Calendar

The week's events

  • Japanese New Year Temple Bell Ringing Ceremony (in-person)

    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.

  • Stress Reduction & Meditation (online)

    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.

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

    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.

    Gratitude VIBES (online)

    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.

    Goalball with BORP (in-person)

    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.

  • Make Art Activation with the Museum of Craft and Design (in-person)

    Make Art Activation with the Museum of Craft and Design (in-person)


    Jan 4

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

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

    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)


    Jan 4

    Are 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.

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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