Legislative Hotlines, current issues for blind persons:
CALIFORNIA CONNECTION:
800-221-6359, after 5 PM and weekends
WASHINGTON CONNECTION:
800-424-8666, 3-9 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.
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 from 9:30 AM to 1 PM the third Saturday of the month and are open to all.
July is here, and as I am writing this, we have just completed the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year. It is also the official start of our summer months, and as always, I am so grateful for our climate here in the Bay Area. I am in touch with friends from the East Coast, and the heat has been overwhelming. Summer also means travel for some, day trips for others, and a general feeling of relaxation and rejuvenation.
For our June meeting, we heard some amazing tips from Debee Armstrong about gardening as a blind individual, as she shared her many years of experience of gardening. Debee offered to send any articles or information she has collected over the years to our membership, so reach out to her if you are interested in more information.
Lisa Quan also provided a great summary about how the gardening project at Vista Center San Jose began from a request by the clients. Several members of the Vista San Jose community maintain the amazing garden that is filled to capacity with vegetables and flowers. Lisa invited folks interested in being a part of the gardening group to reach out and dig in!
Jeff Thom, Director of Advocacy and Governmental Affairs for CCB, shared good news about one of CCB's bills below:
I am pleased to report our bill, AB 1902, that would require accessible labels on prescription medications, passed out of the Senate Business and Professions Committee with 12 yes votes and one member absent, a bipartisan vote. It is headed for the Senate Appropriations Committee now. There was no opposition at the hearing and four agencies showed up in support, including the Western Center on Law and Poverty, California Health Advocates, and the California Association of Psychiatric Physicians. This is a long time coming to this stage, and all looks good for full passage. Jeff's note also illustrates CCB's practice of collaborating with other organizations to support mutual issues. It is a direction taken for the past few years, led by Jeff and Regina Brink, Associate Director of Advocacy and Governmental Affairs. Due to the demands of my new position at LifeMoves, I have resigned as Co-Chair of CCB's Governmental Affairs Committee, and will be working with CCB leadership to suggest a replacement. Ardis Bazyn will continue in the role of Co-Chair.
The ACB Conference and Convention will be well underway by the time you read this newsletter. If any of you plan to attend in person or virtually, it will be great to hear your thoughts.
Our annual picnic is coming up on Saturday, September 21, from 11 AM to 3:00 PM at Martial Cottle County Park, Edith Lester site. Reach out to David Hoffman to reserve your place, and put in your food order for hamburgers, hot dogs, or veggie burgers. Members pay $20 and guests pay $25. Do not miss this great day of connecting with each other and guests in a pretty and quiet location, and enjoy food cooked on the grill by our wonderful volunteer grilling team.
See you all at our July meeting, and enjoy these days of summer!
Well, not too much is happening here aside from checking ACB Convention activities. And King has split. He went to Jacksonville to say hello to those dogs attending in person.
The gardening program at the June meeting was quite instructive. Deborah Armstrong explained a few dos and don'ts, like not using clay in soil because of its heaviness. And afterwards some people went outside to examine Vista Center's communal garden.
Happy July birthdays to Carol and Joe Silveria.
The picnic in September is coming! Be sure to register for it at the July meeting. And while you're at it, bring your 2024 membership dues. Registration for the picnic is $20 for SVCB members and $25 for friends. SVCB dues are $20. We'll have a formal picnic announcement in the August and September newsletters.
And mark your calendars for the old-time radio show happening in October. It'll be from 1 to 3 PM after the October meeting, and will be an afternoon of fun and refreshment.
Ski for Light Inc. (SFL) will celebrate its 50th anniversary at Soldier Hollow, January 26 through February 2, 2025. Participants will stay at the Provo Marriott Hotel and Conference Center, and ski on expertly groomed trails at Soldier Hollow, near Midway, Utah. Each participant is paired with an instructor guide for a week of skiing, sharing, and learning. Join the celebration by participating as a skier, a guide, or a volunteer. Applications and additional information will be available soon at:
Dr. Belinda Rudinger (Texas A&M University-Commerce) is conducting a research study to explore preferences and practices of adults using screen reader software and refreshable braille displays. To be eligible, you must be over 18 and a current screen reader user.
This study consists of two parts: An initial screening survey, and a follow-up case study consisting of an interview and observation of your computer use.
Usability Sciences conducts one-on-one user experience research discussions on websites and other digital products, and we sometimes have clients who are interested in hearing feedback from those who are blind or have low vision.
We have a research study coming up where users will participate in a 90-minute Zoom session, and provide feedback on a financial services website. Remote sessions will occur July 16-18.
Those who qualify and participate will receive a $150 online gift card for their time. To find out whether you fit into a needed segment for this research, or if you would like to hear about other research studies in the future, complete our online screener here:
If you are denied a ride with Uber or Lyft due to your guide dog, it is very important at this time, to report any such issues to the DOJ (Department of Justice). It appears that we may be gaining some traction throughout the news media and through complaints with the DOJ.
Find Senior Care Services has a guide to help seniors learn about the drug Fentanyl. Their motto is: "Excellent Care, Decency, and Optimal Living."
Fentanyl has unfortunately become a growing concern in our society, and it's crucial that the older generation understands its risks, and knows how to discuss it openly with their loved ones.
A Senior's Guide to Fentanyl (ecdol.org) offers clear explanations, practical advice, and thoughtful insights on this sensitive subject. It's also completely free to use.
It includes:
— What Fentanyl is
— Why it is a threat
— Tips for talking to adults, children, and grandchildren
— Helpful articles and interactive drug education videos
Copy Editor's note: Both of these recipes come from the same cookbook called "Life is a Bowl of Olson's Cherries: Selected Family Fruit Recipes".
-Apricot Crumble
It's an easy dessert that takes only 10 minutes to prepare.
Ingredients
2 cups sliced fresh Olson's apricots (it's fine if you get another brand)
1 cup graham cracker or shortbread cookie crumbs
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons melted butter
light cream for topping
Directions
Combine brown sugar, graham cracker or shortbread crumbs, melted butter, and lemon juice. Blend gently with sliced apricots.
Spread in shallow buttered baking dish.
Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes.
Serve with light cream.
Makes 6 servings.
-Pork Chops in Cherry Sauce
Ingredients
6 loin pork chops, 1/2 inch thick
salt and pepper
breadcrumbs
butter or oil for frying
1/2 cup water
1 cup puréed Olson's Bing or Tartarian cherries, fresh or thawed
1/2 cup Olson's cherries, chopped
sugar to taste
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon cloves
1 teaspoon grated lemon rind
1 tablespoon honey
1/2 cup Madeira wine
Directions
Cut fat from pork chops. Salt and pepper lightly. Then roll in breadcrumbs. Fry until browned on both sides.
Add 1/2 cup water, cover, and cook over low heat for 45 minutes, or until tender.
While chops are cooking, combine puréed and chopped cherries, sweetened to taste, and the remainder of the ingredients, except wine.
Bring to a boil. Lower heat, and cook for 5 minutes. Add a little water to thin, if desired.
Remove chops from pan. Add wine to pan drippings, and cook briefly, loosening any particles from pan. Add to the cherry sauce, and serve alongside pork chops.
When prompted for a participant code, press the Pound key.
Note that the above Zoom call-in information is used for SVCB's virtual link to monthly in-person membership meetings.
2. Shows Described by AudioVision Bay Area
For all productions (Golden Gate, Orpheum Theatres, Broadway San Francisco, and Broadway San Jose), tickets are generally on sale four weeks before the production opens. To charge tickets and reserve receivers, call:
888-746-1799
(SHN Theaters), or fax your order to:
415-581-2121
and ask for AudioVision tickets. If you have any questions, please email:
Audio described shows by TheatreWorks have resumed, with descriptions by Gravity. Pre-register for tickets that include a free "show talk" 30 minutes before the show, at the TheatreWorks box office at:
To hear weekly events at the San Francisco LightHouse, call:
415-694-7325.
5. Let's Talk Low Vision
The monthly "Let's Talk Low Vision" conferences are held on the third Tuesday of the month at 8:30 PM Eastern. Archives are at the Council of Citizens with Low Vision International (CCLVI) Official website at:
7. 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: