Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Team sport for the blind event this weekend: Goalball

Goalball game photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.


This weekend the Washington State School for the Blind (WSSB) is hosting the Junior Cascade Classic Goalball Tournament on the school's campus in Vancouver, Washington.

The tourney begins Saturday morning October 4 and ends Sunday October 5 around noon. The tourney is part of the United States Association of Blind Athletes (USABA), a Colorado-based 501(c) (3) organization that provides life-enriching sports opportunities for the blind, and the event is sponsored by Oregon Disability Sports.

Goalball is a team sport created especially for the blind and visually impaired to participate in a collaborative sport activity. The teams are made up of three players. The game uses a ball embedded with bells and alternates between throwing or rolling the ball into the opponent's goal. Players remain on the side of their own goal when playing either defensive or offensive positions.

The sound of the bell helps the players judge the position and movement of the ball. Those with partial sight wear eyepatches to maintain a level playing field.

WSSB encourages anyone interested in the sport or the blind athletes to come and support and cheer on the local team as they campaign against participants from Oregon, Arizona, Utah, California, Alabama, as well as Washington.

Goalball Team Members

Girls team: Shana N., Oryann F., Sioryann F., Ella D., Chloe L., Klaira P.
Boys team: Nathaniel B., Tony W., Josiah S., Adam R., Damien P.

GOALBALL GAME TIMES

Scheduled game times may vary depending on length of the matches:

SATURDAY
WSSB Girls vs California 8:00 a.m. Saturday
WSSB Boys vs Oregon 9:20 a.m. Saturday
WSSB Girls vs Oregon 10:40 a.m. Saturday
WSSB Boys vs Lakeshore 1:00 p.m Saturday
WSSB Girls vs Utah 2:20 p.m, Saturday
WSSB Girls vs Arizona5:40 p.m. Saturday
WSSB Boys vs ?? 6:00/7:40/8:20 p.m*
*Time may vary based on pool play

SUNDAY
Boys consolation 8:40 a.m. Sunday
Girls consolation 9:30 a.m. Sunday
Boys championship 10:20 a.m. Sunday
Girls championship 11:10 a.m. Sunday

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY

Washington State School for the Blind is calling for three to four volunteers for each of their three shifts:

  • Saturday 7:40 a.m. to 2:20 p.m.
  • Saturday 2:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m
  • Sunday 7:30 a.m. to noon

If you are interested in volunteering please contact Jen at j.armbruster@pdx.edu.


Washington State School for the Blind
360-696-6321
2214 E 13th St
Vancouver Washington 98661




Monday, September 29, 2014

National Coffee Day arrives in Washington state with freebies and specials

Monday is National Coffee Day and to celebrate there are a number of deals to be shared and slurped.

Here is a partial list of promoted National Coffee Day Specials that are available in Washington state.
 
Feel free to post other deals in the comments section.

Chick-fil-A: Many locations are offering free hot or iced coffee. This varies greatly by location so you will want to check your specific restaurant. Chick-fil-A website.

Dunkin’ Donuts – Free medium hot dark roast coffee at participating stores. Limit one per person. Participation may vary. Dunkin' Donuts website.

Krispy Kreme – Free 12 oz coffee or $1 small latte, mocha or iced coffee. For $1.00, participating locations are offering a 12 oz Mocha, Latte or iced coffee. Limit 1 per person. More information on their Facebook page. Krispy Kreme website.

McDonalds – Free small coffee during breakfast hours through Tuesday, September 29. McDonalds free coffee website.

Peet’s Coffee - Purchase any beverage and receive a second FREE beverage of choice on 9/29. Plus free coffee and espresso samples all day long. Peet's Facebook page.

Eight O'Clock Coffee: Visit Eight O'Clock Coffee's Facebook page to participate in a Coffee With Friends Scratch & Win game. Enter every hour for a chance to instantly win a coffee and friends themed prize pack. Grand prize is a trip to the Warner Bros. studios in L.A. Eight O'Clock Coffee Facebook page.

Participation may vary.


More coffee information:



Saturday, September 27, 2014

FREE day in Washington state parks

Olympic National Park in Washington State.
OLYMPIA, Wash. — Visit Washington state parks on Saturday, September 27 and receive free admission. Visitors will not need to purchase a Discovery Pass to visit or park.

The free day is in honor of the 21st anniversary of National Public Lands Day.

When the Discover Pass was created to collect money to support state parks, the Legislature decided there would be up to 12 free days a year when a pass would not be required to visit state parks.

Washington state parks will have one more free day in 2014: Nov. 11, in honor of Veterans Day.