Low Vision Resource Guide

The Low Vision Resource Center has just published its 7th edition of the Low Vision Resource Guide for San Antonio.  As in the past, its publication was made possible by a grant from the Employee Community Fund of the Boeing Company, and by a generous discount on its printing and binding costs by the Brenner Printing Company.

A free copy of the guide is being mailed to all new members of the Low Vision Club and Owl Radio, plus local ophthalmologists.  Many changes have been made in it, so present members may wish to have a revised copy of the guide issued previously.  If so, you may pick up a single copy of the revised guide from the resource table at future Low Vision Club meetings.  There will be no “mass mailing.”  An online version of the Low Vision Resource Guide is always available here on our website.

Upcoming LVC Programs

Saturday, July 17, 2010

Our annual club luncheon at Los Barrios Mexican Restaurant, 4223 Blanco Road, San Antonio.  It will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for persons who reserved space and paid for their luncheons by June 30th.  This luncheon will substitute for our regular monthly program.

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Learn all about the Bexar Area Agency on Aging Programs and Services, including Alamo Service Connection products and services for seniors and disabled persons, from Martha Ramirez of AACOG.  This assistance is available for the asking.  Do you know all you need to do to get help?

Saturday, September 18, 2010

The Low Vision Club’s Annual Bingo Party & Box Lunch at Warm Springs for the first 60 persons to sign up in advance at the club’s August program.

If you can’t make the August meeting, call Cynthia Garcia on her cell phone at 210-287-9039 and register if space is still available.  If you plan to bring someone to help you play bingo, you also must register him so we know how many will be eating box lunches.

Bingo games will be played between 11 a.m. and noon when we will take an hour long lunch break.  At approximately 1 p.m. we will resume bingo and play until all the prizes are gone, or until 3 p.m.  This was a “sellout” last year, and a lot of fun!

Saturday, October 16, 2010

Our first chance to hear from the Veterans Administration VIST Team since 2007 due to their increased activity from Iraq and Afghanistan.  Their presentation will cover the full range of services, including visual aids, to help veterans in overcoming the handicap of sight loss.

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Our annual medical program, this year featuring 3rd year UTHSC ophthalmology residents reporting on the latest research on treating eye diseases, with emphasis on AMD plus the latest tips on best nutrition.

Saturday, December 4, 2010

Our annual catered Christmas Dinner in the Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church Gymnasium, 6914 Wurzbach Road (about ½ mile west of Babcock) where we always have such a good time.  The program begins at 11 a.m. with traditional dinner served at noon by LVC volunteers.  The program ends about 1:30 p.m.  Watch for information about costs and other details in future fliers, but save the date.

Who is Cindy Garcia?

You’ve been instructed to call her a lot for various things.  It’s time you meet her.  Cindy is our Low Vision Club Administrative Assistant and has been since Bonnie Truax hired her in March of 2003.  (She is legally blind but you’d never know it, except for her use of the CCTV).  She assisted Bonnie with all aspects of the Low Vision Resource Center, and now works with Executive Director Bill Phelps on Low Vision Club activities.

Cindy works part-time out of the Truax residence, where the living room and dining room were re-devoted years ago to storing Low Vision Club and Owl Radio materials.  She handles most LVC correspondence, and plans club meetings, activities and marketing.  Cindy also represents us at area health fairs distributing our literature and recruiting volunteers.

Cindy gathers resource materials for free distribution at monthly LVC meetings.  Then she lugs what’s not taken back to the office for a future display.  At the next LVC meeting, look for the smiling (under 5 feet) girl sort of watching over everything.  She’s the un-heralded gem of our staff.

Memorial Contributions

The club recently benefitted from anniversary memorials to Bonnie Truax for her past work with the club.  Thanks.  She passed away August 13, 2009.

Want to learn about computers?

If you ever wanted to learn about computers, here’s your chance.  The Community Family Resource and Learning Division of the City of San Antonio is now conducting classes for adults who are visually impaired.  Title of the class is “Intro to Personal Computers (PCs) & Keyboarding.”  They also feature accessible software, including Magic & JAWS.

Classes are held at the Bob Ross Center, 2219 Babcock Road, San Antonio, TX  78229.  Call (210) 207-5300 to sign up for sessions consisting of 5 weeks at 4 hours a week.

Volunteers Needed

Always needed… especially for making reminder telephone calls.  If you can help, call Cindy Garcia at (210) 287-9039.