Friday, March 20, officially ushers in the spring blooming season and it’s the perfect time to consider teaching your children about all things green … like money and how to manage it. A mom with financial expertise discusses how to age-appropriately address finances with kids (page 16).
If you’re considering a pantry spring cleaning, it may be time to investigate a gluten-free meal plan for your family. Some straightforward tips to craft the best dietary routine for your loved ones are within (page 20).
shared via The Learning Policy Institute, which strives to conduct research improving education policy and practice (page 12).
This month’s Book Break presents a journal that guides children through daily growth, gratitude, and goodness exercises. A Simple Seed turns five minutes a day into a shared emotional reset for the whole family (page 30).
On busy spring mornings, enjoy our simple, family-pleasing pancake recipe, which provides a nutritious start to your day and features ingredients from a California-based dairy (page 8). Make the batter a day in advance and refrigerate it to save even more time.
Fire up the griddle! We’ve got breakfast covered with this simple, family-pleasing pancake recipe. These fluffy flapjacks come together with ease and are packed with Clover Sonoma Pasture Raised Organic Whole Milk and Greek Nonfat Plain Yogurt for a nutritious start to your day. To save time (and have pancakes at the ready on busy weekday mornings) you can even make the batter a day in advance and refrigerate it. Serve your short stack with a generous pat of Clover Organic Butter and drizzle on the maple syrup, or top with your favorite fresh fruit. Oh, and make extra. Everyone will want seconds!
Pancakes with Greek Yogurt
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 2 minutes
Servings: 10
1½ cups all-purpose flour
1 cup Clover Sonoma Pasture Raised Organic Whole Milk
1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the egg, sugar, milk,
2. In a separate medium-sized bowl combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. Slowly add the dry flour mixture to the liquid mixture and whisk between additions until smooth. Let the batter sit for 15 minutes. (Note: At this point you can cover and refrigerate the batter overnight if you plan to cook the next morning).
4. Heat a non-stick pancake griddle or large frying pan on medium/high heat. Ladle out the batter and cook until bubbles form on the surface of the pancake (about 2 minutes). Flip and cook the other side.
5. Serve immediately topped with additional butter, maple syrup and fresh fruit of your choice.
Greek yogurt, butter, and vanilla extract.
Out-of-This-World Comedy Hits Stage
Space Princess Wars, the hilarious comedy, written by Don Zolidis, a leading playwright for young actors, blends the adventure and sci-fi elements of Star Wars with the fairytale elements and humor of The Princess Bride, and some allusions to Cats the musical, thrown in. The mash-up is a tale of a princess with a secret agenda and space wizards destined for greatness including special effects achieved by an actor hurling models and puppets. Fridays–Sundays, March 6–15. Shows are 7 p.m. Fridays, 1 and 3:30 p.m. Saturdays, and 3 p.m. Sundays. Kid Street Charter School Theater, 709 Davis St., Santa Rosa. Purchase tickets at atheaterforchildren.com
Experience Women in Public Safety Day
The Santa Rosa Fire Department invites all to attend the 5th Annual Women in Public Safety Day. This event will inspire women and girls to pursue careers in public safety as they interact with women working in law enforcement, fire, emergency medical services, and other life safety services. Saturday, March 28, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. at SRFD’s Training Tower, 2126 W. College Ave., Santa Rosa, with event parking at the Finley Center. Learn more about this free event at tinyurl.com/mr447d3h
Fair Teaches Sustainability
Mark your calendar for the second annual Climate Ready Cotati Fair! The fair is free and will feature 40 local agencies and organizations sharing resources, information, and ideas to help you live a more sustainable lifestyle and have a positive impact on the environment. In addition, experience activities to help you reduce, reuse, and recycle. Door prizes, kids activities, clothing swap and mending bar, tree giveaway, small appliance repair, e-waste drop-off, book/puzzle/game swap, bike-powered smoothies, bike repair, and more. From 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Saturday, March 28 at the Cotati SMART Depot, 970 E. Cotati Ave., Cotati. Learn more at bit.ly/CRCFair2026.
S pace Princess Wars
Climate Ready Cotati Fair!
Annual Women in Public Safety Day
Tutus & Tapas Benefit Ballet
Save the date for the third annual Tutus & Tapas performance and reception benefiting North Coast Ballet California at the Sonoma Academy Performing Arts Center. Ticket includes performance and reception, with beer and wine on site for purchase. An array of silent auction items will be available for bidding. All tickets ($50) will be held at will call, regardless of shipping option selected. Saturday, March 7, from 6:30–9 p.m. Sonoma Academy Performing Arts Center, 2500 Farmers Ln., Santa Rosa. Purchase tickets at tinyurl.com/46vfusdb
Discovery Day Focuses on Science
The North Bay Science Discovery Day is a one-day, free community science festival to spark curiosity and wonder in children and families. The festival brings together 100-plus organizations and 10,000 attendees — supported by 70 sponsors and 150 volunteers — for youth to talk with scientists and engineers while exploring interactive exhibits, from rockets and beehives, robots and sharks, catapults and hearts, animation, animals, art, and more. Admission and parking are free, and no tickets are required. Rain or shine. Saturday, March 7, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Sonoma County Fairgrounds, 1450 Bennett Valley Rd., Santa Rosa. For full details, visit northbayscience.com
Celebrate All Things Cheese
California Artisan Cheese Festival is a cheese-filled celebration that brings together a knowledgeable community of experts, makers, and enthusiasts to celebrate the craft of artisan cheesemaking. The festival highlights the people, stories, and flavors that make this industry so special, while inspiring greater appreciation and enjoyment of artisan cheese. Farm and producer tours, educational seminars and tastings, Cheese Crawl, and Grand Tasting and Marketplace. Tickets start at $40. Friday–Sunday, March 20–22. Sonoma County Fairgrounds, 1450 Bennett Valley Rd., Santa Rosa. Find a full schedule at artisancheesefestival.com
North Bay Science Discovery Day
Tutus & Tapas
California Artisan Cheese Festival
PreSchool Perks
How Early Ed Prepares Students for the Classroom
From The Learning Policy Institute
Students who attend high-quality preschool programs reap benefits that can last through school and their lives, according to a review of research released by Learning Policy Institute (LPI). The study includes reviews of rigorous evaluations of 21 large-scale public preschool programs which find that children who attend these programs are more prepared for school and experience substantial learning gains in comparison to children who do not attend preschool.
Research on early learning programs in the 1960s and 1970s revealed that benefits for children lasted into adulthood, inspiring many states to invest in preschool programs. However, recent evaluations of two programs found mixed results, leaving policymakers and the public confused about whether or not investments in preschool programs actually do make a difference to student success.
LPI’s report reviews these two studies and others in depth, noting that interpretations of the results often depend on the groups of students
being compared. When participants are compared to others who attended similar preschools — or to a more generally advantaged comparison group — there are often not strong differences in their elementary school performance. This does not mean preschool effects “fade out” or that preschool is not effective; it means that the children in both groups benefit similarly.
On the other hand, when participants are compared to very similar students who did not attend preschool, the benefits of participation are found to
be substantial. Both preschool and elementary school quality also make a difference for the strength of ongoing effects in terms of achievement, school progress, and attainment.
LPI’s researchers found that investments in quality preschool programs bolster student success. Students who attend preschool programs are more prepared for school and are less likely to be identified as having special needs or to be held back in elementary school than children who did not attend preschool. Studies also show clear positive effects on children’s early literacy and mathematics skills. The review affirms the short- and long-term benefits of many preschool programs and makes recommendations for how policymakers can implement and support high-quality programs.
“The research suggests that the main issue is not whether preschool works but how to design and implement effective preschool programs that deliver on their promise,” said Linda Darling-Hammond, President of LPI. Research finds that preschool programs that demonstrate the strongest and most persistent positive effects employ well-qualified educators, use a developmentally appropriate program, and provide adequate learning time for students. In order to achieve sustained benefits from preschool, districts and states should invest in the essential building blocks of high-quality early childhood education, including teacher preparation, thoughtful curriculum, meaningful family engagement, and
The first preschool experience shapes everything.
Hands-on learning, Spanish immersion, emotional intelligence, STREAM, problem solving and real-world skills from day
(NIEER) at Rutgers University.
and special education that offer a partial return on the investment. High-quality preschool programs can also help close the gap in school and life outcomes between those raised in low-income families and their wealthier peers,” Barnett said. support for English learners and students with special needs.
Although these elements can be expensive, “when well-implemented and supported by subsequent schooling, high-quality preschool can pay for itself. Studies of high-quality programs that have followed students into adulthood find up to $17 returned in social benefits for every dollar invested. This is because people who attend preschool are more productive in school, work, and society generally — with higher levels of education and earnings, less involvement in delinquency and crime, and fewer chronic health problems,” said W. Steven Barnett, Founder and Senior Co-Director of the National Institute for Early Education Research
“Even when students are only followed into elementary school, studies find significant benefits from preschool in lower rates of grade retention
Studies also show clear positive effects on children’s early literacy and mathematics skills.
“Quality doesn’t just happen,” said lead author Beth Meloy. “You have to design for it, support it, and continually work for it. States that are serious about providing high-quality early learning opportunities have focused their attention on setting clear expectations for educators’ knowledge and skills, supporting educators to reach those expectations, and establishing mechanisms for ongoing program improvement.” ❖
The report was released at a reception convened by the Learning Policy Institute and New America, and was authored by Beth Meloy, Madelyn Gardner, and Linda Darling-Hammond. The Learning Policy Institute conducts and communicates independent, high-quality research to improve education policy and practice.
Money Matters
Talking to Kids About Finances
By Hanna Evans
Learning about money is an important part of growing up, and parents and caregivers are likely to have the most meaningful impact when teaching these lessons. However, knowing when to get started, and how to start the conversation, can be tricky. To help, we’ve put together a few useful tips, so you can equip your kids with the skills and knowledge they need for a healthy financial future.
Use Age-appropriate
Language There are lots of topics to cover with your child, but translating them into child-friendly language can be a challenge. How you talk about them will depend on their age and ability — you may want to think about starting off with more simple topics, and saving some of the more complex ones for when they’re older.
You could start with simple, concrete concepts for 3-5 year olds. For example, “money is something we
need to buy things we need and want.”
For 6-8 year olds, you may want to introduce choice and planning concepts — for example, “If we spend money on this, we won’t have money for something else.” For 9-11 year olds, consider discussing budgeting and trade-offs, for example, by saying “It’s OK to want things we don’t buy” or “A budget helps us to feel organized.” For older children and teens, it may become easier to talk about more complex concepts,
and to start introducing values and priorities, including how to handle disappointment and social pressures. For example, “We don’t spend money on everything we could, because we are working towards goals” or “We don’t have to have new things to fit in.”
Older children and teens may be more likely to turn to the internet for financial advice, if they have access to it — so make sure you’re sharing resources and websites with useful money tips to guide them in the right direction.
Incorporate Hands-on Activities
It can be difficult to keep a child’s attention through conversation, particularly younger children. Incorporating hands-on, fun activities may help your child to grasp certain concepts that they otherwise wouldn’t be able to through words alone. For example, you could “play shops,” allowing your child to pick out items and then pay you for them, with fake or real money, and then receive change back. Interactive activities like this equip your child with real-world examples, boosting their learning and confidence.
Similarly, simply putting pocket money away can help your child to learn the importance of saving money, and to see how their money can grow. Remitly suggests attaching pocket money to tasks, so that your child can learn that money is earnt. This will help to foster a sense of responsibility and ownership, boosting your child’s understanding of the value of money. No matter which hands-on activity you choose to incorporate, remember to talk them through it too — they should be used as a way to complement the
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lessons they’re learning, rather than to replace important conversations.
Model
Responsible Money
Management Remember, kids learn by modelling their caregiver’s behavior. No matter how young your child is, they’re likely to be picking up on the way you talk about money,
helplessness, you may pass this feeling onto your child.
Of course, there’s no need to be perfect, and you don’t need to get it right the first time. The point is to simply be aware of your own actions and think about how they may impact your child’s approach to money management.
Consider these phrases to avoid and their alternatives:
• “Money needs planning and care” instead of “Money doesn’t grow on trees;”
Financial Lessons to Support Your Child’s Future
No matter how you start the conversation with your kids, know that you’re teaching them an important lesson that will serve them well in their adult lives. There is no one-size-fits-all, and you know your child best — so make sure to tailor the language used and the topics of conversation to suit your child’s needs.
so it’s best to be mindful of this. For example, if you feel stressed about a financial situation, you might want to think about how you can frame it in a way that feels more like a problem to be solved — anytime you express
• “We’re being careful with money” instead of “We don’t have money;”
• “That’s not how we’re using our money today” instead of “We can’t afford it.”
Your child’s financial education should be ongoing, and they’ll pick up new knowledge throughout their childhood. Start off small, and remember there’s plenty of time to teach the more complicated concepts later. ❖
A mom of two, Hanna Evans aims to give more parents the tools they need to talk to their children about money in an age-appropriate way.
Going Gluten-Free
Creating Your Family’s First Stress-Free Menu
By Beth Rush
Changing what your family eats shouldn’t feel challenging. Your kids can get used to new foods with helpful strategies, and may even discover new favorites. If you’re hoping to start a family gluten-free meal plan, remember some straightforward tips to craft the best dietary routine for your loved ones ...
What Does Gluten-Free
Mean?
Gluten is a protein found in substances like wheat and rye. Some people are hypersensitive to ingested gluten, resulting in symptoms like psoriasis flare-ups or mouth ulcers. They may adjust their eating habits to feel more comfortable with or without a formal allergy diagnosis. Whether your family members have met with a doctor or not, going gluten-free can be a good idea if you want to alleviate potential related symptoms. Get inspired to make the best dietary decisions for your loved ones by learning how to make a
menu full of delicious foods that don’t contain gluten.
Steps to Create a FamilyFriendly, Gluten-Free Meal
Plan Anyone can make a gluten-free dietary routine for their kids once they have simple strategies that work for any family. Use these ideas to help your loved ones follow a diet that better supports their health.
1. Outline Helpful and Allergy-Inducing Foods Create a list of foods your family already likes. Add a column for any ingredients that may induce allergy symptoms
or that your kids won’t eat. They may be more receptive to a new diet if it incorporates foods they already love.
The key is balancing healthier foods with meals that feel familiar. A sweet potato casserole would add comfort food to your diet, doubling as a base that goes well with a range of sauces and toppings. If you add that to a meal with your family’s favorite protein or a
Once you find a couple of meals your loved ones
like, serve them again throughout the week.
gluten-free dessert, your kids may be more willing to stick with your new meal routine.
2. Reflect on Your Schedule
Even if you create the healthiest eating routine in history, you may not be able to stick with it due to your schedule. Think about how often you’re too busy to cook or rely on restaurants to deliver dinner. Your family activities might keep you on the move during the week, which is important to acknowledge before starting a new diet.
Select menu additions that are easy to make or meal prep based on your family’s typical weekly activities. You can also check out the numerous restaurants in Sonoma, Mendocino and Lake counties that offer gluten-free items. They’ll help feed your family when you’re too busy to cook. You might also find inspiration in their menus, eventually recreating your favorite dishes at home.
3. Check the Canned and Frozen Aisles Making meals
is less time-consuming if you have frozen or canned ingredients. These budget-friendly fruits and veggies save time and money. Remember to check the nutrition labels before buying any canned goods. They can sometimes contain lesser-known gluten ingredients, like flavor enhancers.
4. Prep What You Can If you need to make a recipe that won’t work with canned or frozen foods, try meal prepping ingredients when you have the time. You could chop bell peppers or cook chicken in a crockpot on a slow Saturday morning. They’ll be ready throughout the week whenever you need to feed everyone. Your family gluten-free meal plan will only be successful if you find ways to make it work with your home life, which may
include preparing ingredients on your least busy days.
5. Embrace Repeated Meals
The average family of four with a thrifty budget is spending $988.60 on monthly groceries, but you don’t
get at the grocery store and create opportunities to make big batches. Everyone can eat leftovers when you don’t have time to cook.
Enjoy Exploring New Foods
Together Creating a family-friendly, gluten-free meal plan is easier than many parents might think. Wherever you may live, you’re close to numerous restaurants that can help when you don’t have time to cook. Start your new menu with whatever gluten-free ingredients your kids already love to ease them into a new diet with foods that feel familiar and taste great. ❖
have to pay more to live gluten-free. Once you find a couple of meals your loved ones like, serve them again throughout the week. You’ll reduce how many ingredients you need to
Beth Rush has been featured on sites like Business Insider, The Everymom, and CafeMom, where she explores parenting topics through research-driven storytelling and firsthand experience as a parent with ADHD and Hashimoto’s disease.
Springtime Craft
Q-Tip Painted Lavender
By Kimberly McLeod
The first day of Spring is the perfect time to get creative over a “blooming” activity with the kids. Try this Q-tip craft to help your children make their own field of lavender!
Instead of a regular paintbrush for this project, we bundled a handful of Q-tips to make a unique stamper. When dipped into paint, it creates a really fun flower print perfect for completing your lavender flowers and celebrating the new season.
Instead of Q-tips, kids can also use fingerprints to paint the lavender flowers on.
Supplies:
Q-tips – approximately 18
Elastic band – to secure the Q-tips together
Paint – green and purple
White cardstock
Paintbrush
2. Bundle Q-tips together. Bundle a small bunch of Q-tips together (we used 18) and wrap an elastic band around them to secure. Dip the bundled Q-tips into the purple paint. Dab the Q-tips onto the paper along the green stems to form the lavender flowers. Lavender is usually a little wider at the base of the flower, so you can stamp a few more times at the bottom and taper off the stamps as you go up.
Instead of a regular paintbrush for this project, we bundled a handful of Q-tips to make a unique stamper.
Add it to the fridge or frame it for some spring decor.
Steps:
1. Make the lavender stems. Paint lines on the paper using the paintbrush. Paint some of the lines diagonally so that it looks like a field of flowers that don’t all grow perfectly straight. Instead of painting, you can also glue down green strips of construction paper. Let the green paint dry before adding the purple flowers to the stems.
3. Add more individual flowers. Dip a single Q-tip into the paint and dab it on the paper on any areas that need a few more flowers. You can also add a few extra dots at the top of the flower to make a more pointed top. Continue until you’re satisfied with the way it looks.
Once the paint has dried, your lavender painting is ready to display at home. Add it to the fridge or frame it for some spring decor. Don’t forget to write your child’s name and date on the back of the art.
With a community of over 5 million followers across social media, author and mother Kimberly McLeod created The Best Ideas for Kids for busy parents, teachers, and childcare providers. The Best Ideas for Kids is a popular platform with DIY craft ideas, screen-free activities, recipes, and printable worksheets that keep kids entertained for hours!
March Calendar of Events
Meet Celtic Music Superstars
Canada’s Celtic superstars Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy invite some of the world’s finest Celtic musicians for an unforgettable evening of music and celebration. This musical journey will showcase true all-stars of the Celtic world — from Ireland, Scotland, Canada, and beyond. Tickets range from $41–$101. Thursday, March 26, at 7:30 p.m. Sonoma State University Green Music Center, Weill Hall, 1801 E. Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park. Reserve seats at tinyurl.com/3yefnz99
Wednesday 4
Early Release Enrichment at Veronda-Falletti Ranch. For elementary school-aged children who have 1/2 days Wednesdays. Farm, nature, & art-based experiences. Snacks provided. Flexible fee;
minimum $25 per session. Wednesdays. Noon–5 p.m. Drop-off: Noon–1:45 p.m. Pick-up: 4:45–5 p.m. Veronda-Falletti Ranch. 175 W. Sierra Ave., Cotati. Registration required: sandyloam.org
FREE Bedazzle Your Favorite Book at the Library. For grades 7-12. Bring your favorite book to bedazzle the cover. All materials provided, including extra books to bedazzle. 4–5:30 p.m. Petaluma Library. 100 Fairgrounds Dr., Petaluma. Advance
Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy
registration required. Other Sonoma Library branches will host this event. View schedule: tinyurl.com/4kw9hpn2.
Friday 6
Just Between Friends Kids’ & Maternity Consignment Sales Event. Locally owned by Bay Area parents, offering one-stop shopping, great prices, and organized aisles for family-friendly convenience. March 5–8. NEW LOCATION: Old Sears Place. 100 Santa Rosa Plaza, Santa Rosa. For tickets & full event schedule: northbay.jbfsale.com
Space Princess Wars. A Theater for Children’s production for young audiences. $7. (Preshow activities begin 30 minutes before show). Fridays, March 6 & 13: 7 p.m. Saturdays, March 7 & 14: 1 & 3:30 p.m. Sundays, March 8 & 15: 3 p.m. Kid Street Charter School Theater. 709 Davis St., Santa Rosa. atheaterforchildren.com
Saturday 7
FREE Trails: Bird Watching. Bring binoculars and learn to spot birds by sight, sound, flight, and behavior on a docent-guided walk. Free transportation available within a 20-mile radius. Program in Spanish only. 9–11:30 a.m. Sugarloaf Ridge State Park. Meet at Visitors Center. 2605 Adobe Canyon Rd., Kenwood. RSVP required: sec.regfox.com/ aves2026.
FREE Lake-Sonoma Steelhead Festival. Live music, bubble show, arts & crafts, fishing-themed games, CAL Fire, wildlife & conservation exhibits. Food & drinks available for purchase. 10 a.m–4 p.m. Milt Brandt
Visitors Center. 3288 Skaggs Spring Rd., Geyserville. steelheadfestival.org
Tutus & Tapas. Performance + reception included. Silent auction. Beer and wine for purchase (21+). $40–$50. Benefiting North Coast Ballet California. 6:30–9 p.m. Sonoma Academy Performing
Arts. 2500 Farmers Ln., Santa Rosa. northcoastballet.org
FREE North Bay Science Discovery Day. For children, teens, & families. 70 organizations & 100 hands-on interactive exhibits. Parking free. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Sonoma County
Love Where You Live • Work • Play
Fairgrounds. 1350 Bennett Valley Rd., Santa Rosa. northbayscience.com
Sunday 8
FREE American Music for America’s 250th Anniversary. Performance by the Healdsburg Community Band. Donations gratefully accepted. 5 p.m. Raven
Performing Arts Theater. 115 N. St., Healdsburg. raventheater.org/events/ american-music.
Tuesday 10
FREE Sensory Friendly Afternoon. Exclusively for children with sensory processing differences and their families or caregivers. Enjoy
hands-on exhibits in a safe, accessible environment. Second Tuesdays. 2–5 p.m. Children Museum. 1835 W. Steel Ln., Santa Rosa. Pre-registration recommended: tinyurl.com/tym2dhb5.
Saturday 14
Annual St. Patrick’s Day 5K. Annual themed run/walk race open to all ages & abilities. $28.74–$60.83. Games, prizes, and family fun.
Sign-In: 8:45–9:45 a.m. 9:30 a.m.: Kids Fun Run, ages 3–7: 0.13 mile loop around old Courthouse Square lawn. Race starts 10 a.m. Irish Dancers: 11 a.m.: Costume Contest: 11:30 a.m. Event ends: 12:30 p.m. Race starts & ends at Old Courthouse Square. 600 4th St., Santa Rosa. Register: tinyurl. com/mr45bnxv.
FREE Arbor Day Tree Planting Party. Community tree planting and park beautification with activities about the importance of trees and Santa Rosa’s Tree City USA status. Honors local botanist Luther Burbank. 9 a.m.–noon. Finley Community Center. 2060 W. College Ave., Santa Rosa. tinyurl.com/yeyxjs9k.
FREE Family Day. Every second Saturday of the month enjoy free admission. 11 a.m.–1 p.m. Museum of Sonoma County. 425 Seventh Ave., Santa Rosa. museumsc.org/events
Bluegrass & Folk Festival. Bring your own instrument to jam. Food & beverages on site. $35–$50. Ages 12 & younger: free with adult admission. Noon–9 p.m. Sebastopol Community Cultural Center. 390 Morris St., Sebastopol. tinyurl.com/32a5unnu.
Public Star Party. Astronomical topics & telescopes are open for viewing. $5–$15. 5 & under: free.
State Park parking $10. 8–11 p.m. Robert Ferguson Observatory. 2605 Adobe Canyon Rd. Kenwood. tinyurl. com/2xfp6tum
Sunday 15
All Youth Showcase Extravaganza. Performances by Santa Rosa Symphony Youth Orchestra with Santa Rosa Junior College Orchestra. $5–$20. 3 p.m. Weill Hall. Green Music Center. 1801 East Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park. tinyurl.com/3vynys47
Tuesday 17
St. Patrick’s Day An Irish Dance Spectacular. Performances by Keenan Irish Dance School students. $10–$20. 4:30 p.m. Mystic Theater. 23 Petaluma Ave, Petaluma. keenanirishdanceschool.com
FREE Sibling Support (SibShops)
Meetup Common Ground. for ages 7–17 with siblings who have disabilities. Facilitated by Tayler Hockett and Bella Martinez. Questions: hocketttayler@yahoo.com. 4–6 p.m. Common Ground Society. Oak Grove Room. 85 Brookwood Ave., Santa Rosa. Limited spaces RSVP: commongroundsociety.org/calendar
FREE Let’s Draw!
Expressions at the Library. Grades 2-6. Learn how to recreate illustrations with local children’s book illustrator Tenisha Bernal! Supplies included. March 19, 4–5 p.m.: SR Central Library. 211 E. St., Santa Rosa. March 25, 3–4 p.m. Roseland Library. 779 Sebastopol Rd., Santa Rosa. Advance registration encouraged: yetjv7pm
www.sonomafamilylife.com
Friday 20
Annual California Artisan Cheese Festival. Chef demos & pairings, educational sessions, authors, cheesemakers, & more. $40–$185. Ages 12 and under: $30. March 21–23. Various locations in Sonoma County. Tickets & full schedule: artisancheesefestival.com
Saturday 21
FREE Family Bike Skills: Workshop & Ride. Children & parents must participate in the clinic together & bring helmets/bikes. Hosted by the Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition. Donations accepted. 10 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Sebastopol Independent Charter School. 1111 N. 116 Hwy. Sebastopol. Register: tinyurl.com/mr38jxtb
Redwood Hill Spring Farm Tours. Cuddle with baby goats, learn sustainable farming, & shop for produce. Starting at $25. Picnic area to enjoy at noon. March 21–22 & 28–29: 1–2:30 p.m. (Kid feeding demonstration starts promptly at 1 p.m.) Redwood Hill Farm. 5480 Thomas Rd., Sebastopol. Reservations only: tinyurl.com/4rx3rynh
Sunday 22
The Pout-Pout Fish. Mr. Fish seeks Miss Clam’s pearl and discovers more than his frown. Puppets and live performers bring the undersea world to life. Recommended for ages 3-8. Lap passes for ages 2 and under available in person on show day. $16.50–$22. 3:30 p.m. Luther Burbank
Center. 50 Mark Springs Rd., Santa Rosa. tinyurl.com/y3968snb
Monday 23
Sebastopol Family Dance. All ages welcome. Dance leader will teach easy-to-learn community dances with live music. Snacks provided. Suggested donations: $5–$10/adult, $10–20/ family. Fourth Sundays. 2–4:30 p.m. Wischemann Hall. 465 Morris St., Sebastopol. tinyurl.com/3yvp327j.
Saturday 28
FREE Climate Ready Cotati Fair. Family-friendly sustainability fair with kids’ activities, community resources, clothing/book/game swap, bike repairs (bring parts), e-waste recycling, and much more. 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Cotati
SMART Depot. 970 E. Cotati Ave., Cotati. tinyurl.com/bp535ma8
Sonoma/North Bay Home Expo. Resources for remodels, home offices, energy upgrade, landscaping, accent pieces, & more. $5–10. Military and ages 12 & under: free. Parking: $15. March 28: 10 a.m.–5 p.m. March 29: 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Sonoma County Fairgrounds. Hall of Flowers Bldg. 1350 Bennett Valley Rd., Santa Rosa. sonomanorthbayhomeexpo.com
FREE 5th Annual Women in Public Safety Day. Educational career expo with live demos and networking to inspire women and girls to pursue careers in public safety — law enforcement, fire, EMS, and other life safety services. Open to all. 10 a.m.–2 p.m. SRFD Training Tower.
2126 W. College Ave., Santa Rosa. tinyurl.com/pm5btftu
FREE Free Family Day with La Mezcla. Bilingual event with performances and activities, featuring La Mezcla’s high-energy blend of tap, son jarocho, and Afro-Caribbean music and dance. Parking $6. 1:30–5 p.m. Green Music Center. 1801 E. Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park. gmc. sonoma.edu/free-family-day-2.
Suspended Like a Cloud – Young People’s Chamber Orchestra. Performances by Young People’s Symphony Orchestra. $5–$20. 7 p.m. Phoenix Theatre. 201 Washington St., Petaluma. tinyurl.com/3drvr8br.
Sunday 29
Feelin’ Crabby. Experiment with crabbing nets/cage and take home your catch. Se habla español. Cost: $30–$32. Parking $7. 10 a.m.–noon. Spud Point Marina. 1818 Westshore Rd., Bodega Bay. Fills up quickly, registration required: tinyurl. com/5a26rchs
Monday 30
Snoopy’s Family Reunion–Museum Mondays for Little Ones. Ages 1–5. Before 11 a.m: $10 per child & free for up to 2 adults per child. After 11 a.m. regular admission applies: $7–$15. Free for members & ages 3 & younger. Discounts available for qualifying guests. 10 a.m.–noon. Charles Schulz Museum. 2301 Hardies Ln., Santa tinyurl.com/4a943594.
Five-Minute Gratitude
New Journal Gives Kids Simple Daily Practice
Author Katie Wood announced the release of A Simple Seed: A Five-Minute Journal for Growth, Gratitude and Goodness, a colorful daily guided journal designed to help children ages 6 and up develop gratitude, resilience, and confidence through simple daily practices.
Born from Wood’s personal experience after her baby daughter’s life-saving brain surgery, A Simple Seed transforms the power of gratitude into an accessible daily practice for families. “I felt powerless during that time, and discovered that a simple daily gratitude practice was what steadied me,” Wood said. ” I created A Simple Seed so kids and families could build that same resilience early.”
The journal features engaging daily prompts that guide children through gratitude exercises, positive “I AM” statements, acts of kindness, and challenges designed to build emotional tools for navigating life’s obstacles. Parents and caregivers benefit from conversation-starting tips that address important themes like building community, helping others, and overcoming setbacks.
With an emphasis on growth mindset, empathy, and resilience — plus a touch of faith and spirituality — A Simple Seed turns five minutes a day into a shared emotional reset for the whole family.
Katie Wood is the busy mom of four young children, a business owner, and the proud wife of a hardworking fireman. As a former teacher, she understands how important it is for children to have a growth mindset and learn the essential life skills to empower them to live a purposeful life filled with courage, gratitude, forgiveness, and compassion.
ISBN: 9781955985482
Publisher: Penguin Random House: Clarkson Potter
Katie wrote A Simple Seed when her search for a kids’ journal encompassing life lessons, positive self-talk, and gratitude came up empty. With assistance from her family, friends, and an online community, she created this morning journal of 100 powerful lessons to help children practice healthy habits and develop the strong roots they’ll need for life. She believes there’s nothing more powerful than investing in the next generation to prepare them for the unknown future ahead.
This disclaimer clarifies that the magazine is reporting news from the publishing industry and is not offering an endorsement or review of the books mentioned.
Publication Date: 10/15/2025
Retail Price: $16.99
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Mental Health Services
Servicios de Salud Mental Perinatal
For Pregnant Women and Mothers of Children up to 5 years of age residing in Healdsburg, Windsor, Geyserville, or Cloverdale areas.
Para mujeres embarazadas y madres de niños de hasta 5 años de edad que residan en Windsor, Healdsburg, Geyserville, o Cloverdale áreas.
Designed to help prevent and manage depression and anxiety in pregnant and postpartum women. Diseñado para ayudar y prevenir y controlar la depresión y la ansiedad en mujeres embarazadas y en el posparto.
• Strengthen the connection with your infant or toddler with joy through pleasant activities. Fortalece el vínculo con tu bebé o niño pequeño con alegría a través de actividades agradables
• Improve your mood and resilience. Mejora tu estado de ánimo y tu resiliencia
• Build support systems & communication tools to better handle life’s challenges. Crear sistemas de apoyo y herramientas de comunicación para afrontar mejor los retos de la vida
