KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
If it weren’t for a Polish pastry, I might not exist. When my great-grandmother Karolina Stelmach was a teenager in a small village in Poland, she was told she’d be entering an arranged marriage. But her heart belonged to Sylvester Nowakowski. So she left... on her own, by boat... and made her way to America. She found work in a restaurant, where she made
her family’s signature dessert: chrusciki. One day, a “distinguished gentleman” insisted on meeting the pastry chef, and he offered her a better-paying job in his own kitchen. She took it, saved enough to bring Sylvester over, and they married. Which means if chrusciki didn’t exist, neither would I. Stories like this do more than entertain. According to psychologist Robyn Fivush, interviewed on a recent episode of the Hidden Brain podcast, they help kids develop identity,
resilience, and self-worth. The more children know about their family’s past—not just the “big” stories like crossing oceans, but even the day-to-day moments and struggles—the more connected and grounded they become. Fivush and her colleagues at Emory University found that kids who know more family stories have higher self-esteem, greater emotional understanding, and a stronger sense of meaning and purpose. But it’s not just the information that matters...it’s the telling. When we sit down and
share what came before, we help kids feel like they’re part of something bigger, and that they belong. No AI can replicate that. A chatbot can write a story, sure. But it can’t tell your kids how Grandma’s meatloaf could’ve doubled as a construction material, or how two little girls in the 1950s turned a couple of ice cream cones into a front-porch endurance contest. So this year, make a point of telling your kids about your family's shared history: about
mistakes, about perseverance, about love, about dessert. Connection doesn’t have to be complicated: Just pull up a chair, pass the cookies, and pass down the stories.
—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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Audiences have overwhelmingly responded to SF Sketchfest’s diverse programming which has featured performers from every major North American television comedy smash of the last 25 years including “Saturday Night Live,” “The Kids in the Hall,” “Mr. Show,” “Arrested Development,” “VEEP,” “The Upright Citizens Brigade,” “The State,” “Mystery Science Theatre 3000,” “Strangers With Candy,” “Key & Peele,” “The Simpsons,” “The Daily Show” and more. SF Sketchfest offers its audiences the rare opportunity to see their favorite performers in intimate live performances and discussions.
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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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The Dana Point Certified Farmers Market is open every Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. California farmers bring fresh produce to sell and craft vendors provide a large selection of art, jewelry, clothing, handbags, candles, handmade soaps, and unique one-of-a-kind gifts. The Farmers Market is located in La Plaza Park on Pacific Coast Highway and Golden Lantern. It is strongly recommended that customers bring their own reusable bags.
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Sunday, January 18, 2026 Kala Koa Entertainment celebrates 19 years of bringing the biggest and brightest names in Hawaiian music, taking fans on a Hawaiian musical journey showcasing GRAMMY-winning and Na Hoku Hanohano (Hawaiian Grammy) award-winning Hawaiian kiho’alu guitarists,along with vocal and hula performances and supporting musicians.
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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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On Monday, January 19, Angel City FC will join thousands of Angelenos at the L.A. Works MLK Volunteer Festival to honor Dr. King’s vision of a Beloved Community. This annual day of service brings people together to support local families through hands-on projects across education, health, housing, environment, and sports equity.
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Introduction to the Pre School Experience including circle time, finger plays, interactive flannel board storytime, music & movement for age appropriate motor development. This is the perfect first experience and little ones with siblings are welcome.
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Songs, Instruments, Parachutes, Sensory Play, Bubbles and Fun! Experienced Educator & Performer Lisa K Cohen, Director of Creative Parties for Kids and Play & Parties teacher. Music Education has been proven powerful to early childhood development, plant the seeds of music early, come join us for Tiny Tunes Music Class at Play & Parties in Orange, CA Grown Up Participation Encouraged.
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Animated & Active Storytime ! Come join us for this fun romp through books and puppetry. Our storytime is above and beyond just reading, we jump into the stories, play, sing, make theme crafts and so much more.
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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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EXPERIENCES create memories much more than stuff does. As you're considering gifts for family and friends, consider giving the gift of a family membership to one of our local attractions in and around Orange County. Here are local organizations that offer
memberships.
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Click here to discover Birthday party locations in the Orange County 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 Orange County, CA area. Each May-June, thousands of parents vote in the KidsOutAndAbout survey of the Top 20 Places to Take Kids. Who won the top spot? 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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