Mendo Lake Family Life January 2018

mendo lake FREE!

January 2019

Private Schools Local guide

Health Apps Kids’ fitness in a snap

What’s Waldorf?

Learn the basics Mindful Montessori Focused learning

They Grow So Fast...

Our pediatric team is here to help you every step of the way, from infants to teens and everyone in between.

Call for an appointment today!

(707) 468-1010

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

MCHC HEALTH CENTERS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROVIDER AND EMPLOYER.

O R T H O P E D I C

S U R G E R Y We are pleased to welcome to 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

January 2019

Every Issue 6

Dear Reader

8

Bits and Pieces Love a Lamb Cosmic Eye

10 Features

Just Art-ing Around Furious Fiddlin’ Tune in to Moms Mouths of Babes

22 Calendar of Events Fingers Will Fly

10 What’s Waldorf?

An intro to an arts-oriented education.

12 The Montessori Mind Learn about classrooms that promote focus and concentration.

14 Happy, Healthy Techie

8

28 Cooking with Kids Tortilla Time

30 Humor Get-Real Resolutions

Apps to help kids eat right, get fit, and sleep well.

16 Progress Not Perfection Tips for cultivating a lifelong love of learning.

18 School Search Strategies for finding the right program for your child.

19 Private & Charter School Guide A handy compendium of local institutions.

4 MendoLakeFamilyLife

28

January 2019 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

8

Ukiah Unified School District

Ukiah Unified Kindergarten th Registration Opens January 8

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 Los niños que hayan cumplido los 5 años el 1 de septiembre de 2019 o antes se inscriben en kindergarten. Los niños que cumplan los 5 años entre el 2 de septiembre y el 2 de diciembre de 2019 se inscriben en nuestro programa de transición para kindergarten.

Register online at www.uusd.net or forms are available at school offices. If you need assistance with registration, or access to a computer/printer, visit your school’s office.

WHY ENROLL IN A UUSD SCHOOL?

• Class size reduction in grades K-3 (24-1) • Fully credentialed teachers • After-school programs • Transportation available • Intervention in reading available at all schools • Free breakfast and lunch for all students • 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 Avenue 472-5550

Frank Zeek Elementary 1060 Bush Street 472-5100

Oak Manor Elementary 400 Oak Manor Drive 472-5180

Grace Hudson Elementary 251 Jefferson Lane 472-5460

Yokayo Elementary 790 S. Dora Street 472-5690

Dear Reader

H

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

appy New Year!

As we begin 2019, we take a moment to thank you, our readers, for your support. We can’t wait to keep providing you with informative articles that make your job easier.

We start off this year with our Private & Charter School Guide (page 19). Are you looking for specialized education for your kids? Instead of spending hours googling your options, check out our list, which has all the information you need to know about 24 local schools.

an introduction to the philosophies and practices of each style of education.

No matter where you are in your kids’ educational journey, keeping your family physically robust is always a priority. Turn to “Happy, Healthy Techie” (page 14) for free apps that your children can use to take charge of their own wellness. And then check out “Tortilla Time” (page 28) to learn how to make some nourishing vegetarian enchiladas. If taking care of yourself seems like pie-in-the-sky, humorist L. J. Kunkel’s “Get-Real Resolutions” (page 30) might be just your speed.

We look forward to serving you in the year to come.

WE WE

have subsidies available to help with child care expenses for qualifying families.

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

Features Editor

Production Manager Donna Bogener production@family-life.us

DID YOU KNOW? will walk you through the entire process of becoming a child care provider in your home.

Patricia Ramos patty@family-life.us

Melissa Chianta melissa@family-life.us

If you’ve been wondering if a Waldorf or Montessori school might be good for your family but don’t know much about either, read “What’s Waldorf?” (page 10) and “The Montessori Mind” (page 12) for

HELPS YOU

Office Manager

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

Contributing Writers Tanni Haas Malia Jacobson L. J. Kunkel Karen Nochimowski Dolores Smyth

Billing Jan Wasson-Smith

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

WE

have ongoing training & referrals to help make your child care business the best it can be!

1-800-606-5550 x211 ncoinc.org 6 MendoLakeFamilyLife

January 2019 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

It’s never too early to prepare your child for kindergarten A

re you wondering how to help your child be ready for kindergarten? Will she play well with others? Will he listen and follow directions? Will she be able to use the bathroom by herself? If you are asking yourself one or more of these questions, NCO Head Start Child Development Program is the place for you.

Our teachers partner with families to help prepare all children to enter kindergarten. Our program’s approach focuses on providing developmentally appropriate experiences to support infants, toddlers and preschoolers in being ready to enter kindergarten. By working with the families and completing observation-based assessments, our teachers individualize their approach for each child in order to meet them where they are at and to provide a nurturing and supportive environment for social, emotional, developmental and academic growth. Our teachers assess the growth of the children at three different times during

the year and share the children’s growth with families.

Our program goes beyond education by providing comprehensive services to children and their families in order to ensure that children will be ready to learn when they come to school. We provide health, dental and mental health support services, services to children with disabilities and support services to parents and guardians. And since children do not need to be potty trained to attend our program, we support the children and their families with potty training.

Healthy meals are prepared by our cooks on-site and served family-style with teachers. Following the Food for Thought curriculum, our program helps to introduce children to new foods by incorporating them, as well as the foods they eat, into educational activities.

on popular parenting topics. We also help families learn skills that will help them once their children enter the public-school system, like child advocacy and how to serve on a parent council.

Our preschool classrooms are located throughout Lake and Mendocino Counties and serve children 3–5 years old. Our infant and toddler classrooms are in Willits and Ukiah. We also offer a homevisiting program in Ukiah and Fort Bragg to pregnant women, infants and toddlers where each family visits with our homebased educators once a week; families come together twice a month for a family social and play group.

Start your child’s journey to school success and call our enrollment team at (707) 462-2582 or visit us online at www.ncoinc.org today!

At each site, we have staff trained in the Positive Parenting Program (Triple P) who are available to provide education

Give Your Child a Head Start!

Want a $16,000 Education for Your Child at Little or No Cost?

Free &Your Low-Cost Quality Preschool!to School Success Apply Today & Begin Child’s Journey

AlsoAlso providing FREE unique in-homehome services for for providing visits infants, toddlers & pregnant women!women! infants, toddlers & pregnant

Head Start StartChild Development Program Head We empower children to reach their highest potential License #230111843 Child Development Program Applications online: www.ncoinc.org • (707) 462-2582 Applications online: www.ncoinc.org • (707) 462-2582 or 1-(800) 326-3122 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

January 2019

• Ukiah

C E NN TT EE RR SS

✓ 1/2-day & full-day classrooms for ✔ Nurturing classroom experiences for ages 18 months to 5 years children 3 months to 5 years old. ✓✔ Potty-trained not necessary Potty-training assistance provided. ✓✔ Children with disabilities welcome Children with disabilities welcome. ✓✔ Referrals for transportation available Accepting applications year-round.

•North Ukiah Ukiah - Bush St.

North Ukiah - Bush St.

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

• Willits

•Near Willits Brookside School at

Near Brookside School at

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

• Lake County

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

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

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

••Coast Coast

Fort St. FortBragg Bragg-- Lincoln Lincoln St. MendoLakeFamilyLife 7

Bits & Pieces

Love a Lamb

M

ove over puppies and kitties.

There’re some new furry friends in town: lambs, just born and ready to be cuddled at the Hopland Research and Extension Center (HREC) in Hopland. Kids can visit the white balls of fluff on January 12, 10 a.m.–noon, during HREC’s Meet the Lambs event.

The morning will begin with a very short, stroller-friendly hike to see the winter arrivals and then end with indoor sheep-related activities. Sign up for the excursion, which costs $3–$8, at hrec.ucanr.edu. ¶ Meet the Lambs

Cosmic Eye

I

t may appear to be something from a sci-fi film, but the Oculus Rift is not a Hollywood futuristic creation. The virtual reality system, which allows users to visually immerse themselves in digitally created worlds, is not only real, it’s available to use at the Redbud Library in Clearlake.

Free ten-minute sessions are available on Wednesdays, 4–5 p.m., to library patrons ages 12 and up. ¶

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Middletown Art Center

Just Art-ing Around

L

ooking for a diversion during the cold, dreary days of January? The Middletown Art Center (MAC) has creative options: low-cost workshops in a variety of media.

Explore dry point etching in a January 5 printmaking class; play with words at a January 12 writing workshop; learn to make armatures in a January 19 metalwork class; and mess around with clay in a January 26 sculpture class. Workshops are held 1–5 p.m., cost $5, and are open to kids ages 12 and up. Note the metalwork class requires that an adult accompany 12–16-year-olds.

Register for the workshops at middletown artcenter.org/restore.html. ¶

January 2019 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Furious Fiddlin’

T

oe-tapping Scottish reels demand some pretty fancy finger work from a fiddler. And Rebecca Lomnicky, the 2009 winner of the prestigious Glenfiddich Fiddle Championship, delivers some of the best. Lomnicky is part of the band The Fire, which also includes internationally touring bagpiper David Brewer and guitarist Adam Hendey, who has a master’s degree from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. To get a taste of the group’s energetic style, see their videos at firescottishband.com. But better yet, see them perform at the Willits Community Theatre in Willits on January 11 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 and available via willitstheatre.org. ¶

The Fire

Tune into Moms

B

Jacyln Ley

eing a mom of a baby can be very isolating. The call-in radio show Mom Matters aims to bring mothers the support they need. Covering many aspects of raising young children, the show has a particular focus on perinatal and postpartum mental health. It’s the creation of Jacyln Ley, who is the program director of Mother-Wise, an organization that runs a Lakeport support group for moms. The idea is that women who can’t come to the group can share their concerns and get advice via the show. The 60-minute program airs on Wednesdays at 9 a.m. on KPFZ 88.1 FM, Lake County Community Radio.

While it’s on the air, moms are welcome to call 263-3435 and share their thoughts and questions on the topic of the week. The in-person Mother-Wise support group is held weekly on Tuesdays, 1–3 p.m., at Mother-Wise in Lakeport. For more information, see the Mother-Wise Facebook page at facebook.com/MotherWiseLakeCounty or call Ley at 349-1210. ¶

Mouths of Babes

A

s anyone who has been through it can attest, adolescence is a time of turbulent emotions. Some teens turn to poetry to express their feelings. Poetry Outloud, a national poetry recitation competition, offers them an opportunity to share their work. See young Lake County poets compete in the event on January 26 at 2 p.m. at Soper Reese Theatre in Lakeport. Admission is free. Winners will go on to compete at a state level; the national competition will be held in Washington, D.C., in April. ¶

www.mendolakefamilylife.com

January 2019

MendoLakeFamilyLife 9

who authored Simplicity Parenting (Ballantine Books, 2010) and spent 20 years as a Waldorf educator. Waldorf schools are well-orchestrated hubs of carefully planned, developmentally appropriate learning. While Waldorf schools avoid the traditional textbooks

What’s Waldorf?

A Primer & Myth Buster

By Malia Jacobson

W

aldorf education has been called the “best-kept secret in American education.” It also may be the most misunderstood. Parents of Waldorf students know well the quizzical expressions and curious inquiries.

“Waldorf? Isn’t that the school without computers?” “Do kids just draw all day?” “Can your kids read yet?”

Waldorf began in 1919, after Rudolf Steiner created a school for the children of workers of the Waldorf-Astoria cigarette factory in Stuttgart, Germany. From these humble beginnings, Waldorf education grew. There are now more than 250 schools in North America and some 1,090 worldwide.

school”: available to all children, open to both boys and girls, and largely free of government or state interference. Today, however, many people misinterpret the word “free,” assuming that Waldorf education is extremely liberal and unstructured—as in no formal lessons, no grades, and teachers in flowing tie-dyed caftans.

Soulful Structure Based on Steiner’s guiding principles, Waldorf was created as a “free

In fact, Waldorf education is highly structured, says Kim John Payne, M.Ed., the educational consultant

10 MendoLakeFamilyLife

Waldorf-taught children are often reading voraciously in fourth or fifth grade, with better comprehension than traditionally taught students. and computers found in other classrooms, students are still assessed regularly with grades and tests.

One thing that stands out about Waldorf is its un-randomness, says Payne. “It’s predictable, which helps children feel secure. Each lesson is planned with exquisite attention to developmental appropriateness.

Steiner was one of the giants in developmental sensitivity.”

That developmental sensitivity is at the heart of another Waldorf mystery: Why do its bright, intelligent students read later than other children?

It’s true that academics are not emphasized in early years, but like everything else in Waldorf education, this is intentional, says Patrice Maynard, M.Ed., director of Publications and Development for the Research Institute for Waldorf Education, and the parent of three Waldorf graduates. The early school years are better spent mastering fundamental sensory skills that support reading, she says.

January 2019 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

By intentionally avoiding memorization and reading drills in kindergarten, Waldorf focuses learning at the right time, says Maynard. “In preschool and kindergarten, children are learning sensory integration, eye-tracking skills, and trans-lateral coordination, which builds to a deep, rich comprehension of reading later on.” Waldorf-taught children are often reading voraciously in fourth or fifth grade, with better comprehension than traditionally taught students, she notes.

Rich Relationships Another misconception—that Waldorf teachers are less qualified to teach than traditional teachers—stems from the fact that Waldorf instructors often don’t possess traditional teaching degrees or certifications.

They do, however, spend years in school perfecting their art. Waldorf teachers earn a certificate in Waldorf Education, and many go on to

The rooms are filled with art, natural materials, and simple playthings. earn master’s and doctoral degrees.

“Teaching at a Waldorf school is incredibly rigorous,” says Payne.

In the Waldorf model, teachers remain with the same group of students from first grade through middle school, building a rich, one-on-one relationship with each student. The result: children who are comfortable interacting with adults and competent in the adult world.

Beyond Arts and Crafts Waldorf kindergartens are beautiful spaces: without a speck of plastic to be seen, the rooms are filled with art, natural materials, and simple playthings. “The whole entire school is imbued with art,” says Price. “We sing every day; we paint every day; we play flutes or recorders; we have movement classes.” But Waldorf’s focus on art extends beyond the physical arts to the art of living a purpose-filled life.

“It’s an education toward social artistry,” says Price. “We’re striving to help students discover their social work in the world when they finally grow up and graduate.” ¶ Malia Jacobson is a nationally published freelance writer and mom.

She blogs about health and parenting at maliajacobson.com/blog.

ENGAGED LEARNING

ENROLL NOW Inspired Waldorf Education Preschool through 8th grade Rigorous Academic Program, Spanish, Music, Art, Drama, Woodworking, Circus Arts, Field Trips, Outdoor Learning, Compassion and Community.

Roots & Shoots Open House A Parent/Toddler Course Jan 30th-March 27th

Experience classes in action!

Friday, February 1st, 8:30-10 am

Visit www.mendocinowaldorf.org 6280 Third Street • Calpella 707-485-8719

www.mendolakefamilylife.com

January 2019

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impulsiveness, and stress plaguing modern students and schools.

Maria Montessori didn’t coin the term “mindfulness,” but she was an early advocate for sustained focus and internal motivation. Her methods deliberately encourage intense

The Montessori Education that Promotes Mind Focused Learning

By Malia Jacobson

Y

oung children aren’t usually known for intense concentration. To the contrary, kids are expected to bounce from one activity to another with the attention span of a gnat. That’s why parents are surprised by what they see when they tour a Montessori school: children as young as three happily engaged for long stretches in independent, focused work.

Montessori learning is hardly novel— Maria Montessori’s first school opened its doors in 1907. But a trend toward mindfulness in education is sparking new interest in this century-old style of education.

Mastering Mindfulness Over the past decade, organizations like Mindfulness in Education Network, Association for Mindfulness in Education, and Mindful Schools have sprung up, training teachers, 12 MendoLakeFamilyLife

hosting conferences, and producing research aimed at helping children become more focused, motivated, and intentional in the classroom.

Just what is mindfulness, exactly, and why does it matter? MindfulSchools. org paints mindfulness as a deep, in-the-moment focus, characterized by self-awareness and internal motivation.

In a world filled with chaotic distraction, advocates of mindfulness say it can be a salve for the conflict,

A trend toward mindfulness in education is sparking new interest in this century-old style of education. concentration as the best context for early learning.

Happy Work: Environment, Schedule, and Shared Focus One way Montessori promotes focus is through a carefully prepared environment, a key component of Montessori learning. In Montessori classrooms, specially designed materials—from child-size brooms to lacing cards to counting beads— are prepared to be aesthetically appealing and accessible for young children; simplicity, beauty, and order are paramount. “Montessori environments are designed to be attractive and appealing, and to allow children to make a choice. Children get to look around and choose what they want to do,” says Patricia Feltin, Ph.D., who founded a Montessori school in 1978.

This important act of choosing one’s own activity promotes sustained engagement, says Dee Hirsch, president of the Pacific Northwest Montessori Association.

Montessori-taught children choose their own work from a palette of

January 2019 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

developmentally appropriate options that grow progressively more complex and challenging.

Montessori schools incorporate concrete learning goals into a child’s educational plan, but children are free to choose when and how to complete their work within a specified time frame. “That act of choosing is what

The important act of choosing one’s own activity promotes sustained engagement. allows a child to make a wholehearted commitment to [his or her] work. It’s what makes Montessori education child-centered,” says Hirsch.

When children are motivated by their own interests, deep concentration is a natural result, she says: “Kids are choosing what they want to focus on.”

Though the terms focus and concentration conjure up images of a child working alone, mindfulness is not always a solo pursuit.

Montessori-style learning helps kids learn the fine art of shared concentration by encouraging them to engage in tasks with a classmate or two—a critical skill in the age of teamwork.

Mindful Together How does this Montessori-style mindfulness benefit children?

Greater confidence, longer attention spans, and natural self-motivation are a few of the rich rewards,

according to Feltin. “What’s so wonderful is the confidence they gain. Their attention spans have been lengthened. They’re going to meet their academic goals, but they’ll do it more naturally because their motivation comes from within.”

But mindfulness isn’t something teachers can achieve for students— like every other outcome in Montessori learning, students have to work toward it. “They’re not going to reach that state of mindfulness unless they get there themselves,” says Hirsch. “We can’t take them there, but we can go there with them.” ¶ Malia Jacobson is a nationally published freelance writer specializing in parenting.

GIVE YOUR CHILD a joy-

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

Alliance for Public Waldorf Education Member

Kindergarten through Eighth Grade

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

Open Enrollment: Jan 7–Feb 28 Enrollment Tours: Jan 15 & 29, Feb 12 & 26 Open House: Jan 26, 10am–Noon Advanced Math, Science, Spanish, Music, Art, Woodwork, Drama, Speech, Extraordinary Field Trips www.riveroakcharterschool.org 707-467-1855 • 555 Leslie St., Ukiah, CA 95482

January 2019

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Happy, Healthy Techie 7 Apps that Promote Kids’ Well-Being

By Tanni Haas

D

o you want fun and educational ways to teach your kids to stay healthy? Encourage them to download an app—or three. Here are seven of the very best apps available, and they’re all free.

DreamyKid (Available at: Apple App Store, Google Play; ages 9–18) Healthy living is about taking good care of the mind and the body. DreamyKid teaches kids how to relax their minds with guided meditations, visualizations, and affirmations through calming, positive messages. There are some issue-specific meditations that some kids might find particularly useful, including meditations aimed at building confidence and focusing on their schoolwork. The app itself is free but many of the meditations must be purchased ($3.99 each).

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Eat & Move-O-Matic (Available at: Apple App Store; ages 9–18) If you want your kids to understand the consequences of their food choices, Eat & Move-O-Matic is the right app for them. Created by the Learning Games Lab at New Mexico State University, the app teaches kids to be aware of what they eat or drink.

It lets them compare the calories in their food choices with the amount of time required engaging in physical activities—biking, running, or walking—to burn off those calories.

Monster Heart Medic (Available at: Apple App Store, Google Play; ages 9–12) Monster Heart Medic teaches kids about a topic few other apps cover, namely the cardiovascular system and how to stay heart-healthy.

Created by the University of California, Berkeley, the app features a friendly monster named Ragnar who suffers from cardiovascular problems and needs help. Kids run various diagnostic tests to figure out what’s causing Ragnar’s problems.

If you want your kids to learn to eat well, encourage them to download Space Chef.

Nature Melody (Available at: Apple App Store; ages 5–18) If there’s one thing kids need in order to lead healthy lives it’s a good night’s sleep, and the app Nature Melody can help them get it. It functions like an alarm clock and has more than 30 soothing, nature-inspired sounds to slowly and gently wake up your kids in the morning. The app can be used in the afternoon and evening, too, using the nap and sleep timer function.

NFL Play 60 (Available at: Apple App Store, Google Play; ages 5–18) If your kids love sports, especially football, but it’s hard to get them to do any actual exercise, NFL Play 60 is just the right app for them. Created by the NFL, in collaboration with the American Heart Association, the app lets kids pretend that they’re professional

January 2019 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

football players. The catch is that kids have to get off the couch and actually run, jump, catch, and turn to make their avatars move. Kids can even count the steps they’ve taken while playing the game.

Healthy living is about taking good care of the mind and the body.

Space Chef (Available at: Apple App Store; ages 5–12) If you want your kids to learn to eat well, encourage them to download Space Chef. Created by the University of California, Berkeley, maker of the Monster Heart Medic app, Space Chef teaches kids important facts about healthy foods.

And it goes one important step further: It has more than 60 easy-to-make and kid-friendly recipes that encourage healthy eating.

Super Stretch Yoga (Available at: Apple App Store; ages 9–18) Besides meditation, yoga is a great way for kids to relax their minds and bodies. Super Stretch Yoga, created by well-known yoga instructor Jessica Rosenberg, teaches kids yoga through video demonstrations by other kids, with a focus on breathing and movement. It’s narrated by a character named Super Stretch and features 12 different poses with different skill levels. Kids can use the built-in camera to take pictures of themselves doing the various poses. ¶

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

visit

MendoLakeFamily Life.com

Tanni Haas, Ph.D., is a professor in the Department of Communication Arts, Sciences, and Disorders at the City University of New York–Brooklyn College.

www.mendolakefamilylife.com

January 2019

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whenever they fail or exert too much effort to learn a skill. As a result of this “fixed mindset,” these children view challenges and mistakes as potential sources of “looking dumb,” and lose confidence and motivation when the work stops being easy.

Progress Not Perfection 4 Tips for Raising a Motivated Learner

By Dolores Smyth

O

ne of the biggest frustrations parents often face is getting their kids motivated to learn. Our children’s reluctance is understandable. Learning new skills can be frustrating, and failure can be discouraging or, worse, embarrassing. Research has shown, however, that parents can help their children more readily embrace challenges and understand the value of persistence without relying on excessive external rewards.

Here are four strategies to help your children become motivated learners: 1. See learning as an opportunity. Over three decades of research has shown that there is a direct correlation between what children think of their abilities and their willingness to face challenges, 16 MendoLakeFamilyLife

according to Carol Dweck, a psychology professor at Stanford University.

As Dweck’s extensive research with children has found, when children see their abilities as fixed and not subject to improvement, they worry that their intelligence will be questioned

However, children who believe that the harder they work at something, the better they’ll get at it see obstacles as opportunities to add to their skillset, not as potential blows to their self-confidence. Dweck refers to

Letting children fail teaches them resilience and how to take responsibility for the natural consequences of their actions. this mindset as the “growth mindset.”

Children with a growth mindset understand that effort is necessary to succeed.

So how can we teach our kids to have a growth mindset? Research shows that children at any level can be taught to adopt a growth mindset.

Specifically, parents should emphasize the effort and strategies their children use to achieve a desired outcome rather than focus on children’s intelligence or talent.

This emphasis on process gives children a sense of control, in that they see that good results often come from increased effort and not necessarily innate ability. This sense of control boosts children’s confidence to keep working at a problem.

While encouraging your children to value the process of learning

January 2019 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

rather than just the outcome itself, Dweck cautions parents to use praise effectively. Parents should be mindful to use words that praise children’s efforts in accomplishing a desired

2. Make learning fun. To help foster motivated learning, parents can turn lessons into fun activities. Add excitement to your children’s learning experience by encouraging them to explore their interests. If your children are interested in music, sign them up to play musical instruments of their choosing or take them to children’s concerts, many of which are free at parks and community centers.

If your children are interested in history or dinosaurs, take them to a museum or head to your local library to peruse through books on the subject. For younger learners, use puzzles and board games to make mastering concepts connected to their interests colorful and fun.

To have fun with learning, use sparingly external rewards, such as stickers, candy, and money. The overuse of external rewards can undercut motivation over time by communicating to kids that they can choose to do the task only if they want the reward, not just for the inherent value in learning something new. www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Likewise, be respectful of your children’s need for downtime. While parents want to give their children every opportunity to learn, this well-intentioned goal has to be balanced with the equally important goal of letting children enjoy being kids, notes child psychiatrist Alvin Rosenfeld, co-author of The Overscheduled Child (St. Martin’s Griffin, 2001).

4. Allow your children to fail.

Although it seems counterintuitive at first, part of helping children learn not to become discouraged is to let them fail. This teaches them resilience and how to take responsibility for the natural consequences of their actions.

In some children, the fear of failure can be especially daunting. Try lessening these children’s fears by explaining that innovators they may admire—from Thomas Edison to Walt Disney to J. K. Rowling— experienced numerous obstacles and failures before succeeding. ¶ Connect with Dolores Smyth @LolaWordSmyth.

January 2019

TS

result (“You studied hard and did great!”) versus words that praise children’s intelligence (“You got an ‘A’ because you’re so smart!”).

But exploring your children’s hesitation to do a task can give them the reassurance they need to keep striving. If you aren’t making progress in talking to your children about their frustrations, seek out a teacher or coach who may have better success.

FLY ©P N

Children with a growth mindset understand that effort is necessary to succeed.

3. Respect frustrations and need for downtime. It’s unreasonable to expect children to be motivated all the time. When parents don’t acknowledge children’s frustration with learning a particular skill, children are more likely to disengage from the learning process.

Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport (STS)

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

Offering connections to anywhere

www.flySTS.com

ARE YOU AN ADOPTIVE FAMILY? Get the support you need

POST ADOPTION SERVICES Trained, Experienced Professionals & Peers

• Support via phone, e-mail & in person • Workshops & trainings • Family social events for adoptive families

Please call Peter with questions about how we can help at 707-479-4797 www.lilliput.org MendoLakeFamilyLife 17

Find Top-Notch Local Programs

expectations of a school? What college or trade school do you want your child to attend after he or she graduates?

School Search H

ow do you choose the right school for your child? It helps to break your search down into manageable tasks.

First, go on a fact-finding mission to discover what’s out there. Are you considering a private school?

Start your search with the 2019 Mendo Lake Private and Charter School Guide. We surveyed staff and researched websites of 24 local private and charter schools to collect vital information for this annual guide.

While you are in research mode, don’t ignore your neighborhood public schools. Is there one that might be a great fit? You may be able to transfer.

Ask the district office. (Charter schools, even though they’re public, generally don’t require transfer approval.)

Figure out your priorities. What is your child interested in? What are your top

Quality Christian Education

Apply to your dream school and back-up schools as soon as you can, as spaces fill up quickly.

Finding the right school can be a daunting experience. There are so many options in our area. The best school for your child is out there, just waiting for you to find it!

PARENT INFORMATION & DEMONSTRATION NIGHT JANUARY 30, 6 PM, 2019 Applications Due Feb. 14 Enroll online at www.uusd.net Or in person at Eagle Peak

engineering maker space robotics • electronics computer coding digital media music technology

Christ-centered education in Ukiah • Small class sizes • College-prep curriculum Enrolling • Music program • Family-like atmosphere • Fully Accredited By Western Association of Schools and Colleges

Next, decide on three to five schools for a “deep dive.” Write down questions to ask administrators before you schedule tours. Visit the schools’ websites and review upcoming deadlines. Talk to teachers and parents, especially parents whose children graduated from the schools you’re visiting. If possible, attend some school events to get a feel for the culture and community.

BE AN ENGINEER

Now!

Eagle Peak Middle School STEM Magnet School

UKIAH JUNIOR ACADEMY

Open enrollment for fourth, fifth and sixth grade students who are interested in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The focus will be on engaging students with hands-on activities that prepare them for high school, college, and employment in high-demand and high-paying careers.

180 Stipp Lane, Ukiah • www.myuja.org • 707.462.6350

707-472-5250 • www.eaglepeak.uusd.net

18 MendoLakeFamilyLife

January 2019 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

2019 Mendo Lake Private & Charter School Guide MENDOCINO COUNTY

“My child has not had a single bad day in two years at Willits Charter School.” - A.S.

Calpella The Waldorf School of Mendocino County.

Call for rates. Independent Waldorf education. Integrated, developmentally appropriate curriculum. Grades PK–8.

Avg. class size: 12. Enrollment Current/ Max: 90/170. Extended care, multi-child/ family discount, lunch program, field trips & outdoor learning. 6280 3rd St., Calpella. 485-8719. mendocinowaldorf.org.

Covelo Eel River Charter School. Public. Holistic teaching to develop educated, responsible, compassionate people. Grades K–6.

Avg. class size: 20. Enrollment Current/ Max: 60/70. Cafeteria/lunch program, transportation, extracurricular sports.

76350 Main St., Covelo. 983-6946. eelriverschool.net.

Fort Bragg Three Rivers Charter School. Public.

Respect, empathy, achievement, good citizenship, hard work. Grades 1–12. Avg. class size: 24. Enrollment Current/Max: 120/120 (waiting list available). 1211 Del Mar Dr., Fort Bragg. 964-1128. trcschool.org.

Mendocino Caspar Creek Learning Community.

Public. A program of Mattole Valley Charter School. Unique Waldorf-inspired program in a natural setting. Grades K–5.

Avg. class size: 12. Enrollment Current/ Max: 40/45. P.O. Box 547, Mendocino.

964-6234. casparcreek.org.

    

California Honor Roll School Small Class Sizes Engaging Electives Rated in Top 10% of California High Schools On-site, Independent Study, & Hybrid Programs

Come for a visit See what makes us different!

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

Choose Willits Charter School!

A free public school serving grades 6-12

Missing 18 days of school a year (that’s just 2-3 absences a month–excused or not), teaches your kids bad habits and dramatically reduces their chances of graduating from high school.

Redwood Valley Deep Valley Christian School. Prices vary. Morning or full-day state licensed preschool. Grades K–4 & Homeschool Oversight grades K–12.

8555 Uva Dr., Redwood Valley. 485-8778. deepvalleychristianschool.org.

Ukiah Accelerated Achievement Academy.

Public. Accelerating achievement toward a successful future. 4–12. Avg. class size: 20. Enrollment Current/Max: 155/200. www.mendolakefamilylife.com

uusd.net

KEEP YOUR KIDS IN SCHOOL.

January 2019

attendanceworks.org MendoLakeFamilyLife 19

2019 Mendo Lake Private & Charter School Guide Extended care, cafeteria/lunch program, summer programs. 1031 N. State St., Ukiah. 463-7080. caredwoods.org.

Eagle Peak Middle School. Public. Inspiring

achievement thru STEM education. Grades 5–8. Avg. class size: 28. Enrollment Current/ Max: 510/520. Cafeteria/lunch programs. eaglepeak.uusd.net.

Instilling Goodness Elementary & Developing Virtue Secondary Schools.

$1,935–$6,195. We provide a full academic & character program. Grades K–12.

Avg. class size: 10. Enrollment Current/ Max: 205/250. Day & boarding students, extended care, cafeteria/lunch program, summer programs. Requires uniforms.

2001 Talmage Rd., Ukiah. Boys School: 468-1138. Girls School: 468-3847. igdvs.org.

Redwood Academy of Ukiah. Public.

Preparing students for college & independent living. 7–12. Avg. class size: 25. Enrollment Current/Max: 130/180.

Extended care, cafeteria/lunch program,

summer programs. 1059 N. State St., Ukiah. 467-0500. caredwoods.org.

River Oak Charter School. Public. Guided by the core principles of Public Waldorf Education. Grades K–8. Avg. class size: 24.

Enrollment Current/Max: 246/246 (waiting list available). Extended care. 555 Leslie St., Ukiah. 467-1855. riveroakcharterschool.org.

St. Mary of the Angels Catholic School.

Ukiah Junior Academy. $6,200.

Christ-centered academic excellence.

Accredited by Western Association of Schools & Colleges (WASC). Grades K–10. Avg. class size: 16. Enrollment Current/Max: 100/135. Extended care.

Requires uniforms. 180 Stipp Ln., Ukiah.

462-6350. myuja.org.

Willits

$5,587. Enlightening the mind while enriching the soul. Grades K–8. Avg. class size: 20. Enrollment Current/Max: 200/205. Multi-child/family discount, cafeteria/lunch program. Requires uniforms. 991 S. Dora St., Ukiah.

462-3888. st.marysukiah.org.

La Vida Charter School. Public. Holistic, child-centered & culturally rich classes & curriculum support. Grades K–12.

Avg. class size: 12. Enrollment Current/ Max: 88/99. 16201 N. Hwy. 101, Willits.

459-6344. lavidaschool.org.

Tree of Life Charter School. Public.

the arts & sciences. 6–12. Avg. class size: 24. Enrollment Current/Max: 118/168.

Cafeteria/lunch program. 1431 S. Main St., Willits. 459-5506. willitscharter.org.

Montessori education, creativity, compassion, discovery. Grades TK–8.

Avg. class size: 20. Enrollment Current/ Max: 85/120. Extended care, cafeteria/ lunch program. 241 Ford Rd., Ukiah.

462-0913. treeoflifeschool.net.

Willits Charter School. Public. Focus on

Willits Elementary Charter School. Public.

Offering inquiry-based learning, Spanish & the arts. Grades K–5. Avg. class size: 22.

Now Accepting K-12 Registration

  

    FREE public charter school  Highly qualified credentialed teachers  Individualized support for struggling students  After school programs that include tutoring  Small class sizes  Math tutor  One-to-one computers  Life skills development  College & career planning  Free college courses 



Focused on the future of each child Enroll today!

(707) 463-7080 

20 MendoLakeFamilyLife

   

 

Ukiah Independent Study Academy Serving K–12

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

UKIAH UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

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

January 2019 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

2019 Mendo Lake Private & Charter School Guide Enrollment Current/Max: 140/140 (waiting list available). Extended care, cafeteria/lunch program. 405 E. Commercial St., Willits.

459-1400. willitselementarycharter.com.

LAKE COUNTY Clearlake Clearlake Seven Day Adventist Christian School. Call for tuition. SDA

Christian. Holistic. Grades 1–8. Avg. class size: 15. Enrollment Current/ Max: 20/30. Multi-child/family discount.

15150 Davis St., Clearlake. 994-6356. clearlakesdaschool.com.

Konocti Health Magnet School. Public.

Preparation for college & career in the healthcare industry. Grades 7–12. Avg. class size: 22. Enrollment Current/ Max: 398/520. Cafeteria/lunch program, transportation/busing, summer programs. 15851-A Dam Rd. Ext., Clearlake. 994-6447. konoctiusd.org/ konocti-health-magnet-school.

Konocti Visual & Performing Arts Magnet School. Public. A feeder program to

Lower Lake High School. Grades 4–8.

Avg. class size: 22. Enrollment Current/ Max: 398/520. Cafeteria/lunch program, transportation/busing, summer programs.

15851-A Dam Rd. Ext., Clearlake.

994-6447. kec.konoctiusd.org.

Zemorah Christian Academy. Prices vary. Independent Study Program available. Grades 1–12. Avg. class size: varies. Enrollment Current/Max: 10/25.

Multi-child/family discount. 14100 Lakeshore Dr., Clearlake. 533-5871. zemorahchristianacademy.org.

Middletown Lake County International Charter School. Public. A free public school

where children love to learn. Grades K–8.

Avg. class size: 20. Enrollment Current/ Max: 79/85. Extended care, cafeteria/ lunch program. 15850 Armstrong St., Middletown. 987-3063. lcics.org.

Lakeport

Middletown Adventist School. Call for tuition. Welcoming children of any faith. Grades 1–8. Avg. class size: 12.

Enrollment Current/Max: 12/25. Weekly music, art & gardening classes. Extended care, multi-child/family discount, cafeteria/lunch program. 21640 Hwy. 29, Middletown. 987-9147. maschool.org.

Konocti Christian Academy. $4,350.

Providing academic excellence in a Christian environment. Grades K–8. Avg. class size: 12–22. Enrollment Current/ Max: 91/100. Extended care, multi-child/ family discount. 401 Martin St., Lakeport.

262-1522. konoctichristianacademy.com.

Middletown Christian School. $4,181–$5,015.

Shaping hearts & minds in a Christcentered environment. Grades TK–12. Avg. class size: 10. Enrollment Current/Max: 49/125. Multi-child/family discount. Requires uniforms. 20800 Hwy. 29, Middletown.

987-2556. middletownchristianschool.org.

Where Nature Education Thrives

A Small School for Big Thoughts

www.caredwoods.org • 1059 N. State St., Ukiah

Enroll Today (707) 467-0500 Pr

e pa

r in g s t u d e n t s f o r

c

o ll Recognize e d b y Newsweek & as one of US News Americ Best Scho a’s ols

ge

➢ FREE Public School ➢ Advanced Placement Options ➢ Caring, Credentialed Teachers ➢ Centrally Located at the Fairgrounds ➢ Clubs & Electives, Student Council ➢ Serving Grades 7-12 ➢ Dual Enrollment Program

herbs, water, soil and technology nature integrates with life

Redwood Academy of Ukiah

www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Openings Available in Grades 9-11 La Vida 707-459-6344 Charter 16201 Hwy 101, Ukiah School lavidaschool.org January 2019

MendoLakeFamilyLife 21

January

Elena Casanova

Calendar of Events Fingers Will Fly

W

hat do a bunch of pianists talk about when they hang out? And, more importantly, what kind of music do they make with each other? Find out at the Professional Pianists Concerts. The annual sellout event will take the audience to a “living room”—a stage, made cozy with couches and two grand pianos—where several local pianists will talk about their art, share stories, and collaborate on pieces right before your eyes.

Spencer Brewer, Elena Casanova, Wendy DeWitt, Charlie Seltzer, and others will play everything from classical to jazz, boogie-woogie to Cuban, Broadway to ragtime, R&B to Soul. Watch their fingers fly on January 11 and 12 at 7 p.m. and January 13 at 2 p.m. at Mendocino College Center Theatre in Ukiah. See ukiahconcerts.org/ professional-pianists-concerts to purchase tickets, which are $20–$30. ¶

Friday 4 FREE Family Fun at Alex Rorabaugh Recreation Center. Fridays, 8–11 p.m.: open gym for basketball, tumbling & soccer. Sundays, noon–4 p.m.: recreation center open for Ping-Pong, board games, etc.

Alex Rorabaugh Recreation Center.

1640 S. State St., Ukiah. 463-6275. ukiahrec.org.

Gem Faire. Fine jewelry, gems,

crystals, minerals, gold, silver & Instilling Goodness Elementary & Developing Virtue Secondary Schools Kindergarten to Twelfth Grade

more. $7 weekend pass. Parking: $9.

Jan. 4: noon–6 p.m. Jan. 5: 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Jan. 6: 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Sonoma County Fairgrounds. 1350 Bennett Valley Rd., Santa Rosa. gemfaire.com.

Saturday 5 Pudding Creek Express. Travel

along the Pudding Creek Estuary to Glen Blair Junction on this scenic 7-mile round-trip. $10–$25. Dogs: $10.

Saturdays & Sundays (plus Mon. Jan. 21). 11 a.m. Some days also at 1 or 1:30 p.m. Thru Feb. 24. Fort Bragg Depot.

100 W. Laurel St., Fort Bragg. 964-6371. skunktrain.com.

FREE Make an Easel with Whiteboard. You

& your child can build an easel. 9 a.m.–noon. Home Depot. 350 N. Orchard Ave., Ukiah.

462-3009. Register at homedepot. com/workshops.

Middletown Art Center Workshops.

“Education Is The Nation’s Best Defense.”

-Venerable Hsuan Hua, Founder Core Virtues • Inherent Wisdom • Academics • Global Leadership

www.igdvs.org 707.468.1138 (Boys) 707.468.3896 (Girls)

22 MendoLakeFamilyLife

Jan. 5: Printmaking. Jan. 12: Writing.

Jan. 19: Metalwork. Jan. 26: Clay sculpture. $5 each. 1–5 p.m. For ages 12 & up. Metalwork class requires adults accompany 12–16-year-olds.

Middletown Art Center. 21456 Hwy. 175, Middletown. Register: middletownartcenter.org/restore.html.

Monday 7 FREE Coast Breastfeeding Coalition. Promotes, supports & advocates the importance of breastfeeding. Held the 1st Monday of each month. Not a breastfeeding support group. 2–3:30 p.m. WIC. 831 Bevins St., Lakeport. californiabreastfeeding.org.

Tuesday 8 Taco Tuesdays. All

you can eat. $6–$12. Jan. 8 & 15: 5–8 p.m.

Greenview Restaurant. 19210 Hartmann Rd., Hidden Valley Lake. hvla.com.

FREE Art Night: Wish Upon the New Year’s Wands. Create magical New Year’s wands. Supplies provided.

Ages 8 & up. 5:30–6:30 p.m. Willits Branch Library. 390 E. Commercial St., Willits. mendolibrary.org.

January 2019 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

FREE Middletown Storytime.

Stories, songs, crafts & games. For young children & their parents.

Tuesdays. 11:30 a.m. Middletown Library. 21256 Washington St., Middletown. See facebook.com/ lakecountylibrary for a schedule of similar events at other local libraries.

The Marx Brothers at the Circus.

Screening of 1939 Marx Brothers comedy. Admission is by donation.

Two screenings: 1 & 6 p.m. Soper Reese Community Theatre. 275 S. Main St., Lakeport. 263-0577. soperreesetheatre.com.

29: Babysitting 101. Tuesdays. 1–3 p.m. Mother-Wise. 180 N. Main St., Lakeport. 349-1210. facebook.com/ motherwiselakecounty.

Wednesday 9 FREE RB Oculus Rift Virtual Reality.

Time travel, space travel, or go inside your favorite movie. 10-minute sessions. Ages 12 & up. Wednesdays.

4–5 p.m. Redbud Library. 14785 Burns Valley Rd., Clearlake. 994-5115. lakecountyca.gov.

Thursday 10

FREE Mother-Wise Weekly

FREE Rainy Day Thursdays.

Workshops. Jan.

Activities in the Children’s Room (even if it’s not raining). 3–4 p.m. Fort Bragg Library. 499 E.

8: Money Management. Jan 15: Tax Prep.

Jan 22: Fitness After Baby. Jan.

mendo lake

Laurel St., Fort Bragg. 964-2020. fortbragglibrary.org.

FREE Teen Poetry Club. All teens are welcome to pop in to write or share poems in a supportive & creative environment. Thursdays.

5–6 p.m. Ukiah Library. 105 N. Main St., Ukiah. co.mendocino. ca.us/library.

Friday 11 The Fire Scottish Band. Featuring

fiddler Rebecca Lomnicky, bagpiper David Brewer & guitarist Adam Hendey. $20. 7 p.m. Willits Community Theatre. 37 W. Van Ln., Willits. willitstheatre.org.

Professional Pianists Concerts.

Local pianists come together to play &

25 OFF

$

TAX PREPARATION COME TO HEY TAXES & APPLY FOR AN ADVANCE OF UP TO

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*Call for additional details Advance ends 2/28/19

#1 local resource for for 25 years local families

magazine • web • email • events

www.mendolakefamilylife.com

1104-A South State Street • Ukiah January 2019

MendoLakeFamilyLife 23

Never

Underestimate the Power of the Purse Moms typically control 80% or more of their household budgets They’re looking right here, to find you.

Call now. Don’t miss another month.

trade tall tales, all to benefit the Ukiah Community Concert Association. $20–$30. Jan. 11 & 12: 7 p.m. Jan. 13: 2 p.m. Mendocino College Theatre.

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

Zimmerman & Lake County Community Radio KPFZ 88.1. $22–$25. 7–9:30 p.m. Lower Lake Schoolhouse Museum. 16435 Morgan Valley Rd., Lower Lake. lakecounty.com.

Kids Night Out. Swimming & snacks. $14. 5:15–8:15 p.m. C. V. Starr Center.

300 S. Lincoln St., Fort Bragg.

964-9446. mendocoastrec.org.

Flea Market & Breakfast. Breakfast: $7. Breakfast: 8–11 a.m. Hosted by the Veterans of Foreign Wars. 293 Seminary Ave., Ukiah. facebook. com/pg/vfw-post-1900.

FREE Walk-In Literacy Tutoring.

Volunteer tutors will be in the library for adults 16 & older who need help with reading or writing.

One-on-one help. Fridays. Noon–2 p.m. Redbud Library. 14785 Burns Valley Rd., Clearlake. 994-5115. co.lake.ca.us.

FREE Lego Club. Interactive

& educational. Fridays. 3:30–4 p.m.

Lakeport Library. 1425 High St., Lakeport. Visit library.lakecountyca. gov for a schedule of similar classes at other Lake County libraries.

Saturday 12 FREE Walk the Talk. Join the first community walk of the new year.

Talk about plans & goals for 2019.

Hosted by Mo Mulheren, Ukiah City Council Member. 10–11 a.m.

Ukiah Rail Trail. facebook.com/ events/2272519636318537.

Ukiah Contra Dance. Live

IN PRINT • ONLINE • EVENTS • CONTESTS

586-9562

MendoLakeFamilyLife.com 24 MendoLakeFamilyLife

music.

All ages. No experience or partner needed. $5–$12. 7:30 p.m. (Class for beginners at 7 p.m.) Ukiah United Methodist Church. 270 N. Pine St., Ukiah. (Entrance off the parking lot on the backside of the church.) visitukiah.com.

Rize Up. Political,

humorous singer/songwriter. Featuring Roy

Hopland Hikes: Meet the Lambs.

1-mile stroller-friendly walk. See newly born lambs & participate in sheep-related kids’ activities. Packed lunch welcomed. $3–$8. No dogs permitted. 10 a.m.–noon. Hopland Research & Extension Center. 4070 University Rd., Hopland. 744-1424, ext. 105. Register at hrec.ucanr.edu.

Disney’s Frozen Sing-Along. Watch

the classic film & sing along to the songs. Costumes encouraged. $15–$20. Jan. 12: 10 a.m. & 2 p.m.

Jan. 13: 2 p.m. 6th Street Playhouse.

52 W. 6th St., Santa Rosa. 523-4185.

6thstreetplayhouse.com.

Friday 18 B. Bryan Preserve Tour. Experience

giraffe, zebra & antelope. $20–$35.

Reservations required. Tours daily at 9:30 a.m. & 3:30 p.m. B. Bryan Preserve. 130 Riverside Dr., Point Arena. 882-2297. bbryanpreserve.com.

Kelley House Museum Fashion Exhibit. Learn about who wore what & why in Mendocino’s pioneer days. $5. Jan. 18–Mar. 18: 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Fridays–Mondays only. Kelley House Museum. 45007 Albion St., Mendocino. 937-5791. kelleyhousemuseum.org.

January 2019 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Gualala Lions Annual Crab Feed.

All-you-can-eat crab. Raffles.

Reservations required. $45.

Thru Jan. 19. 6–9 p.m. Gualala Community Center. 47950 Center St., Gualala. 884-9606. visitmendocino.com.

Annual MUSE Crab Feed & Auction.

Benefits the Mendocino Unified School Enrichment (MUSE) program. $70. Jan. 18 & 19: 6 p.m. Little River Inn. 7901 N. Hwy. 1, Little River.

937-5942. littleriverinn.com.

Saturday 19 Barrel Tasting 101. A once-a-year

opportunity to gain inside access to wineries all along the Upper Russian River Valley & experience wines from the barrel. $20–$30. Jan. 19 & 20: 11 a.m.–5 p.m. destinationhopland.com.

Join Our Team • Bus Drivers Full-time • Food Service Part-time Flexible Hours • Custodial • Grounds Maintenance • Paraprofessional/student learning support Apply online or in person! www.uusd.net For more information contact Lori Klee, 472-5042

FREE Winnie the Pooh Party.

Celebrate National Winnie the Pooh Day with crafts & Pin-the-Tailon-Eeyore. Snacks & lemonade.

2–3 p.m. Fort Bragg Library. 499 E. Laurel St., Fort Bragg. 964-2020. fortbragglibrary.org.

Celebrating the New Year. Choice of

prime rib or poached salmon. $25–$30.

Benefit for Redwood Coast Seniors.

No-host bar: 5–6 p.m. Swing Dance: 7:30–10 p.m. Redwood Coast Senior Center. 490 N. Harold St., Fort Bragg.

964-0443. rcscenter.org.

Annual Crab Feed Fundraiser.

Benefits Anderson Valley Senior Center. $45. 5:30–11 p.m. Mendocino County Fairgrounds. 14400 Hwy. 128, Boonville. 895-3609. mendocinocountyfair.com.

Vintage Toy Making. Make an old-fashioned whirly-gig toy. Free with

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 January 2019

MendoLakeFamilyLife 25

admission ($1–$4) or Mendocino Library Card. Every third Saturday.

1–3 p.m. Mendocino County Museum.

400 E. Commercial St., Willits.

459-2736. mendocinomuseum.org.

Dining with the Stars. Fundraiser

to benefit the free programs ARRC offers for kids, families & disabled. $60. 5:30–9:30 p.m. Alex Rorabuagh Recreation Center. 1640 S. State St., Ukiah. 462-8562. facebook.com/ alexrorabaughrecreationcenter.

Lakeshore Lions All-You-Can-Eat Crab Feed. No-host bar. $50. 6–10

p.m. Benefits the Clearlake Youth Center. Clearlake Senior Community Center. 3245 Bowers Ave., Clearlake. lakecounty.com.

FREE Colusa & Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Field Trips.

Sponsored by Redbud Audubon Society. 263-8030. See redbudaudubon. org for details.

Sunday 20 Crab & Cremant Aboard the Skunk Train. Featuring crab chowder & wine.

Grape juice for ages under 21. Gluten& dairy-free food. $56–$66. Under 2: $10. Jan 20 & 27. 11:15 a.m. Fort Bragg Depot. 100 W. Laurel St., Fort Bragg.

964-6371. skunktrain.com.

Opus Chamber Music Concert. The

Neave Trio. $22. Ages 18 & under: free. 3 p.m. Preston Hall. 44867 Main St., Mendocino. 964-0898. symphonyoftheredwoods.org.

Pennyroyal Farm Crab Brunch.

3-course meal. Seasonal dishes, farm-fresh produce, farmstead cheeses & local crab & wine. $85. Farm Tour: additional $10. 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. 21+ only. Pennyroyal Farm.

14930 Hwy. 128, Boonville. 895-2410. pennyroyalfarm.com.

Sukay’s Pachamama Band. Featuring

2-time Latin Grammy–nominee Eddy Navia. Rumba, flamenco, Latin

An Ear for History

F

Francis Vanek

26 MendoLakeFamilyLife

or Francis Vanek, jazz history is not just something to be saved for college music appreciation classes.

The saxophonist and jazz historian will be chronicling the development of jazz as he performs with the Dorian May Trio at the Tallman Hotel in Upper Lake. Part of the hotel’s Concerts and Conversation series, the event will be held on January 27 at 3 p.m.

The intimate 40-seat venue is great for a date night but not appropriate for young children. Tickets are $25 and may be purchased by calling 275-2244, ext. 0. See tallmanhotel. com for more information. ¶

American, Middle Eastern & Andean music. $20. Ages 18 & under: free. 2 p.m. Soper Reese Community Theatre.

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

Breakfast at Clearlake Masonic Lodge. Sit-down breakfast with all the fixings. Third Sunday of each month. $4–$12. 8–11:30 a.m. 7100 S. Center Dr., Clearlake. 928-4953.

Tuesday 22 2001: Space Odyssey. The

1968 sci-fi epic. Admission by donation. Two screenings: 1 & 6 p.m. Soper Reese Theatre. 275 S. Main St., Lakeport. 263-0577. soperreesetheatre.com.

Wednesday 23 FREE Trauma-Informed Resilience Building Workshop. Gabriella

Grant, executive director of the Center of Excellence for Trauma-Informed Care, will discuss how toxic stress impacts communities. 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Soper Reese Theatre.

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

Thursday 24 FREE National Drug & Alcohol Facts Week Workshop. Guest

speaker, information tables & snacks. 2–5 p.m. Arbor Youth Resource Center.

810 N. State St., Ukiah. 462-7267.

Friday 25 Cioppino Dinner Fundraiser. Local

wine & beer. $15–$40. Under 6: free. Sittings: 4, 6 & 8 p.m. Benefits Mendocino Coast Clinics. Historic

January 2019 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Pentecost Hall. 822 Steward St., Fort Bragg. mccinc.org.

Almost, Maine. Play set in Almost,

Maine, where the residents keep falling in & out of love. $10. Jan. 25 & 26 & Feb. 1 & 2: 7 p.m. Ukiah High School. 1000 Low Gap Rd., Ukiah.

Saturday 26 River Oak Charter School Open House. 10

a.m.–noon. 555 Leslie St., Ukiah. 467-1853. riveroakcharter school.org.

Crab Cook-Off & Wine Tasting Competition. Crab cakes, wine

St., Lakeport. brownpapertickets. com. facebook.com/groups/ LakeCountyTheatreCompany.

Triple Piano Concertos. Works by

Grieg, Tchiakovsky, Bach & Mozart. $25–$30. Students w/ASB card & kids under 18: free. Jan. 26: 8 p.m. Jan. 27: 2 p.m. Mendocino College Center Theatre. 1000 Hensley Creek Rd., Ukiah. 462-0236. ukiahsymphony.org.

FREE Poetry Out Loud. Young

Lake County poets compete. 2 p.m.

Soper Reese Community Theatre.

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

Sunday 27 Dorian May Trio. Learn

about jazz history throughout performance. $25. 3 p.m. No young children.

Tallman Hotel. 9550 Main St., Upper Lake. tallmanhotel.com.

Wednesday 30 Parent Information & Demonstration Night. 6 p.m. Eagle Peak STEM Magnet School. 8601 West Rd., Redwood Valley. 472-5250. eaglepeak. uusd.net.

auction, raffle, silent & live auctions. $90. Noon–3 p.m. Benefits Mendocino Coast Clinics. Big white tent. Spruce & Main Streets. Fort Bragg. 961-3463. mccinc.org.

Mendocino Coast Sports Foundation Crab Feed. No-host bar. $75.

Noon–6 p.m. Each child under 10 accompanied by a paying adult is free.

Proceeds go to Fort Bragg Rotary & Timberwolf Stadium Projects. Fort Bragg Fire House. 141 N. Main St., Fort Bragg. Reservations: 964-6331. visitmendocino.com.

FREE Hands-On Healing Art Workshop. For anyone affected by the fires. No art experience necessary.

Call to sign up. Children’s session: 10 a.m. Teen & adult session: 11:30 a.m.

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

463-4490. mendolibrary.org.

Green Jellÿ. Grammy-nominated American comedy rock band. All ages. Jan. 26: 6–10 p.m., $10–$15.

Jan. 27: noon, free admission.

Benefits Special Needs Advocacy/ Parent Support (SNAPS). Lake County Fairgrounds. 401 Martin

www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Troubled Waters

G

rowing up has its fair share of ups and downs. But circumstances are so difficult for some children that they experience what neurobiologists call “toxic stress,” which can be detrimental to many aspects of their development. At her Trauma-Informed Resilience Building Workshop, Gabriella Grant, executive director of the Center of Excellence for Trauma-Informed Care, will discuss how toxic stress impacts communities and what to do about it. This free class will be held on January 23, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m., at the Soper Reese Theatre in Lakeport. Learn more at soperreesetheatre.com. ¶

January 2019

MendoLakeFamilyLife 27

Cooking with Kids

Tortilla Time Spice Up Your Dinner with Chiles & Salsa

By Momma Chef

W

hen my friend called to ask if I would like to try a delicious recipe that would be perfect for Momma Chef’s website, I most definitely said yes! Especially since this friend, Jordan, is an amazing cook. I knew this would be a recipe I wanted to get online ASAP. When I asked him if he had taken any photos, he explained that he wasn’t able to get any since his wife and daughters finished the entire dish.

Within one week of getting this recipe, I had tried it, fed it to my family, and put it on my website.

This is a vegetarian version, but you can add ½ cup shredded chicken or ground beef to the black-bean mixture. ¶ Find the recipes of Karen Nochimowski, aka Momma Chef, on mommachef.com. Each of her recipes contains six ingredients or fewer and takes under six minutes to prepare. Momma Chef’s latest endeavor is the creation of a soup kitchen. See mommachef.com/soup-kitchen.

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Oh-So Simple and Delicious Vegetarian Enchiladas Ingredients • 15-oz. can of black beans, drained • 4-oz. can of chopped chiles, drained • ½ packet of taco seasoning • ½ jar salsa • 6 medium tortillas • ¾ cup shredded cheddar or jack cheese

Instructions 1. In a small pan over low heat, warm black beans, chiles, and taco seasoning together for 3 minutes.

2. While mixture is warming, take 1 /3 cup salsa and spread on bottom of 8” x 8” or 10” x 12” Pyrex pan.

3. Spoon black-bean mixture onto tortillas, then fold and place tortillas (seam-side down or on their sides) in pan.

Tips

4. Repeat for the remainder of tortillas.

1. For a nice presentation, sprinkle with some chopped herbs right before serving.

5. Spoon another 1/3 cup of salsa on top of rolled tortillas, and then put a layer of cheese on top.

2. Serve with sour cream and extra salsa.

6. Broil for 5–7 minutes (keep an eye on them).

Serves: 6

January 2019 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

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Cioppino Dinner

Get Crackin’



T

his time of year Dungeness crab is winning starring roles in many a meal across Mendocino County. The Mendocino Crab and Wine Festival features multiple opportunities to sample the local delicacy. Here are just a few. For more, see mendocino.com/mendocino-crab-winedays-festival.html.

Cioppino Dinner. Dig into a stew of clams, mussels, and, of course, crab at this annual Mendocino Coast Clinics fundraiser, which will be held on January 25 at Historic Pentecost Hall in Fort Bragg. Choose from one of three sittings (4, 6, or 8 p.m.). It’s $15–$40 or free for kids under 6.

See mendocinocoastclinics.org/crab-wine-beer-days/.

Crab Cake Cook-Off and Wine Tasting. Thousands of crab cakes are made for this event, another Coast Clinics fundraiser, which will be held on January 26, noon–3 p.m., in downtown Fort Bragg. Tickets are $90 and may be purchased at mendocinocoastclinics.org/ crab-wine-beer-days/.

Accelerated Achievement Academy

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

Get Mom’s Attention!

YOUR AD HERE

All-You-Can-Eat Crab Feed. Show Fort Bragg Rotary and Mendocino Coast Sports Foundation some love at this fundraiser on January 26, noon–6 p.m., at the fire station in Fort Bragg. Tickets are $75. Call 964-3749 or 964-6331 to make a reservation.

Classifieds Work Call 586-9562

Pennyroyal Farm Crab Brunch. Ages 21 and up may dine on local seafood as well as the farm’s cheeses, produce, meats, and estate wines. Chow down on January 20, 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m., at Pennyroyal Farm in Boonville. Tickets are $85 and may be purchased at pennyroyalfarm.com. ¶

www.mendolakefamilylife.com

January 2019

US News and World Reports: America’s Best High Schools Bronze Medal  FREE public school  Support for struggling

students  Small classes  Grades 4-12



Call today! (707) 463-7080

mendo lake

LOCAL

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

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Humor Break

Get-Real Resolutions A New Year a Mom Can Live With

By L. J. Kunkel “New Year, New You!” I see this everywhere, and I can’t help but roll my eyes a little. Don’t get me wrong—I’m all for motivation and self-improvement. Kudos to those pursuing new awesomeness this year!

But I’m a mother of three youngsters. At this point in my life I’m just trying to keep my head above water and not go completely crazy. Considering 92 percent of resolutions fail, I’m keeping it real this year with more modest goals.

1. Get up earlier. Start the day with an hour of yoga. (Fast forward to alarm buzzing at ungodly hour…)

Nope, nope, nope. Sleep wins.

But maybe let’s try ten minutes earlier— just enough time to consume my coffee so I don’t bite everyone’s head off the moment I hear them bounding down the stairs.

2. Prep ahead. That means kids’ backpacks and lunches pre-packed, clothes laid out the night before, a to-do list for the next day, structured daily schedule for the little ones, and dinners planned out for the week.

Bahaha! Just kidding. The only thing I’ll be prepping is my solid expectation for morning madness.

30 MendoLakeFamilyLife

3. Eat healthier. I’d really like to get more superfoods into my diet.

Bring on the kale, broccoli, avocado, magic spices, those chia things that get stuck in your teeth and—wait— chocolate is a superfood, right? Good.

Let’s go with that one.

4. Work out more. By “more” I mean putting the chocolate in the basement so I have to take the stairs to get to it.

Okay, I really should take this one seriously. Considering the many proven benefits of exercise, it could really change my life for the better. But hey, baby steps, right?

5. Actually fold and put away the laundry. I should at least do one basketful before the next mountain of mess. Eh, who am I kidding? Let’s just accept the laundry as the perpetual pile of doom it is.

6. Stop apologizing all the time. Why am I always apologizing?

WHY?! It’s usually not even remotely my fault. Sorry my house is so messy.

Sorry I’m not more organized. Sorry I spent five extra minutes hiding in the bathroom after my shower. Sorry my kid is crying in the middle of the store.

Sorry I didn’t make your favorite meal tonight. Sorry we can’t invite your

entire freaking class to your birthday party. Sorry you got sick because you keep putting things in your mouth even though you know that’s how germs get in.

Enough of that! We really need to come up with a replacement phrase for this. How about, “Well, that’s life. Deal with it.”

7. Stop doing everything for everybody. I really gotta stop doing for them what they can do for themselves.

First grader: You are fully capable of putting away all the toys and art and junk in your room and finding something non-destructive to do when you’re bored. Toddler: You can pull down your own pants to go potty. (I know you can since you seem to have no problem doing it when you want to run around naked.) Baby: Well, your job is to drool and poop. You’re pretty much the boss right now. Enjoy it while you can.

Lofty goals, I know. Time to tackle ’em! ¶ Originally published on parent.com.

L. J. Kunkel is a fitness trainer who spends most of her time chasing 3 boys and 20 mini dinosaurs (er, chickens).

See more from her at fitmixmom.com.

January 2019 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

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Pediatric care inspired to keep your entire family healthy this flu season.

It’s no secret that the flu season can hit children the hardest. Our expert team of providers are ready to serve your family this winter. We are accepting new and existing patients for sick visits, flu shots and other health concerns.

Newborn check-ups | Annual check-ups | Immunizations | Sports physicals | Sick visits | Other health concerns

Thomas Csanadi, MD

Brynn Stirling, MD

Peter Cho, MD

Tracy Burris, FNP

To schedule a visit for your child this flu season call (707) 463-7459.

260 Hospital Drive, Suite 204 | Ukiah, CA 95482 (707) 463-7459 | AdventistHealthUkiahValley.org

Medie Jesena, PNP

Lisa McCurley, FNP

Jennifer Guth, MSN, FNP-C