Calendar

Events in March 2023

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
Feb 26(1 event)

11:00 am: Lighthouse Goes Rock Climbing (in-person)


Feb 26

Discover the sport of rock-climbing with the always fun and supportive volunteers at ParaCliffHangers. There’s no better way to get moving and stay active, than hanging off the side of an indoor rock wall. All ages and skill levels are welcome, and no prior experience is needed. Equipment can be rented upon arriving for $10.

We will be meeting at Lighthouse San Francisco at 1155 Market at 11:00 am and heading over on BART as a group. The event starts at noon.

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

Feb 27(3 events)

9:30 am: LightHouse and AARP Tax Support (in-person)


Feb 27

LightHouse is again partnering with AARP’s Tax-Aide Program to provide free tax filing support at 1155 Market Street this tax filing season. AARP will be at LightHouse HQ on Mondays and Thursdays from February 2 – April 13, 2023.

Appointments are required and they can be made for 9:30 am, 11 am, and 12:30 pm. Appointments can be scheduled by leaving a voicemail at 415-694-7648 or completing this form: https://forms.office.com/r/MsNHzhK3Hc

This is open to anyone who needs support filing their federal and California state tax returns for the tax years 2022, 2021, 2020, and 2019. (note: each year requires a separate appointment and we can only complete tax years 2019, 2020, and 2021 in March). There is no requirement based on age, income level, or San Francisco residency.

Please bring with you:

  • Your tax paperwork you’ve received in the mail
  • A copy of your social security card
  • A copy of your photo ID
  • If you are eligible for a refund and would like it deposited directly into your account, please bring a voided check. If you do not have a voided check, your refund check will be mailed to you

COVID-19 Requirements:

Masks must be worn at all times.

Out of Scope:

If any of these situations apply to you, you may be out of scope for AARP. If you think that you are out of scope, please feel free to call us so that we can confirm.

  • If you do not have health insurance, we cannot prepare your tax return. Apologies, but this is due to the California mandate that requires everybody to have health insurance, which results in tax complications.
  • If you have tax deductible contributions to an HSA account, we cannot prepare your tax return. This is due to the differences in Federal and California tax law and is complicated.
  • If you have rental income, we cannot prepare your tax return.
  • If you are in a civil union or married filing separately, we cannot prepare your tax return. This is due to the differences in Federal and California tax law.
  • If you’re self-employed, and want to declare your health insurance premiums as an expense, and are receiving premium tax credits (via CoveredCA), we cannot prepare your tax return.
  •  If you have rental property, we cannot prepare your return.
  • If you have a dependent child with unearned income subject to the “Kiddie Tax”, we cannot prepare your return.
  • If you are self-employed and, due to the pandemic, you deferred paying your Self-Employment tax, have a PPP loan, or took Covid sick leave, we cannot prepare your return.
  • If you own a business with employees and/or inventory, we cannot prepare your return.  You would be wise to hire a professional tax preparer.
  • If you have hobby income or not for profit activity, we cannot prepare your return.

There are some specific requirements and not all taxes will be able to be completed by AARP volunteers; these will be addressed when the appointments are made.

If you have any questions, please call 415-694-7648. Thank you.

1:00 pm: Voices (online)


Feb 27

Would you like to collaborate with LightHouse Adult Program Coordinators to answer important questions about your past, current, and future interests? What are your favorite LightHouse programs? What would you like more of? How can we continue to improve?

RSVP to Sabrina Bolus at Sbolus@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7607.

6:00 pm: VISION Peer-led Support Group (online)


Feb 27

VISION is a peer-led drop-in support group. Every other Monday, we meet to discuss different topics and share our experiences, thoughts, and knowledge. We are people with similar experiences who genuinely want to support one another in all aspects of living independently with our changing vision. This is the inaugural meeting.

RSVP to Sabrina Bolus at SBolus@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-6707.

Feb 28
Mar 1(2 events)

9:30 am: Stress Reeducation & Meditation (Virtual)


Mar 1

Each Wednesday morning we offer a series of short, meditation-based practices for relaxation and stress reduction. The group is appropriate for both 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 comfortable position, breathe deeply, clear your head, and de-stress.

RSVP to Sabrina Bolus at Sbolus@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7607.

1:00 pm: Gratitude VIBES: March 2023 (online)


Mar 1

Gratitude-VIBES are Visually Impaired Blind Energizing Sessions. Each week a participant presents something that invigorates them. Gratitude is associated with greater happiness and can help you feel more positive emotions, recognize and relish good experiences, improve your health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships. Individual shares and a gratitude exercise follow presentations.

March’s theme is: Welcome Spring!

March 1: Spring Music
March 8: Calligraphy kanji “flower”: symbolic of the life & death cycle
March 15: Spring Flowers: Tulips
March 22: Earth Medicine
March 29: Spring Food

RSVP online for Gratitude VIBES or contact Sabrina Bolus at SBolus@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-6707.

Mar 2(2 events)

9:30 am: LightHouse and AARP Tax Support (in-person)


Mar 2

LightHouse is again partnering with AARP’s Tax-Aide Program to provide free tax filing support at 1155 Market Street this tax filing season. AARP will be at LightHouse HQ on Mondays and Thursdays from February 2 – April 13, 2023.

Appointments are required and they can be made for 9:30 am, 11 am, and 12:30 pm. Appointments can be scheduled by leaving a voicemail at 415-694-7648 or completing this form: https://forms.office.com/r/MsNHzhK3Hc

This is open to anyone who needs support filing their federal and California state tax returns for the tax years 2022, 2021, 2020, and 2019. (note: each year requires a separate appointment and we can only complete tax years 2019, 2020, and 2021 in March). There is no requirement based on age, income level, or San Francisco residency.

Please bring with you:

  • Your tax paperwork you’ve received in the mail
  • A copy of your social security card
  • A copy of your photo ID
  • If you are eligible for a refund and would like it deposited directly into your account, please bring a voided check. If you do not have a voided check, your refund check will be mailed to you

COVID-19 Requirements:

Masks must be worn at all times.

Out of Scope:

If any of these situations apply to you, you may be out of scope for AARP. If you think that you are out of scope, please feel free to call us so that we can confirm.

  • If you do not have health insurance, we cannot prepare your tax return. Apologies, but this is due to the California mandate that requires everybody to have health insurance, which results in tax complications.
  • If you have tax deductible contributions to an HSA account, we cannot prepare your tax return. This is due to the differences in Federal and California tax law and is complicated.
  • If you have rental income, we cannot prepare your tax return.
  • If you are in a civil union or married filing separately, we cannot prepare your tax return. This is due to the differences in Federal and California tax law.
  • If you’re self-employed, and want to declare your health insurance premiums as an expense, and are receiving premium tax credits (via CoveredCA), we cannot prepare your tax return.
  •  If you have rental property, we cannot prepare your return.
  • If you have a dependent child with unearned income subject to the “Kiddie Tax”, we cannot prepare your return.
  • If you are self-employed and, due to the pandemic, you deferred paying your Self-Employment tax, have a PPP loan, or took Covid sick leave, we cannot prepare your return.
  • If you own a business with employees and/or inventory, we cannot prepare your return.  You would be wise to hire a professional tax preparer.
  • If you have hobby income or not for profit activity, we cannot prepare your return.

There are some specific requirements and not all taxes will be able to be completed by AARP volunteers; these will be addressed when the appointments are made.

If you have any questions, please call 415-694-7648. Thank you.

11:00 am: Create In Community Art Class: March 2023 (in-person)


Mar 2

Let's gather together in the 11th floor art space at LightHouse San Francisco (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.

This March, we will create a variety of painted and textured papers that we will later use as collage materials to create colorful and tactile artworks.

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

Mar 3(4 events)

(All day): YES Weekend Workshop (in-person)

(All day)
Mar 3 Mar 5

When: Friday March 3 at 3:00 pm to Sunday, March 5 at noon

Where: LightHouse for the Blind Headquarters at 1155 Market Street in San Francisco

Who: Blind and low-vision students between the ages of 16 and 22

How do blind and low vision students access reading materials for both work and leisure? How does accessing reading materials tie into pre-employment preparedness skillsets? Join us this March for a workshop focused on all things literacy. Students who attend will not only gain resources and knowledge through exciting group activities, but will have the opportunity to assist with this year’s Northern California Braille Challenge, happening that weekend at LightHouse Headquarters. YES workshops are monthly weekend-long learning experiences for youth and young adults who are enthusiastic about realizing their dream careers, emphasizing the vocational enrichment of low vision and blind youth, providing access to a multifaceted array of mentorship, employment readiness skills, and alternative accessible techniques. Each YES workshop focuses on a specific theme and offers an array of self-advocacy, assistive technology, living skills, and soft skills curricula empowering students to strive toward future employment or post-secondary educational success. The weekend is spent learning from blind and low vision mentors, connecting with blind and low vision peers, and engaging in creative hands-on activities which further support youth to explore and achieve their individualized and professional goals.

Objectives:

  • Students will have opportunities to network and practice work-readiness skills while volunteering during this year’s Braille Challenge event.
  • Participants will discuss literature access resources, and hear from peers and professionals on valuable suggestions and strategies.
  • Students will gain team-building and collaborative skillsets essential for workplace success during intergenerational group activities.
  • The over-night nature of the YES workshop provides opportunities for students to refine their workplace readiness soft skills including effective social and professional communication and independent living all while building community with their blind and low vision peers and mentors.

Things to Bring:

  1. A notetaking device or implement (braille note, pen, slate and stylus, phone with keyboard, laptop, etc.). You may be asked to complete activities electronically.
  2. Necessities you may need such as any orientation and mobility tools to travel safely, money for transportation to and from the workshop, or personal medication.

If you are interested in participating in the March YES Weekend Workshop, please:

  1. Contact your Department of Rehabilitation counselor to discuss workshop attendance and authorization.
  2. Confirm attendance with Daisy Soto, Youth Services Coordinator by email at DSoto@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7328. If you have any questions or would like to pay for your participation in this workshop, contact DSoto@lighthouse-sf.org. Note: space for this program is limited and workshop attendance must be confirmed one week prior.

YES programs are, and will continue to be, in strict accordance with local, state and Center for Disease Control recommendations and guidelines.

4:00 pm: Egg-stravaganza! Easter egg decorating for the Littles (in-person)


Mar 3

Oh, the memories of an exciting Easter egg hunt!  Now's the chance to spread the fun. To help our Little Learners Program prepare for a beeping and tactile egg hunt later in March, we are hosting an egg decorating egg-stravaganza.  Join us in the craft room to bling a hundred eggs with all manner of tactile and sparkly things then fill them with Easter treats.

As we channel our inner Faberge volunteering to bring joy to the littles, we may enjoy a little friendly competition and some treats of our own.

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

5:00 pm: EHC Virtual Campfire (online)


Mar 3

These fun-filled evenings will consist of all your favorite real campfire traditions, including camp’s traditional opening campfire ceremony rituals, special guest performances, and singalongs. Campfire attendees will also be informed of rebuild updates and all other camp related program offerings.

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

8:00 pm: Reel Escape Audio Description Club; Wednesday Netflix Series (online)


Mar 3

We all need an escape at times, and with the Real Escape Audio Description Club you can do just that with your blind and low vision friends. Our weekly gathering takes place Friday evenings at 8:00 pm., where we watch the next episode of our series and connect with your LightHouse and EHC friends. Now that we’ve watched all that we could from the world of Daredevil, our club will be switching things up and will start watching the new series, Wednesday, in early February. For those unfamiliar with the show, check out the trailer.

***Parents Please Note*** Wednesday is rated TV-14 for fear, language, and violence which means some content may not be suitable for kids under 14. IMDB has a parental guide that goes into greater detail about why the show received this rating. Read the Parent Guide for Wednesday.

Who: teens and young adults who are blind or are low vision

What: Wednesday with the Reel Escape Audio Description Club via Zoom

When: Friday evenings @ 8:00 pm

Where: anywhere you can access a zoom meeting

RSVP: Zoom meeting information will be shared with those that RSVP by 5:00 pm the day before the program

If you are interested in signing up or have any questions about the Reel Escape Audio Description Club, please contact Jamey Gump by email at JGump@lighthouse-sf.org or by phone at 415-694-7372.

Mar 4(1 event)

(All day): YES Weekend Workshop (in-person)

(All day)
Mar 3 Mar 5

When: Friday March 3 at 3:00 pm to Sunday, March 5 at noon

Where: LightHouse for the Blind Headquarters at 1155 Market Street in San Francisco

Who: Blind and low-vision students between the ages of 16 and 22

How do blind and low vision students access reading materials for both work and leisure? How does accessing reading materials tie into pre-employment preparedness skillsets? Join us this March for a workshop focused on all things literacy. Students who attend will not only gain resources and knowledge through exciting group activities, but will have the opportunity to assist with this year’s Northern California Braille Challenge, happening that weekend at LightHouse Headquarters. YES workshops are monthly weekend-long learning experiences for youth and young adults who are enthusiastic about realizing their dream careers, emphasizing the vocational enrichment of low vision and blind youth, providing access to a multifaceted array of mentorship, employment readiness skills, and alternative accessible techniques. Each YES workshop focuses on a specific theme and offers an array of self-advocacy, assistive technology, living skills, and soft skills curricula empowering students to strive toward future employment or post-secondary educational success. The weekend is spent learning from blind and low vision mentors, connecting with blind and low vision peers, and engaging in creative hands-on activities which further support youth to explore and achieve their individualized and professional goals.

Objectives:

  • Students will have opportunities to network and practice work-readiness skills while volunteering during this year’s Braille Challenge event.
  • Participants will discuss literature access resources, and hear from peers and professionals on valuable suggestions and strategies.
  • Students will gain team-building and collaborative skillsets essential for workplace success during intergenerational group activities.
  • The over-night nature of the YES workshop provides opportunities for students to refine their workplace readiness soft skills including effective social and professional communication and independent living all while building community with their blind and low vision peers and mentors.

Things to Bring:

  1. A notetaking device or implement (braille note, pen, slate and stylus, phone with keyboard, laptop, etc.). You may be asked to complete activities electronically.
  2. Necessities you may need such as any orientation and mobility tools to travel safely, money for transportation to and from the workshop, or personal medication.

If you are interested in participating in the March YES Weekend Workshop, please:

  1. Contact your Department of Rehabilitation counselor to discuss workshop attendance and authorization.
  2. Confirm attendance with Daisy Soto, Youth Services Coordinator by email at DSoto@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7328. If you have any questions or would like to pay for your participation in this workshop, contact DSoto@lighthouse-sf.org. Note: space for this program is limited and workshop attendance must be confirmed one week prior.

YES programs are, and will continue to be, in strict accordance with local, state and Center for Disease Control recommendations and guidelines.

Mar 5(1 event)

(All day): YES Weekend Workshop (in-person)

(All day)
Mar 3 Mar 5

When: Friday March 3 at 3:00 pm to Sunday, March 5 at noon

Where: LightHouse for the Blind Headquarters at 1155 Market Street in San Francisco

Who: Blind and low-vision students between the ages of 16 and 22

How do blind and low vision students access reading materials for both work and leisure? How does accessing reading materials tie into pre-employment preparedness skillsets? Join us this March for a workshop focused on all things literacy. Students who attend will not only gain resources and knowledge through exciting group activities, but will have the opportunity to assist with this year’s Northern California Braille Challenge, happening that weekend at LightHouse Headquarters. YES workshops are monthly weekend-long learning experiences for youth and young adults who are enthusiastic about realizing their dream careers, emphasizing the vocational enrichment of low vision and blind youth, providing access to a multifaceted array of mentorship, employment readiness skills, and alternative accessible techniques. Each YES workshop focuses on a specific theme and offers an array of self-advocacy, assistive technology, living skills, and soft skills curricula empowering students to strive toward future employment or post-secondary educational success. The weekend is spent learning from blind and low vision mentors, connecting with blind and low vision peers, and engaging in creative hands-on activities which further support youth to explore and achieve their individualized and professional goals.

Objectives:

  • Students will have opportunities to network and practice work-readiness skills while volunteering during this year’s Braille Challenge event.
  • Participants will discuss literature access resources, and hear from peers and professionals on valuable suggestions and strategies.
  • Students will gain team-building and collaborative skillsets essential for workplace success during intergenerational group activities.
  • The over-night nature of the YES workshop provides opportunities for students to refine their workplace readiness soft skills including effective social and professional communication and independent living all while building community with their blind and low vision peers and mentors.

Things to Bring:

  1. A notetaking device or implement (braille note, pen, slate and stylus, phone with keyboard, laptop, etc.). You may be asked to complete activities electronically.
  2. Necessities you may need such as any orientation and mobility tools to travel safely, money for transportation to and from the workshop, or personal medication.

If you are interested in participating in the March YES Weekend Workshop, please:

  1. Contact your Department of Rehabilitation counselor to discuss workshop attendance and authorization.
  2. Confirm attendance with Daisy Soto, Youth Services Coordinator by email at DSoto@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7328. If you have any questions or would like to pay for your participation in this workshop, contact DSoto@lighthouse-sf.org. Note: space for this program is limited and workshop attendance must be confirmed one week prior.

YES programs are, and will continue to be, in strict accordance with local, state and Center for Disease Control recommendations and guidelines.

Mar 6(3 events)

9:30 am: LightHouse and AARP Tax Support (in-person)


Mar 6

LightHouse is again partnering with AARP’s Tax-Aide Program to provide free tax filing support at 1155 Market Street this tax filing season. AARP will be at LightHouse HQ on Mondays and Thursdays from February 2 – April 13, 2023.

Appointments are required and they can be made for 9:30 am, 11 am, and 12:30 pm. Appointments can be scheduled by leaving a voicemail at 415-694-7648 or completing this form: https://forms.office.com/r/MsNHzhK3Hc

This is open to anyone who needs support filing their federal and California state tax returns for the tax years 2022, 2021, 2020, and 2019. (note: each year requires a separate appointment and we can only complete tax years 2019, 2020, and 2021 in March). There is no requirement based on age, income level, or San Francisco residency.

Please bring with you:

  • Your tax paperwork you’ve received in the mail
  • A copy of your social security card
  • A copy of your photo ID
  • If you are eligible for a refund and would like it deposited directly into your account, please bring a voided check. If you do not have a voided check, your refund check will be mailed to you

COVID-19 Requirements:

Masks must be worn at all times.

Out of Scope:

If any of these situations apply to you, you may be out of scope for AARP. If you think that you are out of scope, please feel free to call us so that we can confirm.

  • If you do not have health insurance, we cannot prepare your tax return. Apologies, but this is due to the California mandate that requires everybody to have health insurance, which results in tax complications.
  • If you have tax deductible contributions to an HSA account, we cannot prepare your tax return. This is due to the differences in Federal and California tax law and is complicated.
  • If you have rental income, we cannot prepare your tax return.
  • If you are in a civil union or married filing separately, we cannot prepare your tax return. This is due to the differences in Federal and California tax law.
  • If you’re self-employed, and want to declare your health insurance premiums as an expense, and are receiving premium tax credits (via CoveredCA), we cannot prepare your tax return.
  •  If you have rental property, we cannot prepare your return.
  • If you have a dependent child with unearned income subject to the “Kiddie Tax”, we cannot prepare your return.
  • If you are self-employed and, due to the pandemic, you deferred paying your Self-Employment tax, have a PPP loan, or took Covid sick leave, we cannot prepare your return.
  • If you own a business with employees and/or inventory, we cannot prepare your return.  You would be wise to hire a professional tax preparer.
  • If you have hobby income or not for profit activity, we cannot prepare your return.

There are some specific requirements and not all taxes will be able to be completed by AARP volunteers; these will be addressed when the appointments are made.

If you have any questions, please call 415-694-7648. Thank you.

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


Mar 6

What does it really mean to be a person who is blind or who has low vision? Mike Cole, a veteran of all things blindness, will lead 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. There's always a lively crowd sharing their own experiences, so make a cup of coffee (or tea), sit in your favorite chair, and call in to chat about the business of blindness.

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

6:00 pm: Vison: Peer-Led Support Group (online)


Mar 6

March dates: March 6 & 20

Vision is a solutions-based and peer-led support group. Every 1st and 3rd Monday of the month, we discuss different topics and share our experiences, thoughts, and knowledge. We are people with similar experiences who genuinely want to support one another in all aspects of living independently with our changing vision.

RSVP online for Vision Peer-Led Support Group or call 415-694-7607.

Mar 7
Mar 8(2 events)

9:30 am: Stress Reeducation & Meditation (Virtual)


Mar 8

Each Wednesday morning we offer a series of short, meditation-based practices for relaxation and stress reduction. The group is appropriate for both 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 comfortable position, breathe deeply, clear your head, and de-stress.

RSVP to Sabrina Bolus at Sbolus@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7607.

1:00 pm: Gratitude VIBES: March 2023 (online)


Mar 8

Gratitude-VIBES are Visually Impaired Blind Energizing Sessions. Each week a participant presents something that invigorates them. Gratitude is associated with greater happiness and can help you feel more positive emotions, recognize and relish good experiences, improve your health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships. Individual shares and a gratitude exercise follow presentations.

March’s theme is: Welcome Spring!

March 1: Spring Music
March 8: Calligraphy kanji “flower”: symbolic of the life & death cycle
March 15: Spring Flowers: Tulips
March 22: Earth Medicine
March 29: Spring Food

RSVP online for Gratitude VIBES or contact Sabrina Bolus at SBolus@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-6707.

Mar 9(2 events)

9:30 am: LightHouse and AARP Tax Support (in-person)


Mar 9

LightHouse is again partnering with AARP’s Tax-Aide Program to provide free tax filing support at 1155 Market Street this tax filing season. AARP will be at LightHouse HQ on Mondays and Thursdays from February 2 – April 13, 2023.

Appointments are required and they can be made for 9:30 am, 11 am, and 12:30 pm. Appointments can be scheduled by leaving a voicemail at 415-694-7648 or completing this form: https://forms.office.com/r/MsNHzhK3Hc

This is open to anyone who needs support filing their federal and California state tax returns for the tax years 2022, 2021, 2020, and 2019. (note: each year requires a separate appointment and we can only complete tax years 2019, 2020, and 2021 in March). There is no requirement based on age, income level, or San Francisco residency.

Please bring with you:

  • Your tax paperwork you’ve received in the mail
  • A copy of your social security card
  • A copy of your photo ID
  • If you are eligible for a refund and would like it deposited directly into your account, please bring a voided check. If you do not have a voided check, your refund check will be mailed to you

COVID-19 Requirements:

Masks must be worn at all times.

Out of Scope:

If any of these situations apply to you, you may be out of scope for AARP. If you think that you are out of scope, please feel free to call us so that we can confirm.

  • If you do not have health insurance, we cannot prepare your tax return. Apologies, but this is due to the California mandate that requires everybody to have health insurance, which results in tax complications.
  • If you have tax deductible contributions to an HSA account, we cannot prepare your tax return. This is due to the differences in Federal and California tax law and is complicated.
  • If you have rental income, we cannot prepare your tax return.
  • If you are in a civil union or married filing separately, we cannot prepare your tax return. This is due to the differences in Federal and California tax law.
  • If you’re self-employed, and want to declare your health insurance premiums as an expense, and are receiving premium tax credits (via CoveredCA), we cannot prepare your tax return.
  •  If you have rental property, we cannot prepare your return.
  • If you have a dependent child with unearned income subject to the “Kiddie Tax”, we cannot prepare your return.
  • If you are self-employed and, due to the pandemic, you deferred paying your Self-Employment tax, have a PPP loan, or took Covid sick leave, we cannot prepare your return.
  • If you own a business with employees and/or inventory, we cannot prepare your return.  You would be wise to hire a professional tax preparer.
  • If you have hobby income or not for profit activity, we cannot prepare your return.

There are some specific requirements and not all taxes will be able to be completed by AARP volunteers; these will be addressed when the appointments are made.

If you have any questions, please call 415-694-7648. Thank you.

11:00 am: Create In Community Art Class: March 2023 (in-person)


Mar 9

Let's gather together in the 11th floor art space at LightHouse San Francisco (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.

This March, we will create a variety of painted and textured papers that we will later use as collage materials to create colorful and tactile artworks.

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

Mar 10(1 event)

8:00 pm: Reel Escape Audio Description Club; Wednesday Netflix Series (online)


Mar 10

We all need an escape at times, and with the Real Escape Audio Description Club you can do just that with your blind and low vision friends. Our weekly gathering takes place Friday evenings at 8:00 pm., where we watch the next episode of our series and connect with your LightHouse and EHC friends. Now that we’ve watched all that we could from the world of Daredevil, our club will be switching things up and will start watching the new series, Wednesday, in early February. For those unfamiliar with the show, check out the trailer.

***Parents Please Note*** Wednesday is rated TV-14 for fear, language, and violence which means some content may not be suitable for kids under 14. IMDB has a parental guide that goes into greater detail about why the show received this rating. Read the Parent Guide for Wednesday.

Who: teens and young adults who are blind or are low vision

What: Wednesday with the Reel Escape Audio Description Club via Zoom

When: Friday evenings @ 8:00 pm

Where: anywhere you can access a zoom meeting

RSVP: Zoom meeting information will be shared with those that RSVP by 5:00 pm the day before the program

If you are interested in signing up or have any questions about the Reel Escape Audio Description Club, please contact Jamey Gump by email at JGump@lighthouse-sf.org or by phone at 415-694-7372.

Mar 11(2 events)

11:00 am: College Spaces From Different Places (in-person)


Mar 11

Where: We will be meeting in San Francisco at LightHouse Headquarters by 11:00 pm, and plan to return by 4:00 pm.

San Francisco is filled with interesting spaces to explore, and this March we’re inviting all College Spaces members to join us for a day in Chinatown. Cool shops and great food are only some of the things that await us, and we are excited to explore this part of the city with you all!

Remember to bring your Clipper cards, money for any shopping and food you might want, and meet us at LightHouse Headquarters by 11:00 am.

College Spaces from Different Places is a peer-led student organization which cultivates connections and community for all undergraduate college students. This group is designed by and for students who are blind and who have low vision to have fun, build community, and share in our struggles and accomplishments. Many undergrads are currently missing out on forming social connections on their own college campus. Therefore, joining College Spaces from Different Places will give you an opportunity to come together with others from across the state. Leave your books and syllabi behind and join us!

RSVP by March 9 to Daisy Soto at DSoto@lighthouse-sf.org 415-694-7328. You may also contact Daisy with any questions.

11:00 am: Memorial for LightHouse Volunteer Liz Klein (online)


Mar 11

Please join us to celebrate the life of longtime LightHouse volunteer Elizabeth Klein on Saturday, March 11 via the Zoom platform. Liz passed away in early January this year at the age of 79. We will be spending the time sharing memories from everyone on the call.

Liz was a member of the San Francisco CCB chapter for over 25 years and after retiring, she generously volunteered her time to our chapter, the East Bay Center for the Blind, the San Francisco LightHouse and numerous events.

I know there are many of you who can fill in the many years of Liz's life and we'd love to hear from you. – Frank Welte

Date: Saturday, March 11, 2023

Time: 11:00 am to noon, longer if we hadn't heard from everyone.

The Zoom room will say San Francisco Chapter Chat.

Note: When you join the Zoom meeting, you will be in a waiting room. Please be patient as we admit everyone.

Virtual doors open at 10:45 am

Join Zoom Meeting for Liz Klein Memorial. (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84292516501)

One tap mobile

+16699006833,,84292516501#

Phone: 1-669-900-6833

Meeting ID: 84292516501

Mar 12(1 event)

11:30 am: SIX the Musical Haptic Pre-Show Tour and Audio Described Performance (in-person)


Mar 12

Head across the street from the Lighthouse HQ to the Orpheum Theater at 1192 Market St. San Francisco, for a pre-show haptic experience and audio described matinee performance. SIX the Musical is a retelling of the stories of King Henry the VIII's six wives as a pop concert in which all six queens try to one-up each other's woes they endured with the king.

The BroadwaySF website says, "From Tudor Queens to Pop Icons, the SIX wives of Henry VIII take the microphone to remix five hundred years of historical heartbreak into a Euphoric Celebration of 21st century girl power! This new original musical is the global sensation that everyone is losing their head over!"

Learn more about SIX the Musical at the BroadwaySF page.

Tickets are $55. We have a block of 20 tickets available. Please note that our seats are further back this time due to the popularity of the show and proximity of the date.

RSVP online for SIX the Musical haptic tour/audio described performance or call Maia Scott at 415-694-7608. Maia will contact you to ask for number of tickets you would like (2 max) and whether you will need a headset, plus talk about how to collect payment

Mar 13(3 events)

9:30 am: LightHouse and AARP Tax Support (in-person)


Mar 13

LightHouse is again partnering with AARP’s Tax-Aide Program to provide free tax filing support at 1155 Market Street this tax filing season. AARP will be at LightHouse HQ on Mondays and Thursdays from February 2 – April 13, 2023.

Appointments are required and they can be made for 9:30 am, 11 am, and 12:30 pm. Appointments can be scheduled by leaving a voicemail at 415-694-7648 or completing this form: https://forms.office.com/r/MsNHzhK3Hc

This is open to anyone who needs support filing their federal and California state tax returns for the tax years 2022, 2021, 2020, and 2019. (note: each year requires a separate appointment and we can only complete tax years 2019, 2020, and 2021 in March). There is no requirement based on age, income level, or San Francisco residency.

Please bring with you:

  • Your tax paperwork you’ve received in the mail
  • A copy of your social security card
  • A copy of your photo ID
  • If you are eligible for a refund and would like it deposited directly into your account, please bring a voided check. If you do not have a voided check, your refund check will be mailed to you

COVID-19 Requirements:

Masks must be worn at all times.

Out of Scope:

If any of these situations apply to you, you may be out of scope for AARP. If you think that you are out of scope, please feel free to call us so that we can confirm.

  • If you do not have health insurance, we cannot prepare your tax return. Apologies, but this is due to the California mandate that requires everybody to have health insurance, which results in tax complications.
  • If you have tax deductible contributions to an HSA account, we cannot prepare your tax return. This is due to the differences in Federal and California tax law and is complicated.
  • If you have rental income, we cannot prepare your tax return.
  • If you are in a civil union or married filing separately, we cannot prepare your tax return. This is due to the differences in Federal and California tax law.
  • If you’re self-employed, and want to declare your health insurance premiums as an expense, and are receiving premium tax credits (via CoveredCA), we cannot prepare your tax return.
  •  If you have rental property, we cannot prepare your return.
  • If you have a dependent child with unearned income subject to the “Kiddie Tax”, we cannot prepare your return.
  • If you are self-employed and, due to the pandemic, you deferred paying your Self-Employment tax, have a PPP loan, or took Covid sick leave, we cannot prepare your return.
  • If you own a business with employees and/or inventory, we cannot prepare your return.  You would be wise to hire a professional tax preparer.
  • If you have hobby income or not for profit activity, we cannot prepare your return.

There are some specific requirements and not all taxes will be able to be completed by AARP volunteers; these will be addressed when the appointments are made.

If you have any questions, please call 415-694-7648. Thank you.

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


Mar 13

What does it really mean to be a person who is blind or who has low vision? Mike Cole, a veteran of all things blindness, will lead 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. There's always a lively crowd sharing their own experiences, so make a cup of coffee (or tea), sit in your favorite chair, and call in to chat about the business of blindness.

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

5:00 pm: Toastmasters (online)


Mar 13

We are one month closer to officially starting our LightHouse Chapter! Supported by experienced Toastmasters mentors, we will host a meeting with two LightHouse participants as featured speakers. Toastmasters is a place to develop skills of self-empowerment. It's a place to practice public speaking, improve communication, and build leadership skills.

RSVP online for Toastmasters or contact Sabrina Bolus at SBolus@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-6707.

Mar 14
Mar 15(2 events)

9:30 am: Stress Reeducation & Meditation (Virtual)


Mar 15

Each Wednesday morning we offer a series of short, meditation-based practices for relaxation and stress reduction. The group is appropriate for both 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 comfortable position, breathe deeply, clear your head, and de-stress.

RSVP to Sabrina Bolus at Sbolus@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7607.

1:00 pm: Gratitude VIBES: March 2023 (online)


Mar 15

Gratitude-VIBES are Visually Impaired Blind Energizing Sessions. Each week a participant presents something that invigorates them. Gratitude is associated with greater happiness and can help you feel more positive emotions, recognize and relish good experiences, improve your health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships. Individual shares and a gratitude exercise follow presentations.

March’s theme is: Welcome Spring!

March 1: Spring Music
March 8: Calligraphy kanji “flower”: symbolic of the life & death cycle
March 15: Spring Flowers: Tulips
March 22: Earth Medicine
March 29: Spring Food

RSVP online for Gratitude VIBES or contact Sabrina Bolus at SBolus@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-6707.

Mar 16(2 events)

9:30 am: LightHouse and AARP Tax Support (in-person)


Mar 16

LightHouse is again partnering with AARP’s Tax-Aide Program to provide free tax filing support at 1155 Market Street this tax filing season. AARP will be at LightHouse HQ on Mondays and Thursdays from February 2 – April 13, 2023.

Appointments are required and they can be made for 9:30 am, 11 am, and 12:30 pm. Appointments can be scheduled by leaving a voicemail at 415-694-7648 or completing this form: https://forms.office.com/r/MsNHzhK3Hc

This is open to anyone who needs support filing their federal and California state tax returns for the tax years 2022, 2021, 2020, and 2019. (note: each year requires a separate appointment and we can only complete tax years 2019, 2020, and 2021 in March). There is no requirement based on age, income level, or San Francisco residency.

Please bring with you:

  • Your tax paperwork you’ve received in the mail
  • A copy of your social security card
  • A copy of your photo ID
  • If you are eligible for a refund and would like it deposited directly into your account, please bring a voided check. If you do not have a voided check, your refund check will be mailed to you

COVID-19 Requirements:

Masks must be worn at all times.

Out of Scope:

If any of these situations apply to you, you may be out of scope for AARP. If you think that you are out of scope, please feel free to call us so that we can confirm.

  • If you do not have health insurance, we cannot prepare your tax return. Apologies, but this is due to the California mandate that requires everybody to have health insurance, which results in tax complications.
  • If you have tax deductible contributions to an HSA account, we cannot prepare your tax return. This is due to the differences in Federal and California tax law and is complicated.
  • If you have rental income, we cannot prepare your tax return.
  • If you are in a civil union or married filing separately, we cannot prepare your tax return. This is due to the differences in Federal and California tax law.
  • If you’re self-employed, and want to declare your health insurance premiums as an expense, and are receiving premium tax credits (via CoveredCA), we cannot prepare your tax return.
  •  If you have rental property, we cannot prepare your return.
  • If you have a dependent child with unearned income subject to the “Kiddie Tax”, we cannot prepare your return.
  • If you are self-employed and, due to the pandemic, you deferred paying your Self-Employment tax, have a PPP loan, or took Covid sick leave, we cannot prepare your return.
  • If you own a business with employees and/or inventory, we cannot prepare your return.  You would be wise to hire a professional tax preparer.
  • If you have hobby income or not for profit activity, we cannot prepare your return.

There are some specific requirements and not all taxes will be able to be completed by AARP volunteers; these will be addressed when the appointments are made.

If you have any questions, please call 415-694-7648. Thank you.

11:00 am: Create In Community Art Class: March 2023 (in-person)


Mar 16

Let's gather together in the 11th floor art space at LightHouse San Francisco (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.

This March, we will create a variety of painted and textured papers that we will later use as collage materials to create colorful and tactile artworks.

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

Mar 17(1 event)

8:00 pm: Reel Escape Audio Description Club; Wednesday Netflix Series (online)


Mar 17

We all need an escape at times, and with the Real Escape Audio Description Club you can do just that with your blind and low vision friends. Our weekly gathering takes place Friday evenings at 8:00 pm., where we watch the next episode of our series and connect with your LightHouse and EHC friends. Now that we’ve watched all that we could from the world of Daredevil, our club will be switching things up and will start watching the new series, Wednesday, in early February. For those unfamiliar with the show, check out the trailer.

***Parents Please Note*** Wednesday is rated TV-14 for fear, language, and violence which means some content may not be suitable for kids under 14. IMDB has a parental guide that goes into greater detail about why the show received this rating. Read the Parent Guide for Wednesday.

Who: teens and young adults who are blind or are low vision

What: Wednesday with the Reel Escape Audio Description Club via Zoom

When: Friday evenings @ 8:00 pm

Where: anywhere you can access a zoom meeting

RSVP: Zoom meeting information will be shared with those that RSVP by 5:00 pm the day before the program

If you are interested in signing up or have any questions about the Reel Escape Audio Description Club, please contact Jamey Gump by email at JGump@lighthouse-sf.org or by phone at 415-694-7372.

Mar 18
Mar 19
Mar 20(4 events)

9:30 am: LightHouse and AARP Tax Support (in-person)


Mar 20

LightHouse is again partnering with AARP’s Tax-Aide Program to provide free tax filing support at 1155 Market Street this tax filing season. AARP will be at LightHouse HQ on Mondays and Thursdays from February 2 – April 13, 2023.

Appointments are required and they can be made for 9:30 am, 11 am, and 12:30 pm. Appointments can be scheduled by leaving a voicemail at 415-694-7648 or completing this form: https://forms.office.com/r/MsNHzhK3Hc

This is open to anyone who needs support filing their federal and California state tax returns for the tax years 2022, 2021, 2020, and 2019. (note: each year requires a separate appointment and we can only complete tax years 2019, 2020, and 2021 in March). There is no requirement based on age, income level, or San Francisco residency.

Please bring with you:

  • Your tax paperwork you’ve received in the mail
  • A copy of your social security card
  • A copy of your photo ID
  • If you are eligible for a refund and would like it deposited directly into your account, please bring a voided check. If you do not have a voided check, your refund check will be mailed to you

COVID-19 Requirements:

Masks must be worn at all times.

Out of Scope:

If any of these situations apply to you, you may be out of scope for AARP. If you think that you are out of scope, please feel free to call us so that we can confirm.

  • If you do not have health insurance, we cannot prepare your tax return. Apologies, but this is due to the California mandate that requires everybody to have health insurance, which results in tax complications.
  • If you have tax deductible contributions to an HSA account, we cannot prepare your tax return. This is due to the differences in Federal and California tax law and is complicated.
  • If you have rental income, we cannot prepare your tax return.
  • If you are in a civil union or married filing separately, we cannot prepare your tax return. This is due to the differences in Federal and California tax law.
  • If you’re self-employed, and want to declare your health insurance premiums as an expense, and are receiving premium tax credits (via CoveredCA), we cannot prepare your tax return.
  •  If you have rental property, we cannot prepare your return.
  • If you have a dependent child with unearned income subject to the “Kiddie Tax”, we cannot prepare your return.
  • If you are self-employed and, due to the pandemic, you deferred paying your Self-Employment tax, have a PPP loan, or took Covid sick leave, we cannot prepare your return.
  • If you own a business with employees and/or inventory, we cannot prepare your return.  You would be wise to hire a professional tax preparer.
  • If you have hobby income or not for profit activity, we cannot prepare your return.

There are some specific requirements and not all taxes will be able to be completed by AARP volunteers; these will be addressed when the appointments are made.

If you have any questions, please call 415-694-7648. Thank you.

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


Mar 20

What does it really mean to be a person who is blind or who has low vision? Mike Cole, a veteran of all things blindness, will lead 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. There's always a lively crowd sharing their own experiences, so make a cup of coffee (or tea), sit in your favorite chair, and call in to chat about the business of blindness.

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

3:30 pm: SFMTA Collaborates on San Francisco Active Communities Plan (online)


Mar 20

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) is seeking input and feedback from LightHouse community members on how biking, scooting and rolling should develop in San Francisco, and how these modes of transit can be an asset to people with disabilities. This online forum will be facilitated by Christopher Kidd, Transportation Planner of Complete Streets, and other members of SFMTA and is part of the San Francisco Active Communities Plan which seeks to expand transit options in a way that benefits underserved populations.

Learn more about the SFMTA Active Communities Plan.

To receive the Zoom link, please RSVP to Sheri Albers, Community Outreach Specialist, at SAlbers@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7331

6:00 pm: Vison: Peer-Led Support Group (online)


Mar 20

March dates: March 6 & 20

Vision is a solutions-based and peer-led support group. Every 1st and 3rd Monday of the month, we discuss different topics and share our experiences, thoughts, and knowledge. We are people with similar experiences who genuinely want to support one another in all aspects of living independently with our changing vision.

RSVP online for Vision Peer-Led Support Group or call 415-694-7607.

Mar 21(1 event)

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


Mar 21

30% & Growing heads over the Bay Bridge into Berkeley! This month we will be gathering for drinks and socializing at Triple Rock Brewing (1920 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley, CA 94704), a local Berkeley classic. Come out and enjoy food, drinks and comradery with others who are blind and low vision in different stages of their career. For those interested, there will be a group meeting at Lighthouse and traveling to Triple Rock together. Contact Andrew Martinez at AMartinez@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7642 for more details.

Mar 22(3 events)

9:30 am: Stress Reeducation & Meditation (Virtual)


Mar 22

Each Wednesday morning we offer a series of short, meditation-based practices for relaxation and stress reduction. The group is appropriate for both 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 comfortable position, breathe deeply, clear your head, and de-stress.

RSVP to Sabrina Bolus at Sbolus@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7607.

1:00 pm: Gratitude VIBES: March 2023 (online)


Mar 22

Gratitude-VIBES are Visually Impaired Blind Energizing Sessions. Each week a participant presents something that invigorates them. Gratitude is associated with greater happiness and can help you feel more positive emotions, recognize and relish good experiences, improve your health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships. Individual shares and a gratitude exercise follow presentations.

March’s theme is: Welcome Spring!

March 1: Spring Music
March 8: Calligraphy kanji “flower”: symbolic of the life & death cycle
March 15: Spring Flowers: Tulips
March 22: Earth Medicine
March 29: Spring Food

RSVP online for Gratitude VIBES or contact Sabrina Bolus at SBolus@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-6707.

2:00 pm: Meet You At The House (online)


Mar 22

Pull up a comfy chair and join Community Outreach Specialist Sheri Albers in the LightHouse virtual living room to talk about all things LightHouse! Have you been experiencing changes in your vision that have been affecting your daily life, but did not know who to talk to? LightHouse in San Francisco may have the solutions you have been looking for. This is a safe place to bring the questions that you have been wanting to ask. As always, Raqi from the Adaptations Store will be on hand to let us know what is new in the world of low vision and blindness products.

RSVP to Sheri Albers at SAlbers@LightHouse-sf.org or 415-694-7331.

Mar 23(2 events)

9:30 am: LightHouse and AARP Tax Support (in-person)


Mar 23

LightHouse is again partnering with AARP’s Tax-Aide Program to provide free tax filing support at 1155 Market Street this tax filing season. AARP will be at LightHouse HQ on Mondays and Thursdays from February 2 – April 13, 2023.

Appointments are required and they can be made for 9:30 am, 11 am, and 12:30 pm. Appointments can be scheduled by leaving a voicemail at 415-694-7648 or completing this form: https://forms.office.com/r/MsNHzhK3Hc

This is open to anyone who needs support filing their federal and California state tax returns for the tax years 2022, 2021, 2020, and 2019. (note: each year requires a separate appointment and we can only complete tax years 2019, 2020, and 2021 in March). There is no requirement based on age, income level, or San Francisco residency.

Please bring with you:

  • Your tax paperwork you’ve received in the mail
  • A copy of your social security card
  • A copy of your photo ID
  • If you are eligible for a refund and would like it deposited directly into your account, please bring a voided check. If you do not have a voided check, your refund check will be mailed to you

COVID-19 Requirements:

Masks must be worn at all times.

Out of Scope:

If any of these situations apply to you, you may be out of scope for AARP. If you think that you are out of scope, please feel free to call us so that we can confirm.

  • If you do not have health insurance, we cannot prepare your tax return. Apologies, but this is due to the California mandate that requires everybody to have health insurance, which results in tax complications.
  • If you have tax deductible contributions to an HSA account, we cannot prepare your tax return. This is due to the differences in Federal and California tax law and is complicated.
  • If you have rental income, we cannot prepare your tax return.
  • If you are in a civil union or married filing separately, we cannot prepare your tax return. This is due to the differences in Federal and California tax law.
  • If you’re self-employed, and want to declare your health insurance premiums as an expense, and are receiving premium tax credits (via CoveredCA), we cannot prepare your tax return.
  •  If you have rental property, we cannot prepare your return.
  • If you have a dependent child with unearned income subject to the “Kiddie Tax”, we cannot prepare your return.
  • If you are self-employed and, due to the pandemic, you deferred paying your Self-Employment tax, have a PPP loan, or took Covid sick leave, we cannot prepare your return.
  • If you own a business with employees and/or inventory, we cannot prepare your return.  You would be wise to hire a professional tax preparer.
  • If you have hobby income or not for profit activity, we cannot prepare your return.

There are some specific requirements and not all taxes will be able to be completed by AARP volunteers; these will be addressed when the appointments are made.

If you have any questions, please call 415-694-7648. Thank you.

11:00 am: Create In Community Art Class: March 2023 (in-person)


Mar 23

Let's gather together in the 11th floor art space at LightHouse San Francisco (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.

This March, we will create a variety of painted and textured papers that we will later use as collage materials to create colorful and tactile artworks.

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

Mar 24(2 events)

5:00 pm: Creators' Space - Accessible Comics with Rachel Lanzerotti (in-person)


Mar 24

Creators' Space welcomes Rachel “Rae” Lanzerotti to share their accessible comic work in progress.  After vision loss in 2020, Rae started making audio-graphic memoirs, and their autobiographical comics received awards in the 2022 Accessible Comics Competition. Rae shares their story, “Embodied,” which uses image, sound, and texture. Come listen, read, discuss and be part of an exploratory practice of making your own simple comic, no experience needed!

RSVP by March 23 to Maia Scott at MScott@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7608

8:00 pm: Reel Escape Audio Description Club; Wednesday Netflix Series (online)


Mar 24

We all need an escape at times, and with the Real Escape Audio Description Club you can do just that with your blind and low vision friends. Our weekly gathering takes place Friday evenings at 8:00 pm., where we watch the next episode of our series and connect with your LightHouse and EHC friends. Now that we’ve watched all that we could from the world of Daredevil, our club will be switching things up and will start watching the new series, Wednesday, in early February. For those unfamiliar with the show, check out the trailer.

***Parents Please Note*** Wednesday is rated TV-14 for fear, language, and violence which means some content may not be suitable for kids under 14. IMDB has a parental guide that goes into greater detail about why the show received this rating. Read the Parent Guide for Wednesday.

Who: teens and young adults who are blind or are low vision

What: Wednesday with the Reel Escape Audio Description Club via Zoom

When: Friday evenings @ 8:00 pm

Where: anywhere you can access a zoom meeting

RSVP: Zoom meeting information will be shared with those that RSVP by 5:00 pm the day before the program

If you are interested in signing up or have any questions about the Reel Escape Audio Description Club, please contact Jamey Gump by email at JGump@lighthouse-sf.org or by phone at 415-694-7372.

Mar 25
Mar 26
Mar 27(3 events)

9:30 am: LightHouse and AARP Tax Support (in-person)


Mar 27

Appointments for the 2023 Tax Season are full.

If you do not currently have an appointment and wish to be placed on the waiting list, you may call and leave your full name and phone number at 415 – 694 – 7648. There is no guarantee that we will be able to schedule you.

If you would like to find other free tax filing services, we recommend looking at:

While AARP’s Tax Season will close on April 13, the deadline to file both federal and state taxes has been extended to October 15, 2023.

If You have an appointment

If you have questions, please call 415 – 694 - 7648

Please bring with you:

  • Your tax paperwork you’ve received in the mail
  • A copy of your social security card
  • A copy of your photo ID
  • If you are eligible for a refund and would like it deposited directly into your account, please bring a voided check. If you do not have a voided check, your refund check will be mailed to you

COVID-19 Requirements:

Masks must be worn at all times.

Out of Scope:

If any of these situations apply to you, you may be out of scope for AARP. If you think that you are out of scope, please feel free to call us so that we can confirm.

  • If you do not have health insurance, we cannot prepare your tax return. Apologies, but this is due to the California mandate that requires everybody to have health insurance, which results in tax complications.
  • If you have tax deductible contributions to an HSA account, we cannot prepare your tax return. This is due to the differences in Federal and California tax law and is complicated.
  • If you have rental income, we cannot prepare your tax return.
  • If you are in a civil union or married filing separately, we cannot prepare your tax return. This is due to the differences in Federal and California tax law.
  • If you’re self-employed, and want to declare your health insurance premiums as an expense, and are receiving premium tax credits (via CoveredCA), we cannot prepare your tax return.
  • If you have rental property, we cannot prepare your return.
  • If you have a dependent child with unearned income subject to the “Kiddie Tax”, we cannot prepare your return.
  • If you are self-employed and, due to the pandemic, you deferred paying your Self-Employment tax, have a PPP loan, or took Covid sick leave, we cannot prepare your return.
  • If you own a business with employees and/or inventory, we cannot prepare your return.  You would be wise to hire a professional tax preparer.
  • If you have hobby income or not for profit activity, we cannot prepare your return.

There are some specific requirements and not all taxes will be able to be completed by AARP volunteers, these will be addressed when the appointments are made.

If you have any questions, please call 415 -694 -7648. Thank you.

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


Mar 27

What does it really mean to be a person who is blind or who has low vision? Mike Cole, a veteran of all things blindness, will lead 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. There's always a lively crowd sharing their own experiences, so make a cup of coffee (or tea), sit in your favorite chair, and call in to chat about the business of blindness.

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

6:00 pm: Talkin’ About Books: Braiding Sweetgrass (online)


Mar 27

In honor of Earth Month, we will read and discuss Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer. As a botanist and professor of plant ecology, Wall Kimmerer has spent a career learning how to ask questions of nature using the tools of science. As a Potawatomi woman, she learned from elders, family, and history that the Potawatomi, as well as a majority of other cultures indigenous to this land, consider plants and animals to be our oldest teachers. This book is on the National Library Service Braille and Audio Reading Download website. The book number is DB92274.

RSVP online for Talkin' About Books or contact Sabrina Bolus at SBolus@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-6707.

Mar 28
Mar 29(2 events)

9:30 am: Stress Reeducation & Meditation (Virtual)


Mar 29

Each Wednesday morning we offer a series of short, meditation-based practices for relaxation and stress reduction. The group is appropriate for both 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 comfortable position, breathe deeply, clear your head, and de-stress.

RSVP to Sabrina Bolus at Sbolus@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7607.

1:00 pm: Gratitude VIBES: March 2023 (online)


Mar 29

Gratitude-VIBES are Visually Impaired Blind Energizing Sessions. Each week a participant presents something that invigorates them. Gratitude is associated with greater happiness and can help you feel more positive emotions, recognize and relish good experiences, improve your health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships. Individual shares and a gratitude exercise follow presentations.

March’s theme is: Welcome Spring!

March 1: Spring Music
March 8: Calligraphy kanji “flower”: symbolic of the life & death cycle
March 15: Spring Flowers: Tulips
March 22: Earth Medicine
March 29: Spring Food

RSVP online for Gratitude VIBES or contact Sabrina Bolus at SBolus@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-6707.

Mar 30(2 events)

9:30 am: LightHouse and AARP Tax Support (in-person)


Mar 30

Appointments for the 2023 Tax Season are full.

If you do not currently have an appointment and wish to be placed on the waiting list, you may call and leave your full name and phone number at 415 – 694 – 7648. There is no guarantee that we will be able to schedule you.

If you would like to find other free tax filing services, we recommend looking at:

While AARP’s Tax Season will close on April 13, the deadline to file both federal and state taxes has been extended to October 15, 2023.

If You have an appointment

If you have questions, please call 415 – 694 - 7648

Please bring with you:

  • Your tax paperwork you’ve received in the mail
  • A copy of your social security card
  • A copy of your photo ID
  • If you are eligible for a refund and would like it deposited directly into your account, please bring a voided check. If you do not have a voided check, your refund check will be mailed to you

COVID-19 Requirements:

Masks must be worn at all times.

Out of Scope:

If any of these situations apply to you, you may be out of scope for AARP. If you think that you are out of scope, please feel free to call us so that we can confirm.

  • If you do not have health insurance, we cannot prepare your tax return. Apologies, but this is due to the California mandate that requires everybody to have health insurance, which results in tax complications.
  • If you have tax deductible contributions to an HSA account, we cannot prepare your tax return. This is due to the differences in Federal and California tax law and is complicated.
  • If you have rental income, we cannot prepare your tax return.
  • If you are in a civil union or married filing separately, we cannot prepare your tax return. This is due to the differences in Federal and California tax law.
  • If you’re self-employed, and want to declare your health insurance premiums as an expense, and are receiving premium tax credits (via CoveredCA), we cannot prepare your tax return.
  • If you have rental property, we cannot prepare your return.
  • If you have a dependent child with unearned income subject to the “Kiddie Tax”, we cannot prepare your return.
  • If you are self-employed and, due to the pandemic, you deferred paying your Self-Employment tax, have a PPP loan, or took Covid sick leave, we cannot prepare your return.
  • If you own a business with employees and/or inventory, we cannot prepare your return.  You would be wise to hire a professional tax preparer.
  • If you have hobby income or not for profit activity, we cannot prepare your return.

There are some specific requirements and not all taxes will be able to be completed by AARP volunteers, these will be addressed when the appointments are made.

If you have any questions, please call 415 -694 -7648. Thank you.

11:00 am: Create In Community Art Class: March 2023 (in-person)


Mar 30

Let's gather together in the 11th floor art space at LightHouse San Francisco (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.

This March, we will create a variety of painted and textured papers that we will later use as collage materials to create colorful and tactile artworks.

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

Mar 31
Apr 1

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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