IS ROMANCE DEAD? - Resurrect Romance Week helps keep romance alive

Raleigh, NC- Michael Webb doesnt necessarily like the title that media have given him, 'The Worlds Most Romantic Man. First, I doubt if it is true and secondly, it gives the wrong impression that romance is about some sort of competition," says Webb but if the title gives me a platform to correct some misconceptions about romance, Ill gladly embrace it."

Webb, a syndicated columnist and best-selling author, established Resurrect Romance Week (August 13-19)in 1995 as an antidote for Valentines Day, the overly commercialized February holiday that has given romance a bad name. Romance has little to do with whats in your wallet. It is not a competition among your peers to out-spend them. In fact, the whole notion that you cant be romantic without buying something is ludicrous" says Webb.

Several major companies have approached Webb about sponsoring the holiday but he is keeping the focus on being personal, not commercial. He suggests celebrating the entire week by making a special effort to spend quality time each day with your sweetheart and showering them with compliments and affection, not gifts. If you really want to give presents, they should come from your hands, not the department store.

Here are some of Michael Webbs creative ideas from his best-selling book, The RoMANtics Guide: Hundreds of Creative Tips for a Lifetime of Love (Hyperion 2000).

·   Use chalk to write loving welcome home messages on the sidewalk
·   Put flower petals on the ceiling fan and ask your darling to turn it on so he or she will be showered
·   Tie a message and balloons to the bottom of the garage door with a foot of string -- they will magically rise in the air when the door is opened
·   Brush her hair for ten minutes before going to sleep. Gently scratch his back for the same.
·   Fax a photocopy of your hand to his or her office so he or she can hold" it while you are apart
·   Use Rain-X Anti-Fog and a cotton swab to write love notes on bathroom mirrors -- message magically appears when the mirror steams up

For more romantic ideas visit Webbs web site at www.TheRomantic.com.

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Contact: Michael Webb, The Romantic     919/462-0900   Review copy and press photos/slides available