Mendo Lake Family Life February 2018

mendo lake FREE!

February 2018

Mendo Mama Gives back

Make a Valentine Easy kids’ crafts

Sweet Bliss Guiltless dessert

V-Day Fun

7 local events

FREE

Family Expo & Camp Fair FRIDAY APRIL 13 3-7 P.M. AT CODDINGTOWN MALL, SANTA ROSA

westminster woods RECREATION & PARKS

camp ministry

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Trust Your Family to Ours Your family’s health is our mission Finding someone to take care of your family is one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make. You want someone who will really get to know you, your family history and your unique family dynamics...someone you can trust and will treat you as a partner in your own health and

Always Accepting New Patients

707.459.6115 Open Monday to Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Same-day appointments available 3 Marcela Drive in Willits (right in front of the hospital)

wellness. That’s why our providers at Redwood Medical Clinic are here for you, from routine exams, school physicals to your annual flu shot or sick visits, you can count on us.

3 M A R C E L A D R I V E , S U I T E C | W I L L I T S , C A 9 5 4 9 0 | H O WA R D H O S P I TA L . O R G

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February 2018

Every Issue 6

Dear Reader

8

Bits and Pieces Color Me Calm DIY Sushi Viva la Vino

10 Features

Musical Reverie Singing the Blues

22

Word Up Honor Community All-Stars

16 Calendar of Events

10 A Passion for Community

Live Juicy

Mendo Baby helps mamas.

13 Healthy Bliss Treat your honey to a guilt-free goodie.

14 Make Some Magic Great, local ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day.

22 A Valentine for the Earth How our humorist greened her least favorite holiday.

23 Happy Hearts Easy V-day gifts kids can make.

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14 February 2018 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

FALL 2018

Offering Pre-School, Kindergarten, First Grade • 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

Family Fun on Wheels!

Birthday Parties Fundraisers School Parties Large Arcade

B-Day Parties!

Giant Arcade Regular Hours Friday 3:30–7pm & 7:30–10:30pm Saturday & Sunday 12–2:30pm & 3–5:30pm Saturday Only 8:30–10:30pm

401 Martin St. Lakeport, at the Lake County Fairgrounds www.ParadiseSkate.com • 707 262-0123

Now Accepting K-12 Registration

Alliance for Public Waldorf Education Member

Kindergarten through Eighth Grade

Ukiah Independent Study Academy Serving K-12

Open Enrollment Through Feb 14 Enrollment Tour Feb 6 Advanced Math, Science, Spanish, Music, Art, Woodwork, Drama, Speech, Extraordinary Field Trips www.riveroakcharterschool.org 707-467-1855 • 555 Leslie St., Ukiah, CA 95482 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Flex Time & Days • Tailored Learning Eligible for UHS Sports • Middle College Opportunity College & Career Readiness • WASC Accredited

UKIAH UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

1000 Low Gap Rd., Ukiah • 707-472-5906

February 2018

MendoLakeFamilyLife 5

Dear Reader

E

veryone needs love.

On Valentine’s Day make sure the people Sharon Gowan special to you Publisher/Editor Sharon@family-life.us get a little extra. Check out “Make Some Magic” (page 14) for local ideas for celebrating the big day. And in “Happy Hearts” (page 23) find great gifts easy enough for kids to make. The clan not up for crafts? Take them to the kitchen and whip up an easy,

guilt-free treat with the help of “Healthy Bliss” (page 13).

Speaking of love, Mendo Baby owner Jasmin Blanc knows a lot about it. Read about this Redwood Valley Fire survivor’s call to care for her neighbors in “Passion for Community” (page 10).

This February, may joy abound and positivity prevail for your family. Happy Valentine’s Day!

Office Manager 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

TS

THE PRICE OF ONE! INTRODUCTORY OFFER FOR NEW MEMBERS

©P N

2 FOR 1 TWO MONTHS FOR

Natalie Bruzon natalie@family-life.us

Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport (STS)

Where would you like to go?

You can fly direct, connect, and enjoy.

Seattle (SEA) - Portland (PDX) - Los Angeles (LAX) Orange County (SNA) - San Diego (SAN) - Phoenix (PHX) San Francisco (SFO) - Minneapolis (MSP)

Contributing Writers Holly Hester Karen Nochimowksi Meagan Ruffing

Cover Photographer Caylen Charpentier

Billing Jan Wasson-Smith

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

Learn Self-Esteem Through Self-Defense • Traditional Okinawan karate • Classes for the whole family • Multiple member discounts available

Ukiah Shorin-Ryu Karate 3001 #4 So. State St. Ukiah 707-463-DOJO (3656) www.ukiahkarate.com

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Book your tickets today at:

www.flySTS.com

February 2018 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Ukiah Unified School District

Ukiah Unified Kindergarten Enrolling Now

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 will enroll in our Transitional Kindergarten Program Estudiantes de 5 años de edad para el 1 de septiembre del 2018 serán inscritos en el Kinder.

Estudiantes de 5 años de edad entre el 2 de septiembre y el 2, de diciembre del 2018 serán inscritos en nuestro programa de Kinder Transicional.

Registration forms available at school offices and at www.uusd.net WHY ENROLL IN A UUSD SCHOOL?

• Class size reduction in grade K-3 (24-1) • Fully credentialed teachers • After-school programs • Transportation available • Intervention in reading and math available at all schools • Healthy snack provided during break • Neighborhood schools • Dual Immersion Magnet School – Grace Hudson School • Common Core State Standards • Latest State approved textbooks and curriculum in Language Arts and Math

Calpella Elementary 151 Moore Street 472-5630

Nokomis Elementary 495 Washington Ave. 472-5550

Frank Zeek Elementary 1060 Bush St. 472-5100

Oak Manor Elementary 400 Oak Manor Dr. 472-5180

Grace Hudson Elementary 251 Jefferson Lane 472-5460

Yokayo Elementary 790 S. Dora 472-5690

Bits & Pieces

Color Me Calm

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ome grown-ups think coloring is so fun it shouldn’t be reserved for children. A free Therapeutic Coloring group for adults meets at the Willits Library in Willits on Fridays, 3:30–4:30 p.m. Dig into their stash of colored pencils and mandala patterns and experience the relaxing, healing power of your kid’s favorite pastime. ¶

Viva la Vino

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DIY Sushi

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ushi is an expensive delicacy for some, and for others a fearsome food—who wants to get sick from raw fish? The easy solution for cutting costs and ensuring quality is to make it yourself. In her Art of Sushi workshop, Candis Richard will be glad to show you how. Richard, who learned how to make sushi as the owner of a Japanese restaurant, will teach the basics: how to cook sushi rice, select and prepare ingredients, and roll the tasty tidbits. The class will be held on February 7, 6–7:30 p.m., at the Ukiah Food Co-op Annex in Ukiah. Admission is $5–$10. Register at ukiahcoop.com/ calendar or by calling 462-4778. ¶

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alling all onephiles: Time to dip into more than 100 Alsatian-style varietals from around the globe. The Grand Tasting at the 13th Annual Anderson Valley Aromatic White Wine Festival will give you the chance. You can also learn about wines at education seminars; luminaries will give talks and chefs from the Culinary Institute of America will offer morsels paired with wines from some of the oldest vineyards in Anderson Valley. It all happens February 24 at the Mendocino County Fairgrounds in Boonville. Buy tickets for the various festival events at avwines.com. ¶

February 2018 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Rik Keller

Musical Reverie

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s there a teen pianist in your family? Let her or him be inspired by Lara Downes. The critically acclaimed pianist, who has played with the likes of Yo Yo Ma, will perform a concert on February 4 at 3 p.m. at Mendocino College in Ukiah. Tickets are $10 for students, $30 for adults, and may be purchased at ukiahconcerts.org/index.php/tickets. ¶

Lara Downes

Singing the Blues

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ard times birthed the blues. So it seems apropos that the Sulphur Fire Benefit concert features the grooves of Guitarsonists, a local blues band. Dance yourself silly knowing you are helping your neighbors make it through a catastrophe.

The event will be held on February 3 at 7 p.m. at Soper Reese Theatre in Lakeport. Tickets are $15–$25 and available at soperreesetheatre.com. ¶

Word Up

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dolescence can be a trying time. Some teens find writing poetry helps to express hard-to-articulate emotions. Several youth poets from Middletown, Clear Lake, and Carle Continuation high schools will be reading their work as part of the Poetry Out Loud recitation competition. Hear them for free on February 11 at 2 p.m. at Soper Reese Theatre in Lakeport. Winners will go on to the national competition that takes place in Washington, DC, in April. Find out more at soperreesetheatre.com. ¶ www.mendolakefamilylife.com

February 2018

Honor Community All-Stars

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community is only as strong as its people.

And there are some whose gifts shine particularly brightly. Support those professionals, students, nonprofits, and businesses that have given their best to others at the Stars of Lake County 20th Annual Community Awards. The event will held on February 17 at 5 p.m. at Soper Reese Theatre in Lakeport.

Tickets are $20 and are only available through the Lake County Chamber of Commerce, 263-5092. ¶

MendoLakeFamilyLife 9

caylen charpentier

Jasmin and Daniel Blanc with daughters Bayelle and Raiza the day before their house burned down.

A Passion for Community Fire Survivor Jasmin Blanc and Mendo Baby Give Back

By Melissa Chianta

A

sk any parent out there: Kids aren’t easy. And those first few months of taking care of a newly hatched human are some of the toughest.

Jasmin Blanc knows that first hand. Her journey as a mother of two, doula, owner of a children’s clothing consignment store, and, most recently, fire victim, has taught her a lot about what it means to be a mom—to others and to herself.

Blanc, 32, bought her Ukiah store, Mendo Baby, in 2015, when her daughters were one and two years old. Her hope was to not only offer families affordable baby things, but also a place to get the kind of community support she herself craved. To that aim, the shop hosts free childbirth education and parenting classes as well as free prenatal, postpartum, and breastfeeding support groups.

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“[The fire] has made me reevaluate how I spend my time and what is important in my life.”

—Jasmin Blanc

Sitting behind the cash register, Blanc often finds herself, like so many hair stylists or bartenders, counseling her customers and others who come into the store. “[New moms’] bodies have been completely rocked; they are totally sleep deprived; they are most likely nutritionally malnourished. Their entire world has been flipped upside down, and they come [into the store] and they don’t even know

what to do with themselves. I say to them, ‘Unload on me, girl. This is a safe space. You can do that here,’” Blanc says.

She hears a lot of birth stories— everyday. And that’s fine with her.

Having had two successful at-home natural births, she is passionate about the topic, especially how labor and delivery can transform women.

“I love labor and birth so much. It is the most amazing thing I’ve experienced. Just being in labor and giving birth, bringing life into the world, truly is a miracle. It is the most empowering—wow, just wow! I absolutely love it,” she enthuses.

In an effort to help other moms have positive labor experiences, she hosts a Birth Education Hour, where attendees can meet a local childbirth educator, hear encouraging birth stories, and discuss natural childbirth techniques.

February 2018 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

“We were born to have babies. Our bodies already know what to do, and we just need to trust the process and breathe through it. And if you surround yourself with a beautiful support team…anybody can do it. I believe that,” she asserts.

“We were awoken at 1:30 a.m. by our neighbor banging on our door, screaming, ‘Dan, Jas, get out! The bridge is on fire!’…We looked out the back window of our bedroom and saw that the entire sky was orange.

The fire was almost in our backyard. …We were out of the house in three

minutes. We had no time. No time,” she recalls.

They climbed in their car and left in a “caravan of people escaping death,” she says. Trying to stay calm, Blanc and her 33-year-old high school sweetheart husband, Daniel, drove an hour and a half on a treacherous

Instead of despairing, Blanc turned her attention toward the plight of others.

While it’s obvious that Blanc is dedicated to serving mothers, she’s also a strong advocate for local artists, whose work she carries in her store.

“I love anything that is locally made [and] is created using sustainable products, natural, organic materials,” she says.

Some of her favorite local producers include Mariposa Tie Dye, which makes little bamboo socks and hats, onesies, and sundresses. And she also likes Pickles Pieces, a mother-daughter duo that makes bibs, burp clothes, and “crinkle teethers.”

SPECIALIZED CARE

FOR KIDS

KD BECAUSE

EVERY

IS SPECIAL.

Our pediatric team cares for kids from infants to teens and everyone in between.

She carries plenty of gently used items, too.

“I love doing consignment. It feels good for the environment. It feels good for economic reasons, for parents who can’t necessarily afford, or don’t want, brand-new things,” she says.

Filled with colorful clothes and toys, the open, airy, wood-paneled store has been a kind of home away from home for Blanc since the October 9 wildfire that hit Redwood Valley, where she has lived her entire life. www.mendolakefamilylife.com

HILLSIDE (707) 468-1010 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. mchcinc.org

February 2018

MCHC HEALTH CENTERS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROVIDER AND EMPLOYER.

MendoLakeFamilyLife 11

road and then traversed a freeway on fire until, at 3 a.m., they finally arrived at a family friend’s house in Ukiah. At 11 a.m. they found out

to keep my mind occupied and give me this feeling that I was helping and making a difference,” she relates.

“It was so overwhelming, in the best way. It was so heartwarming what people wanted to give.”

Since the fire, Blanc and her family have been living with her in-laws with the hopes of soon moving into a rental where they can stay during the rebuild. Though she adores Daniel’s parents, this time of transition hasn’t been easy.

—Jasmin Blanc

from friends what Blanc already knew—the fire had taken their home.

Instead of despairing, Blanc turned her attention toward the plight of others.

“We have so much family and friends supporting us, I knew we were going to be fine; we were going to be more than fine. But there are a lot of people who don’t have family here,” she says.

The more she thought of people like her neighbors, who had just moved here and had no safety net, the more she felt compelled to help. So she made a video, which she posted online, that invited fire survivors to come and take whatever they needed from her store.

“And that just got a really wonderful response,” she says.

The video also asked locals to bring their donations for victims to Mendo Baby.

“It was so overwhelming, in the best way. It was so heartwarming what people wanted to give. And it was really good for me during that window of time to have something 12 MendoLakeFamilyLife

“I’ve been waking up everyday with this intense anxiety and just this sense of ‘I’m so out of control of my own life right now.’ In the beginning, it was almost fun. It was exciting, and there was all this high energy.

And like a couple of months go by, and—‘Oh, this is real. This really happened, and this is not going away.

I have nothing. I don’t have a place to put anything. I don’t know where I’m going to be next month. All I know is that I have my family, and we are safe and sound,’” she says.

To heal, Blanc has had to modify her schedule so she can give herself the kind of care she has so easily extended to others.

“I used to spend six or seven days a week at my shop. I needed to be here that much in order to get things off the ground. …

And I needed to be here for the community. …But then, after the fire, I was, like, ‘No, I am into this new thing called taking time off, for me,’” she explains. “I have been really good about slapping a note on the door that says, ‘Sorry friends, I’m taking a break’ or ‘I’m going for a walk.’”

With the help of her sister and other volunteers who run the store when she isn’t around, she has been able to place her attention on what really matters to her. “[The fire] has made me reevaluate how I spend my time and what is important in my life. …I need to be with my kids. I need to be there—to drop them off at school and pick them up. I need to be with my husband right now. That is paramount,” she declares.

Her commitment to serving local moms through her store still remains strong, though. “[I] really appreciate the platform to be able to bring information to the community in a warm and supportive environment. That is really important to me,” she says.

She often finds herself, like so many hair stylists or bartenders, counseling her customers and others who come into the store.

As Blanc and her family move forward, Mendo Baby will continue to offer children’s goods and support to local parents. But every once in a while, there may a sign on the door that says, “Friends, I went to grab lunch. Be back in 15.” When she returns, Blanc will welcome you with open arms. And an ear that is ready to listen—to everything.

For more information about Mendo Baby, see mendobaby.com.

February 2018 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Cooking with Kids

Healthy

Bliss Make a Sweet for Your Sweetie

By Momma Chef

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ave you ever found yourself wistfully staring into the refrigerator, looking for something that will satisfy your sweet tooth but won’t bust your diet? Probably a cheesecake is not the first diet-friendly goodie that comes to mind. But, by substituting all-natural Nectevia for white sugar, I was able to create a crave-worthy, creamy, splurge-safe cheesecake that has less than 3 grams of carbs and only 100 calories per piece. Like all of my Momma Chef creations, it’s quick, easy, and scrumptious. www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Splurge-Safe Low-Carb Cheesecake Ingredients 3 large eggs 16 ounces low-fat cream cheese, room temperature 3 tablespoons liquid Nectevia 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice (optional) fresh raspberries (optional) Instructions Preheat oven to 375°F. Place eggs in a large bowl and mix on medium speed for 30 seconds.

Add in room-temperature cream cheese, Nectevia, vanilla extract, and lemon juice. Blend until smooth.

Pour mixture into greased pie dish and bake for 30 minutes, or until center is firm to touch. Let cool. Garnish with fresh raspberries.

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

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

February 2018

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Family Fun

Clean Sweep

Make Some Magic

7 Local V-Day Events

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efore you were parents, you were lovers. Make sure to take time out to nurture your relationship. Whether you and your partner like to sip a glass of wine, laugh yourselves silly, or just rock out, there’s something to entertain you both in this list of local events.

Lake County

Lakeport If your darlin’ loves to dance, take him or her to see Clean Sweep. The local band, featuring longtime professional musicians, will play “get up and boogie” music—a mix of R&B, rock, blues, funk, and jazz. See them at Soper Reese Theater on February 16 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 and available at soperreesetheatre.com.

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Smiling Dogs Ranch

Kelseyville Does your main squeeze like to wind down at the end of a long day of parental multitasking with a glass of vino? Kick back and enjoy an evening of sipping wine and listening to music at the Smiling Dogs Ranch tasting room. The Rural Jazz Collective will play on February 9 and the Blues Farm on February 16. Shows run 6:30–9:30 p.m. There is no cover; wine is available for purchase by the bottle or the glass. Call 279-2762 for more information.

February 2018 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

126TH ANNUAL It's a bird!

It's a plane!!

Kelseyville If there is any place we Americans associate with passionate romance, it’s Italy. So noshing on cannoli and sipping wine, especially if your amore is a foodie, seems like a perfect way to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Join Rosa d’Oro Vineyards for its Cannoli Wine Tasting Friday on February 9, 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Cannoli are $4 each and wine tasting is $5; the tasting fee is waived with purchase. Find out more at rosadorovineyards.com.

Upper Lake Wine and dine your honey while being serenaded by the jazz duo Majide at a special supper, 6–8 p.m., at the Blue Wing on February 14. Make reservations at 275-2233.

Mendocino County Mendocino Sweethearts with ears that bend toward the classical will enjoy the New Quintet. The woodwind group, consisting of French horn, oboe, bassoon, clarinet, and flute, will perform with special guest pianist Carol Barnes on February 11 at 3 p.m. in Preston Hall. Tickets are $20 and may be purchased via symphonyoftheredwoods.org.

Majide

Ukiah It’s said that laughter is the best medicine. Give your partner a spoonful of the good stuff at Comedy Alley, a showcase of Bay Area comedians featuring national headliner Mark Pitta.

The laughs happen on February 17 at 8 p.m. at the Ukiah Valley Conference Center.

February 16-19, 2018 FEBRUARY 16-19

Cloverdale Fairgrounds

DOUBLE STANDYRD (SATURDAY) IMAGINATION CIRCUS WASHBOARD WILLY’S JAMBOREE GREG FRISBEE VARIETY SHOW

Mark Pitta

UNLIMITED CARNIVAL RIDES $23/PRE-SALE

Willits Take your dearest out for an evening of drama that doesn’t involve sibling hair-pulling or a bedtime power struggle. Willits Community Theater’s production Rapture Blister Burn follows two old high school friends—one a career academic and another a mom—as they compare notes about their different life paths. The play will be staged February 16–17 and 22–25, and March 1–4. Shows are at 7 p.m. on Thursdays, 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. on Sundays. Buy tickets, which are $15–$20, by calling 800-838-3006 or visiting willitstheatre.org.

www.mendolakefamilylife.com

It's Citrus Fair!

FAMILY LIFE SPECIAL

BUY 1 GENERAL ADMISSION TICKET & GET ANOTHER HALF-OFF

ONE PER FAMILY • SUNDAY ONLY WITH COUPON

www.cloverdalecitrusfair.org February 2018

MendoLakeFamilyLife 15

February Calendar of Events

Live Juicy

W

hat better way to brighten up winter doldrums than a celebration of sunshine-colored fruit? For more than 100 years, the Cloverdale Citrus Fair has been doing just that, pulling out all the stops as it puts the spotlight on local crops. This year’s fair includes a parade, carnival, orange-juicing contest, pygmy goat show, gourmet food, and live music and theater performances. The fair will be held February 16–19 at the Cloverdale Citrus Fairgrounds in Cloverdale. Hours are February 16, noon–10 p.m.; February 17 and 18, 10 a.m.–8 p.m.; February 19, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. The parade will be held on February 17 at 11 a.m. in downtown Cloverdale. Admission is $5–$8; ages 5 and under get in free. (Free admission for seniors 62 and over on February 16 and kids 12 and under on February 19.)

Carnival tickets are $20–$28; performance ticket prices vary. For details, see cloverdalecitrusfair.org. ¶

Thursday 1 FREE La Leche League Meeting. All

women interested in breastfeeding are encouraged to attend. Babies are always welcome. 10 a.m. Mendocino Baby. 198 S. School St., Ukiah.

462-1020. facebook.com/mendobaby.

FREE Gaming for Teens. Ages

13–18. Wii-U & video gaming in the community room. Thursdays. 3:30–5 p.m. Ukiah Library. 105 N. Main St., Ukiah. 467-6434.

Ukiah Natural Foods Co-Op Community Grants. The co-op will

award grants to local nonprofits that provide services in the areas of health, wellness & nutrition.

Applications can be picked up at the co-op or online. Deadline for submission is February 5. Ukiah Natural Food Co-Op. 721 S. State St., Ukiah. 462-4778. ukiahcoop.com.

Friday 2 FREE Therapeutic Coloring Group for Adults. Color

mandalas using

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the library’s stash of colored pencils.

3:30–4:30 p.m. Willits Library. 390 E. Commercial St., Willits.

Some Gave All: A Salute to Lake County Law Enforcement. The Museums of Lake County’s new exhibit honoring Lake County law enforcement from past to present.

Thru March 25. Wednesdays– Saturdays: 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Sundays: noon–4 p.m. Historic Courthouse Museum. 255 N. Main St., Lakeport.

263-4555.

FREE English as a Second Language Literacy Class. For students with limited literacy in their own native language or unfamiliarity with the Roman alphabet. Mondays: 5:30–8 p.m.

Fridays: 9–11:30 a.m. Ukiah Adult School. 1056 N. Bush St., Ukiah.

463-5217. adultschool.uusd.net.

FREE Grace Hudson Museum.

Free admission first Friday of each month. Wednesday–Saturday: 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Sunday: noon–4:30

p.m. 431 S. Main St., Ukiah.

467-2836. gracehudsonmuseum.org.

Saturday 3 FREE Valentine Bean Bag Toss.

Kids make their own game in hands-on workshop. 9 a.m.–noon.

Home Depot. 350 N. Orchard Ave., Ukiah. 462-3009. Register at homedepot.com/workshops.

Symphony of the Redwoods Winter Concert. $20.

Under age 18: free. Feb. 3: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 4: 2 p.m. Cotton Auditorium.

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

Sulphur Fire Benefit Concert.

Featuring local blues band the Guitarsonists. $15–$25. 7 p.m. Soper Reese Theatre. 275 S. Main St., Lakeport. 263-0577. soperreesetheatre.com.

Sunday 4 Lara Downes. Pianist,

who has played with the likes of Yo Yo

February 2018 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Ma, will perform. $10–$30. 3 p.m.

Mendocino College Center Theatre.

1000 Hensley Creek Rd., Ukiah. ukiahconcerts.org.

FREE Parents Al-Anon Meetings.

Are you affected by a child’s drinking or drug use? This meeting is for parents of children with these issues. We share our experience, strength & hope & find help.

Sundays. 7–8 p.m. Community Center. 998 School St., Mendocino.

357-3344.

Tuesday 6

Clearlake: 9:30 a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church. 14310 Memory Ln., Clearlake. Lakeport: 1 p.m. at Mother Wise. 180 N. Main St., Lakeport. facebook.com/ motherwiselakecounty.

first served. Feb. 7: 2–4 p.m. Feb. 9: 2:30–4:30 p.m. Feb. 24: 1–4 p.m.

Ukiah Library. 105 N. Main St., Ukiah. 467-6434. facebook.com/pg/ ukiahlibrary/events.

FREE Four Retro-Chic Dance-

Sessions last 10–15 minutes. A volunteer is 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.

Exercise Classes. All

levels welcome. Dance to many styles of music; pop, vintage classics, rock & roll, Broadway, Latin & more.

Tuesdays & Thursdays. 9–10 a.m.

Mendocino Ballet Studio. 205 S. State St., Ukiah. 601-870-0029.

Wednesday 7

FREE Romance Revisited. Is

your relationship going through a “slow” period? Learn some tips for reconnecting with your partner.

Motherwise mother support groups.

FREE Virtual Reality Days. Time

travel, space travel, or go inside your favorite movie. 10-minute sessions. Ages 13 & up. First come,

FREE RB Oculus Rift Virtual Reality.

Art of Sushi Workshop. Trained

sushi chef will teach the basics: how to make sushi rice, select & prepare ingredients & roll sushi. $5–$10.

6–7:30 p.m. Ukiah Natural Foods Co-Op. 721 S. State St., Ukiah.

Register: ukiahcoop.com/calendar or 462-4778.

School Offices Open for Enrollment August 6

Quality Christian Education

Join Us for Open Houses this Winter!

Parents Count

You can have a voice in your child's education Here's how:

Christ-centered education in Ukiah • Small class sizes • College-prep curriculum • Music program • Family-like atmosphere • Fully accredited grades K–10

Enrolling Now!

UKIAH JUNIOR ACADEMY 180 Stipp Lane, Ukiah • www.myuja.org • 707.462.6350 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Meet

• Attend monthly School Site Council Meetings.

Your Child’s • Support your school Parent/Teacher Association.

Teachers • Volunteer for school and/or classroom activities.

• Attend Back to School Nights in the fall and Open House in the spring.

• Visit the district's website and learn about current events (www.uusd.net).

UKIAH UNIFIED UKIAH UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT SCHOOL DISTRICT

S. ORCHARD AVE., UKIAH • 707-472-5000 511 S. 511 ORCHARD AVE., UKIAH • 707-472-5000

February 2018

MendoLakeFamilyLife 17

Friday 9 FREE Mendocino County Museum.

Free admission first Wednesday of each month. 400 E. Commercial St., Willits. 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 459-2736. mendocinomuseum.org.

Thursday 8 1984. Play

based on the novel

by George Orwell. A man loses his identity while living under an oppressive regime. $10–$20.

Thursdays & Fridays: 7 p.m.

Sundays: 2 p.m. Saturdays (Feb. 17 & 24 & Mar. 3): 7 p.m. Runs thru Mar. 4. Ukiah Players Theatre. 1041 Low Gap Rd., Ukiah. 462-9226. ukiahplayerstheatre.org.

Saturday 10

Love Uncorked. Admission includes

FREE Queen of Hearts Party.

five tasting tickets, which may be redeemed at five stations, each featuring a unique wine & chocolate pairing. $10. 5–9 p.m. Parducci Wine Cellars. 501 Parducci Rd., Ukiah. parducci.com.

Hosted by River Oak Charter School & Ukiah Library. 10–11:30 a.m. Ukiah Library. 105 N. Main St., Ukiah. 467-6434. mendolibrary.org.

FREE Teen Leadership Council. Teens

the Smiling Dogs Ranch tasting room.

(Feb. 16: Blues Farm.) No cover; wine available for purchase. 6:30–9:30 p.m.

3955 Main St., Kelseyville. 279-2762. smilingdogsranch.com.

will gain valued skills & experience helping with projects such as designing the library’s new teen space, planning events & recommending books. All teens welcome. 3–4 p.m.

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

467-6434. mendolibrary.org.

Cannoli Wine Tasting. Cannoli are $4

FREE Anderson Marsh Nature

each & wine tasting is $5; tasting fee is waived with purchase. 11 a.m.–6 p.m.

Rosa d’Oro Vineyards. 3915 Main St., Kelseyville. rosadorovineyards.com.

Walk & Ranch House Tour. Walk at 8:30 a.m. Ranch house tour begins immediately after the nature walk.

While rain will cancel the walk, the ranch house tour will still take place.

Anderson Ranch Pkwy., Lower Lake. 995-2658. andersonmarsh.org.

Rural Jazz Collective. Live music at

FREE Fireside Chat. Librarian

NEED HELP GETTING LICENSED? RURAL COMMUNITIES CHILD CARE

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

• Free referrals to your program.

• Ongoing support with technical assistance & free training workshops.

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

• What did you like?

• What didn’t you like?

• What subjects would you like us to cover?

• Got any local story ideas? e-mail melissa@family-life.us

Gehlen Palmer will speak on “The Way We Were: The Past 50+ Years in Middletown.” 3 p.m.

Gibson Museum. 21267 Calistoga Rd., Middletown. 809-8009. thegibsonmuseum.com.

Hopland Hikes: Meet the Lambs.

Strollers & toddlers welcome. See newly born lambs on this 1-mile family-friendly hike. Sheep-related activities for children after the hike. Dress warmly. Packed lunch welcomed. $5 per person. No dogs permitted. 10 a.m.–noon. Hopland Research & Extension Center.

4070 University Rd., Hopland.

Registration required: 744-1424, ext.

105 or hrec.ucanr.edu.

Rural Communities Child Care

Beauty & the Beast: California

1-800-606-5550 x211 ncoinc.org

Wildflowers & Climate Change.

18 MendoLakeFamilyLife

February 2018 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Exhibit of wildflower photographs brings awareness to the beauty of our state as well as to the dangers facing natural habitats from climate change. $3–$10. Thru May 13. Wednesdays–Saturdays: 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Sundays: noon–4:30 p.m. Grace Hudson Museum.

431 S. Main St., Ukiah. 467-2836. gracehudsonmuseum.org.

Event of the Heart. Fundraiser

for Mendocino County AIDS Viral Hepatitis Network. Live music by the Johnny Young Band & gourmet dinner by Ellery Clark. Live & silent auctions. $85–$90. 5:30–10:30 p.m. Ukiah Conference Center. 200 S. School St., Ukiah. 462-1932. facebook.com/ events/138013496838065.

Sunday 11 FREE Poetry Out Loud. Featuring

students from Middletown, Clear Lake & Carle Continuation high schools. Winners will go on to the national competition. 2 p.m. Soper Reese Theatre. 275 S. Main St., Lakeport. 263-0577. soperreesetheatre.com.

The New Quintet with Carol Barnes.

Opus Chamber Music Concert. $20.

Under age 18: free. 3 p.m. Preston Hall. 44831 Main St., Mendocino. symphonyoftheredwoods.org.

Thursday 15 FREE Annual Chinese New Year Children’s Parade. Parade in Mendocino begins at the corners of Ukiah & Lansing Streets, marching to the Temple of Kwan Tai. 10:45–11:45 a.m. 937-5123. mendocinocoast.com.

Friday 16

Ages 5 & under: free. (Free admission on Feb. 16 forEnrollment ages 62 &applications over & on Feb. and Majide. Local jazz duo plays at 19 for agesinformation 12 & under.)

Feb. 16–19: available on our special Valentine’s Day dinner at enrollment website: First open noon–10 p.m.

Feb. 17 & 18: 10 a.m.–8 the Blue Wing. 6–8 p.m. Blue www.treeoflifeschool.net endsWing Jan. 31, 2018 p.m. Feb. 19: 10 a.m.–5 p.m. (Parade:

Cloverdale Citrus Fair. $5–$8.

Wednesday 14

Tree of Life Charter

mendo lake

LOCAL

#1 local resource for for 25 years local families

magazine • web • email • events

www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Saloon Restaurant. 9520 Main St., Upper Lake. tallmanhotel.com/ blue-wing-saloon.

Free Montessori Elementary Education For Children Ages 5 -13

Give your child a joyful

VISIT US DURING OPEN HOUSE March 8th, 6-8 PM

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

For more information call

707-462-0913 OPEN ENROLLMENT January & March February 2018

Enrollment applications and information available on our website: www.treeoflifeschool.net MendoLakeFamilyLife 19

Feb. 17 at 11 a.m. in downtown Cloverdale.) cloverdalecitrusfair.org.

Clean Sweep. Local

band plays dance music, from swampy slow to get-down rock, R&B, blues, funk & jazz. $15. 7 p.m. Soper Reese Theatre. 275 S. Main St., Lakeport.

263-0577. soperreesetheatre.com.

FREE Dare to Self Care: Make Hand Salve. A maker class for ages 12–18.

2–4 p.m. Ukiah Library. 105 N. Main St., Ukiah. Call 467-6434 to sign up.

Rapture Blister Burn. Play follows two

old high school friends—one a career academic & another a mom—as they compare notes about their different life paths. $15–$20. Feb. 16–17 & 22–25 & Mar. 1–4. Thursdays: 7 p.m. Fridays & Saturdays: 8 p.m. Sundays: 2 p.m.

Willits Community Theatre. 37 W. Van Ln., Willits. willitstheatre.org.

Saturday 17 FREE Redbud Audubon Society Field Trip to Clear Lake State Park. Suitable

for all levels. Bring binoculars, field guide, bird apps, water; wear layered clothing, hats & sun protection & walking shoes/hiking boots. Heavy rain cancels. May join or leave group anytime during day. 9 a.m. Clear Lake State Park. Soda Bay Rd., Kelseyville. redbudaudubon.org/field-trips.

Comedy Alley. A regular showcase

of Bay Area comedians, featuring Mark Pitta, a national headliner. 8 p.m.

Ukiah Valley Conference Center. 200 S. School St., Ukiah.

Stars of Lake County 20th Annual Community Awards. Support

professionals, students, nonprofits & businesses that have given their best 20 MendoLakeFamilyLife

to others. $20. 5 p.m. Tickets can be purchased only via Lake County Chamber of Commerce: 263-5092.

Soper Reese Theatre. 275 S. Main St., Lakeport. soperreesetheatre.com.

Annual Chinese New Year’s Dinner.

Buffet, silent auction & no-host bar.

Seating limited. Fundraiser for Temple of Kwan Tai. $40. 6 p.m. Crown Hall.

45285 Ukiah St., Mendocino. 937-5123. mendocinocoast.com.

Sunday 18 Cosa Nostra. Group

performing on strings, percussion & brass will present pieces ranging from acoustic heavy metal to ballads. $15–$20. Ages 18 & under: free. 3 p.m. Soper Reese Theatre. 275 S. Main St., Lakeport. 263-0577. soperreesetheatre.com.

Tuesday 20 Child Dental Care. Mother Wise Mom’s Support Group. Clearlake: 9:30 a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church. 14310 Memory Ln., Clearlake.

Lakeport: 1 p.m. at Mother Wise. 180 N. Main St., Lakeport. facebook.com/ motherwiselakecounty.

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 p.m.

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

467-6434.

FREE National Park Service.

Whale Walk. Park staff & volunteers lead guided whale walks. The program will start at the Visitor Center.

Binoculars are available. Wear layered clothing. Leashed pets allowed. 11 a.m. Saturdays & Sundays. Thru Mar. 25. MacKerricher State Park. 24100 MacKerricher Park Rd., Fort Bragg.

961-0471. parks.ca.gov.

Saturday 24 St. Mary’s School Mardi Gras. Dinner,

dance, auction & gaming. $60. 5:30 p.m.–12:30 a.m. Redwood Empire Fairgrounds. Carl Purdy Hall. 1055 N. State St., Ukiah. Tickets & info: 468-3888. stmarysukiah.org.

13th Annual Anderson Valley Aromatic White Wine Festival.

100 Alsatian-style varietals from around the globe. Festival events at various times. Mendocino County Fairgrounds. 14400 Hwy. 128, Boonville. avwines.com.

Sunday 25 FREE St. Mary’s School Carnival.

Carnival games, food, auction. 11 a.m.– 3 p.m. Redwood Empire Fairgrounds. Carl Purdy Hall. 1055 N. State St., Ukiah. stmarysukiah.org.

Wednesday 28 FREE Tech Q&A. Attendees can ask questions about personal technology, including computers, cell phones, tablets & Internet use. Noon–12:50 p.m. Lakeport Library. 1425 N. High St., Lakeport. library.lakecountyca.gov.

Entrance fees for national parks will be waived on President’s Day. 7 a.m.– dusk. Find a park at nationalparks.org.

February 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

Have More Fun & Create Great Memories 

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

After-School

Bully-Proof Your Child Learn Self-Esteem Through Self-Defense • Traditional Okinawan karate • Classes for the whole family • Multiple member discounts available Mention this ad & get 10% off your first month dues

Ukiah Shorin-Ryu Karate 3001 #4 So. State St. Ukiah 707-463-DOJO (3656) www.ukiahkarate.com

Get Mom’s Attention!

YOUR AD HERE Classifieds Work Call 586-9562

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

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

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

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

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(707) 463-7080

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

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February 2018

MendoLakeFamilyLife 21

Humor Break

A Valentine for the Earth A Mom Makes Peace with V-Day

By Holly Hester

I

hate Valentine’s Day. There. I said it. And that doesn’t make me an un-romantic person. It’s just that my idea of romance isn’t someone feeling forced to buy me flowers because it’s a national holiday. What are we all, just a bunch of sheep?

Don’t answer that. Let’s all just say Baaaaah.

Valentine’s Day has always been a traumatic experience in my life. I remember in high school you could secretly buy someone a carnation and send it to her in class. This meant by the end of the day the most popular girls would be walking around barely able to carry all the carnations in their arms while the rest of us were slithering through the halls carnation-less like a bunch of untouchables in Les Miserables.

I remember the looks on the faces of the popular girls (most of whom were wearing clichéd cheerleader outfits). They tried to stay modest, but every molecule of their beings just screamed, “Too bad, losers.” I would usually get a meager one or two of these secret carnations, and I always knew who they were from: a disturbing boy from the AV department who ate his boogers.

22 MendoLakeFamilyLife

As an adult my Valentine’s Day didn’t get much better simply because of my disdain for receiving flowers. I would always forget to tell a boyfriend in advance that I hated getting flowers. And then Valentine’s Day would roll around and there I would be with a plastered smile on my face saying, “Oh, they’re beautiful! Let me put them in a vase so I can slowly watch

I always end up just getting my husband a bottle of wine (and a quiet dark place away from children to drink it in.) them die over the next week, and then my cats can tip them over and my house can forever be infused with the smell of rotting water.”

Now that I’m married my husband knows to keep it simple: salted caramels and a quiet, dark place away from children to eat them in.

But the real question is: What do I get my husband for Valentine’s Day? Yikes. That’s another story. I have always failed miserably on that one and end up just getting him a bottle of wine (and a quiet dark place away

from children to drink it in.) This year, I thought I’d surprise my husband with a scarf that I knitted. But, with just two rows done, it looks like I won’t be quite finished with it by Valentine’s.

I thought I was just going to have to give up and get my husband a bottle of wine again, but fortunately, I was saved by an e-mail I got from one of my favorite eco-friendly clothing stores, Indigenous. It’s a fair-trade company that sells clothes made with organic materials by artisans in South America.

I got my husband one of their rancher shirts. This is the first Valentine’s gift I’ve ever given him that I’ve been excited about because I felt like I was doing some eco-good—not just sheeping along with the rest of the proletariat on this forced, unromantic, Orwellian holiday.

So Happy Valentine’s Day, Bill.

Happy Valentine’s Day, Planet Earth.

And Happy Valentine’s Day to all the carnation-covered popular girls that I went to high school with. Losers.

(No, I’m not bitter at all.) ¶ Holly Hester lives in Sebastopol and writes about life on her blog, Riot Ranch. Find her book, Escape from Ugly Mom Island!, on Amazon.

February 2018 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Crafting with Kids

Happy Hearts Simple Projects in Pink and Red

By Meagan Ruffing

I

t’s February and that means lots of Valentine’s Day candy, school parties, and crafts. With do-it-yourself inspired websites like Pinterest, you can be sure to find a craft no matter what age your child is. Instead of making projects that will likely be thrown away, make a t-shirt that will stick around for a while.

Heart-Inspired T-Shirt You will need Pencils with a brand-new eraser top Piece of scrap cardboard Scissors Plain white t-shirt T-shirt paint (red, pink, white) Paper plate

Instructions Draw a heart (or trace one from a stencil) on a piece of scrap cardboard and cut it out. Place the cardboard heart on top of the t-shirt. Put a glob of red paint on the paper plate and dip the tip of the pencil eraser into it.

Pressing firmly, use the paint-covered eraser tip to make dots all around the heart. Repeat process using another color paint. Use more or less paint to make darker or lighter shades of color. www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Do not lift up the cardboard heart until you are done. Once your kids are sure they like the way their dots look, lift up the cardboard heart. Let dry.

To clean the t-shirt, turn it inside out and wash—alone, at least for the first laundering—on delicate.

Faux Stained-Glass Sun Catcher

stock. Draw or trace a smaller heart on the inside of the first heart, leaving about one to two inches between the two hearts. Cut out the inside heart. Lay out a piece of tacky paper, shiny side down. Place the border, which serves as a kind of heart outline, on the tacky paper so that it adheres completely. Cut or tear various-sized pieces of all three colors of tissue paper. Place the pieces on the tacky paper, in the “hole” in the heart. Place a piece of tacky paper, sticky side down, on top of the tissue paper–covered heart. This will create a layering effect that looks like faux stained glass. Using the cardboard heart as a guide, cut the tacky paper so it matches the shape of the cardboard heart. Punch a hole in the top of the finished sun catcher, and use a festive string to hang it in your child’s window. ¶ Meagan Ruffing’s kids loved making these crafts, and the family time spent together was much needed, too. For more crafts and parenting tips, visit meaganruffing.com.

You will need Pencil Thin cardboard or paper stock Scissors Clear adhesive shelf tacky paper Red, pink, and white tissue paper String

Instructions Draw (or trace using a stencil) a heart shape onto the cardboard or paper February 2018

MendoLakeFamilyLife 23

Living Well Starts Here

Live Well. An integrated program focused on all aspects of your health.

If you suffer from chronic pain, uncontrolled diabetes, obesity, heart disease or complex health issues our Live Well team can help.

They will work with you to develop a customized plan based on your unique health needs. A central part of this plan is eating delicious, healthy foods.

Registered Dietitian Karen Ramey will help you learn about great tasting food that can have a positive impact on your health.

“I love helping people and being part of this unique team approach. A good healthy diet is just one component of overall health. Having a plan that includes nutrition, exercise, counseling and expert medical care can make a real difference in people’s lives.”

LIFESTYLE

“Many of my clients think they have to eat less to meet their weight loss goals, but the truth is eating right can help you lose weight. Weight management has more to do with choosing great tasting foods that are good for your body and its conditions.”

TIP

K A R E N R A M E Y, M S , R D N

K A R E N R A M E Y, M S , R D N

TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT CALL 707.467.5292