It’s a simple mathematical fact — the sum of any even amount of odd numbers will always equal an even number. Hail to February, the second month of the year and the only month that has less than 30 days. Most of us pronounce it “feb-yoo-aire-ee” simply because we don’t like or can’t pronounce two r’s that are so close by each other.
Roman superstition held that even numbers were unlucky, thus Roman King Numa Pompilius stuck this month with 28, the calendar’s fewest number of days.
Here are our superstitious but warmhearted choices for shopping, dining and entertainment to fill the month with fabulous food, fun and flirting by the fire:
3 Warm up in the Ellie Caulkins Opera House as the Colorado Ballet premieres a brand new production of the Wizard Of Oz with live music by the Ballet Orchestra, Feb. 1-10. Information: 303-837-8888, ext 2.
3 Enjoy an evening of artwork, live music plus food and drink at the Art Students League’s Art & Soul, Feb. 7, 6 p.m. Information: 303-778-6990.
3 Pig out at Nathan Yep Foundation’s Year of the Pig Chinese New Year’s gala in the Grand Hyatt, Feb. 9, 5:30 p.m. Information: 303-817-8400.
3 Treat your sports loving sweetheart to Major League Rugby home games at Glendale’s Infinity Park for Valentine’s Day. Get exclusive deals on games from Jan. 27 through May 26 at glendaleraptors.com.
3 Start or continue a Valentine’s Day dining tradition at the Monaco Inn Restaurant serving Feb. 14, 4-8 p.m. Savor Prime Rib, New York Steak or Filet Mignon, with or without Lobster Tail. Information: 303-320-1104.
3 Swing to Sondheim’s A Little Night Music playing the JCC’s Pluss Theatre on weekends through Feb. 17. Information: 303-800-6578.
3 Wow your love at Tennyson Center’s Mile High Country Q & Brew at Mile High Station Feb. 23, 6 p.m. Information: 303-433-2541.
3 For fabulous February fun your Valentine is sure to love, take in the Denver Jewish Film Festival in the Elaine Wolf Theatre on the JCC campus, Feb. 6-18. This year’s Festival is bigger than ever and truly a global event. From family relationships to powerful Holocaust resistance this year’s films are heartwarming, gorgeously shot and a glimpse into the human experience through a Jewish lens. Information: 303-316-6360.
The loss of the first “r” in February isn’t some recent habit spread by lazy teenagers. People have been avoiding the “r” for at least the last 150 years, possibly longer. The name of the linguistic process where one sound drops out because another of the same sound is too close to it is dissimilation, and it affects lots of languages.
Over the course of February the chance of a day with only rain increases from 2% to 4%, mixed snow-rain is constant at 2% and a day with only snow is constant at 3%.
For me there’s nothing better than curling up in a blanket on a cold February day in front of a crackling fireplace. February is like a friendship caught on fire. Late dawn and chilled breath make me lazy, but I love the month nonetheless. As J.R. Stockton reminds us,
