Sonoma Family Life May 2014

sonoma

5

May 2014

Graduation Party Tips

for All Stages

Mother’s

Day

Events for Every Mom

Enter to Win

Sweepstakes

Canine Companions Making a Difference

Celebrate Mom OVER $1,000 in

PRIZES

ENTER TO WIN

Sweepstakes!

SonomaFamilyLife.com

FANCY A Dinner for Two • Deluxe Car Detailing • Gourmet Chocolates FREE WAX? Family Photos • Beautiful Brows for a Year • and more!

FOR FIRST-TIME GUESTS You must be a state resident.

*

Bob Rider

europeanwax

photography

waxcenter.com

SANTA ROSA 707 528 544 2147 5982

May 2014

Feature Stories

2 Family Life Celebrate Mom Sweepstakes

12

7 Quiz: How Well Do You Know the Modern American Mom? Take this quiz and find out.

10 Happy Wife Happy Life Cool stuff for you and your family.

12 A Tail of Hope

Canine Companions for Independence improving the lives of children, veterans, and more.

18 Salute to Armed Forces and Their Families Moms of Military Servicemembers support each other and the military.

18 24

4 SonomaFamilyLife

20 5 Steps to a Great Graduation Party For Every Stage Tips for a great party to celebrate this important rite of passage.

24 Mother’s Day Events for Every Mom Sonoma County offers more than brunch to celebrate moms.

Every Issue 6

Dear Readers

8

Bits and Pieces

Domo Arigato Mr. Roboto

Calling All You Do It Yourselfers!

These Kids Leave Us Spellbound

Not Your Average Baseball Story

The Big Baking Book

26 Calendar of Events Tea and Memories in the Rose Garden 38 Marketplace 42 Humor Break

SonomaFamilyLife.com

May 2014 www.sonomafamilylife.com

ADVERTISEMENT

“I Tried Drugs”

A Doctors Confession Get Well in 15 Minutes a Day!

www.sonomafamilylife.com

Henry, Henry,Dr. Dr.Joel, Joel,Stella Stella&&Hayden Hayden

tremendous results…it really is as simple as because I have a lower exam fee. You’ll get great a great My qualifications… and remove it thus enhancing the healing great carecare at aat great fee. fee.

My qualifications… that.

I’m a graduate of Northwestern College capacities of the body.

We get tremendous of of Here’s what some of my patients had to I’m a graduate of Northwestern College Chiropractic regularly to monthly results…it really is as simple as that.

Chiropractic whowho regularly goesgoes to monthly say: educationalchiropractic chiropractic seminars. seminars. I’ve Here’s of mywith patients had educational I’ve “I have what had asome problem migraines been entrusted to take of tiny babies to well say:as low back pain. Even after seeing been entrusted to take carecare of tiny babies to to as neighbors may know.

I just have “I have a problem migrainesthe neighbors thatthat youyou may know.

I just have doctors andhad other health with professionals, that exam feehelp to help people as wellremained. as low back pain.

Even after lowlow exam fee to moremore people who pains After coming to Dr.seeing Joel, that who need care. care. they have helped They even doctors and other tremendously. health professionals, the need Dr. Letzt, Truong and Dr. take my migraines.

They’re associates, Dr. Dr. Brown and painsaway remained.

After coming to Dr.great!”

Joel, they MyMyassistants, Nissenbaum, andseeI ifare to see we (Judy E.) I are ready to weready can help you.ifOur have helped tremendously. They even take help are you.both Ourfriendly office and is both “I came in pending laser surgery forE.) canoffices warmfriendly and we away my migraines.

They’re great!”

(Judy warm and to wemake try our make you two“Iherniated discs. laser Over surgery a few for months our best youbest feel to at home.

We came in pending two andtry at home.

We have a wonderful service, here the need surgery subsided, a wonderful service, at an exceptional herniated discs.for Over a few months hereand the feelhave an exceptional OurREDWOOD office is called the pain subsided to a and mildthe discomfort Our office isfee. called need for has surgery subsided, pain has at fee.

CHIROPRACTIC and we with occasional morning stiffness. all, REDWOOD CHIROPRACTIC and we now have two subsided to a mild discomfort withOver occasional now have two locations.

Our main Imorning feel better visit after visit.

It’s a gradual locations. Our main office is locatedoffice at 937 stiffness. Over all, I feel better visit at Street 1225 North McDowell process.” (Jaime O.) Lakeville Petaluma, phone Blvd., number is after visit. It’s a gradual process.” (Jaime O.) is located Several times a day patients thank me for Petaluma, phone number is 763-8910. Dr. 763-8910. Dr. Taatjes would love to help you Several times a day patients thank me for helping them with their health problems. Taatjes and Dr. Nissenbaum would love to helping them with their health problems. But I at this location. Call Alex, Cathy or Wendy. help you at this location. Our second location But I can’t really take the credit.

Our second location is at 225 N. McDowell can’t really take the credit.

Find out for yourself and benefit from is at 225 N. McDowell Blvd., Petaluma, Blvd., Petaluma, with Dr. Brown (who is Find out for yourself and benefit from an AMAZING OFFER. Look, it shouldn’t with Dr. Dao Truong the phone number 775awesome), and theShelby phoneor number is 775-2545. an AMAZING OFFER. Look, it shouldn’t Call Melody, Melissa today cost you an arm and a leg to correct your 2545.

Call Stephanie today for an appointment. cost you an arm and a leg to correct your health. You are going to write a check to for an appointment. We can help you. ThankWe can help you. Thank you. health. You going to write a check toyou you. someone forare your health care expenses, Dr.Taatjes Joel Taatjes someone for your health care expenses, you – Dr. –Joel may as well write one for a lesser amount P.S. When accompanied by the first I am also maychiropractic. as well writeWhen one foryou a lesser for bringamount in this the second family this same for chiropractic. bring this P.S.offering When accompanied by themember first I am also article

by June 10,When 2010,you you willinreceive examination for only $10. article

by May 31, 2014, you for will$27. receive my offering the second family member this same my entire new patient exam That’s entirex-rays, new patient forof$27.

That’s with examination for only $10. with exam,exam report findings…the x-rays, ball exam, findings…the whole whole ofreport wax. of This exam could cost elsewhere.

Great a great you ball $350 of wax.

This exam couldcare costatyou $350 Visit us at: fee… elsewhere. Great care at a great fee…

Please, I hope that no there’s no Please, I hope that there’s misunderstanding quality of of care justjust misunderstandingabout about quality care because I have a lower exam fee. You’ll get

Visit us at:

0155-051810RED

Dear Friend, DearI Friend, wanted to let everyone know what I wanted towhile let everyone know what It was a happened I was in college. happened I was in college. was a But momentwhile that changed my lifeItforever. moment changed my lifemy forever.

But before that I tell you about experience, I before I tell mystory experience, wanted to you tell about you my from theI wanted start. to tell you story from the start.

Let memy start by explaining the photo in this letter, thebyguy in the middle, Dr. in Taatjes.

Let meI’m start explaining the photo this YouI’m know meet peopleDr. inTaatjes. town and letter, thewhen guy inI the middle, they usually “Oh yeah,in Itown know You know whensay, I meet people andyou, you’re Dr. Taatjes.You’ve onyou, McDowell they usually say, “Oh yeah, Ibeen know you’re Ross for years…”

Well, that’s me.

Dr.and Taatjes.You’ve been on McDowell and yearsthat’sago RossTwenty-six for years…” Well, me. something happened meago that changed my life Twenty-six to years something forever. Let methat tell changed you my story. happened to me my life I was studying pre-Med in college, in forever. Let me tell you my story. hopes of becoming a medical doctor. Things I was studying pre-Med in college, in hopes were looking up, and life was good, until of becoming a medical doctor. Things were things took a turn for the worse. looking up, and life was good, until things took I began to have terrible back and stomach a turn for the worse. problems. For a young guy, I felt pretty rotten.

I began havesoterrible backI and My backtohurt badly that had stomach a hard time problems.

For a young guy, I felt pretty rotten. even concentrating in class. I was miserable.

My back hurt sodoctors badly that I had a hard time The medical tried different drugs, even in class.

I was miserable. butconcentrating they only made me feel like I was in a The medical doctors different drugs, but “cloud.”

I was just tried not getting better. theyAonly made feelconvinced like I was me in ato “cloud.” friend ofme mine give a I was just not getting chiropractor a try. better.

The chiropractor did an A friend of some mine films convinced me “adjusted” to give a exam, took and then chiropractor try. adjustment The chiropractor an it my spine. aThe didn’t did hurt, exam, tookfelt some films andrelief, then “adjusted” actually good.

I got and I soon off The all medication. worked mywas spine. adjustment It didn’t hurt,soit well that I decided, then and there,and to Ibecome actually felt good.

I got relief, soon a chiropractor myself. It worked so well was off all medication. for my Hayden and Henry. that Now I decided, thenkids, and there, to become a They have been under chiropractic care their chiropractor myself. entire lives. unlike most other kids Now for my And, kids, Hayden and Henry.

Theyin their class, they never getcare thetheir “common” have been under chiropractic entire childhood illnesses like kids ear ininfections, lives.

And, unlike most other their asthma and allergies.

In fact, they childhood have never class, they never get the “common” taken a drug in their lives. And they are now illnesses like ear infections, asthma and 15 and 17! allergies. In fact, they have never taken a drug It’s strange how life is, because now people in their lives. And they are now 19 and 21! come to see me with their back problems and It’s strange how life is, because now people stomach problems. They come to me with come see me with migraines, their back problems theirto headaches, chronic and pain, stomach problems.

They come to me withfrom neck paint, shoulder/arm pain, whiplash their migraines, chronicnumbness pain, in carheadaches, accidents, asthma, allergies, neck pain, shoulder/arm whiplash limbs, athletic injuries,pain, just to name afrom few. car accidents, asthma, allergies, numbness in If drugs make people well, then those who limbs, injuries, name a few. but take athletic the most shouldjust be tothe healthiest, If drugs make well, thenchiropractic that simply isn’tpeople the case.

With those who take most should be theor take we don’t add the anything to the body healthiest, but that simply the case.in the anything from it. We find isn’t interference With chiropractic weremove don’t add anything nervous system and it thus enhancing of thefrom body.

We get tothe the healing body orcapacities take anything it. We find interference in the nervous system

redwoodchiro.com redwoodchiropractic.com

May 2014

SonomaFamilyLife 5

Dear Reader

May is such an exciting month and summer is fast approaching! If you missed our Family Expo and Camp Fair, check out our virtual Summer Sharon Gowan Camp Fair online at Publisher/Editor Sharon@family-life.us SonomaFamilyLife. com to find excellent camp options for your child.

You may be a mom, but the answers to our “How Well Do You Know The American Mom” quiz may surprise you. Choose your answers and see if you’re right. Mother’s Day is in May and we have our feature editor’s picks for exciting products for moms on page 10. And find the perfect way to celebrate your mom (or yourself) on page 24. And don’t forget to enter our Sonoma Family Life Mother’s Day Sweepstakes on page 3 for a chance to win over $1,000’s in prizes!

Also Armed Forces day is on May 17th this year and This issue we also pay tribute to our armed forces and their families.

Thank you for your service to our country.

M.O.M.S. of Sonoma County comes together to support each other and the American troops serving overseas. Read Bob Padecky’s story to find out more on page 18. And read Karen Gastaldo-Grafe’s story about how Santa Rosa’s Canine Companions for Independence is supporting military veterans and other people with mental and physical challenges with their exceptional dogs on page 12.

Office Manager Patricia Ramos patty@family-life.us

Business Marketing Jolie Cook jolie@family-life.us Renee Nutcher renee@family-life.us

Finally, children of all ages appreciate a party to celebrate moving on to the next stage of their academic life. Whether your child is graduating from preschool or high school, we have tips to help you create a great party on page 20. Enjoy the end of the school year and have fun celebrating!

Karlon Baker karlon@family-life.us

Features Editor Ann Ingraham ann@family-life.us

Production Manager Donna Bogener production@family-life.us

Marketing Jordan Lewis jordan@family-life.us

Spring cleaning?

Bring those old electronics, clothing & household items to an e-waste donation drive.

May 17 & 18 Sat. & Sun. 8 a.m.- 4 p.m.

Changing lives and strengthening communities through the dignity and power of work.

Santa Rosa Whole Foods Coddingtown 390 Coddingtown Mall

June 21 Sat. only 8 a.m.- 4 p.m.

Oakmont Central Facility Parking Lot 6633 Oakmont Dr.

Contributing Writers Karen Gastaldo-Grafe Bob Padecky Veronica Blaustein

Calendar Anna Freeman

Billing Jan Wasson-Smith

Publishing Office 100 Professional Center Dr., #104, Rohnert Park, CA 94928 Tel 707-586-9562 Fax 707-586-9571

Visit our website for a calendar of events.

www.recyclenow.org

6 SonomaFamilyLife

May 2014 www.sonomafamilylife.com

Take this Quiz:

How Well Do You Know Modern American Mom?

See the answers at SonomaFamilyLife.com 4. In the past decade, has the age of the first-time mom: A. Increased B. Decreased C. Stayed the same 5. Who is the most likely to attend her child’s extracurricular activities?

1. Which is the most common type of family household (at least two people related by birth, marriage, or adoption)?

A. Married with kids B. Married without kids C. Other family 2. The percent of moms who stay at home has _______________ in the past decade: A. Increased B. Decreased C. Stayed the same 3. What percent of family households are “Leave it to Beaver” households, with a working dad and a stay-at-home mom, by year?

3-1. In 1970?

A. 20% B. 40% C. 60% 3-2. In 2012?

A. 20% B. 40%

C. 60%

www.sonomafamilylife.com

9. How are mom’s media usage habits changing versus last year? For each activity, indicate if it is increasing, decreasing, or staying the same: 9-1. Facebook A. Increasing B. Decreasing C. Staying the Same

A. Stay at Home Moms B. Part-Time Working Moms C. Full-Time Working Moms

9-2. Instagram A. Increasing B. Decreasing C. Staying the Same

6. Who is more likely to say “my child needs a college education in order to get a good job”?

9-3. Cellphone A. Increasing B. Decreasing C. Staying the Same

A. Mom B. Dad C. Both equally agree 7. When does a mom start to make more time for herself rather than do fun things with her kids?

A. When the kids are < 3 B. When the kids are 3-6 C. When the kids are 7-12 D. When the kids are 13-17 E. Never

8. What are moms doing the most on their smart phones?

A. Family schedule B. Play games C. Text while shopping D. Online coupons E. Find restaurants May 2014

9-4. YouTube A. Increasing B. Decreasing C. Staying the Same 9-5. Pinterest A. Increasing B. Decreasing C. Staying the Same 9-6. Email A. Increasing B. Decreasing C. Staying the Same 10. Among moms on Facebook, what percent go on three or more times per day?

A. 15% B. 30%

C. 45%

SonomaFamilyLife 7

Bits & Pieces

Domo Arigato Mr. Roboto

S

tudents in grades four through eight will demonstrate 21st-century thinking skills and abilities when the small robots they’ve constructed compete at the Sonoma County Robotics Challenge. The event takes place on Saturday, May 3, 8:45 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Elsie Allen High School at 599 Bellevue Ave. in Santa Rosa. The public is invited to watch the competition, which involves over 300 students.

Calling All You Do It Yourselfers!

T

he Mendocino Maker Faire is Coming. Have you installed a solar panel or sewn a quilt or made goat cheese or fabricated a sculpture from a 3D printer or engineered a mountain bike or decorated an art car?

Or maybe you just work for a local business that makes cool stuff. You are invited to share what you make at the Mendocino Maker Faire. Sign up is free by May 9th to showcase what you do on Saturday, May 24th from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Mendocino County Museum.

There will be booths, demonstrations, workshops, and performances to inspire and teach our community to make something new. Sign up to share what you know or find out more at MendocinoMakerFaire.com. ¶

Working in teams, the students will compete in seven events for beginner through advanced robot designers. The goal of the Sonoma County Robotics Challenge is to engage elementary and middle school students in applying mathematics, science, engineering, critical thinking, teamwork, and presentation skills through robotics activities. ¶

These Kids Leave Us Spellbound

T

he Sonoma County Office of Education held its annual spelling competitions at the beginning of April awarding the top four spellers in both elementary and junior high events. Elementary spellers (in grades four through six) had won school and regional events and junior high spellers (in grades seven through nine) won school events before competing in this county-wide competition. Kira Kelley, a sixth-grader from Hillcrest Middle School in Sebastopol won first prize; Madeleine Dibene, a sixth-grader from Jack London School in Santa Rosa won second; Stephen Rakoski, a fifth-grader from Brooks Elementary School in Windsor, won third, and Alessi Beeson, a sixth-grader from Alexander Valley School in Healdsburg won fourth place.

Brian Hanaway, an eighth-grader from Hillcrest Middle School in Sebastopol won the competition; Khyren Cox, an eighth-grader at Altamira Middle School in Sonoma, won second; Henry Nicholson, a seventh-grader at Mary Collins at Cherry Valley Charter School in Petaluma, won third; and Zach Hejl, an eighth-grader from Herbert Slater Middle School in Santa Rosa, earned fourth place. ¶ 8 SonomaFamilyLife

May 2014 www.sonomafamilylife.com

rty a p s ’ t I me! ti

me e so at Makise! Whings in no isy th find no n you pter? ca is cha lla x th ve, E Lo

T Not Your Average Baseball Story

J

ackie and Me: A Very Special Friendship by Tania Grossinger (Sky Pony Press, April 2013, ages 5–8) is the remarkable true story of thirteen-year-old Tania Grossinger’s first meeting with Jackie Robinson. In Jackie and Me, as Tania learns important life lessons from Jackie—“You should never be ashamed of who you are. That is what makes you special!”—so will the children who turn the pages. ¶

To Learn what Fine Tree Care can do for you and your property… call us to evaluate your trees

The Big Baking Book

he Big Baking Book is packed full of yummy ideas for making everyday baking fun and healthier for all the family. There are over one hundred savory and sweet, tasty baking recipes for little and big bakers, from scrumptious savory golden treasure muffins and peekaboo lunch buns to delicious sweet blushing beet brownies and bursting blueberry pop-ups. ¶

We highly recommend this company.

Jane and I recently had the pleasure of contracting two separate jobs with the folks at Fine Tree Care. We couldn’t be more pleased with the work that was done on our property and the professionalism of the staff.

707-874-2018 Visit our website for testimonials from satisfied clients and information about our broad range of services.

SonomaTree.com Licensed, Bonded & Insured

d, Bonded & Insured ensed, Bonded & Insured

Licensed, Bonded & Insured

Licensed, Bonded & Insured

www.sonomafamilylife.com

Rober t O’Day Jane Duelks

May 2014

S E RV I N G S ON OM A C O U N T Y S I N C E 19 9 9 SonomaFamilyLife 9

Happy

Wife

Our Editor’s Picks for Mother’s Day

Happy I

Life

n May we celebrate all you moms who work so hard in and outside of your home kissing booboos and holding crying children and dancing in your living rooms and making gluten-free muffins and working to pay for horse camp and paying your kids’ college educations. The list of what moms take care of never ends, but sometimes you’ve got to stop and smell the roses. We thought these products would help bring a smile to your face and encourage you to enjoy the upcoming summer with your family a little more.

Bling for Mama, Fun for Baby

Smart Mom LLC’s Teething Bling™ is ‘teethable’ jewelry. Their pendants and bangles are made for an adult to wear, but are safe for curious babies to handle and chew. It is made from a commonly-used, medical-grade, food safe silicon, the same material found in many teething toys and other baby products, such as ‘coated’ infant spoons—and they’re pretty. Finally, they’re staffed entirely by moms. $25 and up. smartmomjewelry.com.

Girls Clothes Without The Girly

Created by a mom with an active girl who loves sports, climbing trees, and superheroes, Girls Will Be is working to empower young girls to be themselves and never feel like they need to conform to the increasingly narrow definition of “girl” reflected in far too many of the clothes (and other products) marketed to them. They create clothes to fit girls ages four to twelve that are not pink, ruffly, or too short, instead find comfortable cargo shorts, green shirts with thumbprints stating “I Am Me,” rocket prints, and robots. $24–$34. girlswillbehq.com.

10 SonomaFamilyLife

May 2014 www.sonomafamilylife.com

Product Review The Efficient Beach Bum

The Lazee Move Combo is a design that provides ease in getting to the beach and unmatched comfort once there. It features three products in one—a chair, cart, and table. Smoothly cart your kite, bucket, shovels, snacks, and drinks on this cart over sand and sidewalks. There’s even a slotted umbrella holder and a pull-out platform extension for additional hauling capacity. Then fold out the chair for lounging, the table for snacking, and have a fun day playing at the beach! $309.99. beachtuff.com.

Smell Pretty All Day

Poppy drops perfume sticks are made for the mom-on-the-go to add a beautiful scent between the office, gym, and home. Made from just three simple ingredients, coconut oil, beeswax, and natural fragrances, it’s safe for everyone from moms-to-be to children. Try warm sugar, island honey, powder fresh, watermelon cucumber, or flower petal. $8.99. poppydrops.com.

Save the Planet Ride a Bike

How do you take action against environmental degradation, build community, and repair a vehicle dependent society—ride a bike!

Based in Petaluma, Yuba Bikes creates cargo pedal and electric bikes to carry groceries, kids, or whatever you need to transport in an eco-friendly way. So slow down this summer, remember that childlike joy of biking, and check out a Yuba bike. $999.00—$3,199. Yubabikes.com. www.sonomafamilylife.com

May 2014

SonomaFamilyLife 11

A Tail of

Hope

By Karen Gastaldo-Grafe

Q

uestion: What has four legs, golden fur, kind brown eyes, and the fantastic ability to help people with a variety of physical and mental challenges?

A

nswer: A Canine Companions for Independence assistance dog. Here’s something else you may not know—CCI was founded in Santa Rosa back in 1975. Since then this non-profit organization has bred, raised, trained, and matched over 4,300 dogs nationwide to individuals with disabilities, free of charge, so they can lead more productive and independent lives.

Now that’s something to bark about!

12 SonomaFamilyLife

The Malilays and their brood.

Changing Lives, One Assistance Dog at a Time Many disabled people face a host of daily challenges—from turning on a light to developing meaningful relationships.

CCI was created with those challenges in mind. Thanks in part to the wide range of tasks that an assistance dog can perform (as many as sixty!), as well as the emotional support that they can provide, hope and greater possibilities can emerge for those in need.

You’ve probably come across one of these amazing helpers before—they’re either Labrador Retrievers or Golden Retrievers (or a mix), usually wearing a yellow and blue cape denoting their association with CCI. Mimi Schott and her daughter, Jazlyn, from Rohnert Park have benefitted from CCI’s services. They learned about the organization from seeing the assistance dogs in their local community. She had always wanted her daughter to have a dog of her own, but one that would help her in many ways. When Jazlyn turned six they applied for their first of two skilled companions, Clarice (and now Mercy). She was on seizure medications which caused her to face some challenges in connecting with the outside world.

May 2014 www.sonomafamilylife.com

Jazlyn felt an instant rapport with Clarice. She paid attention and engaged with the dog, which Mimi says was a major step for her. “I would watch Clarice chase the ball that I helped Jazlyn throw,” recalls Mimi. “She would laugh when she got a ‘kiss’ which turned into a very useful ‘job’ for both dogs.”

Having a skilled companion opened up doors (literally and figuratively) for her daughter. “When Clarice came into our lives, I saw a difference in Jazlyn,” says Mimi. Often people would approach Jazlyn and ask if they could pet her dog. Even though she couldn’t respond verbally, they were engaging with her. “People ask me ‘What does the dog do for Jazlyn?’ and my response is ‘You’re talking to her now.

That’s a big part of the dog’s job!’” says Mimi, who adds that Clarice and Mercy have been the best friends her daughter has ever had.

Dogs Helping Wounded Veterans

R

ecently, PetSmart joined forces with CCI in support of its Wounded Veterans Initiative, which has been helping to increase access to assistance dogs for the military veterans who need them.

Through this new program, called Petsmart for Patriots, a qualifying veteran can go to any PetSmart store and learn about CCI and what they need to do to get their own service dog. Many dogs have been placed with men and women who served in Iraq and Afghanistan and returned with physical injuries, as well as non-visible injuries such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Marv Tullle and Yara

According to Mimi, assistance dogs can help change the views society has of people with disabilities—from pity to respect and understanding. “Having a disability is challenging in many ways, and the dogs’ love is undeniably something that enriches their lives, and their family’s lives,” says Mimi. “We are so grateful to CCI for the amazing gift they have bestowed on us. I know that Jazlyn would tell you the same. The smile on her face says it all!”

Service Dogs are partnered with adults with physical disabilities—including spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, spina bifida, arthritis, and cerebral palsy—to assist with daily tasks to reduce reliance on others.

Marv Tuttle, a Vietnam veteran who lives in San Jose, received his dog, Yara, for a non-service related injury he suffered in 1998 that left him unable to perform daily tasks. A secondary disability, PTSD, plagued him as well: “My dog has increased my social contacts,” says Marv. “People who would pass me by or totally ignore me, were now drawn to me and my service dog.”

A Skilled Companion is trained to work with a disabled adult or child under the guidance of a facilitator (a parent, spouse, or caregiver who handles and cares for the dog).

Even his family noticed the difference. “They say that I’m more open and able to socialize with everyone,” he says. “It’s my dog that has helped to make it much easier.”

There are four types of assistance dogs:

Jazlyn Le Clair and her CCI dog.

www.sonomafamilylife.com

Hearing Dogs alert partners to key sounds by nudging the leg or arm. Among the many sounds that these dogs are trained to recognize and respond to are a doorbell, telephone, alarm clock, or a smoke alarm.

Marv and Yara are active volunteers for CCI, visiting and working with wounded vets, as well as going to schools and service clubs to increase awareness of the organization. He is excited about Petsmart for Patriots and how it can help disabled veterans. “The fact that the initiative exists shows wounded veterans that there is an additional layer of help,” he says. “A four-legged layer of help.”

For information about Petsmart for Patriots call (800) 572-BARK.

May 2014

SonomaFamilyLife 13

Facility Dogs are partnered with a facilitator (a professional responsible for handling and caring for the dog) working in a health care, visitation, or educational setting.

The Malilays, a Santa Rosa family, have been volunteering as both breeder caretakers and puppy raisers since 2004.

The rewards are plenty, according to Leighann Malilay, such as seeing puppies that were born in their house graduate to the program. “It’s very rewarding for us to have these puppies grow up to be strong and independent,” she says.

It Takes a Village Creating successful teams requires a lot of staff and volunteer time. Breeder dogs and their puppies are the foundation of CCI, where they are carefully selected after an intensive evaluation. The process begins at birth. The puppies live with their canine siblings and mother for eight weeks. Volunteer “breeder caretakers” whelp (deliver) the puppies and care for them during that time. Only then are the “best of the best” chosen as breeder dogs.

Managing the dog’s needs as well as her family’s needs can sometimes be challenging, but it’s worth it she says. “Our experiences have been very gratifying, and anyone who works for or who is involved in the organization is nothing except encouraging to you,” she adds.

Once the eight weeks are up, the puppies are turned over to volunteer “puppy raisers” who socialize them and teach them basic obedience skills for the next 14–18 months.

Puppy raising is an incredible way to help fulfill CCI’s purpose. Anyone can be a puppy raiser as long as certain guidelines are followed, including providing a safe home, taking them to obedience classes, serving up a healthy diet, providing socialization opportunities, and giving them lots of love. Each hour spent caring for a puppy is vital to its development as a future assistance dog.

Many volunteer breeder caretakers report feelings of pride and satisfaction in seeing breeders produce pups with a purpose. “They are a diverse group of people ranging from stay-at-home moms to working professionals to retirees, all who receive extensive support from Canine Companions staff, volunteers, and the Breeder Caretaker Council,” says Angie Schacht, CCI’s Northwest Region Development Associate and Instructor.

Did you say

PIZZA PARTY!

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!

WE DELIVER ORDER ONLINE mountainmikes.com Santa Rosa

2280 Santa Rosa Ave 707-544-2828

14 SonomaFamilyLife

Rohnert Park

1451 Southwest Blvd 707-795-4433

Petaluma

919 Lakeville St 707-769-8989

Healdsburg 1051 Vine St 707-433-2911

San Rafael 2100 4th St 415-454-4300

Santa Rosa

3781 Cleveland Ave 707-595-6505

May 2014 www.sonomafamilylife.com

Newborn puppies resting at the home of a Canine Companions’ volunteer breeder caretaker.

Eight-week-old puppies at their volunteer puppy raiser’s wearing their CCI yellow capes with blue trim.

The Malilays know what a unique experience it is to be a puppy raiser. “We love seeing the progression in the training of the puppy,” says Leighann, who is a first-grade classroom aide. “Cosette is very smart and learns quickly, which is very rewarding to us!” Cosette, who was born in the fifteenth litter they whelped, accompanies her to school every day and lays quietly under a desk, fitting in with the surroundings. “The kids love Cosette and love to read to her, pet her, and talk to her,” she says. “They’ll put their faces right into hers and she’ll stay calm and listen to them as they read to her.”

She believes that the benefits of being a puppy raiser outweigh the challenges. “We have greatly enjoyed volunteering for CCI and look forward to continuing to do so,” says Leighann. “We can’t imagine our lives without being involved with the organization in some way, shape, or form.”

Hand-picked To Provide Hope and Smiles In the next step of the process, CCI’s professional training staff evaluates and trains the dogs for 6–9 months. At the end of training, they are proficient in at least forty

SCHEDULE A

FREE

PREVIEW CLASS

ENROLL NOW FOR YEAR-ROUND OR SUMMER CLASSES

Sonoma County Children’s Music 867 Third Street • Santa Rosa (707) 527-7900 Enroll Online at www.childrenlovemusic.com

www.sonomafamilylife.com

May 2014

SonomaFamilyLife 15

An excited child meets his new CCI skilled companion.

graduate teams in Sonoma County receiving assistance from a CCI-trained dog.

So what happens after these special dogs have “retired”?

CCI monitors the former assistance dogs and provides them and their caretakers support for typically eight to ten years. “Upon retirement, Canine Companion’s breeders are spayed or neutered and stay with the breeder caretaker as a loving pet,” says Angie Schacht.

These dogs are never without care and love, and the ways that they have assisted people, from helping a deaf adult “hear” someone at the door to helping a child make a friend is never forgotten.

commands and comfortable around wheelchairs and other equipment. At “Team Training,” an intensive two-week course taught by CCI’s training staff, preapproved applicants meet their new canine partners and teach them dog handling and care. Currently there are thirty-eight

To find out more about CCI, how to apply for an assistance dog or for volunteering opportunities, visit www.cci.org. ¶ Karen Gastaldo-Grafe is a freelance writer/blogger who is working on her first fictional novel. She lives in Santa Rosa with her two daughters. Although she misses the warm waters and sandy beaches of her native Puerto Rico, she’s quite sure Sonoma County is a little slice of heaven.

oday for Register t mer

Sum ps!

C am

TEEN THEATRE CAMP: (AGES 13 - 19)

GREASE

June 9 - July 20 Mon - Fri 10am - 3pm Performances: July 17 - 20 Tuition: $500

YOUTH THEATRE THE CAMP: (AGES 8-16)

THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE June 16 - August 3.

Mon-Fri 10am - 3pm Performances: July 31 - Aug 3 Tuition: $600

16 SonomaFamilyLife

*Mu

sic

Le s son s fo Cla r all sse ages s in *Dan clud ce, Y ing C oga *Bir eramics , Dr thd ama ay classe Pa r s ties & Su mmer C am ps * Ar t

CLOVERLEAF RANCH

Art & Soul Music School: 707-575-7701 www.artandsoulmusic.com 4861 Old Redwood Hwy., Santa Rosa

Resident Camp

RAMA create your own schedule OGA | D Y | E enjoy 25 activities C ANover T|D IC | ARmake lifelong friends

MUS

Day Camp

choose from 3 programs explore camp lifestyle play outdoors cloverleafranch.com • 707.545.5906

May 2014 www.sonomafamilylife.com

A Summer of Fun!

A Lifetime of Memories!

Horse & Summer Day Camps ald McDaonnch R Shuttles from Petaluma, Sonoma, Rohnert Park

• Horseback Riding • Swimming • Archery • Counselor-In-Training • Farm Animals • Camp Cooking and more!

Looking for a fun, exciting and creative place for your children this summer? Come join us!

Day Camp for Children

1st – 6th grade • June 9-August 8 • 8:30 to 1:00, Monday - Friday Only $170 a week. • Before & After Care at $5 per hour.

Summer Day Camp PCA

Visit us online and register today! pacificchristianacademy.org (707)823-2880 (Space is limited)

Camps Held at Spring Lake Regional Park www.mcdonaldranch.org • 707 537 0955

SUMMER CAMP CRITICAL READING / WRITING / MATH / PHONICS Huntington Learning Center summer camps pick up where the classroom leaves off. Keep the MOMENTUM going after school is out by making a small investment in our 6-week summer learning program.

MATH SKILLS CAMP ARITHMETIC / PRE-ALGEBRA / ALGEBRA / GEOMETRY RECREATION BASKETBALL SOCCER BASEBALL For Boys and Girls Ages 5 years to High School Recreation, skill-building, socialization, physical activity and huge portions of just plain fun—that’s what the Hanna Hawks Summer Camps are designed to provide for your child!

707-933-2530 • 17000 Arnold Drive, Sonoma www.hannacenter.org/summercamp

www.sonomafamilylife.com

Sharpen your child’s math skills in this 4-week summer Math Camp

CALL 707-836-7800 HuntingtonHelps.com **Offer valid off premier Program only.

220 Windsor River Road, Windsor May 2014

SonomaFamilyLife 17

Salute to Armed Forces and Their Families

Natalie Fremgen

Mason Suttorp

By Bob Padecky

F

or parents, it’s a seminal moment never to be forgotten. Right alongside those memories of the day their child was born, the day they left home, the first day they got behind the wheel of a car, was the day they announced they would be entering the military.

“You take a deep breath, in fact you take two of them,” said Sonoma’s Gina Suttorp when her son Mason announced he was joining the United States Army in 2007.

A parent knows one day it will be time to let go; their child will leave the nest. But a departure to a possible deployment to combat, that’s a lot different then sending your kid to barber college.

“It was pretty stressful,” said Santa Rosa’s Alice Rime when her daughter, LeAnn, said she was going into the United States Navy in 2005.

18 SonomaFamilyLife

A parent will teach their children independence, tell them how valuable it is to think for themselves, to follow their heart, to do what feels right for them. But, that push to self-autonomy will be questioned when their child volunteers for a life that places them in harm’s way.

“If she is deployed to the Middle East,” said Petaluma’s Jim Fremgen of his daughter Natalie, a Marine since 2011, “then I’ll be asking God to watch over her.”

It varies, how a parent copes with the dangerous uncertainty of war.

LeAnn Jimenez

No universal formula exists, but all the parents and their children look for the positive in potentially dangerous situations.

“It would be difficult to do without being positive,” said Rime of LeAnn’s career as a Petty Officer First Class, machinist mate in nuclear engineering who spent eight months in 2008 in the Persian Gulf aboard the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln.

All three parents (they have never met each other) have children that share one trait—a strong spine.

Rime’s daughter is nicknamed “Pit Bull.” Suttorp’s son, a sergeant and a reconnaissance specialist in the 1st Calvary Division who has completed three tours, “busted down doors” in Iraq and Afghanistan. Fremgen’s daughter, an avionics specialist and a lance corporal, survived boot camp at Parris Island, and “there just aren’t that many women in the Marines.”

May 2014 www.sonomafamilylife.com

While the three parents have taught their kids self-reliance, it does not provide total comfort to them that their kids are bright, capable, and experienced. Combat is not comforting.

“It took me about a year,” said Suttorp on finally being able to handle the stress of Mason stationed in a heavily active combat area.

“I felt alone,” she said. That’s when Suttorp discovered Moms Of Military Servicemembers (M.O.M.S.), a Santa Rosa non-profit charitable organization that supports the men and women serving overseas. Founded eleven years ago, M.O.M.S. has sent 114,235 pounds of food overseas to troops. It has also raised money through a variety of fundraising efforts. While it may be called M.O.M.S., fathers are welcome, as

well as grandmas and grandpas, aunts and uncles, brothers and sisters. Counseling may be the most important service they provide.

“It was a lifesaver for me,” Suttorp said. “Mason is back in the states, at Fort Hood, but I still go to meetings. I think I always will. Now I am hearing the same questions that I once asked and I’m able to help out.”

M.O.M.S. is apolitical. It is there for support, to be an outlet to vent, a place to decompress. For there is not a person in M.O.M.S. who has not felt what Suttorp has felt.

“When Mason was overseas,” Suttorp said, “my cell was never turned off.”

Silence, it shapes the greatest anxiety.

Rime once went three months without hearing LeAnn’s voice. Yes, there might be a text or email. That’s

technology. But, LeAnn, Mason, Natalie are not electronics. They are flesh and blood. They are the Pit Bull, the kid who kicks down doors, and the girl kid who makes it out of Parris Island with the guys.

Until their child’s voice comes again, these parents make it work. They find other voices to take up the quiet. At M.O.M.S. meetings or at a gas station of all places, when Fremgen gets out of his car wearing a “My Daughter Is A Marine” t-shirt.

“Someone will come up to me and thank me for her service,” Fremgen said.

It’s not Natalie’s voice he hears but, until Fremgen hears it again, he finds it’s a damn fine substitute. ¶

PAGES

See how to

Bob Padecky , father of two, spent 26 years as a local sports columnist. He recently retired, but not really.

PAGES

PLAY

o doe e i Vd

1. Download the FREE App Apple www.sonomafamilylife.com

Android

kss

Vi

nink LiL

2. Activate our Channel 3 . Point your phone (or tablet) at pages MendoLake Family Sonoma Family LifeLife May 2014

with this icon

SonomaFamilyLife 19

5

Steps to a Great Graduation Party e g a t S y r e v For E Preschool/Kindergarten Graduation Your child’s first “academic” milestone is a perfect excuse to celebrate! Gathering family and friends at your home can be as grand or low key as you desire. The key?

Make your grad the center of attention (like they would allow anything else)!

1 2 3

Party Style: Go with a theme that matches your child’s latest passion, a school theme like ABC’s, or feature a classic book, like Oh the Places You’ll Go by Dr. Seuss, Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter, Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie, or The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum.

Décor: Shop your house first! You may have a lot of items on hand (you can hand cut ABC’s from colorful paper or display favorite books). Head to the dollar store for paper goods, streamers, balloons, etc.

Favorite Foods: Let your theme lead you; cut sandwiches into shapes or turn a wrap into a diploma by tying it with a strip of scallion or green onion. Roll white paper napkins and tie them with a shiny red or black ribbon to create another diploma. You can create a graduation “toast” by putting milk in a small shooter glass and topping it with a chocolate chip cookie for your appreciative guests.

4

Party Time: At this age, games are essential. Find a simple, short game or two that works with your theme and includes lots of silliness and movement so all the little ones can get their wiggles out. A trampoline or a rented jumpy house are also great ways to keep everyone jumping with joy.

5

Party Favors: Adding your theme stickers, tattoos, bubbles, and fruit roll ups tied with a beautiful ribbon to create a diploma makes a simple goody bag for all your little guests.

20 SonomaFamilyLife

May 2014 www.sonomafamilylife.com

1

Party Style: Preteens will definitely have an opinion about what kind of celebration they’d like to have—they could want dinner and a movie with friends or a trip to an amusement park, like Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo.

For a party at home, let your grad help plan. Tipjunkie.com and queen-of-theme-party-games.com have great starting points.

2 3

Décor: Let your theme lead the way for décor and follow your grad’s style—do they like over the top, full blown fun or low key, simple celebrations? The dollar store is your friend, with lots of supplies at low prices to help your party look great.

Favorite Foods: Preteens can be picky eaters and will want a say in what’s on the menu. Finger foods, rather than a sit down meal, will be welcome and easy to prepare and present. You can serve just about anything on a stick—mini pop tarts or donut holes and fruit, cucumber, tomato, and feta for a Greek salad on a stick, even strawberry shortcake or miniature burgers. Check out brit.co/100-on-a-stick/ for more ideas.

4 5

Party Time: Your grad may claim to be past the “party game” stage, instead have a scavenger hunt or trivia contest. These are also good icebreakers to get the party started. You can feature popular subjects, like favorite movies, music, and sports.

Party Favors: Simple is best here—have a small bag filled with a piece or two of themed candy, sunglasses (“Your future’s so bright you have to wear shades!”), bubbles, and bracelets are sure hits!

Elementary/Middle School Graduation The move from elementary school or middle school to the next level is an “in between” milestone for tweens that should not be overlooked. Make your graduate feel special by acknowledging their achievements in a unique way.

A n n e B a ke r R E A L T O R

Helping my neighbors because I care.

Children’s Circle: 2.5–3.5+ yrs.

Kinderclub: 3–5 yrs.

Creative Thinkers: 4–5 yrs.

Montessori In Motion: 3–5 yrs.

Super Shirts & More T-shirts & Apparel • Screen Printing Embroidery • Banners Promotional Products

789-9398

ace-promo-specialties.com

www.sonomafamilylife.com

ENRICHING EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PROGRAMS

7:1 Ratio • Credentialed Experienced Teachers Quality Affordable Community Programs

(707) 245-6090 . 01165299 annebaker.net May 2014

Register at the Parks and Recreation Office 9291 Old Redwood Hwy., Bldg. 300D 838-1260 • townofwindsor.com

SonomaFamilyLife 21

High School Graduation Hosting a party at home, renting a hall, or going to an amusement park or boat cruise (Afterguard Sailing Academy offers three-hour chartered sails from Treasure Island, afterguard. net) are good ideas to think about. The more you talk to your grad, the better your chances of hosting a successful party. Once you both agree, it’s time to work out the details.

1

Party Style: Don’t go overboard with themes, simple ideas like “picture your future” are great to showcase your child’s progression to adulthood and offer a starting point for décor. You can string up photographs like a garland showing your child’s school progression.

You can also have a Polaroid available for guests as well. Have an empty decorative frame for a fun prop for guests to use in these pictures. Or if you want to splurge, rent a photo booth for guests to create crazy old-school selfies!

2 3

Décor: Follow your graduate’s desires—some may want decorations commemorating their high school or their upcoming college of choice. Some may want a simple cake or cupcakes with festive table cloths and balloons, others may want an over-the-top look.

Connect with your teen to make sure the décor matches their personality.

Favorite Foods: Depending on your budget, you may want to have your grad’s favorite restaurant cater the event. Panda Express has catering platters. Or get Subway sandwiches to feed all those hungry growing kids. In-N-Out Burger even has a food truck that will come to your party! For dessert, turn Little Debbie Swiss Rolls into a diploma by tying a red ribbon around them.

4

Party Time: Gone are the days of Pin the Tail on the Donkey.

Most teens just want to hang out, relax, and have fun. You could hire a DJ or just create a playlist of your teen’s favorite songs.

Some grad party classics include: “Graduation” by Vitamin C, “Good Riddance” by Green Day, “I’ll be There For You” by Rembrandt, “Here’s to the Night” by Eve 6 and “We Are Young” by Janelle Monáe. More outgoing grads may want to let loose with karaoke!

5

Party Favors: Here’s a nifty inexpensive treat: turn a roll of Smarties into a diploma by wrapping them in paper printed with “Congratulations!” and tie it with a red ribbon. ¶

WE LOVE TO GROW THE FOOD YOU LOVE TO EAT EVERY WEDNESDAY & SATURDAY

Shaping

Our Building

Community Since1975 1975 Since

WEDNESDAY: 8:30 am to Noon SATURDAY: 8:30 am to 1 pm Wells Fargo Center for the Arts 50 Mark West Springs Road

Spring Hill Montessori

A Bilingual Toddler thru Elementary Education + STEM Curriculum

707-763-9222 Spring Hill

Montessori springhillmontessori.org

springhillmontessori.org

22 SonomaFamilyLife

May 2014 www.sonomafamilylife.com

* * * SAVE $150 * * * Sylvan helps students of all ages catch up, keep up, or get ahead!

Get Started for Only $95!*

Select copy layout

A special offer for Sonoma Family Life Readers – call 528-6000 today and your child can get started at Sylvan for just $95! *Valid at Santa Rosa location only.

May not be combined with other offers. Exp. 6/30/14

FREE ASSESSMENT

• Low 3:1 student/teacher ratio.

• No portion of class time ever takes place without a teacher!

• Individualized lesson plansStop basedin today for a FREE on your student’s needs. Sylvan Assessment (a • Regular progress reports. $195 value) • Flexible, affordable, interest-free Offer expires XX/XX/XXXX. Valid at participating centers only. May not be combined with other offers payment plans for as little as $118/mo!

• Locally Owned and Operated over 27 Years.

Sylvan Learning of Santa Rosa

707-528-6000 • www.educate.com READING, MATH, WRITING, STUDY SKILLS, TEST PREP, COLLEGE PREP AND MORE!

LET YOUR SMILE

SHINE THIS SUMMER

• Same Day Braces AT Y CAMP, YOUR CHILD WILL MAKE MEMORIES THAT WILL LAST A LIFETIME!

• Easy Payment Options • Free Consultation

SIGN-UP FOR CAMP STARTING MARCH 3RD

Call (707)575-0600 for this month’s Special Offer!

Adventure Camp•Sports Camp•Super Science Camp•Little Campsters•Moving On Camp•Kids Club & Counselor in Training Program Call or visit us for more details & registration information.

707.544.1829 www.scfymca.org Sonoma County Family Y  1111 College Avenue  Santa Rosa 707-545-9622  www.scfymca.org The Y is a non-profit community based organization.

No Referral Needed Santa Rosa • Windsor • Petaluma

www.BernsteinBraces.com

www.sonomafamilylife.com

Awesome patient of ours!

May 2014

SonomaFamilyLife 23

Mother’s Day Events for Every Mom The Hot Mama The Great Petaluma Chili Cook-Off and salsa and beer tasting is perfect for the mom who likes a little spice! There will be great southern rock music, belly dancers, hip hop dancers, and more hot entertainers. Local breweries will also be there, including Petaluma Hills Brewery, Lost Coast Brewery, Lagunitas Brewery, and many more.

Enjoy a day with your mom tasting great food and having fun! The event is on Saturday, May 10 from 1 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Herzog Hall at the Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds in Petaluma. $25 for chili and salsa. $40 with beer. For tickets, call 763-8920. greatchilicookoff.com.

24 SonomaFamilyLife

The Musical Mama Does your mom love music? Did she sing you lullabies and hum tunes around the house? Did she become a diva when singing to the radio as you drove along? Bring her to The Occidental Community Choir, a consortium of singers, composers, and musicians that perform their own songs. The theme of this performance is “All Our Relations,” a phrase from a prayer of oneness and harmony with all forms of life in the Lakota Sioux language. They will also have a Pete Seeger tribute and sing-a long.

Come enjoy this unique performance on Mother’s Day, Sunday May 11th at 3 p.m. at the Glaser Center at 547 Mendocino Avenue in Santa Rosa. $15 (Kids 12 and under free). 874-8622. occidentalchoir.org.

May 2014 www.sonomafamilylife.com

The Bubbly Mama What mom doesn’t love to get pampered? Mother’s day is the time to show her your appreciation and pamper her with treats. Or if your mom isn’t around, take yourself and raise a glass to your own mom.

Windsor Vineyards welcomes moms on Sunday, May 11th from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for a free pour of bubbly, a massage, and a flower. Visit them at the Windsor Vineyards Tasting Room on the Healdsburg Town Square at 308 B Center Street in Healdsburg. 707.921.2893. windsorvineyards.com.

The Athletic Mama Some mamas would rather get out and hike in this beautiful place where we live than sit inside and drink champagne. Join the Sonoma County Regional Parks and Sonoma Land Trust for a co-led hike along the west ridge of Tolay Lake Regional Park and continue on to Sonoma Land Trust’s Tolay Creek Ranch property. Meet at Tolay Lake Regional Park on 5869 Cannon Lane in Petaluma on Saturday May 10 at 10 a.m. for this free guided 4.5 hour hike. Don’t forget to bring a hat and sunscreen, food and water, and binoculars to see raptors and other wildlife. 789-9644. parks. sonomacounty.ca.gov/ Get_Outdoors/Parks/ Tolay_Lake_Regional_ Park.aspx.

The Culinary Mama Forget flowers and chocolates… surprise your mom with decadent French macarons, or have her join you, for this fun class to learn techniques for great cooking. Delicate, brightly-colored meringue cookies paired with a smooth, delicious filling—the macaron entices the eye before it melts away in a sweet bite or two. Learn professional tips and tricks for creating your own macarons at home. They’ll also explore a variety of flavorful fillings so you can create your own tasty variations sure to delight Mom on her special day. Held at Sur La Table Santa Rosa’s professional kitchen on May 10 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on 2323 Magowan Drive, Santa Rosa. Each class is led by an experienced chef instructor. $69. 566-9823. surlatable.com/browse/storeCalendar. jsp?storeId=042. www.sonomafamilylife.com

May 2014

STOUT’S MOTHER’S DAY BRUNCH

IN BEAUTIFUL DOWNTOWN SANTA ROSA AT STOUT’S! Irish Favorites • Local Live Musicians Weekend Breakfasts • Daily Lunch Specials

636-0240

527 4th Street • Santa Rosa stoutbrospub.com

Relax. You’re at Great Clips ™

12 99

greatclips.com

5/31/14

Rohnert Park: 360 Rohnert Park Expressway Santa Rosa: Coddingtown Mall 750 Farmers Ln. (by Ross) 2240 Mendocino Ave. (by Safeway) 750 Stony Pt. Rd. (by Starbucks) 1425 Fulton Rd. (by Raley’s) 2700 Yulupa Ave. (by CVS) Windsor: 9018 Brooks Rd. (by Mary’s Pizza) Healdsburg: 1017 Vineyard Plaza NOW OPEN Sonoma: 19217 Sonoma Hwy. (Maxwell Village Center) Terra Linda: Northgate One Shopping Center

Check in online at Greatclips.com or with your smart phone app.

SonomaFamilyLife 25

May

Calendar of Events

Tea and Memories in the Rose Garden

T

ypically Memorial Day (May 26), where people honor those that have died in military service for the United States, is a day where people visit cemeteries decorated with American flags and attend parades. But, sometimes you need a quiet, beautiful place to take some time to remember those that you’ve lost.

The Russian River Rose Company at 1685 Magnolia Driver in Healdsburg is offering Tea and Memories in the Rose Garden on May 24th, 25th, and 26th from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sip a cup of organic tea as you enjoy 650 varieties of antique and modern roses surrounded by the beautiful vineyards of Dry Creek Valley. You can also place your own personalized message on their Memorial Wishing Tree in memory of a friend or loved one or simply offer a message of hope for yourself or the world. Check out russian-river-rose.com for more information. ¶

1 Thursday

Thursdays. 6:30–8 pm. Coffee Catz.

Sebastopol. sciencebuzzcafe.org.

Hot Dog Thursday at Pacific Coast

FREE Timmy Failure: Now Look

Air Museum. Every

first Thurs. thru Oct. Includes admission, large hot dog, chili, chips & soda or water.

11:30 am–1:30 pm. $5. Members get $1 off. pacificcoastairmuseum.org.

What You’ve Done. Author, Stephan Pastis, reads about losing hope & finding it again. 4 pm. Petaluma Copperfield’s Books. 140 Kentucky Street. copperfieldsbooks.com.

FREE The Science Buzz Café.

Monty Python’s Spamalot. Tony

Informal science education & entertainment gathering. All ages!

award-winning hilarious musical

Let Dr. Rose put the “Spring” back in your step!

Providing Superior Health and Balance Through Chiropractic

CALL TODAY 707 495-7703

RESTORE YOUR TILE ROOF! Protect Your Roof & Extend Its Life Includes: • Cleaning tiles.

• Replacing chipped and weak tiles.

• Coating the tiles with a protective surface.

TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT

free2movechiropractic.com

26 SonomaFamilyLife

romp through Arthurian England thru May 3. Ages 10 & up. May 1,2, 3. 8 pm & May 3. 2 pm. $10–$18.

Santa Rosa Junior College. santarosa.edu.

2 Friday WGAS Monster Trucks. Two Huge Days of Monster Trucks, FMX, Tuff Truck Racing & more thru May 3.

Mill Creek Safety

YOU CAN LEARN First Aid • CPR Wilderness First Aid All training occurs on-site and at your convenience. (minimum of 8 participants)

Classes are informative, stimulating and fun!

405 EAST D STREET STE 117 • PETALUMA

781-7000 • www.tile-roof-restoration.com

Eric Peterson

millcreeksafety@sbcglobal.net • millcreeksafety.com • 433-7752

May 2014 www.sonomafamilylife.com

The Festival of Conscious Parenting June 21-22 Sonoma Country Day School in Santa Rosa Free Introductory Evening Glaser Center Friday June 20 The Festival will showcase a wide range of spiritual and psychological practices, tools, and wisdom from many traditions that can support the creation of consistently loving, nurturing, non-violent contexts for child-raising.

A festival of community and family...

Tickets at brownpapertickets.com/event/669692

www.tfocp.org • info@ tfocp.org facebook.com/FestivalofConsciousParenting

WOODSIDE WEST SCHOOL Preschool & Elementary Programs

Come Join Us! 40th Year Anniversary Reunion, BBQ & Open House!

Saturday June 14th,12-3pm

Please help us track down our past students from Woodside Country, Woodside Towne , Woodside Creek and Woodside West locations and spread the word! Please R.S.V.P to WoodsideWestSchool@sbcglobal.net or 528-6666

Now Registering for Summer and Fall

Early Childhood Creative Activities & Academics Education ❤ Little Twos ~ Play & Potty Training School Age & ❤ Preschool & K Readiness Child Care Center ❤ Jr K & Kindergarten ❤ Big Kids’ Club Ages 2-12 ❤ Transportation Available Year Round ❤ Summer Camps

2577 Guerneville Rd. • Santa Rosa • 528-6666 Lic#’s 490103579 & 490108547 • woodsidewestschool.com

www.sonomafamilylife.com

May 2014

SonomaFamilyLife 27

Cotati-Rohnert Park UniďŹ ed School District Learning for a lifetime . . .

Smaller Classes Enhanced Libraries New Technology Innovative Programs

Check us out at

WWW.CRPUSD.ORG

SAFE MEDICINE DISPOSAL

Some Like it Hot. Classic

comedy showing at First Friday Film Series at Charles M. Schulz Museum. 7 pm. $5 public. Members FREE. Santa Rosa. schulzmuseum.org.

FREE Bodega Marine Laboratory Tours. Explore

the dynamic biodiversity of the Northern California Coast. Fridays. 2â&#x20AC;&#x201C;4 pm.

2099 West Side Rd. Bodega Bay. bml.ucdavis.edu.

FREE First Friday Night Sky at SRJC Planetarium. Emphasis

on stars, constellations, planets, & other interesting facts about the sky that night. Come early for FREE parking pass. 7 pm & 8:30 pm. Lark Hall, Room 2001. santarosa.edu.

Once on this Island. Nonstop

song & dance adaptation of The Little Mermaid thru May 11. Fri. & Sat. 7:30 pm. Sun. 2 pm. $15 adults. $10 ages 21 & under. Cinnabar Theater. 3333 Petaluma Blvd. N. cinnabartheater.org.

Keep unwanted medications out of the wrong hands and out of our rivers & streams.

For the disposal location nearest you, scan the QR code visitus us online. online. or vist

3 Saturday Petrified Forest Meadow Walk.

See live oak, Douglas-fir, madrone, manzanita, rare wildflowers & Mt. St. Helena. Weekends 11 am.

Includes price of admission. $16. $15.

Free under 11. The Petrified Forest.

4100 Petrified Forest Rd., Calistoga. petrifiedforest.org.

www.SAFEMEDICINEDISPOSAL.org 28 SonomaFamilyLife

Fri. & Sat. 6 pm gates open. Show 7:30 pm. Sat. matinee noon gates open. Show 1:30 pm. Tickets on sale at Sonoma County Les Schwab Tire Stores. Sonoma County Fairgrounds.

Santa Rosa. wgasmotorsports.com.

FREE Salmon Creek Art Walk.

Premiere Sonoma Coast art show

May 2014 www.sonomafamilylife.com

thru May 4. 10 am–5 pm. Bodega Bay. 1 mile north of Bodega Bay on Hwy 1. salmoncreekartwalk.com.

FREE Masks & Mime/ Mascaras y Pantomima. Bilingual improvisation games, stage clowning, pantomime illusions cocreated with the audience. All ages. 2 pm.

Coddingtown Library. Santa Rosa. sonomalibrary.org.

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. Laugh

& sing along with Alexander’s misadventures in this hilarious musical. 3 pm. $17 adult. $12 child. Wells Fargo Center for the Arts. Santa Rosa. wellsfargocenterarts.org.

Pet Adoption Day. Adopt

a new family member while saving a life.

Saturdays. Noon–4 pm. Petco-Santa Rosa. 2765 Santa Rosa Ave. petfinder.com.

FREE Windsor Cinco de Mayo Celebration 2014. Live entertainment, multicultural art

FREE Whale Watch at Bodega Head.

The amazing sight of the yearly migration of Pacific Gray Whales.

Weekends thru May. Bodega Head.

FREE Friedman’s Kidsworx Creative Workshop. Children’s Museum of Sonoma County hosts fun science activities. 9 am–noon.

Friedman’s Home Improvement.

4055 Santa Rosa Avenue, Santa Rosa. cmosc.org.

FREE Science Saturday at Environmental Discovery Center.

Toad the Wet Sprocket. Popular

SoCal band plays hits. 8 pm. $37 & $47. 12 & over. Uptown Theatre. 1350 3rd Street, Napa. uptowntheatrenapa.com.

Summer Camps Missoula Children’s Theatre June 23 – 28 FREE Weeklong Theatre Residency

Howarth Park Rides & Attractions.

Train, trails, carousel, jump horse, animal barn, pony rides, rope climb.

Weekends. 11 am–5 pm. $2–$4 per ticket. Howarth Park. Summerfield Road, Santa Rosa.

displays, children’s activities, food, more. Noon–3 pm. Windsor Town Green. townofwindsor.com.

Auditions: Mon, June 23 · 10am to noon (must be present for the the entire two hour audition)

For students entering 1st – 12th grades

Come see the show!

The Wizard of Oz

by Missoula Children’s Theatre

Saturday, June 28, 2014 · 2pm & 4:30pm in the East Auditorium $13 adult • $9 child Tickets on sale now!

Draw It! Paint It! Sculpt It! Art Camp July 7 – 11

For students entering 4th – 7th grades

Enroll now!

Tangible experiments & projects let children explore the natural world. 1, 2 & 3 pm. Spring Lake.

393 Violetti Rd., Santa Rosa. parks. sonomacounty.ca.gov.

New Song Music Camp July 28 – August 1

For students entering 3rd – 6th grades

707.546.3600 | wellsfargocenterarts.org www.sonomafamilylife.com

May 2014

SonomaFamilyLife 29

4 Sunday Your donation funds programs to find missing children.

Donate Your Vehicle.

Help Keep Kids Safe.

707-769-1334 | PollyKlaas.org Any condition.

Free pick-up.

Tax deductible.

Shoes OFF 20% for Kids

Oceanic Society SF Bay Exploration.

Explore the unique ecosystem of the Bay & learn the history of Angel Island, Alcatraz, Pt. Bonita Lighthouse & Yerba Buena Island.

Sundays. 9:30 am–12:30 pm. $54.95 adults. $49.95 ages 6 & under. oceanicsociety.org.

5 Monday

(Mention Family Life)

Rock-n-Glow Bowling. LED

lane lighting & automated scoring.

Special bumper-rails for kids.

5–10 pm. $9 per person. Windsor Bowl. 8801 Conde Ln. Windsor. windsorbowl.com.

Salt Water Sandals See Kai Run • Stride Rite Asics • Robeez • 20+ Brands

7 Wednesday

2405 Magowan Dr., Santa Rosa • 545-1400 (Montgomery Village Shopping Center) facebook.com/hopshoes

on dirt! e c a l p t s e oe i The happmping at South Lake Tah

FREE Day Under the Oaks. Santa Rosa Junior College celebrates education with open campus.

Exhibits, magic shows, petting zoo, music, more. 10 am–4 pm. Santa Rosa Junior College. santarosa.edu.

FREE Wednesday Night Market.

June 27 – Ju ly 25 and Aug. 11 – Au g 16.

Family Ca

Live performances & fresh produce thru Aug 20. Wednesdays. 5–8:30 pm. Downtown Santa Rosa. wednesdaynightmarket.org.

Meditation Group for Mothers.

8:30–9:45 am. $10 suggested donation. Shambhala Center. 255 W. Napa St., Sonoma. sonoma. shambhala.org.

Frank Lloyd Wright Civic Center Tours. Docent-led

tours of historic landmark. Wednesdays. 10:30 am. $5. 2nd Floor Café. Rm. 233. Marin Civic Center. 3501 Civic Center Dr. San Rafael. marincounty.org.

WWW.CAMPCONCORD.ORG • (925) 671-CAMP (2267) 30 SonomaFamilyLife

May 2014 www.sonomafamilylife.com

Make Makeaadifference difference in in the thelife lifeofofa achild child in in your yourcommunity! community!

FREE First Wednesday at Bay Area Discovery Museum. Creative

play for all children. 9 am–5 pm.

Bay Area Discovery Museum.

557 McReynolds Road, Sausalito. baykidsmuseum.org.

For Forinformation, information, contact: contact:

8 Thursday

Savannah SavannahDel Del Campo Campo (707) (707)489-5905 489-5905

FREE Just Between Friends Kids & Maternity Consignment Event.

New & gently used clothes (0–12 yrs.), toys, books, games, furniture, outdoor gear, boutique items & more thru May 11! $3 Thurs. & Fri. benefits Active 20–30 Club. Sonoma County Fairgrounds. northbay. jbfsale.com.

9 Friday FREE Tweens Create Mother’s Day.

Gifts for mom! 3:30 pm. Healdsburg Library. sonomalibrary.org.

FREE Children’s Sale Day-Book Sale. All ages. 10 am–5 pm.

Petaluma Library. 100 Fairgrounds Drive. sonomalibrary.org.

DelCampoS@rcs4kids.org DelCampoS@rcs4kids.org

Lic #236803313 Lic #236803313

SANTA ROSA SONOMA VALLEY Santa Rosa Oakmont Kenwood Glen Ellen Boyes Hot Springs SDC El Verano

AREA RUSSIAN RIVER Guerneville Monte Rio Forestville Rio Nido Graton Sebastopol Santa Rosa

Find your trip.

SONOMA VALLEY SAN RAFAEL Agua Caliente Kenwood Glen Ellen El Verano Sonoma Temelec Schellville San Rafael Transit Center

20 28

• In House Optical & Lab • Licensed opticians • Thousands of frames in stock, including designer brands.

• Accept majority of insurance plans • State of the art instruments

Family owned and operated since 1956

44 46 48

PETALUMA SANTA ROSA Petaluma Sonoma StatePenngrove University Rohnert Park Santa Rosa

RUSSIAN RIVER AREA LOCAL Guerneville Downtown Neeley Road Occidental d Park Guernewoo Mills Duncans

SSU SANTA ROSA Sonoma State Santa Rosa University Transit Mall

PETALUMA SANTA ROSA Petaluma Cotati Rohnert Park Santa Rosa

Effective August 18, 2013 sctransit.com

m

18, 2013 sctransit.co

Pick up a new schedule today!

Effective August

6060 6262

LE ERDA CLOV DSBURG LE ERDA HEAL A ROSAti CLOV SBURG SANT ale As HEALD ROSA erd sburg SANTA e Asti Clov Heald rkfield dal Clover aldsburg g erville r La He Geys Windso Stein Bld eld sa yserville r Larkfi g Kaise Santa Ro Ge Windsor Bld Stein ser Rosa Kai Santa ORT AIRP SA A RO RT AIRPO SA SANT NDSOR rt WI RO Airpo SANTA DSOR unty s Park WIN es ort ma Co n Sono port Busin t Fulto g unty Airp k po oma Co iness Par Air ein BldSon Bus sor De ton Wind Kaiser St nta Rosa Airport Depot Ful g r Bld Sa Windso ser Stein Rosa Kai Santa

Effective August

18, 2013 sctransit.co

m

contact us at 800.345.7433 or visit us on the web at sctransit.com 20130820_SCT_SLM.indd 1

Bring Your World into Focus

30 38

8/20/13 10:19 AM

PROUD TO BE THE FIRST CARPET CLEANING SERVICE CERTIFIED tive

Effec

, 2013

om

nsit.c

sctra

st 18

Augu

ust 18,

e Aug

Effectiv

2013

sit.com

sctran

asthma & allergy friendly

TM

BEYOND CARPET CLEANING 1-800-STEEMER

®

CARPET | TILE & GROUT | HARDWOOD | UPHOLSTERY

720 4t h S t r ee t • San t a Ro s a • 575 -3800

www.sonomafamilylife.com

stanleysteemer.com

Only Stanley Steemer ® Carpet Cleaning has been Certified asthma & allergy friendly™ ASTHMA & ALLERGY FRIENDLY and asthma & allergy friendly™ are Certification Marks and Trademarks of ALLERGY STANDARDS LIMITED. The ASTHMA AND ALLERGY FOUNDATION OF AMERICA is a Registered Trademark of AAFA.

May 2014

SonomaFamilyLife 31

FANCY A FREE WAX?

10 Saturday

FOR FIRST-TIME GUESTS

FREE Hansel & Gretel Puppet Art.

You must be a state resident.

Kick off Children’s Book Week with a puppet performance of this classic tale. 2 pm. Sonoma Valley Library. 755 W. Napa St., Sonoma. sonomalibrary.org.

europeanwax waxcenter.com

SANTA ROSA 707 387 4545

FREE Pam Brown Storytime: 3835_Santa-Rosa_Sonoma-family-life-magazine_C.indd 1

5/2/13 5:44 PM

Mighty Mice. Enjoy stories, songs & crafting. Ages 2–6. 11 am. Rohnert Park-Cotati Library. 6250 Lynne Conde Way. sonomalibrary.org.

Astronomy Day & Star Party! The

Robert Ferguson Observatory’s three main telescopes will be open for viewing. 9 pm. $3 Adult. FREE under 18. $8 parking. Sugarloaf Ridge State Park. 2605 Adobe Canyon Rd., Kenwood. rfo.org.

Anything Goes. Cole

SONOMA COUNTY’S

favorite pediatricians

•

Same day and after hours appointments

•

Manage your child’s healthcare online; lab results, prescriptions, appointments, and e-mail your doctor with questions 24/7

•

Convenient locations

•

Network of Pediatric subspecialists for complex cases

•

Most health plans welcome

Porter’s musical comedy masterpiece thru May 18. Fri. & Sat. 7:30 pm. Sun. 2:30 pm. $26 adults. $16 ages 14 & under. Carston Cabaret. Wells Fargo Center for the Arts. Santa Rosa. roustabout-theater.org.

To find the Pediatrician that’s right for you, call 1-888-699-DOCS (3627) or visit sutterpacific.org

Exclusively Organic only at

707.544.2766

312 D Street, Santa Rosa 32 SonomaFamilyLife

Cross & Crown Lutheran School 2 - 5 years Preschool Jr. Kindergarten – Kindergarten 1st through 5th Grade

REGISTRATION FOR 2014-15 NOW OPEN 795-7863

www.crossandcrownschoolrp.org Preschool license #490100475

May 2014 www.sonomafamilylife.com

Ukulele Festival. Jon

Gonzales, Da Puna Bruddahs, more. Noon–10 pm. $25 advance. $30 door. FREE under 14. Sebastopol Community Cultural Center. 390 Morris Street, Sebastopol. seb.org.

Individuals • Families • Events

Human Race. 3K

& 10K races.

Pancake breakfast, fun & games area for kids! 6:30 am registration.

8 am run. Herbert Slater Middle School. 3500 Sonoma Ave., Santa Rosa. humanracenow.org.

BobRiderPhotography.com • (707)245-5321

Summer Classes

Art, cartooning, LEGO animation, video game design, movie-making, and even ice skating!

All at the Schulz Museum

FREE The Wellness Expo. Health

screenings, activity sign-ups, door prizes, food, more. 10 am–3 pm.

Santa Rosa Veterans Memorial Building. thewellnessexpo.org.

June 2 – August 15, 2014

Register online at

schulzmuseum.org/learn/classes-camps

11 Sunday

For reservations call (707) 284-1263

Mother’s Day Pancake Breakfast.

Hosted by Rincon Valley Firefighters. Raffle prizes. 8 am– noon. Suggested donations: $8 adult. $5 child. 5 & under free. San Miguel Elementary School. 5350 Faught Rd., Santa Rosa. rvfire.org.

NOW ENROLLING FOR SUMMER CAMPS

7.07% Youth Deposit Rate

Let’s teach kids the value of saving.

They’ll earn dollars in interest – not pennies.

7.07% (APY) on first $500 only. Must not yet be 20 years of age.

reg

redwood empire gymnastics

www.comfirstcu.org 707/546-6000

Guerneville, Healdsburg, Napa, Sebastopol, Santa Rosa x2

Featuring our tumblebug program for preschool aged children Boys & Girls Classes Recreation 6–12 Tumbling, Tramp, Camps Parties & Parents Night Out

6th Annual

Scholastic Chess Tournament May 3, 2014

All levels of skill welcome!

Grades K–8

Call today!

(707) 527-6427

www.regymnastics.com

Register Online: www.chessclubforkids.com

707-763-5010

www.sonomafamilylife.com

May 2014

SonomaFamilyLife 33

Michael Hamblin, DDS Family and Cosmetic Dentistry Spring has Sprung 5K & Kids 1/2K and 1K Runs. 8

am. $15–$30. Hidden Valley Lake. lakecountymilers.com.

13 Tuesday FREE Children’s Book Week Contest! Guess

We believe visiting a dental office should give you a reason to smile!

the book characters on display in the library & win a special prize thru May 17! Rincon Valley Library. 6959 Montecito Blvd., Santa Rosa. sonomalibrary.org.

Quality, comprehensive care including:

• Digital x-rays (up to 90% less radiation) • Single visit crowns • Metal free fillings

15 Thursday FREE American Graffiti Auto Cruise. Classic

American cars, rock ‘n roll music & the happy days of the 1950s & early 1960s thru May 17. Downtown Petaluma. americangraffiti.net.

16 Friday Cloverdale Rodeo & County Fair.

Kidz zone, extreme sports zone, mechanical bull riding, Teen Night Club thru May 19. Fair $12. Rodeo $20. Kids 12 & under free. Cloverdale Fairgrounds. cloverdalerodeo.com.

3918 Princeton Drive in Santa Rosa (Across from Whole Foods Market on Yulupa)

17 Saturday

707-544-6280

michaelhamblindds.com

B Mî `ƒ

Weekly sessions: June–Aug 9:00am–3:30pm M–F

FREE Fairies! Build a fairy house, make a fairy wand, decorate a fairy cake, dress like a fairy or elf if you wish! Children of all ages with caregiver. 1–2 pm. Santa Rosa Downtown Library. sonomalibrary.org.

Dorothy in the Land of Oz. A full-length story: ballet, jazz, hip hop. Sat. 7 pm. Sun. 2 pm. $20

Mention this ad for:

Mention this ad for 50% off for the first 12 months

Free Month

Select sizes while supplies last 20% off packing and moving Supplies.

Call for details 6001 Commerce Blvd.

Rohnert Park, CA 94928 707-588-8878

EXPRESSWAY STORAGE

Teaching the art of the sword Sign up for our summer camps today!

6001 Commerce Blvd.

Rohnert Park

707-588-8878

34 SonomaFamilyLife

May 2014 www.sonomafamilylife.com

adults. $17 seniors. $15 children 8 & under. Raven Theatre. Healdsburg. raventheatre.org.

Maker Faire. A

two-day, family-friendly festival of invention & creativity thru May 18. Sat. 10 am–8 pm, Sun. 10 am–6 pm. $17.50, $22.50, $32.50 single-day passes.

Ages 3 & under free. San Mateo County Events Center. 2495 S. Delaware. makerfaire.com.

FREE Family Hikes at Spring Lake.

Naturalist guides one-hour tour of areas plants & wildlife. Every third Sat. thru May. 1 & 3 pm.

Environmental Discovery Center.

Santa Rosa. sonoma-county.org.

FREE Luther Burbank Rose Parade & Festival. Heroes

& Helpers theme.

Festival in Julliard Park following parade. Parade 10 am. Downtown Santa Rosa. roseparadefestival.com.

FREE Wool Festival. Enjoy

a day walking through the world of fibers.

Artisans, hands-on felting, fleece trading, music, and amazing foods.

Thru Sunday. 10 am–6 pm. Sat. and Sun. Sat. bbq and music 6–10 pm.

THE BIRTHDAY PARTY PLACE

Public Skating • Fundraisers Private & Group Instruction

CAL SKATE Roller Skating & Blading Center

585-0500 • FOR RESERVATIONS: 585-0494 6100 COMMERCE BLVD. • WWW.CALSKATE.COM

www.sonomafamilylife.com

Valley Ford Mercantile & Wool Mill.

Valley Ford. valleyfordwoolmill. com/event/1st-annual-wool-festival-acelebration-of-the-wool-harvest/.

18 Sunday Festival Musical de Primavera 2014.

Multicultural communities unite thru music. 10 am–6 pm. $25 advance. $30 door. Fairgrounds. Marin Center. San Rafael. marincounty.org.

Windsor Green Half Marathon. 5k, 10k with walkers. 13.1K no walkers.

8 am. $20–$60 ages 5–15. $30–$95 16 & older. Windsor Town Green. runwinecountry.com.

Bay to Breakers Run. Annual 12K

run/walk celebration from San Wings After Beach.

School Francisco Bay to Ocean Martial & Arts Program

Wings (707) 544-2302 www.wingsmap.org

AFTER-SCHOOL

MARTIAL ARTS PROGRAM

SUMMER ADVENTURE CAMP

VertexCAMP Climbing SUMMER Camp will include: One full day of outdoor rock climbing at Goat Rock on Thursdays. The four indoor mornings will be spent doing awesome obstacle courses, playing silly games, and of course lots of rock climbing! Camp includes all necessary climbing gear, but does not include food.

Dates, times, and pricing: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday 9am-12pm. Thursdays 9am-4pm $185 per participant, per week. Each week the camp will alternate age groups as follows:

Monday- Friday 7:30 am- 6 pm • Daily Martial Arts Classes • Swimming, Gymnastics, Movies • Weekly Adventures • Science, Art, & Discovery Labs

(707) 544-2302

www.wingsmap.org May 2014

June 2nd-6th June 9th-13th June 16th-20th June 23rd-27th July 7th-11th July 14th-18th July 21st-25th July 28th-August 1st August 4th-8th

Ages 7-10 Ages 11-14 Ages 7-10 Ages 11-14 Ages 7-10 Ages 11-14 Ages 7-10 Ages 11-14 Ages 7-10

707-573-1608

3358 Coffee Lane Suite A, Santa Rosa

SonomaFamilyLife 35

TypeA+ teaches computer keyboarding to students grades 2-8 Enrolling Now for Summer

Costume contest, post run festival in Golden Gate Park. 8 am. $54 adults, $29.50 children. Market Street near The Embarcadero. San Francisco. baytobreakers.com.

FREE Cloverleaf Ranch Open House. Purchase lunch or bring your

own picnic. Ziplining, horse rides, face painting, & more. 11 am–3 pm.

Cloverleaf Ranch. cloverleafranch.com.

FREE McInnis Skate Jam.

up. 11 am start. Competition at noon.

McInnis Park. 310 Smith Ranch Rd., San Rafael. marincounty.org.

20 Tuesday FREE Family Gardening with Sarah Kerlow. Enjoy

a fun seasonal activitiy while learning how to incorporate gardening into your everyday life. 4 pm. Sebastopol Library. sonomalibrary.org.

Skateboard competition. Ages 5 &

Harmony Union School District Now accepting students for TK-8th grade for the 2014-2015 school year Transitional Kindergarten Program–8th Grade, Harmony Elementary & Salmon Creek School: A Charter School

Beautiful campus in the Redwoods Environmental Educational Place-Based Curriculum Full Computer Lab iPad stations in classrooms Art, Music, Drama, Spanish, Garden & Nature Trail

Harmony Union School District, 1935 Bohemian Hwy., Occidental

707-874-1205

teacherweb.com/CA/HarmonyUnionSchoolDistrict/Homepage

WHERE HEROES ARE MADE

Put your Affairs in Order • • • • • •

FREE Consultation

Nominate Guardians for Minors Revocable Living Trusts Wills Powers of Attorney Meet at Your Home

Evening & Weekend Appointments Available

707-431-7250

Maria Grace Wilson, Attorney at Law mgracewilson@comcast.net

Tutors 2 You One-to-one In-home tutoring

End School School End Frustration!

Frustration!

Our highly qualified tutors can help with:

21 Wednesday FREE Picnic Storytime. Bring

a picnic & gather at the town green for storytime. Ages 2–5. 11:30 am.

Windsor Library. sonomalibrary.org

24 Saturday FREE 2nd Annual Mendocino Mini Maker Faire. A family-friendly showcase of invention & creativity.

Booths, displays, demonstrations, workshops all designed to share what people are making, inventing & creating. 10 am–5 pm. Mendocino County Museum.

RINCON VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Preschool– High School

Our high quality tutors can help with:

Mention Family Life & receive $ 300 off enrollment!

Expires May 31

Our coaching and training programs combine with your desire for your child to do well to completely transform the way you and your child think about life.

SHOTOKAN KARATE LEADERSHIP SCHOOL®

3082 Marlow Rd, B1 • 707-575-1681 askaboutkarate.com

36 SonomaFamilyLife

• • • • •

Academic Subjects Foreign Languages Test Prep Study Skills ESL

Giving students the skills For children and adults. they need to succeed!

(707) 585-2584

(707) 585-2584

www.tutors2youca.com sonomacountytutors.com

Academic excellence Award winning Music Programs Leading Sports Programs Day School-Home School-Hybrid

707-539-1486

www.rvchristian.org

May 2014 www.sonomafamilylife.com

La Cantera 400 E. Commercial St., Willits. mendocinomakerfaire.com. 459-2736.

Lake Renaissance Festival Memorial Day Weekend. Be swept away to

16th-century Italy. Food, drinks, merchants, and entertainment galore. $7. Children under 10, free. 10 am–6 pm. Tuscan Village/ Terrill Cellars Winery. 16175 Main St., Lower Lake.

295-2925.

26 Monday

expos, comedy, more thru June 1. 1–3 day passes, various prices. Downtown Napa. bottlerocknapavalley.com.

31 Saturday Marin Dance Theater presents Springfest 2014. 1

pm & 5 pm. $30 adults. $24 seniors & students.

Spreckels Performing Arts Center.

5409 Snyder Lane, Rohnert Park. spreckelsonline.com.

Racquet & Swim Club

Summer Tennis and Swimming Programs for ages 4-15 Tennis Camps, Group and Private Swim Lessons and Summer Swim Team Call or go online for our brochure!

544-9494

3737 Montgomery Drive Santa Rosa

lacanteraracquetclub.com

Charles M Schulz Museum Mondays for Little Ones. Enjoy stories, movement games, art & crafts. Ages 1–5 & caregivers. 10 am–noon. $5 per child. Two caregivers free before 11 am.

Santa Rosa. schulzmuseum.org.

when life is messy...

30 Friday Healdsburg Jazz Festival. Charlie Musselwhite, Joshua Redman, Ron Carter, more thru June 8. Freedom Jazz Choir May 17 & 24. Various times.

Various prices. Town of Healdsburg. healdsburgjazz.org.

Bottle Rock Napa Valley. 45 bands

SEE WHAT MAKES OUR TEAM THE BEST Santa Rosa: 707-545-2001 Healdsburg: 707-433-2240 RedwoodMoving.com CA PUC#189615

Go to SearsClean.com or call 707-780-1565

on four stages, Napa food & wine, All Riding Levels * Ages 7 & Up Full Day & Half Day Camps Open

W

SANTA ROSA CO-OP PRESCHOOL EST. 1951

A Place to Play. A Place to Learn. A Place to Grow.

W

• Accepting 2–5 Years Old

• Before & After School Care Option

June

July

August

SUMMER CAMP

Located in Rincon Valley, Santa Rosa

538-2000

markweststables.com www.sonomafamilylife.com

• Positive Discipline: ~ Parenting tools using kind and firm techniques ~ Encouragement with mutual respect ~ Natural and logical consequences Pre K Classes Available for Academic & Social Kindergarten Readiness

579-3718

srecschool.org May 2014

WINDSOR 707-838-7207 SEBASTOPOL 707-832-5207

Dr. Rob Oliver P E D I AT R I C D E N T I S T R Y www.lifeofsmiles.com

SonomaFamilyLife 37

Camps

Camps

DANCE CLASSES FOR KIDS

Outdoor Fun

Camps

Camps Santa Rosa Symphony’s

SUMMER MUSIC ACADEMY

JULY 7-26, 2014

BALLET, JAZZ, TAP, HIP HOP, BREAKDANCE

(707) 695-5483 • mstudiodance.com 3952 Sebastopol Rd. Suite #158 • Santa Rosa

Residential camps for grades 2nd-12th.

All camps have a focus on outdoor and nature exploration, spiritual growth, fun, friendships and new experiences.

Register Now

Full-day (9am-3pm) & A La Carte Classes Available!

For beginning and experienced students

Love Horses?

Camp

Weekly field trips & swimming, visiting artists, enrichment, and more

castle@sebusd.org

Riding lessons and camps

Thompson quarter horses 707-773-3981

heidithompsonquarterhorses.com

829-4578

Super Kids Camp Fun weekly themes, field trips, swimming, rock wall climbing, & so much more!

An exciting, recreational, & educational experience for campers, ages 5-11.

A full week of camp starts as low as $125 per week.

Call, email, or check out our website for details.

707-664-3391

superkidscamp@yahoo.com sonoma.edu/campusrec/youth/superkids

38 SonomaFamilyLife

European Pony School

546-7669

Strings, Woodwinds, Brass, Percussion, Guitar and more!

546-7097 x225

santarosasymphony.com/education/sma.asp

SUMMER DAY CAMP!

science! art! games!

Each week is unique: See website for themes: kidscienceadventures.com

Sign Up Now for Summer Camps!

Call Today for more information: 707-575-7701 www.artandsoulmusic.com 4861 Old Redwood Hwy., Santa Rosa *Bring in this ad and we’ll waive your registration fee

Now 2 locations! SANTA ROSA: Rincon Vlly. / June 16– Aug. 1 / M–F 9:00am – 3:00pm. To enroll: call Santa Rosa Recreation Parks & Community Services: (707) 543-3737.

C . A.S.T.L.E.

Affordable Summer Camp in Sebastopol

Weekly June 3 thru August 15

europeanponyschool.com

westminsterwoods.org

(707) 874-2426

Pony Camp!

See our complete Camp listing Online at our Virtual Camp Fair

AND... PETALUMA SCIENCE CAMP! June 23–July 14 / M–F / 9:30am– 1:00pm To enroll, call City of Petaluma Rec. Services: (707) 778-4380.

QUESTIONS: (707) 793-2251 www.kidscienceadventures.com

TGA Golf Camps Camps run from June 9 – August 15 At Washoe Creek GC, Cotati

emphasis on developing character while improving golf skills • 4:1 camper: coach ratio • On Course Instruction and Play • Field Trips to Petaluma Golf Center • Half Day $179 Full Day $349 415-897-0423 golftga.com/northbay

May 2014 www.sonomafamilylife.com

Classified Marketplace Parties

Parties

n u FBlast!

Weekend

Sign up online for our weekly enews featuring the best family friendly weekend events.

www.SonomaFamilyLife.com

@

DJ DRE’ KUTTER DJ & KARAOKE ENTERTAINMENT

Let Us Decorate Your Next Party for You!

Weddings, Reunions, Corporate Events, School Dances, “All Occasions” 15 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE WIDE VARIETY OF MUSIC: POP, ROCK, RAP, R&B, DISCO, OLD SCHOOL, COUNTRY, TECHNO YOU NAME IT WE GOT IT!

(707) 350-5191 • (707) 994-4903

CRAIG’S PARTY STORE Good prices • Great service • Convenience • San Rafael, Petaluma, and now Santa Rosa!

Check out our new website

craigspartystore.com

• Birthdays • Quince’s • Weddings • Events • Corporate

Party Chicks Décor

707-888-7075 Lic. 69681

PACIFIC COAST AIR MUSEUM

Your one stop cake, candy, party & wedding shop

Classes available

• Candy making • Cake decorating • Private party Call for current class schedule Find us on Facebook

Artful Arrangements

Delivery of Living-Plant Gifts

Art’s for the soul – a gift to the eye Life is too short, to even ask why

Prompt Delivery Giftshop Open Saturday’s 10am-2pm 205 Orchard Lane, Penngrove ArtfulArrangements.org 707-664-8656

WE HAVE THE PLACE FOR YOUR PARTY A real airplane to sit in and play with the controls.

Refrigerator available.

Call the museum at 575-7900.

See what we have! www.pacificcoastairmuseum.org

Glassfusion &

Pottery Too

CREATE • PARTY • LEARN

3450 Airway Dr, Santa Rosa 546-2253 • nancysfancys.com

www.sonomafamilylife.com

Gifts

Parties

Pa rty w ith us!

• Party Room • Fused Glass • Pottery Painting

Like Us On Facebook

Check out our online directories

707.829.3855

Sebastopol, CA glassfusionstudio.com

May 2014

SonomaFamilyLife 39

Pets

Lessons

We care for your pets as though they are part of our family!

Op M o n d ae n y Saturdathru y

Animal Hospital of Sebastopol 707-823-3250

1010 Gravenstein Hwy, South Sebastopol ahosvet.com

DO YOU LOVE TO

Sing!

Santa Rosa Children’s Chorus

Carol Menke, Artistic Director Providing quality training and performance since 1984.

Beginning-advanced levels Auditioning children ages 7-12

527-8813

srchildrenschorus.com

Check out our online directories

Lessons New Location!

Counseling

Footloose

Dance Center

Tap • Flamenco • Hip Hop Wing tsun • Salsa Ages 6–80 Rehearsal Space Available Carole Savoy, Director 5681 Redwood Drive • Rohnert Park 707 584-8058 footloosedancecenter.com

Is Your Child Defiant, Stubborn, or Aggressive?

It doesn’t have to be that way.

We know how difficult and frustrating it can be when everything you have tried has not worked. Through a highly effective program for children 3-6 years old, we can help you to successfully manage these behaviors. Start to see results in as little as 6 sessions.

Call today for a free consultation

Take ME Driving

707-545-4600 www.srcbt.org

“I NEVER KNEW WE COULD HAVE SUCH FUN WITH OUR CHILD AGAIN!”

Kandras Driving School Drivers Ed/Training in class or online

GREAT LOW PRICE! 838-3100

613 College Avenue, Santa Rosa

takemedriving.net Supportive Counseling. Helping children and families with anger, stress, depression and healing from physical, emotional and sexual abuse. Counseling for parents. Kathleen Dunham, MFT. 829-7051. Se Habla Espanol.

Beauty

Having The Talk Boarding • Daycare • Training Grooming • All Day Play Web Cams Rohnert Park 206-9000

Santa Rosa 595-3834

ParadisePetResorts.com petbuddies@me.com

A Day at the Peach Hair Studio

Kids Cuts • Hair Bling Feather Extentions Like Us On Facebook 40 SonomaFamilyLife

Before They Can Talk

Cardio Dance Fitness ★ Cardio Dance Workout ★ High Calorie Burn ★ World Music

★★★First Class Free★★★

Color • Corrections • Highlighting Special Event Styling • Perms Facial Waxing • Scissor & Razor Cuts Leslie Pietsch 396-2789 2012 4th Street • Santa Rosa

Workshops, individual and family consultations on how to speak to your kids about their bodies, how babies are made and more.

Carlos Silva • (928) 707-2586 www.BodyDejaVu.com

Professional Sexuality Educator Remi Newman, MA has over 10 years of experience 707-694-4030 reminewman@gmail.com

May 2014 www.sonomafamilylife.com

Classified Marketplace Schools

Childcare/Preschools Offering a Montessori preschool & kindergarten program in a beautiful country setting for children ages 3-6.

Online learning ignites the minds of children like yours

Take control of your family’s health Naturally safe, purely effective essential oils

707-545-2423

info.naturalsolutionspro.com 3924 Princeton Drive, Santa Rosa

Counseling

redbarnmontessori.org 789-9397 • 3820 Bodega Ave., Petaluma

Program of First United Methodist Church Year-round • Play based Ages 2 - 5 (Pre-Kindergarten) Excellent Teacher-Child ratios Open 7am-6pm

Enroll now K12.com/AAS or 877-506-8631

SPANISH

Language

Diane: 546-7012

preschool@fumcsantarosa.org www.fumcsantarosa.org/preschool License#490110699

CLASSES

FUMC

Preschool & Child Care Center

Enrolling for Summer and Fall

For All Ages - Since 2004

Casa dei B o’s Since 1981 amb i h Montessori School

ini

Your Child can Thrive!

Childcare/Preschools

R

Health

Preschool•Kindergarten Parent-Toddler Class Ages 18 months to 6-years

Montessori Education Inspires ♥ Joy of Learning ♥ Order & Detail ♥ Concentration ♥ Grace & Courtesy 2427 Professional Dr.•Santa Rosa, Near Steele Lane & Hwy 101 www.rhioscasa.com

707-528-0889 Developing the Whole Child ages Play-Based Learning 3 to 5 hours 8 am to 3 pm, years

Monday - Friday Christ Methodist Preschool

1717 Yulupa Ave., Santa Rosa • 707.526.0204 www.cmpreschool.org

The Bridge School. Located in Central Santa Rosa, 1625 Franklin Ave. Year-round full/half–day. Rich nurturing environment.

Center based program for ages 3–5 with separate 2’s program. Caring, qualified teachers. Julie & Andrew Day; owners.

Lic.#493005697. 575-7959.

Sonoma & Marin Counties

www.ColorsofSpanish.com

(707) 782-1084

Schools

CHILDREN LEARN THROUGH PLAY MediCal/PHP Accepted • Parent Coaching • Child Therapy

Check out our online directories

Kid Street Learning Center Charter School

YMCA PRESCHOOL MOLDING YOUNG ONES INTO A BRIGHT FUTURE...

Celebrating 15 years!

Now accepting applications for the 2014-2015 School Year in Grades TK-6th.

Call: 707-525-9223 or visit our website at

www.kstreet.org

Jennifer Ballard, MFT 707- 483-9061 FREE CONSULTATION SolutionFamilyTherapy.com

www.sonomafamilylife.com

Playtime Daycare/Preschool Join our loving family. Spacious playroom, large yard, meals provided. CPR & first aid certified.

M-F. Infants & up. Call Wendy 539-7524. Lic. #04746.

Rigorous, Common Core Curriculum - Safe, Supportive environment - Free After School Enrichment Program

May 2014

Santa Rosa: 2590 Piner Rd.

- Part time /Full Time Care-Flexible Plans Available-

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES: Health & Nutrition, Motor Skills, Interpersonal Relationships, Self Confidence, and Cognitive & Academic Skills.

PRICING & REGISTRAION: Contact the YMCA Program Office at 707.544.1829 The Y is a non-profit community based organization.

Financial Assistance is available.

SonomaFamilyLife 41

Humor Break

All I Really Want on Mother’s Day I

By Veronica Blaustein

’ll never forget my first Mother’s Day when, after I expressed disappointment that he didn’t get me anything, my husband said, “Well, you’re not my mother.” Since then there have been three more kids, bouquets of flowers, cards, massages, a facial, breakfasts in bed, and numerous other sweet things given to me by him and the kids.

I would never tell him that I don’t appreciate all those nice things, because I do. Besides we all know that Mother’s Day isn’t about getting gifts, it’s about appreciating one’s mother and appreciating the gift that motherhood is, right? But if I’m asked what I want for Mother’s Day this year, I’m thinking about responding as follows: What I really want is a minivan with a limousine glass that closes when the kids are screaming or start bossing me around. My side would play my kind of music with inappropriate– for-children lyrics, and in the back they could listen to whatever latest Disney soundtrack was hot. This gift would really give me the opportunity to “Let It Go.” While we are on the topic, I also want a minivan that comes with a built-in Roomba. I would have a clean car always. No more embarrassing 42 SonomaFamilyLife

moments at the carwash when I sit there listening to the crackle-clank-clank sounds of the vacuums.

I’d like to get a few packs of markers that are really and truly washable (Whatever Crayola!). It would also be nice if someone donated sandbox mud to my children’s school that really comes out of my children’s

I could fast forward through the hard parts and slow motion the moments I want to last longer. clothes, not that nuclear mud that they currently play in that I can’t scrub out with my Oxyclean-Zout-Shout combo to save my life.

I’d love not just five minutes of alone time, but also an invisibility cloak so that the kids really couldn’t find me. I could use the bathroom in peace, talk to a friend on the phone without having to sit with my back up against my closet door, shower without having to keep one hand on the shower door to prevent the baby from coming in, or answer that client call

without my two-year-old yelling at me, “I’m pooping!”

I’d ask for eight hours of uninterrupted sleep. No one would come in and wake me or stare me awake. Breakfast in bed would still be okay.

I’d ask for more laughing and less crying and the kids would just generally get along.

They would ask for more vegetables and, after clearing their plates, I’d have to beg them to try their dessert. “No thanks, they would say, I’d like to be healthy” (this actually happened once… it was like winning the lottery).

I would be given a remote control so I could rewind and do-over those moments where I lose my cool with the kids, raise my voice, and drag them out the door blaming them for our lateness.

I could fast forward through the hard parts and slow motion the moments I want to last longer.

“What do you want a medal?”…Come to think of it, yeah I would actually like a medal and I’d like other moms to get one too.

Mostly, I would like to have the self-awareness on Mother’s Day that I’m doing pretty darn good because I don’t have a lot of inventions that make mothering easier and so far, 95% of the time, I really don’t need them.

Wanna know what my husband wants for Father’s Day? “A car wash you can run the kids through.”

Great minds think alike, right? ¶

May 2014 www.sonomafamilylife.com

SANTA ROSA RECREATION & PARKS

WE ❤ SUMMER!

Pools open daily, summer camps galore, Howarth Park boating – need we say more?

YOUTH SUMMER CAMPS FOR ALL INTERESTS… DAY CAMPS Camp Wa-Tam Camp Yu-Chi Doyle Adventure Camp Kamp Kennedy UCP Camp Kaos Cloverleaf Ranch Camp

SPECIALTY CAMPS Animal Vet Camp Camp Tiny Tots Cooking Camp Engineering Camp KidScience Adventure Tiny Tots Adventure Camp Video Camp

ARTS CAMPS Dance Camp Drama Camp Drawing Camp Mixed Media Camp Painting Camp Sculpture Camp Sewing Camp

PUBLIC SWIM HOURS FINLEY AQUATIC CENTER, 2060 W. College Ave. April 28-May 30 Mon-Fri: 3-4:45pm June 2-August 22 Mon-Fri: 1:30-4:45pm June 14-August 24 Sat & Sun: 1:30-6pm RIDGWAY SWIM CENTER, 455 Ridgway Ave. April 26-October 5 Sat & Sun: 1:15–6pm June 9-August 17 Mon-Fri: 12-1pm (limited space)/ 1-4pm Fri: 7:30-9:30pm (late night public swim) Plus, hundreds of swim classes for all ages!

SPORTS CAMPS Basketball Camp Camp Vertical Fencing Camp Gymnastics Camp Horse Camp Junior Lifeguard Camp Sailing Camp

Soccer Camp Tennis Camp

Scan for camp schedules

LAKE RALPHINE BOAT RENTAL HOURS HOWARTH PARK, 630 Summerfield Rd. (weather permitting): April-June 1 Sat & Sun: 11am-5pm June 7-August 14 Sat-Thurs: 11am-5pm (Closed Fri) Boating & sailing lessons all summer long too!

For details and to plan your summer adventures, visit www.santarosarec.com

Living in Balance with Nature

Call us when you are ready to

There are few places on earth

trim your landscape trees and

more GREEN than Sonoma County.

Environmental consciousness permeates our lives from the products we purchase to the services we hire.

We want you to think of Fine Tree Care as your partner in

Sonoma Countyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Best-Loved Tree Service since 1999

(707) 874-2018

Visit our web site for more information and testimonials from satisfied clients.

www.SonomaTree.com

privacy screenings for healthy growth and beauty.

Going solar? Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll prune your trees for maximum sun while maintaining their shape.

Fine Tree Care can help you

creating a natural environment

maximize the potential of your

that enhances the benefits we

outdoor living space. We work in

derive from the trees around us.

Licensed, Bonded & Insured

balance with nature.

CCL #947598, LTO #A10086, Certified Arborists Reports, Workers Comp., General Liability, Commercial Auto, & Third Party Liability Insurance