ACB Diabetics in Action is going to the dogs this year at our annual seminar. The title of the seminar is Diabetic Aids: K-9 Friends to New Technology. One of our presenters comes from Service Dogs for Diabetics, Inc., a school that trains service dogs to aid insulin-dependent diabetics. We invite anyone to come who has an interest in finding out how our four-legged friends can assist us in other ways. We will also hear from speakers on what new accessible devices are coming out to help people who are blind or visually impaired manage their diabetes. And we're trying something new this year: hosting a breakfast! Immediately after the breakfast, we'll hold our annual business meeting. So we hope you will rise and shine early so you can get a healthy start to your convention day by having a filling breakfast, and taking care of ACBDA business. Plan to join us for our seminar and breakfast.
As many of you know, Friends-in-Art (FIA) puts on the Showcase of the Performing Arts in conjunction with ACB's annual conventions. One of the fixtures of this event is the house band known as Grade Four Braille and the Funky Fonts. This band consists of keyboards, guitar, bass, drums, and horns. We are particularly adept at playing swing, pop, and R&B standards.
If you are coming to Phoenix this year and wish to perform with the band, please send an e-mail to Gordon Kent, [email protected], by June 15, 2010 with the following information:
1. Your name, e-mail address, and telephone number (I may have to call you);
2. The title of the song you wish to perform, and the key in which you wish to perform it.
As we will back no more than 10 acts this year, priority will be given to those who alert us of their chosen song by the June 15 date.
Also please note that you will need to attend the FIA mixer on Sunday, July 11 between 4 and 5:30 p.m. and schedule some time to rehearse with the band during the mornings of Monday, July 12 and Tuesday, July 13.
The band looks forward to working with you in Phoenix; thanks for your cooperation.
The heat of July in Arizona is not to be underestimated. Don't risk burns and illness to your guide dogs. Please remember to bring booties or protective gear for your dog's paws! Paw pad injuries are hard to treat because healing is slow due to the constant weight-bearing and pressure on the injured paw. Burns due to hot pavement don't affect just one paw, but all of them, further complicating the healing process.
Wondering what the GDUI convention program holds for you? Here is a peek at the program highlights. On Sunday, July 11th, your favorite guide dog instructors will be giving scheduled orientation tours of the hotel common areas. Don't miss the affiliate roundup on Sunday afternoon. The breakfast bunch meets each weekday morning at 7 a.m. to walk to Steve's Greenhouse Grill, where the staff is eager to meet all of the guide dog teams.
Monday, July 12th, starts with our opening ceremony. The guide dog schools will provide an update on their programs. Afterwards, an emergency vet will teach us how to assess our guides using non-visual clues. On Monday evening, Franciscan Friars will provide a "blessing of the guide dogs" at St. Mary's Basilica, and give us tours. The Basilica is the oldest in Arizona, and is on the historic registry. We'll finish the day with an ice cream social at the Basilica.
Tuesday, July 13th, we mix GDUI business and personal finance. We will have the honor of hosting Dr. Karen Felsted, the executive director of the National Commission of Veterinary Economic Issues (NCVEI). She is both a CPA and a veterinarian. We will learn about pets, vets, and debts. How can you evaluate animal health insurance? Can it be a tool to manage your finances?
Our luncheon speaker is known worldwide. Join us to hear dog-loving lawman Sheriff Joe Arpaio of Maricopa County. His presentation, "Law, Order, and Justice for Animals: Get Schooled by the Sheriff," is sure to teach and entertain. Did you know that Sheriff Arpaio started the Maricopa Animal Safe Hospice (MASH) unit in 2000? MASH I and II provide humane care to victims of the four-legged variety. Sheriff Joe has welcomed truckloads of dogs and cats from Hurricane Katrina. The MASH units have horses, goats, sheep, pigs, dogs, and cats in residence. In response to animal abuse cases of unspeakable cruelty, he created the Animal Cruelty Investigations Unit, which now investigates about 500 cases a month. Following Sheriff Joe's speech is our live auction.
Thanks to IVIE program chair Carla Hayes, IVIE has an excellent program planned during the upcoming ACB convention. IVIE will hold its networking breakfast and business meeting on Monday, July 12, from 7:00 to 8:30 a.m. We will have a plated breakfast with sausage and muffin. The price will be $23 when pre-registering, $25 at convention.
On Tuesday, July 13, we invite you to visit the IVIE Business Expo and check out the products and services of IVIE members and other business owners from 4 to 7 p.m. Any interested ACB member can purchase booth space at the Business Expo and sell any products or services. For IVIE members, each booth costs $10; for non-members, the booth price is $25.
On Wednesday, July 14, IVIE will hold its luncheon and program from 12:30-2:30 p.m. Earlene Hughes, the ACB webmaster, will speak on "How to set up shopping carts" and the Phoenix Attorney General's Office Crime, Fraud and Victim Resource Center will speak on "Scams, Shams, Spams and Deceptive Business Practices." Meet IVIE members and network.
Please send your check for membership dues and/or booth expense to Sila Miller, 2201 Limerick Dr., Tallahassee, FL 32309. Membership in IVIE is only $15 per year (due on July 1st) and includes a free listing on www.ivie-acb.org, our quarterly audio newsletter, and the ability to join our members-only listserv to exchange ideas. We look forward to seeing many of you in Phoenix! For more information, contact Ardis Bazyn at [email protected] or (818) 238-9321.