KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
I'm in Phoenix this week for a meeting of the American Astronomical Society, where I'm giving a talk about my new book, The Eclipse Effect. One of the best parts of being here is getting to attend the other presentations, too, which is how I found myself Monday night inside under the Dorrance Planetarium Dome at the Arizona Science Center, gazing up at a sky unlike any I’ve ever seen. Thanks to cutting-edge LED projection technology and the first imagery from the nearly-complete Rubin Observatory in Chile, the dome became a portal into the depths of our galaxy and beyond,
rendered in light so vivid and detailed it felt like we could fall in. The room was full of astronomers, researchers, educators—professionals who have dedicated their careers to explaining the universe. These were the very people who helped build the tools, who'd worked the math, who’d waited decades to see the science take shape... and even they were astonished: Their faces were lit up with the kind of awe you usually only see in children. It was a reminder that at its
heart, science is about connection. Connecting those points of light above my head, yes; connecting the dots, sure... but also connecting people—to each other, to wonder, and to what’s possible. If you want your kids to connect deeply with science—or history, or nature, or culture, or space—you don’t need a telescope on a mountain, you just need a person. So go to the museum, walk the trail, step into the planetarium. But don’t stop at the
exhibit signs: Find the people! Ask them questions. They want to talk to you! These docents, tour guides, librarians, explainers, and educators are the ones who turn information into illumination. They are the lens your kids can look through to see what their future might be. So seek the sky painters. Then stand next to your kids, look up, and be amazed together.
—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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The Experiments in Sound series includes regional performers and musicians that invite you to listen, participate and imagine. Lights and music turn on nightly from 5:00 PM to 12 Midnight Sonic Runway is a light-art installation that visualizes the speed of sound created by a team of artists including lead artist Rob Jensen, co-lead Warren Trezevant, and design by Stockhausen. Free and open to the public.
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Pao Houa Her’s practice engages with the legacies, potentials, and aesthetics of landscape and portrait photography traditions, examining the complex intertwining of desire, homeland, and artifice. Rooted in the experience of her Hmong community and shaped by family experiences and lore passed down by her elders, Her’s work centers women as the knowledge bearers of both past and future. Using a formally rigorous photographic approach, Her explores constructions of homeland that resonate across diasporas.
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Join us Friday, January 9th from 4:00–8:00 PM for our Grand Opening Celebration, packed with high-energy fun, music, prizes, and exclusive giveaways.
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Come hang out with us at the January Open House for a fun-filled day of activities, snacks, and exploring our space!
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Keep the holiday season going on January 10 with our 28th annual El Día de los Tres Reyes Magos (Three Kings Day) celebration! Taste Rosca de Reyes, decorate a crown, meet the Three Kings, and sing and dance along with live performers!
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Looking for a fun and motivating way to kick off your fitness journey in the new year? Almaden Valley Athletic Club (AVAC) invites individuals and families with young kids to its New Year’s Kickoff event.
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Become a Junior Ranger as you explore your local National Wildlife Refuge! Explore what makes a salt marsh so special using your senses on a guided walk.
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Level up your illustrations with the addition of animation! Learn how to animate illustrations over the span of 3- 4 week projects. Classes are designed to be taken for the full three or four weeks to complete the project.
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This is an exciting opportunity to witness our animals engaging in all kinds of activities! Join us to catch our animal keepers doing animal enrichment activities, taking animals for walks, or even doing training sessions!
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Santana Row welcomes the Year of the Dragon with Lunar New Year festivities for the whole family. Join us on Saturday, February 10th from 11AM- 1PM in Santana Row Park and enjoy the exciting drumbeats and crashing symbols of the lion dances, cultural performances, surprise red envelopes and more.
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- Sonic Runway - City of San Jose, CA - City of San Jose Planning, Building and Code Enforcement Department, 200 E Santa Clara St, San Jose, CA, Friday, 01/09/2026 to Sunday, 01/11/2026, Lights and music turn on nightly from 5:00 PM to 12 Midnight
- Grand Opening Celebration! - Altitude Trampoline Park, Great Mall Drive, Milpitas, CA, Friday, 01/09/2026, 4:00pm - 8:00pm
- Winter Open House - Almaden Country Day School, 6835 Trinidad Drive, San Jose, CA 95120, Saturday, 01/10/2026, 10:00am - 12:30pm
- Almaden Valley Athletic Club Hosts New Years Kickoff (Free) - Almaden Valley Athletic Club, 5400 Camden Ave, San Jose, CA 95124, Saturday, 01/10/2026, 9:00am
- Junior Rangers at the Refuge: Salt Marsh Senses - 1751 Grand Blvd, San Jose, CA, Sunday, 01/11/2026, 10:30am-12pm
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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 the San Jose Area. Here are local organizations that
offer memberships.
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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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Click here to discover Birthday party locations in the San Jose 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 San Jose survey winners: What are the best places to take kids in the Bay Area? Each summer, thousands of parents vote in the KidsOutAndAbout survey of the Top 20 Places to Take Kids. Who won the top spot? 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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