Welcome to the California connection for April 29.
In Memoriam
We have lost two CCB Treasures in the past month, Winifred Downing and Al Gil.
We plan to offer tributes to them in an upcoming issue of The Blind Californian.
Email your memories and tributes to editor@ccbnet.org.
If you wish to dictate your message, leave a message for Associate Editor Susan Glass at her cell phone: 408 429-9567.
Al Gil Memorial
As most of you know, Al Gil passed away on April 17.
There will be 2 celebrations of his life.
The first will be on May 7 from 11:00 Am until 2:00 PM at the Favorita restaurant located at 115 6th ST in Fowler.
The second will be on May 15 at the East Bay Center for the Blind in Berkeley from 4:00 to 7:00 PM.
Gifts and donations can be made to the ACB affiliate Diabetes in Action or the East Bay Center for the Blind.
For more information contact Marybeth Randell at (559) 549-3830.
Thank you from the Gil Family.
Save The Date.
All members are welcome
continuation of the Friday night Conference and Convention Town Hall Discussion.
Conference call on May 23rd from 7 PM to 9 PM.
Call In Number is 712.432.3066 and the code is 840878.
Stay tuned to future CA Connections for further details.
California Council of the Blind 2016 Annual Conference and Convention Evaluation Request
The California Council of the Blind (CCB) is very appreciative of those who attended in person or online the 2016 Annual Conference and Convention (CC). We would appreciate in receiving input from attendees as to their satisfaction with the Viejas Casino and Resort hotel rooms and spaces, CC program, tracks, and MD Support LowViz Guide app. Also, your recommendations for future conferences and conventions will be very much welcomed.
Please complete the evaluation form, found below the line, on or before 11:59pm, Sunday May 1st, 2016.
Evaluation responses are to be emailed to Eugene.lozano@ccbnet.org.
For those needing assistance in completing the form, call the CCB office 1-800-221-6359.
In advance, we wish to thank you for completing the evaluation form and contributing to the planning of future conferences and conventions.
Sincerely, Gene Lozano Chair, Conference and Convention Committee
2016 Conference And Convention Evaluation Form
- Were you satisfied with the Viejas Casino and Resort hotel (e.g. rooms, plated meals, lighting, etc.)?
Tell us why or why not, and be specific. - Tell us your experiences with the hotel restaurants in regards to the: quality of food, meal prices, and level of service.
Please be specific as to which restaurant(s) your comments apply to. - Were the hotel staff and volunteers helpful and courteous to you?
Were there sufficient numbers of each?
Tell us why or why not, and be specific. - What were your experiences in accessing individual exhibitors in the exhibit room?
Please be specific with your comments.
Please provide contact information (e.g. name, phone number, email address, and mailing address) for exhibitors who should be invited to exhibit at future conferences and conventions. - Were you satisfied with the sound quality of presenters and entertainer in the Oak C room?
Tell us why or why not, and be specific. - If you used one of the assistive listening devices, did it function to your satisfaction and were you able to participate more effectively in those sessions where the technology was available to you?
Tell us why or why not, and be specific. - Were there any specific presentations and/or topics you were or were not interested in hearing about?
Tell us why or why not, and be specific. - Were there any presentations and/or topics given by a committee or special interest group you found to be informative and valuable to you?
Would you like a similar presentation to be given as part of a future general session program or as a track?
Tell us why or why not, and be specific. - Did you attend Track 1: "Leadership Track: Tools to add to your Leadership Toolbox" put on by Frank Welte and Vita Zavoli?
If yes, explain how this training did or did not provide the information you were seeking about the management of required paperwork and addressing personality conflicts within your group.
What topics would you like addressed in future leadership tracks? - Did you attend Track 2: "Me, Myself, and I: The way We Talk to our self' Makes a Difference" put on by Lynda Johnson, MA?
If yes, explain how the track did or did not provide the information you were seeking in the understanding and process for overcoming negative self-talk.
Would you be interested in other future tracks dealing with self-awareness issues, and if so, what topics should be covered? - Did you attend Track 3: "Advance Through GROWTH" put on by Catherine Schmitt Whitaker, Ed.D. and Vita Zavoli?
If yes, explain how the track did or did not provide the information you were seeking about career advancement.
Would you be interested in other future tracks dealing with career issues, and if so, what topics should be covered? - As an iPhone user, what was your experience in using the MD Support's updated LowViz Guide app to navigate through the hotel?
Please give a detailed assessment of the effectiveness of the LowViz Guide app, and if it should be used at future conferences and conventions. - If you are a guide dog user, what were your experiences with the relieving area?
Please be specific, particularly if you have any recommended changes. - Overall was the Conference and Convention a success in your opinion?
Tell us why or why not, and be specific. - Is there anything else that you would like to tell us regarding your experience, positive or negative, with the Viejas Casino and Resort hotel and/or the Conference and Convention program?
Scholarships
The California Council of the Blind is offering scholarships to college, university, and vocational school students who are legally blind and are either residents of California, regardless of where they attend school, or non-residents of California attending school in this state.
Scholarships are for entering freshman, undergraduates, and graduate students.
Applications must be submitted by July 1, 2016.
The application can be found online at www.ccbnet.org/scholar_intro.htm
Affiliate Call
The California Council of Blind students would like to invite you to it's membership call on Sunday May 1 at 7:30 PM.
If you are a student, used to be a student, might be a student in the future or know a student and are interested in helping us rebuild this affiliate please join our call.
The call in number is (302) 202-1114.
The conference code is 694810.
Chapter Social Event
Come join the Active Blind Inland Valleys chapter for a social event at Sammy's Cafe, 9030 Foothill Blvd., Rancho Cucamonga, CA on Saturday, May 7 from 11 AM to 1 PM.
Live Theatre
Join Theatre by the Blind for it's upcoming original production of Second Chance" starring some SoCal CCB members.
Written and directed by Pelita Dasalla.
When: May 13-22
Where: Los Angeles Performing Arts Center, formerly The Promenade Playhouse, 1404 3rd Street Promenade, Santa Monica CA Cross Streets 3rd and Santa Monica.
Time: Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 PM, Sunday Matinees, 3:00 PM.
SYNOPSIS: On the eve of her wedding, Morgan Williams is both excited and nervous about her big day. But an unspoken emptiness has been troubling her for quite some time. When she was young, her father sat her down to tell her that her real mother had been killed in a car accident. Despite her inquiries, he had always been vague about the details and avoided her when she pressed him on it.
But her father soon realizes that the marriage of his daughter has triggered a series of events that will force him to confront the truth about her mother and the secret he has been keeping for all of these years.
"Second Chance" is a heartwarming comedy. that questions just how honest we are with our family.
Tickets for this event are $15.
For ticketing info, visit www.creoutreach.org.
We hope to see you there.
ACB Roommate Request
Joe Lopez is looking for a roommate for the ACB convention.
He will be arriving on July 1 and leaving on July 10.
He can be reached at (805) 706-0133 cell or (805) 683-0007 home.
Open House
Valley Center for the Blind is hosting an Open House to welcome our valued community members to join us as we kick off our exciting new location.
The Valley Center for the Blind (previously known as Friendship Center for the Blind) began in February of 1972 through the efforts of Dr. Andrea Schwartz who saw a great need for social and recreational services for blind individuals living in Fresno.
Due to the growing need we have recently moved locations in order to increase our ability to serve our valued blind and visually impaired clients.
Please join us for our Open House event Friday, May 20th at our new location, 3417 W. Shaw Avenue Fresno, CA 93710, between 4pm-8pm. We are on track to have a strong media presence and hope that this event will give your office a chance to learn more about The Valley Center for the Blind and the work that we do at our facility. It would be an honor to have you in attendance and show your support for the disabled individuals of Fresno.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at (559) 222-4447 ext. 107 or SHeber@vcbfresno.org
LightHouse Grand Opening
LightHouse for the Blind is planning a Grand Opening celebration and we'd like for you to join us.
We have spent the last few years and much creative energy to construct our new, innovative headquarters at 1155 Market Street. We are excited to welcome our community to experience the unique design features and the expanded potential of this new facility specifically created by the blind for the blind and low vision community.
To kick off the day of celebration, we are starting on the steps of the San Francisco City Hall with some special guests who would like to honor the LightHouse and our big move.
Then we will take to the streets with a parade full of fanfare on our way to the new building!
March with us at the "Blind & Proud" Parade!
Please save the date and plan to be a part of the Parade! We would be honored to have you or your organization, along with other allies and supporters from all over the state, as a strong contingent in the grand march along Van Ness and Market Streets in the center of San Francisco.
We welcome banners and other festive ways to show your support of and partnership with the LightHouse. Our marching band will lead the way so we hope you are there alongside us for the excitement!
Grand Opening Celebration Schedule:
June 10 San Francisco Civic Center
11:00 AM: Welcome Remarks at City Hall
12:00 PM: "Blind & Proud" Parade from City Hall to 1155 Market
1:00 - 3:00 PM: LightHouse Open House
Questions?
To RSVP and get more information about participating in the Blind & Proud Parade and attending the LightHouse Open House, please contact Megara Vogl at mvogl@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7335.
From The office Of The CA Secretary of State
The audio version of the Official California Voter Information Guide for the June 7, 2016, Presidential Primary Election is now available.
To obtain copies of cassettes or compact discs (CDs) free of charge, please call the Secretary of State's Elections Division at (916) 657-2166.
For a downloadable version of the Voter Information Guide please visit www.voterguide.sos.ca.gov/audio
Recruitment Announcement (April 2016):
The Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) is recruiting for an Associate Governmental Program Analyst (AGPA) to work as an Advisory Committee Analyst in the Specialized Services Division.
Under the general direction of the Specialized Services Division Deputy Director, the Advisory Committee Analyst serves as the Department's liaison to the California Vendors Policy Committee (CVPC), the Blind Advisory Committee (BAC), Deaf and Hard of Hearing Advisory Committee (DHHAC), and the Orientation Center for the Blind (OCB) Trust Fund Committee.
These committees advise the department on program policies and development and major administrative decisions.
The Advisory Committee Analyst provides support and guidance to assist the committees with carrying out their meetings and related activities.
In the performance of the essential job functions, the Advisory Committee Analyst exercises effective leadership, advanced judgment, sound decision making, and integrity, fosters and maintains effective relationships, and is flexible with incidents.
The Advisory Committee Analyst reports to the Deputy Director of the Specialized Services Division.
The position is based in the DOR Central Office in Sacramento, California.
The DOR works in partnership with consumers and other stakeholders to provide services and advocacy resulting in employment, independent living, and equality for individuals with disabilities.
Special Personal Characteristics:
Willingness to travel overnight throughout the state. Appreciation of the ability of individuals with disabilities, including those who are blind and visually impaired, to become contributing members of our society.
Essential Information:
The Job Announcement for this AGPA position is available at:
https://jobs.ca.gov/Public/JobVacancySearch.aspx.
Enter 13075 under job control
The position classification is Associate Governmental Program Analyst (AGPA) with a monthly base salary range of $4,600.00 - $5,758.00.
The incumbent will be hired using the Associate Governmental Program Analyst (AGPA) eligible list of other state lateral transfer avenues.
Those who are not already working in state government at the AGPA level must be on the AGPA eligibility list or take the AGPA examination at
https://jobs.ca.gov/JOBSGEN/9PB04.PDF.
A Training and Development (T&D) position may be considered for candidates who need additional training to qualify for appointment to the AGPA classification.
Completed applications must be submitted electronically through your CalCareer account at www.jobs.ca.gov.
This position will be open until filled; however, the DOR anticipates screening of candidates to begin May 20, 2016; therefore you are encouraged to submit your application package before screening commences.
Questions about the position may be directed to Rosa Gomez at (916) 558-5564 or Rosa.M.Gomez@dor.ca.gov.
Questions about the application process may be submitted to Maris Will at (916) 558-5582 or Maris.J.Will@dor.ca.gov.
Thank you for reading, Have a nice day
