Mendo Lake Family Life March 2022

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March 2022

Grow a Garden 10 benefits for kids

Ready for Preschool?

9 ways to prepare

All the Feels Mom humor Press Pause Create calm

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March 2022

Every Issue 6

Dear Reader

8

12 Features 12 Dig This How gardening helps kids blossom.

14 Preschool Prep How to ease your child into school.

16 Too Wiggly to Read?

Help your little Energizer Bunny settle into a book.

18 Family Physician or Pediatrician?

How to figure out which one is best for your family.

Cooking with Kids Just Enough Heat

10

Bits and Pieces Gone Fishin’ Ruler of the Sea The ABCs of Scholarships

20 Wisdom for New Parents Sound advice on meeting babies’ most important needs.

22 Press the Pause Button Simple ways to insert moments of calm into your parenting day.

Getting in the Zone Find Your Purpose What’s Waldorf?

26 Calendar of Events 30 Humor Break All the Feels

24 Shamrock Central Stay-at-home St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.

10

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March 2022

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10

Dear Reader

W

hat do parents need most?

Maybe some of the same things kids need. In “Wisdom for New Parents” (page 20), veteran Sharon Gowan mom Christina Katz Publisher/Editor Sharon@family-life.us details the basic components of children’s emotional health, and offers ideas on how to help your new baby, and yourself, thrive.

In terms of physical well-being, choosing the best health-care provider for your family is important. “Family Physician or Pediatrician?” (page 18) aims to make it an easier decision.

Prep” (page 14) will help you ease your little ones into life at school.

Meeting a baby’s every need, choosing doctors and schools—it’s all such serious business. So give yourself a break from time to time. In “Press the Pause Button” (page 22), mindfulness teacher and therapist Eline Snel offers tips on how to slip a bit of calm into your day. Meanwhile mom-humorist Jessica Guerrieri will tickle your parenting funny bone with “All the Feels” (page 30).

And don’t forget to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Read “Shamrock Central” (page 24) for ways the whole family can have some good green fun.

Happy March!

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

In addition to your kids’ emotional and physical health, you’re also in charge of their education. Deciding where to send your kids to school is critical, and picking a preschool is the first step. “Preschool

RCRC PARENT ACADEMY PRESENTS POWER UP PADLET!

Jessica Guerrieri Tanni Haas Christina Katz Janeen Lewis Karen Nochimowski Jan Pierce Eline Snel Denise Yearian

Billing Jan Wasson-Smith

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

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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.

6 MendoLakeFamilyLife

March 2022

www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Kindergarten through Twelfth Grade Emphasizing the 8 Core Virtues & Excellent Academics

This spring...

Keep kids safe & thriving in school

Developing Global Awareness & An Appreciation of One's Inherent Spiritual Wisdom

COVID vaccines are safe, effective, and free.

Kindness Fairness Integrity Trustworthiness Respect Humility Citizenship Filial Piety

The vaccines have not been linked to any deaths in children, In fact, among children age 1-14, COVID-19 infection was in the top 10 leading causes of death from August-October 2021.

For more information about vaccines, talk with your health care provider or visit www.mendocinocounty.org/covidvaccine Enroll Today!

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MendoLakeFamilyLife 7

Cooking with Kids

Just Enough Heat Tasty Chili Kids Will Eat

By Momma Chef

W

hen my eight-year-old son—a picky eater— came home from school one day and asked me to make chili for dinner, I was ecstatic. I knew the recipe had to be kid-friendly (no green specs of anything could be visible), so that was the night my kid-approved chili was created. All my boys love this meal, and that is quite a miracle! ¶

This article originally appeared on MommaChef.com. It has been reprinted here with permission.

Karen Nochimowski, aka Momma Chef, is a mother of three active boys (ages 12, 8, and 5). On her blog, MommaChef.com, find more of her recipes, all of which require no more than six ingredients and six minutes of prep time.

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Simple and Kid-Approved Chili Prep time: 5 minutes Cook time: 20 minutes Total time: 25 minutes Ingredients 1 tsp. olive oil 1 pound lean ground beef 2 15 oz. cans crushed tomatoes 1 15–16 oz. can kidney beans, drained 1 packet McCormick Mild Chili Seasoning Instructions In a large pot, add oil and brown the meat over medium heat for five minutes, breaking up the meat as you stir.

Tips • When serving, add assorted toppings, such as shredded cheese, chopped onions, or sour cream.

• To reduce sodium, try using McCormick Less Sodium Chili Seasoning Mix or 30% Less Sodium Mild Chili Seasoning Mix. • If you like a bit more heat, add ¼ tsp. crushed red pepper.

• If you want to make this in a crockpot, pour oil on the bottom, place the uncooked beef on the oil, and then the rest of the ingredients on top of the beef.

Cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 6 hours.

Pour in tomatoes, kidney beans, and chili seasoning and stir to mix.

Cover and cook for an additional 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Serves: 6

March 2022

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March 2022

MendoLakeFamilyLife 9

Bits & Pieces

Gone Fishin’

C

lear Lake is full of bass, so much so that it’s even been nicknamed the Bass Capital of the West. During the annual Clear Lake Bass Tournament, anglers compete to see who can catch the biggest fish, the daily winner earning $1,000. The heaviest bag of fish also wins $1,000. Meanwhile, the number of people who enter the contest will determine the amount of the first prize; last year’s was $5,500. The tournament will be held on March 12 and 13 at the Skylark Shores Resort in Lakeport. It costs $200 per team to enter. Register and get more information at lakecochamber.com/team-bass-tournament-2022. ¶

Ruler of the Sea

T

he largest animals on Earth, blue whales have massive bones. One rib can be longer than an NBA star is tall. Thanks to a display at an unlikely place—the Fort Bragg Waste Water Treatment Plant garage—Fort Bragg visitors can experience the enormity of these mammals’ skeletons. Whale-bone tours will run at the plant March 11–20 and are free, though donations will be accepted. See tinyurl.com/yckr5bkr for details. For those who’d rather see living whales, several whale walks will happen this March at MacKerricher State Park in Fort Bragg and Mendocino Headlands State Park in Mendocino.

Meanwhile, whale videos will be shown in the geodesic Ocean Immersion Dome at the Noyo Center’s Discovery Center in Fort Bragg. Find out more information at tinyurl.com/43p6y47t. ¶

The ABCs of Scholarships

S

cholarships make a college education financially feasible. But how does one find and apply for them? The 9-Day Crash Course: The Search for Scholarships aims to answer these and other questions.

The free online video course will cover the basics of financial aid, the difference between private and other scholarships, tips on how to write a winning essay, and guidance on filling out the FASFA and CSS profiles, among other topics. The class is not live; participants will receive links to recordings on each day’s topic. Register via tinyurl.com/h43w5ryw. ¶

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March 2022

www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Getting in the Zone

T

here are special places around the world where people regularly live to be 100. American National Geographic Fellow and author Dan Buettner wanted to find out why. What he discovered was a set of attributes—natural movement, nutritious diet, and a sense of purpose and belonging—that make for a happier and healthier life. He created the Blue Zones Project to promote these attributes—and Mendocino County wants in. The Mendocino Blue Zones Project will kick off on March 19, 11 a.m.–3 p.m., at the Alex Rorabaugh Recreation Center in Ukiah. Family-friendly activities, giveaways and prizes, and local food will be part of the afternoon. Find out more at mec. bluezonesproject.com/home. ¶

Find Your Purpose

W

hat do you want to be when you grow up? It’s a question at the forefront of

many teens’ (and adults’) minds. In the free online live class How Can Parents Help Students Discuss Their Purpose in Life, Claremont Graduate University psychology professor Kendall Cotton Bronk, PhD, will draw on two decades of research as she explores the concept of life purpose, why it matters, and how parents can help kids figure out theirs. Parents, students, and educators are invited to attend. The class will be held on March 1, 6–7 p.m. Register at tinyurl.com/yckjsx83. ¶

What’s Waldorf?

Waldorf dolls

W

hen Rudolf Steiner established the first Waldorf school in Germany in the early 1900s, his goal was to create a child-centered educational experience.

The philosophy caught on and now there are more than 1,000 Waldorf schools around the world. Among them is Shade Canyon, a new Waldorf-inspired charter school in Kelseyville slated to open in September 2023.

Those who are curious about the Waldorf approach are invited to a Shade Canyon introductory meeting, which will be held on March 12, 3–4:30 p.m., at the Kelseyville Presbyterian Church in Kelseyville. The meeting is free and childcare will be provided for a small, suggested donation (no one turned away for lack of funds). Go to shadecanyon.org and tinyurl.com/msc5x29d for more information. ¶ www.mendolakefamilylife.com

March 2022

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farms don’t have as many respiratory allergies, asthma, or autoimmune disorders as children who were raised in urban areas. Why? Children who live on farms are exposed to more microbes and fungi in the dirt. Letting children get outside and get in the dirt may actually make them healthier than keeping them tidy, clean, and inside.

Dig This

10 Big Benefits of Gardening with Kids

By Janeen Lewis

M

ost parents want their children to get outside away from phones, TV, and video games, and gardening is a great way to achieve this goal. However, recent research shows that there are several other reasons to start a garden with kids. Here are ten of them.

1. Students who garden score higher on science tests.

Gardening is full of science. Children learn about plant classification, weather, soil, and plant pests and disease. Recent research shows that students who had gardening experiences as part of their school curriculum did better on standardized science tests than students who were not exposed to gardening in school.

2. If they grow it, they will eat it. As a teacher, I’ve taught STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) and have served as a Junior Master Gardener club leader. In these roles I’ve witnessed the “if they grow it, they will eat it” phenomenon. Students love to dig up what they have grown, 12 MendoLakeFamilyLife

and then curiosity gets the better of them—they want to taste it.

Master Gardener Beth Tovi volunteered to mentor students in the garden for eight years at the elementary school where she served as a media specialist. She sees the nutritional and health benefits children gain from gardening.

“With the growing concerns about obesity, diabetes, and even high blood pressure in children, gardening gets them physically active and outdoors.

And children will eat anything they grow—even if it’s green.”

3. Digging in the dirt can make kids healthier. Several studies show that children who were raised on March 2022

4. Gardening strengthens emotional and interpersonal skills. Children who garden learn responsibility, patience, perseverance, and how to deal with disappointment

“[C]hildren will eat anything they grow—even if it’s green.”—Beth Tovi if the garden doesn’t grow the way they expected. How do they collaborate with other siblings, friends, or schoolmates to get the garden work done? These are character-building skills that research shows children reap in the garden.

5. Gardening connects children with nature. When children garden, they gain ownership of what they are cultivating. I have seen my own children grow “attached” to the plants in the containers on our patio garden. As children become more knowledgeable about all the living things in the garden, they are less likely to be afraid of touching the plants, getting soil on their hands, or being near bugs.

6. Gardening helps relieve stress for the whole family.

A garden can be therapeutic. Not that your fourth grader is battling www.mendolakefamilylife.com

traffic, raising children, and feeling the demands of a pressure-ridden job, but even kids can feel stress, and the garden is good for eliminating it. In fact, a study in the Netherlands showed that after 30 minutes of gardening, subjects who had shown stress before they gardened had a “fully restored” positive mood. And if the adults in the family are feeling stressed, and they garden with their children, it can help the whole family feel more harmonious.

Or they may ask, “What is eating this plant?” or “Is this tree dying?”

Once children become absorbed in solving these kinds of problems, they want to do research to find the best answers.

Gardening is full of science.

7. Gardening teaches kids to problem-solve. “When they garden, children learn problem-solving skills,” Tovi says. “They say, ‘This trellis doesn’t work very well. How can we make one that will better support this kind of plant?’”

“They become sleuths, starting in the garden and heading to the computers,” Tovi says.

8. Gardening is a good workout.

Gardening is good physical labor.

Even the most seasoned gym-goer may admit to being sore the day after working in a garden. Gardening involves stretching, bending, digging,

lifting, pulling, and raking. Gross and fine motor skills are used, and even the youngest gardener with simple tasks gets physical activity.

9. Gardening helps children become environmental stewards. When children start harvesting the food and flowers, they realize a garden’s impact on them and their impact on the garden. So it is much easier to teach them to care for the environment.

10. Gardening can lead to a longer life. Studies show that adults who garden in their later years live longer. Instead of living a sedentary life, gardeners get off the couch and are active in nature. ¶ Janeen Lewis is a freelance journalist and mother of two. She loves to teach gardening to children.

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March 2022

MendoLakeFamilyLife 13

and let them spend a few minutes swinging, going down the slide, and sifting sand in the sandbox.

3. Invite others to play. If, for some reason, your children have had little interaction with their peers, invite several children their age over to your house to play. It doesn’t have to be a daylong event; one or two hours is a sufficient amount of time for children to begin learning skills such

Preschool Prep 9 Ways to Get Kids Excited About School

By Denise Yearian

P

reschool is a wonderful time of growth in young children’s lives—a time to broaden their horizons, develop social skills, and ignite a love for learning. To help your children adjust to the new environment and ease into a routine, consider these ten tips.

1. Talk it up. Weeks before preschool begins, prepare your children by using positive and encouraging words. If you drive by the building where they will be attending school, say, “Oh, look!

There’s your new school. You are going to have so much fun there!” Tell your children that they are growing up and this means that they get to spend more time learning and playing with other children their age. If you, as a parent, have any reservations, choose your words carefully. Even from a young 14 MendoLakeFamilyLife

age, children can pick up on what their parents are and are not saying!

2. Stop by to visit. Several weeks before school begins, take your children to the facility so that they can familiarize themselves with their new surroundings. Go as many times as your children need to feel comfortable.

If you know which classroom they will be in, stop by for a visit. If possible, let them meet the teacher and play with some of the toys in the room. Before leaving, take them to the playground March 2022

One of the best ways to prepare your children for preschool is to read juvenile materials about first-day jitters. as toy sharing and peer politeness.

Schedule this time when the children are the most likely to be well-rested— early morning or after naptime. Plan a few activities, but allow plenty of time for free play.

4. Introduce school materials.

Long before formal education begins, your children should become familiar with books, puzzles, games, crayons, scissors, glue, and clay. To ease into a structured environment, set aside time each day for you and your children to work on puzzles together; play games; color; cut and glue various items; and mold things out of clay. Start with just a few minutes each day and gradually increase the amount of time you spend doing it. While you are participating in an activity together, tell your children that this is just one of many fun things that they will be doing in preschool.

Be alert for signs that they are getting bored with a given activity, and stop before they get too restless. www.mendolakefamilylife.com

5. Read all about it. One of the best ways to prepare your children for preschool is to read juvenile materials about first-day jitters. Library shelves and bookstores are stacked high with stories of children and animals that were afraid to go to school. Through books like these, your children will learn that they aren’t the only ones with worries and apprehensions about attending school. Most important, they will be able to see anxious characters make new friends and have lots of fun despite their fears.

6. Establish a routine. If your children don’t already have a daily routine, create one for them. While it need not be as rigid as a day of preschool, structured playtime in the morning, storytime after lunch, and outdoor play at the same time every

day will help your children establish a routine. Consistency is key.

7. Go shopping. Nothing builds excitement more quickly than taking your children out to buy a new lunchbox, backpack, school clothes, or other needed school items. Make a day of it by first stopping by the school, shopping a little, and then enjoying a fun lunch together.

8. Take a dry run. The day before school begins, get your children up and out the door at the time that they will need to be ready for school. If they are attending a morning program, take them for a fun breakfast after they have made the dry run. If they are attending an afternoon program, stop by for a special ice cream cone to celebrate their upcoming day.

9. Watch and wait (if necessary). On the first day, if your children eagerly welcome their new environment, give each of them a hug, and tell them you will be back in a little while. If, however, they seem uncertain, tell them you will stay but only for a few minutes. During this time, introduce them to other children, show them some of the toys and pictures around the room, and help them get settled. When the time limit is up, give each of them a hug, reassure them of your love, and leave quickly.

Although there may be tears, your children will more than likely stop crying and start enjoying themselves soon after you leave. ¶ Denise Yearian is the former editor of two parenting magazines and the mother of three children and four grandchildren.

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March 2022

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MendoLakeFamilyLife 15

ready for a cuddle. Some parents find that reading during bath time works well.

Too Wiggly to Help Energetic Kids Read? Learn to Love Words S

By Jan Pierce

itting still and listening to a story is a developmental skill that can be nurtured over time. Sometimes young children are just too full of energy to sit and pay attention to a book. They’re like a basket full of puppies needing to wiggle, run, and play. How will you ever instill a love of reading into your energetic toddlers or preschoolers?

Never fear; here are ten strategies.

Play first. Be sure your children get adequate active playtime before sitting down to read. Children will be much more likely to manage a quiet reading time if they’ve “worked out their wiggles” in vigorous play.

16 MendoLakeFamilyLife

Younger children need shorter reading times.

Wait until it’s time to snooze.

Read at naptime or bedtime, when your kids are already sleepy and March 2022

Get their hands involved.

Many parents find that allowing their kids to draw, do a lacing card, build with Legos, or hold something in their hands, such as a stress ball or thinking putty, helps with body management. This is especially true for children who are kinesthetic learners—they need to touch, feel, and keep their hands busy.

Read at naptime or bedtime, when your kids are already sleepy.

Read short stuff. Younger children need shorter reading times.

So select small pieces to read— several short poems or nursery rhymes, or a book with few words.

Make it interactive. Talk about the book’s pictures and ask for responses: “What sound does that dog make?” or “What color is the truck?” Merely interacting with the pages of a book builds reading-readiness skills. Or select books that give kids the opportunity to open pockets, zip up zippers, and touch and feel textures.

Write and read about family members. Make reading time personal with stories about your daily life, such as the antics of your pets and the fun things your family

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DID YOU KNOW? is doing. These homegrown stories will become your kids’ favorites.

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Follow their interests. Children love to read about their favorite movie characters, their favorite sports, their favorite anything. Find titles at your local library and then move to new books as your children’s interests grow and change.

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Talk about the book’s pictures and ask for responses.

Listen to a book on the road.

Try using audio books when driving in the car. Children are a “captive audience” when they’re in their car seats; and listening to audiobooks not only helps to pass the time, but it also increases listening reading skills.

Snacks and games help, too. A craft, snack, or game that is related to the reading topic may help keep the time enjoyable.

Above all, be sure reading is a positive experience. Short and sweet reading times—that’s the solution to the wiggles. ¶ Jan Pierce, MEd, is a retired teacher and author of Homegrown Readers: Simple Ways to Help Your Child Learn to Read. Find her at janpierce.net.

www.mendolakefamilylife.com

HEY MOM, GIVE US A SHOUT! We want to know what you think.

• What did you like in this issue?

• What do you want to see more or less of?

• Know a teacher, coach or special person that makes local family life better?

• Know of an upcoming event or fun family outing?

• Want to write stories, recipes, or blog for Family Life?

e-mail melissa@family-life.us March 2022

MendoLakeFamilyLife 17

retake that exam or participate in the Family Medicine Certification Longitudinal Assessment every ten years to stay certified.

So, how do you choose? Choose a pediatrician if:

Family Physician or Pediatrician?

Who Should Be Your Kids’ Doc?

By Tanni Haas

A

n important decision that all parents face is choosing between a family doctor and a pediatrician. How do you decide which type of physician is right for you, since both are qualified to take care of your kids? Let’s look at each in turn.

Pediatricians are primary care physicians who specialize in kids’ physical and mental health. They spend four years in medical school and complete an additional three years of pediatric residency to become pediatricians. A boardcertified pediatrician is someone who’s passed the exam of the American Board of Pediatrics. They have to retake that exam every five years to remain certified.

18 MendoLakeFamilyLife

Family doctors are also primary care physicians but, unlike pediatricians, they do their medical residency in multiple areas, including general surgery, emergency medicine, obstetrics, and also pediatrics. This training qualifies them to treat patients of all ages. They become certified by passing the exam of the American Board of Family Medicine and must March 2022

You’re looking for specialized care for your kids. Pediatricians are trained to diagnose and treat all kinds of childhood illnesses. For these reasons, pediatricians can take care of your kids all the way from infancy to their teens.

A family doctor knows the medical history of each individual family member.

You want a physician with expertise in child development. If you have concerns that your kids may have certain developmental delays, a pediatrician would be a good choice.

You want a physician who’s good at relating to kids. Pediatricians are experienced at interacting with young people. They can identify symptoms kids have a hard time expressing, and they know how to speak with kids at their level.

You like a kid-friendly office environment. Pediatricians often have warm and cozy offices that are furnished with kid-size furniture, books, and toys. If your kids are apprehensive around strangers and need a lot of comfort to relax, choose a pediatrician.

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ENJOYING OUR MAGAZINE? Pediatricians are great, and so are family doctors. Choose a family doctor if:

mendo lake FREE!

You like your physician to know your entire family’s medical history. A family doctor knows the medical history of each individual family member and has all the relevant medical records.

This is especially useful when certain hereditary conditions or illnesses run in your family.

Pediatricians are experienced at interacting with young people.

You like your physician to be well-rounded. A family doctor is exposed to all kinds of ailments during their years of practice. So, if you like your physician to be able to diagnose and treat a variety of illnesses, a family doctor is well-suited for this role.

You like to have one place to go when someone in your family gets sick.

Should two or more of your family members get sick, say with the flu, it’s convenient to have a single place to go together instead of having to drive around town to several medical offices.

You’d like your kids to continue seeing the same physician when they grow up.

Unlike a pediatrician who typically stops seeing patients when they turn 18–21, a family doctor will continue to see your kids when they become adults, assuring a continuity of care. ¶

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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Tanni Haas, PhD, is a college communications professor.

www.mendolakefamilylife.com

March 2022

MendoLakeFamilyLife 19

future ability to experience pleasure and intimacy, and create healthy relationships, hinges on getting their emotional needs met in infancy and beyond.

Wisdom for New Parents Six Things Every Baby Needs To Thrive

By Christina Katz

F

rom the moment your babies are conceived, you are bombarded with messages about buying their wholeness.

But children need your presence more than they need your presents. And babies are not the only ones with needs. Every person on the planet, including you, longs for the following six experiences. By identifying the desires you have in common with your baby, you can become a more mindful parent.

1. Solid Sense of Security Every baby needs to feel wanted. They need to feel that their primary caregivers are taking care of their every need.

become a perfect parent; your goal is to have enough support to feel secure, so you can pass on the quality of rootedness to your child.

You need to make sure you feel grounded, too. The key is to know how to manage tension. Use stress-reduction tools such as taking a walk, meditating, or taking deep breaths. Remember, your goal is not to

2. Natural Flow of Emotions Every baby expresses a range of feelings. If only positive feelings are allowable and negative feelings are discouraged, babies lose their natural emotional equilibrium. Children’s

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March 2022

No one is asking you to be emotionally perfect. But try to process your emotions so you feel available for your babies’ needs. Find someone to talk to about your feelings. Or express yourself through journaling, doodling, painting, or another artistic practice.

3. Feelings of Worthiness Every baby needs to feel valued.

According to therapist Tamara Hill, children develop their identity based on feeling valued, loved, heard, and

Why not let your child’s imaginative play lead you to places you might not otherwise go? respected. So go ahead and cheer for your children’s latest, age-appropriate accomplishments. You are not spoiling your babies; you are motivating them to tackle the next challenge.

Of course, parents need encouragement as well. Make an agreement with your partner to encourage each other. Try laughing about how exhausted, overwhelmed, and under-assisted you feel, instead of taking it out on each other. Watching funny sitcoms can be comforting, especially when they reflect where you are in your parenting adventure.

Keeping a sense of humor can help you feel worthy of support during challenging times.

4. Giving & Receiving Love To love and be loved makes us human. www.mendolakefamilylife.com

So don’t ever worry about spoiling an infant because, according to medical professionals, it’s not possible. Infants are not sophisticated enough to purposely manipulate adults. They only express themselves to get their needs met.

If you and your partner love the baby but struggle to love each other, get help from a professional or join a support group.

5. Self-Expression Babies make noise. Before you know it, they chant ma-ma-ma, da-da-da, and imitate the sounds that go with specific objects. If you don’t teach your children the basic building blocks of communication, and repeat words back over and

over, they won’t learn as well or as quickly. Get a head start by communicating with your babies as early as when they are in the womb.

Try laughing about how exhausted, overwhelmed, and under-assisted you feel.

A 2013 study at the University of Washington showed that babies begin absorbing language as early as 10 weeks before birth.

Baby talk can get tiring, though, so connect frequently with adults.

Consider joining mom-baby playgroups, exercise groups, or an online parenting discussion group.

6. Access to Intuition & Imagination Studies suggest that imagination kicks in around 18 months. As developmental psychologist Alison Gopnik points out in her TED Talk “What Do Babies Think?,” parents think more like caterpillars and babies more like butterflies. This is because babies are much more willing to experiment and mentally explore whereas adults think more habitually. Why not let your child’s imaginative play lead you to places you might not otherwise go? As your children grow, they will invite you into worlds where you can remember the power your own imagination once held. ¶ Find Christina Katz at christinakatz.com.

LIVE LONGER BETTER

®

SATURDAY, MARCH 19 11AM – 3PM ALEX RORABAUGH RECREATION CENTER Join us to learn more about Blue Zones Project Mendocino County and enjoy family-friendly activities, free giveaways and prizes, local food, and fun for the whole community!

Scan code with your phone camera to learn more or go to:

mec.bluezonesproject.com/community-kickoff

FREE FAMILY-FRIENDLY COMMUNITY EVENT!

www.mendolakefamilylife.com

March 2022

POWERED BY

MendoLakeFamilyLife 21

we don’t always react appropriately.

Instead of listening to our bodies, we seek help outside of ourselves. We get a massage or physiotherapy for our tight shoulders. We take pills for pain or lethargy. We have thoughts like, “I don’t have time to sit down, because my dear son will wake up the moment I do.”

Sometimes we don’t trust what we’re feeling: “Me, tired? No, everything’s fine!” We just keep going. We are brave. And...we’re in a rush. Rushing

Press the Pause Button W

Mindfulness for Parents

By Eline Snel

e are all in urgent need of a Pause button. We, too, would love to lie down on the couch with a blanket from time to time while the kids play by themselves. We just want to rest peacefully without doing anything, without our minds being filled with parenting strategies or guilt! Let’s put some earplugs in our ears instead of always trying to be attentive to everything.

Then what? Then it’s time to start the listening test. Not to test your sense of hearing but to listen to what your body is saying—those signals from your tired shoulders, tender neck, and brain jumbled full of things that would be perfect to do at some point. But you don’t need to do anything right now.

Most of the time, we live too much in our heads and not enough in our bodies, even though our bodies can 22 MendoLakeFamilyLife

You’re not endangering world peace by stopping for a minute. to get rid of difficult emotions, we eat chocolate, go on Facebook and Instagram, and scroll through other people’s posts that say “Look how happy I am.” Whether it’s sleeping pills, wine, making ourselves seem excessively happy, or retreating to our phones, none of it really helps.

Mindfulness teaches you to stop for a moment and start to get in touch with your body instead of neglecting it. It will teach you to get back in touch with this part of yourself that is with you wherever you go.

tell us a lot. If you really listen to your body, you will notice the signals it’s giving you. Like a fine-tuned instrument, your body reacts to a whole series of emotions, such as anxiety, joy, tension, and exhaustion.

Calm Down As my son Oliver races on his balance bike across the living room, knocking over a chair and bumping into everything in his path, I often catch myself shouting, “Calm down!”

These signals are not there for nothing.

They’re speaking to you about how you’re living right now. They make you feel your limits, along with your need for space and a moment of rest. But

Saying this phrase helps. Not always for him—but it works for me! This little phrase helps me understand how much I first need to press my Pause button before I can teach my children

March 2022

www.mendolakefamilylife.com

how to stop whatever they’re in the middle of doing. I say it to myself more and more, warmly, like an invitation, a mantra.

“Calm down. Sit down for a moment, get a cup of tea, and relax your shoulders. You’re not endangering world peace by stopping for a minute.”

It’s not always pleasant to be in touch with our bodies. It can even be a source of tension. But it’s always a good thing. And it’s always beneficial to regularly check whether everything’s feeling okay and working properly. When you know this, you can take account of yourself, ask

Obviously, this isn’t possible when the children or the furniture are in danger, but there are many other moments when it is.

We live too much in our heads and not enough in our bodies.

As soon as I begin regularly getting in touch with my body, I learn to recognize its gentle signals. I learn to feel it instead of neglecting it or getting worried about it. I calm down more often: when I wake up, when I’m waiting in line at the grocery store...or when I’m falling asleep.

yourself what you need in order to remain in good health and stay as relaxed as possible, so that the little warning lights don’t come back on.

Sports and yoga are good ways to, through a certain amount of effort, help you to relax and stay flexible

and in shape. Mindfulness exercises make it possible to release physical tension and restore the lost connection with your body. All you need to do is close your eyes and open yourself up to the signals coming from your body. Visit those places where you can feel emotions or tension: in your chest, around your heart, or in your stomach. Collect information without immediately trying to change it or hope for something. Just calm down... and things will get better. ¶ Excerpted from The Little Frog Awakes: Mindfulness Exercises for Toddlers (and Their Parents) by Eline Snel, translated by Christiana Hills, illustrated by Marc Boutavant (Shambhala Publications, 2022).

Eline Snel is a therapist and runs the International Academy of Mindful Teaching in the Netherlands. Find her at elinesnel.com.

LARGE PARTY ROOMS AVAILABLE

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3144 Broadway St., Eureka 707-268-1100 MendoLakeFamilyLife 23

faces with shamrocks. Wear green beads and emerald costume jewelry from the dollar store.

Create clever crafts. Younger children can easily make shamrock hats and headbands, as well as rainbow-colored jewelry made with pipe cleaners and cereal or beads.

View traditional Irish art, music, and storytelling at stpatricksfestival.ie.

Shamrock 8 St. Patrick’s Day Central Activities for Kids I

By Janeen Lewis

f your favorite St. Patrick’s Day parades or celebrations are downsized this year or you are staying in, have a blast at home!

Here are some ways to make St. Paddy’s Day a hit with your family.

Share the significance. People across the globe celebrate the Feast of St. Patrick, the Patron Saint of Ireland, on March 17, the date of St. Patrick’s death. It is believed that St. Patrick was born in the late 4th century in Britain. When he was 16, Irish raiders captured him and took him to Ireland as a slave. Six years later he escaped, and reunited with his family in Britain. When he became a cleric, St. Patrick returned to Ireland. He is credited with successfully spreading Christianity in Ireland, where he started monasteries, churches, and schools.

24 MendoLakeFamilyLife

Mosaic shamrocks or tissue-paper shamrock sun-catchers are great craft projects.

Go green. St. Patrick’s Day revelers usually participate in the “wearing of the green,” dressing in shirts, dresses, and plaid kilts in shades of green.

Families don’t have to limit green to clothing. For fun, dye all liquids green—think milk and the toilet bowl water. Make your kids lime Kool-Aid or gelatin. Use face paint to decorate March 2022

Mosaic shamrocks or tissue-paper shamrock sun-catchers are great craft projects for older kids. Follow a “How to Draw” tutorial on YouTube and learn to sketch a rainbow shamrock, leprechaun, or Celtic cross. Paint Mason jars green and decorate them using an Irish theme. Light them up by putting battery-operated fairy lights or tea lights in the jars. Make a clover crown with tissue paper or felt shamrocks.

Compose lucky limericks.

A limerick is a funny, five-line, one-stanza poem. English poet Edward Lear made this nonsense form of poetry popular in the mid-1800s, but limericks were probably named for the city and county of Limerick in Ireland. Let your kids try writing limericks. Visit poetry4kids.com (tinyurl.com/2p8tzpzr) to learn more about this poetry form. The website includes a free printable worksheet with limerick rules, and lines for kids to write their own limericks.

Find the pot of gold. Plan a scavenger hunt with clues written on construction paper shamrocks. If someone in the family is talented at www.mendolakefamilylife.com

writing limericks, let them make up the clues. Scatter the clues around the house on a trail that leads to a black pot filled with gold candy coins. Split the candy among all the kids in the family so everyone gets a share of the loot.

Visit virtually. Even if you can’t go to a St. Patrick’s Day parade or celebration, there are still ways to remotely soak up Irish music, dance, and culture. Families can virtually visit Dublin, Ireland, through St. Patrick’s Festival TV, a channel that shares Dublin’s St. Patrick’s Day Festival. (Also see the YouTube channel “St. Patrick’s Festival.”) Visit stpatricksfestival.ie to view traditional Irish art, music, and storytelling. Or visit IB4UD

www.mendolakefamilylife.com

at irelandbeforeyoudie.com and view “10 Virtual Tours of Ireland’s Most Famous Landmarks.” See 360-degree views of cliffs, castles, St.

Make your kids lime Kool-Aid or gelatin.

Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin, and emerald gardens and forests.

Check out lit-up landmarks.

Since 2010, landmarks around the world light up on March 17 for the Global Greening initiative. Famous monuments and buildings that have lit up include Sydney’s Opera House in Australia, the Las Vegas “Welcome” sign, the Great Wall of China, the Empire State Building in New York

March 2022

City, the Prince’s Palace of Monaco, and hundreds more.

Cook up some Irish eats.

St. Patrick’s Day wouldn’t be complete without trying traditional Irish cuisine.

Allrecipes.com has several Irish recipes. Whip up some corned beef and cabbage, bake a shepherd’s pie, try your hand at soda bread, or slow cook Irish stew made with lamb chops or beef. If you can’t make a feast, why not delight the family with a dessert like white-iced shamrock cookies?

Or go decadent with Dublin Drop Cake, Irish tea cake, or Irish cream ice cream. Parents can top it all off with some Irish coffee. ¶ Janeen Lewis is mom to Andrew and Gracie, a teacher, and a nationally published writer.

MendoLakeFamilyLife 25

March

Calendar of Events Tuesday 1 FREE How Parents Can Help Students Discover Their Purpose in Life. Dr. Kendall Bronk, PhD,

psychology professor at Claremont Graduate University, hosts this live virtual event. 6–7 p.m. Register for Zoom link: tinyurl.com/mr4b9kuv.

Blair Junction on this scenic 7-mile, 75-minute round-trip. $10.95–$41.95.

Dogs: $10.95. Wednesdays, Fridays & Sundays: 11:30 a.m. Saturdays: 11:30 a.m. & 2 p.m. Fort Bragg Depot. 100 W. Laurel St., Fort Bragg. Tickets: skunktrain.com.

Thursday 3

Gray Whale Exhibit. Ford House

FREE Just Between Friends Kids’ &

Visitor Center & Museum. 45035 Main St., Mendocino. Open daily: 11 a.m.–4 p.m. mendoparks.org/whale-festival.

Maternity Consignment Sales Event.

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.

Registration required: bit.ly/3gcqlta.

Wednesday 2 Pudding Creek Express. Travel along

the Pudding Creek Estuary to Glen

The largest of its kind in Northern CA. Free except for early bird & pre-sale passes, which are $8–$25. Mar. 3: 10 a.m.–7 p.m. Mar. 4: 9 a.m.–7 p.m.

Mar. 5: 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Mar. 6: 9 a.m.–2 p.m. (1/2 price day). Sonoma County Fairgrounds. 1350 Bennett Valley Rd., Santa Rosa. northbay.jbfsale.com.

Friday 4 FREE MacKerricher State Park Guided Whale Walk. One-mile

ADA-accessible tours. Limited to 12.

First-come, first-served basis. Masks

required. Fridays & Saturdays. 3 sessions: 11 a.m., 2 p.m. & 4 p.m. Tours run thru Mar. 26. MacKerricher State Park. Laguna Point Parking Lot. 24100 MacKerricher Park Rd., Fort Bragg. mendoparks.org/whale-festival.

FREE Lakeport Storytime. Masks & social distancing required. Fridays.

10:15–11:15 a.m. Lake County Library.

1425 High St., Lakeport. Registration required: bit.ly/3gcqlta.

FREE Lakeport LEGO Club. Masks

& social distancing required. Space limited. Fridays. First session: 2:30–3:30 p.m. at Lake County Library, 1425 N. High St., Lakeport. Second session: 3:30–4:30 p.m. at Redbud Library, 14785 Burns Valley Rd., Clearlake. Must register to attend. Call 707-994-5115.

Saturday 5 FREE Self-Guided Hikes at Rodman Preserve. Dogs are not permitted.

Saturdays. 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Rodman

Healthy Kids Need Healthy Teeth.

Visit Your Dental Provider!

2 steps to a healthy smile!

Funded by the CDPH under Contract # 17-10704

26 MendoLakeFamilyLife

March 2022

www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Preserve. 6350 Westlake Rd., Upper Lake. lakecountylandtrust.org.

FREE Doodle Pop. Performance

by Brush Theatre from South Korea.

Playful nonverbal show featuring live musicians, sound effects, interactive animation projections & live whiteboard drawings. Part of the Clover Sonoma Family Fun Series. Mar. 5 & 6. Free tickets: lutherburbankcenter.org/event/ doodle-pop.

FREE Gray Whale Migration Docent-Led Walks. 1-hour, 1-mile round-trip walk. Bring binoculars & wear layered clothing. Rain cancels.

Saturdays & Sundays. 11 a.m. Thru Apr. 2. Meet at trailhead at the South Noyo Headlands parking lot. Fort Bragg. noyocenter.org.

Blind Tasting Dinner. Blind wine

tasting followed by a 4-course meal. $35–$85. 5–8 p.m. Stonehouse Cellars.

500 Old Long Valley Rd., Clearlake Oaks. Tickets: tinyurl.com/3j49bfcw.

FREE Storytime in the Park.

Storytelling, circle games & puppet play for ages 12 & younger. Bring chairs & blankets. Masks are required for ages 2 & older. Limited to 12 participants. Inclement weather may cancel. Saturdays. 10:30–11 a.m. Todd Grove Park. 600 Live Oak Ave., Ukiah. tinyurl.com/5cbnrzpt.

FREE Storytime at Fort Bragg Library. Secure

masks (ages 2+) & social distancing required. 11:30 a.m.–noon. Fort Bragg Library.

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

Sunday 6 FREE Fiddlers’ Jam. Listen to fiddle tunes played by members of the Northern California Old Time Fiddlers Group. Noon–2 p.m. Ely Stage Stop & Country Museum. 9921 Soda Bay Rd. (Hwy. 128), Kelseyville. tinyurl.com/bdzfwzst.

Monday 7 FREE Introduction to Montessori.

Online course to learn about how Montessori works & what makes it unique. The talk will focus on kids ages 0–6. 9–11 a.m. Register for Zoom link: tinyurl.com/2p86t83j.

Saturday 12 FREE Blue Whale Bones Display.

Display of 73-foot-long blue whale skeleton. $5 suggested donation.

Presented By:

April 16th 11-1 Willits HS Football Field

Food - Games - Jump Houses - Message - Music www.mendolakefamilylife.com

March 2022

MendoLakeFamilyLife 27

Mar. 12, 13, 19 & 20: 11 a.m.–5 p.m.

Mar. 14 & 18: 2–5 p.m. Noyo Center.

Crow’s Nest Interpretive Center. Park at Noyo Headlands Park, located on W. Cypress Street. The Crow’s Nest is a half-mile walk along the Noyo Headlands trail. Fort Bragg. noyocenter.org.

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FREE Guided Whale Walk at Spring Ranch Barn. 10 a.m. Van Damme

State Park. 8001 N. Hwy. 1, Little River. Registration required: tinyurl. com/sprb4bmd.

FREE Anderson Marsh Nature Walk.

Leisurely paced, docent-led 3-mile walk. Free parking. Meet in parking lot at 8:15 a.m. Walk begins at 8:30 a.m.

Anderson Ranch Pkwy., Lower Lake. tinyurl.com/y3e5p4nw.

FREE Introduction to Shade Canyon Charter School. A new

Waldorf-inspired, tuition-free charter school is offering an introduction to Waldorf education. A panel of Waldorf-educated teens will share their experiences. Child care available for a small suggested donation (no one turned away for lack of funds). 3–4:30 p.m. Kelseyville Presbyterian Church.

5340 Third St., Kelseyville. tinyurl. com/msc5x29d.

Sunday 13 Concerts with Conversation at the Tallman Hotel. Jazz vocalist

Kenny Washington performs with jazz guitarist Jeff Massanari. No young children. Proof of vaccination required. $30. 3–4:30 p.m. Blue Wing Restaurant. 9520 Main St., Upper Lake. Tickets: tinyurl.com/4mt59hut.

FREE Virtual Teen Poetry Reading.

Celebrate Sidney Regelbrugge’s appointment as Mendocino’s new March 2022

Youth Poet Laureate. Via Zoom. 3 p.m.

Register for Zoom link: tinyurl.com/ YPLMarch2020.

Wednesday 16 FREE Wings of Hope Family Support. 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.

Thursday 17 FREE 9-Day Crash Course: The Search for Scholarships. A comprehensive video course on how to find & apply for scholarships. This is not a live class. Each day you’ll receive a link to the next day’s video module.

Register: tinyurl.com/yhdzjda3.

Saturday 19 Blue Zones Project Mendocino County Inland Kick-Off.

Family-friendly activities, free giveaways & prizes, local food & fun for the whole community. 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Alex Rorabaugh Recreation Center. 1640 S. State St., Ukiah. mec.bluezonesproject.com.

Gowan’s Cider Orchard St. Patrick’s Saturday. Sit in green orchards & enjoy cider paired with corned beef sausage. One-Eyed Riley will perform modern Celtic, Irish classics & a bit of Grateful Dead. 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Gowan’s Cider Orchard.

6600 Hwy. 128, Philo. Reservations recommended: gowansheirloomcider. com/book-online.

Nora’s Arc. A one-act jazz musical

that explores climate change—as well www.mendolakefamilylife.com

as the realities of putting too many animals on one boat. $10–$15. Mar. 19: 3 & 7 p.m. Mar. 25: 7 p.m. SPACE Theater. 508 W. Perkins St., Ukiah.

Tickets: tinyurl.com/2p8snfvx.

Sunday 20 Opus Chamber Music Concert.

Mezzo soprano Melinda Martinez Becker & pianist Margaret Halbig perform art songs & piano works

by Maurice Ravel, Manuel de Falla, Maria Grever & others. Adults: $25. Ages 17 & younger: free. ID & proof of vaccination required. 3 p.m. Cotton Auditorium. 500 N. Harold St., Fort Bragg. Tickets: symphonyoftheredwoods.org.

Wednesday 23 Power Up Padlet. Online presentation helps families with special needs find practical & meaningful resources. Presented by the Redwood Coast Regional Center’s Parent Academy. To register, email bctservices2@gmail.com.

Friday 25 FREE Virtual Kids’ Corner. For ages 0–11. Tune in to the Ukiah Library’s Facebook page for a live stream that’s all about the new books in the Children’s Room. Last Friday of each month. 4–4:30 p.m. facebook.com/ ukiahlibrary.

FREE Easter Bunny in Lakeport.

with the big bunny. 1–3 p.m. Business Design Services. 195 S. Main St., Lakeport. lakeportmainstreet.com.

Thursday 31 Live Online: Peanuts in Animation Today. Meet, watch & talk to the

creative team behind the upcoming Peanuts original animated special on Apple TV+. Presented by the Charles M. Schulz Museum. $15 (museum members 20% off). 5–6 p.m. Register for Zoom link: tinyurl.com/5fcfm3b4.

FREE Poetry Virtual Open-Mic.

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

Parents can take pictures of their kids

March & April 2022

"It is not fair to ask of others what you are unwilling to do yourself."

–Eleanor Roosevelt

Science Technology Engineering Math

“Motivating Young Women in Science and Mathematics”

CTTB SUMMER CAMP 2022 June 6 - 17, 2022 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.

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

rt

Chemistry of Colorlsanes p

g Air

Flyin

Sparkly M

inerals

e... d mor

an dvgs@drba.org (Girls) 707-468-3896 dvbs@drba.org (Boys) 707-468-1138

42 40 38 36

41

39

37

35

For more information and to register:

eyh-soco.org

or leave a message: 707-800-9819

www.mendolakefamilylife.com

March 2022

MendoLakeFamilyLife 29

Humor Break fun of,” she wrote. I can’t wait to get that first Christmas card featuring all of them in matching flannel PJs.

All the Feels How Did Motherhood Turn Me into a Sap?

By Jessica Guerrieri

T

here was a time, in my pre-child existence, when I’d roll my eyes with the best of them. Photos of chunky babies inside watering cans would tug at my smile muscles but leave my heartstrings firmly intact. I was confident that motherhood would not make me into a blubbering sap or someone who could be anything other than horrified at the sight of graphic birthing videos.

But then came children—and the feels. Somehow my kids magically provoke the entire spectrum of human emotions in me on a daily basis. In general, I am softer and more fragile because they are in the world. If, scrolling the Internet, I see an image of tiny footsteps in the sand, I’ll search Etsy for a

30 MendoLakeFamilyLife

Nope, I can’t roll my eyes anymore.

Motherhood sap follows me everywhere. On Saturday, I completed my fifth half marathon.

One of the pacers in front of me shouted words of encouragement to runners that looked like they were currently regretting all of their life choices. Just as one man shook his head in surrender, the pacer and a small group of cheering racers linked arms with him so that he would keep moving forward. It was a glimpse of goodness that left my insides gooey and propelled me towards the finish line. Afterwards, I asked a mom-friend who had completed the race if she, too, had gotten choked up during the run.

“Of course!” she said. “On mile 12, where I had trained with my son in the stroller, I heard his little voice telling me I could do it and that empowered me to get to the end.”

Nope, I can’t roll my eyes anymore.

throw pillow emblazoned with that same image—plus a quote about the fleeting nature of childhood embroidered underneath it. I’ll also likely ugly-cry even before I click “add to cart.”

Recently, a friend, the last holdout of my childless buddies, had a baby. In college, we bonded over our shared hatred of kissy pictures and dads wearing their children as accessories.

When I asked her what she thought of motherhood so far, she texted me a picture of her husband rocking a Baby Bjorn, underneath it, a line of happy-crying emojis. “It’s all those sappy, clichéd things we used to make March 2022

Sure, it’s been an adjustment. For instance, strangers in the street look at me funny when I tell them things like, “It’s nothing. I’m just remembering the grandpa who rode a tandem bike with his grandson to school drop-off this morning.” But I like this vulnerable side of me. It’s so much more liberating to crawl out from behind the tissue box and unapologetically own these emotions. I’m not sure who coined the term “all the feels,” but my money is on a mother. ¶ Jessica Guerrieri is a mom and a freelance writer/blogger. Find her at witandspitup.com and on Instagram @witandspitup.

www.mendolakefamilylife.com

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T

he Gowans have been tending their orchards for more than 100 years. Today the family has turned their heirloom apples into award-winning hard cider. They’ll be offering samples, paired with gourmet corned beef sausage, at their St. Patrick’s Saturday celebration. Check it out on March 19, 11 a.m.–6 p.m., at their orchards in Philo. While revelers eat and drink, the local band One-Eyed Riley will play modern Celtic and traditional Irish music, and even a little Grateful Dead. Reservations are recommended: 707-205-1545. ¶

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Have Fun without the Kids

L

ooking for an adult evening out? Perhaps sampling some vino and eating a four-course gourmet meal is the ticket. That’s what participants will experience at the Blind Tasting Dinner at Stonehouse Cellars in Clearlake Oaks. The three-hour event, which will be held on March 5 at 5 p.m., will begin with a blind wine tasting and a platter of curated meats and cheeses, after which a repast of lamb and pacific cod will be served. Tickets are $35 for just the tasting and $85 for the tasting and dinner. Reserve a spot at stonehousecellars.com/events. ¶

www.mendolakefamilylife.com

March 2022

Like Us On Facebook www.facebook.com/ MendoLakeFamilyLifeMagazine

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

MendoLakeFamilyLife 31

Ukiah Unified School District

2022-23 Kindergarten &

Transitional Kindergarten

th

Registration Opens January 5

TK

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

Register Register Online Online at at www.uusd.net www.uusd.net

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

472-5550

472-5180

472-5690

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.