Welcome to the California connection for February 26.
Conference and Convention Preview
Hotel Reservation Information For The 2016 Annual California Council of the Blind Conference and Convention:
(Revised February 23, 2016)
Hotel registration is now open for the 2016 Annual Conference and Convention of the California Council of the Blind (CCB).
The conference and convention will take place Thursday April 7th - Sunday April 10th, 2016 at the Viejas Casino and Resort four-star hotel.
The hotel address is: 5000 Willows Road, Alpine, CA 91901.
To make hotel reservations via phone, call: 800-938-2532, or via
Internet reservation link:.
When making your reservation by phone or online, provide the following reservation conference code: 160413CALI.
Room rates are: Single: $99, Double: $99, Triple: $119, Quad: $139, Suites: $339.
The rates are all-inclusive of guest room tax.
All guests are required to place a $50 incidental deposit per night, it is not charged until check-in and if not used will be returned to the card presented within 3-7 business days. This is a standard hotel practice and all guests are told of this charge at the time the reservation is made and at check-in.
The cut-off date for reserving a room in our block is March 16th, 2016.
Transportation between the hotel and San Diego International Airport, San Diego downtown Amtrak Station as well as San Diego downtown Greyhound Depot can be provided through the hotel discounted shuttle service, Uber, and Lyft.
Information regarding these transportation options will be found in the 2016 Annual Conference and Convention preregistration announcement.
In a separate conference and convention preview, information will be provided about the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) ADA paratransit services.
Please share this information with chapters and other interested parties.
The CCB looks forward to welcoming you at the Viejas Casino and Resort.
Conference and Convention Preview:
San Diego Paratransit Service For The 2016 Annual California Council of the Blind Conference and Convention:
(February 23, 2016)
To become visitor-certified for San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) ADA paratransit services, passengers are asked to complete the attached form and fax it to ADARIDE.COM at (310) 410-0239.
The information requested on this form will help MTS Access best serve you while visiting San Diego.
You can also call ADARide offices toll-free 1-877-232-7433 (TTY/TDD: 1-310-410-0985) if you need help to complete the visitor form over the phone.
Visitor status will be provided to any individual who is currently ADA-certified by their hometown Paratransit provider for up to 21 days in any 12-month period.
Your local ADA paratransit provider can fax confirmation of your registration to ADARide securely at (310) 410-0239. Please have them indicate the need for MTS ACCESS specifically. Hopefully their confirmation will include vital information like mobility device used, service animal, contact phone, PCA status, etc.
Ideally, the local provider can complete the visitor request form and fax it to ADARide at the number provided above.
You may reserve a ride after you have been visitor-certified as ADA eligible.
To obtain more information about ADARide.com, go to: www.adaride.com
On MTS Access, children five years of age or younger may ride free with a fare-paying adult. While a Personal Care Attendant (PCA) may travel without paying a fare, at least one passenger must always pay a full fare of $4.50 for a single ride. A fare must be paid when an adult or guardian is travelling as the non-paying child's PCA. Likewise, two passengers cannot claim each other as PCAs to avoid fare payment.
Given the large size of the MTS ADA service area, it is divided into four zones.
Passengers may be required to transfer to another vehicle for interzonal travel just as they would likely transfer between the MTS bus and trolley network of services. For example, if you are at the San Diego International Airport, San Diego Greyhound depot, or San Diego Amtrak station you would likely board a paratransit vehicle in Zone 1, and transfer to another paratransit vehicle to complete your trip to Alpine/Viejas Casino and Resort (Zone 3). You are considered receiving a single ride even with an interzonal transfer. Paratransit drivers will accept the fare in cash if paid in exact change. The drivers do not have the ability to make change for passengers.
Please share this information with chapters and other interested parties.
The CCB looks forward to welcoming you at the Viejas Casino and Resort.
Editor's note: If you need assistance completing the paratransit temporary eligibility form you can either call the number provided or call Ed Branch in the CCB office at 800-221-6359.
Convention Door Prizes
Chapters, affiliates and individuals are encouraged to provide door prizes for the 2016 CCB Conference and Convention.
You can bring door prizes to the convention and leave them at the Convention Registration Desk or provide them to the CCB office ahead of time by sending them to California Council of the Blind, 1303 J. Street, Suite 400, Sacramento, CA 95814.
Seeking A Roommate For CCB 2016 Conference and Convention
From John Vandervort:
I will be arriving April 7th . leaving on April 10th. I have a guide dog.
Seeking a non-smoking male roommate, with a guide dog is okay.
Please contact me at (408) 269-2295 between 7 AM to 9 PM.
Seeking a roommate for CCB 2016 Conference and Convention
From Cam Schure: I will be arriving April 7th . leaving on April 10th.
Seeking a non-smoking female roommate, with a guide dog is okay.
Please contact me at (831)372-0626 between 7 AM to 8 PM.
Roommate Request
From Margie Donovan
Greetings, I am looking for a roommate for the upcoming CCB convention. I will be staying from the 7th to the 10th. I have a guide dog and nor problems rooming with another dog, but a nonsmoker please.
If you are interested please email me at Margie.donovan1@outlook.com
Proposed Resolutions and Constitutional Amendments
From Gabe Griffith
It is that time again to start thinking of those resolutions and constitution and bylaws (C&B) proposals. I am still serving as C&B chair and am back as resolutions chair.
For those proposed C&B amendments the deadline is April 1. Please note that this is the week before convention. This is so the committee can discuss them and prepare them for presentation to the members for a first reading on Friday night April 8.
The resolutions deadline will be noon on Friday April 8.
You can submit either resolutions or C&B proposed amendments to me or any member of the relevant committee.
My contact information for these purposes is gabrielgriffith@gmail.com or (925) 768-8195.
I will have access to phone or email constantly in the weeks leading up to convention and during convention so please don't be late. Late submissions will not be accepted.
The committees thank you in advance for your cooperation and consideration.
Chapter Event
Come bowl with the Active Blind Inland Valleys chapter of the California Council of the Blind and help us put the fun in FUNdraising:
March 5th 2016 11:00am Del Rosa Lanes 1499 E. Highland AVE San Bernardino, CA 92404
$12 for three games including shoes.
A drawing for $100 cash will be held on the day of the event Tickets $2 each or 3 for $5.
For more information call (909) 255-9067.
Help us believe it and we will achieve it.
Video Magnifier Awards
The Council of Citizens with Low Vision International (CCLVI) announces the Dr. Sam Genensky Video Magnifier Memorial Awards.
A total of 3 video magnifiers will be awarded to children and adults.
To read the award guidelines and complete an on-line application, please visit the web site:
http://www.cclvi.org/dr-samuel-genensky
Applications may be submitted through April 20, 2016 at 11:59 PM EST.
We look forward to receiving your application materials!
From Dr. Sharon Sacks, Superintendent, California School For The Blind
Celebrating the Life of Colleague & Friend Phillip H. Hatlen
A Memorial & Celebration Ceremony
Sunday, March 13, 2016 California School for the Blind 500 Walnut Avenue Fremont, CA 94536 12-3 PM
CSB Theater Reception to Follow
RSVP to Sharon Sacks by March 4, 2016 at (510) 794-3816 or ssacks@csb-cde.ca.gov
Bring a note or photo to place in a memory book to be shared with Phil's children
CSB is easily accessible to BART, about ½ mile east of the station, an easy walk.
Training And Classes
The East Side Center For The Blind currently has openings for training in computers, iPads, iPhones, Victor readers and any other electronic devices.
These openings are on Fridays from 09:00 AM - 11:00 AM. There is no cost for this one on one training.
On Wednesdays there are lessons on how to crochet, knitting with 2 needles or on a loom, macromae, ETC.
We've made projects such as slippers and shawls on the loom, doggie sweaters, baby back packs etc.
This class is on Wednesdays are is geared so that you can feel free to make any project you wish or get started knitting, crocheting, etc.
The class is from 09:00 AM - 01:00 PM. Again, we are basically doing our thing whether it is learning how to crochet, or knit ETC.
There is no cost for this class. Come make new friends and enrich your knowledge.
The Address: 9515 Haney St. in the city of Pico Rivera 90660.
the Telephone number: is 310-502-3099 and speak with Alice Hackney.
Thank you for reading, Have a nice day
