Mendo Lake Family Life August 2021

mendo lake FREE!

August 2021

Study Secrets 4 tips for teens

BBQ’d Salmon Easy recipe

Cyber Security Expert’s advice

Help with Nursing

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August 2021

Every Issue

10

6

Dear Reader

7

Cooking with Kids Easy Salmon

8

Bits and Pieces Follow the Yellow Brick Road Dance to Afro Beats

Features 10 Your First Day of School A mom’s letter to her child.

12 Study Secrets Tips for helping kids do their homework.

14 School Calendars The dates you need— all in one place!

Rock Out at the Lake

8

Dance in the Street Dig that Funk Drink in Jazz

22 Calendar of Events Drink Cider Under Apple Trees

26 Humor Break Don’t Lick the Outlet

16 Awesome Extras Critical questions to ask after-school program staff.

18 Cyber Security Protect your family from online scams.

20 Lactation Low-Down

9

Having trouble nursing?

There’s help.

7 4 MendoLakeFamilyLife

August 2021 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

LY ORCHARD FAMI S

145

th

Gravenstein Harvest Festival in the Orchard

Sat & Sun AUGUST 21 & 22 11am–7pm • 11am–5pm

Cider, food & music 707-205-1545 • (1/2 mile north of Gowan’s Oak Tree) Highway 128, Philo www.gowansheirloomcider.com

Dear Reader

T

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

he 2021–2022 school year is right around the corner.

And this issue is packed with information to help you with all your back-to-school needs.

First things first: Plan your year with the help of our School Calendars (page 14), a compilation of school holidays listed in one convenient place.

Then get down to your core concerns. Perhaps you are wondering how to help your children study, or how to choose the best after-school activities.

“Study Secrets” (page 12) and

“Awesome Extras” (page 16) aim to address both those issues.

Or maybe your heart is filled with emotions you can’t quite name.

Putting your child on a school bus can bring up a lot of feelings.

Jessica Guerrieri tries to put it all into words in “Your First Day of School” (page 10).

Perhaps none of this applies to you yet because you’re still looking for a school. If so, check out our Virtual Back-to-School Fair at sonomafamilylife.com and find information on a plethora of local academic institutions—and extracurricular activities, too.

Happy New School Year!

Office Manager/ Business Marketing Patricia Ramos 707-205-1539 patty@family-life.us

Features Editor Melissa Chianta melissa@family-life.us

Production Manager Donna Bogener production@family-life.us

Contributing Writers Mary Helen Berg Jessica Guerrieri Tanni Haas Karen Nochimowski

Billing

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Jan Wasson-Smith

Publishing Office P.O. Box 351 Philo, CA 95466 (707) 586-9562

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August 2021 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Cooking with Kids

Easy Salmon Bake a BBQ Fillet

By Momma Chef

I

t’s the much-anticipated salmon season. And this has to be one of the easiest salmon dishes you are ever going to make. You absolutely cannot mess this up. It’s a three-ingredient recipe that uses a prepared sauce. And it only takes 25 minutes to make, from start to finish. Just don’t overcook the fish!

I am all about presentation so if I’m using a large piece of salmon, I spray the pan with a good amount of a cooking spray like Pam. This prevents any skin or flesh from sticking to the pan. When the fish is done cooking, I just gently slide two spatulas under it and place it whole on the serving dish, without leaving any part of the fish behind.

Your tasty barbecued salmon will be an instant hit with family and friends. ¶ This article originally appeared on MommaChef.com. It has been reprinted here with permission.

Karen Nochimowski, aka Momma Chef, is a mother of three active boys (ages 12, 8, and 5). On her blog, MommaChef.com, find more of her recipes, all of which require no more than six ingredients and six minutes of prep time. www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Fabulous 3-Ingredient BBQ Salmon • 1 ½-2 pounds boneless salmon filet • 1/3 cup Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ Sauce • ¼ cup soy sauce (gluten-free options: coconut aminos or gluten-free soy sauce)

August 2021

Instructions 1. Mix together soy and barbecue sauce and rub on salmon.

2. Bake at 375°F uncovered for 20 minutes.

Serves: 6–8

MendoLakeFamilyLife 7

Bits & Pieces

Follow the Yellow Brick Road

D

orothy, the Tin Man, Scarecrow, and Cowardly Lion are iconic characters in American cinema. And they’ve made their way not just into film, but also musicals, including Oz! The Willits Community Kids’ Theatre will be producing this show at the Allen J. Garcia Auditorium at the Willits High School in Willits. Performances will be held on August 1 and 8 at 2 p.m., and August 5–7 at 7 p.m.

Tickets are $10 and may be purchased at wctperformingartscenter.org. ¶

Dance to Afro Beats

A

Afrolicious

s we continue to go through the pandemic, many of us may find ourselves longing for life-affirming activities. Enter Afrolicious.

The band aims, according to its website, to put listeners in touch with the “healing and uplifting energy we all need.” The six-member group, which includes a horns section, will be playing its African and reggae beats at the Anderson Valley Brewing Company in Boonville on August 13 at 7 p.m. Advance tickets are $25 and may be purchased at eventbrite.com or tinyurl.com/asv9jh8r. ¶

Rock Out at the Lake

L

ive music by a lake is a kind of summertime entertainment ideal. And, for those who live in Lakeport, it’s not hard to find, thanks to the KXBX 98.3 FM free Friday concert series at Library Park in Lakeport. On August 6, Keep on Truckin’ will offer a Woodstock tribute; on August 13, the Fargo Brothers will play rhythm and blues; and on August 20, In the Led will deliver Led Zeppelin tunes. Shows start at 6:30 p.m.; bring low-back chairs and blankets. Free music-by-the-water is also on tap at Clearlake’s Austin Park, where, on August 7 at 6 p.m., Rockin’ Down the Hiway will play the music of the Doobie Brothers and the Steve Miller Band. Go to lakecochamber.com for more information about both events. ¶

8 MendoLakeFamilyLife

Fargo Brothers

August 2021 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

L.C. Diamonds

Dance in the Street

L

ake County is known for its vineyards. But how often do local parents have the time and energy to go on a wine-tasting tour? At Taste of Lake County, on August 28, the wine comes to locals. The annual event, held in downtown Lakeport, features a Wine and Food Tasting that offers area vino and eats (and live music, too). After the tasting, Main Street shuts down for a street dance, featuring classic rock played by the L.C. Diamonds. Tastings are 5–8 p.m. and the dance is 8–10 p.m. Tickets are $40 on the day of the event, or purchase advance tickets for $35 at the following Lakeport locations: Lake County Chamber of Commerce, Hillside Powersports, and Jitter Bean Coffee. For more information, go to lakecounty.com/ event/taste-of-lake-county-lakeport. ¶

Diggin’ Dirt

Dig that Funk

S

JAMES KEMP

ly and the Family Stone. James Brown. Funkadelic. These are some of Diggin’ Dirt’s influences.

But the Humboldt County–based band plays plenty of originals, too, and has met with such success, they put out an EP. Hear them churn out their high-energy tunes for free at the last Sundays in the Park concert, on August 15, 6–8 p.m., at Todd Grove Park in Ukiah. See visitukiah.com for details. ¶

Drink in Jazz

J

azz music is all about improvisation, so fans say hearing it live is almost a must. Of course, during the pandemic, opportunities to hear live music have been scarce. But now, the Rural Jazz Collective is emerging, and playing a gig on August 4, 5:30–8:30 p.m., at the Smiling Dogs Ranch and Winery in Kelseyville.

Wine, beer, and cocktails will be available at this grown-up affair. A small admission fee will be charged.

Call the winery to make reservations: 279-2762. ¶

www.mendolakefamilylife.com

August 2021

MendoLakeFamilyLife 9

of my heart. I couldn’t understand it back then like I can now.

It’s hard to believe that while you were once inside of my body and I gave you life, you must now go experience a place without me.

What I wouldn’t give to be a fly on the wall, soundlessly observing from up above, secretly witnessing all the magical ways you’ll grow. I’m envious of those who will see what I was not meant to.

Your First Day A Letter of School to My Child F

By Jessica Guerrieri

or your first birthday I ordered a cake to look like your favorite book. Because you were my only child, I had all kinds of time for such things. The woman at the bakery asked me if I had cried over my baby turning one.

That’s silly, why would I feel sad about you getting older? I thought.

I had yet to learn that the days are long, but the years are short.

You’re too young to understand the enormity of these moments.

Four years later, I’m sitting here nursing my third baby, while my middle daughter yells for more toilet paper and you, my love, are writing all nine letters of your name on the last of said toilet paper, in preparation for kindergarten. If

I could, I’d return to that bakery clutching your very first lost tooth, and explain how I wept alone in my bathroom because I experience each of my children’s milestones as if they’re being etched inside the walls

10 MendoLakeFamilyLife

Watching you, I feel so many things.

I feel curious about what kinds of life lessons I was not meant to teach you.

I feel scared about things I cannot even type on this page—things so terrifying my breath catches in my throat. If you are there and I am

I experience each of my children’s milestones as if they’re being etched inside the walls of my heart. here, how would I use my body to shield yours and why do I have to worry about such things?

I feel grateful that you have a place to go. After the year we’ve had, I’ve never been more thrilled to leave things like “phonemic awareness” and “place value” to the experts, so I can exclusively focus on my role as your mother.

I feel excited about all that will unfold in front of you, the stuff that spans beyond the classroom walls. School

August 2021 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Celebrating is a place that unlocks the jungle gym of your mind and explores new vulnerabilities of the heart.

I feel jealous because there will be pieces of your story that I know you must write alone.

While I’m here deep inside these feelings, I recognize this is not about me and my blubbery tears; it’s about you. Of course, you’re too young to understand the enormity of

I feel curious about the life lessons I was not meant to teach you. these moments. Instead, you’ve got that crinkle in your forehead, the one that carries all your uncertainty.

It would be impossible to ascertain whether your fear has sprouted from being a child inside a COVID-world, or more simply the heaviness of venturing out into the unknown.

Either way, I hope that, as your mother, I’ve given you enough tools to withstand the weight of it all.

Most of all, I feel nostalgic for the days where I alone was the sun, the moon, and all your stars—just as you’re mine. Now you must unlock your own unique universe, as I applaud from a distance. I know this is only the beginning of your adventure, my child, just know that somehow, I miss you already. ¶ Jessica Guerrieri is a freelance writer/blogger and a mom to three.

Find her at witandspitup.com and follow her on Instagram @witandspitup.

www.mendolakefamilylife.com

#1 resource for local families magazine • web • email • events

2021

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$45 ALL SUMMER COUNTY-WIDE Unlimited rides on all MTA buses for children up to age 18. $5.00 and a Youth Summer Pass will get you to and from Santa Rosa on MTA’s North Coast and South Coast Buses!

For more information: www.mendocinotransit.org or call 800-696-4MTA / 462-1422 Buy your Summer Youth Pass on board any MTA bus or at the MTA office in Ukiah or Fort Bragg. This pass not valid on Dial-A-Ride.

wheel deal!

August 2021

MendoLakeFamilyLife 11

and stopped spending all-nighters writing essays that were due the very next day.

Study for mastery, not time.

An agenda book is great for teaching kids what and when to study. It doesn’t help much when it comes to showing them how to study. You

Study Secrets Help Teens Achieve Academic Success

By Tanni Haas

A

s a professional educator for more than 20 years and the parent of a 15-year-old, I’ve learned a lot about what it takes for kids to succeed in middle and high school and what parents can do to support them. Here are some of the most important lessons.

Plan ahead—and backwards.

On the first day of middle school, kids often get an “agenda book” (or calendar) to write down all of their assignments with deadlines. This is a great way to teach them the importance of planning ahead so they don’t hand in their assignments late. But an important thing kids have a hard time understanding is that the agenda book isn’t just for planning ahead, but also for planning backwards, in the sense of creating a timeline. Teach your kids 12 MendoLakeFamilyLife

There are ways of using the Internet that can actually boost your kids’ learning. to take each assignment deadline and work backwards, so they can see what they need to do each day to turn in their assignments on time.

Once my son understood this idea of planning backwards, he became much better at managing his time

Teach them the real-world applications of what they’re studying in school. can teach them that by making them understand that they need to focus on learning the material as opposed to spending a certain amount of time studying. When my son was in his first year of middle school, he used to give himself a certain amount of time each evening for homework. That was fine but every so often he didn’t do as well on a test as he’d expected.

As an experiment, I encouraged him to focus on the material instead of how long he studied it. That changed everything. Sometimes he now studies for several hours before he’s ready for a test. Other times 30 minutes or less is sufficient. He has learned to focus on the material, not the clock.

Use the Internet, but wisely.

No matter where you look, you see warnings about the dangers of letting your kids surf the Internet when they’re studying. These warnings aren’t without merit. If your kids are constantly checking

August 2021 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

mendo lake social media or playing games, they are distracted, and that’ll negatively affect how well they absorb the material. However, there are ways of using the Internet that can actually boost your kids’ learning. For example, my son recently completed a fairly difficult high school course

Teach your kids to take each assignment deadline and work backwards. in physics. He’s a solid student who takes good notes and studies hard, but he got much better at solving physics problems when he started watching YouTube videos. He found a lot of videos where teachers from schools across the country demonstrated how to solve problems in different ways.

Apply lessons to daily life.

An excellent way to support your kids’ learning is to teach them the real-world applications of what they’re studying in school: It makes the material stick so much better than any amount of homework. To help my son better understand math concepts, I often ask him to help me with practical things that require an understanding of math, like adapting dinner recipes for more people than originally planned or taking measurements for new window treatments in our home. ¶ Tanni Haas, PhD, is a college communications professor.

www.mendolakefamilylife.com

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MendoLakeFamilyLife 13

2021–22 School Calendars Lake County

Holidays for all schools: Sept. 6, Nov. 11*, Jan. 17, Feb. 21, May 30

First Day

Thanksgiving

Winter Break Presidents’ Days Spring Break

Kelseyville Unified

Sept. 7

Nov. 22–26

Dec. 20–31

Konocti Unified

Aug. 16

Nov. 22–26

Dec. 20–31

Lake County International

Aug. 24

Nov. 22–26

Lakeport Unified

Aug. 11

Lucerne Elementary

Last Day Other Days Off

Apr. 4–8

June 17

Feb. 22–25

Apr. 18–22

June 10

Oct. 4–8, Nov. 1

Dec. 20–31

Feb. 22–23

Apr. 18–22

June 7

Oct. 7–8, Nov. 1 & 12, Mar. 17–18

Nov. 22–26

Dec. 20–31

Feb. 11

Apr. 4–8

May 27

Sept. 3, Oct. 11, Nov. 1

Aug. 11

Nov. 22–26

Dec. 20–31

Feb. 18

Apr. 4–8

May 26

Nov. 12, Apr 18

Middletown Unified

Aug. 16

Nov. 22–26

Dec. 20–31

Feb. 22–25

Apr. 18–22

June 3

Upper Lake Unified

Aug. 11

Nov. 22–26

Dec. 20–Jan. 3

Feb. 18

Apr. 4–8

May 26

Oct. 11

*Lake County International celebrates Nov. 12, not Nov. 11.

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Citizenship

ful learning experience full of discovery with: • Exploration of own interests & abilities • Experiential learning with field trips, arts • Respectful and caring learning community • Peace education and mindfulness • Earth stewardship

Tree of Life Charter FreeMontessori Montessori Free Elementary Education Elementary Education for Children for Children Ages 5 4 3/4 through 12 13 through OPEN ENROLLMENT January For application and more information: 707-462-0913 treeoflifeschool@pacific.net www.treeoflifeschool.net August 2021 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Mendocino County

Holidays for all schools: Sept. 6, Nov. 11, Jan. 17, Feb. 21*, May 30

First Day

Thanksgiving

Winter Break Presidents’ Days Spring Break

Anderson Valley Unified

Aug. 17

Nov. 22–26

Dec. 20–Jan. 7

Feb. 18

Apr. 11–15

June 9

Sept. 20, Oct. 11

Charter Academy of the Redwoods Aug. 23

Nov. 22–26

Dec. 20–Jan. 3

Feb. 18–25

Mar. 28–Apr. 1

June 9

Oct. 1 & 4, Apr. 18

Fort Bragg Unified

Aug. 18

Nov. 22–26

Dec. 20–31

Feb. 22–25

Apr. 11–15

June 10

Oct. 14–15, Nov. 1, Apr. 25

Instilling Goodness

Aug. 23

Nov. 24–26

Dec. 16–Jan. 7

La Vida Charter School

Aug. 30

Nov. 22–26

Dec. 20–Jan. 3

Feb. 22–25

Apr. 11–15

June 6

Laytonville Unified

Aug. 23

Nov. 22–26

Dec. 17–31

Feb. 11

Apr. 18–22

June 9

Nov. 1, Mar. 18, May 13

Mendocino Unified

Aug. 23

Nov. 22–26

Dec. 20–31

Feb. 14–18

Apr. 11–15

June 10

Oct. 15

Point Arena Schools

Aug. 18

Nov. 22–26

Dec. 20–31

Feb. 22–25

Apr. 11–15

June 10

Mar. 18 & 25, May 27

Potter Valley Community

Aug. 23

Nov. 22–26

Dec. 20–31

Feb. 18

Apr. 11–18

June 9

Nov. 1 & 12

River Oak Charter School

Aug. 18

Nov. 22–26

Dec. 20– Jan. 3

Feb. 18

Mar. 28– Apr. 1

June 2

Nov. 1, Apr. 15 & 18

Tree of Life Charter School

Aug. 23

Nov. 22–26

Dec. 20–Jan. 3

Feb. 18

Mar. 28–Apr. 1

June 9

Oct. 11, Nov. 1, Mar. 7

Ukiah Junior Academy

Aug. 23

Nov. 22–26

Mar. 21–25

June 3

Nov. 4, Mar. 28

Ukiah Unified

Aug. 19

Nov. 22–26

Dec. 20–Jan. 3

Feb. 18

Mar. 28–Apr. 1

June 9

Nov. 1, Mar. 7

Willits Unified

Aug. 24

Nov. 22–26

Dec. 20–Jan. 3

Feb. 18

Apr. 11–15

June 9

Mar. 18

Dec. 20–31

Last Day Other Days Off

Mar. 28–Apr. 1 June 1 (G) & 2 (B)

*Except Mendocino Unified

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August 2021

MendoLakeFamilyLife 15

decorated in uplifting, kid-friendly colors?

2. Does the space have areas where the kids can work together in small groups as well as independently?

Is it possible for the kids to work quietly on their own as well as to talk and share ideas with other kids?

Does the program follow a specific teaching and learning philosophy?

Awesome Extras Find a Great After-School Program

By Tanni Haas

W

hen considering an appropriate after-school program for your kids, how do you choose among the programs available? What are some important factors to consider? Drawing on the advice of reputable organizations such as the Afterschool Alliance, the AfterSchool Network, and the National AfterSchool Association, I’ve developed a list of things to think about as you evaluate your different options.

Before you make any decisions, it’s advisable to contact each program director and ask for permission to see the actual spaces where your kids would spend their time. Look around and ask yourself the following questions: 1. Is the homework space separate from the space dedicated to other, 16 MendoLakeFamilyLife

Is there a daily routine that all the kids follow, or do they have lots of choice? non-academic activities like arts and crafts, music, and sports? Is the space well-lit and clean? Is it

3. Is there comfortable furniture, such as armchairs, beanbags, or large floor cushions, where the kids can relax and immerse themselves in a good book?

4. Does the space have plenty of computers, printers, and other learning tools? Is there a library with a broad selection of fiction and non-fiction books for kids of different ages?

5. Is the space well stocked with non-electronic games (chess, checkers, puzzles, word games) that stimulate kids’ cognitive skills?

6. Is there access to clean and safe restrooms nearby?

It’s also advisable to ask each program director, or alternatively the senior staff member in charge, the following questions during your site visit: 7. What are the program hours? Can parents sign up for specific days of the week, or must they commit to the whole week? Is the program open only during the school year or also during holidays?

8. How much does the program cost?

Is payment due in full up front or on a monthly basis? Are there extra fees

August 2021 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

for personal tutoring or trips? Will parents be charged a late fee if they’re late for pick-up? Are needs-based scholarships available?

9. Does the program follow a specific teaching and learning philosophy? Is there a daily routine that all the kids follow, or do they have lots of choice?

What is the age range of the kids, and how many kids are there in the different age groups?

10. What is the staff-student ratio, and what kind of credentials does the staff have? Are they licensed and certified teachers or otherwise educated and trained to take care of kids? Do they have experience assisting kids with special needs? Are one or more of the staff certified in CPR and first aid?

Does the program have an emergency

preparedness plan, and are staff trained on how to handle emergencies?

behavioral issues, and do they mediate conflicts among the kids?

11. Before the program starts, does the staff meet with parents to discuss their kids’ specific circumstances and

13. Do the kids work only on school assignments, or does the staff give them age-appropriate tasks as a supplement?

Is the space well stocked with non-electronic games that stimulate kids’ cognitive skills?

14. Do the kids get a nutritional snack and time to play before they start doing their homework? How are they supervised during snack and play time?

learning goals? Does the staff offer parents regular feedback on how their kids are doing?

15. Do all the kids participate in the same extracurricular activities, or can they choose activities based on their interests? ¶

12. Does the staff actively monitor the kids when they’re doing their homework and offer help when needed? How does the staff handle

Explore local after-school programs at Sonoma Family Life’s Virtual Back-to-School Fair at sonomafamilylife.com.

Tanni Haas, PhD, is a college communications professor and parent.

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August 2021

MendoLakeFamilyLife 17

photo geotagging, and set up non-administrative accounts.

Remind your kids not to share any personal information. Set up a charging station away from the child’s room to limit screen time at night. See sidebar “Safe at Any Age” for advice on how to talk to kids about cyber safety.

Cyber Security How to Keep Your Family Safe

By Center for Cyber Safety and Education

D

id you know that 400,000 kids per year are victims of identity theft? Or that literally millions of people lose their money, privacy, and sense of security every year due to online scams?

There are many things you can do to keep yourself, your kids, and your senior loved ones safe online. Here are just a few.

Tips for Adults & Seniors New Device Safety Change the default password and disable photo geotagging.

Online Shopping Use a credit card, not a debit card, because you then have more fraud protection.

Don’t store your credit card number on websites. Use “https” when visiting websites. Create strong, unique passwords.

18 MendoLakeFamilyLife

Avoid Phishing Scams Learn how to identify and avoid bogus emails that appear to be from trusted brands. These emails often aim to collect your private information to open new accounts—or invade your existing ones.

Make Sure Your Internet Connection Is Secure Rename routers and networks. Use strong passwords. Turn on encryption. Use a VPN (virtual private network; see youtube.com/watch?v=zPqpWEJrhf0).

Tips for Parents

Gaming Encourage your kids to have private in-game chats only with their IRL (in-real-life) friends; set rules for time limits and allowed games; and implement restrictions in the app store to prevent downloading any questionable apps.

Teach your children to immediately report offensive and harmful comments.

Social Media Require parental approval of social groups and networks, and “friend” or “follow” your children to keep tabs on their social media activity. Ensure your child’s profile is set to “private.”

Cyberbullying Teach your children to immediately report offensive and harmful comments. Talk with them about recognizing signs of cyberbullying, including unintentional bullying. Act swiftly and help your children take action. ¶ The Center for Cyber Safety and Education’s mission is to empower students, teachers, and whole communities to secure themselves online through cyber safety education and awareness programs, information security scholarships, and industry and consumer research. Find out more at iamcybersafe.org/s.

New Device Safety Change the default password, disable August 2021 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Safe at Any Age How to Speak to Kids About Online Threats 1. Do pick the right moment. Bringing up the subject can be challenging, as your tweens or teens may automatically become defensive about their privacy. One of the options for doing it properly is to choose the right time. Don’t start talking about your child’s Internet use and the dangers that come with it after a disagreement, when tensions are already high. With kids, and especially teenagers, this can lead to problems.

example, they may know that there are Internet predators out there, but do they also know that pictures of them drinking or smoking underage could get them suspended or even arrested?

2. Do wait until your children get off the computer. When they walk away from it, ask them if they know how to be safe online and if they are aware of the risks and dangers of the Internet. This way, you will sound less like an overprotective, overbearing parent, at least to your teenagers.

3. Don’t assume your children already know about Internet safety. When discussing Internet safety with children, it’s crucial not to assume that they already know about it. Even if your children stop you, saying they already know how to be safe online, carry on. Be sure to repeat your point and establish any Internet rules you want them to follow. It’s important to remember that teenagers often think they know everything, but many don’t. For

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4. Don’t skip the social media platforms. Since so many kids are using social media, these platforms need to be discussed. Make sure to tell them that anyone can hide behind a computer, even an Internet predator. Also, help them understand the dangers of posting pictures and personal information on their social media profiles. In addition to social media platforms, apps and Internet chat rooms should also be discussed. As with social media platforms, make sure that your kids know that they could be talking to anyone. Tell them to immediately get out of the chat room if the tone turns sexual or if they start feeling uncomfortable.

5. Don’t forget the personal blogs. Many websites allow their users to start free blogs. Many teenagers find this a great way to vent or let their friends stay up-to-date on their thoughts. Your teens must understand that everyone can view these blogs, so their information isn’t really private and personal.

August 2021

MendoLakeFamilyLife 19

women breastfeed, and they have more classroom and clinical training than other breastfeeding counselors. Some registered nurses or other medical professionals also may take courses to augment their education so they can better assist women with breastfeeding.

Lactation How to Find Breastfeeding Low-Down Assistance W

By Mary Helen Berg

omen who look forward to nursing a new baby, and think of it as a warm, bonding experience, are sometimes shocked to find that the first weeks of breastfeeding can be exhausting, frustrating, and painful. Nursing is not always easy, but it is a skill that, with a little patience and determination, anyone can learn. Lactation specialists are trained health-care professionals dedicated to helping new mothers overcome the hurdles they encounter when first learning to nurse.

When I had my first baby, I had never heard of a lactation consultant. Little did I know that she would become my most trusted friend—if only for a little while.

Who Is a Lactation Consultant?

Lactation consultants come from a variety of backgrounds. The most highly trained are International 20 MendoLakeFamilyLife

Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC), certified by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners. Their training includes 90 hours of Lactation Education, and up to 1,000 hours of supervised clinical work, as well as college level courses in biology, anatomy, and nutrition. These professionals are committed to helping

What They Do Your consultant may be based in a hospital, or she may have a private practice. You may go to her office, or she may make home visits. She will examine you and your baby to rule out obvious physical problems that may hinder breastfeeding. Next, she will

ILCA has a directory of certified consultants at ilca.org. talk to you about how to position your body, how to hold your baby, and how to place him on the breast and help him latch on. Then, she will ask you to nurse while she observes your process. She can advise you on how long to nurse and how often. She will confirm what works, coach you on alternative approaches, and even may provide a written plan for you to follow when she leaves.

How to Find One According to the International Lactation Consultant Association (ILCA), some hospital complexes contain lactation centers that will send a specialist to your room to work with you and your baby before you are discharged, and provide service for up to ten days after the birth. You can also seek a referral from your obstetrician, pediatrician, or a breastfeeding support

August 2021 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

organization such as La Leche League International (llli.org). Also, ILCA has a directory of certified consultants at ilca.org. Locally, the Sonoma County Breastfeeding Coalition has multiple resources at

Lactation consultants are trained health-care specialists. sonomacountybreastfeeding coalition.org as does the California Department of Health Care Services at tinyurl.com/cx9vksu9.

What’s the Cost? Lactation consultants are trained health-care specialists, so don’t expect a bargain. Charges can range greatly

according to your location and your consultant’s experience, among other variables. Check with your insurance provider, as it may cover some lactation services under obstetric or first-year pediatric care.

The Good News Although lactation consultant services are not cheap, there is good news: A consultant can usually quickly target your problem and get you on the right track in just a few visits.

Mary Helen Berg is a freelance writer and mother of three who spent the better part of four years breastfeeding.

Her work has appeared in USA Today, the Los Angeles Times, Your Teen Magazine, Scary Mommy, and parenting publications nationwide.

She is currently working on a picture book for children.

You Need a Lactation Consultant If… You don’t live near female relatives who can show you the ropes, or you are the first of your friends to have a baby.

You are anxious about nursing.

You are a mother of multiples and need advice on feeding two or more babies.

Your baby has nipple confusion and won’t take your breast after trying a bottle.

Your nipples are cracked and sore.

Your milk supply is low.

You need to learn how to express your milk.

You have physical issues such as inverted or flat nipples.

Your breasts are engorged and painful.

Your baby has trouble latching on.

FRIDAYS AT DUSK

Alice in Wonderland (G) June 25th Ukiah Golf Course

The Sandlot (PG) July 9th Anton Stadium

School of Rock (PG-13) August 13th Alex Thomas Plaza

For more information, call (707) 463-6231 or visit www.cityofukiah.com/recreation www.mendolakefamilylife.com

August 2021

MendoLakeFamilyLife 21

August

Calendar of Events Drink Cider Under Apple Trees

T

he apple trees at Gowan’s Family Orchards in Boonville have been rooted there for more than a hundred years. And it is under those long-lived trees where the Gowans will celebrate their 145th gravenstein harvest, on August 21, 11 a.m.–7 p.m., and August 22, 11 a.m.–5 p.m. The celebration will include music, snacks, and, of course, award-winning cider made from the Gowans’ heirloom apples. A fee will be charged. For more information, go to gowansheirloomcider.com. ¶

Sunday 1 FREE First Fiddlers’ Jam. Listen to fiddle tunes played by members of the Northern California Old Time Fiddlers Group. Noon–2 p.m. Ely Barn. 9921 Soda Bay Rd. (Hwy. 128), Kelseyville. elystagestop.org.

FREE Sundays in the Park Concert Series. Aug. 1: Thrive with Rising

Signs. Aug. 15: Diggin’ Dirt. Bring blanket or low-back chairs. Sundays. 6 p.m. Todd Grove Park. 600 Live Oak Ave., Ukiah. cityofukiah.com.

Tuesday 3

FREE Symphony of the Redwoods

FREE Virtual Circle Times with

Summer Live Concerts. Aug. 1: Kathleen Reynolds & Friends (flute & strings). Aug. 15: Brass in the Garden (baroque to jazz). Concerts performed at Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens. 18220 Hwy. 1, Fort Bragg. Concert free with garden admission ($8–$15 or free for ages 5 & younger). Aug. 8: Arcata Bay String Quartet at the Mendocino Presbyterian Church. 44831 Main St., Mendocino. Free. 2:30 p.m. symphonyoftheredwoods.org.

First 5 Lake County. Via Zoom.

English sessions on Tuesdays at 10 a.m. & Thursdays at 10 a.m. & 4 p.m. Spanish sessions on Tuesdays at 4 p.m. & Thursdays at 10:45 a.m.

Sign up: earlyinterventionreferrals@ esnorcal.org.

Oz! Willits Community Theatre Kids

Camp participants perform musical fantasy based on the Wizard of Oz. $10. Aug. 1 & 8: 2 p.m. Aug. 5–7: 7 p.m. Willits High School. 299 N. Main St., Willits. Purchase tickets online: wctperformingartscenter.org.

22 MendoLakeFamilyLife

Wednesday 4 Hump Day Howlers Live Music Series. Aug. 4: Rural Jazz Collective.

Aug. 25: Indie Groove. Wine sold by the bottle/glass. Bring lawn chair & picnic. 5:30–8:30 p.m. Smiling Dogs Ranch. 6675 Kelsey Creek Dr., Kelseyville. Call for reservations: 279-2762. smilingdogsranch.com.

Friday 6

on Truckin’ (Woodstock tribute). Aug. 13: Fargo Brothers (R&B). Aug. 20: In the Led (Led Zeppelin tribute). Bring low-back chairs & blankets. 6:30 p.m.

Library Park. 200 Park St., Lakeport. lakecounty.com.

FREE Makers Faire & Open Mic.

First Friday of each month. Bring instruments. 5–8 p.m. Middletown Art Center. 21456 Hwy. 175, Middletown. middletownartcenter.org.

Annual Arts in the Garden. Aug.

6–8: A variety of workshops for ages 9–adult. View website to learn more about each workshop. Aug. 7 & 8: 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Lawn festivities, including live music, art vendors & food. Free with gardens admission ($8–$15; free for ages 5 & younger). Aug. 7: Saturday Soiree with music, silent auction, hors d’oeuvres, drinks, entertainment & garden art. 5–7:30 p.m. $100.

Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens.

18220 N. Hwy. 1, Fort Bragg. Tickets: gardenbythesea.org.

Saturday 7

FREE KXBX 98.3 FM Summer

Grillin’ on the Green & Vintage

Concerts in the Park. Aug. 6: Keep

Car Show. Kids entertainment &

August 2021 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

water activities, street dancing & more. BBQ tasting. Admission: $10–$30; ages 4 & younger free. 5–7:30 p.m. Westside Community Park.

1401 Westside Park Rd., Lakeport. westsidecommunitypark.org.

FREE Rockin’ Down the Hiway.

Band performs music of Steve Miller & the Doobie Brothers. 6–8 p.m.

Austin Park. 14077 Lakeshore Dr., Clearlake. lakecochamber.com.

FREE Summer Music Festival.

Aug. 7: Buck Ford & Amador Sons (country). Aug. 21: Arise Roots (reggae). Concerts held on marina lawn. Bring seating. 6 p.m. Konocti Vista Casino. 2755 Mission Rancheria Rd., Lakeport. facebook.com/ konoctivistacasino.

FREE Farmers’ Market Storytime.

Presented by the Ukiah Library.

Saturdays. 10–11 a.m. Runs thru October. Alex Thomas Plaza. 20290 S. State St., Ukiah. mendolibrary.org.

Thursday 12 FREE Mother-Wise Monthly Mixer with Lakeport Inside Out. For expecting & new moms. Kid-friendly activities & information on school readiness. Free take-home toddler craft pack. 5 p.m. Mother-Wise. 180 N. Main St., Lakeport. facebook.com/ motherwiselakecounty.

FREE Lakeport Inside Out. Second

Thursday of every month, thru October. Businesses sell merchandise & food on Main Street. 5–9 p.m. Main St., Lakeport. lakeportmainstreet.com.

Friday 13 Afrolicious. Oakland-based band

plays African & reggae beats. $25.

7 p.m. Anderson Valley Brewing Company. 17700 Boonville Rd., Boonville. Tickets: tinyurl.com/ asv9jh8r.

FREE Moonlight Movie Madness.

Screening of School of Rock. Bring blankets & low-back chairs. Dusk.

Alex Thomas Plaza. 20290 S. State St., Ukiah. cityofukiah.com/recreation.

Saturday 14 FREE Old Time Machines Car Show.

Benefits Operation Tango Mike, which sends care packages to soldiers. 8 a.m.–4 p.m. Library Park. 200 Park St., Lakeport. lakecounty.com.

Blue Ribbon Pets Grooming · Boarding · Day Care

Loving, Professional Care for Your Pets 5290 N. State St., Ukiah (707) 485-8454 • www.brpets.com www.mendolakefamilylife.com

August 2021

MendoLakeFamilyLife 23

Music in the Glades. Singer/

songwriter & recent Berklee Music grad Jesse Timm performs 1960s sing-alongs. Bring a blanket to sit on & then leave it to be washed & donated to local charity. $30 suggested donation. Benefits Ukiah Players Theatre. 7 p.m. Ukiah Players Theatre. 1041 Low Gap Rd., Ukiah. ukiahplayerstheatre.org.

Sunday 15 FREE RCS Project Back-to-School Event. Redwood

Community Services offering free haircuts, backpacks & school supplies to students in need. Priority given to youth in foster care. 11 a.m.–3 p.m. 800 N. State St., Ukiah. 472-7419. facebook.com/ redwoodcommunityservices.

of Gowan’s Apple Stand). 205-1545. gowansheirloomcider.com.

Thursday 19 FREE Kickin’ in the Country Street Dance. Terry Hanck. Bring

Friday 27

blankets & chairs. 7–10 p.m. Main St., Kelseyville. visitkelseyville.com.

Potter Valley Rodeo. Aug. 27:

Saturday 21 Art in the Redwoods. $10. Aug. 21:

10 a.m.–5 p.m. Aug. 22: 10 a.m.–4 p.m. (Aug. 22 admission free, 10 a.m.– noon.) Gualala Arts Center. 46501 Old Stage Rd., Gualala. gualalaarts.org.

Gowan’s Cider Festival in the Orchard. Celebrate 145th Gravenstein Harvest. Live music. $45–$50, includes hard cider tasting & food pairing.

Non-alcoholic cider available for the kids. Aug. 21: 11 a.m.–7 p.m. Aug. 22: 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Gowan’s Apple Orchards.

6320 Hwy. 128, Philo (1/4 mile north

CALL BY JUNE 30

Junior Rodeo Slack (4 p.m.). Aug. 28: Junior Rodeo Slack (8 a.m.), axe-throwing competition (1 p.m.) & rodeo dance with Buck Ford (8 p.m.). Aug. 29: CCPRA rodeo & local rodeo (8 a.m. & 1 p.m.). $10. Ages 9 & younger: free. Potter Valley Rodeo Grounds. 10747 Main St., Potter Valley. pottervalleyrodeo.com.

Saturday 28 Taste of Lake County. Wine & Food

Tastings: $35–$40, 5–8 p.m. Free street dance featuring L.C. Diamonds: 8–10 p.m. Main Street, Lakeport. lakeportmainstreet.com.

to schedule your FREE in-home consultation

855-701-0391 BOGO 40% OFF

YEARS Celebrating

Call for details

YEARS as the #1 resource for local families magazine • web • email • events 24 MendoLakeFamilyLife

August 2021 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Humor Break

Don’t Lick the Outlet Funny, Crazy Power Struggles with Kids

By Jessica Guerrieri

M

y best friend texted this morning that all she could get her son to eat for breakfast was a single graham cracker—that was until she broke it in half, rendering it inedible. If I had a dollar for every time I incorrectly cut my children’s food, I’d be able to open my own parents-only hotel. Each room would come with lavender-scented pillows, especially constructed to endure long bouts of parental screaming. In fact, during lockdown my sister-in-law and I had the million-dollar idea to create a Mom Mobile. This traveling minivan would conveniently park in your driveway, where gathered moms could unload their COVID-related grievances until they felt ready to face the next undoubtedly outrageous thing the universe had to throw at them.

It doesn’t take a pandemic to activate a toddler’s or any child’s unreasonable requests. All that’s required is for them to be awake. It helps to know that I’m

26 MendoLakeFamilyLife

not alone in this struggle. There are hash-tags on social media dedicated to all the ways we are spectacularly failing our kids by doing our darndest to keep them alive. I’m so sorry, darling. You can’t drink from the tube of toothpaste.

More often than not, being a parent of a toddler can feel like being Punk’d or like starring on another hidden-camera reality TV show.

Surely my two-year-old didn’t just heave her body onto the kitchen floor because I wouldn’t allow her to touch raw chicken. But, alas, here I stand trying not to smirk next to my burning fajitas. Last week she wanted to stick her face inside the toilet bowl to go “swimbing” and was inconsolable when I wouldn’t allow her to eat dog food. I wonder if I can find a bedazzled “Mean Mommy” hat somewhere on Etsy.

I thought perhaps these power struggles would lessen with age, but

I’ve found that somehow they’ve gotten more ridiculous and often more complex. For example, my five-year-old is obsessed with spraying her bangs with water to get them out of her face.

She applies it in such a way that she looks like a mini cast member of the Jersey Shore. I’ve tried offering her hair clips or headbands, but she claims they are “too pokey” and the water helps make her hair the right amount of “swishy.” If there was a retort to that argument, it was in none of the parenting books I skimmed.

I often wonder how these seemingly small, insignificant things can manifest as the end of their world.

What I wouldn’t give to go back to a time when my greatest emotional struggle was over a broken graham cracker. But what I try and remind myself (although it can be hard to hear over all the screaming) is that, right then, their world is that graham cracker or tube of toothpaste. If they could find a way to enact a peaceful protest and articulately express why it is paramount that they be allowed to wear socks in the swimming pool, I’m sure they would.

While the inevitable tantrums and meltdowns are draining, children have a way of being unintentionally hilarious.

Their misguided logic can help guide us back to what matters—not that the red cup is superior to the green, or that bananas must never be fully removed from their peel, but rather, our role as parents is to help them make sense of this crazy, mixed-up world. Even when that means using our bodies to shield them from the outlets they so desperately want to lick. ¶ Find Jessica Guerrieri at witandspitup.com and on Instagram @witandspitup.

August 2021 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

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Schools

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• Ukiah Child a classroomsTuition-free ✓ 1/2-day & full-day for Montessori North Ukiah - Bush St. ages 18 months to 5 years Nokomis - Washington Ave. Head elementary South forUkiah ages 5-13 - S. State St. ✓ Potty-trained not necessary Peach Tree - S. Orchard Ave. Start!

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integrated with academics Near Brookside School at ✓ Referrals for transportation available Free & Low-Cost Spruce St. & Lincoln Way  National Green Campus Quality Preschool!

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Old Time Machines

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(707)Development 462-2582 Program License #230111843 Child

Cars of a Different Time

Applications online: www.ncoinc.org • (707) 462-2582

W

hat is it about jalopies that some of us find so appealing?

Perhaps it’s just the idea that they’ve lasted so long and offer clues to what life was like in a different era. For whatever reasons, vintage-car shows are here to stay. And the annual Old Time Machines exhibit even benefits a good cause: Operation Tango Mike, a local group that sends care packages to deployed troops. See the Old Time Machines car display on August 14, 8 a.m.–4 p.m., at Library Park in Lakeport. For details, go to curbside.tv/lakeport-show. ¶

Buck Ford

Lakeport - Howard Ave. Clearlake - Pearl Ave. ClearlakeLocated - Meadowbrookon Dr.

• Coastnorth end of Fairgrounds Fort Bragg - Lincoln St. PO Box 966 Ukiah 95482

707-462-0913 treeoflifeschool@pacific.net www.treeoflifeschool.net

Accelerated Achievement Academy Find a School or After-School Activity in our Online Directories MendoLakeFamilyLife.com

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F

or ten years, Buck Ford was a professional motor-cross rider. But that isn’t where his heart was. What he really wanted to do was sing. And that’s how his country music act began. He’ll be bringing his show to the Potter Valley Rodeo dance on August 27, after the Junior Rodeo and axe-throwing competition are finished. The CCPRA rodeo will be on August 28. Events will be held at the Rodeo Grounds in Potter Valley.

For more information, go to pottervalleyrodeo.com. ¶

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Find critical COVID-19 info plus lots of free kid-friendly activities.

August 2021

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UKIAH UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT LEARN • INSPIRE • CREATE • GROW • COMMUNICATE • COLLABORATE • DEVELOP • INNOVATE

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511 S. Orchard Ave. • 707-472-5000 • www.uusd.net