The first Autism Awareness Family Celebration of the new year is set for Saturday, January 28, 2012 at 9:30 a.m. at the Dallas Museum of Art.

Children with autism and their families are invited to explore color with a morning of art-making in the studio, a brightly hued interactive musical performance, and a new story board in the Young Learners Gallery to explore. This program is free but it requires reservation. Email access@DallasMuseumofArt.org to make your reservation.

Dallas Museum of Art is located in the downtown arts district, 1717 N. Harwood Street,  Dallas, Texas 75201. 214-922-1200.

The DMA is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday with extended hours on Thursday til 9 p.m.

Follow me on Twitter.

Ok, I'm not even going to begin to touch on my daughter's table manners. We don't have that kind of space here.

However, if your child needs some fine tuning at the dinner table, then the Mansion on Turtle Creek has just the class for the little darling. Details here.

What: Children's Etiquette Class
When: January 29, 2012
Time: 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Cost: $75 per child; $60 per adult. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Class includes: Instruction, meal and take-home placemat.
Where: Mansion on Turtle Creek

It's true. DFW loves American Idol. The FOX reality show is probably so popular because the area produces so much talent for the show: Kelly Clarkson (the first-ever winner from Burleson), Jason Castro (Rockwall) and Casey James (Fort Worth via Cool, TX) to name a few.

Last year, TCU grad Tim Halperin made it to the Top 24 on American Idol Season 10. Thanks to his incredible talent and support from the Kidd Kraddick in the Morning show, he's now quite well-known and enjoying his climb to the top. Halperin released "The Last Song" about a week after leaving the show. He was able to do so because it was a free download. Since then he released his first CD titled "Rise and Fall."

Spoiler Alert
What surprises will American Idol Season 11 bring us?

My local music sources in DFW have confirmed that Hollie Cavanagh from McKinney received the Golden Ticket to Hollywood. Cavanagh was the adorable 17-year-old who made it to the Top 40 during Season 10. She's from Liverpool, England but makes her home in McKinney. Here's Holly's video audition from 2010. She performed "At Last" by Etta James and then "The Climb" by Miley Cyrus. Her vocal talent especially impressed Idol judge Jennifer Lopez.

Of course Cavanagh is off-limits to the media right now and won't be availble for comment any time soon. We hope. That will mean she gets to move forward on the show.

2011 Spoiler Alert No. 2: A Family Biz
Remember  contestant Scott MacIntyre Season 8. His younger brother Todd MacIntyre is rumored to have received the Golden Ticket to Hollywood. Todd's Facebook profile lists his musical influences as Andrea Bocelli, Il Divo, and Josh Groban.

Will there be more DFW hopefuls in the competition? Stay tuned.

Same Ole Song n Dance?
Yes, Aerosmith's frontman Steven Tyler will serve as a judge again this year. He's joined by the newly-single Jennifer Lopez (Tim, you might have a chance with her now), and the dawg Randy Jackson. Expect a few format changes -- more on that later.

Set Your TiVo
American Idol airs Wednesday and Thursday (Jan 18-19, 2012) on DFW's FOX Channel 4 at 7 p.m.

Some of the most powerful words in American History are: "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character." - Martin Luther King, Jr.

Celebrate the life and accomplishments of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in ceremonies, parades and banquets throughout DFW.