HAPPY THANKSGIVING FROM FLORIDA'S USCITY.NET TEAM

Happy Thanksgiving from the uscity.net employees from Florida!

HAVE A SAFE & HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

This sweet little bumble bee is Breanna, daughter of our very own Brenda!
We here at uscity.net wish all of you a very Happy Halloween. This year Halloween falls on a Saturday night, which means more traffic and more adult parties, so drivers, be on the lookout for kids darting in and out of the streets and parents, please keep an eye on your children, especially the middle and high schoolers who often stay out later.

Here are some other tips for making tonight a treat for all of us:

If you are driving:
1. Watch for children darting out from between parked cars.
2. Watch for children walking on roadways, medians and curbs.
3. Enter and exit driveways and alleys carefully.
4. At twilight and later in the evening, watch for children in dark clothing.
5. Remember to have a designated driver if you will be drinking.

If you are a parent or guardian:
1. Make sure that an adult or an older responsible youth will be supervising the outing for children under age 12.
2. Plan and discuss the route trick-or-treaters intend to follow. Know the names of older children's companions.
3. Instruct your children to travel only in familiar areas and along an established route.
4. Teach your children to stop only at houses or apartment buildings that are well-lit and never to enter a anyone’s home.
5. Establish a return time.
6. Tell your youngsters not to eat any treat until they return home.
7. Review all appropriate trick-or-treat safety precautions, including pedestrian/traffic safety rules.
8. Pin a slip of paper with the child's name, address and phone number inside a pocket in case the youngster gets separated from the group.

The Costume:
1. Costumes should be loose so warm clothes can be worn underneath.
2. Costumes should not be so long that they are a tripping hazard. (Falls are the leading cause of unintentional injuries on Halloween.)
3. If children are allowed out after dark, outfits should be made with light colored materials. Strips of reflective tape should be used to make children visible.
4. Since masks can limit or completely remove vision, most safety experts agree that face paint is safer than masks.
5. When buying special Halloween makeup, check for packages containing ingredients that are labeled "Made with U.S. Approved Color Additives," "Laboratory Tested," Meets Federal Standards for Cosmetics," or "Non-Toxic." Follow manufacturer's instruction for application. Remember that some children may be allergic to ingredients in face paint - "non-toxic" does not mean it is safe for skin or FDA approved. Also, washable refers to fabric, not skin.
6. If masks are worn, they should have nose and mouth openings and large eye holes.
7. Accessories Knives, swords and other accessories should be made from cardboard or flexible materials. Do not allow children to carry sharp objects.
8. Bags or sacks carried by youngsters should be light-colored or trimmed with retro-reflective tape if children are allowed out after dark.
9. Carrying flashlights will help children see better and be seen more clearly.


What the kids should know:
1. Do not enter homes or apartments without adult supervision.
2. Walk, do not run, from house to house. Do not cross yards and lawns where unseen objects or the uneven terrain can present tripping hazards.
3. Walk on sidewalks, not in the street.
4. Walk on the left side of the road, facing traffic if there are no sidewalks.

Before and After:
1. Give children an early meal before going out.
2. Insist that treats be brought home for inspection before anything is eaten.
3. Wash fruit and slice into small pieces.
4. When in doubt, throw it out.

HAVE FUN!

The Lion King

I am going to see the Lion King in Orlando! I can't wait. It is coming to Orlando next spring and I am taking my neice, who is a dancer!

For those of you not in the know, The Lion King is a musical based on the 1994 Disney animated film of the same name with Elton John's music and Tim Rice's lyrics, along with the musical score created by Hans Zimmer with choral arrangements by Lebo M. and directed by Julie Taymor. It is an extravaganza of actors in animal costumes as well as giant, hollow puppets.

First performed in July of 1997 in Minnesota, it was truly an overnight success! After moving to New York on Broadway, it is now Broadway's seventh longest-running show in history.

Going on the road to cities across America, like Orlando, Baltimore, Las Vegas, St. Louis, Richmond and more. Click here to see the cities and buy tickets.

USCITY.NET LOVES SMALL BUSINESSES!

One of our goals here at uscity.net is to sign up as many small, local businesses as possible. Along with our usual goal of becoming the best family friendly directory in the USA, our focus this year is on the small businesses that are the backbone of the US economy.

I believe that small businesses as a whole will help lead the US out of the current economic climate. As President Obama has said: “America needed to "out-build, out-innovate and out-educate the rest of the world" to win the future. Small businesses can make it and one way we want to help is by making those marketing dollars count.

We hope that if you are a business owner, or know of a great small business in your area, you will sign up with us or suggest us to that business.

Just click anywhere on this post and it will take you to our sign up page!

Happy 30th Anniversary Studio 404

Studio 404 of Bend, Oregon is celebrating 30 years in business with some "30 Years In Business Special Discounts"

including a Senior Portrait Package, Family Portrait Package, Wedding Special and the popular Full Coverage Plus ($500 off on this one!)

Owned by Bend photographer and videographer Alan Huestis, Studio 404 was started in 1981. Studio 404 also offers its clients broadcast quality video production and post production services, graphic design services and stock photography and stock video clips.

Alan Huestis, chief photographer, has shot for clients around the world and is a well-known portrait and landscape photographer in the West.

With over 30 years of photographic experience, he is known for his ability to capture a variety of moods. His experience includes location, environmental, product, aerial, landscape, and portrait photography.

If you are looking for a Bend Oregon photographer, need video production services, now is the time time to call Studio 404 and ask about the 30 Years In Business Specials. If you are in the Bend area, call 541-389-6829 or if out of the area call toll free at 1-866-788-3404.




Here's to 30 more years in business, Studio 404!

Check out some more of Studio 404's excellent photography:

Have a Safe and Happy Fourth of July

With droughts and wildfires all over the place, we are urging everyone to be extra careful with their fireworks, sparklers, etc. Did you know that more fires are reported on that day than on any other day of the year in the United States?

Here are a few safety tips from the National Council on Fireworks Safety:

Use fireworks outdoors only.

Obey local laws. If fireworks are not legal where you live, do not use them. And check to see if they have been recently banned because of drought.

Always have water handy. (A hose or bucket).

Only use fireworks as intended. Don't try to alter them or combine them.
Never relight a "dud" firework. Wait 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water.

Use common sense. Spectators should keep a safe distance from the shooter and the shooter should wear safety glasses.

Alcohol and fireworks do not mix. Have a "designated shooter."

Only persons over the age of 12 should be allowed to handle sparklers of any type.

Do not ever use homemade fireworks of illegal explosives: They can kill you! Report illegal explosives to the fire or police department in your community.

USCITY.NET wishes everyone a very happy and SAFE Fourth of July!

Some interesting facts about the 4th of July

On July 2, 1776 the 2nd Continental Congress voted to approve a resolution of independence that had been proposed in June by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia. This occurred during the American Revolution. After voting for independence, a Committee of Five, with Thomas Jefferson as its principal author prepared the Declaration of Independence, a statement explaining this decision. Congress debated and revised the Declaration, finally approving it on July 4.

I came across an interesting part of a letter at the Adams Family Papers Electronic Archives, via the Massachusetts Historical Society. This is part of a letter from John Adams to Abigail Adams, 3 July 1776 regarding our Independence Day celebrations:

I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.

You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not. -- I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. -- Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will tryumph in that Days Transaction, even altho We should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not.

We know that Adams' forecast was off by two days. Americans celebrate their independence on July 4, the date shown on the much-publicized Declaration of Independence, rather than on July 2, the date the resolution of independence was approved in a closed session of Congress.

Another interesting fact and a notable coincidence, both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, the only signers of the Declaration of Independence later to serve as Presidents of the United States, died on the same day: July 4, 1826, which was the 50th anniversary of the Declaration. Although not a signer of the Declaration of Independence, James Monroe, the Fifth President of the United States, died on July 4, 1831. Calvin Coolidge, the Thirtieth President, was born on July 4, 1872, and thus was the only President to be born on Independence Day.

If you wish to see what all the fireworks and partying is about, here is a copy of the document that started it all:

DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE

IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776.

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America,

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.--Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.
He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.
He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.
He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.
He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.
He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.
He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.
He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers.
He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.
He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance.
He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.
He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.
He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:
For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:
For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:
For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:
For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:
For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:
For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences
For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies:
For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:
For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.
He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.
He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.
He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.
He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.
He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our Brittish brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

Two New Additions

We are doubly blessed here at uscity.net - Two babies in two months! This first picture is the son of Delanie (one of our submission queens) and the second is the grandson of our affiliate manager, Sue.

We wish them both health, happiness and a life of love and laughter!

Uscity.net down due to power outage – Our apologies

We apologize to anyone who received a 403 forbidden error message (or had any problems) while trying to access our site recently. A power outage at Altantic.net caused damage to our servers and we were down for a while. We are online and accessible now (YAY!). We are working hard behind to the scenes to make sure we stay that way.

We are also taking precautions to make sure this does not happen again in the future.

Again we apologize and trust me, we are working as hard as we can to make things right. My boss has lost the few strands of hair he had left!
Please accept our sincere apologies.

Pam, Rusty, Mary and the entire uscity.net team

Happy Father's Day

To anyone who has been like a Father to someone in their lives. We wish you a very special day!

Kid Rock Plays His Hometown

Kid Rock has made a not particularly well-kept secret official, announcing a hometown concert for Aug. 12 at Detroit's Comerica Park.

Sammy Hagar & the Wabos will open the show, with tickets being sold here. Tickets will not be sold via TicketMaster. There will be a VIP package that includes a limited edition Kid Rock Detroit Tigers jersey.

Rock played two sold-out shows at Comerica Park in July 2009. This marks his second area stadium show of the year, having celebrated his 40th birthday in January at Ford Field.

Rock teased the Comerica show on his official website last week, writing that he was "looking forward to spending some time at Comerica Park this summer!!...and I'm not just talking about watchin' the Tigers play!!"

The Comerica stand was expected to coincide with the taping of a Comedy Central roast at the Fox Theatre, but sources say that's been called off due to logistical reasons.

Wicked the Musical Coming to Alabama

Winner of 35 major awards, including the Grammy and Tony, WICKED, THE MUSICAL is the untold story of the witches of OZ before Dorothy drops in – the story of the Glenda the Good Witch and Wicked Witch of the West.

You can see this fantastic play while in NY and now in Birmingham, Alabama! Click Here For Tickets


If WICKED isn’t your cup of tea, check out these other Broadway offerings:

Anything Goes
Arcadia
Baby It's You!
Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo
Billy Elliot
Catch Me If You Can
Chicago - The Musical
Full Monty
Ghetto Klown
Hair
Jersey Boys
Les Miserables
Lion King
Love, Loss and What I Wore
Mamma Mia!
Mary Poppins
Master Class
Memphis - The Musical
Million Dollar Quartet
Phantom of the Opera
Priscilla Queen Of The Desert
Rain - A Tribute To The Beatles
Ring Of Fire
Rock Of Ages
Sister Act
Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark
Steel Magnolias - The Play
The Addams Family
The Book Of Mormon
The Importance Of Being Earnest
The Mother****** With The Hat
The Mountaintop
War Horse

Thank You To Our Military

Let us not forget those who have made the ultimate sacrifice... and their families today. Remember that because of them, we can enjoy today and every day. Please take a few moments today to reflect on what it means to be free and what has been sacrificed so that we may remain free. Thank you to all of the military from the uscity.net family.

NFL Football Tickets Here Now!!!

Who will it be in Super Bowl XLVI. My friend, Carol, assures me that the Philadelphia Eagles are going to be there. But it looks like the Eagles have a tough schedule in 2011.

As a matter of fact, the entire NFC East looks like it will be providing lots of entertainment when the 2011 season comes around.

For a list of the NFL schedules, click here.

To get your NFL tickets now, click here.

Rod Stewart in Vegas!

I first heard Rod Stewart when he was singing for with Jeff Beck - two absolutely fantastic musicians. (Rumor has it that he and Beck are going to do a blues album which makes me ecstatic!) I am a big fan of this raspy voiced singer.

For those of you on the west coast or heading to Las Vegas -- the good news is that the man James Brown dubbed 'the best White Soul Singer', Rod Stewart will have a standing 2-year gig at the Caesars Palace’s Colosseum starting Aug. 24.

Stewart says “I get to fly in, do a great 90-minute show, and get home,” he says. “It’s a tremendous way to make a shilling.” Although I thought he had moved back to England for good, it seems maybe the US will get lucky and have a couple of more years with Rod on our soil.

Click here for ticket info! Sure wish I was going....

My Mother Kept a Garden

My Mother kept a garden,
a garden of the heart,
She planted all the good things
that gave my life it's start.
She turned me to the sunshine
and encouraged me to dream,
Fostering and nurturing
the seeds of self-esteem...
And when the winds and rain came,
she protected me enough-
But not too much because she knew
I'd need to stand up strong and tough.
Her constant good example
always taught me right from wrong-
Markers for my pathway
that will last a lifetime long.
I am my Mother's garden.
I am her legacy-
And I hope today she feels the love
reflected back from me

HAPPY EASTER FROM ALL OF HERE AT USCITY.NET

Elton John is Coming Back to the Palace!

Click here for tickets.
After wrapping his US tour this month and spending the summer overseas, Elton John is returning to the Las Vegas Strip for a three-year run at Caesars Palace. The five-time Grammy winner announced Monday he'll return with his "Million Dollar Piano" show to The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas starting in September.

Elton and the band will return to The Colosseum at Caesars Palace with an all-new show, The Million Dollar Piano, beginning on September 28, for sixteen shows. Elton's September return will mark the beginning of a three-year residency at The Colosseum, and his second as a Caesars Palace headliner.

He completed his first run at Caesars Palace in April 2009. "The Red Piano" was originally slated to run for three years, but was extended to a five-year run because of audience demand. John was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1999.

"Caesars Palace is just a perfect, idyllic place to play, and the show will be a gargantuan feast of music and imagery," said Elton. "I'm going to have a fabulous piano that Yamaha has been working on for four years, and that's the reason why the show is called 'The Million Dollar Piano.'"

The most wasted of all days is one without laughter... E E. Cummings

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY TO ALL!!

May the road rise to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face.
And rains fall soft upon your fields.

And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the hollow of His hand.

Aid for Japan - Links on Front Pages

Most of the people directly affected by Japan's earthquake and tsunami are not as concerned as we are with the nuclear fallout. After seeing and living through the earthquake and/or tsunami, with no home, no medicine and little or no water and/or food, they need aid and they need it quick. Most recently freezing wind, snow and hail storms are coming down and the need for fuel, blankets, food and water are urgent.

At least eight refineries have been damaged, as well as almost a dozen ports in the northern area. Fuel trucks, food trucks and trash collecting vehicles are there, but they have no fuel to run. The lack of supplies is rippling into the interior of Japan, especially in the north. Panic buying was widespread and that didn't help matters. Stores have run out of blankets, gas cans, fuel, milk, candles, lighters, flashlights and anything else that people preparing for disaster might need.

We, here at uscity.net, have placed a link on our front page (in the upper right corner) that will lead you to Google's Crisis Response Page, where the good people at Google have assembled tons of useful information on shelters, missing persons, phone numbers, warnings, message boards and other vital information about the Japanese disaster.

We are sending prayers, positive thoughts and energy to the people affected. But they need our financial help. Please think about posting a link to one of the agencies or to the Google Crisis Response Page (which from the sites I visited, was by far the most informative and helpful) on your website's front page too.

Here's is the link:
http://www.google.com/crisisresponse/japanquake2011.html

April is Jam-Packed

April is jam-packed with top-notch sporting, musical and theatrical events.

MLB is in full-swing this month. The NCAA Final Four will take place at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas. April also brings The Masters Golf Tournament, Wrestlemania, UFC 129 and the beginning of the NBA Playoffs.

Musicians on tour in April include Lady Gaga, Lil Wayne, Bob Seger, George Strait, Harry Connick Jr, Jimmy Buffett, Kenny Chesney, Rush, and Robert Plant.

April also features musical festivals Stagecoach and the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.

Broadway highlights in April include the Broadway opening of the London hit Sister Act.

What Happened to Two President's Days?

I remember Februarys of my school days fondly. Just back from Christmas break and usually a short January school month, we got 2 whole days off from school. We took February 12 off for Lincoln’s Birthday and February 22 for Washington’s. And we got to make Valentine ‘mailboxes’ from shoe boxes and pass out valentines at school – that was like another day off from schoolwork. Some years, I remember Mom going out to buy new sheets at the great “White Sales”.

And, to top it off, how cool it was to have a month go by with only 28 (or sometimes 29) days in it. I remember my Grandmother one February telling me it was her favorite month because she only had 28 days to spend her month’s money. (She and my Grandfather were retired) I guess we can look forward to Februarys in the future if our pensions and social security hold out...

So, how did we get around to only one holiday, always on a Monday and calling it “President’s Day”? I poked around and think I got it figured out.

Things changed in 1968 when Congress decided to create a system of federal holidays that would all fall on a Monday. The law took effect in 1971. Washington’s Birthday would now be celebrated on the third Monday in February. Congress also tried to change the public holiday to "Presidents' Day", but this never made it into law.

"It was the collective judgment of the Committee on the Judiciary," stated Mr. William Moore McCulloch (R-Ohio) "that this would be unwise.
Certainly, not all Presidents are held in the same high esteem as the Father of our Country. There are many who are not inclined to pay their respects to certain Presidents. Moreover, it is probable that the members of one political party would not relish honoring a President from the other political party whether he was in office, no matter how outstanding history may find his leadership."

Well, I gotta agree with that statement!

The term Presidents' Day is now more commonly used, I assume mostly for marketing purposes. Even though most states with individual holidays honoring Washington and Lincoln shifted their state recognition date of Washington's Birthday to correspond to the third Monday in February, some states, including California, Idaho, Tennessee, Texas and others, chose not to retain the federal holiday title and renamed their state holiday "President's Day”.

So whatever and whenever you celebrate have a Fantastic February!

What Makes Your Valentine's Day Happy?

Chocolates, flowers, romantic dinners, cards - what makes your Valentine's Day special?
There will be about 190 million exchanges of Valentines this year. The southern Maryland Loveville (yep, it's a real town) post office, a popular location for sending Valentines, gets over 100 extra pieces of mail a day in early February. Oops, forgot to buy a card until the last minute, just send an e-card - instant thoughtfulness...

Having a romantic dinner is one of my favorites, but my Valentine and I usually avoid the Februrary 14 crowds and just celebrate it on another night. Here are some great restaurants in California to choose from.

Personally, I like to unplug for a few hours with my husband - turn down the lights, turn off the TV, cell phones, and computers – and then just be with each other.

And I love getting chocolates -- so many to choose from.

A lot of roses go out on Valentine's Day, but all flowers are appreciated. And, you don't have to be someone's lover to send them a rose. Different colors mean different things:

Send someone red roses to say “I love you madly, passionately and deeply!!” The demand for red roses in February makes them more expensive in February.

Yellow roses express friendship and freedom or congratulations to newlyweds, graduates, Texans, and new mothers.

Pink roses are for gratitude, joy, fun, happiness and the fight against breast cancer.

And here's a really good one - Lilac roses; they mean that you have fallen in love at first sight with the recipient and that you are captivated.

Pure white roses stand for truth and innocence. Send them to the heavenly someone you love.

Peach roses speak of appreciation and gratitude and coral roses express desire.

Whatever you do, whether it is with someone you love, a friend, a family member or yourself, we at uscity.net wish you a very Happy Valentine’s Day!

Free Trip Cancellation - GO CARDS

It's been a rough couple of weeks of winter weather to kick off 2011. It's been reported that the latest storm spanned 2,100 miles, 20 states and 200 million people. That's a lot of unexpected travel delays and trip cancellations!

To weather the storms for the remainder of the season, Smart Destinations is offering you the ability the travel worry-free--in the form of free Trip Protection. This month's affiliate-exclusive coupon code is good for up to four free Trip Protection vouchers with each purchase.

With Smart Destinations Trip Protection for your GO CARDS (one voucher per card), a customer may return their unused cards at any time and receive a refund (less shipping) with no questions asked! That's up to a $20 value. Customers simply add the vouchers to their cart purchase and enter coupon code WORRYFREEWINTER during the check-out process.

Smart Destinations Go-Cards are a great value, so many attractions to see at each destination are discounted, saving you lots of $$$.

From Seattle to Miami and from Toronto to Oahu, check out the city destinations and all the discounts you can rack up. Just click anywhere on this posting.

Hurry, the free trip cancellation ends March 1