DISCLAIMER: This publication contains announcements from the Silicon Valley Council of the Blind and is also a forum for opinions relating to blindness issues. Signed articles reflect the views, and research, of their authors.
STATUS: SVCB is a 501(c)3 non-profit, tax-exempt organization under the California Council of the Blind.
MEETING LOCATION: SVCB's monthly meetings are held in the dining room of the Monte Vista Terrace Apts. at 1101 Grant Road, Mountain View. Meetings run 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. the third Saturday of the month and are open to all. Monte Vista Terrace is one block from the intersection of Grant Road and El Camino Real and is accessible by bus #22.
Note: Local contact information is removed except when requested to remain. For local contact info, email Mike Keithley at mkeithley@pobox.com.
Our August picnic at Baylands park was a success by all accounts. Forty people attended (32 members and 8 volunteers) and the raffle earned SVCB $173. Let's look forward to another great picnic next year!
Our September meeting will be a busy one, and I hope you can join us. During the business meeting, we'll have the usual committee reports and the following:
Elect the delegate and alternate delegate to the fall CCB convention. These delegates represent you. The delegate reports to the Credentials Committee the number of members in our chapter so it can be seated and will cast our vote in the elections for CCB Board members.
Approve resolutions (if any) for the convention. If you have a concern, this is your chance to propose a resolution.
Announce the nominating committee. This committee develops a slate of candidates for SVCB officers in 2008. Elections will be held during the November meeting, and you can nominate someone from the floor at that time.
Begin planning for Braille Literacy Month, which is January, 2008. This is your chance to participate in the promotion of braille literacy in Santa Clara county.
Remind everyone to start acquiring door prizes for the Holiday Party in December. Oh yes, the Holiday Party; let's get ready!
All this business will hopefully get done in an hour, wow!
Now let me tell you about some exciting plans. White Cane Safety Day is October 15, a Monday. Plans are in the works for a White Cane Safety Walk on Saturday, October 13. The proposed area for this walk is the intersection of California and El Camino in Palo Alto because there is an accessible pedestrian signal there and lots of foot traffic on a sunny Saturday afternoon. This means we'll have ample opportunity to demonstrate street crossing and tell lots of people about SVCB. If you'd like to participate, contact a Board member or speak to me at the September meeting.
Return to "In This Issue"Our member Susan Schulter has agreed to speak to us about her life and her career. She has taught English at the college level for many years, currently at West Valley College. "I would be happy to speak to our chapter on Sept. 15. I can speak about teaching, early mentors, how technology has changed ways in which I do my job, my knowledge of other blind teachers, etc." As it happens, Susan is providing the goodies for this meeting, too.
At our October 20 meeting, Beth Berenson from the San Francisco LightHouse will be with us. That one is also not to be missed!
Return to "In This Issue"Many of you know that our own Barbara Rhodes suffered a stroke on July 28. She is now at home and is working on her speech, memory, and physical therapy. Her husband, Bill, said that she welcomes calls. I am sure that all of you will join me in saying to Barb: "Please get well soon. We need you to continue all of the good work you were doing." No one can, as you always put it, "bust chops" as you do.
We would like to wish happy September birthdays to Mike Keithley and Donald Reelfs.
When you come to one of our SVCB meetings, you will rarely see the subject of this month's interview sitting down. Dawn Wilcox is always on the go helping someone--talking to new members and introducing them around, getting coffee or cookies for anyone who asks, etc. Again, I have much more information than there is room to print.
Dawn Wilcox was born in Merced, CA. Her mother was a high school teacher and her father a beer truck driver. When her parents divorced, Dawn's mother took her family to the Fillmore district of San Francisco, where they lived with her aunt and uncle. Dawn's mother got a job at Sears because, as a divorced woman, she could not teach school.
But her mother finally did get a teaching job. It was to be for one year up in the Sierras, out from Nevada City in a community called Allegheny, with a population of 100 (97 when they left a year later). The town had no doctors or dentists, but there were three bars and one general store which was also the post office.
During the winter, her mother had to melt snow for water because the utility man was always drunk and did not fix anything when the utilities were out. Dawn said that her mother taught the entire high school--all four students, each at a different level.
After a year, the family moved to different parts of the Bay area, and then to Chowchilla, CA, where Dawn went to school from the sixth grade until graduation from high school.
After graduation, Dawn attended the University of California (UC) in Berkeley for two years, receiving an AA degree. Because UC Berkeley did not have a nursing program, she attended the nursing school at UC San Francisco, receiving her BSN degree in 1958. She said that she worked the last year of nursing school and was already married. Every day, she traveled across the bay from Albany village, which was temporary housing from World War II. She had to get up at 4 a.m. to get to UCSF by 7 a.m.
Her first job was at Kaiser in Oakland. Because she had a degree, Dawn was put in charge of prenatal, with an experienced nurse to work with her.
In 1964, Dawn, her husband and her children, Garth and Linda, moved to Palo Alto and bought the home where she still lives. When her children started school, Dawn began volunteering in the schools.
When the decision to sail around the world was made, the preparations took two years. First, they had to take classes on learning how to sail, to navigate, and to learn about the countries they were to visit. In addition, they had to gradually accumulate the provisions they would need. Dawn said that Linda made castles out of the cans stored in her room. They had to take the labels off all of the cans, label them, and paint them with varnish so the cockroaches on ship could not eat the label and glue. In addition, Dawn learned what to do for medical emergencies while on the ocean, taking all medical supplies with them.
Dawn said that before they left for their journey around the world, she made a flag for each country that they would visit. She said that it is a courtesy to fly the country's flag along with the USA flag when entering a harbor. She said that she still has most of the flags.
The family left in July 1973 and returned in July 1978. They visited 34 countries, mostly where the weather is good. Some of her favorite places included Hawaii, Marquesas, and Tahiti. One of her least favorite places was Fiji because they were shipwrecked there and it took a year to rebuild the boat. Dawn also said that she hated the Red Sea because both the Egyptian and Israeli gun boats were telling them to stay away.
Upon their return, the story was featured in 32 magazines. The picture that was used was taken by the same photographer who became famous with his picture of the flag raising at Iwo Jima. The story was even in the STAR, but Dawn said that the story the reporter wrote was not correct.
Dawn first had difficulty with her eyes while doing a ?star find? on the boat. She has glaucoma and Sjogren Syndrome, an auto-immune disorder, involving dry eyes, etc.
From 1986 to 1996, however, Dawn was head nurse at the Senior Day Health Program for Palo Alto, until she had to quit because she was losing her vision. For six months in 1996, she attended the Orientation Center for the Blind (OCB) in Albany.
Blind Organizations:
Other organizations:
A small membership-related note from the editor: Our Corresponding Secretary, Naomi Grubb, would like to remind you to let her know when any member is ill or bereaved or otherwise in need of a card. She would also like to solicit donations of the envelopes that greeting cards are mailed in.
Return to "In This Issue"Thanks to all who donated prizes for our picnic raffle and to all who got tickets. We raised $173!
Our cookbook committee is finalizing the last of the details before the cookbook goes to the printer's on September 15. So if the Committee has requested information from you, and you have not already gotten it to them, please do so ASAP! This long-awaited cookbook features dishes enjoyed by our members at our meetings, picnics, and holiday parties. You may begin placing your orders now! Cookbooks cost $10 each, and are available in large print, on CD-ROM, and in braille. A cassette edition will only be available upon special request. To place an order, please contact me at michelle@svcb.cc, and indicate your format preference.
Want a chance to win a $500 shopping spree at Wal-Mart? Get your CCB Sweepstakes Tickets for your chance to win this grand prize as well as other prizes to be announced. The drawing will be held at the CCB fall convention banquet on October 27, 2007. Winners need not be present. Tickets are $1 each or $10 per book of 10. I'll have the tickets at our September meeting, or you may contact me at michelle@svcb.cc.
The Entertainment Coupon Books for the coming year have arrived! To purchase or help sell books, contact Ken Carey at 408-259-1307. He has books for San Francisco, San Mateo County, and Santa Clara County. And, if you need books for anywhere else in the United States, just let him know so he can get them for you. By the way, if you would be interested in chairing this fund raiser in future years, please also contact Ken as he is interested in taking a break after this year.
I hope to receive our 2008 large print/braille calendars some time in the first half of October. If you haven't yet ordered your calendars, you may still do so. These calendars feature artwork by blind and visually impaired people of all ages. SVCB is selling them for $9 each. To reserve yours, contact me at michelle@svcb.cc.
Remember to save your recyclable aluminum cans and plastic water bottles. Donna Sanchez (408-377-8311) is collecting plastic water bottles, and Charlie Stein (650-494-3258) is collecting aluminum cans. You may bring these items to an upcoming meeting or call the appropriate contact to make other arrangements. Donna and Charlie redeem the bottle and cans for funds which are then used to support SVCB activities.
And finally, remember that you may still purchase the talking thermometer key chains ($10 each) and the white cane safety awareness T-shirts ($15 for those we have in stock or $17 for those we must order). To place an order or to request info, please contact me at michelle@svcb.cc. We have received some requests for T-shirts that we do not have in stock, so if you are interested, please do let me know. Once we have enough requests, I can send in another order.
See you at the September meeting!
Return to "In This Issue"Sensory Access Foundation (SAF) is looking for an Access Technology Specialist (ATS) and a Training and Technology Specialist (TTS). Both positions utilize a combination of technical and communication skills. If you have experience in working with assistive technologies for the visually impaired and are interested in a career in aiding individuals with visual impairments to obtain or retain competitive employment, contact Chris Piper, Director of Technology Services for more information. Chris? contact info is:
Phone: 408-245-7330 Ext 143
Email: cpiper@sensoryaccess.com
Return to "In This Issue"The braille edition of the 2007 NCAA football schedule will be available again this year with 119 division 1-A and some requested division 1-AA teams. Included will be the results of the 2006-2007 bowls, the AP top 25 final polls, the 2007-2008 bowl schedule and much more. The schedule costs $10. Make your check payable to Allen H. Gillis and send it to him at 302 Schaeffel Road, Cullman, AL 35055. Call 256- 734-4047 or e-mail gill4047@bellsouth.net.
Return to "In This Issue"Santa Clara Bowling Group: Every Saturday at Moonlight Lanes in Santa Clara, info@visionbeyondsight.org.
Sep 5, 7-9 p.m.: SVCB Board meeting; Meeting Place, 650-260-9029 ID 7822222.
Sep 7, 10 a.m.-noon: SAF lab tour; call 408-245-7330 for reservations.
Sep 8, noon-2:30 p.m.: Golden Gate Chapter bingo fund-raiser and an afternoon of fun at the senior Center of the Western Park Apartments, 1280 Laguna Street San Francisco. $5 admission; Bingo game: $5 per card per game, $.25 a game for Blackout per game. Hot dogs and other food and beverages will be provided. All are welcome.
Sep 8, 11:30 a.m.: SMCCB meeting at Pete's Cafe, Millbrae. Contact Philip Kutner at fishl@smccb.org.
Sep 14 and 15 at 8 p.m., and 16 at 2 p.m.: Theatreworks Presents Jane Austin's EMMA (the musical) described by the Visual Voice, MVCPA.
Sep 15, 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m.: SVCB membership meeting; dining room, Monte Vista Terrace Apartments, 1101 Grant Road, Mountain View; Outreach reference: 650-940-9769. Lunch orders must be made by 9:45. 9:30: Coffee and conversation, 10: Program, 11: Business, 12: lunch. Program: Susan Schulter, Teacher. Business: Elect delegates for CCB Fall Convention, discuss resolutions for same, announce Nominating Committee, begin planning for Braille Literacy Month, and remind members to acquire door prizes for Holiday Party.
Sep 15, 2 p.m: MAMA MIA described by AudioVision. Orpheum Theatre, 1192 Market Street, SF. Tickets are $50. Call AV at 408-265-2203 or email katiemags@aol.com.
Sep 19, 1-3 p.m.: Product demos of version 4.0 of the GPS system for the Braille/Voice Note, Icon mobile manager and the Tap Memo pocket organizer. Vista Center; 2470 El Camino Real, Suite 107; Palo Alto. Space is limited. Please call 650-858-0202, ext. 187 to confirm your attendance.
Sep 21: Send current number of members to CCB.
Sep 28, noon: October In Touch newsletter deadline.
Sep 30, 1:30-3 p.m.: Ye Olde Towne Band free concert. Shoup Park; 390 University Ave.; Los Altos.
October: Employment for People with Disabilities Month.
Oct 5, 10 a.m.-noon: SAF lab tour.
Oct 6, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.: SMCB meeting.
Oct 9: Insights art exhibit begins at San Francisco City Hall. Access www.lighthouse-sf.org.
Oct 10, 7-9 p.m.: SVCB board meeting.
Oct 13: Proposed White Cane Safety Walk: See President's Message in this issue.
Oct 15: White Cane Safety Day.
Oct 17-19 at 8 p.m.; 20, 2 p.m.; 21, 1 and 6:30 p.m.: AMTSJ presents GUYS AND DOLLS with descriptions by AudioVision.
Oct 18-20, 40th Anniversary Celebration and Alumni Reunion, Western Blind Rehabilitation Center, Palo Alto Veterans' Hospital. Your president and editor have additional information, or contact Brian L. Higgins, Supervisor, Computer Access and Technology Dept., Western Blind Rehab Center, Palo Alto, Ca. 650-493-5000 Ext. 64374.
Oct 20, 9:30-1 p.m.: SVCB membership meeting; Program: Beth Berenson, SF LightHouse; Business: appoint Budget Committee.
Oct 25-28: CCB Fall 2007 Convention; LAX Four Points Sheraton Hotel, 9750 Airport Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90045; Reservations: 310-645-4600.
Oct 26 and 27 at 8 p.m. and 28 at 2 p.m.: Theatreworks presents GOLDA?S BALCONY described by the Visual Voice, MVCPA.
Oct 29, noon: November In Touch newsletter deadline.
Nov 3, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.: SMCCB meeting.
Nov 7, 7-9 p.m.: SVCB board meeting.
Nov 17, 9:30 am.-1 p.m.: SVCB 20th anniversary membership meeting. Join the festivities! Business: elect officers for 2008.
Nov 23, noon: December In Touch newsletter deadline.
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