Monthly Archives: January 2010

Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Observed- January 18th, 2010

Martin Luther King Jr. was born on January 15 but he is honored on the third Monday of the month with a federal holiday. Martin Luther King Jr. was an important leader of the civil rights movement here in America during the 1950s and 60s. The holiday was created as a day to remember his fight for the freedom, equality, and dignity of all races and peoples and as a time to remember the message of change through nonviolence.

In 1994, Congress designated the Martin Luther King Jr. Federal Holiday as a national day of service.  If you would like to volunteer, please go to http://www.mlkday.gov/ and look up volunteer opportunities in the community.

Donations for Haiti

Save The Children

http://www.savethechildren.org/

( U S Headquarters in Westport, CT)  is raising funds for the response. They have a large field office in Haiti and have been implementing programs there since the mid ‘80s.

AmeriCares

http://www.americares.org/

(Headquarters in Stamford, CT) delivers medicines, medical supplies and aid to people in crisis around the world.

Clinton Foundation

http://clintonfoundation.org/haitiearthquake/

Various ways to donate and help the people of Haiti.

Winter Driving Tips for Au Pairs

Winter Driving Tips
You are likely to find ice and snow on the roads in many parts of the country. There are some basic rules to remember to stay safe in the car in difficult driving conditions:

  • Start early and take your time.
  • Accelerate slowly, especially on hills
  • Drive slowly to avoid having to stop while going up a hill, as it will be hard to start again.
  • Don’t make any sudden turns or stops.
  • Be sure that the mirrors and windows are always free of snow and ice.
  • If you skid, try to steer in the direction the car is sliding to regain control.
  • The changes in temperature sometimes cause potholes in the streets. If you don’t see the pothole in time to steer around it, apply the brakes before hitting the pothole and release them just before you reach the pothole. If you keep the brake on as you hit the pothole, it will do more damage to the tire.
  • Try to keep your gas tank at least half full.
  • If your wheels spin on ice, switch to low gear, even on automatics.
  • Leave extra space between you and the car in front of you.
  • Remember that bridges and exit ramps are icier than roads.
  • Ask what kind of brakes your car has and how to use them in case of a skid.