Mendo Lake Family Life April 2022 by familylifemag

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April 2022

Earth Day! 30 ways to care

Passover Breakfast Make charoset

Money ABCs Financial literacy

Easter Crafts 5 projects

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L A K E P O R T

April 2022

Every Issue

Dear Reader

Cooking with Kids Passover Breakie

Bits and Pieces The Buzz about Bees Raise Awareness of Child Abuse

Features 10 What Makes a Great Camp? How to suss out a camp’s quality.

14 Upcycled Easter Make eco-friendly crafts.

16 Many Hands, Light Work How to get kids involved in spring cleaning.

Show the Earth Some Love

18 Happy Earth Day!

Eggs, Eggs, Everywhere

Simple, everyday ways to care for the planet.

Need Parenting Advice?

20 The ABCs of Money Age-appropriate ways to teach kids about cash.

22 The Poetic Family How to cultivate an eye for beauty and a love of verse.

Raise Funds for a Preschool

Calendar of Events

30 Humor Break Mom at the Mall

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April 2022

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Dear Reader

he weather is warming up and flowers are blooming everywhere. Spring is definitely Sharon Gowan here. And that Publisher/Editor Sharon@family-life.us means Easter and Passover are right around the corner. Check out “Upcycled Easter” (page 14) for eco-friendly craft projects, and see “Eggs, Eggs, Everywhere” (page 9) and our Calendar of Events (page 24) for local egg hunts. Or turn to “Passover Breakie” (page 7) for an easy charoset recipe. April is also the month we honor our planet. And “Happy Earth Day!” (page 18) lists 30 ways kids can help take care of it—like participating in the

Earth Day Community Clean-Up in in Ukiah. Read “Show the Earth Some Love” (page 8) for details about the event. After the celebrations are over, put your mind to another timely task: the search for summer camps. Nope, it’s not too early to start. Our Virtual Camp Fair is ready to help you. Look for it at familylifevirtualevents. com. After you’ve selected a few camps to check out, turn to “What Makes a Great Camp?” (page 10) to find out what questions to ask the staff, particularly if you’re exploring sleepaway camps. However you spend this spring, may your family blossom!

Marketing/ Sales/Events Patricia Ramos 707-205-1539 patty@family-life.us

Features Editor Melissa Chianta melissa@family-life.us

Production Manager Donna Bogener production@family-life.us

Contributing Writers Katy M. Clark Tanni Haas Christina Katz

Billing Jan Wasson-Smith

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April 2022

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Cooking with Kids

Passover Breakie

A Protein-Packed Morning Treat

ooking for a grab-and-go breakfast to enjoy during Passover? These easy, make-ahead treats are healthy and packed with protein to keep you full and energized. They make a great after-school snack, too! ¶

Printed with permission of PJ Library, pjlibrary.org. PJ Library is a nonprofit that sends more than 240,000 free books out to kids across North America each month. Check out their Passover hub (pjlibrary.org/Passover), a family-friendly Haggadah (amazom.com/pjlibrary), and new podcast episodes (pjlibrary.org/ podcast). Go to tinyurl.com/44drpz5r for the “Matzah Mania with PJ Library” printable recipe foldout. www.mendolakefamilylife.com

PJ LIBRARY

By PJ Library

Charoset Breakfast Balls Ingredients 3 ounces dried apple slices 1 ½ cups hot water ½ cup pitted dates ½ cup walnuts ½ cup matzo meal, divided ½ teaspoon of cinnamon ¼ cup shredded unsweetened coconut Preparation

• Add the reserved apple liquid, one tablespoon at a time, to help bind the ingredients. You should only need one to two tablespoons of liquid to do so. • Use a spoon to scoop about one tablespoon of the mixture into your palm. Roll it into a ball. • Repeat this step with the rest of your fruit and nut mixture. • In a small bowl, combine the rest of the matzo meal with the shredded coconut.

• In a medium bowl, soak the dried apples in the hot water until they are • Roll each ball in the coconut and softened and reconstituted. Drain the matzo meal mixture to coat. apples, but reserve the liquid. • Place your finished treats onto • In a food processor, pulse together a cookie sheet and chill in the the drained apples, dates, walnuts, refrigerator for one hour before half of the matzo meal, and cinnamon serving. until it comes together.

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Bits & Pieces

The Buzz about Bees

rom 1947 to 2008, beehives declined 60 percent, according to US National Agricultural Statistics. Since bees are intimately connected with human food production, environmentalists and others want to bring back bees. With its Bumble Bees and Beneficials Field Day, the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens will be offering talks and demonstrations about bees. There will be displays and information from local ecological organizations, self-guided field exploration, bug ID, seed-bomb building, and storytelling. The event will be held on April 24, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., at the gardens in Fort Bragg. General admission tickets are $8–$15 and can be purchased at tinyurl.com/yhvcddda. ¶

Raise Awareness of Child Abuse

ccording to Kidsdata.org, nearly half a million Californian children ages 0–17 reported abuse or neglect in 2018. The Children’s Advocacy Walk and Festival aims to raise awareness of the plight of these kids. The free festival, which will feature games and food, will be held on April 23, 10 a.m.–3 p.m., at Library Park in Lakeport. For more information, go to lakecoe.org/childabuseprevention. Those who would like to show support for Child Abuse Prevention Month, in April, can plant a pinwheel garden. ¶

Show the Earth Some Love

n June of 2020, while most of the world was in lockdown, something new was born in Ukiah: the Great Redwood Trail. Formerly known as the Rail Trail, the 1.8-mile swath of land became officially known as a park and was renamed. Today the trail is used by all manner of exercisers, from walkers to cyclists. And, in honor of Earth Day, it’s going to get some TLC. The Earth Day Community Clean-Up, which will be held on April 23, 9 a.m.–noon, will focus on the trail. Want to help out? RSVP at mdavison@cityofukiah. com, and then meet at the Railroad Depot in Ukiah at 9 a.m. on the day of the event. Gloves and buckets will be provided. ¶

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Eggs, Eggs, Everywhere

he Easter Bunny is coming to town. And that means the hunt for eggs is on. The Calvary Chapel of Willits’ free Egg Hunt boasts a whopping 20,000 eggs, plus music, games, and bouncy houses. The hunt happens on April 16, 11 a.m.–1 p.m., at Willits High School in Willits. Meanwhile, the Lakeport Rotary will be hosting its annual free egg hunt on April 17 at 1 p.m. at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Lakeport. The hunt will be divided into three age groups, and there will be music, games, and bouncy houses, too. While the free Easter Eggstravaganza on April 16, 11 a.m.–2 p.m., at Twin Pines Casino in Middletown won’t have an egg hunt, it will feature visits with the Easter bunny, Easter basket giveaways, and other kids’ activities. ¶

Need Parenting Advice?

t’s true that kids don’t come with instruction manuals. But there are parenting experts who have a wealth of evidence-based knowledge on what kids need. And many of them will be speaking at the Modern Art of Parenting. At this free virtual summit experts such as Drs. Michele Borba, Laura Markham, Hansa Bhargava, and Tamecca Rogers will offer 20 sessions on topics such as raising resilient kids, talking to kids about sexual health, creating a balanced relationship with technology and social media, affirming kids’ gender identities, explaining racism to children, and managing parent overwhelm. The summit will be held April 1–8; register at modernartofparenting.com. ¶

Raise Funds for a Preschool

he Ukiah Cooperative Nursery School has been educating the youngest local learners for more than 65 years. It’s celebrating its long history with a fundraiser, which will include dinner, drinks, and a live auction led by former sheriff Tom Allman. The event will be held on April 30, 5–9 p.m., at the Ukiah Valley Golf Course in Ukiah. Tickets are $50 and are available at ucns-dinner. brownpapertickets.com. ¶

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What Makes a Great Camp? Questions to Ask Sleepaway Camp Staff

By Tanni Haas

ou’ve gone online, asked everyone you know for recommendations, and otherwise searched for sleepaway camps for your kids. How do you find the one that’s just right for them? When you’ve narrowed down the options to a handful or less, it’s time to speak to the camp directors by phone or email. Below is a list of some of the most important questions to ask.

The Camp Is the camp accredited, how old is it, and how long have you owned or managed it? It’s a good sign if the camp is licensed by the American Camp Association (ACA). To earn 10 MendoLakeFamilyLife

accreditation, a camp must satisfy hundreds of industry standards for health, safety, and program quality. The ACA regularly visits the camp to verify that it’s in compliance. It’s also a good sign if the camp April 2022

has been in existence for many years (kids are coming back year after year), and if the director is experienced at running camps.

A high-quality camp is one where all the campers’ different needs are met. What’s your philosophy? Camps can be very different. Some camps, especially ones focused on specific sports, can be quite competitive. Other camps are more aimed at instilling in kids certain values, such as comradery, cooperation, and conflict resolution. Make sure that the camp’s philosophy matches your own values and that it’s a good fit for your kids. What’s the accommodation like? Ask whether the kids sleep in cabins or tents, whether there are bathrooms and showers nearby and, most importantly, whether your kids www.mendolakefamilylife.com

can request to room with friends from home. Whether your kids are first-time or seasoned campers, it’s always comforting and great fun to room with one or more of their regular friends. How much does it cost? You probably don’t need any reminders to ask about the camp fee. But don’t forget to ask whether that fee is all-inclusive, or whether there are additional costs for day or overnight trips, transportation to and from camp, special activities, etc. Also ask if there’s a refund policy should your kids get sick, what the deadline is for registration and, in case you missed the deadline, if there’s a waitlist. It’s also a good idea to ask if financial aid or needs-based

scholarships—perhaps a sibling discount—are available, and whether you need to pay everything up front, or you can pay in installments. Finally, don’t forget to get the camp’s Tax ID number. The camp fee can be tax-deductible.

Make sure that the camp’s philosophy matches your own values and that it’s a good fit for your kids. The Program How long are the sessions, can they be lengthened or shortened, and how long do most campers stay? Most camps offer sessions of a specific

length, often two, four, or eight weeks. However, if you have other things planned for the summer, it can be useful to either shorten or lengthen a session to fit your schedule. Most kids like to stay as long as the other kids. What do the kids do on a typical day? How much time is devoted to indoor and outdoor activities, and what will the kids be doing in the evening? What’s your communication and visiting policy? It’s always a good idea to find out how the camp prefers that you communicate with your kids. By phone or email? How often? Also ask how many care packages you’re allowed/encouraged to send, and whether there are designated visiting days.

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How do you accommodate special needs? A high-quality camp is one where all the campers’ different needs are met. Ask how the staff accommodates special needs with respect to activities, behavior, learning, and dietary restrictions. The Staff How do you hire, train, and supervise your camp counselors, and what’s the counselor-camper ratio? One of the best signs that the camp is of a high-quality is that it has strict procedures for hiring, training, and supervision of camp counselors. This includes criminal background checks, first aid training, and regular feedback sessions. It’s also a good sign if most of the counselors return for several summers.

The ACA recommends that the counselor-camper ratio should be relatively low (between 1:6 and 1:12).

hospital, doctor’s office, and dental clinic are and how the kids will get there, if needed.

Is there are medical facility with qualified personnel? A high-quality camp will either have a licensed physician or nurse on the premises,

The Campers How many campers do you have, and how many of them return every year? Generally speaking, the larger the camp the more activities, and the smaller the camp the more intimate it feels. Likewise, the higher the return rate, the more satisfied the kids are with the whole camp experience.

It’s also a good idea to ask if financial aid or needs-based scholarships are available. a well-stocked supply of commonly used medications, and procedures in place for dispensing medication to all the kids who need them. Also ask how far away the closest

How can your kids stay in touch with their counselors after camp has ended? Kids often develop strong bonds with their counselors. Ask whether they’re encouraged to stay in touch after the camp has finished. ¶ Tanni Haas, PhD, is a college communications professor.

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Upcycled Turn Old Things Easter into Spring Fun U By Christina Katz

pcycling refers to finding fresh uses for old things in ways that increase the value of the items. The victory is when you create instead of consume. Once you upcycle your Easter, your kids will not only learn an important lesson that will last a lifetime, but they will likely start begging for more opportunities to re-imagine everyday items that would otherwise be discarded. So what are you waiting for? Here are five ideas to get you started.

“Welcome Spring” Banner With a scissors or pinking shears cut 18 banner-shaped triangles from leftover newspaper. Lay leftover garden twine, string, or thin ribbon across the length of a table. Then, starting at one end, fold the widest end of each triangle over the string and 14 MendoLakeFamilyLife

glue it with a glue stick. Write letters on each banner to spell “Welcome Spring,” leaving a banner blank in between words, and let the kids color in the letters. You’ll end up with a couple extra triangles on hand in case of errors. Hang your banner where it can be viewed prominently until summer arrives, then fold flat and put it away for next year.

April 2022

Colorful Candleholders Collect recyclable wide-mouth jars of all shapes and sizes. Run your glass jars through the dishwasher, removing any labels and tags first. Then gather up whatever colorful leftover tissue paper you have and tear it into half-inch squares. Using Mod Podge or white glue that has been diluted to half strength with water, coat the jar with a thin layer of glue, then add a colorful layer of overlapping tissue pieces as you go. When the jar is covered, go over the tissue layer once more with a thin coat of glue. When completely dry, add a tea light to each lantern and arrange them on the mantle or in the center of your dining table.

This playful wreath is a perfect way to create a new home for tiny plastic toys. Bookish Eggs It’s time for some of those plastic Easter eggs that have been piling up over the years to get a literary makeover. When grubby hands or a spill damages one of your children’s favorite books, dry it by hanging it open, then cut out the clean pages. Cut each page into a strip that is just a bit wider than the length of the egg and long enough to go all the way around the middle. Paint just the middle of the egg with Mod Podge and roll the paper into a tube around the egg. Seal the tube with more Mod Podge tucked under the overlap and let dry while you move on to the next www.mendolakefamilylife.com

egg. Then come back around and make straight cuts a half-inch apart into the ends of the paper, cutting from each end of the egg. This way the pieces will smooth flat onto the tapered ends with more Mod Podge. Let dry and, voila, your children will remember their favorite books each year! Tiny Toy Wreath This playful wreath is a perfect way to create a new home for tiny plastic toys. Start with a wire wreath shape and wrap it in a long strip of old fabric using a hot glue gun to secure fabric to frame. Have kids help with the selection and sorting of tiny toys, and designate one person in charge

of gluing the toys to the wreath. Let dry, then hang. Create one shared family wreath or create a tiny-toy wreath for each child’s room.

It’s time for some of those plastic Easter eggs that have been piling up over the years to get a literary makeover. Terrarium Garden Starters Why should the turtles have all the fun? Use an old fish tank or an old glass baking dish (from home or the local thrift store) lined with one inch of gravel and two inches of lightweight potting soil. Push

sections of leftover cardboard egg cartons into the soil and fill with a little more soil. Plant seed starters for the flower or veggie garden in the egg “pots.” They can be pulled out after they sprout and replanted outdoors. Decorate your terrarium with cut patches of moss or grass from outdoors. Send children out to gather bark and sticks. Then let your child finish the look with rocks, shells, and old toys. Place your terrarium in bright but indirect light and keep well misted with water from a spray bottle until seeds sprout. Author, journalist, and writing coach Christina Katz never gets tired of making a fresh start every spring in fun and creative ways.

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Teach as you go. The first few times you show your kids how to do something, put some energy into your demo. If you teach them with a flourish, they will likely remember what you’ve said and done, even if they are trying to tune you out. Kids learn faster when they can watch and imitate. Younger kids can learn by watching older kids.

Many Hands, Light Work Tackle Chores with the Family By Christina Katz

f there is one major mistake most moms make, it is obsessing about always having a clean home.

Loosen up, Mom. If your home has to be perfectly clean all the time, guess who is going to have to keep it that way? Declare your home a cleaning cooperative instead. Maintaining a pristine lifestyle is no longer your job alone. Besides, a more cooperative approach gets the whole family on the teamwork track and sets a great example of how many hands make lighter work for all. If you work side-by-side with your spouse and family, you might even 16 MendoLakeFamilyLife

pick up a few chore shortcuts as you observe how others get things done. Instead of you doing all the dividing and conquering, let the whole family pitch in and transform chaos into cooperation. Here’s how. One for all and all for clean! Involve everyone and remove the lion’s share of the cleaning responsibility from your shoulders. You are the leader or you and your spouse can co-lead. But from this day onward, care of house and home is a group effort. April 2022

Let the whole family pitch in and transform chaos into cooperation. Check their work. With exposure to your methodology, your trainees will pick up on the most effective ways to clean. With repetition, what they try themselves will become habit. Train them once and check their work twice; then check it another time in the future when they don’t expect it. If they pass muster all three times, then you are ready to teach them something new. Take it one floor at a time. Rather than spread the family throughout the house, tackle one floor at a time with a couple of people in each room. There is something genuinely encouraging about watching the house quickly transform from chaos into order right before your eyes. Your teams’ effectiveness will keep everyone focused and boost spirits. Move briskly. When the troops are flagging, put on some upbeat music. If this doesn’t help, practice a little “ready, set, go.” Set a timer and see if you can beat your record from www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Celebrating your last cleaning session. You’ll only be competing with yourselves. Tackle tasks together. This means one person gathers the clothes, another sorts them, another runs the washer and dryer and everyone folds. When everyone is in charge of everything, kids learn to just jump in and do what needs to get done, which will pay off now and in future teamwork situations.

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Try temporary amnesia. Rather than try to force squabbling siblings to get along, which will slow down the entire operation, why not teach them that they don’t always have to get along perfectly to work together and get things done. They can learn to temporarily put aside their differences in service of a common cause.

Kids learn to just jump in and do what needs to get done. Let someone else lead. Maybe the fearless leader needs a reprieve. If you are tired, cranky, or under the weather, why not appoint someone to lead the troops in your place? Rotate leadership on a regular basis and watch your kids rise to the occasion. Forget pristine perfection. Imperfection is your new normal, so get used to a more wabi-sabi standard of living. I doubt anyone is on the way over to photograph your home for a magazine shoot, anyway. ¶ Christina Katz is a freelance writer at christinakatz.com.

www.mendolakefamilylife.com

BLUE ZONES PROJECT® CHALLENGES One of the best parts about Blue Zones Project® Challenges is the encouragement from friends and families in your community as you embark on your new healthy journey together. The Eat Wisely: Plant Slant Challenge is supported by Blue Zones Project resources, recipes, and tips that will change how you think about the food you eat. From helping your kids actually crave veggies, to learning the art of the “80 percent rule,” this challenge is designed to reimagine the foods we consume and inspire eating habits for a longer, healthier, and happier life. Get started today, with the Live Longer, Better® Rewards Program. This comprehensive program uses the Sharecare app to incorporate Blue Zones Power 9® principles to support your well-being journey.

Check out the Eat Wisely Track Activities Find all of the information and inspiration • Watch the Blue Zones Project Kitchen Checklist video • Watch all 5 of the Eat Like a Centenarian video series • Join the Blue Zones Project Eat Wisely Challenge • Attend a Cooking Class, Potluck April 2022

to reach your goals and complete the challenge. Just create your Sharecare account with a user ID and password, and download the Sharecare app. bzpmendocinocounty.sharecare.com

MendoLakeFamilyLife 17

6. Teach kids to turn off lights when leaving a room. 7. Give kids eco-friendly toys and games, such as wooden puzzles dyed with non-toxic stains or balls that are BPA- and phthalate-free. 8. Make bird feeders out of natural ingredients like pine cones and birdseed.

Happy Earth Day! 30 Easy Ways to Reduce, Reuse & Recycle By Katy M. Clark

very year on April 22 my family celebrates Earth Day along with millions of families around the world. Started in 1970, Earth Day encourages us to appreciate the environment and become more aware of the issues that threaten it.

There are plenty of ways that kids can commemorate the day, no matter how old they are. Check out the 30 ideas below for easy ways that everyone from preschoolers to teenagers can reduce, reuse, and recycle this Earth Day. Little Ones 1. Teach your kids to turn off the water when brushing their teeth. 2. Recycle! Have young ones place items such as paper and tin cans into dedicated recycling bins rather than the trash. 18 MendoLakeFamilyLife

Nab nice pre-owned clothes at a thrift store. 3. Transform trash into treasure. Preschoolers can create beautiful works of art with repurposed bottles, yogurt cups, leftover fabric scraps, and the like. 4. Demonstrate how closing the drapes, instead of dialing down the air conditioner, cools down the house. 5. Likewise, bundle up in layers on cooler days rather than turning up the heat. April 2022

Use reusable water bottles rather than single-use plastic bottles. 9. Engage little ones in planting a garden and growing vegetables that your family can eat. 10. Get a houseplant or two and talk about how plants improve the air we breathe. School-Age Kids 11. Elementary school kids can help with shopping for recyclable products. Have them look for labels that say “recycled content,” “pre-consumer” and “post-consumer.” 12. Kids can place small recycling bins in each bathroom in the house. Bonus points if you can get them to empty them into the curbside recycling bin each week! 13. Use reusable rags instead of paper towels to clean up messes. 14. Create a compost pile, whether on the kitchen counter or in your backyard. Kids can throw in egg shells, coffee grounds, and most food scraps and wait for them to turn into rich soil for use with plants outside and in.

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15. Encourage them to volunteer to pick up trash from playgrounds, parks, or beaches.

23. Ask them to unplug their electronics and chargers when not in use.

16. Teach them (again!) to turn off the lights when they leave the room.

24. They can also turn off their desktop or gaming monitors when they aren’t using them.

17. In every room of the house, place signs that remind family members to turn off the lights. 18. Use reusable water bottles rather than single-use plastic bottles.

27. Recycle old cell phones. First make sure to take out SIM cards and erase the phones, usually with a factory reset. Teens may also need to remove the battery and research how and where the battery can be properly recycled.

Make bird feeders out of natural ingredients like pine cones and birdseed.

19. Plant a tree at school or home. 20. Plant milkweed to help the monarch butterfly population. Tweens and Teens 21. Nab nice pre-owned clothes at a thrift store. 22. Encourage them to use reusable bags when shopping.

25. Ask them to devise ways your house can collect rainwater, for use on houseplants or flowers.

28. Use a timer to make sure showers last no longer than five minutes. 29. Remove makeup with cleanser and a reusable wipe instead of disposable wipes. 30. Host or volunteer at an e-waste collection event. ¶

26. Turn off the lights when leaving the room. (Yes, you’ll probably still be working on this one with teens even though you’ve been preaching it since they were little!)

Katy M. Clark is a writer who celebrates her imperfections as a mom at experiencedbadmom.com.

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The vaccines have not been linked to any deaths in children, In fact, among children age 1-14, COVID-19 infection was in the top 10 leading causes of death from August-October 2021. For more information about vaccines, talk with your health care provider or visit www.mendocinocounty.org/covidvaccine Enroll Today!

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like trying to teach them how to play the piano without ever letting them sit at the keys.

The ABCs Teach Kids Financial of Money Literacy M By Tanni Haas

ost parents give their kids a regular allowance; some a few dollars a week, others substantially more. But is that advisable and, if it is, at what age should you start giving it to them and how much should you give? How can you use an allowance to make your kids more financially literate? Teaching Financial Literacy Experts agree that an allowance can teach kids important lessons in financial literacy, such as how to save for things they want, how to budget their money, and how to choose between competing spending goals. Brad Munson, a financial literary expert, says an allowance “is a great way to teach kids about the real value of money, how to be organized and responsible, and how to plan for the future.” Financial counselor Ray Martin, who’s the author of several 20 MendoLakeFamilyLife

books on financial literacy, adds that an allowance is a great opportunity for kids to experiment with money and to learn from their mistakes. “It’s a way for them to learn big lessons with small amounts of money at an early age.” It’s important that you talk to your kids about the value of money, and it’s best to do so in the context of an actual allowance. Marty Allenbaugh, a certified financial planner, says that talking to your kids about money without giving them an allowance is April 2022

Research shows that giving kids a regular allowance while discussing with them the importance of money makes them more financially responsible as adults. They become, as Evonne Lack, a financial literary expert, succinctly puts it, “less likely to arrive on your doorstep years from now with a duffel bag full of dirty laundry and a mountain of credit card debt.”

It’s important that you talk to your kids about the value of money. When to Start If an allowance is such a great tool for making kids more financially literate, at what age should you start giving them one? Many parents start at age eight, but experts agree, as Martin puts it, that it’s the kid’s “aptitude not the age that really matters.” So how do you know if your kids are ready to receive and learn from an allowance? Research shows that they are ready to benefit from an allowance once they’ve reached certain developmental milestones: 1) they understand that money can be exchanged for things they want; 2) they can confidently add and subtract. And, here, kids differ widely. While some kids reach these milestones at age four or five, others get there by age eight or nine. “So if your child tends to shrug at money, losing it before it can find its way to his dusty piggy bank, hold off until you see signs that he enjoys saving it or thinking about how he might use it,” says Lack. www.mendolakefamilylife.com

How Much to Give Finally, what amount should you give your kids? Experts agree that, as a rule of thumb, you should give them $1 per year of age on a weekly basis: for example, a six-year-old would receive $6 a week and a ten-year-old $10. The advantage of this approach is that kids get an automatic raise every birthday, eliminating the question of when their allowances will be increased. It may even reduce sibling arguments, because the younger kid will understand why the older siblings get more.

website Money Crashers, puts it, “If a straight $5 or $10 per week (or even per month) makes more sense to you than paying a dollar per year of age, then pay what works for you.”

Parents should feel free to deviate from this rule of thumb, depending on whether they live in an expensive or inexpensive area, their particular financial situation, how many kids they have, and which regular expenses they or the kids are expected to pay for. As Susan Borowski, a writer for the

However, the allowance shouldn’t be too high. If you give kids too much, they won’t learn how to budget and allocate money because they never get a chance to prioritize among competing spending goals. Ron Lieber, author of The Opposite of Spoiled:

If your kids are very mature, you can discuss this issue with them and reach a mutual agreement on a reasonable amount. It’s useful to go through such a process with your kids, says Martin, because it “helps to develop budgeting skills, teaches responsibility, and prepares them for the realities of personal money management.”

Ukiah Unified School District

2022-23 Kindergarten &

Transitional Kindergarten Registration Now Open!

Transitional Kindergarten Is Expanding to include students who turn 5 on or between September 2, 2022 and February 2, 2023.

Grace Hudson Elementary 251 Jefferson Lane 472-5460

Nokomis Elementary 495 Washington Ave. 472-5550

Oak Manor Elementary 400 Oak Manor Drive 472-5180

Yokayo Elementary 790 S. Dora Street 472-5690

Tanni Haas, PhD, is a college communications professor.

ful learning experience full of discovery with: • Exploration of own interests & abilities • Experiential learning with field trips, arts • Respectful and caring learning community • Peace education and mindfulness • Earth stewardship

Open House Wednesday, April 13 Call for more information

Tree of Life Charter FreeMontessori Montessori Free Montessori Elementary Education Elementary Education Elementary Education for Children Ages4541/2 for ChildrenAges 3/4 for Children through 13 through 12 Through 12

OPEN ENROLLMENT January For application and more information: 707-462-0913 treeoflifeschool@pacific.net www.treeoflifeschool.net

Deadline for Grace Hudson TK and Kindergarten registration: February 17, 2022 Deadline for registration at your elementary school of choice: March 25, 2022

Children age 5 by September 1, 2022, will enroll in Kindergarten. Children turning 5 between September 2, 2022, and February 2, 2023, can enroll in our Transitional Kindergarten Program.

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Whatever amount you ultimately decide on, make sure to follow a consistent schedule—whether weekly or monthly—and stick with it. As Mary Kelly Blakeslee, a well-known child psychologist, says, “random payments will be frustrating and confusing, and will reduce the opportunity for learning.” ¶

GIVE YOUR CHILD a joy-

If you need help with registration, or access to a computer, contact your school’s office.

Calpella Elementary 151 Moore Street 472-5630

Raising Kids Who Are Grounded, Generous, and Smart About Money (Harper, 2016), says to “give your kids just enough so that they can get some of what they want but not so much that they don’t have to make a lot of difficult trade-offs. Let them own those, so they know what it’s like to make financial decisions that resemble grown-up ones.”

April 2022

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life: “Pay attention./ Be astonished./ Tell about it.”

The Poetic Family 7 Ways to Create an Inspired Life By Christina Katz

n our frenetic world, poetry frequently falls through the cracks. April is National Poetry Month and the perfect time to help your family live a more poetic life. Here are a few tips for doing just that.

1. Read a poem a day. The lyrical poet Rainer Maria Rilke said, “If your daily life seems poor, do not blame it; blame yourself that you are not poet enough to call forth its riches.” So why not put on your own poetic air mask first and sign up for a daily poem in your inbox via The Writer’s Almanac (writersalmanac. org)? When parents are tuned in to the finer things in life, it is easier for children to follow suit. Notice 22 MendoLakeFamilyLife

how easy it is to feel uplifted when a poem is sent into your life each day. 2. Encourage observation. Notice nature and tell your children what you see. Remark on the changing seasons. Bundle up on chilly nights and stand under the starlit sky. Lay on your backs in warm weather and search for constellations. Poets rely on their powers of observation and your family can, too. Poet Mary Oliver has these instructions for living a poetic April 2022

3. Pop a “poetry pill.” Pablo Neruda said, “Poetry is an act of peace.” So when you are looking to soothe your family during difficult times, why not turn to poetry? We intuitively calm restless children when we read them rhythmic and rhyming bedtime stories. Poetry provides a similar tonic. Maintain a collection of poetry books like you keep a medicine cabinet full of over-the-counter remedies, and reach for poetic relief as an antidote to the headaches of life.

Integrate verse playfully into your life and watch for an uptick in everyday appreciation. 4. Collect beauty. A tiny clutch of dandelions. A doll made of sticks. Nurturing a rose bush as it flowers year after year. Clipping herbs. Having tea in the afternoon. Setting a pretty table. Eating slowly and reverently. There are so many ways to bring graciousness into our daily lives. Look for what beckons your soul and romance your relationship with those practices. As decorator and author Alexandra Stoddard says in her book Daring to Be Yourself (Doubleday, 1990), “Be true to your own real pleasures. Experiment so that you’ll find what’s right for you.” 5. Scavenge for favorites. When I was a girl, I knew exactly where to find my favorite book of poetry, When We Were Very Young, by A. A. Milne, who also wrote the Winnie-the-Pooh books. I would make a beeline for www.mendolakefamilylife.com

that book almost every time I visited the library. Help your kids find their favorite poems; encourage them to use one poem as a jumping off place for finding more favorites. A collection containing their favorite poem might make a meaningful birthday or graduation gift. Poetry has power, and our personal favorites can open doors of insight into our relationship with others and ourselves. 6. Display favorite lines. Viewing a few favorite lines of poetry can put a smile on your face no matter what else is going on in your life. “Though she be but little, she is fierce,” a popular line from Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream, is a good example. Many girls of small stature relate to this

line and draw courage from it. The phrase is so popular that you will find numerous products on Etsy. com sporting it. Visit the online store for inspiration for displaying your favorite lines of verse. You will find inexpensive products and downloads you can purchase for family members or for yourself.

Reach for poetic relief as an antidote to the headaches of life. 7. Compose playfully. Whatever you do, don’t take poetry too seriously. Magnetic poetry now comes in so many variations, you are sure to find a kit to suit each family

member. Why not encourage daily poetry making on your refrigerator? Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “It is a happy talent to know how to play,” and this philosophy applies to living poetically, as well. Read poems, savor poems, make up poems, share poems—integrate verse playfully into your life and watch for an uptick in everyday appreciation. Nothing about the world may change overnight, but you can change the way your family approaches the world by embracing poetic living every single day. ¶ Author, journalist, and writing coach Christina Katz challenges herself to live a little more poetically every day. She finds that the practice helps inoculate her family against the stresses and strains of the world, especially during turbulent times.

Substitute Teachers Needed!

Join Our Team! Learn More at www.edjoin.org Become a Ukiah Unified substitute teacher and help our students thrive. $21.42–$37.67/hour. The process has never been easier. Perfect for those who would like a flexible schedule or second income. Contact Maribel Ramirez at 707-472-5034 or mramirez@uusd.net for more information. www.edjoin.org

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April 2022

MendoLakeFamilyLife 23

April

Calendar of Events

Friday 1

Saturday 2

Sunday 3

Gowan’s Cider Orchard Blossom

Whale Celebration Saturdays.

FREE First Fiddlers’ Jam. Listen to

Days. Taste cider & celebrate spring in blossoming, century-old apple orchards. $15 cider flights. Thursdays–Mondays. 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Gowan’s Apple Orchards. 6320 Hwy. 128, Philo (1/4 mile north of Gowan’s Apple Stand). Reservations suggested: gowansheirloomcider.com.

Volunteer docents will be on hand with binoculars & information, ready to share whale-watching experiences. April 2 & 9. 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Masks required. Point Cabrillo Lighthouse. 45300 Lighthouse Rd., Mendocino. pointcabrillo.org.

members of the Northern California Old Time Fiddlers Group play fiddle tunes. Noon–2 p.m. Ely Barn. 9921 Soda Bay Rd. (Hwy. 128), Kelseyville. elystagestop.com.

FREE The (Modern) Art of Parenting.

can take pictures of their kids with the big bunny. 1–3 p.m. at each location: Apr. 2: Studio 127, 127 N. Main St.; Apr. 9: Fixin’ It Up With Sandra, 270 N. Main St.; Apr. 16: Kitchen Store & More, 568 Lakeport Blvd. lakeportmainstreet.com.

Free virtual parenting summit featuring nationally known experts speaking on subjects such as anxiety & depression, mindful parenting, raising resilient kids, how to stop arguing with kids, social media issues, sexual health education & much more. April 1–8. Each session will be recorded & available to watch for free for 48 hours. Register: tinyurl.com/4ms8jvjb.

Easter Bunny in Lakeport. Parents

FREE Expanding Your Horizons.

Virtual workshops to encourage girls in grades 7–8 to pursue careers in STEM fields. April 2 & 9. Registration: eyh-soco.org.

Monday 4 FREE Traveling Toy Library.

Families are able to check out toys & materials for children ages 0–5. Sponsored by Easterseals Northern CA. Mondays: 1:30–3:30 p.m. at 1173 11th St., Lakeport (next to Post Office). Wednesdays: 1:30–3:30 p.m. at 14085 Lakeshore Dr., Clearlake (next door to WIC). earlyinterventionreferrals@ esnorcal.org.

Tuesday 5 FREE Virtual Circle Times with First 5 Lake County. Via Zoom.

English: Tuesdays 10 a.m. & Thursdays 4 p.m. Spanish: Tuesdays 4 p.m. &

Healthy Kids Need Healthy Teeth. Visit Your Dental Provider!

2 steps to a healthy smile! Funded by the CDPH under Contract # 17-10704

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April 2022

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Thursdays 10 a.m. Register for Zoom link: earlyinterventionreferrals@ esnorcal.org.

Wednesday 6 FREE LGBTQ2S Youth Drop-In. A safe space for LGBTQ2S & allies. Ages 13–24. Wednesdays. 3:30–5:30 p.m. Arbor Youth Resource Center. 810 N. State St., Ukiah. redwoodcommunityservices.org.

Friday 8 Family Skate Night. Use the Rec Center’s skates or bring your own. $5 drop-in fee. Parent or guardian must sign for kids younger than 18. 7–9 p.m. Old Recreation Center. 213 E. Laurel St., Fort Bragg. mendocoastrec.org. 707-964-9446.

Saturday 9

FREE Easter Egg Bunny Trail. Rain or shine. 1–3 p.m. First Presbyterian Church Parking Lot. 514 West Church St., Ukiah. fpcukiah.org.

Thursday 14 Photos with the Easter Bunny. No appointment needed. Packages start at $7. Apr. 14: 3–5 p.m. Apr. 15: 1–5 p.m.

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FREE Noyo Harbor Fish Market. The fleet will be selling their catches off their boats. Live music, food trucks & arts & crafts vendors. 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Noyo Harbor. 19101 S. Harbor Dr., Fort Bragg. noyoharbordistrict.org. Tacos & Cars for Autism. DJ, local Pomo dancers, BX stunts. Tacos/ drinks for purchase. Free to spectators; car show entrants make small donation. All proceeds go to Lower Lake High School Special Education Department. 11 a.m.–5 p.m. (Car registration: 10 a.m. Car show: 11 a.m.–3 p.m.) Austin Park. 14077 Lakeshore Dr., Clearlake. tinyurl.com/3cc33xhu. FREE Anderson Marsh Nature Walk.

Leisurely paced, docent-led 3-mile walk. Free parking. Meet at Ranch House at 8:15 a.m. Walk begins at 8:30 a.m. Anderson Ranch Pkwy., Lower Lake. tinyurl.com/bdz5kn2x. www.mendolakefamilylife.com

APRIL 21-24, 2022

LIVE MUSIC • CARNIVAL • LIVESTOCK • HORTICULTURE • CRAFTS FREE KIDS’ DAY: APRIL 22 CLOVERDALE’S GOT TALENT: APRIL 24TH, 12PM CITRUS FAIR PARADE: APRIL 23RD, 11AM LILY LEMON & ORAN ORANGE CONTEST: APRIL 20TH, 4PM

DOWNLOAD OUR MOBILE APP April 2022

CLOVERDALE FAIRGROUNDS WWW.CLOVERDALECITRUSFAIR.ORG MendoLakeFamilyLife 25

Triple S Camera. 260 S. School St., Ukiah. 462-3163.

Saturday 16 Easter Egg Express. Meet the Easter

Friday 15 Annual Prawn & Tri-Tip Feed Fundraiser. Silent, dollar & live auctions. Sponsored by the Redwood Empire Lions Club. Noon–2:30 p.m. Redwood Empire Fairgrounds. 1055 N. State St., Ukiah. Ben Rosenblum Trio. Rosenblum

a Julliard-trained, award-winning jazz pianist, composer & accordionist. Masks, ID & proof of vaccination required. Limited seating. $25. 7 p.m. Soper Reese Theatre. 275 S. Main St., Lakeport. Tickets: soperreesetheatre.com.

Bunny & hunt for Easter eggs on this scenic 7-mile round-trip train ride along the Pudding Creek Estuary to Glen Blair Junction. $10.95–$62.95. Dogs: $10.95. Apr. 16 & 17. Willits Depot: 10:30 a.m. & 1:30 p.m. Fort Bragg Depot: 11:15 a.m. & 1:45 p.m. Willits Depot. 299 E. Commercial St., Willits. Fort Bragg Depot. 100 W. Laurel St., Fort Bragg. Tickets: skunktrain.com. FREE Easter Eggstravaganza.

Easter bunny, Easter baskets & kids’ activities. 11 a.m.–2 p.m. Twin Pines Casino. 22223 Hwy. 29, Middletown. twinpine.com.

ED Mini Golf Easter Carnival & Egg Hunt. Free Easter games. Free mini golf for kids (with purchase of adult ticket). Carnival games for fee. Noon–4 p.m. Easter Hunt & Easter Bunny: 4 p.m. sharp. Emerald Dolphin Inn & Mini Golf. 1211 S. Main St., Fort Bragg. emeralddolphin. com/special-events.html. FREE Calvary Chapel of Willits Egg Hunt. 20,000 eggs. Music, games,

bouncy houses & prizes. 11 a.m.–1 p.m. Willits High School Football Field. 299 N. Main St., Willits. FREE Lego Club. Masks & social distancing required. Must register to attend. 2–3 p.m. Middletown Library. 21256 Washington St., Middletown. Sign up: 707-987-3674.

Easter Egg Bunny Trail join us for this FREE community event Rain or Shine!

Saturday, April 9th, 2022 1:00-3:00 pm First Presbyterian Church Parking lot (on the corner of Dora and Perkins) Bring your Easter egg baskets or bags and follow the bunny trail to collect candy-filled eggs! Enjoy snacks, crafts and have your cameras or cell phones ready for a Easter photo op at the end of the trail!

Questions? Contact First Presbyterian Church of Ukiah at katherine@fpcukiah.org or (707) 468-9235

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FREE Parking Lot Fair. Local vendors, food, games & the Easter Bunny. 2–4 p.m. Pueblo Grande Parking Lot. 568 Lakeport Blvd., Lakeport. lakeportmainstreet.com/ event/parking-lot-fair.

Sunday 17

free for ages 12 & younger. Parade day: Apr. 23 at 11 a.m. Apr. 21: 4–9 p.m. Apr. 22: 2–9 p.m. Apr. 23: 10 a.m.–9 p.m. Apr. 24: 10 a.m.–8 p.m. cloverdalecitrusfair.org.

Saturday 23 FREE Finding Your Waldorf Groove:

FREE Lakeport Rotary Egg Hunt.

Rhythm at Home. Learn about

Three age groups. Gold eggs garner $10 & silver eggs $5. Bring baskets & arrive early. Gates open at noon. Egg hunt starts at 1 p.m. sharp. Lake County Fairgrounds. 401 Martin St., Lakeport.

Waldorf traditions around daily, weekly, monthly & yearly rhythms. Adults-only event. On-site child care $5 for one child plus $4 per sibling. No one turned away for lack of funds. 3–4:30 p.m. Kelseyville Presbyterian Church. 5340 3rd St., Kelseyville. tinyurl.com/3ha7fbsa.

Thursday 21 Cloverdale Citrus Fair. $5–$11. Ages 5 & younger: free. $32 unlimited rides for one day. Kids’ Day on Apr. 22 is

Wags & Wines. Fundraiser for the

Humane Society of Inland Mendocino. Dogs for adoption, food truck, prizes

& wine tasting. Noon–3 p.m. Barra Winery. 7051 N. State St., Redwood Valley. tinyurl.com/5n87smdj. FREE Children’s Advocacy Walk & Festival. Games & food. 10 a.m.–3 p.m. 10:15 a.m.: walk from Library Park to Natural High & back. 10:30 a.m.: festival. Library Park. 200 Park St., Lakeport. lakecoe.org/ ChildAbusePrevention. FREE Earth Day Community Clean-Up. Tend the Great Redwood Trail. Bring gloves, water & other garden tools. 9 a.m.–noon. Meet at 9 a.m. at the Railroad Depot. 247 E. Perkins St., Ukiah. RSVP email: mdavison@cityofukiah.com. FREE Almost Fringe Festival. Art openings, craft fairs, live music, kids’ activities & more. 10 a.m.–6 p.m.

Sat., April 16th 11:00 am-2:00 pm

EASTER BASKETS

KIDS (while supplies last) ACTIVITIES JUMP HOUSES

260 S. School St., Ukiah • 707-462-3163 • triplescamera.com www.mendolakefamilylife.com

April 2022

MendoLakeFamilyLife 27

Various venues in Point Arena. Details at tinyurl.com/2dmbhyx2. Mad Hatter Luncheon & Fashion Show. Raffle baskets, silent & live

auctions & more. Sponsored by the Lake County Women’s Civic Club. $40. Doors open at 11 a.m. Buffet served at noon. Boatique Winery. 8255 Red Hills Rd., Kelseyville. tinyurl. com/yckkz4ay.

Sunday 24 Los Tangueros del Oeste Concert.

$30. Students w/ASB card & ages 18 & younger: free. 2 p.m. Mendocino College Center Theatre. 1000 Hensley Creek Rd., Ukiah. Tickets: tinyurl. com/bdwkzv5t. Bumble Bees & Beneficials Field Day. Information from local

ecological organizations, self-guided field exploration, bug ID, seed-bomb building & storytelling. Admission: $8–$15; ages 5 & younger free. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens Education Center. 18220 Hwy. 1, Fort Bragg. Register: tinyurl.com/yhvcddda. Concerts with Conversation.

Charged Particles with renowned wind-instrument player Paul McCandless. $30. No young children. 3–4:30 p.m. Blue Wing Restaurant. 9520 Main St., Upper Lake. Tickets: tinyurl.com/49srawjf.

Wednesday 27

Registration required. 4:30–5:30 p.m. Redbud Library. 14785 Burns Valley Rd., Clearlake. Registration required: tinyurl.com/35uz76pd.

Saturday 30 Ukiah Co-Op Nursery Preschool Fundraiser Dinner. Silent & live auction items. $50. 5–9 p.m. Ukiah Valley Golf Course. 599 Park Blvd., Ukiah. Tickets: ucns-dinner. brownpapertickets.com. Mendocino College Spring Plant Sale. 9

a.m.–3 p.m. Mendocino College Green House. 1000 Hensley Creek Rd., Ukiah. tinyurl.com/ bdfyydsc.

FREE Bath Bombs for Moms.

Craft class for kids. All supplies will be provided. Supplies limited.

mendo lake

LOCAL

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magazine • web • email • events

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April 2022

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Humor Break

Then she reached into the shoe rack of our mudroom and pulled out her own pair of tennis shoes. They were the exact same brand and color as my new pair. Yup, my new pair was identical to the pair my tween already owned.

Mom at the Mall Decadence or Disaster? By Katy M. Clark

lush with cash from my recent birthday, I strode through the mall. Today I could stop at any store at any time and spend money on myself, not my kids.

Giddy with purchasing power, I bought some decadent body wash. Then I treated myself to a new lipstick. Next I people-watched, noticing mothers and teen daughters dressed alike. I wondered if that would be my 12-year-old daughter and me one day. As my energy and cash dwindled, I found myself staring at a wall of brightly colored tennis shoes. “I would love a new pair,” I thought. Because I wear a size 10, I knew it was impossible that every pair would be available to try on. Indeed, the salesperson returned with just one. But that pair fit perfectly. “I really like them,” I said to no one, admiring the style and cobalt color. 30 MendoLakeFamilyLife

There was something vaguely familiar about them, too. Did I have similar shoes before? “I’ll take them!” I announced, with vigor. I drove home with my treasures and was greeted by the love and affection of my tween daughter and teenage son. In other words, they barely acknowledged my presence. As I put my purchases away, my daughter wandered over. I let her sniff my body wash and try on my lipstick. Then I pulled out my favorite purchase, my new kicks. “Mom!” she cried, aghast. “What?” I replied. What was wrong? Were they ugly? From an unethical company that used child labor? Or were they just soooo not cool? “Mom,” my tween said more calmly, a hint of a smile tugging at her lips. “Look.” April 2022

“I’ll take them back!” I gushed. “I knew they looked familiar!” My teenage son appeared to see what the ruckus was about. “Mom!” he shouted, noticing our twin pairs. “That is so not cool!” “I said I’ll take them back,” I replied, this time like a petulant child. But then I noticed my daughter was laughing. And I started to laugh. “You can totally keep them,” my daughter said, shaking her head with what may have been pity. I believe she even patted my head, but I can’t remember because I think I blacked out from embarrassment. “Really?” “Really.” I hugged her and she hugged me back, still giggling. I truly hadn’t wanted to be her twin and was pleased that she didn’t mind we would match. Maybe we could wear them the next time we went to the mall together? “Just don’t wear them the same time I wear mine,” she instructed. “Moms,” she said, shaking her head. Moms, indeed. ¶ Katy M. Clark is a writer who embraces her imperfections as a mom at experiencedbadmom.com.

www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Marketplace Preschools

Schools

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integrated with academics Near Brookside School at ✓ Referrals for transportation available Free & Low-Cost Spruce St. & Lincoln Way  National Green Campus Quality Preschool! • Lake County Also providing FREE in-home services for

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Tango in the Afternoon

treeoflifeschool@pacific.net www.treeoflifeschool.net

rom its origins in 19th century Argentina, tango has evolved to include a variety of musical elements. Its more modern version, called neuvo tango, is what Los Tangueros del Oeste plays. Featuring bandoneon, guitar, violin, analog synthesizer and dancers, the group draws inspiration from the nuevo tango styles of Astor Piazzolla, Gotan Project, and Bajo Fondo. They will perform on April 24 at 2 p.m. at the Mendocino College Theatre in Ukiah. Tickets are $30 and available at brownpapertickets.com/event/5131795. ¶

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Fun on the Fringe

oint Arena may be a fraction of the size and more than a couple of thousand miles from Edinburgh, Scotland. But that isn’t stopping it from holding its own version of Edinburgh’s famous arts festival, the Fringe Festival. The Point Arena version—the Almost Fringe Festival—will feature live music, street performers, performance art, kids’ activities, and a craft fair. It all happens on April 23, 10 a.m.–6 p.m., in downtown Point Arena. Find out more information at pointarena.net/ almost-fringe-festival. ¶

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Find critical COVID-19 info plus lots of free kid-friendly activities. April 2022

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