BOLD welcomes persons 18 and older with all degrees of vision: blind, low vision, partially sighted and fully sighted.
October 2014 newsletter
BOLD Ventures (Blind Outdoor Leisure Development) October, 2014
BOLD welcomes persons 18 and older with all degrees of vision: blind, low vision, partially sighted, and fully sighted.
PO Box 8114 Pittsburgh, PA 15217
Terri Winaught, Editor
Email: boldwpa@gmail.com
Website: www.wpabold.blogspot.com
Yahoo Group: wpabold@yahoogroups.com (moderator must approve posts)
Update Line: 1-773-597-4222 (updates recorded each Friday)
OODLES OF FUN IN OCTOBER
October's Board meeting will be on Tuesday the 7th with the deadline for calling Tammi Swiantek being Sunday the 5th by 10 PM. Number? 412-488-6298.
The Wednesdays in October for Mall Walking are the 1st; the 15th; and the 29th. This means that the sign-up deadlines with Joyce Driben, 412-521-4385, are Thursdays September 25th, October 9, and October 23rd by 9 PM.
The reservation deadline for yoga with Veronique Schreurs is always the Tuesday before by 9 PM (see calendar for dates and the address of Schoolhouse Yoga). Also, remember that yoga is held at different times each Friday; classes will be canceled if less than four people sign up; and $15 is due the day of each class.
Sunday, October 5th, we will have brunch at 1889 Cafe from 11:30 AM to 2 PM, with a hike being held from 2 until 3:30. The reservation deadline with Penny Fleckinstein is Wednesday the 1st by 10 PM. Call 412-415-3871, and let Penny know if you want to hike. (As she has many times, Veronique Schreurs will lead this hike through the South Side.)
Address? 2017 East Carson Street, South Side, Pittsburgh, 15203. This restaurant is physically accessible, and prices are reasonable.
Saturday, October 25th, we will have the pleasure of going to Slippery Rock University as we did last year.
To sign up with Nancy Leverett by 10 PM on Saturday the 18th, call 412-561-3972. Sign-up will be limited to the first 10 persons who are blind or vision-impaired.
Although there will be two activities, horseback riding is the only one to be confirmed. Participants will ride for an hour, with additional time spent grooming the horses. (The starting time, cost, and BOLD subsidy have yet to be determined.)
To ask if Ice Skating will be held in October, phone Mark Senk: 412-386-6513. Previous skating outings have been held on the first and third Thursdays.
PAST EVENTS
Waterskiing scheduled for August 24th was canceled due to how fast the river current was. Extra thanks to first-time reservationist Ed Reid, and Joyce Driben for helping coordinate rides.
The August 30th picnic and Gateway Clipper Cruise was a food funtastic success. Alot of appreciation to event organizer and reservationist Penny Fleckinstein, and the Friendship Group, many of whose members were guides.
When Ray Jablonowski hosted Indoor Games, outdoor activities, and a party at his home with extraordinary excellence, there were 19 BOLD members, 3 guests, and additional volunteers from the Catholic Alumni Club. Tons of thanks to Ray for hosting this event; Missy for taking reservations; and everyone who helped by driving, guiding and serving refreshments.
LOOKING AHEAD
Although Tuesday the 4th is the tentative date for November's Board meeting, this could change if the School for the Blind is a voting site, so check the Update Line closer to November: 773-597-4222.
On Sunday the 16th, we will FINALLY have our live fundraising auction with Terri as auctioneer (see Fundraising Facts for more info).
December's Board meeting will be on Tuesday the 2nd. We need your help and suggestions for several aspects of December's Holiday Party. The three venues the Board is considering are: the Church of the Redeemer in Squirrel Hill; the building at One Smithfield Street, Downtown Pittsburgh; and the Crafton Towers in Crafton. What locations would you recommend?
Regarding a caterer, we might use last year's restaurant, but we also like to rotate caterers to accommodate everyone's preferences and tastes. That said, is there a caterer you would like us to use? So that this Editor can bring your suggestions to the October Board meeting, phone 412-263-2022.
Regarding the clinic which is held each year to train new ski guides and provide a refresher for all sighted assistants, Dom Ceresa will choose a December or January date depending on best weather conditions, so look for these details in future newsletters and on the Update Line: 1-773-597-4222.
CULTURAL CONNECTIONS
To request free Chamber Music tickets on a first-come, first-served basis starting with the November concert, phone Joyce Driben: 412-521-4385. Because the Chamber Music Society clarified to Joyce that 10 is the maximum number of tickets they can give, with 8 having already been spoken for, ask Joyce if that number has changed (there is the possibility that all of the tickets have been distributed).
Joyce will also be getting Pittsburgh Symphony tickets for 8 concerts. As always, they will be given on a first-come, first-served basis. When requesting tickets, let Joyce know if you want one or two. Thank you in advance for remembering that anyone who consistently fails to use tickets or pass them along will be placed at the bottom of Joyce's list.
As they have for many years, the Pittsburgh City Theatre will feature audio-described plays for the 2014-2015 season at 2 PM on the following Sundays:
Outside Mullingar, Nov. 2
Smart Blonde, Dec. 21
Mr. Joy, Feb. 15
Elemeno Pea, Mar. 22
Oblivion, Apr. 12
Midsummer, May 31
To order tickets at a discounted rate for one person with a vision impairment and a guest, phone 412-431-4900. Pittsburgh City Theatre is located at 1300 Bingham Street, South Side, Pittsburgh, 15203.
For info on the plays listed above, visit www.citytheatrecompany.org or ask when phoning the Box Office. Also helpful to patrons with vision impairments are the sensory workshops at 1 PM before each play.
The Pittsburgh Opera will begin their 2014-2015 season with a Sunday, October 5th free "Rising Stars" performance. To learn more about this or any additional performances-especially those with audio-description-call 412-281-0912, x213.
Robert Morris University will continue to provide free tickets for their annual Speaker Series presentations. However, due to funding cutbacks and requests from sponsoring organizations, BOLD was given tickets to only the following four Wednesday night 8 PM presentations:
October 29th: Julia Gillard, Australia's Prime Minister; January 14th, 2015: Arianna Huffington: has a Huffington Post website and is a Pulitzer Prize winner; February 18: P.W. Singer: A member of the Brookings Institute, he is pre-eminent in how science fiction is played out on the battle field; April 29: Michio Kaku: writes about physics and also hosts a syndicated radio show.
To ask for tickets, phone Jennifer Wilburn: 412-561-8155. When calling, give first, second, and third choices of speakers in whom you are interested. If Jennifer can accommodate your request, she will call you two weeks before the presentation. Please call only once, and know that getting no call back means that tickets for your requested date are no longer available.
FUNDRAISING FACTS
It's often said that three is a charm, and that seems to be the case with our upcoming auction. The final date for this event is Sunday, November 16th at the Human Services Building: 1 Smithfield Street, Downtown Pittsburgh, 15222. To sign up by Thursday, November 13th no later than 10 PM, call Terri Winaught: 412-263-2022. When reserving, let Terri know what you plan to donate, and thank you in advance for your generosity. Items that have already been donated are: a waffle iron, some small appliances, a book on CD about a guide dog user who led people out of the World Trade Center on 9-11, Chinese necklaces, dishes, and fragrances.
Refreshments will be free; Indoor Games are encouraged; and the time is 2 PM to 5 PM. Closer to this date, the room name will be announced on the Update Line: 773-597-4222. The Fundraising Chair will be posting this on her Facebook page and would like anyone else who has Facebook, Twitter, or any other social media platform to post. The hope is that persons outside of BOLD will also attend.
Thank you to the Monroeville Lions Club for their recent $300 donation, and appreciation to BOLD Treasurer Veronique Schreurs for her letter of acknowledgement.
BOLD BITS
October's meal at the Pittsburgh Lutheran Center for the Blind will be on Saturday the 25th, with the signup deadline being Thursday the 23rd by 6 PM. Phone Center Director Sherri Crum: 412-682-1800.
The Leveretts appreciate your ongoing Warm Wishes for Bruce's recovery, this Editor being delighted to report how much better Bruce is doing.
On a sad note, however, condolences go out to Bill and Tom Burgunder whose father died in August.
Marty Mathews has the following new home phone number: 412-440-4909.
CONGRATULATIONS!! to Aimee Yunt who has been employed at the Emsworth Giant Eagle for 11 years as of September 16th, 2014.
More kudos to Aimee for having returned to Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) 11 years after first trying it briefly.
Happy Birthday to Mark Grasak, Margie Singer, and anyone else with an October birthday.
If you have a BOLD Bit, bring it to a Board meeting; phone 412-263-2022; or email t.winaught@verizon.net. Also feel free to use this information to give newsletter feedback.
SEPTEMBER CALENDAR
Thursday the 25th: Reservation deadline with Joyce Driben for Mall Walking: 412-521-4385.
Friday the 26th: Yoga in Squirrel Hill: 2215-17 Murray Ave.
Monday the 29th: 7:30 PM Chamber music concert at the Carnegie Music Hall: 4400 Forbes Ave., Oakland, Pittsburgh, 15213.
OCTOBER CALENDAR
Wednesday the 1st: Mall Walking, starting at 9 AM and meeting at Monroeville Mall's Food Court entrance.
Wednesday the 1st is also the 10 PM sign-up deadline with Penny Fleckinstein for brunch at 1889 Cafe followed by an optional hike. Phone 412-415-3871.
Friday the 3rd: Yoga at 2215-17 Murray Ave., Squirrel Hill, Pittsburgh, 15217.
Sunday the 5th: Brunch at 1889 Cafe from 11:30 AM to 2 PM and a hike led by Veronique Schreurs from 2 to 3:30. Address? 2017 East Carson Street, South Side, 15203.
Sunday the 5th is also when there will be a free "Rising Stars" performance at Pittsburgh Opera: 2425 Liberty Ave., Strip District, 15222.
Finally, Sunday the 5th is the 10 PM deadline for letting Tammi Swiantek know you will be at October's Board meeting: 412-488-6298.
Tuesday the 7th: Board meeting at the Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children: 201 North Bellefield Ave., Oakland, Pittsburgh, 15213.
Tuesday the 7th is also the 9 PM deadline to sign up for yoga with Veronique: 412-225-4038.
Thursday the 9th: 9 PM Mall Walking sign-up deadline with Joyce Driben: 412-521-4385.
Friday the 10th: Yoga at 2215-17 Murray Ave., Schoolhouse Yoga, Squirrel Hill.
Tuesday the 14th: 9 PM deadline to mark your place with Veronique for yoga: 412-225-4038.
Wednesday the 15th: Mall Walking starting at 9 AM and meeting at the Monroeville Mall's food court entrance.
Friday the 17th: Yoga at 2215-17 Murray Ave., Squirrel Hill's Schoolhouse Yoga.
Saturday the 18th: 10 PM deadline for letting Nancy Leverett know you want to go horseback riding at Slippery Rock University. Number? 412-561-3972. (Ask Nancy about starting time and cost.)
Tuesday the 21st: 9 PM reservation deadline with Veronique for yoga: 412-225-4038.
Thursday the 23rd: 9 PM deadline to mark your place with Joyce Driben for Mall Walking: 412-521-4385.
Friday the 24th: Yoga at 2215-17 Murray Ave., Schoolhouse Yoga Squirrel Hill.
Saturday the 25th: Horseback riding and an additional activity at Slippery Rock University.
Tuesday the 28th: 9 PM sign-up deadline with Veronique for yoga: 412-225-4038.
Wednesday the 29th: Mall Walking starting at 9 AM and meeting at the Monroeville Mall's Food court entrance.
Wednesday the 29th is also when Julia Gillard, Australia's Prime Minister, will be the Speaker Series presenter.
Friday the 31st: Yoga at Schoolhouse Yoga: 2215-17 Murray Ave., Squirrel Hill, Pittsburgh, 15217.
Thanks to Marty Mathews, Veronique Schreurs, and the Braille Outreach team led by Tina Wassermann for their commitment to making BOLD Ventures accessible.
THE END