Use a Waffle Maker to Roll Your Own Pizza Pockets

More than a few people have taken a long hard look at their waffle maker and said, "Certainly, you must be good for more than waffles."

There really aren't any measurements for the ingredients. Just add how much you like, and whatever you like. This is just the list of ingredients that I used.

• Crescent rolls (I used reduced fat)
  
• Pepperoni
  
• Mozzerella cheese
  
• Parmesan cheese
  
• Pizza sauce, for dipping

Equipment needed:

• Cutting board, cutting mat, cookie sheet, plate, or anything else on which to assemble the pocket of deliciousness.
  
• Waffle iron, naturally.

1. Turn the waffle iron on and let it preheat. There is no need to oil or butter the iron, there is enough oil in the dough to keep them from sticking.
   
2. Open the tube of crescent rolls and remove the dough, being careful not to tear it. The roll of dough should split right in half if you persuade it gently. I only used half the roll for one pocket, the other half I bagged and stuck in the refrigerator for later.
   
3. Unroll the half-tube of dough and separate into two rectangles, each consisting of two crescent roll triangles. You'll want to pinch the triangle seems together, to form two solid rectangular pieces, one for the bottom and one for the top. Try to shape the pieces so that they are roughly the same size.
   
4. Add your filling to one piece of dough only. The other piece is going to be for the top. For this pocket  I added a layer of pepperoni, then sprinkled mozzerella and parmesan cheese on top. You can add more of the filling if you like, I prefer more crust than filling, so adjust accordingly.  Make sure you leave about 1/2  inch of dough around the edges, so you can seal the top with no problems. The filling can really be anything you want. You could use this version, and add peppers, onions, and cooked sausage for a supreme pizza. If you choose to add vegetables, I recommend sauteing them first, because the pocket won't be in the waffle iron long enough to cook raw veggies.
   
5. Carefully place the second square of dough on top of the piece with the filling.  Pinch the edges together leaving no holes, if possible. You don't want all of your cheese running out!
   
6. Your waffle iron should be nice and hot by now. Very gently pick up the pocket, and place it in the center of the waffle iron. The dough will expand while it cooks, so it's recommended to make the pocket a bit smaller than the iron.  Close the lid, but don't mash it down until it closes completely, this will put holes in it, and you'll have a big mess. Just let the weight of the lid do the work for you.  The timer on your waffle iron might be accurate in telling you when the pocket is done, but you're looking for a deep brown (not burnt), possibly crunchy exterior. I would guess about 3 minutes.Carefully remove the pocket from the iron.
   
7. Slice your pocket however you see fit. I serve it with pizza sauce for dipping. It's not recommended that you put the sauce inside the pocket, that's just asking for a huge mess.

This would be a fun project for the kids, letting them fill their own pockets, just make sure they don't use the waffle iron unattended.

Article Source:
http://www.instructables.com/id/SYZ2A19G1ZGOA1B/

Use a Spoon to Prevent Milk from Boiling Over

You're boiling milk, you turn your back for a moment, and, boom, the milk is boiling over the pot and all over the stove. Prevent that mess with this simple hack.

As milk heats, the water in its structure starts evaporating from the surface. This concentrates the remaining fat and proteins into a thicker layer at the top of the pot. This layer eventually becomes so thick that water vapor rising through the milk can't break through very easily and gets trapped.

While this complex interaction of protein and fat is what makes milk awesome for things like the creamy froth that goes into cappuccinos, it's also the reason that it boils over. The quick and dirty fix for the problem is to put a long-handled spoon into the pot as it is heating. The spoon breaks the surface tension and the skim of milk fat and protein forming and allows the steam to escape without violently erupting. It's a trick your grandmother might have known, but not something she necessarily felt the need to pass on in the age of microwaves.

Not as popular as they were in generations past, you can also use a milk watcher. A milk watcher is essentially just a glass, metal, or ceramic disc that helps to distribute the heat and steam in such a way to prevent film from forming on the surface. You can pick a glass one up for a few bucks at specialty food stores or online.

Read Your Clipboard Content Out Loud

Professional writers often read their work out loud to make sure it flows well and sounds coherent. If you want to kick back and have the reading done for you, then give Speak Clipboard a try.

This lightweight, free, open-source app is designed for Windows XP, but you should have no trouble with Vista (and presumably Windows 7) too, just install the .NET 1.1 framework. To make Speak Clipboard talk to you, simply copy text into your clipboard via Right-click -> Copy or Ctrl+C, then fire up the app. You can pause and resume Speak Clipboard or change the reading direction from right to left, all with a single click.

This cool tool appeals to more than just writers. It's a great app to help people with a visual impairment, and a neat way for kids to practice their reading and writing skills.

Click this link to download Speak Clipboard from http://www.speaktools.com.

Take Your Computer to the Device Doctor

This Driver update utility (for Windows only) finds outdated drivers on your PC, and helps you download the latest versions, without charging you a dime.

Using the utility, which can be installed or used as a portable application, is about as easy as it gets, just click the Begin Scan button, wait a couple of seconds, and you will be shown a list of drivers that can be updated. The download button for each driver will take you to the Driver Doctor website, where you can download the drivers for free, without signing up for anything at all. Most of the drivers come with setup programs, but some of them are nothing more than zip files, and would need to be installed manually, hopefully something they can improve on in the future.

I use JAWS for Windows and had to use the JAWS Cursor to access sections of the program's screen but this wasn't too bad and I found eight drivers for my work computer running Windows XP. For Windows 7, I didn't have as much luck, with a few incorrect drivers being identified. That said, Windows 7 was only released recently, so expect that support to improve in the future.

Device Doctor isn't perfect yet, but as a completely free, portable application that you can toss on your thumb drive, it's well worth a look. It might even save you some time searching for new drivers while you are fixing mom's PC.

Click this link to visit http://www.devicedoctor.com.

Please Leave a Message After Turning On the Light

If you have trouble with communication in your family, sometimes you have to get creative. Sure, in this age of cell phones and text messaging, it’s easy to send someone a reminder. However, Making sure they are told something at the right time is an important factor.

Lets say you want someone to get your message as soon as they walk into the house. This Parrot Digital Messaging Switch Plate can help with that very thing.

The device is simple enough, allowing you to record a 20-second message which will be played back when the switch is turned on. I can see this as something parents might use to remind their children of chores when they get home from school. It installs in the same manner as any other switch plate, (it gets power from four AAA batteries).

Click this link to purchase the Parrot Digital Messaging Switch Plate from Kotula's.

Luggage Locator: See & Hear Where Your Bag Is!

One of my absolute favorite things about flying is the wait at the baggage claim. All those cases and they all look and feel alike! How's a guy to find his bag in the sea of black bags that go round and round until you're sick from watching? How about listening for your bag instead.

Now you can easily locate your bag from the sea of look-alike luggage. Simply press the button on your remote and the locator on your bag will light up (six flashing LEDs!) and your prerecorded message will play for thirty seconds continuously. You'll be able to hear it up to 45 feet away! Thanks for solving this problem.

Click this link to purchase the Luggage Locator from the Things You Never Knew Existed website.

The Leftover Wizard

I have a hard time eating left over food. Well, let me say that again, I have a hard time finding something to do with the leftover food. It's usually just a matter of not knowing how to reinvent it into another meal. But with this Website, I don't have to rack my brain trying to think of something. I can just put my ingredients into this wizard and let it do its thing!

It's really easy to use! All you have to do is select the ingredients and click on the What Can I Make? button. You can search with one to three ingredients. If your search comes up with no results, try to broaden it by dropping an ingredient.

I put in spaghetti sauce and cheddar cheese and the wizard came up with 42 recipes. From that search, I found a crock pot pizza recipe I really want to try.

Two great sections on the site are Flavor Combinations and What's Fresh Now! Flavor Combinations gives you a list of the hottest flavor combos you can try searching for. Some of my favorites are listed, such as garlic, lemon and chicken. A few more favorites are soy sauce, orange juice and ginger. This section gives you great inspiration. What's Fresh Now gives you a listing of what's in season right now. It allows you to plan your meals around those fresh ingredients. You can even change the month and pre-plan your meals. For example, switch the month to November and you'll see what will be fresh for Thanksgiving. Click this link to try something new with your leftovers at http://www.bigoven.com/leftoverwizard2.aspx.

Remove the File Not the Email Message

Ever have an email message in Outlook with an attachment and you find that you no longer need the attachment? You may want to keep the email so that you have varification that it was received but don't want a file that contains personal information. Maybe you work in an office setting with a space quota? Attachments can really add to the size of your message archives.

If these situations sound familiar, you may be interested in knowing that you can delete attachments without deleting the message.

1. Once you're sure you have no more use for the attachment open the message. (By "no more use" I mean that either it's been saved or is of no further use to you.)
   
2. If you use a screen reader, hit a shift+tab to get to the list of attachments. You may have to hit a right arrow to highlight the actual file. If you use a mouse, right-click on the file you want to delete.
   
3. From the resulting menu, choose Remove.
   
4. When you close the message, you'll see a confirmation prompt. Yes will finalize the delete, No will close the message without deleting the file and Cancel will put you back into the message as though you never tried to close it.

What’s the difference between spyware, viruses, malware, adware and grayware?

We hear these names all the time on the internet and in our email but what are they? What do they do? Let's see if we can define these names and tell you a little more about each one.

Let’s start with malware. Malware is a general term referring to all of the nasties that can infect your computer, from viruses to spyware! The term malware is actually short for "malicious software" that’s not surprising, considering what it can do to your computer!

Next up is one of the most well-known types of malware: computer viruses! In case you didn’t know, the first computer virus was Bob Thomas’s “Creeper”, created way back in 1971 on the US Department of Defense's ARPANET, the predecessor of the Internet. Out of that was born the first piece of anti-virus software, the “Reaper”. So, what is a computer virus? Strictly speaking, a computer virus is just a self-replicating computer program. It doesn’t have to be destructive, although many are. In fact, early viruses were often harmless and simply displayed a funny message or poem. Usually, computer viruses find their way into your computer by piggybacking on a legitimate program, for example, one that you might download from the Internet. Anti-virus programs such as Norton or McAfee will pick up most viruses, but you should always be careful when downloading files from the Internet. Some might spell doom for your computer system!

Unlike viruses, spyware usually doesn’t self-replicate, but it can be equally or even more harmful to you and your computer. Although spyware might not disrupt your use of your computer, it might collect information about your usage which might be considered an invasion of privacy. One example of software which could be considered spyware is a key logging program. Key loggers record what you type and allow the installer of the program to effectively monitor your computer usage. Spyware can also have some financial implications: for example, if you access online banking with a spyware-infected computer you could have your details stolen!

Adware is a type of software that might not be considered to be malware, depending on your point of view. The difference between adware and other malware is that in many cases the user actually consents to having the adware installed on their computer. In most cases, adware is installed in conjunction with free software or as a seemingly useful browser add-on (like a toolbar). Once it’s found its way into your computer system, it hits you with a barrage of advertisements; from pop-ups to banner ads! Because adware is often installed with the user’s consent, it is often not classified as malware by antivirus programs and often a separate adware removal program will be needed.

Grayware is a very broad term for all of those computer nasties that are annoying but not necessarily totally destructive, including adware, joke programs and dialers. Unfortunately, your antivirus program might not remove grayware (in fact, one antivirus program maker was sued by a grayware creator for blocking the installation of their program!) so you’ll need to install other programs to get rid of it. You should make sure that you check reviews of your chosen product as some ‘grayware removers’ are viruses in themselves!

Doctor I Can Hear You!

by Donna J. Jodhan

This is one of my pet peeves. Doctors who find it more efficient to talk over my head or to the person accompanying me to my appointment. You would think that part of their training would include teaching these good guys how to interact with persons who are sight impaired but it seems not. So many of my clients continue to complain about the total lack of bedside manners when it comes to doctors being able to interact with them. At the best of times doctors do not really know how to interact with their patients but when you are sight impaired it makes things even more difficult.

As someone who has had to spend much time in doctors’ offices, I can tell you that these guys really need to learn how to treat those of us who are sight impaired. Some times they create an impression of either not being able to communicate with us or they do not believe that we are capable of understanding. I have had doctors who prefer to talk to my mom rather than me. I have had others who ignored my questions and I have had others who have walked out of the office at the end of an appointment without even bothering to say that the appointment was over.

So many times I wish that I could say: "Doctor I am here! I am the patient and you can talk to me. I can hear you and I can compute!" I often wonder why is it that so many doctors have difficulty communicating with those of us who are sight impaired. At the best of times they have difficulty communicating with the mainstream patient but for us my opinion is as follows: The eyes are what the rest of the world uses to communicate and when there is a situation whereby the eyes are unable to communicate then all hell breaks loose and everything goes haywire. Blind and visually impaired persons are unable to use their eyes to communicate. So, what is the solution? More education and more awareness training.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, an accessibility and special needs business consultant wishing you a terrific day. If you'd like to learn more about me, then you can visit some of my blog spots at:
Donna Jodhan! Advocating accessibility for all: http://www.donnajodhan.blogspot.com
Weekly Saturday postings on issues of accessibility: http://www.sterlingcreations.ca/blog/blog.html
blogs on various issues and answers to consumers concerns: http://www.sterlingcreations.com/businessdesk.htm

Never Lose the Bits with the Autoloader Screwdriver

Why is the bit you need to complete a job always the one you can't find? You either drop it and get to feel around the floor for the next two hours or the exact one you need is missing? In the case of the missing one, it’s probably because someone’s been too lazy to put them back when they are done (that would be my issue). That’s why screwdrivers with interchangeable bits can be so handy. Of course even those little bits can get lost, which is why this Autoloader Screwdriver from KR Tools would be very helpful to those of us with little or no vision

The Autoloader has  six different bits (three Phillips and three flathead) built right into the handle. When you want to change the one you’re using, you just pull the handle, twist it to select the right one, then push the handle back into place. You never actually have to touch the bits themselves, thus you’ll never lose them. Of course now you just have to remember where you set the screwdriver.

Click this link to purchase the KR Tools Autoloader Screwdriver from Amazon.com.

Your Porchlight Could Help in an Emergency

The HomeFinder screw-in light controller from Westek might seem like a simple idea, but if you live with family members who may one day need the assistance of paramedics, it might end up being an invaluable tool.

It screws into a light socket and accepts a standard bulb, and when the light switch is flipped twice, the unit will flash for twenty minutes making it easier for emergency assistance to find your home, or even someone less vital like the pizza delivery guy. The flashing can be cancelled at any time by simply turning the switch off, and there’s a sensor to ensure it only turns on after dusk.

Click this link to purchase the Westek HomeFinder Flashing Screw-In Light Control from Amazon.com.

Through the Magic Door: Books for Young People

“This site has archives of lists of books, organized by theme and displayed pictorially. Specific subjects feature books divided into two or three levels, including picture books, books for independent readers, and YA books.

Featured books are not annotated, but bibliographic information is included. There are many widely varied themes, from the classical to the offbeat (Something from Nothing, and In Praise of Bad Books). The themes are too numerous to mention them all:

• Adventures on the High Seas Booklist
  
• Africa Booklist
  
• American Military Stories Booklist
  
• Building Things Booklist
  
• Children Putting on Plays Booklist
  
• Exploration Booklist
  
• First Day of School Booklist
  
• Inventors and Inventions Booklist
  
• Mother Goose Booklist
  
• Countless others

A search feature allows teachers and students to search by many different criteria: Type of Child, Title, Author/Illustrator, ISBN, Genre, Subject, Series, Format, Fiction or Non-Fiction, Reading Level, Grade Level, Lexile, Setting, Author and Illustrator Demographics, Personal issues, and other categories. A free login allows users to submit reviews, tag books, or create wishlists (suggest other themes). Registration does require an email address, but it is free. You do not need to register to access the booklists.”

Click this link to visit the Books for Young People Book Lists Archive: Through the Magic Door website.

Then and Now

by Donna J. Jodhan

Until five years ago, I had enough vision to do so much on my own but a wicked turn of events conspired against me and in the matter of just a few months it was all taken away from me. Today I sit here with precious little sight but I am extremely grateful that I still have enough to see the light of day.

My life has changed drastically over the past five years and I have had to make so many adjustments in order to remain independent but that's okay. What keeps me going are those wonderful memories that I captured while my vision was good enough. I consider myself to be extremely lucky because there are not many persons who can obtain new vision after being born with precious little. That's me and I am going to share some of my precious moments with you.

In my hay day, as I like to refer to it, I was able to read and write with the aid of special magnifying glasses. I used to play air hockey, ice skate on my own, jog along the sidewalk, and enjoy the wonders of nature. I was able to watch the sun come up over tall buildings and set below the line of the horizon. I could see the trees bending and bowing, the flowers swaying gently in the wind, and squirrels scrambling over snow banks. I could watch my favorite hockey team on TV flying along the ice in their red jerseys. I was able to see the blue skies with puffy white clouds chasing each other. I could see the fat white snowflakes falling gently to the ground, the thick green grass, and kids playing innocently in the park. I was able to admire the gorgeous orange plumage of my beloved Scottie Bird, my canary and see the faces of my family.

One of my favorite memories is that of the silver Air Canada Jet floating lazily over a jade green Caribbean sea with the sun streaming down from above. Another is that of a beach with white capped breakers rolling gently towards golden sand and pleasure boats laden with merrymakers. Yes, those were good times and how much I miss them but it's not the end of the world. I can go on for pages but I think that by now you are getting the picture. My world today is very different.

Now I have to depend on my senses of smell and touch to help me along. I use my memories to help me picture such things as layouts of stores and restaurants. I use my memory to picture what others may look like. I can find my way around familiar territory based on my memory of what it looks like. I may not be able to play air hockey anymore but I have taken up chess as a substitute. I still ice skate but now I have to depend on someone else to guide me. I still enjoy movies but now I have to listen more attentively to what's going on. I use my sense of smell and touch to tell me if food is either going bad or if a fruit is rotting. Before now I was able to use my sight to do this.

You see, my world has changed but I am still here and alive and well to tell the story. My message to you is this: There is always a silver lining in those thick dark clouds. If something is taken away from you, then it is always possible to find a substitute. Be thankful for what you had and what you have.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, an accessibility and special needs business consultant wishing you a terrific day. If you'd like to learn more about me, then you can visit some of my blog spots at:
Donna Jodhan! Advocating accessibility for all: http://www.donnajodhan.blogspot.com
Weekly Saturday postings on issues of accessibility: http://www.sterlingcreations.ca/blog/blog.html
blogs on various issues and answers to consumers concerns: http://www.sterlingcreations.com/businessdesk.htm

So Near But Yet So Far Away

by Donna J. Jodhan

A few months ago I attended the CSUN conference in Los Angeles California where I co-presented a paper on the Framework to support online evaluation of information credibility by blind screenreader users. It was a great presentation if I could say so and after all was said and done my friend and I decided to visit the exhibit hall to catch up on the latest and greatest inventions and breakthroughs. There was much to see and many people to meet and greet but at the end of it all I came away feeling very sad. I should have been feeling quite exhilarated, but no! I was feeling very sad and why was this?

Despite the fact that many companies are doing their best to introduce breaking technology that would help us to become more savvy at keeping up with technology, the Internet, and more, I realize that no matter how many devices there are for us to choose from the important thing to remember is that 99.99% of them are almost out of our reach. They are simply too pricy for the majority of blind and visually impaired Canadians to afford. Shocker or shaker you ask? Absolutely neither of the above. With well over 80% of blind and visually impaired Canadians presently unemployed, and over 70% of disabled Canadians presently living below the poverty line, devices like the ones that I saw at the exhibit hall are simply out of reach and are at best just a dream or a dim glimmer of hope.

I got the opportunity to see several variations of Braille displays. I also saw one of the newest hot sellers, the Icon. I also saw several pieces of access software designed to make cell phones more accessible and yes! I saw the newest release of the KNFB reader. I also took time to drop by the APH booth and was quite impressed with their display. There was so much to see and investigate and overall it took me and my friend over two hours to cover the entire exhibit hall and even at that we were not able to see everything.

I was really glad that I had been able to see so much in such a short space of time but as I said at the start of this editorial, I came away feeling very sad. For really and truly, how will the majority of blind and visually impaired Canadians ever be able to take advantage of all of this spanking new technology? The least expensive Braille display that I saw cost $2500 US and the most expensive cost over $5000 US. Most of the other products that I saw ranged between these two limits. At the best of times most of us can reach out and barely touch these devices with our fingertips but at the end of the day we will probably never be able to pick them up and take them home because we would probably never have the funds to pay for them.

Could it be possible that in the not too distant future blind and visually impaired Canadians may have a decent chance to become proud owners of some of these nifty devices? Or maybe this could only happen for tomorrow's generation? Or thinking more realistically, probably never? It's simply not good enough for us to just be able to dream. We need to start taking steps to convince our government to become more proactive at making these devices more readily available to us. We need to become more vocal about our needs but above all we need to tell our government that the time has come for them to design and develop a technology plan whereby disabled Canadians will be able to take better advantage of breaking technology.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, an accessibility and special needs business consultant wishing you a terrific day. If you'd like to learn more about me, then you can visit some of my blog spots at:
Donna Jodhan! Advocating accessibility for all: http://www.donnajodhan.blogspot.com
Weekly Saturday postings on issues of accessibility: http://www.sterlingcreations.ca/blog/blog.html
blogs on various issues and answers to consumers concerns: http://www.sterlingcreations.com/businessdesk.htmA few months ago I attended the CSUN conference in Los Angeles California where I co-presented a paper on the Framework to support online evaluation of information credibility by blind screenreader users. It was a great presentation if I could say so and after all was said and done my friend and I decided to visit the exhibit hall to catch up on the latest and greatest inventions and breakthroughs. There was much to see and many people to meet and greet but at the end of it all I came away feeling very sad. I should have been feeling quite exhilarated, but no! I was feeling very sad and why was this? Despite the fact that many companies are doing their best to introduce breaking technology that would help us to become more savvy at keeping up with technology, the Internet, and more, I realize that no matter how many devices there are for us to choose from the important thing to remember is that 99.99% of them are almost out of our reach. They are simply too pricy for the majority of blind and visually impaired Canadians to afford. Shocker or shaker you ask? Absolutely neither of the above. With well over 80% of blind and visually impaired Canadians presently unemployed, and over 70% of disabled Canadians presently living below the poverty line, devices like the ones that I saw at the exhibit hall are simply out of reach and are at best just a dream or a dim glimmer of hope. I got the opportunity to see several variations of Braille displays. I also saw one of the newest hot sellers, the Icon. I also saw several pieces of access software designed to make cell phones more accessible and yes! I saw the newest release of the KNFB reader. I also took time to drop by the APH booth and was quite impressed with their display. There was so much to see and investigate and overall it took me and my friend over two hours to cover the entire exhibit hall and even at that we were not able to see everything. I was really glad that I had been able to see so much in such a short space of time but as I said at the start of this editorial, I came away feeling very sad. For really and truly, how will the majority of blind and visually impaired Canadians ever be able to take advantage of all of this spanking new technology? The least expensive Braille display that I saw cost $2500 US and the most expensive cost over $5000 US. Most of the other products that I saw ranged between these two limits. At the best of times most of us can reach out and barely touch these devices with our fingertips but at the end of the day we will probably never be able to pick them up and take them home because we would probably never have the funds to pay for them. Could it be possible that in the not too distant future blind and visually impaired Canadians may have a decent chance to become proud owners of some of these nifty devices? Or maybe this could only happen for tomorrow's generation? Or thinking more realistically, probably never? It's simply not good enough for us to just be able to dream. We need to start taking steps to convince our government to become more proactive at making these devices more readily available to us. We need to become more vocal about our needs but above all we need to tell our government that the time has come for them to design and develop a technology plan whereby disabled Canadians will be able to take better advantage of breaking technology.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, an accessibility and special needs business consultant wishing you a terrific day. If you'd like to learn more about me, then you can visit some of my blog spots at:
Donna Jodhan! Advocating accessibility for all: http://www.donnajodhan.blogspot.com
Weekly Saturday postings on issues of accessibility: http://www.sterlingcreations.ca/blog/blog.html
blogs on various issues and answers to consumers concerns: http://www.sterlingcreations.com/businessdesk.htm

Glossary of Teen Slang Around Drugs and Alcohol

This website provides the teen slang terms that are popular references for drugs, alcohol and some of the behaviors associated with them. Included are examples of sentences that offer the context in which they can be used. A must read for any parent or teenager for better understanding of youth. Source: Caron Treatment Centers.

Click this link to read the Glossary of Teen Slang Around Drugs and Alcohol: http://www.caron.org/teen-slang/.

Free Choir Music for Download

You can download choir music from the Moore's Chapel UMC Choir and other hymns in MP3 format from the Methodist Christian Choirs and mp3 Hymns site. The mp3 hymns were recorded "live" during worship services at Moore's Chapel United Methodist Church, Elkton, Cecil County, Maryland.

You may also want to check out http://www.good-music.org offering secular and sacred music for download. All of this music was recorded or compiled in Cecil County, Maryland and surrounding areas.

If you've ever thought of recording your church services, check out their tutorial Recording in a church sanctuary - Practical experiences, Hints, and information.

Hear the Choirs Sing

Here's a directory of sites offering choral music sound clips. Browse alphabetically by song title or search by composer or keyword.

Click this link to Hear the Choirs Sing! http://www.hearchoirs.net

the Choral Wiki

This site is filled with information on scores, composers, and texts and translations. Started in December 1998, CPDL is one of the world's largest free sheet music sites. You can use CPDL to find scores, texts, translations, and information about composers.

Click this link to visit the Choral Wiki.

Find A Better Bank and Credit Card

Compare Banks

Finding a bank can be difficult if you are blind or visually impaired. I often wonder if we don't simply choose a bank because its the closest to us, or maybe the easiest to get to on a bus? Do we really take the time to shop around when looking for a bank?

Well the next time you're looking for a new bank account or want to compare your current bank against other banks in the area, Find A Better Bank can help you, well, find a better bank. By visiting the site, you can compare almost every bank in your nearby area. Enter your zip code, indicate features that are important (or not) and provide some details to help them estimate yearly banking fees. Now you have a detailed comparison of nearby banks, sorted from best to worst. Features include:

• Compare all banks located within a certain distance from your zipcode.
  
• Option to include / exclude : Branchless/Internet banks, student accounts, accounts for people over 50.
  
• Compare banks by features: Interest on balances, Overdraft Protection, Online Bill Pay Service, 24-hour telephone banking, etc.
  
• Compare banks by fees: Monthly Service Fee, Non-Bank ATM Surcharge, Insufficient Funds Fee, Overdraft Protection Transfer Fee, Check processing fee, Foreign ATM Withdrawal Fee, Quicken or MS Money set-up fee etc.
  
• Estimate yearly bank fees.
  
• Currently tracks about 50 top US banks and a handful of smaller regional banks. More banks being added every week.
  

Note (from FindABetterBank) : "We make money through advertisements and fees collected from participating banks and credit unions. Our partners have no influence over the content presented about their accounts.

Check out Find A Better Bank at http://www.findabetterbank.com.

Compare Credit Cards

Compare and shop for online credit cards by category, card name, interest rate or rewards. Find the lowest rates on balance transfers, get the most miles for airlines, receive cash back on purchases from credit card companies. Creditimes.com researches the credit card companies, and offers you the best credit cards, and finds credit cards that suit your needs. Whether you're looking for a 0% APR credit card, or a card that gives you cash back. Creditimes has the right credit card for you. Many of their credit cards are immediate decision credit cards, which means you can get instant approval on your credit card application.

"We don't stop at credit cards. Rebuilding your credit and monitoring your credit report are as important to us as it is to you. Having bad credit happens to all types of people, many times through no fault of their own. Maybe unexpected medical bills or hardship caused damage to your credit report. We have the tools and information to help you get your credit scores up."

Click this link to visit http://www.Creditimes.com.

Credit Card Glossary

Confused by credit card terms? CreditCards.com’s glossary of credit card definitions will help. From account holder to Regulation Z, we have defined the most-common and most-confusing credit card terms.

Click this link to visit Credit Card Glossary: http://www.creditcards.com/glossary/.

One Minute Wonders from the BBC

View one minute wonders to learn great facts about a variety of science and social studies topics. There were 13 topics at the time this entry was written.

Learn about a Northern Oriole that can eat 17 caterpillars in a minute, music in the 16th century, or vehicles in the world. Videos are entertaining and sure to capture student attention. After viewing videos, click on quizzes to check understanding.

Click this link to see some One minute wonders from the BBC: http://www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/oneminutewonders/.

Activity TV

“Activity TV offers free videos that teach fun activities in an entertaining way. This website offers a large variety to choose from, including: kids printable activities, kids indoor activities, kids outdoor activities, arts and crafts, kids magic tricks, kids games plus much more.” Every project has a video, printable instructions, and other related information.

Click this link to visit Activity TV: http://www.activitytv.com/categories.

What Do You Have in Your Wallet?

We've all seen the occasional massive wallet some people carry around as a personal filing cabinet, but why stop there? With the Wallet Essentials from designers 'Touch of Ginger' your wallet can now store a wide range of useful tools too.

Each piece in the Wallet Essentials collection is made of metal and is exactly the size of a standard credit card allowing a perfect fit in any wallet.

• Emergency Cufflinks: Party animals should never leave home without a set of these emergency cufflinks which are designed to nestle in your wallet next to the platinum card. They are simple to use, just twist them out of the sheet and fold to lock the cuffs in place. Keep the spare pair for next time.
  
• Bottle opener: No more broken teeth - the credit card sized Bottle Opener will always be handy in a crisis!
  
• Ice scraper: Such a simple idea, this scraper cuts effortlessly through even the thickest ice so whether your spouce drives a Porsche or a Panda, they can do it in style.
  
• Shot dice: Ideal for stag parties, birthdays and any other excuse you might have for a few rounds with the guys. These Shot Dice come flat packed for your wallet and can be folded up in seconds to provide hours of fun and frolics.
  
• Spanner: Designed for the man of action....This Wallet Spanner can go where you go, and with metric sizes from M6 to M14, you'll be able to undo all sorts of things. Engineered from chunky stainless steel, it is still neat enough to fit 007-style into your wallet.
  
• Photo Frame: The stainless steel frame is wafer thin, trapping the photo in place.
  
• Comb: Whether it's a quick backcomb or centre parting, this unique stainless steel Wallet Comb is good for the job.

The Wallet Essentials are available from UK based Gadget Storm, click here to order.

How about a flashlight to go along with the other tools? This flashlight is the size of a credit card and will fit nicely in your card compartments.

• Wireless led light.
  
• Credit Card shape.
  
• Fold" Led light bulb" up, light turns on.
  
• Place it in wallets.
  
• Use 3V battery (included).
  
• Size: 3.4” by 2.1”.

Click this link to purchase the LED credit card pocket light.

Zubbles: Bubbles with Better Contrast

Do you remember playing with bubbles? I had one of those big wand things that you could swing around and make tons of bubbles and some really big ones too! It was a lot of fun but I always had a hard time seeing the bubbles. I wish Zubbles had been around back then, this sounds like a great product for kids with low vision.

These Colored Bubbles were a labor of love. Ten years went into developing this special formula. You see, the bubbles are not only brilliant blue and pixie pink (you get one bottle of each bubble color), but the dyes are completely non-toxic and non-staining. That’s right, if the bubbles pop in your mouth, you won’t die. And if they pop on your shirt, the color will evaporate away. Colored Bubbles really are the perfect combination of science and magic. Time to dream again . . . in vivid color!

Click this link to visit http://www.zubbles.com.

iPhone Screen Projector

Cell phone accessibility is getting better but most of us still use the mostly inaccessible type. If you have some vision, this Simple, tiny device will make it easier for you to adjust the settings on your cell phone without straining your eyes.

The HypnosEye Projector and Screen Set uses a lens and a mirror to reflect images from your mobile device, which you insert in the tray underneath.

HypnosEye works especially well with an iPhone or a Touch, but will also work with any other backlit mobile phone that allows you to adjust the brightness. But rather than use an ordinary mirror which would result in an unclear image, HypnosEye has implemented a special mirror with a reflection agent on top of the glass surface (rather than behind). As a result, you can even show media from your portable device almost anywhere at anytime. Click this link to learn more about the HypnosEye Projector and Screen Set from the Japan Trend Shop.

Refresh your Dog Guide with Products from Heininger Automotive

As a dog guide user, I'm always on the lookout for items that will make our lives easier, especially while traveling for long periods of time. I like the following products, sold by SmartHome, made by Heininger Automotive.

The first item is the Heininger Automotive PortablePET WaterBoy, a travel water bowl for dogs, which holds up to 3 quarts of water and will not splash. This WaterBoy container offers both comfort and function, designed to help pets during travel and is highly dependable.

Click this link to learn more about the Heininger Automotive 3059 PortablePET WaterBoy from SmartHome.com.

Item two is the Heininger Automotive PortablePET PortaBottle. It holds up to 20oz of water and has a flip down bowl for drinking.

Click this link to learn more about the Heininger 3058 PortaBottle from SmartHome.com.

Now that your guide has water, we need to provide some food. The PortablePet FoodTote is the perfect food and drink container for day-tripping dogs. Just pop off the handle and the food and water bowls slide off the ends of the food container. Unscrew the top of the food container to remove the water canteen. Compact and lightweight, the Food Tote is made of food-grade high-impact materials. FoodTote includes a 1-8 cup food container with two bowls and one water canteen.

Click this link to learn more about the Heininger Automotive 3050 PortablePet FoodTote from SmartHome.com.

The MonoMouse

The MonoMouse is perfect for reading newspapers, magazines, books, prescription bottles, cooking instructions, food labels, bills, statements and much more.

Installation is easy, just plug the MonoMouse into any regular television, switch it on and enjoy reading even the smallest text as a large, sharp image on your screen.

Operation couldn’t be easier because you only need to switch to the video channel using your remote control and when you have finished reading, switch back to your favorite channel.

You can leave your MonoMouse connected to the television so that it is always ready to use. Compatible with any TV using video input! Ergonomic and easy to use, 13x Magnification on a 20" TV. Standard RCA connection to your TV and the MonoMouse includes lots of easy store cable.

Click this link to purchase the MonoMouse from SmartHome.com.

Provide a Comfortable Bed of Warmth for your Dog Guide

Doesn't your dog guide deserve the very best?

Give your dog guide or household pet a nice, large bed to keep warm at night and/or during the cold months of the year, use the Petmate Heated Orthopedic Indoor Pet Bed. It offers a steady stream of heat on a large, rectangular bed made of suede and natural Berber. The larger size of the bed makes it ideal for dogs, but will certainly work for cats as well.

The soothing low voltage bed is designed to be used indoors exclusively, and simply plugs in to a standard outlet. It features a chew resistant power cord, totally safe for your pets. The bed measures 30" Wide, 40" Long and 2" Thick.

Click this link to purchase the Petmate Heated Orthopedic Indoor Pet Bed from SmartHome.com.

BookServer Offers Books in Text-only DAISY Format

Brewster Kahle, Internet Archive Founder and Chief Librarian, has introduced what he calls his BookServer project.

BookServer is a framework of tools and activities that allow for the discovery, distribution, and delivery of electronic books by retailers, librarians, and aggregators. This is done in a way that makes for an easy experience for the reader, on whatever device they prefer. Files are also available in DAISY format.

Click this link to read about and sample BookServer.

How to Clean a Broom

There are so many things to clean in a house. Have you thought about your broom lately? Let's look at cleaning this often forgotten sweeper of all things crumby.

Take the broom outside and try to shake and knock out any loose dirt. You can do this by knocking the broom against something like a large rock, the fence or a tree, not too hard that it will snap the broomstick. That sounds funny but I've done it.

Nylon bristle brooms can be soaked in a pail filled with hot water and your favorite household cleaner or bleach. Straw bristle brooms can soak in a hot soapy solution.

Rinse the bristles with clear hot water then let air dry outside (bristle side up). Let the broom dry completely before using again. When you’re done washing the broom, why not give the dustpan a good soapy cleaning too? Takes just a minute to do!

Brooms just purchased should be soaked in strong salt water before using to make them last longer Add new life to fiber brooms by washing them occasionally in two quarts of warm water to which have been added four tablespoons of household ammonia. Let the bristles soak in this for half an hour. Rinse in clear warm water and then hang them up in a cool place to dry.

Never stand a broom or brush on its bristles in the closet. Screw cup-hook at the end of the handle and hang it up so the bristles don’t touch the floor. This prevents the brush from losing its shape or wearing out sooner than necessary.

Wilson Reading System

The Wilson Reading System (WRS) is a research-based reading and writing program. WRS is a complete curriculum for teaching decoding and encoding (spelling), beginning with phoneme segmentation. Unlike other programs that overwhelm the student with rules, the language system of English is presented in a systematic and cumulative manner so that it is manageable.

• WRS directly teaches the structure of words so that students master the coding system for reading and spelling.
• Many students who benefit from WRS have deficiencies in phonologic awareness and/or orthographic processing which makes it challenging for them to learn to read and spell without a systematic, multi-sensory approach.
• The WRS was developed for students in grade three and beyond. It is widely used with upper elementary students, adolescents, and adults.

The Wilson Reading System is authored by Barbara A. Wilson and published by Wilson Language Training Corporation. Permission has been granted to APH to publish the braille and large print version.

NOTE: Braille and large print editions of the complete program will be available in the future.

Wilson Reading System Braille Readers:

Student Reader One:
Catalog Number: 6-79502-00

Student Reader Two:
Catalog Number: 6-79503-00

Student Reader Three:
Catalog Number: 6-79504-00
Click this link to purchase the Wilson Reading System.

Wilson Reading System Large Print Kit

Student Reader One and Workbooks 1A and 1B:
Catalog Number: 8-79501-SK1

Student Reader Two and Workbooks 2A and 2B:
Catalog Number: 8-79501-SK2

Student Reader Three and Workbooks 3A and 3B:
Catalog Number: 8-79501-SK3

American Printing House for the Blind, Inc.
1839 Frankfort Avenue
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 6085
Louisville, Kentucky 40206-0085
Toll Free: 800-223-1839
Phone: 502-895-2405
Fax: 502-899-2274
E-mail: info@aph.org
Web site: http://www.aph.org
APH Shopping Home: http://shop.aph.org

Leaders and Legends: Dean W. Tuttle

Dean W. Tuttle
Inducted 2009
Hall of Fame for Leaders and Legends of the Blindness Field

Dean Tuttle was born in 1936 in the Belgian Congo where his parents were medical missionaries. After graduating from high school in the Congo, he completed his undergraduate work at Wheaton College, two masters degrees, one in educational administration and one in special education. In 1971 he earned his doctorate in a joint program between the University of California at Berkeley and San Francisco State University in Educational Psychology/Special Education. Dean and his older brother both lost their vision due to retinitis pigmentosa. He and his wife, Naomi, have three sons and five grandchildren.

After teaching mathematics and science in New Jersey and serving as an itinerant/resource teacher in California, in 1966 he was invited to be the principal of the California School for the Blind. In this capacity he led the school during its difficult but vital transformation into a school for children with multiple impairments.

In 1971, he began teaching special education at the University of Northern Colorado where he worked until his full retirement in 1994. Under his leadership the teacher preparation program became one of the most respected in the country, certifying teachers in orientation and mobility as well as in special education. Later a multiple disabilities component was added, offering a triple-competency option.

He is the co-author, with his wife, of the text, Self-esteem and Adjusting with Blindness: the Process of Responding to Life's Demands, now in its third edition. He was then asked to write a correspondence course for The Hadley School for the Blind based on this book. This classic landmark text is required reading in most programs which prepare professionals in the blindness field. Through his writings he has helped to clarify the psychosocial paradigms which impact on the relationship between disabilities and the development of self-esteem.

Dr. Tuttle served on many advisory boards for Hadley, US Department of Education, American Foundation for the Blind, American Printing House for the Blind and NAC. Many of his 38 publications have centered around the topics of self-esteem, family responses to a visual impairment and recreation for the visually impaired. His latest book is a tribute to his parents and their medical work in the Congo. Dean has been invited to give many major presentations in 29 different states, Canada, Australia, China and Israel.

Dr. Tuttle has received many honors, among which are the Migel Medal from AFB in 2000 and the Wings of Freedom from APH in 2004. Earlier he received the Scholar of the Year Award from the University of Northern Colorado in 1990, the Distinguished Service Award from CEC-DVI in 1991, and the Warren Bledsoe Outstanding Publication Award from AER in 1992 and the Hadley President's Service Award in 2004.

He has been described as both a peer role model and mentor, with a calm and quiet demeanor, one who guided and challenged his students by mutually shared wisdom and insight. Some have received and passed on his advice, "Be curious about and pursue a variety of interests, cultivate and sharpen your God-given abilities and skills and enjoy the adventure of life."

The Hall of Fame Induction of Dr. Euclid Herie and Dr. Dean Tuttle by Dr. Jane Erin

Plaque sponsored by the University of Northern Colorado

About the Hall of Fame

The Hall of Fame for Leaders and Legends of the Blindness Field is dedicated to preserving, honoring, and promoting the tradition of excellence manifested by the specific individuals inducted into the Hall of Fame and through the history of outstanding services provided to people who are blind or visually impaired.

These significant professional colleagues of the recent and distant past are a fascinating cross-section of heroes and pioneers who not only shaped our rich history, philosophy, knowledge and skills, but also give us insights into current and future challenges. These giants shared their personal lives and showed us strategies to ensure that services for blind persons remain unique and specialized. Enjoy their lives and contributions and reflect upon your own list of heroes.

Hall of Fame: Leaders and Legends of the Blindness Field is a project of the entire field of blindness. It is curated by the American Printing House for the Blind, a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization.

Visit the virtual Hall of Fame for the inspiring stories of many more heroes of the field of blindness.

Leaders and Legends: Euclid J. Herie

Euclid J. Herie
Inducted 2009
Hall of Fame for Leaders and Legends of the Blindness Field

Euclid Herie was born in 1939 south of Winnipeg, one of three children of a poor French Canadian farming family. Congenital cataracts resulted in serious vision loss as a teenager, resulting in total blindness by age 40. He earned two undergraduate degrees, a masters in social work in 1965 and honorary Dr. of Laws in 1981, all from the University of Manitoba. He is the father of two children and three grandchildren. Euclid lives in Toronto with Barbara Marjeram, where he occasionally enjoys horseback trekking, white water adventures and sailing.

In 1963 he began a career in child welfare at the Children's Aid Society of Winnipeg. Then he was the Executive Director of the Manitoba Division of the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) and later of the Ontario Division from 1977 until 1983.

As President and CEO of CNIB from 1984 until his retirement in 2001, his masterful hand at the helm guided the organization through some difficult changes and growth spurts which included the establishment of regional offices, the implementation of new service models, the closure of residential and workshop programs, and the creation of technology, employment, youth and leadership development programs. He led CNIB in a multimillion dollar campaign to digitize the library, one of the largest libraries for the blind funded through private donations.

From 1988 until 2004, Euclid served successively as treasurer, president and past president of the World Blind Union which represents 180 million blind persons in 150 countries. In this capacity he was deeply involved with international agencies stimulating programs in many developing countries particularly in braille literacy, accessible and affordable technology, maintaining universal postage rights, improving the status of blind women, and the restoration of the Louis Braille birthplace. Over the course of his WBU presidency Herie, usually accompanied by executive assistant Marjeram, visited more than 60 countries, delivering speeches, promoting causes and advocating for the rights of blind persons throughout the world.

During his retirement in 2002 he exemplified his strong advocacy for Braille by establishing the World Braille Foundation to help implement Braille literacy programs. In the first six years 40 literacy projects in 18 countries have been implemented to support the training of blind children and adults. From 2003 to 2007 he served as a director of HumanWare, a company which manufactures and distributes technical aids for blind and visually impaired persons.

His publications include Journey to Independence--Blindness, the Canadian Story, a history of blindness in Canada, and a chapter in Changing What It Means to be Blind: Reflections on the first 25 years of the World Blind Union.

Dr. Herie has received many honors for his exemplary leadership on behalf of the blind worldwide and was elected in 2000 as an honorary life member of the WBU. In 2001 he was appointed president emeritus of CNIB, an unprecedented recognition. He received AER's Ambrose M. Shotwell Award in 2002 for "outstanding contributions to the personal adjustment or rehabilitation of adults who are blind or visually impaired." He is also the recipient of the Queen's 50th Anniversary Commemorative Medal and the Canadian Government's prestigious Member of the Order of Canada. His most recent award is the World Blind Union Louis Braille Medal in 2009.

He has been described as "dynamic and fearlessly optimistic" and is valued for his "warmth of personality and ability to touch the lives of disempowered people."

The Hall of Fame Induction of Dr. Euclid Herie and Dr. Dean Tuttle by Dr. Jane Erin

Plaque sponsored by Humanware

About the Hall of Fame

The Hall of Fame for Leaders and Legends of the Blindness Field is dedicated to preserving, honoring, and promoting the tradition of excellence manifested by the specific individuals inducted into the Hall of Fame and through the history of outstanding services provided to people who are blind or visually impaired.

These significant professional colleagues of the recent and distant past are a fascinating cross-section of heroes and pioneers who not only shaped our rich history, philosophy, knowledge and skills, but also give us insights into current and future challenges. These giants shared their personal lives and showed us strategies to ensure that services for blind persons remain unique and specialized. Enjoy their lives and contributions and reflect upon your own list of heroes.

Hall of Fame: Leaders and Legends of the Blindness Field is a project of the entire field of blindness. It is curated by the American Printing House for the Blind, a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization.

Visit the virtual Hall of Fame for the inspiring stories of many more heroes of the field of blindness.

UV Contact Lens that Darkens Automatically Under Sunlight

While glasses that turn a shade darker under bright sunlight have been around for forty years, only recently has someone developed a pair of contact lens that does the same.

Even better, through the use of some nifty nano-engineering, these photochromic (that’s the scientific term folks) lens perform even better than their traditional, frame-rimmed counterparts. According to the director of the Singaporean institute responsible for this development, the contact lens adapt faster, thanks to the use of a network of really tiny tunnels distributed evenly throughout the lens.

These tunnels contain the dye that automatically adjusts to the sunlight; the structure itself allows more of this dye to exist in the same area, granting the sensitivity and speed benefits noted above.

No word yet on market availability or price.

Article Source:
http://www.technologyreview.com/biomedicine/23922/

How to Prolong Battery Life

We all know that batteries will lose their ability to hold a charge, but that doesn’t mean you can't take steps to make them last for a few extra charge cycles. Note that the tips below only apply to Lithium-Ion batteries, the most popular type used in gadgets today.

1. Keep Your Batteries Away From Heat. Heat lessens a battery’s lifespan, and unfortunately many gadgets today (especially laptops) can get very hot. The solution, aside from keeping the unit as cool as possible, is to always charge the battery when the gadget is off. When using laptops that are plugged in, remove the battery once it’s fully-charged.
   
2. Maintain an Optimum Charge Level. You should try to keep your battery charged from 20 to 80 percent. This means you should actually minimize letting a battery drain, and of course be mindful of overcharging it. Once the battery is full, unplug!
   
3. Charge Before Storing. Storing a battery drained of all power definitely lowers its lifespan. So if you plan to stow away that power pack for a long time, make sure to charge it to around 40 percent. Aside from prolonging the battery’s life, you’ve also got power for those emergencies.
   
4. Reset Your Battery Meter. This is tricky: some gadgets reset their power meter once you let the battery completely drain before charging it back to full strength, a clear violation of maintaining an optimum charge level. But, if not done frequently (i.e., only when you think your gadget’s remaining power estimates are off), the damage to lifespan should be minimal.

Article Source:
http://www.slate.com/id/2234009/pagenum/all/

How to Freeze Cheese

Hard and semi-hard cheeses such as cheddar, mozzarella and swiss can be frozen with good results once thawed but softer cheeses such as cottage cheese and ricotta will have trouble with the cream separating and changes in texture. If you’re using the cheese in baking or dishes like casseroles, the changes won’t be that noticeable.

Once cheese is frozen and thawed the shelf life dwindles so it’s best to cut them into smaller pieces before freezing (about 1/2 pound).

Wrap each piece well with plastic wrap then pack into air tight freezer containers or bags. Remove as much air as possible before placing container in the freezer.

For cheeses like Parmesan and Asiago, shred or grate first and freeze in sealed freezer bags or airtight containers.

Most cheeses can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw in refrigerator rather than at room temperature.

Once thawed, many cheeses will likely be crumbly but the taste will still be good and they’ll be fine in cooked dishes such as casseroles.

Test Baking Powder for Freshness

You found a can of baking powder tucked away in the back of the pantry and you aren’t sure how old it is or whether it’s still good to use in baking. Here’s a quick test for freshness:

• Pour a teaspoon of baking powder into a bowl or small glass.
  
• Fill the bowl with hot water to cover the baking powder (about 1/4 cup should do.

Listen carefully. If the baking powder begins to bubble happily, it’s fine to use in your recipes.

Tip: For best results, do not dip a wet spoon into the can of baking powder when measuring what you need. The moisture will activate the baking powder left behind in the can and it won’t be as good to use next time. If you notice lumps in your baking powder, that’s usually a sign moisture has found its way in.

Quickly Create Folders in Windows

Want an easy way to create subfolders? When you are in a folder hold down the Alt key and carefully type F, W, F and a new folder appears. Want more than one? Just keep the Alt key down and type F, W, F over and over again until all your new folders are created.

You can then go back and name the folders whatever you like. How's that for a time saver?

Cool Text Formatting in MS-Word

When working in MS Word, we all know about the usual toolbar / ribbon buttons and lists that allow us quick access to things like font type, size, bold, italics, underline, color, etc. Did you know that there are even more aspects of your fonts that can be manipulated?

There are things like character spacing and text effects to be explored, along with options like strikethrough text, superscripts, shadow, embossed text, engraved text and so on.

The question becomes: "Where are all these things? After all, I certainly don't see them on the Formatting toolbar or the Home tab of the Ribbon."

You're right. You don't see all the options on that toolbar or tab, you just see the most frequently used items. For more options, you've got to go to the Font window.

One way to access the "extras" is to use the Format menu, Font choice (older versions of Word) or Home tab, Dialog Box Launcher button in the bottom right corner of the Font section (Word 2007). A faster way would be to do a quick Ctrl + D (this one works for all versions of Word). Look at all the new options!

What is the Difference Between Downloading, Uploading and Installing?

Don't worry, you're not the first to be confused by these terms.

Downloading: This is moving a file that's on the Internet (or over a network) onto your computer. For most of us, downloading is just a matter of clicking a download link on a web site and saving the file to disk.

Uploading: This is the opposite of downloading. With uploading, you take a file from your computer and send it to a computer on the internet (or a computer / server on a network). Usually this is done with an FTP client, but some modern web sites you'll come across will allow you to send files to them with your web browser.

Installing: This is often confused with downloading, but it's a different animal. When you install something, you basically "put" the program on your computer so you can use it. Normally this is done via a setup program or "wizard" to make installation easy. Once you're finished installing a program, you can usually run it from your Start Menu or Programs area.

Windows Live Sync

The most noticeable disadvantage in using more than one computer is the fact that your files may be left on one computer while you work on another. Wouldn't it be cool to take your updated files with you wherever you go?

Windows Live Sync is a free Internet based file syncing program which enables the availability of documents from one computer to another. It is also important to note that should the primary system fail, all current files will already reside on the secondary system. In such a situation, response will be slower, but you will have access to your data so you can continue to work.

In order to take advantage of Windows Live Sync, you will require a Windows Live ID. After you have installed the Live Sync application on your system, you will need to log into your Windows Live account and configure the synchronization parameters.

First, go to the Windows Live Sync website at http://www.sync.live.com.

In order to download Windows Live Sync, you will have to create a Windows Live account. Select “Download for Windows” or “Download for Mac” depending on your platform.

Run the downloaded file and follow the instructions. Once the installation is complete, login again using your Windows Live account. Click on “Create a Personal Folder”. Once signed in, you will identify which computer holds the folder and then indicate which folder is to be synced.

Repeat the same steps for the other computer. To finish the sync setup, you will choose the computer that will complete the pair. On this second computer, you choose the folder to match with the first.

Email from the Future

Recently the time shown on my received email runs three hours ahead. Other times I get email from days or years ahead. Are these email messages really coming from the future?

It would be nice if when someone told you, "I need that information yesterday!" you could email it to them and have it show up yesterday. But, alas, this is not the case. This "email from the future" can happen if your ISP's clock is off.

Since the time stamp gets put there by your e-mail server, if the time on that server is off, your e-mail received time will reflect this. Your best bet is to contact your ISP and ask them about it. They can either give you an explanation for the time problem (i.e. you live in LA but the server is in New York) or get it fixed for you.

I've seen junk mail come from a year ahead or from way in the past before Al Gore invented the internet (joke there). This puts the junk mail at the top of your inbox whether you have it sorted ascending or descending by date. That's some kinda trick they do on their servers.

Always Hit the Container with the g-Spout

How many times have you tried to pour something into a container and made a big mess? It happens all the time for me. I get so tired of cleaning up the counter after I've tried to pour something into a container for storage or to put in the trash.

The g-Spout is a removable spout/strainer that easily attaches to a skillet, double boiler, bowl or can. Made of high temperature food grade silicone, the g-Spout is microwave and dishwasher safe.

The g-Spout was originally developed to encourage the environmentally responsible disposal of cooking grease and oil, and to help eliminate clogged drains and sewers. Fats, Oils and Greases stick to the inside of sewers becoming a blockage and sewage "backs up" into homes, businesses or the street.

The g-Spout has become so much more! Customers are suggesting new uses almost every day! It's great for making cupcakes, muffins, and pancakes without drips or baked on batter; drizzling chocolate, and caramel from a double boiler; pouring paint back into bottles; straining fruit salad, vegetables or rice; pouring sugar, salt or coffee; and of course, straining hot bacon or hamburger grease into disposable containers.

Remember - removing the fat, oil, and grease is also good for your family's health. It's not limited to the kitchen either - it can be used in the garage, shop, RV, and even the craft room. The g-Spout is easy to attach and lets you pour with one hand - No more clumsy funnels or dripping ladles to worry about.

Click this link to visit http://g-spout.com.

What does blind mean?

by Donna J. Jodhan

I truly believe that most of the sighted world has a fixed notion as to the meaning of the word "blind" and I say this based on a life-long experience plus those of several of my fellow blind and visually impaired friends and acquaintances. In a nutshell: the word "blind" is taken by the majority of society to mean that a person is unable to see anything and in addition many mainstream persons would tell you that they have a very difficult time understanding what blindness really means.

As a kid growing up in a mainstream environment with two sighted parents and two sighted brothers, I never really gave much thought to this topic except to tell you that from the start I always knew that I was blind because I could not see what others saw. I had a bit of vision that enabled me to see things at a very close range but still things were extremely blurry. I was able to see colors, daylight, and I could distinguish light from dark and some objects. Then when I was in my teens I received a cornea transplant and the world really opened up for me. I was still classified as "blind" but now I could see much more. Then five years ago I lost most of it and now I really know what it is to be blind.

To clarify the picture for you: The word "blind" is liberally used to describe a person who has difficulty seeing things. Someone who is unable to drive because they did not pass the eye test. Someone who either uses a cane or a guide dog to move around. Someone who uses specialized glasses to read and write. Someone who can only see light, shadows, but nothing more. Someone who is totally blind, meaning that they are unable to see anything. So you see, there are varying levels or degrees of blindness and there are different terms to describe each common level. You may hear terms like: High partial, high functional vision, low vision, low functional vision, light perception, and totally blind. If this is all confusing to you, then there is the term legally blind.

As for me: I was born with low functional vision, graduated to high functional vision, and now I am back to light perception. All very confusing you say? Then try this on for size! Different countries apply these terms a bit differently and I am going to give you two websites to visit so that you can see for yourself.

http://www.nfb.org - right here in the United States.
http://www.rnib.org - across the pond in Britain.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, an accessibility and special needs business consultant wishing you a terrific day. If you'd like to learn more about me, then you can visit some of my blog spots at:
Donna Jodhan! Advocating accessibility for all: http://www.donnajodhan.blogspot.com
Weekly Saturday postings on issues of accessibility: http://www.sterlingcreations.ca/blog/blog.html
blogs on various issues and answers to consumers concerns: http://www.sterlingcreations.com/businessdesk.htm

The Blind Are More Exposed to Identity Theft

by Donna J. Jodhan

I am making this observation because, as a blind person, I can see where this particular group is one of the most vulnerable when it comes to identity theft. True it is that seniors and persons with other types of disabilities run a very close second, but please allow me to explain a bit further.

As a person with precious little vision, I have to depend on my sighted family and friends to help me navigate through mounds of paper and generated forms and when it comes to filling out those cumbersome online forms that's a whole new ball game.

Each time I need to complete hard copy forms, it means that I have no choice but to share personal and confidential information with someone else and it means that I have to trust that person to keep my information private and confidential. I have to trust that the information I give is what is going to be written down exactly as I wish it to be and that the person completing information on my behalf will not copy that information on a separate piece of paper for their later use. In addition, I have to trust that the person reading the information to me is reading exactly what is there and not reading something else that they may choose to make up.

When it comes to completing those cumbersome and complicated online forms, I have to depend on either my screen reader software to tell me exactly what is being required or if that is not possible, I have to depend on sighted assistance. At the present time, screen reader software still faces many challenges when it comes to being able to decipher the contents of forms and why is this? Because many website developers do not take the time to ensure that the forms have been designed to be accessible and usable. Just think of it in this way: If sighted persons have difficulty completing forms online then the challenge for someone who is blind or visually impaired becomes twice or thrice as difficult.

So, the picture is this: If I am unable to complete forms on my own then I need to depend on a person with sight to help me and then I have to place complete trust in that person to read accurately to me and write accurately for me. This puts me in a very vulnerable position and opens me up to identity theft. There is a growing demand for forms to be provided in alternate formats and what this means is this: Forms need to be provided in a format whereby blind and visually impaired persons will be able to read and complete their own forms independently. If you would like to learn more about alternate formats, click this link: http://www.tbase.com. This Canadian-based company provides alternate formats to those who are print-disabled which include the blind and visually impaired.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, an accessibility and special needs business consultant wishing you a terrific day. If you'd like to learn more about me, then you can visit some of my blog spots at:
Donna Jodhan! Advocating accessibility for all: http://www.donnajodhan.blogspot.com
Weekly Saturday postings on issues of accessibility: http://www.sterlingcreations.ca/blog/blog.html
blogs on various issues and answers to consumers concerns: http://www.sterlingcreations.com/businessdesk.htm

Giggling Elmo Hot Tomato Game

It's the 40th anniversary of Sesame Street. In this game, Elmo appears as a plush tomato that begins giggling when the child pushes its nose. Children from 3 years and up will also giggle as they pass the tomato back and forth as quickly as possible so they are not the one holding Elmo when he stops giggling. To add to the fun, 20 cards are included with letters, colors or categories on them to guide the players to calling out an item associated with the card and then passing Elmo on quickly so as not to be caught with him when he stops giggling. Elmo measures about 5 x 5" x 3.5" and uses 2 "AA" batteries that are included.

Click this link to purchase the Giggling Elmo Hot Tomato Game from independent living aids.

APH News: November 2009

APH News

Your monthly link to the latest information on the products, services, and training opportunities from the American Printing House for the Blind.

November 2009

Exciting New APH Products Announced!

Read on to learn about these new products - now available!

• APH Fall Harvest Sale
• Wilson Reading System Large Print Kit
• History in the Making: The Story of the American Printing House for the Blind: 1858-2008, Braille Edition
• HANDS ON Kit and Black Large Work-Play Tray Again Available
• APH Braille Book Corner

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APH's 141st Annual Meeting, "Keys to Success," Shares Values!

At the Annual Meeting this year, we witnessed the "Keys to Success" in action. The six core values that guide Muhammad Ali's life touch us all.

Confidence, Conviction, Dedication, Giving, Respect, Spirituality

The Ali Center was the perfect venue to begin our days together. Tuck Tinsley set the perfect tone for the meeting and then introduced Carl Augusto who inspired the "standing room only" crowd with his powerful personal and professional journey. Samir Azer touched us with his remarks upon receiving the Zickel Award for Product Development and Phil Hatlen challenged and encouraged us as he accepted APH's highest honor, the Wings of Freedom.

It was a rich few days, filled with product demonstrators, Trustee facilitators, Advisory Committee Recommenders, Hall of Famers, University Researchers, interactive participators, related meeting attenders, and even a student YouTube product tutor; all of whom were warmly received as they reminded us of those core values. It was a very powerful and affirming Annual Meeting indeed!

Here are additional memories of our very special celebration. (Click on additional memories for an Annual Meeting photo album.)

Attendees, if you completed an evaluation form while in Louisville we thank you very much for your input. If you did not, you still have an opportunity to help us by taking a couple of minutes to complete and submit the electronic version.

We thank you for your good counsel.

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National Prison Braille Network Gathers at 9th Annual Prison Braille Forum

On October 13th, APH Public Affairs staff hosted the first day-long Prison Braille Forum since this annual gathering began in 2000 as a half-day meeting. Held in conjunction with the APH Annual Meeting, this Forum welcomed 40 vision and corrections professionals from 15 states. The two oldest programs (Michigan Braille Transcribing Fund and Volunteers of Vacaville, California) were represented--each having over 45 years of experience producing braille. The "most recently established" program hasn't actually been launched yet--vision and corrections professionals from North Carolina who are preparing to open a braille production facility came to the Forum to learn from the "pros" as they select a prison and design a program.

Jane Thompson, Director of the APH Accessible Textbooks Department, reported that during the last fiscal year APH in-house and contract transcribers produced 120 textbooks in braille--30 of which were produced in prison braille programs. She indicated that the percentage of braille textbooks produced in prisons grows each year, and will probably hit the 50% mark in the near future.

During the Forum, two critical issues that most prison braille programs continue to face were discussed: a lack of professional training opportunities for transcribers in prisons to learn and advance transcription skills, and the inability of qualified transcribers leaving prison to continue transcribing braille as a career on the outside--primarily because they lack financial resources.

In response to these needs, APH reported the initiation of a new program called Building Bridges with Braille. Through this program, which APH will implement in partnership with the National Braille Association (NBA), professional transcribers on the outside will be hired to provide training in prisons across the country, and individuals in prisons who are highly qualified braille transcribers will be mentored and assisted with the purchase of equipment and supplies as they transition back into society and build careers as transcribers. Building Bridges with Braille will be implemented as soon as funds for the initiative have been secured.

There are currently 35 prison braille programs operating across the U.S., with over 800 men and women producing braille. Current data for each program was gathered and published recently by APH in the 2009 edition of the Directory of Prison Braille Programs.

Another publication, Guidelines for Starting and Operating Prison Braille Programs, was completed recently in response to continual requests for advice on establishing and managing braille production facilities in correctional settings. Both of these publications are available at APH, free of charge. To order copies, contact Rebecca Snider at rsnider@aph.org. The National Prison Braille Network will launch a new website in early 2010. These documents and many more will be available for download via this webpage.

The National Prison Braille Network is coordinated by Nancy Lacewell, APH Director of Government and Community Affairs. For more information on prison braille programs, the annual Forum, or the National Prison Braille Network, contact Nancy by email at nlacewell@aph.org or at telephone extension 339.

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Migel Library Transition

As our regular readers know, the American Foundation for the Blind transferred its Migel Memorial Library to APH in August. We are going through the more than 40,000 volumes now, and enjoying every discovery. Although the collection will not be available to the public until next summer, we'll be sharing a few highlights as we work our way towards the opening. This month, we are looking at the oldest item we have found so far, a 16 page pamphlet from 1834. Although the New England Institution for the Education of the Blind was founded in 1829, it did not start classes until 1832, or publish its first report until 1834. By this time, the brilliant Samuel Gridley Howe had assumed leadership of the nation's first school for blind children. It would not operate under its more familiar name, the Perkins Institution, until the 1840s. Check out the APH newsletter each month for more revelations about the Migel Library. You can contact Julia Myers (jmyers@aph.org) and Mike Hudson (mhudson@aph.org) for more information.

We welcome Constance Ard as the new librarian for the APH AFB Migel Library. Constance is Chair of the Kentucky Virtual Library Advisory Council (KYVLAC). Her background includes research, information management consultancy, and digitization project management. Constance will be working to make the Migel Library accessible to those visiting APH and will be developing a plan to make web-based access to the collection easier.

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Tactile Stickers Galore! Do You Want More?

In recent months, APH has received teacher requests for additional tactile stickers similar to those available in the existing Feel n' Peel Sticker packages. Current packages include braille alphabet stickers, literary braille number stickers, point symbol stickers, reward statement stickers, smiley face stickers, tactile stars, and color name stickers. Assorted packages are available. If you would like to see additional types of stickers produced by APH, please send Karen Poppe an email describing the types of stickers that you feel are still needed. Send all ideas to kpoppe@aph.org Thank you.

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Look for APH at the 9th Biennial Getting in Touch with Literacy Conference in California

Are you heading west for the November 12-15 literacy conference? I understand registration is still open and reasonable rooms are still available! For more information, visit: http://www.gettingintouchwithliteracy.com/

APH is a proud sponsor of this event, co-founded by our own Janie Blome, along with Cay Holbrook. While at the conference, we hope you'll stop by our booth and say hello. We'll be showing many of our products, including the FVLMA, Word Playhouse, Braille+, Querty Docking Station, Refreshabraille 18, the All-In-One Board, and many others!

Hope to see you there!

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Reaching For the Stars In South Carolina

A lucky group of service coordinators, family members and others were on hand to "Reach for the Stars" in Columbia, South Carolina October 23-24, when APH hosted a National Instructional Partnerships (NIP) event in partnership with EOT Elizabeth McKown, Director of Outreach Vision Services for the South Carolina School for the Deaf and the Blind. Diane Haines, author of the APH product Reach for the Stars, was on hand to provide training in the use of maps to gather information about children that can be useful in the development of IFSPs and IEPs for children. Friday's sessions with the professionals provided an opportunity for attendees to learn how to guide families through the mapping process and Saturday's session for families provided hands-on opportunities for families to use the materials and to share with each other. Thanks again to the 11 wonderful families who gave up their Saturday to be with us and to provide such amazing support for each other!

National Instructional Partnerships (NIP) events are designed to highlight the use of APH products across the areas of the core curriculum and the expanded core curriculum. If you are interested in hosting such an event in your area, please contact Janie Blome, jblome@aph.org, or call 800-223-1839, ext. 367.

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Guidelines Needed: Appropriate Assessment of English Language Learners

Some years ago, Dr. Carol Allman, a consultant for Accessible Tests, drafted a document for APH titled Making Tests Accessible for Students with Visual Impairments: A Guide for Test Publishers, Test Developers, and State Assessment Personnel. This document has been and continues to be extremely valuable as a training tool. Since the original document was released, it has been revised and updated to include information and guidelines regarding alternate assessments, uses of color for signage, graphics, text, tests and Power Point presentations, position papers on use of extended time and accommodations, and more. During this fiscal year, Accessible Tests staff has a goal of adding information and guidelines regarding appropriate assessment of English language learners who are also blind or visually impaired. If you would be interested in drafting some guidelines for inclusion in the fifth edition of Making Tests Accessible, please contact Debbie Willis at dwillis@aph.org or call 502/899-2311 or 800/223-1839, ext. 311.

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Louis! More than a quarter million accessible books and still growing!

The Louis Database now contains information on approximately 250,324 titles in accessible formats, including braille, large print, sound recording and electronic files. Louis is still growing!

More changes are in store for Louis, so check Louis frequently for additional new books and for exciting new changes at http://Louis.aph.org

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NIMAC Exceeds 19,000 Files!

The National Instructional Materials Access Center now holds more than 19,125 NIMAS files available for conversion into accessible instructional materials! Most important, nearly 3,000 of these NIMAS files have been downloaded to be transformed into accessible textbooks!

For more information on NIMAC go to http://www.nimac.us

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Hall of Fame for Blindness Field Defines Its Space

New exhibits in the Hall of Fame provide the definition needed to explain the mission of the venue as well as those honored there.

A great new entry foyer display includes a huge logo and panels explaining the Hall, the mission, and how to nominate. In the Hall, in addition to kiosks with bas relief plaques of all inductees and an artifacts case, you will now see an Inductee Wall with pictures and information on each honoree. Across the Hall is the Wall of Tribute, now with a bold header, which holds 150 stones in its wooden columns, along with a panel that explains how you can honor someone special in your life with a beautifully etched stone. If you choose to come by elevator, a welcoming sign will greet you as you disembark. Come to APH and celebrate your Hall of Fame and those you have honored there!

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2009 Hall of Fame Induction

Bas Relief Plaques of the 2009 Hall of Fame for Leaders and Legends of the Blindness Field Inductees, Euclid Herie and Dean Tuttle, are now installed in the Hall of Fame.

Soon the 2009 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, beautifully hosted by Jane Erin, will appear on the website as well.

Biographies of these legends can be found on the Hall of Fame website. Dr. Erin's induction remarks are also posted on the biography sites.

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APHers Walk for a Good Cause in Georgia

October was Breast Cancer Awareness Month and two APH employees decided to take steps (a lot of steps) to help that cause. Malcolm and Monica Turner participated in their second Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk in Atlanta, GA on October 23-25, walking 60 miles in 3 days. Together they raised over $4700 to benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund. Over 2200 people participated in the walk, raising a total of over $5.6 million dollars.

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APH InSights 2009 Award winners

We are pleased to announce the names of the winners in this year's competition. From the 323 entries, the three judges selected eighty-three works for display in the exhibit at the annual meeting. From these "show pieces," first, second, and third awards were selected in each of the nine categories and another few works were singled out for honorable mention. Many of the entrants entered through their schools or agencies; several of the adult artists have their own studios and work independently. We know there are lots of other aspiring artists out there who want to enter next year. The deadlines are April 1 for students, and April 15 for adults. Rules and entry forms will be posted on the website by late February, Contact Roberta Williams rwilliams@aph.org

Thanks to everyone who entered for making this a great competition. Congratulations to those whose work was selected for the display and to these award winners: for more information.

• Alvin Toledo from St. Lucy Day School for Children with Visual Impairments, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, First Place in the category for Preschool/Kindergarten
• Daniella Fraioli from Parsons Elementary School, Harrison, New York, Second Place in the category for Preschool/Kindergarten
• Bianca McEvoy from Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School, Oyster Bay, New York, Third Place in the category for Preschool/Kindergarten
• Edward Majeski from Saint Lucy Day School for Children with Visual Impairments, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, First Place in the category for First, Second, Third Grades
• Brooke Lehrer from Electa Quinney Elementary, Kaukauna, Wisconsin, Second Place in the category for First, Second, Third Grades
• Brittney Crespo from Saint Lucy Day School for Children with Visual Impairments, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Third Place in the category for First, Second, Third Grades
• Isabel Perry from St. Mary Magdalene School, Apex, North Carolina, First Place in the category for Fourth, Fifth, Sixth Grades
• Elizabeth Romero from Stellar Elementary School, Thornton, Colorado, Second Place in the category for Fourth, Fifth, Sixth Grades
• Erick Rosso from New York Institute for Special Education, Bronx, New York, Third Place in the category for Fourth, Fifth, Sixth Grades
• John Evans from Ardsley Middle School, Ardsley, New York, First Place in the category for Seventh, Eighth, Ninth Grades
• Anthony Ferraro from HW Mountz School, Spring Lake, New Jersey, Spring Lake, New Jersey, won Second Place in the category for Seventh, Eighth, Ninth Grades
• Taylor Flood from Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Montpelier, Vermont, Third Place in the category for Seventh, Eighth, Ninth Grades
• Heather Morrison from Saint Lucy Day School for Children with Visual Impairments, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Honorable Mention in the category for Seventh, Eighth, Ninth Grades
• Dustin Rish from Cedar Springs Middle School, Cedar Springs Michigan, Honorable Mention in the category for Seventh, Eighth, Ninth Grades
• Kyle Street from Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Indianapolis, Indiana, Honorable Mention in the category for Seventh, Eighth, Ninth Grades
• Nick Vanderwall from Mason County Central High, Scottville, Michigan, First Place in the category for Tenth, Eleventh, Twelfth Grades
• Hannah Wedel from Halstead High School, Halstead, Kansas, Second Place in the category for Tenth, Eleventh, Twelfth Grades
• John Anderson from Overbrook School for the Blind, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Third Place in the category for Tenth, Eleventh, Twelfth Grades
• Remington Howell from Governor Morehead School for the Blind, Raleigh, North Carolina, Honorable Mention in the category for Tenth, Eleventh, Twelfth Grades
• Brittany Montgomery from Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Indianapolis, Indiana, Honorable Mention in the category for Tenth, Eleventh, Twelfth Grades
• Zane Rimpler from Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Indianapolis, Indiana, Honorable Mention in the category for Tenth, Eleventh, Twelfth Grades
• Jacob Lynch from Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Indianapolis, Indiana, First Place in the category for Ungraded
• A group of six students from Lavelle School for the Blind, Bronx, New York, Second Place in the category for Ungraded
• Catherine Campbell from Sullivan County BOCES, Liberty, New York, Third Place in the category for Ungraded
• Joelle Philippo from Lavelle School for the Blind, Bronx, New York Honorable Mention in the category for Ungraded
• Lawrence Lancaster, an independent artist from Los Angeles, California, First Place in the category for Craft
• Nancy Blizzard from Clovernook Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, Second Place in the category for Craft
• Shirley Blackmore from Clovernook Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, Third Place in the category for Craft
• Chapelle Letman an independent artist from Cleveland, Ohio, First Place in the category for Sculpture
• Mari Newman, an independent artist from Minneapolis, Minnesota, Second Place in the category for Sculpture
• Terry Strader from Clovernook Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, Third Place in the category for Sculpture
• Russell Schermer an independent artist from Chico, California, Honorable Mention in the category for Sculpture
• Margie Stocker from Clovernook Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, Honorable Mention in the category for Sculpture
• David Kontra an independent artist from Norwood, Missouri, First Place in the category for Two-Dimensional Art
• Frank Valliere an independent artist from Gorham, Maine, Second Place in the category for Two-Dimensional Art
• Michael Williams an independent artist from Memphis, Tennessee, won Third Place in the category for Two-Dimensional Art
• Keith Field from an independent artist from Seattle, Washington, Honorable Mention in the category for Two-Dimensional Art
• Tim O'Brien from an independent artist from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Honorable Mention in the category for Two-Dimensional Art

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APH Welcomes New Ex Officio Trustees

Karen Ross, the Carroll Center for the Blind, replacing Rachel Rosenbaum.

Brent Pitt, the Texas Education Agency, replacing Dottie Goodman.

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APH Travel Calendar

November

November 4-5, 2009
NIP Event--FVLMA with LaRhea Sanford;
UT

November 5, 2009
NFB of Colorado Resource Fair;
Denver, CO

November 6, 2009
AER Ohio--Pulling Together 2009 Statewide Business Meeting;
Worthington, OH

November 6-7, 2009
Kentucky Council for the Blind Event 2009;
KSB in Louisville, KY

November 12-14, 2009
MACRT-ASERT;
Milwaukee, WI

November 12-15, 2009
Getting In Touch With Literacy Conference 2009;
Costa Mesa, CA

November 18-20, 2009
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) 2009;
Nashville, TN

November 22-24, 2009
Kentucky Council for Exceptional Children/Exceptional Children's Conference;
Louisville, KY

December

December 3, 2009
North Carolina Assistive Technology Expo;
North Raleigh, NC

December 4-5, 2009
NIP Event--Administering/Scoring the WJ III for Braille Readers;
Phoenix, AZ

January

January 27-30, 2010
ATIA 2010;
Orlando, FL

February

February 24-26, 2009
Celebrating Connections;
Charleston, WV

February 24-27, 2009
89th Annual EDA Convention (Eastern District Association of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance or AAHPERD);
Rye, NY

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Help Wanted!

Want to live in beautiful Louisville, Kentucky and work with the best people in the world? Check out the following links to a couple of exciting APH job opportunities.

Research Department
Model & Pattern Maker II

Communications Department
Website Associate

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Fall Harvest Sale

Load up a world of savings on selected APH products with APH's Fall Harvest Sale 2009, October 1 - December 31. As always, first come, first served. www.aph.org/products/harvest.html

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NEW! Wilson Reading System Large Print Kit

Student Reader One and Workbooks 1A and 1B: 8-79501-SK1 -- $30.00
Student Reader Two and Workbooks 2A and 2B: 8-79501-SK2 -- $30.00
Student Reader Three and Workbooks 3A and 3B: 8-79501-SK3 -- $30.00

Replacement Items

• Student Reader One: 8-79502-00 -- $10.00
  • Student Workbook 1A: 8-79502-WA -- $7.25
  • Student Workbook 1B: 8-79502-WB -- $6.50
• Student Reader Two: 8-79503-00 -- $10.00
  • Student Workbook 2A: 8-79503-WA -- $7.25
  • Student Workbook 2B: 8-79503-WB -- $6.50
• Student Reader Three: 8-79504-00 -- $10.00
  • Student Workbook 3A: 8-79504-WA -- $7.25
  • Student Workbook 3B: 8-79504-WB -- $6.50

Related Products--Wilson Reading System Braille Readers

• Student Reader One: 6-79502-00 -- $17.00
• Student Reader Two: 6-79503-00 -- $17.00
• Student Reader Three: 6-79504-00 -- $17.00

The Wilson Reading System® is a complete curriculum for teaching decoding and encoding (spelling), beginning with phoneme segmentation. Unlike other programs that overwhelm the student with rules, the language system of English is presented in a systematic and cumulative manner so that it is manageable. WRS provides an organized, sequential system with extensive controlled text to help teachers implement a multi-sensory structured language program.

This System specifically addresses the learning style of students with a language-based learning disability; however, it is beneficial to any student lacking basic reading and spelling skills.

The Wilson Reading System is authored by Barbara A. Wilson and published by Wilson Language Training Corporation. Permission has been granted to APH to publish the braille and large print versions. For more information and professional development opportunities on the use of the program, please visit: http://www.wilsonlanguage.com

Wilson Reading System is a registered trademark of Wilson Language Training Corporation. Wilson Language Training Corporation has given APH permission to publish braille and large print editions of the Wilson Reading System in an effort to help serve the blind and visually impaired community.

Recommended grades: 2 and up.

Note: Braille Workbooks, Print/Braille Word Cards, Syllable Cards, Sound Cards, and Magnetic Tiles will be available in the future.

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History in the Making: The Story of the American Printing House for the Blind: 1858-2008

New! Braille Edition: W-HIST-APH-BRL -- $39.95
Regular Print Edition: W-HISTORY-APH -- $39.95

Not available with Quota funds.

This beautiful history book by former APH Museum director Carol Tobe was commissioned to celebrate the company's 150th anniversary in 2008. This keepsake book is offered in regular print and in braille:

• Regular Print Edition: Packed with rare details about the origins of APH, this book features rich photography, reproductions of tactile pages embossed from vintage printing plates, and an accessible audio book version on CD read by APH narrator Jack Fox. This 180-page hardbound book was designed by nationally known graphic artist Julius Friedman and features color photography by Geoffrey Carr.
• Braille Edition: Two hardbound braille volumes with color covers contain the text of the regular print edition, including the pages embossed from vintage APH printing plates. Pages are bound with metal rings and a cloth page marking strip is bound into each volume. The CD containing the audio book version, narrated by Jack Fox, is included.

Additional Shipping Charge

All shipments will incur actual UPS shipping rates based on the destination.

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HANDS ON Kit and Black Large Work-Play Tray Again Available

Two more APH products have, like the phoenix, risen from the ashes of our vendor fire! These products are again available for order:

HANDS ON Kit: Functional Activities for Visually Impaired Preschoolers

1-03260-00 -- $235.00

Helps children develop skills such as concentration, hand and visual coordination, ability to complete a cycle of activity, and socialization skills. Also helps develop a sense of order and a positive self-image.

Includes a guidebook and six specially designed plastic work trays. The guidebook details numerous activities using the trays and commonly available materials. The work progresses from jobs such as pouring beans to more complicated tasks such as preparing snacks.

Recommended Ages: 3 to 6

Work-Play Tray: Large Black

1-03761-00 -- $21.00

Durable trays hold objects that might roll out of reach. Trays provide enclosed work space for sorting, matching, classifying, counting. The Large Work-Play Tray measures 21.25 x 13.25 inches. Small Work-Play Trays are also available. The large yellow tray will be available in the future.

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APH offers a number of recreational books in braille (Quota funds can be used). Each of these titles was originally transcribed and produced by APH for the National Library Service which has graciously granted permission for this offering. As usual, these titles have been added to the APH Louis Database where you can find thousands of titles produced in accessible formats.

Note: all books are produced upon receipt of orders, therefore, please allow approximately 8 weeks for delivery.

Leonardo's Horse
by Jean Fritz: T-N1754-70 -- $9.00
Explains American Charles Dent's efforts to complete the unrealized dream of Italian artist Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) to cast a twenty-four-foot statue of a horse in bronze. Discusses the difficulties Leonardo faced five hundred years ago and Dent's use of modern casting and reinforcing techniques. Nonfiction, Grades 3-6. *(AR Quiz #54098, BL 4.6, Pts. 0.5)

Digging to America
by Anne Tyler: T-N1658-30 -- $75.50
A chance encounter between two families, the Donaldsons and the Iranian-born Yasdans, at the Baltimore airport prompts an examination about what it means to be an American. The American Donaldsons and the Iranian American Yazdans--meet at the airport when their adopted daughters arrive from Korea. Yazdan matriarch Maryam, who emigrated from Iran, feels increasingly alienated as she observes the younger generations' interactions during their annual arrival-day anniversaries. Fiction, Upper Grades. *(AR Quiz #107849, BL 5.8, Pts. 13.0)

Make It Now, Bake It Later!
by Ann and Scott Goodfellow: T-N1662-50 -- $71.00
Updated version of a 1958 cookbook - offers old favorites and new dishes adapted for modern tastes. Recipes list ingredients needed at the outset and those needed to finish the dish later, ways to store the unfinished dish, and final steps before serving. Includes appetizers, main dishes, and desserts.

Tigers in Red Weather: A Quest for the Last Wild Tigers
by Ruth Padel: T-N1714-30 -- $182.00
British poet describes the plight of tigers as she travels to their habitats in India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Russia, Korea, China, Southeast Asia, and Indonesia. Padel discusses tiger lore and history, the work of scientists and conservators in the field, and the reasons for the near extinction of tigers.

The Book of the Dead: A Pendergast Mystery
by Douglas J. Preston: T-N1665-20 -- $134.50
FBI agent Aloysius Pendergast, from Dance of Death, languishes in prison for murders committed by his psychotic brother, Diogenes. Meanwhile, New York's natural history museum unseals an Egyptian tomb, precipitating more killings. Aloysius escapes to confront his brother in a deadly showdown. Strong language and some violence. Adult Readers.

*Accelerated Reader quiz number, book level, and point value. For more information on the Accelerated Reader program, see the January 2006 APH News or www.renlearn.com/ar/

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