It's Valentine's Day and you live in Monmouth

Perhaps your significant other or friends do not want to go to the same restaurant or the same movie theater you always go to. You also may not want to give candy and a teddy bear. There are other options-- but they can be hard to come by. Local events: Eola Hills in Rickreall has a dinner available Friday, Feb. 13. It is a three-course buffet style meal, with salad, bread, entree and dessert, as well as wine and champagne. It's $99 for a couple. A woman who had gone to Eola Hills the year before for Valentine's Day shared her opinion www.eatsalem.com, "We had plenty of good food and wine to drink, but I'm not sure if we'll do it again soon. The atmosphere in the winery, live music, linen on the buffet tables, wood casks lining the walls and the attractive bar was nice, but when I go out for a romantic meal I'd rather have low lights and be waited on." J Bella's in Independence has affordable Italian cuisine, with a nice meal running $40-$50 for both people to have a drink, meal, appetizer and dessert. Northern Lights in Salem has a Valentine's Day option as well, with a 4 p.m. option (7:30 p.m. is sold out). The movie is "Fireproof" and the night comes with a four-course candlelight dinner with wine. Dan Keller, senior, said, "Northern Lights is one of my favorite places to go to in Salem." Kayla Mooney, junior, said her Valentine's Day plans, "Are really exciting. I'm going to the Oregon Electric Station, a nice restaurant in Eugene, with my boyfriend and his family for his grandparents 60th anniversary. I'm especially excited because we always go to Red Robin, or Olive Garden for every dinner, so this is really special." "Loving You" is an event being hosted by the Salem Hospital Auxiliary on Feb. 14 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. It will include dinner, dancing, live entertainment by Salem Big Band and a silent auction. It is being held at the Cat Cavern on Willamette University's campus. Tickets are $50 per person, and the proceeds go to the Salem Cancer Institute. Contact Barbi Ashwill at (503)393-9320 or barbi.ashwill@salemhospital.org for tickets. For cheaper, or free ideas, consider the Salem carousel, the beach, a night at home, or something that is not too expensive that your significant other enjoys, like going to a movie, hiking, bowling, or a picnic. Unique gifts: Ebay, online stores and vintage stores sell one-of-a-kind and unique jewelry. For those who are artistic, you can create your own jewelry, art pieces, framed photography or other personal gifts as well. Going to a pottery/ceramics company is an option as well, and hand-paint a piece (such as a bowl or a ceramic elephant). There are ceramic places in Eugene Portland that both have gifts to hand-paint and customize for $10 and up. Baking a gift is always an option as well. Writing loving messages on a homemade cake or dessert is always a great option. You could also buy a box of children's Valentine's, but write on all of them and give them all to your significant other. Free ideas include making a homemade card, "coupons" for services or romantic things, or surprise someone with a Web page dedicated to them, or a song dedicated to them on their favorite radio station. Kaitlin Mead, junior says, "One of my friends had a puzzle made of her and her boyfriend's picture. She is giving it to him jumbled up, so he can put their picture together." Other personalized gifts like a picture puzzle can be made for clothing, mugs, teddy bears, blankets, keychains, jewelry and many other things as well. If you have time, you can head to Portland in the next few days and check out Powells, Presents of Mind, or Alma chocolate for unique gifts. Signed books, local products and organic desserts are all enviromentally friendly options. If none of these ideas work for you, surf the Internet, pick up an Oregon travel magazine or window shop. Eventually, you will think of a personal Valentine's Day idea.