The Eyes Of Me Finishes February on A Strong Note: Colorado

Producing Partners are local community organizations that co-present Community Cinema screenings across the country. In Grand Junction, Colorado, Penny Mitchell describes a recent free event for the film The Eyes of Me by Keith Maitland.

“I know what it’s like to be sighted, and I know what it’s like to be blind. And I do think going blind has given me a different point of view.” Isaac, a subject in The Eyes Of Me

The film screening went quite well and was followed by a thoughtful panel. There was considerable discussion about, Isaac, the young man who lost his vision when the hospital would not operate because the family had no health insurance coverage. Several people thought that couldnt happen in Colorado because hospitals would have a mandate to operate in that situation. But one of our panelists gave several examples of similar problems she knew about in Colorado. She said that although he would be blind without the operation, it was not a life threatening situation and that may be one of the criteria.

The panelists also wanted to note that it was difficult to distinguish in the film which issues were rooted in socioeconomic problems and which were due to visual handicaps. The families in the film were from poorer communities and may not have access to advocates. That brought us to the advocacy groups available in our valley and the blind woman on our panel said that its incredibly hard to find these groups when they are generally only advertised in newspapers and she can’t read! The panelists noted that its been very hard to engage ophthalmology and optometry staff in a process to provide these resources to patients.

Read on for the details of our event in Steamboat Springs. › Continue reading

Tags: blind, braille, colorado, grand junction, rocky mountain pbs, steamboat springs

Your Last Chances To Keep Young At Heart in 2010

Young@Heart director Bob Cilman doing a run-through of the James Brown classic "I Feel Good"

As a gift to our audiences, Community Cinema presented the heart-warming and inspiring hit documentary YOUNG@HEART this December and -by popular demand- has extended the film’s run into this first part of January. Many of our over 45 free events have included live performances. Exceptional seniors shared their talents and personal stories of courage, persistence, and triumph in the face of adversity. If you are lucky enough to live in DesMoines, Iowa; Portland, Oregon; or Steamboat Springs, Colorado you have a chance to attend a free Community Cinema event this week.

Des Moines, Iowa
Tuesday, January 5, 2010 at 2:00 PM
Wesley Acres
3520 Grand Ave.
Des Moines, IA 50312

Portland, Oregon
Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at 6:00 PM
University of Oregon Turnbull Center
70 NW Couch Street
Portland, OR 97209

Steamboat Springs, Colorado
Thursday, January 7, 2010 at 5:30 PM
Library Hall at the Bud Werner Memorial Library
1289 Lincoln Ave.,
Steamboat Springs, CO 80487

YOUNG@HEART airs nationally on PBS on Tuesday, January 12th at 9 PM (check local listings).

The Zaballeen (Arabic for garbage people) recycle 80% of the trash they collect—far more than other recycling initiatives.

Community Cinema starts the new year by asking you to consider recycling, well… everything you use.  Don’t worry! Our documentary selection – an award winning festival hit – GARBAGE DREAMS will help you learn recycling secrets from some of the best recyclers on the planet.

Grand Rapids, Michigan
Tuesday, January 5, 2010 at 7:00 PM
The Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts
41 Sheldon Blvd. SE

Tags: des moines iowa, free, garbage dreams, Grand Rapids, portland oregon, screening, steamboat springs, young@heart