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World Travel Good Eats Event Calendar Money Talk Outdoor Living Community Resources Service Directory
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Best Tips for Family Travel with Kids
Travel can be an eye-opening experience for children of all ages. However, bringing your entire family along with you can also be a lot to handle. Whether it’s your first trip or your tenth trip with your family, you are most likely going to run into a few challenges any time you travel with kids. Some of these may include unpredictable schedules, long packing lists, and crankiness. Preparation and
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research are two of the biggest things you can do to make sure your family trip goes smoothly. It is important to understand that children simply do not have the same patience we do as adults. Following these stress-reducing strategies can save you some time, money, and hassle on your next trip. Let’s make your next family trip a breeze!
DON’T OVERPACK The less you bring, the easier it is to pack, and the less you have to carry. PRE-BOOK EVERYTHING YOU CAN This can save you time, money, and hassle. BRING LOTS OF SNACKS A hungry kid can take a fun family trip to miserable in a matter of minutes. LOOK FOR CHILD DISCOUNTS You’ll be suprised at how many places give discounts for children. N O R T H B AY | C A |
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Restaurants Sonoma Grille and Bar Steaks & seafood served in a contemporary, upscale-casual setting with a full bar & beer garden. 165 W Napa St, Sonoma, CA 95476 Phone: (707) 938-7542 | Web: sonomagrilleandbar.com
HopMonk Tavern Sonoma Lively hangout with creative bar bites, select beers, a fire-pit patio & weekend live music. 691 Broadway, Sonoma, CA 95476 Phone: (707) 935-9100 | Web: www.hopmonk.com
Oso Sonoma Casual, urban tavern with a chill ambiance, plus eclectic, locally sourced small plates & a raw bar. 9 E Napa St, Sonoma, CA 95476 Phone: (707) 931-6926 | Web: ososonoma.com
Have a restaurant you’d like us to feature? Send in a recommendation for your favorite restaurant to be added to our list. Be sure to mention why you think they are worthy of being featured and include a link to their website.
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the girl & the fig
La Casa Restaurant & Bar
Inventive French country fare & fine wines are offered at this rustic bistro with an outdoor patio. 110 W Spain St, Sonoma, CA
Opened in 1967, this Mexican venue offers Jalisco cuisine in a warm, traditional space with a patio. 121 E Spain St, Sonoma, CA 9
Tasca Tasca - Portuguese Tapas and Wine Bar
B&V Whiskey Bar & Grille
Mediterranean & Portuguese small bites & wine served in charming, European-inspired quarters. 122 W Napa St, Sonoma, CA
Rustic-chic hangout in a former creamery offering hearty burgers, plus beer & whiskey flights. 400 1st St E, Sonoma, CA
Della Santina’s
Modern takes on Portuguese dishes are served at this intimate spot with wood-fired oven & terrace. 6757, 452 1st St E Suite H, Sonoma, CA
Rustic Italian fare crafted in a homey, family-run trattoria with a greenery-filled courtyard. 133 E Napa St, Sonoma, CA
The Red Grape Easygoing, family-run pizzeria with brick-oven pies, salads & pasta dishes, plus a charming patio. 529 1st St W, Sonoma, CA 9
The Plaza Bistro Warm, brick-lined space in a historic building for Mediterranean & Italian fare & ample wine. 420 1st St E, Sonoma, CA 95476
LaSalette
Valley Seasonal Mediterranean-inspired fare in a polished restaurant featuring a terrace & a wine bar. 487 1st St W, Sonoma, CA
Shige Sushi Tokyo-born chef serves sushi at this Japanese dinner locale. 19161 Sonoma Hwy, Sonoma, CA N O R T H B AY | C A |
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EVENTS Jan 28-31 Snow Goose Festival With exceptional sunny winter days all during the festival, attendees viewed and got up close and personal with the geese, ducks, cranes, herons, egrets, ibis, swans, songbirds, and raptors in all their natural splendor. Visit snowgoosefestival.org for details.
Feb 5-7 Northern California Home & Landscape Expo Enjoy hundreds of inspiring exhibits, featuring everything imaginable for your home and garden along with DIY features, a themed Landscape Showcase, interior design ideas and many special features. Details at homeandlandexpo.com
Mar 5-7 Capitola Comic-Con Comic-Con has returned to your living room for panels, exhibits, contests and more! Check out all the fun activities below and head on over to the Comic-Con YouTube channel for dozens of exciting panels! Find us on Facebook.
Apr 11 Pirate 5k Booty Run Join us for the annual Pirate’s of the Cure-i-bbean 5K Booty Run to help promote awareness of blood related cancers thru American Cancer Society fund raising efforts! Participants receive Finisher Pirate Medallion, shirt, and a chance at the Pirates Treasure Chest and all the booty inside! Dress in your best pirate garb and run for the booty. Walkers and strollers welcome. Learn more at runsignup.com
May 28-30 Annual California Roots Music & Arts Festival The California Roots Music and Arts Festival is a three-day affair held every May on the Monterey Fairgrounds that showcases some of the best bands
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MONEY MANAGEMENT
Basics
ORGANIZE YOUR FINANCES This is the first step to creating wealth. All of your finances should be tracked including credit cards, bank accounts, loans, mortgages, and retirement accounts. Budgeting software can also assist with organization, and even help you make on-time payments.
SPEND LESS THAN YOU EARN There are many powerful tools to help you budget your spending and take steps to achieve your long-term goals. If you know where you spend the most, you will have more control of your money. It is always best to spend less than you actually earn.
LIMIT DEBT There are many beneficial ways to cut down your debt and keep it down. For starters, try your best to not take on more debt than you already have. Always pay your bills in full and on time and also pay off your high-interest debts first.
PLAN FOR THE UNEXPECTED Even trying your best to manage your money, you can still face unforeseen emergencies. Always have savings for these emergencies such as accidents, medical care, large car or house repairs and even natural disasters.
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STRESS-FREE AIR TRAVEL tips & tricks
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Looking for ways to make your flight more enjoyable? Let’s face it. Long-haul flights can tend to be dreadful somtimes. Everything from cramped seating, screaming babies, and dryness can easily ruin a flight experience. Whether you are taking a short flight for a mini vacay or a long international flight for an epic adventure, being prepared and organized are essential for a great flight experience. In this guide, find our top travel tips for flying that will help you have a smooth and comfortable ride in the air on the way to your destination.
Pack Healthy Snacks Although most airlines provide small snacks mid-flight, it is beneficial to bring your own along with you. Be sure to load up on protein and healthy fats that will leave you feeling full and satisfied. Some good examples are almonds, apple slices, dried fruit, carrot sticks, and protein bars. Bring a Sleep Kit Arriving at your destination after a nice nap on the plane will help your body feel rested and relaxed. Opt in to bring a comfortable travel pillow, eye mask, and noise-canceling earbuds or headphones as these can make all the difference. Dress Comfortably One easy way to make your flight experience better is to wear clothes you feel the most comfortable in. These can include tracksuits, leggings, cotton t-shirts, hoodies and lightweight sweaters. Also, don’t overlook wearing comfortable shoes. Don’t Forget Entertainment Making time pass by fast on a plane can easily be done by doing an activity that you find both fun and engaging. Some good suggestions are e-books, movies, music, and games. You can even download some of these for offline use, avoiding the need for wifi which may be unavailable or an additional cost. continued on page 19 N O R T H B AY | C A | |
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EVENTS and artists from around the Golden State. Visit californiarootsfestival.com for details.
Jun 4-6 Italian Picnic and Parade Food, carnival, live band, dancing, and games. Bocce ball for a buck. Friday night is the Italian Picnic and Parade kids’ night and Saturday is our Italian dinner at 6 pm. The Grand Parade will be in downtown Sutter Creek on Sunday at 10:30 am. Details at suttercreek.org.
Jul 8-9 Arts & Wine Festival — State Street Market Showcasing the distinctive works of artists and craftspeople from around the United States, the Festival also features select vintages from local wineries as well as a wide variety of foods including Thai, Chinese, Mexican, and All-American favorites. The Los Altos Arts & Wine Festival is a great event for the whole family with all-day free concerts on two stages and entertainment for children all weekend in the Kidzone. Visit downtownlosaltos.org.
Sep 24-26 Monterey Jazz Festival Top names of jazz gather together in one place to share their talent among real fans. Don’t miss one of the greatest jazz events in the world! Over 500 artists include top names as well as newcomers that perform on eight stages at the Monterey County Fairgrounds. The festival also features lots of seminars, panel discussions, and intimate conversations. Complete details at rove.me.
Oct 30 A Contemporary Summer Cabaret Includes $1K grand prize costume contest, two drinks or shots included with ticket,drink & food specials and an awesome after party. Visit us at eventbrite.com for details.
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NORTH BAY LGBTQI FAMILIES Building community and advocating for families with LGBTQIA+ parents, caregivers, and children in Sonoma County, California and the surrounding areas of the North Bay. NBLGBTQIFAMILIES.ORG LGBTQ CONNECTION - NAPA - SONOMA LGBTQ Connection, an initiative fueled by youth and other emerging leadership, fosters a healthier, more vibrantly diverse and inclusive community. Each year, LGBTQ Connection engages 3,500 LGBTQ people, their families and community, and trains 500 providers from local organizations across Northern California to increase the safety, visibility and well being of LGBTQ residents. LGBTQCONNECTION.ORG | (707) 582-1227 CALIFORNIA LGBTQ H&HS NETWORK The California LGBTQ Health & Human Services Network is an LGBTQ-specific program of Health Access, bringing together more than 60 non-profit providers, community centers, and researchers to advocate collectively for state level policies and resources that will advance LGBTQ health. CALIFORNIALGBTQHEALTH.ORG | (916) 497-0923 SONOMA COUNTY PRIDE The mission of Sonoma County LGBT Pride is to promote equality for all. Working with community leaders we work to support the non-profit community and to preserve and educate the community about the rich LGBT history of Sonoma County. SONOMACOUNTYPRIDE.ORG TRANSGENDER NORTH BAY - SONOMA COUNTY PRIDE Free male to female support group, for those 18 and older. (707) 494-6983
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Stress-Free Air Travel: Tips & Tricks (continued) Charge Electronics Ahead of Time Make sure all your devices are fully charged before you head to the airport. The last thing that you want is to run out of battery mid-flight. Although many planes are updated and have USB power ports in their seats, not all of them do so preparing ahead of time for a full charge is always helpful.
Avoid Germs It is always a good idea to wipe down your seat, armrest, and any other areas you may touch with disinfecting wipes. With so many people traveling in planes all day every day, you can only imagine how many germs are spread. After all, germs are much more likely to spread on a plane than on the ground.
Hydrate Your Skin It is a good idea to bring a travel-sized moisturizer, as well as lip balm to keep your skin hydrated. You can become very uncomfortable without them, since your skin can get very dry in the air.
Go for a Stretch It is recommended to stretch your body out after being cramped in your seat for a period of time. It can be good to get up and pace, as well as bend your knees and rise up onto your toes to boost circulation throughout your legs.
Don’t Wear Contacts The dry air inside an airplane can also lead to dry contact lenses if you wear them. It can even cause them to stick to your eyes, leaving you extremely uncomfortable. Be sure to take a pair of glasses with you on the flight instead. Wear Compression Socks On longer flights, compression socks can be extremely helpful. They have the benefit of helping regulate the blood flow in your legs. This is particulary good if you have issues with swelling in your feet or ankles.
Get Creative, Screen-Free Take the opportunity to get a little creative during this distraction-free time to yourself. Try to make the most of it and enjoy some screen-free time writing in a notebook, drawing in a sketchpad, or anything else to give your brain a workout. Be Productive Sitting on a long flight may be a good opportunity to catch up on any work that you need to complete. Be sure to bring your laptop with you and get your work done, while killing air time.
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DENTIST NorCal Family Dentistry............................................................................................... 3 EDUCATION - NURSING Sonoma State University...............................................................................................2 FAMILY LAW Abbey, Weitzenberg, Warren & Emery P.C.................................................................. 11 FIREPLACE SOLUTIONS Green Fireplace Solutions........................................................................................ 8-9 FITNESS Sonoma Fit..................................................................................................... front cover HEALTH INSURANCE Pronoeo Insurance Agency, LLC...................................................... back outside cover HOME REMODELING Leff Construction......................................................................................................... 17 HOTEL MacArthur Place Sonoma............................................................................................ 11 ITALIAN CUISINE Catelli’s Food Wine & Cocktails.................................................................................. 17 IT SOLUTIONS/TECH Sonoma IT Solutions..................................................................................................... 1 PLUMBING Mr. Rooter Plumbing...........................................................................back inside cover SALON - FULL SERVICE Dolce Vita Salon.......................................................................................................... 17 WEDDING VENUE Vinters Resort.............................................................................................................. 13
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