Happy “heart-shaped” month or February as we call it! Also Happy Black History Month! At the Society we look forward to some remodeling of our building to accommodate growth and the needs of our clients. Starting February 19, the Drews Low Vision Clinic will undergo some extensive remodeling and expansion, as will the Sight Solutions Shop. That means, clinic rooms and the Sight Solutions Shop will temporarily move to other parts of the building, which means your meeting spaces will move as well. So when you call in to register for any of our activities, ask for which room it will be held in. Once remodeling is
completed (late April to early May) everything should be back to normal. Hope to see you here for these activities designed with you in mind. Here’s what’s happening in February!

Society Events Calendar


Thursday, February 8 – 10:00 to 11:30 AM
Peer Support Group Meeting
The peer group will discuss how the winter affects our moods
and causes the blues. Come and share your thoughts and
the ways you positively combat the winter doldrums.
For further information call: Kerry Smith at 314-963-0696


Friday, February 9 – 7:00 to 8:30 PM
United Workers for the Blind
United Workers for the Blind meets the second Friday of each month. Doors open at 5:30 pm.
Contact Raymond Bishop at 314-333-2272


Saturday, February 10 – 2:00 to 5:00 PM
National Federation for the Blind
NFB meets the second Saturday of every month.
For info, contact Judy Redlich: 314-968-9000


Monday, February 12 – 10:30 to 11:30 AM
Beginner’s Apple iPhone Class
Struggling with using that new iPhone due to your vision loss? Dr. Jen Lauer, Director of Adult Services and Mariko (just call her M) Lighthart teach a beginner’s class on using the Accessibility features on the Apple iPhone the second Monday of each month. Don’t let low vision get in the way of using today’s technology. An advanced iPhone class is also offered on the 4th Monday of each month.
RSVP by calling Carlos at 314-968-9000.


Tuesday, February 13 – 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Bookworms Book Club
The Bookworms will be busy at this meeting. Since last month’s meeting was cancelled due to weather, hey will do a double book discussion, first with the book from January: “About my Mother” by Peggy owe. Then they will discuss this month’s book: “It’s Not All Downhill from Here” by Terry McMillan. According to group leader, Donna Neal, it is an excellent read! There’s still time to read it! The book number through Wolfner is DB 99947. Because the book club will meet the day before Valentines Day, Donna is encouraging members who are interested to dress in red as they did last year for pictures! (See photo below.) And finally, Jason Frazier, President and CEO of Minds Eye Radio, will be the Bookworm’s special guest! He will talk about what MindsEye is doing and hopefully gain some new listeners!
For info, contact Donna Neal – 314-651-8630


Saturday, February 17 – 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM
SASI (Sight And Sound Impaired)
Sight And Sound Impaired of St. Louis (SASISTL or SASI) is a social networking group for people who have both Deafness and Blindness and can meet others like themselves and feel like they “fit in.” We are a very casual, comfortable and fun group. We encourage family members to come, too. We welcome volunteers who would like to help by assisting as “eyes” and “ears” as needed. SASI meets on the third Saturday of each month. For information, call Brett Wilhelm: 636-544-5358 Doors open at 8:30 AM

Saturday, February 17 – 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
VIP Social Group
Topic: Italian cooking and wine, including samples. We may have missed it in January due to the weather, but Italian cooking is now on the Feb 17 agenda. A few VIP members are bringing Italian recipes and some samples of food. IT IS IMPORTANT TO RSVP FOR THIS SESSION SO THAT WE ARE PREPARED. (Chris’s Italian grandparents would consider it rude if she only had 10 biscotti and 13 people showed up!)
Please feel free to bring your own recipes or food if you’d like to, but it is not required to attend.
VIP Social Group meets the 3rd Saturday and 4th Thursday of each month. Chris Carosella, VIP Social Group Leader. Woman with shoulder length brown hair, wearing a red sweater and red lip stick, smiles directly at the camera. PLEASE RSVP: Chris Carosella-314-356-0101 or email VIPsocial23@gmail.com Come early for socializing at 9:30 AM



Thursday, February 22 – 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
VIP Social Group
The Thursday meeting will be a session for all members of the group to talk about their favorite tips and advice for adapting to vision changes. The rest of the session will be open discussion for whatever you’d like to share, ask, or discuss. Please RSVP: 314-356-0101 or VIPsocial23@gmail.com


THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 19-23, REMODELING BEGINS AT SOCIETY!

Due to the Society’s construction the new meeting day for I CAN TECH is now the third FRIDAY of each month. 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM However, due to work and travel obligations, Brett has cancelled the February meeting. The next meeting will be on Friday, March 22, 2024



Saturday, February 24 – 10:30 AM to 1:00 PM

AGAPE Council Of The Blind
Black History Month Program & Brunch
Please join AGAPE Council Of The Blind for their celebration of culture, community, and service as they host a Black History Month Program & Brunch. The brunch will include fresh fruit, chicken, pastries, eggs,
potatoes, biscuits, and much more! The cost is $30 per person in advance or $35 at the door on the day of the event. Tickets are available via Eventbrite (there is a $3.85 surcharge on Eventbrite tickets). Buy your tickets here. For more information visit the AGAPE website. AGAPE is an affiliate of the Missouri Council Of The Blind. We are a 501(C)3 non-profit organization. www.agapecouncil.org


Monday, February 26 – 10:30 to 11:30 AM
Advanced Apple iPhone Class
Dr. Jen Lauer, Director of Adult Services and Mariko (just call her M) Lighthart are co-teaching an advanced class on using the Accessibility features on the Apple iPhone the fourth Monday of each month. Don’t let low vision get in the way of using today’s technology. A beginner’s iPhone class is also
offered on the 2nd Monday of each month. RSVP by calling Carlos at 314-968-9000.


Tuesday, February 27 – 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
GAB (Games Accessible for Blindness)
Join Mary Hale for another adventure in accessible games for the blind. This month Bingo is back in town at Society! We have braille & large print cards. Please bring 1 or 2 items valued at $1 or more each that we use as prizes. Come by yourself, come with a friend or family member, BUT COME! For info, call Mary Hale at 314-662-5777 or email her at meh331@sbcglobal.net. In case of bad weather, you can check with Mary Hale or the Society to confirm if GAB is canceled or not.



SAVE THE DATE!
2024 Visionary Gala:
Visions in Black & White
Saturday, April 6, 2024
Algonquin Golf Club 5:30 pm
development@slsbvi.org
For questions or to RSVP for any of these events, call Carlos at the front desk:
314-968-9000