Save the Date
Mon, Nov 26: GINGERBREAD HOUSE CONTEST DEADLINE Gale Center of History and Culture - South Jordan, UT
Wed, Nov 28: Christkindlmarkt - This Is the Place Heritage Park
Thu, Nov 29: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban™ in Concert at Abravanel Hall
Sat, Dec 1: 18th Anniversary of the Holiday Open House & Art Fair at Red Butte Garden
Sat, Dec 1: Jingle Bell Run Salt Lake City - Arthritis Foundation Utah at Highland High School - Salt Lake City
Mon, Dec 10: Candy Cane Hunt 2018 at Draper City Park, Utah
Wed, Dec 19: Christmas with the Celts at Egyptian Theatre Historic Park City, Utah
Sat, Dec 22: Darci Lynne & Friends Live! at Eccles Theater, Salt Lake City
Sat, Dec 29: A Magical Cirque Christmas at Eccles Theater, Salt Lake City
Sat, Jan 12: Doktor Kaboom at Kingsbury Hall
*Some events may have additional dates. Click through to see more information.
Once a year, I convince Deb to take a break from writing her weekly publisher’s note and let me do it. She is one of the most hard-working people I know, usually working at least 60 hours a week to bring you this resource. She cares really deeply about affecting the culture and helping parents be the best they can be, so giving her this one week off is the least I can do. She even writes these notes while she’s on vacation, and I’ve given up trying to convince her to let someone else do it. We have plenty of talented people who could step in for her once in a while and I feel like you all should know who our team is!
Katie and Helena are the workhorses behind the newsletters. They format, edit, and generally spend most of Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday putting all 28 newsletters together.
Jenn is our intrepid, problem-solving webmaster.
Mindy, Mandy, Michelle, and Evelyn are the rock-solid base of KOAA. Our Digital Data Team members research events and enter them on the calendar, assist clients with their accounts, select events to be featured in the newsletter, compile lists for articles on the site, and do probably at least a dozen other things.
Meg and Pattie are our social media team; in other words, professional Facebookers.
Amy, Robin, Michael, Alecia, and Krystal are our sales team. Without them, KOAA couldn’t exist.
Carol is our editor for BeyondTheNest.
And I am one of the partners of KOAA. I do all of the boring (not to me!) business stuff that keeps the wheels humming at your favorite parent resource website. I am also the grandmother-in chief. (erm, I mean the only grandmother. These are my two beautiful angels, Lily and Jack.)
And one of our team has graced us with this beautiful little darling, Sidney Rose. She gets to come to work with Michael once a week or so. And this grandmother- in- chief hogs her all to myself and shuts the door to my office.
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone. I hope your day is filled with the kind of gratitude I feel for having the best job in the world and the best people with whom to do it.
--June Santini, VP of Operations, EntertainmentCalendar.com
When she is not running KOAA, June can be found in her craft room scrapbooking or in the kitchen, canning all manner of cannable things.
Doktor Kaboom – “It’s JUST Rocket Science”
January 12, 2019, 2 pm at Kingsbury Hall
Doktor Kaboom is an over-the-top German physicist with a passion for science that knows no bounds. Sporting chrome goggles, an orange lab coat, motorcycle boots, and wicked cool hair, Doktor Kaboom travels the world, thrilling adults and children alike with an explosive comedic style guaranteed to please. “It’s JUST Rocket Science” utilizes the physics of space exploration to demonstrate clearly that science isn’t hard, it just takes effort and that science is for everyone, not just the people who are already good at it. Order tickets today: https://utahpresents.org/events/doktor-kaboom/
Sheraton Salt Lake City’s annual Brunch with Santa!
Ring in the Christmas season by joining Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Sheraton Salt Lake City’s annual Brunch with Santa. On December 8, 15, and 22 the Sheraton will serve a gourmet brunch buffet with an array of seafood and a carving station, a special kids’ menu and unlimited complimentary photos with Santa. Reservations are scheduled from either 10 am until 12 pm or from 12 - 2 pm.
For reservations call (801) 401-2000 and ask for Brunch with Santa. Tickets are $39.95 for adults, $24.50 for children 13 and younger and kids three and younger eat free.
WINTER ZOO CAMPS at Utah's Hogle Zoo
Escape the cold Utah winter weather - and explore regions throughout the world that stay warm during the winter. Discover tropical rainforests, dry savannas, and hot deserts. Campers will learn how the adaptations of animals differ in warm and cold climates, and how some animals travel long distances to escape the cold. The day will consist of hands-on activities, fun games, crafts, and animal encounters!
For more information or to sign-up, visit http://www.hoglezoo.org/.
North Pole Express - Heber Valley Historic Railroad
Join us on this fun and traditional train ride to the North Pole! A family favorite, this 90 minute round trip to the North Pole includes hot cocoa and Mrs. Claus' famous chocolate chip cookies. You'll sing along to new and traditional Christmas favorites on the way and be entertained by our hosts, elves and cocoa chefs. When we reach the North Pole Santa will join us for the return trip and greet each child and present them with a special gift.
Click here for more information.
LUMINARIA: EXPERIENCE THE LIGHT -Thanksgiving Point
This enchanting mile walk will transport you into a magical holiday world as you make your way through the captivating Ashton Gardens. The Grand Allee’s 6,500 programmable luminaries blanket the sweeping hill, where each one acts as a pixel in a moving picture of blooming poinsettias, flying reindeer, and dynamic symbols of the season. And on top of that 40-foot hill, you’ll be met with the colossal 120-foot tree—all lit up and ready to be admired.
Click here for more information.
Thanksgiving and Black Friday are just around the corner. Now, we know that some of you love-love-love to shop for bargains. If you find something great, pick up something for us, too. Most of the folks at KidsOutAndAbout.com love the day for its opportunity to hang out with the family a little more. Need some ideas? Read What To Do On Black Friday Besides Shopping.
10 Tips to Help Special Needs Families Survive and Thrive During the Holiday Season
It’s that time of year again: holiday time with parties, overeating, and staying up late. The holidays can be overwhelming for anyone. When you have a child with special needs who is more sensitive to changes in routine, this stimulation is amplified. Writer, blogger, and mother to a son with autism, Joanne Giacomini, offers her top 10 tips for surviving and thriving during the holidays when you have a child with special needs. Read the full article here.
Chances are, many of you are thinking about your holiday gift list about now. Phew, it can be overwhelming. But you know what else is overwhelming? The amount of stuff that our kids accumulate for a big holiday.
For a change of pace, consider a gift of an annual membership to your favorite local museum or attraction. Memberships are often a great deal all year round. If there's a museum, park, or play place that you like to visit two or three times a year, chances are that a membership will be a better deal for your family than purchasing admission with each visit. Often these memberships include great perks and reciprocal programs that make it an even better deal. Gifting a membership to someone (instead of "stuff") fights clutter, provides fun for the recipient, and helps support local non-profits and businesses. It's a win-win-win.
Check out our list of Annual Memberships and Season Passes at Salt Lake City Attractions. Do it, don't dust it!
Have you seen our fabulous list jam-packed with 101 local holiday activities? Santa sightings, theater, tree lightings, Chanukah events, New Year's Eve events, and much more await you! Get out there and get merry!
101 Ideas for Holiday Family Fun in the Salt Lake City Area
