Sonoma Family Life October 2015

sonoma

FREE!

October 2015

Visit a Farm Buy local

Can-do Kid Steps for success

Make Friends Teach social skills Treats & Freaks Halloween top spots

& iTreats Tricks e g a l l V at the Saturday • October 24th • 11 am to 2 pm Visit with the Pumpkin Fairy Godmother Photos available for a $5 donation to a Local Non-Profit*

Free Fun for the Kids • Join “The Count” and play Halloween Pictionary • Create a Pumpkin Photo Frame

(perfect for framing the photo with the Pumpkin Fairy Godmother!)

• Make Boo-tiful Art with Village Art Supply • A Creepy Creation Awaits You at the Cold Stone Creamery Booth • Air-Brushed Face Painting • Balloon Artist Making Wearable Art for the Kids • Win a Prize at the Costume Contest • Plus Lots of Fun Games & Activities • Find All Spook-tacular Details at www.mvshops.com Admission is Free!

Event Sponsors:

* Local Non Profit

EVERT B. PERSON OF GREATER SANTA ROSA

A PREMIER GHOULISH ENTERTAINMENT EXPERIENCE

HIGHWAY 12 AT FARMERS LANE • SANTA ROSA • FREE PARKING • 707.545.3844

Imagine Your Child Cavity Free Petaluma Dental Group has created the Discovery Hub program, which takes place during the kids’ one-hour dental checkups. This fun hands-on learning helps kids develop knowledge and behaviors to support a lifetime of health.

‘more than a dental checkup’

Call for an appointment today!

Join the Club!

www.petalumadental/discoveryhub | 1301 Southpoint Blvd, Petaluma | (707) 520-4300

Birthday Parties Afterschool Programs, Classes Kids ages 4 to 14

707-207-6505

www.engineeringforkids.com/northbay

October 2015

Every Issue

10 Features 10 Back to the Land Take the kids farm-hopping.

12 The Can-do Kid What entrepreneurs can teach you about parenting.

14 The Art of Friendship Social skills for every age.

16 Minutes, Money & Manners Does your child need a cell phone?

18 Lend a Helping Hand Little ways to make a big difference at your child’s school.

20 All Flash & No Fuss

6

Dear Reader

8

Bits and Pieces Hip Hand-me-downs To Purr Is Divine Proud to Be a Science Geek Crack the Code Meet a NASA Scientist

24 Family Fun Trick, Treat— Freak!

22

26 Calendar of Events Find the Perfect Pumpkin

28 Beat Breast Cancer 38 Cooking with Kids Creepy Eats

42 Humor Break

24

Halloween costumes you can make in under an hour.

22 Pumpkin Pizzazz

38 4 SonomaFamilyLife

Decorate—instead of carve—your jack-o’-lantern.

October 2015 www.sonomafamilylife.com

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“Why do They Keep Coming to this Doctor?...”

A Doctor’s Confession to Petaluma (who admits to curing no one)

Dear Friend, I wanted Dear Friend,to let everyone know what happened while I was in college. was a I wanted to let everyone know It what moment that changed my life forever.

But happened while I was in college. It was a before I tell about my my life experience, moment thatyou changed forever. IBut wanted tellyou youabout my story from the start. before Itotell my experience, I Let me start by explaining the photo wanted to tell you my story from thein start. this letter. amexplaining the guy inthe thephoto middle, Dr Let me startI by in this Taatjes.

You when I meet people letter. I am theknow guy in the middle, Dr. Taatjes. in town and theyI usually say, in “Oh yeah, You know when meet people town andI know you, you’re Dr. Taatjes.

You’ve been they usually say, “Oh yeah, I know you, you’re on and Ross years…”

Well, Dr.McDowell Taatjes. You’ve been for serving the commuthat’s nity forme. twenty-four years! Well that’s me. We years agoinsomething hapareTwenty-six now centrally located our beautiful new pened me that my life forever. office totobetter servechanged the community.

LetTwenty-seven me tell you my story. years ago something I was studying pre-Med in college, happened to me that changed my lifein hopes of becoming a medical forever.

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Things looking up, andinlife was good, Dr. with his sons, Hayden (left) and Henry (right).

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I was body. take anything it. We results…it find interference you will receive my entire new patient exam problems.

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The in the nervous system and remove it, thus for $27.

That’s with x-rays, exam, report of My back hurt so medical badly thatdoctors I had atried hard differtime I have a lower exam fee.

You’ll get great is as simple as that. ent but theyin only made memiserable. feel like I enhancing the healing of thehad body. care findings…the ball of wax. This exam evendrugs, concentrating class.

I was at a great whole fee. My qualifications…

Here’s what some capacities of my patients was in a “cloud.” not getting Wesay: get tremendous results…it really is as could cost you of $350 elsewhere. College Great care The medical doctorsI was triedjust different drugs, betbut I’m a graduate Northwestern of to ter. friend of mine convinced give a simple as that. at a great fee… theyAonly made me feel like I wasme in ato“cloud.”

Chiropractic who regularly goes to monthly “I have had a problem with migraines chiropractor try. The chiropractor an Here’s whatback some of my patients had Please, I hope that there’s no misunderI was just not agetting better.

A friend ofdid mine educational chiropractic seminars.

I’ve as well as low pain.

Even after seeing exam, took some films and then “adjusted” to say: standing about quality care, just because convinced me to give a chiropractor a try. The doctors and other health professionals, the been entrusted to take of care of tiny babies toI my spine. The didn’t hurt -- it “I have had a problem with migraines have a lower exam You’ll getI great care at chiropractor didadjustment an exam, took some films neighbors that youfee. may know. just have pains remained.

After coming to Dr. Joel, actually good. my I gotspine. relief,The andadjustI soon as well as low back pain.

Even after seeing a great fee.

My qualifications…I’m a graduate and then felt “adjusted” that low exam fee to help more people who they have helped me tremendously. They was all medication.

It worked so well doctors and othermy health professionals, of Northwestern College of Chiropractic who mentoff didn’t hurt -- it actually felt good.

I got need care. even take away migraines.

They’rethe that to become pains remained. regularly goes to monthly educational chirorelief,I decided, and I soonthen wasand off there, all medication.

It a My associates, Dr. Rose, Dr. Truong and great!”

(Judy E.) After coming to Dr. Joel, chiropractor myself. they“Ihave helped me tremendously.

They practic seminars.

I’ve been entrusted to take worked so well that I decided, then and there, I are ready to see if we can help you.

Our came in pending laser surgery for Now fora my kids, Hayden and Henry. evenherniated take awaydiscs. my migraines.

They’re care of tiny babies to neighbors that you to become chiropractor myself. offices are both friendly and warm andmay we two Over a few months They have been under chiropractic care their great!”

(Judy E.) know. just have that you low exam to helpWe Now for my kids, Hayden and Henry. They try ourI best to make feel atfee home. here the need for surgery subsided, and the entire lives.

And, unlike most other in came in pending laser discomfort surgery for with two more apeople who need care.at an exceptional have been under chiropractic care theirkids entire have wonderful service, pain“Ihas subsided to a mild their never thekids “common” herniated discs.

Over a few months hereI associates, Lee,REDWOOD and Dr. Linzey, lives. class, And, they unlike mostget other in their fee.My Our office isDr. called CHIoccasional morning stiffness.

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In fact, they have has subsided to a mild discomfort with ocoffice is both friendly and warm and we try illnesses like ear infections, asthma and allertions. Our main office is located at 1225 N. process.” (Jaime O.) never taken drughave in their they casional morning Overthank all, Ime feel our best to make you feel at home.

Wenumber have gies. In fact,athey neverlives. takenAnd a drug in McDowell Blvd., Petaluma, phone Several times astiffness. day patients are 17And and they 18! are now 17 and 19! better visit after gradualproblems. process.” is wonderful service, at an exceptional theirnow lives.

763-8910.

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But with Petaluma, and ourand phone is 763-8910. stomach They comeThey to mecome with to Dr. Truong, the number phone number is an AMAZING OFFER. Look, it shouldn’t me their headaches, chronic cost I can’t really takeand credit.

Call Alex, Megan, Mari, or Wendy today for theirwith headaches, migraines,migraines, chronic pain, 775-2545.

Call Alex, Wendy, or Chauntel you an arm a leg to correct your pain, neck shoulder/arm pain, shoulder/arm pain, whipFindYou out are forgoing yourself and benefit an appointment.

We can helpWe you.

Thank neck pain, pain, whiplash from today for an appointment. can help you. you. health. to write a check to lash from car asthma, accidents, asthma,numbness allergies,in from an AMAZING OFFER. Look, you Thank -Dr. Joel Taatjes car accidents, allergies, you. someone for your health care expenses, numbness in limbs, athletic just to it shouldn’t youone an for arma and a leg to P.S. When accompanied by this I am also limbs, athletic injuries, just toinjuries, name a few.

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Joel Taatjes may as wellcost write lesser amount name a few. correct your health.

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October 2015

SonomaFamilyLife 5

Dear Reader

I

t’s that time of year when pirate zombies and assorted Disney characters take to the streets Sharon Gowan to collect their Publisher/Editor Sharon@family-life.us annual allotment of free sweets.

If it’s coming down to the wire and your child still doesn’t have a costume, check out “All Flash & No Fuss” (page 20) for fast and easy ways to turn your kid into an octopus or a punk rocker. For a roundup of safe spots to celebrate Halloween, see “Trick, Treat— Freak!” (page 24). Throwing a party of your own? Check out “Creepy Eats” (page 38) for wickedly

clever snacks to serve. Then see “Pumpkin Pizzazz” for ways to dress up your jack-o’-lantern—no carving required (page 22).

Office Manager

Besides Halloween, autumn harvest is also cause for celebration. It’s the perfect time to take your kids on a tour of local farms. Let them slurp fresh apple juice and graze on pumpkin ice cream while you buy veggies and fruit straight from the source. See “Back to the Land” (page 10) to learn how.

Jolie Cook jolie@family-life.us

We hope your October is full of magical fairies, not-too-spooky goblins, and plenty of time for walking in leaves.

Features Editor

Patricia Ramos patty@family-life.us

Business Marketing

Renee Nutcher renee@family-life.us Marie Anderson marie@family-life.us Melissa Chianta melissa@family-life.us

Production Manager Donna Bogener production@family-life.us

Contributing Writers Cameron Carey Bull Garlington Holly Hester Christina Katz Kerrie McLoughlin Rachael Moshman Jen Prosek Richard Rende

Calendar Anna Freeman

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

6 SonomaFamilyLife

October 2015 www.sonomafamilylife.com

Calling All Cardinals October 19, 2015 8:15am - 1:15pm OPEN HOUSE All 8th grade students are invited to Sunday, October 2015 11:00 AM - event.

1:30 PM attend this high4,school preview 50 Ursuline Rd, Santa Rosa, CA 95403

REGISTER ONLINE: www.cardinalnewman.org For more information contact: Pat Piehl, Admissions Director piehl@cardinalnewman.org • 707.546.6470

Bits & Pieces

To Purr Is Divine

G

ive your furry friends a heaping dose of positive vibes at the free 15th Annual Blessing of the Animals at St. Francis Winery and Vineyards in Santa Rosa on October 4, 2–5 p.m. It’s your chance to say, “Thanks for always being the best snuggle buddy ever and for never telling who ate that last piece of cake.” In addition to lots of pet appreciation, there also will be a Winery Dog of the Year contest, silent auction, and raffle. Oh and did we mention you can buy wine by the glass?

Proceeds go to the Sonoma Humane Society. See stfranciswinery.com for more information. ¶

Hip Hand-me-downs

T

he inevitable falls, splats, and spills of a child’s life make it a good idea to fill their closets with stuff you don’t mind surrendering to the stain gods. So buy used. Go to the Just Between Friends Kids’ and Maternity Consignment Sales Event at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa October 15–18. You’ll find piles and piles of new and gently used clothes, toys, books, games, DVDs, furniture, outdoor gear, and boutique items without headache-inducing prices.

Times and admission fees are as follows: October 15: noon–8 p.m., $3; October 16: 9 a.m.–8 p.m., $2; October 17: 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m., free. October 18: 9 a.m.–2 p.m., free.

See northbay.jbfsale.com for details. ¶

8 SonomaFamilyLife

Proud to Be a Science Geek

A

re your kids curious about how their iPhones Dissecting work or what they a squid at might see through the North a microscope?

Bay Science Take them to the Discovery Day free North Bay in Santa Rosa.

Science Discovery Day, where an anticipated 100 exhibits will explore the realms of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) with kid-friendly activities like building a circuit, dissecting an enormous squid, designing the perfect paper airplane, and extracting DNA from a strawberry. The event, a cousin of the Bay Area Science Festival in San Francisco, will be held at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa on October 24, 10:30 a.m.–4 p.m. See northbayscience.org for a full list of exhibitors. ¶ October 2015 www.sonomafamilylife.com

Crack the Code

Meet a NASA Scientist

I

f our editor wants her 13-year-old nephew’s face to light up, she just has to mention Minecraft. Your similarly inspired children can find out what makes their favorite video game tick at the free Minecraft Coding Camp at the Guerneville Regional Library in Guerneville on October 24, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. The workshop is open to kids in grades 6–9 and registration, which begins one month before the class, is mandatory.

Spots are limited and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Call 545-0831 ext.

1553 or stop by the library to reserve your space. See sonomalibrary.org. ¶

D

o your kids stare up at the night sky and wonder what’s out there? Let them pick the brain of a NASA scientist at the Petaluma Regional Library in Petaluma on October 10 at 2 p.m. Children ages 5–12 are invited to hear a story about human space exploration read by one of NASA’s finest, and then build a scale model of the solar system. Curiosity and questions are encouraged. Go to sonomalibrary.org to learn more about this free event. ¶

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October 2015

SonomaFamilyLife 9

Farm Trails Makes It a Breeze to Buy Homegrown

A

By Holly Hester

Photo: Singing Frogs Farm

Back to the Land Lush crops thrive at Singing Frogs Farm.

s a parent, how many times have you said to yourself, “I really want to be a part of the food revolution that’s happening right now, but how?

Someone tell me how!”

Alright, you’ve never said that. Me, either. That’s okay. Because while we’ve all been busy popping out children and trying to figure out what a cold mist humidifier is and the difference between baby nail clippers and regular nail clippers (there’s no difference), other good citizens from all over America have been staging a food revolution. They’ve been saying no to corporate farming. No to food shipped from thousands of miles away. No to fruits and vegetables drenched in chemicals.

10 SonomaFamilyLife

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Basically, they’ve been saying no to the Hot Pocket.

(I’ll give Hot Pocket lovers a moment of silence here.)

We know now that eating local, seasonal, fresh food is not only the best thing to do for our health, but good for the environment and the local economy as well.

But how, you ask? How do I become part of the food revolution? How do I start fitting in with all the cool foodie kids?

October 2015 www.sonomafamilylife.com

Farm Trails. Farm Trails is your answer.

Farm Trails started more than 40 years ago, long before “locally sourced” was a thing. A group of farmers decided to create a map and guide for local agriculture, inviting the public to meet their farmers and learn more about the origins of their food.

If you’re interested in learning more about Farm Trails, first go to their website (farmtrails.org) and poke around. There’s a lot of information so try not to get overwhelmed. Pace yourself. I got stuck in the meat section of the website for at least an hour. I just couldn’t believe all the different kinds of animals people eat around here. Rabbit? Buffalo? Turtle? (“Kids, if you don’t finish your turtle burger, there’s no way you’re getting buffalo ice cream for dessert.”)

Next, ask yourself, “What do I want?”

Maybe your answer is “eggs” or “flowers” or “I’d like to cover myself in ten gallons of local honey.” Then search the Farm Trails website for the item you want in your area. Once you’ve found the item, contact the farmer. It’s that simple—much simpler than trying to use a baby nail clipper, which to me is about as fun and easy as deactivating a bomb.

Finally, just to whet your appetite, I’m going to give you some of my favorite farms. This is by no means a complete list. These are just some of the farms both my kids and I love.

Petaluma Happy Hens Farm. If you love animals, avoid buying eggs from www.sonomafamilylife.com

large factory farms.

Instead buy them from places like this that treat their chickens well. It’s a much better shopping experience, too. My kids hate going to the grocery store, but I can hardly drag them out of here.

Petaluma Creamery. Otherwise known as “The Great Peter Pumpkin Patch,” this is a wonderful place to go in October. You can pick a pumpkin, dig for potatoes, milk a cow, taste pumpkin ice cream, buy

To taste fresh apple juice while your kids are frolicking around an orchard is just a life-affirming, beautiful thing. delicious organic cheese, run through a hay maze…need I say more? When my kids are grown and Halloween comes around, my memories are all going to be about going to this magical place.

Petaluma Seed Bank.

This outfit is like porn for seed-lovers.

I’ve never seen anything like it. People walk around in vintage overalls with chin beards. When I’m inside the seed bank, I think, “I don’t know where I am or what year it is, but I like it!” I kill every plant I touch, and yet I still walk out with $200 worth of October 2015

seed packages. They make you believe you can garden—that you must garden!

Santa Rosa The Nursery at Emerisa Gardens. This company specializes in drought-tolerant plants, and the staff is incredibly friendly and knowledgeable. They also donate a ton of plants to local schools, so when you visit, thank them for all they’re doing for your community.

Sebastopol Apple-a-Day Ratzlaff Ranch.

My son’s preschool went here to pick pumpkins a couple of years ago, and we had a blast. Their apple juice is the best I’ve ever tasted. Ever. In my life. You’re going to freak out. To taste fresh apple juice while your kids are frolicking around an orchard is just a life-affirming, beautiful thing.

Singing Frogs Farm. This is a great CSA that provides weekly boxes of amazing fruit, veggies, eggs, and even olive oil. They have goats and sheep to pet and also Charlie the Llama, who is like the rock star of llamas. After you meet Charlie, you think, “How can I get more llama into my own life?”

So that’s my list. It’s time for you to grab a Farm Trails map and start making your own.

I’ll see you on the trail. (Right after I wash ten gallons of local honey off myself.) ¶ Holly Hester lives in Sebastopol and writes about life on her blog, Riot Ranch. Find her book, Escape from Ugly Mom Island!, on Amazon.

SonomaFamilyLife 11

The Can-do Kid

Life Lessons from Entrepreneurs

I

By Richard Rende and Jen Prosek

t is hard to find a more used word in parenting circles than success…and for good reason. The future is uncertain and parents want to make sure their kids have the best possible advantage. It’s rare to have a singular, linear career now—young adults will likely have many different jobs and employers or create a variety of new opportunities for themselves.

Today’s kids will need to be flexible and adaptive, and be able to learn new skills and navigate unknown complexities. So how do we prepare kids for the uncertainty that awaits them? We suggest that looking at child development through the lens of entrepreneurs—people who are experts at taking on the unknown and carving out their own pathways to success— holds much promise.

Failure isn’t an option.

Many parents are overprotective not because they want their children to succeed, but because they fear that 12 SonomaFamilyLife

The only failure, entrepreneurs believe, lies in not trying, not stretching, not treating those risk-taking moments as opportunities for learning. they will fail. By contrast, many entrepreneurs believe that failure isn’t an option—not because they’re certain of their success, but because they don’t define failure in the way that most people do. The only failure,

entrepreneurs believe, lies in not trying, not stretching, not treating those risk-taking moments as opportunities for learning. Remember, entrepreneurs take risks in a calculated way. There is always that chance that an endeavor won’t work out, but if it doesn’t, entrepreneurs know that they will always take away something of value, just by pushing into the unknown.

Based on her experience as an entrepreneur, Jen Prosek, coauthor of The Can-do Kid (Perigee, 2015), has essentially erased the word failure from her vocabulary. At work, she makes sure her employees treat “failure” as a learning experience; she notes that her company would not survive if her employees saw failures otherwise. When setbacks do happen, she sends an empowering message that you can change what you are doing, especially if you dig deep to figure out why something isn’t working. She preaches it over and over: “What doesn’t kill you

October 2015 www.sonomafamilylife.com

makes you stronger.” John Jacobs, cofounder and chief creative optimist of the apparel company Life Is Good, likewise embraces mistakes for the learning they provide. “One of the biggest lessons we learned was that when you try, you either succeed or you learn. These are both positive things. We learned to try to keep trying, to stay nimble enough to try new things, to make mistakes, to fall

Every situation brings small successes, and kids need to learn how to recognize and embrace them. down, and to learn from all of that ‘failure.’ That’s how you get smarter. If you fold your arms and tuck away and get defensive, it’s not a good recipe to grow and develop.”

When you try, you either succeed or you learn.

Both Prosek and Jacobs also agree on a related principle: Every situation brings small successes, and kids need to learn how to recognize and embrace them. Sure, it’s great to celebrate the big victories in a kid’s life, but our children’s days are filled with so many opportunities to affirm little bits of progress that eventually add up to bigger successes. Help your kid connect the dots and chart how little moments lead to bigger payoffs. At dinner, encourage your child to talk about how he felt more comfortable dribbling a basketball in today’s practice than he did yesterday.

Rather than reminding him that other kids are better dribblers and harping on this failing the second he www.sonomafamilylife.com

leaves practice or a game, just reward this one little sign of progress. When he steals a pass during a game and dribbles full court for a game-winning layup, you can then make him aware of how many small successes led up to that big win.

This is especially important in relation to a child’s progress in school. As a parent, you can best support academic development by encouraging children to focus on each small success they achieve. If your child is struggling in math, focus on small ways that she might be improving. Did she find one math problem easier than others?

Did something in class make sense?

Did she make more progress solving a tough algebra problem even if she didn’t get the right answer? Parents can play a huge role in their children’s lives by helping them recognize and celebrate these moments.

Entrepreneurs teach parents that there are many little victories on the way to achieving great goals, and that life’s “failures” are simply opportunities to learn.

These two principles are at the core of raising what we call a “can-do” kid. ¶ Excerpted from Raising Can-Do Kids by Richard Rende, Ph.D., and Jen Prosek with the permission of Perigee, an imprint of Penguin Random House. Copyright © 2015 by Richard Rende and Jen Prosek.

Richard Rende, Ph.D., is a developmental psychologist and creator of the popular blog Red Hot Parenting featured on Parents.com. He serves as an associate research professor at Brown University Medical School.

Jen Prosek is the founder and CEO of Prosek Partners, one of the top 35 independent public relations firms in the US. Her book Army of Entrepreneurs (AMACOM, 2011) provides a roadmap for businesses seeking to make their own organizations and employees more entrepreneurial.

October 2015

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SonomaFamilyLife 13

The Art of Friendship Social Skills for Toddlers to Teens

Besides playing together, kids of this and every age learn about social relations by observing how you interact with them and others. So, just remember, as you talk to your partner about her or his day or pick

It’s important to talk to your kids about what qualities make a good friend. up the phone to chat with a friend, little eyes and ears are watching and listening.

By Kerrie McLoughlin

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s parents, we want our kids to make good friends, people with whom they can share secrets and fun adventures. Of course, not all kids are social butterflies. Here’s how to encourage friendships at every stage of the game—from toddler to teen.

Toddlers and Preschoolers I envy the easy way in which this tiny crowd makes buddies. They can plop down next to any random kid at a park, daycare, or preschool, start chatting and—BAM!—make an instant pal.

Playdates, in particular, are a great way for toddlers and preschoolers to make friends and try out social skills. To find potential playdates, Alyssa Ast, mom of four, advises, “Take your children to the park and look for parents who have kids about the same age as your own.

Strike up a conversation to see if your

14 SonomaFamilyLife

families share similarities. If so, set up a playdate in a public area until you become comfortable enough with one another to meet at each other’s houses.”

Playing with others helps kids learn the basics of relating, like “taking turns, sharing, and caring about their new friends,” says Anna Marie Evans, a licensed teacher of Dr. Steven Stosny’s parenting course Compassionate Parenting. These skills, she says, “build a foundation for successful relationships as [children] mature into adults.”

Elementary-age Kids Once your child starts going to school, the sheer number of kids running through the halls should make connecting with peers a breeze. If you homeschool, there are plenty of other forums for friendships, such as Cub Scouts or Girl Scouts, school or community sports, or hobby-based clubs.

It’s important to talk to your kids about what qualities make a good friend. For instances, friends are people who don’t tease or try to hurt you, or talk badly about you behind your back or online.

Friends come to your birthday parties, listen to you, share their possessions, have you over to their homes, and invite you to do things with them.

Help your child to think about how to treat existing and new friends by asking “What if?” questions like, “What if a third kid wants to play with you and your friend?” or “What if you are playing with a toy and someone else wants to play with

October 2015 www.sonomafamilylife.com

it?” Teach them to resolve conflicts without violence or retaliation, and to think about others’ perspectives and feelings.

It’s helpful for kids to have friends in their own neighborhood that they can easily visit and with whom they can spend lots of unstructured time.

Tweens and Teens Drama and peer pressure rule at this age. It’s your job to help your tweens and teens deal appropriately with difficult social situations as well as challenging choices regarding drugs, sex, drinking, and more.

Make sure you pay attention to your children’s friend choices. Get to know their buddies by inviting them over and being the Mom Taxi.

If your kids are hanging out with kids you don’t approve of, consider the advice of Ellen Jones, mom of five (including twin 14-year-old boys): “When my kids want to hang

Once your child starts going to school, the sheer number of kids running through the halls should make connecting with peers a breeze. out with kids that have questionable behavior, we encourage the friends to play at our house so we can monitor what goes on. Then we treat them like we treat our kids and correct their behavior. If they don’t like it, they leave.”

Beyond choosing good friends, there are plenty of other social skills kids need to learn at this age: initiating conversations and listening to others; avoiding cattiness and gossip; being socially generous by, for example, inviting someone new to sit with them at lunch or sticking up for a loyal friend. Teach your kids how to make good decisions and get out of sticky situations. Discuss the art of considering others’ needs and feelings while also being true to themselves.

Teaching your kids age-appropriate social skills at every stage of development will ensure that they make and keep friends who sustain and nourish them throughout life. ¶ Kerrie McLoughlin, the seasoned mom of five, blogs at TheKerrieShow.com.

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October 2015

SonomaFamilyLife 15

for instance, like to make sure their children, no matter how young they are, have a way to reach them at all times.

Minutes, Money & Manners

Younger kids may not be able to judge the appropriate use of texting, the camera, and the Internet.

How to Manage Kids’ Cell Phone Use

By Kerrie McLoughlin

A

s parents, we want to keep our children safe, and cell phones seem to promise to do just that.

But at what age does a child become responsible enough to be able to handle everything that goes along with cell phone use, such as texting, the Internet, minutes, fees, manners, and more?

And when you finally do fork over the phone, what kind of guidelines do you give?

It also gives them a sense of independence; they don’t have to seek out an adult and ask to use their phone.

Jennifer McClure, mom of three, asserts, “I don’t think pre-teens need cell phones. Until they or their classmates are old enough to drive, they shouldn’t be stranded anywhere because some adult should be with them. So why would they need cell phones?”

But parents, beware! You could create a monster. Cell phones can be used for ill as well as good. Just ask Chris Oliver, mom of one and middle school counselor. “Take it from a woman who spends every working day with 800 adolescents—you need to monitor your child’s texts,” she says. “And regarding the camera attached to that phone: Nothing good is going to come of that!”

All families are different, though, and face different circumstances. Divorced, single, or working parents,

Psychotherapist Victoria L. Solsberry adds, “I think that cell phones are

The decision about when or if to give your child a cell phone is a highly individual one. Some parents are dead set against giving their pre-teen a phone.

16 SonomaFamilyLife

Shelley Ryan, mom of two teens, says, “[It] all depends on the kid and what they do.

Both of my kids have had jobs/ volunteer gigs long before they could drive (and before they were teens), and both had phones so they could call when they were ready to be picked up or had a change of plans.

I also like them to have a phone if they go somewhere on foot or on a bike without a parent. It gives them a little more freedom to go out into the world on their own.”

October 2015 www.sonomafamilylife.com

a good idea for protection and to contact parents, but I would not give a young teenager or preteen the ability to text.”

Here are some rules and issues to discuss with your children: Responsibility. A cell phone comes with a lot of baggage! It needs to be charged, kept out of reach of younger children, and in

The decision about when or if to give your child a cell phone is a highly individual one. a safe place, not left on the bus or in class. Younger kids may not be able to judge the appropriate use of texting, the camera, and the Internet. You can, however, get a phone that does not have access to the Internet or texting services, but is set up with a finite number of minutes as well as a tracking device.

Cost. Make sure your children understand the financial picture. If they have prepaid phones, they can keep track of the number of minutes they have, but they still need to understand how much each of those minutes costs. Make sure your child knows that things such as games, ring tones, Internet, and sending pictures can cost extra. Check your account weekly online to make sure your children aren’t going over their allotted minutes. This is especially true if your plan includes texting.

Otherwise you could end up paying hundreds of extra dollars. Make them pay you back if they go over established limits. www.sonomafamilylife.com

Safety. Talk about the consequences of texting or talking on the phone while driving. Be sure to discuss the laws regarding both activities. In California it is illegal to text and drive; adults can use a cell with a headset (not without), but even hands-free cell phone use is prohibited for drivers under the age of 18. See dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/ detail/cellularphonelaws/index for more information.

Do you change your own oil? (in your cars, trucks, boats, or motorcycles)

Back-up plan. Always have a way to contact your children in case their cell phones die, are lost, or your kids are not allowed to use their cells for any number of reasons. Make sure you have numbers for coaches, schools, friends, the parents of your children’s friends, etc.

Manners. Kids should know basic telephone manners, e.g. no phones at the dinner table or a restaurant, or while they are engaged in conversation with another person, whether a friend or a check-out clerk.

Encourage kids, especially those sitting in the same room, to actually talk to, rather than text, each other.

Consequences. Be prepared to take phones away if your children misuse the privilege of having them. Examples include texting inappropriate pictures of themselves or others to friends or classmates, using the phone as a way to cheat on tests at school, making prank phone calls, bullying, or visiting pornographic websites. ¶

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Kerrie McLoughlin’s 5 kids range in age from 4–13, and so far none of them has a cell phone. Check ’em out at thekerrieshow.com.

October 2015

SonomaFamilyLife 17

projects keep you in contact with instructors and allow you to familiarize yourself with the subject material your kids will be studying. Plus, when your kids come home and tell you about a special assembly you already know about, you can wear a secret smile.

Lend a Helping Hand

By Cameron Carey

Simple Ways to Volunteer at School

H

ave you ever wondered what your kids are up to at school? You can find out

by volunteering in their class or on a school project at home. If you think

helping out means a big time commitment,

you’ll be happy to know that you can donate as little as a few hours a month.

Whether private or public, every grade school openly recruits volunteers for everything from weekly one-hour stints in the classroom to chairing the annual PTA fundraiser. The benefits of volunteering are many. You can get a glimpse at how your kids interact in class and get to know their teacher, both of which come in handy when it comes time for parent-teacher conferences. Even if you are working on a volunteer project at home, you are still connecting with your kids’ school lives. At-home 18 SonomaFamilyLife

If the only available opportunities appear too time consuming, know that not all needed tasks are publicized. This may be especially true in middle and high

Do you know your way around a computer on the fritz? Major hero points! school. Approach your child’s teacher, PTA rep, or coach and see if they can’t find a niche that suits your time limitations. Are you a social media guru? Perhaps you could offer to blog or regularly post pictures or updates for the next big school fundraiser. Are quick e-mails a no-brainer? Send out bi-weekly updates to parents. Do you know your way around a computer on the fritz? Major hero points! Or maybe you are great at organizing parties.

Offer to put together the next teacher appreciation luncheon or set up a class holiday party.

If the only time that you are not doing something is during that hour you spend watching TV at night or waiting

October 2015 www.sonomafamilylife.com

for your child’s soccer game to begin, there are little tasks for you, too. These are perfect times for helping with a small prep activity like cutting or tracing out items for a preschool or

If the only available opportunities appear too time consuming, know that not all needed tasks are publicized. kindergarten class. And this kind of work can even be needed in higher grades, too.

If your kids are involved in sports, volunteer to be part of the crew that drives the team to events. You’re probably going to go to the games anyway. Why not bring other team members along? Not only will you be watching your kids play, you’ll also get the chance to get to know their team members, which might be more enlightening than you can imagine.

Once you begin your “assignment,” if you feel overwhelmed, don’t hold back.

Let your concerns be known while still making it clear that you wish to help.

The key is to be honest with yourself, decide what will work, and then to clearly state your availability. This openness will allow you to remain involved without cursing the day you made your offer to help. A stable volunteer is always treasured; you, your child, and the school will all benefit from your involvement. ¶ Cameron Carey lives in Petaluma. She is a senior writer for Irish Dancing & Culture Magazine, and freelances as a writer and web administrator. www.sonomafamilylife.com

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SonomaFamilyLife 19

All Flash & No Fuss Cheap, Last-minute Costumes that Rock

By Rachael Moshman

N

eed to throw together a Halloween costume on the fly? It’s a cinch to create something in under an hour with items you already have. You’ll save money and your child will look terrific.

Ghost. We tried the old-fashioned blanket-over-the-head trick, but, despite eyeholes, my little girl couldn’t see. Plus, the fabric kept falling down, causing her to trip.

So I cut out a hole in an old white sheet and stuck her head through it, poncho-style. Then I used baby powder to make her face and hair pale. She loved moaning and dragging plastic chains around the house.

Jellyfish. This one is super easy, yet I saw it win a community costume contest. Dress your child in solid-colored leggings or sweatpants with a matching t-shirt (any color will work). Then, using double-sided

20 SonomaFamilyLife

tape, attach long pieces of paper streamers to the bottom of the shirt.

Octopus. Babies make the most adorable little sea creatures! For this costume, pair a onesie with tights or leggings for the body. Then make six tentacles out of brightly colored knee socks or tights. If using tights, cut off the legs from the bodice before stuffing with rags. Knee socks don’t need additional work; just stuff them. Use fabric glue to attach the tights or socks to the onesie. (Or sew them if you know how—I don’t!) The addition of your child’s two legs will make for an octopus with eight tentacles.

Bottle of Ketchup. Dress your child in red pants, shirt, socks, and

shoes. Glue pieces of cardboard painted red into a triangle to form a headpiece that resembles the top of a squeeze bottle. Attach the headpiece to a headband or hat. My sister used yellow clothing to turn her daughter into a bottle of mustard. If two kids are up for it, ketchup and mustard make a charming pair!

Punk Rocker. This is a fun costume that lets your child’s natural style shine through. Allow your kids to come up with their craziest outfits—stripes with polka dots, neon colors, whatever. My daughter rocked polka-dotted tights, an orange tutu, a glittery shirt, and a plaid jacket. We teased her hair, let her pile on tons of my makeup and costume jewelry, and gave her a toy microphone as a prop. ¶ Rachael Moshman is a mom, freelance writer, and blogger. October is her favorite month.

Find her on Twitter at @rachaelmoshman.

October 2015 www.sonomafamilylife.com

Come Pick Your Own Apples!

Make a day of it! Bring a picnic & the kids out to Ratzlaff Ranch

U-Pick Apples

at Sebastopol Ratzlaff Ranch

Home of Apple-A-Day Cider

We start u-pick apples as soon as Yellow Delicious and Rome apples are ripe—early September.

We provide picking bags and boxes if needed. Fresh and Frozen Apple Juice will be available on site.

Picnic tables are also available. For further information, call 707-823-0538.

Ratzlaff Ranch, 13128 Occidental Rd., Sebastopol Hours: 9am–5pm: Sunday–Wednesday & Friday • Closed Saturdays & Thursdays Please call before coming, in case the apples aren’t ripe yet: 707-823-0538.

Pumpkin Pizzazz

Mod Podge or white glue, and then sprinkle the entire orb with glitter.

Or mix a few glitters in advance for a multicolor look. If you want to do a variety of colors, coat only a portion of the pumpkin, then sprinkle glitter over just that portion. Catch extra glitter on newspaper and pour it back into the container. Let sections dry between applications of new colors for best results.

7 No-carve Approaches to Decorating

By Christina Katz

M

aybe you grew up carving jack-o’-lanterns, and you want

your kids to follow in your footsteps. Who could blame you? Carving pumpkins is a gooey, messy blast for the whole family. For many of us, it’s a time-honored tradition.

But why not try mixing things up this year? There are a variety of

ways to decorate pumpkins—no knife necessary.

Some of these approaches may be easier for younger children than traditional carving. Others can save you time and headaches. For best results, choose a pumpkin with a smooth, unblemished surface.

Wash your pumpkin gently with mild soap and water, and allow it to dry overnight before you begin decorating. Most of these looks work best with medium-sized to smallish pumpkins.

22 SonomaFamilyLife

1

Polk-a-dots Galore. Give very young children a pumpkin and a pile of sticky felt circles. Show them how to adhere the circles to their pumpkin, and they will be happily entertained for quite some time.

Polk-a-dots are the simplest approach for the youngest in your clan, but you can also create a more traditional look using black felt shapes on an orange pumpkin.

2

The Glittering Globe. Coat the pumpkin in a layer of

You’ll be amazed by how many looks a simple pumpkin can pull off.

3

The Painted Lady. If you want your painted pumpkin to last, first coat it with a layer of varnish or sealer in a well-ventilated area. Flip the pumpkin over onto a bowl or jar while you paint the bottom first.

When dry, flip it over to paint the rest. Apply a couple of coats of acrylic paint. Chalkboard paint works well on pumpkins. To make painted pumpkins last longer, apply another coat of varnish. Leave chalkboard-painted pumpkins unvarnished.

4

The Glitter-paint Combo. If you want to mix things up a bit, follow instructions for painting your pumpkin. Then, when completely dry, apply glitter to the pumpkin stem only.

Or use blue painter’s tape to create designs on the pumpkin. Then apply glue and glitter for added sparkle.

5

The Doodle Work-of-art.

Teens will relish using Sharpie markers to create temporary works of art on pumpkins. Supply them with a rainbow of colors or an array of black markers in various thicknesses. Black

October 2015 www.sonomafamilylife.com

and multicolored Sharpie art works especially well on white pumpkins.

And black markers of various thicknesses work well with orange pumpkins. Varnish afterwards.

6

The Drippy Look. Spread out newspaper or brown bags to catch any excess melted crayon.

Unwrap crayons in assorted colors.

You can either do a spectrum of colors or mix things up. Consider autumn colors on an orange pumpkin or ghoulish colors on a white pumpkin.

With thick, white nonflammable glue, adhere the top half of the crayons around the pumpkin stem. The points should face out and be tipped slightly down. Let dry. Set hair dryer to high and work your way around the crayons one at a time until they are melted.

7

Bling-kin. Paint pumpkin with two coats of paint. Then, starting at the stem, work your way down the sides of the pumpkin with gem stickers.

Create an evenly spaced, over-all pattern or a dripping-with-gems look.

Combine gems with an adhesive letter sticker, if you like, for a monogrammed appearance. Leave gems off the bottom so the pumpkin stands flat. œ Author and freelance journalist Christina Katz enjoys the results of carving pumpkins—but the messy process? Not so much. This year, she is looking forward to turning her front porch into a gallery of pumpkin art.

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www.sonomafamilylife.com

October 2015

SonomaFamilyLife 23

Family Fun

Riding the carousel at Howarth Park.

Trick, Treat—Freak!

Batter up on the Petaluma Trick or Treat Trail.

5 Spots for Halloween Merriment

Santa Rosa: Tenth Annual Halloween at Howarth Park. Along with requisite treats, Howarth Park offers plenty of space for your favorite Harry Potters and Dora the Explorers to safely run off their sugar rush.

They can buzz over to the carousel or ponies for a ride, or wave happily at the sky from the park’s train. They might even get so tired out that bedtime will be a no-fuss affair (at least one can hope). The park will welcome kids ages 12 and under on October 24 in two time slots: 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. or 1:30–3 p.m. A $6-pass includes trick-or-treating, and train and carousel rides while a $10 pass garners the added pleasures of a pony ride and ice cream treat. Both passes allow one adult to hop on a train and carousel with his or her child. Additional adults are $2. Passes go on sale October 5. This is a very popular event, so buy advance tickets at Finely Community Center in Santa Rosa or online via srcity.org.

In the event of rain, call 543-3425 for a status update. For further details about the event itself, call 543-3737.

24 SonomaFamilyLife

Petaluma: Downtown Trick or Treat Trail. Lead your goblins and ninja princesses ages 12 and under to a kid nirvana (aka downtown Petaluma) of miniature Milky Ways and alluringly tiny boxes of Junior Mints.

With more than 60 local merchants handing out loot on October 31, 3–5:30 p.m., those ubiquitous pillowcases and plastic pumpkins will be overflowing with loot. See petalumadowntown.com/halloween.html.

October 2015 www.sonomafamilylife.com

Discover

THE FIRST COMPLETE TRAINING PROGRAM Willits/Sacramento Zombie Train. Make your zombie apocalypse fantasies come true— there’s no escaping the undead on this train. If you’d rather become a monster than flee one, you can do that, too. Zombie makeovers are available for $20 in addition to the cost of train tickets, which are $25–$45. Trains depart from Willits, Oakdale, and West Sacramento. Go to zombietrain. com for more information and to purchase tickets.

Santa Rosa: Floating Pumpkin Patch. If you are not the type who would ever own an “I Heart Dirt” t-shirt, you might be fond of this out-of-the-ordinary pumpkin grove at Ridgway Swim Center. On October 17, 2–6 p.m., orange orbs will wait in water, not on land, for the honor of being turned into jack-o’-lanterns.

Choose one without getting the least bit grimy. You will, however, get wet, so bring swimsuits for everyone.

Admission is $5 if you don’t want to take home a pumpkin or $10 if you do.

Purchase tickets by calling 543-3421 or visit srcity.org.

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Rohnert Park: Blind Scream Haunted House. For those who leap at the chance to shake in their boots with abject terror, Blind Scream’s three haunted houses are just the ticket. Blackout, Carnicus, and The Swamp Shack are guaranteed to be lurking with lethal-virusinfected zombies and assorted other monsters. Why not invite yourself over and let the fun begin? Houses run October 9–31. Not recommended for kids under 7; ages 7–12 should be accompanied by a parent. Prices range from $10–$30 depending on the number of houses you want to visit. See blindscream.com. ¶ www.sonomafamilylife.com

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SonomaFamilyLife 25

October Calendar of Events

Find the Perfect Pumpkin

W

elcome autumn with pumpkins, hayrides, and freaky bugs at the Tolay Fall Festival in Tolay Lake Regional Park in Petaluma, October 17–18 and 24–25. The non-squeamish can explore the darkened Creepy Crawly Room, where tarantulas and scorpions glow under black lights. Meanwhile, the Nighttime Creatures Barn invites the intrepid to inspect native and exotic snakes, birds of prey, tide pool animals, and taxidermied wildlife.

After your introduction to local fauna, venture out to a replica of a Native American village and see kotchas made of reeds and bark. Take a hayride in search of the perfect pumpkin or try farm activities like wool carding, candle dipping, and corn-husk doll making. You can even compete in a World Record Pumpkin-seed Spitting Contest or, if that’s too much pressure, gunnysack races. There also will be lessons from experts in archery, astronomy, and fly-fishing.

The festival runs 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Admission is $5 for teens and adults, and $3 for children 12 and younger. (Individual festival activities are free.) Parking for nonmembers is $7. See parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov for more information. ¶

Zombie Train. Sacramento RiverTrain & the Skunk Train.

40-minute train trips bring together interactive adventure, special effects & the undead. $25–$45. Also the chance to get a zombie makeover for $20. For dates & ticketing, see zombietrain.com.

Treasure Island. Theater for the

entire family. Thru Oct. 4. Times vary.

OPEN HOUSE October 17

Sonoma County Regional Parks

include Duke Ellington, Thelonious Monk, Bill Evans & John Coltrane. 8 p.m. Marin Center. 10 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael. marincounty.org.

Trails Challenge. Hike 5 trails & win

FREE Bodega Marine Laboratory

prizes. Get your free Trails Challenge Guide at sonomacountyparks.org.

Tours. Explore the dynamic

$16–$26. Spreckels Performing Arts Center. 5409 Snyder Ln., Rohnert Park. rpcity.org.

Friday 2 Child Jazz Musician Joey Alexander.

Early influences for the 12-year-old

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biodiversity of the Northern California Coast. Fridays. 2–4 p.m. Closed Oct. 16. 2099 Westside Rd., Bodega Bay. bml.ucdavis.edu.

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26 SonomaFamilyLife

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October 2015 www.sonomafamilylife.com

Take A Bite Out of Life!

FREE Project Censored the Movie.

Documentary takes an in-depth look at what is hidden in news media today.

7 p.m. Oct. 4.: 4 p.m. Sonoma State University. Sonoma Film Institute.

1801 East Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park. sonoma.edu/sfi/schedule.

With New Patient Exam and Teeth Cleaning

Sonoma County Harvest Fair.

795-4523 • 6420 Commerce Blvd • Rohnert Park

FREE WHITENING Teeth Whitening ($99 Value)

Grape stomp, more. Thru Oct. 4. $5.

12 & under are free. Also free with 4 canned food donations. Fees for tasting & parking. Sonoma County Fair Grounds. 1350 Bennett Valley Rd., Santa Rosa. harvestfair.org.

Saturday 3 FREE Getting Started with e-Books Workshop. Step-by-step instruction

on how to set up free accounts & apps.

10–11:30 a.m. Sonoma Valley Regional Library. 755 West Napa St., Sonoma. sonomalibrary.org.

FREE Science Saturday at Environmental Discovery Center.

Tangible experiments & projects let children explore the natural world.

Spring Lake. 393 Violetti Rd., Santa Rosa. parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov.

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 Rohnert Park Founder’s Day Parade & Festival. 2015 Theme: Halloween Towne. Haunted house, zombie run, kids’ activities, live music, car show, more. Parade begins at Lawrence E. Jones Middle School: 10:30 a.m. Show & Shine Car Show: 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Festival: 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Live music: 11:30 a.m.–6 p.m. rohnertparkfoundersday.org.

www.sonomafamilylife.com

October 2015

SonomaFamilyLife 27

Beat Breast Cancer

S

how your breasts you love them—get a mammogram during October, Breast Cancer Awareness month. If you have dense breasts, consider asking for a sonogram. It can be difficult for a mammogram to spot cancerous growths in dense tissue. If you need help covering the cost of a mammogram, take advantage of California’s Every Woman Counts (EWC) program, which provides free breast screenings to underserved women. You can search the website of the Department of Health and Human Services to find a provider who works with EWC (dhcs. ca.gov/services/cancer/EWC/Pages/ ewc-clinic-locator.aspx). Those who have been diagnosed with breast cancer can receive financial help for care through the Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program (dhcs.ca.gov/services/ medi-cal/Pages/BCCTP.aspx). ¶

28 SonomaFamilyLife

October 2015 www.sonomafamilylife.com

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Celebrating One Year of Service to Sonoma County

In just over one year of serving customers Sonoma Clean Power (SCP) has achieved: • Rates 6-11% below PG&E • $13.6 million in bill savings for customers • Reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 48% • Contracted to build 85MW of new California solar, doubling the solar serving Sonoma County.

Greenhouse gas emission reductions are relative to PG&E's last published data for 2013

www.sonomafamilylife.com

October 2015 SCP Report Card 3.46 x 4.56 Wednesday, September 23, 2015 11:46:49 AM

SonomaFamilyLife 29

Sonoma County Airport Levi’s Granfondo Bicycle Ride.

CLIMBING, TRAINING, COMMUNITY

WE LOVE TO PARTY! Travel on Nonstop Flights to/from Los Angeles; Portland; San Diego; Seattle

FREE Oktoberfest & Courtney’s

Experience Flight Training

Pumpkin Patch. Kids’ activities,

Aircraft; Helicopters

live music, German food, photos with Giant Pumpkin, more. 1–8 p.m. Downtown Cloverdale Plaza.

Cloverdale. cloverdale.net.

Discover Scenic Tours Aircraft; Helicopters; Balloons; Historic Aircraft

Birthday Party & Group Events $150

Sunday 4 FREE 15th Annual Blessing of the

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For up to 6 participants.

Additional climbers $24 each

Animals. Bring your furry family

www.sonomacountyairport.org

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).

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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) ANY HAIRCUT ANY HAIRCUT 2700 Yulupa Ave. (by CVS) $ 99 $ 99 Windsor: 9018 Brooks Rd. (by Mary’s Pizza) Healdsburg: 1017 Vineyard Plaza ANY HAIRCUT ANY HAIRCUT Sonoma: $ 99 ANY $ (Maxwell 99 Village Center) 19217 Sonoma Hwy. HAIRCUT ANY HAIRCUT Terra Linda: One Shopping $ Northgate 99 $ Center 99

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friend to be blessed. “Winery Dog of the Year” contest, silent auction, raffle, wine by the glass. 2–5 p.m. St. Francis Winery & Vineyards. 100 Pythian Rd. at Hwy. 12, Santa Rosa. stfranciswinery.com.

FREE Boating at the Barn.

BEST GIFT EVER!

Discounted group rates for non-profits

Annual fundraiser with 32-, 65- & 103-mile rides throughout beautiful Sonoma County. Free festival follows ride. See website for costs. Finley Center. 2060 W. College Ave., Santa Rosa. levisgranfondo.com.

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Volunteers help you try a nonmotorized vessel on the Petaluma River, including canoes, kayaks, rowboats, or sailboats (yours or theirs).

Open year-round. Sundays. 11 a.m.–1 p.m. friendsofthepetalumariver.org.

FREE Bodega Bay Community Farmers Market. Shopping, live music,

beautiful venue. Thru Oct. Sundays. 10 a.m.–2 p.m. 2255 Hwy. 1, Bodega Bay. bodegabaycommunitycenter.org.

39th Annual Bridge to Bridge Run.

5K or 12K. Benefits Special Olympics.

Post-race expo & party. Ages 16 & under $25. Ages 16 & over $50. Ferry Building to Marina Green. San Francisco. bridgetobridge.com.

FREE Rohnert Park Farmers Market.

Fresh local produce. 10 a.m.–2 p.m.

Find us at

*No purchase or payment necessary to enter to win. Contest starts 7/15/2014 and ends 9/5/2014. Open to US/Canadian residents 18 and over. Other restrictions apply.

For prize details, odds of winning, complete Official Rules and to enter go to www.greatclips.com. Void where prohibited.

greatclips.com | salonjobs.greatclips.com | greatclipsfranchise.com | Proud partner of

30 SonomaFamilyLife

Find us at

October 2015 www.sonomafamilylife.com

*No purchase or payment necessary to enter to win. Contest starts 7/15/2014 and ends 9/5/2014. Open to US/Canadian residents 18 and over. Other restrictions apply.

For prize details, odds of winning, complete Official Rules and to enter go to www.greatclips.com. Void where prohibited.

LEARN TO

DANCE

North Library Parking Lot. City Center Dr., Rohnert Park. rpcity.org.

Kids Who Dance are:

Wednesday 7

Proud • Focused Healthy • Inspired Committed • Smart Passionate Confident

FREE Demystifying the College Application Process. Ages 12–17. 6–7:30

p.m. Forestville Library. 7050 Covey Rd., Forestville. sonomalibrary.org.

FREE Introduction to 3D Printing Workshop. See the MakerBot Replicator 2 3D Printer in action. All ages. 6–7:30 p.m. Healdsburg Regional Library. 139 Piper St., Healdsburg. sonomalibrary.org.

Friday 9 Blind Scream Haunted Houses.

Three huge haunted houses: Black Out, Carnicus & the Swamp Shack.

Thru Oct. 31. $10–$30. 1500 Valley House Dr., Rohnert Park. (Next to Sally Tomatoes & Sonoma Mountain Village.) 837-1928. blindscream.com.

FREE 10th Annual Disability Services & Legal Center Tech Expo.

Products & services to help seniors & people with disabilities gain greater independence. 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Sonoma County Fairgrounds. Finley Hall.

1350 Bennett Valley Rd., Santa Rosa. sonomacountyfair.com.

What more could a parent ask for?

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

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

Rincon Valley Christian School In our school we share Christian values that promote:

The Light in the Piazza. Nominated

• A safe, positive Christian school community.

for 11 Tony Awards. Genuinely moving musical set in the 1950s. Thru Oct. 25. Times vary. $16–$26. Spreckels Performing Arts Center. 5409 Snyder Ln., Rohnert Park. rpcity.org.

• An atmosphere that promotes spiritual development and learning.

• Dynamic academic, art, music and athletic programs.

Saturday 10

• Proven academic success, preschool through 12th grade.

FREE Meet a NASA Scientist.

Science, crafts & MakerSpace. Bring your curiosity & questions! Ages 5–12.

2 p.m. Petaluma Regional Library.

100 Fairgrounds Dr., Petaluma. sonomalibrary.org. www.sonomafamilylife.com

542-1367

www.keenanirishdanceschool.com

OPEN REGISTRATION

707-539-1486 • www.rvchristian.org October 2015

SonomaFamilyLife 31

FREE Super Science Saturday: Optical Illusions. Grades 2–5. 1–2

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

Successful Brain Fair. Learn about

your brain. Informative, interactive & inspiring. All ages welcome. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. $10. No one turned away. Free parking. Finley Community Center.

2060 West College Ave., Santa Rosa. successfulbrainfair.com.

FREE Bay Area Pet Fair & Adopt-a-thon. Meet 1,000 pets for

adoption, plus live shows, giveaways, food trucks & more. Thru Oct. 11.

10 a.m.–5 p.m. Marin Center. 10 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael. bayareapetfair.org.

Sunday 11

Thursday 15

Healdsburg Half Marathon. Starts & finishes in downtown Healdsburg.

Octoberfest Post-race wine & beer. 7–11 a.m. $110–$125. runwinecountry.com.

Tuesday 13 FREE Comic Making Workshop with Cathy Camper. Learn to draw comics using ballpoint pens from the author of Lowriders in Space. Ages 5–12. 3:30–4:30 p.m. 7140 Bodega Ave., Sebastopol. sonomalibrary.org.

Just Between Friends Kids’ & Maternity Consignment Sales Event.

New & gently used clothes, toys, books, games, DVDs, furniture, outdoor gear, boutique items. Thru Oct. 18. Oct. 15: noon–8 p.m., $3. Oct. 16: 9 a.m.–8 p.m., $2. Oct. 17: 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m., free. Oct. 18: 9 a.m.–2 p.m., free. Sonoma County Fairgrounds. 1350 Bennett Valley Rd., Santa Rosa. northbay.jbfsale.com.

Friday 16 The Creature. Mary Shelley’s

Wednesday 14 FREE Foster Parent Information Meeting. 6–8 p.m. 565-4274 to register.

Sonoma County Family Youth & Children’s Services. 1202 Apollo Way, Santa Rosa. sonomafostercare.org.

Frankenstein brought to life! Thru Nov. 1. $15 & $25. Oct. 16 only: junior high & high school students $9. Extra $5 for Halloween Party on Oct. 31. Cinnabar Theater. 3333 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma. cinnabartheater.org.

COLLEGE & CAREER DAY FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2015 Sonoma County Fairgrounds-Hall of Flowers • 3PM-6PM

This FREE event is open to the community and is a great opportunity for students and families to engage with industry, post-secondary, and organization professionals, participate in mock job interviews, and attend presentations led by experts in the field!

DISTRICT SHOWCASE SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17 2015

, Sonoma County Fairgrounds-Hall of Flowers • 11AM-3PM

This FREE event is designed to provide prospective families and the community the opportunity to learn more about the wonderful schools and programs offered throughout our District. There will be student performances, free food, fun activities, and giveaways!

SRCS Open Enrollment Dates: September 1 - October 30, 2015 For more information about these events, please visit the district website at www.srcs.k12.ca.us 32 SonomaFamilyLife

October 2015 www.sonomafamilylife.com

Saturday 17 Tolay Fall Festival. Pumpkin patch,

hay rides with a ranger, World Record Pumpkin-seed Spit, Night Time Creatures Barn, farm animals & crafts, food. Oct. 17–18, 24–25. 11 a.m.–5 p.m.

Tolay Lake Regional Park. Lakeville Hwy. at Cannon Ln., Petaluma.

565-2041. sonomacountyparks.org.

FREE Family Science Day. Science activities abound! Make slime, catapults, terrariums, spaghetti & marshmallow towers & more! Open to the public. 10 a.m.–1 p.m. The Healdsburg School. 33 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg. 433-4847.

FREE The Story Ninjas. Local troupe of teen improvisers performs comical & adventurous fairytales. Ages 5 & up. 2 p.m. Rincon Valley Library.

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

FREE LumaFest. Explore the many academic, cultural & student-life offerings of Santa Rosa Junior College, Petaluma Campus.

Educational activities, bookmobile, face painting, jumpy houses, more.

Free admission & parking. No pets.

11 a.m.–4 p.m. Santa Rosa Junior College, Petaluma Campus. 680 Sonoma Mountain Pkwy., Petaluma. lumafest.santarosa.edu.

FREE Santa Rosa Mystic Fair. More than 40 exhibitors. Thru Oct. 18. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Veterans Memorial Building. 1351 Maple Ave., Santa Rosa. santarosamysticfair.com.

Goblin Jamboree 2015. Hay

maze, pony rides, petting zoo, live

entertainment. Come in costume & join the parade! Oct. 17 & 18. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. General $16.95. Members $13.95. Bay Area Discovery Museum.

557 McReynolds Rd., Sausalito. baykidsmuseum.org.

FREE Italian Rootstock Festival.

Authentic Italian cuisine, Italian wine, crafted beer, folk music & dancing, face painting, kids’ games. 1–8 p.m.

Santa Rosa Vintners Square. 1301 & 1305 Cleveland Ave., Santa Rosa. italianrootstock.com.

Sunday 18 Santa Rosa Symphony—Music from Out of this World. Movie music from

Star Wars, 2001: A Space Odyssey, E.T., Mozart’s Jupiter Symphony, more. 3 p.m. Adults $45. Children under 12 $30. Sonoma State University. Green

Parties & Parents Night Out SONOMA COUNTY FAMILY YMCA

It’s not just

Gymnastics...

It’s confidence for a lifetime!

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

707-763-5010 www.regymnastics.com

www.sonomafamilylife.com

reg

redwood empire gymnastics

HALLOWEEN CARNIVAL Haunted House•Carnival Games•Raffle Prizes•Jumpies•Raffle•Bakery Bootique•Food•Music & More!

Saturday October 24, 2015• 4-7pm 1111 College Ave. Santa Rosa, CA 707-545-9622• www.scfymca.org

•Proceeds Benefit the Y Financial Assistance Program•

Sonoma County Family YMCA, 1111 College Avenue, Santa Rosa The Y is a non-profit community based organization.

October 2015

SonomaFamilyLife 33

Sat-Sun 11am - 5pm

Tolay Lake Regional Park, Petaluma

Oct 17-18 & 24-25 Pumpkin Patch Hay Rides with a Ranger World Record Pumpkin Seed Spit Night Time Creatures Barn Farm Animals & Crafts Old Fashioned Games Great Food

Lakeville Highway at Cannon Lane

Music Center. 1801 E. Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park. gmc.sonoma.edu.

Bill Evans presents The Banjo in America. Explores bluegrass from

the traditional to the innovative with jazz, classical, folk & world music influences. 5 p.m. $20.

Occidental Center for the Arts.

3850 Doris Murphy Ct., Occidental. billevansbanjo.com.

707-565-2041

sonomacountyparks.org

Wednesday 21 MAD Science Presents: Magnetic Magic. Take home your own floating magnet set! Grades K–5. 4 p.m.

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

Got Stress??

Floatation Therapy is a great way to relax & unwind your mind & body NOW OFFERING MASSAGE & REFLEXOLOGY

Friday 23 FREE Build It Club: Shoebox City.

All supplies provided. Hands-on engineering & problem-solving exercise with structure & open-ended activity. Ages 5 & up. 4 p.m.

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

TAKE A VIRTUAL TOUR ON OUR WEBSITE

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• To support our families, we provide parenting tools & classes to work together as a team for your children • Adlerian Positive Discipline: ~ Kind AND Firm tools ~ Encouragement tools with mutual respect for children & adults, to achieve cooperation

6001 Commerce Blvd.

Rohnert Park

707-588-8878

expresswayss.com 34 SonomaFamilyLife

SANTA ROSA CO-OP PRESCHOOL

Now accepting applications for 2015/16 school year

EXPRESSWAY STORAGE Mention this ad for:

50% off for the first 12 months

579-3718

srecschool.org

October 2015 www.sonomafamilylife.com

The Rocky Horror Show. The

musical that inspired the 1975 cult classic film. Thru Nov. 8.

Matinees & evening performances. $10–$25. Studio Theater. 6th Street Playhouse. 52 W. 6th St., Santa Rosa.

6thstreetplayhouse.com.

Saturday 24 FREE Tricks & Treats at the Village.

Visit the Pumpkin Fairy Godmother.

Play Halloween Pictionary with “The Count.” Art making, face painting, games, activities. 11 a.m.–2 p.m. Montgomery Village. Hwy. 12 at Farmers Ln., Santa Rosa. mvshops.com.

Sonoma County Family YMCA Halloween Carnival. Haunted house,

carnival games, raffle, prizes, bouncy houses, bakery, boo-tique, music & more. 4–7 p.m. Sonoma County Family YMCA. 1111 College Ave., Santa Rosa. 545-9622. scfymca.org.

ma Sononty Cou Parks nal Regio

Get Outdoors, Get Fit!

TRAILS

CHALLENGE

Now through November Hike 5 trails and win prizes

Get your FREE Trails Challenge guide

FREE Minecraft Coding Camp.

Grades 6–9. Register in advance 545-0831 x1553. 10 a.m.–2 p.m.

Guerneville Regional Library. 14107

Suburbs. Minivan.

How’d that happen?

There was a time you said you’d “never” get married and “never” have kids. And then? They became the things in life you never want to be without.

Let me help you protect them.

It’s why State Farm is there.

CALL ME TODAY. ®

Shawn Hetherman, Agent Insurance Lic#: 0J01006 170 Farmers Lane Suite 10 Santa Rosa, CA 95405 Bus: 707-800-7962

1408476

sonomacountyparks.org

Does your child know how to swim?

Fall lessons are available at Finley Aquatic Center!

Register now:

www.santarosarec.com 707-543-3737

State Farm, Home Office, Bloomington, IL

www.sonomafamilylife.com

October 2015

SonomaFamilyLife 35

KaCees Car Wash Car Wash Discount

2 OFF

$

Reg. $7.00 • Expires 10/31/15

High-Tech Car Wash Present this coupon for discount.

Coupons cannot be combined with other offers.

586-8997

320 Rohnert Park Expressway Open Daily 7am–7pm

FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY!

Armstrong Woods Rd., Guerneville. sonomalibrary.org.

FREE North Bay Science Discovery Day. Unleash your inner scientist

while discovering the innovation of science, technology, engineering & mathematics (STEM) organizations.

10:30 a.m.–4 p.m. Sonoma County Fairgrounds. 1350 Bennett Valley Rd., Santa Rosa. northbayscience.org.

Comic Artist Workshop for Girl Scout Cadettes. Girls earn comic

Senior Portraits Now Booking Class of 2016

Dates book up fast! Contact Natasha Today!

FREE Kidz Dig It Fall Harvest Jamboree. Giant pumpkin show,

pumpkin car races, scarecrow building, pumpkin carving, more. 10 a.m.–1 p.m. during Farmers Market.

701 McClelland Dr. at Market St., Windsor. windsorfarmersmarket.com.

CAL SKATE Roller Skating & Blading Center

Put Your Affairs in Order • • • • • •

FREE Consultation

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

707-892-3565

www.natashamcguire.com

Run. 5K & 10K mud-drenched

Where the JOY of learning meets the JOY of the Lord Register Now for 2015/2016

Evening & Weekend Appointments Available

707-431-7250

Call or email to visit our school:

36 SonomaFamilyLife

Fifth Annual Russian River Mud

Cross & Crown Lutheran School

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

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

Halloween at Howarth Park. Ride the train & carousel. Come in costume. Trick-or-treat in park.

Ages 12 & under. 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. or 1:30–3 p.m. Tickets $6 & $10.

Purchased in advance at Finley Center or online. Howarth Park.

630 Summerfield Rd., Santa Rosa.

543-3737. ci.santa-rosa.ca.us.

Sunday 25

Birthday Parties Public Skating Fundraisers Private & Group Instruction

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

artist badge by working with a professional cartoonist to create their own four-panel comic strips. 10 a.m.–1 p.m. For fees & reservations, call the Girl Scouts of Northern California at 544-5472. Charles M. Schulz Museum.

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

(707)795-7863 www.crossandcrownschoolrp.org

GOT LICE?

TREAT TODAY… GONE TODAY! • Unique system for lice removal.

• 100% guaranteed on 1st visit.

• Certified operators. • FDA cleared.

415-328-1350 • www.lcanorthbay.com 159 Lynch Creek Way • Petaluma

October 2015 www.sonomafamilylife.com

WE MAKE IT SPARKLE! obstacle courses of fun. Post-race festival. 7:30 a.m.–2p.m. $45–$90.

Ya Ka Ama. 7450 Steve Olsen Ln., Forestville. russianrivermudrun.com.

Move In Move Out Cleaning

Angelica’s

Friday 30 FREE Pumpkin Carving Contest

HOUSECLEANING SERVICE 304-9112 or 332-4685

for Teens. Prizes awarded to top

three pumpkins. Ages 12–17. 3:30–6:30 p.m. Cloverdale Regional Library.

401 N. Cloverdale Blvd., Cloverdale. sonomalibrary.org.

SONOMA COUNTY’S

favorite pediatricians

Saturday 31 FREE Petaluma Downtown Trick or Treat Trail. Safe holiday fun with

Petaluma merchants for costumed kids under 12. 3–5:30 p.m. Downtown Petaluma. petalumadowntown.com/ halloween.html.

• House Cleaning • Office Cleaning • Apartment Cleaning • Construction Clean up

•

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

•

Convenient locations

•

Network of Pediatric subspecialists for complex cases

•

Most health plans welcome

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

5 Star Yelp Rating

A Catholic High School in the Lasallian Tradition

They LOVE our work & you will too ❤ We Love what we do!

NOSE TO TAIL

EXAM

• Family owned and operated for 33 years • Excellent personable service • Free loaner cars & rental deals • 10% off deductible

1

$ .00

First time client exams Limited spots, call to check availability Limit One Pet & Coupon Per Household

Mon. –Fri. 9am-6pm, Sat 9am–1pm

525-1767 • www.sichelsautobody.com 3172 Condo Court • Santa Rosa

www.sonomafamilylife.com

(707) 544-1313

2002 4th St, Santa Rosa www.SantaRosaVet.com

October 2015

SonomaFamilyLife 37

Cooking with Kids

Creepy Eats

5 Easy Recipes for Spooky Delights

By Rachael Moshman

H

alloween is the perfect time of year to unveil some out-of-the-ordinary dishes.

Some of my best memories involve the fun foods my grandmother used to make as part of our celebration. My daughter now looks forward to them each year. Here are some of our favorite creations.

Spiders Cut hotdogs into thirds. Poke four dry spaghetti noodles through each chunk, horizontally. Boil the hot dogs. When cooked, the hotdog becomes the spider body, and the noodles become the legs. I made a batch of these for adults using cocktail sausages and barbeque dipping sauce.

Severed Fingers Shape refrigerated, pre-made breadsticks, crescent rolls, or biscuits into long, finger-shaped pieces. Stick an almond onto the end of each “finger” to serve as the fingernail.

(I’ve also used Bugle or Fritos chips for nails.) Bake according to the directions on the pastry package.

Serve with marinara “blood” sauce for dipping.

38 SonomaFamilyLife

Macaroni and Sleaze Prepare your favorite macaroni and cheese. Stir in pesto to turn it green.

I like to throw some goldfish-shaped crackers on top to add texture—and a toxic appearance.

Eyeballs in Congealed Blood Peel green grapes. Prepare your child’s favorite red Jell-O, tossing the grapes in before chilling. We brought this gruesome dessert to my daughter’s class Halloween party last year. Her pals are still talking about it.

Witches Brew Start with a big pot—the creepier looking, the better. (I use a large soup pot.) Mix together several different kinds of soda or juice with the goal of creating an unappetizing color. I freeze a plastic glove filled with water. Once the water is frozen, I remove the glove and then plop the hand-shaped ice into the “brew” to keep it chilled. ¶ Rachael Moshman is a mom, freelance writer, and blogger. October is her favorite month. Find her @rachaelmoshman on Twitter.

Severed Fingers

Spiders

Happy Halloween

October 2015 www.sonomafamilylife.com

Classified Marketplace Counseling

Lessons

Lessons

Lessons Register Now for Fall Classes

BACK-TO-SCHOOL CHESS CLASSES

PLAY PING PONG!

Call Today for more information: 707-575-7701 www.artandsoulmusic.com 4861 Old Redwood Hwy., Santa Rosa *Bring in this ad and we’ll waive your registration fee

After School Classes Youth Teams & Adult Classes

CHESS FOR KIDS at your school!

527-6427

www.chessclubforkids.com

Improves Focus & Attention Exercises Mind & Body

Employment Is Your Child Defiant, Stubborn, or Aggressive?

It doesn’t have to be that way.

NOW HIRING COACHES

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.

Call today for a free consultation 707-545-4600 www.srcbt.org

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

613 College Avenue, Santa Rosa

Like Us On Facebook www.sonomafamilylife.com

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

North Bay Table Tennis Club 707 843-0768

4216 Petaluma Blvd. North, Petaluma www.northbayttc.com

European Pony School

546-7669

europeanponyschool.com

Western Riding Lessons Youth Camps & Birthday Parties

R * A * N * C * H

WORK WITH CHILDREN AGES 18 MONTHS TO 12 YEARS OF AGE.

• We are looking for those who are positive & energetic!

• Previous experience working with children.

• Some soccer experience is required.

• Must be 18 years or older.

• Work with kids in a fun environment.

• Flexible schedule with many classes.

• Employee credits for league play.

• Extras include: a free Sports City membership, snacks/drinks during your shifts and discounts at the pro shop.

Kristine Sheets Stewart 415-302-8118 horsemom302@aol.com crossroadsranchridingstable.com

Sign up for after school classes today!

Ride with us in Penngrove, California

Apply Online www.playsportscity.com/about/employment

Teaching the art of the sword

Mindfulness for Schools & Families

In-school, after school, homeschool, & private sessions Ages 3-12

New Classes Enrolling Now

707-540-1702

Check Out Our New Online Directories SonomaFamilyLife.com

JoyfulMindProject.org October 2015

SonomaFamilyLife 39

Classified Marketplace Services

Services

Health

We Can Help!

We can help!

 Paternity and Child Support Order Establishment  Payment Collection Services  Payment Tracking and Accounting  Child Support Modification

Sonoma County Child Support Services 3725 Westwind Blvd., Ste 200 Santa Rosa, CA 95403

Visit our new mobile-friendly website

SonomaFamilyLife.com

Getting the Schools to Help Your Special Need Child

Endermologie Massage Proven Effective for

Cellulite Reduction

Endermologie

Call 206-5613

5212 Old Redwood Hwy, Santa Rosa www.bodytec-massage.com

GET

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TUNED UP

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Special for 1st time clients.

Hair Lounge

40 SonomaFamilyLife

10 OFF Birthday Party $

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

411 B Street, Suite 6 • Petaluma www.petalumanitflix.com

sonoma

Cut & color $65

7981 Old Redwood Hwy. • Cotati

707-544-4132 • pterentals.com 115 Lystra Ct., Santa Rosa

Professional Piano Tuning 20% Off - Mention this ad

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Hair & Skin Care for the Entire Family!

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Sonna, Crystal, Katie, Lindsay, Megan, Melanie, and Morgan

Parties

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magazine • web • email • events

where your imagination comes to play

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KIDS PARTIES Hands-on exhibits and creative play!

Choose from science or art activities

259-1559

1785 B Tanen St. Napa scientopiadiscoverycenter.com

October 2015 www.sonomafamilylife.com

Schools

Tutors

Childcare/Preschools

Childcare/Preschools

Montessori In Motion Now Offering Kindergarten

YMCA PRESCHOOL

YMCA PRESCHOO

GROW.LEARN.THRIVE YMCA PRESCHOOL

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

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

Developing the Foundations for a Lifetime of Creative Learning

Join us for our NEW Kindergarten & Early Childhood programs

End School Frustration!

Our high quality tutors can help with:

Academic Subjects • Test Prep Foreign Languages Study Skills • ESL

Don’t wait until your child falls behind

(707) 585-2584

2810 Summerfield Road, Santa Rosa bvmontessori.com

sonomacountytutors.com

Visit our new mobile-friendly website

EXPERIENCED CERTIFIED TUTOR

SonomaFamilyLife.com

Parties Family Owned Local Bakery

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

Santa Rosa Call Katie Lyon

528-7789

Children’s Circle: 2.5–3.5+ yrs.

Kinderclub: 3–5 yrs.

Montessori In Motion: 3–6 yrs.

7:1 Teacher Ratio

Now Enrolling

WEDDING • QUINCEAÑERA • CUPCAKES

El Paso Bakery 8282 Old Redwood Hwy • Cotati elpasobakerycotati.com • 665-9068

www.sonomafamilylife.com

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PROGRAM OBJECTIVES:

707.544.1829

YMCA Program Office The Y isConfidence, a non-profit community based organization. and Cognitive 9291 Old Redwood Hwy., Bldg. 300D 707.544.1829 Financial Assistance is available.

838-1260 • townofwindsor.com Academic Skills.

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

PRICING & REGISTRATION: Casa dei Bam

YMCA Office b io’s Program Since 1981 707.544.1829 Montessori School

Preschool•Kindergarten The Y is a non-profit Parent-Toddler Class community based Ages 18 months organization. to 6-years

Financial Assistance is available.

Diane: 546-7012

FUMC

Preschool & Child Care Center

Montessoriin Windsor Fun! Morning, Afternoon or Full Days till 2:30 Organic Meals Spanish Class Every Day Academics & Fun! Small Class of 12 - Two Trained Teachers www.montessorifun.com

JANBOREE PRE-SCHOOL A fun filled curriculum for 3 & 4 year–olds. 8:30 –11:30 a.m. Mon.– Fri. $15 per day.

Dunham-Hessel area. 795-8568. www.janboree.com License #490111872

October 2015

&

The Y is a non-profit community based organization.

Financial Assistance is available.

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

Join us!

Like Us On Facebook

Health & Nutrition, Relationships, Motor Skills,Self Interpersonal Serving 2-5 year Interpersonal Relationships, Self Confidence, and Cognitive & Academic Skills. & Confidence, and Cognitive PRICING & Academic Skills.

REGISTRATION:

PRICINGwww.scfymca.org & Health & Nutrition, Motor Skil REGISTRATION: Interpersonal Relationships, S Register at the Parks and Recreation Office

Home Preschool license #490170838

Amazing Custom Cakes

Part Time /Full Time Care

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES: PROGRAM OBJECTIVES: Health & Flexible Nutrition, Motor Skills, Plans Available

ini

537-8889

SANTA ROSA 2590 PINER RD. Serving 2-5 year olds

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Thriving Academics, Creativity, & Well-being

Part Time2590 /Full Time Care PINER RD. Flexible Plans Part TimeAvailable /Full Time Care Flexible Plans Available Serving 2-5 year olds

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

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

Biker Nun vs.

Disney Pirate A Trick-or-Treat Challenge

By Bull Garlington

B

efore we bred ourselves into senility, Halloween meant a couple nights of pumpkin-flavored beer and a scary movie. (I really can’t remember.)

Then we had kids and moved into a Halloween-positive neighborhood.

We had to get our game on.

Every year, the McDougals at 1145 built a diorama featuring glowing green mist and a soundtrack. Mr. McDougal dressed in a pirate outfit worthy of a Disney movie while Mrs. McDougal wore an Elizabethan lady of the court costume that would have made Renaissance Fairers break their own legs. The kids dressed as deck hands, with makeup beards and plastic swords. They were in the paper. Twice.

We would crush them.

I picked up some rubber corpses and rigged them up to a complicated wire system so that when the front door was opened the rubber zombies would rise up from a pile of leaves.

42 SonomaFamilyLife

My go-to costume was biker nun, Sister Harlene Davidson. I rocked my habit with a full headpiece, a bright gold cross, a nametag, biker ‘stache, sunglasses, combat boots, and a lit cigar. Mrs. Garlington was a blood-stained vampire. My daughter was a nurse/pirate queen/zombie. The boy wore a t-shirt displaying “This IS my costume” in smirk sans serif.

We covered every square inch of our bushes with fake spider webs and

We moved into a Halloween-positive neighborhood. We had to get our game on. spiders, and blasted screams. I even got a crystal ball with a disembodied head rotating in it. (I love you, eBay.) We were ready.

At precisely 5 p.m. there was a knock on my door. New parents, their bite-sized toddlers barely able to form complete sentences like “OH MY GOD!” or “PLEASE HELP ME!,” stood outside. I answered the door as rubber zombies rose from the dead leaves. My daughter popped out from behind me, screeching “FLEE MY

PRETTIES!” As they leapt off my porch, one of them landed in the spider webbing and ran screaming, trailing a gauzy scarf of spider silk, into the open arms of his glaring mom.

Proud of our first casualty, I glanced over to see the McDougals at 1145 staring in mute horror. Word spread.

For the remainder of the evening, people walked past on the other side of the street, pointing and shaking their heads. They piled up against the McDougal’s place like waves against a ship, filling their pumpkins with candy.

I waited until the ocean of trick-or-treaters hit low tide, walked over to 1145 and pointed my cigar at the man in the captain’s uniform.

“Next year, McDougal. Next year.”

As I walked away, McDougal set off a remote control spider that dropped out of his tree and bounced in front of my face. I screamed, ran home, tripped over a rubber corpse, and fell into an acre of webs. As I untangled myself, nun habit twisted, sunglasses askew, and uttering a string of what I’m going to call “Latin,” a final wave of kids and parents walked up to my house.

We haven’t had a trick-or-treater since. ¶ Bull Garlington is the author of Death by Children, the ForeWord Review’s Humor 2013 Book of the Year.

October 2015 www.sonomafamilylife.com

learning for a lifetime . . .

MY CRPUSD

Our District offers students many ways to learn and discover throughout our eleven schools. The key to a successful educational experience for all students is the team approach–students, parents, and teachers–working together for the good of our children.

Where students, parents and teachers connect!

HEALTHY MINDS

Great teachers, improved facilities, robust programs and a good diet.

SchoolPay allows you to make payments 24-7-365 and gives you peace of mind that your payment will not be lost along the way. You are in full control of your account and can make a payment at any time that is convenient for you. You can use your SchoolPay to purchase meal service and, soon, manage all of your school fees in one place. More features coming soon!

A simple way to manage your school fees in one place

www.crpusd.org

Track grades and homework, get notifications and more through the “MY CRPUSD” portal link.

FOOD SERVICE

SCHOOL PAY

Join the Renaissance

Our many services will help you manage your child’s education throughout their K-12 experience.

Local foods, good prices and a selection of choices.

Lunchtime with live music in the quad at The Ranch, video gaming at Technology High, brand new climbing structures at our elementary and kindergarten schools, Expeditionary Learning and coding at our middle schools.

All of these will make you hungry too, so pack a good lunch, buy one, or we offer free and reduced price meals to eligible students.

A great diet helps students learn!