KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers: One summer afternoon during a family camping trip in New Jersey when I was about 6 or 7 years old, a horse fly suddenly appeared next to my ear and started following me everywhere I went. I’m sure that, from its own perspective, it was just going about its business doing ordinary horse fly things, but to me it felt enormous, ominous, and purposeful. I can't remember if it
actually bit me, but I can still summon the hot panic of not being able to get away from its threatening buzz. To my small self, that fly wasn't a little distraction, it was a crisis with wings. The memory surfaced recently when my daughter Ella sent me the above photo, taken in Quintana Beach County Park, near Houston. The point was clear: Proceed, and you will be under attack, and not by any adorable Northeastern bugs you might be used to. No, these bugs were born in Texas. Beware. Sometimes that is exactly
how challenges feel, especially to kids: Problems loom much larger to them than they do to adults with decades of experience. A broken toy, a skinned knee, a mistake in front of the class, or a slight misunderstanding with a friend may be a fly in the ointment to us, but a Texas-sized monster to a child. The trick is to validate the feeling without validating helplessness. We stand beside them and say, Yes, I know, this feels huge. The bugs, even if they're not as large as they
think, are real. They watch us shoo them away and learn gradually to do it for themselves. If I had seen the sign above, my first instinct would have been to flee back to the safety of the car. And Ella said it was not exaggerating, at least not by much: The moment she stepped onto the property, giant mosquitoes descended, and they were hungry; even leggings soaked with OFF Deep Woods did not deter them. She assures me that the photo she got of the Bay-breasted Warbler was
worth all the bites on the backs of her knees. She knew better than to show me the damage. Clearly, the script has flipped.
—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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Discover a summer filled with creativity, imagination, and hands-on fun at Children’s Art Classes in San Jose! Our exciting art classes are perfect for kids who love to draw, paint, sculpt, and create in a fun, supportive, and inspiring environment. Young artists will explore a wide variety of art mediums including painting, clay, mixed media, and more... all while building creativity, confidence, and artistic skills. Unlike traditional full-day camps, our flexible classes make it easy for families to choose the schedule that works best for them. Students are welcome to enroll in multiple classes each week and explore different themes and mediums throughout the summer. We offer classes for a variety of ages and skill levels, from beginners to more experienced young artists. Give your child a summer full of color, creativity, and artistic discovery! With small class sizes, engaging projects, and passionate instructors, Children’s Art Classes is the perfect place for kids to…
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The seasonal Dublin Farmers' Market will run each Thursday, 4:00 - 8:00 p.m., from April through September 2025, rain or shine, at Emerald Glen Park. Come out to find your farmers' market favorites, such as locally grown fresh produce, baked goods, honey, nuts, pasta, and more. Pick up some delicious hot foods from vendors for dinner each week. In addition to the market, the City of Dublin is excited to bring back the Summer Concert Series, which will run for eight weeks in June, July, and early August at the Emerald Glen Park Amphitheater.
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One voice can change the world, but when people sing together they transform themselves. Singers from the Community Music Center Openhouse LGBTQ+ Choir, directed by Zahra Rothschild, and CMC 30th Street Choir, directed by Martha Rodriguez-Salar, perform popular and folkloric music from the Americas with the accompaniment of pianist Jennifer Peringer and other musicians. The CMC Choirs are part of a tuition-free Neighborhood Choir Program for Older Adults composed of 17 choirs at neighborhood and senior centers throughout San Francisco. The Community Music Center is a non-profit institution making high-quality music accessible to people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities, regardless of financial means. With a newly expanded campus in the Mission and along with the Richmond center , CMC students come from every neighborhood to learn and make beautiful music!
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When you visit The Cherry Pit, you're not just picking cherries; you're hand-selecting the freshest, juiciest fruit straight from the tree. You cannot experience this kind of freshness from store-bought cherries. Biting into one of our large, sweet cherries will keep you coming back each year for more.
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Whether it is a slithering snake or a slinking skink, our animal ambassadors offer a compelling story on climate change.
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WCFMA hosts ten farmers' markets around Central California bringing fresh foods to local communities since 2011.
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Drop by the Randall Museum’s Art Room and get creative with your kids. Art instructors guide a different hands-on art activity each week. All ages are welcome to participate. Afternoon Art is a great way to get a taste of the Randall Museum’s arts and crafts programs. All children under 8 must be with a paying participating adult.
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Dance the day away to exhilarating live music alongside your friends and family, all while savoring delicious, locally made food. Indulge in cold beer, refreshing cider, and fine wine in an open field, beautifully surrounded by majestic redwoods in the heart of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Additionally, consider joining us as a volunteer for the Faire to help create this memorable experience for everyone.
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These outdoor performances are perfect for families. Upcoming showings include Free to Be… You and Me. Food and drink are sold onsite by the Friends of the Palo Alto Children’s Theatre. All Summer Hot Dog Productions take place in the “Secret Garden” at the Children’s Theatre.
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Ever wonder about those dazzling sails buzzing around on the Bay? The Cal Sailing Club monthly Open House/Introductory Sail gives you a chance to find out!
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In celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, pick up your Passport to the Islands, visit each week, and collect your stamps as you journey through Polynesia—where vibrant stories, traditions, and island flavors come to life at Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park. Each weekend brings educational storytelling, live performances, and specialty food offerings inspired by the islands.
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Fair returns June 19-July 12, Wednesday-Sunday. Open noon-11pm, enjoy Fair food, the summer concert series, monster trucks, demolition derby, shopping, pig racing and so much more. 2026 concerts include the Beach Boys and Flo Rida!
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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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The KidsOutAndAbout annual guide to summer camps in the San Jose area 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 San Jose area? Escape rooms are interactive, puzzle-packed experiences where you and your team work together to solve clues, unlock secrets,
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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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