Mendo Lake Family Life October 2018

mendo lake FREE!

October 2018

STEM Smarts Nurture logic

Fire Stories 1 year later

Prevent Cancer Eat & live well Trick-or-Treat 15 local Halloween events

Welcoming Our New Pediatrician Dr. Rishika Singh

Dr. Singh loves the laughter and curiosity of kids. She cares for children of all ages and comes with a wealth of knowledge and gentle compassion.

– NOW ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS –

Call (707) 263-7725 for an appointment.

(707) 263-7725 5335 Lakeshore Blvd.

Lakeport, CA lakeviewhealthcenter.org

We accept Medi-Cal, Medicare, Partnership and other insurance.

MCHC HEALTH CENTERS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROVIDER AND EMPLOYER.

90 Years of Trust, Family & Community From a little hospital on the hill to a state of the art, nationally-recognized medical center We’ve been together for almost a century. Thanks to your support, we have come a long way and we have elevated the care for so many generations in Mendocino County. Adventist Health Howard Memorial has become a modern healing environment where the best of technology and patient-centered design has come together to provide the very best patient experience for our friends and neighbors. A place where a culture of care has been fostered that focuses on people, and comfort and compassion is at the heart of your healing experience.

Our commitment and passion to improve the health of our community is stronger than ever before. With your continued support, together, we can keep building a better, healthier community for generations to come.

It’s our privilege to care for you and your family in areas like: • • • • • • • • •

Emergency Services Surgery Orthopedic Joint Center of Northern California Laboratory Services Medical Imaging and Diagnostic Services Nutrition & Diabetes Education Outpatient Rehabilitation Primary Care Services Howard Pharmacy

To learn more about our services, call 707.459.6801 or visit adventisthealth.org/ howard-memorial

October 2018

Every Issue 6

Dear Reader

8

Bits and Pieces Taste of Deutschland Feed the Mind

20 Features

Tales of Courage, Tales of Loss Gifts from the Sea Passport to Wellness Everyday Heroes

30

20 Family Fun

10 Get Your Geek On

8

Learn about stem through games and shows.

12 Little (Techie) Helpers Apps to help you do everything from plan dinner to find scholarships.

Ghosts Galore

22 Calendar of Events Are You a Stomper or an Eater?

30 Humor A Nightmare on My Street

14 Eat Well, Be Well Tips for preventing cancer.

16 Stand Back, Boogeyman!

Help little ones with nighttime fears.

18 Pilgrimage to the Pumpkin Patch How to scope out the best jack-o’-lantern.

16 4 MendoLakeFamilyLife

October 2018 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Free Children’s Health Fair

Wild ABout HEalth PRIZES •

CHILD IDENTIFICATION BOOTH •

FUN ACTIVITIES

Sunday, October 7, 2018 FREE HEALTH SCREENINGS for Children

11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Alex Rorabaugh Center

Grace Hudson Elementary School campus 1640 S. State St., Ukiah

Rain or Shine!

Bike Safety Course Bring your bike & helmet

Or receive a FREE helmet at the event

For children 0-12 and their families 707.456.3213 for more information Major Underwriters:

Dear Reader

W

e need no further reminder of the importance of STEM education than our smartphones— technology surrounds us. When Sharon Gowan kids study tech and Publisher/Editor science, they not Sharon@family-life.us only learn skills that apply to many aspects of their lives, they take a step toward lucrative careers.

There are plenty of media that make science-oriented topics entertaining and interesting to children. See “Get Your Geek On” (page 10) for a list of some of the best.

While focusing on intellectual growth is important, we can’t tend to our minds and neglect our bodies—one feeds the other.

Keep your family’s health in tip-top shape with “Eat Well, Be Well” (page 14), which lists surprising ways to make sure cancer never knocks at your family’s door.

Many of us don’t fear disease as much as fire. With the October 2017 wildfires still reverberating through our collective psyche, we continue to figure out how to rebuild and cope. See “Tales of Courage, Tales of Loss” (page 8) to find out about a healing library project aimed at collecting locals’ fire stories. And then turn to our Calendar of Events (page 22) for specially marked activities that honor the first anniversary of our area’s catastrophe.

As we move forward, it’s important to make room for play. Halloween provides the perfect opportunity. See “Ghosts Galore” (page 20) and our Calendar of Events for trick-or-treating spots and other fall fun.

Whether or not Halloween is your thing, we hope your October is full of autumnal delights!

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

Contributing Writers Sandra Gordon Tanni Haas Christa Melnyk Hines Christina Katz Cheryl Maguire Jan Pierce

Billing Jan Wasson-Smith

Publishing Office P.O. Box 351 Philo, CA 95466 (707) 586-9562 Battles Saturday at 1 and 3 pm; Sunday at 11 am and 2 pm

Learn about California in the Civil War Visit with civilians and soldiers, tour their camps, understand their lifestyle and equipment, shop in their stores Learn about 1860s food - Children make their own musical instruments Enjoy a Contra Dance, food & drink, and the elegant Mansion grounds

SAT NOV. 3 - SUN NOV 4 •MIDDLETOWN MANSION • 25650 HWY 29

Tickets $15; age 7-12, $8; under 6 free • 707-263-4555 • friendsofgibson.com

6 MendoLakeFamilyLife

October 2018 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

MOUNTAIN MIKE’S PIZZA IS COMING TO UKIAH!!

OPENING IN OCTOBER FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR THE GRAND OPENING DATE BRING THE WHOLE FAMILY! OR GET IT DELIVERED EASY ONLINE ORDERING MOUNTAINMIKES.COM

1090 S. STATE ST. UKIAH • 707-621-9292

Pizza...the way it ought to be.

Bits & Pieces

Taste of Deutschland

B

reak out your lederhosen for the annual free Lakeport Oktoberfest. Listen to meandering accordion players while you sip German microbrews and nosh on German food, then boogie down at a street dance featuring Jimmy Z. You can also watch dachshunds vie for top dog at the ever-popular Dachshund Derby or participate in a costume contest (we were serious about the lederhosen) for adults and children alike. The festivities happen on October 6, 11 a.m.–7 p.m., on Main Street in Lakeport (beer garden tasting hours, noon–5 p.m.; street dance, 4–7 p.m.). ¶ Oktoberfest

Feed the Mind

H

elping others does not have to be an experience of self-deprivation. At events like the Children’s Museum of Art and Science Appetizer Dance Party you can assist students and have a good time, too. Dine on Woodland College culinary students’ tasty bites, dance to live music, or buy an item at a silent auction. However you choose to participate, you’ll be helping to raise funds for hands-on science and art education for Lake County kids. Join in the fun on October 6, 5–8 p.m., at Aromas Café at Woodland Community College in Clearlake. Tickets are $30 each, or $50 for two, and may be purchased via facebook. com/cmaslakecounty. ¶

8 MendoLakeFamilyLife

Tales of Courage, Tales of Loss

D

id last or this year’s fires affect you? The Mendo Fire Stories Project wants to hear about your experience.

The initiative, a project of the Ukiah Library, is accepting narratives—or poetry, photographs, or images of art——for eventual inclusion in a book. Have a story to tell but don’t think you have the chops to write it down? The library has writers who are prepared to interview and work with fire survivors to record their experiences. Funded by the Redwood Valley and Santa Rosa Community Recovery Fund, the published book will be available for purchase, as well as offered as a gift to those whose work it features. Participants may submit their work to mendofirestorybook@gmail.com. Those interested in being interviewed by a library writer may call 463-4490 and ask for the children’s librarian. The submission deadline is October 12. For those who need practical help with property losses related to the fire, the Summer 2018 California Wildfires Helping Handbook offers up-to-date information on housing, government benefits, insurance, FEMA assistance, replacement of lost documents, and fraud prevention.

Download it for free at media2.mofo.com/documents/180824ca-wildfire-helping-handbook.pdf. ¶

October 2018 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Passport to Wellness

H

elp your children’s bodies stay in tip-top shape.

Take them to Adventist’s free Wild about Health Children’s Health Fair. Kids can take advantage of free vision, dental, and diabetes screenings while listening to DJ Ken Steely spin tunes. Bowling and balloon art are on the menu, too. If kids bring their bikes, they can receive a free bike safety check-up and also participate in a bike safety course. (Those in need will also receive a free bike helmet.) Kids’ “passports,” received on admission, will be stamped at every booth visited. Full passports will then be entered to win prizes, such as toys, crafts, books, and local gift certificates. Visit the fair on October 7, 11 a.m.–3 p.m., at the Alex Rorabaugh Recreation Center in Ukiah. ¶

Mendocino Ocean and Seafood Fair

Gifts from the Sea

A

ppreciate the ocean’s beauty while dipping your fork into some of its wealth at the Mendocino Ocean and Seafood Fair. With an eye toward sustainability, chefs will make dishes with farm-raised abalone, locally caught rockfish, uni (sea urchin), seaweed, and other seafood. Taste their creations then wash your meal down with local wine or beer while you listen to music or stroll through craft booths and vote on items in the silent auction. While you’re having fun, educate yourself about marine stewardship with a visit to the booths of Mendocino Mermaids, a group that cleans up local beaches, and Flockworks, which raises awareness about plastic pollution. The fair will be held on October 6, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., at South Noyo Harbor in Fort Bragg. Tickets are $50 and may be purchased at brownpapertickets.com/event/3465145. ¶ Wild about Health Children’s Health Fair Heroes of Health and Safety Fair

Everyday Heroes

Nathan DeHart

A

www.mendolakefamilylife.com

s we go through our days, our health and safety may not be at the forefront of our consciousness.

The Heroes of Health and Safety Fair gives you a chance to focus on your well-being, and the professionals who help promote and maintain it. The fair will feature free health screenings, flu shots, blood glucose testing, and dental screenings as well as giveaways of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, life jackets, and kids’ bikes and bike helmets. Kids will also get a chance to meet police officers and medical helicopter crews as well as check out an ATV course, climbing wall, and firefighter demo area. The event will be held on October 13, 10 a.m.–3 p.m., at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Lakeport. See sutterhealth.org (search on “heroes”) for details. ¶ October 2018

MendoLakeFamilyLife 9

Peg + Cat: Find this animated math-based site at pbskids.org/peg.

The songs, activities, and interactive games make learning math skills a ton of fun.

Nina and the Neurons: This BBC children’s program is chock full of basic science, engineering, and coding games, plus songs, videos, and

Your kids love their screen time. Why not direct them to programs that are as fun as they are educational?

Get Your Geek On

activities available in both Spanish and English. Find short and longer segments on YouTube or stream via Xfinity.com.

Best STEM Media for Children

By Jan Pierce

S

TEM—science, technology, engineering, and math—is the buzz in education. And with good reason. The future job market for your young learners will most likely rely heavily on the technical problem-solving and skills related to these subjects.

Your kids love their screen time. Why not direct them to programs, games, and sites that are as fun as they are educational? Here are some of the best games, websites, and television shows for interacting with science, technology, and mathematics.

10 MendoLakeFamilyLife

Ages 3–5 Sesame Street: Yes, the favorite of preschoolers for generations has updated its programming to include more than the alphabet. Now you’ll find problem-solving, nature, and environmental issues as well as science and engineering segments.

Ages 5–8 The Odd Squad: Another offering from PBS Kids, this show follows two young agents, Olive and Otto, as they save the day using math skills. Each episode is 12 minutes long and full of great math insights for growing minds.

Ask Dr. Universe: Join Dr. Wendy Sue Universe of Washington State University at askdruniverse@wsu.edu.

Get the latest answers, activities, and videos related to hot science questions such as: How are bones made? What’s a booger? Why is the ocean salty?

Planet Smarty Pants: An enthusiastic mom fills this blog, planetsmarty.com, with hundreds of activities exploring science, engineering, and art. She posts great literature-based projects as well as the everyday activities she and her daughter do at home.

October 2018 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

GIVE US A SHOUT!

Ages 9–12 Design Squad: In this reality-based show, teens ages 15–19 tackle real-life design problems and compete to win college-scholarship money. Watch episodes on pbskids.org/designsquad/ video and on YouTube.

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?

e-mail melissa@family-life.us

Cyber-Chase: Jackie, Matt, and Inez are earthlings who have been pulled into a digital universe and work together to keep their motherboard safe from Hacker.

Math, weather, and environmental knowledge help them solve their problems. Watch full episodes at pbskids.org/cyberchase/videos.

STEM Collaborative: This site has four major components: Math

By Design, Rock n’ Roll Road Trip, Scale City, and Proportionland.

Each module offers virtual environments, simulations, videos, and interactive math challenges. Visit stemcollaborative.org to find out more.

Ages 13 and up Xploration Outer Space: A former NASA employee, Emily Calandrelli, produces this two-hour program shown on FOX-affiliate stations. Each of the four half-hour blocks focuses on STEM topics related to space exploration. Find out more at rotfeldproductions.com/srp-shows/ xploration-outer-space.

Kids love to experiment and problem-solve. These sites are a great way to get their creative juices flowing and take them into the world of real-life applications of STEM learning. ¶ Jan Pierce, M.Ed., is a retired teacher and the author of Homegrown Readers and Homegrown Family Fun: Unplugged. Find her at janpierce.net.

www.mendolakefamilylife.com

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$ 2.00 OFF SKATE ADMISSION WHEN YOU WEAR YOUR COSTUME

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HAUNTED LAKE COUNTY PRESENTS HAUNTED HOUSE CRYPT KEEPERS MAZE OCTOBER 26-27TH 5-10 PM FRIDAY 5-11PM SATURDAY

DONATION OF $5 FOR ENTRY

FOR HAUNTED HOUSE EVENT

ALL PROCEEDS FROM THE HAUNTED HOUSE GO TO HELP LAKE COUNTY FIRE VICTIMS October 2018

MendoLakeFamilyLife 11

Best of Parenting Available at: Apple Appstore; Google Play.

Even the most experienced of parents find themselves in situations where they can’t decide on the best course of action; I know that I do.

When that happens, try Best of Parenting. Created by Carole and Nadim Saad, well-known parenting coaches with three kids, this app offers straightforward, step-by-step

Little (Techie) Helpers B 6 Parenting Apps Make Life Easier

By Tanni Haas

eing a parent is as demanding as it is rewarding. Luckily, there are many apps out there that can make your life a little bit easier, whether you’re desperately looking for a clean public restroom for your toddlers or searching for scholarship money for your college-aged kids. Here is a list of six of the very best parenting apps, all of which are free.

Allrecipes Dinner Spinner Available at: Amazon Apps; Google Play. We’ve all been in this situation many times: It’s 5 p.m., you’ve got to make a meal for the family but you’re fresh out of ideas. How about trying Allrecipes Dinner Spinner, the world’s largest and most popular social app for food? You can find 12 MendoLakeFamilyLife

user-generated and reviewed recipes from 50 million other home cooks like yourself. Search by keyword for ingredients that you want to include or exclude, as well as special dietary needs and cooking time. Worried about finding your way around kitchen? Watch more than 1,000 step-by-step cooking videos with easy-to-follow instructions.

SitOrSquat is a location-based app that lets you find bathrooms wherever you are. advice on how to address more than 100 common parenting challenges. Their advice is based on the latest scientific research on the most effective parenting methods worldwide. You can also access how-to guides to develop your strengths as a parent, and read about how to raise happy and confident kids.

ChoreMonster Available at: Amazon Appstore; Apple Appstore; Google Play. Most parents want their kids to do household chores.

And rightly so. Research shows that doing chores enhances kids’ self-esteem and sense of responsibility to the family. How do you encourage them to do it?

Try ChoreMonster. Using this well-known app, you can give your kids daily chores, approve chores when they are done, and offer rewards for a job well done. You

October 2018 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

can set up separate accounts with different chores for each kid and add customized photos of each task.

This is especially useful for young kids who haven’t learned to read yet.

shared shopping list where you can see when items are added to the list or purchased by other family members in real-time. You can also use the app to send automated daily or weekly agenda e-mails to other family members; create specialized to-do lists, such as “emergency supplies” or “vacation packing”; and organize receipts in one place that’s accessible to everybody.

Scholly Available at: Apple Appstore; Google Play. Whether college is around the corner or far off into the future, you still have to figure out how to pay for it. Wouldn’t it be nice if at least some money came from

www.mendolakefamilylife.com

each scholarship to learn more about eligibility requirements, the application process, important deadlines, and the amount of money offered.

SitOrSquat Available at: Apple Appstore; Google Play. When traveling with kids, especially toddlers, there are few things more frustrating than not being able to find a public restroom when you really need one. SitOrSquat is a location-based app that lets you find bathrooms wherever you are. The app contains a user-generated list of more than 100,000 public restrooms throughout the United States. You can get the travel time to the nearest bathroom, and search by specific features, such as changing tables or handicap accessibility. You are also encouraged to post pictures and rate the restrooms as either “Sit” (good) or “Squat” (not good) to help other app users. ¶ Tanni Haas, Ph.D., is a communications professor and freelance writer.

October 2018

TS

Most parents want their kids to do household chores. How do you encourage them? Try ChoreMonster.

Scholly has a database of thousands of US scholarship opportunities.

FLY ©P N

Cozi Family Organizer Available at: Amazon Appstore; Apple Appstore; Google Play. What ChoreMonster is to household chores, Cozi Family Organizer is to the rest of family life. As the name implies, this app is a total family organizer. It has a shared calendar where you can track everyone’s schedules both individually and as a group, and a

scholarships that you don’t have to pay back? Developed by a former Drexel University student who amassed $1.3 million in scholarship funds, Scholly has a continuously expanded and updated database of thousands of US scholarship opportunities. Users can look at

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The American Institute of Cancer Research (AICR) recommends limiting alcohol to one daily drink, or preferably, not drinking at all.

Strive for your high school weight. Staying lean throughout your life is one of the most important things you can do to stay cancer- free.

Aim for a body mass index (BMI) in the range of 21 to 23. “Any weight gain after age 18 (excluding pregnancy) is

Eat Well, Be Well Prevent Cancer with Diet & Exercise

By Sandra Gordon

S

ometimes it can feel like every other person you know has cancer—and everyone else is worrying about when they might receive the same dreaded diagnosis. While it’s true that more than 10 million Americans are battling some form of the disease, cancer is more preventable than you might think. In fact, 90–95 percent of cancers develop as a result of factors you have control over. Much of it boils down to your diet and exercise habits. Implement these surprising tips into your daily life, and you will be well on your way to stopping this frightening disease before it strikes you.

Think before you drink. As you’ve probably heard, one daily drink of any type of alcohol may help reduce the risk of heart disease (that’s 4 ounces of wine, 12 ounces of beer, or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof liquor).

But there’s a downside that you must consider: That same glass can up your risk of breast, mouth, pharynx, larynx, 14 MendoLakeFamilyLife

esophagus, liver, and colon cancer, especially if one drink turns into two or three. A study in the Journal of the American Medical Association involving more than 300,000 women found that drinking one glass of wine every day boosts a woman’s risk of breast cancer by 9 percent. And women who drank more had an even higher risk.

Regular exercise not only helps you maintain a healthy weight, it also most likely reduces the risk of colon, endometrium, lung, pancreas, and breast cancer. mostly fat,” says Walter Willett, M.D., Dr.P.H., chair of the department of nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health. And excess body fat produces unhealthy hormone levels and releases inflammatory proteins into the bloodstream that can influence cell growth, upping the risk of cancer of the esophagus, colon, rectum, endometrium, gallbladder, liver, pancreas, and kidneys. Weight gain after menopause is particularly dangerous: Your risk of breast cancer increases by about 10 percent with every 11 pounds you tack on to your frame.

If your BMI is more than 23, work on losing 5 percent of your body weight in the next six months, Willet advises.

If you weigh 160 pounds, that’s just 8 pounds. Once you achieve that goal, then go for another 5 percent. Come as close as you can to your ideal BMI.

October 2018 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Seem too ambitious? Then at least hold steady. “Even just losing that initial 5 percent...and keeping it off will reduce your cancer risk,” Willett advises.

Get up and move it, shake it, or at least take a walk.

Regular exercise not only helps you maintain a healthy weight, it also most likely reduces the risk of colon, endometrium, lung, pancreas, and breast cancer. That’s because keeping active strengthens the immune system, helps lower body fat, and regulates hormone levels.

“With each step you take throughout

A study found that drinking one glass of wine every day boosts a woman’s risk of breast cancer by 9 percent. the day, you’re changing your body chemistry to prevent rather than promote cancer,” says Karen Collins, R.D., the AICR’s nutrition advisor. Make your goal 60 minutes of moderate daily activity (which can be broken up into 10-minute increments throughout the day).

This is especially important starting at around age 40 to compensate for the natural, age-related wane in hormones such as estrogen that help maintain bone and calorie-burning muscle. “Basically, if you don’t increase your physical activity level as you get older, you’ll inevitably gain weight,” Willett says.

Think about where your schedule provides pockets of exercise opportunity. “Many people watch TV from 7–9 p.m. each night. That’s lost www.mendolakefamilylife.com

time for activity,” says Steven H. Zeisel, M.D., Ph.D., professor of nutrition at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Why not use a portion of this time for a bike ride, a walk with your family, or an exercise DVD, before rewarding yourself with your favorite show.

also raise your risk. That’s because carcinogens can form when meat is smoked, cured, or salted, or when preservatives such as nitrates are added. “Sure you can have a hot dog at an occasional baseball game,” Collins says, “but it shouldn’t be a regular habit.”

Pile on the greens. You don’t have to be a vegetarian, but eating a plant-based diet provides a health insurance policy against a range of cancers. Always fill two-thirds of your plate with veggies and whole grains, and devote just one-third to red meat, chicken, or fish.

Fish and chicken are better options but should still be considered accessories to your diet. Roast or bake

Start by eating more dark leafy greens, such as spinach, kale, Swiss chard, bok choy, and romaine lettuce. These contain vitamins A, C, E, and B6, folate, and phytochemicals, which strengthen the immune system and protect cells and DNA from the oxidative damage that can lead to cancer.

Also increase your intake of cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts, along with garlic, fruits, and whole grains, all of which contain a mix of nutrients and bioactive compounds such as beta-carotene, lycopene, quercetin, and vitamins that guard against cell damage.

Relegate red meat to side-dish status. The latest research shows that having more than 18 ounces of red meat like beef, pork, and lamb per week (about 2.5 ounces per day) can increase the risk of colorectal cancer. Similarly, any portion of processed meat, such as ham, bacon, pastrami, salami, sausage, bratwurst, frankfurters or pepperoni, will October 2018

You don’t have to be a vegetarian, but eating a plant-based diet provides a health insurance policy against a range of cancers. fish, chicken, or red meat whenever possible. Meat that is fried, grilled, barbecued, or broiled, and cooked to 400 degrees or more, or over a direct flame, can form a chemical on its surface that may pose a cancer risk.

Use the weekends to plan menus, shop, prep produce, and batch-cook healthy meals so they’re good to go.

Get a milk mustache. It’s fairly well-documented that getting plenty of calcium and vitamin D can help ward off bone-thinning osteoporosis, but that’s not all this dynamic duo can do. A recent study of more than 1,000 women found that those who got the recommended intake of calcium and hefty daily doses of vitamin D (1,100 IU per day) reduced their risk of all cancers by a whopping 60 percent. ¶ Sandra Gordon is an independent journalist who specializes in health, health care, medicine, and lifestyle topics. Find her at sandrajgordon.com.

MendoLakeFamilyLife 15

“It could also be there’s some separation anxiety that occurs during the day, as well as at night, in terms of being able to sleep by themselves,” Sosland says.

Other times, the fear won’t make much sense at all.

“Just hearing what kids are saying helps them feel heard and validated, which

Nearly 30 percent of children have sleep problems.

Stand Back, Boogeyman!

7 Tips for Overcoming Kids’ Fear of the Dark

By Christa Melnyk Hines

“M

ommy, keep the hall light on,” my 6-year-old reminds me as I tuck his beloved blanket securely around his slender frame and lean over to kiss him good night.

With the orange glow of the street lamp bouncing off the wall over his bed, he already seems bathed in light, but I flip the hall light on anyway.

Ten minutes later, I’m rewarded with a sleeping child.

I’m one of the lucky ones. According to Dr. Jane Sosland, a clinical child and adolescent psychologist, nearly 16 MendoLakeFamilyLife

30 percent of children have sleep problems. How can parents best support a frightened kiddo?

Discuss the fear. Without playing into their fears, listen carefully to your children and see if you can identify a trigger. Nighttime fear might be caused by a fairytale read before bed or a stressful event that happened during the school day.

can help eliminate irrational fears,” explains Berkley James, a pediatric sleep consultant.

Beware of frightening images.

As kids wind down after a busy day, they may begin to think of scary images they’ve recently seen in books, movies, video games, or on the evening news. Pair those visuals with the strange nighttime creaks of the house, and you’ve got a wide-eyed kid at midnight.

Limit exposure to violent images and turn off the news when your youngsters are around. According to a 2016 study published in Frontiers in Pediatrics, exposure to repeated images of terrorism in the media can negatively affect children’s emotional health. “These almost live events can cause feelings of unsafety, hopelessness, and helplessness, which are often externalized by conduct problems,” the researchers write.

But alarming images aren’t the only source of terror.

“These kids are quite imaginative. They imagine all sorts of things in the dark that aren’t there,” Sosland says.

October 2018 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Young children often can’t distinguish between fantasy and reality. If they imagine a monster in the closet, in their mind it must be there.

“Fears are not necessarily something that can be... rationalized so reassuring [kids] tends not to work

Limit exposure to violent images and turn off the news when your youngster is around. because they just look for more and more reassurance,” adds Sosland.

Switch on the light. If your kiddoes can only fall asleep if their ceiling light is on, relax. Over time, dim the light. Gradually move toward

www.mendolakefamilylife.com

the soft, warm glow of a lamp, then a closet light, and finally a night-light that is yellow or orange in color.

“Salt lamps are a great example of a soothing hue,” James says.

But avoid “bright or blue lights, which stimulate the brain to produce cortisol, a wake-up hormone,” she says.

Work on breathing techniques.

If your children already struggle with anxiety, teach them coping mechanisms during the day that you can employ at night, too. For example, have younger children blow bubbles to calm down. Teach older children deep belly breathing. Have them breathe in for five seconds and slowly breath out as if they have a birthday candle in front of them.

October 2018

“But you don’t want to blow it out.

You just want the ‘flame’ to flicker,” Sosland advises.

Stick with a bedtime routine.

Take time to reminisce about happy events from the day. Listen to soothing music and put aside electronics. Read a calming, uplifting book together before bed. And help them come up with a positive image, like playing with their favorite pets, that they can picture as they’re drifting off to sleep.

If your children’s nighttime anxiety continues to worsen, consult your family physician. ¶ Christa Melnyk Hines is the author of Happy, Healthy & Hyperconnected: Raise a Thoughtful Communicator in a Digital World.

MendoLakeFamilyLife 17

painting, food, and entertainment are all possibilities. If your children are different ages, parents can split up to find age-appropriate activities and then meet up later for a bite to eat or to hit the pumpkin patch. Many working farms make a big chunk of their annual income during harvest season.

So why not purchase some produce before you leave?

Pilgrimage to the Pumpkin Patch Make It an Annual Family Tradition

By Christina Katz

E

very year, weeks before Halloween, we take a half-day pilgrimage to the pumpkin patch. Kids from toddlers to teens never tire of annual visits to pumpkin farms. Here’s how to make the most of each and every trip:

Plan ahead. Check websites of local pumpkin farms in advance. Subscribe to farm newsletters to stay abreast of announcements. Expect the farm to get increasingly busy as Halloween draws near and plan accordingly. If you must go on peak days, arrive early to beat crowds and get the best parking. Leave strollers, pets, and food at home and bring plenty of cash to purchase delicious seasonal snacks.

Expect to get dirty. Don your blue jeans and hiking boots because 18 MendoLakeFamilyLife

you are going to the country! You’ll probably be out in the sun all day, so bring plenty of sunscreen as well as hats and water. Toss a few beach towels in a bag in case you need to wipe off afterwards or cover car seats.

They can also protect your car from dirty pumpkins on the ride home.

Make a day of it. Purchasing a full-day, all-activity pass rather than individual tickets is usually the best value for your money. A petting zoo, a hay or corn maze, hayrides, face

Grab photos. You are unlikely to find as many photo ops anywhere as you will find at the pumpkin patch.

Try getting down low in the patch and shooting upwards. Also try standing on something and shooting downward.

Don your blue jeans and hiking boots because you are going to the country!

If you know kids will tire out, get photos early on and then put the camera away and enjoy the day.

Take breaks. At some farms, there are many amusing activities besides pumpkin picking. Let kids get their ya-yas out on the playground before you expect them to wait patiently in lines. If the things you want to do are on opposite ends of the property, be prepared to build in some downtime, especially if you plan to stay all day.

Grab your beach towels or bring a blanket because you can usually find a shady spot under a tree where younger children can regroup with a nap or a little quiet time. ¶ Author, journalist, and writing coach Christina Katz cannot get enough of trips to the farm. Hot apple cider, warm doughnuts, and caramel apples are her favorite fall treats.

October 2018 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

How to Pick a Pumpkin A void harvesting pumpkins after a frost. Find out when the first frost is predicted and get your pumpkins at least two weeks prior.

A green stem indicates a freshly harvested pumpkin. Stems can be fragile, so do not lift or carry pumpkins by them.

Select pumpkins according to your needs. Is your pumpkin for cooking or for decoration? Cooking pumpkins are smaller and more solid than carving pumpkins.

Avoid any pumpkins with soft spots, brown spots, holes, cracks, splits, wrinkles, or mold. The pumpkin shell should be hard to the touch all the way around the pumpkin. Be sure to check the bottom and the side that was on the ground.

Grab a wheelbarrow or a wagon if your farm provides them. If you have either pick any size pumpkins you like. But if children are planning on carrying their own pumpkins, help them to select manageable sizes.

Choose a carving pumpkin that feels firm and heavy for its size when you pick it up.

Pumpkins do not continue to ripen after they are picked, so choose a pumpkin that is uniformly orange (no green) and has a thick stem.

Round or oval-shaped pumpkins are easier to carve and are full of seeds you can scoop out and roast.

Put your pumpkins on a flat surface before you bring them home to make sure they will sit without rolling over. Haul in a few extra pumpkins from the patch just in case you have some rejects.

Newer varieties of decorative pumpkins have a range of colors,

shapes, and warts. When unsure about quality, have a salesperson inspect your selections before you pay for them.

Carved pumpkins last about two weeks. Once pumpkins start to decay, chop them up, and add them to your compost.

If you would like a volume of pumpkins to last until Thanksgiving, purchase less expensive pumpkins from your local grocery store right before Halloween, once they go on sale, and do not carve them.

$15 includeS pic, pumpkin & fun!

PumPkins n Ponies Sat. Oct. 13, 20, 27

10am–2pm • 7105 Live Oak Drive, Kelseyville Play with Ponies • Get a Picture • Pick a Pumpkin Carving Station • Snacks & Water Included • $15

Field Trips Welcome • All proceeds go to Soul2Soul Equine More Info: www.cityofukiah.com/haunted-house

www.mendolakefamilylife.com

707-279-0732 October 2018

MendoLakeFamilyLife 19

Family Fun Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off

Ghosts Galore W

hether your kids are dressing up as vampires or queens (or vampire queens), chances are they are excited about Halloween. Check out these local events for safe Halloween fun. Find even more stuff to do in the Calendar of Events (page 22).

Mendocino County

Ukiah: Country PumpkinFest Celebrate Halloween at the largest street fair in Mendocino County. From the popular children’s carnival and craft vendors to the 3-on-3 hoop tourney and pumpkin-baking contest, there are plenty of family-friendly amusements. The free event will be held in downtown Ukiah on October 13, 10 a.m.–6 p.m., and October 14, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. For pre-festival fun, let kids ogle unusually large squash at the Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off on October 12, 4–7 p.m., at the Alex R. Thomas Plaza.

For details, go to cityofukiah.com/pumpkinfest.

20 MendoLakeFamilyLife

An actor at the Enchanted Pumpkin Path

8 Local Halloween Events Calpella: Enchanted Pumpkin Path The Mendocino County Waldorf School annually puts on this unique celebration at which a fairytale, not candy, takes center stage. As kids walk down a path, they are drawn into a story that, bit by bit, costumed actors play out. Games, food, and music are part of the afternoon, too. The event will be held at the school on October 31, 4:30–8:30 p.m. Tickets are $8 (babes-in-arms free) and are available at waldorfmendocino. org/enchanted-pumpkinpath. Call 485-8719 for more information.

October 2018 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Ukiah: The Apocalypse It’s the end of the world and your only neighbors are mutants and zombies.

That’s the premise of this haunted house, the first of its kind in Ukiah. Set in an old adult probation building (280 E. Standley Street), the environs already carry a Dark Side vibe. Feel the fear for yourself on October 19–20 and 26–27, 6 p.m.–midnight; October 21 and 28, 5–8 p.m.; and October 31, 6 p.m.–2 a.m. Admission is $10.

Call 463-6231 or see cityofukiah.com/haunted-house for more information.

Lake County Clearlake: Trunk-or-Treat If you live out in a rural area or don’t like the idea of going door-to-door, then the parking lot of the Clearlake Youth Center may become your neighborhood. Go there on October 31, 5–8 p.m., and you will find festively decorated, candy-filled car trunks, ready for benevolent pilfering. To find out more information, call 994-5437.

Kelseyville: Autumn Fun Why walk to a pumpkin patch when you can take a hayride to one? Along with hopping on a haystack the family can also listen to live music, play games, and indulge in goodies, including wine, hot cocoa, cider, and other treats. Come in costume and perhaps win a prize or at the very least take a goofy picture of yourselves in the photo booth. The fun happens on October 27, 11 a.m.–4 p.m., at the Boatique Winery. Admission is free; there are small fees for pumpkins, food, and other activities. For further details, see boatiquewines.com.

Kelseyville: Pumpkins n’ Ponies At this event, kids can look for a nice carve-able jack-o’-lantern and then have their pictures taken while they sit on ponies. They may even get to take a little ride. A Halloween-themed animated show or film will be presented and snacks and candy will be available, too. The fun will happen October 13, 20, and 27, 10–2 p.m., at 7105 Live Oak Drive. Admission is $15, with proceeds benefiting Soul2Soul, an organization that rescues neglected horses and nurses them back to health before placing them in a new home. Call 279-0732 for further details.

Lakeport: Kiwanis Kids Halloween Fair Are you one of those people who can accurately guess how many marbles are in a jar? Then perhaps you have a knack for predicting a pumpkin’s weight. Find out at this fair, which will not only have opportunities for figuring out the poundage of squash, but also for winning a prize for the best costume. You can play games and eat treats, too. Check it all out at Clear Lake High School on October 31, 6:30–8:30 p.m. Go to facebook.com/ events/274404180069309/ to find out more.

Lakeport: Paradise Skate Costume Contest/Haunted House Give your imagination some wheels at this costume contest at Paradise Skate, at the Lake County Fairgrounds, on October 27, 3:30–5 p.m. When you dress up, you’ll get $2 off the regular admission fee ($7). After your skate, you can head over to the Crypt Keepers Maze, also at the fairgrounds. This haunted house promises not only to freak you out, but give your $5 admission donation to fire survivors.

The house will be held October 26, 5–10 p.m., and October 27, 5–11 p.m. Call 262-0123 for more information. ¶

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October 2018

MendoLakeFamilyLife 21

October

Steele Wines Harvest Festival Pie Eating Contest

Calendar of Events

Are You a Stomper or an Eater?

F

eeling a little stressed? (What parent isn’t?) Take it out on some grapes. Grape stomping, along with wine tasting, is one of the highlights at the Steele Wines Harvest Festival. If you’re more of a stress eater than stomper, try the Pie Eating Contest. Or just stroll around through arts and crafts exhibits and a farmers’ market, listen to live music, and, when you’re ready for lunch, (calmly) eat some barbecue. The festival happens on October 13 and 14, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. (grape stomp noon–4 p.m. both days), at Steele Wines in Kelseyville. Admission is free; wine, food, and art will be available for purchase. See steelewines. com/about/harvest-festival.asp for more information. On October 14, the Vineyard Run for Literacy will host a 10K run, and a 5K run/walk, at Steele Wines. More than just an opportunity to burn festival calories, it is also a chance to raise money to help local literacy efforts. Registration is $15–$35. Find out more at lclcoalition.wixsite.com/lclc. ¶

♥ =Fire-related events

Monday 1 ♥ 3rd Fire Anniversary Exhibit.

Thru Oct. 21. Thursdays: 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Fridays: 11 a.m.–6 p.m.

Saturdays: 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Sundays: 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Middletown Art Center. 21456 Hwy. 175, Middletown. middletownartcenter.org.

Tuesday 2 FREE Retro Chic Dance Exercise classes. Pop, classics, rock & roll, Broadway, Latin & more. Special: 4 free classes. Tuesdays & Thursdays.

9–10 a.m. Mendocino Ballet Studio.

205 S. State St., Ukiah.

Wednesday 3 FREE RB Oculus Rift Virtual Reality.

Educational & entertaining software.

Experience time or space travel or go inside a favorite movie. 10-minute sessions. Ages 12 & up. Wednesdays.

22 MendoLakeFamilyLife

4–5 p.m. Redbud Library. 14785 Burns Valley Rd., Clearlake.

Lakeport Library. 1425 N. High St., Lakeport. co.lake.ca.us.

Thursday 4 ♥ 2 Concerts 4 Mendo. Featuring

Cash Pony, Lords of Sealand & Agouti. $19.89. All proceeds benefit the North Coast Opportunities 2018 Wildfire Relief Fund. 7:30–11:30 p.m.

Café Du Nord. 2174 Market St., San Francisco. eventbrite.com. facebook. com/events/550080478761909.

Friday 5 FREE Park(ing) Day. Select parking

spaces will become pop-up parks with games & activities. Prizes will be awarded for the best use of the entire space. 3–8 p.m. Historic Downtown Ukiah. facebook.com/ events/2360926423947333.

ReRunway Secondhand Fashion Show. A night of fashion &

fundraising to benefit cancer initiatives at Sutter Lakeside Hospital. $45. 5–9 p.m. Boatique Winery. 8255 Red Hills Rd., Kelseyville. Register online: sutterhealth.org (search on “rerunway”).

FREE Family Fun at Alex Rorabaugh Recreation Center. Play chess, board games & ping-pong & swim in pool.

Open gym for basketball, tumbling & soccer. Fridays: 8–11 p.m. Sundays: Noon–4 p.m. Alex Rorabaugh Recreation Center. 1640 S. State St., Ukiah. ukiahrec.org.

Saturday 6 Ladies of the Lake Quilt Show.

Features more than 200 quilts, silent auction, door prize, theme baskets, demos. Donations: $10 for adults & $12 for kids under 12. Oct. 6: 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Oct. 7: 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Lake

October 2018 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

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

Color Me Green. 5K course.

Participants are bombarded with green dye at various locations. $15–$40. Mendocino 4-H Fundraiser.

Registration: 8 a.m. Race: 9 a.m.

Harwood Hall. 44400 Willis Ave., Laytonville. 354-1531.

Gym Sale. Oct.

6: 8 a.m.–4 p.m.

Oct 7: Noon–4 p.m. Deep Valley Christian Education Center.

8555 Uva Dr., Redwood Valley. deepvalleychristianschool.org.

Oktoberfest. Music, dirndl &

lederhosen contests, Dachshund Derby, beer, German food, arts & crafts. 11 a.m.–7 p.m. Main St. between 1st & 4th Streets. Lakeport. lakecochamber.com/oktoberfest. Also see eventbrite.com.

Steele Wines

Harvest Festival

Saturday & Sunday October 13th-14th 10 am–5 pm

STOMP OFF BEGINS AT 3:30 Arts • Crafts • Food • Music Wine Tasting, 5 for $5 Grape Stomp • Story Telling Pie Eating Contest Hula Hoop Contest Kids Corner • Games

4350 Thomas Drive @ Hwy 29 • Kelseyville www.steelewines.com • 279-9475

Mendocino Ocean & Seafood Fair.

Carnival, local wine, beer, music, silent auction & craft fair. Seafood dishes to include abalone, rock fish, uni & seaweed. $50. Benefits area parks. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. South Noyo Headlands Park, Fort Bragg. brownpapertickets.com.

Kindergarteners and first graders who don’t miss 2-3 days of school each month stay on track. It’s easier to learn to read. to understand It’s also easier math and it’ll be easier to graduate from high school.

Appetizer Dance Party. Appetizers,

live music, silent auction. Proceeds help to raise funds for hands-on science and art education for Lake County kids. $30. Kids get in free.

5–8 p.m. Woodland Community College. Aromas Café. 15880 Dam Rd. Ext., Clearlake. facebook.com/ cmaslakecounty.

Annual Breast Cancer Walk/Run.

$20 registration fee. Supports locals fighting breast cancer. 8:30 a.m.

Natural High School. 810 N. Main St., Lakeport. sponsoringsurvivorship.com. www.mendolakefamilylife.com

uusd.net

KEEP YOUR KIDS IN SCHOOL.

October 2018

attendanceworks.org MendoLakeFamilyLife 23

Sunday 7 ♥ FREE Redwood Fire Anniversary.

Trauma-informed yoga, Strength Stories, meditation & spiritual support group. Thru Oct. 14. See mendocino-roc.com/calendar for times and venues.

Project Sanctuary’s P.S. We Love You! Fundraiser for a domestic

violence & rape crisis center that serves Mendocino County. Dinner, live auction. Live music by Spencer Brewer & Wendy DeWitt. $65.

4:30–7:30 p.m. Nelson Family Vineyards. 550 Nelson Ranch Rd., Ukiah. 462-3755. projectsanctuary.org.

FREE Wild about Health Children’s Health Fair. Health

screenings & bike safety course.

Bring your bike & helmet or receive a free helmet. 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Alex Rorabaugh Recreation Center. 1640 S. State St., Ukiah. facebook.com/ freechildrenshealthfair.

Cassatt String Quartet. $22. 3 p.m.

Preston Hall. 44867 Main St., Mendocino. 964-0898. symphonyoftheredwoods.org.

Saturday 13 Steele Wines Harvest Fair.

Friday 12 FREE Great Pumpkin Weigh-Off.

4–7 p.m. Alex Rorabaugh Center. 1640 S. State St., Ukiah. cityofukiah.com. ♥ 2nd Annual Harmonica Slapdown.

Blues harmonica competition done in the tongue-in-cheek style of the World Wrestling Federation.

Proceeds go to the NCO Wildfire

FALL 2018

Fund for Lake County. 21+ only. $25–$30. 7 p.m. Soper Reese Theatre. 275 S. Main St., Lakeport.

263-0577. soperreesetheatre.com.

Admission free. Wine, food & art available for purchase. Crafts, music, contests. Oct. 13 & 14: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

Grape Stomp: noon–4 p.m. both days. 4350 Thomas Dr. @ Hwy. 29, Kelseyville. steelewines.com.

FREE Heroes of Health & Safety Fair.

Interactive demos, free health & dental screenings, flu shots, blood glucose testing & more. Giveaways such as kids’ bikes, helmets, life jackets & more. 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Lake County

Where Nature Education Thrives

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24 MendoLakeFamilyLife

herbs, water, soil and technology nature integrates with life

Openings Available in Grades 9-11 La Vida 707-459-6344 Charter 16201 Hwy 101, Ukiah School lavidaschool.org October 2018 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Fairgrounds. 401 Martin St., Lakeport. sutterhealth.org (search on “heroes”).

Pumpkins n’ Ponies. Pictures will be taken of children sitting on ponies. Pumpkin patch, Halloween video, snacks. $15. All proceeds go to Soul2Soul Equine. Also Oct. 20 & 27. 7105 Live Oak Dr., Kelseyville.

279-0732. lakecounty.com/event/ pumpkins-n-ponies.

Carnival, Crafts & Color Run. $2–$3.

11 a.m.–4 p.m. Konocti Education Center. 15850 Dam Rd. Ext., Lower Lake. 994-6447.

Ukiah Contra Dance. Live music

featuring Ruby Mountain String Band. All ages. No experience or partner needed. $5–$12. 7:30 p.m.

Class for beginners at 7 p.m. Ukiah United Methodist Social Hall. 270 N. Pine St., Ukiah. facebook.com/ ukiahcontradance.

FREE Sensory Sensitive Story Time.

A safe place for families of special needs children. Siblings welcome.

2:30 p.m. Lakeport Library. 1425 N. High St., Lakeport. facebook.com/ snapslakecountyca.

Gualala River Run. 5K

run & walk, 10K run, kids’ 500-meter dash. $10–$35. Start 8:30 a.m. or 9 a.m.

Gualala Arts Center. 46501 Gualala Rd., Gualala. runsignup.com/race/ ca/gualala/gualalariverrun.

Lake County Land Trust Dinner with Direction. Features

keynote speaker Assemblywoman Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, live music & silent auction. $85. 4–8 p.m. Boatique Winery. 8255 Red Hills Rd., Kelseyville. lakecountylandtrust.org.

FREE Lego Robots. Interactive,

educational & lots of fun for all ages. 10 a.m.–noon. Oct. 13: Redbud Library. 14785 Burns Valley Rd., Clearlake. Oct. 27: Middletown Library. 21256 Washington St.,

Middletown. facebook.com/ cmaslakecounty.

Sunday 14 Vineyard Run for Literacy. 10K &

5K Runs. 5K walk. $15–$35. Part of the Harvest Festival. Registration: 8 a.m. Run: 9 a.m. Steele Wines. 4350 Thomas Dr. Hwy. 29, Kelseyville. steelewines.com. ♥ Day at the Mansion. Fire relief

benefit. Wine & beer for purchase.

Craft vendors. Live music by the Fargo Brothers, Rotarianz & the Johnny Young Band. $5. 15 & under: free. 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Middletown Mansion Event Center. 20650 S. Hwy. 29, Middletown.

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Friday 19 Haunted House of Horrors. Ages

10 & under must be accompanied by an adult. Proceeds go to local youth programs. $8–$15. Oct. 19, 20, 26 & 27: 7–10 p.m. Oct. 31, 6–7 p.m., will be less scary for younger kids while 7–10 p.m. will have the full level of scare.

Masonic Lodge. 428 N. Main St., Fort Bragg. hauntedhallofhorrors.com.

The Apocalypse. Full-scale

haunted house. $10. Oct. 19–21, 26–28 & 31. 280 E. Standley St., Ukiah. cityofukiah.com/haunted-house.

FREE Park Clean-Up Day. Join the community for a workday in Todd Grove Park. 9–11 a.m. Todd Grove Park. 600 Live Oak Ave., Ukiah. facebook.com/events/347235842683259.

MendoCoast Youth Scooter & Sk8

Saturday 20 Wild Willits Fest. 5K,

for kids, booths featuring body workers, masseuses, herbalists & nutritionists. $25–$65. Registration: 8:30–9:30 a.m. Race: 10 a.m.

Post-run: 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Taste the Harvest food competition: 1–4 p.m. $25. Recreation Grove Park. S. Lenore Ave., Willits. raceroster.com/ events/2018/19208/wild-willits-fest. raceroster.com.

Competition. Beginner, intermediate

10K & half-marathon. Post-run: live music, local food, artist booths, activities

& advanced levels. Prizes. All participants must wear helmets. No exceptions. $3–$7 entry fee. 9 a.m.–3

GIVE YOUR CHILD a joy-

♥ Halloween Blues. Featuring

Levi Lloyd. Raffle, silent auction, dance & costume contests. Benefit for rebuilding Lake County homes. $10. 21+ only. 7–10 p.m.

Big Valley Hall. 1510 Big Valley Rd., Lakeport. facebook.com/ lakecountyfirerecoverybenefits. ♥ Hopland Hikes: Resprout & Regrow. 3-mile hike into some of

the burned areas to see how native plant species are coping with wildfire. $3–$8. No dogs. 10 a.m.–noon.

Hopland Research and Extension Center. 4070 University Rd., Hopland.

Register: 744-1424, ext. 105 or online at hrec.ucanr.edu.

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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

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Free Montessori Elementary Education for Children Ages 5 through 13 For more information: 707-462-0913 treeoflifeschool@pacific.net www.treeoflifeschool.net 26 MendoLakeFamilyLife

p.m. (Registration onsite: 8–9:30 a.m.)

Fort Bragg Skatepark. Fort Bragg. mendocoastrec.org.

#1 local resource for for 25 years local families

magazine • web • email • events

October 2018 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Rad Girls Can. Meet author of book

about inspiring & accomplished girls. 1–3 p.m. Mendocino Book Company. 102 S. School St., Ukiah. mendocinobookcompany.com.

Buck Shack Harvest Fest. Cook-out & dance under the stars to the California Boys. 21+ only. $40–$50.

4:30–10 p.m. 950 Round Mountain Rd., Clearlake Oaks. 994-9656. shannonridge.com.

Sunday 21 Fall Festival. Free admission. Tickets

for purchase for a wide variety of activities, including carnival games, water balloon launch, horse rides & silent & pie auctions. Noon–4:30 p.m.

Ukiah Jr. Academy. 180 Stipp Ln., Ukiah. myuja.org.

Wednesday 24 Full Harvest/Hunter’s Moon.

Hopland Harvest Days. Live

music, artist booths, local beer & wine, food trucks & produce on harvest table. $40–$50. 11 a.m.–4 p.m.

Brutocao Cellars. 13500 Hwy. 101, Hopland. destinationhopland.com/ hopland-harvest-days.

Full moon lighthouse tour. $30.

Reservations must be made by phone no later than 3:30 p.m. three days before event. Gates opens: 6:30 p.m. Tour: 7 p.m. 45500 Lighthouse Rd., Point Arena. 877-725-4448. pointarenalighthouse.com.

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Friday 26 Paradise Skate Costume Contest & Haunted House at the Fairgrounds.

Haunted House: Oct. 26: 5–10 p.m. Oct. 27: 5–11 p.m. $5 donation.

Costume contest at roller rink on Oct. 27, 3:30–5 p.m. $2 off regular skate admission of $7 when you wear a costume. Haunted House presented

by Haunted Lake County. Both held at Lake County Fairgrounds. 401 Martin St., Lakeport. 262-0123.

Haunted House. Family friendly. $7.

Glow sticks for purchase. 5:30–9:30 p.m. Thru Oct. 28. Sponsored by the Konocti Education Center. Held in private home: 15190 Konocti View Rd., Clearlake. 994-6447, ext. 2931.

UKIAH JUNIOR ACADEMY

FALL FESTIVAL FREE

ADMISSION

ST OCTOBER 21 NOON-4:30PM

FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY!

Box Maze • Water Balloon Launch • Horseback Rides Carnival Games • Bounce House • Raffle Homemade Goodies • Crafts • Food Silent Auction & Pie Auction 180 Stipp Lane, Ukiah • myuja.org October 2018

MendoLakeFamilyLife 27

Saturday 27 FREE Spooktacular Fall Carnival.

Games, snacks, face-painting & a costume contest. 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

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

FREE North Bay Science Discovery Day. Hands-on science, technology & engineering & math (STEM) activities & interactive demos. Free parking.

10 a.m.–4 p.m. Sonoma County Fairgrounds. 1350 Bennett Valley Rd., Santa Rosa. northbayscience.org.

Night Maze. Ages

16 & under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Although it is not a haunted event & there are no jump scares, maze may be unsuitable for younger kids. $15. 7–11 p.m. Jack & Noel’s. 9526 Laughlin Way, Redwood Valley. jackandnoels.com.

Harvest Fest. Grape

stomp, pumpkin carving, food vendors, wine sales & more. 11 a.m.–5 p.m.

Testa Vineyards. 6400 N. State St., Calpella. testaranch.com.

Soup & Chili Cook-Off. $10–$20.

Benefits Food Bank. 5–7:30 p.m.

Portuguese Hall. 822 Stewart St., Fort Bragg. fortbraggfoodbank.org.

FREE Autumn Fun. Hay ride to

pumpkin patch. Live music, games, face painting & goodies. Free admission. Small fee for various activities. 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Boatique Winery. 8255 Red Hills Rd., Kelseyville. boatiquewines.com.

Wednesday 31 FREE Trunk-or-Treat. 5–8

p.m.

Clearlake Youth Center. 4750 Golf Ave., Clearlake.

FREE Lakeport Downtown Trick-or-Treat. 2:30–4:30 p.m. Main

St., Lakeport. lakeportmainstreet.com.

Enchanted Pumpkin Path.

Costumed storytellers tell tale on walk. Begins every 30 mins., 5–8 p.m. (last signup at 7:30 p.m.) $8.

Waldorf School of Mendocino County. 6280 Third St., Capella.

485-8719. mendocinowaldorf.org.

FREE Kiwanis Kids Halloween Fair.

Wild Willits Fest

Willits Gets Wild

H

ow do you celebrate a town surrounded by natural beauty? With an activity that connects locals to the land. Enter the Wild Willits Fest, the centerpiece of which is a footrace that winds through picturesque Little Lake Valley. On October 20, contestants will compete in a half-marathon as well as a 10K and 5K, running on a course that begins at Recreation Grove Park in Willits. Post-event, runners and spectators who’ve built up an appetite can sample the work of local chefs at Taste of Harvest, a food competition that will be held 1–4 p.m. Or they can stroll through the park 11 a.m.–4 p.m. and get a massage, consult with herbalists, nutritionists, and performance experts, or just enjoy the live music and kids’ activities. Race registration is $25–$65; Taste of Harvest admission is $25 (includes complimentary glass of wine or beer; runners get $5 off). Find out more, and register for the race, at raceroster.com/events/2018/19208/wild-willits-fest. ¶

28 MendoLakeFamilyLife

Guess pumpkin weight, play games.

Prizes for best costume. 6:30–8:30 p.m. Clearlake High School. 350 Lange St., Lakeport. facebook.com/ LakeportKiwanis.

FREE Downtown Ukiah Safe Trick or Treat. Merchant

candy giveaway. 3:30–6 p.m.

Downtown Ukiah. facebook.com/ events/448811485641615.

FREE Halloween Bash. Free hot dogs, chips, drinks, popcorn, games & prizes. 6:30–9:30 p.m. Alex R. Rorabaugh Center. 1640 S. State St., Ukiah.

October 2018 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Marketplace Preschools Hopland Harvest Days

Schools

Give Your Give Child a Head Start!

C E N T E R S

Free Your & Low-Cost Quality Preschool!

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

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

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

• Lake County Also providing FREE in-home services for

 Promotes responsibility, Upper Lake - 2nd Street infants, toddlers & pregnant women!

Head Start Child Development Program www.ncoinc.org Head Start

Lake - Clover Valley respect, andUpper peace

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

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

707-462-0913

Hopland Harvest Days

treeoflifeschool@pacific.net www.treeoflifeschool.net

F

all is a time when gardens and vineyards are abundant with the literal fruits of summer labors. Celebrate the earth’s bounty at Hopland Harvest Days. Listen to live music while  you stroll through artists’ booths, check out the produce at the harvest table, dine on food truck offerings, and try local beers, wines, and ciders. The festival will happen on October 20, 11 a.m.–4 p.m., under a big tent at Brutocao Cellars Plaza in Hopland. Tickets are $40–$50 and available via destinationhopland.com/hopland-harvest-days. ¶

ReRunway Fashion Show

Accelerated Achievement Academy

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

Get Mom’s Attention!

YOUR AD HERE Classifieds Work Call 586-9562

Thrift Store Finds

A

s any consignment store shopper will tell you, one person’s trash is another’s treasure. Such is the idea behind the ReRunway Fashion Show. Watch second-hand clothes take a leap toward haute couture while you wine and dine, and bid on items in a silent auction. Last year the event raised more than $300,000 for local breast cancer patients. This year, money raised will help Sutter Health fund initiatives that will expand care to patients. The event will be held on October 5, 5–9 p.m., at Boatique Winery in Kelseyville. Admission is $45; register online at sutterhealth.org (search on “rerunway”). ¶

www.mendolakefamilylife.com

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

October 2018

US News and World Reports: America’s Best High Schools Bronze Medal  FREE public school  Support for struggling

students  Small classes  Grades 4-12



Call today! (707) 463-7080

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Humor Break

A Nightmare on My Street Teen Tricksters Aren’t a Treat

By Cheryl Maguire

L

ights illuminated our house, ten bags of candy brimmed a colossal bowl, and my husband donned a Doctor Who costume. We were ready for Halloween night in our new abode.

The doorbell rang. Cinderella, Buzz Lightyear, and Superman stood before me holding pumpkin containers.

Superman pointed at my husband and announced, “Look he is dressed as Harry Potter.”

The Doctor Who scarf shared a similar gold-and-maroon color scheme to the scarf of the famous Hogwarts wizard. It was an understandable error. Doctor Who is an obscure sci-fi television show while Harry Potter is a multi-million dollar franchise with an amusement park.

For the next hour, an unremitting stream of eager, candy-gathering children appeared at our door and an interminable amount of them identified my husband as Harry Potter.

And then I had a strange encounter.

The doorbell rang. A young couple stood before me.

The young man said, “Trick-or-treat.”

I did a double take. Neither the man nor the woman wore a costume or was with a child. The man had a beard, and the woman’s hair was swept 30 MendoLakeFamilyLife

up into a ponytail. They held their pillowcases in front of me.

After the shock and disbelief wore off, I felt slightly annoyed. The young man must have sensed my hesitation because a smirk appeared across his

An unremitting stream of eager, candy-gathering children appeared at our door.

8 p.m. so we boldly decided to turn off all the lights and wait. Every sound we heard we wondered if we were under attack. Finally, the noises died down, and we felt somewhat relieved.

“Well that isn’t what I expected,” I said.

“Me neither. I mean Harry Potter doesn’t look anything like Doctor Who.” “No, I meant the non-costumed teens invading and ‘asking’ for candy.”

face, a subtle reminder that the first word he uttered was “trick.”

Next year near the doorbell there will be a sign declaring:

I thought to myself, “He is also old enough to procure a dozen eggs and a bottle of shaving cream.”

Please ONLY ring the doorbell if:

I begrudgingly dropped a Kit Kat, Milky Way, and Reese Peanut Butter Cup into each of their pillowcases. I was tempted to add, “Which Tony are you supposed to be, Soprano or Montana?”

They must have Tweeted or Snapchatted or Instagrammed about their success because after they left, we received an influx of similar looking delinquents.

Our candy supply was running dangerously low. We panicked. What if we ran out? Our new house would be marked like Hester Prynne with a Scarlett A on her dress. It was almost

1. You are dressed in a REAL costume.

2. Due to your age, you are unable to obtain a driver’s license, a job, or grow facial hair.

3. Please read #1 and #2 again to make sure you fit ALL the requirements.

Don’t worry; I know what you are thinking. My intricate preparations will also include a fully stocked closet of cleaning supplies. ¶ This article was originally published on YourTeenMag.com.

Cheryl Maguire has been published in Parents Magazine, Upworthy, and Twins Magazine. You can find her on Twitter @CherylMaguire05.

October 2018 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

ED UP DA T A WEEK OF REMEMBRANCE, RENEWAL AND RESILIENCY BUILDING.

FR

!

E E

Beating breast cancer starts here

Clearer images. Pinpoint accuracy.

3D mammography is the latest breakthrough in breast cancer detection. And it’s available right here.

3D mammography is proven to provide greater accuracy detecting breast cancers. By taking multiple pictures of each breast in just 4 seconds, a 3D mammogram gives radiologists clear, highly focused images of breast tissue, layer by layer. It’s just one more way we’re helping to keep the women in our community healthy and breast cancer free during Breast Cancer Awareness month and all year long.

JOIN US FOR A PINK PARTY! In honor of October’s breast cancer awareness month, you and your friends can get a mammogram while getting a little pampering at a special evening Pink Party. Call to learn more.

Schedule a 3D Mammogram Today

(707) 463-7342