Helen Cook

November 2009 Fire Safety and Fire Station Visit

Posted by: hcook on November 30, 2009

  Lehigh Valley Au Pairs of Cultural Care Au Pair visited the Allentown Southside Fire Station recently and took part in an extensive “Fire Safety Class” lead by Allentown Fire Chief Robert Scheirer!   The Au Pairs learned about fire safety in the home and their surroundings and even had a chance to learn to use a fire extinguisher and put out a “live fire”.    Fire Safety is part of the CEP Safety Series recommended by Cultural Au Pair on a four times a year basis.   Au Pairs:  Please visit the “Photo” section of this website for more photos!   Thank You to the Allentown Fire Department for such an extensive, informative and fun visit to the Fire Station.         

C.W. Post “WEEKEND CLASS” Schedule

Posted by: hcook on November 30, 2009

C.W. Post, Long Island, New York has published its Class Schedule for Weekend Classes in the Winter and Early Spring.  Please visit the C.W. Post (Au Pair) Website for further details and registration: 

         http://www.liu.edu/cwis/CWP/aupair/

By attending a Weekend Class at CWPost and Completing the Assignments, an Au Pair will earn Three (3) College Class Credits which can be used toward the U.S. Dept. of State Educational Requirement of the Au Pair Program.

To register by telephone with a credit card please call Anne Schubeck or Victoria DiBenedetto at (516) 299-2359.

For more information, you can email CWPost at aupair@cwpost.liu.edu or fax your application form to CWPost at: 516-299-2363.

The C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University is pleased to provide educational programs that Au Pairs may attend to fulfill their credit requirements. These courses are open to Au Pairs and all interested students. This program provides an opportunity for students to participate in a few options on the C.W. Post Campus.  During the winter semester overnight accommodations will be on campus. During the spring semester overnight accommodations will be offered at the East Norwich Inn.

Winter Semester

Highlights of the Harlem Renaissance   December 4-6, 2009

Storytelling: As A Way of Life: Exploring Traditions     December 11-13, 2009      

Growing up in America      December 11-13, 2009 

History of American Women-American History  January 29-31, 2010

TOEFL/ English Preparation Course   January 29-31, 2010                                   

Growing up in America     January 29-31, 2010  

American Indian Cultures and Their Impact on American Society                                             January 29-31, 2010

Highlights of the Harlem Renaissance   February 19-21. 2010     

History of American Music     February 19-21, 2010

American Indian Cultures and Their Impact on American Society                                                February 19-21, 2010     

Spring Semester 

History of American Music   March 5-7, 2010

Growing up in America    March 5-7, 2010

American Government, Politics, and Social Issues    March 5-7, 2010

Storytelling: As A Way of Life: Exploring Traditions    March 19-21, 2010

TOEFL/ English Preparation Course     March 19-21, 2010

American Indian Cultures and Their Impact on American Society                                             March 19-21, 2010

History of American Music   March 26-28, 2010

Regional Identities - American Culture    March 25-28, 2010

American Indian Cultures and Their Impact on American Society

                                        April 16-18, 2010              

TOEFL/ English Preparation Course    April 16-18, 2010

History of  American Music     April 16-18, 2010

Celebration of Holidays - American Culture    April 16-18, 2010

LIGHTS IN THE PARKWAY - A Holiday Tradition

Posted by: hcook on November 30, 2009

 “Lights In The Parkway” – Lights In The Parkway is a Lehigh Valley Tradition — A Beautiful Light Display Set in Allentown’s Beautiful Lehigh Parkway!   It is a 25 Minute car ride through thousand of twinkling lights, animated displays, lighted trees and more and set to music.  Price is $7 per vehicle!   Au Pairs:   Looking for an inexpensive Christmas/Holiday event – gather a group together in one vehicle and travel thru the Parkway.  Available 5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Daily (except Christmas Day).   Visit Website for more details:   www.lightsintheparkway.com

SWEDISH “LUCIA FEST” AT MUHLENBERG COLLEGE

Posted by: hcook on November 30, 2009

“LUCIA FEST” — A SWEDISH HOLIDAY TRADITION!!   Au Pairs — whether you are Swedish or German or any other Nationality — Celebrate the Swedish “Lucia Fest” this coming Sunday!   Go together as a group - share each others’ traditions — or just go to get a “little feeling of home” this Holiday Season!

 *SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6 at 3:30 p.m. — Swedish “Lucia Fest” — A Swedish pageant of music and candlelight featuring the children of the faculty and staff of Muhlenberg College.    Admission is “Free” but be sure to be there early as seats might fill fast.   “Lucia Fest” is held at the Egner Memorial Chapel on the Muhlenberg College Campus, 2400 West Chew Street, 24th and Chew Streets,      2400 West Chew Street (24th and Chew Streets), Allentown, Pennsylvania.

German Au Pair Completes New York Marathon!

Posted by: hcook on November 30, 2009

What An Accomplishment!!   Cultural Care Au Pair — Patrick Raatz — from Germany has completed a lifelong goal — running in and completing the New York City Marathon!   Patrick is an Au Pair in our Lehigh Valley / Pocono Au Pair Group and has been training for this marathon during virtually all of his free time — Patrick cares for three children and is always busy as an Au Pair — but has found the time and dedication to train and practice for this great day!    Patrick recently ran and completed the New York City Marathon in 4 hours and 25 minutes — not quite his personal goal - but very close!   Patrick returns home to Germany in January - having completed two of his lifelong goals - first by completing a successful Au Pair Year with Cultural Care and second by completing the New York City Marathon!   Great Job Patrick!

November Au Pair Meeting — Fire Safety — Visit to Mack Allentown Fire Station

Posted by: hcook on November 19, 2009

The November Au Pair Meeting for the Lehigh Valley Au Pairs of Cultural Care Au Pair is at the Mack Southside Fire Station.   We will have a Fire Safety Meeting presented by the Fire Chief of the City of Allentown (or a close associate) and the presentation will feature Fire Safety for Childcare Providers!  You will learn about Fire Safety / Fire Prevention / Use of Fire Extinquishers / What to do in the event of a fire, etc.   Bring your camera .. You will have time to meet with Firemen and have Photos! 

Please wear your Cultural Care Au Pair Tee-Shirts if possible.

WHEN:     Sunday, November 22, 2009

EVENT:    Visit To Local Fire House (Fire Safety CEP Meeting)

TIME:      1:00 P.M. TO 3:00 P.M.   (NOTE TIME:   Do not be late!)

WHERE:   Allentown Fire Department -  

              Mack Southside Fire Station and Training Academy

              1902 Lehigh Street, Allentown, PA   18103

COST:      -0-

DIRECTIONS:

  *Travel Route I-78 (Route 309) to the LEHIGH STREET EXIT.

  *Take LEHIGH STREET Exit towards Allentown

  *Travel towards Allentown to the Second (or Third) Traffic Light

   (Vultee St.) (This is the Traffic Light after you see Blockbuster Video)

  *You will see the “Mack Southside Fire Station and Training Academy”

on the Left.  Parking is behind the Station near the Fire Practice Tower)

             **WEAR YOUR CULTURAL CARE TEE-SHIRTS PLEASE!!!

“DRIVE THRU” FLU SHOTS AVAILABLE

Posted by: hcook on November 2, 2009

 Need A Flu Shot (Not H1N1 .. but seasonal Flu).   See the 2 “Free Locations” and Walgreens (for a charge).

1.  Lehigh Valley Health Network is sponsoring a “FREE FLU SHOT CLINIC” on Saturday, November 7, 2009 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Dorney Park, 3830 Dorney Park Road, Allentown, PA and on Sunday, November 8, 2009 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Coca-Cola Park, 1050 Iron Pigs Way, Allentown, PA.  

Lehigh Valley Health Network will have Consent Forms at the two locations — but it will speed up the process if you have the Consent Form completed when you arrive.   The Flu Shots will be given “while you are in the car” so several of you can go together and get the shot while in the car — think of it as a “Drive-In Flu Shot” System!!  There may be a “wait time” so plan your time accordingly.  

To obtain the necessary Consent Form, please follow the following directions:

   *Go to:  www.lvhn.org

   *Clock on “Programs and Events” and select “Events”

   *A pull-down chart will appear and go to “Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Campaign”

   *Go to “Consent Form”.  Print it out and Complete the form.  Bring to the Event

2.  Also:  “Most” Walgreen’s Pharmacy Stores are offering Flu Shots between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. but for a charge of $25.00.

Please discuss the Flu Shot options with your Host Family.