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LightHouse News

You’re Invited to V.I.B.E.S. (Visually Impaired and Blind Entertainment Sunday) – a Fundraiser for Enchanted Hills Camp on October 13

Some years after Joyce Cid became blind she made her first visit to Enchanted Hills Camp, in the summer of 2000. There she learned blindness skills, met mentors, and made friends. Joyce fell in love with the beauty and magic of the Enchanted Hills community! She said, “This experience brought home to me that I really could live an active life once again.” Since then she has devoted time and energy to raising over $45,000 to send other blind individuals to Enchanted Hills to experience its magic.

Enchanted Hills Camp Director Tony Fletcher has known Joyce for years and said, “I think of Joyce as one of the most passionate and dedicated fundraisers for camp. She thrives on making it possible for others to share in the experience that she cherishes so much.”

Joyce and the Ruby Red Girls (a branch of the women’s social organization the Red Hat Society) are hosting a fundraiser to send blind and visually impaired youth to Enchanted Hills Camp next season, and you are invited! Don’t miss this rollicking party at fabulous Armando’s in downtown Martinez. Armando’s is “bursting with energy” and gets 4 and a half stars on Yelp. It’s a great place to dance, listen to music, eat good food and enjoy the company of good friends. Joyce is aiming to raise six thousand dollars and knowing how popular Joyce’s parties are, she’ll do it!

What: V.I.B.E.S. (Visually Impaired and Blind Entertainment Sunday) – a fundraiser for Enchanted Hills Camp
Enjoy Live Music, Featuring Talented Blind Performers, Chair Massages, Raffles & More
When: Sunday, October 13, 2013, 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Where: Armando’s, 707 Marina Vista, Martinez, CA, 94553 [armandosmartinez.com]

Tickets are $20 at the door. To donate a raffle item or to find out more information about this event, contact Joyce Cid at (925) 890-6651; or to learn more about Enchanted Hills Camp, contact Lisamaria Martinez at 415-431-1481 or info@old.lighthouse-sf.org.

Joyce Cid her guide dog

LightHouse News

Changing Vision Changing Life Immersion Training at Enchanted Hills Retreat

The intensified and collaborative Changing Vision Changing Life Immersion training brings together up to 18 low vision and blind adults from all over Northern California to learn essential daily living skills; an introduction to braille and access technology; cane travel and mobility basics, and most important, the connection to other students who are also there to learn.

“With the skills, the inspirational role models and the support gleaned from [this] training experience, I feel more determined and confident that I can continue on the path to greater independence.”
-June 2013 Immersion participant, Perla Kohs

Due to huge demand and interest our September 2013 class has already filled it up. We have the following dates available in 2013 and 2014:

• Sunday, December 8 through Friday, December 13, 2013
• Sunday, March 30 through Friday, April 4, 2014
• Sunday, June 8 through Friday, June 13, 2014
• Sunday, September 7 through Friday, September 12, 2014

Would you like to take part in this opportunity to learn new skills while enjoying the fresh air, tall redwoods and delicious, healthy meals at Enchanted Hills? This class is open to all Californians who are DOR clients. Transportation is provided from LightHouse offices in San Francisco, Berkeley and the North Coast.

For more information, please call Debbie Bacon at 415-694-7375 or e-mail dbacon@old.lighthouse-sf.org. Del Norte and Humboldt county residents may call Janet Pomerantz at 707-268-5646 and e-mail jpomerantz@old.lighthouse-sf.org.

Terry Wedler works on a map with student Oma at the June 2013 Changing Vision Changing Life Immersion session (photo credit: Lorraine Miller-Wolf)

LightHouse News

LightHouse Adaptations Store Reopens September 30

We are pleased to announce that we will reopen Adaptations, the LightHouse Store on Monday, September 30th. New store hours will be Monday through Friday, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. We have re-envisioned the store to be both a place to shop and a hands-on resource. Our knowledgeable staff will guide and help you find the best adaptive items to fit your vision.

At Adaptations we use LightSpeed point of sale technology, which is accessible and allows blind and visually impaired store staff to easily ring up your purchases. In order to provide enhanced one-on-one customer service we will return to the direct in-person customer service business model and focus our attention on those in Northern California who can visit the LightHouse for training and mentorship. Although we will not be taking online orders at this time, we look forward to serving our customers who visit our location at 214 Van Ness Avenue in San Francisco.

To find out whether we have an item in stock for you to pick up (and if we don’t, we can usually order if for you) please call our store at 1-888-400-8933.

LightHouse News

Young Blind People and Old Ships on October 26

Join your friends at the LightHouse as the Youth Program explores the old ships of San Francisco. On Saturday, October 26, we will head down to the San Francisco waterfront for an exclusive tour of the historic ships docked at the Hyde Street Pier, and take a tour of the Maritime National Historical Visitor’s Center.  Deadline to sign-up extended to October 23.Image of the Balclutha, a three-masted, steel-hulled, square-rigged ship built to carry a variety of cargo all over the world – visit the Balclutha with the LightHouse on October 26

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Who: Low Vision or Blind Transition Age Youth (ages 8 to 18)
What: Tour of the Maritime National Historical Visitor’s Center & Tour of the old ships of San Francisco at the Hyde Street Pier
When: Saturday, October 26, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Where: Hyde Street Pier and the Maritime National Historical Park of San Francisco
Transportation: We will meet at LightHouse San Francisco and take MUNI to the Hyde Street Pier.  Please bring money for the bus to and from the park, $0.75 each way for a total of $1.50.

Waiver: Each participant must submit a LightHouse Youth Program waiver form, if they have not done so for a previous outing.

Cost: FREE! The cost of this tour has been waived for our participants; however, each participant must bring $1.50 for the bus and bring their own lunch.

RSVP: Jamey Gump, Youth Services Coordinator, at jgump@old.lighthouse-sf.org or (415) 694-7372. Please register early! RSVP by October 23.

We’ll begin the fun by meeting at 214 Van Ness Ave (San Francisco’s LightHouse) promptly at 11:00 a.m. Together, we’ll take MUNI to the Maritime National Historical Visitor’s Center.

For more information or to RSVP for this event, please contact Youth Services Coordinator Jamey Gump at (415) 694-7372 or email jgump@old.lighthouse-sf.org.

Things to Bring:
Bag lunch (each participant is responsible for bringing their own lunch)
Bottle of water
Hat or visor
Sunscreen
Jacket/Hoodie
Cane or mobility device
$1.50 for the bus

LightHouse News

An Evening of Laughter and Discussion at Superfest 2013 on October 12

The LightHouse and the Paul K. Longmore Institute on Disability at San Francisco State University have joined to expand the world’s longest-running disability film festival. Throughout its life, Superfest has been a juried film festival representing the Bay Area disability community’s own judgement about which are the most significant films involving disability that year.

As the LightHouse and Longmore Institute launch the 2013 Superfest we’ll take a look backward to embrace, mock, cringe and guffaw at some of the raunchiest and more-troublesome bits of disability film history. Our community has nominated dozens of feature films and scenes which show us how bad things really were and how much progress we’ve already achieved in a century of films involving people with disabilities.

So come one, come all to the Superfest International Disability Film Festival’s special presentation of “the Dissies” – an evening of some of the silver screen’s most laughable foibles of disability in film.

Superfest is sure to be a hoot and a holler for people of all disabilities and for those without disabilities. During the event the audience will have opportunities to vote for the worst-of-the-worst in disability films. Please come out and help us “dis” the films that should never have been.

When: October 12, 2013. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. with wine and beer; films start at 7:00 p.m.
Where: The Women’s Building, 3543 18th Street, San Francisco, CA 94110 (between Valencia & Guerrero)
Hosts: LightHouse for the Blind and The Paul K. Longmore Institute on Disability
Concession: We will be selling popcorn and refreshments (including beer and wine)
Cost: $10.00 per ticket (no one will be turned away for lack of funds) Buy tickets here.

learn more

Superfest poster with image of Dissies award

LightHouse News

Explore the Whitewaters of the American River with the LightHouse on September 21

Join the LightHouse and Environmental Traveling Companions (ETC) as we go whitewater rafting on the South Fork of the American River. Youth ages 14-24 are invited to attend this thrilling rafting trip and overnight campout at ETC.A raft full of passengers midst the foaming white water of the American River

 

 

 

 

 

 

Note: This event is full, but we have started a waiting list, so please contact Youth Services Coordinator Jamey Gump by Tuesday, September 10 if you are interested: (415) 694-7372 or at jgump@old.lighthouse-sf.org.

We will leave early Saturday, September 21st to arrive at the South Fork of the American River by midday for an exciting afternoon of whitewater rafting. Once we finish our river float, we will go to ETC’s overnight camp where we will cook dinner together. After dinner, we’ll enjoy socializing around the campfire with old and new friends. The next morning we will pack-up camp and return to San Francisco by noon, traffic permitting.

Who: Low Vision or Blind Transition Age Youth (ages 14-24)
What: Whitewater Rafting and Overnight Campout
When: Depart 8:00 a.m. Saturday, September 21st and return 12:00 p.m. (noon) Sunday, September 22nd
Where: South Fork of the American River & ETC’s Overnight Camp
Transportation: Transportation from the LightHouse will be provided

Waiver: Each youth participant must submit 2 waiver forms, one from The San Francisco LightHouse AND the other from Environmental Travel Companions. Please contact Jamey Gump to receive the waivers. Spots will only be reserved when payment and signed waivers are received.

Cost: The cost of the event is $60.00 per participant. LightHouse will cover overnight costs, transportation, dinner, and breakfast the following morning. Spots will only be reserved once payment and the two signed waivers are received.

RSVP: Jamey Gump, Youth Services Coordinator at jgump@old.lighthouse-sf.org or (415) 694-7372.  Space is limited to 8 participants. This event is full but we encourage you to get on our waiting list. Please contact us no later than Tuesday, September 10.

Please Bring:
Bottle of water
Hat or visor
Sunscreen
Sleeping bag
Change of clothes
Swimsuit
Water shoes
Jacket /hoodie
Cane or mobility device
Any necessary medication
Personal toiletries (for the overnight campout at ETC’s campsite)
Two signed waivers for LightHouse and Environmental Travel Companions

LightHouse News

Climb to Your Heart’s Content at Indian Rock Park in Berkeley on September 7

LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired invites you and your friends in the LightHouse Youth Program to a day of exploration and climbing at Indian Rock Park in Berkeley. Please sign up by Friday, September 6.

Come explore the crazy rock formations at Indian Rock Park along with your friends in
the Youth Program. Have fun in an accessible, challenging setting that will inspire you to enjoy nature that is almost in your own back yard.

Who: Blind and Low Vision Youth, ages 8 to 18
When: September 7, 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Where: We will meet at the Downtown Berkeley Bart Station at 11:00 a.m., and then take AC Transit #1 to Indian Rock Park
Cost: There is no cost to participate; you will need money for public transportation
Waiver: Each participant must submit a LightHouse Youth Program waiver form, if they have not done so for a previous outing
RSVP: Jamey Gump, Youth Services Coordinator, at jgump@old.lighthouse-sf.org or (415) 694-7372. Please register by September 6.

Volcanic in origin, Indian Rock is the largest of a number of similar rhyolite rock formations in the vicinity. These rhyolite formations include smaller rocks on the east side of Indian Rock Avenue. Remains of acorn-grinding pits carved into solid rock can be found in these outcroppings, especially the aptly named Mortar Rock. These pits were made by the local indigenous people, the Huichin band of the Ohlones.

If you would like more information, or to RSVP for this event, please contact Jamey Gump, Youth Services Coordinator for the LightHouse, at (415) 694-7372 or jgump@old.lighthouse-sf.org.

Things to Bring:
Water bottle
Hat or visor
Bag lunch (there is no place nearby to purchase food, therefore, please bring a bag lunch with you)
Sunscreen
Wear comfortable hiking clothes
Comfortable hiking shoes
Cane or mobility device
Jacket or hoodie

Climbers on Indian Rock

LightHouse News

Apply to Win $5,000

The Inspiration Foundation understands the important role adaptive computer technology plays in a blind or visually impaired person’s life. The Inspiration Foundation proudly grants Adaptive Technology Awards to blind and visually impaired individuals who have been denied financial assistance for this expensive technology from federal and state funded programs.

This year, Inspiration Foundation will award a scholarship of up to $5,000.00 in adaptive technology to one individual that we feel is the best match for our program.

We are currently accepting applications for 2013 Inspiration Foundation Adaptive Technology Award online.

To be eligible for this scholarship, an individual must be a blind or visually impaired legal resident of California or Arizona, and 18 years of age or older. All information on this application form is strictly confidential and will only be used to determine your need and ability to inspire independence.

Application deadline is November 1, 2013. Scholarship winner will be announced on December 15, 2013.

LightHouse News

Enchanted Hills Camp Open House Celebrates Friendships, Old and New

On a beautiful, sunny, warm but not too warm Saturday at the end of July, we held our first Open House at Enchanted Hills Camp. Over 200 friends, neighbors and campers gathered together to enjoy live music, swimming, paddle boating on Lake Lokoya, and tours of the camp grounds led by LightHouse CEO Bryan Bashin and Camp Director Tony Fletcher.

Here are some photo highlights of the event. We’ll be uploading additional photos to our Facebook page shortly.

LightHouse Board President Josh Miele speaks to the crowd

Playing bluesy rock and roll, the day’s musical entertainment was provided by a group of camp counselors calling themselves “The Funny Hats”. Derek Dittmar offered rousing vocals and played acoustic guitar along with stalwart accompaniment by counselors Rachel Grider on keyboards and Jimmy Cong on conga drums

 

Kathy Abrahamson , LightHouse Director of Rehabilitation (left) stands in the cool shade with LightHouse Board member Chris Downey and his wife Rosa

Open House attendees swim in the Enchanted Hills Camp pool