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LightHouse News

Pints For Non-Profits Benefits LightHouse

In February, Redwood Curtain Brewing Company hosted a “Pints for Non-Profits” event to benefit LightHouse of the North Coast. They donated $1.00 for every pint sold plus the proceeds of the day’s tip jar. In addition, purveyors of fine Mediterranean food, Nature’s Serving: World Food, Fast! contributed 10% of the proceeds of food sold that day.

Many thanks to those who came out to raise a pint for the LightHouse. What a great combination: locally grown and produced world food, local brew, and local support of vision rehabilitation services in Humboldt and Del Norte.

Thank you for supporting the LightHouse!

Redwood Curtain Brewing Company logo

Nature’s Serving logo

 

 

 

 

 

 

LightHouse News

NEW Yoga Workshop

Join our new yoga workshop and become more flexible and strong.

Hatha Yoga for mobility and strength building.
Open to beginners and experienced practitioners alike.
Asana sequences, combined with breathing techniques and a relaxing meditation practice.

When: Ongoing on Mondays – 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Where: LightHouse San Francisco Headquarters

Asana poses focus on increasing mobility, achieving agility of both body and mind, while strengthening and helping the body’s coordination, improving posture, protecting the back from injury, and reducing the weight on the vertebrae and disks. All poses can be modified to fit Chair Yoga.

The breathing techniques will focus on creating additional heat, and the meditation that follows will help participants relax deeply and connect with their inner-self. The style of meditation is called Yoga Nidra, and it is praised for its calming and healing effects on the body and mind. It is a method that is now used to break lasting bad habits, overcome traumas and create a deep calming effect. Students are encouraged to let go and enjoy this experience of deep relaxation.

Teacher Bio:
Manar took her first Yoga class 12 years ago and little has remained the same since. She is a certified Hatha Yoga teacher from the Yoga Vidya Gurukul Institution in Nasik, India (2012). She has since taught both individuals and group classes with a passion for proper alignment with powerful breath to achieve an effortless flow of energy.

RSVP to Molly Irish via email at mpearson@old.lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7320.

LightHouse News

New Mind’s Eye Therapy Group Forming

LightHouse for the Blind is offering a new therapy group called Mind’s Eye, for individuals who are moving forward in their lives with recent changes in their vision. Start the New Year by joining a group which offers a forum specifically designed for navigating this very personal journey. 

Are you currently noticing a change in your vision? This can affect many parts of your life. Participating in this new group at the LightHouse will offer you the opportunity to process this experience in a safe and understanding setting.  The group’s facilitator, Rachel Longan, M.S., will incorporate a variety of techniques and experiential exercises into each session. Come ready to play a little while exploring opportunities for personal growth.

Some of the topics the group may cover include: lowered self-esteem, new challenges in relationships, social participation, and emotional factors commonly associated with adjusting to vision changes.

This group can help you:

  • Gain self confidence
  • Build a sense of community
  • Reevaluate your priorities
  • Set or modify personal goals

Group members must complete an in-person intake before enrolling. Please contact Ms. Longan with further questions, and to register for the group. She can be reached at 415-694-7302 or rlonganlighthouse@gmail.com.

This 8-week series will be offered Thursdays 2-3:30 p.m. at LightHouse for the Blind’s headquarters in San Francisco. Groups are forming now.

When: Thursdays, 2 to 3:30 p.m.
Where: LightHouse San Francisco Headquarters

Please note: In order to create a sense of safety, this will be a closed group (no drop-ins). The official start date of the Mind’s Eye group will be announced once all participants have been formally enrolled. All participants are expected to attend the entire eight weeks.

About the therapist…
Rachel Longan has 8 years of experience conducting support groups and 5 years of supervised therapy hours in a variety of settings. She is visually impaired and has co-facilitated a year-long support group specifically for individuals experiencing recent vision loss. Ms. Longan has guest lectured at the International Conference on Costello Syndrome and at UC Berkeley. She is a Registered Marriage and Family Intern at the Lighthouse (supervised by Connie Conley-Jung, Ph.D.) and also works at the Pacific Center in Berkeley.

LightHouse News

Enjoy Unlimited Crab on March 29 and Help Support Blind Camp

The Castro Lions and the San Francisco Park Presidio Sunset Lions are cohosting their second annual Crab Feed to benefit the LightHouse for the Blind and other charities. Join them for a night of good food, entertainment and prizes! No Host Bar Cocktails at 6:00, dinner served at 7:00 and includes pasta, salad, bread, dessert, wine and lots of CRAB!

When: Saturday, March 29, 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Where: St. Anne of the Sunset, Judah Street @Funston (on the N-Judah Muni line)
Free parking is available for this event in the rear of the school
Cost: $50 per person

Purchase tickets at brownpaperticket.com/event/559639

Crab Feed Event Poster

 

 

LightHouse News

The Funniest Valentine’s Day Dance . . . Ever!

Whether you’re a romantic at heart, or just want to have a blast hanging with your BFFs as you dance the night away, come join us for what promises to be a fun and festive evening. Bring a friend, sweetheart or special someone to share in Valentine’s Day themed food, sweets, music, games and memorable moments. There will also be a very special guest appearance by Cupid himself. The party begins at 5:00 p.m. and will wrap up at 8:00 p.m.. Valentine’s Day themed attire is strongly encouraged.

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. Please RSVP by February 10, 2014.

Who: Low Vision or Blind Youth and a Guest (Ages 13 – 24)
What: Valentine’s Day Dance
When: Saturday, February 15, 2014 from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Where: LightHouse Headquarters @ 214 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco
Waiver: Each participant must submit a LightHouse Youth Program waiver form, if they have not done so for a previous outing.
Food: Provided by LightHouse. Please include any food allergies when you RSVP.
RSVP: Jamey Gump, Youth Services Coordinator, at jgump@old.lighthouse-sf.org or (415) 694-7372.

LightHouse News

Learn About the National Federation of the Blind Scholarship Program

Every year, the National Federation of the blind, NFB, gives out 30 scholarships annually to deserving college students from across the country. One of them could be you!

Join the San Francisco chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of California, NFBC, for free food, good friends and valuable information on how you can win free money.

When: Saturday, February 15 2014, at 1:00 p.m.
Where: LightHouse for the Blind | 214 Van Ness Avenue | San Francisco, CA

The chair of the scholarship committee Patti Gregory-Chang will speak about how the program works and what you need to be in the top 30 spots. Also hear from a past scholarship Winner who will share with everyone tricks and tips that will help you make your application even stronger.

For more information, please contact Darion Smith, NFBC San Francisco chapter president, at (415) 215-9809 or dsmithnfb@gmail.com.

LightHouse News

Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoe Adventure with the LightHouse Youth Program

It’s that time of year – days are getting shorter and the air is getting colder as winter fast approaches.  For some folks it’s the perfect time to bundle up next to a roaring fire with a soothing cup of hot chocolate and purring cat. For more intrepid souls, like the LightHouse Youth Program participants, winter means FUN! Cool, exciting, adventurous fun, as in cross-country skiing and snowshoeing at Tahoe Donner Cross-Country Ski Resort in Truckee near beautiful Lake Tahoe.

When: March 21, 6:00 p.m. through March 22, 9:00 p.m.
Where: Meet at Ed Roberts Campus, see below for remainder of itinerary

If you are a blind or low vision youth, please join us for this awesome trip to the snow.  We will gather at the Ed Roberts Campus at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, March 21, 2014 and hit the road by 6:30 p.m. We will spend Friday night in Folsom California.

Female participants will stay overnight at the home of former LightHouse Board member Margie Donovan, and male participants will stay overnight at the home of RC Upham, a long-time volunteer at EHC. Early Saturday morning we’ll head to the Tahoe Donner Cross-Country Center in Truckee, CA, where we’ll meet up with our Sierra Regional Ski for Light Guides and begin our cross-country skiing (or snowshoeing) adventure.

After a day of trekking through the snow on Saturday, we’ll load up our bus and head back to the Ed Roberts Campus. Traffic permitting, we should be back by 9:00 p.m.

All participants must register and submit payment no later than February 15th.

Who: Low Vision and Blind Youth (ages 13 – 24)
What: Overnight snowshoe or cross-country skiing trip
When: 6:00 p.m. Friday, March 21, 2014 through 9:00 p.m. Saturday, March 22, 2014
Where: Truckee, California
Waiver: Each participant must submit a LightHouse Youth Program waiver form, if they have not done so for a previous outing.
Cost: $60.00 per person includes ski pass, rentals, food, lodging and transportation

RSVP: by February 15, space is limited to 12 participants. Please contact Jamey Gump, Youth Services Coordinator, at jgump@old.lighthouse-sf.org or (415) 694-7372 for more information or to RSVP for this event.

 

LightHouse News

Ride Like the Wind and Support Enchanted Hills – Register for Cycle for Sight 2014

Register now for Napa Rotary’s Cycle for Sight 2014.

When: Saturday, April 26, 2014. 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.

Ride Tandem for Team LightHouse
Last year Team LightHouse had the largest number of tandems in the ride in history. Let’s 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.

LightHouse News

Native Culture, New Trails and Where the Wealthy Go to Be Seen – Enchanted Hills Retreat and Mt. Veeder: The History Will Fascinate You

Enchanted Hills has a rich and intriguing history. This is the first of six segments on Enchanted Hills Retreat, where we will feature the natural history, local attractions, winery spotlights and culinary delights of the area. Here we touch on the history of Mt. Veeder, the Wappo Tribe, later settlers, a summertime resort and the makings of a world renowned wine appellation.

For many centuries, Mt. Veeder was inhabited by the Wappo Indians who subsisted off the plentiful wild game and plants of the area. Spear points and stone implements from their civilization are still occasionally recovered in the area. The Native American word for elk was “Lokoya”, a word that remains in use today in the name of one of the few roads on the mountain, and at Enchanted Hills where our lake is still called Lokoya Lake.

Loggers were the first Europeans to come to the area. In the 1800’s a sea captain, Stalham Wing, initiated plans for a stagecoach trail up the eponymously named Wing Canyon. At one time the trail was wide enough to accommodate a four-horse stagecoach. The old stagecoach route can still be traversed through the wilds of Enchanted Hills. Wing is also credited with the birth of viniculture on the mountain where in the 1860’s he grew and produced the first wines of the mountain. The higher elevations of the mountain were the domain of sheep and their shepherds. One of the oldest buildings of Mt. Veeder still standing is an old sheepherder’s shelter that is now the stone tasting room at the Mayacamas Vineyard.

Later in the century the area became known as the Napa Redwoods, a destination for well-healed people from San Francisco who traveled by train, ferry, buggy and stagecoach to the Lokoya Lodge, a seasonal resort. Just like today, the dappled light and plentiful springs offered a haven from the bustling pace of daily life.

There’s much more for you to discover. Are you looking for a location full of history, great amenities and natural beauty for a group get-together? Enchanted Hills is the most affordable retreat setting in wine country. To reserve Enchanted Hills for your family reunion, church group or corporate off-site with 20 to 120 attendees, please call (415) 694-7310 or go to www.enchantedhillsretreat.com.

Old postcard showing a drawing of Lokoya Lodge

LightHouse News

You are invited to a very special Community Event at Enchanted Hills Camp: Author Cecelia Setty Speaks about Mt. Veeder’s History

Author Cecelia Setty will speak about the fascinating history of Mt. Veeder and the original Mt. Veeder Resort which is now home to Enchanted Hills.

When: Sunday, February 9, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Where: Enchanted Hills Camp
Refreshments will be served
RSVP to afletcher@old.lighthouse-sf.org

Cecelia Setty

Grape grower Cecelia M. Setty has published two books on Napa’s history. “The Mount Veeder Resort” is about our very own mountain and “Atlas Peak” is about her family’s’ 90 year old ranch. Cecelia was born in Salinas, California and is a descendant of early pioneer families that settled in Napa in 1863-1866.

More About Mt. Veeder
You can also listen to a podcast of Hope Sinclair talking about growing up on the property that is now Enchanted Hills. Hope Sinclair’s father bought the land in 1927 and operated a boy’s camp there for more than 20 years. Hope herself spent much of her girlhood at camp in the 1930′s and 1940′s and developed a detailed love for the nature and history of the place. Listen to her stories of wild fire, a variety of tenacious mountain folk and the use of the land by a Blind Boy Scout troop from Berkeley years before it was purchased by Rose Resnick to open the first camp for the blind in the west coast in 1950. The podcast is found here at http://lbvi.staging.wpengine.com.com/blog/hope-sinclair-interview-august-6-2012-part-1-of-2/

For more information about Enchanted Hills Retreat, please call (415) 694-7310 or go to www.enchantedhillsretreat.com.