Sonoma Family Life March 2014

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SonomaFamilyLife 3

March 2014

10 Feature Stories

10 Ready, Set, Open! The Children’s Museum of Sonoma County Opening this spring to nurture children’s imagination and creativity.

14 How to Create a Rainbow Birthday Party Color your next party rainbow with these fun ideas.

16 Choosing a Tutor for Your Child How to pick the perfect tutor to help your child excel.

20 Irish Dancers From Rebellion to Riverdance Irish dancers kick up their heels on St. Patrick’s Day.

22 Camp Is for Every Child What camp will be perfect for your child?

24 More Local Kids Get Whooping Cough What will you do to protect your child?

14

Every Issue 6

Dear Readers

8

Bits and Pieces

The San Francisco St. Patrick’s Day Festival

Parents Are Happier Than Nonparents

Regular Bedtimes Affect Cognitive Development

28 Calendar of Events Women’s History Month 38 Celebrating March Birthdays 39 Marketplace 42 Humor Break

On the cover: Cate Bisbee and Hudson Jordan play in

16 4 SonomaFamilyLife

Mary’s Garden at the Children’s Museum of Sonoma County.

Photo by Bob Rider.

SonomaFamilyLife.com March 2014 www.sonomafamilylife.com

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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.

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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 to me that changed Twenty-six years ago something my life 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 so badly that I had a hard The medical doctors tried different time 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.

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It worked for my kids, Hayden and Henry. thenNow and there, to become a chiropractor They have been under chiropractic care their myself. entire lives. unlike most other kids Now for my And, kids, Hayden and Henry.

Theyin their class, they never get the “common” have been under chiropractic care their 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 15 and 17! 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 me withfrom neck paint, shoulder/arm pain,towhiplash 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.

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

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March 2014

SonomaFamilyLife 5

Dear Reader

Ever stared in wonderment at a butterfly with your child? Talked about the different stages?

Imagined what it might be like to spread those wings on a Sharon Gowan spring breeze? With Publisher/Editor Sharon@family-life.us the opening of the Children’s Museum of Sonoma County you’ll be able to get an even closer feel for life as a butterfly.

On the cover, Cate Bisbee and Hudson Jordan start off Family Life’s exclusive sneak peek into the new butterfly themed interactive display, Mary’s Garden. You’ll see more of our pint-sized tour guides and the fun awaiting you, on page 10.

And if after all the butterfly focus, you still long for the colors of springtime, why not plan a rainbow party? See page 14 for rainbow themed inspiration, ideas and recipes!

And now there’s a new way to celebrate your child’s birthday. Send us their picture and

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how old they’ll be for our Happy Birthday Wishes-page 38. April birthdays need to be to us by the 15th! But you can send any month now and we’ll save it! P.S. We don’t publish last names.

On a more serious note, Marin county has the second highest rate of whooping cough in the entire state, and twice as many cases as the previous year. Page 24.

You can also see video on these stories, with our free app. Go to page 21 for two simple steps, then scan pages with the ‘PLAY’ icon to find pages with cool connected videos and links. Now your phone will recognize our photos and give you more options for related content that we have curated just for you. It’s like your own channel of ‘extras’.

Finally summer time is coming—you’ll see lots of summer camps this issue, and a helpful ‘how-to’ find a great camp. Save the date-Friday April 11th is the north bay’s biggest camp fair. It’s free and fun and you’ll find over 100 camps to choose from!

Happy March

earth day SATURDAY APRIL 26TH Join us at the Solar Living Institute In Hopland • 10 am-3 pm

Learn All About Bees & Beekeeping Bee friendly planting Make beeswax Visit a pollinator hotel Enjoy local music Taste local honey

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March 2014 www.sonomafamilylife.com

Office Manager Patricia Ramos patty@family-life.us

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

Contributing Writers Karen Gastaldo-Grafe Denise Yearian Cameron Carey Peg L. Smith Bull Garlington

Cover Photo Bob Rider

Calendar Anna Freeman

Billing Jan Wasson-Smith

Publishing Office

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March 2014

SonomaFamilyLife 7

Bits & Pieces

The San Francisco St. Patrick’s Day Festival

S

t. Patrick’s Day week is full of excitement and performances for Irish dancers.

Many of the Bay Area’s Irish dance schools, including dancers with Sonoma County-based Keenan Irish Dance School, will participate in the San Francisco St. Patrick’s Day parade on Saturday, March 15.

The parade begins at 11:30 a.m. at Market and 2nd streets in San Francisco and proceeds along Market Street to finish at the popular St. Patrick’s Day Festival across from City Hall. Keenan dancers who perform year round at public and private events will be out around the county throughout the month dancing and helping everyone feel “a bit of the green.” To learn more about Keenan School of Irish Dance, check out keenanirishdanceschool.com. ¶

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Regular Bedtimes Affect Cognitive Development

R

egular bedtimes really matter to children’s developing brains.

Researchers at the University College London followed 11,000 children from when they were three-years old to the age of seven to measure the effects of bedtimes on cognitive function.

The results, published in 2013, found that “…irregular bedtimes at three years of age were associated with lower scores in reading, math, and spatial awareness in both boys and girls, suggesting that around the age of three could be a sensitive period for cognitive development.”

Regular bedtimes are important for both boys and girls and the earlier these can be implemented, the better for cognitive performance. ¶

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SonomaFamilyLife 9

Where Curiosity and Imagination Come to Play

Children’s Museum of Sonoma County

Children enjoy catching and releasing simulated salmon fish in the miniature Russian River.

See the museum in action.

S

The

By Karen Gastaldo-Grafe

onoma County families, the wait is finally over! The eagerly anticipated unveiling of the first phase of the Children’s Museum of Sonoma County, a multi-million dollar creative playing and learning facility for children ages ten and under, is opening

its doors in the spring of 2014. The museum will partially open in March at its new

permanent location at 1835 W. Steele Lane in Santa Rosa, just a stone’s throw from the Charles M. Schulz Museum. You and your kids won’t want to miss it.

A Seed Is Planted

It was that experience, coupled with her avid interest in early elementary education, which made her realize the true value of and need for hands-on experiential learning moments that go well beyond 10 SonomaFamilyLife

Bob Rider Photography

The Children’s Museum of Sonoma County (CMOSC) is the brainchild of CEO and Founder Collette Michaud, a former educational software game designer, key innovator and manager at the prestigious Lucas Learning and LucasArts Entertainment Company. The concept of a local children’s museum first took root when Michaud decided to place her successful fifteen-year career on hold to concentrate on raising her two young sons.

L. to R. Valentina Caceras, Isabella Caceras, Cate Bisbee, Juliet Jordan, and Hudson Jordan spread their wings in Mary’s Garden.

March 2014 www.sonomafamilylife.com

An Idea Takes Root The initial bud of Michaud’s concept started taking shape back in 2005 when the CMOSC began to operate as a “Museum-on-the-Go” (MOG), a unique mobile learning tool kit that has since served as an invaluable outreach program to the community.

It has brought primarily free hands-on learning experiences in the arts and sciences to more than 10,000 children and their caregivers at a variety of Sonoma County schools, as well as community and educational events throughout the area, many at low-income neighborhoods and underserved institutions.

It has grown from a simple table with a few activities to more than eleven exhibits that cultivate both curiosity and imagination, with a variety of topics ranging from www.sonomafamilylife.com

hydrodynamics and air pressure to magnetism and face painting. “One Honda minivan, some innovative reuse of materials, and a lot of man-hours were all it took to spark imaginations,” said Michaud, recounting how the MOG first developed. “Once we took our exhibits to community events, we saw light bulbs go off in children’s as well as adults’ minds.”

The MOG has since been voted “Best Imagination Center 2011 and 2012” in Sonoma County by the North Bay Bohemian, and continues to grow in both scope and popularity. “My favorite exhibit is the Hopper Popper.

It is so much fun to see how the air moves the balls around. I love going to the museum,” said Hugo Traverso, age six, one of many young fans of the ever-popular MOG. The mobile museum will continue providing one-of-a-kind learning opportunities through play, but on a more limited basis once the permanent museum begins fully operating. Over the next few months, the MOG will be offering a bevy of engaging programs at Sonoma County Libraries. For more details check out the events calendar at cmosc.org.

Valentina Caceras happy in a cocoon.

Juliet Jordan climbs on a caterpillar in Mary’s Garden.

The Flowering of a Dream The larger permanent museum will take what the MOG has done but on a much larger scale and scope. Like the Bay Area Discovery Museum in Sausalito, the CMOSC will provide children with a safe, fun and educational place to gather and play with other families. Kids can March 2014

Bob Rider Photography

those offered solely by educational computer games. An idea sprung to her mind of providing a safe learning environment accessible to all of Sonoma County’s children (including those with disabilities), a place bursting with engaging interactive exhibits, fun brain-stimulating programs and creative workshops that would foster imaginations ignited by play-based explorations of the arts, sciences, culture, and nature.

SonomaFamilyLife 11

Plans for the Tottopia, a space for the museum’s youngest visitors.

programs & education at the CMOSC.

run, jump, touch, get messy, climb, explore, and discover in 36,000 square feet of clean outdoor space. But what makes this museum stand out is its primary focus on Sonoma County culture, history, and industry. “It will provide families an opportunity to connect to their communities, often by experiencing things in a way that they may have never been exposed to,” said Theresa Giacomo, director of

Ecology and preserving nature is an important theme at the museum. When children enter Mary’s Garden, they will be greeted by their host Mary the Butterfly. She’ll encourage children to explore her lifecycle by playing in a butterfly egg, climbing on and in caterpillars and emerging from a chrysalis. There are also hills to roll down, paths to explore, and a gravel pit to dig for treasure. The exhibit, which was made possible by a grant from PG&E, will also teach children about clean and renewable energy.

With a forty-two-foot miniature

version of the Russian River running through the garden, children can play in the water and try to catch native species of pretend fish or check out the bubbling rocks near the exhibit’s replica of the Sonoma Coast.

Other exhibits will include Ella’s Art Studio, a place where children can create and explore with paint, chalk, fabrics and clay, as well as a farmer’s market and a tractor and windmill to play with. In addition, the attached Dow Event Center will be available to host children’s birthday parties or other special occasions.

A Garden Blooms The full grand opening (or Phase II) is expected to follow in the summer of 2014, when the TOTtopia play area and the Science and Imagination

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March 2014 www.sonomafamilylife.com

Dylan Glazier and Marley Glazier fish in the CMOSC’s river.

oday for Register t mer

Bob Rider Photography

Sum ps!

C am

Gallery become open to the public.

TOTtopia will be geared towards the museum’s youngest visitors—an immersive environment created especially for babies, pre-walkers, toddlers, and their caregivers to learn and play together. Special features will include a water play area, a sensory and manipulative play area, foam building blocks, an enchanted forest and a storybook cottage. The indoor Science and Imagination Gallery is expected to include a kid-sized grocery store, a science and health laboratory, a demonstration beehive, a train station with trains encircling the gallery, a giant robot, and many science-based activities.

Nurturing the Garden Investors from all around Sonoma County recognize the importance of this initiative and have donated generous gifts to help complete the interactive campus. Empire College, Redwood Credit Union, PG&E, Kaiser Permanente, Friedman’s Home Improvement, G&G Supermarkets, and The Press Democrat are just a few of the many investors who have contributed to the capital campaign. It is with the support of businesses, families and individuals in the community that www.sonomafamilylife.com

the CMOSC is able to continue to bring innovative learning experiences to thousands of children each year.

“Our children are our most precious resource,” said Michaud. “We need to do all we can to inspire them, especially when they are young. As a community, we will all be stronger, healthier, and happier as a result.”

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The museum is still in need of support. There are many ways in which you can help, such as donating a money gift or supplying items like paints or recyclable materials. Purchasing a membership is also a great way to contribute. It offers unlimited admission to the museum as well as special activities and events that are exclusive to members. Or you can even become a permanent part of the CMOSC by building a “bug” with your name on it, which will be installed in Mary’s Garden highlighting your family’s support of the museum.

Volunteering opportunities are also available for those who are interested, call 707-546-4069 or email volunteers@cmosc.org. ¶ For more information and details about the Children’s Museum of Sonoma County, such as hours, rates, special events, and ways that you can help, please visit www.cmosc.org.

March 2014

SonomaFamilyLife 13

MUSIC

Crea te a Over Som the R ewhe ainb re ow Ing By A rah nn am

y t r a P y a d h t iB r

I

n March we wish for sun and rain to bring out all the spring flowers—lavender, apple blossoms, Calla lillies, roses, and beautiful rainbows. Create a spring rainbow birthday party and make your kid’s favorite things in vibrant rainbow colors. And nothing is better for celebrating the birth of a child than the symbol of a rainbow, what the Navajo Indians saw as the bridge between heaven and earth.

You can create rainbow fruit skewers and a rainbow collection of veggies with hummus. Fill a pitcher with lemonade and add a rainbow of sliced strawberries, oranges, lemons, and limes. You can also make rainbow popcorn for kids to enjoy and the pièce de résistance is the rainbow cake decorated with edible butterflies (find them on Etsy).

While kids are at the party, invite them to string long necklaces of colorful macaroni beads. Also have a rainbow collection of crayons and paper for children’s spontaneous creations.

Don’t forget to get a big colorful parachute that the kids can play under. Add some bubbles and rainbow beach balls to toss around and everybody will be happy.

Send kids home with rainbow-colored glasses, scratch paper (black paper that you scratch to reveal the rainbow colors underneath), and a rainbow lollipop.

14 SonomaFamilyLife

March 2014 www.sonomafamilylife.com

Rainbow Popcorn Go to Sonomafamilylife.com for the recipe.

Rainbow Cake Go to Sonomafamilylife.com for the recipe.

Colorful Pasta Beads Go to Sonomafamilylife.com for the recipe. www.sonomafamilylife.com

March 2014

SonomaFamilyLife 15

Choosing a Tutor for Your Child

By Denise Yearian

G

race Kelley was like many other fourth-grade students. She started off the school year with ambitious plans of acing every subject.

“She was so excited and wanted to do well in school,” reports her father Alan. But several weeks into the school year, that excitement waned.

“Her math papers were coming home with 30 and 40 percentiles. It shot her confidence to work so hard and get these kinds of grades.”

Nicholas Connell was about halfway through first grade when his parents realized he was having academic issues. “As we read with him at home, we noticed he was memorizing words rather than sounding them out,” recalls his mother Deborah. “I was concerned and didn’t know if he was a slow learner or just having problems.”

After talking with his teacher and guidance counselor, the Connell’s decided to get their son help.

16 SonomaFamilyLife

There are a number of signs that a child needs a tutor, says Debbie Martini, director of a Sylvan Learning Center. “These could include difficulty doing homework, unfinished assignments, poor test grades, frustration, and tears.”

Laura Kouba, learning support teacher at a private school, agrees.

“Frustration while doing homework is a sure sign. So is hiding test scores. One thing I hear from parents is that they themselves are frustrated and oftentimes don’t know how to help. When it gets to this level, the family should consider tutoring.”

“I think all kids can benefit from tutoring,” suggests Martini. “It’s for remediation, but we also do a lot of enrichment and maintenance too.”

Before finding a tutor, discuss it with your child. “Keep the conversation as positive as possible,”

March 2014 www.sonomafamilylife.com

says Beverly Stewart, president and director of Back to Basics Learning Dynamics, Inc. “You are trying to get the child to buy in—‘You know how reading is kind of hard sometimes? We’re going to meet with someone who can help you.’ Most kids are okay with this because they don’t want to struggle with school work.”

Dodi Hebert found this to be true.

“Ryan has struggled with reading since he was in kindergarten and I’ve tried to get help through the school.” But because he wasn’t labeled special needs, there were always roadblocks. “This past year, he was being tested to get into ninth grade at a private school, and his tests scores came back at

a sixth-grade reading level. That’s when we talked with him. He already knew there was a problem; he was tired of struggling and ready to get help.”

When choosing a tutor, start with

“Frustration while doing homework is a sure sign.

So is hiding test scores. a good recommendation. “I began with the school and asked if they could recommend anyone,” Connell recalls. “Then I asked my sister and a few people at work.”

“Word of mouth is an excellent approach,” says Kouba. More important are credentials. “You

need to know who is working with your kids—if they have the right education, experience, and training.”

Another point to consider is availability. With sports, extra-curricular activities, and work schedules dominating the clock, how do parents find time for tutoring, let alone the “right time” for their child?

“It’s very individual,” says Stewart.

“This is where parents need to advise us.” Some kids, she says, really need a break after school—thirty to forty-five minutes. But other kids, if you give them that down time, they totally unplug. Her advice? “Make it a priority. Get the child in when he can learn.”

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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.

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• 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!

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SonomaFamilyLife 17

Questions to Ask When Choosing A Tutor ✏ What age do you tutor? ✏ Is it for remedial work only? Or do you do enrichment and maintenance too? ✏ What subjects do you offer? ✏ Do you have summer programs? ✏ Can my child go during school hours? ✏ Can you work sessions around my family’s schedule? ✏ Do you offer diagnostic testing? Is it required? ✏ Do you teach in small group sessions or one-on one? ✏ Where does tutoring take place? ✏ What qualifications do you/your teachers have? ✏ What if my child has a personal problem with the tutor, can I get another one? ✏ How often is the child required to go? ✏ How often will I receive progress reports?

Will they be written or verbal? ✏ What is the duration of the contract? ✏ How much do you charge? ✏ Are there any hidden fees?

“Ryan goes right after school and gets it out of the way,” says Hebert.

“This works best for us. He does have a little break—about an hour— before tutoring starts. Sometimes he gets started on his homework so he’s not doing it late into the night.”

Once a tutor has been selected, some children undergo comprehensive testing to determine what academic goals need to be set.

The Kelleys had this done prior to enrolling their daughter in a center.

“When we had Grace tested, she came in at a seven-year-old math level, yet tested at a seventh-grade reading level—that’s a huge gap!” recalls her father. Armed with that information, the Kelleys, along with

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18 SonomaFamilyLife

March 2014 www.sonomafamilylife.com

the tutoring center, were able to begin addressing Grace’s needs.

“I think it’s important to get the key players’ input when setting goals,” says Martini. “The teachers and tutors know where the student needs to be academically, but the parents know their child and are paying for the service.”

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Even more they need to know what progress is being made. “I meet with

Before finding a tutor, discuss it with your child. parents every three weeks to discuss the child’s skills—what he’s mastered out of and what he’s working on,” Martini continues.

And mastery of skills is what it is all about. Grace, now in fifth grade, has found that love of learning again. Ryan, a high school freshman, has achieved a new level of self-confidence. As for Nicholas, he is a second-grade rising star.

“Before Nick began tutoring, he never wanted to be in the school play because he would have to read,” explains Connell. But after tutoring, he finally volunteered. “The day of the play he was so cute. The part he was supposed to read was written on the back of his card. When he finished reading it, he held the card up over his head like he was a Superbowl champion—he was so proud of himself!” ¶ Denise Yearian is the former editor of two parenting magazines and the mother of three children.

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As seen in the New York Times, Nick News, Bay Area Backroads & KQED’s Truly CA. For nearly 40 years, children have run away to join our circus in beautiful Mendocino County!

Our multi-cultural curriculum of circus and performing arts encourages self-discovery, leadership and growth in a positive and affirming environment. Voted Family Favorite by Bay Area Parent and Best Overnight Camp by East Bay Parent’s Press and Oakland Magazine! www.campwinnarainbow.org Email: arainbow.org Phone: 510-525-4304

March 2014

SonomaFamilyLife 19

Keenan Irish Dancers show off their swan-adorned dresses.

See the Keenan Irish Dancers perform in a field of green.

From Rebellion to Riverdance

Irish Dancers Kick Up Their Heels on St. Patrick’s Day

M

By Cameron Carey

odern-day Irish dance dates back to the 16th century.

During the 400-year period

known as the Penal Days, the

British banned all Irish cultural traditions in Ireland, from speaking Irish to playing Irish music to dancing. In all except the most remote of locations, any continuation of the Irish heritage, including dancing, had to be done behind closed doors.

20 SonomaFamilyLife

Since Irish instruments were forbidden, parents taught children tunes with rhythms tapped out by their feet or through lilting, which is similar to humming but with simple chants. One of the most popular theories as to why today’s Irish dancer has such a stiff upper body evolves from this time. The children were taught to dance inside, but by maintaining arms straight at their side and a stiff upper body, to a passerby, such as a British soldier looking through the window, it would appear as if the dancer was simply walking.

After the penal laws were lifted in the late 18th century, dance masters toured the country teaching the children to dance for a small fee. The master usually stayed in one locale for about six weeks, and the family with

whom the master stayed got to join in the lessons for free. All of the children would learn group dances, known as ceilis (pronounced kaylees), many of which are still danced today. The most talented students would be taught individual steps or solo dances, some of which were meant to convey a story.

If more than one dance master arrived in a town, a competition would ensue.

The dancing duel would often take place on a table, barrels, or doors that were taken off their hinges creating an exciting exhibition.

During the potato famine in the 1840s millions of Irish fled to America.

Many went into show business. On Broadway, African boot dancers met Irish step dancers, creating our modern tap dancing. James Cagney and Grace Kelly are two well-known performers who started out Irish step dancing. Irish dancing’s popularity

March 2014 www.sonomafamilylife.com

spread like wildfire when Riverdance first toured in the mid 1990s. The show portrayed the story of Irish dance through dancing.

When many think of Irish dancers, the Riverdance line comes to mind, of dancers performing in sync with loud tapping and high kicks. These dancers wear hard shoes that are based on the traditional Irish leather shoe and are similar to tap shoes, but have fiberglass heels and tips instead of metal taps. The volume of the sound is determined by the strength of the dancer’s slam against the floor. Irish dancers also wear ghillies, which are similar to ballet shoes, and are worn in dances with a lot of leaps and jumps.

Irish dancers of all ages dance for the pure enjoyment and terrific

exercise. Others enjoy competing and performing. For the latter, it is important to look their best. Many girls wear wigs, which mimic the old fancy-dress ringlets and show off leaps and jumps, without the fuss and pain of wearing curlers the night before.

symbols. The Sonoma County based Keenan School of Irish Dance, has swans on their dresses, representing the swans of The Children of Lyr, a well-loved Irish legend. Boys also have a costume, wearing slacks and a tie, with a vest that coordinates with the girls’ dresses.

African boot dancers met Irish step dancers, creating our modern tap dancing.

For a dancer who competes, once an intermediate level is reached, the dancer can then wear a solo costume, each of which is unique and which mirrors the personality of its wearer. But, what shines through most is the dancer’s, spirit and their joy in dancing. St. Patrick’s Day provides lots of engagements for Irish dancers to shine and show off their unmitigated Irish pride, no matter what their heritage. ¶

Each Irish dance school has its own school uniform, which has its roots in traditional Ireland. The girls’ dresses have a cape, representing the travel capes worn in old Ireland. The dress itself is usually adorned with Celtic

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SonomaFamilyLife 21

Camp Is for Every Child

By Peg L. Smith

W

atching my son after he returned

from summer camp was the

first hint that remarkable growth was underway. He was engaged, giving, and confident. Viewing the camp experience as a respite from the real world is somehow to miss the point—it is the real world— simply getting dirty, trying to pull harder so your team wins, finding the friend you always wished for, being yourself—it’s the time of your life and the promise of the future.

22 SonomaFamilyLife

As a parent, I constantly ask where do children have their mental, personal, emotional, and physical needs nurtured? Where will they learn to get along with others, to take safe risks, to deal with conflict in a constructive way that encourages them to be creative, to explore and discover, to learn by actively doing, to try—to fail and try again?

In the camp community, I find what I intuitively know as a parent—to be a positive, productive adult one needs the opportunity to truly experience childhood...that is how one grows.

Camps enjoy the opportunity of working their magic with all of our children: the gifted athlete, the budding musician, the curious naturalist, the first-time camper, and the child with a disability. The idea that camp is for every child isn’t just a pipe dream—it’s a reality.

The entire experience began with a single camp—The Gunnery Camp in 1861. As I write, I am buoyed by the recognition of just how dynamically this idea has taken flight. Over 11.5 million children, youth, and adults participated in camps in 2013. Overall, the numbers continue to grow, and this popular movement testifies so loudly to the extraordinary benefits that camp provides to our young people— responsibility, exploration, engagement, not to mention the spiritual dimension of the camp experience.

Is camp quantifiable? Maybe not—but as a parent, I can only react with extreme pleasure as my son displayed those acts of kindness and generosity of spirit that follow so naturally from his time at camp. His chance to develop and grow was marked by constant changes—our camps meet those challenges every day of every March 2014 www.sonomafamilylife.com

CLOVERLEAF RANCH

Questions to Ask Camps • What is the camp’s philosophy and program emphasis?

• What is the camp director’s background?

• What training do counselors receive?

• What is the counselor-to-camper ratio?

• What are the ages of the counselors?

• How does the camp handle homesickness and other adjustment issues?

session and that’s why doing what we do becomes so vital.

Camp is about firsts—a first campfire outdoors, leading a pony, catching a frog, enjoying the evening stories, and being chosen—chosen to be part of a community that values each child

Children are alight with the idea that their acorn hangs from a rafter where their parents and aunts and uncles placed theirs so many years before. and his or her special gifts. It’s about making memories and honoring the traditions of those who have come

before. Children are alight with the idea that their acorn hangs from a rafter where their parents and aunts and uncles placed theirs so many years before.

Throwing the doors wide open to allow generations of children and families to enjoy the value of experiential learning and growth, a path to self-esteem and independence is what camp is all about. From urban and rural settings to international camp opportunities, we revel in watching children discover their place in the world—making a difference is truly what makes the difference. ¶ Reprinted from ACAcamps.org by permission of the American Camp Association; copyright 2013 by the American Camping Association, Inc.

Resident Camp

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How to Find a Great Camp 1. Find summer camps here in Sonoma Family Life magazine. Summer camps advertising now are ready to tell you all about summer fun they’re planning. P.S. There may be early bird discounts, so call as soon as you know your schedule.

2. Check out the Sonoma Family Life online Summer Camp Directory with links and contact info, photos and more! It’s updated weekly so check back often. Scan the QR code or go to SonomaFamilyLife.com 3. Come to the Camp Fair & Family Expo April 11th, at the Wells Fargo Center for the Arts. Free admission and over 100 Summer Camps!

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March 2014

SonomaFamilyLife 23

What you need to Know About

Whooping Cough

By Ann Ingraham

N

orthern California is known for being a healthy place to live, focusing on organic gardens healthy food and outdoor living. That’s why it’s surprising that it is also home to the second highest rate of whooping cough in the state.

In 2013 in California 1,904 cases of whooping cough (pertussis) were reported, nearly double the amount of cases reported in 2012 according to the California Department of Public Health. The majority of cases have occurred in infants and children less than eighteen years of age.

Learn more about protecting infants from pertussis.

24 SonomaFamilyLife

Marin County had the second highest rate of whooping cough of all California counties with 173 reported cases in 2013 according to the California Department of Public Health. Sonoma County had forty-one reported cases, Mendocino County had five cases, and Lake County had three reported cases of whooping cough in 2013.

Whooping cough is a highly contagious respiratory disease; in its onset it looks similar to the common cold and in the advanced stages thick mucous develops in the lungs and clogs air passages triggering violent episodes of coughing followed by a high-pitched intake of breath that sounds like a “whoop.” Complications include high fever, brain inflammation, convulsions, pneumonia, and even death. An infant died from whooping cough in Riverside, CA at the beginning of 2014, the first California death from whooping cough in three years.

Many Californians, especially Northern Californians, pride themselves on embracing alternative lifestyles, alternatives schools, and accepting nothing at face value—including most doctor’s recommendations to vaccinate their children. Personal Belief Exemptions allow parents that choose not to vaccinate their children (based on their religion or personal choice) to still have their children attend public school. Starting this January, these parents must also receive guidance about vaccines and receive a doctor’s signature.

“There is a high rate of Personal Belief Exemptions in Marin County and in Nevada County [that has the highest rate of whooping cough infection in the state],” said Dr. David J. Witt, infectious disease specialist at Kaiser San Rafael. “The fact seems to hold that this [high rate of whooping cough in Marin County] is a result of unvaccinated kids.”

March 2014 www.sonomafamilylife.com

In 1996 the whooping cough vaccine changed to cause less discomfort in kids and Witt explained that the new vaccine is not as durable and loses its effectiveness after three years. The Center for Disease Control recommends that children receive a DTap (diptheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis) vaccination starting at two months, a booster between ages four and six and another booster at age eleven or twelve.

There is work being done to improve the vaccine and to make it more durable. Meanwhile “I recommend all kids and parents are vaccinated,” said Witt. “Not vaccinating your kids is selfish and threatening to others.”

When asked if he thinks the changes in the Personal Belief Exemption will increase the amount of vaccinated

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kids, Witt replied, “I think it will definitely encourage parents that don’t want to take the time to have their kids vaccinated. It will hopefully also

autistic after receiving a vaccine and also believes studies must be done to ensure the safety of all vaccine ingredients.

Sears argues that his alternative schedule was designed to increase vaccinations in our country.

Witt believes that the link between vaccines and autism was perpetuated by a fraudulent research paper published in the medical journal The Lancet in 1998. “Study after study has failed to prove any link between vaccinations and autism,” Wick said.

influence parents that are horribly misinformed about vaccinations.”

Critics argue that potentially harmful vaccine ingredients, including formaldehyde, aluminum, MSG, human and animal tissues, and more need to be more thoroughly tested to prove that they are safe. Comedienne Jenny McCarthy has been vocal in her belief that her son became

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Petaluma mom, Elsa Beatty, has followed the Center for Disease Control’s vaccination schedule recommended by her doctor for all three of her young children. “I have heard about these incidents [whooping cough outbreak] cropping up when parents choose not to vaccinate, so I’ve chosen to vaccinate all my kids. Occasionally I’ve spaced them out a little bit.”

Required: benefits and risk counseling session with a health care provider prior to school enrollment

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March 2014

SonomaFamilyLife 25

Dr. Sears, in his book The Vaccine Book: Making the Right Decisions for Your Child published in 2007 proposed an alternative schedule that spaces the vaccinations out over a longer period of time than is recommended by the Center for Disease Control to spread out exposure to chemicals. For example, he suggests starting with the most important vaccines and exposing infants to only one aluminum-containing shot at a time.

significantly.” “His hide in the herd and hope others are vaccinated advice is cavalier and his experience with serious diseases is limited,” Witt said. Sears argues in his book that his alternative schedule was

He also suggests that parents that choose not to vaccinate their children with the MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) vaccine “not to share their fears with their neighbors because if too many people avoid the MMR, we’ll likely see the diseases increase

designed to increase vaccinations in our country by offering an alternative that resolves much of the controversy.

“Study after study has failed to prove any link between vaccinations and autism.”

“Well-meaning parents think they are protecting their children from side effects of vaccines by not vaccinating when in truth they are endangering

their children and the community in which they live to whooping cough. Pregnant moms should also get vaccinated,” said Mona Perry a pregnant mom of two in Santa Rosa.

The Center for Disease Control recommends that pregnant moms get the Tdap vaccine in the third trimester of pregnancy to protect the mom and new baby against whooping cough.

Parents have serious decisions to make when deciding about medical care for their children. If they have children starting school in the fall, they have to present their child’s vaccination records or have a doctor sign off on their decision to not vaccinate. As children gather together in excitement in the classroom, parents see that they’re all in it together, in more ways than one. ¶

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26 SonomaFamilyLife

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serious fun AT Y CAMP, YOUR CHILD WILL MAKE MEMORIES THAT WILL LAST A LIFETIME! SIGN-UP FOR CAMP STARTING MARCH 3RD Adventure Camp•Sports Camp•Super Science Camp•Little Campsters•Moving On Camp•Kids Club & Counselor in Training Program

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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.

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March 2014

SonomaFamilyLife 27

March March Calendar Calendar of Events of Events Women’s History Month

M

arch is National Women’s History Month and this year’s theme is celebrating women of character, courage, and commitment, honoring the extraordinary and often unrecognized (moms you know what this means) determination and tenacity of women. Against social convention and often legal restraints, women have created a legacy that expands the frontiers of possibility for generations to come. March is a special time to honor these amazing women. What woman has made a difference in your life? To find out more about National Women’s History month, visit nwhp.org.

Santa Rosa Junior College celebrates National Women’s History Month with a focus on Latinas. Author Rena Grande will be speaking about Crossing Borders: Immigration and the “American Dream” on Monday, March 3rd from noon to 1 p.m. in the Newman Auditorium.

Mariachi Femenil Orgullo Mexicano, an exceptional all-women Mariachi group will perform a concert on Saturday, March 8th from 7 to 10 p.m. in Newman Auditorium. There will be more events at the Santa Rosa and Petaluma campuses. Call 527-4586 for more information or go to santarosa.edu and look for the link to the Women’s History Month calendar under “What’s New.” ¶

1 Saturday FREE Sculpture Trail. Features

works in the Plaza & the Blvd.

Trail thru May 8, 2014. Downtown Cloverdale & Geyserville. cloverdaleartsalliance.org.

activities. 9 am–noon. Friedman’s Home Improvement. 4055 Santa Rosa Ave., Santa Rosa. cmosc.org.

1:30–3:45 pm. Novato Library. 1720 Novato Blvd. mathmentor2020.com.

FREE Science Saturday at

Seats are limited. Tickets $60. Avail at Mendo Book Co. & Club Calpella.

5–11 pm. Carl Purdy Hall. Ukiah Fairgrounds. 467-4900.

Environmental Discovery Center.

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

Weekends. Jan. thru May. Bodega Head.

Tangible experiments & projects let children explore the natural world.

Every 1st Sat. 1, 2 & 3 pm. Spring Lake.

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

Petrified Forest Meadow Walk.

FREE Sebastopol Wranglers. Barrel

FREE Whale Watch at Bodega Head.

See live oak, Douglas fir, madrone, manzanita, rare wildflowers & Mt. St. Helena. Sat. & Sun. 11 am weather permitting. Includes price of admission, $16, $15 seniors and junior, free 11 & under. The Petrified Forest.

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

racing & team roping. Open junior, novice & senior classes. 7:30 am–9 pm. Lyttle Cow Palace. Sonoma County Fairgrounds. Santa Rosa. sebastopolwranglers.com.

FREE Circus, Music, & Storytelling with Coventry & Kaluza. Be prepared

FREE Friedman’s Kidsworx Creative

to laugh & be amazed! 10:30 am.

Healdsburg Library. sonomalibrary.org.

Workshop. Children’s Museum of Sonoma County hosts fun science

Essay writing & math tips & tricks.

28 SonomaFamilyLife

FREE SAT Workshop for Teens.

Boys & Girls Club Annual Crab Feed.

3 Monday Rock-n-Glow Bowling. LED lane

lighting & automated scoring. Special bumper-rails for kids. Bowl for 2 hours every Mon. between 5–10 pm. Shoes included. $9 per person. Windsor Bowl. 8801 Conde Ln., Windsor. windsorbowl.com.

Kid’s Skate. The perfect way to introduce your child to skating! Ages 10 & under with parent. Mon. & Thurs. mornings. 9:30–11:30 am. $6.50 includes skate rental. 6100 Commerce Blvd., Rohnert Park. calskate.com.

March 2014 www.sonomafamilylife.com

4 Tuesday Henri Matisse Exhibit. Thru Sep.

7, 2014. Daily, except Mon. Docent lecture Mar. 4. 1–2 pm. $6–$10.

Under 12 free. Legion of Honor. San Francisco. famsf.org.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Sheer joy & love emanates from this award-winning South African a capella singing group. 8 pm. $29 & $39.

Wells Fargo Center for the Arts. Santa Rosa. wellsfargocenterarts.org.

FREE Tweens Create Tie Dye T-Shirt Bags. Taught by Siobhan

Loughney. All materials & snack provided. 3:30 pm. Healdsburg Library. sonomalibrary.org.

Meditation Group for Mothers.

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

Cotati-Rohnert Park Unified School District Learning for a lifetime . . .

Smaller Classes Enhanced Libraries New Technology Innovative Programs

Check us out at

WWW.CRPUSD.ORG

5 Wednesday She Kills Monsters. A teacher comes

to terms with the death of her teenage sister. A pseudo-violent comedy adventure of identity, fantasy & killing monsters! Various times thru Mar. 29. $10–$17. Ives Hall, Studio 119. Sonoma State University. sonoma.edu.

Frank Lloyd Wright Civic Center Tours. Docent-led tours of historic

landmark. Every Wed. 10:30 am. $5.

2nd Floor Café. Rm. 233. Marin Civic Center. 3501 Civic Center Dr., San Rafael. marincounty.org.

FREE First Wednesday at Bay Area Discovery Museum. Creative play for all children. 9 am–5 pm. Bay Area Discovery Museum. 557 McReynolds Rd., Sausalito. baykidsmuseum.org.

www.sonomafamilylife.com

March 2014

SonomaFamilyLife 29

Spring Classes Video production, cartooning, computer gaming, art, and ice skating at the Charles M. Schulz Museum.

March 17 - 22, 2014 Reserve your space online www.schulzmuseum.org/learn

or call

(707) 284-1263

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

FREE Annual Library Art Exhibit & Reception. Meet 10 of Sonoma

County’s outstanding artists at the opening reception Mar. 5. 6–7:30 pm. Armando Flores meeting room.

Rohnert Park-Cotati Library. 6250 Lynne Conde Way. sonomalibrary.org.

Wednesday Movie Night. Petaluma Film Alliance shows classic, foreign & independent films with guests, lectures & post-screening discussions. 6 pm pre-film discussion. 7 pm screening. $5. Ellis Auditorium. SRJC Petaluma Campus. petalumafilmalliance.org.

Berkeley Art Museum Kids Club.

Explore & create! Wed. thru Sun. 11 am–5 pm. $10 adults. Free under 12 & Berkeley students. 2626 Bancroft Way. 2625 Durant Avenue. Between College & Telegraph. bampfa.berkeley.edu.

5 Friday

7.07% Youth Deposit Rate

FREE Bodega Marine Laboratory

Let’s teach kids the value of saving.

biodiversity of the Northern California Coast. Closed to public Mar. 28.

Drop-in Fridays, 2-4 pm. 2099 West Side Rd., Bodega Bay. bml.ucdavis.edu.

They’ll earn dollars in interest – not pennies.

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

All levels of skill welcome!

Tours. Explore the dynamic

FREE First Friday Night Sky at www.comfirstcu.org 707/546-6000

Guerneville, Healdsburg, Napa, Sebastopol, Santa Rosa x2

6th Annual

Scholastic Chess Tournament May 3, 2014 Grades K–8

Call today!

(707) 527-6427

Register Online: www.chessclubforkids.com

30 SonomaFamilyLife

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.

8 Saturday Tolay Lake Afternoon Hike.

Breathtaking views while learning about the rich biodiversity and history. 2–4 pm. $7 parking for non-members. End of Cannon Lane off Lakeville Hwy. Petaluma. parks. sonomacounty.ca.gov.

March 2014 www.sonomafamilylife.com

Turning your fleeting moments into precious memories

Early Spring Wildflower Walk.

A slow paced 3.5 mile ramble of moderate difficulty to examine the shift in nature from winter to spring.

Bring camera & binoculars. 10 am–1:30 pm. $10. Jack London State Historic Park. 2400 London Ranch Rd., Glen Ellen. jacklondonpark.com.

Return of the Dinosaurs! Explore

the world of dinosaurs with fun crafts, exhibits, cinema, more. Sat. 10 am–8 pm. & Sun. 10 am–7 pm. $12 ages 2–12. $16 ages 13–64. $14 seniors & military with ID. Grace Pavilion. Sonoma County Fairgrounds. Santa Rosa. returnofthedino.com.

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A Unique Romantic Couples Getaway

Private Themed Rooms in Vintage Cabooses

FREE The Theissen Brothers Music Show. Singing & musical sounds

Spa tubs for two

of the banjo, mandolin & guitar for the whole family. 2 pm. Guerneville Library. sonomalibrary.org.

Full Breakfast On Clear Lake Open Year-Round

FREE Dr Seuss Birthday Party!

(707) 274-8378

Stories, games, crafts & a birthday treat! Ages 4–10. 11 am. Windsor Library. sonomalibrary.org.

Boys & Girls Club Crab Feed Fundraiser. Featuring Jerry “Deep” Smith, former Harlem Globetrotter.

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

End School School End Frustration!

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Our highly qualified tutors can help with:

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(707) 585-2584

(707) 585-2584

www.tutors2youca.com sonomacountytutors.com

www.sonomafamilylife.com

707.795.4523

6420 Commerce Blvd • Rohnert Park Check out our great new website:

photo by Sharon Neves Photography

March 2014

SonomaFamilyLife 31

B Mî `ƒ

Mention this ad for

Free Month Call for details

Doors 5:30 pm. Dinner 7 pm. $50.

Club Gymnasium. 1011 Hahman Dr., Santa Rosa. santarosaboysandgirlsclub.com.

EXPRESSWAY STORAGE

Sonoma County Bluegrass & Folk

6001 Commerce Blvd.

Rohnert Park

707-588-8878

Mention this ad for:

50% off for the first 12 months

Exclusively Organic

Select sizes while supplies last 20% off packing and moving

only at

Supplies.

6001 Commerce Blvd.

Rohnert Park, CA 94928 707-588-8878

707.544.2766

312 D Street, Santa Rosa

Festival. Bring your instruments to jam! Mike Justis Band, Hot Frittatas, High Country, more. Doors open at noon. $25–$35. Sebastopol Community Center. 390 Morris St. seb.org.

Mysterious Lives of Owls. Learn how important owls are to our environment. 10 years & up. 3–4:30 pm. $10 at door. Heron Hall. Laguna Environmental Center. 900 Sanford Rd., Santa Rosa. hungryowl.org.

Raven Dance Spectacular. Bringing together all styles of dance from every

Same Day Dentistry Get a Crown In One Day! No temporaries • No messy impressions • Natural esthetic look

Call Today For More Information!

State-Of-The-Art Cosmetic Restorations 575-9200 70 Stony Point Road, Suite E Santa Rosa, CA 95401 stonypointdentalcare.com 32 SonomaFamilyLife

March 2014 www.sonomafamilylife.com

corner of our dance community. Sat. 7:30 pm, Sun. 2 pm. $20 adults. $10 seniors 65+ & students with ID. Raven Theater. Healdsburg. raventheatre.org.

Free Marin Camp Fair. Reps will be available to introduce you to & answer your questions about their program.

Browse through at your leisure, pick up brochures & explore summer opportunities available. 10 am–1 pm.

Free pizza lunch! Rain or Shine!

Dominican University. Conlan Center Gym. 1475 Grand Ave. San Rafael. marincampfair.com.

9 Sunday Ilsanjo Classic 10-Miler & Neo-Classic 4-Miler Runs. Run bike

day free entry of 1K Newt Scoot for kids 10 & under starts at 8:45 am. $10 non-member online. $20 race day.

Howarth Park. ci.santa-rosa.ca.us.

12 Wednesday Sid the Science Kid Live! Sid uses

comedy to tackle questions kids have about basic scientific principles. 6:30 pm. $21 adult. $16 child. Wells Fargo Center for the Arts. Santa Rosa. wellsfargocenterarts.org.

FREE Family Gardening with Sarah Kerlow. Enjoy a fun activity while learning how to incorporate gardening into your everyday life. 3:30–4 pm.

Northwest Santa Rosa Library. Santa Rosa. sonomalibrary.org.

paths & trails of Howarth, Spring Lake & Annadel parks. 9 am. Race

VertexCAMP Climbing SUMMER Camp will include: Two days of outdoor rock climbing at Goat Rock on Tuesday. Thursday at the Split Rock near Mt. Tam. The three indoor days 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: All camp sessions are Monday-Friday 9am-4pm at $335 per participant. Each week the camp will alternate age groups as follows:

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

www.sonomafamilylife.com

Relax. You’re at Great Clips ™

14 Friday Bennett Friedman Jazz Quartet.

Featuring Eddie Mendenhall on piano, Cliff Hugo on bass & Jason Lewis on drums. 8 pm. $10 general, $5 students & seniors. Newman Auditorium. Santa Rosa Junior College. santarosa.edu.

Savion Glover STePz. An exuberant celebration of tap dance! 8 pm. $20–$60. Marin Veteran’s Memorial Auditorium. 10 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael. marincounty.org.

15 Saturday FREE San Francisco’s Annual St Patrick Day Parade. Music

& dance, floats, marching bands, food & drinks & more! 11:30

Michael Hamblin, DDS Family and Cosmetic Dentistry

12 99

greatclips.com

3/31/14

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.

March 2014

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

Quality, comprehensive care including:

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

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

707-544-6280

michaelhamblindds.com SonomaFamilyLife 33

am–5 pm. Parade starts at 2nd & Market. Finishes at Civic Center Plaza. savvycities.com/ san-franciscos-st-patricks-day.

Vietnam era H-34 Choctaw Helicopter cockpit & history. Sat. & Sun. 10 am–4 pm. $5–$10. Under 6 free. pacificcoastairmuseum.org.

FREE Family Hikes at Spring Lake.

FREE Rhythm & Music with

Naturalist guides one-hour tour of areas plants & wildlife. Third Sat. 1 pm & 3 pm. Environmental Discovery Center. Santa Rosa. sonoma-county.org.

Adam Traum. Familiarize children

Climb Aboard a Vintage Aircraft!

Pacific Coast Air Museum features

with rhythm & melodies for easy understanding of language thru common kids songs. 2 pm. Sonoma Valley Library. 755 W. Napa St., Sonoma. sonomalibrary.org.

16 Sunday Magical Music of Disney. A Marin Symphony Family Concert. 3 pm. $15–$45. Marin Veteran’s Memorial Auditorium. 10 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael. marincounty.org.

Bring Your World into Focus • In House Optical & Lab • Licensed opticians • Thousands of frames in stock, including designer brands.

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

18 Tuesday FREE Puppylocks & the Three Bears Puppet Show. Magical Moonshine Theatre presents this funny retelling of the traditional tale.

2:30 pm. Cloverdale Regional Library. sonomalibrary.org.

Family owned and operated since 1956

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

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

34 SonomaFamilyLife

In Pain?

Call Dr. Rose Today Providing Superior Health and Balance Through Chiropractic

CALL TODAY TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT 707 495-7703 free2movechiropractic.com

RINCON VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Preschool– High School Academic excellence Award winning Music Programs Leading Sports Programs Day School-Home School-Hybrid

707-539-1486

www.rvchristian.org

March 2014 www.sonomafamilylife.com

FREE Mother-Daughter Book Club.

19 Wednesday FREE Tommy’s Pirate Adventure.

Spring break play for school age kids. 11–11:30 am. Santa Rosa Central Library. sonomalibrary.org.

FREE The Elephant & Piggy Show.

Five short stories based on the popular Elephant & Piggy books by Mo Willems. 2:30 pm. Rincon Valley Library. 6959 Montecito Blvd., Santa Rosa. sonomalibrary.org.

20 Thursday FREE Paper Airplane Day! 11 am. Petaluma Regional Library. sonomalibrary.org.

21 Friday The Book of Matthew. This

seriocomic play examines the theme of pursuing one’s dreams thru April 13. Contains adult language. Thurs.

7:30 pm. Fri. & Sat. 8 pm. Sun. 2 pm. $26 Full. $24 Senior & Youth. $22 Student. Spreckels Performing Arts Center. 5410 Snyder Ln., Rohnert Park. spreckelsonline.com.

This month will be a discussion on The Night Fairy by Laura Amy Schlitz. Ages 10–13. Every 3rd Fri. 4–5 pm. Sebastopol Regional Library. sonomalibrary.org.

Donate Your Vehicle.

Help Keep Kids Safe.

Your donation funds programs to find missing children.

22 Saturday FREE Pam Brown Storytime Panda

888.317.7342 | carsforpkf.com/online

Party. Enjoy stories, songs & crafting.

Any condition.

Free pick-up.

Tax deductible.

Ages 2–6. 11 am. Rohnert Park-Cotati Library. sonomalibrary.org.

ActivityGu ide

Spring activities are here!

Spring/Summer 201 4

Santa Rosa’s Spring/Summer Activity Guide offers HUNDREDS of activities for the whole family!

Pick up a copy at Finley Community Center (2060 West College Ave.) or check it out online! santarosarec.com (707) 543-3737 Register online

We’re your best family adve source for the ntures in Santa ! www.santaro sarec.com Par a informacion

We Love Camp

NOW ENROLLING FOR SUMMER CAMPS

SCAN to access online registration

reg

Use our handy

Boys & Girls Classes Recreation 6–12 Tumbling, Tramp, Camps Parties & Parents Night Out

en Español, vea

Get Outside

index to find exa

ctly what you’re

pagina 92

Fitness for Everyo ne

Take advantage of the season with thes e outdoor adult activities! pg. 60-61

Get in shape or maintain your goals – clas ses to challenge every ability. pg. 52-58

looking for! pg.

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

redwood empire gymnastics

Featuring our tumblebug program for preschool aged children

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

30 38

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

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www.regymnastics.com

Effective August

18, 2013 sctransit.co

m

contact us at 800.345.7433 or visit us on the web at sctransit.com

707-763-5010

www.sonomafamilylife.com

Traditional, spec ialty and sports-focused day camps for spring & sum mer breaks! pg. 28-41

Rosa!

March 2014

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8/20/13 10:19 SonomaFamilyLife 35AM

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

26 Wednesday Choral Concert. Featuring SRJC

choir & chamber singers. 7:30 pm. $10 general, $5 students & seniors.

Burbank Auditorium. Santa Rosa Junior College. santarosa.edu.

28 Friday The Wizard of Oz. Featuring the

(707) 245-6090 . 01165299 annebaker.net

Performing Arts Academy of Marin.

Fri. & Sat. 7:30 pm. Sun. 1 pm. $16 &

Thank You for giving me the FOUNDATION for a WONDERFUL Life!

ENROLLMENT

Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics For Children, Teens & Adults Serving Sebastopol since 1980

Coupon Required • Expires 3-31-14

SHOTOKAN KARATE LEADERSHIP SCHOOL® 3082 Marlow Rd, B1 • 707-575-1681 www.skls.org

Mar. 30. 8 am–close. Lyttle Cow Palace. Sonoma County Fairgrounds.

Santa Rosa. goldengatearabians.com.

Peter Pan! Performed by Theaterworks USA. The story of the boy who never grew up. 6:30 pm. $17 adult. $12 child. Wells Fargo Center for the Arts. Santa Rosa. wellsfargocenterarts.org.

101 Dalmations. Featuring

Dr. Charlene R. Chan Dr. Monica L. Chmiel

300 OFF

FREE 56th Annual Arabian Horse Show. Arabian & Half Arabian thru

29 Saturday

~Dean, former student

FREE TRIAL PROGRAM $

$20. Showcase Theater. 10 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael. paamarin.com.

707.823.1200 www. chanorthodontics.com

the Performing Arts Academy of Marin.

5 pm. $12. Showcase Theater. 10 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael. paamarin.com.

Star Party! The Robert Ferguson Observatory’s three main telescopes will be open for viewing. 7 pm. $3 Adult, Under 18 free. $8 parking.

Sugarloaf Ridge State Park. 2605 Adobe Canyon Rd., Kenwood. rfo.org.

BECOME A TEACHER!

Evening & Weekend Classes

UKIAH CENTER 707-463-4800 Dominican.edu/Ukiah

36 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

March 2014 www.sonomafamilylife.com

Star Gazing & Sleepover at the Charles M Schulz Museum. Make

your own star light jar, portable planetarium, & galactic goo. Dinner & continental breakfast included. 6 pm–9 am. Prices vary. Charles M. Schulz Museum. 2301 Hardies Ln., Santa Rosa. schulzmuseum.org.

Comic Artist Workshop for Girl Scouts. Cadettes

will receive their Comic Artist badge upon workshop completion. Grades 6–8.

10 am–1 pm. $30. Charles M. Schulz Museum. 2301 Hardies Ln., Santa Rosa. schulzmuseum.org.

30 Sunday Wind Power: All-Brass Recital.

A showcase of Sonoma State University’s wind & brass faculty.

Not to be missed! 2 pm. $10–$15.

Green Music Center. Sonoma State University. gmc.sonoma.edu.

Loop de Loop Trail Race & Relay.

14-mile trail race & 2x7 mile relay.

Registration deadline March 20. 8 am race. Members free.

Non-members $10. Race day fees $20. Annadel State Park. Channel Drive. Cobblestone trailhead. empirerunners.org.

31 Monday

Put your Affairs in Order • • • • • •

FREE Consultation

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

MUSIC SKILLS TO LIFE SKILLS

707-431-7250

Sonoma County Children’s Music

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

EST. 1951

FREE

PREVIEW CLASS

867 Third Street • Santa Rosa (707) 527-7900 Enroll Online at www.childrenlovemusic.com

when life is messy...

• Accepting 2–5 Years Old

• Before & After School Care Option • Positive Discipline: ~ Parenting tools using kind and firm techniques ~ Encouragement with mutual respect ~ Natural and logical consequences

544-9494

Pre K Classes Available for Academic & Social Kindergarten Readiness

lacanteraracquetclub.com

srecschool.org

www.sonomafamilylife.com

50 Mark West Springs Road

Evening & Weekend Appointments Available

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

3737 Montgomery Drive Santa Rosa

Wells Fargo Center for the Arts

Classes for Every Stage of Development, Newborn to Seven

Summer & Afterschool Junior Tennis Programs

Summer Tennis Camps and Summer Swim Lessons Call or go online for our brochure!

WEDNESDAY: 8:30 am to Noon SATURDAY: 8:30 am to 1 pm

Enjoy stories, movement games, art & crafts. Ages 1–5. 10 am–noon. $5 child. Free for up to 2 adults per child before 11 am. Charles M. Schulz Museum. Santa Rosa. schulzmuseum.org.

SANTA ROSA CO-OP PRESCHOOL

Afterschool Mon. & Wed. 4 Classes - $50

EVERY WEDNESDAY & SATURDAY

Museum Monday for Little Ones.

La Cantera Racquet & Swim Club

WE LOVE TO GROW THE FOOD YOU LOVE TO EAT

579-3718

March 2014

Go to SearsClean.com or call 707-780-1565 SonomaFamilyLife 37

Zander 3/30 • 5yrs

Rachel 3/19 • 10yrs

Ali 3/19 • 18yrs

Victor 3/1 • 3yrs

Nina 3/18 • 5yrs

Sophie

from everyone at Celebrate your child’s birthday in upcoming issues of Sonoma Family Life. Upload their photo to sonomafamilylife.com under ‘Photo’ Include your child’s first name, birth date (4/11), and your child’s age. The early bird gets published-it’s best to send us photos before 15th of the month. And you can always send them in months ahead of time.

Parties

Parties

Home

DJ DRE’ KUTTER

Take Action

DJ & KARAOKE ENTERTAINMENT

✔Yardwork Done!

Let Us Decorate Your Next Party for You! • Birthdays • Quince’s • Weddings • Events • Corporate

Party Chicks Décor

707-888-7075 Lic. 69681

PACIFIC COAST AIR MUSEUM

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

38 SonomaFamilyLife

Camps

AFTER SCHOOL WITH PONIES! •Self-Esteem •Responsibility •FUN!

Check yardwork off your to-do list today We have all your lawn and garden equipment needs covered.

European Pony School

Weddings, Reunions, Corporate Events, School Dances, “All Occasions”

Aerators, Tillers & Dethatchers

europeanponyschool.com

15 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE WIDE VARIETY OF MUSIC: POP, ROCK, RAP, R&B, DISCO, OLD SCHOOL, COUNTRY, TECHNO YOU NAME IT WE GOT IT!

The regions largest rental equipment provider with 4 Sonoma County locations.

Open 7 days a week

546-7669

Sign Up Now for Summer Camps!

(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

Santa Rosa • 539-0707 Windsor • 838-4373 Healdsburg • 431-3544 Fulton • 544-0501

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

Like Us On Facebook March 2014 www.sonomafamilylife.com

Classified Marketplace Camps

Camps

Camps

Outdoor Fun

Santa Rosa Symphony’s

SUMMER MUSIC ACADEMY

SUMMER DANCE CAMP

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

For beginning and experienced students

Register before May 23

BALLET, JAZZ, TAP, HIP HOP, BREAKDANCE

916-682-0311 Pamela-Hubbard.barefootbooks.com

JULY 7-26, 2014

Early Bird Special $99!

Weeklong, 3-hour day camp for kids will keep them exercising and healthy, all while having fun! Afternoon sessions are for 5-15 year olds. Camp activities will be influenced by hip-hop, jazz, breakdancing, tap, and yoga, with a final “performance and themed party” each Friday. Please send a water bottle and snack with your child.

Gifts

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

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

546-7097 x225

santarosasymphony.com/education/sma.asp

Check out our online directories (707) 695-5483 • mstudiodance.com 3952 Sebastopol Rd. Suite #158 • Santa Rosa

Camp

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

westminsterwoods.org

(707) 874-2426

Be a Part of Our April Camp Guide

Affordable Summer Camp in Sebastopol

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

castle@sebusd.org

829-4578

SUMMER DAY CAMP!

science! art! games!

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

Super Kids Camp 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

www.sonomafamilylife.com

Delivery of Living-Plant Gifts

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

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.

Kid Street Learning Center Charter School

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

ArtfulArrangements.org 707-664-8656

n u FBlast!

www.kstreet.org

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

Prompt Delivery Giftshop Open Saturday’s 10am-2pm 205 Orchard Lane, Penngrove

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

Weekend

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

Artful Arrangements

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.

@

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

www.SonomaFamilyLife.com March 2014

SonomaFamilyLife 39

Wings After School Martial & Arts Lessons Program

Pets

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

Lessons

Wings

New Location!

Counseling

Footloose

Dance Center

Tap • Flamenco • Hip Hop Wing tsun • Salsa Ages 6–80

(707) 544-2302 www.wingsmap.org

Rehearsal Space Available

AFTER-SCHOOL

MARTIAL ARTS PROGRAM

SUPPORTS ACADEMICS WITH FUN

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 707-545-4600

Op M o n d ae n y Saturdathru y

Animal Hospital of Sebastopol 707-823-3250

www.srcbt.org

• We Pick Up! Free Shuttle to studio from school • Daily karate classes & homework time

(707) 544-2302

1010 Gravenstein Hwy, South Sebastopol ahosvet.com

www.wingsmap.org

DO YOU LOVE TO

Sing!

Santa Rosa Children’s Chorus

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

Santa Rosa 595-3834

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

Beginning-advanced levels Auditioning children ages 7-12

ParadisePetResorts.com petbuddies@me.com

Check out our online directories 40 SonomaFamilyLife

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

527-8813

srchildrenschorus.com

613 College Avenue, Santa Rosa

Take ME Driving

CHILDREN LEARN THROUGH PLAY • Child Therapy • Family Counseling • Parent Coaching

Kandras Driving School Drivers Ed/Training in class or online

GREAT LOW PRICE! 838-3100

takemedriving.net

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

Lessons

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

★★★First Class Free★★★

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

March 2014 www.sonomafamilylife.com

Classified Marketplace Schools

Childcare/Preschools

Online learning ignites the minds of children like yours

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

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

Program of First United Methodist Church Enroll now K12.com/AAS or 877-506-8631

Year-round • Play based Ages 2 - 5 (Pre-Kindergarten) Excellent Teacher-Child ratios Open 7am-6pm

K-6 Homeschool Program

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

Diane: 546-7012

FUMC

Preschool & Child Care Center

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.

Health

Your Family Chiropractor Dr. Jennifer Price, DC, CACCP

Stony Point Academy Info at spacharter.org Or call 707-568-7504 Tutors

Schools

Home School Program Grades K - 5 Educating the whole child; head, heart, & hands.

Tebo Tutorials

Homework gotcha down?

707-843-4342

Pregnancy & Post-Natal Infants, Kids & Teens Scoliosis & Posture Correction

www.sunridgeschool.org 707-824-2844

SPANISH

Language

776-6932 • theposturechiropractor.com

CLASSES

STRESSED OUT? California Certificated Secondary Schools Teacher #090032516

www.sonomafamilylife.com

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.

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.

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

Santa Rosa: 2590 Piner Rd.

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES:

Michael F. Tebo, MA

707.863.1203 • marinagachet.com 2239 Versailles St. • Santa Rosa

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

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

1-HOUR MASSAGE FOR $39

WANT TO LOOK BEAUTIFUL? EUROPEAN FACIAL FOR $39

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Your Child can Thrive!

Childcare/Preschools

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Counseling

✔ Remedial Tutoring ✔ AP Test/College Prep ✔ All Social Sciences, English, Math ✔ Sliding Scale Available

Afternoons/Evenings/Weekends

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

For All Ages - Since 2004 Sonoma & Marin Counties

www.ColorsofSpanish.com

(707) 782-1084

March 2014

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

Driving Miss Crazy By “Bull” Garlington

I

have stared into the gaping, drooly maw of death. I have teetered on the brink of imminent demise.

Now every day is a gift. I take time to smell the cappuccino. I live in the moment, not worrying about tomorrow because yesterday, I tried to teach my ADD daughter how to drive.

I prepared myself for this ordeal like any pragmatic father of a girl who can’t pay attention to an entire commercial: I dialed 911 on my cell; I hugged my wife and told her where to send a search team; I made an ice-cold dirty martini.

I didn’t want her to drive. This is a girl who can get distracted while tying her shoes. Letting her pilot a 5,000-pound hurtling tank of flammable gas through our neighborhood strikes me as unpragmatic. It makes me wish we were Amish.

For the sake of other parents in this predicament, some pieces of advice:

Midnight run.

Like this kid sleeps. Might as well take advantage of the deserted, well-lit streets and clock some time while everyone else is watching the Late Show.

Con: The adrenaline making your heart spaz-out like a highly caffeinated Chihuahua as your daughter drifts into the other lane to see the couple in the next car will keep you awake till 3 a.m.

Pro: If you get a flat, you can lift the car with one hand.

Catch phrase.

Once she sees that one kid with the long hair and the nose pierced slouching on a bus bench as you hurtle past, a lengthy explanation about lane obedience will most

likely be punctuated by death.

Better to have a short, punchy catch phrase. Ours was “color in the lines,” which works best when delivered in all caps, thusly: COLOR IN THE LINES! COLOR IN THE LINES! OH MY GOD WE’RE GOING TO DIE! Pro: Short; easy to scream.

Con: Whiplash.

Frank Sinatra.

The sheer bravado and élan in a good Sinatra song soothes nerves and bolsters confidence. Might work on the kid, too.

Pro: Goes well with the martini.

Con: Goes well with the martini.

These are just a few ideas, of course.

I’d give more but my nerves are shot, and I’m still in the middle of calling close relatives and letting them know I’m alive. ¶

Closed course.

We used a forest preserve lot. No one goes there except forest preserve cops and the escaped convicts they’re looking for.

Pro: No oncoming cars.

Con: Deer. They’re pretty, so brace yourself for sudden screeching halts followed closely by a barrage of “oh my god that deer is soooooo gorgeous” moments.

42 SonomaFamilyLife

March 2014 www.sonomafamilylife.com

sonoma

presents‌

Friday April 11th 3:30–7:30 p.m.

Wells Fargo Center for the Arts

SENSATIONAL SUMMERS START HERE! Get Started Today! Find summer camps, family travel, fun, and learning.

Plan your next party or family event!

Graduations, Birthdays and more! Find family home experts to make your home-sweet-home! Enjoy demonstrations, prizes and discounts. sonoma

707-586-9562

It’s Time to Evaluate your Property 1

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So far we can’t complain about our winter, but it’s not over… we hope… because we need more rain. The storm we did get caused some damage, but also provided much-needed water to get surface plants growing again.

We still haven’t had enough rain to feed our trees, however. Deep-rooted plants need deep water. Now that spring growth is starting to show, it’s time to focus a plant’s energy where it can do the most good. Trimming back excess branches will help trees survive through another drought year. They can use all the help we can provide.

Sonoma County’s Best-Loved Tree Service since 1999

(707) 874-2018 Visit our web site for more information and testimonials from satisfied clients.

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Licensed, Bonded & Insured

Large limb hanging over house Branch touching roof shingles Split limb over main power to house Branches rubbing against siding Gutter filled with leaves Flammable leaves to close to chimney Dead branch hanging over walkway Dead tree in back yard Broken branch laying on roof Old dead tree cluttering front yard

Broken branches and fallen trees are easy to see, but the stress of drought might not be clearly visible.

Now is a good time to bring us by to evaluate the health of your trees.

It’s also a good time to examine fire risk since drought increases the dangers of fire season. Maintenance deferred because of a mild winter could cause problems this summer. Give us a call to take a look around.

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