Deb Schwarz: Childcare Consultant

Here is the 2012 Meeting Schedule - please put them on your calendar.  Remember, meetings are not only mandatory (part of the State Dept. requirements) but they give you the opportunity to meet other au pairs and have fun!  Be sure to let me know ahead of time if you cannot attend (via email) - otherwise it will count as one of your two missed meetings for the year.

2012 Meeting Schedule

January - Thurs., Jan. 19.  7pm to 9pm Gather around the firepit at the Cantina Restaurant at 651 E. Blithedale.  $3 off appetizers until 7pm so get there early 651 Blithedale Ave. MV.  We’ll be by the firepit.

February. - Sunday. Feb. 26.  2:15am to 4pm  Winter Chill out day.  Coffee at Boulange followed by Manicures and/or pedicures at Lavande.

March - Saturday, March 17.  2 to 3:30pm - CEP Fire Safety.  Southern Marin Firehouse.  308 Reed Blvd. (let’s bring cookies for the firemen to thank them!)

April -  Sunday, April 29.  Host Family Event.  Mother’s Day tea. Au pairs bring your host moms to a tea in honor of upcoming Mother’s Day.

May -  Saturday, May 28.  Host Family Event.  Mill Valley Memorial Day Parade.  9am to noon.  Au pairs and host families march in the MV Americana Memorial Day parade.  Meet at 9am to decorate the car.

June - Thurs, June 7.  6:45 to 8:30pm.  Chocolate Fondue at the Melting Pot.  (also CEP Bicycle and Car Safety)

July - Sunday, July 29, 11:30 to 1:30 - Tennessee Valley Hike (bring a backpack lunch) (also CEP: Water Safety).

Aug. - Tues, Aug. 28.  Let’s play bocce at the Bocce Bar in Sausalito, 1250 Bridgeway.

Sept. - Sun., Sept. 16. 11am to 1pm.  Scavenger Hunt in San Francisco (au pairs from around the Bay Area)

Oct. - Sun. Oct. 14 11:30 to 1pm.  Mini-golf at Peacock Gap and CEP Sports Injury Safety

Nov. - Mon. Nov. 19, 7:30 to 9pm.  Small get togethers at Deb’s.   121 Reed Blvd. in Strawberry.

Dec. - Sat. Dec. 15 from 10:30am to noon.  Host Family event at Larkspur Landing Marin County Mart - Santa Sing a Long and meeting live reindeer.  Hot chocolate and cookies.  (Also - au pair meeting at Santa Lucia celebration in Tiburon - Sunday, Dec. 9).

I just discovered that the Santa Lucia event is not tonight - the date was changed.  I’m so sorry for this…..

But alas, there is another event that we can all enjoy with host families and au pairs.  I will bring cookies to go with the hot chocolate while we do a Santa Sing A Long and meet live reindeer.  Let’s plan to meet at the fountain on Saturday, Dec. 17 from 10:30am to noon at the Larkspur Landing Marin County Mart (across from Larkspur Landing ferry).

The reindeer are coming to the Marin County Mart Farmers Market, where there will also be letter writing to Santa, cookie decorating, free hot chocolate, organic Hanukkah foods in the Old World Food Truck, storytelling, and music for a jolly good time. The live reindeer will be hanging out at the market all day, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, ready to make the kids’ photos with Santa complete. December 17.

If you’d like to come earlier or later than 11am - here is the line up:

• 9:15-10 Christopher Smith & Holiday Music for Kids
• 10:00-10:40 Scott the Storyteller
• 11:00-12:00 Santa Sing Along
• 12:00-2:00 Jubilee Klessmer Music
• 9:00-4:00 Pictures with Santa and His Live Reindeer

511.org - a great trip planner!

Ever wanted to go somewhere in the Bay Area (e.g. San Francisco) - but don’t know how to get there without driving?
Here is a great website that can help….www.511.org (see screen shot below). Have you tried it yet?    You just put in where you are coming from and where you want to go - and it tells you how to do it!  Great tool.  It covers ferries, buses, trains, etc.

Class Sign Ups

Speaking of which, there is an au pair that doesn’t drive and would like to sign up for an English class at College of Marin that starts on Jan. 24.  It’s on Mon. and Wed. evenings from 6:40 to 8:30pm (Level 60).  I just looked on the 511 website and for her to get to class would take an hour, including walking for 40 minutes - so probably not ideal.    Is anyone planning to take a class on Monday or Wed. at College of Marin this semester?  If so, she would love to carpool with you (and can help pay for gas).  If so, please let me know - or post on the Marin Au Pairs Facebook page.

Credit Class Catalog

Hourly Class Catalog

Remember - you can take either credit classes (you’ll need 6 credits per year - the larger Green catalog), or the hourly classes (Community Education classes - cheaper and more fun in the smaller black catalog), you’ll need 72 hours per year (or a combination of both).   Here is the link to both of the classes offered for Winter/Spring 2011. http://www.marin.edu/schedule/index.htm   The Community Education classes (e.g. Hiking) start Jan. 31 - Feb. 4 and the credit classes start Jan. 24.  Please post on the Marin Au Pair Facebook page if you would like to see if others are taking the same class as you are thinking about - or hear about a good class.

Cheesecake Factory on Wed. evening

Also - I’ve heard that some of the new (and old) au pairs are heading up to the Cheesecake Factory in Corte Madera on Wed. night if you are looking to meet other au pairs, stop by.  I’ll meet all of you next Tuesday at the Cantina in Mill Valley for our monthly meeting.   I’ll be out of town (in Boston with Cultural Care) from Thursday until Sunday night  - another LCC is covering for me so if you need something urgent, email or call me and I’ll put you in touch, or call 1-800-333-6056.

Here is the 2011 Meeting Schedule.  Remember, please let me know ahead of time if you cannot attend (via email) - otherwise it will count as one of your two missed meetings for the year.

January - Tues., Jan. 18.  8pm to 9:30pm Taco Tuesdays at the Cantina. 651 Blithedale Ave. MV.  We’ll be by the firepit.

Feb. - Wed. Feb. 23.  7:30 to 9pm.  Bowling at Country Club Bowl , 88 Vivian St., San Rafael  (phone 456-4661)

March - Sunday, March 13 2:30 to 5pm - Host Family and Au Pair Cultural Fun Day, Strawberry Rec Center.

April - Misc. from other LCCs (due to medical leave for Deb)

May - Saturday, May 21.  3 to 5pm - CEP Fire Safety.  Southern Marin Firehouse.  308 Reed Blvd. (let’s bring cookies for the firemen to thank them!)

June - Tuesday, June 21.  6:45 to 8:30pm.  Gather around the firepit at the Cantina Restaurant at 651 E. Blithedale.  $3 off appetizers until 7pm so get there early.  (CEP Bicycle and Car Safety)

July - Sunday, July 31 , 11:30 to 1:30 - Tennessee Valley Hike (bring a backpack lunch) (also CEP: Water Safety).  (please note change of date!)

Sept. - Sun., Sept. 11. 11am to 1pm.  Scavenger Hunt in San Francisco (au pairs from around the Bay Area)

Oct. - Sun. Oct. 16 11:30 to 1pm.  Mini-golf at Peacock Gap and CEP Sports Injury Safety

Nov. - Mon. Nov. 21, 7:30 to 9pm.  Get together at Deb’s.  121 Reed Blvd. in Strawberry

Dec - CHANGE: Sat. Dec. 17 from 10:30am to noon at Larkspur Landing Marin County Mart - Santa Sing a Long and meeting live reindeer.  Hot chocolate and cookies.

Please help Kate!  Kate is looking for a new home in the next week. Her host family had to leave the program for financial reasons. Kate is a highly recommended au pair - kids love her! She is 26 year old, a driver, and would like to stay in the Bay Area for the next 6 months. Kate (Katarina) is from the Czech Republic and can hit the ground running.

The cost of an au pair is only $345 a week for up to 45 hours of childcare.  Split shifts are fine, au pairs can help with light housekeeping, and  Call or email me (415-990-7571, DebSchwarz@mac.com) if you would like to interview Kate, or know someone looking for a live-in au pair.

Every December, Marin’s power grid is yet again put to the test by the annual unveiling of the Rombeiros’ Christmas House on Devonshire Drive in Novato. Sure, every neighborhood has its decorated houses, but this is a different thing altogether. Edmundo Rombeiro and his family have been putting together this Mother of All Christmas Houses for the last 24 years, and every year it gets bigger and more outrageous. This place is something that truly has to be seen to be believed, and photos don’t really do it justice. There are something like 80,000 lights and countless figurines, dioramas, and decorations adorning the front and side yards, walls, and roof of the Rombeiros’ house.

When you visit, you’ll notice that there’s a glowing neon “open” sign in the window near the front door. Yes, the Rombeiros, who do live here, open their house to thousands of complete strangers every year, allowing them to wander through the living room and check out the decorations inside. Yes, if you think the outside is over the top, you need to go on inside and get a dose of Christmas spirit. There are model trains, more figurines, Christmas trees, and the biggest lighted holiday village you’ve ever seen. Proceed down the hallway to check out the displays in two of the bedrooms. Topping it off, the Rombeiro family is super nice and welcoming, and hand out candy canes to all visitors.

Sadly, “Elfis,” the elf/Elvis impersonator otherwise known as “The King,”  will not be performing at the house this year. That’s too bad, because the site of this elfin singer with his red-and-green jumpsuit and prosthetic pointy ears belting out holiday classics, Elvis-style, was really the frosting on the cake, so to speak. Even if my kids were afraid of him.

On your way out, you might want to put a couple bills on the donation box. All that holiday cheer doesn’t come cheap, and if you’re getting some enjoyment out of it the least you can do is help with the Rombeiro’s PG&E bill, which rumor has it tops out around $3,000 in December. If you’re going to make a special trip to one Christmas house this year, make it this one. The Rombeiro’s neighbors, well most of them, anyhow, seem to take all the commotion in stride, even with the cars, and the occasionally brass band and searchlight, all of which we’ve seen out in front of the house at varying times. In fact, there are a number of attractively decorated houses in and around Devonshire Drive.

Getting There

The Christmas House is located at 34 Devonshire Drive, off of Center Road, in Novato. At night, I’d be willing to wager you can see the place from outer space. Get there by taking 101 to the De Long Avenue exit. Take De Long, which turns into Diablo Avenue, to Center Road, then turn right on Center. Follow Center to Devonshire, which will be on the right. You literally can’t miss it. When we stopped by on Sunday it was pretty calm, with a handful of families ogling the lights, touring the house, and chatting with the Rombeiros. Closer to Christmas, weekend nights can be pretty chaotic, with difficult parking on neighborhood streets. The house is open most nights until January 6 from 6 to 10 pm—just look for the “open” sign mentioned above.

If you want to visit the Rombeiro house and other amazing Christmas lights in old-fashioned horse-drawn style, Indian Valley Carriages, located in Novato, stops by during their popular Holiday lights tours.

Originally posted on MarinMommies.com by Andrew

I heard that some of you have had some issues with getting College of Marin instructors to sign your completion forms.  Our fearless Program Director, Pernilla Sumner, has worked with the College to come up with the attached form.  You shouldn’t have any problems if you use this form going forward.  Remember, in order to get your deposit back, or to extend, then you will need to show these forms at the end of your year.  And click on the links on this website to the right to find out about the classes that are offered - both FOR CREDIT, and the Community Education classes that are offered FOR HOURS.  Remember:  1 credit = 12 hours, and you need 6 credits or 72 hours during your year.  You may mix and match hours and credits to come up with the required amount.

There are two forms that you can use for proof.  One for the HOURLY, Community Education classes and one for the Regular Credit classes (although many times the College will give you a certificate for these classes).

Here’s the one for the HOURLY, Community Education classes.

com-hrly-course-verification-form-sept-2010

And here’s the one for the CREDIT, Regular College of Marin classes

college-of-marin-course-verification-form

Jeni is a mature, 2nd year au pair, currently looking for a new home.  Jeni had a great 1st year host family in Maryland where she looked after 16 month old twins.  Her host mom said that she adored the children and was a wonderful au pair - and that the twins really listened to her (better than to her!).  Her host mom in MD said that she trusted Jeni so much she would have even felt fine leaving her with the twins for a week (she was that good!).  Jeni is available now.  Jeni would prefer to work with twins under the age of 2.  Jeni was an English and French teacher in Colombia and is 22 years old.  She drives but would prefer not to drive children as she knows she needs to practice.  Call (990-7571) or email (DebSchwarz@mac.com) me asap - as there are several families that are interested in her - but since I’m housing her, if you call me tonight or tomorrow morning, then you’ll get first dibs!  She’s been staying with me for a day and has really pitched in with our four kids and around the house.  We went to the beach today and had a great time together.   She seems like a very nice, positive, happy girl that truly loves babies.

Anyone who knows me, is well aware that I move a mile a minute (with two jobs, and four kids) and although I love the cultural exchange aspect of the au pair program, given the pace of my life, I personally need au pairs that have excellent English (plus our kids have homework that they need help with).  So - given this, I have developed a good relationship with our staff in South Africa, and I get first dibs on the best native English speaking au pairs from that country from one of the best recruiters I have had the pleasure to work with (thanks Cara!).  I have personally hosted 7 au pairs from South Africa over the years (Done, Carli, Wilme, Taryn, Sian, Done2, Amy) and appreciate their directness, hardworking nature, and organization.  In fact, I have a South African male au pair, Greyson, arriving next month!)  I have five South African au pairs placed with families in Mill Valley right now from South Africa and their host families LOVE them!!!

Here are three South African au pairs that have not hit the general database yet….so spread the word as I will only get to hold onto them for a few days and they are gems….(not to mention that the Back to School special of $550 off ends tomorrow at midnight).

-  Liesbet, 24, from South Africa, has perfect English and is described as a natural with kids.  She is from Belguim, and moved to Cape Town when she was 9.  Liesbet is very artistic and is currently has her own jewelry making business.  She also helps her family with their guesthouse so she is used to household duties and loves to cook!  She drives daily and loves pets.  She is the eldest of three so she is used to watching over children as both her parents work and she was responsible for them.  She has also looked after infants and has even done overnights with babies.  She is a competitive swimmer.  She is described as creative, energetic, responsible, caring, a great cook, flexible and calm.
-  Emily, 19, also from South African is available NOW - she is currently in Las Vegas, NV. Emily is a bit on the reserved side, but is very friendly, loves the outdoors and would like to go snowboarding and skiing.  She played hockey back home and while she lived right by the beach,  she never learned to surf so that is something that she would also like to learn to do while in the US. She has a happy bubbly personality and get along with people of all ages really well.  She spent the last four months with 16 month old twins, and tends to bond better with girls than boys.

-  Karen Otto (I’ll get her application details tomorrow but Cara in South Africa says she is a gem!) - call me for her details and application and I’ll post them here as soon as I see her application.