Oh, the weather outside is frightful,
But two weeks off work is delightful,
And if you've no place to go,
Toronto! Toronto! Toronto!

ROM for the Holidays Features 14 Days of Family Fun 

• Catch the creative and curious inflatable sculptures from Balloon Artist “Jungle Jack”
• Explore how fire and ice shape our natural world with touchable objects from our collections—from volcanic glass to a polar bear skull!
• See incredible “glass” fossils of creatures that lived in the seas long before the dinosaurs, and learn how they reveal their prehistoric secrets
• Sail into the icy heart of a historical mystery: what happened to HMS Erebus in the cold Arctic waters?
• Relax at the ROM Early Learner’s Lounge - a quiet space for families to play and rest
• Indulge in the exclusive Rotunda Coffee Bar, located in the ROM’s historic Queen’s Park Rotunda 
• Challenge family and friends with video games inspired by the ROM’s collections
• Jam with Sonshine and Broccoli’s interactive and fun-filled musical shows for all ages
• Decorate a holiday tree with origami creations, creatures, and crystals

Enter to Win a ROM Family Membership

Hanging out in the hot tub.

With each $50 purchase, your family receives an all-natural gingerbread house and a large bag full of yummy treats and plenty of icing to decorate it with. But in case you do run out, they have a table set up where you can buy more candy for $2 a bag. There are also a couple of tables where you can buy cold or hot drinks as well.

Beasts that roar, treats galore, sing the score 

This Family Day, head on over to the Art Gallery of Ontario to celebrate the holiday while it's transformed into the KGO or Kids Gallery of Ontario for one day. Kids get to paint, sculpt, collage and make graffiti as well as stage their own exhibition called Kid Nouveau. It's a family-friendly art-making extravaganza that will include the (looka)likes of Andy Warhol, Frida Kahlo and Pablo Picasso. They'll go on flashlight tours of dark rooms in the Gallery and watch cartoons in Jackman Hall.

Earlier this year, I had the pleasure of visiting Bingemans FunworX as part of their first ever Bingemans eNight. This place is amazing, complete with a 3-level indoor play structure, a climbing wall, a glow-in-the-dark mini golf, and more. I am happy to announce that Bingemans is opening its doors for an appreciation event next Wednesday and is inviting you to join in the fun.

When: Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Time: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Place: Bingemans FunworX, 425 Bingemans Centre Drive, Kitchener, Ontario
Cost: FREE!
RSVP: Starr Kopf by phone (519) 744-1555 ext. 2271 or skopf@bingemans.com.


I hope some of you can make it. It should be lots of fun!

At my school, our students have been participating in the Me to We initiative with Free the Children. It has been a tremendous success and our students are so proud of their accomplishments, raising funds for and an awareness of the need for schools for children overseas who are living in poverty and exploitation. This leadership program empowers our youth to be an agent of change, inspiring them to develop a social consciousness of communities in the developing world and teaching them how the Adopt a Village model further empowers the youth of these communities. A few months ago, we were fortunate enough to have two representatives speak to our intermediate students about Free the Children's Go Local initiative. They also shared their extraordinary experiences both here in Ontario as well as in their native lands overseas. I have never before felt so inspired, motivated and touched by words as I was that day. It is amazing how simply sharing a story can change the way you look at the world, or in this case, your own community.

Louise Kent is another amazing storyteller and a musician to boot. In fact, she has been sharing motivational stories through speaking to and performing for more than 150 000 youth addressing social issues and social responsibility. I am excited to share with you the wonderful news that she will be launching her new CD full of music containing positive messages for children. And the best part is that Toronto will be the host to a fun family event as part of her CD launch.

Here are the details that I received earlier today:

On Saturday, March 6^th, the Gladstone Hotel is featuring fun for the whole family with the launch of Louise Kent’s album, Courage, a lively and inspiring compilation of music with positive messages for kids.  Louise and friends will be celebrating from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., with doors opening at 9:30 a.m.  Along with dancing, clapping and singing to Louise’s upbeat tunes, kids and their parents will be mesmerized by the show-stopping tricks of fun-loving magician Scott Hammell and enjoy face painting and a light breakfast. You bring the kids; they’ll bring the world-changing charm for the young and young at heart.  Parents won’t want to miss this entertaining family event!  Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for kids and can be purchased in advance at www.louisekent.com.

I have a feeling that if you're lucky enough to attend, you will not be disappointed. I plan on being there so if you see me, don't be shy. Say hi. I'd like to hear your thoughts on the event.