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Valentine's: A time for everything romanticBy: Bill Charles Date Posted: 2009-02-13    Valentine’s is one of those mysteriously special days that captivates everyone, even the ‘Bah Humbug!’ nay-Sayers who can’t be happy with the Christmas holiday. Valentine’s Day is Saturday, and stores, restaurants, resorts and on-base facilities are rolling out the red carpet to make Cupid bring the love bug alive. Almost like the chicken and the egg (which came first?), Valentine’s has fierce competitors arguing about what’s most important. It’s the day florists and chocolate shops do their briskest business of the year as men queue up to buy dozens of red roses and box after box of fancy chocolates to dazzle their special ladies. Chocolates are a ¥70+ billion industry in Japan alone; multiply that worldwide, and that’s a lot of gooey sweet stuff accounting for more than 16% of stores’ annual chocolate sales. Greeting card companies argue their influence tops the list, thanks to those romantic cards filled with whimsical, mushy words that are sent or given during this week. Hallmark Greeting Card Company, the world’s largest, says more than one billion Valentine’s Day cards will be sent this year, and that does not count the mega-millions more school children will exchange in classrooms practically everywhere. Both on-base and off, Valentine’s is big business. The Kadena Officers’ Club is hosting a gourmet dinner from 5 ~ 8 p.m. Saturday in the club’s Daedalian and Torii Rooms. Dinner is $50 per couple, with the first 100 reservations receiving a special gift. The Rocker NCO Club on Kadena has a Sweetheart Gourmet Dinner starting at 6 p.m., a six-course dinner that includes Seafood Bisque, Crab Cake, Lemon Sorbet Intermezzo, Roasted Beef Tenderloin Medallions, Jumbo Shrimp Avocado Salad and a Chocolate Lover’s Delight. The price is $65 per couple. Mike’s Italian Garden is also in the Valentine’s Day mood, offering steak or chicken specials for $24.99 per person. Banyan Tree Club has something a little different, a Valentine’s Day Cookie Special. Place an order today or tomorrow, and pick up the special heart-shaped cookie with a short message for only $7.95. Other military clubs are also caught up in the Valentine’s spirit. Check with your favorite local Army, Navy or Marine Corps club for details. Off-base, it’s easy for couples to share their special moments this Valentine’s. All Sam’s Restaurants on Okinawa are rolling out the specials through the 15th, led by the group’s signature Sam’s By the Sea restaurants. Sam’s By the Sea Awase and Sam’s By the Sea Oroku are featuring Salmon with French Ratatouille for ¥1,780, and Tenderloin Steak topped with King Crab and Hollandaise Sauce for ¥2,900. The always delicious Lobster Imperial and Filet Mignon Steak combination is also on the menu for ¥3,950. Sam’s Café is offering three special entrees for Valentine’s; Pan-fried Red Snapper topped with Crab Stuffing for ¥1,650, Pan-fried Red Snapper topped with Crab Stuffing and Tenderloin Steak combo for ¥2,380, and King Crab Legs Imperial and Sirloin Steak combo for only ¥2,480. Sam’s Anchor Inn in Ginowan celebrates with King Crab Legs Imperial and Tenderloin Steak combo for ¥3,380. Sam’s Anchor Inn Kokusai, Sam’s Maui Kokusai and Sam’s Maui Kumoji are all offering a Lobster Tahitian and Sirloin Steak combo for ¥4,150. Getting away from food, Kadena Marina is offering a Valentine’s Day Sunset Boat Cruise, beginning at 5:30 p.m. The $35 per person fee includes appetizers and drinks served during the cruise. Okuma Recreation Center is offering a Valentine’s Weekend Package for $199, a four-day, three-night stay Friday through Monday. The package includes a steak & lobster dinner for two. Shilling Community Center on Kadena has a full slate of Valentine’s activities, starting with an Artisans’ Arena 10 a.m. ~ 3 p.m. Spaces are $5 for artisans and crafters selling wares. Instructor demonstrations may set up free. There’s family Bingo 2 p.m. ~4 p.m., a Family Valentine’s day Dance 6 p.m. ~ 8 p.m., and Valentine’s Day Speed Dating in the evening. A lot of things happening on and for Valentine’s, a day that nobody really knows how began. A Saint Valentine is widely credited for being behind it, although today’s holiday contains bits and pieces of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition all wrapped in folklore. The Roman Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred. The best of the legends about the origin of Valentine’s Day—because it’s a super romantic, made-to-be-a-chick-flick tale—evolves from the Roman Empire, where a mean-spirited Emperor, Claudius II, issued a degree that only single men could be allowed in the military, and that marriage was outlawed. As the story goes, Valentine defied the emperor’s order and in secret, married young lovers. Valentine was reportedly jailed for his actions, and the legend extends further that Valentine, himself a hopeless romantic, sent the first Valentine’s card to a young girl. An important cultural difference in Valentine’s celebrations here in Japan. Unlike many places, including the United States, Valentine’s Day in Okinawa is a time when women honor their men, showering them with chocolates and sweet affection. A terrific idea, to say the least, but men…please note. Be prepared to reciprocate with flowers, chocolates and most probably much more when White Day is celebrated. The Japanese tradition is for men to reciprocate ten-fold. Think gifts! Lots of gifts! In fact, Valentine’s Day and White Day in March are as popular—and lucrative for retailers—as Christmas. |
   
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