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June 2022
Fun in the Sun 49 local events
Energy Balls Easy to make
Vacay Apps
Save money
Daddy’s Girl
24 great places to bond
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Virtu Camp Redwood Adventure Camp
FIND THE BEST CAMPS & SUMMER LEARNING PROGRAMS ALL IN ONE PLACE!
ual Fair
APRIL–JULY MORE CAMPS ADDED WEEKLY! ENTER HERE!
June 2022
Every Issue
16 How to help kids keep their brains in gear.
14 Money-Saving Vacay Apps Get the best deals on gas and rentals.
16 Dads & Daughters Great ways to enjoy quality time.
18 Stop That Tick! How to keep campers safe.
Dear Reader
8
Cooking with Kids Balls of Energy
10
Bits and Pieces Top Dog Bending Time
Features 12 Avoid the Summer Slide
6
Sensory Sensitive Storytime
20 Nine Personality Types What number are you?
Things That Go
22 Enneagram for Kids
Crafting with Pride
Help kids understand themselves.
Up, Up, and Away!
24 What’s Social Emotional Learning? Lessons in self-regulation.
26 Communicate with Kids
28 Calendar of Events Forty-nine local summer activities.
36 Humor Break Poker Face
Teach little ones to manage big feelings.
10
8 4 SonomaFamilyLife
June 2022
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SUMMER SPORTS CAMPS BY NATIONAL ACADEMY OF ATHLETICS
AGES 4-13 ALL SPORTS ABILITIES WELCOME! Join us at our city parks and local ball courts! Experienced, positive, and compassionate coaches provide youngsters with a fun experience and teach sport-specific skills. Children gain confidence on and off the field, learning about success, failure, and what it means to be part of a team. All Sorts of Sports & Jr. Academy June 13-17, A Place to Play Park July 6-8, Galvin Community Park July 18-22, Finley Community Park August 1-5, A Place to Play Park Air Attack Flag Football June 13-17, Galvin Community Park July 11-15, A Place to Play Park Cheer & Dance Camp June 13-17, Galvin Community Park July 11-15, A Place to Play Park
Grass Volleyball June 20-24, Finley Community Park
Hoop it Up Basketball June 6-10, St. Luke Outdoor Court June 20-24, Finley Community Park July 18-22, Finley Community Park
In the Net Soccer & Jr. Academy June 13-17, A Place to Play Park June 27-July 1, A Place to Play Park July 25-29, Galvin Community Park
Pickleball July 6-8, Galvin Community Park
Dodgeball Camp June 20-24, Finley Community Park
July 25-29, Galvin Community Park
July 18-22, Finley Community Park
**Camps held 9am-Noon and/or 9am-3pm
Register at: SantaRosaRec.com | 707-543-3282 For accessible information, call 707-543-3292/TDD 707-543-3289 (M-F, 8am-5pm)
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June 2022
SonomaFamilyLife 5
Dear Reader
T
his is the month we celebrate dads. And in this issue, we pay particular attention to helping fathers Sharon Gowan bond with their Publisher/Editor Sharon@family-life.us girls. Sometimes that looks like Dad and his little lady going on an adventure without Mom. Read “Dads & Daughters” (page 16) for 24 places the daring duo can hang out and connect. (Psst: They’re great spots for the whole family.) Then turn to our Calendar of Events (page 28) for local Father’s Day activities—and ways to have fun all month long! Perhaps your family is planning to travel over Father’s Day weekend, or sometime this summer. Did you know that there are apps that can get you
deals on gas, rental cars, and hotel rooms? Check out “Money-Saving Vacay Apps” (page 14) and see how much cash you can keep in your pocket. For kids, summer is all about having a blast, of course. And, as their parent, you want them to have a good time. But you also don’t want them to forget everything they’ve learned during the school year. Veteran mom Christina Katz says you can keep your kids both entertained and intellectually engaged. See her “Avoid the Summer Slide” (page 12) to find out how. We hope your June is full of warm-weather wonders and lots of laughter—for Dad and everyone!
Their future begins with a great education. Register now for Transitional Kindergarten (TK) and Kindergarten in the 2022-23 school year.
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 America’s Test Kitchen Ann Gadd Jessica Guerrieri Tanni Haas Ned Johnson Christina Katz Pam Moore William Stixrud
Billing Jan Wasson-Smith
Publishing Office P.O. Box 351 Philo, CA 95466 (707) 205 1539
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
Before- and after-school day care at selected sites. Register early; classes fill quickly!
For information and a link to register: www.srcschools.org/kindergarten Need help? Contact your school.
www.SRCSchools.org/kindergarten 6 SonomaFamilyLife
June 2022
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SonomaFamilyLife 7
Cooking with Kids
Balls of Energy Kids Can Make This Easy Snack By America’s Test Kitchen
T
hese sweet, crunchy, chewy bites are perfect for a quick snack on-the-go. They pack a lot of power into a tiny package: The nuts and nut butter provide protein and fat, the dried fruit adds some sugar, and the oats bring complex carbohydrates. The sugar gives you a fast-acting (but short-lived) energy boost, while the complex carbs, protein, and fat help keep you feeling full for longer. Up Your Game
You can customize your energy bites by swapping in your favorite nuts and dried fruit. Try chopped pistachios, cashews, almonds, or walnuts in place of the pecans. Dried cranberries, dried blueberries, or raisins can be substituted for the dried cherries. You can also use white chocolate chips instead of semisweet. ¶ Reprinted, with permission, from the Complete Cookbook for Teen Chefs by America’s Test Kitchen (Penguin Random House, 2022), americastestkitchen.com.
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Chocolate-Cherry Energy Bites Before you begin: You can add 1 tablespoon of chia seeds or ground flaxseeds to the oat mixture in step 1, if desired. Prepare Ingredients 3/4 cup (2 ¼ ounces) old-fashioned rolled oats 1/3 cup (2 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips
Start Cooking! 1. Add all ingredients to large bowl. Use rubber spatula to stir until well combined. 2. Use your wet hands to roll mixture into 16 balls (about 1 tablespoon each). Place balls on large plate and cover with plastic wrap.
1/3 cup creamy peanut, almond, or sunflower butter
3. Place in refrigerator and chill until bites are firm, at least 30 minutes or up to 3 days. Serve. (Bites can be refrigerated in airtight container for up to 3 days.)
2 tablespoons honey
Makes 16 bites
1/3 cup pecans, chopped 1/3 cup dried cherries, chopped
1/8 teaspoon salt
June 2022
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Karate is the BEST thing you can DO for Your Child!
Santa Rosa Symphony’s AT SONOMA ACADEMY!
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.
SUMMER MUSIC ACADEMY JULY 11-29: 9AM-3PM
For beginning & experienced students
Strings, Woodwinds, Brass, Percussion, Guitar and more!
Call Now (707) 575-1681
or visit our website AskAboutKarate.com Shotokan Karate Leadership School® At the corner of Marlow and Piner Roads
Photo: Susan and Neil Silverman Photography Sponsored by Family and Friends of Sonja Coyman-Myklebust
(707) 546-7097 x219 www.srsymphony.org
JOIN US THIS SUMMER FOR CAMP & LESSONS GET OUTSIDE, MAKE FRIENDS & EXPERIENCE HORSES!
SIGN UP EARLY AS SPOTS SELL OUT QUICKLY!
OUR PROGRAM IS DESIGNED SO YOUR KIDS SPEND THEIR SUMMER OUTDOORS, BEING ACTIVE AND ENGAGED IN ACTIVITIES WITH OTHER YOUNG INDIVIDUALS AND ANIMALS!
PACK YOUR CHILD’S SUMMER WITH FUN AND MEMORIES!
Super Kids Camp JUNE 13 - AUGUST 5
Super Kids Camp Includes Fun, Interactive and Educational Activities: Weekly Themes, Dress-Up Days, Swimming, Rock Climbing, and More! Learn More and Register at ssusuperkidscamp.com
100 Lynch Road • Petaluma • 707-799-5054 www.stridesridingacademy.com • www.summeratstrides.com
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June 2022
SonomaFamilyLife 9
Bits & Pieces
Top Dog
S
ome dogs are so ugly they’re adorable. Take Scamp (pictured right), the winner of the 2019 Sonoma-Marin Fair World’s Ugliest Dog Contest. He may be ugly, but now he’s a celebrity. Dogs from all over will be competing to take his crown—and a $1,500 cash prize—at this year’s contest, which will be held on June 24 at the Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds in Petaluma. Other fair attractions include the Artisan Hall, where the products of local brewers, cider makers, chocolatiers, cheese makers, and kombucha crafters will be displayed; and there will be a Homebrew Competition, too. The fair will run June 22–26 at the fairgrounds. General admission is $13–$20. Find out more and purchase tickets at sonomamarinfair.ticketspice.com. ¶
World’s Ugliest Dog Contest
Bending Time
Flynn Creek Circus
W
hat would it be like if we saw someone act out our significant memories? The Flynn Creek Circus wants to answer that question at its Balloons, Birds, and Other Flying Things show, when circus performers will employ acrobatics, stunts, and comedy to animate audience members’ memories. Memory vignettes will be woven together in a story that comments on the illusive nature of time. The show will be held June 23–26 under the big top at the Luther Burbank Center in Santa Rosa. Shows are at 8 p.m. on June 23; 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. on June 24; 5 p.m. on June 25, with a 21-and-older show at 8 p.m.; and 1 p.m. on June 26. Tickets are sold in groups, by bench or table, and are $81–$416. Find out more and purchase tickets at flynncreekcircus.com. ¶
Sensory Sensitive Storytime
N
ot everyone has the same neurology. Some people, like those on the autism spectrum, have brains that make them extra sensitive to stimuli. At the Sebastopol Regional Library’s outdoor Neurodiverse Storytime, every child is welcome, no matter what kind of sensory sensitivities they experience. Participants will sing and read, and may even get to play with a parachute. The storytime is held on Thursdays, 10:30–11 a.m., at Ives Park in Sebastopol. Find out more and register at tinyurl.com/3jvvjedt. ¶
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June 2022
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Things That Go
“L
ook at that truck, Mom!” Some kids seem completely obsessed with moving objects. For them, there’s Ride-a-Rig, an event that gives little ones the chance to see and touch fire engines, police cruisers, 18-wheelers, and other big rigs. Presented by the Junior League of Napa-Sonoma, this educational community event will be held on June 12, 10 a.m.–2 p.m., at the Lyttle Cow Palace at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa. Tickets are $8 (ages 2 and younger, free) and will be available at the door or may be purchased at jlns.org/ride-a-rig.html. ¶
Crafting with Pride
J
une is Pride Month, a time when lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered adults and young people celebrate their sexual identities. For kids who are newly claiming their sexual identities, a supportive community can be key to feeling empowered. So Roseland Regional Library in Santa Rosa is dedicating its June 10 Create Teen! crafting session to making Pride key chains. Participants can paint key chains with the Pride flag, their pronouns, or other imagery. The event, part of a weekly crafting series, runs 4–5 p.m. at the library in Santa Rosa. To register, go to tinyurl.com/yckk2u6m. Find more Pride activities in our Calendar of Events (page 28). ¶
Up, Up, and Away!
Sonoma County Hot Air Balloon Classic
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TED RITCHIE
W
hen passenger-carrying hot air balloons were first invented in France in the late 1700s, they were made from paper. The modern-day nylon incarnation didn’t come along until the early 1960s. Today, there are festivals all over the world that celebrate hot air balloons, including the Sonoma County Hot Air Balloon Classic. This annual event will be held June 4–5 at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa. Gates open at 4 a.m., and at 5 a.m., the Sonoma Strong Glow Show—when the balloons’ propane burners are simultaneously fired up—will illuminate the dark sky. Balloons launch at 6:30 a.m. Tethered balloon rides start at 5:30 a.m. on June 4 and 6 a.m. on June 5, and run until 10:30 a.m. both days. Food booths and kids’ activities run 4 a.m.–10:30 a.m. (Come see Family Life at our booth.) One-day tickets are $7 for ages 3–12 and $15 for ages 13 and older. Balloon rides are $10, as is parking. Each pilot decides the minimum age for balloon rides. Purchase tickets at schabc.org. ¶
June 2022
SonomaFamilyLife 11
would cost for the family to spend one week there, including airfare, transportation, meals, hotels, and everything else. Have them present their proposed vacations to the whole family, showing the math writ large on poster board. Who knows, they just might talk you into a trip you hadn’t thought of yourself.
Avoid the Summer Slide 12 Boredom Busters for All Ages By Christina Katz
T
his summer set the tone that a little learning is an important part of each day. Here is a roundup of 12 ways to keep your kids’ minds active.
1. Sign up for your library summer reading program. Set a minimum reading time each day of 30–60 minutes. Or break reading time into two 30-minute chunks— one for a parent-approved book and the other for whatever your child chooses to read. 2. Plant a garden together. Consult illustrated gardening books by Sharon Lovejoy, and then think about what your family likes to eat and plant accordingly. If your family loves pizza, plant a pizza garden. If fresh salsa is your thing, plant a salsa garden. 12 SonomaFamilyLife
3. Visit local nature centers, Audubon societies, and nearby gardens. Make a list and plan to hit all the regional natural destinations, such as the Mendocino Botanical Gardens in Fort Bragg and the Environmental Discovery Center in Spring Lake Park in Santa Rosa. Then plan a weekly outing and bring along a picnic. On the way home, use a game of “I Spied” (instead of “I Spy”) to review what you have seen and learned. 4. Research a future vacation. Let each child pick their own destination and figure out what it June 2022
Why not sell old toys, baked goods, or artwork as a lesson in entrepreneurism? 5. Have a word of the day. Put the word in large letters at the top of a page with the definition just below. Hang the word on the fridge and make a game out of using it in sentences all day long. 6. Keep a “How I Spent My Summer Scrapbook.” Choose a blank-page, over-sized book with ample pages for writing, collaging, collecting, and embellishing. Set aside time to work on “summer books” for a half hour every day at whatever time of day works best. Let kids decide whether or not to keep it private or share the results with the family. 7. Sign up for BrainPop. This educational website has more than 1,000 short animated movies for kids ages 6–17, making it the perfect substitute teacher for your kids. Best of all, they can pursue topics that interest them. Check with your child’s school library to see if they have free access to BrainPop Jr. for K–third grade. Otherwise a subscription is money well spent on entertaining enrichment. www.sonomafamilylife.com
8. Visit friends and family around the world. Start with a list of friends and family you know all over the globe. Then once a week, choose a destination and take an hour to really explore it via Google Earth and by researching online information. Expand your geographic horizons further by video-calling your friends or family and informally interviewing them about the area where they live. Post a map on the wall and stick a tack in each location you virtually visit. 9. Think beyond the lemonade stand. Terrific lessons about business, sales, and marketing will be learned when you create your child’s version of the lemonade stand. Why not sell old toys, baked
goods, or artwork as a lesson in entrepreneurism?
comic books? Did your husband learn to play guitar or practice scouting skills in the backyard? Summer is the perfect time to share your favorite hobbies and summer pastimes with your kids.
10. Commit to a cause. If your child loves animals, see if you can spend some time volunteering at a local animal shelter. If she or he is
If your family loves pizza, plant a pizza garden. a regular fashionista, why not throw a trashion show to raise money for a local charity? Even a trip to your local food bank or letting your kids come with you while you give blood is a life lesson that keeps on giving. 11. Share your childhood favorites. Did you love to make friendship bracelets or collect
12. Admire intelligence. Find healthy and smart virtual role models for your tween or teen to study. For example, if your young lady loves entropy and dissecting frogs, she might enjoy trying some home experiments created by Bill Nye, the Science Guy. Learn more at billnye.com/home-demos. Make a list of virtual summer tutors for each child and indulge in customized summer learning. ¶ Christina Katz is a mom and freelance writer at christinakatz.com.
HAVE YOU FOUND THE PERFECT KINDERGARTEN FOR YOUR CHILD? Summerfield is the place. Apply now for fall!
2022
Read with us June 6 - August 13 Sign up in the library or sonomalibrary.org/summerreading2022 summerfieldwaldorf.org
Online access 24/7 sonomalibrary.org www.sonomafamilylife.com
APPLY NOW FOR 2022-23 June 2022
SonomaFamilyLife 13
The cost can be up to 75 percent less than if you’d reserved a regular hotel room for the night. The app is available in Asia, Europe, and North America.
Money-Saving Vacay Apps Keep Cash in Your Pocket
By Tanni Haas
T
raveling in the summer can be very expensive, especially if you have a large family. Thankfully, there are many apps that can save you tons of money, whether you’re planning a fancy vacation abroad or a more modest road trip. Most people know about apps for Airbnb, TripAdvisor, and Uber. But there are many other great travel apps. Here’s a list of some of the very best ones. They are all free, so download them before your next trip.
BestParking Apple App Store & Google Play. Road trips can be great fun but not when you can’t find a convenient and inexpensive place to park the car. BestParking helps you find the right spot wherever you travel throughout North America. Indicate where you’d like to park and for how long, and the app generates a list of available spots and rates for the 14 SonomaFamilyLife
nearest lots and garages. You can search by address, landmarks or sites, or by neighborhood. Dayuse Apple App Store & Google Play. Sometimes after a long flight or day in the car you need a place to rest or regroup for a few hours. When that happens, Dayuse comes in handy. This app lets you search, book, and pay for hotel rooms for short stays. June 2022
GasBuddy Apple App Store & Google Play On a road trip, you don’t just need convenient and inexpensive places to park the car, but you also need lots of gas. GasBuddy helps you find the cheapest gas at the nearest station.
Much like Airbnb for accommodations, Turo is a peer-to-peer car rental app. Rome2rio Apple App Store & Google Play. Whether you’re planning a domestic trip or a vacation abroad, there will be times when you can get to your destination in different ways. Rome2rio lets you compare different modes of transportation (bus, car, ferry, flight, train) and find the fastest and most inexpensive solution. All you have to do is to enter your location and ultimate destination, and the app will generate and compare all travel options. This app is available worldwide. Transit Apple App Store & Google Play. If you want to save even more money on transportation costs, consider using public transportation whenever possible. For that, download Transit. This app saves you both money and time by letting www.sonomafamilylife.com
you pull together departure times for all nearby buses and trains so you don’t have to look through individual schedules one at a time. Enter your desired destination, and the app displays all public transportation options as well as fares.
GasBuddy helps you find the cheapest gas at the nearest station.
sonoma magazine • web • email
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LOCAL for 30 years
SUMMER CAMPS Spend Your Summer at the Schulz Museum!
Turo Apple App Store & Google Play. If you need a car but don’t feel like renting one from one of the many, well-known car rental companies, consider getting one from Turo. Much like Airbnb for accommodations, this is a peer-to-peer car rental app, which lets you rent cars directly from other car owners. You can expect to pay about 35 percent less than if you rented a car from a commercial rental company. The app is available in Europe and North America.
June 6–August 19
CARTOONING
Volunteer opportunities for ages 12–14
COOKING DIGITAL ARTS
REGISTER TODAY! schulzmuseum.org/classes-camps (707) 284–1272 FEE ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE
iPAD MOVIE-MAKING LEGO ANIMATION LET’S MAKE COMICS WITH JESS SMART SMILEY MANGA & ANIME NATHAN HALE’S HAZARDOUS TALES SNOOPY’S SAFARI TINKERING LAB AND MORE!
2301 Hardies Lane Santa Rosa, CA 95403 (707) 579-4452 schulzmuseum.org
©PNTS
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CAMP FREEZE
Ages 4 and up
WiFi Finder Apple App Store & Google Play. Whether you’re traveling at home or abroad, using your cell phone when Wi-Fi isn’t available can be very expensive, with high roaming charges. Get Wi-Fi Finder. Even if you’re not being charged extra for roaming on your phone, this app comes in handy—it helps you find places where you can use your tablet or laptop computer free of charge. ¶ Tanni Haas, PhD, is a college communications professor.
ART & SCIENCE
June 2022
Follow us online @schulzmuseum
SonomaFamilyLife 15
6. Tourist traps. Is there a famous something-or-other shop nearby that they’ll love? Succumb to the hype. 7. High-wire acts. Zip lines, air-trams, and skyscrapers— anything with a view, just for the thrill of it. 8. Arcade outings. Zing-bang-pop! Make those tokens last, so you can play for hours and combine your prize tickets.
Dads & Daughters 24 Places to Bond & Have a Great Time By Christina Katz
J
ust as moms and daughters can bond by spending special time together, dads and daughters need quality time, too. I have learned that making memories with her dad is just as important for my
daughter as making memories with me or with the entire family.
Download the Geocaching app at geocaching.com, and off to hunt you go. 9. Miniature golfing. Try a new course within a 30-mile radius every time you go. 10. Historical landmarks. Take indoor or outdoor tours. Try to learn little-known facts. 11. Day hikes. Wear two pairs of socks and sturdy shoes. Bring Band-Aids, trail mix, and water. 12. Bike rides. They can both ride. Or if dad runs, make it a run/ ride combo.
So the next time your husband and daughter are due for some quality time together, pull up this list of delightful destinations, choose one or two, and shoo them out the door. They’ll come home worn-out, happy, and more bonded, and these are gifts that last them both a lifetime.
3. Visits to the San Francisco Zoo. Besides animals, there are rides, too. See sfzoo.org/rides-more.
1. Breakfasts out. Test-drive joints until they discover their faves.
4. Bowling dates. Who can win the best of five?
15. All-you-can-eat buffets. Go hungry and then pace yourselves once you get there.
2. Trips to San Francisco. Take the bus, the train, and/or the ferry. Then walk everywhere else.
5. Amusement park romps. Spin around first; eat cotton candy after.
16. Waterslides or waterparks. Bathing suit up and scream all the way down.
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Zip lines, air-trams, and skyscrapers—anything with a view.
June 2022
13. Out to ball games. Baseball, basketball, football—she’ll love a game at the stadium. 14. Hit concerts. Pack a picnic for the outdoors or earplugs for the rock-and-roll.
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17. Horse or racecar tracks. Decide how much you will each bet and stick to it. 18. Short road trips. Pick nearby towns you’ve never been to, jump in the car, and go. 19. Go fishin’. Dad can hook the worms if she doesn’t want to, but she just might surprise you. 20. Geocaching. Download the official Geocaching app at geocaching.com, and off to hunt you go. 21. Grab a matinée. Ticket prices are cheaper so splurge for popcorn, candy, and a drink. 22. Roller- or ice-skating. Check out open skate times and party themes like neon or disco skates.
23. Attend local festivals. Arts, collectibles, rocks, literary— whatever she’s into!
Baseball, basketball, football—she’ll love a game at the stadium. 24. Go out for ice cream cones. Take walks along a local scenic path or visit a town park. Shhh! Don’t tell them you didn’t want to go. I’ve got a little secret when it comes to daddy-daughter dates: I often encourage my husband to take our daughter to places I would rather not go. You know what
I mean—those noisy, crowded, high-up-in-the-air places you may not always be all that crazy about either. The fact is, great daddy-daughter date destinations are often raucous, dusty, or sweaty places moms might rather avoid. As for when they choose places I enjoy visiting, that’s okay. I can take a pass. I’m perfectly happy staying behind so my husband and daughter can have some adventures together that are just about the two of them. ¶ Author, journalist, and writing coach Christina Katz tries not to dance a jig after her husband and daughter leave for some together time, but she usually just can’t stop herself.
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June 2022
SonomaFamilyLife 17
3. Wear light-colored clothing. Light colors make ticks easier to spot, especially tiny deer tick nymphs. 4. Don’t forget to tuck pants inside socks. This creates a protective barrier so ticks cannot easily access the legs.
Stop That Tick! Steps to Protect Campers
W
e love to have fun in the sun in the summertime, but remember, ticks are lurking so it is best to take a proactive approach to tick protection. Remind kids about tick safety and remember to check them when they return home after enjoying time outside. In wooded areas, brush, and high grass, ticks wait with their arms extended for their next host. This position is called “questing.” They do not jump or fly; rather, they wait for warm-blooded animals or people they detect by body odor, breath, heat, moisture, and vibrations. Some ticks attach to their host quickly, while others look for warm areas where the skin is thinner, warmer, or moist. Here are some quick tips for keeping your family safe from ticks. Be Proactive 1. Use repellents that contain 20%–30% DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide) on exposed skin and clothing for protection that
18 SonomaFamilyLife
Wear light-colored clothing. lasts up to several hours. Always follow product instructions. Do not put on a child’s face or hands. For more information about using DEET with kids, see kidshealth.org/en/ parents/repellent.html. For natural alternatives to DEET, see tinyurl.com/ nw4y9m53. 2. Use products that contain permethrin on clothing (not on skin). Treat clothing and gear, such as boots, pants, socks, and tents, with products containing 0.5% permethrin. It remains protective through several washings. June 2022
5. Stay on the path and in sunny areas. Ticks can’t fly or jump, so you have to enter where they like to live, shady areas with low plants, woods, leaves, and shrubs. Picnic in open sunny places. If You Find an Attached Tick A tick has a two-pronged mouthpart with tiny backward-pointing barbs that it uses to secure itself to its host, and it uses salivary cement for attachment. To remove a tick, use narrow-tipped tweezers, such as a TickEase, and grasp it as close to the skin as possible; then slowly and steadily pull upward. If the mouthparts remain in the skin, don’t worry, they will work themselves out eventually. When You Get Home The family should bathe or shower and put their clothes in a dryer on high heat for 20 minutes to kill hitchhiking ticks as soon as possible (preferably within two hours). The shower will help you locate ticks that might be crawling on you or your kids, looking for a nice place to bite. Conduct a full-body tick check on all members of the family. Use a full-length mirror to view all parts of your body. Check for ticks under the arms, around the ears, inside the belly button, behind the knees, between the legs, around the waist, and especially in the hair. Don’t neglect crevices! For more information, visit tickease.com.
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CHILDREN’S MODELING & TV COMMERCIAL ACTING PROGRAM The program is taught with an interest in building self-esteem and a positive attitude. The goal is to teach students basic skills in fashion runway modeling, photography posing, and TV commercial acting!
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WEEK 1: JUNE 27-JULY 1, THEME: ENCANTO WEEK 2: JULY 11-15, THEME: ROYAL BALL WEEK 3: JULY 25-29, THEME: SAFARI ADVENTURE Meet Real Live Animals with Classroom Safari!
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June 2022
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FL: What are the Enneagram personality types?
Nine Personality Enneagram Basics Types Explained
F
amily Life talked to Molly Owens, CEO and founder of Truity, a personality test site, about the Enneagram. With a master’s degree in counseling, Owens, a former therapist, founded Truity in 2012 with the aim of making personality tests more accessible to individuals and businesses.
Family Life: What is the enneagram? Molly Owens: The Enneagram is a personality system used in psychology, business, and self-help settings around the world. It describes how each of us, based on our individual traits and childhood experiences, fits into one of nine personality types. The goal of the Enneagram system is to help you better understand your core fears and motivations, so you can become a more fulfilled person. The Enneagram can help you discover the roots of who you are, and why you approach life the way you do. 20 SonomaFamilyLife
That knowledge can help light up your life decisions, career choices, and relationships in some dramatic ways. It can help us better understand ourselves, be more empathetic to others, and find our distinct paths to personal happiness and growth. What I love about the Enneagram is how it celebrates the unique potential in all of us. Since each type has special gifts and talents, the goal is not to mimic someone else, or to be something you’re not; the goal is to truly understand who you are, and become the best version of your true self. June 2022
MO: The Enneagram ascribes your personality to one of nine unique types. Each type has its own set of core motivations and fears that influence one’s approach to life— everything from how you feel about relationships, to what careers inspire you, to what triggers stress and conflict. For example, Enneagram Type Threes—The Achiever—are motivated by status; they fear failure, which tends to make them ambitious and also conscious of their public image. Whereas Enneagram Type Sixes are motivated [by their need for] security and safety. You can read more about each type on Truity’s resource pages: truity.com/ enneagram/9-types-enneagram. FL: What are the basic characteristics of each type? MO: There is a lot of nuance in all the types, so I’d encourage people to dive deeper on Truity’s resource pages, but here is a quick summary: Type One—The Perfectionist: Ones place a lot of emphasis on following the rules and doing things correctly. Type Ones fear being imperfect and can be extremely strict with themselves and others. Type Two—The Giver: Twos want to be liked and find ways that they can be helpful to others so that they belong. This type fears being unlovable. Type Three—The Achiever: Threes want to be successful and admired by other people, and are very conscious of their public image. Type Threes fear failure and not being seen as valuable by other people. www.sonomafamilylife.com
Type Four—The Individualist: Fours want to be unique and to experience deep, authentic emotions. Type Fours fear they are flawed and are overly focused on how they are different from other people. Type Five—The Investigator: Fives seek understanding and knowledge, and are more comfortable with data than other people. The biggest fear of the Type Five is being overwhelmed by their own needs or the needs of other people. Type Six—The Skeptic: Sixes are preoccupied with security, seek safety, and like to be prepared for problems. For the Type Six, the greatest fear is being unprepared and unable to defend themselves from danger.
Type Seven—The Enthusiast: Sevens want to have as much fun and adventure as possible and are easily bored. Type Sevens fear experiencing emotional pain, especially sadness, and actively seek to avoid it by staying busy.
What I love about the Enneagram is how it celebrates the unique potential in all of us. Type Eight—The Challenger: Eights see themselves as strong and powerful and seek to stand up for what they believe in. The greatest fear of the Type Eight is to be powerless, so they focus on controlling their environment.
Type Nine—The Peacemaker: Nines like to go with the flow and let the people around them set the agenda. Type Nines fear pushing people away by prioritizing their own needs, and they tend to be passive. FL: Where can readers find out more about the enneagram, including what their type is? MO: You can take Truity’s free Enneagram test (the number one test in the United States) here: truity.com/ test/enneagram-personality-test. It takes about ten minutes to complete. Your basic results are free, but if you upgrade to our full 18-page in-depth report, you will get much deeper insights into your type at home, work, and in relationships. ¶
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June 2022
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Enneagram for Kids
A Pint-Sized Path for Understanding Personality
By Ann Gadd
T
he Enneagram of Personality consists of nine main personality types with many potential nuances. I believe there is value in helping children explore the differences in the Enneagram types. When this information is presented at their level of comprehension, children are able to develop an appreciation not only for their own gifts, but also for the contributions of the people in their lives.
To help parents introduce these ideas to their children, I created a series of fun illustrated Enneagram books that help children understand that being different doesn’t mean being wrong, and that there is room for all types in the world. The books present simple but insightful examinations of each of the Enneagram types and their unique path to emotional and mental health. 22 SonomaFamilyLife
Percy Perfect—The Enneagram Type One for Kids Percy Perfect wants his house to stay perfectly neat and tidy, but his messy friends have other ideas. Is it worth being perfect if you miss all the fun? Hazel Helper—The Enneagram Type Two for Kids Hazel Helper is always busy helping everyone else—but one day she realizes that she needs June 2022
help too! Hazel learns not just to nurture and be kind to others, but to be kind to herself. Sally Star—The Enneagram Type Three for Kids Sally Star loves to be the best at everything. But what happens when the other kids also start excelling? Sally learns that sometimes being kind makes you the real winner. Arthur Artsy—The Enneagram Type Four for Kids Arthur Artsy is original and creative, but he often feels sad and misunderstood. Arthur discovers that he doesn’t need to try to be special and unique—like all of us, he already is! Sebastian Study—The Enneagram Type Five for Kids Sebastian Study just loves learning new things, but his friends sometimes get in the way. If he stays in his room, he can do his own thing…but is he missing some fun in the park? Katy Cautious—The Enneagram Type Six for Kids Katy Cautious is a loyal, responsible friend, but sometimes her fear stops her from having a good time. Katy learns to find the courage to act despite her fear. www.sonomafamilylife.com
Felix Fun—The Enneagram Type Seven for Kids Felix Fun loves having adventures and is always busy planning the next one. One day Felix gets sick and has to stay in bed—boring! It’s a visit from his friends that makes him feel better.
Arthur Artsy is original and creative. Ben Boss—The Enneagram Type Eight for Kids Ben Boss is always in charge in the playground, but when he can’t catch the ball, he starts to cry! His friends already know how brave Ben is—but it takes true strength to also be gentle.
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Posie Peace—The Enneagram Type Nine for Kids Posie Peace doesn’t like to speak out or make a fuss. But when all her friends start fighting, it’s up to her to find her voice and create peace and harmony between the others. ¶ Excerpted from Better Parenting with the Enneagram by Ann Gadd © 2022 Findhorn Press. Printed with permission from the publisher Inner Traditions International: innertraditions.com. Ann Gadd is a fully accredited Enneagram practitioner (iEQ9 certified), presenter, and professional member of the International Enneagram Association (IEA), holistic therapist, artist, workshop facilitator, and journalist. She is the author of 35 books, including Sex and the Enneagram and an Enneagram kids’ series of books. Ann lives in Cape Town, South Africa.
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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! June 2022
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What’s Social Emotional Learning? Schools & Parents Help Kids Regulate Feelings By Pam Moore “More Goldfish!” my five-year-old demands. I summon all my patience. “Can you try that again?” “I’m hungry!” I take a long blink. “Honey? Can you—” Her face is still beet red, but her body has relaxed. She takes a deep breath, and then slowly blows the air through her pursed lips. This is the “birthday cake” breathing she learned in kindergarten. “Mom, can I please have more Goldfish?” My daughter attends a public school where her teacher is one of a handful of educators integrating social and emotional learning (SEL) into the classroom. 24 SonomaFamilyLife
According to the Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning, SEL is “the process through which children and adults acquire and effectively apply the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions.” SEL is based on five core competencies: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. With a growing body of research supporting SEL as a driver of academic performance, emotional well-being, and positive school culture, its rising popularity is not surprising. June 2022
A 2011 meta-analysis showed students who participated in school-based SEL demonstrated significant improvements in social and emotional skills and behaviors and an 11 percentile increase in academic performance. A 2017 study showed that in addition to increased academic performance, children who engaged in school-based SEL showed higher graduation rates and safer sexual behavior, even 18 years post-intervention.
As a parent, I see the benefits of SEL daily. While school districts are starting to adopt SEL, it’s not the norm. If your child’s school has yet to embrace it, Jennifer Miller, SEL expert, offers tips for parents. Create a Plan Miller recommends creating a Family Emotional Safety Plan, so when emotional disaster strikes, you’re ready. It can be as simple as “When mom is angry, she’ll say ‘I need five minutes’ and then she’ll go in her room and shut the door while she cools down.” Explaining the plan in advance precludes your child from anxiously wondering, “‘Why is she leaving me?,’ compounding [their] upset with fear,” says Miller. Make a Pledge While family arguments are natural, they’re not always healthy. According to Miller, data support specific types of fighting. While particular words, attitudes, and actions can leave emotional scars, others strengthen relationships. Miller’s Fighting Fair Family Pledge sets boundaries on language and actions to avoid (e.g. www.sonomafamilylife.com
criticizing, blaming, name-calling), while offering effective alternatives (like taking responsibility and focusing on solutions). Use Challenges as Learning Opportunities Miller says when faced with parenting challenges, it’s crucial to ask, “What skill does my child need to learn?” While being clear about what behaviors are unacceptable, we must teach our kids how to engage in the practices we do want to see. For example, if your child continually takes her younger sister’s doll, instead of repeatedly telling her not to, Miller encourages parents to use this situation as a teachable moment. “You might say, ‘You really want to play with your sister’s doll. Let’s see if there are ways we can play that keep everyone happy and also give you a chance with the doll.
Hmmm, what could we do?!’ Get your child involved.” You can also have your child teach the behavior to a toy to make the lesson more fun.
Create a Family Emotional Safety Plan. As a parent, I see the benefits of SEL daily. I see it when my daughter chooses deep breaths over screaming when I brush her hair, when she asks her little sister to take turns, and when she tells herself, “I can do it” before attempting the monkey bars. I see it when she says, “Oops. Mistake. I’ll take a deep breath and try again.” In my daughter’s class, SEL isn’t a separate lesson. Her teacher, Donna Young, infuses it into the classroom culture. Young crouches to make
eye contact while greeting each child by name. Throughout the day, the class does calming breathing exercises together. Young strives to model self-regulation. When she falls short, she tells her students what she was feeling, what she did, and what she’ll do differently next time. “This just reinforces that everyone makes mistakes…and it’s okay.” SEL skills aren’t just beneficial for kids. Young wishes she knew about SEL when her kids were growing up. “If I had had the knowledge and self-awareness that I have now, I would have parented in a different way. I believe I would have had more compassion for myself and my mistakes as a parent of young children.” ¶ Find more of Pam Moore’s writing at pam-moore.com.
COMMUNITY LEARNING IN THE HEART OF SANTA ROSA
LEARN MORE ABOUT YOUTH VACCINES Clinics hosted in partnership between County of Sonoma, Sonoma County Office of Education, and local school districts
Learn more at scoe.org/vaccines www.sonomafamilylife.com
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
THE SCHOOL THAT GROWS WITH YOU! • Project Based Learning • Multi-age, Developmental Classrooms • Environmental Education • Social Emotional Learning • Public Magnet School • K-4 for 2022/23 Growing a Grade a Year
NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR ALL GRADES K-4 (707) 890-3869 | 203 S. A St. www.srcschools.org/learninghouse June 2022
SonomaFamilyLife 25
back the layers to investigate what might be going on with them.
Communicate with Kids Learn How to Listen and What to Say By William Stixrud and Ned Johnson
D
ealing with kids’ emotions in a productive way involves a four-step process, and the first two steps happen before you say a single word.
1. Stay calm and think of your kids’ strong emotions as a great opportunity to connect. 2. Understand and accept rather than judge; be curious rather than accusatory. 3. Reflect and validate their feelings. 4. Explore—ask follow-up questions. Step 1: Stay Calm and Think of Your Kids’ Strong Emotions as a Great Opportunity to Connect. Consider the bonds that develop when people share stressful experiences. It’s not like we expect you to jump for joy when your kid’s having a meltdown, is grumpy, or is having a hard time in his life. But when you stay calm and reframe big feelings as 26 SonomaFamilyLife
an opportunity, it’s easier to exercise patience and compassion. Meet their intensity with your presence, and don’t get upset yourself. Step 2: Understand and Accept Rather than Judge; Be Curious Rather than Accusatory. When your kid’s upset, you inevitably have subtitles running through your head telling you to use the opportunity as a teaching moment. It’s hard, but turn these subtitles off. Take the generous position that even though your child is in distress, this distress represents their best effort right now—and that’s okay. Every misstep doesn’t have to be a teaching moment. From this position of grace, you can get curious rather than accusatory and then peel June 2022
Step 3: Reflect and Validate Their Feelings. Reflective listening developed out of the work of Carl Rogers, one of the most influential psychologists of the 20th century. His person-centered approach to psychotherapy emphasizes the importance of listening closely to deeply understand a client’s experience—and then reflecting back that understanding. Careful listening helps kids feel
Every misstep doesn’t have to be a teaching moment. heard, and several experts have pointed out that kids listen better after they are heard.1 Also, when they feel understood—and, importantly, accepted—by their parents, it helps kids see their parents as the safe base they can come to, rather than run from, at times of stress. Language that communicates careful listening when kids have strong emotions is similar to paraphrasing— but in a way that signals we are trying to understand their feelings. Psychologist and communication expert Eran Magen uses the helpful acronym WIG (“What I Got”—from what you said) to describe this kind of listening. Some examples of “WIG-ing”: • “What I got from what you said is that you feel like Erin betrayed you.” • “Am I getting this right—that the way she said it made you feel like she was trying to embarrass you?” www.sonomafamilylife.com
• “Let me see if I’m understanding. Other kids were doing it, too, and you feel like your teachers singled you out and that it’s not fair.” • “It sounds like you were really scared when I was late to pick you up.” • “You seem to be pretty mad about this.” One useful tip for asking questions: rather than ask a child why he is upset about something, ask, “How does that upset you?” For many kids, this phrasing sounds less challenging or accusatory than asking why.2 Through reflective listening, we can help kids see that we’re trying to understand what they’re going through. Magen says we win relationship “points” and make a deposit in a relational bank account every time
a kid says “yeah” or “exactly” in response to our WIG. 3 Language that expresses validation is similar—but adds the message that I can see why you feel like that—you’re feeling is normal.4 Validating language shows a kid that he’s not wrong to have his feelings, and that he is accepted and loved unconditionally. Some examples: • “That must have been hard for you.” • “I think I know how you feel.” • “I think most people would be upset by that.” • “I get scared sometimes, too.” For instructions on Step 4, see our book What Do You Say? (Viking, 2021). ¶
Join our
Notes 1. See Karyn Hall and Melissa Cook’s book The Power of Validation (Oakland, CA: New Harbinger, 2012). 2. This comes from Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), a set of communication tools described in a book by Richard Bandler and John Grinder called Reframing: Neuro-Linguistic Programming and the Transformation of Meaning (Moab, UT: Real People Press, 1982). 3. Eran Magen, personal communication. 4. See Hall and Cook, The Power of Validation.
Adapted, with permission, from What Do You Say?: How to Talk with Kids to Build Motivation, Stress Tolerance, and a Happy Home by William Stixrud, PhD, and Ned Johnson (Viking, 2021). William Stixrud, PhD, is a clinical psychologist and a faculty member at Children’s National Medical Center and George Washington University School of Medicine. Ned Johnson is the founder of PrepMatters and the coauthor of Conquering the SAT: How Parents Can Help Teens Overcome the Pressure and Succeed.
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AGES 6-12 YEARS
KNOW YOUR OPTIONS FOR TRANSITIONAL KINDERGARTEN WE ACCEPT STATE SUBSIDIZED VOUCHERS FOR TK PROGRAMS. CALL FOR MORE INFO.
opportunities for babies, teens and everything in between www.cstsr.org | 707.578.5519
2600 Bennett Valley Rd. Santa Rosa, CA
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PRESCHOOL AGES 2-5 YEARS Developmentally appropriate learning activities and social summer fun!
WOODSIDE WEST SCHOOL 2577 Guerneville Rd. • Santa Rosa • 528-6666 Lic#’s 490103579 & 490108547 • woodsidewestschool.com
June 2022
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June
Kelsea Ballerini
Calendar of Events
Country Cool
K
elsea Ballerini started writing songs as a little kid. By the time she was 21 she had a record deal. Now, at 28, she is a country pop music star with nearly 3 million Instagram followers. See her perform at the Country Summer Music Festival, where she leads a lineup that includes Blake Shelton, Chris Young, and Russell Dickerson. The festival runs Father’s Day weekend, June 17–19, at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa. One-day tickets are $85–$159; a three-day pass starts at $279. Find out more and purchase tickets at countrysummer.com. ¶
Friday 3 9 to 5, the Musical. Music & lyrics by Dolly Parton. $32–$45. 6th Street Playhouse. 52 W. 6th St., Santa Rosa. Thursdays–Saturdays:
7:30 p.m. Saturdays & Sundays: 2 p.m. Runs thru June 26. Tickets: 6thstreetplayhouse.com. FREE Summer Movie in the Park: Encanto. Bring chairs & blankets.
Arrive 15 minutes prior to show. 8:30–10:30 p.m. La Plaza Park. Cotati. cotati.recdesk.com/Community/ Calendar. FREE Friday Night Live at the Plaza.
Rock concert, vendor booths & variety of family-friendly activities. June 3: Monophonics (psychedelic soul). June 10: Moonalice (jam band). June 17: Tommy Castro & the Painkillers (blues rock). June 24: Orgone (California soul). Street Fair: 6 p.m. Live music: 6:30–9:30 p.m. Downtown Plaza. 122 N. Cloverdale Blvd., Cloverdale. cloverdaleartsalliance.org/ fnlmusic.
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
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FREE Party on the Plaza. Help celebrate Rohnert Park’s 60th birthday. Farmers’ market & vendor booths. Different band every Friday evening throughout the summer. Wine & beer for purchase. Fridays. 5–9 p.m. City Center Plaza. 500 City Center Dr., Rohnert Park. ci.rohnert-park.ca.us. FREE Young Astronomers/ Striking Sparks. Robert Ferguson Observatory virtual meeting for kids in grades 4–9 who are interested in all things space & want to meet
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like-minded friends. First Friday of each month. 7–8 p.m. RSVP for ZOOM link: ncummings@rfo.org.
Saturday 4 Ask a Farmer. Join Farmer Emily & Gardening Grammy for a multigenerational learning experience. Learn about gardening practices & participate in maintaining an edible garden. Free with museum admission ($11–$14; babies 0–11 mos., free). 10 a.m.–noon. Children’s Museum of Sonoma County. 1835 W. Steele Ln., Santa Rosa. tinyurl.com/2p8kp99j.
Parade: June 4 at 10 a.m. Forestville Youth Park. 7045 Mirabel Rd., Forestville. forestvilleyouthpark.org.
Sunday 5 Classical Kids Live! Gershwin’s Magic Key. A newspaper boy &
American composer George Gershwin
SONOMA-MARIN FAIRGROUNDS PRESENTS:
EVERYBODY'S FAIR JUNE 22ND - 26TH, 2022 175 FAIRGROUNDS DR
FREE Sonoma County Pride. Parade
Artisan Hall - World's Ugliest Dog Contest - Sunday Races - Car Shows - Hispanic Festival - Still Exhibits - live Stage Performances- Live Stock Shows Fun Rides - funnel cake eating contest and more for Everyone to enjoy!!
theme: We Are Family. Costume contests. Noon–5 p.m. Parade: 11 a.m. Fourth St. & Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa. sonomacountypride.org. Lavender Daze. Tour flower fields & walk the lavender labyrinth. Live music: noon–3 p.m. $30. Kids 12 & younger: free with adult. June 4–5 & 11–12. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Bees & Blooms. 3883 Petaluma Hill Rd., Santa Rosa. Registration required. Go to beesnblooms.com. Hot Air Balloon Classic. Food booths, coloring contest, craft booths, play area & more. Admission: $7–$15. Ages 2 & younger: free. Tethered rides: additional $15. Parking: $10 (cash only). Thru June 5. 5–10:30 a.m. Glow Show: 5 a.m. Balloon launch: 6:30 a.m. Sonoma County Fairgrounds. 1350 Bennett Valley Rd., Santa Rosa. schabc.org. Forestville Youth Park BBQ. BBQ chicken, beans, steak & oysters available for purchase. Live music & vendor & craft booths. No pets or coolers. Proceeds benefit the Youth Park. June 4 & 5: 11 a.m.–8 p.m.
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meet by chance on the streets of New York City. The boy explores the vast melting pot of American music & unlocks his own musical potential. Performed by the Santa Rosa Symphony. $10–$20. ID & proof of COVID-19 vaccination or negative PCR test 72 hours prior
Performances By June 22nd Queen Nation
June 23rd
Black Sheep Brass Band
June 24th Niko Moon
38 Special
June 25th
WUD
Clay Walker
June 26th
La Gente SF / Hispanic Community Day
Van Goat
TICKETS CAN BE PURCHASED AT sonoma-marinfair.org
THANK YOU 2022 SPONSORS!!
June 2022
Guilty Party
Pay One Pr
ice Ticket ! Includes fair adm issions unlimited carnival free conc rides erts and entertai nment!
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required. 3 p.m. Green Music Center. 1801 E. Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park. Tickets: gmc.sonoma.edu/ gershwins-magic-key-2.
Tuesday 7 FREE BiblioBus in Cotati. Sonoma
County Library’s new mobile library features a small collection of English & Spanish books for all ages, free Wi-Fi & more. 1–3 p.m. Charles Street Village. 42 Charles St., Cotati. sonomalibrary.org/bibliobus. FREE Santa Rosa Taco Tuesday Rides. All cyclists welcome to roll through downtown Santa Rosa. Taco trucks will be on hand to sell tacos & drinks. Tuesdays. Meet up: 5:45 p.m. Pedals up: 6:15 p.m. Humboldt Park. 1172 Humboldt St., Santa Rosa. facebook.com/groups/340583634378145.
FREE Tuesdays in the Plaza.
FREE Virtual Pride Club for Teens.
Live music. June 7: Kingsborough (rock). June 14: Jesús Díaz y Su QBA (Afro-Cuban). June 21: The Carolyn Sills Combo (spaghetti western swing). June 28: The Anthony Paule Soul Orchestra (blues/ soul). 6–8 p.m. Healdsburg Plaza. Healdsburg Ave. & Matheson St., Healdsburg. ci.healdsburg.ca.us/335/ Tuesdays-in-the-Plaza.
Kids ages 13–18 discuss books & other media that showcase queer voices & experiences. Sponsored by the Sonoma County Library. Tuesdays. 5–6 p.m. Register for Zoom link: tinyurl.com/z99r6c72.
Wednesday 8 Common Ground Caregiver
FREE Family Movies on the Green.
June 7: Encanto. June 12: Sing 2. June 21: Luca. June 28: Ratatouille. Bring blanket or low-back chair. No blankets on lawn before 4:30 p.m. Movie begins 15 minutes after sunset. Windsor Town Green. 701 McClelland Dr., Windsor. tinyurl.com/4592f4vn.
Weekday Coffee Date. For parents & caretakers of disabled or special needs children. Held second Wednesday of each month. Cup of coffee, light snacks & conversation. 9 a.m.–noon. Trailhouse Coffee. 4036 Montgomery Dr., Santa Rosa. Registration required: tinyurl.com/yckzv2kd. FREE Paint Party! | ¡Fiesta de pintura! Ages 7 & up. All welcome. Follow along & create a painting at
Movie Nights @ 6pm August 4 June 2
Love, Simon
July 7 Encanto
The Goonies (6pm)
Ghostbusters (8pm)
September 1 Back to the future
Family Fridays! 4-7PM June 24
Sonoma County pomo dancers
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June 2022
July 15
June 24
Ballet Sonoma Folklorico County pride QuetzalÉn family affair
Details & more events @
downtownsantarosa.org
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this interactive class. Lessons will be bilingual (English & Spanish) with local artist Tara Hackett. First come, first served, while supplies last./A partir de 7 años. Todos bienvenidos. Siga y cree una pintura en esta clase interactiva. Las lecciones serán bilingües (inglés y español) con la artista local Tara Hackett. Por orden de llegada, hasta agotar existencias. 4–5:30 p.m. Healdsburg Library. 139 Piper St., Healdsburg. downtownsantarosa.org.
Rosa. (Cruise on June 11, 5:30–8:30 p.m., in downtown Santa Rosa.) cruiseforpeggysue.com. FREE Let’s Read Outside: Stories in the Garden/Leamos Afuera: Cuentos en el Jardín. Sonoma
County Library staff will read aloud a book for ages 0–6 & their families.
Books will be in English & Spanish. Children will receive a book to bring home. Raffle for handmade quilt./ El personal de la biblioteca del condado de Sonoma leerá en voz alta un libro para niños de 0 a 6 años y sus familias. Los libros estarán en inglés y español. Los niños recibirán un libro para llevar a casa. Rifa de edredón hecho a mano.
Thursday 9 FREE Summer on the Square. Free live music on Thursdays (except first Thursdays, when there are movies screened). June 9: Kids on a Crime Spree. June 16: La Agencia. June 23: John Courage. June 30: Tru Lyric. 5:30–7:30 p.m. Old Courthouse Square. Santa Rosa. downtownsantarosa.org. FREE Summer Night on the Green Concert Series. Live music & farmers’ market. Thursdays. Thru Sept. 8. Farmers’ Market: 5 p.m. Live music: 6 p.m. Windsor Town Green. 701 McClelland Dr., Windsor. townofwindsor.com/338/ Special-Events. FREE Intergenerational Chess Club: Teens & Seniors. 3:30–5 p.m.
Sebastopol Library. 7140 Bodega Ave., Sebastopol. tinyurl.com/yxzcfwth.
Friday 10 Peggy Sue’s Car Show. June 10, 3–7 p.m.: Music, food & screening of the Blues Brothers at sundown. June 11, 8 a.m.–4 p.m.: Classic car show with live music 9 a.m.–2 p.m. Admission: $10 or free for ages 12 & younger. Parking: $10. Sonoma County Fairgrounds. 1350 Bennett Valley Rd., Santa
www.sonomafamilylife.com
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10–11:30 a.m. Land Paths’ Bayer Farm. 1550 West Ave., Santa Rosa. Registration/ la inscripción: tinyurl. com/3z2n3j3e.
June 13: 7:30 p.m. Green Music Center. 1801 E. Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park. Tickets: tinyurl.com/mkbd8dum.
FREE Comic Workshop with Gio
gloves & other supplies are provided. Bring snacks & water. 9 a.m.–noon. Larson Park. 329 DeChene Ave., Sonoma. Registration: tinyurl.com/ y43kvcab.
FREE Larson Creek Clean-Up. Tools,
Benedetti. Kids in grades K–6 learn
how to create their own mini-comic book. All materials provided. Supplies limited. 2–3:30 p.m. Santa Rosa Central Library. 211 E St., Santa Rosa. Registration: tinyurl.com/2p99n7zy.
Saturday 11 Visions of Hope: Los Braceros Cantata. Performed by the Santa Rosa Symphony & Mariachi Champaña Nevín. First-ever commission & world premiere of a major work for mariachi & orchestra. $24–$97. June 11: 2 p.m. (open rehearsal) & 7:30 p.m. June 12: 3 p.m.
FREE Movies in Lucchesi Park: Moana. Bring chairs & blankets. Food
& beverages available for purchase. 8:30 p.m. Lucchesi Park. 320 N. McDowell Blvd., Petaluma. tinyurl. com/46hrpx3w.
Sunday 12
FREE Village Sounds Summer Concert Series. Held the second &
tips & tricks for engaging with nature. All ages & abilities are welcome. Bring
fourth Sunday afternoon thru Aug. 21. Those who wish to sit need to
Now Accepting Applications
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CALL NOW 707-206-9988 367 West Robles Avenue, Santa Rosa • www.schoolbusing.org 32 SonomaFamilyLife
Ride-A-Rig. Kids get a chance to see & touch vehicles that play an important role in the community. $8. Ages 2 & younger: free. Tickets for sale online or in person. Presented by the Junior League of Napa & Sonoma. 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Sonoma County Fairgrounds. 1350 Bennett Valley Rd., Santa Rosa. Tickets: jlns.org/ride-a-rig.html.
FREE Family Fun Hike. Learn simple
SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS NEEDED! • Paid job training. • Part-time. • Health benefits. • CalPERS retirement. • Winter & Spring Breaks off. • Summers optional. • Paid sick leave, holidays, & vacations.
water & snacks, hat & sunscreen. Parking is $7 or free with a Regional Parks membership. 10 a.m.–noon. Chileno Valley Trailhead. 411 Chileno Valley Rd., Petaluma. tinyurl.com/ mr9uhk96.
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 • (707) 479-1128 Keenan5678@att.net www.keenanirishdanceschool.com
June 2022
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thrilling & sophisticated children’s camps at select locations
‘...the distinction between past, present and future is only a stubbornly persistent illusion.’- Einstein Touring June to October under the BigTop
NOW HIRING STYLISTS
Save 20% With Our Pre-Paid KidsCut Program Corner of Hwy. 12 & Mission Blvd. 56 Mission Circle Ste. B • Santa Rosa (707) 791-8511 www.haircutsarefun.com
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June 2022
SonomaFamilyLife 33
make table reservations. Benefits local non-profits. 3–6 p.m. Montgomery Village. 911 Village Ct., Santa Rosa. tinyurl.com/2s4cc2ay. FREE Railroad Square Music Festival. More than 20 performers,
including Kingsborough, Burrows & Dilbeck, Kayatta, The Happys & La Agencia. Donations suggested. Noon–7:30 p.m. Railroad Square. 9 4th St., Santa Rosa. railroadsquare musicfestival.com.
Tuesday 14 FREE African Drumming.
Drumming, dancing, and singing with Onye Onyemaechi. 2–3 p.m. Central Santa Rosa Library. 211 E St., Santa Rosa. tinyurl.com/mcnetr8m. Other libraries will host this event in June. See sonomalibrary.org/events. FREE Sensory Friendly Afternoon.
Hands-on exhibits & art studio open exclusively to children who have special needs. Lights turned down, noises limited & extra signage displayed for safe, accessible experience. 1–5 p.m. Children’s Museum of Sonoma County. 1835 W. Steele Ln., Santa Rosa. Registration required: tinyurl.com/2p9cva69.
Friday 17 Country Summer Music Festival.
Featuring Kelsea Ballerini, Blake Shelton, Chris Young & Russell Dickerson. $85–$159. Thru June 19. Sonoma County Fairgrounds. 1350 Bennett Valley Rd., Santa Rosa. countrysummer.com. FREE E-Waste Recycling Event. Electronics collection. No appointment necessary. 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Thru June 19. Luther Burbank Center. 50 Mark Springs Rd., Santa Rosa. For a list of acceptable & unacceptable items, visit: tinyurl.com/2p94pnvu.
Saturday 18 FREE Autistic Pride Picnic & Rally.
Bring own food for picnic. Vendors, speeches & information tables. Noon–3 p.m. Lunch: Noon. Speeches presented by those with autism: 1–3 p.m. Howarth Park. 630 Summerfield Rd., Santa Rosa. Complete schedule: tinyurl.com/44t4as2m. Bubbly Birthday Bash. Help celebrate the anniversary of the Children’s Museum of Sonoma County. Blow bubbles of all shapes & sizes. $14 (discounts for qualifying guests). Babies 0–11 months & members: free. 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Celebrating
Children’s Museum of Sonoma County. 1835 W. Steele Ln., Santa Rosa. tinyurl.com/4pd9y622.
Sunday 19 Father’s Day at the Museum. Free admission for fathers. All others: $5–$12; ages 3 & younger, free. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Charles M. Schulz Museum. 2301 Hardies Ln., Santa Rosa. schulzmuseum.org. Father’s Day Show & Shine Car Show. 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Juilliard Park. 227 Santa Rosa Ave., Santa Rosa. tinyurl.com/47zsje8t.
Wednesday 22 Sonoma-Marin Fair. $13–$20. June 24–27. Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds. 175 Fairgrounds Dr., Petaluma. sonoma-marinfair.org.
Thursday 23 Flynn Creek Circus. A rurally based,
award-winning circus that brings international talent to the North Bay. Tickets are sold by table or bench, regardless of age of attendees: $81–$416. June 23: 8 p.m. June 24: 5 & 8 p.m. June 25: 5 p.m. plus a 21+ only show at 8 p.m. June 26: 1 p.m. Under the big top tent at Luther Burbank Center. 50 Mark West Springs Rd., Santa Rosa. Tickets: tinyurl. com/4aep5pxu.
Friday 24 FREE Family Friday on the Square.
Games, activities & Sonoma County Pomo Dancer performance. 4–7 p.m. Old Courthouse Square. Santa Rosa. downtownsantarosa.org.
#1 resource for local families magazine • web • email • events 34 SonomaFamilyLife
YEARS June 2022
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Saturday 25 Kids Night at the Museum. Pizza, games, cartooning & crafts. Ages 5–10. $35. Sibling discount available. 5–9 p.m. Charles M. Schulz Museum. 2301 Hardies Ln., Santa Rosa. Tickets: tinyurl.com/hf6hueuk. Guest Cartoonist: Terri Libenson.
Talk & book signing by New York Times best-selling author of the Emmie & Friends series. $5–$15. Free for kids ages 3 & younger seated on laps. 2 p.m. Charles M. Schulz Museum. 2301 Hardies Ln., Santa Rosa. Tickets: tinyurl. com/4wy67rah. 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. Lucchesi Park. 320 N. McDowell Blvd., Petaluma. tinyurl. com/2tzbefek. FREE Cotati Music Festival. The Soul Section heads lineup. Bring blanket or low-back chairs. Leave animals at home. Noon–6 p.m. La Plaza Park. 8167 La Plaza, Cotati. cotati.org/news-events/events/ cotati-music-fest. Russian River Rodeo. $5–$12. $40 family-pack (2 adults & kids). 23450 Moscow Rd., Duncan Mills. Thru June 26. Rodeo starts at 1 p.m. both days. Tickets: russianriverrodeo.org.
Sunday 26
thru gardens & catch a glimpse of butterflies & birds. Children’s activities, wildflower display & sale of plants, books & crafts. Two time slots: 10 a.m.–2 p.m. or noon–4 p.m. Hallberg Butterfly Gardens. 8687 Oak Grove Ave., Sebastopol. Registration required for morning or afternoon slot: hallbergbutterflygardens.org/ open-gardens.
Thursday 30 FREE Evening Kayak Litter Clean-Up. Pick up floating debris. Kayaks available to check out for free. 5:30–8 p.m. Spring Lake Regional Park. 393 Violetti Rd., Santa Rosa. Registration: tinyurl.com/y5s3ke6a.
FREE Hallberg Butterfly Gardens Open Gardens Celebration. Walk
SUMMER CAMP AGES 7-12 | SIGN UP ONLINE
707-538-2000 | MARKWESTSTABLES.COM
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 www.sonomafamilylife.com
June 2022
SonomaFamilyLife 35
Humor Break
It wasn’t until about 25 minutes later that, just as Maddie wiped her nose on my shirt, I finally started to feel some warm drops on my hand.
Poker Face Tales of a Zero-Drama Mama By Jessica Guerrieri
B
efore a workout class yesterday, one of my friends told me a story about arriving at the playground with her four-year-old son only to have him announce that he had a “poop-nugget” in his underwear. She didn’t have a change of clothes for him and, after all the effort it took just to get out of the house, she was not about to leave. So she found a tree, opened his pant leg, and had him shake out the poop. Then she buried it with dirt and continued on their merry way.
As she told the story, I just kept stretching, nodding along as if she were sharing their summer vacation plans. Like all moms, I have been conditioned to be unflappable, especially when it comes to anything that involves human anatomy and bodily functions. I remember vividly, back when I had 36 SonomaFamilyLife
two kids under three, how I spent the morning in the bathroom at the doctor’s office trying to get a sterile urine sample from my three-year-old daughter. As she sat on the toilet, I put my hand all the way down the toilet bowl, ready for whatever came at me. My daughter just started laughing, thinking I was trying to pinch her bottom. It was at about this time that my other daughter, Maddie, discovered my wallet and started flinging my credit cards into the bathroom trashcan and onto the floor. That was it. It was time for an emergency story time. I grabbed Maddie and sat us both next to the toilet bowl as I began to tell the Little Mermaid, hoping the water theme would get things moving. Right then an elderly man walked in on us— naturally the girls had unlocked the door—but I was happy for the break. June 2022
It’s not just human-genital scenarios that mothers regularly confront with zero drama. Recently our three bunnies entered sexual maturity. How do I know this? My daughter brought her upside-down bunny to me. Something had happened and she was devastated, convinced that the little guy was dying. One peek and I came face-to-face with the reality: his testicles had newly descended. I calmly let her know what was going on. Praising her for locating the one un-cute thing about these darling dwarf bunnies, I then congratulated myself for handling the situation flawlessly—no emotional trauma. Just then the bunnies began engaging in what my daughters have since affectionately named “the hippity-hop.” I only let a hearty chuckle escape when I had made it safely to the pantry. And that is where my chuckles, cries, and jaw-drops happen—outside of the view of my kids. The rest of the time, I, like most mothers, am the queen of the poker face. And when it comes to other moms’ tales from the bodily fluid trenches, I also don’t bat an eye. Don’t get me wrong—I love a good poop story. They are sort of my bread-and-butter as a mommy-writer. But anyone looking for any reaction other than empathetic amusement and judgment-free solidarity has got the wrong girl. ¶ Jessica Guerrieri is a mom and a freelance writer/blogger. Find her at witandspitup.com and on Instagram @witandspitup.
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JOIN OUR LOVING FAMILY
How to Get Back to Calm
W
hen we are super stressed, we may feel out of control. There is a way to get back in the driver’s seat, says Julie Potiker, a certified Mindful Self-Compassion teacher from the University of California. It’s called SNAP. Potiker details the method in her book SNAP! From Chaos to Calm, and outlines the basics here:
keep little bodies & brains active & learning!
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S
oothing Touch—When you feel stress, where does it show up in your body? Place your hand on your heart, face, arms, belly, or in your other hand to find your body’s soothing touch location. The release of oxytocin and endorphins will help calm your nervous system.
N
ame the Emotion—Name it to tame it, so that you can feel it to heal it. Naming the emotion engages your thinking brain to help you calm down when you are feeling overwhelmed. Then you can apply one of the many appropriate mindful methods to help you feel better.
A
ct—Ask the ultimate Mindful Self-Compassion question: “What do I need right now?” Then do what reasonably can be done with what you’ve got in the moment. For example:
BRING THE FUN TO YOUR NEXT CELEBRATION!
RENT A
PHOTOBOOTH
• Try controlling your breathing, making your exhale longer than your inhale to lower blood pressure and slow heart rate. • Try dropping your attention to the soles of your feet as you control your breathing to slow the whole show down. • Stay focused on your body and your breathing. Breathe in compassion for yourself because it’s so difficult, and breathe out compassion for them because they are suffering (even if their behavior might be disturbing).
P
raise —Thank your practice for helping you manage the stress. Thank yourself for showing up day after day, trying to do your best. Thank the universe, or your spirit of choice, for giving you the strength and courage to keep on keeping on. Find out more at mindfulmethodsforlife.com.
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BIRTHDAY PARTIES Weddings • Fundraisers • School Events
707-888-9672 • www.facebook.com/bedokaparties June 2022
SonomaFamilyLife 37
4th of July Fireworks Spectacular
American Acoustic:
Punch Brothers and Watchhouse Featuring Sarah Jarosz Sat, Aug 6 at 7:30 p.m.
Santa Rosa Symphony Michael Berkowitz, Conductor & Transcendence Theatre Company Mon, July 4 at 7:30 p.m.
Craft Beer Festival 5-7:30 p.m.
E.T. The Extra Terrestrial In Concert Santa Rosa Symphony
Patti LaBelle
Thurs, July 7 at 7:30 p.m.
Sat, Aug 13 at 7:30 p.m.
™ & © Universal Studios
Fitz and the Tantrums and Andy Grammer
Free Community Concert Presented by the Green Music Center and Santa Rosa Symphony featuring Villalobos Brothers and Santa Rosa Symphony
Fri, Aug 26 at 7:30 p.m.
Francesco Lecce-Chong, conductor
Sun, July 24 at 7 p.m.
Los Tigres del Norte La Reunión Tour
Indigo Girls
Thurs, Sept 8 at 7:30 p.m.
Sat, July 30 at 7:30 p.m.
Movies at the Green
with additional support from Sonoma State University Involvement Lawn tickets only $5 per person | 12 and under free
Encanto
Sat, July 9 at 5 p.m.
Sing and Sing 2
Sat, July 23 at 5 p.m. | 7 p.m.
The Mighty Ducks Sat, Aug 27 at 5 p.m.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings Spider-Man: No Way Home Sat, Sept 10 at 5 p.m. | 7 p.m.
O N L I N E g m c . s o n o m a .e d u | P H O N E 707.6 6 4 .4 24 6 I N P E R S O N 1 8 01 Ea st C o t a t i Ave n u e Ro h n e r t Pa r k , CA 9492 8