Newsletter for the Earle Baum Center
4539 Occidental Road
Santa Rosa CA 95401
Tel: 707-523-3222 Fax: 707-636-2768
www.earlebaum.org
May 2008 Volume 8 Issue 2
A Passion to Help
Working at the Marin County Bar Association, Jeannette Stewart would often watch with interest as almost every day trainers would walk their Guide-Dogs-to-be along downtown streets. Because of her own experience with an uncorrectable vision impairment, she decided to find out if there was some way to help. After applying and receiving training, Jeannette became a docent, guiding tours through the Guide Dogs of San Rafael facility.
A later move to the East Bay, combined with her father’s long time involvement with the local Lions Club, led her to a volunteer position as an assistant and companion to a woman who was blind. Moving again, this time to Sonoma County, Jeannette found her time completely taken up with the family business and caring for her aging mother. From time to time, she would read articles in the paper about the Earle Baum Center with interest, hoping to visit someday.
Her passion for gardening took her to the Luther Burbank Home and Gardens where she signed on as a volunteer docent. The demanding schedule caused Jeannette to seek a spot with greater flexibility. Remembering her reading about the EBC, she dropped by for a short visit in October of 2006. Jeannette was immediately impressed by the upbeat staff and the beautiful surroundings. After meeting Denise and seeing eight month old Devin in his Halloween pumpkin costume, she knew that this was the perfect fit. But misfortune stepped in, in the form of a broken ankle. She was delayed but not deterred.
Jeannette began her volunteer stint as our new Books on Tape librarian, a position that did not require her to stay on her feet. Fully mobile again, she expanded her duties to include classroom and office assistant, but her involvement did not stop there. Not only can you find Jeannette buzzing around at every EBC event, but she is also an active participant in the tap dance program. Her commitment to the EBC goes on. She is also a cash donor and last year donated a stay at her charming Sebastopol bed and breakfast, affectionately named Raccoon Cottage, to our silent auction.
Part of what draws Jeannette to the EBC is the diversity and flexibility of her volunteer schedule. From folding newsletters to chopping vegetables for a summer barbecue, Jeannette makes it fun, always brings her warm and ready smile, her vast range of experience, and the belief that a caring person can make a difference.
Jeannette tells us that it is a pleasure working with an organization that gives so much back to the community. We feel the same way about Jeannette.
High Net Worth
The value of a volunteer hour nearly kept pace with inflation during 2007, increasing 3.94 percent while consumer prices tracked at 4.1 percent. The estimate for the value of a volunteer hour jumped by 74 cents, from $18.77 in 2006 to $19.51 last year.
The Pursuit of Tappiness
For my 9th birthday, my aunt Wanda, paid for me to take a combination class of tap dance, ballet, and acrobatics. At that time, although I had been diagnosed with a rare eye condition, I had good sight. I loved doing the back bends, cart wheels, flips in acrobatics and the costumes and gracefulness of ballet, but felt more at home with tap dancing. After I lost my sight at age 12, I continued on with my combination class. The instructor learned to give me cues like clapping her hands in one corner so I could follow the sound of the claps while doing shanay turns across the room. But I still favored tap dancing. The jazzy music, fun rhythms, creative patterns, and exciting routines have kept me tapping my whole life. Sometimes unconsciously, I’m tapping out rhythms while sitting at the breakfast table or while on my bus ride home. I have also studied other forms of dance like flamenco, belly dancing and ballroom Latin salsa dancing, but I never stopped tapping.
As a Vision Rehabilitation Therapist, I thought tap was the perfect dance for people who are visually impaired or blind because of the auditory cues. Once you develop tap vocabulary and recognize the sounds that each step makes, it is easy to identify whether you are doing the steps correctly. Tap is like playing an instrument with your feet. The feet make the musical rhythms. Tap also challenges the brain by making your body do different things at the same time and remembering patterns or what comes next in a routine. It can be a full body experience from head to toe.
I love it so much that I wanted to share it. I started teaching people tap at the Living Skills Center, Lighthouse for the Blind, Connecting Through Dance, and here at the Earle Baum Center. I demonstrate the steps so that everyone can hear the sounds and describe the movements verbally and then I come around to each person and touch their feet or have them touch my feet for step confirmation. There is really no difference teaching tap to people who are visually impaired or blind or those who have sight. Currently, I am teaching a class at the EBC, with 9 men and women students ranging in age from 27 to 89. Along with the exercise, creating rhythms, socializing, developing balance and spatial awareness, we are mostly having a lot of fun! The one hour class is held Wednesday afternoons at 1 p.m. I can honestly say that I am happiest when I’m tapping!
Denise Vancil, Vision Rehabilitation Therapist
Love is in the Air
Wedding bells will soon be ringing for several staff members and volunteers at the EBC. To start the spring of new life beginnings, Living Skills and dance instructor Denise Vancil, will be getting wed to Benjamin Karpilow in May. Next will follow one of our volunteers, Sean Ryan to his fiancé Crystal in June. Tech Specialist Jacques Law and Leilani will be tying the knot in August and Activities Coordinator Tammy Meyer and Gary’s big day is still to be named. Join us with congratulations to all.
Modern Problems, Ancient Answers
Two Tai Chi classes for beginners are now being taught by the EBC’s Pat Jefferson, a 13 year student of Steve Rose’s Sonoma Mountain School of Tai Chi. EBC Classes meet on Tuesdays from 5:30-6:30 PM. All ages and abilities are welcome.
Oakmont Gardens classes for seniors meet on Wednesdays from 10:30-11:30 AM. The class is taught mostly sitting in chairs with some standing. Vision impaired individuals are encouraged to participate fully.
Tai Chi is a Chinese exercise with its roots deep in ancient culture. It is internal exercise, which cultivates life energy called qi (chi). We study the Yang style short form as taught by Chen Man Ching. Our practice follows the principles described in the Chinese classical writings. The postures and our movements are slow, flowing and relaxed.
Where Credit is Due
The nation’s three major consumer credit reporting companies today announced a comprehensive program to provide improved access to important credit information for people who are blind or visually impaired through their jointly operated website, AnnualCreditReport.com.
The initiative will help protect the credit information of individuals who cannot read a standard print credit report. At a blind customer's request, his or her credit report will carry a code that will enable the customer's computer to read the report aloud. Accessible credit reports for people with visual impairments will be available online by October 31 of this year. By the end of the year, the companies will also make credit reports available in Braille and other formats at no charge to qualified individuals who cannot access print information.
Baseball! Blind?
As early as I can remember, I was playing baseball. Pee-Wee’s, Little League, and High School ball. I took home MVP title 4 years in a row along with All-Star player 5 years straight. I batted cleanup and I was also a switch hitter. I generally played first base and center field.
Once I lost my sight however, I thought my baseball days were through. Fortunately, being so involved with the Earle Baum Center, I made some good contacts and got in touch with the Captain for the Stockton Stingrays, a pro beep baseball team. I learned that through auditory signals like a beeping ball and buzzing bases, the blind can play baseball again or for the first time. What’s great about this version of baseball is that anyone can play. Everyone is blindfolded to level the playing field and your own pitcher pitches the ball to you and with guiding commands, you can really smash that beeping ball.
It is too easy to get depressed by doing nothing, so I keep active to take up the down time. I can’t wait for the next time that the Earle Baum Center will have more games because this is such a fun sport. I strongly encourage anyone interested in sports to give it a shot and have some fun. Give the EBC a call and join us for a game some time.
Sean Ryan, EBC Volunteer
Vision Loss on the Rise
Millions of Americans are currently living with age-related eye disease, and according to the latest research from Prevent Blindness America and the National Eye Institute, that number is continuing to climb. With over 130 million Americans aged 40 and older, more than 30 million suffer from leading causes of vision loss such as cataract, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration and glaucoma, according to the newly-revised edition of the Vision Problems in the U.S. study.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) cases rose 25 percent, the largest increase of the major eye diseases. Currently, 2 million Americans have been diagnosed with AMD.
Diabetic retinopathy affects more than 4.4 million. As the diabetes epidemic rages on, the number of cases of the disease will continue to soar.
There are 2.29 million American adults with glaucoma, the sneak thief of sight. But two million more are estimated to have the disease and do not know it.
Cataract is the leading cause of blindness in the world, and 22.3 million American adults have the disease. Although surgery can be highly successful, not all Americans are fortunate enough to have access to affordable care.
As the baby boomer population continues to age, the number of visually impaired is expected to double over the next 30 years. And, from an economic perspective, the costs associated with adult vision problems in the United States are $51.4 billion.
The good news is that in most cases, the effects of eye disease can be minimized through early detection and treatment. Everyone should make an appointment for an examination with their eye care professional today to help protect their sight.
“See America” Contest
Prevent Blindness America has launched its “See America” contest in an effort to educate Americans about the importance of preventative eye exams. The contest is open to all those affected by impaired vision or vision loss who feel as though they have “missed” important moments in their lives.
From now until July 31, entrants are asked to submit stories about a time in their life that they had to sacrifice due to poor eye health. A secondary component of the contest is to include a destination within the United States that entrants want to visit if they win and why that destination is so important to them. Families of the visually impaired are also invited to submit nominations.
The grand prize winner will receive four complimentary plane tickets to any United States destination of their choice. The first runner up will receive two complimentary plane tickets. Contestants must be legal U.S. residents and 14 years of age or older. For more information, visit www.preventblindness.org/seeamerica or call 1-800-331-2020 to receive information on submissions by mail or fax.
A Kind Gift
Your donation goes a long way at the EBC.
$30 brings a video magnifier for one year to a low income client.
$50 covers tuition and materials for 8 weeks of our BMS Activity Club.
$75 pays for one hour of professional Mobility or Living Skills Training.
$250 pays for a 12 week Introduction to Vison Loss class for a low income client.
$500 buys magnification software for a low vision computer user.
$1000 pays the cost of screen reading software for a blind computer user.
BAADS
Arriving near AT&T baseball park my family and I located a parking spot and began to walk towards the marina. The San Francisco day was sunny with a brisk breeze. We met our group, the Bay Area Association of Disabled Sailors (BAADS) and began walking to the boats. On the pier we opened lockers, pulled out orange life jackets and strapped them on. Sailors who brought guide dogs strapped specially made life jackets on their dogs; their Labrador tails wagging. We were assigned to groups and boarded the waiting keel boats.
Quickly, we were off, the Keel boats and passengers launched. The brisk air grew vigorous, the sun shown brighter and the boat rocked excitedly. Our Captain piloted the vessel into the bay while we, the passengers and fellow sailors rode on the deck soaking up the environment. Soon, it was my turn to pilot the keel boat. Captain Dan gave me instructions on holding the wheel and turning into the waves according to the direction I wished to travel. It was exhilarating to pilot a sail boat full of happy and adventurous fellow disabled people through the bay. The vast expanse of sea felt buoyant and powerful beneath the small vessel I was piloting. Too soon, I relinquished the wheel for others to take a turn, but now I’m hooked on sailing!
The rest of the trip was as exciting. We ate lunch on the bay rocking all the while in the sail boat. The wind picked up and as the Captain and crew smiled from ear to ear, our speed increased on the return home. We could touch the bay’s salt water with our hands and feel the spray on our cheeks. I imagined we were racing through the bay heading to a distant island or shore for unknown delights. Perhaps next time, my guide dog Jam will join us on the Bay for a sailing adventure, because there will be a next time; I’m hooked.
From the BAADS website, “Sailing is an exciting, elemental experience. With the wind brisk and the waves washing against the hull, there's an undeniable feeling of camaraderie as all aboard become part of the triad of nature, boat, and crew. The Bay Area Association of Disabled Sailors strives to make this experience accessible to all BAADS members, their families, friends and caregivers. Whether you get about in a wheelchair, navigate with a cane, or are able bodied, BAADS exists to open this exhilarating sport to you.”
For more information contact BAADS:
Phone: 415-281-0212
Web site: http://www.baads.org
Jennifer Frazier, Assistive Tech. Specialist
Keep your vision sharp
Eat an egg. No offense meant to carrots, but research shows eggs are an even better source of the eye-friendly antioxidants known as carotenoids. Lutein and zeaxanthin are the crucial carotenoids for vision — the only ones that benefit the retina's fragile macula, which is responsible for central vision. Eggs don't contain as much lutein and zeaxanthin as dark green, leafy veggies, but your body is better able to absorb the antioxidants in eggs. Worried about cholesterol? Eating an egg a day increases blood levels of lutein (by 26%) and zeaxanthin (by 38%) without raising cholesterol or triglyceride levels.
On Line and On Target
Want to help but short on time? Donating on line is easy. Visit our web site at www.earlebaum.org and click the “Make a Gift” button on the left hand side.
Out & About
The next time you are in the City (SF) and looking for a great place to eat, try the Delancey Street Restaurant. On the Embarcadero, not far from AT&T Park, the food is as good as the service, with both indoor and outdoor seating. Sunday brunch is my favorite, with $7 omelets, eggs benedict, waffles, pancakes, bagels and lox and of course, a mimosa to enjoy in the sun.
On my first visit, I informed the manager that the signs on the restrooms were not accessible. Before my next visit, it had been corrected. More than a restaurant, the Delancey
Street Foundation helps people who have hit rock bottom rebuild their lives. The restaurant is staffed by folks getting a second chance. Trainees start out bussing tables and washing dishes, working their way up the ladder. It’s a real feel good kind of place. Delancey Street is located at 800 Embarcadero Ave. (415) 512-5179.
Beryl Brown, Volunteer Lead
Accessible Play Time
With its long history of making theater accessible to the entire community, The Mountain Play of Marin County presents one musical per year in a spectacular outdoor amphitheatre on top of Mt. Tamalpais. The Mountain Play will offer Descriptive Services for visually impaired patrons at the June 7th production of the 'Wizard of Oz.' Those patrons who wish to use this service can sit anywhere in the theatre with their party. The Mountain Play provides a 50% discount on tickets for patrons with a visual impairment requiring descriptive services. Reservations must be made in advance as receivers are limited. Please call the office for reservations at 415-383-1100.
How to Pick Good Sunglasses
There's more to choosing shades than how good they look on you. Your sunglasses should keep damaging sunrays away from your eyes.
If you really want to be comfortable in the glare and protect your eyes -- and your children's eyes -- there is more to selecting sunglasses than mere "coolness". Although the human body is great at replacing some damaged cells, the cells in the lens of the eye are never replaced. Damage from ultraviolet and (to a lesser degree) infrared rays can build up over a lifetime and lead to cloudy areas on the lens of your eye called cataracts. It's hard to see through cataracts, and they often must be removed surgically. Macular Degeneration also may be accelerated by too much unfiltered sun blasting the retinas.
You mainly want to guard against ultraviolet rays. Most sunglasses, coated with UV blockers, block the ultraviolet B rays, but the cheaper ones may cheat a little on ultraviolet A. Examine the label. Clear glass transmits 90% of light. Lightly tinted lenses let in 75% to 80% of light. For people with normal vision, military standards specify that only 15% of light should penetrate.
Overall, gray absorbs light across the spectrum most equally. There are amber-colored lenses called "blue blockers." They do not block UV very well and may cause the pupil to dilate and let in more ultraviolet. Another popular option is "polarized" sunglasses. These are very helpful against reflected light. Wearing sunglasses is especially important between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. For kids, you want wearability, something comfortable that they will keep on. Glass is adequate at blocking UV but polychromic sunglasses -- glass lenses that get darker as you encounter brightness -- are the gold standard. They are heavy, but glass doesn't scratch as easily as plastic.
From the Center
Recreation, sports, fitness, social activities, travel…what does that all have to do with adjusting to sight loss? Why is the Earle Baum Center so concerned about being a Community Center in addition to a Training Center? These are questions that I have spent time considering well before the EBC opened its doors in 1999. The answers are both universal to all people with vision loss and very personal to me.
When I was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa, I took a fair amount of time absorbing the future impact it might have on my life. My wife Christina and I spent time brainstorming on our values and priorities to determine if we were on the path that will lead to that which is most important. We found that some of the important things I enjoyed may be in jeopardy and we needed to put to good use the time I had remaining with functional sight. There was no local community of people who were blind and visually impaired to turn to and gain a reasonable perspective and understanding of the things that will change, as well as those that need not change.
We made some choices that seemed dramatic but were also exciting. We sold our businesses and spent time traveling, exploring exotic locations, scuba diving and filling our hours with as much as we could so I would feel like nothing was left out. Yet, doing so much for future memories was not like storing photos in an album. The more I did, the more I wanted to do; I knew I wouldn’t be satisfied living on memories.
While spending time conceptualizing and working on the future EBC, I was fortunate to learn about a downhill ski program that gave people with vision loss a chance to learn to ski or continue enjoying the sport. Having never skied before, I joined Discovery Blind Sports and over the next number of years, became an avid skier. I never imagined jumping off a cornice onto a steep, double black diamond run as a sighted person no less a blind one, and participating in this sport opened up my eyes to many more opportunities. After all, one can only be a ski bum during winter. I was inspired to continue scuba diving, hiking, took up boogie boarding and even was given the opportunity to drive a formula Ford race car at Sears Point Raceway. Legally driving way beyond any highway speed limit was thrilling. What was going on? This blindness thing seemed to open up opportunities to me that I would never have known when I was on my earlier path.
My knees have ordered me to stop skiing and my interest in diving has passed but those voids are now filled by kayaking and many other passions. I no longer believe that losing sight ends opportunities to live a very fulfilling life. More strongly, I believe that the skills we train at the EBC only benefit people if they are used. Perhaps, like me, others will take the “risk” and become a part of the Community Center activities at the EBC and one day realize that they are indeed stronger, more confident, happier and more ambitious, leading to the use of those skills that are so ably taught by our teachers. The range of activities include our Body, Mind and Spirit Activity Group, sports such as tandem bike rides and beepball, tap dance and Tai Chi classes, music groups, TGIF Barbecues, parties, live entertainment, described movie days, etc. Not just a training center, the Earle Baum Center is much more. If you are losing sight, please give us a try. You might be surprised that it feels much better to feel much better than to hide behind your fears and sorrow.
Allan Brenner, CEO
Free Reading Service
ReadThisToMe is a free reading service for blind and low-vision people, powered by volunteers and Internet collaboration.
ReadThisToMe allows blind and low-vision people to have printed documents read to them over the phone. All a person needs is a phone line and a fax machine (no computer is required.) Here's how it works:
The client faxes the document to be read to the ReadThisToMe toll-free fax number: 1-877-333-8848. The first page of the fax needs to be a cover page that includes the client's first name and callback (voice) phone number. The document itself can be just about anything: a handwritten letter, a bill, a can of food, a multi-page magazine article -- just about anything that can be faxed. One of ReadThisToMe's volunteer readers will call the client back — usually within an hour — and read the document.
The service is available throughout the U.S. and Canada and is absolutely free. ReadThisToMe needs more volunteer readers: all volunteers need are a few minutes a day and willingness to make a long-distance phone call.
Income Gap
A recent study at UCLA says that in Sonoma County, an elder couple with a mortgage will need almost $19,000 to supplement the average $22,000 Social Security payment in order to meet their annual living expenses. Even with no mortgage, the couple will still need an additional $4,000 to meet expenses. For renters, the gap is almost $10,000. In addition to housing, costs per person average about $230 for food, $200 for transportation, $300 for health care and $240 for miscellaneous expenses each month.
To Your Health
The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) is a consumer advocacy organization whose twin missions are to conduct innovative research and advocacy programs in health and nutrition, and to provide consumers with current, useful information about their health and well-being. For more information on everything from food labeling to environmentally friendly diets, visit www.cspinet.org .
What Seasonings Can Replace Salt?
Herbs and spices are the answer to improving the natural flavors in food without using salt. Below are some mixtures to use for meats, poultry, fish, vegetables, soups, and salads.
Spicy Blend
2 tablespoons dried savory, crumbled
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground white pepper
1 tablespoon dry mustard
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
2 1/2 teaspoons onion powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon curry powder
Saltless Surprise
2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 teaspoon basil
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon powdered lemon rind or dehydrated lemon juice
Herb Seasoning
2 tablespoons dried dill weed or basil leaves, crumbled
1 teaspoon celery seed
2 tablespoons onion powder
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano leaves, crumbled
A pinch of freshly ground pepper
Spicy Seasoning
1 teaspoon cloves
1 teaspoon pepper
2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon coriander seed (crushed)
1 tablespoon rosemary
We thank our recent donors for their generosity
Clyde C. & Helen J. Greco
Virginia Craig
Howard Meyer
Clifford Stanton Heinz Trust
Ruth Allan
Alfred and Dorothy Andersen
Tesfamariam Arey
George and Rosemarie Barlesi
Katherine Basque
Esther Berg
Lucy Blass
Diana Bonovitch
Christine Boyd
Harriet Boysen
Allan Brenner
Roselie Brenner
Beryl Brown
Jim Burns
Don and Thera Buttaro
Edna Calamusa
Jan Callen
Jane Cochrane
Bill Condon
Joe Cowan
Bob Cuneo
Wil and Kathryn Edelbrock
Caroline & John Ellis
Paul and Mary Fehrnstrom
Charlotte Fisher
Nadine Foreman
Ruth Foster
Lincoln French
Lois Garloff
Helen Gebhart
Lois Gimm
Howard and Elsie Goines
Ivan Griess
Eva Guerrero
Leticia Gutierrez
Grace Hall
Clare and Carla Harris
Donald & Gloria Heid
Inese Heinzel
Susan Hirshfield
Catherine Lawson
Shirley LeBlond
Stuart Manley
Stuart Martin
Delena Martinez
Barbara Matzen
Lisa Bleed & Michael Neal
Elizabeth Minervini
James Missler
John Montalto
Susan Mullaly
Florence Nelson
Irene Norgaard
Gary and Sheryl Orndorff
Deborah Parks
Annette Peltz
Nelson Pereira
Raymond Phillips
Claude & Marie Pike
Gloria Quadros
Steve Ramm
Frances Redwine
John Roarick
Charles Robinson
Marvin Sandler
Marie Schutz
Ethel Scrievers
Orey and Rose Shrogin
Kenneth and Susan Shuell
Erik Smiley
John Staroba
Tanya Stefan
Roger and Irene Stewart
Jeannette Stewart
Cordel Stillman
Bob Stolzman
Kinjiro and Keiko Takahashi
Gin Takahashi
Eugene Tedeschi
Patty Trebotich
Marsha Vas Dupre
Gladys Vice
Robin Williams
Maxine Williams
Robert Zie
Printing of this newsletter generously donated by GPM Printing-Rohnert Park.
Our apologies if we’ve omitted your name. If you should have been listed and were not, please contact Phil Swetin at 523-3222.
New Event, Old Hand
The sport of rowing has been added to the program for the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing, China. FISA, the international rowing federation, introduced adaptive rowing at the world championship level in 2002. The United States has fielded an adaptive team in each of the past three world championships, winning three gold and seven overall medals in their first three years of competition.
Especially exciting to the Earle Baum Center family is the presence of a familiar name on the U.S. team, Aerial Gilbert. Our own Board of Directors President will be representing our country at the Beijing Paralympics, September 6-17. It took many years of competition, commitment, training and focus to achieve this level of proficiency. Aerial is documenting her journey from training to the Games on her web site, http:/home.earthlink.net/~gdbdeanne/worlds2003/index.html . Let’s follow her odyssey and keep her in our hearts and minds as she completes this extraordinary adventure.
Women at Greater Risk
More women than men are diagnosed with vision threatening eye disease every year. Potentially blinding diseases such as glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy strike women in some cases almost twice as much as men. Although the theories for the cause of this vary, the numbers illustrate a disturbing truth.
More Music
The American Musical Theater of San Jose is committed to bringing a great theatre experience to all of their patrons. With a nationally recognized accessibility program, they continually strive to provide accommodations and services to make musical theatre productions accessible to everyone. AMTSJ also provides audio-described, “Backstage Access ” tactile tours. The 2008 schedule includes Beauty and the Beast from May 21-25. To request any accessibility service, please call the Box Office at: (408) 453-1550, or email to AMTSJ-Access@amtsj.org .
EarleFest is Coming!
Announcing one of the premier Sonoma County events of 2008! Named in honor of our founding donor, EarleFest celebrates the highly evolved roots music of our nation, “Americana Music”. This benefit fundraiser for the Earle Baum Center will be held Saturday, September 27 from noon to 6:30 PM. Tickets are priced at $40 advance, $50 at the gate.
A limited number of sponsorship and volunteer opportunities are available. For more information, contact our Development Department at 523-3222.
Saturday Jam Sessions
Come & enjoy an afternoon of music and fun! Meet us in room 4 at 3 PM and play or listen until you get tired. Singers, Drummers, Guitarists, Fiddlers, Pianists! Whatever you can imagine or play, bring it and have fun. For more details or to sign up, please contact Sean at 523-3222.
Attention Amazon Shoppers
If you visit the Amazon.com web site by clicking the Amazon button at the bottom of the EBC home page, a portion of your purchase is returned to us as a donation.
EBC Barbecues Begin Soon
May 16, June 6, June 20
July 18, August 1, August 15
September 5
Call for reservations or information
Garden Club
Planting begins in May. Give us a call if you are interested in helping plant and care for our vegetable garden.
Audio Voter Information Guide
A downloadable audio version of the Official Voter Information Guide is available online at http://www.voterguide.sos.ca.gov/audio/
MISSION STATEMENT
It is the mission of the Earle Baum Center to provide opportunities for people who are blind or visually impaired to improve and enrich their personal, social and economic lives.
EARLE BAUM CENTER
4539 Occidental Road
Santa Rosa, CA 95401
www.earlebaum.org Fax: (707) 636-2768