Sonoma Family Life October 2023

sonoma

Treats for Tots

Halloween events

Pumpkin Pizazz

No-fuss carving

School Tours

Prepare well

CASAs for Kids

Local heroes

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Watch out! ’Tis the season for witches and ghosts to lurk and howl. Halloween is a classic childhood experience. And we’re here to help you celebrate.

First turn to “Pumpkin Pizazz” (page 20) for practical, low-fuss steps for carving a pumpkin. Then check out “Treats for Tots” (page 22), Bits and Pieces (page 8), and the Calendar of Events (page 24) for a plethora of local ghoulish family activities, including many trick-or-treat options.

As humorist dad Shannon Carpenter prepares for five-year-old Frankensteins to come knocking at his door, he reflects on specters

parents find truly scary. Turn to “Terrifying Monsters” (page 32) for his funny look at everyday parenting nightmares.

Besides fearful things, candy is also what October 31 brings. And, of course, kids eat a lot of it. Balance out all that sugar with a wholesome meal. Make America Test Kitchen’s Beef and Vegetable Soup (page 7) in just 45 minutes and fill little tummies with satisfying nutrition. Have a sweet and safe Halloween!

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Contributing Writers

Admit NY

America’s Test Kitchen

Shannon Carpenter

Christina Katz

Billing Jan Wasson-Smith

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Beef Up Dinner

Make a Quick, Hearty Soup

By America’s Test Kitchen

Consider this a pot roast in soup form—a hearty, stick-to-your-ribs soup that’s jam-packed with beef, potatoes, carrots, onions, and green beans. And here’s a bonus: Unlike pot roast, which is a multihour affair, this satisfyingly beefy soup is ready in just 45 minutes. To achieve that end, quick-cooking ground beef makes a great alternative to cubed beef pieces. A wide-bottomed Dutch oven is the perfect vessel for quickly browning the ground beef, and good-quality store-bought beef broth deepens and reinforces the meaty flavor. Cutting the carrots, potatoes, and green beans into small pieces reduces their cooking time, and canned diced tomatoes add brightness. Even the seasonings are nice and simple: oregano, salt, and pepper. Stirring in the parsley at the end of cooking keeps its texture fresh and provides a burst of herbal flavor. ❖

Excerpted, with permission, from One-Hour Comfort (America’s Test Kitchen, 2021), americastestkitchen.com

Beef and Vegetable Soup

Total time: 45 minutes

Ingredients

1 pound 90 percent lean ground beef

1 onion, chopped

2 carrots, peeled and cut into ½-inch pieces

1 tablespoon minced fresh oregano or 1 teaspoon dried

1 teaspoon table salt

½ teaspoon pepper

4 cups beef broth

1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes

8 ounces Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into ½-inch pieces

6 ounces green beans, trimmed and cut on bias into 1-inch lengths

2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Instructions

1. Cook beef, onion, carrots, oregano, salt, and pepper in Dutch oven over medium-high heat, breaking up beef with spoon until no longer pink, about 6 minutes. Add broth, tomatoes and their juice, and potatoes and bring to simmer. Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook until potatoes are almost tender, about 10 minutes.

2. Stir in green beans and simmer, uncovered, until vegetables are tender and soup has thickened slightly, 10 to 12 minutes. Stir in parsley and season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve.

Serves: 4

Exercise Your Halloween Mojo

October 21 will not be a normal day at the Sonoma County Family YMCA (SCFYMCA) in Santa Rosa. While the pool and ellipticals will still be there, there also will be a preponderance of spiders, pumpkins, and black and orange everything as the 30th Annual SCFYMCA

Halloween Carnival takes over. The afternoon will include carnival games and prizes, a jumpy house, crafts, music, and other activities for kids. It all happens 3–6 p.m.; admission is $5–$10. Go to scfymca.org for more information.

Who Are Your Ancestors?

Altars for ancestors are integral to the traditional Día de los Muertos celebration. And local artist-created altars will be on display at the Museum of Sonoma County in Santa Rosa during its Día de los Muertos Family Festival, which will also feature live performances and family-friendly activities, on October 21, noon–4 p.m. For more information, go to museumsc.org/events/?eid=10615. The Rohnert Park Community Center in Rohnert Park will also honor the Day of the Dead at its Halloween Carnival with Día de los Muertos Celebration. A DJ, carnival games, a haunted maze, exotic animals, and community altars will be part of the festivities, which will be held on October 28, noon–5 p.m. Details are available at facebook.com/rpcommunityservices/events

Real Vikings Eat Waffles

The Vikings had a well-earned reputation for being ruthless marauders. They were also peaceful farmers and traders. Villains or not, they are an important part of Norwegian culture—one that the Vikingfest has honored for the last 34 years. The free festival, which the local Norwegian society Freya Lodge produces, will include Viking-era re-enactments as well as cultural displays and demos, Nordic arts and crafts, traditional Norwegian foods (fresh waffles, anyone?), and a Leif Erikson remembrance. It will be held on October 14, 10 am.–2 p.m., at Norway Hall in Santa Rosa. Find details at tinyurl.com/yhxjx4db

SCFYMCA Halloween Carnival

Día de los Muertos Family Festival

Vikingfest

What If a Song Could Turn into an Animal?

Can classical music be funny? If instruments try to sound like animals, yes. This was the vision of 19th-century French composer Camille Saint-Saëns when he wrote the humorous Carnival of Animals. The 14-movement piece features a double bass and piano lumbering like an elephant, staccato strings pecking like a hen, and a flute singing like a bird. Swans, Tibetan donkeys, and even fossils also make musical appearances. The Santa Rosa Symphony will be playing the 25-minute piece, as well as Michael Djupstrom’s The Seahorse and the Crab, at the Carnival of Animals concert on October 29 at 3 p.m. The performance will be held at the Green Music Center in Rohnert Park. Purchase tickets, which are $10 for youth and $20 for adults, at srsymphony.org/ EventDetail/265. Costumes are encouraged.

Watch a Pumpkin Explode

The mischievous smash pumpkins on Halloween. But at the Children’s Museum of Sonoma County, the staff obliterate pumpkins as part of their job. It’s called the Pumpkin Plop and it’s part of Funtazmagoria, the museum’s annual celebration of all things spooky (but not scary). The event also features blacklight play in the Glow-in-the-Dark Lab and science experiments, complete with beakers overflowing with whisps of white smoke, in the Mad Scientist Lab. Funtazmagoria will be held on October 27– 29, 2–7 p.m. at the museum in Santa Rosa. Admission is $20 or, for infants 11 months and younger, free; various discounts available for seniors, teachers, military personnel, and WIC, EBT, and MediCal beneficiaries. For details, and a video explaining the event, go to tinyurl.com/384j634j. Discover more Halloween festivities in “Treats for Tots” (page 22) and the Calendar of Events (page 24).

Walk by the Light of the Moon

When the sun goes down, parks close, but the natural world still teems with activity. At Parks After Dark: Good Night Moon, families can enter that world and explore Santa Rosa’s Spring Lake Regional Park at night. Kids will learn about wildlife, hear stories around a campfire, visit the Environmental Discovery Center, and hike by moonlight near the lake. The event will be held on October 6, 6:30–8:30 p.m. Admission is $10–$12; registration is required. For more information and to sign up, see tinyurl.com/ytjh27e2

Pumpkin Plop

CASAs for Kids

How Volunteers Help Foster Children in Court

Court-Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Sonoma County trains volunteers to advocate for foster children in the courts and other environments. In this interview, Family Life talks to an anonymous CASA volunteer about her role in children’s lives.

Family Life: Who appoints the CASA volunteer?

CASA Volunteer: The judge appoints the CASA. There is a backlog. There are not enough CASAs for the number of youth who need them.

FL: What kinds of things do you do as a volunteer?

CASA: The relationship to the court is primary. You need to be able to represent your kid’s [interests] to the court in a formal report. You also get to know your youth and the links that keep your youth’s life together, which means being in touch with school counselors, therapists, psychiatrists,

social workers, and resource parents or group homes or placements. You have regular contact with your kid; I get together with my youth once a week. You aren’t meant to be a surrogate parent or teacher; you are really meant to be a unique person who is dedicated to that child.

FL: Give me some examples of how you spend time with your kid.

CASA: We go walking, get pizza, go to San Francisco, or ride on bikes or on the train.

FL: Do you talk to them about their concerns? Or just get to know them?

CASA: Yes, you get to know them. They don’t need another therapist, so

you ask them about their interests. You are present to them but not [within the context of] your family and home— they don’t even know your address. It’s not about you, it’s about them.

FL: Explain how you represent a child in court.

CASA: When the court evaluates a youth’s case [to determine] whether there is going to be reunification [with the biological parents] or adoption, the judge has a written report from the social worker and a written report from the CASA volunteer, full stop. They don’t have any other written reports. So you weigh in fairly significantly. And it is the obligation to write a valid and comprehensive report for the court that is one of the [reasons] why you make all these connections [to therapists, resource parents, etc.].

FL: When you are filling out the court report, what kind of information do you provide? Do you share your thoughts concerning the effectiveness of the child’s relationship to their therapist? Do you comment on whether or not physical problems are being addressed?

CASA: Yes. As an example, if my youth is expressing self-harm thoughts, I would act on it long before the court report, but I would include it in the court report. I would contact the social worker, and either myself or the social

They don’t need another therapist, so you ask them about their interests.

worker would contact the therapist. Another piece that is very practical [includes] life skills and education resources. I make sure my kid has options because sometimes the system is not presenting options to them. For example, I helped a youth put some pieces together about college options.

FL: How do you find out about resources?

CASA: The CASA group, they are amazing. They keep you informed about what is available for your youth. There’s loads of resources. We just have to plug in our kid or the resource parent.

them.

FL: So when you hang out with them and talk, you watch for missing pieces you possibly could help fill in? For instance, if they are looking for a pair of glasses, you might say, “Have you tried going online?” Or if they are trying to learn gymnastics, you might ask if there is a low-cost gymnastics program they can try out.

CASA: Yes.

FL: A kid can get lost in the system; they can fall through the cracks. The people offering support services can’t be aware of everything that is going on in a kid’s life. You are a presence who watches over what is happening and notices what isn’t working out.

CASA: Yes. Whether it’s in the home,

school, or with social worker, [the kid] is one of many. But with the CASA, the kid is it. My second youth asked me, “Am I your only CASA? Do you only have one CASA?” And I said, “Yes, you’re it.”

FL: How long is the commitment?

CASA: If I start a case with someone who is 10, I may be with that kid for eight years. It’s the real thing

FL: It sounds like a very special experience.

CASA: It is. ❖

Find out more about CASA of Sonoma County, and how to apply to volunteer, at sonomacasa.org.

There are not enough CASAs for the number of youth who need

Take a School Tour How to Prepare and Make a Good Impression

By Admit NY Staff

We’re heading into school tour season! The fall is an exciting time full of research and exploration into new school possibilities. Now is the time to begin imagining what your child’s educational future could look like: Would they prefer co-ed or single-sex? What is their approach to learning? What sorts of extracurriculars are they interested in participating in? These questions can begin to be answered with school tours or open houses.

But don’t forget: School tours are an opportunity to make an impression on admissions committees. Parents and students will gain a great deal from learning more about each school, but school admissions teams also gain a great deal from meeting prospective families and assessing interest and fit. It’s important to put your best foot forward during a school tour to get your admissions journey started off right. Here are our tips for maximizing school tours, for both parents (at any

school level) and older students (for middle and high school):

• Remember that every interaction is an opportunity to make an impression. Make eye contact, firmly shake hands, and smile. Both parents and students should portray themselves as polite, positive additions to a school’s community.

• Bring a notebook and pen to take notes during the tour. Jot down things you want to remember, questions you want to ask later, and any observations

of factors you like and dislike. When you attend multiple tours in a few weeks, schools can blur together; that’s why these notes will be vital as you build your final school list.

• Leave all technology in the car or at home. It’s best not to bring your phone at all, but if you must, ensure it’s on silent and you won’t be distracted.

• Wear business casual clothes, meaning no jeans, sneakers, or sandals. There’s no need to go fully formal with a blazer or dress, but look put together and presentable. You’ll also want to wear comfortable shoes: There may be a lot of walking on some tours.

• Get the names and contact information for any school staff you have meaningful conversations with. You can contact these people later for thank-yous or further questions.

• Draft thank-you notes to any admissions staff members and/or student tour guides you interacted with while on campus. We recommend handwritten notes sent immediately after tours to give the most positive impression.

One of the most important parts of preparing for a school tour is developing a list of questions in advance. Parents touring nursery schools or kindergartens should be prepared with questions, and older students (middle and high schoolers) who will attend school tours themselves should also develop a list. We recommend

It’s important to put your best foot forward during a school tour.

brainstorming at least two to three questions for each tour.

The best way to prepare is to browse schools’ websites and write down the questions that aren’t answered on the site. Above all, make sure your questions are ones that you’re genuinely interested in learning more about. That being said, here are a few general questions to get you started.

Questions for student tour guides

• What’s your favorite school tradition or annual event?

• What’s the best academic experience you’ve had so far?

• How would you describe the community at this school?

• Why did you choose to attend this school?

• What does a typical math/English/ history/etc. class look like?

• What is your favorite extracurricular activity/club?

• I am/my child is interested in extracurriculars like [sport/activity]. What is the tryout process like?

• How do students and/or parents get in touch with teachers?

Questions for admissions officers

• What does a typical day look like for a [year] grader at this school?

• How are new students introduced to the school and community?

• What is the course selection process?

Prepare your questions in advance, dress for success, and arrive at your school tour or open house ready to make a positive first impression. With any luck, you’ll fall in love with a school that is the perfect match for your child! ❖

Admit NY is a comprehensive resource for families looking to make informed decisions about their child’s education, nursery through high school. They help families navigate the complex application process and find the right fit. Find out more at admitny.com or on Instagram at instagram.com/admitny

recommend brainstorming at least two to three questions for each tour.

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Available at all schools

All the World’s a Stage

20 Ways Kids Can Participate in Theater

By Christina Katz

When most parents think of school theater programs, they may think of their child on stage in the spotlight. But theater programs offer many more participation opportunities than just being an actor. So why not count all the ways your child might become involved?

1. Audition for a part. Actors may seem to have the most glamorous jobs, but acting is a big time commitment and tons of work, especially for the show’s leads. If this is your child’s first theater experience, aim for supporting or chorus roles, which are less pressure and more fun.

2. Assist the director. Sometimes an actor does not land a role. Instead of leaving a show altogether, your child might be able to assist the director. The student director can learn an awful lot about

theater and these insights will likely help at the next audition.

3. Be the dramaturge. Research the historic and cultural aspects of the show, as well as the play’s setting.

4. Light the show. The light board needs to be operated and spotlights may need to be run. With training from the technical director or the lighting designer, students can manage these jobs just fine.

5. Run the sound. Full productions often involve the use

of microphones, music, and sound effects. Typically the sound director or technical director trains one student to run the soundboard.

6. Dress in black. Those folks who dress in all black and scurry around the stage between scenes have a name: set crew. Their job is to reset the stage with props and a new set.

7. Aspire to stage manager. The stage manager oversees all tech positions (set crew, light crew, and sound crew). In fact, the stage manager coordinates the timing of the show from backstage, communicating the timing of technical aspects for the actors.

8. Build and paint sets. Is your student handy with a hammer and a paintbrush? Then they can help bring the world of the play to life. Set builds often take place in the evening or on weekends in spurts.

9. Gather or make props. If your child has a knack for decorating or crafting, making props might be the perfect job.

10. Sew costumes. If your student enjoys sewing, most theater departments can always use as many nimble fingers as they can recruit.

11. Assist with hair and makeup. When the pressure is on, actors usually need help getting hair and makeup done in time. Maybe your fashion-conscious child is willing to work in the dressing room.

The student director can learn an awful lot about theater.

12. Shoot photographs. Publicity shots are often needed to promote a show. If your student loves photography, they can volunteer.

13. Design the poster or T-shirt. A contest is sometimes held among students to come up with a winning design for the poster or cast-and-crew T-shirt. If there’s no contest, encourage your talented artist to offer to help create these items.

14. Publicize the show. Along with photos, press releases need to be sent to regional media. Posters need to be hung up. Email announcements need to be composed and sent.

15. Accompany the singers in rehearsal. Is your child an accomplished pianist? If so, most musical productions need a rehearsal

accompanist. The accompanist typically joins the band for performances.

16. Play in the pit. Does your student play in the school band? Can they play an unusual instrument that might add drama and entertainment to the musical score?

before the show and trains the ushers. This person is the liaison between the box office and the stage manager.

19. Help with the program. The director’s note needs to be included. Bios need to be gathered from the cast. Sponsors may submit ads. All the contents of the program must go through layout and design and get printed before each show. This is a good job for a student-parent team.

17. Volunteer to usher. Ushering is a great way for students to see the show for free.

18. Manage the house. The house manager prepares the house

20. Film the show. Students with an interest in filming or film editing can volunteer to help the professional videographer. ❖

Christina Katz is an author and writing coach whose husband has been a high school theater teacher for more than decade.

Maybe your fashion-conscious child is willing to work in the dressing room.

Our program for elementary school-aged children provides farm, nature, and art-based experiences during local schools’ early-release hours. Engaging activities and projects are introduced continuously, following themes that are inspired by the children’s and teacher’s interests. Homework support and a snack are provided. Tues. & Wed. 1pm-4:30pm

Pumpkin Pizazz

13 Tips for Carving with Less Fuss

By Christina Katz

1. Pick the prettiest. Large or small, you are looking for sturdy stems, no bruises, and pumpkins that sit pretty. Place the pumpkin on a counter and stoop down to see how it looks at eye level before you buy. Stems break easily so grab the whole pumpkin, not the stem, when you carry it.

2. Timing is everything. The Internet is thick with tips for preserving pumpkins longer. Don’t try them. Simply carve your pumpkins 3–5 days before Halloween for a still-standing-tall guarantee.

3. Make cleanup a snap. The secret weapon for easy pumpkin-carving cleanup is probably out in your garage or shed. It’s a basic plastic tarp. Spread this

Keep carved pumpkins cool during the day.

time-saving savior to contain your carving enthusiasm.

4. Use the proper tools. The best devices for carving jack-o’-lanterns don’t live in your kitchen drawers. Knives slip and spoons bend, so resist the urge to dip into your cutlery. Instead, purchase sturdy metal pumpkin scoops and kid-friendly carving saws you can use year after year.

5. Bigger is better. Enlarge designs for larger pumpkins. Use your home printer or stop by the local copy shop.

6. Start at the top. For large pumpkins, make the opening big

enough for your hand; and cut it at a 45-degree angle so the top will nest in place, instead of falling through.

7. Scrape, don’t dig. To keep the pumpkin sturdy, don’t thin the walls of your pumpkin when scooping out the guts.

8. Draw it first. Freehand designs are cute and classic, and young children love them. Use a medium-point washable marker to draw your design, and then wipe away any remaining marks after carving.

Purchase sturdy metal pumpkin scoops and kid-friendly carving saws.

9. Slit the paper. If you prefer to transfer a design and the pattern won’t wrap flat around your pumpkin, then, prior to carving, use an X-Acto knife to cut a few up-and-down slits on the paper.*

10. Poke hole-patterns. If you’ve always wanted to attempt a tricky pattern, here’s how to do it: Attach the design to your pumpkin with blue painter’s tape; use a thumbtack, skinny nail, or hat pin to poke shallow holes, just through the pumpkin’s skin, along the design lines; then connect the holes with your carving saw to achieve whatever fancy look you like.*

11. Get your hand in there. Use your finger to push carved pieces out from the inside. If pieces get stuck, go over delicate edges with a filet knife to avoid tearing pumpkin skin.*

12. Discard pulp outdoors. Do not put pulp into your garbage disposal. The place for pumpkin guts is your compost or yard clippings pile. Remove seeds for roasting and then gently shake pulp off your plastic tarp before hosing it off and hanging it out to dry.

13. Keep jacks cool. In warm weather, keep carved pumpkins cool during the day. For longer-lasting displays, avoid direct sunlight. Display them at night and with battery-powered candles to avoid interior damage and fire hazards. ❖ *Techniques for parents only, not young children.

Author, journalist, and writing coach Christina Katz enjoys having family fun without spending hours on clean up. Find her at christinakatz.com

Roast Perfect Pumpkin Seeds

While everyone is carving, put out a large bowl or pot for the pumpkin pulp. When the bowl is half full, loosen the seeds with your hands and fill pot to the three-quarters mark with water. The seeds will rise to the top. Squeeze them through your fingers to remove any clinging pulp as you transfer them to a colander. Then spread them on paper towels and pat dry. Set your oven for 325ºF and transfer seeds to cookie sheets in single layers. Sprinkle each pan of seeds with one or two teaspoons of olive oil and a few generous shakes of salt. Turn seeds with spatula every eight minutes until crispy on the outside and golden on the inside. Do not let seeds turn brown. Remove from oven, cool, and enjoy. Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two months. If you have more seeds than you will eat, make pumpkin seed brittle or pumpkin seed trail mix to bring to Halloween parties as hostess gifts.

Saturdays,

TREATS FOR TOTS

Here’s where walking watermelons, pirate gypsies, and Harry Potter look-alikes can go for fall fun and, of course, serious sweet loot.

Santa Rosa: Blind Scream Haunted House This haunt is thoroughly invested in being as scary as possible. Its high fear factor is why parents must accompany anyone ages 12 and younger. Admission is $25–$35, and it runs Oct. 13–31, at the corner of A Street and First Street. Find a schedule of days and times at blindscream.com/calendar

Cotati: Cotati Candyland

Trick-or-Treat Local businesses can’t make Candyland’s ice cream cone castles, but they can and will hand out free goodies October 31, 2–5 p.m. Meet at La Plaza Park for a map of participating merchants. See facebook.com/ events/3993561084203872

7 Local Halloween Events

Petaluma: Halloween

Trick-or-Treat Trail

Follow the orange and black balloons to Reese’s Pieces and candy corn at this annual free event, where pirates and princesses (and princess pirates) reign. Download the trick-or-treat map or just follow the costumed crowd on October 31, 3–5:30 p.m., to downtown merchants with goodies. Learn more at petalumadowntown.com/ trick-or-treat-trail

Blind Scream Haunted House

Petaluma Halloween Trick-or-Treat Trail

Guerneville: Halloween Open House A free book is the treat costumed kids get when they come to the Guerneville Library on October 31, 4–6:30 p.m. They can also paint pumpkins, make buttons, and draw and color. For details, go to tinyurl. com/yz5tnnx3.

Santa Rosa: Happy Halloween, Charlie Brown Kids ages 1–5 can explore a spooky sensory bin, create a pompom pumpkin path—and trick-or-treat in the land of Peanuts, too—at this Charles M. Schulz Museum event. The crafts and treats happen on October 30, 10 a.m.–noon, with a screening of the classic 1966 animated film It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown! at 11:45 a.m. Admission is $10 per child and free for up to two adults per child before 11 a.m. (regular museum admission applies thereafter: $5–$12, free for ages 3 and younger). Get details and sign up at schulzmuseum.org/ museum-mondays/#toggle-id-2

Santa Rosa: Downtown Fall Fun Fest On October 27, bust a freaky move at Old Courthouse Square at this free DJ’d party, which will feature not just trick-or-treating at Fourth Street merchants, but also rides on a Ferris wheel. Festivities run 5–8 p.m. but trick-or-treating starts at 4 p.m. Find out more at tinyurl.com/ yc2w7abw

Santa Rosa: Sonoma County Zombie Movement Walk & Trunk-or-Treat Arrive “zombified” and ready to lurch, crawl, and shamble through downtown at this charity event, which benefits the ASPCA and other nonprofits. The dead will rise again (and even compete for best costume) at Old Courtyard Square on Oct. 21, 2–6 p.m. Find details and purchase tickets, which are a $10–$25 donation, at tinyurl.com/mrxu5xrv ❖

For more Halloween fun, check out the Calendar of Events on page 24.

October

Calendar of Events

In This Family, Goth Rules

With the emergence of the hit Netflix series Wednesday, the Addams Family has gained a new level of cachet. Originally borne of the mind of cartoonist Charles Addams in the 1930s, the well-to-do family with a taste for the macabre has enjoyed television and film incarnations over the decades. The Lucchesi Park in Petaluma will offer a free outdoor screening of the 1991 version of the film, The Addams Family, starring Christina Ricci as Wednesday and the late Raul Julia as Gomez. The flick will be shown on October 20 at dusk. Bring blankets and low-back chairs; food and beverages will be available for purchase. For details, go to tinyurl.com/2p84ykpt

Sunday 1

Skunk Train Pumpkin Express. Ride train to a redwoods pumpkin patch & pick a pumpkin. $59.95; infants on laps, $10.95; dogs, $10.95. Departing from Willits. Sundays, Wednesdays & Fridays: 10:30 a.m. Saturdays: 10:30 a.m. & 1:30 p.m. Oct. 30: 10:30 a.m. Skunk Train. 299 E. Commercial St., Willits. skunktrain.com

Disney’s Beauty & the Beast Jr. A Theater for Children’s production for young audiences. $7.

3 p.m. Steele Lane Community Center. 415 Steele Ln., Santa Rosa. atheaterforchildren.com

Sensory Swim. For kids & adults with sensory, motor, or other developmental needs. Membership not required; $10 for a family swim pass (2 adults & any minors in the same household). Sundays: 9–10:30 p.m. Fridays: 2:20–4 p.m. YMCA. 1111 College Ave., Santa Rosa. tinyurl. com/37z2kwws.

Pronzini Farms Pumpkin Patch. Pumpkin picking, animals, shaded picnic tables. BBQ items for purchase. Sundays: 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Mondays–Thursdays: 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Fridays–Saturdays: 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Halloween (Oct. 31): 11 a.m.–4 p.m. 3795 Adobe Rd., Petaluma. pronzinifarms.com/pumpkin-patch

Petaluma Pumpkin Patch & Amazing Corn Maze. Free parking/ free general admission. Four-acre corn maze: $8–$12; ages 5 & younger, free. Adult must accompany kids 15 & younger. Mondays–Sundays: 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Fridays–Saturdays: 6–10 p.m. 450 Stony Pt. Rd., Petaluma. petalumapumpkinpatch.com.

FREE Sugar Skulls Workshop. Artist Elsa Tapia demonstrates how to hand-paint & decorate a Mexican sugar skull. All ages. 2:30–4 p.m. Sonoma Valley Library. 755 W. Napa St., Sonoma. Other libraries will host this event. Register: tinyurl.com/ bdcrzuk8.

Cereal in the Sukkah. Cereal bar, pancake buffet, hot chocolate, Lulav shake, edible Sukkah. Donations suggested. 10 a.m. Chabad Jewish Center of Petaluma. 205 Keller St., Ste. 101, Petaluma. Register: tinyurl.com/ mpu574y9.

Monday 2

FREE Sonoma Tennis H.I.T.S. Sonoma Community Tennis Nonprofit & the USTA offer free tennis lessons for ages 3–5. Mondays–Thursdays. Hanna Center Tennis Facility. 17000 Arnold Dr., Sonoma. Register: sonomatennis@icloud.com.

Tuesday 3

Early Release Enrichment. For elementary school-aged children who have half-days on Tuesdays & Wednesdays. Provides farm, nature & art-based experiences. Sliding scale: $10–$45. 12:30–4:30 p.m.

Veronda-Falletti Ranch. 175 W. Sierra Ave., Cotati. tinyurl.com/56urztnn

FREE Bilingual Paint Party. Follow step-by-step instructions in Spanish & English; learn painting skills & practice new vocabulary. All ages. Adults welcome. 6–8 p.m. Central Santa Rosa Library. 211 E. St., Santa Rosa. Registration required: tinyurl. com/bdhsbd8b.

Wednesday 4

FREE North Bay Job Fair. 3–6 p.m. Elsie Allen High School. 599 Bellevue Ave., Santa Rosa. sonomamediagroup. com/nbjf.

Saturday 7

Fall Farm Tours. Cuddle with baby goats, learn about sustainable farming & shop for produce. $25–$40. 2 times/ week Oct. 7–22. 1–2:15 p.m. Redwood

Carnival of the Animals

October 29, 2023 at 3pm

Weill Hall, Green Music Center

Bobby Rogers, conductor Kymry Esainko, piano

Amy Zanrosso, piano

Clark Houston Lewis, narrator Roustabout Theater, actors

Revel in The Seahorse and the Crab, an underwater adaptation of the beloved tale, The Tortoise and the Hare A whimsical and humorous musical suite, Carnival of the Animals, features 14 animal-themed movements. Costumes are encouraged.

Hill Farm. 5480 Thomas Rd., Sebastopol. Reservations required: tinyurl.com/5bvj3p8f.

18th Annual Chilly Billy Fun Run & Hot Rod & Motorcycle Show. Fun run & BBQ: $25. Sign in 8–10:30 a.m. at Sonoma County Harley-Davidson (7601 Redwood Dr., Cotati). Runs ends at Sonoma-Marin fairgrounds (175 Fairgrounds Dr., Petaluma). Free admission to Fairgrounds. BBQ: 11:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. tinyurl.com/2rpjjrx7

Annual Barn Dance. Live music, dancing, BBQ, outdoor games, raffle & silent auction. $50–$60. 4:30–9 p.m. Alexander Valley Community Hall. 5512 Hwy. 128, Geyserville. Tickets: tinyurl.com/uur6jc3x

FREE Chiquy Boom! Family Dance Party. Bilingual dance class

featuring music from around the world. Families of all ages & abilities.

2–3 p.m. Cloverdale Library. 401 N. Cloverdale Blvd., Cloverdale. tinyurl. com/4c2db537.

FREE Spanish Music & Movement. Music & movement with colorful scarves, instruments & animals. Presented in Spanish for families & kids ages 6 & younger. Do not need to speak Spanish to attend. Música y movimiento con coloridas bufandas, instrumentos y animales. Presentado en español para familias y niños de 6 años o menos. No es necesario hablar español para asistir. 10–10:30 a.m. Petaluma Library. 100 Fairgrounds Dr., Petaluma. Other libraries will host this event: tinyurl.com/24c767ym.

Wednesday 11

FREE Walk Through the Grades Tour. Peek into Waldorf classrooms. Check out the campus & working biodynamic farm. Adults only. 9–11 a.m. Summerfield Waldorf School & Farm. 655 Willowside Rd., Santa Rosa. Registration required: tinyurl.com/ yc6xh9fm

Thursday 12

Sebastopol Grange Harvest Social. Live music, pie auction, live music & snacks. $10. 5:30–8 p.m. Sebastopol Grange. 6000 Sebastopol Ave., Sebastopol. tinyurl.com/523a8hht

Friday 13

Blind Scream Haunted House. High fear factor. Ages 12 & younger must be accompanied by an adult. $25–$35.

30th Annual SCFYMCA Halloween Carnival

Runs thru Oct. 31. Corner of A St. & First St., Santa Rosa. Full schedule days & times: blindscream.com/ calendar

Saturday 14

FREE 34th Annual Vikingfest. Celebration of all things Norwegian: Viking-era reenactments, Nordic arts & crafts, cultural displays & demonstrations, traditional foods. 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Norway Hall. 617 W. 9th St., Santa Rosa. tinyurl. com/2a26pwnh.

FREE Afternoon Pride Festival & Farmers Market. Family atmosphere, live music & vendors. Farmers arrive at 2 p.m. Noon–5 p.m. Walnut Park. Petaluma Blvd. S. & D St., Petaluma. tinyurl.com/vespms8m.

FREE Walk Along the Farm Trails. Meet farmers; pick pumpkins, apples, & flowers; pet farm animals; see how cheese is made; buy produce. Oct. 14–15: 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Reserve a spot for link to the tour directory & map: tinyurl.com/y25htb49.

Second Saturday Cartoonist. Meet, watch, and talk to Jen de Oliveira, creator of the webcomic Reggie & co-creator of the weekly kids’ comics newsletter Sunday Haha. Cost included with museum admission: $5–$12; free for ages 3 & younger. 1–3 p.m. Charles M. Schulz Museum. 2301 Hardies Ln., Santa Rosa. schulzmuseum.org/jen-de-oliveira.

It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown: Crafts & Treats. Create a Great Pumpkin candleholder,

Halloween banner & treats. For ages 6–16. $15. 12:30–2 p.m. Charles M. Schulz Museum. 2301 Hardies Ln., Santa Rosa. Registration required: tinyurl.com/yp5m8smr.

Celebrando Culturas Juntos (Cultures Celebrating Together). Live music with Salsa Rosa Orchestra. Art project with local artist Martin Zuninga. $20; free for 11 months & younger. Discounts available for qualifying guests. 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Children’s Museum of Sonoma County. 1835 W. Steele Ln., Santa Rosa. cmosc.org/events/celebrando.

Sunday 15

Clo Cow Half Marathon, 10K & 5K Run. $55–$95. $10 off for youth younger than 18. 7:30 a.m. 35

Kentucky St., Petaluma. Register: tinyurl.com/ycktsa5s

Friday 20

FREE Addams Family. Bring chairs & blankets. 7 p.m. Lucchesi Park. 320 N. McDowell Blvd., Petaluma. tinyurl. com/yp287sy4.

FREE Forestville Movies in the Park: Coco. Bring low-back chairs & blankets. No pets, alcohol, smoking, or stick-leg chairs. 7 p.m. Forestville Youth Park. 7045 Mirabel Rd., Forestville. forestvilleyouthpark.org/ events

Saturday 21

FREE Trick-or-Treat Trail Keiser Park. The City of Windsor & local businesses hand out candy to kids

12 & younger. Come in a costume & wear a mask. Noon–4 p.m. Keiser Park. 700 Windsor River Rd., Windsor. Registration required: tinyurl. com/32fv67ye

Floating Pumpkin Patch. Find pumpkin in the pool & then decorate it. $12; ages 2 & younger, free. Tickets go quickly. 3:45–5:45 p.m. Ridgway Swim Center. 455 Ridgway Ave., Santa Rosa. Tickets must be bought in advance: srcity.org/2913/ Floating-Pumpkin-Patch.

Sonoma County Zombie Movement Walk & Trunk-or-Treat. Arrive in zombie costume & ready to lurch, crawl & shamble through downtown. Benefits ASPCA & other nonprofits. $25; ages 10 & younger, $10. 2–6 p.m.

Old Courtyard Square. Santa Rosa. tinyurl.com/mrxu5xrv

Annual Cemetery Walk. Walk to gravesites while hearing stories of Petaluma’s historical families. $15–$20. Two tours: 10:30 & 11 a.m. Tours begin at Cypress Hill Cemetery Office (parking lot). 430 Magnolia Ave., Petaluma. Tickets: tinyurl. com/4fdynu9v

Pumpkins on Pikes. Live music, games, pumpkin carving & food. $40; ages 3 & younger (no pumpkin), free. No pets. Oct. 21 & Oct. 28. 2–10 p.m. Tara Firma Farms. 3796 I St. Ext., Petaluma. tinyurl.com/keyj5ysb

FREE Día de los Muertos Family Festival. Features local artists’ artwork & altars, family-friendly

activities & live performances. Noon–4 p.m. Museum of Sonoma County. 425 Seventh St., Santa Rosa. museumsc.org/events/?eid=10615

FREE Grupo Folklorico Quetzalén. Traditional Mexican dance performance. 2–3 p.m. Northwest Santa Rosa Library. 150 Coddingtown Center, Santa Rosa. tinyurl. com/5n78sx6h

30th Annual SCFYMCA Halloween Carnival. Carnival games & prizes, jumpy house, crafts, music & other kids’ activities. $5–$10. 3–6 p.m. YMCA. 1111 College Ave., Santa Rosa. scfymca.org

Sunday 22

Cindy’s Race. 6K/10K: $35–$65. Kids’ 1K: free. In-person or virtual.

8–10 a.m. Howarth Park. 630 Summerfield Rd., Santa Rosa. Register: tinyurl.com/4zvnnsz3.

Santa Rosa Mothers’ Club & Keller Williams Realty Trunk-or-Treat. 10:30–11:30 a.m. Keller Williams Realty. 3333 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa. Pre-registration required: tinyurl. com/5dy4zp2h.

Monday 23

How Happiness Thinks. 6-session course from Rohr Jewish Learning Institute. Drawing on classical Jewish & mystical teachings, course will offer practical advice on increasing happiness. $25–$99. Mondays. 6–7:30 p.m. Runs thru Nov. 27. Chabad Jewish Center of Petaluma. 205 Keller

St., Ste. 101, Petaluma. Register: tinyurl.com/3htkv2mc

Tuesday 24

Pete the Cat’s Big Hollywood Adventure. New musical adapted from Pete the Cat books. $12–$17 ($5 lap passes for ages 2 & younger available day of the show). 6:30 p.m. Arrive 1 hour early for free art-themed projects. Luther Burbank Center for the Arts. 50 Mark West Springs Rd., Santa Rosa. tinyurl.com/2p8htukp

Wednesday 25

FREE Walk the High School Tour. Prospective students shadow while parents tour school. 8–9:30 a.m. Summerfield Waldorf School & Farm. 655 Willowside Rd., Santa Rosa. Register: tinyurl.com/bdex28at.

Friday 27

FUNtazmagoria. Spooky, but not scary, activities. Glow-in-the-Dark Lab, Mad Scientist Lab, pumpkin guts exploration, magic potions & Pumpkin Plop (the staff drop pumpkins off the roof). $20; free for 11 mos. & younger. Oct. 27–29. 2–7 p.m. Children’s Museum of Sonoma County. 1835 W. Steele Ln., Santa Rosa. tinyurl.com/384j634j

FREE Downtown Fall Fun Fest. Trick-or-treating at downtown merchants. DJ & Ferris wheel. 5–8 p.m. Old Courthouse Square. Downtown Santa Rosa. tinyurl.com/ yc2w7abw

FREE Trick-or-Treating at Santa Rosa Plaza. Enter through the A St. entrance to pick up goodies at the Simon table & to get a map of participating stores. Costumes encouraged. Oct. 27: 5–8 p.m. Oct. 31: 4–6 p.m. Santa Rosa Plaza. 1071 Santa Rosa Plaza, Santa Rosa.

Saturday 28

Annual YWCA Fun Run/Walk. Raising awareness about domestic violence. Approx. 2.3 miles. Registration: $20. Check-in: 9 a.m. Run/walk: 10 a.m. Spring Lake (swimming lagoon). 393 Violetti Rd., Santa Rosa. Register: tinyurl. com/2p9x8cef.

Halloween at Howarth. Children in costumes trick-or-treat throughout the park. Must register for 1 of 5 slots: 11:30 a.m.–noon., noon–12:30 p.m., 12:30–1 p.m., 1–1:30 p.m. & 1:30–2 p.m. $5–$10. Additional fee for carousel & train rides. Howarth Park. 630 Summerfield Rd., Santa

Rosa. Sign up: srcity.org/2164/ Halloween-at-Howarth

FREE Halloween Carnival with Dia de los Muertos Celebration. DJ, carnival games, haunted maze, exotic animals & community altars. Noon–5 p.m. Rohnert Park Community Center. 5401 Synder Ln., Rohnert Park. facebook.com/rpcommunityservices/ events

FREE Farmers’ Market Pumpkin Festival & Costume Competition. Competitions: pumpkin decorating with wheels, pumpkin carving & costume (no commercial kits). Competitions divided into 3 age groups. Registration: 8:30–10:30 a.m. Judging: 9:30–11 a.m. Healdsburg

Farmers’ Market. Parking lot at North & Vine Streets, Healdsburg. tinyurl. com/4cpx6a3s.

Sunday 29

Carnival of the Animals. Performance by Santa Rosa Symphony. A whimsical & humorous musical suite in which unique animal mannerisms & sounds come to life through music. $10–$20. Instrument Petting Zoo: 2 p.m. Concert: 3 p.m. Green Music Center. 1801 E. Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park. srsymphony.org/ EventDetail/265.

Monday 30

Happy Halloween, Charlie Brown. Ages 1–5 come in costume & trick-or-treat all over the Museum. Make a goodie bag, explore sensory bin, create a pompom pumpkin patch & watch It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown! Before 11 a.m.: $10 per child & free for up to 2 adults per child. After 11 a.m.: regular admission applies ($5–$12, free for ages 3 and younger).

10 a.m.–noon. Charles M. Schulz Museum. 2301 Hardies Ln., Santa Rosa. tinyurl.com/2hy3nkhm.

Tuesday 31

FREE Halloween Open House. Costumed kids get a free book. Pumpkin painting, drawing, button-making & more. 4–6:30 p.m. Guerneville Library. 14107 Armstrong Woods Rd., Guerneville. tinyurl.com/ yz5tnnx3.

FREE Petaluma Halloween

Trick-or-Treat. Downtown merchants give out treats. Download trick-or-treat map from website or just follow the black & orange balloons. 3–5:30 p.m. Downtown Petaluma. petalumadowntown.com/ trick-or-treat-trail.

FREE Trick-or-Treat Cotati

Candyland. The City of Cotati & local businesses hand out candy. 2–5 p.m. For map of merchants, meet at LaPlaza Park, 201 W. Sierra Ave., Cotati. cotati.org.

FREE Trick-or-Treat at Coddingtown Mall. 4–7 p.m. 733 Coddingtown Center, Santa Rosa.

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Terrifying Creatures

6 Monsters Every Parent Fears

By Shannon Carpenter

Halloween is about fear, plain and simple. But what scares parents is different than what scares kids. I know that, like me, you can take imaginary ninjas and five-year-old Frankensteins, but you’re truly terrified when any of these monsters come knocking at your door:

The Inflation Vampire Late at night, around the witching hour, the inflation vampire digs its teeth into your well-protected budget, sucking out every inch of cushion. Suddenly, your water bill is 20 percent higher than it has been in ten years. Your grocery budget has collapsed to a mere shell of what it used to be. And it doesn’t end there. The vampire’s familiars work tirelessly to increase your energy bills in minute increments, so you don’t even notice the bite marks.

The Unexpected Car Noise

Mummy It always starts with a small knock from the tomb underneath your hood. But surely there is no monster there. You don’t have time for monsters. You have kids’ soccer practices and late-night snack runs (the only time you get to yourself) to think about. But then you start noticing that knock starts to become a clunk. You can even hear it when you turn up your radio. You’re brave and finally open that tomb, only to discover that your engine has unwrapped itself—and it’s going to cost your kids’ college savings to remove the curse.

The Homeowner Insurance Adjustor Werewolf You’ve always had coverage. Then on a full moon disaster strikes, and the Homeowner Insurance Adjustor lets you know that an act of God isn’t

covered. With a huff and a puff, you no longer have insurance, and the weather forecast isn’t looking good.

Forgotten Homework Ghoul

It’s the scream in the middle of the night that makes your blood run cold: “Mom! Dad! I forgot that I need a fully functional solar system model!” It’s cliché and yet your worst fear. You wonder if any stores that sell crafting supplies are open at 3 a.m. They aren’t, so you use wadded-up socks and hope that is enough to banish the specter.

The Unattended Toddler with a Bag of Flour Ghost Things are quiet; as a shiver runs up your spine, you realize that is never a good sign. You run, but you know you’re already too late. The toddler ghost is white as a sheet, and so is your entire kitchen. How did they even know where the flour was anyway?

The Grocery Bill Witch Boil, boil, toil, and trouble! That’s your soup recipe, and the cackling you hear is the self-checkout A.I. laughing at how much that simple soup now costs. Beware the Ides of March and specialty ingredients.

Shannon Carpenter is a professional humorist, co-host of The Dadhouse Pod , and the author of The Ultimate Stay-at-Home Dad Manual (Penguin, 2021).

Things are quiet–and that is never a good sign.