Top 10 Last-Minute Valentine's Day Gifts... Not to Get

What not to get your boo -- or someone you think is your boo -- on Valentine's Day.

So, Valentine's Day is Thursday, but you haven't planned, bought, or made anything special for the one you love? I'm single, so I call this day -- Too-Many-Chocolate-Hearts-in-the-Candy-Shop Day. Or, some other name that means anti-Valentine's Day. What really gets me is that stores have programed so many of us to rush out and buy something, beginning right after the New Year. STOP, just stop right there. Most of these things are cheesy. Even when I had a boyfriend on Valentine's Day, I didn't want those things. So, here's my own personal, don't-shoot-the-messenger advice of things not to do. No. 10 Do NOT buy a teddy bear from the grocery store, the gas station, or dare I say, from some guy selling stuff in a parking lot out of his van. …

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My Take

Last-Minute Father's Day Ideas

Patch Picks: One Dad's suggestions for can't miss gifts that are easy to get and close to home.

It’s the eve of the Father’s Day weekend and you still want to get ‘ol Pops something nice for the big day. Take it from this Dad, it’s not too late, and you don’t have to sweat it out on what to get. Here are some last-minute, easy-to-get, gift ideas that are better than a necktie and will be appreciated by nearly every father — well, by many of them, anyway, including (hint) me. 1. Time: No-brainer here. There’s nothing better than making time with Dad. How about a simple picnic and nature walk? The Camp Creek Greenway Trail is perfect for this. Grill out in City Park, then hit the paved/boardwalked trail, which stretches from Killian Hill Road, through Old Town and on to Rockbridge Road. Much of it goes through wooded — shaded! — areas…

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