Mendo Lake Family Life February 2019

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February 2019

Dog Duty Meet Jack

Make a Date Keep love going strong

Camp Basics 7 great tips V-Day Verve Local fun

They Grow So Fast...

Our pediatric team is here to help you every step of the way, from infants to teens and everyone in between.

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Live Well inspired by your renewed joy for life

Live Well changed Linda’s Life. It can change your life too.

Live Well at Adventist Health Ukiah Valley is a 12-week integrated health program that focuses on all aspects of your health. We find the root cause of your illness and develop a customized health plan based on your needs.

You’ll have access to a nurse practitioner, fitness coach, dietitian, counselor, specialists and support groups such as diabetes education, smoking cessation and walking groups.

If you suffer from chronic pain, uncontrolled diabetes, obesity, depression or complex health issues give our Live Well team a call today and schedule your first visit, (707) 467-5292

Linda recently completed our Live Well program. She lost over 30 pounds and, more importantly, is feeling great and has the energy she needs to be more involved.

“Before Live Well I often found myself sitting around in the afternoons, once I got home from work. Today I move more, I’m active. What I loved most about Live Well was the support I received from the providers.

Even after completing the program I know I can call Ryan (Fitness Coach) or Jan (Nurse Practitioner) for support and guidance. They will always be there for me.”

February 2019

Every Issue 6

Dear Reader

8

Bits and Pieces Eco-Healing Chill Out

10 Features

Making a Difference Fat Tuesday Fun Whodunnit?

Beautiful Baroque

20 Calendar of Events Weekend of Wine

10 Students’ Best Friend Meet UUSD’s new staff member, Jack.

12 Oh, the Places You’ll Go! Find a camp where your kids can thrive.

14 Make a Date

8

Tips for maintaining a healthy marriage.

16 Crush Course

28 Cooking with Kids Walk on the Dark Side

30 Humor Potty Training Mommy

20

How to handle kidsized romances.

18 Hearts Alive Take your sweetie on a fun adventure.

29 Pretty in Pink Dress up a jewelry box.

4 MendoLakeFamilyLife

February 2019 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

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FREE

Family Expo & Camp Fair FRIDAY APRIL 12 4-7 P.M. AT CODDINGTOWN MALL, SANTA ROSA W

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RECREATION & PARKS

FIND YOUR PERFECT CAMP!

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t’s the month when we celebrate love, both familial and romantic. If you are looking for a way to show a special someone you care, Sharon Gowan check out “Hearts Publisher/Editor Sharon@family-life.us Alive” (page 18) for local fun, including a play, dances, and a chocolate and wine tasting. Our Calendar of Events (page 20) has lots of options, too.

Of course, relationships need attention every day, not just on Valentine’s Day. Check out “Make a Date” (page 14) for practical partnership-fortifying tips, including a simple five-point communication method, as well as a great list of helpful books.

indulgent chocolate goodies, which you can serve to your brood while they are making the V-Day crafts in “Pretty in Pink” (page 29).

When the celebrating is over, perhaps you will be ready to turn your thoughts to the future, specifically your family’s plans for summer break. It’s not too early to be thinking about camps. Mark April 12, 4–7 p.m., on your calendar. That’s when we’ll be hosting our annual free Family Expo and Camp Fair at Coddingtown Mall in Santa Rosa. You’ll find all kinds of information on an array of local programs that focus on everything from technological skills to horseback riding to the circus arts. See sonomafamilylife.com for more information.

We hope your February is full of many moments of love. Our hearts are certainly happy to be serving you, our readers.

If you are looking for ways to celebrate heart day with the kids, head to the kitchen. “Walk on the Dark Side” (page 28) has easy, child-friendly recipes for some

Office Manager Patricia Ramos patty@family-life.us

Business Marketing Renee Nutcher renee@family-life.us Warren Kaufman warren@family-life.us

Features Editor Melissa Chianta melissa@family-life.us

Production Manager Donna Bogener production@family-life.us

Web and Social Media Natalie Bruzon natalie@family-life.us

Good attendance habits will help your kids succeed in school–and in life. Making sure your kids don’t miss school dramatically increases their chance of graduating from high school.

Contributing Writers Tanni Haas Malia Jacobson Christina Katz Cheryl Maguire Denise Yearian

Billing Jan Wasson-Smith

Publishing Office P.O. Box 351 Philo, CA 95466 (707) 586-9562

uusd.net 6 MendoLakeFamilyLife

KEEP YOUR KIDS IN SCHOOL.

attendanceworks.org February 2019 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

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Bits & Pieces

Eco-Healing

H

ow has the Lake County landscape evolved after being ravaged by fires?

Find out at the Middletown Art Center’s (MAC) free field trip to Trailside Park in Middletown. Ecologist Cathy Koehler will lead the excursion and explain how to help repair the damage. The group will leave from the MAC parking lot on February 9 at 11:50 a.m.; the outing will end at 2 p.m. See the Middletown Art Center Facebook page for more information. ¶

A

Chill Out

s odd as it may sound to your garden variety Californian, some people actually like freezing temperatures. If you are among this hearty population—and you have a charitable heart—you might be game for the Polar Plunge with a Purpose, a Special Olympics of Northern California fundraiser. Folks who raise a minimum of $125 will get the opportunity to take a dive in the chilly waters of the pool at Testa Vineyards in Capella at noon on February 23. A plunge will also be simultaneously held at Lakeside County Park in Kelseyville. Participants of either event will be awarded a long-sleeve T-shirt. Register at sonc.org. ¶

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Making a Difference

“N

ever doubt that a small group of thoughtful citizens can change the world,” Margaret Meade famously said. It’s advice the 100+ Women Strong in Lake County initiative appears to be putting into action. The group of local residents gathers at quarterly meetings, each member bringing a $100 check. When all are assembled, three charities make presentations after which the group votes on which organization will receive the collected donations. The system seems to work: $130,000 has been raised at 8 meetings over 2 years. The next meeting is on February 7 at 6:30 p.m. at Soper Reese Theatre in Lakeport. Find out more at 100womenstronginlakecounty.com. ¶

February 2019 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Mardi Gras Carnival

Fat Tuesday Fun

M

ardi Gras is a holiday of excess, when revelers indulge in food and frivolity before the austerities of the Christian observance of Lent begins. For a family-friendly version of the usually wild celebration, try St. Mary’s School’s Mardi Gras Carnival, where there will be food, games, live and silent auctions, and performances by kids. The festivities happen on February 24, 11 a.m.–3 p.m., at the Redwood Empire Fairgrounds in Ukiah, and admission is free. The school’s adults-only Mardi Gras soiree, with drinks and dancing, will be held on February 23, 5:30 p.m.–midnight, also at the fairgrounds in Ukiah. Tickets are $60.

For more information about either event, call 462-3888. See facebook.com/stmarysukiah for more information. ¶

Whodunnit?

The cast of Clue: The Musical

W

as it Professor Plum with a knife in the kitchen or Mrs. Peacock with a candlestick in the study? In Clue: The Musical, the audience picks cards to decide. There are more than 200 possible endings to the show, and the players at the Willits Community Theatre in Willits will be ready to act out any of them. See the musical performed February 8–24, Thursdays–Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are $20–$25 and may be purchased at brownpapertickets.com (search on “Willits Community Theatre”). The performance on February 14 will be a benefit for Soroptimist International of Willits. Tickets for that show are not available at Brown Paper Tickets; call 459-5649 instead. ¶

Beautiful Baroque

D

Amis Jouant

www.mendolakefamilylife.com

February 2019

oes your teen like to listen to Bach just as much as Beyoncé? Cultivate her or his interest in classical music at Amis Jouant’s intimate concert of early baroque work. The San Francisco Bay Area chamber group will play a variety of sonatas by Bach, Telemann, and Boismortier that feature the violin and viola de gamba. The concert will be held on February 17 at 3 p.m. at Preston Hall in Mendocino and is not suitable for young children.

Tickets are $22 and may be purchased at symphonyoftheredwoods.org. ¶ MendoLakeFamilyLife 9

The two-year-old Springer Spaniel from Ireland clocks in with School Resource Officer Tony DeLapo, who is a member of the Ukiah Police Department and Jack’s official handler. Jack is DeLapo’s second dog-partner—the first, Bugsy, died after an unexpected illness in August 2018.

“I’ve always loved dogs,” says DeLapo. “They are fun to work with and their working ability is phenomenal. It’s truly amazing what dogs can do,” he says.

The Santa Rosa company Golden Gate K9 trained Jack to detect firearms, gunpowder, and drugs. Jack and DeLapo serve several schools in the Ukiah Unified School District, but home base is the high school.

“We perform random searches around campus, but our primary purpose is to deter criminal activity,” says DeLapo.

The number of citations DeLapo issues “fluctuates,” he says. And those he does hand out are usually for situations involving marijuana and fights.

Officer Tony DeLapo and Jack

Students’ Best Friend Ukiah High’s Canine Connection E

veryone who works at Ukiah High School in Ukiah is human, except for one special guy: Jack, the detection dog.

10 MendoLakeFamilyLife

“Some days are busier than others,” he reports.

So goes the serious part of DeLapo’s and Jack’s job. The fun part, DeLapo says, is talking with teachers, some of whom he has known since he went to Ukiah High nearly 15 years ago, and saying hi to students.

“I love working with the kids,” says DeLapo, who is a dad to a three-year-old boy and a nine-year-old girl.

As he and Jack walk around campus, DeLapo greets everyone, students and teachers alike, with a “Sir” or “Ma’am,” salutations he picked up during a stint in the air force.

February 2019 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

“I treat everyone with respect and hopefully it is returned,” he says.

Meanwhile, Jack just enjoys getting attention. “He is a friendly dog, an absolute people-lover,” DeLapo says of his canine coworker.

DeLapo greets everyone, students and teachers alike, with a “Sir” or “Ma’am.”

Come Join Us!

When Jack isn’t working, he’s spending time with DeLapo and his family, with whom the dog lives full time.

Tuesday, March 5, 2019

“My kids love Jack,” DeLapo says. So do the Ukiah High students, who like to visit their furry friend in between classes.

“I have an open-door policy so kids can stop in anytime,” he says. “Jack loves being petted and loved on.”

But he really shines, DeLapo says, when he’s doing his job: keeping his humans safe. ¶

All potential Kindergarten students for next school year are invited to Ukiah Junior Academy’s Kindergarten Jamboree on Tuesday, March 5th. Bring your child to experience our excellent Christian Kindergarten program. The event begins at 10 am & will conclude with a complimentary lunch for both child & parents with our principal, Eric Stubbert.

Please RSVP at (707) 462-6350

UKIAH JUNIOR ACADEMY 180 Stipp Lane, Ukiah • www.myuja.org • 707.462.6350

www.mendolakefamilylife.com

February 2019

MendoLakeFamilyLife 11

Geographical Distance Another aspect to consider is the distance of the camp from your home. If the camp is far away, you may end up spending a lot of time and money driving to and from camp. This issue is made even more challenging if you have kids who go to different camps.

Oh, the Places You’ll Go! 7 Tips for Choosing the Best Camp for Your Kids

By Tanni Haas

I

t’s no exaggeration to say that the one event kids really look forward to all year is summer camp. But how do you choose the right one? Based on my experiences as the parent of a 15-year-old boy, as well as conversations with other parents, I’ve figured out the top seven things to consider.

Cost It goes without saying that cost is an important factor, especially if you have more than one kid.

Summer camps can range widely in price, depending on whether they’re bare-bones camps with a limited number of activities, or camps that offer a lot of expensive activities like overnight trips. But don’t just consider the price of the camp. Also consider how much money you’ll have left for 12 MendoLakeFamilyLife

other summer activities like family trips. Kids’ summer vacations are long and can feel even longer if the whole family has to stay home for many weeks because you didn’t have any money left to do other things. I learned this the hard way the first time my son went to a summer camp. The camp was so expensive that we ended up not having money for our planned family vacation.

Day Camp or Sleepaway Camp One of the biggest choices every parent faces is whether to send their kids to a day camp or a sleepaway camp. In my experience it’s best to start with a day camp until your kids express interest in going to a sleepaway camp. If your kids haven’t said they’d like to go to a sleepaway camp, it’s probably because they’re not ready yet. It can also be a good idea to send

Come to Sonoma Family Life ’s Family Expo and Camp Fair on April 12, 4–7 p.m., in Coddingtown Mall in Santa Rosa. your kids to both day and sleepaway camps. While sleepaway camps give them a chance to experience real independence and to make new friends, day camps let them come home in the late afternoon and spend some time with their regular friends.

Indoor or Outdoor Activities When choosing a camp, consider the types of activities in which your kids would be engaged. Some kids enjoy sitting quietly inside focusing on arts and crafts; other kids prefer being outdoors doing sports. You could choose to simply follow your kids’ preferences and let them decide, or you could use the summer camp as

February 2019 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

a chance to challenge your kids to step outside their comfort zones and try something entirely different. My spouse certainly prefers the second option. Since our son first began going to summer camp, my spouse has insisted that he try activities that we can’t offer him, such as canoeing, water skiing, and zip-lining.

Single Activity or Multiple Activities Find out if the camps you might be interested in are specialized and focus on one activity, or if they offer multiple activities. Many camps are geared toward one specific activity, such as chess, coding, writing, or more sports-oriented activities like basketball or soccer. Other camps offer kids a range of activities, from sports to crafts to performing arts. Camps that focus on a single activity typically

aim to strengthen kids’ abilities in that particular area. Camps that offer many different activities try to introduce kids to different things. So ask yourself—

When choosing a camp, consider the types of activities in which your kids would be engaged. and your kids—whether the goal is simply to have fun and try new things, or whether the goal is to enhance some particular skill.

Single or Multiple Camps Finally, ask yourself whether you want to send your kids to one camp for all or part of the summer, or whether your kids will go to multiple camps. There are good reasons for either choice. On the one

25 OFF

$

hand, sending your kids to a single camp can save you time and money.

It would also let your kids cultivate friendships for a longer period of time. On the other hand, sending your kids to several camps would let them explore different interests and make more new friends.

Research Options Come to Sonoma Family Life’s Family Expo and Camp Fair on April 12, 4–7 p.m., in Coddingtown Mall in Santa Rosa. You can collect information about, and talk to representatives from, camps all over the area.

There will be free family-friendly entertainment, too. ¶ Tanni Haas, Ph.D., is a communications professor and freelance writer.

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707-472-5250 • www.eaglepeak.uusd.net

February 2019

MendoLakeFamilyLife 13

priority when you’re so busy,” says Karen, homeschooling mother of three children. “Ken and I may go two to four months doing the ‘day-to-day.’

Then we realize we’ve been so focused on the children that we haven’t had time to get out.”

When this happens, the Cebenkas make a date. “Sometimes we go to Lowe’s and just walk around or go…

Couples should spend a few minutes each day sharing their thoughts and feelings.

Make a Date

get ice cream and talk. It’s not really what we do. It’s just having that time together,” she continues.

By Denise Yearian

Experts say one of the best ways to nurture a marriage is to have regularly scheduled date nights.

Finding Couple-Time When Raising a Family

J

ennifer and Larry DiGuiseppe were married six years when a wave of troubled waters threatened their marriage, their family, and their future. “After our second child was born, life became increasingly stressful,” explains Jen, mother of two, voice teacher, and part-time performer. “We were lost in our own little worlds. I was busy with the children and Larry was going to work. We weren’t communicating, and we weren’t connecting.”

When the DiGuiseppes realized what was happening, they sought marriage counseling to anchor their relationship and bridge the gap that had grown between them.

In a world where work and family responsibilities vie for couples’ time, spouses often find it difficult to maintain a healthy marriage relationship. But according to Dr. Bonnie Fisher, clinical psychologist, 14 MendoLakeFamilyLife

a healthy marriage is the foundation of a healthy family.

“In order for a marriage relationship to survive, it must be nurtured and maintained,” says Fisher. “There has to be some plan and process to keep that going. It does not happen automatically, particularly after the children are born.”

This is what Karen and Ken Cebenka found. “You lose sight of keeping this

“If the family is so busy the couple can’t find time to get out, they need to schedule a date and mark it on the calendar just like they would a soccer game,” suggests Marilyn Denn, a licensed professional counselor who specializes in marital counseling.

“Line up a babysitter, enlist the help of family, and plan to do something.

The important thing is that you are free of the needs of your children and focusing on the two of you.”

This was helpful for the DiGuiseppes.

“Our marriage counselor suggested we do date nights,” says Jen. But since Larry works evenings, nights out are a challenge.

“We tend to find other times of the day to be together,” Jen continues.

“Lots of times when the kids are in

February 2019 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

school, we come back to the house and have coffee and breakfast together. Sometimes we just lay on the hammock reading the newspaper.”

What happens if you can’t synchronize your schedules, and using a babysitter is a no-go due to lack of finances or local family to help?

“Trade off with friends,” suggests Fisher. “Do a barter system—I’ll watch your kids twice this month if you’ll watch mine.”

The DiGuiseppes have done this several times. “My friend is a single mother with two children the same ages as mine, so sometimes we’ll swap with her. I’ll take her kids if she wants to go out and vice versa.

We’ve even done overnighters and the kids love it,” Jen says.

In addition to date nights, experts suggest daily connect time. “A lot of couples get bogged down with the details of life and don’t regularly share their feelings with one another,” says Denn. “We may call our spouse and ask him to pick

up milk or take ‘Johnny’ to soccer practice, but fail to connect on an emotional level.”

Couples, says Denn, should spend a few minutes each day sharing their thoughts and feelings.

The Cebenkas do this. “Every night after dinner, Ken and I spend about 15 minutes at the kitchen table talking,” Karen says. “We tell the kids this is ‘our time.’ I fill him in on what has happened during the day, and I hear about his day. We get caught up.”

But that’s not the only time they communicate. “Sometimes we’ll be in the living room talking and the kids will come in. We’ll tell them they have to leave because we’re having a date.

Then we laugh. They think it’s funny, too,” she continues.

“It’s times like these that show children the high value you place on your relationship,” says Fisher.

Both Fisher and Denn suggest that if spouses are too busy for couple time, they may need to reevaluate current

commitments and give up something, if necessary, in order to nurture their marriage.

“Maintaining time for ‘us’ is a constant struggle,” concludes Jen. “We do our best to stay aware and keep a finger on the family pulse. But it’s worth it, because our family is worth it.” ¶ Denise Yearian is the former editor of two parenting magazines and the mother of three children and four grandchildren.

The Love Book List William J. Doherty, Take Back Your Marriage (The Guilford Press, 2013) John M. Gottman and Nan Silver, The Seven Principles for Making a Marriage Work (Harmony, 2015)

Patricia Love and Jo Robinson, Hot Monogamy (Piatkus Books,

1998) Terrence Real, The New Rules of Marriage (Ballantine Books, 2008) David Richo, How to Be an Adult in Relationships (Shambhala, 2002)

Stoking the Fire: It’s All About Communication Daily Temperature Check is a tactic used by some professionals to assist couples in communication. It takes about 10 minutes a day, and each spouse takes a turn communicating in three to five of the following ways.

1. Appreciation Say something you appreciate about your spouse: “Thanks for remembering to make that phone call today.”

2. New Information Tell your spouse something that is going on in your life or something important she or he needs to know: “My mother called and said her surgery is scheduled next Friday.”

www.mendolakefamilylife.com

3. A Puzzle Communicate about something you have observed and are curious about: “I saw you didn’t sleep well last night. Was there a problem?”

4. Concern with a Request to Change Share with your spouse a valid concern you have, with a request that an action be taken: “It bothers me that you don’t replace the paper towels when you empty a roll. Could you please replace the roll when it is finished?” Note: Be sure this doesn’t turn into a gripe session.

5. Wishes, Hopes, and Dreams Make a statement of anything you wish or hope for: “I hope we can find some time this weekend to plan our vacation.”

February 2019

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friend, and respecting others’ personal space to help them navigate strong feelings and budding friendships.

ELEMENTARY YEARS 6–12: Sticks and Stones It’s normal for grade-schoolers to develop crushes as they become more social and interact with a wider circle of friends and peers. Often, though, crushes appear anything but affectionate. Kids may show interest by targeting their crush for negative

Crush Course Helping Kids Navigate First “Loves”

By Malia Jacobson

W

hen cupid’s arrow strikes, it can be fun and exciting.

But for young children just learning how to navigate social interactions, crushes can also be intense, puzzling, and disappointing, says Carolyn AlRoy, Psy.D.

Early crushes start sooner than parents think, sometimes in preschool, and experts say they can lay the groundwork for a child’s future romantic relationships. Read on for age-appropriate tactics to help parents turn crushes into lessons about life and love.

or another non-family adult. It’s normal for young children to fixate on someone they like, even declare that they want to marry their friend or teacher. Use these statements as bridges to discussions about concepts like marriage, friendship, living together, and love.

EARLY YEARS 3–5: Fast Focus Does your child spend every waking minute talking about a special friend or favorite teacher? You’re in the crush zone. A child’s first “crush” may take the form of an intense interest in a new friend, preschool teacher,

“Remember, children this age are still learning how to interact in social situations,” says Jenell Kelly, Ph.D., family and human development specialist. Give your child simple instructions for expressing and receiving affection, being a good

16 MendoLakeFamilyLife

What’s the right age for teens to begin dating? There’s no one-size-fits-all approach. attention, from name-calling to schoolyard chasing. And most have no idea how to deflect unwanted attention from a peer with a crush on them.

It’s all part of learning about boundaries and group dynamics, says Kelly. “Getting along with peers—those they are interested in and those they may not be interested in—is an important component of normative development.” But kids should understand that healthy relationships don’t involve rough physical interactions, name-calling, or other negative attention. Parents can help children interact positively with others by adopting a zero tolerance for bullying policy at home and using games and role play to help children identify ways to express their interest in a positive way, such as offering a compliment or striking up a conversation about music.

February 2019 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

TEEN YEARS 13–18: Dating Game What’s the right age for teens to begin dating? There’s no one-size-fits-all approach, says Kelly. While some may go on first “dates”—possibly chaperoned trips to the mall or movies—around age 13, others may not date at all as teens.

“Chronological age is not always

Does your child spend every waking minute talking about a special friend or favorite teacher? You’re in the crush zone. the best way to determine when teens are ready to date,” she notes.

A child’s social and emotional maturity and a family’s value system should factor in, as well. If “real” dates are still a few years off, group dates, movie nights at home, or parent-chaperoned outings can help pave the way for more dating autonomy later on.

Before dating begins, start talking with teens about boundaries—things like responsibility, accountability, communication guidelines, dating curfews, how the family will screen potential dates, and what to do if your child feels uncomfortable on a date.

“And before your teen dates, take him or her on a date!” says AlRoy. Use the time to talk about healthy dating, appropriate behavior, and brainstorm fun date activities.

Have More Fun & Create Great Memories Get weekly FREE e-mail updates for the best LOCAL family fun calendar

visit

MendoLakeFamily Life.com

Malia Jacobson is an award-winning parenting journalist and mom of three.

Her latest book is Sleep Tight, Every Night: Helping Toddlers and Preschoolers Sleep Well Without Tears, Tricks, or Tirades.

www.mendolakefamilylife.com

February 2019

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Family Fun Funky Dozen

Hearts Alive

7 Local Ways to Celebrate V-Day

T

he relationship that you have with your partner is the foundation of your family. Let these local offerings inspire you to give it some extra attention this Valentine’s Day. Want even more ideas? Turn to our Calendar of Events on page 20.

Mendocino County Ukiah Let your hair down with your sweetie at the Funky Dozen V-Day Dance Party. The band, a Lake County favorite, features 12 musicians, including three vocalists, two guitarists, and a horns section. Expect high-energy dance music mostly from the 1970s but from other decades as well. The event will be held on February 9, 7–10 p.m., at the Ukiah Senior Center. Tickets, which are $25–$30 and include an array of gourmet appetizers, may be purchased at ukiahseniorcenter.org.

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Doris Wier

Willits Does your partnership need a tune-up? Certified Organization and Relationship System Coach Doris Wier aims to help you create more harmonious interactions at her Cultivating Positivity in Relationships workshop. The free class will be held on February 5, 5:30–6:30 p.m., at the Willits Center for the Arts. Call 456-9676 or see avenuestowellness.org for details.

February 2019 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport Fly local & enjoy nonstop flights!

Fort Bragg If you want to celebrate V-Day with your little ones, then the free Valentine Origami Workshop at the Fort Bragg Library may be just the ticket. You and the kids can learn the ancient Japanese art of paper folding and just enjoy connecting to each other. All supplies will be provided for the class, which will be held on February 10, 2–3:30 p.m. Children younger than 10 must be accompanied by an adult.

Willits Cyrano de Bergerac has low self-esteem. He doesn’t believe the object of his affection will ever love him because he has a big nose. When someone else falls for his dream girl, the man in question hires Cyrano to write poems that will win her over. Watch the classic scenario of unrequited love acted out on the stage of the Ukiah Players Theatre, Thursdays–Sundays, February 14–March 10 (no show February 16). Shows will be held at 7 p.m. or, on Sundays only, at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10–$20 and may be purchased at ukiahplayerstheatre.org.

Karen Pavone Photography

 Denver (DEN)  Minneapolis (MSP)  Las Vegas (LAS)

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Lakeport What kind of prom experience did you have?

Whether it was less than optimal or off-the-charts fabulous, the Lake County Theatre Adult Prom gives you a chance to re-do the night—except this time there’s no curfew and you can wear whatever you want, no parental approval necessary. Dance to Clean Sweep’s mix of R&B, funk, and blues on February 16, 7–11 p.m., at the Lake County Fairgrounds’ Little Theater. Purchase advance tickets for $35 at lakecountytheatrecompany.org or buy them for $45 at the door.

Mole Poblano at Dancing Poly Farm

 San Diego (SAN)  Phoenix (PHX)  Dallas (DFW)  San Francisco (SFO)

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Lake County

 Seattle (SEA)  Portland (PDX)  Los Angeles (LAX)  Orange County (SNA)

Lakeport Dancing Poly Farm Valentine’s Day event: For those interested in trying the savory side of chocolate, Dancing Poly Farm’s Chocolate Lovers Dream Happy Hour delivers, with bites of Mole Poblano. (There will be sweet stuff, too.) While the farm usually hosts cooking classes, at this event, on February 14, 4–6 p.m., the hosts will be the ones in the kitchen so you and your honey can relax. The evening costs $40 and advance reservations are required. For further information e-mail dancingpoly@gmail.com or call 413-0054, or register via dancingpoly.com.

Kelseyville What is chocolate’s favorite companion? If you are oenophile, wine. You can have both foodie favorites at the Wine and Chocolate event at the Mount Konocti Winery and Event Center. What’s more? Your culinary reverie will be supporting the Lake Family Resource Center, a nonprofit that helps children in need. The event will be held on February 2, noon–4 p.m.; tickets are $60 when purchased in advance at lakefrc.org or $70 at the door.

www.flySTS.com

NEED HELP GETTING LICENSED? • Help with all aspects of opening a child care business in your home.

• Free referrals to your program.

• Ongoing support with technical assistance & free training workshops.

Rural Communities Child Care

1-800-606-5550 x211 ncoinc.org www.mendolakefamilylife.com

February 2019

MendoLakeFamilyLife 19

February

Calendar of Events Weekend of Wine

O

ne of the advantages of living in Mendocino County is that it doesn’t take much effort to experience world-class wine. This is especially true during the Anderson Valley White Wine Weekend, when various wine-tasting rooms along Highway 12, between Yorkville and Philo, hold special winemaker dinners and open houses, and wine-and-food­–pairing events. This year’s event will be held February 23–24. See avwines.com for a schedule, fees, and information about purchasing tickets. ¶ Pudding Creek Express. Travel along the Pudding Creek Estuary to Glen Blair Junction. 7-mile round-trip. $10–$25. Dogs: $10. Saturdays & Sundays. 11 a.m. Thru Feb. 24. (Feb. 16 & 17: additional trains at 1 p.m. & 3 p.m. Feb. 18: 11 a.m. Feb. 9 & 23: additional train at 1 p.m.). Fort Bragg Depot. 100 W. Laurel St., Fort Bragg.

964-6371. skunktrain.com.

Friday 1 Fashion Exhibit. Learn about who

wore what & why in Mendocino’s pioneer days. $5 donation. 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Fridays–Mondays. Thru Mar. 18. Kelley House Museum. 45007 Albion St., Mendocino. 937-5791. kelleyhousemuseum.org.

Saturday 2 Superhero Luncheon. Costumes welcome. Crafts, photo-ops, giveaways.

Kids 12 & younger must come with chaperone. $8–$10. 11 a.m.–1 p.m.

Konocti Education Center. 15850 Dam Rd. Ext. A., Clearlake.

CAMP

Texas Hold’Em Poker Tournament.

$60 buy-in, $40 add-on. Dinner & drinks included. Ages 21+ only.

Fundraiser for Waldorf School of Mendocino. Lesson: 4:30 p.m.

Tournament: 5 p.m. Flow Kana. Big

W O B N I A R A N WIN camp rforming arts

Dog Saloon. 1150 Bel Arbres Dr., Redwood Valley. visitukiah.com.

Frisson Ensemble. 6-piece ensemble

of top graduates from Yale, Juilliard & Curtis entertains with various combinations of strings & winds. $15–$35. 7:30 p.m. Mendocino College Center Theatre. 1000 Hensley Creek Rd., Ukiah. ukiahconcerts.org.

FREE Heal Trauma Through Art. For those impacted by Lake County fires.

Feb. 2: 11 a.m., Highland Senior Center, 3245 Bowers Ave., Clearlake. Feb. 9: 11 a.m.–2 p.m., Circle of Native Minds, 845 Bevins St., Lakeport. Feb. 16: Instilling Goodness Elementary & Developing Virtue Secondary Schools Kindergarten to Twelfth Grade

circus and pe A residential 7 to 14 for kids age

TO N U WA RD THE F

✓ Stilts ✓ Trapeze ✓ Silks ✓ Drama ✓ Clowning

✓ Juggling ✓ Unicycle ✓ Swimming ✓ Song Writing ✓ Dance

Check us out and register today at:

www.campwinnarainbow.org 20 MendoLakeFamilyLife

“Education Is The Nation’s Best Defense.”

510.525.4304

-Venerable Hsuan Hua, Founder Core Virtues • Inherent Wisdom • Academics • Global Leadership

www.igdvs.org 707.468.1138 (Boys) 707.468.3896 (Girls)

February 2019 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Ukiah Unified School District

Ukiah Unified Kindergarten th Registration Opens January 8

2019-20 Kindergarten Registration and Transitional Kindergarten Registration Students age 5 by September 1, 2019, will be enrolled in Kindergarten Students turning 5 between Sept. 2 and Dec. 2, 2019, will enroll in our Transitional Kindergarten Program Los niños que hayan cumplido los 5 años el 1 de septiembre de 2019 o antes se inscriben en kindergarten. Los niños que cumplan los 5 años entre el 2 de septiembre y el 2 de diciembre de 2019 se inscriben en nuestro programa de transición para kindergarten.

Register online at www.uusd.net or forms are available at school offices. If you need assistance with registration, or access to a computer/printer, visit your school’s office.

WHY ENROLL IN A UUSD SCHOOL?

• Class size reduction in grades K-3 (24-1) • Fully credentialed teachers • After-school programs • Transportation available • Intervention in reading available at all schools • Free breakfast and lunch for all students • Dual Immersion Magnet School – Grace Hudson School • Common Core State Standards • Latest State approved textbooks and curriculum in Language Arts and Math

Calpella Elementary 151 Moore Street 472-5630

Nokomis Elementary 495 Washington Avenue 472-5550

Frank Zeek Elementary 1060 Bush Street 472-5100

Oak Manor Elementary 400 Oak Manor Drive 472-5180

Grace Hudson Elementary 251 Jefferson Lane 472-5460

Yokayo Elementary 790 S. Dora Street 472-5690

www.mendolakefamilylife.com

February 2019

MendoLakeFamilyLife 21

12:30–3 p.m., Lucerne Senior Center, 3985 Country Club Dr., Lucerne.

FREE Heart Candy Box. You & your child can build a Valentine heart candy box. Children must be accompanied by parents. 9 a.m.–noon.

Home Depot. 350 N. Orchard Ave., Ukiah. Register at homedepot.com/ workshops.

Sunday 3

the Northern California Old Time Fiddlers Group. Noon–2 p.m. Ely Barn. 9921 Soda Bay Rd. (Hwy. 128), Kelseyville. visitkelseyville.com.

FREE Adventist Health Ukiah Valley Community Open House. 5:30–7:30

p.m. Adventist Health Ukiah Valley.

275 Hospital Dr., Ukiah. facebook. com/ahukiahvalley.

FREE Mother-Wise Weekly

Concert. Solo violinist Yevgeny Kutik

Workshops. Tuesdays. 1–3 p.m.

Feb. 5: Romance Revisited. Feb. 12: Valentine’s Day Craft. Feb. 19: Child Dental Care. Mother-Wise. 180 N. Main St., Lakeport. Call & reserve your spot. 349-1210. facebook.com/ motherwiselakecounty.

FREE First Fiddlers’ Jam. Listen to fiddle tunes played by members of

Tuesdays. 5–7 p.m. $2 tacos. Moose Lodge. 15900 E. Hwy. 20, Clearlake Oaks. 998-3740. moose2284.org.

FREE Cultivating Positivity in

Tuesday 5

Symphony of the Redwoods Winter

playing Beethoven & Shostakovich. $22–$25. Under age 18: free. Feb. 2: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 3: 2 p.m. Cotton Auditorium. 500 N. Harold St., Fort Bragg. symphonyoftheredwoods.org.

Taco Tuesday & Family Game Night.

Our Relationships. Presented by Doris Wier, certified relationship coach from Embrace Conflicts.

Donations accepted. 5:30–6:30 p.m. Willits Center for the Arts. 71 E. Commercial St., Willits. 456-9676. avenuestowellness.org.

Wednesday 6 FREE Teen Maker Squad. An

afternoon of crafting, with new activities every week. All materials provided. Wednesdays. 2–5 p.m.

Ukiah Library. 105 N. Main St., Ukiah.

467-6434. mendolibrary.org.

mendo lake Alliance for Public Waldorf Education Member

Kindergarten through Eighth Grade

LOCAL

Open Enrollment: Jan 7–Feb 28 Enrollment Tours: Feb 12 & 26 Advanced Math, Science, Spanish, Music, Art, Woodwork, Drama, Speech, Extraordinary Field Trips www.riveroakcharterschool.org 707-467-1855 • 555 Leslie St., Ukiah, CA 95482 22 MendoLakeFamilyLife

#1 local resource for for 25 years local families

magazine • web • email • events

February 2019 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

FREE Mendocino County Museum.

Free admission first Wednesday of each month. 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 400 E. Commercial St., Willits. 459-2736. mendocinomuseum.org.

Thursday 7

S. Main St., Lakeport. 263-0577. soperreesetheatre.com.

Friday 8 Clue: The Musical. $20–$25.

Thursdays–Saturdays: 7:30 p.m.

Sundays: 2 p.m. Willits Community Theatre. 37 W. Van Ln., Willits.

800-838-3006. willitstheatre.org.

Saturday 9 FREE Live, Love, Dance! Virtual

reality, photo booth, food & drinks, pool tables & raffle for snowboards, gift cards & a PS4. Transportation vouchers available on the public bus system to the event. Must have own transportation home. Grades 9–12.

Drug- & alcohol-free event. 6–10 p.m.

Clearlake Youth Center. 4750 Golf Ave., Clearlake. clearlakeyouth.org.

First Thursday Community Fun

FREE Lego Club. Interactive &

Night. Board, card games & crafts will be available. Learn how to felt or how to play a new game. Snack food/dessert potluck. 6:30–9 p.m.

Redwood Valley Grange. 8650 East Rd., Redwood Valley. facebook.com/ rvgrange.

educational. Fridays. 3:30–4:30 p.m. Redbud Library. 14785 Burns Valley Rd., Clearlake. Visit library. lakecountyca.gov for a schedule of similar classes at other Lake County libraries.

FREE 100+ Women Strong in

Hopland Hikes: Meet the Lambs.

FREE La Leche League. All

Lake County. Join

Strollers & toddlers welcome. See our newly born lambs at this 1-mile family-friendly hike. Sheep-related activities for children after the hike. Dress warmly. Packed lunch welcome. No dogs permitted. $3–$8.

women interested in breastfeeding are encouraged to attend. Babies are always welcome. 10 a.m.–noon.

Mendo Baby. 198 S. School St., Ukiah. facebook.com/mendobaby.

a diverse group of women who come together quarterly to support Lake County nonprofits. All are welcome to attend this meeting to find out more.

6:30 p.m. Soper Reese Theatre. 275

GIVE YOUR CHILD a joy-

Now Accepting K-12 Registration

ful learning experience full of discovery with: • Exploration of own interests & abilities • Experiential learning with field trips, arts • Respectful and caring learning community • Peace education and mindfulness • Earth stewardship

Tree of Life Charter VISIT US DURING OPEN HOUSE

March 13th, 6–7:30 PM

OPEN ENROLLMENT January & March www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Ukiah Independent Study Academy

Free Montessori Elementary Education for Children Ages 5 through 13

Serving K–12

For more information and enrollment applications: (707) 462-0913 treeoflifeschool.net treeoflifeschool@pacific.net

Flex Time & Days • Tailored Learning Eligible for UHS Sports • Dual College Enrollment College & Career Readiness • WASC Accredited

UKIAH UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

1000 Low Gap Rd., Ukiah • 707-472-5906

February 2019

MendoLakeFamilyLife 23

10 a.m.–noon. 4070 University Rd., Hopland. 744-1424, ext. 105. hrec. ucanr.edu.

All-You-Can-Eat Crab Dinner. $50.

Cocktails: 6 p.m. Dinner: 7 p.m. Elks Lodge. 1200 Hastings Rd., Ukiah.

Tickets available at the lodge or by telephone. 462-1728.

Ukiah Contra Dance. Live music. All

ages. No experience or partner needed. $5–$12. 7:30 p.m. (Class for beginners at 7 p.m.) Ukiah United Methodist Social Hall. 270 N. Pine St., Ukiah.

Reentry Legal Clinic. Meet 1-on-1

with a lawyer to learn about your legal rights Questions answered

regarding child support, visitation rights, landlord background checks & more. Presented by Root & Rebound Re-Entry Advocates. Appointments necessary. Feb. 9: noon–4 p.m., CTHP Wellness Center, 6991 N. State St., Redwood Valley. RSVP: bit.ly/ ReentryClinic1. Feb. 10: 11 a.m.–3 p.m., County Building, 255 N. Forbes St., 1st Floor, Lakeport. RSVP: bit.ly/ ReentryClinic2.

FREE Anderson Marsh Nature Walk. Led by a local expert birder.

Rain will cancel the walk. 8:30 a.m.

Anderson Marsh State Historical Park.

8400 Hwy. 53, Lower Lake. 995-2658. andersonmarsh.org.

Stars of Lake County Community Awards. Support

professionals, students, nonprofits & businesses that have given their best to others. $22. Reception: 5 p.m. Seating: 6 p.m. Tickets can be purchased only via Lake County Chamber of Commerce, 875 Lakeport Blvd., Lakeport, or call 263-5092. Soper Reese Theatre. 275 S. Main St., Lakeport. lakecochamber.com.

Sunday 10 FREE Valentine Origami Workshop.

All welcome. Kids under age 10 must be accompanied by an adult. Supplies provided. 2–3:30 p.m. Fort Bragg Library. 499 E. Laurel St., Fort Bragg.

964-2020. fortbragglibrary.org.

Valentine Tea. Includes scones, lemon curd, fruit salad, sandwiches & cookies. Proceeds go to books for babies & kits for kindergarten. $5–$12.

2–3:30 p.m. Trinity Lutheran Church.

620 E. Redwood Ave., Fort Bragg.

964-0491.

Thursday 14 Parents’ Night Out. Drop off kids for science activities & enjoy a date night. Thru Feb. 15. 6–9 p.m.

Kidovation. 1320 S. State St., Ukiah. kidovationzone.com.

Valentine’s Day Dance & Dolci.

Walk on the Wild Side

Y

ou would not expect to find herds of giraffes, zebras, and antelope on the northern California coast. But that is, indeed, what you will see when you visit the 110-acre B. Bryan Preserve in Point Arena. A 75-minute tour of the preserve, offered in a vintage Land Rover, allows visitors to get up close to the animals and even feed the giraffes. Giraffe Painting—held the first Saturday of every month—invites onlookers to hold a canvas while the giraffe paints what could only be called abstract art. Tours are open to all ages and are $35 or $20 for kids younger than 10. Giraffe Painting is for ages 6 and older and is $50 per person. Log on to bbryanpreserve. com to make a reservation and for more information. ¶

24 MendoLakeFamilyLife

Learn partner dance. Latin dance steps. Coaching: 60 minutes. Social dancing: 30 minutes. Pastry & chocolates. $50 per couple. 7–8:30 p.m.

234 North Macpherson, Fort Bragg.

245-1896. mesurrender.com.

Friday 15 FREE Kidovation Grand Opening Weekend. Enroll in after-school programs & sign up for classes:

February 2019 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Wizarding, Beginning STEAM, Beginning Pottery, Mad Scientist Lab & Cardboard Creations.

Kidovation. 1320 S. State St., Ukiah. kidovationzone.com.

Valentine’s Day Dance Party. Music

by the Godfather of Soul, James Brown. Curated by Blue Verhey. $10.

7–10 p.m. Middletown Art Center.

21456 Hwy. 175, Middletown. facebook. com/artmiddletown.

FREE Annual Chinese New Year Children’s Parade. Parade in

Mendocino begins at the corners of Ukiah & Lansing, marching to the Temple of Kwan Tai. Weather permitting. 10:30–11:30 a.m. visitmendocino.com.

Cloverdale Citrus Fair. $5–$8. Feb.

15: noon–9 p.m. Feb. 16 & 17: 10 a.m.–9 p.m. Feb. 18: 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Cloverdale Citrus Fairgrounds. 1 Citrus Fair Dr., Cloverdale. cloverdalecitrusfair.org.

Saturday 16 Grab Some Crab. All

you can eat.

50/50 raffles. Silent auction. $40.

Happy hour: 4–6 p.m. Dinner: 6 p.m. Moose Lodge. 15900 E. Hwy. 20, Clearlake Oaks. 998-3740. moose2284.org/crab-feed.

FREE Taste of Redwood Valley.

Wine & whiskey. Bring your own wine glass. 11 a.m.–5 p.m. facebook.com/ tasteofredwoodvalley.

Event of the Heart. Fundraiser for Mendocino County AIDS Viral Hepatitis Network. Live music by Severance & gourmet dinner by Ellery Clark. Live & silent auctions. $100. 5:30–10:30 p.m. Ukiah Valley Conference Center. 200 S. School St., Ukiah. facebook.com/ events/314460166015305.

www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Adult Prom. Come

dressed in your finest evening attire. Hors d’oeuvres & no-host bar. Dance to the sounds of Clean Sweep. $35–$45. 21+ only.

7–11 p.m. Lake County Fairgrounds.

401 Martin St., Lakeport. lakecountytheatrecompany.org.

Daddy-Daughter Dance. $25. $5

each additional daughter. Two dance sessions: 5:30 p.m. & 8 p.m.

Kelseyville Presbyterian Church. 5340 3rd St., Kelseyville. eventbrite.com/e/ kelseyville.

Chinese New Year’s Fundraiser.

Buffet, silent auction & no-host bar. Seating limited. Fundraiser for Temple of Kwan Tai. $40. 6:30–9:30 p.m. Crown Hall. 45285 Ukiah St., Mendocino.

Sunday 17 FREE Redbud Audubon Society Field Trip. Suitable for all levels. Bring binoculars, field guide, bird apps, water & wear layered clothing, hats & sun protection. Walking shoes/hiking boots. Heavy rain cancels. May join or leave group anytime during day. 9 a.m.

Clear Lake State Park. 5300 Soda Bay Rd., Kelseyville. redbudaudubon.org.

Tuesday 19 It’s a She Thing. Women-only event.

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.

Drinks, dinner, dessert auction, silent auction. Fundraiser for St. Mary’s School. $20–$25. 6–9 p.m. Barra of Mendocino Wines. 7051 N. State St., Redwood Valley. facebook.com/ stmarysukiah.

Thursday 21 Clam Chowder Feed. Men-only

event. All-you-can-eat chowder. Drinks & raffle prizes. Fundraiser for St. Mary’s School. $15. 6:30–9:30 p.m. St. February 2019

IN PRINT • ONLINE • EVENTS • CONTESTS

586-9562

MendoLakeFamilyLife.com MendoLakeFamilyLife 25

Mary’s School. 991 S. Dora St., Ukiah. facebook.com/stmarysukiah.

Friday 22 Learn to Draw. Linda Fielding, local

artist, will demonstrate drawing techniques for students of all levels.

Materials provided. $15. 3–5 p.m. Art House Gallery. 15210 Lakeshore Dr., Clearlake. 998-9198. facebook.com/ clearlakearthousegallery.

Saturday 23 Ukiah Polar Plunge Fundraiser.

Take a winter dive into a cool pool to raise money & awareness for the Special Olympics of Northern California. Participants must raise a minimum of $125. Plunge at noon.

Testa Vineyards. 6400 N. State St., Calpella. Plunge also simultaneously

held at Lakeside County Park in Kelseyville. sonc.org/polarplunge.

FREE Gentle Yoga. 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Ukiah Library. 105 N. Main St., Ukiah. 463-4490.

Surf n’ Turf Prime Rib Crab Feed.

All-you-can-eat crab. Local wines at no-host bar. Unlimited crab. Benefits the Meals on Wheels of North Lake County. $60–$65. 4:30–8 p.m.

Lakeport Senior Activity Center. 527 Konocti Ave., Lakeport. facebook. com/lakeportseniors.

Father-Daughter Dinner. Baked

or pesto ziti. $10 per person. 4:30–6 p.m. Bachelor Valley Grange. 9355 Government Rd., Upper Lake. lakecochamber.chambermaster.com.

St. Mary’s Mardi Gras. Dinner,

dance, auction & gaming. $60. 5:30 p.m.–midnight. Redwood Empire Fairgrounds. 1055 North State St., Ukiah. facebook.com/stmarysukiah.

Sunday 24 FREE Mardi Gras Carnival. Games,

food, auction & school performances.

Hosted by St. Mary’s School. 11 a.m.–3 p.m. St. Mary’s School. 991 S. Dora St., Ukiah. facebook.com/stmarysukiah.

Wednesday 27 FREE Tech Q&A. Attendees can ask questions about personal technology, computers, cell phones, tablets & the Internet. Noon–1 p.m. Lakeport Library. 1425 N. High St., Lakeport. library.lakecountyca.gov.

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

• What did you like in this issue?

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

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

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e-mail melissa@family-life.us 26 MendoLakeFamilyLife

Find out what’s happening this weekend.

MendoLakeFamilyLife.com February 2019 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Marketplace Preschools

Schools

Give Your Give Child a Head Start!

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Free Your & Low-Cost Quality Preschool!

• Ukiah Child a classroomsTuition-free ✓ 1/2-day & full-day for Montessori North Ukiah - Bush St. ages 18 months to 5 years Nokomis - Washington Ave. Head elementary South forUkiah ages 5-13 - S. State St. ✓ Potty-trained not necessary Peach Tree - S. Orchard Ave. Start!

Hands-on, arts and music  ✓ Children with disabilities welcome • Willits

integrated with academics Near Brookside School at ✓ Referrals for transportation available Free & Low-Cost Spruce St. & Lincoln Way  National Green Campus Quality Preschool!

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(707)Development 462-2582 Program License #230111843 Child Applications online: www.ncoinc.org • (707) 462-2582

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

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

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Accelerated Achievement Academy

Find a School or After-School Activity in our Online Directories MendoLakeFamilyLife.com

Dads & Daughters Dance

A

girl’s relationship to her father heavily influences how she relates to men throughout her life. Dad-daughter dances and dinners are a special way to attend to the father-child bond. Check out these local events: Daddy-Daughter Dance: In its 16th year, this DJ-fueled dance will be held on February 16 at the Kelseyville Presbyterian Church in Kelseyville. Participants can come to one of two time slots: 5:30 p.m. or 8 p.m. Admission is $25 per couple ($5 for each additional daughter) and includes a carnation for each girl, sweet treats, and a souvenir photo.

Upper Lake PTO Father-Daughter Dance: Open to the community, this all-ages dance will be held on February 23, 6–8 p.m., at the Upper Lake High School cafeteria in Upper Lake. Admission is $20–$25 per couple ($5 extra for each additional girl) and includes a flower, picture, dessert bar, and refreshments.

Get Mom’s Attention!

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LOCAL

#1 local for 25 years resource for local families magazine • web • email • events

Father-Daughter Dinner at the Grange: This event will be held at the Bachelor Valley Grange in Upper Lake on February 23, 4:30–6 p.m. Admission is $10 and includes a dinner of baked or pesto ziti. ¶

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February 2019

MendoLakeFamilyLife 27

Cooking with Kids

Walk on the Dark Side Spread Some Chocolate Love

By Christina Katz

A

long with roses, chocolate is a Valentine’s Day staple. These recipes make it easy to share its deliciousness with the whole family.

Pretty Chocolate Pudding Serve this tasty pudding warm on cold days and cold on warm days, and it will always be a major hit.

1. Stir together 2/3 cup sugar, ¼ cup cocoa, 3 tablespoons cornstarch, and ¼ teaspoon salt in medium saucepan.

Place over medium heat and gradually stir in 2 ¼ cups milk.

2. Stir constantly until mixture boils.

Boil and stir for 1 minute.

3. Remove pan from heat and stir in 2 tablespoons butter and 1 teaspoon vanilla.

4. Pour mixture into a serving bowl or divide among 4 individual dessert dishes. Press plastic wrap directly onto pudding surface to prevent skin from forming.

5. Chill 2 hours or serve warm.

Remove wrap and garnish with whipped cream.

28 MendoLakeFamilyLife

Best Brownies Ever These decadent brownies are amazing slightly cooled from the oven with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream on top.

1. Preheat the oven to 325ºF. Butter and flour an 8-inch–square baking pan.

2. In a small saucepan, place 4 ounces chopped unsweetened chocolate on top of 2 sticks of butter. Stir over low heat until melted. If you use a microwave, take care not to splatter or scorch mixture.

3. Place 2 cups sugar into medium mixing bowl. Pour in chocolate-butter mixture and mix well. Add 4 large eggs and 2 teaspoons vanilla and blend well.

4. Sift ½ cup of flour over the mixture and fold in gently, taking care to not over-mix.

5. Pour mixture into baking pan and bake for 30–40 minutes. For gooey brownies, bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of the pan comes out clean. For more cake-like brownies, bake 5 minutes longer.

Easy Chocolate Fondue This is always a hit with kids. Dip fresh fruit, marshmallows, sturdy bread, pretzels, or pound cake into this warm, creamy mixture—mmm!

1. In a heavy saucepan, warm 1 cup heavy cream over medium heat until it begins to slowly boil.

Add 12 ounces high-quality dark, semi-sweet, or milk chocolate chips to the cream and whisk until smooth. Stir in a pinch of salt. Add ½ teaspoon vanilla, if desired.

2. Transfer to a fondue pot on low heat or serve straight from the saucepan. Make sure kids do not touch or tip a hot pot.

3. Arrange bite-sized pieces of dipping foods on a plate with fondue forks or regular forks. If the fondue starts to stiffen, whisk in a bit more cream. ¶ Author, journalist, and writing coach Christina Katz is a lover of all things chocolate.

February 2019 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Crafting with Kids

Pretty in Pink Valentine Projects

By Christina Katz

V

alentine’s Day is coming!

And after all the hustle and bustle of the end-of-year holidays, you may want to keep your heart-day celebration simple.

Luckily, your family can have plenty of fun making crafts with items you have on hand.

Embellished Jewelry Boxes • Cardboard jewelry gift boxes • Foam brushes • Acrylic paint • Glossy Mod Podge • Tissue paper scraps • Wire rack • Magazine cutouts • Glitter • Spray lacquer • Leftover jewelry charms • Stick-on embellishments • Ribbon • Tacky glue Drying times will vary, but as long as you apply liquids in a thin layer, they will dry quickly. Paint box inside and out, as needed, or cover with Mod Podge and tissue cut into 1-inch squares. Let dry on wire rack. Add a thin layer of paint or Mod Podge, magazine cutouts, www.mendolakefamilylife.com

another layer of Mod Podge, and sprinkle lightly or thickly with glitter. Let dry, tap off excess glitter, and then spray with a generous coat of spray lacquer to permanently adhere glitter. Let dry. Add charms, embellishments, and ribbons using Tacky glue as needed. Let dry.

Seed Valentines for the Birds • 1/2 cup boiling water • 1 envelope unflavored gelatin (2.5 teaspoons) • 3 tablespoons corn syrup • 4 cups birdseed • 3/4 cup flour • Non-stick cooking spray • Cookie sheet • Parchment or waxed paper • Heart-shaped metal cookie cutters • Drinking straws • Waterproof ribbon Place water in microwave-proof bowl or cup and heat to boiling in microwave. Slowly sprinkle in gelatin, stir with fork, and let sit one minute. Add corn syrup and stir.

In large bowl, combine birdseed with flour. Pour a thin stream of liquid all over the top of the dry ingredients. Spray a large mixing spoon with non-stick cooking February 2019

spray and mix until ingredients are thoroughly combined.

Line a cookie sheet with parchment or waxed paper. Give it a light spray of non-stick cooking spray. Also spray the inside of cookie cutters.

Fill each cookie cutter with birdseed mixture, while inserting a short piece of a cut drinking straw all the way through each cookie. If you do not have straws, you could use a chopstick or something similar. If birdseed mixture is sticking, use more cooking spray, even on hands.

Then push the seed cookie through the cookie cutter and onto the tray and let sit overnight.

Once dry and firm, thread the cookies with waterproof ribbon and hang outdoors where birds gather.

Discard leftover seed mixture outdoors.

Author, journalist, and writing coach Christina Katz enjoys whiling away the hours making crafts with her teenage daughter.

MendoLakeFamilyLife 29

Humor Break

Potty Training Mommy 6 Signs of Readiness

By Cheryl Maguire While potty-training books discuss children’s readiness to use the pot, they do not recognize “mommy readiness.” Here, I will attempt to fill the void.

Enthusiasm to clean yet another mess. Many moms spend the majority of their waking hours cleaning some sort of mess, whether it’s the food smeared on the furniture or the diaper cream used as finger paint or the toys strewn across every inch of the house. Just the thought of encouraging another mess can send some moms right over the edge.

There comes a time, however, when the diaper messes become so revolting that the thought of cleaning up after potty training actually sounds appealing. This is what I mean by mommy readiness. If you’re wondering what I’m talking about, just wait.

You’re much better off remaining in a state of blissful ignorance until then.

Motivation to do more laundry.

Moms face an endless amount of laundry. Obviously, when potty training a child, accidents will occur, and this leads to more laundry.

Mommy readiness becomes apparent when you find yourself cleaning sheets, 30 MendoLakeFamilyLife

blankets, and clothes every morning thanks to stripped-off diapers.

Suddenly, cleaning a few extra outfits seems minimal.

Eagerness to spend all day in the bathroom. It’s difficult to imagine having to add another activity to an already busy schedule, much less one that involves running to the bathroom at a moment’s notice because your potty trainee needs to

Many moms spend the majority of their waking hours cleaning some sort of mess. go. But when you add up all those dollars spent on diapers and wipes, you realize that spending some extra time in the bathroom might not be so bad after all.

Readiness to deal with accidents in public. Going to public places with toddlers is extremely challenging. They are interested in all the new and fascinating items in front of them, which sends them in every direction except the one you want. Their attention span is also limited, so you

find yourself moving at warp speed trying to accomplish whatever task you set out to do. “Accidents” in public create yet more obstacles in your outing. That said, discovering your child bathing in toilet water speedily enhances your readiness to deal with any accident in public.

Willingness to use public restrooms. Many people avoid using public restrooms. Toilet training your child means using public restrooms on a regular basis. Finding your child throwing his or her dirty diaper across a room that is not a bathroom helps you overcome this hang up really fast.

Admitting your child is no longer a baby. This is by far the most difficult step for any parent to make. On some level, they will always be your babies. After learning to use the potty, the next step is going to college—or that’s how it feels sometimes. Statistically, most college students end up moving back home anyway, so you need not worry about them leaving you anytime soon. ¶ This article was originally published on Parent.co.

Cheryl Maguire holds a master’s degree in counseling psychology. Find her at Twitter @CherylMaguire05.

February 2019 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

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O R T H O P E D I C

S U R G E R Y We are pleased to welcome to Dr. Paul M. Charpentier to the Orthopedic Joint Center team.

Dr. Charpentier will be working with Drs. William Bowen and Jeremiah Dawson doing what he loves most – helping patients get back to moving without pain.

Born and raised in Mendocino County, Dr. Charpentier is excited to care for the community he loves. He specializes in minimally invasive hip and knee replacement, arthroscopic surgery and complex reconstruction of the hip, knee and shoulder. He is an advocate for nonoperative treatments, but is highly trained in surgical joint replacement and revisions.

He believes multi-modal pain protocols and post-operative rehab protocols are key to a speedy recovery.

Dr. Charpentier earned his medical degree from Northeast Ohio Medical University, completed a residency at Michigan State University, followed by a Fellowship at Virginia Commonwealth University, specializing in joint replacements.

Please join us in welcoming Dr. Charpentier and his wife and three children to our community.

Joining our experienced team at Orthopedic Joint Center of Northern California

William Bowen, MD

Welcome

Paul M. Charpentier, MD Orthopedic Surgeon

Jeremiah Dawson, MD

Now welcoming new patients.

To schedule an appointment, call:

(707) 459-6115 www.orthojointcenter.org

3 Marcela Drive, Suite C | Willits, CA