The Greeting Card Association estimates that approximately 1 billion Valentines are sent each year worldwide, making the day the second largest card-sending holiday of the year, behind Christmas.
The oldest known valentine card is on display at the British Museum. Esther A. Howland created the first commercial Valentine's Day greeting cards, which were produced in the United States in the 1840s.
Those who want to express themselves by creating their own cards can do so at a couple of UCSF campus locations as part of Valentine's Day activities.
Here's a look at what's happening at a work site near you:
Friday, Feb. 8: Card-making workshop, noon to 1 p.m. Nursing Mezzanine above Courtyard Café, Parnassus campus. Staff and students can use their creativity to make their own Valentine's Day cards. Glue, glitter and paper will be provided.
Monday, Feb. 11: Card-making workshop, noon to 1:30 p.m. in the View Café, Laurel Heights campus. Materials are supplied for making personalized cards.
Wednesday, Feb. 13: Card-making workshop, noon to 1 p.m., Genentech Hall, first floor, Mission Bay campus. Glue, pens and paper will be provided.
Thursday, Feb. 14: Valentine's Day breakfast, 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., the View Garden Room, Laurel Heights campus.
Thursday, Feb. 14 and Friday, Feb 15:
The Vagina Monologues, 7 p.m., Toland Hall, Parnassus campus. The UCSF student production celebrates V-Day. V-Day is a global movement to stop violence against women and girls. Tickets are $8 and can be
purchased online. All proceeds will be donated to San Francisco Women Against Rape. For more information,
email.
Thursday, Feb. 14: UCSF Family Night at the
Exploratorium, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Exploratorium, Palace of Fine Arts, 3601 Lyon St., San Francisco. Campus Life Services Arts & Events partners with the Exploratorium for a free evening. No reservations are needed, but you must bring a UCSF ID to receive two adult and two children's passes. You'll be able to watch a cow's heart dissection and participate in Valentine's Day activities. For more information, call Arts & Events at 415/476-2675.
Campus Life Services Arts & Events is discounting their holiday See's Candies supply at the Millberry Union central desk, 500 Parnassus Ave. A one-pound box of assorted, dark chocolate or soft center candies can be purchased for $10. The regular price is $13. The sale will continue while supplies last. These boxed candies have winter holiday wrap that can be removed. For more information, call Arts & Events at 476-2675.
