There are a lot of ways to show you love someone this Valentine's Day. Here are a few ways that are locally focused and unique.

Flying Lessons:
You can give your loved one something that lasts long after the chocolates with a $99 flying lesson at any of the 3,500 area flight schools in the U.S., according to Jo Ann Guear of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. Find a flight school (locally there is one at the Pottstown-Limerick Airport on Ridge Pike) at http://www.aopa.org/letsgoflying/ready/choose/search.cfm. During the flight, your sweetie can sit in the pilot’s seat and take the controls to taxi, take off and fly a plane for around 30-40 minutes before landing. All under the guidance of an FAA-licensed instructor.

Wine and Chocolate Trail:
Member wineries of the Berks County Wine Trail are participating in a special weekend this Valentine's Day. Feb. 13 and 14, the wineries involved are open from noon to 5 and are serving special desserts paired with their wines. Maps & directions for this self-guided tour are available on the wine trail's Web site, www.berkscountywinetrail.com. Additional directions are available on the individual Web sites for each participating winery. This event will also be a fantastic opportunity to taste medal winning wines from the 2010 PA Farm Show. Berks County Wine Trail wineries collectively brought home over twenty medals this year including four Gold Medals and a Best in Show!

For a Giving Heart:
Why not give your sweetie something to enjoy while helping others. A great gift for someone who loves to volunteer or make a difference in this world is a breakfast at
St. Mary’s Franciscan Shelter for Homeless Families, 209 Emmett Street, Phoenixville. The only annual fundraiser for the shelter, this breakfast features an all-you-can-eat buffet between 9 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Cost is $9 for adults, $5 for children ages 6-12. Children under age 5 get in free. The buffet will be prepared by Will Christman of Make It Special in Royersford. Included on the menu will be fresh fruit cup, orange juice, English muffins, pancakes, scrambled eggs, fried country style ham, sausage links, homefries, a selection of cold cereal, assorted desserts, coffee, tea and milk. Advanced reservations are requested; call 610-933-3097 by Feb. 5.