Saturday, September 7, 2019

DSA Northwest Daily News

Saturday, September 7, 2019 -- Issue #6

The "Farewell Issue" of the DSA NW Daily News Blog is coming tomorrow, Sunday, September 8th. Be sure to check it after you get home to see so many fun photos from tonight's Gala & Closing along with photos from your whole week at DSA 2019 Seattle!

Interpreter Provided in Sheraton Lobby 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

 

Saturday's Highlights - September 7

• IMPORTANT!!! DSA General Meeting with Elections 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
• Art Show & Sale - 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
• Exhibits 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
• HOT Tours: 11:30 AM -Tilicum Village & Cruise, 1:00 PM -Pike Place Market Food Tour, 1:00 PM - Seattle City Highlights Tour. (Must buy tickets online.) 
• Happy Hour hosted by WSAD (cash bar) - 5:00 - 6:30 PM
• Gala Banquet & Closing Ceremony - DSA Board announces new Board, Awards, and entertainment featuring Comedienne Angela Stratiy - 6:00 PM - 11:30 PM

Saturday's Weather Forecast 

Cloudy, with high of 72'F

Announcements & Housekeeping

• Did anyone lose a bottle of their medicine? Nitroglycerin! It was turned into the Lost & Found at the hotel front desk.
• BANQUET DEADLINE: If you are planning on attending the Gala Banquet tonight and have not yet picked your menu choice (Salmon, Chicken, or Vegetarian/Vegan) please see Rebecca Farovitch and let her know your choice by 5:00 PM tonight.
• NOTE: The Moonlight Sonata film originally planned for today at 1:00 PM is not happening.
• LAST CHANCE: Please send us your DSA Conference photos to be included in our Farewell Blog post tomorrow (Sunday). Email your photos to the DSA NW Daily News blog editor at sarageballe@gmail.com 

HOT Tours Today
(See Monday NW Daily News for full HOT Tours schedule)
Meet at Starbucks in hotel lobby 15 minutes before departure!

11:30 AM Tillicum Village & Cruise Tour - with RONISE

1:00 PM Pike Place Market Food Tour - with VALDIES 

1:00 PM Seattle City Highlights Tour - with DAN

DSA Board Election Today!                                            [CART Provided]

     Elections for new DSA Board members will be held today during the General Meeting from 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM in the Grand Ballroom. The following members have offered to run for DSA Board positions:

President:

Alfred Sonnenstrahl

Vice President:

Phil Aielio

Secretary:

Ellen Scheppach

Board Member: (one position open)

Lance Fischer

Elaine Navratil

Marcia Nowak
Susan Sien

HOT Tour to Mt. Rainier

******************************************************** Workshops From Friday
Photos by RaeVern DuMond, Sally Taylor, and Mirni Castrejon

"Deaf Aging and Cognitive Health" with Dr. Pooma Kushalnagar

"Preparing for Long-Term Health Care Expenses" with Kramer Wealth Managers

"Hurricane Florence Lesson Learned" with Donna Platt

"Social Security...?? What Can You Do Online?" with Nancy Opheikens

"Learning About ADWAS Services & Different Forms of Elder Abuse" with Jimel Wright & Jennifer Mendoza-Morales

"Risk Factors for Dementia Among D/HH" with Dr. Jaime Wilson

Deaf-Blind interpreting for workshop on dementia.

"The Journey through Grieving" with Char Parsley & Elaine Navratil

"Mindful Moment for Daily Living" with LaRonda Zupp

"DSA Bylaws - Changes and Results" with Andy Lange

"What Seniors Can Do for Deaf Youth" with Lissette Molina-Wood

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Friday's Sports Luncheon

By Cindy Cox McNeely
Photos by Mirna Castrejon & Cindy Cox McNeely

     DSA Sports Luncheon Chair Connie Gough welcomed approximately 80 Deaf sports fans wearing their favorite football team jerseys to join together for a delicious lunch shared with some special guests.

     Retired Washington School for the Deaf teacher Robert Born started off the day’s program by giving his own reflections WDS’s high school football program through the years  - comparing uniforms and equipment used back in the 1960s and today. Big changes!

     Then it was time to meet three very important people Seattle Seahawks organization:

• Mike Flood, Vice President of Community Outreach
• Jason Viglianco, Deaf Logo Designer of CenturyLink field
• Seahawks Alumni Orlando Huff, #57 during his 2001-2004 playing years

     Mike and Jason have been professional colleagues for at least 20 years. Mike gave very interesting Power Point presentation about Seahawks Community Outreach Program. They offer lots of support to our local Washington and Alaska communities, especially supporting kids of all ages and disabilities. 

     Then it was time to meet the former Seahawk player Orlando Huff who stands 6'3" and is still looks in perfect condition. Orlando described his professional experiences playing for three different NFL teams -- Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, and the Seattle Seahawks. 

     Since his retirement from professional football, Orlando has set up his own foundation - Orlando Huff Outreach in Alaska -- working with Native American tribes, and especially kids who have never seen football games on television.

     After his presentation, Orlando took several questions from us curious Deaf fans. He told us how he enjoys meeting fans from all walks of life. And, yes, Orlando knows our own Deaf Derrick Coleman. Orlando said he know Derrick as a good, tough, and mean player!

     On a personal note, I received a very nice surprise after I had interviewed the Seahawk visitors for the DSA NW Daily News. Mike Flood presented me with a Seahawks “cheer towel,” a Seahawks banner, and an autographed DSA Sports Luncheon program. I even got my picture taken with Orlando! I was so humbly touched!

Seahawk Alum Orlando Huff

DSA NW Daily News Reporter Cindy McNeely with Orlando Huff

Back Row: Mike Flood & Orlando Huff
Front Row: Cindy McNeely & Jason Viglianco

Robert Born

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Sweet Retreat With Dr. Roberta (Bobbi) Cordano
Story and Photos by Susan Sien

     DSA members were thrilled to see Dr. Roberta (Bobbi) Cordano, President of Gallaudet University, in Seattle this evening. Speaking to a packed house in the Sheraton Hotel’s Grand Ballroom, Dr. Cordano shared a few things that are happening at Gallaudet.

     She said she was excited about the transformation of 6th Street in Washington, D.C. next to the Gallaudet campus. Her vision is to see 6th Street expand into a multilingual and a multicultural community committed to the University’s ASL/English bilingual academic mission.

     There are currently 23 schools for the deaf, Dr. Cordano said, and she wants to work closely with all of them so they remain strong and viable.

     Dr. Cordano also said she was proud to see the growing number of requests from prominent corporations to recruit and hire Gallaudet graduates in a diversified number of career fields.  

     She also praised the many Gallaudet alumni who are now members of DSA and who continue to be strong supporters of their alma mater. According to the director of Gallaudet Development Office, Dr. Cordana said, the University has received $50,000 in donations from DSA Gallaudet alumni.

     When Gallaudet Alumni Office Director Sam Sonnenstrahl introduced Dr. Cordano, he pointed out that of the 900 or so people attending DSA 2019 Seattle, about 400 are Gallaudet alums!

A Wild Night at Friday's Live Auction
Photos by RaeVern DuMond

The one and only Sally Taylor

Auctioneers Phil Aiello & Sally Taylor

Getting Ready for DSA Pittsburgh 2021!

Asking Around...
By Rosemary DiSiervi

Question:  Why did you come to DSA Seattle 2019? - OR - What impresses you most about DSA Seattle 2019?

Phil Bravin from Chester, Vermont works for Purple VRS.

“For old time's sake”

Bart Williams from Seattle, Washington

Director of Community Engagement for HSDC

“Friendly consumer services from DSA staff and socialize 'champ.'”

Harold Deuel from St Augustine, Florida. Retired teacher. 
“Socialize and see old friends.”

Irvin MacDonald from Moncton, New Brunswick (Canada). Retired teacher.

“Never seen so many Deaf people carrying Starbucks coffee/drinks!”

Debra Lamus from Lakewood, Washington. Volunteer, Tacoma Deaf Senior Citizen.
“Learned a lot about disability-related needs from the Fair Housing workshop.”

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Saturday Night:  Gala Banquet & Closing Ceremony    [CART Provided]    
     Be sure to ready Sunday's Farewell Edition of the DSA NW Daily News. You'll see lots of photos from tonight's Gala. Your Banquet Committee has been busy getting ready.

Commedienne Angela Stratiy - Featured Entertainment

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Fun Shots In & Around DSA
Photos by the DSA NW Daily News Staff

Your DSA Northwest Daily News Staff
We are located in the Ballard Room on the 3rd floor of the Sheraton. Drop by and see us!

Editor: Sara Geballe, sarageballe@gmail.com 

Contributors:  Mirna Castrejon, Rosemary DiSiervi, RaeVern DuMond, Nikki Ekle, Cindy McNeely, Linda Reaves-Randall, Van Scheppach, John Taft, and Sally Taylor.
Technical Support: Stephen Hucke, IT/Visual Communications Specialist at Tilikum