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
Nov 28
Nov 29(3 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.

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


Nov 29

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.

Nov 30
Dec 1
Dec 2
Dec 3
Dec 4
Dec 5
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.

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


Dec 6

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.

Dec 7(1 event)

2:00 pm: Tecnologia para Todos (online)


Dec 7

Join the LightHouse’s monthly access Technology Spanish meeting. Tecnología para todos is a space where users share their knowledge and experience. Each month, we talk about services, applications and devices available for blind and low vision users.

This event will be conducted using the Zoom platform. You can connect to Zoom using a computer, an app, or by dialing in from any phone. Zoom meeting details will be provided when you rsvp by email to Fernando Macias at FMacias@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7670

Dec 8
Dec 9(2 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.

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.

Dec 10(2 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.

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
Dec 12(2 events)

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?

 

 

6:00 pm: National Federation of the Blind: San Francisco Chapter Meeting (online)


Dec 12

The National Federation of the Blind is a nationwide community of members that believe blind people can live the lives they want. We meet online via Zoom with the following schedule:

6:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. – Virtual Happy (Half) Hour
6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. – Chapter Meeting

To RSVP, contact President Bobbi Pompey at bobbipompey@gmail.com or 336-988-6375.

Dec 13(2 events)

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.

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


Dec 13

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.

Dec 14
Dec 15
Dec 16
Dec 17
Dec 18
Dec 19
Dec 20(3 events)

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.

12:45 pm: Smuin Ballet’s “The Christmas Ballet” with Audio Description and Haptic Tour (in-person)


Dec 20

Where: Blue Shield of CA Theater at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts at  700 Howard St. near 3rd St. in San Francisco.

Smuin’s annual holiday extravaganza is back! Celebrate the festive season with a show that’s a little ballet, a little Broadway, and a whole lot of Smuin.

Act 1, “The Classical Christmas,” features a series of short dances to traditional holiday music that show off the classical ballet technique and pointe work of the dancers.

Act 2, “The Cool Christmas,” follows a similar format of short vignettes and is full of campy moments, fun music, and light-hearted pieces.

To purchase tickets, visit: Smuin | Ticket Seating Selection (smuinballet.org)

For more information, to book a spot in a haptic cccess tour, or to reserve a headset please call: 415-912-1899

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


Dec 20

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.

Dec 21
Dec 22
Dec 23
Dec 24
Dec 25
Dec 26
Dec 27
Dec 28
Dec 29
Dec 30
Dec 31(1 event)

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
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
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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