Mendo Lake Family Life February 2022 by familylifemag

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February 2022

Hypnosis for Kids Interview with MD

V-Day Fun 14 kids’ activities

Dental Care Help little ones brush

Muffin Magic Yummy treat

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Ukiah Unified School District

2022-23 Kindergarten &

Transitional Kindergarten

Registration Opens January 5

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

youneed needhelp helpwith withregistration, registration, or or access If Ifyou access to toaacomputer, computer,contact contactyour yourschool’s school’soffice. off ice.

Calpella CalpellaElementary Elementary 151 Moore 151MooreStreet Street 1060 472-5630 472-5630

Frank ZeekElem Elementary Frank Zeek entary 1060 Bush Street 1060 Bush Street 472-5100 472-5100

Grace Elementary GraceHudson Hudson Elem entary 251 Jefferson Lane 251Jefferson Lane 472-5460 472-5460

Nokomis Elementary Nokomis Elementary 495 Washington Avenue 495 Washington Avenue 472-5550

Oak Manor Elementary Oak Manor Elementary 400 Oak Manor Drive 400 Oak Manor Drive 472-5180

Yokayo Elementary Yokayo Elementary 790 S. Dora Street 790 S. Dora Street 472-5690

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Deadline Kindergartenregistration: registration: February 17, 2022 DeadlineforforGrace GraceHudson Hudson Kindergarten February 17, 2022 Deadline school choice: March 2022 Deadlinefor forregistration registrationatatyour your elementary elementary school of of choice: March 25, 25, 2022

Children age5 5bybySeptember September 1, 1, 2022, will enroll indergarten. Children age 2022, will enrollin inKKindergarten. Childrenturning turning 5 5 between between S eptember 22and 2, 2, 2023, Children September andFebruary February 2023, can enrollininour ourTransitional Transitional K indergarten Program . can enroll Kindergarten Program.

February 2022

Every Issue

Dear Reader

Cooking with Kids Muffin Magic

A Midsummer Night Redux Tri-Tip for Your Valentine

Features 10 Hypnosis for Kids How one doctor helps kids regulate emotions.

12 Make Kids’ Hearts Happy Stay-at-home ideas for celebrating V-Day.

14 Connected Couples Nonsexual ways to get close.

Crazy for Crab

Nine ways to help your little one prepare for school.

Party Like It’s 1929

18 Time to Brush! 20 Every Mom Needs a Butler A fantasy helps a mother take better care of herself.

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Celebrate Black History Month

16 Kindergarten Cool

How to encourage tots to take care of their teeth.

February 2022

Bits and Pieces

Talk on Tavernier Painting

Crafting with Kids Earth-Friendly Valentines

Calendar of Events

28 Humor Break Hand Over Your Candy!

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Dear Reader

t’s the time of year when we celebrate love. And in these pages, it’s all about Sharon Gowan familial love— Publisher/Editor Sharon@family-life.us and romantic love, too. When couples have kids, they may find the passion dial is turned to Low. But that doesn’t mean they can’t get close, says Pam Moore. Read her “Connected Couples” (page 14) for a list of nonsexual ways to build intimacy. For kids, Valentine’s Day means paper hearts and candy. Unfortunately, glitter and glue aren’t the best for the planet.

So turn to “Earth-Friendly Valentines” (page 22) for instructions on how to make missives that keep the environment safe. And then check out “Make Kids’ Hearts Happy” (page 12) for even more children’s activities. For mom-humorist Cheryl Maguire, shepherding little ones through Valentine’s Day is not a bowl of cherries. Perhaps you can relate? Read her “Hand Over Your Candy!” (page 28) for a stress-reducing laugh. Happy Valentine’s Day!

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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 Leanne Brown Christina Katz Cheryl Maguire Kerrie McLoughlin Pam Moore Jill Morgenstern Sandy Sandler

Billing Jan Wasson-Smith

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

WHAT NOW? MY CHILD HAS RECEIVED A DIAGNOSIS…

FEBRUARY 23 • 3:30 PM-4:30 PM • VIA ZOOM CLICK HERE TO REGISTER Please join Dr. Sprout as she listens and guides you on this journey from grief to hope and discusses how to care for yourself as you love and care for your child. Time will be provided to answer your questions and discuss your concerns. All are welcome—whether you are in your “first 100 days” or “new year/new worry.”

Redwood Coast Regional Center Serving Lake, Mendocino, Del Norte, and Humboldt Counties Respecting Choice in the Redwood Community

www.redwoodcoastrc.org This presentation is provided by Redwood Coast Regional Center and funded through the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) FAST Grant in Partnership with the California Department of Developmental Services. Redwood Coast Regional Center is solely responsible for the content of this presentation. The Department of Developmental Services has not developed, reviewed, endorsed, or approved the contents.

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February 2022

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Cooking with Kids

Muffin Magic

Whip Up a Kid-Friendly Snack By Leanne Brown

wasn’t sure I was going to put these muffins in my book Good Enough until I served one to my two-year-old and she shimmied her shoulders and said “So yummy!” and “So good!” over and over again. I mean, it’s the law now. Everyone has to have these. Zucchini adds texture and moisture, and these muffins have an incredibly floral, bright, sweet aroma and flavor. My senses always feel dull and far away in the morning, and these muffins smell and taste like stepping into a quiet garden, with the gentle breeze on your skin bringing a light scent. They gently and lovingly awaken your senses to the undeniable truth: They are so yummy. ¶ Excerpted from Good Enough: A Cookbook by Leanne Brown, illustrations by Allison Gore. Workman Publishing © 2022. Leanne Brown, one of Forbes’ 30 Under 30, is the author of Good Enough: A Cookbook (Workman Publishing, 2022) and the New York Times bestselling Good and Cheap: Eat Well on $4/Day (Workman Publishing, 2015). Find her at leannebrown.com.

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Zucchini, Pistachio, and Lemon Muffins 1 cup grated zucchini ½ cup ground pistachios (see note) ½ cup sugar Zest of 1 lemon 1 large egg ½ cup plain yogurt 1 cup all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon baking soda ½ teaspoon fine sea salt Note: Take a heaping half-cup of shelled pistachios and grind them in your food processor, adding more until you get a half-cup ground. I like them to be crumbly but not powder-fine. 1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a standard 12-cup muffin pan with silicone or paper liners. Note: I highly recommend investing in silicone molds if you bake muffins

February 2022

or cupcakes often. They are reusable so you cut down on waste.

2. Place the zucchini, ground pistachios, sugar, lemon zest, egg, and yogurt in a large bowl and mix well. 3. Place the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl and whisk to combine. 4. Sprinkle the flour mixture over the zucchini mixture and gently mix until the flour is just incorporated. Don’t overmix, or the muffins won’t be as tender. 5. Fill each muffin cup about three-quarters of the way full with batter. Bake until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes. Let the muffins cool to room temperature before enjoying. Store them in a sealed container at room temperature for up to 4 days. Makes 12 muffins

MendoLakeFamilyLife 7

Bits & Pieces

A Midsummer Night Redux wo years ago, just four days before opening night, the COVID-19 pandemic put the kibosh on the Mendocino College production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. This past fall, director Reid Edelman reconvened the original cast, replacing some who had moved on. The costumes were modified and the set reassembled. And now, the cast of 24 local players is ready to perform Shakespeare’s famous comedy at Mendocino College in Ukiah. Performances begin with a “pay what you wish” preview on February 3 at 7:30 p.m. Additional shows will be held at 7:30 p.m. on February 4–5 and 10–12, and at 2 p.m. on February 13. Admission is $20 or $15 for students and seniors; tickets for the February 10 show are $10 for everyone. Purchase tickets at the Mendocino Book Company in Ukiah, online at artsmendocino.org, and at the door. A mask, valid ID, and proof of full vaccination will be required to enter the theater. ¶

ILENA YERU PEGAN

Midsummer Night’s Dream

Tri-Tip for Your Valentine

as the pandemic put a damper on Valentine’s Day dinner plans? The Ukiah Senior Center in Ukiah may have a solution: a drive-thru tri-tip dinner. On February 14, 1–3 p.m., stop by the center and pick up a preordered meal for four, including tri-tip, baked potatoes, salad, chocolate truffles, and a bottle of local wine. Tickets are $60. For more information, call 707-462-4343. ¶

Celebrate Black History Month

Audre Lorde

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he late renowned American author James Baldwin was known for exploring race in his essays, novels, plays, and poems. The 2016 documentary I Am Not Your Negro, based on Baldwin’s unfinished manuscript, Remember This House, continues this exploration as it looks at the history of racism in America. Directed by Raoul Peck and narrated by Samuel L. Jackson, the film was nominated for an Academy Award and won the BAFTA award for Best Documentary. Sonoma County Library cardholders can watch it for free via Kanopy. Then they can come to an online adult discussion group on February 24 and March 24, 6–7 p.m., to share their thoughts about it. Sign up at tinyurl.com/2p9ese6m. The screening is part of the library’s celebration of Black History Month. Additional virtual events include a discussion of Audre Lorde’s Sister Outsider at the Queer Book Club (ages 18 and older) on February 9 at 6 p.m.; and African and African American Folktales with Kirk Waller (for grades K–6) on February 16 at 10:30 a.m. Throughout the year, the Read BIPOC Book Club discusses books by authors who are Black, indigenous, or people of color. For more information, go to events.sonomalibrary.org. ¶

February 2022

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Crazy for Crab

iving by the ocean has its advantages, and many would say that eating fresh local crab is one of them. The Lakeport Rotary ’50s Drive-Thru Crab Feed will offer plenty of the celebrated crustaceans. Sixty-five dollars will garner two pounds of cracked crab and one pound of shrimp; clam chowder, butter warmers, and local wine may be purchased for additional fees. Besides food, the event will feature a display of vintage cars, and ’50s-style dancers will bee-bop around the drive-thru area. The feed will be held on February 19, 4:30–6 p.m., at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Lakeport. To purchase tickets, go to lakeportrotary.org or call Faith Hornby at 707-349-3533. ¶

Party Like It’s 1929

runk-driving fatalities can turn high school parties into tragedy. In an aim to keep students safe, the Clearlake Oaks Moose Lodge will host a sober graduation party for the class of 2022. To raise funds for the event, the Lodge is hosting a Roaring ’20s party, featuring a barbecue dinner, silent auction, and live music by Howard Dockens. Roaring twenties costumes are optional. The soirée happens at the Moose Lodge in Clearlake Oaks on February 12, 6–10 p.m. Tickets are $40 per person and $70 per couple. For more information, contact Kristina Felder at 707-295-2099. ¶

Talk on Tavernier Painting

n 1878, the French painter Jules Tavernier completed Dance in a Subterranean Roundhouse at Clear Lake, California. The painting depicts

Tavernier’s Dance in a Subterranean Roundhouse at Clear Lake, California

an Elem Pomo ceremonial dance, part of a cultural exchange between the Elem Pomo and those associated with Sulphur Bank Quicksilver Mining Company. The mine, operating on Elem Pomo ancestral lands, would end up contaminating Clear Lake with mercury. After 140 years, the painting has returned to California, specifically to the de Young Museum in San Francisco, where, until April, it will hang in an exhibit. For those who can’t make it to San Francisco, a life-size replica will be on display at the Ely Stage Stop and Country Museum in Kelseyville. On February 12 at 1 p.m. archaeologist John Parker and Elem Cultural Leader Robert Geary will give a free talk about the cultural significance of the painting. Visit elystagestop. com to learn more about the talk. Go to deyoung.famsf.org/exhibitions/ jules-tavernier for details about the de Young exhibit. ¶

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February 2022

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location, you want to use all of your senses: What can you see, and hear, smell, and feel, and touch and taste? By imagining using all of your senses, it becomes more real and has a bigger effect on your emotions. FL: So when you are under hypnosis, you can use affirming statements to “program” yourself to think differently. But it also sounds like you don’t have to be in a hypnotic trance to do this.

Hypnosis for Kids An Interview with Ran Anbar, MD

or more than 20 years, Ran Anbar, MD, FAAP, a board certified pediatric pulmonologist, has offered clinical hypnosis to thousands of patients. He is the author of Changing Children’s Lives with Hypnosis: Journey to the Center (Rowman & Littlefield, 2021). Family Life: What are some of the misconceptions about hypnosis? Ran Anbar, MD: The misconceptions are largely what are portrayed by Hollywood: Hypnosis is mind control. But that is a misconception in that all hypnosis is self-hypnosis. People only do hypnosis when they want to. FL: Are there ways parents can use what you teach to help their kids? RA: Sure. My book is full of ideas for what parents can do. One thing that parents can do easily is to learn to speak in a positive manner. If you say 10 MendoLakeFamilyLife

something in a negative manner, such as “Stop yelling!,” the child focuses on the word yelling and then yells further. So a much better way to instruct children is to say, “Please be quiet.” Tell them what you want them to do, not what you don’t want them to do. To children themselves, I teach, rather than saying, “I’m nervous” or “I’m scared,” say, “I want to be confident. I want to be calm.” If you are feeling unhappy or poorly, imagine going to a calm, happy place, where you might have been or would like to go. When you imagine that February 2022

RA: Correct. The one thing that the hypnotic state allows is that it suspends critical judgment. If I said to an adult, “Calm down.” [The response may be] “I can’t calm down! If I knew how to calm down, I would have done

Kids learn to regulate their emotional reactions very quickly. it already.” But in hypnosis, I’ll say “Calm down!” and the person just says, “Alright.” With young kids, you can just give the suggestion without formal hypnosis. They just accept things. FL: So how can hypnosis help kids experiencing pandemic-related anxiety? RA: My book talks about dealing with COVID. When people become anxious, [it is because] they are thinking anxiety-provoking thoughts: “What happens if I get COVID? What happens if I infect my family members?” The way to deal with this is to shift your thinking. With or without hypnosis, it’s the same kind of mind shift. But with hypnosis it might be easier. Any bad event has good aspects to it. So what’s good about COVID? Well, when we went into www.mendolakefamilylife.com

lockdown, the environment cleaned up. People were stuck at home and got a chance to get to know their family members better. To the kids I was working with, I said, “Oh, you’ve got all this time you usually don’t have. Why don’t you develop a new skill or hobby?” So focus on the silver linings. And as you focus on those things then the things that made you anxious recede and you feel better.

program themselves so that whenever they make the physical gesture—the relaxation sign—they become calm even when they’re not doing hypnosis. I tell them, “When you get stressed, make your relaxation sign and you’ll

FL: And is that what you do in a hypnosis session? Help people focus on the positive?

find yourself calming automatically.” Kids learn to regulate their emotional reactions very quickly.

RA: When I do a hypnosis session I will teach them how to trigger their relaxation response. I will teach them how to associate a physical gesture, such as crossing fingers or making a fist, with relaxation. In hypnosis, they

FL: Would this idea transfer to working with kids who are afraid of needles?

People only do hypnosis when they want to.

RA: Absolutely. When you work with a child you want to find out what their issue is. Kids sometimes don’t like

foreign things in their bodies, and some are afraid of blood. Some kids don’t like to be held down. You don’t hold them down and the problem is solved. In the case of pain, which is the most common issue around needle fear, besides [teaching them] how to relax, you can teach them how to use imagery to decrease their perception of discomfort. Some of the most gifted kids can imagine rubbing numbing medicine where the needle will be, or they can imagine a dial that controls pain perception, that they turn up and down. So you teach them imagery to deal with the discomfort and they aren’t as afraid, or they aren’t afraid at all. ¶ Dr. Anbar works online and in-person. Learn more at centerpointmedicine.com.

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MendoLakeFamilyLife 11

shop for special cards, and mail them. Children love picking out their own stamps at the post office. Depending on your children’s ages, you can address the envelopes for them, or use this as an opportunity to teach the finer points of letter writing. 3. Decorate with hearts. So many items can be found in heart shapes these days. Heart-shaped

Make Kids’ Hearts Happy

14 Family-Friendly Ways to Celebrate Valentine’s Day

By Jill Morgenstern

lthough it may be true that Valentine’s Day is often thought of as a holiday for adult couples, what could be sweeter than Valentine’s Day with your kids? This year school parties may be back in the classrooms, but you can make the day extra special at home, too. Here are 14 ideas to put you in the mood to celebrate. 1. Make a Valentine’s Day charcuterie board. While a simple cheese plate used to suffice, the popularity of the charcuterie board is still going strong. Technically a charcuterie board means a board of prepared meats, but these days anything goes! Why not make a board with cheese or salami cut into heart shapes? 2. Email or snail mail Valentines. Sites such as Blue 12 MendoLakeFamilyLife

Mountain Cards (bluemountain. com), American Greetings (americangreetings.com), or Punchbowl (punchbowl.com) allow you to email fun cards for free. Or for a small charge the Touchnote app lets you send a postcard with your own picture. They do the printing and mailing for you. You can also go the old-fashioned route and make your own valentines (see page 22 for DIY glitter), or February 2022

Kids will love creating their own personal heart-shaped pizzas. balloons or simple pink and red balloons will make your child’s day. 4. Create a Valentine’s Day scavenger hunt. Put clues around the house and let your kids search high and low for a box of candy hearts or similar treat. 5. Have a Valentine’s Day photo shoot. Dress the kids in red and, for props, cut out hearts from red and pink construction paper. Then grab your phone and snap away. 6. Surprise your kids with love notes. Leave Post-it notes of love or encouragement on the fridge, the bathroom mirror, or other places around the house where the kids will see them. For extra V-Day fun, use pink Post-it notes, and/or put the notes together into the shape of a heart. 7. Put up a Valentine’s Day tree. Haven’t taken down that Christmas tree yet? Don’t despair! Just switch the decor from ornaments to hearts. www.mendolakefamilylife.com

8. Break a heart-shaped piñata. (If only actual heartbreak was this fun.) Kids love smashing piñatas. If you can’t find a heart-shaped one in a local store, they are available online.

11. Make heart-shaped pizza. Whether you make the dough yourself or buy prepared dough, kids will love creating their own personal heart-shaped pizzas. Sound like too

9. Play Tic-Tac-Toe. Nothing says Valentine’s Day quite like the “x”s and “o”s in this game that kids already love. Winner gets the number of kisses and hugs on the board.

Put clues around the house and let your kids search high and low for a box of candy hearts.

10. Bake sweets for your sweeties. Pink-frosted cupcakes or heart-shaped sugar cookies are sure to be a big hit. When frosting cookies, use icing to add messages like “Forget me not” and “Number one daughter” to your confections.

much work? Make heart-shaped sandwiches instead. Just use a heart cookie cutter to shape the bread. 12. Whip up pink smoothies or milkshakes. Recipes for strawberry smoothies or milkshakes are plentiful online.

13. Read aloud a Valentine’s Day–themed picture book. There are many, many great picture books that complement Valentine’s Day. Try Mama, Do You Love Me? by Barbara M. Joosse (Chronicle Books, 1998) or Henry in Love by Peter McCarty (Balzer & Bray, 2009). 14. Make chocolate-covered strawberries. These are actually very easy to churn out. Just melt chocolate chips in the microwave, dip the strawberries in the melted chocolate, and then place on wax paper. Voilà! You have a beautiful and delectable treat. ¶ Freelance writer Jill Morgenstern has 13 years teaching experience and a master’s degree in teaching reading.

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February 2022

MendoLakeFamilyLife 13

Once you create a distraction-free space for a conversation, you might be surprised where that conversation leads. Sarah Protzman Howlett, a mom of four-year-old twins, describes a simple ritual she and her husband share. He says, “So tell me things,” and from there they might discuss anything from work to travel plans to politics well into the night.

Connected Couples

5 Ways to Build Intimacy (with Your Clothes On) By Pam Moore

y the time your kids are asleep, your mood is exhausted, not erotic. In theory, you want to connect with your partner. In reality, you’re too tired to make the effort. Sound familiar? You’re not alone.

It is totally normal for your sex life to take a dive when you have kids, says Dr. Jenni Skyler, certified sex therapist and director of the Intimacy Institute. But that doesn’t mean you can’t—or shouldn’t—seek intimacy in other ways. According to Skyler, the definition of intimacy is quality connection and it is essential to a healthy relationship. And while it’s the rare marriage that thrives without sex, she says there are many ways to be intimate without it. Opportunities for intimacy might be less scarce than they seem—if you know where to look. 14 MendoLakeFamilyLife

1. Talking Experts and couples agree that uninterrupted conversation is an excellent way to create intimacy. While the first step is finding a sitter, putting the kids to bed, or scheduling a lunch date while the kids are at school, the second step is just as important: Put away your phones. Says marriage therapist Jill Whitney, LMFT, “We’re so busy replying to texts or checking social media that we hardly hear the one we’re with. This is toxic to relationships.” February 2022

2. Kissing Kissing (with all your clothes on) is something you can do virtually anytime, anywhere—even in front of the kids—and it’s incredibly intimate. I’m not talking about the chaste kisses

Uninterrupted conversation is an excellent way to create intimacy. Mike and Carol Brady exchanged before bed. I’m talking prolonged kissing. Skyler recommends what she calls a “kissing date,” in which kissing is not a means to sex, but rather the main event. Kelly Burch is a strong proponent of kissing. Though she and her husband have always enjoyed it, now as parents of a three-year-old and working opposite shifts, it has become much more important to them. Burch explains, “Kissing only takes a minute and builds that connection and intimacy.” 3. Touching The power of touch is huge. Says therapist Kimberly Hershenson, LMSW, “Whether it’s a kiss hello or goodbye or holding hands, even nonsexual touching builds connection between partners.” David Bennett, a certified counselor and relationship www.mendolakefamilylife.com

expert, explains this phenomenon in terms of neuroscience. “Any form of longer-duration cuddling and touching causes a release of oxytocin in the brain. This is the chemical that bonds couples together. So, any type of cuddling or hand-holding (just make it longer than 20 seconds) will build intimacy.” 4. Engaging Your Senses If you’re not in the mood to be touched, or if physical affection just isn’t your love language, Skyler reminds us, the five senses include not just touch, but also sight, hearing, smell, and taste. She says sharing a sensual experience is an excellent way to connect. This could be listening to music together, enjoying a meal together, or looking at something beautiful. When a couple sits outside

to watch the sunset together, all kinds of good things happen, says Rhonda Milrad, LCSW. “Stress decreases, the parasympathetic nervous system kicks in, neurotransmitters are released,

The power of touch is huge. and your mood becomes calmer. Consequently, you both are more open to connection and communication.” 5. Sharing a Hobby As parents stretched in many different directions and with a “scarcity of resources” as my husband is fond of saying, it’s easy to forget what attracted you and your partner to each other in the first place. Doing a hobby together can be an excellent reminder.

Especially when time together as a couple is at a premium, “sharing something novel helps keep your relationship from getting stagnant,” says Whitney. Julie Burton can attest to this. With two daughters, now ages 11 and 8, Julie felt that she and her husband, Scott, were moving in separate directions—until they started fishing together. It’s never inexpensive or convenient, but “it’s always like falling in love again.” Intimacy encompasses so much more than sex. It’s about connection. While you can expect your kids to ruin certain things (e.g. your sleep), your connection with your partner doesn’t have to be one of them. ¶ Pam Moore is the host of the Real Fit podcast. Find her at pam-moore.com.

COVID VACCINES KEEP KIDS SAFE & THRIVING IN SCHOOL COVID vaccines are safe, effective, and free. 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

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February 2022

MendoLakeFamilyLife 15

Kindergarten Help Your Child Prepare for Cool the First Year of School By Kerrie McLoughlin

y mom always tells me she was a mess when she dropped me off for my first day of kindergarten. She had to go out to breakfast and cry. While it wasn’t a big deal for me, some kids do experience anxiety on opening day of kindergarten, and it’s entirely normal. Letting go of your kids’ hands might be difficult for you, too. But it’s the first step toward letting them fly on their own, and it’s an important milestone. Here are some real-mom tips to make it easier. Visit the school. Steph Dalrymple, mom of one, suggests visiting the inside of the school sometime before the first day. If the school is hosting

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a kindergarten intro session for new students—an experience created just for the purpose of getting kids familiar with the school, classroom, February 2022

teachers, and their peers—don’t skip it. Also, “Play at the school playground a few times over the summer. It helps make it seem fun and familiar. Let them take ownership of ‘their’ school,” offers mom Shari Medini.

Set up a routine for the end of each school day. Find some friends. You should be able to discover some other kids in the neighborhood for your kid to meet before school starts. Otherwise, talk about what it’s going to be like to make new friends at school and what it means to be a good friend. Go shopping. Kitty Fulks, mom of seven, says, “Take them shopping for school supplies and for a few new outfits.” Back-to-school shopping is very important to get kids excited for the first day. A new backpack, water www.mendolakefamilylife.com

bottle, lunch box, shoes, and nap blanket might calm some fears. Talk about it. Reading some books about kindergarten and school is a great way to get kids excited, offers Cathie Maschler, mom of four. Check out On the First Day of Kindergarten by

Don’t talk about how much you’re going to miss your kids in front of them. Tish Rabe (HarperCollins, 2016), and The 12 Days of Kindergarten by Jenna Lettice (Random House, 2017). Hit the high notes. Tell your kid about fun school situations, such as field trips, recess, assemblies,

substitute teachers, new friends, physical education, art, music, and lunchtime. Mom Gina Kennedy suggests even calling the playground a “park,” since it really is like a park at the school.

school then let them go, or go to the classroom then [let them] go in and don’t linger. It’s like sneaking out when you have a babysitter,” suggests mom of four Tresa McAlhaney.

Set it up. Laying out clothes the night before, planning a special breakfast, and packing a fabulous lunch will go a long way toward kicking off a great day.

Talk about what it’s going to be like to make new friends at school.

Watch your emotions. As the first day approaches, express excitement even if you are anxious, and don’t talk about how much you’re going to miss your kids in front of them.

Wrap it up. Set up a routine for the end of each school day that your child can look forward to. Even a daily simple snack and a chat about the day will help the child stay positive and confident throughout the school year. ¶

Don’t linger. “It’s easier if the kids can walk away from you [rather] than you leaving them. So don’t go into the classroom and hover. Walk them into

Kerrie McLoughlin is the mom of five. Find her at thekerrieshow.com.

GIVE YOUR CHILD a joy-

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

AN INNOVATIVE APPROACH TO LEARNING

Outdoor education, blended-learning, native and community school gardens, science, agriculture, technology, engineering, art and math integration, with strong support for multilingual students. A New Free Public School Located In Hopland (707) 744-1485 • www.sanelvalleyacademy.com 1 Ralph Bettcher Dr, Hopland www.mendolakefamilylife.com

TK has been expanded to include children turning 5 by Feb 2023!

Tree of Life Charter

Grades TK-6th

NOW ENROLLING FOR TK-6TH GRADES

Now enrolling for 2022-23

February 2022

FreeMontessori Montessori Free Elementary Education Elementary Education for Children for Children Ages 5 4 3/4 through 12 13 through OPEN ENROLLMENT January For application and more information: 707-462-0913 treeoflifeschool@pacific.net www.treeoflifeschool.net MendoLakeFamilyLife 17

the toothpaste foam run down your chin while making silly faces in the mirror. Keep disinfectant cleaning wipes handy to make tidying up after brushing quick and easy. If you need help getting in the brushing mood, check out this list of fun songs: mouthhealthy.org/en/ kids-brushing-playlist.

Time to Brush! How to Get Kids to Take Care of Their Teeth By Christina Katz

hen I was a kid, I was expected to brush my teeth once a day, in the morning before leaving the house. This habit stuck with me and I passed it on to my daughter. But, according to her dentist, once a day was not going to be enough to keep cavities at bay. So there was only one thing to do— encourage her to brush twice a day. Thankfully, this simple shift has made all the difference. Here are seven ways to encourage your kids to take excellent care of their teeth. 1. Establish a routine early on. Healthy teeth can last a lifetime and repetition helps form positive habits. So be sure to impress on young children that teeth need to be brushed twice a day, morning and night. Keep reminding them as they grow up and don’t be afraid to check up on them. You can’t control your child’s oral inheritance, so emphasize the long-term 18 MendoLakeFamilyLife

cavity-prevention game instead. Help kids understand that they have the power to prevent cavities simply by brushing regularly. 2. Have fun showing them how. Show your kids that tooth brushing can be fun and empowering: Brush along with them. Don’t be afraid to be playful with young children, for example letting February 2022

3. Use electronic toothbrushes. Combining electricity and water can seem counterintuitive at first. But our dentist recommended the Sonicare electronic toothbrush

Healthy teeth can last a lifetime and repetition helps form positive habits. system for the whole family. Now that we are using the system, we all get fewer cavities. If you don’t have an electronic toothbrush timing your tooth-brushing, a simple two-minute timer can help older kids to make sure they are brushing long enough. 4. Supply the tastiest toothpaste. The taste of toothpaste can make or break a good brusher. And, of course, taste is extremely subjective. For example, I detest wintergreen-flavored toothpaste so much it makes me gag. Your child might have a similar aversion to toothpaste flavors, so choose flavors family members like. And don’t worry if you have four different flavors; they won’t cost you any more in the long run and will encourage happy brushing. 5. Let them wiggle. Staring at yourself in the mirror for two minutes www.mendolakefamilylife.com

twice a day is not exactly entertaining. So let your kids wander around a bit while they are brushing. Kids who are naturally kinesthetic may actually do a more thorough job if they don’t have to stand still. As they walk about, they can focus on the sensation of moving the toothbrush all around their mouths. Wiggly kids who are too young to safely manage brushing beyond the bathroom can make up a little teeth-brushing dance to help them pass the minutes quickly. 6. Educate them about the pitfalls of neglect. Initially, focus on the positive; don’t use fear to motivate kids to brush. But down the road, don’t be afraid to leverage disappointing results into an opportunity to motivate kids

to brush more often and more thoroughly. Make sure your kids understand that folks who do not take good care of their teeth can

The taste of toothpaste can make or break a good brusher. lose them to dentures later in life. If you have had any preventable dental work, share some of your dental disappointments with your kids. Encourage them to avoid the same stress and discomfort by taking conscientious care of their teeth. 7. Reward good oral hygiene. Of course, there is more to good dental care than merely brushing

twice a day. There is also flossing regularly and making bi-annual visits to the dentist for check-ups, x-rays, and treatments. Some of the best rewards for good dental hygiene are the simplest ones: biting into a crisp apple, munching newly popped corn, and even enjoying sugar-free gum once in a while. These make good after-dentist rewards for young children who take good care of their teeth. But, of course, the best reward of all is that toothy grin and feeling of pride that emerges each time the dentist announces, “No cavities this time.” ¶ For years, author, journalist, and writing coach Christina Katz believed that she had simply inherited “soft teeth,” until she learned how to take better care of her smile.

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

www.mendolakefamilylife.com

February 2022

MendoLakeFamilyLife 19

me, set everything out without being asked, make sure there was mint and lemon in a cold pitcher of water in the fridge, carry me to bed and tuck me in when I fell asleep reading on the couch. You know, just treat me like a queen—and, in an important point for my particular psyche, this butler would be happy to do it! There would be no judgment or annoyance, just desire to give me the space and opportunity to be my best self.

Every Mom Needs One Mother’s a Butler Self-Care Strategy A By Leanne Brown

fter I had my daughter, Io, I struggled for months and months to find the balance between caring for her, caring for the other people in my life, and caring for myself. For the first many months of her life, balance for me meant complete focus on Io and absolutely nothing for myself or others. This is pretty standard new-parent behavior—that doesn’t make it right or good, but it’s standard. I told myself that I was caring for myself by caring for Io because I wanted nothing more fiercely than for her to thrive. Looking back, I realize I had serious parent guilt. I thought that if there was any moment when I wasn’t focusing on her, I was letting her down. I was putting so much pressure on myself and building up a lot of resentment that ended up being released into my other relationships. My mental state slowly improved as I began to come out of the fog of exhaustion and intensity of early parenthood. I started to notice what I needed: more help, more time to myself, and more time with friends to reconnect to who I was without Io. One day my husband, Dan, asked me to describe my perfect day, no limits. I surprised myself by describing a day with a personal butler. Someone 20 MendoLakeFamilyLife

who knew just what I liked and lived for nothing more than to make me happy. Someone who would follow me around and silently clean up after February 2022

I decided to do an experiment: I would pretend to be my butler and do all the things I wished he would do for me. Yes, I am 100

One day my husband, Dan, asked me to describe my perfect day, no limits. percent about to tell you that playing make-believe helped me take better care of myself. I’m whimsical, okay? I wanted my butler to seem like a real(ish) person so I could fully connect to him. Along came Antonio. My Antonio is an older Italian gentleman with wavy salt-and-pepper hair and twinkly, smiling eyes who wears beautiful suits, sings to himself, and has a gentle, fatherly nature. And, of course, he is paid handsomely and feels valued and adored in return. Antonio loves taking care of me. He is motivated by pure love, never judging my needs as too trite or silly to bother with—unlike what I often do to myself. By inhabiting this persona, I began to practice the art of self-distancing, a technique in which you step outside yourself and observe from a safe www.mendolakefamilylife.com

distance in order to see things more clearly. As Kristin Neff explains in her book Self-Compassion, when you focus on caring for yourself, it allows you distance from the pain you are experiencing. Instead of sitting paralyzed inside the pain, you spend time inhabiting the part of yourself capable of giving care, and that experience is deeply empowering and energizing. From this safe distance, you see yourself as you truly are: a flawed and utterly lovable human being. As Antonio, I could love myself and find the energy to care for myself. I could care for myself as lovingly as I take care of my daughter and partner. Antonio would gladly do all the chores I tended to avoid or felt annoyed or

mendo lake

resentful about doing, like scrubbing the stovetop, washing and properly storing produce after I buy it, and, yes, putting mint and lemon in a big jar of water in the fridge. He always got my bills and other paperwork

Yes, I am 100 percent about to tell you that playing make-believe helped me take better care of myself. done quickly because he didn’t want me to worry about expenses and piles of paper. Being Antonio was a transformative experience. And the exciting part was that I could be my own Antonio simply by not judging

myself for having needs and not avoiding taking care of them. We all need and deserve our own butlers, but being Antonio is not about taking on everything yourself. It is about creating the space in yourself to notice the self-care that you can take on, find the courage to ask for the help you need, and accept that some dirty dishes and undone tasks are a part of life. ¶ Adapted from Good Enough: A Cookbook by Leanne Brown, illustrations by Allison Gore. Workman Publishing © 2022. (See recipe excerpt on page 7 of this issue.) Leanne Brown is the author of Good Enough: A Cookbook (Workman Publishing, 2022) and the New York Times bestselling Good and Cheap: Eat Well on $4/Day (Workman Publishing, 2015). Find her at leannebrown.com.

DID YOU KNOW? HELPS YOU

LOCAL for 30 years

#1 local resource for local families magazine • web • email www.mendolakefamilylife.com

will walk you through the entire process of becoming a child care provider in your home.

have subsidies available to help with child care expenses for qualifying families.

have ongoing training & referrals to help make your child care business the best it can be!

1-800-606-5550 x211 ncoinc.org February 2022

MendoLakeFamilyLife 21

Crafting with Kids

Here’s what you’ll need: • Course (Kosher) salt • Food coloring • Heart card template (tinyurl.com/ye7fncb9) • Cardstock • Recyclable glue (see how-to instructions below) • Craft paintbrush Let’s make salt glitter: 1. Add a few drops of food coloring to the salt and stir to mix. 2. Stir the salt until it is evenly colored.

Earth-Friendly Valentines Spiff Up Cards with Salt Glitter By Sandy Sandler Since plastic glitter is a no-no for recycling, let’s make salt glitter, an eco-friendly alternative. Glitter is made from tiny specks of metal or plastic that are too small to be screened out during the recycling process. This makes it a microplastic. When glitter gets into the water system, plankton, fish, and birds consume it, which is a bad 22 MendoLakeFamilyLife

thing. Animals die from starvation when microplastics collect in their systems. And there is the potential for those microplastics to make it up the food chain and onto our plates. Yuck! Salt glitter is a 100 percent biodegradable, recyclable alternative—and it’s easy to make and use to decorate craft projects.

February 2022

3. Spread the finished salt glitter on a plate to dry completely. Or, if you’re in a rush, spread it on the bottom of an oven-safe container and bake at 350°F for 10–15 minutes. Allow salt to cool before using. Here’s how to make the recyclable glue: 1. Boil 3 tablespoons water in a saucepan. Add 1 envelope (¼ oz.) unflavored gelatin, and stir until the gelatin is dissolved. 2. Add 1 teaspoon glycerin and 1 teaspoon white vinegar, and stir to mix. 3. Store your glue in a lidded glass container. Use the glue while it is warm and liquid. As the glue cools it will set up—just like Jell-O. Rewarm the glue to re-liquefy it. You can do this by placing the container of glue in a hot water bath,

www.mendolakefamilylife.com

microwaving in five-second spurts, or gently reheating with a heat gun. If you opt for the heat gun method, keep the heat gun constantly moving and not too close to the glue. Now, let’s use the salt glitter and recyclable glue to make a Valentine’s Day card: 1. Print the heart card template, and then cut out the card shapes. The phrase “I love you and the Earth. I used 100% recyclable glitter on this card” is on the back of one of the templates, while the other is blank. 2. Add your sentiment or note to the inside of the card. This is easier to do before you add decoration to the outside.

it only takes a few deep breaths.

3. Paint the outside of the card with recyclable glue. You can completely cover the outside, draw a smaller heart, or draw a design of your choice. 4. Cover the wet glue with the salt glitter. Set aside until completely dry. 5. Share your eco-friendly Valentine love! ¶ For more creative ideas, visit: bowdabra.com/ blog. For past broadcast segments with Sandy, go to: bowdabra.com/tv. Sandy Sandler is the creator of the Bowdabra, a QVC bestseller. Her frugal craft projects and activity ideas are designed to transform the creatively challenged into creative pros. Her focus is on creating easy, creative, green projects that parents can do with their kids and that kids can even do on their own.

it only takes The easier way to better health. a few deep breaths. bluezonesproject.com

Down Shift

BR O UG H T TO MEN D O C IN O CO UN TY BY ADVEN TIST H EALT H

Even people in the Blue Zones experience stress. Stress leads to chronic inflammation, associated with every major age-related disease. What the world’s longest-lived people have that we don’t are routines to shed that stress. Okinawans take a few moments each day to remember their ancestors, Adventists pray, Ikarians take a nap and The easier way to better health. Sardinians do happy hour. bluezonesproject.com

BR O UG H T TO MEN D O C IN O CO UN TY BY ADVEN TIST H EALT H

www.mendolakefamilylife.com

February 2022

MendoLakeFamilyLife 23

February Tuesday 1 FREE Make Your Own Valentine.

Supplies provided at self-serve Creation Station. Willits Library. 390 E. Commercial St., Willits. Runs thru Feb. 12. Visit website for days/hours: mendolibrary.org/home. FREE Storytime in Washington Square. Participants must register

& receive a confirmation before being allowed to attend. Masks & social distancing required. Tuesdays. 10:30–11:30 a.m. Washington Park. 21256 Washington St., Middletown. Must register to attend: tinyurl. com/35uz76pd.

Thursday 3 A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Shakespeare’s comedy about love, passion, forgiveness & reconciliation. Masks & proof of vaccination required. General admission: $15–$20. Feb. 3 preview show is “pay as you wish” & Feb. 10 show is $10 for everyone. Mendocino College. Feb. 3–5 &

Calendar of Events

10–12: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 13: 2 p.m. 1000 Hensley Creek Rd., Ukiah. Tickets at Mendocino Book Company in Ukiah, artsmendocino.org & at door.

Friday 4 FREE Nicole’s Test Kitchen: Craft Edition. Nicole makes messes with

fun, online craft projects. Fridays. 2:30–3 p.m. Via live video on Willits Library Facebook page: facebook.com/ willitslibrary.

Saturday 5 FREE The Traveling Toy Library.

Hosted each month in various locations throughout the Redwood Coast Regional Center (RCRC). Families & RCRC providers may check out toys & materials for children ages 0–5. Sponsored by Easterseals Northern CA. Email: earlyinterventionreferrals@esnorcal. org for locations & info. FREE The Adventures of Tortoise & Hare: The Next Gen. Virtual

performance by Lightwire Theater with visuals, storytelling & music. Part of the Clover Sonoma Family Fun Series. Feb. 5–6. Free tickets: tinyurl. com/23nyfk6t. FREE Virtual Poetry Out Loud Competition. Lake Counties’ high

school poets compete in dynamic recitations. 2 p.m. Find Zoom link at lakearts.org/poetry-out-loud. Wrangler Round-Up Dinner & Dance. BBQ dinner, no-host bar,

live auction, raffles, country & rock music. $50/person, $90/couple. 6–10 p.m. Lake County Fairgrounds. 401 Martin St., Lakeport. Tickets: lakecountyfairfoundation.com. FREE Virtual Gathering of Hearts.

For ages 2–8. Storytelling, circle games & puppet play. 10:30 a.m. Go to zoom.us & enter the Meeting ID: 892 4675 6550. mendolibrary.org. FREE Storytime at Fort Bragg Library. Secure masks (ages 2+)

social distancing required. 11:30

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month

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

24 MendoLakeFamilyLife

February 2022

www.mendolakefamilylife.com

a.m.–noon. Fort Bragg Library. 499 E. Laurel St., Fort Bragg. fortbragglibrary.org. FREE Lego Club. Kids design, build & invent with LEGO bricks & DUPLO blocks. Masks & social distancing required. Saturdays. 2–3 p.m. Middletown Library. 21256 Washington St., Middletown. Must register to attend: 707-987-3674. FREE Self-Guided Hikes. Saturdays.

9 a.m.–noon. Dogs are not permitted. Rodman Preserve. 6350 Westlake Rd., Lakeport. lakecountylandtrust.org.

Sunday 6 Chanticleer Musical Performance.

Grammy Award–winning vocal ensemble. Masks & proof of vaccination required. $35. Students ages 18 & younger may reserve $5 tickets in advance by calling

707-463-2738 & providing name, phone number & email. 2 p.m. Ukiah High School Cafetorium. 1000 Low Gap Rd., Ukiah. Tickets: ukiahconcerts.org/chanticleer.

Saturday 12 FREE Whale Watching Adventure.

Sweetheart Sunday. Make a brass heart-shaped, hand-stamped charm or key chain. $25–$35. Masks required. 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Mendocino Art Center’s Avery Deck. 45200 Little Lake St., Mendocino. mendocinoartcenter.org.

Thursday 10 Gowan’s Cider Orchard Valentine’s Weekend. Enjoy cider paired with

chocolate & cheeses. $75/couple. Reservations recommended. 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Thru Feb. 14. Gowan’s Apple Orchards. 6320 Hwy. 128, Philo. (1/4 mile north of Gowan’s Apple Stand). 707-205-1545. gowansheirloomcider.com.

YEARS Celebrating

Two-mile round-trip hike. Event free; parking is $7 or free for Regional Parks members. Feb. 12 & 26. Two sessions: 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m. & 1:30–3 p.m. Gualala Point Regional Park. 42401 Hwy. 1, Gualala. Registration required: tinyurl.com/yckntb24. Public Lecture on Tavernier Painting. Archaeologist John Parker

& Elem Cultural Leader Robert Geary will give a free talk about the cultural significance of an 1876 painting depicting an Elem Pomo ceremony. A life-size replica will be on hand (the actual painting is at the de Young Museum in San Francisco). 1 p.m. Ely Stage Stop & Country Museum. 9921 Soda Bay Rd. (Hwy. 128), Kelseyville. elystagestop.com.

March & April 2022

Science Technology Engineering Math

“Motivating Young Women in Science and Mathematics”

Virtual Events

March 19 & 26 and April 2 & 9 10 am - 11 am

• 4 hands-on Saturday workshops led by STEM women for 7th and 8th grade girls. Others are welcome. • Kits will be available for pick up • Registration opens mid February & closes March 16 or when full.

e ectur Archit

Biology of the Hea

Chemistry of Colorlsanes p

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Flyin

Sparkly M

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YEARS

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as the #1 resource for local families

38 36

For more information and to register:

eyh-soco.org

magazine • web • email • events www.mendolakefamilylife.com

or leave a message: 707-800-9819

February 2022

MendoLakeFamilyLife 25

FREE Studio 127 Self-Care Bazaar.

Heart-centered yoga class, oracle card readings, henna tattoos, hand massages, LED light facials & much more. 1–7 p.m. Studio 127. 127 N. Main St., Lakeport. Full schedule: lakecountybloom.com/big-calendar. The Roaring ’20s Dinner Fundraiser.

Live music from Howard Dockens. Silent auction, BBQ, no-host bar. Roaring ’20s attire optional. Proceeds benefit sober graduation party for the class of 2022. $40/person; $70/couple. 6–10 p.m. Moose Lodge. 15900 Hwy. 20, Clearlake Oaks. Info: Kristina Felder at 707-295-2099. FREE Introduction to Shade Canyon Charter School. A new

Waldorf-inspired, tuition-free charter school is holding a series of meetings. A panel of Waldorf-educated teens will share their experiences. Childcare available with small suggested donation; no one turned away for lack of funds. 3–4:30 p.m. Kelseyville Presbyterian Church. 5340 Third St., Kelseyville. shadecanyon.org. Father Daughter Dance. $12 per person. Any adult/child pair is welcome to attend. 5:30–7:30 p.m. Old Rec. Gym. 213 E. Laurel St., Fort Bragg. tinyurl.com/zjfb4kcp.

Sunday 13 Valentine’s Day Drive-Thru Dinner.

Tri-tip meal for 4. $60. Pick-up: 1–3 p.m. Ukiah Senior Center. 497 Leslie St., Ukiah. 707-462-4343. ukiahseniorcenter.org.

Monday 14 Valentine’s Dinner To-Go. Entrée choices: beef short ribs, cannelloni, or stuffed chicken breast. Order deadline: Feb. 9 at noon. $50. Caspar Community Center. 15051 Caspar Rd., Caspar. Pick-up only: 4–6 p.m. Order: 707-734-0070. casparcommons.org.

26 MendoLakeFamilyLife

Wednesday 16 FREE Wings of Hope Family Support Group. Fun & meaningful

family-friendly activities; discussion about grief & healing. Held third Wednesday of each month. 5–7 p.m. Hospice Services of Lake County Bereavement Center. 1862 Parallel Dr., Lakeport. To learn more or reserve a spot, call 707-263-6222, ext. 130.

Saturday 19 Lakeport Rotary ’50s Cruise-Thru Crab Feed. Two pounds of cracked

crab & 1 pound of shrimp per person. $65. Pick-up times: 4:30–6 p.m. Lake County Fairgrounds. 401 Martin St., Lakeport. Tickets: lakeportrotary.org. San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade. Biggest outside of Asia.

Kearny & California Streets, San Francisco. Bleacher seating: $38–$65. Bleacher seat ticket holders will be required to show either proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test. 5–9 p.m. Map & tickets for bleachers: tinyurl.com/yc8xtruw.

Sunday 20 Concerts with Conversation.

Pianist Steve Lucky & guitarist/ vocalist Carmen Getit perform a mix of jump blues, swing, jazz & music from the ’30s, ’40s & ’50s. $30. Proof of vaccination required. No young children. 3–4:30 p.m. Blue Wing Restaurant. 9550 Main St., Upper Lake. Tickets: tinyurl.com/2p8hnwsr.

Wednesday 23 FREE Zoom Talk for Parents of Kids with a Diagnosis. Dr. Sprout

offers guidance through grief. She will discuss how parents can help themselves while they care for their kids. Q&A period. 3:30–4:30 p.m. redwoodcoastrc.org. See ad page 6.

February 2022

FREE Take & Make Tiger Craft.

While supplies last. Fort Bragg Library. 499 E. Laurel St., Fort Bragg. fortbragglibrary.org.

Thursday 24 FREE Poetry Open-Mic. Teens &

adults are welcome to share poems or just listen. Last Thursday of each month. 7–8 p.m. Registration required. Email: carrm@mendocinocounty.org for Zoom link.

Saturday 26 FREE Virtual Pajama Storytime.

Kids come in pajamas & bring their stuffed animals to this Facebook Live program. Hosted by Coast Community Library. 7–7:30 p.m. tinyurl.com/24u7a7ap. Mendocino County Museum Behind the Scenes Tour. Explore collections

of artifacts related to Frolic shipwreck & 1906 earthquake. Also check out cab of 1916 steam locomotive. Recommended for ages 8 & older. Free with museum admission ($4–$7 or free for ages 6 & younger). Free admission with Mendocino County Library card & on first Saturday of month. Mendocino Museum. 400 E. Commercial St., Willits. Tours available: 1, 2 & 3 p.m. To reserve a tour space, call 707-459-2736 or email museum@mendocinocounty.org. Mardi Gras Festival. Parade starts at Austin Road; ends at the American Legion Hall. Mardi Gras costume & mask competition. Live New Orleans music, Cajun cuisine, kids’ activities. $20; ages 14 & younger, free. 2–8 p.m. Games start at 5 p.m., music at 6 p.m. American Legion Hall. 14770 Austin Rd., Clearlake. Tickets: tinyurl. com/5afsakv4.

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It’s never too early to prepare your child for kindergarten A re you wondering how to help your child get ready for kindergarten? Will she play well with others? Will he listen and follow directions? Will she be able to use the bathroom by herself? If you are asking yourself one or more of these questions, NCO Head Start Child Development Program is the place for you. Our teachers partner with families to help prepare all children to enter kindergarten. Our program’s approach focuses on providing developmentally appropriate experiences that help infants, toddlers, and preschoolers prepare to enter kindergarten. By working with the families and completing observation-based assessments, our teachers are able to create individualized approaches that meet children where they are at. Our teachers provide a nurturing and supportive environment for social, emotional, developmental, and academic growth.

They assess the growth of the children at three different times during the year, sharing the children’s growth with families.

Our program goes beyond education; it provides comprehensive services that ensure children will be ready to learn when they come to school. We provide health, dental, and mental health support services; services to children with disabilities; and support services to parents and guardians. And since children do not need to be potty trained to attend our program, we support the children and their families with potty training. Healthy meals are prepared by our cooks on-site and served family-style with teachers. Our program follows the Food for Thought curriculum, which introduces children to new foods through educational activities and meals. At each site, we have staff who are trained in the Positive Parenting Program (Triple P) and available to provide

education on popular parenting topics. We also help families learn skills, such as child advocacy and how to serve on a parent council, that will help them once their children enter the public-school system. Our preschool classrooms, which serve children 3-5 years old, are located throughout Lake and Mendocino Counties. Our infant and toddler classrooms are in Willits and Ukiah. We also offer a homevisiting program to pregnant women, infants, and toddlers in inland Mendocino County. As part of this program, families visit with our home-based educators once a week and then come together twice a month for a family social and play group.

Start your child’s journey to school success and call our enrollment team at (707) 462-2582 or visit us online at www.ncoheadstart.org today!

Give Your Child a Head Start!

Apply today & begin your child's journey to school success! Find out how we keep children and families safe by reviewing our Free & Low-Cost Quality Preschool! Receive a $16,000 education for your child little or no cost. COVID-19 Health and Safety Guidelines on ourat website.

AlsoAlso providing FREE unique in-homehome services for for providing visits infants, toddlers & pregnant women!women! infants, toddlers & pregnant

Empowering children and families to reach their highest potential!

License #230111843

Applications online: www.ncoheadstart.org • (707) 462-2582 or 1-(800) 326-3122 Applications online: www.ncoinc.org • (707) 462-2582 Applications online: www.ncoinc.org • (707) 462-2582 or 1-(800) 326-3122 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

February 2022

• Ukiah

C E NN TT EE RR SS

✓ 1/2-day & full-day classrooms for ✔ Nurturing classroom experiences for ages 18 months to 5 years children 3 months to 5 years old. ✓✔ Potty-trained not necessary Potty-training assistance provided. ✓✔ Children with disabilities welcome Children with disabilities welcome. ✓✔ Referrals for transportation available Accepting applications year round.

•North Ukiah Ukiah - Bush St.

North Ukiah - Bush St.

Nokomis - Washington Ave. Nokomis - Washington Ave. South Ukiah - S. State St. South Ukiah - S. State St. Peach Ave. PeachTree Tree--S.S.Orchard Orchard Ave.

• Willits

•Near Willits Brookside School at

Near Brookside School at

Spruce St. & Lincoln Way Spruce St. & Lincoln Way

• Lake County

•Upper Lake County Lake - 2nd Street Upper Lake - 2nd Street

Upper Lake - Clover Valley Lakeport - Lakeport Blvd. Lakeport Ave. Clearlake- -Howard Pearl Ave. Clearlake - Pearl Ave. Clearlake - Meadowbrook Dr. Clearlake - Meadowbrook Dr.

••Coast Coast

Fort St. FortBragg Bragg-- Lincoln Lincoln St. MendoLakeFamilyLife 27

Humor Break 3. I know you already have five Valentine’s Day t-shirts, but I couldn’t resist buying another one. Valentine’s Day kid shirts are adorable. And let’s face it: Teens aren’t going to let you dress them up in a “Love-a-saurus” dinosaur shirt. So dress up your

Pinterest is a black hole that will suck all of the hours out of your day.

Hand Over Your And Other Things Candy! Moms Say on V-Day By Cheryl Maguire

ong before your “mom days,” you probably dined by candlelight in some swanky restaurant on Valentine’s Day. Now that you’ve given birth to sweet little munchkins, your “romantic” meal is more likely to involve spit-up or chicken nuggets. And your lips, instead of puckering up for kisses, are probably gearing up to say stuff like this: 1. Thank God this holiday doesn’t involve Santas, fairies, leprechauns, or any other magical night creatures. I’m not sure who came up with the brilliant idea of having magical beings visit kids at night, but I can guarantee it wasn’t a mom. At night, moms are counting down the seconds until they can go to sleep. The last thing on a mom’s 28 MendoLakeFamilyLife

mind is remembering to retrieve a tooth or paint green leprechaun footprints on the floor. So please don’t create a magical cupid that comes in the night. We already have more magic than Harry Potter at our house. Thanks, but no thanks. 2. I just need about ten more hours on Pinterest to find the perfect Valentine’s Day craft, cupcake, and card. Pinterest is a black hole that will suck all of the hours out of your day. Just when you think you’ve found the perfect craft, cupcake, or card to replicate for the 25 kids in your child’s class, you’ll see another one—and then another one and another one. Before you know it, the whole day will be gone and you still won’t have picked up a glue gun or spatula. February 2022

younger ones while you still can. Some of my favorites are “More Spice than Sugar,” “I Choo-Choo Choose You,” and “You Have a Pizza of My Heart.” 4. Rose are red, violets are blue, I’ll give you some candy if you go number 2—in the potty this time. Oh, the joys of potty training on Valentine’s Day! Enough said. 5. Since I wrote all 25 of your Valentine’s Day cards, I think it’s fair to get half of your candy. Not only do you have to write each kid’s name on a valentine, but also you have to lick each envelope and put a candy or sticker on it. If you are lucky enough to have three kids, you’ll have to address and seal 75 cards. Surely all this work warrants at least half of the candy loot, if not more—actually 60/40 is probably a fairer cut. Once a confiscated Hershey kiss starts melting in your mouth, your hand cramp may even go away—until next year. ¶ Find Cheryl Maguire on Twitter @ CherylMaguire05.

www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Marketplace Preschools

Schools

Give Your Give Child a Head Start! C E N T E R S

Free Your & Low-Cost Quality Preschool! • Ukiah Child a classroomsTuition-free ✓ 1/2-day & full-day for Montessori North Ukiah - Bush St. ages 18 months to 5 years Nokomis - Washington Ave. Head elementary South forUkiah ages 5-13 - S. State St. ✓ Potty-trained not necessary Peach Tree - S. Orchard Ave. Start! Hands-on, arts and music  ✓ Children with disabilities welcome • Willits

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

 Promotes responsibility, Upper Lake - 2nd Street infants, toddlers & pregnant women!

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efore 1993, Groundhog Day was just a weird moment when winter-weary people turned to a rodent, named Punxsutawney Phil, to divine whether or not cold weather would last another six weeks. But then came the film Groundhog Day, about a newscaster, played by Bill Murray, who relives the same day over and over again. Then the holiday took on a whole new meaning. Now when we are having a day—or year—filled with tedious, repetitive activities, we say, “It’s Groundhog Day.” And what better day to watch the film that started it all then on February 2? That’s when Coast Cinemas in Fort Bragg will screen the classic flick, at 7 p.m. Purchase tickets, which are $15, at mendocinofilmfestival.org. ¶

Lakeport - Howard Ave. Clearlake - Pearl Ave. ClearlakeLocated - Meadowbrookon Dr.

• Coastnorth end of Fairgrounds Fort Bragg - Lincoln St. PO Box 966 Ukiah 95482

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V-Day Celebration for Kids

ebruary is when we focus on love, and the Ukiah Branch Library and River Oak Charter School hosts a Gathering of Hearts. Because of the pandemic, this year’s event will be online. Make paper-heart crafts at home (see “Earth-Friendly Valentines” on page 22), and then log on for storytelling, circle games, and a puppet play. The event, geared toward ages 2–8, will be held on February 5 at 10:30 a.m. via zoom.us. To attend, enter the Meeting ID: 892 4675 6550. For more information, go to mendolibrary.org or call the Ukiah Library at 707-463-4490. ¶ www.mendolakefamilylife.com

February 2022

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Find critical COVID-19 info plus lots of free kid-friendly activities. MendoLakeFamilyLife 29

NOW AVAILABLE: COVID-19 Vaccine for Kids Ages 5-17 GET VACCINATED TODAY!

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