Agency Is Closed on Monday, February 16Th to Observe President S Day

BLIND COMMUNITY CENTER OF SAN DIEGO 1805 UPAS STREET SAN DIEGO, CA 92103 Phone: (619) 298-5021 www.BCCSD.org Fax: (619) 298-1565

**NEW HOURS FOR 2015** Business Hours: **9:00am to 1:00pm Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday** 8:30am to 1:00pm Saturday Closed Thursday & Friday

AGENCY IS CLOSED ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16 TH TO OBSERVE PRESIDENT’S DAY

FEBRUARY 2015 NEWSLETTER

Celebrating 65 years! BCCSD MISSION: To enrich the lives of blind and visually impaired adults and children, preparing them for a normal, active life in a society that is principally sighted.

FEBRUARY MEMBERSHIP MEETING

Saturday, February 28th – 1:30pm – 3:30pm Auditorium, BCCSD Call 619-298-5021 x206 to attend. IMPORTANT EXTENSIONS x204 Amanda Tellez, Volunteer Coordinator; Volunteer and Membership Information x206 Kristynn Bennett, Program Coordinator; Activity Information and Reservations x207 Gwendolyn Edwards, President; Board of Directors x208 Ed Sherman, Interim Executive Director

WEEKLY CLASSES Theater Group Conference Room, BCCSD Saturday 11:00am – 1:00pm **No Theater Group on Saturday, February 14th** Theater group meets every Saturday in the BCCSD Conference room. We are currently in rehearsals for a production in March. All the roles are cast, but we could use some help with sound effects and props. If anyone has any interest in being in a future production, we welcome people to come in and watch rehearsals. To RSVP please call 619-298-5021 x206.

Access to Independence Advocacy Training Youth Room, BCCSD Wednesday, 10:00am-11:30am **Advocacy Training will not take place on Wednesday, February 11th, due to the 10:00am Guide Dog Presentation and Juno Walk** Please join us for an 8 week workshop designed to teach you how to become a self-advocate. This weekly class is led by Raquel Vega, Community Organizer from Access to Independence. Each participant will receive a certificate upon completion of the class. Last day of class is Wednesday, March 4th, 2015. To register for the class and for more information, please call Raquel Vega at 619- 293-3500 x236. Craft Class Multipurpose Room, BCCSD Monday 9:00am – 12:45pm Tuesday 9:00am – 12:45pm **Agency will be closed Monday, February 16 th to observe President’s Day ** In this free class provided by Continuing Education and the BCCSD, learn to knit, work with metal or beads, plus more! Class does not require reservations. Lunch served to participants.

Martial Arts Auditorium, BCCSD **Wednesday Time Change for Martial Arts** Wednesday 11:30am – 1:00pm, Self Defense Saturday 8:30am – 10:00am, Self Defense Saturday 10:00am – 11:00am, Jiu Jitsu Classes do not require reservations.

A Better Me

This program offers weekly opportunities to learn assertiveness skills, the importance of self-care, and weekly activities to improve quality of life (such as: Access to Independence Support Group and Advocacy Training, movie trips, and walks in Balboa Park and other San Diego County parks).

For Hikes and Outdoor Activities please bring the following: Hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, water, and comfortable/supportive sneakers or hiking shoes. Tuesday, February 3rd – Birding by Sense with Claude Edwards 9:30am – 12:30pm Please join us at Santee Lakes for a special event led by BCCSD member, Claude Edwards. Claude has been an enthusiastic observer of birds and nature since he was 10 years old. He has led nature walks and talks for several San Diego area organizations from 1975 until he retired from driving in 2010. Claude has a special gift for recognizing birds by sound, and his goal is to guide participants to identify at least 10 different bird species on this trip. How many birds do you think you know, and how many would you like to learn about? This walk will take place on level sidewalks, adjacent roads, and level ground. In addition to using our ears, we will be mindful of our other senses along the way. Transportation will be available between BCCSD and Santee Lakes only. Lunch will be provided for a $5.00 fee. Transportation will leave at exactly 9:30am. To RSVP please call 619-298-5021 x206. Sign up by Sunday, February 1st.

Wednesday, February 4th – Access to Independence Advocacy Training 10:00am-11:30am, Youth Room, BCCSD Please see Weekly Classes for more information.

Wednesday, February 4th – Access to Independence Support Group 12:00pm-1:00pm, Youth Room, BCCSD Please join us in a safe and welcoming environment where adults 55 and over who are blind and visually impaired can share their experiences with one another. This bi-monthly class, led by Raquel Vega, will occur on the first and third Wednesday of each month. To register for the class and for more information, please call Raquel Vega at 619-293-3500 x236.

Monday, February 9th – Movie Trip to Reading Cinemas Early Afternoon Please join us for an early afternoon trip to the movies! Call x206 after Wednesday, February 4th to hear the movie title. Descriptive narration devices are available. Participants must be able to walk 0.2 miles. No transportation available. To RSVP please leave a message at 619-298-5021 x206 with your name and phone number. Sign up by Saturday, February 7 th .

MEETING LOCATION : MTS #7 bus stops at Broadway and 4th Ave. Please have your cane or dog visible at the designated meeting location. A volunteer will be available to walk with you to the theater.

Wednesday, February 11th – Juno Walk 10:00am, Auditorium, BCCSD Are you interested in applying for a guide dog? Here is an opportunity for an introduction to orientation and mobility with guide dogs. Keith Tomlinson and Rick Wilcox will present on the benefits of using a guide dog. They will follow their presentation with a walk around the neighborhood to acquaint participants with the kinesthetic experience of working with a guide dog. To RSVP please call 619-298-5021 x206. Sign up by Tuesday, February 10th. SPECIAL SATURDAY EVENT!!! Saturday, February 14th – Valentine’s Day Karaoke 11:00am – 2:00pm, Auditorium, BCCSD Join the BCCSD for a special Valentine’s Day celebration. This is your chance to get onstage and sing your heart out. Snacks and drinks will be provided for a $2 fee. To RSVP please call 619-298- 5021 x206. Leave a message at x206 with your top 3 karaoke song requests. Sign up by Monday, February 9th.

Tuesday, February 17th – Board of Directors Meeting 6:30pm – 8:15pm, BCCSD Conference Room If you wish to address the Board of Directors, you must contact President Gwendolyn Edwards (ext. 207) 24 hours prior to the meeting and provide the content of your comment. No transportation.

Wednesday, February 18th – Access to Independence Advocacy Training 10:00am-11:30am, Youth Room, BCCSD Please see Weekly Classes for more information.

Wednesday, February 18th – Access to Independence Support Group 12:00pm-1:00pm, Youth Room, BCCSD Please see Wednesday, February 4th for more information.

Monday, February 23rd – Hike in Mission Trails 9:30am-1:00pm Must be able to walk 3.6miles on paved and hilly terrain. Not recommended for participants with walkers. Please join the BCCSD for a beautiful hike through Mission Trails. Minimal guide assistance provided on paved trail. Trail includes raised trail marker for cane users. Transportation will be available between BCCSD and Mission Trails only. Transportation will leave at exactly 9:30am. Snacks and water will be provided by BCCSD for $2 per person. To RSVP please call 619-298-5021 x206. Sign up by Friday, February 20th. Wednesday, February 25th – Access to Independence Advocacy Training 10:00am-11:30am, Youth Room, BCCSD Please see Weekly Classes for more information. Last day of class is Wednesday, March 4th.

Saturday, February 28th – February Membership Meeting 1:30 – 3:30pm, Auditorium, BCCSD See front page for more info. Call 619-298-5021 x206 to attend.

UPCOMING EVENTS IN MARCH

Feeling Your Way to Food Tired of the hassle and stress involved with cooking 3 meals a day? Are you interested in receiving free meals in your own neighborhood? Serving Seniors offers free daily meals for adults age 60 and older at 10 locations throughout San Diego County. BCCSD will be visiting one location per month, offering San Diego’s VIP’s (Visually Impaired Persons) the opportunity to become acquainted with the local food service programs and the route to get there. BCCSD staff and volunteers will meet local VIP’s at the closest MTS bus stop to each Serving Seniors Center and introduce participants to the quickest and easiest path to a free meal. Participants must be able to plan their own route to the meeting location. For help with planning your trip, please call the MTS Information and Trip Planning Office at 511 or 619-233-3004. Sign up deadline is 4 days prior to each event. Please call 619-298- 5021 x206 to RSVP for a trip in your neighborhood.

OTHER AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENTS:

California Council of the Blind, San Diego Chapter Tuesday, February 10th, 2:00pm – 3:30pm Location: San Diego Center for the Blind, 5922 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, CA 92115 A meeting of the California Council of the Blind San Diego Chapter will be held on February 10th from 2:00pm to 3:30pm. The meeting will be held at the San Diego Center for the Blind, location listed above.

Pilgrimage of the Heart Yoga Location: 3287 Adams Ave, San Diego, CA 92116 AND 3800 30th St, San Diego, CA 92104 Thank you to Pilgrimage of the Heart Yoga for their generous donation of 21 passes for one FREE week of yoga. Pilgrimage of the Heart Yoga instructors have been teaching blind and visually impaired yoga enthusiasts for over 3 years. There is a wide variety of class options for all levels of experience. Props and supports are available for those who need extra assistance. Well-behaved guide dogs are welcome in the lobby. Please contact Jen Restle, BCCSD Board Director and member of Pilgrimage of the Heart Yoga with any questions about classes. Please call 619-298-5021 x206 to request your pass for one free week of yoga.

FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS Happy birthday to all the February babies. Have a good one!

BCCSD NEWS BCCSD Hour Changes As you may know, the BCCSD will be under the direction of an Interim Executive Director, Ed Sherman, while Barbara Runco is on maternity leave. In order to provide the best possible service to the BCCSD members and participants, the board decided to ensure monthly programming occur within regular BCCSD hours. This has resulted in a couple of changes: 1. Cribbage is currently on hiatus. BCCSD would like to thank Pat Newman for her long-standing dedication and service to the participants and members here at BCCSD. We sincerely hope that we can work together again in the future.

2. Martial Arts class hours have changed. Class will now be held on Wednesdays from 11:30am to 1:00pm. Saturday hours will not change. As a reminder, the BCCSD is open Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 9:00am to 1:00pm, and Saturday from 8:30am to 1:00pm. The building will also be open for board meetings, membership meetings, and special events such as Valentine’s Day. In this time of establishing regular hours, please pay careful attention to the listed details for BCCSD programming and events.

Guest Transportation Pilot Program BCCSD is offering a Transportation Pilot Program. Guests are now welcome on agency transportation, with a limit of one guest per participant. There will be a charge of $10.00 per guest to use agency transportation. Guests must be independent, self-sufficient, and a minimum of 8 years old. Fees must be paid, post-marked, or hand-delivered 7 days before the event. Please call 619-298-5021 x206 with questions and sign-ups.

Introduction to Ed Sherman, BCCSD Interim Executive Director The BCCSD is pleased to welcome Ed Sherman as our Interim Executive Director while Barbara is on maternity leave. The Board of Directors selected him from multiple excellent candidates and know you will understand why as you get to know him. Please be sure to introduce yourself at a BCCSD event.

Ed caught our attention because he spent two years at the San Diego Center for the Blind where he provided counseling services and evaluated their programs to highlight potential improvements. Ed Sherman holds two Master’s degrees: one in management from Webster University and a second in psychology from Alliant International University. He also earned a professional certificate in Trauma Recovery Services from San Diego State University. Ed is currently a doctoral candidate in clinical psychology at Alliant International University and has five years of supervised clinical experience. For the past seven years Ed has been an independent organizational management consultant providing training, team development, policy and procedure design, and process improvement services.

We are certain that Ed will bring a new perspective and energy to the BCCSD over the next three months. Welcome aboard Ed!

The entire BCCSD family wishes Barbara and her spouse, John, all the best as they welcome their baby boy into the world. Barbara’s dedication and enthusiasm for the BCCSD and its mission will be missed over the next few months. We look forward to her return in May. Board of Directors President: Gwendolyn Edwards, Blind BCCSD Member Vice President: David Hanlon, Blind BCCSD Member Treasurer: Ted Kay, San Diego Host Lions Club Secretary: Malina Gomez, Blind BCCSD Member Past President: Vacant Director: George Drane, Blind BCCSD Member Director: Debbie Jackson, Blind BCCSD Member Director: Jennifer Restle, Blind BCCSD Member Director: George Rivas, Blind BCCSD Member Youth Advocate: Tamara Airhart, Blind BCCSD Member Community Representative: Michael Markoski HOW CAN YOU HELP? Donate: The Blind Community Center operates using private donations from community members and groups. Your donation today can help provide classes and programs, and help us keep our building open. Volunteer: Do you have the skills or knowledge to teach a class? Do you have experience in nonprofit management, office work, or other abilities? Become a volunteer! Be a Part of the Community: Are you or someone you know blind or visually impaired? Are you interested in helping out by donating or volunteering? Or do you want to learn more? Come join our community! Visit our website for more information on donating, volunteering, or being a part of the community: www.bccsd.org.

BLIND COMMUNITY CENTER FREE MATTER FOR THE BLIND OF SAN DIEGO AND PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED 1805 UPAS STREET POSTAL MANUAL 138 SAN DIEGO, CA. 92103- 5298