Mendo Lake Family Life April 2015

mendo lake April 2015

Let’s Camp!

8 great local spots

11 Ways to

Honor the Earth

Kids & Pets A love fest

Todd and Shannon Williams are aware of everything that’s taking place in their children’s lives. They understand that one of their most important jobs it to protect their children from harm. Three very active children means plenty of bumps, bruises, cavities, colds, and flus. This is why they protect Dominic, Noah, and Grace by ensuring they’re up to date with vaccinations, by making sure they have regular access to doctors and dentists, and by knowing where they are, and who they’re with, at all times. By protecting and supporting their children, Todd and Shannon are ensuring that they’ll become confident and successful adults someday. If that’s something you want for your children, take our SHIELD challenge and commit to protecting your children each day, in every way.

BE A HERO: PROTECT Join the Hero Project - Take the Challenge - FREE Prizes and Fun

Check out the Hero Project website & facebook page!

Go behind the scenes with families just like yours and discover proven parenting methods designed to help you become the best parent you can be.

lakecountyheroproject.com @lakecountyheroproject

...and tag your posts #lakecountyheroproject so we can love you back!

SPONSORED BY:

Lake County Office of Education • St. Helena Hospital – Clearlake • Sutter Lakeside Hospital

Health Leadership Network • First 5 Lake County • Redbud Health Care District

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Close toHome

Caring For Your and Your Family

As part of our mission to improve the health of our community, we are excited to bring quality care closer to home. From the common cold to annual exams and vaccinations, your care team at the Redwood Medical Clinic is here for you.

MEET YOUR PRIMARY CARE TEAM John Glyer, MD | Family Practice Dr. Glyer has served the Willits community for 37 years.

He enjoys caring for adult and pediatric patients. Dr. Glyer also has a special interest in caring for patients in recovery from drug and alcohol.

Now Accepting New Patients

To schedule an appointment, call 707.459.6115

Suki Spillner, FNP-BC | Family Practice Suki Spillner is excited to serve the Willits community and is accepting both adult and pediatric patients. She enjoys managing complex chronic illnesses, with an emphasis on health education and helping her patients achieve their goals.

88 Madrone Street | Willits, CA 95490 | 707.459.6115

April 2015

Every Issue

10

6

Dear Reader

7

Bits and Pieces Olive Oil Magic Jazz Festival Honors Dave Brubeck Say It in Three Lines

22 Calendar of Events Put Up Your Ukes

Features

26 Mendo Meets Monty Python

8 We Won! Mendo Lake Family Life wins

top honors at international design and editorial competition.

10 So Happy to See You! Teach your kids how to love and care for a pet.

12 Kids Leap with LEEF A community group gives Lakeport students the gift of technology.

14 Raising Global Citizens

28 Cooking with Kids An Egg-cellent Breakfast

29 Kids Craft Crazy Critters

29 Marketplace 30 Humor Break

How to help your kids appreciate the Earth.

16 Pint-sized Poets Introduce your family to the pleasure of verse and rhyme.

18 Camptastic!

Get your nature fix at these local parks and campgrounds.

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18 April 2015 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Modern Medicine Personalized Care Modern Medicine Personalized Care

Women’s Health | Chiropractic | Podiatry | Acupuncture | Family Medicine | Tele Psych We have a new state-of-the-art facility, expert professionals, and the time it takes to give you the care you need.

Bevins Ct.

Lake County Tribal Health

Medi-Cal, Medicare & Most Private Insurance ACCEPTED

S. Main St.

Bevins St.

EVERYONE IS WELCOME

Un-InsUrED? Not a problem!

Lakeport Blvd.

29

Medical Clinic

We offer sliding scale and payment plans.

Chiropractic

Lake County Tribal Health 707-263-8382 • 1-800-750-7181 925 Bevins Court, Lakeport www.lcthc.com

Acupuncture

Dentist Office

Come See Our Newest Arrival

We have a new state-of-the-art facility, expert professionals, and the time it takes to give you the care you need.

Bevins Ct.

Lake County Tribal Health

S. Main St.

Bevins St.

Everyone is welcome.

Lakeport Blvd.

29

Medi-Cal & Private Insurance Accepted Un-Insured? Not a problem!

We offer sliding scale and payment plans.

Lake County Tribal Health 707-263-8382 • 1-800-750-7181 925 Bevins Court, Lakeport www.lcthc.com

Dear Reader

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great summer camp experience is something kids remember for a long time—even throughout their Sharon Gowan lives. It’s when the Publisher/Editor Sharon@family-life.us first glimmers of lifelong hobbies or even a career start to emerge.

What kind of camp will bring out your child’s innate talents? Find out at our two free Summer Camp Fairs on April 11, 11 a.m.–4 p.m., at Coddingtown Mall in Santa Rosa, and May 16, 11 a.m.–3 p.m., at Petaluma Dental Group Campus in Petaluma. Talk to representatives from top-notch sports, arts, horseback riding, and science and engineering programs—both day and residential— pick up brochures, enter contests, and take advantage of lots of fun freebies. As

you’re browsing exhibits, you can watch and listen to terrific children’s dance and music performers. Both days will be a blast! We can’t wait to see you there.

Before the fairs, be sure to check out our Virtual Camp Fair online at sonomafamilylife.com to begin crafting your search for the ideal camp. Next issue look for our “Summer Camp Adventure Guide” for a comprehensive list of every conceivable kind of camp offered in our area.

Office Manager Patricia Ramos patty@family-life.us

Business Marketing Renee Nutcher renee@family-life.us Jolie Cook jolie@family-life.us

We take pride in offering you the best in local parenting resources. So we’re overjoyed to be honored by the Parenting Media Association for our excellence in journalism and design. See “We Won!” (page 6) to find out which articles grabbed top honors.

We hope your April is full of blossoming hopes and dreams!

Marie Anderson marie@family-life.us

Features Editor Melissa Chianta melissa@family-life.us

Production Manager Donna Bogener production@family-life.us

Marketing Jordan Lewis jordan@family-life.us

LEARN THE TRICKS OF THE TRADE!

Calendar Patricia Ramos

Contributing Writers John Corippo Walker Holman Christina Katz Lisa Nord Seplak Denise Morrison Yearian

WITH LOCAL EXPERTS

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For Boys & Girls!

Jan Wasson-Smith

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Publishing Office 134 Lystra Court, Suite A Santa Rosa, CA 95403

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Tel (707) 586-9562 Fax (707) 586-9571

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209 S. School St. • Ukiah 707-462-PLAY www.popukiah.weebly.com 6 MendoLakeFamilyLife

April 2015 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Bits & Pieces

Olive Oil Magic

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live oil is to cooking what wine is to drinking; its an essential element that has the potential to elevate a meal from “just fine” to “amazing.” You can sample some exceptional olive oil at the Kelseyville Olive Festival, which will be held on April 26, 11 a.m.–5 p.m., at the Chacewater Winery and Olive Mill. Enjoy olive mill tours, product samples, an olive-pit–spitting contest, local beer and wine tasting, a people’s choice olive oil contest, a children’s booth, and—if you are adventurous—a hula-hoop contest. The event is free except for the beer and wine tasting, which is $15. See kelseyvilleolivefestival.com for details. ¶

Jazz Festival Honors Dave Brubeck

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hat do jazz and whales have n common?

Whale-watching requires careful looking, and jazz requires careful listening. Enjoy both activities at the 12th Annual Whale and Jazz Festival in Gualala. The seven-week festival, which runs April 3–May 14, will feature live music performances in coastal settings, including wineries, restaurants, and inns, as well as the Gualala Arts Center.

Performers will include the Matt Eakle Trio, the Groove Factor, the Chris Doering Quartet, and the Eric Mintel Quartet. A special series of events, including a documentary film, will honor American jazz legend Dave Brubeck, who died in 2012 at the age of 92. See whaleandjazzfestival.com for a complete schedule of events. ¶

Eric Mintel Quartet

Say It in Three Lines

H

ave you ever noticed that Ukiah is haiku spelled backwards? With a wink at this delightful palindrome, the 13th Annual ukiaHaiku Festival gives an opportunity for area poets of all ages to give their best shot at writing haiku, a traditional Japanese poem in which 17 syllables are nestled into 3 lines. The best submissions will be unveiled at the festival, which will be held on April 26, 2–4 p.m., at the SPACE Theater in Ukiah. Festival attendees will be treated to a music concert, after which poets will read their winning haikus. Audience members will have the chance to read through an exhibit of selected poems at a reception following the event. See ukiahaiku.org for more information. ¶ www.mendolakefamilylife.com

April 2015

MendoLakeFamilyLife 7

We Won!

mendo lake June/July 2014

Best Beaches 5 top spots

Make a Splash!

Mendo Lake Family Life Honored at International Competition

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“Parents who frequently take their children to the beach or are visiting for the first time should read this story. It is very informative. The author did a good job of providing information on what to do and not do when caught in a rip tide. It was very well written,” the judges said.

We also won Best Column for John Corippo’s articles “Muffins for Munchkins” and “A Better Kind of Gummy.”

We were honored not only for our writing, but also for our design and use of multimedia. We won Best Use of Stock Art for our June/July 2014 cover, designed by Production Manager Donna Bogener, and Best Use of Multimedia for our implementation of Augmented Reality in the article “Best Beaches.”

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PMA represents more than 100 magazines from across the U.S., Australia, and Canada. There were 630 entries in this year’s contest, which was coordinated by Daryl Moen of the University of Missouri’s School of Journalism. A panel of judges, all of whom have significant professional experience, chose the winners in each category.

“The purpose of the PMA awards competition is to encourage a high level of journalistic performance and service to communities by recognizing editorial excellence and outstanding visual presentation in parenting publications,” says PMA Executive Director C. James Dowden.

“We’re truly a local publication, and often compete against publications that are part of large national media companies, so the competition is fierce.

It’s great that our wonderful local staff has been recognized internationally for their work and, most importantly, that we’re providing top-quality coverage to our loyal local readers,” says Gowan. ¶

TH OF

JULY

Equine therapy for kids

fireworks

Cooking with Kids Sonoma County Airport

reactions, hyperactivity in children, and cancer. The European Union has almost entirely phased out food dyes. (See www.cspinet.org/fooddyes.) To top it off, that shiny finish on the fruit shapes often comes from carnauba wax, the same stuff that people use to buff up their cars, shoes, and surf boards.

My kids love their fruit gummies, but it’s apparent that they are not the best option for a snack. Especially when my DIY version is incredibly easy to make, and doesn’t include a list of indecipherable additives. Your children will be excited to choose their favorite flavors (blueberry, peach, and strawberry are our favorites) and even help make them. And you will sleep better at night knowing exactly what is going into your kids’ bodies. ¶

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DIY Fruit Snacks This recipe uses just four simple ingredients, and is adaptable to whatever kind of fruit you have on hand. Fresh and frozen work equally well, although taking the kids to the farmers market, local orchard, or fruit stand to pick out some organic produce is always a great idea.

A Better Kind of Gummy The long hot days begin to shorten and cool, leaves show the beginning of their annual change,

and we get to send our little ones back to continue

their education. Does it get any better than that? Now, what to feed ’em when they come home?

20 MendoLakeFamilyLife

707.565.7240 Follow STS on

Combine fruit and ½ cup juice in saucepan over medium heat.

Bring just to boil. Lower heat and simmer 5 minutes, allowing fruit to soften.

Transfer to blender or immersion blender, and purée mixture until smooth.

DIY gummies tempt little fingers.

Combine fruit purée and applesauce in saucepan. Sprinkle gelatin over top of mixture and stir until gelatin completely dissolves. Add remaining fruit juice and stir until well combined.

By John Corippo

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www.sonomacountyairport.org

• 1 heaping cup desired fruit (fresh or frozen) • ¾ fruit juice (divided into ½ cup and ¼ cup) • ½ cup applesauce • 4 envelopes gelatin

Make Your Own Healthy Fruit Snacks

ack to school—the three greatest words to a parent.

TS

Mendo Lake Family Life beat out stiff competition to win Best Service Feature for “Rip Current Safety” by Features Editor Melissa Chianta.

“We’re thrilled that we won top honors for our writing, design, and use of multimedia,” says Sharon Gowan, founder and publisher of Mendo Lake Family Life.

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Horse Whisperer

©P N

e beamed with pride and excitement when we found out that we had won top honors at the International Parenting Media Association’s (PMA) Editorial and Design Awards Competition, which recognizes regional family publications for excellence in journalism, photography, and design.

4 city pools

Pour mixture into 8x8 glass baking dish. Refrigerate until firm, usually a minimum of 3 hours. Score outside edge of gummy and carefully remove with spatula onto a cutting board. Cut into blocks or shapes and enjoy.

Fruit gummies are one of the most popular options for kids’ lunches or an after-school snack.

They’re super-convenient, prepackaged, and, since they have fruit in them, relatively healthy, right?

Wrong. Take a look at the ingredients list; it’s like reading another language. And since when are colors regarded as ingredients? Red 40 and Yellow 5 are among a host of dyes that are made from petroleum and have been linked to allergic

John Corippo lives in Ukiah, where he is a husband and father to two sons.

Corippo is a fire captain, paramedic, hazmat specialist, journalist, college instructor, avid sports fan, and stand-up paddleboard representative.

www.mendolakefamilylife.com

August 2014

www.mendolakefamilylife.com

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Moms typically control 80% or more of their household budgets They’re looking right here, to find you. Call now, don’t miss another month.

IN PRINT • ONLINE • EVENTS • CONTESTS 586-9562 • MendoLakeFamilyLife.com

August 2014

MendoLakeFamilyLife 21

Rip

Current Safety

4 Steps for Escaping Danger

N

o matter how many times you’ve been to the beach, or how great a swimmer you are, never ever be lax about rip currents. This is especially true, of course, if you are keeping watch over kids.

Rip currents, which are different from rip tides and undertow (see tinyurl. com/67ggfkp for more information), are formed when waves break strongly in one place and weakly in another, creating a river-like channel of fast-moving water that travels off shore.

They usually form in low areas where kids like to play, such as sandbars, and also near groins, jetties, and piers.

The currents can be very narrow or hundreds of yards across; the pull may end just beyond the line of breaking waves or extend several hundred yards from shore. The important thing to know is that they are fast—reaching speeds of 8 feet per second. That’s faster than an Olympic swimmer can sprint! The swifter they run, the more dangerous they become. Sometimes they can be fairly slow, but even relatively gentle currents can quickly turn treacherous if wave height and frequency increase.

It’s possible to spot a rip current before even getting into the water, especially if you happen to be wearing

polarized sunglasses. Here are a few things to look for: • a channel of choppy water • an area where the water is murkier or a markedly different color • a string of foam, seaweed, or debris moving out to sea • a break in the pattern of incoming waves These signs can be hard to detect from shore, though. Sometimes the only way to know the location of a rip current is by actually being in one. If this happens, remember: Don’t panic! It’s a myth that a rip current can pull you under; it can only pull you farther out to sea. People die not because they’ve been pulled under water, but because they instinctively try to swim toward land, against the intense current, eventually exhausting themselves and drowning.

There are a couple of approaches to escaping a rip current. Here’s what to teach kids.

1 2

Stay calm. Remind them that rip currents can’t pull them under, just out to sea, and that the pull will eventually end.

Don’t go toward the shore.

Advise kids to swim parallel to the shore, not toward it—no matter what. If you’ve got swim team stars in your family, remind them that not even the Michael Phelpses of the world can beat the power of a rip current, so they shouldn’t try either.

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Since parallel may be a difficult word for young minds to grasp, you may want to think of a catchy phrase to help them understand. Something like “Follow the shore, safety you’ll score” or “Follow the line, safety you’ll find.”

Kids can determine if they are out of harm’s way by figuring out if they still feel the current’s pull on their bodies. If they no longer feel the pull, then they can swim toward land. Some experts advise swimming diagonally toward land, even after breaking free of the current.

3

Don’t freak. Float. If swimming out of the current doesn’t work, just tell your children to simply turn on their backs, or tread water, until they are out of the current’s reach. This works as a first option, too, if they don’t want to try to swim out of the current.

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Yell. If all else fails, they can turn toward shore, wave their hands, and holler for help.

Many people die trying to save others by entering the current themselves.

The best way to help victims is to throw them something that floats, yell instructions for escaping, and then seek out a lifeguard or call 911.

For more information, see the sites of the United States Lifesaving Association, usla.org/?page=ripcurrents, and the National Weather Service, ripcurrents. noaa.gov/index.shtml. Check out tide times by going to surfline.com. ¶

www.mendolakefamilylife.com

June/July 2014

Family Fun

Best

Beaches ‘

Beautiful Places for Families to Play Together

Tis the season of long hot afternoons, no homework, and kids with nothing to do.

Miles of sandy shore are the perfect antidote for pent-up energy. And while your children are running around hunting for shells, you can luxuriate in cool ocean breezes, knowing that your little ones will be too wiped out to even think of making a fuss at bedtime.

Wondering what beaches are the best bets for families? Check out these Bay Area treasures, most of them world renowned for their beauty.

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Shell Beach.

This lovely spot is terrific for tide-pooling.

In fact, the beach serves as an outdoor classroom where students from area schools learn about marine life. And it’s a prime fishing hangout, too, so dad or mom can cast a line while the kids are wow-ed by starfish and anemones. Don’t touch any of the tide-pool fauna, though. Just the simple act of turning over a rock can endanger the marine life, especially if the fragile creatures are exposed to the sun. No dogs or camping are allowed. No day-use fee. For more information, call 875-3483 or see parks.ca.gov/?page_id=451.

July 2014

www.sonomafamilylife.com

April 2015 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Summer Camp & Fun Fairs Santa Rosa Saturday April 11 11 a.m.–4 p.m. at Coddingtown Mall

Petaluma Saturday May 16 11 a.m.–3 p.m. at Petaluma Dental Group

So Happy to See You!

category, consider hermit crabs, an ant farm, small lizards, nonpoisonous snakes, multiple goldfish, one betta fish, or a pair of small birds. If you opt for carnivorous pets, just make sure

How to Make Pet Ownership Work for Your Family

My daughter’s dogs are over the moon for her; they can’t wait to see her in the morning. you are up for a mealtime ritual that may not sit well with the squeamish. In other words, make sure you know exactly what you are getting yourself into before you whip out your debit card.

By Christina Katz

W

hen my daughter wakes up in the morning and gets out of bed, a small ruckus of howls, barks, and doggy toenails tap dancing on linoleum begins downstairs.

If you ask Samantha about it, she smiles knowingly to herself. Her dogs, Daisy and Izzy, are over the moon for her; they can’t wait to see her in the morning. This type of unconditional love is what most parents are after when we imagine what it might be like to introduce pets into our homes. Just don’t expect happy harmony to happen overnight.

pets, but they aren’t the only ones that fill the role well. If you are looking in the “fuzzy pet” category, consider a guinea pig, a pair of gerbils, hamsters or mice, or even a rat. Remember that an older pet without special needs is usually going to adapt to busy family life more easily than a brand new anything.

Dogs and cats are usually the first animals kids want to turn into

In the non-fuzzy

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So much of pet satisfaction comes after adjusting everyone’s expectations to reality, so be reasonable. Your snake may not be much of a snuggler and your guinea pig’s nightly rooting noises may keep your child awake at night—that is until they eventually become comforting.

Because every child and every pet are different, assume that your child, no matter what his or her age, is not yet old enough to care for pets without

April 2015 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

supervision. Make sure the child is thoroughly taking care of the pet, and watch the animal for signs of neglect.

Your pets will likely grow attached to your kids first. But if you are an affectionate, caring, consistent pet parent, and you play your treats right, your animals just might have a little unconditional love left over for the person who pays the bills. ¶ Christina Katz is an author and freelance journalist. Her latest book is The Art of Making Time for Yourself.

The Making of a Good Pet Keeper Don’t assume kids intuitively know how to care for pets.

Taking responsibility for another life is a big step and should be approached incrementally according to developmental readiness.

1. Tell them how to properly care for the animal, and then show them how to do it a few times.

2. Let them read about pet care in instruction books.

3. Have them watch online videos about pet care.

4. Make them a daily checklist, but also check their work.

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5. Let them stop the daily checklist, but monitor their consistency.

• Free Training and other great incentives for attending fun workshops.

• Child Care Assistance for lowincome eligible families.

6. Have a monthly maintenance checklist.

• Free Child Care Referrals.

7. Trust older children to care for the pet properly, but monitor pet health on an ongoing basis.

1-800-606-5550 ext. 211 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

April 2015

Rural Communities Child Care

MendoLakeFamilyLife 11

Kids Leap with LEEF Local Foundation Helps Students Thrive

T

hey say it takes a village to raise a child. In Lake County, schools and teachers are definitely part of that village, but sometimes state resources aren’t enough to really give kids the opportunities they deserve. That’s where the Lakeport

Enhanced Education Foundation (LEEF) comes in.

Every year the nonprofit raises thousands of dollars so that Lakeport Unified School District (LUSD) educators may purchase things like iPads, books, and science kits.

“They’re awesome. Whenever us teachers have a need for a great project, we can always submit a request to LEEF,” says Tresa Thorley, an eighth grade science teacher at Terrace Middle School.

Started in 1992 by concerned community members, LEEF originally funded mostly arts-oriented activities until it became clear that, while state

12 MendoLakeFamilyLife

“I think it’s important to serve the kids and the community, and to pass on the concept of volunteering.”

—Jill Falconer funds were meeting basic needs, the LUSD was having trouble keeping up with technical advances in education.

“We don’t get a budget from the state that says ‘This is the money we want you to use to get computers for your kids.’ They give you a certain amount of money to get

supplies—pencils, papers, books. Often there just aren’t enough funds for computers,” says Jill Falconer, the president of LEEF, and the principal of Terrace Middle School in Lakeport.

In a rural district like LUSD, where a recent parent survey revealed that 28 percent of families don’t have access to the Internet at home, students rely on their schools to equip them with technological skills.

“A large percentage of Lake County students don’t have computers; they don’t have iPads; they don’t have smart phones. And they are going to need to learn [to use] this kind of technology when they leave us and go out into the world,” says Amy Wind, vice president of LEEF. To help students keep up with society’s demand for technological savvy, over the last several years LEEF has provided the LUSD with iPads and other electronic devices.

April 2015 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

In addition to computers, grants from LEEF have purchased thousands of dollars worth of library books, acoustical shells for the district’s music program, and lights.

Thorley notes LEEF even bought something called an electromagnetic spectrum set for the Terrace Middle School eighth grade science class.

“We have a really good science program here, and it’s largely because of groups like LEEF that we can provide it,” she says enthusiastically.

Sometimes LEEF works alone, and other times the organization partners with other community groups, such as the Lion’s Club, the Rotary Club, or a school’s booster club.

Even though LEEF obviously provides major resources to its community, large corporations often are not interested in funding LEEF’s work.

“We apply [to] and try to connect with big companies that offer grants, but we often don’t get them,” says Falconer.

It’s local businesses and individuals that, as Wind says, provide the

“bread and butter” that keep LEEF going; they publicize LEEF’s annual fundraiser, a catered dinner dance called Party with a Purpose, and donate services and items to the event’s silent auction.

“Whenever us teachers have a need for a great project, we can always submit a request to LEEF.” —Tresa Thorley The fundraiser is truly a community affair, involving parents, educators, and kids. Volunteers help decorate the room for the event, and kids supply services and items like housecleaning and baked goods for the silent auction, which LEEF also lets some students use as a forum for raising money for their own projects.

For instance, this year a group of students sold birdhouses and bird pictures so that they could purchase binoculars for every kid in their life science class.

In past years, the fundraiser has brought in as much as $60,000, but more recently the proceeds have reflected tougher economic times.

This year the group hoped to raise $20,000, a goal it surpassed by $2,000.

LEEF will make that $22,000 go far, funding projects that will benefit several crops of students. As Wind notes, LEEF purchased computers that both her eldest son, and then a few years later, her youngest son were able to use.

Falconer and Wind have been serving on the LEEF board a long time—14 and 10 years, respectively.

Falconer began to serve on the LEEF board partly because she wanted Lake County students to have the same opportunities that kids in urban areas have, and also because she wanted to model the value of helping others.

“I think it’s important to serve the kids and the community, and to pass on the concept of volunteering,” says Falconer, who is the mother of two former LUSD students.

It’s the dedication of parents and educators like Falconer, Wind, and the board’s other six members that has kept LEEF thriving when similar foundations in the county have folded.

Even though some kids may belong to a bigger “village” and have access to more funds, thanks to LEEF, children growing up in Lake County get the support they need to succeed in the world.

To find out how you can help LEEF’s mission, e-mail lakeportleef@gmail.com or call Jill Falconer at 262-3007. ¶

LUSD students using iPads provided by LEEF.

www.mendolakefamilylife.com

April 2015

MendoLakeFamilyLife 13

11 Ways to Remind Kids We All Share Planet Earth

Raising Global Citizens

E

By Christina Katz

arth Day is celebrated all over the globe every year on April 22. But before you remind your kids about the importance of conservation, planting trees, and recycling, why not get them to think about the profundity of being a human being living on a spinning orb in a vast universe? If you can instill a healthy amount of awe in your kids, you likely won’t have to work as hard to get them to consume less, dig in the dirt more, and sort their trash.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are more than seven billion people on the planet and that number is expected to grow to eight billion by 2025. Think about it: Right now and on any given day, we are part of this enormous collection of humanity sharing a tiny globe that orbits the sun at a rate of about 30 kilometers (or 18 1/2 miles) per second. As we zoom around the sun, the planet that we are standing on is constantly spinning on its axis, one full turn per day.

14 MendoLakeFamilyLife

If this information doesn’t get your kids’ minds spinning about the daily scientific miracle of life on Earth, I don’t know what will. But never mind the kids—how often do we as parents stop and think about our place in the larger scheme of things?

Considering the length of our to-do lists, probably not often enough. Read the sidebar “How to Be an Eco-friendly Family” for ideas for helping everyone in your clan—not just the kids—ponder our humble place in the cosmos. ¶

April 2015 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

How to Be an Eco-friendly Family 1. Prominently display a large, flat map of the world in your home.

2. Keep a globe within reach.

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3. Hang a mobile of the solar system.

4. Get a telescope or visit an observatory.

5. Use Google Earth to take virtual trips around the globe together.

6. Watch History.com’s Spaceship Earth as a family (history.com/ shows/the-universe/videos/ the-universe-spaceship-earth).

7. Display a “you are here” image of our place in the galaxy.

8. Subscribe to National Geographic Kids or National Geographic Little Kids.

9. Watch the documentary Babies (2010) with the whole family.

10. Take a trip to a science museum such as the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco, or visit a planetarium such as the Santa Rosa Junior College Planetarium in Santa Rosa or the Taylor Observatory– Norton Planetarium in Kelseyville.

11. Every year on Earth Day, read out loud Horton Hears a Who! and The Lorax, both by Dr. Seuss.

April 11

Advocacy Walk 10 a.m. Children’s Festival Library Park and

Lakeport

Be a Hero!

Protect

Protecting children is eveyone’s superpower

FREE

Lake County Children

crafts music

activities

For information and to register for the Advocacy Walk www.lakecountychildrenscouncil.com www.lakecoe.com

Put on your superhero costume and walk with us.

Gather your sidekicks, for the best dressed super hero team prize!

entertainment

contests

resources fun

To reserve a booth call 994-5486 or email mixm@rcs4kids.org

Join the fight to prevent child abuse,

Be a Hero

Christina Katz loves being a member of the human race. Her latest book is The Art of Making Time for Yourself: A Collection of Advice for Moms.

www.mendolakefamilylife.com

5th Annual

PROTECT LakeChildrenCounty Main Street Grill Clearlake

April 2015

MendoLakeFamilyLife 15

Pint-sized Poets Introduce Your Kids to the Magic of Verse

could chuck wood?” Or look for some new ones in library books or online.

f you seem to be engaged in an endless battle to get your kids to put down their electronic games and pick up novels, perhaps you’re trying the wrong books. If fiction isn’t doing the trick, maybe your children will like poetry instead.

Poetry is not just for the literary crowd. It surrounds us, in the lyrics of our favorite songs, the whimsical rhymes children make up, and in our favorite children’s books, like those by the kid-rhyme king Dr. Seuss. Here are some easy and fun ways to welcome poetry into your family’s life.

16 MendoLakeFamilyLife

Get those tongues wagging.

Try reciting tongue twisters and see who can say them the fastest.

Pick an old favorite like “She sells sea shells down by the seashore,” or “How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck

Poetry is not just for the literary crowd. It surrounds us, in the lyrics of our favorite songs, the whimsical rhymes children make up, and in our favorite children’s books.

By Lisa Nord Seplak

I

Let them return the favor.

Have your kids write a poem for you.

Remember, it’s supposed to be silly and fun, and also good practice for the poetry-composing lessons they will likely encounter in school.

Pen a rhyme for a wee ear. Try your hand at writing a love poem for your kids. It can be whimsical or sweet, funny or heartfelt. Perfection is not required. Just tell your kids what you love about them in a stanza or two, and share what you write at a special evening dinner.

Read together. Head to your local library or bookstore and pick out some books of poetry to read out loud to each other.

Share your favorites. Invite family and friends over for an afternoon or evening of poetry.

Read original poems you or your kids have written, or pick some from a book; encourage your guests to bring their favorites. Read poems together as a group, sharing the lines. You can even try performing in costumes and add some props.

Create a poetry tree. Take your family’s poems and hang them from the limbs of a designated tree in your

April 2015 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Sonoma County Airport yard. Ask neighbors to join in the fun and add their poems. You could even create a theme, such as “peace” or “spring,” for the poems hanging from

Try your hand at writing a love poem for your kids. the tree. Perhaps you’ll be inspired to take this idea to the community level and ask locals to “donate a poem” to hang in a tree in a schoolyard or downtown plaza. ¶

adopt-a-pet discount

Travel on Nonstop Flights to/from Los Angeles; Portland; San Diego; Seattle

Experience Flight Training Aircraft; Helicopters

Discover Scenic Tours Aircraft; Helicopters; Balloons; Historic Aircraft

TS

The Bay Area is a mecca for creatives and, lucky for us, some of them share their gifts with our youth. Take, for instance, the poets involved in the California Poets in Schools program, which has been thriving all over the state, including in Mendocino County, for decades. They not only introduce kids to great poets, but also teach their students how to write their own verse, which they get to read aloud at poetry slams held throughout the school year. The grand dame of these events—the Countywide High School Poetry Slam—will be held on May 5 at 4 p.m. at the Matheson Performing Arts Center in Mendocino High School, Mendocino. High school poets from six area schools will participate.

www.sonomacountyairport.org 707.565.7240 Follow STS on

Like our Facebook Page for Special Discounts

(707) 485-8454

Humane Society FOR INLAND MENDOCINO COUNTY

Pets of the Month Benjamin & Nipper

Love Children?

Benjamin and Nipper are brothers that have been together their whole lives.

They are the sweetest cats, very loving. These guys need a calm home with unconditional love.

Hank

This guy was brought in as a stray and was in poor condition.

Now that Hank has recovered and has been neutered he is ready for a home. He is quiet and mellow and would do well in any home.

Call us to learn about Foster Care in our community.

You will receive real insight about Foster Care that will give you the answers that may just make a difference in your life.

We provide extensive support, training and financial compensation.

(707) 467-2000 Lisa Nord Seplak is a freelance writer who enjoys discovering new reading opportunities with her family.

Maggie

This sweetheart is around 2 years old. She is an active dog who needs a home where she gets plenty of exercise and love!

She is super friendly and would be an amazing addition to a family with kids.

Lulu & Little Bit

These two adorable elderly chihuahuas came to the shelter when their owner went into assisted living. They are fun, very social and lively.

They are just patiently waiting for their new home!

9700 Uva Dr. Redwood Valley

(707) 485-0123

www.mendohumanesociety.com

Lic. #236803534

www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Blue Ribbon Pets www.brpets.com

©P N

Say It Loud, Say It Clear

Proud Sponsor of the Humane Society

April 2015

MendoLakeFamilyLife 17

Family Fun Gualala Point Regional Park

Camptastic!

L

ooking for a great place to camp with your family? Well, if you live in Mendocino or Lake Counties, you don’t have to go far; the magnificent Mendocino Coast and beautiful Clear Lake, not to mention regional and state parks, are in your backyard. Word up: Most of the places listed here are popular, especially on the weekends, so be sure to make reservations to secure a campsite. All have showers (some coin-operated) and flush toilets as well as nighttime quiet policies so everyone can stay clean, comfy, and well rested.

Want to bring your dog along? You can, as long as Fido stays on a leash that is no longer than six feet. So pack up the tent and sleeping bags, hand out the trail mix, and ready yourselves for an amazing outdoor adventure—or just a big helping of Ahhhh.

18 MendoLakeFamilyLife

MENDOCINO COUNTY Anchor Bay Campground, Gualala If you want to get away from the fog, come to this campground, which is set in what is known as the Banana Belt—a microclimate that, thanks to the shape of the coast and the direction of the winds, is almost fog-free. Campsites are situated in a narrow gulch that is populated with redwoods; they have the only direct access available to the ¾-mile Anchor Bay Beach, which is covered by white sand in the warmer months.

Restrooms are equipped with electrical outlets and coin-operated showers. There is also a dump station. The campground is handicap accessible. Dogs must be licensed.

Quiet time begins at 10 p.m. Sites are $40 per night. To make reservations, go to abcamp.com or call 884-4222.

8 Terrific Places to Pitch a Family Tent Gualala Point Regional Park, Gualala At this 195-acre park, you can hike through meadows and forest, get inspired by coastal vistas, and wiggle your toes in sandy beaches.

(Just watch out for sleeper waves; they are common along the north coast.) The campground, which is handicap accessible, is nestled among redwoods right next to the Gualala River. Restrooms have electrical outlets; there is also a dump station. Quiet time is 10 p.m.–7 a.m. Canines cost $2 per dog per night. Campsites are $32 per night, which includes one vehicle and one tow. A nonrefundable fee of $9.50 is charged for each reservation, and cancellation fees may apply. Book online at sonomacountycamping.org or by calling 565-2267.

April 2015 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

MacKerricher State Park, Fort Bragg Little feet can easily take this park’s Laguna Point boardwalk to two ocean platforms from where your family can whale-watch— an especially nice activity during April and May. Hike, bike, or run on Haul Road, which is several miles long and eventually leads to Ten Mile Beach. On the beach, you can go tide pooling while you watch Snowy Plovers frolic and seals sun themselves.

Cook over an open fire; a nearby store makes it easy to resupply your camp pantry. Many of the park’s amenities, including restrooms and two paved campgrounds, are accessible. Pets must be kept in a tent or vehicle at night. Quiet time is 10 p.m.–6 a.m. Sites are $25–$35 per night. Reservations may be made at parks.ca.gov or by calling 800-444-7275 (TTY 800-274-7275).

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Start orthodontic treatment by April 30th to receive

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No Dentist Referral Needed.

Call (707)

994-7878 for your FREE consultation. www.clearlake4braces.com

*New patients only. Cannot be combined with other offers. Typical treatment fee between $4,800-$5,800. Offer expires 4/30/15.

www.mendolakefamilylife.com

April 2015

MendoLakeFamilyLife 19

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

• What did you like?

• What didn’t you like?

• What subjects would you like us to cover?

• Got any local story ideas? e-mail melissa@family-life.us

Russian Gulch State Park, Mendocino Hike through the heavily forested Russian Gulch Creek Canyon at this state park, which is known for its 7,630 feet of ocean frontage as well as the Devil’s Punch Bowl, a large crater-like area that is filled with powerfully churning water. Be sure to pack hiking books and bicycles; miles of trails and a three-mile paved cycling path await you. Go swimming, tide pooling, skin diving, and rock fishing at the beach. Or go inland, and wow the kids with a trip to the 36-foot high waterfall. The park is handicap accessible. Leashed dogs are allowed in most areas, except Fern Canyon Trail. Quiet time is 10 p.m.–6 a.m. Campsites are $35 per night. Make reservations at parks.ca.gov or by calling 800-444-7275 (TTY 800-274-7275).

Be a part of our Summer Camp Adventure Guide Coming in May Call 205-1539

20 MendoLakeFamilyLife

Van Damme State Park, Little River This park is full of gems, including a pygmy forest populated with mature miniature cypress and pine trees that stand six inches to eight feet tall. There’s also a beach known for its abalone, a bog chock full of skunk cabbage, and the lush Fern Canyon, which you can hike through via the parks ten-mile system of trails. If you and your family are feeling really adventurous, go to the beach parking lot and catch a kayak tour, which will take you to sea caves and tide pools. At the campsite, you can set up your tents in a sunny meadow or a shady forest. The park is handicap accessible. Dogs are not permitted on most trails, and must be confined to a vehicle or tent between 10 p.m.–6 a.m., which are also the designated quiet hours. Campsites are $35 per night. Make reservations at parks. ca.gov or by calling 800-444-7275 (TTY 800-274-7275).

April 2015 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Photo by Brian Baer, Courtesy of California State Parks.

LAKE COUNTY Clear Lake State Park, Kelseyville If you adore birds, come to this park and catch a glimpse of everything from killdeer and grebes to woodpeckers and herons. Camp along the babbling Cole Creek or the placid Clear Lake, or go up high and be uplifted by gorgeous views.

Make sure to bring bikes, hiking shoes, and swimsuits so you can enjoy trails and play in the lake. Two campgrounds have handicap-accessible campsites and restrooms. Pets must be confined in a tent or vehicle at night. No dogs are allowed on Swim Beach. Quiet time is 10 p.m.–6 a.m. Sites are $30–$45 per night. Make reservations at parks.ca.gov or by calling 800-444-7275 (TTY 800-274-7275).

Never

Underestimate the Power of the Purse Moms typically control 80% or more of their household budgets They’re looking right here, to find you.

Call now. Don’t miss another month.

Narrows Lodge Resort, Upper Lake This resort sits along the shores of the spring-fed Blue Lakes, which teems with local fish, making it the perfect spot for anglers. Not a fan of worms and hooks? Perhaps swimming, canoeing, or kayaking will suit your fancy. After the day’s fun, go shopping at the local convenience store for groceries, serve a meal on picnic tables, and then let kids burn off energy in the recreation room. Coin-operated laundry facilities mean you can keep kids in clean duds. The resort features water and electric hook-ups at tent sites, which are $30 per night. Quiet time is 10 p.m.–7 a.m. See thenarrowsresort.com or call 275-2718 to book a reservation. ¶ www.mendolakefamilylife.com

April 2015

IN PRINT • ONLINE • EVENTS • CONTESTS

586-9562

MendoLakeFamilyLife.com MendoLakeFamilyLife 21

April Calendar of Events Jesus Christ Superstar Rocks Soper Reese

S

ince the 1970s, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar has been delighting fans of the stage the world over. The iconic musical will be produced at Soper Reese Theatre in Lakeport on April 3 at 7 p.m. and April 4 at 2 p.m. The local cast includes trained opera singers who have performed with the likes of the Los Angeles Opera Company, the San Diego Comic Opera, and at UCLA. Tickets are $15–$23 and can be purchased at soperreesetheatre.com. Call 263-0577 for further details. ¶

Wednesday 1 FREE Mendocino Museum. Free admission first Wed. of each month.

10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 400 E. Commercial St., Willits. mendocinomuseum.org.

FREE Foster Parent Information Meeting. For prospective foster

parents. Includes a light dinner. 6 p.m.

Family, Youth & Children Services.

1202 Apollo Way, Santa Rosa. RSVP. 565–4274. sonomafostercare.org.

Thursday 2 Dine-out Fundraiser. Benefits

Friends of Mendocino Coast

Put Up Your Ukes

Y

ou don’t have to go to the Big Island to hear ukulele music. Experience it locally at the Fourth Annual UkeFest to be held on April 18 at the Caspar Community Center in Caspar. The all-ages event will feature workshops for every level of player as well as evening performances by Dennis Hudson, Pattie DeMatteo, The Ukeholics, Brook Adams, and Hui Arago with O Lei Palaoa. Tickets are $40 for the full day, $25 for a half day. You can take one workshop for $15 and attend evening performances for a sliding scale of $5–$15.

E-mail pattied@mcn. org or call 937-1732 to purchase tickets or see mendocinostories. com/events.html to get further information. ¶

22 MendoLakeFamilyLife

Recreation & Park District scholarships & recreational activities.

4:30–8 p.m. Silver’s at the Wharf.

32260 N. Harbor Dr., Fort Bragg.

764-4283. mendonoma.com.

FREE Story Time at Redbud Library.

Stories, crafts & fun for preschoolers.

Older children & babies welcome, too.

Thursdays. 11 a.m.–noon. 14785 Burns Valley Rd., Clearlake. 994-5115. library. co.lake.ca.us.

Friday 3 FREE Drop-in Tours at Bodega Marine Laboratory. See numerous

marine aquarium displays with colorful local fish & marine creatures.

Donations accepted. Fridays. 2–4 p.m. 2099 Westside Rd., Bodega Bay. 875-2211. bml.ucdavis.edu.

FREE Story Time at Lakeport Library. Fridays. 10:15 a.m. & 3

p.m. 1425 N. High St., Lakeport.

263-8817. library.co.lake.ca.us.

Creative Kids: Arts & Crafts.

Activities for parents & tots. Explore the senses through seasonal arts & crafts projects. Also on April 10. $10/ child. 10:30–11:30 a.m. Community Center of Mendocino. 998 School St., Mendocino. 937-4133. ccmendo.org.

April 2015 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

FREE Grace Hudson Museum. Free

FREE Kids Workshop. Hands-on for

admission first Fri. of each month. 10 a.m.– 4:30 p.m. 431 S. Main St., Ukiah.

467-2836. gracehudsonmuseum.org.

ages 5–12. Your child will bring home a newly constructed project, kid-sized apron, pin & certificate. 9 a.m.–noon.

Register homedepot.com/workshops.

Home Depot. 350 N. Orchard Ave., Ukiah. 462-3009.

Saturday 4 Mendocino Historic District Walking Tour. Docent-led tour visits

houses of important pioneers & grand meeting places of the 1800s. $10. Saturdays & Sundays. 11 a.m.–1 p.m. Kelley House Museum. 45007 Albion St., Mendocino. 937.5791. kelleyhousemuseum.org.

Easter Egg Hunt. Sponsored

by South Coast Volunteer Fire Department. Picnic food & drink available. 11 a.m.–2 p.m. Easter Egg hunt at noon. Gualala Firehouse.

Church St., off Ocean Dr., Gualala.

884-4700. mendonoma.com.

FREE Ukiah Bicycle Kitchen. Our friendly local bicycle cooperative.

Volunteers show patrons how to maintain & repair their bicycles. No one turned away for lack of funds.

Saturdays. 10 a.m.–noon. Alex Thomas Plaza. 300 State St., Ukiah. visitukiah.com.

Sunday 5 Lion’s Club Easter Brunch & Egg Hunt. 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Mendocino

County Fairgrounds, Dining Hall & Lawn. 14400 Hwy. 128, Boonville.

895-3192. mendocountyfair.com.

FREE 90th Annual Lakeport Rotary Easter Egg Hunt. There will be three

age groups for children up to age 12.

The eggs go quickly, so be sure to be there ahead of time. The event takes place rain or shine. Gates open: 1:15 p.m. Hunt begins: 1:30 p.m. Lake County Fairgrounds. 401 Martin St., Lakeport. lakecountyfair.com.

FREE First Sunday Fiddlers’ Jam.

Listen to some terrific fiddle tunes played by members of the Northern California Old Time Fiddlers Group.

Noon–2 p.m. Ely Stage Shop & Country Museum. 9921 Soda Bay Rd. (Hwy. 128), Kelseyville. elystagestop.com.

FREE Kids Fun Day! Sports, skateboarding, inline skating, snack shop, Bible time & more.

Preschool–12th grade. Adult supervision. Parental permission slips required. Sundays. 4–6 p.m.

May Faire

Family health care for all of Lake County.

HOSPITAL SERVICES 707-262-5000 COMMUNITY CLINIC 707-263-6885 AFTER HOURS CARE 707-262-5088

The Waldorf School of Mendocino County invites you to celebrate Spring at our annual day of games, food, festivities, and a traditional maypole dance.

Saturday, May 2nd 9 am to 2 pm • Entrance is FREE!

Visit www.mendocinowaldorf.org 6280 Third Street • Calpella 707-485-8719

sutterlakeside.org

www.mendolakefamilylife.com

April 2015

MendoLakeFamilyLife 23

Lucerne Community Church. 5870 E. Hwy. 20, Lucerne. 274-8326. lucernecommunitychurch.com.

Monday 6 Interested in coaching or volunteering? Call Mike: 916-541-7613. Clear Lake Youth Center. 4750 Golf Ave., Clearlake. clearlakeyouthcenter.org.

Jr. Giants.

Creative Kids: Moves & Grooves.

Stretch, crawl, roll, jump, wiggle & skip. $10/per child. 10:30–11:30 a.m.

Community Center of Mendocino.

998 School St., Mendocino. 937-4133. ccmendo.org.

FREE Karate Program. Sponsored by Mendocino County Sheriff’s Activities League. Mondays. Ages 5–10: 5:30 p.m.

Tweens–adults: 6:30 p.m. Ukiah High School. Rm. L4. 1000 Low Gap Rd.,

Ukiah. Call instructors Michael Tobin & Cody Burford: 354-0565.

Tuesday 7 FREE AWANA Kids Club. For kids from 3 years to 6th grade. It’s a great night of games, Bible & fun. Tuesdays.

6:30–8 p.m. Clear Lake Baptist Church. 555 N. Forbes St., Lakeport.

263-3256. clearlakebaptistchurch.org.

FREE Social Media 101. Do you wonder what all the fuss is about on Facebook? What is Twitter & why would anyone send a tweet? Come learn the basics of social media.

Bring your own technology if you have it. 2–3 p.m. Middletown Library.

Community Rm. 21256 Washington St., Middletown. 263-8817. library. co.lake.ca.us.

FREE After School Fun for Youths.

Full program of after-school activities

Open House & Variety Show Join us! for fun & Education

April 26, 2-3:30pm Learn about our Unique Program for K-12

La Vida Charter School

for kids, including homework assistance. Tuesdays. 3:30–5 p.m.

Action Network. 200 Main St., Point Arena. 884-5413. actionnetwork.info.

FREE Story Time at Middletown Library. Tuesdays. 11:30 a.m. 21256

Washington St., Middletown. 987-3674. library.co.lake.ca.us.

Thursday 9 FREE Mendocino College Foundation Tour. Limited to 20

participants. Reserve your spot. 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. Mendocino College.

1000 Hensley Creek Rd., Ukiah.

467-1018. foundation@mendocino.edu.

FREE Story Time at Redbud Library.

Stories, crafts & fun for preschoolers.

Older children & babies welcome, too.

Thursdays. 11 a.m.–noon. 14785 Burns Valley Rd., Clearlake. 994-5115. library. co.lake.ca.us.

Learn to Dance

Classes for all Ages & Levels from 3-Adult

BALLET • JAZZ • MUSICAL THEATER DANCE TAP • CONTEMPORARY DANCE SPECIAL “ART OF CLASSICAL BALLET” PROGRAM

Ridgewood Ranch, North of Ukiah (Home of Seabiscuit) Call for Information / Directions 459 - 6344

“Where Dreams to Dance Come True”

lavidaschool.org

205 South State Street, Ukiah • 463-2290 www.mendocinoballet.org

707-459-6344

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April 2015 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Friday 10 Legally Blonde the Musical. A fabulously fun award-winning musical based on a movie. Adults $15. Students & seniors $12. 7:30 p.m., 8 p.m. & 2 p.m. Thru Apr. 19.

Mendocino College Center Theatre.

1000 Hensley Creek Rd., Ukiah.

468-3079. visitmendocino.com.

Saturday 11 Kyle Landry. YouTube’s number one pianist. Part of Ukiah Community Concerts’ monthly family-oriented music series. Adults $25. Kids $5. 7:30 p.m. Ukiah High School Cafetorium.

1000 Low Gap Rd., Ukiah. 463-2738. ukiahconcerts.org.

FREE 5th Annual Advocacy Walk & Children’s Festival. Join the fight

to prevent child abuse. Put on your superhero costume & walk with us!

Gather your sidekicks & compete for the best-dressed superhero team prize!

Crafts, music, entertainment. 10 a.m.

Library Park. 225 Park St., Lakeport. lakecountychildrenscouncil.com.

FREE Sonoma Family Life Summer Camp Fair. Find

information on summer camps, family travel, fun & learning. 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Coddingtown Mall.

733 Coddingtown Center, Santa Rosa. sonomafamilylife.com.

6th Annual Donut Run. Mix fitness, fun & fundraising. Benefits Kelseyville High School Track & Cross Country teams. 7–9 a.m. Meet at Adobe Creek Packing Sheds. 4825 Loasa Dr., Kelseyville. For fees, visit lakecountymilers.com. To register, go to runsignup.com/donutrun.

Wednesday 15 FREE Diabetes Day. Free diabetes screenings, healthy snack samples & recipes & on-the-spot nutrition education & counseling. All attendees will be eligible for raffle prizes. 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Sutter Lakeside Community Clinic. 5176 Hill Rd. East, Lakeport.

909-859-9859. sutterlakeside.org.

Friday 17 Uke Fest Kick-off. Ukulele variety

show & jam session/sing-along.

All ages & levels of interest are encouraged. $10, $5 if you bring your uke. 7:30 p.m. Caspar Community Center. 15051 Caspar Rd., Caspar.

937-1732. artsmendocino.org.

Saturday 18 6th Annual Celebrity Lip Sync. Who will steal the show this year? Who

Ukiah Unified School District

Ukiah Unified Kindergarten Enrolling Now

Education For Life!

Ready for that next step?

2015-16 Kindergarten Registration and Transitional Kindergarten Registration Students age 5 by September 1, 2015 will be enrolled in Kindergarten Students turning 5 between Sept. 2 and Dec. 2, 2015 are eligible to enroll in our Transitional Kindergarten Program

Registration forms available at school offices and at www.uusd.net www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Yuba College

Check Out Our Summer & Fall Schedule Online 707-995-7900 • clc.yccd.edu

15880 Dam Road Extension • Clearlake April 2015

MendoLakeFamilyLife 25

will be the favorite act? $25. Apr. 18: 3 & 7 p.m. Apr. 19: 2 p.m. Soper Reese Community Theatre. 275 S. Main St., Lakeport. 263-0577. soperreesetheatre.com.

FREE Know Lake County. Lecture series. Topics include many facets of Lake County, including human & natural history, outdoor recreation, science & performing arts & programs for children. 2 p.m. Lakeport Library.

1425 N. High St., Lakeport. 263-8817. cityoflakeport.com/event-details. aspx?id=882.

FREE Ukiah’s Children’s Fair.

This will be a super-fun family event to honor the children in our community. Local businesses & organizations will be providing info for parents & activities for children.

10 a.m.–1 p.m. Alex Thomas Plaza.

300 State St., Ukiah.

Earth Week Dog Hike. Enjoy a 4-mile hike with your pals & pooches, followed by a wine country picnic lunch. $35. 10:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.

Saracina. 1684 S. Hwy. 101, Hopland.

670-0199. saracina.com.

midday event includes a jazz concert of traditional New Orleans jazz.

11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. Concert is free.

Chowder tasting is $20–$25. Gualala Arts Center. 46501 Old State Hwy., Gualala. 884-1138. gualalaarts.org.

Annual Countywide Yard Sale. This

massive two-day yard sale includes a variety of household, personal & furniture items from all over the county. Proceeds go directly to the Lake County Association of Realtors Scholarship Fund for Lake County high school seniors. Thru Apr. 19. 8 a.m.–3 p.m. Noble Realty parking lot.

375 E. Hwy. 20, Upper Lake. 349-0636. lcaor.com.

Tuesday 21 FREE Positive Parenting Program (Triple P). Discover positive

solutions to common & not so common child behavior problems.

Child care provided upon request.

Tuesdays. Time to be announced.

Laytonville Healthy Start. 44400 Willis Ave., Laytonville. 984-8089. laytonville.org/healthystart.

Whale & Jazz Festival Chowder Challenge. This family-friendly

Saturday 25 FREE Technology Petting Zoo. Try out an iPad, Galaxy Tab, Kindle Fire & Nexus 7 Tablet. Bring in your own devices to get help. Library staff will demonstrate how to download free e-books from the library. 1–3 p.m. Redbud Library.

14785 Burns Valley Rd., Clearlake.

994-5115. library.co.lake.ca.us.

Lego NXT Workshop. Will introduce the basics of programming & building robots as well as problem solving & teamwork. Bring lunch. Ages 10 & up. $20. Register early. Only 24 spots. 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Taylor Observatory. 5725 Oak Hills Ln., Kelseyville. 262-4121. lakecoe.org.

5th Annual Rodeo Kick-off Dinner & Dance Fundraiser.

Hosted by the Lake County Rodeo Association. A buffet-style barbecue tri-tip & chicken dinner. $25. 5–11 p.m. Dinner: 6 p.m. Dancing: 8 p.m.

Lake County Fairgrounds. Fritch Hall. 401 Martin St., Lakeport.

349-1991. lakecountyrodeo.com. lakeportchamber.com.

8th Annual Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser. Vegetarian option

Mendo Meets Monty Python

A

ttention Monty Python fans: Some wacky British humor is coming to your neighborhood. The Ukiah Players Theatre will be performing the Tony Award–winning play Spamalot April 16–May 10. Inspired by the classic film Monty Python and the Holy Grail, the play offers a hilariously ridiculous retelling of the legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. Show times are Thursdays, 7 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays, 8 p.m.; and Sundays, 2 p.m. Thursday and Sunday performances are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and students, and $10 for kids 12 and under. Friday and Saturday performances are $20 for adults, $17 for seniors and students, and $10 for kids 12 and under. Tickets may be purchased at ukiahplayerstheatre.org. ¶

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April 2015 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Bob Rider

available. Adults $18. Seniors & students $15. Ages 6 & under free. Dinner: 5–7 p.m. Music: 5–8 p.m. Proceeds benefit the Humane Society for Inland Mendocino County. Reservations highly recommended. Barra Winery. 7051 N. State St., Redwood Valley. 485-0123. mendohumanesociety.com.

photography

Family Portraits Individuals • Families • Events BobRiderPhotography.com • (707)245-5321

FREE Literary Labyrinth & Open-mic Poetry Reading. Join

Ukiah Library’s celebration of National Poetry Month. Books in the labyrinth free to all. Donations accepted. 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Alex Thomas Plaza & Pavilion. 300 State St., Ukiah.

467-6434. mendolibrary.org.

FREE 77th Annual Wildflower Show, Goat Fest & Dance. Enjoy 400

varieties of trees, shrubs & flowers. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Thru Apr. 26. The first annual Goat Fest will feature a goat costume parade, milking contest, cheese making & Barria cook-off.

8 a.m.–5 p.m. Dance lessons: 6–7 p.m. Dancing: 7–10 p.m. Wildflower Show & Goat Fest are free. Dance lessons & dance are $10. Mendocino County Fairgrounds. 14400 Hwy. 128, Boonville. Flower Show: 895-2609.

Goat Fest: 496-8725. Dance: 895-3191. mendonoma.com.

9th Annual Earth Day Festival. Live

music & entertainment, culinary showcases, kids’ activities, a community art project & plant sale.

Noon–5 p.m. Fort Bragg High School Learning Garden. 300 Dana St., Fort Bragg. 964-0218. noyofoodforest.org.

2nd Annual Hike 4 Healing. Six-plus

mile hike on Mt. Konocti raises funds for much needed health care for women & children locally & worldwide. $25. Free for children under 12. Sign-in 8 a.m. Hike starts 9 a.m. Mt. Konocti. Off Hwy. 29, on

www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Windshields

$

Starting at

99

Price Less Auto Glass

Our mobile unit comes to you

plus installation

Chip Repair

$

39

95

south side of Clear Lake. 279-8733. admin@worldwidehealinghands.org.

Annual Clean-up Downtown Lakeport. Join your friends &

neighbors for a morning of light work, coffee, donuts & good fun.

Kids ages 10 & up may attend with adult supervision. Participation can be counted as community service for high school students.

Bring long-handled brooms (to reach cobwebs), dustpans, weeding tools, buckets & ladders. 7–11 a.m. Meet at Museum Park. 255 N. Main St., Lakeport. 263-8843. lakeportmainstreet.com.

Sunday 26 FREE UkiaHaiku Festival. A

celebration & competition devoted to the haiku form of poetry. Winners in April 2015

707-463-1638

2350 North State St. Ukiah Same location as Warranty Motors

each category, kindergarten to adult, are invited to read their winning entries. Light refreshments to follow. 2 p.m. SPACE Theater. 508 W. Perkins St., Ukiah. ukiahaiku.org.

FREE 6th Annual Kelseyville Olive Festival. Enjoy a day of family fun.

Contests, product samples, children’s booths & much more! 11 a.m.–5 p.m.

Chacewater Winery & Olive Mill.

5625 Gaddy Ln., Kelseyville. 279-0483. kelseyvilleolivefestival.com.

Strike Out Hunger. Sponsored

by the Lake County Hunger Task Force.

10 a.m.–6 p.m. Each team of four will be charged $50 to participate as well as 3 nonperishable food items per member. Lakeside Family Fun Center. 872 Lakeport Blvd., Lakeport. Call 277-9227 to sign up.

MendoLakeFamilyLife 27

Cooking with Kids

An Egg-cellent Breakfast

Egg salad and bacon make perfect fillings.

By John Corippo

The Burrito Gets a Makeover

P

astels are inescapable, chocolates are everywhere, and dyed eggs line your refrigerator door—it must be Easter.

Chocolate bunnies, of course, get gobbled up right away.

But what do you do with those leftover pink and purple orbs? After all, you can only make so many chef salads and deviled eggs before you start to crave something else.

I have the answer: an egg salad burrito—a spin off of the traditional breakfast burrito, substituting scrambled eggs with a tasty egg salad.

It’s super easy to make and for the kids to pitch in. After you chop up the vegetables, let the kids measure and mix

the ingredients. (They can even mash up the eggs with their washed hands.) Once the egg salad is made, you can create an assembly line of other toppings that the kids can nestle into their burritos. Letting the little ones help will give them a sense of ownership of the meal—and nothing tastes better to kids than a dish that they’ve made themselves. Don’t be surprised if this new twist on the burrito becomes a popular addition to your morning menu as well as a way to make good use of the Easter Bunny’s delivery.

Egg Salad Burrito Ingredients • 6 eggs, hard-boiled and peeled • 1/4 cup mayonnaise • 1/3 cup celery, finely diced • 2 scallions (white and pale green only), finely sliced • 1 tablespoon parsley, finely minced • Zest and juice from half a lemon • Salt and pepper to taste • Large tortillas • Filling options: bacon, sausage, salsa, sautéed potatoes

Directions Combine the eggs, mayonnaise, celery, scallions, parsley, lemon zest and juice, and salt and pepper in a mixing bowl.

Once you have the desired consistency, place a scoop of egg salad in the middle of a tortilla, and top with your choice of fillings, being careful not to add too much. (You don’t want your burrito to burst at the seams.) Wrap the tortilla around the fillings and—voila!—it’s ready to go.

Note: You can make the egg salad up to three days before you make the burrito. Just keep it refrigerated in a sealed container.

John Corippo lives in Ukiah, where he is a husband and father to two sons as well as a fire captain, paramedic, hazmat specialist, journalist, college instructor, avid sports fan, and stand-up paddleboard representative.

28 MendoLakeFamilyLife

April 2015 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Kids Craft

Marketplace Tutoring

Schools

Tuition-free Montessori elementary for ages 5-13  Hands-on, arts and music integrated with academics

 National Green Campus  Promotes responsibility, respect, and peace

307 North State Street Ukiah

707-468-1300

Located on north end of Fairgrounds PO Box 966 Ukiah 95482

www.tutoringcenter.com

Crazy Critters

By Denise Morrison Yearian

Health

Crafts to Welcome Spring

I

t’s spring—a time when animal life emerges from the earth to bask in the warmth of a new season. Celebrate it by making your own creepy-crawlies.

Ladybug Paperweight

• Smooth, round, or oval rocks • Acrylic paint (red, yellow, black) • Permanent marker (black) • Pencil eraser • Acrylic matte sealer spray • Tacky glue • Wiggly eyes

Calm, Relaxed Birthing Susan Perry BA Cht Certified Birth Hypnotherapist and Doula www.syperry.wix.com/hypnotherapy

Get Mom’s Attention!

YOUR AD HERE Classifieds Work Call 586-9562

www.mendolakefamilylife.com

• Independent Study • K –12 • Free Public Charter • Academic & Specialty Classes • Gifted & Talented Served • Inspired by Waldorf Education 16201 N. Hwy. 101, Willits

707-459-6344

www.lavidaschool.org

Accelerated Achievement Academy • • • •

Free Public School Grades 4-12 Small classes Support for struggling students

(707) 463-7080 1031 N. State St.

3. With a permanent marker, draw a line down the middle of the rock beginning at the back of the head.

6. Glue on wiggly eyes.

La Vida Charter School

Birthing Classes Starting Soon!

707-263-7359

2. On one end of the rock, paint a black circle that covers about one-quarter of the surface. This is the ladybug’s head.

5. Spray with acrylic sealer. Let dry.

treeoflifeschool@pacific.net www.treeoflifeschool.net

Mindfulness • Relaxation A great start for your baby & you!

1. Paint rocks a solid color. Let dry.

4. Dip the pencil eraser into black paint and create dots on the ladybug’s body. Let dry.

707-462-0913

Like Us On Facebook April 2015

MendoLakeFamilyLife 29

Humor Break

Cute Is Out A Single Dad Weighs In on Teen-dom

want to stay sane, we can’t expect much of anything.

By Walker Holman

W

hen people hear my daughter is a teenager, they nod, frown slightly, and lower their heads somberly.

“Here’s where the fun begins.”

“Wait till she drives.”

“I’m so very sorry.”

But the truth is that, as a single dad, it is easier to parent a teen than a younger child. I have to put in less effort, and I have more free time. My kid has fewer day-to-day needs, and the ones she has are more finite. She is more independent.

While parenting isn’t any harder, it is less rewarding. Gone are belly laughs and those precious moments when tiny fingers pointed out flowers, fire trucks, and other world wonders.

Gone, too, are those delightful, quizzical kid-remarks that made me smile and smell life’s roses. In their places are sarcasm, eye rolling, and a flurry of demands.

It’s probably why teens post so many selfies on Instagram—their parents are no longer inspired to take pictures of them. The charm has worn off.

If us parents want cute, we can get a puppy.

The odd thing is, even though teens spend a lot of time ridding themselves of their adorableness and pushing us away, they still need us. Not for small stuff maybe, but definitely for the big stuff: driving,

A decade and a half of parenting has left me too exhausted to push my child toward my vision of greatness. dating, college, career—or, if you’re my daughter, a discussion of the pros and cons of every religion under the sun.

“That’s not a healthy breakfast.”

Last night, just as the clock struck bedtime, she had an urgent need to decide—right at that moment—what faith she should follow for the rest of her life.

“You’re squishing me on the sidewalk.”

Everything is a big deal.

“You can leave.”

While the intensity is building in our kids’ lives, it seems us parents simultaneously have to let go. If we

“Are you listening?!”

“I need to be there now!”

The cuteness factor has definitely waned.

30 MendoLakeFamilyLife

Heart-warming moments? Not going to happen (or not very often).

Kindness and sweetness? Akin to Ebola.

All those dreams we had for their futures? They aren’t interested.

Personally, a decade and a half of parenting has left me too exhausted to push my child toward my vision of greatness. I’m just banking on the outside chance she will survive till she is 18.

It may seem like dropping expectations is to admit some kind of parenting defeat, but it’s not. It’s the sweet spot— it’s right where we should be.

When we drop expectations, we can give our children the space to do their own thing and find their own way. And that is a form of love, which is what they really want (even if they would cringe at the very idea of it).

So the next time someone extends their condolences when they learn that I have a teenager, instead of nodding my head in agreement, I might smile and say something like this: “It hasn’t been so bad. I just make sure she gets her very own piece of the sidewalk,” while I enjoy the rest of my (child-free) afternoon. ¶ Walker Holman is an unemployed couch-cushion fort builder and single father of a teen girl. Reach him at thewalkerholman@gmail.com.

April 2015 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

707-468-1010

707-263-7725

707-456-9600

333 LAWS AVE., UKIAH

5335 LAKESHORE BLVD. LAKEPORT

45 HAZEL ST., WILLITS

Now accepting Medicare, Medi-Cal Covered California & other insurance

When Feeling Better Can’t Wait ...

Rapid Care is here.

Rapid Care is Open After-Hours & Weekends Rapid Care is designed for urgent, but non-life-threatening conditions. Our staff of highly trained medical professionals are ready to care for your urgent need. We treat cuts, bumps and sprains, minor skin rash, ear infections, mild asthma, flu and pneumonia, animal bites, fever, sinus infections and other minor illnesses and injuries.

Pediatrics 707.463.7459

|

Walk-Ins Welcome.

Open After-Hours and Weekends.

Accepting Medicare, Medi-Cal and all forms of insurance.

Family Practice 707.463.7488