BLIND COMMUNITY CENTER
OF SAN DIEGO
1805 UPAS STREET
SAN DIEGO, CA 92103
www.BCCSD.org
Phone: (619) 298-5021
Business Hours:
9:00am to 1:00pm Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday
8:30am to 1:00pm Saturday
Closed Thursday, Friday, & Sunday
OCTOBER 2015 NEWSLETTER
Celebrating 66 years!
BCCSD MISSION: To enrich the lives of blind and visually impaired
adults and children, preparing them for a normal, active life in a
society that is principally sighted.
Tuesday, October 27th – Membership Meeting
1:30pm – 3:00pm, BCCSD Auditorium
Call 619-298-5021 x206 to attend. BCCSD membership meetings
are held on the 4th Tuesday of each month.
IMPORTANT EXTENSIONS
x204 Volunteer Coordinator, Volunteer and Membership
Information.
x206 Program Coordinator, Activity Information and Reservations.
Kristynn Bennett, kbennett@bccsd.org
x207 President, Board of Directors. Tamara Airhart
x208 Executive Director, Barbara Runco, barbara@bccsd.org
1
WEEKLY CLASSES
Craft Class
BCCSD Multipurpose Room
Monday 9:00am – 12:45pm
Tuesday 9:00am – 12:45pm
In this free class provided by Continuing Education and the
BCCSD, learn to knit, work with metal, beads, leather, and more!
Class does not require reservations. Lunch served to participants.
Cribbage
BCCSD Auditorium
Monday 11:00am – 1:00pm
Tuesday 11:00am – 1:00pm
Learn to play this trick-taking card game that uses a peg board to
keep score. Build your strategy and participate in the biannual
cribbage tournament. Classes are by appointment only. Call 619298-5021 x206 to reserve a game appointment with the instructor.
Advocacy Training
BCCSD Youth Room
Tuesday 1:15pm – 2:15pm
Advocacy Training will not be held on Tuesday, October 27th.
Are you interested in building self confidence and learning to speak
up for yourself? This weekly workshop is designed to teach you
2
how to become a self-advocate, facilitated by Raquel Vega,
Community Organizer from Access to Independence. This class is
for individuals of all ages who are blind and visually impaired. Each
participant will receive a certificate upon completion of the class.
For more information, please call Raquel Vega at 619-293-3500
x236. To register for this class, please call 619-298-5021 x206.
Painting Class
BCCSD Multipurpose Room
Wednesday 9:00am – 10:45am
Want to have fun and learn how to watercolor? David Hanlon, blind
BCCSD Board Member, will conduct painting classes that will teach
you how to watercolor. The theme for October is Halloween. Come
and try out your artistic abilities. Call 619-298-5021 x206 to
participate.
Storytelling (a.k.a. Book Club)
BCCSD Conference Room
Wednesday 11:00am – 12:45pm
Welcome back book-lovers! Beginning on Wednesday, October
14th, storyteller Cara Wilson-Granat will celebrate the art of
storytelling by reading The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd to
the group. This is an interactive group full of exchanges about the
story itself, how the story relates to each person’s life experience
3
and to current events. Join Cara and help her bring the story to life!
Naturally it is difficult to catch up if you miss several classes so
please join the group by October 28th or stay tuned for the next
book club. If you attend after the first meeting, please call Kristynn
(at the number listed below) to catch up before attending. The
group is closed from November to the end of the book. Call 619298-5021 x206 to participate and to add a book suggestion. P.S.
There are no tests. Wink!
Book Summary
The Secret Life of Bees is set in South Carolina in 1964 and tells
the story of Lily Owens, whose life has been shaped around the
blurred memory of the afternoon her mother was killed. When Lily’s
fierce-hearted black “stand-in mother,” Rosaleen insults three of the
deepest racists in town, Lily decides to spring them both free. They
escape to Tiburon, South Carolina – a town that holds the secret to
her mother’s past. Taken in by an eccentric trio of black beekeeping
sisters, Lily is introduced to their mesmerizing world of bees and
honey, and the Black Madonna. This is a remarkable novel about
divine female power, a story that women will share and pass on to
their daughters for years to come.
4
Martial Arts
BCCSD Auditorium
Wednesday 11:30am – 1:00pm, Self Defense
Saturday 8:30am – 10:00am, Self Defense
Saturday 10:00am – 11:00am, Jiu Jitsu
Classes do not require reservations.
Theater Group
BCCSD Youth Room
Wednesday 1:00pm – 3:00pm
Theater group is starting up again on October 14th. The class is
being restructured to an intensive acting class. Participants will
learn focusing, memorization, movement and vocal exercises that
will prepare them to perform in front of an audience. Call 619-2985021 x206 to participate.
SHORT-TERM FALL CLASSES
Holiday Choir
BCCSD Youth Room
Monday 1:45pm – 3:45pm
Anyone who can carry a tune is welcome to join the BCCSD choir
for practice in the fall and performances in December. The group
performs at senior living facilities, the BCCSD Thanksgiving Dinner,
the BCCSD Holiday Party and December Nights in Balboa Park. All
5
voice ranges are welcome. Choir rehearsal will take place from
August 10th – November 30th. Please call 619-298-5021 x206 to
participate.
MONTHLY ACTIVITIES
Saturday, October 17th – BINGO
11:00am – 2:00pm, BCCSD Multipurpose Room
Join your friends at the BCCSD for Bingo and lunch. The cost of
this event is $5.00 per person. Please call 619-298-5021 x206 to
RSVP. Signup by Saturday, October 10th.
Tuesday, October 20th – Annual Flu Clinic
12:00pm – 1:00pm, BCCSD Auditorium
Flu season is here, along with the annual RiteAid Flu Clinic. To
reserve your flu shot and learn about costs, please call 619-2985021 x206. The flu shot is covered by most insurance companies,
and test claims can be done early by RiteAid to determine
insurance coverage. Please bring your insurance card on the day of
the clinic. Signup deadline is Tuesday, October 6th.
6
Tuesday, October 20th – Board of Directors Meeting
6:30pm – 8:15pm, BCCSD Conference Room
If you wish to address the Board of Directors, you must contact the
President (ext. 207) 24 hours prior to the meeting and provide the
content of your comment.
Saturday, October 24th – Halloween Party
12:00pm – 2:30pm, BCCSD Auditorium
Happy Halloween! Join us at the BCCSD for the annual Halloween
Party, hosted by our community partner, National Charity League
(NCL). This is your chance to play a trivia game, play “Name That
Tune,” and enjoy the great company of the NCL mothers and
daughters over lunch. Dress your best to compete in the costume
contest for a prize. Thanks to National Charity League for
sponsoring this event. Sign up deadline is Saturday, October
17th.
Tuesday, October 27th – Membership Meeting
1:30pm – 3:00pm, BCCSD Auditorium
SDPD Officer Vasquez will present on the SDPD Community
Relations Department and what they do. He will also discuss
personal safety and share sample items that can be purchased
legally for use. Call 619-298-5021 x206 to attend.
7
Wednesday, October 28th – Feeling Your Way to Food
10:45am – 12:30pm, San Ysidro Senior Center
Lunch is served at 11:00am.
MTS Access Meeting Location: San Ysidro Senior Center, 125
East Park Ave, San Diego, CA 92173
MTS Bus Meeting Location: #906 bus stop at West San Ysidro
Blvd and East Park Ave. and #907 bus stop at West San Ysidro
Blvd and West Park Ave.
Are you interested in receiving low cost meals in your own
neighborhood? Join the BCCSD and Serving Seniors for a hot meal
at San Ysidro Senior Center. Not yet 60 years old? Don’t worry; you
are welcome to come as the guest of a senior. The meal is free for
seniors 60 years of age and older; there is a $6.00 meal fee for
guests under age 60. BCCSD staff and board members will meet
participants at the meeting locations listed above and guide them to
San Ysidro Senior Center. Participants must be able to plan their
own route to the meeting location. For help with planning your trip,
please call the MTS Information and Trip Planning Office at 511 or
619-233-3004. To RSVP for this activity, please call 619-298-5021
x206 and leave a message with your name and phone number.
The sign up deadline for the trip to San Ysidro Senior Center is
Saturday, October 10th.
8
UPCOMING EVENTS
Saturday, November 7th – Martial Arts Anniversary Event
Saturday, November 14th – BINGO
Saturday, November 21st – Thanksgiving Dinner
BCCSD NEWS
Holiday Party Gift Card Request
Each year 80-100 blind adults and children enjoy a catered holiday
dinner with live entertainment and an opportunity drawing.
Understandably, the opportunity drawing is the highlight of the
event for our community members who typically live on a fixed
income of $600-$1,000.
How to Donate
Help us provide meaningful and fun prizes for the opportunity
drawing. Donate a grocery or drug store gift card in person or by
mailing it to BCCSD, 1805 Upas St, San Diego, CA 92103. Please
include your name and return address to receive a receipt.
For more information contact Barbara Runco, Executive
Director (Barbara@bccsd.org, 619-298-5021 x208)
9
OTHER AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Meeting of the California Council of the Blind, San Diego
Chapter
Tuesday, October 6th, 2:30pm – 3:30pm
Location: San Diego Center for the Blind, 5922 El Cajon Blvd,
San Diego, CA 92115, Room C
Meetings are held on the first Tuesday of the month.
Contact: David Hanlon, CCB, SD President: 858-610-0825
National Federation of the Blind, San Diego Chapter Meeting
Phone-in
Tuesday, October 13th, 6:00pm
Phone-in instructions: Dial 712-432-6499. Listen for “bypass
announcement” and press the number symbol. Press #1 and enter
code: 2665. You will hear the room name, “National Federation of
the Blind, San Diego Chapter conference room”. Contact Info:
Phone: 619-884-0189
Email: nfbcaliforniasd@gmail.com
Tandem Bike Ride, Therapeutic Recreation Services, Parks
and Recreation Department, City of San Diego
Biking events for teens and adults include bikes, helmets, snacks
and water. Sign up ahead to ensure equipment available. Fee: $2.
Contact to sign up: 619-525-8247
10
Contact day of event: 619-205-2834 (Use this number if you are
lost, or to see if the ride has been canceled due to weather.)
Saturday, October 3rd, 10:30am – 12:30pm
Location: Santee Lakes, 9310 Fanita Parkway
Saturday, November 7th, 10:30am – 12:30pm
Location: Lake Miramar, 10304 Scripps Lake Drive
OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS
Happy birthday to all the October babies. Have a good one!
Board of Directors
President: Tamara Airhart, Blind BCCSD Member
Vice President: Malina Gomez, Blind BCCSD Member
Treasurer: Ted Kay, San Diego Host Lions Club
Secretary: David Hanlon, Blind BCCSD Member
Past President: Gwendolyn Edwards, Blind BCCSD Member
Director: George Rivas, Blind BCCSD Member
Director: Debbie Jackson, Blind BCCSD Member
Director: Lyn Gwizdak, Blind BCCSD Member
Director: Nicole Bissett, Blind BCCSD Member
Youth Advocate: VACANT
Community Representative: VACANT
11
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
Donate: The Blind Community Center operates using private
donations from community members and groups. Your donation
today can help provide classes and programs, and help us keep
our building open.
Volunteer: Do you have the skills or knowledge to teach a class?
Do you have experience in nonprofit management, office work, or
other abilities? Become a volunteer!
Be a Part of the Community: Are you or someone you know blind
or visually impaired? Are you interested in participating, donating,
or volunteering? Do you want to learn more? Come join our
community!
Visit our website for more information on donating, volunteering,
or being a part of the community: www.bccsd.org.
BLIND COMMUNITY CENTER
OF SAN DIEGO
1805 UPAS STREET
SAN DIEGO, CA. 92103- 5298
FREE MATTER FOR THE BLIND
AND PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED
POSTAL MANUAL 138
12