Sonoma Family Life November 2023 by familylifemag

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November 2023

Book Week

Embrace Reading

Sheet Pan Supper Easy Cleanup

Bad Grades? Here’s What to Do

Seasonal Crafts 3 Easy DIYs

Season of

Giving

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November 2023

Every Issue

12 Native Knowledge Celebrate Native Americans with books, movies, and museums.

Cooking with Kids

Bits and Pieces Ice, Ice Baby All Aboard for a Magical Christmas Run Away to the Circus

Features

How to celebrate National Children’s Book Week.

Dear Reader Sheet Pan Magic

10 10 Let Books Come Alive

14 Bounce Back from Bad Grades What to do when bad grades strike.

16 Set The Table Three seasonal crafts to keep little hands busy.

Head Start on the Holidays

One Cute Pup All Dolled Up

20 Calendar of Events Santa Sets Sail to Petaluma

30 Humor Break Automatic Enrollment

8 4 SonomaFamilyLife

November 2023

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Dear Reader

t has begun! The holiday season is upon us, laden with all the coziness, joy, and the frenetic busyness that it brings. Sharon Gowan Publisher/Editor Sharon@family-life.us

We are here to help make your days just a bit easier. Flip to “Set the Table” (page 16) for kiddo-friendly seasonal craft projects, made with materials you probably already have around the house. Our articles on National Native American Heritage Month (page 12) and Children’s Book Week (page 10) will equip you to help your kids dive deeper into learning and celebrating. Finally, with all of the hustle and bustle, make time to brew a cup of tea for yourself and chuckle at “Automatic Enrollment” (page 30).

Please join me as I say a thank you of the deepest gratitude to our outgoing Features Editor, Melissa Chianta. Melissa has shepherded this magazine through so many changes over the past decade and she has always done it with grace and style. Thank you Melissa!

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

Please welcome our new Features Editor, Tressa Eaton, into the role and feel free to reach out to her at featureseditorfamilylife@gmail.com with article ideas, questions, or comments.

Features Editor

Whether you are celebrating Thanksgiving with friends or family, we hope it is a time of togetherness, love, and good food!

Donna Bogener production@family-life.us

Tressa Eaton featureseditorfamilylife@gmail.com

Production Manager

Cover photo Deanna Willis, ddw photography ddwphotography.com

Contributing Writers Alexandra Adlawan America’s Test Kitchen Shannon Carpenter Tiffany Doerr Guerzon Cheryl Maguire Sean G. McCormick

Billing Jan Wasson-Smith

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

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November 2023

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Cooking with Kids

Sheet Pan Magic One pan and voilà, dinner is ready

By America’s Test Kitchen

hick-cut bone-in pork chops deliver the succulence of a larger roast but cook in just 10 to 15 minutes, making them perfect weeknight treats. They stand up to high heat and bold flavors, so it was natural to pair them with roasted root vegetables and to season everything well for a memorably flavor-packed meal. Roasting the chops on a rimmed baking sheet meant that there was plenty of room to cook our side at the same time. Since pork chops cook relatively quickly, we partially roasted the vegetables—a rustic mix of thick-sliced Yukon Gold potatoes, carrot spears, and fennel wedges—to give them a head start. For a bold hit of flavor, we tossed them with fresh rosemary and peeled whole garlic cloves, which turned deliciously creamy when roasted. Once the vegetables had softened and taken on some color, we added our pork chops, which we’d seasoned with pepper, salt, paprika, and coriander for a deeply flavored crust. Finally, we whisked together a simple parsley vinaigrette to drizzle over the pork, ensuring that our meal would end on an herbal note.

Used, with permission, from The Complete Autumn & Winter Cookbook (America’s Test Kitchen, 2021), americastestkitchen.com.

www.sonomafamilylife.com

Roasted Pork Chops and Vegetables with Parsley Vinaigrette Total Time: 1¼ hours Ingredients 1 pound Yukon Gold potatoes, unpeeled, halved lengthwise, and sliced crosswise ½ inch thick 1 pound carrots, peeled and cut into 3-inch lengths, thick ends quartered lengthwise 1 fennel bulb, stalks discarded, bulb halved, cored, and cut into ½-inch-thick wedges 10 garlic cloves, peeled 2 teaspoons minced fresh rosemary or ¾ teaspoon dried / cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided

2¾ teaspoons kosher salt, divided 1½ teaspoons pepper, divided 1 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon ground coriander 4 (12-ounce) bone-in pork rib or center-cut chops, 1 to 1½ inches thick, trimmed 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley 4 teaspoons red wine vinegar 1 small shallot, minced / teaspoon sugar

November 2023

1. Adjust oven rack to upper-middle position and heat oven to 450 degrees. Toss potatoes, carrots, and fennel with garlic, rosemary, 1 tablespoon oil, 1½ teaspoons salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper in bowl and spread in single layer on rimmed baking sheet. Roast until beginning to soften, about 25 minutes. 2. Combine 2 teaspoons salt, 1 teaspoon pepper, paprika, and coriander in bowl. Using sharp knife, cut 2 slits, about 2 inches apart, through fat on edge of each pork chop. Pat chops dry with paper towels, rub with 1 teaspoon oil, then sprinkle with spice mixture. 3. Arrange pork chops on top of vegetables and continue to roast until pork registers 145 degrees and vegetables are tender, 10 to 15 minutes, rotating sheet halfway through roasting. 4. Remove sheet from oven and let pork chops rest for 5 minutes. Whisk parsley, vinegar, shallot, sugar, remaining oil, remaining ¼ teaspoon salt, and remaining ¼ teaspoon pepper together in bowl. Drizzle vinaigrette over pork and vegetables. Serve. Serves: 4 SonomaFamilyLife 7

Bits & Pieces

Winter Lights

Ice, Ice Baby

he sun may be shining and temperatures high, but there is still ice skating fun to be had at the outdoor Winter Lights Rink at Courthouse Square in Santa Rosa. This synthetic rink functions just like a conventional rink and is eco-friendly to boot, since it doesn’t require any water or power to run. Even though the rink might not be frozen, don’t let that stop you from loading up at the snack shack which will feature popcorn, candy and of course, hot chocolate. Skating on the Square will kick off with a tree lighting ceremony on November 24 with a show by the Redwood Ice Theatre Company. Open skating rink hours will run from November 25 through December 31. Lace on your skates (and don your costume!) for one of the extra special theme nights, including Barbie on 11/30, 70s Disco on 12/7, Country Western on 12/14, and Ugly Sweater on 12/21. Tickets are $8.50 each and can be purchased at downtownsantarosa.org/winterlights.

Christmas Tree Train

All Aboard for a Magical Christmas

id you know that Santa rides the rails too? Board the historic Skunk Train in Willits for a 90-minute journey through some of the tallest trees on the planet and over scenic trestle bridges, while indulging in seasonal treats. The trip includes a visit to The World’s Largest Christmas Tree (an epic decorated Redwood), Mr. Skunk’s Magical Workshop, and a meet-and-greet photo opportunity with Santa. Rides begin on November 25 and run until December 31. Tickets are $10.95–59.95; dogs are $10.95; kids two and under ride free on a lap. Morning and afternoon trips available; make reservations at skunktrain.com.

Run Away to the Circus

irque de Bohème is an old-fashioned circus based on the French tradition of the 1920s. Every performance intertwines theater, acrobatics, clowning, and music together under a charming tent. A magical world filled with enchantment, adventure, and wonder awaits. The troop presents the all-new winter 2023 circus holiday spectacle, Consolamentum, at Cornerstone Sonoma on November 24, 25, 26 and Saturdays and Sundays in December with three shows a day presented at 1 p.m., 3 p.m., and 5 p.m. Purchase tickets, $30 for kids 15 and younger, and $40 for adults at cirquedeboheme.com. A portion of ticket sales will benefit The Sonoma Valley Mentoring Alliance. cirquedeboheme.com. 8 SonomaFamilyLife

Cirque de Bohème

November 2023

www.sonomafamilylife.com

Head Start on the Holidays

ant to be super-duper organized for the holidays this year? Then get yourself to The Sonoma County Holiday Gift Extravaganza Show at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds for some pre-Black Friday shopping. Taking place on November 11 and 12 from 10 a.m.–4p.m. the event will offer tons of unique gifts from artists and crafters, a raffle, sweet treats, and even a chance to visit with Santa himself. Adult tickets are $7 or grab a Family & Friends 4 pack of tickets for $20; kids 12 and under get in for free. Bring a non-perishable food item to donate to the Redwood Empire Food Bank and receive $2 off at the door. Find more details at sonomacountyhomeshows.com.

One Cute Pup

COURTESY OF PEANUTS WORLDWIDE/APPLE TV+

elebrate the 50th anniversary of the animated classic, A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving at the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center in Santa Rosa. Emulate Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Woodstock, and Linus in the film and create your own meal with popcorn, pretzels, jellybeans, and toast. Make a Snoopy chef’s hat, collage thank you cards, and watch the movie on the big screen. All special events are included with museum admission; $12 for adults; $5 for children ages 4–18; free for kids 3 and under. Bring food items to donate to Redwood Empire Food Bank and receive one free child’s admission. The event takes place on November 18 from 1–4 p.m. Get more details at schulzmuseum.org.

All Dolled Up

ith the pink haze of Barbie mania still going strong, this year’s Santa Rosa Doll and Toy Show is sure to be a hot ticket. The Santa Rosa Veterans Memorial Building (across from the Fairgrounds) will be filled with a wide range of vintage and modern dolls, action figures, stuffed animals, and accessories, all on display to view and to purchase. An annual event, this year’s show will be held on Sunday, November 5 from 10 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Admission is $6 and parking will be free. More information and a $1 off coupon can be found at santarosadollshow.blogspot.com. www.sonomafamilylife.com

November 2023

SonomaFamilyLife 9

Let Books Come Alive

5 Ways to Celebrate National Children’s Book Week

By Alexandra Adlawan

hildren’s Book Week (November 6-12) is a great time to celebrate the amazing characters that allow children to encounter new perspectives, make them feel less lonely, empower them, let them feel a myriad of emotions, or to simply take them on new and exciting adventures. This year’s slogan is Read Books. Spark Change. Books can spark change within an individual reader, a family, a classroom, or even a whole community.

10 SonomaFamilyLife

Here are 5 great ways that you and your children can celebrate the fabulous characters created by so many talented authors during Children’s Book Week. November 2023

Have your child dress up as their favorite book character. This does not need to be elaborate or entail purchasing anything. Simply recreate the character’s dress as best as your costume box (or closet) allows. Children love to emulate the dress and mannerisms of people they admire. Then let them tromp around town all day dressed like this.

Have a book swap with other children from school, play group, daycare, or the neighborhood. Encourage each child to bring their favorite book (of the moment) from their personal library, the school, or the local library and put all of these in a box. Have each child pull out a new book to take home and read. Get together again to return everyone’s book and let the kids talk about the characters. Did they like them? Relate to them? www.sonomafamilylife.com

Write a letter to a favorite author. Writing letters also helps young readers learn the format for letter writing, practice writing their own address and feel quite “sophisticated” as they take the letter to the nearest post office. Sometimes they even get a reply!

Act out a scene from a favorite book. Find props around the house and recruit siblings or friends to play parts. For the truly creative book lover, scenery is fun to create. And you can always bring out those costumes they created earlier to make it an official play. Off, Off, WAY Off Broadway here they come.

Create a life-sized favorite character from a book. Get a roll of printer’s paper. Trace your child’s form and then have them add clothes, hair, and accessories for a favorite character. These can hang in your child’s room later.

Here’s to the characters that help our children grow, learn, and relate. Here’s to the characters that are strong, funny, sad, beautiful, unwieldy, loud, quiet, young, and old. They are the magic that creates life-long readers, and also decent humans. And here’s to National Children’s Book Week, to celebrate the many books in which these characters live! ❖ Alexandra Adlawan is a writer and illustrator from Long Beach, CA. Her children’s book series includes, The Adventures of Maddie and Albert, Wild Imagination, How I Spent My Summer Vacation, Flying the Imaginary Skies, and Backyard Jungle.

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The Sonoma County Library system has relevant book reading lists broken down by age group as well as in Spanish. Find them here. A Sonoma County Library Card also grants you access to both the Lake County Native American Collection and the Mendocino First American Collection.

Native Knowledge How to Help Your Kid Learn About Native Americans

By Cheryl Maguire

ovember is National American Indian Heritage Month. During this time national parks, libraries, and schools celebrate the culture and history of indigenous peoples. There are currently 109 federally recognized Tribal Nations in California, including those of the Pomo, Miwok, and Wappo tribes spread throughout Sonoma, Lake, and Mendocino Counties. Here are some ways you can help your child celebrate, learn, and pay tribute to the rich ancestry and traditions of Native Americans.

Read a Book “The best way to learn more about Indigenous people and their culture is to read works written by Indigenous authors,” says Laura Arnhold, the library director of Upper Merion Public Library in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. “Teaching children about land acknowledgment is a great first step in understanding the history of the place we live. These are only a few of the many titles written by Indigenous authors that are available to readers,” says Arnhold. She 12 SonomaFamilyLife

especially recommends the following books for young readers: My Heart Fills with Happiness by Monique Gray Smith We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story by Kevin Noble Maillard Bowwow Powwow by Brenda J. Child We Are Still Here!: Native American Truths Everyone Should Know by Traci Sorrell

November 2023

Watch a TV Show or a Movie Spirit Rangers: Native American siblings Kodi, Summer, and Eddy are secret Spirit Rangers who help protect the national park they call home. Find it on Netflix.

The best way to learn more about Indigenous people and their culture is to read works written by Indigenous authors. Brother Bear: This Disney musical follows an Alaskan Inuit boy named Kenai. After killing a bear, Kenai is turned into a bear himself as punishment by the Spirits. In order to be human again, Kenai must travel to a mountain where the Northern lights touch the earth. Find it on Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and others. Molly of Denali: Join Molly, an Alaska Native girl on her adventures in epically beautiful Alaska, in this animated show designed for kids age 4 to 8. Along the way, Molly’s life is enhanced, kept on track, and flat-out saved by maps, guide books, websites, weather reports, and more. Find it on PBS. Access Online Resources Lindsay Hamlin, education coordinator of the Chester County History Center in West Chester, Pennsylvania suggests www.sonomafamilylife.com

that students explore the world around them. “Indigenous culture is heavily influenced by the natural world and a lot of the geographical names that we may see, like the Susquehanna River, have origins of indigenous language,” she says. She also recommends learning more about Native languages. “One resource I always love to highlight is the Lenape Talking Dictionary. Students can hear the pronunciation of each word. It’s a great way for students to experience part of the culture, especially since most of their history has been passed down through spoken word,” she says.

Visit a Museum “Having students be able to connect the natural land back to the indigenous peoples and cultures that once resided here creates a lifelong connection, not just through history, but also through people and sense of place,” says Hamlin.

The Grace Hudson Museum in Ukiah showcases Pomo basket masterpieces and explains the steps taken in cultivating, harvesting, and processing materials for basket making. In addition, the museum’s Wild Gardens features native plants and exhibitions that teach about how Pomo Indian people managed the landscape and local regional ecosystems with environmental sustainability and cultural traditions.

Sensory

Help your child learn about the ancestry and traditions of Native In Lake County both the Historic Americans. Need a Break?

Courthouse Museum and the Lower Lake Schoolhouse Museum Traditional Native American art showcase permanent exhibitions of Sensoryportion kits include:of headphones, stress balls, makes up the greatest the Native artifacts and Pomo baskets. bubble timers, pin art, glitter sticks, wobbleMulticultural cushions, and weighted lap pads. collection at the SRJC Cheryl Maguire holds a Master of Museum on the Santa Rosa JustJunior ask staff Counseling Psychology degree. She a kit! College campus, including for ceramics, is married and is the mother of twins and a daughter. You can find her on Twitter @ basketry, beadwork, sculpture, CherylMaguire05 textiles, and jewelry. Sensory kits are available for in-library use and contain stress-relieving tools to help promote a sense of calm.

Find more excellent online resources through the Native American Heritage Month website as well as the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian website.

THE SONOMA COUNTY LIBRARY sonoma libra ry.org

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SonomaFamilyLife 13

Parent: Hey [Child’s Name], do you have a moment? I’d like to talk to you about your recent grade in [Subject]. Is now a good time? Child: Sure, what’s up? Parent: First of all, I want you to know that a single grade doesn’t define you or your abilities. We all have areas where we can improve. What are your thoughts on this grade?

Bounce Back from Bad Grades How to Handle Bad Grades (and What to Do Next) ave you ever stared at your child’s

wondered, “What now?”

How can you, as a parent or educator, provide the support and guidance needed for your student to bounce back? Is a bad grade an obstacle, or can it be transformed into a valuable learning opportunity? What can a student do when they receive a “bad” grade? Receiving a “bad” grade isn’t the end of the world; it’s actually a learning opportunity to address skill gaps and improve. First, your student needs to assess why the grade was low-be it gaps in knowledge, study habits, or test-taking skills. 14 SonomaFamilyLife

Parent: I appreciate your honesty. Do you have any idea why you might have earned this grade? Was the material difficult or maybe you didn’t have enough time to prepare? Child: (Explains reasons) Parent: Thank you for sharing that. I think the key thing now is to identify ways you can improve. Have you thought about talking to your teacher for feedback? Child: (Answers)

By Sean G. McCormick

H less-than-stellar report card and

Child: (Shares feelings and thoughts)

They can schedule a meeting with their teacher to get specific feedback on areas for improvement, then use this feedback to identify their skill gaps, and then set focused, achievable goals to close those gaps. How to talk to your child about a low grade (script included) Confronting a low grade can be emotionally charged for both you and your child. However, in a calm and supportive setting, this moment can transform into a constructive learning opportunity. Choose a time and place where you both can focus without distractions. Maybe it’s a quiet corner of your home or perhaps during a calm afternoon drive. The idea is to create a setting where you both can speak freely and listen attentively. November 2023

Parent: That sounds like a good first step. How about we work on an action plan together? We can set some achievable goals and find the right resources to help you. Child: Sounds good. Parent: Great, and remember, everyone has setbacks. It’s how we handle them that defines us. Let’s use this as a learning opportunity. How does that sound? Child: Sounds good, thanks for helping me through this. Parent: You’re welcome. I’m here to support you every step of the way. If the Conversation Veers Off Script Recenter the Conversation If emotions run high, take a step back, www.sonomafamilylife.com

and suggest taking a brief break before continuing. Active Listening If your child brings up unexpected concerns or feelings, listen actively and acknowledge them before redirecting the conversation.

When asking for feedback, be as specific as possible. Be Flexible The script is a guideline, not a rulebook. Feel free to adapt your questions or responses based on what seems most effective in the moment Success tips for students when turning a bad grade into a learning opportunity

Use the word “Earn” In your communication with your teacher, say you want to “earn” a better grade rather than “get” one. This small tweak in language signals that you’re committed to putting in the work needed to improve. Be Specific in Your Questions When asking for feedback, be as specific as possible. Knowing exactly what you need to work on will make your action plan more effective. For example, instead of asking the teacher, “What should I do?”, describe your plan of action and ask for feedback. Follow Up After implementing your action plan, schedule a follow-up meeting with your teacher to discuss your progress. This not only shows commitment but also allows you to make timely adjustments to your plan.

If you find that your child consistently struggles with grades, organization, or focus, it may be beneficial to seek external support. Executive function coaching can offer tailored strategies and tools to help your child develop essential skills like time management, self-regulation, and effective study habits. Other Resources How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk (The How To Talk Series) Good Inside: A Guide to Becoming the Parent You Want to Be ❖ Sean G. McCormick is the founder of Executive Function Specialists, an online coaching business that guides middle, high school, and college students in overcoming procrastination, disorganization and anxiety by teaching time management, prioritization and communication skills so they feel motivated, prepared, and empowered.

Free public flex-based independent study program

Grades TK-12 Sonoma, Solano, Napa & Marin Counties

1:1 relationship with a credentialed teacher Classroom & online instruction, libraries and services Personalized, engaging, interactive curriculum options

Our program is founded on the model of the educational team, which is the partnership between the student, parent or guardian, and the Pathways independent study teacher.

Community vendors & field trips Fully WASC accredited College & career preparatory www.pathwayscharter.org www.sonomafamilylife.com

Pathways Charter School November 2023

Scan here to enroll for the 2023-2024 school year!

SonomaFamilyLife 15

Crafting with Kids

Set The Table Easy Crafts to Adorn Your Thanksgiving Table By Tiffany Doerr Guerzon

ith fall in the air, autumn crafts are a fun activity to do with kids. Best of all, the warm fall colors can grace your mantel or entryway in early November, then become part of your Thanksgiving tablescape at the end of the month.

Leaf Suncatcher This project is a great way to preserve those beautiful autumn leaves. Combine this activity with a nature walk to collect the most beautiful leaves you can find. Supplies: • Paper plate • Scissors • Clear contact paper • Hole punch • String • Pen • Colorful fall leaves (make sure they aren’t too dry or crumbly) Instructions: 1. Poke a hole near the inside rim of the paper plate and cut out the center of the plate, leaving the rim intact. If you use a white plate, kids can color or paint the rim. Or, skip that step and 16 SonomaFamilyLife

simply use a decorative paper plate in a fall color or pattern. 2. Trace around the outside of the rim onto the back of the contact paper and then cut out the circle of contact paper. Repeat so that you have two circles.

hole then tie the ends of the string together to make a hanging loop. Hang your creation in a window and enjoy!

3. Flip the plate over so that the back is up. Remove the paper backing from the contact paper and center the contact paper over the plate. Adhere the edges of the contact paper to the rim of the plate. Flip plate right side up again. 4. Allow kids to arrange fall leaves on the contact paper and press down to stick. 5. When the leaves are arranged to everyone’s satisfaction, adhere the other contact paper circle to the front of the suncatcher. 6. Use the hole punch to make a hole in the rim of the plate. Thread a length of yarn, ribbon, or twine through the November 2023

No-Sew Fabric Pumpkins These are not only easy to create, but make the perfect kid-crafted centerpiece. Choose a black and white palette for an elegant display, cute fall patterns for a whimsical look, or solid warm colors for a neutral arrangement. www.sonomafamilylife.com

Supplies: • Fabric in fall patterns or colors. Cotton material works best. If buying fabric off of the bolt, purchase a quarter yard of each. You can also often find bundles of “fat quarters” in the quilting section of fabric stores. Fat quarters are simply a quarter yard of precut fabric. • Stuffing for your pumpkins. A polyester stuffing such as Poly Fil works well. • Toilet paper rolls, one per pumpkin • Scissors • Green pipe cleaners, one per pumpkin • 3 to 4-inch long sticks (from your yard is fine)

Instructions: 1. Lay fabric right side down on work surface. Trim fabric into a square shape. For a large pumpkin, you will need approximately 18 x 18 inches. Cut smaller squares for little pumpkins. You can eyeball this, it doesn’t need to be perfectly measured or even have straight edges, as the edges won’t show when the project is finished. 2. Place toilet paper roll upright in the center of the fabric square. 3. Place stuffing all the way around the toilet paper tube. Don’t worry about adding too much or too little stuffing, you can adjust the amount if needed later. 4. Holding the toilet paper roll with one hand, bring one corner of the

fabric up and tuck it into the inside of the tube. Repeat with the other three corners. Tuck in the rest of the fabric in the same way. If there isn’t enough fabric to tuck into the tube, remove some of your stuffing. Or, if your pumpkin isn’t plump enough, add some stuffing! Once all of the fabric edges are tucked into the tube and the pumpkin is stuffed to your liking, poke some stuffing into the top of the tube to hold the fabric in place. Put the stick inside the tube for a stem and then push the stuffing down into the tube so that it doesn’t show. 5. To make a vine, wrap a green pipe cleaner around the stick a couple of times, then curl the ends by wrapping the pipe cleaner around a pencil or your finger.

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Instructions: 1. Use the rolling pin or your hands to press clay into ½ inch thickness on your work surface.

Clay Leaves These pretty leaf trays can be used as decor, to hold tealight candles, or even for rings or coins. Supplies: • Air dry clay • A shallow bowl, with a diameter about the same size or slightly smaller than your leaf.

• Large leaves. These must still be green, not crunchy. If it is too late for green leaves, you can use artificial leaves from the craft store. • Butter knife • Acrylic paints • Spatula Optional: • Rolling pin • Clear coat varnish such as Krylon

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Let the warm fall colors grace your home. 3. Once you have a good leaf impression, cut around the outline of the leaf with a butter knife. Remove the extra clay from around your cut out leaf and then pick up the clay leaf with a spatula (just like making cookies with a cookie cutter). 4. Place inside of the bowl, pressing the clay into the bowl gently so that the middle of the clay leaf sits on the bottom of the bowl, and the edges curve up with the sides of the bowl. This will help the leaf hold its bowl shape as it dries. 5. Allow to dry 24 hours, then remove clay leaf from the bowl, flip the bowl upside down, and place leaf (also upside down) on the upside down bowl to allow the back side of the leaf to dry. Allow another 24 hours drying time. 6. Once the clay is completely dry, paint with acrylic paint. If desired, you can spray the completely dry clay leaf with a clear coat of varnish. Tiffany Doerr Guerzon is an award winning freelance writer who loves anything autumn.

Finley Community Center 2060 W. College Ave. SRCity.org/CraftsFair

18 SonomaFamilyLife

2. Place leaf in center of rolled out clay and press leaf gently into the clay. Be sure to make an impression of the outline of the leaf and the veins. You may have to try one or two times before you get it right. To try again, roll clay into a ball then flatten again.

November 2023

www.sonomafamilylife.com

KIDS BOUNCING OFF THE WALLS DURING SCHOOL BREAKS? BRING THEM TO THE GYM! FALL & WINTER CAMPS

Trampolines, pit, rings, bars, beams, padded floors and all of our specialized sports and games equipment. Mornings we have gymnastics, games, arts & crafts, and our popular jump zone time.

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SonomaFamilyLife 19

November Calendar of Events

Santa’s Riverboat Arrival

Santa Sets Sail to Petaluma

anta and Mrs. Claus will arrive in style in Petaluma, the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Watch as they sail up the Petaluma River on a Lind Marine tugboat and dock at the River Plaza Shopping Center. Live entertainment from Petaluma Pete and the Pacific Empire Chorus will make things extra festive, as well as costumed dancers from the Petaluma School of Ballet’s “Nutcracker.” Take the day to show some independent, local businesses some holiday love as part of Small Business Saturday. The event will take place on November 25 from 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. Find more details at petalumadowntown.com/holidays-in-petaluma.

Wednesday 1 Early Release Enrichment. For

elementary school-aged children who have half-days days on Tuesdays & Wednesdays. Provides farm, nature & art-based experiences. Sliding scale: $10-$45. 12:30–4:30 p.m. Veronda-Falletti Ranch. 175 W. Sierra Ave., Cotati. tinyurl.com/56urztnn. Nature Explorers: Saplings.

Hands-on program for ages 4 & up, experience & explore nature with a California Naturalist. Members: free. Non-members: $16. Infants 11 months

& younger: free. Discounts available for qualifying guests. Wednesdays. 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Children’s Museum of Sonoma County. 1835 W. Steele Lane, Santa Rosa. cmosc.org/events. FREE Movies at Library. Screening

of a scary movie (but not too scary). Drinks provided. Grades 7–12. 6–7:30 p.m. Sonoma Valley Library. 755 W. Napa St., Sonoma. Advance registration encouraged: tinyurl. com/54cnz525. FREE Chess Club. All ages welcome. No experience necessary. Limited boards, bring an extra from home if

you have one. Wednesdays. 2–3:30 p.m. (except Nov. 22). Petaluma Library. 100 Fairgrounds Dr. Petaluma. tinyurl. com/yc6k9pek.

Thursday 2 Nature Explorers: Acorns.

Hands-on program for ages 0-4, experience and explore nature with a California Naturalist. Members: free. Non-members: $16. Infants 11 months & younger: free. Discounts available for qualifying guests. Thursdays. 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Children’s Museum of Sonoma County. 1835 W. Steele Ln., Santa Rosa. cmosc.org/events.

Social Media Safety Education Advocacy for Legislation that Keeps Kids Safe

20 SonomaFamilyLife

November 2023

www.sonomafamilylife.com

FREE Día de Los Muertos Celebration. Altar-lighting

ceremony, dance performance from Ballet Folklorico Quetzalen, tamales, and kids activities. 6:30–8:30 p.m. Sonoma Community Center. 276 E. Napa St., Sonoma. sonomacommunitycenter.org. FREE Babytime. For babies ages

host this event as well, visit events. sonomalibrary.org for branches/times.

Saturday 4 FREE Sonoma Community Tennis. Nonprofit offers tennis

workouts for high school students in preparation for the 2024 season. Saturdays. 9–11 a.m. Hanna Center

0–18 months. Thursdays. 10:30–11 a.m. (Closed Thanksgiving) SR Central Library. 211 E. St. Santa Rosa. Advance registration encouraged but not required: tinyurl.com/2s4579uj. Other libraries host this event as well, visit events.sonomalibrary.org for branches/times.

Tennis Facility. 17000 Arnold Dr., Sonoma. Call or text 916-879-0212. felipemonroytennis.com. Candy Buy Back Event. Receive

$1.50 per pound for bringing in your candy. Smile Orthodontics will host this event at the Children’s Museum. Members: free. Non-members: $16.

Happiness is... a day at the

Schulz Museum!

November 3 FREE Young Astronomers Club.

Robert Ferguson Observatory virtual meeting for kids in grades 4–9 who are interested in all things space & want to meet like-minded friends. 7–8 p.m. Email ncummings@rfo.org for ZOOM link. rfo.org. Sensory Swim at the YMCA. For

kids & adults with sensory, motor, or other developmental needs. Membership not required, $10 for a family swim pass (2 adults & any minors in the same household). Fridays. 2:20–4 p.m. Sundays. 9–10:30 a.m. YMCA. 1111 College Ave., Santa Rosa. tinyurl.com/5asbwevh. FREE Teen Pride (un) Book Club.

www.sonomafamilylife.com

View holiday events, kids camps, and more at schulzmuseum.org ©PNTS

Everyone reads whatever they like within a single theme: books that center LGBTQIA+ voices. Safe & inclusive place for LGBTQIA+ teens (and allies) to connect. Snacks & drinks provided. Fridays. 4-5p.m. Cloverdale Library. 401 N. Cloverdale Blvd. Cloverdale. tinyurl. com/ykrs3uha. Other libraries

2301 Hardies Lane Santa Rosa, CA (707) 579-4452 n

November 2023

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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/ events. FREE Winterblast SOFA Arts

& sofa “float” parades. 3-8:30 p.m. Parades at 5 & 7 p.m. Sebastopol Ave. at A St., Santa Rosa. tinyurl.com/ yybvyshs.

Sebastopol. 6868 McKinley St., Sebastopol. tinyurl.com/4xtt6ub8.

FREE Rialto Family Matinees.

Live music. Food, crafts, games & handmade goods available for purchase. 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Sunridge Charter School. 7285 Hayden Ave., Sebastopol. sebastopol.org/ community-calendar.

Screening of A Cat in Paris. Nov. 4 & 5: 11 a.m. Rialto Cinemas

District Festival. Art, music, food

Santa Photos All Season Long!

FREE Falling Leaves Festival Fundraiser. Open to the public.

Sunday 5 Santa Rosa Doll Show & Sale.

Antique, vintage, modern & miniature dolls. $6. Ages 12 & younger free when accompanied by an adult. Free parking. 10 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Santa Rosa Veterans Hall. 1351 Maple Ave., Santa Rosa. santarosadollshow.blogspot.com. FREE Storywalk Community Celebration. Take a short walk while

reading a StoryWalk book with your kids. Crafting activity afterward. Bring water & snacks. $7 parking. 11 a.m.–1 p.m. Helen Putnam Regional Park. 411 Chileno Valley Rd. Petaluma. tinyurl.com/3fvk6w3m.

Tuesday 7 November 18 - 26 (Closed Thanksgiving Day) Monday - Tuesday 11:00am - 7:00pm (Break 3:00pm - 4:00pm) Wednesday 12:00pm - 5:00pm Thursday Closed Friday - Saturday 10:00am - 7:00pm (Break 3:00pm - 4:00pm) Sunday 11:00am - 6:00pm (Break 3:00pm - 3:30pm) November 27 - December 14 Monday - Sunday 11:00am - 8:00pm (Break 3:00pm - 4:00pm) Pet Night November 21 5:00pm 7:00pm

FREE Escape @ the Library. Teens work together to solve puzzles, open locks, & find hidden messages to complete the mission & escape in time. Grades 7–12. 4–5:30 p.m. Rohnert Park Library. 3250 Lynne Conde Way, Rohnert Park. Registration required: tinyurl.com/3ebbbphh. Other libraries will host this event as well, visit events. sonomalibrary.org for branches/times.

Wednesday 8 FREE Walk Through the Grades Tour. Peek into Waldorf classrooms.

Visit our Facebook page for Santa Photo Hours 1300 Coddingtown Center, Santa Rosa 978-5800 www.Coddingtown.Shop 22 SonomaFamilyLife

November 2023

Check out the campus & working biodynamic farm. Adults only. 9–11 www.sonomafamilylife.com

a.m. Summerfield Waldorf School & Farm. 655 Willowside Rd. Santa Rosa. Register: summerfieldwaldorf.org.

Friday 10 FREE Veterans Day at the Museum.

Enjoy free admission all day to the Schulz Museum and special activities in honor of Veterans everywhere. 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Charles M. Schulz Museum. 2301 Hardies Ln., Santa Rosa. tinyurl.com/bd3vwsna. FREE Common Ground Society IEP Study Hall. Informal community

get-together to work on IEP, 504, IFSP, IPP, or any other medical, special education, disability, or advocacy related stuff. Bring your IEP binder, or your documents. Snacks, supplies, & reference materials provided. Held the second Friday of each month. 9 a.m.–noon. Common Ground Society. 85 Brookwood Ave., Ste. 12, Santa Rosa. Register: commongroundsociety.org/calendar.

Sonoma County Holiday Gift

FREE Veterans Day Parade &

Extravaganza Show. Artists, crafters, gifts, sweet treats, raffle & Santa. $7. (Happy Hour: 2–5 p.m. $4) Ages 12 & younger: free. Parking $10. Nov. 11–12. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Sonoma County Fairgrounds. 1350 Bennett Valley Rd., Santa Rosa. sonomacountyhomeshows.com/fall.

Flyover. Entertainment: noon. Parade: 1 p.m. Ceremony: 2:45 p.m. Parade begins & ends at Walnut Park, Petaluma. Petalumaveteransparade.com. Operation End Hunger. Hosted

by the Redwood Empire Food Bank

Cirque de Bohème

A n o l d s t y l e C i rc u s ba s e d o n t h e F re n c h t ra d i t i o n o f t h e 19 2 0 ` s

presents

T h e N e w W i n t e r 2 02 3 C i rc u s H o l i d ay S p ec t a c l e

Consolamentum

FREE Family Hike at Sugarloaf Ridge Park. Docent lead 2-mile

nature hike. Learn about plants, animals, & aquatic life. 10–11:30 a.m. Sugarloaf Ridge State Park. Meet at the Visitors Center. 2605 Adobe Canyon Rd., Kenwood. sugarloafpark.org/events.

Saturday 11 Sandy Loam Family Workshop - Fall Gardening. Elementary school aged

K–5. Children must have an adult chaperone. Kids explore gardening, amending soil, planting seeds, mulching & tool care. $6 per person. 1–3 p.m. Veronda-Falletti Ranch. 175 W. Sierra Ave., Cotati. Pre-registration required: tinyurl.com/mryypfb8. www.sonomafamilylife.com

Corners to ne 23570 Arnold Dr. Sonoma. Calif or nia

Tickets on s ale www.cirquedeboheme.com www.corners tonesonoma.com

$40 Adults. $30 Kids (15 or Younger) N o ve mb e r 24, 25, 26 D ec e m b e r 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24 S h o ws D a i l y a t 1 p m. 3 p m. 5 p m . A portion of all ticket sales to benefit The Sonoma Valley Mentoring Alliance

2013-2023

Join us to celebrate together the tenth anniversary of the Cirque de Bohème coming to Cornerstone Sonoma!

November 2023

SonomaFamilyLife 23

to coincide with the Veterans’ Day Parade (see above). Support local veterans & community members in need. Noon–4 p.m. The collection will take place in Walnut Park, Petaluma. petalumadowntown.com/calendar. Science Saturdays: Craft a Habitat.

Held the second Saturday of each month. $10–$12. Parking $7. Two Sessions: 11 a.m.–noon & 1–2 p.m. Environmental Discovery Center at Spring Lake Regional Park. 393 Violetti Rd. Santa Rosa. Registration required: tinyurl.com/bdfjra9t.

Interactive science hour. Ages 6–12.

FREE Holidays Along the Farm Trails. Farm Tours, handmade

gifts, cut your own Christmas tree, workshops & tastings. Most stops are free. Begins Nov. 11 and runs weekends through Jan. 1, 2024. Various locations in Sonoma County. More info at farmtrails.org. FREE Veterans Day Celebration.

Avenue of Flags, veteran key speaker, live music performances & more. 11 a.m.–noon. Rohnert Park Community Center. 5401 Snyder Ln., Rohnert Park. tinyurl.com/y8j4tmyz.

Sunday 12 To the Moon! Performed by the Santa

Rosa Symphony Youth Orchestra. $5–$20. 3 p.m. Weill Hall at the Green Music Center. 1801 East Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park. srsymphony.org.

Monday 13 Friendsgiving Pie Alzheimer’s Fundraiser. Variety of pies for $10. 11 a.m.–3 p.m. The Lodge. 1980 Piner Rd., Santa Rosa. tinyurl.com/6rpzrjdv.

Tuesday 14 FREE Sensory Friendly Afternoon.

Exclusively for children ages 0–12, who have special needs. Hands-on exhibits, art studio in a safe, accessible environment. 1–5 p.m. Monthly. Children’s Museum of Sonoma County. 1835 W. Steele Lane, Santa Rosa. Pre-registration recommended: tinyurl.com/4dewhhbp. The Magic School Bus: Lost in the Solar System. Hop on the Magic

School Bus for a ride in this new musical adaptation based on the original book series. $16–$21. Lap passes $5 available day of show for ages 2 & under. 6:30–7:30 p.m. 24 SonomaFamilyLife

November 2023

www.sonomafamilylife.com

Luther Burbank Center. 50 Mark West Springs Rd., Santa Rosa. tinyurl.com/2fvzmete. FREE Common Ground Society Sibs Shop. A group specifically

designed for 7–17 year old kids that have a sibling with disabilities. 4–6 p.m. Common Ground Society. 85 Brookwood Ave., Ste. 12, Santa Rosa. Register: commongroundsociety.org/calendar.

Friday 17 Santa Photos. Activities & photos. Nov. 17–30: Fridays & Saturdays, 11 a.m.–7 p.m. Sundays, Noon.–6 p.m. Mondays–Thursdays, 3–7 p.m. (Closed Thanksgiving) Runs through Dec. 24. Santa Rosa Plaza.

1071 Santa Rosa Plaza, Santa Rosa. simon.com/santa. FREE 49th Annual Napa Gifts ‘N Tyme Holiday Faire. Nov. 17 & 18:

10 a.m.–6 p.m. Nov. 19: 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Parking $5. Free parking: Nov. 17 only. Napa Valley Expo. 575 Third St., Napa. tinyurl.com/deu5swnv.

Wednesday 15 FREE Shadow & Walk the High School Tour. Prospective students

shadow for the day while parents tour the school. Tour 8–9:30 a.m. Shadow 8 a.m.–3 p.m. Summerfield Waldorf School & Farm. 655 Willowside Rd. Santa Rosa. Register: summerfieldwaldorf.org.

Thursday 16 Coco in Concert on Tour. Features

the complete film projected on a screen above the stage with Oscar & Grammy-winning composer Michael Giacchino’s musical score performed by a 20-member Latinx ensemble. $35–$95. Tickets 1/2 price for ages 12 & under. 7:30 p.m. Weill Hall at the Green Music Center. 1801 East Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park. gmc.sonoma.edu/coco. Peanuts Evolution: The 1950s.

New exhibition series that details how the 1950s shaped Peanuts and brought in beloved additions like Snoopy atop his doghouse. Members: free. Non-members: $5–$12; free for ages 3 & younger. Charles M. Schulz Museum. 2301 Hardies Ln., Santa Rosa. schulzmuseum.org.

www.sonomafamilylife.com

November 2023

SonomaFamilyLife 25

Saturday 18 FREE Sebastopol Grange Fair Craft Faire. 40+ vendors, music, food

& raffle. Nov. 18–19: 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Sebastopol Grange. 6000 Hwy 12, Sebastopol. sebastopolgrange.org. Thanksgiving Feast with Snoopy.

Tuesday

N ov 14

Eat a re-creation of Snoopy’s Thanksgiving meal of toast, popcorn, & jelly beans and watch the classic Charlie Brown Thanksgiving on the big screen. Event included in price of admission. $5–$12 or free for ages 3 & younger. Bring food to donate to Redwood Empire Bank & receive one free child’s admission. 1–4 p.m. Charles M. Schulz Museum. 2301 Hardies Ln., Santa Rosa. schulzmuseum.org

THE REDWOOD EMPIRE DOLL & STUDY CLUB

DOLL SHOW & SALE

ENTER TO WIN GREAT PRIZES! SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 5 • 10AM–3:30PM Santa Rosa Veterans Building

ONLY AVAILABLE IN OUR WEEKLY EBLAST. NEW GIVEAWAYS WEEKLY!

ANTIQUE • VINTAGE • MODERN • ARTIST DOLLS • MINIATURES • OLD TOYS

1351 Maple Ave., Santa Rosa (across from the Fairgrounds) FREE PARKING

Admission $6 ($1 off with this flyer) Children under 12 free with adult For information call Kitti (707) 326-0322 santarosadollshow.blogspot.com 26 SonomaFamilyLife

November 2023

www.sonomafamilylife.com

Santa Photos. Take pictures with Santa. Nov. 18–30: Sundays, 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Mondays & Tuesday, 10 a.m.–7 p.m. Wednesdays, Noon–5 p.m. Fridays & Saturdays, 10 a.m.–7 p.m. (Closed Thanksgiving) Nov. 27–Nov. 30: Mondays–Sundays, 11 a.m.–8 p.m. Break: 3–4 p.m. Runs through Dec. 24. Coddingtown Mall. 1300 Coddingtown Center. Santa Rosa. coddingtown.shop. FREE Clean Santa Rosa Community Volunteer Event.

Sebastopol Road from Dutton Avenue to Burbank Avenue. City staff will meet & check-in at the posted location, clean-up supplies provided. Ages 18 & under must be accompanied by an adult. 10 a.m.–1 p.m. Meet-up: Mitote Food Park. 665 Sebastopol Rd., Santa Rosa. tinyurl.com/mwjy9as2. FREE Holiday Craft Faire. 10 a.m.–3

p.m. Petaluma United Methodist Church Craft Fair. Petaluma United Methodist Church. 410 D St., Petaluma. petalumaumc.org/events. Santa Rosa Symphony Fall Concert.

Debut Youth Orchestra & Aspirante Youth Orchestras. 3 p.m. $5-20. Sonoma County Day School. Jackson Theater. 4400 Day School Pl., Santa Rosa. tinyurl.com/5n6hv3hz.

resources, coat distribution & activities for homeless & low-income families. Register in advance to receive turkey, pie & food box. Noon–7 p.m. Sonoma County Fairgrounds. 1350 Bennett Valley Rd., Santa Rosa. rgm.org/gtb.

Thursday 23 Santa Rosa Turkey Trot. 5k run/ walk. Three races: the Fast Turkey (for fast people), the Festive 5K (for everyone else), the Tiny Turkey (for kids under 5). 8–10 a.m. Registration $0 for ages 0-5, $30 ages 6-16, $40 ages 17–100. Starts &

MAKE A NEW HOLIDAY TRADITION

CUT YOUR OWN TREE At Pronzini Christmas Tree Farm

U-CUT TREES CYPRESS • MONTEREY PRECUT TREES NOBLES • DOUGLAS GRAND • SILVER TIP TREE STANDS • TREE PRESERVATIVES • LED TREE LIGHTS

Great Selection of Wreaths, garlands, holiday decorations & more

Sunday 19 Family Creativity Time. Basic art

supplies provided. Adult must be present. Held the third Sunday of each month. 3–4 p.m. $20 per family (up to 4 people). Artaluma. 145 Keller St., Petaluma. tinyurl. com/y2vcxhu7.

Wednesday 22 FREE The Great Thanksgiving Banquet. Food, haircuts, community

www.sonomafamilylife.com

3795 Adobe Road, Petaluma • 707-778-3871 • www.pronzinifarms.com November 2023

SonomaFamilyLife 27

finishes at Old Courthouse Square. 600 4th St., Santa Rosa. Register: santarosaturkeytrot.com.

Friday 24 Elf the Musical. Based on the

2003 film starring Will Ferrell. Adults $29-$51. Youth (5-17) $19. Nov. 24–25: 7:30 p.m. Nov. 26: 2 p.m. Runs thru Dec. 17. 6th Street Playhouse. 52 W. 6th St., Santa Rosa. 6thstreetplayhouse.com. FREE 44th Holiday Arts & Crafts Faire. Staff will help children write

letters to Santa & make festive crafts and decorations to bring home. Ages 5–12 unsupervised. Ages 4 & under with parental supervision. Nov. 24–25: 10 a.m–4 p.m. Rohnert Park Community Center. 5401 Snyder Lane. tinyurl.com/mr3u6jty.

FREE Winter Lights Tree Lighting Celebration. 4–7 p.m. Courthouse

Square. 600 4th St., Santa Rosa. santarosametrochamber.com/events. Cirque de Bohème. “Consolamentum’’

Circus Holiday Spectacle. Nov. 24–26: 1, 3 & 5 p.m. Runs thru Dec. 24. $30–$40. CornerStone Sonoma. 23570 Hwy. 121, Sonoma. cirquedeboheme.com.

visits with Santa. 90-minute round-trip. Nov. 25: 10:30 a.m., 1:30 & 4:30 p.m. Nov. 26: 10:30 a.m. & 1:30 p.m. Runs thru Dec. 31. $10.95–$59.95. Dogs: $10.95. Kids 2 and under ride free on a lap. 299 E. Commercial St., Willits. skunktrain.com.

Saturday 25 FREE Santa’s River Boat Arrival.

The Christmas couple arrives via tugboat. Photos with Santa. 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. River Plaza Shopping Center. 54 E. Washington St. Petaluma. petalumadowntown.com Magical Christmas Train. Featuring the World’s Largest Christmas Tree &

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

visit

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November 2023

www.sonomafamilylife.com

NOV. 14

THE MAGIC SCHOOL BUS LOST IN THE SOLAR SYSTEM BY THEATERWORKSUSA

A R ussian wonder tale of love and magic

Sonoma Conservatory of Dance Performing a Fairy Tale Folk Ballet AT THE HISTOR IC SEBA STI A NI THE ATR E

Saturday & Sunday December 9 & 10, 2023 1:00 p.m. For Tickets, or to make a donation, go to: SonomaConservatoryOfDance.org/Events

TICK E TS : $25 Adults $20 Students (13 and older with Student ID)

$20 Seniors

$15 Children

(62 and better)

(12 and under)

For more details : SCD Studio 938-1424 info@sonomaconservatoryofdance.org

NOV 24 4–7 PM

TREE LIGHTING CELEBRATION

NOV 25 TO DEC 31

SKATING ON THE SQUARE

games, kids activities, live entertainment, Snoopy, and photos with Santa! with themed sessions like Barbie, 70s Disco, Country Western, and Ugly Sweater!

More info at downtownsantarosa.org/winterlights

www.sonomafamilylife.com

November 2023

SonomaFamilyLife 29

Humor Break main benefit we offer when socializing with other parents is to ensure you know that you are always doing something wrong. You’ll be a hit at parties you never go to. With the Parenthood Subscription, all your cool new parenting friends are in bed by eight.

Automatic Enrollment Thank You For Enrolling In Parenthood! By Shannon Carpenter

hank you so much for signing up for the Parenthood Subscription service! Subscription fees will be automatically deducted from your bank account every month and then triple in November and December. Celebrate the holidays with debt!

To get the absolute best experience with your child(ren), please read carefully. Included with this introductory letter is the user manual for your child(ren). This 42-page booklet is actually blank because there are no instructions. We hope that this enhances your user experience. There are a few benefits and options we wish to point out that will get you excited about your Parenthood Subscription. Your subscription comes fully equipped with constant worry and stress. Every burp, hiccup, or 30 SonomaFamilyLife

sneeze will now cause a panic attack. With Parenthood, your anxiety is our goal! Also, please note the copious amounts of poop you will deal with, at no extra cost to you! Most models also come with puke, pee, and the occasional dangling snot river. Craft time has never been so amazing. Bedazzle every piece of clothing you own! Further, all of our subscription packages contain LOUD NOISES yelled for no reason. Interrupt countless hours of pointless sleep with the patented “wail in the middle of the night.” Enjoy quiet evenings shattered by one of our models asking “when’s dinner?” for the five-hundredth time. As time moves on, take your Parenthood Subscription to the next level. Get social! Enjoy the constant judgment of others. Remember the November 2023

As a part of your renewal at the end of the year, we’ll send you a holiday card filled with an alphabetized list of all the things other people said you messed up. For a small convenience

There are no instructions! fee that is not optional, we’ll include special thoughts on this topic from your Mother-In-Law! This is the type of quality service you get with Parenthood! In the end, there are many varied experiences to be explored with your Parenthood Subscription. Most notably, your ability to forget how hard it was and end up crying in a puddle of your own sadness when they finally leave home (College Not Included.) We know, it’s not fair. But it doesn’t have to be the end! Continue your Parenthood Subscription by buying the Grandparents Option. Just use the code “When are you going to give me grandbabies?!” Thank you for enduring Parenthood. And remember: Live, Laugh, Love the vision of yourself that you used to be. Shannon Carpenter is a professional humorist and the author of The Ultimate Stay-at-Home Dad manual (Penguin, 2021).

www.sonomafamilylife.com

SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS NEEDED! Now Accepting Applications

• Paid job training. • Part-time. • Health benefits. • CalPERS retirement. • Winter & Spring Breaks off. • Summers optional. • Paid sick leave, holidays, & vacations.

START YOUR NEW CAREER!

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

LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAP! KNOW YOUR OPTIONS FOR TRANSITIONAL KINDERGARTEN We accept state subsidized vouchers for TK programs. Call 528-6666 for more info.

We strive to foster a child’s natural love of learning

Preschool for ages 2–5 years

Developmentally appropriate learning activities and social fun!

NOW ENROLLING FOR 2023-24

The YMCA Preschool provides your child with high-quality, age-appropriate activities and enjoyable experiences. Personal attention, rich sensory experiences, and a generous supply of giggles! Part-Time/Full-Time Care Flexible Plans Available Serving Infant–5 Years

WOODSIDE WEST SCHOOL 2577 Guerneville Rd. • Santa Rosa • 707-528-6666 Lic#’s 490103579 & 490108547 • woodsidewestschool.com

www.sonomafamilylife.com

707 308-3043 • www.scfymca.org 2590 Piner Rd. Santa Rosa November 2023

SonomaFamilyLife 31

ASHLEY RADZAT

Certified Parent & Teen Coach

Offering Coaching Teen Workshops & Parenting Classes Building Self-Esteem, Discovering Values, Reducing Anxiety, Gaining Skills, Improving Life

ENHANCING THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE “WHOLE CHILD”

Cross & Crown Lutheran School Preschool through 6th Grade. Limited class size.

Classes start September 6th

In-person or virtual options

SPOTS STILL AVAILABLE FOR 2023-24

“It takes a village to raise a child”

(707) 795-7863 www.crossandcrownschoolrp.org 5475 Snyder Lane, Rohnert Park Preschool license #490100475

(707) 570-9218 | 555 5th St. Suite 300H Santa Rosa www.radzatconsulting.com

–African Proverb

Thursday Nov. 9 7 p.m

Salt & LIght (A Comedy for Kids) Friday, Nov. 10: 6:30 p.m. Hollywood vs. Faith Saturday, Nov. 11: 6 p.m. St. Elizabeth Seton Parish 4595 Synder Lane, Rohnert Park 707-585-3708

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

PLAYTIME DAYCARE & PRESCHOOL www.facebook.com/PlaytimeDaycareAndPreschool

539-7524 Rincon Valley Area. Lic. #04746

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November 2023