Mendo Lake Family Life October 2016

mendo lake FREE!

October 2016

Learn at Home How to succeed Trick-or-Treat!

7 local spooky spots

Kids Who Code

Apps & bots

Art + Science A fun project

F

A

M

I

L

Y

P

R

A

C

T

I

C

E

You do so much to keep your family healthy.

So do we.

A family doctor that can care for the whole family makes perfect sense. A familiar face who will be there for your growing family, from terrible threes to the teen-age years. It’s important to have a doctor that really gets your kids, your family’s medical history and your unique family dynamics. Someone who will listen — someone who will be there for well visits or the not so good ones. When it comes to great care, keeping it in the family makes such a difference.

New Patients Welcome

707.459.6115 Same Day Appointments Available

Our group of caring providers are ready to welcome your family. We are now accepting new patients.

3 M a rc e l a D r i v e | S u i t e C | W i l l i t s C A | 7 0 7 . 4 5 9 . 6 1 1 5 | w w w. h o w a rd h o s p i t a l . o r g

Mammograms save lives $190 Mammogram for the Month of October Ukiah Valley Medical Center and Frank R. Howard Memorial Hospital are offering uninsured women the opportunity to have a mammogram at the rate of $190 during the month of October.

SCHEDULE YOUR MAMMOGRAM TODAY AT THREE CONVENIENT LOCATIONS Mendocino Radiology

Outpatient Pavilion

1165 S. Dora St, Suite D Ukiah, CA 95482 707.468.9335

245 Hospital Drive Ukiah, CA 95482 707.463.7342

Willits

1st floor, 1 Marcela Drive, Willits, CA 95490 707.456.3090

October 2016

Every Issue 6

Dear Reader

8

Bits and Pieces Pink Power Peace, Love & Green The Blues Heals Wine and Swine Frame that Face Who’s Your Alter Ego? A Nut for Trees

9

12 Features 10 Kids Who Code Apps, toys, clubs, and camps for raising a techie.

12 Full STEAM Ahead Teach kids about chromatography with an art project.

14 Kitchen Table Lessons

20 Family Fun Treats & Freaks

22 Calendar of Events For the Love of Lederhosen

28 Crafting with Kids If I Only Had a Brain

30 Humor Break Hey Mom, Taste This

Avoid common errors of new homeschoolers.

16 Free to Fail Helping kids cope with disappointment.

18 Green Halloween Non-spooky tips for eco-friendly fun.

9 4 MendoLakeFamilyLife

20 October 2016 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

r ic s

NOW ACCEPTING

ia

c s & O bst

et

TR I

Pe d

tri

TH

L HEAL A B

Comprehensive health care for women and children.

Come see our state-of-the-art facility and meet our staff.

We look forward to meeting you!

Emily Tang, PNP-BC

Carol Appel Basham, PA-M

Marlene Quilala, M.D.

Daniel Lewis, M.D. OB/GYN

Lake County Tribal Health Modern Medicine

Personalized Care

707-533-2740 • 800-750-7181 • 359 Lakeport Blvd. Lakeport • www.lcthc.com

Dear Reader

W

elcome to our STEM issue, where we explore the areas of science, technology, engineering, and Sharon Gowan Publisher/Editor math. Check out Sharon@family-life.us “Kids Who Code” (page 10) for a whole slew of apps, bots, toys, clubs, and camps that introduce kids to programming.

Then flip to “Full Steam Ahead” (page 12) in which mom engineer Tracy Borgmeyer talks about the importance of using art to teach science. With a focus on making STEM subjects accessible to girls, she’ll show you how to turn a lesson about chromatography into a cool tie-dye T-shirt.

For another crafty project (no science required), see “If I Only Had a Brain” (page 28) and show your kid how to make a simple paper scarecrow. Yes, it’s that time of year, when gourds, spider webs, and ghosts decorate porches and lawns. Not sure where to head for Halloween? Find some great local activities in “Treats & Freaks” (page 20). And for even more goings-on, see our Calendar of Events (page 22). Whether your family loves a good scare, a costume contest, or just hoards of candy, you’ll find something to make you smile—or scream!

Have a safe and fun All Hallows’ Eve!

Office Manager Patricia Ramos patty@family-life.us

Business Marketing Renee Nutcher renee@family-life.us Marie Anderson marie@family-life.us

Features Editor Melissa Chianta melissa@family-life.us

Production Manager Donna Bogener production@family-life.us

Web and Social Media

Steele Wines

Harvest Festival Saturday & Sunday October 8th-9th 10 am–5 pm

STOMP OFF BEGINS AT 3:30

Jean Flint jean@family-life.us

Contributing Writers Tracy Borgmeyer Holly Hester Carolyn Jabs Kerrie McLoughlin Jan Pierce Denise Morrison Yearian

Billing Jan Wasson-Smith

Publishing Office 134 Lystra Court, Suite A Santa Rosa, CA 95403 Tel (707) 586-9562 Fax (707) 586-9571

Crafts • Food • Music Wine Tasting, 5 for $5 Grape Stomp Pie Eating Contest Kids Corner • Games 4350 Thomas Drive @ Hwy 29 • Kelseyville www.steelewines.com • 279-9475 6 MendoLakeFamilyLife

October 2016 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

YEARS CE

L E B R AT I N G

YEARS

#1 resource for local families

Online…Mobile…Magazine…E-mail…Social Media…Events…Local…Award-winning mendo lake

mendo lake

mendo lake FREE!

FREE!

FREE!

January 2016

December 2015

November 2015

FREE!

Twin Talk Advice on multiples

Private & Charter

School Guide

A+ Education

How to choose a school

Dream Center

Help for homeless kids

Learning Styles What’s yours?

Valley Fire Tale A silver lining Green X-mas 10 Eco-friendly tips

Go Local!

Get great gift ideas

Interfaith Families

A holiday how-to

Valley

Start-up Stars Help locals

Teach social skills

Help with grief & loss

Treats &

thrive

12 Great Gifts The NAPPA guide

Give Thanks

Steps for success

Halloween top spots

5 steps to gratitude

mendo lake

mendo lake

Make

mendo lake

FREE!

Farm to School Local food for kids

Local Heroes E-cig

New Konocti School The arts are back!

Find the best care

Back-2-School

Steampunk fun!

mendo lake

Wise Words

Day-camp Adventure 10 tips for success

From a local centenarian

Pop-up

Let’s Camp!

8 great

Playgrounds

Make your own fun

40 CAMPS SUMMER

local spots

11 Ways to

Honor the Earth

Brunch to Beach

Fun in the Sun 12 great games

June 2015

Take a Swim 4 great city pools

Day Trip!

5 super stops

Backyard Fun 35 easy ideas

Why Dads Rule What the

research says

mendo lake April 2015

May 2015

7 ways to celebrate

Preschool Prep 9 easy & helpful tips

Help kids chill out

JULY 4TH Hot spots 4 terrific trips

Kinetic Carnivale

mendo lake

Mother’s Day

Safe Sports

How to stay injury-free

Autism The exercise cure

July 2015

August 2015

August 2015

Easter Egg Hunts

Kids & Pets A love fest

4 Top spots

Curvy Girl Club Teach body-love

March 2015

Teens & Digital Love

20

Camp Tips Choose the best

B-day Parties

Online Guide to Local

That give back

MendoLakeFamilyLife.com www.mendolakefamilylife.com

October 2016

MendoLakeFamilyLife 7

Bits & Pieces

Pink Power

M

ake sure your breasts are happy campers. During October, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, take them for a mammogram (and if you have dense breasts, inquire about getting an ultrasound, too). Looking for a radiation-free alternative? You may want to try thermography. If you can’t afford care, see if you are eligible for California’s Every Woman Counts program (dhcs.ca.gov/services/cancer/ewc/pages/default.aspx), which provides free breast exams and mammograms to underserved women. Those who are diagnosed may also be eligible for financial help via the state’s Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program (dhcs.ca.gov/services/medi-cal/pages/bcctp.aspx).

Meanwhile, the city of Ukiah and Cancer Resource Centers of Mendocino County hope to raise money for locals with the disease at its Strike Out Breast Cancer softball tournament on October 8 at 9 a.m. in the Ukiah Sports Complex in Ukiah. ¶

Peace, Love & Green

B

athe your wild soul in music, art, and dance—and learn about ways to protect the environment, too—at the Unity Festival. Besides shimmying to a variety of live music, you can take in presentations on an array of topics: green living, renewable energy, alternative healing, spirituality, activism, and global movements for peace. Proceeds benefit the St. Jude Research Hospital, the SANE/SART Courage Center for abused kids, and various youth charities. The event will be held at the Middletown Mansion Event Center in Middletown October 7–9. One-day passes are $30; three-day passes are $90. Either may be purchased at unityfestival.com.

The Blues Heals

T

hough the flames have long been squelched, the long-term effects of the Valley Fire, and the more recent Clayton Fire, continue. Locals are rallying to help those who lost their homes in the blazes with benefits like Halloween Blues and Spirits, which will be held on October 22, 6–10 p.m., at the Northshore Community Center in Lucerne. The Swinging Chads and Johnny Tsunami and the Hurricanes will lure dancers to the floor with steady, hip-swinging beats while kids play games and snag snacks. Extra treats will go to anyone who wears a costume. Tickets are $10; children 12 and under are $5. Dinner is $5; wine and beer will also be for sale. ¶

8 MendoLakeFamilyLife

The Swinging Chads

October 2016 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Wine and Swine

P

ork lovers ready your taste buds for a culinary treat: the bacon-cook off at the Lake County Beer, Wine, and Swine Baconfest. Don’t worry about the calories you consume. There will be plenty of live music to dance off that tasty fat (and your swigs of local wine and beer). Or get in some steps browsing the booths of vendors. The action happens October 15, 1–5 p.m., in downtown Kelseyville. It’s free to attend; $25 for a set of tasting tickets. Proceeds benefit the Kelseyville Business Association and the SPCA. ¶

Frame that Face

A

re your kids always grabbing their phones to snap a shot? Take them to the Willits Photography Club 15th Annual Photo Show to see what a trained photographer (and a great camera) can really produce. Perhaps they’ll be inspired to want to learn more than just how to take a pic for Facebook. The show will be up through October 30 at the Willits Center for the Arts in Willits. Gallery hours are Wednesday–Sunday, 11 a.m.–6 p.m. See willitscenterforthearts.org/ the-willits-photography-club for details. ¶

Who’s Your Alter Ego?

W

hat do Queen Elizabeth, the devil, and a box of M&Ms have in common?

You can dress up as any one of them—or whatever your imagination desires—for the Harvest Costume Ball. Just make sure you can dance in your getup; the Jerry Garcia Band with 18-year-veteran keyboardist Melvin Seals, will be cranking out the tunes— everything from funk and R&B to good ol’ rock ’n roll. The event will be held October 23 at 6 p.m. at the Redwood Empire Fairgrounds in Ukiah. Tickets are $40; kids under 12 get in free. Purchase tickets on eventbrite.com or at the Ukiah Co-op in Ukiah. ¶

www.mendolakefamilylife.com

October 2016

A Nut for Trees

T

he perfect size for little hands, acorns are a great way to teach kids about how things grow. On the free, kid-friendly Acorn Harvest hike at the Hopland Research and Extension Center (HREC) in Hopland, your family can help gather the nuts for an HREC reforestation project. Participants will learn how to collect and store acorns, and prepare them to be raised in a greenhouse. In addition, oak experts will be on hand to identify the many species of oaks on the HREC site. The hike is planned for October 8, 10 a.m.– noon. Bring lunch but not your pooch; dogs aren’t allowed. Registration is required. Sign up at hrec.ucanr. edu/?calitem=336671&g=61984. ¶

MendoLakeFamilyLife 9

Kids Who Code Resources for the Littlest Programmers

By Carolyn Jabs

M

ore than 500,000 computing jobs are available in the US, but fewer than 43,000 computer science majors graduated last year. That startling statistic from Code.org may explain why 9 out of 10 parents want children to learn computer programming.

Even kids who aren’t likely to choose programming as a career benefit from learning something about it. Coding teaches kids to analyze problems, think logically, and be persistent about troubleshooting. Getting results also gives kids a sense of accomplishment and confidence that they can make technology work for them.

Unfortunately, many K–12 schools don’t routinely offer coding classes. To correct that problem, the White House launched a Computer Science for All initiative earlier this year. Parents can find out about local high school programs in the “Learn” section of Code.org. Check out Digital Promise (digitalpromise.org), too. You can also 10 MendoLakeFamilyLife

supplement what’s available at school with options like these: Toys. Three-dimensional playthings can teach kids the kind of logical sequencing that is at the heart of programming. Code-a-pillar, from Fisher Price, is a caterpillar that does different things depending on how kids three–six years old sequence its segments ($50). MakerBloks sells domino-size blocks that attach to form real circuits ($130 at makerbloks. com). Circuit Maze from ThinkFun introduces kids eight and up to electrical engineering through a series of 60 puzzles ($30 at thinkfun.com).

Bots. Robots and droids can be fun for the entire family, but many models

are expensive, delicate, or tricky to operate. Exceptions include Make Wonder’s Dash and Dot, freestanding, kid-friendly bots that can be controlled through an app ($50–$280 at makewonder.com). Meanwhile, Sphero sells several durable, rolling

In the past, boys gravitated towards programming more readily than girls. A number of organizations are trying to reverse that trend. robots that will appeal to kids over eight, especially if they are Star Wars fans ($100–$200 at sphero.com).

Apps. A wide variety of apps claim to teach coding to kids. Two of the better ones come from Hopscotch (gethopscotch.com). Their signature program lets school-age kids use code to design games and create artwork.

October 2016 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

A simpler program called Daisy the Dinosaur is available for preschoolers.

(Both free at apple.com/itunes.)

Kodable teaches coding practices by having six–ten-year-olds use arrow icons to maneuver furry, round aliens called Fuzzes through 30 increasingly difficult mazes. (Multiple platforms available for free at kodable.com.)

The Foos asks elementary-age kids to help cute characters solve problems that just happen to involve coding skills such as pattern recognition and sequencing. (Free and available on most platforms at thefoos.com.)

Lightbot is a slightly more abstract set of puzzles that can be addictive for older kids. (Free and available on most platforms at lightbot.com.)

Hybrids. Several interesting programs teach code with a combination of tangible objects and apps. Bloxels has kids 8–12 create video games by inserting brightly colored blocks into a grid to create a pixelated image. Capture the image on a smart phone and an app helps convert the image into a game with characters and obstacles ($16–$225 at bloxelsbuilder.com). Bitsbox (bitsbox. com) has a free website, but it also offers a subscription service for elementary school kids. Once a month, kids get a box of new programming challenges along with stickers, small toys, and trading cards.

Clubs. Google CS First (cs-first. com) offers free modules that can be used in in-school or afterschool programs or summer camps. The materials are built around Scratch, a coding language devised at MIT (scratch.mit.edu) and are targeted to kids 9–14. All you need to start a club is a willing adult and access to www.mendolakefamilylife.com

one Internet-enabled device for each club member.

Lessons. For children who develop a taste for coding, several organizations offer a more systematic way to become proficient. Code.org has links to “Hour of Code” projects that offer free one-hour tutorials introducing students to code. They also have a series of videos that help kids master basic algorithms and offer inspiration from master coders like Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg.

Pluralsight, a company that provides

Motivated teens can master several programming languages through free interactive lessons. online training to adult subscribers, offers several free classes for kids. (Go to pluralsight.com, scroll down to the bottom of the home page, and look under “Solutions.”) At Code Academy (codeacademy.com), motivated teens can master several programming languages through free interactive lessons. Finally, Tynker (tynker.com), a program widely used by schools, offers more than 1,000 coding activities with kid appeal to families that pay a monthly subscription. Try the free apps, available for Android and Apple, before signing up.

Camps. iD Tech (idtech.com) offers camps exploring a variety of technical topics at more than 130 locations, including many campuses with prestigious computer science programs. Their website makes it easy to find an experience that’s age appropriate for kids October 2016

7–18. Emagination programs intersperse lessons in coding with more traditional camp activities.

Information about locations and programs, including a popular Minecraft session, is available at computercamps.com.

Just for Girls. In the past, boys gravitated towards programming more readily than girls. A number of organizations are trying to reverse that trend. Made With Code (madewithcode.com), a Google project, features exciting coding projects developed by young women.

Girls Who Code (girlswhocode.com) sponsors tech clubs and summer camps for girls. And Girldevelopit. com offers supportive women-only classes in 53 US cities.

Stuff around the House. CS Unplugged (csunplugged.org) promises to teach kids some of the basic concepts of computer science through games and puzzles that use inexpensive materials like cards, string, and crayons. The site, which is popular with educators, includes downloads and videos showing how the materials can be used.

With so many options available, every parent should be able to find a program or project that matches your child’s age and temperament as well as the family’s schedule and budget. ¶ @ Copyright 2016 Carolyn Jabs. All rights reserved.

Carolyn Jabs, M.A., raised three computer savvy kids, including one with special needs. She is the coauthor of Cooperative Wisdom: Bringing People Together When Things Fall Apart (Green Wave Books, 2016). Visit growing-up-online.com to read other columns.

MendoLakeFamilyLife 11

Why Art and Science Make a Good Pair

Full STEAM Ahead

By Tracy Borgmeyer

M

y daughter loves art. She is in heaven when we pull out paint, crayons, and glitter. One day, hoping that her interests could coexist, she asked, “Mom, can science be art?” Of course I told her, “Yes it can be!” even though I had some doubts. I started researching experiments to appeal to her creative side, and I discovered a quote from Mae Jamison, the first female black astronaut: “The difference between science and the arts is not that they are different sides of the same coin…rather, they are manifestations of the same thing. The arts and sciences are avatars of human creativity.” This idea supports the recent push to change teaching programs from STEM to STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math). I’ll admit I had been hesitant to embrace the change, but now I see how important it is to integrate art into the teaching of science.

Consider one of the most famous inventors in history—Leonardo da Vinci. He not only painted the Mona Lisa and the Last Supper, but also invented the parachute, an early flying machine, and countless other creations. There is no doubt that his artistic talent inspired his scientific inventions. He had an amazing 12 MendoLakeFamilyLife

creative ability to think outside the box. In more modern times, founder of Apple Steve Jobs, who produced today’s most technically savvy inventions, called his coworkers at Apple “artists.”

Art inspires science. Did you know the smart phone was inspired by the TV show Star Trek? And that

Japanese origami has improved vehicle airbags? Creativity helps foster innovation to solve problems and find solutions. Just think, beneath the piles of our daughters’ craft paper creations could lay an inspiration for a future innovation! All we need to do is to help her link art and science together. You can do this by artistic experimenting and creative tinkering.

Try this experiment at home.

Science Art You can do chromatography, while making amazing tie-dye art, with Sharpie Markers and rubbing alcohol.

Scientists use chromatography to separate mixtures into their individual parts. They use a solvent (like alcohol) to separate a mixture (like the colors in the Sharpie marker). Interestingly, industry uses of chromatography include testing blood samples, testing for contaminants in water, and controlling food quality.

October 2016 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

KUSD IS SEEKING GUEST TEACHERS Have a Bachelor’s Degree, like a flexible schedule?

Be a substitute teacher!

Make A Positive Difference With Children

Pay and Perks Include: Here’s what you need: • Newspaper or cardboard • Cotton T-shirt

• Reg. Daily Rate - $120 • Retired Teacher Daily Rate - $135 • Long Term Daily Rate - $150 • Paid Training Days Offered

• Sharpie markers • Cookie sheet Discover more about how we are elevating student learning at www.konoctiusd.org

• Rubbing alcohol (90% isopropyl alcohol) • Eyedropper

707-994-6475

Here’s how you do it: 1. Place newspaper or cardboard inside the T-shirt (to prevent the markers from bleeding through).

2. Make small dots of different colors in a flower pattern all over the shirt.

Be as artistic as you’d like!

3. Then, replace the newspaper with a cookie sheet inside the T-shirt to catch any alcohol drippings.

4. Fill the eyedropper with rubbing alcohol and slowly place it at the center of the ink pattern.

5. Allow the alcohol to dry then toss the shirt in the dryer for 15 minutes to set the design.

You can check out a video of the experiment at shelovesscience.com/ chromotography-art.

Excerpted from She Loves Science: A Mother’s Guide to Nurturing the Curiosity, Confidence, and Creativity of Her Daughter (2016) © Tracy Borgmeyer. See shelovesscience.com.

www.mendolakefamilylife.com

North Bay

Science Discovery Day Saturday October 29 Sonoma County Fairgrounds, 10am–4pm

FREE Admission • FREE Parking www.northbayscience.org October 2016

MendoLakeFamilyLife 13

Kitchen Table Lessons 9 Homeschool Mistakes to Avoid

By Kerrie McLoughlin

A

lthough I’ve been a homeschooling parent since day one, I know plenty of people who didn’t start homeschooling until their kids were well into elementary school or even high school. No matter where you are in the homeschooling journey, there are ways to avoid common newbie mistakes.

1

Playing copycat. There’s a temptation to try to recreate every nuance of a public or private school, complete with desks, chalkboard or smartboard, uniforms, and a rigid schedule. But since you are the teacher, you have permission to be flexible and do things differently.

2

Homeschooling 24/7. The school day doesn’t have to be seven hours long. Consider shorter chunks of teaching/learning time along with occasional days off to go to the zoo, take a nature walk, hit the library, watch some documentaries, or just snuggle up and read. For older kids, volunteering or working a part-time job certainly counts as real-world education.

14 MendoLakeFamilyLife

3

Lots of desk time. No need for kids and teacher to sit in a chair all day. We all learn and teach differently. Sometimes I’ll read to my kids while one is doing art and another is playing Minecraft, and

Don’t compare your children to other home or conventionally schooled kids.

I’m doing squats! I also include my kids in daily activities such as errands, cooking, household chores, budget planning, and more.

4

Keeping up with the Joneses. Don’t compare

your children to other home or conventionally schooled kids. I might beat myself up because my kids have not learned cursive as readily as my neighbor’s children while my neighbor laments that she doesn’t do as many educational outings as I do. It’s great to bounce ideas off of a homeschooling tribe, but competition doesn’t help anyone, least of all your child!

5

Shelling out big bucks for curriculum. There’s no reason for elementary school to cost anything at all when there are so many free sources of information like the public library, ABCMouse.com, and Khan Academy. Also check out California Virtual Academies (cava. k12.com), which provides free online, teacher-monitored schooling to kids.

6

Not following your child’s lead. It was a sad day when I was in a homeschool store and heard a kid ask his mom if they could learn about a certain topic

October 2016 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

GIVE US A SHOUT!

he was excited about and she said, “No, these are the books that we are working on this year, and we aren’t going to stray from them.”

We want to know what you think.

• What did you like in this issue?

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

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

• Know of an upcoming event or fun family outing?

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

7

Sticking with something that isn’t working.

Changing curriculum halfway through the year is not uncommon.

If a certain workbook makes you and your child cry and want to

e-mail melissa@family-life.us

There’s no reason for elementary school to cost anything at all when there are so many free sources of information. throw it across the room, don’t power through until the end of the school year! Find something else that works. That’s the beauty of the freedom of homeschooling.

8

Doing everything with and for your child. Children often figure something out when we aren’t looking over their shoulder.

9

Trying to be perfect. The longer I homeschool, the more I enjoy telling newbies about random mistakes I’ve made. The relief I see on their faces when they realize they don’t need to be the World’s Greatest Homeschooler makes sharing my stories so worth it.

If you realize that missteps are totally normal, you might be easier on yourself and have more fun on this shorter-than-you-think journey with your kids! ¶ Kerrie McLoughlin has been homeschooling her five kids since 2006.

You can read more about their fun antics at thekerrieshow.com.

www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Don't Let Little Problems

Become BIG ones!

HILLSIDE

333 Laws Ave., Ukiah

(707) 468-1010 LAKEVIEW

5335 Lakeshore Blvd.

Lakeport

(707) 263-7725

LITTLE LAKE

45 Hazel St., Willits

(707) 456-9600 mchcinc.org

October 2016

Know your numbers.

Talk to your health care provider today to learn about your blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and BMI. WE ACCEPT Medicare, Medi-Cal, Partnership and other insurance.

MCHC HEALTH CENTERS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROVIDER AND EMPLOYER.

MendoLakeFamilyLife 15

Free to Fail

at everything. Where can she find success? What realistic goals can he achieve?

The role of mistakes. Beyond the disappointment of one traumatic life experience looms a much larger truth: Making mistakes is an essential part of learning. Think of your baby learning to walk. How many bumps and falls did it take before she or he toddled toward you without stumbling? No one thinks of that process as a series of failures. Rather, we realize the child has to practice before attaining success. And that principle can be

The Value of Making Mistakes

By Jan Pierce

Y

our son tried out for the junior high basketball team and didn’t make it. Your daughter wanted a part in her school play, but wasn’t chosen. Your youngest child failed an important math test. What is your response when your child goes through disappointments and outright failures? What can you teach your children through the inevitable disappointments and failures of life?

Talk about it. When the time is right, it pays to face disappointments and failures head-on. A “Here is what you wanted, but this is the reality” kind of talk. Disappointments can lead to a tangled web of thoughts and feelings. Your child may blame others for the situation or express self-deprecations like “I can’t do anything right.” It’s helpful for him or her to vent their frustration and other feelings, but then guide the discussion to a more positive place.

It hurts. Allow some time for your child to explore the sadness and 16 MendoLakeFamilyLife

pain of a big disappointment or a performance blunder, especially if your child had his or her heart set on a certain task or role. If the failure was due to lack of preparation, analyzing the situation to figure out what went wrong may follow a period of mourning. Perhaps hard facts must be faced: Others may be more gifted and talented in a certain area. Your child may never be class president or lead singer in the chorus. What then? Can you be the voice of reason guiding him or her to a healthy realization of his or her unique gifts? No one is good

It pays to face disappointments and failures head-on. applied to nearly everything our children and we learn in life. In her book, Allow Your Children to Fail If You Want Them to Succeed, pediatrician Avril Beckford says, “Failure is inevitable, so what becomes important is how parents help their children to deal with it.”

Every classroom teacher has students who are afraid to make mistakes.

These kids want to do something perfectly the first time they try. But learning doesn’t happen that way.

Even top students need to learn to tolerate a level of risk that allows them to try, fail, and try again. This is a learning cycle that applies to nearly every subject area and to every character-building life experience.

Most errors are approximations—a child tries something and it’s nearly correct, but not quite. But sometimes a science experiment fails completely.

It’s time to go back to the drawing

October 2016 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

STS For Less Stress, Fly

board and make a new hypothesis.

Determining what has been learned from the experience, setting a new goal, and moving on are the keys to accepting a disappointing outcome.

• Be ready to help analyze what went wrong. Talk it through.

• Share anecdotes from your own life.

We’ve all been there.

• Make a new plan. Try a new activity, set a new goal, work harder next time.

• Reinforce your unconditional love and absolute approval of your child regardless of how she or he performs.

The circuitous path to success.

There are many stories of great men and women throughout history who failed over and over again before achieving success. Abraham Lincoln lost political elections before becoming president. Winston Churchill famously said, “Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm.”

The first manuscript of J. K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter book series, was rejected 12 times. Oprah was

Making mistakes is an essential part of learning.

Seattle (SEA)

Portland (PDX)

Nonstop Service to & from Wine Country

Sonoma County Airport

(STS)

to take the game-winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” The experiences of these great people teach one important lesson: Never give up.

Parents are instrumental in helping their children learn the skills necessary to deal with life’s disappointments and failures. Choose the positive outlook that mistakes, errors, and failures are just one part of learning any new skill. Your support and positive attitude will set the tone for your child’s future successes. ¶ Jan Pierce, M.Ed., is a retired teacher and freelance writer who specializes in parenting and family life topics. Find her at janpierce.net or on Facebook.

Try and Try Again These books will help you lead your child through failures.

Avril Beckford, Allow Your Children to Fail If You Want Them to Succeed (AuthorHouse, 2006).

Elizabeth Crary, Dealing with Disappointment: Helping Kids Cope When Things Don’t Go Their Way (Parenting Press, 2003).

Paul Tough, How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden Power of Character (Mariner Books, 2013).

www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport

TS

• Listen. Allow time to process what has happened and why.

If none of these stories impress your child, try this one by basketball icon Michael Jordan, who said, “I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career, lost almost 300 games.

Twenty-six times I’ve been trusted

©P N

Here are some tips for walking with your child through failure:

demoted at a television job early in her career.

October 2016

Las Vegas (LAS)

Los Angeles (LAX) Orange County (SNA) San Diego (SAN)

Phoenix-Mesa (AZA)

www.sonomacountyairport.org

SIGN UP TODAY FOR

n u FBlast!

Weekend

Find out what’s happening this weekend.

MendoLakeFamilyLife.com MendoLakeFamilyLife 17

Green Halloween

Easy Ways to Take Care of the Earth

By Kerrie McLoughlin

B

etween costumes, candy holders, treat wrappers, and plastic decorations, Halloween can quickly become a landfill’s worst nightmare. Fortunately, there are ecologically responsible ways to celebrate the holiday—and save some serious greenbacks in the process.

What’s Old Is New Instead of buying new costumes, let National Costume Swap Day (October 8) motivate your children to trade costumes with friends or family members. Or breathe new life into an old karate or ballet outfit, or princess dress-up clothes. Google “Halloween costumes you can make at home for cheap” and start surfing. And don’t forget to check thrift stores and garage sales for creative inspiration.

(Cloth) Bag It Grab that rechargeable or LED shake flashlight and head out the door for trick-or-treating. Don’t forget the 18 MendoLakeFamilyLife

decorated cloth bag you can reuse next year. For an even cheaper, eco-friendly option, go retro and use a pillowcase, or go modern and use a cloth shopping bag.

Treat the Earth Just so we’re clear, sugar-free does not equal environmentally friendly. Even

Pumpkins are the best decorations out there, and you can even grow your own if you have the space. individually wrapped healthy treats are not green. So consider handing out something that can be either useful or recycled such as pencils, erasers, quarters, crayons, juice boxes (made from recyclable cardboard), cool bandages, bookmarks, or seed packets.

Hay There Instead of buying battery-eating electronic decorations made in China, consider strategically placing some hay bales in your yard. Decorate with chrysanthemums, gourds, colorful corn, and ghosts made of sheets.

Use hay or old clothes to stuff a scarecrow and nontoxic paints to decorate windows. Turn household materials into crafts such as pumpkin magnets, milk carton haunted houses, and light bulb mummies. (Go to familycrafts.about. com/od/halloween/tp/ recycled-halloween-crafts-for-kids. htm for details.)

Lit from Within Pumpkins are the best decorations out there, and you can even grow your own if you have the space.

Otherwise, take an educational trip to a local pumpkin patch. (See pumpkinpatchesandmore.org for some in the area.) After carving your favorite pumpkin, bake a pie with the pulp and toast the seeds. For a special treat, try tossing seeds with a little cinnamon sugar and butter before baking.

Eco Soiree A green Halloween party starts with Evite invitations. When the big day arrives, forgo individually wrapped treats for festive orange-colored food like carrot sticks and orange slices. Or throw some newspaper on the table, break out the nontoxic paints, and decorate some pumpkins. ¶ Kerrie McLoughlin vows to someday fit into a Wonder Woman costume.

Check her out at thekerrieshow.com.

October 2016 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Now Accepting K-12 Registration

Ukiah Independent Study Academy Serving K-12

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

UKIAH UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

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

1st Annual of the

Taste World An International Celebration

Saturday October 22 Tree of Life

10 am – 3 pm Charter School Alex Thomas Plaza in downtown Ukiah invites you to

Open House Wednesday, March 9, 6-8 PM

Meet staff, tour classrooms, see student work samples Sharing international food, music, & Open enrollment through the end of March arts with our friends and neighbors

Free Montessori public elementary education for ages 5-13

Tree of Life Charter School Peace education

Environmental stewardship

Family participation and community

For more info vendors can call or e-mail Sara Melville at 391-9244 saramelville@pacific.net.

Call:or 707-462-0913 241 Ford Rd., Ukiah Visit our website: www.treeoflifeschool.net

www.mendolakefamilylife.com

October 2016

MendoLakeFamilyLife 19

Family Fun

Treats & Freaks It’s Time for Costumes, Candy & Spooky Fun! MENDOCINO COUNTY Enchanted Pumpkin Path At this gentle affair at the Waldorf School of Mendocino County in Calpella, a path winding through the school’s campus leads kids to stations where costumed actors play out vignettes from a children’s story. After getting treats along their journey, children end up in the school plaza, where they are treated to games and entertainment as well as a café that serves up snacks. The event will be held on October 31, 5–8 p.m. Purchase tickets, which are $8 (babes in arms are free), at Mendocino Book Company in Ukiah, Cat’s Meow in Willits, or waldorfmendocino.com/ enchanted-pumpkin-path.

20 MendoLakeFamilyLife

The PumpkinFest is the biggest street fair in Mendocino County.

Country PumpkinFest The city of Ukiah pulls out all the stops for this street fair, the largest in Mendocino County. Held October 15, 10 a.m.–6 p.m., and October 16, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., in downtown Ukiah, the free event will feature an array of activities.

Take the kids to a children’s carnival, scream your way through a haunted house, view art exhibits, browse vendors’ wares, and dance to live music.

Are you known for your baking finesse? Bring your tastiest pie to the Pumpkin Baking Contest on October 16 at 1 p.m. (Enter by October 14; forms available at cityofukiah.com/pumpkinfest2016.) Love b-ball? Take part in the three-on-three hoop tourney on October 16 at 9 a.m. in the Savings Bank parking lot. Before the festival, kids can ogle squash Big Daddies at the Pumpkin Weigh-Off, which will be held on October 8, 9 a.m.–noon, in the Safeway parking lot. See cityofukiah.com/pumpkinfest2016 for further details.

October 2016 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

cynthia raiser jeavons photography

Magical mermaids on the Enchanted Pumpkin Path at the Waldorf School of Mendocino County.

Downtown Trick-or-Treat If candy is the thing in your household, the merchants in downtown Ukiah have plenty of it. Get the whole family decked out and ready for some serious loot on October 31, 3:30–5 p.m. (Goodies only given to ages 12 and under.)

For more information, call 462-6789 or see downtownukiah.com.

House of Horrors: Mardi Gras Massacre At this Lions Club haunt, fear is used for the good. The money you pay to get freaked out will get channeled into various local youth-oriented programs. So get your thrills, and after your hearts stops palpitating, feel the inner glow of knowing you’ve helped someone else. The event will be held at 428 North Main Street, Fort Bragg, 7–10 p.m., on October 21, 22, 28, 29, and 31. Tickets are $13–$15 for adults, $8–$10 for youth under 16, and may be purchased at the door or in advance at hauntedhallofhorrors.com. Note: The house is truly scary, so kids under 10 must accompanied by an adult.

Never

Underestimate the Power of the Purse Moms typically control 80% or more of their household budgets

LAKE COUNTY Trunk-or-Treat Kids grab yummies from spiffed-up car trunks at this Clearlake event held on October 31, 5–9 p.m. The celebration kicks off with a parade that begins at 4 p.m. at Highlands Park and ends at the Clearlake Youth Center, where kids can play games, wander through a haunted house, and, of course, eat their fill of treats. The best costumes and trunk decorations will win prizes.

Halloween Party The Kiwanis Club has been putting on this popular event for more than three decades. The key to their enduring success might have something to do with the 100 pounds of candy they give away.

Besides scarfing down sweets, kids can try their hand at any of the 20 games available. And those wearing the best costumes will win prizes. The bash will be held on October 31, 6–8 p.m., at the Clearlake High School gymnasium in Clearlake.

Fall Fest Take silly pictures of the clan’s getups in a photo booth at this Lakeport festival, which will also feature games, face painting, crafts, and prizes. Kids can even visit with CHP Chipper. The free event will be held on October 22, 1–3 p.m., at the Lakeport Christian Center. For more information, call 263-4514 or see lcchub.com. ¶ www.mendolakefamilylife.com

They’re looking right here, to find you.

Call now. Don’t miss another month.

IN PRINT • ONLINE • EVENTS • CONTESTS

586-9562

MendoLakeFamilyLife.com October 2016

MendoLakeFamilyLife 21

October Calendar of Events

For the Love of Lederhosen

P

ull out the beer stein and brush up on your German. It’s time for Oktoberfest Lakeport. With plates of bratwurst—cooked in beer, no less—oompah-pah folk accordion music, and a German costume contest, the festival aims to celebrate all things Deutschland. Taste microbrews then head off to watch dachshund races and a Human Foosball Tournament. (If you’ve never heard of the latter, search youtube.com for a video of one.) When you’re done spectating, rock out to the JimiZ Band at an evening street dance. The event will be held on October 1, 11 a.m.–9 p.m. (dance at 6 p.m.), on Main Street, between 1st and 4th Streets in Lakeport. It’s $25 to enter a team of six people into the Human Foosball Tournament, and $10 per dog to enter the Dachshund Derby. Beer Garden tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the event. See lakecochamber.com/oktoberfest for more information. ¶

Saturday 1 FREE Banned Book Readings Flash Mob. Noon–3 p.m. Ukiah Library.

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

FREE Lake County Lit-Fest. 15+

local authors sell their books. 1–4 p.m. Lake County Fairgrounds. Little Theater. 401 Martin St., Lakeport. lakecountybigread.com. Part of the month-long NEA Big Read Lake County. Visit any Lake County library & get a free copy of The Call of the Wild by Jack London. See website for a list of other Big Read events.

FREE Potter Valley Country Classic. Sheep dog trials; horseshoe

tournaments; competitions in firewood stacking, hay bucking & tractor-tire flipping; dog races; rib cook-off & tasting; apple pie bake-off; & bouncy houses, face painting & music. 10 a.m. Free parking. Potter Valley Rodeo Grounds. Main St., Potter Valley. pottervalley.org/events.

Gala Harvest Festival. Showcasing

the best of Mendocino wine, food & performers. $75. Proceeds support 22 MendoLakeFamilyLife

Mendocino College Foundation. 2–6 p.m. Mendocino College Student Plaza. 1000 Hensley Creek Rd., Ukiah. mcfgala.com.

Native American Fry Bread Cook-Off. Dancers, raffles &

craft fair. Music by Doublehorse Blues Band. Prizes for best fry bread.

Tasting bracelets: $5. 3–7 p.m. Alex R. Thomas Plaza. 310 State St., Ukiah. visitukiah.com.

Quilters the Musical. The story of

a pioneer woman & her 6 daughters.

Thursdays–Saturdays: 7 p.m. Sundays: 2 p.m. Thru Oct. 16. Ukiah Players Theatre. 1041 Low Gap Rd., Ukiah. ukiahplayerstheatre.org.

Sponsoring Survivorship Walk/ Run. 2K & 5K fun walk, 5K & 10K

run. Fundraiser for locals battling breast cancer. Rain or shine. $20 donation. Registration: 7–8:30 a.m.

Race: 9 a.m.–noon. Main St., Lakeport. sponsoringsurvivorship.com.

Falling Leaves Quilt Show. More than 200 quilts, silent auction, door prizes & demonstrations. $10. Oct. 1: 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Oct. 2: 10 a.m. –4 p.m.

Lake County Fairgrounds. 401 Martin St., Lakeport. llqg.org.

FREE Oktoberfest. Authentic

German food, music, beer & wine. Vendors, dachshund races & more. Awards for best Bavarian attire. 11 a.m.–9 p.m. Main St. between 1st & 4th Streets, Lakeport. lakecochamber.com/oktoberfest.

Harvest Party & Concert. Grape stomp, vendor booth: 1–4 p.m. Taco feed: 4–6 p.m. Concert by McKenna Faith: 6–10 p.m. $25. Cache Creek Vineyards. 250 New Long Valley Rd., Clearlake Oaks. RSVP: 998-1200. cachecreekvineyards.com.

Sunday 2 Walktober Challenge. The kick-off will be held at the Children’s Health Fair. If you can’t make it to the kick-off, you can still join the challenge. Simply register on Eventbrite & “like” Healthy Mendocino on Facebook to get tips & updates. 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Alex Rorabaugh Center. 1640 S. State St., Ukiah. healthymendocino.org.

Children’s Health Fair. Free health

screenings & fun activities for ages

October 2016 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

0–12 & their families. For bike safety course, bring bike & helmet or receive free helmet. Rain or shine. 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Alex Rorabaugh Center. 1640 S. State St., Ukiah.

Parducci Crush Rush. 5K run in vineyard. Adults: $30. Ages 17 & under: $20. Includes race & brunch.

Brunch only: $10. 7:15–10 a.m. Benefits Ukiah Unified School District Gardens Program. Parducci Wine Cellars. 501 Parducci Rd., Ukiah. parducci.com.

Tuesday 4

Kicks (ages 7–11): 6–6:45 p.m. Tween/ Teens/Adults (ages 11 & up): 7–8:30 p.m. Willits Body Works Gym & Martial Arts Center. 1511 S. Main St., Willits. willitsbodyworksgym.com. facebook.com/mendocinocounty sheriffsyouthactivitiesleague.

FREE Karate Classes. Sponsored

by Mendocino County Sheriff’s Youth Activities League. $10 annual insurance/registration fee (can be waived in the best interest of a child).

Gym membership not required. Sign up for program at time of class or at gym on weekdays. Enrollment continuous. Thursdays. Little Dragons small child/parental participation co-ed (ages 3–7): 5–5:30 p.m. Kid

www.mendolakefamilylife.com

creations in paper. Music & refreshments. 5–8 p.m. Exhibit runs Oct. 5–Nov. 1. Gallery open Tuesdays– Saturdays. 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Art Center Ukiah. 201 S. State St., Ukiah. cornergalleryukiah.com.

______________________ October 15 Saturday y

y

2016

10am - 3pm

pregnant women & mothers. Tuesdays: 1–3 p.m. 180 N. Main St., Lakeport.

Fridays: 10 a.m.–noon. St. John’s Lutheran Church. 14310 Memory Ln., Clearlake. (No religious affiliation.)

349-1210. mother-wise.org. facebook. com/motherwiselakecounty.

Thursday 6

FREE The Art of Paper—Opening Reception. Local artists exhibit

y

FREE Mother-Wise Lakeport Playgroups. Come meet other

FREE Karate Classes. Sponsored

by Mendocino County Sheriff’s Youth Activities League. $10 annual insurance/registration fee (can be waived in the best interest of a child).'

Tuesdays. Ages 8 & up: 6–7:30 p.m.

Advanced training: 7:30–8:30 p.m.

Ukiah High School (Room L4). 1000 Low Gap Rd., Ukiah. facebook.com/ mendocinocountysheriffs youthactivitiesleague.

Friday 7

3rd Annual

AND

y ______________________ FAIR

Lake County Fairgrounds y FREE Admission!

EDUCATIONAL F EXCITING F FUN INTERACTIVE DEMONSTRATIONS FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY

“Jaws-of-Life” • Medical Helicopters • Rescue Vehicles • CPR Chest Compression Boating Safety • Car Seat Safety Inspections Special Seminar with Dr. Allen Klein on the Healing Power of Humor

free services provided

Flu Shots • Health screenings • A1c Blood Glucose Testing • Fluoride dental screenings • Sudden Cardiac NIc of time ekg screenings Bring your bikes for kids’ bike course and free bike tune-ups!

Free giveaways

______________________ Smoke Alarms • Carbon Monoxide Detectors kids’ bikes • bike helmets • life jackets

SPONSORED BY

Access to local medical providers and Partnership Provider Verification

Lake Family Resource Center

LAKE COUNTY FIRE CHIEF’S ASSOCIATION

October 2016

MendoLakeFamilyLife 23

Unity Festival. Festival focuses on

energizing the human spirit thru music, dance, art, education & helping our youth & community. 17 live bands including Big Mountain.

Food & crafts. $30–$165. Runs thru Oct. 9. Middletown Mansion Event Center. 20650 Hwy. 29, Middletown. unityfestival.com.

Dinners from Around the World— Africa. Food & customs from Kenya,

Nigeria & Ghana. Suggested donation: $15. Ages 6–10: $10. Under age 5: Free.

Seatings at 5 p.m. & 7 p.m. Willits United Methodist Church. 286 School St., Willits. RSVP: 459-2855.

Saturday 8 FREE Taylor Observatory. Public star party. Observatory’s 3 main telescopes plus additional telescopes are open for viewing. Ongoing

presentations on astronomical topics are given in the classroom.

Docents are available to answer your questions. $8 parking. 8–11 p.m. Taylor Observatory. 5725 Oak Hills Ln., Kelseyville. lakecoe.org.

Lake & Mendocino County students in grades 7–12. 8:30 a.m.–2 p.m.

Woodland College. 15880 Dam Rd. Ext., Clearlake. Register in advance online at lakecoe.org or by calling 263-8918, ext. 284.

FREE Strike Out Cancer Softball Tournament. Fundraiser hosted

FREE Acorn Harvest. Join experts

by city of Ukiah. Donations help Mendocino County families. 9 a.m. Ukiah Sports Complex. River St. exit off of N. Hwy. 101, Ukiah. cityofukiah.com.

to identify oak trees & save acorns for oak regeneration efforts. No dogs permitted. 10 a.m.–noon. Hopland Research & Extension Center. 4070 University Rd., Hopland. Register at 744-1424, ext. 105 or hrec.ucanr.edu.

FREE Great Pumpkin Weigh-Off.

FREE Steel Wines Harvest Festival.

Food vendors, bouncy house, coloring contest, kids’ activities. $3,000 in cash prizes. 9 a.m.–noon. Safeway Parking Lot. 653 S. State St., Ukiah. cityofukiah.com.

Wine tasting ($5), grape stomping, pie-eating contest, music, handmade items & food. Thru Oct. 9. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Steele Wines. 4350 Thomas Dr. at Hwy. 29, Kelseyville. 279-9475. steelewines.com.

FREE My Future, My Way Workshop.

Explore college & careers. Open to

Green is Easy expo

Mendocino Ballet MendocinoBallet Ballet Mendocino DANCE THIS FALL! DANCETHIS THISFALL! FALL! DANCE DANCE THIS FALL!

Everyday Products for Everybody

*Classical *Classical Ballet* BalletBallet* Tap *Classical *Ballet* Contemporary * Tap * Jazz * Tap * Jazz * * Tap * Jazz ***Jazz *Contemporary* Classes for all *Contemporary* *Contemporary* levels Dance* and *Creative *Creative Dance* *Creative Dance* ages 3 to adult Classes for Classes for alllevels levels Classes allall levels Followfor us on Facebook, Twitter and3Instagram! and ages to Adult and ages 3 to Adult and ages 3 to Adult Trudy McCreanor, Nutcracker Classes Nutcracker Classes Nutcracker Classes Artistic Director for ages 6-15 for ages 6-15 for ages 6-15

“Where Dreams to Dance Come True!”

Mendocino Ballet Mendocino Ballet *205 205 S.State State Mendocino Ballet * *205 S.S.State St.St.St.

Look for Nutcracker 463-2290 more information and class schedule 463-2290 for more information and schedule 463-2290 forfor more information and class schedule performances coming inclass December Trudy McCreanor, Artistic Director Trudy McCreanor, Artistic Director Trudy McCreanor, Artistic Director 463-2290 • 205 S. State St. www.mendocinoballet.org

“Where Dreams Dance Come True!”

“Where Dreams Dance Come True!”

“Where Dreams tototo Dance Come True!”

24 MendoLakeFamilyLife

Smarter Living - Smarter Products

Sonoma County Fairgrounds

Santa Rosa Saturday and Sunday October 29&30 10am - 6pm

theNewWorldExpo.com

October 2016 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

FREE Teen Leadership Council.

Teens will gain valued skills & experience helping with projects & designing new teen space, planning events & recommending books. All teens welcome. 3–4 p.m. Ukiah Library. 105 N. Main St., Ukiah.

467-6434. mendolibrary.org.

Beer, Bison & Bluegrass. Beer

tasting, bison burgers & live bluegrass music. $25–$45. Noon–4 p.m. Benefits Parents & Friends, Inc. Eagles Hall. 210 N. Corry St., Fort Bragg. mendocinocoast.com.

FREE World Championship Abalone Cook-Off. Live music, craft fair, wine

tasting, beer. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Noyo Harbor District. 19101 S. Harbor Dr., Fort Bragg. mendoparks.org.

Breakfast & Flea Market. Hosted by

Veterans of Foreign Wars. Breakfast:

5K & 10K Runs • 5K Fun Walk

SATURDAY OCTOBER 15

8–11 a.m. $5. Flea Market: 8 a.m.–1 p.m.

Corner of Seminary & Oak Streets, Ukiah. visitukiah.com.

Spaghetti Feed. Fundraiser for Mendocino County Sheriff Search & Rescue. General: $15. Under age 12: $5. Family: $40. 5:30–7 p.m. Redwood Empire Fairgrounds. 1055 N. State St., Ukiah. visitukiah.com.

Native American Day Gala. A night

of Native American history & culture with music, film & dance. $35. 6–11 p.m. Benefits Highlands Senior Service Center & Koi Nation Cultural Protective Association. Highlands Senior Service Center. 3245 Bowers Ave., Clearlake. lakecounty.com.

Sunday 9 Vineyard Run for Literacy. 5K walk/ run & 10K run. Adults: $30. Ages

Entry Fees: 5K/10K Run $35; 5K Fun Walk (adults) $30; Under 18 Walk Run $10 Coastal Creations Brunch: Adults $10; 10 and under $5

6–18: $10. Ages 5 & under: Free.

Benefits Adult & Family Literacy program. Onsite/late registration: 8 a.m. Race: 9 a.m. Steele Wines. 4350 Thomas Dr. at Hwy. 29, Kelseyville. lclcoalition.wixsite.com/lclc.

FREE 40th Birthday Bash. Ukiah

National Foods Co-Op celebrates its 40th anniversary. BBQ, live music & local vendors. 11 a.m.–3 p.m.

721 S. State St., Ukiah. 462-4778. ukiahcoop.com.

Saturday 15 FREE PumpkinFest. Arts & crafts, children’s activities & much more in downtown Ukiah. Oct. 15: 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Oct. 16: 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

On Oct. 16 only: Pet contests, dog races, baking contest & 3-on-3 hoop tourney. (Parade at 10 a.m. Oct. 15 at Redwood Empire Fairgrounds.

Breast imaging, private, safe and close to home.

Regular breast exams help find cancers when they are smaller and more treatable. In Lake County, Sutter Lakeside Hospital’s Imaging Center provides digital mammography to help detect breast cancer early.

A scenic family event! Run or walk through magnificent Redwoods on Gualala River trails. Start and end at Gualala Arts Center and enjoy a fabulous brunch with our famous GRReat Raffle drawing!

Pre-Register to secure a T-shirt and brunch ticket.

Race Day Registration: 7:30-8:30 am, Run Start: 9 am

For more information or to make an appointment, call 707-262-5030.

Mail-in Form and Raffle Tickets at www.ActionNetwork.info www.Active.com, www.TheSchedule.com, www.RunSignUp.com

707-884-5413 • www.ActionNetwork.info

benefit for Action Network Family Resource Centers, Gualala and Point Arena.

www.mendolakefamilylife.com

sutterlakeside.org

October 2016

MendoLakeFamilyLife 25

Haunted House at the Ukiah Valley Conference Center.) Downtown Ukiah. cityofukiah.com.

Gualala River Run Event. Action Network’s major fundraiser of the year. Proceeds help more than 500 kids in Mendocino County.

Run/Walk follows Gualala River thru majestic redwoods. $10–$35 registration fee. Registration: 7:30–8:30 a.m. 10K Run: 9 a.m.

5K Run & 5K Fun Walk: 9:15 a.m.

Brunch: 10:30 a.m.–noon. Gualala Arts Center. 46501 Gualala Rd., Gualala. actionnetwork.info.

FREE Shipwreck Day. An annual

family-friendly event with activities, crafts, plunder (junk & treasures) & entertainment. Wear pirate garb.

Pirates congregate to show off their fancy dress & tattoos. All ages welcome. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Library Park. 225 Park St., Lakeport. lakeportmainstreet.com.

FREE Peter Douglas Trail Hike.

Explore the newest addition to the Lost Coast Trail. Strenuous 5-mile hike led by staff members. Dress in layers; bring water & lunch. 9:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. RSVP required: 962-0470.

Baconfest: Beer, Wine & Swine.

Vendors, bands, bacon cook-off & contests. 1–5 p.m. Proceeds benefit SPCA & Kelseyville Business Association. Downtown Kelseyville. visitkelseyville.com.

FREE Harvest Celebration.

Rare opportunity to work with researchers. Fieldwork in grape varietals, wildlife tracking, or oak restoration. Farm-to-table catered lunch & bluegrass music. $65. 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Hopland Research & Extension Center. 4070 University Rd., Hopland. Register: 744-1424, ext. 105, or hrec.ucanr.edu.

26 MendoLakeFamilyLife

FREE Heroes of Health & Safety Fair. Medical helicopters, rescue

Taste of the World: An International Celebration. Join Tree of Life Charter

vehicles, SWAT tactical truck.

Jaws-of-life extraction demo, car seat inspections, bike helmet giveaway, health screenings & flu vaccinations.

10 a.m.–3 p.m. Lake County Fairgrounds. 401 Martin St., Lakeport. sutterlakeside.org/events.

School for a day of international food, music & arts. 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Alex R. Thomas Plaza. 310 S. State St., Ukiah.

462-0913. treeoflifeschool.net.

FREE Day of Remembrance. For those who have experienced a pregnancy or early infant loss. Hosted

by Mother-Wise. Children, family & friends are welcome. 6 p.m. Lakeport.

Call Lily 279-8098 for location.

Thursday 20 Job Fair. Focusing on positions in

Lake County. Come prepared & dressed for success. Help with resumes & tips on interviewing. 10 a.m.–2 p.m.

Workforce Lake. 55 1st St., Lakeport.

263-0630. workforcelake.com.

Beginning Square Dance. Dance

to a variety of music. This is not your grandma’s square dancing! Presented

by Ukiah Promenaders. $6. Thursdays.

7–9 p.m. Thru Nov. 14. Ukiah Senior Center. Bartlett Hall. 495 Leslie St., Ukiah. visitukiah.com.

FREE Monarch Rescue Seed Bombs. Make seed bombs filled with

butterfly-habitat-restoration seeds.

Family-friendly, hands-on event. 5–7 p.m. Ukiah Library. 105 N. Main St., Ukiah. 467-6434. mendolibrary.org.

Saturday 22 Halloween Blues & Spirits. Benefit

to rebuild homes lost in the Clayton & Valley Fires. Halloween contests, games, silent auction & dancing.

Admission: $5–10. Dinner: $5. Beer & wine for sale. Extra treats if you wear a costume. 6–10 p.m. Northshore Community Center. 3985 Country Club Dr., Lucerne. facebook.com/ lakecountybluesbenefits.

Taylor Observatory Public Program.

Tim Gill of Kelseyville Unified School District speaks: “Astronomy, Chronometers & the Measurement of Longitude.” Adults: $5. K–12 students: Free. Planetarium shows: 7:30 & 9 p.m.

Telescope viewing: 9–11 p.m. Taylor Observatory. 5725 Oak Hills Ln., Kelseyville. lakecoe.org.

Soup & Chili Cook-Off. Benefits

Fort Bragg Food Bank. 5–7 p.m.

Portuguese Hall. 822 Stewart St., Fort Bragg. mendocinocoast.com.

Big River Walk & Paddle for Cancer.

A family-friendly event for people of all ages. Individuals & teams are welcome.

Proceeds raised provide support services free of charge to those with cancer in Mendocino County.

Adults: $25. Teens: $10 Children: Free.

9:30–11:30 a.m. Big River State Park.

Hwy. 1, Mendocino. crcmendocino.org.

Sunday 23 Harvest Costume Ball. Live music

by Melvin Seals & JGB. Prizes for best costume. $40. Kids under 12: Free. 6 p.m. Redwood Empire Fairgrounds. 1055 N. State St., Ukiah. redwoodempirefair.com.

Tuesday 25 FREE Live Well Lunch & Learn Series. Quick prep, healthy crock-pot

meals. Tasty recipes & samples. Ukiah Valley Medical Center. 275 Hospital Dr., Ukiah. visitukiah.com.

Friday 28 Cinderella. Classic

musical presented by Gloriana Music Theater. $8–$18. Thru Nov. 13.

October 2016 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Fridays & Saturdays: 7:30 p.m.

Sundays: 3 p.m. Get discounted tickets at the door at a special preview performance Oct. 27 at 7:30 p.m. Eagles Hall. 210 N. Corry St., Fort Bragg. 964-SHOW. gloriana.org.

FREE Tours of Earth & Sky. All

ages are invited to view the moon, planets, distant galaxies, nebulas & star clusters. Suggested donation: $5 per family. 7:30 p.m. Ukiah Latitude Observatory. 432 Observatory Ave., Ukiah. cityofukiah.com/ observatory-park.

Haunted Hall of Horrors: Mardi Gras Massacre. High-tech, very scary &

not recommended for young children.

Under age 10 must be accompanied by an adult. Proceeds go to local youth programs. $8–$15. October 21, 22, 28, 29 & 31. 7–10 p.m. Masonic Lodge. 428 N. Main St., Fort Bragg. hauntedhallofhorrors.com.

popcorn, treats & live music. Food & beverages for sale. $10. Proceeds benefit KZYX Public Radio. 6 p.m.– midnight. Location to be announced. facebook.com/events/292206541148695.

FREE Downtown Merchants’ Safe Treat-or-Treat. Get the family

Enchanted Pumpkin Path. Enjoy a magical walk with stories, food, activities & music. $8. Babes in arms free. 5–8 p.m. Waldorf School of Mendocino County.

6280 3rd St., Calpella. 485-8719. waldorfmendocino.com.

FREE Spookfest. Sponsored by Police Activities League. 4–7 p.m.

Fort Bragg Recreation Center. 300 S. Lincoln St., Fort Bragg.

REAL Costumes for the True Monster in You

FREE North Bay Science Discovery Day. Unleash your inner scientist

Green is Easy Expo. General:

FREE Trick-or-Treat on Main Street.

2 p.m. Costume judging: 4:30 p.m.

Museum Park. Main St., Lakeport. lakeportmainstreet.com.

Get Your SCARE On!

Saturday 29 while discovering the innovations of science, technology, engineering & mathematics (STEM) organizations.

Free admission & parking. All ages welcome. 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

Sonoma County Fairgrounds. 1350 Bennett Valley Rd., Santa Rosa. northbayscience.org.

dressed up. Treats for ages 12 & under only. 3:30–5 p.m. Downtown Ukiah. downtownukiah.com.

20% OFF REGULARLY PRICED CHILDREN’S COSTUMES THRU OCT. 31 707-463-2624 • 178 E. GOBBI ST. • UKIAH

Love Working with Kids?

WORK AT HOME • CHOOSE YOUR OWN HOURS • WORK WITH CHILDREN

$10. Ages 14 & under: Free when accompanied by an adult. Thru Oct. 30. 10 a.m.–6 p.m. (Free admission 10 a.m.–noon.) Sonoma County Fairgrounds. 1350 Bennett Valley Rd., Santa Rosa. 916-359-9338. thenewworldexpo.com.

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

• Child Care Assistance for lowincome eligible families.

• Free Child Care Referrals.

Monday 31 A Dark Carnival in OZ. Follow the yellow brick road thru a dark wood beset by lions & tigers & bears. Games,

www.mendolakefamilylife.com

1-800-606-5550 ext. 211 October 2016

Rural Communities Child Care

MendoLakeFamilyLife 27

Crafting with Kids

If I Only Had a Brain

Make Your Own Scarecrow

By Denise Morrison Yearian

T

he scarecrow is a popular American icon, but its usefulness has spanned the globe for centuries.

The first scarecrows recorded in history were found along the Nile River in Egypt and were used to prevent quail from ravaging wheat fields. In ancient Japan, farmers created these ragamuffins by hanging old fabric scraps and meat and fish bones to bamboo poles, and then setting them on fire. In America, the scarecrow reached beyond crop-laden fields and found its fame in one literary work that later leapt to the big screen.

In 1900, L. Frank Baum penned the classic novel The Wizard of Oz, which featured a witless scarecrow whose greatest desire was to have a brain. As he and his friends sought to appease the wish-granting wizard, Scarecrow used newfound wisdom to overcome the group’s obstacles and was later recognized as the “wisest man in all of Oz.” Follow the directions below to make your own scarecrow.

28 MendoLakeFamilyLife

Beau the Scarecrow • Brown paper bag • Ruler • Pencil • Scissors • Construction paper • Paper plate • Glue • Black marker • Ribbon • Glue gun

1 2

Draw and cut an 8-inch triangle from the paper bag to create the scarecrow’s hat.

Fold yellow construction paper accordion style into 1/2-inch folds.

Open paper flat and cut along the folds to create strips for straw hair.

3 4

Place paper plate bottom side up.

Glue hair randomly to one edge of the plate.

Glue hat over the hay hair, allowing some hay to show

around the lower, outer edges of the hat.

5 6 7 8 9 10

Draw and cut a 1-inch triangle from orange paper then glue to the center of the plate to create a nose.

Draw and cut two 1-inch circles from pink paper then glue onto the face to create the cheeks.

Use black marker to create eyes, eyebrows, and a mouth.

Draw and cut a 3-inch sunflower shape from yellow paper then glue to one side of the hat.

Draw and cut a 1-inch brown circle and glue to the center of the sunflower.

Cut ribbon into an 18-inch strip. Tie into a bow and attach with a glue gun to the lower edge of the paper plate for the bow tie. ¶

Denise Morrison Yearian is a former educator and editor of two parenting magazines, and the mother of three children and four grandchildren.

October 2016 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Marketplace Tutoring

Schools

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

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

307 North State Street Ukiah

707-468-1300

Located on north end of Fairgrounds PO Box 966 Ukiah 95482

www.tutoringcenter.com

A Tiny Glass Slipper

mendo lake

M

ost adults know that real-life love differs quite a bit from the fairytale version. However, that doesn’t stop us from appreciating a good romantic story. Various versions of Cinderella, for instance, have captured human imagination for hundreds of years. Rodgers and Hammerstein even turned the tale into a humor-filled musical, which will be performed by the Gloriana Musical Theatre October 28–November 13 at Eagles Hall Theatre in Fort Bragg. Shows will be at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 3 p.m. on Sundays. Go to gloriana.org or call 964-SHOW (7469) to purchase tickets, which are $18 for adults, $15 for seniors, and $8 for ages 17 and under. ¶

treeoflifeschool@pacific.net www.treeoflifeschool.net

LOCAL

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

Get Mom’s Attention!

YOUR AD HERE Classifieds Work Call 586-9562

Career Smarts

“W

hat do you want to be when you grow up?” It’s a question every child should get the chance to dream about. The My Future, My Way Workshop aims to help children turn their wishes into reality with information on careers in diverse fields—from biology and geology to literature, astronomy, and even culinary arts. The free workshop, which is open to Lake and Mendocino County students in grades 7–12, will be offered on October 8, 8:30 a.m.–2 p.m., at the Lake County Campus of Woodland College in Clearlake. Lunch, snacks, water, and a notebook and pen will be provided. Space is limited and advance registration is required. To sign up, go to surveymonkey.com/r/mfmwwoodland2016 or call 263-8918, ext. 284. ¶ www.mendolakefamilylife.com

707-462-0913

La Vida

Charter School • Free K-12 Public Charter • Home Study with On-Site Classes • WASC Accredited 707-459-6344 www.LaVidaSchool.org 16201 N. Hwy. 101, Willits

Accelerated Achievement Academy • • • •

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

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

Like Us On Facebook

October 2016

MendoLakeFamilyLife 29

Humor Break

Hey Mom, Taste This

Adventures in a Kid Kitchen

By Holly Hester

I

do all the cooking in our house. It’s just worked out that way. Sure, my husband, Bill, can cook. He’s a great chef, but a Bill-meal is ready at about 9 p.m., after he’s properly marinated things, simmered things, and run out to the store several times to get a few more things. “Oh, this would be so great with leeks!” And then he disappears while the kids and I collapse on the ground, weak from starvation.

doesn’t want to make a meal just to get it over with. My buddy wants to create the greatest meal that has ever been eaten. It’s like we’re starring in a bad chef buddy movie—Buck plays the rookie chef ready to take the culinary

baked-bean dressing and dry dog-food croutons.”

“What I’ve prepared for you this evening is a whole stick of butter rolled inside salami and covered with allspice.”

My cookbook would have recipes like “Cereal for dinner. It’s easier than you think!”

“For your eating pleasure, I’ve created a soup made of oatmeal and whipped cream topped with vegetable bouillon cubes.”

world by storm, and I play the jaded, grumpy chef two weeks away from retirement.

In Buck’s defense, he has made some really delicious things. He’s wowed me with a Bundt cake, and made some awesome savory rice and a great dipping sauce for apples.

A Holly-meal, on the other hand, might not include a bouquet of herbs or a wine sauce, but it will be ready at 6 p.m. I wouldn’t say I’m a great cook, but I would proudly claim that I am a reliable cook, with meal favorites like “Noodles with a side of apple slices” or “Trader Joe’s Frozen Orange Chicken and some carrot sticks.” My cookbook would have recipes like “Cereal for dinner. It’s easier than you think!”

Our afternoons start with Buck rooting through the cabinet to find unusual flavor combinations. I’ve given Buck the job of making appetizers because it seems like the safest course of the meal. You don’t have to eat the appetizer, and small portions equal less diarrhea.

I’ve gotten used to the kitchen being my domain, a place where people stop by and visit, but never linger. That is, until our recent trip to Florida, where my son Buck discovered the Cooking Channel.

He was particularly inspired by a show called Man vs. Child where kids compete against professional chefs to see who can make a better meal.

While I’m cooking the rest of the meal, Buck wanders over with a dripping spoon and says, “Hey Mom, taste this.” I brace myself as the food gets shoved into my mouth, the bile already rising in my throat. As I work my way through the bite and try to nod encouragingly, Buck explains what I’m eating as if presenting his dish to a judge on a cooking show.

And now I have a constant kitchen buddy. And unlike me, my buddy

“What you’re tasting is a marshmallowencrusted arugula salad with a

30 MendoLakeFamilyLife

Buck the rookie chef

But still, when the dripping spoon approaches me, I find myself tensing, wondering if the mothers of famous chefs wished, like I do, to be alone in the kitchen again.

Last night as I was cleaning a pan of hot dogs stuffed with coffee grounds and maraschino cherries, my other two children approached me and said, “Mom, we want to cook, too. Can we make breakfast in the morning?”

All I could think was, I am definitely sleeping in tomorrow, covers over my face, pretending that I didn’t just hear that. ¶ Holly Hester lives in Sebastopol and writes about life on her blog, Riot Ranch. Find her book, Escape from Ugly Mom Island!, on Amazon.

October 2016 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

They may never ask how you always know… all the coolest things to do & places to go.

But they’ll always remember the fun! And you don’t have to reveal the source of your superpowers. Get weekly e-mail updates from the editors at Mendo Lake Family Life with all the latest LOCAL family-fun events, ideas, and outings. On your phone, tablet, or desktop…

visit

MendoLake Family Life.com join our

Fun Blast E-mail Updates

free children’s health fair

Wild About Health Health Screenings | Fun Activities | Prizes Shriner’s Hospital Screening

Sunday October 2, 2016 11 a.m.– 3 p.m. | Alex Rorabaugh Center

1640 S. State Street Ukiah, CA | Grace Hudson Elementary School

Bike Safety Course Bring your bike & helmet Or receive a FREE helmet at the event

For children 0-12 & their families Call 707.463.7524 or 707.463.6008 for more information

Major Underwriters:

Like us on Facebook!