Sonoma Family Life February 2020 by familylifemag

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FREE!

February 2020

Camp Is Cool 7 reasons why

Couple Time V-Day play

Family Hiking

4 great spots

Dental Dramas Help every age

FREE

Family Expo & Camp Fair FRIDAY APRIL 17 3-7 P.M. AT CODDINGTOWN MALL, SANTA ROSA

Redwood Adventure Camp

FIND YOUR PERFECT CAMP!

February 2020

Every Issue 6

Dear Reader

Cooking with Kids Sweet & Sugar-Free

10 Features

Bits and Pieces Crustaceans for Kids Special Needs Play Say Anything Zest for Life Acrobatic Skillz

10 Big Trails Love Little Feet Discover the joys of winter hiking.

12 Why Camp Is Cool How summer programs help kids learn and grow.

14 Dental Drama How to handle tooth-related mishaps and emergencies.

16 Skin So Soft Family Life talks to a

local dermatologist.

18 Nurture Your Marriage

A Musical Trip Around the Globe Calm Little Bodies

24 Calendar of Events Free Help with Taxes

32 Crafting with Kids Fun with Hearts

34 Humor Break Catch Some Couple Time

Practical steps for creating a healthy partnership.

20 Talk to Kids About Crushes Guiding children in matters of the heart.

22 V-Day Adventures Local ways to enjoy loveâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s day.

8 4 SonomaFamilyLife

22 February 2020 www.sonomafamilylife.com

Doctor’s Confession to Petaluma

Dear Friend, I wanted to let everyone know what happened while I was in college. It was a moment that changed my life forever. But before I tell you about my experience, I wanted to tell you my story from the start. Let me start by explaining the photo in this letter. I am the guy in the middle, Dr. Taatjes. You know when I meet people in town and they usually say, “Oh yeah, I know you, you’re Dr. Taatjes. You’ve been serving the community for Thirty years! Well that’s me. We are now centrally located in our beautiful new office to better serve the community. Thirty-four years ago something happened to me that changed my life forever. Let me tell you my story. I was studying pre-Med in college, in hopes of becoming a medical doctor. Things were looking up, and life was good, until things took a turn for the worse. I began to have terrible back and stomach problems. For a young guy, I felt pretty rotten. My back hurt so badly that I had a hard time even concentrating in class. I was miserable. The medical doctors tried different drugs, but they only made me feel like I was in a “cloud.” I was just not getting better. A friend of mine convinced me to give a chiropractor a try. The chiropractor did an exam, took some films and then “adjusted” my spine. The adjustment didn’t hurt — it actually felt good. I got relief, and I soon was off all medication. It worked so well that I decided, then and there, to become a chiropractor myself. Now for my kids, Hayden and Henry. They have been under chiropractic care their entire lives. And, unlike most other kids in their class, they never get the “common” childhood illnesses like ear infections, asthma and allergies. In fact, they have never taken a drug in their lives. And they are now 23 and 24! It’s strange how life is, because now people come to see me with their back problems and stomach problems. They come to me with their headaches, migraines, chronic pain, neck pain, shoulder/arm pain, whiplash from car accidents, asthma, allergies, numbness in limbs, athletic injuries, just to name a few. If drugs make people well, then those who take the most should be the healthiest,

Dr. Taatjes with his sons, Hayden (left) and Henry (right). but that simply isn’t the case. With chiropractic, we don’t add anything to the body or take anything from it. We find interference in the nervous system and remove it, thus enhancing the healing capacities of the body. We get tremendous results…it really is as simple as that. Here’s what some of my patients had to say: “I have had a problem with migraines as well as low back pain. Even after seeing doctors and other health professionals, the pains remained. After coming to Dr. Joel, they have helped me tremendously. They even take away my migraines. They’re great!” (Judy E.) “I came in pending laser surgery for two herniated discs. Over a few months here the need for surgery subsided, and the pain has subsided to a mild discomfort with occasional morning stiffness. Over all, I feel better visit after visit. It’s a gradual process.” (Jaime O.) Several times a day patients thank me for helping them with their health problems. But I can’t really take credit. Find out for yourself and benefit from an AMAZING OFFER. Look, it shouldn’t cost you an arm and a leg to correct your health. You are going to write a check to someone for your health care expenses, you may as well write one for

a lesser amount for chiropractic. When you bring in this article by Feb. 29, 2020, you will receive my entire new patient exam for $99. That’s with x-rays, exam, report of findings…the whole ball of wax. This exam could cost you $380 elsewhere. Great care at a great fee… Please, I hope that there’s no misunderstanding about quality of care, just because I have a lower exam fee. You’ll get great care at a great fee. My qualifications…I’m a graduate of Northwestern College of Chiropractic who regularly goes to monthly educational chiropractic seminars. I’ve been entrusted to take care of tiny babies to neighbors that you may know. I just have that low exam fee to help more people who need care. My associates, Dr. James Rogers, Dr. Shawn Lorenzen and I are ready to see if we can help you. Our office is both friendly and warm and we try our best to make you feel at home. We have wonderful service, at an exceptional fee. Our office is called REDWOOD CHIROPRACTIC. We are located at 937 Lakeville Street Petaluma, and our phone number is 763-8910. Call Alex, Nisha or Lupita Today! We can help you. Thank you. -Dr. Joel Taatjes P.S. When accompanied by this ad. I am also offering the second family member this same examination for only $15.

ADVERTISEMENT www.sonomafamilylife.com

February 2020

SonomaFamilyLife 5

Dear Reader

ebruary is the month we celebrate love in all its many forms, but particularly the romantic kind. Sharon Gowan After all, before you Publisher/Editor Sharon@family-life.us were parents you were lovers, and it’s important to nurture your relationship to keep your family strong. Valentine’s Day is an opportune time to do just that. If you need ideas for how to spend February 14, turn to “V-Day Adventures” (page 22) for local entertainment; and find even more activities in our Calendar of Events (page 24).

beautiful places to connect to each other. Turn to “Big Trails Love Little Feet” (page 10) for tips on hiking with little ones and also a few ideas for area parks to visit. Office Manager

Besides in nature, another place to bond is in the kitchen. Yummy treats are always a hit with kids, and Bake to Be Fit’s Sarah Lynn is passionate about making them as nutritious as possible. See her “Sweet & Sugar Free” (page 7) to learn how to make “brookies”—a brownie wed with a cookie. However you spend your February, we hope you share special time with people you love.

If you are looking for ways to spend time together as a family, consider hiking. With the winter season’s kelly-green grass and some flowers even blooming, local trails are

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

Sonoma State University, Department of Music Presents

Sonoma State Symphony Orchestra Alexander Kahn, Music Director

Family Concert: North, South, East, West Sunday March 1, 2020 2:00 PM Weill Hall

Admission: $8 Get tickets: tickets.sonoma.edu 707.664.4246

SSU Students free with ID

Contributing Writers Mary Ann Blair Kimberly Blaker Malia Jacobson Sarah Lynn Pam Moore Jill Morgenstern Paige Wolf Denise Yearian

Billing Jan Wasson-Smith

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

This hour-long concert is designed for the young and the young at heart. We'll be taking a brief tour of music from around the globe and weʼd love for you to join us!

music.sonoma.edu

6 SonomaFamilyLife

February 2020 www.sonomafamilylife.com

Cooking with Kids

Sweet & SugarFree Make a Satisfying, Guilt-Free Goodie

By Sarah Lynn

Editor’s note: Valentine’s Day is one of those holidays where sweets abound. We decided to steer clear of the candy craze and excerpt a recipe from Bake to Be Fit’s Secretly Healthy Desserts by Sarah Lynn. These “brookies” are not only low in sugar and carbs, they also have just 170 calories a bar. So the family can celebrate without guilt or the sugar blues.

Joel Benjamin

Recipe and photo excerpted, with permission, from Bake to Be Fit’s Secretly Healthy Desserts: Easy Gluten-Free, Sugar-Free, Plant-Based, or Keto-Friendly Brownies, Cookies, and Cakes by Sarah Lynn (Skyhorse Publishing, 2020). Sarah Lynn is a recipe developer, social media influencer, cookbook author, and food blogger who runs the healthy dessert website baketobefit.com.

www.sonomafamilylife.com

Keto “Brookies” (brownie + cookie bars) INGREDIENTS Cookie Layer 1 1/3 cups blanched almond flour (150 g) 1/3 cup erythritol (64 g) ½ teaspoon baking soda ¼ teaspoon salt ¼ cup butter, softened (56 g) 1 egg ½ teaspoon vanilla 1/3 cup sugar-free chocolate chips (80 g) Brownie Layer cup blanched almond flour (74 g) ½ cup erythritol (96 g) ¼ cup cocoa powder (20 g) ½ teaspoon baking powder ¼ teaspoon salt 3 tablespoons butter, softened (42 g) 1 egg 3 tablespoons sugar-free chocolate chips (45 g) 2/3

Serves: 16 170 calories / 15.5 g Fat / 2.5 g Net Carbs / 4.5 g Protein / 4 g Fiber / 1 g Sugar

February 2020

INSTRUCTIONS Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8x8-inch square pan with parchment paper. Start with cookie layer: combine dry ingredients (except chocolate chips) in a large bowl. Add butter and stir until distributed. Add egg and vanilla and stir until combined. Fold in chocolate chips. Spoon about 2/3 of the cookie dough into the bottom of the pan. Use wet fingers to spread dough evenly over bottom of pan. Follow same instructions as cookie layer to assemble brownie ingredients. Spoon brownie batter into the pan, and use either the back of a spoon or wet fingers to spread brownie batter evenly over cookie dough. Take remaining 1/3 of cookie dough and distribute randomly on top of brownie batter. I formed the remaining dough into circle shapes to keep some brownie peeking through. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes. Allow to cool, slice, and enjoy!

SonomaFamilyLife 7

Bits & Pieces

Crustaceans for Kids

t’s that time of year when crabs are filling the nets of local fisherfolk and finding their way into fundraisers, such as the Jack London Families and Sonoma County Family YMCA Annual Crab Feed. The 21-and-older affair will feature beer and wine, silent and live auctions, a DJ, dancing, and, of course, everyone’s favorite crustacean. It’s slated for February 15, 5–10 p.m., at Friedman Events Center in Santa Rosa. Tickets are $65 and may be purchased on eventbrite.com or see tinyurl.com/ve3t2gf. ¶

Special Needs Play

hildren with special needs and their parents can suffer from social and emotional isolation. So Congregation Ner Shalom in Cotati created Celebrations, a monthly Jewish gathering for teens and young adults living with disabilities and their families. The event features time for parents to chat and entertainment for youth. The next meeting will be held on February 8, 4–6 p.m., at the synagogue and will include a dance party and pizza. RSVP at 664-8622. Ask for Vicki. ¶

Zest for Life

C Say Anything

dolescence can be a rocky time when kids experience strong feelings and have no idea how to manage them. The Social Advocates for Youth (SAY) Free Drop-In Wellness Group for Teens aims to help. The weekly, one-hour group will teach participants healthy coping skills and positive avenues for self-expression. The group, open to ages 12–19, will be held at 4 p.m. on Thursdays through March 12 at the History and Genealogy Library located behind the Central Santa Rosa Library in Santa Rosa. For more information, see sonomacounty.libcal.com. ¶ 8 SonomaFamilyLife

itrus fruits are agricultural stars of northern California. And every year the Cloverdale Citrus Fair in Cloverdale celebrates their many qualities, with tastings, cooking demos, and presentations. The fair also boasts amusement park rides, livestock displays, and other entertainment, such as orange-juicing and dessert contests as well as classic rock, R&B, and mariachi bands. The fair will be held February 14–17. Hours are noon–9 p.m. on February 14; 10 a.m.–9 p.m. on February 15 and 16; and 10 a.m.–5 p.m. on February 17. Admission is $5–$9; carnival ride ticket books are $20 and unlimited rides wristbands are $25–$30. See cloverdalecitrusfair.org for more information. ¶

February 2020 www.sonomafamilylife.com

Golden Dragon Acrobats

Acrobatic Skillz

raditional Chinese acrobatics has been around for thousands of years. And it still has mass appeal, with acrobatic troupes bending, leaping, and dancing for audiences around the world. One of those groups is the Golden Dragon Acrobats, which will take to the stage of the Luther Burbank Center in Santa Rosa on February 10 at 6:30 p.m. Part of the Clover Sonoma Family Fun Series, the performance will be kid-friendly. Tickets are $16 for kids and $21 for adults. Five-dollar lap passes for ages 2 and younger may only be purchased on the day of the show. For details, see lutherburbankcenter.org. ¶

Arjun Verma

A Musical Trip Around the Globe

any Americans may associate orchestral music with a particular sound, but different cultures’ versions of it are extremely varied. At the Fourth Annual Family Concert: North, South, East, West, the Sonoma State University (SSU) Orchestra will give the audience a taste of symphonic music from around the globe. The program will feature the work of Jean Sibelius, from Finland; Arturo Marquez, from Mexico; and Aaron Copland, from the United States. And thanks to the orchestra’s collaboration with the Ali Akbar College of Music, distinguished sitarist Arjun Verma and tabla player William Rossel will bring classical Indian music to the program. The afternoon will also feature world premeires by two SSU composition students and Sonoma County natives, Thomas Gosnell and Michael Garrett. The event will be held on March 1 at 2 p.m. at the Green Music Center, on the campus of Sonoma State University in Rohnert Park. Tickets are $8 and may be purchased at tickets.sonoma.edu. ¶

Calm Little Bodies

etting kids to settle down is a struggle every parent can relate to. Some families find doing yoga really helps. For guidance on practicing together, check out the free Family Yoga class, a high-energy experience that includes animated yoga poses, games, music, storytelling, and relaxation. The class, which is geared toward ages 3–6 and their caregivers, will be held on February 12, 10:30–11:30 a.m., at the Rohnert Park–Cotati Regional Library in Rohnert Park. For those who can’t make it, there will be similar classes held at other library branches. See sonoma.libcal.com for more information. ¶

Cloverdale Citrus Fair

www.sonomafamilylife.com

February 2020

SonomaFamilyLife 9

download an audio recorder on your phone and carry it on your hike to record some of the sounds you hear. Search the Internet, encyclopedias, and books to discover the makers of calls you can’t decipher. Tree Tales Borrow some library books that describe the unique features of trees and their history. Use

Big Trails Love Little Feet Winter Family Hiking Tips

By Kimberly Blaker

hat better way to spend quality time with your family and get in touch with nature than a fresh, invigorating walk in the woods, along a river, or on a beach? What’s more, family hikes make for fun learning opportunities for kids and parents alike. So try some of these hiking activities with your youngsters. Rock Hound Go on an excursion to learn about rocks and minerals. Learn which rocks and minerals are abundant in the area, and have each family member choose several to scout for. Take along a small plastic container with dividers, a descriptive rock and mineral guide, and a magnifying glass for viewing the colors, layers, and details.

10 SonomaFamilyLife

Aural Exploration Wander through a forest and listen carefully for a variety of bird and animal sounds. Before you go, visit your library for a DVD or audio CD of birds and wild animal calls. (The Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s website and app are great resources when it comes to identifying birds and birdsong. See birds.cornell.edu/home.) Then

Learn which rocks and minerals are abundant in the area, and have each family member choose several to scout for. clues such as the shape of the leaves, texture of bark, and size of the trunk to identify the kind of tree. Four-Legged and Feathered Friends Look for chipmunks and squirrels playing chase or gathering food; birds of prey circling overhead; or grazing rabbits and deer. Talk about what the animals eat, their shelters, and species they are related to. Also, keep eyes peeled for animal tracks to identify and determine how recently they were made. Creepy-Crawlies Carry an insect book, clear container, tweezers, and a magnifying glass for close examination of insects’ fascinating features. Bring a journal and track the types of insects you find. Beginner Botany Review some books on plants to spark your children’s interest. On each hiking trip, choose a different trail or area and see what plants grow in certain types of soil, climates, and in each season. As you inspect plants, look for their seeds, and notice the variations.

February 2020 www.sonomafamilylife.com

We Grow Them★

Talk about how seeds travel via the wind or the fur of animals. Carefully brush away the ground cover and look for seeds that have sprouted their roots. Learn how individual plants have evolved natural defenses that protect against creatures that would otherwise devour them. The Smart Daypack Carry a small daypack, extra clothing, and don’t forget hiking boots. Also bring along hats, sunglasses, sunblock, and insect repellant. When hiking off trails, use safety precautions to protect against tripping, getting lost, or other

Borrow some library books that describe the unique features of trees and their history. hazards, such as ticks and poison oak. Be prepared for emergencies: Carry a small flashlight and batteries, watch, map, bandages, and don’t forget plenty of water and snacks. Finally, to make the most of your nature quest carry binoculars, a magnifying glass, and a small camera. Tykes on the Trail When hiking with children, keep these suggestions in mind: 1. Allow small legs plenty of time for breaks and know your child’s limitations. 2. Be familiar with potential dangers in the area; teach your children trail and animal safety. 3. Before you set out, let your kids know that there may be rules against taking their nature finds home. ¶

parks.ca.gov/?page_id=450

Jenner Jenner Headlands Preserve This relatively new park is right on the coast, so hikers are treated to dramatic views of the ocean while walking along trails that travel upward through green grass and daffodils. wildlandsconservancy. org/preserve_jenner.html

Kortum Trail Visit ancient, enormous rocks that mammoths once called home on this easy, flat coastal out-and-back trail. Park at the Shell Beach lot. Go north, to the second outcropping, and look for the shiny spots on the rock’s surface, against which mammoths once rubbed. Go south to visit Russian Gulch Beach and Wright Beach. tinyurl.com/yx8y9nu6 Santa Rosa Taylor Mountain Regional Park and Preserve These trails can get muddy, so grab everyone’s hiking boots and get ready to travel through oak woodlands, verdant meadows, and expansive views. The Eastern Trail is very steep, so start with the more gradual Western Trail; both meet at the summit, making for about a 4-mile loop. Or take the shorter, less strenuous .7-mile Todd Creek Trail, which goes through an oak forest.

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Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport Fly local & enjoy nonstop flights!  Seattle (SEA)  Portland (PDX)  Los Angeles (LAX)  Orange County (SNA)  San Diego (SAN)  Phoenix (PHX)  Dallas (DFW)  San Francisco (SFO)  Denver (DEN)  Minneapolis (MSP)  Las Vegas (LAS)

tinyurl.com/uefhptc

For more kid-friendly hikes, go to alltrails.com or see tinyurl.com/ tlytg77.

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Guerneville Armstrong Redwoods State Nature Reserve See redwoods that are more than 1,000 years old on a network of short trails that, in winter, run along a babbling creek. There’s even a waterfall.

©P N

Kimberly Blaker is a freelance writer and founder and director of KB Creative Digital Services, an Internet marketing agency. See kbcreativedigital.com.

Kid-Friendly Hikes in Sonoma County

REDWOOD STRONG!

www.flySTS.com February 2020

SonomaFamilyLife 11

endless at camp, and your child will have an opportunity to try something brand new. For the youngest campers, trying a new craft activity or learning a new camp song can be so much fun. Camps are a safe place to practice social skills. It might be awkward or uncomfortable

No matter how old your child is, she or he could probably benefit from a screen hiatus.

Why Camp 7 Reasons to Send Kids Is Cool to a Summer Program By Mary Ann Blair

ummer is not as far away as you think. It’s not too early to start thinking about sending your kids to camp. If you have never sent your kids to a summer program, here are seven reasons why you should consider it.

With so many options, it’s easy to find a good fit for your child. From sports camps and art camps to STEM-based camps and more traditional overnight options, summer camps are designed to serve a variety of ages and interests. The length of camp can range from a few mornings for younger kiddos to weeklong sleep-away camps for older kids. Local churches, school districts, and other organizations such as the YMCA, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and 4-H offer a wide 12 SonomaFamilyLife

range of camps. With a little bit of research, you can easily find a camp well suited for your child. In April, Family Life will publish its annual Camp Guide and hold a camp fair (see page 2), each of which may simplify the search. Camps provide kids with experiences they might not normally have access to. Horseback riding. Paddling a canoe across the lake. Wilderness survival. Conquering a ropes course. Sleeping under the stars. Adventures are

for your child during those first few hours of camp when they don’t know a single soul. After all, stepping into a new social environment can be challenging. But the ability to comfortably communicate with new people is a life skill that all kids need, and camps are great places to practice. Camps also provide kids an opportunity to form friendships with a whole new group of peers they might never have met otherwise. Camps give kids a muchneeded technology break. No matter how old your child is, she or he could probably benefit from a screen hiatus, especially during the summer months. Spending time outdoors, learning a new skill, having fun, and forming new friendships are good for the body and soul. Sending kids to camp is beneficial for you, too. Driving away from your child on the first day might be a little gut wrenching. But entrusting her or him to someone else for a while can be truly

February 2020 www.sonomafamilylife.com

Karate is the BEST thing you can DO for Your Child! beneficial. Maybe it will free up time for some overdue self-care or give you and your partner opportunities to reconnect. Maybe it will provide a chance to hit the reset button with your tween or teen. After all, absence makes the heart grow fonder. Parenting is tough work, so donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t feel guilty if you enjoy this time to yourself. Chances are, your kid is having a blast without you. Campers turn into camp counselorsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;a cool summer job. Camps counselors provide kids with all kinds of good, clean fun. Most of these counselors were campers once, too. Now they get to

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Camps also provide kids an opportunity to form friendships with a whole new group of peers they might never have met otherwise. help a new set of youngsters make unforgettable summer memories, all while sharpening their own teamwork and leadership skills. Your child might have that same opportunity one day. What a terrific way to spend a summer. Camp is just plain fun. So many adults have fond memories from their days spent at camp, and kids who have been to camp often say itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a favorite part of their summer. Odds are, your kids are going to love it. And for that reason alone, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s worth sending them to camp. Âś Mary Ann Blair, a mom of two boisterous boys, chronicles her adventures in motherhood at maryannblair.com.

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707 542-2201 â&#x20AC;˘ Visit us at www.bvusd.org February 2020

SonomaFamilyLife 13

an aesthetic issue; dying baby teeth sometimes heal, and a dead baby tooth may not create any further problems or harm adult teeth, says pediatric dentist Sabrina Magid Katz, DMD. A greying baby tooth may become infected, which sometimes causes a tiny pustule on the gums above the tooth; a dentist can extract

Dental Drama How to Handle Pediatric Tooth Troubles

By Malia Jacobson

eeping kids’ smiles healthy takes more than regular dental checkups (which should begin around 18 months) and brushing twice daily. In addition to the normal loss of baby teeth and a cavity or two, many children will experience some type of tooth-related trauma, like a chipped tooth or one that suddenly turns grey, at some point. While childhood dental dramas are common, experts warn against ignoring them because problems with baby teeth can affect developing permanent teeth. Read on for help with dental problems, from minor mishaps to true emergencies, to keep baby teeth beaming and big-kid grins gleaming. Early Years (Ages 0–5)

Shades of Grey

Many parents are dismayed to discover that one of their toddler’s pearly whites isn’t white at all—think grey or light brown. A tooth that suddenly darkens is fairly common: 14 SonomaFamilyLife

Because baby teeth have shallower roots than permanent teeth, they can die with even a slight bump, causing them to lose their white luster. Dentists generally advise a “wait and see” approach to a greying baby tooth because it’s usually just

If your child chips a tooth, try to locate the missing piece, put it in water, and call your dentist right away. it and help treat the underlying infection. If the tooth has to go, take heart—it won’t affect spacing of the permanent teeth, and your little one may get to be the first of his or her pals to get a visit from the Tooth Fairy. Elementary Years (Ages 6–12) Knockout

During the school years, kids lose most of their baby teeth and learn to care for their new adult choppers. And because children are so active during this stage, it’s not uncommon to knock out a tooth—ouch. A knocked-out tooth is a true dental emergency that warrants a call to your dentist. Dentists advise keeping the tooth damp so it doesn’t dry out; if possible, have the child hold it in place with a finger. If the tooth is a permanent one, your dentist may be able to restore it in its original position. But knocked-out baby teeth aren’t re-implanted, as

February 2020 www.sonomafamilylife.com

that can damage the adult teeth underneath. Another common dental dilemma: Permanent teeth coming in before baby teeth fall out, resulting in multiple “rows” of teeth. This can look odd, but it’s not a big deal, says Katz; the tongue will push the permanent teeth into alignment once the baby teeth fall out. Encourage your child to keep wiggling the baby teeth; if one is particularly stubborn, your dentist can help coax it out. Teen Years (Ages 13–18) Chip Off the Old Block

Chomping ice, using teeth to open a bottle, or playing sports can lead to something most teens don’t want in their yearbook photo: a chipped tooth. When is a chipped

tooth an emergency? While minor chips are mostly an aesthetic issue, a larger chip can expose nerve endings that make a tooth extremely temperature-sensitive and very painful, says Katz. If your

A greying baby tooth may become infected. child chips a tooth, try to locate the missing piece, put it in water, and call your dentist right away. A severe break may qualify as an emergency, while more minor chips can probably wait until the next business day.

filling to restore the tooth. A composite can look natural and last for years, though your child may need to replace it at some point in her or his lifetime. To avoid chips,

A knocked-out tooth is a true dental emergency that warrants a call to your dentist. have teens wear mouthguards for sports. Also advise them to never use teeth as “tools”—and always model healthy dental habits by refraining from this practice yourself. ¶ Malia Jacobson is a health and family journalist.

If the broken piece can’t be found, your dentist can create a composite

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SonomaFamilyLife 15

FIRST-CLASS MAIL

FL: What can be done for eczema during the winter?

Skin So Soft Warding Off the Dry-Skin Blues D

oes your child have itchy, dry skin in the winter? Santa Rosa dermatologist Dr. Jeffrey Sugarman is here to help.

Family Life: What kind of tips do you have for taking care of kids’ skin during winter, when indoor heat may dry it out?

their lips. Using a fragrance-free lip moisturizer is very helpful.

Dr. Jeffrey Sugarman: One tip is to turn down the thermostat a little bit. If the temperature is 68°F–72°F, it’s going to be better for your skin than if it is blasting hot. You could also invest in a humidifier, which will help add moisture to the air inside your house. You don’t want to invest in 20 humidifiers so you might just run a humidifier where you spend the most time, like the bedroom. You want to moisturize really frequently. I moisturize my hands every time I wash them to keep them happy, especially during the winter. I think a lot of people forget to moisturize

JS: Yes, absolutely. Children have a higher body surface-to-volume ratio so…their skin may dry out and be even more susceptible to these things we are talking about. You can take a shorter shower or a not-so-hot shower. A [too-hot shower] definitely dries out your skin. If your skin is beet red when you get out of the shower, the temperature is definitely too hot. I really like to use cleansers in the shower or bath that are fragrance-free. Even cleansers that say “unscented” still can contain fragrance. So if you have someone who has sensitive skin, you really want to make sure [the product] says “fragrance free.”

16 SonomaFamilyLife

FL: And all of these suggestions apply to children, correct?

JS: Eczema definitely gets worse during the wintertime for a pretty large cohort of children. So parents really need to make sure children are moisturized when they get out of the bath or shower. Within a minute or two [of getting out], blot the skin damp, and then put on a good moisturizer. And your choice of moisturizers is really going to depend on the age of the child and also how dry their skin is. So if you have an infant or toddler with really dry skin you are going to want to use a really thick, greasy moisturizer—Aquaphor

If your skin is beet red when you get out of the shower, the temperature is definitely too hot. or Vaseline—and if you’ve got an older child with not-so-dry skin you would want to recommend something more cosmetically elegant like Cetaphil lotion. There are a lot of really good products out there. Again you want to look for fragrance-free, and you want to find something that your children will like because if they don’t want to put it on, that’s really going to decrease compliance. It’s got to feel good and make them feel good. FL: Would you explain the phrase “cosmetically elegant”? JS: That means something that is really spreadable and it works its way into the skin easily and doesn’t leave your skin feeling really greasy. I have some people that say, “Can I use coconut oil or olive oil on my

February 2020 www.sonomafamilylife.com

children?” Sure, they work but they’re messy, just like putting Vasoline on your skin is really messy. And for the little kids who can’t complain, and who really need it, that’s ok. But if you have a 13-year-old, there is just no way they are going to do that right before they go to school.

Even cleansers that say “unscented” still can contain fragrance. FL: From ointments to lotions to prescription topic creams, what are the best products to use? JS: In general, lotions are the least moisturizing and the most drying; creams are in the middle; and ointments are the most hydrating. FL: Can you discuss teens with acne? JS: I have teenagers who come into my office all the time who are putting moisturizers on their acne-prone faces. They have oily skin and don’t need a moisturizer; they have a natural moisturizer. [But then] you’ve got a teen who has acne [and] sensitive skin. [During the winter,] you may counsel them to back off on the astringents and the toners because they stress the skin and dry it out even more. Teenagers who don’t have that problem, who have oily skin, can keep using the astringents and toners even in the wintertime. ¶

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Dr. Jeffrey Sugarman practices at Redwood Family Dermatology in Santa Rosa. He is a past president of the Sonoma County Medical Association and the current president of the Society for Pediatric Dermatology.

www.sonomafamilylife.com

February 2020

SonomaFamilyLife 17

on Tuesdays and Thursdays. It doesn’t matter if you take the time to work out, write, or sleep. If it’s your day, you do what you want and no diaper is going to get in your way. It is so much easier to have this default schedule than to have to negotiate the early morning time slot on a daily basis.

Nurture Your 5 Simple Marriage Strategies By Pam Moore

newly wed friend and her husband came over for brunch recently. I asked them what the rest of their day entailed.

“We’re not sure,” she said. “Maybe we’ll walk around and do some shopping downtown?” “I could go for a nap,” he said. My husband and I stared at them, in awe. It was as if they told us they might take a rocket ship to the moon. They had time to do whatever they wanted. They could even be doing different things at the same time. And it didn’t require any forethought, planning, or communication. I really hope I didn’t say “Enjoy it while you can” out loud. I find one of the greatest challenges of being a mom of a baby and a toddler is juggling my roles as mom, 18 SonomaFamilyLife

wife, and me. The precious hours I have to myself each week are few and sometimes unpredictable. My husband and I both realize, though, that we aren’t much good to anyone—ourselves, our kids, or each other—when our own needs haven’t been met. My husband and I are still working out how to best manage all of the competing demands on our time. Here are some strategies that help us get our needs met, both within the marriage, and outside of it. Have a standing schedule. For example, on Monday and Wednesdays between 5:45 a.m. and 7:30 a.m., I manage the kids while my husband does his thing. The roles are reversed

Use a shared online calendar. Before we had kids, the only time my husband and I considered each other’s schedules was when we wanted to do something together. When our first

Babysitters are great resources for date nights—whether you’re on a date with your sweetie or with yourself. child was born, we had to check with each other about virtually everything, to ensure someone was home with the baby. It’s much easier to manage our lives now that we have synched our calendars on Google. Plan dates. Maybe you reserve Saturday nights for each other, and twice a month you hire a sitter and twice a month you do something fun at home. Whatever your system, find a way to carve out time together to do something you both enjoy, or that one of you enjoys (seriously!). Without a plan, it’s too easy to get distracted by piles of laundry or the blog post you’ve been meaning to write. That stuff may feel urgent (ok, not Facebook), but it’s not nearly as important as nurturing your marriage. Use babysitters. If you don’t have family nearby, or someone else that you trust, be open to meeting someone

February 2020 www.sonomafamilylife.com

new. I met one of our best babysitters at a restaurant. You can also check in with the employment office at a local college, or ask local preschools if they have teachers seeking extra hours. If you can’t afford a sitter, be creative.

It’s much easier to manage our lives now that we have synched our calendars on Google. Consider trading babysitting hours with a friend or a neighbor. Maybe you have a skill that you could trade for childcare. Join a babysitting co-op, or start one. Use the childcare services at your gym, if you belong to one. Babysitters are great resources for date nights—whether you’re on a date with

your sweetie or with yourself. There will be times when both partners simultaneously need some “me time.” It’s ok to use a sitter for those times.

that’s ok. Being a parent, a good partner, and maintaining your identity means stripping down your hobbies

Adjust your expectations. You’re not going to have the life you had before. That’s ok. You can still be you, but things are going to have to change. For example, I used to love to go to the gym, enjoy the hot tub, and take a leisurely shower afterward. Now, I save time by running outside, or working out in my basement with the baby monitor close by. It’s not ideal, but it gets the job done. I used to have my girlfriends over once a week for craft night (which was sometimes just wine night). I don’t have the energy to host now and see friends a lot less than I did before, and

Find a way to carve out time together to do something you both enjoy, or that one of you enjoys (seriously!).

CELEBRATE VALENTINE’S DAY With Mountain Mike’s

or commitments to the bare essentials and shucking the ones that aren’t priorities. ¶ This article was originally published on True Agape. Pam Moore helps women push through fear to become their best selves. To get her free guide to crushing Impostor Syndrome visit pam-moore.com.

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Personally, I think parents need to get over it. There is so much we need to protect our children from, and I think a little childhood romance is the least of it. Realistically, the preschoolers who speak of engagement and marriage aren’t aware of what any of that really means. My son spent his preschool

Right now they just like to smile at each other and then run away shrieking with embarrassment.

Talk to Kids About Crushes Help Them Understand Their Feelings

By Paige Wolf

he other day I found my six-year-old son coloring the most elaborate picture, complete with hearts, rainbows, and the words “Sam + Lydia.” (Well, it was actually “Sam + Liyda.”) He informed me that the little bespectacled blonde was his crush and that he loved her. He wanted to give her this proclamation of his admiration at school the next day. And that was just fine with me.

Lately I’ve read a couple articles chastising adults for asking children about their “boyfriends,” “girlfriends,” and “crushes.” Parents have been put off by the discussion as too sophisticated, inappropriate, and even borderline sexual. 20 SonomaFamilyLife

I’ve also spoken to parents who refuse to participate in any discussion of crushes, insisting that they simply are not ready to accept their children as old enough for “relationships.”

years alternately engaged to a dozen different girls and boys, several of which were in tandem. We took that time to explain to him that marriage was about choosing someone to spend your life with, and that someone could be a boy or a girl—but his final decision wouldn’t be made until they were adults. No, he could not marry his sister and mommy and daddy were spoken for. I had a preschool “boyfriend.” He would pretend to be Superman and I, Lois Lane. Years later we reconnected on Facebook and giggled about our childhood romance. He told me my daughter looks just like he remembers me, and it warmed my heart. Throughout elementary school I remember the girls being far more interested in love than the boys. I spent those years pining for many of the little boys who sadly did not return my affection until I turned 12 and sprouted breasts. Nonetheless, notes were passed and several couples paired off for roller

February 2020 www.sonomafamilylife.com

skating dates and awkward slow dances. While these may not have been mature relationships between likeminded adults, it doesn’t make the feelings any less real. And I’m OK with acknowledging them.

My son spent his preschool years alternately engaged to a dozen different girls and boys.

It’s not for me to dismiss chatter of boyfriends, girlfriends, or even love, admonishing them for being too young. But it is my responsibility to use this opportunity to talk about boundaries. “No, she does not have to like you back.” “No, you may not kiss or hug her without her permission.” “Yes, we can invite her to your birthday party.”

Maybe my son thinks his classmate is pretty and nice, or maybe he’s just incredibly impressed because she got “student of the month.” Right now they just like to smile at each other and then run away shrieking with embarrassment.

He understands that parts of his (and her) body are private. And, quite honestly, he still thinks babies are made by just holding hands and wishing—probably another conversation I need to have sooner than later.

I remain entertained and amused by the playground gossip. I like to hear who is crushing on whom, which crushes are “broken,” and whose wedding is currently being planned.

“No, you may not kiss or hug her without her permission.” And I will take it seriously if his heart gets broken. They call them crushes for a reason, and being little doesn’t make the hurt any less painful. ¶ Paige Wolf is the author of Spit That Out: The Overly Informed Parent’s Guide to Raising Healthy Kids in the Age of Environmental Guilt (New Society Publishers, 2016). Follow @paigewolf on Twitter.

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February 2020

SonomaFamilyLife 21

Family Fun Little Red-Haired Girl Day

V-Day Adventures Santa Rosa Charlie Brown has it rough. Besides being a (loveable) klutz and the victim of Lucy’s scorn, the star of Charles M. Schulz’s Peanuts also has a bad case of unrequited love. In honor of the object of his affection, the Little Red-Haired Girl, the Charles M. Schulz Museum is letting gingers of all ages into the museum for free on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Find out more at schulzmuseum.org.

22 SonomaFamilyLife

Jeremy Denk

Shervin Lainez

fter kids come onto the scene, it takes extra effort to make sure your relationship gets the attention it needs. Valentine’s Day weekend is a great time to put the spotlight on you and your significant other. And here are some great, local ideas for where to spend it. Find even more activities in our Calendar of Events (page 24).

6 Local Ways to Celebrate

Rohnert Park Share a passion for classical music? Pianist Jeremy Denk, winner of the MacArthur “Genius” Fellowship, will be playing Bach’s the Well-Tempered Clavier Book One on February 13 at 7:30 p.m. at the Green Music Center on the campus of Sonoma State University. Tickets are $25–$55 and are available at gmc.sonoma.edu.

February 2020 www.sonomafamilylife.com

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Healdsburg If you and your honey are into world music, then Ladysmith Black Mambazo is probably on your playlists. Ever since Paul Simon featured the South African a cappella group on his 1986 album Graceland, they’ve enjoyed international fame. See them at the Raven Performing Arts Theater on February 16 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $35 and may be purchased at raventheater.org. Santa Rosa Seven months pregnant when she did her first Netflix special, former San Franciscan Ali Wong rose to stardom making sassy, sarcastic, and very adult jokes about what it’s like to be a mom. Get a sitter and check out her Milk and Money show at the Luther Burbank Center for the Arts on February 15 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $49.50–$119.50 and may be purchased at lutherburbankcenter.org.

Rohnert Park: 360 Rohnert Park Expressway Santa Rosa: Coddingtown Mall 750 Farmers Ln. (by Ross) 2240 Mendocino Ave. (by Safeway) 750 Stony Pt. Rd. (by Starbucks) 1425 Fulton Rd. (by Raley’s) 2700 Yulupa Ave. (by CVS) ANY HAIRCUT ANY HAIRCUT Windsor: 9018 Brooks Rd. (by Mary’s Pizza) Healdsburg: 1017 Vineyard $Plaza $ 99 99 Sonoma: ANY HAIRCUT ANY HAIRCUT 19217 Sonoma Hwy. (Maxwell Village Center) Terra Linda: $ 99 ANY $ 99 HAIRCUT ANY HAIRCUT Northgate One Shopping Center 701 Sonoma $Mountain Parkway $ Petaluma: 99 99 929 Lakeville St. (by Luckys)

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Ali Wong

Sebastopol Chocoholics will find their favorite indulgence on the main menu at Dutton Estate Winery’s Chocolate and Wine Valentine’s Weekend. Sonoma Country Chocolate will provide the tempting dark nibbles while Dutton pours the vino. The event will be held February 14–16, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Just purchase the Casual Tasting for $15 or the Winter Small Bites (think: chilled corn soup and honey goat cheese with persimmon crostini) for $30 and get the Chocolate and Wine Pairing upgrade for free. See duttonestate.com for details. Windsor Connect with your partner in the kitchen at the Valentine’s Day Sushi Making Class at the Notre Vue Estate Winery and Vineyards on February 14 at 6 p.m. Besides chef Edward Metcalfe’s expert instruction, the evening will offer a sushi dinner and a glass of sparkling wine. Tickets are $120 per person; purchase them at notrevueestate.com. ¶

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February 2020

SonomaFamilyLife 23

February

Calendar of Events Free Help with Taxes

ax forms can be intimidating and not everyone has the cash to hire an accountant. Enter the free Tax Preparation Assistance program at the Sonoma Valley Regional Library in Sonoma. It may be sponsored by the AARP, but there is no age requirement for using the service. Volunteers will be available to help prepare taxes on Tuesday and Fridays, 10 a.m.–2 p.m., February 4–April 14. There will be no sessions on February 18 and 21; and sessions close at 1 p.m. on February 11 and March 10. Assistance is by-appointment only; schedule a time at sonomacounty.libcal.com/event/6308398. Participants are directed to bring a photo ID, 2018 state and federal tax returns, proof of Social Security or Individual Tax Payer Identification number and 2019 tax documents, including all income and deduction information, to their appointments. ¶

Tuesday 4 FREE Tax Preparation Assistance.

Tuesdays & Fridays: 10 a.m.– 2 p.m. Thru Apr. 14 (no tax preparation Feb. 18 & 21; closes at 1 p.m. on Feb. 11 & Mar. 10.) Sonoma Valley Regional Library. 755 W. Napa St., Sonoma. sonomacounty.libcal.com.

Thursday 6 FREE Kindergym. Thursdays. 10 a.m.–

noon. Donations accepted. Forestville

United Methodist Church. 6550 Covey Rd., Forestville. sebastopol.org. Awakened Acting. Improv theater

games. Ages 6–12: Thursdays, 3:30–4:30 p.m. Ages 13–17: Wednesdays, 3:30–4:30 p.m. $100/4 weeks. Sebastopol Community Cultural Center. 390 Morris St., Sebastopol. seb.org/activityguide. FREE Breastfeeding Meet-Up.

Facilitated by a lactation consultant. Thursdays. 12:30–1:30 p.m. Luma

Center. 616 Petaluma Blvd. N., Ste. A & B, Petaluma. facebook.com/ thelumacenter. FREE Social Advocates for Youth (SAY) Drop-In Wellness Group for Teens. Teens

learn healthy ways to cope with challenges. Ages 12–19. Thursdays. Thru. Mar. 12. 4–5 p.m. Central Santa Rosa Library (History & Geneology Library). 211 E St., Santa Rosa. sonomacounty. libcal.com.

$100 Off with New Member Enrollment

140 STONY POINT RD, SUITE B 707.523.1144 www.IgniteMartialArts.org

24 SonomaFamilyLife

February 2020 www.sonomafamilylife.com

FREE Dungeons & Dragons. 14 players (2 tables of 7). Grades 7–12. Sebastopol Regional Library. 7140 Bodega Ave., Sebastopol. sonomacounty.libcal.com. Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story. Feb.

6–7 & 14–15: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 8: 2 & 7:30 p.m. Feb. 9 & 16: 2 p.m. $40–$48. 6th Street Playhouse. 52 W. 6th St., Santa Rosa. 6thstreetplayhouse.com.

Friday 7 FREE Teen Movie Night: Five Feet Apart. Romantic

tale about a teen with cystic fibrosis. 4 p.m. Cloverdale Regional Library. 401 N. Cloverdale Blvd., Cloverdale. sonomacounty.libcal.com. FREE Curious about Coding.

Joe Svuecs explores coding &

computers with Scratch. Ages 10 & up. Space is limited; register online. 3:30–4:30 p.m. Sebastopol Regional Library. 7140 Bodega Ave., Sebastopol. sonomacounty.libcal.com/ event/6315904.

Saturday 8 Second Saturday Cartoonists: Ginger Wadsworth & Craig Orback.

Meet, watch & talk to the creators of the new book Born to Draw Comics: The Story of Charles Schulz & the Creation of Peanuts. 1–3 p.m. Charles M. Schulz Museum. 2301 Hardies Ln., Santa Rosa. schulzmuseum.org. FREE Exploring Seasonal Marshlands. Waterproof shoes are

recommended; steady rain cancels. 11 a.m. Look for the State Park vehicle parked along the bike path near 3rd St.

West & the ball fields for this drop-in program. Sonoma State Historic Park. 20 E. Spain St. #5729, Sonoma. sonomaparks.org. FREE Valentine’s Crafts & Cupcakes. Kids make Valentine’s Day

cards & decorate their own special cupcake. Supplies provided. 1–3 p.m. Central Santa Rosa Library. 211 E St., Santa Rosa. sonomacounty.libcal.com. FREE Celebrations: Havdalah Dance. For teens & young adults with special needs & their families. Food, music, activities & parent’s chat time. 4–6 p.m. Congregation Ner Shalom. 85 La Plaza, Cotati. nershalom.org. FREE Valentine Tea. 9:30–11 a.m.

Summerfield Waldorf School & Farm. 655 Willowside Rd., Santa Rosa.

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February 2020

SonomaFamilyLife 25

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

Art Jam: Fairy Garden Creation with Flower Mart. Free with

museum admission ($9–$12, free for babies younger than 12 mos.) 1–3 p.m. Children’s Museum of Sonoma County. 1835 W. Steele Ln., Santa Rosa. cmosc.org.

• 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, recipes, or blog for Family Life?

FREE African Village Celebration.

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SonomaFamilyLife.com 26 SonomaFamilyLife

Authors of Jacob’s New Dress & Jacob’s Room to Choose will read from both books & present a “Love Is Love”– themed craft for kids. 10:30–11:30 a.m. Rincon Valley Library. 6959 Montecito Blvd., Santa Rosa. sonomacounty. libcal.com.

Master drummer Onye Onyemaechi will use rhythm, music & instruments to explore the beauty & soul of the drum in African village life. 2–3 p.m. Rincon Valley Regional Library. 6959 Montecito Blvd., Santa Rosa. Other libraries will host; see sonomacounty.libcal. com for branches/times. Pudding Creek Express. Seven-mile

round-trip train ride along the Pudding Creek estuary. Saturdays & Sundays plus Feb. 17. Trains at 11 a.m. & 1 & 3 p.m., depending on the day. $10.95–$41.95. Departs from Fort Bragg Depot. 100 W. Laurel St., Fort Bragg. skunktrain.com. FREE I Heart Rohnert Park.

Entertainment, activities, food & more. 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Rohnert Park Community Center. 5401 Snyder Ln., Rohnert Park. facebook.com/ rpcommunityservices.

February 2020 www.sonomafamilylife.com

Divorce Options. A panel

presentation on divorce options by an attorney, financial professional & mental health professional. $35. 9 a.m.–noon. Collaborative Practice Center. 829 Sonoma Ave., Santa Rosa. eventbrite.com. Eco-Access Hike. Accessible

hike for all abilities & ages. Bring a picnic. Event: free. Parking: $7. 11 a.m.–1 p.m. Spring Lake Regional Park. 5585 Newanga Ave., Santa Rosa. parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov.

Monday 10 Museum Mondays for Little Ones.

Designed for children ages 1–5 & their caregivers. Stories, movement, games & craft activities. Also Feb. 17 & 24. $5 per child/free for up to 2 adults before 11 a.m. Regular

museum admission prices apply after 11 a.m. Free for members. 10 a.m.–noon. Charles M. Schulz Museum. 2301 Hardies Ln., Santa Rosa. schulzmuseum.org.

Wednesday 12 FREE 3D Printing at the Library:

Library. 150 Coddingtown Center, Santa Rosa. sonomacounty.libcal.com. Jeremy Denk. Pianist plays Bach’s Well-Tempered Clavier, Book One. 7:30 p.m. $25–$55. Green Music Center. 1801 E. Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park. gmc.sonoma.edu.

Friday 14

Introduction to 3D Design & Printing. Ages 12 & up. Course covers the basic functions of TinkerCAD, a free online CAD program. Guerneville Regional Library. 14107 Armstrong Woods Rd., Guerneville. Register at: sonomacounty.libcal.com/ event/6422401.

Thursday 13

FREE Little Red-Haired Girls Day.

In celebration of Valentine’s Day & Charlie Brown’s affection for a certain Little Red-Haired Girl, red-haired girls or boys receive free admission. 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Charles M. Schulz Museum. 2301 Hardies Ln., Santa Rosa. schulzmuseum.org. Cloverdale Citrus Fair. Carnival,

Teen Anime Fan Club. Ages 12–18.

4–5 p.m. Northwest Santa Rosa

livestock displays, contests & live music. $5–$9; an additional carnival

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February 2020

SonomaFamilyLife 27

ride ticket book may be purchased for $20 or an unlimited rides wristband is available for $25–$30. Feb. 14: noon–9 p.m. Feb. 15 & 16: 10 a.m.–9 p.m. Feb. 17: 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Cloverdale Citrus Fair. 1 Citrus Fair Dr., Cloverdale. cloverdalecitrusfair.org. Chocolate & Wine Valentine’s

Celebrating

Weekend. February 14–16. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Purchase the Casual Tasting for $15 or the Winter Small Bites for $30 & get the Chocolate & Wine Pairing upgrade for free. Dutton Estate Winery. 8757 Green Valley Rd., Sebastopol. duttonestate.com. Valentine’s Day Sushi Making Class.

6 p.m. Instruction from chef Edward Metcalfe. Sushi dinner & a glass of sparkling wine included. $120 per person. Notre Vue Estate Winery & Vineyards. 11010 Estate Ln., Windsor. notrevueestate.com.

Saturday 15

YEARS as the #1 resource for local families

Family Hikes. Short, family-friendly hikes with citizen-science projects along the way. 1 & 3 p.m. Event: free. Parking: $7. Spring Lake Regional Park. 393 Violetti Rd., Santa Rosa. parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov. Science Spark: NorCal Bats. 2–3 p.m. Free with admission ($9–$12). Babies younger than 12 months: free. Children’s Museum of Sonoma County. 1835 W. Steele Ln., Santa Rosa. cmosc.org. Junior Ranger: Animal Tracking.

magazine • web • email • events 28 SonomaFamilyLife

Interactive program for youth ages 7–13. Ranger Darren & Ranger Assistant Michaela teach kids about animal tracks, scat & the other clues animals leave behind. 10 a.m.–noon. Event: $5. Parking: $7. Riverfront Regional Park. 7821 Eastside Rd.,

February 2020 www.sonomafamilylife.com

Healdsburg. Register: tinyurl.com/ w7je7n8. Info: 433-1625. Zipline Improv. Sebastopol-based company performs storytelling-based improv that goes beyond comedy. $20–$25. 7:30 p.m. Spreckels Performing Arts Center. 5409 Snyder Ln., Rohnert Park. spreckelsonline. com. eventbrite.com. Ali Wong. Comedian performs

as part of her Milk & Money tour. 7 p.m. $49.50–$119.50. Luther Burbank Center for the Arts. 50 Mark West Springs Rd., Santa Rosa. lutherburbankcenter.org.

Sunday 16 FREE Day at Charles M. Schulz Museum. Free museum admission.

All day (11 a.m.–5 p.m.) 1–3 p.m.:

Kids learn to draw cartoon animals with Jeff Schinkel as he shares his new books A Kids Guide to Drawing Cartoon Animals & Mind-Boggling Animal Puzzles. Charles M. Schulz Museum. 2301 Hardies Ln., Santa Rosa. schulzmuseum.org. Ladysmith Black Mambazo. South

African male a cappella group. 7 p.m. $35. Raven Performing Arts Theater. 115 North St., Healdsburg. raventheater.org. Scenes in the Scenery: Fitness Hiking Series. Intermediate to advanced 4- to 5-mile excursions. Event: free. Parking: $7. Shiloh Ranch Regional Park. 5750 Faught Rd., Windsor. parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov. Community Grief Ritual. Facilitated

by Megan Eberhardt. Inspired

by the Diagra tradition of Malidoma Somé. Large group sharing, movement, rhythm, song, sacred witness & community ritual. $40–$70. 9:30 a.m.–6 p.m. Sebastopol Grange. 6000 Sebastopol Ave., Sebastopol. eventbrite.com. Children’s Social & Emotional Competence Workshop. Facilitated by

licensed trainer Elizabeth Smith, the founder of the Whole Child Project. $50. 10 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Charles M. Schulz Museum. 2301 Hardies Ln., Santa Rosa. eventbrite.com.

Tuesday 18 FREE P Is for Parks: Nature & Books Unite! Bilingual story time featuring nature stories, crafts & songs.

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A safe, small country school with high academic and elective standards. Teachers focus on character development and lifelong learning habits. We offer a challenging high school prep environment. Electives: Culinary arts • Dance • Spanish • Music • Art • Photoshop • Video editing • Technology MATHEMATICS ENGLISH • SCIENCE CREATIVE ARTS ATHLETICS • HISTORY

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SonomaFamilyLife 29

Thank you for choosing local first!

10:30–11:30 a.m. Healdsburg Regional Library. 139 Piper St., Healdsburg. parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov.

Wednesday 19 FREE Pride Book Club for Teens.

Discuss the latest queer young adult books. Pick up monthly selection at the reference desk. Snacks provided. 4–5 p.m. Guerneville Regional Library. 14107 Armstrong Woods Rd., Guerneville. sonomacounty. libcal.com.

Friday 21

Hair & Skin Care for the Entire Family!

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Call for an appointment 707 665-5826 7 days a week

This Boy Likes Dresses

hen Jacob decides he wants to wear a dress to school, his mom breaks out the sewing machine and they create an outfit just for him. Though his classmates tease him about his new duds, the dress becomes a kind of magic protector that gives him the freedom to be himself. This is the plot of the children’s picture book Jacob’s New Dress by Sarah and Ian Hoffman. The authors will read and discuss the inspiration for the book, and read from their new book, Jacob’s Room to Choose, on February 8, 10:30–11:30 a.m., at Rincon Valley Library in Santa Rosa. A “Love Is Love”–themed craft will follow the reading, which is suitable for kids ages 4–8 and their families. See sonomacounty.libcal.com for more information. ¶

FREE Parent Café. Based on the Strengthening Families Five Protective Factors Framework, where parents come together, socialize, share parenting ideas & learn ways to strengthen their family. Free child care./Los cafés para padres se basan en Strengthening Families Five Protective Factors Framework, donde los padres se reúnen, socializan, comparten ideas y aprenden formas de fortalecer a su familia. Cuidado infantil gratis. Cada tercer viernes. Every third Friday. 6–8 p.m. La Plaza (Lincoln Elementary School). Room 502. 850 W. 9th St., Santa Rosa. 522-1413, ext. 133. eventbrite.com.

Saturday 22 FREE Glow in the Dark Yoga. Playful

yoga class for ages 13–17. Introduces yoga poses with cooperative games, breathing & relaxation exercises. Mats provided. 2–3 p.m. Cloverdale Regional Library. 401 N. Cloverdale Blvd., Cloverdale. sonomacounty. libcal.com. Dance for Justice with the Coolators. Benefits legal services

30 SonomaFamilyLife

February 2020 www.sonomafamilylife.com

to immigrant families in the North Bay. 8–11 p.m. $20. Congregation Ner Shalom. 85 La Plaza, Cotati. nershalom.org. FREE Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day. Girls

in grades 6–12 will participate in an engineering competition & talk to professional engineers. 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Keysight Technologies. 1400 Fountaingrove Pkwy., Santa Rosa. eventbrite.com.

volunteer representative of the Laguna in area schools. Event prepares participants for training in March. 3–5 p.m. Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation. 900 Sanford Rd., Santa Rosa. Registration required: eventbrite. com or lagunafoundation.org. FREE Maker Studio: Code, Build, Play. Kids learn the basics of coding using a variety of online resources & play with a rotating

How to Kick the Sugar Habit. 11

a.m.–noon. $10. Lomitas Center. 2421 Lomitas Ave., Santa Rosa. eventbrite.com.

Saturday 29 Fairy Tale Ball. A dance party for

kids ages 4–12 & chaperones. 5–7 p.m. Adult/child pair: $35. Additional adult: $10. Additional child: $35. Max 2 kids to 1 adult. Finley Community Center. 2060 W. College Ave., Santa Rosa. Registration required: srcity.org.

Spring activities are here! Choose from hundreds of ac�vi�es for the whole family, registra�on now open!

Sunday 23

Bond & Beyond. Music from Goldfinger, From Russian with Love, Diamonds Are Forever & Skyfall. Laura Dickinson, vocalist. $37–$90. 3 p.m. Luther Burbank Center for the Arts. 50 Mark West Springs Rd., Santa Rosa. lutherburbankcenter.org.

3-hour intensive for couples. Guided relaxation, partner communication, breathing techniques & massage & touch. $125. 3–6 p.m. Brigid’s Well. 1604 Gravenstein Hwy. S., Sebastopol. eventbrite.com.

selection of STEAM toys. Ages 7–14. Windsor Regional Library. 9291 Old Redwood Hwy., Ste. 100, Windsor. sonomacounty.libcal.com.

Plus, join the St. Patrick’s Day 5K presented by Fleet Feet to beneﬁt Rec & Parks Scholarship Fund. Visit SRCity.org/SPDRun.

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Wednesday 26 FREE Walk Through the Grades Tour. 9–11 a.m. Summerfield Waldorf School & Farm. 655 Willowside Rd., Santa Rosa. Sign up: summerfieldwaldorf.org/ admissions/visit-us.

Thursday 27 FREE Learning Laguna Docent Training Orientation. Learn to be a

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Crafting with Kids

across the heart shape to create a criss-cross pattern. 9. Continue with step 8 until all holes have been threaded. Tie a knot on the backside of your design. Set aside. 10. Cut another piece of card stock that measures 6 ½- x 4 ½-inches.

Fun with Hearts DIY Gifts that Spread Love Around

By Denise Yearian

alentine’s Day is the perfect time to show others you care. Here are a couple hearty gift and greeting ideas to make and share with “family” and even outdoor-feathered friends!

HEART STRINGS CARD Cardstock, white Pencil Ruler Scissors Heart template or cookie cutter Large sewing needle Eraser Yarn, various bright colors Glue 1. Measure and cut a 7- x 10-inch piece of cardstock.

32 SonomaFamilyLife

11. Place glue around the perimeter of the paper in step 10. Then glue over the backside of your heart design to cover the underneath threading. Let dry. 12. Fold card back in half and write a Valentine greeting. Place card in an envelope and give to someone you love. 13. Repeat steps 1–12 to make other cards, using different colored yarn, if desired. HEARTY BIRD FEEDER

2. Fold cardstock in half to create a 7- x 5-inch card. 3. Open card and lay on flat surface, so the fold is in the center. 4. Place heart template on one side of the card. Trace around the heart with a pencil. 5. Use needle to punch small holes that are evenly spaced along the heart outline you drew.

Pipe cleaners Ring-type cereal (Cheerios, Fruit Loops, etc.) Scissors Twine 1. Form pipe cleaner into the shape of a heart, making sure the two open ends are at the bottom. 2. String cereal onto the pipe cleaner until it is full.

6. Carefully erase any remaining pencil lines.

3. Bring bottom open ends together and twist together to close the heart.

7. Cut a long piece of yarn then thread it through the eye of the needle. Tie a knot at the bottom of the long end of the yarn.

4. Cut and tie a piece of twine to the top of the heart.

8. Thread yarn in and out through the holes, stretching the yarn

5. Hang on a tree. Denise Yearian is the former editor of two parenting magazines and the mother of three children and four grandchildren

February 2020 www.sonomafamilylife.com

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Humor Break You can hide out if you want. After all, you’ve already paid the gym membership. Do reinstate nap time. Even children too old to nap can take advantage of a scheduled rest time. Engage the same routine as you do at bedtime. Then let your children know that it’s fine to play quietly in their rooms as long as they only come out for a trip to the bathroom. Don’t forget to let them know when they can come out of the bedroom.

Catch Some JustWakeDon’tUp Couple Time the Kids By Jill Morgenstern

ome parents have nearby family or grandparents ready and waiting to whisk off the kids so Mom and Dad can luxuriate in the quiet of a child-free home for a weekend. Others of us are not so lucky. But with a little creativity, each of us can get that much needed time with a significant other, even without hiring a babysitter. Here are some dos and don’ts for sneaking in a few moments alone together: Do try to spend time together while the kids are at activities. A parent doesn’t need to watch each and every soccer practice or ballet class. Most parents have taken this time for an occasional quick trip to the grocery store or other errand anyway. Why not spend a little of that time with your spouse?

34 SonomaFamilyLife

Don’t forget to pick up your child! Do use TV for a babysitter, but use it judiciously. Most children watch some TV each week. Why not take advantage of that? Try to save your child’s TV time for when both you and your spouse will be home together. Don’t leave your child unattended in front of the TV for more than six hours. The skipped meals may be cause for concern. Do hit the gym. Many gyms offer free childcare as part of their services. Take them up on it and meet your spouse for a game of basketball, a weight-lifting session, or an aerobics class. Don’t hide out in the locker room reading a magazine. Just kidding!

Do try to meet your spouse for lunch. If your children are school-age, a lunch date is the perfect opportunity to grab a few quick moments together. Don’t abandon preschoolers or infants in favor of a lunch date. Soon they will be in school and this option will be yours for the taking. Do enjoy an early breakfast together on the weekend. If you’re not too sleep deprived, try waking up extra early one weekend morning and indulging in a child-free breakfast. Don’t make too much noise. Some children seem to have a sixth sense about when their parents awaken, and even tiptoeing around the kitchen might set off their ESP. By following these simple tips, you too can gain some alone time with your spouse. Be sure to follow only the dos and not the don’ts to create a healthy environment for your marriage. ¶ Freelance writer Jill Morgenstern is a mother of four and has 13 years of experience as a teacher. Find her at dotrythisathome.net/p/featured-on.html.

February 2020 www.sonomafamilylife.com

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Articles inside

Fun with Hearts DIY Gifts that Spread Love Around

Nurture Your Marriage

V-Day Adventures

Talk to Kids About Crushes

Dental Drama

Skin So Soft

Big Trails Love Little Feet

Why Camp Is Cool