The California Connection (2009 Edition)

December 18, 2009

Welcome to the California Connection, the weekly news service provided in English and Spanish by the California Council of the Blind. This news release has been revised on December 18, and will be updated on January 8, 2010. Remember that in order to have a message in on the next connection, please provide the message either to the office or to me directly at 916-505-8780 or gabe.Griffith@ccbnet.org by Wednesday before the connection is recorded, or it will need to be placed in the following connection. Also, please make sure your message states in the subject line that it is for the connection or it may get missed.

From Gabe Griffith, Editor: Due to Christmas and New Years days falling on the next two Fridays there will not be another CA Connection until January 8. Merry Christmas, Happy new year, and a safe anything else anyone may or may not be celebrating.

From Dr. Martin Jones and Cathie Skivers: Everyone has been concerned about Louis Preston who has been ill for several months. Louis is staying at the Vermont Care Center. If you would like to drop him a card address it as follows: Attn Louis Preston, 6A Vermont Care Center 22035 South Vermont Avenue Torrance, CA 90502. OR if you want to go visit Louis the phone number there is 310-328-0812, check for appropriate visiting hours. Louis tells us that while he has visitors, he has not seen anyone from Long Beach so far. That is probably because none of us has known for sure where he was located. Louis says he now uses a wheelchair to get around and he appears to have good days and days that could be a lot better. He wants us to keep him in our prayers and I know we will all do that for sure.

From, President Jeff Thom: On behalf of the board of directors and staff of CCB, let me wish all of you the happiest of holiday seasons. It is incredibly comforting to know that we have such a wonderful CCB family and, with your work, that family will grow and thrive in 2010. When you have a moment to reflect upon the 2009 year and the year ahead, consider how we can improve CCB next year and what role you can play. I encourage you to contact me at 916-995-3967 about our fine organization. Finally, the office will be closed beginning Christmas Day, and will not reopen until Monday, January 4, 2010. Again, happy holidays.

On Monday, December 14, the CCB board of directors approved the October 29 board meeting minutes. Any CCB member who would like a copy of these minutes may obtain one by contacting the CCB office.

The Greater Long Beach Chapter, CCB will be having the “I survived the Holidays luncheon” on January 9th 2010 at the Lone Star Steakhouse & Saloon on 6575 East Pacific Coast Highway in Long Beach, from 11 am to 3 pm. The cross street is 2nd Street for those of you using Access. Each package includes a selected entrée along with a Garden Salad, Choice of Baked Potato, Baked Sweet Potato, Texas Rice, Steak Fries, Garlic Mashed Potatoes or Steamed Vegetables plus Homemade rolls, Honey butter and Soft Beverage. The entrees include choice of 14 oz. New York Strip, 16oz. Prime Rib, Filet & Shrimp Combo or Salmon & Shrimp Combo. Sales Tax and 18% Gratuity will be added to the final bill. Additional beverages will be your responsibility. If you have any questions or concerns please contact Michael Conrad at 562-790-8737.

Dear members of the blind community: As we approach the end of the year, we are asking for your help in making sure the settlement agreements negotiated by ACB and its affiliates are working well. Feedback from individuals about Talking ATMs, accessible credit reports, tactile Point of Sale devices, accessible pedestrian signals, and accessible websites is critical to the success of Structured negotiations. Please take a minute to read this email and send us feedback on any of the issues raised here. We can be reached through Lainey's email at: mailto:LF@LFLegal.com or by calling toll-free to Linda's office at 1-800-822-5000. Thanks in advance for your help, and wishing everyone a peaceful holiday season.

Thank you for reading or listening,
Gabe Griffith

December 11, 2009

Welcome to the California Connection, the weekly news service provided in English and Spanish by the California Council of the Blind. This news release has been revised on December 11, and will be updated on December 18. Remember that in order to have a message in on the next connection, please provide the message either to the office or to me directly at 916-505-8780 or gabe.griffith@ccbnet.org by Wednesday before the connection is recorded, or it will need to be placed in the following connection. Also, please make sure your message states in the subject line that it is for the connection or it may get missed.

Please come and join us for the Active Blind Inland Valleys CCB 15th annual Christmas party. It will be held on Saturday, December 19, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Loma Linda VA Medical Center. Lunch is $10 and there is a game of a gift exchange that if you wish to play, you should bring a wrapped neutral gender gift of value between $10 and $15. If you would like to attend, please call Christy Crespin, president, at 909-800-7189 and leave a message, or email ccrespin@att.net We need to give our final luncheon number by Tuesday, 12/15/09. If you would like to come but not eat, you are welcome that day. We look forward to seeing you.

STATE OF CALIFORNIA OPEN EXAMINATION FOR COUNSELOR ORIENTATION CENTER FOR THE BLIND. FINAL FILE DATE: January 4, 2010. DEPARTMENTAL OPEN FOR: Department of Rehabilitation. Applications (Form 678) may be filed in person or by mail with: Department of Rehabilitation Selection Services at 721 Capitol Mall, Sacramento, CA 95814. Applications are also available at the local offices of the Employment Development Department and at the State Personnel Board’s web site www.spb.ca.gov or Department of Rehabilitation’s web site at www.dor.ca.gov DO NOT SUBMIT APPLICATIONS TO THE STATE PERSONNEL BOARD. Applications must be received and/or POSTMARKED no later than the final filing date. Applications postmarked, personally delivered or received via inter-office mail after the final filing date will not be accepted for any reason.

Dear members of the blind community: As we approach the end of the year, we are asking for your help in making sure the settlement agreements negotiated by ACB and its affiliates are working well. Feedback from individuals about Talking ATMs, accessible credit reports, tactile Point of Sale devices, accessible pedestrian signals, and accessible websites is critical to the success of Structured negotiations. Please take a minute to read this email and send us feedback on any of the issues raised here. We can be reached through Lainey's email at: LF@LFLegal.com or by calling toll-free to Linda's office at 1-800-822-5000. Thanks in advance for your help, and wishing everyone a peaceful holiday season.

On Saturday December 5, 2009, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, which operates Muni, will implement significant route and schedule changes affecting over half of Muni's existing bus routes and one rail line. Service changes are described in a detailed brochure online at http://www.sfmta.com/cms/m1209/dec09service.htm. Also, the brochure is available in other alternative formats by contacting Jamie Osborne, Fixed Route Accessibility Coordinator, San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) 415.701.4439 | TTY 415.701.4730, jamie.osborne@sfmta.com The information provided explains all service changes including:

Discontinued routes and route segments
Extended and modified routes
Changes to service hours and frequencies
Modified express zones
Renumbered routes
Identification of other Muni service that is near changing routes or lines.

You can also find this information with accompanying maps available online at www.sfmta.com. For planning and assistance in other languages, please contact the 311 Customer Service Center at: Dial 3-1-1 (within SF only) or 415.701.2311; TTY direct 415.701.2323. Trip planning assistance for Muni and other transit systems in the Bay Area is available by calling 5-1-1 or going online at www.511.org. Please share this information with anyone that you feel would benefit from it. SFMTA is depending on you and your social networks to reach the broadest range of transit customers.

Here is a new and free way to make friends and talk with people. TalkShop chatline is open 24-7. You are greeted with a friendly "hello" welcoming you. There is always laughter and good times here. People meeting old friends and making new ones. The only rule is the golden one. This line is geared to blind people everywhere. Come in day or night to chat. We can be reached at 724-444-3592. All you need is a flat rate long distance plan. Come join the fun.

Thank you for reading or listening,
Gabe Griffith

December 4, 2999

Welcome to the California Connection, the weekly news service provided in English and Spanish by the California Council of the Blind. This news release has been revised on December 4, and will be updated on December 11. Remember that in order to have a message in on the next connection, please provide the message either to the office or to me directly at 916-505-8780 or gabe.Griffith@ccbnet.org by Wednesday before the connection is recorded, or it will need to be placed in the following connection. Also, please make sure your message states in the subject line that it is for the connection or it may get missed.

From Joel Isaac, CCB Webmaster: I'd like to thank you all for your help and patience as we worked to restore the CCB mailing lists. Most lists are now active, and the remaining will be active shortly. If you are not already subscribed, you may subscribe to any of CCB's public lists by going to http://www.ccbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/.

You are cordially invited to attend the Bay View Chapter Christmas party to be held Saturday, December 12th from 4 to 8 PM at the Ranch Restaurant at 22877 Mission Blvd, Hayward. Your choice of entrees are Prime Rib, Salmon or Chicken Teriyaki. Cost is $20.00 for members and $25.00 for guests. To make your reservation please call Ida Johnson at 510-655-1982. Reservations should be made as soon as possible and no later than Wednesday, December 9th. This is a great time to celebrate the holidays with old friends and to make new ones.

Join the Orange County CCB Chapter at our Holiday Brunch on Saturday, December 12th from 10 am – 12 pm. We will be sharing good cheer at Marie Calendars located at 13252 Brookhurst in Garden Grove (Cross streets are Trask and Garden Grove Blvd). Bring money to order from the menu and a gift valued at $10 for a gift exchange. To RSVP by December 9th, leave a message at 949-215-3957 or email jalt@cox.net with the number of people who will be attending.

The San Gabriel Valley chapter is holding their annual Christmas party on December 12 from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM. The party will be only $25.00 at the Village Eatery, 221 N. Glendora Ave, Glendora CA. The menu will be beef Bourgogne, or rosemary and garlic chicken or salmon with capers. All are welcome! Please respond by December 6. Please make checks payable to San Gabriel Valley Chapter CCB. They can be mailed to Pamela Polagi at 5646 McCulloch Ave, Temple City, CA 91780. Please RSVP by December 12 to either Pat Wolf at 626-279-2954 or Zen Reubel at 323-939-9923.

Discontinued routes and route segments
Extended and modified routes
Changes to service hours and frequencies
Modified express zones
Renumbered routes
Identification of other Muni service that is near changing routes or lines.

A 32 cell Braille Note for sale, asking $2,000.00 or best offer. The unit was serviced in the past month. It comes with compact flash cards and a carrying case. For more information, or to make an offer, contact Margie at 916-983-8636 or email Margie.donovan1@yahoo.com

Thank you for reading or listening,
Gabe Griffith

November 20, 2009

Welcome to the California Connection, the weekly news service provided in English and Spanish by the California Council of the Blind. This news release has been revised on November 20, and will be updated on December 4. Remember that in order to have a message in on the next connection, please provide the message either to the office or to me directly at 916-505-8780 or gabe.griffith@ccbnet.org by Wednesday before the connection is recorded, or it will need to be placed in the following connection. Also, please make sure your message states in the subject line that it is for the connection or it may get missed.

From Gabe Griffith: Due to the Thanksgiving holiday next week the next Connection will be on December 4. I hope you all enjoy time with family and friends over the holiday.

From Cathy Skivers: Those of you who know Connie and Al Gil will be interested to know that on November 16th Connie had major surgery. I spoke with Al late yesterday evening and he says she is doing alright. After a 5 hour surgery it is little wonder that she is weak and remains in the hospital. I know that she is in our prayers and has all of our best wishes. Those of you who know them may want to send your greetings to Al to give to her.

From Gene Lozano, First Vice President: The California Council of the Blind board of directors would like to inform the membership that they have taken a vote to change the dates of the Fall 2010 convention. The new dates for the convention are Thursday October 28th through Sunday October 31st, 2010. The vote to change the dates of the convention was to avoid there being a conflict with the dates of the National Federation of the Blind California convention next fall.

The Glendale-Burbank Area Chapter would like to invite CCB members and friends to attend our Christmas luncheon on Saturday, December 5 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Coast Anabelle Hotel, 2011 W. Olive Ave. in Burbank, CA 91506. Choices for your entree are Chicken with Mushroom sauce, Spinach and Cheese Ravioli topped with Homemade Pesto Cream Sauce, or Salmon with Dill Cream Sauce. Please send checks to John Mavis, 1232 N. El Centro Ave., Los Angeles CA 90038-1706 for $25. Please make your reservation with either Ardis Bazyn at 818-238-9321 or John Mavis at 323-467-6263 by November 29. Enjoy fun, fellowship, and door prizes.

Join the Orange County CCB Chapter at our Holiday Brunch on Saturday, December 12th from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. We will be sharing good cheer at Marie Calendars located at 13252 Brookhurst in Garden Grove (Cross streets are Trask and Garden Grove Blvd). Bring money to order from the menu and a gift valued at $10 for a gift exchange. To RSVP by December 9th, leave a message at 949-215-3957 or email jalt@cox.net with the number people who will be attending.

Come and enjoy a Christmas lunch with the Golden Gate Chapter of the CCB. Saturday, December 5, from 12 noon to 2 p.m., at Kam's Restaurant located at 3624 Balboa Street, San Francisco. There is limited seating; so please make your reservation early by calling Gilda Chico at 415-337-0937. Everyone will order independently and pay independently. There will be holiday door prizes.

The San Gabriel Valley chapter is holding their annual Christmas party on December 12 from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The party will be only $25.00 at the Village Eatery, 221 N. Glendora Ave, Glendora, CA. The menu will be beef Bourgogne, or rosemary and garlic chicken or salmon with capers. All are welcome! Please respond by December 6. Please make checks payable to San Gabriel Valley Chapter CCB. They can be mailed to Pamela Polagi at 5646 McCulloch Ave., Temple City, CA 91780. Please RSVP by December 12 to either Pat Wolf at 626-279-2954 or Zen Reubel at 323-939-9923.

If you are blind or legally blind, we need your help. We are conducting a survey about the walking habits of persons with visual impairments. All who participate in the survey by December 15th will have a chance to win one of two $100 Amazon gift cards. You can participate online or by phone. The online survey can be taken by visiting: http://surveymonkey.com/walking

If you prefer to take the survey by phone, please call us at 831-459-1479 or email us at manduchi@soe.ucsc.edu

About us: we are two Professors of Computer Engineering at the University of California, Santa Cruz. We do research on Assistive Technology for persons with visual impairments. Your participation in this survey would help us better direct our research in the area of mobility. Your personal information (name, email address or phone number) will never be disclosed to anybody.

Thank you for reading or listening,
Gabe Griffith

November 13, 2009

Welcome to the California Connection, the weekly news service provided in English and Spanish by the California Council of the Blind. This news release has been revised on November 13, and will be updated on November 20. Remember that in order to have a message in on the next connection, please provide the message either to the office or to me directly at 916-505-8780 or Gabe.Griffith@ccbnet.org by Wednesday before the connection is recorded, or it will need to be placed in the following connection. Also, please make sure your message states in the subject line that it is for the connection or it may get missed.

Come and enjoy a Christmas lunch with the Golden Gate Chapter of the CCB. It's on Saturday, December 5, from 12 noon to 2pm, at Kam's Restaurant located at 3624 Balboa Street, San Francisco. There is limited seating; so please make your reservation early by calling Gilda Chico at 415-337-0937. Everyone will order independently and pay independently. There will be holiday door prizes.

The San Gabriel Valley chapter is holding their annual Christmas party on December 12 from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM. The party will be only $25.00 at the Village Eatery, 221 N. Glendora Ave, Glendora CA. The menu will be beef Bourgogne, or rosemary and garlic chicken or salmon with capers. All are welcome! Please respond by December 6. Checks can be mailed to Pamela Polagi at 5646 McCulloch Ave, Temple City, CA 91748. Please RSVP by December 12 to either Pat Wolf at 626-279-2954 or Zena Reubel at 323-939-9923.

From Frank Welte: The California Council of the Blind (CCB), the National Federation of the Blind of California (NFBC) and members of the California Agencies for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CABVI) have jointly developed a survey geared to gather information from clients of the Department of Rehabilitation who are blind or visually impaired to assist with the assessment of the status of the Blind Field Services District and to determine whether consumers are satisfied with the services. There are multiple ways to access and complete the survey. Copies of the survey can be requested in Braille, large print or electronic format from the CCB office. Electronic copies of the survey are available on the CCB website for either online completion or download. To complete the survey by phone, individuals can call Kamilla Ryding at the CCB office at 800-221-6359. You can contact Kamilla via Email at Kamilla.ryding@ccbnet.org. Please inform any individual who has received services through the Department's Blind Field Services district in the past five years of the survey and the ways in which they can access it. The more individuals who complete the survey the better we can assess the status of services provided through SB 105 and the Blind Field Services District. The last day to submit completed surveys will be Monday, December 7, 2009. Data will be compiled in a composite form and no identifying information will be contained in the survey results.

Want to promote your business online? Maybe you are a job seeker who needs to really stand out on the internet. Why not create a site to post your résumé and highlight your skills? Maybe you are an artist seeking to create a snazzy online niche for your portfolio? If so, come to our quarterly tech seminar to get the lowdown on hosting, coding and designing your own website! Website owners looking to enhance accessibility are very welcome! Build Your Own Website!
December 4, 2009
Panel Presentations: 1–3 p.m. PST
214 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94102

You can participate through one of the following:
Tune in to live audio stream on our website.
Dial in with our telephone conferencing service.
Attend in person and get the most out of live demos!
RSVP at 1-888-400-8933 or info@lighthouse-sf.org
Conference call and live stream instructions will be provided.

HP Pavilion 2008 laptop with Vista and JAWS installed: $1500; contact Peter einteilig@gmail.com or phone at 805-544-4260.

Thank you for reading or listening,
Gabe Griffith

November 6, 2009

Welcome to the California Connection, the weekly news service provided in English and Spanish by the California Council of the Blind. This news release has been revised on November 6, and will be updated on November 13. Remember that in order to have a message in on the next connection, please provide the message to the CCB office at 1-800-221-6359 or email to gabe.griffith@ccbnet.org by Wednesday before the connection is recorded, or it will be placed in the following connection. Also, please make sure your message states in the subject line that it is for the connection or it may get missed.

From Gabe Griffith: My cell phone was stolen this week so if you have submissions for the connection please either email them to me or call the office and they can email it to me. I will let you all know when my phone is working again.

From Donna Pomerantz: I first want to begin by thanking each and every one of you for supporting my election to continue serving as your Second Vice President. It is a privilege and an honor in an organization like CCB. We had some difficult things we needed to discuss and vote on at our convention and as always we did have a good time enjoying each other's company at the gatherings and meetings of our convention this past weekend.

For those of you who could not attend, if you had that access, I hope you were able to listen to the streaming of the Convention on ACB Radio World. Ken Metz was there, I need to think of a name for him - maybe Mr. ACB Radio California (grin) - and I am thankful that he offered to do the streaming for us as well as a big thanks to Dan Kysor who streamed the banquet so that Ken could take a break that night. We had a great time, and yes I was even able to keep a great secret and was proud to share a wonderful moment with my husband and all of you in attendance at the banquet when CCB chose to honor Mitch with a much treasured distinguished service award. It is beautiful and will be treasured for many years to come in our household. Just to let you all know he told me that now we were even because he kept the gift of a life time membership to ACB a secret from me as you all heard if you listened on ACB Radio to the opening of the convention in 2008.

I hope that we will have many opportunities to work hard together on the very serious issues that we all will be facing in the coming years as people who are blind or visually impaired. We will need to come together even stronger as it will take each and every one of us to keep not only CCB strong, but we will have to also keep fighting for the programs and services around the state which are a benefit to us.

I thank you for your confidence and hope you will contact me either by phone or email if you have any questions or concerns, or just to let me know that we really did something that you really liked and would hope to see it again.

Looking forward to working in the trenches of advocacy as well as sharing some great times together in laughter and solidarity.

Take care and be well.

From Frank Welte: The California Council of the Blind (CCB), the National Federation of the Blind of California (NFBC) and members of the California Agencies for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CABVI) have jointly developed a survey geared to gather information from clients of the Department of Rehabilitation who are blind or visually impaired to assist with the assessment of the status of the Blind Field Services District and to determine whether consumers are satisfied with the services. There are multiple ways to access and complete the survey. Copies of the survey can be requested in Braille, large print or electronic format from the CCB office. Electronic copies of the survey will eventually be available on the CCB website for either online completion or download. To complete the survey by phone, individuals can call Kamilla Ryding at the CCB office at (800) 221-6359. You can contact Kamilla via Email atKamilla.ryding@ccbnet.org. Please inform any individual who has received services through the Department's Blind Field Services district in the past five years of the survey and the ways in which they can access it. The more individuals who complete the survey the better we can assess the status of services provided through SB 105 and the Blind Field Services District. The last day to submit completed surveys will be Monday, November 23, 2009. Data will be compiled in a composite form and no identifying information will be contained in the survey results.

HP Pavilion 2008 laptop with Vista and JAWS installed: $1500; contact Peter einteilig@gmail.com or phone at 805-544-4260.

Thank you for reading or listening,
Gabe Griffith

October 23, 2009

Welcome to the California Connection, the weekly news service provided in English and Spanish by the California Council of the Blind. This news release has been revised on October 23, and will be updated on November 6. Remember that in order to have a message in on the next connection, please provide the message either to the office or to me directly at 916-505-8780 or Gabe.Griffith@ccbnet.org by Wednesday before the connection is recorded, or it will need to be placed in the following connection. Also, please make sure your message states in the subject line that it is for the connection or it may get missed.

From Gabe Griffith: Due to the 75th anniversary convention the next connection will be released on November 6.

From Bernice Kandarian: I have just received word from the family of the death on October 10 of Cecile Betts. She was 91 years of age and in very ill health. She wrote numerous articles for The Blind Californian, including the article that won a publications award this past April. She also served for a time on the CCB Publications Committee. Our sympathies go out to her family.

The Fresno Radisson hotel will provide complimentary transportation to and from the Fresno Yosemite International Airport (15 minutes from the hotel), Amtrak station (5 minutes from the hotel) and Fresno Greyhound Depot (5 minutes from the hotel) between the hours of 6:00 AM and 9:00 PM, seven days a week. To have a van pick you up; After you have retrieved your luggage, call the Radisson at 559-268-1000 to request a van to pick you up. If you require a van, to or from the hotel, either before 6 AM or after 9 PM, you must schedule your special van ride with the hotel one week in advance.

The Rehab Committee, at the CCB convention in Fresno, at the Radisson Hotel, is having a workshop on Thursday , October 29th starting at 1:00 until 2:15on Facebook , Twitter and other social networking sites. We will discuss how to use them in general as a person who is blind, how to use them to obtain employment, and the pro's and con's of such social networking sites. Jessie Lorenz from the Lighthouse will be the presenter on this subject. Then at 2:15 to 2:45 we will discuss rehab updates, current issues going on in rehabilitation at the Dept. of Rehabilitation. A guest speaker will be Jim Armstrong, and he will present on what is currently going on with Title 7 funding to assist seniors who are blind to live independently. Then from 2:45 to 3:30 we will discuss other rehab updates. Don't miss it!

Reminder: Don't forget to have at least one member from your chapter attend the Saturday Breakfast sponsored by the Public Relations, Membership, and Fundraising Committees. It will be held at 7 a.m. A complete breakfast will be served and the topic will be: "How sponsorships can help funding for chapters and increase publicity and membership". The cost of this great breakfast will be $19 and consist of scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, potatoes, baskets of pastries, coffee and tea.

From, Bonnie Rennie, Chair, Seniors with Vision Loss Committee: Explore your opportunities, to network, to hone your skills and enhance your resume, to make new friends, have fun, and oh yes, to help others! Volunteering is one great way to do all of that! At our convention program, we'll be hearing from a local Volunteer Bureau staffer, as well as from some CCB members who have found fulfillment in volunteer activities. Also, we will hear from the Director of the Fresno State University Department of Gerontology. We'll learn how such programs benefit seniors. Please join us Saturday morning at 9 a.m.

From Gene Lozano: "I would like to inform the membership that Marilyn Golden, Policy Analyst, Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund, Berkeley, California will be conducting an ADA paratransit question and answer session on Friday morning October 30th approximately 10:35 am during the joint program of the Committee on Access and Transportation and California Council of Citizens with Low Vision during the fall convention. Marilyn will not be conducting a formal presentation but will make herself available to answer questions related to paratransit services rather than fixed route services. Marilyn would be interested in receiving questions from the CCB membership prior to giving her presentation. She will use these questions in order to provide answers to those individuals who might not be able to attend. Also I want to let people know that Marilyn's question and answer session is going to be digitally recorded and possibly streamed. Please email Paratransit questions to my attention at lozano@csus.edu. For those individuals who do not have access to a computer, you can call the CCB toll free number 1-800-221-6359. Questions I receive by email or telephone will be forwarded to Marilyn.

The Redwood Empire council Of the Blind is selling calendars. The cost for a calendar is $12.00. You can call Beryl Brown at 707-545-7642. Beryl will also have calendars at the convention in Fresno.

The ACB Capitol Chapter will have two types of t-shirts for sale at the convention for $15. The first is our 75th anniversary shirt, which is yellow with dark letters, and which has raised print and Braille that says "75 years and counting California Council of the Blind." ON the back it says "we have a different vision" with a raised outline of California. The other shirt, which is teal in color, and which also has raised print and Braille, says "conserve energy, read in the dark."

If you have been a client of the Department of Rehabilitation in the past five years, you are invited to take a survey of your experiences as a client. Copies of the survey in accessible formats will be available to enable attendees at the CCB Fall convention to complete the survey. Volunteers will also be able to assist convention attendees to fill out the survey. Copies of the survey can be requested in Braille, large print or electronic format from the CCB office. Electronic copies of the survey will eventually be available on the CCB website for either online completion or download. To complete the survey by phone, individuals can call Kamilla Ryding at the CCB office at (800) 221-6359. You can contact Kamilla via Email at Kamilla.ryding@ccbnet.org

Thank you for reading or listening, Gabe Griffith

October 16, 2009

Welcome to the California Connection, the weekly news service provided in English and Spanish by the California Council of the Blind. This news release has been revised on October 16, and will be updated on October 23. Remember that in order to have a message in on the next connection, please provide the message either to the office or to me directly at 916-505-8780 or Gabe.Griffith@ccbnet.org by Wednesday before the connection is recorded, or it will need to be placed in the following connection. Also, please make sure your message states in the subject line that it is for the connection or it may get missed.

From Gene Lozano: Toni Eames of Fresno, California has okayed for me to share the following information regarding Ed Eames having recently suffered a stroke. What follows is part of an email I received from Toni: "Ed will be in rehab for many weeks. The doctor says he is not out of the woods now. We are very unprivate people, so spread the word about the stroke. The more prayers from the more religions the better.

Here are the menus for the meals at the fall convention:

Friday lunches:
Chicken Piccata, Downtown Salad with Ranch or Raspberry, White Chocolate Cake
Vegetarian option: taco salad

Presidents' Dinner:
Stuffed Pork Loin, Spinach Salad Ranch and Honey-Caper Mocha Mousse
Vegetarian option Grilled Portobello Mushrooms

Saturday Breakfasts:
Traditional Breakfast: Scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage links, potatoes, assorted pastries, toast, juice.

Saturday lunches:
Traditional Lasagna, Valley salad Ranch and Italian Rainbow sherbet
Vegetarian options Lasagna

Banquet:
Caesar salad, Prime Rib, Red Potatoes with hot bacon sauce. fresh vegetables Suicide Cake.
Vegetarian option Pasta Florentine

From Gene Lozano: "I would like to inform the membership that Marilyn Golden, Policy Analyst, Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund, Berkeley, California will be conducting an ADA paratransit question and answer session on Friday morning October 30th approximately 10:35 am during the joint program of the Committee on Access and Transportation and California Council of Citizens with Low Vision during the fall convention. Marilyn will not be conducting a formal presentation but will make herself available to answer questions related to paratransit services rather than fixed route services. Marilyn would be interested in receiving questions from the CCB membership prior to giving her presentation. She will use these questions in order to provide answers to those individuals who might not be able to attend. Also I want to let people know that Marilyn's question and answer session is going to be digitally recorded and possibly streamed. Please email Paratransit questions to my attention at lozanoe@csus.edu. For those individuals who do not have access to a computer, you can call the CCB toll free number 1-800-221-6359. Questions I receive by email or telephone will be forwarded to Marilyn.

Call Amtrak at 1-800-872-7245 and use the automated system or ask for an agent, to make reservations for your train trip from anywhere in California to Fresno for the CCB Convention. Using the disability discount Los Angeles to Fresno fares range from $ 27.20 one way up to $49.30 each way. There are comparable rates from northern California as well. If you need assistance on or off the train please mention this when making your reservations.

From Gabe Griffith, CCB Resolutions Chair: It is once again time to be thinking about those resolutions for the upcoming convention. The Resolutions Committee appreciates your efforts for getting resolutions in early. Please submit them to me at Gabe.Griffith@ccbnet.org or call me at 916-505-8780. The deadline for submitting resolutions will once again be the close of general session on Friday night.

Reminder from Ardis Bazyn: Don't forget to have at least one member from your chapter attend the Saturday Breakfast sponsored by the Public Relations, Membership, and Fundraising Committees. It will be held at 7 a.m. Saturday, October 31st. A complete breakfast will be served. The topic will be: "How sponsorships can help funding for chapters and increase publicity and membership". The cost of this great breakfast will be $19 and consist of scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, potatoes, pastries, coffee and tea.

Do you like to try new eating places at a discount? Look for deals on other purchases? The Orange County Chapter is selling the 2010 Entertainment Book for your local area as a fundraising activity. If you will be attending the Fresno convention and would like a book delivered to you, find out more information or place your order by October 14th. Contact Cathy at clswhitaker@gmail.com or 909-861-2931. (In case you are wondering, the San Gabriel Valley Chapter will not be selling the book this year.) Books are available for local California and nation wide locations at prices less than what you can find online. Call for prices.

Thank you for reading or listening, Gabe Griffith

October 9, 2009

Welcome to the California Connection, the weekly news service provided in English and Spanish by the California Council of the Blind. This news release has been revised on October 2, and will be updated on October 9. Remember that in order to have a message in on the next connection, please provide the message either to the office or to me directly at 916-505-8780 or Gabe.Griffith@ccbnet.org by Wednesday before the connection is recorded, or it will need to be placed in the following connection. Also, please make sure your message states in the subject line that it is for the connection or it may get missed.

From Gabe Griffith, connection editor: I am changing internet providers so effective immediately please begin submitting items for the connection to me at Gabe.Griffith@ccbnet.org

The Fresno Radisson has extended the CCB convention rate from October 7 to 15 so if you are planning on attending the convention call and make your reservations soon.

Fresno's Paratransit System is called Handy-Ride. One must make reservations at least 24 hours in advance and no more than 14 days ahead. The cost is 75 cents each way. Persons from outside of Fresno County can use the system if you pre-register. To pre-register, they would like to have the following information faxed to them at 559-228-6271. Copy of ADA card Name Address Date of Birth Any Special Mobility Need; such as needing an attendant, using a wheelchair, etc. The number to call to make a reservation is: 559-443-5650. For questions, you can contact Thelma Sanchez at 559-621-5802 or Thelma.Sanchez@fresno.gov or Carlos Duarte at 559-621-1522 or Carlos.Duarte@fresno.gov

CCB Fall Sweepstakes Update: Attention All CCB Members. The prizes for the fall sweepstakes will be as follows:
1st prize: XM Satellite Radio
2nd Prize: $250 cash
3rd Prize: Talking Microwave O)ven

Eric Calhoun Is looking for a roommate for the convention in Fresno. After 5 P.M. on Weekdays, and after 1 on Weekends, please call: 323-295-5750. Also, anyone can leave me a message by dialing 773-572-6258. At the end of the message, people will be asked to please press the pound sign, 2 key, and 1 key.

Linda Fonseca is seeking a non-smoking female roommate (guide dogs okay) for the fall convention from Thursday, October 29th through Sunday, November 1st, 12 Noon. Please call 415-684-6162 between the hours of 9:30 AM and 9 PM if interested.

From Gabe Griffith, CCB resolutions chair: It is once again time to be thinking about those resolutions for the upcoming convention. The resolutions committee appreciates your efforts for getting resolutions in early. Please submit them to me at Gabe.Griffith@ccbnet.org Or call me at 916-505-8780. The deadline for submitting resolutions will once again be the close of general session on Friday night.

Do you like to try new eating places at a discount? Look for deals on other purchases? The Orange County Chapter is selling the 2010 Entertainment Book for your local area as a fundraising activity. If you will be attending the Fresno convention and would like a book delivered to you, find out more information or place your order by October 14th. Contact Cathy at clswhitaker@gmail.com or 909-861-2931. (In case you are wondering, the San Gabriel Chapter will not be selling the book this year.) Books are available for local California and nation wide locations at prices less than what you can find online. Call for prices.

San Francisco Chapter members of the CCB invite you to our 8th Annual Pizza Bingo fund raiser, Saturday, October 17th from 12 Noon to 4 PM at the Western Park Apartments, 1280 Laguna Street, in San Francisco. The meal will consist of pizza, salad and desert. Your choice of pizza will be meat, vegetarian or cheese. Cost of the meal is $10. Beverage choices: wine for $1, beer for $1 or soda for $.50. Raffle tickets are being sold, 6 tickets for $5 or $1 per ticket. Raffle prizes are as follows: 1st prize $200; 2nd prize $100; 3rd and 4th prizes $50 each. We will also have door prizes. Deadline for reservations is Thursday October 15th. To make reservations for this event please call Sandra Fancher at 415-474-3659.

Disability Rights Advocates is interested in hearing about the experiences of blind and visually impaired people using point-of-sale (POS) devices at post offices in California. If you have tried to ship a package, buy packing supplies, or engage in any other type of transaction at a post office counter and pay with a debit or credit card, we would like to hear how the process went for you. Did the device for swiping your card have a keypad to enter information such as a PIN number, or did it only have a flat touch screen? Was the sales transaction otherwise accessible? Please send your feedback to Karla Gilbride at kgilbride@dralegal.org , or call her at 510-665-8644 extension 117. Thank you for sharing your experiences with us!

Thank you for reading or listening,
Gabe Griffith

October 2, 2009

Welcome to the California Connection, the weekly news service provided in English and Spanish by the California Council of the Blind. This news release has been revised on October 2, and will be updated on October 9. Remember that in order to have a message in on the next connection, please provide the message either to the office or to me directly at 916-505-8780 or Gabe.Griffith@ccbnet.org by Wednesday before the connection is recorded, or it will need to be placed in the following connection. Also, please make sure your message states in the subject line that it is for the connection or it may get missed.

From Gabe Griffith, connection editor: I am changing internet providers so effective immediately please begin submitting items for the connection to me at Gabe.Griffith@ccbnet.org

The Fresno Radisson has extended the CCB convention rate from October 7 to 15 so if you are planning on attending the convention call and make your reservations soon.

CCB Fall Sweepstakes Update: Attention All CCB Members. The prizes for the fall sweepstakes will be as follows:
1st prize: XM Satellite Radio
2nd Prize: $250 cash
3rd Prize: Talking Microwave O)ven

Do you like to try new eating places at a discount? Look for deals on other purchases? The Orange County Chapter is selling the 2010 Entertainment Book for your local area as a fundraising activity. If you will be attending the Fresno convention and would like a book delivered to you, find out more information or place your order by October 14th. Contact Cathy at clswhitaker@gmail.com or 909-861-2931. (In case you are wondering, the San Gabriel Chapter will not be selling the book this year.) Books are available for local California and nation wide locations at prices less than what you can find online. Call for prices.

Thank you for reading or listening,
Gabe Griffith

September 25, 2009

Welcome to the California Connection, the weekly news service provided in English and Spanish by the California Council of the Blind. This news release has been revised on September 25, and will be updated on October 2. Remember that in order to have a message in on the next connection, please provide the message either to the office or to me directly at 916-505-8780 or Gabe.Griffith@ccbnet.org by Wednesday before the connection is recorded, or it will need to be placed in the following connection. Also, please make sure your message states in the subject line that it is for the connection or it may get missed.

From Gabe Griffith, connection editor: I am changing internet providers so effective immediately please begin submitting items for the connection to me at Gabe.Griffith@ccbnet.org

CCB Fall Sweepstakes Update: Attention All CCB Members. The prizes for the fall sweepstakes will be as follows:
1st prize: XM Satellite Radio
2nd Prize: $250 cash
3rd Prize: Talking Microwave O)ven

Do you like to try new eating places at a discount? Look for deals on other purchases? The Orange County Chapter is selling the 2010 Entertainment Book for your local area as a fundraising activity. If you will be attending the Fresno convention and would like a book delivered to you, find out more information or place your order by October 14th. Contact Cathy at clswhitaker@gmail.com or 909-861-2931. (In case you are wondering, the San Gabriel Chapter will not be selling the book this year.) Books are available for local California and nation wide locations at prices less than what you can find online. Call for prices.

From Frank Welte, Visually impaired Californians have been harmed by the current economic downturn and the large state budget cuts that have resulted from it. The California Council of the Blind is conducting a survey to determine just how visually impaired people have been effected. You can obtain a survey form via Email from Kamilla Ryding in the CCB office. Her Email address is Kamilla.ryding@ccbnet.org. Also, you can complete the survey by telephone by calling Kamilla Ryding in the CCB office at (800) 221-6359 during normal business hours. Kamilla will begin accepting survey calls on Wednesday, September 16, 2009. The last day to submit survey forms is October 9, 2009. We want as many visually impaired Californians as possible to take the survey, so feel free to forward this message to others.

The Greater Los Angeles Chapter of the California Council of the Blind invite you and your chapter/affiliate members to attend our barbecue fundraiser on Saturday, October 3, 2009 from 3 – 8 p.m. This year's location will be at one of our Chapter member's homes, Ms. Vickie Parker, located at 9642 Jumilla Avenue Chatsworth, CA. The cross street is Plummer. The menu will include: hamburgers, hot dogs, hot links, garden burgers for vegetarians, potato salad, corn on the cob, home-made baked beans, soda, bottled water, beer, wine, and dessert. The cost of this fundraiser is $15 per adult, and children 4-12 will be $8. Tickets will be sold for beer and wine at $1 per ticket. We will have door prizes, a 50/50 raffle, and a couple of tables with items you can purchase for yourself or shopping early for Christmas. We will also have two special door prizes for those who RSVP no later than September 25, 2009. Reservations must be made by calling: Ken and Pamela Metz at 626-300-8477.

LADWP has been forced to offer accessible billing and notices and conform their website to 408 standards. We now need to evaluate whether they are doing a good job. We need folks to contact DWP and ask for accessible bills. Individuals may choose Braille, Large Print, electronic emails, or phone calls. We need an assessment of the process by which folks elect their accessible format of choice. If folks would contact DWP and request accessible bills and notifications, then take notes about how smoothly the progress did or did not go, we will use that feedback to confirm for the court that LADWP is meeting its obligation or not. If you need further clarification let me know. The original notice of accessible bills was posted on CCB's website in March or April. All CCB members and all persons with vision loss in L.A. County are urged to contact the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power at (800-342-5397 800-DialDWP) and ask for accessible bills and notices. Please report your experiences, so that the court may determine whether or not LADWP is in compliance with the law.
Contact: Rick Boggs
The Accessible Planet: 818-882-7733
Email: rick@rickboggs.com

Thank you for reading or listening,
Gabe Griffith

September 18, 2009

Welcome to the California Connection, the weekly news service provided in English and Spanish by the California Council of the Blind. This news release has been revised on September 18, and will be updated on September 25. Remember that in order to have a message in on the next connection, please provide the message either to the office or to me directly at 916-505-8780 or gabe.griffith@ccbnet.org by Wednesday before the connection is recorded, or it will need to be placed in the following connection. Also, please make sure your message states in the subject line that it is for the connection or it may get missed.

CCB Fall Sweepstakes Update: Attention All CCB Members. The prizes for the fall sweepstakes will be as follows:
1st prize: XM Satellite Radio
2nd Prize: $250 cash
3rd Prize: Talking Microwave O)ven

From Frank Welte, CCB Director of Advocacy and governmental affairs: Please note that the CCB Legislative Report updated as of September 14 is available on our toll-free line at 800-221-6359 and also on the CCB web site at www.ccbnet.org

Visually impaired Californians have been harmed by the current economic downturn and the large state budget cuts that have resulted from it. The California Council of the Blind is conducting a survey to determine just how visually impaired people have been effected. You can obtain a survey form via Email from Kamilla Ryding in the CCB office. Her Email address is Kamilla.ryding@ccbnet.org Also, you can complete the survey by telephone by calling Kamilla Ryding in the CCB office at (800) 221-6359 during normal business hours. Kamilla will begin accepting survey calls on Wednesday, September 16, 2009. The last day to submit survey forms is October 9, 2009. We want as many visually impaired Californians as possible to take the survey, so feel free to forward this message to others.

The Orange County CCB Summer Social took place on August 8, and a good time was had by all. Photos are available at: www.ccbnet.org/groups/oc/ccb_bbq.htm.

Thank you for reading or listening,
Gabe Griffith

September 11, 2009

Welcome to the California Connection, the weekly news service provided in English and Spanish by the California Council of the Blind. This news release has been revised on September 11, and will be updated on September 18. Remember that in order to have a message in on the next connection, please provide the message either to the office or to me directly at 916-505-8780 or gabe.griffith@ccbnet.org by Wednesday before the connection is recorded, or it will need to be placed in the following connection. Also, please make sure your message states in the subject line that it is for the connection or it may get missed.

CCB Fall Sweepstakes Update: Attention All CCB Members. The prizes for the fall sweepstakes will be as follows:
1st prize: XM Satellite Radio
2nd Prize: $250 cash
3rd Prize: Talking Microwave Oven

From Jeff Thom: I wanted to give all of you who will be attending the convention a chance to weigh in on the entree for the banquet. As an aside, the vegetarian option will be pasta Florentine. I would like input on whether attendees would prefer prime rib or whiskey peppercorn center cut steak. Let the office know via phone at 800-221-6359 or email at ccotb@ccbnet.org what you would choose. I will go with the majority preference. Please respond within two weeks, so that I can finalize and publicize the menus.

The Greater Los Angeles Chapter of the California Council of the Blind invites you and your chapter/affiliate members to attend our barbecue fundraiser on Saturday, October 3, 2009 from 3 – 8 p.m. This year's location will be at one of our Chapter member's homes, Ms. Vickie Parker, located at 9642 Jumilla Avenue Chatsworth, CA. The cross street is Plummer. The menu will include: hamburgers, hot dogs, hot links, garden burgers for vegetarians, potato salad, corn on the cob, home-made baked beans, soda, bottled water, beer, wine, and dessert. The cost of this fundraiser is $15 per adult, and children 4-12 will be $8. Tickets will be sold for beer and wine at $1 per ticket. We will have door prizes, a 50/50 raffle, and a couple of tables with items you can purchase for yourself or shopping early for Christmas. We will also have two special door prizes for those who RSVP no later than September 25, 2009. Reservations must be made by calling: Ken and Pamela Metz at 626-300-8477.

The US Census needs your help. Outreach efforts to educate the public about the importance of completing the census questionnaire, when they arrive to citizens in late February and 1st of April 2010, are on-going now! Your help is needed crucially.
There is money available to help nonprofit, and Community Based Organizations (CBO's) to educate "hard to count" (HTC) groups and groups in targeted areas of California. Anyone that is a trusted source within a community is needed to hold a Census presentation at their next townhall meeting, fair and festivals in their neighborhoods and to let their community know how important it is fill out (completely and accurately) and mail back the Census questionnaire when it arrives around the end of February and 1st of April 2010. For more information you can go to http://2010.census.gov/2010census/
For more help and to answer your questions, you can also contact the numbers below or Michael Lafferty with the Department of Consumer Affairs at 916-574-7409. CBO's can complete the application below and get up to $2499 or $2999 for products or services, respectfully. But, you need to fill out the applications and send them in now! Don't delay.

Thank you for reading or listening,
Gabe Griffith

September 4, 2009

Welcome to the California Connection, the weekly news service provided in English and Spanish by the California Council of the Blind. This news release has been revised on September 4, and will be updated on September 11. Remember that in order to have a message in on the next connection, please provide the message either to the office or to me directly at 916-505-8780 or gabe.griffith@ccbnet.org by Wednesday before the connection is recorded, or it will need to be placed in the following connection. Also, please make sure your message states in the subject line that it is for the connection or it may get missed.

Please take note that, effective immediately, the general Email address for the California Council of the Blind has changed. The new address is ccotb@ccbnet.org

The Radisson Hotel Fresno is prepared to take CCB guest room block reservations for the 75th anniversary Diamond Jubilee Convention to be held from October 29 through November 1. Specifically, callers must state that they are making reservations for the "California Council of the Blind convention in October 2009 at the Radisson Hotel Fresno". The total cost per night is $100. The hotel recommends that callers use their local number 559-268-1000 when calling to place reservations. If that number is busy, or during all weekends and holidays, callers will be automatically transferred to an offsite reservations center at 800-333-3333. The caller should receive the same price quote from either location. From Jeff Thom: I wanted to give all of you who will be attending the convention a chance to weigh in on the entree for the banquet. As an aside, the vegetarian option will be pasta Florentine. I would like input on whether attendees would prefer prime rib or whiskey peppercorn center cut steak. Let the office know via phone at 800-221-6359 or email at ccotb@ccbnet.org what you would choose. I will go with the majority preference. Please respond within two weeks, so that I can finalize and publicize the menus.

Jane Kardas is seeking a non-smoking female roommate (no guide dogs please) for the fall convention from Thursday evening October 29th through Sunday morning. Please call between the hours of 7 AM and 10 PM, speak slowly and leave a message on my answering machine if I am not available when you call. 707-468-5510.

From Jeff Thom: In these difficult economic times, there is an easy way that every member and supporter of the California Council of the Blind can help the organization. Over the next month or so, the state and many of the major cities and counties in the state will be holding their charitable giving drives for 2010. The California Council of the Blind is listed as a designated agency on the state list, as well as on many of the city and county lists. Even if it isn't specifically mentioned, you can designate money to be given to CCB. If you work for a state or local agency, or if you have family, friends, or just know of folks who work for government agencies, consider giving or letting others know about giving to CCB. If you are interested in talking points concerning why CCB is truly a worthwhile entity to which a donation should be made, do not hesitate to call me at 916-995-3967.

All of us are aware of the gigantic cuts to the programs that serve those of us with disabilities. Disability Rights California is looking into filing an action to stop the cuts to IHSS. They need stories sent to them by email or fax asap to help them with the legal fight. Anyone who has or has recently had over 120 hours of IHSS per month should immediately send an email or fax telling about your fears and what cuts your worker has told you that you will receive. Please be brief and give them your full contact information as they will be wanting to talk to many of us as soon as possible. In southern California send your e-mails to Rachel Scherer and in northern California send e-mails to Fred Nisen. Their e-mail addresses are Fred.Nisen@disabilityrightsca.org
rachel.scherer@disabilityrightsca.org
or you can call 800-776-5746 and tell them that you are calling about IHSS cuts.

The Braille & Talking Book Library, a section of the California State Library, is celebrating Louis Braille's 200th birthday by hosting the Louis Braille Bicentennial Exhibit. A production of National Braille Press, this national traveling exhibit features vibrant images, with print and Braille text, that highlight Louis Braille's life history, the braille production process, and the importance of braille today. The free exhibit will be open to the public September 1 through September 25, excluding Labor Day. Hours are 9 AM to 5 PM, Mondays through Thursdays, and one Friday, September 25. Location for the exhibit is the lobby of Library & Courts Building II, 900 N Street, Sacramento. A related author event will feature C. Michael Mellor, author of Louis Braille: A Touch of Genius, who will discuss his richly illustrated biography of Braille on Wednesday, September 9, from 2 to 3 pm in the Resources Building Auditorium, 1416 9th St., first floor. A reception with birthday cake follows from 3 to 4:30 pm in the fragrance garden outside of Library & Courts Building 2, 900 N Street, Sacramento. For more information about the exhibit or author event phone the Braille & Talking Book Library reception desk at (916) 654-0640, (800) 952-5666 (toll free in CA), or e-mail btbl@library.ca.gov.

The National Council on Disability (NCD) is gathering public input for a study of emerging issues and trends affecting the lives of people with disabilities. NCD invites interested individuals to comment on any of the following: Employment, Education, Health status and healthcare, Financial status and security, Leisure and recreation, Personal relationships, Crime and safety, Homeland security, housing, Technology, Assistive Technology, or Telecommunications. The deadline for comments is September 15, 2009. To find out how to participate and submission guidelines, go to http://www.ncd.gov/newsroom/publications/2009/NationalCouncilonDisability.doc

The U.S. Census needs your help. Outreach efforts to educate the public about the importance of completing the census questionnaire, when they arrive to citizens in late February and 1st of April 2010, are on-going now! Your help is needed crucially. There is money available to help nonprofit, and Community Based Organizations (CBO's) to educate "hard to count" (HTC) groups and groups in targeted areas of California. Anyone that is a trusted source within a community is needed to hold a Census presentation at their next townhall meeting, fair and festivals in their neighborhoods and to let their community know how important it is fill out (completely and accurately) and mail back the Census questionnaire when it arrives around the end of February and 1st of April 2010. For more information you can go to http://2010.census.gov/2010 census/ For more help and to answer your questions, you can also contact the numbers below or Michael Lafferty with the Department of Consumer Affairs at (916-574-7409. CBO's can complete the application below and get up to $2499 or $2999 for products or services, respectfully. But, you need to fill out the applications and send them in now! Don't delay.

Thank you for reading or listening,
Gabe Griffith

August 28, 2009

Welcome to the California Connection, the weekly news service provided in English and Spanish by the California Council of the Blind. This news release has been revised on August 28, and will be updated on September 4. Remember that in order to have a message in on the next connection, please provide the message either to the office or to me directly at 916-505-8780 or gabe.griffith@ccbnet.org by Wednesday before the connection is recorded, or it will need to be placed in the following connection. Also, please make sure your message states in the subject line that it is for the connection or it may get missed.

Please take note that, effective immediately, the general Email address for the California Council of the Blind has changed. The new address is ccotb@ccbnet.org

From Jeff Thom: CCB board member Lewis Preston is currently in Long Beach Memorial due to complications from gall bladder surgery. If you would like to get in touch with him, you may call him at the hospital. The number is 310-325-9110 and he is in room 524B. It is with great pleasure that I announce the hiring of Lily McCray. If you haven't talked to her on the phone already, you will certainly have that opportunity in the weeks to come, and she will, of course, be at convention. I am quite sure that you will come to appreciate what a tremendous member we have added to our staff.

The California Council of the Blind is joining a number of groups and individuals filing an objection to a proposed settlement of a case filed against several cities in Contra Costa County on access issues impacting the duties of these cities to meet their ADA obligations with respect to curb ramps and other barriers, and possibly issues such as accessible pedestrian signals. Not only would this settlement likely allow a city to use $10,000 or even less per year for 30 years to meet these obligations, a woefully inadequate amount, it would prevent persons with disabilities, including those who are blind or visually impaired from filing any claims against these cities for failure to meet them. If you are a blind or low vision resident of Contra Costa County and would like to be represented with respect to the objection being filed against this settlement, I would urge you to contact disability-rights attorney Terry Kilpatrick, at Ernst & Mattison, 1020 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, CA. 93401 or by phone at 805-541-0300. He is very knowledgeable and easy to work with.

CCB introduces the P.G. and E. "Care Program" for P.G. and E. customers: The California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) Program provides a monthly discount on energy bills for income qualified households and housing facilities. Qualifications are based on the number of persons living in your home and your total annual household income. Call toll free 800-743-2273 for more information. When you are ready to enroll in the program call the CCB office at 800-221-6359 and ask for Ed Branch. He will assist you by completing the PG&E Care enrollment form. Enrolling through the CCB office provides $15 back to CCB! CCB introduces the Southern California Edison "Care Program" for Southern California Edison customers: The California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) program offers income-qualified customers a discount of 20% or more off their monthly electric bill. Call toll free 1-866-675-6623 for more information. When you are ready to enroll in the program call the CCB office at 800-221-6359 and ask for Ed Branch. He will assist you by completing the Southern California Edison Care enrollment form. Enrolling through the CCB office provides $15 back to CCB!

Thank you for reading or listening,
Gabe Griffith

August 21, 2009

Welcome to the California Connection, the weekly news service provided in English and Spanish by the California Council of the Blind. This news release has been revised on August 21, and will be updated on August 28. Remember that in order to have a message in on the next connection, please provide the message either to the office or to me directly at 916-505-8780 or gabe_griffith@ccbnet.org by Wednesday before the connection is recorded, or it will need to be placed in the following connection. Also, please make sure your message states in the subject line that it is for the connection or it may get missed.

Please take note that, effective immediately, the general Email address for the California Council of the Blind has changed. The new address is ccotb@ccbnet.org

From Mike Keithley, Blind Californian editor: The fall BC will be dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the founding of CCB. If you have stories, reminiscences or other items to contribute, please send them to editor@ccbnet.org or call Mike Keithley at 650-386-6286. They will be welcomed and appreciated.

Thursday, August 27th is "Fun For All Day" at the California State Fair. Between 12 Noon and 3 PM persons with disabilities will be admitted free. For further information call 916-263-3247.

All of us are aware of the gigantic cuts to the programs that serve those of us with disabilities. Disability Rights California is looking into filing an action to stop the cuts to IHSS. They need stories sent to them by email or fax asap to help them with the legal fight. Anyone who has or has recently had over 120 hours of IHSS per month should immediately send an email or fax telling about your fears and what cuts your worker has told you that you will receive. Please be brief and give them your full contact information as they will want to talk to many of us as soon as possible. In southern California send your e-mails to Rachel Scherer and in northern California send e-mails to Fred Nisen. Their e-mail addresses are Fred.Nisen@disabilityrightsca.org rachel.scherer@disabilityrightsca.org or you can call 800-776-5746 and tell them that you are calling about IHSS cuts.

Thank you for reading or listening,
Gabe Griffith

August 14, 2009

Welcome to the California Connection, the weekly news service provided in English and Spanish by the California Council of the Blind. This news release has been revised on August 14, and will be updated on August 21. Remember that in order to have a message in on the next connection, please provide the message either to the office or to me directly at 916-505-8780 or gabe.griffith@ccbnet.org by Wednesday before the connection is recorded, or it will need to be placed in the following connection. Also, please make sure your message states in the subject line that it is for the connection or it may get missed.

Please take note that, effective immediately, the general Email address for the California Council of the Blind has changed. The new address is ccotb@ccbnet.org

Members of CCB: Disability Rights Advocates (DRA) has filed a lawsuit in state and federal courts against the California Department of Transportation ("Caltrans"). The lawsuit is on behalf of all Californians with mobility and/or vision disabilities. As a part of that lawsuit, we are currently investigating issues regarding temporary alternate pedestrian routes around construction sites that block sidewalks. We are interested in hearing from you if:

you aware of any current locations where construction is blocking the sidewalk but the alternate route around the construction is either undetectable or inaccessible to you. This includes situations where the sidewalk is closed but marked only by signage and/or a non-detectable barrier (e.g., yellow tape).
you previously encountered a situation where an alternate route around the construction was provided but it was either undetectable or inaccessible to you.

To contact us to tell us about your experiences, call Disability Rights Advocates (DRA) at (510) 665-8644 and ask for Cat or Lena-Kate or email cmcculloch@dralegal.org We would appreciate you contacting us as soon as possible as this issue is extremely important and one we would like to address at our upcoming trial.

Dear CCB members: Lainey and Linda are interested in talking with CCB members who have health insurance through Anthem / Blue Cross. (The company used to simply be called "Blue Cross" but is now called Anthem, or Anthem Blue Cross.) If you currently have your health insurance with this company, please contact Lainey and Linda with the following information. They can be reached by email at: LF@LFLegal.com or through the toll-free number in Linda's office at 800-822-5000:

How long have you had insurance with Anthem / Blue Cross, and what type of policy do you have?
Have you ever asked for any insurance information in an alternative format, including Braille, large print, or audio format? If yes, please let them know what happened.
Have you ever used or tried to use the Anthem / Blue Cross website? The official url is: http://anthem4ca.com
If you have tried to use the website, were you able to get the information you were looking for?

Thank you for reading or listening,
Gabe Griffith

August 7, 2009

Welcome to the California Connection, the weekly news service provided in English and Spanish by the California Council of the Blind. This news release has been revised on August 7, and will be updated on August 14. Remember that in order to have a message in on the next connection, please provide the message either to the office or to me directly at 916-505-8780 or gabe.griffith@ccbnet.org by Wednesday before the connection is recorded, or it will need to be placed in the following connection. Also, please make sure your message states in the subject line that it is for the connection or it may get missed.

Please take note that, effective immediately, the general Email address for the California Council of the Blind has changed. The new address is ccotb@ccbnet.org

From Mike Keithley, Blind Californian editor: The fall BC will be dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the founding of CCB. If you have stories, reminiscences or other items to contribute, please send them to editor@ccb.net or call Mike Keithley at 650-386-6286. They will be welcomed and appreciated.

From Frank Welte, Director of advocacy and governmental affairs: From now until August 17, the State Legislature will be in recess, and the U.S. Congress will be in recess during August. All those lawmakers will be back in their districts meeting with the people. Now is the time for you to meet with your member of the State Assembly, your State Senator, your member of the U.S. House of Representatives, and perhaps even with U.S. Senators Boxer and Feinstein, either in their district offices or at one of the many public events they will host or attend in the next month. We need every one of our state legislators to become personally acquainted with our CCB members, and to understand that their votes directly effect individual blind and visually impaired Californians. We need our members of the House of Representatives to co-sponsor H.R. 734, H.R. 3101 and H.R. 571, and we need Senators Boxer and Feinstein to co-sponsor S 841. If you need help finding out how to contact your legislators, or if you want help knowing what to say to them, just contact Frank Welte at (650) 576-4177, or send Frank Email at frank.welte@ccbnet.org or check out the latest CCB Legislative report by calling (800) 221-6359, option 5, during evenings and week-ends. The report is also on the CCB web site.

The deadline to put in a deposit for the AMC party bus from southern California to the fall convention in Fresno is August 15. To sign up and/or for more info please contact either of the following persons: Foster Brown at 951-682-0069 or brownfoster@gmail.com Lillian at 562-494-4306 Or Andrew at AMC_CCB@Verizon.net.

The 5th Annual "Provide A Ride For The Seeing Impaired" motorcycle ride will be taking place on August 29th. This event will start in Orange County and proceed up the coast. Come and have a ride on a motorcycle for an hour or so on the coast, and enjoy a great party afterward. For more information contact Michele Pangle at 949-650-6087 or email flygirl72759@att.net. Remember, the sign-up deadline is August 16.

you aware of any current locations where construction is blocking the sidewalk but the alternate route around the construction is either undetectable or inaccessible to you. This includes situations where the sidewalk is closed but marked only by signage and/or a non-detectable barrier (e.g., yellow tape).
you previously encountered a situation where an alternate route around the construction was provided but it was either undetectable or inaccessible to you.

How long have you had insurance with Anthem / Blue Cross, and what type of policy do you have?
Have you ever asked for any insurance information in an alternative format, including Braille, large print, or audio format? If yes, please let them know what happened.
Have you ever used or tried to use the Anthem / Blue Cross website? The official url is: http://anthem4ca.com
If you have tried to use the website, were you able to get the information you were looking for?

Thank you for reading or listening,
Gabe Griffith

July 31, 2009

Welcome to the California Connection, the weekly news service provided in English and Spanish by the California Council of the Blind. This news release has been revised on July 31, and will be updated on August 7. Remember that in order to have a message in on the next connection, please provide the message either to the office or to me directly at 916-505-8780 or gabe.griffith@ccbnet.org by Wednesday before the connection is recorded, or it will need to be placed in the following connection. Also, please make sure your message states in the subject line that it is for the connection or it may get missed.

Please take note that, effective immediately, the general Email address for the California Council of the Blind has changed. The new address is ccotb@ccbnet.org

From Joel Isaac : Please note: the California Connection mailing list has been moved from Google Groups. To subscribe to the new group, send a blank message to connection-subscribe@ccbnet.org If you have any questions, please contact Joel at webmaster@ccbnet.org

Correction: The Orange County Chapter's summer barbecue and social will be held on August 8th between 12 and 3pm at the First Reform Church of Anaheim (530 North Dale Ave, Anaheim, CA 92806). Please note the time and location changes. The $10 cost will include a BBQ lunch and dessert. You'll also have a chance to do some holiday shopping with local vendors...And Guide Dogs are welcome! Please RSVP to Coletta Davis at 714-630-8098 or email clswhitaker@gmail.com by August 3rd.

From Frank Welte, Director of advocacy and governmental affairs: From now until August 17, the State Legislature will be in recess, and the U.S. Congress will be in recess during August. All those lawmakers will be back in their districts meeting with the people. Now is the time for you to meet with your member of the State Assembly, your State Senator, your member of the U.S. House of Representatives, and perhaps even with U.S. Senators Boxer and Feinstein, either in their district offices or at one of the many public events they will host or attend in the next month. We need every one of our state legislators to become personally acquainted with our CCB members, and to understand that their votes directly effect individual blind and visually impaired Californians. We need our members of the House of Representatives to co-sponsor H.R. 734, H.R. 3101 and H.R. 571, and we need Senators Boxer and Feinstein to co-sponsor S 841. If you need help finding out how to contact your legislators, or if you want help knowing what to say to them, just contact Frank Welte at (650) 576-4177, or send Frank Email afrank.welte@ccbnet.org , or check out the latest CCB Legislative report by calling (800) 221-6359, option 5, during evenings and week-ends. The report is also on the CCB web site: http://www.ccbnet.org/leginfo.

How long have you had insurance with Anthem / Blue Cross, and what type of policy do you have?
Have you ever asked for any insurance information in an alternative format, including Braille, large print, or audio format? If yes, please let them know what happened.
Have you ever used or tried to use the Anthem / Blue Cross website? The official url is: http://anthem4ca.com
If you have tried to use the website, were you able to get the information you were looking for?

Thank you for reading or listening,
Gabe Griffith

July 24, 2009

Welcome to the California Connection, the weekly news service provided in English and Spanish by the California Council of the Blind. This news release has been revised on July 24, and will be updated on July 31. Remember that in order to have a message in on the next connection, please provide the message either to the office or to me directly at 916-505-8780 or gabe.griffith@ccbnet.org by Wednesday before the connection is recorded, or it will need to be placed in the following connection. Also, please make sure your message states in the subject line that it is for the connection or it may get missed.

Please take note that, effective immediately, the general Email address for the California Council of the Blind has changed. The new address is ccotb@ccbnet.org

From Joel Isaac : Please note: We will be moving the California Connection mailing list from Google Groups. To subscribe to the new group, send a blank message to connection-subscribe@ccbnet.org If you have any questions, please contact Joel at webmaster@ccbnet.org

From Jeff Thom: We are extremely pleased to welcome Kamilla Ryding who will be serving as an extern for CCB through December. She has come to us all the way from Denmark. She is already hard at work learning about our organization and our issues. If you don't talk to her before, those of you attending the convention will have a chance to meet her. As time goes on you will learn about some of the special projects in which she will participate.

How long have you had insurance with Anthem / Blue Cross, and what type of policy do you have?
Have you ever asked for any insurance information in an alternative format, including Braille, large print, or audio format? If yes, please let them know what happened.
Have you ever used or tried to use the Anthem / Blue Cross website? The official url is: http://anthem4ca.com/
If you have tried to use the website, were you able to get the information you were looking for?

From Mitch Pomerantz: I am scheduling our next Office Hours call for Saturday, July 25th, beginning at 11:00 A.M. PDT. The number, which is no longer toll-free, is (605) 475-4825 and the code is 1012641. The call will last 90 minutes.

From Frank Welte: Please send letters, email and make calls to your congressional representative, and ask him or her to co-sponsor H.R. 3101, "The 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2009." Among other things, this bill will improve captioning online, hearing aid compatible smart phones, video description, user-friendly TVs, funds for deaf-blind equipment etc.

My name is Dubii Lethugae. I am a member of the Redwood Empire Chapter. I need a ride to Raggae Rising in Humboldt County. I want to go on Thursday, July 30 and come back the following Monday. Please call me at 707-484-8708 if you can help.

General Information Regarding the OHA Opening. Please note that this is for public housing only-OHA is not accepting Section 8 pre-applications at this time. As you share this housing opportunity with clients, customers, co-workers, partners and associates, please be aware of the following: Pre-Applications can be submitted on-line only beginning Monday, July 27th, 2009 at 12:01 a.m. to Friday, July 31st, 2009 at 11:59 p.m. This is not a "first come - first served" process. Applicants have the entire 5-day application period to submit applications at any computer with internet access. All applications received will be placed in a lottery immediately following the deadline. Each site based wait list will be established by the applications selected during the lottery. All applicants will be notified of their application's lottery outcome within 120 days of the application deadline. To assist applicants who do not have access to a home computer, assistance is available at: The OHA East District Office at 1327th 65th Avenue. The OHA West District Office at 935 Union Street. Applicants can also apply at all Oakland Public Libraries - OHA staff will be available to assist at each branch during each branch's business hours.

From Damian Dwyer: I am a Masters of Psychology student at the University of Phoenix and have an assignment to interview someone with visual impairments. Sorry for the short notice but this assignment needs to be completed by Sunday July 26. If you are willing to help I can be reached at 310-606-0779 Weekdays after 7:00 PM or Weekends after 11:00 AM. Thank you for helping.

Thank you for reading or listening,
Gabe Griffith

July 17, 2009

Welcome to the California Connection, the weekly news service provided in English and Spanish by the California Council of the Blind. This news release has been revised on July 17, and will be updated on July 24. Remember that in order to have a message in on the next connection, please provide the message either to the office or to me directly at 916-505-8780 or gabe.griffith@ccbnet.org by Wednesday before the connection is recorded, or it will need to be placed in the following connection. Also, please make sure your message states in the subject line that it is for the connection or it may get missed.

From Joel Isaac: The summer edition of the Blind Californian is now online in text, audio, and electronic Braille formats at http://www.ccbnet.org/bc/bc0903.htm

From Donna Pomerantz: To my CCB Family:
I want to thank everyone for supporting Mitch and/or me in the ACB Run/Walk. If you remember I sent out a note for support as we were going to do this walk in Orlando at the ACB Convention the morning of July 4th. I want to thank everyone who supported us not only with financial contributions, but also with moral support by encouraging us and wishing us well on the first ever walk. When I'd got a little tired because of the humidity, or just the early morning, I would think of you and remember that we were not doing this alone (smile). Thanks to each and every one of you who helped us make this happen and walked right along side us through all of your support and encouragement.

Join the Orange County Chapter of the California Council of the Blind for a summer barbecue. This fundraising event will give you the opportunity to come see old friends, meet new friends, visit vendors to do some holiday shopping, and share in a wonderful summer afternoon. When: Saturday, August 8, 2009 from 1 – 5 pm. Where: 2879 E. Alden Place, Anaheim, CA 92806. Cost: $4 includes BBQ lunch and dessert. Please RSVP to Coletta Davis at 714-630-8098 by July 31st. Since this is a private residence, NO DOGS please.

The deadline to put in a deposit for the AMC party bus from southern California to the fall convention in Fresno has been pushed back to August 15. Please make note of the new date. To sign up and/or for more info please contact either of the following persons: Foster Brown at 951-682-0069 or brownfoster@gmail.com Lillian at 562-494-4306 Or Andrew at AMC_CCB@Verizon.net

From Sean Ryan: For sale: BrailleNote M Power with 18 cell braille display, GPS 3.5 and KeySoft version 7 with slim GPS receiver. Two AC power adapters. All U.S. maps and POI's. Original instructions and packaging. Very good condition Asking $2200 or best offer. Please contact Sean for more info at: blindrover@gmail.com

From Jennifer Boylan, Co-Captain, Stockton Stingrays: The 2009 NBBA World Series is being held for the first time in Stockton, Ca. The tournament has not been held in California for a decade, so this is a great opportunity for Californians to come out and experience the best of beep baseball! Dates are Sun., July 26-Sun., August 2. Games will be held Tuesday, July 28-Sat., August 1. Weekday games begin at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. There will be some afternoon games at 1 p.m. The championship game will be at 11 a.m. on August 1. The tournament is being held at the Stockton Soccer Complex off the Hwy 99 West frontage near Morada Lane in Stockton, Ca. For more info on the World Series and beep baseball, visit www.nbba.org Hope to see you there!

From Bob Acosta: Cooking with ken and Cindy July 26. Four pm Pacific time. To participate visit www.accessibleworld.org ; in the virtual kitchen. For more information, contact Ken Metz at: kenmetz@sbcglobal.net

i-Connect, A free series for active adults with impaired sight. Socialize with other people with impaired sight, Have breakfast with friends. Speaker: Natalie Nankin, R.N., M.S.
Topic: FOOD FOOD FOOD. Eating healthy: Learn how to order healthy food in a restaurant or even at a fast-food chain. Find out about new diet trends; what works and what doesn't. Come ask all your questions, about these and other hot topics.
Where: The Center's Tarzana Office, 18425 Burbank Blvd., Ste 706, Tarzana 91356 (On Burbank Blvd., just east of Reseda Blvd. When: Saturday, July 25, 2009. Time: 9:30 – 12:00. Coffee and more, 9:30 – 10:15. To RSVP, call Janice at (310) 458-3501, Ext. 148.

From Cindy Flerman: I am looking for assistance over the phone in conjunction with using the computer to learn to download books from Web Braille and Bookshare in the brf and DAISY formats, and possibly also in downloading from the desktop to the Victor Stream. Patience and an hour or two on the phone to learn these skills would be greatly appreciated. I would like to acquire these skills by the end of the month, if possible, for use on a trip. If interested in this volunteer work, please contact me at 310-478-8191 or by e-mail at cflerman@verizon.net

Thank you for reading or listening,
Gabe Griffith

July 9, 2009

Welcome to the California Connection, the weekly news service provided in English and Spanish by the California Council of the Blind. This news release has been revised on July 10, and will be updated on July 17. Remember that in order to have a message in on the next connection, please provide the message either to the office or to me directly at 916-505-8780 or gabe.griffith@ccbnet.org by Wednesday before the connection is recorded, or it will need to be placed in the following connection. Also, please make sure your message states in the subject line that it is for the connection or it may get missed.

From President Jeff Thom: It is with great regret that I announce that July 17 will be the final day of employment with CCB for Diana Sandul. She will be moving out-of-state to pursue new endeavors. Diana has been a real asset to CCB and we will miss her greatly.

From Frank Welte, CCB Director of Advocacy and governmental affairs: Please note that the CCB Capitol Report updated as of July 6 is available on our toll-free line at 800-221-6359 and on the CCB web site,www.ccbnet.org

AMC Party Bus "Leave the fuss to us!" This is for all residents from San Diego to Los Angeles. Ride the AMC party bus going to Fresno, CA in celebration of CCB's 75th anniversary. The fare for the party bus is $90. This includes two box lunches, (one for departure and one for return), drinks, entertainment, baggage handling, and gratuity. An initial deposit of $45 is due by July 15th and the remaining $45 is due by September 15th. The Los Angeles pick up location will be L.A. Union station. To sign up and/or for more info please contact either of the following persons: Foster Brown at 951-682-0069 or brownfoster@gmail.com Lillian at 562-494-4306 Or Andrew at AMC_CCB@Verizon.net See you on the bus!

Thank you for reading or listening,
Gabe Griffith

June 26, 2009

Welcome to the California Connection, the weekly news service provided in English and Spanish by the California Council of the Blind. This news release has been revised on June 26, and will be updated on July 10. Remember that in order to have a message in on the next connection, please provide the message either to the office or to me directly at 916-505-8780 or gabe.griffith@ccbnet.org by Wednesday before the connection is recorded, or it will need to be placed in the following connection. Also, please make sure your message states in the subject line that it is for the connection or it may get missed.

From Gabe Griffith, connection editor: First I want to state that there will be no connection on July 3rd in honor of the 4th of July Holiday. The next connection will come out on July 10. Next I want to apologize for some incorrect information in regards to the changes in access services times and fairs. Please contact the access customer service at 1-800-827-0829. Thank you.

From CCB president, Jeff Thom: We will have the California caucus at 5:15 in Salon 22. Because the room is somewhat removed from most of the other caucus rooms, I am leaving 15 extra minutes to get started. As I said, unless we have unexpected happenings, we won't have many contested elections this time. Thanks to all and see you soon. As part of the outstanding annual ACB auction, we will be holding a silent auction at the ACB Convention in Orlando, FL in which states can provide packages of items. We would love California to show just why CCB is the greatest affiliate in ACB. If you have new items of at least $20 in value, including gift certificates that can be used nationally, please send them to me at the office in the next few weeks at 1510 'J' Street, Suite 125, Sacramento, CA 95814 or bring them to convention if you are attending. Either way, let me know what they are, so that I can catalogue them. We also need items that will be sold independently of our California package. The auction is lots of fun and has raised more than $40,000 over the past two years for ACB. Thanks in advance for your help.

The East LA annual fundraiser will once again be held on June 27th. This feast will cost $12.00 for adults and $6 for kids under six years old. The festivities will be held at 1226 South McBride Ave. in East LA. The cross street is Olympic. The menu will consist of Barbaracoa, rice, beans, salad and dessert. Your choice of beverages are Negra Modello, Margaritas, and Mohitos for $2.00, beer and wine for $1.50, sodas for $1.00, and water for $.50. One of our door prizes will be a basket of Joy. Our fundraiser will begin at 11:00 AM and end at 02:00 PM. Mrs. Garcia has been cooking for our chapter for 37 plus years. Your taste buds won't be disappointed. We look forward to seeing old and new friends on June 27th. Bring a friend and make new ones. For any questions contact President Louie Herrera at 818-894-3722 or Mrs. Lopez at 323-268-4526.

Do you have problems using sidewalks because of access barriers?
WE WANT YOUR STORIES!!
WHAT: Disability Rights Advocates (DRA) has filed a lawsuit in state and federal courts against the California Department of Transportation ("Caltrans").
WHY: Caltrans owns over 2,500 miles of sidewalks along state highways, which are often major roads in local communities. Caltrans also controls many cross walks, intersections and pedestrian overpasses and underpasses, across the state of California. Many of these sidewalks contain access barriers, such as corners with no curb ramps, curb ramps that are too steep, poles that make the sidewalk too narrow to pass, broken and/or uneven pavement and a lack of detectable warnings (yellow domes indicating where the sidewalk ends and street begins). The lawsuits seek to make Caltrans fix these access barriers along sidewalks, intersections and pedestrian overpasses and underpasses.
WHO: The lawsuit is on behalf of all Californians with mobility and/or vision disabilities who experience access barriers along sidewalks, intersections and pedestrian overpasses and underpasses which are controlled by Caltrans.
WHERE: These lawsuits include:

Sidewalks and intersections along and across state highways. State highways with sidewalks usually become city or town streets. They are often marked by a state highway sign.
Sidewalks over or under state highways. Pedestrian overpasses or underpasses are sidewalks along bridges which pass over a freeway or sidewalks along streets which pass under a freeway.

HOW: If you would like to share your experiences about access to sidewalks, intersections or pedestrian overpasses and underpasses covered by this lawsuit, or if you would like to find out which sidewalks in your area are covered by this lawsuit, please contact us. Even if you previously talked to us, please give us your updates. You can contact us by calling 510-665-8644 (ask for Haley or Katie) or by e-mailing us at hfagan@dralegal.org or kweed@dralegal.org.

Thank you for reading or listening,
Gabe Griffith

June 12, 2009

Welcome to the California Connection, the weekly news service provided in English and Spanish by the California Council of the Blind. This news release has been revised on June 12, and will be updated on June 19. Remember that in order to have a message in on the next connection, please provide the message either to the office or to me directly at 916-505-8780 or gabe.griffith@ccbnet.org by Wednesday before the connection is recorded, or it will need to be placed in the following connection. Also, please make sure your message states in the subject line that it is for the connection or it may get missed.

From CCB president, Jeff Thom: As part of the outstanding annual ACB auction, we will be holding a silent auction at the ACB Convention in Orlando, FL in which states can provide packages of items. We would love California to show just why CCB is the greatest affiliate in ACB. If you have new items of at least $20 in value, including gift certificates that can be used nationally, please send them to me at the office in the next few weeks at 1510 'J' Street, Suite 125, Sacramento, CA 95814 or bring them to convention if you are attending. Either way, let me know what they are, so that I can catalogue them. We also need items that will be sold independently of our California package. The auction is lots of fun and has raised more than $40,000 over the past two years for ACB. Thanks in advance for your help. This is to let all of you who are attending the ACB convention know that a solid majority voted to have the California caucus on Tuesday at 5 PM, rather than Wednesday at noon. I will work on arranging a room from the convention coordinator and advertise the location both before and during convention. I will probably start at 5:15 to give folks time to arrive from events that may end at 5 PM. At this point in time, there are few candidates and we may well have a short caucus.

From Gerald Mackowiak: I want to pass on to members of CCB, and others who may read the Connection that Jim Riley passed away this past Monday morning, June 8. He had been living in a nursing facility in Minneapolis for the past several months due to the deterioration in his health. For those who may not have known Riley, he worked first as a rehabilitation counselor in Minnesota, came to California around 1960 and took a position as a counselor for the blind with California DOR. For a time he served as the rehab counselor for students at the Orientation Center for the Blind in Albany. Later he took up the position of Deputy Director for Training in the Business Enterprises Program for the Blind. He did this until his retirement in 1992. Even though he had lived out of state for most of his retirement years, he still maintained contact with his many friends and former colleagues. I know he inspired and helped many of us. He will be missed. He died peacefully with those he loved nearby.

For Sale: Used Braille Blazer, original serial/nulmodem cable, in working order, $700 or best offer. If you are interested in this item please contact Peter Schellen at zasetzu@gmail.com

Sidewalks and intersections along and across state highways. State highways with sidewalks usually become city or town streets. They are often marked by a state highway sign.
Sidewalks over or under state highways. Pedestrian overpasses or underpasses are sidewalks along bridges which pass over a freeway or sidewalks along streets which pass under a freeway.

Thank you for listening,
Gabe Griffith

June 5, 2009

Welcome to the California Connection, the weekly news service provided in English and Spanish by the California Council of the Blind. This news release has been revised on June 5, and will be updated on June 12. Remember that in order to have a message in on the next connection, please provide the message either to the office or to me directly at 916-505-8780 or gabe.griffith@ccbnet.org by Wednesday before the connection is recorded, or it will need to be placed in the following connection. Also, please make sure your message states in the subject line that it is for the connection or it may get missed.

From CCB president, Jeff Thom: Along with alternative delegate Donna Pomerantz, I have come up with two potential dates for the California caucus at the ACB convention, both of which fall after the nominating committee has concluded its business. I would like people to let me know whether they would prefer Tuesday at 5 PM or Wednesday at noon. You can either e-mail me personally at jsthom@comcast.net or contact the office via phone or e-mail. Please provide your input by June 10 so that I can make the final arrangements for a room for the caucus.

As part of the outstanding annual ACB auction, we will be holding a silent auction at the ACB Convention in Orlando, FL in which states can provide packages of items. We would love California to show just why CCB is the greatest affiliate in ACB. If you have new items of at least $20 in value, including gift certificates that can be used nationally, please send them to me at the office in the next few weeks at 1510 'J' Street, Suite 125, Sacramento, CA 95814 or bring them to convention if you are attending. Either way, let me know what they are, so that I can catalogue them. We also need items that will be sold independently of our California package. The auction is lots of fun and has raised more than $40,000 over the past two years for ACB. Thanks in advance for your help.

I am assisting in the search for a family in California, preferably in northern or central California, to host a 17-year old high school student from the Ukraine for the 2009-10 school year. He has a 4.0 GPA and reads both Braille and large print. He will be arriving in August. The program under which he earned the right to spend a year in the U.S. is very competitive. His sponsors are looking for a family that, at least, has some blindness awareness. You may contact me by phone at 916-995-3967 or via e-mail at jsthom@comcast.net if you can be of any assistance in this matter.

From Frank Welte, CCB Director of Advocacy and governmental affairs: Please note that the CCB Capitol Report updated as of June 1 is available on our toll-free line at 800-221-6359. It has also been posted on the Governmental Affairs section of CCB's web site at www.ccbnet.org.

For Sale: Used Nokia N75 Cell phone with Speech Capability (Nuance Talks/Nuance Zooms), User Guides in Print, charger, $90 or best offer.
For Sale: Used Braille Blazer, original serial/nulmodem cable, in working order, $700 or best offer. If you are interested in either of these items please contact Peter Schellen at zasetzu@gmail.com

Attention Blind and Visually Impaired Californians Who Have Used or Tried to Use jetblue.com:
Disability Rights Advocates is currently investigating the experiences of blind travelers who have tried to access Jet Blue's website, www.jetblue.com, with screen reader technology while in California to buy airline tickets or for any other reason. If you have comments about the accessibility of this website, we are very interested in hearing from you. Please contact Karla Gilbride at 510-665-8644 extension 117 or by e-mail at kgilbride@dralegal.org. If you have not had any experiences using jetblue.com but want to tell us about other airline or travel-related websites that you have attempted to use in California with a screen reader, we would be interested in hearing about those experiences as well. Please also help us to spread the word about this investigation by sharing this message with other screen reader users in California that you know. Thank you for sharing your experiences with us.

Thank you for reading or listening,
Gabe Griffith

May 29, 2009

Welcome to the California Connection, the weekly news service provided in English and Spanish by the California Council of the Blind. This news release has been revised on May 29, and will be updated on June 5. Remember that in order to have a message in on the next connection, please provide the message either to the office or to me directly at 916-505-8780 or gabe.griffith@ccbnet.org by Wednesday before the connection is recorded, or it will need to be placed in the following connection. Also, please make sure your message states in the subject line that it is for the connection or it may get missed.

From the Golden Gate chapter, CCB: Come and enjoy our Spring luncheon at the Lakeside Café! Date: June 6, 2009. Time: 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Address: Lakeside Café, 2529 Ocean Avenue, San Francisco, 94132. For transportation and luncheon reservations, please call Gilda Chico at 415-337-0937. We look forward to your participation at our luncheon!

From Donna Pomerantz: Hello everyone: I'm sending this note to let you know that both Mitch and I will be participating in the American Council of the Blind (ACB) Walk on July 4th at the convention in Orlando. I say walk because neither of us will be taking on the challenge to run as I don't think we can go that fast no matter how many cups of coffee we drink (smile). I am hoping that you will support at least one of us with your pledge totaling any amount you could donate to the walk in either of our names. This will be a great opportunity for us to help raise money for ACB through the donations that you can give. The Walk/Run further serves to improve the fiscal and physical condition of ACB and its members! Individuals will be asked to seek pledges to bring much needed funds into ACB to continue its efforts to advocate for accessible paper money, full internet accessibility, point-of-sale accessibility, to help fund the production and distribution of our monthly publication, fund the operation of ACB Radio, provide scholarships, enhance our national and state conventions, support our legislative efforts on Capitol Hill and in our state legislatures, and many other important activities. If you wish to support either of us, please send an email or give us a call and let us know how much you are able to give. Give us a call at 626-844-4388 or email at dmpomerantz@earthlink.net Thank you from both of us ahead of time for all of your support.

Thank you for reading or listening,
Gabe Griffith

May 22, 2009

Welcome to the California Connection, the weekly news service provided in English and Spanish by the California Council of the Blind. This news release has been revised on May 22, and will be updated on May 29. Remember that in order to have a message in on the next connection, please provide the message either to the office or to me directly at 916-505-8780 or gabe.griffith@ccbnet.org by Wednesday before the connection is recorded, or it will need to be placed in the following connection. Also, please make sure your message states in the subject line that it is for the connection or it may get missed.

The Radisson Hotel Fresno is prepared to take CCB guest room block reservations for the 75th anniversary Diamond Jubilee Convention. Specifically, Callers must state that they are making reservations for the "California Council of the Blind convention in October 2009 at the Radisson Hotel Fresno". The Council is subsidizing $22.08 of the $122.08 total room night cost. The remaining $100 amount to be paid by attendees. Callers will be quoted a per night price of $89.29 plus tax of $10.71 which comes to $100.00 even per night. The hotel recommends that callers use their local number 559-268-1000 when calling to place reservations. If that number is busy, or during all weekends and holidays, callers will be automatically transferred to an offsite reservations center at 800-333-3333. The caller should receive the same price quote from either location.

From CCB President, Jeff Thom: As part of the outstanding annual ACB auction, we will be holding a silent auction at the ACB Convention in Orlando, FL in which states can provide packages of items. We would love California to show just why CCB is the greatest affiliate in ACB. If you have new items of at least $20 in value, including gift certificates that can be used nationally, please send them to me at the office in the next few weeks at 1510 'J' Street, Suite 125, Sacramento, CA 95814 or bring them to convention if you are attending. Either way, let me know what they are, so that I can catalogue them. We also need items that will be sold independently of our California package. The auction is lots of fun and has raised more than $40,000 over the past two years for ACB. Thanks in advance for your help.

From Frank Welte: Here's a suggestion for your chapters. Summer is the season for all those great CCB chapter picnics and barbeques. You can turn those events into opportunities by inviting your local legislators and city officials to attend your celebrations. You might even give them awards if they have a history of helping our blind community. These folks are busy, so it's good to send invitations early. Let me know if you need help contacting your legislator's office.

The Active Blind Inland Valleys Chapter of the CCB is holding an on-line Pampered Chef show until 5/29/09 as a fund-raiser. Please either call Joann Carter at 661-399-2588 or go to the website http://www.pamperedchef.biz/joann and make a purchase to help the treasury of our chapter so we can in turn help the treasury of the CCB as well as bringing on new members to grow our chapter from 18 to 30 (that's our goal). For more information you can contact Christy Crespin at: crespin@roadrunner.com. Thanks in advance.

From Donna Pomerantz: Hello everyone: I'm sending this note to let you know that both Mitch and I will be participating in the American Council of the Blind (ACB) Walk on July 4th at the convention in Orlando. I say walk because neither of us will be taking on the challenge to run as I don't think we can go that fast no matter how many cups of coffee we drink (smile). I am hoping that you will support at least one of us with your pledge totaling any amount you could donate to the walk in either of our names. This will be a great opportunity for us to help raise money for ACB through the donations that you can give. The Walk/Run further serves to improve the fiscal and physical condition of ACB and its members! Individuals will be asked to seek pledges to bring much needed funds into ACB to continue its efforts to advocate for accessible paper money, full internet accessibility, point-of-sale accessibility, to help fund the production and distribution of our monthly publication, fund the operation of ACB Radio, provide scholarships, enhance our national and state conventions, support our legislative efforts on Capitol Hill and in our state legislatures, and many other important activities. If you wish to support either of us, please send an email or give us a call and let us know how much you are able to give. Give us a call at 626-844-4388 or email at dmpomerantz@earthlink.net. Thank you from both of us ahead of time for all of your support.

Thank you for reading or listening,
Gabe Griffith

May 15, 2009

Welcome to the California Connection, the weekly news service provided in English and Spanish by the California Council of the Blind. This news release has been revised on May 15, and will be updated on May 22. Remember that in order to have a message in on the next connection, please provide the message either to the office or to me directly at 916-505-8780 or gabe.griffith@ccbnet.org by Wednesday before the connection is recorded, or it will need to be placed in the following connection. Also, please make sure your message states in the subject line that it is for the connection or it may get missed.

The Radisson Hotel Fresno is prepared to take CCB guest room block reservations for the 75th anniversary Diamond Jubilee Convention. Specifically, callers must state that they are making reservations for the "California Council of the Blind convention in October 2009 at the Radisson Hotel Fresno". The Council is subsidizing $22.08 of the $122.08 total room night cost. The remaining $100 amount to be paid by attendees. Callers will be quoted a per night price of $89.29 plus tax of $10.71 which comes to $100.00 even per night. The hotel recommends that callers use their local number 559-268-1000 when calling to place reservations. If that number is busy, or during all weekends and holidays, callers will be automatically transferred to an offsite reservations center at 800-333-3333. The caller should receive the same price quote from either location.

From Frank Welte, Director of Advocacy and Governmental Affairs: Our Quiet Cars resolution, SJR 6, passed the California State Senate this week, and It is moving on to the state assembly. For more information about state and federal legislation listen to the Capitol Report on the CCB's phone system evenings and week-ends at (800) 221-6359. Select option 5. You can also read the Capitol Report on the CCB web site at www.ccbnet.org.

Here's a suggestion for your chapters. Summer is the season for all those great CCB chapter picnics and barbeques. You can turn those events into opportunities by inviting your local legislators and city officials to attend your celebrations. You might even give them awards if they have a history of helping our blind community. These folks are busy, so it's good to send invitations early. Let me know if you need help contacting your legislator's office.

From the Golden Gate chapter, CCB: Come and enjoy our Spring luncheon at the Lakeside Café!
Date: June 6, 2009
Time: 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Address: Lakeside Café, 2529 Ocean Avenue, San Francisco, 94132.
For transportation and luncheon reservations, please call Gilda Chico at 415-337-0937.
We look forward to your participation at our luncheon!

The San Gabriel Chapter of CCB is holding a free tour of the Nethercutt Museum on Friday, May 15 from 9:45AM-12:00PM. The address of the Nethercutt is: 15200 Bletso St. Sylmar, CA. The museum has robotic musical instruments from Europe and also has as part of the tour a number of antique cars. Please RSVP to one of the following people by May 9 so we can give an accurate accounting of the number of people who want to go on this interesting tour. Pat Wolf at 626-279-2954 or Zena Reubel at 323-939-2234.

Thank you for reading or listening,
Gabe Griffith

May 8, 2009

Welcome to the California Connection, the weekly news service provided in English and Spanish by the California Council of the Blind. This news release has been revised on May 8, and will be updated on May 15. Remember that in order to have a message in on the next connection, please provide the message either to the office or to me directly at 916-505-8780 or gabe.griffith@ccbnet.org by Wednesday before the connection is recorded, or it will need to be placed in the following connection. Also, please make sure your message states in the subject line that it is for the connection or it may get missed.

From Mike Marlin: In my April 3 address to the California Library Users of America group at the 2009 Spring CCB Convention I answered an audience question incorrectly. I wish to set the record straight. NLS magazines will continue on cassette indefinitely. There are no plans to cease production of magazines on cassette and switch in a few years as I believed and stated at the time. When the cost of digital flash memory is affordable at a future date, NLS plans to convert magazine production to the forthcoming digital cartridge format. Until then cassette magazine subscriptions will continue unchanged. Finally, for those with computers and NLS approved commercial devices, all NLS magazines are available for free download as digital files through NLS BARD at https://nlsbard.loc.gov. I apologize for the inconvenience my remarks may have caused.

From Joel Isaac: The spring 2009 convention recordings are now available at: http://www.ccbnet.org/ConventionArchives.htm. Thanks to Joy Tilton for her help.

The San Gabriel Chapter of CCB is holding a free tour of the Nethercutt Museum on Friday, May 15 from 9:45AM-12:00PM. The address of the Nethercutt is: 15200 Bletso St., Sylmar, CA. The museum has robotic musical instruments from Europe and also has as part of the tour a number of antique cars. Please RSVP to one of the following people by May 9 so we can give an accurate accounting of the number of people who want to go on this interesting tour. Pat Wolf at 626-279-2954 or Zena Reubel at 323-939-2234.

Medical Transcription Training: The Lighthouse of San Francisco is seeking highly motivated individuals to participate in an 18 month, on site, medical transcription course that will prepare them for competitive employment as highly skilled, certified medical transcribers. This class, developed and taught by the Lighthouse of Houston, has resulted in a 99% employment rate among graduates. The next class will begin July 6th, 2009. For more information please contact Leah Gardner, Medical Transcription Coordinator, no later than May 22 at 415-694-7364 or by e-mail at lgardner@lighthouse-sf.org

From Beth Berenson: You are invited to join the Facebook group "LightHouse Vision Loss Resource Center ". To see more details and confirm this group invitation, follow the link below: LightHouse Vision Loss Resource Center .

Thank you for reading or listening,
Gabe Griffith

May 1, 2009

Welcome to the California Connection, the weekly news service provided in English and Spanish by the California Council of the Blind. This news release has been revised on May 1, and will be updated on May 8. Remember that in order to have a message in on the next connection, please provide the message either to the office or to me directly at 916-505-8780 or gabe.griffith@ccbnet.org by Wednesday before the connection is recorded, or it will need to be placed in the following connection. Also, please make sure your message states in the subject line that it is for the connection or it may get missed.

From Jeff Thom: May 2 is a red-letter day in CCB, as we wish a rousing Happy Birthday to Immediate Past President Cathie Skivers and staff member Ed Branch.

From Frank Welte, CCB Director of Advocacy and governmental affairs: Please note that the CCB Capitol Report updated as of April 27 is available on our toll-free line at 800-221-6359.

From Joel Isaac: The spring 2009 convention recordings are now available at: http://www.ccbnet.org/ConventionArchives.htm. Thanks to Joy Tilton for her help.

Are you a woman living with breast cancer? Would you like to be part of a caring community who understands your unique experience as a woman with vision loss, also dealing with breast cancer? The ACB Women's Concerns Committee is sponsoring a support group for you, by phone. The group has been meeting since December of 2008 and new members are always welcome. This group will not give any medical advice, or provide therapy. It will foster a safe and positive atmosphere in which to discuss relevant issues and support one another. If you are interested, please see above for instructions on how to access the conference call for the group. When entering into the teleconference group please identify your self by first and last name and your location. All participants must identify themselves upon entering the call to insure confidentiality and so that we know who is on the conference call. We ask and expect everyone who attends group to observe strict confidentiality for anything discussed during group, so that everyone can feel comfortable sharing what they choose to. This group is being facilitated by three social workers who are volunteering their services and who are also ACB members. We anticipate that this group will be an uplifting experience for all and look forward to seeing you by phone. Date: Tuesday May 5, 2009. Time: from 5:30 to 7 P.M., Pacific time, 8:30 to 10:00 P.M. Eastern. Call in number: 605-475-4850 (long-distance charges will apply if you do not have free long distance phone service.) Meeting ID: 727660. If you wish to participate in the support group and do not have access to a phone with free long distance please contact Bernice via email at bernice@tsoft.net or leave a message for Bernice at the ACB national office with Sharon Lovering at 800-424-8666 extension 2044.

The San Gabriel Chapter of CCB is holding a free tour of the Nethercutt Museum on Friday, May 15 from 9:45 A.M. - 12:00 P.M. The address of the Nethercutt is: 15200 Bletso St., Sylmar, CA. The museum has robotic musical instruments from Europe and also has as part of the tour a number of antique cars. Please RSVP to one of the following people by May 9 so we can give an accurate accounting of the number of people who want to go on this interesting tour. Pat Wolf at 626-279-2954 or Zena Reubel at 323-939-2234.

Welcome to the Bayview Chapter -- CCB annual lasagna fundraising dinner on Saturday May 9, 2009 at the Lion's Blind Center 3834 Opal Street in Oakland from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Attitude adjustment hour will begin at 5:00 pm and dinner will be served around 6 with many door and raffle prizes to follow. Vegetarian lasagna is available upon request. The cost for dinner is $10. Please enter the side door directly into the auditorium located in the parking lot as the front door is closed for security reasons. Please call Steve Fort at 510-521-4386 or Catherine Skivers at 510-357-1986 for information and reservations no later than Wednesday May 6th.

California Department of Rehabilitation NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETINGS Proposed 2010 State Plan for Vocational Rehabilitation Services and Supported Employment Services, the Comprehensive Statewide Needs Assessment, and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) is inviting the public, particularly those who represent individuals, groups or agencies, who impact or are impacted by the Department of Rehabilitation Vocational Rehabilitation Services, including Supported Employment Services, to provide public comment on the Proposed 2010 State Plan Comprehensive Statewide Needs Assessment (SNAP), and/or the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). To facilitate comment, the DOR has scheduled four public meetings /focus groups throughout the State for interested parties to present comments to the DOR Directorate, DOR Deputy Directors, DOR District Administrators, and members of the State Rehabilitation Council. For the 4 statewide meeting locations, dates and times that will take place between April 28th and May 11th, please visit www.dor.ca.gov and or telephone DOR's planning unit at 916-558-5895 TTY 916-558-5807. For information regarding CCB's position on these issues please contact advocacy and governmental affairs director Frank Welte through the CCB toll free line at 800-221-6359.

Thank you for reading or listening, Gabe Griffith

April 24, 2009

Welcome to the California Connection, the weekly news service provided in English and Spanish by the California Council of the Blind. This news release has been revised on April 24, and will be updated on May 1. Remember that in order to have a message in on the next connection, please provide the message either to the office or to me directly at 916-505-8780 or gabe.griffith@ccbnet.org by Wednesday before the connection is recorded, or it will need to be placed in the following connection. Also, please make sure your message states in the subject line that it is for the connection or it may get missed.

From Jeff Thom: If you are interested in becoming the list moderator for CCB's several e-mail lists please contact me either by phone at 916-995-3967 or by e-mail at jsthom@comcast.net

Welcome to the Bayview Chapter -- CCB annual lasagna fundraising dinner on Saturday May 9, 2009 at the Lion's Blind Center 3834 Opal Street in Oakland from 5 pm to 9 pm. Attitude adjustment hour will begin at 5 pm and dinner will be served around 6 with many door and raffle prizes to follow. Vegetarian lasagna is available upon request. The cost for dinner is $10. Please enter the side door directly into the auditorium located in the parking lot as the front door is closed for security reasons. Please call Steve Fort at 510-521-4386 or Catherine Skivers at 510-357-1986 for information and reservations no later than Wednesday May 6th.

Thank you for reading or listening,
Gabe Griffith

April 17, 2009

Welcome to the California Connection, the weekly news service provided in English and Spanish by the California Council of the Blind. This news release has been revised on April 17, and will be updated on April 24. Remember that in order to have a message in on the next connection, please provide the message either to the office or to me directly at 916-505-8780 or gabe.griffith@ccbnet.org by Wednesday before the connection is recorded, or it will need to be placed in the following connection. Also, please make sure your message states in the subject line that it is for the connection or it may get missed.

From Judy Arvidson: We will be honoring Kenneth Frasse's life at a public memorial on Saturday, April 25. Please come and join us to remember and share stories.
Time: 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Location: The Santa Clara Valley Blind Center, 101 N. Bascom Avenue (between Naglee and San Carlos) San Jose, CA 95128
Phone: 408.295.4016 Ext. 213 (Judy)

From Frank Welte, CCB Director of Advocacy and governmental affairs: Please note that a new legislative affairs report is available on our toll free line at 800-221-6359.

The California Voter Information Guide for the May 19, 2009, Statewide Special Election: Two audio cassette tape edition. Is now available. For copies, free of charge, contact: Secretary of State's Elections Division at 916-657-2166 or, for the downloadable version visit www.voterguide.sos.ca.gov/audio

From Ken Metz: The Kindle Reader 2 is a device sold by Amazon.com. This device reads numerous e-books that publishers put out for sale at a reduced price on Amazon.com. In February, 2009, the newest Kindle, Kindle 2, was set to audibly read text-to-speech which meant that blind and visually impaired persons along with other print disabled persons could now read new books when published rather than waiting a year or more for them to be put on cassette or digital through the National Library Service (NLS). Six of the publishers are telling Amazon that they want to control which books can be audibly read and which cannot. Since the function of audibly reading text-to-speech is available on the Kindle 2, we must fight to keep the Kindle 2 speech in operation for all books placed and sold in this format. The publishers are concerned about copyright infringements, but what's the difference between having the Kindle 2 displaying print only, or providing audio readout for print-disabled persons. We badly need your assistance next Saturday and Sunday, April 25 and 26, 2009 at UCLA where the book fair will take place. We want folks to visit the booths of authors, and to pass fliers around. Please see the information below, and email me if you can help, or call me at (626) 300-8477 or Cell, (323) 793-1805. Los Angeles Times Festival of Books
Dates: Saturday, April 25 10 a.m. - 6 p.m and Sunday, April 26 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Location: UCLA 405 Hilgard Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90024.

Welcome to the Bayview Chapter -- CCB annual lasagna fundraising dinner on Saturday May 9, 2009 at the Lion's Blind Center 3834 Opal Street in Oakland from 5: pm to 9 pm. Attitude adjustment hour will begin at 5: pm and dinner will be served around 6 with many door and raffle prizes to follow. Vegetarian lasagna is available upon request. The cost for dinner is $10. Please enter the side door directly into the auditorium located in the parking lot as the front door is closed for security reasons. Please call Steve Fort at 510-521-4386 or Catherine Skivers at 510-357-1986 for information and reservations no later than Wednesday May 6th.

From Sean Ryan: Wanted, BrailleNote mPower with BT keyboard and Braille display preferred. Will also accept comparable models such as GW Micros note takers. Please contact me with details of your note taker for sale at: blindrover@gmail.com

Thank you for reading or listening,
Gabe Griffith

April 10, 2009

Welcome to the California Connection, the weekly news service provided in English and Spanish by the California Council of the Blind. This news release has been revised on April 10, and will be updated on April 17. Remember that in order to have a message in on the next connection, please provide the message either to the office or to me directly at 916-505-8780 or gabe.griffith@ccbnet.org by Wednesday before the connection is recorded, or it will need to be placed in the following connection. Also, please make sure your message states in the subject line that it is for the connection or it may get missed.

From Jeff Thom: We took Sacramento by storm, and we're getting ready to make an even bigger splash in Fresno. From our extremely productive Capitol Day with our state legislators, through our many seminars and the consideration of policies on issues of concern to those with visual impairments, the Spring 2009 CCB Convention was a tremendous success. The 75th anniversary of the CCB got off to a tremendous start, and we are already making plans for a real blow-out at our Diamond Jubilee Convention in Fresno, October 29- November 1. In the next few weeks, we'll finalize things with the Fresno Radisson and let you know how to make those Fall Convention reservations. The cost will be a flat rate of $100 per night. So be prepared to get onboard the Fresno-bound express.

From Adaptive Technology Services: While the job market at the moment is extremely challenging, it may seem like an unlikely time to announce an Employment Workshop Series; but in fact there is no better time to hone that resume, package the job skills, identify and target where the jobs are. In collaboration with a recruitment professional, we have put together a series of six free workshops designed to give those from within our community seeking employment, valuable insights into job seeking strategies. The seminars will be every other week for a total of 3 months. They are limited to 8 people and are on a first come first serve basis. For more information contact Chrissy Dodds at 415-409-6650 or Toll Free at 866-564-6650 or by e-mail atcdodds@adaptivetec.com

Job announcement: The Personal Assistance Services Council (PASC) is seeking an executive director. The Executive Director is hired by and reports directly to the governing body, and is expected to provide leadership for the organization by guiding the staff and Board to achieve the goals of the organization. The Executive Director must be knowledgeable about consumer-directed in-home services, and committed to improving the quality and accessibility of services for IHSS recipients. In practice this means working to enhance the IHSS Program and consumer-oriented initiatives, including assuring that the PASC focuses on developing programs that prevent gaps in service that result from consumers' inability to find a provider when they first qualify for services, need to replace a regular provider who is temporarily unavailable, require a replacement for a provider who has been fired or permanently quits, or require in-home help to assure a safe and effective transition from a hospital or nursing facility to homecare. The Executive Director oversees day-to-day operations of the agency, including hiring of staff, implementation of the agency's programs and services, development of budgets, and monitoring of fiscal operations. She or he also provides staff support for the work of the governing body and its committees, and initiates identification of program and policy issues (again, with particular interest in developing programs and services that enhance consumer-direction). The Executive Director acts as the lead spokesperson and advocate for the organization and its programs, communicating with government agencies, the legislature, and funding organizations in order to enhance service quality and consumers' access to the IHSS Program. Interested parties may send resume, cover letter and salary history by mail to- Hiring Committee, PASC, 4730 Woodman Avenue, Suite 405 Sherman Oaks, CA 91423. Applications should be submitted by April 24, 2009 to maximize the consideration by the Hiring Committee. The position will remain open until filled.

The front reads: 'Got Braille?'

The back reads:
'Happy Birthday Louis!
Louis Braille
1809-2009
Blind innovator who gave reading
And writing to the world'

The cost per shirt is $16 dollars to have it sent to you. If you are able to pick it up from the CSB campus the shirt only costs $12. Please contact Staci Gonzales at 510-794-3800 x216 or sgonzales@csb-cde.ca.gov for questions or to order.

Thank you for reading or listening,
Gabe Griffith

March 27, 2009

Welcome to the California Connection, the weekly news service provided in English and Spanish by the California Council of the Blind. This news release has been revised on March 27, and will be updated on April 10. Remember that in order to have a message in on the next connection, please provide the message either to the office or to me directly at 916-505-8780 or gabe.griffith@ccbnet.org by Wednesday before the connection is recorded, or it will need to be placed in the following connection. Also, please make sure your message states in the subject line that it is for the connection or it may get missed.

From Gabe Griffith: Since many of us will be attending the convention in Sacramento next week the next connection will be released on April 10. I hope to see many of you in Sacramento.

From Jeff Thom: I am very pleased to announce that the spring convention banquet keynote speaker will be Assemblywoman Mariko Yamada. As a new member of the Legislature, Ms. Yamada not only broke new ground by hiring our own Dan Kysor, but also by showing a truly independent streak. During these extraordinarily difficult times, I know that we will thoroughly enjoy listening to this very refreshing legislator and learning of her perspectives on the issues that face us. Sweepstakes: We now have a third spring convention sweepstakes prize to go with our Franklin Talking Dictionary and the MX Sirrius Satellite radio. The third prize is a $100 gift card from Best Buy.

From the San Francisco chapter: Stop By THE San Francisco Chapter's CORNER STORE Open in the Exhibit Hall During the CCB spring Convention in Sacramento. Pick up those handy travel items that fit perfectly in your purse or pocket such as hand sanitizer, tissues, batteries, etc. Buy munchies for those long convention days such as candy, granola bars, cookies or chips. How about a neck wallet to hold your name tag, key and money. Enter our raffle for a chance at two $75 cash prices to commemorate CCB's 75th anniversary. You will be supporting the Alice Chavez-Pardini Education Advancement Grant annual scholarship which is given by our chapter to a deserving student needing equipment to pursue their studies. And, if you find a Braille or large print mistake on our display board, you'll receive a complementary goodie.

From GDUC: Come one and all to the Guide Dog Users of California booth while at the spring convention. We have t-shirts for sale and travel mugs too. T-shirts are $10 per shirt. The travel mugs are $6 per mug. If you purchase a shirt and a mug the cost is $15. GDUC will also be selling 50/50 tickets as well.

From Jeff Thom: Last fall, the ACB Capitol chapter established a Rhonda King Scholarship fund to assist college students in the greater Sacramento area. Those of you who knew Rhonda's love of, and commitment to, education will know just how much the establishment of this fund meant to her. In accordance with Rhonda's wishes, we will place an emphasis on persons in government studies' programs, but scholarships will not be limited to that area. As we are in the early stages of collecting money for the scholarship fund, we have not yet issued any scholarships. If any of you would like to make a memorial donation to that fund, you may send a donation to the office, via check made out to ACB Capitol Chapter or provide the donation to either myself or Joni Patche at the convention.

The California School for the Blind Parents & Friends Association is offering t-shirts that commemorate Louis Braille's Birthday. All profits from the sales of these shirts go to the school to help fund activities and equipment that the school budget just cannot cover. The t-shirts are black pre-shrunk cotton shirts with puffy white writing in both print and BRAILLE.
The front reads: "Got Braille?" The back reads:
Happy Birthday Louis!
Louis Braille
1809-2009
Blind innovator who gave reading
And writing to the world
The cost per shirt is $16 dollars to have it sent to you. If you are able to pick it up from the CSB campus the shirt only costs $12. Please contact Staci Gonzales at 510-794-3800 x216 or sgonzales@csb-cde.ca.gov for questions or to order.

From Nick Kukich: Everything must be sold due to health and financial circumstances that are beyond our control. My wife and I are unemployed and I am blind as well. My wife has a tumor in her throat and I am very sick with digestive issues. We have an extensive list of items to cell from house hold goods to computers to music CD's and more. Everything can be sold beneath half of the original price. For more information or any details you can call us at any time 619-574-8743. Nick Kukich will pay for shipping.

The American Foundation for the Blind is urging citizens to ask their members of the U.S. House of Representatives to sign a Dear Colleague letter being circulated by the Office of Representative John Yarmuth (D-KY). The letter asks other Members of the House of Representatives to sign on urging the appropriators to fund these important new programs in the FY 2010 appropriations bills. This effort is particularly important to ensure funding for the post-secondary instructional materials study commission and national pilot projects. To get the phone numbers of all members of the House of Representatives, go to http://www.house.gov/house/MemberWWW.shtml or call the Capitol switchboard at 202-225-3121.

Thank you for reading or listening,
Gabe Griffith

March 13, 2009

Welcome to the California Connection, the weekly news service provided in English and Spanish by the California Council of the Blind. This news release has been revised on March 13, and will be updated on March 20. Remember that in order to have a message in on the next connection, please provide the message either to the office or to me directly at 916-505-8780 or gabe.griffith@ccbnet.org by Wednesday before the connection is recorded, or it will need to be placed in the following connection. Also, please make sure your message states in the subject line that it is for the connection or it may get missed.

From Jeff Thom: Room reservations can be made until March 20 for a flat fee of $99.00 per night, single or double occupancy, at the Sacramento Arden West Hilton for CCB's spring 2009 convention being held from April 2 through 12 noon April 5, 2009. The Arden West reservations numbers are 916-922-4700 or 1-800-344-4321.
Following are the menus for the spring convention.

Friday, April 3rd luncheon: Mixed baby green salad with grape tomatoes, julienne cucumbers and choice of dressing. Honey soy chicken, boneless chicken breast with ginger and grilled pineapple. Served with chef's fresh vegetable du jour and jasmine rice. Chocolate decadence.

Friday, April 3rd Presidents' Dinner: Classic Caesar Salad with Romaine Lettuce, Garlic Parmesan Croutons, Shaved Parmesan Cheese, Caesar Dressing. Rosemary and Black Pepper Crusted Sliced Pork Loin, with Wild Mushroom. Marsala Sauce, Served with Rosemary Roasted Potatoes and Fresh Vegetables. Kentucky Bourbon Pecan Pie.

Saturday, April 4th luncheon: Mixed Baby Green Salad with Grape Tomatoes, Julienne Cucumbers and Choice of Dressing. Pasta Primavera-Penne Pasta with Chicken Breast Tossed with Peppers, Zucchini, Diced Portobello Mushrooms, Diced Roma Tomatoes in Parmesan Alfredo Sauce. Carrot Cake.

Saturday, April 4th Banquet: Strawberry Field Salad with Spring Mix, Candied Pecans, Crumbled Maytag Bleu Cheese, Sliced Strawberries, Mandarin Oranges, Raspberry Vinaigrette Dressing. New York Strip Steak-Grilled Center Cut New York Strip, Served with Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes, Asparagus and Baby Carrots. Key Lime Pie.

From Frank Welte: In conjunction with the spring convention in Sacramento, CCB will hold its Capitol Day on the morning of Thursday, April 2, from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM. If you wish to participate in Capitol Day, please notify the CCB office so we can arrange transportation for you from the hotel to the State Capitol Building. For more information about this activity, call Frank Welte at (650) 576-4177 or send email to frank-welte@sbcglobal.net

Registration notice: If you wish to attend the library tour in Sacramento you do not have to take the bus both ways if you are already going to be down town. However, Regardless of whether or not you are taking the bus you must still register with the CCB office for this tour. Thank you.

From Gabe Griffith, chair resolutions committee. If you have any resolutions to submit to the resolutions committee this spring you can e-mail them to me at gabe.griffith@ccbnet.org Or call me at 916-505-8780. The cutoff to submit resolutions will be the end of the general session on Friday night of the convention.

Robin Rheder: I am going to be attending the convention in Sacramento and am looking for a roommate. No smokers or guide dogs please. 626-821-9149 or 626-808-2066. Thank you.

From Thomas Athanasion: I'm planning on attending this year's CCB Spring Conference. I'm the Treasure of the Central Coast Low Vision Council in SLO County. I have booked a room, for double occupancy, at the Arden West Hotel from 4/01/-04/05. I need a roommate. I'm looking for someone planning on attending all four nights. The total cost for them will be $225. I'm a non-smoker so that is important. Guide dogs are not a problem. You can reach me at 805-783-2007, or e-mail me at tathanasion@yahoo.com I would be able to give anyone interested specific information on this booking.

From the Publications Committee: If you want to receive the email edition of the Blind Californian, you need to send an email message to ccb.moderator@gmail.com The spring issue is about to be distributed, so now is a good time. Be sure to include the email address you want it sent to.

As you may know, the State of California's budget crisis has affected many social service programs. Unfortunately, the Assistance Dog Special Allowance (ADSA) program is not exempt. Because of the current budget situation, the State Controller's Office has been instructed to hold all general fund payments for 30 days. Therefore, your February 2009 ADSA payment is not due to be released until March 27, 2009. We are sorry for any hardship this may cause you and your assistance dog. If you have any questions, please contact the ADSA program at (916) 657-2628 or (916) 651-6248 (TTY) or by e-mail at ADSAUser@dss.ca.gov

From Ardis Bazyn: The Embassy of Spain is looking for leaders between 28 and 38 years old to participate in their Hispanic Leaders Programs to take place this June in Spain. All expenses of the program are paid. Deadline is in early April. For more information contact Ardis Bazyn at abazyn@bazyncommunications.com

Notice of Class Action and Proposed Settlement If you have been or are currently a customer of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), you may be affected by this class action which is pending in the Superior Court of the State of California in the city of Los Angeles. Notice about this case is posted on the CCB website at http://www.ccbnet.org/dwp.htm and the CCB office has a copy. The purpose of the case is to get more accessibility to LADWP documentation and to its website.

Accessible Cell Phone Seminar March 24, 2009 Panel Presentations 10:00a.m – 12:00 PDT Vendor Exhibits: 12 pm – 1 pm, PDT LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired 214 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94102 You can participate in one of three ways: Live audio stream on our website, free telephone conferencing service or, in person and stay for the post-seminar demonstrations. RSVP at 1-888-400-8933 or info@lighthouse-sf.org. Conference call and live stream instructions will be provided.

Thank you for reading or listening,
Gabe Griffith

March 6, 2009

Welcome to the California Connection, the weekly news service provided in English and Spanish by the California Council of the Blind. This news release has been revised on March 6, and will be updated on March 13. Remember that in order to have a message in on the next connection, please provide the message either to the office or to me directly at 916-505-8780 or gabe.griffith@ccbnet.org by Wednesday before the connection is recorded, or it will need to be placed in the following connection. Also, please make sure your message states in the subject line that it is for the connection or it may get missed.

Urgent condensed version of a notice from Disability Rights Advocates:
WHAT: Disability Rights Advocates (DRA) has filed a lawsuit against the California Department of Transportation ("Caltrans").
WHY: The lawsuit seeks to make Caltrans fix access barriers along sidewalks, intersections and pedestrian overpasses and underpasses which are controlled by Caltrans. Example of a problem is construction barriers lacking accessible alternate routes.
WHEN: DRA needs to hear your barrier stories prior to March 10th, 2009 and are available to talk at any time-days, evenings, weekends.
HOW: Please send all e-mails to mkimber@dralegal.org (and include your phone number so we can call you back). Or call 510-665-8644 and ask for Mary-Lee. After business hours, leave a message at extension 114 (including your phone number) and someone will call you back.

We are sad to report that Marie Herrera, member of the East Los Angeles Chapter lost her mother on Monday, February 23, and Kevin Berkery, member of the Glendale Burbank Chapter, lost his mother on Thursday, February 26. Please keep your thoughts and prayers with these two members of our CCB family.

From Jeff Thom: Due to the passing of Rhonda King, it is my unfortunate duty to let all of you know that the CCB constitution requires us to have a special election at the Spring 2009 convention in order to select a 2nd vice president. Because such a decision is an important one for the organization, I felt it important to give you as much notice as possible. The election will be held Friday evening at the same time that fall convention elections are normally held.

Rooms can now be reserved for a flat fee of $99.00 per night, single or double occupancy, at the Sacramento Arden West Hilton for CCB's spring 2009 convention being held from April 2 through 12 noon April 5, 2009. The Arden West reservations numbers are 916-922-4700 or 1-800-344-4321. At least for now we can not guarantee any reservations will be able to be made after March 10.

Since this year is CCB's 75th anniversary we are looking for great convention theme ideas for both our spring convention in Sacramento and our fall convention in Fresno. If you have any ideas please contact the office either by e-mail at ccotb@ccbnet.org or by phone at 800-221-6359.
Following are the menus for the spring convention.

From Mark Oswald: I am seeking a roommate for the Spring Convention in Sacramento. Willing to go 50/50 on the room. Guide dogs o.k. You can reach me at 925-674-1264 or email me at mosw17@hotmail.com If I'm not in please leave a message.

Linda Fonseca, a guide dog user, is seeking a female roommate, with or without a guide dog, for the spring convention in Sacramento. If you are interested please call the CCB office at 800-221-6359.

From the CCB Publications Committee: The Blind Californian, CCB's award-winning quarterly magazine is offered in a number of formats including: Large Print, Braille, Cassette, Diskette, Email, and Online. We will now be offering two additional online options. you can now listen to articles through our website and / or download the audio version of each article to your computer or your favorite portable device. http://www.ccbnet.org/bc/bc2009.htm

CCLVI will be offering teleconferences for people with low vision to learn more about their eye conditions. These teleconferences will be hosted by Dr. Bill Takeshita who is the Director of Optometric Services at the Center for the Partially Sighted in Los Angeles. Teleconferences are scheduled for the third Tuesday of each month at 5:30PT. The first teleconference will be held on March 17. To be a part of these teleconference calls, dial 866-633-8638 and use the ID# 372455 or (drbill).

Accessible Cell Phone Seminar March 24, 2009, Panel Presentations 10:00a.m – 12:00 PDT. Vendor Exhibits: 12 pm – 1 pm, PDT. LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired, 214 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94102. You can participate in one of three ways: Live audio stream on our website, free telephone conferencing service or, in person and stay for the post-seminar demonstrations. RSVP at 1-888-400-8933 or info@lighthouse-sf.org Conference call and live stream instructions will be provided.

Thank you for reading or listening,
Gabe Griffith

February 27, 2009

Welcome to the California Connection, the weekly news service provided in English and Spanish by the California Council of the Blind. This news release has been revised on February 27, and will be updated on March 6. Remember that in order to have a message in on the next connection, please provide the message either to the office or to me directly at 916-505-8780 or gabe.griffith@ccbnet.org by Wednesday before the connection is recorded, or it will need to be placed in the following connection. Also, please make sure your message states in the subject line that it is for the connection or it may get missed.

Linda Fonseca, a guide dog user, is seeking a female roommate, with or without a guide dog, for the spring convention in Sacramento. If you are interested please call the CCB office at 800-221-6359.

From Lee Morton and Glenda Castle: The Blind Community Center and CCB San Diego Chapter are having an all day seminar about quiet cars, Saturday, March 7th from 10 AM to 4 PM. The location is 1805 Upas Street, San Diego, CA 92103. You can take bus number 7. There will also be a luncheon. Please RSVP by calling Lee Morton at 619-223-1259 or by email at glek99@earthlink.net no later than Tuesday, March 3rd.

With one week to go before the LA elections, the ballot charter amendments are available via computer at www.airsla.org

Thank you for reading or listening,
Gabe Griffith

February 20, 2009

Welcome to the California Connection, the weekly news service provided in English and Spanish by the California Council of the Blind. This news release has been revised on February 20, and will be updated on February 27. Remember that in order to have a message in on the next connection, please provide the message either to the office or to me directly at 916-505-8780 or gabe.griffith@ccbnet.org by Wednesday before the connection is recorded, or it will need to be placed in the following connection. Also, please make sure your message states in the subject line that it is for the connection or it may get missed.

It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Rhonda King last Saturday. Rhonda was such a friend to so many of us and worked so hard. She will be sorely missed. Our condolences to Lonnie King and the rest of Rhonda's family. A memorial service for Rhonda will be held Saturday, February 28th at 11 AM at the Celtic Cross Presbyterian Church, 5839 Dewey Drive, Citrus Heights CA 95621. A luncheon will be held at the church following the memorial service. You can send flowers to the church on the day of the memorial. Church Tel: 916-967-1414.

From Donna Pomerantz: SAN GABRIEL VALLEY CHAPTER 24th ANNUAL PIZZA and SPAGHETTI FUNDRAISER: Welcome one and all to our annual event on February 28, 2009, from 3 until 6:30 p.m. The cost is only $10.00 for adults and $6.00 for children 8 years old and under. You may pay at the door. There will be door prizes throughout the day. The menu will also include salad, garlic bread and cake and ice cream for dessert. The event will be held at the VFW Hall in Monrovia, located on the northwest corner of Magnolia and Chestnut. Bring your friends and family. Everyone is welcome. Call either Donna @ (626) 233-2991 or Rayanne @ 626-358-3584 with any questions. We are looking forward to seeing everyone there.

From Lee Morton and Glenda Castle: The Blind Community Center and CCB San Diego Chapter are having an all day seminar about quiet cars, Saturday, March 7th from 10 AM to 4 PM. The location is 1805 Upas Street, San Diego, CA 92103. There will also be a luncheon. Please RSVP by calling Lee Morton at 619-223-1259 or by email at glek99@earthlink.net no later than Tuesday, March 3rd.

Thank you for reading or listening,
Gabe Griffith

February 13, 2009

Welcome to the California Connection, the weekly news service provided in English and Spanish by the California Council of the Blind. This news release has been revised on February 13, and will be updated on February 20. Remember that in order to have a message in on the next connection, please provide the message either to the office or to me directly at 916-505-8780 or gabe.griffith@ccbnet.org by Wednesday before the connection is recorded, or it will need to be placed in the following connection. Also, please make sure your message states in the subject line that it is for the connection or it may get missed.

From Jeff Thom: "Rooms can now be reserved for a flat fee of $99.00 per night, single or double occupancy, at the Sacramento Arden West Hilton for CCB's spring 2009 convention being held from April 2 through 12 noon April 5, 2009. The Arden West reservations numbers are 916-922-4700 or 1-800-344-4321. Since this year is CCB's 75th anniversary we are looking for great convention theme ideas for both our spring convention in Sacramento and our fall convention in Fresno. If you have any ideas please contact the office either by e-mail at ccotb@ccbnet.org or by phone at 800-221-6359. On behalf of my fellow interview panelists, Gene Lozano, Cathie Skivers, and Mitch Pomerantz, I would like to formally announce that we have selected long time CCB member Frank Welte as our new Director of Advocacy and Governmental Affairs. Frank will hit the ground running by visiting the capitol early next week and making the rounds to visit legislators. Congratulations to Frank.

From Cathie Skivers: John Gasper of the Yosemite Gateway Chapter, Merced, asked that we share the sad news that their Treasurer, Patrick Wey, died at Stanford this week. Funeral services were held for him on Thursday in Atwater. Patrick had been at Stanford awaiting liver and kidney transplants but efforts on the part of the medical staff there were not able to save him. Patrick was 25 years old and the members of his chapter will really miss him. As always, we all will send our thoughts and prayers to this man, his mother and his chapter.

Thank you for reading or listening,
Gabe Griffith

February 6, 2009

Welcome to the California Connection, the weekly news service provided in English and Spanish by the California Council of the Blind. This news release has been revised on February 6, and will be updated on February 13. Remember that in order to have a message in on the next connection, please provide the message either to the office or to me directly at 916-505-8780 or gabe.griffith@ccbnet.org by Wednesday before the connection is recorded, or it will need to be placed in the following connection. Also, please make sure your message states in the subject line that it is for the connection or it may get missed.

Sharla Sullivan, BART Community Relations team, will be a guest speaker at the Bayview Chapter -- CCB Meeting Saturday February 14, 2009 from 1: 30 pm until 4:00 pm located at the Lion's Blind Center 3834 Opal Street in Oakland. At this meeting we will give a general overview of the BART Earthquake Safety Program to raise awareness of up-coming construction and discuss methods of communication to address any potential impacts to the community. The Earthquake Safety Program is a system-wide retrofit to strengthen BART stations and structures to withstand future earthquakes. Please enter the side door through the parking lot as the front entrance is closed for reasons of security. Call Steve Fort at (510) 521-4386 or Catherine Skivers at (510) 357-1986 for additional information.

Beginning January 30, 2009, the Forest Lawn Museum in Glendale will present "Inner Light: Art from the Braille Institute," an exhibit featuring the extraordinary work of 40 artists from the Braille Institute's Creative Arts Program. The remarkable program enables visually impaired individuals to develop creative thinking and problems solving skills, fostering independence and social and community involvement. Included in the exhibit are a delightful variety of mosaics, ceramics, monoprints, textiles, basketry, and mixed media. The "Inner Light: Art from the Braille Institute" exhibit will be on display from Friday, January 30, 2009, through Sunday, April 19, 2009, in the Forest Lawn Museum at Forest Lawn-Glendale, 1712 S. Glendale Avenue, Glendale, CA 91205. The Museum is open seven days a week from 10 am until 5 pm. Admission is free. For more information please call 1-800-204-3131, or log on to www.forestlawn.com

Thank you for reading or listening,
Gabe Griffith

January 30, 2009

Welcome to the California Connection, the weekly news service provided in English and Spanish by the California Council of the Blind. This news release has been revised on January 30, and will be updated on February 6. Remember that in order to have a message in on the next connection, please provide the message either to the office or to me directly at 916-505-8780 or gabe.griffith@ccbnet.org by Wednesday before the connection is recorded, or it will need to be placed in the following connection. Also, please make sure your message states in the subject line that it is for the connection or it may get missed.

There will be a rally in Bakersfield on February 6 to protest the state budget situation. For time and location contact Brandy at 661-747-3088.

From Cathie Skivers, Chair of the History and Awards Committee: The History and Awards Committee wants to remind everyone that it is time for nominations to people deserving of awards from CCB. These are presented to people or organizations that have done something outstanding in their community to help blind and visually impaired people or who have assisted CCB in some way. If you use a computer you can find the criteria for the various awards in copies of previous Blind Californians on the website. If you want to recognize someone and are not sure exactly what kind of award they might be entailed to, please feel free to call me at 510-357-1986. You may also call the CCB office for assistance.

Disability Rights Advocates wants all blind Californians to know that late claims may be filed in the case against Target for its inaccessible website until February 7, 2009. So if you attempted to use target.com before December 9 of 2008 while in California and experienced any access barriers, but you have not yet filed a claim, you can still do so until February 7 and your late claim will be considered. To file a claim online or for information about how to file a claim by mail, please visit www.nfbtargetlawsuit.com. Successful claimants are eligible for up to $7000.00 in damages. In addition, the more people who file claims, the stronger the message will be that Web accessibility matters to a lot of people. You do not have to be an NFB member to qualify. This is a win/win situation: as a member of the blind community you are helping further our fight for equal rights by filing a claim, and you are helping yourself by putting some extra cash in your wallet.

Beginning January 30, 2009, the Forest Lawn Museum in Glendale will present "Inner Light: Art from the Braille Institute," an exhibit featuring the extraordinary work of 40 artists from the Braille Institute's Creative Arts Program. The remarkable program enables visually impaired individuals to develop creative thinking and problems solving skills, fostering independence and social and community involvement. Included in the exhibit are a delightful variety of mosaics, ceramics, monoprints, textiles, basketry, and mixed media.
The "Inner Light: Art from the Braille Institute" exhibit will be on display from Friday, January 30, 2009, through Sunday, April 19, 2009, in the Forest Lawn Museum at Forest Lawn-Glendale, 1712 S. Glendale Avenue, Glendale, CA 91205. The Museum is open seven days a week from 10 am until 5 pm. Admission is free. For more information please call 1-800-204-3131, or log on to www.forestlawn.com

Thank you for reading or listening,
Gabe Griffith

January 23, 2009

Welcome to the California Connection, the weekly news service provided in English and Spanish by the California Council of the Blind. This news release has been revised on January 23, and will be updated on January 30. Remember that in order to have a message in on the next connection, please provide the message either to the office or to me directly at 916-505-8780 or gabe.griffith@ccbnet.org by Wednesday before the connection is recorded, or it will need to be placed in the following connection. Also, please make sure your message states in the subject line that it is for the connection or it may get missed.

From Cathie Skivers: Rhonda King had pneumonia when she entered the hospital last week. While there she underwent a series of tests and was advised by the doctor that when she went home she would have to have hospice and 24 hour care. I keep in close touch with her and just before she went home she asked me if anything had been put on the connection about this latest development with regard to her illness. I told her I would let you all know what's going on and that I would remind everyone to please keep up their prayers for Rhonda, Lonnie and their family. Rhonda still shows courage, strength and a great sense of humor in spite of everything. I told her we all love her and will keep her in our prayers.

There will be a rally in Bakersfield on February 6 to protest the state budget situation. For time and location contact Brandy at 661-747-3088.

Attention Blind and Visually Impaired Comcast Customers: Disability Rights Advocates is investigating the experiences of blind and visually impaired consumers of Comcast's television, digital telephone and/or Internet services. If you use Comcast for any of these services or did so in the past, or if you have had interactions with Comcast even though you ultimately decided not to purchase their services, we would like to hear from you. In particular, we are interested in hearing from blind and visually impaired customers about their experiences with Comcast in the following areas:

Were you able to obtain bills, product manuals, new customer packets, and other materials in accessible formats?
Were you provided with 411 directory assistance on a Comcast phone line free of charge (a service that Comcast is supposed to provide to its visually impaired customers)?
Were you able to access the Comcast.com website?
Were you able to use services such as on-demand programming or Comcast's digital video recorder (DVR) that are generally accessed through a visual interface on the television screen?

While we are primarily focusing our inquiry in these four areas, we would also be interested in hearing about other issues you have regarding the accessibility of Comcast's products and services or about any interactions you have had with Comcast that relate to your disability. Please send comments about your experiences to Kaitlin Anderson at Disability Rights Advocates at kanderson@dralegal.org . You may also contact her by phone at 510-665-8644

The Council of Citizens with Low Vision International (CCLVI) will award three scholarships in the amount of $3,000 each to full-time entering freshmen, undergraduate and graduate college students who are visually impaired, maintain a strong GPA and are involved in their school/local community. Applications may be submitted beginning January 1st and all materials must be received by March 1st. Scholarship monies will be awarded for the 2009 - 2010 academic year. To read the scholarship guidelines and complete an on-line application, please visit www.cclvi.org and click on the "Scholarship' link. Applications will be available to submit on-line until March 1st at 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time. Questions may be directed to CCLVI at 800-733-2258. We look forward to receiving your application materials!

From Jennifer Boylan: The 2009 National Beep Baseball Association (NBBA) World Series will be held this July 26-August 2 in Stockton, CA. This is the first time the World Series has been hosted by Stockton, and the first time in a decade that the tournament has taken place in California. Beepball is one of the few team sports available to the blind and visually impaired, and offers physical, mental and social benefits to its participants. I would like to encourage you to come out and witness some of the finest blind athletes in action as teams compete for the ring and title this summer! The Stockton Stingrays beep baseball team is seeking dedicated players, volunteers and supporters. We would also love to see more active players and teams on the west coast and nationwide. For more information about beep baseball and the 2009 World Series, please visit the NBBA's website at www.nbba.org and the Stockton Stingrays' web page at www.communitycenterfortheblind.org/baseball_team.php

The "I Connect" program at The Center for the Partially Sighted is beginning its second year on January 31, 2009. The program begins at 9:30 a.m. with a light breakfast and a time to socialize. The presentation given by Max Fehinger will begin at 10:15 a.m. and last until noon. Speaker: Max Flehinger, CFP. Topic: How Do I Survive Financially in a Tough Economy? Location: The Center For The Partially Sighted (Valley Office), 18425 Burbank, Blvd. #706 Tarzanna, CA. (cross street Reseda Blvd.) To reserve a place or for questions please call Janis Goldhaber at 310-458-3501) or Vickie Parker at 818-705-5954).Please RSVP by January 28, 2009. Come gain important knowledge, make new friends, and renew old acquaintances.

Thank you for reading or listening,
Gabe Griffith

January 16, 2009

Welcome to the California Connection, the weekly news service provided in English and Spanish by the California Council of the Blind. This news release has been revised on January 16, and will be updated on January 23. Remember that in order to have a message in on the next connection, please provide the message either to the office or to me directly at 916-505-8780 or gabe.griffith@ccbnet.org by Wednesday before the connection is recorded, or it will need to be placed in the following connection. Also, please make sure your message states in the subject line that it is for the connection or it may get missed.

The CCB family would like to express our condolences to Charles Nabarrete who lost his father to cancer last weekend. He could always be counted on for CCB activities. Please keep Charles and his family in your prayers.

Effective December 17, 2008, people who are blind or visually impaired can obtain their free annual credit reports in accessible formats. As a result of an agreement signed earlier this year by the American Council of the Blind, the California Council of the Blind, and others, credit reports are now available in an accessible format on-line. Reports in Braille, Large Print and Audio formats can also be ordered by phone. People who are blind or visually impaired within the meaning of the Americans with Disabilities Act may order Braille, Large Print or Audio credit reports from any of the three credit reporting agencies by calling 877-322-8228 or visiting www.annualcreditreport.com Further information can also be found on Lainey Feingold's website at: http://lflegal.com/2008/12/credit-announce/

A party honoring Diane Smith and Phil Yocum will be held at the Orientation Center for the Blind from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, January 31st. Diane has been with OCB for 38 years as a mobility instructor. Phil has been a shop teacher and doing many other things for 16 years. People who would like to attend are being asked to contribute a $20 donation to help cover the costs of light refreshments and other items which are customarily included in this type of activity. If you have any questions, please call Jana LaTrell at OCB. Her telephone number is 510-559-1220. The address of the Orientation Center is 400 Adams Street, Albany, CA.

Thank you for reading or listening,
Gabe Griffith

January 9, 2009

Welcome to the California Connection, the weekly news service provided in English and Spanish by the California Council of the Blind. This news release has been revised on January 9, and will be updated on January 16. Remember that in order to have a message in on the next connection, please provide the message either to the office or to me directly at 916-505-8780 or gabe.griffith@ccbnet.org by Wednesday before the connection is recorded, or it will need to be placed in the following connection. Also, please make sure your message states in the subject line that it is for the connection or it may get missed.

Further information can also be found on Lainey Feingold’s website http://lflegal.com/2008/12/credit-announce/

Thank you for reading or listening,
Gabe Griffith