All times listed are in Eastern.
Sunday, January 19, 2025
9 am: ACB Presents The Daily Schedule
Join your Community Morning Crew for the question of the day; reading of the daily schedule; and sharing time.
11 am: The Breakfast Bunch
Join Tom and the gang for an hour of free-flowing conversation.
1 pm: Sunday Edition - Adventures In AI
Buckle up for a thrilling, mind-bending journey into the electrifying realm of AI! Starring: • The unstoppable Jenine Stanley, armed with wit, wisdom, and maybe a surprise Aira announcement! • Shawn Keen, the visionary mastermind behind AI for the Blind, rallying 7,000 strong and proving accessibility is just the beginning. • The dynamic Joy Mistovich, breaking barriers and turning accessibility into an art form—literally. This week’s blockbuster topics include: • The Matrix Effect: How ChatGPT, OpenAI, and wearables are transforming productivity, creativity, and accessibility.
3 pm: Blind Quilters Guild
Join our monthly blind and visually impaired sewing and quilting guild to learn more about tips, tricks, and techniques to develop sewing and quilting skills.
Sponsored by ACB Crafters, making crafting accessible
3 pm: Ask the Pastor
Ask Pastor Bill your questions about the Bible or the Christian life. A teaching will be followed by your questions. Prayer requests can then be shared if desired. This event is open to anyone regardless of their denomination.
4 pm: St Lucy's Guide
We will be discussing C.S. Lewis and the virtue of faith.
5 pm: Let's Encourage Each Other with Scripture
Encourage with the word, scripture, and maybe a prayer.
6 pm: Braille Room
Join fellow braille learners and enthusiasts to study the code; practice skills; and troubleshoot problems in break out rooms.
Note: This event is using breakouts. Everyone must identify themselves to participate.
Subscribe to Braille Together email group
8 pm: Happy Hospitality Lodge
Come in and enjoy lively conversation and hospitality. Patty Fletcher, and Bar Tender Judy, are in the lodge serving it up southern style.
Sponsored by Pattys Worlds
10 pm: The Tripple G Cafe
Come and talk about whatever you want to talk about. This is a great way to get to know those in the community.
Note: This event is using breakouts. Everyone must identify themselves to participate.
Monday, January 20, 2025
9 am: ACB Presents The Daily Schedule
Join your Community Morning Crew for the question of the day; reading of the daily schedule; and sharing time.
10 am: A Message of Love
Join DJ for a word of motivation, inspiration, edification, and encouragement for the soul.
11 am: Manic Monday
Join Judy with your favorite morning beverage to get ready for the week ahead.
11 am: Scriptural Rosary
Pray the Sorrowful Mysteries with Mary Haupt and her prayer partners.
1 pm: Harambee - Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Join the Harambee Alliance of the Blind for a time of remembrance and reflections. Share your thoughts of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.; The Man, The Message, The Mission. All are welcome.
Sponsored by Harambee Alliance of the Blind
Subscribe to the Harambee email list
2 pm: JC's Community Corner - The Future of Traveling
Join JC and your community friends as we discuss the future of traveling.
3 pm: A Review of Be My Eyes and AIRA, Part 2
Back by popular demand, we will continue our discussion on the Be My Eyes and AIRA apps. All r welcome to share their knowledge and experiences.
3 pm: The Jewish Hour
The last life cycle event.
Subscribe to the Jewish Hour email list.
4 pm: Deciphering Dots
Join us to decipher Do You Like My Bike?? by Norm Feuti, available on BARD (BR24181. This book has the text in both uncontracted and contracted braille in one volume, so learners at all levels can enjoy it. We will first explore the layout of the book, and then put our skills to practice by taking turns reading lines.
Subscribe to Braille Together email group
4 pm: Easy Chair Yoga
Come and enjoy easy chair yoga with modifications. We will be doing poses either in the chair or wherever you need to modify.
Sponsored by the ACB Get Up and Get moving Committee
5pm: Sports Round Table
Join the Sports Spelunkers as we highlight the wonderful, wide, and wacky world of (primarily) U.S. team sports.
6 pm: Friendship Circle
Take your connection to the next level! Participate in smaller gatherings of three to five people in friendship circles and will do them as many times as we can in one hour.
Note: This event is using breakouts. Everyone must identify themselves to participate.
7 pm: Get the Scoop
Join Kaila and friends to tell the story behind your answer to the daily question. Choose one of the previous week's questions and give us the full scoop!
7:30 pm: It's Electric Plus
We will discuss Electric kitchen appliances, large or small plus gadgets, tips and more for tasty, easy food prep!
8 pm: CCLVI Peer Support Gathering
Are you experiencing the low vision journey, and would you like to talk with others who are on a similar one as well? We can relate to and learn from one another.
Disclaimer: The purpose of this group is for peer support only. It is not a therapy group; will not be facilitated by a health care professional; and does not purport to provide mental health services.
Sponsored by Council of Citizens with low vision International
8 pm: Honoring Dr. King’s Vision of a Community of Care and Trust
The Multicultural Affairs Committee and Harambee Alliance of the Blind and Visually Impaired invites you to join us as we honor Dr. King’s life and principles and share with each other actions we as individuals can do to more fully build a caring and trusting beloved community.
Sponsored by Multi Cultural Affairs Committee and Harambee Alliance of the Blind and Visually Impaired
9 pm: Book Chat
Dogwood Blossom: growing up Native American, DBC11736, by Noriega, DeAnna Quietwater. Reading time: 1 hour, 15 minutes. Biography of Persons with Disabilities, Family. In Dogwood Blossom, the author invokes a simpler time and how it was growing up in a world that didn't always accept her. Poverty and oppression are no match for the strong bonds among the members of this hardworking and loving family. The life lessons here will resonate with readers young and old.
10 pm: Serenity
Embrace acceptance, cultivate inner peace, and find balance within, regardless of external circumstances or challenges.
Disclaimer: The purpose of this group is for peer support only. It is not a therapy group; will not be facilitated by a health care professional; and does not purport to provide mental health services.
Tuesday, January 21, 2025
9 am: ACB Presents The Daily Schedule
Join your Community Morning Crew for the question of the day; reading of the daily schedule; and sharing time.
10 am: Herbie's Community Cooking Corner
This time, Beef Stroganoff. If cooking along, you will need the following: Either Stew Beef or steak you can cut, diced onions, sliced mushrooms, Garlic (I recommend already pealed), a large can of cream of Mushroom soup, Sour Cream, Olive Oil, egg noodles, two pots.
Find the Cooking Corner on Youtube
Subscribe to the ACB Cooks email list
11 am: The Morning Mingle
Join Bel for some light-hearted conversation in a space where warmth and community spirit thrive.
11 am: Tuesday's Turning Pages Book Brunch
Dive into a unique literary experience every Tuesday morning at our ‘Tuesday’s Turning Pages Book Brunch.’ Delve into insightful discussions on financially based books and actively explore their suggestions as we read together. All featured books in our book brunch series are accessible in the NLS Catalog, free for blind individuals to sign up. Additionally, many titles are available in various formats on Amazon and other platforms.
Click here for information on topics and to get past recordings
Sponsored by Penny Forward
12 pm: Experience Inner Peace Through Yoga
Discover the changes within as we incorporate traditional breathing techniques, movements, and postures to find greater inner calm and balance.
2 pm: Abacus Made Simple
If you've heard about the abacus and wondered how it is used, or if you learned about it as a kid, this is the place! We'll start out at the beginning, and learn how to do all of the arithmetic applications!
3 pm: Homophones With Mary Haupt
Learn about "H O A R S E" and "H O R S E"; "S A I L" and "S A L E."
4 pm: Resistance With Leslie
It’s time for an upper body workout using resistance bands. Hand weights and the floor. These exercises can be done sitting or standing. Get moving with Leslie Spoone, Certified Aerobic Instructor and Personal Trainer.
Sponsored by The ACB Get Up and Get Moving Committee
4 pm: The Ins and Outs of Sight Loss Later in Life
Come discuss the unique issues and feelings you may experience if you are losing sight later in life. Hear from those who have taken this journey before you. Sponsored by Alliance on Aging and Vision Loss.
Disclaimer: The purpose of this group is for peer support only. It is not a therapy group; will not be facilitated by a health care professional; and does not purport to provide mental health services.
6 pm: Braille Room
Join fellow braille learners and enthusiasts to study the code; practice skills; and troubleshoot problems in break out rooms.
Note: This event is using breakouts. Everyone must identify themselves to participate.
Subscribe to Braille Together email group
6 pm: Cozy by the Fire Side
We will be discussing “Death By Cashmere by Sally Goldenbaum, DB80491.
7 pm: Tuesday Topics
“Have you ever played the blind card“? For Paul, the “blind card “means you are making it clear you are blind, so as to acquire an advantage that you might otherwise not have. Allowing yourself to be moved to the front of a line in the airport because your cane was noticed might be an example. There are lots of times on calls when we might say "I am blind". This may or may not confer an advantage! Is it fine to play “the blind card“? When is it not appropriate? When is it mandatory that you play it?
8 pm: Tuesday Night Huddle - Unlocking the Power to Be Kind to Yourself
This will be an engaging session where participants will learn and practice techniques, which will help them establish a more positive mindset. We will cover strategies which you can use on a daily basis to treat yourself with kindness. Presenters include Pam Shaw, Chair of ACB’s Mental Health and Wellness Committee and Amanda Selm, Immediate Past President of ACB’s Next Generation
Sponsored by ACB Next Generation
8 pm: RS Vendor check In - Vending/Micro Market Management
Scott has invited Patrick Brow, Regional Account Executive, from NAYAX to tell us about their latest products. If you come to Sagebrush, you can talk with them in person.
Click here for Sagebrush announcements and registration
Sponsored by Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America
9 pm: Community Friends
Are you making new friends within the ACB Community? Whether you call them besties or are just making new friends. Let's talk about our ACB Community Friends.
9 pm: Conversational French
Join Kathy to learn conversational French.
10 pm: The Chat Cafe
Now that it is truly winter. Pull up a chair, prop up your feet, sit by the fire, grab a mug of your favorite cold weather drink and let’s chat.
Sponsored by Hull Foundation and Learning Center.
Wednesday, January 22, 2025
9 am: ACB Presents The Daily Schedule
Join your Community Morning Crew for the question of the day; reading of the daily schedule; and sharing time.
10 am: Motivation on Mute - Get Things Done Together!
We will (1)Mute for 20 minutes to tackle personal tasks. E.g.” clean, organize, write, exercise, etc. (2)Share our progress and wins. (3)Repeat 1 and 2. Start your day off with success.
Sponsored by Living Inspired Fully Everyday
11 am: Lisa's Living Room with DJ Freshness
Come join us for hot topics, what's on your mind, show and tell, interviews, and DJ’s corner. Join our wacky Wednesday reboot.
1 pm: The Classical Music Place
Have you always loved classical music, and need a place to share that love? Are you relatively new to classical music, and wish to get more into it? Are you not sure just what to make of the term “classical music,” and wish to learn a bit more about it? If any of these apply to you, welcome in. This is not a lecture presentation, so participant give-and-take is welcome.
Subscribe to our daily email list.
2 pm: Creative Journey Book Club
Join in as we continue in Chapter 5 of 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do; DB 121267.
Disclaimer: The purpose of this group is for peer support only. It is not a therapy group; will not be facilitated by a health care professional; and does not purport to provide mental health services.
Sponsored by Creative Guidance LLC.
Email Creative Journey group facilitator
2 pm: Widows and Widowers Support Group
A space for those who have experienced the life-altering loss of a spouse or significant other. Join for a time of sharing and connection for remembering our partners. Gain ideas on how to make living alone easier.
Disclaimer: The purpose of this group is for peer support only. It is not a therapy group; will not be facilitated by a health care professional; and does not purport to provide mental health services.
3:30 pm: Happy Hour Cardio
Join Leslie for an enthusiastic ride or walk on your cardio machine of choice.
Sponsored by ACB Get Up and Get Moving Committee
4 pm: Lady A Talks with Tyanne
You can now get BARD on your Lady A device and for the next several weeks, Tyanne is going to give you the steps how to do it.
Sponsored by Hull Foundation and Learning Center.
4 pm: Living with No Vision
Whether you are new to living with no vision, or had no vision all of your life, Join us as we share our journey of challenges and experiences with those who understand.
Disclaimer: The purpose of this group is for peer support only. It is not a therapy group; will not be facilitated by a health care professional; and does not purport to provide mental health services.
5 pm: Healthy Living Support Group - Accountability
This week we will be sharing personal accountability goals. There will be a discussion on the name change for this call, and we’ll pick our book for the next book discussion.
Disclaimer: The purpose of this group is for peer support only. It is not a therapy group; will not be facilitated by a health care professional; and does not purport to provide mental health services.
5 pm: Introductory Spanish
Are you interested in learning Spanish but don't know where to start? Have you studied Spanish in the past but don't remember it well? During this hour, we practice Spanish at an introductory level, and everyone is encouraged to participate.
Join our email list at [email protected], where we discuss issues with learning Spanish and exchange resources, such as books in accessible format. .
6 pm: Weather or Not
We will discuss wild fires.
7 pm: ACB Women - What Feeds You?
Debbie Hazelton will help us thrive as we embrace the importance of taking care of our whole person, when something may be uncertain.
Sponsored by ACB Women
7 pm: Recipe Swap - Hot Drinks and Desserts
What goes better with a scrumptious dessert and a tasty hot beverage? Come to our next recipe swap to meet this dynamic duo. Bring a recipe to share or just come and say hi!
7 pm: Sharing and Caring Support Group For Care Givers
Come talk with others who understand the stresses of caring for loved ones, to share resources, or ask questions.
Disclaimer: The purpose of this group is for peer support only. It is not a therapy group; will not be facilitated by a health care professional; and does not purport to provide mental health services.
8 pm: Apple Bytes with Herbie Allen
Join BITS and presenter Herbie Allen, as we take a bite out of the Apple and take a closer look at Apple iOS devices, apps, accessories and peripherals. This month, Herbie takes a look at Facebook on the iPhone. He will cover posting content, and how to find and join the BITS group. There will be time for questions.
Sponsored by Blind Information Technology Specialists
8 pm: Office Space
Welcome to Office Space! The place to learn about using your Windows PC with Tyson Ernst, access technology instructor for the state of Washington. Join a fun and interactive environment where you can ask questions and contribute your knowledge to the call. Over the coming weeks, we will cover web browsing using Google Chrome, while briefly speaking about other browsers using the JAWS screen reader and the features it holds for surfing the internet. Our focus this session is website navigation strategies from top to bottom, including HTML quick keys.
Sponsored by ViperTech Training
8:30 pm: Meditation Celebration
Join for a special half hour together including a 20-minute meditation.
9 pm: Awakening Through Vedic Wisdom
This time, we will explore mantras to chant to the rising sun as our sadhana (spiritual practice), and we will then begin exploring Chapter 8 of Sovereign Self by Acharya Shunya (available via Kindle and Audible).
Thursday, January 23, 2025
9 am: ACB Presents The Daily Schedule
Join your Community Morning Crew for the question of the day; reading of the daily schedule; and sharing time.
11 am: Let's Talk Together
We will talk together in small groups. breakouts are fun and we learn more about each other.
Note: This event is using breakouts. Everyone must identify themselves to participate.
12 pm: I Love Braille
This week there will be some fun activity related to braille.
Sponsored by East Bay Center for the Blind
1 pm: Free to be Me Books and More
A place to enjoy conversation about books or whatever’s on your mind.
Come as you are. Ready to have fun.
Subscribe to the Free To Be email list
1 pm: The Crafting Workshop
Join Tyanne, Desiree, and a special guest, Deb Huggins, to learn how to do macrame.
Sponsored by Hull Foundation and Learning Center
2 pm: Claim Your Happiness
A monthly interactive presentation based on the book Happy for No Reason; a self-help model lead by Darian Slayton Fleming, Certified Happiness Trainer.
Sponsored by Embrace Happiness
3 pm: Vispero - Tips for Reading eBooks with Refreshable Braille
We’ll provide tips for accessing eBooks with your refreshable braille display. Learn how to access DAISY books with FSReader, Kindle books with the Amazon Kindle App for PC, and EPUB books using the Thorium app.
Sponsored by Vispero.
4 pm: Resistance With Leslie
It’s time for an upper body workout using resistance bands. Hand weights and the floor. These exercises can be done sitting or standing. Get moving with Leslie Spoone, Certified Aerobic Instructor and Personal Trainer.
Sponsored by The ACB Get Up and Get Moving Committee
4 pm: Utilizing Your Remaining Sight
Tools in our tool box-come and share yours with us!
Sponsored by Hull Foundation and Learning Center.
6 pm: Christian Book Chat
We will read chapter 5 in The Preacher and the Presidents by Gibbs and Duffy.
6 pm: Loom Knitting
Join us for some projects we can work on together, as well as sharing of resources, where we can have fun while learning from each other.
Sponsored by ACB Crafters, making crafting accessible
7:30 pm: Nothing About Us Without Us, A Career in Audio Description
Have you ever considered a career in audio description? Do you ever dream about narrating, writing, editing or working in quality control? Come join three blind/low vision individuals who work in the field of audio description. Learn about what they do and what it takes to work in the industry.
Sponsored by Audio Description Media Sub-Committee
8 pm: 12-Step Recovery Meeting
For anyone needing the support of a 12-step meeting designed to reflect the unique perspectives of those who are blind or visually impaired. Disclaimer: The purpose of this group is for peer support only. It is not a therapy group; will not be facilitated by a health care professional; and does not purport to provide mental health services.
8 pm: Beginning Your Voiceover Voyage
Join Bel and Rick on this exciting journey to master essential VoiceOver gestures and more for your iPhone. This time we will continue our exploration of the Mail App..
8 pm: CCLVI Book Club Discussion
We’ll be discussing "Not Fade Away, a memoir of senses lost and found" by Rebecca Alexander, DB80043. It is an autobiography of a woman born with Usher's syndrome, a genetic condition that causes the gradual loss of hearing and vision. Everyone is invited to join the discussion.
Sponsored by Council of Citizens With Low Vision International
8:30 pm: Meet Our ACB Scholarship Winners
Join our new Community Events series and learn who these amazing students are and what they are doing now. This time we introduce you to Devon Woodfine and Emily Schlenker.
Sponsored by ACB Scholarship Committee
9 pm: Grade Three Braille Get Together
This is a time for those who have studied and mastered Grade Three Braille, to meet and read and practice our Grade Three Braille reading skills.
9 pm: Thursday Nightcap
Join Diane for an hour of lively conversation.
10 pm: Off the Cuff, Film with Tina
As an avid movie watcher, the discussions you have with your friends about the movies you've seen on the big screen or at home are so interesting to me. The diverse avenues you as an audience member glean from the variety of genres can generate interesting points of view. Now, keeping this in mind, I'd love for you to come join me with a tub of popcorn or your favorite snack and let's talk film.
Sponsored by The Hull foundation and Learning center
Friday, January 24, 2025
9 am: ACB Presents The Daily Schedule
Join your Community Morning Crew for the question of the day; reading of the daily schedule; and sharing time.
11 am: Alison's Community Cafe
Celebrate the end of the week with Alison and your fellow community members with some lively chatter and fun. Meet new people, or re-acquaint with old friends.
12 pm: Mindful Movement to Manage Stress
This yoga class co-ordinates small, gentle movements with the breath to promote a sense of well-being. The movements are selected to benefit guide dog handlers and white cane users, so we focus a lot on hips, back, shoulders, arms, and hands and other areas where we build up tension.
You will be encouraged to move within your current range of motion and energy level. The whole practice can be done while sitting in a chair. We will finish with a guided awareness relaxation. Everything will be described clearly, and you can ask questions. What you'll need for this class: a firm chair that won't slide around as you move; a folded blanket or a couple of folded bath towels, and a bed pillow or throe pillow. This class is taught by yoga teacher Robin Mandell.
3 pm: Learning Blind Tech With Desiree Renee
We will revisit audio editing, some new tricks and my new workflow when recording and editing and we will touch briefly on how to include metadata on your recordings.
5 pm: In Perspective
Featuring Ron Brooks, Founder and CEO of Accessible Avenue, and author of “All Aboard: Conducting Accessible Community Involvement for Public Transit"
Sponsored by Branco Events
6 pm: A Blind View
Join Bel for an opportunity to discuss a range of topics on how we relate to the world around us, blind and low vision alike. Remember, your view matters! This time, How we speak to our blind peers?
7 pm: Behind the Music Your Song Your Story
On Behind the Music, Anthony and Tim host with the most and curate nights of fun, story and song!! If your not a Karaoke junkie like us but you have a performance to share… bring it. Spoken word and original music is welcome also. Send your submissions to be included in the set list by 4pm Friday [email protected] With “behind the music” in the subject line. Make sure your performance includes the Meta data or is a cappella or self performed.
7 pm: VISAbilities
TBA
Sponsored by VISAbilities.
8 pm: FIA Author Collective
Part 2 with best selling women's fiction author Barbara Hinske.
Sponsored by Friends in Art
9 pm: It's Play Time
Meka and Cindy welcome you to join in for another fun Friday night filled with games and laughter.
Saturday, January 18, 2025
9 am: ACB Presents The Daily Schedule
Join your Community Morning Crew for the question of the day; reading of the daily schedule; and sharing time.
11 am: Saturday Morning Trivia
Play Saturday morning trivia with Danette and your fellow Community members. Some of these are pretty easy. Some will break your brain. Fun and laughter will be plentiful.
12 pm: Strictly Folk - Singer/Songwriters
Let’s share about our favorite folk singers and songwriters.
1 pm: Friendship Circle
Take your connection to the next level! Participate in smaller gatherings of three to five people in friendship circles and will do them as many times as we can in one hour.
Note: This event is using breakouts. Everyone must identify themselves to participate.
2 pm: Disability Reading Group
The Disability Studies Reading Group convenes once a month to discuss books that consider disability from personal, cultural, and political perspectives. This month we'll be talking about The Senses: Design Beyond Vision by Andrea Lipps and Ellen Lupton (DB93943).
3 pm: Basics with BITS - One Note, Part 4
Join BITS, as we get down to basics, and provide a gentle helping hand to assist you in becoming more confident when using your technology. In Part 4, Jeff takes a look at using One Note on your mobile device.
Sponsored by Blind Information Technology Specialists
4 pm: Tar Heel Tailgate
Join Bel for games, casual chat, and most importantly, lots of laughs. Come spend part of your Saturday with us!
4 pm: The Five W's of Prayer and Much More
Who, what, when, where, why do we pray and more. We will learn from each others experience and sprinkle in additional thought-provoking items to enrich our lives and knowledge of prayer. All are welcome.
6 pm: Grief Journey
We are all grieving for different reasons. Please come and share, or listen in and provide support.
Disclaimer: The purpose of this group is for peer support only. It is not a therapy group; will not be facilitated by a health care professional; and does not purport to provide mental health services.
6 pm: Weekend Braille Together - Base Braille Ball
Let's play braille! Join us in Zoom Community Stadium to sport your knowledge of braille in this team game! From braille beginners to experts, there's a pitch for everyone.
Subscribe to Braille Together email group
8 pm: Community Karaoke
Meka and Cindy invite you for another fun night of music with your Community friends. Performances are all pre-recorded. Those wishing to perform should email [email protected] to be included in the weekly communication.