From brianrmiller88 at gmail.com Sat Sep 1 13:34:09 2018 From: brianrmiller88 at gmail.com (Brian Miller) Date: Sat, 1 Sep 2018 09:34:09 -0400 Subject: [NFBV-Alexandria] Fwd: [theblindperspective] September 2018 Newsletter References: Message-ID: <60910362-8D22-446C-AB72-53E633587DA6@gmail.com> I wanted to share the below newsletter with the chapter in case you aren?t familiar with it. I think it contains lots of useful information. Begin forwarded message: > From: "Blind Perspective" > Date: August 31, 2018 at 6:12:17 PM EDT > To: > Subject: [theblindperspective] September 2018 Newsletter > Reply-To: theblindperspective+owner at groups.io > > Welcome to The Blind Perspective > > > September 2018 > Volume 4 ; Issue 9 > Table of Contents > > Greetings from the Editor > Sponsors of the Month > Movers & Shakers > International Perspective > Exercise, does a body good > Have I Got A Story For You > The Braille Highway > Kaleidoscope of Krafts > Spencer?s Spotlight > APPetizers: Byte Size Tidbits to Help Master Your iDevice > A Time to Plant > Alternating Duo: Here's to your Health > the Rotating Trio: Windbag > Cooking Concoctions > Riddle & Brain Buster > Classifyeds > FYI > Navigation > > The Blind Perspective Newsletter has been produced in such a manner that makes it easier to stroll through the articles. If you are using JAWS, System Access, NVDA, or Window Eyes, press the letter H to move through the headings. If you are wanting to skip back simply press the shift key + the letter H. For MAC users, press Control Option Command plus the letter H and to go backwards through the articles press Control Option Command shift plus the letter H. If one of the links do not work for you just copy and paste it in to your browser and it should work. > > If you have any trouble reading this copy you can go to Click Here it will take You to the read the current newsletter > > Greetings from the Editor > > By Karen Santiago > Remember you can also choose to listen to our audio version of the newsletter, link below: > The Blind Perspective Audio > At A Glance: Blind Mice, OutOf Sight, Perkins 4, China, Kettle Bell, Mythology, Magic, & High Society, Jonathan Mosen, Bracelet, Recordable Sensors, Voice Dream Reader, Houseplants, Fats, Cutting it Up, Grilling, Riddle & Brain Buster, Classified, and FYI! > Sponsors of the Month > > Blind Mice Swap Shop > > Blind Mice Swap Shop; The email list for anyone wanting to Sell, Swap, or Buy. > The Mice at BlindMiceMegaMall.com receive calls every day asking if we buy or sell used or unwanted items. The Mice don't but they created this email list so everyone can! The Blind Mice Swap Shop is the place for Sellers, Traders, & Buyers to find each other! > Do you...have something you don't want or use anymore...Post it for sale on the Blind Mice Swap Shop > got something new to sell...Post it for sale on the Blind Mice Swap Shop > provide a service that might be helpful to other Blind and Visually Impaired folks...Post it to the Blind Mice Swap Shop > have an announcement about an upcoming event beneficial to the Blind & Visually Impaired Community...Post it to the Blind Mice Swap Shop > Joining the Blind Mice Swap Shop is FREE and as easy as sending an email! Send your email to join at: > BlindMiceSwapShop+subscribe at groups.io > To receive Blind Mice Swap Shop Guidelines or more information, please email: > Sales at BlindMice MegaMall.com > or call 713 893-7277 (M-F 9AM ? 4PM CST) > Have a Mice Day! > Auction! Auction! Auction! > > Would you like a Talking Pendant Clock? A Vintage Braille Monopoly game? How about Homemade Apple butter, a 16GB Dog Tag USB Flash Drive, Cook Essentials 5 Quart Air Fryer, or some delicious dark chocolate? Does a Yamaha MG06X Audio Mixer & Microphone interest you, Or, what about a handmade afghan stitched with love by Tiffany? > Come, and place a bid at our Eleventh Annual Fall Auction, here on Out-Of-Sight.net. Pick up these and lots of other items at a discount price! The fun begins at 1:00 PM Eastern, on Saturday, September 29th! > It's due to the generosity of folks like you that we enjoy the activities, games and events on Out-Of-Sight. > Out-Of-Sight hosts approximately 50 events per week ranging from interactive trivia, word, and dice games, computer technical help, iPhone learning groups, Bible Study, Python Programming classes, a monthly book club, talent show, a Fix-it group, and much more! We also run our very own internet radio station; Out-Of-Sight Radio! > Whether you donate or not to our auction, everyone is welcome for an afternoon of friendship and fun! > To sign up to participate in this Eleventh Fall Auction, or the numerous events each week on our site, send an email to: > OOSNHQ at gmail.com > and include the following information: > First and last name, Email address, Preferred nickname, if any, Phone number, and How you heard about us. > That?s all there is to it! See you on September 29th! > Movers & Shakers > > By Karen Santiago > Karen at TheBlindPerspective.com > Perkins School: Part 4 > This article will end my series on The Perkins School for the Blind. I have written about the history, the three women of Perkins (Bridgman, Sullivan, & Keller), and the education. This article focuses on the library and other programs Perkins is actively involved in. > Perkins Library: > the Perkins Library is one of the oldest accessibility services in the country, servicing patrons since 1835. Perkins provides materials to individuals who are blind, visually impaired and to those who have a physical disability which limits their ability to turn the pages in a book. > Perkins circulates over 530,000 items in large print, braille, audio, and electronic formats to nearly 28,000 patrons throughout seven states. Unlike the age range of those on campus (5 to 22), the library provides materials to those as young as 3 days, and as old as 108, (at the time of my tour). > There are four recording studios on the Perkins campus. Volunteers must commit a minimum of one year to record, usually local interest materials. Carl Beane, former Fenway Park announcer read several books about sports. > Once eligible patrons can: > *borrow books and magazines in a format that is convenient for them, at no cost > *borrow materials in over 60 different languages > *Borrow audio described videos, in either a VHS or a DVD format > *access Newsline, where newspapers and magazines can be read aloud > *Download audio and braille titles, and magazines from Braille & Audio Reading Download (BARD) > *Be paired up with a Book Buddy; if an individual is unable to access the book catalog then a book buddy can help by reading titles of interest over the phone, and order the selected titles in the patrons preferred format > Perkins International: > Perkins International is working to breakdown the isolation and the neglect children and young adults are facing around the world. Their mission is to see that these individuals receive a high quality education in order to prepare them for an active role in their families, schools, and communities. > Current work: > *Perkins School for the Blind recently announced new partnerships in Russia, Indonesia and across Latin America to train educators through Perkins International Academy. > *Russia has signed on to educate nearly 300 teachers from 40 different provinces around the country. > *Perkins also recently signed an agreement with Indonesia?s Ministry of Education and Culture, where 90 teachers will complete training before the end of the year. > *Perkins is currently in conversation with more than two dozen countries whose populations could greatly benefit from similar partnership opportunities. > *Educational Leadership Program (ELP): every fall a select group of educators from around the world are invited to the Perkins campus. For several month they are immersed in advanced training, consisting of expert instructions, lectures, workshops, hands on learning experiences, and much more. After graduation, the instructors return home eager to share their new knowledge to improve the education of children and young adults who are visually impaired, deaf/blind, or blind with multiple disabilities. > Perkins Solutions: > Empowering visually impaired or blind individuals to reach their full potential, by providing assistive technology, products, and consulting services to individuals, organizations, and governments around the world. > Perkins E Learning: > Online resources and support for anyone, anywhere, in the field of blindness education. They provide high quality webinars, professional development, and workshops. > A big thank you once again to Kevin Hartigan for taking my daughter and I on the tour of the Perkins School for the Blind. We both learned so much, and I was glad to share it all with you! > International Perspective > > Jinzhou, China > By Hui Guan > Karen at TheBlindPerspective.com > Abit about Jinzhou: > I live in the city of Jinzhou where is in Liaoning province, located in the northeast of China. Jinzhou city is about 470 km to the northeast of Beijing. Jinzhou officially in cludes one city and four counties with about 2,983,000 population altogether and the entire area size Is 10,301 square km. I live within the Jinzhou city and the city population is about 870,000 and city size is about 535 square km including three districts. > Blind Schools: > There are schools for the blind in China, especially in big cities. As in my city, a small or middle-sized city, there is a school for the blind and 8 or 9 children study there for their elementary education. When they graduate, they go to the middle school in their capital city in the province. > Blind students usually attend special schools, and are not integrated into the public school system. Most of the students reside at the blind schools, few commutes. > Braille & Mobility: > Braille and mobility are taught in the elementary schools for the blind. Blind adults may have opportunities to learn braille and mobility at blind agencies, if the vision loss happens as an adult. > Sports & Recreation: > Certain sports are available in the schools for Blind children, such as gate ball, soccer, running, horizontal bar and others. However, sports are rarely in communities or separate programs. > I have heard that people in another city have joined in Marathons, but no such sport in my city. If an adult is good at a certain sport, he or she may be trained for sport competition, but it is not common. > Job Training: > Blind people mostly do massage in China. The job skills can be taught when students attend either the middle schools, the different Massage Academies, or the massage department in universities. > For adults, they can get training in the agency for the Disabled. Some other jobs include teachers or tuners, but not common. They obtain a job mainly by themselves, either working for others or running a massage clinic or shop. > University: > If students go to college or university they would need their parents' financial support. Some colleges or universities accept blind students in China. Students mostly study in a separate department within a college or university. The majors are usually designed for them, such as medical massage, music, or piano tuning. > I have not attended the school for the blind as an adult, but I have experienced learning in a training center. I needed to prepare things for reading or taking notes on my own. > Transportation: > There is no separate transportation system for the blind or disabled. Public transportation is free for the blind within a city, such as bus or subway. This benefit is only for the blind people. But we certainly pay for taxi cabs at the normal cost. > Getting around: > Yes, there are curb cuts in the sidewalks, and tactile strips on the main streets. However, there are no audible signals or braille at intersections, at least not in my city, a middle city. The same holds true at public bus and or train stations. Maybe somewhere in a few big cities it is possible to be improved in recent years. > Braille: > I have no experience using Braille in the public; restaurant menus, elevators, doors of public buildings, etc. However, I hear that audio or braille is available in elevators in the building of Beijing Federation for the Disabled. > I have not received materials in a braille format, say from a bank. Some blind people now use smartphones and are able to receive text messages from banks and learn information through their screen reader. > Guide Dogs: > There is a guide dog school in the city of Dalian in northeast China. This is the only guide dog school in China. I heard of a training center for guide dogs in southern China, but the school in Dalian is stable and has offered training for years. > The guide dog option is not popular. No one in my city has experienced using a guide dog so far. Though the rule is to allow guide dogs in public places, it is occasionally reported that Users usually are forbidden to enter public buildings or buses. > Benefits: > Yes, blind people receive monetary benefits in recent years. The amount is limited and only totally blind or other serious disabled individuals can receive the benefit according to the rules. Blind people can occasionally get help with accessible equipment, such as screen readers, talking watches, white canes and other items. However, the number of people is large and the help cannot cover everyone in need. > Reading service: > Blind people can subscribe to braille magazines at a cost. Blind individuals can become a member of the Library for the Blind in Beijing. It is the biggest braille library in China. Blind people can borrow books for a lifetime if they pay the one-time deposit. Moreover, there is possibly a library in the federation for the blind in some cities where people go to read. > Talking books and braille books are not so popular in China. Computer access to books is a popular choice for blind people to use to read books. > Blind Organizations: > We have the national, province, city and district based blind organizations. The China Disabled Persons Federation is the official department in China. Most of the staff work for the organizations part-time. They carry on the tasks from the Federation for the Disabled. If the Federation issues guidelines or benefits to the blind, the staff will carry on. The staff then can report to the Federation what they need, such as client?s needs and information. > Final Thoughts: > If blind people can contribute to the society, then they are received well. There have been improvements in education and employment for the blind. However, I hope for more opportunities for the Blind community in education, employment, and other aspects of society. > Exercise, does a body good > > By Dan Kiely > Dan at TheBlindPerspective.com > Welcome back to another edition of Exercise Does A Body Good. I hope you had a jumping good time with the last month?s article. In this issue I am writing about the world of kettle bell training. I have never trained with kettle bells, but from what I have read, I am totally interested in trying it out. > Kettle bell training is: > 1. A complete, full body workout you can do anywhere. You don?t need memberships or fancy equipment to get fit, lean, or add on muscle. Just your hands, some will power and a kettle bell. > 2. Most efficient training tool in the world. With a kettle bell, you can move the most amount of weight in the shortest amount of time. Meaning, less time training and more time enjoying other things. > What does a kettle bell look like? > Imagine a tea kettle; you grab the handle (horn) of the tea kettle and underneath the handle is where the water is. So, where the water is in the tea kettle, is where the weight is on the kettle bell. > Benefits of kettle bell training: > Strengthens every muscle from head-to-toe > Consists of whole-body movement exercises > It's well-known that compound, whole body movements typical of kettle bell exercises are superior to machines that isolate muscles for improving muscle tone, body composition, and strength > Below I have described three beginner Kettle bell exercises. If you like kettle bell training, I will write an article with more advanced kettle bell exercises. > Kettle Bell Goblet Squat: > Hold the kettle bell by its horn with your right hand > Tuck your elbows in so your forearms are vertical > Drive your shoulder blades back and together and downward so your chest is open > Stand with feet a bit wider than hip-width apart and feet turned out slightly > Take a deep breath into your belly and twist your feet into the ground (imagine screwing them down without actually moving them) > Squat down to just below knee level, keeping your torso upright > Rise back up to starting position and repeat > Kettle Bell One-Arm Row: > Place the kettle bell on the floor and take a staggered stance. Your right foot in front, planted just outside the weight > Dig the ball of your left foot into the floor, with heel up in the air, and behind you > Bend at your hips, with your torso at a 45-degree angle to the floor > Rest your right elbow on your right thigh for support > Reach for the kettle bell with your left hand, pulling it back as if you were starting a lawn mower > Remember to keep your shoulders square to the ground > complete all your reps on one side and then repeat on the other side > 3. Kettle Bell One-Arm Press: > Stand tall holding the kettle bell in one hand, palm facing out, and elbow bent with hand at your shoulder > Root your feet into the floor as if you were preparing for someone to push you > Take a deep breath into your belly and contract your abs and glutes > Press the weight overhead with a vertical forearm > Note that you should be facing forward so the weight has an un obstructed path > To lower the kettle bell, pull it back down into the starting position as if you were performing a pullup > Complete all your reps on one side and then repeat on the other side > This was just an introduction to kettle bell training. There are so many different exercises you can do with your tea kettle. In the near future I am going to incorporate kettle bell into my training routine, and I will let you know what I think. > Happy kettling! > Tip of the month: > Proper way to breathe when working with weights, such as bar bell, dumb bells, and so forth. > Whenever you are pushing a weight away from your body, you should exhale or breathe out. When lowering a weight towards your body, you should inhale or breathe in. > Remember this; whenever you exert energy, then exhale. > Hopefully, this does not sound too confusing. Ok fitness fans, good luck, and remember, Exercise Does A Body Good! > Have I Got A Story For You > > By Carla Jo Bratton > CarlaJo at TheBlindPerspective.com > Hello again book lovers; > This month it?s mythology, magic and a high society novel. Let?s get to it! > The title of this book is pronounced Sircy. > Circe > Written by Madeline Miller > Reading time:12 hours and 10 minutes > DB90711 > Cela number; DT77694 > In the house of Helios, god of the sun and mightiest of the Titans, a daughter is born. But Circe is a strange child - not powerful, like her father, nor viciously alluring, like her mother. Turning to the world of mortals for companionship, she discovers that she does possess power - the power of witchcraft, which can transform rivals into monsters and menace the gods themselves. > Threatened, Zeus banishes her to a deserted island, where she hones her occult craft, tames wild beasts and crosses paths with many of the most famous figures in all of mythology, including the Minotaur; Daedalus and his doomed son, Icarus; the murderous Medea; and, of course, wily Odysseus. > But there is danger, too, for a woman who stands alone, and Circe unwittingly draws the wrath of both men and gods, ultimately finding herself pitted against one of the most terrifying and vengeful of the Olympians. To protect what she loves most, Circe must summon all her strength and choose, once and for all, whether she belongs with the gods she is born from or the mortals she has come to love. > My comments; I love mythology. This is an edgy tale full of fantastic characters and a beautifully written story. Miller digs in and gives us an unbelievable world. > The City of Lost Fortunes > Written by Bryan Camp > Reading time:14 hours and 5 minutes > DB91279 > Cela number; DZ56125 > Crescent City Series; book 1 > The fate of New Orleans rests in the hands of a wayward grifter in this novel of gods, games, and monsters. > The post-Katrina New Orleans of The City of Lost Fortunes is a place haunted by its history and by the hurricane's destruction, a place that is hoping to survive the rebuilding of its present long enough to ensure that it has a future. Street magician Jude Dubuisson is likewise burdened by his past and by the consequences of the storm, because he has a secret: the magical ability to find lost things, a gift passed down to him by the father he has never known - a father who just happens to be more than human. > Jude has been lying low since the storm, which caused so many things to be lost that it played havoc with his magic, and he is hiding from his own power, his divine former employer, and a debt owed to the Fortune god of New Orleans. But his six-year retirement ends abruptly when the Fortune god is murdered and Jude is drawn back into the world he tried so desperately to leave behind. > A world full of magic, monsters, and miracles. A world where he must find out who is responsible for the Fortune god's death, uncover the plot that threatens the city's soul, and discover what his talent for lost things has always been trying to show him: what it means to be his father's son. > My comments; What a wild ride! I?m a sucker for a book set in New Orleans. Fantasy lovers, watch out for Bryan Camp. > The High Season > Written by Judy Blundell > Reading time:10 hours and 45 minutes > DB91239 > The Hamptons hath no fury like a woman scorned. No matter what the world throws her way, at least Ruthie Beamish has the house. Lovingly renovated, located by the sea in a quiet Long Island village, the house is her nest egg - the retirement account shared with her ex-husband, Mike, and the college fund for their teenage daughter, Jem. The catch? To afford the house, Ruthie must let it go during the best part of the year. > It's Memorial Day weekend, and Ruthie has packed up their belongings for what Jem calls ?the summer bummer?: the family?s annual exodus to make way for renters. This year, the Hamptons set has arrived. The widow of a blue-chip artist, Adeline Clay is elegant, connected, and accompanied by a ?gorgeous satellite? stepson. But soon Adeline demonstrates an uncanny ability to help herself to Ruthie?s life - her house, her friends, even her husband (okay, ex-husband, but still). And after her job as the director of a local museum is threatened, Ruthie finally decides to fight back. > Meanwhile, away from the watchful eyes of her parents, Jem is tasting independence at her first summer job but soon finds herself growing up too fast. One of Ruthie?s employees, a master of self-invention named Doe, infiltrates the inner circle of an eccentric billionaire and his wayward daughter. With a coterie of social climbers and Ruthie?s old flame thrown into the mix, the entire town finds itself on the verge of tumultuous change. By the end of one unhinged, unforgettable summer, nothing will be the same. > My comments: A snapshot view of a summer in the Hamptons. Ultra-rich and the working class collide. A fun beach, take along book. > Until we meet again gentle readers, > Happy Reading, Carla jo! > The Braille Highway > > By Nat Armeni > Nat at TheBlindPerspective.com > September is here and that means a new season is just around the corner. For this month I have temporarily stopped the Q&A with my fellow writers, but do not fear, it will be back in October. I had the pleasure of having a chat with, I am sure is no stranger to you, Jonathan Mosen. Below I hope you will find some interesting tidbits about a very popular and well-known person in the blind community. As per usual, I invite your emails with suggestions, comments, and constructive feedback at the email mentioned at the beginning of this article. > Here are some of Jonathan Mosen?s accomplishments but definitely not all: > government relations, worked as a professional broadcaster on a commercial radio station, founded ACB radio in 1999, product manager for both Humanware and Freedom Scientific, was the chairman of the board for the local blind agency, president of the consumer agency, treasurer of the Eastern Asia Pacific region of The World Blind Union, broadcaster on Mushroom FM Internet radio station, and owner of Mosen Consulting. > Also, Jonathan host several podcasts one which is a premium podcast called Daily Fiber. One can become a subscriber for five dollars a month and receive the latest technology news. Another popular podcast of his is The Blind Side. With all these accomplishments, you may think he is in his golden years, but he has not even hit half a century yet. > Jonathan learned braille at the young age of 6 and attended a blind school that his parents made sure to relocate nearby, so that young Mosen could come home at the end of the school day. He learned braille on a Perkins braille writer and did not learn the slate and stylus, since that was not taught at his school. He is a big braille supporter and user, Jonathan got his first refreshable braille display in 1983 called Versa Braille. This was a device that used tape, and was manufactured by Telesensory. Jonathan?s appreciation and dependency on braille increased as he became older. > Jonathan told me a story about when he was working as a professional broadcaster at a local radio station. While he was working in January of 1991, the Desert Storm war broke out. With the assistants of a braille embosser located in the building, he was able to read and relay this breaking piece of news to his audience while keeping his professionalism in tac. In comparison, if he got this news via a screen reader in his ear, he would have needed to hesitate while speaking on the air to listen as well as digest what he just heard. > Braille is a huge part of Mr. Mosen?s professional life. While he is producing the Daily Fiber podcast he says the majority of that podcast is done with him reading off of his braille display. By no means is he only a braille display user, he also uses Dragon Speak as well as a screen reading program. > Another great thing about being able to read braille, Jonathan told me, happened while producing the book, iOS 11 Without The Eye. This book has approximately 45,000 words and he read and proofread using his screen reader. Near the end, he read it with his braille display and was able to catch some mistakes that went unnoticed with only listening to it. > Jonathan has 4 sighted children and recalls countless hours of playing Monopoly, Scrabble, and lots of card games with all of them. He also reflects fond memories of reading to his children when they were young. He read books from The National Braille Press and from Seedlings. These books described the pictures in braille. Therefore, enabling the blind reader to confidently talk about the pictures with their captive younger audience. Jonathan also chuckled when telling me he read all 7 of the Harry Potter books to his kids. He feels that being able to read to his children and being able to play games, is quite rewarding as a parent. He added that, it builds great relationships with others and especially with family. > Jonathan approves of the UEB and was at one of the early meetings that was held in 1993 in New Zealand to devise how to unify braille. He likes it from the transcribing point of view, the ease with being able to forward and backward transcribe printed materials. He frowns on countries who have not unified braille straight across the spectrum. He feels that less privileged areas that receive donated books, would have the most difficulties. Siting an example, country X donates a mathematical textbook that incorporates UEB nemeth braille, and country Y donates another mathematical textbook but their math code is not UEB compliant. Talk about a mix message for students. > Braille being taught to school age students will encourage literacy, and also having older blind mentors will go a long way to giving positive feedback to youngsters. For people who lose their sight later on in life, they should learn braille to enable them to live a more independent life, rather than depending so much on others. Something so simple as selecting a CD or distinguishing the color of 2 identical feeling items of clothing, adds value and dignity to one?s life. These previously mentioned tasks can be so easily obtained by labelling with braille. So, one does not necessarily need to learn contracted braille, but at the very least, learn the A B C?s and that will open so many doors. > Jonathan feels that government should provide financial assistants to blind and disabled people to assist in evening the playing field when it comes to employment. A perspective employer might be hesitant to hire a disabled person thinking of the added cost and accommodations that are needed in order for that person to do his/her job to the best of their abilities. In the long run, if the government gives financial support to purchase equipment it is an investment in the future. The employed person will pay into taxes and become a contributing member to society. > Jonathan uses a braille focus 40 display and says that he will give up braille the day that sighted people give up print and use audio books instead. He feels that with all the choices we have in braille display sizes and types it is encouraging to continue to use braille. We no longer can use the excuse that the book is too large to bring since we can literally bring hundreds of volumes of books on our portable displays. On a higher note, Jonathan says, ?I feel that blind people are in the best position to solve our own problems!? > Thank you so much Jonathan for first of all, interviewing me for your awesome podcast, The Blind Side and of equal importance, allowing me to interview you for this article. I encourage all the readers to check out: www.mosen.org. > for awesome publications. Such topics include how to use your iOS device without the eyes, tips on how to maximize your Google Search experience, lots of useful information on the Sonos Sound system, and many other well produced materials all with the blind in mind. > Braille users do it with feeling! Why complicate life with gadgets when you can complement it with braille. Remember, to stay on the dotted line of life. Talk with you again in October and stay safe! > Kaleidoscope of Krafts > > By Lindy van der Merwe > Lindy at TheBlindPerspective.com > Hello again to all who like to craft or even if you just like to read about crafts. As always, it is my hope that, if you are a reader, you will be encouraged to try out this, or any other craft project for yourself. > As you might remember from earlier articles, I have presented some macram? projects in the past. Macram? was very popular as a craft during the seventies and has made a comeback over the last few years. Although new materials and designs keep on popping up, the basic techniques have stayed the same and, at least for now, crafts making use of knotting and braiding would seem to be a continuing trend. > If you have missed, or would like to revisit the previous articles on macram?, you can find the three previous projects at the end of this article under sources. Remember also that you can find all previous articles on the website at http://www.theblindperspective.com or feel free to contact me or any other authors if you are unable to find what you are looking for. > For this month, I am sharing a wrapped bracelet using the half hitch knot. I have done bracelets using this knot in the past and have often found that I easily get confused as to which knot I have completed since with only two cords, you are switching sides continuously. To take care of this problem, we will be using four cords: two filler cords at the center and tying our half hitch knots from each side. This makes it a little easier to know which knot you have completed last and the bracelet is also wider than when only two cords are used. > So, essentially, you will be tying knots around the two stationary center cords, alternating your knotting from the left and right sides. Apart from the square knot, the half hitch knot and its variations is perhaps the most-used knot, especially for making bracelets, belts and straps. The key to success for this design is to work with the flat or round shape of the cord material, so the Half Hitches are not twisted or kinked. > You will need: > Any type of cord like leather, nylon, cotton, satin, etc. (use 2 different colours for a nice effect) > Scissors > Large safety Pin or a clipboard > Directions: > Step 1: Start by cutting four cords that are 30 inches (75 cm) long. > Step 2: Secure the ends of all 4 30 inch cords to your clipboard or with a safety pin onto a stable surface in a vertical position. You may tie them loosely together at this point if you find it easier. > Step 3: Divide your cords so you have two holding cords in the center and the two working cords on the left and right. If using two colors, group your cords so the two cords on the left is one color and the two on the right another. If possible, try to secure the two holding cords at the top and bottom, so they have some tension. This is not absolutely necessary, but will make tying your knots easier. Since the cords on the left and right sides are your working cords, they should only be secured at the top. > Step 4: Leave 3 to 4 inches of cord before starting your half hitch knots so that you will have enough cord to tie your bracelet at the end. > Step 5: Make half hitch knots by doing the following: > Start on the right: > Use the right working cord to tie the first Half Hitch, in a clockwise direction. So, pick up the cord on the right and form a loop, over the two holding cords, moving around and under the holding cords, and pulling the cord through the loop on the right. > Pull your cord a little upwards and to the right to tighten it. > Then from the left: > Use the left working cord to tie the second half hitch, in a counter-clockwise direction. So, pick up the cord on the left and form a loop, over the two holding cords, moving around and under the holding cords, and pulling the cord through the loop on the left. > Pull your cord a little upwards and to the left to tighten it. > Step 6: Continue making half hitch knots, one from the right and then one from the left until your bracelet is the desired length. Push the Half Hitches close together as you progress, and try to tighten them the same so the bracelet will be a uniform width in all areas. > Step 7: Tie the ends of your bracelet together in an overhand knot, or if you find such a knot to be too bulky, you could use a separate piece of cord to tie all the ends of the bracelet together. Alternatively, use any other type of closure you prefer. > Cut the ends so they are neat and secure the knot with a drop of clear glue if preferred. > Sources: > http://www.free-macrame-patterns.com/alternating-half-hitch.html > https://honestlywtf.com/diy/diy-macrame-bracelet/ > Search my page below for more macram? projects in April 2015 and February 2017. > TheBlindPerspective.com/Crafts > Spencer's Spotlight > > By Cheryl Spencer > Cheryl at TheBlindPerspective.com > This month's Spotlight is going to be focused on an idea as well as the type of product to go along with the concept. The item I was all poised to write about is no longer available from the source I bought it from so I hesitate to tell you about it, but I do not want to be a tease. So, here I go. > The product I had in mind is a motion activated sensor that could be used in trade shows, at exhibit hall tables, and as entry way alerts. It is a small compact little rectangular device with a sensor built in to the front of the unit. It is very simple to set up, just press one of the two buttons on the front and record what you want to say. I was advertising the Blind Perspective t-shirts at the Convention. When someone walked by our table, the little box would go off and say the spiel. It is quite loud and really got some attention. > I can see several applications for such a neat little gadget such as this. I have thought of putting it on my fence in front of my house, recording something like, "You have entered Spencer territory," so I would know when I was in front of my house. > I would like to find one that has a phone jack in it so I can be alerted via ear bud that someone is approaching me or is in the area. I am always on the hunt for any device that will help us level the playing field. > For some reason Amazon is no longer offering this particular model, but, if you searched for recordable motion activated modules, you will probably find several options that will fit your needs. > Here is just one device I found while doing an Amazon search: > Motion Activated Sound Player: > *Long Playback Time > *Memory Card Included > *Recordable; Perfect for independent living, point of sale advertising, door greeter, exhibits, tradeshows, and entry Alert. > *49 dollars and 99 cents > Applications: > Promotes independent living by recording reminders to assist people with daily activities: > "Remember to take your phone and wallet and lock the door.? > Door Greeter: > Senses people coming in and plays greeting/notification > Point of Sale Advertising: > Automatically play advertising when customers pass by a product > Safety Reminder: > Play reminder as soon as personnel enter restricted area > Instruct pets to avoid certain areas when you are away > Perfect for escape rooms! > Features & Specs: > 120-degree view with 16ft (5m) detection range > 2W loudspeaker, superb sound quality > 3.5mm audio interface for external speakers > 3 Modes of Operation: > 1. Play single file every time > 2. Play multiple files in sequence > 3. Play multiple files randomly > Can be powered using built-in 500 Ah rechargeable battery for portability > Ball mount allows you to quickly & easily adjust orientation > Audio must be in MP3 format > For indoor use > APPetizers: Byte Size Tidbits to Help Master Your iDevice > > By Darrin cheney > Darrin at TheBlindPerspective.com > Voice Dream Reader! > I?m a bit of a pack rat when it comes to collecting technology information. I enjoy reading and collecting articles and resources for future writing projects. Currently, I add them to my Safari Reading List and Voice Over reads them to me. I found an amazing iOS app that will do this and much, much more. It?s called Voice Dream Reader and we?ll explore what this gem can do for you. > Getting Started: > Voice Dream Reader is a ?Text-to-Speech? iOS app that won Apple App of the Day. For 9 dollars and 99 cents, it will read a document to you in a synthetic voice. The app comes with standard iOS voices or you can purchase additional voices from Acapela, Ivona, or NeoSpeech for a few dollars more. > Exploring Voice Dream Reader: > Using Voice Dream Reader is easy. You can add documents into Voice Dream Reader from the Home Screen, download books from your Bookshare account, or use the iOS ?Share? button to import email attachments or documents from other apps. You could listen to this article or The Blind Perspective Newsletter. Voice Dream Reader will recognize many file types including .PDF, Word, PowerPoint, Pages, Keynote, EPUB, Daisy 2, Web Pages, .RTF and many more. You can also access your files in your DropBox account or Google Drive. Plus, you can search your documents for specific text and add bookmarks. > You open a document or book in Voice Dream Reader and navigate it with simple VO gestures. I can use the VO gesture, double-finger-double-tap to start and stop reading or two-finger swipe left to rewind or right to fast forward. You assign a voice for all new documents or set a specific voice for a book or document. Choose from 186 voices in 30 languages. Plus, you can adjust the voice pitch and speaking rate. I like being able to listen to documents and books on my iPhone using the audio controls on my lock screen. Voice Dream Reader will keep track of your place when you exit the document. > Searching for Text: > I really like using Voice Dream Reader because you can listen to an email attachment or a file downloaded from a website. You can search for text and add a bookmark. I have a lot of resource documents in .PDF format that I refer to often that include tables with text in rows and columns. I can search for specific text if I need to remember a braille command for my braille display, what the ?@? sign is in UEB braille code, or the cooking time for 2 pounds of pinto beans for my InstantPot. It?s easy to find the information you need. > Final Thoughts: > Voice Dream Reader has been around for a while and has received many awards. It?s a gem for 9 dollars and 99 cents. You can learn more about the app below. The ?Apple App of the Day? story on the App Store provides a good overview. You can learn how to use the app from an iFocus video from the Hadley Institute for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Douglas Walker does a great job giving you an overview of Voice Dream Reader. I also included a link to the manual. Enjoy reading via text-to-speech on your iDevice! > Voice Dream Reader Resources: > Voice Dream Reader Website: > www.voicedream.com/ > App Store Link: > itunes.apple.com/ > App of the Day Story: > itunes.apple.com/story > Manual: > www.voicedream.com/support > Hadley Institute for the Blind and Visually Impaired; iFocus; Using the Voice Dream Reader App > hadley.edu/PlayVideo > A Time to Plant > > By Sue Brazel > Sue at TheBlindPerspective.com > Houseplants are a misconception. While it is true that plants can be grown indoors, plants originally had a native habitat. Tropical plants would die if left in a chilling environment during our cold months. Houseplants tend to be tropical varieties that we enjoy in our homes. > We live in hardiness zones, where plants should be grown during the time when it is most favorable for their existence. In the fall, pay attention to the first frost date. Frost will probably kill tender plants. An early frost, according to meteorological statistics, might occur about the time of a first frost date. In the spring, the last frost date is when a late frost might occur in the region. There are world maps that provide this information. If you live near an intersection of zones, prepare for the colder time so that your plants have the best chance of survival in your zone. > Some plants can stay outside during cold months if protected with mulching and kept at the ground level. The ground provides some protection compared to plants exposed to wind and cold from all directions. > What choice should be made concerning the plants that you want to have live during your cold season? Is there room for a plant in your house? Some plants help to freshen the environment inside. Is there adequate light for a plant? A northern window might not be enough; an eastern, southern or western exposure might need your consideration. Some people think that lights labeled as growing lights work; it is your responsibility to find out how long to leave that light on each day and where it should be placed for the plant to thrive. > Remember that plants need watering, so make sure you have an idea of how much water your plant in a winterized location takes. Because humidity in an indoor environment is different than in an outdoor setting, you might have a different watering schedule than you did with outside plants. Most plants aren?t in their season of growth, so won?t need as much watering. > If you want to bring plants inside that have been outside for the previous season, check for insect life. It is best to treat an insect population before plants are brought into your dwelling space! > Can you plant anything now that will come up outside next year? Yes! Some root vegetables can be put into your square foot gardens if you pay attention to depth and mulching. Also, some flower bulbs can be planted in square foot gardens for spring blooms. Fall planting in hanging baskets is not a good option if you live in a cold zone. > Inside, some bulbs can be placed in shallow rock beds and watered for beautiful blooms when it is too cold for them to bloom outside. Find a chart that tells how long between planting and blooming a particular bulb takes for blooming when you desire. Spring blooming bulbs are available now at nurseries and retailers. These bulbs are ready to force bloom earlier than if you planted them outside. > Have a wonderful ?thyme? taking care of your plants as the season changes! > Here's to your Health > > by Catherine Hall > Catherine at TheBlindPerspective.com > Nutrition Basics: Fat > This month, we are diving into the final macronutrient: fat. In the 90?s, fat gained the reputation as the least healthy of the macronutrients, and many people still try to avoid fat today. However, much like carbohydrates, fat does not make anyone fat. In fact, fat is an essential macronutrient that keeps our bodies running smoothly. > So, what does fat actually do? It is the main component of our cell membranes, so fat literally holds us together. Fat is used by the body to cushion organs and tissues, as well as lubricating joints. It also forms the coating on nerves that helps conduct signals from the brain to other parts of the body, known as myelin. In fact, it?s the breakdown of myelin that causes Multiple Sclerosis. Fat carries some nutrients into the body and allows them to be absorbed properly, and fat is also where the body stores excess energy and nutrients. > As people have accepted that fat is necessary and important, some types of fat have gained more acceptance than others. In reality, all types of fat are important, and there is only one form of fat that is dangerous, but we?ll talk more about that in a bit. > There are two main categories of fat: saturated and unsaturated. > Saturated fats are solid at room temperature and include butter, lard, and other animal fats. Coconut oil is also considered a saturated fat as it is solid at cool room temperature. The only fat that doesn?t follow the solid at room temperature rule is palm kernel oil; it is the only saturated fat that is liquid at room temperature. Saturated fat has been blamed for causing heart disease and some people recommend avoiding it as much as possible. However, saturated fat plays an important role in the body, especially in the structural components. While we may not need as much as we tend to get, it is important to consume some saturated fat to keep everything working well. > Unsaturated fats are liquid at room temperature. Most oils belong to this category, including vegetable, olive, sunflower, canola, and grapeseed oils. The famous Omega-3 oils, as well as the lesser-known Omega-6 oils are part of this category. Both Omega-3 and Omega-6 oils are essential for us to consume since our bodies can?t make them out of other components. The Omega-6 oils are the easiest for us to get, especially in the West. Vegetable oils in particular, are excellent sources of this essential fat. Omega-6 fats encourage our bodies? inflammatory response, which is necessary, but if allowed to go unchecked, can cause health problems. The Omega-3 fats are less abundant, but equally necessary. These fats have an anti-inflammatory effect. They are most readily available in fatty fish, but can also be found in nuts and grass-fed beef. > As with all of the macronutrients, the question that must be answered is: how much fat does the average person need in their diet? The Dietary Recommendations for Americans recommends between 45% and 65% of calories come from fat. Which means that, if a person is eating 2,000 calories per day, then they need 90 to 130 grams of fat per day. Ok, all these numbers are great, but what does that actually look like? To give you a more concrete idea of what those numbers mean, there are 14 grams of fat in one tablespoon of oil. So, if you?re eating 2,000 calories per day, you need somewhere between 6.5 and 9 tablespoons of fat per day. That doesn?t have to mean butter or oil, either. That fat can come from avocado, meat, poultry skin, bacon, nuts, seeds, or olives. > Next time, I?ll be talking more about balancing all three macronutrients. > Happy Eating! > The Rotating Trio: Windbag > > By Blow Hard > BlowHard @TheBlindPerspective.com > CUTTING UP > "Cutting up" generally means goofing around and having fun with friends, but not in this article. This article deals with tools that have sharp edges. > I won't spend much space on any one item, but I will give general suggestions on them. Saws, hand or power: Power saws are not dangerous if you pay attention to what you're doing when using them. In fact, blind users have fewer accidents than those who can see. The reason for this is simple. Sighted people look at each other when talking to each other, so they look away from their cutting task, lose concentration, and receive a saw kickback or worse because their attention is elsewhere. A blind power saw user stays focused until the cut is finished. So, the main safety tip I can give is to stay focused. > Another tip is to always use a sharp blade. Never let a blade get dull. The more easily a blade can cut through something, the less chance there is of it grabbing and throwing something. This tip is true for any cutting tool such as scissors, knives, or blades. For power saws, if you can afford them, only buy carbide tipped blades. They won't need to be sharpened. > Knives: This goes for pocket knives, kitchen knives, or others. Again, as discussed above, keep them sharp! The sharper the better! Let the knife do the work of cutting. Don't bear down when cutting. Too much pressure is the main cause of slippage and injury when using knives. With this in mind, a good knife sharpener is an essential household item. And they don't have to be expensive. I bought one that cost around $10 on Amazon that will sharpen 4 different kinds of knives, and it is easy to use. No need to worry about the right angle. Just place the knife into the groove and pull it toward you with an even stroke. Inside the groove, on both sides, is the rough surface that will sharpen the knife. It will also work on kitchen scissors. > Another money saving kitchen tool is an electric meat slicer. I bought a Hamilton Beach meat slicer about 20 years ago, and have never regretted it. The blade spins at about 300 RPM. > It measures about 8 inches in diameter and is made of stainless steel. It has never lost the razor-sharp edge. There is a fence that runs the length of the machine, which is about 16 inches long. This fence is adjusted to be either closer to, or farther away, from the blade. The greater the distance between the two, the thicker the slice. I can cut meats and other foods to a thickness ranging from a sixteenth of an inch to half an inch. It makes uniform slices. The block of meat can be up to about 6 inches thick to start with. It is placed on a tray that you move past the blade when the machine is running, and the slice of meat falls behind the machine, between the fence and the blade. A plate or cookie sheet is placed there to catch the slices. The block of meat is held in place by small sharp prongs along a sliding front panel. As you work, you move the carriage back and forth, pressing on this movable front panel. With each slice, the block gets thinner until no more cuts can be made. Replace it with another block and continue cutting. > I can slice a 5-pound smoked boneless ham into 1/16-inch slices in less than 10 minutes. This makes great ham sandwich material that can be bagged and frozen for later use. So, I sometimes smoke half a dozen of these hams at once, then wait for them to cool, and start slicing. That's a lot of ham in the freezer! Buy lunch meats in bulk and slice them rather than buying presliced lunch meats and save money. If you like Arby?s roast beef sandwiches because the beef is sliced so thin, you can cut it that way with one of these machines. It only takes a few minutes. > Until next time, have fun while safely cutting up! > Cooking Concoctions > > By Maxine > Maxine at TheBlindPerspective.com > Don?t put that grill away yet! Here are two grilling recipes that are sure to delight your palate. > Grilled Drunken Chicken > Ingredients: > Chicken pieces; breasts, thighs, legs) > For Marinade: > 1/2 cup fresh lime juice > 1/3 cup golden tequila > 1/4 cup olive oil > 3 tablespoons orange juice > 2 cloves garlic, minced or pressed > 1 teaspoon grated lime rind > 1/4 teaspoon salt > For Pineapple Banana Bacon Skewers: > 1/2 pineapple, cubed > 2 large bananas, sliced > About 12 strips bacon (optional) > Directions: > Wash chicken and pat dry. > Combine lime juice, tequila, oil, orange juice, garlic, lime rind and salt. > Pour over the chicken. Cover and marinate overnight in the fridge. > Drain. Reserve marinade. > Grill over hot coals, about 6 inches from the heat, or on a gas grill. > Turn occasionally. Baste frequently with the reserved marinade. > Cook for about 45 minutes, or until meat is tender and cooked when pierced with a fork and the juices run clear. > To prepare skewers: > thread the pineapple and bananas on skewers, wrapping the bacon around the fruit. > Grill over hot coals as you cook the chicken for the last 8 to 10 minutes until bacon is cooked and fruit is hot. > Grilled Vegetables > Ingredients: > 2 red bell peppers, seeded and halved > 2 yellow squash, sliced lengthwise into 1/2-inch-thick rectangles > 2 zucchinis, sliced lengthwise into 1/2-inch-thick rectangles > 1 medium eggplant, sliced lengthwise into 1/2-inch-thick rectangles > 6 cremini or portabella mushrooms (or your favorite kind) > 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed > 6 green onions, roots cut off > 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons olive oil > Salt and freshly ground black pepper > 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar > 2 garlic cloves, minced > 1 teaspoon chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves > 1 teaspoon chopped fresh basil leaves > 1/2 teaspoon finely chopped fresh rosemary leaves > Directions: > Prepare the barbecue (medium-high heat). > Brush the vegetables with 1/4 cup of the oil to coat lightly. Sprinkle the vegetables with salt and pepper. > Working in batches, grill the vegetables until tender and lightly charred all over. > about 8 to 10 minutes for the bell peppers > 7 minutes for the yellow squash, zucchini, eggplant, and mushrooms > 4 minutes for the asparagus and green onions. > The key to getting those great grill marks is to not shift the vegetables too frequently once they've been placed on the hot grill. > Arrange the vegetables on a platter. > Meanwhile, whisk the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, parsley, basil, and rosemary in a small bowl to blend. > Add salt and pepper to taste. Drizzle the herb mixture over the vegetables. > Serve the vegetables, warm or at room temperature. > Riddle & Brain Buster > > By Alex Smart > Alex at TheBlindPerspective.com > Riddle > > Mom and Dad have four daughters, and each daughter has one brother. How many people are in the family? > Answer to August?s riddle: > What is easy to get into, but hard to get out of? > Trouble > Brain Buster > > Rhyming Trios > Think of rhymes for each trio of words that will go together to make a familiar phrase in the form of blank blank and blank. > Example: plop, shook, and christen; stop, look, and listen. > *Chap, tackle, and drop: > *Brook, sign, and thinker: > *Bread, height, and drew: > *Done, June, and jars: > *Freddy, chilling, and stable: > *Claim, bet, and scratch: > *peg, sorrow, and wheel: > *Flop, lip, and bump: > Answers to August?s brain buster: > The two parts of the body that are pluralized, not by adding an S, but by changing their vowels are: > Foot to feet, and tooth to teeth. > Classifieds > > The DannyBoy Portable Smart Phone Holder > > This product is IDEAL FOR HOLDING your Smart Phone ALOFT in a fixed and stable position for use with APPS like Seeing AI and KNFB Reader. It is ideal for taking pictures and images of items and documents too. > It holds your Smart Phone or device stationary allowing your device's camera to view items and documents clearly providing perfect recognition and imaging! > It weighs less than 9 ounces and is portable! > It can be assembled for use or collapsed for transport in a matter of seconds! > Developed for Blind, visually impaired and low vision Smart phone users, The DannyBoy Portable Smart Phone Holder is also wonderful for anyone with motor disabilities! > It is perfect for everyone wanting clear, distortion free images and document recognition! > Its "Open Frame Construction" eliminates the need for additional lighting to illuminate the document or item under it. > It will work with any model iPhone or Android Smart phone! > Measures 12 inches long overall and 13 and a half inches tall when standing at its full height. Height is adjustable up to 13 1/2 inches! > The Dannyboy ships Free Matter For The Blind directly from Dan Malone! > Your Cost for the Dannyboy: 39 dollars and 99 cents. > Choose how you want to Place Your Order for a Dannyboy: > You can Order The Dannyboy On-Line at BlindMiceMart.com with this link: > www.blindmicemegamall.com > You can E-Mail us your order for The Dannyboy! Send it to: > sales at blindmicemegamall.com > You can place your order for The Dannyboy by phone! Order Center open Monday - Friday; 9am until 4pm CST. > Call 713-893-7277 to place your order. > For more information about the DannyBoy, please email us at: > sales at blindmicemegamall.com > All prices are in U.S. dollars and exclusive of applicable shipping charges and Texas Sales Tax unless otherwise noted. > Have a MICE Day! > Have You Heard About BlindBookStop.com? > > BlindBookStop.com offers hundreds of cookbooks, crochet books, knitting books and general stacks books, and all of them are in Braille or Electronic Format! > Braille books are brailled in Grade 2 Braille and are shipped Free Matter For The Blind through the Postal Service. > Electronic Books are a text file in .txt format. They can be shipped on a CD-R by Free Matter For The Blind or e-mailed (Select Delivery Method during check-out). > You can browse over 200 Braille & Electronic Cookbooks at BlindBookStop.com > You can browse over 260 Braille & Electronic Crochet Books at BlindBookStop.com (Save 30% until September 15, 2018) > You can browse over 350 Braille & Electronic Knitting Books at BlindBookStop.com (Save 30% until September 15, 2018) > You can browse Poetry, How-To, Hints & Tips, Inspirational and other Braille an& Electronic General Stacks Books at BlindBookStop.com > We would love to have you visit blind bookstop in BlindMiceMegaMall.com and Browse all our Books! > Here is the direct link to BlindBookStop.com: > www.blindbookstop.com > (If the link does not open, please paste it into your browser) > all of our titles are available in Grade 2 Braille or Electronic Text Format! > International Shipping is Available! > Domestic Free Matter Shipping please allow 10 to 14 days for delivery; International Free Matter Shipping allow up to 30 days for delivery. > 3 Easy Ways to Place Your Order: > 1. Order On-line at: > www.BlindBookStop.com > 2. Order By E-mail: E-mail your order to the Blind Mice Order Center with this email address: > sales at blindmicemegamall.com > 3. Order By Phone: Call the Order Center Monday - Friday 9:00 am - 4:00 pm CST > (713) 893-7277 > All major credit cards & PayPal ar accepted > Blind BookStop is a Proud Merchant in the Mall for the Blind, Blind MiceMegaMall.com > Journeys is here to brighten your day! > > We use real earth crystals and essential oils for our creations! > Browse our elegant jewelry and you will find a hand crafted bracelet, necklace or pendant that will enhance your spirit and accent your outer self too! > Whether you choose a beautiful necklace or bracelet, a bottle or two of our fragrant room sprays, an arthritis blend or another essential oil, a collection of healing crystals, or abundance oils, be assured each item will enhance your life. > All items in the Your Eternal Essence line are made with pure, essential oils. Each bottle is hand blended by myself, Ann Bliss with love. > Because we know your money is tight, all U.S. orders ship for $7.45. > Sorry, International shipping is not available. > We encourage you to browse Journeys! There is something for everyone! > www.blindmicemegamall.com/Journeys > Phone: 713 893-7277 Monday - Friday, 9 a. until 4 p. CST. > Have a MICE DAY! > FYI > > FYI: Guide Dog Users, Inc. Publishes Handbook > Guide Dog Users, Inc. (GDUI), the largest membership and advocacy organization representing guide dog handlers in the United States, is pleased to announce the recent publication of a revised handbook for perspective guide dog users which shares comprehensive information about acquiring and using a guide dog for safe and independent travel. > The guide, 90 pages in length, and available in e-book and print formats is titled,? A Handbook for the Prospective Guide Dog Handler?, 4th Edition. Realizing how well their original publication had served guide dog users all over the country and beyond, GDUI has spent the past several years updating the manual to reflect changes in guide dog training methodologies, growth in the community of guide dog users, changes in the number of schools now available to provide training and dogs, and evolving attitudes among the public concerning acceptance of guide dogs as reliable and respected aids for blind and visually impaired people who choose dogs for independent travel. > The informative handbook answers questions not only for the prospective guide dog team, but also for families of people who are blind, blindness rehabilitation professionals and educators, and the general public. > ?A Handbook for the Prospective Guide Dog Handler? is available as an e-book and in print from Amazon.com, Smashwords, and other online sellers. Visit this link for further information and to explore options for purchase: www.GDUI-DLDHandbooks.com > The Blind Perspective > > Where we aim to keep you informed and entertained > The Blind Perspective > Subscribe by sending an email to: TheBlindPerspective+subscribe at groups.io > And don't forget to like us on Facebook at facebook.com/TheBlindPerspectiveNewsletter > Follow us on twitter: @BlindPerspectNL > Thank you for reading the Blind Perspective! > > ? 2015-2018 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any way without the prior expressed written permission of The Blind Perspective. > THE END > > The Blind Perspective > Administrative Team > Remember it Pays to be Plugged in to The Blind Perspective Where we Aim to Keep You Informed & Entertained! > Email Us At: info at theblindperspective.com > Facebook: http://facebook.com/TheBlindPerspectiveNewsletter > Our Twitter Handle: @BlindPerspectNL > www.theblindperspective.com > _._,_._,_ > Groups.io Links: > You receive all messages sent to this group. > > View/Reply Online (#42) | Reply To Group | Reply To Sender | Mute This Topic | New Topic > Please note: this is a distribution list only. > Your Subscription | Contact Group Owner | Unsubscribe [brianrmiller88 at gmail.com] > _._,_._,_ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From brianrmiller88 at gmail.com Sat Sep 1 13:59:58 2018 From: brianrmiller88 at gmail.com (Brian Miller) Date: Sat, 1 Sep 2018 09:59:58 -0400 Subject: [NFBV-Alexandria] Fwd: [AppleVis Newsletter] AppleVis Unlimited: What's New and Noteworthy for August 2018 References: Message-ID: In the off-chance you are not already subscribed to the below monthly newsletter, if you are an Apple products fan, you should be! Brian Miller President GAC/NFBV Sent from my iPhone Begin forwarded message: > From: "The AppleVis Editorial Team" > Date: September 1, 2018 at 3:53:09 AM EDT > To: "Subscriber" > Subject: [AppleVis Newsletter] AppleVis Unlimited: What's New and Noteworthy for August 2018 > > Welcome to the August 2018 edition of AppleVis Unlimited, our monthly newsletter which aims to highlight what's new and noteworthy on the AppleVis website. Below, you'll find a selection of the best content posted to AppleVis - from new app entries, to app updates, to the latest news and podcasts. For easier navigation, the major sections of this post are at heading level 3, and each individual item is at heading level 4. > > New and Noteworthy App Entries > > Dusk (iOS, Free) > > Dusk is an all-new gaming experience, designed for the blind but playable by everyone. > > Use your phone in ways you've never imagined and challenge yourself with a series of mini-games that do not require the use of sight, or play with a friend to find out who's the best! > > Each game uses a combination of movement sensors, vibration, sound and other technologies for a totally immersive experience. > Full leaderboards and achievements support for singleplayer games. > Play your favorite games with a friend and another iPhone, thanks to the multiplayer mode. > Fully compatible with VoiceOver. > Simple and minimalist high-contrast design to improve legibility. > (Please note that some games might not be available on older devices due to technical limitations.) > > Current Version: 1.0.1 (July 17, 2018) > > Read Dusk's AppleVis App Directory entry for more information > > Visit Dusk's App Store page > > Personal Diary App (Journal (iOS, Free) > > Never write a diary because of the inconvenience to do that? > Always forget to write in your diary? > Afraid that someone will peek into your diary? > Unable to attach images into your diary? > Just need a simple & easy to use diary? > > Personal Diary is an app that solves the above problems. Easily access all your entries in all your devices with iCloud Sync. You can write diary entries without worrying that someone will peek at what you wrote, with passcode & biometric protection. Forgot about your diary? The app will now 'summon' you back a friendly nudge. You can also import as many photos as you wish into your entries. As an addition, you can set your mood and also the weather. > > Features: > > Numeric passcode lock > Unlock using Touch ID or Face ID > Simple & Easy to use > iCloud Sync > Smart Search > Ability to pick a mood > Ability to choose the weather of the day > Mood & Weather can be automatically chosen > Import photos to your entries > Auto-saves as you type > Select a theme > Dark Mode for better night use > Fully supports iPad Multitasking Features > Fully supports external keyboard > Supports VoiceOver > iPhone X Support > Daily Notifications > No Ads & absolutely free! :D > Current Version: 2.4.16 (August 12, 2018) > > Read Personal Diary App (Journal's AppleVis App Directory entry for more information > > Visit Personal Diary App (Journal's App Store page > > WakeUp Alarm, Guaranteed (Simple SleepCycle Alarm (iOS, Free) > > WakeUp Alarm, Guaranteed. Get it? This alarm clock app guarantees that you'll wake up rested every morning, with many methods such as auto sleep cycle calculation & shake to stop alarm. > > *This app is created by my 13 year old son, Wern Jie. > > What is this? > > This is a Guaranteed WakeUp Alarm. > Its a gesture-based UI alarm app. > How do I use it with gestures? > > Drag left or right to set alarm time. > Drag up to activate alarm. > Drag down to deactivate alarm. > Shake to stop alarm. > Features: > > Easy to use... to the point where anyone can use it! > Calculates sleep cycle stages to wake you up at light sleep. > NO NEED to place the phone near the bed... It calculates the sleep cycles through the mean average of most humans' sleep cycle patterns. > Only wakes you up at just the right time so you feel refreshed. > Records estimate sleep into Health app. > Sleep music: plays your favourite music to fall asleep. > No Ads! :) . > The most lightweight alarm app ever! (8 MB in size). > VoiceOver fully supported. > Current Version: 1.0.1 (April 25, 2017) > > Read WakeUp Alarm, Guaranteed (Simple SleepCycle Alarm's AppleVis App Directory entry for more information > > Visit WakeUp Alarm, Guaranteed (Simple SleepCycle Alarm's App Store page > > YouTube Music (iOS, Free with In-App Purchases) > > YouTube Music is a new music app that allows you to easily find what you?re looking for and discover new music. Get playlists and recommendations served to you based on your context, tastes, and what?s trending around you. > > A new music streaming service from YouTube > > This is a completely reimagined music service with official releases from your favorite artists. > Find the music you want > > Easily find the albums, singles, live performances, covers and remixes you?re looking for. > Don?t know a song?s name? Just search the lyrics or describe it. > Discover new music > > Get music recommendations based on taste, location, and time of day. > Use ?The Hotlist? to keep up with what?s trending. > Uninterrupted listening with Music Premium > > Listen ad-free > Don?t worry about your music stopping when you lock your screen or use other apps. > Download your favorites or let us do it for you by enabling Offline Mixtape. > Get 1 free month of Music Premium to listen ad-free, offline, and with your screen locked. Existing YouTube Red or Google Play Music members and users of either service who have already received a 30 day trial are not eligible. Monthly charges auto-renew for Music Premium membership outside of trial periods. > > Current Version: 2.47 (August 28, 2018) > > Read YouTube Music's AppleVis iOS App Directory entry for more information > > Visit YouTube Music's App Store page > > All recent app entries posted to AppleVis can be found at: > > iOS > Mac > Apple Watch > Apple TV > > Notable App Updates > > Dice World (iOS, Free With In-App Purchases) > > Thank you for checking out Dice World! The game was created by two regular dads with the goal to create a game that everyone can play together and have fun... for free! > > After 6 years we are still at it, and loving every minute of it! Join the fun and meet new friends from around the globe. Everyone is welcome in Dice World! > > Dice World is also designed so blind and sighted can compete against each other. It is completely accessible to the visually impaired! > > 6 social dice games in one App! Yatzy, Farkle, Pig, Threes, Balut and 1-4-24! > > Key Features: > > Daily Tournaments! > Play multiple games against different opponents at the same time. > Turn based game play. There is no need for both players to be online at the same time. > Track from which countries around the world your opponents are playing! > Superior stats - Wins, Losses, Ties, High Scores? it?s all recorded! > Leaderboards ? Are you good enough to make it onto the worldwide leader board? Represent your country! > Chat with your friends during game play - multiple lingual support for chat text (even user names support all languages)! > Player ranking - work your way up from a starting level of DiceJoke to the surprise highest level! Be the first in your country to accomplish this feat! > Offline? No problem - play some games against the computer opponents to hone your skills! > Seamless integration with Push Notifications for lightning fast game play. > Detailed help for each game to help new players get up to speed. > 100% Voice over Accessible! > Current Version: 13.02 (August 30, 2018) > > Changes in August > > New daily awards! > Accessibility and iOS 9 compatibility fixes! > iPad crash fixes > Free gold upgrades > Performance updates > Accessibility fix for settings button. > Free gold fixes! > Read Dice World's AppleVis App Directory entry for more information > > Visit Dice World's App Store page > > Envision AI (iOS, Free With In-App Purchases) > > Envision enables people with visual impairment to live more independently. With Envision, visually impaired users can shop in supermarkets, use public transport, read menu cards in restaurants, recognise their friends, find their belongings and so much more, all on their own. > > Envision can process an image an extract the information user is looking for. It can read texts from any surface accurately and quickly. It also automatically detects the language of the text and reads it out in the correct dialect. This text can then be explored through VoiceOver and also exported out. > > Envision also does a great job of describing scenes. You can teach Envision to recognise faces of your friends and family and find out what they are doing by taking a picture of them. This also works for personal objects that the app also allows taught to the app. > > The scene description and text recognition also work on all photos on your phone, right from the camera roll to WhatsApp images. This makes the web and social media a lot more accessible. > > We are constantly working on improving our services and introducing more features. If you have any questions, feedback or feature request, please email us at karthik at letsenvision.com or write to us from within the app. > > Current Version: 1.5.2 (August 30, 2018) > > Changes in Version 1.5.0 > > This version introduces a new long-awaited feature in Envision called Scan & Find. It's a whole new tab in addition to the Text and General tab that already existed. This tab has three functions: > > Teach Envision: This is similar to the previous teaching flow that we had, but we have improved it for higher accuracy. The new teaching method does take a little longer to process, but ensure the recognition happens much more accurately. > Custom Scan: This function turns on the video feed and starts searching if any of the trained faces or objects are in the frame. As soon as it sees an object or person you have trained on the frame, it will speak it out. This could be useful in instances where you are searching for your lost keys on the table or for a friend in a cafe. > General Scan: This function is to use the video feed to recognise general objects that are in front of you. This could be used to get a sense of what objects are around you or to just point it out from the bus to see what are you passing by. > We have put in a lot of work into building the backend for this and will continue to work on improving its stability, speed and accuracy. This is the very first version of this whole new feature so we look forward to hearing your thoughts and feedback on it and learn how to make it better. > > Read Envision AI's AppleVis App Directory entry for more information > > Visit Envision AI's App Store page > > FlickType Keyboard (iOS, Free With In-App Purchases) > > FlickType helps everyone type effortlessly, regardless of visual ability. Our innovative, award-winning technology and accessible design make typing easier, faster, and more comfortable - even if you are blind. Say goodbye to typing frustrations and rediscover the joy and productivity of writing on-the-go. > > LIMITED VISION > FlickType is designed to be as accessible as possible, featuring large keys, highly readable visual announcements, high-contrast color themes, and much more. > > TYPE WITH YOUR EARS > FlickType can speak back to you when you type or edit, enabling a completely eyes-free writing experience. People who are blind write millions of words every month using it, typing just as fast as everyone else. > > COMFORTABLY SMART > Say goodbye to painfully slow editing operations. Delete and change entire words with a single flick of your finger. Control the cursor directly from the keyboard. When typing, don't slow down and try to be accurate. Simply tap-type where it feels right and FlickType's unique algorithm will find the correct word from the pattern of your taps. > > FAST, EASY & FUN > FlickType users type a whole three to four times faster compared to the standard keyboard, VoiceOver typing, or even dictation after edits. And utilizing the standard QWERTY layout means you don?t have to learn a new way to type. Emoji, text shortcuts, and deep customization options make typing fluid and fun, just as it should be. > > Current Version: 2.8 (August 28, 2018) > > Changes in Version 2.6-2.8 > > Container app: When exiting the app, the keyboard won't be dismissed. > Container app: Added "Copy and Clear Text on Exit" function for easier frequent use. > Bigger, more visually accessible key labels. > Added "Tap feedback" setting for more responsive taps on touch down. See setting notes for more information. > Added "Raise to Read Back" setting, off by default. See setting notes for more information. > Changed icon for "Next Keyboard" button. > Updated the "Welcome" and "Upgrade" tabs. > Swapped order of "Demo" and "Upgrade" tabs. > New half-screen, direct-commit mode where all text changes are instantly reflected in the current text field. This currently only works for non-VoiceOver users due to iOS limitations, but we are still looking for ways to bring it to VoiceOver users as well. > The "Next keyboard" key and setting will be hidden on devices that have a dedicated, always-present "Next keyboard" key (such as the iPhone X), or if FlickType is the only keyboard in the keyboard list. > Bugfixes. > Read FlickType Keyboard's AppleVis App Directory entry for more information > > Visit FlickType Keyboard's App Store page > > Gmail - Email by Google (iOS, Free) > > The official Gmail app brings the best of Gmail to your iPhone or iPad with real-time notifications, multiple account support and search that works across all of your mail. > > With the Gmail app, you can: > > Undo Send, to prevent embarrassing mistakes > Switch between multiple accounts > Receive notifications about new mail fast, with notification centre, badge and lock screen options > Search your mail faster with instant results, predictions as you type and spelling suggestions > Swipe to archive/delete, to quickly clear out your inbox > Read your mail with threaded conversations > Auto-complete contact names as you type from your Google contacts or your phone > Respond to Google Calendar invitations straight from the app > Organise your mail by archiving, labelling, starring, deleting and reporting spam > Send and receive attachments > See profile pictures as part of the conversation > Current Version: 5.0.180813 (August 28, 2018) > > Changes in Version 5.0.180729 > > You can now dismiss the prompts that appear to remind you to follow up on an email > VoiceOver now announces system labels as expected > VoiceOver now announces the correct text when editing a message > Read Gmail - Email by Google's AppleVis App Directory entry for more information > > Visit Gmail - Email by Google's App Store page > > Microsoft Soundscape (iOS, Free) > > Microsoft Soundscape uses 3D audio technology to enhance your awareness of what is around you, and thereby help you get around and explore your surroundings. > > Soundscape will place audio cues and labels in 3D space such that they sound like they are coming from the direction of the points of interest, parks, roads and other features in your surroundings. > > You will need a pair of stereo headsets that you feel comfortable wearing outdoors. For example, bone conduction headsets, Apple AirPods and in-ear open headphones have proven to work well. > > Soundscape is designed to live in the background and provide you with effortless ambient awareness. Therefore, feel free to use it in conjunction with other apps such as podcasts, audio books, email and even GPS navigation. > > Key features: > > As you walk, Soundscape will automatically call out the key points of interest, roads and intersections that you pass. These can be adjusted and turned on and off. > An audio beacon can be placed on a point of interest, and you will hear it as you move around. You can place an audio beacon on a point of interest that you would like to track such as your destination, a point to return to or a landmark you are familiar with. > ?My location? describes your current location and the direction you are facing > ?Around me? describes nearby points of interest in each of the four cardinal directions, helping with orientation. Try this out when getting off a bus or leaving a train station. > ?Ahead of me? describes points of interest in front of you, for example when walking down the street. > The expandable Callout History section lets you review callouts you have heard, repeat callouts, hear more information about them, and more. > Current Version: 1.8.0 (August 21, 2018) > > Changes in Version 1.8.0 > > Mark anything you care about. > > With this release we are introducing Soundscape markers, replacing reference Points. Whether you are marking up key landmarks on a route, the entrance to your park or just your spot on the beach, you can locate your nearby markers and even set a beacon on them as a guide. You can quickly mark your current location while on the go from the home screen, or add and edit markers through the "Manage Markers" menu item. > > You can now control Soundscape like you do music using the buttons on your headphones! You can pause/play, forward and rewind. Give it a try and you can find the "Help and Tutorials" section in the main menu for more information. > > We made further improvements to Soundscape behavior while you are in a vehicle. Soundscape will reliably update you every time you change a road, and using the my location button you can find out the upcoming intersection. Key landmarks will also be called out to aid with mental mapping and tracking where you are. > > And as always, we continue to fix bugs and improve stability and reliability of the overall experience. > > Read Microsoft Soundscape's AppleVis App Directory entry for more information > > Visit Microsoft Soundscape's App Store page > > Travelear: Listen to the World (iOS, Free With In-App Purchases) > > "A vacation for your ears." > > Travelear promises to take your ears on an adventure like never before! You can finally go to a variety of destinations and environments with a pair of headphones and the click of a button. With Travelear you can hop across the pond and experience the hustle and bustle of London's famous Flower Market or even take a trip down to New Orleans jazz-filled streets. If you're not in the mood for a new city sound then you can always get up close and personal with forest wildlife or simply sit back and relax on your porch as a summer thunderstorm passes by. Let our sounds immerse you into an environmental narrative and make you feel like you are actually there. > > Features: > > 3D experiences created exclusively for Travelear > Organic recordings designed to tell a story > Captured with the latest in 3D microphones > Recorded and composed by Professional Audio Engineers > HD sound quality > HD images provide a visual for the experience > Map View allows you to choose your destination > Take a break from your day, go somewhere fun. Sit back, relax, and choose your destination. > > Current Version: 1.2.5 (August 21, 2018) > > Changes in Version 1.2.4 > > Improved accessibility for VoiceOver! New Layout! > > Read Travelear: Listen to the World's AppleVis App Directory entry for more information > > Visit Travelear: Listen to the World's App Store page > > Zello Walkie Talkie (iOS, Free With In-App Purchases) > > Zello turns your phone into a walkie talkie and works anywhere in the world as long as you are connected to the internet! > > Join millions of people who use Zello instead of texting and calls. You can use it one-on-one with a friend, for a live group call with your family or soccer team. The Zello app can even replace 2-way radios at work. > > Zello is the only place for live open group communication ? old school CB Radio style. Create a live Zello channel for your forum or customers, or enjoy conversations from across the globe. > > Free live voice over any network or Wi-Fi connection > See who?s available or busy > Send photos, text or location to friends instantly > Replay messages later, even if your phone was off > Cross-platform > Free with no ads > Won?t spam your friends > Lets you delete your account > Current Version: 4.08 (August 21, 2018) > > Changes in Version 4.06 > > Updated UI to use round profile images > Fixed missing VoiceOver labels on some screens > Other bugfixes > Read Zello Walkie Talkie's AppleVis App Directory entry for more information > > Visit Zello Walkie Talkie's App Store page > > Recent News and Views > > Ba-Dum-Bump! Making Jokes with Your iPhone > > By Paul Martz | August 22, 2018 > > Q: Why is a laser beam like goldfish? > A: Because neither one can whistle. > > That was a line from Mike, the joke-telling computer in Robert Heinlein's classic novel, The Moon is a Harsh Mistress. Reading this book made me curious about the current state-of-the-art for computer generated humor. And what, if any joke apps might be available for my iPhone. > > Joke-telling computers are still an area of active research. What we'd really like is Heinlein's Mike character?an artificial intelligence that employs machine learning to decide what is, and isn't, funny. It turns out this is no small task. Computers that develop funny jokes (computational humor, as it's known in the AI industry) require "mastery of sophisticated functions like self-awareness, empathy, spontaneity, and linguistic subtlety." Stuff most computers can't handle yet. > > This TED Ideas article confirms the challenges of computational humor. According to Kevin Litman-Navarro, "If we ever want to build AI that simulates human-style intelligence, we'll need to figure out how to code for funny." > > The closest thing we have today is The Joking Computer. The web page is accessible using Safari on MacOS 10.13.6, but somewhat difficult to navigate due to its complexity. Only the most joke-hungry blind users will navigate through to actually generate a joke. Sadly, it's jokes aren't always all that funny. Here's an example. > > Q: What do you get when you cross a bicycle with an alley? > A: A bike street. > > According to the Joking Computer, that joke is supposed to be funny because bike street sounds like back street. Many jokes are constructed this way, but computers have a hard time with the subtle nuances of spoken language. > > The web page lets you rate the joke and provide other feedback. Hopefully my response will help the computer embarrass itself less going forward. > > I thought the dream of a standup comedian robot might never come true. Then I found this Silicon Based Comedy TED Talk video (worth listening to even if you have no usable eyesight). This robot tells jokes from a pre-programmed list, but also gauges its success or failure based on audience response and uses that information to select subsequent jokes. It did pretty well, I must admit. But I don't think this robot is quite ready for the Second City Comedy Club. > > Read More: ?Ba-Dum-Bump! Making Jokes with Your iPhone? > > This Month in Podcasts > > AppleVis Unleashed August 2018: The Falling Cat > > In this month's edition of AppleVis Unleashed, Thomas Domville, Randy Rusnakk and Mike Malarsie get together to talk about recent Apple news and topics of interest. > > Topics featured in this podcast include: > > Apple Q3 Fiscal Report 2018: 41.3M iPhones, 11.6M iPads, 3.7M Macs > Notes of interest from Apple's Q3 2018 conference call > Apple Sold Fewest Macs in Any Quarter Since 2010 as Nearly Entire Lineup Was Outdated > AAPL hits $1 trillion market cap, Apple first publicly traded company to reach 13 digit valuation > Group FaceTime won't be available for initial iOS 12 or macOS Mojave release > All three 2018 iPhones to support wireless charging, AirPower mat to cost $150, rumors say > 2018 iPhones Could Start at $699, May Include Apple Pencil Support, 512GB Storage Option for OLED Models > More Evidence Emerges to Suggest 2018 iPhones Won't Be Bundled With Lightning to Headphone Jack Adapter > iPad Pro X (2018): Release date, specs, and features! > Apple Watch Series 4: Release date rumors, spec speculation, and more! > Apple says it is removing apps & in-app purchases from its iTunes Affiliate Program > Help Support AppleVis > Dusk > tIP: How to disable short names for contacts > tIP: How to Use Siri to Get Betting Odds > > You can contact the Unleashed Team with feedback or questions at unleashed at applevis.com. > > Listen to ?AppleVis Unleashed August 2018: The Falling Cat? > > What's the good Word? Actually, it's Pages > > To help start off a new school year, Tyler Stephen gives us a podcast covering some of the aspects of Pages for Mac for VoiceOver users. > > Listen to ?What's the good Word? Actually, it's Pages? > > Explore a Land of Adventure and Challenges and Fulfil your Destiny in Echoes from Levia: Soulbound > > In this podcast, Khalfan Bin Dhaher gives us a demonstration of Echoes from Levia: Soulbound, an audiogame designed primarily for a visually impaired and blind audience. > > The player will play as Seric, a boy of humble origins and blind from birth, and follows him during his adventure in the lands of Levia where he will be overwhelmed by a series of events that will bring him to discover his past and the mysterious and sinister characters who rule this world and ultimately fulfill his destiny. > > The companion of this adventure is the mysterious familiar Kiroth, an incorporeal and enigmatic entity bound to the young Seric, who guides him on his journey through the different settings of the game. > > The game consists of two main phases: combat and exploration. > > In the first the player is free to explore the different gaming environments, from the dark stash of a pirate ship to the Reek river's brackish swamp, moving through a grid system using navigation based on sound clues and facing various mini-game obstacles. In the combat phase the player will have to fight against different enemies and use his own hearing to parry the slashes, counterattack, and finally deliver precise and well-settled finishing blows. > > Soulbound offers the player an unprecedented immersive sound environment thanks to proprietary audio technology that simulates sound diffusion, making dialogues and sound effects consistent with the game setting. Finally, the game is equipped with a neat graphical interface that allows its use to a normally sighted audience. > > The game is available on several platforms and costs US$22.99: > > Echoes from Levia: Soulbound for iOS > Echoes from Levia: Soulbound for macOS > Echoes from Levia: Soulbound for PC > > Listen to ?Explore a Land of Adventure and Challenges and Fulfil your Destiny in Echoes from Levia: Soulbound? > > A complete list of all podcasts posted to the AppleVis website can be found at www.applevis.com/podcasts > > Help to Support AppleVis > > AppleVis is managed by a small team of unpaid volunteers and receives no external funding or sponsorship; meaning that we rely on the support of our community to help cover the financial costs of maintaining and developing the AppleVis website. > > If you value the help, information and support that our community provides, please consider helping to make this possible by making a single or regular micro donation at www.applevis.com/donate All donations are truly appreciated and make a huge difference in helping to cover the financial costs of delivering AppleVis for the community. > > The AppleVis Editorial Team > www.applevis.com > > Follow AppleVis on Twitter > Visit and like the AppleVis Facebook Page > > Newsletter: > AppleVis Newsletter > Unsubscribe from this newsletter -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From jwg at sgendeavors.com Sat Sep 1 19:08:15 2018 From: jwg at sgendeavors.com (Jeremy Grandstaff) Date: Sat, 1 Sep 2018 15:08:15 -0400 Subject: [NFBV-Alexandria] Volunteer opportunity-September 18? Message-ID: <5cc3cf248c376e32787e9cc1c42c22e6@mail.gmail.com> Hi Chapter members, I need a couple people who might be willing to attend the next Alexandria Families for Safe Streets meeting, which is located in a transit accessible spot of Alexandria, on September 18. The meeting is from 6:30 to 8PM. Refreshments and a free drink is provided. I am not able to attend the meeting and I would like to have a couple volunteers who can join the planning discussion they are having for fall events, so that we can represent in the conversation. If you have the interest in going, please contact me offline at jwg at sgendeavors.com or 614-519-3026 As you may recall, this is an organization that we help to create and that is focused on increasing education and awareness for vision zero and safer walking across the city. This is part of our community action. Thanks again, Jeremy Jeremy Grandstaff, Collaboration & Organization Consultant S & G Endeavors : Using Collaboration to Help Clients Create Change and Take Action 614-519-3026 | jwg at sgendeavors.com *Follow us, learn about our clients, and how we can help you create change: * * SGEConnections.TV | SGE Blog | SGE Facebook | SGE Youtube | SGE LinkedIn * *What will 2018 hold for your company or organization? Be sure to contact us for a consult.* *Let s & G help you create the change you want to see!* -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From brianrmiller88 at gmail.com Mon Sep 3 01:49:11 2018 From: brianrmiller88 at gmail.com (Brian Miller) Date: Sun, 2 Sep 2018 21:49:11 -0400 Subject: [NFBV-Alexandria] FW: [Nfbv-announce] Correction to Pre-Registration Link In-Reply-To: <15173135.2035268.1535845196142@mail.yahoo.com> References: <15173135.2035268.1535845196142.ref@mail.yahoo.com> <15173135.2035268.1535845196142@mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <028401d44328$4fda5ad0$ef8f1070$@gmail.com> Good evening, I hope everyone is enjoying the holiday weekend. I wanted to forward the below so that you can have the proper link for registering for the NFB of Virginia state convention in Fredericksberg in November. It's never too early to register! If you have any questions, please let me know. Sincerely, Brian Miller, Ph.D. President NFB of Virginia -----Original Message----- From: NFBV-Announce On Behalf Of Sarah Patnaude via NFBV-Announce Sent: Saturday, September 1, 2018 7:40 PM To: Sarah Patnaude via NFBV-Announce Subject: [Nfbv-announce] Correction to Pre-Registration Link Hello Everyone, When pre-registering for convention, please use the link below instead. We believe the issues with the link has been resolved. To pre-register for our 60th Annual State Convention, please visit https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3599708. As mentioned before, you may also call (800) 838-3006 to speak with a Brown Paper Tickets representative to assist you with your registration, or Download the attached Pre-Registration form and mail it with payment included to: NFB of Virginia 3230 Grove Avenue Richmond, VA 23221 Remember, pre-registration ends October 26, so don't wait! Sarah PatnaudeCorresponding Secretary, National Federation of the Blind of Virginiapatnaude.sarah at yahoo.com (804) 591-6153 www.nfb.org www.nfbv.org Follow us on Twitter @NFBVirginia Find us on Facebook @NationalFederationoftheBlindofVirginia Live the Life You Want. The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation's blind. Every day we work together to help blind people live the lives they want. -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: 2018-NFBV-Convention-Pre-Registration-Form.docx Type: application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document Size: 19693 bytes Desc: not available URL: -------------- next part -------------- An embedded and charset-unspecified text was scrubbed... Name: Untitled attachment 00351.txt URL: From brianrmiller88 at gmail.com Mon Sep 3 02:00:50 2018 From: brianrmiller88 at gmail.com (Brian Miller) Date: Sun, 2 Sep 2018 22:00:50 -0400 Subject: [NFBV-Alexandria] FW: Platinum Moments - Harmonizers 70th Anniversary Show - September 8th In-Reply-To: <1131163039626.1102356564350.1714.0.281400JL.1002@scheduler.constantcontact.com> References: <1131163039626.1102356564350.1714.0.281400JL.1002@scheduler.constantcontact.com> Message-ID: <02bb01d44329$f0f6e720$d2e4b560$@gmail.com> Warning! Shameless plug below! Thank you for your indulgence? There are still some good tickets left, but they are going fast. Come see your chapter president and other chapter members both sing and dance! As always, thank you for your support of the arts in Alexandria! Brian Miller President Greater Alexandria Chapter NFBV From: Alexandria Harmonizers On Behalf Of Alexandria Harmonizers Sent: Wednesday, August 29, 2018 2:01 PM To: brianrmiller88 at gmail.com Subject: Platinum Moments - Harmonizers 70th Anniversary Show - September 8th Only 10 days Away - Do you have your tickets yet? The Alexandria Harmonizers present Platinum Moments - Our 70th Anniversary Show. Saturday, September 8, 4:00 pm at Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall. A week from this Saturday! ? Featuring the Toronto Northern Lights - winners of multiple international medals, including the 2013 gold medal, AND Signature - 2018 International Quartet Silver medal winners! PLUS - a variety of Barbershop Harmony Society and Harmonizer special guests and celebrities - including BHS CEO Marty Monson, as emcee. You will not find a better barbershop show this year anywhere on the east coast - and there will only be one performance. Get your tickets here before it's too late: https://squareup.com/store/alexandria-harmonizers Alexandria Harmonizers info at harmonizers.org www.harmonizers.org See what's happening on our social sites: ? ? Alexandria Harmonizers | 1605 Cameron St., Alexandria, VA 22314 Unsubscribe brianrmiller88 at gmail.com Update Profile | About our service provider Sent by harmonizersnewsletter at gmail.com in collaboration with Try it free today -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: ~WRD000.jpg Type: image/jpeg Size: 823 bytes Desc: not available URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image001.jpg Type: image/jpeg Size: 332 bytes Desc: not available URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... 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Name: image005.jpg Type: image/jpeg Size: 1532 bytes Desc: not available URL: From brianrmiller88 at gmail.com Thu Sep 6 01:32:38 2018 From: brianrmiller88 at gmail.com (Brian Miller) Date: Wed, 5 Sep 2018 21:32:38 -0400 Subject: [NFBV-Alexandria] FW: [Nfbv-announce] The Vigilant: August/September 2018 In-Reply-To: <005601d443b8$a58446e0$f08cd4a0$@gmail.com> References: <005601d443b8$a58446e0$f08cd4a0$@gmail.com> Message-ID: <003e01d44581$7f5917f0$7e0b47d0$@gmail.com> In case any of you are not receiving announcements from the NFB of Virginia listserv, please see the below, and be sure to read this latest issue of the Vigilant, our affiliate's newsletter! You'll find, among other things, a great article by our own second VP, Jeremy Grandstaff. Happy reading! Brian Miller President Greater Alexandria Chapter NFB of Virginia -----Original Message----- From: NFBV-Announce On Behalf Of Joe via NFBV-Announce Sent: Monday, September 3, 2018 3:02 PM To: NFBV-Announce at nfbnet.org Subject: [Nfbv-announce] The Vigilant: August/September 2018 In this issue: 1. From the President's Desk * 2018 National Federation of the Blind of Virginia Convention * Southeast Regional Student Seminar * Project RISE goes State Wide * Virginia Chapter Leadership Institute * Visiting Chapters 2. This Month's Words of Inspiration 3. 2018 NFB of Virginia Scholarship Program By Brian Miller, NFB of Virginia Scholarship Chair 4. Convention Operations Report By Joe Orozco, Chairman * Convention Registration * Hotel Accommodations * Future Conventions * Sponsorships and Exhibits 5. Northern Virginia Bus for the 2018 State Convention By John Halverson, President, Potomac Chapter 6. Project RISE is Now Available Statewide 7. How to be More Popular By John Bailey, President, Fairfax Chapter 8. Quick tips-Making Our Meetings and Workshops More Accessible, Productive, and Fun By Jeremy Grandstaff, 2nd Vice-president, Greater Alexandria Chapter 9. Hadley: The Hidden Gem for Blind Entrepreneurs By Joe Orozco 10. Chapter and Division Announcements * Peninsula Chapter Annual Cookout * Walkathon in Colonial Williamsburg * VABS Bowl with the Blind 11. NFB Pledge To read the information-packed issue, please visit: http://www.nfbv.org/vigilant-august-september-2018/ Joe Orozco, Editor _______________________________________________ NFBV-Announce mailing list NFBV-Announce at nfbnet.org http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbv-announce_nfbnet.org From jwg at sgendeavors.com Tue Sep 11 13:58:53 2018 From: jwg at sgendeavors.com (Jeremy Grandstaff) Date: Tue, 11 Sep 2018 09:58:53 -0400 Subject: [NFBV-Alexandria] Still needing a volunteer or two to go to this please-AFSS Agenda for Tuesday, Sept 18th monthly meeting Message-ID: Folks, If you are able to attend this meeting on behalf of our chapter, please send me an email and let me know. It is critical that we have representation at this meeting from our chapter, and I have to travel on business at the time. If you can help, please let me know.. Thanks, Jeremy ____________________________________ Jeremy Grandstaff, Collaboration & Organization Consultant S & G Endeavors, Ltd. | www.SGEndeavors.com 614-519-3026 | jwg at sgendeavors.com ***Sent from my Smartphone**** ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: "Mike Doyle" Date: Sep 10, 2018 9:06 PM Subject: AFSS Agenda for Tuesday, Sept 18th monthly meeting To: "m doyle" Cc: "m doyle" Dear AFSS members and friends: Attached please find the Agenda for AFSS? September 18th meeting. We will be discussing AFSS? outreach activities with Alexandria City Public School systems regarding safe street practices and review the joint City Vision Zero staff / AFSS public outreach calendar of events planned over the next two months. In addition, we will provide an update on AFSS? ?Near Miss Survey?, a data collection program to provide relatively real time information to the City Staff and Police about dangerous intersections in the hope that crashes can be avoided in high risk locations. Last but certainly not least, Professor Ralph Buehler, PhD, Associate Professor in Urban Affairs and Planning at Virginia Tech will be our guest speaker. Professor Buehler will provide an overview of how other cities around the world address the issue of pedestrian / cyclist safety and how Alexandria might be able to apply some of these practices. AFSS will be at the Del Ray Farmers Market this Saturday, Sept 15th (weather permitting) where we will hand out safe street literature and inform people about how the ?Near Miss Survey? could help to make our streets safer. If you are at the market please stop by to say hello. We have a local restaurant gift card to give away to the 2nd AFSS friend who stops by and mentions the gift card. I look forward to seeing you on Tuesday, Sept 18th at Chadwicks on Strand Street. The meeting starts sharply at 6:30 pm and will conclude by 8 pm. Trea Lamond, Chadwicks? Manager/Owner, has generously offered to provide appetizers and one free drink to all AFSS members and friends at the event. It will be helpful for Chadwicks to have a rough idea of how many people can attend the meeting on the 18th. Please email me if you plan to join us on Tuesday evening so we can get a head count. Thank you. Regards, Mike Mike Doyle Founding Member - Alexandria Families For Safe Streets *mike at alxffss.org * www.alxffss.org Cell: 703 946-8401 This e-mail is confidential and may also be legally privileged. If you have received it in error, you are on notice of its status. Please notify us immediately by reply e-mail and then delete this message from your system. Please do not copy it or use it for any purposes or disclose its content to any other person: to do so could a breach of confidence. E-mail transmission cannot be guaranteed to be secure or error-free as information can be intercepted, corrupted, lost, destroyed, arrive late or incomplete, or contain viruses. The sender therefore does not accept liability for any errors or omissions in the contents of this message which arise as a result of the e-mail transmission. Thank you for your cooperation. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: Agenda for 18 Sept 2018 AFSS Advisory Committee Mtg.docx Type: application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document Size: 27792 bytes Desc: not available URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: AFSS Meetiing Minutes_ 19 June 2018.pdf Type: application/pdf Size: 97649 bytes Desc: not available URL: From brianrmiller88 at gmail.com Wed Sep 19 01:35:27 2018 From: brianrmiller88 at gmail.com (Brian Miller) Date: Tue, 18 Sep 2018 20:35:27 -0500 Subject: [NFBV-Alexandria] FW: City of Alexandria Reminds Residents of Medicaid Coverage Open Enrollment Beginning November 1 In-Reply-To: <1837443001.23906307.1537209291384.JavaMail.appuser@conn05.ne02.us-west-1b.prd1.ebcolo.com> References: <1837443001.23906307.1537209291384.JavaMail.appuser@conn05.ne02.us-west-1b.prd1.ebcolo.com> Message-ID: <01c801d44fb9$0bd305b0$23791110$@gmail.com> Please see the below important announcement? Brian Miller President Greater Alexandria Chapter NFB of Virginia From: Alexandria eNews Sent: Monday, September 17, 2018 1:35 PM To: brianrmiller88 at gmail.com Subject: City of Alexandria Reminds Residents of Medicaid Coverage Open Enrollment Beginning November 1 You are subscribed to the free Alexandria eNews service. Replies to this message will not be received. For correspondence, please use the contact information in the body of the message. City of Alexandria Reminds Residents of Medicaid Coverage Open Enrollment Beginning November 1 For Immediate Release: September 17, 2018 On November 1, an estimated 6,000 Alexandria residents will be among more than 400,000 adults in Virginia who will become eligible to enroll in quality, low cost health insurance due to a change in Medicaid rules. Medicaid provides free or low-cost health coverage to millions of low-income Americans, including individuals, families and children, pregnant women and people with disabilities. To qualify for the new coverage, which begins January 1, 2019, individuals must be Virginia residents between the ages of 19 and 64, not already enrolled or eligible for Medicare, and meet income requirements, which vary by household size. In addition, under the new rules, annual income levels for eligibility were raised for families and people with disabilities. People working in retail, construction, childcare, landscaping, food service or other jobs that do not offer health insurance may be eligible for the new coverage, which will include, but is not limited to, regular preventive care, wellness services, prescriptions and treatment for chronic health conditions. Those who are currently covered by the Affordable Care Act (also known as ?ACA? or ?Obamacare?) should be aware that if they qualify for the expanded Medicaid coverage and do not enroll, they will lose their ACA subsidy and will be charged the full premium for their insurance at the next renewal. Each recipient of ACA coverage should have a Medicaid eligibility screening or application to determine which option is best for them. Representatives from the Alexandria Department of Community and Human Services will be available to answer questions about Medicaid at T.C. Williams High School?s Back to School Night on Wednesday, September 26, at 6:30 p.m. Check the City calendar for additional events that will include Medicaid information. Enrollment for the new Medicaid coverage begins November 1. Coverage begins January 1, 2019. For more information, visit www.coverva.org or call 1.855.242.8282. For media inquiries, contact Andrea Blackford, Senior Communications Officer, at andrea.blackford at alexandriava.gov or 703.746.3959. # # # This news release is available at alexandriava.gov/105845 . To change your subscription choices, click here to login . To request removal of your account, email enews at alexandriava.gov . -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From brianrmiller88 at gmail.com Thu Sep 20 03:06:42 2018 From: brianrmiller88 at gmail.com (Brian Miller) Date: Wed, 19 Sep 2018 22:06:42 -0500 Subject: [NFBV-Alexandria] Free entry to the Newseum on Saturday, Sep 22 Message-ID: <01c201d4508e$f55455b0$dffd0110$@gmail.com> Good evening! I am informed by Evelyn Valdez that there will be free entry to the Newseum in Washington D.C. this Saturday, September 22, starting at 8:00am. I do not have further details, but wanted to share this with the chapter. As you may recall, the NFB has partnered with the Newseum this year to include a number of specific accessible exhibits, and we held a major event there during our Washington Seminar in February. Whatever you find yourself doing, I hope you enjoy a most lovely weekend! Brian R. Miller, Ph.D. President Greater Alexandria Chapter NFB of Virginia -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From brianrmiller88 at gmail.com Mon Sep 24 01:43:26 2018 From: brianrmiller88 at gmail.com (Brian Miller) Date: Sun, 23 Sep 2018 21:43:26 -0400 Subject: [NFBV-Alexandria] FW: Interview study participant request In-Reply-To: <827F20FB-E0CE-4245-84BC-499D81A6A518@gmail.com> References: <827F20FB-E0CE-4245-84BC-499D81A6A518@gmail.com> Message-ID: <02c101d453a7$fd11e800$f735b800$@gmail.com> Good evening! Please see Evelyn?s email below, and the request for participants below that. Brian Miller President Greater Alexandria Chapter NFB of Virginia From: Evelyn Sent: Sunday, September 23, 2018 8:33 PM To: Brian Miller Subject: Fwd: Interview study participant request Good evening Brian, If you would please be able to disseminate this to our chapter listserv if anyone is interested in participating in the study. Ali is a good friend of mine who is a research student at the university of Maryland. Sent from Evelyn's iPhone ? Begin forwarded message: From: Ali Abdolrahmani > Date: September 23, 2018 at 2:49:26 PM EDT To: "evelyn.valdez212" > Cc: Ravi Kuber > Subject: Interview study participant request Dear Evelyn Thanks for accepting to take part in our study. Please let me know when is the best times for a 60 to 90 minute interview in this week or the following week. The study consent form is also attached for your reference. As discussed, please distribute the following message to anyone or group you feel they would be interested in our study. Our collaborative research study team (at University of California Irvine and University of Maryland Baltimore County) is seeking participants for the study examining experiences of indoor navigation among individuals with disabilities or aged over 60 (UMBC IRB - Y19RK12016). We are seeking to interview individuals who identify with both visual and physical disabilities to identify their experiences when navigating or planning routes. The findings would help us better understand ways in which navigational technologies could be better designed to match the needs of a wider selection of users. The interviews would last 60 to 90 minutes, conducted over phone or Skype. A small giftcard is also available for your participation. If you would be interested in participating, could you please contact Dr. Ravi Kuber at (rkuber at umbc.edu ) or Ali Abdolrahmani (aliab1 at umbc.edu ). Sincerely, -- --Best Ali Abdolrahmani PhD Student Human-Centered Computing Information Systems department University of Maryland Baltimore County -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: Y19RK12016 Written Consent Form 8.7.18.docx Type: application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document Size: 31254 bytes Desc: not available URL: -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From brianrmiller88 at gmail.com Mon Sep 24 16:42:06 2018 From: brianrmiller88 at gmail.com (Brian Miller) Date: Mon, 24 Sep 2018 12:42:06 -0400 Subject: [NFBV-Alexandria] Save the date! October 25, next meeting of the Greater Alexandria Chapter of NFBV Message-ID: <028801d45425$87bd4bc0$9737e340$@gmail.com> Good morning, Please mark your calendars for our next meeting of the Greater Alexandria Chapter of the NFB of Virginia on Thursday, October 25, at 7:00pm. The meeting will be held at the fabulous Meridian at Eisenhower Station clubhouse on the 25th floor. The agenda and other materials will be sent out closer to the time of the meeting. If you have suggestions for meeting activities, please let me know - this meeting belongs to all of us, and will benefit from your suggestions, and even more importantly, your participation. I hope everyone has a wonderful and productive week! Sincerely, Brian R. Miller, Ph.D. President Greater Alexandria Chapter NFB of Virginia -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From brianrmiller88 at gmail.com Wed Sep 26 11:42:48 2018 From: brianrmiller88 at gmail.com (Brian Miller) Date: Wed, 26 Sep 2018 07:42:48 -0400 Subject: [NFBV-Alexandria] FW: reminder about goalball this Saturday and yoga this Sunday, spread the word about Blind Sports Day on October 6, and coverage of tandem biking program in Washington Post In-Reply-To: <32681FA1-CF55-41C9-9016-3B000D5D8510@gmail.com> References: <32681FA1-CF55-41C9-9016-3B000D5D8510@gmail.com> Message-ID: <019801d4558e$0d304050$2790c0f0$@gmail.com> Good morning! Evelyn, one of our many chapter super athletes, thinks we should participate in the national blind sports day event, and I agree! Please see her message below, and, as always, stay hydrated! Brian Miller President Greater Alexandria Chapter NFBV From: Evelyn Sent: Wednesday, September 26, 2018 7:37 AM To: Brian Miller Subject: Fwd: reminder about goalball this Saturday and yoga this Sunday, spread the word about Blind Sports Day on October 6, and coverage of tandem biking program in Washington Post Happy Wednesday Brian I think that our chapter should participate in national sports day on Saturday, October 6, the information is below and if anyone is interested in either playing goalball, or doing yoga, they can do so bye sending an email to Karla. Would you please be able to disseminate to our membership? Sent from Evelyn's iPhone ? Begin forwarded message: From: Karla Gilbride > Date: September 26, 2018 at 1:02:24 AM EDT To: DC goalball > Subject: reminder about goalball this Saturday and yoga this Sunday, spread the word about Blind Sports Day on October 6, and coverage of tandem biking program in Washington Post Hi all, First, a reminder that we?ll have goalball practice at Columbia Heights at the regular time on Saturday and that our next eyes Free Yoga class will take place this Sunday, September 30 from 3:15-4:45 PM at the Bluebird Sky studio at 3101 12th St. NE. Please let Karla know if you plan to attend (karla.gilbride at gmail.com ) so the instructors know how many people to expect. Congratulations to the 25 people selected to participate on behalf of MWABA in the National Fitness Challenge! You?ll be hearing more about the Challenge in the coming months, but the first thing you all should know is that the kickoff event is coming up on Saturday, October 6, which is National Blind Sports Day. On that day, events will be held all over the country to recognize the wide range of athletic opportunities open to people who are blind or visually impaired, and this year DC will be joining the fun. We will be holding demos in goalball, tandem cycling and other sports at the Columbia Heights Community center, where we typically have our goalball practices, and you?re all encouraged to attend. We?d also like you to help us spread the word to as many members of the blind community as possible. We want this event to reach a wide audience, including kids and seniors. So if you have contacts who aren?t on this email list but who you think might like to learn about some of the sports we offer, please share the below link with them: https://goo.gl/forms/BZ2yAQc1o3WVuwVn1. You can also invite people to the Facebook event, which is here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1284434158363698/. Thanks for helping us get the word out! Last but not least, our tandem cycling program got some great media coverage in the Washington Post today, including a video with action shots taken during one of our rides. MWABA member Qudsiya Naqui was featured in the on-camera interview. Check out the story here: https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2018/09/25/this-woman-rides-bike-once-week-local-trails-shes-also-blind/?utm_term=.1207ce7cbb61 That?s all for this edition of the newsletter. Until next time, have fun and stay active! Karla -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "DC goalball" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to dc-goalball+unsubscribe at googlegroups.com . To post to this group, send email to dc-goalball at googlegroups.com . To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/dc-goalball/DM5PR10MB1980C6162AD5B1A962665E13AC150%40DM5PR10MB1980.namprd10.prod.outlook.com . For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From brianrmiller88 at gmail.com Wed Sep 26 23:04:54 2018 From: brianrmiller88 at gmail.com (Brian Miller) Date: Wed, 26 Sep 2018 19:04:54 -0400 Subject: [NFBV-Alexandria] FW: RHA waitlist for elderly and disabled - open through Friday, September 28 COB In-Reply-To: <301428161.1537.1537980673380@connect.xfinity.com> References: <301428161.1537.1537980673380@connect.xfinity.com> Message-ID: <004201d455ed$56ffecd0$04ffc670$@gmail.com> Please note the very time sensitive announcement below? I am not very familiar with how this program works, but I do know that affordable housing waitlists are hard to get on, and even harder to get off, so if you want at least a shot at one of these units, do not hesitate! Brian Miller President Greater Alexandria Chapter NFB of Virginia From: MARY PARKER Sent: Wednesday, September 26, 2018 12:51 PM To: Brian Miller Subject: Fwd: RHA waitlist for elderly and disabled - open through Friday, September 28 COB FYI for ACPD. Note the short window M ---------- Original Message ---------- From: Tamara Jovovic > To: Tamara Jovovic > Date: September 26, 2018 at 12:37 PM Subject: RHA waitlist for elderly and disabled - open through Friday, September 28 COB Dear all, Please note that ARHA?s public housing waiting list for the elderly and disabled is open through this Friday, September 28 COB. The program provides one bedroom and efficiency units. Please click here for more details. Best, Tamara -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From brianrmiller88 at gmail.com Fri Sep 28 03:54:41 2018 From: brianrmiller88 at gmail.com (Brian Miller) Date: Thu, 27 Sep 2018 23:54:41 -0400 Subject: [NFBV-Alexandria] FW: Alexandria Harmonizers - Del Rey Art on the Avenue Festival In-Reply-To: References: , Message-ID: <000701d456de$fcd51b20$f67f5160$@gmail.com> Good evening, Aaron Simoneau asked me to share the below announcement about a fabulous opportunity to see the Alexandria Harmonizers perform at no cost to you, the lucky a cappella music lover! I think this is aca-mazing! Subject: FW: Alexandria Harmonizers - Del Rey Art on the Avenue Festival The Alexandria Harmonizers will be performing at the Del Rey Art on the Avenue festival on Saturday, October 6 at 1pm. Details are below. Hope some of you can make it. * Colonel Arnald D. Gabriel Concert Band Stage at the Mt. Vernon Recreation Center soccer field - this stage features musicians from the Del Ray Performing Arts Center. (2017 Belle View Blvd, Alexandria, VA 22307) 2018 Colonel Arnald D. Gabriel Concert Band Stage on the Mt. Vernon Rec Center soccer field Time Artist 10:15-10:45 AM Pro Coro Alexandria 11:00-11:45 AM Alexandria Singers 12:00-12:45 PM Salvation Army Brass Band 1:00-1:45 PM The Alexandria Harmonizers 2:00-3:00 PM Northern Virginia Community College Alexandria Concert Band 3:15-4:00 PM NOVA Nighthawks Jazz Ensemblee 4:15-5:00 PM The Alexandria Citizens Band 5:15-6:00 PM The Alexandria Citizens Band Swing Band Respectfully, Aaron Simoneau Contract Administrator National Industries for the Blind (NIB) 1310 Braddock Pl. Alexandria, VA 22314 Main: (703) 310-0500 Direct: (703) 310-0314 Fax: (703) 310-0494 arsimoneau at nib.org www.nib.org -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: