KidsOutAndAbout's weekly e-newsletter |
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
When I was a teenager, a math teacher I respected told me that there are two kinds of people: Those who make pizza, and those who grab as many slices as they can. "At the end of the day," he said, "you want to be someone who has made more pizza than she eats." He said this to me at the perfect time, when I was just forming my ideas about who I was and was going to become. I
decided I wanted always to be on the positive side of the pizza-making equation, so I started thinking about how to use the time I have here on Earth to make as much pizza as I possibly could. Over the years, I found that the key to success in this long-term goal is to tune my mental radar to the very near future, to stay in control of my time rather than giving it away to an algorithm that serves endless empty calories: How best do I use the next five minutes, the
next half hour, the next day? It all adds up. Even young kids can add value to the world, especially if they watch their parents doing it. New Year's resolutions are notoriously hard to keep, especially when they're overly specific. But resolving to be on the positive side of the pizza-making equation is straightforward. For some easy recipes for quick wins, check out my quick-read article 12 Starter Ideas for Pizza on Earth. Then look up from your phone, scan your world, and you'll find all the ingredients you need. Here's to a delicious 2026!
—Debra Ross, publisher
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KidsOutAndAbout.com: Discover more. Connect more. Do 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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Do your kids know that utilities like water and electricity aren’t free? Show them the bills—it’s a great way to help them connect daily actions with real costs. Try simple swaps to save energy and money: Wear a sweater instead of turning up the heat, shovel snow for exercise, go sledding instead of to a movie, and turn off the tap while brushing. Only wash dirty clothes, run full laundry or dishwasher loads, and reuse craft supplies from home. Show your kids how much you’ve saved—and let them choose a fun way to spend the extra cash! Click the graphic for youth bank account info.
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KOAA's Holiday Light List: 150-house driving tour of Rochester, including the Buffalo Bills house! KidsOutAndAbout.com has been updating its list of 150 spectacularly-lit houses in the Rochester area since 2005! The houses are sorted by town to make it easy; most lights are coming down this weekend, so now's your last chance! The tour includes a driving tour for each town... Just click on the map and it will plot on your phone! |
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New Year's / Noon Year's Eve fun for TODAY Wed, Dec 31: Noon Year's Eve with The Happy Pirates at Winton Branch Library at Winton Branch Library On December 31st starting at 11:00am, our favorite trio of pirates will put on a show overflowing with silly songs and jokes.
Wed, Dec 31: Noon Year's Eve Party at Penfield Public Library For Ages 2-5
Wed, Dec 31: Noon Year's Eve! at Webster Public Library Ring in the New Year a little early with crafts and a countdown to a balloon drop at noon! No registration required.
Wed, Dec 31: Noon Year’s Eve 2025 at
Seneca Park Zoo at Seneca Park Zoo December 31 - Join us as we count down to noon with ball drops at two special locations in the zoo: the snow leopard habitat and the elephant habitat!
Wed, Dec 31: Noon Year's Eve with the Ice Queen at Aquarium of Niagara Join the Ice Queen at the Aquarium of Niagara’s annual Noon Year’s Eve celebration!
Wed, Dec 31: Noon Year's Eve at DICK'S House of Sport at Eastview Mall Lace up those skates and hit the ice in a family-friendly New Year's Eve Celebration!
Wed, Dec 31: Ring in the New Year with Dave & Buster's! at Dave & Buster's - Rochester Join us for an unforgettable Family New Year’s Experience packed with fun, games, food, and festive
excitement.
Wed, Dec 31: NOON Year's Eve Party at Ontario Play & (Live Music) at Ontario Play & Café Join us at Ontario
Play & Cafe 10-5 as we welcome in the “Noon” Year with LIVE music, dancing, party hats, noisemakers, and the countdown to Noon! LIVE music from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm.
Wed, Dec 31: Noon Year's Eve Balloon Drop at Bounce Hopper Join us for a Noon Year’s Eve celebration with lots of Bouncing, Hopping, and a countdown starting at 11:55 am, of course, for our unique BALLOON Drop at noon for you and your kids as we celebrate the end of 2025 and the start of 2026! Click here for what else is happening TODAY in the ROC |
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Join Herb Smith and your RPO at Hochstein Performance Hall Sunday, January 18, 2026 at 2pm for this special concert that explores Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy through powerful music, narration, and inspiring stories. Celebrate hope, courage, and unity with an unforgettable experience that brings history to life through the magic of music with special performances featuring Strings for Success and a choir from School of the Arts. Come early (1pm) for special free pre-concert activities! Series sponsored In Loving Memory of Lenore P. Lesser
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Looking for a fun, confidence-boosting activity for your child? Martial Arts America offers top-quality martial arts instruction at three convenient locations: Brighton, Webster, and Penfield. Their programs are tailored for every age and experience level—from beginner kids to advanced students—focusing on karate, life skills, fitness, and self-defense. Kids thrive in a supportive environment where they learn respect, discipline, and focus—all while having a blast! With dynamic classes designed to build character and confidence, Martial Arts America helps kids grow stronger inside and out. Ready to kick-start your child’s journey? Visit rochesterkarate.com to learn more or schedule…
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Looking for a fun, active way to introduce your child to sports? Empire Tennis Academy in Brighton offers one of Rochester’s top junior tennis programs—and now is the perfect time to join! Their special introductory 4-week course is just $49 and designed for kids ages 5–8 who are new to tennis. Using kid-sized racquets, smaller courts, and soft balls, Empire helps kids build skills, confidence, and a love for the game—fast! Classes are taught by friendly, experienced coaches in a fun, supportive environment. Sessions run Sundays or Mondays from January 4–26, and racquets are provided if needed. Click the graphic to register now and serve up some fun!
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Join Studio K Dance & Fitness this New Year! Enroll today in our NEW 6 Week Session Dance Classes beginning January 10th! Options include “Creative Movement & Pre Dance” for ages 2-5, “Intro To Dance” for ages 6 & up and “Beginner Tumbling” for ages 5 & up. All abilities and levels are welcome. These classes are the perfect low commitment opportunity for you dancer(s) to engage in the energetic, interactive, supportive, and fun environment we proudly provide at Studio K! Registration is on our website at www.studiokroc.com.
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The RMSC’s newest exciting temporary exhibit explores the tasks and challenges required of a space explorer, requires teamwork to solve problems, and illuminates the science + tools needed to monitor damage to a spacecraft. Experience a rocket launch, explore how a lack of gravity can affect the body & mind, and discover how scientific observations and measurements can both differ in…
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Spend winter break at The Strong! Enjoy hands-on play with American Dairy Association North East’s winter farm pop-up, view winter decorations in the beautiful Dollhouses Unveiled exhibit, and create a carboard home to add the winter village!
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November 8 - January 4: The George Eastman Museum's annual Sweet Creations Gingerbread display is a beloved Rochester family tradition! Check out the dozens of cleverly designed and deliciously decorated gingerbread houses that fill the mansion... it's a visual and aromatic treat for visitors of all ages, and is sure to put you in the holiday spirit! All of the gingerbread creations are…
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Disney On Ice presents Frozen & Encanto transports families into the realms of two of Disney’s most popular films. Watch as Anna, Elsa, and Olaf tell the extraordinary story of sisterhood in Frozen (Act One) before Mirabel, Isabela, Luisa, and Bruno take center stage in Encanto (Act Two). The entire show features high-flying acrobatics and stunning special effects. Hosted by Mickey Mouse…
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When an uber-organized mother and her spontaneous teenage daughter magically swap bodies, they have just one day to make it right. Masquerading as each other, they must work together to solve the mystery of how to break the spell. By spending a day in each other's shoes, Katherine and Ellie come to appreciate one another in a way they never could have imagined. In the end, both learn the…
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We’re turning off the lights from 7 PM to 9 PM for a thrilling night of climbing in the dark! Bring your headlamp (or borrow one of ours—limited supply!) and get ready for an adventure.
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Climb with friends & family during the holidays, no knowledge or experience needed! Enjoy a custom climbing experience with a CRG Team Member!
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Held the first Saturday of each month, these two-hour playdates are for children waiting for Early Intervention services and provide an opportunity for parents/caregivers to interact with licensed therapists while they engage in developmentally appropriate activities with their child/children and other families! Different activities are planned each month! Mini-seminars on topics of…
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Wishing you and yours good health and happiness, and a Happy New Year!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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