http://www.valentinesdayfun.net/ Collection of fun Valentine's Day activities and stories. Will you be mine? ~~ Barbara J. Feldman en Copyright 2008 Sat, 16 Feb 2008 10:07:24 -0800 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Before we get into who is responsible for the St. Valentine’s Day massacre, let’s talk about what it was. The St. Valentine’s Day massacre was an executioner style shooting of seven people, using sub-machine guns. It occurred on Valentine’s Day in 1929, which is why it is referred to as the St. Valentine’s Day massacre. Besides the date it has no other ties to the saint. Ok, now that we have cleared up what it was, let’s look at who was responsible. To really understand who is responsible, we need to look at who was involved. The shooters were identified to be Jack McGurn, Fred Burke, John Scalise, and another man. The victims were identified as James Clark (AKA Albert Kachellek), Frank Gusenberg, Peter Gusenberg, Adam Heyer, John May, Reinhart Schwimmer, and Al Weinshank. All of these people, with the exception of Reinhart Schwimmer, who was a mechanic, were members of two of Chicago’s gangs, or mob families. One, the North Side Gang, led by “Bugs” Moran, and the other, the mob family of Al Capone. The people responsible is really a matter of who you are asking. Straight out, Capone is, as he ordered the hit. However, McGurn came up with the plan, so the responsibility could be assigned to him. The plan was instigated as retaliation, so you could say the person responsible is Moran, as he perpetuated the events that led to this. The shooters were John Scalise and Jack McGurn, so they are technically responsible for the deaths. The leader of the team who shot the seven men was Fred Burke, so he could be considered responsible. As you can see, the person responsible could be any number of people. http://www.valentinesdayfun.net/who_is_responsible_for_the_st_valentines_day_massacre-22041.php http://www.valentinesdayfun.net/who_is_responsible_for_the_st_valentines_day_massacre-22041.php History Al_Capone mob scarface St._Valentine’s_Day_massacre Valentine’s_Day Sat, 16 Feb 2008 10:07:24 -0800 When most people think of Valentine’s Day they think of love, however, in 1929, Valentine’s Day was the date of a mob-related killing now referred to as The Saint Valentine's Day massacre. This shooting killed seven people. It came as a result of a Prohibition Era conflict between two powerful criminal gangs in Chicago, Illinois. The two gangs were the South Side Italian gang led by Al Capone and the North Side Irish/German gang led by Bugs Moran. And there is some speculation that former members of the Egan's Rats gang also played a large role in the St. Valentine's Day massacre, assisting Capone. So what exactly happened? Well, to put it simply seven people were killed execution style. On the morning of Thursday, February 14, 1929, on St. Valentine's Day, six members of George 'Bugs' Moran's gang and a mechanic who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, were lined up against the wall of a garage. They were then shot by four members of Capone’s gang. The garage they were in was the SMC Cartage Company in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago's North Side. One of the reasons this shooting was so big was that when one of the dying men, Frank Gusenberg, was asked who shot him, he replied, "Nobody shot me." “Bugs” Moran was Capone’s main rival, and so this massacre was a plan to eliminate that rivalry. However, there were other motivations behind it as well. It was planned to be retaliation for an unsuccessful attempt by Frank and his brother Peter Gusenberg to murder Jack McGurn earlier in the year. It was also sort of a payback because the North Side Gang's complicity in the murder of Pasqualino Lolordo as well as Antonio Lombardo, and because Bugs Moran was muscling in on a Capone-run dog track in the Chicago suburbs. Not to mention the big rivalry between Moran and Capone for control of the lucrative Chicago bootlegging business. Capone was on vacation in Florida at the time of the massacre, but he had a hand in planning it. The St. Valentine's Massacre was planned by Al Capone and various members of his gang. http://www.valentinesdayfun.net/what_is_the_st_valentines_day_massacre-22040.php http://www.valentinesdayfun.net/what_is_the_st_valentines_day_massacre-22040.php History Al_Capone gangs George_“Bugs”_Moran killing mobs St._Valentine’s Day_Massacre St._Valentine’s_Day Fri, 15 Feb 2008 10:01:19 -0800 You will need: •Scissors •Scrap booking paper (To reflect whatever theme you want. This is a good project for boys who may want to use camo, sports, or action themed papers) •Light-colored card stock or paper •Glue stick •Marker Time: Project completed in 30 Minutes or less Step One-Cut a large heart from the theme paper and a smaller one from the lighter paper. (Suggested measurements 5 1/2 inches and 3 1/2 inches across.) Or you can use a template. Step Two- Glue the hearts together and add your message. Suggested messages: •You're out of sight, valentine! •I can't hide it: I think you're cool •I can't hide my feelings for you]]> http://www.valentinesdayfun.net/theme_hearts-22034.php http://www.valentinesdayfun.net/theme_hearts-22034.php Crafts Homemade Valentines homemade cards St. Valentines Valentine cards Valentines Valentines Day Wed, 13 Feb 2008 09:34:17 -0800 You will need: •Pencil •Scissors •Construction paper •Colored card stock •Old-fashioned candy stick, in a wrapper •Pipe cleaner •Color-coding sticker dots Time: Project completed in Under 1 Hour Step One- Cut out a butterfly template. Step two-You can then choose to print the template onto card stock, or cut out the template and have your children trace around it onto colored paper. Then you can then cut out the butterfly pattern and spots for the wings. Step Three-Cut the slots in the butterfly for the candy-stick body. Step Four- Then carefully open the wings and weave the candy stick down into one slit and up through the other. Step Five-To make the antennae, gently wind the pipe cleaner tightly around one end of the candy stick so that two equal lengths extend upward and then curl the ends. Step Six-Decorate your butterfly with the dots and write your message on the back. ]]> http://www.valentinesdayfun.net/butterfly_valentines-22033.php http://www.valentinesdayfun.net/butterfly_valentines-22033.php Crafts Homemade Valentines homemade cards St. Valentines Valentine cards Valentines Valentines Day Wed, 13 Feb 2008 09:28:22 -0800 This will let your Valentine know they are the most special fish in the sea! You will need: •Card stock •Glue •Scissors •Marker •Googly eyes Time: Project completed in 30 Minutes or less Step One- Using the colored card stock or heavy construction paper, cut 2 large heart shapes for the fish's body and 1 small one for the tail. Step Two-Glue together the 3 hearts to make a fish shape. The fish body is made by gluing the large hearts together at the top of each heart. The tail is fastened on the end with the small part of the heart sticking out. Step Three-Use a paint pen or marker to write your Valentine message on the back and then add a mouth and a googly eye to the front. Possible messages could include: •Best fishes this Valentine's Day! •You're my fish in the sea •You're oceans of fun! •May your fishes come true this Valentine's Day]]> http://www.valentinesdayfun.net/fishy_valentine-22032.php http://www.valentinesdayfun.net/fishy_valentine-22032.php Crafts Homemade Valentines homemade cards St. Valentines Valentine cards Valentines Valentines Day Mon, 11 Feb 2008 08:24:48 -0800 You will need: •Pencil •Playing card •Red card stock (one 8 1/2- by 11-inch piece should make about 8 cards) •Scissors •Black marker •Foam heart stickers •Craft glue Time: Project completed less than 1 hour Step One-Using the playing card trace around it onto the card. Then cut out the traced shape. Step Two-On one side of the card stock write the letter A on 2 corners (make one A upside down, as on a real playing card). Decorate with the heart stickers and add a message like "You're a real Ace" or "You're an Ace in my book." On the other side, write who the card is to and from. ]]> http://www.valentinesdayfun.net/playing_card_valentines-22031.php http://www.valentinesdayfun.net/playing_card_valentines-22031.php Crafts Homemade Valentines homemade cards St. Valentines Valentine cards Valentines Valentines Day Sun, 10 Feb 2008 08:21:22 -0800 Even though Saint Valentine died over 1,700 years ago we are still sending Valentines today. It seems that just as soon as the stores put away their Christmas merchandise, out comes the Valentine's Day items even though Valentine's is still more than six weeks away. It also seems to take many shoppers by surprise to see Valentine's Day merchandise so soon after Christmas. It has lead more than one shopper to wonder where Valentine’s Day comes from and whether it was invented to create more business when Christmas is over. The surprising truth is that Valentine’s Day has a long and rich history. It is simply not a “greeting card” holiday that was invented to sell more greeting cards or by candy companies to sell more candy or by florists to sell more roses. The truth is astounding in the facts that show Valentine's Day actually started more than 1,500 years ago. According to many legends, Valentine was a priest who defied the orders of the Roman emperor Claudius II and continued to perform marriages. It seems that Claudius, desperate to build up the ranks of his armies, came to the realization that young men did not want to join his army because they didn't want to leave their wives and sweethearts. In response to this Claudius outlawed marriage for men of a certain age group. The priest Valentine was sympathetic to all the young lovers were unable to marry and began marrying them in secret. When it was discovered that Valentine was still performing marriages in secret, Claudius was outraged and Valentine was sentenced to death. The myths of Valentine become even murkier at this point. Some stories indicate that while imprisoned (either for the secret marriages or something else entirely) he allegedly cured the jailer's daughter of blindness, and on the night before his execution, sent a note to her signed "from your Valentine." He reportedly died on Feb. 14, 269 A.D. and was buried nearby by his devoted followers. Yet it was not until 496 AD that Pope Gelasius named February 14th as the day to honor St. Valentine. http://www.valentinesdayfun.net/how_valentines_day_came_about-22030.php http://www.valentinesdayfun.net/how_valentines_day_came_about-22030.php History holidays St._ Valentine Valentines Valentines_ cards Valentines_ Day Sat, 09 Feb 2008 08:17:22 -0800 Dipped Chocolate Treats Ingredients •½ pound of chocolate (semisweet, milk, or white) •Whatever you want to dip – pretzels, strawberries, bananas, truffles, etc. Directions: In a 2-cup glass container, microwave chocolate on medium (50% power) until softened; stir until smooth. (For easier dipping, you can also stir in 1 to 2 teaspoons salad oil.) Use for dipping fruits, pretzels, truffles, etc. Recipe makes enough to dip 6 cups pretzels; or 2 pints strawberries ]]> http://www.valentinesdayfun.net/dipped_chocolate_treats-21591.php http://www.valentinesdayfun.net/dipped_chocolate_treats-21591.php Recipes day great recipes special valentine’s Thu, 07 Feb 2008 18:49:45 -0800 Every February, across the country, there is an exchange of candy, flowers, and cards between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine. But many may still ask who is this mysterious saint and why do we celebrate this holiday? The history of Valentine's Day and its patron saint has always been shrouded in mystery. Historical accounts show that February has long been a month of romance. Modern day Valentine's Day is big business. Surveys show that consumers will spend an average of $77.43 on Valentine's Day gifts this year. And this does not stop with traditional retailers; e-commerce retailers expect to rack up about $650 million in sales of food, candy, flowers, and other Valentine's Day gifts. Of that total amount, about $350 million will be for gifts and flowers and another $45 million will be spent on food (including chocolate) and wine. Yet who was Saint Valentine and how did he become associated with this ancient rite? Today, the Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred. One legend tells us that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men. Valentine was outraged at the injustice of the decree, and set about to defy Claudius by performing marriages for young lovers in secret. When his actions were discovered, an infuriated Claudius ordered that he be put to death. http://www.valentinesdayfun.net/the_story_behind_the_coming_about_of_valentines_day-22039.php http://www.valentinesdayfun.net/the_story_behind_the_coming_about_of_valentines_day-22039.php History St._ Valentine story_ behind_ Valentines Valentine Valentine’s_ Day Valentine_ cards Thu, 07 Feb 2008 09:56:35 -0800 1.Decide on a theme. Are you going to make romantic Valentines, include photos or will your Valentines be funny or even racy? If you are making children’s Valentines be sure and consult the giver because kids are known for having something specific in mind when it comes to giving Valentines. They may want their Valentines to reflect their interest in a sport, movie or even a television character. Girls may want traditional pink, red and white Valentines while boys may want something a little more masculine. Be sure and get a clear idea of what you are going for and then move on to the next step. If you are having trouble coming up with a theme there are plenty of web sites, craft books and magazines that can be used as references. If you are still stymied for ideas consider a visit to your local craft store where they will have lots of ideas to look at and knowledgeable sales people to help. Be sure to consider not only the ages and skills of any children who will be involved in making them but the ages of the possible recipients as well. ]]> http://www.valentinesdayfun.net/how_to_make_homemade_valentines-22029.php http://www.valentinesdayfun.net/how_to_make_homemade_valentines-22029.php Homemade Valentines holidays home_ made_ Valentines how_ to_ make_ Valentines Valentines Valentines_ Day Thu, 07 Feb 2008 08:13:27 -0800 Ingredients •3 cups bread flour •1 (.25 ounce) envelope active dry yeast •1-1/4 cups warm water •3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided •3 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary •1 (14 ounce) can pizza sauce •3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese •2 ripe tomatoes, sliced •1 zucchini, sliced •15 slices vegetarian pepperoni •1 (2.25 ounce) can sliced black olives ]]> http://www.valentinesdayfun.net/a_valentine_pizza-21590.php http://www.valentinesdayfun.net/a_valentine_pizza-21590.php Recipes day great recipes special valentine’s Wed, 06 Feb 2008 18:47:54 -0800 Saint Valentine (also known as Valentinus) refers to one of several martyred saints of ancient Rome. The feast of Saint Valentine was always celebrated on February 14 by the Roman Catholic Church until a revised calendar was issued in 1969, due to the Second Vatican Council. It is now celebrated largely as a secular holiday throughout the world with little religious connection. There is much that is not known about St. Valentine. His very origins are murky as his birth date and birthplace are unknown. Valentine's name does not even occur in the earliest list of Roman martyrs. This list was compiled by the Chronographer of 354. The feast of St. Valentine was first decreed in 496 by Pope Gelasius I. Even then the exact identity of the man is still unknown as the saint whose feast was celebrated on the day now known as St. Valentine's Day was possibly one of three martyred men named Valentinus. We do know that he lived in the late third century, during the reign of Emperor Claudius II. It is believed that the St. Valentine who is celebrated was either a priest in Rome, a bishop of Interamna (modern Terni) or a martyr in the Roman province of Carthage. Each has a different date given for their martyrdoms: 269, 270, or 273. The confusion is understandable since the name was a popular one in late antiquity. While the truth still remains hidden there are legends and myths that have arisen from the works of St. Valentine. One of the most often repeated is that during imprisonment by the Emperor Claudius the priest Valentine healed the jailor's daughter who visited him often. Before his death in prison he sent her a note signed, “From your Valentine”. It is believed that many of the current legends surrounding Valentine appear in the late Middle Ages in France and England, when the feast day of February 14 became associated with romantic love. But is is believed that Valentine was buried on February 14th. Regardless of the naysayers, St. Valentine remains the patron saint of lovers. http://www.valentinesdayfun.net/who_is_saint_valentine-22042.php http://www.valentinesdayfun.net/who_is_saint_valentine-22042.php History February_14 saints St._ Valentine Valentine Valentines_ Day Wed, 06 Feb 2008 10:10:47 -0800 Store bought Valentines- •Advantages •The number one factor to store bought Valentines is convenience. There is no getting around the fact that with the busy schedules of everyone, being able to pick up Valentines ready to go is a huge plus. In addition, if you choose store bought Valentines there is generally a supply even at the last minute. •There are Valentines to fit almost every taste and budget. This is especially important if your child is looking for “theme” Valentines for their school friends. Today’s Valentines reflect movie characters, pop stars, sports and almost every other imaginable theme. Generally if you are searching for a certain type of Valentine you can find it. In addition store bought Valentines offer a wide range of items in every budget. Whether you are looking to spend minimal dollars or buy a lavish Valentine you will be able to find it. •Buying store bought Valentines can be especially helpful for those who do not consider themselves to have any craft ability. Today’s Valentines reflect a level of artistic skill that many people simply do not possess but want their Valentine’s to have. •Stores are now offering a wide range of gifts and goodies to go with the Valentines cards. Many stores have become known for one stop shopping for Valentines where you can select cards, gifts, flowers and even chocolates to accompany your Valentines card. This makes the entire Valentines shopping extremely efficient in both time and money spent. ]]> http://www.valentinesdayfun.net/homemade_versus_storebought_valentines-22028.php http://www.valentinesdayfun.net/homemade_versus_storebought_valentines-22028.php Homemade Valentines homemade_ Valentines St._ Valentines store_ bought_ Valentines Valentines Valentines_ cards Wed, 06 Feb 2008 08:08:21 -0800 http://www.valentinesdayfun.net/valentines_day_truffle-21589.php http://www.valentinesdayfun.net/valentines_day_truffle-21589.php Recipes day great recipes special valentine’s Tue, 05 Feb 2008 18:46:01 -0800 Be advised here that adult supervision is needed to make this Valentine. You will need: •Crayons (light and bright colors work best) •Handheld pencil sharpener •Waxed paper •Large paper grocery bags •Ironing board and iron •Scissors •Permanent marker Time: Project completed in Under 1 Hour Step One- Have the kids peel the paper off the crayons. Then using a pencil sharpener shave them over a large sheet of waxed paper, spread the shavings thinly and leave a wide blank border around the edges of the paper. Step Two-Place a flattened paper bag on your ironing board, then carefully set the crayon-covered waxed paper on top of it. Gently cover the shavings with a second piece of waxed paper and then another flattened bag. After the iron has been heated to medium or wool setting, slowly and evenly press the surface of the top bag (an adult’s job). Slowly and carefully continue ironing until the crayon shavings are evenly melted (you can peek under the bag to check). Step Three-Once the waxed paper is cool, have your child can cut out a bunch of hearts. The larger hearts can then be directly written on for the Valentine and smaller hearts used for decoration.]]> http://www.valentinesdayfun.net/stained_glass_valentine-22027.php http://www.valentinesdayfun.net/stained_glass_valentine-22027.php Crafts Homemade Valentines holidays Homemade_ Valentines_ for_ kids making_ Valentines Valentines Valentines_ for_ kids Mon, 04 Feb 2008 08:05:41 -0800