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May 2021
Foster Love
Special parents
Camps Heal Kids Why they work
Grow a Garden 4 fun projects
Mommy Breaks 20-minute ideas
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Virtu Camp RECREATION & PARKS
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Runs April–JuLY
ual Fair
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More camps added weekly!
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May 2021
Every Issue 6
Dear Reader
7
Cooking with Kids Skillet Chicken
10
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Bits and Pieces A Taste of Taiko Músic de México The Children’s Museum Is Back!
Features 10 No Homework Hassles
16 Camps Heal Our Children
How and when to help with schoolwork.
12 Glorious Garden Fun projects for kids.
14 I’ll Be Out Back Creative landscaping ideas.
Why summer programs matter now more than ever.
18 Loving Other People’s Kids The real lives of foster parents.
20 Letter to My Teen
Cookies and Cake for Kids
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The Cosmos Isn’t Canceled Treat Mom to Yoga and Wine
28 Calendar of Events 30 Humor Break The Suggestion Box
A mom wishes for gifts that can’t be bought.
22 Avoid Mommy Burnout Quick ways to recharge during the day.
24 Sneezin’ Season Strategies for managing allergies.
26 Draw In Creativity Art prompts for kids.
8 4 SonomaFamilyLife
7 May 2021 www.sonomafamilylife.com
Welcome Back Summer!
Join us for swim lessons, summer camps, adult softball & more! SUMMER PROGRAMS PREVIEW
Dear Santa Rosa Neighbor, We’ve been studying public health guidance along with our recreation playbook to bring you healthy activities for fitness and fun this summer! All programs embrace COVID-safety measures while also providing the traditional joys of summer. Join us! Yours in Good Health, Santa Rosa Recreation & Parks
For Youth
For Adults Adult Softball Swimming Lessons Leagues Summer Daze Camp Boat Rentals at WaTam Howarth Park Sports Camps Lap Swimming & Boating & Sailing Water Fitness Classes & Much More! Kidscience Adventures & Much More!
How to Register Register for programs beginning May 6
SantaRosaRec.com or 707-543-3737 www.sonomafamilylife.com
May 2021
SonomaFamilyLife 5
Dear Reader
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here would this world be without the consistent love and work of moms? This Mother’s Day, one way to celebrate the women in Sharon Gowan your family is Publisher/Editor Sharon@family-life.us to let them take some time off for themselves. Self-care is so important for maintaining the stamina it takes to care for kids. Check out “Avoid Mommy Burnout” (page 22) for nurturing 20-minute breaks. And see our Calendar of Events (page 28) for entertaining virtual and in-person events on Mother’s Day weekend. Some moms love to hang out in their gardens. Planting seeds and watching them grow is a wonderful activity for children, too. Special projects, like
creating a sunflower house, particularly engage kids. Turn to “Glorious Garden” (page 12) to learn how to introduce little ones to the pleasures of tending the soil. Gardens get kids out into nature. And outdoors is where children need to be, says camp owner Andy Pritikin. Read his “Camps Heal Our Children” (page 16) to discover the many ways summer programs help youth thrive. Remember, the time to sign up for camp is right now! Find out about local programs at our Virtual Camp Fair at sonomafamilylife.com. We wish you a May of gentle breezes, family togetherness, and, for our mama-readers especially, rest and renewal.
Patricia Ramos patty@family-life.us
Business Marketing Renee Nutcher renee@family-life.us Warren Kaufman warren@family-life.us
Features Editor Melissa Chianta melissa@family-life.us
Production Manager Donna Bogener production@family-life.us
Contributing Writers
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6 SonomaFamilyLife
May 2021 www.sonomafamilylife.com
Cooking with Kids
Skillet Chicken Make a Meal in One Pan
By America’s Test Kitchen
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his recipe delivers a chicken and potatoes dinner in just one skillet in just over an hour. Chicken leg quarters, which are underused (and therefore often priced less than other cuts), are substantial enough for one serving and offer plenty of crispy skin. They also rendered enough juices to flavor the potatoes. After browning the leg quarters, we browned potato slices along with some halved shallots; Yukon Golds were starchy enough to soak up the chicken juices, but not so starchy that they’d fall apart. Placing the chicken directly on top of the potatoes allowed the drippings to season the potatoes beneath, bumping up their creamy texture and their flavor. You can substitute four 10to 12‑ounce bone-in split chicken breasts for the leg quarters, if desired. Be sure to cook the breasts to 160 degrees in step 4, about 35 minutes. Reprinted from The Chicken Bible (2021) with permission from America’s Test Kitchen, www.americastestkitchen.com.
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Skillet-Roasted Chicken Leg Quarters and Potatoes Total Time: 1 ¼ hours 4 (10‑ to 12-ounce) chicken leg quarters, trimmed 2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme 1 ½ teaspoons plus pinch table salt, divided 1 teaspoon pepper, divided 2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and sliced into 1/2‑inch-thick rounds 4 shallots, halved through root end ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest, plus lemon wedges for serving 1 garlic clove, minced 1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 400 degrees. Pat chicken dry with paper towels and sprinkle with thyme, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper. Toss potatoes, shallots, 2 tablespoons
May 2021
oil, ½ teaspoon salt, and remaining ½ teaspoon pepper together in bowl. Combine parsley, lemon zest, garlic, and remaining pinch salt in small bowl; set aside. 2. Heat remaining 2 tablespoons oil in 12‑inch ovensafe nonstick skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add chicken, skin side down, and cook until well browned, about 5 minutes. Transfer chicken to plate, skin side up. 3. Place potatoes and shallots in single layer in now-empty skillet. Cook over medium heat, without moving vegetables, until bottoms of potatoes are golden brown, about 5 minutes. 4. Place chicken, skin side up, on top of vegetables and transfer skillet to oven. Roast until chicken registers 175 degrees and potatoes are tender, about 30 minutes. Sprinkle with parsley mixture. Serve, passing lemon wedges separately. Serves: 4
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Bits & Pieces
A Taste of Taiko
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he thunderous rhythms of taiko, a kind of Japanese drumming, were first heard in the Bay Area in the 1930s. Thanks to local performers, taiko is still a part of the Sonoma County musical landscape. Hear this wall-shaking music at the virtual Matsuri: Japanese Arts Festival, where, along with taiko drumming, a shakuhachi (bamboo flute) concert and judo demonstrations will be featured. The event will be held on May 15, 6:30–8:30 p.m., and is free. To receive the Zoom link, register at sonomamatsuri.org/festival. ¶
Sonia De Los Santos
Músic de México
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orn in Monterrey, Mexico, Sonia De Los Santos has spent her career writing and sharing kids’ music that expresses her love for her roots and traditions. The Latin Grammy-nominated musician has played in many prestigious venues, such as Carnegie Hall and the Lincoln Center. And now the Luther Burbank Center is virtually hosting her. See her free online bilingual children’s music performance May 15–16. To get the concert link, register at lutherburbankcenter.org/event/ sonia-santos. ¶
The Children’s Museum Is Back!
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h these long days of COVID, local families have missed frolicking at the Children’s Museum of Sonoma County in Santa Rosa. But now its outdoor exhibits are ready to be explored again. The reopening will feature timed, limited-occupancy visits; extra cleaning and sanitation measures; and bins for toys placed in the mouth or sneezed or coughed on. Reservations will be required, as will social distancing, and, for ages three and older, masking. The museum is open Friday–Sunday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Admission is $12, $9 for seniors and members of the military, and free for babies 11 months and younger. Reserve a time to visit at cmosc.org/visit. ¶
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Children’s Museum of Sonoma County
May 2021 www.sonomafamilylife.com
Cookies and Cake for Kids
A happy Cake4Kids recipient
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ids and birthday cakes go hand in hand. But when money is tight or other circumstances are difficult, many children go without the simple celebratory treat. The local nonprofit Cake4Kids is changing that, thanks to the help of volunteer professional bakers who bring sweet birthday joy to Sonoma County kids. To raise money for their efforts, the group is hosting a Virtual Family Bake-A-Long. Pastry chef Mimo Ahmed, from the Glen Ellen Star restaurant, will show participants how to make chocolate chunk and snickerdoodle cookies from scratch. The online class will be held on May 9, 11 a.m.–noon, and is $25. For more information and to register, go to cake4kids. org/events/sonoma-bakealong. Find out more about Ahmed at theemptyplate.blog. ¶
Mimo Ahmed
The Cosmos Isn’t Canceled
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hen COVID-19 restrictions get to be a bit too much, an expansive night sky can remind us to exhale. But when our heads turn heavenward, what are we actually looking at? The Robert Ferguson Observatory in Kenwood would like to answer that question at Night Sky Trails. During these evenings, docents use lasers to point out constellations to small groups. The next event will be held on May 15, 9:30–11 p.m., at the observatory, which is in Sugarloaf Ridge State Park in Glen Ellen. Tickets are $5 (free for ages 17 and younger) and must be purchased online; no tickets will be sold at the door. Parking is $10. For ambitious stargazers, the Mercury Sunset Hike—a jaunt to view the planet closest to the sun—will be held on the same night, 8–8:30 p.m. See rfo.org for more information and to purchase tickets. ¶
Treat Mom to Yoga and Wine
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s Mom a yogini? Give her the morning to bend and stretch at Wine Country Yoga at Hook and Ladder Winery in Santa Rosa. On May 8, 9–11 a.m., yoga instructor Madeline Berry will teach a 60-minute outdoor, socially-distanced vinyasa yoga class at the vineyard, after which participants will be treated to a glass of rosé and cookies and chocolate. Tickets are $30–$45 and may be purchased on Eventbrite or at tinyurl. com/zmwee3dz. ¶
www.sonomafamilylife.com
May 2021
SonomaFamilyLife 9
distractions or trying to help, students won’t get a chance to see what they can accomplish on their own. Declare quite time in the house until every student has had time to complete work.
No Homework Hassles 7 Ways to Raise Good Students
By Christina Katz
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ike it or not, parents, homework is an important part of school and learning. Over an academic career, the amount and complexity of work your child brings home will gradually increase as a student progresses through the grades.
If you want the transition from school to homework to go as smoothly as possible, be forewarned: You are going to need to monitor your behavior as much as your child’s. If you follow these simple tips you can avoid homework hassles. 1. Be pro-homework. Whatever you do, do not get down on the idea of homework. If you do, you might implicitly grant your student permission to dismiss it, too. Generally, a negative or critical attitude towards learning, teachers, or school will only undermine your child’s ability to prioritize homework. 10 SonomaFamilyLife
If your child cannot handle the load that is considered typical for each grade, discuss your child’s challenges with the teacher. Addressing any concerns swiftly and giving teachers and administrators the benefit of the doubt will serve your student’s highest good, inside and outside the classroom. 2. Make space for each student. If you have more than one student doing homework, try to create a separate workspace for each child. The goal of homework is to take students out of a group environment and teach them to work independently. If others are always nearby creating
3. Participate but don’t take over. Sometimes you will be invited to participate in homework. When this happens, let students lead the collaboration process. Make sure you are the helper, not the boss. Once you
Work with the teacher to help your student overcome unproductive habits. take over your children’s homework, it’s difficult to get them to reclaim responsibility for it. If your child is lost or confused about homework instructions, seek out teacher input to help get your student back on track. 4. Encourage routine. Stand firm that homework is the first priority when students finish classes each weekday. Homework for Mondays can be completed on Fridays or Sundays, according to what works best for your student and family. 5. Take advantage of student-teacher interaction. Some children are shier than others. Other children may have trouble listening carefully to homework instructions. Others may forget to write down assignments. Try to see all of these homework pitfalls as opportunities for your child’s growth. Don’t inter fere unless you have to. Work with the teacher to help your student overcome unproductive habits. Don’t get down on your child. Instead,
May 2021 www.sonomafamilylife.com
brainstorm with the teacher about ways to inspire improved academic performance. Teachers always have plenty of experience in this department. 6. Check grades regularly. At some point, your child’s grades will be posted online with the expectation that students and parents will keep up with academic progress. When this happens, it means that you won’t likely hear from teachers beyond parent-teacher conferences and report cards. The onus falls on parents to help students monitor their progress in classes and address any discrepancies in grading. Don’t
THERE’S SOMETHING FOR EVERY STUDENT AT SANTA ROSA CITY SCHOOLS
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e’re the largest school district in Sonoma County, with 9 elementary and 4 charter schools (French, Spanish, arts, and accelerated), and 11 middle and high schools. SRCS has Career Technical Education programs; magnet programs that partner with our local junior college and university; an award-winning high school arts program; and an International Baccalaureate Program.
We recognize and value each student’s individuality and our community’s cultural wealth. TO REGISTER, CALL 707-890-3808 (BILINGUAL)
Whatever you do, do not get down on the idea of homework. merely check your child’s quiz and test scores. Students are expected to turn in homework in a timely manner and to participate in class in addition to working hard on quizzes, tests, and projects. Don’t let a few misplaced homework assignments bring your child’s grades down. 7. Use tutors as needed. Despite your best intentions and your child’s best efforts, you may find yourself in need of a tutor. Academic challenges often show up during the elementary school years. When they are met with helpfulness instead of judgment, frustration can be addressed and difficulties rapidly surmounted, especially when parents and teachers work together. ¶ Author, journalist, and writing coach Christina Katz actually enjoyed doing homework when she was growing up.
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www.srcschools.org
Bennett Valley Union School District Registration for Kindergarten and Transitional Kindergarten (Kinder Bridge) for 2021-22 School Year Begins February 9 & 10
Call 542-6272 to sign up
A limited number of interdistrict transfer requests for 2020-21 will be accepted
California Distinguished Schools
Yulupa Primary School Preschool–Third Grade 2250 Mesquite Drive, Santa Rosa 707 542-6272
Strawberry Intermediate School Fourth–Sixth Grade 2311 Horseshoe Drive, Santa Rosa 707 526-4433
Consistently high student academic achievement at both schools
Your child’s joy of learning is nurtured with our: • Excellent Teachers • Reduced Class Size (K–3) • Kinder Bridge Transitional Kindergarten • Extended Day Kindergarten (8:30-1:25) • Fully Staffed Libraries and Technology Labs • Visual and Performing Arts Programs
• Band, Percussion and Chorus (4th–6th) • Boys’ and Girls’ Interscholastic Basketball (4th–6th) • Emphasis on Environmental Stewardship • Gifted and Talented Education (4th–6th)
YMCA provides on-site child care Registration Packets available Jan. 4. Children must be five on or before Sept. 1, 2021 to be eligible for kindergarten. Two-year Kinder Bridge program offered for children turning five on or after Sept. 2, 2021.
707 542-2201 • Visit us at www.bvusd.org May 2021
SonomaFamilyLife 11
trademark orange blossoms. Then in the fall they turn from green globes to nice, fat orange pumpkins. Use them for cooking pies and tarts, but be sure to set aside several to hollow out and carve into Halloween jack-o-lanterns. Learn more at gardenbeast.com/ how-to-grow-pumpkins.
Glorious Garden 4 Mini Plant Projects for Children
By Jan Pierce
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pring is in full bloom, and it’s time to get out and dig in the soil. To children, gardening is a bit like magic. Those little packages of mystery—seeds—are sprinkled into soil and then, after a loooong time, little green tendrils peek up into the world. You can capture some of that mystery and magic with these four mini-gardening projects. Sunflower Houses Sunflowers are magnificent things to plant because they have a short germination time—as little as seven days—and they grow spectacularly tall. Children will love planting their sunflower home and then watching it grow inch-by-inch. You could even do a little mapping and graphing as the home is planned. And then, when the magic is done, the kids can play in the house and even sleep in it. Find planning and growing
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Fence lines are great places to plant gourds. instructions at almanac.com/ plant-sunflower-house. Pumpkins to Jack-o-Lanterns Pumpkin seeds are easy to plant. Just place the seeds in mounds of soil spaced four to five inches apart. The plants will grow all summer long and bloom with their
Gourds on a Fence Fence lines are great places to plant gourds, which entrance kids with their beautiful colors and different shapes. Gourds need to grow and mature until all the greenery has dried up. After they are thoroughly dry, you can use them for decoration or rhythm instruments, or hollow them out to make homegrown birdhouses. Find more information at morningchores. com/growing-gourds. Succulents in Clam Shells Succulents, those interesting plants that retain water in fat leaves, come in all shapes and sizes. When grouped together, these plants make truly lovely arrangements. They can grow in a minimum of soil, making them perfect for a kids’ project. Take a large shell (or other interesting container) and drill several small drainage holes in the bottom. Place a layer of wet sphagnum moss in the bottom, top with potting soil, and then add
May 2021 www.sonomafamilylife.com
several succulent plants close together. These little arrangements make nice gifts, or you can place them in a spot
Sunflowers are magnificent things to plant.
Now Accepting New TK-6th Grade Students for the 2021-22 School Year. www.rvusd.org
where you and your children can enjoy them throughout the year. See simplysucculents.com for kits and arrangement ideas. For more fun gardening projects, see kidsgardening.org. ¶ Jan Pierce, MEd, is a freelance writer specializing in education, parenting, and family life articles. She is the author of Homegrown Readers: Simple Ways to Help Your Child Learn to Read, available at Barnes and Noble and Amazon.
PREPARING CHILDREN TO BE LIFELONG LEARNERS ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE • CRITICAL THINKING • COMMUNICATION • COLLABORATION • CREATIVITY 707-542-7375 ext. 4118 • 1000 Yulupa Ave. • Santa Rosa • www.rvusd.org
Little Gardeners’ Books Mel Bartholomew, Square Foot Gardening with Kids (Cool Springs Press, 2014).
Elevating Excellence for All
Enroll Online (TK–8) Academic Excellence Enrichment & More
Renata Fossen Brown, Gardening Lab for Kids: 52 Fun Experiments to Learn, Grow, Harvest, Make, Play, and Enjoy Your Garden (Quarry Books,
Successful Distance Learning & Homeschool programs
sebastopolschools.org (707) 829-4570
2014). Katherine Hengel, Garden to Table: A Kids’ Guide to Planting, Growing and Preparing Food (Mighty Media for Junior Readers, 2014). Sharon Lovejoy, Roots, Shoots, Buckets and Boots: Activities to Do in the Garden (Workman Publishing, 1999).
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CASTLE Preschool & Child Care Park Side School (K–4) Brook Haven School (5–8) May 2021
SonomaFamilyLife 13
change. As the proverbial Robin to your yard’s Batman, you embrace your role in supporting the superhero powers of your living landscape (capturing and filtering rainwater, producing oxygen, and absorbing carbon, just to name a few).
I’ll Be Out Back What Kind of Backyarder Are You?
Nature Lover No binging Netflix for you. You prefer to spend your free time watching the birds, bats, butterflies, and other wildlife that count on your yard for food and shelter. You cultivate a living landscape that supports a rich
You know that taking small steps in your yard can make a big impact on climate change.
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biodiversity with butterfly bushes, flowering plants, water sources, and trees and shrubs with nooks for nesting and food.
“How do you create a more purposeful outdoor space? First, you need to identify what type of ‘backyarder’ you are,” explains Kris Kiser, president and CEO of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) and the TurfMutt Foundation. “Then, you can get to work in your yard with that idea in mind.”
Horticulturist The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (planthardiness. ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb) is bookmarked on your browser because putting the right plant in the right place is the living landscape Golden Rule you live by. You consider location, maintenance, sunlight, and watering requirements, as well as your climate zone and lifestyle needs, before you even think about sticking your shovel in the dirt.
ackyarding—the trend to use the backyard for everything from tele-working and working out to relaxing and recreating—has a different purpose for each of us. Identifying the backyard’s role in your family’s health and happiness is the key to cultivating a purposeful outdoor space that is customized to your needs.
Here are just a few of the backyarding personality types. Which one(s) are you? Expert Landscaper Your yard makes neighbors green with envy. You know how to maintain a healthy living landscape all year long, and you have 14 SonomaFamilyLife
Your backyard is your sacred space for rest, relaxation, and rejuvenation. the latest outdoor power equipment to make even big jobs easier. Your idea of a good time? Spending the weekend doing yard work. You love the sense of accomplishment that comes from working in your yard, and friends can count on you for advice about their own living landscapes. Environmentalist You know that taking small steps in your yard can make a big impact on climate
Kid Zone Creator You know the safest place for your kids to be is in your own backyard; and you work hard to create an outdoor fun zone they will never want to leave. A flat area of sturdy turfgrass to play sports and pitch a tent? Check. Tree
May 2021 www.sonomafamilylife.com
house? Check. Zip line strung safely between backyard trees? Check. An elevated garden where they can help grow the family’s meals? Check. Natural playscapes, like a patch of sand bordered by rocks and log-stump seating? Check. Fun is your middle name, and you are winning at this game. Pet Pamperer Your focus is on Fido, and you take cues from your four-legged friends about how to purpose your backyard. You’ve planted sturdy turfgrass like Buffalo or Bermuda that can stand up to pet play; and you’ve used soft foliage to create a natural barricade between “off limits” areas and the rest of the lawn. Trees and shrubs are strategically planted for shade, and you’ve even
set up a shallow water feature to help your pup cool off on hot days. Planting with purpose for you means keeping toxic plants out of the picture. (For
The safest place for your kids to be is in your own backyard. a complete list, visit ASPCA’s list of non-toxic and toxic plants: tinyurl. com/36rz4zw3.) Entertainer Extraordinaire Your backyard was the neighborhood hot spot long before the pandemic made that trend posh. Family milestones, birthdays, graduations, reunions, socially distanced BBQs—your yard is the place to gather. Your yard is set up for success with patio furniture,
fire pit, yard games, plenty of outdoor seating, string lights, and maybe even an outdoor kitchen. Zen Master Enjoying your morning coffee on the balcony as songbirds serenade you. Meditating under the shade of a tree. De-stressing by swinging in a backyard hammock. Taking a break from your busy day to feel the sun on your face and the breeze in your hair. Your backyard is your sacred space for rest, relaxation, and rejuvenation. You know that spending time outside is good for your health and well-being, and that, thanks to your yard, these benefits are only steps away. ¶ Article provided by TurfMutt.com. Sign up for Mutt Mail, a monthly e-newsletter with backyarding tips and all the news from the TurfMutt Foundation, at TurfMutt.com.
sonoma
LOCAL for 30 years
#1 local resource for local families magazine • web • email www.sonomafamilylife.com
OUR SCHOOL MISSION + PHILOSOPHY www.presentationschool.com | admissions@presentationschool.com | 707-953-0122 ext. 202
May 2021
SonomaFamilyLife 15
While the majority of summer camps closed last summer, many camps stayed open, including mine. Strict safety guidelines and a modified program were necessary, but the fundamental essence of camp remained intact: Kids played together—in most cases outdoors— and were mentored by caring staff. According to our campers, parents,
Camp offers kids the unique opportunity to step back into a simpler time, when no Internet connection or mute button was needed.
Camps Heal Our Children How Summer Programs Meet Kids’ Needs By Andy Pritikin
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s a camp director, I’ve been heralding the importance of summer camp for two decades. Years before COVID-19, youth suffered from the worldwide outbreaks of technology addiction, social skill deficiency, indoor isolation, and over-parenting. And for more than a year now, our kids have been living an increasingly bizarre, unnatural life of screens and quarantines, hybrid schooling (if they’re lucky), and enough fear and disappointment to last them into adulthood. However, in the midst of the insanity, we’ve learned that summer camp can become a beacon of hope, a lifeline that can tow children back to their normal selves. 16 SonomaFamilyLife
and staff, it was by far their most meaningful camp experience ever, as well as an impactful life event. And think about it—that was only four months into the pandemic. This June, after two compromised school years, our children’s need for summer camp’s benefits will be even more crucial. Here’s what camp offers them:
1
Real Human Connection Zoom and remote learning have saved us in so many ways. But there’s no substitute for real human connection. Making and strengthening relationships is what camp is all about.
2
Rediscovering Nature While we have been trapped indoors for the past year, our bodies have longed to live life like our ancestors did—outside, without central air, video screens, and the Internet. The outdoors is an amazingly beautiful
May 2021 www.sonomafamilylife.com
and joyful place, and it’s where most summer camps happen.
3
Resiliency We want our kids to grow up with the kind of “can-do” attitude that our health care providers, essential workers,
Making and strengthening relationships is what camp is all about. and superhero schoolteachers demonstrate. They have the opportunity to develop that kind of courage at camp.
4
Mental Health The surge in the number of mental-healthrelated visits made by adolescents
and school-age children shows us that pandemic stress has left its mark. Extroverted kids are suffering, missing the energy of their peers. Introverted kids may seem to enjoy sitting in their homes, away from life’s normal pressures, but they need social interaction just as much. Camp helps kids reconnect with themselves and others, and reclaim their emotional and mental well-being. Camp offers kids the unique opportunity to step back into a simpler time, when no Internet connection or mute button was needed. There, they will find a small community of people that have faith in the human spirit and
Join us for our
MAGICAL MUSICAL THEATER CAMPS THIS SUMMER!
offer nonjudgmental support to one another. Camps have proven that such communities can be created safely, even under the most challenging circumstances. They give
There’s no substitute for real human connection. kids a place to be with other kids, to play outdoors as nature intended, and grow into the human beings they are meant to become. ¶ This article was originally published on the site of the American Camp Association (acacamps.org). It has been adapted and reprinted with permission from the author. Andy Pritikin is the owner of Liberty Lake Day Camp, libertylakedaycamp.com.
IN-PERSON SUMMER CAMPS!
MUSIC•THEATER•ACTING•DANCING•ART
SESSION 1 SESSION 2 SESSION 3 SESSION 4 LION KING THE LITTLE DESCENDANTS MOANA JUNE 14-25 MERMAID JULY 12-23 JULY 26-AUG. 6 JUNE 28-JULY 9
Get out of the house and come to a safe and friendly place to have fun! Discounts available: early bird, siblings and multiple sessions
Learn more at: www.FunMusicLessons.com 707-664-0123 • info@FunMusicLessons.com 8500 Gravenstein Hwy. Suite A, Cotati www.sonomafamilylife.com
June 21–25: Trolls 2 July 5–9: Moana July 12–16: Tinkerbell July 19–23: Frozen 2 July 26–30: Tangled Aug. 2–6: Little Mermaid
Space is limited! All safety measures will be observed. REGISTER TODAY TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT!
PLUS YEAR-ROUND ART, MUSIC & DANCE CLASSES CALL FOR A FREE TRIAL TODAY: 707-575-6858 www.artandsoulschool.com • info@artandsoulmusic.com 9064 Brooks Rd. S., Windsor May 2021
SonomaFamilyLife 17
stance on other relationships. “We don’t avoid having good friends or a romantic relationship because those engagements might someday come to an end. In fact, many of them do end, and we accept that as part of our life experience.”
Loving Other People’s Kids 4 Things Foster Parents Want You to Know By Pam Moore
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hile there is plenty of data about foster children, information about foster parents can be elusive. I talked to foster parents, not to obtain statistics, but to hear their stories. This is what they want you to know.
Foster parents aren’t superheroes. Foster parents are, in many ways, like all parents, says John DeGarmo. Having fostered more than 50 children and as the director of the Foster Care Institute, he understands how vulnerable foster parents are to fatigue, setbacks, and disappointments. “There are times when we succeed, and there are times when we experience failures. We are not the perfect parents. We are simply trying our best to provide a home and family for a child who needs one,” he says. 18 SonomaFamilyLife
Yes, dealing with loss is hard (but not impossible). Many foster parents mentioned they are frequently fielding questions about what happens when the child is taken away from them. Mary and Ken, whose foster child was ultimately reunited with his family, talked about how frequently people express apprehension over the idea of getting “too close” to the child only to have the child reunite with their biological family. She says she finds that perspective “peculiar,” considering we rarely, if ever, take this
DeGarmo also encounters this question, people often asking him, “Doesn’t it hurt it too much to give them back?” Of course it hurts, he says; heartache is to be expected. “When the child leaves our home and
While the foster system can be impersonal and frustrating, it has its upsides, too. our family, our hearts should break. We should experience feelings of grief and loss. After all, we have given all of our hearts and love to a child in need.” Two years after Heather Grimes’s foster child was returned to her biological family, she says the child’s “photo is still on our fridge, from her first birthday. [She’s] in that adorable denim jumper, sitting on the fake grass outside of Sweet Cow ice cream. Her eyes are the most gorgeous shade of blue.” While the Grimes may have moved on with their lives, that little girl is still in their hearts. Foster kids are not bad kids. Many parents said they often receive comments about how hard it must be to deal with difficult, out-of-control kids. In reality, says Emily, most are not bad kids. The former or current foster mom of a total of four children, Emily explains: “They just grew up in chaotic, unhealthy environments without proper adult supervision.
May 2021 www.sonomafamilylife.com
Foster parents are, in many ways, like all parents. Support and Education (CASE) are among the many resources she recommends foster parents take advantage of. The foster system isn’t just a cold bureaucracy. While the foster system can be impersonal and frustrating, it has its upsides, too. DeGarmo points out that foster parents are helping not just the children, but also the whole family.
He notes that many biological parents of foster children were in the foster system themselves and, for lack of resources, are still stuck in the system. “Part of being a foster parent is helping the parents of the children living with us, helping our fellow human beings.” From talking to foster parents, I learned that what they do doesn’t require a superhero cape. It does take commitment, compassion, and a desire to help. As most foster parents were quick to say, the biological parents aren’t necessarily bad people; they love their kids and they have flaws—like all parents. ¶ This article was originally published on Parent Co. Get Pam Moore’s free guide to crushing Impostor Syndrome at pam-moore.com.
Contact us to find out if YOU would make a great foster parent. (707) 565 - 4274 www.sonomafamilylife.com
w w w. S o n o m a F o s t e r C a r e . o r g May 2021
FOSTER
ADOPT
SONOMA COUNTY
Tammy Hoskins says being trauma-informed is crucial in supporting foster children. Hoskins works for a nonprofit that serves the needs of high-risk youth and is the mother of ten children, four of whom are biological children and six of whom she adopted through the foster system. Because their brains are still developing, children are especially vulnerable to the deleterious effects of trauma, including difficulties with learning, social-emotional development, cognition, physical health, and attachment. Says Hoskins, “To understand, to empathize and to work with them in collaborative ways
to solve problems is crucial to their healing.” The work of Daniel Siegel, Karen Purvis, and webinars available through the Center for Adoption
HOST
They are capable of learning the right way to behave, express their emotions, etc., if you take the time to show/teach them.”
SonomaFamilyLife 19
I relax about how much you enjoy Fortnite and other video games, and just savor the time you are in my house and under my roof, even as you scamper through a virtual world. I continue to bring you a bowl of cereal in the morning as you fall back asleep on the couch before school. It’s a little thing you could do for yourself, but I don’t mind.
Letter to My Teen What I Want for Mother’s Day
By Katy M. Clark
I
know better than to expect a handmade card from you this year. Or a necklace made out of macaroni noodles, or a stone painted with the words, “Mom, you rock!” After all, you are in high school.
I will always treasure those cards and gifts from when you were younger, but what I wish for on Mother’s Day now that you are a teen is different. So, as you roll out of bed, probably forgetting about my special day (even though your dad reminded you at least once), let me share what I want for Mother’s Day. I hope that:
step it up in the litter-box-cleaning department, though.) You will always want to tell me about whom you eat lunch with at school. I can help you with your Language Arts homework when you ask because you know it was my strongest subject, and it’s not yours.
My front seat continues to be a welcoming place for you to sit and chat with me.
I will always have enough snacks for you in the pantry. And may I continue to remember to buy two pounds of meat, instead of one, for recipes. You definitely have a much bigger appetite these days.
We will always bond over our cat, talking to her in baby voices and cracking each other up. (You could
I can encourage you to be your best in whatever role your coach feels is right for you.
I will always have a full pack of gum from which you can mooch.
20 SonomaFamilyLife
It will continue to be easy between you and me when I tease you about those girls you message on Snapchat. I have the agility to dodge the laundry you leave on your bedroom floor and
I hope that I will always have a full pack of gum from which you can mooch. the patience to teach you—again—how to fold clothes and put them away. Okay, I see your face. You are wondering how you can wrap any of these “gifts” or if I’m serious about them at all. Please know that I am. They mean the world to me. But don’t worry about getting me everything. The truth is that I’ve already received the greatest gift this Mother’s Day: The gift to be your mom, especially during these teen years. Stop making that face. I’m serious. And yes, you can have a piece of gum. It’s in my purse. You know where. Katy M. Clark is a writer who celebrates her imperfections as a mom at experiencedbadmom.com.
May 2021 www.sonomafamilylife.com
Do you have room in your heart?
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1. Sip some tea. Enjoy the perfect cup of tea and your favorite tea cookies while daydreaming by an open window. My mother used to keep her “special cookies” hidden so the kids couldn’t raid her secret stash. Now I do, too. 2. Go on a walkabout. Get your heart rate up with a brisk walk, preferably around the most scenic route in your neighborhood. As you walk, shake those baby-toting kinks out of your arms and shoulders.
Avoid Mommy Burnout A
15 Ways to Recharge in Only 20 Minutes
By Christina Katz
s a new mother, I definitely had my mommy meltdown moments. They snuck up on me, usually when I was endeavoring for the umpteenth time to finally get something done. That’s when my baby girl, Samantha, would start to shriek because she wanted out of her two-speed swing, or when one of our three cats would decide to hurl a hairball across the light-colored carpet, and when my lunch would explode in a muffled splat all over the inside of the microwave.
At times like these I’d get the hint and stop whatever I was doing. I’d pick up my pouty-lipped princess, collapse into our wonderfully overstuffed lounge chair, and begin to rhythmically rock and hum a lullaby. Samantha probably thought all this soothing behavior was for her benefit, but the truth was I was actually plotting my next 20-minute 22 SonomaFamilyLife
break—the best trick I’ve learned for how to avoid mommy burnout. So next time life gives you 20 minutes, don’t waste a single moment complaining that it’s not enough time. Just jump right into one of these relaxing rituals instead, and you’ll find that the cure for mommy burnout was within your grasp all along.
3. Write a postcard. Write four fanciful postcards to your dearest faraway friends. Short on postcards?
Buy yourself inexpensive bunches of flowers. Find the four prettiest pieces of notepaper in the house, and write a hand-written note with the most grown-up pen you have. 4. Grab a good read. Flip through that old stack of magazines you never have time to read. Tear out the pages with articles that really interest you, staple them, and keep them in a magazine holder close to the door, so you can grab one on the way out. Read your selection in the passenger seat, while waiting in line at the grocery store, or anywhere else you find yourself with a few minutes of down time. 5. Savor a sitcom. Set your DVR to record your favorite funny sitcoms, or designate a weekly time to catch up with your shows on your computer. During these times, shut the door, turn out the lights, and enjoy (with or without commercials). Ah.
May 2021 www.sonomafamilylife.com
6. Dance it out. Close the shades, put on your headphones, find your favorite dance music, and get down. Don’t stop until your stress and strain shimmy away.
9. Make a vision board. More fun with old magazines: Make a collage of images that represent your future hopes and goals. Don’t hold back! Dream big.
Enjoy the perfect cup of tea and your favorite tea cookies.
10. Pretend you are five. Engage your inner child—finger paint, play with clay, or color with crayons. Focus on the fun of the process, not the quality of the product.
7. Commune with nature. Sit outside under a tree. Listen. Write what you hear in a poem. 8. Treat yourself to fresh flora. Buy yourself inexpensive bunches of flowers. Arrange them in your loveliest vases, and place them around the house.
11. Connect with your future self. What happens when you use your imagination to talk to an older, wiser version of yourself? Write the results in your journal. 12. Soak. Turn on some soothing music, fire up a few candles, dim the lights, and sink into a sumptuous bubble bath.
13. Write a gratitude list. Then write a second list expressing gratitude for all the things you wish you had, as though you already had them. 14. Be a rock star. Sing in the shower as loudly as you like. Buy soaps and shampoos with scents that inspire you.
Sing in the shower as loudly as you like. 15. Take a power nap. Set your alarm clock for 20 minutes, lie down, and start counting backwards from one hundred. When you’re alarm goes off, you’ll be rested and refreshed, whether you fell asleep or not.
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guess what you may be allergic to and then self-medicate at CVS. See an allergist or a pulmonologist for testing and a tailored action plan, which may include allergy shots
AC not only cools the air but cleans it, too.
Sneezin’ Season S
or under-the-tongue allergy drops (sublingual allergy desensitization), and over-the-counter medication.
How to Survive Spring Allergies
By Sandra Gordon
easonal allergic rhinitis, aka hay fever, is nothing to sneeze at. This time of year, mold spores and tiny grains of pollen from native grasses and trees hitch a ride on spring’s warm breezes, traveling for hundreds of miles.
If you or someone in your family is allergic, those pesky airborne particles can kick your immune system into overdrive, triggering annoying symptoms, such as sneezing, stuffy and runny nose, and itchy, watery eyes. The throat, ears, and the roof of the mouth can itch, too.
difficult. About 60 percent of adults and up to 80 percent of children 18 and younger with asthma have allergic asthma—asthma brought on by allergies.
“Allergies can trigger asthma and make it worse,” says Beth Corn, MD, an allergy and immunology specialist. Asthma is a chronic disease in which the lung’s tiny airways become swollen and constricted, making breathing
Pinpoint what you’re allergic to. If you or your child is having symptoms of allergies, asthma, or both (allergic asthma), such as coughing, wheezing, chest tightness and difficulty breathing, don’t
24 SonomaFamilyLife
These simple strategies can tame seasonal allergies to help everyone breathe easier.
Reducing your exposure to an allergen is an important first step. “You have to identify what’s triggering your allergies or allergic asthma, then go after it,” Corn says. Bust household dust. Dust mites are a common indoor allergen, especially in winter because we tend to spend more time inside. But dust mites can also be an issue in the spring and summer because they thrive on seasonal humidity. These microscopically tiny bugs live in household dust, which sneaks in from dirt tracked in on shoes and airborne particles like pollen and soot that blow into your home. Dust mites are not parasites. They won’t bite, sting, or burrow into you. The harmful allergen they create comes from the fecal pellets and body fragments they shed in household dust. Dust mites are nearly everywhere, but the bedroom is their favorite hangout. “Roughly four out of five homes in the United States have detectable levels of dust mite allergen in at least one bed,” states the American Lung Association on its website, lung.org. To derail dust mites, use a dehumidifier (if humidity is a problem)
May 2021 www.sonomafamilylife.com
and encase mattresses and pillows in a barrier cover that’s impenetrable to dust. “The cover doesn’t have be anything expensive. It just has to do the job,” Corn advises. Barrier covers prevent the dust mite debris from seeping out of bedding. “You’re not smothering the dust mites. They’re still there, but you’ll lock in the dust, which is what contains the mites you’re allergic to,” Corn says. Get rid of carpets, rugs, and curtains, too. “They’re big dust collectors,” Corn says. Clean up your act. Mop floors regularly and use shades instead of curtains in bedrooms, periodically washing down shades with a damp cloth. Also, wash sheets and towels in hot water to kill any lingering dust mites.
Avoid outdoor chores. If you’re allergic to grasses, let someone who isn’t allergic cut the lawn. Mowing kicks up mold and pollen. If you can’t get out of lawn duty, just don
Reducing your exposure to an allergen is an important first step. a surgical face mask (these days, you’re probably already wearing one anyway) to minimize your chances of inhaling outdoor allergens. Close your windows. Keep car windows shut when you’re driving. When the weather heats up, close windows at home and turn on the air conditioner. AC not only cools
Registration starts in May for Sacramental Preparation for youth Junior Youth Group • Senior Youth Group With classes starting in September Registration fees will increase in August.
ST. ELIZABETH ANN SETON CHURCH 4595 Snyder Lane, Rohnert Park 707-585-3708 | sesreled@gmail.com www.st-elizabeth-seton.com
www.sonomafamilylife.com
the air but cleans it, too. Just make sure to regularly replace the AC filter, otherwise you’ll be breathing in dirty air. Don’t hang towels, sheets, or clothes outside to dry. They’re pollen and mold magnets, especially on windy days. Wash up. Change your clothes, take a shower, and wash your hair after being outside. Pollen can cling to hair, skin, and clothes. “These little tricks can really minimize your exposure to allergens and, in turn, help control your allergies and allergic asthma,” Corn says. ¶ Sandra Gordon is a freelance writer who specializes in health and medicine.
Award-Winning Sonoma County Photographer Families-Portraits-Weddings duphotography.com May 2021
707.843.1331 SonomaFamilyLife 25
Draw In Creativity
Fruit Tree What kind of fruit is growing on this tree? Add some animals, birds, and people who like to eat it.
A Simple Prompt Yields Great Ideas By Jean Van’t Hul
I
have used simple drawing prompts with children since my eldest daughter, Maia, now a high schooler, was in preschool. I drew some empty picture frames on a piece of paper for her and a friend to fill in. They were so attracted to those frames and drew inside them more enthusiastically and creatively than they drew on plain paper earlier that day.
After that, I started creating simple drawing prompts for my kids and their friends to complete regularly— sometimes on paper, sometimes on our giant chalkboard wall, sometimes scribbled in a notebook when we were out and about. The results became predictable: If the chalkboard was blank, they often walked by it without seeming to notice it. But if I added a simple drawing prompt, usually accompanied by a written question, 26 SonomaFamilyLife
they were attracted to it and started thinking and drawing right away, whether by themselves, together, or with a friend. The simple prompt got their brains working faster and in a different way than normal. It piqued their curiosity and often got them drawing more creatively than when faced with a blank page. This was wonderful to see from the perspective of a parent and self-proclaimed children’s art enabler.
InvitationToDraw_Final_r2.indd 17
Seeing the tremendous potential of drawing prompts, I started offering them here and there on a regular basis. Not all the time. But when it occurred to me or I had a new idea, I would try it out.
12/14/20 10:44 AM
Some of the drawing prompts I offered included: • Drawing the outline of a two-story house and asking who lived there.
May 2021 www.sonomafamilylife.com
• Drawing two blank heads with speech bubbles and asking who they were and what they were saying to each other.
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• Drawing a series of simple ovals and inviting the kids to complete the faces with different expressions.
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• Drawing a pair of eyes and asking who or what it was. Each time, I was happy to see how interested and engaged the kids were with the drawing prompts. And I loved seeing the creative drawings that resulted! This is not to say that the kids don’t draw creatively when working on blank paper, whether at the easel or in a sketchbook, but with drawing
A drawing prompt can act as a magical solution for creative engagement. prompts, the results are different. Additionally, sometimes a child’s interest might lag in drawing or just in general. A drawing prompt can act as a magical solution for creative engagement. The prompt “Fruit Tree” (see opposite page) will get you started. Find more prompts in my book Invitation to Draw. ¶ Reprinted from Invitation to Draw: 99 Drawing Prompts to Inspire Kids’ Creativity (2021) with permission from Roost Books, roostbooks.com. Jean Van’t Hul helps parents, caregivers, and teachers share art with the kids in their lives through her blog, The Artful Parent, as well as her books, classes, and Kids Art Spot membership site. For more ideas and inspiration for kids’ art, seasonal crafts, and creative family life, visit artfulparent.com.
www.sonomafamilylife.com
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SonomaFamilyLife 27
May
Calendar of Events
Saturday 1 Carpool Cinemas. Luther Burbank
Center parking lot transforms into a drive-in movie theater. Social distancing & masking required. $35 per car. Gates open 7 p.m. Movies begin 8:30 p.m. May 1: Coco. May 8: Bad Moms. May 15: Harry Potter & the Sorcerer’s Stone. May 22: Grease. Luther Burbank Center. 50 Mark West Springs Rd., Santa Rosa. Tickets: lutherburbankcenter.org/ carpool-cinemas.
Tuesday 4 FREE Virtual Pride Group for Teens. Teens discuss books & other
media that showcase queer voices & experiences. Ages 13–18. Sponsored by the Sonoma County Library. Tuesdays. 4 p.m. Registration required: events. sonomalibrary.org/event/4746254. Email: teenpride@sonomalibrary.org.
Wednesday 5 FREE Mind of a Scientist (Virtual Field Trips). Through Zoom
meetings, students in grades 7–12 interact with scientists & engineers doing live presentations from their
labs or the field. Breakout groups follow presentation. Wednesdays, thru May 19. 12:30–2 p.m. Info: rabbott@ sonomalibrary.org.
Thursday 6 FREE Child Parent Institute Autism Support Group. Meets the first
Thursday of the month. Facilitator provides support & education on a variety of topics. 9:30–11 a.m. Register: calparents.org. FREE Regional Parks Live. Short science spiels on Sonoma County parks via Facebook Live. May 6: Safety First: Dog Edition. May 13: What Is a Wildlife Corridor? May 20: Get Out Invaders! May 27: Amazing Adaptations. Thursdays. 2:30–2:45 p.m. Spanish (en español): May 13, 2–2:15 p.m. facebook.com/ sonomacountyregionalparks.
Friday 7 The Gem Faire. Fine jewelry, gems,
beads, crystals, minerals, gold, silver & more. $7 weekend pass. Ages 11 & younger: free. May 7: noon–6 p.m. May 8: 10 a.m.–6 p.m. May 9: 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Sonoma County Fairgrounds.
1350 Bennett Valley Rd., Santa Rosa. gemfaire.com.
Saturday 8 Wine Country Yoga. Outdoor yoga class followed by rosé, cookies & chocolate samples. $30–$45. 9–11 a.m. Hook & Ladder Winery. 2134 Olivet Rd., Santa Rosa. eventbrite.com. FREE Petaluma Gap Marketplace.
New monthly outdoor gathering of local food & artist vendors. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Pronzini Farms (look for the big tent). 3795 Adobe Rd., Petaluma. lalasjams.com.
Sunday 9 Mother’s Day Kayaking. Life
jackets, boats & paddles provided. $25. Parking: $7. 10 a.m.–noon. Spring Lake. 393 Violetti Rd., Santa Rosa. Register: parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov or tinyurl.com/ybwye6pk. Virtual Family Bake-A-Long. Chef Mimo Ahmed teaches families how to make chocolate chunk & snickerdoodle cookies from scratch. Benefits Cake4Kids.org, which brings birthday cakes to at-risk youth. $25. 11 a.m.–noon. Register: cake4kids.org/ events/sonoma-bakealong.
Thursday 13 Fully Committed. Troy Thomas Evans plays 40 characters in this one-person, one-act show. The play follows a day in the life of an unemployed actor who staffs the reservation line at Manhattan’s number-one restaurant. Presented by Raven Theater. $15. Livestream shows: May 13–15. 7:30 p.m. raventheater.org.
28 SonomaFamilyLife
May 2021 www.sonomafamilylife.com
Saturday 15 FREE Matsuri! Japanese Art Festival. Virtual festival featuring
shakuhachi & taiko performances & judo demos. 6:30–8:30 p.m. Register to receive the Zoom link: sonomamatsuri.org/festival. FREE Sonia De Los Santos.
Bilingual kids’ music performer sings original Mexican-folk children’s songs. May 15–16. Register: lutherburbankcenter.org/event/ dino-light.
& more. $5–$8. Ages 12 & younger: free. Parking fee. May 21: 5:30–9 p.m. May 22: 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Hall of Flowers. Sonoma County Fairgrounds. 1350 Bennett Valley Rd., Santa Rosa.
Sunday 23 Muddy Princess. Outdoor 5K (3.1 mile) obstacle mud run, for women only. All sizes & fitness levels. Minimum age: 9. Ages 9–13 must be accompanied by adult. Entry fee: $44. Parking: $10. Bag drop: $5. 7 a.m.–4 p.m. Ya-Ka-Ama. 7465 Steve Olson
Mercury Sunset Hike. Robert
Ferguson Observatory docent will lead a hike at sunset to point out a rare glimpse of Mercury. More details to be announced. Go to website for further info. 8–8:30 p.m. Sugarloaf Ridge State Park. 2605 Adobe Canyon Rd., Kenwood. rfo.org/index.php/ calendar. Night Sky Trails. Robert Ferguson Observatory docents give laser-guided tours of the constellations to small groups. $5. Ages 17 & younger: free. Parking: $10. Masking & social distancing required. 9:30–11 p.m. Sugarloaf Ridge State Park. Robert Ferguson Observatory. 2605 Adobe Canyon Rd., Kenwood. Reservations required (no tickets at door): rfo.simpletix.com.
Wednesday 19
Ln., Forestville. Register on Eventbrite: tinyurl.com/2p9tryu2. FREE Santa Rosa Symphony@ Home–Family Concert. 3 p.m. Watch
concert on Santa Rosa Symphony YouTube channel.
Thursday 27 How to Draw Best Friends: Peppermint Patty & Marcie. Zoom
class led by professional cartoonist Mary Shyne. $10–$15. 4–5 p.m. Registration required: schulzmuseum. org/learn/calendar-of-events.
St Elizabeth Ann Seton Church Faith Formation Classes Catechesis of Good Shepherd Pre-K (ages 3-6) Sacramental Preparation or Religious Education Classes (Grades 1-5) Online and hybrid classes beginning September ST. ELIZABETH ANN SETON CHURCH FAITH FORMATION
4595 Snyder Lane, Rohnert Park 707-585-3708 | sesreled@gmail.com www.st-elizabeth-seton.com
HOME OF
B Mî `ƒ
Voice Program Recital: Songbook.
Sonoma State University’s vocalists perform repertoire from the first half of the 20th century, including songs from Broadway musicals, variety shows & early TV programs. 1 p.m. For link, email duncajan@sonoma.edu. Visit music.sonoma.edu/events.
Friday 21 Rebel Junk Vintage Market. Wood signs, jewelry, candles, garden art, antiques, industrial, farmhouse decor
www.sonomafamilylife.com
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SonomaFamilyLife 29
Humor Break of lampshade” it will know I mean a finial. 7. Lumberjacks. The wood section of the store is so boring. Some cute, muscle-y, flannel-shirted lumberjacks would perk me up, and they could dig through the piles of two-by-fours to find the straight ones for me.
The Suggestion Box Home Improvement Stores, Listen Up
By Brette Sember After years of enduring visits to home improvement stores with my family, I have come up with several service suggestions: 1. Relationship counselors. If anyone needs a counselor, it’s a couple in the middle of a renovation. Having a few in-store therapists on hand to help folks navigate sudden anger and frustration (what do you mean you didn’t measure?!) would definitely improve customer satisfaction. 2. Chairs. Preferably padded. No one wants to stand for half an hour while deciding between tiles. 3. Moving walkways. I do not want to have to drag my tired self to the other side of the store for whatever stupid thing I came in to buy. Hopping on a moving walkway would deliver 30 SonomaFamilyLife
me to my destination fresh as a daisy and ready to spend. 4. Daycare. Or at least a playground or Disney movie on a loop—anything to entertain the kiddos. (You can’t exactly hand them a box of nails and tell them to eat up.) 5. Snacks. Nothing motivates my husband—or my kids—to move through a grocery store like food samples, so if you could parcel out some cheese cubes or even some diced mango, my life would definitely be easier. 6. An app. I’m tired of always picking the wrong plumbing aisle. Please, just give me an app so I can type in what I need and know where to look for it. And make it intuitive, so if I type in “screw thingie for top
8. A spa. If the relationship counselors can’t get the job done, I have got to have a peaceful place to retreat to when my husband does not understand why the selection of cheap-looking bathroom vanities necessitates a special order. If someone could just give me a shoulder massage, I might be able to go back out and do battle again instead of leaving in a huff. 9. Paint vending machines. I do not want to have to converse with the crusty older gentleman in charge of paint and then wait 20 minutes in cart traffic. I would much rather just punch in a code for what I want. If this isn’t possible, would you please, for the love of God, just text me when my paint is ready? 10. Signs that bridge the gap. Not all of us are contractors. We regular homeowners do not know that, for instance, recessed lights come with the do-hickeys that attach them to the ceiling. Some signs to address such common misunderstandings would be oh-so helpful. Bonus points: Parking! You can’t truly appreciate how big a parking lot is until you’ve dragged a sobbing child (or unmotivated husband) across it. Please let me park near the door. And have those snacks ready. ¶ Brette Sember is a freelance writer.
May 2021 www.sonomafamilylife.com
Classified Marketplace Camps
Camps
COVID LEARNING LOSS IS REAL…
So much learning was erased. We can help bring it back this summer!
Francesco Lecce-Chong
Orchestral Music, Kids’ Style
C
hildren have an innate curiosity about music. It’s an interest the Santa Rosa Symphony (SRS) hopes to cultivate with its virtual Family Concert. At the event, SRS music director Francesco Lecce-Chong will teach kids about the orchestra and the music it plays, while the musicians will give up-close demos of their instruments. The concert is free and can be seen on May 23 at 3 p.m. via the symphony’s YouTube channel. Go to srsymphony.org/Events-Tickets/ Family-Series for more viewing information. ¶
2021 SUMMER CAMPS & CLASSES JUNE 14–JULY 16 OPEN TO ALL! AGES 6-14 30+ classes and camps!
Hogwarts | KidVets! | Edible Science | Art In-Person and Online Options
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Childcare/Preschools YMCA Early Education Center SANTA ROSA 2590 PINER ROAD
Gem Faire
Parties
Part Time /Full Time Care Flexible Plans Available Serving Infant-5 years PROGRAM OBJECTIVES:
Health & Nutrition, Motor Skills, Interpersonal Relationships, Self Confidence, and Cognitive Development PRICING & REGISTRATION: 707.544.1829 www.scfymca.org
The Sonoma County Family YMCA is an inclusive, charitable organization that enriches community through the areas of Youth Development, Healthy Living, and Social Responsibility.
Get Your Sparkle On
W
ith their varying hues and shapes, gems and crystals are some of the Earth’s treasures. A whole array of them, along with minerals, beads, and gold and silver jewelry, will be on display and for sale at the Gem Faire. The event will be held at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa on May 7, noon–6 p.m.; May 8, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.; and May 9, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Children ages 11 and younger get in free; a weekend pass for 12 and older is $7. Parking is free. Sign up for a two-for-one deal at gemfaire.com. Social distancing and masking will be required. ¶ www.sonomafamilylife.com
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