Toledo's heart is in the right place

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Is your Valentine's Day forecast looking lonely and cloudy this year?

Don't despair. Being single and dateless on Valentine's Day can be fun. Besides, why should couples have all the fun?

Whether your love boat has capsized or is still at the dock or you're just flying solo, there is plenty for singles to do for Valentine's Day. Check out some of these local events:

● Soothe your single soul with poetry from Toledo area lyricists, at Love Struck, the third installment of the Poetry & Soul sessions, at Our Brothers Place restaurant in downtown Toledo. The event is Tuesday and will open with Mingle for the Singles, a mixer, featuring icebreakers, champagne, dancing and socializing. Following the mixer, the poetry jam will begin, featuring spoken word artists Azucar, Brooke Campbell, Tavon Patterson, and L. Jermaine. Throughout the evening, there will be live performances by local acts, including Tracy "TheRareBreed" Haynes, Lisa "Thee Oracle" Hightower, Leah Williams, and Deon Yates, a saxophonist from Detroit. The event begins at 7:30 p.m. with the mixer. At 8:30 the event will be open to couples. There's a $5 cover charge and VIP seating is available for $10 per person and $15 per couple.

● Don't be intimidated by the title of the Sweetheart Dinner Dance. You don't need a sweetie to attend this event. The charity dance is Saturday and open to singles and couples. It will feature dinner and dancing at the Maumee Eagles Banquet Room, 2301 Detroit Ave., Maumee. The dinner menu ranges in price from $11 to $13 and includes New York Strip Steak, shrimp, potatoes, and a salad bar. A DJ will play a variety of music, including rock and country hits, for guests to groove to. The dinner portion will run from 5 to 7:30 p.m. The dancing begins immediately after and runs until midnight. The event also will include raffles. Proceeds will benefit the Ability Center, which assists people with disabilities. Information: 419-410-3691.

● Feed the hungry and your desire to dance at Hearts of Fire, a benefit for the Toledo Northwestern Ohio Food Bank. The event runs from 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday at the Sylvan Lodge, 3535 N. Holland-Sylvania Road, and features food stations, desserts, and a cash bar. Tickets are $30 per person. Information: 419-242-5000.

● Spend the day watching zoo animals receive Valentine's Day treats at Vanimal-tine's Day Saturday at the Toledo Zoo. Watch as animals explore their exhibits and find papier-mâche Valentines filled with species-appropriate treats. The gift giving begins at 10 a.m. and wraps up at 4 p.m. Admission is $7 for adults, $5.50 for seniors and children under 12.

If your inner party animal doesn't come out until after dark, head back to the zoo Saturday evening for Vineyard Adventures, a mix of wine tasting, hors d'oeuvres, live music, and socializing. A wide assortment of gourmet foods, wines, and other great gifts will be available for additional purchase. The theme is In a New York Minute. The event runs from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Artic Encounter area of the zoo. Tickets are $35 for zoo members and $40 each for non-members. Guests must be 21 to attend. To purchase tickets visit toledozoo.org.

● They say laughter is the best medicine, so laugh your little heart out with award-winning comedian, magician, and hypnotist Michael Night as he returns to Toledo with his annual Valentine comedy show Tuesday. Guests can watch the show or be a part of it, as Night uses rapid fire comedy and modern hypnosis to keep audiences laughing. The show also will feature comedians Ed Bartko, Rich Hineline, and Kerri Croft. Guests must be 21 to attend the R-rated show beginning at 7 p.m. at Duncan's Bar, 938 Laskey Road, Toledo. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. Advance tickets can be purchased at Duncan's Bar and Permanently Scarred, 3232 Sylvania Ave.

Contact RoNeisha Mullen at rmullen@theblade.com or 419-724-6133.