February 7, 2008 marks the eighth annual observance of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD). This observance was created to educate African Americans about HIV/AIDS and its devastating effects on communities across the United States.

Over the last decade, African Americans and communities of color have come to bear the greatest burden of the AIDS epidemic in the US. While African Americans represent approximately 13% of the population, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that they account for over half of all new cases of HIV/AIDS. AIDS is now the leading cause of death for African American women ages 25 to 34 and second leading cause of death for African American men ages 35 to 44. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, HIV/AIDS is one of the top 10 leading causes of death for all African Americans. In the US, 72 African Americans are infected with HIV every day.

The AIDS Council of Northeastern New York joins as a part of a national mobilization effort to raise awareness about the threat posed by HIV/AIDS, encourage HIV testing and commit to fight the disease. More than 800 cities across the country will sponsor programs on February 7th. In the Capital Region, the AIDS Council will be hosting free and confidential HIV and STD testing at several community locations including 927 Broadway from 9:30AM-4:00PM, 245 Lark from 6:00PM-8:00PM and Waterworks Pub from 11:00PM-3:00AM. No appointment is needed for testing. The Council encourages citizens to get educated, get tested, get treated and get involved with HIV/AIDS as it continues to impact the Capital Region and New York State. HIV is 100% preventable and many do not know the test only takes about 20 minutes to get a result and involves no needles or blood. For additional testing dates, times and locations, call 518-HIV TEST.

The AIDS Council is committed to helping communities of color with its Given the Chance (GTC) initiative. This program launched last year is designed to address HIV, hepatitis and substance abuse prevention needs in the Capital Region among communities of color. GTC tackles one of the hardest hit populations by offering a multi-pronged approach including transitional case management, HIV counseling, enhanced peer outreach, free testing and risk reduction education. The Council also works on changing the behaviors of urban adolescents to reduce their risk of contracting HIV and other STDs. In the Capital Region, over 50% of newly diagnosed HIV/AIDS cases are in people of color. As the AIDS Council increases access to testing in communities with limited access to health care, this number could be even higher.

December 2007 - Our Brothers’ Keepers Foundation (OBK) has graciously donated $3,500 to the AIDS Council. The money will be used for a client holiday party to be held on December 19th. At the annual celebration the Council will provide food, music, games, activities and transportation to over 100 clients and their families.

OBK is a grassroots organization whose sole purpose is to raise money to support programs that provide a wide range of direct services to persons with HIV/AIDS, their families, and loved ones. www.obkf.org

Saturday, December 1, 2007 is World AIDS Day. Join the greater Glens Falls Community and local volunteers from the AIDS Council of Northeastern New York with support from the HIV/AIDS Coalition of the Saratoga Region for a World AIDS Day Memorial.

The memorial program will begin at 3:00 pm at the Bandstand in Glens Falls City Park. Mayor Le Roy B. Akins, Jr. will read the World AIDS Day Proclamation, followed by a candlelight walk to The Hyde Collection. Those who do not wish to walk can meet in the Hyde Collection’s Helen Froehlich Auditorium at 4:00 pm, where a musical performance and program in memory of those in our community who have died from AIDS and those who are living with the disease will begin.

The Hyde Collection will display a local panel from the AIDS Memorial Quilt. The AIDS Quilt began in 1987 as a memorial to those who died of AIDS. The AIDS Quilt has grown to a 54-ton tapestry that includes more than 45,000 panels dedicated to more than 88,000 individuals. It is the largest piece of community art in the world.

The guest speaker is photographer and activist, Dona Ann McAdams. McAdams will present a slide show and discuss her experiences at the onset of the AIDS epidemic in New York City, as well as her link to the nonprofit group Visual AIDS, that came up with the idea to create a Red Ribbon as what is now the global symbol in the fight against AIDS. Maria Zemantauski, one of the world’s few heralded female flamenco guitarists, and one of even fewer female flamenco composers will perform. Mezzo-Soprano Gisella Montanez-Case, will provide vocal entertainment. NYSMA Soloist Kelsey Finley, a 16 year old Fort Ann High School Junior will also perform. The evening will close with a selection played on bagpipes by Allan Clugston, a member of the Galloway Gaelic Pipes and Drums.

Donations of personal toiletry items will be accepted at The Hyde Collection for distribution by the AIDS Council to those affected by HIV and AIDS in our community. Light refreshments will be served during the meet and greet reception after the program.

The AIDS Council of Northeastern New York’s mission is to reduce the risk, fear, and incidence of HIV infection, encourage the independence of people living with or affected by HIV/AIDS and promote understanding of their Established in 1988, World AIDS Day raises awareness and focuses attention on the global AIDS epidemic. The red ribbon is an international symbol of AIDS awareness that is worn on World AIDS Day and all year round to demonstrate care and concern about HIV/AIDS, and to remind others of the need for their support and commitment. The ultimate goals are to prevent the spread of HIV and improve the lives of people living with the disease. Nearly 40 million people throughout the world are living with HIV, including 2.3 million children. 4.3 million people were infected with HIV in 2006 – the highest ever in one year.

November 2007 - On Thursday, November 15 over 700 guests gathered at the historic Franklin Plaza in Troy for the annual Beaujolais Nouveau Wine Celebration to benefit the AIDS Council of Northeastern New York. Recognized as one of the most popular charity events in the Capital Region, participants helped raise over $65,000 to support cutting-edge HIV prevention programs and those living with HIV/AIDS in the community.

Based on one of the world’s great wine tasting traditions, this annual November event celebrates the first tasting of this year’s Beaujolais Nouveau wine harvest and is a kick-off to the holiday season. Participants enjoyed live entertainment and dancing, gourmet cuisine from over 20 area restaurants, silent auction, martini bar and a selection of fine wines, including the featured Beaujolais Nouveau.

The AIDS Council is very grateful to the sponsors, restaurants, volunteers, valued donors and participants that made this event a wonderful success.

Sponsors of the event included Time Warner Cable, Barefoot Wines, FLY 92.3, Oberlander Group, River Street Club, CapitalCare Medical Group, Jaeger & Flynn Associates, KeyBank, Metroland, Prime Care Physicians, Romeo’s Gifts, Oh Bar, Town Total Health, The Desmond Hotel & Conference Center, Stewart’s Shops, Wojeski & Company, CPAs, The Mooradian Lofts and Trustco Bank.

Participating restaurants included American Hotel, BFS Restaurant and Catering, Cheesecake Machismo, Century House Restaurant, Daisy Baker’s, Dakota Restaurant, DiviniTea, El Loco Mexican Café, The Epicurian, Flavour Café and Lounge, George Weston Bakeries/Friehofer’s, Glen Sanders Mansion, Honest Weight Food Co-op, Magnolias on the Park, Michael’s Catering, Old Daley Inn Catering, Professor Java’s Coffee Sanctuary, Tosca, Queen of Tarts and Vermont Pure Springs/Crystal Rock Bottled Water.

The AIDS Council is also appreciative of the generous support from DJ Chrome, Jon LeRoy, Live Sound Inc., Photos by Joan Heffler, A&U Magazine, Chronogram, Seagroatt Riccardi, Surroundings Floral Studio, Sherman Furniture, Southern Wine & Spirits of Upstate NY, Wine & Sprits of Slingerlands, Tablecloths for Granted, Tremont Ace Hardware and Rentals, Capital District Gay & Lesbian Community Council and the Troy Police Department.