KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
When Madison and Ella were young, I made it a point to stretch their comfort zones in small, manageable ways. They’d order their own food at restaurants, they'd arrange their own homeschool work schedules, they'd try activities where they didn’t know anyone. I did my best not to step in unless invited. Over time, they started trusting their
own ability to navigate the world without me. That, of course, was the point. But the better they got at being independent, the more I started to feel a quiet kind of discomfort. They were moving outward—into the world, into themselves—and I could feel the shift. There’s a concept in astrophysics called red shift. When a star or galaxy moves away from us, the light it emits stretches, shifting toward the red end of the spectrum. The farther away it moves, the
redder the light appears. It’s how we know the universe is expanding. The movement doesn’t mean the light is gone—just that it’s arriving to us in a new form, from farther away. I think about that a lot as my kids are no longer orbiting so closely. I still see their light; it just looks different now. I’m learning to recognize their new wavelengths. The trick, I think, is not to see red shift as loss, but as evidence of motion. The fact that I feel the stretch means the
universe is doing what it’s supposed to do: expanding, evolving, moving outward. I remind myself that this kind of shift is a mark of success. Increased wavelength, decreased frequency... it's all part of the natural order of things. Light travels and stretches, and love does, too.
—Debra Ross, publisher |
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KidsOutAndAbout.com: Discover more. Do more. Connect more. If you like my publisher's column, you can easily scroll through past columns in the "Notes from Deb" section of our site. |
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Find your voice and perform with us at Opera Camp this summer! The official summer camp of LA Opera, Opera Camp is an enriching two-week program for ages 9–17 that offers extensive musical, dramatic, and movement coaching in a fun-filled environment. For the grand finale, participants will take part in a fully produced show. Camp runs for two weeks: Week 1 from July 20–24 (Monday through Friday) and Week 2 from July 27–August 1 (Monday through Saturday), with performances on August 1, 2026. Campers must attend an in-person audition so we can get to know them. Tuition is $1,000 per student, and a limited number of need-based scholarships are available. For more information, please visit our website.
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Embark on an immersive journey through our cosmic neighborhood as the Solar System Encounter returns to Discovery Cube Orange County! Featuring stunning, ultra-high-definition imagery from the James Webb Telescope. This stellar exhibit surrounds guests with colossal 360° models of the sun, planets, Earth’s moon, and even the dwarf planet Pluto. Vivid lights, breathtaking visuals, larger-than-life displays bring each world to life, inspiring visitors of all ages to explore, discover, and be amazed by the wonders of our Solar System.
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American Icon: A Mustang Immersive Experience is a high-energy, interactive journey through the history, culture, and pop-culture legacy of the Ford Mustang. Spread across multiple cinematic rooms with large-scale projections, motion seats, and hands-on moments, the experience is designed for car lovers, families, and curious kids alike. Located in LA’s Arts District, this one-hour adventure brings six decades of Mustang stories to life in a fun, accessible way for all ages.
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Little Folk Club returns to Dana Point Harbor. Join us on the Island for plenty of interactive music and Friday fun to kick off the weekend. Located across the bridge at Island Way right in front of the Richard Henry Dana Statue. Please feel free to bring along your favorite instruments, blankets, towels, and chairs.
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Join us on January 23 from 9:30am-11:30am for our World of Magic & Wishes Event, hosted by Mr. Bear! Located at the Play Area on Level 1.
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It's Time to Get Tiny! Step through the Magic Door and explore Gabby's dollhouse. Gabby and the kitty crew are throwing a special Friendship Party—but it’s not ready yet! They need everyone’s help to make, bake, and decorate the party together. Play your way through the dollhouse: Get tiny in Gabby's bedroom, "bake" in Cakey's Kitchen, explore the Magic Fairy Garden, try your hand at Spa Science, culminating in an epic dance party in the party room where you meet Gabby herself for a sweet photo moment.
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Dessert Social – Tickets Now Available! You’re invited to our Dessert Social, a sweet community gathering filled with delicious treats and good company! Join us for an afternoon of desserts while supporting a great cause. Tickets are now available for purchase! Your ticket helps support our ongoing efforts to serve and uplift our community. Enjoy a variety of desserts Connect with friends, family, and neighbors Support meaningful community programs
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WE’RE ALWAYS TOLD TO REACH FOR THE STARS, BUT WHAT IF THE STARS COULD REACH FOR US? The stars are descending from the night sky. Set off across mysterious grounds to discover a celestial pathway of lustrous light, cosmic visions, and astral song. Immerse yourself in illuminating encounters of lighting, projection and sound, and connect with the stars before they return to the sky above. Astra Lumina at South Coast Botanic Garden is the 17th experience in the Lumina Enchanted Night Walk series.
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Pasadena Comic Con is a pop culture event for all ages. There will be panels, toys, celebrity guests and featured artists.
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Family screening of Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones in 4K
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Winter is here and fun options for families just keep getting better! Whether you stick with what you love or decide to try something new, KidsOutAndAbout has plenty of ideas. From Ice skating, kid-friendly museums, indoor play centers, and outdoor
activities to thinking ahead to next year's school options - we've got you covered.
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Looking for a thrilling family-friendly adventure in L.A.? Escape rooms are interactive, puzzle-packed experiences where you and your team work together to solve clues, unlock secrets, and complete
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Click here to discover Birthday party locations in the LA area. From Arcades to Ziplines our Big List will help you think outside the box and plan the party of your kids' dreams! KidsOutAndAbout has dozens of ideas!
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2025's best places to take kids in the Los Angeles area! In early summer each year, thousands of parents vote in the KidsOutAndAbout survey of the Top 20 Places to Take Kids. Who won first place? An indoor play center, museum, farm, nature center, sports
team? Click through to find out!
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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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