Mendo Lake Family Life April 2019

mendo lake FREE!

April 2019

Free to Grow Sleepover camps

Easter Fun Local egg hunts

Tidy Up Get inspired

Cyber Bullies Protect kids

We’re a great place to grow up!

WE ACCEPT MEDI-CAL, MEDICARE, PARTNERSHIP AND OTHER INSURANCE.

mchcinc.org

PEDIATRICS MCHC HEALTH CENTERS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROVIDER AND EMPLOYER.

(707) 468-1010 333 Laws Ave. Ukiah

O R T H O P E D I C

S U R G E R Y We are pleased to welcome Dr. Paul M. Charpentier to the Orthopedic Joint Center team.

Dr. Charpentier will be working with Drs. William Bowen and Jeremiah Dawson doing what he loves most – helping patients get back to moving without pain.

Born and raised in Mendocino County, Dr. Charpentier is excited to care for the community he loves. He specializes in minimally invasive hip and knee replacement, arthroscopic surgery and complex reconstruction of the hip, knee and shoulder. He is an advocate for nonoperative treatments, but is highly trained in surgical joint replacement and revisions.

He believes multi-modal pain protocols and post-operative rehab protocols are key to a speedy recovery.

Dr. Charpentier earned his medical degree from Northeast Ohio Medical University, completed a residency at Michigan State University, followed by a Fellowship at Virginia Commonwealth University, specializing in joint replacements.

Please join us in welcoming Dr. Charpentier and his wife and three children to our community.

Joining our experienced team at Orthopedic Joint Center of Northern California

William Bowen, MD

Welcome

Paul M. Charpentier, MD Orthopedic Surgeon

Jeremiah Dawson, MD

Now welcoming new patients.

To schedule an appointment, call:

(707) 459-6115 www.orthojointcenter.org

3 Marcela Drive, Suite C | Willits, CA

April 2019

Every Issue 6

Dear Reader

7

Cooking with Kids Passover Muffins

8

Bits and Pieces Be Grateful

10 Features 10 Free to Grow Why some kids love sleepaway camps.

12 Mom Tidies Up The healing power of getting rid of junk.

14 It Can Wait Five ways to help teens avoid texting while driving.

18 Cyber Bullies What to do if your child is a victim.

Dance in Spring Olive Love Flowering Coast Species Search Sack Race for Science Surf and Turf

22 Calendar of Events J’Aime La Musique Française

23 Family Fun The Great Egg Chase

30 Humor Egg Hunt 101

30

20 Tap into Creativity Arty apps for kids.

8 4 MendoLakeFamilyLife

April 2019 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

9

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Dear Reader

Do you know how you are going to keep the kids busy this summer?

“It’s too early to think about that,” Sharon Gowan Publisher/Editor you say. Let us Sharon@family-life.us tell you: No it’s not! Summer camp registration is happening now. But don’t worry. We are here to help you figure out the best program for your kids. Come to our Family Expo and Camp Fair on April 12, 4–7 p.m., at Coddingtown Mall in Santa Rosa. Find out about all kinds of programs— from culinary arts to circus arts, language immersion to STEM, and everything in between. Talk to camp staff in person, find out details about programs your kids might

be interested in, and sign up for giveaways and prizes. Local dance and music groups will perform, and Safari Encounter will bring live animals for kids to visit with.

Office Manager

After the camp fair, get ready for April’s next big event—Easter. Turn to “The Great Egg Chase” (page 23) for a list of local egg hunts, and then read “Egg Hunt 101” (page 30) for a humorous take on this annual rush for colorful loot.

We hope you have a wonderful spring. And we can’t wait to see you at the Camp Fair!

Patricia Ramos patty@family-life.us

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

Good attendance, good behavior and academic success can be used to identify kids who are more likely to graduate from high school.

Getting your kids to school can make all the difference.

KEEP YOUR KIDS IN SCHOOL. 6 MendoLakeFamilyLife

Contributing Writers Kimberly Blaker Julie Farmer Tanni Haas L. J. Kunkel Cheryl Maguire Karen Nochimowski Sandi Schwartz

Billing Jan Wasson-Smith

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

uusd.net

attendanceworks.org April 2019 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Cooking with Kids

Passover Muffins Easy, Gluten-Free Snack

By Momma Chef

F

or those of us celebrating Passover, we know the week consists of matzo, matzo, and even more matzo. I couldn’t handle how much sugared “cereal,” yogurt, and chocolate-smeared matzo my kids were consuming in the mornings. I did try making Passover pancakes, but my two boys asked me if I had just made them mashed potatoes in a circle. (In their defense, the first ingredient was potatoes.)

My kids love my Super Easy and Kid-Approved Muffins, but we

do not eat these on Passover, so my challenge was set: Create kid-approved Passover muffins.

They were so much easier to make than I had anticipated.

whole-wheat flour. And the muffins turned out great. My kids were so excited when they came out of the oven, I even got a big “thank you” from my middle son.

I had to use something other than whole-wheat flour (yes, these muffins are gluten-free). The grocery store was out of almond flour, my preferred substitute, so I picked up some coconut and tapioca flour instead. I did have to add some extra baking soda and eggs since these flours do not rise like white or

Karen Nochimowski, the mom behind mommachef.com, has loved cooking for as long as she can remember. After her friends and family begged to be let in on her culinary secrets, she decided to create a blog featuring the quick, easy recipes everyone loved. Every recipe has only six or fewer ingredients and takes only six or fewer minutes to prepare.

Simple and Delicious Matzo-Free Passover Muffins Ingredients • 1 ½ cups almond, coconut, or tapioca flour (or any combination of these 3 to equal 1½ cups) • 3 overripe bananas

Instructions

Tips and Tricks

1. In a large mixing bowl, blend all six ingredients with a hand mixer for three minutes.

1. Add ½ cup chocolate chips (my kids prefer semi-sweet).

2. Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups half full with batter.

• 3 large eggs

3. Bake at 375°F for 17–19 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.

• 1/3 cup vegetable oil

Serves: 12–14 muffins

• ½ cup honey • 2 tsps. baking soda

www.mendolakefamilylife.com

April 2019

2. The muffins will stay fresh in an airtight container or Ziploc bag for two days. After that, put them in the refrigerator.

3. If refrigerated, put the muffins in the microwave for 20 seconds to warm before serving.

MendoLakeFamilyLife 7

Bits & Pieces

Be Grateful

T

he Ukiah United Methodist Church likes to promote thankfulness. It even named its latest fundraiser Attitude of Gratitude, which will feature something many people find easy to be grateful for: food, specifically appetizers. There will be a competition to see who can make the best bites; a dance band, Funkacillin, to encourage the burning of calories; and a cash bar. The event will happen at the church in Ukiah on April 13, 5:30–10 p.m., with the band beginning at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $22 for the whole night or $12 just for the band (no appetizers included). The bar will be open all evening.

For more information, see facebook. com/ukiahunitedmethodistchurch or call 462-3185. ¶

Funkacillin

Dance in Spring

E

arly European cultures celebrated spring with dancing. And the Lake County Arts Council is doing the same with its 38th Annual Spring Dance Festival. Lake County dancers, choreographers, and teachers will leap and twirl on the stage of the Soper Reese Theatre in Lakeport.

Performers will include members of Antoinette’s School of Dance and the Lakeport Dance Center, the Clear Lake Clikkers, Kim’s Dance Factory, and the Elemental Belly Dance Troupe.

The show will be held on April 6 at 7 p.m. and April 7 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10–$15 and may be purchased at soperreesetheatre.com. ¶

8 MendoLakeFamilyLife

Olive Love

W

hen most people think of olive oil, they think of Spain or Italy. But it’s produced in the States, too, mainly in California. The Kelseyville Olive Festival puts the spotlight on the flavorful oil, providing samples of local varieties as well as tastes of olives and other local food. The festival, an annual free event, is a family-friendly affair. Kids can paint their faces and compete in a Hula-Hoop contest or go on mill tours while adults test their skills at a pit-spitting contest, or taste beer and wine for $20. The festival will be held on April 28, 11 a.m.–5 p.m., at the Chacewater Winery and Olive Mill in Kelseyville and is a benefit for the Lake Family Resource Center.

See lakefrc.org/special-events/kof for details. ¶

April 2019 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Flowering Coast

A

pril is the month when rhododendrons bloom on the Mendocino Coast. And the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens in Fort Bragg has them in spades—more than 124 species and 1,000 plants in what is the garden’s signature collection. On three Saturdays—April 6, 20, and 27—a “rhodie” master gardener will guide visitors through the blooms.

Walks begin at 1:30 p.m. and are free with regular admission, which is $8–$15 or free for children ages 5 and younger. Find out more at gardenbythe sea.org. ¶

NatureFest Bioblitz

Surf and Turf

Species Search

C

itizen scientists collect data about the natural world. The Hopland Research and Extension Center in Hopland is looking for youth who’d like to take on the role. The center’s NatureFest Bioblitz is an opportunity for kids and adults to join together to gather information about local species and share it, via the iNaturalist app, with scientists and naturalists around the world. The event will be held on April 27, 10 a.m.– noon. Admission is $10 for adults and $3 for children ages 16 and younger.

Register at hrec.ucanr.edu. ¶

F

rom collecting old eyeglasses for those in need to donating chests of toys to children fire survivors, the Ukiah Redwood Empire Lions Club works to serve the community. Now the nonprofit needs help filling its coffers and is hoping its Prawns and Tri Tip Feed does the job.

The all-you-can-eat feast will offer three kinds of jumbo shrimp—cocktail, breaded, and buttered—as well as barbecued beef, and will be served on April 14, noon–3 p.m., at Carl Purdy Hall at the Redwood Empire Fairgrounds in Ukiah.

(No food may leave the building.) Tickets are $20–$40 and may be purchased at bit.ly/2QEvN7U or via facebook.com. ukiahredwoodempirelionsclub. ¶

Sack Race for Science

L

ong before former President Obama encouraged STEM-oriented public education, the Children’s Museum of Art and Science (CMAS) in Clearlake was putting on science-oriented events in Lake County. From Family Science Nights at Lower Lake High School, to converting a Lake County Fairgrounds building into a hands-on art and science “Exploratorium,” the museum has served thousands of students. To raise funds for its activities, CMAS is holding a Spring Art and Science Carnival Fundraiser, which will highlight the opportunity to get area school administrators and city officials good and wet in the Dunk Bucket. There also will be science games (of course), boat and sack races, sand castles, a cakewalk, music circle, and an art auction. Community organizations will staff booths offering information about their work. The fun and games will be held on April 27, 11 a.m.–3 p.m., at the Clearlake Senior Community Center in Clearlake. Admission is free. Tickets for activities are $1 each, with package deals for six or more. Go to facebook.com/cmaslakecounty for more information. ¶

www.mendolakefamilylife.com

April 2019

MendoLakeFamilyLife 9

their comfort zones and exposed to new experiences and people that give them a broader perspective.

They realize that they are part of something bigger than themselves and their immediate families. They may participate in community service projects that they would have not otherwise had the chance to do.

Free to Grow Why Kids Thrive at Sleepaway Camp

By Sandi Schwartz

W

e all want our children to be happy and successful.

A child can only truly grow if given some freedom and the chance to gain confidence by exploring new ideas and activities. What better place for children to begin this process than at sleepaway camp?

Sending children away for camp may seem daunting at first, but if you ask kids who have spent several weeks bunking with their friends, they will tell you how it has positively transformed their lives. The many gifts of sleepaway camp include: Confidence Camp provides ways for children to feel a sense of accomplishment as they learn new skills and contribute to the community.

When they succeed at a task, they 10 MendoLakeFamilyLife

are empowered and have more confidence when faced with the next challenge. They also learn from their mistakes and failures, which only makes them more resilient in the future. Some camp experiences, whether learning to swim in a lake or climb a ropes course, even allow kids to conquer their fears.

Broader Perspective At camp, children begin to see the world and themselves a bit differently. They are away from

Community Sleepaway camp gives kids a sense of belonging, which will ultimately improve their ability to

Camp provides a chance for kids to slow down and listen to their own thoughts. cooperate, contribute, and serve their future communities as caring citizens. Campers also gain new social skills from being in a group setting. They must share a room with others, manage chores, resolve conflicts, communicate effectively, and be kind and accommodating to their fellow campers. Being part of a close-knit community can be challenging at times, but children who learn how to adapt and get along with others will benefit for a lifetime.

Skills Sleepaway camp is chock full of unique activities and events that children can’t find anywhere else.

Going to camp allows them to learn new skills, whether in sports, art, or outdoor exploration. Exposure to so many new programs enhances

April 2019 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

mendo lake children’s knowledge and capabilities, allowing them to get closer to finding what they enjoy most.

Camp also helps children become more independent. They learn how to make their own decisions without parents and teachers always telling them what to do. They are expected

magazine • web • email

#1 local resource for local families

LOCAL for 25 years

Sleepaway camp is chock full of unique activities and events that children can’t find anywhere else. to manage daily chores, show up on time to activities, and keep their belongings neat and clean. These are life-long skills that will help them succeed in whatever they do.

Self-Reflection The school year is a busy time, but camp provides a chance for kids to slow down and listen to their own thoughts. Camp is the perfect environment for self-reflection and meditation. When kids take a break from television, video games, texting, and surfing online, they become more mindful of their surroundings and their own emotions. They are able to focus on the simple things in life, such as going for a hike, watching a sunset, singing around a campfire, and talking in depth with their friends. This change of pace can lead to emotional and spiritual growth. ¶ Sandi Schwartz is a freelance writer/blogger and mother of two. Find her at happysciencemom. com and sandischwartz.com.

www.mendolakefamilylife.com

April 2019

MendoLakeFamilyLife 11

“Putting things away creates the illusion that the clutter problem has been solved,” Kondo wrote. Even though everything I own is neatly stacked or stored in a bin, I rarely

I’ve never sewed a button on a shirt in my life, so why did I have a pile of buttons in my drawer?

Mom Tidies Up A Story of Transformational Decluttering

By Cheryl Maguire

“

D

oes this spark joy?” I asked myself. Cradling an apple spice candle in my hand, I sniffed the top of it. The scent was gone, probably from sitting in the attic for 15 years.

I tossed it in the overflowing trash pile.

The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up

by Marie Kondo (Ten Speed Press, 2014) had been a bestseller for 86 weeks when I first discovered it. (Now Kondo’s Tidying Up is a Netflix hit.)

Reading it prompted a month-long marathon session of de-cluttering my house. I emptied every drawer, closet, and bin, resulting in 11 bags for donation and 10 for the garbage.

I consider myself a neat freak, yet if I wrote a book about how I clean up it would end up in the clearance bin. My three children get annoyed with my 12 MendoLakeFamilyLife

get rid of things. Like Kondo said, I definitely was under the delusion I was living a clutter-free life.

“You will never use spare buttons,” Kondo stated.

She’s right. I’ve never sewed a button on a shirt in my life, so why did I have a pile of buttons in my drawer? I could no longer ignore the clutter.

“If you see an (electrical or cable) cord and wonder what on earth it’s for, chances are you’ll never use it again,” Kondo wrote. When I looked at the bag of unidentified cords I owned, I realized I had not used any of the cords since I created the collection.

neat-freak ways. When they’re eating a meal, I’m right there wiping away the crumbs. Labeled bins hold their toys, clothes, or sports gear. If they don’t put their things in the proper place, they’re going to deal with my wrath.

The book got me to think about how I acquired each object I owned and why I held on to it. I realized that there was a pattern to why I kept items. I worried I might need it in the future or felt guilty about never using it.

When I first heard of Kondo’s work, I couldn’t figure out how she had sold so many copies of a book about the least exciting topic I could think of. But as I read it, I hung on every word. It was more captivating than a psychological thriller. The deeper I delved, the clearer became the book’s central theme—analyzing one’s relationship to material items.

It was time for me to initiate step one in her book: “start by discarding, all at once, intensely and completely.”

According to Kondo, the process of discarding should focus on “what we want to keep, not what we want to get rid of.” She suggests you do this by holding each item you own and asking yourself, “Does this spark joy?” At first,

April 2019 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

this question seemed ridiculous to me, but I tried it despite my misgivings.

“If you only keep the items that spark joy, then you surround yourself with things that make you happy,” Kondo said. This reorganization of your material things can lead to a transformation in your life.

She says it will increase your confidence since the process involves making decisions about whether or not to keep items. You are also forced to confront the decisions you made

For me, the biggest transformation came through discarding my unused items. Kondo referred to this as “the magic effect of tidying.”

Even though everything I own is neatly stacked or stored in a bin, I rarely get rid of things.

She recommended saying to yourself, “Thank you for teaching me what doesn’t suit me.” This simple reframing thought process helped me to put my unworn red shirt with the tags on it in the donation pile.

Like Kondo said, I put my space in order—in a way that changed my life forever. ¶

in selecting your possessions and to hopefully learn from poor decisions.

Kondo said when you are done tidying, “You can see quite clearly what you

This article was originally published in Sasee Magazine.

When I finished tidying I felt a sense of accomplishment. Opening a drawer and finding a pen instead of useless buttons gave me pride in my ability

HEALTHY KIDS NEED HEALTHY TEETH

HEALTHY SMILE TIPS SEE YOUR DENTAL PROVIDER!

Find Cheryl Maguire on Twitter @CherylMaguire05.

Visit MouthHealthy.org/SmileBuilders for more activity sheet

Visit MouthHealthy.org/SmileBuilders for more activity sheets.

Brush Brushyour your teeth teeth twice a day withaafluoride fluoride toothpaste. with toothpaste.

HEALTHY SMILE TIPS

Clean between your teeth daily.

Eat a healthy diet that limits sugary beverages and snacks.

See your dentist regularly for prevention and treatment of oral disease.

© 2018 AMER

Visit MouthHealthy.org/SmileBuilders fordiet more activity Clean between your Eat a healthy that limits Seesheets. your dentist regularly

Brush your teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste.

teeth daily.

HEALTHY SMILE TIPS

sugary beverages and snacks.

for prevention and treatment of oral disease.

© 2018 AMERICAN DENTAL ASSOCIATION

Visit MouthHealthy.org/SmileBuilders fordiet more activity Clean between your Eat a healthy that limits Seesheets. your dentist regularly

Brush your teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste.

teeth daily.

E TIPS

day ste.

to get rid of unnecessary things. I experienced a life transformation as well. In the fourth grade, I wrote my first book, which my teacher typed using a typewriter, fashioning a cover out of cloth. I found this book while cleaning. It was a reminder of my love for writing, in which I had dabbled throughout the years. Once I “cleaned house,” I decided to actively pursue freelance writing, which has led to nationally publishing my work.

need in your life and what don’t, and what you should and shouldn’t do.”

sugary beverages and snacks.

for prevention and treatment of oral disease.

© 2018 AMERICAN DENTAL ASSOCIATION

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

HEALTHY SMILE TIPS Visit MouthHealthy.org/SmileBuilders for more activity sheets.

HEALTHY SMILE TIPS

Clean between your teeth daily.

Brush your teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste.

Clean between your teeth daily.

Eat a healthy diet that limits sugary beverages and snacks.

Eat a healthy diet that limits sugary beverages and snacks.

See your dentist regularly for prevention and treatment of oral disease.

© 2018 AMERICAN DENTAL ASSOCIATION

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

See your dentist regularly for prevention and treatment of oral disease.

Grant # 17-10704

© 2018 AMERICAN DENTAL ASSOCIATION

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

American Dental Association®

Visit MouthHealthy.org/SmileBuilders for more activity sheets.

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April 2019

MendoLakeFamilyLife 13

ALL RIGH

arrived at their destinations or are stopped in a place where it is safe and legal to use their phones. And parents, never text or call teens when you know they are driving.

2. Your teen…knows no different. Teens sometimes behave based on the way they have seen others—often their parents— doing things. For example, teens may drive with their cell phones on

It Can Wait

Many organizations, including cell phone companies, have apps that help disable a phone while driving.

Teach Teens to Avoid Texting While Driving

the passenger seats because they have seen their parents do this, too.

By Julie Farmer

Tool: Model the correct behavior— phone on silent and away in the glove box! Insist everyone in the family does this. Note that hands-free phones do not reduce risk because research shows they do not reduce cognitive distraction.

And using voice-to-text can be more distracting than typing texts by hand, according to the National Security Council.

T

eenagers live an “always-on” lifestyle. Whether calling, texting, using social media, or taking selfies, many teens barely go a few minutes without tapping away on their phone.

This fast-paced way of life has manifested itself in dangerous driving behavior, according to a study by Liberty Mutual Insurance and SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions).

Nearly half of teens reported texting more when alone in the car. A surprising finding was who teens were texting while driving: their parents! Fifty-five percent of the teens reported texting while driving to update parents. Nineteen percent of teens believe their parents expect a reply to a text within just one minute.

14 MendoLakeFamilyLife

Sometimes, basic solutions are the most effective.

1. Your teen…is texting YOU. As mentioned above, some teens use phones while driving to update their parents. Yes, it is worrying when newly licensed teen drivers are on the road, and it’s natural to request updates. But give them the tool to do this safely.

Tool: Make it clear to your teens that they must never update you while driving. Not a “quick” text while stopped in traffic, not a “quick” call, even on hands-free. Ask teens to get in touch when they have

3. Your teen…thinks a quick glance is OK. All teens know they shouldn’t use a phone while driving. But does your teen fully understand what they will not see by taking a quick glance at their phone?

Tool: Give a practical demonstration. Ed Dubens , general manager and executive vice president of eDriving FLEET, has a tip:

April 2019 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

“Next time you are in a car with your teen as a passenger, ask them to pick a moment to imagine they are driving, to take a final look around before closing their eyes and counting three seconds—1,000 and 2,000 and 3,000—and then to open their eyes and see how far you have traveled and how the scene around [them] has changed—scary!”

4. Your teen…feels singled out. Teens see others engaging in risky behavior, e.g. distracted driving, that seems socially acceptable, so why shouldn’t they?

Tool: Encourage them to make a pledge to drive safely. Any friend who isn’t willing to drive safely or ride safely as a passenger must not travel with your teens. Do this

across the whole family and across your teens’ peer groups, too. After all, what’s really so bad about valuing their own lives and the lives of their friends?

Fifty-five percent of the teens reported texting while driving to update parents.

5. Your teen…just cannot resist. Even after discussing the risks and putting suitable consequences in place, parents may still worry that their teens are going to find it difficult to resist using their phones at the wheel. This is not a risk worth taking.

Tool: Many organizations, including cell phone companies, have apps that help disable a phone while driving.

These are not fool proof, but they can be a useful addition to the toolbox. eDriving’s app Mentor for Families works as a personal coach for new drivers. After installing the app on a mobile device, it runs during each trip, tracking things like speed, braking, and any contact made with the phone.

Parents can test their own skills, while monitoring their teens’ learning progress. In addition to using the app, parents can also turn to the eDriving SMART Driving Guide (driversed.com/ documents/smart-driving-guide.pdf), which offers 15 principles to keep drivers crash-free. ¶ Article reprinted with permission from DriversEd.com.

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or guardians aware of the situation.

Make sure to save electronic and hard copies of all evidence, including screen shots of the offending posts.

It is important to have a formal record of what has transpired if the cyberbullying amounts to a criminal

Cyber Bullies Practical Steps for Protecting Your Kids

By Tanni Haas

I

t was not supposed to happen, but it did. Despite your best efforts to the contrary, you discover your kid is the victim of cyberbullying. What do you do?

The first and most important goal should be to block the bully from doing any further harm. As Ruth Carter, a lawyer who specializes in social media and Internet law, succinctly puts it, “Cut off the bully’s access to your child.” You can block the bully by reporting the cyberbullying to the site(s) where it has taken place. Many sites have explicit policies (or “terms and conditions”) that forbid any form of bullying and feature a “report abuse” button that you can click.

If you cannot find such a link, look for an email address for the 18 MendoLakeFamilyLife

site’s administrator(s) where you can forward a complaint. When a complaint is received, many site administrators will shut down the offensive account and even block the device that was used from accessing the site again.

Alternatively, you can close down your kid’s account(s), although, of course, this will not prevent the bully from tormenting other kids.

Aside from blocking the bully’s ability to reach your kid, collect evidence of the cyberbullying and, if the bully’s real identity is known and he or she is a minor, make the parents

Give your kid the opportunity to explain, at length and without interruption, what happened. offense. This will enable you to share it with the police and lawyers. As Drs. Sameer Hinduja and Justin Patchin of the Cyberbullying Research Center say, “The police should be approached when physical threats are involved, or a crime has possibly been committed.”

Assuming that the bully’s parents are responsible and caring people, let them know what has happened and how it is affecting your kid. Akilah Thompson, founder and CEO of an anti-bullying organization called Generations Inspired, says, “It is important that both parties are aware of the situation and are working towards resolution.” Like you, they might be concerned to learn that their kid has been cyberbullying another kid and may want to put an end to it.

Either way, it is important that you communicate with them in writing, so that you can document everything should you decide to press charges.

It is also useful to reach out to other parents at your kid’s school to hear if they have had similar experiences.

This would allow you to coordinate your interventions to a greater effect.

April 2019 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Contact your kid’s teachers and guidance counselors. Teachers are likely to know how your kid is doing, not just academically but also socially.

Guidance counselors often have an even more intimate picture of who your kid interacts with at school. They are the ones most likely to be asked to intervene if your kid’s cyberbully also happens to be a real-life class or school bully. If your kid’s teachers or guidance counselors are unwilling or unable to help, it might be necessary

The first and most important goal should be to block the bully from doing any further harm. to continue up the chain of command to the school principal, superintendent, and, eventually, the local school board.

Once you have done everything in your power to stop the cyberbullying— and have reported it to the relevant people—it is time to have a warm and caring conversation with your kid. Give your kid the opportunity to explain, at length and without interruption, what happened, why it might have happened, how it makes him or her feel, and, not least importantly, what he or she thinks should be done to avoid similar situations from happening in the future. Hinduja and Patchin say, “It is appropriate (and important) to solicit the children’s perspective as to what might be done to improve the situation.

After all, any sustainable solution to the problem of cyberbullying needs to involve the kids themselves.” ¶ Tanni Haas, Ph.D., is a college communications professor and father.

www.mendolakefamilylife.com

HEY MOM, GIVE US A SHOUT! We want to know what you think.

• What did you like in this issue?

• What do you want to see more or less of?

• Know a teacher, coach, or special person who makes local family life better?

• Know of an upcoming event or fun family outing?

• Want to write stories, recipes, or blog for Family Life?

e-mail melissa@family-life.us April 2019

MendoLakeFamilyLife 19

custom Avatars, then use Interactive Stories to play mini-games, and attempt to defeat Dr. Excuses.

This massively popular piano game requires players to tap the black tiles while avoiding the white tiles to generate beautiful, high-quality music.

Tap into Creativity

Apps that Help Kids Make Music and Art

Lego City: My City 2.

Free for Android. Ages 7–14.

With 15 mini-games in all, players go on thrilling car chases to catch thieves, blast off into space, and go underwater for exploration.

As they move through the game, players earn blocks and components to build vehicles to complete their missions.

ith a massive sea of kids’ phone apps, where does a parent begin to choose ones that’ll maximize their kids’ media time? Try this selection of apps to help boost kids’ strategic thinking skills and creativity.

Doodle Magic Joy. Free for Android. Ages 3+.

This drawing app with colors ranging from soft pastels to bright neons offers a variety of art tools including pen, calligraphy, airbrush, crayon, pastel, sponge, eraser, and more. When doodles are complete, they can be saved and even played back as a cartoon. This is an excellent app for kids to adults.

By Kimberly Blaker

W

Piano Kids—Music & Songs. Free for Android. Ages 3–8. This app teaches kids and parents how to play musical instruments, including the piano, xylophone, and drums.

It exercises children’s memory, concentration, creativity, listening skills, and motor skills.

Flow Free. Free for Apple & Android. Ages 8+. This color-based game offers various levels of play to sustain the interest of grade-school kids right on through to adults. It improves 20 MendoLakeFamilyLife

Kids can build the city of their dreams in this 3D game app. complex thinking skills as players try to connect the dots to create pipes without crossing over another color.

Super Family Hero.

Free for Apple & Android.

Ages 4+. Kids and parents can enjoy this family game with individual levels of difficulty that make the game both challenging and fair to all players. Create

Unblock Me Free. Free for Apple & Android. Ages 7+. This mental workout boasts 16,000 puzzles in all. The object of the game is to unblock the red block in as few moves as possible. Kids and adults can compete with friends and players around the world.

April 2019 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

6th Annual

3/2 Chess. Free for Android. Ages 5+. Played much like standard chess for two players, this game is designed for up to three players.

Chess is a strategy game that boosts creativity and critical thinking skills.

Children’s Expo FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY!

ColorMinis Kids. Free for Apple & Android. Ages 3+. With this color and design app, kids experiment with a variety of colors and materials, including Real 3D gloss, clay, glass, metal, and more. They can color and design anime figures, animals, robots, castles, and much more.

When their designs are complete, they’ll create animated gifs of their creations.

Kimberly Blaker is the author of a kid’s STEM book, Horoscopes: Reality or Trickery?, which contains fun experiments to help kids understand the scientific method and develop critical thinking skills.

www.mendolakefamilylife.com

10am–2pm • Pear Tree Center Perkins & Hwy. 101, Ukiah

MEET THE CRAYOLA EASTER BUNNY!

Hoopa City 2. $3.99 for all platforms. Ages 5–10.

Kids can build the city of their dreams in this 3D game app, with skyscraper apartments, shopping malls, and beach resorts.

Then they can play inside the city they’ve built, dress up their citizens, and even switch to night mode to watch their city light up.

Magic Tiles 3. Free for Apple & Android. Ages 7+.

This massively popular piano game requires players to tap the black tiles while avoiding the white tiles to generate beautiful, high-quality music. It features additional instruments, such as guitar, as well as a battle mode where kids can compete with other players around the world

SATURDAY APRIL 20

11am–2pm

Bring your camera & take photos with your children!

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MendoLakeFamilyLife.com April 2019

MendoLakeFamilyLife 21

April

Calendar of Events

Mimi Pirard of SonoMusette

J’Aime La Musique Française

M

imi Pirard began her music career at the age of 13, singing with a music association in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, France. Eventually moving to California, the French-American chanteuse continued to sing French music and now performs the work of Edith Piaf, Jacque Brel, and their contemporaries with the ensemble SonoMusette. The group, featuring musette accordion, gypsy-jazz guitar, upright bass, and drums, will perform its moody, melancholic repertoire on April 14 at 2 p.m. at Soper Reese Theatre in Lakeport. Admission is $20 or free for ages 18 and younger. See soperreesetheatre.com to purchase tickets. Find out more about SonoMusette at sonomusette.com. ¶

Tuesday 2

Thursday 4

FREE Okinawan Karate &

FREE First Thursday Community Fun

Kenpo Classes. Sponsored by the

& Crafts Night. Board & card games

Mendocino County Sheriff’s Activities League. Taught by Michael Tobin.

Tuesdays. Ages 3–6: 5:30–6 p.m. Ages 7 & up: 6:05–7:15 p.m. Blue belt & above: 7:30–8:30 p.m. Ukiah High School. Room L4. 1000 Low Gap Rd., Ukiah. 354-0565.

& crafts will be available or bring your own. Snack food/dessert potluck.

6:30–8 p.m. Redwood Valley Grange.

8650 East Rd., Redwood Valley. facebook.com/rvgrange.

Wednesday 3 FREE Fire Recovery Group Meets. Ongoing Conversations for

Community Resilience group. Meets 1st & 3rd Wednesdays at 11 a.m.

Upper Lake Senior Support Center.

9410 Mendenhall Ave., Upper Lake.

Meets 2nd & 4th Fridays at 12:30 p.m. at the Lakeport Senior Center, 527 Konocti Ave., Lakeport. lakefrc. org/calhope.

DJ’s Pizza Fundraiser for Anderson Marsh. Enjoy all-you-can eat pizza at DJ’s. $8. 5–8 p.m. DJ’s Pizza. 16135 Main St., Lower Lake. 995-2658.

22 MendoLakeFamilyLife

FREE Okinawan Karate & Kenpo Classes. Sponsored by the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Activities League Programs. Taught by Michael Tobin.

Thursdays. Ages 3–6: 5:30–6 p.m.

Ages 7 & up: 6:05–7:15 p.m. Blue belt & above: 7:30–8:30 p.m. Body Works Gym & Martial Arts Center.

1511 S. Main St., Willits. 354-0565. willitsbodyworksgym.com.

Friday 5 FREE Walk-In Literacy Tutoring.

Volunteer tutors will be in the library for adults 16 & older who need one-to-one help with reading or writing. Fridays. Noon–2 p.m.

Redbud Library. 14785 Burns Valley Rd., Clearlake. facebook.com/ lakecountylibrary.

The Way We Played: Sports & Recreation in Lake County.

Family-friendly exhibit. Opening night: April 5, 5–7 p.m. $10. Regular exhibit hours: Wednesdays– Saturdays: 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Sundays: noon–4 p.m. Suggested donation: $2–$4. Courthouse Museum. 255 N. Main St., Lakeport. facebook.com/ museumsoflakecountyca.

Saturday 6 A Place of Tomorrow: The Prophet Through Dance & Song.

Teens explore Kahil Gibran’s writings through fusion, hip-hop & contemporary dance & song. $10–$15.

3 p.m. SPACE Theater. 508 W. Perkins St., Ukiah. spaceperformingarts.org.

38th Annual Spring Dance Festival.

A showcase of Lake County dancers, choreographers & teachers. $10–$20. April 6: 7 p.m. April 7: 2 p.m. Soper Reese Theatre. 275 S. Main St., Lakeport. 263-0577. soperreesetheatre.com.

Teen Skate Night. $8. Quad rental:

$4. Inline rental: $5. Saturdays. 8:30–11

April 2019 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Family Fun

The Great Egg Chase Local Hunts and Bunny Fun

S

earching for a kid-friendly way to celebrate Easter? Look no further. These local events promise plenty of eggs and visits with the rabbit of the hour.

Lake County

Clearlake Five thousand eggs will be waiting to be found at Austin Park on April 20. The Clearlake Youth Center partners with the First Assembly Church for this annual hunt. Call 994-5437 for time.

Clearlake Oaks The Moose Lodge’s Second Annual Spring Festival on April 14, 11 a.m.–4 p.m., will feature not only arts and crafts booths, but also egg hunts. At 2 p.m. there’ll be a Bunnywalk for ages 0–3 and a Scavenger Egg Hunt for ages 10–12.

Then at 3 p.m., there’ll be a Field Hunt for ages 4–9. The Special Needs Booth will hand out pre-bagged eggs at 1 p.m. Pre-register kids between noon and 2:30 p.m. for the hunts, which are free and will be held at the Moose Lodge. Call Cheryl at 302-519-5319 for details.

Hidden Valley Lake This free hunt on April 20 at Hartmann Baseball Field will be divided into four age groups, babies to sixth graders, and will start at 10 a.m. sharp. Bring your own camera for photos with the Easter Bunny, 9–11 a.m.

Lakeport For close to a century, the Lakeport Rotary has been holding a free Easter egg hunt. This year it’ll be held on April 21 at 1 p.m. at the Lake

www.mendolakefamilylife.com

County Fairgrounds. Bring baskets and get there early; there’ll be a lot of kids ready to track down the 4,800 hidden eggs. Ages 0–3, 4–7, and 8–12 will each have their own field.

For every age group, one golden egg worth $10 and two silver eggs, each worth $5, will be part of the pickings.

Middletown The free Easter Eggstravaganza at the Twin Pine Casino and Hotel is not a hunt, but it does have plenty of spring cheer, including photos with the Easter Bunny, gratis baskets, bouncy houses, and other kids’ activities. The event goes on April 20, 11 a.m.–2 p.m. Learn more at twinpine.com.

Mendocino County Fort Bragg Forty grand prizes will be up for grabs at the free Fort Bragg Leo Easter Egg Hunt, set for April 20 at 10 a.m. at the field between the C. V. Starr Center and Redwood Elementary. Kids will be grouped according to age: 0–2, 3–5, 6–7, 8­–10.

The Easter Bunny himself will oversee the chaos. See facebook.com/ ftbraggleoclub for more info.

candy, just fresh hard-boiled eggs and time in nature. The hunt, which starts promptly at 10:30 a.m., is $7 per child. Bring your own baskets. See campovida.com to learn more.

Ukiah The First Presbyterian Church of Ukiah knows that running around in search of eggs builds up an appetite. So it’s serving lunch after its hunt. On April 13 at 10 a.m. kids of all ages will look for eggs at McGarvey Park, and then the whole family can eat, 11 a.m.–1 p.m., at the church. Both the hunt and lunch are free. Go to fpcukiah.org for details.

Though there won’t be a hunt at the free Sixth Annual Children’s Expo, the Easter Bunny will be around.

And there will also be music, games, a face painter, and other activities for kids. Find the fun on April 20, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. (Mr. Bunny arrives at 11 a.m.) at the Pear Tree Center. Call 391-7211 for further information.

Willits A whopping 20,000 eggs will be for the taking at Calvary Chapel of Willits’ mega-hunt at Willits High School football field on April 20, 11 a.m.–1 p.m. Besides the abundance of Easter loot, there will also be music, games, food, bouncy houses, and prizes.

Eggs are not hidden behind bushes, but in a pool at C. V. Starr Center’s Easter Egg Splash. The hunt will be held on April 20 at 10:30ish a.m. (Bring a waterproof container for goodies.)

Afterward, there’ll be a Rubber Duck Race in the Lazy River. Standard drop-in admission fees ($6–$12, 4 and under free) apply.

Hopland Campovida will be opening its gardens on April 20 for its annual egg hunt. Don’t expect

April 2019

MendoLakeFamilyLife 23

p.m. Paradise Skate Roller Rink.

401 Martin St., Lakeport. 262-0123. paradiseskatelakeport.com.

Ukiah Co-op Nursery School Fundraiser Dinner. Live & silent auction items. $40. 5–8 p.m.

Redwood Empire Fairgrounds. Fine Arts Bldg. 1055 N. State St., Ukiah. eventbrite.com.

Pasta for Paws. Spaghetti dinner

fundraiser for the Humane Society Inland Mendocino. $22–$25. Ages 6 & under: free. (Wine & beer for purchase.) 5–7 p.m. Redwood Empire Fairgrounds. 1055 N. State St., Ukiah. facebook.com/humanesociety. inlandmendocino.

Rhododendron Walks. A “rhodie”

master gardener will guide visitors.

See more than 124 species & 1,000

plants. $8–$15. Ages 5 & younger: free. 1:30 p.m. Every Saturday in April except April 13. Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens. 18220 N. Hwy. 1, Fort Bragg. 964-4352, ext. 16. gardenbythesea.org.

Sunday 7 Symphony of the Redwoods Spring Concert. Featuring the work

of Ravel, Saint-Saëns & Falla. $22.

Ages 18 & under: free. April 6: 7 p.m.

April 7: 2 p.m. Cotton Auditorium.

500 N. Harold St., Fort Bragg. symphonyoftheredwoods.org.

Tuesday 9

9. 1–3:30 p.m. Frank R. Howard Foundation. 3 Marcela Dr., Ste. A, Willits. Reserve a spot: 456-9676. avenuestowellness.org.

Wednesday 10 Introduction to Banking. Learn how to use & manage a checking & savings account & how to create a budget & establish credit. 5:30 p.m.

April 10 & April 24. Community Foundation of Mendocino County.

204 S. Oak St., Ukiah. RSVP by April 8: 462-6613, ext. 1245.

Friday 12 Soup & Salad Dinner Fundraiser.

FREE Healthier Living Workshop.

Six-week workshop series offering strategies for reducing pain, anxiety, fatigue & sleep loss. Starts April

Proceeds benefit the Fort Bragg Library Expansion Project. $15.

Doors: 6 p.m. Dinner: 7 p.m. Masonic

Ukiah Unified School District

Ukiah Unified Kindergarten Enrolling Now Programs for campers 5th grade and up.

ADVENTURE AWAITS YOU! Enjoy Hiking, Horses, Swimming, Backpacking, Crafts, Nature, Archery, Spiritual Reflection, Campfires, Challenge course and Outdoor Skills.

Programs start July 7th! Register Now at www.RedwoodAdventure.org Providing opportunities for leadership development, spiritual and personal growth, environmental stewardship, lifelong personal connections, fun and adventure.

(707) 703-9171

24 MendoLakeFamilyLife

2019-20 Kindergarten Registration and Transitional Kindergarten Registration Students age 5 by September 1, 2019 will be enrolled in Kindergarten Students turning 5 between Sept. 2 and Dec. 2, 2019 will enroll in our Transitional Kindergarten Program

Registration forms available at school offices and at www.uusd.net April 2019 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Hall. 428 N. Main St., Fort Bragg. fortbragglibrary.org.

FREE Bounce to the Stars. Celebrate International Astronomy Day. Talks, tours of the historic 1899 observatory, bouncy houses, telescope viewing of the moon & night sky. Free food until it runs out. 5–10 p.m. Ukiah Latitude Observatory Park. 432 Observatory, Ukiah. 463-6231. facebook.com/ UkiahRec.

Saturday 13 Community Spring Wildfire Preparedness. Topics include

lot clearing reimbursement grant, landscaping, ember danger, local warning systems, evacuation planning & insurance tips. 10 a.m.–3:30 p.m.

Cobb Elementary School. 15895 Hwy.

175, Middletown. magdalenavh@gmail. com. lakecounty.com.

Walk & Festival.) 10 a.m.–3 p.m.

Library Park. 225 Park St., Lakeport.

Jazz Influence on World Beats.

Hopland Hikes: Post-Fire

Reggae/world performances & drum circle. Drums provided. Fundraiser benefiting camp FAME. 5–9 p.m.

Ty’s Blues & Food. 6445 Soda Bay Rd., Kelseyville. facebook.com/ clearlake-youth-center.

Wildflower Wander. Led

FREE Spring Fling Garden Party.

Plants, garden art, baskets, gourd art, jewelry, garden signs & more for purchase. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Harbor Village Artists. 6197 E. Hwy. 20, Lucerne.

FREE First 5 Express. A bilingual exhibit that travels across California inspiring families to talk, read & sing.

Storytelling, karaoke, activities & prizes. (Part of Children’s Advocacy

by a local naturalist. Enjoy the surge of spring wildflowers following the 2018 River Fire. $3–$8. No dogs. 10 a.m.–noon. Hopland Research & Extension Center. 4070 University Rd., Hopland. 744-1424, ext. 105.

Register: hrec.ucanr.edu.

Celebrate Spring Gala Fundraiser.

Catered food & desserts. Performance by members of the Mendocino Ballet.

Silent & live auctions featuring local goods & services. No-host bar with wine & beer. $60. 6–10 p.m. Barra of Mendocino Winery. 7051 N. State St., Redwood Valley. 463-2290. mendocinoballet.org.

Personalized Learning Open House April 16 1:30–3:30pm

Lottery for next year’s enrollment is May 1 La Vida 707-459-6344 Charter 16201 Hwy 101, Willits School lavidaschool.org www.mendolakefamilylife.com

April 2019

MendoLakeFamilyLife 25

1st Annual BioBlitz. Join experts in

Attitude of Gratitude Fundraiser.

documenting local species of plants. $8–$15. Ages 5 & under: free. 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens. 18220 Hwy. 1, Fort Bragg.

Register: gardenbythesea.org.

Appetizer competition, cash bar & the band Funkacillin. 5:30–10 p.m.

Band begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $22 or $12 just for the band (no appetizers included). Ukiah United Methodist Church. 270 N. Pine St., Ukiah. facebook.com/ ukiahunitedmethodistchurch.

FREE Wind & Whale Celebration.

Watch kites, flown by the Berkeley Kite Wranglers, & whales. Free admission. Tower tour: $5. 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Point Arena Lighthouse. 45500 Lighthouse Rd., Point Arena. pointarenalighthouse.com.

FREE Children’s Advocacy Walk & Festival. 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Walk at 10:15

a.m. (from Library Park to Natural High & back). Festival at 10:30 a.m.

Games & food. Library Park. 225 Park St., Lakeport. lakecoe.org/ childabuseprevention.

First Presbyterian Church of Ukiah Egg Hunt. Hunt at McGarvey Park

(310 Dora St., Ukiah): 10 a.m. Lunch at church (514 West Church St., Ukiah): 11 a.m.–1 p.m. fpcukiah.org.

Sunday 14 FREE Second Annual Spring Festival & Egg Hunt. Arts & crafts

festival: 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Pre-register for egg hunts: noon–2:30 p.m. Bunny walk for ages 0–3 & scavenger hunt for ages

Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport Fly local & enjoy nonstop flights!

NEED HELP GETTING LICENSED?

 Seattle (SEA)  Portland (PDX)  Los Angeles (LAX)  Orange County (SNA)  San Diego (SAN)  Phoenix (PHX)  Dallas (DFW)  San Francisco (SFO)  Denver (DEN)  Minneapolis (MSP)  Las Vegas (LAS)

SonoMusette. French chanteuse,

musette accordion, guitar, bass & drums create the sound & spirit of mid-20th-century Paris. $20. Ages 18 & younger: free. 2 p.m. Soper Reese Theatre. 275 S. Main St., Lakeport.

263-0577. soperreesetheatre.com.

Tuesday 16 FREE LaVida Charter School Open House. 1:30–3:30 p.m. Lottery for next

year’s enrollment May 1. 16201 N. Hwy. 101, Willits. 459-6344. lavidaschool.org.

FREE Karma Kitchen Breakfast.

• Ongoing support with technical assistance & free training workshops. ©P N

TS

26 MendoLakeFamilyLife

Prawns & Tri-Tip Feed. Sponsored by the Redwood Empire Lions Club. $20–$40. Noon–3 p.m.

Redwood Empire Fairgrounds.

1055 N. State St., Ukiah. Tickets: 463-2238 or via facebook.com/ ukiahredwoodempirelionsclub.

The 3rd Saturday of each month (thru May), students from Developing Virtue Secondary School serve a free vegan breakfast at Taste Buds. 8–10 a.m. 405 S. State St., Ukiah. visitukiah.com.

• Free referrals to your program.

1-800-606-5550 x211 ncoinc.org

FREE Hendy Woods State Park.

Free admission to park second Sunday of each month only for residents of Yorkville, Boonville, Philo, Navarro, Comptcher & Elk. 8 a.m.–sunset.

18599 Philo-Greenwood Rd., Philo. facebook.com/events/313442099273881.

Wednesday 17

• Help with all aspects of opening a child care business in your home.

Rural Communities Child Care

10–12 at 2 p.m. Field hunt for ages 4–9 at 3 p.m. Special Needs Booth will hand out pre-bagged eggs at 1 p.m.

Easter Bunny: 2–4 p.m. Moose Lodge.

15900 E. Hwy. 20, Clearlake Oaks.

302-519-5319.

www.flySTS.com April 2019 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Friday 19 Good Farm Day. Meet the new kids

& lambs in the barn. Bouncy house, hay pyramid, bean pool & more.

Kids must be accompanied by adults. $5–$10. Under 5: free. Includes glass of wine & juice or popsicle for kids.

Tamales & cheese plates available for purchase. 11 a.m.–2 p.m. Pennyroyal Farm. 14930 Hwy. 128, Boonville. facebook.com/pennyroyalfarm.

Saturday 20

house, informational booths & more.

10 a.m.–2 p.m. (Easter Bunny arrives at 11 a.m.) Pear Tree Center. 504 E. Perkins St., Ukiah. 391-7211.

eggs. $7 per child. 10:30–11:30 a.m.

Campovida. 13601 Old River Rd., Hopland. campovida.com.

FREE Easter Egg Hunt. Four age groups: babies & toddlers, preschool– grade 1, grades 2–3, grades 4–6. Bring baskets & camera for photos (9–11 a.m.) with the Easter Bunny. 10 a.m. sharp. Hartmann Baseball Field. 19506 Hartmann Rd., Hidden Valley Lake. hvla.com.

Kids search for 5,000 eggs. Austin Park. 14077 Lakeshore Dr., Clearlake.

Call 994-5437 for time.

Jazz’s Gospel Roots & Easter Egg

Easter bunny, bouncy houses, Easter baskets & kids’ activities. 11 a.m.–2 p.m. Twin Pine Casino. 22223 Hwy. 29, Middletown. 987-0197. twinpine.com.

Hunt. Fundraiser benefiting camp FAME. Hunt: noon. Jazz’s Gospel Roots: 1–4 p.m. Big Valley Hall. 1510 Big Valley Rd., Lakeport. facebook. com/clearlake-youth-center.

FREE Sixth Annual Children’s Expo.

Easter Egg Hunt. Bring baskets. No

Music, games, face painter, bouncy

candy will be served, just hardboiled

FREE Easter Eggstravaganza.

mendo lake

Clearlake Youth Center Egg Hunt.

FREE Earth Day Festival. Live entertainment, workshops, educational activities, plant sale & food from local chefs. This family event supports Youth Intern Programs at the Learning Garden. Noon–4 p.m. Fort Bragg High School. 300A Dana St., Fort Bragg. facebook.com/ noyofoodforest.

FREE Fort Bragg Leos Egg Hunt.

40 grand prizes plus an appearance by the Easter Bunny. 10 a.m. Field between the C. V. Starr Community

ENROLL NOW FOR 2019-2020!

SPACES ARE LIMITED! ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

California Honor Roll School Small Class Sizes Engaging Electives Rated in Top 10% of California High Schools

For more information: Call: (707) 459-5506 www.willitscharter.org

LOCAL

#1 local resource for for 25 years local families

magazine • web • email • events

Come for a visit See what makes us different!

Willits Charter School for the Arts & Sciences A free public school serving Grades 6-12

www.mendolakefamilylife.com

April 2019

MendoLakeFamilyLife 27

Center & Redwood Elementary. facebook.com/ftbraggleoclub.

Easter Egg Splash. Eggs hidden in pool. $6–$12 per person. Family rates.

10:30ish a.m. C. V. Starr Community Center. 300 S. Lincoln St., Fort Bragg. facebook.com/cvstarrcenter.

FREE Calvary Chapel of Willits’ Egg Hunt. 20,000 eggs. Music, games,

bouncy houses, prizes. 11 a.m.–1 p.m.

Willits High School (football field).

299 North Main St., Willits.

Sunday 21 FREE Lakeport Rotary Egg Hunt.

Bring baskets & arrive early. 4,800 eggs. Three age groups. Golden eggs worth $10 & silver eggs $5. 1 p.m. Lake County Fairgrounds. 401 Martin St., Lakeport.

Retro Sunday at Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens. Admission only $1. Family picnic & well-behaved dogs on 6-ft. non-retractable leash welcome.

9 a.m.–5 p.m. 18220 Hwy. 1, Fort Bragg.

964-4352, ext. 10. gardenbythesea.org.

Friday 26 FREE Autism Awareness Workshop.

Museum. 16435 Main St., Lower Lake. lakecountytheatrecompany.org.

Saturday 27 CMAS Spring Art & Science Carnival Fundraiser. Science

& carnival games, sand castles, cake walk, music circle, pet farms, art auction, dunk bucket, food & more. $1–$25. 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Clearlake Senior Community Center. 3245 Bowers Ave., Clearlake. 265-1030. facebook.com/cmaslakecounty.

FREE Wild About Turtles. Turtle Storytime: 10:30 a.m. Turtle Kids Craft: 11 a.m. Turtle Talk: 2 p.m. Fort Bragg Library. 499 E. Laurel St., Fort Bragg. 964-2020. fortbragglibrary.org.

Wildflower Brunch Fundraiser.

Fill-your-own omelets. Naturerelated activities. Kelseyville High School jazz band. $20. Ages 12 & younger: $10. Reservations requested. Walk-ins welcome. 9 a.m.–noon. Clear Lake State Park.

5300 Soda Bay Rd., Kelseyville.

279-4395. clearlakestatepark.org/ wildflower-brunch.

Hank Smith, teacher, author & father of a son with autism, will discuss the joys & challenges of parenting & teaching children on the autistim spectrum. 4–6 p.m. Lakeport Center.

2565 Parallel Dr., Lakeport. Seating is limited. Register: 468-3168. facebook. com/thisautisticlife.

FREE Earth Day Ukiah. Yoga & meditation, live music, vegetarian food, art & recycled crafts, Zero Waste Challenge & Big Wheel trikes & free bike valet service. 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Alex Thomas Plaza.

310 State St., Ukiah. facebook.com/ walkbikemendocino.

Red, White & Tuna. Satirical comedy

Jazz Favorites. With Andre Williams & Gloria Scott. Featuring Camp FAME Youth Artists & World Jazz Band. Fundraiser benefiting Camp FAME. $15–$25.

7 p.m. Soper Reese Theatre. 275

about life in rural Texas. Two actors play more than 20 eccentric characters. $12–$16. Thru May 12. Fridays & Saturdays: 7 p.m. Sundays: 2 p.m.

Lower Lake Historic Schoolhouse 28 MendoLakeFamilyLife

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

NatureFest: A Bioblitz at HREC.

Join team of experts to celebrate nature, learn about local wildlife & search for new species. $10. Ages 16 & younger: $3. 10 a.m.–noon.

Hopland Research & Extension Center. 4070 University Rd., Hopland. 744-1424, ext. 105. hrec. ucanr.edu.

Sunday 28 FREE 10th Annual Kelseyville Olive Festival. Live music, vendor

booths, food samples, face painting, pit-spitting contest, olive mill tours & more. Wine/beer available for $20. 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Chacewater Winery & Olive Mill. 5625 Gaddy Ln., Kelseyville. facebook.com/ kelseyvilleolivefestival.

Dia Del Nino/Happy Children’s Day.

Mexican tradition celebrated around the world. A day full of presents, parades, food & music./Habrán regalos, premios, música, comida y entretenimiento para toda la familia. $10. Kids: free./Todos los niños entran gratis. Noon–3 p.m. Cloverdale Performing Arts Center. 209 N. Cloverdale Blvd., Cloverdale. 894-2214. cloverdaleperformingarts.com.

Concert with Grammy Award winner Steve Seskin. Longtime

Bay Area guitarist David Landon will join him. Not appropriate for young children. $25. 3 p.m. Riffe’s Meetng House (next door to Tallman Hotel).

9550 Main St., Upper Lake. 275-2244. tallmanhotel.com.

April 2019 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

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art of the success of any vocal act is appealing songs.

And Grammy Award–winner Steve Seskin has written some chart-toppers, including tunes for country rock artists Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney, as well as rock great Peter Frampton. Seskin will sing his own songs and play the guitar on the stage of Riffe’s Meeting House, next to the Tallman Hotel, in Upper Lake on April 28 at 3 p.m. David  Landon, who has been a singer, songwriter, and guitarist for 20 years, will join him. Tickets are $25 and may be purchased at the hotel front desk or by calling 275-2244, ext. 0. The intimate venue is not appropriate for young children. Find out more at tallmanhotel.com. ¶

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ain is a universal human experience. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 20.4 percent of the American population experiences chronic pain. The Avenues to Wellness free, six-week Healthier Living Workshop will offer strategies for reducing pain as well as anxiety, fatigue, and sleep loss. There will be guidance on healthy eating and exercise, too. The workshop is not only for chronic pain sufferers, but also for those who have heart disease, diabetes, and other on-going health conditions. Starting on April 9, classes will be held once a week, 1–3:30 p.m., at the Frank R. Howard Foundation in Willits. Call 456-9676 to reserve a spot.

See avenuestowellness.org for more information. ¶ www.mendolakefamilylife.com

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

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Humor Break add an extra festive touch with plastic eggs full of chocolate Santas!

6

If you have a hunt at your place, you’ll discover all the unfound eggs the next time you mow the lawn.

And those will be the ones you had put money in. #facepalm

7

You can take advantage of this whole concept any time of year.

Just tell your older kids you hid a

Egg Hunt 101 10 Mom Truths about Kids & Easter

By L. J. Kunkel

1 2

Easter egg hunts are solid proof your kids can find things if they really want to.

They’re also totally capable of picking things up and putting them in the appropriate container.

Use this fact later to reason with them about cleaning their rooms.

Oh wait, nope, that won’t work.

Kids don’t do common sense.

3

Easter is starting to feel as big as Christmas. Decorated food, gift baskets, a life-sized character to make your kids cry, the quest for a sugar coma, the need for multiple gatherings (because one egg hunt is just not enough). I thought I left all that stress behind at the start of the year!

30 MendoLakeFamilyLife

4

The Easter bunny is creepy as all heck. I don’t blame the kids for crying. I can’t look into his

Easter is a parental oxymoron. Any other time we yell, “What are you doing? Don’t pick that up!” But on Easter we encourage them to grab all the food they can find off the dirty ground. soul-sucking rabbit eyes. Let’s fire him and take pictures with cute, real bunnies instead.

5

If you stock up on candy when it’s on sale after the holidays, you can

Easter egg hunts are solid proof your kids can find things if they really want to. golden egg in the yard with $20 in it.

(Whether you actually do this is up to you and your conscience.) You’ll have the house to yourself for a couple hours and your kids will get some exercise. Double win!

8

This all makes zero sense.

What do eggs, bunnies, and sugar overdoses have to do with the Resurrection?

9

Easter is a parental oxymoron.

Any other time we yell, “What are you doing? Don’t pick that up!”

But on Easter we encourage them to grab all the food they can find (usually from complete strangers) off the dirty ground.

10

I’m not complaining, though. Parent tax law says I get 30 percent of the candy cache.

And I get to pick the good ones. I am okay with this.

L. J. Kunkel is a fitness trainer who spends most of her time chasing her 3 boys and 20 chickens. See more from her at fitmixmom.com.

April 2019 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

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