Send sophistication with 1-800Flowers

"But he that dares not grasp the thorn should never crave the rose." ~Anne Bronte

Flowers for Valentine's Day can be a challenge for the sender who seeks to impress the object of his or her desire, when mutual feelings are in question. Some historians of the first representation of St. Valentine say the holiday's origins date back to fourteenth century England, when our feted mid-February day was first associated with romantic love. Declarations of amorous and other feelings have been made with flowers for centuries.

Roses are perhaps the most expressive flowers, each color a communicator of the intentions of the sender. Red shades of roses have long been extended as a signal of romantic feelings and passion for the recipient. A symbol of unity and new beginnings is attributed to white roses, frequently chosen for wedding bouquets. In the garden or arriving at the doorstep, pink roses show appreciation and gratitude for the person to whom they are sent. In the case of repairing a rift or misunderstanding, yellow roses have long been a gesture of apology. If the sender hopes to express a feeling of 'falling in love,' yellow roses with red tips are the bloom of choice for a hopeful suitor. If the sender is trepidatious about revealing the heart's desire for Valentine's Day but doesn't want to lose the opportunity to impress, a mixed bouquet of colors is a sophisticated and beautiful option.

Deven Parekh of Insight Venture Partners helps paint a fine community picture

Deven Parekh Insight Venture Partners serves as managing director for the private equity and venture capital firm, Insight Venture Partners, headquartered in New York. Deven's philanthropic work with the non-profit organization, Publicolor, involves re-engaging teenagers in their schools and communities by teaching them the process of commercial painting. Students in the program have a hands-on impact on the color and appearance of their academic environment and community. Through the Publicolor program, students also gain access to academic tutoring, career workshops and college guidance.

Deven Parekh Insight Venture Partners sits on the board of Publicolor, along with other community leaders, whose objective is not only keeping students in school, but teaching them a skill and helping them realize their potential, while preparing them for the working world and college. Among its accolades, Publicolor has been recognized nationally with the President's Volunteer Service Award. New York Mayor, Mike Bloomberg, helped celebrate Publicolor's tenth anniversary milestone by proclaiming October 8, 2006, "Publicolor Day."

Among the people and companies who support Publicolor's mission to address the problem of school dropout rates, Deven Parekh Insight Venture Partners serves as the board's chairman. Publicolor's annual gala in the spring brings together New York City artists, architects and designers for a night of painting collaborative art works. For the ongoing school painting projects, students are paired with community volunteers who are informal mentors and models of a strong work ethic. By adding color to the public spaces in their schools, students are empowered to transform themselves as they transform their environment.