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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Celebrate the Lunar New Year in the heart of Little Saigon on Saturday, February 21, as the City of Westminster presents the 2026 Westminster Tết Parade honoring the Year of the Horse. This year’s theme, “Spring of Unity: Galloping Toward Growth,” highlights cultural pride, resilience, and community connection. The Opening Ceremony begins at 8:30 a.m., followed by the parade at 9:30 a.m. The route starts at Bolsa Avenue and Magnolia Street, travels eastbound on Bolsa Avenue, turns south on Bushard Street, and concludes at Bishop Place. For more than two decades, the Tết Parade has attracted global audiences through local television and social media. The celebration features floats, marching bands, lion dances, martial arts, cultural attire, community groups, youth and veteran organizations, elected officials, and local and international businesses.
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“In Bloom: Flowers in Contemporary Art” premieres at Forest Lawn Museum on September 20, 2025. While artists have been depicting flowers for thousands of years, this exhibition explores a range of contemporary artistic approaches to the subject. Featuring paintings, sculptures, installations, and video, the artworks vary dramatically, from naturalistic to abstract, and from playful to contemplative.
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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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Come & Create Art in a beautiful space with caring & creative teachers. Kids and their grown ups are invited to explore art through water color, acrylic and multi-media art. Taught by a credentialed Waldorf school teacher and professional artist, this class will let you and your kids not only create but learn about and art principals and history. Thursdays at 4:30. The class will be about 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes.
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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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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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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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Family screening of Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones in 4K
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Join us and make a camera-less movie at the Academy Museum.
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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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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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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 the OC? 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 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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