Live in flexible affordable childcare with a Cultural sharing advantage

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 Vampires and werewolves: For a few hours last week, vampires brought an international community together in the heart of Sterling as the local au pair community vamped it up at a private premiere screening of “Eclipse,” the third film in the “Twilight” series.

Au pairs and host families working with Cultural Care Au Pair converged on the Regal CountrySide Cinema nearly an hour before the show began to make certain they had the best seats in the house. Jennifer Frueh of Sterling, Cultural Care’s local childcare coordinator, helped keep the group entertained during their time in line. She brought along nearly life-size stand-up posters of Edward the vampire and Jacob the werewolf to use as photo props. The idea was so popular that movie-goers on hand for the general public’s screening asked if they could join in the fun.

More than 130 members of the Cultural Care family were in attendance, including au pairs and members of the nearly 30 host families in the Sterling, Potomac Falls and Lansdowne areas. The mood of the evening was festive; film-goers of all ages clearly enjoyed the show.

“It was fun to see the host moms act like teens again,” said Frueh.

Each month, Cultural Care holds meetings for its au pairs in the Sterling/Potomac Falls region. In July, the organization will host an au pair picnic in Great Falls Park. In August, the group meets at the Great Harvest Bread shop in Herndon, owned by Cultural Care host parents Tim and Jessie Groszkowksi.

“One of the biggest complaints for the au pairs is the bread in America,” said Frueh. “He [Groszkowski] makes bread that reminds them of home.”

Frueh told me that her “Eclipse” evening didn’t end when the theater’s house lights came on. She found that she drew some unexpected attention as she drove home with the Jacob prop riding in the front seat of her car.

“I never had so many stares,” she laughed. “People were waving and honking.”

Cultural Care Au Pair is interviewing area parents interested in hosting an au pair. For information, call 703-798-6059 or go online to http://www.culturalcare.com.

A local list to fireworks displays to be enjoyed by the whole family. 

Virginia

Virginia has a variety of places to see 4th of July fireworks. You can see spectacular views of the fireworks on the National Mall from the Marine Corps War Memorial (Iwo Jima) in Arlington, Virginia near the Rosslyn Metro station and areas along the Virginia side of the Potomac River that can be reached from George Washington Memorial Parkway. You may park at the Gravely Point parking lot, which is about a quarter mile from the 14th Street Bridge. Another great place to watch the fireworks is from the Air Force Memorial on Columbia Pike.

Here are some other places in Virginia to see 4th of July fireworks. See a map of fireworks locations in the DC metropolitan area

• Falls Church, George Mason High School, 7124 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, Virginia. Live music will start at 7 p.m. followed by fireworks at 9:30 p.m.

 Fairfax, July 3, (rain date - fireworks only July 4) Fairfax City, Independence Day Parade through the downtown area beginning at 10 a.m. Musical entertainment begins at 7 p.m. at Fairfax High School with a spectacular fireworks display at dark. (703) 385-7858.

• McLean, Langley High School, 6520 Georgetown Pike McLean, Virginia. (703) 790-0123. Music performances, food, games, and activities for kids. Grounds open at 6 p.m. Fireworks at dark.

• Vienna, Vienna Community Center, 120 Cherry Street Southeast, Vienna, Virginia. Arts and crafts, food, live music, vendors, and games. Celebrations start at 11 a.m. Fireworks at 9:15 p.m. at Southside Park on Ross Dr.

• Herndon, Herndon Community Center, 814 Ferndale Ave. Herndon, Virginia. (703) 787-7300. Rides open at 5 p.m. Music, crafts, bingo, games at 6:30 p.m. Fireworks at 9:30 p.m.

• Reston, Lake Fairfax Park, 1400 Lake Fairfax Dr., Reston, Virginia. (703) 471-5415. Fireworks begin around 9:15 p.m.

• Leesburg, Ida Lee Park, Rt. 15 (King Street) and Ida Lee Drive, Leesburg, Virginia. (703) 777-1368. Gates open at 6 p.m. Fireworks around 9:30 p.m.

• Manassas 9431 West Street, Manassas, Virginia. (703) 335-8872. Enjoy live music, children’s activities, food and fireworks. Entertainment begins at 4 p.m. Fireworks at 9:15 p.m.

• King’s Dominion, 16000 Theme Park Way, Doswell, Virginia. Independence Day celebrations and fireworks.

• Alexandria, Oronoco Bay Park, 100 Madison St., Alexandria, Virginia. Celebrate Alexandria’s Birthday & the USA’s on Saturday, July 10, 2010, 4-10 p.m. Enjoy a concert by the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra at 9 and fireworks at 9:30 p.m.

 Washington D.C.

Washington DC is a spectacular place to celebrate July 4th! The National Mall, with Washington DC’s monuments and the U. S. Capitol in the background, forms a beautiful and patriotic backdrop to America’s Independence Day celebrations. This is an all-day event in the nation’s capital, beginning with a parade along Constitution Avenue and ending with a spectacular display of fireworks over the Washington Monument. Following is a guide to all of the 4th of July events on the National Mall.

For alternative fireworks locations around the region, see pages 2 and 3.

The 4th of July celebrations in Washington, DC are among the most attended events of the year and many people arrive early to stake out a seat on the lawn. There are plenty of activities scheduled throughout the day to keep the whole family busy.

Getting to the National Mall

The best way to get to the National Mall is to take the Metro. Stations nearby include Metro Center, Gallery Place-Chinatown, Judiciary Square, Federal Triangle and L’Enfant Plaza.The Smithsonian Metro station will be closed on the Fourth.

Public access to the National Mall begins at 10:00 a.m., with all visitors required to enter via a security checkpoint. Read more about getting to the National Mall, public transportation, parking, security and road closures.

Washington, DC’s Independence Day Parade
Parade Start Time: 11:45 a.m.
Parade Route: Constitution Avenue and 7th to 17th Sts.
See a map of the parade route

Washington, DC’s 4th of July Parade features marching bands, military and specialty units, floats, and VIP’s. The parade draws a large crowd, so plan to arrive early to stake out a good viewing spot. Read more about the National Independence Day Parade

Smithsonian Folklife Festival
The annual event includes daily and evening music and dance performances, crafts and cooking demonstrations, storytelling and discussions of cultural issues. The themes of the 2010 program will be: México Profundo: A Deeper Mexico, Asian Pacific American Connections and Smithsonian Inside Out. The hours on the 4th of July are 11 a.m to 5 p.m. Read more about the Smithsonian Folklife Festival.

4th of July at the National Archives
The National Archives celebrates the 4th of July with special family programming celebrating the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Visit the National Archives Building for this special birthday party from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. See the schedule of events.

White House Visitor Center Family Events
Between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., stop at the White House Visitor Center and enjoy games, crafts and other activities celebrating America’s Birthday. National Park Service rangers and volunteers will give you the opportunity to sample the sights, sounds, activities and personages that helped finalize the Declaration of Independence and create the United States of America on July 4, 1776.

Concert on the Washington Monument Grounds
Beginning at 6:00 p.m. the U.S. Navy Band perfroms on the Southwest corner of the grounds of the Washington Monument. The concert includes the talents of the U.S. Navy Concert Band, the Sea Chanters chorus, and the Cruisers, their rock and top-40 ensemble. That portion ends at 7:30 p.m., to be followed by a vignette by the National Park Service. At 8:00 p.m., the Navy Band Commodores Jazz ensemble will perform with special guest Jane Monheit. This portion promptly concludes at 9:10 p.m. for the fireworks display.

A Capitol Fourth Concert
Time: 8 - 9:30 p.m. (Admittance begins at 3 p.m.)
Location: West Lawn of the U. S. Capitol

A 4th of July tradition in the nation’s capital includes a live concert by the National Symphony Orchestra and several pop artists performing patriotic music on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol Building. The concert and show is followed by a spectacular display of fireworks over the Washington Monument. The concert is free and open to the public. No tickets are necessary. The annual event will be broadcast live on WETA TV 26 with a repeat airing at 10:00 p.m. See photos of A Capitol Fourth and performers from the 2010 concert.

4th of July Fireworks on the National Mall
Fireworks Time: At dark, usually around 9:15 p.m. Rain Date: July 5th
Launch Location: The fireworks are launched from the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool and light up the sky over the Washington Monument. See Photos of the Fireworks

Best Places to View the National Mall Fireworks

• U.S. Capitol
• Lincoln Memorial
• Jefferson Memorial
• FDR Memorial
• East Potomac Park
• Rooftop Bars in Washington DC
• Southwest Waterfront 4th of July Festival (tickets required)
• Rooftop of the W Hotel (tickets required)
• Anywhere along the National Mall between 14th Street and the Capitol
• Aboard a cruise along the Potomac River (tickets required)

Spectacular views of the fireworks can also be seen from the Marine Corps War Memorial (Iwo Jima) in Arlington, Virginia near the Rosslyn Metro station and areas along the Virginia side of the Potomac River that can be reached from George Washington Memorial Parkway. You may park at the Gravely Point parking lot, which is about a quarter mile from the 14th Street Bridge. Another great place to watch the fireworks is from the Air Force Memorial on Columbia Pike.

LOCAL CHILDCARE COORDINATOR, JENNIFER FRUEH, HOST CULTURAL CARE AU PAIR TWILIGHT SCREENING

Sterling, VA. June  2010 - Local Sterling resident Jennifer Frueh will be hosting an exclusive screening of “Eclipse” - the next chapter in the Twilight Saga - for Cultural Care au pairs and host families in the area ! The American vampire craze will bring together au pairs from different countries all over the world. This event will give au pairs and host families the opportunity to network with more members of the Cultural Care family and share in the excitement of Eclipse on opening night, June 30^th, at the Regal Countryside 20 Theater in Sterling.

Jennifer Frueh is a member of a nationwide network of more than 600 local childcare coordinators dedicated to promoting global understanding through intercultural childcare.  In addition to supporting a local group of host families and their au pairs, Jennifer Frueh organizes social activities throughout the program year, advises au pairs on educational opportunities in the community and provides advice on intercultural exchange. Jennifer and her colleagues are constantly looking for opportunities to collaborate on the most effective means to support their families and au pairs locally in order to ensure a positive experience for everyone involved with the program.  These Cultural Care Au Pair events remind au pairs and host families that there is a constant support team available for them at all times.

Jennifer Frueh is currently interviewing area parents who are interested in hosting an au pair.  She can be contacted at (703) 798-6059 for additional information on the Cultural Care Au Pair program. Interested families may also visit the Cultural Care Au Pair Web site at www.culturalcare.com. 

Cultural Care Au Pair is the leading provider of intercultural childcare and educational exchange. Since 1989, Cultural Care Au Pair has placed more than 75,000 au pairs in welcoming American homes. A division of EF Education and a U.S. Department of State regulated program, Cultural Care Au Pair is headquartered in Cambridge, Mass., with an extensive network of recruitment, screening and orientation offices worldwide.

Sun Safety Tips For Kids

Kids are more vulnerable to sun damage. A few blistering sunburns in childhood can double a person’s lifetime chances of developing serious forms of skin cancer. The best sunscreen is a hat and shirt. After that, protect kids with a sunscreen that’s effective and safe. Take these special precautions with infants and children:

Infants

Infants under 6 months should be kept out of direct sun as much as possible. Their skin is not yet protected by melanin. So when you take your baby outside :

• Cover up with protective clothing, tightly woven but loose-fitting, and a sun hat.
• Make shade with a stroller’s canopy or hood. If you can’t sit in a shady spot, put up an umbrella.
• Avoid midday sun - take walks in the early morning or late afternoon.
• Follow product warnings for sunscreen on infants under 6 months old - Most manufacturers advise against using sunscreens on infants or urge parents and caregivers to consult a doctor first. The American Academy of Pediatrics says that small amounts of sunscreen can be used on infants as a last resort when shade can’t be found.

Toddlers and Children

Sunscreen plays an essential part of any day in the sun. However, young children’s skin is especially sensitive to chemical allergens as well as the sun’s UV rays. When choosing a sunscreen, keep these tips in mind:

• Test the sunscreen by applying a small amount on the inside of your child’s wrist the day before you plan to use it. If an irritation or rash develops, try another product. Ask your child’s doctor to suggest a product less likely to irritate a child’s skin.
• Slop on sunscreen and reapply often, especially if your child is playing in the water or sweating a lot.
• Choose your own sunscreen for daycare and school. Some childcare facilities provide sunscreen for the kids, but you can bring your own if you prefer a safer, more effective brand. Share EWG’s safe sunscreen tips and product suggestions with your child’s caregiver.

Sun Safety at School

Sometimes school and daycare policies interfere with children’s sun safety. Many schools treat sunscreen as a medicine and require the child have written permission to use it. Some insist that the school nurse apply it. Other schools ban hats and sunglasses on campus. Here are a few questions to ask your school:

• What is the policy on sun safety?
• Is there shade on the playground?
• Are outdoor activities scheduled to avoid midday sun?

Teens

Teenagers coveting bronzed skin are likely to sunbathe, patronize tanning salons or buy self-tanning products. Not good ideas. Researchers believe increasing UV exposure may have caused the marked increase in melanoma incidence among women born after 1965. Tanning parlors expose the skin to as much as 15 times the UV radiation of the sun and likely contributed to melanoma increases. Many chemicals in self-tanning products have not been tested for safety; the major self-tanning chemical, dihydroxyacetone, is not approved by FDA for use in cosmetics around the eyes.

Tan does not mean healthy. Here are a few more tips for teens:

• Make sunscreen a habit for every outdoor sport and activity.
• Find sun-protective clothing, hats, and sunglasses that you like to wear.
• To parents of teens: Be good role models - let your teen see you protecting yourself from the sun.

Have you ever wondered what Au Pairs do or learn at Au Pair training school upon their arrival to the U.S.? Culural Care now has a website dedicated to providing insight into the training school and the daily routine the Au Pair is involved in during their time at the school.

http://www.aupairtrainingschool.com/