KidsOutAndAbout.com newsletter

Sent May 23, 2008

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Dear KOA readers:

Many of you know about the Laurie Berkner concert coming up on Sunday, June 8 at CMAC in Canandaigua. But what most of you don't know is that the CMAC publicists are doing a Laurie Berkner GIVEAWAY of a Family Four-Pack of tickets to the show through KidsOutAndAbout.com! Yes! To enter the drawing, go to:
http://rochester.kidsoutandabout.com/city-articles/giveaways.html

But there's even better news, which is that I got the folks to set up a special ticket discount for KOA readers. Don't order your tickets from Ticketmaster without using this special code for a family four-pack: KIDS. Instead of $35 apiece for shell seats, they're $25, as long as you use the secret code. And if you choose lawn seats, they're $20 apiece instead of $25 for the Family Four-Pack with that same secret code. You can get to the special Ticketmaster link from that Giveaway page.

2) A last-minute sudden addition to the KOA calendar popped in this week and I wanted to make sure that Fancy Nancy fans take special notice: New York Times' bestselling children's book author, Jane O'Connor, author of the popular Fancy Nancy series, will be at the Pittsford Barnes & Noble for a reading and book signing tomorrow afternoon (Saturday, May 24) at 1pm. Wow! A fancy craft activity and dress up corner are included, too. Getting there early is advised. The KOA calendar entry for this is at:
http://rochester.kidsoutandabout.com/calendar-event.php?id=15821

3) Anyone can have a parade. Only Americans can have a parade to celebrate the greatest political achievements in history: establishing and repeatedly defending a country founded on the principle of individual liberty. And we do it a couple of times each year, too: On Memorial Day, and Independence Day. Memorial Day definitely has a greater solemnity to it, and my husband and I try to use it as an occasion to show Madison and Ella how and why we celebrate our heroes. I think this is really important, and so I always provide an annual Memorial Day list of all of our area parades and celebrations. Attending the Memorial Day Parade each year is helping my kids come gradually to understand what is at stake in keeping our country safe and free.

The list of parade times can be found at: http://rochester.kidsoutandabout.com/city-articles/memdayparades.html

4) Speaking of American history: The other day, my family visited Seward House in Auburn. This is the home of William H. Seward, the Secretary of State under Lincoln and, earlier, governor of New York. We had first visited last fall, and discovered that this is the best example of a house-turned-museum that we had ever seen -- and we've been in many. Most places have an anxious for-goodness-sake-don't-touch quality to them that acts as a barrier between you and history. But at Seward House, you get the sense that real history by real people happened there, and that the enthusiastic and knowledgeable staff is there to bring it to you and make it vivid. As a consequence, this is easily the most family-friendly museum of its kind, even though it's not technically hands-on. My kids, who were 6 and 8 at the time, weren't at all bored on the tour, even though it is about a lesser-known aspect of American history.

This past week, we were there to take part in their semi-annual upstairs-downstairs private tour for members only. This tour into the nooks and crannies of the house that are not set up for public display -- carriage house, basement, attic, and extra bedrooms -- was conducted by Seward House's executive director, Peter Wisbey, who led us through the fascinating detective work they are using to piece together the gaps that remain in the house's history. The house was a stop on the Underground Railroad (Seward was a passionate abolitionist) and it was easy to imagine this as we were creeping around in the basement. My kids were enthralled, and it was definitely worth the price of membership. Visiting Seward House isn't for preschoolers and early elementary kids who aren't good at paying attention on a tour -- but otherwise, do consider the hour's drive out to Auburn sometime this summer if you're looking for a day of intelligent fun.

5) Thank you to everyone -- parents and teachers and coaches and leaders -- who sent in suggestions for small gifts we can give to all those who help enrich our children's lives and educations. Far and away the most popular suggestion from the teachers themselves was gift cards...gift cards to book stores and craft stores, certainly, but also to local establishments and restaurants. Parents sent in some creative ideas for packaging these cards, too. Keep the ideas coming -- I'm compiling a special page of suggestions that should be ready by next week.

6) Among all the great children's librarians we have in Rochester, my favoritest of all are at the Webster Public Library. Adrienne and Jason are people who get things done. I love people who have neat ideas and don't just stop there, but do what is necessary to make sure their ideas become reality. These are the people I want my kids to know. Adrienne and Jason decided to help make their very popular storytime accessible to everyone on the web: They have created a bunch of little videos of songs, stories, and fingerplays on YouTube. They have 17 as of last night, all with Mr. Jason, for 2-5-year-olds. The videos are each between 1 and 3 minutes long, and are fun and crazy in that way that preschoolers find side-splittingly hilarious. Go to:
http://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=WebsterPublicLibrary&p=r

No telling what these folks will accomplish once they actually get some funding.

7) We have some congratulations to hand out to winners of recent giveaways:

Congratulations to Jennifer of Scottsville and Janet of Hilton! Marianne Reilley of Ballet Theatre in Greece decided to give away not one, but two, spaces in her Cinderella ballet camp for ages 4 through 7. Those camps are being held July 7-11 and August 4-8. For more information, you can check out Ballet-Theatre.biz.

Congratulations to Nathalie of Pittsford, winner of the gift certificate giveaway from hairstylist Marie Avallone at Salon Hermitage on Monroe Avenue. You can visit Marie's website at www.salonhermitage.com for more information about her hair services. During the months of May and June for all KidsOutAndAbout.com subcribers, Marie is offering 25% off all adult hair services. Please mention the KidsOutAndAbout.com website to get the offer. This offer is for new clients only.

Congratulations to Tracy of Fairport, winner of the 2008 season's worth of produce from Windy Meadow Farms of West Walworth, NY. For more information about Windy Meadow Farms' weekly delivery of delicious fresh produce grown right there in Wayne County, see their web site at windymeadowfarms.com

8) Alert newsletter readers will remember that when I saw Eastman professor Derrick Smith sing the bass solo in the Messiah this past holiday season, I was enraptured and wanted to make sure that all of Rochester knew about yet another musical treasure we have here. I remember that I read his bio and saw how he had played Joe in a tour of Showboat. "What I wouldn't give to hear him sing "Ol' Man River," I thought to myself. Well, on Sunday, I had the chance, as Mr. Smith was the soloist at the RCO's Lilac Festival concert with the Bach Children's Chorus and the Rochester Heritage Singers. He also gave a most joyous interpretion of "Day-O," in my opinion eclipsing even Harry Belafonte's version. Mr. Smith sings with Mercury Opera Rochester, too...I'll make sure to highlight these performances in the newsletter so your family doesn't miss the chance to see him in person.

9) If any of you go to see the new Indiana Jones movie this week, can you drop me a line and let me know how it was, and approximately what age kids would find it appealing? And, is it worth it to hire the babysitter and go with your husband to see it on the big screen, or is it better to wait for video?

10) This summer, Bowl-A-Roll in Henrietta will be sponsoring, as usual, their "Say No To Drugs, Say Yes to Bowling" promotion to area kids. They provide ONE FREE BOWLING GAME to kids (yes, including shoes!) every day (really!) during the summer, this weekend through August. Additional games are charged at the reduced rate of $1.00 per game. I have spoken to Bill Fortino, the owner, about his generosity in providing this program, and it is easy to see Bill's strong commitment to helping kids avoid drugs. You can see more about this program at their web site, bowl-a-roll.com.

11) Are you looking for an alterative school for your child? A new private school is opening: The Open School of Rochester is holding an information session for parents of prospective students on Sat., May 31 (that's NEXT Saturday) from 11am to 12 noon at the Fisher Meeting Room at the Pittsford Library.

This is the Open School's mission statement: "We provide an educational experience grounded in the belief that learning flourishes in freedom. By operating a day school where children ages 5-18 can choose their own daily activities, inside the school or in the surrounding community, we foster the growth of mature and responsible young adults who will continue to love learning throughout their lives." Their web site is at http://openschool.rocus.org, and contact information is there as well.

12) What's going on this weekend? There is the new Robots and Us exhibit at the Rochester Museum & Science Center. My husband was at the RMSC with Ella last week when they were still setting up part of it. He said the exhibit looked pretty cool, although he hoped that they still had signs and examples to add.

Tomorrow evening at the Genesee Country Village, there will be a Civil War Candlelight Tour from 6pm-9pm. Costumed reenactors bring to life scenes from the Civil War. Guided tours leave every 15 minutes. Reservations are required, so call 585-538-6822, ext. 219 or e-mail ldumuhosky@gcv.org today. The cost is $12 for nonmembers, $10 for members.

There is a Rochester Rhinos Women's Soccer Game tomorrow night at PAETEC Park at 7:30.

This Sunday, the 2pm nature walk at the Genesee Country Nature Center is Secrets in the Stones a geology walk. Western New York has a fascinating geologic history. My family has been on this walk twice in the past and we always learn something new.

The New York Museum of Transportation in Rush offers Track & Trolley Rides on Sundays only from 11am-5pm, from now through October.

As you'll see when you check out the calendar (do, please!) Memorial Day Weekend is always a bit quieter than the other weekends in May, what with all the Lilac Festival happenings earlier in May and all of the parades on Monday. I guess the consensus is that Memorial Day is more about reflection and time with family than hilarity.

Waterloo, NY (a little east of Geneva, where Route 96 intersects 5 & 20) claims to be (there is a little dispute about this) the birthplace of Memorial Day, and they always have a big 4-day celebration over Memorial Day Weekend. That starts today. You can see more information at http://www.waterloony.com/Mday2008.html.

See this week's calendar at
http://rochester.kidsoutandabout.com/calendar-search-display.php?dr=tw&EventCity=1!

And have a lovely Memorial Day weekend. The weather is looking like it will cooperate!

Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com

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