By Lester Paquin

FRIDAY

Our friend Kathy Murray has an art exhibit titled Figurative Language: Monotype Prints in the Main Hall Gallery in the Administration Building at Quinsigamond Community College (670 West Boylston St.). She creates monotype prints inspired by the use of ordinary materials and clothing — a neat idea. Originally trained as a painter, Murray was drawn to the color saturation, spontaneity and direct expression on monotype prints, and finds the possibilities for creativity in printmaking endless. And she's pretty darn talented, to boot — having laid out many an award-winning issue of Worcester Magazine when she was our art director. The exhibit is on view weekdays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. through April 4. We're always so proud when the kids do well.

If you're waiting until the weekend to celebrate Valentine's Day (those Thursday night celebrations can make Friday mornings a little iffy, especially when they might not be over by then), here's a suggestion. Get all dressed up nice, pay tons of cash for an expensive dinner, then head over to The Asa Waters Mansion (123 Elm St., Millbury) for a $15 dessert between 6 and 8 p.m. They call it Sweet Remembrances, meant to enhance your Valentine's Day celebration be providing a selection of decadent sweets, flavored tea and coffee specially chosen for the event. Sweet music will fill the background, and your sugary visit can only be heightened by the ambience of the mansion. But don't get carried away by your, um, imagination, and try to sneak into one of the bed chambers. There may be alarms — not to mention security cameras for the staff to review and comment on your sweet endeavors.

SATURDAY

It's a big day at Old Sturbridge Village — second only to the Fourth of July on the calendar in terms of Solemn Importance and Celebration. We're talking about George Washington's Birthday, of course, a bona fide holiday in this country long before horseless carriages went on sale to honor the Father of Our Country. They make a big deal out of the General's birthday at the Village, rendering him toasts and tributes and feasting a'-plenty. And why not? It seems fitting they should remember our first president the way we all should. You can buy that new Buick some other time. Join in the tributes to Martha's husband (1 Old Sturbridge Village Road, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.) today through Monday. And don't mention Abraham Lincoln — he was just a young lawyer then.

Roses are red, violets are blue - and so are your lips: They call it The Passion Plunge, and you have to be pretty passionate to plunge your swinging parts into any outdoor water at this time of year. The "passion" in this case is a desire to support local Special Olympics athletes, and the place to indulge is at Indian Lake on Shore Drive today from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. — don't worry, you'll find it — just look for all the half-naked blue people. For more information, visit www.passionplunge.org. And guys — don't wear the Speedo. Remember the shrinkage. Wear a pair of those skirt-like garments that basketball players now refer to as "shorts." You'll be covered from mid-calf to navel.

SUNDAY

Think you've had a hard life? Here's a lady who could "hard life" you right under the table. Grace Akallo is the author of Girl Soldier: A Story of Hope for Northern Uganda's Children. She's a native Ugandan and a Worcester resident. She'll speak about her experiences today in the Saxe Room at the Worcester Public Library (2-4 p.m.). Those experiences include being kidnapped from school at the age of 15 and forced to fight in a rebel army. She escaped, eventually making her way to the United States — though she still has family and friends who are still in captivity as child soldiers. This lady deserves your attendance, respect and support — be there. o