Mendo Lake Family Life July 2015

mendo lake July 2015

Safe Sports

How to stay injury-free

July 4th Hot spots Brunch to Beach

4 terrific trips Â

Preschool Prep 9 easy & helpful tips

Fun in the Sun 12 great games

Lakeview HEALTH CENTER

When Feeling Better Can’t Wait ...

Rapid Care is here.

Rapid Care is Open After-Hours & Weekends Rapid Care is designed for urgent, but non-life-threatening conditions. Our staff of highly trained medical professionals are ready to care for your urgent need. We treat cuts, bumps and sprains, minor skin rash, ear infections, mild asthma, flu and pneumonia, animal bites, fever, sinus infections and other minor illnesses and injuries.

Pediatrics 707.463.7459

|

Walk-Ins Welcome.

Open After-Hours and Weekends.

Accepting Medicare, Medi-Cal and all forms of insurance.

Family Practice 707.463.7488

July 2015

Every Issue

8 Features 8 Brunch to Beach

Have a blast with traditional games.

Dear Reader

7

Bits and Pieces

31

Under the Big Top Music for Any Ear Barter Power

20 Cooking with Kids To Churn with Love

21 Kids Craft Patriotic Play

12 No Pain. Yes Gain!

Fill up then chill out!

10 Fun in the Sun

6

Keep kids safe on the playing field.

14 The Tiniest Learner How to prepare your child for preschool.

22 Calendar of Events Feast on Multicultural Music

23 Pyrotechnic Pizzazz 30 Humor Break 31 Don’t Be a Drip

16 Stop the Squabbles Nip sibling rivalry in the bud.

18 Solid Self-esteem Help your daughter connect to herself.

23

19 A Safe Ride Tips for making sure your car is fit for the road.

12 4 MendoLakeFamilyLife

July 2015 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Modern Medicine Personalized Care Modern Medicine Personalized Care

Women’s Health | Chiropractic | Podiatry | Acupuncture | Family Medicine | Tele Psych We have a new state-of-the-art facility, expert professionals, and the time it takes to give you the care you need.

Bevins Ct.

Lake County Tribal Health

Medi-Cal, Medicare & Most Private Insurance ACCEPTED

S. Main St.

Bevins St.

EVERYONE IS WELCOME

Un-InsUrED? Not a problem!

Lakeport Blvd.

29

Medical Clinic

We offer sliding scale and payment plans.

Chiropractic

Lake County Tribal Health 707-263-8382 • 1-800-750-7181 925 Bevins Court, Lakeport www.lcthc.com

Acupuncture

Dentist Office

Come See Our Newest Arrival

We have a new state-of-the-art facility, expert professionals, and the time it takes to give you the care you need.

Bevins Ct.

Lake County Tribal Health

S. Main St.

Bevins St.

Everyone is welcome.

Lakeport Blvd.

29

Medi-Cal & Private Insurance Accepted Un-Insured? Not a problem!

We offer sliding scale and payment plans.

Lake County Tribal Health 707-263-8382 • 1-800-750-7181 925 Bevins Court, Lakeport www.lcthc.com

Dear Reader

H

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

ere we are, smack dab in the middle of summer! You need to entertain the kids and prepare for the beginning of school.

We’re here to help you do both.

First, the fun: Top on everyone’s list is celebrating Independence Day in style. See “Pyrotechnic Pizzazz” (page 23) for popular local spots to see fireworks.

Then read “Brunch to Beach” (page 8) to get the scoop on where to fuel up for a day of surf and sand. Before heading out, check out “A Safe Ride” (page 19) to make sure your car is road ready. Worried about backseat sibling warfare? Let “Stop the Squabbles” (page 16) help you keep the peace.

And look to “Fun in the Sun” (page 10) for simple games to play outdoors.

Waiting in the wings of summer leisure is the new school year. “The Tiniest Learner” (page 14) offers ways to help preschoolers adjust to the idea of spending time away from Mom and Dad. Meanwhile, “Solid Self-esteem” (page 18) gives tips for building tweens’ and teens’ back-to-school confidence.

Office Manager Patricia Ramos patty@family-life.us

Business Marketing Renee Nutcher renee@family-life.us

Before the first bell even rings, kids are running off to sports practice. Keep injuries at bay by following the advice in “No Pain. Yes Gain!” (page 20).

Jolie Cook jolie@family-life.us Marie Anderson marie@family-life.us

We hope your July is full of sparkling summer delights!

Features Editor Melissa Chianta melissa@family-life.us

Production Manager Donna Bogener production@family-life.us

Calendar Patricia Ramos

Contributing Writers John Corippo Bull Garlington Malia Jacobson Pam Molnar Denise Yearian

Billing Jan Wasson-Smith

Publishing Office 134 Lystra Court, Suite A Santa Rosa, CA 95403

HEY MOM, GIVE US A SHOUT!

Tel (707) 586-9562 Fax (707) 586-9571

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 that 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 6 MendoLakeFamilyLife

July 2015 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Bits & Pieces

Under the Big Top

Photo by Larry R. Wagner

G Flynn Creek Circus acrobats are art in motion.

et ready to be wowed by knife throwers, jugglers, acrobats, and aerialists. The Flynn Creek Circus is coming to town. This year’s show features Nelson and Goulia Pivaral, world famous equilibrists from Guatemala and Turkmenistan. Look for the vintage circus tent in these area venues: Friendship Park, Mendocino, July 2–5; Wells Fargo Center for the Arts, Santa Rosa, July 9–12; Morgan Hill Outdoor Sports Center, Morgan Hill, July 16–19; Napa County Fairgrounds, Calistoga, July 23–26; ECland, Inc., Point Arena, July 30– Aug 1; the Creamery District, Arcata, August 21–23. Advance tickets are $12 for kids and $22 for adults, and are available at flynncreekcircus.com. Door ticket sales begin 1 hour prior to each show and are an additional $3. ¶

Music for Any Ear

N

o matter what your musical taste, you will find something to appeal to your sensibilities at the Mendocino Music Festival, July 11–25, in Mendocino.

The festival hosts performers from myriad genres, including chamber music, blues, jazz, world, folk, bluegrass, and popular contemporary music. Listen to award-winning violinist Livia Sohn perform the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto on her Guadagnini violin, the Canadian band Vishten crank out Celtic and indie-rock tunes, and Bassekou Kouyate play the ngoni, a traditional West African lute. Venues and ticket prices vary. Find out more at mendocinomusic.org. ¶

Livia Sohn is a featured artist at the Mendocino Music Festival.

Barter Power

W

ouldn’t it be nice if instead of paying for what you need, you could trade for it? You can if you join the Time Bank of Thrive Lake County.

A new app makes it easy to participate.

So what is a time bank? It’s a community of people who agree to exchange services with each other. One hour helping another earns you one hour in your time bank, which you can use to “pay” someone to help you. All services carry equal value, so you can wash dishes for an hour and use your credit to “buy” one hour of a participating lawyer’s time.

You can access Time Bank of Thrive Lake County with the app hOurworld, which can be downloaded from Google Play and the iTunes App Store. You must be a member of the time bank to take advantage of the app. If you aren’t, it’s a cinch to join. Just select “Join hOurworld” on the launch screen, and, if you are accessing the app within Lake County, the Time Bank of Thrive Lake County should come up. If you are an existing time bank member, you can use your established login and password to log in to the app. If you need help with hOurworld, e-mail timebanklakeco@gmail.com or text 707-413-0044.

For more information about the Time Bank of Thrive Lake County, visit timebanklakeco.org or call 413-0220. ¶ www.mendolakefamilylife.com

July 2015

MendoLakeFamilyLife 7

Hit the Road

Brunch to Beach Local Spots to Feast and Frolic

O

ne of the most pleasurable ways to spend the weekend is enjoying a hearty brunch and then hitting the beach. Here are some terrific places to get good eats and soak in sun.

Note: Unless otherwise mentioned, beaches are free, dogs are required to be on a maximum six-foot leash, and swimming is not allowed.

8 MendoLakeFamilyLife

Brownie Peanut Butter Bread Pudding

Indian Curry Bowl

Curry and Caves Good Life Café and Bakery, Mendocino This hot spot is very popular for its Baby Breakfast Burritos, bread pudding, and Indian Curry Bowl as well as soups, salads, and myriad pastries (gluten-free options available). goodlifecafemendo.com.

Russian Gulch State Park, Mendocino Just a couple of miles north of Mendocino is this park, which has a jewel of a beach. Swim in the surf (don’t forget the wetsuits), see star fish in tide pools, dive for abalone, or fish from rocky outcroppings.

Kids will love the Devil’s Punch Bowl, a collapsed sea cave where ocean water dramatically churns, and a 36-foot waterfall, the reward of a 2.5-mile inland hike. There are flush toilets adjacent to the campgrounds and pit toilets by the beach. The day-use fee is $8. parks.ca.gov.

July 2015 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

MacKerricher State Park

Bread Pudding French Toast

Toast and Boats

Benedict and Breeze Egghead’s Restaurant, Fort Bragg Kids will eat up the Wizard of Oz theme of this longtime area favorite, which serves breakfast and lunch all day. We’ve heard that the omelets, made with Fort Bragg Dungeness crab, and the Eggs Benedict are superb. eggheadsrestaurant.com.

Pudding Creek Beach and Glass Beach, MacKerricher State Park, Fort Bragg You’ll feel safe letting kids play on this small, contained beach, which is about three blocks long. A nearby parking lot and pit toilets make it a fairly convenient way to spend time with the family. If you want more of an adventure, go to nearby world-famous Glass Beach, where countless pieces of smooth glass make the shore glisten. The unusual beach is the result of the city of Fort Bragg dumping its garbage into the ocean from the early 1900s to the mid-1960s—a colossally bad idea that Mother Nature managed to turn into something beautiful. Bring sneakers for walking on the beach’s uneven surfaces, and assess everyone’s hiking ability before you go. Though the Glass Beach trail system has been recently renewed, it’s still a bit of a steep walk down to the coast, so it may not be the best choice for very young children. parks.ca.gov. www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Waffles and Waves Howard Station, Occidental This place is serious about breakfasts, offering everything from build-your-own omelets and piles of potatoes to blueberry cornmeal pancakes and gluten-free waffles.

Breakfast is served until 12:30 p.m., but several items are available all day. Note: Only cash is accepted. howardstationcafe.com.

Furlong Gulch Beach, Bodega Bay After everyone has had their fill, travel 20 minutes up the twisty-turny Coleman Valley Road, which, on a clear day, will wow you with unbelievably breathtaking coastal vistas before delivering you to Highway One, where you’ll find several beach options. One of them is this spot, a cozy hidden cove with plenty of nooks and crannies for play protected from the wind and sun. To get to this unmarked gem, just turn onto Carlevaro Way, drive a block or two, and find the trailhead on the right. It’s a gentle 5–10 minute walk down to the beach. Note: There are no toilets here, but you can also access the beach via a 20-minute flat walk on the southern part of the Kortum Trail at Shell Beach, where there are pit toilets. parks.ca.gov.

July 2015

Fork Roadhouse, Sebastopol This place comes highly recommended for its super fresh, organic ingredients and beautifully presented dishes adorned with edible flowers. Sit outdoors by a creek while you chow down on the Kale and Mushroom Scramble, made with organic eggs, and treat the kids to bread pudding French toast drizzled with organic maple syrup. forkcatering.com.

Doran Regional Park, Bodega Bay When you’ve finished your mid-morning feast, head up Bodega Highway 20 minutes to Doran Beach.

Protected by Bodega Bay, this beach is relatively safe for swimming, but there are no lifeguards and the water is cold, so bring wetsuits. A boat launch accommodates up to 20-foot vessels while a rock jetty at the harbor’s mouth is perfect for fishing and crabbing. The two-mile beach welcomes long walks, kite flying, and sand castle construction. Flush toilets are available. The day-use fee is $7 per vehicle. parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov.

MendoLakeFamilyLife 9

12 Oldfashioned Summer Activities

Fun in the Sun

By Pam Molnar

S

ummer is the best time to be a kid. School is out, the weather is great, and each day promises a new adventure. At least that is how it used to be. Today, summer’s biggest rival is the computer screen. With

the return of warm weather, there is no need to bask in the artificial

light of a digital display. Instead, encourage your child to gather up the neighborhood kids and have some old-fashioned summer fun.

Drip, Drip, Drop Played like Duck, Duck, Goose, this is a fun game for a hot day. Instead of tapping each person as you say, “Duck,” drip a little water from a sponge onto her or him.

Each player has to duck from the drip of water. When you choose a player to “goose,” yell, “Drop!” and squeeze the sponge over her or his head before you start running.

Frisbee Tic-Tac-Toe Draw a tic-tac-toe board on the driveway 10 MendoLakeFamilyLife

with chalk or in the yard with spray paint. Gather four Frisbees for each player and try to get the Frisbees to land in the squares to win tic-tac-toe.

Water Gun Shooting Range Gather empty water and soda bottles, and set them up on a deck railing or table edge. Fill a water gun and try to knock them over. On windy days, fill each bottle with an inch of water. (Be drought smart and use gray water.)

Obstacle Course Dig out the Hula-Hoops, soccer cones, and jump ropes. Set up an obstacle course in the backyard, and let the races begin.

Nature Scavenger Hunt Whether you are in the backyard or a local forest preserve, help the kids make a list of items they can gather, such as a river rock, pinecone, acorn, and a robin’s egg shell. See who can gather everything on the list first.

Pillowcase Race It’s the same idea as a potato sack race, but it’s easier to find pillowcases. Kids slip pillowcases over their lower bodies, and then jump across the lawn to the finish line.

Sharks and Minnows Line up the players, called minnows, on one end of the yard. One kid is the shark and stands in the middle of the yard. The minnows try to cross to the other side

July 2015 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

of the yard without getting tagged and becoming sharks themselves. Play continues until all minnows have changed to sharks.

Watermelon Eating Contest Cut watermelon into half-moon pieces and set in front of each player on the table. Competitors try to eat the watermelon as fast as they can without using their hands.

Tug-of-war Find a long rope and a kiddy pool. Separate kids into two groups; each group takes an end of the rope and holds it over a water-filled kiddy pool. Shout “Go!” and see who makes the first splash.

Five Hundred One player stands at the end of the yard or street with a baseball bat and tennis ball. He v or she throws the ball up and hits it with the bat into the crowd. The other players try to catch it on a fly, for which they get 100 points. If they catch it with just one bounce, they get 50 points, or with two bounces, 25 points. Whoever scores 500 first is the winner.

Water Balloon Toss Stand in parallel lines and pass a water balloon back and forth without dropping it.

Change it up by putting one person with a bowl on her or his head in the middle of a circle of players. Players try to toss the balloon into the bowl.

Clothespin Tag Everyone clips a hinged clothespin to the back of her or his shirt. The person who is “it” tries to grab the clothespin as the other players run by. ¶ Pam Molnar is a freelance writer and mother of three. She has fond memories of summertime games with her neighbors and looks forward to watching her children make summer memories of their own.

www.mendolakefamilylife.com

EE T R F EN EV

at

Vacation Bible School

THE G REAT

ADVENTURE

MIDDLETOWN BIBLE CHURCH

July 27-31 9am-11am MonFri

Please Register: 707-987-2556

MiddletownBible.org

COMMON CORE | SMALL CLASSES | MAGNET SCHOOLS

Climbing to New Heights Medical Magnet School Visual & Performing Arts Magnet School Enrichment Programs Chess, Claymation TRANSITIONAL KINDERGARTEN & KINDERGARTEN ENROLLING NOW KONOCTI IS GROWING, COME JOIN OUR TEAM!

Certificated & Classified Job Openings Visit our website

New Event Center Wellness Center Chromebooks College Field Trips Hands-On Units Pathways for College & Career Technology Based Learning Units www.konoctiusd.org 707-994-6475

July 2015

MendoLakeFamilyLife 11

Yes Gain!

Protect Young Athletes from Injuries

By Malia Jacobson

S

ports injuries are sidelining more young athletes than ever before, a trend that concerns doctors, coaches, and parents. According to the STOP Sports Injury Campaign (stopsportsinjuries.org), two million sports injuries strike high school students each year. Doctors are seeing serious injuries in children as young as 5; kids under 14 account for 40 percent of sports-related injuries treated in hospitals.

Sports injuries can stop budding athletes in their tracks and reduce their ability to enjoy healthy exercise later in life, says Lyle J. Micheli, M.D., director of sports medicine at Boston Children’s Hospital and clinical professor of orthopedic surgery at Harvard Medical School.

Doctors point to several reasons for recent increases in injury rates: greater recognition of some types of injury (like concussion); year-round training for athletes; and more intense training at younger ages. “Young kids—11, 12 years old—are swimming thousands of yards a day,” says Dr. Micheli. “A decade ago, we wouldn’t see that type of training intensity until college.”

Fear of injury shouldn’t stop kids from participating in sports. Organized 12 MendoLakeFamilyLife

sports boost fitness and teach important skills like cooperation, perseverance, and team building. Help ensure that your budding athlete stays

Childhood sports set the stage for a lifetime of healthy, active living. on the field and out of the emergency room with the right safety measures.

Focus on fun. Enjoyment is the key to safe sportsmanship, says Dr. Micheli, so make sure kids truly want to participate. Those who play to please parents, friends, or coaches, instead of themselves, may be less likely to take a break if they’re in pain or fatigued.

Watch for signs of burnout, including irritability, trouble sleeping, changes in appetite, and difficulties at school.

These symptoms can indicate that a child is working too hard and needs a change of pace.

Take a break. Young athletes who train year-round are more prone to injury, says Marci Goolsby, M.D., assistant attending physician at New York’s Hospital for Special Surgery in the Women’s Sports Medicine Center.

Adequate downtime between seasons allows tissues to rest and repair. She recommends a minimum of two weeks off; a full month is ideal.

Watch for signs. Early detection and treatment of an injury are important to recovery, says Dr. Micheli, so parents should be aware

July 2015 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

of the signs of injury and act quickly.

Any pain that doesn’t disappear within a day or two should be evaluated by a doctor.

Signs of concussion are especially important to recognize because they can be subtle and are sometimes masked by other symptoms. This type of brain injury can cause confusion, headaches, ringing in the ears, nausea, and lack of responsiveness.

Enjoyment is the key to safe sportsmanship, so make sure kids truly want to participate.

Concussions sometimes go unrecognized for weeks, says Dr. Micheli. If you suspect one, see a doctor immediately.

Screen for safety. Many sports programs are encouraging athletes to take part in pre-injury screening that helps identify brain injuries and rate their severity. The most widely used is the ImPACT test (Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing), developed in the early 1990s by Dr. Mark Lovell and Dr. Joseph Maroon.

When the test is taken before an injury, it provides a baseline for evaluating cognitive performance. After a concussion, the athlete’s recovery can be tracked so she or he doesn’t return to sports prematurely.

Build muscle. Strength training and conditioning can help a child ward off injury. Dr. Micheli and Dr. Goolsby both recommend age-appropriate weight lifting under proper supervision. Stronger muscles www.mendolakefamilylife.com

provide greater stability and balance for jumping, landing, turning, throwing, and other strenuous moves.

Grow caution. According to Dr. Micheli, kids are especially vulnerable to injury during growth spurts. If your child is growing (sudden increases in appetite and sleep needs are signs of a growth spurt), take extra safety precautions.

Protect practice. Safety procedures for games and meets should be upheld at practice, too. Over 60 percent of sports-related injuries happen during practice, where safety standards are often more relaxed.

Make practice safer by insisting on protective gear, rest, hydration, and other safety measures.

See superior supervision.

Sports medicine experts agree that parents should be aware of the level and quality of adult supervision

for their children’s sports teams.

Credentialing and experience for coaches varies widely, particularly in community sports programs.

School-sanctioned sports programs benefit from access to athletic trainers and conditioning facilities, while community-based sports programs often don’t.

Serious sports injuries are tragic, says Dr. Micheli, because sports can and should be fun for kids. Childhood sports set the stage for a lifetime of healthy, active living. With the right safety precautions, sports-loving kids can stay safe and keep running, pitching, throwing, jumping, and cheering for years to come. ¶ Malia Jacobson is an award-winning health and parenting journalist and mom of three. Her latest book is Sleep Tight, Every Night: Helping Toddlers and Preschoolers Sleep Well Without Tears, Tricks, or Tirades.

Sports Safety for Girls

G

rowing evidence points to the need for special safety precautions for female athletes, particularly those participating in high-intensity contact sports like basketball and soccer. “There’s good evidence that girls have two to three times the risk of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries and a greater risk of knee injuries in general,” says Dr. Micheli.

Dr. Goolsby played high school and collegiate basketball without a traumatic knee or ACL injury, something she attributes to conditioning and strength training. She advises girls to lift weights for strength, balance, and injury protection. As with all athletes and all sports, proper technique, experienced coaching, and skilled supervision are critical to safety.

Nutrition is particularly important to pre-teen and teenage girls who play sports. A girl who has reached puberty but isn’t getting a period may have an energy imbalance; she needs to take in more calories to make up for energy spent during practice and games.

Added calories should be nutrient-dense. Chips and soda don’t cut it, says Dr. Goolsby. If girl athletes don’t get enough calcium, their risk of stress fractures increases, so aim for 800 milligrams of calcium per day for kids ages 4–8 and 1300 milligrams per day for ages 9–18. —M.J.

July 2015

MendoLakeFamilyLife 13

The Tiniest Learner 9 Ways to Get Kids Excited about Preschool

By Denise Yearian

P

reschool is a wonderful time of growth in young children’s lives—a time to broaden their horizons, develop social skills, and ignite a love for learning. To help your children adjust to the new environment and ease into a routine, consider these ten tips.

1

Talk it up. Weeks before preschool begins, prepare your children by using positive and encouraging words. If you drive by the building where they will be attending school, say, “Oh, look! There’s your new school. You are going to have so much fun there!” Tell your children that they are growing up and this means that they get to spend more time learning and playing with other children their age. If you, as a parent, have any reservations, choose your words carefully. Even from a young age, children can pick up on what their parents are and are not saying!

14 MendoLakeFamilyLife

2

Stop by to visit. Several weeks before school begins, take your children to the facility so that they can familiarize themselves with their new surroundings. Go as many times as your children need to feel comfortable. If you know which classroom they will be in, stop by for a visit. If possible, let them meet the teacher and play with some of the toys or hang out at the playground.

3

Invite others to play. If, for some reason, your children have had little interaction with their peers, invite several kids their age over to your house to play. It doesn’t have to

be a daylong event; one or two hours is a sufficient amount of time for children to begin learning skills such as sharing and politeness. Schedule this time when the children are the most likely to be well-rested—early morning or after naptime. Plan a few activities, but allow plenty of time for free play.

4

Introduce school materials. Long before formal education begins, your children should become familiar with books, puzzles, games, crayons, scissors, glue, and clay. To ease into a structured environment, set aside time each day for you and your children to work on puzzles together; play games; color; cut and glue various items; and mold things out of clay. Start with just a few minutes each day and gradually increase the amount of time you spend doing it. While you are participating in

July 2015 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

an activity together, tell your children that this is just one of many fun things that they will be doing in preschool.

Be alert for signs that they are getting bored with a given activity, and stop before they get too restless.

5

Read all about it. One of the best ways to prepare your children for preschool is to read about first-day jitters. Library shelves and bookstores are stacked high with stories of children and animals that were afraid to go to school. Through books like these, your children will learn that they aren’t the only ones with worries and apprehensions about attending school.

6

Establish a routine. If your children don’t already have a daily routine, create one for them.

While it need not be as rigid as a day of preschool, structured play time in

the morning (see number 4), story time after lunch, and outdoor play at the same time every day will help your children establish a routine.

Consistency is key.

7

Go shopping. Nothing builds excitement more quickly than taking your children out to buy a new lunchbox, backpack, school clothes, or other needed school items. Make a day of it by first stopping by the school, shopping a little, and then enjoying a fun lunch together.

8

Take a dry run. The day before school begins, get your children up and out the door at the time that they will need to be ready for school. If they are attending a morning program, take them for a fun breakfast after they have made the dry run. If they are attending an afternoon program, stop by for a

special ice cream cone to celebrate their upcoming day.

9

Watch and wait (if necessary). On the first day, if your children eagerly welcome their new environment, give each of them a hug, and tell them you will be back in a little while. If, however, they seem uncertain, tell them you will stay, but only for a few minutes.

During this time, help them get settled. When the time limit is up, give each of them a hug, reassure them of your love, and leave quickly.

Although there may be tears, your children will more than likely stop crying and start enjoying themselves soon after you leave.

Denise Yearian is the former editor of two parenting magazines and the mother of three children and four grandchildren.

Give Start!

GiveYour Your Child Child a Head Head Start!

Free & Low-Cost Quality Quality Preschool!

Free & Low-Cost Preschool!

AlsoAlso providing FREE FREE in-home servicesservices for providing in-home infants, toddlers toddlers & pregnant& women! for infants, pregnant women!

Head Start Child Development Program License #230111843 Applicationsonline: online:www.ncoinc.org www.ncoinc.org••(707) (707)462-2582 462-2582 Applications www.mendolakefamilylife.com

July 2015

• Ukiah

C E NN TT EE RR SS

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

•North Ukiah Ukiah - Bush St.

North Ukiah - Bush St.

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

• Willits

•Near Willits Brookside School at

Near Brookside School at

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

• Lake County

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

Upper Lake - Clover Valley Upper Lake - Clover Valley Lakeport Lakeport- -Howard Howard Ave. Ave. Clearlake Pearl Clearlake - Pearl Ave. Ave. Clearlake Dr. Clearlake--Meadowbrook Meadowbrook Dr.

••Coast Coast

Fort St. FortBragg Bragg-- Lincoln Lincoln St. MendoLakeFamilyLife 15

Stop the Squabbles

How to Help Siblings Get Along

Spending extra one-on-one time with a jealous toddler can help reassure him or her and soothe feelings of jealousy. “Allow the child to warm up to the sibling on his or her own time, and don’t force interactions,” Clark-Trippodo says. Help prep a tot for a smooth sibling bond by reading books together, including My New Baby by Rachel Fuller (Child’s Play International, 2009), I’m a Big Brother

by Joanna Cole (HarperFestival, 2010), or There Is Going to Be a Baby by John Burningham and Helen Oxenbury (Candlewick, 2014). Parents can pick out a special big brother or sister gift from the new baby to the older sibling and present the gift when the new baby comes home from the hospital.

ELEMENTARY YEARS (Ages 6–12)

By Malia Jacobson

I

f you have more than one child living under your roof, chances are that you’ve dealt with sibling rivalry, along with shrieks of “It’s not fair!” or “But he did it first!” Because eight out of ten U.S. children have one or more sibs, rivalry can be a daily struggle for millions of American parents. But sibling tensions don’t have to rule your home. Read on for age-by-age strategies on smoothing sibling squabbles.

16 MendoLakeFamilyLife

TODDLER/PRESCHOOL (Ages 2–5) Toddlers are often blissfully oblivious to sibling tensions—until a new baby arrives on the scene. Even a toddler who shows excitement and tenderness toward a new sibling can display a sudden, uncharacteristic jealous streak, says family therapist Josie Clark-Trippodo, L.P.C. “Behavioral signs of jealousy could include regression, clinginess, tantrums, and aggression towards the new baby, parents, or pets,” she says. Jealousy can be stealthy and appear seemingly out of the blue, which is one reason to never leave a new baby alone with a toddler sibling, notes Clark-Trippodo.

Parents of school-agers can accidentally fuel sibling feuds by pitting siblings against one another.

It’s easy to do. Phrases like “Hey, let’s see who can finish their chores fastest,” or “First person to clean her plate gets first pick of the Popsicles” seem like easy ways to motivate and reward kids, but these tactics can backfire, says licensed counselor Debbie Pincus, M.S., creator of The Calm Parent program. Avoid creating a competitive atmosphere with “races,” and instead use individual rewards to encourage positive behaviors. “Try something like ‘When you get your room clean, I will give you some time with the iPad.’ Have them compete with themselves, rather than each other,” Pincus says.

Beware comparisons and labels, too; simple statements like, “Josh gets ready so quickly in the morning, why can’t you?” or “She’s the athletic one!” can feed resentment and spark rivalry,

July 2015 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

particularly if a sibling already feels sensitive about her or his performance in that area. Recognize each child’s traits apart from siblings’ to help each child shine in her or his own right.

TEEN YEARS (Ages 13–18) Bickering between teen siblings can be intense, but sibling rivalry isn’t always negative, Pincus notes. “If parents can stay out of the middle, rivalry can be positive, helping kids learn about problem solving, empathy, and self-regulation, and helping them to recognize and strive toward qualities they admire in a brother or sister.” If a teen envies a sibling’s possessions, grades, social

BECOME A CERTIFIED MEDICAL ASSISTANT FALL 2015 CLASSES STARTING SOON

LAKE COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION TO TEACH. TO SERVE. TO LEARN.

Lake County Office of Education Career & College Readiness Department

**NEW LOCATION**

1510 Argonaut Rd, Lakeport, CA 95453 Questions: Please contact (707) 263-8918 ext 285 ncromwell@lakecoe.org

Love Working with Kids?

WORK AT HOME • CHOOSE YOUR OWN HOURS • WORK WITH CHILDREN Own Your Own Business

Spending extra one-on-one time with a jealous toddler can help reassure him or her. life, or bank balance, ask him or her to think about the personality traits and behaviors that helped the envied sibling get where he or she is, and work together to outline a few steps to help the jealous sib achieve something similar—then step back and let the teen independently carry out the steps to promote personal growth without sparking competition. When each sibling feels valued and heard, and nobody has to compete for a parent’s favor, kids will naturally respect their siblings. ¶ Malia Jacobson is an award-winning health and parenting journalist and mom of three. Her latest book is Sleep Tight, Every Night: Helping Toddlers and Preschoolers Sleep Well Without Tears, Tricks, or Tirades.

www.mendolakefamilylife.com

• Free Training and other great incentives for attending fun workshops.

• Child Care Assistance for lowincome eligible families.

• Free Child Care Referrals.

1-800-606-5550 ext. 211

Windshields

$

Starting at

99

Rural Communities Child Care

Price Less Auto Glass

Our mobile unit comes to you

plus installation

Chip Repair

$

39

95

July 2015

707-463-1638

2350 North State St. Ukiah Same location as Warranty Motors

MendoLakeFamilyLife 17

They may never ask how you always know… all the coolest things to do & places to go.

But they’ll always remember the fun! And you don’t have to reveal the source of your superpowers. Get weekly email updates from the editors at Mendo Lake Family Life with all the latest LOCAL family-fun events, ideas, and outings. On your phone, tablet, or desktop…

visit

Mendo Lake Family Life.com join our

Funblast Email Updates

Expect the Unexpected

Your Summer Automobile Checklist

I

f you are like many families, you’ve made big travel plans for the summer. Before you hit the road, make sure your car is in tip-top shape. Here are some key components to check before you leave.

1. Are the rear view and side view mirrors functional and in the appropriate positions?

8. Do headlights provide enough illumination?

2. Do safety belts in both the front and back seats work?

10. Do brakes function without squeaking?

3. Are the air bags functioning?

11. Does the emergency brake work?

4. Do the windshield wipers work?

Is there enough wiper fluid?

12. Is the muffler functional?

5. Are oil and coolant levels adequate?

6. Does the horn sound?

7. Do turn signals function?

www.mendolakefamilylife.com

9. Do taillights work? Brake lights?

13. Does the windshield have any cracks that affect visibility?

14. Do seats stay locked in place?

15. Does the car contain a serviced fire extinguisher?

July 2015

• High-protein food and extra water—one gallon for every person and every day of travel.

• A first aid kit, flashlight, and small battery-operated radio.

• An emergency contacts card that includes names and phone numbers.

• Extra prescription medications.

In addition, be sure someone knows the details of your trip: your destination, route, and when you are expected to arrive. Find out about the weather for the area you are visiting.

Prepare for rainstorms, heavy winds, heat waves, or any other kind of problematic conditions that may visit the area. And finally, don’t let your fuel tank get too low.

MendoLakeFamilyLife 19

Source for “A Safe Ride”: tdi.texas.gov/pubs/videoresource/cklvehicle.pdfv

A Safe Ride

Make sure that you are prepared if a storm or other emergency hits.

The American Red Cross suggests packing a Disaster Supplies Kit so that your family is safe no matter what.

See redcross.org/prepare/ location/home-family/get-kit fo find out what your kit should include. Also make sure to pack the following:

Cooking with Kids

To Churn with Love Make Your Own Ice Cream

By John Corippo

H

ave a house full of hot, complaining kids? Homemade ice cream offers sweet relief. Everyone should have an ice cream machine.

During summer, it becomes a magic cauldron that enchants kids by transforming a few ingredients into an icy delight. As you make this recipe, have fun telling your little helpers that the berries need to be heated to release their special joo joo—and blueberries do indeed contain lots of powerful antioxidants, whether you heat them or not. They also lend an appealing royal purple hue to your creamy concoction. Wait for a little churning and freezing, and ta-da! —you’ll have conjured up a dessert so delicious it’ll disappear before you can say Abracadabra!

Blueberry Ice Cream Ingredients

Directions In a large saucepan, combine blueberries, sugar, and water. Bring to a boil.

• 4 cups blueberries, fresh or frozen

Reduce heat and simmer until sugar is dissolved and blueberries are soft.

• 2 cups sugar

Strain mixture and discard skins and seeds.

• 2 tablespoons water

Stir in half-and-half, then cover and refrigerate for at least two hours.

• 4 cups half-and-half • Plenty of ice and rock salt

Fill the ice cream machine’s freezer cylinder 2/3 full. Pour 2 inches of ice around the bucket and then 1/4 cup of rock salt on top of the ice. Repeat until ice and salt reach the top lip of the bucket.

Churn and freeze according to your machine’s directions.

Allow ice cream to firm up in the freezer for 2–4 hours before serving.

John Corippo lives in Ukiah, where he is a husband and father of two sons as well as a fire captain, paramedic, hazmat specialist, journalist, college instructor, avid sports fan, and stand-up paddleboard representative.

20 MendoLakeFamilyLife

July 2015 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Kids Craft

Patriotic Play

3 Decorative Crafts

By Denise Morrison Yearian

S

ummer is a time when stars and stripes abound!

Here are a few Fourth of July crafts and activities that double as decorations.

FIRECRACKER MURALS Items needed: Sidewalk chalk; sidewalk or driveway Give your little “firecrackers” their own sidewalk square and chalk and let them design superstar patriotic scenes. You can even turn it into a competition. Just make sure each child receives a prize.

PATRIOTIC PLANTERS Items needed: red, white, and blue nontoxic acrylic paint; terra-cotta planter; www.mendolakefamilylife.com

paintbrushes; pencil; ruler; small, white star stickers; potting soil; plant; small American flag Paint the top rim of the planter blue and the lower portion white. Let dry. Give both colors a second coat of paint, then let dry again. On the lower, white portion, use a pencil and ruler to draw vertical lines that are evenly spaced apart. Paint a red stripe between every other line so it looks like an American flag. On the upper, blue rim attach white star stickers over the blue paint. Fill the planter with potting soil, add a plant, and push a small American flag into the soil.

“THREE CHEERS FOR THE…” TABLECLOTH Items needed: Red and blue crêpe paper streamers; two bowls; July 2015

lukewarm water; pen; various sizes of star stencils; flat sponges; scissors; heavy-duty white paper tablecloth Cut red and blue crêpe paper into small pieces and place each color in its own bowl. Add just enough lukewarm water to each bowl to cover the paper. Let it stand for a few minutes to tint the water. Pull out the wet paper and discard.

Using a pen and the star stencils, trace over flat sponges to create differently sized stars. Cut them out. One by one, dip the sponges in colored water (they will expand), and then press randomly on the tablecloth until it is studded with stars. Let dry, then use for your next patriotic picnic. ¶ Denise Morrison Yearian is the former editor of two parenting magazines and the mother of three children and four grandchildren.

MendoLakeFamilyLife 21

July

Calendar of Events

Feast on Multicultural Music

C

ome celebrate the diverse cultural history of Mendocino County at the Fort Ross Festival, July 25, 10 a.m.–6:30 p.m., at Fort Ross State Historic Park. Learn about the Kashia, Russian, Alaskan Native, and California ranch-era people who have lived in Fort Ross over the centuries. Watch historical vignettes, militia cannon firings, and music and dance performances from numerous cultures, including the Horn Orchestra of Russia. Take the kids on a horse and buggy ride, and then head over to the international food bazaar, complete with a beer garden for the grown-ups, for some grub. The cost is $20 per car, which includes an $8 parking fee. To find out more, see fortross.org/events.htm. ¶

Wednesday 1 FREE Redbud Readers. Book

discussion club for children ages 8–12. 14785 Burns Valley Rd., Clearlake. Wednesday. 4–5 p.m.

Runs thru Aug. 5. 994-5115. library. co.lake.ca.us.

FREE All-ages Summer Reading Program. Registration is recommended but not necessary.

Wednesdays: Kids’ and Family Events.

11 a.m.–noon. Thursdays: WII-U Gaming. 3:30–5:30 p.m. Fridays: Teen Snack & Yak. 3:30 p.m. Ukiah Library.

105 N. Main St., Ukiah. 463-4490. co.mendocino.ca.us/library.

produced crafts of all sorts. Enjoy live music & great food. Willits City Park.

Commercial St., Willits. Thursdays.

3–6 p.m. Like us on Facebook. facebook.com/groups/willitsfan.

Flynn Creek Circus Extravaganza. A

Thursday 2 FREE Willits Farmers Market. A weekly community gathering featuring tons of produce, a wide selection of meat, cheese, eggs, honey & locally

rurally based, award-winning circus bringing international talent to the North Bay. $12–$22. July 2 & 3: 7 p.m.

July 4: 3 p.m., 4:15 p.m. & 5:30 p.m.

July 5: 1:30 p.m. & 4 p.m. Doors open

YES You Can! Look & Feel GOOD Medically Supervised Weight Loss For You, your Health, your LIFE!

GOT LICE?

TREAT TODAY… GONE TODAY! • Unique system for lice removal.

• 100% guaranteed on 1st visit.

• Certified operators. • FDA cleared.

415-328-1350 • www.lcanorthbay.com 159 Lynch Creek Way • Petaluma

22 MendoLakeFamilyLife

Weight No More $20 OFF Your First Visit NEW PATIENTS SEEN AT 1:00 PM

Ukiah: 462-0464 750 South Dora St. Thur. 11:30-5:30

Lakeport: 263-1979 751 11th St. Fri. 11:30-5:30

www.weightnomoremedical.com • Se habla español

Caring, Personalized Treatment Plan July 2015 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

1 hr. before show. Friendship Park. 998 School St., Mendocino. 510-381-4004. flynncreekcircus.com.

Friday 3 Point Arena Historic Independence Celebration Fireworks. Street fair with

live bands, crafts, activities & food & drink. Parking is limited. Shuttle bus available. No alcohol or pets allowed. $5 donation. 4–11 p.m. Arena Cove, Point Arena. pointarena.net.

FREE Moonlight Movie Madness.

Grab your blankets & low back chairs & enjoy movies on the big screen under the stars! July 3: Into the Woods.

July 17: The Hunger Games: Mocking Jay, Part I. July 31: Big Hero 6. Fridays.

8:45 p.m. Alex R. Thomas Plaza. 310 State St., Ukiah. cityofukiah.com.

KXBX Concerts in the Park. 6–9 p.m.

Library Park. 225 Park St., Lakeport. kxbx-fm.tritondigitalmedia.com.

FREE Automobilia. A unique exhibit

of automotive-themed art. Wall art, sculpture, photography, die cast car collections, scale model cars. Opening reception 5–7 p.m. Exhibit up thru Aug. 2. Gualala Arts Center. 46501 Old State Hwy., Gualala.

Saturday 4 FREE Clearlake International Worm Races, Parade & Fireworks.

Parade 11 a.m. Festivities until 9 p.m.

Fireworks 9:30 p.m. Austin Park.

Clearlake. lakecochamber.com.

FREE Cardboard Duct Tape Race.

Races for ages 18 & up, 13–17 & 12 & under. All boats have to be made of solely cardboard & duct tape. 10 a.m.–noon. Library Park. 222 Park St., Lakeport. www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Pyrotechnic Pizzazz

Top Spots to Celebrate the Fourth

Events are free, unless otherwise stated.

Lake County July 3 Clearlake Oaks: Maxine Sherman Memorial Fireworks Display. Dusk.

Fireworks are launched from Clearlake Oaks Beach Park. The best views are from boats anchored east of Rattlesnake Island. If you don’t have access to a boat, the next best viewing area is from Clarks Island. clearlakeoaks.org/fireworks.

July 4 Clearlake: International Worm Races, Parade & Fireworks. Parade at 11 a.m. followed by festivities, including the International Worm Races. Fireworks at 9:30 p.m. All events held in Austin Park. lakecochamber.com.

Lakeport: Fourth of July Celebration. Arts and crafts fair with food vendors: 10 a.m.–10 p.m. Fireworks at 9:15 p.m. Library Park. lakeportmainstreet.com.

Lakeport: Cardboard Duct Tape Race. Races for ages 18 & up, 13–17, and 12 & under. All boats have to be made of solely cardboard and duct tape. 10 a.m.– noon. Library Park. lakecochamber.com.

July 5 Hidden Valley Lake: Hidden Valley Lake Association fireworks at 9:30 p.m.

Mendocino County July 3 Point Arena: Historic Independence Celebration Fireworks. Street fair with live bands, crafts, activities, and food and drink. Parking is limited.

Shuttle bus available. No alcohol or pets allowed. $5 donation. 4–11 p.m.

Arena Cove. pointarena.net.

July 4 Fort Bragg: World’s Largest Salmon BBQ. Live music. Free admission, but $30 for barbecue. 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Noyo Harbor. salmonrestoration.com/ world_largest_b_3.html.

Mendocino: Fourth of July Parade. Floats, dogs, horses, art cars, music, and much more. Noon–1 p.m. Main and Lansing Streets. visitmendocino.com.

July 2015

MendoLakeFamilyLife 23

Proud Sponsor of the Humane Society adopt-a-pet discount

Blue Ribbon Pets Like our Facebook Page for Special Discounts

(707) 485-8454 www.brpets.com

Humane Society FOR INLAND MENDOCINO COUNTY

PETS OF THE MONTH COME MEET US TODAY!

FREE Point Arena Independence

FREE 4th of July Celebration. Arts

Day Parade. Noon. Main St., Point Arena. pointarena.net.

& crafts fair with food vendors.

Help us celebrate our nation’s birthday! 10 a.m.–10 p.m. Fireworks start at 9:15 p.m. Library Park.

225 Park St., Lakeport. 263-9000. lakeportmainstreet.com.

FREE 4th of July Parade–Willits Frontier Days. 11

a.m. Downtown Willits. willitsfrontierdays.com.

FREE Farmers Market in Ukiah.

Fresh local fruits, vegetables, meats, seafood, cheese, honey, oil, eggs, flowers, crafts, live music & more.

Saturdays. 9 a.m.–noon. Alex R. Thomas Plaza. 310 State St., Ukiah. mcfarm.org.

FREE All American Picnic in the Park. Games, arts & crafts, bouncy houses, swimming, petting zoo.

1–4 p.m. Todd Grove Park. 600 Live Oak Ave., Ukiah. 463-6231. cityofukiah.com.

FREE 4th of July Parade– Mendocino. Floats,

dogs, horses, art cars, music & much more. Noon–1 p.m. Main & Lansing Streets, Mendocino. visitmendocino.com.

World’s Largest Salmon BBQ.

Live music. Free admission. $30 BBQ. 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Noyo Harbor.

1910 S. Harbor Dr., Fort Bragg. salmonrestoration.com/world_ largest_b_3.html.

Sonoma County Airport Easley

Easley is a five year old who craves attention and will follow you around the room to get it. You will never tire of her crazy antics either.

She gets along with other cats and possibly dogs.

Bebe

Bebe is outgoing and will come up to meet anyone.

This guy is a lap cat and a handsome one at that.

With his bright blue eyes, he will make you fall in love and take him home.

home?

Space in your

Travel on Nonstop Flights to/from Los Angeles; Portland; San Diego; Seattle

Experience Flight Training Aircraft; Helicopters

Discover Scenic Tours

Miracle

Rosie

9700 Uva Dr. Redwood Valley

(707) 485-0123

www.mendohumanesociety.com

24 MendoLakeFamilyLife

heart?

Room in your

Become a foster or adoptive parent and help change the life of a child (707) 463-1100

www.tlc4kids.org

TS

Rosie is a brindle boxer mix with loads of personality and energy. She’s about three years old and loves to play tug-of-war. She knows basic commands and is leash trained. Her previous home had cats.

©P N

This dog will make you laugh! She’s a clown and is in constant motion.

Her desire to please is obvious, and she is so sweet. She is three years old and good with dogs, cats, and children.

Aircraft; Helicopters; Balloons; Historic Aircraft

www.sonomacountyairport.org 707.565.7240 Follow STS on

Working with children since 1975

July 2015 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Sunday 5 Redwood Valley Farmers Market.

Live music, fresh coffee, prepared food & fruits & vegetables.

Bring the kids to enjoy the new playground & baseball field. Lions Club Park. 8920 East Rd., Redwood Valley. Sundays. 9 a.m.–noon. Runs thru Oct 31. mcfarm.org.

Tuesday 7 FREE Mother-Wise Lakeport Playgroup. Come

meet other pregnant women & mothers with babies who are dealing with the same issues, sorting through some of the same challenges & experiencing the same joys that come along with new parenthood.

St. John’s Lutheran Church. 14310 Memory Ln., Clearlake. (No religious affiliation.) Tuesdays.

1–3 p.m. Fridays. 10 a.m.–noon.

245-4335. mother-wise.org.

Taco Night. $2.

Tuesdays. 5–7 p.m. Clearlake Oaks Moose Lodge. Hwys. 20 & 35. 998-3740. mooselodgedodge2284.org.

Wednesday 8 Wimpy Burger & Karaoke Night.

5–8 p.m. $7 for burgers. Karaoke free. Clearlake Oaks Moose Lodge. Hwys. 20 & 35. 998-3740. mooselodgedodge2284.org.

Lower Lake Historic Schoolhouse Museum. Explore

a structure built in 1877 that made it through the 1906 earthquake & was used as a school until 1935. See pioneer artifacts, rock & mineral displays, a restored schoolroom, Victorian parlor & restored library. Wed.–Sat.

11 a.m.–4 p.m. 16435 Main St., Lower Lake. 995-3565.

Friday 10 FREE Drop-in Tours. For all ages.

See numerous marine aquarium displays with colorful local fish &

2015

Passes good June 1 thru Aug. 31, 2015

SUMMER YOUTH PASS $45all summer County-wide

Unlimited rides to summer school...

Shopping...to the Coast...Meet your Friends!

Youth Summer Pass for students 18 years & younger.

Pass good all summer long on all MTA fixed routes. $5.00 and a Youth Summer Pass will get you to and from Santa Rosa on MTA’s North Coast and South Coast Buses!

For more information: www.mendocinotransit.org or call 800-696-4MTA / 462-1422 Tickets: Mendocino Transit Authority, 241 Plant Road , Ukiah CA 95482 Available on board an MTA bus or at the MTA office in Ukiah or Fort Bragg. This pass not valid on MTA Dial-A-Ride.

Lake County Rockhounds Club.

Educational programs for lovers of gemology, mineralogy, lapidary, rocks & fossils. First Wednesday of the month. 5–7 p.m. Redbud Library.

14785 Burns Valley Rd., Clearlake. library.co.lake.ca.us. www.mendolakefamilylife.com

wheel deal!

July 2015

MendoLakeFamilyLife 25

marine creatures. Every Friday (except holidays). 2–4 p.m. Donations accepted. Bodega Marine Laboratory.

2099 Westside Rd., Bodega Bay. 875-2211. bml.ucdavis.edu.

FREE Postpartum Support Group.

Meet with other new moms to share stories, meet new friends, get the help you need. Fridays. 10:30 a.m.–noon. Mendocino Baby. 198 S. School St., Ukiah. 371-MAMA. 86th Annual Lake County Rodeo.

Barrel racing, team roping, calf roping, steer roping, bareback riding, bull riding. No pets, ice chests, or alcohol. Thru July 11. 6 p.m. both days. Free parking. July 10 prices: Adults $9. Seniors (60+) $6. Kids (ages 7–12) $4. July 11 prices: Adults $13. Seniors $10. Kids

$6. Both days: Children under 12 admitted free when accompanied by a paying adult. Dance on July 11 at 9 p.m. is $6 after 8:45 p.m. Lake County Fairgrounds. 401 Martin St., Lakeport. lakecountyrodeo. sharepoint.com/pages/default.aspx.

FREE Bodega Marine Laboratory Tours. Explore

the dynamic biodiversity of the Northern California coast. Closed July 3.

Fridays. 2–4 p.m. 2099 Westside Rd., Bodega Bay. bml.ucdavis.edu.

Saturday 11

Rodeo Parade. 11 a.m. Begins at the baseball fields at the Lake County Fairgrounds. 401 Martin St., Lakeport. lakecountyrodeo. sharepoint.com/pages/default.aspx.

Summer Writing Workshop. For

students grades 6–12. Saturdays. 10 a.m.–noon. Lakeport Library. 1425 N. High St., Lakeport. 263-8817. library.lakecountyca.gov.

Barbecue. Benefits the Redwood Coast Recreation Center & Aquatic Complex.

Pie bake-off, bike races, horseshoe tourney & carnival with face-painting, bouncy houses & DJ & live music.

Sunday, July 19th Mendocino Ballet T 5pm to 8pm Mendocino Balle SILEN

Mendocino Ballet Mendocino Ballet

at the Ukiah Playhouse ON! I T C U A Dance Classes 1041 Low Gap Rd

Dance Classes

Ballet classes for ages 3-Adult Ballet classes for ages 3-Adult Tap/Ballet class Tap/Ballet class for ages for ages 4-74-7 Tap classes for ages 7-Adult Ballet classes for ages 3-Adult Tap classes for ages 7-Adult Jazz/Contemporary classes Tap/Ballet class for ages 4-7 Jazz/Contemporary Special intensive classes in classes

Tapforclasses ages August our Art offor Classical

FREE 86th Annual Lake County

FREE 15th Annual Rec Rally &

FREE Ukiah Bicycle Kitchen. A friendly, local bicycle cooperative.

Volunteers show patrons how to maintain & repair their bicycles. No one turned away for lack of funds.

Dance Classes Dance Classes Dance Classes

Saturdays. 10:30 a.m.–1 p.m. Alex R. Thomas Plaza. 310 State St., Ukiah. visitukiah.com.

Ballet classes for ages 3-Adult Tap/Ballet class for ages 4-7 Tap classes for ages 7-Adult Ballet

classes for ag

Jazz/Contemporary classes Gobs of GTap/Ballet reat kids class for activclasses Special intensive ities in included in ckeTap classes for age t pric August for our Art oftiClassical e

7-Adult

with Special intensive classes CHIP’D PAINTBallet program Jazz/Contemporar Ballet program Jazz/Contemporary and the Sweet classes in August for Potato Sisters Magruder burgers, our Art of Classical Special intensive classes in Special intensive c grilled veggies, desserts Ballet program wine, and Beer For more information call our office at 463-2290 or For more information call our office at 463-2290 or August for our Art of Classical email at balletoffice@sbcglobal.net August for our Art o email at balletoffice@sbcglobal.net

For more information callFacebook, our office at 463-2290 Follow us on or Twitter email at balletoffice@sbcglobal.net and Instagram!Ballet program Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!

www.mendocinoballet.org www.mendocinoballet.org

“Where Dance Come “WhereDreams Dreams toto Dance Come True!”True!”

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!

Ballet progra

(2 Adults + 2 Kids)

Tickets on sale now at the www.mendocinoballet.org UPT Lobby and Box Office!

“Where Dreams to Dance Come True!”

For more information call our office at 463-2290 or For more information call our office at 46326 MendoLakeFamilyLife July 2015 www.mendolakefamilylife.com email at balletoffice@sbcglobal.net email at balletoffice@sbcglobal.net Follow us on Facebook, Follow us on Facebook,

Mendocino Ballet

Mendocino Ballet

No dogs or outside coolers. Free admission. 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Redwood Coast & Recreation Center property.

38381 Ocean Ridge Dr., Gualala. redwoodcoastrecreationcenter.com.

FREE 3rd Annual Museum Quilt Show. Quilts

& smaller items will be available along with locally photographed greeting cards.

Run thru Aug. 2. 11 a.m.–4 p.m.

Little River Improvement Club & Museum. 8185 N. Hwy. 1, Little River. mendonoma.com.

Mendocino Music Festival. Evening

& afternoon concerts include orchestra, Big Band, a piano series, chamber music ensembles, dance, blues, jazz, world, folk, bluegrass & popular contemporary music.

Runs thru July 25. Mendocino

Music Festival. Various venues in Mendocino. Visit website for schedule & tickets. mendocinomusic.org.

Sunday 12 FREE 24th Annual Ukiah Sundays in the Park Concert Series. The

Suffers. Classic American soul & RB. Sundays. 6 p.m. Runs thru Aug 23. Todd Grove Park. 600 Live Oak Ave., Ukiah. 463.6231.

28th Annual Gualala Lions Club Sandcastle Contest. Build sandcastles

on the beach, enjoy hot dogs, sodas & cookies. $5 donation per team. Beach day-use fee waived for participants.

Limited parking. Noon–2 p.m. Anchor Bay Beach. 35400 Hwy. 1, Gualala. mendonoma.com.

MEDI-CAL PATIENTS WELCOME!

Saturday 18 FREE “Know Lake County.” Lecture

series exploring many facets of Lake County. Topic: Taylor Observatory & Norton Planetarium. 2 p.m. 1425 N. High St., Lakeport. 263-8817. co.lake.ca.us.

FREE Hot Car & Boat Show.

Proceeds benefit the Lake County Theater Company. Cars, boats, music. 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Konocti Vista Casino. 2755 Mission Rancheria Rd., Lakeport. 262-1900. kvcasino.com.

FREE 7th Annual Gualala Arts Auto Show. Old

cars & rare & unusual contemporary automobiles.10 a.m.–4 p.m. Gualala Arts Center.

46501 Old State Hwy., Gualala.

Parking $5. 884-1138. gualalaarts.org.

Mendocino county’s original circus

Affordable Braces • No Credit Checks • Se habla español

For a Limited Time

Braces for only $99/month!

nostalgia of old world circus with a modern twist...

Be sure to mention this ad!

No Dentist Referral Needed.

Call (707)

advance discount tickets available online at www.flynncreekcircus.com

994-7878 for your FREE consultation. www.clearlake4braces.com

J u l y 2 - 5 M E N D O C I N O Friendship Park 998 School St.

J U L Y 9 - 1 2 S A N T A R O S A Wells Fargo Center for the Arts

J u l y 3 0 - A U G 1 P O I N T A R E N A

*New patients only. Cannot be combined with other offers.

Restrictions may apply. Offer expires 7/31/15.

www.mendolakefamilylife.com

24001 California Hwy 1

info at www.flynncreekcircus.com

July 2015

MendoLakeFamilyLife 27

FREE Pinewood Derby.

Summernationals Pinewood Derby race & car show. Five classes compete for speed & artistic trophies. Check-in & inspection 10 a.m. Races 11:30 a.m. Gualala Arts Center. 46501 Old State Hwy., Gualala. 884-1138. gualalaarts.org.

FREE 7th Annual Gualala Arts Auto Show. 10

a.m.–4 p.m. Gualala Arts Center. 46501 Old State Hwy., Gualala. 884-1138. gualalaarts.org.

FREE 1st Annual Heroes of Health & Safety Fair. Includes demonstrations of jaws-of-life, CPR, health screenings, rescue vehicles, medi-copters, search & rescue dogs, bicycle rodeo, bouncy houses & free bicycle raffle. 10 a.m.–3 p.m.

Mendocino County Fairgrounds.

14400 Hwy. 128, Boonville. 895-2609. mendocountyfair.com.

FREE Family Fun in the Sun. Arts

& crafts, games, jump houses, balloons, healthy snacks, drinks & other fun activities. 9:30–noon. Oak Manor Park. 500 Oak Manor Dr., Ukiah. visitukiah.com.

Civil War Days. Civil war

battles, cannon firings, artillery demonstrations, cavalry horses in an 1863 civilian town. Thru July 19. July 18: 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Battles at 1 p.m. & 4 p.m. July 19: 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Battles at 11 a.m. & 2 p.m. Adults $12. Ages 6–12 $6. 5 & under free. Parking $5. Cash only. Freezeout Road, Duncans Mills. civilwardays.net.

Sunday 19 A Midsummer BBQ Blast. Magruder

burgers, grilled veggies, desserts & wine & beer. Live music with Chip’d Paint and the Sweet Potato Sisters.

Silent auction. Many kids’ activities included with admission. 5–8 p.m.

Adults $20. Ages 12 and under $10.

Family of four (2 adults and 2 kids) $50. Ukiah Playhouse. 1041 Low Gap Rd., Ukiah. ukiahplayerstheatre.org.

Vox Aurea. Finnish youth choir.

Gualala Arts Center. Coleman Auditorium. $20 advance. $25 door.

Youth 17 & under free with adult. 4 p.m. Gualala Arts Center. 46501 Old State Hwy., Gualala. gualalaarts.org.

Wednesday 22 FREE Meet the Midwives! Learn more about home birth, licensed midwifery & personalized care before, during & after pregnancy.

7–8 p.m. Coldwell Banker. 190 S. Main St., Lakeport. 972-9443.

Saturday 25 Family Fun at the Museum. Children’s

art workshop exploring how to make various forms of Japanese containers.

Reservations recommended. $4.

Students & seniors $3. Families $10.

1–2:30 p.m. 431 S. Main St., Ukiah.

467-2836. gracehudsonmuseum.org.

Vehicular Verve

A

re you a fan of cars? Get your fill of all things automotive at Automobilia, a unique exhibit of automotive-themed art showing at the Gualala Arts Center in Gualala. The exhibit opens on July 3 with a reception from 5–7 p.m., and runs through August 2. Come see the grand auto depicted in wall art, sculptures, and photographs; take in die-cast car collections and scale model cars as well. For more information, see gualalaarts.org. ¶

28 MendoLakeFamilyLife

Fort Ross Festival. Multicultural celebration of the Kashaya, Russian & Ranch-era peoples who have lived in Fort Ross. Featuring costumed historical re-enactments, crafts, militia cannon firings, music & dance, food court & children’s crafts. $20 per car (includes parking). 10 a.m.–6:30 p.m.

July 2015 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

mendo lake

Fort Ross Historic Park. 19005 Hwy. 1, Fort Ross. 847-3437. fortross.org.

FREE CasparFest. Music, dancing, marketplace, fortune telling, kids’ activities, games, animals, food & beer, wine & margaritas. Noon–8 p.m. Caspar Community Center. 15051 Caspar Rd., Caspar. 964-4997. caspar@mcn.org.

Annual Summer BBQ. Hosted by the Elk Volunteer Fire

Dept. Noon–4 p.m. Greenwood Community Center. 6129 S. Hwy. 1, Elk. elkcalendar@yahoo.com.

Window to the Universe. Includes classroom presentation, planetarium experience & telescope viewing of the night sky. Adults $5. Children under 12 $3. 8–11 p.m. Taylor Observatory. 5725 Oak Hills Ln., Kelseyville. 262-4121. taylorobservatory.org.

FREE Berkeley Kite Festival. Lively family festival with

kite-building lessons, team kite flying, taiko drummers, kids’ zone, more. Thru July 26. 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Parking $15. Free shuttles from Golden Gate Fields. César E. Chávez Park.

11 Spinnaker Way, Berkeley. highlinekites.com.

LOCAL

#1 local resource for for 23 years local families

magazine • web • email • events Ukiah Unified School District

Ukiah Unified Kindergarten Enrolling Now

Family health care for all of Lake County.

HOSPITAL SERVICES 707-262-5000 COMMUNITY CLINIC 707-263-6885 AFTER HOURS CARE 707-262-5088 sutterlakeside.org

www.mendolakefamilylife.com

2015-16 Kindergarten Registration and Transitional Kindergarten Registration Students age 5 by September 1, 2015 will be enrolled in Kindergarten Students turning 5 between Sept. 2 and Dec. 2, 2015 are eligible to enroll in our Transitional Kindergarten Program

Registration forms available at school offices and at www.uusd.net July 2015

MendoLakeFamilyLife 29

Humor Break

This Dad Is Done Summer Tests

I quit.

LOL, Dad. You’re funny. Danny needs a ride home and his dog pooped in the kitchen.

I quit.

Dad? It’s a good cigar. I mean, really, really good. I keep smoking and stare into the haze until my phone vibrates a hole in the chair.

a Father’s Sanity

By Bull Garlington

I

quit.

I am hip deep in laundry. There are 17 more shoes than feet in our front hall—not pairs, just shoes. There’s a kid I don’t know sleeping on the couch.

There’s a dog I don’t know drinking out of my toilet. My fridge is loaded to the gills with old Chinese food and outdated Go-gurts. I’m out of bread, eggs, milk, hot dogs, and Ho Hos. I haven’t shaved in four days. I have no clean towels.

I wander into my son’s room where he’s fallen asleep like a true warrior, in a puddle of drool surrounded by a crenellated edifice of Brisk cans and spent instant Smack ramen bowls. It’s snackhenge.

The dinner table is piled to the roof beams with clean clothes. I put them there with the admonition my kids ought to put away their own duds.

They just started changing in the dining room. There’s a Wii avatar staring at me from the flat screen.

He seems angry, impatient, like he’s been standing there a long time. He’s looking at me like he’s thinking “Well?

What are you going to do now?”

What am I going to do? The only sane thing left. This experiment called 30 MendoLakeFamilyLife

“summer” has run its course and it’s an epic fail. I know when I’ve been beat. I grab my keys, my giant leather manbag, and my panama hat, and walk out the front door.

I quit.

I’ve been a slave for weeks. A kept man. A minion for my miniature

This experiment called “summer” has run its course and it’s an epic fail. I know when I’ve been beat. overlords and I’ve had it. I need to refill my man card.

I go to my favorite cigar lounge and disappear into a deep leather chair under a cloud of fine Nicaraguan smoke. I break out a good book. I order a cup of coffee so strong it could bend time. I wallow deeper into the leather, tilt my hat down over my eyes, and crack the spine on the book.

Then the texts begin.

Dad where are you?

Nicaragua.

Srsly. I’m hungry.

Dad, Connor is grubhubbing a pizza.

Can I get a pizza?

I quit.

LOL. Hilarious. I’m starving. Some dog pooped in the kitchen.

I quit.

Dad? The thing about a Partagas Maduro is you have to take time to smoke it right.

You can’t smoke it too fast; it’s like fishing. You have to— Hon? The kids seem concerned about you.

I quit.

It’s been a long summer. You probably need a mini-vacation.

I quit.

Our house is full of kids and dogs, and they’re all starving to death. Maybe you should— I quit.

If you quit your duties . . . I’ll quit mine.

I’m back at the house in ten minutes flat. ¶ Bull Garlington is the author of Death by Children, the ForeWord Review’s Humor 2013 Book of the Year.

July 2015 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Marketplace Tutoring

Schools

Don’t Be a Drip

Tuition-free Montessori elementary for ages 5-13  Hands-on, arts and music

Save Water

L

eaves are turning brown and creeks are running dry. California is enduring an official drought and teaching kids to save water is essential. Have fun figuring out your family’s water footprint here: http://environment. nationalgeographic.com/environment (search on “water footprint calculator”). Then get to work implementing the following steps for reducing the amount of gallons you use.

• Wash the bike or the car using a hose nozzle; turn off the water in between washing and rinsing. Better yet, ditch the hose altogether and wash with a sponge and a bucket of soapy water. If your family uses a car wash, choose one that recycles water.

• Take showers not baths. If you keep showers under five minutes, you’ll save up to 1,000 gallons a month. You can even make a game out of timing yourself and the kids, challenging everyone to beat their own records.

• Turn off water while shampooing hair and brushing teeth.

integrated with academics

 National Green Campus  Promotes responsibility, respect, and peace

307 North State Street Ukiah

707-468-1300

Located on north end of Fairgrounds PO Box 966 Ukiah 95482

www.tutoringcenter.com

Soar into Summer Personalized instruction Local references Over 20 years of experience

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

La Vida Charter School

Take Wing Tutoring Deborah Moore takewingtutoring@gmail.com 510-332-9840 • West Side Ukiah

• Independent Study • K –12 • Free Public Charter • Academic & Specialty Classes • Gifted & Talented Served • Inspired by Waldorf Education

Health

• When waiting for running water to get hot, place a bucket under the faucet and pour what you catch on houseplants or use it in the garden.

16201 N. Hwy. 101, Willits

707-459-6344

www.lavidaschool.org

• When it’s time to clean out your fish tank, give your plants the nutrient-rich tank water.

• Water outdoor plants in the morning or evening, when it’s cool enough for them to absorb moisture before it evaporates. Also, be careful not to overwater; a little goes a long way.

• Enlist the kids to help test the toilet for leaks. Let them place a drop of food coloring in the toilet tank. If the color appears in the toilet without flushing, you’ve got a leak, which can waste 200 gallons a day.

• Teach kids to turn off the faucet tightly after each use.

• Avoid using recreational water toys, especially those that require a steady stream of water.

GET PAID TO WORK OUT

Accelerated Achievement Academy

Jazzercise franchise opportunities available in Lake County

• • • •

BE YOUR OWN BO$$ Contact Beth Rudiger,

707-326-1291 Middletown Jazzercise Jazzercise.com

• Wash pets on the lawn, where excess water can feed the grass.

(707) 463-7080 1031 N. State St.

Like Us On Facebook

• Use a broom instead of a hose to clean paved surfaces like sidewalks and driveways.

For more water-saving tips, see wateruseitwisely.com and epa.gov. www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Free Public School Grades 4-12 Small classes Support for struggling students

July 2015

MendoLakeFamilyLife 31

r Wellness fo !

Parents too

Join us for Frank R. Howard Memorial Hospital’s Annual

Free Sports Physicals

As part of our mission to enhance the health of our community, Frank R. Howard Memorial Hospital is offering FREE sports physical exams to children in elementary and high school participating in a sports program.

Free Sports Physicals Will Be Available

Wellness While You Wait We’re also offering free health screenings and other wellness services for adults:  Blood Pressure Check  Blood Sugar Check  Body Mass Index

Sunday, June 28 | 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

 Strength & Balance Test

Sunday, July 19 | 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

 Healthy Eating Demo

Sunday, August 9 | 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

11 Oaks Conference Room 1040 S. Main Street, Willits, CA 95490

To reserve your spot, call 707.456.3185