PAST EVENTS

• On Saturday, May 24, BOLD participated in a Disability Awareness Day which was sponsored by the Pittsburgh Pirates, and took place outside of PNC Park. MANY THANKS!! to Joyce Driben, Dave Riley, Peggy Sherosky, and Tammi Swiantek for their excellent job distributing BOLD information and fielding questions about BOLD. (See BOLD Bits for more info.)  After the Disability Awareness event, eight BOLDSTERS watched the Pirates play ball and beat the Chicago Cubs 4-3.

ONGOING EVENT

• Mall Walking continues (see calendar).

 

BOARD MEETINGS (COME AND LET Us HEAR YOUR VOICE).

• June's meeting took place on Tuesday the 3rd in the Moorhead Tower Community Room which is also where the July meeting will be held at 6:30pm on Tuesday the 1st.  To be put on that meeting's agenda, phone Joyce Driben, 412-521-4385, by 10:00pm on Sunday, June 29.  Current and prospective BOLD members are always welcomed.

 

WHAT'S NEW IN PROGRAMMING?

• A new event to take place in June, thanks to the hard work of Sylvia Royal and Tammi Swiantek, is kayaking. 

• This first-time event will take place on Monday the 30th from 5:30pm to 8:30pm.  Attendees should arrive by 5:15pm in order to handle payment and sign waivers. 
• The location is Kayak Pittsburgh, which is under the Sixth Street Bridge.  Given the difficulty accessing this location, Sylvia has offered to meet people at nearby bus stops. 
• Each member and guide will be charged $5 per hour ($15 total), to be paid at the event.  The total cost is $25 per person, but BOLD is paying $10. 
• Tammi Swiantek, 412-488-6298, is the contact person for more information and reservations  with a deadline of Monday, June 23rd by 10:00pm.

• Though attending a Tuesday, June 24 Pirates game will not be a new event, the giveaway at it will be unique:  a Roberto Clemente commemorative plate.

• Because there will be insufficient time for a reservation deadline, please feel free to phone Jim Winaught:  412-417-4942 as soon as you read this item and know that you want to attend.  Jim will also call the BOLDSTERS who usually attend Pirates games. 
• The game will start at 7:05pm; the arrival time at PNC Park's Honus Wagner statue will be 6:30pm; the cost per ticket will be $8, and every attempt will be made to get seats in the handicapped accessible section.
• If you notify Jim that you plan to attend and then find that you must cancel, please call Jim at 412-417-4942, as soon as you know. Failure to attend without canceling will result in having to pay $16 instead of the $8 subsidized cost.
• Finally, the number that is always given for reserving with Jim Winaught is his cell phone, since Jim prefers to NOT be called on his home phone.

HOT FUN IN THE SUMMER TIME

• Beat the July heat and humidity by taking a refreshing dip in the cold waters of the Busteed swimming pool. The beautiful home where this swim party and picnic will be held is located at 215 Pineview Drive, in Wexford, from noon to 5:00pm on Sunday, July 20. 

• To reserve by 10:00pm on Sunday, July 13, phone Terri Winaught:  412-969-0210. When reserving, let Terri know if you can drive or need a ride.  Also, let Terri know what snack or dessert you will bring (Bob and Debbie Busteed are providing everything else).
• If you plan to take Access, call 412-562-5353 if you are unsure with what carrier to schedule your trip.  In addition to helping you schedule your trip, call-takers at the Access Office can also tell you if it will be a transfer trip, and whether a feeder trip is an option.  If the Access Office asks you for the phone number, zip code, or both, the Busteed's phone number is 724-935-7059, and their zip code is 15090.
•  Since this Editor has yet to receive the directions promised in this newsletter, Terri will keep trying to obtain directions, so tell her when making reservations if you need directions, a map, or both.

• The next Swim Party/Picnic to take place will be held at 15 Cherrington Lane, the spacious Moon Township home of Leslie Gottschalk's Dad.

• WHEN: Saturday, August 2nd;
• WHAT TIME: noon to 6:00pm;
• WHAT TO BRING:  a side dish; dessert; salad, condiments, or a snack  (the Gottschalks are providing meats, buns, flatware, paper products,  with pop being provided by either BOLD or the Gottschalks).
• To reserve by Saturday, July 26, no later than 10:00pm, contact Joyce Driben:  412-521-4385.  When reserving, please provide Joyce with the following information:  whether you need a ride or can provide one; whether you already have a ride, and what you will bring.
• The Access provider for this event's location is Comtrans:  412-331-0800. To schedule your trip with the Downtown Access Office by 3:30pm on Friday, August 1st, please call that Office at 412-562-5353.

• For more fun in the water during the dog days of August, Waterskiing and a picnic will take place on Sunday the 17, with a rain date of Sunday the 24.

• RESERVATIONS:  Tammi Swiantek by 10:00pm on Sunday, Aug. 10:  412-488-6298.
• Water-skiers will meet PROMPTLY at 8:00am at the Aspinwall Marina, where members of the Golden Triangle Ski Club will transport participants to Nine Mile Island- the location of the day's events.
• When reserving with Tammi, she will let you know what items are needed for the picnic.
• Since there is no bus transportation to the Marina that early in the morning, be sure to let Tammi know if you can provide a ride, or if you need one.
• If you will be using Access, consider scheduling your pickup no later than 7:00am, and your return by 3:00pm. 

 

CULTURAL CONNECTION

• On Saturday, June 28 at 2:00pm the Irish and Classical Theater will present the play Salome, with their next play to be presented   on Saturday, August 9. Playboy of the Western World is the name of the August performance; the time is 2:00pm, and the play will be audio-described.  More info? 412-561-6000, x206.
• Though no Chamber Music concerts will take place during the summer, it's not too early to let Joyce Driben, 412-521-4385, know that you are interested in tickets when concerts resume in the fall.
• Neither is it too early to phone Sherri Crum, 412-732-2769, to let her know if you are interested in River City Brass Band tickets when concerts start up again in the fall.
• Closer to the fall, as City Theater and Speakers Series information becomes available, that will appear in future BOLD Ventures.

 

MEMBERSHIP REMINDERS

• If any of your contact information changes, please contact Tracy O'Neill, 412-488-3944, or by E-mail: toneill@readingservice.org, immediately.  Since it is Tracy who maintains and updates BOLD's extensive database,  it is Tracy-not this Editor-who MUST be notified of contact information changes.
• Also, regarding up-to-date contact information, anyone who has let his/her membership relapse for a year or more MUST complete a new application, the reason being to ensure that information is current and accurate.  Inaccurate or incomplete information could result in a member having paid dues, but not receiving the newsletter.

 

FUNDRAISING FACTS

• At the July meeting on Tuesday the 1st, Sylvia Denys will have October, 2008 dates from which to choose for the karaoke fundraiser, with the Epiphany Church the most likely location, since it has both bus accessibility and wheelchair accessibility.
• Also in the fall, BOLD'S Fundraising Chair will be sending letters to Lions Clubs, Lioness Clubs, and Leo Clubs. (Each donation will be acknowledged in a future newsletter.)

 

BOLD BITS

• Condolences are compassionately offered to the family and friends of BOLD member Kathy Susany, who passed away at the age of 57 on Tuesday, June 3.

• In memory of Kathy, the family respectfully suggests that donations be sent to the Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children: 201 North Bellefield Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15213. 
• Condolences can be sent to the family through the Post Gazette website:  www.postgazette.com/gb.
• In addition to being a BOLD member, Kathy Susany was also an active member of the Golden Triangle Council of the Blind, and a faithful volunteer member of Radio Information Service's Program Committee.  Having been a very spiritual person, Kathy also served on the Evangelization Committee for the Catholic Blind.  All of these organizations will very much miss Kathy Susany's helpful, cheerful presence.

• CONGRATULATIONS!! along with Warm Wishes for a long and happy life together to Mr. and Mrs. Gary and Carol Platt, who were married on Saturday, June 7.  This ceremony, which was described by one attendee as “really beautiful" took place in the presence of many family and friends, including seven BOLD members that this Editor is aware of.
• Congratulations are also extended to Jim Winaught's daughter, Ashley, who graduated from Mount Lebanon High School on Wednesday, June 11.
• More congratulations are gladly offered to Joyce Driben who has her guide dog, Tudor, back.  Brava!! to Joyce for continuing to recover so well that she is back to doing the Mall Walking which she, Jerry Duke, and a group of dedicated volunteers Jerry recruited started several years ago.
• A final congratulatory note goes out to former BOLD President Jeff Mulkern who was featured in a June 5 Post Gazette article about online shopping being made accessible to persons who are blind or visually impaired.  In that PG article, Jeff was shown using his computer with Jaws, a commonly used screen reader for persons who are blind or visually impaired.
• HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! to Jeanne Kaufman, July 24; Carol Platt, July 2nd; Sylvia Royal, July 20; Carol Sommers, July 16, Joe Wassermann, July 27; Jim Winaught's daughter, Ashley, July 4, Terri Winaught's son, Glenn, July 27, and any additional BOLDSTERs/family members with July birthdays.
• HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to Jim Winaught  who will have put up with this Editor for three years as of July 8.
• TONS Of THANKS!! to the Mon Valley Ski Club for their $250 donation to BOLD; Jim Winaught, for donating the $200 cost of BOLD's information booth at the Disability Awareness Day, and Charlotte Wowczuk for her $50 donation to BOLD.
• To say more about the Disability Awareness Day, Terri Winaught had the honor of being chosen “fan of the game" which followed the awareness event.  This humbling honor enabled Terri to be out on the field, where she was introduced to players and fans while her picture was displayed on a message board.
• From the Disability Connection:  Tell Us Your Story - To celebrate and preserve the life stories of people with disabilities in the Western Pa. Region, Voices of Our Region, a project of the Allegheny County Disability Connection would like to record your story.  All recordings will be put on a CD and made available to the public as a living history of the triumphs and struggles people with disabilities have experienced.  If you are interested in recording your story, contact The Disability Connection, 1-877-755-5222, TTY: (412) 350-5205
•  The Carnegie Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped has been hard at work developing a Summer Reading Program.   For information on dates, book selections for June through August, and registration, phone 412-687-2440 between 9:00am and 5:00pm Monday through Friday.
• Do you need new furniture? Do you have a friend or family member with this need? If your answer was a resounding YES!! or even just a maybe, the following information from Anne Fogoros Walsh and the United Way of Allegheny County, may be useful:
• Furniture for Needy Families - United Way of Allegheny County is partnering with Roomful Express furniture to present the 50 Years, 50 Families program.  The program will provide up to $3,000 worth of new home furnishings to 50 deserving families throughout the Pittsburgh region.

• Two recipients will be selected on a weekly basis through September 3rd, 2008, this program having begun in April of this year.  One recipient's story will be featured each Thursday evening on the KDKA TV news at 5 or 6 PM. 
• Families or individuals can be nominated for the program by completing a nomination form at www.50years50families.com or by picking up an application at any Roomful Express location.  Those submitting nominations to the program must write a 250 word essay about why the family they are nominating needs and deserves new home furnishings.  Nomination finalists will be judged each week by a selection panel consisting of Roomful Express and United Way representatives, including volunteers from its Women's Leadership Council and Young Leaders Group.  Judging will be based on compelling need and the circumstances leading to that need.
• Please visit www.50years50families.com for more information.  To obtain an application in person, the three Roomful Express locations in the Pittsburgh and surrounding areas are in Monroeville, Natrona Heights, and Robinson. For more location info, Roomful Express Customer Service can be reached toll-free at 1-888-696-7378. 

• If you receive-or plan to receive-services from the Office of Blindness and Visual Services, you may want to take note of the following information:

• Effective June 9, 2008, the Pittsburgh District Office of the Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services will be moving from our current address of 400 Stanwix Street, 1075 Kossman Building, Pittsburgh, PA  15222, to our new site located at 531 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh PA  15222.  Our telephone numbers will remain the same:  412-565-5240 or 1-866-412-4072.  Please be assured that we will continue to strive to meet your needs during this time of transition. transition.

• As some of you know, BOLD Members Bob Dulik, Norm Armstrong, Jamie Robinson, and a fellow named John have been working on-and completed-a more accessible tandem bike. The following is information directly from the builders and designers:

• “The 4-wheel, 2-passenger pedal bike we had just started building before attending the WPABOLD cycling outing in North Park in May was finished in time for the Fairchance Memorial Day parade on Saturday, May 24. It was also in the Monday, May 26 parades in Connellsville and Smithfield Jamie Robinson's hometown). Many thanks to Bob Dulik (who not only let us use his garage but did far more than his fair share of the work), John Fleet of Fairchance (who has been restoring bikes since childhood)and Norman Armstrong of Uniontown (who joined WPABOLD in May, for making this happen so quickly!”  

• If you are a bus and/or T rider, you may be very interested in Port Authority's current project to completely redesign its fixed route transportation system.  It is holding a series of public open houses all over the county to educate people about it and solicit the input of its riders.  This is your opportunity to let P ort Authority know the kind of bus service you need and want!  Here is a list of meetings:

• West Communities – Tuesday, June 17 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. – Carnegie Borough Building, One Veterans Way
• Allegheny Valley/Eastern Suburbs – Monday, June 23 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. – CCAC Boyce Campus Gymnasium, 595 Beatty Road, Monroeville
• Downtown – Tuesday, June 24 from 11:00 to 2:00 p.m. – YWCA, 305 Wood Street
• North Hills – Tuesday, June 24 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. – West View Firemen’s Banquet Hall, 398 Perry Highway
• South Hills – Wednesday, June 25 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. – Bethel Park Fire Hall, 5213 Brightwood Road
• Mon Valley – Thursday, June 26 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. – CCAC South Campus Gymnasium, 1750 Clairton Road, West Mifflin

• This month's final BOLD Bit, which comes to us from Sue Lichtenfels on behalf of Sports Vision, also contains a meal ticket order form and reservation information:

• WHAT:  Visually Impaired Community Picnic; WHEN:  Sunday, July 27; WHERE:  Kennywood Park; WHO:  Children & Adults Who Are Visually Impaired, Families of Visually Impaired Individuals, SportsVision Volunteers & Supporters, IU Teachers & Agency Professionals
• SportsVision will host its first-ever Visually Impaired Community Picnic at Kennywood Park on Sunday, July 27.  In addition to offering discounted admission tickets, SportsVision will host an all-you-can-eat picnic buffet. The first 50 individuals to order admission tickets and reserve for the meal will eat FREE. Beyond the first 50 reservations, the meal is $15/person. SportsVision will confirm your meal status and provide additional event details after the reservation deadline. For now, please complete the ticket order form, indicate your lunch reservation, and return the form with your check for admission tickets to SportsVision. The deadline for ticket orders and lunch reservations is Tuesday, July 1.  We hope you will join us for great food, fun, and fellowship!

 

Admission Ticket Order Form

*Children under 2 Free*

 

Name__________________________________

E-mail_______________________________________

Address_________________________________________

Home Phone_________________________

City/State/Zip___________________________________________

Cell Phone__________________

 

Admission Type                                  No. of Tickets                                  Amount

 

Senior (Over age 55) $15                _______                                            __________

Junior (Under 46 inches) $19          _______                                            __________

Regular $22                                       _______                                            __________

Total                                                    _______                                            __________

 

I want to make meal reservations for _______ individuals.

 

Make check/money order payable to SportsVision and mail to: P.O. Box 23053, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. For questions, call Sue Lichtenfels at 412-429-1996. 

 

*Meal reservations will not be held until ticket payment is received.

** If you are unable to attend on this date, tickets are good for any day during the 2008 season.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

 

• If you have a BOLD Bit, please contact newsletter Editor Terri Winaught via E-mail at songbird1953@access995.com or by phone at 412-969-0210.

 

BOLD MARKETPLACE

• Since there has been so little response to this column, Terri Winaught plans to canvas Board members and mention at the July 1st meeting the possibility of discontinuing this column.  To give your feedback on this possibility, please ask to be put on July's meeting agenda, make your feelings known to any Board member you are most comfortable communicating with, or phone this Editor at 412-969-0210.

 

A CORRECTION

• In June's BOLD Ventures, the subsidized cost for dues-paid BOLD members in good standing and qualified guides was incorrectly mentioned as  $8. The correct cost was $10.

 

 

 

 

JUNE CALENDAR

SUNDAY, 6/15 - Happy Father's Day!

• 10:00pm Mall Walking reservation deadline.

WEDNESDAY, 6/18

• Mall Walking at 9:15am and Kennywood Outing, beginning at 11:00am and lasting until participants are ready to leave.

 

THURSDAY, 6/19

• Rowing at Washington's Landing.

 

SUNDAY, 6/22

• Mall Walking reservation deadline.

 

MONDAY, 6/23

• 10:00pm reservation deadline with Tammi Swiantek, 412-488-6298, for kayaking.

 

TUESDAY, 6/24

• Pirates game at PNC Park, with a beginning time of 7:05pm, and a meeting time of 6:30pm at the Honus Wagner Statue.

 

WEDNESDAY, 6/25

• Mall Walking.

 

THURSDAY, 6/26

• Rowing.

 

SATURDAY, 6/28

• Salome: a 2:00pm performance at the Irish and Classical Theater.

 

SUNDAY, 6/29

• 10:00pm Mall Walking Reservation Deadline
• 10:00pm deadline with Joyce Driben, 412-521-4385, to be placed on the July 1st meeting agenda.

 

MONDAY, 6/30

• Kayaking at Kayak, Pittsburgh, under the Sixth Street Bridge.

JULY CALENDAR

TUESDAY, 7/1

• 6:30pm BOLD Board meeting
• Community Picnic reservation deadline:  412-429-1996.

WEDNESDAY, 7/2

• Mall Walking. (To be sure that this weekly event will not be canceled due to the July 4th long weekend, phone Marty Mathews:  412-745-0311)

THURSDAY, 7/3

• Rowing at Washington's Landing:  300 Waterfront Drive.

 

FRIDAY, 7/4 - Happy Fourth of July.

 

SUNDAY, 7/6

• 10:00pm Mall Walking reservation deadline with Marty Mathews:  412-745-0311

WEDNESDAY, 7/9

• Mall Walking.

 

THURSDAY, 7/10

• Rowing at Washington's Landing which is an Access allowable trip for persons with conditional Access.

 

SUNDAY, 7/13

• 10:00pm reservation deadline with Terri Winaught, 412-969-0210, for the Busteed Swim Party. (Though Terri and Reservations Chair Tammi Swiantek will do everything possible to obtain rides, participants who need rides are also encouraged to ask sighted friends and family friends if they would drive.  Drivers may submit mileage reimbursement requests to BOLD Treasurer Veronique Schreurs. Riders may also contribute toward the cost of gas.)

 

SUNDAY, 7/13

• 10:00pm Mall Walking reservation deadline.

 

WEDNESDAY, 7/16

• Mall Walking.

 

THURSDAY, 7/17

• Rowing from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at Washington's Landing.

 

FRIDAY, 7/18

• 3:30pm deadline if you need to call Access, 412-562-5353, to schedule a trip to the Busteed Swim Party.

SUNDAY, 7/20

• Busteed Swim Party at 215 Pineview Drive,  the Wexford home of Bob and Debbie Busteed. Time, noon  till 5:00pm.
• Deadline for Mall Walking.

WEDNESDAY, 7/23

• Mall Walking at the Monroeville Mall.

 

THURSDAY, 7/24

• Rowing.

 

SATURDAY, 7/26

• 10:00pm Gottschalk Swim Party reservation deadline with Joyce Driben:  412-521-4385.

 

SUNDAY, 7/27

• Sports Vision first-ever community picnic for the visually impaired at Kennywood Park.
• 10:00pm Mall Walking reservation deadline.

 

WEDNESDAY, 7/30

• 9:15am Mall Walking at the Monroeville Mall.

 

THURSDAY, 7/31

• Rowing from 6:00pm to 8:00pm.

 

The following people are thanked for their assistance in the capacities indicated below:

Annette Brown, Audiocassette edition; Joyce Driben and Tammi Swiantek: Contributed the BOLD Bits item about Bob Dulik.  Marty Mathews, Print editions, envelope stuffing, labeling, and mailing; Tracy O'Neill, E-mail edition. Thanks, also, to the RIS Braille Project, with special emphasis on the contributions of Kathryn (Tina) Wassermann.

 

THE END