Sonoma Family Life June 2023

sonoma

Humor Therapy

Parents share stories

Cheap Fun

25 creative ideas

Parent Stress

How to cope

Sibling Rivalry

Keep the peace

Santa Rosa Symphony Michael Berkowitz, conductor Transcendence Theatre Company

Tue, July 4 at 7:30 p.m.

Nickel Creek with special guest Monica Martin

Sun, July 9 at 7 p.m.

Craft Beer Festival 4:30–7 p.m.

Los Huracanes del Norte

Sat, July 15 at 7:30 p.m.

Movies at the Green

Supported in part by Sonoma State Student Involvement and the Sonoma State Alumni Association Lawn Tickets only $5 per person | 12 and under free

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

Sat, June 17 at 5 p.m.

Frozen and Frozen II

Top Gun and Top Gun: Maverick Sat, July 29 at 5 p.m. | 6:45 p.m.

Thurs, July 27 at 7:30 p.m.

Los Lonely Boys

The Brotherhood Tour with Thee Sinseers and The Altons

Thurs, Aug 10 at 7:30 p.m.

Music

from All 9 Star Wars Movies

Santa Rosa Symphony

Francesco Lecce Chong, conductor

Sat, Aug 26 at 7:30 p.m.

Kool & the Gang

Sat, Sept 9 at 7:30 p.m.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie

Sat, Sept 16 at 5 p.m.

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Sharon Gowan Publisher/Editor Sharon@family-life.us

In the world of parenting literature, there is not a lot written for dads. That’s why this issue features four pieces by or for fathers. The first, “Humor Therapy” (page 12), is an interview with Sonoma dad Jay Rooke about his snarky but supportive online community, Gonzo Parenting.

Humor is the way Rooke stays balanced. And the same is true for funny-guy Shannon Carpenter, who shares his top sanity tips in “Parent Stress” (page 28); then he makes us laugh with “Dad History” (page 40).

Meanwhile, “Zesty Meatloaf” (page 8), an excerpt from Cooking with My Dad, the Chef (America’s Test Kitchen, 2023), makes Father’s Day dinner a cinch. While our Calendar of Events (page 30) and Bits and Pieces section (pages 10–11) offer great ways to celebrate Pop’s special day.

We hope all our dad readers know how important they are not only to their families, but also their communities. May this issue make it easier for you to keep up your fantastic work. Happy Father’s Day!

Marketing/ Sales/Events

Patricia Ramos

707-205-1539

patty@family-life.us

Features Editor

Melissa Chianta

melissa@family-life.us

Production Manager

Donna Bogener

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Contributing Writers

America’s Test Kitchen

Kimberly Blaker

Shannon Carpenter

Christina Giaquinto

Camilla Gray-Nelson

Tanni Haas

Christina Katz

Billing

Jan Wasson-Smith

Publishing Office

P.O. Box 351

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(707) 205 1539

Cooking with

Kids

Zesty Meatloaf

A Kid-Friendly Version of a Classic

By Verveine and Ken Oringer

The special thing about meatloaf is that you can eat it any way you want—hot, cold, or even in a sandwich! In our family, I (Verveine) like it hot and my brother Luca likes it cold. Meatlof is like the American version of French pâté, and it’s also kind of like making a burger but you can pack more flavors into it. This was one of the first recipes my dad ever made for us kids—he made it for our toddler group and taught the other parents how to make it too. I like to think it was a good start to my cooking career. Be sure to use ground turkey, not ground turkey breast (which may be labeled 99 percent fat-free) in this recipe.

Reprinted, with permission, from Cooking with My Dad, the Chef (America’s Test Kitchen, 2023), americastestkitchen.com

In Cooking with My Dad, the Chef, Verveine Oringer and her dad, James Beard Award–winning chef and restaurateur Ken Oringer, share more than 70 kid-tested and kid-approved recipes that also happen to be gluten-free.

Turkey Meatloaf

Prepare Ingredients:

1 large onion, peeled and chopped

2 carrots, peeled and sliced ½ inch thick

3 ounces frozen spinach

2 garlic cloves, peeled

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 tablespoon paprika

1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt

1 teaspoon pepper

2 pounds ground turkey

¾ cup gluten-free bread crumbs

½ cup ketchup

1 large egg

2 tablespoons gluten-free tamari

1 tablespoon yellow mustard

Start Cooking!

1. Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and heat oven to 400 degrees. Line rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Add onion, carrots, spinach, and garlic to food processor. Lock lid into place. Hold down pulse button for 1 second, then release. Repeat until vegetables are finely chopped, about ten 1-second pulses. Remove lid and

carefully remove processor blade (ask an adult for help).

3. In 12-inch skillet, combine vegetable mixture, oil, paprika, salt, and pepper. Use wooden spoon to stir until well combined. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are softened and just beginning to brown, 15 to 18 minutes. Turn off heat.

4. Transfer vegetable mixture to large plate (ask an adult for help). Let cool completely, about 15 minutes.

5. In large bowl, combine turkey, bread crumbs, ketchup, egg, tamari, mustard, and cooled vegetable mixture. Use your hands to mix until well combined.

6. Transfer turkey mixture to center of parchment-lined baking sheet. Form into loaf about 9 inches long and 5 inches wide. Wash your hands.

7. Place baking sheet in oven. Bake until meatloaf is well browned and center of loaf registers 165 degrees on instant-read thermometer, about 1 hour.

8. Use oven mitts to remove baking sheet from oven and place on cooling rack (ask an adult for help). Let cool for 15 minutes. Cut loaf into 1-inch-thick slices and serve. (Meatloaf can also be chilled in refrigerator and served cold.)

Find Fun at the Fair

The first Sonoma-Marin Fair (called the Sonoma-Marin Cultural Fair) was held in 1936, and has happened every year since, except for during World War II—and the COVID shutdown. Post-pandemic, the fair is now offering an array of activities: carnival rides, the popular World’s Ugliest Dog Contest, and live bands, including Grammy-winning Switchfoot and Grammy-nominated Gavin Degraw. The fair will run June 21–25 at the Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds in Petaluma. Admission is $15–$22; parking is $12; bands are free with admission. For details and to purchase tickets, go to sonoma-marinfair.org

Windsor Welcomes LGBTQ Families

Families come in all shapes and sizes.

The Love Wins in Windsor Pride Festival celebrates all of them, especially those with lesbian and gay parents, and transgender and non-binary kids. At the festival, in its second year, the School of Rock house band and drag queens will perform while a kids’ zone will offer unicorn horn decorations, a color run, hula-hooping, and story time. The event will be held on June 10, 2–8 p.m., at the Town Green in Windsor. For more information, see lovewinsinwindsor.com

Honor Juneteenth

On June 19, 1865, US Major General Gordon Granger proclaimed the freedom of African-American slaves in Texas. Juneteenth—a combination of “June” and “nineteenth”—has been celebrated ever since. The 53rd Annual Sonoma County Juneteenth/MLK Community Festival Celebration will honor the day with performances by roots-reggae band Midnight Sun Massive, and the Prayer Chapel Singers gospel group. There will also be basketball games, arts and crafts, spoken-word performances, and kids’ activities. Festivities will be held on June 17, 10 a.m.–6 p.m., at the Martin Luther King Park in Santa Rosa. The festival is free but donations will be accepted. For more information, go to sonomacountyjuneteenth.com

Sonoma-Marin Fair

Love Wins in Windsor Pride Festival

Midnight Sun Massive

Watch Wakanda Outside

Released in 2018, Black Panther was the first Marvel Comics Studio film to feature a black director and an almost all-black cast. It became a blockbuster hit, breaking box office records. And it even spawned a sequel: Blank Panther: Wakanda Forever, which the Green Music Center in Rohnert Park will screen as part of its Juneteenth celebration. The film will be shown on the Weill Hall lawn on June 17 at 5 p.m. Tickets are $5 or free for kids (ticket still required) and are available at gmc.sonoma.edu/wakanda-forever

Listen to Kids’ Songs

“Inside voices!” That’s not something parents will have to say at Child in the Wild. The free summer kick-off, which will feature musicians, dancers, and even wild animals, will be held outdoors, where kids can do their wild-child thing. Among the performers will be the duo ZunZun, playing music from the Americas, and Jeffrey Whitebear and the Wild Ones, singing songs just for kids. The Sonoma County Pomo Dancers and the Redwood Empire Chinese Association Dragon Dancers will also perform. And Classroom Safari will offer kids a chance to meet live exotic animals. The event will be held on June 4, noon–5 p.m., at Howarth Park in Santa Rosa. For more information, go to tinyurl.com/ymnnkezx

What’s Your Favorite Musical Era?

As time moves on, music sticks around. And the Beat Goes On show is proof. Transcendence Theatre’s choreographed musical production will highlight iconic 1960s–1980s hits, including music by the Mamas and the Poppas, Donna Summer, Madonna, Prince, and, of course, the Beatles. See the show on an outdoor stage at Belos Cavalos Ranch in Kenwood, Fridays–Saturdays, June 16–July 2, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $35–$170 and may be purchased at transcendencetheatre.org.

The Beat Goes On

ZunZun

Humor Therapy Sharing Struggles without Shame

Family Life’s Melissa Chianta talks to Sonoma dad Jay Rooke about his online community, Gonzo Parenting.

Family Life: You started Gonzo Parenting as the result of the pandemic. Tell us more about that process.

Jay Rooke: I was intending to launch a new business venture on March 20, 2020, and I was feeling bad about myself because that didn’t happen. Throw in other emotional turmoil and constantly being around five-year-old twins—I noticed that the more isolated I felt, the crazier I went. Finally, out of an attempt to preserve mental sanity, I started to use Facebook to talk about what I was going through with the kids. All of a sudden I got this unintended traction. Others said, “Hey, you are saying how I was feeling but couldn’t say myself.”

FL: During the pandemic, so many parents felt badly about themselves

because they couldn’t meet the incredible task handed to them. And it sounds like you put things into perspective: “Actually the task is crazy. Not you.” You created a service to help parents realize they weren’t going nuts.

JR: One hundred percent. I know every generation has its challenges. But I think our challenges are unique because everything is so different from our childhood. I think all of us are constantly in the “not good enough” space. Also we feel societal values clash with what we intuitively feel is right. We think: Why are we doing this? Why are we scheduling all 24 hours of our kid’s day?

FL: What are some other ways you think parents can get stuck trying to meet cultural expectations?

JR: One of the sacred cows is that we aren’t allowed to say we don’t enjoy being a parent. I think that the reality is that it’s impossible for us to enjoy all aspects of parenting all of the time. And that it should be much more socially acceptable to say, “I don’t like this part,” or “I’m just overwhelmed today. I’m tired and the kids are being a pain.”

FL: You have a Gonzo Parenting Facebook page/group.

JR: Yes, it’s a very active and engaged community. We went from zero to 1,500 members in the first three weeks. Parents are sharing their own Gonzo parenting stories, and making snarky but supportive comments they wouldn’t make on their own FB pages. One of my favorite stories is from a mom who was excited that she finally had a weekend without her kid. It had been two years since she had had a night off. Her mom was in town to watch the kid. On Sunday, when the kid was dropped off, he had on his head a patch of missing hair that was the size of a baseball. She freaked out and, after googling it, assumed the worst. Then her son ran into the bathroom, and said, “Mom here is the hair gel I put on.” It was a tube of Nair.

FL: That’s hilarious. So it sounds like people can laugh along with each other.

JR: Yes! I feel like a pharmaceutical company could market an antianxiety drug with a video of the

It’s impossible for us to enjoy all aspects of parenting all of the time.

Jay Rooke

moment that a parent realizes that it’s 3:15 p.m. and that they are 10 minutes late to pick up their kid from school. Every parent can relate to that abject panic. But a parent would never post on their public Facebook page: “Hey, I got wrapped up in an email and forgot to pick my kid up today.” In this community, though, you’d get a response like, “OMG, I’ve been there.” One person talked about sending her kid to school with only one shoe on because she was so busy with other stuff.

FL: So humor becomes a wonderful way to connect to other people— without shame.

JR: Yes!

FL: Where would you like your work to go next?

JR: One of my beliefs is that corporate life is completely set up in the worst possible way for parents. It is my belief that entrepreneurship

is the best way for parents to take their agency back. One of my hopes is to start to teach entrepreneurship to parents—and kids. We’re actually launching an offering called the Lemonade Stand, where I’m going to teach parents how to launch a business with their kids.

FL: Is there anything else you would like to add?

JR: We have a Gonzo Parenting podcast as well as a comic book, Gonzo Parenting: The Comic Book (see image, left) Our next offering is going to be a weekend retreat in late September called Stare at the Lake. Find out more about Gonzo Parenting at gonzoparenting.com

Goof Off & Save Money

25 Ideas for Cheap Summer Fun

By Christina Katz

Thanks to these tips, creating special summer memories doesn’t have to break the bank or leave you stranded at home all summer.

1. Leave your car behind as much as possible. Add baskets and racks to bikes and be sure to give them a seasonal tune-up. If you go long distances, bring along a tire repair kit.

2. Before you go anywhere, visit websites to check for discount coupons.

3. Grow your own cutting garden. Fill an entire bed with varieties such as daisies, lilies, gladiolas, sunflowers, and zinnias.

4. Make sun tea. Buy bulk quantities of black tea bags, remove the tags from 10–12 bags, and leave the jar in the sun

until water turns amber. Add mint and lemon to a glass of ice or create your own tasty variations.

5. Teach kids that the best things in life are not always new. Shop garage sales, flea markets, and local thrift shops for summer clothes and shoes.

6. Build a raised garden bed to keep out weeds and pests, and plant a whole summer’s worth of salad plants. Pace plants to harvest on an ongoing basis.

7. Check Family Life’s Calendar of Events (page 30) for free music performances and festivals.

8. Visit the library each week for a steady supply of reading materials and educational media. Remember, the library is often cool on extremely hot days.

9. Have a full-family yard sale. Let kids sort, price, and sell for a couple of days in exchange for a percentage of the profits. Or spend the money you make at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma.

10. Check out beaches within an hour’s driving distance. Leave early and stay all day to maximize the fun without adding the hotel stay. Doran Regional Park in Bodega Bay is an excellent option, as is the boardwalk walk and beach at MacKerricher State Park in Fort Bragg.

11. When the big summer movie that you all want to see comes out, eat lunch at home first and then go to the matinee. Also, check the Family Life Calendar of Events (page 30) for free movie nights.

12. Tree swings cost a lot less than swing sets, and create lifelong memories.

13. Make note on your calendar of free days at museums and nature centers.

14. Attend a parade. Bring a picnic and homemade lemonade.

15. Go to bed early, wake up with the larks, and go for a long day hike. See parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov, lakecountyca.gov/341/Parks-Trails,

Give each child five bucks to spend at the farmers’ market.

and tinyurl.com/97ds44m as well as alltrails.com for hiking options as well as free or low-cost kids’ nature activities.

16. Can’t afford camp? Create your own. Choose a theme for the day or the week. Let older kids be the counselors to younger children in the neighborhood.

17. Take siestas during the hottest time of the day. It’s a great way to give siblings a break from each other.

18. Share music as a family. Instead of buying whole albums, let each child download five or six songs to make their own summer mix. Pick up inexpensive, used CDs to download.

19. Call it potions practice. Everything from your grill will taste

fresh and tangy when you teach your kids to make BBQ marinades from scratch.

20. Have a movie night with popcorn popped the old-fashioned way at pennies per serving. With a Sonoma County library card, you can rent six movies for free ever month via Kanopy

23. Camp in the backyard. Use whatever camping gear you have on hand or borrow anything else you need from friends and neighbors.

24. Invest in a few inexpensive sprinkler heads. During the hottest weeks of summer, turn on the sprinkler at set times every afternoon. Encourage kids to invite their friends over for a quick dash about, squirt fight, and bubble-blowing contest.

21. Visit community pools and the YMCA. Don’t forget to check for free swim times.

22. Give each child five bucks to spend at the farmers’ market. Eat breakfast at home before you go. Then enjoy free samples at the market.

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25. Let children paint favorite words on wooden boards and rocks with smooth surfaces. Set these around the yard for inspiration. ❖

Author, journalist, and writing coach Christina Katz never needed much money to create summer memories as a kid. But she’s also noticed that everything costs a lot more when you are a parent.

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Tree swings cost a lot less than swing sets.

Camp Is Great… for Grown-Ups

Just Think of All the Free Time

By Tanni Haas

Most parents know that kids benefit tremendously from going to summer camp. But have you ever thought about how sending your kids to camp can benefit you, the parent? Based on my own experiences as well as those of other parents, I can assure you that camp is great for you, too.

Parents are used to always putting their kids first. From the moment they wake up in the morning until the time they go to bed at night, our kids are constantly on our minds. What do they need? What can we do for them? Imagine what happens when they go off to summer camp and the house is suddenly quiet. Here’s what happens: slowly but surely you begin to relax in

a whole different way. You can hear your own thoughts, and that’ll give you the mental space to reflect on what

you would like to do—to put yourself first for once.

Use that mental space to do things you’ve been wanting and meaning to do all year. Perhaps there’s a hobby you’d like to pursue. While the kids are at camp, you have the time to take that yoga or painting class, and you get to choose—all by yourself—whether

you’d like to do it after work or on the weekend. Get together with some friends you haven’t seen for a while. If they have kids at camp, too, chances are that they’re available and eager to spend some time with you. Go on a romantic date or two with your partner. The possibilities are endless. Being able to focus on yourself, your partner, and other people in your life who mean a lot to you is no small matter. As parents, we’re used to being responsible providers and caregivers. However, there’s so much more to a person: We’re also partners

Slowly but surely you begin to relax in a whole different way.

Being able to focus on yourself, your partner, and other people in your life is no small matter.

and friends. These are important parts of our identities that we need to remember to cultivate. Sending your kids to summer camp may bring out your playful side, which you probably haven’t shown for a while.

Another great thing about sending your kids to summer camp is that it’ll give them an opportunity to develop and reach important developmental

milestones without you being there every step of the way. They’ll become more independent, more mature, and much better at solving problems on their own. Trust me: Every time my now-teenage son came home from camp, I could tell that he’d grown in leaps and bounds. Seeing how your kids grow also makes you trust them more. You realize that they’re able to develop new skills and take care of themselves, even when they’re not under your watchful eye.

Ultimately, summer camp is great preparation for the day that all parents will face—the day when their kids move out and they become empty-nesters. You will miss them—a lot—and they’ll miss you too. But, if you’ve done your job well and you have developed deep and meaningful relationships with them, your kids will always come back to visit. Just like they’ll come back each year after summer camp. ❖

Tanni Haas, PhD, is a college communications professor.

You can hear your own thoughts.

Summer Crushes What Not to Say to Your Kid

By Tanni Haas

Whether your kids are going to camp this summer, joining you and the rest of the family on a vacation trip, or just hanging around the neighborhood with friends, chances are they’ll experience their first crush. People are apt to tell you what to say or do about it, but what should you avoid saying or doing? Here’s what the experts suggest. Don’t minimize its significance. The first and most basic thing is not to minimize the significance of the crush or the inevitable breakup. Or as Katie Austin, a licensed clinical social worker who specializes in adolescents, puts it, do not “dismiss how they’re feeling.” As a parent, you know that this and future crushes probably won’t lead

to ever-lasting relationships, but your kids don’t necessarily understand that. To them, the crush may feel overwhelming and overshadow everything else that’s happening in their young lives. If they confide in you be careful about how you react. Brandi Lewis, a licensed professional counselor and educator who works with families, advises parents not to

say things like “there are plenty of fish in the sea” or “there’ll be other guys or girls.” Instead, listen carefully to what they’re telling you and what it means to them, and validate their experiences and feelings.

The crush may feel overwhelming and overshadow everything else.

Don’t try to protect their emotions. Parents sometimes minimize the significance of a first crush because they fear that it won’t be reciprocated, and they can’t handle seeing their kids in pain. That’s understandable but not a good reason for minimizing its significance. For one, it won’t eliminate the pain. Secondly, as Kim Bell, PhD, a well-known child psychologist, says, parents are in danger of losing “touch with [their] child when [they] try to minimize it.” Simply put, your kids may decide not to talk to you about it at all.

Don’t tease them. Don’t tease them about the crush or make light of it. You may think that inserting a bit of humor will lighten the emotional load, but the exact opposite is often the case. Sharon Saline, PhD, a clinical psychologist with more than 30 years of experience, says that teasing could be interpreted as devaluing their feelings. Saline advises parents to “avoid judgments of any kind. The less your [child] feels judged, the more likely they are to open up to you.” Julie de Azavedo Hanks, PhD, a well-known child psychologist and media personality, agrees that parents

should never tease or make fun of their kids’ crush. Instead, she says, “talk about feelings of infatuation in a positive light, as a wonderful thing.”

Don’t offer unsolicited advice or over-talk. Take your kids’ experiences and feelings seriously, and be careful about over-talking or offering unsolicited advice. If they’re open to advice, that’s great. Share with them whatever you feel like sharing, including your own experiences with crushes. But if that’s not the case, it’s better to stay silent. More generally, be careful about over-talking. “You may want to talk about your child’s crush every opportunity you have,” says Paul Chernyak, a licensed professional

counselor and parenting coach, “but you and your child will handle the crush better if you step back a bit and let your child experience [it].” Bring it up occasionally: if you talk about it constantly, they may get

embarrassed or even annoyed and may resist sharing anything further with you. Saline agrees: “Stay away from micromanaging: This is their relationship. Your main job as the parent is to be available when it hits inevitable bumps and likely runs its course.”

Don’t share confidential information with others. Maintain confidentiality. Julia Simens, a family therapist in private practice, says “one of the most dangerous things [she sees] parents do is comment on their child’s crush in front of the child to other adults—or worse —to their child’s friends.” If you do that, you’ll most certainly lose your kids’ trust, and you won’t be able to help them navigate the inevitable ups and downs of this and future crushes. Put more positively, treat your kids’ crushes with the utmost care and confidence, and your kids will respond in kind. ❖

Tanni Haas, PhD, is a college communications professor.

Don’t tease them about the crush or make light of it.

Web Learners

11 Educational Sites for Children

By Kimberly Blaker

Limiting the time kids spend on the computer can be a daunting task. But when they hang out on the sites listed below, they will not only have fun, but also beat the summer slide.

Animals Abound Kids can travel to faraway states and US territories via National Geographic for Kids and discover all kinds of critters and cool places. In addition to freaky creatures, there are crafts, photo tips, and plenty of weird stuff to discover, too. kids. nationalgeographic.com

Space Odyssey At NASA’s Star Child, future astronauts can learn the orbit each planet belongs to, and match planets to their descriptions.

They also can calculate their own weight and age on each planet. There’s even a link to a teen site starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/StarChild.

Pop, Dong, Kerplunk Brain Pop is dedicated to health, science, and technology. Young learners will thrill at the awesome background sounds, and find experiments, activities, cartoons, quizzes, and animated movies on this fee-based sited. brainpop.com.

Basics & Beyond Fun Brain offers all levels of educational games in every subject. Kids can play Grammar Gorillas, Math Baseball, or Connect the Dots. funbrain.com

Math Wizardry Kids can exercise the left sides of their brains with Starfall, a science and math site that’s loaded with entertaining games. starfall.com.

Future astronauts can learn the orbit each planet belongs to.

Coding Empire At Code.org, kids can learn computer science via free courses and online projects. The courses progress according to age, all the way through the teen years. Pre-readers can watch videos and listen to audio recordings as they move through interactive learning segments. code.org/ hourofcode2022#explore

Green Games ClimateKids is another NASA site for kids. It answers kids’ questions about weather and climate, the atmosphere, water, energy, plants, and animals. After clicking to read lots of fascinating facts, kids can scroll to the bottom of the page for activities, videos, games, and more. climatekids.nasa.gov

Medical Time Travel At PBS’s a Science Odyssey, kids can explore the evolution of medicine from the early 1900s to today. They can play a game show called “That’s

My Theory,” read comic stories about scientists, and learn about the discovery of penicillin. wgbh/aso.

Math Mind-Benders

Math has never been so cool as at Coolmath4Kids. Young mathematicians can mess around with brain-teasers and jigsaw puzzles, and play the Demolition Division and Integer Warp games to improve math skills. coolmath4kids.com

stop ADVENTURE and FUN

Art Enrichment and STEM Activities

Opportunity to MAKE FRIENDS

PEACE OF MIND for parents

Day Camps, Sports Camps, CIT and Resident Camp

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Online Adventures Little explorers can take journeys to the Greatest Places, and visit the Amazon, Tibet, Greenland, and other fascinating lands. Learn neat facts, watch videos, send postcards, play games, and find great activities to do at home. greatestplaces.org

Presidential Probe There’s plenty to learn at the Smithsonian’s American Presidency page—even for parents. Read about inaugurations, life in and after the White House, and assassinations. Then, take a poll and share your thoughts. americanhistory.si.edu/presidency/ home.html. ❖

Kimberly Blaker is a freelance writer. She also owns an online bookshop, Sage Rare & Collectible Books, specializing in out-of-print, scarce, signed, and first editions; fine bindings; ephemera and more at sagerarebooks.com

Two Sessions: July 11-13 & July 18-20

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Kids can play Grammar Gorillas, Math Baseball, or Connect the Dots.

Little Animals at War

Manage Sibling Rivalry Like a Farm Girl

By Camilla Gray-Nelson

Your kids are home from school for the summer. Can sibling rivalry be far behind? Research shows that about one in three kids with a sibling have been targeted with some sort of physical or verbal abuse, and perceived differences in parental favor is often identified as the cause. Serious sibling rivalry can verge on bullying, and additional research indicates that kids who have been routinely put down tend to feel more anxious, suffer in school, and adapt less easily to social situations than kids who are not.

I am an animal behavior expert who, for more than 30 years, has worked with the human animal, helping bring clarity to human behaviors that may defy logic but could have a deeper, instinctive core. Rivalry between siblings is as old as the biblical story of Cain and Abel because rivalry is one of our hard-wired human

instincts (think caveman competition and survival). Since we cannot eliminate the instincts that drive us, the question, then, is this: How can a parent navigate rivalry and maintain a more peaceful, healthier home environment?

The solution may not be obvious to the logical mind, but it’s one that makes

complete sense if parents can look more deeply at rivalry’s instinctual causes.

Living on a farm, rivalry between animals is commonplace as they compete for limited resources. The horses or cows will compete for the hay, the dogs will compete for a bone, and so forth. Our domesticated

animals will also compete for my attention and approval. It’s not such a stretch to see that rivalry between children in a family could have more to do with their Inner Animal competing for a most important resource—a parent’s attention and approval—than the children simply being mean or unkind. This at least helps us begin to understand sibling rivalry, but it doesn’t get us to a point of controlling or stopping it. This is where we can look to another, more human instinct for inspiration: the Desire to be Great or Important, which both Sigmund Freud and John Dewey identified near the turn of the 20th century.

As every parent knows, even though kids may share similar DNA, that doesn’t mean they share the same traits. Each has their individual personality, talents, interests, and skills. And, when it comes to preventing sibling rivalry, this can be a very good thing. Here’s why.

When most social mammals are treated exactly the same, they predictably compete to be different.

To reduce competition and rivalry, recognize children’s differences.

That’s because the hierarchy that sustains them requires distinctiveness. Each member needs to be a little different from the other so that no two compete for the same position.

Children’s Inner Animals also do this: They strive to find their unique place in the family pack as they compete for parental pride and approval.

So to reduce competition and rivalry, recognize children’s differences. Instead of holding them up to the same standard of accomplishment, diversify your sources of pride and approval. It’s easy to be proud of scholastic achievement and athletic ability. But what about artistic talent? Creativity? Innovation? Those tattoos on your daughter that give you such grief could actually be beautiful

expressions of art, if you change your perspective. They might even be worth a compliment.

Understanding your kids’ Inner Animal can help you effectively address competition over the coveted resource of parental approval. By diversifying your criteria for accomplishment and pride, you will be better able to satisfy each child’s need to feel special and important.

Mother Nature would approve. ❖

Brag about your artist. Talk about your poet or musician and let them pursue those talents during school break. Encourage your creative writer to pen their first book this summer. This approach could well reduce sibling rivalry and go a long way toward building lifelong pride and self-confidence in your kids.

Camilla Gray-Nelson is the author of Harvest Your Happy: A Farm Girl’s Guide to Leading, Succeeding and Living Your Best Life. She is founder and president of Dairydell Canine, a luxury dog boarding and training facility on her ranch in Petaluma, California. Camilla is also founder of Farm Girls Lead, where she lectures and writes on leadership and success skills for women. For more information, visit farmgirlslead.com

When most social mammals are treated exactly the same, they predictably compete to be different.

Everything in Its Place

8 Tips for Summer De-Cluttering

By Christina Giaquinto

Summer is always an exciting time filled with beach get-togethers, dips in the pool, road trips, and…de-cluttering. And I don’t just mean putting the rain boots and heavy coats in storage and finally ridding all kitchen countertops of scattered mail. I mean giving your home and lifestyle a whole summer refresh. In my experience as a professional organizer, I have discovered a number of helpful de-cluttering tips. Here are eight of these tried-and-true strategies.

1. Organize a grab-and-go station for pool and beach essentials. Isn’t it the worst when you are trying to leave for an outing and can’t find your keys or cellphone? Organize a bin by the front door or in the garage that contains summer essentials, such as

sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, clean beach towels, and water bottles and you will be prepared for any outing.

2. Write down five things you want to do this summer. From camping excursions to trips to amusement parks, it seems like once summer hits there is almost too

much you want to do. So de-clutter your plans; organize a summer bucket list. Once you write down the top five must-dos, schedule each of them on your calendar. This will ensure you accomplish the bucket-list items and plan other activities around them.

Organize a bin by the front door or in the garage that contains summer essentials.

3. De-clutter last summer’s essentials. Garages and sheds tend to fill up with clutter. Spend a day de-cluttering expired sunscreen, deflated pool floats, and broken beach chairs so that you know what needs to be replaced. Trust me, the last thing you would want is to arrive at a pool party and realize one of your kids’ floats has a hole in it. Getting rid of any items you no longer need makes space for new essentials—and new memories.

4. Deep clean the windows. The sun is shining and that means windows and porch screens are open. Deep-cleaning windows will help you enjoy the lovely sunny days to the fullest. Take an hour or two to spray all of them with a cleaning solution and wipe them until they sparkle. You will smile every time you look through them.

5. Write down your home-organizing goals. Have you been meaning to paint one or more of your rooms a new color? Do you really want to clean every single carpet and rug in your living space?

Commit to one home-organizing project and allow yourself the summer to accomplish it. I highly recommend scheduling the project on your calendar. Set your plans in stone and it will get done.

6. Create a travel station in your car. Summertime is filled with travel, so it is paramount to have your car organized. First, do a deep clean. Yes, that means vacuuming under the seats and picking up all the stale Cheerios all over the floor. Once the car is clean, organize a summer station in the trunk. Include hats, sunglasses, wipes for sandy hands, and an extra pair of clothes for the kids, in case a pool-invite opens up. Preparation is key!

7. Organize summer clothes. Spend an afternoon getting rid of summer clothes that you no longer love wearing or that don’t fit. Then organize your closet so all your summer clothes are front and center. Bathing suits tend to get mushed

8. Organize garden tools. Throw out any rusty or broken tools and organize a garden-tool bag so you don’t have to stress about finding what you need. Next to your garden-tool bag, place your watering can, ready to go. ❖

together. Fold one-piece suits horizontally and then vertically; pair two-piece suits together, folding the top over the bottom piece. Fold summer trunks like you would shorts and neatly stack them on top of each other.

Christina Giaquinto is the professional organizer and brand ambassador of Modular Closets (DIY customizable closet units). Christina focuses on giving her clients de-cluttering and organizing tools, methods, and techniques to transform their lives and homes. She combines spiritual coaching with organizing to help her clients let go of things that do not spark joy and happiness. Her work has been featured on sites like Popsugar, Women’s Health, Reader’s Digest, Realtor.com, the Spruce, and Yahoo

dropping grades; kids and parents self-medicating and using substances; increased conflict at home.

These symptoms may be really evident in teens. Every parent knows the cliché: teenagers are argumentative. And, yes, that is true. But some of their behaviors may be the result of stress—ours and theirs. While we are worrying about their future and our own ability to guide them, they are dealing with high school politics, busy schedules, and college-entrance

Parent Stress A Dad’s Advice on How to Avoid Burnout

By Shannon Carpenter

Iopen the mail and find an unexpected bill for an eye exam. If there is one thing that wrecks a parent’s Zen, it’s unanticipated bills. This and other stressors eventually lead to parent burnout—and our kids are noticing.

It’s the day-to-day stress that really gets to us. Job difficulties, marriage problems, and Dora not exploring. How about schedules? How many of us have to be at the soccer fields at the same time we have to be at the volleyball courts?

Don’t forget to make dinner.

To be a parent is to be under pressure, and that can affect our mood. Personally, I become short-tempered and anxious when I’m stressed. I easily lose my patience and get hyper-focused on the next task. Yes, my kids notice.

How does parental stress affect kids?

The simplest explanation is that stress takes us away from our kids. To use a sports saying, we are not “giving a 110 percent.” The quality of our quality time is lessened. This can lead to kids feeling rejected; they may also exhibit low self-esteem, disruptive and aggressive behaviors, and social withdrawal.

Fantastic! Now I’m stressed about my stress.

Sometimes the affect of our stress is subtle and takes a while to notice, but other times it has more drastic effects:

pressures. What’s more, they are also way more aware of what’s going on in the world than a lot of us Gen Xers were at their age.

Their tsunami of stress collides with our hurricane of stress and conflict is inevitable. This isn’t good for anyone.

To take care of your kids, you first have to take care of yourself. This advice seems counterintuitive, but it’s the best advice I can give. If you don’t take care of your mental health, and your stress, it’s going to become a problem.

For fathers, stress can often manifest as anger, especially when we are taking care of toddlers. We are not as comfortable with that age group for a variety of reasons. We have never been encouraged, are rarely supported, and the literature for us is often condescending. None of this helps us manage our stress or our anger. You never want to parent from extreme highs or lows. That’s advice a

To be a parent is to be under pressure.

parenting expert gave me 15 years ago, and it works. So I tell upset dads and parents to walk away for ten minutes. Put yourself in a time-out.

Next, remember that you are more than a parent. You are a person with hobbies and interests. Ditch the parenting guilt, and take time to do something that only you enjoy.

Now, what about the things that you can’t control, such as the unexpected bill or work invading your home space? Honestly, this is where a lot of us struggle. Look, I know that I’m a bit of a control freak. When something happens that I can’t fix, my stress gets the better of me.

My support system really helps. I encourage you to build yours. Keep

in mind that you may not always find your people in the parenting world. So you don’t necessarily have to be in a parenting group to get connected. Join a quilting circle, neighborhood watch, or a D&D club. Just find others with whom you feel comfortable sharing life’s burdens.

I have more advice to offer, but there’s not enough room to share it here. So read chapter four of my book, The Ultimate Stay-at-Home Dad (Penguin Life, 2021). It will teach you about the benefits of practicing mindfulness, being present when you are with your kids, surrounding yourself with positive reinforcement—and, of course, diet

and exercise. But let’s be honest, “experts” always tell parents that running after toddlers can keep off extra weight. But my kid isn’t fast enough yet.

Obviously, I use humor to help deal with my stress.

But my best coping mechanism is self-care. I’ll say again the one piece of advice every parent needs to hear yet often fails to listen to: Take time to focus on yourself. Your kids will notice the difference. ❖

Shannon Carpenter is a professional humorist, co-host of The Dadhouse Pod , and the author of The Ultimate Stay-at-Home Dad Manual (Penguin, 2021).

June Calendar of Events

Thursday 1

FREE Summer Nights on the Green Concerts. June 1: Pride & Joy (pop/R&B). June 8: Mustache Harbor (soft rock). June 15: Orquesta son de Caña (Latin salsa). June 22: Anthony Paule Soul Orchestra featuring Terrie Odabi (blues). June 29: Skynyrd & Frynds (Southern rock). Thursdays. Farmers’ Market: 5–8 p.m. Live music: 6–8 p.m. Windsor Town Green. Windsor. See website for parking instructions: tinyurl.com/4hsw475n.

Pacific Coast Air Museum Hot Dog Thursday. Have a hot dog among airplanes & helicopters. $8–$10. Held

first Thursdays. 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. One Air Museum Way. Santa Rosa. tinyurl.com/4hsnf7xn

Friday 2

Sebastiani Friday Night Music Series. Jami Jamison Band performs. $15, includes glass of wine. 6–8:30 p.m. Sebastiani Vineyards & Winery. 389 Fourth St. E., Sonoma. tinyurl. com/4bpt7u3r.

FREE Friday Night Live Concert Series. June 2: Chris Jones & the Night Drivers (bluegrass). June 9: Clave Trébol (Sierreño, Norteño). June 16: Polyrhythmics (progressive funk). June 23: David Luning Band

(Americana). June 30: The Pulsators (R&B). Street fair: 6 p.m. Music: 7–9:30 p.m. Downtown Cloverdale. cloverdaleartsalliance.org/fnlmusic.

FREE Party on the Plaza & Farmers’ Market. Food & live music. June 2: Choppin Broccoli. June 9: Humdingers. June 16: Kid Galaga. June 23: The Pitchforks. June 30: Sonoma Shakers. Fridays. 5–8 p.m. Rohnert Park Library (north parking lot). 500 City Center, Rohnert Park. tinyurl.com/58jn7z2d

Saturday 3

FREE Watson School Open House. Discover the history of this historic

19th century school. 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Running Fence Watson School

Historic Park. 14550 Bodega Hwy., Bodega Bay. tinyurl.com/9ja2m6p3

Phone Photography Workshop. Learn basic settings, compositional considerations, exposure, focus, shutter speeds, choice of lenses, panoramic, close-up photography, portraits, filters & videos. $110. 8 a.m.–3 p.m. Laguna Environmental Center. 900 Sanford Rd., Santa Rosa. Registration: tinyurl.com/3varfypy.

FREE Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. Free screening of 1971 classic film. June 3 & 4: 11 a.m. Rialto Cinema. 6868 McKinley St., Sebastopol. tinyurl.com/44nm6emc

FREE Sonoma County Pride Parade & Festival. Parade: 11 a.m. Festival: Noon–5 p.m. Old Courthouse Square. Santa Rosa. sonomacountypride.org.

Lavender Daze. Tour flower fields & walk the labyrinth. Bring a picnic. $15–$20. Kids 12 & younger: free. Saturdays & Sundays. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Bees & Blooms. 3883 Petaluma Hill Rd., Santa Rosa. Registration required: bees-n-blooms.square.site.

Forestville Youth Park BBQ. BBQ chicken, beans, steak, oysters. Live music, vendor & craft booths. No pets or coolers. Proceeds benefit the Youth Park. June 3 & 4: 11 a.m.–8 p.m. Parade: June 3 at 10 a.m. Forestville Youth Park. 6935 Mirabel Rd., Forestville. tinyurl.com/3h563mzj.

FREE Cornerstone Sonoma Summer Music Series. June 3: Wolf Run. June 4: Traveling Wilburys Revue. June 10: Mitch Wood & His Rocket 88s. June 11: Derek Irving.

June 18: Obsidian Son. June 24: The Henry Coopers. June 25: Michelle Lambert. Noon–3 p.m. 23570 Arnold Dr., Sonoma. cornerstonesonoma. com/events.

Sunday 4

Child in the Wild. Sonoma County Pomo Dancers, Classroom Safari,

Dragon Dancers & music with ZunZun. Noon–5 p.m. Howarth Park (lower lawn). 630 Summerfield Rd., Santa Rosa. sonomalandtrust.org/ events/child-in-the-wild.

FREE Common Ground “Under 5” Family Meet-Up. For families with a child younger than 5 with a

disability, medical complexity, or any sort of unique need. Enjoy snacks & companionship with other Common Ground Society families. 10 a.m.–noon. Early Learning Institute. 311 Professional Center Dr. #100, Rohnert Park. Register: tinyurl.com/9w33mjkh.

Tuesday 6

FREE Santa Rosa Taco Tuesdays 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. tinyurl. com/22v4kt7w

FREE Tuesdays in the Plaza. Live music. June 6: Cosmo Alleycats (jazz & swing). June 13: Laura Benitez & the Heartache (roots

country). June 20: Carlitos Medrano & Sabor De Mi Cuba (Afro-Cuban jazz). June 27: Neon Velvet (’80s & ’90s New Wave, pop & rock). Tuesdays. 6–8 p.m. Food vendors open at 5 p.m. Healdsburg Plaza. Healdsburg Ave. & Matheson St., Healdsburg. ci.healdsburg. ca.us/335/Tuesdays-in-the-Plaza .

FREE Family Movies on the Green. Outdoor film screenings. June 6: Minions—The Rise of Gru. June 13: Cool Runnings. June 20: Coco. June 27: Up. Bring blanket or low-back chair. No blankets on lawn before 4:30 p.m. Movies begin 15 minutes after sunset. Windsor Town Green. 9291 Old Redwood Hwy., Windsor. tinyurl.com/4592f4vn.

Wednesday 7

FREE Summer Campus Tour. Tour 38-acre campus, including the biodynamic farm. Learn how Summerfield integrates the campus into every grade’s curriculum. Parents only. 10 a.m.–11 a.m. Summerfield Waldorf School & Farm. 655 Willowside Rd., Santa Rosa. Register: tinyurl.com/2r649dzj.

Garden Party. Weed, plant, harvest & learn gardening practices at the edible garden. Members: free. Non-members: $16; infants 11 months & younger, free. Discounts available for qualifying guests. Wednesdays. 1–3:30 p.m. Children’s Museum of Sonoma County. 1835 W. Steele Ln., Santa Rosa. tinyurl.com/5dzdnzy2

“My

Rosie age 4, Santa Rosa

Sensory

Kids in the Kitchen: Experience the Joy of Kosher Cooking. Ages 5–11. June 7: Challah & Dips. June 14: Breakfast! French Toast, Waffles & Smoothies. June 21: Rugelach 2 Ways. $35 for all 3 sessions. 4 p.m. Chadbad Jewish Center of Petaluma. 205 Keller St. #101, Petaluma. Register: tinyurl. com/y75scr9k.

Friday 9

p.m. in downtown Santa Rosa.) cruiseforpeggysue.com

Saturday 10

FREE Family Day. Explore exhibitions & make art. Exhibitions: 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Art-making: Noon–2 p.m. Museum of Sonoma County. 425 Seventh St., Santa Rosa. museumsc. org/events/?eid=10274.

Second Saturday Cartoonist. Meet, watch & talk to Melissa Pagluica, illustrator & creator of the all-ages graphic novel Above the Clouds. Cost included with museum admission: $5–$12; ages 3 & younger, free. 1–3 p.m. Charles M. Schulz Museum. 2301 Hardies Ln., Santa Rosa. schulzmuseum.org/melissa-pagluica.

Need a Break?

Sensory kits are available for in-library use and contain stress-relieving tools to help promote a sense of calm.

Sensory kits include: headphones, stress balls, bubble timers, pin art, glitter sticks, wobble cushions, and weighted lap pads.

Peggy Sue’s Car & Cruise Show. June 9 (3–7 p.m.): Free music, food & screening of Grease at sundown. June 10 (8 a.m.–4 p.m.): Classic car show with live music 9 a.m.–2 p.m. Admission on June 10 is $10 or free for ages 12 & younger. Parking: $10. Sonoma County Fairgrounds. 1350 Bennett Valley Rd., Santa Rosa. (Cruise on June 10, 5:30–8:30

Science Saturday: Build a Boat. Build a mini boat & test how well it floats. Ages 6–12. $10–$12. 2 classes: 11 a.m.–noon. & 1–2 p.m. Spring Lake Regional Park. Environmental Discovery Center. 393 Violetti Rd., Santa Rosa. Register for 11 a.m.: tinyurl.com/2p98jkk. Register for 1 p.m.: tinyurl.com/3pfj5wr4

FREE Common Ground Family Meet-Up. For families of disabled or special needs children. Sensory & craft tables for kids to explore, plus beautiful views & picnic lunch. 9:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. Ocean Song Nature Preserve. 19100 Coleman Valley Rd., Occidental. Register: tinyurl.com/ muz82urv

FREE Life in the Creek/La vida en el arroyo. Dr. Dan Levitis joins the

AN EXCITING NEW KIDS’ NOVEL

For ages 9–18

Readers are calling the book “really, really suspenseful,” “fast-paced and action-packed,” and “with a couple of very likable heroes.”

Grab a copy and see for yourself!

Tanni Haas, Family Life Writer

Sonoma Valley Regional Library in this exploration of creek insects. If you live near the library, the free ride to Sugarloaf is included. Event is planned around a primarily Spanish-speaking audience. El Dr. Dan Levitis se une a la Biblioteca Regional del Valle de Sonoma en esta exploración de insectos del arroyo. Si vives cerca de la biblioteca, el viaje GRATIS Sugarloaf está incluido. El evento está planeado alrededor de una audiencia latina principalmente de habla hispana. 3–4:30 p.m. Meet at Sonoma Valley Library for free ride: 755 W. Napa St., Sonoma. Or meet up at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park: 2605 Adobe Canyon Rd., Kenwood (parking fees may apply). 707-247-5767. tinyurl.com/237mp28k.

Sunday 11

Big Boy Movie Premiere. Part of the OutWatch film festival, this is a coming-of-age comedy about a teenage boy who falls for his cousin’s straight boyfriend. $13–$15. 7 p.m. Rialto Cinemas. 6868 McKinley St., Sebastopol. outwatchfilmfest.org.

FREE Railroad Square Music Festival. More than 25 bands play for free. Railroad Square Historic District. 9 4th St, Santa Rosa. railroadsquare musicfestival.com

Tuesday 13

FREE Safari Encounters. Meet a rescued snake, hedgehog, alligator, armadillo & skunk. 10:30–11:30 a.m. Cloverdale Regional Library. 401

North Cloverdale Blvd., Cloverdale. tinyurl.com/34hnfdzc

FREE Sing-a-Story Opera. Experience a one-of-a-kind singing lesson for children led by a San Francisco Opera teaching artist. 11 a.m.–noon. Healdsburg Regional Library. 139 Piper St., Healdsburg. tinyurl.com/48nfmhna.

FREE Constellation Art. Use LED lights to create sky art. Grades 7–12. 2 p.m. Rincon Valley Regional Library. 6959 Montecito Blvd., Santa Rosa. tinyurl.com/yc4yhswk. The class will be held at other Sonoma County Library branches: tinyurl.com/ bddnh2nb.

Thursday

FREE Magic & Juggling with James Chan. Watch 15-year-old magician perform tricks. Noon–1 p.m. Guerneville Regional Library. 14107 Armstrong Woods Rd., Guerneville. tinyurl.com/5c2ydvwd

Friday 16

FREE Summer on the Square. Live music & dancing. June 16: Salsa Rosa Orquesta. June 23: School of Rock House Band. June 30: The Sorentinos & the Thugz. 6 p.m. Courthouse Square. Downtown Santa Rosa. downtownsantarosa.org/summer

Country Summer Music Festival. Featuring Eric Church, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Brothers Osborne, plus many more artists. $99–$269. More

for VIP tickets. Runs thru June 18. Sonoma County Fairgrounds. 1350 Bennett Valley Rd., Santa Rosa. countrysummer.com

The Beat Goes On. Transcendence Theatre’s performance of hits from 1960s–1980s. $35–$170. 7:30 p.m. Fridays–Saturdays thru July 2. Belos Cavalos Ranch. 687 Campagna Ln., Kenwood. transcendencetheatre.org

Saturday 17

March Cohn & Shawn Colvin. $59–$75. 6 p.m. Rodney Strong Vineyards Event Lawn. 11455 Old Redwood Hwy., Healdsburg. lutherburbankcenter.org/event/ cohn-colvin-rs.

FREE Sonoma County Juneteenth Festival. Live entertainment,

basketball games, health & fitness activities, arts & crafts, kids’ activities. 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Martin Luther King Park. 1671 Hendley St., Santa Rosa. tinyurl.com/yc5t54dc.

Bubbly Birthday Bash. Bubble art stations & science experiments. Members: free. Non-members: $16; infants 11 months & younger, free. Discounts available for qualifying guests. 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Children’s Museum of Sonoma County. 1835 W. Steele Ln., Santa Rosa. cmosc.org/ event/bubbly-birthday-bash-event

Open Cockpit Saturday: Air Force. Look inside these vintage aircraft & learn about their history from the crews who have restored them. Standard entry donations apply. Held third Saturday of the month.

$5–$10; family/group (7 people): $30. Masks required indoors. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Pacific Coast Air Museum. One Air Museum Way. Santa Rosa. pacificcoastairmuseum.org.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. A Juneteenth celebration. Outdoor film screening. Pack a picnic. Food wine/beer available for purchase. Lawn tickets: $5; kids 12 & younger, free (ticket required). Bring blanket or low-back chair. 5 p.m. Green Music Center. Weill Hall Lawn. 1801 E. Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park. gmc.sonoma.edu/wakanda-forever.

Sunday 18

Father’s Day Show & Shine Car Show. 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Juilliard Park. 227 Santa Rosa Ave., Santa Rosa. nceca.org

FREE Father’s Day at the Museum. Free admission for fathers. All others: $5–$12; ages 3 & younger, free; EBT cardholders, $2. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Charles M. Schulz Museum. 2301 Hardies Ln., Santa Rosa. schulzmuseum.org/ happy-fathers-day-2

Wednesday 21

FREE Summer Solstice Saunter. Find out what the summer solstice is & why it is so important to the natural world. Parking: $7. 6:30–8:30 p.m. Sonoma Valley Regional Park. 13630 Sonoma Hwy., Glen Ellen. Register: tinyurl.com/47a49c7w

Sonoma-Marin Fair. $15–$22. June 21–25. Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds. 175 Fairgrounds Dr., Petaluma. sonoma-marinfair.org

Friday 23

Russian River Rodeo. $5–$15. Family Pack (2 adults & kids): $40.

June 23: Barrel racing: June 24-25 (1 p.m.): rodeo performance. June 25: team roping. 23450 Moscow Rd., Duncans Mills. russianriverrodeo.org

Saturday 24

Spring Lake Circumnavigation. Paddle around Spring Lake & learn how it is engineered. All paddling levels. Ages 7 & older. $25–$27. 6–8 p.m. Spring Lake Regional Park. 393 Violetti Rd., Santa Rosa. Register: tinyurl.com/mpu9pxdv

FREE City of Sonoma Community Swim Day. Families are invited to tour the multi-use facility & enjoy heated pools. Locker rooms &

showers available. Lifeguards on duty. Adults must accompany children 13 & younger. 6 a.m.–8 p.m. Sonoma Valley High School Aquatics Center. 20000 Broadway, Sonoma. tinyurl. com/26kx5tcf

FREE Family Bike Workshop. Learn tips, tricks & tools for bicycling safely. 10 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Lucchesi Park. 320 N. McDowell Blvd., Petaluma. tinyurl. com/4ewzsz25.

Nashville Comes to Sonoma County Charity Concert. Outdoor concert featuring Gretchen Peters, Matraca Berg, Steve Seskin & surprise special guests. Ages 21 & older only. $50–$500. Gates: 5:30 p.m. Concert: 6:30–9:45 p.m. Venue: Showa Farms. Parking is only available at Cloverdale Airport (220 Airport Rd., Cloverdale).

Free shuttle bus to & from the venue. tinyurl.com/4pxab6ad

Teen Night at the Museum. Pizza dinner, games, crafts & cartooning. Ages 10–13. $40/per child. 10% discount off total order, if registering more than 1 family member.

5:30–9 p.m. Charles M. Schulz

Museum. 2301 Hardies Ln., Santa Rosa. Register: schulzmuseum.org/ teen-night-at-the-museum-2.

FREE Cotati Music Festival. The Pulsators heads line-up of 5 bands. Bring blanket or low-back chairs. Leave animals at home. Noon–6 p.m. La Plaza Park. Old Redwood Hwy. & W. Sierra Ave., Cotati. tinyurl. com/2z2c5fzr

Monday 26

Museum Mondays for Little Ones. Make Mexican hojalata art, Chinese cherry blossom fans & more. Ages 1–5. Before 11 a.m.: $10 per child/free for up to two adults per child. After 11 a.m.: regular museum admission ($5–$12, free for ages 3 & younger).

Charles M. Schulz Museum. 2301 Hardies Ln., Santa Rosa. tinyurl.com/ shstwsm5

Wednesday 28

FREE Mexican Amate Painting. Kids in grades K–6 create their own Mexican folk art paintings. Guardian or parent must attend kids 8 & younger. 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Sonoma Valley Regional Library. 755 W. Napa St., Sonoma. Register: tinyurl. com/45u38rfj.

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Dad History

Great Moments Across the Ages

By Shannon Carpenter

Prehistory, the Dawn of Man

And behold Thag, who put two pieces of wood in the fire that warmed his family’s cave. He squatted and then stood. Deep in thought, he rubbed his caveman belly and burped. Taking one of the pieces of wood off the fire, he suddenly discovered the perfect thermostat setting of exactly 72 degrees. This occurred 5,000 years before the invention of the wheel or hot wings.

Greece, 508 BC Greek

Philosopher Parmenides gave a rousing dad-lecture on how today’s youth need direction in their lives. “A bird in the hand is worth a penny saved,” he said. “Let no man control your destiny but manifest it yourself!” Young men and women everywhere heard his talk and suddenly sprouted hair on their chests. Thus, Democracy was born.

Russia, 912 AD At the Battle of Weeds, mighty King Oleg led his troops against the unstoppable Constantinople army. Upon his steed, John Deere, Oleg mowed down the enemy. His edges were so sharp and his steed so strong, it changed how fathers look at fields for all time. It is in his honor that dads everywhere recreate the Battle of Weeds every summer weekend. May your brew always fit inside your cup holder; your radio never be turned away from AM; and your yard lines be as straight as King Oleg’s, to whom we offer the tribute of our yard clippings. England, 1562 Harold, aged 32, told a dad-joke so profound it forever changed the life of his son. Feeling emboldened by his son’s interest in obvious and apparent humor, Harold told another dad-joke. At that moment, his boy became a man.

Chicago, 1871 Steven Tullard laid down his head to rest his eyes for a minute. His snore, guttural and full of dad-power, sounded like a large horn. It woke his neighbors, the O’Leary family, who quickly discovered that their cow had exploded in their barn. As a result of Tullard’s snore, thousands of pounds of product were saved from the Great Chicago Fire. This is the world’s first known use of the Emergency Broadcast System.

Paris, 1922 In a moment that struck the fashion world numb, American dad Paul Russell accidentally stumbled onto the Paris Fashion Week runway. Sporting a sleek ensemble of cargo pants, socks with sandals, and a t-shirt from a burger joint in Cleveland, the crowd went wild.

Cape Canaveral, 1969 With just seconds to spare, and armed only with a Dewalt 18V cordless drill, a Phillips-head screwdriver, and duct tape, Richard “Hammer Hands” McConnell quickly replaced the blower motor on the A/C unit in Apollo 11.

Mars, 2099 They told George Mercer that Mars couldn’t be terraformed. Taking off in a homemade rocket, Mercer said, “Screw that!” and traveled to the red planet, which he quickly started terraforming. Eventually, Mercer found Mars’s thermostat and set it to 72 degrees Earth. Humanity was saved, and Mars was renamed Planet Thag, to honor the father of us all. Shannon Carpenter is a professional humorist, co-host of The Dadhouse Pod , and the author of The Ultimate Stay-at-Home Dad Manual (Penguin, 2021).

Learn to Make Mexican Folk Art

Amatl (or amate in Spanish) is Nahuatl for “paper.” Made from the pulp of fig and mulberry trees, it resembles bark. And in the Guerrero region of Mexico, it is painted with brightly colored scenes depicting daily life. Kids can try their hand at creating their own amate bark paintings at the free Mexican Amate Painting class on June 28, 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m., at the Sonoma Valley Regional Library in Sonoma. Crafted for kids in grades K–6, the class is free but registration is required: or caregiver must attend kids who are eight and younger.

Light Up the Night

The beauty of the night sky is so compelling, artists have tried to depict it for millennia. At the children’s Constellation Art class, sky-art will get a decidedly modern twist: LED lights, threaded through a canvas to become stars. The free class, aimed at grades 7–12, will be held on June 13 at 2 p.m. at the Rincon Valley Regional Library in Santa Rosa. Registration is required: The class will be held at other Sonoma County Library branches. See tinyurl.com/bddnh2nb

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