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DAPCAN
Desert AIDS Project - Community Action Newsletter
July 14, 2011
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Editorial Staff
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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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Saturday, July 23, 8:00 PM - Midnight
Time Warp - Mid-Summer Dance Party IV
 It's almost here: the cult-classic Rocky Horror Picture Show will be the theme for Desert AIDS Project's fourth annual Summer Mixer at the Commune at the ACE Hotel & Swim Club, at 8:00 PM on Saturday, July 23. DJ Corey D from PNN Radio will spin music for a crowd of up to 500 revelers! Your $45 admission gets you cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, entertainment plus complimentary membership in Red Band with year -round benefits! And don't forget to email Ray at rrobertson@desertaidsproject.org with your name and contact information if you want to be entered in the drawing for free tickets. Look for the flyer around the agency along with entry forms. Click here for more details and to order tickets. (jl)
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| Community Center Events | |
 The Client Community Center hosts regular activities and special events every week. Community Center activities are now listed under the main D.A.P. website. Click here for the complete list of upcoming special events.
Friday, July 15, Noon - 1:00 PM
Community Center Presents - SUBSTANCE ABUSE
Please join us in the D.A.P. Community Center for an informative presentation on substance abuse and how it relates to HIV. Presenter is Jesse Sanders MD, Courtesy of ViiV. Lunch will be served at 11:45 AM. Please RSVP no later than July 13, to Ray at 760.323.2118, ext. 295 or rrobertson@desertaidsproject.org
Starting Monday August 1st thru September 5th 1:00 - 2:30 PM
Community Center Presents - THE WRITER'S WAY TO A BETTER YOU
Please join us in the D.A.P. Community Center for this six week creative writing course. Join Instructor Ted Luciani as he helps you channel your creativity through poetry and prose. Please RSVP to Ray at 760.323.2118, ext. 295 or rrobertson@desertaidsproject.org
This class is limited to 10 participants so sign up now!
In addition to special events, there are regular recurring Client Community Center activities including:
- Support groups
- Spiritual Living 101
- Hepatitis C Therapy Education
- Diabetes Educatiion
- Community Center Computer Lab
- Lending Library
- Free films, Thursdays, 1:00 PM
Follow this link to see the recurring activities on the Community Center Calendar.
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Dr. Christina Chung, a "Hometown Hero"
 In case you missed it, Desert AIDS Project Dental Clinic's Christina Chung was recently featured in an article in the Desert Sun. Dr. Chung is in charge of dental care for more than 600 patients at Desert AIDS Project and has made it her mission to help those with HIV/AIDS gain control of their oral health issues. "I enjoy working at a not- for-profit organization. Here at the DAP, many professionals collaborate together to help meet the diverse medical and social needs of our patients," Chung said. You can read the full article here. (jl)
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Desert AIDS Project remembers Betty Ford
 As we say farewell to Betty Ford we reflect on her impact and legacy. One of her greatest attributes was her understanding about "shining a light" on the uncomfortable things that many of us have in our lives, so that they could be discussed openly and without shame. As most people know, she brought breast cancer and substance abuse/addiction out of the shadows. But did you know she was also a supporter of AIDS causes, including Desert AIDS Project? Mrs. Ford, along with Anne and Kirk Douglas, were the co-chairs of the very first Palm Springs AIDS Walk in 1989. This was at a time when many people were still reluctant to even speak publicly about AIDS. Mrs. Ford's longtime compassion and personal dedication to Desert AIDS Project and its clients were recognized when she was honored at the 1993 Steve Chase Gala. For all the accolades that the former First Lady deserves, we should not forget that she also stood up against HIV/AIDS. (jl)
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Do you have a suggestion to improve client services at D.A.P.?
 One of the primary functions of the Client Advocacy Committee (CAC) is the monitoring of client suggestions. Each month the committee reviews the suggestions from the lobby suggestion boxes. In recent months the committee has addressed suggestions concerning Ryan White/client eligibility issues and the changes in staffing at the Health Center. If you have a suggestion or comment that you think would improve client services the CAC would like to hear from you. Suggestion forms are available at the main reception desk and in the hallway outside the Client Community Center. You can also address the CAC at their meetings on the first Tuesday of each month at 2:00 PM in the D.A.P. Community Center or email the CAC secretary at Cletus.Warren@yahoo.com. (jl)
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"Carmageddon" is this weekend!
 In case you were thinking this might be a good weekend to get out of the desert and hit Santa Monica Beach or visit the Getty Museum, you might want to think again... "carmgeddon" is upon us! This weekend the 405 freeway will be shut down through the Sepulveda Pass (between the 10 freeway and the 101) for 53 hours as part of a $1 billion reconstruction project. Experts are making dire predictions of massive gridlock and delays due to the closure and the impact is expected to be widespread with delays throughout the Los Angeles freeway system. Keep this in mind as you make your weekend plans. (jl)
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Gov. Brown signs bill requiring teaching of gay accomplishments
Gov. Jerry Brown signed legislation today making California the first state in the nation to require the inclusion of the contributions of gay, lesbian and transgender Americans in school history lessons and textbooks. Read more here. (jl)
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Get out of the heat, have some fun and learn a new skill!
 Ever been interested in knitting, crocheting, latch hooking, embroidery or other needlecraft? Stitch in Time is a group of D.A.P. clients and volunteers who gather every Wednesday in the Duane Johnson Room of the D.A.P. Client Community Center. Many are quite skilled in a variety of needlecrafts and would love to teach you what they know. The group was originally founded as a wellness program to provide therapy for hand tremors and neuropathy. Along the way, participants found camaraderie, sharing and friendship. If you'd like to join them, please call Rick at 760.323.1123 or email him at rfrdtux@dc.rr.com. Better yet, just drop in and check it out any Wednesday from 10:00 AM to noon! (sb)
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Video presentation: President Obama's National HIV/AIDS Strategy
It's been one year since the National HIV/AIDS Strategy was released. Watch this video to see how the vision of the strategy will make the United States a place where new HIV infections are rare. (jl)
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U.S. investing $70 million to find AIDS cure
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has announced that three research teams focused on developing strategies that could help to rid the body of HIV are receiving grants totaling more than $14 million a year, for up to five years. The grants are part of the Martin Delaney Collaboratory, a funding opportunity designed to foster public-private partnerships to accelerate progress toward an HIV cure. Delaney, an influential AIDS activist, died of liver cancer in 2009. Read more here. (jl)
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AIDS Heroes: How U.S. Congress first confronted AIDS
 As we mark the 30th anniversary of the epidemic, it's worth remembering that, contrary to current headlines, lawmakers also do brave and important work. The Atlantic recently published an enlightening article by Joshua Green reminding readers that Congress can, in fact, do admirable and even heroic things, and that a good example is the story of how some members in the early 1980s forced the government to confront and respond to the AIDS epidemic. Read the full article here. (jl)
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Tell us your story
 Just like you, your editors have been through it and lived to write about it. In our ongoing series highlighting 30 years of AIDS, we've run a couple of stories on fellow survivors, one or two local, some from elsewhere. But since we prefer to focus on D.A.P. clients, we'd like to hear from you. What did you go through upon diagnosis, starting meds, becoming ill? What were reactions from family, friends? We all have our own individual stories and we'd like to run some of them here at DAPCAN. Of course, the more unusual and instructive the better, but if you're an HIV/AIDS veteran, have worked on the front lines, or have any interesting tale to tell, we'd love to hear it and publish it. Please email us at info@desertaidsproject.com with anything you'd like to share. (sb)
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Sign on to tell the Senate to protect Social Security and Medicare
As you may have heard, there has been talk of possible cuts to Social Security and Medicare in the ongoing deficit negotiations. Tell your Senator to send a message to President Obama to take cuts to Social Security and Medicare off the table. Follow this link to sign the petition. (jl)
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August 2011: Free POZ Life Weekend Seminar in Long Beach
The POZ Life Weekend Seminar is a place where compassion, education, community and love is offered unconditionally. It's a place HIV+ men, women, youths and family members can come be themselves, feel comforted and support in their effort to learn how to either live a long healthy productive POZitive lifestyle, or help someone they know and love overcome the fears associated with being HIV+. The next seminar is August 27 and 28 in the Long Beach area. To Register, log onto www.TheLifeGroupLA.org for an online reservation form and they will contact you to complete your registration. Or call Sunnie Rose at 888.208.8081. (jl)
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AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) phone numbers
ADAP for Riverside County has a new fax number. Clients can now 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 get more information. (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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Help with healthy aging
The National Resource Center on LGBT Aging is the country's first and only technical assistance resource center aimed at improving the quality of services and supports offered to older LGBT adults. The center is led by Services & Advocacy for LGBT Elders (SAGE) in partnership with 10 leading organizations from around the country. Its website offers information on everything from health and wellness to elder abuse. It is also an excellent resource for those aging with HIV. (jl)
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"I'm delighted that I can carry a message. I think that's what we're here on this earth for, to help others and if you can you ought to do it." - Betty Ford
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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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