LightHouse will be closed on Monday, May 27 for the Memorial Day holiday.
The week's events
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AARP Tax-Aide Program (in-person)
AARP Tax-Aide Program (in-person)
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Feb 12LightHouse 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 5 – April 11, 2024 and Wednesdays February 21 and 28 & March 13 and 27.
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 the AARP Tax-Aide at LightHouse RSVP form.
This is open to anyone who needs support filing their federal and California state tax returns for the tax years 2023, 2022, 2021, and 2020. (note: each year requires a separate appointment and we will only be completing 2023 tax returns in February). 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 via USPS.
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 or email info@lighthouse-sf.org
The Business of Blindness: Coffee with Mike (online)The Business of Blindness: Coffee with Mike (online)
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Feb 12What does it mean to be blind or low vision? Mike Cole, a veteran of all things blindness, leads this call-in forum to discuss the day-to-day ins and outs of blindness—from daily living in your home environment to navigating the vast expanse of bureaucracies.
RSVP online for Coffee with Mike or to Sabrina Bolus at SBolus@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7607
Toastmasters Visionaries (online)Toastmasters Visionaries (online)
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Feb 12Toastmasters Visionaries and guests, mark your calendars for an extraordinary event—the first special edition Toastmasters club meeting of 2024! As we step into a new year, it's the ideal moment to reflect on the achievements of our inaugural year and chart a course for the future. Join us for a special gathering where we'll discuss our plans, engage in Q&A sessions, encourage your valuable feedback, and dive into inspiring and fun Table Topics.
RSVP online for Toastmasters, or contact Sabrina Bolus at Sbolus@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7607.
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Voter Registration Drop-In (in-person)
Voter Registration Drop-In (in-person)
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Feb 13On Tuesday, March 5, California will hold the Presidential Primary Election.
We know that voting is required to be accessible but does not always achieve that. In order to support you in voting, we are holding a day where you can drop into LightHouse’s Headquarters in San Francisco to register to vote.
You are eligible to vote if, you are:
- A United States citizen and a resident of California
- 18 years old or older on Election Day.
- Not currently serving a state or federal prison term for the conviction of a felony
- Not currently found mentally incompetent to vote by a court
If you are eligible and would like support in registering to vote or updating your voter registration (for example, updating your address or changing your political party), please come to LightHouse’s San Francisco office where a LightHouse volunteer will help you complete your registration form.
Registration for this event is not required, but is preferred. To schedule a time to come in or request a volunteer on a separate date, please call 415–694–7638.
Tech Together: February 2024 (online)Tech Together: February 2024 (online)
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Feb 13Join the Access Technology team for a series of informal conversations on technology topics relevant to these current times.
February 6: Updates from A.T.I.A.
The annual Access Technology Industry Association, (A.T.I.A.) conference is a gathering for venders, educators, AT professionals and AT users and, this year, LightHouse AT team members! Join us for Tech Together and the team will discuss updates and new horizons in access technology.
RSVP online for Updates from A.T.I.A., or leave a voicemail at 415-694-7684.February 13: Explore Apple Wallet
One of the goals for many in the access technology learning space is financial independence. Join the AT team for what will be the first in a series of discussions around accessible finance. This week’s focus will be all aspects of the Apple Wallet app.
RSVP online for Explore Apple Wallet, or leave a voicemail at 415-694-7684.February 20: Budgeting Basics
Continuing our theme of access technology and finance, join us for a discussion on budgeting basics and accessible ways to manage money.
RSVP online for Budgeting Basics, or leave a voicemail at 415-694-7684.February 27: Peer-to-peer Payments
Concluding our theme of access technology and finance, join us for a discussion of peer-to-peer payment applications. You’ll learn about platforms like PayPal and Venmo, and we’ll discuss the ups and downs of accessibility therein.
RSVP online for Peer-to-peer Payments, or leave a voicemail at 415-694-7684. -
AARP Tax-Aide Program (in-person)
AARP Tax-Aide Program (in-person)
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Feb 15LightHouse 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 5 – April 11, 2024 and Wednesdays February 21 and 28 & March 13 and 27.
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 the AARP Tax-Aide at LightHouse RSVP form.
This is open to anyone who needs support filing their federal and California state tax returns for the tax years 2023, 2022, 2021, and 2020. (note: each year requires a separate appointment and we will only be completing 2023 tax returns in February). 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 via USPS.
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 or email info@lighthouse-sf.org
Create In Community Art Classes (in-person)Create In Community Art Classes (in-person)
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Feb 15Let's gather together in the 11th floor art space at LightHouse San Francisco at 1155 Market to explore a different art process, style or media each moth while connecting with fellow creatives. These are exploratory, process-oriented classes that invite you to work at whatever level you are, be it first timer to expert.
During the month of February, let's create and paint tactile creations. Using found materials such as rope, cardboard and foam paired with bold and metallic paints, we will create works that are both haptically and visually engaging. As this will require multiple weeks to complete, please be prepared to attend regularly.
No RSVPs needed. For questions, contact Maia Scott at MScott@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7608.
Tecnologia para Todos (online)Tecnologia para Todos (online)
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Feb 15Join 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
Reel Escape Audio Description Club for Teens and Young Adults: Stranger Things (online)Reel Escape Audio Description Club for Teens and Young Adults: Stranger Things (online)
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Feb 15Are you looking for a thrilling escape into the world of science fiction and mystery? Look no further! The Reel Escape Audio Description Club is back this fall, bringing together blind and low vision teens and young adults for an exciting social gathering over an audio-described TV show.
We'll be embarking on an unforgettable journey into the 1980s with the popular Netflix series Stranger Things. This captivating show revolves around a group of kids in a small town, facing supernatural mysteries, government conspiracies, and the enigmatic powers of a mysterious girl with psychokinetic abilities.
Every Thursday evening at 8:00 pm, join us via Zoom to watch the latest episode of Stranger Things and connect with your LightHouse and EHC friends. It's a fantastic opportunity to immerse yourself in a world of excitement and adventure while enjoying the company of like-minded peers.
Check out the official Stranger Things trailer.
Parents, Please Take Note: Stranger Things is rated TV-14 for horror elements and language, which may not be suitable for kids under 17. While Seasons 1-3 were rated TV-14, Season 4 received a TV-MA rating. For more detailed information, you can check the Stranger Things Parental Guide. If you are under 18 and wish to join this series, we kindly request your parent or guardian to contact a LightHouse Youth Team member with written permission for your participation.
RVSP to Jamey Gump at JGump@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7372.
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Seeing AI Training for Seniors 65+ at Earle Baum Center (in-person)
Seeing AI Training for Seniors 65+ at Earle Baum Center (in-person)
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Feb 16Attention to Sonoma County Residents who have low vision and are 65 or older.
Interested in learning more about using Al apps on your iPhone or Android?
The Earle Baum Center is offering a free phone stand and two hours of training on how to use the Seeing Al App on iPhone and Android.
Cathy Mulhern will be teaching you how to use the Seeing Al App to:
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- Read mail
- Read a bill
- Read a letter on your own without someone else knowing your business
- Identify what you have in the pantry (is the can beans or dog food?
- Identify what currency you are handing a cashierCathy Mulhern will be teaching you how to use the Seeing Al App to:
What you need: Bring your phone and materials you want to be able to read and that you currently rely on others to read for you such as mail, a can of food etc.
Where: Earle Baum Center at 4539 Occidental Rd, Santa Rosa, CA 95401
When: Fridays from 10:00 am to noon or 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm in Room 3.
Prerequisites:
- Have Seeing Al app downloaded on iPhone or Android.
- Know how to use Siri and have it set up for iPhone users.
- Have not received a phone stand from Earle Baum Center.
RSVP: To Cathy Mulhern at 707-206-8486 by calling Monday – Friday between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm.
30% and Growing (in-person)30% and Growing (in-person)
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Feb 16Come enjoy the new year with new and old friends as we gather at Jupiter at 2181 Shattuck Ave. in Berkeley for drinks, socializing and networking with others. Jupiter is only a short walk away from Downtown Berkley BART. For anyone traveling from San Francisco, there will be a group gathering at Lighthouse headquarters to travel together—RSVP for more details.
Come out and the comradery with others who are blind and low vision as we navigate different aspects of the workforce.
RSVP to Andrew Martinez at AMartinez@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7642.
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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!
