Vista Center San Jose Calendar
Summer 2021
Online Activities Schedule
& General Information
View July 2021 Schedule (MS Word)
Vista Center – San Jose is a community-based organization dedicated to increasing the confidence, independence, and quality of life of the blind and visually impaired. We address complex vision loss issues comprehensively through rehabilitative, educational, and recreational services.
Our services, programs, and classes are available to all visually impaired adults living in Santa Clara County. One-on-one consults are by appointment. Please call for more information.
Core rehabilitative services are provided at no Fee to the client. Recreational/Therapeutic offerings are free or at a minimal Fee.
Vista Center – San Jose Branch
101 North Bascom Avenue
San Jose, CA 95128
Monday – Thursday, 9 AM to 3 PM
The Center is open for classes and activities starting July 12.
Cross Streets: West San Carlos and Naglee (Forest Ave)
Bus #61 & 62 stops on Bascom Ave. in front of the Center.
Bus #23 stops on Forest & also San Carlos/Stevens Creek.
For More Information: Call 408-295-4016
EDUCATION & SERVICES OFFERINGS
All classes are at the San Jose Center unless specified otherwise. Registration fees are due by the first class. Classes require sign-ups and occur quarterly. For more information, contact 408.295.4016 ext. 204.
MONDAY
CERAMICS I (HANDBUILDING) 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Participants create their own projects. Clean up is a participant responsibility. Instructor: Angel Fee: $40/Qtr.
CERAMICS I (HANDBUILDING) 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM
Participants create their own projects. Clean up is a participant responsibility. Instructor: Angel Fee: $40/Qtr.
BEGINNER YOGA 10 AM – 11 AM
All ability levels welcome. Breathing, stretching, and relaxation exercises promoting health. Wear comfortable clothing.
Instructor/School: Yoga Bharati Fee: $5/Qtr.
TAI CHI 11:15 PM – 12:15 PM
All ability levels welcome. Breathing, basic body posture, and slow movement exercises promoting health. Wear comfortable clothing.
Instructor/School: Nick Fee: $5/Qtr.
LOW INTENSITY EXERCISE CLASS 1 PM – 2 PM (starts 7/25)
2nd and 4th Monday of each month
Effective entire-body exercise programs optimized for the blind and visually impaired can now be taken as a Zoom class. This is a low-intensity workout with a warm-up, at a slower pace, including chair exercise.
Instructors: Tessa Moore and Dr. Dexter Thomas Fee: No Fee
Contact: 408-295-4016 Ext 204
HIGH INTENSITY EXERCISE CLASS 2 – 2:30 PM (starts 7/25)
2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month
Effective entire-body exercise program optimized for the blind and visually impaired can now be taken as a Zoom class. This is a higher-intensity workout, which includes more reps and sets. Duration of class depends on the participants.
Instructors: Tessa Moore and Dr. Dexter Thomas Fee: No Fee
Contact: 408-295-4016 Ext 204
Note: Both levels offer full-body workouts that have great moves for staying fit or getting into shape. Regardless of which level you choose they will help increase stamina and muscle growth, and improve strength. You can select either exercise session or both to optimize your training goals. The exercises target all major muscles including arms, legs, thighs, back, shoulders, neck, and stomach.
TUESDAY
BASIC SEWING SKILLS 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM (Starts 7/20)
Sewing skills to create a small item of your own or join in to help with group sewing projects. Sewing machines and an iron are set up for your use. Instructor: Carol Fee $5/Qtr.
CERAMICS I (HANDBUILDING) 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Participants create their own projects. Clean up is a participant responsibility. Instructor: Angel Fee: $40/Qtr. ($20 fall only)
CERAMICS I (HANDBUILDING) 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM
Participants create their own projects. Clean up is a participant responsibility. Instructor: Angel Fee: $40/Qtr. ($20 fall only)
LIVING WITH VISION LOSS 1 PM – 3 PM (Virtual via Zoom)
Adaptive techniques for independence & daily living.
Leader: Vivian Younger Fee: No Fee
Contact Vivian at 408-966-9299
WEDNESDAY
WEEKLY CLIENT COMMUNITY MEETING 10 AM - 11 AM
An open meeting held each Wednesday. Join us to stay up-to-date on our programs and activities and enjoy weekly speakers. Join the meeting at 9:45AM for a little social time before the meeting starts. Fee: No Fee
Contact: 408-295-4016 Ext 204
EXERCISE CLASS 11 AM - 11:30 AM
Meets after the Client Community Meeting. Slow stretching and low impact exercises adaptable to individual needs and abilities. Lead: Tom No Fee
SENIOR NUTRITION PROGRAM LUNCH 12PM- 12:30 PM
A nutritious meal is provided for low-income, underserved clients over 60 years old and their spouses. Suggested donation is $3.00 per lunch. For those under 60, the Fee is $9.00 for a lunch. ***All orders must be placed by the preceding Monday.
ACCESSIBLE BINGO 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
Braille and large print cards. Regular games and blackout. No Fee
CERAMICS BEGINNING (HANDBUILDING) 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM
Participants create their own projects. Clean up is a participant responsibility. Instructor: Angel Fee: $40/Qtr. + $6 for tools
THURSDAY
ADJUSTMENT TO VISION LOSS SUPPORT GROUP 1PM – 3PM (Virtual via Zoom)
Trained rehabilitation counselors help clients adjust to their vision loss and discuss adaptive techniques for daily living. This course is done in 15 weeks, one session per week. No fee.
Contact Vivian at 408-966-9299
SOCIAL OUTINGS (Sign-up required)
*The Second Thursday of the month we facilitate social-brunch gatherings to different eateries. See our Monthly Calendar listings.
FIELDTRIP OUTINGS (Sign-up required)
*The Fourth Thursday of the month we have an outing to exciting & fun locations & enhance client health. See our Monthly Calendar listings. *Actual dates vary per scheduling/availability.
VIP WALKS W/ BAY AREA OLDER ADULTS (Sign-up required)
This schedule includes some in-person walks outside as well as some virtual walks via Zoom. Virtual walks are open to all ages and in-person walks are open to adults age 40+. In-person walks include van transportation to the park, picnic lunch and bottled water.
Contact: 408-295-4016 x204. RSVP to each walk using link at the end of each description.
Virtual walks: July 22, Sept 16
In-Person walks: Aug 12
July 22, 2021 3:30PM to 4:30PM (Virtual via Zoom)
Title: Spring at Little Uvas Creek Preserve
Description: Little Uvas Creek Preserve is bustling with life. Normally closed to the public, we will journey through serpentine grassland, oak woodland and chaparral habitats, gray pines and toyon, and explore three spring-fed ponds that provide water for wildlife such as birds, butterflies, dragonflies and the threatened western pond turtle.
August 12, 2021 9AM to 2PM (In-person: Meet at Vista Center at 101 N. Bascom Avenue, San Jose, CA 95128 – Space is limited)
Title: Shoreline Lake Park, History, Birds and Other Wildlife
Join us for a leisurely summer walk with a breeze at Shoreline Park in Mountain View. We will learn about this area’s history, track down birds that make their home along Shoreline Lake, Shoreline Slough and Charleston Slough and learn about the plants along the trails. After the walk, we will enjoy a social picnic lunch. RSVP here.
September 16, 2021 3:30-4:30PM (Virtual via Zoom)
Title: Bay Checkerspot Butterflies of Coyote Ridge
Description: Coyote Ridge open space comprises 1,859 pristine acres located in the Diablo Range foothills. We will learn about the preserve’s rare serpentine grassland that is vital to the threatened Bay checkerspot butterfly. In the spring, the ridge’s brilliant hillsides and fields are covered with rare wildflowers such as the Metcalf Canyon jewelflower. We will tour Coyote Ridge, looking for Tule elk, Western burrowing owls, Golden eagles and more. RSVP here.
FRIDAY
VISION LOSS EMPOWERMENT CLASSES
When: Fridays, 9:00AM to 11:00AM
Instructor: Vivian Younger, Consultant and Rehabilitation Specialist for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Vista Center
Fee: No Fee
Contact Vivian to register at 408-966-9299 or younger.vivian@gmail.com
Meeting number provided to those who register
The purpose of this class is to provide an opportunity for you to share your vision loss journeys with other participants who have a similar vision loss diagnosis, learn how to proactively live with limitations imposed by specific eye conditions and provide you with resources for support.
You will learn that empowerment involves obtaining information, educating yourself about your eye condition and advocating for yourself so that your needs will be addressed in the future.
Starting in August, every other Friday, there will be a focus on an eye condition, such as:
Diabetic Retinopathy and stroke
Cataract and Stargardt disease
Retinopathy of Prematurity & Congenital Blindness
Systemic related eye diseases (multiple sclerosis, lupus, cancer, etc)
Eye Injuries and/or unknown causes
Retinal detachments, retinal vein occlusion, etc.
MONTHLY SERVICES
SUPPORT GROUPS
SPANISH SUPPORT GROUP - MON 10AM – 12PM (2 hours)
3rd Monday of each month – July 19, August 16, September 20
Leader: John Faustino Fee: No Fee
Contact Info: 650-858-0202 x128
CYPRESS SUPPORT GROUP – WED 10AM -11:30AM (90 minutes)
3rd Wednesday of the month – July 21, August 18, September 15
Leader: Sharon Hudson Fee: No Fee
Contact Info: 650-858-0202 x111
WORKING AGE SUPPORT GROUP WED 11AM – 1PM (2 hours)
2nd Wednesday of the month – July 14, August 11, September 8
Leader: Sharon Hudson Fee: No Fee
Contact Info: 650-858-0202 x111
SENIOR SUPPORT GROUP – MON 1PM – 2:30PM (90 mins)
1st & 3rd Monday of each month – 7/5, 7/19, 8/2, 8/16, 9/20
Leader: Vivian Younger Fee: No Fee
Contact Vivian at 408-966-9299
FAMILY SUPPORT GROUP SAT 10AM – 12PM (2 hours)
4th Saturday of the month – July 24, August 28, September 25
Leader: Vivian Younger Fee: No Fee
Contact Vivian at 408-966-9299
SOCIAL CONNEXUS PEER GROUP – FRI 1 - 2PM (Zoom)
4th Friday of the month – July 23, August 27, September 24
Leaders: Barbara Simas and Gabriela Aldana Fee: No Fee
Contact Info: Gabriela at galdana78@gmail.com
ACCESSIBLE TECHNOLOGY USER GROUPS
Join us for our Accessible Technology Sessions
Tech It Out with Vista
Join Vista Center’s Accessible Technology Specialists for this new virtual discussion group focused on technology training. There will be a wide variety of topics covered in the months to come. Sessions will be online via Zoom. RSVP to Bob Geyer at bobgeyer.vistacenter@gmail.com.
Friday, JULY 2 10 AM to 11:30AM
Friday, AUG 6 10 AM to 11:30AM
Friday, SEPT 3 10 AM to 11:30AM
Another Slice of APPle Pie
Join VCSJ’s venerable, one and only, Ernie Molina for our famous and fantastic monthly seminars on accessible technology, new apps, & more. Sessions will be at Vista Center San Jose and via Zoom. Donations are appreciated to keep the program going. A slice of apple pie will be served at the break. Contact Lisa at 408-295-4016 x202 or email lquan@vistacenter.org to be added to the mailing list.
Please RSVP by Wed prior before each session
Friday, JULY 16 10 AM to 12 PM
Friday, AUGUST 20 10 AM to 12 PM
Friday, SEPTEMBER 17 10 AM to 12 PM
Movies Out of Sight!
Join us for Social Events & Films with Descriptive Narration
Join VCSJ’s Movie Focus Group as they watch a popular movie on the big screen at Vista Center San Jose. Sign-up in advance.
$5 fee for refreshments. See you all here! Contact Lisa at 408-295-4016 x202 or email lquan@vistacenter.org to be added to the mailing list.
Friday, JULY 16 1 to 3 PM
Friday, AUGUST 20 1 to 3 PM
Friday, SEPTEMBER 17 1 to 3 PM
BOOK CLUBS
Get an Earful Book Club
2nd Mondays – July 12, August 9, September 13
10:00–11:30 AM
Led by Patrice Maginnis Fee: No Fee
If you are interested in joining us, RSVP to Patrice at
pmaginnis.vistacenter@gmail.com, or call (831) 458-9766.
VISTA BOOK CLUB – THURS 1:30 – 3PM (90 minutes)
4th Thursdays – July 22, August 26, September 23
Leader: John Lang Fee: No Fee
Contact John Lang at johnglang@aol.com or 650-344-8600.
SERVICES AND TRAINING CLASSES
All classes require pre-registration and fees must be paid by the first class. Most fee-based classes are offered by the quarter. For more information, call 408-295-4016 ext 204
ADAPTED LIVING SKILLS TRAINING Classes (cooking, basic sewing, in-home by appt. only) are available.
ACCESSIBLE TECHNOLOGY TRAINING
Computer classes and low-technology solutions $30/Qtr. fee
COUNSELING
Individual and family counseling are available.
ORIENTATION & MOBILITY TRAINING
One-on-one training: proper cane use and guide techniques to increase mobility in the home and in the community.
BRAILLE INSTRUCTION
Individualized instruction on reading braille.
INFORMATION & REFERRAL
Resource information on helpful products and services.
IN-HOME ASSISTANCE
Volunteers are available to help clients in their home, with reading and paperwork.
CCTV RENTAL PROGRAM
Check out CCTV’S as available, $25 per month fee. Call Lisa at 408.295.4016 x 202 for more info.
PEER SUPPORT GROUPS
Facilitated support groups for independence & daily living.
CALL-IN TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
The Ask-Ernie program is available to help clients in their home, with free Tuesday return calls for technical help with their devices.
RESOURCES
Resource materials, product catalogs, on-site Store with inventory