Like Jesus, most essentially know him by his first name. Like Jesus, he’s inspired millions of believers with his gift from God – and had just as many knock it. And like Jesus, he’s Jewish.

But there are differences. Jesus rocked a scratchy crown. Kenny G’s a scratch golfer. Jesus is the star of The Good Book. Kenny’s in the Guinness Book (he once held a note for 45 minutes). More relevant to the romantic weekend at hand, however: While Jesus was involved in the immaculate conception around two millennia back, G is involved in conception all the time.

Comedian Tom Dreesen, who palled with Frank Sinatra and emcees the epic “clambake” night of entertainment for all the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro Am volunteers, understands this.

“His music is music to dance to, but also to make love to,” Dreesen says. “A classic example: ‘Forever in Love.’ That song comes on – how can we put this delicately – I don’t need Viagra. It exemplifies time to get intimate.”

G is honored to get some play. “It’s flattering,” he says. “Someone letting you in on that intimacy. I should call Pfizer and see if they can bottle what I’ve got.”

With this in mind, and G in town for the AT&T Pro Am – which he won a while back with Phil Mickelson (“We were a perfect pair, ham and eggs,” G says) – I figured there was no better authority on Valentine’s Day ideas.

The longtime AT&T veteran says his favorite places to eat locally are Ocean Sushi in Monterey (645-9876) and Cantinetta Luca in Carmel (625-6500), but would rather talk about the sport he picked up in middle school. (Entering Franklin High in Seattle, reports Golf Digest – who ranks him the number one musician golfer alive – he made the golf team but not the jazz band.)

“I’m the wrong guy to ask about where to hang,” he says. “I’m not that social. Talk to me about golf.”

His advice, then, for tourney newcomers like sought after Valentines Cowboy QB Tony Romo and actor Oliver Hudson (Rules of Engagement), who might be unaccustomed to the crowds and stormy conditions: “Just have fun. Don’t try to impress anyone.”

He did offer one romantic recommendation: “Buy a good present – not a present you think she’s gonna like, but one you know she’s gonna like.”

And play some sexy sax, perhaps? “True,” he replies. Unfortunately his new R&B album, with the V-Day appropriate title Heart and Soul, isn’t out until May.

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The loveable things around here are legion. Here are some to look for:

• Fresh Cream. The local institution reopened last night in a new Carmel cradle at Dolores and Eighth (250-7943) that once housed Bully’s III. The staff and the menu are the same – Chef Greg Lizza will hold down the same spot he has for 17 years – though they are adding a bar menu ($9-$16) and till-11pm hours to capitalize on the big U bar, the range of re-remodeled spaces and the traffic that inspired the shift from Heritage Plaza in Monterey.

• Chanterelles. The Little Big Sur Chanterelle Cook Off That Could starts Friday, Feb. 26, at the lodge: fungus hunts, 18 adaptations of the golden shroom from chic chefs at the main event, chanterelle Bloody Marys, wine, wonders, wow, 667-0800, www.tastebigsur.com.

• Oyster bars. There’ll be one up 11am-3pm Saturday, Feb. 13, at Bernardus as part of Chef Cal Stamenov’s “wine country buffet”: grilled organic veggies, artisan cheeses, natural prime beef, local seafood, Ben Spungin desserts, new Bernardus releases and illy espresso. Jane Hendler and Rex Rombach of Carmel’s Ajne follow with an array of oils including aphrodisiacs like vanilla, cacao, rose and jasmine. $95 inclusive, 658-3574.

• Disgorging. Pessagno’s principals and eager attendees don raincoats and goggles to pop sparkling wines as part of a promising party on the hallowed winery grounds Sunday, Feb. 21. $85-$100, 675-9463.

• Sweet things. Lula’s, county champs of artisan chocolate, are doing free tours 10:00am – 4pm Saturday, Feb. 13, in honor of Valentine’s. RSVP to 655-8527; last year, 500 showed. Newcomers to the area, Rawk Star Events, meanwhile, are throwing a raw organic chocolate party that same Saturday: recipe demos, chocolate shakes, chocolate fruit kebobs, chocolate mousse, 6-7:30pmat Park Avenue Studio Saturday, Feb. 13, $35, kids under 12 free, (239) 431-1854.

• Roasted game hen with white bean cassoulet. That’s from the Valentine’s menu at TusCA (657-6675). Mark Ayers has more excellence happening at Pacific’s Edge (622-5445), too, a perennially popular pick from our readers for Best Place to Splurge (see ballot, p. 20).

• Gravlax-style arctic char sandwiches (on toasted croissant with dill-mustard aioli, shaved endive and arugula). That’s one of four dishes C Restaurant’s Jerry Regester is readying for A.I.W.F.’s “restaurant rendezvous” Sunday, Feb. 21, after mimosas. $20, 659-0151.

• The 19th hole. Club XIX (625-8519) is open again – and for lunch Feb. 10-14.

• Terrific teamwork. Whole Foods Market is working with Monterey Bay Aquarium and the Blue Ocean Institute as it rolls out a Wild-Caught Seafood Ranking System. Yes.

• Triple holidays. Chinese New Year is the same day (Sunday, Feb. 14) as Valentine’s – and Monday is President’s Day. Here’s to love in the new year – and maybe some aphrodisiac cacao with your sweetheart to chase a splash of sweet and sour soup.