Mendo Lake Family Life March 2023

COVID-19 has been a really long and difficult fight, and the fight is changing quickly. With new, highly contagious variants it’s important to stay up to date with your COVID vaccination (including booster shots).

Even if you’ve had COVID-19, getting vaccinated and staying boosted is the best way to keep you and everyone around you protected.

ain (and even snow!) has freshened up our little patch of Earth, turning our thoughts to spring and, in the not too distant future, warmer days. While school doesn’t end for a few months, it’s not too early to look at camps.

“A Summer to Remember” (page 14) offers excellent tips to guide your search. And, if you have very little ones, “Preschool Camp Countdown” (page 12) will help you get your kids excited about the prospect of spending some time away from you. Besides thoughts of summer, March also ushers in National March into Literacy Month. Which means it’s

Rthe perfect time to put the spotlight on reading. Check out “March into Literacy” (page 16) for ideas on how to cultivate a love of words in your kids.

Reading is the perfect thing to do after a big meal, like one starring a St. Patrick’s Day Honey-Glazed Corned Beef (see “Beef Up Dinner,” page 7). If you really want to get into the Irish spirit, go to Alex DeGrassi and the Real Sarah’s performance of Irish tunes (see “Listen to a Master Guitarist,” page 9). And be sure to check out our Calendar of Events (page 24) for activities to keep your family entertained all month long. Happy spring!

Marketing/ Sales/Events

Patricia Ramos

707-205-1539

patty@family-life.us

Features Editor

Melissa Chianta melissa@family-life.us

Production Manager

Donna Bogener production@family-life.us

Contributing Writers

Emily Alona

Kimberly Blaker

Shannon Carpenter

Rebecca Thompson Hitt

Christina Katz

Cheryl Maguire

Karen Nochimowski

Denise Morrison Yearian

Billing

Jan Wasson-Smith

Publishing Office

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

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

Cooking

Beef Up Dinner

Prep St. Patty’s Meal in Minutes

By Momma Chef

No one will even know this recipe took you five minutes to throw together. It’s just that good! Be sure to use a whole pre-cooked corned beef. I heard Trader Joe’s has a great one. If it’s not pre-cooked, just boil and cut off the fat before you follow the recipe below. You absolutely cannot mess up this dish. It will be an instant hit with your family and friends. ❖

Karen Nochimowski is the author of 6-Minute Dinners (& More!), a newly released cookbook filled with more than 100 simple and delicious recipes with six or fewer ingredients, including nut-free and allergy-friendly options, to help busy families get dinner on the table with ease. You will find testimonials in the book from Gloria Estefan, Alex Borstein, Katie Couric, Howie Mandel, Margaret Cho, Barbara Corcoran, and many others. Karen also started and runs Momma Chef’s Soup Kitchen and Momma Chef’s Little Free Pantries, which provide food at no cost to those in need. So far Karen has provided more than 20,000 meals and more than 15,000 pounds of non-perishable food. Part of the proceeds from the cookbook will go toward feeding those facing food insecurity.

Honey-Glazed Corned Beef

Prep time: 5 minutes Cook time: 30 minutes Total time: 35 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 pounds pre-cooked corned beef

• 1 cup honey or date syrup

• 1 cup apricot jam

• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.

2. Spray a disposable pan or baking dish with cooking spray.

3. Mix the apricot jam, honey or date syrup, and Dijon mustard until well combined.

4. Place the pre-cooked corned beef in the prepared baking dish and smother with all but ½ cup of the marinade.

5. Place the remaining marinade on top of the finished corned beef.

6. Cook for 30 minutes.

Serves: 6

Students Display Science Know-How

From the telephone and light bulb to the computer chip and COVID-19 vaccine, scientific inquiry has birthed a plethora of society-changing inventions. As our reliance on technology of all kinds increases, it becomes more important for children to be science literate. And science fairs are a time-tested teaching tool. Locally, the Mendocino County Science and Engineering Fair will highlight the scientific explorations of students in grades 3–12. It will also include a family-friendly STEAM Expo that will feature an art gallery and hands-on activities for kids of all ages. The fair and expo are free and will be held on March 18, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., at Mendocino College in Ukiah. Volunteers and judges are needed. Contact Sciencefair2023@mcoe.us if interested. For general information, go to bit.ly/mendoscifair2023

Help a Kid Learn to Play Ball

Baseball, softball, kayaking, and boxing—the Lake County Sheriff’s Activities League (LCSAL) makes sure these sports are available for free to local kids. To support their efforts, the Kelseyville Lion’s Club is hosting a Breakfast Benefit. The meal will include the works—pancakes, eggs, sausages, biscuits and gravy, and coffee and juice—and will be held on March 12, 8–11 a.m., at the Lions Club on Sylar Lane in Kelseyville. Admission is $9. For more information, see the event listing on lakecountybloom.com/big-calendar. For details about LCSAL, go to lakecountysal.com

Find a Job in Education

As the United States experiences a shortage of teachers, qualified educators are needed, including in Mendocino County. The Mendocino County Education Job Fair aims to help fill local school district openings for not just teachers, but also medical, administrative, and custodial staff. Job seekers are asked to be prepared to interview and to bring multiple copies of the following: resume, three recommendation letters, applicable licenses, and college transcripts. The fair will be held on March 25, 9 a.m.–noon, at the Mendocino County Office of Education in Ukiah. For more info, call 707-467-5012 or go to mcoe. us/District/Portal/work-with-us

Mendocino County Science & Engineering Fair

Ukiah Welcomes Jazz Legend

Honored at the White House during Black Music Month, Bill Saxton is a Harlem jazz icon who has played the globe. Where’s he going next? Ukiah. There he will share the stage with local musician Paula Samonte during Harlem Nights in Ukiah. The performance will be held on March 3–4 at 6 p.m. at T-Up Ukiah Mini Golf. Tickets are $50 and may be purchased at tinyurl.com/5n89vxmt

Who Will Catch the Biggest Bass?

Clear Lake has a reputation for being one of the best places in the country to fish for large-mouthed bass. And the best time to fish for them is in the spring. Hence, the timing of the annual Team Bass Tournament—this year it’s March 25–26, 6 a.m.–3 p.m. The official location is the Library Park 3rd Street launch ramp in Lakeport. The fee for a team of two anglers is $200. Find a downloadable entry form at tinyurl.com/39ssyuhu. Entries are due by March 24 at 4:30 p.m., unless paying by check, then the deadline is March 10. Online registration is not available. Contact the Lake County Chamber of Commerce for more information: 707-263-5092.

Listen to a Master Guitarist

Alex DeGrassi is renowned as a steel-string guitar virtuoso. Since he lives in Mendocino County, the Grammy-nominated musician makes regular local appearances. The most recent will be at the Concerts and Conversation series, where he will perform with folk duo the Real Sarahs at the Tallman Hotel in Upper Lake. The show will be held on March 19 at 3 p.m. and, in honor of St. Patrick’s Day, will feature Irish tunes. Tickets are $30 and may be purchased online via Eventbrite (tinyurl. com/34f2mhbv) or by phone at 707-275-2244 ext. 0. For more information, see tinyurl.com/ncupxu5r

Alex DeGrassi & Real Sarahs

Bill Saxton

Preschool Prep 5 Ways to Get Kids Ready for School

By Emily Alona

Parents approach preschool prep differently. Some eagerly jot down a list of all the things their child should know or be able to do before entering preschool. Others just roll their eyes. As is the case with most important matters in life, the truth lies somewhere in the middle. Should parents consider their children’s development before enrolling them in preschool? Absolutely. Is there a list of 25 skills a toddler should have before crossing the threshold of a preschool classroom? In my opinion, certainly not. Perhaps, then, preschool prep is really about building a psychological and social foundation. Here are some building blocks.

Hold onto your child.

According to developmental psychologist Gordon Neufeld, attachment is the primary task of the first few years of life. It sets the stage for a healthy ability to develop most, if not all, of life’s most fundamental skills, including

Treat your children the way you wish to see them treat others.

the ability to be independent. Attachment creates independence— sounds like a contradiction, doesn’t

it? But research shows that the more attached children are to their primary caregiver(s) in the first few years of life, the more capable they are of developing independence later in life. So spend time with your kids, as much and as often as you can.  Communicate with them through play, laughter, and affection.

Ask open-ended questions that tap into your child’s natural curiosity.

Promote social-emotional skills. On her website transformingtoddlerhood.com, ICF-certified coach Devon Kuntzman provides a wealth of empowering resources for parents of young children. The message that permeates her work is: respond to your child’s needs. Use validation, labeling, and modeling to teach your children how to manage their emotions. Also, treat your children the way you wish to see them treat others. This will encourage them to develop awareness and care for the emotions and needs of others.

Foster a love of learning. You are your child’s first teacher. But rather than develop a curriculum of ABCs and 123s, focus instead on fostering the love of learning. Rachel Rainbolt, MA, believes, “as long as you teach your child how to learn, they will happily and bravely be willing and able to learn anything they have a need or desire to learn. In other words, anything your child has a need or a desire to learn, they can and they will.” What

does it look like to teach your child how to learn? 1) Asking open-ended questions that tap into your child’s natural curiosity, and 2) offering up more information when your child expresses interest in something. Get outside. The North American Association for Environmental Education states that “nature is widely recognized as an important, and often low-cost, tool for fostering children’s health and development,” including brain development, mental health and self-regulation, and motor development. We can expose our children to nature in a variety of ways: gardening, hiking/walking, and visiting farms and wildlife preserves.

Prepare for the transition to school. If what you are really after are ways to ease the transition to a classroom environment, check out understood.org. The website provides an easy-to-remember

self-directed play for 5–10 minutes as well as express themselves and understand basic communication from others.

In short, preschool prep is life prep. The first few years of life are sacred, and they go by so fast. Allow your child to stop and smell the roses. Literally. ❖

acronym— PIECES —to help parents recognize when their children might be ready for group learning: P is for potty-trained; I, for independent; E, expressive; C, concentration; E, emotionally ready; and S, stamina. Kids should have the desire to go to school and to make friends. They should also be able to engage in

Emily Alona, LCSW, is a Sonoma native. She has worked in the fields of early childhood education and mental health for a number of years and has worked at the Hanna Center in Sonoma since 2015. She enjoys traveling and, above all else, spending time with her husband and young daughter. Find out more about the Hanna Center at hannacenter.org

Attachment creates independence.

Preschool Camp Countdown

7 Ways to Get Your Kids Excited

By Cheryl Maguire

“Who’s

excited about camp?”

My twin toddlers looked up at me with perplexed expressions. They had no idea what I was talking about. Perhaps you know what I mean. There are ways to get preschoolers interested in camp. Here’s what worked for me.

Go to the library. Check out every video and picture book about camp. Also look on YouTube for camp videos or songs, or stream videos through your library. Talk about your own camp experiences, too.

Hit the stores. With a list of camp supplies in hand, go to the mall. My kids loved picking out towels, bathing suits, and sunglasses. I even let them buy a new backpack just for camp. While we shopped, we discussed

the different activities they would be participating in, such as swimming and other sports.

Teach your kids how to make friends. When you are playing games like Candyland with your kids, talk about things like taking turns and how to have conservations with new people. You can ask questions like, “What are some things you can talk about with kids your age?” or “What are some ways to make new friends?” Also read books or watch movies about friendship.

Play camp games at home. Set up different types of races, like relay races, as part of a mini Olympics. Or create a scavenger hunt with camp-related items, such as a backpack and water bottle.

After you are done, cook up some s’mores.

Go swimming. When they first take swimming lessons, a lot of kids fear going into the water, especially when there are tons of kids splashing around. If you take your children swimming before camp starts, you will ease some of their anxiety. Discuss water safety and reinforce that swimming is fun.

Look on YouTube for camp videos and songs.

Schedule a visit. Most camps offer an open house or orientation to help children understand what camp will be like. This is a perfect time for kids to ask questions, and meet counselors or other campers. If possible, set up a pre-camp play date with some kids that are going to be at the camp. Drop-off will be easier if there are some familiar faces. Create a countdown. My kids love to countdown the days until Christmas, vacations, and camp. Use a countdown calendar or app to keep track of the number of days until camp starts. Another option is to create a paper chain, tearing off a link every day.

After I did all of the above, I again asked my twins, “Who’s excited about camp?” They both jumped up and down with glee. And when they actually went to camp, they loved it.

Cheryl Maguire’s writing has been published in the New York Times, Washington Post, and many other publications. Find her on Twitter @ CherylMaguire05.

Ukiah Cooperative Nursery School began in 1952

UKIAH COOPERATIVE NURSERY SCHOOL ENROLLING NOW FOR FALL 2023-24 2 & 3 DAY OPENINGS 9AM-12PM • AFTERCARE AVAILABLE 444 Park Blvd. Ukiah • 707-462-6638 www.facebook.com/ukiahcoopnurseryschool

Apply

your child's journey

success! Receive a $16,000 education for your child

at

little

online:

Nurturing classroom experiences for children 3 months to 5 years old.

Potty-training assistance provided.

• Children with disabilities welcome.

• Accepting applications year-round.

Also providing unique home visits for infants, toddlers & pregnant women! Apply Now! C E N T E R S

Do you have questions? Email:

S Ukiah North Ukiah - Bush St Nokomis - Washington Ave South Ukiah - S State St Peach Tree - S Orchard Ave

Willits

Near Brookside School at Spruce St & Lincoln Way Lake County Upper Lake - 2nd Street Lakeport - Lakeport Blvd Clearlake - Pearl Ave Clearlake - Meadowbrook Dr Coast Fort Bragg - Lincoln St Find out how we keep children and families safe by reviewing our COVID-19 Health and Safety Guidelines on our website. Applications

www.mendolakefamilylife.com March 2023 MendoLakeFamilyLife 13

Check to see if the program you are considering has before- and after-care. Also ask if friends in similar situations want to put their kids in the same program so you can coordinate rides.

A Summer to Remember

10 Tips for Choosing the Right Camp

By Denise Morrison Yearian

Summer day camp is a place where children can stretch their minds, exercise their bodies, and develop new friendships and interests. Here are 10 suggestions on how you can choose the right day camp for your child.

1 Look, listen, and learn. Talk with your children to find out what their interests are. As you do, get a list of camps, show them what the options are, and ask if any appeal to them. Need ideas? Come to Sonoma Family Life’s Camp Fair & Family Expo on April 14, 3–7 p.m., in Coddingtown Mall in Santa Rosa. You can collect information about, and talk to representatives from, camps all over the area. There will be free family-friendly entertainment, too. Once you’ve chosen some camps to explore more deeply, talk with people

whose children have attended them to find out if they had good experiences.

2 Value in variety. Ask your children if they want to do one activity or have a variety of experiences. A lot of parents think they have to be tied down to one camp, but it is okay to send your children to different places.

3 Consider your family’s needs. If you have two working parents with set schedules, this may be a factor in determining where to send your children.

4 Focus on friendships. Friendships are an important part of camp so factor that into your decision. The focus of day camp is to have fun and learn skills, and a lot of that is done through face-to-face interaction with peers. Have your children go with a friend but encourage them to make new friends there.

5 Look at location. Most families want a camp close to home or work or one somewhere along the way, but convenience shouldn’t be the only consideration. If your child has a specific interest and there isn’t a program close by, it may be worth driving a few miles out of the way to get what you’re looking for.

6 Ponder program length. Day camps run from several hours to a full day, so consider your children’s ages, developmental levels, and previous camp or group-setting experiences when looking at the program’s duration. Find out how many activities will be done in a day and determine if your kids can keep up the pace. If you still have reservations, ask the camp director what she or he suggests.

It may be worth driving a few miles out of the way to get what you’re looking for.

7

Ask key questions. Safety is a top priority, so find out what the counselor-to-camper ratio is. The American Camping Association suggests 1:8 for ages 6–8, 1:10 for ages 9–14, and 1:12 for ages 15–18. Also look at hiring practices: How old are the staff members? Have background checks been done on them? How many hours of camp training do they have? And how many are CPR and safety certified? Many times an overseeing organization’s accreditation or certification covers health, safety, and staff issues, as well as the quality of the program. Ask if the camp is certified or accredited, and then find out exactly what that means.

8 Check out cost. When examining fees, make sure you’re

comparing apples to apples. Some day camps have a base price but charge extra for field trips, special activities, materials, registration, and food. Also ask about a refund policy or transfer of

to meet and discuss things with counselors. If that’s not possible, give yourself a few extra minutes at the start of camp to meet the staff and share information you think is important.

weeks if there is an unforeseen illness or emergency. If the camp is more than you can afford, find out if there is a scholarship program.

9 Plan a pre-visit. If an open house is available, try to attend, even if your child previously went to the camp. It’s an excellent opportunity

10 Peruse policies and procedures. Most camps have a parent handbook or policies and procedures manual. So if you’re undecided on a camp, ask for a copy to see if you agree with the rules and regulations set forth. It’s equally important to go over this information with your children so they know and agree to the expectations. ❖

Denise Morrison Yearian is the former editor of two parenting magazines and the mother of three children.

If the camp is more than you can afford, find out if there is a scholarship program.

March into Literacy

Cultivate a Lifelong Love of Reading

By Kimberly Blaker

What better date to celebrate Read Across America Day than March 2, the birthday of the beloved Dr. Seuss? It’s the perfect kickoff to March’s National March into Literacy Month.

The National Education Association (NEA) first introduced Read Across America Day in 1998. The NEA’s goal for the celebration is to motivate kids to become lifelong readers, thereby improving student performance. Every year, schools, public libraries, and other organizations celebrate this day with reading events for kids.

How to Promote Reading

There are many ways parents can

Help your children build personal libraries.

promote a love of reading and encourage their kids to read not only during this celebration, but also year-round.

Read to kids. Begin reading to your children very early. The NEA suggests infancy is a good time to start. As your children grow,

encourage them to participate in reading the story with or to you. Although your little ones may not be ready to read, they most likely have some of their favorite books or pages memorized. Making your children active participants will help develop their love for reading.

Begin reading to your children very early.

Visit the library. Think of the library as a big, free educational toy store. Help your children choose some books but also encourage them to look through shelves and select some on their own. Kids can also take home audiobooks, video games, videos, and music CDs. Help your kids build a collection. One thing common among reading lovers is how much they enjoy having their own book collections. Help your children build personal libraries of their favorite series, author, or genre. Then give them a special shelf to store and display the collection.

Play word games. Look for board, computer, or phone games that help kids develop their reading and spelling skills and vocabulary.

Sign up for Goodreads.

Through this Android and iOS app, kids can track both the books they’ve read and those they want to read. They can also check out what their friends are reading.

Subscribe to a kids’ magazine. There’s a host of

children’s magazines on the market, something for every age group. A subscription will give your children something to look forward to each month and build enthusiasm for reading.

Read in front of your kids. Show little ones that reading isn’t just a school requirement, but rather a lifelong activity. Let them see you reading both to learn and for pleasure.

Think

Form a kids’ book club. It’s a great way to build excitement for reading. Find kids who are all about the same reading level. Then decide where to hold the weekly or monthly meetings, which could be at your house, or perhaps your school or public library. You might be able to advertise the club through your children’s school or public library as well.

Set up a reading room or corner. Find a quiet, distraction-free area in your home to designate as the reading area. It should have comfy seating, perhaps even a bean bag or two, pillows, blankets, and good lighting.

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

provider

Enjoy hiking, horses, swimming, backpacking, crafts, nature, archery, spiritual reflection, campfires, challenge course, and outdoor skills

of the library as a big, free educational toy store.

Strong Girls

9 Ways to Empower Daughters

By Christina Katz

March 8 is International Women’s Day, a global celebration of the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. One of the ways we remain a society of empowered women is by passing on what we have learned to our girls. So why not take the opportunity to have some important and inspiring conversations with your daughters? Here are some talking points to get you started.

1. Expect equality. Equality is not only for women and girls; it’s for every member of a healthy society. So talk to your daughter about parity and fairness. Ask her if she has gotten the impression that opportunities that should be available to her are not. Ask if she thinks the same opportunities that are available to her are accessible to others. Challenge her to think.

2. Treasure your body. Talk to your daughter about her body. Does she love it? Does she hate it? Does she

wish it were different? How are you modeling self-love and self-care for your body? Work together to create more body awareness and acceptance in your family.

3. Be period positive. Ask your daughter how she feels about being female. Does she need help managing her menstrual cycles and moods? Talk to her about what has been helpful for you. If there are consistent challenges or discomforts, seek assistance through traditional

or alternative medicines until they are resolved.

4. Live your values. One of our most important roles as parents is helping our children think for themselves. Talk to your daughters about their values. Really listen and ask thoughtful questions to help them understand how they think. Respect their beliefs and choices.

5. Speak up and be heard. If you are always speaking on your child’s behalf, she is not going to learn to speak up for herself. So, next time she needs to straighten something out with a friend, teacher, or coach, why not talk to her about it and then let her do it herself? Ask how she did afterwards and offer support.

6. Never miss a chance to vote. In 1920, the 19th amendment granted women in the United States the right to vote. Talk to your daughter about knowing and voting her own conscience. Let her catch you debating choices and selecting wisely. If she can witness the political process at home, she will be more comfortable asking questions to prepare for her future responsibility.

7. Stay alert and safe. Maybe you have never had a teacher make racy remarks about your figure or had an employer put his hands on you, but it happens. Rules and laws don’t keep your daughters safe; healthy boundaries and assertiveness do. Make sure she understands her

Equality is for every member of a healthy society.

body belongs to her, and talk to her about how to steer clear of danger. Have a “safe” word that only you and she know, so she can communicate with you in public settings if she feels uncomfortable. If your daughter struggles with assertiveness, consider martial arts or assertiveness training so she will become a role model rather than the next victim.

Ask your daughter how she feels about being female.

8. Support sisterhood. “Never disrespect a sister” is a good policy. In any situation where a girl is being picked on, singled out, or mistreated, prep your daughter to stick up for the other girl, rather than ignore the situation. Social instincts may discourage her from speaking out, but teach her to be brave and do it anyway.

9. Trust yourself. You may not always agree with her desire for green hair, a triple-pierced earlobe, or raucous music. But if you assume she’s always making a mistake, then you are setting her up to second guess herself for the rest of her life. Teaching her to trust herself means accepting you are not always going to be right. But as long as the doors to communication stay open, your mother-daughter relationship will always be in great shape. ❖

Author, journalist, and writing coach Christina Katz is not a perfect mother. But she has accepted the mission to talk to her daughter about tricky topics before her girl turns 18, no matter how uncomfortable it is to broach any subject.

Come celebrate science and Mendocino Resilience! The STEAM Expo is a family-friendly event with a student art gallery and hands-on activities and informational booths for kids of all ages. Join us to inspire Mendocino County’s future scientists and leaders.

The Power of the Pause

Learn to Respond Instead of React

By Rebecca Thompson Hitt

When I began to change the way I was responding to my children, I started pausing because I didn’t know what else to do. What I was doing wasn’t working, but I didn’t have a clearly defined new plan either. And I still had work to do on my own past so that I could more clearly see the present.

I thought every situation warranted an immediate response, but there are very few actual parenting emergencies that require lightning reflexes and no thought. A child running into the road is an emergency. Even though it felt like an emergency, my older son speaking unkindly to his brother was not. The situation still needed

attention, but there was time to pause before acting.

So I started pausing and an interesting thing happened. Sometimes what I was so afraid was going to happen, didn’t. Sometimes it did, but it wasn’t exactly like I thought it would be. I found I had time to think. I could sometimes even think of

something helpful to do, which in turn created connection. Sometimes I used the pause to reconnect to myself—my feelings, thoughts, and interpretations. Sometimes I just breathed. My family started changing right there, in the pause.

Sometimes I got in only a small pause and then still did whatever reactionary thing I was going to do. But I celebrated the pause anyway. Big changes don’t happen overnight, but rather through small, everyday victories—victories like the pause. Eventually I learned that we’re actually changing neuro pathways in our brains when we pause. And what’s cooler still is that when we pause, our children also learn to pause.

So many families I work with are living out patterns that aren’t working for them. Generally when those patterns start, everything speeds up and goes faster.

Example: Your eight-year-old hits his younger sister. Because this isn’t the first time this has happened, you immediately feel very angry and grab his hand. You start yelling, feeling scared for your daughter. All of this happens so fast every single time.

Enter the pause. Your eight-year-old hits his younger sister. You pause and take a breath.

There are very few actual parenting emergencies that require lightning reflexes and no thought.

You’re holding the intention of finding more loving ways to support their relationship. You feel a wave of anger and take another breath. You still take hold of his hand, but more gently and without the yelling this time. You bring him over to sit with you; you invite your daughter

to sit on the other side of you so you can listen to them both and what happened. This would be a big step toward changing trans-generational patterns and responding the way you want to respond to your children.

It may take time and also some more support to get there, but the pause is where it all begins! Try it and see how it feels, and let me know what you think. ❖

Reprinted, with permission, from Consciously Parenting: What It Really Takes to Raise Emotionally Healthy Families , by Rebecca Thompson Hitt, and also from the Consciously Parenting Project, consciouslyparenting.com

The mother of two young adult sons, Rebecca Thompson Hitt, MS, MFT, PPNE, is a holistic marriage and family therapist who has been working with children and families for more then 30 years. The founder and executive director of the Consciously Parenting Project, LLC, she supports families around the world with educational resources, community groups, workshops, and retreats. She also has a two-year relationship-focused parenting training program for parents and professionals. Find out more about her work at consciouslyparenting.com .

My family started changing right there, in the pause.

From Gas to Green The Lowdown on

2023 Electric Vehicles

EarthTalk® is from the editors of E: The Environmental Magazine.

Dear EarthTalk: Which of the EV models now available in the United States provide the most bang for the buck? Is now a good time to finally make the upgrade from my internal combustion car? — P. Bronson, Tampa, FL

With some 43 new battery-powered electric vehicles (EVs) debuting in the United States this 2023 model year, not to mention the continued production and sales of 32 previous EV models, there has never been a better time to make the switch from your internal combustion gas guzzler to something greener. The increased competition among carmakers for your EV dollars means lower prices all around;

indeed, 14 different EVs sport sticker prices of $40,000 or below. Cheapest of them all is still the Nissan Leaf, with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $27,400. While this is the only EV for sale in the United States with a sticker price under $30K, the trade-off is less range; the Leaf will only get you about 149 miles per full charge, making it perfect for short commutes or jaunts around

town but not so good for road trips. (Nissan also offers a Leaf “Plus” model with a bigger battery array that sells for $5,000 more but gets you 226 miles between charges.)

The next cheapest EV is Chevrolet’s Bolt, with a sticker price of $31,500 and a range of 259 miles; given this longer range, this little hatchback,

by one of America’s great carmakers, might just be the best bang-for-buck option out there. Chevy is also offering a Bolt EUV model, which gives customers a roomier interior for $2,000 more than the base Bolt, but with slight range trade-off (247 miles between charges).

Other good options for costconscious EV buyers include Hyundai’s Kona Electric ($34,000; 258-mile range), Subaru’s Solterra SUV ($37,000; 285-mile range), Kia’s Niro EV ($39,990; 239-mile range). Also under $40K but with less range include Hyundai’s Ioniq Electric sedan ($33,245; 170-mile range), Mazda’s MX30 crossover ($33,470; 100-mile range), and Mini Cooper’s EV ($33,900; 114-mile range).

Of course, these MSRPs don’t factor in tax rebates and other financial incentives. In the United States, EV buyers still qualify for up to $7,500 in tax credits. The amount varies depending on your tax

Going electric is definitely a step in the right direction for the environment.

bracket and other factors, including where the vehicle in question was built. Some state governments and municipalities offer their own incentives for EV buyers. Get the full rundown for your location via the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE, dsireusa.org), a free and comprehensive resource on federal, state, and regional incentives supporting renewables and energy efficiency across the United States. Going electric is definitely a step in the right direction for the environment given how much less pollution is caused by charging your

car up with electricity as opposed to filling ‘er up with gas. But if you think you’re doing Mother Nature a favor by turning in or selling a perfectly good gas car so you can upgrade, you might want to think twice. The overall environmental impact of producing your brand-new EV far outweighs that of continuing to drive a gas car around. But if it’s really time to upgrade or you just need a car now, buying an EV is the smart and responsible way to go. ❖

EarthTalk® is produced by Roddy Scheer & Doug Moss for the 501(c)3 nonprofit EarthTalk.

See more at emagazine.com . To donate, visit earthtalk.org Send questions to: question@earthtalk.org.

This little hatchback might just be the best bang-for-buck option out there.

March Calendar of Events

Thursday 2

Home, I’m Darling. Play about a couple that tries to create 1950s domestic bliss only to face the realities of marriage. Won the 2018 Olivier Award for Best New Comedy. $20–$50. Thursdays–Saturdays: 7:30 p.m. Sundays: 2 p.m. Runs thru Apr. 2. Mendocino Theatre Company. 45200 Little Lake St., Mendocino. tinyurl. com/5fr2jajx

Just Between Friends Kids’ & Maternity Consignment Sales Event. The largest of its kind in northern California. Admission: $4–$25. Mar. 1–2: 9 a.m.–7 p.m. Mar. 3: 10 a.m.–7 p.m. Mar. 4: 9 a.m.–8 p.m. Mar. 5 (1/2 price day): 9 a.m.–2 p.m. Sonoma County Fairgrounds. 1350 Bennett Valley Rd., Santa Rosa. tinyurl.com/4vtuabsa

Mother & Baby New Parent Group. New parents walk & talk. Snacks provided. Thursdays. 1 p.m. Mendocino Coast Clinics. JD Center.

208 Dana St., Fort Bragg. tinyurl. com/2p9a28fj

FREE Angela Lansbury: Muse of Cabot Cove. The exhibit explores Lansbury’s career & her role in Murder, She Wrote, which was filmed during the 1990s in Mendocino. Admission is free; $5 suggested donation. Thursdays–Sundays. 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Runs thru Mar. 5. Kelley House Museum. 45007 Albion St., Mendocino. kelleyhousemuseum.org

Friday

3

FREE MacKerricher State Park Guided Whale Walk. Binoculars provided. All ages welcome. Fridays–Sundays. 11 a.m. & 2 p.m. Thru Mar. 31. MacKerricher State Park. Laguna Point parking lot. 24100 MacKerricher Park Rd., Fort Bragg. parks.ca.gov/ events/details/14508

FREE Shade Canyon Playgroup. Waldorf-style story, crafts, or nature walk. For ages 5 & younger. Held first

& third Fridays of each month. Mar. 3 & 17: 10–11:30 a.m. Peace & Plenty Farm. 4550 Soda Bay Rd., Kelseyville. tinyurl.com/3533kua5.

FREE Dungeons & Dragons Club. Play 5th edition D&D. Space is limited. Ages 13 & older. Fridays. 1–4 p.m. Middletown Library. 21256 Washington St., Middletown. Registration required: 707-987-3674.

FREE NEA Big Read in Lake County. Local author Jennifer Mills Kerr & Lake County Poet Laureate Georgina Marie Guardado host a virtual poetry reading & discussion of the Pulitzer Prize–winning Postcolonial Love Poem by Natalie Diaz. 5 p.m. Via Zoom. Register for link: tinyurl.com/yursft9f

Saturday 4

FREE Mendocino Headlands

Guided Whale Walk. Binoculars provided. All ages welcome. 11 a.m.–noon. Ford House Visitor

Center. 45035 Main St., Mendocino. mendoparks.org/whale-festivals.

FREE Pajama Storytime. Kids sing, rhyme & read in pajamas. Families encouraged to bring blankets, pillows, stuffed animals, or any self-soothing item. Saturdays. 5–5:30 p.m. Ukiah Library. 105 N. Main St., Ukiah. tinyurl.com/mvtkbpyc

FREE Saturday Storytime. Ages 2–7. 11–11:30 a.m. Round Valley Branch Library. 23925 Howard St., Round Valley. tinyurl.com/dcshrt8r.

FREE Gray Whale Migration Docent-Led Walks. Half-mile round-trip walk. Bring binoculars. Rain cancels. Fridays–Sundays. 10 a.m.–noon. Thru Mar. 26. Noyo Headlands Park. Fort Bragg. When reach parking lot, turn right, follow signs to the meeting point. noyocenter.org/whale-festival-2023.

Lighthouse Lens Tour. Tours are first-come, first-served. $5–$10. Saturdays. Mar. 4, 11, 18. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Tours are 20–40 mins. Children must be 42” & taller. Masks required. No pets. Point Cabrillo Lighthouse. 45300 Lighthouse Rd., Mendocino. pointcabrillo.org

FREE Self-Guided Hikes at Rodman Preserve. 1.5-mile walk. No dogs. Saturdays. 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Rodman Preserve. 6350 Westlake Rd., Upper Lake. lakecountylandtrust.org

FREE Write On! Local self-published writer Jordon O’Halloran teaches the basics of constructing a story. Suitable for all ages. Saturdays. 11 a.m.–2 p.m. Lake County Arts Council. 325 N. Main St., Lakeport. lakearts.org

FREE Admission Day Mendocino County Museum. First Saturday of month. Mendocino County Museum. 400 E. Commercial St., Willits. tinyurl.com/45m6wbku

Sunday 5

FREE First Fiddlers’ Jam. Listen to fiddle tunes played by members of the Northern California Old Time Fiddlers Group. Noon–2 p.m. Ely Stage Stop & Country Museum. 9921 Soda Bay Rd. (Hwy. 128), Kelseyville. elystagestop.com. CANCELLED

Pianists Benefit Concert. Local pianists come together to play & trade tall tales. Benefits the Soper Reese Theatre & Lake County Friends of Mendocino College. $25–$30. Ages 18 & younger: free. Reception: 2 p.m. Concert: 3 p.m. Soper Reese Theatre. 275 S. Main St., Lakeport. tinyurl. com/yckwzfb6

Spark wonder and curiosity for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math

Tuesday 7

FREE Triple P Parenting Zoom Series. Learn strategies for managing misbehavior, setting rules & routines & parent self-care. Tuesdays. 9–11 a.m. Thru Apr. 25. Reserve a spot via Eventbrite: tinyurl.com/5t5fhwj4.

FREE LEGO Club. Kids design, build & invent with LEGO bricks. Tuesdays. 5:30–6:30 p.m. Willits Branch Library. 390 E. Commercial St., Willits. tinyurl. com/2s6s3z3m.

GIVE YOUR CHILD a joyful learning experience full of discovery with:

Wednesday 8

Community Services, Inc. 631 S. Orchard Ave., Ukiah. Register: tinyurl.com/jhw2knp4.

FREE Crafting Wednesdays for T(w)eens. Ages 10–18. Crafts will be self- or staff-led. All supplies provided. Wednesdays. 2:30-4:30 p.m. Ukiah Library. 105 N. Main St., Ukiah. tinyurl.com/2xx8ecz6.

person. Families $12. Free first Friday of the month. Always free for Native Americans & military (with ID). Wednesdays–Saturdays: 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Sundays: noon–4:30 p.m. Runs thru Apr. 30. Grace Hudson Museum. 431 S. Main St., Ukiah. gracehudsonmuseum.org.

Thursday 9

FREE Walking Group. Take a one-hour walk every week. Thursdays. 9–10 a.m. Lake County Library (meet outside). 1425 N. High St., Lakeport. tinyurl.com/4779hf7y.

• Exploration of own interests & abilities

FREE Parent Effectiveness

FREE Book Boogie Storytime. Kids talk, sing, read, write & play. All ages. Wednesdays. 10:30 a.m. Coast Community Branch Library. 225 Main St., Pt. Arena. tinyurl. com/4sck9dwe.

• Experiential learning with field trips, arts

• Respectful and caring learning community

Training. Learn how to talk to & listen to children during this 8-week course presented by Redwood Community Services. Spots fill up quickly. Wednesdays. 3:30–6:30 p.m. Runs thru April 26. Redwood

• Peace education and mindfulness

• Earth stewardship

The Curious World of Seaweed. Exhibit features the works & research of Josie Iselin, a photographer, author & designer of many books, including the Curious World of Seaweed. $4–$5/

Open House Wednesday, April 13 Call for more information

T of L Charter ree ife

Free Montessori Elementary Education for Children Ages 4 1/2–12

FREE College & Career Day. High school students connect with college representatives & local employees. 10 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Free lunch at noon. Mendocino College Lake Center. 2565 Parallel Dr., Lakeport. tinyurl. com/2p83hvwb

• Exploration of own interests & abilities

• Experiential learning with field trips, arts

• Respectful & caring learning community

• Peace education & mindfulness

• Hands-on & multicultural learning experiences

• Earth stewardship

Free Montessori Elementary Education for Children Ages 4 1/2 Through 12

Free Montessori Elementary Education for Children Ages 5 through 13

Free Montessori Elementary Education for Children Ages 4 3/4 through 12

OPEN HOUSE ON APRIL 12 TAKING APPLICATIONS FOR 2023-24

GIVE YOUR CHILD A JOYFUL LEARNING EXPERIENCE FULL OF DISCOVERY WITH:

OPEN ENROLLMENT January For application and more information: 707-462-0913 treeoflifeschool@pacific.net www.treeoflifeschool.net

FREE meals cooked from scratch for all students, FREE before and aftercare, FREE summer program

For application and more information: 707-462-0913

businessmanager@treeoflifeschool.net • www.treeoflifeschool.net

FREE Virtual Cookbook Club. Adults prepare, share & critique recipes. Learn about new cookbooks at Lake County Library. Noon–1 p.m. Register for Zoom link at library. lakecountyca.gov

Saturday 11

Child Care CPR & Pediatric First Aid. $120. 9 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Alex Rorabaugh Center. 1640 S. State St., Ukiah. tinyurl.com/2kyteyxy

FREE 2023 North Bay Science Discovery Day. Seventy exhibitors offer 97 hands-on activities. Free parking. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Sonoma County Fairgrounds. 1350 Bennett Valley Rd., Santa Rosa. northbayscience.org.

FREE Drop-In Spinning & Knitting Circle. All skill levels welcome.

Spinning: 1–2 p.m. Knitting: 2–4:30 p.m. Willits Branch Library. 390 E. Commercial St., Willits. tinyurl. com/2p99sk66.

Spring Ranch Whale Walk. Binoculars provided. All ages. 11 a.m.–noon. Meets in the Hwy. 1 pullout north of Spring Ranch barns, across highway from Gordon Ln. mendoparks.org/whale-festivals.

FREE Anderson Marsh Guided Nature Walk. Walks are 1.5–3 hours, depending on the route. Bring water, sturdy shoes & binoculars. Rain cancels walk. 8:30 a.m. Anderson Marsh State Historical Park. 8400 Hwy. 53, Lower Lake. andersonmarsh.org.

Sunday 12

FREE Family Fun at Alex Rorabaugh Recreation Center.

Open gym. Kids 11 & younger must be accompanied by adult. Held second & fourth Sundays in March & April. Mar. 12 & 26. Noon–4 p.m. 1640 S. State St., Ukiah. tinyurl.com/ yyh6n4vx

Bloody Mary Competition. Professional & amateur bartenders compete in the Battle of the Bloody Marys. Tasting tickets for 5–6 Bloody Marys: $75. 1–5 p.m. Little River Inn. 7901 Hwy. 1, Little River. tinyurl.com/9zvasvky.

Lake County Sheriff’s Activities League Breakfast Benefit. Sit-down breakfast with all the fixings. $9. Hosted by the Kelseyville Lion’s Club. $9. 8–11 a.m. Kelseyville Lions Club. 4335 Sylar Ln., Kelseyville. lakecountybloom.com/big-calendar.

St. Paddy’s Day Swig & Jig. Drink craft beer & wines & eat appetizers at Kelseyville businesses. $35–$40. Noon–5 p.m. Downtown Kelseyville. tinyurl.com/5a39ead8.

Lakeshore Lioness Corned Beef & Cabbage Dinner. Tickets will be sold at the door. $25. Raffles. 4–7 p.m. Howard’s Grotto. 14732 Lakeshore Dr., Clearlake. tinyurl.com/ydm6v7hf.

Friday 17

Music & Dance Wave-Up. Family-friendly event featuring live music, dance, art & wine & beer & snacks. $20. 17 & younger: free. 7–10 p.m. Caspar Community Center. 15051 Caspar Rd., Caspar. casparcommons.org.

Saturday 18

FREE Mendocino County Science & Engineering Fair. Students in grades 3–12 compete. 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Mendocino College Gym. 1000 Hensley Creek Rd., Ukiah. tinyurl. com/r69nshnv.

Fort Bragg Whale Festival

Downtown Wine Walk. Merchants will be serving local wines & hors d’ oeuvres. Must be 21 & show valid ID. Live music. New Coastal Trail open for whale-watching. $50–$55. Noon–4 p.m. Downtown Fort Bragg. visitfortbraggca.com/ whale-fest-wine-walk .

FREE Fort Bragg Whale Festival Craft Fair. Variety of handcrafted items for purchase from local vendors. Thru Mar. 19. Town Hall.

Laurel & Main Streets. Fort Bragg. tinyurl.com/5y7zyz5z .

Sunday 19

Alex DeGrassi & the Real Sarahs. Renowned steel-string guitar virtuoso Alex DeGrassi performs with folk duo the Real Sarahs. The set will include a number of classic Irish tunes. No children allowed. $30. 3 p.m. Tallman Hotel. 9550 Main St., Upper Lake. tinyurl.com/34f2mhbv

Solstice Vocal Ensemble. $25. Ages 18 & younger: free. 3 p.m. Mendocino Presbyterian Church. 44831 Main St., Mendocino. brownpapertickets.com/ event/5714548

Wednesday 22

FREE Virtual Parents Training Academy: Creating Moments of Joint Attention. Get the most

Shade Canyon School

out of interactions with your child. Sponsored by Redwood Coast Regional Center. 4 p.m. To register for Zoom Link email: bctservices2@gmail. com. Info: tinyurl.com/cj8x77pd.

Saturday 25

FREE Poets Laureate Reading. Lake County Poet Laureate

Georgina Marie Guardado & other local Poet Laureates will read original work & Natalie Diaz poems. 1–2 p.m. Lakeport Library. 1425 N. High St., Lakeport. facebook.com/ events/567226151973009.

35th Annual Team Bass

Tournament. Fee for team of two anglers: $200. Entry fees will go toward prizes: $1,000 to heaviest bag of tournament; $1,000 to biggest fish of each day. Mar. 25–26. Library Park. Launch ramp.

Lakeport. Downloadable entry form at tinyurl.com/39ssyuhu. Info: tinyurl.com/yu3cjz2w.

FREE Historic Planes Display. Held fourth Saturday of the month. 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Lampson Field Airport. Highland Springs Rd., Kelseyville. tinyurl.com/2eu4vaac.

Sunday 26

Le Vent du Nord. Band from Quebec featuring francophone folk music. $30. Free tickets for full-time college students & also youth 17 & younger (when accompanied by adult). For free tickets, call 707-463-2738 with name, email & phone. 2 p.m. Ukiah High School. 1000 Low Gap Rd., Ukiah. Tickets: tinyurl.com/2b6vzwed.

Thursday 30

FREE College & Career Day. High school students learn about college & careers by connecting with college representatives & local employees. 10 a.m.–noon. Willits Mendocino College North County Center. 372 E. Commercial St., Willits. tinyurl.com/5y2f2dvz

Friday 31

Fishwrap. Comedy about the struggles of a hometown paper in the digital age. Performed by the Lake County Theatre Company. $25. Fridays & Saturdays: 7 p.m. Sundays (except Apr. 9): 2 p.m. Runs thru April 16. Soper Reese Theatre. 275 S. Main St., Lakeport. Tickets: tinyurl.com/yf7ns4rr

Parent Slang

The Unique Vernacular of Moms & Dads

By Shannon Carpenter

Every profession has its own vernacular, the way that they talk with people “in the know.” For example, physicists use phrases such as “don’t touch that button or you’ll kill us all.” It’s no different with parents.

Here are some simple terms:

Blowouts: when a diaper cannot hold the absolute lava flow of baby poop and erupts like when Gallagher smashes a watermelon.

Trunking: when Dad changes the baby’s diaper in the trunk of your 1993 Lincoln because there is no changing table in the men’s room. Used in a sentence: John can’t be here right now. He’s out front, trunking.

Bullseye: when changing a boy and you forget to put the diaper on his front as you take the old one off, and he gets you right in the face.

Chicken Fried: can refer to both nuggets and your nerves after too many blowouts that occur when trunking.

Pretty easy, right? So, let’s go deeper: Here’s Johnny: when a parent hides in the bathroom and a toddler is trying to break down the door.

Laundry Sherping: when you have to hire a guide to climb all the laundry piles even though you do 25 loads a day.

Nuggetpalooza: the only thing your kid will eat.

Fancy Nuggetpalooza: nuggets that come in the shape of a dinosaur.

Power Nap Battle: the ability to take a quick nap while a Hot Wheels car is hitting you in the face.

Inside Voices: still screaming but inside.

Now we’re going to get really deep into the weeds:

Barbie Surprise: when one of the kids threw a Barbie in the air fryer without you noticing it, and then you ran the fryer for 15 minutes at 350°F. You still serve the Barbie-dinner, though, rather than cook yet another meal.

Retirement Plan: hoping that your kids will build a shed in their backyard that you can live in, next to the lawn mower.

The Robinson Crusoe: when the week has been so hard that you wonder how you can get shipwrecked for about a month.

Getting Banksy’ed: when permanent makers are really, really permanent, and you consider cutting the sheetrock to sell it for millions because your little one is a genius.

Game of Thrones: any adult show that is not Disney-affiliated and has at least one swear word.

Transfer of Power: when you can transfer a napping child from the car to the crib without waking them up. More legend than fact, it only happens once a century or so.

A Metal Lullaby: to keep your sanity, you sing lullabies based on Metallica and Rage Against the Machine because you can’t take “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes” anymore.

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

Print vs. Digital: A Comedy

Before Ben Bromley was a playwright, he was a newspaper columnist. So when he created Fishwrap, a comedy about the struggles of a hometown paper in the digital age, he was writing from experience. Bromley’s zany characters—a nerdy science reporter, hypochondriac office manager, and chronically disheveled editor—will be brought to life when the Lake County Theatre Company performs the play at Soper Reese Theatre in Lakeport. Shows will be held March 31–April 16 at 7 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and at 2 p.m. on April 2 and 16. Tickets are $25 and may be purchased at tinyurl.com/yf7ns4rr

Have a Whale of a Good Time

Every year, momma gray whales and their calves travel north, up from Baja to nutrient-rich Arctic waters. What that means for local humans is that spring is prime whale-watching time. The Mendocino Coast celebrates with whale festivals in Little River, Mendocino, and Fort Bragg. Activities include guided whale walks on March 4 at the Mendocino Headlands in Mendocino and on March 11 at Spring Ranch in Little River, as well as a March 10 campfire program at Van Damme Beach in Little River. For moms and dads and others 21 and older, there’s the Downtown Wine Walk on March 18 in Fort Bragg, and Little River’s Bloody Mary Competition on March 12. For details about Mendocino and Little River activities, go to mendoparks. org/whale-festivals and for Fort Bragg, mendocinocoast. com/fort-bragg-whale-festival

EMPHASIZING THE 8 CORE VIRTUES & EXCELLENT ACADEMICS

DEVELOPING GLOBAL AWARENESS& AN APPRECIATION OF ONE'S INHERENT SPIRITUAL WISDOM KINDNESS FAIRNESS INTEGRITY HUMILITY RESPECT CITIZENSHIP FILIAL PIETY TRUSTWORTHINESS

Fishwrap