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September 2026

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College Podcasts

Team Teen Forming Bonds

Tutor Time? Parent Advice Heat&-Eat Easy Dinner

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MENDOCINO COUNTY FAIR & APPLE SHOW SEPTEMBER 18-20 9 am to Midnight Daily • Boonville Fairgrounds

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September 2026

SonomaFamilyLife 3

September 2026

Publisher/Editor Sharon Gowan Sharon@family-life.us

Marketing/ Sales/Events Patricia Ramos 707 586-9562 x1 patty@family-life.us

Features

Features Editor Angel Jenkins angel@family-life.us

Production Manager Donna Bogener production@family-life.us

Contributing Writers

Out & About

Tanni Haas Angel Jenkins Cheryl Maguire

School-Night Soup Add-in

Open House Highlights Public Health Safety

Billing

10 College Prep Podcasts

Discover Local Creeks Virtually and In Person

Publishing Office

Heat-&-Eat

Smart Listening for Parents and Kids

14 Building Bonds Having a Healthy Relationship With Your Teen

18 The Tutor Test Deciding When a Child Needs Extra Help

Family FUNstruction Rolls Into Museum

Jan Wasson-Smith P.O. Box 351 Philo, CA 95466 (707) 205 1539

Find Fruit and Fun at Apple Show/County Fair Tomales Village Marks History Through Festival Celebrate Independencia at Hispanic Heritage Event

22 Calendar of Events

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Discover what’s within. Join Girl Scouts today and unlock her potential. At Girl Scouts, she will: Make long-lasting friendships Try activities that make her smile Build real-world skills through fun, hands-on experiences Lead in her own way and connect with causes she cares about

The adventure awaits! Sign up today.

Questions? Reach out to info@gsnorcal.org or call 800-447-4475.

www.sonomafamilylife.com

Girl Scouts is where every girl can explore, create, and become more of who she’s meant to be. Girl Scout membership must be renewed annually. Membership year is October 1–September 30. © 2026 Girl Scouts of the United States of America. All Rights Reserved.

September 2026

SonomaFamilyLife 5

Cooking with Kids

Heat&-Eat School-Night Soup Add-in

ack-to-school season can make weeknight dinners feel rushed, but heat-and-eat soups can simplify dinnertime and help families ease into busy weeknight routines. Zoup!’s homestyle soups offer a ready-in-minutes starting point for hearty, family-friendly meals, whether served on their own with toppings like parmesan crisps or paired with easy sides like grilled cheese dippers. Made with simple ingredients and kettle-cooked in small batches, the soups can also become a flavorful base for quick recipes, from tortellini simmered in Tomato Bisque to mac and cheese boosted with Butternut Squash. For an easy shortcut on a family favorite, try Zoup!’s Meatloaf with Tomato Bisque, which incorporates the soup into the meatloaf mixture and uses it again as a warm gravy-style topping.

Meatloaf with Tomato Bisque Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Servings: 6

In a large bowl, mix together the beef, ½ cup of Zoup! Tomato Bisque, egg, onion, and Worcestershire sauce. Form the beef mixture into a loaf and place on a baking pan.

1.5 lbs. ground beef 1 cup of Zoup! Tomato Bisque ½ cup bread crumbs 1 egg ¼ cup chopped onion 1 Tbs. Worcestershire sauce ¼ cup water

Zoup! Soups can be found at local Safeway, Walmart, and Raley’s stores, plus online. Courtesy of Zoup!

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September 2026

Bake for 1 hour or until the meatloaf is done. Heat 2 Tbs. of the pan drippings with the remaining soup and water in a saucepan over medium heat until hot. Serve the gravy with the meatloaf and enjoy!

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PRONZINI PUMPKIN PATCH HALLOWEEN FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY! SEPT. 26-OCT. 31 Wide variety of pumpkins Inflatable Jumpers Corn-Kernel Pit & Slide Haunted Village Western Village Kids Activities & More Field trips Birthday parties Live music saturday & sunday 12-4pm Monday-Thursday: 11am-6pm Friday-Saturday: 10am-7pm Sunday: 10am-6pm 3795 Adobe Road • Petaluma 707-778-3871 www.pronzinifarms.com/pumpkin-patch

Out & About

Open House Highlights Public Health Safety

ave the date for Saturday, September 19, from 11 a.m.–3 p.m. for an open house hosted by the Marin/Sonoma Mosquito and Vector Control District. Discover how MSMVCD works year-round to protect public health at this free, family-friendly event where all ages can explore hands-on activities, interactive displays, and live demonstrations. Guests learn how mosquito traps work, meet the vector control technicians who respond to service requests, and leave with practical, easy-to-use information to help protect their families and neighborhoods. Kid-friendly activities include balloon animals, bounce house, games, and prizes. Free refreshments while supplies last. Activities take place at 595 Helman Ln., Cotati. Learn more at tinyurl.com/4a3bhswc.

Marin/Sonoma Mosquito and Vector Control District

Discover Local Creeks Virtually and In Person

elebrate Creek Week from Saturday, September 19-Friday, September 25, when participants will nurture and explore local creeks in new ways. Virtual Creek Week activities include a creek to coast cleanup, guided nature walk, downtown underground tour, scavenger hunt, and more. Sign up for one or more in-person events or participate virtually by completing activities online. Registration for in-person events is required. Registration for events may be closed before Creek Week based on number of registrants. See a full schedule and specific locations at srcity.org/2290/ Creek-Week-2026.

Creek Week

Family FUNstruction Rolls Into Museum

et ready to dig in at the Children’s Museum of Sonoma County’s FUNstruction, taking place Friday, September 25, from 4:30–8 p.m. This one-of-a-kind family night celebrates all things construction while kicking off the next exciting chapter of the museum’s future. Explore construction vehicles, experiment with hands-on construction-themed activities, and celebrate the official groundbreaking of the museum expansion. Local craft beer and Sonoma County wines, plus eats from local food trucks will be available for purchase. CMSC is located at 1835 W. Steele Ln., Santa Rosa. Full event details can be found at cmosc.org/event/family-funstuction/2026-09-25.

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FUNstruction

September 2026

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Find Fruit and Fun at Apple Show/County Fair

The Mendocino County Fair & Apple Show

he Mendocino County Fair & Apple Show features the CCPRA rodeo, a classic car show, sheep dog trails, entertainment, carnival, country music, and dancing. Also an apple tasting, wine and hard cider tasting. Cost is $8–$12 with ages 6 and younger admitted free. Unlimited rides are $35–$50. Extra fee for parking and tastings. Friday, September 18– Sunday, September 20. 9 a.m.–midnight daily. Fairgrounds, 14400 Hwy. 128, Boonville. For a full schedule of events, visit mendocountyfair.com/ county-fair.

Tomales Village Marks History Through Festival

eld annually by volunteers on the Sunday before Labor Day, the proud village of Tomales celebrates its history through TomalesFest. TomalesFest is the successor to Founders Day, which itself is the continuation of the Swiss national day celebration. Participants have been parading, picnicking, and partying for at least 138 years! This year, the Blues Defenders will provide live music in Tomales Community Park, 10 Irvin Rd., Tomales. Food, beer, wine, art, crafts, and local exhibits will also be featured. Activities begin at noon on Sunday, September 6. For more details, visit tomalestownhall.org/tomalesfest.

Blues Defenders

Celebrate Independencia at Hispanic Heritage Event

Fiesta de Independencia!

www.sonomafamilylife.com

elebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at the 17th Annual Fiesta de Independencia! Enjoy authentic food, music, games, and activities for the entire family. Organized by the Center’s Latino Advisory Council, this free festival is a community-wide celebration of cultures, people, and traditions that also increases awareness of Hispanic history and tradition, service organizations that support the community, and the many Latinx businesses in Sonoma County. Gates open at noon, Sunday, September 13, and events take place from 1-7 p.m. at the Luther Burbank Center for the Arts, located at 50 Mark West Springs Rd., Santa Rosa. Learn more at tinyurl.com/4ce89m8e.

September 2026

SonomaFamilyLife 9

College Prep Podcasts Smart Listening for Parents and Kids

By Tanni Haas, Ph.D.

here are few moments more exhilarating — and stressful — in the life of a family than getting kids ready for college. One way to reduce some of that stress while also enhancing family bonding is to go through the college prep process together.

Here’s a list of some of the best college prep podcasts that you can listen to with your college-bound kids. These podcasts cover the entire process, from writing the application to finding the money to pay for tuition and all the other expenses. Sit back and listen up: they’re full of great advice. 10 SonomaFamilyLife

College Parent Central (Available at: Apple, iHeart, Spotify) If you’re looking for a one-stop college prep resource, College Parent Central is the right podcast for you. It’s created and hosted by Lynn Abrahams and Vicki Nelson, two seasoned college professionals with a combined 70-plus years of experience in higher-education September 2026

advisement, teaching, and research. This podcast covers everything from identifying the colleges that are the best fit for your kids, applying for admission, finding the money to pay for college, to gathering the resources that’ll help your kids enjoy the experience and succeed. College Prep Genius (Available at: Apple, Podbean, Spotify) While some colleges have eliminated testing requirements, many colleges continue to expect applicants to submit either their ACT or SAT scores as part of the application package. A strong ACT or SAT score can also lead to scholarships that may pay for partial or full college expenses. The founder of College Prep Genius, Jean Burke, is an experienced ACT and SAT instructor whose own two kids received full scholarships due to their excellent test scores. The College Essay Guy (Available at: Apple, Libsyn, Spotify) Another important part of the college application package, which is a www.sonomafamilylife.com

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Learn more at dualenrollment.santarosa.edu The Sonoma County Junior College District does not discriminate on the basis of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, ethnic group identification, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic condition, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information or sexual orientation in any of its policies, procedures or practices; nor does the District discriminate against any employees or applicants for employment on the basis of their age. This nondiscrimination policy covers admission, access and treatment in District programs and activities--including but not limited to academic admissions, financial aid, educational services and athletics--and application for District employment. The Sonoma County Junior College District is an equal opportunity employer.

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September 2026

SonomaFamilyLife 11

standard requirement at virtually all colleges, is the admissions essay. This is where applicants introduce themselves and their interests and try to convince admissions officials that they’re motivated and capable of doing well if admitted. Ethan Sawyer (aka The College Essay Guy) is the author of the best-selling College Essay Essentials and has more than two decades of experience counseling applicants on how to make their case in writing. His podcast is full of great writing tips. The College Admissions Process (Available at: Apple, PlayerFM, Spotify) The College Admissions Process is a great companion podcast to College Prep Genius and The College Essay Guy. Founded by John Durante, an

experienced admissions counselor, this podcast features in-depth conversations with a variety of admission officials. You’ll hear from individuals from colleges that are

One way to reduce some of that stress … is to go through the college prep process together. large and small, very competitive and less competitive, urban and rural, and secular and religious. Simply put, this podcast provides a great sense of what different colleges are looking for, which will help your kids craft a compelling application.

The College Investor (Available at: Apple, Podbay, Spotify) For most parents, the biggest concern isn’t how to get their kids into college — it’s how to pay for it — as college seems to get increasingly expensive. The College Investor, the brainchild of Robert Farrington, an experienced college finance expert, is a great resource for both parents and kids. On this podcast, you’ll find lots of advice on how to best save and pay for college, as well as suggestions for how the kids can help defray the costs while working in college. It even has tips for recent college graduates on how to invest for the future. ❖ Tanni Haas, Ph.D. is a professor in the Department of Communication Arts, Sciences, at the City University of New York — Brooklyn College.

Mental Health Workshops for Families Learn how to support youth mental health in our free, bilingual, virtual workshops. Topics include school refusal/avoidance, suicide prevention, and keeping students safe online. Questions? Email: mchampion@scoe.org or ggachet@scoe.org Phone: 707-522-3241

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POSSIBLE. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me via email: production@family-life.us. Thank you!

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Your ad will be considered APPROVED printed Napa as shown above if Counties we don’t receive your corrections Our program isby 5 p.m. on 2-18-2016. Sonoma,and Solano, & Marin founded on the model Family Life Magazine • 134 Lystra Court, Santa Rosa, CA 95403 of the educational Phone 707-205-1542 • Fax 707-586-9571 • www.sonomafamilylife.com • www.mendolakefamilylife.com team, which is the 1:1 relationship with a credentialed teacher partnership between Classroom & online instruction, libraries the student, parent or and services guardian, and the Pathways independent Personalized, engaging, interactive study teacher.

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Remember that Adolescence is About Gaining Independence. When your child is being stubborn, it can feel like a challenge to your authority, but it may be their attempt at gaining independence, a normal phase of teen development.

Building Bonds Having a Healthy Relationship With Your Teen

By Cheryl Maguire

“Y

ou have been playing video games for two hours, can’t you find something else to do?” I asked my son.

He rolled his eyes, gave a half-huff and half-grunt sound as he turned off the TV, and then moped by me. Being a parent of a teen can be challenging due to their lack of communication with you and their testing of your rules. Dr. Kenneth Ginsburg, a physician and co-founder of the Center for Parent and Teen Communication, said, “We want parents to understand that this is a wonderful phase of development. There are going to be some puddles, but it is your unconditional love of your child that is their platform to help launch them into adulthood.”

Another expert, Dr. Alexandra Solomon, a Northwestern University professor, clinical psychologist, and 14 SonomaFamilyLife

author of Loving Bravely, said, “The parent of a teen has a job to shift from controlling to sideline coaching. So, a lot of the parents’ work is about loosening that control.” Some ways you can have a healthy relationship with your teen are to: Remember That You Were A Teen Once Too. Asking yourself open-ended questions that create empathy can help you to have a healthy relationship with your teen. For example, if a parent is struggling with their 15-year-old son, Dr. Solomon suggests asking yourself, “What was going on for you at age 15?” This allows you to remember how it feels to be a teenager and reminds you about some of the struggles they are going through. September 2026

“Teens may be struggling with strong emotions, challenging social and academic situations, and exploring who they are apart from their parents,” said Dr. Carla Naumburg, clinical social worker and author of the book How to Stop Losing Your Sh*t With Your Kids. Remember That Teens Rebel Against Us Because They Love Us. When your child rebels against your rules, it might feel as if they don’t care about you or your expectations. “Teens are pushing us away because they need to become more independent and that is hard as heck because of how much they love us,” Dr. Ginsburg said. “I think teens feel safest experimenting with the people they know who are not going to go anywhere,” Dr. Ginsburg said. “It’s almost a compliment. You’ve got to reframe this. If our kids experimented this way in other places of their life it might not be safe for them. But with you it’s safe.” Remember Your Child’s Good Characteristics. When you are feeling upset with how your teen is acting or treating you try to remind yourself about all their good characteristics. “Even during those moments of tension, say to yourself, ‘There is so much that is good about my child.’ By remembering the good characteristics, www.sonomafamilylife.com

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Upcoming Autumn Events! Floating Pumpkin Patch Saturday, Oct. 17 Ridgway Swim Center Halloween at Howarth Saturday, Oct. 24 Howarth Memorial Park SRCity.org/FPP | SRCity.org/HAH | 707-543-3737 www.sonomafamilylife.com

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SonomaFamilyLife 15

this will allow you to go back to the place that you need to be, strategically. Taking a deep breath, creating a space, approaching this from a place of love instead of hostility or anger,” Dr. Ginsburg said. Move To A “Yes” Space. Dr. Solomon explained that the moment a parent feels anger, they need to pay attention because they have moved from a “yes” space to a “no” space. A “yes” space is when you are on the same team as your teen and a “no” space is when you are in fight or flight mode, leading you to try to control the situation. “If a kid is doing something that they know is going to get under their parent’s skin, a parent should think, ‘My kid loves me, I love my kid, we are

happier when we are connected,’” Dr. Solomon said. After a parent recognizes they feel angry, it’s important to pause before

Being a parent of a teen can be challenging due to their lack of communication with you … reacting. If necessary, envision a stop sign in front of you or walk away. This step is the most difficult one because the moment can feel like it demands a response right now. How To Have A Healthy Relationship With Your Teen. When you experience conflict with your teen, like any relationship, try

to resolve it together by discussing it. Enlist the idea that “we” have the same goal. “Teens are more inclined to work with us when they also feel like we are working with them,” Dr. Naumburg said. Dr. Solomon stressed the importance of not telling your teen that they are doing something wrong. She said, “When our language has a hint of ‘you are doing it the wrong way,’ that is an invitation to a power struggle. Parents need to have compassion and help their kid make healthy choices from a place of love and healthy boundaries versus fear and control.” ❖ Cheryl Maguire’s writing has been published in The New York Times, Parents Magazine, Upworthy, Chicken Soup for the Soul: Count Your Blessings and Your Teen Magazine. You can find her at Bluesky @CherylMaguire.

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academic struggles. You might notice your child begins “forgetting” their textbooks at school, conveniently losing worksheets, or claiming they have no homework night after night. Physical symptoms can also be an avoidance strategy; frequent morning complaints of stomachaches or headaches before big test days are classic signs of school-related anxiety.

The Tutor Test

Deciding When a Child Needs Extra Help

Edited by Angel Jenkins

very student hits an occasional academic bump in the road. A single poor quiz grade or a night of frustrating homework is completely normal. However, when a temporary struggle turns into a continuous, exhausting cycle, it may be time to consider outside support. Recognizing the warning signs early ensures that minor learning gaps do not evolve into permanent academic roadblocks.

For parents, the clues are rarely found just on a report card; instead, they appear in daily routines, behavioral changes, and emotional shifts. By understanding what to look for, you can step in with the right support before your child falls too far behind. The Endless Homework Marathon. The most immediate sign of trouble is a drastic increase in homework time. While advanced grades naturally require more study, a basic worksheet should not trigger a three-hour nightly battle. If your child spends hours staring at a single page, re-reading instructions without comprehension, or falling behind on daily assignments, they are likely 18 SonomaFamilyLife

missing the foundational concepts needed to complete the work. Emotional Meltdowns and Anxiety. When academic confusion sets in, emotional distress quickly follows. Pay close attention to your child’s behavior around study time. Frequent tears, sudden angry outbursts, or intense anxiety before school are coping mechanisms for feeling overwhelmed. If a normally calm child becomes defensive or highly stressed the moment a backpack opens, the material has likely exceeded their ability to cope. Active Avoidance Tactics. Children are clever at hiding their September 2026

The Confidence Crash. Pay attention to how your child talks about themselves. A sudden shift from “this math problem is hard” to “I am stupid” or “I am just bad at school” is a major red flag. When students repeatedly fail

Do not wait for a failing grade to take action. to grasp concepts, they lose their sense of academic confidence. Once a child mentally gives up and assumes they cannot learn the material, their grades will plummet even faster. Hidden Report Card Feedback. Do not wait for a failing grade to take action. Sometimes the signs are buried in teacher comments rather than the letter grades. Phrases like “capable of more,” “does not participate,” or “frequently distracted” often mean a student has checked out because the material is too difficult. Moving Forward. If these signs sound familiar, start by scheduling a meeting with your child’s teacher to pinpoint the exact trouble spots. Frame the idea of a tutor positively. Remind your child that a tutor is not a punishment for doing poorly, but rather a personal coach — just like in sports — hired to help them build their skills, regain their confidence, and succeed. Research assistance from Google AI was used for this article. Resource websites include elitehometutoring.com, tutordoctor.com, and gradepowerlearning.com.

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707-539-0675

52 Mission Circle, Suite 204, Santa Rosa • OneToOneLearningCenter.com

www.sonomafamilylife.com

September 2026

SonomaFamilyLife 19

Begin YOUR Adventure Fencing, Archery & the Knightly Arts

En Garde Martial Arts Foundation 917 Piner Rd. Suite D, Santa Rosa (707) 596-3626 • www.egfencing.com

La Petite Baleen Swim School Rohnert Park

Warm 90° Indoor Pool Expert Swim Teachers Small Class Sizes Year-Round Learning All ages: 2 Months to Adults Child Development Approach Infants 2-5 Months Swim Free!*

*membership fee due at time of enrollment.

Book your FREE TRIAL today! SWIMLPB.COM 866-896-3603 20 SonomaFamilyLife

September 2026

www.sonomafamilylife.com

• Acro

Classes for kids, teens, adults. New students will receive 25% off their first month's tuition. Register online today at www.thedancecenter.com The Dance Center in Santa Rosa, CA 707-575-8277 www.thedancecenter.com

Ballet • Musical Theatre

S S S U U U H H T H T I T I I W DDDAAANNNCCCEEEWW

• Acro

Jazz • Tap • Contemporary

NEW FALL CLASSES

VOLLEYBALL CLUB

CAKE BOSS ACADEMY

3D PRINT & DESIGN

KARATE QUEST

LEGO ENGINEERING

FIRST FLIGHT EXPEDITION

Sharpen your skills, make new friends and have fun on the court

Create beautiful designs and make delicious memories

Design ideas and bring your imagination to life

Build confidence and strength on and off the mat

Master engineering skills with LEGO projects

Learn the science of aviation and take a real 30 minute flight

Jazz • Tap • Contemporary

www.sonomafamilylife.com

LOV

EXPLORE. LEARN. BELONG.

R e g i s t e r To Register Today! day!

Book your Trial Here Give your kids an afterschool activity that builds strength, confidence, focus, and real problem solving skills.

W ou NEWhat Y

Fin

Starting This September

thezonesyouth.org

After-School Climbing at Vertex!

Try

ing

eth

m So

The Zones

The Zones info@thezonesyouth.org (707) 542-3249

IT’S NOT JUST GYMNASTICS, IT’S LEARNING FOR A LIFETIME!

Our instructors are trained to encourage children to have fun while participating in a challenging gymnastics program. Our program is both age and skill appropriate. We teach children life skills and how to reach for goals. We support all types of learners and abilities.

REDWOOD EMPIRE GYMNASTICS (707) 763-5010 • 434 Payran Street • Petaluma www.regymnastics.com

September 2026

SonomaFamilyLife 21

September Calendar of Events

Tuesday 1 Spirit Guides. Fantastical Creatures

from the Workshop of Jacobo and María Ángeles features brightly colored, richly patterned sculptures depicting imaginary hybrid animals that serve as spirit guides and astrological embodiments of human character. Now extended through September 20. Sonoma Botanical Garden. 12841 Hw., 12, Glen Ellen. sonomabg.org.

Wednesday 2 FREE Santa Rosa City Firefighter Story Hour@the Library. Join local

firefighters for a fun reading of Fire! Fuego! Brave Bomberos and explore one of the fire department’s special emergency vehicles. Grades K–3. 10:30–11:30 a.m. Northwest Santa Rosa Library. 150 Coddingtown Center, Santa Rosa. Other Sonoma Library branches will host this event. View schedule: tinyurl.com/4jpz9px8.

Morris St., Sebastopol. Questions: youthprograms@seb.org. seb.org.

Friday 4 FREE Movies in the Park. Sept. 4:

FREE Afterschool Hang-Out for Teens – Sebastopol. Peer mentoring,

study, homework, music, internet use, games, shoot hoops, free snacks. Wednesdays. 3–6 p.m. Sebastopol Community Cultural Center. 390

Lilo & Stitch (2025). Sept. 11: Zootopia 2. Bring blanket or low-back chair & picnic. Food/drinks available for purchase. Movie starts 7:45 p.m. Howarth Park. 630 Summerfield Rd., Santa Rosa. tinyurl.com/3mypu5b2.

Tuesday 8 FREE Sensory Friendly Afternoon.

Exclusive to families of children ages 0–12, with special needs. Hands-on exhibits, art studio. Safe, accessible

Join Us Join Us for... for...

CREEK

Presented by

WEEK

SEPT. 19-25, 2026

Creek to Coast Cleanup Day Saturday, Sept. 19

Guided Nature Walk Sunday, Sept 13th 10AM - 2PM

Sonoma County Fairgrounds

$7 presale tickets now available!

Sunday, Sept. 20

Milkweed Monday Volunteer Day Monday, Sept. 21

Downtown Underground Tour Tues., Sept. 22, and Thurs., Sept. 24

Bilingual Birding Walk

Ride-a-Rig is a can’t-miss day of education and fun for the whole family!

Friday, Sept. 25

www.JLNS.org/ride-a-rig Facebook: @RideaRig 22 SonomaFamilyLife

September 2026

www.sonomafamilylife.com

26 27 environment. Held the second Tuesday of each month. 2–5 p.m. Children’s Museum. 1835 W. Steel Ln., Santa Rosa. Pre-registration recommended, to receive updates: tinyurl.com/ yc3w2atd.

TA R N A S

O S A SY M P H O N

Saturday 12 FREE Senderos: ¡Reptiles! Family 2-mile hike focused on snakes and reptiles, short presentation at the Robert Ferguson Observatory, followed by a trail walk. Event conducted in Spanish. Free transportation available within 20 miles for families in need. 10 a.m.–1:30 p.m. Robert Ferguson Observatory. 2605 Adobe Canyon Rd., Kenwood. Registration required with a refundable $5 deposit: sec.regfox.com/ reptiles2026.

Francesco Lecce-Chong Artistic & Music Director

ore Music. l p x E Spark Wonder.

e Memories. M ak

FREE Sonoma County Pomo Dancers – Ocean Dance. Sharing tradition and culture through dance. Bring beach/lawn chairs, water/ snacks. 2–4 p.m. Sonoma Coast State Park. 7900 Carlevaro Way, Bodega Bay. Parking is first come, first served. Space is limited. RSVPs required: tinyurl.com/46zysddv.

Sunday 13 Annual Ride-A-Rig. Kids get a

chance to see & touch vehicles that play an important role in the community. $7–$10. Ages 2 & younger: free. Presented by the Junior League of Napa & Sonoma. 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Sonoma County Fairgrounds. 1350 Bennett Valley Rd., Santa Rosa. Tickets: jlns.org. FREE Grandparents Day at the Museum. Grandparents receive

free admission when visiting with grandchild. Regular admission fees www.sonomafamilylife.com

Boo! Let’s Dance

Back to Beethoven

Music in the Wild

OCTOBER 25, 2026

JANUARY 24, 2027

APRIL 25, 2027

SUNDAYS AT 3 PM WEILL HALL, GREEN MUSIC CENTER TICKETS: $20/ADULT, $10/YOUTH (12 AND UNDER)

September 2026

SonomaFamilyLife 23

apply to all other visitors: Adults $7–15. Ages 3 & younger: free. Discounts available for qualifying guests. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Charles Schulz Museum. 2301 Hardies Ln., Santa Rosa. schulzmuseum.org/ grandparents-day-2026. FREE Fiesta de Independencia Small Schools with a Big Family Feel * Districtwide Social Emotional Curriculum All TK-3rd Grade Teachers Trained and Implementing Science of Reading Based Curriculum and Strategies Hands on Science Learning in Every Classroom * Before and After School Child Care Programs Charter Focus at Each School including Dual Immersion, Arts and Ecology, STEM, and Music Physical Education Instruction, Music Classes, School Libraries, and More!

Five Amazing Schools: La Tercera Elementary Loma Vista Immersion Academy

Miwok Valley Elementary Old Adobe Charter Sonoma Mountain Charter

Virtual Event. Family-friendly celebration of community, cultural diversity, & Latino heritage. Authentic food (fee), mariachi bands, and Ballet Folklórico. Bilingual event. 1–7 p.m. Luther Burbank Center. 50 Mark West Springs Rd., Santa Rosa. lutherburbankcenter.org/event/ fiesta-de-independencia-26.

Friday 18 Mendocino County Fair & Apple Show. CCPRA rodeo, classic cars,

sheep dog trials, entertainment, carnival, country music, dancing, plus apple, wine & hard cider tasting (fee). Entry: $8–$12; ages 6 & under free. Unlimited rides: $35–$50. Ride coupons: $2–$35. Parking: $8. Sept. 18 only: ages 12 & under free. Sept. 18–20: 9 a.m.–midnight. Mendocino County Fairs. 14400 Hwy. 128, Boonville. mendocountyfair.com/ county-fair. FREE Forestville Movies in the Park. Screening of Toy Story 5.

Concession stand opens an hour before the movie begins. Bring your own low-back chairs & blankets. No pets. Movie starts: 7:15 p.m. Baseball Field. Forestville Youth Club. 7045 Mirable Rd. Forestville. forestvilleyouthpark.org.

Free STEAM Based Charter School 707.744.1485 • 1 Ralph Bettcher Dr. Hopland 24 SonomaFamilyLife

September 2026

Saturday 19 Wheels & Wings Show. Classic & muscle cars from every era, parked

www.sonomafamilylife.com

next to the high-performance historic aircraft. Tickets: $10. Ages 7 & younger: free. All proceeds go directly to the museum. 8 a.m.–2 p.m. Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma Airport. 2200 Airport Blvd., Santa Rosa. Free parking: 3631 N. Laughlin, in the lots next to the show site. pacificcoastairmuseum.org.

remembrance. $10 pp. Register for 1 of 2 time sessions 10 a.m.–1 p.m. & 2–5 p.m. Sonoma Community Center. 276 E. Napa St., Sonoma. tinyurl.com/hvukza26.

Friday 25 Family FUNstruction. Celebrate the

with construction vehicles, heavy machinery on display. Food trucks, and wine/beer for purchase. Members $10; non-members $20–$22; free for infants 11 months and younger. Members: $10. Non-members: $20–$22. Free:

Museum expansion groundbreaking

iN a

event for all ages with hands-on activities, bounce house, prizes, and more. Explore field equipment, live tick and mosquito displays, tick-bite prevention tips, rodent control and bee and yellowjacket education. Free lunch and refreshments. 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Marin Sonoma Mosquito and Vector Control District. 595 Helman Ln., Cotati. tinyurl.com/2m542we9.

s od o

Control Open House. Family-friendly

FREE Step Into the World of Vector

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A dv

Annual state-wide, trash clean-up with a competition & prizes. All ages welcome. 10 a.m.–noon. Olive Park. 105 Orange St., Santa Rosa. Register: tinyurl.com/72d93upf.

FREE Creek to Coast Clean-up Day.

s in t h e r e

SKUNK TRAIN WELCOMES THE

s n u k c n e r y e i l r F

Burning Ham. Bacon, beer, &

bands. Family event. Games, music, kid activities. $44.52–$81.88. Ages 11–15: $12.51. Ages 10 and younger: free. Every dollar raised supports kids in Sonoma County. Noon–5 p.m. Pengrove Park. 11800 Main St., Penngrove. tinyurl.com/ynaf8mr9.

Sunday 20 Fall Lantern Workshop – Family & Friends Session. A creative,

beginner-friendly workshop for all ages. Children are welcome with adult participation. Create a lantern honoring loved ones with wishes, blessings, or messages of www.sonomafamilylife.com

Make fall magical with a train ride to the circus on select dates

September 11-27

SkunkTrain.com | 707.964.6371 September 2026

SonomaFamilyLife 25

11 months & younger. Discounts available for qualifying guests. 4:30–8 p.m. Children’s Museum of Sonoma County. 1835 W. Steele Ln., Santa Rosa. cmosc.org/ family-fun-nights. FREE Petaluma Movies in the Park.

Screening of Dora and the Lost City of Gold. Bring blanket or low-back chair. Food/drinks sold. Movie begins at dusk. Gates open 1 hr. before. Lucchesi Community Center. 320 N. McDowell Blvd., Petaluma. tinyurl. com/4wu3cn78.

Saturday 26 All Hallow’s Art Fest. Halloween

art, décor, jewelry, & collectibles. Admission: $5. Ages 12 & younger: free. 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Hermann

Sons Hall. 860 Western Ave., Petaluma (enter on Webster Street). halloweenfolkartsociety.com. FREE Windsor Day Parade and Festival. Parade at 10 a.m. Starts at Windsor High School ends at the Town Green. Live music, kids activities. Food & drinks vendors. 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Windsor Town Green. 9291 Old Redwood Hwy., Windsor. tinyurl.com/57s8x4fv. Annual VegFest. Dozens of local

& bay-area vendors with delicious food, animal art, vegan boutiques, sustainable & eco products, free samples, cooking demos, & live music. $10–$15 pp. Ages 12 & under: free. 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Santa Rosa Veterans Memorial Bldg. 1351

Maple Ave., Santa Rosa. Tickets: socovegfest.org. Pronzini Pumpkin Patch. Pumpkin picking, hay maze, petting zoo, shaded picnic tables, & more. Admission: Weekdays: $5–7. Ages 12 & under: free. Weekends: $5–$12. Ages 2 & under: free. Punch card (add’l fee) includes haunted trail, train ride, slides, & bouncy houses. Fridays & Saturdays, 10 a.m.–7 p.m. Sundays, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Mondays– Thursdays, 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Pronzini Farms. 3795 Adobe Rd., Petaluma. tinyurl.com/4madtw2t.

Fun struction! Friday, September 25, 4:30-8:00 PM

Celebrate our expansion groundbreaking with us! Touch construction vehicles Hands-on building activities Food, beer, and wine

26 SonomaFamilyLife

September 2026

www.sonomafamilylife.com

September 2026

SonomaFamilyLife 27

OPEN HOUSE STEP INTO THE WORLD OF VECTOR CONTROL FREE FAMILY EVENT

live oes it squ ks o m c & ti

& science s t n e im r expe

gam acti es & vite s

s. meet m to mosqui

field equiptment & airboat

SATURDAY September 19th 11am - 3pm 595 HELMAN LANE COTATI, CA 94931

28 SonomaFamilyLife

SCAN FOR MORE INFO WWW.MSMOSQUITO.ORG

September 2026