Valentine's Day, SOMA-Style

Here are some ideas for celebrating Valentine's Day -- Thursday, Feb. 14 --  in Maplewood and South Orange.

• Perch Home is launching a new jewelry line for Valentine's Day. They are also offering special Valentine's Day gift wrap

• Cold Stone offers $3 off for a signature cakes on Valentines Day.

• Ladies Workout Express offers $5 fitness classes every evening at 7pm.  The schedule is : 7pm  Mondays-ZUMBA,   Tuesdays-STEP,   Wednesdays-ZUMBA,   Thursdays-SCULPT (Feel the Burn)

• Bunny's will serve a free dessert with every entree on February 14th, and  a variety of "Special" drinks for Valentine's Day, including chocolate fused vodka martinis. Bunny's will also make pizzas in the shape of a heart all next week to get people in the Valentine's Day mood.

• Maplewood Karate + Kickboxing is inviting couples to come in on Valentine's Day for a kickboxing class — $10.00 drop in per couple.

• Tenth Muse Gallery and jewelry shop will have Special Valentine's Day shopping hours, and will be open late (to 8 p.m.) on Feb. 13 and Feb. 14. 

• Highland Place/Cranes is offering a special Valentine's Day prix fixe menu. 

• The Laurel will be featuring special menus all day on Valentine's Day including seafood, steak, and house made pasta along with many of their regular menu favorites. There will be complimentary champagne cocktail mixers, just BYOC. 

• Plan ahead: on Friday, Feb. 22, the HK Project Scholarship Fund is hosting a Valentine's Fundraiser at The Little Club. Tickets are $40.

• The Blue Plate Special in South Orange is offering its first Live Music and Tasting Dinner this Valentine’s Day at a price of $125 per couple. Seatings begin at 6:30 p.m. Live jazz featuring acoustical guitar and upright bass from 7 p.m/ until 10 p.m. Reservations only with a $50 deposit per couple; table sharing with friends is recommended. The seven-course meal includes Honeyed Ginger Duck Summer Roll, Strawberry Champagne Soup, Oysters Po Boy On a Raft, Citrus Fennel Salad, a choice of Aged Dried Tenderloin with Gorgonzola, Rack of Lamb or Market Fresh Fish for the main course and dessert and a cheese plate.

• This Valentine’s Day, singer, songwriter and producer Jon B delivers a distinctive sound to contemporary R&B at South Orange Performing Arts Center. His unforgettable 1997 classic hit, “They Don’t Know” lead the charts and later became a platinum certified single. An accomplished songwriter, Jon B. has penned material for artists including Maxi Priest, For Real, After 7, Spice Girls, Az Yet, and Toni Braxton. A perfect romantic concert for you and your Valentine! Buy tickets at SOPACnow.org or call 973.313.ARTS (2787). Tickets start at $25. Concert takes place Thursday, February 14 at 7:30 p.m.

• Coldwell Banker of Maplewood and South Orange is opening its archives to locals who want a picture of their home in Maplewood and South Orange — some dating back to the 40's. "It is really interesting to see the old listings (with sale price and tax amount)," says Lorraine Storch. "It is like looking at old photographs of a member of the family." As a Valentine to the community, Coldwell Banker invites anyone who would like the picture and old listing of their home to call the main office number at 973-378-8300. If they have the picture, they will scan and email it to the homeowner.