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LightHouse News

Free Tickets to Fun Events Through LightHouse Community Services

In partnership with the Arts and Lectures Series at the Jewish Community Center of San Francisco, LightHouse for the Blind’s Community Services Program is able to offer free tickets to the following exciting events: The Great Broadway Sing-Along, Bettye LeVette and Cowgirl Creamery: A Conversation and Cheese Tasting.

Tickets will be distributed on a first come first serve basis to blind and low vision LightHouse clients only. Due to the high demand and limited available seating, each interested person can choose just one event to attend for free. We will meet at the LightHouse and take public transportation to the Jewish Community Center.

Please contact Beth Berenson to register for one event at info@old.lighthouse-sf.org or call 415-431-1481. See below for a description of each event:

The Great Broadway Sing-Along
When: Thursday, December 5 at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Meet at the LightHouse

Come sing Broadway melodies featuring music from many of the greats: the Gershwins, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Kander and Ebb, Sondheim, Bernstein and more. Join in as we sing songs from Broadway’s biggest, brightest and best musicals including Chicago, A Chorus Line, Mamma Mia, Les Misérables and The Lion King. Lyrics will be provided, and all ages are welcome as we celebrate 10 years of singing our hearts out together!

We will meet at the LightHouse (214 Van Ness Ave, SF) at 6:30 p.m. and depart by 7:00 p.m. SHARP. The event starts at 8:00 p.m.

Bettye Lavette
When: Thursday, February 13 at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Meet at the LightHouse

With a voice as powerful as Etta James’ and a story as compelling as Tina Turner’s, Grammy-nominee Bettye LaVette is finally gaining the superstar status that has eluded her since the 1960s. The New York Times proclaimed that LaVette “now rivals Aretha Franklin as her generation’s most vital soul singer,” and her velvet-rich voice and gospel-based blues have earned the admiration of everyone from Paul McCartney, to Bonnie Raitt and Elvis Costello. “When you hear a voice like Bettye LaVette’s, there’s a sense of transportation…a certain freedom of movement and emotion, which is rare…Put me in the fan club! How did Bettye LaVette slip through the net for so long?” – Keith Richards

We will meet at the LightHouse (214 Van Ness Ave, SF) at 6:30 p.m. and depart by 7:00 p.m. SHARP. The event starts at 8:00 p.m..

Cowgirl Creamery: A Conversation and Cheese Tasting
When: Tuesday, February 25 at 5:30 p.m.
Where: Meet at the LightHouse

A post-college hippie trip to San Francisco in 1976 led Sue Conley and Peggy Smith to establish careers in some of the Bay Area’s most famous kitchens, and eventually to found Cowgirl Creamery in Pt. Reyes Station. Their new book, Cowgirl Creamery Cooks, is a primer on tasting, buying, storing, pairing and appreciating cheese and includes a sumptuous collection of cheese-based recipes.

We will meet at the LightHouse (214 Van Ness Ave, SF) at 5:30 p.m. and depart by 6:00 p.m. SHARP. The event starts at 7:00 p.m.

LightHouse News

Cable Car Ride and Museum Tour on November 23

1 Commenton Cable Car Ride and Museum Tour on November 23

Join the LightHouse for the Blind Youth Program on our next adventure. We will be traversing some of San Francisco’s most epic hills and unique neighborhoods via Cable Car as we make our way to the historic Cable Car Museum. At the museum, participants will learn about the history of cable cars and how they work. The Cable Car Museum houses an extensive collection of historic cable cars, photographs, mechanical displays and other cable car memorabilia.Powell and Market Cable Car

The Lighthouse Youth Program will meet at the Cable Car turntable located at the Powell and Market Street intersection near the Powell Street Transit Station at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 23rd. Once gathered, we will board a Cable Car and travel to the Cable Car Museum located in the historic Cable Car Barn & Powerhouse. After visiting the museum, we’ll return to the Powell Street Transit Station by 4:00 p.m.

For more information or to RSVP for this event, 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 Ages 8-18
What: Cable Car Ride and Tour of the Cable Car Museum
When:  November 23rd from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Where: Cable Car Ticket Stand above the Powell Street Transit Station
Transportation: We will be using the San Francisco Cable Car system to get from the Powell Street Transit Station to the Cable Car Museum and back.
Cost:  The Cable Car Museum is free. The Cable Car ride is free to participants with a monthly Muni pass.  Participants without a monthly Muni pass will need to bring $12.00 in cash for the Cable Car ride to and from the museum.
Waiver: A LightHouse Liability Waiver Form must be filled out and submitted for each participant, if not done so already.

Space is limited to 10 participants. Please register by November 20th! Snacks provided.

Things to Bring:
Bottle of water
Hat or visor
Cane or other necessary adaptive device
Jacket or hoodie
Signed waiver

LightHouse News

The Gift That Lives On

“It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves.”
-William Shakespeare

The lasting impact of bequests—both large and small—has helped shape the LightHouse for the Blind into what it is today. For many friends of the LightHouse, a charitable bequest is the easiest and best way to make a gift. By means of your will or other estate plan, you can name LightHouse for the Blind or Enchanted Hills Camp as the beneficiary of a portion of your estate, or of particular assets in your estate. Many of the most powerful gifts with an enduring impact have been bequests.

There are many reasons to make a bequest. A bequest allows you to honor a loved one, while providing critical support to the organization. Giving by bequest costs nothing now, yet it may give you a great deal of satisfaction to know that your future gift will live on, promoting independence, self-reliance and confidence for blind and visually impaired individuals for years to come.

Want to know more? Please call us at (415) 694-7333 or email jsachs@old.lighthouse-sf.org.

LightHouse News

Six Enchanting Reasons to Hold Your Get-Together at Enchanted Hills Retreat

You already know that Enchanted Hills is a beautiful, relaxing and reasonably priced place to get people together, whether it be for a family reunion, business off-site, religious group outing, wellness retreat or other celebration.

Here are six more reasons why Enchanted Hills is the perfect place for your retreat:

1. Enchanted Hills is the most affordable retreat facility in the wine country.

2. Stay at Enchanted Hills Retreat in the winter and save even more- take advantage of reduced winter rates.

3. The meals are healthy and hearty and home-style, and we can accommodate special requests to meet your needs.

4. The stars are so bright; you’ll try to touch them.

5. It’s so quiet and away from it all (and yet only 8 miles from town) – in this hustle-bustle world we all could use a little rest and relaxation in a place where we can hear the leaves rustle and breathe in the fragrant, clean air.

6. Your gathering at Enchanted Hills Retreat supports the life-changing programs of Enchanted Hills Camp for the Blind, providing opportunities for blind people of all ages to make friends and gain confidence for over 63 years.

To reserve Enchanted Hills for your get-together of 30 to 120, please call (415) 694-7310 or go to www.enchantedhillsretreat.com.

The rustic and comfortable cabins at Enchanted Hills Retreat

LightHouse News

You Can Go Back Again: Sharon Sutherland Hones Her Skills at our Changing Vision, Changing Lives Immersion Class at Enchanted Hills

Sharon Sutherland is a Registered Nurse whose career was put on hold when her vision suddenly decreased. She has attended our Changing Vision Changing Lives Immersion training not once, but twice. The first time she focused on general skills such as an introduction to access technology, cane travel, day to day living skills, braille and self-advocacy. She returned a second time to zero in on her ZoomText and braille skills. Her participation in our immersion trainings at Enchanted Hills has provided her with the knowledge, support and resources to that will allow her to return to her profession. In fact, she will be renewing her nursing license soon.Sharon Sutherland writes using a Perkins Brailler

“I truly appreciate being able to come back to the class at Enchanted Hills to get individualized training. And I loved meeting the new students and sharing what I’ve been doing with them,” she told us.

Sharon’s story is one of many. 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 free to all Californians who are DOR clients. Transportation is provided from LightHouse offices in San Francisco, Berkeley and the North Coast.

The following dates are available in 2014:

• Sunday, January 26 through Friday, January 31, 2014
• Sunday, March 30 through Friday, April 4, 2014
• Sunday, June 8 through Friday, June 13, 2014
• Sunday, September 7 through Friday, September 12, 2014

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.

LightHouse News

LightHouse Now Distributing Transit Orientation Guides Plus Trainings

LightHouse is not only in the process of rolling out its Transit Route Orientation Guides for BART, Caltrain, and selected Muni and Samtrans routes – we are offering orientation trainings to make it easier for blind and visually impaired transit riders in the Bay Area to travel independently.

Transit Route Orientation Guides are Braille pamphlets which contain lists of the stops along a bus or train route with information about the transfers available at each stop, and the orientation of each stop. Low vision and blind travelers may sign up to receive up to 10 hours of orientation training to these systems at no charge, to familiarize themselves with the BART, Caltrain, Samtrans and Muni routes for which we provide Transit Route Orientation Guides.

Funding for these much needed guides is provided by a New Freedom Grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation and administered by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission.

To order a Transit Route Orientation Guide, or to request orientation training to help you make the best use of these guides, contact Frank Welte at 415-694-7363, or fwelte@old.lighthouse-sf.org.

Transit Route Orientation Guide

LightHouse News

Check Out the Newly Installed Tactile Lands End Model

The Lighthouse is proud to see the fruits of its consulting labors at Land’s End. The newly installed tactile Lands End model is located outside of the Lands End Lookout Center on the concrete plaza in between the North end of the building and the parking lot. It awaits the perusal of your fingertips.

The model provides topographic Information for Lands End and surrounding areas, contains braille labels, includes various tactile methods to depict different site features and is accessible to visitors who use wheelchairs or other mobility devices.

Please stop by and check out this new installation. The model is not only a great resource for people who are blind and visually impaired; it provides relevant information for all park visitors.

For more information on how the LightHouse can help with provide accessibility to a monument, museum or natural wonder, call Greg Kehret at 415-694-7349 or gkehret@old.lighthouse-sf.org. For more information about Lands End and accessibility call 415-561-4700 or email goga_accessibility@nps.gov.

Lands End model

LightHouse News

Kinder’s Fundraiser to benefit the LightHouse

Kinder’s is donating 15% of your purchase to the LightHouse!

On October 13, 14, 15 and 16 present this flyer when you pay and 15% of your purchase will benefit the LightHouse (excludes raw meat).

This flyer is valid at the following seven locations:

  • 5411 Lone Tree Way
    Suite 110, Brentwood
    (925) 308-7997

  • 1776 Arnold Industrial Way
    Suite Q, Concord
    (925) 825-2333

  • 3600 San Pablo Ave.
    Ste. 1, Hercules
    (510) 724-2332

  • 536 Center Ave.
    Martinez
    (925) 957-1400

  • 2227 Morello Ave.
    Pleasant Hill
    (925) 798-2333

  • 1831 Ygnacio Valley Road
    Walnut Creek
    (925) 952-9393

  • 1293 Parkside Drive
    Walnut Creek
    (925) 952-9000

Print the flyer now and find your nearest Kinder’s.

LightHouse News

Walk with the LightHouse for the Blind on White Cane Awareness Day

Join the LightHouse for our 2nd Annual White Cane Awareness Day Walk. Celebrate the significance of this day and honor the importance the white cane has to those who are blind.

When: Tuesday, October 15, 1:00 until 2:30 p.m.
Where: LightHouse San Francisco Headquarters

We will meet at the LightHouse and walk together around the perimeter of San Francisco City Hall.

We are excited to announce that Supervisor Eric Mar from District 1, Supervisor Scott Wiener from District 8, the Executive Director of the San Francisco Bike Coalition Leah Shahum and the Interim Director of the San Francisco Mayor’s Office on disability Carla Johnson will be participating in this year’s walk. Following the walk we’ll gather at the LightHouse for light refreshments.

RSVP to Beth Berenson at 415-431-1481 or info@old.lighthouse-sf.org.

LightHouse clients, staff and friends stand proudly in front of San Francisco City Hall with white canes and signs in hand

LightHouse News

LightHouse for the Blind Youth Program Presents: Halloween Costume Party & Social

Calling all ghosts, goblins, witches, warlocks, and wannabe celebrities!

It’s that time of year to put on your scariest, funniest, or most outrageous costume for a haunting good time at LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired! Come join the LightHouse Youth Program for a fun-filled evening of Halloween-themed games, contests, treats, and other festive activities for all ages.

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

Who: Low Vision and Blind Youth and their Families and Friends
What: Halloween Party
When: Friday October 25 from 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm; please make your transportation arrangements pick you up no later than 8:00 pm
Where: LightHouse for the Blind | 214 Van Ness Ave. | San Francisco, CA
Waiver: Each participant must submit a LightHouse Youth Program waiver form, if they have not done so for a previous event
Cost: FREE
RSVP: Please RSVP by October 18th to Jamey Gump, Youth Services Coordinator, at jgump@old.lighthouse-sf.org or (415) 694-7372

Categories for Costume Contest:

  • Best Family Theme Costume
  • Most Original/Creative Costume
  • Most Unrecognizable Costume
  • Scariest Costume
  • Coolest Costume
  • Funniest Costume

Spooky Activities:

  • Scary Dance Off
  • Spooky Food Potluck
  • Zombie Tag
  • Mummy Race
  • Mask Making
  • Costume Parade with Prizes