Mendo Lake Family Life December 2022

Right Outlook: Blue Zones Project Sleep Challenge

October 1- December 31, 2022

Sharon Gowan Publisher/Editor

The holidays are here! If you are looking for Santa photo-ops, light parades, or other revelry, turn to our Calendar of Events (page 26) for a plethora of local fun.

Besides kids, pets need to be on their best behavior, too. But new visitors can freak out furry friends. So turn to “Ho-Ho, Fido!” (page 14) for smart tips on helping little critters adjust.

Marketing/ Sales/Events

Patricia Ramos

707-205-1539 patty@family-life.us

If you are getting ready to host out-of-town visitors, we’re here to help. First, know that science says that dining together with loved ones is a great way to feed not just body, but also heart and mind. Read “Break Bread Together” (page 18) to find out why.

Sharon@family-life.us

If you are like most parents, you want your children to behave in front of Grandma and Grandpa at the dinner table. While, of course, kids will be kids, you can model and teach manners at every age. “Say, ‘Please’” (page 20) shows you how.

With all the hustle and bustle, it can be easy to forget to take care of yourself. “Time Out for Mom” (page 22) has plenty of ideas for slipping some self-love into your busy day. And if the holiday season is not a happy one for you, “Banish the Blues” (page 24) offers advice on how to elevate your mood.

For stress of all kinds, it is said that laughter is the best medicine. To get your dose, turn to humorist Jessica Guerrieri’s “Tiny Teachers” (page 32), a funny tale of Christmas plans gone awry.

Happy Holidays!

Features Editor

Melissa Chianta melissa@family-life.us

Production Manager

Donna Bogener production@family-life.us

Contributing Writers

Katy M. Clark

Jessica Guerrieri Tanni Haas Christina Katz Jill Morgenstern

Billing

Jan Wasson-Smith

Publishing Office P.O. Box 351 Philo, CA 95466 (707) 205 1539

Bite into a Bimuelo

A Traditional Hanukkah Treat

By PJ Library

Hanukkah is a time for celebrating the triumph of light over darkness. The lighting of the menorah (candelabrum, also known in Hebrew as a hanukkiah) is the central mitzvah, or commandment, of the holiday.

Another Hanukkah tradition is to eat foods fried in oil, symbolic of the oil in the ancient Temple menorah that lasted for eight days. You may already be a pro at making latkes (potato pancakes), but have you tackled bimuelos, a special Sephardic fried dough treat, yet?

Learn how to make these easy and delicious treats to share with your family. ❖

Find a how-to video and printable version of this recipe at tinyurl.com/2j32h9ex. Discover more Hanukkah recipes, crafts, and activities at pjlibrary.org

PJ Library is a program of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, which delivers more than 680,000 free Jewish storybooks to kids around the world each month. Now in its 17th year, the program shipped its 50 millionth book in 2022. Jewish families of all backgrounds and levels of Jewish knowledge and observance, including interfaith households, may subscribe. Every child in the home will receive a new, age-appropriate book each month. Find out more at pjlibrary.org

Bimuelos

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups flour

• 1 teaspoon baking powder

• Pinch of salt • 1 egg • 1 cup milk • Vegetable oil for frying

• Optional: honey, maple syrup, or powdered sugar for dipping or topping

Preparation

Kids can help with making dough, rolling batter, and choosing toppings. Grown-ups should handle all of the frying.

1. Mix the dry ingredients together.

2. Add the egg and milk, and then stir until batter forms.

3. In a frying pan, pour oil (about two inches high) and warm to about 365ºF.

4. Drop the batter by tablespoons into the oil.

5. Fry bimuelos until they are golden on each side, about 2–3 minutes.

6. Use a slotted spoon to transfer finished bimuelo to paper-towel lined plate. Cool and allow oil to drain.

7. Enjoy!

Tips

Egg-free version: Substitute 4 tablespoons of whipped aquafaba (the liquid that canned chickpeas are packed in).

Dairy-free version: Use soy or rice milk and whisk in a tablespoon of apple-cider vinegar before adding the milk to the recipe.

Santa Meets Lady Luck

The Man in Red has a busy schedule, but still has time to fly into Kelseyville. To celebrate his arrival, there will be a Parade of Lights, in which vehicles decked out in holiday finery will line up on Gard Street and cruise through town. The events are part of Kelseyville Christmas in the Country, which will be held on December 2. The parade will start at 6:30 p.m.; after the parade, Santa will hold court at Lady Luck Garage until 8:30 p.m. Learn more at tinyurl. com/32rahtd8 and tinyurl.com/2epnxnrt

Have an OldFashioned Christmas

Inthe 19th century, the first Europeans who arrived at what is now Anderson Marsh State Park built a ranch house. And it’s still standing, ready to host the Christmas at the Ranch Victorian holiday party. Local musicians will play holiday songs while revelers sing carols, indulge in cookies and cider, and whisper Christmas wishes in Santa’s ear. The party is free and will be held on December 10, 10 a.m.–2 p.m., at the park in Lower Lake. Find out more at andersonmarsh.org/ christmas_at_the_ranch.html.

Watch Free Holiday Flicks

One of the great things about being a kid is that it’s socially acceptable to walk around in PJs at any time of day. In fact, jammies are welcome at Soper Reese Theatre’s free Pajama Movies. Kids are encouraged to come in their nightgowns, buntings, and footed fleece—whatever’s comfy—and settle in for an evening of winter cinema. The schedule is as follows: The Polar Express on December 7, Frozen on December 14, and How the Grinch Stole Christmas on December 21. Movies will be shown at 6 p.m. at Soper Reese Theatre in Lakeport. See soperreesetheatre.com/events or tinyurl.com/yeu7aw38 for details.

Kelseyville Christmas in the Country

Christmas at the Ranch

Go to a Christmas Party in Pajamas

Time to bring out the matching flannel PJs! The Family Christmas Pajamas contest is here. The competition is part of the Christmas in Clearlake event, which will also host a gingerbread house contest, free horse-and-carriage rides, free face painting, a parade, and craft and food vendors as well. Santa’s elves will also be around to hand out gifts to little ones. The event will be held on December 3, 11 a.m.–6 p.m., at Austin Park in Clearlake. See the flyer in the Big Calendar on lakecountybloom.com.

Make a Wreath

Hikers and nature lovers sometimes have the urge to bring a bit of the woods back into their homes. And they can do just that at the Seasonal Greetings Wreaths workshop, where participants can learn to make wreaths from local foliage, including mistletoe, and red berries from madrones. The workshop will be held on December 10, 10 a.m.–noon, at the Hopland Research and Extension Center in Hopland. The fee is $35 and includes materials as well as warm apple cider and snacks. As a bonus, participants might also get the chance to see the first of the center’s newly born lambs. Register at hrec.ucanr.edu

Trains, Treats, and Typewriters

Choo-choo! Kids love trains. And at Holiday Express, they can actually climb onto one—an old-fashioned steam engine. Besides the locomotive fun, children can also visit Santa and indulge in treats. The event will be held on December 3, 11 a.m.–4 p.m., at the Roots of Motive Power Yard and Engine House in Willits. During the event, nearby Mendocino County Museum will hold its Holiday Program, at which kids can try their hand at writing with ink and quill or typing on an old-fashioned typewriter, and do other crafts, too. Both events are free. For more information, go to tinyurl.com/2cx6usjr.

Seasonal Greetings Wreaths workshop

Holiday Express

Christmas in Clearlake

The Rise of Public TK

What’s the Impact on Preschools?

This conversation with Lara Magnusdottir, director of public policy at the Community Child Care Council of Sonoma County (4Cs), is part one of a two-part series about the newly implemented California public school Transitional Kindergarten (TK) program.

Family Life: What does 4Cs do?

Lara Magnusdottir: We provide subsidized preschools, but we also offer a lot of other services. One of them is that we are a childcare resource and referral agency in Sonoma County. That means that we have a contract with the Department of Social Services to provide public

education, and to monitor and create awareness of the supply and demand of childcare. We have a database of all the licensed providers in our area, and we provide referrals to families.

FL: How is the new public TK program affecting the work of 4Cs?

LM: We speak from the point of view of a resource and referral agency, so

we are thinking about all providers, all of childcare in the community. So thinking from that perspective, public TK is having a huge impact on the field. It is a real structural change to the system. The schools are taking on younger children [four-year-olds] who, at this point, they really don’t have the staff with the training and experience to serve. The field that has been traditionally serving these

children has to be prepared to pivot and figure out how to work in this new environment. We also feel that public TK has been implemented a little too quickly, especially in the wake of COVID. To get the workforce ready, to get the facilities ready, to really do this well, has been a challenge for schools.

FL: Who is the public school system hiring to take care of this particular age group? How does public TK affect the teaching community?

LM: There is a Pre-K through third-grade teaching credential that is in the works, which is great. But private providers and preschools are very concerned that they are going to lose their best teachers. I believe that, at this point, if a teacher has a bachelor’s degree they can have a temporary credential to teach TK. There are a lot of preschool teachers with BAs. And if they have the choice to go teach TK for sometimes twice the salary and much better benefits and time off, of course a lot of them are going to choose that. It is the same

Preschools are very concerned that they are going to lose their best teachers.

Lara Magnusdottir

with parents. Even if they think public TK is not the best environment for their child, it’s free. So, of course, they are going to choose that. Another way this impacts preschools and childcare providers outside the public TK program is that four-year-olds subsidize providers’ care for younger kids. This is because preschools are allowed to have bigger groups of them [a larger-student-toteacher ratio]. Preschool licensure requires a smaller student-to-teacher ratio for infants and toddlers, so this age group requires more staff. There is no way we can expect families to pay the true cost of infant and toddler care. So if you lose all of your four-year-olds and you pivot to serving infants, toddlers, and some three-year-olds, your cost is going to go up. Either

way, what’s going to happen is that it’s going to be more expensive for families to send kids to preschool or the quality is going to go way down. They are not going to hire people who have the most experience and provide the best care, which hopefully is not going to happen, or they are just going to close.

FL: Can children who have state vouchers attend your programs or any preschool of their choice for free?

LM: The vouchers have a maximum, so there are times when the family has to pay the difference between the voucher and the tuition the provider charges.

FL: The California State Preschool Programs that 4Cs run otherwise cost money, correct?

LM: There are fees that families, depending on their income, have to pay for full-time programs. These fees have been waived during the pandemic. We are advocating that these family fees be permanently waived. Currently, the waiver expires June 30, 2023.

FL: Any parting thoughts?

LM: Public TK is here to stay. There are wonderful things that can be done with it. But we really believe that, when it comes to finding the best education fit for very young children, families need to be able to have access to, and choose from, different options. They need to have a true choice. ❖

This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.

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North Ukiah Bush St

Nokomis Washington Ave

South Ukiah S State St

Peach Tree S Orchard Ave

Willits

Near Brookside School at Spruce St & Lincoln Way

Lake County

Upper Lake 2nd Street

Lakeport Lakeport Blvd

Clearlake Pearl Ave

Clearlake Meadowbrook Dr Coast

Fort Bragg Lincoln St

The Gift of Teens 15 Ways Older Kids Rock the Holidays

By Katy M. Clark

“

Sigh. I’d already made enough runs to the store that I was on a first-name basis with Sue, the cashier from checkout lane 6.

That’s when I turned to my 17-year-old son, who was sitting on the couch looking at his phone.

“Heeey,” I said. “Could you go get me some food coloring?”

“Sure,” he replied. Then he sprang up, grabbed the car keys, and took off.

It was like I had my own Christmas elf! It’s just one of the reasons why celebrating Christmas with teens rocks. Here are 15 more.

1. A bit of financial independence. You know what my son said when I offered him $5 to pay for the food coloring? “That’s okay, Mom. I have money.” Now that’s a Christmas miracle!

2. Hand-eye coordination. I no longer fear that my kids will break the heirloom ornaments, topple over while helping with the outdoor lights, or drop the china when setting the table for Christmas dinner.

3. Mature palates. Gone are the days of picky eating, like the Christmas dinner when my preschooler ate nothing but rolls and the brown sugar meant for the sweet

potatoes. As a teen he’ll eat almost anything. (Okay, he still loathes onions!)

4. Helpful cooks. They can chop the veggies and make the gravy. They can whip up extravagant dishes and desserts, whether because they are taking culinary classes or just want to emulate something they saw on TikTok.

5. Kitchen cleaners. After they’re done cooking, teens don’t need supervision or nagging to clean up after themselves. Well, maybe a little bit of nagging.

I no longer

6. Cold-weather dressers. I no longer have to wrangle them into winter gear à la Randy’s mom in A Christmas Story. Of course, I hope my teenage son wears a coat, but if he doesn’t, that’s on him, not me.

7. Keepers of tradition. Whether it’s putting out the sock snowman they made in first grade or using Grandma’s recipe to make molasses cookies, teens genuinely appreciate tradition and connection with loved ones.

8. (Big) kids at heart. They want to leave a plate of cookies out for Santa. They pile in the car when it’s time to drive around and admire holiday lights. Their faces still light up with joy when opening gifts.

9. Good company. I love being together with them. This is in stark contrast to the days when they were

fear that my kids will break the heirloom ornaments.

younger and we’d all be stir-crazy by New Year’s.

10. Easy to gift. I don’t stress about hiding presents or scramble to obtain that deeply desired yet widely unavailable toy. (Do not ask me about the lengths to which I went to get my kids Zhu Zhu pets one year!) And if by chance they are disappointed by a gift, they are mature enough to handle it.

Gone are the days of picky eating.

11. Better gift-givers. While I treasure the drawings and painted rocks from yesteryear, it touches my heart when my teens give me a book they knew I wanted to read or a scarf they saw me admire.

12. Grown-up movie tastes. Sure, I enjoyed watching classics like Frosty the Snowman when they were little. But not 13 times in a row.

13. No bedtime. Whether it’s watching our favorite movies together or going to the midnight Christmas Eve service at church, gone are the years when I had to hustle them to bed by a certain hour.

14. Late risers. They no longer rouse the entire household at the crack of dawn to open gifts.

15. Meaning makers. I love that we have profound talks this time of year. I’m touched when I see them donate jackets to the homeless or put their own money in the red kettles. ❖

Katy M. Clark is a writer and mom of two who embraces her imperfections on her blog experiencedbadmom.com

Ho-Ho, Fido!

5 Ways to Care for Pets During the Holidays

The holidays often bring both human and animal visitors into our homes. If you recently adopted a pet, here are tips from the Human Society of Silicon Valley (HSSV) for keeping your new furry friends happy throughout this festive (and sometimes hectic) time.

1. Watch what your pets eat. Dogs may beg at the dinner table, but don’t give in and let them have unhealthy food that’s meant for humans. Instead, give them healthy treats that veterinarians deem safe, such as dog biscuits or cut-up carrots. Absolutely avoid giving them alcoholic drinks, onions, artificial sweeteners, and chocolate— they are poisonous to dogs.

2. Welcome furry visitors. Often a family member will bring their companion animal(s) with them for a holiday gathering. Whether they are staying for a few hours or a few days, it’s important

to make sure every animal has a sense of security and safety. If you have cats who are unaccustomed to the presence of dogs, keep them in a part of your home that’s inaccessible to visiting canines. If you’re introducing two dogs, introduce them outdoors, preferably in neutral territory, such as a parking lot. Keep both dogs on leashes when they meet. When it’s established that they get along, walk them back to the house together. When you are not able to monitor them, be sure to separate them.

and dogs. If you’re hosting a holiday meal or cocktail party, be sure your animals have a safe space where they can rest, away from the noise and activity. Fill the space with some of their favorite things: a blanket, a bowl of water, a fun toy, etc.

4. Tag and microchip. With lots of people coming in and out of your home during the holidays, it’s easy for someone to forget to shut the door, letting a stressed-out cat or dog slip out. Before the festive season arrives, be sure all of your

four-legged companions have pet tags and microchips, just in case they get out. If your pet is already microchipped, make sure your contact information is up-to-date.

5. Let guests know the house rules. If your cat sometimes scratches people or your dog can get nippy, let guests know before they find out for themselves. Setting rules may not seem festive, but visitors will likely appreciate being warned, lest they upset one of your furry family members. Ask guests not to give your pets table scraps or other foods that could make your animals sick (see tip one). ❖

3.

Manage

overstimulation. Over stimulation can upset both cats

The Humane Society Silicon Valley needs foster families for dogs and puppies and also has many dogs available for adoption. Learn more about the nonprofit and its programs at HSSV.org.

It’s important to make sure every animal has a sense of security and safety.

are a little rusty, play against the app until you feel ready to compete against others.

Spaceteam Apple App Store & Google Play. This game requires you to work together rather than to compete. Team members have to maneuver a spaceship. Each person has a control panel with buttons, dials, knobs, and switches, and receives commands

Family Game Night

By Tanni Haas

Great Apps That Cultivate Connection

If you’re busy preparing for the holiday season, how about taking a break in the evening to get together with the kids for some relaxing fun? Here’s a list of some great family game apps that’ll keep you entertained for hours at a time. The best thing is that they’re all completely free, so download an app—or three!

Cramble Apple App Store & Google Play.

This quiz game uses wacky comparisons between different objects to create intriguing questions. For example, “to match the height of 1 Hubble telescope, how many coconuts would you need to stack up?” Or “how many chickens would you have to pile up to be as tall as 1 Great Pyramid?”

Glow Hockey Apple App Store & Google Play

This easy-to-use hockey

app has colorful glow graphics (hence the name) and great sound effects. You can customize the sticks and pucks, and the phone vibrates every time someone scores a goal. You can also play against the app to practice your skills.

Scrabble GO Apple App Store & Google Play

If you’re itching to play a game of Scrabble but don’t have the board game, no problem; download the app. Play with your family members or, if your spelling skills

that must be executed to save the spaceship from crashing. Some of the commands require instruments that are on the other players’ control panels, so you end up shouting commands at each other. No need to explain how much fun that can be!

Truth Or Dare Kids

Apple App Store & Google Play. The kids’ version of the classic game has hundreds of fun questions that’ll make you look at each other in a completely new way: “What music are you embarrassed to admit you listen to when you’re alone?” or “What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten?”

Fun dares include “attempt to break dance for 30 seconds” and “wrap a player of your choice in toilet paper.”

What Am I? Riddles

and Answers Apple App Store & Google Play.

Who doesn’t like a good riddle?

This app has lots of them, such as “soft, hairy, from door to door. I’m the pet that always stays on the floor. What am I”?* You can ask for hints

Who doesn’t like a good riddle?

mendo lake

if you get stuck and need a gentle push. (*Answer: carpet.)

What Would You

Rather? Apple App Store & Google Play. This game will inspire lots of interesting conversations. Players are introduced to thought-provoking scenarios like “would you rather 1) be able to fly anywhere you want, or 2) stop time whenever you want for 10 seconds?” You vote for your favorite option and get to see statistics on how most other people vote.

Yes Or No? Apple

App Store & Google Play.

Similar to What Would You Choose?, this game will inspire conversations and great stories. It has lots of questions, including “have you ever been lost in the woods?,” “have you ever tried to cut your own hair?,” and “have you ever eaten toothpaste?” This app also tells you how other people vote, so you can decide for yourself whether your family really is as crazy as you think.

4 Pics 1 Word Apple App Store & Google Play

Millions of people are playing this addictive brainteaser game. Four pictures appear on the screen and you have to guess which word describes all four of them. Sound easy? Not so fast! The first levels are simple and straightforward, but the game gets increasingly harder and more fun as you progress. The letters that you need to form the correct answer are scrambled with other letters, so the game also has elements of Word Search. ❖

Tanni Haas is a college communications professor.

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Researchers believe that’s because homemade meals are healthier than those in restaurants: We eat smaller portions, at a slower pace, and spend more time talking with one another.

Increased Vocabulary Dining

with the family impacts kids’ minds as well as their bodies. Researchers have discovered that dinner-time conversations increase young kids’ vocabulary much more than being

Break Bread Together

The Benefits of Family Dinners

By Tanni Haas

Most families find it difficult to get everyone together at the dinner table on a regular basis. We’re all so busy with after-school activities, late work meetings, and long commutes. Decide to make a change this holiday season. Researchers have learned that eating dinner as a family is extremely important to kids’ physical, mental, and emotional health. As Anne Fishel, PhD, a psychologist and executive director of the Family Dinner Project, says: “Sitting down for a nightly meal is great for the brain, the body, and the spirit.”

Healthier Eating Kids whose families have regular dinners together are much healthier than those who don’t. They eat more fruits and vegetables, and

consume less fried foods and soft drinks. They eat a wider variety of foods, and they continue to do so once they become adults. They’re also less likely to become obese.

read to out loud. So, if you have a choice between coming home early for a family dinner or reading your kids a bedtime story, choose the dinner over the bedtime story. Kids who have a large vocabulary learn to read earlier and more easily than those with a more limited vocabulary. Researchers think that’s because kids constantly hear parents use new words during conversation.

Higher Grades These intellectual benefits carry over into academic achievement. Researchers have discovered that how well kids do in school is determined more by how often they participate in family dinners than by whether they consistently do their homework.

Kids who dine regularly with their families are twice as likely to get “A”s in school than those who only do so rarely.

Fewer Risky Behaviors

Having family dinners is also good

Having family dinners is also good for kids’ emotional health.

Celebrating

for kids’ emotional health. When they dine with their families, they’re much less likely to suffer from eating disorders, abuse alcohol or drugs, or experience stress and depression. Researchers believe that’s because parents who spend

time with their kids at the dinner table are more in touch with their children’s emotional well-being and can offer advice and support when needed. As a result, these kids also have higher self-esteem and trust others more.

Stronger Family Bonds Finally, researchers have learned what we all probably know already: eating dinner together enhances family bonds. Kids whose families have regular dinners are much more likely to have good relationships with their parents and siblings. Kids say that talking, catching-up, and just spending quality family time are much more important to them than what’s on the menu. Simply put, eating dinner together creates a strong sense of togetherness and feeling of belonging to a family. Fishel says it well: “Dinner is a time to relax, recharge, laugh, tell stories, and catch up on the day’s ups and downs, while developing a sense of who we are as a family.” ❖

Tanni Haas, PhD, is a college communications professor.

YEARS

Kids who dine regularly with their families are twice as likely to get “A”s in school.

Say, ‘Please’

A Guide to Manners for Every Age

By Jill Morgenstern

Most of us hope to raise children who are a pleasure to be around, people who take others into account and use common courtesy. How do we lay the foundations for respectful manners and etiquette? It begins earlier than one might imagine.

Ages 0–3 Infants may not have language abilities, but they are always learning, taking in what they hear and see. So model good manners. Let them hear you say “thank you” to the grocery store cashier or “please” when you speak to them. As they begin to learn words, ask them to say “please” or “thank you” when they interact with you.

Family dinners are perfect places for little ones to watch and mimic your behavior. Infants may be too young to pass the peas, but they’re not too young to notice how nicely you asked. As they get older and

their attention span increases, kids can begin to understand that others have the same feelings, wants, and needs that they do. Play dates are good times to introduce toddlers to the concepts of taking turns and being kind to others.

Ages 3–5 As toddlers grow into preschoolers, family meals continue to be an important time to teach manners. Your child can begin to learn to take turns during conversation, appropriate ways to behave when they don’t like what’s being served, and how to show appreciation for the food they do

enjoy. While children of this age range may begin to use manners, it is too early to expect consistency. For example, they may understand the concept of waiting their turn to speak way before they have the impulse control necessary not to interrupt.

Children learn better when they aren’t feeling the pressure to perform. And picture books (see box, “The Picture of Etiquette”) are great instruction tools. For example, if your children often interrupt conversations, pick a time when they are not bursting with information to share and then pull out David Ezra Stein’s book Interrupting Chicken. The humorous tale about a little chicken who ruins story time with his continuous interruptions will provide a good springboard for discussing conversational manners, at a time when your kids can be relaxed enough to absorb the information.

Ages 5–12 Elementary-aged children are capable of understanding what’s expected of them, and they are more able to control their impulses. You can reasonably expect kids of this age range to: say “please” and “thank you” without being prompted; say “excuse me” or “sorry”; greet people when they arrive and say “goodbye” when they leave; and share and take turns like a pro. If you’re really lucky, they’ll even keep their

If you’re really lucky, they’ll even keep their fingers out of their food!

mendo lake

fingers out of their food! Of course, there is a big difference between a kindergartener and a fifth grader; you’ll see more consistent behaviors as kids get older.

Ages 13–19 Gigi Lewis, owner of the manners-education company Club Etiquette, says teenagers build on the manners they’ve already assimilated. New behaviors may include self-introduction, and formal and informal dining etiquette as well as interview skills, and relational skills such as self-respect and boundaries. ❖

Freelance writer Jill Morgenstern has 13 years of teaching experience as well as a master’s degree in teaching reading. She has four children.

The Picture of Etiquette

These picture books can be helpful manners-education tools—and they’re a lot of fun to read, too. Sesyle Joslin, What Do You Say, Dear? (HarperCollins, 1986)

Laurie Keller, Do Unto Otters (Square Fish, 2009)

Mercer Mayer, I Just Forgot (Random House, 1999)

Steve Metzger, My Bossy Dolly (Cartwheel, 2006)

David Shannon, No, David! (Blue Sky Press, 1998)

Judy Sierra, Mind Your Manners, B. B. Wolf (Knopf, 2007)

Rowboat Watkins, Rude Cakes (Chronicle, 2015)

Melanie Watt, You’re Finally Here! (Little, Brown & Co., 2023)

Suzanne Williams, My Dog Never Says Please (Puffin, 2000)

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Time Out for Mom

New Year’s Self-Love Challenge

By Christina Katz

The New Year often ushers in a frenzy of moms who don’t feel like they’re good enough. Mom, are you sure you don’t need to lose weight? Don’t you have a bit too much debt? Shouldn’t you feed your family a homemade five-course sit-down dinner that accommodates everyone’s dietary needs? Are your children doing their best in every aspect of existence, or should we just go ahead and blame you now?

Seriously, the New Year is often not a whole lot of fun for moms. That’s why I’m turning the table on resolutions this year, ladies. I’d like you to celebrate all the ways you are already good enough, for a change. To that end, I’ve gathered up ten ways you can treat your imperfect self to a daily toast in your own honor.

Put the freeze on criticism. Paint a dusting of snow or ice color on your nails. Then pull out your best ice-princess look whenever

anyone suggests it might be time to get busy on those resolutions. If only you could zap them with your fingertips like Elsa in Frozen. But you can use an icy stare instead.

Eat chocolate. Most things call for afternoon chocolate, so don’t save this strategy for a rainy day. See how many variations of hot chocolate you can try (peppermint, caramel, or marshmallow?), and then share the best with the rest of the family.

nap.

Sing “Tuppence a Bag.”

Worried about money? A family viewing of the classic film Mary Poppins will put everything in perspective. Then rally the family to install the largest bird feeder you can afford. Keep it overflowing with bulk birdseed from your local big box or farm supply store. You’ll feel absolutely abundant every time you fill it. And birds will follow you around the yard as though you were a Disney character!

Color all over the lines. Did you get one of those adult coloring books for a holiday gift? Great. Now try coloring all over the lines. Seriously, go ahead and break the coloring book rules. See how many ways your bursts of color can spill beyond all those very serious lines. It feels liberating, doesn’t it?

Twist and shout. Hula-hooping is a fun activity for a dreary afternoon when you don’t feel like

Go take a long winter’s

Practice until you are good at it.

I’d like you to celebrate all the ways you are already good enough.

dragging yourself to the gym. Crank up some music and hula away the blues. You’ll burn calories and whittle your waist, too. No hoop? Try twisting and shouting until the hoop you order arrives in the mail. Take stock. You have a whole bunch of strengths. You also have an assortment of skills. Most importantly you have a plethora of passions. Make three columns on a single page and list them all (strengths, skills, passions). See how much you rock? Make sure others catch you being awesome.

Get some Zzzs. You got a flat tire, the kids have the flu, and all the people you’ve been trying to avoid are phoning you? Girlfriend, you

need to call on your superpower. Go take a long winter’s nap. Practice until you are good at it.

Talk to your inner girl. Everyone else is crushing their New Year’s resolutions, but will they stick? While you are waiting

Most things call for afternoon chocolate.

to find out, why not write a letter to your inner little girl. Think of a challenging time in your childhood. Tell her what you know now that you wish you had known then. You’ll become her favorite heroine of all time.

Cook up some comfort food. Oh yeah. You definitely did not try enough soup, casserole, and bread recipes over the holidays. You were too busy juggling the hustle and the bustle. So now’s your chance.

Congratulate yourself. You did great today. And as a reward, you deserve a generous slathering of thick, scented lotion on your hands, feet, and elbows before bed. Make this your new nightly ritual and go to sleep floating on a cloud of your own essential worthiness. Ah. ❖

Author, journalist, and writing coach Christina Katz likes herself despite a couple of mistakes she may have made once or most days. She has learned, over the years, to hide the chocolate in her home office and give the icy freeze-stare to anyone who dares to try and take it.

Banish the Blues

15 Ways to Take Better Care of Yourself

By Christina Katz

Even if the weather outside is not frightful, the blues can take a parent down any time during the darker months of winter. If you are subject to the holiday blahs, a post-holiday crash, or gloomy moods all winter long, this list of blues-busters can come to your emotional rescue.

1. Be honest with yourself. You’ll bounce back from the blues sooner if you can admit, at least to yourself, that something is bothering you.

2. Tell someone you can trust. Never keep the blues to yourself no matter what the severity. Usually the sooner you share your feelings with a trusted friend or ally, the sooner you experience relief. If no one is available right this minute, write imaginary letters to someone safe.

3. Practice acceptance. There is no point getting angry at yourself. This will only make you feel worse. Instead, admit your powerlessness over your feelings. Everyone has feelings and accepting them no matter what is part of being human.

4. Get plenty of rest. When you feel down, getting enough sleep is crucial although getting too much sleep can work against improving your mood. Determine what amount of

sleep helps you feel energized and set the alarm accordingly.

5. Let the sky hold itself up for a while. Sometimes stress brings on the blues. The first thing you can do to create some relief is let go of every responsibility that is not yours. Make a to-do list and then cross off everything you don’t have to do right now.

6. Ask for help. Don’t be a martyr. People who feel comfortable asking for and receiving help are usually not sufferers. If you can’t speak up, it’s time to shake off any victim tendencies you may have and start standing up for yourself.

7. Address anger. If you don’t believe it is acceptable for you to express anger, that unexpressed emotion will hurt you in the long run. Ask yourself, “What am I not allowed to feel angry about?” And then start letting any disallowed feelings out in a constructive manner.

8. Move some energy. If you are feeling down and not exercising, then this is an easy fix. Don’t think about it too much, just move.

9. Express needs and wants. It’s true that you can’t always get what you want. But you should always be able to get what you need. After you have fulfilled your basic needs, it’s time to start asking for what you want.

10. Take responsibility. If you are thinking that the attention of others should be riveted on what you

Your primary job in life is taking excellent care of yourself.

need and want, that’s backwards. Let others off the hook and reclaim your happiness. You are the creator of a more joyful life. No one can accomplish this for you.

11. Create a prayer practice. You do not have to be religious to pray. Even if you are an atheist, you can surrender to a greater good or a higher power. Turn over everything stressing you, and ask for help making room for good to flow in.

12. Steer clear of complainers. One thing you can’t afford when you are feeling shaky is the company of negative people. Without explanation, let the voicemail pick up, don’t respond promptly to texts or emails, and slacken any volleys of

communication with anyone who brings you down.

13. Stop guilt-tripping yourself. Don’t let anyone manipulate you into apologizing for increasing self-care. Steer clear of those who use guilt to try to control your choices. Your primary job in life is taking excellent care of yourself. There is no need to apologize.

14. Build inspiration into your daily life. Opportunities for daily inspiration abound in the Internet age. Set up daily uplifting messages to your inbox, listen to radio shows, or stream videos that make you feel good.

15. Focus on appreciation. No matter how badly you feel, surely there is something that makes you feel good.

What About the Can’t-GetOut-of-Bed Blues?

If you are feeling so low that you consistently don’t want to get out of bed, it’s time to talk to a doctor and a therapist. A doctor can help you recover your chemical health and a therapist can help recover your emotional health. Schedule regular appointments with both types of professionals until you regain a consistent stable mood.

There is nothing wrong with feeling grateful for a cup of coffee, as long as you really mean it. Notice your appreciation, feel it, share it, write it down. ❖

Find out more about author, journalist, and writing coach Christina Katz at christinakatz.com

Calendar of Events

Let It Snow!

S

now soon will be falling in Lakeport. How can we be so sure? No, we have not become weather gurus. But we do know about Lakeport Blizzard, a holiday event that will manufacture a flurry of flakes. Locals can see the white stuff fly while they listen to holiday music and take in twinkling lights on December 1, 8, and 15 at 6 p.m. in Library Park in Lakeport. Find out more at lakeportmainstreet.com

Thursday 1

FREE Middletown Chess Club. Friendly competition open to all ages. Thursdays. 2–4:30 p.m. Middletown Library. 21256 Washington St., Middletown. tinyurl.com/ym9n6smp.

Ukiah on Ice: Holiday Ice Skating Rink. $10 includes skate rental. Daily thru Jan. 15. Next to Alex Thomas Plaza on School St., Ukiah. cityofukiah.com/ukiahonice

FREE Mendocino Transit Authority Holiday Trolley. Thru Dec. 22. Look for route map & schedule in this issue (pg. 13). Downtown Ukiah. mendocinotransit.org.

FREE Lakeport Blizzard. Lights, music & snow falling in Library Park. Thursdays. Dec. 1, 8 & 15. 6 p.m. Library Park. 200 Park St., Lakeport. lakeportmainstreet.com

Friday 2

Mr. Skunk Magic Christmas Train. Featuring children’s storybook reading & visits with Santa. 90-min. round-trip. $10.95–$59.95. Dogs: $10.95. Kids ages 2 & younger ride on lap for free. Runs thru Dec. 31. 299 E. Commercial St., Willits. skunktrain. com/magical-christmas-train.

FREE Kelseyville Christmas in the Country. 5:30–8:30 p.m. Parade of Lights: 6:30 p.m. Followed by visits with Santa at Lady Luck Garage. Main St., Kelseyville. facebook.com/ events/1270488417036858

FREE Storytime at Lakeport Library. Stories, songs, crafts & activities. Other libraries will host this event. See lakecountyca.gov for branches/times. Fridays: 10:15–11:30 a.m. Lakeport Library. 1425 N. High St., Lakeport. tinyurl.com/m6xrw5hu.

Annual Festival of Lights. Gardens’ plants illuminated with holiday lights. $10. Ages 16 & younger: free. No dogs allowed. Fridays–Sundays: 5–7 p.m. Thru Dec. 18. Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens. 18220 Hwy. 1, Fort Bragg. tinyurl.com/2p9m5vkz.

Saturday 3

FREE Nintendo Switch Saturday. Mario Kart on Nintendo Switch. Every other Saturday. Dec. 3 & 17: 10 a.m.–noon. Redbud Library. 14785 Burns Valley Rd., Clearlake. tinyurl. com/3a8akmw9.

FREE Saracina’s Pop-Up Holiday Shop. Dozens of local artisans, treats & Saracina wine plus Santa. Free

admission. 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Saracina Vineyards. 11684 Hwy. 101, Hopland. saracina.com/pages/event-calendar.

(Almost) Full Cold Moon Tour. Beverages & snacks. $50. Reservations must be made by phone no later than 3:30 p.m. three days before event. Gates: 4:30 p.m. Tour: 5 p.m. 45500 Lighthouse Rd., Point Arena. 877-725-4448. pointarenalighthouse.com.

FREE Handmade Craft Fair. Handmade quilts, toys, iron works, jewelry & more. Dec. 3 & 4. 10 a.m. Town Hall. Corner of Main & Laurel, Fort Bragg. tinyurl.com/bdhvwjbk

FREE Lighted Truck Parade. 6:30 p.m. Franklin & Laurel Streets, Fort Bragg. tinyurl.com/3839dyen.

FREE Holiday Arts & Crafts Fair. Jewelry, pottery, wreaths, food products, bath & body items & other handcrafted items. Lunch available for purchase. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Greenwood Community Center. 6075 S. Hwy. 1, Elk. elkweb.org/ holiday-arts-and-crafts-fair.

Fort Bragg Toy Run. Sign up: 10 a.m.–noon. Motorcycles start at Rollin’ Dough parking lot (18180

Ocean Dr., Fort Bragg). Music, food, raffle at Lions Club (430 E. Redwood Ave., Fort Bragg): $10 with a new, unwrapped toy & $20 without a toy. tinyurl.com/38j97r6h.

FREE Ukiah Parade of Lights. 6–7 p.m. State St. between Low Gap Rd. & Alex Thomas Plaza. Ukiah. tinyurl. com/2vvf2umj.

FREE Pajama Storytime. Families encouraged to dress kids in pajamas & bring blankets, pillows, stuffed animals, or any necessary self-soothing item. Saturdays (except Dec. 24). 5–5:30 p.m. Ukiah Library. 105 N. Main St., Ukiah. tinyurl.com/ mtm5jctx.

Festival of Trees Annual Tree Auction & Party. Decorated holiday trees & other holiday décor sold.

Proceeds benefit Wings of Hope, grief counseling services & hospice patients. 5:30–7 p.m. Sophie’s Day Spa. 3855 Main St., Kelseyville. lakecountybloom.com/big-calendar.

Breakfast with Santa & Local Artisan Cobb Fair. 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Little Red Schoolhouse. 15780 Bottle Rock Rd., Cobb. lakecountybloom. com/big-calendar

Photos with Santa. No appointment needed. Photos starting at $7. Dec. 3: 3–5 p.m. Dec. 8: 3–6 p.m. Dec. 10: 11 a.m.–1 p.m. Dec. 15: 3–6 p.m. Dec. 17: 11 a.m.–1 p.m. Dec. 22: 3–6 p.m. Triple S Camera. 260 S. School St., Ukiah. triplescamera.com.

Breakfast with Santa. $10–$13. Younger than 2: free. 9:30–11 a.m. Clearlake Senior Center. 3245 Bowers

Ave., Clearlake. lakecountybloom.com/ big-calendar

FREE Christmas in Clearlake. Family Christmas pajamas contest, gingerbread house contest, free face-painting & free horse & carriage rides. Food & craft vendors. Santa’s elves to give out gifts to children, while supplies last. 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Austin Park. 14077 Lakeshore Dr., Clearlake. lakecountybloom.com.

Sunday 4

Northern Calfornia Dreamin’ Holiday Concert. Featuring CoastSing Chorus singing melodies from Iran, Israel, Appalachia & the Americas. Tickets: $25. Ages 7–17: free. 4 p.m. Gualala Arts Center. 46501 Old State Hwy., Gualala. tinyurl. com/3ykymyaw

Tuesday 6

FREE Open Source Design, Artistic Expression & Engineering Club. Open to everyone with an interest in open source & who wants to develop their creative & engineering skills. Tuesdays & Thursdays. 3–4:30 p.m. Willits Library. 390 E. Commercial St., Willits. tinyurl.com/y5wdfdtx

Adult & Pediatric First Aid/CPR/ AED Class. Hosted by Mendocino Parks & Rec. Must sign up at least 3 days before class. $115. 4–7 p.m. CV Starr Community Center. 300 S. Lincoln St., Fort Bragg. tinyurl.com/ mrx593mt.

Wednesday 7

FREE Pajama Movies. Dress kids in PJs & watch a flick. Dec. 7: Polar

Express. Dec. 14: Frozen. Dec. 21: How the Grinch Stole Christmas Donations accepted. Drinks/food for purchase. 6 p.m. Soper Reese Theatre. 275 S. Main St., Lakeport. tinyurl. com/4ya2kd4r

Thursday 8

FREE In-Person Tutor Training. Hosted by Literacy Program Coordinator & facilitated by Lake County Literacy Member, participants will learn techniques for teaching adults to read. Upon completion, tutors will be matched with adult learners in a variety of settings around Lake County. 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Lakeport Library. 1425 N. High St., Lakeport. For information or to register, call 707-263-7633 or email literacy@ lakecountyca.gov

FREE Once Upon a Gingerbread House. Grades 7–12. Make a gingerbread house. Materials provided. Kits are available while supplies last. 4–5 p.m. Rincon Valley Library. 6959 Montecito Blvd., Santa Rosa. Other libraries will host this event. See tinyurl.com/bd333z26 for branches/times.

Friday 9

All Is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914. Musical directed by Mike A’Dai. $15–$20. Dec. 9–10, 15–17: 7:30 p.m. Sundays: Dec. 11 & 18: 2 p.m. Willits Community Theatre. 37 W. Van Ln., Willits. wctperformingartscenter.org

Disney’s Descendants: The Musical. Performed by Lower Lake High School Drama Club.

$8–$10. Dec. 9 & 10: 7 p.m. Dec. 11: 2 p.m. Lower Lake High School. 9430 Lake St., Lower Lake. tinyurl. com/52dbu5ny

Saturday 10

FREE Point Arena Lighthouse Hometown Holidays. Free admission includes free tours of tower & indoor & outside museum plus hot cider & cookies. Gift store sale. 10 a.m.–3:30 p.m. 45500 Lighthouse Rd., Point Arena. pointarenalighthouse.com

Sip & Selfies with Santa. Mulled wine, holiday cookies & Santa. 2–4 p.m. Stock Farm. 13441 Hwy. 101, Hopland. campovida.com/ upcoming-events.

FREE Build It! Ages 2–8. Kids build with a variety of building toys. 11:30

a.m.–noon. Round Valley Library. 23925 Howard St., Round Valley. tinyurl.com/mtpbb9vm.

Seasonal Greetings Wreaths. Make a wreath from locally sourced foliage. $35. Includes materials & warm apple cider/snacks. 10 a.m.–noon. Hopland Research & Extension Center. 4070 University Rd., Hopland. Register: tinyurl.com/yc64aba9

FREE Christmas in Middletown. Local merchants open late. Passport to Fun: collect puzzle pieces from merchants & win prizes. 3–7 p.m. Santa Claus at Library Park (21256 Washington St.): 4:30–6 p.m. Tree-lighting at Library Park: 6 p.m. Downtown Middletown. middletownareamerchants.com.

FREE Christmas at the Ranch. Experience an old-fashioned Christmas. Local musicians, carols, cookies & hot cider & visits with Santa Claus. 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Anderson Marsh State Historical Park, Lower Lake. tinyurl.com/46vr2c9x.

FREE 30th Annual Community Christmas Celebration. Presented by Rotary Club of Clearlake. Everyone invited for a free meal. Gently used-coat, warm clothing & blanket giveaway. Santa will be on hand for photos; elves will be handing out candy & toys. 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Burns Valley Elementary School. 3620 Pine St., Clearlake. lakecountybloom.com/big-calendar

FREE First Annual Willits Truckers Light Parade. Parade Route:

www.gowansheirloomcider.com

Evergreen Shopping Center to Main St. to Commercial. Parade ends at Mendocino County Museum (400 E. Commercial St., Willits). Parade starts at 5:30 p.m. tinyurl.com/5xt5u9h9.

Lake County Toy Run & Giveaway. Motorcycle Run: 10 a.m.–noon. Starts: 9450 Main St., Upper Lake. Toy Giveaway: 2 p.m. at Lake County Fairgrounds (401 Martin St., Lakeport). tinyurl.com/38muunm3.

Pear Tree Center Hometown Holidays. Photos with Santa, horse-drawn carriage rides, food & prizes. 1–4 p.m. Pear Tree Plaza. E. Perkins St. & N. Orchard Ave., Ukiah. facebook.com/ ukiahhometownholidays

FREE Family Art Night. Children of all ages welcome. Led by Julie Karlonas. Make holiday ornaments & enjoy refreshments. Materials provided. 3–4:30 p.m. Mendocino Art Center. 45200 Little Lake St., Mendocino. mendocinoartcenter.org.

Sunday 11

FREE Makers & Bakers Holiday Fair. Hand-crafted items from local vendors plus baked goods. Noon–5 p.m. Caspar Community Center. 15051 Caspar Rd., Caspar. casparcommons.org.

Paris Quartet. Music for harpsichord, viola da gamba, flute & violin. $25. 17 & younger: free. 3 p.m. Mendocino Presbyterian Church. 44831 Main St., Mendocino. symphonyoftheredwoods. org/opus.php.

Saturday 17

FREE Kids Craft Time. Supplies provided. First & third Saturdays. 11 a.m.–noon. Fort Bragg Library.

499 E. Laurel St., Fort Bragg. fortbragglibrary.org

FREE Wreaths Across America. There will be ceremonies across America to honor veterans. Local events take place at the following cemeteries: Cloverdale, Mendocino, Hopland, Kelseyville, Middletown, Lower Lake & Russian River (Ukiah), & Cemetery District of the Redwoods (Willits). 9 a.m. Cemetery locations: tinyurl.com/m7cbr4p2

FREE Ukiah WinterFest. Craft vendors, activities & food. 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Downtown Ukiah. tinyurl.com/ ynj6vdcd

Sunday 18

Christmas Sing-Along. Carols, cider & cookies. Euphonium ensemble. First Presbyterian Church. 514 W. Church St., Ukiah. fpcukiah.org.

Christmas Celebration Concert. Performance by Lake County Symphony. $25–$30. 2 p.m. (Dress rehearsal: 11 a.m.; $5, ages 17 & younger, free.) Soper Reese Theatre. 275 S. Main St., Lakeport. soperreesetheatre.com

Happy Holidays

FREE Wings of Hope Family Support. Fun & meaningful family activities, food & discussion about grief & healing. Held third Wed. of each month. 5–7 p.m. Hospice Services Bereavement Center. 1862 Parallel Dr., Lakeport. To learn more or reserve spot, call 707-263-6222, ext. 130.

Saturday 31

New Years Eve Kids’ Night Out. Drop off kids. Open to ages 6–teen. 7 p.m.–12:30 a.m. CV Starr Community Center. 300 S. Lincoln, Fort Bragg. Sign up: tinyurl.com/bdf8rbxu.

New Year’s Eve Party with L. C. Diamonds. Konocti Vista Casino presents a New Year’s Eve Gala. 9 p.m.–12:30 a.m. Konocti Harbor Resort. 8727 Soda Bay Rd., Konocti. lakecountybloom.com.

‘New York’ New Year’s Eve Party. Bassics Quartet plays live music. 6–9 p.m. Celebrate New Year at 9 p.m. when the ball drops in New York City. Blue Wing Restaurant. 9520 Main St., Upper Lake. Reservations required: 707-275-2233. tallmanhotel.com

Tiny Teachers

Kids Bring Us Holiday Lessons

By Jessica Guerrieri

Too many mom-friends have declared defeat.

They would rather entirely forgo putting up the Christmas tree rather than spend the holidays playing an elaborate game of keep-away between the toddler and the sparkly family heirloom choking hazards (I mean, ornaments).

After all, they say, the holidays should not be a hostage negotiation. I, however, refuse to let a tiny human who still needs help wiping her own butt dictate my world.

I intentionally married an engineer so that whenever we faced these décor and other safety hazards, my husband would always come up with a creative and ingenious solution. (Also, I knew that, between his mathematical prowess and my sassy, poetic genius,

we’d spawn the gene pool’s most well rounded offspring.) To wit:

Our vertical “death stairs” have become a functional slide.

Our four-cornered “stitches or staples” concrete fireplace (so named for the type of sutures that would be required if someone went headfirst into it) has become a soft toy chest/loveseat.

And what would have been the plastic eyesore otherwise known as a baby gate has become a Joanna Gaines–inspired, Pinterest-worthy barn door. But my husband’s masterpiece was the aesthetically pleasing barrier he made to keep then-baby Charlotte away from our first family Christmas tree. I’ll never forget it. It was a baby gate of sorts, constructed from wood wrapped in wrapping paper. The idea was that it would resemble giant

presents surrounding the tree. But its real purpose, of course, was to keep Charlotte away from ornaments and other dangers.

While he was building the glorious contraption out in the garage, I took Charlotte over to the tree to begin the tedious task of teaching her to look but not touch.

She had yet to express any real fears at that point. She went to anyone, laughed when our dogs pretended to wrestle, and, if I let her, would body-surf down the stairs (hence the slide-stairs idea).

Charlotte went to touch the tree like Sleeping Beauty did the spindle. Immediately, she jerked her hand back, cried out, and rushed for my lap. By this point, my husband was three-hours deep into MacGyver-mode, and I didn’t have the heart to say that the whole project might not be necessary.

So Charlotte and I retreated to the living room, which had enough toys to rival Santa’s workshop, only for her to make a beeline for the bathroom to play with the toilet paper roll.

The entire situation was a perfectly wrapped, carefully constructed metaphor for what the holiday season is like for children and parents everywhere. The presents ignored in favor of toilet paper, and the no-longer-needed thing that took hours to make, teach us that the real gifts we give each other are not things but lessons. And our teachers are the ones still figuring out the location of their butts.

Jessica Guerrieri is a mom, humorist, and writer. Find her at witandspitup. com and on Instagram @witandspitup.

It’s Raining Gelt!

Gelt, gelt, everywhere! The holiday treat will literally fall from the sky at the Chabad Jewish Center of Petaluma’s Chanukah Celebration. How? A drone will drop the little gold-foiled chocolate coins through the air and into the hands of eager children below. The celebration will also feature a mega nine-foot menorah, the world’s largest dreidel, a live DJ spinning Chanukah music, fire juggling, and latkes and jelly donuts. It all happens on December 18, 4:30–6 p.m., at the SonomaMarin Fairgrounds in Petaluma. The event is free, but tickets are required; RSVP at tinyurl.com/33kcdcak

Redwood

All Lit Up & Ready to Roll

An 18-wheeler is a formidable force on the highway. But what do the big rigs like to do after the day’s driving is done? Get dressed up in Christmas lights! In Mendocino County, there will be a couple of places to see decorated trucks. The Fort Bragg Lighted Truck Parade is one. Part of the Winter Wonderland celebration, the parade will be held on December 3 at 6:30 p.m. in downtown Fort Bragg. Find out more at tinyurl.com/3839dyen. The Willits Truckers Parade will be held on December 10 at 5:30 p.m. and will start at the Evergreen Shopping Center on Main Street in Willits. See tinyurl.com/4ynt9n8y for the complete route. Meanwhile, the Ukiah Parade of Lights, part of Ukiah’s Hometown Holidays, will feature all kinds of illuminated vehicles and floats. See it on December 3 at 6 p.m. on State Street in Ukiah. Go to tinyurl.com/mpdw796r for more information.

Hometown Holidays