What does it look like to put your health on the top of your to-do list?

-Visit a health care professional to receive a check up and some preventive screenings.

-Get active! Grab your kids, partner, or girlfriend and go for a walk during your day (if you love the West Wing,  you’ll really enjoy this PSA).

-Eat healthy. We love Kath Younger’s blog about finding balance in your diet.

-Pay attention to your mental health, including getting enough sleep and managing stress. Local non-profit Women’s Health Virginia chose sleep as their key issue at their annual conference!

-Avoid and minimize unhealthy behaviors such as smoking or texting while driving.

-Talk to you partner about using a male or female condom.

Take care of yourself! It’s your time! Learn more about National Women’s Health Week.

XO

ASG

AIDS/HIV Services Group (ASG) is proud to announce the first annual Miss Red Ribbon pageant on July 15, 2012! Miss Red Ribbon is a female impersonation contest presented by ASG. Community members are invited to apply to compete for the fabulous custom Miss Red Ribbon crown, and for the opportunity to represent ASG as we further our mission of building community for individuals living with, affected by, or at risk for HIV or AIDS.

The competition will be held on July 15, 2012 at Live Arts. Doors open at 7:00 p.m. and tickets are $10. Advanced ticket sales start June 1. All proceeds benefit programs at ASG.

The categories for Miss Red Ribbon are: HIV Presentation, Interview, Evening Gown, and Talent.  For more information on the pageant, the prize package, or to request an application to compete, please contact Chris Barnett at christopher.barnett@asgva.org or 434.981.2118. For information on sponsoring Miss Red Ribbon, please contact Hannah Green at hannah.green@asgva.org or 434.981.2160.

Namaste!

After a trial run working with the wonderful folks at the Guerrilla Yoga Project we are ending community yoga at ASG. Fortunately, the Guerrilla Yoga Project has an extensive list of classes around town where you can practice for free, or for whatever donation you can make. We encourage you to continue your practice and reap all the wonderful benefits of yoga, including stress reduction, improved circulation, and better sleep!

To try yoga for free, check out these classes:

Monday

6:00-7:00pm– YOGA EN ESPAÑOL

A free class for Spanish speakers & students

Southwood Community Center

Hickory St., Charlottesville

Elisa Ferrante, RYT

Tuesday

10:00am-12:00pm– CHAIR MASSAGE

Drop in for a free 20-minute chair massage

May 1, 15, 29

The Westhaven Nursing Clinic

803 Hardy Drive, Charlottesville

1:30-2:30pm– YOGA FOR MOMS

A free class for all mothers

Friendship Court Community Center

418 Garrett Street, Charlottesville

3:15-4:00pm– MIDDLE SCHOOL YOGA

A free class for all middle-schoolers

Friendship Court Community Center

418 Garrett Street, Charlottesville

Thursday

6:00-7:00pm– ALL LEVELS YOGA

A free, multi-level hatha yoga class

May 3, 10, 17; June 7, 14, 21

The McIntire Room of the Central Library

201 E. Market Street, Charlottesville

Deke Shrum, RYT

Friday

4:00-5:00pm– YOGA NIDRA AND PRANAYAMA

A free class designed especially for those under stress

The Bhakti Shed

2429 Jefferson Park Ave, Charlottesville

Carroll Ann Friedmann, RYT500

5:30-6:30pm– PRENATAL YOGA FOR TEENS

A free class appropriate for every trimester

Bend Yoga

420 E. Main St., Ste. B, Charlottesville

Tara Rocuant, RYT

Just a typical day in the office for Romeo. Photo by Eris Qian.

ASG partners with the Charlottesville Albemarle SPCA to match cats living with Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) to people living with HIV and AIDS. FIV is a lentivirus or “slow virus” that affects a cat’s immune system over a period of years. FIV is similar to HIV, however FIV is not transmissible to species other than felines. In the United States, approximately 1.5 – 3 percent of healthy cats are infected with FIV. The virus is spread through blood, such as serious bite wounds which are common among unneutered males. We are fostering two FIV positive cats at the office named Romeo and Maddie. If you have not been by to give them a belly rub we strongly encourage you to come by! Romeo is a very friendly orange tiger and is constantly out and about in the office looking for treats. His partner in crime Maddie is very sweet and is often found curled up with Romeo on a couch or in the Conference Room during a staff meeting. Health professionals and researchers have found that living with a cat can dramatically improve your health. People living with HIV/AIDS can adopt a FIV positive cat at no cost! Please contact Penny Goldman at Penny.Goldman@asgva.org if you are interested in adopting Romeo, Maddie, or any other FIV cat at the local SPCA! Be sure to check out this article in the C-Ville Weekly about our special cats!

Click here to see our TV ad!

We’re also hosting a launch party for HIV Stops With Me on Thursday, April 26 at 9:30 a.m. at Escafe! Join us for a short program, meet the spokesmodels, and see the awesome campaign materials that will be viewed across Central Virginia.

Check out the invite here!

XO

ASG

Did you know that individuals living with HIV/AIDS are a protected class under the Americans with Disabilities Act? And that the Americans with Disabilities Act also protects people affected by or at risk for HIV/AIDS? For example, the ADA would protect an HIV-negative woman who was denied a job because her roommate had HIV or AIDS.

Charlottesville has a brand new Human Rights Task Force that is asking residents who have experienced discrimination to share their stories. The Task Force is collecting information to assess the need for a human rights commission in Charlottesville. If you feel you’ve been discriminated against on the basis of race, age, gender, sexual orientation, or other characteristics can report the incident online, by phone, or in person. Visit www.charlottesville.org/humanrights or the City Manager’s Office in City Hall on the Downtown Pedestrian Mall or call 434.970.3050.

XO

ASG

p.s. Don’t forget to Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!

Dining Out for Life is an annual fundraiser that raises money for local AIDS service organizations–in this case, ASG! All you have to do to raise money for ASG is dine out at one of your favorite local restaurants!

Charlottesville knows how to win the hearts and stomachs of its residents and visitors with a large variety of dining options. With the winning combination of fine foods and local ingredients, Charlottesville is known as a food driven city. Not only have the residents fallen in love with the southern comfort that the city has to offer, Southern Living magazine has recognized Charlottesville as one of the “South’s Tastiest Towns” of 2012.

Charlottesville contains more than 100 independent restaurants, cafes, bistros, pubs, and bars which guarantee dining satisfaction with a large array of savory and fresh foods. With each bite, customers can taste the passion that is placed into the preparation of each meal. Along with the excitement for dining, Charlottesville shares a love for helping for the greater good. AIDS/HIV Service Group (ASG) is just one of many nonprofit organizations that strive to improve the city of Charlottesville.

Dining Out For Life provides the opportunity for you to dine out while helping the community meet the needs of those living with, affected by, or at risk for HIV or AIDS. On April 26^th the following restaurants will be participating in this event. Share a meal with friends to benefit your local businesses and your local response to the AIDS epidemic!

Escafé – http://www.escafe.com/

The Nook - http://www.thenookcville.com/

Sticks Kebob Shop Preston – http://www.stickskebobshop.com/

Blue Moon Diner – http://www.facebook.com/pages/Blue-Moon-Diner

See you soon!

As of December 2010, 23,000 Virginians were known to be living with HIV and an estimated 300 of these persons live in Central Virginia, including the City of Charlottesville and Albemarle, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa and Nelson Counties.  In the United States, more than one million people are living with HIV, and at least 20% of persons do not know of their illness. In Virginia, roughly 4,500 persons do not know they have the disease and 50% of all people living with HIV are not receiving treatment and care.

This year, ASG is partnering with the United Sisters at the University of Virginia and the NAACP Albemarle-Charlottesville to mark National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. Dr. Rick Turner, President of the NAACP Albemarle-Charlottesville says that one of the most important 2012  NAACP Health Resolution is to “commemorates 30 years in the fight against the HIV/AIDS epidemic by rededicating the NAACP to mobilize units and provide leadership in the black community on this crisis”.

ASG and the United Sisters of the University of Virginia will offer free, confidential HIV testing and risk reduction counseling from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. in the Newcomb Hall Art Gallery on Tuesday, February 7, 2012. ASG educators will answer questions about HIV and help individuals understand and manage their risk for HIV. The testing event is free and open to the community.

Check out our press release!

We ask that all individuals interested in receiving an HIV test make an appointment at least 48-hours in advance.   ASG staff will contact anyone who has requested an appointment by phone or through the  website within one business day.  ASG staff will confirm the appointment or work with you to pick another appointment slot.

Walk-in clients are welcome are still welcome but to avoid waiting we recommend making an appointment.

For any questions, comments, or concerns, please feel free to fill out one of our satisfaction surveys in our offices, or you may e-mail Chris Barnett, HIV Testing Coordinator at christopher.barnett@asgva.org.   Thank you for your interest in our services, and we look forward to serving you in the future for your personal health needs!

-Get tested! Know your status and protect yourself and your family. If you’ve never been tested for HIV, set a goal to get tested on or before World AIDS Day. We offer free, confidential HIV testing in a safe environment Monday – Friday between 12:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. Results in 20 minutes!

-Learn more about HIV/AIDS and what we’re doing to support those living with, affected by, or at risk for HIV or AIDS at our Open House on Thursday, December 1 from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

-Talk with your family and friends about World AIDS Day and what World AIDS Day means to you.