logo shows State of California with an eye in the middle



CCB Fall 2007 Convention Program
October 25 - 28, 2007



"Achieving Independence
Through Action"



HOSTED BY
CALIFORNIA COUNCIL OF THE BLIND
JEFF THOM, PRESIDENT
1510 J Street, Suite 125
Sacramento, CA 95814
800-221-6359                      
916-441-2100 (Outside of California)


CO-HOST AFFILIATES
East Los Angeles Chapter, Louis Herrera, President
Association for Multi-Cultural Concerns, Lillian Scaife, President



LOCATION
Four Points Sheraton LAX Hotel
9750 Airport Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90045
Reservations: 310-645-4600 or 800-325-3535





Table of Contents

Hotel Information

Please note, for your convenience a textual description of the hotel floor plan will be included in the Convention Program.


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 counter by the coffee maker. Iron and ironing boards in all guest rooms are located in the closet on the side.


For your convenience there 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.

Hotel Transportation: The Four Points Sheraton LAX provides complimentary shuttle transportation to the Fox Hills Mall 3 times/day. Please see 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.


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Registration

Donations of door prizes to be given throughout the convention should be brought to the Registration Table. In addition, any individual, chapter, or special-interest affiliate wishing to make contributions to our various special and general funds may present them at the banquet, or you may bring them to the CCB Registration desk and have them announced at the banquet. Your contributions are truly appreciated.


If you would like to pay your member-at-large dues for 2007, 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.

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CCB Convention Schedule

Printable Version of Schedule
THURSDAY, October 25, 2007
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 12:30 PM San Diego Ballroom CCB Presidents and Vice Presidents Seminar. We invite all chapter and affiliate Presidents and Vice-Presidents, or their designees (two people per chapter or affiliate), to make plans to attend this special pre-convention event. This program was envisioned and developed by participants in the CCB chapter and affiliate Presidents email list and regularly scheduled Presidents conference calls. Our purpose is to provide a forum for leadership development by presenting clear outlines of the duties and responsibilities of the chief officers of our chapters and to facilitate discussion about these duties and about two major activities of CCB, fund-raising and advocacy. In addition the informative presentations by experienced leaders of CCB, conference participants will leave the meeting with practical and useful written material in their chosen formats. We hope that you will make plans to arrive in Los Angeles early to participate fully in this unique conference.


    Please RSVP to either Linda Porelle, lporelle@sbcglobal.net 415-586-2622, or Donna Pomerantz, dmpomerantz@earthlink.net 626-844-4388, by September 25, 2007 with your preferred format; Braille, Large Print, E-mail, or Computer Disk.


    • Program Agenda
      • 8:00 – 8:30 AM BYOB bring your own breakfast
      • 8:30 – 8:45 AM Introductions
      • 8:45 – 9:30 AM Group activity – listening and reporting – Linda Porelle
      • 9:30 – 9:50 AM CCB History – Mitch Pomerantz
      • 9:50 – 10:00 AM Break
      • 10:00 – 11:15 AM Officer Duties/Responsibilities Panel – Pam Metz (moderator)
        Panel Members: President, Winifred Downing; Vice President – TBA; Secretary, Ann Kysor; Treasurer, Lee Morton
      • 11:15 – 11:35 AM Fundraising – Ken Metz
      • 11:35 – 12:15 PM Advocacy –Dan Kysor and TBA
      • 12:15 – 12:305 PM Wrap up – Linda Porelle and Donna Pomerantz
      Post workshop handouts and evaluations to be sent out via email or given out at meeting.
  • 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM California A/D Rehabilitation Services Committee, Patricia Leetz, Chair and Technology Committee, Louis Herrera, Chair, Joint meeting. If you are a person interested in low vision reading equipment or a quick and accurate print to speech reading system, check out the presentation by ABISee manufactures of the Zoom-Ex reading system from 1:00 to 2:00 PM. Interested in learning more about electronic books, either audio or text? Come and get the scoop on what DAISY is and how the DAISY format works. A representative from HumanWare will talk about DAISY and what tools support the DAISY book format from 2:10 to 3:00 PM. Want to know how to advocate for yourself and how to overcome impediments to employment created by technology? Attend this one hour workshop from 3:00 to 4:00 PM. Guest speaker Jessica Lorenz, Director of Public Policy and Information, San Francisco Lighthouse for the Blind. Rehabilitation Services Committee members: Pat LaFrance-Wolf, Richard Rueda, Connie Schoeman, Ed Crespin, Don Queen, Anita Arakawa, Ken Metz, Elmer Chapson, Brian Hall, Nelly Emerson, Terry Almy, Alice Hackney, 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.
  • 3:00 PM Catalina Meeting Room Welcome to Los Angeles party! Hosted by Association for Multicultural Concerns (AMC). Lillian Scaife, President. Come join us and have some pizza! The $6 price will cover your pizza and beverage.
  • 4:00 PM California A/D CCCLV Program and Business Meeting, Bernice Kandarian, President. Dr. Bill Takeshita of the Center for the Partially Sighted will talk about what's new in low vision technology.
  • 6:00 PM Los Angeles Room Braille Revival League of California Board meeting. Marleen O’Neill, President.
  • 7:00 PM California A/D California Council of the Blind Board of Directors Meeting. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend.


    • The Hospitality room, hosted by the East Los Angeles Chapter, will be open from the close of the Board meeting to 1 AM in the Catalina Meeting Room.

FRIDAY, October 26, 2007
The CCB Registration Table is open 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM in the California Foyer, 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 will be on display from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM in the Hollywood Room, Friday and 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Saturday. Obbie Schoeman and Peter Pardini, Co-Chairs.
  • 7:30 AM Palm GrillCQ 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 La Jolla Room CCB Credentials Committee. Rob Turner, Chair; Committee members: Stephen Fort, Coletta Davis
  • 8:00 AM Santa Barbara Room CCB Resolutions Committee, Gabe Griffith, Chair. Committee members: Lucy Greco, Winifred Downing, Ken Metz, Eugene Lozano, Jr., Dirk Neyhart, Rhonda King, Robert Wendt, Linda Porelle, Donna Pomerantz.
  • 9:00 AM San Francisco Room Braille Revival League of California (BRLC) Business meeting.
  • 10:00 AM San Francisco Room BRLC Seminar.
  • 9:00 AM California A/D Committee on Access and Transportation (CAT) Gene Lozano, Chair, and California Council of Citizens with Low Vision (CCCLV) Bernice Kandarian, President. Opening comments.Workshop title: "What stops would you like to hear called when riding a public transportation vehicle?" Come join us as the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Metro, (the second largest public transit operator in the United States) and the San Joaquin Regional Transportation District (the California Association for Coordinated Transportation's Public Bus Operator of the Year Award) share their progress in complying with the ADA requirements in calling out fixed route stop announcements. The Metro has installed an automatic vehicle enunciator system on all of their buses and the San Joaquin RTD has developed a criterion and procedure for calling out fixed route stop announcements. There will be a panel presentation followed by an interactive discussion between the audience and the panelists about what should be the criteria for making these announcements. The outcome of this workshop will lead to the development of a resolution or position paper for the CCB regarding fixed route stop announcement criteria that will be distributed to public transportation agencies throughout California and other parts of the country. This document will provide guidelines to be used by public transit programs about how to orient persons with vision impairments to locations along a route. Please come and help us prepare this most important document. Panelist: Steve Rank, Assistant Operations Control Manager, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro). Al Martinez, Supervising Electrical Engineer, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) Speaker to be announced.
  • 9:00 AM San Diego One Room Window Eyes Basic Training by GW Micro. If you are interested in learning about WindowEyes, you are invited to participate in a WindowEyes Basic training on Friday. (There will also be an intermediate training class on Saturday, October 27 from 9:00 to 12:00 Noon.) If you are interested in signing up for the class, call the CCB office and sign up (1-800-221-6359). Cost for Friday’s Basic training is $5 per person, fee to be paid at the convention. Saturday’s Intermediate training is $25 per person. If there are any additional questions, email Louis Herrera at lherrera@gte.net.
  • 9:00 AM Los Angeles Room Association for Multicultural Concerns (AMC) Program, Lillian Scaife, President. Join AMC in a guided discussion on the implications of ethnic and cultural diversity in our everyday interactions. Group exercises will address stereotypes, cultural sensitivity, cross-cultural awareness and team building. Don Brown, ADA Coordinator, Access Work Systems
  • 12:00 NOON Los Angeles Room AMC Luncheon, Lillian Scaife, President. Please join AMC for our annual luncheon, which will be held in memory of the late Ahmad Rahman, one of AMC’s earliest members. The Board will present John Lopez, past CCB president, with the Toscanelli Thomas Leadership Award and Melinda Wilson, attorney at law and past Chief Deputy Director of Department of Rehabilitation, will be speaking on "Leadership, If Not Me Then Who?"
  • 10:45 AM San Diego Two Room California Library Users of America (CLUA), Jerry Arakawa, President. Business meeting.
  • 12:00 NOON San Diego Two Room California Library users of America (CLUA) and Braille Revival League (BRLC) Luncheon.
    Sue Sweetman, a trainer specializing in adaptive equipment will speak about and demonstrate the Victor Reader Stream, the newest portable reader manufactured by HumanWare.
  • 1:30 PM California A/D First CCB General Session. Jeff Thom, CCB President presiding.
    • Pledge of Allegiance: John Ross, President, Greater Bakersfield Chapter.
    • Invocation: Calvin Brown, Associate Minister, Bethleham Temple Apostolic Church, Los Angeles.
    • 1:45 PM Words from a blind Iraq war veteran Jesse Acosta, East Los Angeles Chapter member.
    • 2:15 PM Update of the Department of Rehabilitation, Anthony Sauer, Director, Dept. of Rehabilitation.
    • 2:55 PM "Continued Improvement of Greyhound Lines, Inc. Services through Action". Presenter: Russell Haynes, MA., Coordinator, ADA Compliance Department, Greyhound Lines, Inc.
    • 3:35 PM "What is the Section 8 Homeowner Program?" Presenter: Speakers name to Be Announced: Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles.
  • 4:15 PM Santa Cruz Room CCB Constitution and By-Laws Committee.
    From Gerry Konsler, Committee Chair: Any CCB Chapter, Statewide Affiliate or CCB Voting Member may propose amendments to the CCB Constitution and/or CCB Bylaws.
  • 4:15 PM Catalina Ballroom Association for Multi-Cultural Concerns Fiesta Party! By popular demand, AMC’s Fiesta party is back! Join the AMC Board Friday afternoon immediately following the general session. This is our yearly gala affair where we will have “bottomless margaritas,” beer, diet and regular sodas, and appetizers. Join the board, have fun, and just let your hair down. Let us provide you with a smile and possibly a new friend.
  • 4:15 PM La Jolla Room First Timer's Seminar. Jerry Arakawa, Chair of CCB First Timers Committee. 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. We want all newcomers to feel welcome and to make their attendance at the CCB Convention worthwhile and memorable.
  • 4:15 PM San Diego Two Room Domestic Violence And Hate Crimes Committee, Melody Banks, Chair. Discussion topic will be Hate Crimes.
  • 4:15 PM Malibu Room Publications Committee Meeting. Bernice Kandarian, Chair.
    Committee members: Mike Keithley, Editor, Julie Cantrell, Winifred Downing, Evelyn Drewry, Brian Hall, Louis Preston, Bonnie Rennie, Richard Rueda, Catherine Schmitt Whitaker, Joel Isaac, Susan Schulter.
  • 4:15 PM San Francisco Room Committee on Access and Transportation Business Session. Eugene Lozano, Jr., Chair.
    Committee members: Barbara Rhodes, Vice Chair, Tom Karnes, David Jackson, Dr. Flora Beck, Glenda Castle, Warren Cushman, Beryl Brown.
  • 5:30 PM Los Angeles Room President's Dinner, Mistress of Ceremonies, Linda Porelle, President – San Francisco Chapter.
    The dinner presentation and discussion theme will be leadership development. Linda Porelle will briefly review and comment on the Thursday morning pre-convention leadership conference. Attendees will then be invited to share stories of success or lessons learned from their own chapter leadership experience.
  • 7:00 PM California A/D Second CCB General Session. Rhonda King, CCB Secretary presiding.
    Friday evening's General Session will include a remembrance of CCB members who have passed away since our last convention.
    • 7:20 PM Credentials Committee report,
    • 7:40 PM United Nations Treaty on Disabilities, Kathy Martinez, Executive Director, World Institute on Disabilities.
    • 8:10 PM ACB Report, Mitch Pomerantz, President, American Council of the Blind.
    • 8:40 PM CCB President's report, Jeff Thom.
    • 9:00 PM CCB officer and board of director elections.


      • The Resolutions Committee will meet at the close of the General Session in the Santa Barbara Room.


    • The hospitality room, hosted by the East Los Angeles Chapter, will be open from the close of the general session to 1 AM in the Catalina Meeting Room.
SATURDAY, October 27, 2007
  • 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM San Diego One Room CCB Membership and Public Relations breakfast seminar ($18 per person).
  • 8:30 AM Malibu Room Education Committee breakfast ($18 per person). Joni Patche, Chair. Richard Rueda, Youth Employment Transition Coordinator, Dept. of Rehabilitation, will speak on the "Transition to Employment, a collaboration between Dept. of Rehab. and the Dept. of Education."
    Committee members: Jill O'Connell, Winifred Downing, Keith Johnson, Leslie Thom, Erik Smiley, Ellie Wong, Warren Cushman
  • 8:30 AM California B/C Guide Dog Users of California (GDUC) Business meeting. Ann Kysor, President.
  • 10:00 AM California B/C GDUC Program. Jane Brackman, Executive Director, CA State Board of Guide Dogs will provide an update on board revisions.
  • 9:00 AM San Francisco Room Blind Students of California (BSC), Sean Ryan, President. Come and help us start a new generation of blind students! How to make a smooth transition to a CSU campus. Eugene Lozano, Jr., Disability Management Counselor/Access Specialist, Services to Students with Disabilities, California State University Sacramento.
  • 9:00 AM to 12 Noon San Diego Two Room Window Eyes Intermediate Training by GW Micro.
    If you are interested in signing up for the Intermediate class, call the CCB office and sign up (1-800-221-6359).
    The Intermediate training fee is $25 per person, fees to be paid at the convention. If there are any additional questions, email Louis Herrera at lherrera@gte.net.
  • 9:00 AM La Jolla Room Seniors with Vision Loss Committee, Bonnie Rennie, Chair.
    Committee members: Gussie Morgan, Charlotte Criddell, Connie Schoeman, Keith Black, Janet Carmichael, Jane Kardas.
  • 10:30 AM La Jolla Room CCCLV will join the Seniors with Vision Loss Committee for a joint meeting. Sharon Toji of Access Communications will discuss her research project on accessible signage. Also, Lena and Leon Reznik from Abisee Inc. will introduce Zoom-Ex, a new reading machine.
  • 10:30 AM Malibu Room California School for the Blind Alumni (CSBA) meeting. Elmer Chapson, Chair.
  • 11:30 AM San Diego One Room Orientation Center for the Blind (OCB) Alumni business meeting followed at 12 Noon by the OCB Luncheon, speaker to be announced. David Jackson, President.
  • 12 Noon San Francisco Room Randolph Shepard Vendors of California (RSVC) Luncheon. David Hanlon, President. Report and Elections.
  • 12 Noon California B/C GDUC Luncheon. Ann Kysor, President.
    Introductions; Reports from guide dog schools; and a Fifty/fifty drawing.
  • 1:30 PM California A/D Third CCB General Session. Chris Gray, CCB Treasurer presiding.
    • Pledge of Allegiance: Jacqueline Jackson, President, San Diego Braille Club.
    • Invocation
    • 1:40 PM "Divided We Fail: Dealing with Healthcare Reform". Sam Thomas, Regional Volunteer Leader for Los Angeles, American Association of Retired Persons (AARP).
    • 2:25 PM Identity Theft Presentation, Jerry Baik, City Attorneys Office Los Angeles.
    • 3:00 PM Coalition on Accessible Telecommunication, Ardis Bazyn.
    • 3:30 PM Federal and state legislation, Dan Kysor Director of Governmental Affairs.
  • 4:30 PM Santa Cruz Room Fund Raising Committee, Rhonda King, Chair.
    Committee members: Rhonda King, Chair. Peter Pardini, Obbie Schoeman, Sharlene Ornelas, Stephen Fort, Chris Gray, John Ross, A.J. Sobieck .
  • 4:30 PM San Francisco Room Governmental Affairs Committee, Catherine Skivers, Chair.
    Committee members: Catherine Skivers, Chair. Dan Kysor, Charles Nabarrete, Mitch Pomerantz, Ardis Bazyn, Andy Baracco, Doug Rose, Peter Pardini, Barbara Rhodes, Dirk Neyhart, Jane Kardas, Stephen Fort, Louis Preston, Louie Herrera, Lupe Medrano, Allen Ramos.
  • 6:00 PM California Foyer No Host "Attitude Adjustment Hour".
  • 7:00 PM California B/C The CCB banquet will be held Saturday evening, with Louis Herrera, President of the East Los Angeles Chapter as MC.
    Invocation
    The banquet will feature our 2007 scholarship winners we will also honor our Life members.
    Keynote speaker Mitch Pomerantz, the newly elected President of the American Council of the blind. Don't forget the winning tickets for CCB raffle will be drawn at the Banquet, along with other raffles and prizes.
    If needed, the CCB Resolutions Committee will meet directly after the banquet.


    • The hospitality room, hosted by the East Los Angeles Chapter, will be open from the close of the banquet to 1 AM in the Catalina Meeting Room.
SUNDAY, October 28, 2007
  • 8:15 AM California A/D Devotional Services.
  • 9:00 AM California A/D CCB General Session. Jeff Thom, CCB President presiding.
    • 9:05 AM Convention minutes: Secretary, Rhonda King.
    • 9:10 AM Treasurer's Report, Chris Gray.
    • 9:15 AM Constitutional and Bylaws Committee Report, Gerald Konsler, Chair.
    • 9:30 AM Resolution Committee Report, Gabe Griffith, Chair.
    • 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.

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Exhibitors


Advertisers

ABISEE, Inc.
ABISEE logo ABISee, Inc.
www.abisee.com
800-681-5909
Zoom-Ex is 3 tools at 1 lb folds like tripod. Picture of Zoom-Ex folded
Picture of ABISEE's Zoom-Ex Zoom-Ex, an innovative tool that makes it possible to turn any computer into an accessible scanner and reader for blind users. With Zoom-Ex you can easily start and stop scanning or reading with a single key press.
Faster than traditional flatbed scanners – it takes only 3-7 seconds from the time you start scanning to the time Zoom-Ex begins reading. The durable but lightweight (only 1 lb) design of the Zoom-Ex Portable Scanner consists of a 2 1/2 inch digital camera on a specially designed stand, which also acts as a guide for lining up the book or document to be scanned. Because of the unique camera and stand design, the camera is always at the exact distance needed to create a clear image, and a blind user will always know exactly where to place the material to be scanned. The Zoom-Ex scanner includes its own text-to-speech and OCR programs, and runs off any Windows-based computer or laptop, so you can use it almost anywhere there is a computer to install the software on: in the classroom or library, at conferences and on vacation.


Please, call ABISee to learn more about using Zoom-Ex and other devices for both blind and low vision users: 1-800-681-5909. WWW.ABISEE.COM

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GW Micro
Since 1990, GW MICRO has been a trusted pioneer in the adaptive technology industry, and continues to lead with innovative customer-driven solutions
    GW Micro Products
  • Window-Eyes Window-Eyes is the most comprehensive software package for blind and visually impaired users; it is also the first full- featured screen reader to offer Vista support.
  • Braille Sense The Braille Sense is the first notetaker to offer notetaking, networking, audio capabilities and much more in one compact unit.
  • Voice Sense The Voice Sense is the smallest and lightest PDA for the visually impaired
  • Small-Talk Ultra Based on one of the world's smallest ultra personal computers, the Small-Talk Ultra is a full-featured talking Windows XP or Vista computer.
  • Portable SenseView The world's smallest portable CCTV, the Portable SenseView, is unmatched in powerful magnification; the digital zoom feature ranges from 4x all the way to 22.5x.
For more information on these and other fine products visit: www. gwmicro.com Ph: 260-489-3671 Fax: 260-489-2608 GW MICRO The Voice of Vision

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Sweetman Systems
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: BrailleNote, VoiceNote, and Voice Sense
  • Victor Reader Stream: DAISY/mp3/NISO Player
  • Computer Systems: Dell desktop and laptop computers
  • Reading Systems and Software: Kurzweil 1000 and Open Book
  • Global Positioning Systems: BrailleNote Sendero GPS and Trekker
  • Refreshable Braille Displays
  • Screen Access Software: Jaws for Windows and Window-Eyes
  • Braille Embossers: Romeo, ET and Juliet
  • Braille Translation Software: Duxbury Braille Translator
  • Large Print Software: ZoomText from AI Squared
  • Training and worksite evaluations

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Wholeself Care
Nature's Most Concentrated Source of Life-Enhancing Nutrients


Imagine feeling better than you've ever felt before. Imagine feeling great all the time - healthy, youthful, uplifted, relaxed and full of energy. Now imagine doing all that naturally! The Amazon Rainforest is nature's most concentrated source of life nutrients; the Amazon Herb nutrition products bring those natural benefits directly to you.


Deep in the Amazon Rainforest, a life-sustaining cycle of fresh rain nourishes pristine botanicals. Rain is the vital essence and life force of the Rainforest, providing nutrients for growth and regeneration. With over 215,000 species of plants, the Amazon Rainforest has been called the greatest celebration of life on earth. Rainforest Bio-Energetics™ nutrition captures the essence of this concentrated life energy to help renew your health and vitality.


Stop by our booth to sample of a few of our unique Rainforest botanicals that have been carefully selected and blended to create powerful concentrated nutritional formulas:


Chocomaca - Deliciously Healthy and compared to other chocolates and candy, Chocomaca is low in calories and fat and contains no refined white sugar. Eleven herbs provide a rich source of antioxidants that support a healthy heart, help reduce harmful cholesterol and boost the immune system.


Treasure Tea - Powerful, Delicious & Simple. Six of the Amazon's most vibrant botanicals, that have been proven, by tradition and modern methods, to immerse your body and mind with the nutrients and life energy they need to perform at their optimal levels.


Pure Camu - Clear your mind and brighten your day with the Rainforest fruit that makes the world a better place.


For more information, contact: Jeanne-Marie Moore Saving the Rain Forest, one acre at a time Rainforest Ambassador #177604 phone: 541-684-9797 or 866-521-5369 email: algaelady@gmail.com web site: http://moore4u.amazonherb.net

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Guide Dog Users of California
All new from Guide Dog Users of California, GDUC. Check our new exciting surprises at our exhibit booth while you renew your membership and get in our 5050 drawing!


Meet guide dog users and puppy raisers who love to hang out with dogs! Open Friday and Saturday.

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CCB Board of Directors

Jeff Thom, President
First Vice-Presidency vacant
Eugene Lozano, Jr., Second Vice President
Catherine Skivers, Immediate Past President
Chris Gray, Treasurer
Rhonda King, Secretary
Jerry Arakawa
Gabe Griffith
David Jackson
Jane Kardas
Ann Kysor
Peter Pardini
Louis Preston
Barbara Rhodes
Richard Rueda

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Convention Committee

Eugene Lozano, Jr., Chair.
Andy Baracco
Coletta Davis
Ken Metz
Peter Pardini
Mary Beth Randall
Barbara Rhodes
Richard Rueda
Rex Ransom

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FOUR POINTS HOTEL SHERATON LAX

Printable Version of Hotel Description
Detailed Narrative Description
September 2006
Presented by "The Center for the Partially Sighted"


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.


GENERAL OVERVIEW OF FACILITIES & SERVICES

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")

  1. 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).
  2. If you enter the south doors, it takes you to Guest Services/check-in.
  3. The north doors take you to three elevators (going up to the sixth floor).
  4. 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).
  5. 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).
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. Just past this corridor (heading east) is the bathroom on the right (with your back to the main hotel entrance).
  9. 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.
  10. There is an exit after this room but once you exit, you can't get back in (no door handles).
  11. Starting again, at the Concierge Desk, but switching over to the left side of the corridor, isthe Business Center, followed by the Executive Offices Catering Sales room.


GUEST SERVICES (and adjacent areas in the stem of the "T")

  1. 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.
  2. Continuing past the Guest Services/check-in, on the left is Brewsters Bar. It has tiled floor intermixed with wooden floor.
  3. 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).
  4. Continuing past the Bar, the tile changes to carpet and on the left, is the La Jolla Room followed by the Los Angeles Room.
  5. You are still walking on carpet but after the Los Angeles Room it changes back to tile.
  6. Just past the Los Angeles Room is a tiled corridor on your left. Upon entering this corridor, you will be traveling north.
  7. On your immediate right, are bathroom facilities followed by the Malibu Room.
  8. 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).
  9. Continuing past the elevators you will go through double heavy doors and on the left is Guest Laundry.
  10. The hallway ends with an emergency exit only.
  11. 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."
  12. 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.
  13. 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.
  14. 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.
  15. The pool (on your left) is rectangular and bordered by reclining lounge chairs (situated along the longer sides of the pool).
  16. 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).
  17. 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.
  18. 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).
  19. 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.
  20. 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.


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.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Stay low to the floor and take your room key.
  5. Do not use the elevator. Proceed to the nearest stairway and exit on the ground floor.
  6. If unable to exit your room because of fire or smoke:
    1. Close the door and seal it with a wet towel
    2. Stay near the window until help arrives.
  7. We ask that our guests assemble in two areas based on exiting the hotel:
    1. Guests exiting from the West Wing main entrance of the hotel please assemble to the north/western corner near the parking booth.
    2. The guests exiting the East Wing rear exit at the back of hotel please assemble to the east side of the parking lot.
  8. The ballroom has 2 exits to 98th street and 2 to the poolside.
  9. 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.
** End of Document **

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Revised October 10, 2007
© 2007 California Council of the Blind. All Rights Reserved.