A program featuring contemporary stories behind the front pages, some thought provoking articles and occasional poems, plays or short stories.
Today’s theme: Sidebar, and the recent 50 year history of radio in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Arts and Entertainment
Reservations Going Fast for EHC Summer Sessions
The schedule is up and reservations are going fast for our Summer Sessions at Enchanted Hills Camp for the Blind and Visually Impaired. From babies to gray-hairs, there is a session designed for you! There is even a new session of Family Camp just for residents of Napa County! And after a few year’s hiatus, we are bringing back the Deaf-Blind session!
What’s New At EHC?
- Enjoy the outdoor talent shows at our brand new redwood theater!
- Explore new hiking trails parts of the campground that haven’t been visited in years!
- We’ve upgraded our tandem bike fleet so that more campers can ride!
Sessions are listed below. For more information, visit the Enchanted Hills Camp 2013 page on our website. For questions please call us at 415-694-7310 or email us at EHC@old.lighthouse-sf.org.
EHC Sessions List
Chemistry Camp: May 3 – May 5
Napa Resident Family Camp: May 17 – 19 (call 415) 694-7310 for registration)
Blind Babies Family Camp: June 14 – June 16
Family Camp I: June 20 – June 23
Adults with Special Needs: June 29 – July 3
Adult/Alumni: July 5 – July 10
Family Camp II: July 11 – July 14
Kid’s Session – 3rd through 8th grade: July 15 – July 21
Family Camp III: July 24 – July 27
Teen Session – 9th through 12th grade: July 28 – Aug 3
Deaf-Blind Session: August 15 – Aug 18
Lions Host Crab Feed 2013 on February 9
The Castro Lions and the San Francisco Park Presidio Sunset Lions are cohosting a Crab Feed to benefit a host of charities including LightHouse for the Blind, AIDS and Breast Cancer Emergency Funds and Guide Dogs for the Blind.
When: Saturday, February 9. Cocktails at 6:00 p.m. followed by dinner and dancing between 7 and 10:00 p.m.
Where: St Anne of the Sunset at 850 Judah St. at Funston (easy transportation on the N Judah line)
Cost: $50.00 per person, Special Guest Appearances TBA
Buy your tickets at 1-800-858-5006 or go to BrownPaperTickets.com.
First-Ever Multicultural Celebration at the LightHouse
On December 14 LightHouse celebrated the holidays by taking a short trip around the world. The celebration included Rabbi Mark talking about the mitzvah of lighting the candles on Chanukah, Christmas Caroling, traditions of the Virgin de Guadalupe and Dias Las Posadas, a Kwanzaa Presentation, a holiday Chamber Music Performance of Oboe and Flute, and Buddhist chanting to celebrate Bodhi Day by members of the American Buddhist Cultural Society). Our clients, staff and friends learned and discovered the true meaning of the holiday season!
Napa Film Festival Event Raises Friends and Funds
On November 9th, in conjunction with the Napa Valley Film Festival, the LightHouse held a fundraiser for Enchanted Hills Camp in Yountville. The film, Make A Hero’s documentary “The Movement” features longtime Enchanted Hills camper Mike May, who holds the world record for fastest blind downhill skiing.
It was a great community building event attended by a perfect blend of people: folks who had attended family camp at Enchanted Hills, a number of LightHouse board members, a handful of film festival attendees in search of a party, and a good number of neighbors from Mt. Veeder.
Under a beautifully lit tent at Redd Wood, a lovely wine country restaurant, there was wine, an amazing auction and live music by Enchanted Hills camper Jimmy Cong. Also a shout out to the many Mt. Veeder (and beyond) wineries that generously donated to the event including: Fontanella, Handmade by Marketta, Mt. Brave, Lampyridae, Godspeed, Mayacamas, Renteria, Silver Oak, Silverado, Sullivan, Y Rosseau and Yates Family Winery. Your support enables blind children to enjoy the beauty and magic that is Enchanted Hills!
If you would like to support Enchanted Hills Camp click here.
New! LightHouse Presents: Jam Class at the San Francisco Conservatory of Dance
Everyone has jammed out at one time or another, whether it was at a wedding or late at night to a song on the radio. Jam Class turns spontaneous jam into practice. The class operates by listening to and following the rhythms, soulfulness, funkiness, histories, memories, and many shades of joy that already live inside our bodies. Jam Class does not aim at teaching anyone how to dance, but rather at bringing out the inherent ability to dance that everyone already has within them. The class starts slow and quiet, discovering the seeds of rhythm deep within one’s body and momentum. This class is intended for young adults ages 17 to 30. The only precondition for participants is the ability to stand for one hour.
If you want to move and be moved, Jam Class is for you. Jam Class will be held on the third Saturday of each month through May, 2013.
Here is the schedule:
- January 19, 12 to 1:00 p.m.
- February 16, 12 to 1:00 p.m.
- March 16, 12 to 1:00 p.m.
- April 20, 12 to 1:00 p.m.
- May 18, 12 to 1:00 p.m.
The class is led by Malinda LaVelle and Emmaly Wiederholt and is limited to ten people, so sign up now! To reserve your space or for more information, please contact John Liang, Director of Community Services at jliang@old.lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7334.
Malinda LaVelle is the artistic director of Project Thrust, a dance-theater company based in San Francisco. Since its inception in 2010, Project Thrust has performed at Z Space as part of the San Francisco Conservatory of Dance’s Summer Dance Series, at ODC Theater, at The Garage as part of Resident Artist Workshop (RAW), and in the Women on the Way Festival. Project Thrust is currently in residence at the San Francisco Conservatory of Dance, Malinda’s alumni, where she currently serves on the faculty. Originally from Colorado, Malinda LaVelle graduated from the University of Arizona with a BFA in Dance. Malinda has performed with Alex Ketley’s The Foundry, Alyce Finwall Dance Theater, Manuelito Biag’s Shift>>>Physical Theater, and in 2012, she was awarded a 2012 Isadora Duncan Award for Outstanding Performance.
Emmaly Wiederholt resides in San Francisco and is a founding member of Malinda LaVelle’s Project Thrust. She also writes about dance; she founded, edits, and writes for Stance On Dance (stanceondance.com), and has contributed to In Dance, The San Francisco Examiner, and the San Francisco Bay Guardian. She is originally from Albuquerque, NM and graduated from the University of Utah with a BFA in ballet and a BS in political science. She is an alumna of the San Francisco Conservatory of Dance and has performed with Vabang! Dance Company, Amy Lewis’ Push Up Something Hidden, Christine Cali (Cali & Co.), Alyce Finwall Dance Theater, Katie Faulkner’s Little Seismic Dance Company, and in David Dorfman’s choreography with AXIS Dance Company.
The San Francisco Conservatory of Dance was established in 2004 by veteran dancer/teacher Summer Lee Rhatigan with a team of collaborators whose principal goal was to create a new kind of dance school specifically designed to guide and support young people in their discovery, understanding, development, and application of the tools necessary to thrive as an artist. Since its inception, some one thousand talented young dancers have participated in the Conservatory’s programs, studying classical and modern technique and learning/performing a huge number and variety of works. Located at 301 8th Street (at Folsom), the studios are drenched with natural light through skylights and north and west facing windows.
Sing in the Season!
You are all invited to join us on Monday, December 10 at 5:00 p.m. as the Junior Apprentice and Apprentice Groups of the San Francisco Boys Chorus sing at the LightHouse for the Blind. This free performance will showcase many of the songs from their Winter Concert.
When: Monday, December 10, 5:00 p.m.
Where: LightHouse San Francisco Headquarters
The Grammy Award-winning San Francisco Boys Chorus (SFBC) was founded in 1948 to provide trained singers for the San Francisco Opera. Today the chorus is led by Artistic Director Ian Robertson who also serves as Chorus Director for the San Francisco Opera. The San Francisco Boys Chorus tours extensively to Europe, Asia, and the Americas, and has performed at Giants games, Carnegie Hall in New York and in 2009 was honoured to sing at the inauguration of President Barack Obama in Washington D.C.
We are in for a delightful performance! Please RSVP with Molly Irish at mpearson@old.lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7334.
Come Party in Wine Country! Napa Valley Film Festival Post-Film Event to Raise Funds for Enchanted Hills Camp
Join us for the post-party celebration of Make A Hero’s documentary film The Movement featuring longtime Enchanted Hills Camper Mike May, who holds the world record for fastest blind downhill skiing. Come for wine, an amazing auction and live music to benefit Enchanted Hills Camp for the Blind and Make A Hero.
When: Friday, November 9, 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Where: Redd Wood, a sophisticated and stylish pizza restaurant,
6755 Washington Street, Yountville, CA
Auction items include a seven day luxury vacation to one of 20 select locations by the Inspirato Club, and a trip for two to the lavish Viceroy in the Aspen/Snowmass, Volkl skis with Marker bindings, private Silver Oak winery tours, magnums of fine wine and more. Proceeds benefit Enchanted Hills Camp for the Blind and Make A Hero.
Special VIP ticket price for the LightHouse and Enchanted Hills Camp community, $75 for two tickets and one goodie bag valued at over $300. Regular admission for one is $20.
“The Movement” film is showing at the Napa Film Festival on November 9th, 5:30 p.m. at the Yountville Community Center. Tickets for the film can be purchased separately at napavalleyfilmfest.org.
Proceeds benefit Enchanted Hills Camp for the Blind. Please RSVP to fundraising@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7333.
Cinemark Announces Greater Movie Theatre Accessibility for Customers Who are Blind and Visually Impaired
One of the world’s largest motion picture exhibitors, recently announced that it is providing an audio description option for people who are blind or have visual impairments in all of its first-run theatres. Cinemark is installing audio description systems on a rolling basis across its circuit in conjunction with the chain’s conversion to an all-digital format. Installation is already well under way, and all of Cinemark’s theaters in California already have audio description capability. Cinemark will be able to offer audio description at all of its first-run theaters by mid 2013.
In audio description (also known as descriptive narration) a narrator provides vocal description of key visual aspects of a movie, such as descriptions of scenery, facial expressions, costumes, action settings, and scene changes, described audibly during natural pauses in dialogue or critical sound elements. Narration of these elements is then woven into the soundtrack of the program or film, so that the finished version is a mix of program audio and descriptive narration. The description, which is provided by movie studios, is available only to members of the audience who choose to receive it via personal headsets and a receiver provided at the theater.
The California Council of the Blind (CCB), a consumer advocacy organization of people who are blind and visually impaired, and individual blind Cinemark movie patrons applauded Cinemark’s commitment. Cinemark has worked closely with CCB and individual patrons with visual impairments on its audio description initiative.
Rio Popper, an eleven year old sixth grader who lives in Redwood City, California, was thrilled with Cinemark’s announcement: “Going to a movie with audio description is way more fun than having to have my parents or friends tell me what’s happening on the screen. There’s a Cinemark movie complex near my house that has already installed the equipment and I love going there.”
Donna Pomerantz, president of the California Council of the Blind, also praised Cinemark’s announcement: “We are pleased with Cinemark’s support for audio description. This national initiative makes first-run movies available to millions of patrons who are blind and visually impaired. They deserve to participate in this quintessential American experience.”
Cinemark selected the Fidelio audio description system from Burbank-based Doremi Cinemas LLC to provide descriptive narration to audience members who desire the service.
“Cinemark was pleased to collaborate with the CCB and some of our blind patrons,” said Michael Cavalier, General Counsel and Senior Vice President of Cinemark, USA, Inc. “The conversion to digital cinema has facilitated the development of audio description systems like Fidelio. We now have a platform that makes full implementation of an audio description system viable. Cinemark has worked closely with our suppliers to make certain that we are providing the highest quality descriptive narration system,” he added.
Michael Archer, Vice President of Digital Cinema at Doremi noted, “When we began the in-house design of the Fidelio product, we worked closely with Cinemark, our long-term partner, to create a viable, high-quality system that provides audio description for digital cinema. We are pleased to have this opportunity to work with Cinemark to provide described movies to their patrons across the country.”
New Community Services Classes
We’re offering a boatload of new classes, clubs and events! From support groups to free acupuncture sessions, you’re sure to find something to interest you.
Sign up now! For updated information about our classes, visit our online calendar.
All classes are offered at LightHouse San Francisco Headquarters unless otherwise noted.
New! LGBTQ Support Group
Second Saturday of every month beginning October 13, from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m.
This is a very special opportunity for LGBTQ individuals living with vision loss or blindness. This support group will be a safe and fun place to build community for LGBTQ visually impaired individuals, find new friends, support one another, have fun, increase self-esteem, and engage in your community. All ages welcome.
Group leader Rachel Longan is an MFT intern with 8 years of experience conducting support groups. She currently runs support groups at the Downtown Berkeley YMCA and is an intern at the Pacific Center (serving the LGBTQ community) in Berkeley. Recently she co-facilitated a support group for individuals coping with vision loss. As a visually impaired individual, Rachel works skillfully and empathically with the visually impaired community. Please RSVP to Rachel Longan at rlonganlighthouse@gmail.com or call John Liang at 415-694-7334.
New! The Family Circle – A New Family Support Group
Second Saturday of every month beginning October 13, from 10:00 a.m. to noon
Have you or your loved ones ever felt alone, abandoned, or at a loss in your journey to cope with blindness and vision loss? Have you ever wondered how other families address blindness and low vision as part of their daily lives? Do you have an interest in meeting other families whose lives have also been impacted by blindness and/or adventitious vision loss? If so, you and your family are cordially invited to join “The Family Circle,” a new family support group offered by SF LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired Community Services program.
“The Family Circle” offers an informal support group setting designed to provide a comfortable, safe, and non-judgmental place for all family members to openly discuss and share their own experiences and challenges in living with blindness and vision loss. Group sessions will provide an open forum for families to explore a wide variety of topics related to blindness and blindness-related issues, particularly as they pertain to daily living and family life. The primary goals of the “The Family Circle” are to help families seamlessly integrate blindness into daily living as a natural and non-inhibiting factor through strengthening family unity; creating meaningful and sustainable support systems, alliances and networks; sharing resources and best practices; enhancing communication skills; and developing and implementing effective coping strategies.
The group will meet on the second Saturday of October, November, and December 2012 from 10:00 a.m. to noon at LightHouse San Francisco Headquarters. Light snacks will be provided. At this time enrollment is open, yet limited to 4 families. The group will be facilitated by Lynda Johnson, MFT. To RSVP, please contact Lynda at 650-504-1650.
New! Youth Support Group
Mondays beginning October 8, from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m.
Find support from people your age at the LightHouse. Are you a blind or low vision teen struggling with important life questions and/or concerns, but feel you have no one to turn to? Do you find yourself at a loss or overwhelmed in adjusting to and coping with the many emotional and social challenges that often accompany life as a blind or low vision teen? Would you like to connect with and support other blind and low vision teens who are also confronted with similar struggles and challenges?
If so, then come and check out the new teen support group happening at LightHouse San Francisco Headquarters. Blind and low vision teens between the ages of 12 to 17-years-old are invited to share their experiences as well as discuss ideas and strategies on how to best overcome these unique challenges while getting the most out of life. The purpose of this group is to provide a safe and confidential environment where teens can come together to support and encourage one another, problem solve, and obtain valuable advice. Topics for group discussion will center on relevant issues that are both important and meaningful to each participant.
This exciting new group will be led by Courtney Mazzola, a young, blind professional. In addition to being an experienced counselor in the San Francisco Bay Area, Courtney is an accomplished martial artist, horseback rider, adventurer, and world traveler. More importantly, Courtney offers practical and meaningful advice for any teen trying to find their way—and identity—in an otherwise complicated and oftentimes confusing world.
If you or someone you know is interested in attending this dynamic support group exclusively for blind and low vision teens, please RSVP to Courtney Mazzola by emailing somacourtney@live.com, or contact Director of Community Services John Liang at jliang@old.lighthouse-sf.org.
New! Free Acupuncture Treatments with Joyce Wu, LAC.
Dr. Wu offers free acupuncture treatments to blind and low vision clients every Friday from 9:00 a.m. through 1:00 p.m. at LightHouse San Francisco Headquarters.
Joyce Wu practices traditional Chinese medical arts, such as acupuncture, herbal medicine, and diet therapy. Joyce has been involved with Chinese medicine for over ten years. Her clinical experience covers many types of acute and chronic illnesses, and her philosophy of treatment is to strengthen the whole person.
A $5 donation is suggested; however no one will be turned away due to lack of funds. Appointments are by reservation only. To RSVP please contact: Joyce Wu, L.Ac. Lic.# AC14078 at 415-810-3217 or joyce@joyceacupuncture.com. Read more about Dr. Wu at www.joyceacupuncture.com.
New! Healthier Living: Managing Ongoing Health Conditions
Every Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for six weeks. To RSVP please contact Molly Irish at 415-694-7320 or mpearson@old.lighthouse-sf.org.
Sign up now and take control of your health! This is a program developed by Stanford University School of Medicine and co-sponsored by LightHouse for the Blind, Department of Adult and Aging Services, City College of San Francisco and 30th Street Senior Center.
Chronic diseases—such as cardiovascular disease, arthritis, cancer, and diabetes—are among the most prevalent, costly, and preventable of all health problems. Many people who suffer from multiple chronic conditions feel they lack the skills to manage their own health.
The Healthier Living: Managing Ongoing Health Conditions program encourages participants to maintain and adapt practical coping strategies. The program focuses on providing mutual support to the participants thus building their confidence in their ability to manage their health and thus maintain active lives. After completing the workshops participants demonstrate significant improvements in their self-reported general health, in aspects such as improved attitude and gained skills.
Healthier Living includes a series of 2½ hour workshops presented over a 6-week period by two trained leaders, one or both of whom are non-health professional with a chronic disease themselves. The curriculum includes workshops and appropriate behavior modifications and coping strategies to enable the participants to manage their chronic diseases and medications and increase physical activity levels.
More Community Service Offerings!
Please check out our LightHouse Calendar for more information on new clubs, classes and events in October, including:
- Blind Brewers Club
- LH Blind Backpackers Club
- LH Red Cross Disaster Preparedness Youth Group
- LH Outdoor Adventurers Club
- LH Blind Poets Society
- Chair Massage
- Field Trip to Anchor Steam Brewery
- Halloween Party
- Art Slam
- LH Writer’s Guild
- LH Philosophers Club
- LH Fishing Club
- Beanies for Babies Volunteer Knitters
- LH Volunteer Corps