Calendar

The week's events

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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(5 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.

7:00 pm: EHC Virtual Campfire (online)


Jan 3

These fun-filled evenings will consist of Enchanted Hills Camp updates, songs, alumni check-ins and LightHouse information and resources. All are welcome to join.

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

Jan 4(1 event)

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


Jan 4

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

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

Jan 5
Jan 6

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

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

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

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