Perot Museum of Nature and Science

In the last five years, My Personal Valet has been lucky enough to meet a lot of interesting people and take part in some amazing experiences. Since everything is more fun when it’s shared, we thought we’d loop you in on a few of our encounters. And since it’s fresh on our mind, we thought we’d start with the Perot Museum of Nature and Science. We got a preview of this awe-inspiring space last week, and wow! Dallas, we are exceptionally lucky to have this kind of facility. We can only give you a glimpse of it here—you’ve got to experience it for yourself to get the full effect. And you can do that beginning December 1st.

Just seeing the building from Woodall Rogers on your daily commute has probably made you realize this is no ordinary museum. And it isn’t. It’s designed to really engage you and make learning, well, not like learning. With lots of interactive exhibits and activities designed for all ages from toddlers to adults, its mission is to “inspire minds through nature and science,” and it does just that. The building itself is an example of sustainability with built-in conservation strategies like a rainwater collection system and all kinds of proof of the power of engineering.

Photo by maryfrancesmain

Inside, five floors house 11 permanent state-of-the-art exhibit halls, a 3D digital cinema (first up for that is Meercats!), a café, and a gift shop. For the little kids, there are, among other things, child-size replicas of various Dallas landmarks, waterplay tables, an art lab, and a dino dig. Older kids and adults can create music in a sound studio, build robots, use brain waves to launch a ping-pong ball, touch a tornado, take a 3D-animated journey through the solar system, experience a full-body flight simulator, and a whole lot more.

Hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. During opening weekend, the museum will have extended hours from 10 a.m. to midnight December 1 and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. December 2. Tickets range from $6-$20 depending on age, membership status, and what you want to do. Call us for details and tickets, then go immerse yourself in the experience!

Related articles

• First Look Inside Perot Science Museum In Dallas
• Perot Museum of Nature & Science to open Dec. 1

Food for Thought

Photo by SweetOnVeg

A recent article in The New York Times reported that there’s strong evidence linking Alzheimer’s to nutrition—or, rather, the lack thereof—suggesting that Alzheimer’s is “Type 3 diabetes.” We all know that this is just the latest in a long list of reasons why we need to eat right. But it’s so much easier to go through the drive-through, isn’t it? Or is it? Think about this. My Personal Valet has team members who can do your grocery shopping for you. We’ll even make the list and clip coupons if you want us to. Need more? We’ll find tasty recipes and do the food prep, too. When you come home, all you have to do is turn on the oven and let the meal heat while you sip a glass of wine or catch up with the kids. Or we can leave ingredients in the refrigerator, and you can make meal preparation a family affair. More family time and healthy eating? Sounds like a win-win. We can be sure you always have healthy snacks on hand, too (let’s just be real here–we all know about those midnight munchies). Want more ideas? Visit http://www.foodnetwork.com/quick-and-simple/package/index.html to find recipes like Pasta Puttanesca on the Food Network. It’s easy to make and is ready in just 17 minutes—from prep to presentation.

Where to Have Easter Brunch in Dallas-Fort Worth

 Enjoy Easter Brunch on Sunday, April 8th

Easter Brunch is one of the most popular rites of Spring, gathering together family and friends for great food.  The warm weather is an open invitation for wearing your colorful springtime fashions and relaxing on a restaurant patio while drinking a sparkling Mimosa.

Many Dallas-Fort Worth area restaurants will offer special menus, with special pricing Easter Brunch.  These are a few of our favorites:

Celebrate Easter Brunch at Princi Italia 

5959 Royal Lane | Dallas
214-739-5959 | www.princiitalia.com

Executive Chef Kevin Ascolese has a special menu planned for Easter Brunch at Princi Italia. The menu features a special 3-course prix fixe menu with new items like Eggs Benedict with Grilled Chicken, French Toast and Chicken Piccata. The Easter Brunch is only $24.95 per person. Reservations are required.

Cast Iron at the Omni Fort Worth

1300 Houston Street | Fort Worth Downtown
817-535-6664 |  www.omnihotels.com

The Cast Iron Restaurant at the Omni Fort Worth has an Easter Brunch with some of your southern-style cooking favorites. The Easter Sunday Brunch offers a wide selection of savory choices with a dessert buffet and bottomless mimosas.

Enjoy menu items such as the Blackened Shrimp with Creamy Blue Cheese Grits, Fried Green Tomatoes or Shiner Brined Center Cut Pork Chops. The Easter Brunch costs $46.95 per person and includes Complimentary Valet. Reservations are recommended.

Crossroads at House of Blues

West End Dallas | 2200 N. Lamar Street
214-978–2583  | www.hob.com

You will love the Easter Gospel Brunch at House of Blues! With two shows (10 am and 12:30 p.m.) you will have great live music and a grand buffet with everything from Corn Muffins with Maple Butter, Homemade Waffles with Fresh Berries and Whipped Cream, Cajun Meatloaf with Mushroom Gravy, Southern Fried Chicken, Cheddar Cheese Grits to White Chocolate Banana Bread Pudding with Crème Anglaise..

The Capital Grille

Dallas and Plano locations
972-398-2221 |  www.thecapitalgrille.com

You love The Capital Grille for lunch and dinner, and you will love them for brunch too. The Capital Grille will serve a delicious Easter Brunch on Sunday, April 8, 2012. The fabulous Easter Brunch includes their Executive Chef’s take on classic brunch dishes such as Lobster Eggs Benedict, a carving station with Roasted Kona-Crusted Tenderloin and more. The price is $46 for adults and $18 for children.  Reservations are required.

Easter Brunch at Home

Are you planning to prepare Easter Brunch at home for your family and friends? Let My Personal Valet take some of the stress out of party planning. We can help you by doing your grocery shopping, providing a maid service to take care of cleaning your home (before and after) or providing a personal chef to prepare omelets, frittatas and even hot buttered biscuits for you and your guests.

Contact Paula at My Personal Valet for more information.

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The Best Spring Break Events in North Texas

Spring Break is coming. The children will be home from school and you are looking for ways to keep them entertained and happy. It can be expensive to entertain your children during Spring Break, but we have found several free or low-cost events that your family will enjoy.

From educational events at local libraries and museums to outdoor activities like Dallas Blooms, Six Flags Over Texas and the Dallas Auto Show, you have a wide variety of things to do for Spring Break!

Learning Can Be Fun!

Nasher Sculpture Center

Nasher Target 1st Saturdays 
First Saturday of March, from 10am – 12:30pm

Families and children are invited to explore the current exhibits through an interactive and fun-filled day featuring tours, children’s art activities, live demos, an Art in Action Sculpture Demo and Art Scavenger Hunt. FREE

Dallas Public Library

Teen Video Game Day
Wednesday, March 14, at 11:30am

Teenage boys and girls will enjoy a little friendly competition and love this opportunity to play the hottest new video games. FREE

Dallas Museum of Art

DMA Family Celebration
Saturday, March 10, 11:00a.m.–3:30p.m.

Activities include art-making events, music, performances, interactive experiences with artists, family tours, sketching in the galleries and more. General admission to the Dallas Museum of Art is free on the first Tuesday of every month.

StoryART: Listen to stories performed by award-winning storyteller Ann Marie Newman.

Sketching in the Galleries for Kids: Spend time sketching from original works of art with artist Solange Mariel. All supplies are provided.

Early Learners: Tinker Tots – Use stamps and ink pads to create a spring-themed masterpiece. For children 4 and under.

CBS Make It a Day at the Dallas Museum of Art Family Celebration
March 10, 2012

Created for families to discover a wide variety of art, this family oriented event includes art-making activities in the art  studio, music, live  performances, interactive experiences with artists and sketching in the galleries.

Museum of Nature & Science

Planet Shark: Predator or Prey
Monday – Saturday: 10am – 5pm & Sunday: Noon – 5pm

One of nature’s oldest and most feared creatures, the shark is also one of the most misunderstood. Planet Shark: Predator or Prey takes you through the murky myths and fascinating facts which have surrounded sharks for centuries.

Spring Break Discovery Camp
Monday, March 12 to Friday, March 16
9:15am – 3pm

Children will love the world of discovery at the Museum of Nature & Science with hands-on experiments and fun at Spring Break Discovery Camp. Designed for children in kindergarten through 6th grade, Spring Break Discovery Camp at the Museum of Nature & Science is geared toward each grade and your children will look forward to each day of science fun. Registration is now open  and spots will fill up fast.

The Planetarium at UT Arlington

Looking for something to do with your kids during spring break? The Planetarium at UT Arlington  has added additional afternoon shows that you will enjoy.

March 13th at 2:00 p.m. – One World, One Sky: Big Bird’s Adventure

March 14th at 2:00 p.m. – Spacepark 360

March 15th at 2:00 p.m. – Secret of the Cardboard Rocket

The Great Outdoors

Dallas Arboretum

Dallas Blooms
March 13-April 8

Take advantage of the beautiful weather with a stroll through the Dallas Arboretum, with 66-acres of spectacular gardens, flowers, ornamental shrubs, trees and plant collections. This year’s theme: It’s a Work of Art features the Small Houses of Great Artists’ exhibit, built and designed by Bob Hoebeke and four other Dallas-area architects.

ArtScape
March 16 -18, 2012

A fine art show and sale will take place in the Arboretum during the Dallas Blooms celebration.  ArtScape will feature nearly 100 artists from around the country.

Grapevine Vintage Railroad

Grapevine Texas
March 12 – 18

Spring Break is the ideal time for the whole family to enjoy a ride on the Grapevine Vintage Railroad! The trains run daily, all week-long with fun and games on board. For information about schedules and ticket prices, visit: www.GrapevineTexasUSA.com

Six Flags over Texas

Opening Day is March 3

No Spring Break would be complete without a ride on the Texas Giant. The week-long Spring Break celebration at Six Flags Over Texas includes live performances from bands, thrilling roller coasters and so much more. Contact My Personal Valet to order discounted admission tickets and season passes.

On The Stage

Dallas Children’s Theater

Young King Arthur
March 9 to April 7, 2012

The Kathy Burks Puppet Theater brings to life the beloved British legend of Arthur, a boy whose destiny to become king unfolds before your eyes in this world premiere production.

Anne of Green Gables
March 23 to April 15, 2012

Travel northeast to Prince Edward Island and fall in love with one of literature’s most unforgettable young heroines, the spirited Ann Shirley.

Dallas Museum of Art

Bancroft Family Concert Series
March 17, 2012

The Dallas debut of the Wyeth String Quartet, principal string musicians of the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra. 3pm. FREE.

At the Movies

Based on popular books from the beloved Dr. Seuss to the long-awaited movie version of Suzanne Collins’ trilogy, Spring brings us a whole new crop of movies for children of all ages. Save on the price of admission by ordering discounted movie passes for your favorite theaters from My Personal Valet.

March 2: Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax

March 9: John Carter, starring Taylor Kitsch.

March 23: The Hunger Games, based on the popular young-adult series of books.

March 30: Mirror, Mirror: A fresh new telling of the Snow White fairy tale, with Julia Roberts as the Evil Queen.

For the Whole Family

Dallas Auto Show

Dallas Convention Center
March 21-25, 2012

See the latest innovative vehicle designs with cutting edge technological advancements, increased safety features and improved performance at The Dallas Auto Show. Hundreds of cars, trucks and other vehicles will be on display.

Dallas Kids Expo

Dallas Market Hall
March 24, 2012

The whole family will have fun at the 2012 Dallas Kids Expo. The day long event has unique exhibitors, services and educational seminars for DFW parents and kids.

For  more information about Spring Break events in North Texas and for special discounts offered by My Personal Valet, take a look at our Spring Break Newsletter.