DeafTimes » South West DeafTimes

Z Festival and 5K Run/Walk at Texas School for the Deaf

Ray — Fri, 11 May 2012 13:36:42 +0000

FOR RELEASE MAY 12, 2012

Z Festival and 5K Run/Walk at Texas School for the Deaf

Fun for All Ages – Saturday, May 12

Special Appearance by Matt “The Hammer” Hamill

AUSTIN, Texas [May 12, 2012] – The Texas School for the Deaf (TSD) and Z™ proudly announce a special appearance by Matt “The Hammer” Hamill at the first annual Z Festival and 5K Run/Walk today, at the TSD campus – 1102 South Congress Avenue. The event benefits the TSD Foundation as well as the Physical Education Department at TSD.

The Z™ – the award-winning pioneer of Video Relay Services (VRS) – is excited to bring “The Hammer” to Austin. Mr. Hamill is a deaf American amateur wrestler and MMA fighter known for his successful reign in Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He was also a three-time NCAA Wrestling Division III National Champion (167 lb. class in 1997, 190 lb. class in 1998, and 197 lb. class in 1999) while attending the Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, New York.

In addition to “The Hammer”, The Z™ brings a full afternoon of entertainment and special events for all ages. Rathskellar is a show like no other, with a blasting performance that brings the very best in American Sign Language (ASL) artistry, percussion and dance. Further, Magic By Nina is a children’s magic show full of Russian cultural enrichment and laughs.

Visit various vendors at the Festival, including various deaf-owned business owners and food vendors, such as famed ViUDA Bistro of Buda, and Crazy Crepes of Austin.

The Z Festival kicks off with a 5K Run/Walk and 1K Run for children, which “The Hammer” will be participating in as a glowing role model of fitness for the deaf/hard of hearing community.

WHAT: Z-Festival and 5K Run/Walk

WHEN: Saturday, May 12, 7:00 am – 2:00 pm

7:00 am: Z 5K Run/Walk Sign up

Booths/Vendors Set up

8:00 am: Race starts

9:00 am: Z Festival

9:30 am: Z 5K Run/Walk Costume Contest*

10:00 am: Rathskellar show

1:00 pm: Rathskellar show

1:45 pm: iPad Drawing

2:00 pm: Closing

*To be eligible to win the Z Costume Contest prize, entrants must be present with your 5K race bib number and must be also visible. Prizes: 1^st Place-$150, 2^nd Place-$75 and 3^rd place-$50.

WHERE: Texas School for the Deaf

1102 South Congress Avenue

Austin, TX 78704

MORE: Online race registration: www.MYRACEREGISTRATION.com

ABOUT Z™:

Z™ makes a personal connection with our customers by operating and providing premier worldwide video communication services for deaf, hard of hearing and hearing individuals through utilization of video relay interpreting services, leading-edge technology, and a firm commitment to improving the quality of life for deaf and hard of hearing consumers who use sign language and/or speech reading. For more, visit www.zvrs.com.

ABOUT TSD:

The Texas School for the Deaf is the oldest continuously operating public school in Texas. Educating deaf and hard of hearing students of Texas since 1856, the campus also provides outreach and educational resources for students, their families and professionals in the field throughout the state of Texas. With educational excellence and a strong belief in a culture and community at TSD, students form a unique identity based on their individual strengths and talents. TSD is an environment where students learn, grow, and belong. For more information about the Texas School for the Deaf, visit www.tsd.state.tx.us.

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GOING GREEN STUDENT ART CONTEST AT TEXAS SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF

Ray — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 17:13:19 +0000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

GOING GREEN STUDENT ART CONTEST AT TEXAS SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF

GREEN SCHOOL MAKEOVER INSPIRES ECO-CONSCIOUS GENERATIONS OF THE FUTURE

Austin, Texas – April 25, 2012 Student artwork is on display today and open to the public through Friday, April 27 at the Texas School for the Deaf (TSD), as the school nears completion of its Green School Makeover.

Today, students weigh in through various forms of artistic expressions demonstrating what GOING GREEN means at TSD. Awards will be given for 1^st- 3^rd place in four varying age groups.

Guest judges from the community will score student’s work today at 1:00 PM, including Francisco Villa of Francisco’s Salon and Jim Holland, President of Eco-Wise – both neighbors of the school from the South Congress business district.

The competition asked students to share their personal message demonstrating why it’s important to care for our environment and how we can all do our part to GO GREEN, now, and for the sake of future generations. The art contest is a result of the school’s recent selection as the top winner of Global Green USA’s Green School Makeover Competition, sponsored by Pureology.

TSD was chosen from more than 220 entries from public, private and charter K – 12 schools across the country. TSD’s ultimate Green School Makeover includes sponsoring a student art contest and boosting the school’s recycling program, along with the installation of energy efficiency and sustainability upgrades. The makeover totals $130,000: $65,000 for school renovations and an additional $65,000 worth of technical assistance for the school and a film documentary of the entire makeover project.

The school was nominated for the Green School Competition thanks to Villa, whose relatives attended TSD back in the 1950’s.

WHAT: Texas School for the Deaf’s GOING GREEN Student Art Contest

WHERE: CTE/Ford Building

ASL Lab – 2^nd Floor

Texas School for the Deaf

1102 South Congress Avenue

Austin, Texas 78704

WHEN: Final Judging : Wednesday, April 25, 2012 at 1:00 PM

Gallery open to the public, by appointment: Through Friday, April 27, 2012

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Capitol Exhibit and Ceremonies Celebrate Deaf Smith’s 225th Birthday

Ray — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 14:20:47 +0000

FOR RELEASE APRIL 18, 2012

Capitol Exhibit and Ceremonies Celebrate Deaf Smith’s 225^th Birthday

Deaf Smith $5 bill:

Historic tree bowie knife:

AUSTIN, TX [April 18, 2012]—Erastus “Deaf” Smith – a famous spy, scout and soldier of the Texas Revolution – is honored on what would have been his 225^th birthday with a celebration ceremony and special exhibit at the Texas Capitol, today through April 20.

Representing the work of eight artists from different periods and different mediums, the exhibit features 16 unique displays, including various historic paintings, photos, knives, a curious street sign, a taped one-act play and a wax figure of Deaf Smith himself.

Smith settled in San Antonio, where he married Guadalupe Ruiz Duran in 1822. The union produced four children, all recorded by the Daughters of the Texas Republic. Because of his gradual hearing loss, Smith always hunted alone, avoided crowds, spoke too loud, and taught his dog to alert him to surrounding sounds. Personally chosen by General Sam Houston, the ever-taciturn Smith took over the spy and scout unit of the Texan army. His greatest contribution to the war was his pivotal role in the Battle of San Jacinto in 1836.

“It is my vision that this exhibit will bring attention to Smith’s amazing feats,” independent researcher, historian, author and retired educator Steve Baldwin, Ph.D., said.

Baldwin is an avid Deaf Smith enthusiast who arranged the exhibit, and has also written a colorful, definitive 20-page commemorative booklet now available through the Texas Association of the Deaf (TAD).

“Deaf Smith’s contributions underscore the fact that people with disabilities made Texas what it is today,” Baldwin adds.

WHAT: Erastus “Deaf” Smith’s225^th Birthday Celebration Ceremony and Exhibit

WHERE: Texas State Capitol

WHEN: Exhibit on Display April 18 – 20, 2012

April 18 9:00 AM Opening Ceremony - Legislative Conference Center, Room E2.002

Ribbon Cutting/Exhibit Opens - Capitol Rotunda, Ground Floor

Noon-2:00 PM TSD 7^th Grade Students – Exhibit Docents

6:30-8:30 PM Mr. and Miss TSD – Exhibit Docents

April 19 6:30-8:30 PM Mr. and Miss TSD – Exhibit Docents

MORE: The Deaf Smith exhibit is endorsed and supported by the Texas Association of the Deaf (TAD), Texas Humanities, Texas School for the Deaf (TSD), Greater Austin Foundation for the Deaf, ViUDA Bistro, Communication by Hand and Gallaudet University Regional Center-Southwest.

Reminder (Tomorrow Saturday)

Ray — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 14:04:47 +0000

Please remind everyone for the very important event this Saturday at Sequoia School for the Deaf! I have kindly attached the flyer for this event to this email. Topics will include: -The future of EVAD -EVAD Athletics - Advocacy for Deaf Senior Citizens and Citizens in Need Read more..

Anderson Twins Comedy Show

California — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 00:28:15 +0000

A comedy show featuring twins with one deaf and one hearing brother is coming to the California School for the Deaf at Fremont on Friday, April 27th. The twins will share their experiences as twins in a mixed hearing/Deaf family.... Read more..

Deaf Baseball and Softball Event

California — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 00:11:41 +0000

The California School for the Deaf in Riverside is hosting the Hoy XII Baseball and Softball Classic on April 27-28. During this event, teams from Riverside, CA, Fremont, CA, Indiana, Texas, and Maryland will be competing against each other. [caption id="attachment_9893" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Hoy XII Baseball and Softball Classic."] Read more..

Easter Party

Ray — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 14:35:50 +0000

A Town Hall Meeting

Ray — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 14:33:51 +0000

Trouble calling 911

Ray — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 13:56:50 +0000

KVOA Tucson News TUCSON - Making an emergency phone call is never easy, but imagine how difficult it may be for the deaf or hard of hearing. The Arizona Relay Service hosted some meetings to help clear up any confusion between this group and the dispatcher. Click here...... Read more..

TRANSPLANT RECIPIENT HAS A VERY SPECIAL PLACE IN HER HEART FOR AUSTIN

Ray — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 13:40:59 +0000

TEXAS SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF PRESS RELEASE

Contact: Keena Miller

Phone: 512-462-5328, cell: 512-658-4444

Email: Keena.miller@tsd.state.tx.us

FOR RELEASE MARCH 23, 2012

TRANSPLANT RECIPIENT HAS A VERY SPECIAL PLACE IN HER HEART FOR AUSTIN

Book Signing, Presentation and Q&A with author of Austin’s Gift

Austin, Texas – March 23, 2012 At only eight days old in a Chicago hospital, Lauren Aggen received a miraculous gift from Austin Texas – a donor heart that saved her life.

Aggen visits Austin today for the first time to share her story – Austin’s Gift, with a book signing and Q&A hosted at the Texas School for the Deaf (TSD).

A transplant survivor, Aggen is now a third year student majoring in Multidisciplinary Studies at Rochester Institute of Technology’s National Technical Institute for the Deaf (RIT/NTID).

Medication Aggen received the week she was born while awaiting a transplant caused her hearing loss, and she will always require anti-rejection medication. But, discouraged? Not Aggen.

“I traded certain death for a long-term medical condition, she says, I’ve been very fortunate that my heart matched and has done so well. Thanks to a family that made a precious gift, I have had many wonderful opportunities.”

In her book, Aggen – who fondly named her heart donor, Austin – chronicles her life and pays tribute to the family that gave her a second chance at life by donating their child’s organs.

“It is truly a miracle that people whom I never knew, and who never knew I existed, were willing to do that, so that I could be here today to write my story. Austin and his family have taught me a very important virtue: every day is a gift. I’m able to tell you my story because of Austin’s family, who, despite their great loss, were able to give a gift that will last me my entire life.”

WHAT: Austin’s Gift Author and Heart Transplant Survivor, Lauren Aggen

Presentation, Q&A and Book Signing

WHERE: R. L. Davis Auditorium

Texas School for the Deaf

1102 South Congress Avenue

Austin, Texas 78704

WHEN: Friday, March 23, 2012

10:10 AM

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