Are you thinking about Spring Break? Italy High School is out March 16-22 and the students will be out early on Friday. What activities have you come up with to entertain your family during the next week? Neotrib has come up with a few suggestions to get those creative juices flowing.

ITALY
The Italy Gladiators are playing baseball. We have a big team and should make for exciting play. Monday, March 16 the team will play Waxahachie Advantage beginning at 5:00. Tuesday, March 17, the Gladiators will take on Waxahachie Faith Family beginning at 4:00. Both games are at the sports complex off of Broadhead Road in Waxahachie. Thursday, March 18 the boys will play against Grand Prairie Advantage beginning at 4:00. The location will be announced at a later date. The Lady Gladiators will also play softball. They have a tournament in Valley Mills March 14. On March 20 the ladies are scheduled to play in Grandview. Let’s support both boys and girls teams.

On Saturday, March 14, the Lions Club will sponsor All you can eat pancake breakfast at the Wayne-Boze building downtown Italy from 8am-11am. The price is reasonable, only $5 per adult or $3 for kids 10 & under. There will be door prizes, games and contests for the kids. For information on tickets, contact Arval Gowin 972-567-8662 or Mark Souder 972-804-9519.

WAXAHACHIE
3rd Annual Mike O’Daniel Scholarship Fund Dance 7:00pm-10:00pm on Saturday, March 14. This annual fund raiser dance sends all the proceeds to the Mike O’Daniel Scholarship Fund. Tickets are $12.50 with music played by Dave Eders and the Final showdown Band, with special guests Jesse Mears and Kathy McVickers. The dance is at the KC Hall in Ennis, located off IH-45. Call 214-356-1104 if need more details.

On Thursday, March 19, Brian Burns is live at the College St. Pub located at 210 N. College St. Singer and songwriter Brian Burns will be playing from 7pm-10pm. For more information call 972-938-2062 or to hear Brian Burns’ music go to his website.

WACO
30th Anual Texas Cloggers’ Rally March 13-14 at the Waco Convention Center. The entrance fee includes a rally, workshops each day and dances each night. For more information, see their website or call 254-772-0227 or 972-253-4943.

The Art Center at 1300 College Drive is open 10am-5pm Tuesday through Saturday and 1pm to 5pm on Sunday. Call 254-752-4371 for schedules and prices.

Dr Pepper Museum is located at 300 S. Fifth St. They are open 10am to 5pm Monday through Saturday and noon to 5pm on Sunday. Call 254-757-1024 for more details.

Mayborn Museum Complex is located 1300 S. University Parks Drive is a place to bring the whole family to explore. Walk across a replica of Waco’s famous mammoth site, see a Comanche tipi up close or spend your day exploring the 16 themed discovery rooms. Admission to the museum and the bones exhibit will be $8 for adults, $7 for seniors and $5 for children. For more information, call 254-750-1110.

Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum on I-35. The museum is open from 9am-5pm, Monday through Saturday. For more information, call 254-750-8631.

WWE Smackdown presents “Road to Wrestlemainia 25” at the Heart O’Texas Coliseum, located at 4601 Bosque Blvd. on March 15. Call 254-776-1660 for more information on times and prices.

Taste of Home Cooking School March 19 at the Heart O’Texas Coliseum beginning at 7pm. Live cooking demos with Jaimie Dunn. You will see fabulous recipes and simple entertaining ideas. Vendor booths from 4pm-7pm. Tickets are $10. Check out ticket availability on their website.

The World Famous Lipizzaner Stallions-dancing with horses on Saturday, March 21 at 2pm and 7:30pm at the Heart O’Texas Coliseum. Tickets are available at the Coliseum box office and on their website. You gotta see these horses dance.

The Baylor Bears take on Texas A&M at the Baylor Ballpark at 6:30pm on Friday, March 13. Go to their website and search for more information for their schedule, roster, stats and tickets. This might be fun to watch until the Rangers begin on April 6.

WEST
The Central Texas Ceramic Expo will be held Saturday, March 14 10am-5pm and Sunday, March 15 11am-3pm and is located at the West Fraternal Auditorium at 1000 N. I-35. Arts & crafts of all kinds will be on exhibit and for sale. China painting supplies, decals, bisque, molds, slips, brushes, tools paints, clear glaze and handcrafted items. Cost is $2 for adults and $1 for children. One of Italy’s own, Cindy Sutherland, will have a booth and sell her crosses at this expo. Call 254-755-0026 for more details.

LAKE WHITNEY
How about some fishing? Lake Whitney is just a few miles down the road, on the other side of Hillsboro, and you can hike, camp, picnic, nature watching or biking. There is a small fee for staying overnight. Please go to their website and search for fees, schedules and parks near you.

GLEN ROSE
Fossil Rim Wildlife Center is a fabulous family event. Drive your own vehicle through savannah-like pastures and hillsides and observe African animals roaming the countryside. There are guided tours, day camps, overnight camps and a “discovery after dark” tour listed on their website. Check for different pricing and schedules. Go to their website or call 254-897-2960. You also may email [email protected].

STEPHENVILLE
The Chicken House Flea Market will be on March 13-15, 27-29 on Hwy 377. There will be 100 inside vendors, plus outside vendors, offering antiques, crafts, furniture and more. For more information, email [email protected] or call 254-592-6674.

Texas Monthly suggests the following:

AUSTIN
MEXIC-ARTE MUSEUM Thru Apr 12: Creando Fuerza: Cambio y Permanencia / Creating Strength: Change and Permanence‚held in conjunction with the fifteenth anniversary of the local Series Print Project, this exhibit presents works from Latino printmaking workshops across the U.S. Open Mon‚Thur 10-6, Fri & Sat 10-5, Sun noon-5. Gen adm $5, senior citizens & students $4, children 12 & under $1, museum members free. For more details see their website. The museum is located at 419 Congress Ave (512-480-9373).

How about a helicopter tour of Austin? This is a great way to see all of Austin and the countryside from a bird’s eye view. You can fly from the Georgetown Airport and have a romantic date, birthday, anniversary or family fun. It takes two visitors minimum to launch the flight. Call 512-293-7497 or check out their website.

UIL Boys Basketball State Championships March 12-14 at UT’s Frank Erwin Center. For more details, access their website or call 512-477-6060.

DALLAS
DALLAS SUMMER MUSICALS Mar 10‚15: The Pajama Game‚ a feisty pajama shop employee goes to her superintendent to complain about wages but romance ensues in this Broadway revival featuring the original score by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross. Tue‚Fri at 8, Sat & Sun at 2 & 8. $15,$85. Check out more information on their website. All the fun is located at Majestic Theatre, 1925 Elm (214-421-5678).

If you want to celebrate Saint Paddy’s Day, don’t forget Greenville Avenue. The store owners up and down this street host the Greenville Avenue St. Patrick’s Day Parade every year in Energy Square-on the corner of Greenville and University. Celebrity judges will find winners on entries such as floats, costumes, vehicles and more. Some awards include “Least Likely to Finish”, “Stupidest,” “Greenest,” “Funniest,” “Most Outrageous,” and “Best Dressed Leprechaun”. The best entries can become eligible for the Toilet Bowl Award. You must be 21 or over to attend this event. Tickets are $12. You can call 214-757-9000 for more info. Or you could run over to the West End for the St. Patrick’s Block Party on March 15 which includes pet parade and costume contest, traditional dance, bagpipes, Irish Bands, entertainment and family fun. Call 214-741-7180 for more information.

Are you ready for some professional hockey? The Dallas Stars have a game scheduled at home this week, Saturday, March 14 against the Wild beginning at 7pm. They will be traveling next week. To see more details, check out their website.

How about some pro basketball? The Mavericks will play at home on Tuesday, March 17 against Detroit. For more details about times and tickets, go to their website.

CSI Family Day March 15 at the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza. Learn about evidence gathering, analysis and modern crime scene investigative techniques. Check out their website or call 214-747-6660 for more details.

IRVING
New Beginnings: Quilts by Texas Quilt Artists presents a selection of contemporary quilts by Texas quilt artists March 1- April 1 at the Irving Arts Center at the main Gallery, 3333 N. MacArthur Blvd. More details can be found at their website.

EL PASO
PLAZA THEATRE Mar 14: Tejano Legends 3‚ Grammy Award winners Sunny Ozuna and Ruben Ramos and the Mexican Revolution perform with El Paso‚ River City Band. At 7:30. $15‚$45. Their website has more information. The theatre is located at 125 Pioneer Plaza (915-231-1176).

GRANBURY
Nostalgia Concerts professional cast performs costumed and choreographed live music productions from the golden age of rock’n roll March 13-14, 20-21 and 27-28. Held at the Granbury Historic Square. More information can be found on granburylive.com or call 800-989-8240.

COLLEGE STATION
Beyond the Moon:NASA’s Continuing Mission Exhibit held March 1-August 23 at the George Bush Presidential Library & Museum. In partnership with the LBJ Presidential Library and NASA’s Johnson Space Center Houston, the museum will tell the story of America’s exploration into the final frontier. For more information, look at their website or call 979-691-4069.

FORT WORTH
BASS PERFORMANCE HALL Mar 10: Ingrid Jensen‚ the hard-bop trumpeter is the fourth musician featured in the University of North Texas‚ ongoing Jazz Artist Series. At 7:30. $5‚$20. Mar 13: Hayes Carll‚ known as a pensive Americana storyteller, the Austin-based singer hopes that there is some aspect of his personality and my lyrics that people can relate to. The program begins at 8. Cost is $25. To see more details about the performance, please check their website. Go to McDavid Studio, 301 E. 5th (817-212-4280 or 877-212-4280).

Exploring Aftrica & Exploring Peru’s Amazon Jungle at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden Center, March 1-27. Fort Worth photographer Diane Simons Lovell presents two exhibits of some of her favorite color photographs. Go to their website for more details or call 817-871-7686.

Cowtown Goes Green March 14 at the Stockyards Station.. There will be pony rides, petting zoo, games and contests with Radio Disney, face painting, balloon artists and a Cowtown Goes Green Parade following the 4pm cattle drive. Their website has more details, or call 817-625-9715.

Disney’s High School Musical March 10-15 at the Casa Manana. See their website or call 214-692-0203 for more information.

GALVESTON
OLD QUARTER ACOUSTIC CAFE Mar 13: Marshall Ford Band. Mar 14: Mark Ambrose and Paul Berry. At 9. Call for prices or see their website. Their address is 413 20th (409-762-9199).

HOUSTON
HOUSTON SYMPHONY Mar 12‚15: Bruckner: Mass in E Minor. Brahms: Piano Concerto No 2. Houston Symphony Chorus. Yefim Bronfman, piano. Hans Graf, conductor. Thur & Sat at 8, Sun at 2:30. $27‚$107. Mar 13 at 8: Bill Cosby‚ the funny man needs little more than a microphone and his signature facial expressions to win over an audience, but a symphonic prelude certainly can not hurt. Brett Mitchell, conductor. $45‚$110. See their website or travel to Jones Hall, 615 Louisiana (713-224-7575).

SAN ANTONIO
MUSEO ALAMEDA Mar 13‚Jun 14: Phantom Sightings: Art after the Chicano Movement‚ aiming to reveal the phantom culture of Chicanos within American society, this exhibit considers both traditional (painting, sculpture) and unexpected (tattoos, low-rider designs) art forms and seeks to extend the conversation regarding ethnic identity, cultural politics, and artistic license. Open Tue 10-6, Wed 10-8, Thur-Sat 10-6, Sun noon-6. Free, but $2-$4 donation suggested. Check out their website. The museum is located at 101 S. Santa Rosa (210-299-4300).

Sea World would be a fun place to go on spring break. Open on selected dates March 13-22, 10am-6pm and some Saturdays until 9pm. Sorry, Lost Lagoon opens April 4. See schedules and ticket prices on their website. Seaworld and other Busch Entertainment companies offer active duty, active or drilling reservist, or National Guardsmen free admission under the Here’s to the Heroes program. Go to “http://www.herosalute.com” for more details.

BOERNE
CIBOLO NATURE CENTER Roam the trails of this hundred-acre preserve and observe four distinct ecosystems (riparian forest, live oak savannah, tall-grass prairie, and spring-fed marsh). Nature Center open Mon‚Fri 9-5, Sat 9-1. Park and trails open daily from 8 a.m. to dusk. Free. Their website has more information. The center is located at 140 City Park Rd (830-249-4616).

BANDERA
How about spring break at a guest ranch? Take your family to the Cowboy Captial of the World where dude ranches are more plentiful than hotels and motels. Totally something different for you. You can enjoy the views from horseback or sit around the campfire telling your favorite stories and grilling your favorite steaks. Try Running R Guest Ranch, 9059 Bandera Creek Road or call 830-796-3984. Check out the city’s website.

SOUTH PADRE ISLAND
Even though Hurricane Dolly visited recently, the residents of South Padre Island want and need the tourists to come back. Spring Break is still hosted here and will have activities to have fun and entertain March 14-21. With lots more beach to play on you can start with Sandcastle lessons with Andy Hancock. He has a great website or call 956-433-9948 and you are a sand artist in a moment’s notice. Before you make the journey south, however, go to the city’s website or call 800-657-2373 for details.

SWEETWATER
It’s time. World’s Largest Rattlesnake Roundup will be held March 13-15 at the Nolan County Coliseum. Go to their website or call 325-235-5488. Yee haw!

If you are interested in Six Flags, they will host Spring Break Out beginning March 13-March 22, with a concert by Sean Kingston March 20. Go to their website to see pricing on season passes, schedules, specials and ticket prices. Or, you could call the information line at 817-640-8900. Remember your Six Flags season pass ID is accepted at 15 Six Flags theme parks.

Neotrib hopes you have a happy and safe Spring Break whatever you decide to do.