APRIL/MAY 2025 NEWSY NOTES
TSB meets every Tuesday – 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM
Christ Presbyterian Church, 6565 E. Broadway
For more information call Barbara, 520 298-2427, Annie 520 275-1675
Come when you can and leave when you must. Bring a sack lunch.
www.tucsonsocietyoftheblind.org
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Calendar
APRIL
1st: Picnic at Udall Park, 7200 E. Tanque Verde Road, Ramada # 8 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. A picnic lunch will be provided and we will play games and enjoy each other’s company.
5th: Rogers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella will be performed by Desert Christian High School. The play will be held at the Center for the Arts at Pima College West Campus, 2202 W Anklam Rd. We need to be there by 1:30 PM. After the play we will go out for Mexican food.
8th: Biologist Jeff Babson will talk about Arizona Mammals and Birds
11th: Board Meeting 10:15 AM Biscuit Country Café, 7026 E Broadway Blvd
15th: Low-vision optometrist Dr. Jennifer Caywood will talk about wearable glasses and all about clinical trials.
22nd: We will be listening to an informative podcast “Vision Loss and Marriage” by Hadley Presents. It is about living with a blind partner.
29th: Potluck today – no program. Socialize with other members.
MAY
6th: Attorney Ron Zack, who specializes in estate planning, will talk about wills, trusts, and other important documents.
9th: Board Meeting 10:15 AM Biscuit Country Café, 7026 E Broadway Blvd
13th: Barbara will present “Using Resources for Vision Loss Effectively” and Mitzi Tharin will talk about Sun Sounds Radio
16th: Pizza and Pool Party at John McCann’s house, 8761 E Placita Bolivar 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. John has a wonderful shaded patio. You can also wear your swimsuit and go in the pool and hot tub. We have a lot of fun socializing. Let Barb know if you are coming so she can order enough pizza.
20th: Craft Day
27th: Sun Van Day – Members will talk to a Supervisor of Dispatch and a Supervisor of Reservations.
JUNE
3rd: Two guest speakers from the Arizona Commission of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing will talk about free equipment that you can apply for. Some equipment includes pillow shakers, Pocket Talkers (a listening device) and wired headphones for listening to the TV. They will also give hearing tips and talk about the iCanConnect program where, if you are both legally blind, have a hearing loss and also financially qualify, then you can receive a free iPhone and associated training.
10th: Pima County Supervisor Rex Scott will be talking about paratransit and other community issues.
Message by Barbara Macpherson
Happy Spring! I hope you have been calling your state and federal legislators on blind Issues. Your phone call or email could make a difference.
In that regard, I have the members for federal officials stored as contacts in my iPhone which makes it easier to call. Here are some of the numbers:
Senator Mark Kelly – 202 224 4521
Congressman Juan Ciscomani – 202 225 2542
Senator Ruben Gallego – 202 224 2235
Jim Click Ticket Sales
We will be selling Jim Click tickets this year. All of the money raised goes to the TSB treasury to support our programs to help blind and low vision individuals. Tickets are $25 each or 5 for $100. This year you could either win a super Kia hybrid van, two airplane tickets to anywhere in the world, or $5,000 in cash. To buy tickets contact Melissa Elias 520 878 6616. Thanks ahead for your donation to TSB.
In Loving Memory of Manny Celis
Manny was a wonderful technology instructor, friend, and supporter of Tucson Society of the Blind.
Manny passed away suddenly on Friday, February 21st due to complications from diabetes. He was 59 years old. Fortunately, he and his loving partner Patty, were able to say their goodbyes in the hospital.
Manny was patient, kind, and funny. In his former life before glaucoma affected his vision, he was a software engineer. But later, Manny was very happy with his new passion of teaching students from TSB. Both Manny and Patty presented many times at TSB. I, for one, personally become much more proficient using my iPhone and navigating intimidating websites on the computer.
In his spare time outside of his teaching, Manny loved music, collected guitars, enjoyed old TV shows such as Andy Griffith and Jerry Seinfeld, reading about science topics, and tinkering with his physics gadgets.
At the last lesson I had with Manny, he spoke of his love for Pancho, a rescued cat. Actually, he did not like cats before meeting Pancho, but on an occasion where he got to keep Pancho at his house. Pancho followed him all around the house and actually slept with him in his bed with all four paws in the air. So, if not before then, the two became bonded friends.
We at TSB learned three valuable lessons from Manny’s passing. For one, Manny passed away without a will making settling his affairs much more difficult. Secondly, we learned if you are in severe pain you shouldn’t wait and get it checked out by a medical professional. And lastly, we learned to not take people for granted. Say you love them often.
At a recent TSB meeting many members spoke from their heart on how Manny made such a big impact on their lives. I, the entire TSB community, and all who knew him will sorely miss our dear friend Manny.
As Manny would jokingly say, “This is my story and I’m sticking to it.”
Hello Tucson Society of the Blind
This is Jennifer Tellez, your TSB board Secretary. I am happy to be writing this message to you. I would like to thank Ailene Hurtado for introducing me to you all involved with the TSB. I have only been a member for two years now but it has helped me to have a positive outlook on a dim or sightless future. With all of the resources and insights given to me at TSB I definitely have a brighter view of the world. Tucson Society for the Blind is a treasure trove of resources for information and friends who have a common goal of a better life. I have made some wonderful new friends all with the same thing in common. It is such a relief to find a group that was so welcoming and willing to share so much of themselves for the benefit of all. I look forward to spending many more years with all of you and becoming actively involved with the betterment of all who are either blind or losing their vision. I will be attending the American Council of the Blind conference with one goal in mind and that is to become a better advocate for the visually impaired community. I wish to reach a better understanding of the needs and achievements for us all. Thank you, and here’s looking at you. A New Shop By Phone Service Using Your Voice From Innosearch AI The website Innosearch.ai is designed for blind computer and iPhone users. Innosearch AI introduces +1 855-746-7478, a free voice-powered shopping service designed to enhance accessibility. Users can search, compare, and purchase products from over 500,000 retailers using only their voice over the phone. On their website you can also make airplane reservations. This AI-powered assistant provides product details, reviews, and secure checkout options that includes no-minimum free shipping. And for returns, Innosearch will even provide a prepaid return label. All of this makes shopping and traveling more convenient and inclusive. To use the voice-powered shopping service you will need to create an account on their website and provide a credit card. Innosearch is funded by retailers having their products shown on their website. Some Humor – Every bunny will laugh at Easter jokes What jewelry does an Easter Bunny wear? One Easter, a father was teaching his son to drive when out of nowhere a rabbit jumped on the road. Slamming on the brakes, the son said, “I nearly ruined Easter! I almost ran over the Easter Bunny.” His father replied, “It’s okay son—you missed it by a hare.” Why shouldn’t you tell an Easter egg a joke? Why did the Easter Bunny have on a hat? Where does the Easter Bunny like to eat breakfast? What kind of story does the Easter Bunny like best? How does the Easter bunny keep its fur in place? Why was Peter Cottontail hopping down the bunny trail? Where does a bunny go when he needs a new tail? What does the Easter bunny and Michael Jordon have in common?
Jennifer Tellez
40 carrot gold
He might crack up.
Because he was having a bad hare day.
IHOP
The one that ends with a hoppiest ending.
By using hare spray.
Because he was too young to drive.
A retail store.
They are both famous for stuffing baskets.