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DAPCAN
Desert AIDS Project - Community Action Newsletter
May 19, 2011
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 A solemn anniversary... |
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Editorial Staff | |
David Brinkman
Chief Executive Officer
Barry Dayton
Director of Marketing and Communications
Alexis Ortega
Interactive Marketing
Specialist
Rick Vila
Volunteer Co-editor
John Lewis
Volunteer Co-editor
Steve Bolerjack
Volunteer Co-editor
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Save the Date
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Tuesday, June 7, 2011, 6:00 PM
Positive Life Series
The next Positive Life Series will be on Tuesday, June 7, at the Sinatra Auditorium at Desert Regional Hospital in Palm Springs (corner of Tachevah and Via Miraleste). This month's topic will be "Ask the Pharmacist," an open forum for discussing current drug therapies for HIV and AIDS, drug interactions, efficacy and adherence. A light supper is served at 6:00 PM, and the program begins at 6:30 PM. ASL translation is provided. Program is sponsored by Jewish Family Services of the Desert. Contact Jeff Taylor at 760.835.1926 or via email at jefftaylorps@gmail.com for more information. (jl)
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| Community Center Events | |
The Community Center hosts regular activities and events every week. Special featured events are listed below. For in-depth view of other events, just click GO.
Tuesday, May 24, Noon - 1:00 PM
Community Center Presents -
A Holistic Approach to HIV
Please join us in the D.A.P. Community Center for this timely luncheon / presentation on holistic medicine and how it relates to HIV care with HIV pharmacy expert Michelle Sherman RPh, FASCP, AAHIVE. Learn more about Michelle at http://michrx.com/. Lunch will be served at 11:45. Please RSVP to Ed at 760.323.2118, ext. 295 or escarry@desertaidsproject.org. Stay informed! Tuesday, May 31, 12:00 - 1:00 PM Community Center Presents - Atripla Peer Advocate Network  Please join us in the D.A.P. Community Center for this empowering luncheon / presentation with treatment educator / advocate Juan Carlos Figueroa. Lunch will be served at 11:45 AM courtesy of Gilead. Please RSVP to Ed at 760.323.2118, ext. 295 or escarry@desertaidsproject.org. Knowledge is power! Every Thursday, 1:00 PM Community Center Presents - Let's All Go to the Movies Please join us in the D.A.P. Community Center for movie screenings every Thursday starting at 1:00 PM. Free pizza, salad, sweets and drinks provided. 
May 26 - QUEEN OF THE DAMNED (2002) The vampire Lestat becomes a rock star whose music wakes up the queen of all vampires. Starring Aaliyah and Stuart Townsend. Roll film!
Regular recurring Community Center activities each week include:
- Friday Night Bingo
- Reconnective Energy Healing
- Pozitively Positive
- Spiritual Living 101
- Hepatitis C Therapy Education
- Chair Massage
- Diabetes Educatiion
- Community Center Computer Lab
- Lending Library
To see the Community Services Wing calendar of support groups and events, click GO.
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Red Band program ensures funds for HIV test kits
 In 2009, our agency lost almost a half-million dollars in state funding in 2009 for HIV education, prevention, and testing. D.A.P. remains committed to free and confidential HIV testing. You can help by donating just $45 to Red Band--the price of three HIV test kits. Wearing the Red Band shows that you've pledged to be a part of the solution--right here in your community. Until we can say "AIDS is over," your help is essential. Click here for more information. (sb)
Discount tickets for RENT at Palm Canyon Theatre
 The Palm Canyon Theatre is presenting RENT, a rock opera with music and lyrics by Jonathan Larson, based on Giacomo Puccini's opera La Bohème from Friday, May 6 until Sunday, May 22. Ticket price for ANYONE associated with D.A.P. (not necessary to indicate how they are associated) is $20 (usual ticket price is $26 or $32). Show days/times are Thursdays at 7:00 PM, Fridays and Saturday' at 8:00 PM, and Sunday matinees at 2:00 PM. You must call the theatre for a ticket: 760.323.5123. (rv) (jl)
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POZ magazine/website observes 30th anniversary of AIDS
For people old enough to remember June 1981, when The New York Times first reported an ominous "gay cancer" out there, it's hard to believe that 30 years have passed. On this melancholy anniversary, POZ takes a comprehensive look back at this unprecedented pandemic: the milestones, characters, victims, survivors, treatments, good and bad news, and most importantly, what the future may hold for everyone living with HIV. Click here for this special edition. (sb)
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Larry Kramer's landmark The Normal Heart enjoys revival on Broadway
 It seems appropriate that Larry Kramer's The Normal Heart, the searing 1985 play about political and personal responses to AIDS, has been successfully restaged in the 30th anniversary year. Directed by Joel Grey and starring Ellen Barkin and Joe Mantello, Normal Heart has received great reviews and remains highly relevant. The production will run in New York City through mid-July. For a couple of top reviews, click here and here. (sb)
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Study finds many young African-American men believe "masculinity" protects against HIV
A study of 35 young black gay men, ages 18-24, in Rochester, NY, Atlanta and New York City, shows that participants almost exclusively prefer romantic/sexual partners they perceive to be masculine and are reluctant to allow a man they consider to be feminine to "top" them during sex. This is problematic given rising rates of HIV infection among young African-American males, even many identifying as straight or bisexual. For more on the study, click here. (sb)
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More evidence for starting antiretroviral therapy at 500 CD4s
Several combined, long-term studies have led the U.S. antiretroviral treatment (ART) guidelines panel to raise the recommended CD4 count initiation threshold to 500 cells/mm3. The current level recommended by the European and World Health Organization is 350 cells/mm3, but many HIV specialists are moving toward the higher number and earlier introduction of medications. Click here for the latest details and guidelines. (sb)
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amfAR lays out long-term AIDS/HIV public policy strategy
"I thought we were done with that one," quipped Stephen Colbert recently on the satirical Colbert Report, as he interviewed HIV research pioneer Dr. Anthony Fauci about the latest news on AIDS. Everyone laughed, but the remark may reflect diminishing public awareness about critical realities that remain in living with AIDS. Chris Collins, director of public policy for amfAR, recently outlined the organization's multi-layered, long-term strategy designed to reawaken concern and awareness, and to complement new programs of both the Obama Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). To read more, click here. (sb)
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The Client Advocacy Committee wants YOU!
 The Client Advocacy Committee (CAC) at Desert AIDS Project is a group of D.A.P. clients who endeavor to help improve services to all clients through suggestions, advocacy for funding for all people with HIV/AIDS and increased education and awareness of services available to clients through D.A.P. The committee is currently seeking new members. Applications are available at the main reception desk. Potential members may also apply by attending CAC meetings on the first Tuesday of each month at 2:00 PM in the D.A.P. Community Center or by email at Cletus.Warren@yahoo.com. (jl) Back to top |
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Anti-gay bill shelved by Ugandan parliament...and you helped!
In our last issue we asked you to sign on to a worldwide petition opposing a controversial bill that called for execution of sexually active homosexuals who are HIV-positive or who are considered "serial offenders." More than 1.6 million people signed the petition and helped make the attack on gay rights in Uganda a major international news story--and it worked. Under intense global pressure, the Speaker of the Ugandan Parliament blocked the anti-gay bill from coming to a vote in an emergency session. Now the Parliament has closed and the bill has been wiped from the books. It may not necessarily be gone for good, but for reconsideration, the bill would have to be newly reintroduced and go through the whole parliamentary process--which took 18 months last time. Thanks to all of our readers for taking action! (jl)
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AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) phone numbers
ADAP for Riverside County has a new fax number. Clients may fax their verifications to the Moreno Valley office at 951.486.4434. You can also contact the County of Riverside directly at 951.486.5400 to make an ADAP appointment or ask questions regarding ADAP. (jl)
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Call 211 for essential human services in Riverside County
2-1-1 is a toll-free service for residents looking for information about essential human services such as affordable housing, food pantries, help for an aging parent, free or low cost health services, addiction prevention programs, employment, support groups, volunteer opportunities, and 1,700 additional services! (jl)
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"You may grow old and trembling in your anatomies, you may lie awake at night listening to the disorder of your veins, you may miss your only love, you may see the world about you devastated by evil lunatics, or know your honour trampled in the sewers of baser minds. There is only one thing for it then: to learn. Learn why the world wags and what wags it."
--T.H. White, The Once and Future King
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Desert AIDS Project - Community Action Newsletter (DAPCAN) presents published material, reprinted with permission, and neither endorses or opposes any material. All information contained in this newsletter, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professional. Always discuss treatment options with a physician who specializes in treating HIV. Publication of the name or likeness of any individual in articles in this newsletter is not to be construed as any indication of the HIV status of such individual. If you do not wish to receive this e-newsletter, please notify us by using the email address below.
For questions, comments, or unsubscribe contact us at : DAPCAN@DesertAIDSProject.org
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