Braille Institute

Lolita Harper LOS ANGELES -- The Braille Institute has released the 2000 Shop Braille Catalog so that visually impaired residents of Burbank -- and other cities -- can buy hard-to-find products designed specifically for them. "This catalog is published so that people that live too far away from our regional centers can have access to some very helpful products," said Courtney Goines of the Braille Institute. "You can't just get these things in the mall."

Karen S. Kim MAGNOLIA PARK -- The Braille Institute is offering free consultations for people who have poor vision at the Joslyn Adult Center on May 22. During a one-hour private session, a vision consultant will assess visual skills, offer techniques to improve existing vision, make recommendations on vision-improvement devices and demonstrate tools that enlarge printed material. The Braille Institute, a nonprofit organization aiming to prevent blindness from being a barrier to a fulfilling life, will be offering the consultations from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Joslyn Adult Center, 1301 W. Olive Ave. Call (323)

Maya Kukes MAGNOLIA PARK -- A van that brings the Braille Institute's programs and services to people not able to travel will be at the Joslyn Adult Center from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday. The center is at 1301 W. Olive Avenue. The "Mobile Solutions" van is equipped with high-powered magnifiers, closed circuit televisions and other adaptive equipment to help maximize remaining vision. The van also features display areas where clients can purchase items such as adaptive kitchen utensils and talking watches.

Mobile Solutions, a specialized van that brings Braille Institute's programs and services to people who are unable to visit the Sight Center in Los Angeles, will be in Burbank from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Joslyn Adult Center, 1301 W. Olive Ave. The Mobile Solutions van is equipped with high-powered magnifiers, closed-circuit televisions and other adaptive equipment to help maximize remaining vision. The van also features display areas with consumer items such as adaptable kitchen utensils and talking watches.

fading vision A six-week, free program to help those with fading vision retain their independence will be in Burbank, sponsored by the Braille Institute. The classes will teach those with diminished sight new ways to do daily activities such as cooking and managing the home, as well as how to use visual aids to make the most of their remaining vision, institute officials said. Participants will also learn how to obtain talking books and other free services through the institute's library.

A (pea)nutty exhibit at the L.A. Zoo GRIFFITH PARK -- A 53-foot custom-designed truck with a 32-foot peanut replica is at the Los Angeles Zoo from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and Sunday. It is part of the National Peanut Board's "National Peanut Tour," an interactive traveling exhibit. The exhibit, traveling around the country to 25 different events in 23 cities, features historical information about peanuts, fun facts and trivia, take-home recipes, as well as nutrition information.

Burroughs choirs host rummage sale BURBANK -- The combined choirs at John Burroughs High School will be hosting a car wash and rummage sale, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, in the campus parking lot, 1920 W. Clark Ave., Burbank. There will be no charge for car washes but donations are welcome and appreciated. The rummage sale will take place on the corner of the football field at Keystone Street and Verdugo Road. It will run from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Proceeds from these events will go to benefit the school's choir programs.

Sarah Hill The bigger dogs at the Burbank Animal Shelter are often overlooked by people wanting to take home puppies instead. But Hamilton Manalo,a recent volunteer at the Burbank Animal Shelter volunteer, made sure the big ones were not too neglected. Taking them out for walks and play time is good "quiet time," he said. Hamilton, 18, is one of many local teens who spent time over the summer volunteering at a variety of Burbank and Los Angeles area programs and organizations.

TODAY A Healthy Living Lecture Series begins with Bet Tzedek Legal Services offering a seminar on power of attorneys for healthcare at 12:30 p.m. at the Joslyn Adult Center, 1301 W. Olive Ave., Burbank. The class will include a scheduling of appointments to complete power of attorney forms on Jan. 24. For more information, call (818) 238-5353. THURSDAY Eyeglass adjustments and repairs are offered from noon to 1 p.m. at the Joslyn Adult Center, 1301 W. Olive Ave., Burbank.

Natalie Richardson has not let the slow loss of her sight prevent her from leading an enriching life, and for that she thanks the Braille Institute. The Glendale resident has dealt with Retinitis pigmentosa, a narrowing of the field of vision, her whole life. “I’ve always been partially blind, but as you get older, with what we call RP, it gets worse and worse,” Richardson said. “And your periphery becomes less and now my center [vision] is almost shot.

TODAY "Beyond Expectation : A Showcase Exhibition of Master Colored Pencil Work by Seven Southland Artists" continues at the Creative Arts Gallery, 1100 W. Clark Ave., Burbank. Exhibiting artists are Teri Garcia, Jeff George, Robert Guthrie, Elizabeth "Betsy" Holster, Alyona Nickelsen, Elizabeth Patterson and Barbara Rogers. The exhibition will continue until Jan. 25. For more information, call (818) 238-5397. SUNDAY Woodbury University presents a lecture on "Combating Nuclear Proliferation in the 21st Century" at 11:30 a.m. with a lunch at noon at 7500 Glenoaks Blvd.

Sarah Hill The bigger dogs at the Burbank Animal Shelter are often overlooked by people wanting to take home puppies instead. But Hamilton Manalo,a recent volunteer at the Burbank Animal Shelter volunteer, made sure the big ones were not too neglected. Taking them out for walks and play time is good "quiet time," he said. Hamilton, 18, is one of many local teens who spent time over the summer volunteering at a variety of Burbank and Los Angeles area programs and organizations.

Burroughs choirs host rummage sale BURBANK -- The combined choirs at John Burroughs High School will be hosting a car wash and rummage sale, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, in the campus parking lot, 1920 W. Clark Ave., Burbank. There will be no charge for car washes but donations are welcome and appreciated. The rummage sale will take place on the corner of the football field at Keystone Street and Verdugo Road. It will run from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Proceeds from these events will go to benefit the school's choir programs.

TODAY A pancake breakfast benefiting Boy Scout Troop 50 is from 7:30 to 11 a.m. at Village Christian Church, 3216 W. Victory Blvd. The cost is $3. For more information, call 567-4618. A wildflower walk is at 11 a.m. at Wildwood Park, 1701 Wildwood Canyon Drive. For more information, call 238-5440. The Burbank Farmer's Market is from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. weekly at the Third Street and Orange Grove Avenue intersection. For more information, call 847-4673.

fading vision A six-week, free program to help those with fading vision retain their independence will be in Burbank, sponsored by the Braille Institute. The classes will teach those with diminished sight new ways to do daily activities such as cooking and managing the home, as well as how to use visual aids to make the most of their remaining vision, institute officials said. Participants will also learn how to obtain talking books and other free services through the institute's library.

Mobile Solutions, a specialized van that brings Braille Institute's programs and services to people who are unable to visit the Sight Center in Los Angeles, will be in Burbank from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Joslyn Adult Center, 1301 W. Olive Ave. The Mobile Solutions van is equipped with high-powered magnifiers, closed-circuit televisions and other adaptive equipment to help maximize remaining vision. The van also features display areas with consumer items such as adaptable kitchen utensils and talking watches.

A (pea)nutty exhibit at the L.A. Zoo GRIFFITH PARK -- A 53-foot custom-designed truck with a 32-foot peanut replica is at the Los Angeles Zoo from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and Sunday. It is part of the National Peanut Board's "National Peanut Tour," an interactive traveling exhibit. The exhibit, traveling around the country to 25 different events in 23 cities, features historical information about peanuts, fun facts and trivia, take-home recipes, as well as nutrition information.

Maya Kukes MAGNOLIA PARK -- A van that brings the Braille Institute's programs and services to people not able to travel will be at the Joslyn Adult Center from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday. The center is at 1301 W. Olive Avenue. The "Mobile Solutions" van is equipped with high-powered magnifiers, closed circuit televisions and other adaptive equipment to help maximize remaining vision. The van also features display areas where clients can purchase items such as adaptive kitchen utensils and talking watches.