Cultural Care Au Pair of Buffalo (Karen Place)

Buffalo Au Pair Educational Weekend Program

A NEW Au Pair Educational Weekend Program at the New York State University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY
(20 minutes from Niagara Falls, NY).

Program begins at 12:00 PM, Friday, February 10, 2012 and concludes 3:00 PM, Sunday, February 12, 2012.

Upon completion of the weekend program, you will receive 4 Continuing Education Units from the New York State University at Buffalo.

Cost to participate is $350 (resident rate, which is all inclusive) or $280 (commuter rate, which does not include accommodations or breakfast).

Visit the website at www.millardfillmorecollege.com/au_pair.

Check back for updates, a full agenda of workshops and events, and upcoming dates. Space is limited, so it’s recommended to register early!

For any questions please contact Deborah Kane at (716) 829-3779 or DKane@buffalo.edu

This exclusive Buffalo Au Pair weekend to remember will only be offered 6 times a year, so don’t miss out and register today!

Each day we know that we are breaking down cultural barriers and walls of ignorance through bringing people of different cultures together who find a way to become a family. I am proud to be a part of Cultural Care and I am thankful for this opportunity. I am thankful for the au pairs who make the brave decision to come to a new country and give everything they can and I am thankful for the host families who open their home, family, and their hearts to this experience.

I wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving!!!

New in 2012!! Buffalo Au Pair Educational Weekend Program

Pre-Register now for a NEW Au Pair Educational Weekend Program
at the New York State University at Buffalo, located in downtown Buffalo, New York (20 minutes from Niagara Falls, NY)

Friday, February 10, 2012 to Sunday, February 12, 2012

Limited space available!
Register by December 15, 2011 for incredible rates!
All-Inclusive Weekend Rate $350
Commuter Rate $280

If you have questions contact Deborah Kane at (716) 829-3779 or DKane@buffalo.edu

Sign up now to have an exciting and educational experience in Buffalo, earn an educational certificate, and a weekend to remember!

Have a Happy and Safe Halloween!

Candy and food safety is a big concern during the Halloween season this year and every year! Whether it’s from door-to-door trick-or-treating or the goodies collected from a Halloween party, there are some ways to avoid potential problems. Most of all, use common sense. If something alerts you to avoid eating it or letting your child eat it, don’t ignore this. When in doubt, throw it out!

Candy Safety Tips for Halloween

The rule is know that your child should not eat a single piece of candy until it has been inspected by you. That means, if your little ghost is begging for one piece from his collection, stop and use a flashlight to inspect the wrapper before handing it over. Once home, look at each piece of candy. Any faded wrappers, or those with holes or tears, toss it. Goodies without wrappers are not an option. Even if the wrapper fell off at some point during the night, it could be dirty or that the wrapper was tampered with to begin with.

Look for candy that might be a choking hazard. Avoid gum or jawbreaker type selections that may become a problem. This is especially true for younger children. Don’t forget the family pets, no chocolates, raisins or macadamia nuts. Dogs and cats can have a severe, and often deadly, reaction to these types of foods.

Food Safety Tips for Halloween

Some people give out fruit or baked goods during Halloween trick-or-treating, as opposed to candy. These options require just as much consideration before allowing your child to ingest them, though. As a rule, don’t even accept baked goods from someone you do not know. Politely decline these or set it aside from the rest of the loot to dispose of as soon as possible. There are plenty more choices for your child to choose from, and one or two tossed items won’t put much of a dent in their collected stash.

Trick or treating safety during the holiday is a way to insure that everyone has a great holiday, without having any problems. It is important to be alert yourself, as well as make children aware of things to be careful and cautious about. This also means using good judgment about what to do and how to do it as well as making sure you do not frighten your child.

Enjoy Halloween and be safe!!

Zilly Rosen, host mom for Cultural Care Au Pair, baker extraordinaire and owner of Zillycakes was on Food Network Challenge Sunday night. They are competing against three other teams to make cakes inspired by ghost stories, in pursuit of a $10,000 prize.

Zilly was also featured in the Buffalo News today!  Check out her Spotlight story… http://www.buffalonews.com/spotlight/article601047.ece

Zilly Rosen, here working on a monster cake at her Elmwood Avenue shop, will be featured with Shannon Pilarski on Food Network Challenge.

Philanthropy in many ways is a uniquely American custom; one that a group of au pairs from around the world is readily accepting as their own. The au pairs, together representing the countries of Colombia, Mexico, Germany and Poland, are currently living with American families in Western New York as part of Cultural Care Au Pair’s intercultural childcare exchange program.

Karen Place, Local Childcare Coordinator for Cultural Care Au Pair organized the Cultural Care Au Pair Team to walk in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s for the Alzheimer’s Association in Delaware Park on Saturday, September 24, 2011. The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s^TM is the nation’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer care, support and research.

The au pairs in our area are not only here to care for American children but also to learn about and experience American culture. I felt it is incredibly important to demonstrate to these wonderful young people that philanthropy is part of our American culture. It was wonderful to see them come together to make a difference and that even the smallest act can make a big difference. It’s a life lesson I hope they take with them after their exchange year is over.

As a local childcare coordinator I support au pairs in the area, as well as their host families, ensuring that the entire family has a positive experience. The program, regulated by the U.S. Department of State, allows qualified young people with proven experience to live in the United States for one year providing childcare for local families, while taking college courses and experiencing American culture first hand.

If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about the program, please contact me at karen.place@lcc.culturalcare.com

While grilled hot dogs and hamburgers, apple pie and juicy watermelon are common staples of the traditional American barbecue, there was nothing common about a recent Williamsville barbecue. The local au pairs and their host families were invited to Island Park in the heart of Williamsville for an international barbecue, the dishes, like the au pairs, were very diverse.

The barbecue was a great excuse to gather all the au pairs together representing the countries of Mexico, Colombia, Poland, France, and Germany, and their host families in one place at one time.

When a young person from abroad decides to become an au pair, they study and work hard to assimilate into our culture. Often times they do such a great job that we forget the rich cultural traditions of their countries. We had the cuisines of all the countries represented on that night, and I think everyone would agree that food is one tradition we can all appreciate.

Sandra Carolina Bautista Trujillo is originally from Colombia. She provides childcare for a Williamsville family in exchange for a weekly stipend, room and board, the chance to take classes at the local university and experience the American culture first-hand. Carolina made a favorite dish she usually shares with her family back home - empanadas.

The dish was a favorite on Friday night according to her LCC, Karen Place. “I’ll be trying that recipe myself. It certainly puts an international spin on the standard summer barbecue!”

Get ready as the Fourth of July fireworks kicks off later this week and will be booming throughout the weekend…..I have listed some places where you can celebrate the country’s independence in your towns.  If you’re really anxious to get a head start, head to Niagara Falls, where Canada Day fireworks will be on display Thursday night….

July 1

Niagara Falls, Ont.: fireworks, 10 p.m., brink of Niagara Falls

Buffalo & Fort Erie: binational Friendship Festival includes live music, rides, food vendors and more through July 5, Riverside Park in Buffalo and Mather Arch in Fort Erie, Ont.

July 2

* Lancaster: rides and music, 1 to 11 p.m., Save-a-Lot parking lot, 10 Aurora St.; Urban Renewal performs from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m.

July 3

Buffalo: fireworks follow Buffalo Bisons game and Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus Concert, 6:05 p.m., Coca-Cola Field, 275 Washington St.

Cheektowaga: rides from noon to 10 p.m., Cheektowaga Town Park, 2600 Harlem Road; Hit-N Run, 6:30 to 10:30 p.m.

Clarence: Day in the Park, 2 p.m. to 9 p.m., One Town Place; fireworks, 9:45 p.m.

East Aurora: parade and live music followed by fireworks, 7:30 p.m., Hamlin Park; parade begins at 7:30 p.m. at Main and Riley streets and ends in park; live music includes Never Been and Jest for Laughs; fireworks, 10 p.m. Rain date for fireworks only, July 4.

Lancaster: rides and music, Save-a-Lot parking lot, 10 Aurora St.; Carnival Kids Steel Orchestra, noon; Route 66, 1:30 p.m.; Unbridled Enthusiasm, 4 p.m., Firemen’s Park; The Strangers, 7 p.m.

Niagara Falls: fireworks, 9:40 p.m., Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel, 310 Fourth St.; rain date, July 4.

July 4

Amherst: music and fireworks, 7 p.m., University at Buffalo North Campus; Lee Ron Zydeco Band, 7 p.m.; Erie County Wind Ensemble, 8:45 p.m.; fireworks, 9:45 p.m. Rain date for fireworks, July 5.

Buffalo: fireworks will conclude Independence Day celebration with live music and more, 4 to 10 p.m., Erie Canal Harbor at Canal Side; Buffalo trivia with Dennis George starting at 4 p.m.; Cadenza of the Colored Musicians Club of Buffalo, 5 p.m.; Tom Stahl and the Dangerfields, 7:15 p.m; Lance Diamond, 9 p.m.; fireworks, 10:15 p.m.

Cheektowaga: parade, noon, Thruway Plaza to Cheektowaga Town Park; Bedrock Boys, 2 to 6 p.m., town park; Boys of Summer play, 6:30 to 10:30 p.m., town park; fireworks at dusk.

Lancaster: entertainment, parade and fireworks, 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., Save-a-Lot parking lot, 10 Aurora St.; parade, 2 p.m., Pleasant Avenue; Just Got Paid, 4 p.m., Firemen’s Park; Hit-N-Run, 6 p.m.; fireworks, 10 p.m.

Lewiston: fireworks, dusk, Lewiston Plateau, near Artpark; rain date, July 5

Niagara Falls: fireworks, 9:45 p.m., Sal Maglie Stadium, Hyde Park, 1200 Hyde Park Blvd.; rain date, July 5

Orchard Park: parade, 8 p.m., Quaker Street from Baker Road to South Lincoln; parade awards and fireworks follow at pavilion behind Orchard Park Middle School, 60 South Lincoln Ave.

The Summer Solstice is the longest day of the year. The date and time of the Summer Solstice this year is Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at 17:16 Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) in the Northern Hemisphere.

When is the Summer Solstice in 2011?

Although it’s not been hot and felt like summer for very long here in Buffalo, NY, summer doesn’t officially begin until today, June 21, 2011-the day of the Summer Solstice. Most kids are out of school already, and the 4th of July is right around the corner, so what better reason to celebrate another holiday?

What is the Summer Solstice?

June 21st-the date the Summer Solstice is celebrated worldwide this year-traditionally marks the change from the spring season to summer season in the Northern Hemisphere. This is the time when the Sun is at its highest or most northerly point in the sky in the Northern Hemisphere and when we receive the most hours of daylight. If you live in the Southern Hemisphere it is the reverse, so you will be having “Winter Solstice.”

Also known as “Midsummer” the Summer Solstice gets its name from the Latin for sol (sun) and sistere (to stand still). The Sun reaches its most Northerly point and momentarily stands still before starting its journey South in the sky again until it reaches its most Southerly point “Winter Solstice”, before repeating the cycle. This is basically how we get our seasons.

It’s not actually the Sun that moves North or South over the seasons although it may appear so. It’s the Earths axial tilt that causes the Sun to change position in the sky as the Earth orbits the Sun throughout the year.

Likewise, the Winter Solstice occurs on December 22, 2011 this year, and marks the shortest day and longest night of the year. The Sun reaches its most Northerly point in the sky at 17:16 UTC momentarily and from that point forward starts to make its way South. This means the days will get shorter and shorter until Winter Solstice in December.

Enjoy the summer and great weather while it’s here!!!

June 19, 2011 is Father’s Day here in the U.S. Most countries around the world celebrate Father’s Day. Many are celebrating today like we are, like Columbia and Mexico. Other countries honor their fathers on other days. For example, Brazil will be celebrating this holiday in August, Sweden will celebrate the second Sunday in November, and the Ukraine honors its fathers on the third Sunday of September.

Whatever the day…..Enjoy and Happy Fathers Day!

In celebration of Memorial Day and Military Appreciation Month, Cultural Care Au Pair is proud to announce that for every new application received from May 26th through May 31st, we will donate $100 to USA Cares, an organization that offers financial and advocacy assistance to active duty US military service personnel, veterans and their families. And we’re making it easier than ever to apply by waiving our application fee-a savings of $75. Apply to Cultural Care Au Pair today and start matching with au pairs who are ready to join your family!

* Flexible, live-in care for your children

* $340 average weekly cost for 45 hours of childcare

* Qualified and carefully screened candidates

For promotion code and more program information, please call Karen Place at 716-639-7305.

This Mother’s Day weekend we’re offering the gift of customizable childcare with the biggest savings of the year-$900 off our program fee! Every parent deserves to be able to spend quality time with their children, and with au pair childcare you can do just that by creating your au pair’s schedule to fit your family’s unique needs!

New families who apply between May 5, 2011, and May 9, 2011, can receive a $900 program fee discount! Apply now and use promotion code PCMDD2011 to take advantage of our significant Mother’s Day offer.

*To qualify for the $900 program fee discount, families must be new to Cultural Care Au Pair, apply between May 5, 2011, and May 9, 2011, and welcome an au pair by September 30, 2011. Selection fee of $275 must be paid upon final au pair selection. Offer cannot be applied retroactively or combined with any other offer. For this offer, total program savings cannot exceed $900.

I look forward to working with your family!

Happy Mother’s Day!!!

Earth Day. Easter. Passover. Springtime.

So many reasons to celebrate and to enjoy some time with family and friends.

Why did we spring forward last night? Do daylight savings work? Get the facts.

This week only… Cultural Care Au Pair is offering new families a $75 application fee waiver* and the opportunity to start matching with au pair candidates with no obligation!!!

I hope you take advantage of this great opportunity to apply now for free using promotion code PCMAR2011 to start matching with our experienced and qualified au pairs who are ready to join your family! To view some of our candidates, click here.

*To qualify for this promotion, you must apply between March 8, 2011, and March 13, 2011, and welcome an au pair into your home by July 31, 2011. Selection fee of $275 must be paid at time of final selection of au pair.

International Women’s Day started out as an important holiday in countries like Russia, Germany and Austria: today, it is a major day of global celebration of women.

According to Wikipedia, “the focus of the celebrations ranges from general celebration of respect, appreciation and love towards women to a celebration for women’s economic, political and social achievements.” Here in the U.S. we commemorate the day by designating the whole month of March to women’s history. The 20+ countries from which our au pairs hail celebrate in different ways.

Regardless, there are many ways in which we can all find a way to personally celebrate this holiday. Here are 10 ideas Cultural Care Au Pair suggests:

1. Attend an event promoting women’s health, equality or safety
2. Make a donation to an organization that provides education for girls (United Nations Girls’ Education Initiative is one idea)
3. Visit your local library and check out a book on women’s history
4. Register to vote
5. Go to see an exhibit or performance of a woman artist
6. Support a program that provides business training for women in developing nations
7. Ask a woman from another country about women’s challenges, prospects and achievements in her home nation
8. Mentor a young woman
9. Recognize women you know who are making a difference in the lives of their children, their peers, their students, or their community
10. Thank a woman who has had a positive influence in your life

For more ideas and to find out about events celebrating this holiday, visit the International Women’s Day website. Have a happy International Women’s Day!

By Clara Moskowitz, Senior Writer, LiveScience

One of the most fascinating windows scientists have into the human mind comes from watching babies learn to interact with the world around them. Learn more about this study from Janet Werker who is a psychologist at Vancouver’s University of British Columbia and studies how babies learn languages. Learning two languages at once may boost infants’ brain power researchers say.  Read more…

Dr. Seuss was right! Finding a quality childcare program that offers flexibility and peace of mind may seem impossible, but the solution is simple: families should welcome a Cultural Care Au Pair!

Families who submit an application between February 22, 2011, and March 7, 2011, will receive a $75 application fee waiver in addition to a $350 program fee discount.*

As a special bonus, all families who apply with this promo code will be automatically entered in a drawing to receive Dr. Seuss’ Beginner Book Collection! The winner of this gift will be selected at random on March 8, 2011.

*To qualify for this offer, families must be new to Cultural Care Au Pair, apply between February 22, 2011, and March 7, 2011, welcome an au pair by July 31, 2011. Total program discounts cannot exceed $650. The winner of the Dr. Seuss Beginner Book Collection will be selected by random drawing. Host family must be active at time of drawing. Gift cannot be substituted or exchanged, and will be mailed to winner within 10 days.

Contact me via email at karen.place@lcc.culturalcare.com or 716-639-7305 for more details and to receive the promo code for this offer.

Cultural Care strongly recommends that you consult with your tax advisor, accountant, insurance advisor and/or an attorney regarding any state or federal rules or regulations that you may be required to comply with when you host an au pair. Unfortunately, Cultural Care is not in a position to provide such advice to our host families due to the variations in the law from state to state and to the individual circumstances of each host family.

If your employer requires taxpayer identification numbers, you should use the following:

• Your au pair’s social security number or ITIN, in reference to payments made directly to your au pair.
• Cultural Care Au Pair’s federal tax ID number in reference to program fees paid to Cultural Care Au Pair. Cultural Care Au Pair’s federal tax ID number / EIN is 20-2020345.

As a general guideline, the following information might be helpful to your professional advisor, or might be issues that need to be explored:

• Au pairs are here on a J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa. According to the IRS website, au pairs are exempt from Social Security and Medicare taxes as well as Federal Unemployment Tax.
• Au pairs are required to pay income tax with the exception of Social Security. However, depending on the time of year that the au pair arrives or departs, s/he may not make the minimum level of income required for taxation in that calendar year.
• The weekly stipend and the fees paid to Cultural Care may qualify as a tax deductible childcare expense.
• The IRS does not require host families to file Schedule H (Form 1040).
• We strongly recommend that you inquire with a tax professional about specific state laws and requirements which may include, but not be limited to workers’ compensation insurance and state unemployment taxes.

Account statement- A statement/receipt of payments made to Cultural Care Au Pair is available in your online account’s Payment Center. Please contact your Program Director, Kristen Tanner 800-333-6056 x5533) if you have any questions about payments made or credits owed.

In honor of the Presidents’ Day holiday, we are offering new families a $75 application fee waiver and the opportunity to start matching with au pair candidates for free!*

I encourage your family to take advantage of this opportunity to save and start matching with our au pairs who are ready to join your family!

*To qualify for this offer, families must be new to Cultural Care, apply between February 16 and February 21, 2011, and welcome an au pair into their home by July 31, 2011. Total program discounts cannot exceed $650; total program discounts cannot exceed $350 for families enrolled in the monthly payment plan.

Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions

Valentines Day is celebrated around the world but in different ways.  A single phrase similar worldwide, yet, so simple, so meaningful, so great. Find out how “I love you” is said in different languages.
• Afrikaans : Ek het jou life
• Albanian :Te dua
• Arabic : Ana behibak (to a man)
• Arabic : Ana behibek (to a woman)
• Armenian : Yes kez sirumem
• Belarusian : Ya tabe kahayu
• Bulgarian :Obicham te
• Cambodian : Soro lahn nhee ah
• Catalan : T’estimo
• Cherokee : Tsi ge yu i
• Cheyenne : Ne mohotatse
• Chichewa : Ndimakukonda
• Chinese : Cantonese – Ngo oiy ney a /
Mandarin – Wo ai ni
• Corsican : Ti tengu caru (to a man)
• Croatian : Volim te
• Czech : Miluji te
• Danish : Jeg Elsker Dig
• Dutch : Ik hou van jou
• Elven: Amin mela lle
• English : I love you
• Esperanto : Mi amas vin
• Estonian : Ma armastan sind
• Ethiopian : Afgreki
• Farsi : Doset daram
• Filipino : Mahal kita
• Finnish : Mina rakastan sinua
• French : Je t’aime, Je t’adore

• FYROM : Te Sakam
• Gaelic : Ta gra agam ort
• Georgian : Mikvarhar
• German : Ich liebe dich
• Greek : S’agapo
• Hawaiian : Aloha Au Ia`oe
• Hebrew:To a woman – “ani ohev otach” (said by a man) “ohevet Otach” (said by a woman)
To a man – “ani ohev otcha” (said by a man) “Ohevet ot’cha” (said by a woman)
• Hindi : Hum Tumhe Pyar Karte hae
• Hungarian : Szeretlek
• Icelandic : Eg elska tig
• Indonesian : Saya cinta padamu
• Irish : Taim i’ ngra leat
• Italian : Ti amo
• Japanese : Aishiteru / Anata ga daisuki desu
• Kannada : Naanu ninna preetisuttene
• Kiswahili : Nakupenda
• Konkani : Tu magel moga cho
• Korean : Sarang Heyo / Nanun tangshinul sarang hamnida
• Latin : Te amo
• Latvian : Es tevi miilu
• Lebanese : Bahibak
• Lithuanian : Tave myliu
• Malay : Saya cintakan mu / Aku cinta padamu
• Malayalam : Njan Ninne Premikunnu
• Maltese : Inhobbok
• Moroccan : Ana moajaba bik
• Norwegian: Bokmaal – Jeg elsker deg
Nyonrsk – Eg elskar deg
• Persian : Doo-set daaram
• Polish : Kocham Ciebie
• Portuguese : Eu te amo
• Romanian : Te iubesc
• Russian : Ya tebya liubliu
• Serbian : Volim te
• Sign Language : ,\,,/ (represents position of fingers when signing ‘I Love You’)
• Sindhi : Maa tokhe pyar kendo ahyan
• Sioux : Techihhila
• Slovak : Lu`bim ta
• Slovenian : Ljubim te
• Spanish : Te quiero / Te amo
• Swahili : Ninapenda wewe
• Swedish : Jag alskar dig
• Taiwanese : Wa ga ei li
• Tamil : Nan unnai kathalikaraen
• Thai: To female – Phom rak khun
To male – Chan rak khun
• Tunisian : Ha eh bak
• Turkish : Seni Seviyorum
• Ukrainian : Ya tebe kahayu
• Vietnamese: To a woman – Anh ye’u em
To a man – Em ye’u anh
• Welsh : ‘Rwy’n dy garu di

Apply for FREE between February 1, 2011, and February 15, 2011 to receive an application fee waiver (a $75 value) AND a $500 program fee discount. To be eligible, families must welcome an au pair by July 31, 2011. Use promotion code PCSNO2011 on your application to take advantage of this special offer, and enjoy the many benefits of hosting an au pair with Cultural Care.

Please contact me if you have questions or would like to hear more about hosting an au pair and saving on your childcare this year and for years to follow.