Visions Group January, 2016 notice submitted by Todd Fahlstrom

A Group for blind/visually impaired individuals designed to promote social
networking, resource sharing, and active living in the community.

Visions group

Wednesday January 13, 12:30-2:30 pm
Fryn’ Pan Family Restaurant
300 Main Ave., Fargo, ND
 (701) 293-9952
www.frynpan.net

Topics:
New year resolutions
How do you set goals and stick to them?
Discussion of Visions – employment summit, meeting times, and activities

Future meetings:
February 10, 12:30-2:30 pm
March 9, 5:30-7:30 pm

***

January 2016
Technology user group

Wednesday January 20, 5-7:00 pm
Moorhead Public library
Small conference room – basement
115 5th St. Moorhead, MN
(218) 233-3757

Topic:
Everything iPhone.  Got a new iPhone or iPad?  Whether you’re a beginner or
advanced, there is something for you.  Come learn about gestures, apps,
settings, pod casts, and so much more.  For more information, please call
Caroline (701) 630-1827 or email caroline@kittytech.org.  As a respect to
others, we ask that you bring headphones to reduce noise distraction.  Also,
if you plan on attending, it would be helpful if you let one of the leaders
know so we may accommodate for space.

Future meetings:
February 17, 5-7:00 pm

***

News Release

Public input invited to help update
Greater Minnesota Transit Investment Plan

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The public is invited to help shape the future of transit
in Greater Minnesota by sharing ideas with the Minnesota Department of
Transportation as it refines investment priorities and strategic direction
for the 2016 Greater Minnesota Transit Investment Plan.

The goal of the five-year plan is to improve mobility for the general public
with emphasis on senior citizens, people with low incomes, people who are
homeless, individuals with disabilities, veterans, new Americans and
commuters.

“We want to meet the mobility needs of the people of Minnesota,” said MnDOT
Commissioner Charlie Zelle.  “This plan will help MnDOT improve transit
service coverage and make public transit a viable choice for transportation
in Greater Minnesota.”

The public can use an online wikimap tool to tag their travel origins and
destinations.  The map will help MnDOT understand how people cross
boundaries throughout their travel and help support seamless transit
systems.  The interactive tool is online at www.mndot.gov/transitinvestment.
A  version of the tool for screenreader users is at Destination Survey.

Another opportunity to provide input is through a short online survey.  The
survey will ask users what their priorities and preferences are for transit
use at www.dot.state.mn.us/transitinvestment/participation.html.  The survey
is available in English, Hmong, Somali and Spanish.  Results from this
survey will directly affect the plan’s strategic vision and investment
priorities.

Both transit users and non-users are encouraged to use the wikimap tool and
online survey.  Comments will be taken until June 1, 2016.

For more information, go to www.dot.state.mn.us/transitinvestment/ or
contact Sara Dunlap at sara.dunlap@state.mn.us.

***

Recipe corner (submitted by Nara)

Veggie Pizza

2 cans  crescent roll dough
1 8 oz. package cream cheese
1 tablespoon  dry ranch salad dressing
1 bag very veggie salad
1 cup shredded cheese
1 package real bacon pieces

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Break the cans of crescent roll dough  and
spread onto cookie sheet.   Bake for 11 to 14 minutes  or until golden
brown.  Remove from oven and cool.   Cut into squares.

Mix softened cream cheese and 1 tablespoon dry ranch salad dressing.  Spread
over crescent roll dough.  Sprinkle salad over cream cheese  and top with
cheese and bacon pieces.  You can also top with other thigs like tomatoes,
olives  or peas.

Dreamcicle Cake – from Cooking in the Dark podcast

1 white cake mix
1 1/2 cups orange soda

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.   Grease and flour 9 x 13 inch cake pan   Mix
cake mix and orange soda  Mix well until smooth (medium speed for 2 mins)
Pour into prepared cake pan.  Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 35 minutes  or
until knife comes out clean.

Frosting:

1 1/2 cups  powdered sugar
1/2  block of cream cheese , cut into small squares
Splash of vanilla
2 tablespoons orange soda

Mix well  until smooth.  Should be consistency of cake batter or thinner.
Spread over cooled cake.

***

North Dakota Interagency Program for Assistive Technology (IPAT)
Pedaling for Possibilities (P4P)

Pedaling for Possibilities is IPAT’s annual stationary bike event
fundraiser. We host this event for the sole purpose of raising money to
purchase assistive technology (AT) devices and services for people residing
in North Dakota and Moorhead, Minnesota.  Your efforts as a rider or sponsor
make a BIG difference for families affected by disability or aging who often
have AT expenses not covered by insurance or other funding sources. How? You
make the purchase of AT possible which promotes learning, independence and
quality of life for those that receive it.  Individuals that are impacted by
a disability and/or aging often have expenses that are above and beyond what
insurance and other funding programs will cover. This is where P4P steps in.
With the funds raised through P4P, we’ve been able to purchase vision and
hearing equipment, computer access tools, vehicle modifications, and
communication devices for people who were eligible to receive P4P funds.

In the last four years, IPAT has raised over $93,000, and as of June, 2014,
they have provided assistive technology (AT) to 86 individuals in 31
counties of North Dakota and in Moorhead, Minnesota  If you or someone you
know could use these funds to help purchase assistive technology, please
visit the IPAT web site listed below for applicant information and forms.

When and where is it?

Saturday, February 13, 2016        1:30-5:30pm
Courts Plus Community Fitness Center
3491 University Dr. S.
Fargo, ND
(701) 237-4805

How can you help?

Do you want to have fun while doing good? Then organize a team of 10 riders,
or contact us to be placed on a team. Interested? Check out the details
under “Bike Teams” on the web site – hope to see you on race day!

Need more information?

Contact IPAT at 1-800-895-4728 or email Connie Rawls at crawls@ndipat.org.
You can also stop in and see what else IPAT has to offer by visiting them
at:
3240-15th Street South, Suite B
Fargo, ND 58104
1-800-895-4728 Toll-free
(701) 365-4728 Local
(701) 365-6242 FAX
Web: www.ndipat.org

***

Want to get involved, feature information about an event, or just ask
questions about the Visions group, call co-leaders:
Todd Fahlstrom, (218) 443-1499
todd.fahlstrom@usfamily.net
or
Nara Murphey, (701) 306-6920
Nara_murphy@outlook.com

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