What A Start to 2005!

Our ninth year started with a “bang up” first quarter.  After setting the stage with our annual meeting in January, we really “rang the bell” with the presentation in February by Dr. Lylas G. Mogk, nationally known authority on macular degeneration, and then our March EXPO featuring the latest in low vision aids and opportunities to explore community resources.

The presentation by Dr. Mogk was taped, and a copy may be obtained for a small donation to the club.  Call Ed Brown at 210-859-2301 to make arrangements.  And whether or not you were at the EXPO, you’ll want to attend our April follow-up meeting at the Children’s Cancer Research Institute, 8403 Floyd Curl Drive, listed below.

A special program, “Some Resources You May Have Missed at EXPO”.  A series of short presentations by a few of the many vendors and agencies represented at this year’s EXPO.  It’s your chance to learn about something you may not have seen or heard.

“Spring Fiesta”, hosted by the club’s Special Events Committee.  A chance to socialize and enjoy some great Mexican food served in the lounge area of the Children’s Cancer Research Institute, 8403 Floyd Curl Drive.  Cost is only $6 per person, but reservations must be received by Sat. May 7, when we must order the food.  (Reservations and payments may be made at our April 16 meeting).  For more information, call Josefina Miller at 210-690-4772 between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. only please.

A special program moderated by Leslie Hoy, our licensed professional counselor.

Other Club Activities

The Low Vision Club and the Blinded Veterans Association have a bowling league which bowls from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on the first and third Mondays of each month at AMF Wonder Lanes, 1948 Austin Highway.  Cost is $1.25 per game, and a total of three games are bowled.  Shoes are free.  They also need some sighted volunteers to keep score and assist club members to play.  If you can help or want to bowl yourself, call Dr. Sid Ordway at 210-653-2827.

Club member Pegi Gonzalez leads a monthly Saturday Game Day program from 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. with a break for lunch.  They play Scrabble, dominos and card games, and will teach people who don’t know how to play.  There is no charge for the games, but players buy their own lunch at the place where they meet. Call her at 210-493-9272 if interested.

Club member Ed Brown is hosting a reorganized crafts group to be led by club member Lupe Carns.  First meeting will be at Ed’s home on Friday, April 15th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.  Space is limited, so if you’d like to come, call him at 210-859-2301.

The art classes conducted by club member Paul Young have been temporarily suspended due to illness of the instructor.  An announcement will be made at our monthly meeting when we are able to resume.

Volunteers Needed for Health Fairs

A booth at the numerous health fairs being staged in our city is one of the best ways to spread the word about the Low Vision Club, Owl Radio and how they can help the visually impaired.  Always-Ready-To-Volunteer Ed Brown is coordinating the club’s efforts at health fairs, but he needs some volunteers to attend fairs and help spread the word.  If you can assist, please call Ed at 210-859-2301 and volunteer.

He has materials for distribution to help explain the club’s role.

Free Updated LVC Resource Guides

A free copy of the updated 2005 LVC Resource Guide will soon be mailed to each club member courtesy of the Employee Community Fund of the Boeing Company and a generous discount on printing the 50-plus page guide by the Brenner Printing Company.

A check covering this grant was presented to our club president, Bonnie Truax, at special ceremonies in Boeing’s large hanger on St. Patrick’s Day.  The Boeing money comes from their local employees themselves, and is not a corporate contribution from the company.

The LVC Resource Guide has been handled the past five years by club member Shirley Lehman.  This year Shirley was assisted in updating the material by club member Cindy Garcia.  Because of the high production costs for the guide, past issues have usually been available only to individuals making a donation to the club.  This again will be true for the general public, but each present club members and those joining us this year will receive a free copy.  We think you will find it to be very valuable.

Owl Radio Marks 3rd Anniversary

The Low Vision Club’s Owl Radio marked the third anniversary of our radio reading service the week of March 7th with daily treats and festive decorations.  Highlight was a “Celebrity Read” with local TV and radio personalities assisting our regular volunteers in reading the Express-News over our airwaves.  Guest celebrity readers were assembled by Milton Glueck of KLUP Radio who also read.  All were introduced by Mary Denman, former KLUP program host and a previous volunteer reader for Owl Radio.  Other celebrities reading were Bill Taylor from KENS-TV, Joe Gwathmey from KSTX Radio, Pat Rogers from Catholic TV, and Karen Claus from Magic 105.  Technical assistance was provided by Wayne Coble of KSTX.

Help With Your Prescription

We have been informed that any and all Walgreen drugstores will provide customers with a large print instruction sheet for each prescription if you request it.  Be sure to ask for it if it will be helpful.

Please Notify Us If You Move Or Change Telephones

Call Bonnie Truax at 210-344-1479.

Used Items For Sale

Telesensory Voyager Closed Circuit TV for magnifying print, about 8 years old.  Asking $750.  Call Reva at 210-493-1510.

Used Closed Circuit TV, 16 inch black & white screen.  Seven years old.  Best Offer.  Call Farah Lewis 210-614-4430 or cell 210-478-6400.

LVC Items and Tapes

Don’t forget the club has many helpful items available at the Resource Table at our monthly meetings.  Cindy Garcia and Elia Pardo, our club’s information specialists, have a number of FREE items on display.  Also club member Ed Brown has cataloged our library of 314 Taped Books which play on regular cassettes.  Stop by his table and he will go over the list with you.  These are loaned without charge for a limited time.