Mendo Lake Family Life March 2019

mendo lake FREE!

March 2019

Choose a Camp

Know the options

Snack Attack When is it OK to indulge?

Doulas Deliver How they work Mom’s Apps

6 good ones

We’ll Turn that Frown Upside Down When your child is sick, our pediatric team is here to help.

Call for an appointment today!

HILLSIDE (707) 468-1010 333 Laws Ave. Ukiah

LAKEVIEW (707) 263-7725

5335 Lakeshore Blvd.

Lakeport

LITTLE LAKE (707) 456-9600 45 Hazel St. Willits

WE ACCEPT MEDI-CAL, MEDICARE, PARTNERSHIP AND OTHER INSURANCE.

mchcinc.org

MCHC HEALTH CENTERS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROVIDER AND EMPLOYER.

O R T H O P E D I C

S U R G E R Y We are pleased to welcome 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

March 2019

Every Issue 6

Dear Reader

7

Cooking with Kids Sweet On “Sushi”

8

Bits and Pieces Craft Wizards

14 Features

Slurp Some Soup Boogie Woogie Beat Eat Up, Study Up Filming Wildlife

9

Taste of Africa

10 Doulas Deliver Women helping women through birth & postpartum.

12 Mommy’s Secret Weapons

20 Calendar of Events Spotlight on Local History

30 Humor My Life as a Celebrity Assistant

Play your parenting A-game with these apps.

14 Camp Is Calling Is your child into sports, arts, or academics?

7

18 Snack Attack Is your tween’s eating behavior healthy?

28 Luck of the Irish How to set a leprechaun trap.

8 4 MendoLakeFamilyLife

March 2019 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

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Dear Reader

A

re you pregnant and ready to start planning your birth? Consider this: Research shows that doula care leads to better birth outcomes.

Sharon Gowan Read “Doulas Deliver” Publisher/Editor Sharon@family-life.us (page 10) to find out what these labor and postpartum companions do, and how to hire one.

If you are like most new parents, once your baby is born you will probably feel overwhelmed. Technology can help you cope. See “Mommy’s Secret Weapons” (page 12) for apps to help you keep track of feedings, get medical information, and even sneak in a seven-minute workout.

Speaking of keeping in shape, if you want to make sure your kids stay healthy over the summer, encourage them to participate in a physical activity or sport. Camps are a great way for kids to get moving—and

to learn about a variety of subjects. Read “Camp Is Calling” (page 14) to find out what kind of experience might appeal to your child. And then come to our Camp Fair on April 12, 4–7 p.m., at Coddingtown Mall in Santa Rosa to learn about myriad local programs offering sports, arts, science, foreign language, and other activities.

We hope your family stayed safe during the recent flooding. Our hearts go out to those whose homes and businesses were damaged. Though Mendo Lake Family Life ’s offices were unharmed by the deluge, we experienced another loss.

Gerry Harvey, a dedicated distributor of our magazine for more than 16 years, died suddenly in February. A devoted father, he will be remembered for his kind-hearted humbleness and generous spirit. We will miss him. This issue is for you, Gerry!

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

Poor attendance, misbehavior and course failure in 6th grade can be used to identify 60% of kids who won’t be able to graduate from high school.

Missing just 2-3 days of school a month (excused or not) is not good.

KEEP YOUR KIDS IN SCHOOL. 6 MendoLakeFamilyLife

Contributing Writers Mary Helen Berg Tanni Haas Sarah Lyons Cheryl Maguire Karen Nochimowski Denise Yearian

Billing Jan Wasson-Smith

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

uusd.net

attendanceworks.org March 2019 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Cooking with Kids

Sweet On “Sushi” Roll Up a Healthy Snack

By Momma Chef Are you looking for a fun and simple recipe to make for your kids’ lunches?

Look no further. My SB&J Sushi Rolls have become such a favorite at my son’s school that one of the teachers sought me out at our last parent/ teacher conference to thank me for the idea. She wanted to let me know that she made them for her daughter’s birthday party, and they were a huge hit. I love it!

And what’s not to love about SB&J Sushi Rolls?

To begin with, they are pretty darn cute. Who can resist a sweet little

lunch roll-up? How fun it is for children to open their lunch bags and find “sushi rolls” instead of the expected, traditional sandwich.

Plus, sushi is super mainstream to the hip elementary-school crowd. I’ve seen sushi t-shirts, stuffed animals, and memes aplenty. My friend’s 5-year-old daughter’s favorite toy is her Melissa and Doug Sushi Slicing Wooden Play Food Set. So adorable! One of the Littlest Pet Shop cats comes with teeny-tiny plastic sushi. Seriously.

SB&J Sushi Rolls are going to rock your kids’ cafeteria tablemates.

SB&J Sushi Rolls Ingredients 2 slices of Schwebel’s Sweet Harvest Wheat Bread (or other wheat bread) 2 teaspoons creamy SunButter 2 teaspoons strawberry or grape jelly Instructions Remove crusts from bread. Use a rolling pin to flatten the bread slices. www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Spread 1 teaspoon of SunButter to within ½-inch of bread edges.

Top SunButter with 1 teaspoon of strawberry or grape jelly.

Roll up each slice of bread into a tight spiral.

Refrigerate 15 minutes (optional).

Cut into 2-inch pieces and serve.

Serves: 6 “sushi” rolls

March 2019

Next, they are so easy to prepare. Are they as easy as a sandwich? Of course not—but just about. This recipe can be completed in fewer than five minutes, including making an extra serving you can nosh on after the kids head to school.

Finally, they are made with SunButter instead of peanut butter. Made from sunflower seeds, SunButter is nut-free.

While I am fortunate that my own kids do not have nut allergies, many of their friends at school do. Out of respect for those families, I like to promote yummy lunch recipes that take into consideration their dietary restrictions.

And SB&J Sushi Rolls perfectly fits the bill.

For some added pizzazz, pick up extra sets of disposable chopsticks the next time you dine at your favorite Asian restaurant. Include a pair for your kids so that they can have authentic tableware as they enjoy this creative lunchtime offering. ¶ Find more recipes from Momma Chef, aka Karen Nochimowski, at mommachef.com. All Momma Chef recipes contain six or fewer ingredients and can be made in six or fewer minutes.

MendoLakeFamilyLife 7

Bits & Pieces Family Craft Day

Craft Wizards

M

arch is National Craft Month. But ask any parent, and they’ll say that most kids don’t need a special month to get creative. But do children need ways to harness their creativity? Yes. Enter the Family Craft Day at the Lakeport Library in Lakeport. On March 9 at 2 p.m. participants will make side-sewn books, with age-appropriate versions of the project available for kids and adults. Meanwhile, on March 16 at 10 a.m., the Creativity Club, which meets every third Saturday, will use the library’s subscription to Creativebug.com to make stuff. The library’s other crafty offerings include a Fabric Club that meets on the first Saturday of the month at 10 a.m. and the Yarn Wizards Club, which meets on the second Saturday of the month at 10 a.m. Ages 12 and up may attend any of these clubs; small children may come with parents. Call 263-8817 for more information. ¶

Wendy DeWitt

Slurp Some Soup

T

he United States may be a developed, western country, but 15.1 million American households still experience food insecurity, according to the US Department of Agriculture.

Nonprofits like Willits Daily Bread help to fill the stomachs of those who have nowhere else to turn.

The cook-off and fundraiser Sip Some Soup makes sure Daily Bread can continue its work. This year’s event will be held on March 16, 5:30–7 p.m., at the Willits Community Center in Willits. Diners will taste and judge soups cooked by community members, and there will be a silent auction that includes a chance to bid on a weekend retreat in Caspar. It’s $25 to enter a soup (no one turned away for lack of funds) and $15 (or $25 per couple) to taste. Call Cindy Savage at 459-2579 or 367-5669 for tickets.

Willits Daily Bread’s free meals are served Monday–Thursday, 4:30–5:30 p.m., at 66 East Commercial Street in Willits. ¶

8 MendoLakeFamilyLife

Boogie Woogie Beat

T

he drums are the seat of rhythm in a rock ’n roll band. But in solo boogie-woogie piano, one of the precursors of rock, the pianist’s left hand keeps the beat. It’s a style local pianist Wendy DeWitt knows so well she’s called the Boogie Woogie Queen.

DeWitt will tickle the ivories and sing at Hella Piano Night at Soper Reese Theatre in Lakeport. Area pianists Sue Palmer, Paul Kemp, and Lady Bianca will join her at the performance, which will be held on March 23 at 7 p.m.

Tickets are $25 and are available at soperreesetheatre.com. ¶

March 2019 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Eat Up, Study Up

W

ith student loan debt nearly tripling in the last decade, the need for scholarships has become more acute. The Park Study Club aims to increase the availability of funds for college with its Wine Gala Dinner and Dance. Culinary students from Woodland College will cater the event and L. C. Diamonds will provide the classic rock music. In addition to food and tunes, there will also be wine tastings and live and silent auctions. The event, which will raise funds for high school HOBY leadership training as well as local scholarships, will be held on March 9, 5–10 p.m., at the Clearlake Community Center in Clearlake. Tickets are $50 at the door. ¶

L. C. Diamonds

Filming Wildlife

S

jefferyi front

hots of strange creatures in Australia’s red desert, images of Irish coastal vistas, and an explanation of climate change from a kid’s perspective— this is the stuff of the International Wildlife Film Festival. The annual Ukiah event, sponsored by the Redwood Valley Outdoor Education Project, features award-winning films from the 2018 International Wildlife Film Festival of Missoula, Montana. This year will feature screenings of Saving Warru (March 8), which documents the efforts of indigenous conservationists to save one of Australia’s most endangered mammals; Wild Ireland: The Edge of the World (March 15), in which cameraman Colin Stafford-Johnson captures footage of the animals and dramatic landscape that make up Ireland’s coast; and Tipping Point (March 22), which shows kids what they can do to help stop climate change. Films will begin at 7 p.m. at the Ukiah Civic Center in Ukiah; live music and snacks will start at 6:15 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for kids and are available at the Mendocino Book Company in Ukiah and at the door. Films are appropriate for older children. For a complete schedule, see rvoep.org. ¶

Akoma Arts

Taste of Africa

P

eople often have the same response to hospital food as they do to school cafeteria lunches: Yuk. But in Rwanda, government hospitals are so poor they provide no food at all and patients often become malnourished. The organization Kuzamurau Buzima aims to change this situation by growing organic food for hospitals. To help raise funds for the organization’s Farm-to-Bedside program, the Rotary Club of South Ukiah is hosting an International Dinner featuring food from a variety of African countries, including meat, vegan, and gluten-free options.

Diners will get a chance to bid on items at an auction and dance to live drumming. The event happens on March 23 at 5:30 p.m. at Barra of Mendocino in Redwood Valley. Tickets are $35 and are available at the Mendocino Book Company in Ukiah or at the door. ¶

www.mendolakefamilylife.com

March 2019

MendoLakeFamilyLife 9

“Early on in my pregnancy my mom suggested we get a postpartum doula, but I wasn’t interested,” she says. “I didn’t want a stranger infringing on what I considered personal and private

“When I go into the labor room, I bring things like oils for massaging, a birth ball, and a rice sock that can be heated.”

— Hope Irvine-Sank

Doulas Deliver How Birth Assistants Help Parents

By Denise Yearian

Y

ears ago new and expectant couples called on their parents and siblings to lend support and assistance during labor, delivery, and postpartum. But today many extended families are separated by geographical distances or bound by work responsibilities, so some new parents are turning to doulas for the help they need.

“A doula is an experienced, non-medical assistant trained to support families before, during, or after the birth of a child,” says Tracy Wilson Peters, executive director of CAPPA (Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association). “An antepartum doula assists women on bed rest, overseeing household maintenance and administration and providing emotional support. A labor doula provides non-medical 10 MendoLakeFamilyLife

support during the latter part of pregnancy, labor, delivery, and a few hours following. And a postpartum doula assists the family in the home after childbirth with information and support on breastfeeding, emotional and physical recovery, newborn care, and domestic responsibilities.”

But are doulas a good fit for everyone?

Susannah Vitsoric wasn’t so sure—at least not at first.

time; my husband and I thought we could handle things ourselves.”

Then the unexpected happened.

“I had an emergency c-section,” she continues. “I learned quickly that recovering from surgery, being sleep deprived, breastfeeding, and dealing with a newborn and domestic chores was going to be more than I could manage. So suddenly my mom’s suggestion sounded good.”

At that point, Vitsoric’s mother retrieved a list of certified doulas from the hospital’s lactation consultant and started making contacts.

When looking for a doula, check with childbirth educators, birthing facilities, local parenting organizations, and other childbirth resources.

Also ask friends and relatives for recommendations.

“Conduct telephone interviews to narrow your search,” says Hope Irvine-Sank, certified postpartum doula. “Then do face-to-face interviews to observe their mannerisms, style, and personality to see who’s the best fit for you. Ask yourself, ‘Is this someone I could envision at my birth experience or assisting us at home?’

March 2019 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Talk with her about what she sees is her role, and make sure it’s in keeping with what you’re looking for.”

When to start your doula search will depend on the services you need.

“If you’re looking for one to assist during labor, start searching by the

When looking for a doula, check with childbirth educators, birthing facilities, local parenting organizations, and other childbirth resources. fourth month,” says Peters. “For postpartum you can wait until a couple of months before you’re due.”

Cara Lewis did this.

“I was in my fourth month of pregnancy when I decided I wanted a doula to assist with labor and delivery,” she says.

Once a doula had been chosen, they communicated via telephone and email throughout the pregnancy.

Several weeks before her due date they met to decide on a birth plan.

“We talked about what I wanted in the birth experience and how I wanted to handle issues that could come up during labor,” says Lewis.

Once labor began, the doula suggested non-medical techniques to speed labor and make Lewis comfortable and then stayed several hours after delivery.

“When I go into the labor room, I bring things like oils for massaging, a birth ball, and a rice sock that can be heated. I also make suggestions about positioning, breathing, and visualization—anything to make www.mendolakefamilylife.com

labor go quicker and smoother,” says Irvine-Sank. “But I’m there for dads, too. Sometimes they’re so emotionally wrapped up in the experience that they appreciate the knowledge, experience, and objectivity I bring.”

Lewis’s birth went as planned and she delivered a daughter. After Vitsoric’s birth, the contracted work was just beginning.

“My doula came for a couple of weeks to take care of me, help with the baby, and do some domestic chores,” she says. “But what I really appreciated was the newborn care instruction we received. Even though we did prenatal classes, it’s not the same as when the baby is home. Just having a professional there to guide us through was invaluable.”

Although initially Vitsoric had reservations about using a doula, now she’s sold on the idea.

“Even if I hadn’t had a c-section, we would have benefited from using her.

It made my recovery and our initial adjustment with the baby go much quicker and smoother,” she says.

“And we didn’t feel infringed upon.

Looking back, I wouldn’t have had it any other way.” ¶ Denise Yearian is the former editor of two parenting magazines and the mother of three children and four grandchildren.

What to Ask Your Birth Assistant When interviewing doulas, ask these questions: • Are you certified? (Certification is a benchmark indicating the doula has met certain standards, but it does not guarantee excellence.

Experience, background, and references are equally, if not more, important.)

• What kind of experience do you have with being a doula during labor/childbirth and/or postpartum?

• If labor, how do you see your role at the birth?

• What special strengths will you bring to the childbirth experience?

• What tools and comfort measures do you bring with you to the birth?

• How do you feel about the use of pain-relief medications in labor?

• If postpartum, what services will you perform in our home? What services will you not perform?

• If you are selected, when will we meet again prior to my child’s birth to finish ironing out details?

• What do you charge? (Labor doulas typically charge a flat rate; postpartum doulas by the hour.

Most insurance companies do not cover doula care, but follow up with your provider to be certain.)

• How many clients do you take per month?

• What are your back-up arrangements?

RESOURCES BirthWorks International: birthworks.org

• Do you have limitations on where you’ll go or which doctors or midwives you’ll work with?

Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association: cappa.net

• Can you provide references?

DONA International: dona.org International Childbirth Education Association: icea.org March 2019

Also review your plans, preferences, and concerns, as well as any cultural or religious issues that could have an impact on your care.

MendoLakeFamilyLife 11

and Smiling Mind offers just that.

This app has hundreds of guided meditations that help you tune out everything and focus on your breathing while visualizing calming images. The cool thing about this app

Mommy’s Secret Weapons 6 Apps for New Parents

By Tanni Haas

B

ecoming a parent is one of the most rewarding and demanding experiences you’ll ever have. Thankfully, there are many apps to make life a bit easier. Here’s a list of the top apps for new parents, and they’re all free, so download an app—or three!

Ink Cards Available at Apple Appstore & Google Play If there’s one thing you can always use more of as a new parent it’s time. How about downloading an app that lets you transform what you’re doing anyway (like taking lots of pictures of your baby) into something you know you really should be doing (like sending greeting cards to family and friends)? Ink Cards lets you do that. The app makes it easy to turn the best pictures of your baby into high-quality print greeting cards, whether you need to send out 12 MendoLakeFamilyLife

thank-you notes, holiday greetings, or cards for any other occasion.

You can look up medical conditions, get information on vaccines, and track feedings, sleep, and diaper changes.

Smiling Mind Available at Apple Appstore & Google Play As a new parent, one of the things you’ll crave the most is a few quiet moments to just relax,

Known as the Yelp! for parents, Winnie lets you interact with a large network of other parents to ask questions. is that it also has meditations for kids ages 7 and up, as well as meditations that parents can do together with their kids. As your kid grows up, you can do the meditations together.

Universal Baby Monitor Available at Apple App Store Peace of mind depends not only on your baby getting a good night’s sleep, but also on whether everything is okay when you’re not there, in the bedroom, with the baby. Universal Baby Monitor is an app that lets you check on your baby while she or he sleeping, and it detects if your baby moves or wakes up and immediately alerts you.

Wahoo 7 Minute Workout Available at Apple App Store & Google Play Let’s be honest: no matter how incredibly enjoyable it is, being a new parent is physically exhausting.

Finding the time to exercise can be difficult, but we all have seven minutes a day to spare. Wahoo 7 Minute Workout is one of the most popular short-interval fitness apps available.

The routine is divided into 12 high-intensity exercises that last for 30

March 2019 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

mendo lake seconds, with 10-second rest intervals.

The exercises train your chest, abs, arms, and legs through body weight

As a new parent, one of the things you’ll crave the most is a few quiet moments to just relax, and Smiling Mind offers just that.

magazine • web • email

#1 local resource for local families

LOCAL for 25 years

training, push-ups, sit-ups, and squats.

You don’t need any equipment so you can do the exercises wherever and whenever.

WebMD Baby Available at Apple App Store & Google Play No app in the world can substitute for a real-life visit to your baby’s pediatrician. But in between visits, you may want to consult WebMD Baby. The app has lots of physician-reviewed information for new parents. You can look up medical conditions, get information on vaccines, and track feedings, sleep, and diaper changes.

Winnie Available at Apple App Store & Google Play Sometimes, what you crave more than anything else is just to connect with other new parents and get their advice on what to do in certain situations. When you get that urge, download Winnie. Known as the Yelp! for parents, this app lets you interact with a network of other parents to ask questions. The app also has a directory of baby-friendly restaurants, parks, and shopping centers. ¶ Tanni Haas, Ph.D., is a college communications professor.

www.mendolakefamilylife.com

March 2019

MendoLakeFamilyLife 13

a nice fit for children that like to try different things.

Sports Specialty sports camps usually focus on one activity in which children participate for either three or six hours. Options include baseball, soccer, tennis, golf, and even surfing or sailing. Private organizations usually run these types of camps, but there may be some town-operated sports camps, too.

Camp Is Calling

Is this a good fit for your child?

If your child loves a certain sport and would like to improve specific skills, this would be a great option. It could even be a way for your child to try a sport such as surfing to which he or she might not otherwise be exposed.

By Cheryl Maguire

Art/Musical Theater At musical theater camps, children usually put on a production like Beauty and the

What Program Is Best for Your Child?

W

hen I was younger, I only had one choice for summer camp—the town camp, a traditional all-day, six-hour camp with a heavy emphasis on sports. I was more of a bookworm than an athlete, so it was not a good match for my personality. I remember coming home every day whining to my mom, “It was so hot and all we did was play (fill in a sport). Do I have to go to camp tomorrow?” By the end of the summer, I’m sure my mom wished there were other options for me.

Now there are so many choices it can be overwhelming to figure out what type of camp would work for your child. Hopefully, the following descriptions will help you to match your camper with the correct camp.

It’s better to hear, “Camp was so much fun today,” instead of what my poor mother had to hear daily.

Traditional Day Camp A traditional day camp is six hours (half-day options may be available) 14 MendoLakeFamilyLife

and offers a variety of activities, such as sports, swimming, art, and music. These camps are located at YMCAs, public schools, or private settings.

Is this a good fit for your child?

Most of the activities are outside so if your child loves the outdoors, playing sports, and/or participating in team-building activities, then this would be a good choice. A diverse array of activities make day camps

Come to Sonoma Family Life ’s Family Expo & Camp Fair on April 12, 4–7 p.m., in Coddingtown Mall in Santa Rosa.

Beast, whereas at art camps children learn to paint or draw or develop other skills related to different media.

Private organizations or public schools usually run these types of camps. In the case of the latter, program may not be formerly advertised, so call your local public schools to find out about summer theater offerings.

Is this a good fit for your child?

If your child is creative and prefers to be indoors, then an arts camp could be a great option. Since most of these camps usually last only about a week, they allow kids the chance to check

March 2019 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

out an art form without committing to a longer program.

Educational These camps focus on learning a new skill or subject matter. They tend to be hands-on with an emphasis on creating a fun, as opposed to a labor-intensive, experience. Educational camps are located in public schools, museums, and colleges.

Is this a good fit for your child?

If your child is curious and always asking questions about how/why things work, these kinds of camps may be up his or her alley. These programs are particularly appealing to children who are interested in learning new skills, such as computer programming or speaking Spanish or another foreign language.

Overnight Camps Kids usually stay at sleep-away camps for a week or longer. Think: Boy/Girl Scout camps and private residential camps offering

A diverse array of activities make day camps a nice fit for children that like to try different things. options such as sailing, boating, archery, horseback riding, and other activities that may not be available close to your home.

Is this a good fit for your child?

Overnight camps foster a child’s sense of independence. So if your child is ready for some time away from

Mom and Dad, consider this kind of experience. Besides the chance to find out who they are apart from the family unit, sleep-away camps also offer kids the opportunity to meet other children from different states and countries as well as focus attention for a long period of time on particular activities.

Where do I begin the search?

A good place to start is to come to Sonoma Family Life’s Family Expo and Camp Fair on April 12, 4–7 p.m., at Coddingtown Mall in Santa Rosa.

Also ask friends and family where they sent their children to camp. Then call your local public school and ask about local camp programs. ¶ Cheryl Maguire is a freelance writer. Find her on Twitter @ CherylMaguire05.

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March 2019

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FREE

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Becoming Bilingual (Adams Media, 2010).

Should you stop the sneaking?

Tweens who sneak food may actually snag snacks as a way to test household rules—and parental resolve—by eating them whenever and wherever they want, Powell-Lunder says. So, she advises, if your house rules mandate that food must be kept in the kitchen to avoid an ant invasion, explain this to your tweens and make sure to enforce the rule.

Snack Attack

When Is Eating In Between Meals OK?

By Mary Helen Berg

O

nce upon a time, perhaps you managed your children’s snack choices, rationed treats, and doled out healthy nibbles after school. Now, it may seem that the only way to track your tweens’ snack habits is by following the trail of crumbs, empty bags, and wrappers. You may not see them snack, but you’ll find evidence everywhere—even under their pillows.

Most tweens and teens need one or two snacks daily to meet nutritional needs, according to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, but when your tweens appear to sneak snacks behind your back, it can feel deceitful or unhealthy. Your instinct may be to try to curb the behavior, but experts say surreptitious snacking is actually your tween’s effort to assert independence and attempts to restrict and control snacks will only make forbidden fruit more appealing.

18 MendoLakeFamilyLife

“The tween years are the years when kids want more control of the world around them,” says Jennifer Powell-Lunder, a clinical psychologist who writes the Let’s Talk Tween blog for Psychology Today.

“At that age, there’s not a lot you can control. You do control what you eat,” says Powell-Lunder, who also co-authored the book Teenage as a Second Language: A Parent’s Guide to

But if you limit between-meal snacks because you fear your tweens will spoil

When parents restrict goodies, it increases a child’s desire for the taboo foods. their dinner appetite, you may need to rethink your expectations.

After all, tweens and teens are growing more than they have since toddlerhood and they actually are hungrier during these years, explains Powell-Lunder. Consuming extra calories with between-meal snacking becomes a nutritional necessity.

“They eat like there’s no tomorrow,” she says. “They’re like bottomless pits.”

The key is to keep lots of healthy snack options on hand. Since tweens long for empowerment and will be more likely to eat something if they pick it out themselves, consult your tweens about which snacks to buy.

Should you worry? While you want to give your tweens some autonomy with their snack choices, be aware that hoarding or hiding

March 2019 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

food can indicate an eating disorder or other emotional issues, cautions Powell-Lunder.

“There’s a big difference between a kid who sneaks a couple of cookies and a kid who eats three boxes,” Powell-Lunder explains. “When a kid who’s having social issues at school

Tweens long for empowerment and will be more likely to eat something if they pick it out themselves.

“Restriction simply doesn’t work and it really doesn’t work when your child has ready access to these foods outside of the home,” she says. “Even though you may be strict in the house, your tween can go out and eat really whatever they want.” ¶

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TS

If you’re familiar with your tween’s eating habits, it will be easier to assess whether extra snacking signals a growth spurt, an effort to test boundaries, or something more serious, such as emotional or social problems.

When parents restrict goodies, it increases a child’s desire for the taboo foods, according to Rollins’ research. If parents provide guidance on nutritious eating, and allow some snacks, rather than prohibit them completely, tweens are more likely to learn how to regulate their snacking and embrace healthy eating habits, Rollins says.

Fly local & enjoy nonstop flights!

©P N

comes home and eats a lot of food, it becomes obvious that this is a kid who is eating their feelings.”

If it’s necessary to change your tween’s snacking behavior, be moderate, thoughtful, and strategic, suggests Brandi Rollins, who conducts biobehavioral health research.

Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport

www.flySTS.com

Mary Helen Berg is a freelance writer who writes about parenting and a range of other topics for publications across the country.

7 Ways to Promote Healthy Munching Experts offer this advice to keep your tween on a healthy snack track: • Plan snack purchases with your tweens; take them grocery shopping and read the ingredients on packages before you buy.

NEED HELP GETTING LICENSED?

• Cook together when possible.

• Let your tweens pack their own lunches, with your guidance.

• Model good snacking habits. When your tween sees you eat a treat, they’ll want it, too.

• Don’t have food in the house that you don’t want your tweens to eat.

• Discuss the benefits and disadvantages of various food choices. For example, sugar intake can influence mood, while protein provides endurance.

• Create a snack cabinet full of healthy options that your tweens can access anytime they’re hungry.

• 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

March 2019

MendoLakeFamilyLife 19

March

Calendar of Events

Spotlight on Local History

T

he histories of countries, movements, and famous people are often the subject of study. But what about the lives of everyday folks? The Gibson Museum in Middletown thinks they should be recognized, too. To this end, the museum is featuring exhibits about the history of local families, a different family each month of 2019. March puts the spotlight on the Simon family, featuring Friends of Gibson board member Millie Simon and Jose Simon III, better known as Moke, who is District I Supervisor as well as the Tribal Chairman of the Middletown Rancheria of Pomo Indians. The museum is open noon–4 p.m., Thursdays—Saturdays. Find out more at cgibsonmuseum.com. ¶

Tuesday 5 FREE Kindergarten Jamboree.

All potential kindergarten students are invited to Ukiah Jr. Academy to experience its Christian kindergarten program. Starts at 10 a.m. & ends with a complimentary lunch at noon.

Ukiah Junior Academy. 180 Stipp Ln., Ukiah. RSVP: 462-6350. myuja.org.

FREE Movers & Shakers: Know Your Muscles. Featuring Diane

Smalley, L.A.c. Discover the key to happy muscles. Learn self-massage

techniques. Donations accepted.

5:30–6:30 p.m. Willits Center for the Arts. 71 E. Commercial St., Willits.

456-9676. avenuestowellness.org.

Search for New Mr. Lake County.

Looking for men who sing, tell jokes, build stuff, cook amazing meals, or have some other skill. Open to Lake County men ages 18–100. Pageant is June 22 at the Soper Reese Theater.

278-9628. lakecountytheatre company.org.

FREE Mother-Wise Weekly Workshops. Tuesdays. 1–3 p.m. Mar.

CAMP

NARAINBOW

WIN

rforming arts circus and pe l ia nt de si re A 7 to 14 for kids age

www.campwinnarainbow.org 20 MendoLakeFamilyLife

Wednesday 6 FREE Fire Recovery Group.

Ongoing Conversations for Community Resilience group. Meets first & third Wednesdays. 11 a.m.– noon. Upper Lake Senior Support Center. 9410 Mendenhall Ave., Upper Lake. 349-5203. lakefrc.org/calhope.

Just Between Friends Kids’ &

camp

Maternity Consignment Sales Event. The largest of its kind in

Northern CA. Free parking. $2–$4.

Mar. 7 & 8: 9 a.m.–7:30 p.m. Mar. 9: 9 a.m.– 3 p.m. (free admission). Mar. 10: 9 a.m.–2 p.m. (1/2 price day & free admission). Sonoma County Fairgrounds. 1350 Bennett Valley Rd., Santa Rosa. northbay.jbfsale.com/ homeView.jsp.

✓ Juggling ✓ Unicycle ✓ Swimming ✓ Song Writing ✓ Dance

Check us out and register today at:

5: Healthy Eating with the Family.

Mar. 12: St. Patrick’s Day crafts. Mar. 19: Potty Training. Mar. 26: Support Group. Mother-Wise. 180 N. Main St., Lakeport. 349-1210. facebook.com/ motherwiselakecounty.

Thursday 7

TO N U WA RD THE F

✓ Stilts ✓ Trapeze ✓ Silks ✓ Drama ✓ Clowning

The Simon Family

510.525.4304

FREE Teen Game Night. Wii games & snacks provided. Thursdays. 3:30–5

March 2019 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

p.m. Ukiah Library. 105 N. Main St., Ukiah. 467-6434. mendolibrary.org.

Lake County Families Exhibits. The museum is featuring exhibits about the history of local families. This month is Jose Simon III, better known as Moke, who is District I Supervisor & Tribal Chairman of the Middletown Rancheria of Pomo Indians. Noon–4 p.m. Thursdays–Saturdays. Gibson Museum. 21267 Calistoga Rd., Middletown. cgibsonmuseum.com.

Friday 8 Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon.

One-act, fast-paced, Brothers Grimm extravaganza. Mar. 8: 7 p.m. Mar. 9: 3 & 7 p.m. $5–$10. SPACE Near & Arnold’s School of Performing Arts.

508 W. Perkins St., Ukiah. 462-9370. spaceperformingarts.org.

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

• What did you like in this issue?

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

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

• Know of an upcoming event or fun family outing?

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

e-mail melissa@family-life.us

FREE Family Fun at Alex Rorabaugh Recreation Center. Fridays, 8–11 p.m.: open gym for basketball, tumbling & soccer. Sundays, noon–4 p.m.: recreation center open for Ping-Pong, board games, etc.

Alex Rorabaugh Recreation Center.

1640 S. State St., Ukiah. 463-6275. ukiahrec.org.

FREE Concerts at Twin Pines Casino. 9–11:55 p.m. Mar. 8: Maxx

Cabello Jr. Mar. 15: Kid & Nick. Mar. 22: Freshmakers. Mar. 29: Audiobox.

Twin Pines Casino. 22223 CA-29, Middletown. lakecochamber.com.

International Wildlife Film Festival.

Mar. 8: Saving Warru. Mar. 15: The Edge of the World. Mar. 22: Tipping Point. Each night features a variety of films of various lengths. $5–$10. Films are appropriate for older children. Live music & snacks: 6:15 p.m. Film: 7 p.m.

Ukiah Civic Center. 300 Seminary www.mendolakefamilylife.com

March 2019

MendoLakeFamilyLife 21

Ave., Ukiah. Complete schedule at rvoep.org.

Point Regional Park. 42401 Hwy. 1, Gualala. parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov.

FREE Mama’s Postpartum Support

Texas Hold’Em Poker Tournament.

Group. Bring your babies & talk about

Dinner & drinks included. $60 buy-in with a $40 add-on. Fundraiser for Mendocino Ballet. Sign-up: 5 p.m.

Tournament: 5:30 p.m. Mendocino Ballet. 205 S. State St., Ukiah.

Call to reserve a spot: 463-2290. mendocinoballet.org.

the joys & challenges of motherhood.

Fridays. 10:30 a.m.–noon. Mendo Baby.

198 S. School St., Ukiah. 462-1020. facebook.com/MendoBaby.

Saturday 9 Ukiah Contra Dance. Live music.

All ages welcome. 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. facebook.com/ events/313972072594934.

Family Whale Watching. Scopes

Wine Gala Dinner/Dance. Wine

tasting, live & silent auctions, entertainment & raffles. Proceeds support local scholarships & high school HOBY leadership training. $50. 5–10 p.m. Clearlake Senior Community Center. 3245 Bowers Ave., Clearlake. lakecochamber.com.

& binoculars provided. Event: free.

Parking: $7. 10 a.m.–1 p.m. Gualala

FREE Let’s Make a Book Craft.

Decorate, stitch & assemble a book.

Supplies provided. 2–4 p.m. Lakeport Library. 1425 N. High St., Lakeport.

263-8817. library.lakecountyca.gov.

FREE CMAS Lego Robotics.

Interactive, educational for all ages.

Hosted by the Children’s Museum of Art & Science. 11 a.m.–1 p.m. Mar. 9: Redbud Library. 14785 Burns Valley Rd., Clearlake. Mar. 23: Middletown Library. 21256 Washington St., Middletown. facebook.com/ lakecountylibrary/app/203351739677351.

FREE Yarn Wizards Club. Work on own projects while learning from each other. Ages 10 & up. 10 a.m.–noon.

Lake County Library. 1425 N. High St., Lakeport. 263-8817. facebook.com/ lakecountylibrary/app/203351.

25 OFF

$

TAX PREPARATION

NEW TAX LAWS? Be sure to get the refund you deserve!

1104-A South State Street • Ukiah 22 MendoLakeFamilyLife

March 2019 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Sunday 10

Monday 11

FREE Hendy Woods State Park.

FREE Diabetes Support Group.

Free admission to park second Sunday of every month for local residents only: Yorkville, Boonville, Philo, Navarro, Comptche & Elk. 7 a.m.–7 p.m. 18599 Greenwood Rd., Philo. facebook.com/ events/313442099273881.

Meets weekly. Topics include exercise, healthy cooking & more.

Drop-ins welcome. Mondays. 4 p.m. 206 Mason St., Ukiah. 463-7517. adventisthealthukiahvalley.org.

Pianists Benefit Concert. Local

pianists come together to play & trade tall tales. Benefits Soper Reese Theatre & Lake County Friends of Mendocino College. $25–$30. Ages 18 & under: free. No-host reception & silent auction: 2 p.m. Concert: 3 p.m. Soper Reese Theatre. 275 S. Main St., Lakeport. 263-0577. soperreesetheatre.com.

Wednesday 13 FREE Tree of Life Charter Open House. Free Montessori elementary education for ages 5–13. 6–7:30 p.m. Tree of Life Charter School.

241 Ford Rd., Ukiah. 462-0913. treeoflifeschool.net.

Quarter Auction. Fundraiser for Harwood Park. Purchase bidding paddles for $5, bid 1–4 quarters on each prize. Taco Bar: $8 (to-go orders OK). 5:30–7:30 p.m. Harwood

Hall. 44400 Willis Ave., Laytonville.

984-8089. facebook.com/lindsay.p.rolo.

Friday 15 FREE North Coast Opportunities (NCO) Caring Kitchen Project Open House. Tour, music, appetizers &

wine & beer. Learn more about NCO teen volunteers. 4–6 p.m. Mendocino College. 1000 Hensley Creek Rd., Ukiah. facebook.com/wearenco/ posts/2093430014057118.

FREE Gritos De Mi Pueblo. This is a musical theater production in Spanish that tells a love story between Jose Cruz & his beloved Mexico./Gritos De Mi Pueblo es una producción de teatro musical en español que cuenta una historia de amor entre José Cruz y su amado México. Gratis. Mar. 15 &

Ukiah Unified School District

Ukiah Unified Kindergarten Enrolling Now

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

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

March 2019

MendoLakeFamilyLife 23

16: 7 p.m. SPACE Near & Arnold’s School of Performing Arts. 508 W. Perkins St., Ukiah. 462-9370. spaceperformingarts.org.

Saturday 16 MacKerricher Whale Festival. Live

music, crafts, games & food. 1–4 p.m. MacKerricher State Park. 24100 MacKerricher Park Rd., Fort Bragg. facebook.com/events/261875224731141.

FREE Wild About Whales. Whale

Story Time: 10:30 a.m. Kids Craft: 11 a.m. Whale Talk with MacKerricher State Park Rangers: 2 p.m. Fort Bragg

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

County Fairgrounds. 14400 Hwy. 128, Boonville. mendocountyfair.com.

Ukiah High School Athletic Fundraiser. Silent auction, no-host bar, music & dancing. $60. 6–10 p.m.

Ukiah Valley Conference Center. 200 S. School St., Ukiah.

Vintage Toy Exhibit. Make an old-fashioned whirligig toy. Free with admission ($1–$4) or a Mendocino Library Card. 1–3 p.m.

Mendocino County Museum. 400 E. Commercial St., Willits.

St. Patrick Dinner Fundraiser.

Whale Festival Chowder & Beer

Corned beef & cabbage, mint ice cream. No-host bar & beverages.

Dessert auction. Proceeds benefit Anderson Valley Senior Center. $12–$15. Happy Hour: 5:30 p.m.

Dinner: 6:30 p.m. Mendocino

Tasting. Taste chowder from local

Boosters Dinner & Auction

restaurants & vote for your favorites. $5–$10. Ages 5 & under: free. 11 a.m.–1 p.m. (or until chowder runs out).

Masonic Hall. 428 N. Main St., Fort Bragg. Tickets at brownpapertickets. com or mendowhale.com.

Whale Festival Wine Tasting. Wine

tasting at 14 different locations in downtown Fort Bragg. $40. 1–4 p.m.

Tickets at brownpapertickets.com, mendowhale.com, or at the Masonic Hall, 428 N. Main St., Fort Bragg.

FREE Karma Kitchen Breakfast.

The 3rd Saturday of each month (thru May), students from the Developing Virtue Secondary School serve a vegan breakfast at Taste Buds. 8–10 a.m. 405 S. State St., Ukiah. visitukiah.com.

St. Patrick’s Day Dinner. Corned

The Search for Mr. Lake County

E

veryone is familiar with beauty pageants for women. But what happens when men compete in a similar fashion? If you ask the Lake County Theatre Company, lots of laughs. The group’s annual fundraiser, Mr. Lake County, features traditional pageant categories, including talent, beachwear, formal wear, and an interview, but sans the seriousness of a regular pageant.

The event, which will be held on June 22 at Soper Reese Theatre, is open to men ages 18–100 who can sing, tell a good joke, build cool stuff, cook gourmet meals, or have some other special skill (balloon tossing? tree grafting?) and are willing to parade themselves on stage. Interested participants may email info@laketheatre.org or call 278-9628 to find out more. ¶

24 MendoLakeFamilyLife

beef & cabbage meal. $20. 5:30–9 p.m.

St. Mary Immaculate Church Hall.

801 N. Main St., Lakeport. 263-3174. lakecochamber.com.

Whale Run & Walk. Half-Mile Kiddie

Race (ages 4–10): 8 a.m. 10K/5K Run: 8:30 a.m. 5K Fun Walk: 8:35 a.m.

Come early to register. $5–$45. No dogs, bikes, or skateboards. Strollers OK only for Fun Walk. Fort Bragg. soroptimistfortbraggca.org/whalerun.

FREE Creative Club. Watch demos from Creativebug.com & work on a new project. Meets on the 3rd

March 2019 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Saturday of each month. 10 a.m.– noon. Lakeport Library. 1425 N. High St., Lakeport. facebook.com/ lakecountylibrary/app/203351739677351.

Sip Some Soup. Cook-off & silent

auction. $25 to enter a soup (no one turned away for lack of funds), $15 to taste. Benefits Willits Daily Bread.

5:30–7 p.m. Willits Community Center.

111 E. Commercial St., Willits. Tickets: 459-2579.

Sunday 17 Breakfast at Clearlake Masonic Lodge. Sit-down breakfast with all the fixings. Third Sunday of each month. $4–$8. Kids under age 6: free. 8–11 a.m. 7100 S. Center Dr., Clearlake. facebook.com/clearlakecallayomi183/.

St. Paddy’s Day Swig & Jig! Drink

craft beer & wines & eat appetizers at

Kelseyville businesses. $30. 3–6 p.m.

Downtown Kelseyville. eventbrite.com.

St. Patrick’s Day Supper. Irish

specials (3-course dinner $25). Music

by Celtic harpist Linda Brown. 6–8 p.m. Blue Wing Restaurant. 9520 Main St., Upper Lake. 275-2233. tallmanhotel.com.

$20. 7 p.m. Soper Reese Theatre.

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

Friday 22 FREE Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders. This is a public workshop

Soup & Salad Dinner. $15. All proceeds benefit the Friends of the Fort Bragg Library Expansion Project.

7 p.m. Masonic Hall. 428 N. Main St., Fort Bragg. fortbragglibrary.org.

open to parents, foster parents, social workers, educators, childcare providers & medical professionals. Mar. 22: 2–6 p.m. Mendocino College Campus.

1000 Hensley Creek Rd., Ukiah. Mar. 29: 2–6 p.m. Lakeport Center. 2565 Parallel Dr., Lakeport. Register or get more info: 468-3168.

Wednesday 20

Saturday 23

Tuesday 19

Acoustic Eidolon. A

combination of Celtic, classical & contemporary folk. Featuring cellist Hannah Alkire & her husband, Joe Scott.

International Dinner. Foods from African countries. Meat, vegan & gluten-free options. West African music. Sponsored by the Rotary

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

Tree of Life Charter VISIT US DURING OPEN HOUSE

March 13th, 6–7:30 PM

OPEN ENROLLMENT January & March www.mendolakefamilylife.com

March 2019

Free Montessori Elementary Education for Children Ages 5 through 13 For more information and enrollment applications: (707) 462-0913 treeoflifeschool.net treeoflifeschool@pacific.net MendoLakeFamilyLife 25

Club of South Ukiah, to support a Farm-to-Bedside program in Rwanda.

5:30 p.m. Barra of Mendocino Event Center. 7051 N. State St., Redwood Valley. Tickets: 391-7532.

Sunday 24 FREE All Cat Spay Day. First come, first served. All cats will be sterilized

& get a rabies vaccination at no cost.

1 cat per carrier. Cats must be older than 2 months. Drop off starts at 7:30 a.m. Mendocino County Animal Care Services. 298 Plant Rd., Ukiah.

463-4427. mendoanimalshelter.com.

The Ink Ain’t Dry. Newly

composed works by 4 local composers.

$25–$30. Under 18: free. 2 p.m.

First Presbyterian Church of Ukiah. 514 W. Church St., Ukiah. ukiahsymphony.org.

Friday 29 Children’s Theater Spring Show. 2

1-act plays: Back to Summer & Flora & Ulysses. $5–$10. 7 p.m. Matheson Performing Arts Center. 45096 Cahto St., Mendocino. eventbrite.com.

Saturday 30 FREE Dance Day at Mendocino Ballet. Classes for all levels in

various forms of dance. 1–4:15 p.m.

Mendocino Ballet. 205 S. State St., Ukiah. artsmendocino.org.

Portugal Day Celebration Concert.

Voting: A Rite of Passage

A

ccording to data from the US Census and the state of California, 5 million of the more than 25 million people who were eligible to vote in the 2018 elections did not. With its 2019 Youth Voter Registration Project, the League of Women Voters of Mendocino County (LWVMC) is aiming to get more people, especially youth, to the polls. “We want to make voter registration a rite of passage for all students,” says LWVMC Co-President Cindy Plank. The idea is to build on schools’ civic education by encouraging high school, community college, and vocational school students to register to vote and teaching them to register their peers.

“We want to reach as many students as possible, and in particular, to do what we can to mitigate the widespread disparities in youth voting among Latinos, African Americans, and young people with no college experience,” says County Superintendent of Schools Michelle Hutchins.

This non-partisan, grant-funded project will not include support for any political campaigns or specific legislation.

In March and April, LWVMC volunteers will be presenting information in classrooms, and will encourage civics teachers to share voter registration information in the event that a classroom presentation cannot be scheduled.

To learn more about this project and/or to donate, contact Cindy Plank at 357-4282 or via email at cindyplank@gmail.com. To register to vote, visit VOTE411.org. ¶ 26 MendoLakeFamilyLife

This concert presents Fado as interpreted by Ramana Vieira, a northern California native of Portuguese descent. $20. 7 p.m. Soper Reese Theatre. 275 S. Main St., Lakeport. 263-0577. soperreesetheatre.com.

A Place of Tomorrow: The Prophet Through Dance. Teens explore Kahil Gibran’s writings through fusion, hip-hop & contemporary dance & song. $10–$15. Mar. 30: 3 & 7 p.m.

April 6: 3 & 7 p.m. SPACE Near & Arnold’s School of Performing Arts.

508 W. Perkins St, Ukiah. 462-9370. spaceperformingarts.org.

Ukiah Uke Fest. Daytime ukulele workshops: $40–$45. Workshops & evening show: $50–$55. Show only: $15–$20. 9 a.m.–9 p.m. Show at 7 p.m.

Mendocino College. 1000 Hensley Creek Rd., Ukiah. 434-249-4416. brownpapertickets.com.

March 2019 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Have More Fun & Create Great Memories Get weekly FREE email updates for the best LOCAL family fun calendar visit

MendoLake Family Life.com

the morning, your child may awaken to see that the leprechaun has taken their gold coins and left them a small gift or treat.

Create a scavenger hunt.

Spread St. Patrick’s Day–themed questions or riddles throughout the

Luck of the Irish 6 Ways to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day

By Sarah Lyons

E

ach holiday brings the opportunity to participate in unique celebrations with your kids, and St. Patrick’s Day has no shortage of fun festivities. Whether you are Irish or just love celebrating the holiday, try these fun and educational ways to bring some leprechaun luck to your home.

Eat green. Celebrate the day by feasting on all things green. For breakfast, read Dr. Seuss’ Green Eggs and Ham and cook up the Seussian meal for your brood, or dye your pancakes green just for fun. For lunch, serve a buffet of broccoli, celery, salad greens, guacamole, and grapes. Wash it all down with some green juice.

Who knows? Maybe it will be your lucky day, and your child will try some new foods.

Go to a parade. Check out the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in San Francisco on March 16, 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Floats, Irish dance troupes, and marching bands will travel from Market and Second Streets to the Civic Center 28 MendoLakeFamilyLife

Plaza (go to the event’s Facebook page for details). Before you go, paint your faces green or pick up some silly hats or headbands at the local dollar store.

See which family member can dress in the most green for the event. If you don’t want to make the drive to San Francisco, invite some neighborhood kids to get gussied up and have a parade through the house or in the driveway.

Bait a leprechaun. The night of March 16, have your kids use a box or laundry basket to set a leprechaun trap. Put gold “coins” inside the box or basket to attract your leprechaun.

But remember, leprechauns are very sneaky and do not like to be seen. In

Vanilla pudding mixed with food coloring makes for fun and edible finger paint. house (the leprechaun could even leave the first clue in the trap) and make the prize a pot of gold-foil– wrapped chocolate “coins.”

Paint a rainbow. Kids can use watercolors or finger paint to create their own bow. Vanilla pudding mixed with food coloring makes for fun and edible finger paint. Put food coloring in cups of water; let kids mix the colors to see what new hues they can create.

Explore Irish culture. Go to the library and check out books or movies about Ireland and the history of St. Patrick’s Day. Watch a video of an Irish dance performance on YouTube and have the family try some of the dance moves. For the crafty, paint or draw an Irish flag or a four-leaf clover. If you are lucky enough to be Irish, make a family tree and discuss your heritage. For dinner, serve a traditional Irish meal like corned beef and cabbage. If this isn’t a family favorite, Reuben sandwiches may be a good alternative.

For more local St. Patrick’s Day activities, see the Calendar of Events on page 20. ¶ Sarah Lyons is a freelance writer and mom of six, including two-year-old triplets.

March 2019 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Marketplace Preschools

Schools

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• 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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707-462-0913 treeoflifeschool@pacific.net www.treeoflifeschool.net



Accelerated Achievement Academy

Hannah Woolfenden

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

Get Free Dance Lessons

W

hen Anderson Valley High School senior Hannah Woolfenden started to dance, her life changed.

Get Mom’s Attention!

“I was incredibly shy when I was little, but dance gave me my first real voice. Every time I heard music I would just start moving and get this flood of happiness,” she says.

Now she wants to share dance with other kids with the hope that it impacts them as positively as it has her. To this end, she will be hosting a Free Dance Day on March 30, 1–4:15 p.m., at Mendocino Ballet in Ukiah. Aimed at children ages 6–13, the event will feature free instruction in ballet, jazz, and contemporary dance. No experience is necessary to participate.

“Even if dance doesn’t become a child’s passion, it provides them with experience, a form of exercise, an opportunity for emotional release, and more. I have seen dance change so many lives. I hope that this free dance day will inspire children to gain an interest in dance and see how many opportunities Mendocino County has to offer,” she says.

YOUR AD HERE Classifieds Work Call 586-9562

Classes start on the hour every hour and conclude at 4 p.m. with a 15-minute performance of excerpts from Mendocino Ballet’s upcoming spring show. For more information and a complete schedule, email hlwoolfenden@gmail.com. ¶

www.mendolakefamilylife.com

March 2019

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Humor Break

My Life as a Celebrity Assistant Some Folks Get All of the Attention

By Cheryl Maguire

I

always wondered what it would be like to be a celebrity. I imagined it would be wonderful and glamorous.

I never really thought about the downside. Now that I reside with two real-life celebrities, I’ve found that even going to a restaurant can be a major undertaking.

On our most recent trip to a restaurant, a large crowd was gathered outside.

The best route into the place was discussed. We opted for the side door since there seemed to be fewer people near that entrance. Quickly, we made our way to the hostess, trying to protect our celebrities. All of a sudden, the hostess noticed them, and the questions began. “Oh, are they twins?

Are they identical? How old are they?”

Amazing! I thought to myself.

She managed to hit the trifecta of questions all in one breath. I quickly answered all of her questions, only to have her respond with the most popular comment, “Oh, a boy and girl. Now you don’t need to have any more babies!” I never realized how many people feel that a boy and a girl constitute the “perfect” American family.

I looked at my watch as the hostess babbled on to the other assistant, my spouse. Celebrities can be very 30 MendoLakeFamilyLife

demanding. If they don’t get their way, right away, the whole world is going to hear about it, so I tried to move things along. We were finally seated at our table.

I started to feel the stares all around me. I tried to avoid making eye contact. The little boy at the next table was not going to be avoided. Suddenly he was at our table trying to touch the celebrities. His parents didn’t even try to stop him. In fact, they saw it

I noticed that the couple next to us was talking about us as if we couldn’t hear them. as an invitation to ask questions and make comments. I quickly answered them, “Yes, they are twins. They are six months old. They are a boy and a girl. No, they are not identical.”

That last question always boggles my mind. Even though I say they are boy/ girl twins, people still ask if they are identical. After explaining some basic biology facts, I usually get one of two reactions: Some people realize their question might have been a little silly and others just look confused. For the confused ones, I just try to smile politely and move on.

After answering the questions, I turned my attention to my celebrities and the other celebrity assistant, and I tried to enjoy a peaceful meal. I noticed that the couple next to us was talking about us as if we couldn’t hear them. Soon, their little boy had found his way back to our table.

A waitress arrived, but I quickly realized that it was not our server. “I was in the kitchen and heard about the twins. I just had to see them for myself,” she said. The questions began, followed by the standard comments.

I turned to the other assistant, who nodded at me. We realized that this situation was just not working out. We got the meal to go and quickly made our exit.

Even though it can be challenging at times to be a celebrity assistant, I will admit it can be lots of fun as well.

Celebrities can be quite entertaining.

In fact, there isn’t a day that goes by when they don’t make me laugh about something. They are always testing out their vocal cords and trying out all kinds of crazy moves.

Oh, who am I kidding—I love every minute of it! ¶ Cheryl Maguire has a master’s degree in counseling psychology and is a freelance writer.

March 2019 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Growing our own family doctors for Lake and Mendocino counties

NOMINATE YOUR FAVORITE HEALTHCARE PROVIDER AND/OR ADVOCATE TO BE A

RURAL HEALTH ROCK STAR OF 2019!

Family Medicine Education for Mendocino County (FMEMC) recognizes that the folks in our community know who the best practitioners, health care advocates, and leaders are — those who demonstrate a lifetime of exemplary work and leadership in caring for us. For the last three years, nominations were put forward, winners selected, and then honored with awards at our annual concert, Rural Health Rocks. This year honorees will be announced during the Music Is Medicine Celebration on June 15th, 2019 at Mendocino College.

Music Is Medicine will also celebrate the first six doctors in our Family Medicine residency program who will receive their stethoscopes and white coats in a ceremony at the event! All this happens at a Farm to Table dinner that evening, followed by a celebratory concert featuring Alex de Grassi and Friends.

If you received extraordinary care from someone in the health profession and would like that person to be considered as a Rural Health Rock Star you can nominate your favorite health care provider, advocate, or leader today.

Nominate online at fmemc.org or ruralhealthrocks.com or in clinics and hospitals where you find paper ballots.

www.mendolakefamilylife.com

March 2019

MendoLakeFamilyLife 31

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