Candy stores rock!
I have to face the facts. I have the sweet tooth of a large brown bear. Keeping that in mind, and here just in time to save your hide for Valentine's Day, are a couple of spots that my kids really love and I like too.
Oliver's Candies, 25 State Street, Pittsford (248-2670). This is a satellite store to the glass showcase; drive your car off the road to look at the original in Batavia. No matter. All matter of confections can be found. While it seems that larger customers are the norm there is an assortment of goodies for the smaller crowd (www.oliverscandies.com). Sponge candy, boxed chocolates, and rainbow crunch are some highlights.
The Nut House, 1520 Monroe Avenue, Rochester (244-9510). Ay-carumba! Gummy, gooey, crunchy, slippery, fresh-made, and otherwise... confections from around the world. If Saturn's moon, Titan, had candy you could find it here (www.thenuthouseonline.com). Like the Fruitcake Sanitarium, it's full of nuts, too; that, and dried fruits.
Candy Nation, 20A Fairport Village Landing, Fairport (377-0030). No fresh chocolates here, but they seem to have a huuuge selection of kids' novelty candies, candy bars, and candy-making supplies. They also carry penny candy, so bring the kids and make 'em count it out.
--- Dave Cross
This week for families:
Brighton Memorial Library Stories for pre-K: Mondays 10 a.m.; for toddlers: Mondays 10:30 a.m.; for families: Thursdays 7 p.m. | Through Feb 25: Alice B. Wilson Literary Awards Contest, for Brighton residents grades 6-12. | 2300 Elmwood Ave, 784-5300
Henrietta Public Library Storytimes for toddlers: Tues, Jan 25, 10:15-10:45 a.m. | for preschoolers: Tues, Jan 25, 11 a.m. and Wed, Jan 19 and 26, 10:15-10:45 a.m. | 455 Calkins Rd. 359-7092, www.hpl.org
Kid's Trivia Sat, Jan 22. Grades 4-6, Helmer Nature Center, 154 Pinegrove Ave, 1-3 p.m. 336-3035
Monday Kicks Mon, Jan 24. Ages 2-6, Strong Museum, 1 Manhattan Sq, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free with Museum admission. 263-2700, www.strongmuseum.org
Preschool Workshop Thurs, Jan 20. Art project, story, Gallery tour, ages 2.5-5, Memorial Art Gallery, 500 University Ave, 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. $17. 473-7720 ext 3056
Rumpelstiltskin Thurs-Sun, Jan 20-23. NTID Performing Arts, 1510 Lab Theatre, LBJ Bldg, RIT campus, Thurs-Sat 7:30 p.m., Sat-Sun 2 p.m. Free. [email protected]
Seussical the MusicalSat-Sun, Jan 22-23. Rochester Children's Theatre, Nazareth Art Center, 4245 East Ave, Fri 7 p.m., Sat-Sun 2 p.m. $12. 389-2170, www.naz.edu
Swimming Lessons Saturdays through Mar 21. Ages 7-13, various recreation centers and schools. Free. 241-4443
Wednesdays For Tots Wed, Jan 19. Hula dancing, Strong Museum, 1 Manhattan Sq, 9:30 a.m. $7, $5 kids. 263-2700
Winton Road Nursery School Open House Sat, Jan 22. 220 S Winton Rd, 9:30-11 a.m. 315-986-2165
YMCA Camp Arrowhead Saturdays: winter wonders, ages 5-10, 10-11:30 a.m.; snow survival, ages 8-14, 12:30-2 p.m. | Wed, Jan 19, nature center open house, 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. | Sat, Jan 22, snowshoe fun and adult moonlight snowshoe hike. | 20 Arrowhead Rd, Pittsford, 383-4590, www.ymcacamparrowhead.org
The crash
I've got an airbag sunburn and I just got the call: My car is totaled. My husband and sons are delighted, seeing not a total loss but an opportunity to test drive all the wonderful cars out there. I'm in no mood. "A Prius," the boys urge. Sounds like priapism to me. "The Touareg looks interesting," my husband says. Isn't that an Irish song? Toora-loora-loora.
When someone suggests a Murano I lose it. Murano. An island near Venice with no roads or cars, only canals and boats. An island with no glass windshields that smash upon impact, only glass art objects.
I know I'm being melodramatic but I can't help it. My 8-year-old was in the car with me when another car pulled in front of us. I hit it and it went spinning into a third car. We jumped out. My son's eyes were as big as headlights. He kept trying to run toward the hissing, smoking wreck. I pulled him back. Later, in the ambulance, the chatty EMTs calmed him down.
My son and I are fine. So are the others. Yet it's been six days and I still can't imagine driving again. Ever. People say it wasn't my fault but I don't care. I did this to my son. I did this and it could have been worse. There's only one way to keep it from happening again. We live in the suburbs; it's unrealistic. But for now, I'm sitting tight.
--- Jennifer Loviglio
