point in your relationship
where you don’t mind the thought of having
your sweetie see you in oh-so-flattering
bowling shoes, planning a trip to Starlite
Lanes in Dallas could make for a unique
and, well, goofy Valentine’s date experience
you might never forget.
Janine Leep, a longtime employee at Star-
lite Lanes, said it is not uncommon to have
couples come in for a game or two on their
date night.
“We have people come bowling before
they go to dinner or come over after din-
ner,” she said.
With games at $3 per
person and shoe
rental at $2.50 per
person, you could
bowl two games
each and have
enough left over
for a couple of
sodas on a $20 budget,
Leep said.
She added bowling
can be fun, no matter
• Enjoy a meal and movie at home
If you don’t feel like venturing out, how
about a movie and something to eat at
home?
If you are planning on a budget, movie
streaming services like Netflix, Hulu Plus
and others are sure to have plenty of date-
appropriate movies available this month.
Add some candles, order takeout from
your favorite local restaurant, or try a new
recipe and cook with your Valentine for din-
ner, and maybe add a box of Conversation
Hearts — you know, those heart-shaped
candies with romantic sayings on them like
“Let’s Kiss,” “Hug Me” or “Puppy Love” — to
share and you have a cozy evening at home.
Don’t forget, restaurants are busy on
Valentine’s Day, so order early.
• Romance is on the stage
• Rent a bicycle built for two
•Be goofy and go bowling
Stop into Second Chance Books
in Independence and give a used
book a second life.
“We have a pretty general stock,”
said Dina Carter, co-owner. “We
probably have any type of book you
can think of.”
Prices range as low as $1.50,
leaving plenty of your $20 bill to
head over to a cozy coffeehouse on
Main Street and share a coffee and
pastry while devouring your new book
together.
Alternatively, the public libraries offer a
wide selection of books for free to check out
and take home. Wrap up in a blanket, sit
near the fire and take a trip together
through a book.
It won’t be a diamond marriage; I can’t af-
ford a carriage; but you’d look sweet upon
the seat of a bicycle built for two.
What could be more romantic than cruis-
ing around Polk County on a tandem bicy-
cle?
It’s possible, and affordable. At
Veal Bikes Plus, you can rent one
for $10 an hour.
A safe, paved bike
path alongside
Highway
99W
Don’t miss Central High School’s per-
formance of the musical, “Oklahoma!” Clos-
ing night is Valentine’s Day. For $8 a person,
enjoy the show. For a little more, grab some
home-baked cookies at the concession
stand — still within the $20 budget.
This classic is full of romance — com-
plete with kissing — served with plenty of
jealousy, humor and fighting on the side.
What could be more appropriate for Valen-
tine’s Day!
Watch in anticipation as the lead charac-
ters, Laurey and Curly, dance around each
other — will they ever get married?
Laugh as other couples attempt to pair
up — or avoid nuptials.
With top-notch acting, it’s sure to please
your Valentine this year.
IMAGES PROVIDED BY ICLIP
AND SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/
for the Itemizer-Observer