President's Message

by Frank Welte

I doubt anybody enjoyed the 2000 Presidential Election. One good thing that came out of that ordeal was a commitment to modernize voting. This represents a golden opportunity to finally bring the right of casting a secret ballot to people with visual impairments. At our next meeting on Sat., Sept. 7, a representative of the county's Elections Department will tell us what steps are being taken to bring blind-friendly voting to San Mateo County.

Another important topic of discussion at our Sept. meeting will be our tenth anniversary banquet, which will take place on the afternoon of Sunday, Oct. 13 from 12:30 PM to 5:00 PM at the Villa hotel at 4000 South El Camino Real in San Mateo. Planning for this special event has shifted into high gear. Banquet tickets should be available by the time you read this message. Tickets will cost $15.00 for CCB members and $25.00 for guests. Watch this newsletter for additional details about the banquet.

Thanks to all of you who worked hard to make our SMCCB picnic at Twin Pines Park in Belmont a resounding success. My special thanks go out to Dave Mauk, Phil Kutner, Jean Ackerman, and Bill Hobson. I understand that over 40 chapter members, relatives, and friends were on hand to enjoy the good weather, great food, and fabulous friendships. The picnic was a special treat for me because it coincided with my birthday, August 3, and eight members of my family were in attendance along with the rest of you. I hope you all enjoyed the birthday cake as much as I did.

Remember that our SMCCB meetings are held on the first Saturday of each month at 11:30 AM at the Bank of America branch on the corner of El Camino Real and 3rd Avenue in downtown San Mateo. Also, you are invited to join us for bowling on the fourth Saturday of the month from 2:00 PM to 4:30 PM at the AMF Redwood Lanes at 2580 El Camino Real in Redwood City. All bowlers m

New Installation ust sign up in advance. To sign up to bowl or for further information about SMCCB please call Frank Welte at (650) 508-8329 or send e-mail to [email protected]. Finally, you can help SMCCB move forward. As you meet other blind people, tell them about us and of our activities. Pass their contact information to Phil Kutner or me, so we can contact them. Call me at 508-8329 or send e-mail to: [email protected]

BAY AREA MOVIE THEATRES WITH AUDIO DESCRIPTION SYSTEMS

By Frank Welte

CALIFORNIA/San Francisco

1. New Installation! AMC Van Ness 14 Theater #5

1000 Van Ness Avenue, 415 674-4630 (voice)

2. Loews Theatre at Metreon

Theater #13 101 Fourth Street, 415 369-6201 (voice)

CALIFORNIA/San Jose Area

! AMMercaC do 20 Theater #6

3111 Mission College Blvd.

Mercado Santa Clara Center 408 919-0285 (voice)

MENLO PARK LIBRARY

Sat. Sept. 14 at 11 AM the library will present Jbliss Imaging Systems and PCBVI in a demonstrations and discussions on types of magnifiers and computer technology that reads text aloud and magnifies print.

Call 650-858-3468

First SMCCB Board Meeting

Every member of the Board and Linda Alviti, representing the general membership, met at Bill Hobson’s home for the first ever Board meeting. It was an exciting, informative and full of active debate. Despite several major differences, all of them were resolved to everyone’s satisfaction.

If you have a matter that is important to you, contact any board member to have it put on the agenda. If you would like to attend, you are welcome to call.

San Mateo

Council of the Blind

Tenth Anniversary Celebration

12:30-4:00 P.M.

Sunday, October 13, 2002

Villa Hotel

4000 South El Camino Real

San Mateo, California

Celebrate the Tenth Anniversary of

our San Mateo Council of the Blind.

• Our membership has tripled in the last 2 years.

• We now have a newsletter and our own web site.

• Hear Our Founder Recount the Early History.

• Hear our CCB State President Honor Us.

• Help Honor our First Annual Volunteer Awardee.

• Enjoy Great Food and Hospitality at the Villa.

• Listen and Dance to Wonderful Music.

…..Cut and send with check to SMCB by Sept. 30…..

Name/s…………………………………………………

Phone #………..-………….-…………………………

Sponsors @$25 CCB Members & Guests @$15

Choices: Chicken Jerusalem…..

or Salmon Filet….

or Pasta Primavera….

Phil Kutner: Editor

1128 Tanglewood Way,

San Mateo, CA 94403

Phone: 650-349-6946

September 2002 Vol. 3 No. 7