The TAPING RECORDER January 2004
News from & about Taping For The Blind, Inc. www.tapingfortheblind.org

HAPPY NEW YEAR!--The holidays are behind us now, but we do want to thank
all the volunteers and staff that worked the holidays to keep the newspaper
and other programming coming for our clients. Your work is always
appreciated! Now on to 2004 and another full year at Taping. Our first
quarterly Board of Directors meeting will be January 22 and that is where
we will set our performance goals in place for the year. We have some big
plans, including upgrading our office automation, improving our website,
and possibly getting the HTBR signal on the Internet so the whole world can
hear what a great job you do. These goals are achieveable, and we'll keep
you informed on our progress.

HP HOUSTON MARATHON--January 18 is the big day for the HP Houston Marathon,
and we hope you have signed up to support our runners. The signup sheets
are on the bulletin board. Our runners are "Running For A Reason" and that
is not simply to maintain their cardiovascular health. They are running to
help raise money for Taping, so please support them! They are working hard
for an extremely good cause! We will staff a hoopla station near the
halfway point of the Marathon, and if you want to join us in that effort,
contact Ginger for details.

RODEO DESCRIBERS NEEDED--We find ourselves needing to fill a few slots on
our Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo description team. Here is a write-up by
John Borrowman talking about this:

Ask any loyal TFB volunteer what motivates them to do what they do and
you'll probably hear things like "personal reward," and "making a
contribution."
If you ask one of TFB's Rodeo Houston Describers, however, the first thing
you'll hear is "it's FUN!"

Since 1995, this exclusive cadre of volunteers has provided live,
as-it-happens, description of every bronc-busting, bone-breaking minute of
action. From
the size and shape of the cowboy, to the color of his shirt, his hat and
his horse, to the detailing on his belt buckle, Rodeo Describers bring it
all to Rodeo patrons throughout the stadium who are wearing special
receivers with headsets.

And, did we mention the "perks"? Things like an all-areas pass to the
Livestock Show and Rodeo; reserved, close-in parking; and a view of the
action that's hard to beat.

In preparation for this year's Rodeo Houston (it is just around the corner,
you know), TFB is arranging auditions and training for volunteers
interested in this unique opportunity. There are a limited number of slots
available on the Rodeo Describer team. Contact Cynthia Franzetti for more
information.

Thanks for your report, John! Like the man said, contact Cynthia
Franzetti to find out more.

By the way, we are scheduled to describe 6 rodeo performances
again. This will be our tenth year describing the rodeo. Here are the
described performances:

Parade -- Saturday, February 28
Three Special Children's Lil' Rustlers Rodeo in the Reliant
Stadium at 6 p.m.
(set up and ready by 5:45 p.m.):
March 10
March 16
March 18

Three Saturday performances in the Reliant Stadium at 4 p.m.:
March 6
March 13
March 20

THE OPEN MIKE-- The winter edition of the Open Mike newsletter went out in
a timely
manner thanks to help from these volunteers: Bob Bartlett, Cullom
Connely, Nancy Daly, Gordon Guillory, Sylvia Levy, Anna & Tom McLane,
Fran McLaughlin, Tom Milburn, Kate Rodwell, Fran Sanders, Karl Seibert
and Betty Woelful. Also thanks to Katy Damon, who came to audition
that day and stayed to help stuff envelopes. Good job, everyone!

Let's also take this opportunity to recognize the great work of
our Open Mike editor, Robin Rice, and her ace helper, Robert Rice. They
have been putting the Open Mike together for approximately 10 years, and we
sincerely appreciate their efforts.

LIGHT THE CANDLES--Wish a Happy Birthday to the following volunteers who
are celebrating January birthdays: 01/04 Lyn Green; 01/05 Robin Rice; 01/08
Stephen Wimmer; 01/11 Joan Katz; 01/12 Lila Lerner, Al Schuttenberg, Robert
Weinberger; 01/15 Fred Dawson, John Deming, Tom Milburn; 01/19 Bob
Bartlett; 01/23 Lynn Hepler; 01/28 Shelia Finch, Edmond Toma; 01/30 Nadine
Saffell; and 01/31 Brian Rodgers. Happy Birthday to all! And if you have a
January birthday and your name is not listed, please let Ginger know so she
can update her records.

WELCOME NEW VOLUNTEERS--We welcome the following new volunteers: in Custom
Recording Beverly Hicks and Rick Smith; on HTBR for the Friday first hour
Chronicle broadcast Pat Pilkington; and on HTBR with "Prevention & More"
Kirk Chaisson. We are very pleased to have each of you helping us Turn
Sight Into Sound!

SUBSCRIBE NOW--If you are still reading this via the printed page and would
like to subscribe, it is very easy. Simply send a blank e-mail note to
tbi-houston-subscribe@yahoogroups.com and respond to the verification
messageYahoo Groups will send you. Our rates have not changed since this
newsletter began. It is still free for the subscribing and worth a lot
more than the price!

RLB