Safari Deaf Awareness Day at Denver Zoo

Written by Bug

September is National Deaf Awareness Month. Many Deaf organizations across America held the fun activities, events celebrated and brought awareness of the Deaf to the public. It was also known as the International Week of the Deaf. The purpose of Deaf Awareness Week is to help bring attention to Deaf people, and all of their accomplishments and their issues at hand. How many Deaf people do we have in Colorado? About 40,000 Deaf residents! There are approximately 39 million Deaf residents in the United States. An estimated 300 million Deaf people are everywhere in the world. On Sunday, September 13th. Sprint Relay and Relay Colorado made this Safari Deaf Awareness Day successfully at Denver Zoo in Colorado. The organizers and sponsors such as Aspen Camp for the Deaf, Lance’s Deaf Orphans, DOVE, Colorado Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (CCDHH), and many more non-profit organizations and businesses helped celebrating this community and conduct public information campaigned to educate people about deafness. More than 1,200 Deaf, ASL students, family and friends of the Deaf community came to the zoo. Everyone had fun. See the video below.

(Note to Denver Zoo Visitors: Please accept my apology if you don’t see yourself in the video. Unfortunately, due to technical difficulties to the point where I actually lost a few camera’s footages because my computer crashed which I cannot post those lost videos. -Bug)

Deaf Wisconsin Picnic

By Jimactor

Summary: Went to Deaf Wisconsin picnic in Darien, Wisconsin. Hosted by 4 different organizations and the picnic always have a successful one! This year was 4th annual and had over 2,500 people, how can they know how many people showed up? They give the color bracelets and that’s how they counted the people. Stayed there all day then met Tom Benziger and he begged me and my wife to come visit his home and then went to ice cream parlor. Wow!! Ice cream parlor setting and equipment is like in 1950’s environment and really enjoyed myself out there and glad did stop by before went home.

Video clip of Illinois School for the Deaf Rally

Video and Edited by Mike Aubry and Jerri Willoughby

Summary: Over 5,000 people went there to show their support to have ISD, ISVI and other programs to stay open. The result from Gov. Quinn was that they will stay open beyond July 1st but they might will face some budget cuts. We still need your support by sign the petition to make sure that it will not happen again in the future.

Did you already sign the petition yet? If not, click: http://fookembug.wordpress.com/2009/06/18/sign-the-petition-for-illinois-school-for-the-deaf/#respond to sign in

Winners Named in National Math Competition at RIT/NTID

Math competition winners announced
For Immediate Release
Contact: Greg.Livadas@rit.edu
(585) 475-6217 (V/TTY)

Winners Named in National Math Competition at RIT/NTID

Rochester, N.Y. – More than 90 students with hearing loss from 13 states participated in the RIT Math Competition for Students with Hearing Loss. The competition, featuring MATHCOUNTS problems, was held April 4 at the National Technical Institute for the Deaf on the RIT campus in Rochester, New York.
This competition – specifically for middle school students who are deaf or hard of hearing – is designed to promote math as fun and engaging.
The competition had three rounds that tested speed, accuracy, teamwork and additional “mathletic” skills. All winners received a plaque and trophy; first-place winners also received $100; second-place winners received $75 and third-place winners received $50.

Top scorers
• First place: Ted Zoerner, Venado Middle School, Irvine, Calif.
• Second place: Vivian Chen, Haggard Middle School, Plano, Texas.
• Third place: Jason Antal, Florida School for the Deaf, St. Augustine, Fla.

Top Teams
• First place: Texas School for the Deaf, Austin (Maggie Kopp, Ilan Ben-Moshe, John McClymond and Chad Cummings).
• Second place: Haggard Middle School, Plano, Texas (Vivian Chen, Casey Lyon, Sam Bowerman and Margaret Teague).
• Third place: Venado Middle School, Irvine, Calif. (Ted Zoerner, Tyler Pugeda and Carly Zwick).

Top Scorer
• Maggie Kopp, Texas School for the Deaf, Austin.

Team with most spirit
• Top Team: Illinois School for the Deaf, Jacksonville (Austin Bernal, Rebecca Hoffman, Jacob Bowen and Lorenzo Turner).
• Honorable mention: Texas School for the Deaf, Austin (Maggie Kopp, Ilan Ben-Moshe, John McClymond and Chad Cummings).

MATHCOUNTS is a national enrichment, coaching and competition program that promotes middle school mathematics achievement through grassroots involvement in every U.S. state and territory. This competition was partially underwritten by a generous grant from the Sprint Foundation.
RIT is internationally recognized as a leader in computing, engineering, imaging technology, fine and applied arts, and for providing unparalleled access and support services for students with hearing loss. NTID, one of RIT’s eight colleges, enables its 1,300 deaf and hard-of-hearing college students from around the world to study, live and socialize with 15,000 hearing students. U.S. News and World Report has consistently ranked RIT among the nation’s leading comprehensive universities. Visit www.rit.edu/NTID/newsroom for more NTID news.

MEDIA NOTE: Photographs of the winners listed above are available.

Marlee Matlin in Chicago

By Jimactor, JFLMad and Fookem

Summary: We all went to the Borders bookstore in Oak Brook, IL on Friday night (April, 17, 2009) to meet Marlee Matlin at her book signing. Read summary about her life book, “I’ll Scream Later”.

Deaf Illinois Awards 2009

Deaf Illinois Awards was founded by Raymond Rodgers. The ceremony is bi-annual event. The first one was in 2007. There were 20 categories with over 100 nominations altogether. Food were served by Deaf Chef Matt Krueger. We had several performances/shows and they were NTD (National Theatre of the Deaf), Deaf Elvis performance by Tom Adamo, and some dancers giving various shows. Read below for the winner of each category, be sure to click the winner’s name to go to their website if you want to read more information. Not all of them have the website link. Click the pictures below to enlarge for better view.

Founder Raymond Rodgers

Deaf Chef Matt Krueger

Deaf Elvis Tom Adamo, Liz Tannebaum and Jim Lomanto

Jim Lomanto and NTD Executive Director/President Aaron Kubey

ISD Superintendent Marybeth Lauderdale and Jason Lomanto

Best Elementary School – Illinois School for the Deaf

Best High School – Illinois School for the Deaf

Best After-School Program – Chicago Park District, Deaf & HH program

Best College – Harper College

Best Interpreter Training Program – Harper College

Best Social Services – Schaumburg Township, Disabled Services

Best Health Service – Mt. Sinai Hospital

Best Government Agency/Department – IDHHC (Ilinois Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission)

Best Membership Organization – WCRAD (Windy City Rainbow Alliance of the Deaf)

Best Interpreting Service – DCI (Deaf Communication by Innovation)

Best Accessibility Provider – ITAC (Illinois Telecommunications Access Corp.)

Most Accessible Business – Apple Store in Chicago

Most Accessible Theatre – Victory Gardens Biograph Theatre

Best Video Relay Service – Sorenson

Best Deaf Event – Deaf Nation Expo

Best Monthly Social Event – WSAD (West Suburban Assoc. of the Deaf)

Best Local Entertainer – Deaf Sabor (Latino Dancers)

Best Politician – President Obama

Best Hearing Advocate – Father Joe Mulcrone

Best Deaf Activist – Howard Rosenblum

ASL FILM IS COMING TO COLORADO April 18th

The Legend of the Mountain Man film will be shown at

Pinnacle Charter School, 1001 W. 84th Ave, Federal Height, Colorado.

Movie Rated PG. $10 Admission. April 18th 3pm-5pm and 7pm-9pm. 

 You can buy a ticket online at www.veditzcenter@org until April 15th. Also, you may buy a ticket from the salespeople anytime until April 18th, contact Bucky at bucky@veditzcenter.org  and he will tell you where to buy a ticket.

For more information about this film at The Legend of the Mountain Man Offical Site:

http://www.aslfilms.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=66&Itemid=71

Deaf Event in Fort Collins, Colorado on Feb 7th

Fun! Fun! Fun!

Feburary 7  6:30pm to 1:30am

Boring at home? Not enough Deaf friends? Hungry? Need dance exercise? Want to improve your ASL? Deaf Event in Fort Collins is BACK!!!

In the past we had more than 50 Deafies/Signers. Let’s get together social and enjoy the Deaf Night at the Washington’s Sports Bar and Grill at 132 Laporte Ave, Fort Collins, CO 80524. It’s located in Old Town.

If you have the appetite they have the burgers that are right for you! Let’s eat there at 6:30pm.

Washington’s provides for people of all ages. Come experience the fun of one of their many games ranging from air hockey, pool, shuffle board and arcade games that are just the ticket for any family. At 9pm they will ask all of the minors to leave, sorry kids!

Come early or pay $3 cover after 9pm. 25 cent Ladies Drinks from 9pm to 12am. DJ and Dancing.

Don’t forget to bring your photo ID.

Hosted by Bug
Question? Contact FookemBug@yahoo.com

Saturday, 07 February, 2009

06:30 PM – 01:30 AM

See What I’m Saying: The Deaf Entertainers Documentary

Deaf people can do anything but hear. But an all deaf rock band? An international deaf comic famous around the world but unknown to hearing people? A modern day Buster Keaton who teaches at Juilliard but is currently homeless? A hard of hearing singer who is considered “not deaf enough?” 

SEE WHAT I’M SAYING follows the journeys of four extraordinary deaf entertainers over the course of a single year as their stories intertwine and culminate in some of the most important events of their lives……(read more, click: http://www.seewhatimsayingmovie.com/ )

National Deaf Poker in Gary, Indiana

Click here to see the flyer about National Deaf Poker Tour in Gary, Indiana

National Deaf Poker Tour is excited to announce our midwest tournaments to be held on the weekend of September 19-20 2008 at Majestic Star Casino in Gary Indiana!

STARTING 2008-2009 NDPT CIRCUIT TOUR, THE MAIN EVENT IN GARY, INDIANA WILL BE INCLUDED IN LEADERBOARD POINT STANDINGS.

Friday September 19, 2008
EVENT: NDPT MADNESS KICKOFF TOURNAMENT – TIME: 9:00PM
BUY-IN : $120 entry fee; 3,000 chips with 500 chips add on fee of $5

Saturday, Sept 20, 2008
7:30- 9:30am – Complimentary breakfast

EVENT: NDPT MAIN EVENT – TIME: 9:30AM
BUY-IN: $200 entry fee; 5,000 chips with 500 chips add on fee of $5

4:30pm – 6pm- Complimentary Dinner buffet for players who register and play in Main Event.

EVENT: ASL TOURNAMENT – TIME: 6:00PM
BUY-IN: $120 entry fee; 3,000 chips with 500 chips add on fee $5 dollars
Free breakfast Saturday morning for players.

Rooms available at $50 per night for players. Promotion code is DEAF.

WINNER OF EACH EVENT WILL GET FREE ENTRY FEE IN ATLANTIC CITY AND IS NON TRANSFERABLE.

Of course there will be CASH prizes for top winners for every tournament

For those who do not have Majestic Star Club Card:
Please read the following instructions when you arrive at the casino. This information will be posted on the website as well. It is important you read below and be aware when you arrive on the boat.

As you arrive on Friday, September 19 or Saturday the 20th, please make your way towards the gaming vessel. As you approach the entrance, you will see the Majestic Star Club Card Booth. We ask that you bring a valid ID (required to play in any of our tournaments and to board the gaming vessel) on this day. Please step up to the Club Booth and have a Majestic Star Club Card created for you if you do not currently have a Majestic Star Club Card.

Proceed down the barge towards the Majestic Star Lounge (you will be facing the Lounge as you have your Card created). There a Poker Supervisor will register you for the Tournament with your new Club Card. In the President’s Lounge where you register, please help yourselves to a complimentary Continental Breakfast! (Saturday morning only)

Once you have registered, please make your way onto the Majestic Star II Gaming Vessel. As you leave the Majestic Star Lounge, it will be on your right hand side. Make your way to the Poker Room located on the very top level of the vessel. There you will take your Tournament registration form to the Cage located in the Poker Room and will pay your entry fee.

Free Bus Information:
The bus runs 24 hours a day and picks up passengers in Chicago starting at 25 minutes after each odd hour. The bus is free to ride. For more information, contact Super Star Tours at 312-328-0388. Refer to this website for more information about locations and times.

Distance to Majestic Star Casino in Gary Indiana
Chicago, IL: 25 miles
South Bend, IN: 72 miles
Milwaukee, WI: 115 miles
Indianapolis, IN: 160 miles
Madison, WI: 169 miles
Davenport, IA: 181 miles
Toledo, OH: 222 miles
Detroit, MI: 261 miles
Louisville, KY: 273 miles
Cincinnati, OH 273 miles
St Louis, MO: 300 miles
Cleveland, OH: 322 miles
Columbus, OH: 332 miles

Airports closest to Gary, Indiana
Chicago Midway Airport (MDW) 24 miles
Chicago Ohare Airport (ORD) 40 miles