DTC’s Christmas Carol: A Fresh Take on Dickens’ Timeless Classic

Review of A Christmas Carol Presented by Dallas Theater Center

by Mina Frannea

We saw Dallas Theater Center’s production of A Christmas Carol at the Kalita Humphreys Theater recently.

This adaptation of Dickens’ classic by Richard Hellesen is in its eight and final season at the Kalita Humphreys. Although we were expecting the usual story of Ebeneezer Scrooge, we were blown away by the quality of the production. The diverse cast and their stellar performances were a treat. We also enjoyed the dramatic special effects and sounds that underscored scenes such as booming clock chimes, rattling chains, eerie fog and lightning strikes. All of this combined created a gripping backdrop for the performance.

Sci-Tech is Throwing a Big New Year’s Bash and You’re Invited!

Ring in the New Year with Family Friendly Fun at Sci-Tech Discovery Center

On December 31st from 3:00pm-5:30pm, Sci-Tech Discovery Center will be hosting our second annual New Year’s Eve celebration and you’re invited!

There will be games, crafts, hands-on-activities as well as refreshments. This will also be your last opportunity to explore our amazing Animal Grossology exhibit.

Easy Kids Crafts: Cutest Snowman Craft Ever!

Cutest Snowman Craft Ever!

I admit, I love snowmen and I have a growing collection. I try to add one to my collection every year and am always on the lookout for the different and unique snowmen. I also love picking up holiday magazines at the grocery store and flipping through. I rarely make anything I find but I love to look and get ideas. This year was different. I picked up a copy of Better Homes and Gardens Special Interest Holiday Craft magazine. As soon as I saw their “Snow Pal” craft, I knew I had to make one.

Not only do I think these snowmen are adorable, but they were very easy to make and a great craft for kids. I also think they would make an excellent teacher gift and a cute centerpiece for a table. Oodles of ideas for using these cute snow pals.

Cirque Banquiste Presented by Lone Star Circus

All-New Circus Extravaganza Celebrates the Arrival of the New Year

Lone Star Circus presents Cirque Banquisté!, a breathtaking, family friendly, circus extravaganza that illuminates the imagination with performances from an international galaxy of circus superstars. Acrobats, aerialists, hand balancers, jugglers, clowns and contortionists perform together to create the most sensational circus extravaganza DFW has ever seen. Banquisté!, a shimmering spectacular of awe-inspiring proportions, celebrates the end of 2012 and the dawn of the New Year. This dazzling new production features celebrated artists from all over the world including Argentina, Chile, Cuba, Russia and the United States.

From the moment the curtain opens, you’ll be swept away on an emotion-stirring, magical journey. Check out a review of last year’s performance. You can also learn about Lone Star Circus founder, Fanny Kerwich, an 8th generation circus performer.

Performance Schedule
Thursday, December 27 at 7:30 pm
Friday, December 28 at 7:30 pm
Saturday, December 29 at 2:00 pm and 7:30 pm
Sunday, December 30 at 2:00 pm and 7:30 pm
Monday, December 31 at 6:30 pm
Tuesday, January 1, 2013 at 2:00 pm

Playing at Rosewood Center for Family Arts (Dallas Children’s Theater) from December 27th through January 1, 2013.

Could Santa be a Professional Organizer?

How to Store and Organize Toys

by Lorraine Brock

It has always amazed me how Santa maximizes the space in his red velveteen bag for the many toys he delivers on Christmas Eve. He has to have some great organizational skills (that I must be missing) to get enough toys for children all over the world in one red bag. Since what he leaves under our tree each year takes up more space in my home then in his red bag, I wonder if I should hire Santa to organize toys when the Christmas season is over?!

Maestro Market: New Business Connects Moms with Experts

In my inbox this morning was a press release about MaestroMarket.com, a new venture by Ian Shea. I was instantly intrigued by the concept of easily being able to connect with experts. As someone who is a parent coach and often hires coaches to help me improve different areas of my own life from nutrition and fitness to growing my business, I was excited to find a site that pulls a variety of experts together in one place.

Maestro Market, a unique and first of its kind platform that connects people with their ideal experts, or even heroes, today announced its official launch. The new platform facilitates a variety of engagements (e.g., in person, using Skype, via telephone, etc.) between talented experts and anyone interested in learning a skill, solving a problem, getting inspired, gifting an experience or indulging a desire. The experts span numerous categories including parenting, writing, women in business, social media, blogging, entrepreneurship and many more. The company is also announcing initial partnerships that will help to drive both supply of and demand for its growing list of maestros.

Scrapbooking for a Positive Family-Image

As the Holidays Approach, Start a New Family Tradition with Scrapbooking

By Dr. Caron Goode

We are all aware of what a positive self-image can do for a person. It gives him the confidence to achieve more. It picks him up when he is down. It makes it possible for him to enjoy life to the fullest. The same holds true for families. Like individuals, every family has its ups and downs. Situations such as illness, separation, divorce, and parent-child power struggles can dent a positive family-image. One way to offset the effects of these situations is to involve the family in a group project.