Sonoma Family Life October 2018

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FREE!

October 2018

STEM Smarts Nurture logic

Sonoma Strong 1 year later

Prevent Cancer Eat & live well Trick-or-Treat 14 local Halloween events

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S C H R O E D E R

SOWETO GOSPEL CHOIR

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H A L L

PETER SERKIN, piano FRI, NOV 9 AT 7:30 P.M.

FRI, OCT 12 AT 7:30 P.M.

JULIE FOWLIS

SUN, OCT 14 AT 3 P.M. SPECIAL EVENT FOLLOWING THE CONCERT– SCOTCH TASTING WITH JULIE FOWLIS AND HER BAND

SOLD OUT THANK YOU!

JOAN BAEZ FARE THEE WELL . . .

TOUR 2018 SUN, NOV 11 AT 7 P.M.

FREE MOVIES AT THE GREEN

CALMUS

DISNEY PIXAR’S BRAVE

THU, NOV 15 AT 7:30 P.M.

SUN, OCT 14 AT 5:30 P.M.

NAVIDAD MEXICANA WITH MARIACHI REYNA DE LOS ANGELES

MANUAL CINEMA – THE END OF TV

SAT, OCT 20 AT 7:30 P.M.

SAT, DEC 8 AT 7:30 P.M.

AMERICAN BACH SOLOISTS HANDEL’S MESSIAH

STEVEN LIN, piano SUN, OCT 21 AT 3 P.M.

SAT, DEC 15 AT 7 P.M.

VENICE BAROQUE ORCHESTRA

SAN FRANCISCO GAY MEN’S CHORUS HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

SAT, OCT 27 AT 7:30 P.M.

SUN, DEC 16 AT 5 P.M.

DAVE KOZ & FRIENDS CHRISTMAS TOUR 2018

KENNY BARRON QUINTET

WED, NOV 7 AT 7:30 P.M.

THU, DEC 20 AT 7:30 P.M.

MARTHA REDBONE BONE HILL: THE CONCERT

KURBASY

THU, NOV 8 AT 7:30 P.M.

THU, JAN 24 AT 7:30 P.M.

FREE PRE-CONCERT TALKS AVAILABLE PRIOR TO SELECT SHOWS! VIEW THE FULL SEASON AT

gmc.sonoma.edu 8 6 6 . 9 5 5 . 6 0 4 0

Preferred

@GREENMUSICCENTER @GREENMUSICCTR @GREENMUSICCENTER

October 2018

Every Issue 6

Dear Reader

7

Cooking with Kids Beauty & the Beet

8

22 Features

Bits and Pieces Instrumental Creativity Historia Mexicana Small Chefs Educating Einsteins

8

Remembering the Fires Taste of Deutschland

10 Get Your Geek On Learn about stem through games and shows.

12 Grow a Critical Thinker Teach kids to find out the facts.

14 Little (Techie) Helpers

22 Family Fun Ghosts Galore

24 Calendar of Events Autumnal Joy

31 Crafting with Kids Spooky Spider Web

34 Humor A Nightmare on My Street

Apps to help you do everything from plan dinner to find scholarships.

16 Eat Well, Be Well Tips for preventing cancer.

18 Stand Back, Boogeyman!

Help little ones with nighttime fears.

8 4 SonomaFamilyLife

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

31

October 2018 www.sonomafamilylife.com

Doctor’s Confession to Petaluma

Dear Friend, I wanted to let everyone know what happened while I was in college. It was a moment that changed my life forever. But before I tell you about my experience, I wanted to tell you my story from the start.

Let me start by explaining the photo in this letter. I am the guy in the middle, Dr. Taatjes.

You know when I meet people in town and they usually say, “Oh yeah, I know you, you’re Dr. Taatjes. You’ve been serving the community for Thirty years! Well that’s me. We are now centrally located in our beautiful new office to better serve the community.

Thirty-four years ago something happened to me that changed my life forever.

Let me tell you my story.

I was studying pre-Med in college, in hopes of becoming a medical doctor.

Things were looking up, and life was good, until things took a turn for the worse.

I began to have terrible back and stomach problems. For a young guy, I felt pretty rotten.

My back hurt so badly that I had a hard time even concentrating in class. I was miserable.

The medical doctors tried different drugs, but they only made me feel like I was in a “cloud.”

I was just not getting better. A friend of mine convinced me to give a chiropractor a try. The chiropractor did an exam, took some films and then “adjusted” my spine. The adjustment didn’t hurt — it actually felt good. I got relief, and I soon was off all medication. It worked so well that I decided, then and there, to become a chiropractor myself.

Now for my kids, Hayden and Henry. They have been under chiropractic care their entire lives. And, unlike most other kids in their class, they never get the “common” childhood illnesses like ear infections, asthma and allergies. In fact, they have never taken a drug in their lives. And they are now 23 and 24!

It’s strange how life is, because now people come to see me with their back problems and stomach problems. They come to me with their headaches, migraines, chronic pain, neck pain, shoulder/arm pain, whiplash from car accidents, asthma, allergies, numbness in limbs, athletic injuries, just to name a few.

If drugs make people well, then those who take the most should be the healthiest,

Dr. Taatjes with his sons, Hayden (left) and Henry (right). but that simply isn’t the case. With chiropractic, we don’t add anything to the body or take anything from it. We find interference in the nervous system and remove it, thus enhancing the healing capacities of the body.

We get tremendous results…it really is as simple as that.

Here’s what some of my patients had to say: “I have had a problem with migraines as well as low back pain. Even after seeing doctors and other health professionals, the pains remained. After coming to Dr. Joel, they have helped me tremendously. They even take away my migraines. They’re great!” (Judy E.) “I came in pending laser surgery for two herniated discs. Over a few months here the need for surgery subsided, and the pain has subsided to a mild discomfort with occasional morning stiffness. Over all, I feel better visit after visit. It’s a gradual process.”

(Jaime O.) Several times a day patients thank me for helping them with their health problems. But I can’t really take credit.

Find out for yourself and benefit from an AMAZING OFFER. Look, it shouldn’t cost you an arm and a leg to correct your health. You are going to write a check to someone for your health care expenses, you may as well write one for

a lesser amount for chiropractic. When you bring in this article by Oct. 31, 2018, you will receive my entire new patient exam for $27. That’s with x-rays, exam, report of findings…the whole ball of wax. This exam could cost you $350 elsewhere. Great care at a great fee…

Please, I hope that there’s no misunderstanding about quality of care, just because I have a lower exam fee. You’ll get great care at a great fee. My qualifications…I’m a graduate of Northwestern College of Chiropractic who regularly goes to monthly educational chiropractic seminars. I’ve been entrusted to take care of tiny babies to neighbors that you may know. I just have that low exam fee to help more people who need care.

My associates, Dr. James Rogers, Dr. Shawn Lorenzen and I are ready to see if we can help you. Our office is both friendly and warm and we try our best to make you feel at home. We have wonderful service, at an exceptional fee. Our office is called REDWOOD CHIROPRACTIC. We are located at 937 Lakeville Street Petaluma, and our phone number is 763-8910. Call Alex, Brenda, Erica or Christine today for an appointment. We can help you. Thank you.

-Dr. Joel Taatjes P.S. When accompanied by this ad. I am also offering the second family member this same examination for only $15.

ADVERTISEMENT www.sonomafamilylife.com

October 2018

SonomaFamilyLife 5

Dear Reader

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e need no further reminder of the importance of STEM education than our smartphones— technology surrounds us. When kids study Sharon Gowan Publisher/Editor tech and science, Sharon@family-life.us they not only learn skills that apply to many aspects of their lives, they take a step toward lucrative careers. In this issue, you will find two science-oriented articles: “Get Your Geek On” (page 10) lists STEM-centric media for kids and “Grow a Critical Thinker” (page 12) offers resources for developing children’s sense of logic.

Many of us don’t fear disease as much as fire. With the October 2017 wildfires still reverberating through our collective psyche, we continue to figure out how to rebuild and cope with losses. See “Remembering the Fires” (page 9) to find out about a healing event in Shiloh Ranch Regional Park in Windsor. And then turn to our Calendar of Events (page 24) for specially marked activities that honor the first anniversary of our area’s catastrophe.

As we continue to rebuild, it’s important to make room for fun. Halloween provides the perfect opportunity. See “Ghosts Galore” (page 22) and our Calendar of Events for trick-or-treating spots and other fall entertainment.

Features Editor

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

Keep your family’s health in tip-top shape with “Eat Well, Be Well” (page 16), which lists surprising ways to make sure cancer never knocks at your family’s door.

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

Production Manager

Office Manager Patricia Ramos patty@family-life.us

Business Marketing Renee Nutcher renee@family-life.us Warren Kaufman warren@family-life.us

Melissa Chianta melissa@family-life.us Donna Bogener production@family-life.us

Web and Social Media Natalie Bruzon natalie@family-life.us

Contributing Writers Sandra Gordon Tanni Haas Christa Melnyk Hines Christina Katz Cheryl Maguire Richela Fabian Morgan Karen Nochimowski Jan Pierce

Billing Jan Wasson-Smith

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

6 SonomaFamilyLife

October 2018 www.sonomafamilylife.com

Cooking with Kids

Beauty & the Beet Make a Healthy Salad in 6 Minutes

By Momma Chef

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recently discovered burrata, and it has become a favorite. For those not familiar with it, it’s a version of mozzarella that is mixed with cream, so when you cut it open, the goodness oozes out. In this salad, beets are the perfect match for burrata, the peppery flavor of arugula adding to the dish’s deliciousness.

Karen Nochimowski, the mom behind mommachef.com, has loved cooking for as long as she can remember. After friends and family begged to be let in on her culinary secrets, she decided to create a blog featuring the easy, quick recipes that everyone loved.

Every recipe features only six ingredients and takes only six minutes to prepare.

www.sonomafamilylife.com

Beautiful Beet and Burrata Salad Ingredients

Directions

• 1 cup baby arugula

1. Spread arugula on platter.

• 10 cooked beets cut into quarters

2. Arrange beets and burrata cheese on top of arugula.

• 8 oz. burrata cheese cut into 1” pieces

3. Sprinkle salt over arugula, cheese, and beets.

• 1 tsp. salt

4. Drizzle balsamic glaze over entire dish.

• 3 tbsp. balsamic glaze

Serves: 5 Tips • If you can’t find burrata, use buffalo mozzarella.

• I like to use organic Love Beets. I can usually find them at Costco or Whole Foods.

• You can add chopped walnuts, almonds, or pistachios to the salad.

October 2018

SonomaFamilyLife 7

Bits & Pieces

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Instrumental Creativity

hen you think of musical instruments, images of pianos, guitars, and drums may be the first things that come to mind. But people who make instruments know there is no shortage of ways to create engaging sound.

Local makers will show off their unique creations at the Maker Music Festival.

Hear traditional and experimental music, participate in hands-on activities, attend presentations, and stroll through project exhibits. The festival happens on October 13, 11 a.m.–6 p.m., at Chimera Arts in Sebastopol. Go to chimeraarts.org for more information, including admission fee. ¶ North Bay Science Discovery Day

Historia Mexicana

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re you searching for ways to enrich your homeschoolers’ curriculum? Are you looking for educational entertainment for your kids? Check out Laura Gonzalez’s “Mexican History in an Hour” lectures. Gonzalez, a longtime educator who has traveled through Mexico, her ancestral home, will offer easy-to-digest highlights of Mexico’s history. These free talks, part of the Sonoma County libraries’ celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, will be held at the following libraries: October 3, 7 p.m., Petaluma Regional Library, Petaluma; October 6, noon, Roseland Community Library, Santa Rosa; October 13, 10:30 a.m., Sebastopol Regional Library, Sebastopol; and November 7, 6 p.m., Rohnert Park–Cotati Regional Library, Rohnert Park. See sonomalibrary.org for more information. ¶

Small Chefs

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each kids healthy eating habits that will endure for their lifetimes. That’s the goal of the Ceres Community Project Can Cook2! In this free class, children ages 8–12 will learn about foods that energize and nourish, and then whip up a smoothie and salad. Little chefs can join in on October 5 at 4 p.m. at the Central Santa Rosa Library in Santa Rosa. Space is limited; register online at sonomacounty. libcal.com/event/4403991. ¶ 8 SonomaFamilyLife

October 2018 www.sonomafamilylife.com

Educating Einsteins

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o your kids naturally wonder how and why plants grow? How planes fly? What makes cars travel fast? Introduce them to the nature of scientific inquiry at the North Bay Science Discovery Day. With more than 100 exhibitors engaging kids in hands-on demos and activities, kids will get a taste of what it means to ask “why?” and get a quantifiable answer. This free event happens on October 27, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa. For details, go to northbayscience.org. ¶

Shiloh Ranch Regional Park

Remembering the Fires

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n the same way most of us remember where we were when we learned about the events of 9/11, or, if we are old enough, the John F. Kennedy assassination, we also remember clearly October 8, 2017, the day the Tubbs Fire hit Santa Rosa. One year later, structures are being rebuilt as those who lost their homes and, in some cases, jobs continue to put their lives back together. Several nonprofits are marking the anniversary of the catastrophe with an event aimed at helping the community heal through artistic expression. The all-ages Wildfire Anniversary Event will include art activities, musical performances, guided hikes, and food. Share one of your blessings at the Gratitude Mural, watch dancers and drummers, go on a nature photography or meditation walk, and participate in Laughter as Medicine and Super Power Kids workshops. There will also be an opportunity to speak with crisis counselors. This free event will be held on October 6, 11 a.m.–2 p.m., at Shiloh Ranch Regional Park in Windsor. Find a schedule of activities at parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov/ Play/Calendar (search on “Wildfire Anniversary”). For more fire-related activities, see the Calendar of Events (page 24). ¶

Taste of Deutschland

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reak out your lederhosen and practice your yodeling. It’s time for Oktoberfest.

On October 6, noon–7 p.m., roam around Cloverdale Plaza in Cloverdale and sip beer and wine, eat German food, and listen to live music. Perhaps you’ll even find a treasure or two at the silent auction or have the caricaturist render a funny drawing of the family. For the kids, there will be magic shows (2 & 4 p.m.), face-painting and balloon twisting, and even a chance to pick out a Halloween pumpkin from one of the many Courtney’s Pumpkin Patch will be selling. Admission to the event is free.

Meals of bratwurst, sauerkraut, and potato salad will be served noon–5 p.m. for $12 in advance or $15 at the door. (Kids ages 10 and under can get hot dogs and chips for $5; all meals include beverage.) Purchase tickets at Mail Center Etc. in Cloverdale or from any Cloverdale Kiwanis member. Find out more at courtneyspumpkinpatch.com. ¶

www.sonomafamilylife.com

Oktoberfest & Courtney’s Pumpkin Patch

October 2018

SonomaFamilyLife 9

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

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

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

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

Get Your Geek On

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

Best STEM Media for Children

By Jan Pierce

S

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

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

10 SonomaFamilyLife

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

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

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

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

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

October 2018 www.sonomafamilylife.com

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

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

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

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STEM Collaborative: This site has four major components: Math

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

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

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

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

www.sonomafamilylife.com

October 2018

SonomaFamilyLife 11

Grow a Critical Thinker

Or, book is to read as song is to _____.

One reads a book. What do we do with a song? We sing it.

Analogies can demonstrate a number of relationships such as parts to a whole, opposites, cause and effect, or degree of intensity (cool is to freezing as warm is to ____.)

You can find workbooks with analogies in them or try the following websites to practice solving analogies: funtrivia.com (search analogy quizzes)

Five Lessons for School Success

study.com (search analogies) learninggamesforkids.com (search under vocabulary games)

By Jan Pierce

E

veryday life involves a lot of problem-solving. How do you encourage your children to get along with others? What’s the best way to help your child learn to manage money? Should you let your kids play video games and which ones are off-limits?

Without realizing it, you’re making logical decisions every day, and your kids need to learn how to make sound, logical decisions as well. The child who knows how to think logically will be a better student who comprehends his or her reading at a higher level, is able to think creatively to solve math and science problems, and may even score higher on IQ tests.

Critical thinking is a complex skill learned over time. It involves being able to interpret information and evaluate it for accuracy, make predictions and inferences (conclusions based on evidence and reasoning), recognize fact vs. opinion, and explain one’s thinking clearly.

So….it’s kind of hard. But, there are simple ways to build these 12 SonomaFamilyLife

logical-thinking skills, and you can begin to teach them in easy and fun ways. Here are some skills to work on at home to ensure your child is a strong, clear, and logical thinker.

Analyze Analogies Analogies are comparisons between two different things. They show a relationship between two items. The skill involved requires your child to first identify the relationship and then select the words demonstrating that relationship.

The use of analogies increases understanding in virtually all areas of learning.

For example: day is to light as night is to ____. To solve this analogy, you first see that it is light in the daytime, and then supply the opposite concept, dark, to night.

Create Categories and Classify Items Sorting items for similar attributes has always been fun for kids.

For example you can sort buttons by color, size, number of holes, shape, etc. You can group animals into size, habitats, pets (vs. wild), stripes (vs. no stripes), or any other categories you

The child who knows how to think logically will be a better student. create. And what kid wouldn’t want to sort M&Ms by color? You can go further and have children graph their information in a basic bar graph or pie chart. Classifying items builds both math and language skills and leads the way to simple science explorations.

Find more information at: mensaforkids.org (search on “classifying animals”) kidsbiology.com (search on “animal classification game”) education.com/worksheets/graphing

October 2018 www.sonomafamilylife.com

Identify Relevant Information In the process of problem-solving, it’s crucial to be able to pull out the information that matters. For example, consider the following sentence and the question to be answered: Tom had four quarters and three dimes. He also had a frog in his pocket. How much money does Tom have?

Obviously the frog in the pocket is not important to determining the correct amount of money. But

Ask your children to answer questions in their own words. selecting only pertinent information can be quite challenging. Go to study.com and search on “relevant information in math.” You’ll find videos as well as simple quizzes that will help kids practice this important skill.

Test Hypotheses A hypothesis is an educated guess based on the current known information. Your child needs to be able to consider what is known and predict what might happen next, and then test it out to see if the hypothesis is correct. This is an important skill for all kinds of areas.

When your child is reading a book, ask: “What do you think will happen next?” Then after reading you can evaluate the accuracy of the prediction and determine why it was or wasn’t right.

In math and science it’s also important to make logical hypotheses and then go on to test and evaluate them. Go to study.com www.sonomafamilylife.com

and search on “developing a hypothesis” for help.

Distinguish Between Evidence and Interpretations of Evidence (Facts vs. Opinions) In this day of information overload and cries of “fake news” all around, children must know how to recognize facts from the opinions of others.

Facts are always true. Opinions are beliefs held by an individual and can vary from person to person. Help your child learn the difference between fact and opinion.

SCHEDULE A

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PREVIEW CLASS TODAY

Music making to engage every child, divided into developmentally appropriate levels.

Watch BrainPop’s “Fact and Opinion” or “Binky’s Facts and Opinions,” both on YouTube.

Critical thinking is a skill that grows over time. Ask your children to answer questions in their own words and clarify what they mean. Point out that some problems have more than one correct answer or more than one way of arriving at that answer. Help them see how emotions and motives can affect thinking. Encourage them to write out their answers to questions. It will help them learn to develop clear and concise answers to problems.

Resources Gwen Dewar, Ph.D., “Teaching Critical Thinking: An Evidence-Based Guide,” Parenting Science, parentingscience.com/ teaching-critical-thinking.html.

Ellen Galinsky, Mind in the Making: The Seven Essential Life Skills Every Child Needs (HarperStudio, 2010). pbskids.org readingrockets.org Jan Pierce is a freelance writer, retired schoolteacher, and parent. Find her at janpierce.net.

October 2018

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SonomaFamilyLife 13

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

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

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

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

By Tanni Haas

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

Allrecipes Dinner Spinner Available at: Amazon Apps; Google Play. We’ve all been in this situation many times: It’s 5 p.m., you’ve got to make a meal for the family but you’re fresh out of ideas. How about trying Allrecipes Dinner Spinner, the world’s largest and most popular social app for food? You can find 14 SonomaFamilyLife

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

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

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

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

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

October 2018 www.sonomafamilylife.com

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

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

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

Most parents want their kids to do household chores. How do you encourage them? Try ChoreMonster. shared shopping list where you can see when items are added to the list or purchased by other family members in real-time. You can also use the app to send automated daily or weekly agenda e-mails to other family members; create specialized to-do lists, such as “emergency supplies� or “vacation packing�; and organize receipts in one place that’s accessible to everybody.

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

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

HELPING YOUR KIDS SUCCEED IN SCHOOL! Private Tutoring (by certified teachers) After-School Homework Help 1–5pm on School Days Special Appointments Available

Scholly has a database of thousands of US scholarship opportunities.

First Session FREE Come In Check Us Out!

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

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SitOrSquat Available at: Apple Appstore; Google Play. When traveling with kids, especially toddlers, there are few things more frustrating than not being able to find a public restroom when you really need one. SitOrSquat is a location-based Two offer expiresgreat 11/30/18ways Notto validsave with any offers.

Limit during one coupon app that lets you find bathrooms time Twopergreat ways customer.

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Two great back-to-school. wherever you are. The app contains to save time during to save time during back-to-school. a user-generated list of more back-to-school. than 100,000 public restrooms OnlineCheck-In throughout the United States. You can get the travel time to the nearest Rohnert Park: 360 Rohnert Park Expressway bathroom, and search by specific Santa Rosa: Coddingtown Mall features, such as changing tables or 750 Farmers Ln. (by Ross) 2240 Mendocino Ave. (by Safeway) handicap accessibility. You are also 750 Stony Pt. Rd. (by Starbucks) 1425 Fulton Rd. (by Raley’s) encouraged to post pictures and rate 2700 Yulupa Ave. (by CVS) ANY HAIRCUT ANY HAIRCUT the restrooms as either “Sitâ€? (good) Windsor: 9018 Brooks Rd. (by Mary’s Pizza) $ 99 99 Healdsburg: 1017 Vineyard $Plaza or “Squatâ€? (not good) to help other Sonoma: ANY HAIRCUT ANY HAIRCUT 19217 Sonoma Hwy. (Maxwell Village Center) app users. Âś

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SonomaFamilyLife 15

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

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

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

Eat Well, Be Well Prevent Cancer with Diet & Exercise

By Sandra Gordon

S

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

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

But there’s a downside that you must consider: That same glass can up your risk of breast, mouth, pharynx, larynx, 16 SonomaFamilyLife

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

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

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

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

October 2018 www.sonomafamilylife.com

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

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

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

“With each step you take throughout

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SonomaFamilyLife 17

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

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

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

Nearly 30 percent of children have sleep problems.

Stand Back, Boogeyman!

7 Tips for Overcoming Kids’ Fear of the Dark

By Christa Melnyk Hines

“M

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

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

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

I’m one of the lucky ones. According to Dr. Jane Sosland, a clinical child and adolescent psychologist, nearly 18 SonomaFamilyLife

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

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

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

Beware of frightening images.

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

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

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

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

October 2018 www.sonomafamilylife.com

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

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

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

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

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

“But you don’t want to blow it out.

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

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

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

Work on breathing techniques.

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

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Stick with a bedtime routine.

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

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

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SonomaFamilyLife 19

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

So why not purchase some produce before you leave?

Pilgrimage to the Pumpkin Patch Make It an Annual Family Tradition

By Christina Katz

E

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

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

Expect to get dirty. Don your blue jeans and hiking boots because 20 SonomaFamilyLife

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

October 2018 www.sonomafamilylife.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Newer varieties of decorative pumpkins have a range of colors,

MUELRATH RANCHES PUMPKIN PATCH

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

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

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

FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY!

Pumpkin Cannon!

Toddler Corn Maze

Pick Your Pumpkin Take a Hayride Haunted Dungeon Pumpkin Slingshots Fresh Fruit and More

CAMPFIRE IN THE CORRAL FRIDAY & SATURDAY NIGHTS Join us for Cookies & Hot Cider Roasted Hot Dogs & Marshmallows

Night Time Hay Rides!

Pumpkins & Winter Squash, Ornamental Corn, Sunflowers, Corn Stalks, Gourds, Hay Bales

3800 Walker Avenue, Santa Rosa • www.muelrathspumpkins.com

www.sonomafamilylife.com

Pronzini Pumpkin Patch Corn-Kernel Pit with Slide • Hay Rides Bouncy Houses • Tee-pees • Face painting Indian Village • Haunted Trail Walk!

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Open Weekends on the Lake

3795 Adobe Road • Petaluma 707-778-3871 • www.pronzinitrees.com/pumpkin _patch.htm

October 2018

SonomaFamilyLife 21

Family Fun Blind Scream

Ghosts Galore

W

hether your kids are dressing up as vampires or queens (or vampire queens), chances are they are excited about Halloween. Check out these local activities for safe fun. And see our Calendar of Events (page 24) for even more goings-on.

Rohnert Park: Blind Scream Some people like to be afraid in a controlled environment. If you are one of them, you’ll find plenty of scares at Blind Scream.

The annual event dedicates a 20,000 square-foot space to two different haunted houses, each with a unique theme. Take your pick: Lil Horus’s diabolical fun house or the demonic Doc’s Horratorium. You can also climb into a coffin for the Last Ride, which is said to simulate being buried alive. The houses will run Thursdays–Sundays, Oct. 12–28, as well as on Oct. 30 and 31. Thursday and Sunday hours are 7–10 p.m., other days 7–11 p.m. Tickets are $15–$35 (Last Ride $5). Note: The producers of this event take their scares seriously, which means the houses are not suitable for young children.

(And parents cannot carry children through the houses.) Go to blindscream.com for details.

22 SonomaFamilyLife

5 Local Halloween Events Will Bucquoy

Santa Rosa: Floating Pumpkin Patch If you are not looking forward to traipsing through dirt in search of your family’s own magic pumpkin, change it up a bit and let kids go swimming for one instead, at Ridgway Swim Center on October 20, 1:30–6 p.m. Entry fee is $10 per person, and tickets must be bought in advance at tinyurl.com/ycbtagy4.

October 2018 www.sonomafamilylife.com

Petaluma: Trick-or-Treat Trail Every year local kids let their imaginations run wild in downtown Petaluma. From Harry Potters to pirates to ladybugs, costumed children visit more than 60 merchants, who reward their disguises with candy. The event is free and will be held on October 31, 3–5:30 p.m. Find further information at petalumadowntown.com.

Petaluma: Pumpkins on Pikes Grab a pumpkin from a field at Tara Firma Farms, and then carve it while listening to live bluegrass and eating barbecue and hot dogs. (There’ll be a straw maze and games, too.) At the end of the evening, carved pumpkins will be placed atop pikes in a field and lit, creating an enchanting scene. The event happens on October 20 and 27, 2–10 p.m. Tickets are $20 (food an extra $5–$10); children under 6 free.

Free pumpkin included with admission.

Bring special carving tools, a blanket, and a dessert (if you plan to participate in the dessert potluck) but no dogs. Go to tarafirmafarms.com to purchase tickets.

Santa Rosa: Halloween at Howarth Batman can ditch his Batmobile for the afternoon and ride Howarth Park’s mini-train or even a donkey (slightly less efficient for superhero duties, but the joy is in the journey, right?). And he and all his friends (ages 12 and under) can indulge their taste for sweets, too, as they visit candy stations throughout the park. There even will be face painting, sensory play, and arts and crafts. The fun happens on October 27, with trick-or-treating taking place in shifts: 11:30 a.m.–12:15 p.m.; 12:45–1:30 p.m.; 2–2:45 p.m. The basic pass is $6, but for $15 kids can also ride the train and take a one-lap pony ride. Purchase passes, and register for trick-or-treating shifts, at srcity.org/2164/Halloween-at-Howarth. ¶

www.sonomafamilylife.com

October 2018

SonomaFamilyLife 23

October Calendar of Events

Autumnal Joy

W

hy walk to a pumpkin patch when you can take a hayride to one? It’s just one of the many experiences to be had at the Tolay Fall Festival, October 13–14 and October 20–21. In addition to searching for your dream pumpkin, you can also see scorpions and tarantulas glowing under black lights in the Creepy Crawly Room, or say hello to native and exotic snakes, birds of prey, and tide-pool animals in the Nighttime Creatures Barn. More into crafts than critters? Then try your hand at wool-carding or candle dipping, or on October 20–21 only, learn about Alaguali skills, including basketry, flint knapping, and acorn processing. It all happens at the Tolay Lake Regional Park in Petaluma. Festival hours are 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for ages 12 and younger; parking is $7. See parks.sonomacounty. ca.gov/Play/Tolay-Fall-Festival for further information.

Tolay Fall Festival

♥ =Fire-related events

Wednesday 3 FREE International Walk & Roll to School Day. Walk or bike to school.

Produced by Sonoma County Safe Routes to School Program. Find a list of participating schools at sonomasaferoutes.org.

Thursday 4 FREE Concerts at Montgomery Village. Concerts Under the Stars:

Oct. 4 & 11, 5:30–8 p.m. Rockin’

Sat-Sun 11am - 5pm

Tolay Lake Regional Park, Petaluma Lakeville Highway at Cannon Lane

Concert: Oct. 6, noon–3 p.m. Terrace Concert: Oct. 7, 1–4 p.m. See our website for a schedule of performances.

Runs thru Oct. 11. 911 Village Ct., Santa Rosa. mvshops.com.

Friday 5 FREE Kids Can Cook 2! Learn about healthy food while making a smoothie & salad. Ages 8–12. 4–5 p.m. Spaces limited; register online. Central Santa Rosa Library. 211 E. St., Santa Rosa. sonomalibrary.org.

Oct 13-14 & 20-21 Pumpkin Patch Hayrides with a Ranger World Record Pumpkin Seed Spit Night Time Creatures Barn Farm Animals & Crafts Old Fashioned Games Great Food

(707) 565-2041

sonomacountyparks.org

24 SonomaFamilyLife

Sonoma County Harvest Fair.

Tastings of 100+ wines, wine sales, food pairings, craft beer & cider.

Chef demos & seminars. World Championship Grape Stomp.

(Grand tastings: $60. Must be 21+.)

Parking: $9–$15. Gate admission: $5. Under 12: free. Sonoma County Fairgrounds. 1350 Bennett Valley Rd., Santa Rosa. See our website for schedule & times: harvestfair.org.

OPENS SEPT. 28

A FAMILY FARM FULL OF FUN! RIDE THE NEW COW TRAIN • HAY RIDES 40 VARIETIES OF PUMPKINS, GOURDS, & SQUASH 8-ACRE CORN MAZE • SUNFLOWER MAZE PETTING ZOO • CORN PIT • INFLATABLE SLIDE PUMPKIN BLASTERS • PILLOW JUMP

BOOK A BIRTHDAY PARTY OR SCHOOL TOUR! (707) 331-6653 • 5157 Stony Point Rd., Santa Rosa www.santarosapumpkinpatch.com

October 2018 www.sonomafamilylife.com

Saturday 6 Oktoberfest & Courtney’s Pumpkin Patch. Pumpkins & gourds for sale,

2 magic shows (2 & 4 p.m.), live music, face painting, Halloween activity house. German food ($5–$15). Noon–7 p.m. Food served: 1–5 p.m. Cloverdale Plaza. 122 N. Cloverdale Blvd., Cloverdale. courtneyspumpkinpatch.com. ♥ FREE Wildfire Anniversary Event.

All-ages event: art activities, musical performances, guided hikes & food. 11 a.m.–2 p.m. Shiloh Ranch Regional Park. 5750 Faught Rd., Windsor.

FREE Hispanic Heritage: Mexican History in an Hour. Historical

highlights will be presented in an accessible manner. Noon–1 p.m.

Roseland Community Library. 779 Sebastopol Rd., Santa Rosa. Other

libraries will host Hispanic Heritage events in Oct. See sonomacounty. libcal.com for branches/times.

Annual Chilly Billy Memorial Run & Hot Rod, Motorcycle Show & Swap Meet. Fun run: $25. Includes run,

poker fun hand & BBQ lunch. Sign in: 8–10:30 a.m. at Sonoma County Harley-Davidson. 7601 Redwood Dr., Cotati. Run ends at Sonoma-Marin Fairground. 175 Fairgrounds Dr., Petaluma. ripcityriders.org.

Burning Ham. Bacon, beer & bands.

Family event. Games, music, kid activities. 13 & under: free. Benefits underprivileged children in Sonoma County. $35. 12:30–5 p.m. Penngrove Park. 11800 Main St., Penngrove. burninghamsonoma.com.

Rohnert Park Founder’s Day Parade & Festival. 5K Fun Run & 2-Mile

Walk: 8 a.m. Race begins & ends at Rohnert Park Community Center.

Parade (along Snyder Ln.): 10 a.m.

Festival: 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Food, beer & wine, arts & crafts, live music, kids’ zone, car show. 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Parade: 10 a.m. Rohnert Park Community Center. 5401 Synder Ln., Rohnert Park. rohnertparkfoundersday.org. Register for run at: 5k.redpodium.com/register.

High Five Hike. Hike to Sonoma Mountain summit. Music, beer, food trucks & kite decorating & flying for younger hikers. All ages. $10–$25.

Registration: 8 a.m. Hike: 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Jack London State Historic Park. 2400 London Ranch Rd., Glen Ellen. jacklondonpark.com/ high-five-hike.html. ♥ FREE Life After the Fires. A

healing workshop for those impacted by the fires. Grounding & centering

Educating the Whole Child

PARK SIDE (K-4) Rigorous Academics Social Skills and Collaboration Global Stewardship

BROOK HAVEN (5-8)

Academic Excellence Art, Engineering, Wood Working, Makerspace Music and more!

Comprehensive Athletics Program

CASTLE programs (K-8) Convenient Safe Nurturing

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October 2018

SonomaFamilyLife 25

exercises, sharing circle, gentle movement activity. Facilitated by longtime practitioners of trauma-informed bodywork. 2–5 p.m.

Sonoma County Family YMCA. 1111 College Ave., Santa Rosa. RSVP required: 545-9622, ext. 3122.

Russian Tea & Fragrance Festival.

$5 donation includes tea & live Slavic & gypsy music performances. Oct. 6 & 7: 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Gypsy violinist on Oct. 6 at 10 a.m., noon & 2 p.m.

Gradina vocal ensemble on Oct. 7 at noon & 2 p.m. Russian River Rose Company. 1685 Magnolia Dr., Healdsburg. russian-river-rose.com.

Sunday 7 ♥ FREE Together In Hope. An

ecumenical prayer event to gather in solidarity & honor our resiliency & recovery from the North Bay Fires.

Parking limited. Bring blankets, no folding chairs. 2–3 p.m. Cardinal Newman High School. 50 Ursuline Rd., Santa Rosa. Overflow parking will be available at Kaiser Santa Rosa Medical Office. 3925 Old Redwood Hwy., Santa Rosa. srdiocese.org/ togetherinhope.

25th Anniversary Party Safari West.

Includes Safari Trek excursion, BBQ & presentation of Safari West history. $25–$50. 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Safari West.

3115 Porter Creek Rd., Santa Rosa.

800-616-2695.

Santa Rosa Downtown Mile Run.

$35–$40. Fun Mile Walk & Roll: 9 a.m. Adults bring your shoes, kids bring your bikes for a parade about downtown before the real racing begins. Mile Race: 9: 30 a.m.–noon.

Festival: 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Paella cook-off, beer & wine festival & live music. Old

Courthouse Square. Downtown Santa Rosa. sonomavita.com/run.

Monday 8 Pints for Half-Pints. BBQ,

local brews & live music. $10–$30. Under 5: free. All beer proceeds will go to Sonoma Mountain’s dance, music & art programs. 5:30–8:30 p.m. Lagunitas Brewing Co. 1280 N. McDowell Blvd., Petaluma. eventbrite.com.

FREE Day of the Dead Art Series.

Grades 6–12. Mondays. 5:30–6:30 p.m. Runs thru Oct. 29. Petaluma Regional Library. 100 Fairgrounds Dr., Petaluma. sonomalibrary.org.

Tuesday 9 ♥ FREE One Year After the North Bay Fires: Live Broadcast. KQED’s

Forum host Michael Krasny will

October 20th & 21st

SONOMA COUNTY FAMILY YMCA

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

Sonoma County Fairgrounds – Hall of Flowers

1350 Bennett Valley Rd. Santa Rosa

Saturday October 20, 2018• 4-7pm 1111 College Ave. Santa Rosa, CA 707-545-9622• www.scfymca.org

•Proceeds Benefit the Y Financial Assistance Program•

Sat. 10am to 5pm, Sun. 10am to 4pm

Admission: Adults $10 Kids 6-12 $5, 5 & under are FREE Parking $9 • www.nbherps.org

26 SonomaFamilyLife

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

Financial assistance is available.

October 2018 www.sonomafamilylife.com

talk with officials & residents about rebuilding efforts, housing & the local economy. 9–11 a.m. Luther Burbank Center. 50 Mark West Springs Rd., Santa Rosa. Tickets available thru eventbrite.com, which can be accessed via lutherburbankcenter.org.

LOVE TO DANCE? CALL TO COME IN FOR A COMPLEMENTARY CLASS (707) 542-1367

©P N

♥ FREE Santa Rosa Strong. First

FLY TS

anniversary of the fires. Appetizers & beverages served. 5:30–7 p.m. The Salvation Army. 93 Stony Crcl., Santa Rosa. RSVP: 535-4264. facebook.com/ salarmysantarosa.

Nonstop flights to: - Seattle (SEA) - Portland (PDX) - Los Angeles (LAX) - Orange County (SNA) - San Diego (SAN) - Phoenix (PHX) - San Francisco (SFO) - Minneapolis (MSP) - Las Vegas (LAS)

♥ Fire in the Hills Talk & Exhibit.

An exhibit of paintings & collages of the 2017 Santa Rosa fire created & transmuted to book form by 8–10 year olds in Belgium. Illustrated introduction by Dr. Peter Neumeyer.

7:15 p.m. The Friends House Library.

684 Benicia Dr., Santa Rosa. 573-4508. friendshouse.org.

Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport (STS)

Classes for children starting 4 years, taught by Fidelma Keenan certified Irish dance instructor in Santa Rosa, Petaluma and now Healdsburg

Offering connections to anywhere

Santa Rosa • 542-1367 Keenan5678@att.net www.keenanirishdanceschool.com

www.flySTS.com

Thursday 11 The New Chinese Acrobats. $16–$21.

$5 lap passes for ages 2 & under available on show day. 6:30 p.m.

Luther Burbank Center. 50 Mark West Springs Rd., Santa Rosa. 546-3600. lutherburbankcenter.org.

Friday 12 Grease Jr., Concert Version.

$15–$18. Oct. 12 & 13: 7 p.m. Raven Performing Arts Theater. 115 North St., Healdsburg. 433-6335. raventheater.org.

Blind Scream Haunted Houses.

CarnEvil & Slaughter Shack. $15–$35.

See website for specific dates & times.

Runs thru Oct. 31. SOMO Village.

1500 Valley House Dr., Rohnert Park. blindscream.com.

The Addams Family. A new musical.

$18–$36. Fridays & Saturdays: 8 p.m. Sundays: 2 p.m. Oct. 25: 7 p.m. Runs thru Oct. 28. Spreckels Performing Arts Center. 5409 www.sonomafamilylife.com

North Bay

Science Discovery Day Saturday October 27 Sonoma County Fairgrounds, 10am–4pm

FREE Admission • FREE Parking www.northbayscience.org October 2018

SonomaFamilyLife 27

Snyder Ln., Rohnert Park. 588-3400. spreckelsonline.com.

Saturday 13 Tolay Fall Festival. Alaguali

cultural activities; World Record Pumpkin-Seed Spitting Contest; archery, astronomy & nature photography demos; gunnysack races; straw maze & more. $3–$5.

Parking: $7. Oct. 13–14 & Oct. 20–21.

11 a.m.–5 p.m. Tolay Lake Regional Park. 5869 Cannon Ln., Petaluma. parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov.

Baile. Mexican Dance. Buy tickets

online (not available at door): radiolazer.com. Parking: $10. 8 p.m.

Sonoma County Fairgrounds. 1350 Bennett Valley Rd., Santa Rosa. radiolazer.com.

Fort Ross Harvest Festival. Costumed

Russian vocal performance; dance & apple picking in the historic orchard; windmill demo. Event: free.

Parking: $8. 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Fort Ross Conservancy. 19005 Hwy. 1, Jenner.

847-3437. fortross.org.

Hispanic Heritage: Ballet Folklorico Jazmin. Dance performance followed

by mariachi concert. Shows at 11 a.m.

& noon. Free with museum admission ($12, babes-in-arms free). No adult admitted without child. Children’s Museum of Sonoma County. 1835 W. Steele Ln., Santa Rosa. 546-4069. cmosc.org.

puppet show. 4–5 p.m. Windsor Regional Library. 9291 Old Redwood Hwy., Windsor. Other local libraries will host this event in Oct. See sonomacounty.libcal.com for branches/times.

Saturday 20

stein hold & yodeling contests.

Dancing, live music, singing, German food for purchase. Noon–6 p.m. (1:45 Weiner dog races). La Plaza Park.

Old Redwood Hwy. & W. Sierra Ave., Cotati. 795-5508. cotati.org.

Pumpkins on Pikes. Straw maze, games, pumpkin carving. $20. Plus BBQ $10, hotdogs $5. Beer/wine, live music. Oct. 20 & 27. 2–10 p.m. Tara Firma Farm. 3796 I St., Petaluma. tarafirmafarms.com.

FREE Cruisin’ North Car Show.

Food, music, vendors & raffle. Benefits the Alzheimer’s Association. 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Plaza North Shopping Center.

259 N. McDowell Blvd. #8, Petaluma. cruisinnorth.com.

FREE LumaFest 2018. El Dia de los Muertos cultural area, live music, free movies, LOL Family Obstacle Course, Sustainability Village, Chemistry Magic Show & more.

10 a.m.–3 p.m. Santa Rosa Junior College, Petaluma Campus. 680 Sonoma Mountain Pkwy., Petaluma. lumafest.santarosa.edu.

Sunday 14 FREE Movies on the Green. Disney

Pixar’s Brave. Bring chairs, blankets & picnic. 5:30 p.m. Sonoma State

Annual Cemetery Walk. Dressed in B Mî `ƒ

Call for details

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period attire, the staff will guide you though gravesites while telling stories of Petaluma’s pioneers. $15. 10:30 a.m.

Cypress Hill Memorial Park. 430 Magnolia Ave., Petaluma. Tickets online only, via petalumamuseum.com or brownpapertickets.com.

Pumpkin Splash. Swim & pick a

pumpkin & then decorate. $10. 1–4 p.m. 430 Magnolia Ave., Rohnert Park. 588-3456. Register online (must create an account): cityofrohnertpark. perfectmind.com.

6001 Commerce Blvd.

Rohnert Park

28 SonomaFamilyLife

FREE Fratello Marionettes’ Halloween Spooktacular. All-ages

FREE Cotati Oktoberfest. Costume,

Free Month

expresswayss.com

Monday 15

Maker Music Festival. Exhibits, lectures, performances, demos & hands-on activities. $10–$20. Ages 3 & under: free. 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Chimera Arts. 6791 Sebastopol Ave., Sebastopol.

827-3020. chimeraarts.org.

Mention this ad for

707-588-8878

University. Green Music Center.

1801 E. Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park.

866-955-6040. gmc.sonoma.edu.

EXPRESSWAY STORAGE Mention this ad for:

50% off for the first 12 months

Floating Pumpkin Patch. A pumpkin patch in the pool. $10. Ages 2 & under: free. Must purchase tickets in advance.

October 2018 www.sonomafamilylife.com

No tickets at door. 1:30–6 p.m.

Ridgway Swim Center. 455 Ridgway Ave., Santa Rosa. 543-3421. srcity. org/2913/floating-pumpkin-patch.

Halloween Carnival. Haunted house,

carnival games, bouncy house, food, music, raffles & more. $5. Benefits the Y Financial Assistance Program. 4–7 p.m. YMCA. 1111 College Ave., Santa Rosa. 545-9622. scfymca.org.

Morning on the Farm. Visit

biodynamic farm & meet preschool teachers. For ages 5 & under & their parents. 9:30–11 a.m. Summerfield Waldorf School & Farm. RSVP: 575-7194, ext. 102, or admissions@ summerfieldwaldorf.org.

Goblin Jamboree. Pony

& train rides, farm animal meet-&-greets, hay maze, face painting, spinning pumpkin ride, trick-or-treat doors & performances. $17.95. Oct. 21 & 22.

10 a.m.–4 p.m. Bay Area Discovery Museum. 557 McReynolds Rd., Sausalito. 415-339-3900. bayareadiscoverymuseum.org.

Reptile Expo. Costume parade, educational booths & presentations, Halloween photo booth & more. All ages. $5–$10. 5 & under: free. Parking: Instilling Goodness Elementary & Developing Virtue Secondary Schools Kindergarten to Twelfth Grade

$9. Oct. 20: 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Oct. 21: 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Sonoma County Fairgrounds. 1350 Bennett Valley Rd., Santa Rosa. nbherps.org.

Sunday 21 Día de los Muertos Family Day.

The “Day of the Dead” exhibition.

Includes juried artwork by students in grades 5–12. Bring a photocopy or print-out of your deceased loved one. Decorate provided sugar skulls; faces painted with Day of the Dead imagery. $15. 6–8 p.m. Donation of $5 recommended. Kids must be accompanied by adult. 1–4:30 p.m. Museums of Sonoma County.

425 7th St., Santa Rosa. 579-1500. museumsc.org.

Tuesday 23 FREE Sensory Friendly Afternoons.

Exclusive to families of children with special needs. Explore hands-on exhibits & the Art Studio.

Pre-registration required. Noon–5 p.m. Children’s Museum of Sonoma County. 1835 W. Steele Ln., Santa Rosa. 546-4069. cmosc.org.

Thursday 25 Halloween Carnival. Activities for all ages. Raffles, costume contest & more. Dinner: $15 or free for younger kids. Hosted by the LIME Foundation & SoZo Student Center. 5–9 p.m. Sally Tomatoes. 1100 Valley House Dr., Rohnert Park. eventbrite.com.

Friday 26

Striking Out Childhood Cancer.

Benefit bowling tournament. $100–$125. Ages 16 & under bowling only: $25. Bowling: 1–3 p.m. (AMF Boulevard Lanes. 1100 Petaluma Blvd. S., Petaluma.) Cocktails, dinner, auctions: 3–7 p.m. (Elks Lodge 901.

2105 S. McDowell Blvd., Petaluma.) alexslemonade.org/campaign/ striking-out-childhood-cancer.

Gem Faire. Gems, jewelry, minerals,

beads, crystals & lapidary equipment.

Weekend pass: $7. Ages 11 & under: free. Parking: $9. Oct. 26: Noon–6 p.m. Oct. 27: 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Oct. 28: 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Sonoma County Fairgrounds. 1350 Bennett Valley Rd., Santa Rosa. gemfaire.com.

The Great Pumpkin Float. Jump in & pick out a pumpkin from the pool.

Upcoming Autumn Events!

Floating Pumpkin Patch Saturday, October 20th Ridgway Swim Center

Halloween at Howarth “Education Is The Nation’s Best Defense.”

-Venerable Hsuan Hua, Founder Core Virtues • Inherent Wisdom • Academics • Global Leadership

www.igdvs.org 707.468.1138 (Boys) 707.468.3896 (Girls)

www.sonomafamilylife.com

Saturday, October 27th Howarth Memorial Park

Advanced registration required. Register at SantaRosaRec.com or call (707) 543-3737.

October 2018

SonomaFamilyLife 29

Swim attire required. No costumes. $10 per child. Space limited; register before Oct. 19. 6–8:30 p.m. YMCA. 1111 College Ave., Santa Rosa. 545-9622. scfymca.org.

Saturday 27 FREE Dia de los Muertos Celebration. Bilingual stories

followed by decorating a Mexican Sugar Skull. All craft supplies provided. 4 p.m. Rohnert Park–Cotati Library. 6250 Lynne Conde Way, Rohnert Park. sonomalibrary.org.

FREE Halloween Trick-or-Treat.

Crafts, fun & cupcakes. Come in costume. All ages. 1–3 p.m. Central Santa Rosa Library. 211 E St., Santa Rosa. sonomalibrary.org.

FREE North Bay Science Discovery Day. Hands-on science, technology &

engineering & math (STEM) activities & interactive demos. Free parking.

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

FREE Halloween Carnival. Magician, costume parade, games, kid-friendly haunted maze, crafts & free candy for all those in costume. Noon–5 p.m.

Rohnert Park Community Center.

5401 Synder Ln., Rohnert Park. facebook.com/rpcommunityservices.

Halloween at Howarth Park.

Trick-or-treating throughout the park.

Ages 12 & under. $6–$15. Register for 1 time slot: 11:30 a.m.–12:15 p.m., 12:45–1:30 p.m., or 2–2:45 p.m.

Howarth Park. 630 Summerfield Rd., Santa Rosa. 543-3737.

Register via link at srcity.org/2164/ halloween-at-howarth.

FREE Tricks & Treats at the Village.

Costume contest, Pumpkin Fairy Godmother, face painting, balloon artist & games. 11 a.m.–2 p.m. 911

Marionette Magic

F

or thousands of years, puppets have been entertaining children (and adults). Even in this age of screens, the popularity of Sesame Street as well as Broadway shows like The Lion King is testament to their enduring appeal. Give kids a live experience with the ancient art at Fratello Marionettes’ Halloween Spooktacular! A cast of characters that includes happy ghosts, Frankenstein, a not-so-scary spider, and the infamous Purple People Eater will entertain kids at free shows at local libraries: October 15, 4 p.m., Windsor Regional Library, Windsor; October 18, 4 p.m., Cloverdale Regional Library, Cloverdale; October 27, 11 a.m., Healdsburg Regional Library, Healdsburg; October 27, 1:30 p.m., Rincon Valley Library, Santa Rosa; and October 30, 4 p.m., Sonoma Valley Library, Sonoma. Go to fratellomarionettes.com/schedule for a full schedule. ¶

30 SonomaFamilyLife

Village Ct., Santa Rosa. 545-3844. mvshops.com.

FREE El Dia de los Muertos Candelight Procession with Giant Puppets. Gather at 3 p.m. at the

Petaluma Arts Center & then proceed to the fairgrounds, where live music, Ballet Folklorico, Aztec dancers, children’s activity area & more will run 4–10 p.m. Donations accepted. Petaluma Arts Center.

230 Lakeville St., Petaluma.

Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds.

175 Fairgrounds Dr., Petaluma. facebook.com/el-día-de-los-muertospetaluma-154451587898565/.

“Under the Umbrellas” Winter Craft Faire. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Restyle

Marketplace. 1001 W. College Ave., Santa Rosa. restylemarketplace.com.

Sunday 28 The Conductor’s Spellbook–Santa Rosa Symphony Family Concert.

Audience members participate in call & responses, hand percussion & conducting. $12–$18. 3 p.m. (Arrive at 2 p.m. for free photo booth & Instrument Petting Zoo.) Sonoma State University. Green Music Center. Weill Hall. 1801 E. Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park. srsymphony.org.

Wednesday 31 FREE Trick-or-Treat Trail.

Downtown merchants give out treats to costumed kids. 3–5:30 p.m. Downtown Petaluma. petalumadowntown.com.

FREE Sweet Streets of Santa Rosa. Trick-or-treat Halloween

event & carnival. Rain or shine. 3–7 p.m. Old Courthouse Square. 25 Old Court House Sq., Santa Rosa. facebook.com/ events/183242675674270.

October 2018 www.sonomafamilylife.com

Crafting with Kids

Spooky Spider Web Make a Decoration from Duct Tape

By Richela Fabian Morgan Editor’s note: When you look at a piece of duct tape, you may just see the mother of all adhesive tape. But in the eyes of artist and duct tape devotee Richela Fabian Morgan, it’s crafters’ gold. She is so fond of it, she’s written two books about it. Here’s just one of the numerous projects she has conjured up.

Spider Web Door Sign Materials: oversized sheet of paper (ideally 18”x24”), black, orange, and gold duct tape, parchment paper Tools: pencil, ruler, scissors, white grease pencil

line to the next diagonal line, and repeat until you reach the top right corner of the folded paper.

3. Starting approximately 2” inward from the bottom left corner, repeat step #2.

4. Starting approximately 4” inward from the bottom left corner, repeat step #2. You should now have 1/4 of a spider web pattern.

5. Carefully cut out the top two lines of the web pattern, cutting each drawn line approximately 1/4” thick. Leave the middle part intact.

Unfold the paper. This is the web template. Set aside.

1. Fold the oversized sheet of paper in half lengthwise, then fold in half crosswise. From the folded corner, draw a diagonal line to the opposite corner. You should now have two triangles. From the same corner, draw two more diagonal lines, dividing each triangle in half.

6. Using black duct tape for the front side and gold duct tape for the back side, make a double-sided duct tape fabric measuring 18” high and 24” wide. (See instructional video: (tinyurl.com/y9zfyv8p.)

2. Starting at the bottom left corner, draw a slightly U-shaped line upward, connecting to the left end of the diagonal line above it. From this point, draw another U-shaped

7. Take the web template and place it on top of the fabric. Trace the template onto the fabric. Remove the template and cut the web pattern out of the fabric.

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October 2018

8. On the parchment paper, draw a spider. (You can also do a Google search for “spider drawing” and trace any free illustrations.) Cover the drawing with orange duct tape.

Flip over the parchment paper, and you can still see the drawing.

Cut out the drawing. Remove the parchment paper from the back of the spider and place it on the web.

9. On the parchment paper, draw “Boo!” in large bubble letters.

Cover the drawing with gold duct tape. Flip over the parchment paper, and you can still see the letters. Cut out the letters.

Remove the parchment paper from the back of the letters and place it on the web. ¶ Richela Fabian Morgan is a duct-tape artist and crafter specializing in paper, adhesives, and found materials. She has written several craft books, including her most recent Duct Tape Bags (Clarkson Potter, 2016) and the bestselling Tape It & Make It: 101 Duct Tape Activities (Barron’s Educational Series, 2012). Find out more about her work at richelafabianmorgan.com.

SonomaFamilyLife 31

A+ College Applications

FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY!

BACON BEER BANDS

T

he college application process can be fraught with tension. But having a strategic plan of action can ease the stress. Joseph Heil, a credentialed teacher with a certificate in college counseling, aims to help high school students develop one at his free “Demystifying and Simplifying the College Application Process: A Path to College Workshop.” This free bilingual (Spanish/English) class for high school students and their families will include info on testing, college selection, financial aid, and essay writing. It will be held on October 6, 10–11:30 a.m., at Central Santa Rosa Library in Santa Rosa. For more information about additional presentations at libraries throughout the area, as well as dates and locations for West Sonoma County Services’ drop-in college application assistance, go to sonomalibrary.org. ¶

SATURDAY OCTOBER 6 PENNGROVE PARK • 12:30–5PM

A CELEBRATION OF PORK! ROASTED WHOLE PIGS • BABY BACK RIBS PULLED PORK • BACON SIDES & DESSERTS! KIDS ACTIVITIES • GAMES • LIVE MUSIC

Proceeds go directly to benefit underprivileged children right here in Sonoma County

www.burninghamsonoma.com

KUNG FU BUILDS STRONG

Windsor Bloco

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Honor the Ancestors

Learn Real Life Skills D • Fun Exercise • Builds Confidence • Athletic Skills • Strength & Flexibility • Improves Focus • Instills Respect • Self Control • Positive Attitude

BACK-TO-SCHOOL CLASSES FOR KIDS 707-338-2233 • www.Wu-Academy.com 1880 Mendocino Ave, Santa Rosa 32 SonomaFamilyLife

ía de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) sees the lives of the

departed as something to celebrate as well as mourn.

Hence the bright colors of the art, costumes, and ofrendas (altars) associated with the Mexican holiday. Join in this vibrant display of life at the El Día de los Muertos celebration at Santa Rosa Junior College’s Petaluma campus. See Ballet Folklórico’s and Windsor Bloco’s traditional dances; decorate sugar skulls; view screenings of Disney Pixar’s Coco and, of course, partake in plenty of food. This free event will be held on October 20, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. (See dia.santarosa.edu for a schedule of events.) Other local celebrations of the holiday include a Day of the Dead art series for ages 5–12, held every Monday in October at the Petaluma Regional Library in Petaluma, and a Sugar Skull Decorating/ Elaboración de calaveras de azúcar class on October 20, 10:30 a.m.–noon, at the Windsor Regional Library in Windsor. There will also be a Día de los Muertos celebration on October 27, 2–4 p.m., at Rohnert Park–Cotati Regional Library in Rohnert Park. Go to sonomalibrary.org for details. ¶

October 2018 www.sonomafamilylife.com

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Rohnert Park Community Center Pat Kerrigan, Celebrity MC Get a jump on your holiday gifts & bid on over 200 items!

For details and ticket info: www.animalshelterleaguerp.org

Rohnert Park Animal Services 707-584-1582

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SonomaFamilyLife 33

Humor Break

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

By Cheryl Maguire

L

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

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

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

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

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

And then I had a strange encounter.

The doorbell rang. A young couple stood before me.

The young man said, “Trick-or-treat.”

I did a double take. Neither the man nor the woman wore a costume or was with a child. The man had a beard, and the woman’s hair was swept 34 SonomaFamilyLife

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

After the shock and disbelief wore off, I felt slightly annoyed. The young man must have sensed my hesitation

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

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

An unremitting stream of eager, candy-gathering children appeared at our door. because a smirk appeared across his face, a subtle reminder that the first word he uttered was “trick.”

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

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

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

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

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

Next year near the doorbell there will be a sign declaring: Please ONLY ring the doorbell if: 1. You are dressed in a REAL costume.

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

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

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

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

October 2018 www.sonomafamilylife.com

& iTreats Tricks e g a l l V e at th Saturday, October 27 • 11 am to 2 pm • Village Court 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 • A Creepy Creation Awaits You at the Cold Stone Creamery Booth • Air-Brushed Face Painting • Balloon Artist Making Wearable Art for the Kids • Enter the Costume Contest (for information about the Contest, visit www.the101.fm) • Play Halloween Hopscotch for a Special Treat Presented by Sole Desire • Visit Christo’s Haunted Salon for a Ghostly Good Time • Plus Lots of Fun Games & Activities • Find All Spook-tacular Details at www.mvshops.com Event Sponsors:

Admission is Free!

* Local Non Pr

A PREMIER GHOULISH ENTERTAINMENT EXPERIENCE

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

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LearningRx Santa Rosa

LearningRx Petaluma

In the Copper Dome Building 100 Brush Creek Road, Suite 102 (707) 890-3200 www.learningrx.com/santa-rosa

In the Adobe Creek Shopping Center at Lakeville Hwy. & McDowell Blvd.

(707) 781-7373 www.learningrxpetaluma.com