Many people make New Year’s Resolutions to 1) exercise more and 2) spend more quality time with the family. I've come up with a list of ways you can easily get some exercise with your kids - with everyone enjoying themselves. The kiddo age range for these activities is about 6 years to 11 years.

[ November 21, 2009; 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. ] The artist studios are open year around by appointment, but once a year, they open on the same day, giving visitors a chance to really experience a creative, evolving neighborhood.

Meet the artists, see where they work and what they create. Search and find the perfect piece to take home with you. If you’ve never been to the Cedars, now is a great chance to learn about the neighborhood.

[ November 13, 2009; 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm. November 14, 2009; 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. November 15, 2009; 11:00 am to 5:00 pm. ] This weekend take a tour of 6 unique homes in the historic Lakewood neighborhood.

The Festival started way back in 1976 by the Lakewood Early Childhood PTA. What started as a fundraiser to purchase playground equipment for kindergarten children, became a community-wide event benefiting Lakewood's Elementary, Middle and High School. The PTA group has raised more than $750,000 within the last 5 years.

[ October 24, 2009; 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. October 31, 2009; 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. ] Take a 2-day art course/tour at SMU's Meadows Museum Auditorium with the Vice Chair of the City of Dallas Cultural Affairs Commission, Gail Sachson.

"Breathe new life into your art career or learn how to plug into the Dallas art scene for the first time through this intimate guide to local resources for artists, collectors, docents, art students and enthusiasts."

[ September 12, 2009; 10:30 am to 8:00 pm. ] The Dallas Art Dealers Association (DADA) presents its annual Fall Gallery Walk and Panel Discussions this Saturday, September 12th.

Get on your bike or go by foot to visit some of DADA's member galleries, museums, and nonprofit art spaces around the Dallas area from 2-8pm. Start at any of the DADA member locations and pick up a map or download the map online.

[ September 5, 2009; 10:30 am to 11:30 am. October 3, 2009; 10:30 am to 11:30 am. November 7, 2009; 10:30 am to 11:30 am. December 5, 2009; 10:30 am to 11:30 am. ] Join the Dallas Arts District this Saturday, August 08, 2009 for a walking tour of the Dallas Arts District, the largest urban arts district in the United States. Listen to experienced docents share the area's history and architecture while strolling by the Crow Collection of Asian Art, Nasher Sculpture Center, Dallas Museum of Art, Meyerson Symphony Center, historic Belo Mansion and Cathedral Shrine of the Vrigin of Guadalupe. Get a close up view of the Winspear Opera House and Wyly Theatre under construction and set to open in fall 2009.

[ May 17, 2009; 11:00 am to 5:00 pm. ] The 8th Annual White Rock East Garden & Artisans Tour is tomorrow, May 17th, from 11:00 to 5:00. Sunday's forecast is projected to be clear and sunny! So leave your umbrella at home and walk around 9 unique gardens in East Dallas.

Proceeds from the plant sale (1718 Whittier) and donations are used to beautify these three neighborhoods. Talk about smart and hard working women!

http://eastdallasartgardens.blogspot.com/

[ April 18, 2009; 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. ] This will be a cool event to attend if you're a history buff or into photography. Guided tours never fail for learning random pieces of information and also for taking some cool pictures. Get on and off the tour bus with other Dallasites and learn about the great city we live in.

[ April 18, 2009; 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm. 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm. ] The Dallas Art Dealers Association (DADA) will have its annual Spring Gallery Walk, panel discussions, and Scholarship show on Saturday, April 18th. From 2-8pm, art lovers (or the lovers of art lovers) will be able to view all exhibits for free. There are places all over the Metroplex, from Dallas to Irving and even into Arlington. For us in the Dallas area, you can knock out almost half of them if you start in Uptown area and then work your way over to the Design District (aka Dragon Street.)

[ March 29, 2009; 2:30 pm to 4:00 pm. ] Bike Friendly Oak Cliff is a group of bicycle advocates promoting the creation of better cycling facilities in Oak Cliff. They are gaining quite a large following in a short period of time. The group has successfully raised money to install bike racks at popular hang outs in the Bishop Arts District.

Their next ride is planned for March 29th. They will be traveling to locations made historically significant by the infamous couple Bonnie and Clyde. I recommend coming out and enjoying a lovely spring day supporting this influential group.