The Owl Meets The Mockingbird

Our radio reading service, Owl Radio, is joining Texas Public Radio, the San Antonio Public Library and the San Antonio Public Library Foundation in a partnership to allow print-challenged individuals to participate in The Big Read San Antonio 2008, a city-wide celebration of the book To Kill a Mockingbird.

From Monday, April 21, through Wednesday, April 30, Owl Radio will present the audio book version of To Kill a Mockingbird every day at 1:00 p.m. and again at 9:00 p.m.  Persons unable to read regular print due to a visual, physical or reading impairment, who are not already in possession of Owl Radio’s special dedicated-line radio, are invited to submit an application signed by a health-care provider certifying their eligibility.

Owl Radio broadcasts can be heard only with the special receiver, available at no charge to eligible recipients.  Organizations such as assisted living centers, which serve the visually challenged, are especially urged to participate.  Once the certified application has been approved, the radio will be delivered with directions for its operation by an Owl Radio volunteer.  A donation of $25 or more with each application is requested, but not required, to help pay for the service.

In addition to the readings of the audio book, Owl Radio listeners receive radio broadcasts of news from the San Antonio Express-News and other programs during the 24-hour period of each day.  For more information about Owl Radio, or to request an application for a receiver, go to their web site at www.owlradio.org or call (210) 829-4223.

Owl Radio, which is co-sponsored by the San Antonio Express-News and Texas Public Radio, has been on the air since March 6, 2002.  It is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for those who cannot read for any reason, and is a major part of your Low Vision Resource Center.

Upcoming Programs

Saturday, April 19, 2008

Our regular monthly meeting in the Allied Health Building on the UTSA North Campus, 8403 Floyd Curl Drive, will feature three club members telling how they met their challenges to achieve independence.

The San Antonio Parks & Recreation Department’s Therapeutic Recreation (TR) Program is looking to collaborate with the club to provide recreational activities and outings for the membership.  Tina Tholl from the TR Program is planning to speak and provide information at this month’s meeting about possible activities.  Please give her your comments and ideas.

Some other things at this meeting.  We will conduct a silent auction for used equipment recently donated to the Low Vision Club.  (This will include CCTV’s, telephones, and other items.)  You also will be able to purchase $1 chances to possibly win a beautiful quilt donated to the club by member Rita Witzel.  This will be awarded at our Christmas luncheon in December.  Many members purchased tickets in February, and we will continue selling them at meetings between now and December.

At this meeting you also can make your reservations for our “Spring Into Summer” luncheon to be held at Los Barrios Café, 4223 Blanco Road, on Saturday, May 17, in place of our regular May club meeting.  Time 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  You may choose either a cheese enchilada plate with tea or a flauta plate with tea.  Total cost per plate will be $7.

A $3 deposit at our April LVC Meeting is required to secure each reservation, as we must make a guarantee and must know our count.  We will set up a table near the registration check-in table to accept your payments.  You may also mail a $3 check payable to the Low Vision Club to 9642 Sandie, Helotes, TX 78023 to reach us by April 30.  The remaining $4 per plate is to be paid in cash at the restaurant the day of the luncheon following our theme this year of helping you maintain your independence.

Saturday, May 17, 2008

“Spring Into Summer” luncheon at Los Barrios (11 a.m.-1:00 p.m.)  See information above.

Saturday, June 21, 2008

Program to be announced via flier later.

10th Annual EXPO

Can’t leave the subject of programs without mentioning the outstanding work of Executive Director Bill Phelps and Volunteer Coordinator Cindy Garcia at our 10th Annual EXPO on March 8th.  They handled the whole thing… organizing it, setting up exhibit tables, coordinating over 100 volunteers (and even solving the plumbing problem in one of the rest rooms).  The event was attended by almost 500 persons, and although it was a few dollars short of breaking even, it provided great opportunities to try out various low vision aids in one location and have your questions answered.  Also, the club signed up14 new members and is mailing information to 20 others.  We are grateful to Colonial Hills United Methodist Church, our gracious hosts for the event.  This is the second time they have made their facilities available to our club and the outside public attracted to the event.

Callers Needed

EXPO always brings the need for more callers to remind members about upcoming programs.  If you can call a dozen or so people every month, please volunteer to be one of our callers.  Notify Bonnie at 344-1479.  Also some of our long-time callers need relief, so please volunteer now.

Owl Radio On The Move

Yes, Owl Radio has moved but not very far… only to Suite 525 in the same North Frost Center where we have always been at 1250 N.E. Loop 410.  The telephone number remains (210) 829-4223.  However, these moves are not easy, especially moving all of our broadcast equipment. Wayne Coble, Texas Public Radio’s Technical Director, worked all night until 4:30 a.m. disconnecting and reinstalling the broadcast equipment while programs from our New York-based satellite were on the air.  When it came time for our local programming at 9 a.m., we never missed a beat.  Thanks, Wayne.  This is the fourth time in six years you have performed this miracle along with other volunteers who physically moved our furniture.

San Antonio Woman Magazine

The January/February issue of San Antonio Woman Magazine carried a wonderful two-page spread about the Low Vision Resource Center and how we help the visually-impaired live life as fully as possible.  There also was a full color photo of Owl Radio’s Sally Wiskemann reading the news while Founder Bonnie Truax looked on.  (A framed copy is on display at our Owl Radio offices in case you missed seeing that copy of the magazine).

Quick Tips

The annual Door-In-The-Wall Anglers on Wheels Fishing Tournament will take place the weekend of May 17th on the Island Queen fishing boat in Port Aransas.  It’s for fishermen with disabilities, their friends and family members.  Cash prizes will be awarded.  Call (210) 637-8316 for information.

The Alamo Council of the Blind will hold a Leadership & Self-Advocacy training conference on June 21 at the downtown Radisson Hotel from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  Cost is $25 which includes continental breakfast, lunch, and materials.  Deadline to register is April 15.  Call (210) 492-4420 or send registration to the ACB at 9639 Orchid Meadows, San Antonio, TX 78250.

Bill Hurley has an almost-new 20-inch color CCTV for sale.  Price $1,000.  Call (210) 497-4221.

Please notify us if you move or change telephone numbers by calling 344-1479.