Fall 2015 Issue

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Fall Issue 2015 August - September - October

BACK TO SCHOOL! Fall Fun! Recipes, Outings & Crafts

How to Pack Your Lunch An Easy Checklist For Kids Where Do the Children Play?

Why We Need Environmental Education The Safety of Kids Waiting in Cars One Mom’s Life Changing Story ...and as always our ENORMOUS calendar of events!

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A quarterly resource celebrating family life in Butte county since 2004

ur ut on o rizes! o s s i m P Don’t unt & Fun H ut ger rougho caven mes th

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each en 10 ti w, hidd e location of lo e b e g th a h it im w or the il us Look f gazine. Ema age to: im to .com. the ma pchico in a drawing u g in w d o e r r g te n @ e o to lly inf ficates matica be auto , $20 gift certi n e th l e ! st. Only You wil in one of fiv -Chico 4 Kidz on August 31 tacted w n Bricks m c p l be o by 5 ceived . Winners wil ok page. e r e b t e mus leas cebo Emails per person, p ed on our Fa c y n tr u n o e n n e on il and a by ema

DeAnna Holman DeAnna is a teacher and mother of three who is working as a freelance writer, editor, and graphic artist (She also owns Restoration Bee, a booth at Eight and Main). She currently does the layouts and assists in editing Growing Up Chico! She obtained her BS from USC and her teaching credential from CSUC, Chico. DeAnna is a breast cancer survivor and will be writing about her experiences. She lives on an almond orchard in Durham with her husband, kids, dog and cat.

Terry J. Basile, LMFT Terry is a Marriage and Family Therapist with a private practice in Chico. She works with adults, teens, couples and families. She is pleased to have established a website, www.parentingwithheartandmind. com, to share her writings, blog and practice information. Her book, Let’s Color Your Feelings! is a tool for parents, and children 3-8, to learn how to communicate feelings positively and avoid acting out behaviors. The book is available through Amazon & Kindle. She can be reached at tjbasile@yahoo.com.

Katie Simmons

Welcome to Fall!

At Growing Up Chico, we hope to help you celebrate fall and make it special to you and your family. We have provided an extensive listing of events and calendar pages. We also have some wonderful articles in this issue on upcoming events, parenting tips, and local resources and programs offered in our community.

I would like to send out a personal thank you to all our advertisers, contributors, magazine staff, and the community, for the overwhelming support and help with making this magazine a great resource for fall. We could not produce this magazine without you! If you do business with any of our advertisers, please be sure to mention you saw their ad in Growing Up Chico.

I wish you the best of the colorful fall season!

Thank you for making Growing Up Chico your family’s resource. Happy reading!

Marne Larsen Publisher marne@growingupchico.com

Katie is a mother of two girls, a runner, cyclist, and President & CEO of the Chico Chamber of Commerce. She and her husband live in Chico where they spend family nights at Schubert’s and Saturday afternoons at Caper Acres and the library. When Katie moved to the Chico area 7 years ago from the bay area, she found home.

Katie’s photo is by Timothy Baker.

Rashell Brobst Rashell has been serving youth for over 27 years and her philosophy is that she does not believe in giving up on kids in need. She is the first in her family to graduate from college and she received her bachelor degree in Recreation Administration with the option of Therapeutic Recreation from CSUC. Rashell lives in Chico with her husband, Dave, and together they are raising their two sons, Holden and Sawyer.

She loves roller skating and anytime she can spend on a beach or lake.

Angella Terres Toral Angella will be starting her senior year at Chico State, pursuing a degree in Business Administration with an option in Marketing. She currently works at Chico Performances as a Marketing Assistant where she enjoys learning of live performances and occasionally meeting the artists themselves.

Christine Carter, Ph.D. A sociologist and senior fellow at UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center, Christine Carter, Ph.D., is the author of The Sweet Spot: How to Find Your Groove at Work and Home (January 2015) and Raising Happiness (2011). Presenting the latest neurological and psychological research on positivity, productivity, and elite performance, she demonstrates a sweetest paradox: by doing less, we can actually accomplish more. A sought-after keynote speaker, Dr. Carter also writes an award-winning blog, which is frequently syndicated on the HuffingtonPost, PsychologyToday. com, PositivelyPositive.com, Medium.com, and several other websites.

Kristy Haber

Rachele Thompson Marketing Manager (530) 519-0320 rachele@growingupchico.com

Kristy works part-time as the Outreach Coordinator for the H.E.A.R.T. Program. She graduated from Chico State in 2010 with a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work. Recently, she started teaching yoga and is thrilled to be teaching in the community and at the 6th Street Center for Youth.

Jan Holman Author, Jan Holman, has been a resident of Durham since the mid1960s. A California State University, Chico graduate, she is a devotee of local history, mother, grandmother and Community Volunteer (4-H, Far West Heritage Association, Durham Women’s Club, Durham Schools, just to name a few).

Cover Photo By: Alicia Hayes, of 1 Life Photo and Design, has over a decade of experience in photographing and digitally enhancing client images throughout the North State. Alicia enjoys specializing in Senior, Wedding, and Extended Family Portraits.

More than known as a professional photographer, Alicia is also a mother of two children, and has recently been accepted to Chico State to obtain her degree in Communications Design. You may e-mail inquiries to Alicia at: onelifephotoanddesign@yahoo.com.

Preschool Starts: August 24th

On the Cover: Siblings Terran, 5 1/2 years old and Luna, 17 months old of Chico.

Cover Clothing Provided By: Sue Sue’s up-cycled vintage fabric clothing and accessories for girls and boys. For more info and to view more of Sue’s beautiful clothes please go to www.sue-sues.com or give her a call at 345-0290.

Marne Larsen-Publisher (530) 518-6154 marne@growingupchico.com DeAnna Holman-Design/Editor Darci Crossin-Graphic Design Terry Givens-Design For Advertising Information, Contact: Rachele Thompson-Marketing Manager (530) 519-0320 rachele@growingupchico.com

Advertising Deadline: To advertise in our upcoming Winter issue, please contact us by September 30th.

Article and Photo Submission Deadline: Please submit family-friendly and seasonally appropriate photos and informative articles for the Winter issue by September 30th.

Growing Up Chico Magazine is published quarterly and available free at around 300 family-friendly locations throughout Butte County. We are also available online at www.growingupchico.com.

Copyright © 2015 by Growing Up Chico Magazine. Reproductions without permission are prohibited. Articles and advertisements found in Growing Up Chico Magazine do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the management.

894-6800

2477 Forest Ave Lic#045404701, 045404702

In Chico For ages 2-12

TABLE OF CONTENTS

see what’s inside...

School and Home 11 WHERE DO THE CHILDREN PLAY? The importance of Environmental Education

13 LIFE CHANGING PROGRAMS

Boys and Girls Club of the North Valley

14 CHICO PERFORMANCES

Educational & Fun Filled Field Trips

16 HOW TO PACK YOUR LUNCH

A Quick Infographic to Help Kids Out

17 BUTTE COUNTY ADDS H.E.A.R.T.

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Homeless Emergency Action Response Team in Action

Family Time 18 NATURE HUNTING

Fun For The Whole Family

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20 A CARJACKING

Sharing The Story To Keep Kids Safe

22 THE CHICO BUDDY WALK

Celebrating Community Members with Down Syndrome

Parenting

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24 11 WAYS TO ENTITLEMENT How to Raise a Rude and Entitled Child

26 ASK THE FAMILY THERAPIST

Back to School Challenges at Each Age

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28 MOTHERS STRONG

Building Strong Families

Fall Fun 31 THE FLAVORS OF AUTUMN

Pumpkin Soup & Stuffed Heirloom Tomatoes Recipes

32 FALL OUTINGS

Local Pumpkin Patch/Corn Maze Map

33 A CRAFT FOR THE SEASON Stained Glass Nature Windows

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In Every Issue...

04 04 34 38 39

Editor’s Note Contributors Events Calendar Preschool Directory Advertiser Directory

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PATRICK RANCH

PATCH

AUTUMN

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5.00 P

Nuts!Nuts!Nuts! at the Visitors Center September, October and November

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Fridays Saturdays and Sundays 11:003:00pm: Get fall items (art, jewelry, books and more.

Get those early holiday gifts!

MUSEUM

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Patrick Ranch Museum Gift Store

PUMPKIN

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10381 Midway, Between Chico and Durham OCTOBE

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RIDES .

CHILDREN’S

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GLENWOOD HOUSE

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Nut!Nuts!Nuts!

EXHIBIT

Educational Field Trips, Pumpkin Patch, & More at the Historic Patrick Ranch! Come enjoy Autumn at Patrick Ranch. While there, your class will learn about chickens and owls, take a natural history hayride, participate in ‘hands on’ learning stations and select a pumpkin. Field trips are planned for Pre-K-K from October 7th-21st, on Wednesdays at 9:30 and 1st-3rd grades from October 8th-23rd, on Thursdays and Fridays starting at 9:00 am and 11:00 am.$5.00 per person (includes pumpkin to take home). To schedule a field trip, please call Carolyn@588-3869 or Carol @592-9260.

A Far West Heritage Association Event

5:30 pm

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school and home

Where Do the Children Play?

The Importance of Environmental Education

By Sean S. Miller, Former Director of Education at Earth Day Network

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hen you were 15 years old, how much did you know about the environment? Likely a few basic observations such as: the grass is green, or the sky is blue, and maybe a few things you learned in school, like the water cycle or photosynthesis. Today’s students fare even worse. Despite major strides in scientific understanding, information about the world in which we live is not being effectively transmitted to our students and therefore the general population. According to a recent study by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the United States ranks 34th out of 57 countries in terms of basic environmental literacy for 15 year olds. Countries like Croatia, Estonia, and the Czech Republic outperform the U.S., which is indicative of a larger problem within this country. In fact, 30 percent of Americans still believe that the Sun revolves around the Earth. This is quite a disheartening statistic; Copernicus revolutionized the historical development of science by proving the opposite almost 500 years ago. Today, the question still remains – what does it mean to be environmentally literate?

Environmental education is the process of developing this capacity of environmental understanding throughout society.

From basic classroom comprehension to community-based action, environmental education represents an important facet of a 21st century society in need of environmental solutions.

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ince the passage of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) of 2001, schools have been spending less and less time on anything beyond the purview of Math, Reading, and Science. As a result, other subjects are de-emphasized and school-based opportunities to engage nature or play outside – what we all affectionately remember as recess or Physical Education (PE) – have dwindled, or worse, become non-existent. Such emphasis equates to precious time lost exercising, exploring and developing a relationship with one’s environment. Children, along with their adult counterparts, now spend 90% of their time indoors. We have begun to perceive the physical ramifications of such policies in the rise of obesity, heart disease, and diabetes in children, but what are the psychological, emotional, or educational consequences? Richard Louv, author of the bestselling, Last Child in the Woods, refers to this phenomenon as “nature-deficit disorder.” He argues that the continued disconnection of individuals from nature has profound implications for our global civilization and environment at large.

While schools aren’t entirely to blame for “nature-deficit disorder,” over one-fifth of our population spends half of their waking hours in classrooms routinely isolated from nature. The significance of this separation underscores the insight of famed naturalist Sir David Attenborough: “Nobody is going to protect the natural world unless they understand it.”

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ccording to the Campaign for Environmental Literacy, environmental education is the study of the natural world, and the relationship between humans and the natural ecosystem. Environmental Education also seeks to develop environmental literacy among citizens by raising awareness of the environment and environmental challenges, connecting people to the surrounding natural world, and promoting a more sustainable society. Furthermore, environmental education has

been found to increase students’ interest in science, improve their study of (and achievement in) other core subjects and better prepare them for future endeavors. In addition to the promotion of better stewardship, inclusion of environmental education as a core course in schools has additional incentives like 21st century career development. Yet, the actualization of such careers will remain distant unless we implement formal environmental education policies into schools nationwide.

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pproximately eight years ago, several environmental organizations sought to address many of these concerns through the creation of a national campaign called No Child Left Inside (NCLI). NCLI, now an official piece of legislation sitting in Congress, would essentially mandate environmental education as a national standard of learning, and weave it into school curricula across every discipline and grade level. Specifically, the act would require states to develop environmental literacy plans and also provide funding to teachers and organizations utilizing the environment as a teaching tool. NCLI is now more pertinent than ever, given the Obama Administration’s emphasis on creating a “Green Economy.” The roadmap to a green economy’s creation lies in the training and education of current and future citizens.

Thus, environmental education’s broad emphasis on engaging five critical sectors of society through eco-literacy promotion – PreK-12 schools, higher education, career pathways, professional (re)training, and general public awareness – represents a significant method for societal-wide attainment of environmental understanding. NCLI is one step, albeit a significant one, to fundamentally transition our educational process, and thereby our economy, to a sustainable one.

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hile the state of Maryland has already created an environmental literacy plan using the concept of NCLI, there are multiple methods for implementing such solutions in local schools and communities across the nation.

One way is to utilize the opportunities already present in your community to help make your school “green.” Depending on the school’s needs, greening projects can range from simple light bulb efficiency swap outs and school vegetable garden construction, to complete overhauls involving renewable energy installations. Recent studies have shown that a certified green school can save up to $100,000 a year – approximately two teachers’ salaries – in addition to 585,000 pounds of carbon dioxide annually! In fact, greening your school is an accessible and practical way to actualize environmental education’s many benefits. With approximately 55 million students spending the majority of their day at school, green schools offer an extraordinary opportunity to increase knowledge and action on behalf of the environment and also benefit our nation’s floundering schools and economy in the process.

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hile advocacy continues for NCLI’s passage in Congress, you can take action right now in your local community by greening your school. For more information on the No Child Left Inside Act or ideas on how to start greening your school, visit www.earthday.net/education or contact Earth Day Network’s Director of Education, Johanna Bozuwa at Bozuwa@ earthday.net.

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school and home

Life Changing Programs Boys & Girls Clubs of the North Valley Offer Comprehensive Programs for Boys and Girls

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By Rashell Brobst

or many youth today, the transition from childhood to adulthood is a challenging one. This journey requires youth, ages 8-17, to understand and manage such things as: physical changes in their bodies; friendships and relationships with others; greater freedom and responsibility in personal decisions; and increased peer and social pressure. Through the Boys & Girls Clubs’ Healthy Lifestyles initiative, they are developing young people’s capacity to engage in positive behaviors that nurture their own well-being, help set personal goals and live successfully as self-sufficient adults. To help make this transition a positive and healthy one, Boys & Girls Clubs of the North Valley implements comprehensive programs for boys and girls called, Passport to Manhood and SMART Girls.

Through these programs, boys and girls learn the meaning of being a responsible person and how to contribute to their community through a series of lessons, group discussions, positive reinforcement and mentorship. Youth are engaged, year-round, at all our Clubs across the county, reaching nearly 450 boys and girls ages 8 to 18. Because they are a Boys & Girls Club, they have access to evidence based and targeted curriculum to ensure that our kids get the right information and the right support at the right time. They implement separate modules that are specially tailored to three distinct age groups: 8 to 10, 11 to 13 and 14 to 18. The programs are all interactive, engaging, and in small-groups to promote camaraderie.

These programs encourage each youth to explore and express their individuality through discussions, hands-on games and activities, role-play, collaborative decision-making and problem solving.

By addressing problems before they occur, intervening early to change risky behaviors, and providing mentoring relationships to develop healthy skills, the comprehensive programs provided give youth a voice, a continuum of services as they develop, and a safe forum to process issues and solve problems collaboratively.

“Teaching youth to just say no, doesn’t work anymore; the choices and challenges youth are faced with today can lead to unhealthy life altering consequences,” said Rashell Brobst, Chief Executive Officer. “We have a responsibility to our youth to be there, guiding them to make good choices and support their developmental needs. The strength of our services is that we meet the needs of the whole child and build mentoring relationships with each of our Club members, giving them tools to make healthy and wise decisions.”

Joe Hejl, Chief Operations Officer says, “Regardless of gender, the developmental ages of 8 through 18 are critical. Youth’s bodies start to change, their relationships start to change and

they go from learning from their parents to learning from their peers to figure out who they are and where they belong. The natural progression can make preteens and teens feel alone and confused, which makes programs such as SMART Girls and Passport to Manhood critical.”

The Boys & Girls Clubs of the North Valley has been at the forefront of youth development in Butte County for 20 years, providing daily programs and services to thousands of young people. The Club is open year round with programs that emphasize character and leadership development, education and career enhancement, health and life skills, the arts, sports, fitness and recreation.

2 SMART Girls quotes: Felicity, 12 – “My favorite part of the program is the staff.

SMART Girls helps me learn about what is going to happen in life and doing the right thing. Because of SMART Girls, I am choosing better friends and friends that aren’t rude to me anymore. My favorite session was when I got to teach a class about friendship and choosing the right friends even if they are different or have a disability because I have a disability.”

Anissa, 12 – “Through SMART Girls I’ve gotten to know other girls and know that they are going through the same things that I am going through. I’ve learned how to handle things better as they happen in my life. My favorite activity was when we did a self-portrait and everyone went around and wrote what they liked about each person. Before SMART Girls, I used to be worried and self-conscience about what others thought about me and now I just brush it off.”

2 Passport to Manhood quotes: Doug, 10 – “I’ve learned that it‘s okay to be different from everybody else and it’s okay to just be you. My favorite session was on going down the right path as you take on more responsibilities and mature. I’ve learned how important it is to be responsible, loyal, mature and speak up for myself. Because of Passport to Manhood, I think that I have changed my attitude and I act more mature.”

Ernesto, 12 – “Passport to Manhood has helped me deal with anger and how to become a good person. The lessons I’ve learned is that a little goes a long way and that you get out what you give. The change that I have seen in myself is that I don’t get as angry for no reason and I am helping out others and the community.”

school and home

Educational & Fun-Filled Field Trips for 2015-2016

By Angella Terres Toral

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his year, Chico Performances is bringing a variety of funfilled and educational performances for children to Laxson Auditorium, as part of the Field Trip series. The Field Trip series has become a great experience for students and young children and has allowed them to gain knowledge while enjoying live performances. Field Trip tickets are $5 per seat and go on sale Monday, August 24, 2015, at 10 a.m.

www.growingupchico.com

Field Trips are open to classrooms, students, and teachers, and are scheduled at either 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., or 11:30 a.m., giving children the opportunity to come during school hours with their classmates.

Kicking off the Field Trip season at Chico Performances, will be the Blue Room Young Company, bringing to life some of our favorite stories from Dr. Seuss. Seussical JR., will feature characters such as Horton the Elephant, the Cat in the Hat and many more! Don’t miss out on the wacky adventure of the Dr. Seuss characters at Laxson Auditorium on September 18.

The Giver, is sixty minutes of solo-performances, featuring a story line between young Jonas and his mentor, The Giver. As Jonas trains to become the “Receiver of Memories,” the buried truth about the world that he was born into becomes hauntingly clear to both Jonas and the audience.

This interactive performance will take place at the Laxson Auditorium on October 19.

On October 26, students can enjoy the musical talent of Julie Fowlis when they recognize her Scottish voice singing the theme song on Disney Pixar’s Brave. Ms. Fowlis and her band provide students with what the BBC Radio describes as, “beautiful messages from another world.”

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Frog Bride is a hip adaptation of a classic Russian tale, told by consummate storyteller David Gonzalez. Two outstanding musicians weave one of Prokofiev’s classics with an original jazz-funk score, as David performs every role against a backdrop of stunning live video projection and moving images by painter, Wassily Kandinsky. Filled with comic sparkle, Frog Bride is a “ribbiting” coming-of-age story that will be performed live on November 6, at Laxson Auditorium.

On November 20, the stage of Laxson Auditorium will be transformed into a puppetry adventure, Going to the Farm with Spot. During this exciting journey, Spot will take you to the farm of his father, Sam, where all the animals are lost. Spot and his friend, Helen, are going to need the help of the audience to find all the animals and bring them back to the farm. Can your students recognize the sounds of the animals and help Spot and Helen find them?

Sleeping Beauty: Behind the Scenes; is a 50 minute Field Trip where students will get a glimpse of the behind the scenes “How did they do that?” and see the work that makes the magic of Sleeping Beauty happen. Be part of the learning experience of theater with your students this December 4th, at Laxson Auditorium.

Symphonic music can be surprisingly fun! When you come to the North

State Symphony concert, you will learn some surprising facts.

For example, did you know the word “symphony” comes from ancient Greek roots for “sounds played together?” Hear some very surprising sounds, like a xylophone and piccolo play together! North State Symphony Surprise Field Trip is on January 20, at Laxson auditorium.

On January 27, in a heart pounding performance, the Taiko drums Yamato return to Laxson Auditorium. Founded in Nara Prefecture, Japan, Yamato has become world ambassadors of the traditional Japanese Wadaiko, or Taiko, drums. This performance will have students fascinated with the sound of drumming as they learn of what the Japanese call, “Tamashy” – meaning the basic elements of life.

Presidio Brass will be performing live on February 4, as part of this year’s Field Trip series. Presidio Brass’s five musicians play everything from movie theme songs to classical pieces. Who says Brass is boring?

On February 17, the award-winning story, Big Friendly Giant, will come to life at Laxson Auditorium with a 15 foot-tall vegetarian giant with vocabulary problems who teams up with a young orphan girl named, Sophie. Together, Sophie and her new “jumbly” friend, the BFG (Big Friendly Giant), devise a plan to save the children of England from child-eating giants.

A live performance of ODC, a modern dance company from San Francsco, features intriguing ways to showcase body movement. This Field Trip performance will feature a mix of ODC repertory from their 45-year history that will capture your student’s imagination, on April 4, at Laxson Auditorium.

On April 13, Circa - Carnival of the Animals performs at Laxson Auditorium. The Circa performance is physically astounding, crammed with amazing circus skills including aerials, acrobatics, tumbling, table sliding and skipping that will leave your students in awe.

On May 11, Laxson Auditorium will be filled with some friendly four legged friends as Stunt Dog Experience takes the stage. With amazing tricks, big air stunts, comedy antics, dancing dogs, and athletic feats, it is the most entertaining show of its kind!

Lastly, to finish the Field Trip series, Playhouse Youth Theater will present a musical version of the comedic children’s movie, Shrek on May 30! This fairy tale, by kids for kids, will include all the favorite characters from the movie including Shrek, Princess Fiona, and the rest of the gang! We guarantee your students will leave the theatre singing “I’m A Believer!”

Field Trip tickets are $5 per seat and go on sale Monday, August 24, 2015, at 10 a.m. To order Field Trip tickets on or after August 24, please contact Chris Zinna at the University Box Office at 530-898-4325, or email czinna@csuchico.edu.

Chico Performances encourages anyone who wishes to support the Field Trip program to donate through the Adopt-A-Class program. This program accepts donations from business and individuals to sponsor a school, teacher, or classroom of their choice. To AdoptA-Class, call the University Box Office at 898-4325.

school and home

how to PACK YOUR

LUNCH step 1: starch + protein

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step 2: fruit

step 3: veggie

step 4: snack

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step 5: water

Butte County Adds H.E.A.R.T Homeless Emergency Action Response Team

By Krisy Haber

Last year, Youth for Change, a non-profit social service agency, received federal funds to facilitate a program that serves homeless and runaway minors.

This was a collaborative effort with Butte Behavioral Health, who formally held the grant and ran the H.E.R.E. program. Butte County Behavioral Health Crisis Program still exists to serve minors in a mental health crisis.

And now, Butte County has the H.E.A.R.T Program: Homeless Emergency Action Response Team.

The mission of H.E.A.R.T is to support and protect the well-being of minor homeless youth by providing physical and emotional safety, crisisintervention, emergency housing, family support, case management, and street outreach services.

The goals of this program are; to provide physical and emotional safety to minor youth experiencing a homeless or runaway episode; reunite runaway youth with their families and strengthen family bonds; promote stable living conditions for runaway and homeless youth, including youth that are at risk of separation from their families, but may have not yet runaway; and design, implement and maintain a services delivery system that is responsive to the unique needs of runaway and homeless minors in Butte County.

The services include: 24 hour mobile crisis

intervention, access to temporary shelter, social service advocacy, counseling, family reunification, and support with basic needs such as food, clothing, and hygiene items.

A unique aspect to the H.E.A.R.T. program is that it has an outreach team that consists of 4 youth staff members that have also experienced homelessness.

This team will engage in street outreach and peer mentoring throughout the county.

H.E.A.R.T collaborates closely with 6th Street Center for Youth, w who serves homeless and marginally housed youth, ages 14-24. 6th Street provides food, showers, laundry, case management, counseling and other supportive services weekdays 10:30am-5:30pm.

Butte County is fortunate to now have several programs focused on the unique needs and challenges that at-risk, homeless, and runaway youth face in our rural county. Despite our relatively small population, we have a large number of youth experiencing homelessness. In the 2013 Point-in-Time Homeless survey, conducted by Butte County Continuum of Care, there were approximately 400 homeless youth in Butte County. Statistics give us a snap shot of what is happening but as service providers we know the numbers are much greater than reported.

When thinking about youth and adults that experience homelessness, consider this. Ideally,

everyone exists and functions healthfully in 3 homes.

The first home is the self, their identity, personality, values, and dreams. The second home is a physical structure with walls, separate rooms, clean spaces, the ability to protect someone from the elements, and a place where happy memories are made.

The last home is an individuals’ community, the place where they intersect with others, experience interdependence, and learn how to relate to the world. Youth who experience homelessness are often not only lacking a physical structure but they feel alienated from their own identity and community.

The process of reintegration takes a village and the H.E.A.R.T. program looks forward to collaborating with more agencies, families, and community partners so that no youth has to experience the trauma that comes from lacking those 3 homes.

Now, everyone has a different idea of what qualifies as the “right” kind of life and we honor our clients’ power to be the expert in their own lives. Regardless, home is where the heart is and the H.E.A.R.T. program is here for youth. Our 24/7 phone number is 1-877-4-Run-Away. Our office number is (530)-6364267. If you have questions or would like to make any donations you can ask for Emily Bateman our Program Manager.

Nature Hunting

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family time

By Mary Portis

With the Family

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nature scavenger hunt is a tradition at our family reunions. Every year, we head out to a trail with a list of animals, plants, reptiles, rocks, and insects that we hope to see. As we hike, everyone searches for the items on the list, as well as anything else of interest.

Points are awarded for finding an item first and for making sure that everyone sees the discovery. Points are not the important part and there is no prize for the most points, but they seem to motivate our hikers into walking longer and looking more closely at nature. In addition to the items on our list, everyone is encouraged to identify other items of interest. When the number of potential discoveries is unlimited, the hikers maintain their enthusiasm throughout the hike and even reminisce about discoveries from past years…until you have teenagers.

This year, on our annual family hike, three of our teenagers brought cell phones. Instead of participating in our nature scavenger hunt and enjoying the natural surroundings, these three stopped every 5 steps to check for bars on their phones and then moaned about the lack of service. “How, in America, could there be a place without cell phone coverage?” they cried.

My first thought was to ask why they had brought their cell phones on a hike, but I held my tongue. My second thought was to lecture about the beauty of nature and appreciating the people right here on the hike, but I held my tongue.

The days when teenagers no longer enjoy family outings is bound to come, I told myself. At least they are here and making forward progress. Unfortunately, having three of the group preoccupied with their cell phones siphoned enthusiasm from our scavenger hunt and left the younger children, as well as the adults, plodding along on a hike we all wished would end. Then the great idea hit.

The cell phones had cameras. Our traditional scavenger hunt is a visual quest. Now instead of just pointing at the items, we divided into three teams, lead by the teenagers with cell phones and set out to photograph the items on our list.

Several pictures could be taken of a single item and then the team would delete all but the best picture. The points would happen at home when we downloaded the pictures and analyzed which pictures were the best.

Our teenagers seemed relieved to be able to use their phones and participated with the enthusiasm of past years.

Since it was a team effort, there was more cooperation and communication between the team members than there had been in our previous game and a lot more careful observation of nature. Now, you didn’t just have to see it, you had to capture it in a clear, identifiable way.

Once we were back at home, we had a second immersion into nature as we reviewed and commented on our pictures.

A whole new dialogue started about the beauty of the

items we had photographed and what makes a good picture. The teenagers then suggested we take another hike the next day, this time focusing on creating the most beautiful images of nature!

During the reunion, we took 4 more family hikes with cell phone cameras and digital cameras, each hike adding a different twist to appreciating the outdoors. It looks like we have a new tradition.

Suggestions for a Nature Scavenger Hunt •

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• • • • •

• •

Where you are hiking determines your scavenger list.

Choose things your hikers can find if they use their powers of observation. The game will fail if your hikers can’t find anything or if they find everything without trying.

Put 8 to 10 items on your scavenger list. Too many items fatigue the hikers and too few are not a challenge. Our hikers do 8 to 10 items happily.

Choose items that require observation of your total hiking environment. Include things that are on the ground, growing below waist level, in the trees, and in the air. Include living things, as well as the places they live and the droppings they leave.

Show your hikers how to observe nature from a bird’s eye view and an ant’s eye view. Then take photographs from these views.

Encourage your hikers to look for interesting things outside of the items on the scavenger list. Praise their observations and add them to future scavenger hunts.

Model how to move quietly through nature to increase the chances of seeing wildlife.

Practice “Stop, Look and Listen� for periods of 5 minutes or more to see what you might have missed if you kept moving.

Photograph your discoveries.

Take only photographs; Leave only footprints. Children usually want to take the whole forest home. Taking photographs relieves some of the burden of insisting that rocks, insects, nests, sticks, leaves, and reptiles stay in nature. Now you can say, “We have a picture of it.�

Bring a bag to collect any trash that other hikers might have left behind.

Have fun.

A List of Beginning Scavenger Items:

Spider webs, lady bugs, tadpoles, berries, nests, hives, flowers of a certain color, birds in flight, frogs, wood that is a home for insects, ferns, deer, squirrels, moss, butterflies, animal tracks, dragon flies, a plant growing in a difficult place, burrows, ducks, scat, the biggest leaf, the smallest leaf, interesting insects, holes an animal has made, the tallest tree, rocks with interesting shapes...

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family time

An Important Safety Concern

Regarding Kids in Cars

By Katie Simmons

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that his windshield was dirty, Rich ran inside to grab a few quarters for the carwash, leaving Adela in the car. Moments later, when he ran back out, he came upon our daughter screaming in panic while his car was driven first into a fence, and then skidded around the corner and out of sight. He lunged after the car, running frantically, before falling and skinning his knees, elbows, and cheekbones; ultimately ending up with a black eye that would linger for weeks.

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n January of this year, as I was walking downtown between meetings, I came upon a car idling at the curb. I heard the sound of its muffler gently rumbling and saw a thin stream of exhaust rising up in the cool air. As I made my way past the car, I peeked into the windows and what I saw stopped my heart: two children no older than 5 were both buckled into car seats. In an idling vehicle. On the side of the road.

I dropped my purse in shock and stood stock still, looking around wildly for the responsible adult. When I saw no one, I angled my body casually so as not to draw attention to myself, and I stood by the car until the harried parent ran out, jumped in, and sped away, the entire scenario likely forgotten within minutes.

A neighbor heard Adela’s screams and ran from her house, calming her while they waited for the police. Rich’s cell phone was still in the car which made it easy to find a few miles away, deep in an orchard.

Adela was driven to the orchard in the back of a sheriff’s car, behind plexi-glass that muffled the voices of her dad and the officer, so that she could identify the man who had stolen the car. She was kept out of sight while the man was pulled from the car, and she indicated that, yes, he was the man who had gotten behind the wheel right before she jumped out. I would meet him for the first time in criminal court when I spoke to the judge about the impact to our family. I would meet him again in court just one month later after he violated probation on our case and stole another vehicle. And I would see him one final time, when I attended his sentencing for both felonies. An experience nearly as terrifying as your child enduring a life-threatening crime, is hearing her name called out over and over again by complete strangers during court proceedings. Adela will never be the same after her experience, and I will never be the same after mine.

I have always believed that time heals all wounds and that children

I was shaking so badly that I had to put my hand over my heart to steady myself as I walked back to my office. I was breathless from fright and from confusion over my own feelings. More than anything, I was filled with a surprising rage; not for the unwitting parent, but for the fact that a scene very similar had turned out so very differently for my family.

Early, on the morning of August 1, 2014, I dropped my 9 year-old daughter off with her dad, Rich, who would drive her to summer camp. I had gotten her dressed, made her lunch and put it in her pink sparkly lunch box, and kissed her goodbye as her dad waved from the porch. An hour later, as I worked busily in my office, my daughter and her dad climbed into his car to begin the quick trip to camp. Noticing

Photo of Katie Simmons and her daughter Adela

are resilient. Both are true in this case and life really does go on.

But, the scene plays out in my mind over and over again as I carry on with seemingly routine daily tasks. When I approach my car after grocery shopping, I look around suspiciously as I prepare to load my groceries and snap my toddler into her car seat. I never leave my kids and my keys in the car at the same time, even if the keys are not in the ignition. I don’t trust anyone who approaches our car for any reason and I have to fight back the urge to counsel parents on decisions that involve kids and cars.

Life has a strange way of segregating itself into compartments, and there are certainly moments we can all point to that separate then from now. Before the carjacking, I was a trusting and empathetic parent. During the months of court hearings and sentencing, I was angry and bitter, seeing only the dark side of the world. In the months afterward, I felt wounded and exhausted, my adrenaline still running at full speed. Now, nearly one year later, I have insights into myself, my daughter, and my life that I never would have had. I fear tragedy in ways that are probably irrational, but I am also giving myself the space and time to go through whatever is in store. Adela is strong and mighty, but she can’t yet talk about what happened. This one little moment in our lives taught me that even when we share an experience as a family, we are each on our own individual journeys. I think what hurt me worse than nearly everything else, was the realization that no matter what I want or plan for my daughters, their lives will unfold in their own ways. I am no more in control of their lives than I am of my own, even while they are young and living under my roof.

I have, however, gotten to see something in my eldest child that gives me peace: her powerful ability to think fast and protect herself against danger. In its own way, this is a blessing. I am a better parent for what I have learned and I hope, if nothing else, that sharing our experience makes the world and our kids a little bit safer.

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family time

THE CHICO BUDDY WALK Celebrating Community Members with Down Syndrome

By Katrina Gossage

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he Chico Buddy Walk® started as a small idea, brought together by a few parents and friends who wanted to be able to bring together our community to celebrate and learn about our children, our friends and our neighbors in Butte County with Down syndrome. This small group of people soon became the Chico Down Syndrome Coalition, with a primary mission to celebrate those people in our community with Down syndrome through the promotion of acceptance, education and opportunities to thrive.

There are more than 400,000 people with Down syndrome in the United States and it is the most commonly occurring chromosomal disorder, affecting people of all races and economic levels. The Buddy Walk® is a national advocacy and awareness program that was developed by the National Down Syndrome society in 1995. The three primary goals of the Buddy Walk® are: to promote acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome, to raise funds for local and national programs, and to enhance the position of the Down syndrome community, enabling us to positively influence local and national policy and practice. Since 1995, the Buddy Walk® has grown from 17 walks to over 250 walks across the country and internationally.

The members of the Chico Down Syndrome Coalition are excited to put together the 2nd annual Chico Buddy Walk® which is set to take place Saturday, October 3rd.

The walk will take place at Sycamore Field in lower Bidwell Park, and starts at 10 am with an energizing warm-up routine before we walk around the 1k and 5k portions of lower Bidwell. This year’s walk will feature over 25+ family-friendly vendors, an obstacle course, face painting, music, local food trucks and there is even word that there might be a princess and superhero sighting. Gates will open at 9am for day-of ticket purchases, but tickets will be available through Ticketleap at http://chicodsc.ticketleap.com/2nd-walk/. Additional information can be found by visiting our Facebook page under Chico Buddy Walk.

The funds raised by the Chico Buddy Walk® will be used to provide education in the community through events, and to provide small grant funds for activities including, but not limited to: music classes, swim lessons and animal therapy for children and individuals in Butte County with Down syndrome. The committee is also working on creating “Welcome” bags for new families of babies born with Down syndrome in Butte County.

We look forward to seeing people of all ages and abilities out at Bidwell on October 3rd to celebrate our diverse and beautiful community.

For more information, contact: Katrina Gossage, CDSC Chair, at 530-591-2792 or email at: ChicoBuddyWalk@gmail.com.

®

parenting

11 Ways to Raise a Child Who is Entitled and Rude

By Christine Carter, Ph.D

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’ve been re-reading Amy McCready’s excellent parenting book, The “Me, Me, Me” Epidemic. In so doing, it has occurred to me that our generation of parents may be best remembered for our spectacular ability to give our children what they want, when they want it. Do you need a lesson in promoting entitlement? Look no further.

1. Make sure your kids have access to all the latest iDevices anytime they want. For example, they can be playing games on an iPad in the car while you are chauffeuring them around. That way, they will not respond when you ask them about school or point out something interesting. (They will not even know where they are, or where they are going, so they won’t ask you those annoying “are we there yet?”questions!) Similarly, if they have their phone at dinner, they will not have to stop texting their friends or engage in dinner table conversation -- and so they will never be bored or antsy!

2. Do everything within your power to prevent your kids from feeling pain. This includes any sort of discomfort, difficulty, or disappointment. Cover for them when they make mistakes. Insist teachers raise mediocre grades. That way, kids will not learn how to rise to challenges or handle their mistakes themselves, and they will feel entitled to a life free from discomfort or disappointment. When the going gets rough in the future, they will be more likely to find a way to lie or cheat their way out of the situation -or they will instantly start blaming others.

3. When things are not going your way, point to the shortcomings of other people. You are entitled to good service from the dry cleaners, cable guy, flight attendants, etc. Since your kids will never have one of these jobs (see tip # 10), there is really no need to show empathy or compassion towards underperforming service workers.

Similarly, when your kids bring home bad grades, listen earnestly to their accusations about how bad their teachers are. Consider complaining to the Principal or School Head, or at least send an angry email (Note: This strategy makes it likely that your kids will also complain harshly about you, which can be an excellent way to get in touch with your own shortcomings).

4. Give them money whenever they need it. This is easier than remembering to dole out allowance, helping them

5.

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find a job, teaching them to manage their own money, or helping them understand the relative cost of all the things they desperately “need.”

Pay for as many enrichment activities, tutors, and the best sports teams you can afford. When you pay a lot for something, the coaches, faculty and staff tend to feel they owe kids more success, praise, higher scores, trophies, etc.

They are also more likely to go out of their way to ensure that your kids have a good time -- and that they never feel defeated or disappointed.

Give your kids a break, especially if they (or you) are not feeling well. Everyone is under a lot of pressure these days. It is okay to limit kids’ video game playing or youtube watching to 2 hours a day, for example, but these rules can be ridiculously hard to enforce on a dayto-day basis, much less if anything out of the ordinary is happening. If you think they might have a sore throat, or if they seem too tired to go to school, let them stay home and watch Netflix or ESPN all day -- especially if they don’t like school very much.

Refuse to consistently enforce bedtimes. It is normal for kids to want to stay up late, especially if they are texting with their friends or there is a big game on TV. One night, nag them until they go to bed. The next night, you will likely all be tired from the previous night’s effort, so just let them choose their own bedtime, or ignore them until they fall asleep on their own. That way they will realize that, actually, they are in control of their bedtimes. If their attention or impulse control at school suffers because they are tired, excellent stimulants, like Ritalin, are widely available.

Confide in your kids as though they are your close friends, especially if you really need someone to talk to about a problem or if you are already crying or enraged. Lack of boundaries creates the expectation that your business is their business to worry about and fix.

Having you as a friend first and parent second, ensures that their close friendships with peers do not fully develop, and therefore won’t interfere with their closeness to you (or their ability to support you when you need them).

Moreover, this lack of boundaries will ensure that they are often rude to you, much in the same way they are with their siblings.

9. Do not insist kids write thank you notes. Kids are busy, and so are you (and we all know it is you that will be saddled with addressing and mailing the notes). People already know that kids are grateful for all they have and everything they receive; no need for them to learn how to express their appreciation in written form, especially given how much they already have going on.

10. Make sure they never have to do an entry-level or minimum wage job. Boredom is uncomfortable and unnecessary (see tip 2). Working their way up in an organization is a waste of time if you can use your connections to help them start at the top; hopefully, they will pick up a strong work-ethic from all the people around them that did earn their positions. Bonus #1: Kids start to assume that all adults are willing to go the extra mile for them, and that they are entitled to skip the hard bits in life. Bonus #2: This will greatly reduce the odds that they will ever work in a service industry, or have the chance to work alongside people different from themselves -- and increase the odds that they will act superior and degrading to servers and cashiers everywhere.

11. Above all, let them out of their chores around the house. Kids often have trouble managing their time; it is understandable if they are distracted by video games, Instagram, or 10,000 texts from their friends. Nothing is more relevant to adolescents than what is happening on their phones. Remember, this is normal. They need to keep up with the social scene if they are to have friends and be accepted by their peer group. If they have homework, don’t compound their distraction or time-management issues by asking them to empty the dishwasher.

These techniques will ensure not just that your kid will be illmannered and entitled, but also possibly insecure, materialistic, anxious (or arrogant), and dependent. They definitely will not develop the skills they need: to sustain lasting and loyal friendships without your constant interference, to handle stress and anxiety without drugs and alcohol, or to hold down a real job without your connections. What better way to shore up our family connections than to ensure that our kids always live with us? ***Does this post make you cringe? It makes me a little nervous because I have done nearly of these things myself at some point as a parent! But, then I remember that it is in noticing my mistakes that I am best able to grow. We are parenting in a culture that makes it very easy to make these mistakes! Even so, we can raise kind kids with strong characters.

Christine Carter, Ph.D., is the author of The Sweet Spot: How to Find Your Groove at Work and Home

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parenting

Terry J. Basile, Marriage and Family Therapist

Ask Your Family Therapist

Instead of having our usual Q & A, let’s talk about some challenging times as the kids go back to school! While this a parenting advice column, it will be informed by not only my experience being a mom, but my work for over 35 years as a therapist for children and families. If you have any questions you would like answered by Terry J. Basile in our next issue of Growing Up Chico please send them to: info@growingupchico.com.

Pre-School/Kindergarten Often this is a time with as much emotional stress for us as our children. On my son’s first day of preschool, I dropped him off and immediately started crying. I stood outside a big window in front of the school, when I noticed my son looking back at me with big crocodile tears running down his sad face. It was so hard for me, on so many levels, that I forgot that he would feel what I felt. Truthfully, as soon as I left, he would join the other kids and have a great day. He was ready for the stimulation and socialization of school. It would take me longer to accept that my role as a mother was changing. I would miss my ‘baby,’ but soon I would enjoy this new stage and his excitement to learn and meet new friends. So, give your child a drama free first day of school, check your emotions at the door, or have someone else drop your child off.

First and Second Grade – Hopefully, you were able to tour the school with your child at an orientation before school started.

If not, spend some extra time helping your child tour the school grounds. First grade is often very different than kindergarten with homework, more rules, new kids and a new teacher. Most teachers have a curriculum with standards they must meet.

That also means that their job performance is, in part, judged by how the children in their class meet those standards. Yet, not all children learn in the same ways or mature on command. For active children, sitting at a desk is almost painful and concentrating for long periods of time is difficult.

The first few years of school are when you will find out the strengths and challenges of your child’s learning style.

Learning disabilities are often not yet diagnosed, so if they are suspected, you will need to be an advocate for your child. Rather than being adversarial, create a ‘team’ effort with the teacher to respond to your child’s special needs. If you are concerned, talk with the teacher about special testing or request an IEP( Individualized Educational Plan) which brings you together with the school psychologist, administrators, and the classroom teacher to assess your child’s educational needs. The plan that is created is a legal document made to address those needs and must be reviewed with your involvement periodically.

Third to Sixth Grade These are the years when appearance and social groups become more important. Yes, you will lose part of your child to media, sports and the mall.

With changing hormones comes less attention

in the classroom and homework may become a nightly struggle. Some children will want to start having girlfriends or boyfriends. They may look and think that they are teens but they are not. Be prepared to set limits on social events and dating.

You still need to know who they are with and where they go. I suggest no official dating, but group events are acceptable. This is where you begin to ‘pick your battles,’ but you are still very much in charge. Kids begin to seek independence, but are not developmentally prepared for what that means. You have every right to set guidelines for what games they play, what music is acceptable and how to dress age appropriately. Be clear about your policy about checking phones and computers.

I would recommend that you do periodically check all media accounts. Expecting a child to resist the temptation of some inappropriate internet sites and games is unrealistic. Remember to reward positive behavior with something like getting to pick the family activity such as a movie, meal or day trip.

Junior High SchoolThe tension around all the issues I just talked about increases with the onset of adolescence.

Now you will need to give your child chances to start being independent-gradually. Start with something simple. For example, let them ride their bike to school or spend two hours with their friends, unsupervised, at a safe place in the community. Explain to them that they need to earn trust by showing that they are responsible. This is an important lesson for them. We want them to know how they can earn freedoms rather than become frustrated and just take them.

Cell phones are now how you stay in contact with your child. If they do not answer when you call to check in, there should be consequences. Be careful not to use withholding the phone or video games as your only consequence. It is how children today keep socially connected and release stress.

Junior high school is a new challenge academically for your teen. They need you to check homework and stay connected to class teachers through email and conferences. Young teens are often overwhelmed and need your support to stay on track academically. If it becomes a battle, think about hiring a tutor or have an adult they trust help them. Frame this as support, not punishment. At this age they are starting to separate from you and some teens have a hard time letting parents see them struggle at anything. You will have less family time with your teen, so find strategies to make it fun!

particularly difficult time during pregnancy, and/or after baby is born, it is important to talk about it. Talk to your loved ones about new motherhood and your feelings.

Depression and anxiety during and after pregnancy occurs more than most people realize.

New mothers can also experience Postpartum Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Panic and Psychosis Disorders.

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parenting

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T

he experience of pregnancy and becoming a mother is one of the most miraculous and joyous parts of family life. This also can be one of the most physically, mentally and emotionally challenging times for a mother. For some mothers, the difficulty is more intense, lasts longer, and is actually a condition called “Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorder.” Perinatal (which means during and after pregnancy) depression and anxiety affects up to 20% of all new mothers. It is the most common complication of pregnancy, and when untreated, can have serious effects on mothers, children and families.

“I was so happy, excited and ready to become a mother. When I got postpartum depression I kept it to myself for a long time because I thought it would go away on its own and I didn’t want to be viewed as a bad mother. It was a really hard time for my family. It wasn’t until I asked for help and realized that it wasn’t my fault that things truly started getting better.

Looking back, I wish I had reached out for help sooner.” growing up chico magazine

others Strong is a collaboration of local agencies, businesses and champion moms who are concerned that local families may not have access to the help and support needed to overcome this treatable condition. The group first formed in the spring of 2014, and has been working hard to identify and expand local resources for mothers, as well as bring education and awareness to the issue in Butte County.

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Briana Patterson, Chico

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ere are a few things Mothers Strong would like for all families to know about Perinatal Depression and Anxiety: If you think you or someone you love may be having a

“The most important thing to remember is that you are not alone and there is help available for you. Some mothers fear that if they talk about the thoughts that they are having they will be judged as bad mothers, this is not true and by speaking up and asking for help they are helping both themselves and their babies at the same time. Talk to someone, even if it means reaching out to a close family member or friend first who can support you and help connect you with other resources such as a mothers support group or a private therapist.”

Gail Garcia LCSW Social Worker/Clinician Northern Valley Indian Health Children’s Health Center

W

hile this may sound alarming, it is important to know that these conditions are common and are treatable with the right help and support. There are many ways mothers can find help, and the first step is to talk to your doctor about Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorder. Sometimes relief can be as simple as insuring the thyroid gland is working properly, increasing intake of B vitamins, and insuring mom is getting adequate support, sleep and nourishment. In other instances, mothers may need to try some different approaches, such therapeutic counseling with a specially trained practitioner, physician prescribed medication, attending a specialized support group, or other less conventional remedies.

Is it Baby Blues or something more serious?

Answering yes to one or more of the following questions may indicate Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorder. For the complete screening tool, visit https:// psychology-tools.com/epds/.

• • • • • • •

I have not been able to laugh and see the funny side of things.

I haven’t looked forward to things with enjoyment.

I have blamed myself unnecessarily when things went wrong.

I’ve been anxious or worried for no good reason.

I have been so unhappy that I have had difficulty sleeping.

I have felt sad or miserable.

The thought of harming myself or my baby has occurred to me.

Even though Perinatal Depression and Anxiety is the most common complication of pregnancy, mothers can experience shame and guilt because they are feeling terrible during a time that is supposed to be joyful. If you or someone you love is experiencing depression and anxiety, it is important to understand the following: • It is not your fault • You are not alone • With the right care and treatment, you will get better Support from friends and family, and especially from other supportive mothers, can be very beneficial to a struggling mom. Mothers are encouraged to find social supports within the community. In Butte County, we are fortunate to have many amazing groups such as the Chico Mothers Club, the Paradise Moms Spot, MOPS, library story time, LaLeche league, and many other local groups that support mothers and families.

There are specialized support groups at The Nest in Chico and the Family Resource Center in Paradise where moms can connect with other mothers who have experienced perinatal depression and anxiety. There are also online blogs, forums and hotlines that can be very helpful for mothers too. Moms and families can call 2-1-1 to get connected to local support services or visit www.helpcentral.org/mothersstrong for a complete list of local and online resources.

If you would like to join the Mothers Strong effort, please visit Mothers Strong on Facebook or send an email to mothersstrong@gmail.com to find out more about how you can help.

The NEST-S Approach: N- Nutrition E- Exercise S- Sleep and Rest T- Time for yourself S- Support “Coping with Depression During Pregnancy and Following the Birth- by the Reproductive Mental Health Program in BC © 2011.”

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fall fun

Fall Recipes Stuffed Heirloom Tomatoes

Thank you,

Julia’s Fruit Stand, for the wonderful fall recipes!

Julia’s Pumpkin Soup Ingredients 1 pumpkin ¼ cup butter 1 quart chicken broth 1 cup chopped onion 2 cloves garlic—minced 1 t. curry powder ¼ t. ground coriander 1/8 t. red pepper flakes 1 cup ½ & ½ Directions: Cut a lid off the top of the pumpkin, scoop out seeds and stringy parts-rub inside with teaspoon salt. Set pumpkin on cookie sheet.

Sauté the onion and garlic in the butter.

Add spices and cook one minute. Add chicken broth and bring to a boil. Add boiling stock to pumpkin and put it in the oven at 375 degrees for 50 minutes.

When done, puree in blender and put back into the pumpkin. Add warm ½ & ½. **Put tinfoil under the lid so it does not fall into pumpkin.

Ingredients: 6 to 12 heirloom tomatoes Salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste 2 Tbs. olive oil, plus more for drizzling 1 yellow onion, finely diced 1/2 lb. cremini mushrooms, finely diced 3 garlic cloves, minced 1 lb. mild Italian sausage, casings removed 1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes 1 Tbs. minced fresh oregano 2 cups lightly toasted bread crumbs 3/4 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese 1/4 cup minced, fresh, flat-leaf parsley Directions: Preheat an oven to 375°F. Using a paring knife, core the tomatoes, then scoop out the seeds with a spoon. Season the insides of the tomatoes with salt and black pepper. Set the tomatoes, cut side down, on a plate and let stand while making the filling.

In a sauté pan over medium-high heat, warm the 2 Tbs. olive oil. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Add the mushrooms, salt and black pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the sausage and red pepper flakes and cook, using a wooden spoon to break the sausage into small pieces, until cooked through, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer the sausage mixture to a bowl and let cool for 10 minutes.

Add the oregano, bread crumbs, 1/2 cup of the cheese, and the parsley to the sausage mixture and stir to combine. Stuff the tomatoes with the filling, dividing evenly, and place in a baking dish. Sprinkle the tomatoes with the remaining 1/4 cup cheese, dividing evenly. Drizzle olive oil over the tops and sides of the tomatoes.

Bake until the tomatoes are tender and the filling is golden brown, 30 to 35 minutes. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving. Makes 6 to 12 stuffed tomatoes.

LOCAL

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fall fun

PUMPKIN PATCHES Julia’s Fruit Stand

Come see pumpkins of all shapes, sizes, and colors. Gourds and fresh produce for sale. Don’t miss their 9th annual Great Pumpkin Festival, on Sunday, October 4th, from 11am-3pm. Special guest country music star Chad Bushnell. Tri-Tip lunch, Caramel Apples, Pumpkin Pie, Local vendors, Photo booth and of course Pumpkins!

Location: 11475 Highway 99 E Dates of Operation: Open everyday, 9am-6pm Contact: (530) 354-4775 www.facebook.com/pages/ Julias-Fruit-Stand

Book Family Farm

AND CORN MAZES

Maisie Jane’s 2 Pumpkin Patch

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Starting in late September, you can come to Maisie Jane’s Pumpkin Patch, at the corner of Dayton Rd. and Hegan Ln, (just 2.2 miles down the road from the retail store). Free bag of almonds with purchase of a pumpkin!

Scavenger Hunt, Pumpkin Relays, Pumpkin Art, Fun Farm Facts, Fresh Cut Giant Sunflowers and baskets of Decorative Gourds.

Pick your own, or choose a prepicked pumpkin. Many varieties and sizes to choose from. Class field trips welcome!

Location: 3764 Hegan Ln., Chico Hours: Monday - Friday: 9:00am-Dusk Saturday & Sunday: Noon-Dusk Phone: (530) 899-7909 www.facebook.com/maisiejanes

Los Molinos

CHICO Orland 5

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Come relax and enjoy the sights & sounds at the Book Family Farm Pumpkin Patch. It is a real working farm with cows, chickens, pigs, horses, turkeys & 1 goose! Fun, Educational, Year Round Educational Field Trips & Tours, and Grass-Fed Meats. There are several varieties of pumpkins, specialty winter squash, corn stalks, & Indian corn.

No entrance fee, pumpkins priced by size.

Location: 153 Heavy Horse Lane, Durham Hours: Tuesday-Friday:1-6pm Saturday: 9-5pm Phone: (530) 342-4375 www.bookfamilyfarm.net

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Patrick Ranch Museum

Come visit the Patrick Ranch Museum’s Autumn Festival! Celebrate fall and pick your own pumpkin or purchase one of the many pumpkins they have chosen. You can join an old fashioned hay ride while visiting the historic grounds of the Patrick Ranch. There will be historic farmhouse tours, a gift shop and plenty of children’s activities. Come have some old fashioned fun!

School Tours are available.

Location: 10381 Midway-Between Chico and Durham Dates of Operation: October 3rd-25th: Saturdays and Sundays Hours: Daily 11:00am-3:00pm Phone: (530) 342-4359 www.patrickranchmuseum.org

Fall

Craft

Eco Crafts

“STAINED GLASS” LEAF ART

By Jan Holman

Fall brings with it wondrous changes! The trees are painted with brilliant colors of reds, crimsons and yellow; the crops of summer ripen for harvest, and morning breezes bring miraculous relief from the intense dry heat of June, July and August. The dramatic color palette Mother Nature calls, “Fall,” bombards the senses, causing children to notice the beauty of the season. Kids, drawn to the shapes, texture and color of leaves, are constantly seeking creative ways to incorporate leaves in their art or play. This wonderfully unique interaction of children and their surroundings can be fleeting and soon forgotten when colors fade and the leaves dry out, crumble and blow away. The following easily made, kid friendly, “Stained Glass” Leaf Panels extend the season as they adorn windows, preserving the color, lessons, and the wonder of Fall.

STEPS TO A BEAUTIFUL “STAINED GLASS” LEAF PANEL

Appropriate for all ages. Young children can do everything but use the iron.

THINGS YOU WILL NEED: Inquisitive children, fun loving parents, leaves, waxed paper, iron and ironing board.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Gather leaves. This is the fun part! Pack a lunch, load the kids in the car and head for the park, the foothills or to a tree lined country lane to enjoy the beauty of the season and gather a variety of the kids’ favorite leaves.

2. Carefully lay the leaves flat in a shallow box to prevent them from being damaged on the trip home.

3. Place a generous piece of waxed paper on top of an ironing board.

4. Have the kids arrange the leaves as they find pleasing on the waxed paper, leaving a margin of at least one to two inches between leaves and around the perimeter of the waxed paper.

5. Carefully lay a piece of waxed paper (the same size as the bottom piece) over the leaf covered waxed paper prepared in step four.

6. Using an iron, preheated on the “synthetic” setting, (you

might have to experiment with the heat setting), gently move the iron over the waxed panel applying more pressure on the areas where there is waxed paper on waxed paper.

The gentle heat will melt the surface on each piece of waxed paper making them adhere to each other, sealing each leaf in its own airtight pocket. Make sure to seal the edges. This will keep the air out and preserve the color of the leaves for weeks.

7. Allow the panel to cool completely (one or two minutes) before gently lifting it to a flat surface.

8. Tape the leaf panel to a sunlit window.

9. Enjoy!

Note: Nature provides a “hands-on” laboratory of learning.

Suggested Science Topics:

1. Photosynthesis is the energy converting activity of green plants. When green plants (trees, bushes, grasses …) combine energy from light with carbon dioxide and water, they make food and produce oxygen.

2. Chlorophyll - The many hours of sunlight of summer days causes the leaves to make chlorophyll. It is the chlorophyll that causes the leaves to turn green. The reduced hours of sunlight in the fall decreases the amount of chlorophyll. The green fades and other colors present, but masked by the green, appear.

3. Check with your children’s teachers and find out other grade appropriate lessons you can incorporate in your leaf collecting outing. Kids love to take their leaf panels to school to share!

from 6:30-8:30pm. 2156 Pillsbury Rd. Reserve your space today by calling 3437917 ext 109 or by emailing HoneySouza@ButteHumane.org.

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Butte Parent Cafe’: Free public events where parents have meaningful, guided conversations that help solve problems which could affect their children.

Dinner and childcare will be provided free of charge. Parents, Foster Parents, Grandparents, Providers, and other people working with or raising children or anyone in the community who is interested in strengthening families in our community are encouraged to attend. Café is offered once a month in Oroville and once a month in Chico. www.butteparentcafe.com.

Cesarean Recovery and VBAC Support Circle: Every Third Wednesday from 10-11 am. This is a mom led group designed to support women who have had elective and unplanned cesareans, as well as those attempting VBAC. This group does NOT offer medical advice, rather it is designed to give moms a safe space to share and process their experiences, share tips for recovering from surgery, and support one another in their future birthing choices. Please go to www.theNestChico. com for more info.

Chapman Food And Fitness Festival: Held every Friday from 2–5:30pm at 1010 Cleveland Ave. For more information, call 624-8844 or visit www.cChaos. org.

Chico Air Museum: The Chico Air Museum is located at the Chico Municipal

www.growingupchico.com www.growingupchico.com

Airport. This museum features air exhibits that are fun for the whole family!

Open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 9am-4pm. FREE! 147 Convair Court, 345-6468.

Check out all of the great things we have to look forward to this Fall! Please note that dates and times are subject to change. Please call ahead to confirm events.

Ongoing Events Baby Cafe:

Chico Dojo:

This is a relaxed group for parents and babies to meet, visit, and develop a network of support and friendship. Held on Tuesdays from 9-10:30 am at The Nest Chico, www.TheNestChico.com.

Barnes & Noble Storytime: Held weekly on Wednesdays at 11am and Saturdays at 2pm in the children’s book section. Every 3rd Friday, join them for American Girls Club at 7pm. Call 894-1494 for more info. of the Barry Kirshner Wildlife Foundation is to provide rehabilitation and long-term care for exotic and native species, as well as to provide educational programs on all levels, emphasizing wildlife and habitat conservation. Field trips, tours, camps and more. Call 533-1000 or go to www.kirshner.org for more info.

Birth Prep & Comfort Measures Class:

If you’re already familiar with birth and just want some reminders this 2 hour course will refresh your memory & get you excited & ready for your next birth. Call 530-828-1900 to schedule, www. thenestchico.com.

Book Family Farm: New Pumpkin Patch! Fun, Educational, Year Round Field

Trips & Tours, and Grass-Fed Meats. Fun, educational farm tours Saturdays: $5 per child, adults free if accompanied by child. RSVP bookfamilyfarm@gmail.com or 342-4375. For up to date info, “like us” on Facebook.

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Chico Certified Farmers’ Market-Saturdays: Take advantage of all the wonderful produce grown locally at Chico’s year round Farmers’ Market. Held every Saturday from 7:30am-1pm, rain or shine. Located at 2nd and Wall St. parking lot.

Chico Creek Nature Center: Chico Creek Nature Center: The Chico Creek Nature Center offers kids of all ages a place to interact with animals and nature, discover Bidwell Park’s diverse ecosystem and learn about preserving this natural resource. Afterschool, homeschool, preschool and family programs as well as an animal museum and nature play room. Open Wednesday through Saturday from 11am to 4pm. 1968 E. 8th Street, 891­4671, www.BidwellPark.org

Barry Kirshner Wildlife Sanctuary and Education Center: The mission

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Chico Art School: Classes in painting and drawing for ages 7+. All levels.

Monday-Saturday. Email for homeschool, after school and adult class availability. $25 per class-1 1/2 hr. Email Janet@chicoartschool.com or find them on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ChicoArtSchoolandGallery.

Bricks 4 Kids:

Our programs provide an extraordinary atmosphere for students to build unique creations, play games, and have loads of fun using LEGO® bricks. The activities are designed to trigger young children’s lively imaginations and build their self-confidence. After school programs, birthday parties, camps, playgroups, Kidz night out, scouting, open play and drop off for ages 5 and up. Call 332-9172 or go to www.bricks4kidz.com for more details.

Butte County Library, Chico: New Storytimes! Tuesday: Preschool storytime, ages 3-5 years, 11am. Wednesday: Babies storytime, ages 0-18 months, 1pm. Thursday: Bilingual storytime, ages 0-5 years, 10:15am. Thursday: Afterschool storytime, ages 5-9 years, 3pm. Friday: Toddlers storytime, ages 3 years and under, 10:30am. 891-2762, www.buttecounty.net/bclibrary.

Butte Humane Socitey’s Kids Movie Nights:

Drop the kids off for a couple of hours to enjoy pizza, an animal themed movie, and making new friends while you enjoy an evening of your own. Every third Friday of the month.

Kids Karate classes for kids 3 and up. 30 years of teaching experience. Classes include: All Belts Kids Karate, Adults All Belt Karate, Kabudo (Weapons Training), and Advanced Karate. Please call 898-9753 or go to www. chicodojo.com.

Chico Doula Circle: Free Prenatal Workshops first Thursday of each month from 7-8pm and third Sunday of each month from 2-4 pm. Clients and potential clients can come to as many workshops as they choose. During our meetings, we welcome new families, attend to established clients, and present experiential learning opportunities on a variety of topics related to pregnancy, birth & breastfeeding. For more information visit www.chicodoulacircle.com.

Chico Mall Back to School Supply Drive:

For the second year now we will hold a back to school supply drive to support Chico Unified School District.

Drop off locations will be at DeVons Jewelers, The Children’s Place, Carl’s Jr. and Chico Mall management office. Donations are accepted until August 15.

Chico Mothers Club:

Ongoing weekly playgroups and a variety of other fun activities for young children. Gather weekly for friendship and support. For detailed information, please visit www.chicomothersclub.org

Chico Museum:

Open Wednesday - Sunday, noon to 4pm; donations gladly appreciated. Located at Second and Salem Streets, Downtown Chico. Phone 8914336, or visit www.chicomuseum.org.

Chico Yo Yo Club: Come learn new tricks, show off your skill, & win great prizes. Bird in Hand in Downtown Chico. Every Saturday at noon. 893-0545.

Enloe’s Mother and Baby Education Center: Ongoing before baby classes, after baby classes, as well as safety classes. Please call 332-3970 to register or go to www.enloe.org and click on Mother and Baby Care Center for more information and to view a full list of classes.

Expecting Multiples Childbirth Prep:

Private classes scheduled at your convenience. This 4 hour class features curriculum and videos specific to multiples pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding and postpartum issues and will address the unique concerns parents of multiples have and prepare you for your birth. Call 828-1900 or go to www.TheNestChico.com

Family Skate Night: North Valley Hockey, go to www.nvhsc.org for more

info.

Contact EV Free Church for more information: 343-6022.

Family Swim:

MOPS Chico: MOPS at Grace Community Church: support group for mothers of children

The 90 degree indoor pool is always comfortable any time of year.

Family Swim is open to anyone (no membership required) on Fridays from 5-8 pm. Cost is just $2 per person. For more information, contact Chico Water Sprites at 342-2999 or visit www.chicowatersprites.com.

Fantastic Fridays: Athletic Horizons has the ultimate playgroup! Takes place on the 1st and 3rd Friday of the month for all children, walking to 5 years old. Contact for more information: 893-4967 or www.athletichorizons.com.

Free Tennis Clinic: Held every Saturday at the Chico Racquet Club at 10am, open to all ages. 1629 Manzanita Ave, 895-1881.

Friday Night Concerts: The concerts, a cherished summertime traditon, are held weekly until September 11th and are widely considered Chico’s best place to hear live, local music for free. Located in City Plaza, in the heart of downtown, the concerts offer entertainment to suit every musical preference - styles range from blues to swing and from Classic rock to reggae.

Go to www.downtownchico.com for more details.

Funny Girl: Runs October 10th-31st, 7:30PM-8:30PM, The funny, fabulous, and fanciful

career of Fanny Brice! One of the top performers of her time, the career of Fanny Brice spanned from Vaudeville star to The Ziegfeld Follies to Radio to Hollywood films. Hit songs include People and Don’t Rain On My Parade. Funny Girl sizzles with top notch music, humor, love, and dancing! www.chicotheatercompany.com 894-3282.

Gateway Science Museum: Come explore the Gateway. Visit the many hands on exhibits for kids and families of all ages. See ad in this issue for more information on current exhibits.

Summer exhibits open through September 6th & Fall exhibits are open September 19th-January 3rd. Open Wed. through Sun. noon to 5pm. For more information, call 898-4121 or visit www. csuchico.edu/gateway.

Great Expectations Childbirth Education:

This 4 hour pregnancy and childbirth education workshop will prepare you for childbirth. Get all your questions answered and learn how to prepare for a positive, informed, & supported birth experience. The intimate size of this workshop gives participants the opportunity to express and address their unique concerns and needs. Single parents and couples welcome. Private classes scheduled at your convenience.

Please go to www.theNestChico.com for more info.

Home Depot Kids Workshops: Chico & Oroville. Hands-on building workshop for ages 5-12. Saturdays, 9am-12pm. Free. Chico: 342-0477; Oroville: 538-0521.

Jazzercise: FREE Childcare! Contact for more details and class times. 896-9743, www.jazzercise.com.

Kids in Safe Seats: Low cost car seat program for Butte County residents. For more info on this program, please call Butte County Public Health 800-339-2941.

Kids Night Out: Fridays at In Motion Fitness from 5:30-9:30. Each night includes dinner and an exciting activity. Must pre-register. Call 895-kids or visit www.inmotionfitness.net to find out more.

La Leche League Breastfeeding Support Group: La Leche League offers free mother-

to mother support for breastfeeding. Babies and young children are always welcome at meetings.

Meetings are held throughout the month. Please refer to the LLL of Chico Facebook page, call 487-4109 or email lllofchico@gmail.com for details and times.

Lowe’s Build and Grow Workshops:

Free kids clinic, Saturdays at 10am.

Must pre register at: www.lowesbuildandgrow.com or call for more info.

Masie Jane’s Pumpkin Patch: Open late September-October. Many pumpkin varieties to choose from. Class field trips welcome. Fun and games, fresh cut sunflowers, gourds and more! Mon-Fri 9am-dusk, Sat & Sun noon to dusk. 899-7909, 3764 Hegan Ln, Chico.

Meet & Greet: Meet & Greet Parent Support Group will be held the last Thursday of each month, from 6-8pm. Meet & Greet is for parents or caretakers of children (adult or youth) with developmental disabilities. This free program offers an evening of respite and enjoyment for parents. A rotating menu of foods and beverages are provided, and the fun games and activities change each month. Meet & Greet provides supports and ideas from knowledgable parents in a light-hearted, enjoyable environment. Childcare is not provided.

For more information please call Loren at Autism lifeSpan, 897-0900.

Mid Life! The Crisis Muiscal: Held through August 9th, www.chicotheatercompany. com, 894-3282. 7:30PM-9:30PM. A hilarious look at the trials and tribulations of aging!

Join our cast of six as they poke fun at the frustrations of mammograms, love handles, weekend warriors, and doctor exams. MID-LIFE strikes a chord with all ages as they sing about forgetfulness, reading glasses, and menopause, but also touch on the sentimental wisdom that the later years offer. You’ll recognize your parents, your partner or yourself in this delightful musical comedy.

MOMS:

Making Our Mothering Significant is a group of moms who get together to share the joys and challenges of motherhood. Every mom needs a community that will encourage and support her. 1193 Filbert Ave, on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month at 9am, from September through May. Child care is provided. First meeting is free!

0-preschool, just like you! Meets 1st and 3rd Tuesdays September-May. Call for more information: 343-5528. Free Childcare.

Mothers Strong Support Group:

“Baby blues and beyond. . . .” We are moms who provide support and strive to empower each other. Our group is a safe, advice free, and judgement free zone. A place to speak the truth about mothering even when you may feel anxious or depressed. Held on Thursdays from 9-10:30am at The Nest Chico, www.TheNestChico.com.

Museum of Northern California Art (MONCA): The mission of the Museum is to make art accessible and promote awareness of northern California artists through collections, exhibitions, and educational programs. www.monca.org.

Newborn Care Class: This 2 hour class will teach you the basics of newborn care including diapering, feeding (bottle/breast), bathing, swaddling, baby wearing, umbilical cord care, & circumcision care. Call 530-828-1900 to schedule. www.thenestchico.com Patrick Ranch Museum: Educational Field Trips, Pumpkin Patch & More at the Historic Patrick Ranch. Field trips are planned for Pre-K-K from October 7th-21st on Wednesdays at 9:30 and 1st-3rd grades from October 8th-23rd on Thursdays and Fridays starting at 9:00 am and 11:00 am. $5.00 per person (includes pumpkin to take home).

All proceeds go towards maintaining the Patrick Ranch Museum. To schedule a field trip, please call 588-3869 or 592-9260. For more information visit our web-site at www.patrick ranchmuseum.org. The Patrick Ranch Museum is also open on Saturdays for tours of the Glenwood Farm house. Tours from 11am-3pm. Visit website for upcoming events on Saturdays at patrickranchmuseum.org or call 342-4359.

Picnic In The Plaza: The City of Chico, Park Division, and the Downtown Chico Business Association invite you to join them for Picnic in the Plaza which will be held every Tuesday from 11:30-1pm. Bring a lunch or grab a bite to eat from one of the food trucks and enjoy a variety of provided entertainment. www.downtownchico.com.

Pregnancy Education Series: This four-week childbirth education series is designed to prepare expectant women and their support person for their childbirth experience. We recommend that you choose to attend a session that ends one month before your baby is due. Call 876-2518 to register or go to www.frhosp.org for more information.

Prenatal Yoga:

Thursdays at 5:15 pm at The Nest, www.thenestchico.com. This class is for expectant mothers to embrace their changing bodies, ease the discomforts of pregnancy, and practice exercises appropriate for pregnancy. This Yoga class is taught by the lovely and amazing Jarynna Chua; yogi, mother, MFT & LLL leader. $10 per person. Class size limited to 8.

Roo’s Zoo Skate Session at Cal Skate: Join Roller-Roo for this specially designed session for kids 10 & under–strollers welcome. 10am-12pm. $5.50/child, includes quad skate rental (parents skate for $2.75); or $25/6-weeks. 343-1601.

Rowell’s Pals Playgroup:

A diverse playgroup for parents & little ones ages 1-5, of all abilities. Come sing, dance, read & play. 10-11am, Fridays. Free; preregistration encouraged. Rowell Family Empowerment of N. CA, 3075 Cohasset Rd., #2. 899-8801.

Sliver Dollar BMX: First race is FREE for those looking to try something new here in Chico! There are racers as young as 3 years old and all ages are welcome! Practice/racing every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday, weather permitting. “Like” us on Facebook www. facebook.com/sdbmx to receive current track updates.

Steel Magnolias:

Runs August 29th-September 13th. 7:30PM-9:30PM. A wonderful blend of life, love, friendship, and humor! Filled with humor and heartbreak, these “Steel Magnolias” make us laugh and cry. A truly moving and wonderful evening of theater! www.chicotheatercompany.com, 894-3282.

Sunny Garden Montessori Mommy and Me Playgroups: An ongoing weekly PLAYGROUP for children and their parents. Children will be introduced to stimulating toys and activities; all guided by their parent! Please call 343-3101 for more information or visit www.sunnygardenmontessori.com.

The Mom Spot: A place for mothers of young children (birth through kindergarten) to connect by building friendships and sharing experiences. Meets on second and fourth Tuesdays of the month 9-11:30 am. Join us for a hot breakfast, craft, speaker, and free onsite child care. Meets at Paradise Alliance Church 6491 Clark Rd. Paradise-call for questions 877-7069.

The Studio: Children’s painting classes, mixed media, family painting parties, birthday paint parties, and summer camps. Also offers adult classes and painting parties. By local artist, Christine Mac Shane, 370-1285, 561 East Lindo Avenue.

Thursday Night Farmer’s Market: Explore Downtown Chico’s Thursday Night Market weekly, April through September from 6-9pm. Farm-fresh produce, delicious food, arts and crafts, and live entertainment! www.downtownchico.com.

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August Camp Chico Creek Monday, August 1st­-14th

There’s only a few more weeks of Camp Chico Creek. The Chico Creek Nature Center presents nature education day camps for children ages 5 to 11. With daily rates and weekly discounts to fit every schedule and budget. Register at www.BidwellPark.org.

7th Annual Bowl-a-thon Sunday, August 2nd

Fun for all ages. Please call the NWSPCA or come by for information. All donations raised will support our efforts to provide spay/neuter, vaccinations, microchips and other lifesaving services in order to help these animas get adopted into forever homes. www.northwestspca.org, 1-4pm, Tyme to Bowl, Oroville.

Kirshner’s Wildlife Kid’s Fun Day Saturday, August 8th

Bring the kids and meet amazing animals, enjoy face painting, food and games! 4995 Durham-Pentz Rd, All Day, 873-1114.

Summer Sizzler 5K and 10K race’s supporting The Chico Creek Nature Center Sunday, August 9th

www.growingupchico.com www.growingupchico.com

Join us for the hottest race of the year! The 10k race will take place at 7:45 am while the 5k race will start at 7:55am. Held at Cedar Grove in Bidwell Park. The Summer Sizzler race benefits two wonderful non­profit organizations: Chico Creek Nature Center and The North Valley Animal Disaster Group. Come out, sweat a little and enjoy the beautiful park. Register online at www.fleetfeetchico.com.

Camp Chico Creek End of Summer Celebration Friday, August 14th

The last day of camp is Friday, August 14th and we will end with a big celebration day complete with water slide bounce house. End your summer with a splash before heading back to school. Register online at www.BidwellPark.org.

Silver Dollar Speedway Point Race #13 Friday, August 14th

“Kid’s Night” 410 Sprints, Street Stocks, Modifieds, Hobby Stocks, Ltd. Late Models, www. silverdollarfair.org.

Summerfest Saturday, August 22nd

Summerfest Chico is a celebration of Food, Music, and Life in Chico complete with live music on the main stage at Manzanita Place in Chico featuring local area artists. 100% of the proceeds from the bounce house benefit Wings of Eagles. Manzanita Place, SummerFestChico.com.

Butte County Fair Thursday, August 27th-Sunday, August 30th

The Butte County Fair has been creating memories for 75 years. Butte County Fairgrounds, 199 East Hazel Street, Gridley. www.buttecountyfair.org

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Concours de la Chapelle Saturday, August 29th

Chapelle and Northern California Ballet have partnered with the Rotary Club of Paradise to bring you the 7th Annual Concours de la Chapelle Classic European Car Show. Gourmet food from the region’s top caterers is available at different locations throughout the property. Art-in-the-Barn Art Show & Sale produced by 9th Avenue Gallery & Studio includes over 100 pieces of art showcasing the exquisite grounds of Chapelle de L’Artiste, European cars. Join us for a beautiful summer celebration of gorgeous cars and visual and performance art! 3300 Inspiration Lane, Paradise, 2280941.

September Chico Creek Nature Center’s Programs and Classes Kick Off Tuesday, September 8th

The Chico Creek Nature Center offers a variety of classes and programs ranging from homeschool and afterschool classes to a forest kindergarten and preschool program.

Check our website and Facebook page for more details. www.BidwellPark.org.

Teacher Open House at The Chico Creek Nature Center Thursday, September 10th

We have an open house to showcase the Project WILD professional development workshops, classroom visits and field trips we offer. Check our website and Facebook page for more details. www.BidwellPark.org.

Chico World Music Festival Saturday, September 12th

Chico’s 22nd Annual celebration of world music and culture. For tickets and more info please go to www.chicoperformances.com.

Bidwell Bark Festival & Fun Run Saturday, September 12th

Bidwell Bark is the largest pet-friendly community event held annually at Sycamore Field in Lower Bidwell Park. With over 1500 animal lovers and their dogs gathering in Lower Bidwell Park for a fun run/walk and festival filled day of food trucks, kids carnival games, vendors, dog fun zone, demonstrations, contests and much more!! For more info and to register please go to: bidwellbark.com.

Days of Living History Saturday, September 12th and Sunday, September 13th

“Step back in time and have some fun” at the Gold Nugget Museum as Nuggetville opens up the shops, gold panning, rope making, barber shop and much more. Gold Nugget Museum, 502 Pearson Rd., Paradise.

Seussical JR. Friday, September 18th

Performed by Blue Room Young Company. For tickets and more info please go to www. chicoperformances.com.

Family Camp at Camp Lassen- Boy Scouts of America Friday, September 18th-Sunday, September 20th

Families are invited to spend a relaxing, enjoyable weekend at Camp Lassen in Butte Meadows. Explore and participate in the various program areas including: crafts, shooting, archery, waterfront, ropes course and more! Program areas are taught by certified instructors. This is an annual Camp Lassen Alumni Association activity, all proceeds are spent on facilities improvements. Must register by 9/1. Go to www. chicorec.com for full details.

Family Fun Day Fundraiser for The Wings of Eagles Saturday, September 19th

Held from 10am-2pm @ Two By Two Ranch & Petting Zoo 13080 Hosler Ave, Chico. $5 donation gets you admittance to the petting zoo, face painting by Funny Faces, balloon tying & bounce houses. There will also be a raffle & lunch by the BBQ Patriots for a small fee. All proceeds go to benefit the Wings of Eagles.

Pastels on the Plaza Saturday, September 19th

Come and “Chalk it up” in downtown Chico. 9am-2pm. This great family event gives both the novice and professional artist an opportunity to express themselves. The 4’ x 4’ squares are perfect for a family, group or individual. These 8’ x 8’ squares are sponsored by local businesses. All chalk is provided. Any outside chalk must state it is “Lead Free” if it is to be used in artwork. www.chicorec.com for more info.

Bidwell Park/Chico Creek Clean-up Saturday, September 19th

Butte Environmental Council annually hosts the Bidwell Park and Chico Creeks Cleanup.

Each year over 200 volunteers help pull several TONS (literally) of garbage and recyclables out of Chico’s Creeks and our beautiful, beloved Bidwell Park! Join us in making 2015 bigger, better, and more impactful! Starts at 9am. www.becnet.org.

Feather River Lapidary & Mineral Society Annual Show Saturday, September 19th-Sunday, September 20th

Held at Chico’s Silver Dollar Fair Grounds: 2357 Fair st: Sat & Sun 9:30-5:00 adults $3 children (16 & under) free. Free shark tooth necklace, first 200 Kids. FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY! www.featherriverrocks.org.

Opening Celebration for Masters of the Night: The True Story of Bats Sunday, September 20th

Held at the Gateway Science Museum. There will be activities on the lawn and special demonstrations with live bats for viewing. For more info please go to www.csuchico. edu/gateway or give them a call at 898-4121.

Touch of Chico Sunday, September 20th

Fundraiser for KZFR hosted by The Chico Creek Nature Center. Check our website and Facebook page for more details. www.BidwellPark.org

17th Annual Women In Business Conference Tuesday, September 22nd

Butte College Small Business Development Center 17th Annual Women In Business Conference. Our tagline as always is Empower, Educate, Encourage™.

Chico Masonic Family Center, 1110 W East Ave, www.bcsbdc.org.

21st Annual Salmon Festival Saturday, September 26th

tall pines. The course is mostly flat and plenty wide! Students ages 17 & under will receive a discount upon checkout and everyone has a No Shirt discount option! We you know you like bling so rest assured every finisher will receive a special finisher’s award! For more details go to www.underthesunevents.org.

Smithsonian’s Museum Day Live Saturday, September 26th

4th Annual ­Hunter’s Moon Dinner and Silent Auction to support The Chico Creek Nature Center Thursday, October 29th

Held in downtown Oroville. Fun for the whole family, crafts, educational information, food and much more! www.orovillechamber.com for more info.

11am to 4pm Free admission to museums nationwide, including The Chico Creek Nature Center.

30th Annual Taste of Chico Sunday, September 30th

The finest local and regional restaurants, breweries, wineries and beverage distributors treat event participants to fabulous fare while they stroll Downtown streets brimming with entertainment, arts, and culture. Four stages host continuous, live music, while the “Open Air Art Gallery” proudly showcases the work of dozens of local fine artists. Don’t miss Northern California’s premier Food & Beverage Festival! Held from 12-4pm, www. downtownchico.com.

October Sweet Repeats Kid’s Consignment Sale Thursday, October 1st-Sunday, October 4th

Sweet Repeats is a seasonal infant, children, teen and maternity consignment sale. We are excited to bring you a great way to buy and sell high quality like-new and gently-used children’s and maternity items all under one roof. Everything is organized, clearly marked and easy to find! Held at the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds, sweetrepeatsale.com.

Buddy Walk Saturday, October 3rd

The Buddy Walk was created by the NDSS to promote inclusion and acceptance for people with Down Syndrome. This walk is designed to celebrate the abilities and accomplishments of people in our community with DS. We will not only have the namesake walk around the park but we will also have vendors, a wonderful family friendly musician, face-painting, food trucks and much more! Gates open at 9am and walk starts at 10am. Lower Bidwell Park, Sycamore Field. www.facebook.com/ChicoBuddyWalk.

Family Fun Knight Saturday, October 3rd

The Chico Elk’s Lodge is hosting the 2nd Annual Family Fun Knight October 3rd 2015 from 4pm to 10 pm. 100% of the proceeds will go to the Chico Elks Lodge #423’s charities. This Event is full of good old fashioned family fun! Bring your blankets or chairs for the outdoor movie at 8pm.

Johnny Appleseed Days Saturday, October 3rd and Sunday, October 4th

The Ridge community is celebrating the oldest harvest festival in California with two days of family fun. Enjoy local entertainment throughout both days, visit the many vendors, taste lots of delicious food and of course, you won’t want to miss the homemade apple pie. Terry Ashe Park, Paradise. 10am-5pm.

9th Annual Great Pumpkin Festival Sunday, October 4th

At the Chico Women’s Club from 6­-9:30pm Tickets go on sale 9/1/15 online, at The Center and from fundraising committee members. Visit www.BidwellPark.org for more information.

Camp Chico Creepy Kid’s Carnival Friday, October 30th

From 2 to 9pm The Camp Chico Creepy Carnival, hosted by The Chico Creek Nature Center’s Camp Chico Creek, is sure to be a lot of fun with carnival games, face painting, night hikes and fun costumes. Watch their Facebook page and website for more details. www.BidwellPark.org.

Safe and Sane Halloween October 31st

At the Chico Mall from 4pm until candy runs out. Children 12 and under can walk from store to store and trick or treat. No masks allowed on adults. www.chicomall.com.

Treat Street Saturday, October 31st

Held from 2-5pm in downtown Chico. www.downtownchico.com.

Trick or Treat at The Chico Creek Nature Center Saturday, October 31st

11am to 4pm. Visit the Museum and Nature Play Room in your costume and receive a special treat.

Classes Bricks 4 Kidz: Bricks 4 Kidz classes provide an extraordinary atmosphere for children, where we learn, we build, we play… with LEGO® bricks. We offer afterschool enrichment classes, mommy & me classes, camps, open play, special events and much more! 510 Walnut St. Chico, 332-9172, www.bricks4kidz.com/california-chico or find us them Facebook.

Chico Creek Dance Center: The Chico Creek Nature Center offers a variety of classes and programs ranging from homeschool and afterschool classes to a forest kindergarten and preschool program. Check our website and Facebook page for more details. www.

BidwellPark.org Chico DOJO: We

believe in building children’s self confidence and strength from the inside out and promoting physical fitness all in a FUN and UPBEAT environment! Offering classes for ages 3 and up. 483 East Ave., Chico, 898-9753, www.chicodojo.com.

Chico Rockstars: We

offer music lessons in guitar, drums, bass, piano, voice, audio recording, and more! Private, Semi-Private, and Band Lessons, as well as Group Classes.

932 West 8th Ave., 809-4932, Chico, www.chicorockstars.com or find them on Facebook.

Held at Julia’s Fruit Stand, 11475 Hwy 99E, Los Molinos, from 11am -3pm. Special guest Country Star, Chad Bushnell. Featuring: tri-tip lunch, caramel apples, pumpkin pie, local vendors, photo booth by Studio 530. FREE ADMISSION!

HYPE Dance Studio: We offer Jazz, Hip Hop, Ballet, Tap, Lyrical & Contemporary, and much more! Please visit website for a full list of classes and schedules. 1033 Mangrove Ave. Chico, 898-8789, www.hypedancestudio.com.

Harvest Sidewalk Sale Friday, October 9th and Saturday, October 10th

Irlen Visions: The Irlen Method is non-invasive, drug-free technology that uses colored overlays and spectral filters worn as glasses to improve the brain’s ability to process visual information, reading difficulties & relieves visual stress, chronic migraines/ headaches. Susan Hughes MA will be teaching Irlen Screener Trainer classes in Chico: May 16/17, July 25/26, Nov. 14/15. 891-4783, www.irlenvisions.com.

Downtown Merchants and the Downtown Chico Business Association invite you to “Rake In” the savings during the Annual Harvest Sidewalk sale, scheduled from 9am-5pm. downtownchico.com.

Chico Reptile Show Saturday, October 10th

Held from 10am-5pm at the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds. Family fun, educational programs and more! www.chicoreptileshow.com.

Parade Of Lights Saturday, October 17th

JEI Learning Center:

JEI Learning Center offers an individualized, supplemental learning program for grades K-12. We provide comprehensive classes in Math, Problem Solving, English, Reading and Writing in order to enhance critical thinking skills, and help our students excel academically. 2500 Zanella Way, Suite B, Chico, 267-1300, chico. jeilearning.com, www.facebook.com/ChicoJeiLearningCenter.

WaterSprites Swim School: Year round lessons for ages 2 months and up, indoor pool, and small class sizes. 2280 Ivy St, Ste. 110, Chico, 342-2999, www.chicowatersprites.com.

The Chico Parade of Lights invites you to join us in our celebration of Chico with a Fall parade celebrating, “At the Movies!” This year we’re teaming up with the 5th Annual “You Know You’re From Chico...” Festival! It’s going to be a day and evening to remember!

Downtown Chico, 7:30pm, www.chicoparadeoflights.com.

The Nest: The Nest is a collection of highly trained professionals serving women and their families. From pregnancy to birth and through the postpartum period we provide a range of services, classes, and events to support and empower our clients and their families. 7 Govenors Ln, Chico, 828-1900, www.theNestChico.com

Paradise Trail Run Sunday, October 25th

The Wright Keys:

Join us for a fall morning trail run at the beautiful and serene Paradise Lake in Magalia!

This event will offer 1-mile, 4-mile and 9-mile options all surrounding the lake under the

At The Wright Keys, you will find lessons and classes for piano, voice, guitar, bass, violin, flute, percussion, mandolin, brass and woodwind instruments.

The Wright Keys also offers preschool music classes and music therapy. 556 Vallombrosa Ave., Chico, 781-2224, www.thewrightkeys.com.

directories

P re s c h o ol & C hildc are Direc tory Center

Ages

Hours

Curriculum

Contact

Chico Country Day Preschool

3-6 years

8:30am-11:30am & 12:15pm - 3:15pm & 12:30pm-2:45pm

Chico Country Day Preschool offers small, individualized class sizes with low teacher-to-student ratio. They provide a safe, joyful environment that celebrates learning through multi-sensory hands-on activities. The program supports children in becoming lifelong learners who gain independence with a positive self image.

102 W 11th St. Chico, CA 95928 895-2650 ext. 116 www.chicocountryday.org/Programs-/ Preschool

T

Chico Montessori Children’s House

2.9-5 years

8:30am-5:30pm Monday-Friday

814 Glenn St. Chico, CA 95928 342-5518 www.chicomontessori.com

S N

Creative Outlets In-Home Preschool

2-6 years

8:30am-1:30pm Monday-Thursday

The goal of the Montessori approach is to help the child acquire the confidence and motivation he or she needs to fulfill his or her best potential. This is done by providing an environment with activities that fit the child’s individual needs, builds his/her interests, and nurtures his/her enthusiasm.

Creative Outlets offers a true preschool experience with the benefits of a loving, in-home setting. The owner has 20 years of experience and a degree in child development.

The program focuses on teaching kinder readiness and is tailored to the needs of each student. It incorporates Math, Science & Pre-Reading, utilizing Zoo Phonics, cooking & gardening. Children learn through play, music & art, while providing a safe & exciting place to learn & grow.

Exploration/personal growth on an individual basis is encouraged. Nutritional snack & lunch provided.

892-8069 funnyfaces@digitalpath.net www.facebook.com/creativeoutlets

D L T S

Kids Park

2-12 years

Drop in childcare, affordable hourly rates. The preschool curriculum is offered from 9:00am-11:30am. The 4 and 5 year old class is held on Monday/Wednesday/Friday and The 2 and 3 year old class is held on Tuesday/Thursday.

2477 Forest Ave. Chico, CA 94928 894-6800 www.kidspark.com

La Casita Primera Preschool

2.9-5 years

M-Th: 8am-10pm, Fri: 8am12midnight, Sat: 10am-12am, Sun:1pm-6pm

2035 Esplanade 343-3044 lacasitaprimera@att.net, http://www.lacasitaprimera.com/

Little Sprouts Preschool

2-5 years

7am-5:30pm Monday-Friday

La Casita Primera is a Preschool Program offering: Pre-K readiness, organic nutrition, bilingual enrichment, play, teacher and student directed activities, multi-age groups, gardening, art emphasis, and discovery with 1:6 teacher child ratios.

D L A S Y

Little Sprouts Preschool offers: ECO Green, organic gardening, and recycling. The Kindergarten readiness program has Zoo Phonics, Into to Spanish, French & Sign Language, Daily circle time and enrichment activities.

Nutritious snacks and lunch included.

15 Overland Ct. Chico, CA 95928 345-0123 littlesproutspreschool1@gmail.com

D L Y S

Parkside Daycare

0-9 years

6am-6pm Monday-Friday

1885 E. 8th St. Chico, CA 95928 893-5122 www.parksidedaycare.com

D L A S

Valley Oaks Children’s Services, (VOCS)

Referrals for infants12 years

Varies

“Love, laughter and learning all under one roof!”

Offering 4 separate preschool classes, including a “Junior Kindergarten.” Daily enrichment classes make learning fun: creative movement, yoga, cooking, dance, music, Spanish, gardening, park walks (Bidwell Park is at our doorstep), Zoo Phonics, and visits to the Chico Nature Center. Come Discover with Us!

3120 Cohasset Rd, Suite 6 Chico, CA 95973 530.895.3572 or 800.345.8627 www.valleyoakchildren.org

Wood Family Farm

3-8 years

8:30am-5:30pm Monday-Friday

Hooray, let’s PLAY! Wood Family Farm is committed to offering classic, early childhood education in an alternative play-based format. They inspire learning through their Nature-based, tactile, interactive curriculum. They have a large organic garden, barn with animals and more! Wood Family Farm is a place to grow!

343-7120 www.WoodFamilyFarm.net

D L T A S Y

License # 045404389

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www.growingupchico.com www.growingupchico.com

License # 045405971

License # 045404701, 045404702

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8:30am-11:30am & 1:00pm-4:00pm

Looking for Child Care for an Infant, Preschooler or School-age child? Let VOCS take the guess work out of choosing a program by referring you to local Butte County child care programs and giving you the tools you need to select a program that best meets your child’s and family’s needs.

D-Diapers L-Lunch P-Parent participation T-Traditional school year A-After-school program S-Summer program Y-Year round program

L T S

D L S

Growing Up Chico’s Business Directory 1 Life Photo and Design: Apple Blossom Baby: Bodie Shepard: Book Family Farm: Butte County 4 H: Bricks 4 Kidz: Chico Buddy Walk: Chico Community Acupuncture: Chico Country Day School: Chico Creek Dance Centre: Chico Creek Nature Center: Chico Dojo: Chico Doula Circle: Chico Montessori Children’s House: Chico Mothers’ Club: Chico Parade of Lights: Chico Pediatric Dentistry:

Chico Performances: Chico Rockstars: Chico World Music Festival: Christy’s Boutique: Concours de la Chapelle: Creative Outlets Preschool: doTERRA, Amy Brecheisen: Downtown Chico Business Association: Family Eye Care Optometry: Feather River Hospital: Forest Ranch Charter School: Funny Faces Chico: Gateway Science Museum: HYPE Dance Studio: HypnoBirthing: In Motion Fitness: Instant Nails: JEI Learning Center: Julia’s Fruit Stand: Kids In Motion (In Motion Fitness): Kids Park:

Little Sprouts Preschool:

Massa Sport Horses: Maisie Jane’s: Mothers Strong: Patrick Ranch Museum: Progressive Schoolhouse: PTL Pediatric Day Health Center: Rejuvene: Round Table Pizza: Sarah Morgan, Realtor: Strong Beginnings: Supportive Conceptions Surrogacy Agency: Terry Basile, MFT: The Creative Apple: The Nest: Thrive Learning Center: Under The Sun Events: Valley Oak Children’s Services: Watersprites Swim School: Wood Family Farm Preschool: Youthful Smiles Dentistry:

Thank you to our advertisers!

Without the support of our advertisiers this magazine would not be possile. If you do business with any of our advertisers please be sure to let them know you saw their ad in Growing Up Chico.

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