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February/March 2016


  FEBRUARY CALENDAR
6-Indoor Rock Climbing, Riversports, 10:00-12noon
11-Board meeting 6:00pm
14-Jersey try-on and Explore DC meeting, 2:00pm at the Buckley's  

 MARCH CALENDAR
5-Indoor Rock Climbing, Riversports, 10:00-12noon
5-Vision camp, Shangri-La Academy of Riding, 8:30am-9:00pm
10-Reception for special visitors, 6:00pm at the Buckley's
14-18-UT/Knox County spring break
21-Tandem biking, Cherokee Blvd, 2:15pm; RSVP Sue

APRIL CALENDAR
2-Indoor Rock Climbing, Riversports, 10:00-12noon
3-Delta Jamma, 4:00-7:00pm--see details below
12-Board Meeting, 6:00pm
17-Tandem biking, Cherokee Blve, 2:15pm; RSVP Sue



Freedom to Fly Blog
WHAT IS NEW THIS MONTH ON OUR BLOG PAGE?

MASTERING AIR TRAVEL AS A BLIND PERSON: BOARDING
Usually, getting to your gate and boarding is pretty simple and uncomplicated. With rare exception, gate agents are helpful. If, however, there is a snag in the process - your flight is delayed or canceled, the gate is changed - what you thought was going to be simple now holds the potential for becoming far .. .read more

Even though both a Chevy and a Ford will get you where you want to go, many people still have a strong preference as to what they drive. It's not much different for people whose vision has deteriorated to the point that they must either use a cane or a dog. Preferences are sometimes held...  read more


NEWS
MEET OUR PARTNERS
Club VIBES is excited about the response we had in our request for partners to help us carry out our programs in 2016. We will be introducing them over the next months in our newsletters.  This month we start with our Platinum Partner, Delta Gamma Foundation.

DELTA GAMMA FOUNDATION IS OUR 2016 PLATINUM SPONSOR
Club VIBES is so very pleased to have the backing of our University of Tennessee Delta Gamma Chapter. Over the last six years they have raised many many dollars to support our program efforts. Read More
 

GOODBYE KAYTEE
We say goodbye to Kaytee Nall, our Delta Gamma representative for 2015. Thank you Kaytee for all of your great ideas and hard work. What a super job you did for Club VIBES! 

Our new Delta Gamma representative is Katie Crutcher. Welcome Katie. You can get to know more about Katie in the SPOTLIGHT section below.

MEET AND GREET
Special guests from New York who are interested in learning about Club VIBES will be in Knoxville on March 10th. A gathering will be held at the Buckley's at 6:00pm to give the couple a chance to meet Club VIBES members and board members.  Please come and help them learn how Club VIBES has helped you and what you enjoy about it.  Please bring a snack to share.  Email Sue to RSVP by March 5.

DELTA JAMMA
An event for the entire family has been planned by Delta Gamma for 
Sunday, April 3 from 4:00-7:00pm at Fraternity Park behind the Fiji house on the UT campus. There will be music, games, tandem bike riding, barbecue, a chance to try "insomnia cookies", and new people to meet. Tickets will be $5.00 in advance and $7.00 at the event and will include your meal. The Delta Gamma website has a link where you can purchase tickets and make donations to Delta Gamma fund raising for Club VIBES. All are welcome so gather up your friends.  click here
UPDATE ON PATRICK RAKE
Pat is one of our pilots who was struck by a car in January while riding on Alcoa Hwy. He is currently at the Shepherd Center in Atlanta where they specialize in traumatic brain and spinal injuries. Pat's left leg was badly mangled and he nearly lost it. He is very lucky to be alive owed in part to being just about a quarter mile from the hospital when the accident happened. To learn about Pat and how you can help,  Read More
 

VISIONARY
Visionary, the Club VIBES video which is showing on YouTube, is gaining attention and has been nominated for several awards.  In case you have not seen it, below are the links to the wonderful video about Club VIBES.  Visionary has already been selected for the Be More Award by our local PBS Station and they will be showing short segments of Visionary from March 15 until April 15.   Again, we thank Caroline Knight for creating Visionary and wish her luck in the awards selections.
Video Version:  click here
Descriptive Audio Versionclick here


AFB LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
Sue, along with board member Arlene Hernandez, will attend the American Foundation for the Blind Leadership Conference in Washington DC.  Among the many topics addressed are sessions addressing the transition from school to work or university that Club VIBES members face.  There are also sessions on social media accessibility, and technology updates on new tools useful to the blind and visually impaired.  In addition, Sue and Arlene will take the opportunity to scout out places to visit when VIBES members visit the DC area with our upcoming Explore DC trip.

SPOTLIGHT
MEET KATIE
Our new representative for 2016 is Katie Crutcher. Welcome Katie. To help Club VIBES get to know Katie, we have asked her a few questions.  

1. Where are you from? 
I am from Memphis, Tennessee! I have lived there my whole life until I moved to UT.

2. What brought you to UT and especially, Delta Gamma? Read More

MEMBERS CORNER
SOCIAL MEDIA TRAINING
Ladies from Delta Gamma will provide social media training for Club VIBES. This will be held  February 24 from 6:30-8:30 at the Buckley's. C ome and learn about social media; how to set up and best use Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.  
The Delta Gamma sorority girls will be on site to help guide us through the learning process, so now is your chance to "get trained" or just brush up on your skills.  We would like to increase the number of Club VIBES followers who can share info via Social Media venues so we are hoping to see you there!  This is open to all members, family members, board members, and Young Professionals. Think of questions or problems you are having so your needs can be addressed.

Bring your computer or mobile device and plan to enjoy some light refreshments!

RSVP Sue  info@club-vibes.org

YOUNG PROFESSIONALS
The next meeting will be combined with the social media training on February 24.

VISION CAMP;  SIGN-UP IMMEDIATELY
This year's Vision Camp is set for Saturday March 5 from 8:30am-9:00pm at Shangri-La Academy of Riding in west Knox County. It is important that you return the registration information given to you by your vision teacher right away.  The day will be packed with endless fun activities ending with a dance hosted by the ladies of Delta Gamma.

CHEERING FOR RYNE 
Ryne Goodrich is one of our Young Professionals who is undertaking a new adventure. He will be running in the Knoxville half marathon on April 2 at the World's Fair Park. He is working hard to be in shape for the event.  

Go Ryne!

INDOOR ROCK CLIMBING
Catalyst Climb at River Sports on Sutherland Ave is an indoor rock climbing session set aside for persons with disabilities and their families. It is held the first Saturday of each month from 10:00-12:00. River Sports provides instruction and personal support for each climber.  This is a fun way to get exercise and meet people, especially on cold, rainy days.

FUNDRAISING
UPCOMING FUNDRAISERS
Mark your calendar so you don't miss any of these events.

BENZ PIZZA NIGHT
Come out to enjoy great pizza and help Delta Gamma raise funds for vision Camp.
 



DELTA JAMMA
Come out April 3 to support Delta Gamma supporting Club VIBES. See details above under news.

BELK SPRING CHARITY DAY EVENT 
April 30 is the date for the spring sale at all Belk stores where you will find super bargains available only to ticket holders.

WINE TASTING
We will again have a wine tasting evening at Pero's On the Hill on May 16. We had a lot of fun last year and had a huge crowd.  Watch the newsletter for information on when and where to get your tickets.

POOL PARTY
We will spend the evening of June 25  around the pool at the home of a generous supporter of Club VIBES. The pool is in a beautifully landscaped setting where we will enjoy food, beverages and good company.  There will be a limited number of tickets available so if you will be interested watch for details in future newsletters.

FLOWER SALES
Thinking about spring?  Watch for our April spring flower sales.

TECH NEWS
THE KIM COMMANDO SHOW
Every weekend Kim Komando helps listeners across the country and around the world understand and expand their digital lifestyles. For the latest news from the digital world and answers to your burning tech questions about smartphones, tablets, e-readers, computers, cameras, the Internet, security or anything else digital, tune in to the Kim Komando show. To learn about the show and how you can listen, go to the website  click here

THANK YOU TO OUR PROGRAM PARTNERS FOR 2016


PLATINUM
GOLD
SILVER
DRAGONFLY
  Delta Gamma Foundation
McDonalds
Sherbakoff Nalls
 Group
Anonymous




Dr. Ruth Bailey
West Knox Lion's Club
Arnold Cohen,
Attorney at Law
Dr. Bruce Gilliland