BOLD welcomes persons 18 and older with all degrees of vision: blind, low vision, partially sighted and fully sighted.
March 2015 newsletter
BOLD Ventures (Blind Outdoor Leisure Development) March, 2015
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)
MARVELOUS MARCH
March's Board meeting will be on Tuesday the 3rd from 6:30 to 8:30 PM (address in calendar along with reservationists, deadlines, and contact info for all events).
Other March activities are: Mall Walking at the Monroeville Mall on Wednesdays the 4th and 18th; Mall Walking on Thursday the 5th from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM at Ross Park Mall; Yoga every Thursday; Skiing on Sundays the 8th and 22nd; a House Party at Ray Jablonowski's on Sunday the 29th, a trip to the Children's Museum on Wednesday the 25th and a variety of cultural events.
To note a few things about the Children's Museum: the activities there are very tactile; the cost per person-with a BOLD subsidy on the day of the event-is $5; and the location of this North Side venue is: 10 Children's Way, Pittsburgh, 15212.
PAST EVENTS
Mall Walking continues to go well, thanks to the combined efforts of reservationist Joyce Driben, Karen Good who calls in the OPT trips, the enthusiastic walkers and the very dedicated guides which Joyce and sometimes others capably recruit.
Although this Editor mentioned in a previous newsletter how well skiing has been going, she neglected to say how especially well attended the Guide Clinic was.
Also, experienced, enthusiastic and skier extraordinaire Nancy Leverett has worked hard to be sure that a video on which skiing by persons who are blind or have low vision would be created in time for a March 14th event (see Fundraising Facts).
Finally, the Mall Walking that was to have started at Ross Park Mall in February had to be canceled, so here's hoping that the weather will be cooperative in March.
LOOKING AHEAD
April's Board meeting will be on Tuesday the 7th and May's meeting will be on Tuesday the 5th.
April 7th is the Camp Kon-o-Kwee sign-up deadline by 10 PM with Joyce Driben: 412-521-4385. This is also the deadline by which to send your $60 payment to Veronique Schreurs at 2269 Tilbury Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15217. The $60 check or money order is to be made payable to Western PA BOLD.
When signing up with Joyce, please provide the following:
1. Whether you are a first-time camper;
2. What dietary restrictions, if any, you have;
3. What physical challenges, if any, you have that would make walking difficult; and
4. Whether you take any medication. This last item is especially important since there will be no medical staff at Kon-o-Kwee as was the case last year.
Pending approval from Moorhead management, the bus will leave for Kon-o-Kwee on Friday, April 24th from Moorhead's parking lot and return on Sunday, April 26th. A week before leaving for camp, Terri Winaught will phone all who have signed up with the following reminders:
1. Bring a sweater, light jacket, or both since evenings and mornings are chilly;
2. Bring an extra pair of shoes in case of rain or muddy terrain; and
3. Most importantly, remember to bring all necessary medications and be able to take them independently. We want everyone to be able to enjoy Kon-o-Kwee in good health.
CULTURAL CONNECTIONS
On Tuesday, March 10th, the Tuesday Music Club will perform at Saint Andrew's Episcopal Church. The starting time is 12:30 PM and concerts are free.
On Saturday, March 7th, that month's free Brown Bag Lunch series will be held at Pittsburgh Opera's Headquarters: 2425 Liberty Ave., (25th Street entrance), from noon to 1 PM.
On Sunday the 8th, Opera Up Close will be held from 2 to 3:30 PM, the venue being Pittsburgh Opera's Headquarters. To ask if there will be a sensory workshop about Carmen, March's opera, phone Marilyn Egan at 412-281-0312, x242 or E-mail: megan@pittsburghopera.org. Though sensory workshops are always free, Opera Up Close costs $5 per person unless you are a member of Friends of the Opera, in which case Opera Up Close is also free. When Carmen is presented on Tuesday, March 24th, the venue will be the Benedum Center. This opera will start at 7 PM, last for about 3 hours, and probably have a 15-minute intermission.
Sunday, March 22nd at 2 PM is when the Pittsburgh City Theatre will present Elemeno Pea. This play-for which audio description and Braille programs will be available upon request-will be preceded by a 1 PM sensory workshop for persons who are blind or have limited vision. To order tickets, phone the Box Office at 412-431-4900.
FUNDRAISING FACTS
On Saturday, March 14th from 1 to 5 PM, Terri Winaught will host a Talent Show Fundraiser she is calling, "A Happy BOLD Day Party." The donation to attend is $5 per person, $10 per person or more based upon your ability to pay. (Since this Editor has heard from some that even $5 is not affordable, those for whom that charge might be a hardship may want to consider combining finances with friends.)
When signing up with Terri, 412-263-2022, by 10 PM on Wednesday, March 11th, let her know if you will participate in the Talent Show. If you are planning to perform, remember that the length per person is around 5 minutes with flexibility, depending on how many people sign up. (As of this writing, only two people have signed up to perform, and only eight total attendees, most of whom are guests. Terri would especially hate to see this event canceled since Nancy Leverett worked so hard with fellow skier Bryan Lundt to complete the video that will also be shown on the 14th.)
BOLD BITS
Get Well wishes to Mike Zaiken who is recovering from a recent hospital stay for surgery.
Condolences are extended to the family and friends of 59-year-old Ellen Steitler whose sudden death was announced at the January Lutheran Center meal. Although Ellen was not a BOLD member, she had requested an application and many BOLD members knew her from the Lutheran Center meals and membership in the Golden Triangle Council of the Blind (GTCB).
CONGRATULATIONS!! to Joyce Driben who appeared on a TV segment aired by Channel Four in January. The segment was a discussion and demonstration of how guide dogs navigate on brutally cold days when there is also salt on the ground due to snow. (Tudor showed the news crew just how irritating salt can be by putting up his paw just as Joyce said he might.) Kudos also to Linda Davis for the key role she played in making that news story possible.
March's meal at the Pittsburgh Lutheran Center will be on Saturday the 28th. To sign up by 6 PM on Thursday the 26th, phone 412-682-1800 and leave a message for Center Director Sherri Crum. Although the 26th is the deadline, Sherri recommends signing up the earlier the better since that makes shopping for the food easier for volunteers.
Happy Birthday to Marcy Loughner, Jeff Mulkern, Ed Reid, Tammi Swiantek, Jim Winaught and anyone else with a March birthday.
To submit a BOLD Bit, bring it to a Board meeting, phone 412-263-2022, or E-mail t.winaught@verizon.net. Also feel free to use this info to give the Editor newsletter feedback.
MARCH CALENDAR
Note: To save space and paper, contact info and related details will be given just once. You can also access March event specifics by calling the Update Line closer to each date: 1-773-597-4222.
Sunday the 1st: 10 PM deadline to let Tammi Swiantek know you plan to be at the Board meeting: 412-488-6298.
Sunday the 1st is also the 9 PM deadline to let Andrea Schwartz know you want to walk at Ross Park Mall: 724-444-0464.
Tuesday the 3rd: BOLD Board meeting at the Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children: 201 North Bellefield Ave., Pittsburgh's Oakland neighborhood. Time, 6:30 to 8:30 PM; all are welcomed; and sighted assistance is available.
Tuesday the 3rd is also the 9 PM deadline to mark your place for Yoga with Veronique Schreurs, and the 9 o'clock deadline to let Dom Ceresa know you plan to ski. Veronique's number is: 412-225-4038, and Dom's number is: 724-527-1857.
Wednesday the 4th: Mall Walking will be held at the Monroeville Mall, starting at 9 AM and meeting at the food court entrance. (For any new walkers, Access drops off at the Mall's old Greyhound entrance, so be sure to get a cell phone number to let someone know you are there.)
Wednesday the 4th is also the 5 PM deadline to mark your place with Marilyn Egan for Opera Up Close and a possible sensory workshop to follow. Marilyn can be reached at: 412-281-0912, x242 and megan@pittsburghopera.org. Though reservations are generally not required for the Free Brown Bag Lunch Series, you might consider this if you will require sighted guide assistance.
Thursday the 5th: Mall Walking will be held at the Ross Park Mall from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM. After getting good exercise by walking, feel free to enjoy some nourishment at the mall's food court.
Thursday the 5th is also when yoga will be held at the Schoolhouse Studio: 2215-17 Murray Ave., Pittsburgh's Squirrel Hill neighborhood. Time, 2:30 PM to 4 PM. The cost of each class is $15 per person payable on the day of instruction.
Saturday the 7th: Pittsburgh Opera's free Brown Bag Lunch Series will be presented from noon to 1 PM. Venue? Opera Headquarters at 2425 Liberty Ave., Pittsburgh's Strip District, 15222. (The garage entrance is on 25th Street, and there is no other entrance.)
Saturday the 7th is also the 8 PM deadline with Dom Ceresa if you need to cancel your attendance at skiing the following day.
Sunday the 8th: Skiing at Seven Springs from 9 AM to 3 PM.
Sunday the 8th is also when the Pittsburgh Opera will present Opera Up Close from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM at a cost of $5 per person.
Tuesday the 10th: The Tuesday Music Club will perform a free concert at 5801 Hampton Street, starting at 12:30 PM. The venue is Saint Andrew's Episcopal Church in the Highland Park neighborhood. For more info before this concert, phone 412-682-0439 or visit www.tuesdaymusicalclub.org.
Tuesday the 10th is also the 9 PM deadline to mark your place with Veronique Schreurs for Yoga.
Wednesday the 11th: 10 PM deadline to let Terri Winaught, 412-263-2022, know you will attend the March 14th Happy BOLD Day fundraiser. When reserving, also let Terri know if you want to perform in the Talent Show. For the minimum charge of $5, you will get a meal, birthday cake, a video featuring skiers who are blind or have low vision, and the talent show.
Thursday the 12th: Yoga will be held at Squirrel Hill's Schoolhouse Studio.
Thursday the 12th is also the 9 PM deadline to mark your place for Mall Walking with Joyce Driben.
Saturday the 14th: BOLD'S "Happy BOLD Day" fundraiser will be held at the Human Services Building: 1 Smithfield Street, Liberty Room, Lower level, Downtown Pittsburgh, 15222. Parking is free in the rear lot, and the rear parking lot is also where Access drops off. To enter the building, you will need to be buzzed in by the security guard. (Terri will do her best to get the phone number for the security desk just in case an Access provider requests it.) Finally, don't forget that a skiing video will also be shown thanks to Nancy Leverett.
Tuesday the 17th: 9 PM reservation deadlines with Veronique Schreurs and Dom Ceresa, Veronique for Yoga and Dom for Downhill skiing.
Wednesday the 18th: Mall Walking at the Monroeville Mall.
Wednesday the 18th is also the 9 PM deadline to sign up with Peggy Walsh, 412-683-6070, for the Children's Museum event the following Wednesday. When signing up, remember that the cost will be $5 the day of the event; the docent has lots of experience guiding persons with no or limited vision, and there are a variety of tactile activities.
Thursday the 19th: Yoga in Squirrel Hill from 2:30 to 4 PM.
Saturday the 21st: 8 PM Downhill Skiing cancelation deadline with Dom Ceresa.
Sunday the 22nd: Skiing at Seven Springs from 9 AM to 3 PM (this is also the last ski outing of the season).
Sunday the 22nd is also the City Theatre Play, Elemeno Pea, starting at 2 PM. The South Side location is: 1300 Bingham Street. To ask ahead of time if there will be a feedback session with the performers following the play, phone 412-431-4900.
Tuesday the 24th: Carmen will be performed by the Pittsburgh Opera at the Benedum Center: 7th Street and Penn Ave., Downtown Pittsburgh. The starting time is 7 PM; Braille programs will be available thanks to the Braille Team which Tina Wassermann leads; and audio description will be available as will sighted guide assistance. In addition to these accessibility features, Education Director Marilyn Egan also does an excellent job of sending opera study guides ahead of time.
Tuesday the 24th is also the 9 PM Yoga reservation deadline with Veronique Schreurs.
Wednesday the 25th: There will be a tour of the Pittsburgh Children's Museum, 10 Children's Way, North Side, Pittsburgh, 15212 from 1:30 to 4:30 PM. So that the tour can start on time, please arrive no later than 1:15. This will also give you time to pay your $5 before the tour starts.
Wednesday the 25th is also the 10 PM deadline with Terri Winaught, 412-263-2022, to reserve for Ray Jablonowski's House Party at his home on Sunday the 29th.
Thursday the 26th: Yoga in Squirrel Hill from 2:30 to 4 PM.
Thursday the 26th is also the 9 PM Mall Walking sign-up deadline with Joyce Driben.
Sunday the 29th: House Party at Ray Jablonowski's Greenfield Home from 12:30 PM to 5 PM, Ray's address being 4551 Parade Street, Pittsburgh, 15207. Ray does a superb job by providing tons of snacks, pizza, a Talking Darts Board and heaping helpings of hospitality.
Sunday the 29th is also the 9 PM deadline to sign up with Andrea Schwartz, 724-444-0064 for Mall Walking at the Ross Park Mall on Thursday, April 2nd.
Tuesday the 31st: 9 PM deadline to sign up with Veronique Schreurs for Yoga.
This Editor heartily thanks Maurice Johnston, Marty Mathews, Veronique Schreurs and the Braille Outreach Team for the many formats which make BOLD Ventures accessible.
THE END