Mendo Lake Family Life October 2022

Features

10 Say No to Sugar

Creative ways to loosen candy’s grip.

12 The Great Jack-O’-Lantern

How to pick and carve the perfect pumpkin.

14 Break the Spell of Nightmares

Four ways to help kids beat the boogeyman.

16 What’s in a Dream?

Figure out the meaning of your nighttime images.

18 Your Fire Escape Plan

Steps to take to keep your family safe.

20 Savvy Car Care

Save big on fuel and repairs.

22 Kid Cleaning Crew

Strategies for getting little ones to tidy their rooms.

Every Issue

6 Dear Reader

7 Cooking with Kids Sneaky Casserole

8 Bits and Pieces

Visit a Haunted Wine Cave

Get Your Pumpkin Fix

Get a Free Jack-o’-Lantern

Grab a Goodie Stuff Your Face Watch a Foxy Flick

24 Calendar of Events

32 Humor Break Hallow-Crazies

Sharon Gowan Publisher/Editor Sharon@family-life.us

he pirates, witches, and ninjas will soon be out to play! Wondering where to go for some Halloween fun? Check out the Bits & Pieces section (pages 8–9) and the Calendar of Events (page 24) for a plethora of trick-or-treating and other events.

Worried about the post October 31 sugar rush? Intuitive eating coach Pam Moore shares some great ideas for sidestepping sweets in “Say No to Sugar” (page 10).

TSometimes it’s not sugar that gets the best of kids, but fear. The spookiness of the season can trigger bad dreams. In “Break the Spell of Nightmares” (page 14) local dream interpretation coach Melissa Grace outlines four ways to help kids ward off monsters and other scary creatures. Bad dreams or not, sometimes everyone gets a bit nutty around Halloween. Turn to “Hallow-Crazies” (page 32) and learn how humorist-mom Jessica Guerrieri learned to take it all in stride.

KNOW?

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Contributing Writers

America’s Test Kitchen

Katy M. Clark

Melissa Grace Jessica Guerrieri Cheryl Maguire

Pam Moore

Billing Jan Wasson-Smith

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

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Sneaky Casserole

Slip Veggies into a Cheesy Dish

By America’s Test Kitchen

With tender rice, bites of fresh broccoli, and bold sharp cheddar flavor, this casserole is irresistible— nothing like the typical back-of-the-soup-can recipe. Instead of canned soup, use a mixture of half-and-half and chicken broth as the rich base, and then add plenty of extra-sharp cheddar and nutty Parmesan cheese. Using the sweet broccoli stalks as well as the florets really maximizes the broccoli flavor. Since the stalks take a bit longer to cook, sauté the chopped stalks in butter with onion before adding the rice, liquids, and broccoli florets (parcooked in the microwave for a jump start). For a substantial crowning touch, sprinkle on some garlicky fresh bread crumbs enriched with more Parmesan. This textural topping bakes up brown and crispy while the casserole bubbles enticingly at the edges.

Reprinted, with permission, from One-Hour Comfort by America’s Test Kitchen (America’s Test Kitchen, 2021), americastestkitchen.com

Cheesy Broccoli and Rice Casserole

Total Time 1 hour

2 slices hearty white sandwich bread, torn into quarters

1½ ounces Parmesan cheese, grated (¾ cup), divided

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, plus 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 garlic clove, minced

2 pounds broccoli, florets cut into 1-inch pieces, stalks peeled and chopped, divided

1 onion, chopped fine

1¼ cups long-grain white rice

4 cups chicken broth

1¼ cups half-and-half

1 teaspoon table salt

8 ounces extra-sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (2 cups)

⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper

1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 400 degrees. Grease 13 by 9-inch baking dish. Pulse bread, ¼ cup

Parmesan, and melted butter in food processor until coarsely ground, about 5 pulses. Add garlic and pulse to combine.

2. Microwave broccoli florets, covered, in large bowl until bright green and tender, 2 to 4 minutes; set aside. Melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter in Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion and broccoli stalks and cook until softened, 8 to 10 minutes. Add rice and cook, stirring constantly, until rice is translucent, about 1 minute. Stir in broth, half-and-half, and salt and bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, stirring often, until rice is tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Off heat, stir in cheddar, cayenne, broccoli florets, and remaining ½ cup Parmesan.

3. Transfer mixture to prepared dish and top with bread crumb mixture. Bake until sauce is bubbling around edges and top is golden brown, about 15 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes. Serve. Serves 8 to 10

Visit a Haunted Wine Cave

Picture walking into a hopping dance club and not hearing a sound. It’s what’s known as a silent disco, where people listen to music transmitted through wireless personal headphones rather than speakers. Saracina Vineyards in Hopland is holding one as part of its Haunted Wine Cave event, which will also include wine flights and a Halloween costume contest. As the name of the event implies, it will be held in the vineyard’s wine cave on October 22, 5–9 p.m., and is for adults only (no kids or pets). Tickets are $40–$50 and may be purchased at tinyurl.com/yzswax5t

Get Your Pumpkin Fix

Who has the biggest pumpkin in the land? It’s a question answered every year at the Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off. On October 14, 4–6:30 p.m., participants will weigh their enormous pumpkins on a scale set up at the Alex Thomas Plaza in Ukiah. The winner will take home a cash prize equaling $1.50 a pound. The giant pumpkins will be displayed on a float in a parade on October 15 at 10 a.m. in downtown Ukiah. The weigh-off is part of the Ukiah PumpkinFest, which will feature a parade, children’s performances, baking contests for kids and adults, a scarecrow display, a pet costume contest, and a beer and wine garden. The festival is free and will be held on October 15, 10 a.m.–6 p.m., and October 16, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., in downtown Ukiah. Register for the Weigh-Off and other contests at cityofukiah.com/pumpkinfest.

Get a Free Jack-o’-Lantern

Some Lake County families do not live in safe environments. Local law enforcement officers responded to more than 520 domestic violence incidents at the end of the fiscal year in June 2020. The statistic points to why Lake County Tribal Health is holding a domestic violence Community Awareness event. On-site support will be available during the event, which will also feature Native dancers, speakers, and kids’ activities, including a free Youth Pumpkin Giveaway (for ages 18 and younger) and pumpkin decorating. Activities will be held on October 12, 1–4:30 p.m., at the Legacy Campus in Lakeport. Learn more at tinyurl.com/3t2wbxex and at lcthc.com

Haunted Wine Cave

Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off

Grab a Goodie

For families who don’t relish going door-to-door during Halloween, Middletown and Kelseyville have a solution: trick-or-treating on Main Street. Downtown merchants in both areas will give away candy so hairy monsters, one-eyed pirates, and bespectacled Harry Potters don’t have to travel too far to get goodies. Trick-or-treating will happen in Kelseyville on October 30, 2:30–4:30 p.m., and in Middletown on October 31, 2–6 p.m. For Kelseyville details, go to tinyurl.com/2xncae72, and for Middletown, see tinyurl. com/y55dsch6. For more local Halloween activities, see our Calendar of Events on page 24.

Stuff Your Face

No one in Lake County has to be reminded of the importance of firefighters. But these local heroes cannot live on gratitude alone. It requires money to battle a wildfire, so the Lakeport Volunteer Firefighters Association is holding a fundraiser—a Hot Dog Eating Contest. The event, which is part of the Lakeport Harvest Festival, will be held on October 1 at 3 p.m. Participants must be 18 or older; the registration fee is $25. Register at Stone Fire Pizza in Lakeport or email JTyson@lakeportfire.com. The festival itself will feature a DJ and live music, line dancing, pumpkin decorating, a corn hole tournament, a scarecrow contest, races, performances, games, and children’s crafts. The festival will happen on October 1, 11 a.m.–6 p.m., and is free. Both the hot dog eating contest and the festival will be held on Main Street in Lakeport. Find details at tinyurl.com/dvz8bnf3

Watch a Foxy Flick

An urban fox gets up to no-good, raiding country farms. And then he has to find a way to help the local critters deal with the mess he’s created. Such is the plot of the 2009 stop-animation film Fantastic Mr. Fox. As part of its Cinema in the Vineyards series, Pennyroyal Farm in Boonville will be hosting an outdoor screening of the Wes Anderson flick on October 22. The evening, which will run 5–8:30 p.m., will include an optional Fantastic Feast dinner, a farmstead meal inspired by the film. Film tickets are $15–$25, or free for kids younger than 3; dinner is an additional $30. Participants may bring lawn chairs or blankets, or reserve a table for $65 per person, popcorn and drink ticket included. Find out more and purchase tickets at tinyurl.com/23c4ct3y

Fantastic Mr. Fox

Say No to Sugar

3 Ways to Take Control of Halloween Candy

By Pam Moore

While Halloween might be spooky, what’s scary is how you feel after a candy binge. While being an adult means I have the freedom to eat candy until I’m sick, that doesn’t mean it’s a good idea. In fact, it is decidedly a bad idea.

The good news is that you don’t have to change the essential part of yourself that loves candy in order to ignore sugar’s siren call. Even when it’s marked way down come November first. The key to taking control of your candy consumption is to take the emphasis off of changing yourself and instead focus on changing your environment. Here’s how.

1. Get rid of the candy. The Switch Witch is an excellent “helper” for parents looking for a way to get rid of candy without being the bad guy.

The friendly witch simply takes the candy and leaves a non-food present in its place shortly after Halloween. Alternatively, you could have an “unofficial” switch fairy come to your house, akin to the tooth fairy. Though it was designed for parents wishing to keep their kids from eating too much candy, the Switch Witch concept also ensures that the parents don’t break into the kids’ stash.

2. Plan your meals and snacks. When you hit that late afternoon slump and you have

candy at your fingertips or a bag of unwashed, unpeeled carrots at the bottom of your vegetable crisper, it’s only human to choose the former. But what if your carrots were washed, peeled, sliced, and ready to eat in an easily accessible container? Prepping veggies as you need them only makes it easy to let them rot before you get to them. Instead, find a time or two each week to prepare a variety of healthy snacks at once. You could fill a gallon-sized plastic bag with sliced celery, carrots, and bell peppers and take out a few when you want a snack. Alternatively, you could put a handful of snap peas and cherry tomatoes into snack-sized Tupperware to quickly toss in your bag before you head out.

Similarly, a little meal planning goes a long way. While there are countless apps designed to simplify the process, choosing the “right” one might be overwhelming. If this sounds like you, it’s okay to keep it simple and keep technology out of the equation. Your system could be as low-tech as sitting down with your calendar and a piece of paper, noting which nights you will be eating out or too busy to cook, and which nights you will be available to cook. Then just plug in the meals you’d like to eat and the nights on which you’d like to eat them. After that, all you have to do is make a shopping list and hit the grocery

It’s just as easy to talk over a walk or a hike as it is over a meal.

store, or submit your order with your favorite online shopping tool. As long as you ensure there is enough food for leftovers or a simple meal (e.g. salad or a tuna melt) on the nights you’re pressed for time, you will be well on your way to avoiding the temptation of going out to eat, grabbing take-out, or worse, filling up on candy. As Benjamin Franklin famously said, “If you fail to plan, you’re planning to fail.”

3. Take control of your schedule. When scheduling meetings or social engagements, take the opportunity to meet in places that won’t tempt you to overindulge. It’s just as easy to talk over a walk or a hike as it is over a meal. Meeting for coffee or tea in the morning might be a great alternative to meeting

for drinks after work, when the temptation to order a plate of wings or fries is strong. If a work meeting must be scheduled during a meal, take the initiative to suggest a place that has a selection of salads or a place that is

in walking distance from your office— and schedule the time it takes to walk there. If you’re meeting someone for a meal in a social context, you could suggest cooking together at your home or meeting for a picnic if the weather is good.

Whether you’re nuts about Paydays, wild about York peppermint patties, or crazy for Kit Kats, it’s normal to crave candy. While we have outgrown the thrill of walking outside past our bedtimes, wearing gauzy princess gowns or superhero costumes, a taste for candy is something most of us never outgrow. If, like most of us, you find it takes superhuman strength to resist sweets, try changing your environment instead of yourself and you might just avoid the scary sensation of going into the holiday season with a sugar hangover. ❖

Pam Moore is an award-winning freelance writer, intuitive eating coach, and host of the Real Fit podcast. Get her free guide to improving your body image at pam-moore.com

Right Outlook: Blue Zones Project Sleep Challenge

October 1- December 31, 2022

Join the Sleep Challenge and challenge yourself for 21 days (or more) to get at least 7 hours of slumber each night by avoiding late meals, turning off your phone, maintaining a consistent bedtime, and creating an environment that is conducive to sleep. By tracking for at least 21 days, you are creating a healthy, sustainable habit! Good luck, and good night! Complete the challenge, answer the daily question, and earn a credit towards your rewards!

Fill a gallon-sized plastic bag with sliced celery, carrots, and bell peppers.

The Great Jack-O’-Lantern

Create Your Family’s Best-Ever Pumpkin

Never fear, though. Carving can be done indoors or out, especially with a well-prepared station. To make cleanup easier, go old school and line your tabletop with newspaper, or cut open a plastic trash bag and spread it over your surface. You will want to clean up quickly afterwards, too, since pumpkin flesh and seeds are super slippery.

Find one with a green stem, which means that the pumpkin has been freshly picked.

By Katy M. Clark

It’s pumpkin time! How can you make sure you pick the perfect pumpkin and transform it into a boo-tiful jack-o’-lantern? Check out these handy tips.

Fresh Is Best The best selection at your local pumpkin patch will probably be available in early October. Of course, selecting your gourd at the grocery store is convenient any time. My kids have found some of their biggest, best pumpkins at the local store.

No matter where you go, look for smooth pumpkins with no soft spots, which indicate rot. It is also ideal to find one with a green stem, which means that the pumpkin has been freshly picked.

Try not to let your kids pick up the pumpkin by the stem. If the stem

breaks off, it could take some of the outer pumpkin with it, making the inside rot faster.

Once you get your prized pumpkin home, store it in a cool, dry spot.

Aim to carve it just a few days before Halloween. This will ensure that it does not decay too fast (boo, black spots!) and looks frightfully good on the big night.

Get Ready for a Mess If you are lucky enough to set up a carving station outside, go for it! The mess from making a jack-o’-lantern is easier to handle on your patio or in your backyard than inside.

Make It Boo-tiful Have you ever seen a jack-o’-lantern with black lines on its face? I know when my family uses permanent markers to sketch our design, we are usually left with a couple mistakes that we must live with or cut out. Here’s a tip I wish I knew years ago: Try sketching your lines with a dry erase marker, instead. Yes, dry-erase marks are erasable even on pumpkins! Or use a template that you can attach directly to the pumpkin.

When it’s time to cut into your pumpkin, let adults take on the task; little ones should not handle anything sharp. Instead, let kids scrape out the seeds with big spoons or ice cream scoops. Save the seeds if you want to toast them later (more on that below).

Grown-ups, your goal should be to cut with short, controlled motions. Don’t forget to go slow! It’s not a race and you definitely want to avoid a serious hand injury.

Go for Glitter Another useful tip is to give kids their own small pumpkin to decorate with glitter and glue or foam stickers while you carve the family’s bigger pumpkin. That way they will stay engaged and not lose interest.

If carving is more trick than treat for your family, then you can always paint your pumpkin, instead. Note that you may need several coats to get the desired color and it can take a while for the paint to dry between coats.

Soak Seeds If you want to roast the seeds later, soak them in a big bowl of warm water. To separate the seeds from the goo, use your hands to swirl them around, and then let them sit for at least five minutes.

The goo will sink to the bottom while the seeds float to the top. Once dry, your seeds will be ready for whatever sweet or savory recipe you find on the Internet. Enjoy! ❖

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

Break the Spell of Nightmares

Help Kids Overcome Bad Dreams

By Melissa Grace

“Help! A monster is after me!”

It’s 2 a.m. and your child is freaking out, terrified by a nightmare. How do you help her process her dream? Follow the 4 Rs: reassurance, rescripting, rehearsal, and resolution.

It’s a protocol Drs. Alan Siegel and Kelly Bulkeley outline in their book Dreamcatching. Here’s what it looks like.

Reassurance A nightmare can be traumatic for a little kid. Validating a child’s feelings and letting them know they are not alone is very important. So is approaching the dream with unconditional acceptance, which not only validates your child’s feelings and supports their self-esteem, it also

opens the door to creatively exploring and working with the dream.

Rescripting Children have incredible imaginations. And, what’s more, they easily believe in what they envision. Rescripting takes advantage of a child’s impressionable nature and uses it for the good. It’s “like assertiveness training for the imagination,” Siegel and Bulkeley write. When children rescript dreams, they imagine different plots and/or endings.

Part of this process may be the use of imaginary magical tools, the variety of which is limitless. For instance, when a six-year-old little friend of mine had a dream about

a bad creature trying to hurt her, I asked her if there was some kind of magic object that could help her. “A wand,” she said. “How will it help you?” I asked. “I’ll use it to make the bad creature go away,” she replied. And in her mind’s eye, she did just that. When I asked her if she still felt afraid, she chirped “Nope,” and that was the end of that. Kids are quite resilient when it comes to recouping from nightmares. They just need a caring adult to help them out.

Rehearsing Nightmares don’t exist in a vacuum. They serve a purpose: to let the dreamer, and in a child’s case, a parent, know that something is wrong. It may be that there has been a sudden change in the child’s environment; the two biggies are usually a new sibling or school. But there could be a less dramatic change, such as a new teacher, or an upcoming event—a dentist appointment or a visit with a distant relative—that makes a child anxious, too. Also loss of any kind, big or small, can be overwhelming for a child. So a nightmare arrives to let the parent know that their kid isn’t coping well. Rescripting may make a child feel better, but it doesn’t address what’s really upsetting them.

Rehearsing different solutions to a nightmare’s threats, however, can help empower children to face real-life situations. Siegel and Bulkeley use the example of a seven-year-old boy who, sensitive to peer rejection, had reoccurring dreams about playmates excluding and, at times, rejecting him. In play therapy, the boy created magical

tools that helped him act out different ways to approach the kids rejecting him in his dreams. He even had imaginary conversations with the dream-kids. In the end, this repeated rehearsal helped him to confront his social fears and make friends at school.

Resolution Sometimes a child’s nightmare reflects a deeper psychological issue that must be resolved. Siegel and Bulkeley give the example of a nine-year-old child who had nightmares when his dad left on work trips. In one of his recurring nightmares, the boy would try to shout for his father but found himself unable to speak. Rescripting kept the nightmare from reoccurring, but it wasn’t until

the parents made an effort to keep father and son in contact while dad was away, that the source of the boy’s nightmares—his fear of abandonment—truly resolved. ❖

Source: Dreamcatching : Every Parent’s Guide to Exploring and Understanding Children’s Dreams and Nightmares by Alan Siegel, PhD, and Kelly Bulkeley, PhD (Three Rivers Press, 1998).

Melissa Grace is a Santa Rosa–based dream interpretation coach who has offered private sessions since 2007 and women’s dream circles since 2017. She holds a certificate in nonclinical Jungian studies and is a member of the International Association for the Study of Dreams. Find her at thenightisjung.com, on Facebook at The Night Is Jung, and on Instagram @thenightisjungdreamguide. Join the Night Is Jung Dream Discussion Group on Facebook. Subscribe to The Night Is Jung Dream Work & Divination YouTube channel.

Books on Dreams

For Kids

Terry and Eric Fan, Ocean Meets Sky (Simon & Schuster, 2018).

Angel Morgan, PhD, Dreamer’s Powerful Tiger (The DreamBridge, 2019).

Giselle Potter, Tell Me What to Dream About (Penguin Random House, 2015).

Benjamin Alire Sáenz, A Perfect Season for Dreaming/Un tiempo perfecto para soñar (Cinco Puntos Press, 2008).

For Parents

Denyse Beaudet, PhD, Dreamguider (Hampton Roads, 2008).

Kelly Bulkeley and Patricia M. Bulkley, Children’s Dreams (Rowman & Littlefield, 2012).

Jean Campbell and Clare R. Johnson, eds., Sleep Monsters and Super Heroes (Praeger, 2016).

cat. The images that draw you in the most may carry the most meaning.

2. Make associations. To figure out what a dream symbol means, figure out your associations to the image. For instance, when you think of your mother-in-law, what are the first words that come into your mind? Is she kind and

What’s in a Dream?

3 Ways to Unlock a Symbol’s Meaning

By Melissa Grace

Carl Jung’s protégé Marie-Louise von Franz said that trying to interpret your own dream is like trying to see your own back. This is because dreams carry messages from the unconscious, and the unconscious, by its very nature, does not want to be seen.

Still, having said this, it is possible to work on your own dream. Here are three things to keep in mind.

Figure out your associations to an image.

1. Focus on the dream’s images. Be open to the idea that every character, person, object, and animal in your dream may symbolize something about yourself. That may be hard to take when it comes to your in-laws or an obnoxious coworker, but it also applies to angels and your favorite

thoughtful or judgemental and intrusive (or a little of both)? Now translate this to your relationship to yourself. Are there ways you are kind to yourself? Are there ways you deny yourself kindness? Does self-judgment intrude upon your growth?

3. See the dream as a story. Look at the setting, character development, and conflict or drama with the awareness that each of these aspects of a dream has something to teach you. For instance, if the setting is your childhood home, you may be dealing with some issue or behavior pattern that began in childhood. Dream characters can give us similar clues. For example, if you dream of the cat you owned in college, you may want to ask yourself who you were when you owned her and how you’ve changed. If you dream of your college best friend, you may want to ask yourself how you perceived him: How would

Every character in your dream may symbolize something about yourself.

you have described him? And do any of those qualities apply to yourself or anyone in your life now?

Apart from setting and characters, it’s also important to look at conflicts in dreams. Perhaps it’s overt conflict, such as between alien invaders and vulnerable humans, or righteous warriors and a hidden oppressor. Or maybe it’s less obvious, such as a dreamer who finds herself trying to ride a bike that simply won’t go anywhere—a conflict between what the dreamer wants to do (get somewhere) and

It’s important to look at conflicts in dreams.

what the bike wants to do (stand still). In the latter case, perhaps the dreamer has distinct goals but something inside herself—maybe fear or bad experiences, or perhaps judgment from that intrusive inner mother-in-law—is holding her back and now she is like that bike that refuses to move.

In the end, remember, often in dreams, you are everything: You are the invader and the invaded; you are the in-laws and the one who is fed up with them; and you are the one who wants to ride the bike and the broken bike itself. Understanding this basic concept is one of the most important keys to successful dream work. ❖

Find out more about dreams and Melissa Grace at thenightisjung.com . Want a free 20-minute phone consult about your dream? Write Melissa at thenightisjung@gmail.com

Your Fire Escape Plan

How to Make Sure Your Family Stays Safe

No one in Mendocino and Lake Counties has to be convinced about the importance of preventing fires. But the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Fire Prevention Week, October 9–15, is a good time to review your family’s fire safety measures: Make sure there is 100 feet of defensible space around your home and that your family has a home escape plan that all members know and regularly practice.

According to NFPA data, home— the place people feel safest from fire—is actually where they are at greatest risk, with three-quarters (74 percent) of all US fire deaths occurring in residences. When a home fire does occur, it’s more likely to be serious; people are more likely to die in a home fire today than they were in 1980.

“Today’s homes burn faster and hotter than they used to, minimizing the amount of time [people] have to escape safely,” says NFPA public affairs representative

Lorraine Carli. “In a typical home fire, you may have as little as two minutes to get out from the time the smoke alarm sounds.”

Developing a home escape plan with all members of the household and practicing it regularly ensures that, when the smoke alarm sounds, everyone knows what to do and uses that time wisely.

Here are the basics for an effective home escape plan:

1. Make sure your plan meets the needs of all family members, including those with sensory or physical disabilities.

2. Smoke alarms should be installed inside every sleeping room, outside each separate sleeping area, and on every level of your home. Smoke alarms should be interconnected so when one sounds, they all sound.

3. Know at least two ways out of every room, if possible. Make sure all doors and windows open easily.

4. Establish an outside spot a safe distance from your home to meet.

5. At least twice a year, practice your home fire drill with everyone in the household, including guests. Practice at least once during the day and at night.

As the biggest annual campaign at NFPA, Fire Prevention Week works to educate people about the leading home fire risks and how best to protect themselves and their loved ones.

To learn more about Fire Prevention Week, visit nfpa.org/fpw ❖

Founded in 1896, NFPA® is a global self-funded nonprofit organization devoted to eliminating death, injury, property, and economic loss due to fire, electrical, and related hazards. The association delivers information and knowledge through more than 300 consensus codes and standards, research, training, education, outreach and advocacy; and by partnering with others who share an interest in furthering the NFPA mission. For more information, visit nfpa.org. All NFPA codes and standards can be viewed online for free at nfpa.org/freeaccess

At least twice a year, practice your home fire drill.

Make sure to have enough coverage for car, home, medical, life, etc.

6. Use an electronic toll transponder. Using a toll transponder like FasTrak will save money, time, and gas. Crossing the Golden Gate Bridge costs 70 cents more for those without FasTrak ($8.40 vs. $7). It’s free to open a FasTrak account. (Go to bayareafastrak.org.)

Savvy Car Care

19 Tips for Saving Money on Gas & Maintenance

By Cheryl Maguire

While car ownership is expensive, you can save thousands of dollars a year just by following some of these tips.

1. Make your own repairs. These days YouTube videos demonstrate how to perform all kinds of different car repairs and common maintenance work. Recently, I changed an air filter with the help of YouTube. It took me about five minutes. I used a generic filter instead of the factory one, and, between labor and materials, saved almost $100.

2. Close windows. Leaving windows open while driving on the highway causes air drag, which reduces mileage by 10 percent.

3. Change oil every 6,000 miles. When you get an oil change, most places put a sticker on your car to remind you to change your oil every 3,000 miles. However, many

car manuals recommend changing oil every 6,000 miles. If this is what your manual advises, you can cut back on at least two or more oil changes a year—a savings of $40–$60.

4. Drive the speed limit. Getting a speeding ticket or into a car accident increases your car insurance rate for a number of years. Speeding also uses more gas.

5. Get adequate insurance. Insurance is expensive but cutting corners can cost more in the long run.

7. Buy home & auto insurance together. Purchasing home and auto insurance from the same company can garner a 10–15 percent discount.

8. Raise insurance deductibles. Increasing insurance deductibles can yield as much as 15 percent in savings.

9. Ask for loyalty discounts. If you have been with the same car/ home insurance company for more then six years, ask for a 10 percent loyalty discount.

10. Don’t go below ¼ tank. By keeping the gas tank at least a quarter full, it’s less likely you’ll run out of gas and more likely that the fuel pump will work efficiently and for a longer period of time. (It costs hundreds to replace the pump.)

11. Use cruise control. My husband uses cruise control every chance he gets. It helps him to drive

YouTube videos demonstrate how to perform all kinds of different car repairs.

Did you know car parts stores diagnose problems for free?

the speed limit, which, in addition to preventing tickets, also uses less gas.

12. Get “diagnosed” for free. Did you know car parts stores diagnose problems for free? Even if you can’t make the repair yourself (see number 1), you can at least find out what the issue is and research repair costs to make sure mechanics charge the appropriate fees. Call at least three different reputable repair shops and ask for quotes. If a quote is high, state the price of the part and ask a staff member to explain the reasons for the fee.

13. The next time you buy a car, negotiate the price. It will save you thousands.

14. Don’t idle when waiting. Idling for ten minutes is the

equivalent of driving five miles—it wastes gas and pollutes the air.

15. Shop around for the best gas price. Gas prices can vary as much as 10–20 cents per gallon at

17. Use A/C sparingly. Air conditioning uses up a lot of gas. When not on the highway, try to drive with the windows open, and park in shaded areas when possible.

18. Use credit cards and earn bonuses. Some credit card companies offer extra money or rewards for purchasing gas with their cards.

each station. Use the Gas Buddy app to find the lowest price in your area.

16. Check tire pressure. Making sure that tires are inflated at the pressure level indicated in the car manual can save more than $100 per year on gas.

19. Use grocery rewards to get discounted gas. Some grocery stores reward shoppers with discounted gas. I’ve been able to save $1.50 per gallon—a $30 savings on a 20-gallon tank—just by purchasing food items I planned to buy anyway.

Find Cheryl Maguire on Twitter @ CherylMaguire05.

Nurturing classroom experiences for children 3 months to 5 years old.

• Nurturing classroom experiences for children 3 months to 5 years old.

Potty training assistance provided. Children with disabilities welcome. Accepting applications year round.

S Ukiah

• We do not require children to be pottytrained, we will help!

• Children with disabilities welcome.

• Accepting applications year-round.

for

E N T E R

North Ukiah Bush St Nokomis Washington Ave South Ukiah S State St

North Ukiah Bush St Nokomis Washington Ave

South Ukiah S State St

Peach Tree S Orchard Ave

Peach Tree S Orchard Ave

Willits

Near Brookside School at Spruce St & Lincoln Way

Lake County

Do you have questions? Email: EnrollHeadStart@ncoinc.org

Upper Lake 2nd Street Lakeport Lakeport Blvd Clearlake Pearl Ave Clearlake Meadowbrook Dr

Lakeport Blvd

Pearl Ave

Fort Bragg Lincoln St

Dr

Kid Cleaning Crew

5 Secrets for Keeping Your Child’s Room Tidy

By Pam Moore

Dirty socks are mixed in with a pile of Legos. Shoes, barrettes, and random beads litter one corner of the room. Open books cover the bed, spines facing up, to hold the page in the absence of bookmarks. The dress-up basket lies upside down atop a sea of tulle, spandex, and polyester. My preschooler’s room drives me crazy.

How can we get kids invested in cleaning their rooms?

1. Make it simple.

• Have a place for things. It’s easier to tidy when there is a place for everything. You don’t have to spend a lot of money on a complicated system. Boxes and baskets you already have will do the job. A shoebox can store blocks, or a laundry basket can house stuffed animals.

• Minimize stuff. Fewer things means less work, less overwhelm, and less chance of tripping. I do stealth purges, leaving my kids’ toys in a holding area before donating them, in case they ask for the missing toys before I get to Goodwill. However, my kids (ages 3 and 5) are often willing to collect toys for needy kids when asked.

• Break it down. The idea of cleaning a messy room is overwhelming (even for adults), until you break it down into smaller pieces. Child therapist Maria Arias recommends letting

kids choose a task. My daughter usually throws a fit when it’s time to clean her room, but if I ask, “Do you want to start with books or clothes?” she’ll pick one and get started. Often, children respond better to a task list, than to verbal instructions. You can write a to-do list with your child, or use a picture schedule for younger kids who can’t read yet. Executive function and organization coach

Kate Paisley Kennedy recommends breaking a project like room cleaning into time-based chunks, to avoid overwhelm. For example, you can set a timer for five minutes, and take a break at that point.

It’s easier to tidy when there is a place for everything.

2. Make it routine.

Some parents report a total absence of power struggles or negotiations in order to get their kids to clean their rooms. With kids 3–12 years old, these parents had one thing in common: They’d established a solid cleanup routine when their kids were very young.

Jill Ceder, a psychotherapist and parent coach, recommends not only expecting kids to do chores when they’re young, but also building cleanup into their schedule. For example, the routine could be to clean their bedroom every Saturday morning, every night before dinner, or before starting a new activity. What matters is that the routine is consistent and that kids know the consequence for not participating (e.g. they don’t get to go to gymnastics or have screen time if it’s not done).

3. Make it clear. Arias emphasizes the importance of clearly communicating your expectations and why they matter. To do this, she recommends:

• Showing your child a picture of their clean room.

• Explaining the motivation behind the goal. Arias encourages parents to emphasize safety by saying something like, “Let’s pick up the toys so no one will fall.” (Note: This is very different than howling in pain and threatening to burn all the Legos when you step on one.)

• Putting it in the context of helpfulness by saying something like, “When the room is clean, we can be on time to school, which is helpful to the teachers and the other students.”

4. Make it fun.

Parents reported the following strategies to infuse fun into the process.

• Set a timer and dare your kid to beat the clock (“I bet you can’t get this done in less than five minutes!”)

• Play “cleaning crew.”

• Make a game of putting away specific items, like hunting for all the blue things or anything round.

• “Race” to see who can clean up more blocks, while getting down on the floor to help younger kids.

• Load toys in a dump truck and let kids make the truck unload them into the appropriate bin.

5. Make it rewarding. According to Paisley Kennedy, “a positive reward works eight times faster than a negative consequence.” The reward can be as simple as stickers or verbal praise. Ceder agrees that it’s important to praise effort. She encourages parents to take note whenever their kids take responsibility for their messes, “and use this as a time to connect, engage, show appreciation and encouragement.” ❖

Pam Moore is an award-winning freelance writer, intuitive eating coach, and host of the Real Fit podcast. Find her at pam-moore.com

NOW’S THE TIME TO GET YOUR VACCINES

BEFORE WINTER VIRUSES HIT

Free COVID-19 vaccines and boosters, and free or low cost flu vaccines are available through Public Health at events and our mobile clinics. You can also get them from your primary care provider or at your local pharmacy. Vaccines protect you and your quality of life. They’re proven to be safe, and effective and a strong defense against severe illness. SCAN THE QR CODE for our schedule of vaccinations events or visit: www.mendocinocounty.org/vaccines

Child therapist Maria Arias recommends letting kids choose a task.

Calendar of Events

Saturday 1

FREE Anderson Marsh State Historic Park’s 40th Anniversary. Music, tours & birthday cake. 9 a.m.–2 p.m. (Guided walk: 9 a.m.) Anderson Marsh State Historic Park. Anderson Ranch Pkwy., Lower Lake. tinyurl. com/ycy99xm4.

Falling Leaves Quilt Show. More than 150 quilts. Silent auction, door prizes, theme baskets, demos & quilt drawing. Adults: $10. Kids: $2. Oct. 1: 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Oct. 2: 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Lake County Fairgrounds. 401 Martin St., Lakeport. llqg.org/quilt-show.html.

Harvest Dinner & Silent Auction. Fundraiser for Shade Canyon, a tuition-free, Waldorf-inspired public school. $125. 4–8 p.m. Peace & Plenty Farm. 4550 Soda Bay Rd., Kelseyville. Tickets: tinyurl.com/m7hspxyd.

FREE Courtney’s Pumpkin Patch & Kiwanis’ 1st Annual Harvest Fair. Pumpkins for sale. Live music, family activities & face-painting. Beer/wine & food vendors. 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Cloverdale Plaza. 122 N. Cloverdale Blvd., Cloverdale. courtneyspumpkinpatch.com

FREE Lakeport Harvest Festival Street Fair. DJ & live music, line

dancing, children’s crafts, pumpkin decorating, corn hole tournament, scarecrow contest, vendors, games, races & performances. Food, beer & wine available. Event: free. Hot dog eating contest entry fee (must be 18 or older to participate): $25. 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Hotdog Eating Contest: 2:30 p.m. Main St., Lakeport. tinyurl.com/ dvz8bnf3.

Sponsoring Survivorship Walk/ Run. $25. Supports local breast cancer survivors. Registration: 7:30–8:30 a.m. Race starts: 8:30 a.m. Silveira Community Center. 500 N. Main St., Lakeport. sponsoringsurvivorship.com

Noyo on the River Fall Fundraising Party. Live music & auction; catered food & local wine & beer. 5–7 p.m. Slack Tide Café. 32430 N. Harbor Dr., Fort Bragg. tinyurl.com/3e8uzznv

Dance the Redwoods. Vertical dance performances in the redwood trees. Live music, featuring Steven Bates. Silent auction, paella feast, local beer & wine. $100. 2 tickets: $175. Noon–2 p.m. Mendocino Woodlands Camp 2. 39350 Little Lake Rd., Mendocino. Tickets: dancetheredwoods2022.bpt.me.

Cider Tasting in the Orchard. Sample award-winning hard ciders under heritage apple trees. Non-alcoholic cider available. $15/ person tasting. Fridays–Mondays. 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Gowan’s Apple Orchards. 6320 Hwy. 128, Philo. (1/4 mile north of Gowan’s Apple Stand). gowansheirloomcider.com/ book-online

FREE Farmers’ Market Storytime. Presented by the Ukiah Library. 10–11 a.m. Ukiah Farmers’ Market. School St, Ukiah. tinyurl.com/mr3c784f.

Skunk Train Pumpkin Express. Ride Skunk Train to a pumpkin patch & pick a pumpkin. $10.95–$59.95. Dogs: $10.95. Kids ages 2 & younger ride on laps for free. Departing from Willits. Saturdays: 10:30 a.m. & 1:30 p.m. Sundays & Wednesdays: 10:30 a.m. Oct. 31: 10:30 a.m. Skunk Train Depot. 299 E. Commercial St., Willits. skunktrain.com/pumpkin-express

FREE Thrift Store Parking Lot Sale. Indoor Bartlett Hall Boutique for “high-end” items for sale. Kids’ entertainment, games, reading hour, coloring & Hoola-Hoop contests. Costumes welcome. Hot dogs, chili, jam & baked goods & drinks available.

MTA is pleased to announce, we have expanded service on the CC Rider. Service has been added between Fort Bragg and Ukiah, offering 2 trips daily, Monday through Saturday. For the complete schedule visit us at www.mendocinotransit.org or give us a call for more information 1 800 696 4MTA

MTA is pleased to announce, we have expanded service on the CC Rider. Service has been added between Fort Bragg and Ukiah, offering 2 trips daily, Monday through Saturday. For the complete schedule visit us at www.mendocinotransit.org or give us a call for more information 1 800 696 4MTA

Southbound: Mendocino/Fort Bragg to Santa Rosa Mendocino, St Anthony’s at 6:58 am

Fort Bragg, Boatyard at 7:30 Willits, Babcock Park at 8:30 am Ukiah, Pear Tree at 9:20 am

Northbound: Ukiah to Fort Bragg Ukiah, Pear Tree at 9:25 am Willits, Hwy 101 at Earth Lab at 9:57 am Southbound: Fort Bragg to Ukiah Fort Bragg, Boatyard at 1:45 pm Willits, Babcock Park at 2:45 pm Northbound: Santa Rosa to Mendocino/Fort Bragg Santa Rosa, 2nd Street Transit Mall at 1:25 pm Ukiah, Pear Tree at 3:39 pm Willits, Hwy 101 at Earth Lab at 4:11

Southbound: Mendocino/Fort Bragg to Santa Rosa Mendocino, St Anthony’s at 6:58 am Fort Bragg, Boatyard at 7:30 Willits, Babcock Park at 8:30 am Ukiah, Pear Tree at 9:20 am Northbound: Ukiah to Fort Bragg Ukiah, Pear Tree at 9:25 am Willits, Hwy 101 at Earth Lab at 9:57 am Southbound: Fort Bragg to Ukiah Fort Bragg, Boatyard at 1:45 pm Willits, Babcock Park at 2:45 pm Northbound: Santa Rosa to Mendocino/Fort Bragg Santa Rosa, 2nd Street Transit Mall at 1:25 pm Ukiah, Pear Tree at 3:39 pm Willits, Hwy 101 at Earth Lab at 4:11

9 a.m.–3 p.m. 497 Leslie St., Ukiah. tinyurl.com/yvbff9zz.

Thursday 6

FREE The Blue Zone Project Walking Moai. A moai is a group of 5–8 people who walk together at least once a week for 10 weeks. Willits

Walking Moai: Thursdays, 5:30 p.m., at Haehl Creek Trail (located adjacent to the New Frank R. Howard Memorial Hospital, Willits). Jabber

Walking Moai: Fridays, 8 a.m., at Anton Stadium, 558 Park Blvd., Ukiah. Sho Ko Wah Shakers Walking Moai: Fridays, 8 a.m., at 3000 Shanel Rd., Hopland. info.bluezonesproject.com/ walking-moai.

FREE Indigenous People’s Day. Free Indian tacos, traditional dancers, language games, cultural speakers

& job corps booths. 12:30–3:30 p.m. Round Valley High School. 76270 High School St., Covelo. tinyurl.com/ ynmf5c5h

FREE Middletown Chess Club. A friendly competition that’s open to all ages. Thursdays. 3–4:30 p.m. Middletown Library. 21256 Washington St., Middletown. tinyurl. com/35uz76pd

Friday 7

FREE Lakeport Mama Walk & Talk. Weekly walk hosted by Mother-Wise. Open to all Lake County moms. Fridays. 9:30–10 a.m. Mother-Wise Office. 180 N. Main St., Lakeport. facebook.com/ MotherWiseLakeCounty.

FREE Shade Canyon Playgroup. Open to all families, for ages 5 &

younger. Waldorf-style story, crafts, or nature walks. Held first & third Fridays of each month. Oct. 7 & 21: 10–11:30 a.m. Peace & Plenty Farm. 4550 Soda Bay Rd., Kelseyville. shadecanyon.org.

Saturday 8

FREE Redwood Fire 5-Year Anniversary. Fire Survivor Dana K. will host gathering to honor the fifth anniversary of the Redwood Fire. Anyone impacted & their family & friends can attend. Bring picnic. 11 a.m.–2 p.m. Todd Grove Park. 600 Live Oak Ave., Ukiah. tinyurl.com/ yc7y4hxw

FREE Blessing of the Animals. Bring well-behaved pets. If pet is shy or fearful, it can be blessed via a drive-thru interaction. 11 a.m.–noon.

SUNDAY,

‘...the distinction between past, present and future is onlya stubbornly persistent illusion.’- Einstein Touring June to October under the BigTop thrilling & sophisticated children’s camps at select locations

Maple Ave., Santa

from the Fairgrounds)

ANTIQUE

Admission

($1 off with

Children under

free with adult

Kitti (707) 326-0322

First Presbyterian Church. 367 S. Sanderson Way, Fort Bragg. fbpchurch.org/church-calendar

(Almost) Full Hunter Moon Lighthouse Tours. Beverages & snacks. $25–$30. Reservations must be made by phone no later than 3:30 p.m. three days before event. Gates: 6:30 p.m. Tour: 7 p.m. 45500 Lighthouse Rd., Point Arena. 707-882-2809, ext. 1. pointarenalighthouse.com.

The Lore of the Lake: A Walking History Tour. Stories of real people & events that span the 10,000-year history of the Clear Lake area. $15. Oct. 8 & 9: 1–4 p.m. Tours every 20 minutes. Downtown Lakeport. Tickets: lctc.us.

Oktoberfest Block Party. Live music & activities for the whole family. Beer/ wine: $7 or 3/$20. Proceeds benefit Shanel Valley Academy. 1–6 p.m. Hwy. 101, Hopland. destinationhopland. com/events.

Fall at the Farm. Petting zoo, cookie decorating, games. Lunch & sweet treats for purchase. Petting zoo $5 or free for those who bring a new toy to donate to Toys 4 Tots. 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Crazy Quilt Farms. 1215 W. St. Hwy. 20, Upper Lake. crazyquiltfarm.com.

FREE Upper Lake Fall Festival. Live music by the Real Sarahs. Vendors, beer booth & arts & crafts for kids. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. (parade, 10 a.m.; live music, 2–4 p.m.) Main Street, Upper Lake. lakecounty.com/event/ upper-lake-fall-festival.

Sunday 9

Exploramos Juntos/Exploring Together: Nuestra Alianza Exhibit Opening. Exhibit about a bilingual youth program centered on the history, art, culture & sports of Mexico. Exhibit runs thru Feb. 1, 2023. /Inauguración de la exposición. Exposición sobre un programa juvenil bilingüe centrado en la historia, el arte, la cultura y el deporte de México. La exhibición estará abierta hasta el 1 de febrero de 2023. Noon–3 p.m. Mendocino County Museum. 400 E. Commercial St., Willits. tinyurl.com/ yf2xb9u8.

FREE Blue Zones Project North County Kick-Off. Family-friendly activities, giveaways & Blue Zones Project–inspired bites from local restaurants. 1–4 p.m. Recreation

Grove Park. S. Lenore Ave., Willits. mec.bluezonesproject.com/ community-kickoff

Wednesday 12

FREE Annual Youth Pumpkin Giveaway & Community Awareness Event. Pumpkin decorating, Native dancers, informational booths, speakers & on-site domestic violence support. Costumes optional. Pumpkin giveaway is for ages 18 & younger. Sponsored by Lake County Tribal Health. 1–4:30 p.m. Legacy Campus. 1950 Parallel Dr., Lakeport. tinyurl. com/3t2wbxex

FREE Honoring Motherhood. A fun & supportive gathering for Native mothers & guardians of Native children younger than 1. Oct. 12 & 26: 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Big Valley. 2726

Mission Rancheria Rd., Lakeport. To attend, call 707-263-8382, ext. 1702. tinyurl.com/bdf546zu

Thursday 13

House on Haunted Hill. Slapstick comedy based on the 1959 film starring Vincent Price. $12–$23. Thursday–Saturdays: 7 p.m. Sundays: 2 p.m. Oct. 31: 7 p.m. Runs thru Nov. 5. Ukiah Players Theatre. 1041 Low Gap Rd., Ukiah. ukiahplayerstheatre.org.

Friday 14

Flynn Creek Circus: Balloons, Birds & Other Flying Things. A rurally based, award-winning circus bringing international talent to the North Bay. Tickets are sold by table or bench, regardless of age of attendees. $35–$416. Oct. 14: 5 & 7:30 p.m. Oct.

Design

15: 4 & *7 p.m. (*adults 21+ only). Oct. 16: noon & 3 p.m. Anderson Valley Brewing Company. 17700 Boonville Rd., Boonville. flynncreekcircus.com

FREE Great Pumpkin Weigh-Off. Winner receives cash prize equaling $1.50 a pound. 4–6:30 p.m. Alex Thomas Plaza. 310 S. State St., Ukiah. cityofukiah.com/pumpkinfest.

Saturday 15

FREE Wave of Life Global Event. Families across the world will be lighting a candle to remember all babies who have died too soon. Remembrance activities & speaker from Hospice Lake County. Hosted by Mother-Wise. 7 p.m. Library Park. 200 Park St., Lakeport. tinyurl.com/ ycke2ask.

Who

Be

Music & Dance Wave-Up. Familyfriendly & furry-friendly north coast mash-up of rave & pop-up. Music, dancing, kids’ play area & face painting. $20. Ages 18 & younger: free. 1–5 p.m. Caspar Community Center. 15051 Caspar Rd., Caspar. tinyurl. com/56ypm3xd.

Oz Farm Harvest Celebration. Live music, kids’ activities, silent auction, apple pressing; fresh produce, food, beer, wine & cider for purchase. $10. 2–8 p.m. Farm tour: 3 p.m. Pie-eating contest: 4:45 p.m. Cider tasting: 6 p.m. Oz Farm. 41601 Mountain View Rd., Point Arena. ozfarm.com/ harvest-celebration

FREE PumpkinFest. Children’s performances, baking contests, scarecrow display & pet costume contests. Wine & beer garden. Oct. 15:

10 a.m.–6 p.m. (parade: 10 a.m.) Oct. 16: 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Downtown Ukiah. cityofukiah.com/pumpkinfest

Sunday 16

Opus Chamber Music Concert. Featuring Brass Over Bridges playing brass music, from the Renaissance polyphony of Giovanni Gabrieli to the jazz of Duke Ellington. $25. 17 & younger: free. 3 p.m. Mendocino Presbyterian Church. 44831 Main St., Mendocino. symphonyoftheredwoods. org/opus.php.

& author of the book The Power of Purpose. 5:30–7:30 p.m. Willits Harrah Senior Center. 1501 Baechtel Rd., Willits. bluezonesproject.com

FREE Wings of Hope Family Support. Fun & meaningful activities for the whole family. Food & discussion about grief & healing. Held third Wednesday of each month. 5–7 p.m. Hospice Services Bereavement Center. 1862 Parallel Dr., Lakeport. 707-263-6222, ext. 130. tinyurl.com/ yc4v5n8b

GIVE YOUR CHILD a joyful learning experience full of discovery with:

Wednesday 19

• Exploration of own interests & abilities

FREE Blue Zones Project Purpose Workshop. Led by a certified facilitator who helps people find clarity about their purpose. Designed in partnership with Richard Leider, a leading expert in Purpose studies

• Experiential learning with field trips, arts

• Respectful and caring learning community

• Peace education and mindfulness

Friday 21

Haunted Hall of Horrors & Escape Room. $10–$20. Oct. 21–22 & 28–29: 7–10 p.m. Oct. 31: 6–7 p.m. (less scary, for young children); 7–10 p.m. (very scary). The Escape Room ($8): teams of 5 solve clues to escape in

• Earth stewardship

CHILD A JOYFUL LEARNING

FULL OF

Exploration of own interests & abilities

Experiential learning with field trips, arts

Respectful & caring learning community

Peace education & mindfulness

Hands-on & multicultural learning experiences

Earth stewardship

WITH:

FREE meals for all students,

ENROLLMENT

10 minutes. Fort Bragg Lions Hall. 430 E. Redwood Ave., Fort Bragg. Reservations required for Escape Room: hauntedhallofhorrors.com

Saturday 22

Cinema in the Vineyards. Outdoor screening of Fantastic Mr. Fox. Bring chairs & blankets. $15–$25. Ages 2 & younger: free. Fantastic Feast dinner available for pre-order for $30. No outside food/coolers. Gates: 5 p.m. Film: 6:30 p.m. Pennyroyal Farm. 14930 Hwy. 128, Boonville. Tickets: tinyurl.com/2p9cc2a4

Silent Disco in the Haunted Wine Cave. Wine flights, local food, silent disco dance party (dance with headphones) & a Halloween costume contest. $50. Adults 21 & older only. 5–9 p.m. Saracina Vineyards. 11684 Hwy. 101, Hopland. Tickets: tinyurl. com/yzswax5t

Sunday 23

Battle of the Badges. A competitive softball game between local firefighters & law enforcement. $30. Ages 5–12: $10. 4 & younger: free. Benefits Westside Community Park. 1–5 p.m. Westside Community Park. 1401 Westside Park Rd., Lakeport. cityoflakeport.com/calendar.php

Fall Festival. Free admission. Tickets for purchase for a wide variety of activities, including face painting, a dunk booth & a bouncy house. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Ukiah Junior Academy. 180 Stipp Ln., Ukiah. myuja.org.

Saturday 29

Noyo Headlands Race. 5K costume fun walk; 5K, 10K, Boston Qualifier for Half & Full Marathon. Can run a virtual race. Medals in each category in each age group. $40–$90.

Noyo Headlands. Fort Bragg. tinyurl. com/4shhjuzp.

FREE Spooktacular Fall Carnival. Spooktacular Storytime: 10:30–11 a.m. Costume Parade & Treat Bags: 12:30–12:45 p.m. Carnival games: 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Fort Bragg Library. 499 E. Laurel St., Fort Bragg. tinyurl. com/mr4d4twc.

FREE Historic Planes Display. Held the 4th Saturday of each month. 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Lampson Field Airport. Highland Springs Rd., Kelseyville. tinyurl.com/2w69afcd.

Super Righteous Heavy Metal Halloween Extravaganza. All ages welcome. Featuring 7 northern California metal bands. Food vendors, bounce houses, giant inflatable slide & trick-or-treating candy. Costumes encouraged. $15–$20. Ages 12 & younger: free. 4 p.m. Freedom Riders Motor Club. 2598 S. Main St., Lakeport. Tickets: tinyurl. com/2j7tc7pr

Sunday 30

Deep Strings Concert. Award-winning German cello & vocal duo. $30–$35. Free for ages 17 & younger, when accompanied by an adult. To reserve a free child ticket, call 707-463-2738 & provide name, email & phone number. 2 p.m. SPACE Theater. 508 W. Perkins St., Ukiah. brownpapertickets.com/event/5504091

FREE Magic Market. Parts of downtown Fort Bragg will be closed to traffic & open to local vendor booths & fall festivities. Food/drinks for purchase. 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Laurel & Franklin Streets, Fort Bragg. tinyurl. com/2p9ddte7

FREE Trick-or-Treat Main Street. Block party. Local merchants give

out treats to costumed kids. Noon. Main Street. Kelseyville. tinyurl. com/2p8pt9d5

Halloween Carnival. Family-friendly games, costumes, cake walk & more. $2. 2–6 p.m. Kelseyville Elementary. 5065 Konocti Rd., Kelseyville. tinyurl. com/355etw6e.

Monday 31

Halloween with the Billy Watson Band. Live music & BBQ dinner. Limited seating. 6–8 p.m. Blue Wing Restaurant. 9520 Main St., Upper Lake. tinyurl.com/44kwdeb3

FREE City Hall-Oween. Pizza & trick-or-treat bags with candy. Costumes encouraged. Sponsored by the City of Clearlake. 3–5 p.m. 14050 Olympic Dr., Clearlake. tinyurl.com/ mrykxtw6

FREE First Ever Haunted Halloween Middletown. Local merchants give out treats to costumed kids. Families vote for best Halloween costume at each business. 2–6 p.m. Downtown Middletown. tinyurl.com/ y55dsch6

FREE Community Halloween Bash. Games, costume contest & prizes. Hosted by the Boys & Girls Club of Ukiah. 6–9 p.m. Costume Contest: 8 p.m. Alex Rorabaugh Center. 1640 S. State St., Ukiah. tinyurl.com/4znpfdax.

Enchanted Pumpkin Path. Actors play out a fairy tale at stations along a path. Choose a time slot: 5 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 6 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 7 p.m., or 7:30 p.m. $8. Waldorf School of Mendocino County. 6280 Third St., Calpella. mendocinowaldorf.org

HallowCrazies

We’re All a Little Batty

By Jessica Guerrieri

When it’s November 1, the big question will remain: How do I explain to my three-year-old that Halloween happens only once a year? When it’s 6:30 a.m. and she has changed herself out of her witch costume, which she will have slept in, and then crawled back into her cat costume, the answer will be: I will not. I will accept that it will likely be Halloween in our house until Santa arrives.

Since I’m in it for the long haul, why not get into it? In college, I was absolutely that girl who used Halloween as an excuse to rock Daisy Dukes or fishnet stockings. But as a mom, I have different reasons for celebrating the holiday (and it’s not just because Reese’s peanut butter cups become my main source of protein).

First of all, I adore a good family costume. My girls love to dress up; it is something of an Olympic event in our household. This means we have no fewer than ten costumes to choose from when the big day arrives. So just like celebrities photographed on the red carpet, my daughters are never caught in the same outfit twice. Our best efforts, by far, were the year when my girls were paw-deep in their feline phase, and I, as the crazy cat lady,

was just along for the ride. (I didn’t have the heart to tell them that we are actually dog people.)

Second, I secretly like to judge costumed couples. You can always tell the husbands whose wives have their little pumpkins in the palms of their hands; they begrudgingly become the Aladdin to their wife’s Jasmine or the Adam to their Eve. But the men who dress up for their kids get my serious respect. It takes a dedicated father to rock his shirtless dad-bod as Maui from Moana, all so his daughter can feel like a princess. I see you Dad people.

Third, I enjoy knowing the answer, for once, to the oft-asked question: Why is my child acting like a wild animal? Anytime around Halloween, I don’t

have to guess. Sugar, costumes, and the overuse of pumpkin spice are the causes of most insanity. Yep, in October and slightly beyond we are all a little batty.

During my Daisy Dukes days, I was fully convinced that being seen and partying into the night was exactly what the smashing-pumpkins holiday was all about. But as a mother, I’ve experienced the true magic of Halloween. You know, letting kids express their imaginations and teaching them about manners, gratitude, and, of course, the most important lesson of all: I gave you life, therefore you give me all your Reese’s. ❖

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

The author and her kids, during their “feline phase.”

Support a New Waldorf School

Waldorf schools’ arts- and nature-oriented approach to education continues to grow in popularity. But it can cost a bundle. Shade Canyon School in Kelseyville wants to make a Waldorf-inspired learning environment free and available to the public. To this end, the school, slated to open next fall, is holding a building-fundraiser: a gourmet dinner (plus a silent auction) at Peace and Plenty Farm in Kelseyville. Handmade pumpkin ravioli and roast pork with Israeli couscous will be the stars of the meal, which will finish off with spiced pears poached in Lake County red wine. Acoustic guitarist John Ruiz will perform. The Harvest Dinner will take place on October 1, 4–8 p.m. Tickets are $125 for this 21-and-over event and may be purchased at tinyurl.com/5yyvbm6x

Healthy Halloween

During this candy-consumption time of year, Fort Bragg’s Noyo Headlands Race offers a chance to engage in something healthy. The race, a Boston Marathon qualifier, will travel along a fairly flat asphalt-and-soft track on the coast. Participants can do a 5K run or walk, a 10K run, or a half or full marathon. Costumes are encouraged but not required. Medals will be awarded in three categories: female, male, and non-binary. The footrace will be held on October 29, 7 a.m.–2 p.m. Registration fees are $40–$90, with proceeds going to the Mendocino Coast Healthcare Foundation. Sign up at tinyurl.com/4shhjuzp