Sonoma Family Life April 2022

sonoma

FREE!

April 2022

CAMP FAIR!

Earth Day!

Free TK for All Letter from

Easter Crafts 5 projects

Now online

the Super

30 ways to care

Kindergarten through Twelfth Grade Emphasizing the 8 Core Virtues & Excellent Academics Developing Global Awareness & An Appreciation of One's Inherent Spiritual Wisdom

Dr. Charlene R. Chan

Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics

Kindness Fairness Integrity Trustworthiness Respect Humility Citizenship Filial Piety Enroll Today!

Children • Teens • Adults 707.823.1200 www.chanorthodontics.com

707.468.1138 (Boys) 707.468.3896 (Girls) Oddball Imaging Studio

www.igdvs.org

GAN ISRAEL PRESCHOOL Ages 2-5+

PLAY-BASED EMERGENT CURRICULUM Our nurturing and qualified teachers have been serving Petaluma families of all faiths for over 45 years. With a 1/6 ratio and an emphasis on social and emotional learning, our program provides a positive first learning experience. Students enjoy yoga, music and movement, art, and a beautiful outdoor play area.

All COVID-19 and CCL guidelines are followed so that we can provide a safe and healthy experience for all.

We are open to all faiths PRESCHOOL: 9AM-1PM M-F AFTERCARE: 8:30AM-4PM M-F TOURS: 3PM M-F WEEKLY SUMMER CAMP: 9AM-1PM M-F

APPLY ONLINE AT WWW.BNAIISRAEL.NET • 707 763-5136 BIJC CENTER, 740 WESTERN AVE. PETALUMA

Corner of Hwy. 12 & Mission Blvd.

56 Mission Circle Ste. B • Santa Rosa (707) 791-8511 HaircutsAreFun.com/MissionPlaza-CA

SUMMER CAMPS DAY CAMPS

SPORTS CAMPS

SPECIALTY CAMPS

ARTS CAMPS

Animal Vet

Doyle Adventure

Bicycle Adventure

Kamp Kennedy

Engineering

UCP Camp Kaos Archery & Sword Basketball Cheer & Dance

KidScience Adventure Outdoor Adventure

Dodgeball

Dolls, Dolls, Dolls!

Fencing Flag Football Soccer Tennis & Pickleball

Fiber & Embroidery Sewing

Volleyball

View camp dates and register at SantaRosaRec.com

LAKE RALPHINE BOAT RENTAL HOURS Howarth Park, 630 Summerfield Rd. March 5-June 12, Sat & Sun: 11am-5pm (weather permitting)

April 2022

Every Issue

16 Features 12 Free TK for All Public schools are about to go through a huge change.

16 What Makes a Great Camp?

How to suss out a camp’s quality.

20 Upcycled Easter Make eco-friendly crafts.

6

Dear Reader

8

Cooking with Kids Passover Breakie

10

Bits and Pieces Sweet on Citrus Be an April Fool Here Come the Pollution Pirates

24 Happy Earth Day! Simple, everyday ways to care for the planet.

26 The ABCs of Money Age-appropriate ways to teach kids about cash.

28 The Poetic Family How to cultivate an eye for beauty and a love of verse.

Come to Our Virtual Camp Fair Beautiful Blossoms Land of Fairies

30 Calendar of Events Learn to Paint with Alcohol Ink

40 Humor Break Mom at the Mall

22 Many Hands, Light Work How to get kids involved in spring cleaning.

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April 2022

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9

UTILIZING NATURE AS A CLASSROOM

FOREST KINDERGARTEN

Every day our kindergarteners are out in the woods exploring, learning, and playing for about two hours. They gain gross motor skills, develop hand-eye coordination and better balance, as well as problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.

OUTDOOR SCHOOL PROGRAM K–8 STUDENTS LEARN A SECOND LANGUAGE

Learn more at: weloveredwood.com 385 Mark West Springs Rd, Santa Rosa 545-1697 www.sonomafamilylife.com

April 2022

SonomaFamilyLife 5

Dear Reader

T

he weather is warming up and flowers are blooming everywhere.

Spring is definitely Sharon Gowan here. And that Publisher/Editor Sharon@family-life.us means Easter and Passover are right around the corner. Check out “Upcycled Easter” (page 20) for eco-friendly craft projects, and see our Calendar of Events (page 30) for local egg hunts. Or turn to “Passover Breakie” (page 8) for an easy charoset recipe.

April is also the month we honor our planet. And “Happy Earth Day!” (page 24) lists 30 ways kids can help take care of it. Meanwhile, “Here Come the Pollution Pirates” (page 8) and

“Celebrate the Earth” (page 38) detail local festivities.

After the celebrations are over, put your mind to another timely task: the search for summer camps. Nope, it’s not too early to start. Our Virtual Camp Fair is ready to help you, offering myriad local choices. Look for it at familylifevirtualevents.com. After you’ve selected a few camps to check out, turn to “What Makes a Great Camp?” (page 16) to find out what questions to ask the staff, particularly if you’re exploring sleepaway camps.

However you spend this spring, may your family blossom!

Marketing/ Sales/Events Patricia Ramos 707-205-1539 patty@family-life.us

Features Editor Melissa Chianta melissa@family-life.us

Production Manager Donna Bogener production@family-life.us

Contributing Writers Katy M. Clark Tanni Haas Steven D. Herrington Christina Katz

Billing Jan Wasson-Smith

Publishing Office P.O. Box 351 Philo, CA 95466 (707) 205 1539

Summer is a time for kids to explore and expand the limits of their imagination. At Y CAMP, every day is a new adventure! SIGN UP TODAY and discover adventure, fun and new friends!

Find Your Y at: Sonoma County Family YMCA 1111 College Ave. SR · 707-545-9622 · scfymca.org

6 SonomaFamilyLife

April 2022

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"It is not fair to ask of others what you are unwilling to do yourself."

–Eleanor Roosevelt

CTTB SUMMER CAMP 2022

Super Kids Camp JUNE 13 - AUGUST 5

June 6 - 17, 2022 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Super Kids Camp Includes Fun, Interactive and Educational Activities: Weekly Themes, Dress-Up Days, Swimming, Rock Climbing, and More!

dvgs@drba.org (Girls) 707-468-3896 dvbs@drba.org (Boys) 707-468-1138

Learn More and Register at ssusuperkidscamp.com

Download our mobile app

Santa Rosa

2280 Santa Rosa Ave 707-544-2828

Rohnert Park

1451 Southwest Blvd 707-795-4433

www.sonomafamilylife.com

Rohnert Park

6314 Commerce Blvd 707-303-7474

Petaluma

919 Lakeville St 707-769-8989

Cloverdale

Windsor

1143 S. Cloverdale Blvd 6580 Hembree Ln #258 707-751-6100 707-836-1700

April 2022

Santa Rosa

4501 Montgomery Dr. 707-890-5033

Santa Rosa

3125 Cleveland Ave 707-595-6505

Napa

1501 Trancas St. 707-669-5060

SonomaFamilyLife 7

Cooking with Kids

Passover Breakie

A Protein-Packed Morning Treat

L

ooking for a grab-and-go breakfast to enjoy during Passover? These easy, make-ahead treats are healthy and packed with protein to keep you full and energized. They make a great after-school snack, too! ¶

Printed with permission of PJ Library, pjlibrary.org.

PJ Library is a nonprofit that sends more than 240,000 free books out to kids across North America each month. Check out their Passover hub (pjlibrary.org/Passover), a family-friendly Haggadah (amazom.com/pjlibrary), and new podcast episodes (pjlibrary.org/ podcast). Go to tinyurl.com/44drpz5r for the “Matzah Mania with PJ Library” printable recipe foldout.

8 SonomaFamilyLife

PJ LIBRARY

By PJ Library

Charoset Breakfast Balls Ingredients 3 ounces dried apple slices 1 ½ cups hot water ½ cup pitted dates ½ cup walnuts ½ cup matzo meal, divided ½ teaspoon of cinnamon ¼ cup shredded unsweetened coconut Preparation

• Add the reserved apple liquid, one tablespoon at a time, to help bind the ingredients. You should only need one to two tablespoons of liquid to do so.

• Use a spoon to scoop about one tablespoon of the mixture into your palm. Roll it into a ball.

• Repeat this step with the rest of your fruit and nut mixture.

• In a small bowl, combine the rest of the matzo meal with the shredded coconut.

• In a medium bowl, soak the dried apples in the hot water until they are • Roll each ball in the coconut and softened and reconstituted. Drain the matzo meal mixture to coat. apples, but reserve the liquid.

• Place your finished treats onto • In a food processor, pulse together a cookie sheet and chill in the the drained apples, dates, walnuts, refrigerator for one hour before half of the matzo meal, and cinnamon serving. until it comes together.

April 2022

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Karate is the BEST thing you can DO for Your Child!

Give your child the BEST start to life there is!

Get 2 Weeks of FREE Lessons and a FREE uniform 50% Off Enrollment for a Limited Time

“My daughter has grown so much in her confidence and willingness to step forward and help. For someone who is only 4 years old she has more courage and confidence than some adults.” —Justin Overshiner, Rosie age 4, Santa Rosa Your child will develop supreme confidence, incredible self-control, laser sharp focus, exceptional fitness, rock solid self-respect, improved grades, and relief from pandemic stress.

Call Now (707) 575-1681

or visit our website AskAboutKarate.com Shotokan Karate Leadership School® At the corner of Marlow and Piner Roads

JUN 13 - JUL 1

LOVE TO DANCE?

WE LOVE TO DANCE AND YOU CAN TOO! The Keenan School works to bring the fun and joy of traditional Irish dance to all! From the age of 3 to the teen years, dancers of all levels of interest and experience have a place here.

PLEASE CALL FOR COMPLIMENTARY CLASS 326 Petaluma Blvd. North • 542-1367 Keenan5678@att.net www.keenanirishdanceschool.com

SUMMER THEATRE CAMPS

GRADES 2-5

GRADES 5-12

GRADES 2-5

Toy Stories

GRADES 5-12

Escape the Zoo

.YoungActors.Studio

www www.sonomafamilylife.com

JUL 11 - 29

April 2022

Luther Burbank CenteR for the Arts SonomaFamilyLife 9

Bits & Pieces

Sweet on Citrus

S

weet and tart, Meyer lemons grow in many a Sonoma County yard. The fruit trees are part of a local history of citrus cultivation. And so is the annual Citrus Fair in Cloverdale. Besides the usual carnival rides, this year’s fair will feature a parade, cabaret, talent show, and the Lily Lemon and Oran Orange contest for kids. The fair will be held April 21–24 at the fairgrounds in Cloverdale. The parade will be held on April 23 at 11 a.m.; the only cabaret tickets available are for the April 24, 7 p.m. performance. Additional activities include a Diaper Derby, which will be held on April 16 at noon at the fairgrounds tearoom. For more information, go to cloverdalecitrusfair.org. ¶

Fool’s Day Parade

Be an April Fool

L

ife is short. So why not put on a tutu and play the tuba? This is the kind of whimsy welcomed at Occidental’s annual Fool’s Day Parade. Attendees are invited to dress up in costumes—the more ridiculous the better— and enjoy the thump-thump-thump of the Hub Bub Club marching band. Besides the parade, festivities will include performance art, children’s activities, and the crowing of the King and Queen of Fools. The frolicking happens on April 2, 1–4 p.m., at the Occidental Community Center in downtown Occidental. Find out more at occidentalcenterforthearts.org. ¶

Here Come the Pollution Pirates

P

lastic bottles, bits of old toys, a random Styrofoam buoy—a beach doesn’t just contain sand and shells anymore. Pollution is a big problem. So, for its Earth Day celebration, the Children’s Museum of Sonoma County will be hosting A Theater for Children’s Pollution Pirates.

Together with troupe members dressed up as bees, butterflies, and frogs, the Pirates will educate youngsters about the importance of taking care of the environment. The day will also include a chance to meet animals and even learn a Polynesian dance.

Festivities happen on April 2, 10 a.m.–2 p.m., at the museum in Santa Rosa and are free with admission ($11–$14 or free for babies 11 months and younger).

Find out more at tinyurl.com/ywhc63m2. ¶ 10 SonomaFamilyLife

Pollution Pirate

April 2022

www.sonomafamilylife.com

Virtual Camp Fair Come to Our Virtual Camp Fair

D

oes your child want to learn how to speak Spanish? Explore coding?

Take up drawing? Summer camps offer instruction in these and other areas. And it’s not too early to start looking for the best program for your child. Check out Sonoma Family Life ’s Virtual Camp Fair for options. Click on a virtual “booth,” and instantly learn more about any program that piques your interest. Check it out at familylifevirtualevents.com. ¶

Beautiful Blossoms

B

Apple Blossom Festival

efore vineyards, orchards lined the hills of Sonoma County. Apples are still an important local commodity, one the annual Apple Blossom Festival in Sebastopol celebrates. The festival will feature two stages of live music, and also kids’ activities, including live animals, a puppet show, mask-making, and face painting. The festivities happen April 23–24 at the Sebastopol Center for the Arts in Sebastopol. Tickets are $8–$10; kids four and younger get in free. See the music lineup and find out more at appleblossomfest.com. ¶

Land of Fairies

B

efore there were fairy gardens, there were “miniature gardens.” According to the Curiously Creative website, in the 1950s Anne Ashberry wanted to develop a gardening practice that the elderly, disabled, and those without sufficient land to garden could easily access. The practice of planting miniature gardens was born, and fairy gardens followed. The Miniature Fairy Gardens class at Riverfront Regional Park in Healdsburg will teach participants how to use succulents, mosses, and other natural items to build their own fairylands. The class will be held on April 10, 10:30 a.m.–noon, and costs $25–$27.

Register at tinyurl.com/7npfsej4. ¶

www.sonomafamilylife.com

April 2022

SonomaFamilyLife 11

• Transitional kindergarten is the first part of a two-year state kindergarten curriculum. It will expand gradually to cover all four-year-olds by 2025–26.

There is no cost to parents or guardians.

In California, we have an abundance of innovative approaches to early childhood education.

Free TK for All Expanding Efforts to Reach Young Learners

By Steven D. Herrington, PhD

C

alifornia is about to launch a rare expansion of the public school system and a massive shift in how our youngest students learn.

Beginning this fall, districts will be phasing in a process that will make every four-year-old eligible for publicly funded, transitional kindergarten (TK) by the 2025–26 school year.

This focus on improving educational access will help take best practices from early childhood programs that many working families cannot afford and make them part of public schooling, free to all children.

A Variety of Choices Transitional kindergarten won’t be mandatory.

Many parents and guardians are happy with existing arrangements, which range from state preschool to daycare provided by childcare professionals working in private homes.

In California, we have an abundance of innovative approaches to early 12 SonomaFamilyLife

childhood education. Currently, four-year-olds learn in the following settings:

Another Look at Early Learners The effort to ensure every four-year-old has access to education is part of what is known as a P-3 approach, emphasizing instruction from preschool through third grade. The goal is to reduce learning gaps and delayed socialization that often correlate to family income. Research and data have shown giving the youngest students a strong, early educational foundation can fuel stronger academic achievement and higher graduation and college acceptance rates.

• Early learning and care includes community-based programs and daycare in private homes, family child-care providers, and care by family, friends, and neighbors. Though approaches vary, a lot of learning takes place at these sites.

For this approach to succeed, much of what schools do to prepare their classrooms and staff for young learners will need to be reimagined or refreshed. Schools might launch facilities projects or retrofit classrooms for a younger, smaller student base.

For example, sinks or faucets may need to be lowered, or transitional kindergarten classrooms may need to have bathrooms added. Playground equipment for smaller children may need to be installed.

• The federal Head Start program promotes school readiness among income-eligible children ages zero to five by enhancing their cognitive, social, and emotional development.

Training a Wave of TK Teachers TK programs will require an influx of teachers, at a time when many districts are experiencing staffing shortages.

• The California State Preschool Program includes services for income-eligible families and has a developmentally, culturally, and linguistically tailored curriculum.

April 2022

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Also, those who teach our youngest learners must meet additional state requirements, including courses in child development. Such coursework is foundational for those who teach in preschools but often is not required in general teacher credentialing.

To help meet the demand for TK teachers, the Sonoma County Office of Education is partnering with the North Coast School of Education to develop a program that will help potential TK teachers become certified in early childhood education or child development.

The goal is to build the workforce in a way that is both convenient and cost-effective.

Adjusting Our Mindset Other changes will need to happen in the mindsets of school administrators who may be used to working with

older students. Early learners expand their minds through play, or project-based learning, meaning students who appear to be idly playing may be forming questions or developing an understanding of how things work.

Those who teach our youngest learners must meet additional state requirements.

That is why our county office has tapped experts in project-based learning and child-care planning to help lead this transition. We will work with districts to develop multidisciplinary programs in which children can learn through play, experimentation, and, of course,

Join Our Community Apple Blossom Elementary School

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: TK-5 • Small class sizes: TK-3 average 20 and grades 4 & 5 average 26 Interactive, project-based learning • On-site pre-school Before and after-school care

asking a lot of questions. The new program will be open to students with special needs as well. Our staff and local Child Care Planning Council will encourage experts from our diverse range of early childhood educators to share success stories and establish best practices.

Based on resources and student populations, some districts may move into the program “full steam ahead” and others may do it gradually, using a building-block approach so that they are fully functional by 2025–26.

It is an honor to complete my professional career by helping districts expand the public school experience. ¶ For more information, visit scoe.org/upk.

LEARN MORE ABOUT YOUTH VACCINES Clinics hosted in partnership between County of Sonoma, Sonoma County Office of Education, and local school districts

ART, MUSIC, GARDENING, SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY & PHYSICAL EDUCATION

The Art of Academic Excellence 707.823.1041 www.twinhillsusd.org

www.sonomafamilylife.com

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

Steven D. Herrington, PhD, is the Sonoma County superintendent of schools.

Learn more at scoe.org/vaccines April 2022

Parents, guardians, and youth interested to learn more about the safety of the COVID-19 vaccine are encouraged to visit our website

COVID-19 vaccine clinics are currently available at school sites around Sonoma County for students ages 5+ and their families SonomaFamilyLife 13

FREE

Virtu Camp Redwood Adventure Camp

STARTS APRIL 1

ual Fair

APRIL–JULY MORE CAMPS ADDED WEEKLY!

ENTER HERE! FIND THE BEST CAMPS & SUMMER LEARNING PROGRAMS ALL IN ONE PLACE!

What Makes a Great Camp?

Questions to Ask Sleepaway Camp Staff

By Tanni Haas

Y

ou’ve gone online, asked everyone you know for recommendations, and otherwise searched for sleepaway camps for your kids. How do you find the one that’s just right for them? When you’ve narrowed down the options to a handful or less, it’s time to speak to the camp directors by phone or email.

Below is a list of some of the most important questions to ask.

The Camp Is the camp accredited, how old is it, and how long have you owned or managed it? It’s a good sign if the camp is licensed by the American Camp Association (ACA). To earn 16 SonomaFamilyLife

accreditation, a camp must satisfy hundreds of industry standards for health, safety, and program quality.

The ACA regularly visits the camp to verify that it’s in compliance.

It’s also a good sign if the camp April 2022

has been in existence for many years (kids are coming back year after year), and if the director is experienced at running camps.

A high-quality camp is one where all the campers’ different needs are met.

What’s your philosophy? Camps can be very different. Some camps, especially ones focused on specific sports, can be quite competitive.

Other camps are more aimed at instilling in kids certain values, such as comradery, cooperation, and conflict resolution. Make sure that the camp’s philosophy matches your own values and that it’s a good fit for your kids.

What’s the accommodation like? Ask whether the kids sleep in cabins or tents, whether there are bathrooms and showers nearby and, most importantly, whether your kids www.sonomafamilylife.com

can request to room with friends from home. Whether your kids are first-time or seasoned campers, it’s always comforting and great fun to room with one or more of their regular friends.

How much does it cost? You probably don’t need any reminders to ask about the camp fee. But don’t forget to ask whether that fee is all-inclusive, or whether there are additional costs for day or overnight trips, transportation to and from camp, special activities, etc. Also ask if there’s a refund policy should your kids get sick, what the deadline is for registration and, in case you missed the deadline, if there’s a waitlist. It’s also a good idea to ask if financial aid or needs-based

scholarships—perhaps a sibling discount—are available, and whether you need to pay everything up front, or you can pay in installments.

Finally, don’t forget to get the camp’s Tax ID number. The camp fee can be tax-deductible.

Make sure that the camp’s philosophy matches your own values and that it’s a good fit for your kids.

The Program How long are the sessions, can they be lengthened or shortened, and how long do most campers stay? Most camps offer sessions of a specific

length, often two, four, or eight weeks. However, if you have other things planned for the summer, it can be useful to either shorten or lengthen a session to fit your schedule. Most kids like to stay as long as the other kids.

What do the kids do on a typical day?

How much time is devoted to indoor and outdoor activities, and what will the kids be doing in the evening?

What’s your communication and visiting policy? It’s always a good idea to find out how the camp prefers that you communicate with your kids. By phone or email? How often? Also ask how many care packages you’re allowed/encouraged to send, and whether there are designated visiting days.

Summer Sports Camps!

Boys Basketball • Girls Basketball • Baseball • Cheer Football • Boys Soccer • Speed Camp • Strength and Conditioning• Coed Tennis • Volleyball

Register at CardinalNewman.org/SummerCamps www.sonomafamilylife.com

April 2022

SonomaFamilyLife 17

How do you accommodate special needs? A high-quality camp is one where all the campers’ different needs are met. Ask how the staff accommodates special needs with respect to activities, behavior, learning, and dietary restrictions.

The Staff How do you hire, train, and supervise your camp counselors, and what’s the counselor-camper ratio? One of the best signs that the camp is of a high-quality is that it has strict procedures for hiring, training, and supervision of camp counselors.

This includes criminal background checks, first aid training, and regular feedback sessions. It’s also a good sign if most of the counselors return for several summers.

The ACA recommends that the counselor-camper ratio should be relatively low (between 1:6 and 1:12).

hospital, doctor’s office, and dental clinic are and how the kids will get there, if needed.

Is there are medical facility with qualified personnel? A high-quality camp will either have a licensed physician or nurse on the premises,

The Campers How many campers do you have, and how many of them return every year?

Generally speaking, the larger the camp the more activities, and the smaller the camp the more intimate it feels. Likewise, the higher the return rate, the more satisfied the kids are with the whole camp experience.

It’s also a good idea to ask if financial aid or needs-based scholarships are available. a well-stocked supply of commonly used medications, and procedures in place for dispensing medication to all the kids who need them.

Also ask how far away the closest

How can your kids stay in touch with their counselors after camp has ended?

Kids often develop strong bonds with their counselors. Ask whether they’re encouraged to stay in touch after the camp has finished. ¶ Tanni Haas, PhD, is a college communications professor.

COME CELEBRATE OUR 50TH ANNIVERSARY! Campers grades 5 to 12 plus Family Camp

ADVENTURE AWAITS YOU!

SATURDAY, APRIL 23 • 11AM-4PM in Coddingtown Mall, Santa Rosa

Enjoy Hiking, Horses, Swimming, Backpacking, Crafts, Nature, Archery, Spiritual Reflection, Campfires, Challenge course and Outdoor Skills.

Programs start July! Register Now at www.RedwoodAdventure.org

Free giveaways | raffles | Open mic | Talent Show Photo and Video booth

Providing opportunities for leadership development, spiritual and personal growth, environmental stewardship, lifelong personal connections, fun and adventure.

LEARN ABOUT OUR SUMMER PROGRAMS AT FINLEY CENTER BEGINNING IN JUNE

(707) 703-9171

WWW.JULIENATION.COM | 707-575-8585 18 SonomaFamilyLife

April 2022

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Grades 2-5 June 27–July 16 9am-4pm

Grades 3-6 June 6–25 9am-4pm

Your kids will love our productionbased summer theater camps!

6thstreetplayhouse.com

Santa Rosa Symphony’s AT SONOMA ACADEMY!

SUMMER MUSIC ACADEMY JULY 11-29: 9AM-3PM

For beginning & experienced students

Strings, Woodwinds, Brass, Percussion, Guitar and more!

Photo: Susan and Neil Silverman Photography Sponsored by Family and Friends of Sonja Coyman-Myklebust

(707) 546-7097 x219 www.srsymphony.org www.sonomafamilylife.com

8465 Old Redwood Hwy. Windsor (707) 228-2819 • www.studiow.dance April 2022

SonomaFamilyLife 19

Upcycled Turn Old Things Easter into Spring Fun U

By Christina Katz

pcycling refers to finding fresh uses for old things in ways that increase the value of the items. The victory is when you create instead of consume. Once you upcycle your Easter, your kids will not only learn an important lesson that will last a lifetime, but they will likely start begging for more opportunities to re-imagine everyday items that would otherwise be discarded.

So what are you waiting for? Here are five ideas to get you started.

“Welcome Spring” Banner With a scissors or pinking shears cut 18 banner-shaped triangles from leftover newspaper. Lay leftover garden twine, string, or thin ribbon across the length of a table. Then, starting at one end, fold the widest end of each triangle over the string and glue it with a glue stick. Write letters on each banner to spell “Welcome 20 SonomaFamilyLife

Spring,” leaving a banner blank in between words, and let the kids color in the letters. You’ll end up with a couple extra triangles on hand in case of errors. Hang your banner where it can be viewed prominently until summer arrives, then fold flat and put it away for next year.

Colorful Candleholders Collect recyclable wide-mouth jars of all shapes and sizes. Run your glass jars through the dishwasher, April 2022

removing any labels and tags first.

Then gather up whatever colorful leftover tissue paper you have and tear it into half-inch squares. Using Mod Podge or white glue that has been diluted to half strength with water, coat the jar with a thin layer of glue, then add a colorful layer of overlapping tissue pieces as you go.

When the jar is covered, go over the tissue layer once more with a thin coat of glue. When completely dry, add a tea light to each lantern and arrange them on the mantle or in the center of your dining table.

This playful wreath is a perfect way to create a new home for tiny plastic toys.

Bookish Eggs It’s time for some of those plastic Easter eggs that have been piling up over the years to get a literary makeover. When grubby hands or a spill damages one of your children’s favorite books, dry it by hanging it open, then cut out the clean pages. Cut each page into a strip that is just a bit wider than the length of the egg and long enough to go all the way around the middle. Paint just the middle of the egg with Mod Podge and roll the paper into a tube around the egg. Seal the tube with more Mod Podge tucked under the overlap and let dry while you move on to the next egg.

Then come back around and make straight cuts a half-inch apart into the ends of the paper, cutting from each end of the egg. This way the pieces will smooth flat onto the tapered ends with more Mod Podge. Let dry and, voila, your children will remember their favorite books each year! www.sonomafamilylife.com

Tiny Toy Wreath This playful wreath is a perfect way to create a new home for tiny plastic toys.

Start with a wire wreath shape and wrap it in a long strip of old fabric using a hot glue gun to secure fabric to frame. Have kids help with the selection and sorting of tiny toys, and designate one person in charge of gluing the toys to the wreath. Let dry, then hang. Create one shared family wreath or create a tiny-toy wreath for each child’s room.

It’s time for some of those plastic Easter eggs that have been piling up over the years to get a literary makeover.

Terrarium Garden Starters Why should the turtles have all the fun?

Use an old fish tank or an old glass baking dish (from home or the local thrift store) lined with one inch of gravel and two inches of lightweight potting soil. Push sections of leftover cardboard egg cartons into the soil and fill with a little more soil. Plant seed starters for the flower or veggie garden in the egg “pots.” They can be pulled out after they sprout and replanted outdoors. Decorate your terrarium with cut patches of moss or grass from outdoors. Send children out to gather bark and sticks. Then let your child finish the look with rocks, shells, and old toys. Place your terrarium in bright but indirect light and keep well misted with water from a spray bottle until seeds sprout.

Author, journalist, and writing coach Christina Katz never gets tired of making a fresh start every spring in fun and creative ways.

www.sonomafamilylife.com

IGNITE YOUR SUMMER! AT IGNITE MARTIAL ARTS

All camps have a different theme and include a full week of games, martial arts training, weekly theme-specific activities, trampoline park, indoor playground, bowling, movies, and tons of fun!

SPACES FILL UP QUICKLY SO REGISTER EARLY! WWW.IGNITEMARTIALARTS.ORG/CAMPS • 707.523.1144 BRAND NEW LOCATION NOW INSIDE THE EPICENTER IN SANTA ROSA! April 2022

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Teach as you go. The first few times you show your kids how to do something, put some energy into your demo. If you teach them with a flourish, they will likely remember what you’ve said and done, even if they are trying to tune you out. Kids learn faster when they can watch and imitate. Younger kids can learn by watching older kids.

Many Hands, Light Work Tackle Chores with the Family

By Christina Katz

I

f there is one major mistake most moms make, it is obsessing about always having a clean home.

Loosen up, Mom. If your home has to be perfectly clean all the time, guess who is going to have to keep it that way?

Declare your home a cleaning cooperative instead. Maintaining a pristine lifestyle is no longer your job alone. Besides, a more cooperative approach gets the whole family on the teamwork track and sets a great example of how many hands make lighter work for all.

If you work side-by-side with your spouse and family, you might even 22 SonomaFamilyLife

pick up a few chore shortcuts as you observe how others get things done.

Instead of you doing all the dividing and conquering, let the whole family pitch in and transform chaos into cooperation. Here’s how.

One for all and all for clean!

Involve everyone and remove the lion’s share of the cleaning responsibility from your shoulders.

You are the leader or you and your spouse can co-lead. But from this day onward, care of house and home is a group effort.

April 2022

Let the whole family pitch in and transform chaos into cooperation.

Check their work. With exposure to your methodology, your trainees will pick up on the most effective ways to clean. With repetition, what they try themselves will become habit. Train them once and check their work twice; then check it another time in the future when they don’t expect it. If they pass muster all three times, then you are ready to teach them something new.

Take it one floor at a time.

Rather than spread the family throughout the house, tackle one floor at a time with a couple of people in each room. There is something genuinely encouraging about watching the house quickly transform from chaos into order right before your eyes. Your teams’ effectiveness will keep everyone focused and boost spirits.

Move briskly. When the troops are flagging, put on some upbeat music. If this doesn’t help, practice a little “ready, set, go.” Set a timer and see if you can beat your record from www.sonomafamilylife.com

Celebrating your last cleaning session. You’ll only be competing with yourselves.

Tackle tasks together. This means one person gathers the clothes, another sorts them, another runs the washer and dryer and everyone folds. When everyone is in charge of everything, kids learn to just jump in and do what needs to get done, which will pay off now and in future teamwork situations.

Try temporary amnesia.

Rather than try to force squabbling siblings to get along, which will slow down the entire operation, why not teach them that they don’t always have to get along perfectly to work together and get things done. They can learn to temporarily put aside their differences in service of a common cause.

Kids learn to just jump in and do what needs to get done.

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Let someone else lead. Maybe the fearless leader needs a reprieve.

If you are tired, cranky, or under the weather, why not appoint someone to lead the troops in your place?

Rotate leadership on a regular basis and watch your kids rise to the occasion.

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Forget pristine perfection.

Imperfection is your new normal, so get used to a more wabi-sabi standard of living. I doubt anyone is on the way over to photograph your home for a magazine shoot, anyway. ¶

www.sonomafamilylife.com

2301 Hardies Lane Santa Rosa, CA 95403 (707) 579-4452 schulzmuseum.org

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Christina Katz is a freelance writer at christinakatz.com.

April 2022

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SonomaFamilyLife 23

6. Teach kids to turn off lights when leaving a room.

7. Give kids eco-friendly toys and games, such as wooden puzzles dyed with non-toxic stains or balls that are BPA- and phthalate-free.

8. Make bird feeders out of natural ingredients like pine cones and birdseed.

Happy Earth Day! 30 Easy Ways to Reduce, Reuse & Recycle

By Katy M. Clark

E

very year on April 22 my family celebrates Earth Day along with millions of families around the world. Started in 1970, Earth Day encourages us to appreciate the environment and become more aware of the issues that threaten it.

There are plenty of ways that kids can commemorate the day, no matter how old they are. Check out the 30 ideas below for easy ways that everyone from preschoolers to teenagers can reduce, reuse, and recycle this Earth Day. Little Ones 1. Teach your kids to turn off the water when brushing their teeth.

2. Recycle! Have young ones place items such as paper and tin cans into dedicated recycling bins rather than the trash.

24 SonomaFamilyLife

Nab nice pre-owned clothes at a thrift store.

3. Transform trash into treasure.

Preschoolers can create beautiful works of art with repurposed bottles, yogurt cups, leftover fabric scraps, and the like.

4. Demonstrate how closing the drapes, instead of dialing down the air conditioner, cools down the house.

5. Likewise, bundle up in layers on cooler days rather than turning up the heat.

April 2022

Use reusable water bottles rather than single-use plastic bottles.

9. Engage little ones in planting a garden and growing vegetables that your family can eat.

10. Get a houseplant or two and talk about how plants improve the air we breathe.

School-Age Kids 11. Elementary school kids can help with shopping for recyclable products. Have them look for labels that say “recycled content,” “pre-consumer” and “post-consumer.”

12. Kids can place small recycling bins in each bathroom in the house.

Bonus points if you can get them to empty them into the curbside recycling bin each week!

13. Use reusable rags instead of paper towels to clean up messes.

14. Create a compost pile, whether on the kitchen counter or in your backyard. Kids can throw in egg shells, coffee grounds, and most food scraps and wait for them to turn into rich soil for use with plants outside and in.

www.sonomafamilylife.com

15. Encourage them to volunteer to pick up trash from playgrounds, parks, or beaches.

23. Ask them to unplug their electronics and chargers when not in use.

16. Teach them (again!) to turn off the lights when they leave the room.

24. They can also turn off their desktop or gaming monitors when they aren’t using them.

17. In every room of the house, place signs that remind family members to turn off the lights.

18. Use reusable water bottles rather than single-use plastic bottles.

Make bird feeders out of natural ingredients like pine cones and birdseed.

19. Plant a tree at school or home.

20. Plant milkweed to help the monarch butterfly population.

Tweens and Teens 21. Nab nice pre-owned clothes at a thrift store.

22. Encourage them to use reusable bags when shopping.

25. Ask them to devise ways your house can collect rainwater, for use on houseplants or flowers.

27. Recycle old cell phones. First make sure to take out SIM cards and erase the phones, usually with a factory reset. Teens may also need to remove the battery and research how and where the battery can be properly recycled.

28. Use a timer to make sure showers last no longer than five minutes.

29. Remove makeup with cleanser and a reusable wipe instead of disposable wipes.

30. Host or volunteer at an e-waste collection event. ¶

26. Turn off the lights when leaving the room. (Yes, you’ll probably still be working on this one with teens even though you’ve been preaching it since they were little!)

Katy M. Clark is a writer who celebrates her imperfections as a mom at experiencedbadmom.com.

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SonomaFamilyLife 25

like trying to teach them how to play the piano without ever letting them sit at the keys.

The ABCs Teach Kids Financial of Money Literacy M

By Tanni Haas

ost parents give their kids a regular allowance; some a few dollars a week, others substantially more. But is that advisable and, if it is, at what age should you start giving it to them and how much should you give? How can you use an allowance to make your kids more financially literate?

Teaching Financial Literacy Experts agree that an allowance can teach kids important lessons in financial literacy, such as how to save for things they want, how to budget their money, and how to choose between competing spending goals.

Brad Munson, a financial literary expert, says an allowance “is a great way to teach kids about the real value of money, how to be organized and responsible, and how to plan for the future.” Financial counselor Ray Martin, who’s the author of several 26 SonomaFamilyLife

books on financial literacy, adds that an allowance is a great opportunity for kids to experiment with money and to learn from their mistakes. “It’s a way for them to learn big lessons with small amounts of money at an early age.”

It’s important that you talk to your kids about the value of money, and it’s best to do so in the context of an actual allowance. Marty Allenbaugh, a certified financial planner, says that talking to your kids about money without giving them an allowance is April 2022

Research shows that giving kids a regular allowance while discussing with them the importance of money makes them more financially responsible as adults. They become, as Evonne Lack, a financial literary expert, succinctly puts it, “less likely to arrive on your doorstep years from now with a duffel bag full of dirty laundry and a mountain of credit card debt.”

It’s important that you talk to your kids about the value of money.

When to Start If an allowance is such a great tool for making kids more financially literate, at what age should you start giving them one? Many parents start at age eight, but experts agree, as Martin puts it, that it’s the kid’s “aptitude not the age that really matters.” So how do you know if your kids are ready to receive and learn from an allowance? Research shows that they are ready to benefit from an allowance once they’ve reached certain developmental milestones: 1) they understand that money can be exchanged for things they want; 2) they can confidently add and subtract.

And, here, kids differ widely. While some kids reach these milestones at age four or five, others get there by age eight or nine. “So if your child tends to shrug at money, losing it before it can find its way to his dusty piggy bank, hold off until you see signs that he enjoys saving it or thinking about how he might use it,” says Lack. www.sonomafamilylife.com

How Much to Give Finally, what amount should you give your kids?

Experts agree that, as a rule of thumb, you should give them $1 per year of age on a weekly basis: for example, a six-year-old would receive $6 a week and a ten-year-old $10. The advantage of this approach is that kids get an automatic raise every birthday, eliminating the question of when their allowances will be increased. It may even reduce sibling arguments, because the younger kid will understand why the older siblings get more.

website Money Crashers, puts it, “If a straight $5 or $10 per week (or even per month) makes more sense to you than paying a dollar per year of age, then pay what works for you.”

Parents should feel free to deviate from this rule of thumb, depending on whether they live in an expensive or inexpensive area, their particular financial situation, how many kids they have, and which regular expenses they or the kids are expected to pay for.

As Susan Borowski, a writer for the

However, the allowance shouldn’t be too high. If you give kids too much, they won’t learn how to budget and allocate money because they never get a chance to prioritize among competing spending goals. Ron Lieber, author of The Opposite of Spoiled:

If your kids are very mature, you can discuss this issue with them and reach a mutual agreement on a reasonable amount. It’s useful to go through such a process with your kids, says Martin, because it “helps to develop budgeting skills, teaches responsibility, and prepares them for the realities of personal money management.”

Raising Kids Who Are Grounded, Generous, and Smart About Money (Harper, 2016), says to “give your kids just enough so that they can get some of what they want but not so much that they don’t have to make a lot of difficult trade-offs. Let them own those, so they know what it’s like to make financial decisions that resemble grown-up ones.”

Whatever amount you ultimately decide on, make sure to follow a consistent schedule—whether weekly or monthly—and stick with it. As Mary Kelly Blakeslee, a well-known child psychologist, says, “random payments will be frustrating and confusing, and will reduce the opportunity for learning.” ¶ Tanni Haas, PhD, is a college communications professor.

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life: “Pay attention./ Be astonished./ Tell about it.”

The Poetic Family 7 Ways to Create an Inspired Life

By Christina Katz

I

n our frenetic world, poetry frequently falls through the cracks. April is National Poetry Month and the perfect time to help your family live a more poetic life.

Here are a few tips for doing just that.

1. Read a poem a day. The lyrical poet Rainer Maria Rilke said, “If your daily life seems poor, do not blame it; blame yourself that you are not poet enough to call forth its riches.” So why not put on your own poetic air mask first and sign up for a daily poem in your inbox via The Writer’s Almanac (writersalmanac. org)? When parents are tuned in to the finer things in life, it is easier for children to follow suit. Notice 28 SonomaFamilyLife

how easy it is to feel uplifted when a poem is sent into your life each day.

2. Encourage observation.

Notice nature and tell your children what you see. Remark on the changing seasons. Bundle up on chilly nights and stand under the starlit sky. Lay on your backs in warm weather and search for constellations. Poets rely on their powers of observation and your family can, too. Poet Mary Oliver has these instructions for living a poetic April 2022

3. Pop a “poetry pill.” Pablo Neruda said, “Poetry is an act of peace.” So when you are looking to soothe your family during difficult times, why not turn to poetry? We intuitively calm restless children when we read them rhythmic and rhyming bedtime stories. Poetry provides a similar tonic. Maintain a collection of poetry books like you keep a medicine cabinet full of over-the-counter remedies, and reach for poetic relief as an antidote to the headaches of life.

Integrate verse playfully into your life and watch for an uptick in everyday appreciation.

4. Collect beauty. A tiny clutch of dandelions. A doll made of sticks.

Nurturing a rose bush as it flowers year after year. Clipping herbs. Having tea in the afternoon. Setting a pretty table. Eating slowly and reverently.

There are so many ways to bring graciousness into our daily lives.

Look for what beckons your soul and romance your relationship with those practices. As decorator and author Alexandra Stoddard says in her book Daring to Be Yourself (Doubleday, 1990), “Be true to your own real pleasures. Experiment so that you’ll find what’s right for you.”

5. Scavenge for favorites. When I was a girl, I knew exactly where to find my favorite book of poetry, When We Were Very Young, by A. A. Milne, who also wrote the Winnie-the-Pooh books. I would make a beeline for www.sonomafamilylife.com

that book almost every time I visited the library. Help your kids find their favorite poems; encourage them to use one poem as a jumping off place for finding more favorites. A collection containing their favorite poem might make a meaningful birthday or graduation gift. Poetry has power, and our personal favorites can open doors of insight into our relationship with others and ourselves.

6. Display favorite lines.

Viewing a few favorite lines of poetry can put a smile on your face no matter what else is going on in your life. “Though she be but little, she is fierce,” a popular line from Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream, is a good example. Many girls of small stature relate to this

line and draw courage from it. The phrase is so popular that you will find numerous products on Etsy. com sporting it. Visit the online store for inspiration for displaying your favorite lines of verse. You will find inexpensive products and downloads you can purchase for family members or for yourself.

member. Why not encourage daily poetry making on your refrigerator?

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “It is a happy talent to know how to play,” and this philosophy applies to living poetically, as well. Read poems, savor poems, make up poems, share poems—integrate verse playfully into your life and watch for an uptick in everyday appreciation.

Nothing about the world may change overnight, but you can change the way your family approaches the world by embracing poetic living every single day. ¶

Reach for poetic relief as an antidote to the headaches of life.

7. Compose playfully. Whatever you do, don’t take poetry too seriously. Magnetic poetry now comes in so many variations, you are sure to find a kit to suit each family

Author, journalist, and writing coach Christina Katz challenges herself to live a little more poetically every day. She finds that the practice helps inoculate her family against the stresses and strains of the world, especially during turbulent times.

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SonomaFamilyLife 29

April

Calendar of Events

Learn to Paint with Alcohol Ink

P

alak Dhorajiya has always loved art. But she left it behind when she went to college to study interior design. Then the pandemic hit and she found she had oodles of free time to follow her passion.

She even created free online painting classes for kids and teens. On Saturdays at 10 a.m. she teaches students of all ages how to make watercolor-like art with alcohol ink. The next one-hour class is on April 9. Sign up via Eventbrite at tinyurl.com/mudyhjn7. Find out more about Dhorajiya at palakstudioink.com. ¶

Friday 1 Easter Bunny Photos. Two photos

start at $25.95. Mondays–Saturdays: 11 a.m.–7 p.m. Sundays: noon–6 p.m.

Runs thru April 16. Coddingtown Mall (near children’s play area). 733 Coddingtown Center, Santa Rosa. coddingtown.shop/events.

Bunny Photos. Runs thru April 16.

Santa Rosa Plaza. Center Court. 1071 Santa Rosa Plaza, Santa Rosa. Make an appointment: simon.com/bunny.

Young Astronomers: Striking Sparks. A virtual meeting for kids

in grades 4–9 who are interested in all things space. Presented by the Robert Ferguson Observatory. 7–8 p.m. Contact Nancy Cummings at ncummings@rfo.org for Zoom link.

Gowan’s Cider Orchard Blossom Days. Taste cider & celebrate spring in blossoming, century-old apple orchards. $15 cider flights. Thursdays– Mondays. 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Gowan’s Apple Orchards. 6320 Hwy. 128, Philo (1/4 mile north of Gowan’s Apple Stand). Reservations suggested: gowansheirloomcider.com.

CAMP

W O B N I A R A N WIN rforming arts circus and pe l ia nt de si re A 7 to 14 for kids age

camp

www.campwinnarainbow.org 30 SonomaFamilyLife

Easter Hunt. Win prizes, including

gift baskets from downtown businesses. Thru April 16. See website for directions. Downtown 4th St., Santa Rosa. downtownsantarosa.org/ egghunt.

Earth Day Series: Classroom Safari. Kids meet a serval, snake &

alligator & learn about animals’ diets & enemies as well as adaptations that help them survive. 1–2 p.m. Children’s Museum of Sonoma County. 1835 W. Steele Ln., Santa Rosa. cmosc.org.

✓ Juggling ✓ Unicycle ✓ Swimming ✓ Song Writing ✓ Dance

Check us out and register today at:

FREE Egg-Cellent Adventure

Saturday 2

TO N U WA RD THE F

✓ Stilts ✓ Trapeze ✓ Silks ✓ Drama ✓ Clowning

FREE The (Modern) Art of Parenting.

Free virtual parenting summit featuring nationally known experts speaking on subjects such as anxiety & depression, mindful parenting, raising resilient kids, how to stop arguing with kids, social media issues, sexual health education & much more. April 1–8. Each session will be recorded & available to watch for free for 48 hours.

Register: tinyurl.com/4ms8jvjb.

Earth Day Series: Story Ninjas.

510.525.4304 April 2022

Interactive performance experience in which young audience members wear www.sonomafamilylife.com

costumes & participate in acting out a story. Costumes provided or kids can wear their own. Free with museum admission ($11–$14; babies 0–11 mos., free.) Apr. 2: 11–1:30 a.m. Apr. 9 & 16: 1–1:30 p.m. Children’s Museum of Sonoma County. 1835 W. Steele Ln., Santa Rosa. tinyurl.com/5n8uaczu.

Thursday 7

Saturday 9

FREE Purim Edition Mommy &

FREE Lawn Games in the Park.

Me with a Jewish Twist. Ages 0–3.

Bilingual family activities & games.

Bring a snack & water. Parking is $7 or free with Regional Park Membership.

10 a.m.–2 p.m. Andy’s Unity Park. 3399 Moorland Ave., Santa Rosa. tinyurl. com/4y7b92aw.

Passover activities, including crafts, snacks & Jewish music & movement.

10–11 a.m. RSVP for location: devorah@jewishpetaluma.com.

FREE Expanding Your Horizons.

Virtual workshops to encourage girls in grades 7–8 to pursue careers in STEM fields. April 2 & 9. Registration: eyh-soco.org.

FREE Occidental Fools Day Parade.

Meet at 1 p.m. at the community center to join the parade. Dress up in far-out finery. After the parade, free live music & children’s activities at Occidental Center for the Arts. 2–4 p.m. Occidental Center for the Arts.

3850 Doris Murphy Ct., Occidental. tinyurl.com/3esemfhb.

Sunday 3 Chuck E Cheese Sensory Sensitive Sundays. On the first Sunday of the

month facility opens 2 hours early just for children with autism & other special needs. Reduced lighting & noise. Food & rides offered. 9–11 a.m. Chuck E Cheese. 601 Rohnert Park Expwy., Rohnert Park. tinyurl. com/274ky9zs.

Francesco at Bat. Interactive

family concert includes a sing-along of “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.”

Performance by Santa Rosa Symphony. Free Instrument Petting Zoo one hour prior to performance. $10–$20. 3 p.m. (Doors: 2 p.m.)

Green Music Center. 1801 E. Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park. srsymphony.org/ EventDetail/213.

www.sonomafamilylife.com

April 2022

SonomaFamilyLife 31

RELENTLESSLY PURSUING EXCELLENCE FOR ALL STUDENTS Earth Day Series: A Theater for Children. Local theater troupe’s Pollution Pirates & other troupe members dressed as bees, butterflies & frogs will teach kids about the Earth.

Free with museum admission ($11–$14; babies 0–11 mos. free.) 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Children’s Museum of Sonoma County. 1835 W. Steele Ln., Santa Rosa. tinyurl.com/2p8729mj.

LIMITED NUMBER OF INTER-DISTRICT TRANSFERS AVAILABLE. CONTACT SCHOOLS FOR MORE INFORMATION.

KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION PACKETS ARE AVAILABLE NOW CALIFORNIA DISTINGUISHED SCHOOLS Yulupa Primary School Strawberry Intermediate School TK-Third 2250 Mesquite Drive, Santa Rosa 707 542-6272

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

Children must be five on or before Sept. 1, 2022 to be eligible for kindergarten.

Two-year Kinder Bridge program offered for children turning five on or after Sept. 2, 2022.

707-542-2201 • LEARN MORE AT WWW.BVUSD.ORG

FREE SRPD Spring Event. Join the

Santa Rosa Police Department for a spring celebration for local families. 10 a.m.–noon. Old Courthouse Square.

Downtown 4th St., Santa Rosa. downtownsantarosa.org/events.

FREE Miss Nelson Has a Field Day. Virtual performance by Dallas

Children’s Theater. The meanest substitute teacher returns to Horace B. Smedley School as coach of the football team. Kindhearted Miss Nelson comes to the rescue. Part of the Clover Sonoma Family Fun Series.

Apr. 9 & 10. Free tickets: tinyurl. com/5bf278nm.

FREE Easter Egg-Stravaganza.

APRIL 21-24, 2022

Egg hunt, Gordy the puppet & BBQ lunch. 11 a.m.–1 p.m. Petaluma Valley Baptist Church. 580 Sonoma Mt. Pkwy., Petaluma. petalumabaptist.org/ SpecialEvents.

FREE Freedom of Expression:

LIVE MUSIC • CARNIVAL • LIVESTOCK • HORTICULTURE • CRAFTS FREE KIDS’ DAY: APRIL 22 CLOVERDALE’S GOT TALENT: APRIL 24TH, 12PM CITRUS FAIR PARADE: APRIL 23RD, 11AM LILY LEMON & ORAN ORANGE CONTEST: APRIL 20TH, 4PM

DOWNLOAD OUR MOBILE APP 32 SonomaFamilyLife

CLOVERDALE FAIRGROUNDS WWW.CLOVERDALECITRUSFAIR.ORG April 2022

A LumaCon! Panel. Zoom panel

featuring Mickey Huff, director of Project Censored; Maia Kobabe, author of Gender Queer: A Memoir; & Noah Grigni, children’s book illustrator & artist. Noon. Register for link: lumacon.net.

Sunday 10 FREE Family Fun Hike. All ages &

abilities welcome. Parking is $7 or free www.sonomafamilylife.com

with a Regional Parks membership.

Registration not required. 1–3 p.m.

Crane Creek Regional Park. 5000 Pressley Rd., Rohnert Park. tinyurl. com/st6k5bnt.

FREE Spring Shopping Boutique.

30+ vendors. Proceeds from raffles go to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Flamingo Resort. 2777 4th St., Santa Rosa. tinyurl.com/4xja6shn.

10th Annadel Half-Marathon, 10K & 5K. $60–$90. 5K for ages 5–15: $40. 9

a.m. Spring Lake Regional Park. 5585 Newanga Ave., Santa Rosa. Register online: tinyurl.com/4w7s63k4.

Bunny Brunch & Egg Hunt. $12. Ages

2 & younger: free. 9–9:45 a.m. (two seesions). Cotati Room (behind City

Hall). 216 E. School St., Cotati. tinyurl. com/37tdx24z. Tickets: 707-796-7301.

Saturday 16 FREE COVID-19 Pediatric Vaccine Event. For all ages 5+. Walk-ins welcome. Giveaways: $75 gas card (1 per family) & $25 YMCA voucher.

Mini-toy giveaway Social Security, citizenship, or insurance not required.

10 a.m.–1 p.m. Community Child Care Council of Sonoma County. 131-A Stony Circle, Santa Rosa. tinyurl.com/ yufd9yhp. 707-565-4667.

FREE Easter Weekend at Bees N Blooms. Apr. 16 & 17: 10 a.m.–3 p.m.

3883 Petaluma Hill Rd., Santa Rosa. beesnblooms.com.

Easter Eggs, Jelly Beans & Wine.

Families hunt for Easter eggs on the

April 23

lawn & in the vines to win prizes.

Dogs are welcome. Wines paired with jelly beans. 1–4 p.m. Karah Estate Vineyard. 1010 W. Railroad Ave., Cotati. karahestatevineyard.com/ events.

Sunday 17 Easter Hunt. 11:45 a.m.–12:45 p.m..

St. Elizabeth Seton. 4595 Snyder Ln., Rohnert Park.

Thursday 21 Cloverdale Citrus Fair. $5–$11. Ages 5 & younger: free. $32 unlimited rides for one day. Kids’ Day on Apr. 22 is free for ages 12 & younger. Parade day: April 23 at 11 a.m. Apr. 21: 4–9 p.m. Apr. 22: 2–9 p.m. Apr. 23: 10 a.m.–9 p.m. Apr. 24: 10 a.m.–8 p.m. cloverdalecitrusfair.org.

• Live Performances by ZunZun • Eco-Friendly Activities Highlighting: • Water Conservation • Climate-Friendly Transportation • Zero Waste • Green Energy • Free WaterSmart Toolkits • Crafts and Games for Kids • Free Valet Bicycle Parking by SCBC

2022 11AM-2PM

www.sonomafamilylife.com

April 2022

SonomaFamilyLife 33

Friday 22 The Wedding Singer. Return to the

’80s with this hit musical rom-com based on the Adam Sandler movie. $20–$25. Runs thru May 8. Apr. 22, 23, 28 & 29: 7:30 p.m. Apr. 24 & 30: 2 p.m. Santa Rosa Junior College. 1501 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa. Tickets: tinyurl.com/2p95w27y.

Saturday 23 FREE Mother’s Day Pampering & Preview Day. Free raffles, massages & more for moms. Taste small bites & check out a wide variety of vendors.

Noon–2 p.m. The Community Shops (inside Raley’s). 8852 Lakewood Dr., Windsor. thecommunityshops.org.

FREE Family Bike Workshop. Learn

tips, tricks & tools for bicycling safely.

Children & parents must participate together & bring their own bikes & helmets. 10 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Manzanita Elementary School. 1687 Yulupa Ave., Santa Rosa. tinyurl.com/56aczabd.

Kids Night at the Museum. Pizza,

cartooning & Earth Day activities.

Ages 5–10. $35. 10% sibling discount.

5–9 p.m. Charles M. Schulz Museum.

2301 Hardies Ln., Santa Rosa.

Advance registration required: tinyurl. com/2hmzcy63.

Happy Earth Day! Create bird feeders

with recycled items, turn old t-shirts into bracelets & pet toys. Included in price of admission ($5–$12 or free for ages 3 & younger). 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Charles M. Schulz Museum.

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

FREE Butter & Egg Days Parade & Festival. Food & antique vendors.

Clover Kids’ Parade at 11:30 a.m. features procession of preschoolers & primary grade youngsters. Main parade starts at noon & will march thru downtown. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Downtown Petaluma. tinyurl. com/3tx5mkf8.

FREE Julie Nation Academy 50-Year Celebration. 11 a.m.–4 p.m.

Talent Show spotlighting models, actors & singers: 12:30–2 p.m. Open mic, raffles & giveaways: 2–2:30 p.m.

Coddingtown Mall. 733 Coddingtown Center, Santa Rosa. Full schedule: julienation.com.

Sebastopol Apple Blossom Festival & Parade. Live acts on 2 stages plus

crafts, food & vendors. Children’s

Annual Easter Hunt FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY!

Sunday, April 17th 11:45 a.m.–12:45 p.m.

St. Elizabeth Seton

4595 Synder Lane, Rohnert Park

Church Services: Easter Vigil Saturday: 8 p.m.

Easter Sunday: 8:30 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.

For Holy Week Schedule: stelizabethrp.com.

707-585-3708 | sesreled@gmail.com www.stelizabethrp.com

34 SonomaFamilyLife

April 2022

www.sonomafamilylife.com

activities. $8–$10. Ages 4 & younger: free. Apr. 23 & 24: 11 a.m.–6 p.m.

Parade starts at 10 a.m. on April 23 at Analy High School, runs down Main Street & ends at Calder Ave. at noon. Activities take place at both Ives Park (7400 Willow St., Sebastopol) & Sebastopol Center for the Arts (282 S. High St., Sebastopol). appleblossomfest.com.

Star Party. Presentations on

astronomical topics. The observatory’s 3 main telescopes will be open for viewing. $5–$10. Ages 11 & younger: free. Parking: $10. 8–11 p.m. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination or negative test 48 hrs. prior required. Robert Ferguson Observatory. 2605 Adobe Canyon Rd., Kenwood. rfo.org.

Their future begins with a great education.

Register now for Transitional Kindergarten (TK) and Kindergarten in the 2022-23 school year.

Albert F. Biella, Brook Hill, Luther Burbank, Learning House, Hidden Valley, Helen Lehman, Abraham Lincoln, James Monroe, Proctor Terrace, Steele Lane, SR Charter School for the Arts, SR French-American Charter, Cesar Chavez Language Academy

For information and a link to register: www.srcschools.org/kindergarten Need help? Contact your school.

Before- and after-school day care at selected sites.

Register early; classes fill quickly!

www.SRCSchools.org/kindergarten

FREE Earth Day Celebration. Live

music performances, food & vendors.

11 a.m.–2 p.m. Courthouse Square.

Downtown Santa Rosa. srcity.org/ earthday.

Sunday 24 FREE Petaluma Antique Faire.

One hundred antique dealers selling collectibles of all types & prices. 8 a.m.–4 p.m. Downtown Petaluma. petalumadowntown.com/antique-show.

Symphony Pops Series: Hotel California. A tribute to the Eagles.

$37–$90. 3 p.m. Luther Burbank Center. 50 Mark West Springs Rd., Santa Rosa. tinyurl.com/42rjkfwk.

Classical Rocks!

Sunday, May 1 – 3 pm

Weill Hall, Green Music Center Bobby Rogers, conductor | Matthew Worth, baritone

The orchestra performs excerpts of engaging, masterful works

by Tchaikovsky, Brahms, Dvořák, Mozart and more!

Monday 25

Buy tickets now! $20/adult; $10/youth

Rebounderz Sensory Friendly

srsymphony.org (707) 546-8742

Mondays. Exclusive to families

of children with special needs. All access with no flashing lights, no whistles & quieter music. $20 per child (chaperone or parent included). www.sonomafamilylife.com

See srsymphony.org for current COVID protocols.

Family Series sponsored by The Alan and Susan Seidenfeld Charitable Trust, and Victor and Karen Trione Programs, dates, artists, prices and COVID-19 protocols are subject to change without notice.

Tickets are subject to availability. All patrons, regardless of age, must have a ticket.

April 2022

SonomaFamilyLife 35

3–8 p.m. Rebounderz. 555 Rohnert Park Expwy., Rohnert Park. tinyurl. com/5db9e2w6.

Saturday 30 49th Annual Bodega Bay Fisherman’s Festival. Kids’ Zone,

pet parade, blessing of the fleet, live music, wine & beer, seafood, food trucks & craft booths. $15–$18.

Two-day pass: $25. Ages 11 & younger: free. Apr. 30 & May 1: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

Westside Park. 2400 Westshore Rd., Bodega Bay. bbfishfest.org.

FREE Mother’s Day Crafts Homemade Cards. Tables set up for

kids to make homemade cards with help of local high school students.

Purchase a gift for Mom & receive free gift box, tissue paper & ribbon,

along with a bonus gift. Noon–2 p.m. The Community Shops (inside Raley’s). 8852 Lakewood Dr., Windsor. thecommunityshops.org.

The Magic Grove. A 13th century Persian folktale of an act of kindness returned tenfold. Performed by the Sonoma Conservatory of Dance. $12–$22. Apr. 30 & May 1. 1 p.m.

Masks & proof of vaccination or negative COVID test within 72 hrs. required. Sebastiani Theatre. 476 1st St. E., Sonoma. sonomaconservatory ofdance.org.

FREE LumaCon! Live. Cosplay,

LARPing, exhibitors & vendors.

Presented by Libraries of Petaluma.

10 a.m.–4 p.m. Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds. 175 Fairgrounds Dr., Petaluma. lumacon.net.

FREE Artaluma Grand Opening.

Open house (3–4:45 p.m.): art-making stations, pop-up theater games, improv & dance songs. Happy Hour (5:15–6:30 p.m.): live music by Solo Rio & Vernon Bush. Creativity Center. 145 Keller St., Petaluma. RSVP: tinyurl. com/4c8x2pa4.

Battle in the Bay Martial Arts Competition. Children & adult

divisions from ages 4–60. Public is welcome to watch. $10. Parking: $10.

8 a.m.–4 p.m. Masks recommended but not required. Sonoma County Fairgrounds. 1350 Bennett Valley Rd., Santa Rosa. sonomacountyfair.com/ events.php.

sonoma LOCAL

#1 local resource for for 30 years local families

magazine • web • email • events

JOIN OUR LOVING FAMILY keep little bodies & brains active & learning!

PLAYTIME DAYCARE & PRESCHOOL www.facebook.com/PlaytimeDaycareAndPreschool

539-7524 Rincon Valley Area. Lic. #04746

36 SonomaFamilyLife

April 2022

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SIGN UP FOR OUR WEEKLY FUN BLAST &

ENTER TO WIN GREAT PRIZES! ONLY AVAILABLE IN OUR WEEKLY EBLAST. NEW GIVEAWAYS WEEKLY!

SIGN UP HERE

LYNN PRUNTY

Fisherman’s Festival

Preschool 2022-23 Registration Children's Circle 2.5-3+ years

Fishing for Fun

L

ook out at the ocean on any given day and you’ll see fishing boats trawling the depths for hundreds of local dinners. Every year, the Bodega Bay Fisherman’s Festival honors the fisherfolk on those boats and their way of life. The celebration includes live music—this year’s headliners are Petty Theft and Pop Rocks—a craft show, kids’ activities, and of course, plenty of food trucks selling all kinds of fish dishes.

This year’s festival will run April 30–May 1, 10 a.m.–5 p.m., at Westside Park in Bodega Bay. A Wooden Boat Competition will be held on April 30 and a car show and the annual Blessing of the Fleet will be on May 1. Festival tickets are $15–$18, $25 for a two-day pass; kids 11 and younger get in free. For details, go to bbfishfest.org. ¶

9:15-12:15pm M/W or T/Th, optional F

Kinderclub 3-5 years

9:00-12:30pm M/W/F or T/Th

Montessori in Motion 3-5 years 9:00-12:00pm M/W, T/Th or M-Th

For more information and to register, go to www.townofwindsor.com/preschool or call 707-838-5945

ZunZun

Celebrate the Earth

F

or more than 20 years, Gwynne Snyder-Cropsey and Stephen Snyder, the wife-husband duo known as ZunZun, have been using music to educate audiences about water and environmental issues. The two can play more than 30 instruments and will be bringing their multifaceted musical talents to the Santa Rosa Earth Day celebration. The free event will include eco-friendly activities that highlight water conservation, climate-friendly transportation, and green energy; free WaterSmart kits; and special activities for kids. Festivities are slated for April 23, 11 a.m.–2 p.m., at the Courthouse Square in Santa Rosa. A free bicycle valet service will be made available to those who cycle to the event. Find out more information at srcity.org/2139/Earth-Day-2022. ¶ 38 SonomaFamilyLife

April 2022

www.sonomafamilylife.com

SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS NEEDED! The YMCA Preschool provides your child with high-quality, age-appropriate activities and enjoyable experiences. Personal attention, rich sensory experiences, and a generous supply of giggles!

Part-Time/Full-Time Care Flexible Plans Available Serving Infant-5 years 707 308-3043 • www.scfymca.org 2590 Piner Rd. Santa Rosa

Now Accepting Applications

• Paid job training.

• Part-time.

• Health benefits.

• CalPERS retirement.

• Winter & Spring Breaks off.

• Summers optional.

• Paid sick leave, holidays, & vacations.

START YOUR NEW CAREER!

CALL NOW 707-206-9988 367 West Robles Avenue, Santa Rosa • www.schoolbusing.org

WAUGH SCHOOL DISTRICT Relentlessly Pursuing Success for All

The Art of Academic Excellence Twin Hills Middle School 6-8

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

We offer a challenging high school prep environment.

Now Enrolling for 2022-23 Corona Creek & Meadow School Transitional Kindergarten–6th Grade

Computer, Art & Music Teachers, Band, Librarians, Classroom Aides, STEAM Emphasis & Small Class Sizes

COME FOR A TOUR

Call (707) 765-3331 to make a reservation

1851 Hartman Lane, Petaluma

www.waughsd.org

www.sonomafamilylife.com

Electives: Culinary arts • Dance • Spanish • Music • Art • Photoshop • Video editing • Technology MATHEMATICS ENGLISH • SCIENCE CREATIVE ARTS ATHLETICS • HISTORY

Are you ready for a challenge?

707.823.7446 www.twinhillsusd.org

April 2022

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

Charter Middle 6-8

SonomaFamilyLife 39

Humor Break

Then she reached into the shoe rack of our mudroom and pulled out her own pair of tennis shoes.

They were the exact same brand and color as my new pair. Yup, my new pair was identical to the pair my tween already owned.

Mom at the Mall Decadence or Disaster?

By Katy M. Clark

F

lush with cash from my recent birthday, I strode through the mall. Today I could stop at any store at any time and spend money on myself, not my kids.

Giddy with purchasing power, I bought some decadent body wash.

Then I treated myself to a new lipstick.

Next I people-watched, noticing mothers and teen daughters dressed alike. I wondered if that would be my 12-year-old daughter and me one day.

As my energy and cash dwindled, I found myself staring at a wall of brightly colored tennis shoes. “I would love a new pair,” I thought.

Because I wear a size 10, I knew it was impossible that every pair would be available to try on. Indeed, the salesperson returned with just one.

But that pair fit perfectly.

“I really like them,” I said to no one, admiring the style and cobalt color.

40 SonomaFamilyLife

There was something vaguely familiar about them, too. Did I have similar shoes before?

“I’ll take them!” I announced, with vigor.

I drove home with my treasures and was greeted by the love and affection of my tween daughter and teenage son. In other words, they barely acknowledged my presence.

As I put my purchases away, my daughter wandered over. I let her sniff my body wash and try on my lipstick.

Then I pulled out my favorite purchase, my new kicks.

“Mom!” she cried, aghast.

“What?” I replied. What was wrong?

Were they ugly? From an unethical company that used child labor? Or were they just soooo not cool?

“Mom,” my tween said more calmly, a hint of a smile tugging at her lips.

“Look.”

April 2022

“I’ll take them back!” I gushed. “I knew they looked familiar!”

My teenage son appeared to see what the ruckus was about.

“Mom!” he shouted, noticing our twin pairs. “That is so not cool!”

“I said I’ll take them back,” I replied, this time like a petulant child.

But then I noticed my daughter was laughing. And I started to laugh.

“You can totally keep them,” my daughter said, shaking her head with what may have been pity. I believe she even patted my head, but I can’t remember because I think I blacked out from embarrassment.

“Really?”

“Really.”

I hugged her and she hugged me back, still giggling. I truly hadn’t wanted to be her twin and was pleased that she didn’t mind we would match. Maybe we could wear them the next time we went to the mall together?

“Just don’t wear them the same time I wear mine,” she instructed. “Moms,” she said, shaking her head.

Moms, indeed. ¶ Katy M. Clark is a writer who embraces her imperfections as a mom at experiencedbadmom.com.

www.sonomafamilylife.com