Cozy up to your sweetheart this Valentine’s Day at places selected by AAA experts.

Love is in the air! As Valentine’s Day approaches, many Americans are planning romantic getaways and exceptional dinners with their special someone. Opportunities to be hit by Cupid’s arrow abound at hotels and restaurants across the U.S. and Canada. These properties romance travelers all year with intimate settings, personalized amenities and exceptional touches, according to the travel experts at AAA.

AAA polled its professional inspectors for their favorite places to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Discover their top 14 picks below, also highlighted on AAA’s travel blog at AAATravelViews.com.

The Boheme, Orlando, Fla., AAA Four Diamond Restaurant

While downtown movers and shakers can be spotted here during the lunch hour dining on cashew salmon or crab ravioli, an amazing transformation takes place for dinner service. Live background music, dim lights, rich fabrics and wood accents create a warm and tranquil atmosphere perfect for a romantic dinner. Special Valentine’s Day brunch and dinner menus feature exquisite selections including mouthwatering seafood specialties and desserts.

Casa Madrona Hotel, Sausalito, Calif., AAA Three Diamond Lodging

A well-known getaway for honeymooners and sweethearts, this intimate hotel is nestled on a lush hillside overlooking the San Francisco Bay. The Casa Madrona blends the amenities of a full-service hotel with the charm of a historic bed and breakfast. Guest rooms are individually decorated with elegant décor and personal touches from canopy beds and claw-foot tubs to artist lofts and private balconies.

Don CeSar Beach Resort, A Loews Hotel, St. Pete Beach, Fla., AAA Four Diamond Lodging

Known internationally as “Florida’s Pink Castle” and locally as “The Don,” this property is located directly on the Gulf of Mexico. Built in 1928, this resort features awe-inspiring Mediterranean architecture and lushly landscaped grounds enhanced by marble fountains. One can view romantic sunsets from the courtyard area, guestroom balconies and during walks on the beach.

The Hay-Adams, Washington, D.C., AAA Four Diamond Lodging

The Hay-Adams, located across from Lafayette Park and the White House, is rich in both history and luxury. The hotel offers a refined setting with a service-oriented staff that has welcomed celebrities and foreign dignitaries since it opened in 1927. Each guest room is decorated with high-quality furnishings and fabrics in soothing tones. Many rooms have a view of the White House or St. John’s Church. Premium amenities and services make this an ideal venue for a romantic getaway.

Henderson’s Wharf Inn, Baltimore, Md., AAA Three Diamond Lodging

Tucked away in the historic Fells Point area of Baltimore, Henderson’s Wharf Inn is a delightful hidden gem. Guests are showered with luxuries, including a complimentary bottle of wine on arrival. Set on the harbor, the historic building, once used as a tobacco warehouse, is just a short stroll from shops, restaurants and attractions. The guest rooms combine Old World charm with the quality and comfort guests expect today.

The Hotel Viking, Newport, R.I., AAA Three Diamond Lodging

A romantic seaside retreat at The Hotel Viking may begin with a side-by-side massage at Spa Terre, voted one of the top spas in the Ocean State. Guests enjoy gourmet dining at One Bellevue, the fabulous on-site restaurant. The designer decorated suites feature lavish appointments such as four-poster beds, flat panel HDTV’s over gas fireplaces, chilled champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries.

The Inn at Palmetto Bluff, Bluffton, S.C., AAA Four Diamond Lodging

The Inn is a virtual Garden of Eden sitting alongside the tranquil May River. Single and duplex cottages offer a romantic getaway with a full menu of world-class amenities. Guests can relax with a historic yacht ride, laps in the heated infinity pool, a totally indulgent spa treatment, an in-room steam bath, or by watching the dolphins at play from an Adirondack-style rocking chair. During sunset, egrets perching for the night turn the trees from emerald green to snow white.

Inn Walden, Aurora, Ohio, AAA Five Diamond Lodging

Guests are pampered at this romantic country retreat in northeastern Ohio with unrivaled hospitality and spacious luxuriously-appointed suites complete with fireplaces, picture windows and custom-made furniture. The bathrooms are graced with glass showers, soaking tubs and Vermont slate floors. One of two dining rooms is situated in a restored, 175-year-old barn. Activities include Spa Walden, tennis, golf and horseback riding.

L’Auberge Chez Francois, Great Falls, Va., AAA Four Diamond Restaurant

Narrow, rolling roads lead to this charming restaurant, which serves country French cuisine. Alsatian specialties and wonderful classics line the six-course menu. Background music adds to the sophistication, as do knowledgeable, trained staff members who can ably assist with wine and entree selections. This may be one of the best values for a fine dining experience in the area.

Pointe Restaurant (in the Wickaninnish Inn), Tofino, British Columbia, AAA Four Diamond Restaurant

The Inn is the only resort on beautiful Chesterman Beach, built above the rocks and jutting out into the ocean. The restaurant offers more than 240 degrees of breathtaking Pacific Ocean scenery from its floor-to-ceiling windows. During the stormy winter season, guests can witness the power of Mother Nature as the waves crash onto the rocks just below the restaurant’s windows. The cuisine highlights Canada’s West Coast local fresh seafood, but it’s really the magnificent scenery guests will always remember.

The Rosseau, a JW Marriott Resort & Spa, Minett, Ontario, AAA Four Diamond Lodging

Perched above Lake Rosseau in Ontario’s exclusive Muskoka region, this resort offers a romantic getaway for the whole family. In addition to “everyday” luxurious views and indulgent dining opportunities, the resort offers organized events through the Valentine’s Day weekend, including ice fishing, sleigh rides, a guided snowshoe astronomy trek and a chocolate making workshop. Moms and dads looking for a little quality romance time can enroll children ages four through 12 in an afternoon program.

Tickle Pink Inn, Carmel-by-the-Sea, Calif., AAA Four Diamond Lodging

Located in the Carmel Highlands, the Inn is tucked away on a bluff that overlooks the rugged coastline of the Pacific Ocean. Guestrooms are elegantly appointed with European influences, many with a wood-burning fireplace, whirlpool tub and private balcony. A wine and cheese reception is available each evening where guests can mingle or relax by the fireplace before heading out to one of Carmel’s many restaurants, art galleries or unique shops.

The Townsend Hotel, Birmingham, Mich., AAA Four Diamond Lodging

For those seeking an unforgettable private Valentine’s Day experience, the concierge at The Townsend Hotel in downtown Birmingham will plan a custom event “Townsend Style.” Highlights include champagne, chocolates, roses, deep tissue massages and chocolate aroma therapy.

Vincenzo’s Restaurant, Louisville, Ky., AAA Four Diamond Restaurant

This magnificent restaurant is located in a former bank building and has been a favorite for romantic dinners for more than 20 years. High vaulted ceilings, beautiful floor-to-ceiling paintings and a large flower display attract the eye. The highly skilled and attentive kitchen and dining staff offer a menu of favorites from a wonderful appetizer of a rosebud of smoked salmon to rack of lamb. Plate presentations are artistic and clearly demonstrate colorful and delicious culinary imagination.

AAA’s professional inspectors evaluate and rate more than 58,000 lodgings and restaurants in the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean using a scale of One to Five Diamonds. Access listings of AAA Approved and Diamond Rated hotels and restaurants in the AAA TourBook guides and at AAA.com/Travel.

AAA inspectors conduct an average of more than 1,100 property evaluations per year and have a combined total of 700 years experience. The average tenure is 12 years, with the longest being 28 years. AAA inspectors work remotely and bring significant prior industry experience to the association.

As North America’s largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides more than 51 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. AAA clubs can be visited on the Internet at AAA.com.

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Adolescents with suicidal thoughts and elevated depression had stronger and faster reduction of symptoms when treated with family therapy than with standard treatment in the community. Researchers from The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia reported these findings this month in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

Suicide is the third leading cause of death in American adolescents, accounting for more than 1,300 deaths in youths between the ages of 12 and 18 in 2005. An additional one million teens attempt suicide each year, leading to high emotional and financial costs to families and the health care system. Unfortunately, very few treatment studies have focused on this vulnerable age group or identified treatments with proven results.

In this study, Attachment-based Family Therapy (ABFT), found that patients with severe suicidal thinking were at least four times more likely to have no suicide thinking at the end of the treatment or three months after treatment, than patients treated in the community. Patients in ABFT also showed a more rapid decrease in depression symptoms and were retained in treatment longer than in community care, even with additional supports provided by the study. This is the first treatment study for teen suicidal ideation to show robust and statistically significant improvement over treatment as usual.

“Most treatment models mainly work with the adolescents alone, helping them to learn new coping and problem solving strategies,” says study leader Guy S. Diamond, Ph.D., director of the Center for Family Intervention Science at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. “But adolescents are highly influenced by their parents. Family conflict, chaos, and strife can contribute to youth suicide, while at the same time family love, trust, and communication can buffer against it. This therapy aims to resolve family conflicts and promote family strengths so that the appropriate bond of attachment can protect youth from self harm.”

The researchers studied 66 children between the ages of 12 and 17 who presented in primary care or emergency rooms with severe suicidal thinking and depressive symptoms. The average age was 15, about three quarters were African American and 83 percent were female. Parent participation was required.

“Parents are not viewed as the problem, but as the curative medicine,” Diamond says. “They are the key to keeping lines of communication open in order to monitor against suicidal behavioral. And while no treatment is perfect for all patients, helping any family through a youth’s suicide crisis is important.”

Diamond says his team’s future studies will focus on a broader population of patients, stronger comparison treatments, and long term outcomes to better assess treatment benefits.

A grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention supported this research. Diamond’s co-authors were Gregory Brown, Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania; Matthew B. Wintersteen, Ph.D., from Thomas Jefferson University; Robert Gallop, Ph.D., from West Chester University; and Gary M. Diamond, Ph.D., from Ben-Gurion University of Negev, Israel; Karni Shelef, Ph.D., of Achva Academic College of Israel; and Suzanne Levy, Ph.D., from Children’s Hospital.

The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia was founded in 1855 as the nation’s first pediatric hospital. Through its long-standing commitment to providing exceptional patient care, training new generations of pediatric healthcare professionals and pioneering major research initiatives, Children’s Hospital has fostered many discoveries that have benefited children worldwide. Its pediatric research program is among the largest in the country, ranking second in National Institutes of Health funding. In addition, its unique family-centered care and public service programs have brought the 441-bed hospital recognition as a leading advocate for children and adolescents. For more information, visit http://www.chop.edu/.

Source: The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

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Organizing a babyshower without the proper knowledge and information can quickly turn into a nightmare and a daunting experience. With the appropriate knowledge, even the first timer can run a successful babyshower with more ease.

If you remember and follow the suggestions listed above, you have a good chance of running a successful and memorable babyshower.

Babyshowers have their origin in ancient time. Like other things, the way and manner in which they are planned and celebrated have changed over time. Here are somethings that you should bear in mind when planning a babyshower today.

1.  Know the culture of the would be parents.
Because babyshowers are steeped in tradition and customs, it is important to have a good idea of what is culturally acceptable by the would be parents and what is not. People do not necessarily throw away their culture because they live in modern times. Knowing the cultural limitations, makes the celebration more memorable and worthwile.

2.  Know the needs of the parents to be
It is pointless giving gifts that recepients can not use. Would be parents need things for the new baby and are probably stretched to their limits. It would be only worth their while if the gifts they get help to alleviate this burden. Where the gender of the baby is known in advance, give gifts that are gender appropriate.

3.  Know the best time to schedule your shower
As the hostess, it behooves you to know when to schedule the babyshower for maximum benefit and impact. Do not schedule your shower too early or too late. Expecting couples need all the financial help they can get. Scheduling a shower too late may mean that the couple had already bought all the things they need for the baby.

4.  Know the physical needs of the expecting mother
Pregnancy puts enormous physical challenges and demand on the expecting mother, especially if it is their first pregnancy. It is a good idea to locate the shower closer to home to avoid putting additional strain on an already over challenged mother to be.

5.  Know who is on your guest list
The success and failure of a babyshower to a certain extent depends on the attendace. How responsive is your list. Did you consult the couple when compiling your guest list. Remember this is their babyshower not your. You are only a vessel in the actualization of this event.

6.  Know your refreshment plan
Preparing for and feeding even the smallest group of poeple can quickly turn into a nightmare if no adequate plans are made for that. Set up a plan about what to serve and how to serve it and work your plan. Make room for emergencies that may arise.

7.  Know your plan for entertainment
What is your plan for entertainment? Do you have games that your guests can play? Board games and puzzles make for easy and entertaining games that your guests can play. You might want to organize some kind of poetry reading, depending on the mix of your guests. You can have guests come with their own poems written for the occassion to share with others.

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