Carpe Weekend: The great divide on Valentine’s Day

• Reprints

Claudia Hommel will perform a Valentine Cabaret show on Feb. 11 at the Center in Palos Park. | Photo courtesy of Sandra Mesrine

Updated: May 9, 2012 10:14AM

Love it or hate it, Valentine’s Day is here again.

Even if that doesn’t fill you with unbridled excitement, it should at least make you stop and think for a moment.

What other day of the year is so effective at celebrating one group of people while simultaneously alienating another?

If you’re in love, all of those Valentine’s Day commercials for flowers and chocolates and cards are a comforting reminder that you’ve finally found that one person with whom you want to spend your remaining years.

If you’re one of the lovelorn, though, these very same commercials can be extremely nauseating, enough so to make even those with a steel resolution lose their lunches.

Because I’m not sure which group you fall into, and because I’m all about including everyone, I’m not going to recommend the traditional Valentine’s Day activities made specifically for couples.

Instead, here are a few events going on this weekend that anyone can go to, regardless of their relationship status.

Take that, Valentine’s Day!

Valentine Cabaret

Professional cabaret singer Claudia Hommel will perform a Valentine Cabaret show at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 11 at the Center, 12700 Southwest Highway, Palos Park.

The dinner-show is $40, and reservations are required.

Information: (708) 361-3650.

Valentine Spa Escape

The Oak Lawn Park District will offer a Valentine Spa Escape for adults from 7 to 8:15 p.m. Feb. 9 at the Oak View Recreation Center, 4625 W. 110th St., Oak Lawn.

Instructor Annmarie Vlastnik will walk participants through a relaxing evening including a mini facial, foot treatment and de-stressing techniques.

The fee is $25, and registration is required.

Information: (708) 857-2200 or olparks.com.

‘Chocolate Overdose’

Mokena Community Public Library, 11327 W. 195th St., will host its “Chocolate Overdose” program from 1 to 2 p.m. Feb. 11. Chocolate samples will be provided.

Registration is required. Information: (708) 479-9663.

Jazz Fest

The music department at South Suburban College, 15800 S. State St., South Holland, will present its Jazz Fest featuring junior, middle and high school bands from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Feb. 10 and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 11.

Information: (708) 596-2000, Ext. 2299.