Parenting Examiner

SRJC's Shone Farm welcomes the community to celebrate the harvest season at its annual Fall Festival on Saturday, Oct. 10, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The family-friendly event, presented by American Ag Credit, will be held at Shone Farm, 7450 Steve Olson Lane in Forestville.
The Fall Festival gives the community a chance to experience Shone Farm during harvest season and learn more about the hands-on education SRJC students receive through the Agriculture and Natural Resources Department.
Festival activities include:
- U-pick pumpkins, apples, sweet corn, and sweet potatoes
- Animal meet-and-greet, including cows and sheep
- Tractor hay rides through the gardens and orchards
- Tractor “show and tell” and farm equipment displays
- Vegetable and flower farm stand featuring produce and flowers grown by SRJC students and farm interns, with farm products and Shone Farm merch
- Rotten fruit slingshot
- Complimentary family photos taken by an SRJC Applied Photography student
- W**e tasting for guests age 21 and older
- Children’s activities
Food and beverages will also be available for purchase, with options including lemonade, coffee, burgers and hot dogs, tacos, pizza, and vegan selections.
More info at news.santarosa.edu.
SRJC Shone Farm

🍓 THE 2026 DIRTY DOZEN: WHEN SHOULD YOU PRIORITIZE ORGANIC?

The Environmental Working Group’s annual Dirty Dozen identifies the fruits and vegetables with the highest levels and variety of detectable pesticide residues in government testing.

If you are trying to reduce pesticide exposure without buying everything organic, these are the 12 foods to prioritize:

Spinach
Kale, collard greens and mustard greens
Strawberries
Grapes
Nectarines
Peaches
Cherries
Apples
Blackberries
Pears
Potatoes
Blueberries

Many of these foods have delicate skins or edible surfaces, but the rankings are based on actual residue testing, not skin thickness alone.

Our practical advice:

🥬 Choose organic versions when available and within your budget.

💧 Rinse all produce thoroughly under plain running water. Soap and specialty produce washes are unnecessary.

🍎 Do not avoid fruits and vegetables because organic options are unavailable or too expensive. Eating conventional produce is still far better than skipping produce altogether.

Healthy eating does not have to be perfect or complicated. Use this list to make informed choices where they matter most for you and your family.

Save it for your next grocery trip! 🛒

Source: EWG’s 2026 Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce
www.ewg.org/foodnews

Things that make you go hmmm........

Raising an AI skeptic and an AI enthusiast under one roof | Pioneers of AI It often feels like the world is divided when it comes to AI — do y...

Parents—this one’s worth a save and a share. 💡

AI is already shaping how our kids learn, create, and solve problems. The question isn’t if they’ll use it—it’s how.

The newest Empowering Young Learners: Your Guide to K–12 Education in the Age of AI toolkit from The Future of Education is packed with simple, practical ideas you can use at home right now.

What you’ll find inside:
• Fun math games that build fluency and confidence
• Creative projects that spark imagination
• Thoughtfully chosen books and apps for independent learning
• Age-appropriate AI tools that encourage deeper thinking and problem-solving

Small choices at home can lead to big growth—especially when kids learn to use AI to create, not just consume.

👉 Download the latest issue and explore past editions here:
https://resources.thefutureofeducation.org/toolkit-library

If you’re navigating parenting and education in this fast-changing world, this is a powerful resource to have in your corner.

Thank You Download Future of Education Toolkit Access the Empowering Young Learners Toolkit for practical tools and insights to foster confident, future-ready learners in the age of AI. Explore all past and present issues.

✨ Nominate a Single Mom for a Sparkling Holiday! ✨

Do you know a single mom who lights up the world around her, even when life gets tough?
The Sparkle Foundation is on a mission to make this holiday season extra special for those incredible women who never stop hustling, keep smiling, and selflessly put others first!

We’re looking for those amazing single moms who could use a little SPARKLE in their lives this year. Together, we can help lift the weight of the holidays and give them the joy, love, and support they deserve. 🎁💖

This year, we’re spreading the sparkle across ALL 9 Bay Area counties, Sacramento, Los Angeles, Ventura Counties, and our newest chapter in Phoenix!

Nominations close on October 27th.
Don’t miss your chance to honor a deserving mom—submit your nomination today and help us make this the brightest holiday season yet.

bit.ly/HGDNOMS2025

Such an important reminder! 📱🍂 Balancing screens with movement and family rules makes such a difference. Kids need those healthy boundaries, and fall is the perfect time to reset routines. Love this message! 💙

Digital Wellness: Balancing Screens with Movement - IDEA Health & Fitness Association Kids & Teens

Digital Wellness: Balancing Screens with Movement - IDEA Health & Fitness Association Kids & Teens

This strawberry blueberry trifle recipe requires zero baking and it takes about 30 minutes to make! 🇺🇸(𝙍𝙚𝙘𝙞𝙥𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨)