Winter in Rochester!
Winter is here!Indoor Recreation Centers Master list of local libraries: Quick links to their events Great Winter Hikes in Central/Western New York Museums and family fun centers  How to Bully-Proof Your Child: Practical Tips Those wacky Webster Children's Librarians! 
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KidsOutAndAbout.com newsletterSent August 21, 2008Dear KOA readers: The adventure continues. I'm not home yet, I'm in a Super 8 in Kingston, NY--fortunately, with high-speed internet. But we did have an actual couple of relaxing days this past weekend, at my cousin's house at the Jersey shore. That's Ella, crabbing, in the photo to the right. I *really* like the mechanic who is working on my car here in Kingston; he and his wife, who manages the business (Swedish Solutions...in case you ever break down in Kingston), took me on a tour of the underside of my Subaru and have gone to lengths to help me understand what happened. The "new" engine arrived on Tuesday evening, they started the car yesterday, and it should be done early this afternoon. Obviously, we're really happy about this, because it's only (only!) 5 hours away from Rochester. The girls really miss their dad. AND, I was afraid we would miss the last Garden Vibes concert of the summer at the George Eastman House, but it looks like we'll just make it. Tonight's concert features The Boilermaker Jazz Band, and they offer free swing-dance lessons before the concert. The gates open at 5pm for a 6:30-8:30 concert. Kids are free, too! Adults are $15, or $10 for members. The weather should be beautiful. See you there (fingers crossed!). I'll be the one who looks like she's been meandering through the northeast with two kids for 12 days, many of them (the days, not the kids!) unintentional. 2) Are you already in full swing of thinking about fall classes? I am, although it seems wrong, doesn't it? I remember this partly because the other week, I had all of these various brochures spread out in front of me as I tried to negotiate times of classes and activities, and partly because the Genesee Country Nature Center had just posted their "Tiny Twigs" class for 4- and 5-year-olds to the KidsOutAndAbout.com calendar. These great preschool classes are held three seasons per year -- fall, winter, and spring -- for three weeks of 2-hour classes for each session. It's a wonderful deal, too: It's only $25/child ($20 for GCVM members) for the entire 3-week series. Each time they offer one of these, I wish I could dial my girls back in time so they could take the classes again. Linda, Liz, and Melissa are fabulous with the kids. You can see how they delight in introducing each child to the wonders of the science of nature. You can see more information at http://rochester.kidsoutandabout.com/calendar-event.php?id=16431 Or call 585-538-6822 to register your child. 3) Several organizations have emailed me notices about extracurricular classes to add to our big KOA Class Listing, but I haven't been able to put them up yet because that software is at home. Sorry about that! Next week! 4) Temple Beth El, on Winton Road South, is offering what look like really cool enrichment programs for kids age 3-5 this fall. The classes are called The Rainbow Connection, and they're held from 1pm-2pm. Kids needn't be Jewish, and morning kindergarteners are welcome. Classes include: Rhythm, Drums and Fun; Yoga for Kids; Ballet and Tap Dance; Intro to soccer, tennis and basketball; The Great Artist Experience; Intro to Hebrew Language. There is an optional lunch time available from 12-1 pm. Call 473-1190 or email rfoxtabb@tberochester.org for information and registration. 5) Congratulations to Kathy from Pittsford, the winner of the Field Guide to North American Birds giveaway. Congratulations to Laurie of Rochester, winner of the gift certificate giveaway from hairstylist Marie Avallone at Salon Hermitage on Monroe Avenue in Pittsford. Visit her website at http://www.salonhermitage.com for more information about her hair services. During the month of August for all KidsOutAndAbout.com readers, Marie is offering all parents a 25% discount on any highlight, perm or color service. Please mention the KidsOutAndAbout.com website to get the offer. Congratulations also to Aimee, who won the tickets to the Laura Ingalls Wilder Day on August 9 at Genesee Country Village. That seems like a century ago (heh heh), but it was actually right before we went on this trip. We had a terrific time at the event, too. One of the nice things about the GCV is that even when an event packs in the audience as this one did, it never seems really crowded out there. PLUS: The GCV will (soon) offer a giveaway for their upcoming annual FIREWORKS event on Saturday, August 30. Stunning fireworks, stirring music and specially animated set pieces, all set on the grandest stage of all — the nighttime sky. The show, one of only two of its kind in the country, is choreographed to some of the country’s greatest music and a breath-taking shower of aerial and ground fireworks displays. Gates open at 5 p.m. with fun family activities and entertainment. The fireworks begin at dark. Admission is $12/$10 for members, children three and under are free. A special $16 combo pass, which includes day admission to the museum and the fireworks, and extra parking passes ($10) are available. I will be setting up this giveaway on the web site as soon as I get home, so please check back at our Giveaways page over the weekend. Speaking of the giveaways page, I know I haven't updated that page since I left, and there are several old ones still up there. However, there is still one that is live right now, it's for a month of group dance lessons for kids at All Stars Talent, Inc. School of Dance, Music & More. That drawing is tomorrow. But, as I said, do check back that page frequently because I have more to update there as soon as I get back. 6) CANIMALS on PARADE 2008, organized as usual by Steve Appleton of Cool Kids! and displayed at the Block Party at the Brockport Arts Festival on August 9, collected 12,000 cans for foodshelves and 16,000 peace cranes for world peace! Steve thanks everyone who contributed to another successful year. 7) Join the Center for Youth on September 21 as they host "Coming Home," a housewarming for homeless teens. It will be held from 2-4pm at the Center for Youth's office at 905 Monroe Ave. Celebrate the opportunities that newly-funded apartments will provide to community youth who have few resources and great challenges. The Center provides transitional living programs and helps teens complete their education, find employment, and raise their children safely. They ask that you select a gift from a Target gift registry or make a cash contribution. There will be games, door prizes, baked goodies, and other fun. For information, please contact Donna at 585-473-2464. 8) The Amadeus Chorale is holding auditions from now until September 20. Amadeus Chorale's past season included singing with the RPO, with Irish Tenor Ronan Tynan, representing Rochester in the Pacific Rim Children's Choir Festival (Hawaii), and with the release of their fifth CD, Singing Families. Rehearsals are in Rochester on Tuesday after school. Tuition is $300 a year. The child-friendly audition is conducted at a time set up by the child's parents and the Chorale Director. Contact Darla Bair at 585-494-1795 for more information or to set up an appointment. 9) Fall is in the air! The Amazing Maize Maze at Long Acre Farms is now open. See 10) The Red Wings are in town this Friday and Saturday. Games start at 7:05. Fireworks after the game on Friday. 11) Calling kids in grades 5-12! If you are a fan of Star Wars and have a good imagination, you can create your own Star Wars character and have adventures with other fans. Tomorrow, Friday, August 22, the Webster Public Library is hosting a Star Wars Role Playing Game from 1 pm to 5 pm. This is an on-going event, so look for future dates or call the library to learn about the next event. See more information at 12) There is a Back-to-School Cat Adoption Special at Lollypop Farm on Friday and Saturday, August 22-23. See more information at 13) The Canandaigua LakeMusic Community Festival Starts today and continues through next Thursday. See 14) The Fairport Music and Food Festival is Saturday, August 23. It is held in the Fairport Junction Canal Area from noon to dark, and kids 12 and under are free. Check out 15) The Rhinos are playing at PAETEC Park on Saturday evening. Game time is 7:35pm. 16) Diesel Days 2008 is this Saturday at the New York Museum of Transportation in Rush, from 10am to 6pm. See 17) This Sunday evening's Center Stage concert in Fairport at Center Park at 6pm features the Smugtown Stompers. There is more going on, so make sure you check out the full calendar at I can't wait to get home! Being away (especially in NYC/NJ traffic) just makes me realize anew how much I love Rochester.
Debra Ross Click here to sign up for the newsletter if you are not yet subscribed. . |
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