Free or Low Cost Cultural opportunities in the Dallas/Fort Worth Area

While discussing academic concerns, a common thread was discovered by my peers.  This opportunity for growth pointed towards a need to expand vocabulary and enrich schema.  Although this wasn't an epiphany, it did get us to thinking of ways to improve upon this area.   I began thinking of all of the free/inexpensive opportunities in this great metroplex and thought that maybe, if parents were made aware of all of the awesome discounts at cultural venues, they might be interested in taking advantage of some of them.  That's what prompted me to create this list.  I intend to add to it as I make discoveries.  While researching, I ran across multiple exhibits with special discounts that I hadn't yet found.  I guess my boys will be enjoying some additional enrichment in the near future.  Feel free to share this link as you see fit.   

Free admission to the Museum of Modern Art in Fort Worth on every first Sunday of the month.  1/2 price admission every Wednesday. http://www.yelp.com/biz/modern-art-museum-of-fort-worth-fort-worth

The Kimbell Art Museum also offers discounted rates: Admission to the Museum’s permanent collection is always free. There is a charge for special exhibitions. Half-price exhibition admission is offered on Tuesdays (all day) and on Fridays from 5–8 p.m.  https://www.kimbellart.org/MuseumInfo/Museum-Information.aspx

Amon Carter Museum of Art admission is ALWAYS free.  http://www.cartermuseum.org/

The Fort Worth Botanical Gardens: $4.00 for adults and $3 for children 4-12.  http://www.yelp.com/biz/fort-worth-botanic-garden-fort-worth

1/2 price admission to the Fort Worth Zoo on Wednesdays which makes the price $6 for adults and $4.50 for kids 3-12.  http://www.fortworthzoo.org/plan-a-visit/visitor-information/

Dallas Museum of Art: Adults: $10
Seniors (65+) $7
Military personnel (with a current ID): $7*
Students (with a current school ID): $5
Children under 12: FREE
FREE First Tuesday of each month (Special ticket prices may apply to exhibitions)
Thursday Nights, 5–9 p.m., are FREE for students and educators with a current school ID.
http://www.dallasmuseumofart.org/Visit/PlanYourVisit/index.htm#Hours

 Dallas Holocaust Museum-Although there weren't any discounted rates offered, I'm listing this museum simply because I wasn't even aware of its existence until doing this research.  Adults - $8
Seniors - $6
Students (6 - 18) - $6
Active Military - $6
Groups of 15 or more - $2 off admission ticket prices ($4 for students, $6 for adults)
http://www.dallasholocaustmuseum.org/index.php/plan-your-visit/general-info/

The Womens Museum in Dallas.  http://www.thewomensmuseum.org/
Adults: $5.00
Senior Citizens and
Students 13-18: $4.00
Students 5-12: $3.00
Children under 5: Free


The Monnig Meteorite Gallery of Fort Worth has FREE admission EVERY DAY!
http://dallas.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/XJ&zTi=1&sdn=dallas&cdn=citiestowns&tm=3&gps=267_305_1276_801&f=10&su=p554.18.336.ip_&tt=3&bt=0&bts=1&zu=http%3A//monnigmuseum.tcu.edu/

The Crow Collectin of  Asian Art in Dallas has FREE admission EVERY DAY as well!
http://dallas.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/XJ&zTi=1&sdn=dallas&cdn=citiestowns&tm=49&gps=260_196_1276_801&f=10&su=p554.18.336.ip_&tt=3&bt=0&bts=1&zu=http%3A//www.crowcollection.org/default.aspx


Free Tours at the U.S. Bureau of Engraving in Fort Worth.  They are really interesting tours and are completely free! 
http://www.moneyfactory.gov/tours/fortworthtxtours.html

Non-Peak Season HoursAugust - May

During the months of August through May, the Tour and Visitor Center is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. with group and general public tours being conducted every 30 minutes from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Peak Season

June - July

In the months of June and July only, the Tour and Visitor Center is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. with group and general public tours being conducted every 30 minutes from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

More Dallas Freebies:
Dallas Fifty Freebies

What does the first day of school look like?

As a teacher, the first day of school looks like an end to all things summer.  No more lazy afternoon naps, long leisurely lunches with girlfriends, countless afternoons poolside, or late night movies.  The start of a new school year means schedules, agendas, curriculum, and headaches.  It also means bright eyed students eager to meet their new teachers and fresh starts.  It means a whole new school year.  Like it or not...they are coming.

However, this year, I find myself thinking of so much more as the new school year approaches.  I'm plagued with bittersweet heartache for not only me, but also several of my friends.

I think of my young friend who recently gave birth to her first precious child.  She is now face to face with the moment of truth.  Will she be able to live knowing that her sweet baby is in the care of another while she teaches 22 second graders? She will be fine, but your heart will break.  I'm sorry my friend.

I think of my friends from college who, at this very moment, are driving their first born son to Stillwater Oklahoma where he will attend classes and play basketball for the OSU Cowboys.  I know that if it's making me misty eyed remembering the little boy with dimpled cheeks and loads of blond curls, I can only imagine how hard it is for his parents right now.  I still remember holding him as a baby during the countless number of MSU basketball games we all attended through college.  I'm having a hard time really coming to terms with him being a grown man already.  It is now his turn to take all of his years on the court (along with those same precious curls and dimples) and use them in Oklahoma.  Best wishes to the Sager family.         

I think of the countless mommies who are in the same boat as I am.  The butterflies that they must be feeling while worrying about the first day of high school for their first born child.  Byron Nelson may be an awesome school, but it's big, and I'm worried.  I just can't help it.  He is my baby afterall.

I think about the changes in store for my youngest who will be playing sports at school for the first time this year.  He will be pushed and pushed by a man who is not his father.  A man, over whom, I have no powers.  A coach.  Ugh.  Can he survive?  I'm worried.  I just can't help it.  He is my baby after all.

And I think of all the mommies who will be sending their precious babies off to school either for the first time, or for the seventh time...it never gets easier.  Mommies everywhere get nervous about the first day of school.  Will their teacher love their baby enough? 

So, to all of my teacher friends out there...remember this.  These children that come to you on the first day of school are more than just a paycheck and your source of livelihood.  They are, indeed, without a doubt, another woman's entire life.

They are the miracle that caused a mommy to shed tears after feeling that first kick.  They are the babies who have kept a mommy up at night while teething or with fever.  They are aunt Becky's little princess.  They are their mommy's nose and their daddy's eyes.   They are the growth marks and dates made in Sharpie on the door frame of a closet you will never see.  They are the toddlers who have had millions of photographs taken of their first toothless smile, first bottle, first bowl of rice cereal,  first birthday, first steps, first fishing trip, first ride on a roller coaster, and first day of school...whether it be kindergarten, Byron Nelson High school, or college at OSU.  Please treat them as such.  

Friends

I'm not one to have too many "close" friends.  In high school, I had one bestie and a few "buddies."  That was it.  I didn't want or need more than that.  Becca was my bestie through all four years of high school-even through our teen dramas.  In fact, she found me on Facebook just YESTERDAY!  What a flippin awesome feeling.  I've looked for her in the past, but never could find her.  I've missed her so much.

After high school and college, Becca moved away and I found Tonya.  She is quite possibly the kindest soul I've ever known.  And her hubby Nolan.  Both of them have my heart.  I love you guys.  Thanks for always loving me...even when I've been a big old pain in the butt.

Quality over quantity.  Things stayed pretty much that way for the first 37 years of my life.  I always had and kept maybe one or two friends and never wanted or needed more. 

Of course, I'm ALWAYS close to my teaching partners.  That's pretty much a given.  This still, stayed within my 1-2 close girlfriends criteria, so all was well.  Thankfully, I've always bonded well with my partners.  Maybe that's just luck, or maybe it's just how I am, but I hold my partner in high regards.  Once my teaching assignment changes, my relationship stays in tact, regardless of the miles that may separate us.  I always feel protective of my partners and former partners, and I can say with all honesty, I love them like sisters. No matter where they are, or what they do, one call, and I'll go to bat for these girls. Kiss & hugs to JLo, Abbye, and Audra.  Wish Rose luck...she's the next in line to share the love.  Poor girl.

Goin' ghetto in the hood with Abbye. 

People's elbow to you JLo.

Elffin' good times... 

So, when I moved to the Fort Worth area, I wasn't too worried about making friends. Mainly because I only need 1-2, and my teaching partner would meet that quota, thus relieving the pressure to socialize on my part.  Whew.  What a relief.  One less thing.

However, I must admit...times are changing.  And I'm glad.

Maybe I'm maturing?  Maybe I'm not taking myself so darn seriously? 

Suddenly, out of nowhere, I came to a startling realization.  I woke up one day and noticed that my entire summer consisted of awesome lazy summer days spent with my best girlS.  Not one girl, but multiple GIRLS!  That's absurd!  Unheard of... How did this happen?  Why did this happen?  Where did these girls come from?

Somehow, over the past two years, I've evolved into a bit of a social kind of girls' girl.  I'm finding that I have SEVERAL girlfriends with whom I'd feel comfortable sharing a secret or weakness, lipstick, a cell phone, deodorant if the need presented itself, or a strong margarita.  Whatever.  Don't judge.

Some friends have simply gotten closer over the years.  For example, my girl, Jenni, just moved here from Burkburnett, Texas and thankfully, despite Kerry's very vocal and strong doubts, she likes me even more than she realized.  : )  Nanny nanny boo boo, KB!  In yo face!  And not only that, let me tell you, we can do some damage in a mall...plus, I love telling her what I think over a good piece of Turtle Cheesecake.

Strangely enough, friends started popping up in the strangest of places despite my best efforts to avoid them. 

One of the first people that I met here, and quite honestly, didn't care for much, ended up being not nearly as terrible as I'd originally judged her to be.  You see, she introduced herself as a "Star" teacher...Uh...excuse me...that's my title.  Apparently, she hadn't heard of me or gotten the memo.  I'm kind of a big deal. Of course, now, she knows her place.  Love you Cheri.  Who let the dogs out?  Grrr....Rawf Rawf! 

And trouble, trouble, trouble-oh how I love my evil twin, Michelle.  With a little work, I'll have her just as trashy as I am.  All hail the hut - sending summer love to Fabio the Flamingo.  How about we head out to downtown Roanoke for some German cuisine?  I'm going to miss seeing your shoes every day.  Whateva, sista.

Fort Worth has turned out to be one of the greatest places I've ever met friends.  Either I'm just older and softer now, or I just hit a gold mine of quality women.  Maybe I'm more approachable now, because I'm just so darn happy living here.  I can't help but count my blessings when I think of all of the wonderful friends that I've met over the past two years, as well as the lifelong friends I have back home.

This summer has been full of awesome lunch dates, pedicures, shopping, party nights, and poolside chats and I owe it all to my wonderful new girlfriends:  Audra, JLo, Michelle, Cheri, Jenni, Wendy, Anna, Paula, Rose, Erica, Kathleen, Lauren, Kim C. and Kim T., Nancy, and whoever else I've forgotten to mention.  My point is, I'm blessed beyond measure.  Thanks for spending part of your summer with me, girls.  Kisses.  Here's to many more summers of a whole bunch of priceless nothing.              

Assignment #3: What's something that you wish you had the guts to do, at least once?

What's something that I wish I had the guts to do at least once?  I should add onto the end of that prompt the words, "without getting hurt in some way."

Now, you all know that I relish in unique attire and personal expression.  This cannot be denied.  However, there is a line not to be crossed, and that is the line of nausea. 

Nothing turns my stomach and ticks me off more than some fool blamed idiot with a size 29 waist, wearing pants made for a much bigger man in the 36" range.  Seriously...you can save yourself a good bit of money on belts and fancy undies by simply buying the right size jean.

This trend does NOT discriminate by race or even gender for that matter.  I've been to Grapevine Mills Mall and witnessed an entire Benetton advertisement in ill fitting britches.  I wonder how exactly this trend caught on?  I mean, hand me down pants, turned stylish?  Another question I have is, how in the world do you run if  someone is chasing you?  Apparently, you don't, according to this article.  

Even women have joined in this idiocracy.  However, there are two strains of stupidity represented in the female population.

Not only do the women enjoy wearing the boxers with ill fitting pants.

 They've also branched out to include women with the correct size pants, but simply too much bootie for the rise.  You know exactly what I'm talking about.  These are the women that sit on the barstool with their cheeks pushed out over the edge exposing Victoria's not so well kept secret.  Seriously ladies.  Intrigue.  If you put it all out over the edge of the barstool, there's no reason to take you home.  Just sayin'       
 

So...without further ado, I announce that I would like to spend one entire day pulling up the pants of offenders and duct taping them into proper position...without enduring physical harm on my part. 
Maybe I'm just old.  Maybe I'm not cool.  Maybe I don't have swagga.  Maybe that's ok.  Victoria's secret is safe with me.

The Bug

I've been worried.  I must admit, it happens a good bit, but recently, it's really bothered me.  You see, each year, I wonder...Am I really where I should be?  Is there something else that I should be doing with my life right now?  And more directly...Am I missing out on something by being a teacher?   I always wonder this, but normally it doesn't consume me.  I'm philosophical.  It's a curse.  I try not to think, but then I'm focusing on the purpose of thought.  Vicious cycle, I tell you.  

And, I'll be the first to state that any teacher that continues to stay in a classroom without being there wholeheartedly, should do the world a favor and LEAVE!  In fact, in an essay that I wrote once about four years ago, I remember very clearly stating that if there ever comes a time when I don't look forward to getting my class list in the same way that a child anticipates Christmas morning, I will know that it's time to find a new profession.        

All summer, I've lived in the moment.  I've not thought about school, with the exception of dreading my alarm.  I've done very little with regards to education.  Of course, I still read professional articles and books, but that really doesn't mean anything.  Seriously, I read cereal boxes when desperate.  It's just what I do.

Well, I'm pleased to announce, "the bug" has hit, and I'm chomping at the bits to get in a classroom.  I've spent the past three days in my new room.  Tonight, I went up there just to sit and dream of what I'll be doing in about three weeks.  I know, ridiculous, right?  It's true.  I put up one bulletin board and then sat in a student chair and just sat.  I think I even blew the room a kiss as I turned out the lights to leave.

I know that each year, it hits me.  It always does.  However, it normally strikes in July.  This year, it didn't get me until August the 2nd.  I was so worried that my career was over, but now, I can rest easy.  I'm raring to go and believe me...Christmas morning (AKA meet the teacher night) can't get here soon enough.  Hold onto your hats boys, I'm back and as wholehearted as I've ever been!