KidsOutAndAbout Rochester latest e-newsletter
| Click here to receive our free weekly e-newsletter every Thursday morning! |
KidsOutAndAbout newsletter Thursday, May 16, 2013
Upcoming FREE events (460 of them!)
Save the date for:
Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
I fail all the time, and I want my kids to fail, too, because I want them to be happy.
Yes, you read that right.
When I was a kid, I was so afraid to fail that I didn't risk anything; I focused only on getting straight A's. Anything less was unacceptable and caused panic. So I stayed on safe ground. I risked nothing. I kept my head down like a good little mouse and ran on the wheel when they told me to. I got my A's, for the most part. But I didn't accomplish much.
It took me a long time to get over the fear of failure, to realize that it's only when we push the limits of our comfort zone that real success becomes possible. Most schools are not safe places to fail. I wish they were. For my family, homeschooling works because, among other things, I want my kids to see that trying and failing and trying again and never stopping once you fail is what you need to do to find out what you really love, to keep growing through your whole life. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
So how can you teach your kids to fail...responsibly? You teach them to risk stretching themselves in low-stakes situations in which failure does not have permanent repercussions. You encourage them to audition for orchestras that may be just outside their current playing level. You applaud when they try out for the school play, and make sure they help backstage when they don't get the part. My kids' team came in LAST in their region for Odyssey of the Mind two years ago. That still stings, but from the perspective of their whole lives, that failure was probably more valuable to them than first place would have been. Life went on, and successes came their way in other forms.
Writing, if I may point out, is full of failure. I fail hundreds of times in the course of writing just this one little Publisher's Note every week. I write a sentence. It doesn't express what I'm trying to convey. I erase it. I rephrase. And eventually, I hit the "Send" button, knowing that it's still not perfect. It can always be made better. But if I let myself drown in that, you'll never get a newsletter.
So: Pedal to the metal, kids. Push like hell. You'll never get it all, not even close, but you'll accomplish a lot. And I'll be your biggest fan forever.
3) Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow...
Tomorrow we launch our Annual Survey of the Top 20 Places to Take Kids in Greater Rochester! We'll send around a special note to link you to the survey. If there is a new venue that you think should be on this year's survey, make sure you send me an email to nominate them! (Don't worry, folks, Jungle Jolt is already there, no need to alert us about them.)
4) OrKIDStra is this weekend! Eudora's Fable: The Shoe Bird at Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO). Eudora Welty’s children’s book set to music by former RPO conductor Samuel Jones. Note that I said it was composed by former RPO conductor Samuel Jones, but never fear, all you Michael Butterman fans out there (and you know who you are!): Maestro Butterman will be holding the baton as usual!
KidsOutAndAbout.com is proud to be a media sponsor for the Rochester Philharmonic's OrKIDStra series. Congratulations to Marta from Spencerport and Yelena from Ontario, who won tickets to this weekend's performance.
7) June 1 & 2, 2013: Lake Lane Fishing & Hunting Getaway in Olean will be hosting a FREE Kids Fishing Derby (ages 15 and under). No Fishing License Required on June 1 and 2 at 10am both days. There will also be opportunities to enter fishing derbies for adults for a fee. Pre-Registration is highly recommended. There is an outdoor sport show with lots of fun activities for the whole family, and lots of good food. Call 716-373-2080 or email lakelane@verizon.net to enter.
8) Thomas the Tank Engine is in Medina starting tomorrow for his annual visit!
Bring your preschoolers to take the ride of their lives! Seen on the pages of favorite storybooks, in playrooms, and on the television screen, Thomas the Tank Engine® is adored by little engineers everywhere. Now, Thomas is pulling into the station for a larger than life experience at Day Out With Thomas®: The GO GO Thomas Tour 2013, visiting the Medina Railroad Museum on May 10-12 and 17-19. The event, now in its 18th year, is presented by HIT Entertainment and sponsored by MEGA Brands, a leading toy company, and all-inclusive Hard Rock Hotels. Train rides all day Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Tip from Deb: This event tends to sell out, so do not risk showing up without having pre-purchased your tickets or your little Thomas fan may be very disappointed.
12) Other notable events this weekend:
13) Summer camp research is in full swing! 670 camps have posted to our calendar as of this writing (19 more than last week!)
14)
On the KidsOutAndAbout Facebook page, we often have interesting discussions, and that's where we announce giveaways first. Over 3000 of you are signed up to get our Facebook posts, but recent Facebook changes mean they only show a few hundred of you any of our given posts... unless... you "like" us specially.
Here's how: If you go to our Facebook page, hover your mouse over the "Like" button. When you do, you'll see two lines: Show in News Feed, and Add to Interest List. Please make sure both are indicated. When you hit Add to Interest Lists, if you don't have any interest lists, you can just add a new one. How about calling it: Stuff to do with kids! That way you should be able to hear from us when we post. Thanks.
15) Giveaways
16) Auto designers are always trying to come up with ways to improve safety and convenience in their vehicles, many with families in mind. For instance, backup cameras have been showing up in newer models for several years. According to KidsandCars.org, a non-profit child-safety organization, more than 50 children are backed over by cars every week in the USA. Automakers such as Honda have already begun to make them standard in most of their models – including Honda's Crosstour, Accord, Cr-V and Odyssey. So for a little extra clarity (and eyes in the back of your head) look for models that offer this great safety feature.
17) The Bravo Family, the Wall Family, the Woods Family, the Smart Family, and the Walker Family are our fictional families that take their kids to activities based on their particular interests. Here is what they are up to this weekend:
Upcoming FREE events (460 of them!)Save the date for:
May 18: Opening Day, Seabreeze
May 18: Military Heritage Day at Genesee Country Museum
May 19: Final OrKIDStra of the season: The Shoe Bird
May 24-26: Red, White, & Blue Balloon Rally at Letchworth State Park
May 17, May 24 & May 26: Free tickets to the Rochester RazorSharks games at the Blue Cross Arena
May 18 & May 31: Rochester Rhinos games
June 8: Learn to build a fairy house at the Museum of Play
June 8: Bike Rodeo & Child Safety Day
June 9: Agri-Palooza from the Wyoming County Chamber of Commerce
June 29: Hep Kids at Hochstein
Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:I fail all the time, and I want my kids to fail, too, because I want them to be happy.
Yes, you read that right.
When I was a kid, I was so afraid to fail that I didn't risk anything; I focused only on getting straight A's. Anything less was unacceptable and caused panic. So I stayed on safe ground. I risked nothing. I kept my head down like a good little mouse and ran on the wheel when they told me to. I got my A's, for the most part. But I didn't accomplish much.
It took me a long time to get over the fear of failure, to realize that it's only when we push the limits of our comfort zone that real success becomes possible. Most schools are not safe places to fail. I wish they were. For my family, homeschooling works because, among other things, I want my kids to see that trying and failing and trying again and never stopping once you fail is what you need to do to find out what you really love, to keep growing through your whole life. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
So how can you teach your kids to fail...responsibly? You teach them to risk stretching themselves in low-stakes situations in which failure does not have permanent repercussions. You encourage them to audition for orchestras that may be just outside their current playing level. You applaud when they try out for the school play, and make sure they help backstage when they don't get the part. My kids' team came in LAST in their region for Odyssey of the Mind two years ago. That still stings, but from the perspective of their whole lives, that failure was probably more valuable to them than first place would have been. Life went on, and successes came their way in other forms.
Writing, if I may point out, is full of failure. I fail hundreds of times in the course of writing just this one little Publisher's Note every week. I write a sentence. It doesn't express what I'm trying to convey. I erase it. I rephrase. And eventually, I hit the "Send" button, knowing that it's still not perfect. It can always be made better. But if I let myself drown in that, you'll never get a newsletter.
So: Pedal to the metal, kids. Push like hell. You'll never get it all, not even close, but you'll accomplish a lot. And I'll be your biggest fan forever.
--Debra Ross
2) KidsOutAndAbout.com reviews Midsummer Night's Dream at Geva (playing through June 2. Most of us say that we'll get around to bringing our kids to see a Shakespeare production "someday." When is the right time? When they're 6? 12? How about there is a stunning production that can engage your kids with more than the language...and kids 12 and under can go for half price! Click here to read the KidsOutAndAbout review of Geva Theatre Center's production of A Midsummer Night's Dream... and find out why our reviewer, Helena Robin, reports that it's for kids who are into fantasy, mythology, sci-fi, and even reality TV.
3) Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow...Tomorrow we launch our Annual Survey of the Top 20 Places to Take Kids in Greater Rochester! We'll send around a special note to link you to the survey. If there is a new venue that you think should be on this year's survey, make sure you send me an email to nominate them! (Don't worry, folks, Jungle Jolt is already there, no need to alert us about them.)
4) OrKIDStra is this weekend! Eudora's Fable: The Shoe Bird at Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO). Eudora Welty’s children’s book set to music by former RPO conductor Samuel Jones. Note that I said it was composed by former RPO conductor Samuel Jones, but never fear, all you Michael Butterman fans out there (and you know who you are!): Maestro Butterman will be holding the baton as usual!KidsOutAndAbout.com is proud to be a media sponsor for the Rochester Philharmonic's OrKIDStra series. Congratulations to Marta from Spencerport and Yelena from Ontario, who won tickets to this weekend's performance.
5) Lilac Festival! Okay so maybe last weekend was a little dicey as regards weather, but we're back in the full swing of spring... so make sure you take your kids to the Lilac Festival, which closes on Sunday. Check out our Kid-Friendly Lilac Festival Schedule in one handy place. We're making sure that we head over to Prime Time Funk (we know a bunch of the members) on Sunday at 5:30. That's not specifically a kid-oriented concert, but it's free, and it's great music. Here is a link to the whole concert schedule for the festival.
6) The Hochstein School of Music & Dance is pleased to commemorate National Tap Dance Day on May 18th with a FREE public performance dubbed “Musical Feet: Tap as an American Art Form” at 1:30pm in the Hochstein Performance Hall and a series of tap dance workshops for ages 10-adult beginning at 10am. The performance traces the evolution of a uniquely American art form with references to multicultural dance forms and American popular music. Highlights include performances of Irish Jig, Spanish Dance, African Drumming, vaudeville, the Jazz Age, MGM musicals, the Harlem Renaissance, and much more performed by Hochstein faculty, students and guests—including the Bill Evans Dance Co. and faculty and students from the Brockport College Dance Department. To learn more about the dance workshops or the free performance follow this link.
7) June 1 & 2, 2013: Lake Lane Fishing & Hunting Getaway in Olean will be hosting a FREE Kids Fishing Derby (ages 15 and under). No Fishing License Required on June 1 and 2 at 10am both days. There will also be opportunities to enter fishing derbies for adults for a fee. Pre-Registration is highly recommended. There is an outdoor sport show with lots of fun activities for the whole family, and lots of good food. Call 716-373-2080 or email lakelane@verizon.net to enter.8) Thomas the Tank Engine is in Medina starting tomorrow for his annual visit!
Bring your preschoolers to take the ride of their lives! Seen on the pages of favorite storybooks, in playrooms, and on the television screen, Thomas the Tank Engine® is adored by little engineers everywhere. Now, Thomas is pulling into the station for a larger than life experience at Day Out With Thomas®: The GO GO Thomas Tour 2013, visiting the Medina Railroad Museum on May 10-12 and 17-19. The event, now in its 18th year, is presented by HIT Entertainment and sponsored by MEGA Brands, a leading toy company, and all-inclusive Hard Rock Hotels. Train rides all day Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.Tip from Deb: This event tends to sell out, so do not risk showing up without having pre-purchased your tickets or your little Thomas fan may be very disappointed.
9) This Saturday is the 8th Annual Greater Rochester Teen Book Festival at Nazareth College. Author presentations run all day. You and your kids can meet all of your favorite or soon-to-be-favorite authors. Get autographs! Prizes, pizza, and fun!. Organized as always by the indefatigable Stephanie Squicciarini, who is also the teen librarian at Fairport Library. It's FREE!
10) Speaking of authors: I'm bringing my daughter to see her favorite humor writer, Dave Barry, here in Rochester this Sunday at 7:30pm at Temple B'rith Kodesh! It's a present to Madison from me to commemorate all the effort she put in the past month for her Hochstein School of Music & Dance orchestra auditions (see my piece on failure above). The Dave Barry presentation is part of the Jewish Family Service's 90th Anniversary Gala. Dave was a syndicated columnist for 25 years, a Pulitzer Prize winner who has written over 30 books that appeal to readers of all ages. Amongst the 'tween and teen set, he is most noted for Peter and the Starcatchers. He is a delightfully funny speaker. (He once signed a book for me thusly: To Deb, my closest personal friend.) This major fundraising event helps support important programs that thousands of people throughout Greater Rochester count on each and every day. To purchase tickets: Visit www.jfsrochester.org or Call 585-461-0110.
11) Highlights for today, Thursday, May 16
Thursday, May 16: Pay Your Age Day at Jungle Jolt at Jungle Jolt. Every Wednesday and Thursday (Thursdays will be starting 5/9) in May is Pay Your Age Day at Jungle Jolt! This is where you will only pay the age of the children you are bringing in, plus tax.
Thursday, May 16: Lilac Festival 2013 + Children's Entertainment Schedule at Lilac Festival. 10-day free festival inspired by a magnificent lilac collection at Highland Park with over 500 varieties of lilacs on more than 1,200 bushes!
Thursday, May 16: Pride and Passion at Rochester Public Library - Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County.
Thursday, May 16: Scholastic Book Sale at Scholastic Book Fair. Scholastic Book Sale at the Holiday Inn Marketplace, 800 Jefferson Road. Volunteers earn "book vouchers". Register and indicate you are interested in volunteering!
Thursday, May 16: Science Exploration Night at Science Teachers Association of NY State, Central Western Section. Professional hands-on exhibits and interactive demonstrations in all areas of science. (Not a student science fair.) All ages, handicap accessible. FREE. Get involved! Get Excited! Try it yourself! Learn from the experts!
12) Other notable events this weekend:
Friday, May 17: Free tickets for KOA readers to the Rochester RazorSharks. (They'll be playing the Albany Legends.)
Saturday, May 18: Camp Kick Off Overnight at YMCA- Bay View. YMCA overnights provide boys and girls ages 6 to 12 a safe and fun night away from home. Each overnight has its own theme and includes swimming, a late night movie, snacks and breakfast.
Saturday, May 18: Rochester Rhinos vs. Orlando City Lions at Rochester Rhinos.
Saturday, May 18: LOVE YOUR PARK DAY at Hamlin Recreation Department. The Hamlin Youth Group is hosting LOVE YOUR PARK DAY, in coordination with National Kids to Parks Day. The location is next to the playground in the Hamlin Town Park, Hamlin, NY. There will be lawn games, bubble making, and lots of free popcorn!
Saturday, May 18: Mendon Spring Festival at Vibe Music. Mendon Spring Festival and Vibe Music Open House 16 Mendon Ionia Rd. Mendon, NY 14506
.
Saturday, May 18: Opening Weekend 2013 at Seabreeze Amusement and Water Park. Seabreeze opens for the season the weekend of May 18-19, 2013! Ride Hours: 11am - 6pm. (Waterpark is closed.) Ride all day for just $16.99 - available at the gate, no coupon necessary. Join us as we kick off the Summer of 2013!
13) Summer camp research is in full swing! 670 camps have posted to our calendar as of this writing (19 more than last week!)
Check out our awesome Week by Week Guide to Summer Camps in the Rochester Area! These camps have posted their individual weekly sessions, and you can also hunt subject by subject!
Next week we will be sending a special edition of the newsletter: our 2013 Summer Camp Newsletter. Be forewarned; this is a keeper!
14)
On the KidsOutAndAbout Facebook page, we often have interesting discussions, and that's where we announce giveaways first. Over 3000 of you are signed up to get our Facebook posts, but recent Facebook changes mean they only show a few hundred of you any of our given posts... unless... you "like" us specially.Here's how: If you go to our Facebook page, hover your mouse over the "Like" button. When you do, you'll see two lines: Show in News Feed, and Add to Interest List. Please make sure both are indicated. When you hit Add to Interest Lists, if you don't have any interest lists, you can just add a new one. How about calling it: Stuff to do with kids! That way you should be able to hear from us when we post. Thanks.
15) Giveaways
Some great giveaways are up on the site! Click here to enter NOW! Giveaways currently live:
- New CD, Orangutan Van, from Mr. Steve of PBS Kids
- VBS Camp at Victor UMC
- Musical Theatre Camp at Best Foot Forward
To enter any or all of these giveaways, head to our Giveaway Page!
16) Auto designers are always trying to come up with ways to improve safety and convenience in their vehicles, many with families in mind. For instance, backup cameras have been showing up in newer models for several years. According to KidsandCars.org, a non-profit child-safety organization, more than 50 children are backed over by cars every week in the USA. Automakers such as Honda have already begun to make them standard in most of their models – including Honda's Crosstour, Accord, Cr-V and Odyssey. So for a little extra clarity (and eyes in the back of your head) look for models that offer this great safety feature.17) The Bravo Family, the Wall Family, the Woods Family, the Smart Family, and the Walker Family are our fictional families that take their kids to activities based on their particular interests. Here is what they are up to this weekend:
The Walker family focuses on health and physical fitness.
Friday: Free KidsOutAndAbout tickets to the Rochester RazorSharks game at Blue Cross Arena Friday, May 17
Saturday: Opening Weekend 2013 at Seabreeze amusement park
Sunday: Bird Feeding Walk in Mendon Ponds Park at Camp Puzzle Peace
The Bravo Family loves the arts.
Friday: Legally Blonde the Musical at Stages (A Magical Journey Thru Stages)
Saturday: Mendon Spring Festival at Vibe Music, Musical Feet: National Tap Dance Day Celebration at Hochstein School of Music & Dance
Sunday: Bach Children's Chorus Gala Concert at Bach Children's Chorus, Eudora's Fable: The Shoe Bird at Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO)
This is the Woods Family. They love nature and the great outdoors.
Friday: Rhythm Connect--Drum with Me! Parent Child Class at Rhythm Connect, Farm Night May 17 - Farm Animals, Scarecrow Contest and more at Mooseberry Cafe and Soap Co
Saturday: Animal birthday: Amur tiger at Seneca Park Zoo, GGH Kids in the Garden at Grossmans Garden & Home
Sunday: Opening Weekend 2013 at Seabreeze Amusement and Water Park
Smart family focuses on educational and cultural activities.
Friday: Fire On the Genesee Civil War Encampment at Letchworth State Park
Saturday: Sun, Moon and Stars—Star Show at Rochester Museum & Science Center (RMSC), Finger Lakes Invention Convention 2013
Sunday: Meet Olivia at Literature Live at National Museum of Play at The Strong, Family Fun Game Day at Rochester Public Library - Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County
The Wall Family prefers indoor activities.
Friday: Nationally recognized children's book author Amy Ignatow visiting Lift Bridge Book Shop
Saturday: Village Sports Open House - Sports Classes and Summer Camps! at Village Sports
Sunday: Family Fun Game Day at Rochester Public Library - Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County
18) Here is your day-by-day guide to the weekend:
Friday, May 17
Saturday, May 18
Sunday, May 19
OK: For all you smartypants who read clear through to the end of the newsletter: What is the SECOND Shakespeare reference (other than A Midsummer Night's Dream) hidden in this newsletter and what play does it come from? Email me your answer and your first name and you will be publicly awarded your huzzahs in next week's newsletter.
Creepin' in this petty pace until next week,
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Our Weekly Newsletter
