Sonoma Family Life January 2015

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January 2015

5 Critical Money Lessons Every kid should learn

Meet Judy Mangada, Ph.D.

Inspiring scientist mom

30 Private Guide to

Schools

Super Smarts How to help a gifted learner

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All Students are Entitled to a Successful Education Our Focus is Learning We are a Team PRINCIPALS OF CRPUSD Sarah Fountain Monte Vista Elementary

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Ashley Tatman Technology Middle School

Teresa Ruffoni Marguerite Hahn Elementary

Robert Steffen Technology High School

Amie Carter Rancho Cotate High School

Gaylene Rosaschi University Elementary

Laurie Mason Lawrence Jones Middle School

Teresa Peterson Thomas Page Academy

Susan Lopez John Reed/Waldo Rohnert Elementary

CHECK US OUT AT WWW.CRPUSD.ORG

January 2015

10 14

Feature Stories 10 Meet Judy Mangada Ph.D. Local scientist mom inspires students with water bears, DNA, and research.

14 School Savvy

Tap into a slew of educational options.

16 2015 Sonoma Family Life Guide to Private Schools Your private-school primer! Get the scoop on all the great local schools.

24 Super Smarts How to help your gifted child.

26 Spend, Save, Share Five critical money lessons every kid should learn.

28 Toddler Talk Creative ways to help your child learn words.

24

Every Issue 6

Dear Reader

8

Bits and Pieces

A Fierce and Fiery Friend

Soup’s On!

Get On Your PJs and Party

Six-string Religion

30 Calendar of Events Celtic Meets Electronica

38 Cooking with Kids The Great Granola-bar Experiment

39 Marketplace 42 Humor Break

SonomaFamilyLife.com 4 SonomaFamilyLife

January 2015 www.sonomafamilylife.com

Go online.

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Dear Reader

W

elcome to our special education issue.

We know you want to find the best schools for your children, and we’re here Sharon Gowan to help. Turn to Publisher/Editor Sharon@family-life.us the 2015 Sonoma Family Guide to Private Schools (page 16) to start your search. And definitely check out our exciting iLearn Online+Live! events. iLearn Online is your best resource for discovering all kinds of learning opportunities, from great schools to fantastic enrichment and extracurricular programs. You’ll find all the resources to plan your family’s optimal future in one place. See the iLearn page at www. sonomafamilylife.com.

Join us at iLearn Live! on January 31,11 a.m.–3 p.m., at Coddingtown Mall in Santa Rosa and meet representatives from top-notch local public, private,

charter, and online schools. You’ll also discover an amazing collection of incredible after-school activities.

During your school search, if you have a talented child, you may want to pay special attention to an institution’s accommodations for gifted children.

Read “Super Smarts” (page 24) and ask teachers and administrators if they follow any of the author’s suggestions for educating super learners.

Office Manager Patricia Ramos patty@family-life.us

Business Marketing Jolie Cook jolie@family-life.us

If your children have a strong aptitude for science, they may find themselves at the Buck Institute for Research on the Aging learning center, which hosts participants of two teen programs. Turn to “Meet Julie Mangada, Ph.D.” (page 10) to find out about how the center’s scientist mom makes science enticing to even the youngest of students.

Renee Nutcher renee@family-life.us

Features Editor Melissa Chianta melissa@family-life.us

Production Manager Donna Bogener production@family-life.us

We hope this is your family’s happiest New Year!

Marketing Jordan Lewis jordan@family-life.us

Contributing Writers Patrick Hempfing Pamela Yellen Jan Pierce John Corippo

Calendar Anna Freeman

Billing

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Based out of San Francisco, Off the Grid is the largest network of gourmet mobile food markets anywhere. And they are coming to Sonoma County to celebrate with us! Sonoma Mountain Marketplace will now be hosting a variety of select choice "Off the Grid" food trucks every first weekend of the every month, in addition to our growing number of marketplace restaurants. Join us for this street food extravaganza to celebrate our Grand "Re"Opening.

SonomaMountainMarketplace.com 6 SonomaFamilyLife

January 2015 www.sonomafamilylife.com

Guayaki believes in reducing their carbon footprint. By partnering with Sonoma Clean Power (SCP), they’re powering their business with renewable sources like wind and geothermal.

As a not-for-profit public agency, SCP invests earnings into keeping electricity costs stable and low, and to encourage the development of more local renewable energy right here in Sonoma County. Cheers!

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January 2015

SonomaFamilyLife 7

Bits & Pieces

Soup’s On!

D A Fierce and Fiery Friend

D

o your children wonder what it would be like to hang around Lord of the Ring’s Mordor? Take them to the Santa Rosa Junior College planetarium to learn about volcanoes. They’ll learn that volcanoes are integral to the functioning of the Earth, and that they exist in other worlds, including on Venus, Mars, and one of Jupiter’s moons. The volcano show will be held January 16–25, 30–31, and February 13–15. The show will start at 7 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 1:30 p.m. on Sundays. General admission is $8. Students, seniors, and 13 and under are $5.

See santarosa.edu for more information. ¶

oes just the thought of a steaming cup of chowder have you salivating? Then don’t miss Bodega Bay’s Chowder Day on January 13. You’ll be in heaven as you take a culinary tour of the town, sipping soups and meeting chefs vying for awards.

If you visit all the stops, you’ll be eligible to win a drawing for prizes. Tickets are $10 and go on sale at 10 a.m. on the day of the event. One thousand tickets will be sold until 2 p.m. or until they are sold out. To buy tickets, follow the signs when you get into town to the Harbor View neighborhood, which is just north of the Visitor Center and gas station. Tickets will double as a ballot and a map. Soup will be served until 3 p.m., or until the good stuff runs out, whichever comes first.

Plan on taking 3–4 hours for your chowder-tasting feast. Parking may be a challenge, so once you get your ticket/map, plan your parking strategy, using street parking where available. See visitbodegabayca. com/#!chowder-day/czk2 for more information. ¶

Get On Your PJs and Party

D

iesel, A Bookstore puts a 21st century–twist on a classic childhood experience with its bookstore pajama party. Put the kids in their PJs and bring them to the Larkspur bookstore at 6 p.m. on January 9 to listen to the New York Times best-selling duo of Mac Barnett and Jon Klassan tell a bedtime story. Cozy up in front of a fireplace and munch on milk and cookies as the pair weave a tale about a hole-digging expedition gone awry. (Prepare for lots of deadpan humor.) Barnett is the author of several picture books, including Billy Twitters and His Blue Whale Problem, Guess Again!, and Oh No!: Or How My Science Project Destroyed the World. Diesel, A Bookstore puts on

pajama parties on the first Friday of every month. See dieselbookstore.com for more information. ¶

8 SonomaFamilyLife

January 2015 www.sonomafamilylife.com

Six-string Religion

Y

our little rock-and-roll kings and divas will love the Bay Area World Guitar Show. Musically inclined visitors will be wowed by an array of guitars—old, rare, celebrity-owned, and brand-new—as well as celebrity sightings. (The likes of Carlos Santana, Neil Young, Huey Lewis, Axl Rose, and Green Day have attended before.)

Come and join the world’s dealers, artists, collectors, and authors in a celebration of a shared passion for an ancient instrument. The show will be held at the Marin Center Exhibit Hall in San Rafael on January 17, 10 a.m.–5 p.m., and January 18, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

Admission is $20; kids 11 and under are free. See texasguitarshows.com for more information. ¶

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January 2015

SonomaFamilyLife 9

Meet Judy Mangada, Ph.D.

By Melissa Chianta

How a Local Scientist Mom Inspires Students with Water Bears, DNA, and Research

H

ave you heard of water bears? Well if you are within earshot of mother and scientist Julie Mangada, Ph.D., you have.

Mangada, the K–8 Outreach Coordinator for the Buck Institute for Research on Aging, loves to talk about the universe’s toughest little microorganism, with the hopes of inspiring listeners young and old to learn more about the world of science.

10 SonomaFamilyLife

Julie Mangada, Ph.D., helps her students extract DNA from their own saliva.

When I planned my meeting with Mangada, who holds a doctorate in molecular medicine, I envisioned interviewing a stereotypically serious scientist. Instead, I found myself shaking the hand of a bubbly petite woman with a broad grin, sparkling eyes, and a decidedly hip sense of style. Instead of a lab coat, she wore a Buck Institute sweatshirt, and her nametag listed her title as “Research Goddess.”

I admit I was relieved.

Mangada guided me from the institute’s grandly spacious lobby, which was designed by internationally renowned architect I.M. Pei, down a flight of stairs to a lively room filled with multicolored chair-back stools, large photos of neon microscopic creatures, lab equipment, and, in lieu of fuzzy stuffed animals, toy microorganisms. (Salmonella looks so friendly when it’s made of white plush cloth and sports pink hair.)

This is the Patxi’s Pizza Learning Center, where Mangada spends a lot of her time. As I steadied myself

January 2015 www.sonomafamilylife.com

on a swivel stool, I asked my host to give me an example of what kids learn about in her lab.

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ur cult

“Water bears,” she said, fiddling with a microscope hooked up to a projector.

I soon saw on a hanging screen a wiggling creature with two beady black eyes, a chubby transparent body, and eight paws with claws. It was actually pretty adorable.

“It’s not too often that scientists will tell

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On any given day, Mangada has 30 kindergarteners in her lab. you that they chose a subject because it’s cute,” she said, smiling.

But water bears, or tardigrades, have more going for them than their plump “pinch-me” plasma cheeks. They are apparently next to immortal.

“I’m embarrassed to admit that scientists have done almost everything to water bears,” explained Mangada.

They’ve been frozen at extreme temperatures, boiled in acid, and assaulted by cosmic rays and the vacuum in space—but nothing kills them. They are like the Rip Van Winkle of microorganisms: If deprived of water, they fall into a death-like sleep (called a cryptobiocyst or tun, state) until their environment becomes a little more welcoming. A hundred years could pass, and they won’t have aged a day when they finally “wake up.”

Those are some fancy tricks for something as big as a cross section of a human hair.

Water bears’ indestructibility has made them a desirable subject for science www.sonomafamilylife.com

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Thriving Academics, Creativity, & Well-being • • • •

Traditional Montessori Curriculum Ages 2 - 6 years old Kindergarten Program Summer Program

Developing the Foundations for a Lifetime of Creative Learning 537-8889

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2015-2016 Enrollment begins February 1st, 2015 A traditional education focusing on creating well rounded and well equipped students for the future, in a Christ centered setting.

905 Mendocino Ave. Santa Rosa, CA 95401

707-545-0526

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12 SonomaFamilyLife

Mangada addressing a group in the Paxti’s Pizza Learning Center at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging.

experiments. One might argue it also makes them the perfect playmate for a five-year-old. Mangada should know, she used to be the mom of one. (Her son is 12 now.)

On any given day, Mangada has 30 kindergarteners in her lab, exploring water bears and other scientific phenomena. She also turns classrooms into laboratories, visiting local schools with petri dishes in tow. Even her youngest students get to create their own hypotheses and do some of their very own research.

Elementary students aren’t the only kids who get to work with Mangada.

Thanks to two programs, one sponsored by the institute and the other by the Novato Unified School District, teens get to work with her, too.

Twenty to 25 lucky high schoolers are accepted into the institute’s Summer Scholars program, during which they spend eight, 40-hour workweeks earning minimum wage (when the program is adequately funded) while learning about basic science procedures and ethics.

The institute also participates in Novato Unified School District’s School to Career program, through

which high-school interns earn school credit by working in Mangada’s lab several afternoons a week throughout the semester. While I interviewed her, a young fellow was working with breast-cancer cell cultures, while another was checking out a rather robust water bear found in the area.

Even Mangada’s youngest students get to do some of their very own research.

Besides her work with these two programs, Mangada has been the driving force behind the North Bay Science Discovery Day, a local version of the Bay Area Science Festival. She and a slew of dedicated volunteers have been organizing the annual event for five years. The last one was held at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds and featured 80 exhibitors teaching everything from computer code to squid dissection. Fourteen thousand people attended, and 95 percent of them said they wanted to come back.

Though she spent 17 years in New England earning her doctorate, Mangada was born and raised in Petaluma. It is her love of her

January 2015 www.sonomafamilylife.com

Get Inspired

KIDS CLUB

community that led to her current position. She was first employed by the Buck Institute to conduct research on aging and then cancer.

But people from her childhood who still lived in the area and knew about her work kept asking her to do presentations at local community and school events. For a while, she had two full-time jobs, one doing research and another, outreach.

Then a nearly million-dollar donation to the institute made it possible for her to focus on the latter. It also built her a lab.

Mangada has held her current position for two years, but she’s been planning the programming for more like seven. While she misses doing bench research, she noted that she still gets to do hypothesis-based research with the students she coaches, and she contributes to the work of other labs at the institute when she can.

“I have the best job at the institute,” she enthused. “I get to support scientists here at the institute and inspire the next generation of scientists. I also get to break down barriers between the public and the research we do here.”

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Mangada’s passion for what she does is palpable, and is clearly much appreciated.

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“If we could clone people, Julie would be the first one [to be replicated],” one of her colleagues said to me.

I’m sure that from the North Bay Discovery Day volunteers she guides to the students she coaches to the colleagues she supports that there are a lot of people (and even water bears) who feel the same way. ¶ www.sonomafamilylife.com

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An active social experience for adults with children ages 8 months to 3½ yrs. playtime parachute games singing group activities

January 2015

SonomaFamilyLife 13

a school? What is the next school you want your child to attend?

How to Find a Top-notch Education for Your Child

School Savvy

H

ow do you choose the best school for your child? It helps to break your search down into manageable tasks.

First, go on a fact-finding mission to discover what’s out there. Are you considering a private school? Start your search below with the Sonoma 2015 Private School Guide. We surveyed staff and websites for 30 local private schools to collect vital information for this annual guide.

Don’t ignore your neighborhood public school, either. Is there a public school that may be a great fit? You may be

Join Sonoma Family Life for the annual school showcase, iLearn Fair Live, January 31, 11 a.m.–3 p.m, at Coddingtown Mall in Santa Rosa. It’s free. You can talk to representatives from your favorite schools and after-school programs. It’s sure to be a fun day.

able to transfer. Ask the district office.

(Charter schools, even though they’re public, generally don’t require transfer approval.)

Visit the iLearn tab on our new website— SonomaFamilyLife.com—for details on terrific local school options. You’ll also discover great ways to enhance learning such as museum exhibits, after-school programs, and enrichment activities.

Now is a good time to write down what’s important for you and your child. Create a priority list. What is your child interested in? What are your top expectations of

St. John School

Next, decide on three to five schools for a “deep dive.” Write down questions to ask administrators before you schedule tours. Prepare by visiting websites and reviewing upcoming deadlines. Talk to teachers and parents, especially parents whose children graduated from the schools you’re visiting. If possible, attend some school events to get a feel for the culture and community.

Apply to your dream school and back-up schools as soon as you can, as spaces fill up quickly.

Finding the right school can be a daunting experience. There are so many options in our area. Your child’s perfect school is out there, just waiting for you to find it! ¶

Please call for a personalized meeting and tour with our Principal High-Achieving Students: • 100% of recent graduates received honors their first semester at Cardinal Newman HS • Advanced student scores on standardized testing • 90% student participation in extracurricular activities

On-Campus Technology and Resources: • Laptop computers supplied to upper grades and ipads/Kindles to lower grades • Interactive SMART Boards in every class • Superior on-campus library and gym

Supportive Teachers:

Transfer Scholarships Available For transfer students providing a discount for the first 2 years.

Students in grades Pre-K -8 who transfer to St. John School this school year are eligible for the Transfer Scholarships.

www.sjshbg.org 14 SonomaFamilyLife

707.433.2758

• Low ratio class sizes with teacher assistants • Counselors to provide the best opportunities • Resource specialist to accommodate all levels • Affordable before and after-school care with the option of tutorial programs and study hall

Arts & Athletic Opportunities • Foreign language, art, music, technology and physical education as part of core curriculum • Competitive athletic program

Historic Downtown Healdsburg

January 2015 www.sonomafamilylife.com

Rincon Valley Christian School Celebrating 45 Years of Quality Christian Education!

Come visit and experience the difference!

“Jesus is the common core” Open Enrollment for PK-6th Grade Now Taking Applications for Semester 2 Transfers 7-12 Tour or shadows daily by appointment, just call 707-539-1486

Christian values which promote: • A safe, positive Christian school community.

• An atmosphere that promotes spiritual development and learning.

• Dynamic academic, art, music and athletic programs.

• Proven academic success, preschool though 12th grade.

707-539-1486 • www.rvchristian.org

Uniform

Fin. Aid

Fam. Disc.

Cafeteria

Transport

Summer

Private School Guide

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5475 Snyder Lane

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6298 Country Club Drive

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School School Name Tuition Grades Class Enrollment

Philosophy Size Current/Max

Ext. Care

2015 Sonoma County

Address Phone

Cloverdale Seventh Day Adventist School

$4,100

cloverdalesdaschool.org

Christian values & high academic performance, non-bias.

2–9

15

19 / 20

1081 S. Cloverdale Blvd.

894-5703

Graton Pacific Christian Academy

$3,500

pacificchristianacademy.org

Christian values and philosophy taught and lived.

K–12

2

4 / 30

8877 Donald St. 823-2880

Healdsburg Rio Lindo Adventist Academy

$11,862–$22,158

riolindo.org

Learn. Serve. Lead.

St. John Catholic School

$5,700–$8,200

stjohnshealdsburg.org

Catholic philosophy.

The Healdsburg School

$13,950

thehealdsburgschool.org

Teaching children how to think, not what to think.

9–12

15

179 / 190

3200 Rio Lindo Ave. 431-5100

PreK–8

32

255 / 280

217 Fitch St. 433-2758

K–8

19

174 / 198

33 H Healdsburg Ave. 433-4847

Petaluma Harvest Christian School

$5,750–$6,600

harvestpetaluma.org

Classical & christian philosophy.

Spring Hill Montessori

$7,500–$13,700

springhillmontessori.org

Montessori/Bilingual/Science-focused/Creativity

St. Vincent de Paul Elementary

$5,282

svelem.org

125 years of faith, academics and service.

St. Vincent De Paul High School

$12,560

svhs-pet.org

College prep curriculum.

K–8 PreK–6 K–8 9–12

15–25

145 / NA

3700 Lakeville Hwy. #210 763-2954

8–20 32 22–24

120 / 150

825 Middlefield Drive 763-9222

280 / 320

100 Howard & Union St. 762-6426

350 / 400

849 Keokuk St. 763-1032

Rohnert Park Cross and Crown Lutheran

$2,000–$5,600

crossandcrownrp.org

Christian based. Spanish, art, music enrichment.

Building Solid Christian Leaders

NS–6

10

22 / 200

795-7863 Visit Harvest Come Call today for a tour

Rohnert Park

Berean Baptist Christan Acad.

$5400

K4–K5

10

5 / 20

bbaptist.org Christian affiliated, church based.

Join a Community dedicated to your child’s spiritual Santa Rosa development

584-7275

Beth Ami Religious School $250–$1585 PreK–9 8 30 / 50 • Strong Academic Programs bethamisr.org • Leadership Training • College-Prep High School Bridge Haven School $6500–$8500 K–8 15 20 / 45 • Regular Chapel/Bible Study Programs bridgehavenschool.com Structured academics. Strong creative arts program.

PCA

Brush Creek Montessori

16 SonomaFamilyLife

360-3000 755 Baywood Drive, 2nd Floor

812-7227 Kindergarten-8th Grade

$8,750Visit us online PreK–8 and12register 51 / 100today! 1569 Brush Creek Rd. Montessoripacificchristianacademy.org (AMS Affiliated) 539-7980

bcmontessori.org Pacific Christian Academy Cardinal Newman High School Affordable Christian Education$13,900 cardinalnewman.org

4676 Mayette Ave.

(707)823-2880 9–12

24

647 / NA

Co-ed college prep high school. Educating mind, body & spirit.

50 Ursuline Rd.

The N only Y Classical, Y Y Christian N Y school in the North Bay!

Y

(707)763-2954

3700 Lakeville Hwy., Ste 210 • Petaluma Nwww.harvestpetaluma.org Y N Y Y Y

N

546-6470

January 2015 www.sonomafamilylife.com

harvestpetaluma.org Classical & christian philosophy.

Y Y N St. Vincent de Paul Elementary $5,282 K–8 32 280 100825 Howard &763-2954 Union St. Y Y N Y N Y N N N N Y Spring Hill Montessori $7,500–$13,700 PreK–6 8–20 120 // 320 150 Middlefield Drive Petaluma Y N N Y N N Y svelem.org 125 years of faith, academics and service.

762-6426 Spring Hill Montessori $7,500 – $13,700 PreK – 6 8–20 120 150 825 Middlefield Drive / springhillmontessori.org Montessori/Bilingual/Science-focused/Creativity 763-9222 Harvest Christian School $5,750–$6,600 K–8 15–25 145 / NA 3700 Lakeville Hwy. #210 Y Y Y Y Y N N springhillmontessori.org Montessori/Bilingual/Science-focused/Creativity 763-9222 N Y Y Y St. Vincent Vincent de De Paul Paul Elementary High School $12,560 9–12 22–24 350 849&Keokuk Y Y Y Y N N N Y N St. $5,282 & christian philosophy.

K–8 32 280 // 400 320 100 Howard Union St. St. N harvestpetaluma.org Classical 763-2954 Y Y Y Y N N N svhs-pet.org College prep curriculum.

763-1032 St. Vincent de Paul Elementary $5,282 K–8 32 280 320 100 Howard & Union St. / svelem.org 125 years of faith, academics 762-6426 Spring Hill Montessori $7,500 –$13,700 PreK–6and service.

8–20 120 / 150 825 Middlefield Drive Y N N Y N N Y svelem.org 125 years of faith, academics and service.

762-6426 N N Y Y Y N Y Rohnert St. Vincent DePark Paul High School $12,560 9–12 22–24 350 / 400 849 Keokuk St. springhillmontessori.org Montessori/Bilingual/Science-focused/Creativity 763-9222 N Y Y Y N St. Vincent De Paul High School $12,560 9–12 22–24 350 849Snyder Keokuk St. N Y Y Y Y N Y Y svhs-pet.org College curriculum.

Cross and Crown Lutheran $2,000 –prep $5,600 NS–6 10 22 /// 400 200 5475 Lane School Y Y Y Y N N N St.School Vincent de Paul Elementary $5,282 K–8 32 280 320 100 Howard &763-1032 Union St. Y Name Tuition Grades Class Enrollment Address svhs-pet.org College prep curriculum.

763-1032 crossandcrownrp.org Christian art,and music enrichment.

795-7863

Philosophy Size Current/Max Phone svelem.org 125 yearsbased. of faith,Spanish, academics service.

762-6426 Rohnert Park Fam. Disc.

Cafeteria

Transport

Summer

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755 Baywood Drive, 2nd Drive Floor Mayette Ave. 6298 4676 Country Club

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bethamisr.org Brush Creek Montessori Bridge School SantaHaven Rosa bcmontessori.org Bridge Haven School bridgehavenschool.com Beth Ami Religious School bridgehavenschool.com Cardinal Newman High School Brush Creek Montessori bethamisr.org cardinalnewman.org Brush Creek Montessori bcmontessori.org Bridge Haven School bcmontessori.org Cardinal Newman High School bridgehavenschool.com Cardinal Newman High School cardinalnewman.org Brush Creek Montessori cardinalnewman.org bcmontessori.org

360-3000 $8,750 PreK–8 12 51 1569 Brush Rd. $6500–$8500 K–8 15 20 // 100 45 755 Baywood Drive,Creek 2nd Floor nd Montessori (AMS Affiliated) 539-7980 $6500–$8500 20 / 45 755 Baywood Drive,812-7227 2 Floor Structured academics. K–8 Strong creative15 arts $250–$1585 PreK–9 8 program.

30 / 50 4676 Mayette Ave. Structured academics.

Strong creative arts program.

812-7227 $13,900 9–12 24 647 50 Ursuline $8,750 PreK–8 12 51 // NA 100 1569 Brush Creek Rd. Rd. 360-3000 Co-ed college prepAffiliated) highPreK–8 school. Educating & spirit. $8,750 12 mind,51body 1569 Brush 546-6470 Creek Rd. / 100 Montessori (AMS 539-7980 nd $6500–$8500 K–8 15 20 / 45 755 Baywood Drive, 2 Floor Montessori (AMS Affiliated) 539-7980 $13,900 academics. 9–12 647 / NA 50 Ursuline Rd. Structured Strong creative24 arts program.

812-7227 $13,900 9–12 24 mind, 647body 50 Ursuline Rd. / NA& spirit.

Co-ed college prep high school.

Educating 546-6470 $8,750 PreK–8 12 51 / 100 1569 Brush Creek Rd. Co-ed college prep high school. Educating mind, body & spirit.

546-6470 Montessori (AMS Affiliated) 539-7980

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Cardinal Newman High School

$13,900

N

N

Y

N

Y

Y

Y

cardinalnewman.org

Co-ed college prep high school. Educating mind, body & spirit.

Ext. Care

Fin. Aid

Private School Guide Uniform

2015 Sonoma County

Rohnert Rohnert Park Cross and Crown Lutheran St. Vincent DePark Paul High School Cross and Crown Lutheran crossandcrownrp.org Berean Baptist Christan Acad. svhs-pet.org crossandcrownrp.org bbaptist.org Rohnert Park Rohnert Park Santa Rosa Berean Baptist Christan Acad.

Cross and Crown Lutheran Berean Baptist Christan Acad. bbaptist.org Beth Ami Religious School crossandcrownrp.org bbaptist.org bethamisr.org Santa Rosa Rohnert Park Santa Rosa Bridge Haven School Beth Ami Religious School Berean Baptist Christan Acad. bridgehavenschool.com Beth Ami Religious School bethamisr.org bbaptist.org

$2,000–$5,600 NS–6 10 22 / 400 200 $12,560 9–12 22–24 350 $2,000 – $5,600 NS–6 10 22 / Christianprep based.

Spanish, art, music enrichment. $5400 K4–K5 10 5 / 200 20 College curriculum.

Christian affiliated, based. Spanish, music enrichment.

Christian churchart, based.

5475 Lane 849Snyder Keokuk St. 5475 Snyder Lane 795-7863 6298 Country Club Drive 763-1032

$5400 K4–K5 10 $2,000–$5,600 NS–6 225 / 20 200 $5400–$1585 K4–K5 10 5 / Christian affiliated, church based. $250 PreK–9 8 30 50 / based. Spanish, art, music enrichment. 20 Christian affiliated, church based.

6298 Country Club Drive 5475 Snyder Lane 6298 4676 Country Club Drive 584-7275 Mayette Ave. 795-7863

$6500 $8500 K–8 15 205 // 20 45 $250––$1585 PreK–9 8 30 50 $5400 K4–K5 10 Structured academics.

Strong creative arts program. $250 – $1585 PreK–9 8 30 50 / Christian affiliated, church based.

9–12

Spring Hill

Open House

Saturday, January 24 Visit our website for details

24

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647 / NA

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812-7227 4676 Mayette Ave. 360-3000 584-7275

50 Ursuline Rd.

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546-6470

Their future begins with a great education.

Registration for One & Two Year Kindergarten for Santa Rosa City Schools Begins on January 13, 2015 13 Kindergarten programs to choose from: Albert F. Biella 522-3110 Brook Hill 522-3120 Luther Burbank 522-3140 Hidden Valley 522-3180 Hidden Valley Satellite 522-3190 Helen Lehman 522-3200 Abraham Lincoln 522-3210 James Monroe 522-3230 Proctor Terrace 522-3240 Steele Lane 522-3260 Charter School for the Arts 522-3170 French/American Charter 522-3161 Cesar Chavez Lang. Acad.

528-5011

Register early as classes fill quickly. Children must be five on or before September 1, 2015.

We also offer a two year introduction to formal education for children turning five between September 2 and December 2, 2015. Bring proof of birth date, proof of residence and immunization records with you to registration.

For more information contact your school of choice or the Office of Curriculum & Instruction K-6 at 528-5272

707-763-9222

SpringHillMontessori.org

www.sonomafamilylife.com

Y N

584-7275 360-3000

Kindergarten Highlights

 One & Two year

Kindergarten programs

 Full day  Before and after school

 

• Bilingual Toddler thru Elementary • STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) Programs • Math Through Architecture & Makers • Art, Music, PE, Robotics • Whole-Child Focused Education • After-School: Chess, Chinese, Engineering, Gymnastics

Y Y

795-7863 584-7275

Applications are being accepted for attendance area schools, dependent charters and inter-district transfers

Hands-On Learning

Y N

January 2015

    

day care at select locations Experienced, fully credentialed teachers After school academic and enrichment activities School library visits Early reader curriculum Music, art and dance programs Convenient neighborhood locations A positive academic foundation to develop a love for learning

SonomaFamilyLife 17

Rincon Valley Christian School

$6850

rinconvalleychristian.org

Celebrating 45 Years of Quality Christian Education.

Sonoma Academy

$1,807–$34,333

sonomaacademy.org

College prep with environmental & global leadership.

Sonoma Country Day School

$21,950

scds.org

Bringing Learning to Life.

St. Eugene’s Cathedral School

$5,780

steugenesch.org

Catholic philosophy. Hot lunch program. Foreign languages.

St. Luke Lutheran School

$4250-$6250

stluke-lcms.org

Traditional education in a Christ centered setting.

St. Rose Catholic School

$5,640

PreK–12 9–12 K–8 PreK–8 PreK–8 PreK–8

15 12–15 18

127 / 200

Summer Summer

Academic, physical, social and spiritual growth focus.

12

Trans Transport

redwoodaa.com

K–12

Cafeteria Cafeteria

$5,355–$9,500

Fam. Dscnt.

Fam. Disc.

Redwood Adventist Academy

Fin.Aid Aid Fin

School School School Name Tuition Grades Class Enrollment Enrollment Class

Philosophy Size Current/Max Name Tuition/Philosophy Grades Size Current/Max

Uniform Uniform

Private School Guide Ext.Care Care Ext

2015 Sonoma County

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Address

Phone Address/Phone

385 Mark West Springs Rd. 545-1697

220 / 500

4585 Badger Rd. 539-1486

269 / 330

2500 Farmers Lane 545-1770

279 / 300

4400 Day School Place 284-3200

30 15 40

300 / 360

300 Farmers Lane 545-7252

100 / 150 360 / 410

905 Mendocino Ave. 545-0526 4300 Old Redwood Hwy.

strosecatholicschool.org

545-0379

Summerfield Waldorf School

$4,200-$18,400

summerfieldws.org

Waldorf College-Prep HS. In-depth Acad. & Practical/Fine Arts

PreK–12

12–28

393 / 400

655 Willowside Rd. 575-7194

Sebastopol Pleasant Hill Christian School

$5000

phcs.org

Academic excellence and character development.

TK–6

15

47 / 80

1782 Pleasant Hill Rd. 823-5868

Sonoma SoloQuest School and Learning Center

$10,000

soloquest.com

One to one teaching and cognitive tutoring.

Sonoma Valley Christian School

$6,000

PK–adult K–8

1:1 6–10

45 / 75

939-1133 8 / 20

sonomavalleychristianschool.org Quality education creates happy and successful students.

Celebrating 126 years of Excellence St. Francis Solano School $6,000 K–8 24 200 / 300

It’s all about the party!

saintfrancissolano.org

Faith, excellence, innovation and service.

The Presentation School

$9,500

presentationschool.com

An academically engaging independent K–8 school.

K–8

Windsor

17

$5500

windsorchristianacademy.org

WCA provides a Christ centered education.

Open House

January Napa

K–8

25, 11-12:30pm

Justin-Siena

$15,500

Justin-Siena.org

Catholic Lasallian. College preparatory high school.

Serving K - 8th Grade Financial aid and family plans available Monthly Tour and Shadow Program www.SVELEM.org

762-6426

18 SonomaFamilyLife

9–12

24

542 First Street East

996-1853 SANTA ROSA CO-OP 342 West Napa St. Y Y Y Y Y N N PRESCHOOL 996-4994

EST. 1951

175 / 200

A whole 10–26 loada 199 / 240 fun!

Windsor Christian Academy

414 W. Napa St.

672 / 672

Birthday • Graduation • Family Reunion • Office Event 327 O’Hair Court, Santa Rosa • 575-KIDS

Y toNLearn.

Y A Place Y to N Grow.

Y 20872 Broadway A Place to Play.YA Place

• Accepting 935-0122 2–5 Years Old

• Pre K class for academic & social Kindergarten readiness • Positive Y Y Y 10285 Starr Rd. Discipline:

Y

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N

Y

N

Y

Y

Y

~ Parenting tools using kind 838-3757 and firm techniques ~ Encouragement with mutual respect

4026 Maher St. 255-0950

N

N

Y

To support our families, we provide parenting tools & classes so we work together as a team for your children

579-3718

srecschool.org January 2015 www.sonomafamilylife.com

CONSCIOUS | CREATIVE | JOYFUL | DIVERSE

Spanish & Mandarin Immersion What capacity to learn does your child have that if given a space to thrive would allow for their joy and brilliance to shine academically and socially? At the Language Academy of Arts & Science we strive to meet each individual child where they are and build off their strengths. Through our small class size and conscious minded teachers we create an environment that ensures every child is seen, heard, and empowered to be a powerful creative force in the world.

Open House

Dates Jan. 29 Feb. 26 March 19 April 16 May 14 June 18

Conversation 6-7:30 pm What is Conscious Living?

Beyond the Struggle of Academics and Into the Joy of Learning The 3 C’s for Parenting: Change, Choose, Create Five Elements for Creating a Conscious Relationship with Your Child Re-discovering the Joy of Being a Parent Empowering Children through Conscious Parenting

Please RSVP by visiting our web-site www.LanguageArtsScience.com

Programs Available

Now enrolling K-2nd (growing to 8th grade) After School Language Programs Saturday Language School

Join the Conversation

During our Open House you will learn about our programs and hear International Speaker and Academic and Parent Coach, Sylvia Puentes, speak on topics that can create healthier relationships, success in school and increase confidence in all areas of life for both parents and children alike.

Sylvia Puentes, CPC, CF www.accessjoyfulliving.com

Language Academy of Arts & Science

50 Mark West Springs Rd, Suite 500 (Wells Fargo Center for the Arts) • Santa Rosa 707-303-7127 • info@LanguageArtsScience.com • www.LanguageArtsScience.com

strosecatholicschool.org

545-0379

Summerfield Waldorf School

$4,200-$18,400

summerfieldws.org

Waldorf College-Prep HS. In-depth Acad. & Practical/Fine Arts

PreK–12

12–28

393 / 400

655 Willowside Rd.

Y

N

Y

Y

N

N

Y

Y

N

N

Y

Y

N

N

575-7194

Sebastopol Pleasant Hill Christian School

$5000

phcs.org

Academic excellence and character development.

TK–6

15

47 / 80

2015 Sonoma County

Sonoma

1782 Pleasant Hill Rd.

Private School Guide

SoloQuest School and Learning Center $10,000 PK–adult 1:1 45 / 75 School School Name Tuition Grades Class Enrollment soloquest.com One to one teaching and cognitive tutoring.

Philosophy Size Current/Max Sonoma Valley Christian School

$6,000

sonomavalleychristianschool.org

Quality education creates happy and successful students.

St. Francis Solano School

$6,000

saintfrancissolano.org

Faith, excellence, innovation and service.

The Presentation School

$9,500

presentationschool.com

An academically engaging independent K–8 school.

K–8 K–8 K–8

6–10 24 17

823-5868

8 / 20 200 / 300

414 W. Napa St.

Y

N

N

N

N

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Y

Y

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Y

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Address 939-1133 Phone

542 First Street East 996-1853 342 West Napa St. 996-4994

175 / 200

20872 Broadway 935-0122

Windsor Windsor Christian Academy

$5500

windsorchristianacademy.org

WCA provides a Christ centered education.

K–8

10–26

199 / 240

10285 Starr Rd. 838-3757

Napa Justin-Siena

$15,500

Justin-Siena.org

Catholic Lasallian. College preparatory high school.

9–12

24

672 / 672

Where the JOY of learning meets the JOY of the Lord ter Regis for Now 016 /2 2015

Sonoma Valley Academy offers:

707-996-2881 sonomavalleyacademy.org Located near Sonoma Plaza

SVA admits students of any religion, creed, race, national or ethnic origin.

20 SonomaFamilyLife

255-0950

Cross & Crown Lutheran School

“I care about learning again”

• Grades 6-12 • School without Stress • Individualized Instruction • Tutoring & Study Skills • Earn Credits & Diploma • Affordable Rates

4026 Maher St.

Cultivating a Life-long Love of Learning Since 1974 EARLY CHILDHOOD - HIGH SCHOOL

655 Willowside Rd, Santa Rosa 707-575-7194 www.summerfieldwaldorf.org

2 - 5 years Preschool Jr. Kindergarten Kindergarten 1st - 6th Grade Preschool license #490100475

Call or email to visit our school:

(707)795-7863 www.crossandcrownschoolrp.org

January 2015 www.sonomafamilylife.com

Explore the

FUTURE

you Deserve What is new at Cardinal Newman?

• 1:1 Technology Program: The 1:1 program will put powerful technology into the hands of our students and will allow them to increase their productivity, engagement, enhance communication and collaboration and will give them limitless possibilities for creative expression.

• New Science Building & implementation of STEM Education: Our new state-of-the-art Biology, Chemistry and Physics classrooms will support our curricular planning for the goal of implementing new course offerings in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.

• Cardinal Newman Academic Support Center: The mission of our new Academic Support Center, opening in August 2015, will be to provide the support needed for all students with diverse learning needs in order to be successful learners in our community.

Contact Admissions for a tour today! www.cardinalnewman.org Now accepting applications for the 2015-16 school year.

CARDINAL NEWMAN www.sonomafamilylife.com

January 2015

Patrick Piehl Director of Admission 707-546-6470 ext. 120

SonomaFamilyLife 21

n r a e r i a L F i n u f y amil

f d e r i p ins

iLearn ONLINE @ SonomaFamilyLife.com The best resource for local learning and success.

+ iLearn LIVE @ Coddingtown Mall Saturday, Jan 31, 11-3

inspired fa FAcrtiveitiees All Day!

4schools 4enrichment 4fun 4art 4sports 4activities Celebrate what interests, inspires and engages! Discover new ideas, passions, creative opportunities and resources.

Meet local experts for answers!

amily fun

Super Smarts

Accelerate Instruction Gifted children learn new information quickly and remember it well. They don’t need more than one or two lessons to master a new skill.

Repetitive lessons are not needed and will both interrupt their learning and frustrate them.

How to Help Your Gifted Child

By Jan Pierce

I

f you have a child who has been identified as gifted, you’re aware of the challenges he or she faces in school. Whether they are placed in a regular classroom or a specially designed program for accelerated learners, gifted children have unique characteristics and needs.

Researchers have noted that academically gifted students often share some unique characteristics.

They prefer finding answers in their own ways, tolerate high levels of ambiguity, and have an unusual perspective on familiar things.

• Apply their learning to new situations • Are artistic, musical, or dramatic with well-developed imaginations • Enjoy working independently • Display wit and humor • Have a sustained attention span

Joan Smutny, director of the Center for Gifted at Northern Illinois University, adds that gifted children often: • Express curiosity • Show creativity • Have an extensive vocabulary • Are good at problem-solving using uncommon methods • Have exceptional memories

In light of these characteristics, gifted children need instructional settings that honor their high degree of intelligence, challenge them to excellence, and support their individual social and emotional needs.

Here are some of the ways parents and teachers can meet the needs of gifted children.

24 SonomaFamilyLife

The better method for teaching gifted children is to introduce new material and then turn them loose to do whatever research they want within the subject area. For instance, if the class is learning the geography of South America, allow the gifted child to choose a country or cultural group to focus on via independent study. Teachers who require the gifted child to memorize all the countries and their major exports will find that child’s attention waning.

Teach in Whole Units A large percentage of the curriculum in American schools is written from a “part to whole” approach. If we want children to learn about the literature of the Civil War era, we take an excerpt from Gone with the Wind and use it to teach about the time period.

Gifted children do not want to learn in bits and pieces—they want the broad picture. They want to read the entire book. This is a huge problem in nearly every subject because gifted children need to work with whole concepts to

January 2015 www.sonomafamilylife.com

ONE COMMUNITY

progress to a problem-solving level.

They want to see all the facts and then manipulate the information in new and creative ways.

Allow Freedom to Explore Most classroom teachers don’t have time to differentiate every lesson to fit the requirements of various ability levels. They tend to teach to the average student, giving the slower

Gifted children prefer finding answers in their own ways. students as much attention as they can and throwing an extra-credit option into the mix for the gifted students.

But brilliant thinkers want to come up with their own projects. They want to explore relationships between two bodies of information, or they want to try an experiment to test a current theory. They need the permission and respect of their teachers to proceed and learn independently.

Understand Quirky Behavior Gifted children are, after all, children. They will have the emotional and social concerns we expect of their age group. But in addition, many gifted children find it difficult to make friends, or listen to instruction that seems boring, or even to follow the expected rules and regulations of a larger institution. Gifted kids can be quirky. They may be hypersensitive to noise or light. They may be emotionally fragile and worry about world situations that average children don’t even consider.

They may need a high level of www.sonomafamilylife.com

encouragement to do their best work. They need acceptance just as they are.

Advocate for Your Children You have a tough job. You know your children’s abilities, and you want the best for them. You watch as they struggle with issues beyond the scope of most children. It’s not fair, but the reality is that gifted children have to cope with understandings beyond their years. They know about wars in far-off lands. They know about injustice before they have the emotional maturity to deal with such information. How can you protect them while at the same time supporting their learning?

You are your children’s best advocate.

Together with the schools in your area, you can come up with an instructional setting best suited to your children’s needs. You may find the regular classroom works just fine for your children, or you may choose a gifted classroom. You may choose to homeschool using an advanced curriculum that involves taking classes online or at a local college. You may find that mentoring relationships are important for these special learners.

Know that there are other parents in your shoes. Get into a support group with other families of gifted children.

It will be of invaluable help.

Your gifted children are truly unique.

With your support and guidance, your shining stars can lend their light to the learning world. ¶ Jan Pierce, M.Ed., is a retired teacher and freelance writer living in the Pacific Northwest. She specializes in parenting and family life articles.

Find her at www.janpierce.net.

January 2015

3 AMAZING SCHOOLS

BROOK HAVEN (K-8) A Multi-Age Community of Learners

PARK SIDE (K-5) International Baccalaureate

CASTLE CHILD CARE Preschool & School Age PROGRAMS

ENROLL NOW Come for a tour.

Our doors are open!

sebastopolschools.ORG SonomaFamilyLife 25

$pend, $ave, $hare Five Critical Money Lessons Every kid should learn

By Pamela Yellen

A

fter teaching kids to say “Please” and “Thank you,” and not to stare at Uncle Charlie’s bad teeth, we also have to help them figure out another delicate matter: money. It would not be far-fetched to say that a lot of today’s parents wish that their parents had taught them more about managing finances.

26 SonomaFamilyLife

Most of us have no clue how to pass financial knowledge on to our kids. So I’ve gathered some age-appropriate money lessons and training activities you can use. Keep these activities fun and light. And remember that kids learn best by participation and example, not by being lectured to.

Money Is Exchanged for Things (Ages 4–8) Kids don’t necessarily make the connection between money and the groceries, clothes, and toys that show up in your home–especially if they only see you take a plastic card out of your wallet at the store. Have kids make a shopping list, and when you eventually go shopping, pay for your items with cash. This will help children to grasp the connection between money and purchases. You can even

let your child choose a small item and pay for it with coins.

You Can Plan How You Spend (Ages 4–12) Teach kids to divide money into one of three categories: spend, save, and share. The “spend” category is for things they will buy that week (or, for older kids, that month). “Save” is for the money they will put away for a larger purchase. “Share” is for the money they will give to a worthy cause of their choice.

Money Is Earned (Ages 4–12) Kids don’t necessarily grasp that what you do all day while you’re away from home is what allows you

Even young children can begin to decide how they will spend their money. to put food on the table and Super Mario Brothers in the Nintendo.

Help them understand how you earn money—and let them earn some of their own. Take your child to work, if you can, and help them decide on small chores they can do to earn extra money. Set a “wage” for each one. Older children can even invoice you at the end of the week.

Wants Are Different from Needs (Ages 8–12) Kids much younger than eight (and many adults!) have trouble grasping this distinction.

Make a list of items that you commonly purchase, everything from bread to comic books. Have your children rank each on a scale of

January 2015 www.sonomafamilylife.com

SONOMA COUNTY’S

favorite pediatricians

1 (just nice to have) to 10 (need to have).

Discuss their rankings without making them wrong. You can also create a list of your personal “wants” that you are delaying for other priorities. Share the

Kids don’t necessarily grasp that what you do all day while you’re away from home is what allows you to put food on the table.

It’s critical for older kids to be aware of how Madison Avenue is trying to manipulate them. Critique commercials while watching TV with your kids. Ask them what advertisers are trying to get them to do. What is the underlying message? What are they saying will happen if you buy or don’t buy that product? How does the product in real life (e.g., a Big Mac) look compared to the advertisement?

Parents can also offer kids “now versus later” deals to teach about the pitfalls of impulse buying and the value of delayed gratification. For example, offer your children $5 today or $15 in two weeks. Which do they want? Talk them through their decisions. And if they decide on the $5 today, check back with them in two weeks and ask how they feel about that decision. ¶ Pamela Yellen is the author of two New York Times best-selling books, including her latest, The Bank on Yourself Revolution (BenBella Books, 2014). Find out more about her at bankonyourself.com.

www.sonomafamilylife.com

Same day and after hours appointments

•

Manage your child’s healthcare online; lab results, prescriptions, appointments, and e-mail your doctor with questions 24/7

•

Network of Pediatric subspecialists for complex cases

•

Most health plans welcome

•

Convenient locations

To find the Pediatrician that’s right for you, call 1-888-699-DOCS (3627) or visit sutterpacific.org

DRIVE INTO

2015

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SonomaFamilyLife 27

Toddler Talk

Nine Ways to Build Your Little One’s Vocabulary “You don’t have to spend a bundle on DVDs or flashcards,” says speech-language pathologist Amy Nelson.

“Language acquisition is birthed through face-to-face interactions, and by engaging your child in everyday activities and experiences.”

By Denise Morrison Yearian

W

hen it comes to learning how to talk, all parents want to give their toddlers a head start. Experts suggest that it’s easier than you might think.

28 SonomaFamilyLife

Here are nine simple suggestions for building your toddler’s vocabulary.

1

Associate through reading. “Create an interactive experience by making books come alive for your child,” says Roberta Michnick Golinkoff, Ph.D., an educator and three-time author on this subject. “When you are reading together, pick up on your child’s interest then relate the content of the book to his life. If there’s a picture of

a dog, say, ‘That’s like Grandma’s dog.

Where else have you seen a dog?’ So he links what he sees in the book to his own experiences.”

2

Incorporate core vocabulary. “Choose books that have bright colors, simple pictures, and short phrases or sentences that use core vocabulary—nouns such as animals, toys, and food,” says Nelson. “Give your child an opportunity to label and repeat words. Also use what speech-language pathologists call expansion. If your child says, ‘cat,’ you say, ‘big cat,’ or ‘sleeping cat’ by adding an adjective or verb to increase his length of utterance.”

3

Encourage repetition.

“Children often have a favorite book they want to hear time and again, and that’s okay,” says Golinkoff. “Repeated readings

“Everyday outings provide opportunities to talk about what you see at the supermarket, pharmacy, park, and doctor’s office.”

—Roberta Michnick Golinkoff, Ph.D.

build toddlers’ vocabulary and story-structure understanding.”

4

Visit venues. “Take trips to venues that have programs specifically designed for children,” says Nelson. “Children’s museums have a variety of exhibits so toddlers can learn words about opposites such as wet and dry, big and little, up and down. If you go to other sites such as natural history or art

January 2015 www.sonomafamilylife.com

museums, scale it down to your child’s level. Focus on basic vocabulary and point out the animals, flowers, shapes, and colors you see.”

5

Out and about. “Everyday outings provide opportunities to talk about what you see,” says Golinkoff. “When you take walks, point out different things and bring back leaves, rocks, and sticks so you and your child can count, sort, and explore more. When he goes to the pediatrician for a well checkup, trace around his body on the table paper, then take it home and help him label his body parts.”

6

Sing songs. “Interactive songs and rhymes that incorporate movement with melodic or rhythmic patterns are captivating for children and

encourage vocabulary expansion,” says Vitsorek, who teaches music to preschoolers. “Ones like ‘Head and Shoulders’ help them learn body-part identification; others such as ‘Eentsy Weentsy Spider’ teach directional concepts.”

7

Tinker with toys. “Blocks and simple puzzles offer geometric and spatial language with terms like ‘above,’ ‘below,’ and ‘next to,’” says Golinkoff.

“Your toddler may not be ready for board games but you can use the game pieces as manipulatives,” says Nelson. “Put checkers into different piles according to colors and count them. Or adapt games such as Barnyard Bingo to work on matching, naming, and counting.”

8

Interactive games. “I use interactive games such as ‘This Little Piggy’ and ‘Humpty Dumpty’ to build Maggie’s vocabulary,” says Vitsorek. “I’ll stop and leave off a word so she can fill it in. When we’re driving in the car, we also play ‘I Spy’ with colors. As a result, she knows all of her colors.”

9

Narrate routines.

“Encouraging talk during our daily routines has been a great way to expand Conner’s vocabulary,” says Jackson. “When he’s getting dressed, I’ll say, ‘I’m putting on your pants . . . your shirt . . . your shoes.’

He’s already starting to repeat those words. He’ll say, ‘Sock?’ And I’ll say, “Yes, that’s your sock.’” ¶ Denise Morrison Yearian is the former editor of two parenting magazines and the mother of three.

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January 2015

SonomaFamilyLife 29

January

Calendar of Events Celtic Meets Electronica

L

isten to a totally new spin on the violin at Napa’s Uptown Theatre on January 29 at 8 p.m. Dubbing herself a futuristic violinist, the classically trained Lindsey Stirling combines Celtic folk and modern classical music with dance and electronic beats. Stirling’s self-titled debut album sold more than 350,000 copies in the U.S. without the support of a major label. Europe really loved it: The album went platinum in Germany and gold in Poland and Switzerland. The video of one of the album’s songs, “Crystallize,” went viral. Her second album, Shatter Me, debuted at number 2 on the Billboard Top 200 album chart.

Stirling used her passion for the violin to help her overcome an eating disorder, and in her spare time speaks to teens, letting them know that what makes them unique is what will bring them success. Ages 10 and over are allowed at the show; kids under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets are $35–$75.

Check out lindseystirling.com and uptowntheatrenapa.com for more information. ¶

Thursday 1 Outdoor Ice Skating in Napa. Open

during the New Year holiday. Thru Jan. 11. See schedule on website for times. $12 including skates. 2nd & Coombs Streets, Napa. napaonice.com.

Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve. Picnic,

hike & commune with ancient trees. 8 a.m. to 1 hour after sunset. Visitor Center. 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Parking $8. Senior

parking $7. Armstrong Woods State Park. 17000 Armstrong Woods Rd., Guerneville. 869-2015.

registration. 10 a.m. run. $20. A Place to Play Park. 2375 W. Third St., Santa Rosa. empirerunners.org.

Union Square Ice Rink. 90-minute

FREE Sculpture Trail. Thru May 7. Downtown Cloverdale & Geyserville. cloverdaleartsalliance. org. 101sculpturetrail.com.

skating sessions. Thru Jan. 15. 10 a.m.–11:30 p.m. $11. 8 & under $7.

Skate rental $6. Holiday Ice Rink.

Union Square, San Francisco. unionsquareicerink.com.

Resolution Run 5K. A

healthy way to start the new year. 9 a.m.

FREE Whale Watch at Bodega Head.

The amazing sight of the yearly migration of Pacific Gray Whales.

Weekends. Jan.–May. Bodega Head.

FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY! For Dogs & Cats • Non-stressful and fun • Play areas for big and small dogs • Separate cat area

Birthday Parties Public Skating Fundraisers Private & Group Instruction

CAL SKATE Roller Skating & Blading Center

(707) 331-3143 • www.hairofthedogsr.com 2770 Stony Point Road, Ste. E • Santa Rosa

30 SonomaFamilyLife

585-0500 • FOR RESERVATIONS: 585-0494 6100 COMMERCE BLVD. • WWW.CALSKATE.COM

It’s not just

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It’s confidence for a lifetime!

• Tumblebug Program for preschool aged children • Boys & Girls Classes Recreation 6–12 • Tumbling & Tramp Classes

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January 2015 www.sonomafamilylife.com

ALL GIRLS CHESS TOURNAMENT 2/21/14

Friday 2

SAVE THE DATE

FREE Nature for Kids: Indian Tree.

CHESS FOR KIDS

Interpretive walk. See salamanders, lizards, millipedes, slugs & butterflies. Bring lunch. No pets (except service animals). 10 a.m.–1 p.m. See website for directions.

Novato. marincountyparks.org.

All Levels Welcome!

Call today! (707) 527-6427 www.chessclubforkids.com

FREE Sonoma Valley Certified Farmers Market. Open year-round.

Fridays. 9 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Arnold Field. 241 W. First St., Sonoma. svcfm.org.

Gem Faire. Gems,

beads, crystals, jewelry, silver, lapidary equipment, minerals. Thru Jan. 4. $7 weekend pass. Under 12 free. Sonoma County Fairgrounds. 1350 Bennett Valley Rd., Santa Rosa. gemfaire.com.

FREE Mothers of Young Children.

Sebastopol Christian Church.

Nurture friendships & enjoy creativity with moms in the community. First & third Fridays.

9:15 a.m. 7433 Bodega Ave., Sebastopol. sebchristian.com.

FREE Bodega Marine Laboratory Tours. Explore

the dynamic biodiversity of the Northern California Coast. Fridays. 2–4 p.m.

2099 West Side Rd., Bodega Bay. bml.ucdavis.edu.

Saturday 3 Saturday Cinema: Holiday Animation Festival. Short

works make use of stop-motion, pixilation & handcrafted techniques. 1, 2 & 3 p.m. $19–$29. Three and under free. Exploratorium. Pier 15. Kanbar Forum. San Francisco. exploratorium.edu. www.sonomafamilylife.com

happyzooyear_FL_4.70x6.96.indd 1

January 2015

12/19/14 11:26 AM SonomaFamilyLife 31

Share Your Kid Craft Project & Earn $50!

Do you or your kids have an artistic eye? Is craftmaking a staple activity in your household? Tell us about your favorite project! Send us step-by-step instructions and high-resolution photos of the finished product. If we choose your submission, you’ll get $50.

E-mail your craft articles to melissa@family-life.us.

We can’t wait to see your creative side!

Petrified Forest Meadow Walk. 100-foot high volcanic ash fall, which contains obsidian, iron, petrified wood chunks. Scenic overview of Mt. St. Helena. Saturdays & Sundays. 11 a.m. weather permitting. $5–$10. Under 6 free. The Petrified Forest. 4100 Petrified Forest Rd., Calistoga. petrifiedforest.org.

FREE Santa Rosa Original Certified Farmers Market. Open year-round. Wednesdays & Saturdays. 8:30 a.m.–1 p.m. Wells Fargo Center for the Arts. 50 Mark West Springs Rd., Santa Rosa. thesantarosafarmersmarket.com.

FREE Sing & Play with Elizabeth Boaz. Sing, dance, jump & laugh at a lively music performance for the entire family! 2 p.m. Petaluma Regional Library. 100 Fairgrounds Dr., Petaluma. sonomalibrary.org.

Monday 5 Rock-n-Glow Bowling. LED lane lighting & automated

scoring. Special bumper-rails for kids. Mondays. 5–10 p.m. $9 for 2 hours. Shoes included. Windsor Bowling

32 SonomaFamilyLife

January 2015 www.sonomafamilylife.com

Center. 8801 Conde Ln., Windsor. windsorbowl.com.

Museum Mondays for Little Ones.

10 a.m.–noon. Child $5. Free up to 2 adults per child before 11 a.m. Charles M. Schulz Museum.

2301 Hardies Ln., Santa Rosa. schulzmuseum.org.

Tuesday 6 FREE Plaisir de Lire. Enjoy

the pleasure of reading in French with Madame Benefield. Tuesdays. 3:15 p.m. Thru Mar. 17. Ages 5 & up.

Central Santa Rosa Library. 211 E St., Santa Rosa. sonomalibrary.org.

Wednesday 7 Winter Book Sale. Thru Jan. 10. Wed. 5–8 p.m. Thurs. & Fri. 10 a.m.–6 p.m.

Sat. 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Half-price day on Fri. $5 Bag Day on Sat. Sebastopol Regional Library. 7140 Bodega Ave., Sebastopol. sonomalibrary.org.

Meditation Group for Mothers.

Wednesdays. 8:30–9:45 a.m. $10 suggested donation. Shambhala Center. 255 W. Napa St., Ste. G, Sonoma. sonoma.shambhala.org.

Thursday 8 FREE Preschool Storytime. Stories, songs & literacy fun. Drop-in. Ages 2–5 with caregiver. Thursdays.

10:30–11 a.m. Cloverdale Regional Library. 401 N. Cloverdale Blvd., Cloverdale. sonomalibrary.org.

Friday 9 FREE Fitness Fun with MyGym.

DANIEL HUGHES FREE EDUCATIONAL EVENT FOR FOSTER AND ADOPTIVE FAMILIES AND PROFESSIONALS Treatment and Care of Traumatized Children within Their Family Featuring Dr. Daniel Hughes, Author, Therapist, Attachment Parenting Expert

March 7, 2015, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm Steele Lane Community Center 415 Steele Lane Santa Rosa, CA 95403 Childcare available SPONSORED BY: Parents Place; TLC Child and Family Services; Sonoma County Family, Youth and Children’s Division; California Department of Social Services; Mervin Maier, MFT, Certified DDP Therapist; A Home Within; Redwood Empire California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists; Santa Rosa Junior College

Register and get more details at www.recamft.org.

Limited seating, preregistration is required

Ages 3 & under. 10:30 a.m.

Healdsburg Regional Library. www.sonomafamilylife.com

January 2015

SonomaFamilyLife 33

Wednesday 14 139 Piper St., Healdsburg. sonomalibrary.org.

Kids’ Pajama Party. Get

cozy in front of the fireplace, listen to a story or two, have some milk & cookies, get your picture books signed with author Mac Barnett.

6 p.m. Diesel, A Bookstore. 2419 Larkspur Landing Circle, Larkspur. dieselbookstore.com.

Saturday 10 Rohnert Park Chamber Crab Feed.

All-you-can-eat hot crab, pasta, salad & bread. 5 p.m. $60 advanced. $65 door. Rohnert Park Community Center. 5401 Snyder Ln., Rohnert Park. rohnertparkchamber.org.

y Call To7d0a1 575-7

Love2Dance Razzle, Dazzle,

FREE Family Movie Night. Yoda

Broadway. Chicago,

meets Lego in two episodes of galactic adventure. 6 p.m. Rohnert Park–Cotati Regional Library. 6250 Lynne Condé Way, Rohnert Park. sonomalibrary.org.

Music Man, The Sound of Music, Grease, Cabaret & Jersey Boys. 4 p.m. $18 & $25. Marin Center. 10 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael. love2dance.biz.

FREE The Mosey Boys. Bluegrass, blues & folk music. 2 p.m.

Northwest Santa Rosa Library. 150 Coddingtown Center, Santa Rosa. sonomalibrary.org.

FREE Sitar Music of India.

Renowned sitar master Peter van Gelder & his group present music of India. 2 p.m. Rincon Valley Library.

6959 Montecito Blvd., Santa Rosa. sonomalibrary.org.

*Ar

sic

son tC s fo las r all s e age s *Da s i nce n c l ,Yo udin ga, *Bir g Ceramic s Dra thd ma ay Classe Par s ties & Ca mps

MUSIC | ART | DANCE | YOGA | DRAMA | PILATES

Art & Soul Music School

www.artandsoulmusic.com • 707-575-7701 4861 Old Redwood Hwy., Santa Rosa 34 SonomaFamilyLife

about volcanoes on planet Earth & beyond. Fri. & Sat. 7 p.m. Sun. 1:30 p.m. $8. Students, seniors & 13 & under $5. 1501 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa. santarosa.edu.

Saturday 17 Sleepovers at California Academy

Claude the albino

ATTENTION LOVING PARENTS,

A quiet mind

Les

Volcanoes at SRJC Planetarium. All

of Sciences. See

PREPARE YOUR CHILD FOR SCHOOL AND FOR LIFE

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Friday 16

Was shy… not now! Stands up for himself

SPECIAL

Visit our website! $ Limited MA FREE Uniform GA | DRATime!

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ANC Give Your T | DChild the Gift of Razor Sharp R A | MUSIC Focus, Rock Solid Self Respect, Unshakable Self Confidence and Improved Grades

Immune System Support for Winter Health Referral to see Dr. Marcus or Dr. Rebecca Porrino

You’ll See a Difference in 30 Days or it’s FREE! SHOTOKAN KARATE LEADERSHIP SCHOOL® 707-575-1681

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January 2015 www.sonomafamilylife.com

alligator. Become a stargazing guru during an after-hours planetarium show. Continental breakfast. Price includes next day admission.

Nonmembers $109. Members $89. 55 Music Concourse Dr., San Francisco. calacademy.org.

Bay Area World Guitar Show. Dealers,

artists, collectors, foreign buyers, authors & celebrities. Thru Jan. 18.

Sat. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Sun. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. $20. Under 12 free. Marin Center.

10 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael. texasguitarshows.com.

p.m. The event is free. Parking is $7. parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov.

Windsor Crab & Shrimp Feed. Hosted

by Windsor Lions Club. Proceeds benefit local community projects.

Cocktails 6 p.m. Dinner 7 p.m.

Limited seating. Windsor Community Center. 901 Adele Dr., Windsor.

838-4531. windsorchamber.com.

FREE National Park Entry Day.

Enjoy nature & celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day with free entry to all national parks. nps.gov.

Adam Theis & Jazz Mafia. Featuring

the Petaluma High School Jazz Ensemble. All ages welcome! 8 p.m. $20. Mystic Theatre. 21 Petaluma Blvd.

N., Petaluma. mystictheatre.com.

Spring Lake Family Nature Walk. Families can return to the Environmental Discovery Center after each hike for nature-themed crafts & explore the touchable tide pool. Every third Saturday. 1 & 3

artists & celebrate Dr. King’s life & work. 9 a.m.–5 p.m. $12. Babies & Seniors $11. Bay Area Discovery Museum. 557 McReynolds Rd., Sausalito. baykidsmuseum.org.

Monday 19 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day at Discovery Museum. Create art inspired by African-American

SAFE SWIMMERS START HERE

Thursday 22 San Francisco Boat Show. Northern California’s premier boating event.

Thru Jan. 25. Thurs. 11 a.m.–6 p.m.

Fri.–Sun. 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Adults $12. Under 15 & active military free.

McCovey Cove & Pier 48. Adjacent to AT&T Park. sfboatshow.com.

2014-15 SEASON

Back by Popular Demand!

The Peking Acrobats® Wed, Jan. 21, 2015 at 6:30pm $16 Children | $21 Adults

Don’t miss this awe-inspiring theatrical experience featuring China’s most gifted tumblers, contortionists, jugglers, cyclists, gymnasts with live musical accompaniment.

REGISTER NOW FOR SWIM LESSONS

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707.546.3600

January 2015

·

FEB 27

Junie B. Jones

MAR 18

The Teacher from the Black Lagoon & Other Story Books

APR 14

DiNO Light

APR 28

Fancy Nancy The Musical

MAY 17

Choo-Choo Soul with Genevieve!

wellsfargocenterarts.org

SonomaFamilyLife 35

Sonoma County Airport

Travel on Nonstop Flights to/from Los Angeles; Portland; San Diego; Seattle

FREE Songwriters in the Round.

Heartsongs: Melodies of Love.

Featuring the North Bay’s most prolific songsmiths. Standing room only. All ages. Every fourth Thursday. Doors 7 p.m. Show 7:45 p.m. Hopmonk Tavern. 230 Petaluma Ave., Sebastopol. hopmonk.com.

Highlights some of the world’s all-time favorite love songs in a vibrant musical journey through the rollercoaster of life. 7:30 p.m. $21–$36. Wells Fargo Center for the Arts. 50 Mark West Springs Rd., Santa Rosa. wellsfargocenterarts.org.

Experience Flight Training

Sunday 25

Aircraft; Helicopters

Discover Scenic Tours Aircraft; Helicopters; Balloons; Historic Aircraft

©P N

TS

www.sonomacountyairport.org 707.565.7240 Follow STS on

Santa Rosa Symphony—

Futuristic Violinist Lindsey Stirling.

Tchaikovsky Discovers America.

Classically trained violinist performs her amazing futuristic, electronic, big-beat music, including the viral smash “Crystallize.” 8 p.m. $75. $55. $35. Uptown Theatre. 1350 Third St., Napa. uptowntheatrenapa.com.

Classical kids live! The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, more.

3 p.m. Adult $45. Child $30.

Sonoma State University. Green Music Center. Weill Hall. 1801 East Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park. santarosasymphony.com.

Tuesday 27

B Mî `ƒ

FREE Tweens Create: Fun with Felt. A

wonderful hands-on class.

Materials provided. Ages 9–12. 4 p.m. Windsor Regional Library.

9291 Old Redwood Hwy., Bldg. 100, Windsor. sonomalibrary.org.

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36 SonomaFamilyLife

Thursday 29

Put Your Affairs in Order • • • • • •

Friday 30 Unbound, RISK Dance. Showcasing one of Sonoma County’s most popular dance troupes. Thru Feb. 1. 2 & 8 p.m. $16. East Auditorium.

Wells Fargo Center for the Arts.

Santa Rosa. wellsfargocenterarts.org.

Tahoe Adventure Film Festival Road Tour 2015. 7:30

p.m. $15.

WE DO WINDOWS TOO!

FREE Consultation

Nominate Guardians for Minors Revocable Living Trusts Wills Powers of Attorney Meet at Your Home

Evening & Weekend Appointments Available

707-431-7250

Maria Grace Wilson, Attorney at Law mgracewilson@comcast.net

Tired of Cleaning?

Residential & Commercial Cleaning Bonded and Insured

Bill’s Cleaning Service Serving Santa Rosa (707) 321-7400

January 2015 www.sonomafamilylife.com

Mystic Theatre. 23 Petaluma Blvd.

N., Petaluma. mystictheatre.com.

FREE Friday Night Mash-up: Young Talent Showcase. Monthly

music & poetry showcase for youth up to 21 years. Last Friday of each month.

6–9 p.m. seb.org.

Saturday 31 FREE Sonoma Family Life iLearn Fair Live. Celebrate

what interests, inspires & engages your family. Discover new ideas, passions, creative opportunities & resources.

Meet representatives from local schools, after-school activities & tutoring services. Stage performances. Something for the whole family! 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Coddingtown Mall. Santa Rosa. sonomafamilylife.com.

Brownies Art & Adventure Sleepover with Snoopy. Experience art,

Exclusively Organic only at

cartooning, animation. Earn Brownies letterbox badge. Dinner & continental breakfast included. Reservations required. $30. See website for details. girlscoutsnorcal.org.

CLIMBING, TRAINING, COMMUNITY

WE LOVE TO PARTY!

So You Think You Can Dance. 11th

season top-10 finalists perform live!

A few tickets left & VIP packages available. 8 p.m. Prices vary. Wells Fargo Center for the Arts. 50 Mark West Springs Rd., Santa Rosa. wellsfargocenterarts.org.

12th Annual Chowder Day! Take

a culinary tour of Bodega Bay. You’ll have 3–4 hours to taste all the best chowder. $10 tickets on sale at 10 a.m. day of event. Various locations. visitbodegabayca.com.

Have Great New Year!

FRESH, LOCAL,

& FUN!

Birthday Party & Group Events $150 For up to 6 participants.

Additional climbers $24 each Includes: • 2 hours of climbing with Vertex staff belaying/supervising the group.

• Access to our fun and challenging Obstacle Course (weather permitting).

• Use of our party room during and after event.

• Harness rentals are included.

• Shoe rentals are $5 per pair (not necessary if kids are wearing closed-toe shoes).

BEST GIFT EVER! GIFT CARDS AVAILABLE Come get your climb on at VERTEX!

EVERY WEDNESDAY & SATURDAY WEDNESDAY: 8:30 am to Noon SATURDAY: 8:30 am to 1 pm Wells Fargo Center for the Arts 50 Mark West Springs Road

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707.544.2766

climbvertex.com 3358a Coffey Lane • Santa Rosa

312 D Street, Santa Rosa

www.sonomafamilylife.com

January 2015

SonomaFamilyLife 37

Cooking with Kids

The Great Granola-bar Experiment

It’s fun for little chefs to flatten the batter.

A Tasty Snack Kids Love to Make

By John Corippo

A

fter getting through the candy-coated holidays, the last thing most of us want to do is put another super-sweet dessert or goodie into our mouths. In fact, we’ve probably created a whole list of resolutions to keep us from doing that very thing. So what do you do when you need to cure a craving but are determined to turn over a new leaf? Try these simple, nutritious bars that beat hunger without the help of preservatives, excess salt, or refined grains. Experiment by adding your family’s favorite dried fruits and nuts or even chocolate chips.

The recipe is so easy that I can usually just play a supervisory role as my five- and three-year-olds put the bars together. (Of course, I toast the oats, and heat the honey and peanut butter.) They particularly enjoy being able to use their hands to flatten the bars, but it’s hard for them to wait for their creations to firm up in the fridge. The bars will stay fresh in an airtight container for up to a week—if you can keep them around that long!

Homemade Granola Bars Ingredients • 3 cups rolled oats • 2 cups packed pitted dates • 2 cups roasted almonds • 1/2 cup honey • 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter • Optional: Chocolate chips, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, raisins

Directions Toast oats in 350°F oven for 15 minutes.

Soak dates in water for 10 minutes and drain. Chop dates in food processor for a minute until they form a dough.

Put oats, dates, and almonds in bowl.

Warm honey and peanut butter in small pan over low heat until combined. Pour mixture over dry ingredients while stirring until thoroughly combined.

Stir in optional ingredients. Try 1/4 cup of each.

Transfer mixture to 9x13 dish lined with waxed paper and press down until uniformly flattened. (You can use a smaller dish if you want; the smaller the dish, the thicker the bars.)

Cover and place in refrigerator for an hour until firm.

Remove and chop into even bars. Store in an airtight container for up to a week.

John Corippo lives in Ukiah, where he is a husband and father to two sons as well as a fire captain, paramedic, hazmat specialist, journalist, college instructor, avid sports fan, and stand-up paddleboard representative.

38 SonomaFamilyLife

January 2015 www.sonomafamilylife.com

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SonomaFamilyLife 39

Classified Marketplace Counseling

Lessons

W

Real Estate

Wings After School Martial & Arts Lessons Program

A n n e B a ke r

RIDE

MARK WEST STABLES WITH

US! Wwww.markweststables.com

R E A L T O R

(707) 538-2000

Helping my neighbors because I care.

|

Wings (707) 544-2302 www.wingsmap.org

AFTER-SCHOOL

MARTIAL ARTS PROGRAM

SUPPORTS ACADEMICS WITH FUN

Parties

Is Your Child Defiant, Stubborn, or Aggressive?

(707) 245-6090 . 01165299 annebaker.net

It doesn’t have to be that way.

Let Us Host Your Next Birthday Party!

Santa Rosa

We know how difficult and frustrating it can be when everything you have tried has not worked. Through a highly effective program for children 3-6 years old, we can help you to successfully manage these behaviors. Start to see results in as little as 6 sessions.

433-8102

egfencing.com

Petaluma Nit Flix All Natural Non-Toxic Lice Removal Solutions!

Lice Removal Salon (or in home options) 707-484-2711

7 Fourth Street, Suite 8, Petaluma www.petalumanitflix.com

40 SonomaFamilyLife

Riding Lessons for Children

Liven it up!

707-545-4600

Health

(707) 544-2302

www.wingsmap.org

HAVING A PARTY OR EVENT?

Call today for a free consultation

Like Us On Facebook

Teaching the art of the sword

M-F from after school until 6pm • We Pick Up! Free Shuttle from School to our Studio • Daily Karate Classes & Homework Time • Light Meal Provided • Child Centered Curriculum

with balloon artists Katie & Luke

www.srcbt.org

“I NEVER KNEW WE COULD HAVE SUCH FUN WITH OUR CHILD AGAIN!”

Katie's Balloons

707-539-1818

FIRST LESSON

FREE!

ktsballoons@gmail.com

707-484-1188

www.jessesaldana.com 5425 Stony Point Road • Santa Rosa

613 College Avenue, Santa Rosa

Check Out Our New Online Directories

PARTY LIKE A ROCK STAR AT Pizza, Games, & Great Rock Star Souvenirs

586-1949

Check Out Our New Online Directories

601 Rohnert Park Expy W, Rohnert Park www.chuckecheese.com

January 2015 www.sonomafamilylife.com

Lessons

Tutors

Childcare/Preschools

STRUGGLING IN SCHOOL?

Family Music Classes

...for birth to age 7, designed to educate & delight your child!

GET HELP NOW!

Credentialed K-8 Teacher Jeanne Walters

707-544-5747

www.santarosamusictogether.com

Blossom Learn & Grow

AFTER SCHOOL WITH PONIES! •Self-Esteem •Responsibility •FUN!

707-953-2118 • Santa Rosa waltje2@hotmail.com www.facebook.com/blossomlearnandgrow

Check Out Our New Online Directories

Program of First United Methodist Church Year-round • Play based Ages 2 - 5 (Pre-Kindergarten) Excellent Teacher-Child ratios Open 7am-6pm

YMCA PRESCHOOL GROW.LEARN.THRIVE SANTA ROSA 2590 PINER RD.

Diane: 546-7012

Tutoring & Homework Help

Santa Rosa, Windsor & Healdsburg

Childcare/Preschools

preschool@fumcsantarosa.org www.fumcsantarosa.org/preschool License#490110699

FUMC

Preschool & Child Care Center

Part Time /Full Time Care Flexible Plans Available Serving 2-5 year olds

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES:

Health & Nutrition, Motor Skills, Interpersonal Relationships, Self Confidence, and Cognitive & Academic Skills.

PRICING & REGISTRAION:

Tutors

YMCA Program Office 707.544.1829 The Y is a non-profit community based organization.

Financial Assistance is available.

546-7669

europeanponyschool.com

Homeschool Program Grades K-5 Educating the whole child; head, heart, & hands.

www.sunridgeschool.org 707-824-2844

Lessons

DO YOU LOVE TO

I can’t wait to... share dreams watch her grow join in on the fun Join us today GirlScoutsNorCal.org/StartTheFun

www.sonomafamilylife.com

Sing?

Santa Rosa Children’s Chorus Providing quality music education and choral training since 1984!

Casa dei Bam io’s Since 1981 b

ini

European Pony School

Rh

Schools

Montessori School

Preschool•Kindergarten Parent-Toddler Class Ages 18 months to 6-years

Start the New Year Off Right!

Our high quality tutors can help with:

Academic Subjects • Test Prep Foreign Languages Study Skills • ESL

Don’t wait until your child falls behind

Montessori Education Inspires ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Joy of Learning Order & Detail Concentration Grace & Courtesy

2427 Professional Dr. • Santa Rosa Near Steele Lane & Hwy 101

707-528-0889•www.rhioscasa.com

(707) 585-2584

sonomacountytutors.com

EXPERIENCED CERTIFIED

TUTOR

Will provide home tutoring in phonics for reading improvement & comprehension Grades 1-8

Boys & Girls age 7-12 may join

Santa Rosa Call Kati

527-8813 srchildrenschorus.com

528-7789 January 2015

The Bridge School. Located in Central Santa Rosa, 1625 Franklin Ave. Year-round full/half–day. Rich nurturing environment.

Center based program for ages 3–5 with separate 2’s program. Caring, qualified teachers. Julie & Andrew Day; owners.

Lic.#493005697. 575-7959.

Playtime Daycare/Preschool Join our loving family. Spacious playroom, large yard, meals provided. CPR & first aid certified.

M-F. Infants & up. Call Wendy 539-7524. Lic. #04746.

SonomaFamilyLife 41

Humor Break

No Pain, No Gain Life with My Nine-year-old Personal Trainer

By Patrick Hempfing

I

nhale. Pull inward. Not even close.

Lie down on the bed. Inhale again.

Minor grunt and pull harder. Fail a second time. Deeper inhale. Major grunt and pull with all my might.

Success! I buttoned my pants.

jumped off of her and onto me while we were sleeping? Or maybe it’s my intake of licorice, which keeps me alert while I’m typing or driving on long trips.

Okay, maybe the pants I managed to close hadn’t been worn in a number of years, but still, I questioned, “How did this happen?” I have a bookshelf full of tennis trophies proving my athletic prowess. I still play tennis once or twice a week and walk the dog daily. I have entered jump-rope and hula-hoop contests with my fourth-grade daughter, Jessie. We also play basketball, soccer, tennis, and volleyball together. How did these extra pounds end up around my waist?

My final hypothesis is that my metabolism has slowed down.

According to WebMD, “for most people, metabolism slows steadily after age 40.” Though Jessie keeps this 54-year-old dad active, there’s only so much she can do. Or is there?

I have a few sneaking suspicions, beginning with Two-Donut Thursdays.

Hey, my wife, Mattie’s, car needs gas and the donut shop is on the way. I also love ice cream, which is my comfort food at the end of each day. As soon as Jessie’s head hits the pillow, I open the freezer, pull out the half-gallon container, and start dipping. Challenging days require an extra dip—or two.

Recently, Mattie lost six pounds. Is it possible the pounds could have 42 SonomaFamilyLife

intimidated when a disclaimer popped up on the computer screen that suggested consulting a health-care professional before proceeding.

Without going into all the details, three words summed up the nine-minute workout.

It wasn’t pretty. I knew at about minute three that the next six minutes were going to challenge every ounce of my mental and physical toughness.

By workout’s end, my flushed face was pressed against the living room carpet, but I had enough lung capacity to gasp to Jessie, “Don’t call for an ambulance.”

As my face regained its natural color and my breathing resumed its normal pattern, I realized my stud-muffin days had passed. Mattie says those days were all in my head “Dad, I can help you lose weight!” I anyway. Now I have to worry about erred when I thought trying to get my the muffin top that’s starting to hang pants shut was going to be the hardest out over the waistline of my jeans.

Apparently, I need to Without going into all the details, three make lifestyle changes involving fewer sweets words summed up the nine-minute and more physical workout. It wasn’t pretty. activity. Luckily, I have Jessie and her various part of my day. In a heartbeat after exercise programs. She already hearing about my waistline problem, has the next video planned for our Jessie had the laptop computer set up workout—belly dancing. in the living room. “Dad, it’s time for I’ll be sure to read any disclaimers your cardiovascular workout.” that pop up before I do any Now, I might not be the poster shimmying. I might buy a bigger ice boy for a gym, but I felt confident cream scoop, too. ¶ I could handle a little nine-minute Patrick Hempfing is a stay-at-home workout. Besides, it would be a fun dad and writer. Follow him at facebook.com/patricklhempfing. daddy-daughter activity. I wasn’t even January 2015 www.sonomafamilylife.com

Warm Up Winter with a cup of hot fresh-pressed apple cider

Find our award-winning Sebastopol Ratzlaff Ranch’s

Apple-A-Day Cider At These Local Stores

Andy’s Produce in Sebastopol, Pacific Markets in Sebastopol & Santa Rosa, Speers Market in Forestville, Bill’s Farm Basket in Sebastopol, Bohemian Market in Occidental, Glen Ellen Village Market in Glen Ellen, Olivers Market in Santa Rosa & Rohnert Park, Petaluma Market in Petaluma, Sonoma Market in Sonoma, Santa Rosa Community Market in Santa Rosa, Sebastopol Community Market in Sebastopol, Sheltons Natural in Healdsburg, Whole Foods Markets in Sebastopol, Santa Rosa, Sonoma & Petaluma.

Also at Ratzlaff Ranch, 13128 Occidental Rd. Sebastopol Hours: Mon.–Fri. 8am–5pm • Closed Sat. • Sun. 9am–5pm

VOTED BEST CIDER

BY SF-GATE

Rain or Shine...We’ll Take Care of You. Wet weather with heavy wind & rain causes problems - we fix them.

! y a d o T Call With a winter like this year... one storm after another...we’re busier than ever. And it’s not just unhealthy and untrimmed trees that are suffering. Even strong, healthy trees are succumbing to heavy winds, and water-soaked earth.

Most people dread going outside during bad weather, but for our crews, it’s all in a day’s work. This is the kind of winter that brings unique challenges for emergency services. If you wake up to find a tree across your driveway...pick up the phone and call us. We’ll get the tree out of your way so you can carry on with your day.

Sonoma County’s Best-Loved Tree Service since 1999

(707) 874-5538

Visit our web site for more information and testimonials from satisfied clients.

www.SonomaTree.com Licensed, Bonded & Insured

While we’re on your property, you may want us to take a look around to evaluate other work that needs to be done to prevent more damage. If you haven’t had a tree service out for a while, this could be the time to take care of deferred maintenance.

If you look around and worry about your trees, especially tall trees above your house or driveway, now’s a good time to bring us by. We offer a wet weather discount for clients who schedule work in advance. Winter could be the perfect time to trim your trees.

CCL #947598, LTO #A10086, Certified Arborists Reports, Workers Comp., General Liability, Commercial Auto, & Third Party Liability Insurance