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

MARATHON PLEDGES DUE--Houston had another very successful marathon on
January 18, 2004. The Taping Hoopla Brigade was at the halfway point
cheering for all the runners, but especially those running for Taping. We
had our banner on TV because some Texans cheerleaders were standing in
front of it. (Wonder if anybody noticed the banner.) We also had some TV
time as Channel 13 interviewed Bob Bartlett and a small slice of that was
on the marathon wrap-up program Sunday night. (Bob has a new t-shirt that
says "As Seen on TV," appropriately enough.) We now need to collect
pledges and turn results into the HP Houston Marathon organizing
committee. We need to receive $3000 in order to be invited to be a
fundraising charity at next year's marathon, so please get your pledges
turned in as soon as possible. Remember, it is not too late to make a
donation to help us toward our goal. If you pledged, please get the money
into Ginger, and if you want to make a pledge, please turn that into Ginger
as well. Thanks to our Hoopla Brigade including Lynn Johnson, Ginger Gish,
and Bob and Victoria Bartlett. They made lots of noise and really had fun
again this year!

THE TAPING STORE--While we don't have a lot at our company store, we do
have high-quality merchandise. We hope you have noticed those terrific
looking short-sleeved golf shirts with the Taping logo. These are
available from any Taping staff member for $25.00. You can choose from a
navy shirt with khaki accents or a white shirt with royal blue
accents. The shirts are 100% cotton and come in M, L, and XL sizes. (Sizes
XXL and XXXL are available for $27.00.) We also have coffee cups with the
Taping logo for $5.00 each. You can look good in one of these fine shirts
while drinking your coffee from a Taping mug, and you will be the envy of
your friends! Not only are you a classy volunteer at Taping, but you will
have classy stuff!

BOARD OF DIRECTORS--The first meeting for 2004 of our Board of Directors
was held January 22. Objectives for 2004 were reviewed, discussed, and
adopted at this meeting. We also got a start on staffing committees as
committee chairs were appointed. We reviewed where we had been in 2003 and
where we are going. Here is a list of officers and directors for
2004: President, Bob Bartlett; Vice President Planning & Technology, David
Gillmore; Vice President Development, Randy de La Garza; Vice President
Client Services, Dr. Ed Bradley; Secretary, Janet Parisi; Treasurer,
Ulyesse LeGrange; and Immediate Past President, Chris Kiersted. Directors
are Bill Canning, Lawrence Foust, John Hesse, Dr. Steven Maranville, Mary
Pedersen, Ellin Royds, Betti Saunders, Dena Marks Sokolow, and Dennis
Tompkins. We are hoping for another very positive year of achievement for
Taping, and these are the people who will guide us there.

Let us also acknowledge our Lifetime Directors, T. J. "Ted"
Pfister Jr. and Leila M. Reynolds. We thank them for their outstanding
service to Taping and their continuing work on behalf of Taping.

LIGHT THE CANDLES--We are pleased to offer birthday greetings to the
following volunteers who celebrate a February birthday: 02/02 Margaret
Carl; 02/05 Cullom Connely; 02/07 Karl Seibert; 02/09 Sylvia Ross; 02/10
Joanetta Fields van Rijn, Kandace Shyer; 02/14 John Campbell, Jim Holliday,
Lisa Prince; 02/15 Robin Ferguson; 02/16 Nancy Davis, Debbie Mohr; 02/18
Geetha Martin; 02/20 Kristi Hvidbjerg, Ginger Pardue; 02/21 Joan Gallo;
02/26 Morton Fefer, Kay Schill; 02/27 David Gillmore; and a Leap Year
birthday, 02/29 Dorthy Frazee. We offer our usual disclaimer: if you have
a February birthday and it is not listed, please let Ginger know so she can
update her records.

DESCRIPTION GOES ON--Our thanks to Monica McHam for her work describing
Alley Theatre productions "A Christmas Carol" (December 28) and "Proof"
(February 1). She is also scheduled to do "The Producers" at the Hobby
Center for Performing Arts on February 7. Thanks also go to Avery Bonnee
for her work describing Theater Under The Stars production of "Thoroughly
Modern Millie" (December 28). Cynthia Franzetti gets our thanks for her
description of "Flower Drum Song," also for TUTS, on January 25. And there
is more description to come.

Once again, Taping joins with the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo
to describe the parade (February 28) as well as 6 regular
performances. Avery Bonnee, John Borrowman, Trice Lawrence, Ted Pfister,
Lisa Prince, and Bill White will do the describing for this year's
events. Thanks to the volunteers who responded to our story last month
requesting more members for this great event. We also thank Ted Pfister
for doing the training for volunteers new to rodeo description.

CONGRATULATIONS!--We are happy to report that it's a boy for Robin & Rob
Rice. Matthew Collins Rice made his appearance on December 22, 2003. He
weighed in at over 9 pounds, and we are very happy for the entire family!

WISDOM--"I am opposed to millionaires, but it would be dangerous to offer
me the position."--Mark Twain.

RLB