FALL CONVENTION PROGRAM
October 26 - 29, 2006
"Shoot for the Stars"
JEFF THOM, PRESIDENT
HOSTED BY
CALIFORNIA COUNCIL OF THE BLIND
578 B STREET
HAYWARD, CA 94541-5004
510-537-7877
800-221-6359
CO-HOST AFFILIATES
Greater Los Angeles Chapter, Ardis Bazyn, President
San Diego Chapter, Lee Morton, President
Four Points Sheraton LAX Hotel
9750 Airport Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90045
Reservations: 310-645-4600 or 1-800-325-3535
For your convenience a textual description of the hotel floor plan and emergency evacuation procedures are included at the back of this program.
Donations of prizes to be given throughout the convention and contributions to our various special and general funds will be very much appreciated. These should be brought to the CCB registration table in the hotel’s main lobby.
If you would like to pay your member-at-large dues for 2006, you may do so at the CCB registration table.
If you require special meals, adaptive listening devices for the general sessions or other special accommodations, please contact the CCB registration table.
Hotel check in time is 3:00 PM. Early check in will be offered based on room availability. Check out time is
12 Noon. Later check out time is subject to hotel availability. Please inquire at the front desk.
Hotel Guest Room Amenities:
Each guest room contains one bottle of shampoo, conditioner, lotion, and a bar of facial soap located on the bathroom counter on the opposite side from the coffee maker. A bar of bath soap is located on the lip of the bathtub. Bathmats are placed on the lip of the tub.
Each room has a coffee maker, located on the bathroom counter to the side of the sink. 2 coffee mugs, pre-filtered coffee packets, sugar and creamer are also located near the coffee maker.
Each room has a hair dryer located on the wall above the coffee maker. Iron and ironing boards in all guest rooms are located in the closet on the side.
For your convenience here is a hotel telephone directory and instructions for reaching various departments within the Four Points Sheraton LAX. There are 2 telephones in each guest room. There is one on the desk and 1 on the nightstand by the bed. Dial “0" and the Hotel Operator can help CCB convention attendees with most anything in the hotel. Requests for items such as extra towels, toiletries, etc. can be handled through the Hotel Operator instead of contacting the Housekeeping Department.
Housekeeping 6
Engineering 7142
Front Desk 4
Bell Stand 3
Room Service 5
Palm Grill Restaurant 5
T.H. Brewsters Beer Bar Lounge 7187
To check Voicemail in your guestroom: Dial 1234 to retrieve your voicemail messages or you can dial the operator at 0.
To dial another guest room in the hotel press 7 and the room number.
To contact the CCB Registration table dial 7094.
To contact the CCB Volunteer table dial 7093.
Hotel Transportation:
Complimentary shuttles to and from LAX airport. The shuttle for the Sheraton stops in the designated area for shuttle pick up at the LAX airport. Shuttle bus sign says “Hilton and Four Points Sheraton LAX shuttle”. They run approximately every 12 to 15 minutes. To get a shuttle from the Sheraton to LAX they leave from the front of the hotel, also every 12 to 15 minutes between the hours of
5 AM to 11 PM, 7 days per week. The Four Points Sheraton LAX provides complimentary shuttle transportation to the Fox Hills Mall 3 times per day and Del Amo Mall once per day. Please contact guest services for schedule.
Other Hotel Services:
The hotel has an outdoor pool and fitness facility, as well as a self service business center and same day dry cleaning service. Please check with the front desk, guest relations manager, or call the hotel operator for hours of operation and details about these and other hotel services. The Gift Shop is located adjacent to the Guest Services desk near the front entrance.
If you feel that your name has been inadvertently left out of a committee list, do not hesitate to contact the president.
THURSDAY, October 26, 2006
Pre-registration packets can be picked up at the CCB registration table in the California Foyer from 12 Noon to 5:00 PM.
8:30 AM to 3 PM “Stop the Violence” San Diego Ballroom.
The Domestic Violence and Hate Crimes Committee, Melody Banks, Chair, presents a 6 hour seminar on domestic violence as it relates to the victims with disabilities and their children. This is a unique opportunity for professionals working in the social services and psychology fields, agencies providing independent living skills, as well as senior citizen agencies and other domestic violence programs. Registration is limited to 40 persons. The $30 registration includes a box lunch.
Listen online to CCB Domestic Violance workshop as it relates to persons with disabilities and their children
Download podcast of Domestic Violance workshop
1:00 PM Rehabilitation Services Committee, Patricia LaFrance-Wolf, Chair and Technology Committee,
Louie Herrera, Chair, Joint meeting. California A/D Room.
1:15 PM Anthony Candela, Deputy Director, Blind Field Services, will provide an update in the area of Blind Field Services.
2:00 PM There will be a panel discussion focusing on GPS navigation systems. The panel will talk about the features and capabilities for the following: Trekker,
StreetTalk, Sendero GPS and Way Finder.
3:00 PM A representative from Microsoft will give a preview of Microsoft’s new upcoming operating system known as Windows Vista and some of its new accessibility features.
3:45 PM There will be an open session to address questions from the audience regarding adaptive technology.
Rehabilitation Services Committee members:
Richard Rueda, Connie Schoeman, Ed Crespin, Don Queen, Anita Arakawa, Ken Metz, Elmer Chapson, Brian Hall, Nelly Emerson, Terry Almy, Alice Hackney, Patricia Leetz, Lucy Greco, Charles Nabarrete.
Technology Committee members: Roger Petersen, Vice Chair, Kenneth Frasse, Dan Kysor, Barbara Rhodes,
Sylvia Munoz, Andy Baracco, Mike Keithley,
Lillian Scaife, Stephanie Enyart.
3:00 PM Welcome to Los Angeles party! Catalina Room
Hosted by the San Diego Chapter, Lee Morton, President.
4:00 PM CCCLV Program and Business Meeting.
Bernice Kandarian, President. Los Angeles Room
“A Braille Embosser that Does Large Print Too”,
Cari Stieglitz, Marketing Manager, View Plus Technologies, Corvallis, OR.
4:30 California Very Special Arts, Kurt Weston, President will talk about VSA and his life as a low vision photographer.
5:00 Business Meeting.
6:00 PM Braille Revival League of California
Board meeting. Roger Petersen, Vice President.
Los Angeles Room.
7:00 PM California Council of the Blind Board of Directors Meeting. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend.
California A/D Room.
Listen to the CCB Board of Directors Meeting
Download the CCB podcast of the board of directors meeting
The hospitality in the Catalina Room, hosted by the Greater Los Angeles Chapter, will be open from the close of the Board meeting to 1:00 AM.
FRIDAY, October 27, 2006
The CCB Registration Table is open 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Friday and Saturday in the California Foyer. Name badges are available at the Registration Table. Please wear your badge at all times during the Convention (Required for Voting).
Convention Exhibits are on display from 9:00 AM to
5:00 PM, Friday and 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Saturday.
Obbie Schoeman and Peter Pardini, Co-Chairs.
The Woods Rooms (Hollywood, Brentwood & Westwood Rooms).
7:30 AM CQ CQ CQ to all amateur radio operators! You are invited to attend the CCB Amateur Radio breakfast to take place in the hotel's coffee shop, "The Palm Grill".
Remember, our official convention frequency is 147.480 MHz.
8:00 AM CCB Credentials Committee. La Jolla Room.
Frank Welte, Chair. Committee members: Stephen Fort, Coletta Davis, Rob Turner.
8:00 AM CCB Resolutions Committee. Santa Barbara Room. Lucy Greco, Co-Chair. Committee members:
Gabe Griffith, Co-Chair, Mitch Pomerantz, Winifred Downing, Ken Metz, Abbie Vincent, Eugene Lozano, Jr., Dirk Neyhart, Rhonda King.
9:00 AM Braille Revival League of California (BRLC)
Business meeting and elections. California Salon B Room.
10:00 AM BRLC Program: Cari Stieglitz from View Plus Technologies of Corvallis, OR will discuss their innovations in Braille production.
10:45 Braille Revival League of California (BRLC) and
California Library Users of America (CLUA)
Roger Petersen, Vice President, BRLC and Leslie Thom, President CLUA. California Salon B Room.
We will have a short business meeting and elections.
Then be prepared to tell us about a book you have been reading that you would like to share. A lot of our members enjoy hearing about titles and authors to enhance their reading repertoire.
9:00 AM Joint Program Session of the Committee on Access and Transportation (CAT) and California Council of Citizens with Low Vision (CCCLV) California A/D Room.
Opening Comments - Eugene Lozano, Jr.(Chair, Committee on Access & Transportation) and Bernice Kandarian (President, California Council of Citizens with Low Vision).
9:05 AM Workshop: "Disaster Awareness for the Visually Impaired" Disaster preparedness and hazard mitigation can minimize the effects of a disaster and facilitate recovery. The benefits of this workshop are numerous. It can increase our overall level of disaster readiness, provide emergency skills that people may use in day-to-day emergencies, enhance the bond between government and community, increase community spirit, and improve the quality of life for your family and the people of your community. Presented by The Los Angeles Fire Department's Disaster Preparedness Section. 12noon Adjournment
Listen to "Disaster Awareness for the VIsually Impaired"
Download Disaster Awareness Podcast workshop
9:00 AM Association for Multicultural Concerns (AMC)
California Salon C Room. Lillian Scaife, President.
"Distance learning and accessibility issues" and more…
Presenters: Paul Sparks, Ph.D. Dr. Sparks is the current director of Pepperdine Online Masters Program in Educational Technology and past director of there doctoral program leading courses in human-computer interaction, Norman Coombs Ph.D. Professor emeritus at the Rochester Institute of Technology were he continues to teach distance learning courses Dr. Coons, is the CEO of EASI: Equal Access to Software and Information, which has a mission to help colleges, libraries and other institutions make their computer and information systems fully accessible to people with disabilities.
12:00 NOON AMC Luncheon. San Diego One Room.
Lillian Scaife, President. Guest speaker: Richard Vicenzi, Executive Director, Operations Global Diversity Institute. GDI is a California not-for-profit corporation established as a source of resources, guidance and the synthesis of current research pertinent to issues of diversity in the workplace to diversity practitioners and champions. GDI’s website is www.globaldiversityinstitute.org
12:00 NOON CLUA and BRLC Joint Luncheon.
Los Angeles Room. Leslie Thom, President, CLUA and Roger Petersen, Vice President, BRLC.
We will hear from Dr. Henry Chan, Director of Library Services, Braille Institute, Los Angeles. He will be updating us on all of the happenings at the Braille Institute Library, such as Digital books and the future of library services in southern California.
Be prepared to tell us about a book you have been reading that you would like to share.
FRIDAY, October 27, 2006
1:30 PM First CCB General Session. California A/D Room.
Jeff Thom, CCB President presiding.
Pledge of Allegiance: Coletta Davis, Orange County Chapter.
Invocation: Minister Maurice Arterberry, Apostolic Faith Church, Los Angeles, CA.
1:35 PM Update on structured negotiations on behalf of CCB. Speaker to be announced.
1:50 P.M. Self-driving cars: curse or blessing?, Sebastian Thrun, PhD, Associate Professor of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering at Stanford University and Director of the Stanford University Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Brian Higgins, CEO, Intellisight.
2:30 P.M. "Blindness is not an Adverse Selection", Dominic Daddario, Licensed Life & Health Agent and Property & Casualty, Insurance Broker in the State of California, Stone Witter Insurance Services, Inc.
3:00 P.M Update on Accessible Pedestrian Signals
in California and Maryland. Speaker to be announced and Patrick Sheehan, President, ACB of Maryland .
3:30 P.M. Historically Speaking, Catherine Skivers, Immediate Past President, California Council of the Blind.
Listen to first CCB general session
Download podcast of first ccb general session
4:15 PM CCB Constitution and By-Laws Committee.
Roger Petersen, Chair. Santa Cruz Room.
Committee members: Tom Treher, Audrey Hebner,
Charles Nabarrete, Al Biegler, Mary Beth Randall,
Gerry Konsler.
4:15 PM Association for Multi-Cultural Concerns
Fiesta Party!!! Catalina Room.
4:15 PM First Timer's Seminar. California Salon B Room.
Ardis Bazyn, President, Greater Los Angeles Chapter and Beryl Brown, President, Redwood Empire Chapter.
An opportunity for new members or those who have not attended a Convention in a long time to learn about the purpose and function of the CCB Convention. If you are a first time attendee at CCB or someone who has not visited with us for a long time, be sure to attend this meeting. If you would like to have a "buddy", someone to assist you in getting acquainted, please contact the CCB office and let the President know. We want all newcomers to feel welcome and to make their attendance at the CCB Convention worthwhile and memorable.
4:15 PM Domestic Violence And Hate Crimes Committee, Melody Banks, Chair. California Salon C Room.
Committee members: Dr. Martin Jones, Vice Chair, Linda Flores, Herb Clayton, Barbara Kron, Norma Guerrero, Andrea Pitsenbarger.
4:15 PM Publications Committee Meeting.
Bernice Kandarian, Chair. Malibu Room.
Committee members: Winifred Downing,
Catherine Schmitt Whitaker, Dan Kysor, Richard Rueda,
Brian Hall, Bonnie Rennie, Louis Preston, Cecile Betts,
Evelyn Drewry, Julie Cantrell, Mike Keithley.
4:15 PM Committee on Access and Transportation Business meeting. Eugene Lozano, Jr., Chair.
San Francisco Room.
Committee members: Barbara Rhodes, Vice Chair,
Tom Karnes, David Jackson, Dr. Flora Beck,
Sharlene Ornelas, Glenda Castle, Warren Cushman
5:30 PM President's Dinner. Los Angeles Room.
Master of Ceremonies Rob Turner, President Glendale-Burbank Chapter. "CCB, A Personal Look".
Rob will provide a brief glimpse at what attracted him to the council and discuss his belief in fulfillment through service. Participants will then be given an opportunity to address the ways, in which, through their local chapter activities, the CCB offers us a real sense of family and excellent opportunities for community involvement.
7:00 PM Second CCB General Session.
California A/D Room. Mitch Pomerantz, CCB First Vice President presiding.
7:00 PM Credentials Committee Report, Frank Welte Chair.
7:20 PM The CCB Cruise, Peter Pardini.
7:25 PM Richard Mander, CEO HumanWare.
“An Update on Humanware.”
8:15 PM CCB Report Jeff Thom.
8:35 PM ACB Report, Patrick Sheehan. President, ACB of Maryland.
9:20 PM Elections.
Listen to the 2nd ccb general session
Download podcast of 2nd ccb general session
The Resolutions Committee will meet at the close of the General Session. Santa Barbara Room.
Hospitality in the Catalina Room, hosted by the Greater Los Angeles Chapter, is open from the close of the general session meeting to 1:00 AM.
10:00 PM to 12 Midnight. Single Mingle in the La Jolla Room. $10 at the door.
SATURDAY, October 28, 2006
8:30 AM Guide Dog Users of California (GDUC).
California Salon B Room. Business meeting. Ann Kysor, President.
10:00 AM GDUC Program. Guide Dogs of America hosts a discussion of "guide dog stress".
8:30 AM Education Committee. Malibu Room.
Joni Patche Chair, Leslie Thom presiding.
Richard Rueda Counselor, Department of Rehabilitation and CCB board member, will discuss youth transition programs. Dan Kysor, CCB Governmental Affairs Director, will discuss the issue of delays in receipt of large print books for blind and visually impaired children.
Committee members: Jill O'Connell, Winifred Downing, Keith Johnson, Erik Smiley, Ellie Wong.
9:00 AM Blind Students of California (BSC) Seminar and business meeting. California Salon A Room.
Hayley Edick, President. We will discuss pros and cons of various services colleges offer for online courses as well as access to other materials.
9:00 AM to 11:00 AM In the La Jolla Room, Representatives from Stone Witter Insurance Services will be available for an open-door informal session so they can address any questions pertaining to insurance, real estate finance, Medicare, and Medicare Part D. They are also offering one-on-one assistance for any sensitive insurance matters. Dominic Daddario and his colleagues will not be selling or promoting products, but dispensing information only.
9:00 AM Seniors with Vision Loss Committee,
Bonnie Rennie, Chair. Los Angeles Room.
Program Speaker: Mr. Tim Carpenter, Executive Producer: "Experience Talks" (a weekly radio program produced by More Than Shelter for Seniors). Come and learn about this creative nonprofit local organization, help them learn about us.
Committee members: Gussie Morgan, Ben Renshaw,
Charlotte Criddell, Connie Schoeman, Keith Black,
Dr. Flora Beck, Janet Carmichael, Jane Kardas.
10:00 AM to 4:00 PM In the California Salon C Room, a newly formed association, Audio Describers of California (ADCA) will come together to discuss and agree upon guidelines and methods for training of describers. Following the standardization of the training process, the organization will begin advocacy and marketing for the use of description in education, culture, job training, business, etc. We welcome input from conventioneers from 10 to 11 AM.
10:30 AM CCCLV will join the Seniors with Vision Loss Committee for a joint meeting in the San Francisco Room.
10:30 AM Update on Accessible Appliances.
11:15 AM Book Reader, a new simple, easy to use reading machine, Carlos Fernandez, Plustek.
10:30 AM California School for the Blind Alumni meeting.
Elmer Chapson, Chair. Malibu Room.
10:30 AM CCB Membership Seminar. California Salon D Room.
Ardis Bazyn and Rhonda King, Co-Chairs.
Every chapter and affiliate is strongly encouraged to have a representative at this meeting.
11:30 AM OCB Alumni business meeting,
Santa Cruz Room. David Jackson, President.
12 Noon GDUC Luncheon. San Diego One Room.
Ann Kysor, President. Hear reports from all of the major guide dog schools, enjoy great camaraderie and feast on a great cobb salad!
12 Noon OCB Luncheon. La Jolla Room.
David Jackson, President.
Speaker: Mike Cole, OCB Administrator.
Saturday, October 28, 2006
1:30 PM Third CCB General Session. California A/D Room. Rhonda King, CCB Secretary presiding.
1:30 PM Presentation of the colors: U.S. Armed Forces Color Guard lead by Lt. Commander Ernest Cowell, US
Navy retired.
Pledge of Allegiance: Andy Baracco, Greater Los Angeles Chapter.
Invocation
1:40 PM Frances Blend School For The Visually Impaired In The Mainstream, Nancy F. Cohen, Principal of Frances Blend School.
2:10 PM “Strategies to Assist Visually Impaired Pedestrians", Ryan Snyder, President, Ryan Snyder Associates, LA Walks; Deborah Murphy, Principal, Urban Design + Planning, LA Walks.
2:50 PM Catherine Bailes, Rehabilitation Supervisor and Acting Program Manager, South. “DOR Blind Field Services Update” And Richard DeVylder, Deputy Director, Independent Living and External Affairs Division, on “disaster preparedness”.
3:40 PM Gil Johnson, American Foundation for the Blind, Director, National Employment Center, American Foundation for the Blind. “Employment as it is, and as it should be.”
Listen to the 3rd ccb general session
Download the 3rd ccb general session
4:30 PM Fund Raising Committee. Los Angeles Room.
Rhonda King, Chair. Committee members: Peter Pardini, Obbie Schoeman, Sharlene Ornelas, Stephen Fort, Chris Gray, John Ross, Jewel McGinnis, A.J. Sobieck.
4:30 PM Governmental Affairs Committee. San Francisco Room. Catherine Skivers, Chair. Committee members:
Dan Kysor, Charles Nabarrete, Ahmad Rahman, Mitch Pomerantz, Ardis Bazyn, Andy Baracco, Doug Rose, Peter Pardini, Barbara Rhodes, Dirk Neyhart, Jane Kardas, Gabe Griffith, Mike Lee, Stephen Fort, Louis Preston, Louie Herrera, Lupe Medrano, Lisa Greenfield,
Allen Ramos.
4:30 PM Public Relations Committee. California Salon B Room.
Ken Metz, Chair. Committee members: Herb Clayton, Dr. Martin Jones, Lee Morton, Barbara Rhodes, Barbara Kron, Ardis Bazyn, Alexa Golden, Brenda Emerson.
6:00 PM No Host "Attitude Adjustment Hour"
in the Atrium.
7:00 PM The CCB Banquet in the California B/C Room.
Vince Calderon, President, San Gabriel Valley Chapter, Master of Ceremonies.
Invocation
The banquet will feature our 2006 scholarship winners. Don't forget the winning tickets for CCB raffle will be drawn at the Banquet, along with other raffles and prizes.
At the conclusion of the banquet, we will hold our exciting Fall Convention auction, commencing at approximately 9:15. All convention attendees are invited to enjoy the fun and bring home something special.
If needed, the CCB Resolutions Committee will meet directly after the banquet.
Listen to the ccb fall 2006 Banquet
Download podcast of ccb banquet
Hospitality in the Catalina Room, hosted by the Greater Los Angeles Chapter, is open from the close of the Banquet to 1:00 AM.
SUNDAY, October 29, 2006
8:15 AM Devotional Services. California A/D Room.
9:00 AM CCB Business Meeting California A/D Room.
Jeff Thom, CCB President presiding.
9:05 AM Convention minutes: Secretary, Rhonda King.
9:10 AM Treasurer's Report, Peter Pardini.
9:15 AM Constitutional and Bylaws Committee Report,
Roger Petersen, Chair.
9:30 AM Resolution Committee Report, Lucy Greco
and Gabe Griffith, Co-chairs.
10:30 AM Governmental Affairs report. Dan Kysor, Director of Governmental Affairs.
11:00 AM Committee Reports as time permits.
Adjournment will be no later than 12 noon.
Listen to the Sunday morning ccb business meeting
Download the podcast of the business meeting
Exhibitors
Access Ingenuity, LLC - Santa Rosa, CA
Assistive Technology Center - Sacramento, CA
A.T. Kratter & Co. Inc. – Garden Grove, CA
Enabling Technologies – Jensen Beach, FL
Glendale-Burbank Chapter CCB
Greater Los Angeles Chapter CCB
Guide Dog Users of California – CCB Affiliate
Guide Dogs of America – Sylmar, CA
Guide Dogs of the Desert – Palm Springs, CA
Guiding Eyes for the Blind – Yorktown Heights, NY
HumanWare USA – Concord, CA
Polara Engineering, Inc, – Fullerton, CA
R.L. & Associates – San Francisco, CA
Sendero Group LLC – Davis, CA
Sweetman Systems - Arleta, CA
Visual Aid Services, Inc. Van Nuys, CA
Western Pacific Signal , LLC – San Leandro, CA
(Graphic logo)
Guide Dogs of the Desert International
Providing independent mobility for the Blind since 1972.
Taking the time to change lives.
Guide Dogs of the Desert International was founded in 1927, and since then has graduated over 1,000 student/dog teams.
For over 30 years, we have been providing independent mobility to the blind at no cost.
Our class size is small to provide a family environment.
Contact us at 760-329-6257 or www.guidedogsofthedesert.org
Success Through Innovation
Put the power in your hands with braille, speech and low vision solutions from HumanWare.
Stop by the HumanWare booth and check out the new mPower BrailleNote and VoiceNote, now with Bluetooth technology and KeySoft 7.2, our most powerful and versatile software ever. The mPower family has all the reliable features you’ve come to expect from HumanWare, plus an audio recorder to record meetings or classes and the addition of Eloquence speech.
Be sure to ask for a demonstration of the new SmartView Xtend video magnifier, the video magnifier that changes as your needs change. The SmartView Xtend has been carefully designed to offer people with macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, or other eye conditions, increased flexibility and additional functionality with the optional upgrades.
HumanWare products are designed to last, to grow (and in many cases, to go) with the user, giving them the independence to compete effectively with peers, to feel connected – to be a vital part of the global information age in which we live. Put the power in your hands with a solution from HumanWare.
For more information, call HumanWare today at
1-800-722-3393 or see us on the web at www.humanware.com.
HumanWare (Graphic Logo)
Sweetman Systems
Solutions for People with Visual Impairments
Phone: 818-893-5887
Fax: 818-894-9132
Web: www.sweetmansystems.com
Email: sue@sweetmansystems.com
In Southern California, we provide system integration, product installation, and customized configuration services for a wide range of adaptive hardware and software. We also provide training which is tailored to meet the needs of the user.
• Note Takers: The BrailleNote and VoiceNote mPower
• Computer Systems: Powerful Dell desktop or laptop computers
• Reading Systems and Software: Kurzweil 1000 and Open Book
• Global Positioning Systems: BrailleNote GPS and Trekker
• Refreshable Braille Displays
• Screen Access Software: Jaws for Windows; Window-Eyes
• Braille Embossers: Romeo, ET and Juliet from Enabling Technologies.
• Braille Translation Software: Duxbury for Windows
• Large Print Software: ZoomText from AI Squared
• Training and worksite evaluations
When There’s No
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Professional, accurate and reliable Spanish-English language interpreter for hire
Highly-skilled, with five years of professional
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• Auto Insurance
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State of California Authorized Vendor
For more information, contact Liz C. Daniels at:
Phone: (323) 254-9213
Email: lizworks@sbcglobal.net
Guide Dog Users of California GDUC proudly presents Dear Killroy by Nora Harrison, a heart warming story and photo book of our favorite dogs. You may also find at the GDUC booth a cd copy of this book read by the author. You may also find our 5050 raffle tickets at the booth as well. Finally, renew your membership with GDUC at our business meeting.
CCB Board of Directors
Jeff Thom, President
Mitch Pomerantz, First Vice President
Eugene Lozano, Jr., Second Vice President
Catherine Skivers, Immediate Past President
Peter Pardini, Treasurer
Rhonda King, Secretary
Jerry Arakawa
Ardis Bazyn
Al Biegler
Gabe Griffith
Jane Kardas
Ann Kysor
Louis Preston
Barbara Rhodes
Richard Rueda
Convention Committee
Eugene Lozano, Jr., Chair
Andy Baracco, Coletta Davis, Margie Donovan,
Ken Metz, Peter Pardini, Mary Beth Randall,
Barbara Rhodes, Richard Rueda, Rex Ransom.
FOUR POINTS HOTEL SHERATON LAX
Detailed Narrative Description
September 2006
Presented by "The Center for the Partially Sighted"
GENERAL OVERVIEW OF FACILITIES & SERVICES
573 Guest Rooms, 24-hour Fitness Center, 24-hour Business Center, 24-hour Room-Service, Pool (Olympic-sized/heated), 24-hour Complimentary Shuttle, Guest Services, Concierge, Guest Laundry Facilities, Car
Rental, Restaurant, Bar, Meeting & Banquet Rooms. The hotel is situated between 96th and 98th streets (running east/west) and parallels Airport Blvd. (runs north and south). The main hotel entrance faces west to Airport Blvd. The overall shape of the hotel is like the letter "T". At the top and center of the "T" is the main entrance. At the stem of the "T" and on the right side, as your back is to the hotel's main entrance, is a cluster of meeting rooms forming a large rectangular shape. The "T" is upside down from this perspective.
MAIN HOTEL ENTRANCE (and adjacent areas in the top part of the "T")
Two adjacent main entrance doors exist on west side of hotel, sliding open as approached. One is to the south and the other is to the north (of each other). If you enter the south doors, it takes you to Guest Services/check-in. The north doors take you to three elevators (going up
to the sixth floor). The foyer is tiled and a bit difficult to assign a shape to, as it is asymmetrical: starting at the main hotel entrance/foyer with your back to it, in front of you is an area that has a walled "island" of sorts containing a few large chairs, the stairwell, and payphones around its perimeter; the pathway that circles around this "island" borders the foyer, elevators, and main tiled hallway leading to Guest Services/check-in). Starting at the main hotel entrance with your back to it, an immediate left turn takes you to a tiled corridor leading
to the San Diego Ballroom (heading north). Starting at the main hotel entrance with your back to it, walk approximately six paces and on the left side, will be the entrance to the Palm Grill Restaurant. Starting at the main hotel entrance with your back to it, walk about 6 paces,
turn right (heading south), you will leave the tiled area and enter a carpeted corridor with the Concierge Desk on your right. Just past this corridor (heading east) is the bathroom on the right (with your back to the main hotel entrance). Entering the corridor and starting back at the
Concierge Desk, on the right side is the W.H. Smith Gift Shop followed by the San Francisco Room. There is an exit after this room but once you exit, you can't get back in (no door handles). Starting again, at the Concierge Desk, but switching over to the left side of the corridor, is
the Business Center, followed by the Executive Offices Catering Sales room.
GUEST SERVICES (and adjacent areas in the stem of the "T")
Starting at the main hotel entrance with your back to it, leaving the foyer from the right set of entrance doors (or south doors), continuing on the tile floor of the main hallway, heading east along the stem of the "T" and on the left side, is Guest Services/check-in area with a
long counter serviced by several clerks. Continuing past the Guest Services/check-in, on the left is T.H. Brewsters Bar. It has tiled floor intermixed with wooden floor. The entrance to the Catalina Meeting Room is in the Bar area within the wooden floor (upon making a left and entering the Bar area, go straight to find the Catalina Room doors).
Continuing past the Bar, the tile changes to carpet and on the left, is the La Jolla Room followed by the Los Angeles Room. You are still walking on carpet but after the Los Angeles Room it changes back to tile. Just past the Los Angeles Room is a tiled corridor on your left. Upon entering this corridor, you will be traveling north. On your
immediate right, are bathroom facilities followed by the Malibu Room. Starting back at the beginning of this corridor on the left side and a few paces ahead are three elevators (going up to the ninth floor). Continuing past the elevators you will go through double heavy doors and
on the left is Guest Laundry. The hallway ends with an emergency exit only. Starting back at the Guest Services
/check-in area, if you continue east, all the way at the end of this hallway you will locate a sliding door exit, bringing you to the parking lot. You are now at the end of the stem of the "T." Starting back at Guest Services/check-in, heading east and on the right side, directly across from Guest Services/check-in is the Atrium. You will notice a warm radiance because it has windows for a ceiling allowing for sunlight penetration. It's a carpeted rectangular shaped area, with many comfortable chairs, tables and a piano. The pool area borders this Atrium. To locate the pool entrance, put your back to the Guest Services area and walk south (the doors will be to the right of the Atrium). Caution on exiting through these doors. There is an abrupt up-curb bordering a tree, so stay to the right when exiting the building. You can walk along the right side of outside building edge to avoid the up-curb and on your right will be the Fitness Center. The pool (on your left) is rectangular and bordered by reclining lounge chairs (situated along the longer sides of the pool). Starting back at Guest Services, on the right side of the main hallway, continuing east past the Atrium is the California Ballroom (the largest meeting room in the hotel). It has multiple entrances on two sides of the room (on the east and north sides). Passing the California Ballroom and on the right is a carpeted corridor. Going down this corridor, you are heading south and will pass more entrances to the California Ballroom on your right. On the left side of this corridor, you will pass the Hollywood, Westwood, and Brentwood Meeting Rooms, respectively. At the end of this corridor is an exit bordering 98th Street (you cannot get back in once you go out, no door handles). Starting back at Guest Services
/check-in, (traveling east) go past the corridor that borders the California Ballroom, and you will pass yet another corridor. Turn right into this corridor. On the left side, there are entrances to the Rental Car desk, the Santa Cruz Room, Santa Barbara Room, Santa Monica
Room, respectively. At the very end, is another exit leading to 98th Street but with no re-entry.
GUIDE DOG RELIEVING AREA
The best approach is to go out the hotel's main entrance and turn left (south) until you get to the sidewalk (borders 98th Street). Turn left again, (east) and all along on your right side (bordering 98th Street) is a narrow parkway with non-continuous patches of grass.
DISCLAIMER
This narrative description of the Four Points Hotel Sheraton is a general overview; it is not an in-depth overview/mapping out of the hotel facility.
FOUR POINTS SHERATON LAX
Emergency Evacuation Procedures:
Fire Exits:
For your personal safety, please note where each exit is located upon arrival. All floors/rooms are equipped with diagrams/locations of various fire exits, which are located at the end of each hallway. There are stairways located at each end of the East and West wings of the hotel. There are also stairways at each end of the Center wing. There are 9 fire alarms pull stations located on each floor of the building. There are glass enclosed fire extinguishers located at the end of each wing and 2 on each side of the center wing. There are also extinguishers in each elevator area for a total of 10 per floor. There are (3) fire alarm manual pull stations in each wing, which are red in color, with the center point of the device mounted 48 inches above the finished floor; one (1) at each end of the floor by the exit door and one (1) on the center near the elevator lobby.
Our Banquet rooms are located on the main ground level floor. There are 7 exits from the lobby level and 4 exits to the outside from the ballroom. All exits throughout the hotel are marked with large Red Exit Signs.
Alarm/Evacuation Procedures:
Our fire alarm makes a high-pitched whooping sound. The elevators will not be in working order once the alarm is activated. If the alarm is activated, we recommend that you stay in your guestroom or in the meeting room. Our hotel staff will investigate right away the cause of the fire alarm. Our hotel staff will determine if it is a false alarm or if evacuation is necessary and will advise hotel guests accordingly by use of the hotel public address system.
If evacuation is necessary, every attempt will be made for a member of our staff to assist you in exiting the hotel. All hotel guests with visual impairments will be noted by the front desk, and special assistance would immediately be deployed to their hotel room or meeting rooms.
If you detect fire or smoke, notify the operator by dialing “0”, or pull the nearest fire alarm manual pull station. There are three (3) manual pull stations in each wing and ten (10) glass enclosed fire extinguishers located on each floor.
If you must leave the room, feel the door to see if it is hot. If it is not hot, open the door slightly to look and listen to determine if you can make it to the stairways.
Stay low to the floor and take your room key.
Do not use the elevator. Proceed to the nearest stairway and exit on the ground floor.
If unable to exit your room because of fire or smoke: (a) Close the door and seal it with a wet towel (b) Stay near the window until help arrives.
We ask that our guests assemble in two areas based on exiting the hotel:
Guests exiting from the West Wing main entrance of the hotel please assemble to the north/western corner near the parking booth.
The guests exiting the East Wing rear exit at the back of hotel please assemble to the east side of the parking lot.
The ballroom has 2 exits to 98th street and 2 to the poolside.
There will be a member of our staff at these locations to account for all guests and to inform our guests when it is safe to re-enter the hotel.
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