SVCB IN TOUCH

Newsletter of the SILICON VALLEY COUNCIL OF THE BLIND

A Chapter of the California Council of the Blind

May 2021

EDITOR: Susan Glass, editor@svcb.cc

COPY EDITOR: Beverly Clifford, copyeditor@svcb.cc

ADDRESS: P.O. Box 4116, San Jose, CA 95125

DEADLINE: for the June, 2021 issue: noon, May 24

VOLUNTEERS: Naomi Grubb, volunteers@svcb.cc

MEMBERSHIP: Mike Keithley, membership@svcb.cc

LEGISLATION: Mike Keithley, legislation@svcb.cc

PHONE: 888-652-5333

EMAIL: svcb@onebox.com

URL: http://svcb.cc

Legislative Hotlines, current issues for blind persons:

CALIFORNIA CONNECTION: 800-221-6359, after 5 PM and weekends

WASHINGTON CONNECTION: 800-424-8666, 3 to 9 PM and weekends

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.

CHANGES OF ADDRESS: Contact Mike Keithley, database@svcb.cc.

Monthly in-person meetings are held at the Santa Clara Valley Blind Center (Vista Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired San Jose). Meetings run 9:30 AM to 1 PM the third Saturday of the month and are open to all.


IN THIS ISSUE


PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

by Rob Turner

As I write this message, preparations for the California Council of the Blind state virtual convention are winding down. One of my responsibilities was to invite nearly sixty panelists by email. This was time consuming, because each invitation contained Zoom information customized for each panelist. Another of my tasks was to record and edit eight panelists for a CCB history presentation. Editing recordings can take many hours, especially when you try to make them sound just right. All this was somewhat overwhelming at times, but looking back, it was a good experience. Unlike last year, this convention will have many pre-recorded presentations including reading of the convention rules, resolutions and bylaws amendments, scholarship and CCB awards, CCB History, Technology Committee, etc. Each recording will be played at its appropriate time. This should make for a smooth-running convention. So far, one hundred and ninety individuals have registered. We hope to convene in person next year, and to offer coverage over Zoom as well.

Once the state convention is done, it will be time to focus on upcoming SVCB projects. As the chairman of the Barbara Rhodes Tech Committee, I will need to get that ball rolling by early May. Before we know it, Santa Clara County will open its parks and we will need to start planning for our September picnic. Then it will be time for a braille literacy project of some kind. Ideally, we will be able to meet at a library with braille children's books that we can read for the kids. Plans will already be underway for our holiday party. At our November membership meeting, we will celebrate our 34th anniversary.

On a personal note, I need to start exercising and taking walks again. Now that Spring is here and I am fully vaccinated against COVID-19, it's time to get out of the house and get some fresh air. Talk with you at our May membership meeting.


***

MEMBERSHIP CORNER

by Mike Keithley

"Today I'm getting Master to call the furnace people to prepare the swamp cooler for summer. That's right, summer is coming."

By the time you read this, the CCB virtual convention will be over, and we'll get ready for the ACB virtual event this July. "It's funny how everything is going virtual these days. But I'm lucky! By official decree of the Great Dog, we're not allowed to be virtual. So when you see me, it's the real thing."

Very good, King. It's gonna wake us all up. And maybe we'll actually have the SVCB picnic in person. Not bad at all!

And speaking of the ACB convention, we're being asked to set up an ACB account to register. Access: https://members.acb.org/

Let's wish happy May birthdays to Anna Bolino, John McNulty, John Glass, Susan Glass, and Dawn Wilcox.

At our April meeting, we had a presentation from Todd Tolson, whose business is to help people shop for groceries on the Instacart platform. It's all done over the phone! His website is: grocerybyphone.com

and the email address is: grocerybyphone@gmail.com

Phone number: 301-272-2200

You can hear the program at: http://svcb.cc/psaudio/ps0421.mp3

We've heard that Sharon Vaughn is finally out of the hospital and is home. Give her a call. Her contact info is in the membership list.

On the social hour, we hear that Kathy Tipton has been under the weather for over a month. Bill says she's getting better. He also writes:

If you are a resident of Santa Clara County and are disabled, housebound, have mobility challenges or other health issues or challenges you may qualify to be vaccinated in your home. There is a program through Santa Clara County called "Mobile Vaccine Clinic" that will come to your house if you meet the qualifications. You must first call 408-970-2818 and a representative will take your information and will also be asking you a few basic questions to determine if you qualify for this program. When you call the number, the representative will explain in detail just how this program works and will be happy to answer any of your questions. They are very friendly, helpful, kind and knowledgeable.

Their hours are: Monday through Friday, 8 AM - 5 PM only, closed on weekends. The mobile vaccine clinic that actually goes out to the resident's home only does vaccines Monday through Friday between the hours of 9 AM and 4 PM. No weekends.

Hope this information will help those who are still in need of vaccination but are having trouble locating or getting to a place to get vaccinated.

Together we can beat this horrible, ugly and deadly virus. Thank you and everyone please stay safe.


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FUND-RAISING REPORT

By Carol Silveria

Hello, everyone!

As I write the report for our May newsletter, all you allergy sufferers, including myself, know that Spring is in full bloom. We are still meeting virtually on Zoom, but more and more people have been able to get their COVID-19 vaccines. So we are hoping that it won't be too much longer before we can have in-person meetings again.

The Fund-Raising Committee met by phone on Monday evening, April 12, 2021 at 7:30 PM. Present were, Mike, Naomi, Rob, and myself. We discussed what items we should auction off at our next virtual auction, which will take place at our May meeting. In the past month, we have received donations from several of our SVCB members. I and the other members of the Fund-Raising Committee thank you for your generosity: it is truly appreciated.

Through Victor Clifford, we received an estate donation for our auctions of an iMAC computer, like new, right out of the box, with factory settings. Then Victor let us know that he knew of someone that was willing to give SVCB $100 for the computer, and the Fund-Raising Committee agreed that would be fine. Thank you, Victor, for making this possible. The $100 will go into SVCB's accounts as money earned through our auctions.

We are still hoping that we will be able to have our picnic this year, so if you can think of some items that would make great raffle prizes, please contact me at 888-652-5333 to leave a message that will be forwarded to me, or look me up on our membership list to call me directly. You can also send me an email at fundraising@svcb.cc or check the membership list and email me directly. The next Fund-Raising Committee meeting will be on Monday, May 10, 2021 at 7:30 PM.

Perla Kohs and Gail Roe were the high bidders at our meeting in March. Perla's bids were for the braille double six domino game and the beautiful woven throw, which she and her husband picked up from me at the end of March. Gail Roe's bids were for the braille checkers game and the two vintage porcelain figurines from the Disney Collection Disney Magic Memories. Joe delivered these items to Gail on the first Monday in April while I was at a doctor's appointment.

The items for our May virtual auction are listed below:

Logitech Bluetooth Multi-Device Keyboard K480—Black—Works with Windows and Mac Computers, Android and iOS Tablets and Smartphones. Type-on-anything universal keyboard. Top of Form switches easily between devices. Type in comfort. Multi-platform and cross-platform keyboard for your computer that also works with your smartphone or tablet. Bluetooth range: up to 10 meters (33 feet). Easy-Switch dial to switch typing between 3 connected Bluetooth wireless devices. The integrated cradle holds your phone or tablet at just the right angle for you to read while you type. Most phones and tablets up to 10.5 millimeters (0.4 inches thick) and 258 millimeters (10 inches wide). System Requirements: For Windows, Mac, or Chrome computers, Android or iOS mobile devices. Weight: 820 grams (1.81 pounds). The starting bid is $20. This item was donated by Victor and Bev Clifford.

Emcom MS115 Amplified Multimedia Sub-Woofer Stereo Speaker System. Like new, in the original box; includes sub-woofer speaker and two stereo speakers. The speakers are compatible with standard computer audio outputs.  There is a standard 1/8 inch miniature stereo phone plug that plugs into standard audio output jacks. The starting bid is $30, which we have already received from Lynette Kersey. This item was donated by Noel and Deb Runyan.

HoverCam Model T5 Scanner; in the original box; like new. Does not include any OCR scanning software. According to Peter Proscia of IRTI, this scanner should work with Kurzweil and many other OCR scanning programs. The starting bid is $50. This item was donated by Noel and Deb Runyan.

Folding Crate on Wheels. The crate is almost square, 14-inches long by 13-inches wide by 11 and one half-inch deep. Made of hard plastic in the colors of purple and teal. It has two wheels and a handy pull-up handle. The whole thing collapses for easy storage. This item is not new: it is a little faded on one side but still very functional. The starting bid is $10. This item was donated by Bill and Kathy Tipton.

Restor Style Neck and Shoulder Aromatherapy Wrap. Soothing aromatherapy for relieving tension and stress. This comforting wrap is filled with 100% natural herbs of lavender, chamomile, lemongrass, and peppermint. Microwave for instant warming heat therapy or simply cool in the freezer for cold therapy. Cradles your neck and shoulders. Relaxes and rejuvenates. Made of durable ultra-soft fabric. Instructions on how to use are in the box. The starting bid is $10. This item was donated by Bill and Kathy Tipton.

Thank you to all who have donated and/or participated in our virtual auctions. You are all helping to keep fund-raising money coming in while we continue to meet on Zoom.

We will continue to keep all of you informed of changes as they occur. As always, please stay safe and well!


***

TABARD THEATRE'S NEXT PRODUCTION

Contributed by Bev Clifford

Get your Elderberry wine ready: Arsenic returns! Our production of Arsenic and Old Lace, directed by Jerry Lloyd, fell victim last summer to fluctuating COVID tiers, but we are thrilled to report the dose was not fatal! Joseph Kesselring's frightfully funny comedy will return to the Tabard stage for a livestream run, playing through May 16. It will be performed as a live radio play by a talented cast playing a host of zany characters, and featuring sound effects and performed live on stage.

Sheltering In Place has caused a lot of us to spend way more time with our family (some of us much more than we'd prefer!). But what if your family was the Brewsters? Mortimer is a theatre critic, his brother thinks he's Teddy Roosevelt, and his two Aunts Abby and Martha are killers? When Mortimer proposes to the pastor's daughter, he unwittingly opens the lid on buried family secrets. As strangers and cops keep calling, the Brewsters show that they will go to hilarious depths to protect the skeletons in the cellar. 

(Copy-Editor's Note: In case you didn't know, which I didn't until Vic clued me in, "Foley" is what theatre people call the drawings used on stage to depict scenery and background.)


***

TRIBUTE TO ELMER CHAPSON

by Julie Winters

(Editor's Note: It is with profound sadness that we learned of the recent passing of long-time chapter member Elmer Chapson on March 15 of this year. Here is a lovely tribute to Elmer, written by his friend and caregiver of many years, Julie Winters. At our May meeting, let's spend a few minutes sharing our memories of Elmer.)

ELMER! It has been a pleasure to have been a part of your life!

I was drawn to Elmer's wicked sense of humor and positive attitude of life right from the start. He told wonderful stories of the people in his life, introducing me to his blind community, the most amazing, resilient, competent, and positive group of people I've ever met. My life has been enriched knowing Elmer.

I first met Elmer in the mid 1980's walking a troop of dogs up our street as I was driving down the hill. I just lived around the corner. He'd walk his dog Barkey, and all of Barkey's friends who hung around Elmer's house. Those were the days when people weren't so uptight about their dogs getting into trouble. I always remembered his name because I had an Uncle Elmer, and for the fact that we both loved dogs. Dog people are joined at the heart.

Throughout the years we would run into each other, I would identify myself and we would exchange pleasantries. Barkey passed away and Elmer had another lovely dog, Greta. Greta was an institution in our neighborhood. She chose to sleep on the warm pavement in the middle of the street, and people would either, drive around her or, like me, would wake her and take her up to the porch and knock on the door. Then in early 2007, I saw Elmer walking toward town without Greta. I stopped to say "hello," and told Elmer I hadn't seen Greta in a while, and asked if she was all right. He said she was fine, and I asked him how he got her to the veterinarian. He said they used to walk to her appointments, but that she was not able to walk that far anymore. So I gave him my phone number, and told him if he needed to get her to the vet or needed anything, I'd be happy to help. He called the next day, worried that Greta's food might have been recalled, something he'd heard on the news, and asked if I had a computer to look up the lot numbers. The rest is history.

In 2008, Elmer helped me buy a new car. We went together to look at a Toyota Prius. I ordered one through Santa Rosa Toyota. The day came when it was delivered, but we had to pick it up in Santa Rosa. Elmer said he'd get us up there: after all, he knew the Bay Area transportation system like the back of his hand. He ordered an Outreach car to Caltrain. Caltrain arrived at Fourth Street San Francisco. We walked over to a corner where a bus took us up to the old main bus terminal, and from there another bus which took us over the Golden Gate Bridge to Santa Rosa with only one stop. Was I impressed? We drove home in a new car, and he became co-pilot.

Throughout the following years, our adventures took us to Florida twice, a drive across the U.S., and a visit to his birthplace. In Florida he loved the warmth, where he said he walked in the ocean with bare feet for the first time. We took off our socks and shoes and strolled in the surf. A neighbor caught some Mahi, and we made fish sandwiches. A good time was had by all. We were visiting my mother, June. Elmer knew June after meeting her on one of her trips West to visit me. Mom was a couple of years older than Elmer, so they always had things to talk about.

In 2009, I drove to Florida to visit Mom and see friends, then I drove up the East Coast to New Jersey to see more friends. At the end of my visit, I picked Elmer up at JFK airport and we drove to Cape Cod, then through Vermont to Montreal. Elmer wanted to visit the Canadian National Institute for the Blind.

We then started the drive home traveling on Interstate 70 to Colorado, then drove all the way south to Pagosa Springs, Elmer's birthplace. A friend of Elmer's, Keith Marshall, had visited the history museum in Pagosa Springs prior, and had reported to Elmer that he had found information on Elmer's family. We arrived in Pagosa late in the afternoon but before closing. Perfect! The docent showed Elmer photos and articles, and information about where his mother was buried. Elmer's mother died when he was just two years of age. The next morning, we visited her grave site on Cemetery Hill. We then went to the city building and pulled maps to find where he had lived, according to the information we gleaned the day before. Following the maps, we drove to the site where his family had a ranch, and stood on the ground where he, most probably, was born. It was a beautiful town, and I think it brought him a little peace.

Other trips closer to home included taking the train to Sacramento, and visiting Natalie and Jackie and many other friends for lunches and get-togethers. Sometimes we would visit the East Bay to see Josie for lunch. Day trips north to wine country or south to Big Sur always took us to a destination restaurant. The Miramar in Half Moon Bay or Napenthe's (Na pen thay's) in Big Sur were his favorites. A drive along the coast on Sunday listening to Sunday Jazz on the radio was also high on the list. Sometimes it was a drive along Skyline Boulevard in the Santa Cruz Mountains, first with a stop for an early breakfast at Alice's Restaurant. It was just fun to get in the car and go.

We "saved" dogs together, and twice found turtles in the street—go figure! Can't count how many dogs we found in dangerous situations, and into the car they went and then over to Elmer's house. Once there, he would ply them with water and food until we could find their people. If I found a dog at night while driving, I would go by his house and wake him up to ask if the dog hotel was open. It always was. He loved having a dog in the house. Twice we found turtles in the street, and took them over to Vasona Lake to let them go. For the last year and a half of Elmer's life, he had a live-in caregiver named Jodelle. It was a good fit as Jodelle had a very sweet Corgi named Kailani, and Elmer loved having them both. They brought a lot of joy to him.

Elmer became my family. We spent each holiday meal together and he seemed to like my cooking, especially when I baked pies (apricot, blackberry and apple). He did not like pumpkin. The last pie was a lemon meringue, which he chose for Christmas 2020. I loved cooking for him, as he had a large appetite right until the end.

I wanted to mention very special neighbors, Arlene and John Rocchio. Arlene was a Registered Nurse and had taken care of Lois, Elmer's wife, when she was ill. Their friendship goes way back, and they always kept an eye on Elmer. He looked forward to their Friday lunches, and he loved them dearly. John and Arlene were staunch supporters of Elmer and me. I reported Elmer's health issues to Arlene for guidance, and we received great support. It was always a team effort to meet Elmer's needs. It was so comforting to know they were there.

Elmer was an extraordinary man with an extraordinary life. He was also a fortunate man. He loved his life's work, his wife Lois, his home, and his friends. He woke up happy and went to bed happy. When you asked him how he was, he would say "Just Great," even when it wasn't so great. He loved life, and I believe, he loved HIS life. He would always say "Life is good."

So, of course, there is so much more to the story. But Elmer, to you I say, "Great adventures, good food, good wine, good times with friends, Salud! You were so loved, and it was my pleasure to have been your friend and just a part of your life.


***

TECH TIPS

by Bev Clifford

Occasionally, while using an iPhone during a Zoom meeting, VoiceOver will decide to go away, leaving a vestige of sound so faint that you'd have to have magical ears to hear it at all. You can still hear the voices of the participants in the Zoom meeting with no problem, but because you've lost VoiceOver sound you are unable to mute or unmute, raise or lower your hand, or even leave the meeting. You're stuck. Here are some tips that may help you in this situation.

If you encounter this problem, go to the App Switcher while you're still in the Zoom meeting, go to Settings, and then to Sounds and Haptics. Find the Ringer and Alerts heading, and set your Sound Volume to 100 percent.

Now use the App Switcher to get back into your meeting, use your rotor to go to Volume, and set it for 100 percent. Then go back to the App Switcher, find and open any app that isn't Zoom, and turn Voice-Over off and then back on.

Now use the App Switcher to get back into your Zoom meeting, and see if the sound volume has increased. Sometimes these things alone will give you more VoiceOver sound. If they don't, though, all is not lost.

Next, go back to the App Switcher, find an email or some other document with a paragraph that has a lot of speech, and while VoiceOver is talking, press and hold the Volume Up button to make the volume as loud as possible. Then using the App Switcher again, go back into your Zoom meeting, and see if you can now hear louder VoiceOver sound. I had to use all these methods to get my normal sound volume back!

I hope these tips help if this issue arises for you. I must give credit where credit is due, however: Mickey Quenzer is the person who spent over an hour with me on the phone to test these methods in real time on real Zoom. Thank you ever so much, Mickey—you saved my sanity!

Disclaimer: No one can guarantee or predict what will work on which phone. Sometimes one thing works, sometimes another, sometimes two or three, and sometimes none. But if you don't give up and you keep trying, another time you will probably get the results you are hoping for.


***

EVENT CALENDAR: May to June, 2021

Compiled by Mike Keithley

A weekly SVCB Social Hour is scheduled for 4 PM every Wednesday afternoon until sheltering at home has ended.

  • Call in number: 408-638-0968
  • Meeting ID: 739825688
  • Passcode: 222638
  • When prompted for a participant code, press the Pound key.
  • Join Zoom Meeting us02web.zoom.us/j/739825688?pwd=bk85ZUVmZ3UxUjEzVHN5aG1NRWZjUT09
  • One tap mobile +14086380968,,739825688#,,,0#,,222638#
  • Note that the above call-in information is used for SVCB's virtual membership meetings as well.

Tabard Theatre

Tabard Theatre shows: To order tickets, call the Tabard Box Office at 408-679-2330 and speak to Marilyn Watts, or visit tabardtheatre.org/.

SVCB members and Blind Center clients should use Discount Code BC27 when ordering.

Performances are live streamed directly to you in the comfort and safety of your own home.

Contact the theatre for the current schedule.

San Francisco LightHouse

To hear weekly events at the San Francisco LightHouse, call 415-694-7325.

Let's Talk Low Vision

The monthly "Let's Talk Low Vision" conferences from CCLVI for 2020 can be accessed as podcasts at http://ltlv.cclvi.org/2020-archives.

If you want to participate in these conferences, visit ltlv.cclvi.org/lets-talk-low-vision-schedule.

Bay Area Association of Disabled Sailors

Departs every Sunday at noon from Pier 40 in San Francisco. Call 415-281-0212 for information and reservations, or visit www.baads.org.

Bay Area Outreach and Recreation Program (BORP)

BORP believes that everyone should have access to the unique challenges that outdoor recreation provides, and makes every effort to accommodate each person's needs, including providing transportation and volunteer support. For event listings, call Lori Gray at 510-843-4398, or visit www.borp.org.

CALENDAR

May: Healthy Vision Month.

May 1 through 16: Tabard Theatre presents ARSENIC AND OLD LACE, see notes.

May 4, 5:30 to 7 PM: Breast cancer support group meeting. Call-in: 605-715-4920; ID: 2776167. For questions, call Lori Scharff at 516-887-1336, or lorischarff@gmail.com

May 5, 7:30 to 9:30 PM: SVCB Board meeting. If you're not on the Board but want to attend this meeting, contact SVCB president Rob Turner.

May 15, 10 to 12 PM: SVCB membership meeting. Reports on the CCB convention.

May 18: Let's Talk Low Vision conference, Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America, see notes.

May 24, noon: June SVCB newsletter deadline.

June: Healthy Vision Month.

June 1, 5:30 to 7 PM, Breast Cancer Support Group meeting.

June 3, 7 to 9 PM: SVCB Board meeting.

June 15: Let's Talk Low Vision, Jessie Wolinsky: Audio Internet Reading Service of Los Angeles, see notes.

June 19, 10 AM to 12 PM: SVCB membership meeting.

June 21, noon: July SVCB newsletter deadline.