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LightHouse News

New Youth Program Class: Cooking 101: Mastering the Basics

LightHouse is pleased to announce a new cooking basics class for blind and low vision youth under the age of eighteen. Whether you are interested in cooking tasty treats, simple side dishes and snacks, or festive full course meals, this class is intended for blind and low vision youth aspiring to competence and confidence in the kitchen.

Upon completion of the course, students will have obtained the necessary skills, knowledge, and confidence to independently prepare and cook just about any meal their taste buds desire.

Each lesson will focus on a particular type of cooking or cooking appliance (i.e. stove top, oven or grill). Students will be instructed on safe and sanitary practices and techniques.

This fun and informative class will meet at LightHouse headquarters (214 Van Ness Avenue, SF) from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. on the third Saturday of each month. Classes will be limited to 6 participants, all participants must RSVP. For more information or to RSVP please contact Jamey Gump, Youth Services Coordinator at (415) 694-7372, or by email at jgump@old.lighthouse-sf.org.

Who: Blind and Low Vision Youth
What: Learn to cook tasty treats for yourself, your friends and your family
When: 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. – Third Saturday of the month

  • April 19: Cooking with a Stove – French Toast & Bacon
  • May 17: Cooking with an Oven – Pizza
  • June 21: Cooking with a Grill or BBQ – Chicken, Potato Salad & Baked Beans
  • June 21: Family Meal – BBQ feast prepared by youth

Where: Lighthouse Headquarters located at 214 Van Ness, San Francisco, CA 94102
Waiver: Each participant must submit a LightHouse Youth Program waiver form, if they have not done so for a previous outing or event.
Cost: FREE for low vision and blind youth
RSVP: Jamey Gump, Youth Services Coordinator at jgump@old.lighthouse-sf.org. or (415) 694-7372.

An array of colorful vegetables – carrots, tomatoes, garlic, onion, herbs with a cruet of olive oil

LightHouse News

You’re Invited to a Blind Tasting: An Extravaganza of the Senses

Buy your tickets today for a unique LightHouse event where food and philanthropy unite.

Spend an afternoon with us tasting featured wines from Hunt Cellars, nibbling on foods from around the world such as olive oils and cheeses and treating your taste buds to a variety of delectable flavors. Enjoy a keynote address from blind vintner David Hunt.

The afternoon will also include both a silent and live auction to raise funds for LightHouse’s life-changing programs for blind youth and adults. Auction items include a week at Tahoe, handcrafted woodworks by blind artist George Wurtzel and passes to Yoga Tree.

When: Saturday, March 8, 2014 from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Where: LightHouse for the Blind Headquarters, 214 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco
Cost: General admission tickets $50

Buy Your Tickets Here!

Tickets are limited to the first 75 attendees – no tickets will be sold at the door. 

An arrangement of delectable foods and wine on a red tablecloth

LightHouse News

Deadline Nears for Film Submissions for Superfest, the World’s Longest Running Disability Film Festival

Your Opportunity to Contribute to Disability Culture Begins Here

Submit Your Film to Superfest

Superfest, the world’s longest-running juried international disability film festival, is seeking your entry for submission to our 2014 film competition. Held at the Contemporary Jewish Museum on November 2, 2014, this film festival will focus exclusively on short films 40 minutes and under in length that compellingly portray disabilities or are written, produced, directed or starring disabled individuals.

Superfest is the primary international showcase for innovative films that portray disability culture and experience in all its diverse, complex, and empowering facets. Entries for Superfest XXVIII must be postmarked on or before March 15th, 2014, no exceptions.

Superfest International Disability Film Festival logo and images from last year’s event including Bryan Bashin being interviewed, the full audience at the event and last year’s host, Lawrence Carter-Long

Superfest is juried and hosted by a committee representing the diverse disability community of the San Francisco bay area, arguably the crucible of the disability rights movement. Join with disability leaders and thinkers as we celebrate the creativity of film producers who bring our world to the critical attention of others.

A sneak peek at some of the awards to be given out at Superfest XXVIII:

  • Audience Access Award — Recognizes a successful approach to expanding the audience for disability films through captioning, audio description or other accommodations.
  • Spirit of Superfest — An outstanding work in which a person with a disability has a significant role in producing the film, e.g., producer, director, writer. To be eligible for this award, a film must also receive an Achievement, Excellence or Best of Festival Award.
  • P.K. Walker Award — This award recognizes innovation in the use of narrative, cinematography, or other filmmaking techniques. Its intent is to encourage exploration of new ways to communicate the experiences of people with disabilities. (New in 2006)

Where: The festival will be held at the accessible and vibrant Contemporary Jewish Museum in the heart of San Francisco, next to Yerba Buena Gardens, SFMOMA and the Metreon.
When: Sunday November 2, 2014–specific times for film showings will be announced once the program has been finalized.

Click here for more information or to submit your film online.

Thank you to our Silver Screen Sponsor Michele Spitz/Woman of Her Word.

Woman of Her Word Logo

LightHouse News

LightHouse Fitness Partner Program

Sometimes all it takes to get people moving is a good partnership! We want to pair blind athletes with sighted guides for a wide variety of athletic endeavors – anything from working out at the gym to biking, to running the next half marathon.

If you are interested in becoming a Fitness Partner, or being paired with one, call LightHouse Volunteer Coordinator John Liang 415-694-7334, email him at jliang@old.lighthouse-sf.org or go to our web page at http://lbvi.staging.wpengine.com.com/programs/fitness-partner-program.

A blind runner and her guide pose for the camera prior to a training session for the 2011 San Francisco half-marathon.

LightHouse News

Popular Seminar Launches LightHouse Planned Giving Initiative – Learn Tax Tips for Now and Later

Last month attorney Gary Rothstein presented to several dozen LightHouse donors on the current economy, changes in the tax law and how to best manage their finances for the future. He also discussed ways our community can do this while helping the LightHouse provide vital and life-invigorating programs for the blind.

Gary answered numerous questions from the exuberant crowd, providing good information while keeping a difficult subject light. Gary is an expert in the field who has been advising clients on advanced estate-planning techniques since 1993.Guest speaker Gary Rothstein

The LightHouse would be glad to connect for individual consultations about planned giving and the benefits it can generate. You are welcome to contact him directly or work with Jennifer Sachs, our Development Director, at 415-694-7333 or jsachs@old.lighthouse-sf.org.

New Planned Giving Guide Can Help You Reduce Taxes, Have Income For Life and Make a Difference
If you’d like to learn more about how you can plan for the future, we have a new resource for you and your family, the LightHouse Planned Giving Guide. The Guide outlines and compares a variety of methods of estate planning vehicles and the benefits of each. You have the opportunity to ensure that future generations of blind children, teens, adults and seniors receive the training and support they need to live their lives to the fullest.

With your investment in the LightHouse, we can help blind and visually impaired people gain confidence and attain skills to find employment, become self-reliant, and fulfill their dreams. You can make a difference, and there are many gift options from which to choose, ranging from bequests to gifts that pay you income for life. You can take a look at an electronic copy of it here. To receive a printed or braille copy, please contact us giving@old.lighthouse-sf.org.

Want to discuss planned gifts opportunities or notify us of your intentions? Please contact Jennifer Sachs, Director of Development, at 415-694-7333 or jsachs@old.lighthouse-sf.org.

LightHouse News

Flora and Fauna of Mt. Veeder make Enchanted Hills Retreat a Nature-lover’s Haven

Now that the rain has finally begun, Enchanted Hills is glowing in vibrant green. The grass, the moss, even the Redwood trees are pulsating with spring growth. The winding drive up to Enchanted Hills reveals a panoply of greens. Adding to that, the wildflowers are beginning to sprout. Wild rose, lovely ithuriesl’s spear, yellow eyed grass, Douglas iris and a myriad of others are dotting the landscape with their ephemeral color.

The purple flower ithuriesl’s spear

Wildlife varies from the more commonly seen raccoons, wild turkeys, gray squirrels, deer, and foxes to the rarer and more elusive bear, bobcats and mountain lions. A river otter has been known to visit Lokoya Lake to snack on the fish and splash around.

Wild turkeys, woodpeckers, ravens and a variety of song birds can be found at Enchanted Hills. Spotted Owls are known to inhabit some of the Redwood Groves on the mountain.

Do you need a dose of nature and the great outdoors? Get together a group: a family reunion, a church/temple gathering, or a corporate retreat to enjoy the musical creeks and lush landscape of Enchanted Hills. To reserve your retreat of 30 to 120, please call (415) 694-7310 or go to www.enchantedhillsretreat.com.


Author Cecelia Setty Speaks about Mt. Veeder’s History
Last month Author Cecelia Setty spoke about the history of Mt. Veeder and the original Mt. Veeder Resort which is now home to Enchanted Hills.

Listen to a podcast of her fascinating talk.

Cecelia’s book, “The Mount Veeder Resort: A History of Napa County Settlers” is available on Amazon at http://bit.ly/settymountveeder.

Cecelia Setty speaking to an Enchanted audience

 

LightHouse News

Tandem and Single Riders Unite for Enchanted Hills – Register for Cycle for Sight 2014

Ride Tandem for Team LightHouse  

Last year Team LightHouse had the largest number of tandems in the ride in history. Let’s claim the trophy again and break our own record in 2014. Interested in piloting a tandem bike for a blind stoker? Or are you a blind stoker in need of a pilot? Contact Tony Fletcher via email at afletcher@old.lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7319 to join Team LightHouse today. 

When: Saturday, April 26. The first ride starts at 8:00 a.m.
Where: Starts and ends at Justin Siena High School, 4026 Maher Street, Napa

During the festival enjoy wine tasting from Napa Valley wineries, beer tasting from local microbreweries and local cuisine from Napa Valley restaurants, all while listening and dancing to the sounds of “Pride and Joy”.

Sign up at www.cycle4sight.com to ride as a cyclist for Team LightHouse and enjoy the beauty of scenic Napa and the challenge of a 15, 25 or 50 mile route with 2,000 other cyclists.

Proceeds support Enchanted Hills Camp for the Blind. Raise pledges for every mile you ride through the Cycle for Sight website. The Napa Rotary’s goal this year is to raise a total of $100,000.

LightHouse News

Return to the Sun, Warmth and Friendship of Enchanted Hills Camp

1 Commenton Return to the Sun, Warmth and Friendship of Enchanted Hills Camp

Our Family Camp sessions are almost full, but we still have room in our Youth sessions, Adult sessions and our Music Academy. With our new online reservation system, signup is quicker and easier than ever. So if you want to reserve your place this summer, click the link below to get to the 2014 applications and forms, and reserve as soon as you can.

To ensure your spot, please make sure you read the detailed information on our website at http://lbvi.staging.wpengine.com.com/programs/enchanted-hills.Be sure to read all instructions to make sure the registration process moves smoothly.

At Enchanted Hills Camp, our campers come from all over the state to participate in our fun, challenging and community-forming environment. To provide such an adventure we specialize in hiring and training our program staff to encourage independence and blindness training in accomplishing many things at camp.

Enchanted Hills Camp logo

Whether it is learning the skills to build a campfire, hiking through the woods, cooking by using a solar oven, fishing on the lake or hitting a bulls-eye on the archery target, our program will involve campers in activities that open the imagination and build the skills that school. Many of our staff are former campers who know what it means to get the most out of camp. They have a strong love and passion for making each summer the best summer ever.

This summer we promise to continue the most loved traditional camp activities but campers will also have the opportunity to participate in some newly designed team building and low rope activities taught by a specialized instructor hired specifically to run the program. Also for those willing to try their hands at marksmanship, we’ve brought back avid outdoorsmen Charles and Jonathan to run our riflery program. We have added a new geodesic dome space for our nature programs. A generous donor has replaced a few of our paddle boats for the lake. And for the first time we now have an outdoor stage to host musical performances, talent shows and presentations. The newly designed Redwood Grove Theatre is not to be missed.

Available Sessions:

Youth Session
3rd through 8th grade
July 14 – July 20
Registration Fee: $60

Campers will participate in traditional camp activities and special events, including sports such as beep ball and goal ball. Program content is active and provides peer support and connection. Campers have the opportunity to openly discuss issues related to vision loss and growing up, and have exposure to the latest adaptive technology.

Teen Session
9th through 12th grade
July 27 – Aug 2
Registration Fee: $60

The teens and young adults who attend this session will experience all the regular camp activities and special events. In addition, campers will also participate in activities geared towards building leadership abilities and setting goals for the future.

On-line registration is open at www.lbvi.staging.wpengine.com.com or for a hard copy please contact tburrell@old.lighthouse-sf.org.

LightHouse News

Braille iPhone User Guide for iOS 7

If you are a Braille reader with an iPhone or iPad you’ll want to get your hands on the Braille User Guide for iOS 7 Software – a complete set of directions on how to use your device, intelligently organized into 3 volumes of interpoint Braille. Braille users will tell you that there just isn’t anything better for referencing information than hard copy. It’s not every day that a mainstream product offers blind and visually impaired users a fully formatted, highly edited and well-thought-out how-to guide. Great for both beginner and intermediate learners.

The authorized braille transcription of Apple’s iPhone User Guide for iOS 7 Software. Complete with alt tag descriptions. 31 chapters covering everything you need to know including detailed information on Accessibility (Appendix A) and Siri (Chapter 4). Three volumes, 406 braille pages. Purchase it for $29.95 plus tax and shipping.

User Guides can be ordered by contacting us TOLL FREE: 1-888-400-8933 or adaptations@old.lighthouse-sf.org.