SINGLE IN THE CITY: WHERE TO GO TO FIND THE LOVE OF YOUR LIFE
By Debra Graff

Are you tired of online dating sites, spending hours trying to create the perfect profile, waiting weeks to meet only to find there's no chemistry? Are you longing to get together face to face rather than in cyberspace? Would you like to look across a crowded room, have your heart skip a beat, and find the man/woman of your dreams?

With Valentine's Day having just passed, temperatures rising, and spring on the horizon, love is in the air, and it's time to take action. Love won't come knocking at your door. Several groups regularly hold dances/mixers in the San Fernando Valley, attracting hundreds of like minded singles ages 40-60. There is no membership fees, no RSVP's needed, just pay at the door.

Finding the right venue is crucial not only for location and luxury but for comfort level to assure optimum relaxation, since these events can be stressful, especially for novices who are shy, lack conversational skills, or aren't used to approaching members of the opposite sex. Some feel being single is a stigma, putting on a façade of not really looking for a relationship, standing around pretending not to be single. This is where ice breaker activities are effective, particularly the 'lock and key' initiated by No Waiting Dating (NWD) several years ago. Guys get locks, girls get keys, and the object is to find someone whose lock or key fits yours. Those who unlock the lock get a free raffle ticket. You can then get a new lock or key and start over.

NWD owner, Adam Elias, holds lock and key socials 4-5 times a year on Sundays from 6:30-10:30pm at the Aura Nightclub, 12215 Ventura Blvd, Studio City. This impressive, private club has one of the largest dance floors in the city with plush velvet booths that are comfy and cozy, perfect for getting to know that special someone. The incredibly talented live band plays amazing dance music. Elias says people are attracted to his events by the positive ambience of the environment, great entertainment, and new attendees each time due to creative advertising. www.nowaitingdating.com.

Lemon Drop Club, run by Steve Hearne, holds events in a private room at the Woodland Hills Hilton Hotel. The name came from the favorite martini of ladies at the time the club was started. Hearne says that when all the 70's and 80's music nightclubs disappeared, they decided to produce parties in the finest, classiest venues. They created an atmosphere to attract the mid age single professional, including dance lessons, dinner, and a DJ. Many of Hearne's clientele make connections and go on to long term relationships. Instead of paying hundreds and thousands of dollars for online sites or matchmakers, singles come out and choose from countless possible partners. www.lemondropclub.com

Linda and Richard Carroll met, in person, after long marriages, and wanted to help other professional men and women find "the one." They started Platinum Parties to hold stress free mixers in elegant, upscale country club settings. Their parties are unique because they spend many hours hand picking and selecting quality men and women whom they feel are sincerely looking for a life partner. Their next gathering is Friday, March 12th, 8-11PM, at Braemar Country Club, 4001 Reseda Blvd., Tarzana. $25 cash/2 for $40/3
for $54 includes scrumptious grilled chicken/salad bar/ hot rolls, delicious fruit/deserts, coffee, water, rockin' DJ, and fun Ice Breaker with bottles of wine to winners. www.platinum-parties.com

An attractive Studio City woman attended a recent NWD dance, saying, "It had a nice age range and balanced ratio of men to women." An Encino man in his 40's says, "I enjoy attending events at classy clubs and hotels, providing hope for meeting my future wife." A 50 years young Sherman Oaks resident, likes attending singles events because "it's nice to know there are others in the same situation I'm in." An eligible Valley Glen bachelor told me, "There's always a possibility of finding my soul mate and that's worth it."

More on 'Single in the City' by Dr. Debra, a specialist with extensive experience in the field, visit mnm2226@aol.com.

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