Show Some Love for the Boulevard

Valentine's Day is a great opportunity to show the one you love what a great catch you are. Going out for dinner is a good start, but a little more effort will go a long way, so cruise down El Cajon Boulevard, and plan the perfect date.

Step 1, Think Presents
No matter what you've been told, everyone loves a bouquet of flowers, a box of chocolates and a big surprise on Valentine's Day. Make Eclipse Chocolat (2121 El Cajon Boulevard) your first stop for the most unique assortment of chocolates that are certain to impress those who appreciate the finer things in life. Next stop is Dave's Flower Box (2405 El Cajon Boulevard) or Fuji's Aladdin Flowers (3081 El Cajon Boulevard). When it comes to Valentine's Day, they have what you're looking for. Lastly, this year, let that big Valentine's Day surprise be a bright red scooter from Motorsport Scooters (4225 30th St) and while you're at it, buy one for yourself, so that you and you loved on can continue on this romantic journey with weekly scooter rides throughout sunny San Diego.

Step 2, Freshen Up
Looking good doesn't take much, just let the hairdresser work their magic. For a simple $15, Uppercuts (3711 El Cajon Boulevard) or Supercuts (3024 El Cajon Boulevard) will have you looking sharp. For the ladies, don't forget about your lovely nails, which will look even lovelier with a hot coat of red nail polish. With all the nail salons on El Cajon Boulevard, DK Nails (3815 El Cajon Boulevard) and Sandy Nails (1965 El Cajon Boulevard) are the two most preferred by San Diego Yelpers ( www.yelp.com) for their friendly service and good prices.

Step 3, The Date
El Cajon Boulevard has always been a great destination for dining and for Valentine's Day there is an excellent selection of restaurants that promise a unique, romantic experience. Dim lights scream intimacy, especially when you're cuddled up in booth at the The Red Fox Room (2223 El Cajon Boulevard) eating first-rate steak and seafood. For the more exotic, Harar (2432 El Cajon Boulevard), is an excellent Ethiopian restaurant with a great selection of vegetarian and meat options. Forgo the silverware, because Ethiopian food is meant to eaten with your hands, and if you aren't uptight, this could make for a very intimate dining experience. Pomegranate (2302 El Cajon Boulevard) a Russian-Georgian Restaurant, is another option to show your Valentine that you like to try new things. Several reviewers on yelp.com claim that this is their favorite restaurant in San Diego! Every course is a new experience, filled with unique flavors that will end your night on a very high note. On top of their fabulous chocolate concoctions, Will Gustwiller, owner and head chef of Eclipse Chocolat plans the most unique meals around the holidays. For just $65 per couple, enjoy their 12th Prix Fixed dinner, a Parisian Sweetheart Valentine's Chocolate Tasting, complete with violin serenades! Lastly, what is more romantic than Italian food? On El Cajon Boulevard, Vesuvios (3025 El Cajon Boulevard) or Etna's Pizza (4427 El Cajon Boulevard) both offer a delicious selection of your favorite Italian dishes.

With all these great opportunities to explore the Boulevard, Valentine's Day is a great time to support the local economy. As noted in a recent issue of the San Diego CITYBEAT, 60 to 70 cents of every dollar spent at a small business stays in the local economy, compared with 6 cents for every dollar spent at a national retail chain. Spend your money wisely and have a Happy Valentine's Day!

City Heights Redevelopment Area Community Survey

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I Love to Ride My Bike

Mid-City Bike Ride
Come out this Saturday to the City Heights Farmer's Market for the "I Love to Ride My Bike" Mid-City bike ride, February 14th at 10:30 am. Before taking off, there will be a bike helmet give away (the first 20 participants, with children prioritized), a BMX performance, an explanation of the route, a short bike safety lesson, and at 11:00 am we will be on our way.

We will stop at 5 parks, 2 libraries, and 3 schools, with an extended stop at Hoover High School, where the VAPA (Visual Arts Performance Arts) department will host a music, poetry and break-dance performance, and then we will return to the City Heights Farmer's Market.

It will be a slow, conversational ride with few hills.

Wear red! Bring your friends and family!