After working for others—your boss, clients, customers—during the week, it's important to spend some time on yourself and your family. Even if it’s just one class or lesson a year, that one event could teach you lasting ways to improve your life and the lives of those you love. This weekend, check out two different ways to improve the sense of well-being in yourself and your family—even your pets. "Wellness for Everyone" The library carries plenty of health and wellness books, but it's rare to put those methods into practice while you're actually still at the library. Annette Fragale, who …

Some weekend activities during Minnesota winters, with freezing temperatures and snow all but guaranteed, can be tough on active little ones. They want to run and play all day, but the cold is too much to bear for long. You could organize any number of activities inside at home, but that could result in a mess for Mom or Dad to clean up. Here are a couple ideas to get the kids out of the house during the weekend and keep their minds and bodies active. And maybe the best part is you can leave any messes for someone else to clean! Preschool Open Art The Apple Valley Community Center will host …

The holidays are over. Christmas trees are put away or composted (right?) and decorations are packed up neatly and stored out in the garage. Before us is a new year filled with new possibilities and opportunites. Do something you've never done before, or find a hobby you've thought about learning or doing but just never got around to. We have a couple ideas for weekend activities if "be crafty" or "take in a theater show" are on your list. But even if you're a craft expert or a regular theater-goer, our weekend picks still can serve you well. Craft Your Way Through the Winter Months On …

Whether you'll celebrate New Year's Eve out on the town or stay home to watch the Times Square ball drop on the bigscreen, here are some ideas to help you, Apple Valley, count down to 2011. Vegas, anyone? Cindy Walker, the manager at Wild Bill's Sports Saloon, gave me the scoop on plans for the New Year's Eve festivities at the bar, and promised an entertaining—and for someone, a very rewarding—night. "Our biggest thing is we are doing a Las Vegas giveaway for airfare and hotel stay," she said; other prizes include bar tabs and concert tickets. KDWB radio station personality Wazz will be …

There's not a lot going on out and about this weekend in Apple Valley, but it will still be a busy time for many people. Though there are a plethora of things to be done, don't forget the most important thing about the holidays: family and friends. Here are a few suggestions for you and your family to focus on the holiday, build holiday cheer and start or rekindle holiday traditions. Christ's Mass Christmas time always seems to hold a special kind of magic that is plum full of miracles, cheer and forgiveness.  It's also a time, for those who practice a Christian religion, to celebrate the …

This is a busy time of year for everyone, that's for sure—decorations to put up, food to buy and prepare, houses to clean, cards to sign and, of course, gifts to buy. But remember, it can actually help your sanity to leave those unaddressed envelopes 'til tomorrow and take a few hours to do something fun for yourself or with your family. Here are some inexpensive ideas to keep your spirits up and get you out and about in Apple Valley this weekend. Casablanca Orchestra at Bogart's Place Expect high-energy fun when Minneapolis's Casablanca Orchestra takes the stage at Bogart's Place on Saturday…