mendo lake August 2015
Farm to School Local food for kids
New Konocti School The arts are back!
Kinetic Carnivale Back-2-School Help kids chill out
Steampunk fun!
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August 2015
Every Issue
10 Features 8 A Star Is Born Konocti opens new magnet arts school.
6
Dear Reader
7
Bits and Pieces Eyes on Local Art Learn about a Hero Up, Up & Away!
22 Calendar of Events
22
Round Up Some Fun
29 Vaccines a Must
10 Food Revolution Farm to School programs introduce local produce to kids.
to Attend School
30 Humor Break
12 Back-to-School Serenity Strategies How to help kids keep their cool.
14 2015–16 School Calendars All the important dates in one place.
16 No More Mean Girls Protect your daughter from covert aggression.
14
18 Time for a Checkup What to expect at a sports physical.
20 Full Steam Ahead! The Willits Kinetic Carnivale re-imagines history.
4 MendoLakeFamilyLife
20
August 2015 www.mendolakefamilylife.com
Lakeview HEALTH CENTER
Dear Reader
I
t’s back-to-school time! And Lake and Mendocino Counties’ schools have a lot of good stuff in store for students, including Konocti Unified School District’s new magnet school, the Sharon Gowan Publisher/Editor Konocti School of Sharon@family-life.us the Arts, which will offer an arts-centered education to fourth through eighth graders. Read “A Star Is Born” (page 8) to find out how the community and district worked together to bring the school into being.
Serenity Strategies” (page 12) for tips on helping them calm down. If your daughter, especially, is worried about being bullied by her peers, read “No More Mean Girls” (page 16) for ways she can protect herself and stay kind.
Meanwhile, Ukiah Unified School District will be working on introducing kids to more vital, locally grown food, such as Gowan Orchard’s apples, thanks to the Farm to School program. Discover how the program works in “Food Revolution” (page 10).
If you want to make sure that summer ends with some imaginative family fun, go to the steampunk-inspired Willits Kinetic Carnivale and Grand Ball. See “Full Steam Ahead!” (page 20) for details.
Office Manager
If you’re secretly thrilled that summer break will soon be over, you aren’t alone. Local mom and humor writer Holly Hester knows how you feel. Her article “I’m Free!” (page 30) has some hilarious ideas for spending precious kid-free time.
Renee Nutcher renee@family-life.us
Patricia Ramos patty@family-life.us
Business Marketing
Jolie Cook jolie@family-life.us Marie Anderson marie@family-life.us
We hope your family’s last days of summer are filled with joy and exhilaration, and that the first day of school bursts with exciting potential.
Features Editor Melissa Chianta melissa@family-life.us
Production Manager
If your kids are feeling anxious about the first day of school, read “Back-to-School
Donna Bogener production@family-life.us
Calendar Patricia Ramos
Contributing Writers
Join our Growing Professional Team Visit our website for job opportunities
Holly Hester Christina Katz Joanne Neft
Billing Jan Wasson-Smith
Publishing Office 134 Lystra Court, Suite A Santa Rosa, CA 95403
Competitive Salary Great Health Benefits
Tel (707) 586-9562 Fax (707) 586-9571
Professional Development Collaboration Time $500 Classroom Budget
Discover more about how we are elevating student learning at www.konoctiusd.org
707-994-6475 6 MendoLakeFamilyLife
August 2015 www.mendolakefamilylife.com
Bits & Pieces
Eyes on Local Art
G The Art in the Redwoods Festival in Gualala features glass art.
et your daily dose of beauty at the Art in the Redwoods Festival at the Gualala Arts Center in Gualala on August 15. Let a painting or photograph capture your eye, be enchanted by a piece of sculpture or glass art, imagine how a piece of handmade jewelry might look on you, or be amazed by the intricate pattern of a woven textile. While the festival offers treats for the eye, the Gualala Arts Culinary Group will be tantalizing palates with grilled eats, salads, and soups. The festival runs August 15, 10 a.m.–5 p.m., and August 16, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Admission is $6, free for ages 17 and under. For an additional $10 (free for ages 17 and under), you can attend the Champagne Preview and get a sneak peak of artists’ outdoor booths, 4–6 p.m., and the fine art exhibit, 4:30–7 p.m. To find out more, see gualalaarts.org. ¶
Learn about a Hero
I
f you want your daughter to have powerful female role models, you don’t have to took look much farther than Malala Yousafzai, whose autobiography, I Am Malala (Back Bay Books, 2015), will be the topic of a book discussion group for teens and adults at the Ukiah Library on August 8 at 11 a.m. The youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, Yousafzai champions the rights of all children, especially girls, to education. For more information about the group, call 467-6434 or e-mail carrm@ co.mendocino.ca.us. ¶
www.mendolakefamilylife.com
Up, Up & Away!
D
o your kids have a fascination with things that fly? Take them to see the small, old planes on display at the 15th Annual Boonville Aviation Knowledge and Folklore Convention, aka Airport Day, on August 8 at the Boonville Airport in Boonville. Festivities, which are free, begin at noon, with a potluck dinner at 5 p.m. Bring your favorite dish; drinks will be provided. Dogs are allowed, but leave your little buddy on a leash. For more information, call Cindy or Kirk at 895-2949. ¶ August 2015
MendoLakeFamilyLife 7
A Star Is Born A
Konocti Launches New School for the Arts
ll kids need a place to express their creativity. The new Konocti Unified School District magnet school, the Konocti School for the Arts, in Clearlake, aims to be that place by giving kids the chance to explore in depth the visual and performing arts. The school, which will offer an arts-centered education to students in grades 4–8, is an invention born out of necessity. It came to be as a result of a confluence of unexpected events and a little bit of luck. The first of these was an elementary enrollment growth spurt; the number of incoming students had exceeded the space to house them. To address the situation, the district held 18 community meetings and 8 MendoLakeFamilyLife
Konocti Education Center
asked parents, teachers, and students to weigh in with their ideas. The community’s solution was clear: They wanted a new magnet school, and one that would focus on the arts. Now for the luck part: The district had already received a grant to reopen the
The community had asked for an arts magnet school and the logical response was a resounding, “Yes!” old Oak Hill Middle School, which had closed several years ago, to serve as the campus for the new Konocti Health Magnet School. The health magnet school didn’t need the entire structure to operate, which meant the arts school could take up the empty space. There were even practice rooms available. In addition, the district had already been discussing turning the cafeteria/
multipurpose room of the old school into a performing arts center for the larger community. “We had already worked with architects on how to put a stage in there, and upgrade the facilities,” says Konocti Unified School District Superintendent Donna Becnel. And the old school building itself “just needed to be cleaned, painted, and updated.” It all made sense. The community had asked for an arts magnet school and, with the room to house one and a performance venue already in the works, the logical response was a resounding, “Yes!” The refurbishment almost complete, the school is ready for students. Classes in core subjects—English, math, science, and social studies—will resemble those taught in a regular school, but with an important difference. Lessons will be infused with information about, and the works of, authors, artists, actors, and
August 2015 www.mendolakefamilylife.com
musicians. For instance, the novel assigned for English class won’t be a curriculum staple, but rather one on a topic related to the arts. After morning core classes are out of the way, the second half of the day will be devoted entirely to the arts. Students will take classes in any of a number of disciplines: visual arts, drama, instrumental and vocal music, and, once a teacher is hired, dance. The staff includes both teachers new to the district and veterans who have simply transferred from another school. Some will even be teaching at both the health and the arts magnet schools—an advantage of placing two schools on one campus, which is now named the Konocti Education Center.
Take, for instance, Allan Fischer, an English teacher who is also very involved with the Lake County Theater Company. Instead of teaching English
“We have a lot of talented students in the district and in the county who are looking for a place to really express themselves.” —Donna Becnel
“We have a lot of talented students in the district and in the county who are looking for a place to really express themselves,” says Becnel.
Students will put on concerts and shows in the 600-seat performing arts space, the Cornelison Event Center,
With the opening of the Konocti School for the Arts, they have a place to do just that. ¶
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at Lower Lake High School, where he has been working, he will teach English at the health magnet school and drama at the school for the arts.
(707) 463-7080 1031 N. State St.
which will have its grand opening at the end of September— just in time for Konocti Unified School District to host a number of events in honor of its 50th anniversary. Members of the community also will be able to rent out the center for concerts or presentations.
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August 2015
Mendocino Ballet
Food Revolution Cafeterias Go Local with Farm to School Programs
W
hile most public school students in the country are suffering through lunches of limp lettuce and canned fruit, kids in Mendocino County school districts will be dining on fresh locally grown food, thanks to Farm to School programs.
Funded by federal and state grants, as well as community contributions, the Farm to School programs in Mendocino County are in various stages of development. For instance, the Fort Bragg Unified School District (FBUSD) program has been running for almost ten years, while the Ukiah Unified School District (UUSD) program is still getting its sea legs. 10 MendoLakeFamilyLife
As part of the Farm to School program, students from Eagle Peak Middle School in Redwood Valley harvested fava beans at the Grange Farm School south of Willits.
The food suppliers for the programs are local farmers, such as Gowan Orchards, and school gardens, which are often where kids get their first taste of a just-picked vegetable—an experience they seem to want again and again. The Fort Bragg High School Learning Garden provides produce for FBUSD year-round. Meanwhile, the new hydroponics building at Ukiah High School and greenhouses throughout UUSD have the potential to regularly grow food for lunches. Together with local farmers, Ukiah High School’s two greenhouses already have provided kale for a salad at one special lunch. “We’re headed in the right direction,” UUSD Food Service Director Jim Stuart says. Stuart notes that, before UUSD can regularly source food from school gardens, there are kinks that have
to be worked out, such as staffing gardens during the summer, when students are on break. There are also challenges to overcome when it comes to buying food from farmers. According to Stuart, some farmers are used to selling to individuals at farmers markets and don’t understand how to price their product for an institution. And then there is the problem of the sheer numbers of farmers with whom a buyer has to connect. “If a food service director is committed to buying local, he or she may have to have relationships with 10 or 15 farmers to source all their produce, and that’s just not possible,” says Megan Watson, the Farm to School program coordinator at North Coast Opportunities (NCO), a nonprofit that helps facilitate the multifaceted local Farm to School programs. A solution for streamlining farmer-buyer
August 2015 www.mendolakefamilylife.com
relationships is the brand-new Mendo Lake Food Hub, an online warehouse, which NCO helped to create, that allows buyers like Stuart to see farmers’ inventory all in one place. Once food is successfully purchased from a farmer, Stuart says, there are other hurdles to climb over, such as making sure the staff has been properly trained to use the equipment necessary to process the produce. For instance, in order to prepare sliced apples, food service workers, most of whom have not had formal culinary training, need to learn how to use a knife efficiently as well as special equipment for slicing food. Stuart says these are not skills they would most likely need in what is called the “heat and serve” approach to school food, wherein a package of food is taken out of box, put on an oven tray, heated, and then given to children. Of course, going to all the effort of accessing, preparing, and serving local food doesn’t mean anything if students aren’t interested in eating it.
to Watson, such lessons are a critical component of making local food appealing to kids. Fort Bragg Nutrition Services Director Pilar Gray agrees. “You can’t just put it on a tray; they’ve got to learn about it, too,” she asserts. Gray promotes local food by putting up signs when produce from the school garden is featured in a meal. She finds that kids are very eager to eat what they themselves have helped produce.
Kids often get their first taste of a just-picked vegetable at a school garden. “If they’ve helped grow it, they are more likely to eat it,” she observes. Perhaps the most important ingredient to a successful Farm to School program is people who are passionate about local food and committed to giving kids access to it. Both Stuart and Gray fit the bill.
“They are taking on extra work because they believe in giving higher-quality meals to their students. They believe in supporting the local economy and local farmers. Basically, they believe it’s worth it,” Watson says. After ten years of work, Gray is seeing the fruits of her labors: Kids’ tastes transformed with the bite of a fresh carrot and students rushing to get their vegetables at lunchtime. Stuart hopes for a future like that, too. “If I do my job right, we’ll be seeing healthier looking kids in our area in the next 10–15 years,” he says. While teaching kids to eat in a way that supports their bodies is definitely a victory, Watson says the real triumph is showing them that they matter. “Every kid deserves the best our community has to offer,” she asserts. And the Farm to School programs aim to give it to them. With each apple sliced and kale salad dressed, every child is sent the message: You are worth it. ¶
Enter Local Food Days and the Harvest of the Month Program.
Located in Beautiful, Little Lake Valley of Willits
During Local Food Days, which are facilitated by Watson, area produce is featured on the school lunch menu. The day is promoted with posters, announcements, and even an occasional skit. Meanwhile, the Harvest of the Month Program, a countywide venture funded by various sources, brings samples of local food to classrooms. The produce is prepared at the school, and a nutrition lesson is taught when the samples are distributed. According www.mendolakefamilylife.com
• Small Class Sizes • Personal Attention to each student
A Christ-Centered Education Adventist Christian School of Willits
• A Safe Place to Grow
A Journey to Excellence Participant School 707-459-4333 • www.willitssdaschool.com
Christian Education to the children of this area for 50 years.
August 2015
MendoLakeFamilyLife 11
Back-to-School
Serenity Strategies Seven Ways to Calm Anxious Kids
By Christina Katz
I
f your child is naturally shy, introverted, or resistant to change, you probably won’t be surprised when back-to-school anxiety crops up a few weeks before school starts.
And what if your typically fearless, hyper-social child suddenly starts to exhibit angry outbursts or impulsive restlessness a couple of weeks before school starts? Could this be a sign of back-to-school anxiety? Certainly. Transitions can be hard for children at any age, especially for kids who have trouble managing change. Sometimes the unknown can cause children with lively imaginations to picture the worst. 12 MendoLakeFamilyLife
And elementary-school aged children are growing and developing in leaps and bounds, which can often throw physical, mental, and emotional behaviors into an unexpected tizzy. Here are seven ways to soothe anxious feelings before they become overwhelming.
Transitions can be hard for children at any age, especially for kids who have trouble managing change. Ask about feelings. Don’t assume your children are totally fine unless they say so. And even then, ask some questions. Try to offer a variety of feelings for your children to choose from. Say things like, “When kids start school they sometimes feel excited, nervous, anxious, scared, or
overwhelmed. What are you feeling?” Being able to express and describe the experience can often take the edge off. If kids say they are fine, gently question them until you get a more detailed response. Paint a picture. Take advantage of school tours and meet-the-teacher days to help your children know what to expect. Talk to your children about how nice and orderly school is. Describe how teachers and administrators are in charge, and how a scheduled routine will be followed. Make sure your children know whom to talk to if they have a problem or concern. Assuring your children that there is a plan and steady leadership in place can help them relax. If they feel panicky, reassure them that they will quickly catch on to school routines, and then when you come to visit, they will be able to show you the ropes.
August 2015 www.mendolakefamilylife.com
Sonoma County Airport Keep the teacher informed. If your children are seriously struggling with anxiety beyond what might be considered first-day jitters, keep their teachers in the loop. Teachers are trained to handle every kind of situation that may come up in the classroom. And your children might respond more positively to input from adults other than their parents. If the situation does not improve after the first-day hurdle is cleared, consider getting a school counselor involved as well.
Focus on the positive. Even if your kids are nervous about starting school, they are also probably looking forward to some aspects of the experience. What about seeing their friends every day? Taking the bus? Perusing libraries full of books? Do what you can to “prime the positive” for the first few weeks. Offer a special school snack, a chance to watch a www.mendolakefamilylife.com
Be extra calm yourself. If you are contending with your own anxiety about sending your children off to school, discuss your feelings with understanding adults, out of earshot of your children. Remind yourself that your children are resilient and strong, and will adjust to change just fine with support. If you are too quick to jump in and mediate every situation, you might be interfering with their opportunity to see what they can do for themselves. So be there, be calm, but don’t hover. Model a you-can-do-it attitude, even if it’s not the way you actually feel in the moment. Life is full of ups and downs and so is school. Letting your child experience academic challenges and victories will build character and healthy self-esteem. Enjoy surfing the waves together! ¶ Christina Katz has shed her fair share of tears after dropping her daughter off for her first days of school. Sometimes the tears surprised her, but eventually she didn’t need them any longer.
August 2015
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Prepare the launch pad. Your children will be comforted by tasks that prepare them for school. Resist the urge to do everything for them or try and shield them from the preparation process. Together you can gather lunch-making necessities, shop for school supplies, and select school clothes. These are all concrete tasks that can bring anxious children back down to earth. Why not create a preparation checklist for all of you, and tick tasks off as they are completed?
Practice the new routine. The week before school starts is an important time for rehearsing the new schedule. Get your children to bed earlier, wake them up at the appropriate school-day time, and feed them well. Then, before you send them off to play or do chores, say, “If today were a school day, it would be time to go to the bus stop.” Post the daily school-day schedule and go over it with them as the big day draws near.
©P N
Model a you-can-do-it attitude, even if it’s not the way you actually feel in the moment.
favorite show right after they get home, or a daily call to Grandma to share their adventures.
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MendoLakeFamilyLife 13
2015-16 School Calendars Lake County
First Day
Thanksgiving
Winter Break Presidents Days Spring Break
Last Day Other Days Off
Kelseyville Unified
Sept. 8
Nov. 23–27
Dec. 21–Jan. 1
Feb. 15
Mar. 28–Apr. 1
June 17
Nov. 11, Jan. 18, May 30
Konocti Unified
Aug. 12
Nov. 26–27
Dec. 21–Jan. 1
Feb. 15, 22
Mar. 28–Apr. 1
May 27
Sept. 7, Nov. 11, Jan. 18
Lake County International
Aug. 18
Nov. 23–27
Dec. 21–Jan. 1
Feb. 15–19
Mar. 28–Apr. 1
June 11
Sept. 7, Nov. 11, Jan. 18, May 30
Lakeport Unified
Aug. 13
Nov. 23–27
Dec. 21–Jan. 1
Feb. 12, 15 Mar. 28–Apr. 1
May 27
Sept. 4, 7, Oct. 12, Nov. 11, Jan. 18
Lucerne Elementary
Aug. 12
Nov. 23–27
Dec. 21–Jan. 1
Feb. 12, 15
Mar. 28–Apr. 1
May 26
Sept. 7, Oct. 9, Nov. 11, Jan. 18
Middletown Unified
Aug. 11
Nov. 23–27
Dec. 21–Jan. 1
Feb. 15–19. Mar. 28–Apr. 1
May 27
Sept. 7, Nov. 11, Jan. 18
Upper Lake Elementary
Aug. 12
Nov. 23–27
Dec. 21–Jan. 1
Feb. 8, 15
Mar. 28–Apr. 1
May 26
Sept. 7, Oct. 9, Nov. 11, Jan. 18
Upper Lake Union High
Aug. 12
Nov. 23–27
Dec. 21–Jan. 4
Feb. 8, 15
Mar. 28–Apr. 1
May 27
Sept. 7, Oct. 9, Nov. 11, Jan. 18, Mar. 11
A Brighter Future “Happier, excited to go to school and motivated to excel.”
G
Tree of Life Charter School
Orientation August 25 High School Spaces Available. La Vida 707-459-6344 Charter 16201 Hwy 101, Ukiah School lavidaschool.org 14 MendoLakeFamilyLife
ive your child a joyful learning experience full of discovery with: Beautiful hands-on learning materials, lessons, & projects Exploration of own interests & abilities Experiential learning with field trips, arts Respectful and caring learning community Environmental and global education
Free Montessori elementary education for ages 5 to 12 Call for more information or to arrange a visit:
Education
707-462-0913
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treeoflifeschool@pacific.net www.treeoflifeschool.net
Life!
August 2015 www.mendolakefamilylife.com
Mendocino County
First Day
Thanksgiving
Winter Break Presidents Days Spring Break
Anderson Valley Unified
Aug. 24
Nov. 25–27
Dec. 14–Jan. 1
Feb. 15
Mar. 28–Apr. 1
June 9
Sept. 7, 21, Nov. 11, Jan. 18, May 30
Arena Union Elementary
Aug. 24
Nov. 26–27
Dec. 21–Jan. 1
Feb. 15–19
Apr. 1–8
June 10
Sept. 7, Nov. 11, Jan. 18, May 30
Fort Bragg Unified
Aug. 17
Nov. 23–27
Dec. 21–Jan. 1
Feb. 12–19
Apr. 11–15
June 10
Sept. 7, Oct. 12–16, Nov. 11, Jan. 18, May 30
Laytonville Unified
Aug. 24
Nov. 23–27
Dec. 21–Jan. 1
Feb. 8, 15
Mar. 25–Apr. 1
June 9
Sept. 7, Nov. 11, Jan. 18, May 20, 30
Manchester Union
Aug. 27
Nov. 23–27
Dec. 21–Jan. 1
Feb. 15–19
Apr. 4–8
June 10
Sept. 7, Nov. 11, Jan. 18, May 30
Mendocino Unified
Sept. 1
Nov. 23–27
Dec. 21–Jan. 1
Feb. 15–19
Apr. 11–15
June 17
Sept. 7, Nov. 11, Jan. 18, May 30
Point Arena Joint Union
Aug. 24
Nov. 23–27
Dec. 21–Jan. 1
Feb. 15–19
Apr. 4–8
June 10
Sept. 7, Nov. 11, Jan. 18, May 30
Potter Valley Community
Aug. 27
Nov. 23–27
Dec. 21–Jan. 1
Feb. 12, 15
Mar. 28–Apr. 1
June 9
Sept. 7, Nov. 11, Jan. 18, May 30
Round Valley Unified
Aug. 19
Nov. 23–27
Dec. 21–Jan. 1
Feb. 15–19
Mar. 28–Apr. 1
June 10
Sept. 7, Nov. 11, Jan. 18, May 30
Ukiah Unified
Aug. 24
Nov. 23–27
Dec. 18–Jan. 1
Feb. 12, 15
Mar. 25–Apr. 1
June 9
Sept. 7, Nov. 11, Jan. 18, May 30
Willits Unified
Aug. 24
Nov. 23–27
Dec. 21–Jan. 1
Feb. 15–16
Apr. 1–8
June 8
Sept. 7, Nov. 11, Jan. 18, May 30
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MendoLakeFamilyLife 15
No More Mean Girls How to Raise a Kind Kid
“K
Sound familiar? Mean girls are everywhere. They pop up as early as kindergarten, and usually by the fourth grade. Whether friends or acquaintances, their brand of covert aggression can include gossip, backstabbing, and harsh judgments. When we face these kinds of behaviors, we also face an uncomfortable reality: There is not 16 MendoLakeFamilyLife
Define meanness. Rudeness, meanness, and bullying can be defined in different ways. Meanness is intentionally hurtful, as opposed to rudeness, which is unintentionally hurtful; bullying is intentionally
Advise your daughter to step back from emotionally charged situations.
By Christina Katz
aren always says the dumbest things. Only losers would hang out with her.”
One more girl setting an example of how to be kind and emotionally intelligent, despite being pressured by peers to do otherwise, can help turn the tide. Here are six crucial ways parents can help middle schoolers to cultivate kindness and protect themselves from mean girls.
much we can do to stop other kids from being mean. We can report the behavior to their parents or to school or organization authorities, but that’s about it. We can, however, stop mean-girl behavior from developing in our own daughters. If parents can encourage their daughters to stay open, vulnerable, and in touch with their feelings no matter what, we might be able to dismantle the mean-girl time bomb that ticks silently away inside every girl, just waiting to go off when that girl is pushed too far.
and consistently hurtful. Teach your daughter how to differentiate between these behaviors, especially how to tell the difference between someone who is consistently and purposefully mean, and someone who simply makes a mistake. Make sure your child understands that it’s okay to make mistakes, and that you expect her to be kind regardless of circumstances. Encourage self-acceptance over popularity. Left to their own devices, kids will always decide that being popular is better than being just one in the crowd. In middle school, popularity is perceived as power, and kids instinctively hunger for it. Make sure you don’t secretly hope your child will be one of the popular kids. If you do, you may inadvertently encourage her to value how others perceive her more than how she feels about herself, and this can lead to low self-esteem. If you accept and like your daughter as
August 2015 www.mendolakefamilylife.com
she is, she will be more likely to accept and like herself—no matter what anyone else thinks of her. A girl who is nice to herself is more likely to be nice to others—and to bounce back from hurtful words. Teach how to detach from drama. Advise your daughter to step back from emotionally charged situations. Girl vendettas are common in middle school and
In middle school, popularity is perceived as power, and kids instinctively hunger for it. can ignite for the slightest reasons. When such a situation erupts, your daughter may empathize with one or both girls and inadvertently get sucked into a feud. Encourage her to avoid taking sides. Teach her to listen to the facts and form her own opinion without getting involved in any drama. Be her safe harbor. Authentic self-expression can be a struggle for teen girls. Let your daughter know she can be honest and real with you, even if she is having trouble saying to her peers what she really means. Don’t give in to the common misperception that teenagers need to be left alone. She may push you away and not want to talk as much as she used to, but your middle schooler needs help navigating her brave new social world. If you expect her to do it on her own, she is going to feel stressed and look for friends who can help her take the edge off. You have to be there every day, listening and responsive, whenever she wants to talk. www.mendolakefamilylife.com
Keep your negativity in check. When confronted with a challenging situation, your daughter will intuitively imitate the way you behave. If you project negativity onto others, she is going to learn to do the same. If you are insecure, she will be insecure. If you are superior and competitive with others, she will follow suit. If you judge and condemn...I am sure you get the picture. You can’t hold your daughter accountable for her attitudes and actions if you are not accountable for yours. Be sure you set a good example, or your daughter’s behavior may end up reflecting your least appealing qualities. Reinforce and challenge your daughter’s strengths. Girls who are confident about their positive
qualities are less likely to become mean or to fall prey to a mean girl’s attacks; they can shrug off a negative encounter and easily bounce back. So make sure you often point out your daughter’s strengths and give her opportunities to use her gifts in your community. If you focus only on her weaknesses, she is going to believe she is a walking, talking pile of “not good enough”—fertile ground for either becoming, or being a victim of, a mean girl. Follow these six points, and you will have a good shot at raising a kind and confident daughter who is never the target of a mean girl. ¶ Christina Katz and her teen daughter enjoy watching chick flicks, going out to eat, shopping, and talking about life.
Empowering Reads For Parents Michelle Anthony and Reyna Lindert, Little Girls Can Be Mean: Four Steps to Bully-proof Girls in the Early Grades
(St. Martin’s Griffin, 2010). Rachel Simmons, Odd Girl Out: The Hidden Culture of Aggression in Girls (Mariner Books, 2011). Rosalind Wiseman, Queen Bees and Wannabes: Helping Your Daughter Survive Cliques, Gossip, Boyfriends, and the New Realities of Girl World (Harmony, 2009). For Kids Patti Kelley Criswell, A Smart Girl’s Guide: Friendship Troubles: Dealing With Fights, Being Left Out, and the Whole Popularity Thing (American Girl, 2013). Patti Kelley Criswell, A Smart Girl’s Guide to Knowing What to Say (American Girl, 2011). Patti Kelley Criswell, Stand Up for Yourself and Your Friends: Dealing with Bullies and Bossiness and Finding a Better Way (American Girl, 2009). Nancy Holyoke, A Smart Girl’s Guide: Drama, Rumors & Secrets: Staying True to Yourself in Changing Times (American Girl, 2015).
August 2015
MendoLakeFamilyLife 17
such as asthma, diabetes, or epilepsy • previous hospitalizations or surgeries • allergies (to insect bites, for example) • past injuries (including concussions, sprains, or bone fractures)
Time for a Theof aABCs Sports Checkup Physical Y
ou know that playing sports helps keep kids fit and are a fun way for them to socialize and make friends. But you might not know why the physicals kids may have to take at the beginning of their sports season are so important.
About Sports Physicals In the sports medicine field, the sports physical exam—or preparticipation physical examination (PPE)—helps determine whether it’s safe for a kid 18 MendoLakeFamilyLife
to participate in a particular sport. Most states actually require that kids and teens have sports physicals before they can start a new sport or begin a new competitive season. But even if PPEs aren’t required, doctors still highly recommend getting one. The two main parts to a sports physical are the medical history and the physical exam. Medical History This part of the exam includes questions about: • serious illnesses among family members • illnesses that kids had when they were younger or may have now,
• whether the child has ever passed out, felt dizzy, had chest pain, or had trouble breathing during exercise • any medications taken (including over-the-counter medications, herbal supplements, and prescription medications) The medical history questions are usually on a form that you’ll fill out with your child. Looking at patterns of illness in a family is a good indicator of any potential conditions kids might have. Most sports medicine doctors believe the medical history is the most important part of the sports physical exam, so take time to answer the questions carefully. It’s unlikely that any health conditions your child has will prevent him or her from playing sports completely. Physical Examination During the physical part of the exam, the doctor will usually: • record height and weight • take a blood pressure and pulse (heart rate and rhythm) reading • test your child’s vision
August 2015 www.mendolakefamilylife.com
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Although most aspects of the exam will be the same for males and females, the doctor may ask girls and guys different questions if they’ve started or already gone through puberty. For example, if a girl is heavily involved in a lot of
It’s unlikely that any health conditions your child has will prevent him or her from playing sports completely. active sports, the doctor may ask her about her period and diet to make sure she doesn’t have something like female athlete triad, a condition that can involve disordered eating, amenorrhea, and osteoporosis.
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A doctor will also ask questions about use of drugs, alcohol, or dietary supplements, including steroids or other “performance enhancers” and weight-loss supplements, because these can affect a person’s health. At the end of the exam, the doctor will either fill out and sign a form if everything checks out OK or, in some cases, recommend a follow-up exam, additional tests, or specific treatment for medical problems. ¶
Discover more about how we are elevating student learning at www.konoctiusd.org
This article reprinted with permission by the Nemours Foundation. © The Nemours Foundation/KidsHealth
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707-994-6475 August 2015
MendoLakeFamilyLife 19
Kinetic Carnivale Brings Steampunk to Willits
Full Steam Ahead!
B
Revelers at the Willits Kinetic Carnivale
owler hats, corsets, and handcars are making a come back, thanks to the steampunk movement. Celebrate them all—and learn about local history—at the Fourth Annual Willits Kinetic Carnivale and Grand Ball on August 22, 10 a.m.–7 p.m. (ball 7 p.m.–1 a.m.), and August 23, 10 a.m.–5 p.m., at the Mendocino County Museum in Willits.
stumble upon the Gypsy Time Travelers, who tell stories with the help of a blacksmith and a Land Yacht—a kind of mini-castle on wheels that boasts two turrets and a functional water wheel.
In case you aren’t in the know, steampunk is a movement in which people create clothing, art, and vehicles based on a fantastically re-imagined era of steam-powered machinery. Festivalgoers are encouraged to wear costumes. But if you don’t have one, don’t worry. You can build your own right at the carnivale (or opt out all together). Buy steampunk clothing and accessories on site, or make your own fascinator hats and goggles at the festival’s Make-and-Take stations. You can even download a Steampunk Costume Guide from kineticcarnivale.com. As you walk around the festival grounds, you may be entertained by a roaming member of Circus Maximus or 20 MendoLakeFamilyLife
One of the big draws of the festival is the handcar race. Pedal-powered contraptions once used to maintain the tracks, handcars become vehicles of self-expression at the carnivale. In previous years, they have been constructed from a repurposed red velvet couch, festooned with a giant pineapple, and transformed into a yellow submarine. You can watch this year’s outlandish entries race on August 22, 1–3 p.m., at the Skunk Train Depot. If you have kids in tow, be sure to visit the Whimsy Circus, an area dedicated to out-of the-ordinary children’s activities and games. At the Rivalry Regatta, kids can propel floating plastic toy boats with just a spray of water from a bottle. “It sounds simple, but it was a huge hit last year,” says Mendocino County Museum volunteer Neeka Aguirre. “People get very excited about winning.” After the boat race, kids can dig for gems and dinosaur bones hidden in a big box of sand at the Archeology Station. Or
August 2015 www.mendolakefamilylife.com
they can mosey on over to the T&T Balloon Pop, grab a bike pump, and compete to be the first one to blow up a balloon.
you can also learn about the history that has inspired the steampunk movement. The museum’s steam engine exhibit and the carnivale’s antique stopwatch and vintage sewing machine displays make it easy.
After your tour of the Whimsy Circus, take a waltz or swing dance lesson (available to all ages) or hop on the Big Swing, a four-poster bed rigged up to be a very cushy ride. If you find yourself a bit overwhelmed by all the activity, escape to the Tea Room, where young costumed gentlemen will serve you and the kids a free hot or iced tea while you listen to a lecture on life in the Victorian era.
For Mendocino County Museum Director Alison Glassey, holding the carnivale at the museum seems only natural.
Go to the Whimsy Circus, take a waltz or swing dance lesson, or ride on the Big Swing.
“The Mendocino County Museum is all about bringing history to life,” she says. “Dressing up in steampunk style, seeing how the vintage sewing machine works, coming together as a community, dancing, listening to music—that’s all part of people connecting to history, and making it more real.”
While the carnivale certainly promises to entertain, the Grand Ball features the real showstoppers— belly dancers, aerialists, and fire dancers as well as a flame-spewing motorcycle. There will also be live music and vintage movies shown outside on a projection screen. There are steampunk events all over the country, but the Willits Kinetic Carnivale is unique because it’s held in a museum. This means that while you are having a good time,
So dress up in your best fascinator hat and make history your own at the Fourth Annual Willits Kinetic Carnivale and Grand Ball. Tickets for the carnivale range from $5–$10, $30–$35 for the Grand Ball, and are available at kineticcarnivale.com. ¶
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August 2015
MendoLakeFamilyLife 21
August
Calendar of Events Round Up Some Fun
E
verything from animals to art will be on display at the Redwood Empire Fair, which will be held August 6–9 at the Redwood Empire Fairgrounds in Ukiah. Take thrill-seekers to amusement rides, animal lovers to oh-so-cute bunnies, and nature enthusiasts to garden displays. Kids who like things that go Vrrrooom will dig the Motorsports Action (free with admission), and everyone will love dancing to live music. Hours are August 6 and 7, 3 p.m.–midnight; August 8, noon–midnight; and August 9, noon–11 p.m. Admission is $9 for adults, and $7 for kids ages 6–12 and seniors 65 and over. (Kids and seniors get free admission on August 6, 3–6 p.m.) Parking is $7. For more information, see redwoodempirefair.com. ¶
Saturday 1 FREE Ukiah Bicycle Kitchen. A friendly, local bicycle cooperative. Volunteers show patrons how to maintain & repair their bicycles. No one turned away for lack of funds. Saturdays. 10:30 a.m.–1 p.m. Alex R. Thomas Plaza. 310 State St., Ukiah. visitukiah.com. FREE Summer Writing Workshop.
For students grades 6–12. Saturdays. 10 a.m.–noon. Lakeport Library.
1425 N. High St., Lakeport. 263-8817. library.lakecountyca.gov. Broadway & Beyond Fundraiser.
The Ukiah Symphony will accompany Randy Roberts, professional female impersonator, as he pays tribute to the famous ladies of the stage & silver screen. Proceeds benefit the Ukiah Symphony. Adults $25. $30 at door. Ages 18 & under $5. Doors 5:30 p.m. Concert 7:30 p.m. No pets. Nelson Family Vineyards. 550 Nelson Ranch Rd., Ukiah. 462-0236. ukiahsymphony.org.
6th Annual Grillin’ on the Green BBQ Competition Cook-off. Live
music, children’s activities & vintage car show. Proceeds benefit Westside Community Park Development. Adults $25. Ages 5–12 $10. Children 4 & under free. 5–8 p.m. Westside Community Park. 1401 Westside Park Rd., Lakeport. 263-7091. lakeportmainstreet.com. FREE First Saturday Summer Trunk Tour. Shop for super junk, collectibles,
antiques & oddities starting at the
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High St. Village parking lot at 1855 N. Main St. then cruising Lakeshore Blvd. to the Nice-Lucerne cutoff & checking out Ludwig Art Studio, Clarks Collectibles & the Lunchbox Museum at 3674 E. Hwy. 29. 8 a.m.–1 p.m. Lakeport. 262-1967. dandylyons0057@ sbcglobal.net. lakeportmainstreet.com. Beginner Bird Walk. Walk is free, but must pay admission to gardens (reduced price). Saturdays. 9 a.m. Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens. 18220 N. Hwy. 1, Fort Bragg. 964-4352. gardenbythesea.org.
Wednesday 5 FREE Kids’ Farmers Market. Kids
bring their homegrown flowers, garden produce, eggs & garden-made items to the library & sell them for fun & a bit of profit. Noon–2 p.m. Ukiah Library. 105 N. Main St., Ukiah. 467-4634. co.mendocino.ca.us/library.
FREE Mendocino County Museum.
First Wed. of each month. 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 400 E. Commercial St., Willits. 459-2736. mendocinomuseum.org.
Thursday 6 FREE Storytelling Time. Storyteller John Weaver. 11 a.m.–noon. Ukiah Library. 105 N. Main St., Ukiah. 467-4634. co.mendocino.ca.us/library.
Kitten & Cat Sale. Adoption fees for cats & kittens that are already spayed & neutered is $17.76. All felines that are placed for adoption have age-appropriate vaccinations & have been tested for FELV/FIV, spayed or neutered & micro-chipped. 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Ukiah Animal Shelter. 298 Plant Rd., Ukiah. 463-4427. Flynn Creek Circus Extravaganza.
A rurally based, award-winning circus bringing international talent to the North Bay. Adults $25. Ages 12 & under $15. Ages 55 & over $15. 3 p.m. & 7 p.m. ECLand. 24001 Hwy. 1, Pt. Arena. flynncreekcircus.com. FREE Power to the Youth Festival.
Youth entertainment, music, basketball tournament, skate park competition, flag football, Wiffle ball & youth car show. 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Clearlake’s Austin Park. 14077 Lakeshore Dr., Clearlake. lakeconews.com.
Sunday 2 Annual Chicken BBQ. 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church. 255 Harold St., Fort Bragg. 964-0229. FREE Giants of the Great North Woods Tour. Sundays & Wednesdays. 2–4 p.m.
Hendy Woods State Park. 18599 Philo Greenwood Rd., Philo. 895-3141. www.mendolakefamilylife.com
August 2015
MendoLakeFamilyLife 23
5th Annual
Pints in the Plaza
Friday 7 FREE Postpartum Support Group.
home?
Space in your
Meet with other new moms to share stories, meet new friends, get the help you need. Fridays. 10:30 a.m.–noon. Mendocino Baby. 198 S. School St., Ukiah. 371-MAMA. FREE Moonlight Movie Madness.
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 5 3–7:00 p.m. • Alex R. Thomas Plaza Historic Downtown Ukiah
Featuring the Region’s Finest Brews & Ales Live Music – Food
Tickets available at Mendocino Bounty and Dig Music
(707) 462-6789
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Humane Society for Inland Mendocino County PETS OF THE MONTH COME MEET US TODAY! Gracie has tested faintly positive for Feline Leukemia, but has been tested twice since then and it is far less prominent. She loves to play, mostly because she is still just a baby at just over 1 years old. Gracie craves attention and will make your heart melt with her weird meows.
Foxy is a great cat with a lot of
Miracle This dog will
Rosie is a brindle boxer
make you laugh! She’s a clown and is in constant motion. Her desire to please is obvious, and she is so sweet. She is three years old and good with dogs, cats, and children.
spunk! He is a younger cat with tons of energy and misunderstood intentions. He gets along with just about anyone and really loves to be cuddled, until he’s had enough. Foxy’s ideal home would not include small children or elders with delicate skin.
mix with loads of personality and energy. She’s about three years old and loves to play tug-of-war. She knows basic commands and is leash trained. Her previous home had cats.
9700 Uva Dr. Redwood Valley (707) 485-0123 • www.mendohumanesociety.com 24 MendoLakeFamilyLife
Grab your blankets & low-back chairs to enjoy movies on the big screen under the stars! McFarland, USA (PG). Aug. 21: Guardians of the Galaxy (PG-13). Dusk. Alex Thomas Plaza. 310 S. State St., Ukiah. visitukiah.com. FREE Friday Night Summer Concerts. Funky Dozen (disco, funk,
soul). Bring your chair, blanket, a picnic & dancing shoes! 6:30 p.m. Library Park. 225 Park St., Lakeport. 263-5092. lakecochamber.com. Redwood Empire Fair. Western Round-Up. Enjoy carnival rides, livestock shows, art & flower exhibits & vendors. Adults $9. Ages 6–12 & 65 & over $7. Parking $7. Aug. 6 & 7: 3 p.m.–midnight. Aug. 8: Noon–midnight. Aug. 9: Noon–11 p.m. Redwood Empire Fairgrounds. 1055 N. State St., Ukiah. 462-3884. redwoodempirefair.com. Blowhole Hike. Free hike. Park day-use fee does apply. 10–11:30 a.m. Russian Gulch State Park. 12301 N. Hwy. 1, Mendocino. Meet at the upper parking lot. 937-5804. parks.ca.gov/?page_id=432. FREE Handheld Device Support Group. Learn about e-mail, texting,
downloading books, movies, apps & more. All ages & skill levels are invited to share what you know & learn from others. Fridays. 1–2 p.m. Willits Library (Mtg. Rm.). 390 E. Commercial St., Willits. 459-5908. co.mendocino.ca.us/library.
August 2015 www.mendolakefamilylife.com
Summer Skate Night. Kids
under 18 must have an adult sign them in before they can skate. $5. Check out free skates & roller blades, but if you have your own, bring them. Fridays. 6:30–9 p.m. Old Rec. Center. 213 E. Laurel St., Fort Bragg. 964-9446. kotz.com. James & the Giant Peach. Based on
the enduring children’s classic story by Roald Dahl, this play is fun for the whole family. Adults $18. Students $12. Fridays & Saturdays thru Aug 15. 7:30 p.m. Aug. 9 & 16: 2 p.m. Cloverdale Performing Arts Center. 209 N. Cloverdale Blvd., Cloverdale. 894-2214. cloverdaleperformingarts.com. FREE Grace Hudson Museum. First
Friday of each month. 10 a.m.– 4:30 p.m. 431 S. Main St., Ukiah. 467-2836. mendocinomuseum.org.
Saturday 8 Summer Reading Club for Teens & Adults. Discuss I Am Malala, the true
story of an 18-year-old Pakistani activist for female education. Pick up a copy at the Ukiah Library. Refreshments will also be served. 11 a.m. Ukiah Library. 105 N. Main St., Ukiah. 467-6434. co.mendocino.ca.us/library. Nature Walks & Historic Ranch House Tours. Walks are sometimes
followed on the same day by a tour of the historic ranch house. The walks take between 1½ & 3 hours, depending on the route taken. 8:30 a.m. 995-2658. andersonmarsh.org. National Lighthouse Day. Join the Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 87 & lighthouse volunteers for a unique opportunity to visit the Lantern Room. $5. Children must be at least 42” tall to participate. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Point Cabrillo Lighthouse. 45300 Lighthouse Rd., Mendocino. 937-6122. pointcabrillo.org.
www.mendolakefamilylife.com
FREE Boonville Aviation Knowledge & Folklore Convention. A fun day
learning about small, old airplanes. Potluck dinner starts at 5 p.m. Beverages provided. Dogs must be leashed. Noon. Corner of Estate Drive & Airport Rd. at Boonville Airport. 895-2949. andersonvalley.org.
Option
1 Zone
travelled
CASH FARE $1.50 PUNCH PASS
Sunday 9 FREE Annual Sports Physicals.
Free sports physical exams to children in elementary & high school participating in a sports program. 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Frank R. Howard Memorial Hospital. 1040 S. Main St. (11 Oaks Conf. Rm.), Willits. Reserve 2 Zones 3 Zones a spot: 456-3185. howardhospital.org. travelled travelled
GOING TO SCHOOL?
$1.06/ride (1 punch)
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(3 punches)
MTA$8.50 has three great options 16 punches: $17, Seniors/Disabled:
Riding Green is $57 a Bargain $35 $85 MONTHLY Option PASS
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travelled$1.50 Option CASH FARE rides per month Unlimited PUNCH $1.06/ride PASS (1 punch)
SERVING CASH FARE $1.50
16 punches: $17, Seniors/Disabled: $8.50
as low2 Zones as
travelled $1.84/ride 2 Zones
travelled $2.25
$2.12/ride
$2.25
(2 punches)
as3low as Zones
travelled $2.74/ride 3 Zones
travelled $3.00
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Mendocino College-Willits Campus MONTHLY $35 PASS as low as
Redwood $57 Academy $85 as low as as low as Unlimited per monthSchool $1.13/ride $1.84/ride $2.74/ride Willitsrides Charter Ukiah Adult School $1.06/ride $2.12/ride $3.18/ride PUNCH Mendocino College-Ukiah Campus (2Accelerated Achievement (1Ukiah punch) punches) (3 punches) Serving Willits/Ukiah Adult School Mendocino High School (Local 9 service until 10:10 pm • Saturdays 8 amAchievement to 5 pm) PASS Academy Mendocino College-Willits Campus Accelerated Mendocino Alternative Academy Willits Charter School Academy Serving Fort Bragg 16 punches: $17, Seniors/Disabled: Waldorf School Mendocino College-Ukiah Campus River Oak Charter School$8.50River Oak Dana Gray ElementarySchool School Charter (Local 9 service until 10:10 pm Pomolita Redwood Elementary School Saturdays 8 am to 5 pm) Shelter Cove School Ukiah Junior Academy St. Mary’s Pomolita Waldorf School New Beginnings School Noyo High School Ukiah Junior Academy Serving Mendocino Bragg High School Ukiah High School $35 $57 Fort $85 Ukiah High School Mendocino Grammar School St. Mary’s Mendocino College Coast Center MONTHLY Redwood Academy
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FREE Friends of Boggs Mt. Hike Trail Maintenance. Bring water,
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2350 North State St. Ukiah Same location as Warranty Motors
FREE Summer Reading Program Participants Celebration! 11 a.m.
Ukiah Library. 105 N. Main St., Ukiah. 467-4634. co.mendocino.ca.us/library.
Saturday 15
BECOME A CERTIFIED MEDICAL ASSISTANT
FREE Family Fun in the Sun. Arts & crafts, games, bouncy houses, balloons, healthy snacks, drinks & much more! Orchard Park. 855 Orchard Ave., Ukiah. 463-6231. cityofukiah.com.
Tuesdays & Thursdays 5:30pm—9:30pm Saturdays 9:00am—5:30pm
FREE Know Lake County Lecture Series. Talk by Gae Henry about
Classes start September 8, 2015
the Anderson Marsh State Park Interpretive Association. 2 p.m. Lakeport Library. 1425 N. High St., Lakeport. co.lake.ca.us.
LAKE COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION TO TEACH. TO SERVE. TO LEARN.
Lake County Office of Education Career & College Readiness Department
FREE Hot August Nites Car Show & Concert. Vendors, food, bar,
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1510 Argonaut Rd, Lakeport, CA 95453 Questions: Please contact (707) 263-8918 ext 285 ncromwell@lakecoe.org
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Rural Communities Child Care
crafts, ’50s memorabilia, raffles & contests. 4 p.m. “Cruise the Main” down Main St. Vendors open 5–9 p.m. Free concert by L.C. Diamonds 6–9 p.m. Library Park. 225 Park St., Lakeport. 263-4218. lakeportmainstreet.com. FREE Seal Tour. Join
a MacKerricher State Park docent for a fun & interesting program about harbor seals & sea lions. Then go on a 10-minute walk to observe a seal colony. Admission & day use of park is free. Saturdays. 2–3 p.m. MacKerricher State Park. 24100 MacKerricher Park Rd., Fort Bragg. 961-0471. FREE Bell Ringers. Performance by the Ernest Block Bell Ringers. Thru
August 2015 www.mendolakefamilylife.com
Aug. 16. 1 p.m. Gualala Arts Center. 46501 Old State Hwy., Gualala. 884-1138. mendonoma.com. 54th Annual Art in the Redwoods Festival. Entertainment & artists’
booths. Thru Aug. 16. Adults $6. Under 17 free. Aug. 15: 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Aug. 16: 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Gualala Arts Center. 46501 Old State Hwy., Gualala. 884-1138. gualalaarts.org. FREE Summer Reading Awards Party. Kids’ program. 11 a.m. Willits
Library. 390 E. Commercial St., Willits. 459-5908. co.mendocino. ca.us/library.
Sunday 16 FREE 24th Annual Ukiah Sundays in the Park Concert Series. Top
Shelf & Double Standyrd. Aug. 23: Jack Mack & the Heart Attack.
Low-back chairs only. No pets & no smoking within main event area. Todd Grove Park. 600 Live Oak Ave., Ukiah. Sundays. 6 p.m. cityofukiah.com. Sons of Norway Vikings Heritage & Culture Event. Fellowship,
interesting programs, a quick Norwegian language lesson & dancing. $5 donation. 1 p.m. Galilee Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall. 8860 Soda Bay Rd., Kelseyville. lakeconews.com.
Thursday 20 FREE Kickin’ in the Country Street Dance. A street dance featuring
Billy Watson with the Memphis Kings. 7–10 p.m. Main St., Kelseyville. visitkelseyville.com.
Saturday 22 4th Annual Willits Kinetic Carnivale & Grand Ball. Enjoy a full family
weekend of kinetic handcar races, mustache & beard competition, dance classes & Whimsy Circus for children. Adults $10. Ages 65 & up $5. Ages 13–18 $5. Under 12 free. Grand Ball: Adult $35. Ages 13–18 $20. Aug. 22: 10 a.m.–7 p.m. (Grand Ball 7 p.m.–1 a.m.) Aug. 23: 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Mendocino County Museum. 400 E. Commercial St., Willits. 459-2736. kineticcarnivale.com. Highway One—Rock ‘N’ Roll Dance Party. Full bar & bistro menu. $10.
Doors open 6 p.m. Music 7:30 p.m. Hill House Inn. 10701 Pallette Dr., Mendocino. 937-0554.
Give Start! GiveYour Your Child Child a Head Head Start! Free & Low-Cost Quality Quality Preschool! Free & Low-Cost Preschool!
AlsoAlso providing FREE FREE in-home servicesservices for providing in-home infants, toddlers toddlers & pregnant& women! for infants, pregnant women!
Head Start Child Development Program License #230111843 Applicationsonline: online:www.ncoinc.org www.ncoinc.org••(707) (707)462-2582 462-2582 Applications www.mendolakefamilylife.com
August 2015
• Ukiah
C E NN TT EE RR SS
✓ 1/2-day & full-day classrooms for ✔ 1/2-day & full-day classrooms for ages 18 months to 5 years ages 18 months to 5 years ✓✔ Potty-trained not necessary Potty-trained not necessary ✓✔ Children with disabilities welcome Children with disabilities welcome ✓✔ Referrals for transportation available Referrals for transportation available
•North Ukiah Ukiah - Bush St.
North Ukiah - Bush St.
Nokomis - Washington Ave. Nokomis - Washington Ave. South Ukiah - S. State St. South Ukiah - S. State St. Peach Ave. PeachTree Tree--S.S.Orchard Orchard Ave.
• Willits
•Near Willits Brookside School at
Near Brookside School at
Spruce St. & Lincoln Way Spruce St. & Lincoln Way
• Lake County
•Upper Lake County Lake - 2nd Street Upper Lake - 2nd Street
Upper Lake - Clover Valley Upper Lake - Clover Valley Lakeport Lakeport- -Howard Howard Ave. Ave. Clearlake Pearl Clearlake - Pearl Ave. Ave. Clearlake Dr. Clearlake--Meadowbrook Meadowbrook Dr.
••Coast Coast
Fort St. FortBragg Bragg-- Lincoln Lincoln St. MendoLakeFamilyLife 27
FREE Morning Roses. An
intro to Waldorf preschool & kindergarten. Bring your child (2–4-year-olds). Story time, outdoor & indoor play, introduction to teachers, question & answer sessions. Preregistration & prompt arrival encouraged. 10–11:30 am. Waldorf School of Mendocino County. 6280 3rd St., Calpella. 485-8719 ext. 6. enroll@mendocinowaldorf.org. waldorfmendocino.com.
Friday 28 Taste of Lakeport. A
Lake County legend for 19 yrs.! Up to 20 wineries & restaurants bring their best to you. $35. Proceeds benefit the Lakeport Main Street Association. Tasting 5–8 p.m. Street dance 8–10 p.m. Downtown Lakeport. 263-8843. lakeportmainstreet.com.
FREE Late Night Basketball.
Every fourth Friday thru 2015. All welcome. Ages 15 & under need to be checked in & out by an adult. 6–9 p.m. Alex Rorabaugh Recreation Center. 1640 S. State St., Ukiah. 462-8562. linda@ukiahrec.org.
Saturday 29 The Heartlight Show. Jack Wright
performs the music of Neil Diamond. $15–$25. 7 p.m. Soper Reese Theatre. 275 S. Main St., Lakeport. 263-0577. soperreesetheatre.com. Mendocino Coast Police Activities League Big River Run & Walk.
First annual walk in memory of Deputy Ricky Del Fiorentiono. The course winds along Big River in Mendocino. 5K & 10K walk & run plus a 1/2 marathon. Kiddie
Race for ages 4–10. 1/2 marathon $45. Ages 18 & over $30. Ages 13–18 $10. 12 & under free. Fees increase by Aug. 11. 7 a.m.–noon. Big River Rd., Mendocino. 964-6308. mendocinocoastpal.org. East Meets West. Grace Hudson
Museum’s annual fundraiser. Sushi & sake 5:30 p.m. Pacific Rim Inspired Dinner 6:30 p.m. Auction. $75. Grace Hudson Museum & Sun House. 431 S. Main St., Ukiah. RSVP: 467-2836. gracehudsonmuseum.org.
Sunday 30 5th Sunday “All You Can Eat” Mexican Breakfast. Hosted by the
Knights of Columbus. 8 a.m.–noon. St. Anthony’s Hall. 10700 Lansing St., Mendocino. 937-2406.
School Offices Open for Enrollment August 6 School Offices Open for Enrollment August 5
Parents Count
You can have a voice in your child's education Here's how: • Attend monthly School Site Council Meetings. • Support your school Parent/Teacher Association. • Volunteer for school and/or classroom activities. • Attend Back to School Nights in the fall and Open House in the spring. • Visit the district's website and learn about current events (www.uusd.net).
UKIAH UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT 511 S. ORCHARD AVE., UKIAH • 707-472-5000
28 MendoLakeFamilyLife
HEY MOM GIVE US A SHOUT!
We want to know what you think. • What did you like in this issue? • What do you want to see more or less of? • Know a teacher, coach, or special person that makes local family life better? • Know of an upcoming event or fun family outing? • Want to write stories or recipes, or blog for Family Life?
e-mail melissa@family-life.us August 2015 www.mendolakefamilylife.com
Vaccines a Must to Attend School
A
fter a great deal of controversy, a new law has been passed in California that makes vaccinations mandatory for children entering public or private schools, or day care centers. The law, signed by Governor Jerry Brown on June 30, is one of the strictest in the country and will go into effect on July 1, 2016. The state joins Mississippi and West Virginia in prohibiting exemptions for personal or religious beliefs. Now only exemptions for specific medical conditions will be accepted. The required vaccinations include diphtheria, Haemophilus influenzae type b, measles, mumps, pertussis (whooping cough), poliomyelitis, rubella, tetanus, hepatitis B, varicella (chickenpox), and any other disease deemed appropriate by the state Department of Public Health. Parents who choose not to vaccinate may enroll their children in independent study programs or homeschool them. ¶
Marketplace Tutoring
Schools
Schools
Accelerated Achievement Academy • • • •
GET PAID TO WORK OUT
BE YOUR OWN BO$$ Jazzercise franchise opportunities available in Lake County Contact Beth Rudiger,
707-326-1291 Middletown Jazzercise Jazzercise.com
mendo lake
LOCAL
#1 local for 23 years resource for local families magazine • web • email • events
www.mendolakefamilylife.com
307 North State Street Ukiah
Tuition-free Montessori elementary for ages 5-13 Hands-on, arts and music
www.tutoringcenter.com
integrated with academics
National Green Campus Promotes responsibility,
(707) 463-7080 1031 N. State St.
707-468-1300
Soar into Summer
Free Public School Grades 4-12 Small classes Support for struggling students
respect, and peace Located on north end of Fairgrounds PO Box 966 Ukiah 95482
Childcare/Preschools
707-462-0913 Give Your Give Child a Head Start!
Free Your & Low-Cost Quality Preschool! treeoflifeschool@pacific.net • Ukiah Child a classrooms forwww.treeoflifeschool.net ✓ 1/2-day & full-day North Ukiah - Bush St. ages 18 months to 5 years Nokomis - Washington Ave. Head South Ukiah - S. State St. ✓ Potty-trained not necessary Peach Tree - S. Orchard Ave. Start! ✓ Children with disabilities welcome • Willits
Personalized instruction Local references Over 20 years of experience
✓ Referrals for transportation available Free & Low-Cost Quality Preschool! Also providing FREE in-home services for
Take Wing Tutoring
infants, toddlers & pregnant women!
Head Start Child Development Program
Deborah Moore takewingtutoring@gmail.com 510-332-9840 • West Side Ukiah
C E N T E R S
Health
Near Brookside School at Spruce St. & Lincoln Way
La Vida • Lake County
Upper Lake - 2nd Street Upper Lake - Clover Valley Lakeport - Howard Ave. Clearlake - Pearl Ave. Clearlake - Meadowbrook Dr.
www.ncoinc.org Head Start Charter School (707) 462-2582 Program License #230111843 Child Development • Free K-12 Public • CoastCharter
• Home Study Fort with Applications online: www.ncoinc.org • (707) 462-2582 Bragg - Lincoln St.
Like Us On Facebook August 2015
Waldorf Inspired Classes • WASC Accredited
707-459-6344 www.LaVidaSchool.org 16201 N. Hwy. 101, Willits
MendoLakeFamilyLife 29
Humor Break
’ I m Free! Mom’s Back-to-School Emancipation Checklist By Holly Hester
7
Sit down. The kids have left for their first day of school. The house is miraculously silent. Not even the dog is moving. No one is asking for a snack. No one is shoving a board game onto your lap. No one needs swim goggles adjusted. No one is fighting because THERE’S NO ONE HOME! Sure, you’ll miss the kids and long for those fun summer days— eventually, but not yet. Right now it’s all about the highly anticipated, tearful reunion between your butt and the couch.
6
Read a bad magazine. You’ve finished all the weighty, thought-provoking summer novels Oprah recommended and now it’s time to get down to more important business—celebrity hookups, divorces, and plastic surgeries gone horribly awry. Ah, that’s better. Life is so much 30 MendoLakeFamilyLife
easier when you’re not trying to set a good example for anyone.
5
Call someone. Call anyone. Your mom. An old college friend. Call Comcast about your bill. Make a crank call. It doesn’t really matter. The point is that the phone is suddenly wonderful
Right now it’s all about the highly anticipated, tearful reunion between your butt and the couch. again because no small person is interrupting you while you’re on it—or worse, eavesdropping on your conversation. You can curse on the phone! You can gossip on the phone! You can talk about your children on the phone! You can curse and gossip about your children on the phone! It’s amazing. Just pick it up and start venting!
4
Throw away toys you hate. You know those loud, battery-operated toys that some vengeful relative sent your children over the summer? Well, now is the perfect moment for a reconnaissance mission into your kid’s bedroom. Discreetly select several hateful toys, and shove them into a black garbage bag. On the way to Goodwill, practice saying with a straight face, “No, I haven’t seen that toy. Have you tried looking in your closet?”
3
Eat. Eating is nice, isn’t it? Eating is really nice when you don’t have to share every single thing you’re putting into your mouth with one of your spawn. Eating is exceptionally nice when it’s a big chocolate bar, and you’re standing in the middle of your living room dancing around in your underwear screaming, “I’m free! I’m free!”
2
Exercise. Actually, better yet, make an exercise plan. You don’t want to rush into anything. You could accidently hurt yourself. Take a look at the calendar. Halloween is just around the corner, and then Thanksgiving, followed shortly by Christmas. So it’s best to start exercising next January. Now sit back on the couch and continue reading that trashy magazine. That’s an order!
1
Breathe. Haven’t done that in a while, have you? Just breathe in. Now breathe out. See, you’re getting the hang of it. Children are incredible. They are the reason we get up in the morning and the reason why we do everything throughout the day. And, while they fill us with indescribable amounts of joy, they also seem to drain the life out of us at the same time. So don’t feel guilty about being excited they’re back in school, and don’t busy yourself doing things you think you “should” be doing.
Take a moment for you. In fact, take lots of moments. You deserve it. Just breathe. (And eat lots of chocolate.) Holly Hester lives in Sebastopol and writes about life on her blog, Riot Ranch. Find her book, Escape from Ugly Mom Island!, on Amazon.
August 2015 www.mendolakefamilylife.com
Ukiah Unified School District
Ukiah Unified Kindergarten Registration
2015-16 Kindergarten Registration and Transitional Kindergarten Registration Students age 5 by September 1, 2015 will be enrolled in Kindergarten Students turning 5 between Sept. 2 and Dec. 2 2015 will enroll in our Transitional Kindergarten Program Estudiantes de 5 años de edad para el 1 de septiembre del 2015 serán inscritos en el Kinder. Estudiantes de 5 años de edad entre el 2 de septiembre y el 2 de diciembre del 2015 serán inscritos en nuestro programa de Kinder Transicional.
Registration forms available at school offices beginning Aug. 5th and at www.uusd.net WHY ENROLL IN A UUSD SCHOOL?
• Class size reduction in grade K-3 (24-1) • Fully credentialed teachers • After-school programs • Transportation available • Intervention in reading and math available at all schools • Healthy snack provided during break • Neighborhood schools • Dual Immersion Magnet School – Grace Hudson School • Common Core State Standards • Latest State approved textbooks and curriculum in Language Arts and Math
Calpella Elementary 151 Moore Street 472-5630
Nokomis Elementary 495 Washington Ave. 472-5550
Frank Zeek Elementary 1060 Bush St. 472-5100
Oak Manor Elementary 400 Oak Manor Dr. 472-5180
Grace Hudson Elementary 251 Jefferson Lane 472-5460
Yokayo Elementary 790 S. Dora 472-5690
r Wellness fo ! Parents too
Join us for Frank R. Howard Memorial Hospital’s Annual
Free Sports Physicals
As part of our mission to enhance the health of our community, Frank R. Howard Memorial Hospital is offering FREE sports physical exams to children in elementary and high school participating in a sports program.
Free Sports Physicals Will Be Available
Wellness While You Wait We’re also offering free health screenings and other wellness services for adults: Blood Pressure Check Blood Sugar Check Body Mass Index
Sunday, June 28 | 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Strength & Balance Test
Sunday, July 19 | 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Healthy Eating Demo
Sunday, August 9 | 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. 11 Oaks Conference Room 1040 S. Main Street, Willits, CA 95490
To reserve your spot, call 707.456.3185