Sonoma Family Life October 2019

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October 2019

Tricks & Treats

Breast Cancer Know the risks

Day-Care Guide

STEAM Science at home Up!

6 fun local events

98 facilities—preschools, too

October 2019

Every Issue 6

Dear Reader

8

Bits and Pieces Calling All Birds Want Me Some Tamales

10

Take Off! My Pet Dragon Get Your Polka On

Features

Spiders and Snakes and Stars, Oh My

7

The Rainbow Screen

Make a Boxtume Turn Amazon boxes into a llama.

17 Cooking with Kids

10 Day-Care Dilemma

24 Calendar of Events

How to find the best providers.

12 Preschool & Day-Care Guide The scoop on 98 local facilities.

18 Build Up STEAM Teach kids at home.

Apple Love Pick a Pumpkin

34 Humor Break Pull It Together

22

20 Beat Breast Cancer Know the risk factors.

22 Goblins & Goodies Local Halloween fun.

4 SonomaFamilyLife

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October 2019 www.sonomafamilylife.com

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Dear Reader

I

t’s that time of year when candy and kids’ imaginations rule. What is your child’s Halloween costume? If you still haven’t found one, Sharon Gowan check out “Make a Publisher/Editor Sharon@family-life.us Boxtume” (page 7) for a creative option that uses mostly recycled cardboard.

Whatever your child’s choice of disguise, there will be plenty of opportunities to show it off. Turn to “Goblins & Goodies” (page 22) for our roundup of fun Halloween activities, and then check out our Calendar of Events (page 24) for haunts, trick-or-treats, and even more spooky good times.

And one of them is choosing a day-care center or preschool. We’re here to help.

Turn to our Preschool and Day-Care Guide (page 12) and find basic info about 98 local facilities, all in one place. Once you’ve located a few centers you’d like to check out, get pro-active and turn to “Day-Care Dilemma” (page 10) for a list of pertinent questions to ask potential providers.

After you’ve made your final selection, reward yourself with some fall-inspired apple crumble. Momma Chef’s recipe (page 17) takes only a few minutes to prepare. Share it with the kids, or keep it to yourself and let little ones get their sweets on October 31.

We hope you have a safe and yummy Halloween!

It’s fun to see kids parade around in their adorable get-ups. If only parenting were just about the cute stuff! But, of course, there are many big decisions to make.

Office Manager Patricia Ramos patty@family-life.us

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

Features Editor Melissa Chianta melissa@family-life.us

Production Manager Donna Bogener production@family-life.us

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

Halloween with Harry Potter Sunday, October 27 - 3pm

Contributing Writers Kimberly Blaker Kathy Cano-Murillo Meredith Ethington Sandra Gordon Janeen Lewis

Billing Jan Wasson-Smith

Hear music from two Harry Potter movies, Beauty and the Beast, The Wizard of Oz and more. Santa Rosa Children’s Choral Academy will join in the fun and Francesco Lecce-Chong will invite children to help conduct sounds of thunder. Magic!

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

Instrument Petting Zoo and photo booth at 2 pm.

FREE to all ticket holders. Costumes encouraged!

Single tickets: $20/adult; $10/child 3-concert packages available Weill Hall, Green Music Center

srsymphony.org

54-MUSIC (707) 546-8742 6 SonomaFamilyLife

October 2019 www.sonomafamilylife.com

Crafting with Kids

Make a Boxtume

A DIY Costume Project

By Kathy Cano-Murillo

T

his DIY llama boxtume is the perfect way to turn heads this Halloween. What’s a #boxtume you ask? They are creative Halloween costumes that you can make at home using boxes and crafting supplies around the house. They can be as simple or elaborate as you’d like. You’ll be happy to know that this one is made from only three Amazon Smile boxes! Aside from your boxes, you’ll need felt, glue, and embellishments.

Supplies Large box Medium box Long box Duct tape, masking tape, hot glue Scissors, craft paint brushes Felt or fabric

be any color you want; use your imagination. I went with tan because I had a bolt of tan felt in my studio, but you can use white, pink, etc.

You can also use paint, papier mâché, or fabric to bring your llama to life. Use hot glue to keep felt or fabric in place.

4. You can use ping-pong balls for eyes, or, like me, you can cut up

7. Add even more touches as you see fit—faux fur on the head, straps to wear the boxtume over your shoulders, even darker colored felt for accents. ¶ See a how-to video for this boxtume at craftychica.com/2018/10/llama-costume-diy.

2. Cut out the ear from cardboard, leaving a long area to glue to the back of the head and inside the neck of the box.

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5. Llamas are known for their crazy teeth, so have fun and cut up some chompers from cardboard. Use felt shapes to form the nose and lips. I also used hearts for the cheeks.

6. For a super cute look, you can use more felt to decorate the sides and neck. I used pompom trim from the craft store, or you can make your own.

Instructions 1. The first step is to build the foundation of the llama with the boxes.

Use tape to hold them together and then use hot glue or extra strength glue to secure them even more. You want a sturdy llama.

3. Cover your llama. This is where you add the personality. Llamas can

another box to make eyes, eyelids, lashes, and the pupil. Paint and let dry.

Basic llama box structure

October 2019

Kathy Cano-Murillo is an artist, speaker, and author of Forever Frida (Adams Media, 2019) and other books. She is the founder of the number one website for Latinocentric art-and-craft tutorials: craftychica.com.

SonomaFamilyLife 7

Bits & Pieces

Calling All Birds

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f you call a bird, will it answer? This is a question that participants of Family Adventure Day: The Birds of Beauty Ranch will be invited to explore. At the event, kids can make simple bird calls from everyday items and then test them out on a naturalist-led walk. After the hike, there will be visits with live raptors and then art-making.

The day, which is open to children of all ages, will be held on October 19, 11 a.m.–2 p.m., at the Jack London State Historic Park in Glen Ellen. While the event is free, the regular park admission fee of $10 per vehicle applies. See jacklondonpark.com/events/family-adventureday-2 for more information. ¶

Family Adventure Day

Want Me Some Tamales

W

hen the ancient Aztecs made the first tamales, they probably could not have imagined that their creation would be popular thousands of years later. While lots of people enjoy tamales, fewer know how to make them. So, in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, the Rincon Valley Library is hosting a Tamale Making Workshop. Salome Arenas Ramirez, who has been cooking traditional Mexican food for more than 50 years, will teach the uninitiated how to make the cornhusk bundles of goodness. The free class will be held on October 4, 4–5:30 p.m., at the library in Santa Rosa. Participants will finish cooking at home the tamales made in class. Register at sonomacounty.libcal.com/event/5644307. ¶

Take Off!

M

ore than 50 years ago, the Apollo 11 rocket first sent humans to the moon.

The exploration of space continues, and kids can imagine themselves along for the ride when they make their own rockets. They can learn how at the DIY Stomp Rocket maker studio, which will be held on October 4, 4–5:30 p.m., at the Windsor Regional Library in Windsor. The free class will teach fourth through sixth graders how to build a stomp rocket, a hollow tube that is powered by the release of compressed air. Space is limited; register at the library’s information desk or online at sonomacounty.libcal. com/event/5750525. ¶ 8 SonomaFamilyLife

My Pet Dragon

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ccording to PetMD.com, bearded dragons make great pets for kids. They are easy to care for and handle. And then there’s that name—it sounds like a fantastical character out of a children’s tale.

And, indeed, the Sebastopol Regional Library is hosting a special STEM storytime in honor of the creature. “Pet Bearded Dragon Enrichment” will teach kids about the reptile’s behavior, what kind of environment it needs, and even how to make a “lizard lounge.” The free event will be held on October 8, 3:30–5 p.m., at the library in Sebastopol. For more information, go to sonomacounty.libcal.com/ event/5529276. ¶

October 2019 www.sonomafamilylife.com

Get Your Polka On

W

hen some people hear October they think pumpkins, but others think…polka —at least at

Cornerstone Sonoma, where, at Oktoberfest, it’s the music of choice. The event will feature not only the rollicking oompah-pah of the Grand Isle Fire Brigade but also a beer garden, local wine, bratwurst and sausage, and activities for kids, such as an heirloom pumpkin patch, face-painting, a petting zoo, and pony rides.

The fun will be had on October 6, 11 a.m.–5 p.m., at Cornerstone in Sonoma and is free to attend. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Old Adobe School. Find out more at cornerstonesonoma.com. ¶ Oktoberfest

Spiders and Snakes and Stars, Oh My

T

arantulas have an ewww factor that, for kids, can make them as compelling as they are repulsive. Little ones curious about the hairy arachnid can check one out at the Tolay Fall Festval, where all kinds of slithering critters and multi-legged insects will be on display. For those who aren’t into bugs, there will be demos of archery, astronomy, and nature photography as well as Alaguali cultural activities, such as basketry, flint knapping, and acorn processing. For some straight up fall fun, children can meander around a pumpkin patch, hop on a hayride, or compete in the World Record Pumpkin Seed Spitting Contest. The festival will be held on October 12–13 and 19–20 at Tolay Lake Regional Park in Petaluma. Admission is $3­–$5; parking is $7.

Activities inside the festival grounds are free. ¶

Gay Chorus Deep South

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Tolay Fall Festval

The Rainbow Screen

W

ith National Coming Out Day on October 11, October is a time when the LGBTQI community celebrates visibility. Locally, the Outwatch Festival, October 4–6, will focus on films featuring LGBTQI characters and themes.

Kicking off the festival on October 4 at 7:30 p.m. will be Gay Chorus Deep South, a documentary about the journey of the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus and the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir through Mississippi, Tennessee, and the Carolinas. On October 6 at 4 p.m. there will be a screening of Changing the Game, a doccie that explores the lives of three high school transgender athletes.

These and most of the festival’s other feature films will be shown at the Rialto Cinema in Sebastopol. Find out more and purchase tickets, which are $12 for each film or $85 for a weekend pass, at outwatchfilmfest.org. For those more interested in reading than movie-going, the free Pride Book Club for Teens will meet on October 4, 4–5:30 p.m., at the Rohnert Park–Cotati Regional Library in Rohnert Park. Go to sonomacounty.libcal.com for more information. ¶ October 2019

SonomaFamilyLife 9

answer is, “No problem. We have an open-door policy.” Impromptu parent visits should always be welcome, Murray says. After signing up your child, you should be able to drop by anytime.

How will I know what my child did all day? Some day-care centers will distribute a daily activity sheet detailing what each child experienced that day, such as what she or he had for a snack and how often her or his

Day-Care 10 Important Questions Dilemma to Ask

By Sandra Gordon

I

f you’ll be returning to part-time or full-time employment after your baby is born, you probably know that open day-care spots can go faster than ice cream melts on a hot day. Still, for your child’s well-being and your own peace of mind, it pays to get picky.

Starting about a few months before you’re ready, “visit three to five day-care programs,” says Kris Murray, author of The Ultimate Childcare Marketing Guide (Redleaf Press, 2012). To narrow your selection, here are the top questions Murray suggests asking day-care providers.

What activities will my child do? “There are all sorts of age-appropriate curriculums available now… .” Murray says. To you, it may all just look like fun and games. But 10 SonomaFamilyLife

that’s the idea. “Children learn best through play,” Murray says.

What’s the teacher-child ratio?

Babies and toddlers 12 months old and younger need an adult-child ratio of no more than 1:4 (one adult per four infants). For toddlers 12–28 months old, the ratio should be 1:3, one instructor per three children. Small classes of 10–12 children or fewer are preferred, too.

What’s your policy about unannounced visits? The best

Spend an hour or two observing a classroom when the kids are awake. diaper was changed. Even better is paperless communication. Many day-care centers offer to e-mail or text messages throughout the day.

What are the qualifications of your caregivers? “Ask for a list of the teachers that includes the number of years of experience they’ve had in the field, their degree…or the training they’ve had,” Murray says. Lead teachers should also have five to seven years of experience.

Are drop-off and pick-up hours flexible? If you work from home sometimes or need a half-day of help here and there, look for a day-care option that works with your nontraditional schedule. Day-care that’s less than full time is a growing trend.

What’s the security situation like? When touring a day-care center, ask whether the children are monitored by a secure webcam. Is the feed distributed to the director’s

October 2019 www.sonomafamilylife.com

office so there’s oversight of what’s happening in the classroom? (Good.)

Can you have access to the feed as well? (Double good.) Not only does camera surveillance provide peace of mind because you can see what’s going on, it allows you to engage in your child’s day (“I saw you help Sam pick up his crayons. That was so nice of you.”).

How often do the kids get to go outside? Beyond extremely hot or cold weather, “there’s no excuse for children not to get outside every day,” Murray says. Your child-care center should support the full health of the child, which includes spending time in nature and being active.

What’s your disaster recovery and emergency policy? If there’s

a fire or disaster at the school, you want to know that teachers have been properly trained to respond quickly and effectively. Every teacher should be trained in CPR, too.

Ask yourself: Am I comfortable with the environment? After you’ve narrowed it down to your top picks, spend an hour or two observing a

Small classes of 10–12 children or fewer are preferred. classroom when the kids are awake (not at nap time). What’s the vibe?

The day-care center should feel open and warm-hearted. Teachers should

look like they’re happy to be there and engaged with the children. If you get a good feeling about the place, chances are your children will like it, too, because they’ll pick up on your satisfaction.

Finally, confirm your selection by finding out what others say. Review testimonials from other parents on the day-care center’s Facebook page and review sites such as Yelp.

“Sometimes there are disgruntled employees or an occasional unhappy parent,” Murray says. “If you see 10 great reviews and one negative one, you’re probably fine. Look for a preponderance of positive.” ¶

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Sandra Gordon is an award-winning freelance writer who specializes in parenting.

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Preschool & Day-Care Guide Note: All listed day-care centers and preschools offer full- and part-time openings and extended care.

SONOMA COUNTY 4Cs-Community Care Council of Sonoma County. 2–5 yrs. 7 a.m.–5 p.m. Provides access to quality child care & early education.

Locations: Cloverdale, Petaluma, Rohnert Park, Santa Rosa & Windsor. Subsidized child care for qualifying families. Hours & availability vary at each site. 544-3077. sonoma4cs.org.

Head Start of Sonoma County. 6 wks.–5 yrs.

9 a.m.–5 p.m. Individualized school-readiness curriculum. Subsidized child care for qualifying families. Locations: Cloverdale, Petaluma, Rohnert Park, Santa Rosa, Sonoma & Windsor.

Hours & availability vary at each site. 544-6911. capsonoma.org/head-start-locations.

North Bay Children’s Center. 6 wks.–6 yrs.

7 a.m.–6 p.m. Culturally rich early education, health & wellness. Subsidized child care for qualifying families. Healdsburg, Petaluma & Santa Rosa locations. Hours & availability vary at each site. 415-883-6222. nbcc.net.

Stars Preschool. 2–7 yrs. 7 a.m.–5:30 p.m.

Preschool care & supervision that supports children, families & the local community. Free or low-cost child care to qualifying low-income

families. Cazadero, Forestville, Guerneville, Monte Rio, Petaluma & Sebastopol locations.

Hours & availability vary at each site.

865-0223. starspreschoolsonoma.com.

HEALDSBURG Blackberry Cottage Playgarden. 2.5–6 yrs. 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Waldorf, nature-based education.

431-8283. blackberrycottage.weebly.com.

Healdsburg Community Nursery School.

2.9 yrs. & up. 9 a.m.–5 p.m. 433-1817. hcnskids.com.

Healdsburg Montessori School. 2.5–5.5 yrs. 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Stimulating educational preschool aims to cultivate a love for learning & play. 431-1727. healdsburgmontessori.com.

Little Lambs Preschool. 3–5 yrs. 8:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Aims to nurture a compassionate heart & inspire children both in mind & spirit. 433-5779. mylittlelambspreschool.com.

Live Oak Preschool. 2.5–5 yrs. 8:30 a.m.–4 p.m. Develop a child’s self-respect, self-confidence & independence in a creative

& supportive environment. 433-1543. liveoakschool.org.

Pine Tree Preschool & Day Care Center. 18 mos.–6 yrs. 7 a.m.–5:45 p.m. 433-8447. pinetreepreschool.net.

St. John the Catholic School Preschool.

4–6 yrs. 8 a.m.–3 p.m. Aims to challenge the intellect, nourish the spirit & educate the whole child. 433-2758. sjshbg.org.

PENNGROVE Building Block Preschool. 2–6 yrs. 7 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Spanish, music, dance, gymnastics. Country school setting. 792-2280. bbpreschool123.com.

Redwood Montessori. 2.8–6 yrs. 8:30–11:30 a.m. & 8:30 a.m.– 3 p.m. Montessori method.

After-school program available. 665-9830. redwoodmontessori.com.

PETALUMA Adobe Christian Preschool. 2–5 yrs. 7 a.m.–6 p.m. Fostering spiritual, intellectual & social growth. 2–5-day programs available. Sibling discounts. 762-7713. adobecc.org.

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HALF DAY or FULL DAY Our mission is to inspire the love of learning in children and to nurture a compassionate heart. We accomplish this through individualized attention, fun, hands-on learning challenges, and lots of love and positive praise in a warm, nurturing, Christian environment. Schedule a tour and see what makes Little Lambs Preschool a hidden gem in Healdsburg.

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12 SonomaFamilyLife

October 2019 www.sonomafamilylife.com

Preschool & Day-Care Guide Bright Futures Preschool. 3–5 yrs.

8:45–11:45 a.m. Developmentally appropriate preschool & pre-kindergarten readiness program. Loma Vista Immersion Campus.

765-4366. oldadobe.org.

Children’s Corner. 1.5–6 yrs. 7:15 a.m.–6 p.m. Celebrating 35 years of caring. 763-6191. childrenscornerpetaluma.com.

Gan Israel Preschool. 2–5 yrs. 9 a.m.–1 p.m.

Play-based Jewish curriculum, open to all faiths. 2–5-day programs available. In-house gymnastics, music & movement. Local field trips. 763-5136. bnaiisrael.net.

Hearts & Hands Farm Preschool. 15 mos.–5 yrs. 8 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Waldorf-oriented.

Outdoor play area, music, arts, free play.

763-5018. heartandhandspetaluma.com.

Kindercare Learning Center. 6 wks.–6 yrs.

6:30 a.m.–6 p.m. Phonics, math, literacy & more. Spanish curriculum program for preschool & pre-k. Before- & after-school programs. 800-709-8803. kindercare.com.

Lattice Education Achievement Preschool (LEAP). 2–6 yrs. 7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Helping

each child develop the social, emotional & academic skills needed for Kindergarten success. 571-1234. latticepreschool.com.

Learning to Learn Preschool. 2–5 yrs. 6:30 a.m.–6 p.m. Developmentally appropriate.

More than 36 years of experience in early childhood education. 762-8570. forlearninginc.com.

Lisa’s ECE Program & Preschool. 2–6 yrs.

8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. (Tues. & Thurs.) & 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Science) lessons, art, nature, play, cooking, music. 778-8074. misslisasece.weebly.com.

Little Oaks Montessori. 18 mos.–6 yrs. 7:30 a.m.–5 p.m. Montessori education. Nurturing environment allows children to experiment with a variety of activities & hands-on materials. Variety of programs/schedules.

763-3235. littleoaksmontessori.org.

Little Shepherd Lutheran Preschool. 2–5 yrs. 8 a.m.–2:30 p.m. Christian atmosphere.

Physical, mental & spiritual development.

769-0462. elimpetaluma.org/preschool.

INVEST IN YOUR CHILD’S FUTURE! A Private Montessori Preschool & Kindergarten

Ages 18-mo.–6-yrs.

Academic | Character | Creative | Social | Physical Montessori Education: inspires inventive learning that enhances concentration, creates curiosity & develops a love of learning at a very early age.

HANDS-ON LEARNING MATERIALS THAT TEACH Practical Life | Sensorial Language | Math | Culture

Rhio’s Casa Dei Bambini 2427 Professional Dr. • Santa Rosa Near Steele Lane & Hwy 101 707-528-0889 • www.rhioscasa.com

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Nest Playground. 2.5–5 yrs. 8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Waldorf inspired in-home nursery program. Morning snack & lunch provided.

775-0548. nestplaygarden.com.

Petaluma Parent Nursery School. 2.5–5 yrs. 9–11:45 p.m. Children learn about visual art, language arts, science, cooking, drama, gardening & physical motor skills.

Parent participation program. 778-4669. petalumaparentnurseryschool.org.

Petaluma Village Preschool. 2–6 yrs. 9 a.m.–5:30 p.m. A Reggio Emilia–inspired classroom. 2:1 child/teacher ratio. 765-2325. petalumavillage.com.

Red Barn Montessori. 3–6 yrs. 8:30 a.m.–3 p.m. Montessori teachings, hands-on learning.

789-9397. redbarnmontessori.org.

Spring Hill School. 18 mos.–5 yrs. 7:30 a.m.–6 p.m. Toddler, preschool & kindergarten programs. Aims to inspire independence & joy in learning through a global curriculum.

763-9222. springhillmontessori.org.

Waugh Kids Care. 3–5 yrs. 6:30 a.m.–5:45 p.m. Aims to provide a nurturing environment

PLAY ,

LEARN, LAUGH & GROW WITH US! FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH PRESCHOOL & CHILD CARE Twiddlebug & Caterpillar Classes (2-3 year olds) Age-appropriate developmental activities using monthly themes, circle times, and outdoor play. We also potty train.

Butterfly Class (4 year olds/Pre-K Program) Theme-based curriculum that includes art, science, cooking, dramatic play, and more, all in an encouraging environment.

Kindergarten preparation with a program that promotes language and reading-readiness skills.

6-Hour Part-Days - Full-Days up to 10 hours 546-7012

1551 Montgomery Drive • Santa Rosa www.fumcsantarosa.org/preschool Program of First United Methodist Church

October 2019

License #490110699

FUMC

Preschool & Child Care Center

SonomaFamilyLife 13

Preschool & Day-Care Guide for children to learn, grow & develop social skills. Located at the Meadow School campus.

762-0202. wesd-ca.schoolloop.com.

Willow Tree Preschool. 18 mos.–6 yrs.

7:30 a.m.–5 p.m. Montessori environment.

Variety of programs/schedules. 763-2546. willowtreeschool.com.

You & Me Children’s Center. 6 wks.–5 yrs.

6:30 a.m.–6 p.m. Focus on the whole child; their physical, social, emotional & cognitive needs. Flexible scheduling. 762-8998. youandmechildrenscenter.com.

ROHNERT PARK/COTATI Cotati-Rohnert Park Co-Op Nursery School.

2–4 yrs. 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Educating the whole child, which includes physical, emotional, intellectual & social development.

795-4846. cotaticoop.org.

Cross & Crown Preschool. 2–6 yrs. 7 a.m.–4 p.m. Christian atmosphere. Physical, mental & spiritual development. 795-7863.

KinderCare Learning Center. 6 wks.–6 yrs. 6:30 a.m.–6:30 p.m. Preschool & pre-kindergarten program. Before- & after-school programs. 800-709-8814. kindercare.com.

Learning to Learn Preschool. 2–5 yrs. 7 a.m.–6 p.m. Developmentally appropriate.

More than 36 years of experience in early childhood education. 584-4224. forlearninginc.com.

Little Hands Playschool. 6 mos.–5 yrs. 7:30 a.m.–5 p.m. A home-based family child-care program. 794-7900. littlehandsplayschool.com.

Little Ones Backyard Club. 2–6 yrs. 6:30 a.m.–6 p.m. Aims to help each child grow & learn. 792-1620. littleonesbyc.com.

Mt. Taylor Children’s Center. 2–6 yrs. 7 a.m.–6 p.m. Encourage children’s interests & learning. Unique extracurricular learning for children & their families. 793-9020.

Peek-A-Boo Playhouse. 2–5 yrs. 8:30–11:45 a.m. & 11:45 a.m.–3:45 p.m. Learn through play. Half-day preschool, a.m. & p.m. classes.

Inclusive. 588-0498. peekabooplayhouse.com.

Rainbow Bridge Montessori. 2 yrs.–K. 7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. 795-6666. rainbowbridgemontessori.com.

Redwood Country’s Kids Club. 2–5 yrs. 7 a.m.–6 p.m. Home-like atmosphere. Planned indoor & outdoor activities. 586-0675. forlearninginc.com.

Sharon’s Discovery Child Care. 18 mos.–6 yrs. 7:30 a.m.–5 p.m. 206-0472. sharonsdiscoverychildcare.com.

Small Miracles Pre-School & Childcare Center. 2–5 yrs. 7:30 a.m.–6 p.m. Art, music, movement, science, math, cooking, reading-readiness & Christian living. 792-9256. smallmiraclespreschool.net.

The Learning Experience. Infant–6 yrs. 6:30 a.m.–6:30 p.m. Based on 3 key educational & care principles: cognitive, physical & social.

585-5992. thelearningexperience.com.

Training Wheels Preschool. 2–5 yrs. 8 a.m.–4 p.m. Field trips, cooking, science, music, art, outdoor play & more. 795-3527. trainingwheelspreschool.com.

SANTA ROSA A Child’s Farm. 2–5 yrs. 8:30 a.m.–1 p.m.

Children can explore, run, play & sing in a natural setting. 575-4556. achildsfarm. wordpress.com.

Arango’s Home Day Care. 6 wks.–6 yrs. 7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Extended care & drop-ins welcome. Bilingual. 408-661-5909.

We Grow them★

REDWOOD STRONG! Classes for all ages Parties Camps Infant Classes Dance & Ninja Empire!

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

Carefully prepared environment, nurturing teachers, bilingual program

18 mo - 5 years www.thespringhillschool.org

★reg

• What did you like?

• What didn’t you like?

• What subjects would you like us to cover?

• Got any local story ideas? e-mail melissa@family-life.us

since 1979

Redwood Empire Gymnastics

www.regymnastics.com 707.763.5010

14 SonomaFamilyLife

October 2019 www.sonomafamilylife.com

Preschool & Day-Care Guide Art & Soul School. 3–5 yrs. 9 a.m.– noon. Art, music & dance curriculum.

Spanish-immersion, Montessori, K-readiness.

575-6858. artandsoulschool.com.

Faith Lutheran Preschool. 2–5 yrs. 7 a.m.–6 p.m. Christian environment with weekly chapel. Located by Spring Lake. 538-3068. faithlutheranpreschool.com.

Bennett Valley Montessori. 2–6 yrs. 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Montessori preschool education.

537-8889. bvmontessori.com.

First United Methodist Preschool & Child Care Center. 2–5 yrs. 7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.

Affordable, early childhood development program in a nurturing environment. 546-7012. fumcsantarosa.org/preschool.

Beth Ami Com Nursery School. 2–5 yrs. 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Guided by Jewish value of chesed (loving kindness). Child-centered, emergent curriculum. 360-3030. bethamisr.org.

Bethel Children’s Center. 2.9–5 yrs. 7 a.m.–6 p.m. Christian environment. Staff/studio ratio.

Morning & afternoon sessions. 527-0332. bethelchildrenscenter.com.

Bethlehem Children’s Center. 4 mos.–5 yrs.

7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Two preschool classes, transitional kindergarten with extended day-care option. Rincon Valley location.

538-2266. bethlehemchildrenscenter.org.

Bridge School Child Care & Preschool.

2–5 yrs. 7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Children are exposed to activities that are developmentally appropriate & they have constant opportunities to begin practicing socialization skills.

575-7959. srbridgeschool.com.

Brush Creek Montessori Nursery School. 18 mos.–6 yrs. 7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Hands-on, creative curriculum. Develop motor skills necessary for independence, care of oneself & care of the environment. 539-1612. brushcreeknurseryschool.org.

Child Family Community. 2–5 yrs. Hours vary by location. Inspired by Reggio Emilia. Outdoor, nature-based program.

Two Santa Rosa locations. 540-0900. childfamilycommunity.com.

Childkind Schools. 2–4 yrs. 7 a.m.–6 p.m.

Program designed to give young children/ parents a warm & creative first experience in preschool. 823-1837. childkindschools.com.

Children’s Learning Center. 18 mos.–6 yrs. 6 a.m.–6 p.m. Committed to providing the best child care & preschool education available.

Subsidized child care for qualifying families.

575-7486. childrenslearningctr.com.

Christ Methodist Nursery School. 3–5 yrs.

7:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Whole child, play-based.

No religious affiliation. 526-0204.

College Oak Montessori School. 2–6 yrs.

7 a.m.–6 p.m. Program based on Maria Montessori’s philosophy of child development & education. Variety of schedules. 579-5510. collegeoakmontessori.org.

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Franklin Park Preschool. 3–4 yrs. 9–11:30 a.m. & noon–2:30 p.m. Children can learn about the world around them through social interaction & hands-on learning. 546-7330. franklinparkpreschool.org.

Happy Time Christian Preschool & Daycare.

2–5 yrs. 7 a.m.–6 p.m. Arts, crafts, science, academics, play & spiritual development.

527-9135. srnc.org/happytime-daycare.html.

Multi-Cultural Child Development Center.

3–5 yrs. 9 a.m.–noon & 12:30–3:30 p.m. A state preschool that serves children from low-income families. Adult/child ratio of 1:5.

544-0104. multiculturalpreschool.org.

Playtime Daycare. 6 wks.–6 yrs. 7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Home-based day-care.

Convenient Rincon Valley location. Celebrating 31 years. 539-7524. facebook.com/ playtimedaycareandpreschool.

Presbyterian Preschool. 3–5 yrs.

8:35–11:45 a.m. & 1–4 p.m. Developmental, play-based program that provides children the opportunity to grow socially, physically, intellectually, creatively & spiritually. 542-7396. presbyterianpreschool.org.

Rhio’s Casa dei Bambini Montessori School. 18 mos.–6 yrs. 8 a.m.–5 p.m.

Montessori-focused preschool. Celebrating more than 38 years. 528-0889. rhioscasa.com.

Kiwi Preschool & Childcare. 2–6 yrs. 7 a.m.–6 p.m. Planned curriculum & detailed lesson plans using weekly themes. Students can participate in small group, large group & independent activities. 531-7041. kiwipreschool.com.

Rosebud Preschool. 2–5 yrs. 7:30 a.m.–6 p.m.

A developmentally appropriate environment.

Near Montgomery Village. 544-8600. rosebudpreschool.org.

La Petite Academy. 6 wks.–6 yrs. 6:30 a.m.–6 p.m. Specialized curriculum in infant care, toddler care, early preschool, preschool, pre-K/pre-kindergarten & junior kindergarten.

Before- & after-school care. 833-375-4582. lapetite.com/7231.

Santa Rosa Junior College (SRJC) Children’s Center Home. 6 mos.–5 yrs. 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.

Play-oriented approach to learning. Subsidized child-care for SRJC students & non-subsidized for the local community. 527-4224. childdevcenter.santarosa.edu.

Little Angels Children’s Centers. 2–5 yrs. 9 a.m.–12:15 p.m. 579-4305. littleangelskids.com.

St. Eugene’s Preschool. 2.9–5 yrs. 7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Developmental, play-based education aims to teach children the appropriate social & academic skills needed for kindergarten. 528-9133. steugenesch.org.

Little Ones Children Center. 2–5 yrs. 6:30 a.m.–6 p.m. Play-based curriculum that focuses on pre-writing skills, early math & literacy. 531-7099. littleoneschildren scenters.com.

Little People’s Playhouse. 6 wks.–6 yrs.

7 a.m.–6 p.m. Language, math, science & social skills in a logical, natural sequence to encourage learning one step at a time. Infant & after-school care available. 544-0951. littlepeoplesplayhouse.com.

Little School House. 6 wks.–6 yrs. 7 a.m.–6 p.m. 544-8118. thelittleschoolhouse.org.

Mixed Greens. 2–6 yrs. 8:30 a.m.–1 p.m. & 7:30 a.m.–6 p.m. A fun, engaging, nurturing & constantly evolving environment for children. Two Santa Rosa locations. 225-8753. mixedgreenspreschool.com.

Mt. Taylor Children’s Centers. 2–6 yrs.

8:30 a.m.–6 p.m. Celebrating more than 40 years. Two Santa Rosa locations. 576-0773. mtccschools.com.

October 2019

St. Luke’s Preschool. 2.9–6 yrs. 7:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Affordable Christian education.

Low student-teacher ratio. Developmentally appropriate academics. Short distance from Santa Rosa Junior College. 545-6772. stluke-lcms.org.

St. Rose Preschool. 7:30 a.m.–5 p.m.

Catholic preschool. Children learn simple daily prayers & songs. Emphasis is also placed on pre-reading & pre-math skills, verbalization & socialization. 526-9844. strosecatholicschool.org.

Summerfield Waldorf School & Farm. 24 mos.–6 yrs. 8:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Home-like environment invites creative play. 575-7194. summerfieldwaldorf.org/early-childhood.

Tiny Treasures Preschool. 2–5 yrs. 7 a.m.–5:45 p.m. Two Santa Rosa locations.

544-8469. tinytreasurespreschool.net.

SonomaFamilyLife 15

Preschool & Day-Care Guide

Woodside West. 2–6 yrs. 6:45 a.m.–6 p.m. Recently nominated for Best School of Sonoma County. Open year-round. 528-6666. woodsidewestschool.com.

YMCA Early Education Center. 6 wks.–5 yrs.

7 a.m.–6 p.m. Creative environment in which children can develop socially, intellectually, physically & emotionally. 544-1829. scfymca.org.

Serves children with special needs. Flexible scheduling. 318-8208. littletotscountry daycare.com.

pre-K/pre-kindergarten & junior kindergarten.

Before- & after-school care. 833-375-4582. lapetite.com/7233.

Sunflower Preschool. 3 yrs.–K. 8:15 a.m.–4:15 p.m. One-on-one attention, structured play, music, science activities, drama, art & more. Located on the campus of Pleasant Hill Christian School. 829-1210. sunflowerpreschoolsebastopol.com.

Little School House. 6 wks.–6 yrs. 7 a.m.–6 p.m. 544-8118. thelittleschoolhouse.org.

Tree House Hollow Preschool. 2–5 yrs. 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Flexible schedule. Parent Co-op available. Located at Redwood Campus & Apple Blossom Elementary School. 823-1958. treehousehollow.com.

SEBASTOPOL Castle Childcare Programs. 3–5 yrs. 8:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Preschool, after-school & vacation care. Sebastopol USD. Full & part-time. 829-4578. facebook.com/pages/ castle-childcare.

WINDSOR

Janboree Pre-School & Daycare. 24 mos.–5 yrs. 8:30–11 a.m. & 7 a.m.–6 p.m. 795-8568. facebook.com/JanboreePreschool.

Little Tots Country Preschool & Daycare.

6 mos.–6 yrs. 7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Small child-adult ratios: 6:1. Preschool session, after-care & drop-in sessions available.

Art & Soul School. 3–5 yrs. 9 a.m.– noon. Art, music & dance curriculum.

Spanish-immersion, Montessori, K-readiness.

575-6858. artandsoulschool.com.

La Petite Academy. Infant–6 yrs. 6:30 a.m.–6 p.m. Specialized curriculum for infant care, toddler care, early preschool, preschool,

Montessori Fun. 3–6 yrs. 8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m., 8:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. & 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. Spanish lessons daily. Small group Pre-K. TK in afternoon class. 838-4632. montessorifun.com.

Town of Windsor Preschool Programs. 3–5 yrs. 9 a.m.–1 p.m. 838-1262. townofwindsor. com/preschool.

Windsor Christian Academy. 3–4 yrs. 8:45 a.m.–6 p.m. Christ-centered preschool program balances age-appropriate instruction time with play activities. 838-3084. windsorchristianacademy.org.

Windsor Co-op Nursery School. 3–4 yrs.

9 a.m.–noon & 1–3:30 p.m. 838-9306. windsornurseryschool.com.

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Theopinions, opinions,findings, findings,conclusions, conclusions,and andrecommendations recommendationsexpressed expressedininthis thispublication/program/exhibition publication/program/exhibitionare arethose thoseofofthe the Justice. The author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women. author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women.

16 SonomaFamilyLife

October 2019 www.sonomafamilylife.com

Cooking with Kids

Apple Love Make a Traditional Fall Dessert

By Momma Chef

M

y oldest son gets all the credit for this dessert. After spending a wonderful autumn day picking apples, he asked me to make a yummy treat with the fruit we had collected. Together we assembled some ingredients, and this family favorite was born. Honestly, it is worth making just for the delicious aroma that fills the air.

Simple and Delicious Apple Crumble Ingredients • 1 cup old-fashioned oats • ½ cup brown sugar • ¾ cup whole-wheat flour • 1 tbsp. cinnamon

Tips 1. To save time, do not peel the apples.

2. This is best served with a scoop of regular or nondairy vanilla ice cream.

• ½ cup avocado oil or melted coconut oil (or any vegetable oil) • 6 Granny Smith apples cut into 2-inch squares (peeling apples is optional) Instructions 1. Preheat oven to 375°F. 2. Mix oats, sugar, flour, cinnamon, and oil in a bowl.

Karen Nochimowski, the mom behind mommachef.com, has loved cooking for as long as she can remember. After her friends and family begged to be let in on her culinary secrets, she decided to create a blog featuring the quick, easy recipes everyone loved. Every recipe has only six or fewer ingredients and takes only six or fewer minutes to prepare.

www.sonomafamilylife.com

3. Spray 13” x 9” glass baking dish with nonstick spray.

4. Add sliced apples to bottom of the dish.

5. Sprinkle topping from the bowl over the apples.

6. Bake for 25 minutes.

Serves: 10

October 2019

SonomaFamilyLife 17

bottle rocket (tinyurl.com/y5rmnjpc).

Discuss the science behind the blast.

Technology Make the computer your friend. Teach your child how to do research, make brochures for school projects, and use spreadsheets for

Go outside and drop a pack of Mentos in a two-liter soda.

Build Up STEAM 27 Ideas for Cultivating a Love of Learning

By Janeen Lewis

S

TEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) education has grown in popularity in recent years as the number of STEAM-related jobs continues to increase.

Foster a love of STEAM at home with these fun and easy ideas.

Science Welcome questions like “Why is the sky blue?” Questioning is the first step of the Scientific Method.

Use scientific words and make exploring a part of everyday life.

Create a kitchen science lab with common ingredients.

Make homemade ice cream in a Ziploc bag (tinyurl.com/y4lvzxd2); make butter out of heavy cream in a mason jar (sweetpaulmag. com/food/homemade-butterin-a-mason-jar); or grow geodes 18 SonomaFamilyLife

chores and allowances. When you take a family trip, let your child research places to visit.

Start coding early. Check out code.org for fun ways kids can code online. Other coding sites to try are Codeacademy, Kodable, Lightbot, Scratch, and Tynker. Check the Sonoma County Library calendar (sonomalibrary.org/events-at-thelibrary) for free coding classes for kids.

Introduce Raspberry Pi. Kids can use this card-sized single board computer for basic programming.

in eggshells (sciencebob.com/ eggshell-geode-crystals).

Make a stop-motion video.

Apps to try: Lego Movie Maker, Stop Motion Studio, Lapse It, iStopMotion, and Clayframes.

Encourage household problem-solving. Bread dough that doesn’t rise, an inside door that sticks in winter, or an insect infestation in the garden are gateways to hypotheses, experiments, and answers.

Use digital tools to help with schoolwork. Try merriam-webster. com, thesaurus.com, and khanacademy.com. Explore study-aid apps like Tinycards, and use the apps myHomework and MyGradeBook.

Have a blast—literally! Make a paper-mache baking soda and vinegar volcano (tinyurl.com/y76tlozm). Go outside and drop a pack of Mentos in a two-liter soda, or launch a

Engineering Teach kids the Engineering Design Process. Check out a kid-friendly version at teachengineering.com.

October 2019 www.sonomafamilylife.com

Keep building supplies on hand. Try Legos, wooden blocks, K’nex, Lincoln Logs, Tinker Toys, and Duplo bricks. Use toothpicks or pretzels to build with cheese, grapes, and marshmallows.

Create catapults. Some materials to try: Popsicle sticks, spoons, drink lids, rubber bands, and pom-poms. (See childsci.org/ popsicle-stick-catapult.)

Build a Rube Goldberg machine out of household materials.

This machine is intentionally designed to perform a simple task through a

Join a radio control club.

Planes, helicopters, and boats often inspire children. Building their own involves creativity and problem-solving skills. Check out Wine Country Flyers Model Aircraft Club (wcflyers.com).

Arts Stock up on art supplies: watercolors, finger paints, crayons, colored pencils, pastels, construction paper, sketchbooks, and origami paper.

Experiment with evaporation art. Mix salt with water and paint.

Have your child predict what will happen to the salt and water. (See tinyurl.com/y3jdlysg.)

Borrow a how-to-draw book from the library. Step-by-step www.sonomafamilylife.com

Listen to a variety of music genres. This will open your child’s mind to different artists and styles of music.

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

Sign up your child for a creative writing class. Check out free writing classes at Sonoma County libraries.

Read poetry books.

Math Teach number sense. Mentally work through problem-solving logic with your child. Laura Overdeck’s Bedtime Math: A Fun Excuse to Stay Up Late (Feiwel & Friends, 2013) is a good book for promoting math discussions.

Check out Texas Instruments’ “STEM Behind Cool Careers” (education.ti.com/en/activities/stem/ gen-stem) for videos connecting algebra, geometry, and physics to jobs such as fashion designer and pilot.

Cook or bake together.

Measuring and figuring out equivalent fractions and conversions are all part of recipe building.

Try grocery-store math. Have kids compare prices for the best buys and stay within a weekly budget.

Measure the miles. When going on family outings, ask the kids to calculate the miles and time it will take to get to your destination and the amount and cost of gas you’ll use. ¶ Janeen Lewis is a writer, teacher, and mom. She has been published in several parenting publications across the country.

October 2019

TS

series of complex chain reactions. To learn more, visit rubegoldberg.com.

Sculpt with air-dry clay. Paint creations after they dry.

©P N

Mentally work through problem-solving logic with your child.

directions will give your child more confidence.

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SonomaFamilyLife 19

Women who breastfeed also reduce their risk of breast cancer, the NCI explains. The greater the total length of time spent breastfeeding during the child-rearing years, the greater the protection.

Oral contraceptives, according to the ACS, slightly increase risk. Though once a woman is off contraceptives for a period of 10 years, that risk is no longer present.

Beat Breast Are You Cancer at Risk?

By Kimberly Blaker

T

welve percent of women today will develop invasive breast cancer, and more than 40,000 will die from it this year alone, reports BreastCancer.org. That’s why a refresher course on risk factors and early detection is important.

Risk Factors There are several risk factors for breast cancer as identified by the American Cancer Society (ACS).

Some of these are unchangeable but should be taken into account in developing a screening plan. Other risk factors are lifestyle-related.

Therefore women, especially those already at higher risk, should consider those factors she can control.

Some factors that are unchangeable and increase risk, according to the ACS, are female gender, aging, 20 SonomaFamilyLife

genetics, and race and ethnicity (white women are at slightly higher risk). A greater number of menstrual cycles, previous chest radiation, and exposure to the drug diethylstilbestrol (DES) also put women at a slightly higher risk.

Other risk factors can often be controlled. Pregnancy and childbirth are one of these factors. According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), having more than one child provides increased protection with each successive birth.

Hormone therapy for menopausal women can also increase risk. The ACS says estrogen alone is not a

Having more than one child provides increased protection with each successive birth. concern. For certain women, it can even slightly reduce the risk. But estrogen combined with progestin can increase risk.

Another risk factor is alcohol.

Having one drink daily increases risk only slightly, while the greater the consumption, the greater the risk. Having more than five drinks a day increases the risk for other cancers as well.

After menopause, being overweight or obese increases risk, says the ACS. But as the organization explains, the risk of breast cancer related to weight is complex. Those who have been overweight since childhood may not be affected. The distribution of excess body fat may also play a role. Waist area fat, in particular, may be more significant in increasing risk than fat in other parts of the body, such as hips and thighs.

October 2019 www.sonomafamilylife.com

Exercise, however, has been shown to decrease risk, according to a study by the Women’s Health Initiative. It found just 1.25–2.5 hours of brisk walking each week can reduce risk by 18 percent.

Early Detection and Screenings While breast self-exams are no longer recommended, breast awareness— knowing how your breasts look and feel so you can report any changes—is still advised, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Clinical breast exams are also recommended. For women with average risk factors, these should be done every one to three years starting at age 20. Then at age 40, clinical exams should be done annually.

www.sonomafamilylife.com

Women with greater risk factors should have exams more often and consult with their doctor for the recommended frequency.

In terms of mammography, the latest cancer screening guideline by the ACS recommends women with average risk

Women who breastfeed reduce their risk of breast cancer. should begin regular mammography screenings at age 45. Then they should be screened annually until they reach 54. After that, they should transition to every two years, as long as they’re in good health with a life expectancy of at least 10 years.

October 2019

Meanwhile, the American College of Physicians (ACP) states, “In average-risk women aged 40–49 years, clinicians should discuss whether to screen for breast cancer with mammography before age 50 years.” Physicians should discuss the potential harms and benefits with women. The potential harms, argues the ACP, outweigh the benefits for most women who are 40–49 years of age.

Finally, there’s no one-size-fits-all plan that works best. So, mammography screening for breast cancer should be based on informed decisions and individualized plans. ¶ Kimberly Blaker is a freelance lifestyle writer. Find her at kimberlyblaker.com.

SonomaFamilyLife 21

Family Fun Halloween at Howarth Park

Goblins & Goodies C

andy and costumes make Halloween one of the most anticipated kid-holidays of the year.

Check out these local activities for safe fun. And see our Calendar of Events (page 24) for more goings-on.

Santa Rosa: Halloween at Howarth Park At this annual Howarth Park event, tiny ninjas, gypsies, and monsters run around and get candy at stations in the park. Then, sufficiently high on sugar, they hop on the park’s train and carousel or take a pony ride. The event, open to ages 12 and younger, happens October 26.

Kids must register for one of three time slots: 11:30 a.m.–12:15 p.m., 12:45–1:30 p.m., or 2–2:45 p.m. The basic pass is $6; a $15 pass gets kids access to the amusement and pony rides. Sign up and find out more at srcity.org/2164/ Halloween-at-Howarth.

22 SonomaFamilyLife

6 Local Halloween Events

Halloween with Harry

Rohnert Park: Halloween with Harry Potter The Harry Potter books have inspired millions of kids around the world to read. And when the films came out, their scores also exposed little ears to orchestral music. The Santa Rosa Symphony will be performing parts of those scores, as well as telling stories, at this interactive concert. Kids are encouraged to dress up in costumes for the performance, which will be held on October 27 at 3 p.m. at the Green Music Center. Admission is $10–$20 and includes a 2 p.m. pre-show instrument petting zoo and photo booth. For more information and to purchase tickets, go to tickets.srsymphony.org.

October 2019 www.sonomafamilylife.com

HEY MOMS & DADS!

Get your kids ready to go back to school in the best way possible.

Petaluma: Trick-or-Treat Trail Scads of costumed kids (ages 12 and younger) raid the sweets stashes of Petaluma businesses at this free annual event, which will be held this year on October 31, 3–5:30 p.m. Download the trick-or-treat map at petalumadowntown.com, or just follow the orange and black balloons around downtown.

Santa Rosa: Blind Scream Some people find terror thrilling. And for them, there’s this annual event, which features two haunted houses that promise real scares. Note that they may be too freaky for kids, especially young ones. (And, for safety reasons, parents aren’t allowed to hold their children.) But for the intrepid, they’re a dose of Halloween horror. The houses—Witch House and Lil Horrus’s Fun House—are set up in a 15,000 square-foot space in the Santa Rosa Plaza and run October 11–13, 17–20, 24–27, and 29–31.

They open at 7 p.m. and run until 10 or 11 p.m., depending on the day. Tickets are $15–$35 and are available at blindscream. com and at the door. On certain days, the purchase of refreshments will benefit area high schools. See website for details.

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Santa Rosa: Floating Pumpkin Patch Not all pumpkin patches are in dirt. Some are in water. That’s right! At this annual event, at the Ridgway Swim Center, orange orbs float in a pool, where kids can capture them, no getting filthy required. It will be held on October 19, with activities and games starting at 1:30 p.m. and the “patch” opening 2–6 p.m. Tickets, which are $10, will only be sold in advance, at srcity.org/2913/Floating-Pumpkin-Patch. Kids younger than 2 get in free.

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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) Santa Rosa: Funtazmagoria The Children’s Museum of Sonoma County gets 2700 Yulupa Ave. (by CVS) ANY HAIRCUT ANY HAIRCUT freaky at its Mad Scientist Lab, where kids will explore electricity and creepy Windsor: 9018 Brooks Rd. (by Mary’s Pizza) Healdsburg: 1017 Vineyard $Plaza $ 99 99 critters. And in the Art Studio, there’ll be spiderwebs, slime, and stuff that glows Sonoma: ANY HAIRCUT in the dark. The lab and studio will run Wednesdays–Mondays, October 18–31, 9 ANY HAIRCUT 19217 Sonoma Hwy. (Maxwell Village Center) Terra Linda: a.m.–3 p.m. On October 27, 10 a.m.–3 p.m., kids can parade in costumes, fling$ 99 ANY $ 99 HAIRCUT ANY HAIRCUT Northgate One Shopping Center eyeballs, create magic elixirs, and watch pumpkins fall from the sky. Regular Petaluma: 701 Sonoma Mountain Parkway $ 99 $ 99 929 Lakeville St. (by Luckys) admission fees apply: $9–$12 or free for babies younger than 12 months. For

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October 2019

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.

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SonomaFamilyLife 23

October

Courtney’s Pumpkin Patch

Calendar of Events

Pick a Pumpkin

B

un tubo hueco que funciona con la liberación de aire comprimido. Para los grados 4–6. Gratis. 4–5:30 p.m.

Windsor Library. 9291 Old Redwood Hwy. #100, Windsor. Advance registration required./Se requiere registro anticipado: sonomacounty. libcal.com/event/5750525.

Gypsy. Musical chronicles the life

Friday 4

of burlesque star Gypsy Rose Lee. $35–$43. Oct. 4–6, 10–13 & 16–20.

Thursdays–Saturdays: 7:30 p.m.

Sundays: 2 p.m. 6th Street Playhouse.

52 W. 6th St., Santa Rosa. 523-4185.

6thstreetplayhouse.com.

Healing with Energy, Sound & Dream Work. Led by sound healer Rebecca Webb & Jungian-oriented dream interpreter & life coach Melissa Grace. Dream interpretation, divination card readings, guided imagery & a sound bath. Ages 18 & older. $53.50. 6:30–9 p.m. Sebastopol Community Cultural Center. 390 Morris St., Sebastopol. 415-446-9590.

415-310-1682. Advance registration required: tinyurl.com/yxprnl23.

Chelsea Judith

efore Courtney Jade Davis died in 2008 of a rare bone cancer, the teen organized a pumpkin patch to raise scholarship money for students at her school, Cloverdale High. Courtney’s Pumpkin Patch continues to raise funds for local students, as well as cancer patients and the Kiwanis Club. This year’s event will be held in concert with Oktoberfest, where not only pumpkins, but also live music, vendors, Bavarian dancers, crafts, games, and food and drink will be part of the afternoon. In addition, there’ll be special activities for kids, including a Halloween bouncy house, balloon twisting, face painting, and a magic show. The pumpkin patch and festival will be held on October 5, noon–7 p.m., at the Cloverdale Plaza in Cloverdale. Admission is free. See courtneyspumpkinpatch.com for more information. ¶

FREE DIY Stomp Rocket Maker FREE

ENERGY WORKSHOP FREE Pride Book Club for Teens. will learnHOME to make a to save energy, be more resilient or go solar!

APPROVAL SEPT. 11, 2019 • Featuring 6-7:30pm LGBTQI young adult books. stomp rocket, which isWED., a hollow Cloverdale Regional Library, Grades 9–12. 4–5:30 p.m. Rohnert tube that is powered by the release 401 N. Cloverdale Blvd., Cloverdale SAVE ENERGY • SAVE MONEY Park–Cotati Regional Library. 6250 of compressed air. Grades 4–6./Los LIVE COMFORTABLY • GO GREEN niños aprenderán a hacerLightun cohete, refreshments,

Studio. Kids

Client: Sonoma County Energy Run date: 9-5-19 Ad title/slug: 2X5 color Returned approval due by: ASAP Scheduled to run in: SW

Please check this proof carefully for errors and omissions. Your signature below constitutes acceptance of full responsibility for all errors, omissions and legal and ethical compliance in this document. Sonoma West Publishers will not accept liability for errors overlooked at this stage of proofing. Any changes from your previously approved copy will be charged extra according to both time and materials. Advertiser agrees to pay appropriate rates and production costs as specified in the current rate card. All conditions of the latest rate card apply.

giveaways, and door prizes.

Win a FREE Home Energy Score or other great prizes!

Workshop presentations will begin promptly at 6:30 pm.

Upcoming Autumn Events!

FREE HOME ENERGY WORKSHOP FREE OK AS IS

Your signature and date

HOME ENERGY WORKSHOP OK with corrections - no further proof needed

to save energy, be more resilient or go solar!

Your signature and date

2ND PROOF REQUIRED - I authorize a $10 charge

to save energy, be more resilient or go solar!

Designed by: JIM on 8-30-19

WED. OCTOBER 9, 7–8:30PM Guerneville Regional WED., SEPT. 11, 2019Library • 6-7:30pm RSVP to GSenergy@sonoma-county.org or call (707) 565-6470 Visit us at: SONOMACOUNTY.ca.gov/energy Cloverdale Regional Library, SAT. OCTOBER 12, 11AM–12:30PM Your signature and date

COUNTY C OUNTY OF SONOM SONOMA A

ENERGY ENER GY AND SUST SUSTAINABILITY TAINABILIT AINABILIT Y

Floating Pumpkin Patch

Saturday, October 19th Ridgway Swim Center FREE HOME ENERGY WORKSHOP to save energy, be more resilient or go solar!

WED., SEPT. 11, 2019 • 6-7:30pm

Halloween at Howarth

Cloverdale Regional Library, 401 N. Cloverdale Blvd., Cloverdale

Saturday, October 26th Howarth Memorial Park

RSVP to GSenergy@sonoma-county.org or call (707) 565-6470

401 N. Cloverdale Blvd., Cloverdale Sonoma Valley Library

SAVE ENERGY••SAVE SAVEMONEY MONEY SAVE ENERGY • GO GREEN LIVECOMFORTABLY COMFORTABLY LIVE • BE RESILIENT

SAVE ENERGYLight • SAVE MONEY • LIVE COMFORTABLY • GO GREEN Light refreshments, refreshments,

Light refreshments, giveaways, anddoor doorgiveaways, prizes. giveaways, and prizes. and Home door prizes.

Win aa FREE FREE Energy Win Home Energy Win a FREE Home Energy Score Scoreororother othergreat greatprizes! prizes!

Score other great prizes!

Workshoporpresentations presentations will Workshop will Workshop presentations will begin promptly.

COUNTY C OUNTY OF SONOM SONOMA A begin promptly at 6:30 begin promptly at 6:30pm. pm.

ENERGY ENER GY AND SUST SUSTAINABILITY TAINABILIT AINABILIT Y

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COUNTY C OUNTY OF SONOM SONOMA A

ENERGY ENER GY AND SUST SUSTAINABILITY TAINABILIT AINABILIT Y

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

24 SonomaFamilyLife

A

Client: Son Ad title/slu Returned a Scheduled

RSVP to GSenergy@sonoma-county.orgororcall call(707) (707)565-6470 565-6470 RSVP to GSenergy@sonoma-county.org Visit at: SONOMACOUNTY.ca.gov/energy Visit us at:usSONOMACOUNTY.ca.gov/energy

October 2019 www.sonomafamilylife.com

Lynne Condé Way, Rohnert Park. sonomacounty.libcal.com.

Outwatch Festival. LGBTQI film

festival. $12 for each film or $85 festival pass. Various times. Thru Oct. 6. Most films held at Rialto Cinemas, 6868 McKinley St., Sebastopol. outwatchfilmfest.org.

Hair & Skin Care for the Entire Family!

Champagne Hair Lounge

7981 Old Redwood Hwy. • Cotati

Special

Cut & Color $75 Special for 1st time clients.

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

FREE Tamale Making Workshop.

Taught by traditional Mexican cook Salome Arenas Ramirez. 4–5:30 p.m. Rincon Valley Library. 6959 Montecito Blvd., Santa Rosa.

Register: sonomacounty.libcal.com/ event/5644307.

Saturday 5 FREE TinkerCAD for Teens: Art, Costumes & 3D Printing. Explore

how 3D printing is changing the art & costume world. Get started in TinkerCAD, test a 3D filament pen & various traditional art mediums. Only for teens. /Explore cómo la impresión 3D está cambiando el mundo del arte y el vestuario. Comience en TinkerCAD, pruebe una pluma de filamento 3D y varios medios de arte tradicionales. Solo para adolescentes. Gratis. 3:30–5 p.m.

Windsor Library. 9291 Old Redwood Hwy. #100, Windsor. sonomacounty. libcal.com.

Kids’ Night at the Museum.

After-hours fun including a pizza dinner, crafts, games, cartooning & a movie. $25–$32. Sibling discount available. 5–9 p.m. Charles M. Schulz Museum. 2301 Hardies Ln., Santa Rosa. 284-1272. Register: tinyurl.com/ y36lg6gy.

FREE Glow-in-the-Dark Kids Yoga. Kids-only class (caregivers

can observe) introduces yoga poses with cooperative games, breathing & www.sonomafamilylife.com

October 2019

SonomaFamilyLife 25

relaxation exercises. Ages 5–12. 4–5 p.m. Healdsburg Regional Library. 139 Piper St., Healdsburg. sonomacounty. libcal.com.

Sat-Sun 11am - 5pm

FREE Read to a Dog. Children are invited to read to a therapy dog. 11 a.m.–noon. Rincon Valley Library.

6959 Montecito Blvd., Santa Rosa. sonomacounty.libcal.com.

Oct 12-13 & 19-20

Lakeville Highway at Cannon Lane

Pumpkin Patch Hayrides & Hay Slides World Record Pumpkin Seed Spit Night Time Creatures Barn Farm Animals & Crafts Old Fashioned Games Great Food

sonomacountyparks.org

Bennett Valley Union School District Registration for Kindergarten and Transitional Kindergarten (Kinder Bridge) for 2020-21 School Year begins February 4 & 5

Call 542-6272 to sign up

A limited number of interdistrict transfer requests for 2020-21 will be accepted

California Distinguished Schools

Strawberry Intermediate School Fourth–Sixth Grade 2311 Horseshoe Drive, Santa Rosa 707 526-4433

Consistently high student academic achievement at both schools

Sunday 6 Pumpkin Express. Ride Skunk Train

to a pumpkin patch & pick a pumpkin.

Sundays in Oct. $10.95–$52.95. (Use code SFL19 to get 20% off.) Departing from Fort Bragg & Willits. Fort Bragg: 100 W. Laurel St. Willits: 299 E. Commercial St. 964-6371. skunktrain. com/pumpkin-express.

Harvest Party. Music, apple-juice making, tomato tasting, face painting, farm tour & 3-legged races. 2–4 p.m. Petaluma Bounty. 55 Shasta Ave., Petaluma. facebook.com/ petalumabounty.

• Band, Percussion and Chorus (4th–6th) • Boys’ and Girls’ Interscholastic Basketball (4th–6th) • Emphasis on Environmental Stewardship • Gifted and Talented Education (4th–6th)

Call to reserve tours: Yulupa 11/13, 12/17, 1/22, 2/11, 2/18, 3/5, 4/2 Strawberry by reservation only 526-4433 Registration Packets available Jan. 7. Children must be five on or before Sept. 1, 2020 to be eligible for kindergarten.

Two-year Kinder Bridge program offered for children turning five on or after Sept. 2, 2020.

707 542-2201 • Visit us at www.bvusd.org 26 SonomaFamilyLife

Pumpkin Patch. Live music, crafts, games & pumpkin patch.

Noon–7 p.m. Cloverdale Plaza. 122 N. Cloverdale Blvd., Cloverdale. courtneyspumpkinpatch.com.

FREE Bounty Community Farm

Your child’s joy of learning is nurtured with our: • Excellent Teachers • Reduced Class Size (K–3) • Kinder Bridge Transitional Kindergarten • Extended Day Kindergarten (8:30-1:25) • Fully Staffed Libraries and Technology Labs • Visual and Performing Arts Programs

Workshop. Refresher course on bicycle safety & rules of the road followed by a family ride.

Participants must bring a functional bike & helmet. 10 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

Santa Rosa French-American Charter. 1350 Sonoma Ave., Santa Rosa. Register: formstack.com/ forms/?1654789-czAXqMpsn0.

FREE Oktoberfest & Courtney’s

(707) 565-2041

YMCA provides on-site child care

FREE Sonoma County Bike Coalition Family Bicycling

Tolay Lake Regional Park, Petaluma

Yulupa Primary School Preschool–Third Grade 2250 Mesquite Drive, Santa Rosa 707 542-6272

FREE Family Movie Night. Coco.

Pixar film. 5:30 p.m. Petaluma Museum. 20 4th St., Petaluma. petalumamuseum.com.

FREE Oktoberfest. Live polka band, activities for kids, German food, a beer garden & local wine. 11 a.m.–5 p.m.

Cornerstone Sonoma. 23570 Arnold Dr., Sonoma. cornerstonesonoma.com.

October 2019 www.sonomafamilylife.com

Tuesday 8 FREE Preschool Storytime. Ages 3–6. 10–10:30 a.m. Sebastopol Regional Library. 7140 Bodega Ave., Sebastopol. sonomacounty.libcal.com.

Thank you for choosing local first!

FREE STEM Storytime: Pet Bearded Dragon Enrichment. Kids will learn

about the reptile’s behavior, what kind of environment it needs & even how to make a “lizard lounge.” Ages 5–8. 3:30–5 p.m. Sebastopol Regional Library. 7140 Bodega Ave., Sebastopol. sonomacounty.libcal.com.

Wednesday 9 FREE Girls Who Code. Extended

coding class aims to help girls use computer science to impact their community & to build skills to help close the gender gap in technology. Grades 7–12. Space is limited. Registration required.

Wednesdays. 4–6 p.m. Runs thru Jan. 8, 2020. Sebastopol Regional Library. 7140 Bodega Ave., Sebastopol.

Register: sonomacounty.libcal.com/ event/5529088.

RHINO’S CLEANING 707-222-4333

RHINOSCLEANINGSERVICESCA.COM 755 BAYWOOD DR. PETALUMA • 1 HARBOR DR. SAUSALITO

Thursday 10 Pumpkin Nights. Forbidden Pumpkin

City, a pirate’s cove & more fantastical lands built using more than 3,000 hand-carved & artificial pumpkins.

Thru Nov. 3. $16–$20. Ages 0–3: free. Family pack: $65. 5:30–10:30 p.m. Sonoma County Fairgrounds.

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

Friday 11 Luna Tale. A play about a veteran

caseworker who takes on the case of 2 teenage parents. $20–$32. Oct. 11–27. Fridays & Saturdays: 7:30 p.m.

Sundays: 2 p.m. Cinnabar Theater. www.sonomafamilylife.com

CALL WITHIN 30 DAYS AFTER YOUR DEEP CLEANING & RECEIVE YOUR NEXT CLEANING FOR $129 • UP TO 2000 SQ. FT. Not valid for high-risers. Call for details.

FREE WINDOWS, STEAM MOPPING & APPLIANCES IN/OUT INCLUDED

DEEP CLEANING SPECIAL

149

$

UP TO 2000 SQ. FT. October 2019

SonomaFamilyLife 27

3333 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma. cinnabartheater.org.

FREE Teen Anime Club. Ages 13–18. 4–5:30 p.m. Central Santa Rosa Library. 211 E St., Santa Rosa.

Register: sonomacounty.libcal.com/ event/4690048.

Blind Scream. Two adult-oriented

haunted houses in 1 large space. $15–$35. Oct. 11–13, 17–20, 24–27 & 29–31. 7–10 or 11 p.m. 98 Santa Rosa Plaza (Corner of A & First Streets).

Santa Rosa. blindscream.com.

Saturday 12 Gualala River Run. 5K & 10K walk/

runs. (Also new 5K color run.) 9 a.m.

Registration: $30–$35. Kids’ dash: 8:30 a.m., $10. Gualala Arts Center. 46501 Gualala Rd., Gualala. runsignup.com.

Second Saturday Cartoonist. Meet, watch & talk to Matt Harding, who has contributed to a variety of comics including Popapocalypse, Gwar & Stan Lee’s Lucky Man. Event included in price of admission ($5–$12 or free for ages 3 & younger). 1–3 p.m. Charles M. Schulz Museum. 2301 Hardies Ln., Santa Rosa. schulzmuseum.org.

Tolay Fall Festival. Hay rides,

pumpkin patch, Alaguali cultural activities & the World Record Pumpkin-Seed Spitting Contest.

Admission: $3–$5. Parking: $7. Oct. 12–13 & 19–20. 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Tolay Lake Regional Park. 5869 Cannon Ln., Petaluma. parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov.

Monday 14 Camp Cotati PJ Party. Daylong

event featuring games, crafts

The Art of Academic Excellence

& outdoor activities (weather permitting). Campers are welcome to wear PJs to camp, but they need shoes they can be active in. Bring lunch & snacks. Ages 5–12. $35. 7:30 a.m.–6 p.m. Ray Miller Community Center. 216 E. School St., Cotati.

Registration required: 665-4222 or tinyurl.com/yxllyov3.

Wednesday 16 Home School Day: Full STEAM Ahead. Kids

can launch rockets, make astronaut food, create constellations & experiment with optical illusions & magic tricks.

Screening of Race for Your Life, Charlie Brown. Students: $8–$10.

Chaperones: free. 10 a.m.–noon.

Charles M. Schulz Museum. 2301 Hardies Ln., Santa Rosa. Advance

SONOMA COUNTY FAMILY YMCA

Twin Hills Middle School 6-8

HALLOWEEN CARNIVAL

We offer a challenging high school prep environment.

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

A safe, small country school with high academic and elective standards. Teachers focus on character development and lifelong learning habits.

Electives: Culinary arts • Dance • Spanish • Music • Art • Photoshop • Video editing • Technology

Saturday October 19, 2019• 4-7pm 1111 College Ave. Santa Rosa, CA 707-545-9622• www.scfymca.org

MATHEMATICS ENGLISH • SCIENCE CREATIVE ARTS ATHLETICS • HISTORY

•Proceeds Benefit the Y Financial Assistance Program•

Are you ready for a challenge?

707.823.7446 www.twinhillsusd.org

28 SonomaFamilyLife

700 Watertrough Rd. Sebastopol, CA, 707.823.6278 twinhillsusd.org

Charter Middle 6-8

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

Financial assistance is available.

October 2019 www.sonomafamilylife.com

Magic the Gathering Club. For new & experienced players. Ages 10–18.

Limited supplies provided; players may bring their own cards. 4–5 p.m.

Central Santa Rosa Library. 211 E St., Santa Rosa. sonomacounty.libcal.com.

critters. And in the Art Studio, there’ll be spider webs, slime & stuff that glows in the dark. Free with museum admission ($9–$12; babies younger than 12 mos., free). Oct. 18–31. 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Children’s Museum of Sonoma County. 1835 W. Steele Ln., Santa Rosa. cmosc.org/funtazmagoria.

Thursday 17

Saturday 19

registration required: tinyurl.com/ y48exfaz. 284-1272.

FREE Jewish Music Series: Armenia. Armenian singer Hasmik

Harutyunyan & women’s vocal ensemble Kitka. Concert: free.

Parking: $5. 6:30 p.m. Green Music Center. 1801 E. Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park. gmc.sonoma.edu.

Friday 18 Mad Scientist Lab & Glow Studio.

Kids will explore electricity & creepy

FREE YMCA Halloween Carnival.

Haunted house, carnival games, baked goods, food, music & prizes. 4–7 p.m.

Sonoma County Family YMCA. 1111 College Ave., Santa Rosa. 545-9622. scfymca.org.

Science Spark: Recology. Kids

will learn how to compost & recycle.

Hands-on sorting game. Free with museum admission ($9–$12; babies younger than 12 mos., free). 2–3

p.m. Children’s Museum of Sonoma County. 1835 W. Steele Ln., Santa Rosa. cmosc.org.

Family Adventure Day: The Birds of Beauty Ranch. Naturalist-led

nature walk, bird-call making, visits with live raptors. Event: free. Parking: $10. 11 a.m.–2 p.m. Jack London State Historic Park. 2400 London Ranch Rd., Glen Ellen. jacklondonpark.com/ family-adventure-days.

Russian Tea & Fragrance Festival.

Live music performances, tea-leaf readings & tea. $5. 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

Gradina, Slavic singing group: Oct. 19, noon & 2 p.m. Gypsy violinist: Oct. 20, 10 a.m., noon & 2 p.m. Russian River Rose Company. 1685 Magnolia Dr., Healdsburg. russian-river-rose.com.

FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY!

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

OPENS SEPTEMBER 28 Cowgirl Cafe & BBQ Call for Hours & Birthday Parties!

Open Weekends on the Lake

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

www.sonomafamilylife.com

October 2019

SonomaFamilyLife 29

HOME OF

B Mî `ƒ

Reptile Expo. A large variety

of reptiles, reptile supplies & animal experiences. $5–$10. Ages 0–4: free. Parking: $9. Oct. 19: 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Oct. 20: 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

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

Ask About Our Premium Wine Storage 6001 Commerce Blvd.

Rohnert Park

707-588-8878

FREE Family Shabbat. Songs, music

EXPRESSWAY SELF STORAGE Mention this ad for:

50% off for the first 12 months

Select sizes while supplies last 20% off packing and moving Supplies.

6001 Commerce Blvd.

Rohnert Park, CA 94928 707-588-8878

Heal with Sound and Dreams

T

alking animals, houses with endless rooms, flying people—dreams bring us crazy images, and some believe they have meaning. For them, there is the Healing with Sound, Energy, and Dream Work class at the Sebastopol Community Cultural Center in Sebastopol. Jungian-oriented life coach Melissa Grace will teach a three-step dream interpretation process while sound healer Rebecca Webb will use tuning forks and guided visualizations to help participants relax and access their intuition. Webb will end the evening with a sound bath, in which percussion instruments will provide a soundscape for meditative rest. The class is open to ages 18 and older and will be held on October 4, 6:30–9 p.m., for a fee of $53.50. Register at tinyurl.com/yxprnl23 or call Rebecca at 415-310-1682 for further details. Find out more about the instructors at soundhealsyou.com and thenightisjung. com. Melissa Grace also regularly holds a dream circle for women at her Santa Rosa office. It’s free; donations of $5–$20 are accepted. Call 415.446.9590 for more information. ¶

30 SonomaFamilyLife

& games. Light dinner included. 4:30 p.m. Chabad Jewish Center. 205 Keller St., #101, Petaluma. Free with RSVP: jewishpetaluma.com/familyshabbat.

Annual Cemetery Tour. Living

history event, with actors playing various roles. $10–$15. 10:30 a.m.

Cypress Hill Memorial Park. 430 Magnolia Ave., Petaluma. (Do not contact cemetery.) cemeterytour2019. brownpapertickets.com.

Master Chef Junior Live! $30–$85.

7:30 p.m. Luther Burbank Center. 50 Mark West Springs Rd., Santa Rosa. lutherburbankcenter.org.

Floating Pumpkin Patch. Activity & games: 1:30 p.m. Patch open: 2–6 p.m. $10. Younger than 2: free. Ridgway Swim Center. 455 Ridgway Ave., Santa Rosa. Tickets only sold in advance: srcity.org/2913/ Floating-Pumpkin-Patch.

Wednesday 23 FREE 4-H at the Library: Lego Club.

Lego bricks provided. Ages 6–12./4-H en la Biblioteca: Club de Lego. Se proporcionarán ladrillos Lego. Este evento es gratis y los niños de 6 a 12 años están invitados a asistir. 6:15–7:15 p.m. Roseland Community Library.

779 Sebastopol Rd., Santa Rosa. sonomacounty.libcal.com.

October 2019 www.sonomafamilylife.com

Thursday 24 FREE Zumba for Kids. Ages 5 &

up. 3:30–4:30 p.m. Central Santa Rosa Library. 211 E. St., Santa Rosa.

Registration required: sonomacounty. libcal.com/event/5735566.

Friday 25 Gem Faire. One of the largest gem,

jewelry & bead shows in the United States. Admission: $7. Parking: $9. Oct. 25: noon–6 p.m. Oct. 26: 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Oct. 27: 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Sonoma County Fairgrounds. 1350 Bennett Valley Rd., Santa Rosa. gemfaire.com.

FREE Petaluma Movies in the Park. Screening of Hocus Pocus.

Food, games & family-friendly activities: 6 p.m. Film: dusk. Lucchesi Community Center. 320 N. McDowell

Blvd., Petaluma. sonomacounty.com/ sonoma-events/petaluma-movies-park.

Saturday 26 Hoot ’n Howl: Night Critters of the Laguna. Participants will look for barn owls, listen for bat calls, examine spider webs, attract moths with a UV light, dissect owl pellets & create some simple take-home Halloween crafts. $20 for 1 parent with up to 2 kids.

6–8:30 p.m. Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation. 900 Sanford Rd., Santa Rosa. tinyurl.com/y6mmfjmr.

FREE North Bay Science Discovery Day. A free STEM Discovery Day with more than 100 activities for kids in grades 4–8. 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

Sonoma County Fairgrounds. 1350 Bennett Valley Rd., Santa Rosa. northbayscience.org.

FREE Halloween Carnival. Carnival

games, kid-friendly haunted maze, costume parade, live DJ & photo booth. Free candy for those in costume. Noon–5 p.m. Rohnert Park Community Center. 5401 Synder Ln., Rohnert Park. facebook.com/ rpcommunityservices.

FREE Tricks & Treats at the Village.

Halloween Pictionary, crafts, balloon art, costume contest & more. Photos with the Pumpkin Fairy Godmother for a $5 donation to a nonprofit. 11 a.m.–2 p.m.

Montgomery Village Court. Hwy. 12 at Farmers Ln., Santa Rosa. mvshops.com.

Halloween at Howarth Park. Kids must register for 1 of 3 slots: 11:30 a.m.–12:15 p.m., 12:45–1:30 p.m., 2–2:45

sonoma Join Our Community Apple Blossom Elementary School

LOCAL

#1 local resource for for 25 years local families

magazine • web • email • events

www.sonomafamilylife.com

Our mission is to nurture our students’ creative and critical thinking, academic proficiency, global awareness, appreciation for diversity and respect for themselves and others in a continually changing technological world.

Grade levels: K-5 • Small class sizes: K-3 (18-20), 4-6 (24-26) Interactive, project-based learning • On-site pre-school Before and after-school care ART, MUSIC, GARDENING, SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY & PHYSICAL EDUCATION

The Art of Academic Excellence 707.823.1041 www.twinhillsusd.org

October 2019

700 Watertrough Rd. Sebastopol, CA, 707.823.6278 twinhillsusd.org

SonomaFamilyLife 31

p.m. The basic pass is $6; a $15 pass gets kids access to the carousel, train & a 1-lap pony ride. Sign up & find out more at srcity.org/2164/Halloween-atHowarth. Howarth Park. 630 Summerfield Rd., Santa Rosa.

Sunday 27 Halloween with Harry Potter. Santa

Rosa Symphony performs music from Harry Potter films. Costumes encouraged. $10–$20. 3 p.m. Pre-show instrument petting zoo & free photo booth: 2 p.m. Green Music Center.

1801 E. Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park. tickets.srsymphony.org.

Funtazmagoria. Kids

Have More Fun & Create Great Memories Get weekly FREE e-mail updates for the best LOCAL family fun calendar

visit

can parade in costumes, fling eyeballs, create magic elixirs & watch pumpkins fall from the sky. Free with admission ($9–$12 or free for babies younger than 12 months). 10 a.m.–3 p.m.

Children’s Museum of Sonoma County. 1835 W. Steele Ln., Santa Rosa. cmosc.org/funtazmagoria.

Monday 28 FREE Halloween Family Fun Night. Trick-or-treating,

hotdogs, cookies, craft-making & a bouncy house. 6–8 p.m. Foxtail Golf Club. 100 Golf Course Dr., Rohnert Park. facebook.com/ foxtail-golf-club-136215779772860.

Thursday 31

SonomaFamily Life.com

FREE City Hall-oween. Costumed kids are invited to visit different departments at City Hall for a special treat. 1:30–5:30 p.m. City Hall. 201 W. Sierra Ave., Cotati. facebook.com/cityofcotati.

FREE Trick-or-Treat Trail.

Downtown businesses give out candy to costumed kids ages 0–12.

3–5:30 p.m. Follow the orange & black balloons in downtown Petaluma. petalumadowntown.com.

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October 2019 www.sonomafamilylife.com

Classified Marketplace After-School

Childcare/Preschools

W

un FBlast!

Weekend

SonomaFamilyLife.com

Weekly giveaways, books, toys, tickets to local events & more.

www.sonomafamilylife.com

SANTA ROSA 2590 PINER ROAD

Preschool & Child Care Center

Preschool & Child Care

Part Time /Full Time Care Flexible Plans Available Serving Infant-5 years

Children ages 2-5 years (+Pre-K) Open 7:30am to 5:30pm M-F Part-Days (up to 6 hours/day) Full-Days (6-10 hours/day)

546-7012

1551 Montgomery Drive • Santa Rosa www.fumcsantarosa.org/preschool preschool@fumcsantarosa.org Program of First United Methodist Church

Services

We offer a FUN kids riding program, lessons and camps!

We can help!

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES:

Health & Nutrition, Motor Skills, Interpersonal Relationships, Self Confidence, and Cognitive Development PRICING & REGISTRATION: 707.544.1829 www.scfymca.org

The Sonoma County Family YMCA is an inclusive, charitable organization that enriches community through the areas of Youth Development, Healthy Living, and Social Responsibility.

Rh

@

FUMC

707-538-2000

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

www.sunridgeschool.org 707-824-2276

sonoma

LOCAL

#1 local for 25 years resource for local families magazine • web • email • events

Montessori School

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

markweststables.com

Schools

Casa dei Bam io’s Since 1981 b

ini

Sign up online for our weekly enews featuring the best family-friendly weekend events.

YMCA Early Education Center

License #490110699

MARK WEST STABLES

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Childcare/Preschools

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

Call Today 866-901-3212 Sonoma County Child Support Services 3725 Westwind Blvd., Ste 200 Santa Rosa, CA 95403

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

After-School

Got Art? We Do!!!

Painting • Drawing Cartooning Mask Making Glass Staining Silk Painting Wood Burning Mosaic • Clay

Celebrating 27 years

Classes • Camps Birthday Parties!

5435 Snyder Lane, Rohnert Park • 285-2002 www.scribblesandgigglesart.com

October 2019

Like Us On Facebook 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 33

Humor Break not home, clean out literally every single toy bin and purge half the toys.

Pull It Together The Real Mom’s Guide to Getting Organized

By Meredith Ethington 1. Make sure you have a place for everything and that everything has a place. Have a backup place for everything, such as the dining room table, kitchen counters, or the middle of the living room floor. Teach your kids to put their backpacks on the hook you hung in your mudroom, and then watch as they throw them on the couch every single day after school.

2. Create a meal plan. Pin all pretty recipes on Pinterest. Make a menu plan that includes herb-crusted tilapia and teriyaki rice-noodle bowls. Buy all the groceries. For four days in a row, fix hot dogs, cereal, mac-and-cheese, and chicken nuggets for dinner. Finally muster up the energy to cook a real meal and realize all your expensive ingredients have now turned to mush in the bottom drawer of your fridge. Order pizza.

34 SonomaFamilyLife

3. Follow a routine. Get everyone an alarm clock. Trust your 7-year-old to set it before school the next day, and then jolt awake at midnight when it goes off on full blast, static mode. To get your kids to bed earlier, let them fall asleep in the car on the way home from the pizza place, and then carefully lay them, fully clothed, in the bed. Be surprised when they wake up at 4 a.m. wanting to play the kazoo next to your head because they went to bed at 5 p.m. the night before.

4. Regularly clean out closets and bedrooms. For 364 days of the year, swear under your breath every time you have to get something out of a closet or open your child’s bedroom door. Build up a foot-immunity to Legos since they are constantly not in their freaking place.

On the 365th day, when your kids are

5. Organize papers. Kids create a lot of paperwork, so create an elaborate file folder, complete with your child’s picture. Never put anything in it. Instead, leave papers on your kitchen counter until your 3-year-old knocks his drink over and ruins half of them. Quickly act like you are sad that you have to throw them away. Take what remains to a safe resting place in another room until you can throw them away later.

Avoid eye contact when your child asks where his certificate from the science fair went.

6. Keep your car clean. Every time you arrive home, tell everyone in the car to carry everything in. A week later, notice a horrifying smell and realize they did not listen to your directions. Pay lots of money to get your car professionally detailed and swear the kids can never eat or drink in the car again. As soon as someone cries, hand food or drinks back to them. Get faint whiffs of the rotting milk your child left in the backseat.

Sell your car.

7. Get a planner. Try for a while to keep things on your phone, but realize that you haven’t been getting your alerts since you never do the updates.

Forget important dates and events, and weekly apologize to your children.

Accept that you’re a hot-mess mom and probably always will be. Finally, get a planner to get your life organized.

Carry it with you everywhere. No seriously, you really need to do this. ¶ Meredith Ethington is the author of Mom Life: Perfection Pending (2018).

Find her at perfectionpending.net.

October 2019 www.sonomafamilylife.com

& iTreats Tricks e g a l l V e at th

Saturday, October 26 • 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 • 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

Admission is Free!

Event Sponsors:

* Local Non Profit

A PREMIER GHOULISH ENTERTAINMENT EXPERIENCE

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

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