Now Available: Willard Scott Public Service Announcements to Promote ACB
Willard Scott of NBC's "Today Show" recently recorded a set of three 30-second radio public service announcements for ACB. The package is expected to be ready for distribution about the time you receive your September "Braille Forum." If your affiliate has a public relations committee or someone to promote your group, please ask that committee or person in the know to share the call letters and mailing address of the largest radio stations in your area with Billie Jean Keith. Some radio stations do not broadcast pre-recorded PSAs, but if there are radio stations in your area that do carry such PSAs, then they will be thrilled to receive these.
The package contains a CD with the three PSAs, a letter introducing ACB to the radio station and asking that the spots be played, along with the printed text of the recording. Contact Billie Jean by phone at (703) 528-4455, or send an e-mail message to [email protected].
BFLAG Shows Its Colors in Baltimore
BFLAG was well represented in Baltimore's Pride Parade on June 14th. BFLAG members Butch Arnold, Larry King and Auggie Dorsett along with friends Erin and Ryan made sure all went well. While Ryan took most pictures, and Auggie got the drinks ready, Larry and Erin bravely walked and proudly held the new BFLAG banner high. Butch drove the "GEM" car 15 feet behind them. As the group passed the reviewing stand, BFLAG's 2003 convention in Pittsburgh got a very good plug and the crowd roared.
After the two-hour parade, the group piled back in the "GEM" and went to the Club Atlantis for more pride festivities. The BFLAG banner hung proudly at the entrance all night for all to see and read. Spectators commented on how nice the BFLAG pins and flag looked and many more people now know what BFLAG is. The banner we carried was displayed at our convention for all to see.
ACB of Maryland Has A New Chapter!
ACB of Maryland is pleased to announce the formation of a new chapter which is currently meeting in Bowie. For more information, call Juanita Hartsfield at (410) 672-7191 or ACB of Maryland at (410) 529-9475.
LUA Elects Officers
LUA elected officers during the convention in Pittsburgh. They are: Sharon Strzalkowski, president; Paul Edwards, vice president; Rachel Ames, secretary; Pat Price, treasurer; and Earlene Hughes, board member. Congratulations!
VIDPI Blown to BITS
The annual meeting of VIDPI was held on July 10, 2003 in Pittsburgh. At that time, the organization voted to change its name to Blind Information Technology Specialists or BITS.
BITS also elected new officers: Robert Rogers, president; Frank Welte, vice president; Earlene Hughes, secretary; Mary Abramson, treasurer; James Denham, membership secretary; and Susan Thompson, board member. With the election of Susan Thompson from Australia, BITS became truly an international ACB affiliate.
North Carolina Convention Coming Soon!
The North Carolina Council of the Blind's state convention will be held September 26-28, 2003 at the Holiday Inn in Burlington, N.C. For reservations call (336) 229-5203. Room rates are $59 single or double, plus tax. Contact President Wayne Yelton at (336) 562-5884 for more information.
SCLC-VIVA's Calendar of Events
The South Carolina Low Country chapter of VIVA has a busy year planned. Take a look ahead! If you'll be in the area and are interested in one of these activities, call (843) 763-0785 and see if there's room for you.
- October 9-11: South Carolina state convention
- October 20: No See'um Drive Golf Tournament
- November 8: SCLC-VIVA general meeting
- December 13: VIVA/ACB Christmas party, story telling, Toys for Tots and sponsoring blind and visually impaired students, fun for all.
Minnesota State Convention Just Around the Corner
The American Council of the Blind of Minnesota (ACBM) state convention will be held October 10-12 at the Doubletree Hotel, 1500 Park Place Blvd., St. Louis Park, MN 55416; phone (952) 542- 8600. Room rates are $95 per night. If cost is a problem, you can double up with friends. There can be up to four in a room. The total cost for the convention itself, including banquet, two continental breakfasts, and three snacks is $75 per person.
This year's convention theme is "Focusing on the Future: An Intergenerational Approach." Themes include post-secondary education, employment, assistive technology, health care coverage, ADA employment issues, and a discussion of financial planning with Doug Psick, financial planner for TCF Bank.
There will also be exhibits, a Chinese auction, and raffle, plus social activities for students and young adults.
Sessions start at 7 p.m. Friday, October 10th with a hospitality room, and continue on Saturday and Sunday with discussion of the above topics. Saturday evening, we will hold a banquet with a program, including Steve Speicher, ACB First Vice President, to discuss the national perspective. The convention will end at noon Sunday, October 12th. There will be scholarships available for those who wish to attend and cannot afford the cost.
Come one, come all. Join the fun and get some information on important topics.
Come to Alaska and Enjoy Our Convention
Alaska Independent Blind's state convention will be held October 9-11, 2003 in Anchorage, at the West Coast International Inn, 3333 International Airport Rd. For reservations, call (907) 563-2525 in Anchorage or 1-800 478-9998.
Laughter, Leadership and More in Nevada
The Nevada Council of the Blind will hold its 31st state convention October 10 & 11, 2003 at the East Las Vegas Community/Senior Center, 250 N. Eastern Ave., Las Vegas, Nev. Dial the NCB phone number, (702) 383-0600, for additional details. The theme will be the "3 L's" -- "Laughter, Legislature, Leadership."
Ohio Convention
ACB of Ohio will be holding its 2003 state convention at the Holiday Inn on the Lane, 328 Lane Avenue, Columbus, October 10-12, 2003. The theme of the convention is "Endless Vision." Contact Arlene Cohen via e-mail, [email protected], or via phone, (440) 449-2212, for further info.
California Conventions in Los Angeles, Newark
The California Council of the Blind will hold its fall convention October 16-19, 2003 at the Crowne Plaza Los Angeles Airport Hotel, 5985 West Century Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90045-5463. Call (310) 642-7500 or 888-315-3700 to make your reservations. Rooms are $70(tax included) single or double occupancy. CCB's spring convention will be held April 15-18, 2004 at the Hilton Newark/Fremont Hotel, 39900 Balentine Drive, Newark, CA 94560. Call (510) 490-8390 or 1-800-445-8667 for reservations. Rooms are $70 (tax included) for single or double occupancy.
Oregon Convention
ACB of Oregon's convention will be held Oct. 17-18, 2003 at the Ramada Inn, 225 Coburg Rd., Eugene, OR 97401. Call (541) 342-5181 for reservations. Room rates are $60 per night plus 9.5 percent tax. Contact Bev Rushing at (503) 362-4151 for more information.
ACB of Maine Convening in Waterville
ACB of Maine's 100th annual convention will take place October 24-26 at the Holiday Inn in Waterville. Rates are $63 a night plus tax. Contact Carson Wood at (207) 856-7368 or via e-mail, [email protected], for more information.
Pennsylvania Convention Features Exhibits, Updates and More
The Pennsylvania Council of the Blind state convention will be held at the Adam's Mark Hotel City Avenue and Monument Road in Philadelphia. The dates are Oct. 31 to Nov. 2. Hotel rates are $79 per night plus tax. Activities will include a tour to Independence Hall, a large exhibit expo emphasizing independence, an update on digital books and public library services, a discussion of services with state agency representatives, and an update on ACB and legislation by Melanie Brunson. For more information, contact the Pennsylvania Council of the Blind office at 1-800-736-1410.
Delaware Council Awards Scholarship
The Delaware Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired awarded its 2003 John Cahall Memorial Scholarship to Blake Roberts of Felton, Del. Blake attends Delaware Technical and Community College and is majoring in human services and counseling. DCBVI's president, Lynn Schneider, and Philomena Cahall presented Blake with his award at the annual DCBVI summer picnic on Saturday, July 19. DCBVI extends its congratulations to Blake and its best wishes in all his future endeavors. The Delaware Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired established the John Cahall Memorial Scholarship Fund to assist legally blind Delaware residents with the cost of post-secondary education or training. Named in memory of DCBVI's late past president, John Cahall, the scholarship fund hopes to help legally blind Delaware residents to achieve their educational and training goals.
Applications for the 2004 scholarship will be available in November 2003. If you are a legally blind Delaware resident pursuing post-secondary education or training and would like an application, please write to Sharon Sutlic, DCBVI Scholarship Committee, 49 Abbey Road, Newark, DE 19702. Applications may also be obtained from DCBVI's web page at www.dcbvi.org. The deadline for returning applications is March 31, 2004.