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January 2021
Private Schools
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Chinese Medicine Clinic aids locals
Remote Learning Tips for parents
24 area programs
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January 2021
Every Issue 6
Dear Reader
7
Cooking with Kids No-Bake Bars
10 Features
8
Bits and Pieces Science Spiels
9
For the Birds Balance Your Budget Nurture the Nurturers
10 Mom’s Homeroom Working and teaching your kids at home? Here’s how to cope.
12 Brainy Apps Remote learning just got easier.
14 Private School Guide All the info you need, in one place.
18 Featured Private Schools Our top picks.
20 Friendships Flourish Online Programs that encourage social interaction.
22 Local Chinese Medicine We talk with Community Acupuncture Ukiah.
24 Lose the Quarantine 15 Smart advice for shedding pounds.
26 Overcome Trauma How Somatic Experiencing helps people heal.
Get Up & Dance Home Is Where the Heart Is
28 Calendar of Events One-Man Show Hits the Virtual Stage
30 Humor Break You Can’t Quit Childbirth
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9
4 MendoLakeFamilyLife
January 2021 www.mendolakefamilylife.com
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Dear Reader
W
orking and teaching kids at home is an incredible challenge. How do you keep your sanity? Say no a Sharon Gowan lot, says veteran Publisher/Editor Sharon@family-life.us homeschooler Kerrie McLoughlin, and go easy on yourself. Find out more of her savvy advice in “Mom’s Homeroom” (page 10).
giving special attention to facilitating children’s interactions. Kimberly Blaker details 11 of them in “Friendships Flourish Online” (page 20).
Educational apps are an excellent resource for parents-turned-teachers. In “Brainy Apps” (page 12), dad and college professor Tanni Haas highlights nine that can make learning math, reading, and science fun.
We hope the start of your New Year is a great one. We look forward to spending 2021 with you.
Along with day-to-day parenting dilemmas like helping lonely kids, moms and dads must also face big choices like picking a private school. We aim to make the decision-making process easier with our Private & Charter School Guide (page 14). Turn to it for important information on 24 local institutions.
WE
Business Marketing Renee Nutcher renee@family-life.us Warren Kaufman warren@family-life.us
Melissa Chianta melissa@family-life.us
Production Manager Donna Bogener production@family-life.us
DID YOU KNOW? will walk you through the entire process of becoming a child care provider in your home.
Patricia Ramos patty@family-life.us
Features Editor
Students are living so much of their lives via screens, many of us wonder where socializing fits in. Some programs are
HELPS YOU
Office Manager
Contributing Writers Kimberly Blaker Evan DeMarco Sandra Gordon Tanni Haas Kerrie McLoughlin Pam Moore
Billing Jan Wasson-Smith
Publishing Office P.O. Box 351 Philo, CA 95466 (707) 586-9562
WE
have subsidies available to help with child care expenses for qualifying families.
WE
have ongoing training & referrals to help make your child care business the best it can be!
1-800-606-5550 x211 ncoinc.org 6 MendoLakeFamilyLife
January 2021 www.mendolakefamilylife.com
Cooking with Kids
No-Bake Bars
An Easy, Healthy Snack for Kids By America’s Test Kitchen
T
here are all kinds of raw fruit and nut bars packaged in bright colors and sold at the supermarket. They are simple and delicious, packed with protein from the nuts and sweetness from the dried fruit. The best part? They require no cooking to make. All you need is a food processor to finely chop the ingredients. Then you press the mixture into a pan, chill it, and slice it into bars. Done! Recipe and photo originally published in The Complete DIY Cookbook for Young Chefs (America’s Test Kitchen, 2020) and printed with permission from America’s Test Kitchen. Find more information at americastestkitchen. com/kids.
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Cranberry-Almond Energy Bars Makes 12 bars | Total Time: 20 minutes, plus 1 hour chilling time Prepare Ingredients 2 cups whole almonds ¼ teaspoon salt 1 ½ cups dried cranberries 1 ½ cups chopped pitted dates 2 tablespoons water ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract Gather Cooking Equipment 8‑inch square metal baking pan Plastic wrap Food processor Rubber spatula Cutting board Chef’s knife Start Cooking! 1. Line 8‑inch square metal baking pan with plastic wrap, letting excess hang over sides of pan. 2. Add almonds and salt to food processor and lock lid into place. Turn on processor and process until almonds are finely ground, 20 to 30 seconds. Stop processor and remove lid.
January 2021
3. Add cranberries, dates, water, and vanilla to processor and lock lid back into place. Hold down pulse button for 1 second, then release. Repeat until fruit is finely chopped and mixture starts to clump together, about 15 1-second pulses. Stop processor, remove lid, and carefully remove processor blade (ask an adult for help). 4. Use rubber spatula to transfer mixture to plastic-lined baking pan and spread into even layer. Fold excess plastic over top and use your hands to press mixture firmly to flatten. 5. Place baking pan in refrigerator and chill until firm, about 1 hour. 6. Transfer chilled mixture to cutting board and discard plastic. Slice in half, then cut each half crosswise into 6 pieces (you should have 12 bars). Serve. (Bars can be refrigerated in airtight container for up to 1 week.)
MendoLakeFamilyLife 7
Bits & Pieces
Science Spiels
E
ver wondered what kind of stone comprises the Sonoma coastline’s majestic cliffs? Find out at the Fascinating Geology of the Sonoma Coast mini-lecture on January 14. The Facebook Live video is part of a series of 15-minute talks presented every Thursday at 2:30 p.m. on the Sonoma County Parks’ Facebook page. Additional talks include Winter Spawning Grounds (January 7); Out of Town Guests: Winter Birds (January 21); and Historic Flooding of the Russian River (January 28). Find out more at parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov and facebook.com/sonomacounty regionalparks/?ref=page_internal. ¶
For the Birds
W
ith their eye-catching colors and melodious songs, birds capture the attention of everyone from children to professional ornithologists. For little ones who want to learn more about their feathered friends, there is the Audubon Kids 10-week series of interactive downloadable activities that teach kids about different birds and their habitats. Along with the series, there are also videos that show kids how to draw birds, too. Check out both the series and the videos at audubon.org or tinyurl.com/ y8xqlszj. ¶
Balance Your Budget
M
anaging money is a challenge most every parent can relate to—especially in January when holiday spending has left coffers empty. The local nonprofit Mother-Wise wants to help moms brush up on their financial skills at its free online Money Management/Financial Planning workshop on January 5, 1–3 p.m. The class is part of a series of free parenting workshops, which cover topics such as Budgeting (January 12); Fitness After Baby (January 19); and Healthy Eating for the Whole Family (January 26). Learn more and sign up at facebook.com/MotherWiseLakeCounty. ¶
8 MendoLakeFamilyLife
January 2021 www.mendolakefamilylife.com
Nurture the Nurturers
M
othering is a 24/7 job. And mothering during a pandemic brings extra stress. Spiritual life coach Melissa Grace and sound healer Rebecca Webb aim to give moms a break at their online Women’s Self Care Retreat: Nourish Yourself in the New Year. The virtual circle of women will explore dream interpretation, intuition, oracle cards, and sound healing at this two-hour event on January 30, 11 a.m.–1 p.m. PST. Admission is $45. Register at thenightisjung.com/events. Grace and Webb, who each have more than 20 years of experience in the healing arts, maintain private practices in Sonoma County and online. Find out more about Grace at thenightisjung.com and Webb at soundhealsyou.com. ¶
Get Up & Dance
K
ids’ rambunctious energy and parents’ need to focus may be at odds during sheltering-in-place. And GoNoodle may have a cure, with its music-and-movement videos that help kids get out their yahoos and get some exercise. Check out the “Cookie Boogie,” starring animated gingerbread dancing to a rap, and “Freeze,” featuring some tween/teen boys twirling and gliding to pop grooves. Find these and many other videos at grownups.gonoodle.com/ goodenergy_familyfun. ¶
Home Is Where the Heart Is
T
he 2017 Tubbs Fire left behind many stories of devastation. But one of the tales has a silver lining involving the creation of a children’s book. When Carrie Barnes’ family lost their Fountaingrove home in the historic Santa Rosa conflagration, the experience deeply traumatized 7-year-old Brett. Barnes looked around for a children’s book to help her son process his grief, but couldn’t find anything that really fit the bill, so she wrote one herself: Home: A Story of Resilience and Healing (Roundtree Press, 2020). Illustrated by Lyn Meredith, the picture book delivers a simple message: Home is more a matter of who loves you than where you live. Find it on amazon.com. ¶
www.mendolakefamilylife.com
January 2021
MendoLakeFamilyLife 9
and that’s when I move my little operation down to the storage room, where there’s a Formica table, chair, plenty of light, and quiet. Maybe you even have a real, separate office in your home, and in that case, fantastic! 3. Create and post a routine. While schedules are rigid and only induce more stress, a routine lets everyone know what’s coming next,
Mom’s Homeroom
How to Work and Teach at Home
By Kerrie McLoughlin
O
verwhelming, stressful, and challenging are just a few of the words that can describe working from home while homeschooling. Not only can you survive this unprecedented time, but also you can join the ranks of those who are thriving! Here’s how.
1. Go easy on yourself. No comparing. This includes getting rid of any Mom Guilt about your kids being on screens too much. Sarah Lyons, a writer-mom of six, says, “I think the most helpful thing I’ve learned is that your best is enough. It’s okay if you have to let some things go (housework), and it’s okay if you are working at your own pace. Just doing your best and being aware of what your kids can handle is more important. Don’t compare yourself to others, just do what works for your family.” 10 MendoLakeFamilyLife
You are not going to be caught up on the latest season of anything. 2. Carve out your workspace. I’ve always preferred to work at the dining room table so I can see what’s going on at all times. When it’s mealtime, it’s easy to move my laptop over to a small nearby bookshelf, where I keep anything I need for work and homeschooling. However, there are times when I need a place to focus for a while,
Say no as often as you need to so you can maintain your sanity, marriage, and family time. so arguments and feet-dragging diminish. My family sleeps late, which means I work in the mornings. Then I put work away to focus on homeschooling until 3 p.m. so my kids know I am entirely available to them. They know when TV time starts at night, what their chores are, and when I’m available for requests. You might work best at night, on weekends, or maybe you work well in 30-minute increments every day, task-switching between homeschooling and work. But… 4. Routines will get disrupted. Some days homeschooling will be thrown off course. You may have to work overtime, or your child may get sick and your job will have to be put on hold. But it all evens out in the end. You are not going to be caught up on the latest season of anything; you might not have much time to read; and your social media perusing might be non-existent, except for during school breaks.
January 2021 www.mendolakefamilylife.com
Just know that there’s going to be a lot of juggling, pivoting, and communicating. 5. Everyone pitches in. Slap up a rough draft of a chore chart as fast as you can, then tweak it as the whining (from kids and spouse!) begins. This way, everyone sees what needs to be done on what days. This takes decision-making out of your court as you simply point to the chart. 6. Solve the daily dinner dilemma. Creating an easy, rotating meal plan will be the best thing you ever did. Take full advantage of the slow cooker, grocery delivery, and leftover and delivery nights. If you have older kids, now is the time to teach them how to toss together a casserole and pop it in
the oven while you finish up that last bit of work. Prep meals on weekends and always remember that, if you made dinner, you don’t have to clean it up. While your family tidies up the kitchen, you can get back to your job,
A routine lets everyone know what’s coming next, so arguments and feet-dragging diminish. help the kids with their homework, or heck, even take a well-deserved shower! Pam Barnhill, of the Homeschool Solutions podcast, has a course called Put Your Meal Plan on Autopilot that’s worth checking out. See plus.pambarnhill.com.
7. Practice saying no. You are at home, so there will be people who expect you to accept them as a drop-in visitor, answer every text in a timely manner, and sign up for all the church and sports volunteer positions. Make your routine clear to anyone who should know, then sit back and say no as often as you need to so you can maintain your sanity, marriage, and family time. Don’t forget to take to heart what June from the blog This Simple Balance says: “Give yourself so much grace to try different things until you find the right balance and routines that work for your unique family.” ¶ Kerrie McLoughlin (TheKerrieShow. com) has been working from home for 19 years and homeschooling for 14 years.
Supporting Parents as Educators
A Small School for Big Thoughts
www.caredwoods.org • 1059 N. State St., Ukiah
Enroll Today (707) 467-0500 ➢ FREE Public School ➢ Advanced Placement Options ➢ Caring, Credentialed Teachers ➢ Centrally Located at the Fairgrounds ➢ Clubs & Electives, Student Council ➢ Serving Grades 7-12
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Redwood Academy of Ukiah www.mendolakefamilylife.com
Weekly Parent Institutes ACADEMIC • CURRICULAR • HOLISTIC La Vida Charter School January 2021
707-459-6344
11785 Orchard Lane, Willits
lavidaschool.org
MendoLakeFamilyLife 11
Cram gives them access to more than 80 million flashcards on all the major academic subjects. They can also create their own flashcards using text and images, and share them with classmates. They can go through entire sets of flashcards, hide the ones they’ve already mastered, or have the flashcards read out loud to them.
This app teaches kids basic geometry.
Brainy Apps Tech Help for Remote Learning By Tanni Haas
A
s kids continue to learn remotely from home, they may find it difficult to study on their own, away from their regular teachers and classmates. Luckily, many great study apps are available. Here’s a list of some of the very best ones. They’re all completely free, so download an app—or three! Classify It! Apple App Store; ages 9–15. When it comes to learning biology, kids need to master the ability to categorize organisms. Developed by the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Classify It! teaches kids how to sort and group animals based on shared characteristics, such as whether they’re amphibians, birds, fish, mammals, or reptiles. Kids can choose to get hints to help them along. 12 MendoLakeFamilyLife
Cyberchase Shape Quest Apple App Store & Google Play; ages 6–9. Inspired by Cyberchase, the Emmy Award–winning math series on PBS Kids, this app teaches kids basic geometry, including the names of different shapes, spatial properties, and problem-solving. Flashcards with Cram Apple App Store & Google Play; ages 6–18. When your kids sit down to study, flashcards are very useful tools. Flashcards with
Khan Academy Kids Apple App Store & Google Play; ages 2–7. Developed in collaboration with experts at the Stanford University Graduate School of Education, Khan Academy Kids is a comprehensive study aid for young kids. It covers math, reading, and writing as well as more general critical-thinking and problem-solving skills. It has lots of informative lessons, books, games, songs, and videos, as well as activities and exercises such as coloring, drawing, and storytelling. You can even monitor how well your kids are doing. LitCharts Apple App Store & Google Play; ages 6–18. The modern-day, app version of CliffNotes is called LitCharts. The app has more than 1,000 guides to the books that are most commonly taught in schools across the country. The guides summarize major plotlines and offer detailed analyses of literary themes and symbols. If your kids need to write papers on specific books, they can search for quotes by theme, chapter, and even individual character and incorporate them into their papers.
January 2021 www.mendolakefamilylife.com
My Study Life Apple App Store & Google Play; ages 6–18. If you want your kids to do well on their school assignments, it’s not enough that they know how to do them. They also need to submit their work on time! First task: Download My Study Life. This easy-to-use app lets them keep track of all their assignments, which will help them effectively manage their time. They can also use the app to set reminders for themselves, and get alerts before any particular project is due. Photomath Apple App Store & Google Play; ages 12–18. Photomath is a great math study tool. All kids need to do is to take a picture of a math problem with their phones, and the app will
show step-by-step instructions on how to solve it. It has a built-in calculator and can even understand hand-written math problems. Obviously, the kids should try to solve the problems themselves first and then check their answers against the app.
The modern-day, app version of CliffNotes is called LitCharts. Read with Phonzy Apple App Store & Google Play; ages 3–5. This app is a great reading tool for the youngest kids in the house. Kids read out loud five simple sentences, which are accompanied by images to help them better understand what the sentences are about. Built-in voice
recognition software gives kids feedback on whether or not they correctly pronounced the sentences. If they need extra help, they can tap a Help button to hear the narrator read the sentences out loud. Snap&Read Universal Apple App Store; ages 6–18. While the kids are studying at home, there’ll be times when they’re assigned readings that are hard for them to understand. To help them, download Snap&Read Universal. The app can read difficult texts out loud; kids can take notes as they’re listening. They can also ask the app to edit complex texts so the sentence structure and vocabulary are simpler. ¶ Tanni Haas, PhD, is a college communications professor.
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2021 Mendo Lake Private & Charter School Guide School
Grades
Tuition Contact info
LAKE COUNTY Clearlake Clearlake Seventh Day 1–8 Call for tuition Adventist Christian School
15150 Davis St., Clearlake 994-6356 • clearlakesdaschool.com
Konocti Health 9–12 Public Magnet School
15851-A Dam Rd. Ext., Clearlake 994-6447 • konoctiusd.org/konocti-health-magnet-school
Konocti Visual & Performing 4–8 Public Arts Magnet School
15851-A Dam Rd. Ext., Clearlake 994-6447 • kec.konoctiusd.org
Zemorah Christian K–12 Call for tuition Academy
14100 Lakeshore Dr., Clearlake 533-5871 • zemorahchristianacademy.org
Lakeport Konocti Christian K–8 $4,600 Academy
401 Martin St., Lakeport 262-1522 • konoctichristianacademy.com
Middletown Lake County International K–8 Public Charter School
15850 Armstrong St., Middletown 987-3063 • lcics.org
Middletown Adventist 1–8 Call for tuition School
21640 Hwy. 29, Middletown 987-9147 • maschool.org
Middletown Christian TK–12 Call for tuition School
20800 Hwy. 29, Middletown 987-2556 • middletownchristianschool.org
GIVE YOUR CHILD a joy-
ful learning experience full of discovery with: • Exploration of own interests & abilities • Experiential learning with field trips, arts • Respectful and caring learning community • Peace education and mindfulness • Earth stewardship
Inspired Teaching- Enthusiastic Learning Preschool through 8th grade
Tree of Life Charter Free Montessori Elementary Education for Children Ages 5 through 13 OPEN ENROLLMENT January For application and more information: 707-462-0913 treeoflifeschool@pacific.net www.treeoflifeschool.net 14 MendoLakeFamilyLife
Independent Waldorf Education Rigorous Academic Program, Foreign Language, Music, Art, Drama, Woodworking, Outdoor Learning Compassion and Community
For more information visit www.mendocinowaldorf.org 6280 Third Street w Calpella, CA 95418 w707-485-8719
January 2021 www.mendolakefamilylife.com
2021 Mendo Lake Private & Charter School Guide School
Grades
Tuition Contact info
MENDOCINO COUNTY Calpella The Waldorf School PK–8 $8,660–$10,730 of Mendocino County
6280 3rd St., Calpella 485-8719 • mendocinowaldorf.org
Covelo Eel River K–6 Public Charter School
76350 Main St., Covelo 983-6946 • eelriverschool.net
Fort Bragg Three Rivers 1–8 Public Charter School
1211 Del Mar Dr., Fort Bragg 964-1128 • trcschool.org
Caspar Creek K–5 Public Learning Community
PO Box 547, Mendocino 964-6234 • casparcreek.org
Family Life - Draft Ad Mendocino December 2020, February 2021 Redwood Valley
Deep Valley K–12 $4,250 Christian School
8555 Uva Dr., Redwood Valley 485-8778 • deepvalleychristianschool.org
Eagle Peak 5–8 Public Middle School
8601 West Rd., Redwood Valley 472-5250 • eaglepeak.uusd.net
PARENT INFORMATION & DEMONSTRATION NIGHT JANUARY 28, 2021 • 6PM Member Alliance for Public Waldorf Education
Applications Due Feb. 19 Enroll online at www.uusd.net Or in person at Eagle Peak
Kindergarten through Eighth Grade
engineering maker space robotics • electronics computer coding digital media music technology Open Enrollment: Jan 4 – Feb 24 Virtual Open House: Jan 13, 3:30pm-5:00pm Zoom link available on our Facebook page Advanced math, Science, Spanish, Music, Art, Woodwork, Drama, Speech, Extraordinary field trips www.riveroakcharterschool.org 707-467-1855 555 Leslie St., Ukiah, CA 95482
www.mendolakefamilylife.com
BE AN ENGINEER Eagle Peak Middle School STEM Magnet School Open enrollment for fourth, fifth, and sixth grade students who are interested in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The focus will be on engaging students with hands-on activities that prepare them for high school, college, and employment in high-demand and high-paying careers. 707-472-5250 • www.eaglepeak.uusd.net
January 2021
MendoLakeFamilyLife 15
2021 Mendo Lake Private & Charter School Guide School
Grades
Tuition Contact info
Ukiah Accelerated 4–12 Public Achievement Ukiah
1031 N. State St., Ukiah 463-7080 • caredwoods.org
Instilling Goodness K–12 $4,250 & Developing Virtue Schools
2001 Talmage Rd., Ukiah Boys: 468-1138 Girls: 468-3847 • igdvs.org
Redwood Academy 7–12 Public of Ukiah
1059 N. State St., Ukiah 467-0500 • caredwoods.org
River Oak TK–8 Public Charter School
55 Leslie St., Ukiah 467-1855 • riveroakcharterschool.org
St. Mary of the Angels K–8 $6,064 Catholic School
991 S. Dora St., Ukiah 462-3888 • stmarysukiah.org
Tree of Life TK–6 Public Charter School
241 Ford Rd., Ukiah 462-0913 • treeoflifeschool.net
Ukiah Junior K–10 $5,600–$5,900 Academy
180 Stipp Ln., Ukiah 462-6350 • myuja.org
Willits La Vida K–12 Public Charter School
16201 N. Hwy. 101, Willits 459-6344 • lavidaschool.org
Willits Charter School 6–12 $6,064
1431 S. Main St., Willits 459-5506 • willitscharter.org
Willits Elementary K–5 Public Charter School
405 E. Commercial St., Willits 459-1400 • willitselementarycharter.com
Accelerated Achievement Academy
Grades 4-12 Focused on the future of each child FREE public charter school Individualized support for struggling students After school programs Free college courses Small class sizes After school help hours College & career planning Highly qualified credentialed teachers Emergency response courses Life skills development
Enroll today for 2021-2022! (707) 463-7080 1031 N. State St.
16 MendoLakeFamilyLife
January 2021 www.mendolakefamilylife.com
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2020
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2021 Featured Private & Charter Schools Calpella The Waldorf School of Mendocino County. $3,515–$10,680. “Forty-nine years of inspired education.” Independent Waldorf education. Academically rigorous, engaging curriculum that cultivates students’ capacities. Average class size: 12. Grades PK–8. Offers: Extended Care, multi-child/family discount & lunch program. Uniforms required. 6280 3rd St., Calpella. 485-8719. mendocinowaldorf.org. Redwood Valley Eagle Peak Middle School. Public. Inspiring achievement thru STEM education. Registration opens January 5 for the 2021–22 school year. Students encouraged to enroll as soon as possible; classes fill up quickly. Average class size: 20. Grades 5–8. Offers: after-school activities, lunch program & transportation. 8601 West Rd., Redwood Valley. 472-5250. Apply online: eaglepeak.uusd.net.
humility & integrity. Graduates have gained a deep appreciation of their own inherent spiritual wisdom through meditation & other spiritual practices & teachings. Graduates express a multinational, global awareness & understanding & respect for a variety of cultures & religions. Day & boarding students. Grades K–12. Offers: Extended Care (grades K–3), cafeteria/ lunch program & financial aid. Uniforms required. 2001 Talmage Rd., Ukiah. Boys School: 468-1138. Girls School: 468-3847. igdvs.org. Redwood Academy of Ukiah. Public. Preparing students for college & independent living. Average class size: 24. Grades 7–12. Offers: Extended Care, cafeteria/ lunch program, summer programs. 1059 N. State St., Ukiah. 467-0500. caredwoods.org.
Ukiah Accelerated Achievement Ukiah. Public. Accelerating achievement toward a successful future. Average class size: 18. Grades 4–12. Offers: Extended Care, cafeteria/lunch program & summer programs. 1031 N. State St., Ukiah. 463-7080. caredwoods.org. Instilling Goodness Elementary & Developing Virtue Secondary Schools. $2,125–$4,885. Provides an environment for students to achieve their full academic potential (in the humanities, sciences, or arts) & become outstanding citizens who will contribute to making their community & the world a better place. Graduates manifest the core virtues of filial piety for parents, teachers & elders; kindness; good citizenship or civic virtue; & trustworthiness, respect, fairness,
River Oak Charter School. Public. Una escuela publica gratis. Members of the Alliance for Public Waldorf Education. Virtual Open House: Jan. 13, 2021, 3:30–5 p.m. Zoom link on Facebook page. Average class size: 26. Grades TK–8. 555 Leslie St., Ukiah. 467-1855. Apply online: riveroakcharterschool.org. Tree of Life Charter School. Public. Free Montessori elementary education. Average class size: 20. Grades TK–6. Offers: Extended Care & cafeteria/lunch program. 241 Ford Rd., Ukiah. 462-0913. treeoflifeschool.net. Willits La Vida Charter School. Public. A unique program of independent study supported by child-centered, culturally rich, structured group classes that are held 2 (instead of 5) days per week. Small class sizes. Student to teacher ratio: 11:1. Average class size: 10. Grades K–12. 11785 Orchard Ln. (on Ridgewood Ranch), Willits. 459-6344. lavidaschool.org.
For more information about these schools, go to www.mendolakefamilylife.com. 18 MendoLakeFamilyLife
January 2021 www.mendolakefamilylife.com
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As the #1 resource for local families
leads the clubs, which emphasize social interaction and collaboration in a structured environment. Six-week sessions feature one 45-minute class per week and serve two age groups: 10–13-year-olds and 14–17-year-olds. Interests covered include cooking, arts and crafts, video games, sports, and more. Clubba, for ages 6–12, offers an online club series with small (up to 5 students), interactive classes
Friendships Flourish Online 11 Programs That Encourage Kids to Socialize By Kimberly Blaker
F
or children, social interaction during childhood is more than just fun; it’s a vital part of their development. Engaging in social situations teaches kids cooperation, collaboration, compromise, problem-solving, teamwork, and so much more.
Yet, not all kids have access to sufficient in-person socialization opportunities, especially during the pandemic. Fortunately, kids can connect via online clubs or activities like these: Activity Hero is hosting a site where various groups and instructors can list activities for kids of all ages. There’s a section with live online classes, after-school programs, and even 20 MendoLakeFamilyLife
holiday camps. Options include Legos, science, cooking, art, music, coding, and more. Child & Adolescent Anxiety Practice’s Virtual After-School Clubs are particularly beneficial to kids struggling with social isolation and related anxiety. Dr. Shelley Avny, a clinical psychologist who specializes in child and adolescent anxiety,
Counselors mentor kids using a research-supported approach. taught by college-student club counselors. Icebreakers and other activities support peer interaction and developing friendships. Connected Camps offers online programs and camps for kids who want to learn about digital entertainment, such as coding, Minecraft, esports, digital arts, and game design. Connected Camps has small group classes that offer kids opportunities to interact with others and collaborate on projects or games in a fun environment. It also hosts a free moderated Kid Club Minecraft server for kids ages 8–13. Counselors mentor kids using a research-supported approach, and enforce a code of conduct. Destination Science offers summer camps and after-school clubs for ages 5–11. Participants receive science kits with the materials needed to participate in live instructor-led sessions.
January 2021 www.mendolakefamilylife.com
FunClubs offers live, online, instructor-led 45-minute classes for kids in grades K–8. Larger classes are broken down into groups of 6–8 students, allowing kids more time to interact with the teacher and each other. Subjects include drama, piano, guitar, Spanish, filmmaking, coding, cooking, and more. iD Tech hosts technology classes and camps for kids, ages 7–19, who want to learn or develop their technology skills. It offers weeklong online sessions of no more than five students, combining instruction time with opportunities for classmates to collaborate and socialize. Lavner Education offers technology camps with a STEM focus for kids in grades 1–9. A selection of more than 40 classes
feature 4–8 students per instructor and provide opportunities for hands-on, experiential learning, collaboration with classmates, social interaction, and opportunities to progress through skill levels.
offers more than 100,000 classes, so it caters to practically any interest your child might have. Kids learn from teacher experts while interacting with classmates who share the same interests.
Small group classes offer kids opportunities to interact with others.
Playcrafter Kids Club is a 6-week program for younger students, ages 3–7, and features two hour-long classes per week. Children work with four teachers trained in the arts and participate in drama, music, yoga, and dance. Kids are split up into small groups, and during parts of the lesson they can unmute and interact with their classmates. ¶
Open Tent Academy caters more directly to homeschool students but offers some “after-school” classes for kids. These classes focus more on learning material than socializing, yet provide opportunities for student discussion and interaction. Outschool is a small-group learning platform for ages 3–18. It
Kimberly Blaker is a freelance family writer and also founder and director of KB Creative Digital Services, an Internet marketing agency: kbcreativedigital.com.
mendo lake what % of US adults say they read magazines in the last 6 months?
91
This includes 95% of those under 35 and 95% of those under 25.
(MRI-Simmons, Fall 2019)
www.mendolakefamilylife.com
LOCAL
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January 2021
MendoLakeFamilyLife 21
AK: This used to be a walk-in clinic. But now people have to book online, otherwise I can’t regulate patient flow. So I’m not taking walk-ins. I’m extremely limiting the number of people in the space and am actually down to two patients an hour.
Local Chinese Medicine Community Acupuncture for Everyone
M
AK: Twenty-three years.
AK: I think the most important thing is to make the immune system the best it can be and to calm the nervous system. I would say that what I treat the most is anxiety and depression. And because acupuncture has such a profound impact on the nervous system, it works really well. Sometimes people come in with a panic attack or are really anxious. When they walk out, the nervous system has been reset and they start making better decisions about their lives. And that is why I so love this work.
FL: How do you think that acupuncture can help people during this time of global crisis and illness?
FL: What kinds of precautions are you taking to make your clinic COVID-safe?
endo Lake Family Life talks to Aracely Kriete, MSOM, LAc, owner of Community Acupuncture Ukiah, about the practice of acupuncture and how the pandemic has affected her business. Family Life: How long has Community Acupuncture Ukiah been around? Aracely Kriete: I just had my 10th anniversary in October. FL: And how long have you been practicing acupuncture?
22 MendoLakeFamilyLife
I think the most important thing is to make the immune system the best it can be and to calm the nervous system. Because it is a very big space, I have patients sit really far apart and also apart from me. It’s good; it works. Everyone gets a fresh sheet. I clean surfaces, in the bathroom, etc. FL: So you clean the bathroom after every use and use fresh sheets for every client? AK: Yes. FL: Do patients need to wear masks? AK: Yes, everyone who comes into the space needs to wear a mask. No exceptions. And I take temperatures. And, of course, I take my own temperature. I post my temperature every day on a whiteboard. FL: So anyone who has a temperature is not allowed into the space? AK: No, they are not. I am not treating anyone who has a fever or suspicious cough. It’s just too risky, and I am not treating acute COVID cases. I’m here for prevention and care and to keep people healthy.
January 2021 www.mendolakefamilylife.com
FL: How has the pandemic affected your business, apart from the need to take COVID precautions? AK: One of the things I used to like about my business was that if someone said, “I’m feeling really bad today,” I could try to get them in. These kinds of last-minute visits may not work now, but it’s a minor thing. I’m just happy that everything is flowing and that people are
opening up. There are a couple of doctors at the VA in Ukiah who are so open to Chinese medicine. The more they see, “Oh, wow, this works”—to get people off of opiates or whatever—the more people they send. I hope that there will be more of this kind of co-existing and saying, “What are my
strengths in my field and what are your strengths in your field? Let’s work together.” ¶ Community Acupuncture Ukiah is located at 203 S. School Street in Ukiah. For more information, see acupunctureukiah.com.
I am not treating anyone with a fever or suspicious cough. compliant. Honestly, I’ve been so lucky. It’s so great that I can be open and my business, unlike other businesses, is surviving. I am super grateful. And people are really happy that I am open. FL: What do you love about acupuncture? AK: I love acupuncture because it is probably one of the most logical and profound medical systems I have studied—and I have looked into other things like homeopathy and Ayurveda. I think that Western medicine is so great for acute medicine, but when it comes to chronic cases, it lets a lot of people down. And that’s where Chinese medicine is really strong. I’m not saying I don’t love Western medicine. I think it is amazing for acute medicine and for diagnostics. I refer people out all the time. But where a doctor might say, “I don’t know! I don’t know!” I can provide answers. It is just wonderful to see people transform and get hope again. The great thing is that the world is really www.mendolakefamilylife.com
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MendoLakeFamilyLife 23
and track it all in a food diary. After that, you can just eyeball amounts. But go back to weighing and measuring every few months to tweak your portion-size perception. “Portions tend to get a little bigger and bigger over time,” Godwin says. To outwit your appetite, use a 9- to 10-inch dinner plate so portions don’t look too small and tempt you
Don’t drink your calories.
Lose the Quarantine 15 Don’t Fall for Old Diet Tricks
By Sandra Gordon
L
ittle white lies aren’t so bad when, say, your mother-in-law gifts you with a not-so-great sweater. With your diet, however, honesty really is the best policy. That’s because the small food fibs you tell yourself, as in “I need to eat this macaroni and cheese to get through the pandemic,” can sabotage your health goals. Do any of these other common diet self-deceptions sound familiar? You tell yourself: “I can just eye-ball my portion sizes to gauge calories.” Reality check: “Most of us aren’t good at perceiving how much we eat,” says dietetics professor Sandria Godwin, RD. In fact, in Godwin’s research, subjects who judged portion sizes just by looking at them 24 MendoLakeFamilyLife
underestimated amounts by an average of 23 percent. Diet fix: If you’re serious about controlling portions, don’t guesstimate. Weigh meat with a food scale (aim for 3 ounces per meal) and measure everything else with teaspoons, tablespoons, and measuring cups for at least a week
to go back for seconds. Keep eating out to a minimum or just eat less of what you’re given because no matter how much you think you ate, it’s probably more than that. You tell yourself: “My body needs a detox every once in a while.” Reality check: Forget the seasonal juice fast. You actually need to detox every day. The good news? You don’t need to do anything special beyond eating a healthy diet. “Your body is well-endowed with the apparatus to take care of the job,” says David L. Katz, MD, co-author of How to Eat (Houghton, Mifflin, Harcourt, 2020). Your liver, spleen, kidneys, and gastro-intestinal tract constantly filter “toxins” out of your system—breakdown metabolic gunk such as fat molecules, spent red blood cells, urea (a byproduct of protein metabolism), and other waste products. Diet fix: To keep these systems in good working order so you can continuously detox more efficiently, load up on unprocessed foods, such
January 2021 www.mendolakefamilylife.com
as fruits and veggies. Their high water and fiber content speeds waste through your GI tract. Get plenty of fluids, too, (anything watery counts) so your kidneys can flush water-soluble by-products through your system. Regular exercise also helps keep your blood circulating through your arteries and delivers a robust supply of blood to your spleen, liver,
If you’re serious about controlling portions, don’t guesstimate. and kidneys. Meanwhile, avoid “toxins” by not smoking, shunning secondhand smoke, and steering clear of foods high in refined sugar and artery-clogging saturated fat and trans fat. You tell yourself: “Calories don’t count if I drink them.” Reality check: Liquid calories count just as much, if not more, than solid-food calories do. That’s because they’re not as satiating. “When people drink water, milk, fruit juice, Pepsi, Red Bull, a smoothie, or whatever beverage, they don’t compensate for those calories by reducing their food intake,” says nutrition professor Barry M. Popkin, PhD. In other words, liquid calories can slide in under your brain’s calorie-counting radar. Diet fix: Aside from nonfat milk to help reduce the risk of osteoporosis, don’t drink your calories. Stick to water or noncaloric beverages like unsweetened iced tea between meals. www.mendolakefamilylife.com
And realize that when you do drink something caloric, including alcohol, it won’t fill you up but it will fill you out unless you exercise more or make a conscious effort to account for the calories. For example, say to yourself, “this is lunch,” while sipping a smoothie.
ENJOYING OUR MAGAZINE? mendo lake FREE!
September 2020
You tell yourself: “I’ll eat less if I skip breakfast.” Reality check: A major study that analyzed the breakfast patterns of 12,316 men and women for five years found that breakfast skippers were more likely to have a higher
Load up on unprocessed foods, such as fruits and veggies. body mass index than breakfast eaters. The breakfast eaters also set a healthier tone for the rest of the day. They consumed fewer foods high in fat and sugar. Diet fix: The study found you’ll only get that a.m. advantage if you start the day off with foods low in energy density, such as unsweetened hot or cold cereal, or whole-grain bread, fresh fruit, and nonfat milk. Otherwise, breakfast can backfire. Your overall daily calorie tally will be higher if you feast on the likes of pastries and sausage/egg/bacon sandwiches, says Ashima Kant, PhD, the study’s lead researcher, and this can lead to weight gain. ¶
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Sandra Gordon is an award-winning freelance writer who delivers expert advice and the latest developments in health, nutrition, parenting, and consumer issues.
January 2021
MendoLakeFamilyLife 25
This triggers a primal response in the brain to either fight, flight, or freeze. Your adrenal glands simultaneously release the adrenaline you need to maximize your strength—whether you plan to fight back against the threat or turn tail to escape from it. This whole process is completely automatic and something that’s been ingrained in humans and animals since the beginning of time. It’s why we’ve survived!
Overcome Trauma E
The Somatic Experiencing Hack
By Evan DeMarco
ven the happiest person has experienced trauma. The type and extent may vary, but everyone has had some type of trauma. If you work through your issues and resolve the trauma, you can go on to lead a happy life—but many people carry unresolved trauma with them for years, if not their whole lives.
Medical practitioners have spent decades researching methods for treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, in addition to wide-ranging physical and mental trauma-related conditions. One of these researchers is trauma therapist Peter A. Levine, PhD, developer of the Somatic Experiencing® method for addressing and healing trauma and other stress disorders. 26 MendoLakeFamilyLife
Fight, Flight, and Freeze There are three animal responses to imminent threats: fight, flight, and freeze. They’re designed to help you protect yourself from or survive the encounter with the threat. In a split second, your brain assesses a situation and decides if it’s better to fight it off, run, or play dead. When you’re in danger, your body automatically activates your sympathetic nervous system (SNS).
How Does Trauma Affect Us? Trauma develops when the freeze response is disrupted—that moment before your body can fight back or flee. Your body creates energy to fight or flee, and then the freeze
There are three animal responses to imminent threats: fight, flight, and freeze. phase of the cycle must run its course to release that momentum. If the energy isn’t channeled, the result is trauma. Think of it like shaking up a soft drink, then putting it back in the fridge without opening it to release the pressure. The Somatic Experiencing (SE) framework states that trauma occurs when the unresolved freeze response causes an imbalance in your nervous system—not during the event itself. SE helps patients complete the freeze response. That is, once a patient has worked through any lingering freeze responses, the body can release the energy the SNS created during the traumatic event.
January 2021 www.mendolakefamilylife.com
To overcome trauma with SE methods, you work to access your “body memory” of the event, instead of the event itself. That means you don’t need to discuss the traumatic event to move past it, which is often helpful for people who become anxious addressing or reliving a traumatic event.
You work to access your “body memory” of the event, instead of the event itself. How SE Can Help You Overcome Trauma A certified SE practitioner (SEP) will focus on reconnecting you with the physical sensations of the traumatic experience in order to become aware of them. Then you can use SE tools to release the trauma. Resourcing: SE treatment begins with resourcing. Patients create internal resources to make them feel safe. They discuss cherished memories, loved ones, favorite pastimes, and other comforting touch-points to figure out what is a resource for them. Titration: After patients create the resources to comfort themselves, they can address the trauma in a productive way. The therapist works with the client to revisit the physical sensations of the trauma—not the event itself. The SEP monitors the patient’s responses, noting any changes in breathing, crying, shift in voice tone, shaking, tensed muscles, shivering and/or clenched www.mendolakefamilylife.com
fists. This trains the body to gradually release the trauma. Pendulation: This stage is also known as “looping.” Pendulation helps your body regain homeostasis and balance. The purpose is to train the body to naturally move back and forth between states of alert and calm, without triggering the fight-orflight response. This creates a more resilient nervous system, so the patient can handle future trauma. Why SE Works While other psychological approaches prioritize memories and thoughts, SE addresses the manifestations of trauma. It’s designed to reveal the habitual behaviors that trigger PTSD and other trauma-related symptoms. The patient can then work to mitigate triggering behaviors. Traumatic experiences can take over your life, leaving many people feeling trapped in their own minds and bodies. If that sounds like you, find a trained SEP to help you address and process your physical trauma manifestations. Everyone deserves to be free from trauma. To find an SEP in Sonoma, Lake, or Mendocino Counties, go to traumahealing.org and click on “Find a Practitioner” in the upper right corner of the homepage. ¶ Evan DeMarco is a leading sports medicine scientist and nutrition expert, published author, public speaker, and frequent guest on television, radio, and digital platforms. He is the co-founder of Complete Human (completehuman.com). This new multi-media platform takes a deep dive into the areas of mind, body, soul, and planet while exploring what makes us who we are and what will make us better.
January 2021
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January January
Calendar Calendar of Events of Events One-Man Show Hits the Virtual Stage
T
he pandemic may have closed Cinnabar Theater’s Petaluma stage, but the company is still producing shows—online. The latest production is the Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey, a one-man show starring Mike Pavone. The local actor plays nine characters, including that of the bored small town detective who finds intrigue in a case about the disappearance of a teen boy, Leonard Pelkey. The playwright of the show, James Lecesne, won an Academy Award for his 1994 short film Trevor and is also the cofounder of the Trevor Project, a 24-hour crisis hotline for LGBTQ youth (866-488-7386). The live-streaming show will begin January 22. Purchase tickets ($30) at cinnabartheater.org. ¶
Saturday 2 FREE Anderson Marsh Nature Walk.
Hiking trails remain open. Social distancing & mask required. Picnics & parties not allowed. Tours cancelled. Parking: $4. Anderson Ranch Pkwy., Lower Lake. andersonmarsh.org. Mendocino Ballet Virtual Holiday Performance. Highlights the dance
of Clara & the Nutcracker prince as they journey through the Land of Sweets. $35 per household. Stream thru January 17. mendocinoballet.org.
Tuesday 5 FREE Mother-Wise Online Workshops. Jan. 5: Money
Management/Financial Planning. Jan. 12: Budgeting. Jan. 19: Fitness After Baby. Jan. 26: Healthy Eating for the Whole Family. Presented by Mother-Wise, Lake County. 1 p.m. facebook.com/motherwiselakecounty.
Wednesday 6 FREE Science Talk: California King Tides Project. Noyo Center talk
on sea level rise, with Annie Kohut Frankel. Zoom live. Meeting ID: 880 28 MendoLakeFamilyLife
Leonard Pelkey’s shoes
8663 6975. Password: Noyo Center (or NOYO). 2 p.m. Suggested donation: $10. Donate at noyocenter.org/donate. FREE Meals for All Children 18 & Younger. Each child will receive 5
days of meals & snacks. Available to children 18 or younger, regardless of what school they attend, or whether or not they are enrolled in school at all. Wednesdays. Jan. 6–27. 1–3 p.m. Food bags can be picked up in Fort Bragg at: Redwood Elementary, 324 S. Lincoln St.; & Dana Gray Elementary, 1197 Chestnut St. FREE Virtual Mad Genius for Teens. Science experiments
on Instagram Live. Sponsored by Mendocino County Library. Wednesdays. 2–3 p.m. instagram.com/ thehideoutteens_mendolibrary.
Friday 8 FREE Virtual Storytime. Mendocino
County librarians present stories, songs & rhymes on Facebook Live. Children of all ages. Fridays. 2–2:30 p.m. Text STORYTIME to 707-405-0163 for link.
Saturday 9 FREE A Winter Walk in the Woods.
Zoom event includes story-telling, circle games & a puppet play. Sponsored by Ukiah Valley Friends of the Library & River Oak Charter School. 10–10:45 a.m. Zoom ID: 647 574 1580. Password: winter. mendolibrary.org.
Wednesday 13 FREE Online Kids’ Book’n’ Cook’n Club. Participants recommend
& discuss books & then make kid-friendly snacks. 4:30–5:30 p.m. tinyurl.com/yd2o8ma9. FREE River Oak Charter School Open House. 3:30–5 p.m. Zoom
link on Facebook page. 467-1855. facebook.com/riveroakcharter. riveroakcharterschool.org.
Thursday 14 Live Online: Peanuts Origami. Ages 12 & older. Fold Snoopy’s doghouse, Lucy & Schroeder at his piano. Origami patterns will be emailed to participants. Charles M. Schulz Museum event that meets via Zoom.
January 2021 www.mendolakefamilylife.com
$10–$15. 4–5 p.m. Register: tinyurl. com/ya7uqxye. FREE Tax Prep for Small Businesses: Get Prepared. West
Business Development Center free webinar will run thru the basics of tax planning & preparation. 11 a.m.–noon. Sign up: bit.ly/37QsKEs.
Saturday 16 Winter/Spring Program Series. Both
virtual programs & Wild Gardens in-person events featured. Events begin approximately on January 16 & run thru mid-April. Check website for details as they become available. gracehudsonmuseum.org.
Friday 22 The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey. Cinnabar Theater production.
Mike Pavone plays 9 characters. Thru Jan. 31. $30. 7:30 p.m. cinnabartheater. org/the-absolute-brightness-of-leonardpelkey.
Thursday 28 FREE Eagle Peak STEM Magnet School Parent Information & Demonstration Night. 6 p.m. 8601
West Rd., Redwood Valley. 472-5250. eaglepeak.uusd.net.
Friday 29 FREE Foster Fathers Group. Online support group for male-identified caregivers. Last Friday of each month. Facilitators provide support & education on a variety of topics. 5–7 p.m. tinyurl.com/y9debhk4.
Saturday 30 FREE LumaCon D&D–Virtual Games & Gaming. Grades K–12.
Sign up for a one-hour D&D session. Time TBA closer to Lumacon. Register: sonomalibrary.libnet.info/ event/4647822. www.mendolakefamilylife.com
January 2021
MendoLakeFamilyLife 29
Humor Break couple centimeters dilated. Or you could have a few painful contractions and squeeze a baby out an hour later.
You Can’t Quit Childbirth Why Labor Is Nothing Like a Marathon By Pam Moore People often say giving birth is like running a marathon. Those people either don’t run, never had a baby, or they enjoy messing with pregnant women. I’ve run six marathons, completed two Ironman triathlons, and I’ve given birth to two babies minus pain meds. I think it’s fair to say I’m an expert when it comes to the running/birthing comparison. Trust me, they have nothing in common. You can train for a race. You can’t train to give birth. No matter what anyone has told you, nothing feels like having a baby except actually having a baby. During my first pregnancy, I kicked my swollen feet up and pored over stacks of birth-related books. I interrogated every mother I 30 MendoLakeFamilyLife
knew about her labor. I bought special perineal massage oil so my husband could stretch me out, um, down there, to get my body ready for the real thing. I’d like to punch whoever came up with that idea. Just, no. This makes as much sense as giving a pie-eating contestant a few petit fours as a training exercise. The racecourse is marked. The course of your labor is not. Every race—whether it’s a marathon or a 5K—has a beginning, middle, and an end. You know roughly how long it will take to reach each mile marker. The course of labor, on the other hand, is about as straightforward as a game of Candyland. You could be having contractions for days and be only a
You can quit a marathon. You can’t quit childbirth. While you’re running a race, you might see spectators holding signs that say things like “Quitting Is Not an Option.” They are wrong. Quitting is totally an option. All you have to do is step off the course and get an Uber. Childbirth, as the name suggests, is not over until a child is born. Whether drugs, forceps, incense, scalpels, or prayer beads help you get that baby out, you’re not done until a baby emerges. Crowds are awesome at a marathon. They are not awesome at a birth. I don’t know about you, but I can hardly relax enough to poop in a public bathroom. “I really think I could get this thing done on the next push, if only there were a few more medical-type people in here, staring at my crotch, waiting for me to have a baby!” said no one, ever. And if the thrill of having an audience wasn’t enough, you also have the pleasure of rocking a one-size-fits-no-one hospital gown. Yes, running and having babies both cause you to wish you were dead. Being able to persevere through either one is certainly something you will be proud of forever. I get why people are quick to compare the two. But after a race, you can kick up your feet and rest. Once you have a baby, you realize the hard work has only just begun. ¶ This article was originally published on Sammiches and Psych Meds. Find Pam Moore at pam-moore.com.
January 2021 www.mendolakefamilylife.com
Marketplace Preschools
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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! • Lake County Also providing FREE in-home services for
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he word origami doesn’t necessarily bring up thoughts of the Peanuts gang. But Charles Schulz thought the two worlds belonged together, as evidenced in his book Peanuts Origami. Using the book as inspiration, the class Peanuts Origami will teach kids how to make paper versions of some Peanuts favorites, including Snoopy’s doghouse, Lucy, and Schroeder at his piano. The online class is recommended for kids ages 12 and older and adults. It will be held on January 14, 4–5 p.m., via Zoom and is $10 for Charles M. Schulz Museum members and $15 for nonmembers. Register at schulzmuseum.org/calendar. ¶
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
707-462-0913 treeoflifeschool@pacific.net www.treeoflifeschool.net
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Focused on the future of each child FREE public school Support for struggling students Small classes Grades 4-12
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eading is a way to learn about practically any topic, and also many people read just for fun. BookShare wants to make sure the written word is available to everyone, even kids who have visual impairments or a disability that makes it difficult for them to read. The site offers free access to an online library of more than 900,000 textbooks and popular books, including young adult and children’s titles. Digital books may include karoke-style highlighting, to help kids maintain focus, or be set in large font or braille. Audio books are also available. Applicants must have a “proof of disability” form signed by a qualified expert. Find out more at bookshare.org. ¶ www.mendolakefamilylife.com
Lake - Clover Valley respect, andUpper peace
www.ncoinc.org Head Start
January 2021
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Find critical COVID-19 info plus lots of free kid-friendly activities. MendoLakeFamilyLife 31
Ukiah Unified School District
2021-22 Kindergarten &
Transitional Kindergarten
th
Registration Opens January 5
Register Online at www.uusd.net If you have questions, need assistance with registration, or access to a computer and printer, contact your school’s office. Calpella Elementary 151 Moore Street 472-5630
Frank Zeek Elementary 1060 Bush Street 472-5100
Grace Hudson Elementary 251 Jefferson Lane 472-5460
Nokomis Elementary 495 Washington Avenue 472-5550
Oak Manor Elementary 400 Oak Manor Drive 472-5180
Yokayo Elementary 790 S. Dora Street 472-5690
Deadline for Grace Hudson Kindergarten registration: February 19, 2021 Deadline for registration at your elementary school of choice: March 26, 2021 Children age 5 by September 1, 2021, will enroll in Kindergarten. Children turning 5 between September 2 and December 2, 2021, will enroll in our Transitional Kindergarten Program.
