Lighthouse

May Day Bingo

John — Tue, 14 May 2013 02:41:25 +0000

Come on down to the center on Tuesday May 21st for our monthly Bingo.

Over the last couple of month’s the attendance has been steadily on the rise which is Awesome. As you know additional participants make this game more entertaining.

The center is now open every Tuesday at 3:00PM thanks to one of our new volunteers. Feel free to come down early and meet Omar.

We start the first game at around 7:00PM with the last game finishing up around 9:00PM.

Game cards run $4.00 each or 6 for $20.00. You may even want to try your hand at 12 cards as this gives you additional chances to win one of our great prizes.

Bring your friends and neighbors.

Our monthly Bingo is a great way to unwind after a long day at work.

Hope to see you on the 21st!

Spring Fling Bingo

John — Sat, 30 Mar 2013 22:19:36 +0000

Spring has sprung and just in time. Our Spring Fling Bingo is right around the corner.

Now that the weather is getting better you can’t say the rain is keeping you at home. Get in the car, along with your friends and neighbors, and come on down to Bingo this month.

We need more participation at our monthly Bingo fundraisers. They are usually quite entertaining with a number of witty and hilarious comments between the players and caller(s) especially when we have a great turnout.

Besides helping to raise funds for the Lighthouse our Bingo nights also serve as a social mixer where you can meet new friends.

The Lighthouse will be open at 6:00 PM for you early birds with the first game of the night usually starting around 7:00 PM.

You can purchase cards for $4.00 each or spend $20.00 and get six. More cards give you additional opportunities to win one or more of our fantastic prizes.

Hope to see you, your friends and neighbors on April 16th!

Community SOS ~ A Letter From A Concerned Board Member

John — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 03:23:04 +0000

Dear Community,

Several months ago our president, Bob Whitehead, expressed his desire to resign from the Lighthouse Board of Directors. That set in motion a series of events that ended in the resignation of the Vice President. Knowing that the major fund raiser of the year “Viva Las Vegas” was approaching, Bob agreed to stay on and work on making it a success. At that time Bob put out a distress call to the community for help in running the center and events as we were down to seven board members and two occasional volunteers upon which the work fell. Almost all of them have full time jobs. We lost one of the occasional volunteers due to health issues.With Bob and the Lighthouse team fully focused on making Viva Las Vegas a success, another call was put out for the community to support this fund raiser. THANK YOU COMMUNITY!!! YOU ROCK! You turned out like true champs making this our most successful event EVER and making the endless hours of planning, prep and execution worth it all. This event was not orchestrated by multiple committees ~ it was a small ~ less than 10 – handful of members that did all the work. But, alas, we find ourselves in the same position as we were at the end of last year and to date we have had no one step up as volunteers to help keep the center staffed. We are down to one person that works several hours on a Friday ~ THAT’S IT! We have pleaded to the community ~ what does the center mean to you? Does it matter if we are open? If so ~ why? If not ~ why not?Reluctantly Bob will be stepping down for real as President at the end of April and we have no new blood to fill the void or lighten the load that is placed on the few members we do have. We are grateful for the success of “Viva Las Vegas”, but fund raising helps to keep the center operating ~ for what???? Several hours on a Friday? Our monthly bingo has dwindled down to us having to cancel last month and this month’s bingo we drew 9 participants of which 5 were board members. So we ask again……does it matter if we are open?

With Bob stepping down as President Effective April 30^th, we have scheduled an emergency board meeting to take place Tuesday March 26th at 7:30PM. We need members of the community ~ gay or straight to attend this meeting and commit to volunteer of their time ~ if even for a few hours a week. Without this happening, the Lighthouse Community Center will definitely close. We have funds to cover our operating costs through the end of July ~ and THAT’S IT.

We cannot exist from one fund raiser to the next to have the center staffed for 3 to 5 hours a week and to host bingo for 4 community members. Our purpose is not that of a rental hall for meetings. The revenue generated from annual donations from a few of the organizations using the center as a meeting place, while it is truly appreciated, pales in comparison to the over $17,000 per year just in rent, utilities and insurance. The center has been taking on new life in the form of peer groups which is exposure to The Lighthouse. How can we serve the community when we are only open 3 to 5 hours a week with the one volunteer we do have?

DOES THE LIGHTHOUSE MATTER?

We will know for sure at the meeting on March 26^th. No hard feelings or bitterness ~ it may simply mean that we have outlived our usefulness and purpose.

Numerous bars in our immediate area and San Francisco have closed due to lack of support in the community.

Like any organization, there comes a time to realize that perhaps your work and your effectiveness has come to an end ~ a reality we must face.

2013 Viva Las Vegas Thanks

John — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 06:38:23 +0000

Viva ~ Life

No word better describes our most recent 6th Annual Viva Las Vegas Fund Raiser Event. Thank You everyone for helping to make this event the most attended, fun and successful EVER! The energy and feeling of community was outstanding! Thanks to all the volunteers for the tireless giving of not only your time but your creative talent. Thank you to the family members who supported you in your commitment. Most of all, thank you to our sponsors and donors, without whose generosity we could not have functioned. With no community need and support we would not exist. With no financial support from our donors and sponsors, we could not exist! We have asked them to step up and support our cause, so now we ask that you collectively support them in return. Support the politicians, organizations and businesses that have supported our community. Keep this list. Going out to eat? Check the list. Going shopping? Check the list. Looking for something to do? Check the list. Don’t be reluctant to introduce yourself, shake a hand and simply say “Thank you for supporting the Lighthouse and our LGBTQ Community” They deserve our support and gratitude. In no particular order they are:

DONORS

Ardenwood Historic Farm

Asian Art Museum

Bay Area Discovery Museum

Berkeley Repertory Theatre

Best Buy ~ Union City

Black Angus

Blackhawk Museum

Blue & Gold Fleet

Bob Kleypas

Boomers Arcade & Miniature Golf

Boulder Creek Golf & Country Club

BR Cohn Winery

Buon Appetito

Cache Creek Casino Resort

California Automobile Museum

California Shakespeare Theater

Cartoon Museum

Century Theatre ~ Hayward

Chanticleers Theatre

Charles M. Schulz Museum

Costco ~ Hayward

Cyclepath Bike Shop

Doc’s Winery

Double Tree Hotel ~ San Jose

Douglas Morrison Theatre

Genghix Asian Restaurant

Golden Gate Fields

Grand Sierra Resort & Casino

Golden Tee Golfland

Happy Hollow Park & Zoo

Harrah’s Lake Tahoe Resort

Hiller Aviation Museum

Hilton Gardens Inn

iFly San Francisco Bay

Infineon Raceway

Ironworks Climbing & Fitness

Joanie Miller

Karl Steinkamp

Lawrence Hall of Science

Legoland Resort

Lindsay Wildlife Museum

Malibu Grand Prix

Melanie & Armand Garcia

Michael Tiffany ~ Visible Difference

Neumanali Restaurant

Oakland East Bay Symphony

Oakland Ice Center

Oakland Zoo

Pacific Pinball Museum

Pier 39

Pink Spots

Punch Line Comedy Club

Rick Pogorzelski

Roaring Camp Railroads

Roxanne Leon

Sacramento History Museum

Safeway ~ Foothill Blvd

San Francisco Museum of Modern Art

Sara Lamnin

Shark Shack

Steven “Skip” Pernice & William “John” Ridyard

Sugar Bowl

Sunflower Restaurant

Tahoe Donner Ski Resort

Theatre Works

The Book Shop in Hayward

The Cobblers

The Oakland Athletics

The San Francisco 49ers

The San Francisco Giants

Trader Joes

Wal-Mart ~ San Leandro

Winchester Mystery House

SPECIAL THANKS TO

The Pacific Center ~ Ticket Sales

Curly’s Place ~ Ticket Sales

Douglas Morrison Theatre ~ Spot Light

Rick Pogorzelski ~ Design & Construction of Decorations

Jerry Torres, Mary Granados, Rick Pogorzelski & Roxanne Leon ~ Decorating

David Lucero ~ Sound Equipment

House of Aries ~ Catering

Karl’s Konfections ~ Desserts

Kevin Leewright ~ Program Layout

Terri Lanzing ~ Event Coordinator

Alice Roepke & Kathy Springer ~ Bartenders

Bay Area Reporter ~ Event Listing

BEVERAGE SERVICE

Curly’s Place ~ 2059 “B” Street ~ Hayward, CA 94541

Peter Lemcke ~ Cadbury Schweppes

SPECIAL THANKS TO THE CITY OF HAYWARD

For those that could not be sponsors or donors we hope that 2013 will be a profitable year for you. We need support year round and perhaps next year when you receive our request for a donation you will consider our cause favorably.

Lucky Charms Bingo

John — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 04:23:16 +0000

The best way to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day is with the other Leprechauns down at the Lighthouse on Tuesday, March 19th.

Bring your ”Lucky Charms” because they may help you win a few games. And don’t forget to wear your Green unless you want all the other Leprechauns to bust your “Shamrocks” ~ which if you’ve been to our other Bingo nights ~ we’ll do anyway.

The Lighthouse opens at 6:00PM with the first game starting at 7:00PM.

Purchase one card for $4.00 or six for $20.00.

Come on down on the 19th and help us enjoy some Saint Patrick’s Day Fun!

BHCS ~ Community Info Meeting for Innovations Round III

John — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 17:17:10 +0000

Alameda County Behavioral Health Care Services (BHCS) seeks new grantees and approaches to create Innovative Projects that address mental health issues for individuals at-risk of or living with serious mental illness & their families.

Tuesday February 26th, 2013

5:30PM to 7:00PM

Lighthouse Community Center

1217 “A” Street

Hayward, CA 94541

No ticket purchase necessary. RSVP desired but not required to be sure we can accommodate all interested attendees. Light snacks and beverages will be provided.

Please RSVP to http://www.eventbrite.com/event/5393221270.

For more information please visit the Alameda County Behavioral Health Care Services (BHCS) at www.acinnovations.org.

“Out Standing Seniors”

John — Sat, 16 Feb 2013 17:02:31 +0000

“Are you wanting a place where you can feel connected to other LGBTQ older adults 50 plus?”

Come to the Lighthouse LGBTQ Community Center at 1217 “A” Street in Hayward on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month, from 1:00 to 3:00 PM starting February 26th, 2013 and check out the newest Peer Group sponsored by the Pacific Center of Berkeley.

OUT STANDING SENIORS

A safe and confidential space for LGBTQ seniors 50 + to share thoughts, feelings, resources, information and support one another.

Peer Groups are facilitated by trained peers and are drop-in. Peer Groups are NOT therapy groups. There is no fee required to participate but donations are welcome.

Accessibility Notice: The Lighthouse is an accessible space.

Due to sponsorship by the Pacific Center, we are following their established policies. The Pacific Center is a non-smoking, drug and alcohol free , scent aware, sex-positive and sex-free space.

Scent-aware: We ask that you consider how the chemicals in the products you use might affect others when in shared space, especially those with chemical sensitivities. If at all possible, please use products that are scent or fragrance-free or do not ware heavily-scented products when attending a Peer Group.

Please contact the facilitator at the email below should you have any questions or concerns regarding our scent aware policy.

Email the group with questions at: outstandingseniors@pacificcenter.org

For more information contact the Pacific Center at (510) 548-8283 or go to http://pacificcenter.org/

Viva Las Vegas Recap & Board Meeting

John — Sat, 09 Feb 2013 22:28:24 +0000

Our monthly Board Meeting has changed to Thursday February 14th at 7:30PM. Feel free to join us at the Center as we will be recapping “Viva Las Vegas” our biggest fundraiser every year.

After this month our meetings will be back on track the second Tuesday of every month.

Keep your eyes open for information on our future board meetings because we will be undergoing some changes this year and WE will need YOUR help.

President’s Day Non Partisan Bingo Blowout

John — Sat, 09 Feb 2013 21:33:42 +0000

Let’s all celebrate the birthday of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln by popping in to the Lighthouse for some Bingo.

This is a Non Partisan affair and all parties are welcome to enjoy the Insanity that is Bingo Night at the Lighthouse. Come on down because we need more people to help us give the Bingo callers a hard time.

I know we all have plenty to do every day but we also need some down time to get through them and Bingo Night gives us a way to blow off some steam, relax and laugh besides win some great prizes.

Come on down to the Lighthouse on Tuesday, February 19th. The Center opens at 6:00PM and the first game starts at 7:00PM.

You can purchase one card for $4.00 or six for $20.00.

If you’re an experienced Bingo player and you can keep up with the callers feel free to purchase more cards, they just give you that many more chances to win. If you’re not, just heckle them enough because they have been known to drop their balls on the floor giving you that extra time to check out all those cards in front of you.

Our Monthly Bingo’s are FUN ~ FUN ~ FUN . . . come on down and check ‘em out.

Volunteers & Board Members Needed

John — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 06:06:04 +0000

The Lighthouse LGBTQ Community Center is in need of Volunteers and Board Members for 2013-2014 to continue our community work, events and creatively enhance our program.

Our volunteer workforce is the cornerstone of the organization and plays a vital role in our ability to serve the community.

As a volunteer or Board Member, you will join the ranks of kind, compassionate, generous and hardworking individuals who have made a difference in our community.

There are many opportunities at the Lighthouse. Center Staffing, Community Outreach & Education, Decorating and Planning Committees for Special Events are just a few examples. Who knows – perhaps YOU may have the next great idea!!!

Volunteering is also a wonderful way to meet new and interesting people as well as to serve your community and make a difference.

If you are interested in becoming either a Volunteer or Board Member please click on “Contact” and leave a message under “Information”. One of our current Board Members or Chairs will respond and instruct you on how to become part of our organization.