Whether you’re celebrating by yourself, with someone special or with your friends, spread some love with these Valentine’s Day specials.

Restaurants
What could be better than a bouquet of flowers? Well Olive Garden has joined the competition with its breadstick bouquet. It is offering a “Valentine’s Dinner for 2 ToGo” for $35, which includes soup or salad, your choice of marinara or alfredo dipping sauces for the breadsticks, a shareable entrée of five-cheese ziti al forno (or chicken alfredo for a small upgrade price) and your choice of black tie mousse cake or tiramisu. Each meal comes with printable breadstick bouquet wrapper with directions of how to assemble it, with a variety of wrapper options, including sayings such as “love at first bite” or “we belong together like spaghetti and meatballs.”
If going local is more up your alley, check out Molly Brannigan’s. Filled with red and pink paper lanterns, tealights and hearts, the Irish pub is decked out for the holiday. Enjoy dinner Friday night or join their Valentine’s Day Party on Saturday, as they have drink specials and Maybelle and the Band playing from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Bella Kennelly, a sophomore advertising and public relations major, said Molly Brannigan’s newly renovated interior and wonderful staff makes it a great place for a night out.
“Molly Brannigan’s makes a perfect atmosphere for any date night,” Kennelly said.
Be sure to reserve a spot to get in because this Irish pub is known to be a hot spot in town.
Celebrate yourself on Valentine’s Day at Bourbon Barrel’s “Galentine’s Love Yourselfie Day” from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. For $20, girls receive a package that includes a clip-on cellphone ring light and a T-shirt to can redesign or bling out, along with a selfie station.

Sweet Spots
Some of the sweetest treats are right next to campus, including doughnuts from Mighty Fine Donuts, specialty cupcakes from Icing on the Lake and Romolo’s, who have been preparing their sponge candy and chocolate-covered strawberries for weeks in preparation.
Don’t forget about Coldstone, though. The franchise is offering its Fudge Decadence ice cream cake, with sweet cream ice cream, chocolate shavings and fudge truffle ice cream, all wrapped in fudge ganache. Coldstone also has its fudge truffle ice cream mixed with brownies, fudge and whipped topping for a quick bite, or special ice cream cupcakes to take home.

Events
ClaySpace is offering a clay throwing class from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursday. There is limited space, but for $75, each couple can share a pottery wheel and work together to make two to four unique pottery pieces as a keepsake.
If dinner and a show is more your speed, check out All An Act’s “Murder of the Orient Express” at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Based on the Agatha Christie novel, this play is a murder mystery classic about who was murdered on a luxury rail car.
Meanwhile, the Erie Movie House is showing “Psychos in Love” at 8 p.m. Thursday. “Psychos in Love” is a rom-com satire and horror film about a couple of serial killers who fall in love but face an ultimate challenge when they meet a cannibal.
Treat your body to some relaxation with “Galentines Day Yoga” from 10 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. Saturday at Watson-Curtze Mansion. All levels are welcome for this Hatha Yoga Flow.
If skating is more your speed, the Erie Otters host the Oshawa Generals at the Erie Insurance Arena, along with a wine tasting event. For $30, you will receive a ticket to both the game and the wine tasting.

There’s no place like home
Celebrate with the Gannon spirit this week by sending someone special a singing valentine.
Students can choose to send a singing valentine courtesy of the singers of Gannon University’s honorary theatre fraternity, Alpha Psi Omega (APO).
APO President Seamus Clerkin said anyone who orders Singing Valentines can tell them where and when to show up and surprise his/her valentine. The order includes a song, a personal note and Hershey’s Kisses.
Choose from songs “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” “For the Longest Time,” “I’m Yours,” “Just the Way You Are” and “Close to You.”
Payment is $5 for on-campus locations, $15 for off-campus locations and $5 e-valentines.
Jump on this opportunity quick as reservations are due Wednesday. Find a form on campus or email [email protected].

CHLOE FORBES
[email protected]