Mendo Lake Family Life July 2018

mendo lake FREE!

July 2018

Best Beaches Top local spots

Preschool easy Prep 12strategies

Healthy Lunch 5-minute salad Summer Fun 46 awesome activities!

A FREE CONCERT FOR THE COMMUNITY

PRESENTED BY THE GREEN MUSIC CENTER & THE SANTA ROSA SYMPHONY FEATURING MARIACHI CHAMPAÑA NEVÍN & THE SANTA ROSA SYMPHONY

SUN, JULY 29 AT 7 P.M.

HUNTER HAYES

FRI, AUG 10 AT 7:30 P.M.

4th OF JULY FIREWORKS SPECTACULAR

AN EVENING WITH CHRIS BOTTI

TRANSCENDENCE THEATRE COMPANY & THE SANTA ROSA SYMPHONY MICHAEL BERKOWITZ, CONDUCTOR

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BLUEGRASS & CRAFT BEER FESTIVAL

THU, AUG 23 AT 7:30 P.M.

RICKY SKAGGS & KENTUCKY THUNDER LAURIE LEWIS & THE RIGHT HANDS PHOEBE HUNT AND THE GATHERERS

SUN, JULY 15 AT 2 P.M. CRAFT BEER FEST AT 12 P.M.

AN EVENING WITH LYLE LOVETT & HIS LARGE BAND SAT, SEPT 8 AT 7:30 P.M.

LOS TUCANES DE TIJUANA SAT, JULY 21 AT 7:30 P.M.

JUST ADDED! Tower of Power 50th Anniversary Tour with Special Guest Average White Band

BLUES AT THE GREEN

MACEO PARKER BIG BAND, ERIC LINDELL & THE GRAND NATIONALS, AND DEVA MAHAL

SAT, SEP 22 AT 7:30 P.M.

SAT, JULY 28 AT 2 P.M.

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Hello

Summer

Summer health tips from Dr. Csanadi Water is the go-to drink when it’s warm out!

Apply at least 30 spf every 2 hours when outside.

Designate an adult to watch kids at the pool.

Limit vigorous physical activity outdoors when it’s above 90 degrees.

Daily tic check! If tics are pulled off before 2 days, they are much less likely to spread diseases like Lyme.

TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT C ALL (707) 463-7459

July 2018

Every Issue 6

Dear Reader

8

Bits and Pieces Cajun Rhythms Wee Farmers Market The Bard Goes Groovy

10 Features 7

Fast & Fresh

Get Ready for the Rodeo Cruisin’ on a Saturday Afternoon Fresh from the Barrel Double Your Veggies

16 Calendar of Events Salmon Central

Make a salad in minutes.

10 Beach FAQ Find local surf and sand.

12 Preschool Prep Give kids the best start possible.

15 Kids Fun A sea-worthy crossword puzzle.

22 How to Vacuum in a Maxi Dress Our local humorist on her “fancy-maxi” day.

4 MendoLakeFamilyLife

12

7 July 2018 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

9

Where Nature Education Thrives

herbs, water, soil and technology nature integrates with life

Openings Available in Grades 9-11 La Vida 707-459-6344 Charter 16201 Hwy 101, Ukiah School lavidaschool.org

DOUBLE YOUR FOOD DOLLARS, GET MORE FRUITS & VEGETABLES Use your CalFresh EBT card and have your benefits doubled for you and your family with Market Match at your local farmers' market

Using Market Match supports local farmers, while benefiting your community and local economy. Find your local market at FMFinder.org today!

2018 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

July 2018

MendoLakeFamilyLife 5

Dear Reader

A

s fun as summer vacation is for kids, we know it can be hard Sharon Gowan on parents.

Publisher/Editor Sharon@family-life.us That’s why we’ve packed this issue with tons of entertaining things to do. “Beach FAQ” (page 10) lists beautiful, local places to play by the sea, plus answers to the questions kids are most likely to ask while you are there.

And our Calendar of Events (page 16) offers everything from free movies and concerts to car shows and cultural festivals. If, while you’re chauffeuring kids to

and fro, you need to de-stress, turn to our humorist’s “How to Vacuum in a Maxi Dress” (page 22) for a good laugh.

Office Manager Patricia Ramos patty@family-life.us

Soon enough, school bells will be ringing again. If you have small ones who are afraid to start preschool, see “Preschool Prep” (page 12) for tips from a former teacher on how to ease their— and your—anxiety.

We hope your July is full of ocean breezes, smiling faces, and many moments of joy.

Business Marketing Renee Nutcher renee@family-life.us Warren Kaufman warren@family-life.us

Features Editor Melissa Chianta melissa@family-life.us

Production Manager Donna Bogener production@family-life.us

Web and Social Media Natalie Bruzon natalie@family-life.us

CARNIVAL

BY THE SEA! JULY 26-29 IN THE FIELD AT HWY 1 & HWY 20

Contributing Writers Holly Hester Karen Nochimowski Cheryl Maguire Fiona Tapp

Billing Jan Wasson-Smith

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

ADVANCE DISCOUNTED TICKETS ALL DAY, UNLIMITED RIDES $25 Presented by California Carnival Company A benefit for the Fort Bragg-Mendocino Lions Club Ticket Outlets: La Bamba, Harvest Market

Or online: www.fortbragglionsclub.org • 964-0921 6 MendoLakeFamilyLife

July 2018 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Cooking with Kids

Fast & Fresh A Satisfying Summer Salad

By Momma Chef

T

his is one of my favorite go-to salads. I use the abundance of fresh, differently colored tomatoes in my garden, but you can use any variations of tomatoes that are available. I also use mozzarella balls (cut in halves) just as often as I use mozzarella slices—whatever I find on sale is what I throw in this recipe. The end result: It looks and tastes amazing.

Tips

5-Minute Caprese and Arugula Salad Ingredients

Instructions

1. Add 1 tbsp. olive oil for a bit more dressing.

• 2 cups baby arugula

1. Spread arugula on platter.

2. Make sure you use balsamic glaze and not balsamic vinegar. ¶

• 3 large tomatoes, cut into ½-inch slices

This article originally appeared on MommaChef.com. It has been reprinted here with permission.

• 8 oz. fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced

2. Arrange tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and basil on top of arugula.

Karen Nochimowski is a mother of three active boys (ages 12, 8, and 5). Her recipes, available on MommaChef.com, use no more than six ingredients and six minutes of prep time.

www.mendolakefamilylife.com

• ¼ cup fresh chopped basil • 1 tsp. salt

3. Sprinkle salt over salad.

4. Drizzle balsamic glaze over entire dish.

• 4 tbsp. balsamic glaze

July 2018

MendoLakeFamilyLife 7

Bits & Pieces

Cajun Rhythms

L

isten for the sounds of accordion and washboard on Main Street in Kelseyville. The free street dance Kickin’ in the Country will feature the Cajun and zydeco music of Gator Nation, a San Francisco band that’s been playing in the Bay Area for decades. Grab your dancing shoes and move to the music of Louisiana in your own backyard on July 19, 7–10 p.m. ¶ Gator Nation

Wee Farmers Market

W

hat’s a great way to keep kids busy during the summer? Get them into gardening. And then let them sell the fruits of their labors at the Kids Farmers Market on July 11, noon–2 p.m., at the Ukiah Library in Ukiah.

Little farmers can learn how to display and sell their produce, honey, and handmade crafts— and take home a bit of cash. ¶

The Bard Goes Groovy

F

ree concerts abound in the summer time, but free theater is more of a rarity. Get your chance to see a theatrical experience without an admission fee when a group of 20 local players put on As You Like It. Much like Shakespeare’s original open-air venue, the stage will be outdoors in Library Park in Lakeport. Breaking away from the traditional Renaissance setting, the story will be set in the 1960s. Peace-loving and forest-dwelling hippies will spin a tale of corrupt royalty, banishment, mistaken identity, and, of course, love.

Bring low-back chairs and a picnic, and see it live July 28 and 29 at 6:30 p.m. Find out more information at lctc.us. ¶

8 MendoLakeFamilyLife

July 2018 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Get Ready for the Rodeo

T

o a rancher, wrangling cattle may be an everyday experience. But for those of us who don’t live with livestock, it’s a skill worthy of an audience. At the Lake County Rodeo, July 13 and 14, see the pros strut their stuff in events such as roping, barrel racing, and bronco riding. There will even be a special mutton bustin’ competition for children ages 4–8 and, on Saturday evening, a dance. Events will be held at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Lakeport.

Tickets are $7–$13; children 12 and under get in free when accompanied by an adult. See lakeportrodeo. mendotechnet.com for more information. ¶

Cruisin’ on a Saturday Afternoon

I

nstagram and Snapchat are vehicles today’s teens use to socialize. But just a couple of generations ago, kids were chatting in actual cars, cruising down Main Streets across America. Get a glimpse of that fifties scene at the Early Iron Car Club’s Cruise and Bash in Ukiah on July 14, 6–9 p.m. The cruise starts at Ukiah High School and runs along School and State Streets to the Pear Tree Center. At the center, dance to live music and enjoy a display of classic rides from days gone by. See facebook.com/ events/372089879953891 for details. ¶

Fresh from the Barrel

W

ine tasting is the perfect excuse for taking a trip through the rolling hills of Mendocino County (with a designated driver, of course).

This is especially true during the Anderson Valley Barrel Tasting Weekend, when you’ll get rare access to area wine cellars. The event will happen July 21 and 22, 11 a.m.–4 p.m., and tickets are $20 online or $25 at any participating winery. For more information, see avwines.com. ¶

www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Double Your Veggies

M

aking ends meet is tough in Lake and Mendocino Counties, especially if you have a family. A new local program aims to lighten the burden. Market Match doubles EBT monies so families can buy more produce at farmers’ markets. See marketmatch.org for more information about how the program works. ¶ July 2018

MendoLakeFamilyLife 9

One of the most famous places to find it is Glass Beach in Fort Bragg.

Is sea glass worth money? It can be. Similar to gems, it depends on different factors, such as the color and shape. One piece of sea glass has sold for over $1,000.

What are the most common colors of sea glass? White, green, and brown.

What are the rarest colors of sea glass? Red and orange.

Beach FAQ Your Kids’ Questions Answered

Sand is created mostly of quartz rocks.

By Cheryl Maguire

“W

ho wants to go to the beach?” This question is almost always answered with “ME!” in our family. During the summer we pack up our beach buggy and spend the day with our toes in the sand or surf.

Spending hours by the ocean, my curious children usually have many inquiries about their surroundings. Despite the fact I got an A in biology, I often have to say, “I don’t know.” To which my daughter actually once said, “Do you know anything about the beach and ocean?”

How are seashells made?

Creatures such as clams pull calcium carbonate from the ocean to help build their shells, layer by layer.

So I did some research and created a list of answers to FAQ. Use it to impress your children, or even create a trivia game.

How is sea glass made? When people discard glass into the ocean, the waves tumble it around, and over many years, it becomes sea glass.

10 MendoLakeFamilyLife

Are there different types of seagulls? There isn’t a bird called a seagull. What most people call seagulls are actually types of birds in the Laridae, or “gull and tern,” family, which has more than 35 species. Herring gulls, which

Why does it sound like the ocean when you hold a shell up to your ear? It is actually the amplified sound of the noises around you.

have a telltale red spot on their bills, are found all over the country.

Glaucous-winged gulls are partial to the Pacific Coast, and during the winter, so are California gulls.

Otherwise you’ll find the latter hanging out at inland lakes and streams in the West. Find out more at allaboutbirds.org.

How can seagulls drink sea water? Herring gulls have special glands over their eyes that allow them to excrete the salt in the water.

Do seagulls have nests and lay eggs? Yes. Herring gulls often place their nests near rocks, logs, or bushes to protect them from predators and strong wind.

July 2018 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

the ocean bottom can all influence what time high/low tide will occur.

The most authoritative source in the United States for predicting

Why do the tides change? The gravitational pull of the sun and moon causes tide changes.

tides is the Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services (CO-OPS). There are 140 tide stations that measure tide levels, the speed and direction of wind and water, air and water temperatures, and barometric pressure. These measurements create tide chart times.

How do people know the times of low and high tides?

Creating a tide chart with the times of high and low tides is not an exact science. Factors such as ocean currents, winds, and the contour of

Herring gulls have special glands over their eyes that allow them to excrete salt.

Surf and Sand

What causes ocean waves?

Waves are the result of winds moving over the ocean’s surface.

How is sand created? Sand is made mostly of quartz rocks, which wind and rain break down and streams, rivers, and wind deliver to the beach.

If your children have even more questions, go to your local library and borrow books on marine biology and ecology. Also visit the UC Davis Bodega Bay Marine Laboratory; drop-in tours are held on most Fridays, 2–4 p.m. See bml.ucdavis.edu for more information. ¶ This article was originally published on Motherly.

Cheryl Maguire holds a master’s degree in counseling psychology and is the mother of twins and a daughter.

Find her on Twitter @CherylMaguire05.

Courtesy California State Parks

Is a starfish a fish? It is actually called a sea star and is not a fish. Sea stars do not have the fins or gills that are found on fish. Like sand dollars, sea urchins, and sea cucumbers, they are echinoderms. A fun fact about sea stars is they can regenerate their arms. See oceanservice.noaa.gov.

Jughandle State Park Beach

Looking for great, kid-friendly local beaches? Start here.

Fort Bragg Jughandle State Park Beach. Besides being home to one of the area’s warmer beaches, this park also features the 2.5-mile Ecological Staircase Trail, which travels through several different habitats, including a pygmy forest. Leashed dogs allowed on beach but not on trail. Port-a-potty. Free. parks.ca.gov.

MacKerricher State Park. This park boasts two lovely beaches. Small and contained, Pudding Creek Beach is a safe place for kids to play. Meanwhile, Glass Beach is famous for its multicolored sea glass.

Bring shoes to walk on its uneven shore and make sure everyone can handle a hike—the walk down to it is a bit steep. Leashed dogs allowed. Pit toilets. Free. parks.ca.gov.

Manchester Manchester State Park. Several miles of sandy shore makes this an ideal place for long walks, kite

www.mendolakefamilylife.com

flying, and beach combing. There’s plenty of driftwood for shelter building, and the park’s creeks are known for steelhead fishing. Leashed dogs allowed. Port-a-potties.

Free. parks.ca.gov.

Mendocino Russian Gulch State Park. Go tide-pooling, or if you are feeling adventurous, dive for abalone at this gem of a beach. If you are willing to take a trail for a couple of miles, you’ll even get to see a 36-foot waterfall. Leashed dogs allowed on beach but not on trails. Flush toilets by campground and pit toilets by beach. Day-use fee: $8. parks.ca.gov.

July 2018

MendoLakeFamilyLife 11

Preschool Prep How to Make the Transition Easier

By Fiona Tapp

W

hen you send your children to preschool, they have the opportunity to develop emotionally and cognitively.

They learn to socialize with their peers and make friendships as well as practice routines and develop early learning skills.

They also get the chance to express themselves through art, dance, and play, and develop confidence in their own abilities.

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More info. (707) 964-6748 or MTMC@mcn.org 12 MendoLakeFamilyLife

• Free referrals to your program.

• Ongoing support with technical assistance & free training workshops.

Rural Communities Child Care

1-800-606-5550 x211 ncoinc.org

July 2018 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

All of these skills are excellent preparation for kindergarten. If your children have already become comfortable in a classroom setting and its daily routines, they will find the transition to “real” school much easier.

Zip it up. Learning how to zip and unzip backpacks and snack or lunch boxes develops fine motor control and gives your children age-appropriate independence.

As a former teacher, I know what preschool educators wish your children could do on the first day in class. Practice these skills with your kids over the summer to make sure they start preschool on the right foot:

Be extra sensitive to kids’ emotions as change can be scary.

What’s your name? Encouraging your children to say their own names helps them to communicate with their teachers and other staff and makes friendship introductions so much easier. Have your child practice saying, “Hi, my name is X. What’s your name?”

Where’s the loo? Find out if your preschool requires children to be toilet trained. Either way, your kids should practice dressing and undressing and wiping themselves.

Get out the tissues. Parents need just as much preparation for the start of preschool as little kids do. It’s a big adjustment for the whole family, and

it’s totally normal to feel apprehensive about the change. You might even find yourself shedding a few tears as you realize how quickly your babies are growing up. But with a few simple steps, you can help to make this new beginning a positive change for everyone in the family.

Read books about school. Your children might be feeling nervous about starting preschool. Get a lot of different library books with fun characters and bright colors that can help your kids to get excited about this new stage. Also, try to visit the preschool with your children and answer any questions they may have.

Establish routines. Before preschool starts, try to get your children the school’s schedule. Serve

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July 2018

• Ukiah

C E NN TT EE RR SS

✓ 1/2-day & full-day classrooms for ✔ 1/2-day & full-day classrooms for ages 18 months to 5 years ages 18 months to 5 years ✓✔ Potty-trained not necessary Potty-trained not necessary ✓✔ Children with disabilities welcome Children with disabilities welcome ✓✔ Referrals for transportation available Referrals for transportation available

•North Ukiah Ukiah - Bush St.

North Ukiah - Bush St.

Nokomis - Washington Ave. Nokomis - Washington Ave. South Ukiah - S. State St. South Ukiah - S. State St. Peach Ave. PeachTree Tree--S.S.Orchard Orchard Ave.

• Willits

•Near Willits Brookside School at

Near Brookside School at

Spruce St. & Lincoln Way Spruce St. & Lincoln Way

• Lake County

•Upper Lake County Lake - 2nd Street Upper Lake - 2nd Street

Upper Lake - Clover Valley Upper Lake - Clover Valley Lakeport Lakeport- -Howard LakeportAve. Blvd.

Clearlake Pearl Clearlake - Pearl Ave. Ave. Clearlake Dr. Clearlake--Meadowbrook Meadowbrook Dr.

••Coast Coast

Fort St. FortBragg Bragg-- Lincoln Lincoln St. MendoLakeFamilyLife 13

lunch and snacks at the same time, adjust any nap times, and try to make play and learning times that are predictable for your children.

Manage anxiety. Reassure your children that preschool will be fun and that you will be right there to pick them up at the end of the day. Be extra sensitive to their emotions as change can be scary; encourage them to share their feelings.

Make it special. Buy your children new backpacks, snack boxes, and water bottles in their favorite designs along with some stickers or small comfort toys. These will help to create some positive associations with school right from the start.

Make sure you know the rules.

Does the teacher encourage you to

come into the classroom or stay at the door? Where do things like shoes, hats, backpacks, and snacks go? How long can you stay? Make sure you

countless teary students before. They will quickly distract your children and make sure they have fun, but they can only do that if you leave. Have a kiss and cuddle and then go, quickly.

Parents need just as much preparation as little kids do.

Never go back. Obviously, go back at the end of the session, but never go back after saying goodbye. If you forget something, tough luck, do not go back. Otherwise, you will upset your children and cause a nuisance for the teacher.

know the protocol; any confusion on your part could make your children more anxious.

Make a quick exit. During the first drop-off, it can be tempting to hover around the door to make sure your children are OK. But doing this can simply prolong the inevitable and end up upsetting your children more.

Preschool teachers have dealt with

Praise, praise, praise. Make a big fuss over your big kids and tell them how proud you are that they are becoming independent and confident.

Fiona Tapp is a travel and parenting writer who has been published in Parents, the Washington Post, National Geographic, and more. Find her work at fionatapp.com.

Ukiah Unified School District

FALL 2018

Ukiah Unified Kindergarten Enrolling Now Offering Pre-School, though fourth grade.

2018-19 Kindergarten Registration and Transitional Kindergarten Registration Students age 5 by September 1, 2018 will be enrolled in Kindergarten Students turning 5 between Sept. 2 and Dec. 2, 2018 are eligible to enroll in our Transitional Kindergarten Program

Registration forms available at school offices and at www.uusd.net 14 MendoLakeFamilyLife

• Bible-based education • Academic excellence • Positive learning environment • Small class sizes • Excellence in WritingTM program • Home School oversight with on-site electives • Spanish, music, computer, and art electives • After school child care • Tuition assistance available 8555 Uva Drive, Redwood Valley (across from “The Broiler”) (707) 485-8778 • www.deepvalleychristianschool.org Like us at: Deep Valley Christian Education Center

July 2018 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Kids Fun

www.mendolakefamilylife.com

July 2018

MendoLakeFamilyLife 15

July

Calendar of Events

Salmon Central

T

wo hundred years ago, the booming Mendocino County timber industry decimated the habitat of the Coho salmon. The Salmon Restoration Association is still working on restoring it. You can help by filling up your plate at the World’s Largest Salmon Barbecue. Enjoy a meal of the pink, fatty fish and then dance to live music. The annual event will be held on July 7, 11 a.m.–6 p.m., at the Noyo Harbor in Fort Bragg. Go to salmonrestoration.com to purchase tickets, which are $33, $10 for kids under 12. No dogs are allowed in the dining area. ¶

Thursday 5

Saturday 7 Red, White & Blues. Blind taste test of local wines. Live blues music by Miz Dee. $55. Noon–5 p.m. Brassfield Estate Winery.

10915 High Valley Rd., Clearlake Oaks. lakecountywineries.org/ redwhiteandblues.

FREE La Leche League.

Breastfeeding support group. Babies are always welcome. 10 a.m.–noon.

Mendocino Baby. 198 S. School St., Ukiah. 462-1020.

Friday 6 FREE KXBX Summer Concerts in the Park. Bring a chair, blanket &

World’s Largest Salmon Barbecue

a

picnic. July 6: Twice as Good. July 13: Nate Bodsford. July 20: Rising Signs. July 27: Decades. 6:30 p.m.

Library Park. 225 Park St., Lakeport. kxbxfm.com/2017-summer-concerts.

FREE Kids DIY Mystery. Kids ages

8–12 are invited to play a do-it-yourself Clue-style mystery. Costumes encouraged but not required.

Refreshments served. 2–4 p.m. Fort Bragg Library. 499 E. Laurel St., Fort Bragg. 964-2020. fortbragglibrary.org.

World’s Largest Salmon BBQ.

Food, live music, local wines & beers. $10–$33. No pets. 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Noyo Harbor South Entrance, Fort Bragg. salmonrestoration.com.

FREE Fort Bragg Fireworks. Bring a

STOP IN FOR A SWEET TREAT OR DELI CREATION! $1 OFF YOUR ORDER

Scoops

Frozen Yogurt, Ice Cream, Deli & Catering Mon–Fri: 11am–7pm • Sat–Sun: 12–7pm 110 N. Main St. Willits • 707-272-9646

16 MendoLakeFamilyLife

blanket & chair. Paved access makes this a stroller/wheelchair-friendly event.

9 p.m. Pomo Bluffs Park. Cliff Way, Fort Bragg. mendocinocoast.com.

Mendocino Music Festival. Musical

performances from around the globe. Thru July 21. Various venues in Mendocino. 937-2044. Full schedule & ticket prices: mendocinomusic.org.

Sunday 8 Lake County Fire Benefit. Johnny Rawls, Mississippi soul blues singer & guitarist. $15–$30. 4–7 p.m. Soper Reese Theatre. 275 S. Main St., Lakeport. 263-0577. soperreesetheatre.com.

FREE Lake County’s Open House Extravaganza. Realtors throughout

Lake County will be holding open houses. Select homes will offer prize drawings & snacks. 11 a.m.–4 p.m.

Check website for viewing times. lakecountyopenhouses.com.

Monday 9 Leaf Painting Made Fun & Easy.

Using nontoxic leaves & paints, students will make small posters & cards for any occasion. Ages 7 & up. $13. 11 a.m.–1:30 p.m. Lake County Arts Council. 325 N. Main St., Lakeport. 263-6658. lakearts.org.

FREE Parenting Drop-In Support Group. Parents welcome to join

at any time. Topics include: child development, appropriate expectations, nurturing discipline & more. Also July 16. 10 a.m.–noon. Mt. Vista Middle School Healthy Start. 5081 Konocti Rd., Kelseyville. 289-4110.

July 2018 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Wednesday 11 FREE RB Oculus Rift Virtual Reality.

Time travel, space travel, or go inside a favorite movie. Sessions last 10–15 minutes. Volunteer on hand to help.

Ages 12 & up. Wednesdays. 4–5 p.m.

Redbud Library. 14785 Burns Valley Rd., Clearlake. 994-5115. co.lake.ca.us.

FREE Reggae on the Lake. For ages 21 & over only. BBQ & bar. Must provide your own lawn seating. 5–10 p.m. Konocti Vista Casino. 2755 Mission Rancheria Rd., Lakeport. konocti-vista-casino.com.

FREE International Cesarean Awareness Network. Offering

support for women who’ve had a cesarean birth. 11 a.m.–noon.

Mendo Baby. 198 S. School St., Ukiah. facebook.com/ events/366297953841307.

Parducci Concert Series. The band Decades plays hits from Chuck Berry to Katy Perry. $25. 6:30 p.m.

FREE Kids’ Farmers’ Market. Local

kids selling their homegrown produce in front of the library.

Wednesdays. Noon–2 p.m. Thru Aug. 15. Ukiah Library. 105 N. Main St., Ukiah. 463-4490. facebook.com/ pg/ukiahlibrary.

Friday 13 Lake County Rodeo. Roping, barrel racing & bronco riding. $7–$13.

Ages 12 & under get in free when accompanied by an adult. July 13 & 14. Lake County Fairgrounds. 401 Martin St., Lakeport. lakeportrodeo. mendotechnet.com.

With an all-star healthcare team, you've got the home field advantage.

WE'RE YOUR BIGGEST FANS!

FREE Moonlight Movie Madness.

Despicable Me 3. Bring blankets & low-back chairs. Aug 27: Coco. 8 p.m.

Alex R. Thomas Plaza. 310 S. State St., Ukiah. cityofukiah.com.

Saturday 14 FREE Mendocino Summer Arts & Crafts Fair. One-of-a-kind artwork

at 50 artist booths. Artist demos & hands-on art activities. Thru July 15. Mendocino Art Center.

45200 Little Lake St., Mendocino. mendocinoartcenter.org.

FREE Movies in the Park. Bring

chairs, blankets, picnics & games.

8 p.m. Middletown Square Park. Calistoga Rd., Middletown. middletownareamerchants.com.

FREE Auditions. James & the Giant Peach. 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Eagles Hall. 210 N. Corry St., Fort Bragg. See gloriana. org/james-auditions for details.

www.mendolakefamilylife.com

• MEDICAL • DENTAL • BEHAVIORAL HEALTH • CARE FOR HER

HILLSIDE (707) 468-1010 mchcinc.org

333 Laws Ave. Ukiah

LAKEVIEW (707) 263-7725

5335 Lakeshore Blvd.

Lakeport

LITTLE LAKE (707) 456-9600 45 Hazel St. Willits

We accept Medi-Cal, Medicare, Partnership and other insurance. MCHC Health Centers is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

July 2018

MendoLakeFamilyLife 17

Parducci. 501 Parducci Rd., Ukiah. parducci.com.

FREE Family Movie Sing-Along.

Schoolhouse Rock! 2–4 p.m. Fort Bragg Library. 499 E. Laurel St., Fort Bragg. 964-2020. fortbragglibrary.org.

Early Iron Car Club’s Cruise & Bash. Cruise starts at Ukiah High

School & runs along School & State Streets, ending at the Pear Tree Center. Live music, classic cars, raffle & more. 6–9 p.m. Ukiah High School. 1000 Low Gap Rd., Ukiah. Pear Tree Center. 504 E. Perkins St., Ukiah. facebook.com/ events/372089879953891.

Sunday 15 Bastille Day Fête. An afternoon of

French-themed fun with live music, dancing, food á la française, wine &

song. Wear your favorite French outfit. $15–$25. 3 p.m. Soper Reese Theatre.

275 S. Main St., Lakeport. 263-0577. soperreesetheatre.com.

Bastille Day. Lunch on Frenchinfluenced favorites, browse the wares in the marketplace & learn to play pétanque. 11 a.m.–2 p.m. Ledford House. 3000 N. Hwy. 1, Albion.

937-0282. ledfordhouse.com.

FREE Sundays in the Park Concert Series. Orgone performs. Bring a

blanket or low-back chair. Choose from food & beverage vendors or bring a picnic. Sundays. 6–8:30 p.m. Todd Grove Park. 600 Live Oak Ave., Ukiah.

463-6231. cityofukiah.com.

Tuesday 17 FREE Bibliotherapy Book Club.

A new book club for teens. Read

books on depression, anxiety, grief, addiction & OCD. Facilitated by licensed therapists & trained librarians.

Advance registration required. 4–5 p.m.

Ukiah Library. 105 N. Main St., Ukiah.

467-6434.

Thursday 19 FREE SNAPS Family Play Day. For parents or caregivers of special needs children (or adults). 10 a.m.– 1 p.m. Lower Lake Park. 16375 2nd St., Lower Lake.

FREE Kickin’ In the Country Street Dance. Gator Nation plays zydeco.

Bring low-back chairs & dancing shoes. 7–10 p.m. Main St., Kelseyville. visitkelseyville.com.

Friday 20 FREE Concerts on the Green. Lake County Diamonds performs. No

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personal alcohol or dogs allowed.

BBQ on sale. 5–8 p.m. Hidden Valley Lake Golf Course (behind Greenview Restaurant). 19210 Hartmann Rd., Hidden Valley Lake. hvla.com.

Saturday 21 Anderson Valley Wine Tasting Weekend. Thru July 22. Advance

tickets (online): $20 or $25 at any participating winery. 11 a.m.–4 p.m. avwines.com.

FREE Sports Physicals & Back-to-School Fair. Health

an old hotel in Upper Lake & transformed it into the Tallman Hotel.

2–4 p.m. Lakeport Library. 1425 N. High St., Lakeport. facebook.com/ lakecountylibrary/app/203351739677351.

FREE Gualala Auto Show & Pinewood Derby. Stroll thru the

show, talk to the owners of each car, truck, or motorcycle. Live blues music. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Gualala Arts Center. 46501 Old State Hwy., Gualala.

884-1138. gualalaarts.org.

screenings, haircuts, free backpacks.

Open to Mendocino County youth.

8 a.m.–noon. Adventist Health Howard Memorial Medical Office. 3 Marcela Dr., Willits. 456-3185.

Summer Drive-In Series. Back to the Future. Car: $40. Individual: $12 (bring chair). Food & wine. 6:30 p.m. Cloverdale Citrus Fairgrounds.

1 Citrus Fair Dr., Cloverdale.

866-811-4111. Tickets online: web. ovationtix.com/trs/cal/34924.

FREE Know Lake County. Learn

The Wizard of Oz. Ukiah

how Bernie & Lynne Butcher bought

Symphony Concert. Bring blanket or low-back

ULTIMATE GUIDE TO

SUMMER FUN

chairs. Picnics welcome. No pets or outside alcoholic beverages. $5–$30.

Gates: 5:30 p.m. Concert: 7:30 p.m. Nelson Family Vineyards. 550 Nelson Ranch Rd., Ukiah. 462-0236. ukiahsymphony.org.

Thursday 26 Flynn Creek Circus. A rurally based, award-winning circus that brings international talent to Lake County.

Thru July 29. $11–$50. July 26 & 27: 7 p.m. July 28: 5 p.m. & *8 p.m. *21+only. July 29: 2:30 p.m. & 5:30 p.m. If purchased before July 25, kids’ tickets for 2:30 p.m. show are half-off. Lake County Fairgrounds.

401 Martin St., Lakeport. 684-9389. flynncreekcircus.com.

Carnival by the Sea. Presented

by California Carnival Company.

MENDOCINO COLLEGE & LAKE COUNTY THEATRE COMPANY PRESENT

The 3rd Annual Shakespeare at the Lake

STARTS RIGHT HERE!

SAT JULY 28 6:30PM

A groovy twist on a classic Shakespearean comedy FR RK EE • LIBRARY PA

SUN JULY 29 6:30PM

Bring blankets, chairs and coolers. All seating is outdoors and first come first served.

Local wine, beer and food available for purchase. www.mendolakefamilylife.com

July 2018

MendoLakeFamilyLife 19

Benefits Fort-Bragg Mendocino Lions Club. Carnival at Hwy. 1 & Hwy. 20. Advance discount tickets are $25 for unlimited rides. Purchase at La Bamba, Harvest Market, or online: fortbragglionsclub.org.

964-0921.

Dancing Poly Cookin’ on the Farm: Seasonal Soups–Summer. Learn

to make Cucumber with Crème Fraiche, Tomato Dill, Avocado & Tomatillo & classic gazpacho soups.

3–5 p.m. $65. Dancing Poly Farm & Food. Registration required: dancingpoly.com.

Friday 27 FREE Family Fun Day. Learn about

Borax Lake & make some slime. An event for all ages & abilities. 4–6 p.m.

Historic Courthouse Museum. 255 N.

Main St., Lakeport. lakecochamber. chambermaster.com.

Saturday 28 Chowder Under the Full Moon. Enjoy

a clam chowder dinner, presentation & tour of the Point Arena Light Station. $60. 8 p.m. Call 3 days prior to tour to ensure a spot. 45500 Lighthouse Rd., Point Arena. 882-2809. pointarenalighthouse.com.

FREE Shakespeare at the Lake. As You Like It performed with a 1960s twist. Thru July 29. Bring blankets or low-back chairs. 6:30 p.m. Library Park. 225 Park St., Lakeport.

Green Jelly. Grammy-nominated

punk band. All ages. $10. Proceeds benefit Special Needs Advocacy/ Parent Support (SNAP), Lucerne

Paradise Skate Roller Rink & Arcade

Elementary & Lake County Theatre Company. 7 p.m. Lake County Fairgrounds. 401 Martin St., Lakeport. brownpapertickets.com.

Fort Ross Festival. Family-friendly event with Kashia Pomo ceremonial dancing, traditional Russian performances & Alaskan native crafts. Beer garden & food trucks. $20 per car. 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Fort Ross State Historic Park. 19005 Coast Hwy. 1, Jenner. 847-3437. fortross.org.

Christmas in July. BBQ

to benefit the Shop with a Cop Program. $40.

6–9:30 p.m. Boatique Winery. 8255 Red Hills Rd., Kelseyville. 279-2675. events.ticketprinting.com.

FLY

Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport (STS)

89th ANNUAL LAKE COUNTY

RODEO

Fairgrounds Lakeport Fairgrounds ininLakeport www.lakecountyrodeo.com www.lakecountyrodeo.com

1-866-525-3767 1-866-525-3767

Skate all Summer long for $30

TS

CCPRA PRO RODEO EVENTS EACH NIGHT Bull Riding Bull Riding Team RopingTeam Roping Team Roping • Local Local Team Roping Barrel Racing • Local Barrel Racing Barrel Calf Racing Roping Local Barrel Racing Bareback Bronc Riding Calf Roping Steer Wrestling Bareback Bronc Riding Riding Saddle Bronc Bareback Bucking Pony Riders Steer Wrestling Jackpot Barrel Racing – Sat 9am Saddle Bronc Riding Also: Also: Queen Queen&&Princess PrincessContest Contest Mutton MuttonBustin’ Bustin’Ages Ages44toto88 Cutest CutestCowpoke CowpokeAges Ages33to to 88

©P N

JULY 13TH 14TH, JULY 6 && 7, 20182018 6pm each evening

Some restrictions will apply

• Public Skating • Birthday Parties • Private Parties • School Parties • Skating Lessons

• FREE WiFi • Fundraisers • kidsskatefree.com • Indoor Soccer • Group & Corporate Outings

Friday 3:30–10:30pm Saturday & Sunday 12–2:30pm & 3–5:30pm Saturday Only 8:30–10:30pm Located at the Fairgrounds 401 Martin Street Lakeport

707.262.0123

Nonstop flights to: - Seattle (SEA) - Portland (PDX) - Los Angeles (LAX) - Orange County (SNA) - San Diego (SAN) - Phoenix (PHX) - San Francisco (SFO) - Minneapolis (MSP) - Las Vegas (LAS)

Offering connections to anywhere

www.flySTS.com

www.paradiseskate.com

20 MendoLakeFamilyLife

July 2018 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Marketplace Preschools

Schools

Give Your Give Child a Head Start!

C E N T E R S

Free Your & Low-Cost Quality Preschool!

• 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!

Hands-on, arts and music  ✓ Children with disabilities welcome • Willits

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

• Lake County Also providing FREE in-home services for

 Promotes responsibility, Upper Lake - 2nd Street infants, toddlers & pregnant women!

Head Start Child Development Program www.ncoinc.org Head Start

Lake - Clover Valley respect, andUpper peace

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

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

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

707-462-0913

A Taste of the Blues

treeoflifeschool@pacific.net www.treeoflifeschool.net

W

ho makes the best wine in Lake County? Let your taste buds be the judge at Red, White, and Blues, where guests are invited to take a blind taste test of five categories  of local wines. Sip away, and while you are waiting for the winners to be announced, indulge in barbecue or dance to the mighty voice of Miz Dee singing the blues. The event will be held on July 7, noon–5 p.m., at Brassfield Estate Winery in Clearlake Oaks. Purchase tickets, which are $55, at lakecountywineries.org/redwhiteandblues. ¶

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

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

Get Mom’s Attention!

YOUR AD HERE Classifieds Work Call 586-9562

US News and World Reports: America’s Best High Schools Bronze Medal  Free public school  Grades 4-12  Small classes  Support for struggling

students

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Call today!

(707) 463-7080

mendo lake

LOCAL

#1 local for 25 years resource for local families magazine • web • email • events

Free Physicals for Kids

A

re your children getting ready for a new sports season?

Take them to Adventist Health Memorial Medical Office in Willits for free physicals. They can participate in other health screenings, get a haircut, and pick up a free backpack, too. It all happens at the Back-to-School Fair on July 21, 8 a.m.–noon.

Call 456-3185 to make an appointment for a physical. ¶

www.mendolakefamilylife.com

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MendoLakeFamilyLife 21

Humor Break

The author and Hogan

How to Vacuum in a Maxi Dress Don’t. Drink a Slurpee Instead.

By Holly Hester

I

’ve been trying out maxi dresses.

Yesterday, I wore a “fancy” one. I did fancy things in it such as take my son to his speech therapy class, pick up my kids at a play date, and do a load of laundry at the Laundromat because our water heater had just exploded. I even took the brood out for a Slurpee.

(I was feeling reckless.) I never let my kids have Slurpees, so you can imagine their shock when I suggested we swing by a 7-11. They’ll be even more shocked when we actually go back, for Free Slurpee Day on July 11 (7-11!). (I can’t resist the free part.)

And I will definitely be wearing a maxi dress because drinking a Slurpee in a black maxi dress with pearls—well, it just doesn’t get any better than that.

The “fancy maxi” day also included getting our pig, Hogan, a checkup.

Despite my spiffy attire, the vet still treated me as he always does—like I’m a complete moron. Here’s a little tidbit of a conversation we had: Vet: Do you know that dairy farm on your way out of town?

Me: Yes, but I didn’t know that was a dairy farm.

Vet (condescendingly): You didn’t? You see cows there, don’t you?

22 MendoLakeFamilyLife

Me: Yes, but I thought they could be beef cows.

Vet (even more condescendingly): They’re Holsteins. When was the last time you saw a Holstein beef cow?

Me: Well, I didn’t know they were Holsteins.

Vet: Really? And you live in the country?

The conversation went downhill from there. After a while I went inside the house and grabbed my copy of Cows of the World and How to Identify Them and shoved it page by page down the vet’s throat. Or at least I fantasized about doing that. In reality, I stood there and did nothing. I don’t own a book like that because I prefer to read things that are actually interesting!

Hogan had two foxtails caught in his eye. Foxtail is a type of grass that grows in Sonoma County and is just terrible for animals. When I asked the vet if there was anything I could do to prevent this from happening to Hogan in the future, he suggested that I get a really large outdoor vacuum and vacuum our property.

I’ve lived in the country for six years now, and I have never seen anyone vacuuming grass. And what’s an outdoor vacuum anyway? I think he

I grabbed my copy of Cows of the World and How to Identify Them and

shoved it page by page down the vet’s throat. just wanted me to go to Lowe’s and ask for one so the salespeople would laugh at me.

“Excuse me, I need to buy one of them outdoor vacuums for my yard. I’ll also need a really long extension cord and enough vacuum bags for six acres.”

Women in fancy maxi dresses might go to the Laundromat. We might even gulp down free Slurpees, but we do not, under any circumstances, vacuum around and under trees…

That is so stupid. ¶ Holly Hester lives in Sebastopol and writes about life on her blog, Riot Ranch. Find her book, Escape from Ugly Mom Island!, on Amazon.

July 2018 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

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

MendoLake Family Life.com

Make sure they’re ready to get back in the game

Free Sports Physicals (

& Back to School Fair

BRING THE WHOLE FAMILY FOR A DAY OF HEALTH, WELLNESS AND LOTS OF FUN TO GET YOUR CHILDREN REALLY READY FOR SCHOOL!

Free Sports Physicals and other health screenings Physicians and providers will be performing assessments to make sure your child is ready to play! Free and open to all children and youth in Mendocino County.

Saturday, July 21 8:00 a.m. to Noon

Adventist Health Howard Memorial Medical Office (formerly Redwood Medical Clinic)

3 Marcela Drive in Willits

Dates: July 21 and July 28 Call: (707) 456-3185 to make an appointment.

Walk-ins also welcome.

Other health screenings & services Vision Screening I Dental Education provided by Little Lake Health Center I Haircuts for students provided by Mirror Mirror on the Wall | Free backpacks

FREE Sports Physicals Call (707) 456-3185 to make an appointment

Children must be accompanied by parent or legal guardian to receive services and screenings.