Since Valentine's Day falls on Thursday, a school night, local businesses that cater to the family are especially feeling the love this year.  Papa Murphy's, (the fifth largest pizza chain in the nation) is swamped with cheesy Valentine's orders for their HeartBaker™ - a pizza in the form of a heart. In fact, V-Day is a heart stopper for sure - one of the busiest pizza days of the year!  We'd love to have you come out to a Papa Murphy's in our area this week to show how we make the HeartBaker™ - a perfect gift for the entire family!

You could cover this as part of a bigger story on how local businesses are swamped with V-Day orders - (businesses like Papa Murphy's, florists, card shops, candy stores, jewelry shops).

Papa Murphy's Difference:

Papa Murphy's is so successful on Valentine's Day because the company capitalizes on the new trend of staying home with the family on Valentine's Day - especially when it falls on a school night.  In a recent survey, 90% of women with children say they're happy to  spend V-Day at home with the kids.  62% say the high prices and big crowds deter them from going out on Valentine's Day. At Papa Murphy's, you pick your own fresh ingredients and take the HeartBaker™ home to bake in your own oven - vs. - going out or waiting for the pizza boy with a cold delivery. Papa Murphy's brings families together through food, people and love. 

CUPID WANTS YOUR DOUGH (Crazy Facts about Valentine's Day Spending)

Did you know On Valentine's Day  -

• Spending is expected to reach more than $17 billion nationwide
• 141 million cards are exchanged worldwide - (second to only Christmas in card sales)
• The average consumer will spend $126
• Men spend double what women spend - $168 compared to $85
• 85% of women prefer quality time with their significant other instead of a gift
• 52% of women say they feel guilty if their significant other spends too much on a V- Day gift
• Half of women say they would end the relationship if their significant other forgot V-Day
• 198 million roses bought on V-Day  (mostly red)
• Folks will spend $1.7 billion on followers - 73% bought by men, 27% by women
• 8 billion candy hearts will be produced - enough to be laid out from Rome, Italy to Valentine, Arizona - 20 times and back again
• 11% of Americans will get engaged on V-Day

So don't be a heart breaker!! Come out and show how we make the HEARTBAKER! I've enclosed a press release with OTHER heart-shaped VALENTINE'S gift ideas and would love to help you tell this story.

Hardee's just announced their new Charbroiled Atlantic Cod Fish Sandwich with a little help from Sports Illustrated model Nina Agdal.

The swimsuit model stars in the new menu item's commercial, first premiering this weekend during Super Bowl XLVII. A behind-the-scenes look at the spot can be viewed on Hardee's YouTube page.

The Charbroiled Atlantic Cod Fish Sandwich features a charbroiled fillet of Atlantic cod, creamy tartar sauce and sliced tomato and lettuce on a honey wheat bun. Together with sister brand Carl's Jr., the national fast-food chain is the first to offer a charbroiled fish sandwich - not battered and deep fried - on the menu. At only 420 calories, the charbroiled sandwich offers a healthy and flavorful new meal option.

Sports anchor calls on Super Bowl grillers to play it safe

January 30, 2013 - The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is collaborating with ESPN SportsCenter Anchor Hannah Storm on a series of home fire safety PSAs. As the Super Bowl approaches, these messages encourage the public to take care when using their grills. For PSAs and safety information visit, www.nfpa.org/hannah.

In December 2012, Storm was badly burned while preparing to cook dinner for her children. After wind blew out the flame, propane gas pooled on her grill and became an explosive fireball when Storm attempted to re-ignite it. Only the instinct to close her eyes upon seeing the flame saved her corneas, but her face, neck, chest and hands suffered first- and second-degree burns.

According to NFPA, flammable or combustible gas or liquid was the item first ignited in half of home outdoor grill fires. The course of action to remember in grilling is:  if the flame goes out, immediately turn off the gas and the grill, and wait at least 15 minutes before trying to re-light it.

Storm feels that it is "important to tell and share this story because it was a very simple mistake that I made, but it was a very common mistake. People all over the world grill and they grill all the time, and most of the people that I know really don't understand the proper procedures..."

"Fires and burn injuries are not only traumatic for the person, but for the family and community as well," says Lorraine Carli, vice president of Communications at NFPA. "Hannah is very courageous to share the personal details of her fire experience and burn injury to remind the public to take steps to prevent fires and avoid injuries."

February 3rd marks not only the Super Bowl, but also the first day of Burn Awareness Week 2013. The week is an opportunity for burn, fire and life safety educators to spread a message of fire safety throughout local communities. The Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors works with those injured by burns, providing a supportive community on the road to recovery.

"Imagine for a moment every single person who is at the stadium at the Super Bowl - approximately 85,500 plus attendees. That's the number of just children under the age of 14 impacted by a burn injury each year," said Amy Acton, executive director of the Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors. "We commend Hannah for sharing her story to bring awareness on how you can prevent burn injuries and to connect those who have had an injury to available resources."

Storm returned to television on January 1, 2013. Her PSAs aim to raise awareness of the potential dangers of grilling, and to ensure safe cooking for sports fans and families alike.

About the Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors
The Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors is the leading national nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering anyone affected by a burn injury through peer support, education, and advocacy. Visit the Phoenix Society's website at www.phoenix-society.org.

About the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

NFPA is a worldwide leader in fire, electrical, building, and life safety. The mission of the international nonprofit organization founded in 1896 is to reduce the worldwide burden of fire and other hazards on the quality of life by providing and advocating consensus codes and standards, research, training, and education. NFPA develops more than 300 codes and standards to minimize the possibility and effects of fire and other hazards. All NFPA codes and standards can be viewed at no cost at www.nfpa.org/freeaccess.

Sample the many varieties of food DeWitt restaurants have to offer.

Participating restaurants(partial list):

• Barnes Foodland
• Crossroads Coffee
• DeWitt Nite Lions
• Dream Cake Designs
• Garden Cafe at The CROSSROADS Inspired Living
• Golden Wok Chinese Restaurant
• Hall of Fame Pizza & Wings
• Happy Joe's Pizza & Ice Cream
• Pizza Hut
• Sunrise Cafe
• TC's Point After
• Whisk Away Cafe & Bakery

Adults: $15 & receives 5 food tickets. Children under 10: $7 & receives 3 food tickets. Extra tickets can be purchased at the event for $2 each.

This is a fund-raiser for future expenses. ALL proceeds benefit new Christmas decorations. Tax deductible amount of adult ticket is $10. Tax deductible amount of children ticket is $4.

Make checks payable to: Chamber Foundation

Tickets available at Chamber office, all Chamber board members and participating members.