KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers: There’s a sign on the New York State Thruway heading west that marks 70 miles to where I live. For Rochesterians driving back to Western New York from the east or southeast, that marker elicits both a sigh of relief and a groan: You’re close, especially relative to where you started. But in that final stretch, each mile is somehow psychologically
longer. Over the years, this became a useful metaphor in my family: You're pushing through to the end of a project, you'd love to see the finish line, but the murky distance between you and that goal is in your way. "Ugh, it's those last 70 miles," one of us will say to the person suffering, and we'll all nod sympathetically. At this time of year, families with kids in school are experiencing those last 70 miles: The end of the school year is in sight, yet
not quite here. The energy reserves are low, and the end point seems stuck in the distance. We feel like we’re sprinting but not getting closer fast enough. As in any journey, that’s precisely when it’s worth keeping in mind that these last miles may feel long, but they’re also the most meaningful: They become the lens through which we look back at the whole experience, so these final steps really count. Remembering this can provide the last surge of energy to press
forward. So whatever final 70 miles you and your kids are facing, remind yourself and the people traveling with you that if you put your best self into it now, the rewards will feel sweeter, and the memories of success will help fuel you next time. You’re on the last leg. You're almost there. And you have lots of company.
—Debra Ross, publisher of KidsOutAndAbout.com, co-author of The Eclipse Effect: How to Seize Extraordinary Moments to Build Strong Communities
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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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The World of Birds Show has been delighting audiences for nearly 40 years! Launched by a major gift from the Angela Collier Foundation, the new World of Birds Theater reopened to the public in 2014. The refreshed and reimagined free-flight presentation features impressive displays of natural behavior and close up views of some of the L.A. Zoo’s most colorful residents. Note: This event is weather permitting, and the lineup is subject to change.
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Come explore the vast world of biodiversity in Mission Safari, a bilingual, multi-layered adventure maze that demonstrates how even the smallest creatures play an important role in human survival. The journey starts with question-and-answer challenges that set each adventurer on their own path through the winding maze. Along the way, explorers will learn about life on the wild side through different challenges: take a broad jump and compare it to that of a kangaroo; swing like an orangutan; hang like a sloth; escape a giant spider web; and more. The journey through Earth’s biodiversity continues with the Secret Safari. Enter the hidden maze-within-a-maze to learn about unique wildlife adaptations and survival stories. Interwoven in the stories shared within the maze is a message about protecting biodiversity and understanding that every creature has a unique role in nature. Before ending the journey, everyone can take a pledge to support the wildlife and protect biodiversity…
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Stop by and learn more about some amazing marine animals. Learn how important they are in California's ecosystem, what they eat and other fascinating facts! Free and open to all ages; registration not required.
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Free developmental screenings
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Get ready for a feast of epic proportions as you laugh, dine, and savor the culinary wonders of this animated favorite.
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Los Angeles Mother’s Day Artisan & Gift Market 2026: Spring Makers Festival Celebrate Mother’s Day weekend in style at the Los Angeles Mother’s Day Artisan & Gift Market 2026: Spring Makers Festival ,a vibrant open-air marketplace featuring local artisans, boutique brands, handmade businesses, and specialty gift vendors. Set in the heart of Los Angeles , this lively spring event brings together a curated selection of talented makers offering handcrafted goods, stylish finds, and one-of-a-kind products perfect for celebrating moms, grandmothers, and loved ones. Whether you’re searching for a meaningful handmade gift, last-minute Mother’s Day surprises, or simply looking to enjoy a beautiful spring weekend in the city, this event offers a memorable shopping experience filled with creativity, culture, and community.
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The 2026 Fair wants you to Play Your Way as we salute recreation, imagination and the many ways we let loose. From whirling rides and friendly contests to creative triumphs and big bites of deep-fried delight, the Fair is transforming its grounds into the county’s biggest playground.
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Griffith Observatory broadcasts this public program live from the Leonard Nimoy Event Horizon Theater on the third Thursday of every month. Join the Observatory's curatorial staff as they examine and explain the most-talked-about subjects in astronomy and space science. It is free to attend in-person or stream on YouTube.
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- FREE spring mini photo session at Shoott! - Irvine & Orange County - Shoott - Shoott, Broadway, New York, NY, USA, 05/08/2026 to 05/10/2026 - See link for times
- Pelican Awareness Week at the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium - Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, 3720 Stephen M White Drive, San Pedro, CA 90731, 05/08/2026 to 05/09/2026 - 2:00 - 5:00pm
- Little Artists - Newton T. Bass Apple Valley Branch Library - Apple Valley Newton T. Bass Branch Library, 14901 Dale Evans Pkwy, Apple Valley, CA 92307 - 05/08/2026 - 11:00am - 12:00pm PST
- Little Seedlings Story Time - Sherman Library and Gardens - Sherman Library & Gardens, East Coast Highway, Corona Del Mar, CA, 05/08/2026 - 10 am - 10:30 am
- Storytime in the Nature Garden - Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County - Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, Exposition Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA, 05/09/2026 to 05/10/2026 - 10:30 am
- Stronger Starts Statewide Day of Action - Peppertree Park, 230 West First Street, Tustin, CA 92780, 05/09/2026 - 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
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The KidsOutAndAbout annual guide to summer camps in The OC is back! You can search by date, age, or categories like day/overnight, sports, drama, music, theatre, arts & crafts, technology, robotics, horseback riding, preschool, & more. Our guide
puts summer fun right at your fingertips!
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Looking for a thrilling family-friendly adventure in the Orange County? Escape rooms are interactive, puzzle-packed experiences where you and your team work together to solve clues and complete your mission-all before time runs out! Whether you're escaping
a spooky cabin, cracking a high-stakes heist, or breaking a magical curse, escape rooms offer exciting, screen-free fun for kids, teens, and adults.
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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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