FCB OFFICERS, 2002 - 2004
President:
Robert Miller
2201 Limerick Dr.
Tallahassee, FL 32309
(850) 906-9821
E-mail:
easytalk@earthlink.net
First Vice President:
Jesus Garcia
5955 W. 16th Lane
Hialeah, FL. 33012
(305) 471-0441 EXT (444)
Email:
JesusGar@bellsouth.net
Second Vice President:
Dan Spoone
3924 Lake Mirage Blvd.
Orlando, FL 32817
(407) 678-4163
E-mail:
dan.spoone@seimens.com
Treasurer:
Patti Davis
528 Orange Drive Unit 11
Altamonte Springs, FL 32701
(407) 767-8616
E-mail:
PattiAnne@cfl.rr.com
Membership Secretary:
Linda Jacobson
2815 Circle Ridge Dr.
Orange Park, FL 32065
(9604) 272-8405
E-mail:
Jacobsli@concentric.net
Recording Secretary:
Sharon Youngs
237 Maple Avenue
Palm Harbor, FL 34684
(727) 937-8631
E-mail:
sky11@tampabay.rr.com
Immediate Past President:
Carl McCoy
180-B S.E. Villas Ct.
Tallahassee, FL 32303
(850) 553-9490
E-mail:
cmcoy@earthlink.net
Editors of White Cane Bulletin:
Bill and Bobbie Probst
11721 Dunes Way Dr., N.
Jacksonville, FL 32225-1888
(904) 641-0709
FAX (904) 998-9012
E-Mail:
Wantom@aol.com
and
BobbieHP@aol.com
Articles published in The White Cane Bulletin are in compliance with Public Law No. 104197, Copyright Law Amendment of 1996. This law allows authorized entities to distribute copies of previously published non-dramatic literary works in specialized formats, including Braille, audio or digital text that are exclusively for use by Blind people or those with disabilities. Any further distributing of such articles in another than a specialized format is an infringement of copyright.
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*** Inserted Funnies ***
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE - Robert Miller, President
After I became President of FCB, some of my first articles in WCB were
focused on the Division of Blind Services and the appointment of it's new
director Craig Kiser.
In this message I want to bring you up to date on some
exciting things that are happening with the agency.
First of all, the State Office has moved to a new location in the Koger
Center. Their new address is 1320 Executive Center Dr. Atkins Bldg. Suite
100. I had a chance to visit them recently and the new facilities are very
nice and accessible. All phone numbers are the same. DBS has also
reinstated it's by-monthly newsletter now called "Eye on DBS." You may
contact the state office if you would like to receive this publication.
As many of you will remember, in Craig's message at our 2001 convention, he
stated that Client Choice is of utmost importance. Well, he has taken steps
to insure that all training facilities will give Client Choice. I am in the
process of conducting a state wide "Train the Trainers" in the use of
Window-Eyes. I have completed the training in Tallahassee and will conduct
the same training in Orlando on November 5th and 6th at the CITE Center. The
training will be held at the Miami Light House on November 13 and 14, and an
advanced set file class will be held on the 15th by Doug Geoffray, the
developer of the software.
The agency is also purchasing and placing Voice-Note, Braille-Note, Braille
Millennium and the soon-to-be-released Pack-Mate in all training facilities
and DBS district offices. The purpose of this program is to provide training
on this equipment, to allow clients to get hands-on experience with the
equipment prior to making a decision of what will best meet their needs and
finally have the equipment available to clients who need it immediately for
their jobs while their's is being purchased.
Under the past two administrations of DBS, one of the most disappointing
factors was the closing of many vending facilities throughout the state. In
the past year there have been a couple of small vending facilities opened but
recently, four new locations have opened. There were two locations on I-10
in Madison County, one in Marianna and the Federal Prison in Tallahassee.
The agency is now in the process of procuring Patrick Air force Base in
Brevard County and is meeting some resistance from the Brevard Achievement
Center who currently holds the contract which expired in September. I spoke
to Craig on this matter last week and he said he may need our assistance in
advocating for the procurement of this contract. Below is a brief history
provided by Craig Kiser of the law and steps the agency has taken thus far.
I think it is wonderful to have an agency serving the visually impaired
community that really cares and will call on us when need be.
In the mid 1940's Congress passed the Randolph Sheppard Act which gave blind
vendors a preference in providing certain food services on Federal property.
In the 1970's Congress amended this law to include cafeterias. In the 1930's
Congress passed the Wagner-O'Day Act which set up 2 preferences in the
provision of goods to Federal agencies. In the 1970's the Act was amended
and became the Javits-Wagner-O'day Act and expanded its preference to include
provision of services. These services are provided through an entity entitled
NISH (National Industries for the Severely Handicapped).
In 1996, the Commissioner of the Rehabilitation Services Administration
issued an interpretation that military messes were included in the Randolph
Sheppard Act. In 1999, the Virginia agency for the blind notified the Army
it wished to bid on the mess hall contract at Fort Lee. NISH filed suit in
Federal Court challenging the applicability of the Randolph Sheppard Act to
military mess halls. The District Court ruled against NISH and NISH appealed
to the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals. In April, 2001 the Circuit Court
affirmed the lower court ruling, holding that the Randolph Sheppard Act does
apply and is superior to the Javits-Wagner-O'Day Act. It also noted that the
Javits-Wagner-O'Day Act created a sheltered workshop environment, whereas the
Randolph Sheppard Act created an entrepreneurial opportunity for the blind.
Our first opportunity to access military mess halls came this year when we
were notified that the contract at Patrick Air Force Base would expire
September 30. We notified Patrick Air Force Base that we intended to
exercise our preference under Randolph Sheppard. We assured all involved
that we would retain all current disabled employees who were working under
the NISH contract at the base. Under our proposal, only the management would
change. NISH would be replaced by a licensed blind vendor.
NISH has been operating the mess hall contract through an entity called
Brevard Achievement Center, a private not for profit community rehabilitation
program, which in turn employs approximately 45 to 50 disabled employees.
The Brevard Achievement Center has written the Governor and several
legislators seeking to prevent us from exercising our preference under the
Randolph Sheppard Act. Currently, 9% of the contract goes to Brevard
Achievement Center and 4% goes to NISH.
The mess hall contract is for $1.8 million and would guarantee a minimum of
$50,000 annually to the blind vendor who will manage it while continuing to
employ the 45 to 50 disabled employees.
Now, for my usual house keeping. I would like to ask all Board Reps to make
sure they attend the Board Rep Committee Chair meeting on November 22 at 6-30
PM. I will be passing out a packet for each chapter that will contain
crucial documents needed for conducting business for your local chapter. A
signature will be required to receive the packet. I would also like to
remind all Board Reps and non-Board Rep Committee Chairs to contact Bobbie
Probst with your travel arrangements via email or phone since we are trying
to coordinate shuttle service from the train, bus and airport. I look
forward to seeing all of you who will be attending the Board meeting.
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IN MEMORIAM
A long-time member of the Mid Florida Council of The Blind is in our prayers
and will be missed by all: HAROLD FORD SR.
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Mid Winter Board Meeting
Our mid winter board meeting will be held from 22-24 in the Orlando area at
the Sheraton Safari hotel. The hotel is located in Lake Buena Vista and
offers many exciting things to do in the area after business is complete. If
you are coming into Orlando via bus or train, you may use either the Orlando
or Kissimmee stations. They are about equal distance from the hotel. We have
special shuttle service arranged at a rate of $15 a person each way from the
airport, with a two person minimum. There are many other shuttle services
willing to help cut costs for transportation from the bus or train station,
again with a minimum of 2 people. Because of this, Bobbie, our project
insight coordinator, will also put her talents to work to make shuttle
arrangements. Give her a call at 1 (800) 267-4448 with your travel
information.
See you soon,
Rosanna Lippen
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FCB MEMBERSHIP, -Linda Jacobson - Membership Secretary
This autumn, each chapter of the Florida Council of the Blind will conduct
its annual membership drive. American Council of the Blind membership dues
have changed from $3.00 to
$5.00. Each FCB chapter member's dues will consist of $5.00 for ACB, $3.00
for FCB, plus the local chapter assessment. Members-at-large dues will
consist of $5.00 for ACB plus $2.00
for FCB.
The FCB bylaws state that each FCB member can belong to more than one chapter
but must choose one chapter as his or her primary chapter. Members are asked
to pay the $3.00 FCB dues
and the $5.00 ACB dues only to their primary chapter. Members pay local
chapter dues to each chapter to which they belong. A person is entitled to
vote at local chapter meetings if he or she is a member. A person is entitled
to vote only as a member of his or her primary chapter at the annual FCB
convention. The FCB membership secretary is only interested in a member's
primary chapter affiliation.
If any of our members-at-large would like to know about what chapters are
closest to them I will be happy to provide that information. I look forward
to being your new Membership Secretary and will be happy to answer any
questions you might have. Feel free to contact me at
Linda Jacobson, 2915 Circle Ridge Dr., Orange Park, FL 32065 E-mail:
Jacobsli@concentric.net
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To: FCB Members and Friends
Your Special FCB Memories - Debbie Grubb
Have you been a member of the FCB family for many years? If so, you can
assist me with a very important piece of the 2003 FCB Convention program.
Because 2003 is the year during which we will hold our 50th convention, we
want to avail ourselves of the opportunity to celebrate where we have been
because where we have been will do much to set the course of
where we are going.
If you have wonderful memories of people and events in the life of FCB that
you would like to see included in our FCB 2003 Convention program segment,
FCB, Where We Have Been and Where We Are Going, please contact Bobbie Probst
at Project Insight at (800) 267-4448 and she will pass your names and contact
information onto me and I will be in touch to discuss your special FCB
memories for inclusion in the program.
If you have other ideas for possible FCB Convention
program segments, please feel free to share those with me as well.
I may be reached by telephone at (941) 749-6178 or by email at:
debbiecg@concentric.net
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LASER MAY HALT MACULAR DEGENERATION (Ivanhoe Newswire)
October 14, 2002 - Researchers at 21 medical centers around the United States
hope to determine whether a laser can stop the development of macular
generation before it progresses.
There are two forms of macular degeneration, wet and dry. The dry form makes
up 90 percent of all cases and is characterized by the formation of yellowish
deposits within the layers of the retina known as drusen. People with dry
macular degeneration have a gradual loss of vision. While there are a number
of procedures under study to treat the wet form, there are fewer options
available for the dry form.
A team of researchers led by Thomas Friberg, M.D. from the University of
Pittsburgh, are studying the use of a laser called the infrared OcuLight
laser to target drusen. The hope is that the laser will lead to resoorption
of the drusen and delay the progression of the condition.
Researchers hope to recruit 856 patients for the study, and they hope to
answer two main questions. First, should the laser be used as a prophylactic
treatment for everyone? And, second, they hope to determine whether the laser
keeps the dry form from turning into the wet form, which is associated with
more rapid vision loss. In an interview with Ivanhoe Broadcast news, Dr.
Friberg says they know the laser is effective at getting rid of the drusen
and in some cases, vision improves. The hope, he says, is to answer the other
questions.
Dr. Friberg says it's also important to note that researchers are using a
"soft" laser, because too much laser can lead to additional problems.
The study is currently fully enrolled and at this time most participants have
been in the study for about two years. Dr. Friberg thinks the study will
continue for another year before the results will be available.
Source: Interview with Thomas Friberg, M.D., University of Pittsburgh.
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Three Years and Running for Blind Walk in Alachua
Sighted Participants Walk a Day in the Life of a Blind Person
By BRYAN BOUKARI
Alachua Today Reporter
Close your eyes. Now, cross the street. That's just what a number of area
residents did on Saturday, October 5th. The 3rd annual "White Cane Walk"
covered two blocks stretching from Alachua's City Hall to the Troop 88 Boy
Scout Hut, across from the post office.
The Alachua County Chapter of the Blind (ACCB) teamed up with local
organizations to increase awareness of the White Cane Law. White Cane Walks,
such as the one hosted in Alachua, come out of a necessity to create
awareness among drivers. Far too often, drivers are unaware of the special
attention needed to protect individuals who are blind or visually impaired.
A white cane, with or without a red tip, is used to identify a person who is
blind or visually impaired in all fifty states and most countries around the
world. Though many drivers are uninformed that such a law even exists, the
law itself is clear. Florida law requires that all drivers come to a
complete stop when approaching a blind or visually impaired pedestrian
attempting to cross the street.
In what has now become an annual event, Alachua's White Cane Walk began as an
Eagle Project for a Troop 88 Eagle Scout candidate. In October 2000, Jack
Varnon, then President of Alachua County Chapter of the Blind, and others
organized Alachua's first walk. The community's outstanding support and
participation thrilled the Alachua County Chapter of the Blind and convinced
them to conduct future walks in Alachua.
To show support for the walk, the City of Alachua has proclaimed October as
"White Cane Safety Month," and has mounted banners over U.S. highway 441.
Using the Alachua Police Department Explorer Unit's van, Police Chief Robert
Jernigan, Police Explorers and officers assisted in transporting walk
participants. Officers also helped participants cross the street safely
during the walk.
This marks the third year Alachua City Commissioner Orien Hills has
participated in the White Cane Walk. Alachua County Chapter of the Blind
president, Maxine Stallings, Varnon, and other members of the chapter
attended this year's events. Also in attendance were City Manager Clovis
Watson, Commissioners Dianna Rothseiden and Tamara Robbins, members of the
Alachua Lions Club and Boy Scout Troop 88, along with many other area
residents.
The experience extended beyond the walk. Boy Scout Troop 88 and ACCB
arranged numerous exhibits and interactive events to acquaint the sighted
public with some of the daily challenges of the visually impaired.
Activities such as writing a check, opening a locked door with a key, pouring
a glass of water, applying a band-aid, and counting change may seem simple
for those whose vision is in good health.
However, such activities become ever so complex when blind - or when wearing
a blindfold. As blindfolded participants circled from station to station,
fumbled with coins, scribbled checks, and spilled water, significant strides
were made in understanding the world and life of a blind person.
There are approximately 10 million blind and visually impaired people in this
country. Every seven minutes that number increases, as someone in America
becomes blind or visually impaired. Lasting impressions were created during
the walk and subsequent activities.
The old adage, "To understand me, walk a mile in my shoes," was never more
appropriate than this past Saturday. Individuals who experienced the walk
blindfolded can now certainly relate to a world of darkness, where the senses
of hearing, touch, smell, and taste must compensate for the loss of perhaps
the most precious sense of all - sight.
*** You're getting old when you get the same sensation from a rocking chair
that you once got from a roller coaster. ***
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The Courtesy Rules Of Blindness - A Blind Net
When you meet me don't be ill at ease. It will help both of us if
you
remember these simple points of courtesy:
I'm an ordinary person, just blind. You don't need to raise your voice or
address me as if I were a child. Don't ask my spouse what I want --"Cream
in
the coffee?"--ask me.
I may use a long white cane or a guide dog to walk independently; or I may
ask
to take your arm. Let me decide, and please don't grab my arm; let me take
yours. I'll keep a half-step behind to anticipate curbs and steps.
I want to know who's in the room with me. Speak when you enter. Introduce
me
to the others including children, and tell me if there's a cat or dog.
The door to a room or cabinet or to a car that is left partially open is a
hazard to me.
At dinner I will not have trouble with ordinary table skills.
Don't avoid words like "see." I use them too. I'm always glad to see you.
I don't want pity, but don't talk about the "wonderful compensations" of
blindness. My sense of smell, taste, touch or hearing did not improve when
I
became blind, I rely on them more and, therefore, may get more information
through those senses than you do--that's all.
If I'm your houseguest, show me the bathroom, closet, dresser, window--the
light switch too. I like to know whether the lights are on or off.
I'll discuss blindness with you if you're curious, but it's an old story to
me. I have as many other interests as you do.
Don't think of me as just a blind person. I'm just a person who happens to
be
blind.
You don't need to remember some "politically correct" term, "visually
impaired", "sight challenged" etc. Keep it simple and honest, just say
blind.
In all 50 states the law requires drivers to yield the right of way
when they see my extended white cane. Only the blind may carry white canes.
You
see more blind persons today walking alone, not because there are more of us,
but because we have learned to make our own way.
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THE UNITED STATES ONE DOLLAR BILL - submitted by Robert Miller
Take out a one dollar bill, and look at it. The one dollar bill you're
looking at first came off the presses in 1957 in its present design. This
so-called paper money is in fact a cotton and linen blend, with red and
Blue minute silk fibers running through it. It is actually material. We've
all washed it without it falling apart. A special blend of ink is used, the
contents we will never know. It is overprinted with symbols and then it is
starched to make it water resistant and pressed to give it that nice crisp
look. If you look on the front of the bill, you will see the United States
Treasury Seal. On the top you will see the scales for a balanced budget. In
the center you have a carpenter's square, a tool used for an even cut.
Underneath is the Key to the United States Treasury. That's all pretty easy
to figure out, but what is on the back of that dollar bill is something we
should all know. If you turn the bill over, you will see two circles. Both
circles, together, comprise the Great Seal of the United States. The First
Continental Congress requested that Benjamin Franklin and a group of men come
up with a Seal. It took them four years to accomplish this task and another
two years to get it approved. If you look at the left-hand circle, you will
see a Pyramid. Notice the face is lighted, and the western side is dark.
This country was just beginning. We had not begun to explore the West or
decided what we could do for Western Civilization. The Pyramid is un-capped,
again signifying that we were not even close to being finished. Inside the
capstone you have the all-seeing eye, an ancient symbol for divinity. It
was Franklin's belief that one man couldn't do it alone, but a group of men,
with the help of God, could do anything. "IN GOD WE TRUST" is on this
currency. The Latin above the pyramid, ANNUIT COEPTIS, means, "God has
favored our undertaking." The Latin below the
pyramid, NOVUS ORDO SECLORUM, means, "a new order has begun." At the base of
the pyramid is the Roman Numeral for 1776. If you look at the right-hand
circle, and check it carefully, you will learn
that it is on every National Cemetery in the United States. It is also on
the Parade of Flags Walkway at the Bushnell, Florida National Cemetery, and
is the centerpiece of most hero's monuments. Slightly modified, it is the
seal of the President of the United States, and it is always visible whenever
he speaks, yet very few people know what the symbols mean. The Bald Eagle
was selected as a symbol for victory for two reasons: First, he is not afraid
of a storm; he is strong, and he is smart enough to soar above it. Secondly,
he wears no material crown. We had just broken from the King of England.
Also, notice the shield is unsupported. This country can now stand on its
own. At the top of that shield you have a white bar signifying congress, a
unifying factor. We were coming together as one nation. In the Eagle's beak
you will read, "E PLURIBUS UNUM", meaning, "one nation from many people".
Above the Eagle, you have thirteen stars, representing the thirteen original
colonies, and any clouds of misunderstanding rolling away. Again, we were
coming together as one. Notice what the Eagle holds in his talons. He holds
an olive branch and arrows. This country wants peace, but we will never be
afraid to fight to preserve peace. The Eagle always wants to face the olive
branch, but in time of war, his gaze turns toward the arrows.
They say that the number 13 is an unlucky number. This is almost a worldwide
belief. You will usually never see a room numbered 13, or any hotels or
motels with a 13th floor. But think about this: 13 original colonies, 13
signers of the Declaration of Independence, 13 stripes on our flag, 13 steps
on the Pyramid, 13 letters in the Latin above, 13 letters in "E Pluribus
Unum", 13 stars above the Eagle, 13 bars on that shield, 13 leaves on the
olive branch, 13 fruits, and if you look closely, 13 arrows. And, for
minorities: the 13th Amendment. I always ask people, "Why don't you know
this?" Your children don't know this, and their history teachers don't know
this. Too many veterans have given up too much to ever let the meaning fade.
Many veterans remember coming home to an America that didn't care. Too many
veterans never came home at all. Share this page with everyone, so they can
learn what is on the back of the UNITED STATES ONE DOLLAR BILL, and what it
stands for... Otherwise, they will probably never know.
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Bank of America Installs bilingual Talking ATMs in Florida
CHARLOTTE, N.C., Oct. 29 /PRNewswire/ --
Reaffirming its commitment to the visually impaired community through
accessible banking, Bank of America (NYSE: BAC) has installed more than 300
bilingual Talking ATMs in Florida. This effort is part of the company's
previously announced plan to install more than 7,000 Talking ATMs
coast-to-coast by the end of 2005.
"Bank of America is committed to making banking accessible to all of its
customers," said Annette Kellermann, Accessible Banking Program Manager for
Bank of America. "The rollout of these bilingual ATMs not only makes it
easier for customers who are blind or visually impaired to perform
financial transactions but also expands the banking capabilities of our
Spanish-speaking customers."
Bank of America Talking ATMs are convenient and easy to use. In addition to
providing customers the transacting capabilities they are used to, Talking
ATMs deliver private, spoken instructions through a headset plugged into an
audio jack and deliver every function available at non-talking ATMs.
Customers can withdraw cash, deposit money, make payments and perform other
self-service ATM transactions independently, 24-hours a day, 7-days a week.
Talking ATMs are also an alternative for customers who do not wish to use
touch screen technology, as all commands are entered using a keypad similar
to a touch-tone phone.
Charles Crawford, executive director of the American Council for the Blind
said, "We praise Bank of America's commitment to accessible financial
services and the leadership role it has taken in this area. Importantly,
the addition of Spanish to Talking ATMs expands the banking capabilities of
the Hispanic members of the blind community and others who have difficulty
reading the ATM screen." Bank of America currently has more than 1,100
talking ATMs in Florida and California. By the end of 2002, the company
will increase that number to more than 3,100 talking ATMs nationwide. Next
year, the company plans to rollout bilingual Talking ATMs in markets across
the franchise.
The bilingual machines are also helping the company serve its Hispanic
customers more effectively. Providing increased financial services to
Hispanic consumers is a strategic business priority for the bank, which
recognizes that this segment of the U.S. population has long been
underserved by the financial services industry. This includes the
introduction of SafeSend, a safe, international ATM remittance product,
Total Security Protection, the bank's new standard in card protection that
gives customers greater defense against theft, loss, or unauthorized
(including online) use, as well as the launch of its Spanish Web site at:
http://www.bankofamerica.com/espanol
In addition to bilingual voice capabilities, the new Florida ATMs are
Advanced Technology, which enables Bank of America to provide more services
to all of its customers using the ATM. Advanced Technology ATMs enable
customers to set customized preferences, find other ATM locations and will
soon have the ability to perform services like the reordering of checks.
About Bank of America One of the world's leading financial services
companies, Bank of America is committed to making banking work for
customers and clients like it never has before. Through innovative
technologies and the ingenuity of its people, Bank of America provides
individuals, small businesses and commercial, corporate and institutional
clients across the United States and around the world new and better ways
to manage their financial lives. The company enables customers to do their
banking and investing whenever, wherever and however they choose through
the nation's largest financial services network, including approximately
4,400 domestic offices and 13,000 ATMs, as well as 30 international offices
serving clients in more than 150 countries, and an Internet Web site that
provides online banking access to 4 million active users, more than any
other bank. Bank of America stock (ticker: BAC) is listed on the New York,
Pacific and London stock exchanges. The company's Web site is:
http://www.bankofamerica.com
News, speeches and other corporate
information may be found at:
http://www.bankofamerica.com/newsroom
About the American Council for the Blind The American Council of the Blind
(ACB) is a national membership organization of people who are blind and
visually impaired. ACB has 51 state and regional affiliates and 20 national
special interest and professional affiliates across the United States. ACB
advocates for the well being of blind persons in areas including accessible
ATMs, pedestrian safety, quality work skills training, accessible computer
environments and more. ACB can be reached at:
http://www.ACB.org
The
Florida affiliate of ACB has chapters throughout the state and can be
accessed at:
http://www.fcb.org
Lainey Feingold
Law Office of Elaine B. Feingold
1524 Scenic Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94708
(510) 548-5062
lfeingold@california.net
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STELLA AWARDS - Submitted by Doug Hall
It's time once again to consider the candidates for the annual Stella Awards.
The Stella's are named after 81-year-old Stella Liebeck who spilled coffee
on herself and successfully sued McDonalds. That case inspired the Stella
Awards for the most frivolous successful lawsuits in the United States.
The following are this year's candidates:
1. Kathleen Robertson of Austin, Texas, was awarded $780,000 by a jury of her
peers after breaking her ankle tripping over a toddler who was running inside
a furniture store. The owners of the store were understandably surprised at
the verdict, considering the misbehaving
little toddler was Ms. Robertson's son.
2. A 19-year-old Carl Truman of Los Angeles won $74,000 and medical expenses
when his neighbor ran over his hand with a Honda Accord. Mr. Truman
apparently didn't notice there was someone at the wheel of the car when he
was trying to steal his neighbor's hub caps.
3. Terrence Dickson of Bristol, Pennsylvania, was leaving a house he had just
finished robbing by way of the garage. He was not able to get the garage door
to go up since the automatic door opener was malfunctioning. He couldn't
re-enter the house because the door connecting the house and garage locked
when he pulled it shut. The family was on vacation, and Mr. Dickson found
himself locked in the garage for eight days. He subsisted on a case of Pepsi
he found,
and a large bag of dry dog food. He sued the homeowner's insurance claiming
the situation caused him undue mental anguish. The jury agreed to the tune of
$500,000.
4. Jerry Williams of Little Rock, Arkansas, was awarded$14,500 and medical
expenses after being bitten on the buttocks by his next door neighbor's
beagle. The beagle was on a chain in its owner's fenced yard. The award was
less than sought because the jury felt the dog might have been just a little
provoked, since Mr. Williams who was shooting it repeatedly with a pellet gun.
5. A Philadelphia restaurant was ordered to pay Amber Carson of Lancaster,
Pennsylvania, $113,500 after she slipped on a soft drink and broke her coccyx
(tailbone). The beverage was on the floor because Ms. Carson had thrown it at
her boyfriend 30 seconds earlier during an argument.
6. Kara Walton of Claymont, Delaware, successfully sued the owner of a night
club in a neighboring city when she fell from the bathroom window to the
floor and knocked out her two front teeth. This occurred while Ms. Walton was
trying to sneak through the window in the ladies room to avoid paying the
$3.50 cover charge. She was awarded $12,000 and dental expenses.
7. This year's favorite could easily be Mr. Merv Grazinski of Oklahoma City,
Oklahoma. Mr. Grazinski purchased a brand new 32-foot Winnebago motor home.
On his first trip home, having driven onto the freeway, he set the cruise
control at 70 mph and calmly left the drivers seat to go into the back and
make himself a cup of coffee. Not surprisingly, the R.V. left the freeway,
crashed and overturned. Mr. Grazinski sued Winnebago for not advising him in
the owner's manual that he couldn't actually do this. The jury awarded him
$1,750,000 plus a new motor home. The company actually changed their manuals
on the basis of this suit, just in case there were any other complete morons
buying their recreation vehicles.
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Support Your FCB Business Owners - Outta Sight Travel
For your travel arrangements and special tours and cruises - support our FCB
knowledgeable Travel Arrangement Experts at 1-800-347-7127 and book an
exciting cruise today.
See Sept. Oct issue of WCB
(Editors Note)
Do you have a business?
Send in a write up to the WCB.
Wantom@aol.com
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One Liners: Submitted by Linda Lynch
1. HOW DO YOU GET HOLY WATER?
You boil the hell out of it.
2. WHAT DO FISH SAY WHEN THEY HIT A CONCRETE WALL?
Dam
3. WHAT DO ESKIMOS GET FROM SITTING ON THE ICE TOO LONG?
Polaroids.
4. WHAT DO YOU CALL A BOOMERANG THAT DOESN'T WORK?
A stick.
5. WHAT DO YOU CALL CHEESE THAT ISN'T YOURS?
Nacho Cheese.
6. WHAT DO YOU CALL SANTA'S HELPERS?
Subordinate Clauses.
7. WHAT DO YOU CALL FOUR BULLFIGHTERS IN QUICKSAND?
Quatro Sinko.
8. WHAT DO YOU GET FROM A PAMPERED COW?
Spoiled milk.
9. WHAT DO YOU GET WHEN YOU CROSS A SNOWMAN WITH A VAMPIRE?
Frostbite.
10. WHAT LIES AT THE BOTTOM OF THE OCEAN AND TWITCHES?
A nervous wreck.
12. WHERE DO YOU FIND A DOG WITH NO LEGS?
Right where you left him.
13. WHY DO GORILLAS HAVE BIG NOSTRILS?
Because they have big fingers.
14. WHY DON'T BLIND PEOPLE LIKE TO SKY DIVE?
Because it scares the heck out of the dog.
15. WHAT KIND OF COFFEE WAS SERVED ON THE TITANIC?
Sanka.
16. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A HARLEY AND A HOOVER?
The location of the dirt bag.
17. WHY DOES A PILGRIM'S PANTS ALWAYS FALL DOWN?
Because they wear their belt buckle on their hat.
18. WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A BAD GOLFER AND A BAD
SKYDIVER?
A bad golfer goes whack, damn. A bad skydiver goes damn, whack.
19. HOW DO YOU CATCH A UNIQUE RABBIT?
Unique up on it.
20. HOW DO YOU CATCH A TAME RABBIT?
Tame way, unique up on it.
21. WHAT DO YOU CALL SKYDIVING LAWYERS?
Skeet.
22. WHAT GOES CLOP-CLOP-CLOP, BANG-BANG, CLOP-CLOP-CLOP?
An Amish Drive-By Shooting.
23. HOW ARE A TEXAS TORNADO AND AN ARKANSAS DIVORCE THE SAME?
Somebody's gonna lose a trailer
*** If it wasn't for the last minute, nothing would get done. ***
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HANDY TELEPHONE NUMBER REFERENCES
Project Insight 1-800-267-4448
Outta Sight Travel: 1-800-347-7127
Phone - 772-336-TRIP (8747)
Fax - 772-336-8595
Email -
DRTravel@bellsouth.net
Web site -
www.outtasighttravel.com
Bureau of Braille and Talking Book Library 1-800-226-6075
Division of Blind Services (Tallahassee) 1-800-342-1828
American Council of The Blind 1-800-424-8666
(available only 3:00 to 5:30 PM EST Monday-Friday )
ACB Legislative Hotline: 1-800-424-8666
(Evenings 8:00 PM - 12:00 Midnight EST
Weekends 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM only)
AT&T Disability Services: 1-800-872-3883
Press 00 and speak with your long distance carrier
BellSouth Disability Services: 780-2273 from anywhere
Social Security: 1-800-772-1213 24-hour voice and touch tone accessible
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FCB CHAPTER LIAISONS Official Chapters
Bobbie Probst: Clay, Alachua, Halifax, PSLCB (904) 641-0709
Robert Miller: Tallahassee, Pinellas County (904) 942-9821
Lee Stallworth: Pensacola, Port Charlotte, FABS
(904) 433-5663
Patti Davis: Mid Florida, Tampa, RSVF (407) 767-8616
Carl McCoy: Brevard, Palm Beach County, Polk (850) 553-9490
Nancy Folsom: Ocala, Greater Tampa, FCCLV (850) 893-8650
Sharon Youngs: Plant City, Sarasota, Venice, Englewood (727) 937-8631
Jesus Garcia: Miami Metro, Broward (305) 654-8329
Jim Warth: Greater Miami, Jacksonville (727) 443-1040
-THE END-
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