Calendar

LightHouse will be closed on Monday, May 27 for the Memorial Day holiday.

Events in December 2023

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
Nov 26
Nov 27(2 events)

9:30 am: The Business of Blindness: Coffee with Mike (online)


Nov 27

What does it mean to be blind or low vision? Mike Cole, a veteran of all things blindness, leads this call-in forum to discuss the many day-to-day ins and outs of blindness—from daily living in your home environment to navigating the vast expanse of bureaucracies.

RSVP online for Coffee with Mike Cole or to Sabrina Bolus at SBolus@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-760

5:00 pm: Toastmasters: LightHouse Visionaries (online)


Nov 27

LightHouse Visionaries provides blind and visually impaired people with a supportive and fun environment to develop public speaking and leadership skills, empowering us to enhance our personal and professional lives.

Toastmasters is a place to develop skills of self-empowerment. It's a place to practice public speaking, improve communication, and build leadership skills. We meet on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month.

RSVP online for Toastmasters, or contact Sabrina Bolus at SBolus@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7607.

Nov 28(2 events)

(All day): Giving Tuesday: Supporting LightHouse Little Learners

(All day)
Nov 28

Every year, nonprofits and other charitable organizations across the globe participate in Giving Tuesday–a day to give to the people and places that do impactful and inspiring work which gives back to our communities and environment and contribute to making our world better. This year, Giving Tuesday is on November 28.

LightHouse has participated in Giving Tuesday for several years now and are always grateful and humbled by the donations given to us by our community. Last year, for the first time ever, we chose our Little Learners program to be the recipient of all Giving Tuesday donations. The outpour of love and support we received for our brand-new program was tremendous, receiving just over $77,000 in donations! The impact of last year’s Giving Tuesday has been reflected in the expansion of resources we have been able to provide to families of blind, low vision and Cerebral Visual Impairment (CVI) babies and toddlers all across the state.

“My son, Maximiliano, has been seeing LightHouse Little Learner Specialist Kristi since he was 12 months old, and it has been such a blessing,” says Little Learners mom, Natali.

“He was diagnosed with Pitt-Hopkins Syndrome (a rare neurological disorder) at 22 months, which consists of global developmental delays along with various medical complexities. Kristi would work with Max once a week at our home. She even attended an appointment with his pediatric ophthalmologist and advocated for his CVI diagnosis as he was getting ready to transition to the school district. Kristi also educated me and provided various resources to adequately choose the perfect glasses for Max, which has helped tremendously with him keeping them on. Max’s absolute favorite day of the month was playgroup that was put together by LightHouse Little Learners at a local library, which consisted of sensory, color pop, music and inclusiveness at its finest. I will forever be grateful for Kristi—her knowledge, her sweetness, her empowerment to advocate and her presence.”

This year, we are asking our community to help us exceed last year’s success and reach our goal of $80,000 for LightHouse Little Learners. Every gift received goes towards the education and empowerment of our Littles and their families, and our ability to expand our reach and serve more families in Northern and Central California. Stay tuned for more information about Giving Tuesday and how you can support our Little Learners on November 28!

Learn more about the LightHouse Little Learners Program.

7:00 pm: Netflix's ALL THE LIGHT WE CANNOT SEE Miniseries LightHouse Screening (online)


Nov 28

LightHouse invites our students and community members to join us virtually Tuesdays in November to watch the Netflix limited series ALL THE LIGHT WE CANNOT SEE.

Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, ALL THE LIGHT WE CANNOT SEE tells the story of two teenagers during World War II, one a blind girl in Nazi-occupied France, the other a German orphan boy pressed into service by the Nazi army. With this story not only being about a blind teenager, but also played by a blind actress, the LightHouse Community Services team would like to invite our friends and community to join us for our latest intergenerational series of our Reel Escape Audio Description Club.

The Reel Escape Audio Description Club is open for all ages.

What:  ALL THE LIGHT WE CANNOT SEE audio-described four-part series
When:  November 7, 14, 28 & December 5 at 7:00 pm (There is no screening on November 21, which is during the week of Thanksgiving.)
Where: Online
RSVP: By 5:00 pm the day before each showing to Jamey Gump at JGump@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7372

View the ALL THE LIGHT WE CANNOT SEE trailer.

For more information about ALL THE LIGHT WE CANNOT SEE’s TV-MA rating, please visit the parental guide.

Nov 29(2 events)

9:30 am: Stress Reduction and Meditation (online)


Nov 29

We offer a series of short, meditation-based practices each Wednesday morning for relaxation and stress reduction. The group is appropriate for beginners and advanced practitioners, and instruction is provided in all aspects of the practice. Instructor Jeffrey Schneider has more than 40 years of meditation and teaching experience. It is a virtual class using the Zoom platform—everyone is welcome as little or often as they like. Dial in, find a comfo rtable position, breathe deeply, clear your head, and de-stress.

RSVP online to Stress Reduction and Meditation or to Sabrina Bolus at SBolus@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7607.

1:00 pm: Gratitude VIBES (online)


Nov 29

Gratitude-VIBES are Visually Impaired Blind Energizing Sessions. Elevate your senses and uplift your spirits in our awe-inspiring sessions! Dive into a heartwarming series of student showcases, individual check-ins, and heartwarming gratitude-closers. Here's what we have lined up for you:

November 1: Dive into the World of Audio Description with guest speaker, John Gray, Founder and CEO of Wadjet
November 8: Sounds of Appreciation - Share your happy tunes with us and let the melody of gratitude play!
November 15: Savory & Sweet Holiday Food Recipes - Relish and share your recipes of the festive season!
November 22: No Class Today - Take a moment to self-reflect and cherish personal gratitude!
November 29: The Four Agreements: Don't take anything personally. Empower your life with wisdom!

RSVP online for Gratitude VIBES or to Sabrina Bolus at SBolus@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7607.

Nov 30(1 event)

11:00 am: Create In Community Art Class (in-person)


Nov 30

Let's gather together in the 11th floor art space at LightHouse San Francisco at 1155 Market to explore a different art process, style or media each moth while connecting with fellow creatives. These are exploratory, process-oriented classes that invite you to work at whatever level you are, be it first timer to expert.
During the months of November and December, let’s explore projects that celebrate gratitude and gifting culture, ranging from gratitude stones to stitched ornaments, pop-up cards to simple journals and more.

Walk-ins are welcome. But you can also RSVP to Maia Scott at  Mscott@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7608.

Dec 1
Dec 2
Dec 3
Dec 4(1 event)

9:30 am: The Business of Blindness: Coffee with Mike (online)


Dec 4

What does it mean to be blind or low vision? Mike Cole, a veteran of all things blindness, leads this call-in forum to discuss the many day-to-day ins and outs of blindness—from daily living in your home environment to navigating the vast expanse of bureaucracies.

RSVP online for Coffee with Mike Cole or to Sabrina Bolus at SBolus@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-760

Dec 5(1 event)

7:00 pm: Netflix's ALL THE LIGHT WE CANNOT SEE Miniseries LightHouse Screening (online)


Dec 5

LightHouse invites our students and community members to join us virtually Tuesdays in November to watch the Netflix limited series ALL THE LIGHT WE CANNOT SEE.

Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, ALL THE LIGHT WE CANNOT SEE tells the story of two teenagers during World War II, one a blind girl in Nazi-occupied France, the other a German orphan boy pressed into service by the Nazi army. With this story not only being about a blind teenager, but also played by a blind actress, the LightHouse Community Services team would like to invite our friends and community to join us for our latest intergenerational series of our Reel Escape Audio Description Club.

The Reel Escape Audio Description Club is open for all ages.

What:  ALL THE LIGHT WE CANNOT SEE audio-described four-part series
When:  November 7, 14, 28 & December 5 at 7:00 pm (There is no screening on November 21, which is during the week of Thanksgiving.)
Where: Online
RSVP: By 5:00 pm the day before each showing to Jamey Gump at JGump@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7372

View the ALL THE LIGHT WE CANNOT SEE trailer.

For more information about ALL THE LIGHT WE CANNOT SEE’s TV-MA rating, please visit the parental guide.

Dec 6(2 events)

9:30 am: Stress Reduction & Meditation (online)


Dec 6

We offer a series of short, meditation-based practices each Wednesday morning for relaxation and stress reduction. The group is appropriate for beginners and advanced practitioners, and instruction is provided in all aspects of the practice. Instructor Jeffrey Schneider has more than 40 years of meditation and teaching experience. It is a virtual class using the Zoom platform—everyone is welcome as little or often as they like. Dial in, find a comfo rtable position, breathe deeply, clear your head, and de-stress.

RSVP online to Stress Reduction and Meditation or to Sabrina Bolus at SBolus@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7607.

11:30 am: Elks Holiday Party (in-person)


Dec 6

What: Elks Holiday Party
When: Wednesday, December 6 from 11:30 am – 2:00 pm
Where: Kensington Park Hotel, at 450 Post St. located near Union Square and the Powell St. Station in San Francisco, 3rd floor Ballroom

The weather is cooling down while holiday cheer is warming up. The Elks have cordially invited Lighthouse students to attend a festive holiday luncheon. The doors open at 11:30 am with an offering of refreshments and lunch served at noon. After your delicious meal, please join us for some holiday cheer with holiday trivia, singing along to holiday favorites at their piano or contributing gratitude reflections, jokes, or stories during open mic. The party will take place at 450 Post St. San Francisco. Please plan to go directly to the hotel.

RSVP will be required before attending. RSVP with Andrew Martinez at AMartinez@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7642.

Dec 7(2 events)

11:00 am: Museum of Craft & Design Mobile Make Art Activation (in-person)


Dec 7

The Museum of Craft & Design (MCD) returns for a series of monthly artmaking sessions featuring projects, processes and prompts inspired by their latest exhibitions. Whether you craft, build, paint, garden, sew or sculpt at any level experience, MCD's Mobile Make art activations are sure to push your envelope or meet you in your happy place. Come to the craft room on the 11th floor of Lighthouse San Francisco HQ for good times with great people.

RSVP to Maia Scott at MScott@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7608.

 

11:00 am: OrCam Demo Day (in-person)


Dec 7

Location
San Francisco Lighthouse For the Blind

1155 Market St 10th floor, San Francisco

OrCam MyEye and OrCam Read are discreet AT devices that help people with vision and reading challenges access the printed word, and more.

Experience for yourself how OrCam can help you or someone you know to be more independent!

The event will begin with a live demo, and following the demo, attendees will have the opportunity to experience the technology firsthand by trying out the devices. Our experts will be available to answer all your questions and help determine if OrCam can help you or your loved one gain greater independence.

To learn more about OrCam, visit www.orcam.com

Additionally, light refreshments will be served and you will have an opportunity to visit LightHouse’s Adaptations Store to pick up any blindness products you might need.

What: OrCam Demonstration
Where: LightHouse for the Blind, 1155 Market St. 10th floor, San Francisco
When: Thursday, December 7 from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm
RSVP: To vicki@sterlingadaptives.com

Dec 8(2 events)

4:00 pm: Hanukkah Memorial Party for Judith Lesner (hybrid)


Dec 8

You are invited to a Hanukkah party to celebrate the life of
Judith Lesner: December 23, 1942 to August 30, 2023

The celebration is hybrid. The in-person portion takes place Friday, December 8, from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm at LightHouse San Francisco headquarters.1155 Market Street, San Francisco, 10th Floor

The event will have a Zoom option as well.

The event will be wheelchair accessible.

RSVP by December 1 for the Judith Lesner Hanukkah Memorial Party. You will receive a Zoom link if you indicate that as your preference in the RSVP Form

Accessibility questions? Contact Jacob at jakeoaktown@gmail.com.

Judith's Obituary includes suggestions for honoring her memory.

Read Judith Lesner obituary. 

7:00 pm: Intergenerational Reel Escape Audio Description Movie Club: Elf (hybrid)


Dec 8

It’s time for another intergenerational Reel Escape Audio Description Movie Club with your blind and low vision friends of all ages. This time around, our movie club will gather and watch the holiday favorite Elf. Elf is a movie starring Will Ferrell as Buddy, a human raised by Santa's elves, who learns about his origins and heads to New York City to meet his biological father.

Our winter gathering of the Intergenerational Reel Escape Audio Description Movie Club will be a hybrid event, with options for guests to join us in person and over Zoom. Guests that wish to join in person will gather on the 10th floor of LightHouse San Fancisco, where we will have hot coco, with or without syrup, and join our friends on Zoom for our featured film. After the film, we will have space to talk about the film or just connect with your LightHouse friends.

Watch the Elf Trailier.

Who: Blind and low vision individuals of all ages
When: Friday December 8, from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Where: Either via Zoom or in-person at Lighthouse Headquarters (1155 Market St. 10th floor, San Francisco)
RSVP or asking questions: To Jamey Gump at JGump@lighthouse-sf.org or by 45-694-7372.

A reminder email with Zoom meeting information will be shared day of the program with those that RSVP via email.

Dec 9(4 events)

10:30 am: Life in a Zen Temple: Lecture, Zazen, and Tea with Abbot Kobori Geppo: Session 1 (in-person)


Dec 9

Life in a Zen Temple: Lecture, Zazen, and Tea with Abbot Kobori Geppo

This program takes place at the Asian Art Museum at 200 Larkin St. in San Francisco.

Experience a moment of inner peace through zazen meditation, savor a bowl of tea, and enjoy a rare glimpse inside the world of a Zen temple with Abbot Kobori Geppo, head of Daitokuji Ryokoin temple in Kyoto, home to the storied paintings featured in The Heart of Zen. This intimate program is your chance to hear directly from Abbot Kobori about the routines and teachings of Zen temple life; to participate as he leads a short session of zazen; and to discover the role of chanoyu (‘the way of tea’) in Zen practice with tea provided by local members of the Urasenke Foundation.

Dec. 9, Session 1: 10:30 am to 1:00 pm
10:30 am to 11:00 am: Lecture
11:00 am to 11:30 am: Meditation
11:30 am to 1:00 pm: Tea served in 3 groups (approx. 30 min. per seating)

RSVP online for Life in a Zen Temple Session 1.

1:00 pm: Bilingual Bingo & Beaded Book Thong Making (in-person)


Dec 9

Bingo is the Game-o! Cozy up in the Lighthouse HQ board room for some lively competition in Espanol and English paired with snacks, good company and of course, prizes.

Or, nestle into the conference room next door to bead simple bookmarks that cinch around the spine of a book to give as gifts to those you cherish and to share with Lighthouse students learning Braille.  Craft while enjoying snacks and good company.

Plus, you can stick around for the 1155 Performance Salon at 4:00 pm and enjoy local talent and the music of Graham Norwood.

RSVP to Andrew Martinez at AMartinez@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7642

2:00 pm: Life in a Zen Temple: Lecture, Zazen, and Tea with Abbot Kobori Geppo: Session 2 (in-person)


Dec 9

Life in a Zen Temple: Lecture, Zazen, and Tea with Abbot Kobori Geppo

This program takes place at the Asian Art Museum at 200 Larkin St. in San Francisco.

Experience a moment of inner peace through zazen meditation, savor a bowl of tea, and enjoy a rare glimpse inside the world of a Zen temple with Abbot Kobori Geppo, head of Daitokuji Ryokoin temple in Kyoto, home to the storied paintings featured in The Heart of Zen. This intimate program is your chance to hear directly from Abbot Kobori about the routines and teachings of Zen temple life; to participate as he leads a short session of zazen; and to discover the role of chanoyu (‘the way of tea’) in Zen practice with tea provided by local members of the Urasenke Foundation.

Dec. 9, Session 2: 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm
2:00 pm to 2:30 pm: Lecture
2:30 pm to 3:00 pm: Meditation
3:00 pm to 430 pm: Tea served in 3 groups (approx. 30 min. per seating)

RSVP online for Life in a Zen Temple Session 2.

4:00 pm: 1155 Performance Salon Featuring Singer/Songwriter Graham Norwood (in-person)


Dec 9

Settle in with good company and refreshments for an afternoon of local talent and soulful music. After a curated collage of short works performed by local artists to warm things up, singer songwriter Graham Norwood will take the stage to share his solo work on guitar, featuring melodic poignant melodic works blending genres ranging from folk and rock to a twang of country.  Hear about Graham’s journey as an artist and social worker who has lived in the Bay Area and abroad through his story and song.

For more information about Graham Norwood, visit: grahamnorwoodmusic.com.

This event takes places at LightHouse headquarters at 1155 Market St. 10th floor, San Francisco.

RSVP to Maia Scoot at MScott@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7608.

 

Dec 10(3 events)

11:00 am: The Art of Zen Lecture and Meditation: Session 1 (in-person)


Dec 10

This program takes place at the Asian Art Museum at 200 Larkin St. in San Francisco.

Zazen and Lecture on Life in a Zen Temple with Abbot Kobori Geppo
Experience a moment of inner peace through zazen meditation and enjoy a rare glimpse inside the world of a Zen temple with Abbot Kobori Geppo, head of Daitokuji Ryokoin temple in Kyoto, home to the storied paintings featured in The Heart of Zen. This intimate program is your chance to hear directly from Abbot Kobori about the routines and teachings of Zen temple life and to participate as he leads a short session of zazen in Samsung Hall.

RSVP online for The Art of Zen Session 1.

About the Speaker:

Kobori Geppo is the current abbot (head monk) of Daitokuji Ryokoin temple in Kyoto. When the abbot visited the Asian Art Museum in 2017, he was impressed by the museum collection and the warm welcome he received; he also experienced a deep sense of compassion for the people he encountered in the surrounding neighborhood. Abbot Kobori decided to foster peace and harmony by sharing two treasured artworks attributed to the 13th-century Chinese painter Muqi — Persimmons and Chestnuts — with the city of San Francisco. Thanks to the abbot’s generosity, the Asian Art Museum was able to partner with Daitokuji Ryokoin and the Kyoto National Museum to present The Heart of Zen, offering audiences outside of Japan a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience these venerated paintings in person.

11:30 am: Disney's THE LION KING with Audio Description & Haptic Tour


Dec 10

11:30 am: pre-show haptic tour

Show starts at 1:00 with 2.5 hr. runtime with a intermission.

Where:  Orpheum Theater, 1192 Market St. at 8th St.

RSVP:  See ticketing information below and let Maia Scott know at MScott@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7608.

“Giraffes strut. Birds swoop. Gazelles leap. The entire Serengeti comes to life as never before. And as the music soars, Pride Rock slowly emerges from the mist…”  Share a good time with friends and family to roll out the holiday season with this 6-time Tony Award winning Disney favorite featuring incredible costumes (yes, we get to touch some), and classic music composed by Elton John and Tim Rice.

Please note the following important details from our BroadwaySF contact, Brett:

Tickets are $66.50 each plus a $5 service fee for phone and online orders.

FRONT ORCHESTRA FOR LOW VISION
D/H 1-3 (2 each)
F/G/H 1-7 (4 each)
D-H 2-4 (2 each)

SEATS GOOD FOR SERVICE ANIMALS:

Orch R 5-15 (6)
Orch CC 108-116 (5)

There are three ways to purchase tickets:

All ticket buyers will get access to an exclusive pre-show complimentary haptic tour in the Orpheum’s Sunroom.  Doors open at 10:30 and the tour starts at 11:30 am.

Audio Description:  Disney’s THE LION KING uses GalaPro as their description service. Please make sure to download the app ahead of time at. www.galapro.com or from the App Store or Google Play Store.

2:00 pm: The Art of Zen Lecture and Meditation: Session 2 (in-person)


Dec 10

This program takes place at the Asian Art Museum at 200 Larkin St. in San Francisco.

Zazen and Lecture on Life in a Zen Temple with Abbot Kobori Geppo
Experience a moment of inner peace through zazen meditation and enjoy a rare glimpse inside the world of a Zen temple with Abbot Kobori Geppo, head of Daitokuji Ryokoin temple in Kyoto, home to the storied paintings featured in The Heart of Zen. This intimate program is your chance to hear directly from Abbot Kobori about the routines and teachings of Zen temple life and to participate as he leads a short session of zazen in Samsung Hall.

RSVP online for The Art of Zen Session 2.

About the Speaker:

Kobori Geppo is the current abbot (head monk) of Daitokuji Ryokoin temple in Kyoto. When the abbot visited the Asian Art Museum in 2017, he was impressed by the museum collection and the warm welcome he received; he also experienced a deep sense of compassion for the people he encountered in the surrounding neighborhood. Abbot Kobori decided to foster peace and harmony by sharing two treasured artworks attributed to the 13th-century Chinese painter Muqi — Persimmons and Chestnuts — with the city of San Francisco. Thanks to the abbot’s generosity, the Asian Art Museum was able to partner with Daitokuji Ryokoin and the Kyoto National Museum to present The Heart of Zen, offering audiences outside of Japan a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience these venerated paintings in person.

Dec 11(2 events)

9:30 am: The Business of Blindness: Coffee with Mike (online)


Dec 11

What does it mean to be blind or low vision? Mike Cole, a veteran of all things blindness, leads this call-in forum to discuss the many day-to-day ins and outs of blindness—from daily living in your home environment to navigating the vast expanse of bureaucracies.

RSVP online for Coffee with Mike Cole or to Sabrina Bolus at SBolus@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-760

5:00 pm: Toastmasters: LightHouse Visionaries (online)


Dec 11

LightHouse Visionaries provides blind and visually impaired people with a supportive and fun environment to develop public speaking and leadership skills, empowering us to enhance our personal and professional lives.

Toastmasters is a place to develop skills of self-empowerment. It's a place to practice public speaking, improve communication, and build leadership skills. We meet on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month.

RSVP online for Toastmasters, or contact Sabrina Bolus at SBolus@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7607.

Dec 12(1 event)

9:00 am: Living Skills: Learn New Ways to ‘Breeze Through’ your Daily Tasks (in-person)


Dec 12

The LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired, headquartered in San Francisco will facilitate an All-Day Independent Living Skills Workshop at Trinity Lutheran Church in Redding, December 12, 2023.  This is an in-person, active, hands-on workshop taught by our staff who are not only trained in teaching blind and low-vision people, but many of them also use the same skills and strategies you will learn.  This All-Day Workshop is for adults aged 55 and older who are new to low vision or blindness, and are motivated to learn basic tips, strategies, and tools (including some basic SMART phone Applications) that can make day to day tasks more efficient and ‘do-able’ as vision changes.  See details below.

Who Should Attend? – Registration is Limited to 20 Students

  • Adults new to low vision/blindness, aged 55 and older and living in Shasta, Trinity, Lassen, Plumas, Tehama, or Modoc Counties. Additionally, one family member or supportive friend/partner can register and accompany each student to learn as a silent and supportive partner.

When is the All-Day Workshop?

  • Tuesday, December 12th, 9:00am – 4:00pm, box lunch included!

Workshop Location:

  • Trinity Lutheran Church, 2440 Hilltop Drive, Redding, CA

Funding and Cost: 

This program is supported by the Older Individuals who are Blind/Low Vision Grant from the State of California and there is no charge for blind and low vision adults living in the counties noted above.  Lunch will be provided for all attending, please let us know if you require a vegetarian lunch.

To Register:

This is a grant funded program, all persons must complete a brief Registration/Intake with LightHouse staff prior to the Workshop.  To register, please contact Esmeralda Soto at 415-694-7323 or email her at esoto@lighthouse-sf.org.  Let Esmeralda know you are signing up for Region-1 Independent Living Skills Workshop in Redding.

What will you learn throughout the day? 

This will be an active day of learning side by side with your peers in small and large groups, so come ready to move, learn and connect. A resource table of tools and information will be available to explore during breaks.

Our morning will start off with introductions and we will quickly jump into learning how four of your senses become your human ‘Swiss Army Knife’ for completing daily tasks, including strategies you can transfer from one task to another. Below are the skills you will learn, including ways basic technology can help complete independent living skills.

You will learn:

  • Strategies for searching for items when you can’t see where you put them down.
  • Protective techniques to decrease head bumps from open cabinets or thigh bumps into tables.
  • Organizational ideas and strategies for storing and finding items, like glasses and magnifiers.
  • Labeling ideas for marking clothing for color, pantry and refrigerator items, microwaves, and other household equipment.
  • Four kitchen/meal strategies: Pouring hot liquids, knife safety, the power of the cafeteria tray and skills for confident dining.
  • Four ways to enhance your low vision … magnification, lighting, contrast, and glare mitigation.
  • Two essential Smart Phone “Apps”
  • Who is Siri and Google, and how can they help me?

 

 

Dec 13(1 event)

9:30 am: Stress Reduction & Meditation (online)


Dec 13

We offer a series of short, meditation-based practices each Wednesday morning for relaxation and stress reduction. The group is appropriate for beginners and advanced practitioners, and instruction is provided in all aspects of the practice. Instructor Jeffrey Schneider has more than 40 years of meditation and teaching experience. It is a virtual class using the Zoom platform—everyone is welcome as little or often as they like. Dial in, find a comfo rtable position, breathe deeply, clear your head, and de-stress.

RSVP online to Stress Reduction and Meditation or to Sabrina Bolus at SBolus@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7607.

Dec 14(1 event)

11:00 am: Create In Community Art Class (in-person)


Dec 14

Let's gather together in the 11th floor art space at LightHouse San Francisco at 1155 Market to explore a different art process, style or media each moth while connecting with fellow creatives. These are exploratory, process-oriented classes that invite you to work at whatever level you are, be it first timer to expert.
During the months of November and December, let’s explore projects that celebrate gratitude and gifting culture, ranging from gratitude stones to stitched ornaments, pop-up cards to simple journals and more.

Walk-ins are welcome. But you can also RSVP to Maia Scott at  Mscott@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7608.

Dec 15(2 events)

3:00 pm: SF MOMA Haptic experience and performance: Naama Tsabar's Works on Felt


Dec 15

The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, or SFMOMA, invites the blind and low vision community to experience the synergy of art, sound, and movement in a new performance composed by local musicians Dylan Edrich, Jenna Flohr, and artist Naama Tsabar that engages sculptural works from the artist’s ongoing series Work on Felt. Tsabar subverts our expectations of the seemingly soft sculptures by inserting carbon fiber and epoxy into felt to create a rigid hybrid material that holds its shape as it retains the tension of a piano string tethered to a guitar-tuning peg. These artworks defy the place of felt in instruments as a silencer and become the resonating chamber itself.

To start the afternoon, join us in the galleries at 3:00 pm for a highlights tour of the What Matters exhibition with Media Arts Curatorial Associate Karen Cheung.

SFMOMA is located at 151 3rd. Street, San Francisco.

6:00 pm: 30% and Growing (in-person)


Dec 15

Join us for our last 30% and Growing of the year! We have had a wonderful time gathering around the Bay Area to network and converse about the workplace. In December we will be gathering at Berkeley Social Club (2050 University Ave, Berkeley, CA 94704), a great bar and kitchen with drinks and Asian-American food. Berkeley Social Club is only a 5 minute walk from Downtown Berkeley Bart.

Hope to see you there!

RSVP to Andrew at AMartinez@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7642.

Dec 16
Dec 17
Dec 18(1 event)

9:30 am: The Business of Blindness: Coffee with Mike (online)


Dec 18

What does it mean to be blind or low vision? Mike Cole, a veteran of all things blindness, leads this call-in forum to discuss the many day-to-day ins and outs of blindness—from daily living in your home environment to navigating the vast expanse of bureaucracies.

RSVP online for Coffee with Mike Cole or to Sabrina Bolus at SBolus@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-760

Dec 19
Dec 20(1 event)

9:30 am: Stress Reduction & Meditation (online)


Dec 20

We offer a series of short, meditation-based practices each Wednesday morning for relaxation and stress reduction. The group is appropriate for beginners and advanced practitioners, and instruction is provided in all aspects of the practice. Instructor Jeffrey Schneider has more than 40 years of meditation and teaching experience. It is a virtual class using the Zoom platform—everyone is welcome as little or often as they like. Dial in, find a comfo rtable position, breathe deeply, clear your head, and de-stress.

RSVP online to Stress Reduction and Meditation or to Sabrina Bolus at SBolus@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7607.

Dec 21(1 event)

(All day): Winter Holiday Break (LightHouse closed)

(All day)
Dec 21

Dec 22(1 event)

(All day): Winter Holiday Break (LightHouse closed)

(All day)
Dec 22

Dec 23(1 event)

(All day): Winter Holiday Break (LightHouse closed)

(All day)
Dec 23

Dec 24(1 event)

(All day): Winter Holiday Break (LightHouse closed)

(All day)
Dec 24

Dec 25(1 event)

(All day): Winter Holiday Break (LightHouse closed)

(All day)
Dec 25

Dec 26(1 event)

(All day): Winter Holiday Break (LightHouse closed)

(All day)
Dec 26

Dec 27(1 event)

(All day): Winter Holiday Break (LightHouse closed)

(All day)
Dec 27

Dec 28(1 event)

(All day): Winter Holiday Break (LightHouse closed)

(All day)
Dec 28

Dec 29(1 event)

(All day): Winter Holiday Break (LightHouse closed)

(All day)
Dec 29

Dec 30(1 event)

(All day): Winter Holiday Break (LightHouse closed)

(All day)
Dec 30

Dec 31(2 events)

(All day): Winter Holiday Break (LightHouse closed)

(All day)
Dec 31

10:00 am: Japanese New Year Temple Bell Ringing Ceremony (in-person)


Dec 31

This program takes place at the Asian Art Museum at 200 Larkin St. in San Francisco.

On Dec 31, we invite members of Lighthouse for the Blind for a  haptic experience by emailing: communityengagement@asianart.org. Details follow.

Cultural Celebration

38th Annual Japanese New Year Bell-Ringing Ceremony

Come celebrate with your museum community for an experience the San Francisco Chronicle calls “a great way to end a year and start a new year.”

Ring in the New Year by taking a swing at a 2,100-pound, 16th-century Japanese temple bell. Led by Reverend Gengo Akiba, this inspiring ceremony will include a purification ritual and chanting of the Buddhist Heart Sutra. Visitors will have an opportunity to ring the bell to leave behind any unfortunate experiences, regrettable deeds, or ill luck from the year. The bell will be struck 108 times to usher in the New Year and curb the 108 mortal desires (bonno) that, according to Buddhist belief, torment humankind.

Schedule

10:00 am: Doors open
10:30 am to 12:00 pm: Members-only Bell-Ringing
12:00 pm: Haptic Tour for Blind and Visually Impaired Community (preregistration required)
12:30 pm to 2:00 pm: Public Bell-Ringing

Lighthouse community members get into the Asian Art Museum free of charge.  But make sure you register early to ensure your place at the event.

Museum Members can attend an earlier Bell-Ringing Ceremony at 10:30 AM before the public ceremony begins. Learn more about member benefits.

Accessibility

The Asian Art Museum is committed to making its events accessible to all. This program is wheelchair accessible and assistive listening devices (ALDs) will be provided. ASL interpretation is available upon request; please email communityengagement@asianart.org two weeks prior to the event to request an ASL interpreter.

We invite our blind and visually impaired community to engage in a tactile experience as part of this annual celebration. Join us for a touch tour of the temple bell and receive priority seating for the ceremony. Space is limited and preregistration is required. Email communityengagement@asianart.org to register.

Jan 1(1 event)

(All day): Winter Holiday Break (LightHouse closed)

(All day)
Jan 1

Jan 2(1 event)

(All day): Winter Holiday Break (LightHouse closed)

(All day)
Jan 2

Jan 3(4 events)

9:30 am: Stress Reduction & Meditation (online)


Jan 3

We offer a series of short, meditation-based practices each Wednesday morning for relaxation and stress reduction. The group is appropriate for beginners and advanced practitioners, and instruction is provided in all aspects of the practice. Instructor Ellen Simpson will be leading. Everyone is welcome as little or often as they like. Dial in, find a comfortable position, breathe deeply, clear your head, and de-stress.

RSVP online for Stress Reduction & Meditation or to Sabrina Bolus at SBolus@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7607.

10:30 am: Limited Series: Seated Tai Chi for the Blind and Visually Impaired (online)


Jan 3

This is a Bay Area Outreach Recreation Program (BORP) Adaptive Sports program, in partnership with Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Join Shifu Ralf Somack for this free, 16-week online class specifically designed for the blind and low vision community. This is a pilot program and participant feedback is important. This 45-minute class will be taught seated. Tai Chi is a set of slow, gentle exercises and a form of moving meditation practiced for relaxation, health, exercise, and self-defense. In this program, you will learn the first 24 movements of the Sun style system. Sun Style is particularly well suited for people new to Tai Chi as it is easy to perform and it contains powerful Qigong influences that calm the mind and promote deep breathing. Click the RSVP link below for more information and to register or email cynthia@borp.org.

Ralf Somack has taught Tai Chi and other Internal Chinese Martial Arts for many years at BORP and other locations throughout the Bay Area. He specializes in designing programs for seniors and the disabled community.

RSVP online for Seated Tai Chi or email cynthia@borp.org.

1:00 pm: Gratitude VIBES (online)


Jan 3

Gratitude-VIBES are Visually Impaired Blind Energizing Sessions. Please join us for an inspiring series of student presentations, individual check-ins, and gratitude-closers.

January 3: Author, Kevin Brinckman, Courtney and Her Families
January 10: Inspired Voices: Echoing the Powerful Words of Legends
January 17: Sounds of Appreciation - Share your happy tunes with us and let the melody of gratitude play!
January 24: Friends
January 31: The Four Agreements: # 3, Don't Make Assumptions

RSVP online for Gratitude-VIBES or to Sabrina Bolus at SBolus@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7607.

6:30 pm: Goalball with BORP (in-person)


Jan 3

Bay Are Outreach and Recreation Program (BORP) Goalball Practice is a fun way to get exercise and meet new people. The practice is designed for beginners and experienced players. If you do not have your own equipment, we can provide you with both elbow and knee pads and eyeshades.

When: Wednesdays, from 6:30pm - 9:00pm
Where: The gym is located at 2100 Browning St. Berkeley

For more details, please contact Brandon Young brandon@borp.org

Please note - Proof of full vaccination is required and will be checked for new participants.

Jan 4(1 event)

11:00 am: Make Art Activation with the Museum of Craft and Design (in-person)


Jan 4

Nearly every month, the Museum of Craft and Design brings their Mobile Make Art programming direct to Lighthouse HQ, at 1155 Market in San Francisco, featuring projects inspired by their latest exhibition on view at their Third Street museum and adapted for eyes-free crafting. This season, “Designing Peace” is on view, featuring art works exploring means of finding peace around war-time conditions and aftermath.  (The exhibit is stunning, come to Access After Hours to see it in person with audio description).

RSVP to Maia Scott at  Mscott@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7608.

Jan 5
Jan 6

The events for the upcoming week are read aloud on our event hotline every Friday, which can be accessed by calling 415-694-7325. For more information about visiting the Adaptations Store, head to our shop page.

The LightHouse is scent-free. Please abstain from wearing colognes, perfumes, or other scented products. Additionally, coffee must be securely lidded at all times and citrus should not be peeled on the premises. Thanks for supporting our efforts to respect chemical sensitivities!

SDS safety dataClick here for our cleaning product safety data sheets (SDS) and ingredient information.

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