Useful Links

20 Best Finger Lakes Winter Activities under $25
Disney on Ice - at Blue Cross Arena in Rochester through Sunday
Shrek the Musical - at the Auditorium Theatre in Rochester Jan 31-Feb 5.
KidsOutAndAbout.com's review of Disney on Ice: Treasure Trove
126 FREE upcoming events

Dear KOA readers:

Have you ever been grateful for something bad that happened?

I was recently driving on Route 390, near Rochester. I was happy, because I'd just been in a warm-and-fuzzy meeting where good people were making plans with KidsOutAndAbout to benefit local not-for-profit organizations. I enthusiastically merged left onto 590 North...and nearly sideswiped a minivan. A huge BEEEEP alerted me, and I was able to swerve out of the way. There was no excuse for it; it wasn't snowing, visibility was fine... I just somehow didn't look carefully enough to notice that the van was merging from two lanes over. The consequences could have been disastrous. Now, I happen to have a vivid imagination, and I sometimes have to make sure I don't talk myself into the heebie-jeebies. This time, though, I'm letting the what-ifs have as much airtime in my head as they like, to remind me that while there are times and places to relax our focus, we can't do it when people's LIVES are at stake.

Thinking this through and feeling like [insert bad word here that mothers never use] about it for a few days, I've come to see the difference between anxiety and focus: Focus behind the wheel = good, anxiety behind the wheel = bad. So my intent is to let this temporary anxiety be the little jolt I needed to bump up my focus, and then let it go and just keep the focus. (Wish me luck.) So in the end, I'm grateful that it happened. The main consequence is positive. And, if you don't mind... can it please be a little reminder to you? Nothing profound, nothing deep, just a note from a mom: Please drive safely. Let's be careful out there. Thanks.

2) Okay, enough of the fear of accidents and on to... ICE! Which, in my case, usually ALSO results in both fear AND accidents. (Click here for 20 seconds of what I mean by THAT. Let's just say that in my case, skating is probably better watched than attempted. My kids keep playing the video over and over and shrieking with laughter. Not sure what that means.)

3) Disney on Ice: Treasure Trove opened last night at the Blue Cross Arena. (Congratulations to Insha, from Rochester, who won tickets to last night's performance.) It will be at the Arena for seven more shows between now and Sunday. Are you going, or thinking of going? Here is the KidsOutAndAbout.com review of the show, from Heidi Ciravola.

4) This weekend is the What Women Want weekend. It's a getaway weekend from Friday-Sunday, and it will be held at the Finger Lakes Casino on Saturday (including a Bachelor Auction), the Hampton Inn and Suites next to Eastview Mall (PJ party Friday and Saturday nights), and the 8th Annual New Trends Show and Sale this Sunday, Jan 29 9:30am-4:30pm at Casa Larga. There are different rates for one overnight all-inclusive night or two nights, both VERY reasonable. But did you know you also can attend the parties without doing the whole weekend? Yes! The New Trends show on Sunday at Casa Larga is FREE, but you need to download a pass in advance. (Make sure to visit the KidsOutAndAbout.com booth while you're there, even if you are more interested in the free makeovers by Macy's!)

4.5) Even better, yesterday the promoter emailed me a special giveaway available ONLY to readers of this newsletter. (We're not putting it online.) She will choose 15 KidsOutAndAbout.com readers to attend, FREE, the Saturday event at the Finger Lakes Casino: This includes the Bachelor Date Auction (which benefits Rochester Womens Network) with the Yellow Jackets and ABC-TV Bachelors. the private upstairs nightclub at Fingerlakes Casino. This all-night party is packed with entertainment, dancing to live music of Me & The Boyzm and will be held in the Finger Lakes Casino's private upstairs nightclub. To enter this special drawing, email info@whatwomenwantweekend.com your name, address, and phone, with the subject "Pick me to go to the party!" Patti will choose the winners by the end of today. Each winner can bring a friend, FREE!

2) With winter finally deciding to make an appearance, many of us are finally getting on the slopes for some winter fun. Holiday Valley  has just announced Dual and Giant Slalom racing that is open to the public! This is a really unique opportunity and not to be missed! This is a beginner run. To register go to nastar.com or you can register at the Cindy's Run NASTAR start ramp. Nastar operates Wednesdays through Sundays and holidays from 12:30PM-4PM.

3) WHERE DO YOU LIKE TO GO SLEDDING? Please send me a quick email to tell me your favorite place, and I'll get the list up as they come in.

4) If you are interested in all of the various skiing opportunities available for families in our area, check out our skiing page.

5) Looking ahead a couple of weeks, The Masters of Illusion show is coming to the Riveria Theatre in North Tonawanda. They bill themselves as the greatest magice show on the face of the earth. While I don't know if that is true, it certainly appears to have a lot to offer:  Exotic animals, beautiful dancers, comedy magic, quick change artists, sleight of hand. If you have a kid who's obessed with magic, this is the show you might want to take them to see.

6) Explore and More children's museum is having a Chinese New Year celebration on Sunday, complete with dragon dance! You won't want to miss it.

7) Did you know that we have 53 places to have a Birthday Party listed on KOA? What are you doing for your next party? Check out our list for some great ideas!

8) I typically announce the giveaways on our Facebook page as soon as they're posted, so I encourage you to check there regularly. Did you know that 88% of our readers use Facebook?  please do "Like" us by clicking the Like button here.

9) Having an organization listing and posting to our calendar is COMPLETELY FREE... click here for details about how to list your organization on KOAA.

10) Our most popular page these days is still our big Indoor Play Center page. Try a new option for indoor active fun today!

11) This Weekend

Friday, January 27
Saturday, January 28
Sunday, January 29

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com