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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal> Dear California Federation Family:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I’m back in the office after a successful time advocating in Washington D.C. You sent an awesome delegation of blind representatives to instruct our elected officials of the importance of our legislative priorities. We fought to make assistive technology more affordable, increase accessibility of medical devices, exercise equipment and home appliances, and eliminate exploitation of disabled workers in the AbilityOne government contracting program. With hundreds of other representatives from the Federation, our collective presence on the Capitol made a massive statement that could not be ignored. I hope you will consider joining us next year. The Washington Seminar event is an awesome experience. It is the heartbeat of our organization.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>It is now time to plan for our <span style='font-variant:small-caps'><a href="https://www.nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention">national convention in Las Vegas, July 7-12.</a></span> All chapters should hold registration and sign-up events in the months of February or March as part of the chapter meeting agenda. Computer-savvy chapter members can help those who are still learning technology skills; leaders can educate new members on the life-changing impact of attending your first national convention. Let’s all help each other get hotel rooms, find roommates, register for the convention and book travel. put your chapter’s imagination and creative ingenuity to work and think of ways that folks might travel together for fun and cost savings. Take over a cheap Megabus or Southwest trip; splurge on a stretch limo, or even commandeer a fleet of hot air balloons. As an example, Rochelle Houston and our chapters in the Los Angeles area have found roundtrip bus tickets from Los Angeles for $30. Can you say “party bus?” <a name=Start></a><a name=Complete></a>Let’s make the hope and determination that is soon to be in Vegas a reality for all blind Californians!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Tim Elder<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>President<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>National Federation of the Blind of California<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="mailto:president@nfbcal.org">president@nfbcal.org</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>The Central Valley Chapter after their February 9 meeting, from 10:00 a.m. to noon, will be having a National Convention pizza party social event. Several chapter members will be bringing their Lap Top Computers to help new members apply for the Jernigan Grant. The meeting will be held at 1409 H St., Modesto. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Rachel Grider, President, Central Valley Chapter<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><a href="mailto:rachel.grider@gmail.com">rachel.grider@gmail.com</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The Bakersfield Chapter will be having a potluck dinner meeting. It is Saturday, February 16, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The potluck dinner will be at Veronica’s home. Please call her to make plans to attend and mention to her what food or beverage you would like to bring to share with chapter members. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Veronica Martinez, President, Bakersfield Chapter <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>P: 661.368.2931<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal>The Pathfinder Chapter is pleased to announce our 8th annual Membership Reception and Resource Fair. This event will be held in conjunction with the WLCAC Senior Center on Thursday, February 21, 2019 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be vendors, companies providing information and resources, chapter members demonstrating devices to help you become more independent, skits on mobility and much, much more. This event will take place at the WLCAC Senior Center, Bradley Center at 10957 S. Central Ave., Los Angeles, 90059. Food and door prizes will be provided.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Please contact: Michael Richardson<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>323.898.3223 <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="mailto:michaeljr66@yahoo.com">michaeljr66@yahoo.com</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Rochelle Houston, President, Pathfinder Chapter Los Angeles<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <span style='font-size:13.0pt'>First Vice-President, </span>National Federation of the Blind of California<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="mailto:rhouston58@gmail.com">rhouston58@gmail.com</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>323.807.0300<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The San Fernando Valley Chapter is having their first fundraiser of the new year at the Chipotle Restaurant at 16959 Devonshire St in Granada Hills on Saturday, February 23rd from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Just mention you are here to support the NFB of California and then place your order. At 8:00 p.m. the Restaurant will add up all of the receipts and then donate back 30%of the sales to the NFB of California, it will go towards convention grants for San Fernando Valley chapter members.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Robert Stigile, President San Fernando Valley Chapter<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Second Vice-President National Federation of the Blind of California<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>818.381.9568<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="mailto:rstigile@gmail.com">rstigile@gmail.com</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'>Joy Stigile, Editor<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>