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LightHouse for the Blind Youth Program presents: Clancy’s Pumpkin Patch

Summer has come and gone. Kids are back in school. Leaves are awash in autumnal colors. And, Halloween is just around the corner. To usher in this special time of year, LightHouse invites all blind and low vision youth to join us on our quest for the perfect pumpkin.
The pumpkin hunt begins at 1:00pm Saturday, October 12th. We will meet at the LightHouse at 214 Van Ness Avenue, and take Muni over to Clancy’s Pumpkin Patch where each participant will search for their perfect pumpkin. Once found, we will head back to LightHouse to have a pumpkin carving party with spooky music and treats.
If you would like 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 Ages 8 – 18
What: Clancy’s Pumpkin Patch
When: October 12th from 1:00 pm until 5:00 pm
Where: Meet at the LightHouse and head over to Clancy’s Pumpkin Patch at 1620 7th Ave, San Francisco
Transportation: We will be using Muni to get to and from Clancy’s Pumpkin Patch
Cost: Each participant should bring about $15.00. This will cover the cost of one perfect pumpkin and bus fair to and from the activity.
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. Space is limited to eight participants. Please register by October 7th.

Things to Bring:

  • Bottle of water
  • Tote bag – strong enough to carry a pumpkin
  • Hat or visor
  • Jacket or hoodie
  • Sunscreen
  • Comfortable clothes
  • Cane or mobility device
  • Friends and family
LightHouse News

LightHouse for the Blind Youth Program presents: Chinatown Ghost Tour

Of course we’ve all heard a ghost story or two. Perhaps some of you may even have a chilling tale of your own? Well, if goose bumps and ghosts get you going, join the LightHouse Youth Program on November 9th for a ghastly and ghoulish tour of San Francisco’s historic Chinatown.

The SF Chinatown Ghost Tours states,

SF Chinatown Ghost Tours brings to life the tales of San Francisco Chinatown’s supernatural past and present, as we lead you on a ghostly tour of Chinatown’s historic and mysterious streets and alleyways. The mystical folklore of this spirited San Francisco enclave will keep you on edge, as you drink in the chilling experiences of the Chinatown inhabitants of both yesterday and today. San Francisco Chinatown, the oldest Chinese community in the United States, has been a popular shopping, dining and sightseeing destination for over a century. Yet most outsiders have never experienced the extrasensory realm of vintage Chinatown after dark. Some say that specters from decades of Chinatown history emerge just after twilight. Follow along as we journey through the neighborhood passageways where these lively spirits are said to bide their time. All the while, learn about the reverence still offered to the Goddess Kwan Yin and the hungry spirits, along with the secrets of the magic moon cake. Ancient Chinese mythology and folklore flourish to this day in the oldest and most popular Chinatown in all of North America. SF Chinatown Ghost Tours extends to you a chillingly open invitation to personally experience the unearthly side of Chinatown you never even knew existed.

After the Ghost Tour, attendees will visit a local Dim Sum restaurant for a unique and flavorful dining experience.

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 by email at jgump@old.lighthouse-sf.org.

Who: Low Vision or Blind Youth ages 6-18
What: Chinatown Ghost Tour and Dim Sum
When: November 9th from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Where: Portsmouth Square Park located below Grant Avenue between Washington and Clay Street. Meet in front of the elevators at the Portsmouth Square parking garage at 1:00pm.
Public Transportation: From Montgomery Bart walk one block west to Kearny and then walk north from Market to Sacramento, about 7 blocks(15 min walk). Meet at the elevator to the parking garage in Portsmouth Square between Washington and Clay Street.
Cost: $25.00 per participant
Waiver: Each participant must submit a LightHouse Youth Program waiver form, if they have not done so for a previous event. LightHouse’s Liability Wavier must be filled out and submitted for each participant. Contact Jamey Gump to receive a copy of the waiver.
RSVP: Jamey Gump, Youth Services Coordinator, at jgump@old.lighthouse-sf.org or (415) 694-7372. Please register by November 1st!

Things to Bring

  • Hat or visor
  • Bottle of water
  • Comfortable walking shows
  • Cane or mobility device
  • Jacket or hoodie
LightHouse News

Corrected Date: Friday, September 27! Dance to 80’s Music at the San Francisco Delta Gamma Alumnae Fraternity Fundraiser to Benefit the LightHouse on September 27

3 Commentson Corrected Date: Friday, September 27! Dance to 80’s Music at the San Francisco Delta Gamma Alumnae Fraternity Fundraiser to Benefit the LightHouse on September 27

The San Francisco chapter of the Delta Gamma Alumnae Fraternity is partnering with The Republic bar and grill on Saturday, September 27. The theme is music from the 80’s and there will be an 80’s cover band on hand to play all the hits. 100% of the cover charge will go to LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired.

When: Friday, September 27
Where: The Republic, 3213 Scott Street, San Francisco, CA 94123 www.republicsf.com/.

LightHouse News

LightHouse Guide Dog Wash on September 28

Please note: the date of this event has changed to Saturday, September 28, 2013

In September we are hosting a Barks, Baths and Biscuits Dog Guide Wash.

Mingle with other dog owners and leave with a clean and happy pooch. Just bring your guide dog to the Please Touch Community Garden, which is next door to LightHouse San Francisco Headquarters, between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

The core group of volunteers for this event will be members of the Foresight Optometry Club at UC Berkeley. There’s no need to RSVP, just bring your dog guide!

When: Saturday, September 28, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Where: Please Touch Community Garden, 165 Grove Street
Suggested donation: $5.00
Refreshments provided

dogbath

LightHouse News

Life Insurance: Another Way to Leave a Legacy to the Blind and Low Vision Community

Adelyn Byrd was a resident of San Francisco and received LightHouse services 15 years ago. Just last month we were saddened to learn that she had passed – but we were also very touched by the way she has chosen to support and give back to us for those services. She named LightHouse for the Blind as the beneficiary of her life insurance policy.

Perhaps like Adelyn you are a supporter of the LightHouse? Maybe you have responded to our letters about Enchanted Hills Camp, come to events, volunteered your time, benefited as a client of the LightHouse, or read our e-News. Another way to deepen your support is by making the LightHouse a beneficiary of your life insurance. Life insurance may be an attractive way to make charitable gifts for those without a surviving spouse or children or whose progeny are not in need of the funds.

With the funds we have received from Adelyn and other planned giving donors we are able to start new programs and be nimble in our efforts to provide high quality services for the blind and visually impaired. Securing funds for a new and unproven initiative can be difficult. Our Employment Immersion program is one such program that we knew would make a great impact on blind people’s lives, but without the stability and support provided by planned gifts, we could never have gotten it off the ground!

For more information about making the LightHouse for the Blind a beneficiary of your life insurance policy or other estate planning mechanisms, contact Jennifer at (415) 694-7333 or jsachs@old.lighthouse-sf.org.

LightHouse News

Retreat for Blind Veterans – November 8 through 10

In partnership with the Veterans Administration, Enchanted Hills is hosting a retreat for blind and visually impaired veterans from November 8 through 10, 2013. The retreat is designed to bring low vision veterans together from the Bay Area and beyond to convene, identify resources and build a community of support.

If you are a veteran or know of someone that may benefit from this retreat please contact Tony Fletcher at (415) 694-7319 or tfletcher@old.lighthouse-sf.org.

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.