This post on AIDS/HIV is made in support of Bloggers Unite. On December 1, 2008, bloggers from around the world are uniting for World AIDS Day 2008. Why? To help raise awareness about the 33 million people in the world who are living with HIV. In the United States, an estimated one million Americans are living with HIV.

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When I was growing up, the danger of unprotected sex was pregnancy or perhaps a nasty STD or Herpes. Intravenous drug use put you in danger of overdose, adulterated drugs or Hepatitis.
Today, you can contract HIV from one risky sexual encounter or one needle sharing incident.
Make sure you, your children and grandchildren know the dangers and protect themselves.
Also, ensure that they are educated about HIV/AIDS so they do not hold outdated ideas that could harm them or cause them to isolate friends and family that are infected.

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What is HIV/AIDS?

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the virus that causes the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).  Unlike most viruses, HIV attacks the human immune system. The immune system gives our bodies the ability to fight infection and is severely compromised by HIV. Reducing the amount of virus in the body with anti-retroviral therapies can dramatically slow the destruction of a person’s immune system and the onset of AIDS.

AIDS is the final stage of the HIV virus, where the immune system is compromised, multiple systemic infections exist and T cells are almost non-existent. T cells belong to a group of white blood cells known as lymphocytes, which are crucial to the normal function of the human immune system.

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The Past

Being diagnosed with AIDS used to be an automatic death sentence; a painful, lingering death.  Many people died from AIDS without ever having a diagnosis of HIV first.

The Present

With access to treatment, people live for years with HIV without developing AIDS.

The Future

With research, hopefully a cure will be found for HIV/AIDS.  Hopefully we will share this cure with countries whose populations are being decimated by AIDS.

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Facts From aids.gov

HIV can be found in body fluids, including:

• blood
• semen
• vaginal fluids
• breast milk
• some body fluids sometimes handled by health-care workers (fluids surrounding the brain and spinal cord, bone joints, and around an unborn baby)

HIV is passed from one person to another by:

• having sex (vaginal, anal, or oral) with a person who has HIV
• sharing needles with a drug user who has HIV
• during pregnancy, birth, or breast-feeding if a mother has HIV
• getting a blood transfusion from a person with HIV

Abstaining from (not having) sex is the most effective way to prevent HIV transmission. There are several ways to protect yourself or to prevent transmitting HIV during vaginal, oral, or anal sex if you choose to have sex:

• Get tested for HIV and know the HIV status of yourself and your partner
• Be faithful to your sexual partner
• Use condoms or other latex barriers during vaginal, oral, and anal sex, and never reuse condoms or latex barriers

HIV cannot be transmitted by casual contact. Here are the facts:

• You cannot get HIV from shaking hands or hugging a person with HIV/AIDS
• You cannot get HIV from using a public telephone, drinking fountain, restroom, swimming pool, Jacuzzi, or hot tub
• You cannot get HIV from sharing a drink
• You cannot get HIV from being coughed or sneezed on by a person with HIV/AIDS
• You cannot get HIV from giving blood
• You cannot get HIV from a mosquito bite

Transmission of HIV while getting a tattoo or through a body piercing is possible, but it can be prevented through:

• Single-use instruments intended to penetrate the skin being used only once, then disposed of
• Reusable instruments or devices that penetrate the skin and/or contact a client’s blood should be thoroughly cleaned and sterilized between clients according to medical guidelines

These guidelines are the same as those practiced within any medical facility where there is a risk of instruments coming into contact with blood.

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Emergency

The Emergency Number worldwide for Mobile is 112. If you are out of the coverage area of your mobile network and there is an emergency, dial 112 and the mobile will search any existing network to establish the emergency number.

Locked Out of Car

Does your car have remote keyless entry? If you lock your keys In the car and the spare keys are at home, call someone at home from your cell to their cell. Hold your cell phone about a foot from your car door and have the person at your home press the unlock button while holding the clicker close to their cell phone.  The car will unlock. Update 11/19/08: According to Snopes, this is impossible.  However, I have had people report they have unlocked their car. Try it before you need it.  Let me know if it works.

Battery Reserve Power

If your cell battery is very low, press the keys *3370#.  Your cell phone will restart in reserve power mode.

This was sent to me in an email from a friend.  I had heard of the remote unlock, but not the other two.  If it helps you in a pinch, I am glad.

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Last week, many displaced people from the coast arrived before the storm in Central and at state parks throughout Texas.  While this was a welcome respite from the storm, many remain, trying to make plans for when they can return to their homes.  Or, should I say where there once was a home.

Red Cross Did you know that 1/3 of Texans lives on the Gulf Coast? There are many folk who need help.  Please see what you may do today to make someone’s life a little easier.

Sep. 19 Ike News Update from Texas Parks & Wildlife

10 a.m. CDT — Update 11

Below is information sent by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to the Governor’s Press Office today. The governor’s office is coordinating official communication about Ike for the State of Texas, including TPWD activities. The following information is provided as a service and convenience for TPWD’s audience. For complete information, see the Texas governor’s web site at http://governor.state.tx.us/, or news media may phone the press office at (512) 463-1826.

For complete TPWD Ike news, including dozens of high resolution photos for news media use, go to www.tpwd.state.tx.us/site/emergency.

Texas Game Wardens/TPWD Law Enforcement Division

• TPWD has had approximately 200 game wardens and associated boats and equipment deployed for Hurricane Ike.
• A smaller team of game wardens is today working with local jurisdictions to provide enforcement and assistance on the Bolivar Peninsula, having completed most search and rescue there.
• The bulk of TPWD’s game warden strike teams in the field today are focused on law enforcement patrols, looting prevention and related assistance at the request of affected cities and counties. This includes teamsin the greater Beaumont-Port Arthur area at Vidor, Rose City, Neches River, Sabine River, Cow Bayou, Adams Bayou. It also includes teams in the greater Houston-Galveston area and in various counties in East and Southeast Texas, including Hardin, Orange, Tyler, Polk and Newton Counties.

RE-ENTRY: When Can I Go Home?

REBUILDING: How Do I Put My Life Back Together?

Useful Links

Locating Loved Ones Evacuated by the State
Hurricane Ike Power Outages & Information
Governor’s Division of Emergency Management
Texas Disaster Relief Fund
HHSC - Emergency food stamp help
Register with FEMA
FEMA: Ike Info
Donate or Volunteer through TexasResponds.org

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Come Dance! 2008

Totally Free Event

Butler Dance Education Center
501 W. 3rd St.
Austin  TX  78701

Think you can dance? Want to try? Ballet Austin hosts a day of free dance classes of all types — modern dance, tap, flamenco, hula, jazz, Broadway theater style and yes, ballet. The 40-minute classes start on the hour beginning at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m

There’s also ongoing previews of the family-friendly show Not Afraid of the Dark and a special ‘Nutcracker’ room decked with sets and costumes from the holiday spectacular and ready for your early holiday photo opportunity. Bring the camera and lots of film!

Other things to do in the neighborhood:

Austin Children’s Museum

201 Colorado St, Austin, TX 78701
Near the intersection of Colorado St and W 2nd St
(512) 472-2499 www.austinkids.org

Tuesday - Saturday: 10am-5pm
Community Night Wednesdays: 5-8pm
Sunday: Noon-5pm

Adult: $5.50
Children 2 yrs.and up: $5.50
Children 12-23 months: $3.50
Children under 12 months: FREE

Zilker Park/Barton Springs/Botanical Gardens

Swim Fees
Senior    $1.00
Adult     $3.00
Junior (12-17)   $2.00
Child (11- under)   $1.00
Parking fee at Zilker  $3.00 (March through September)

Bring the family to Austin early and and stay the day.  Picnic in Zilker Park.  Hike or bike the trail around Lady Bird Lake. Swim in the sacred waters of Barton Springs. Ride the train around Zilker Park. Rent a canoe on :Lady Bird Lake.

Austin Duck Adventures

Monday and Tuesday: 2 PM
Wednesday through Friday: 11 AM & 2 PM
Saturday & Sunday: 11 AM, 2 PM & 4 PM

All public tours depart from the Austin Visitor Information Center at 209 E. Sixth Street
Adults - $25.95 + tax
Children (2 and Under) - Free
Children (Age 3-12) - $15.95
Seniors and Students - $23.95 + tax

Bob Bullock State of Texas Museum

Visit the Bob Bullock State of Texas Museum and see The Dark Knight: The IMAX Experience.  Come see Batman six stories high as he fights the Joker and crime in Gotham City.

See the Bats!  See the Bats!

When and Where To See the Congress Avenue Bats:

The best bat views are in August when the young pups join their mothers in the nightly flights. It can take as long as 45 minutes for all the bats to exit the bridge. Flights normally occur around 8 to 8:30 pm but could be earlier or later. Call the Bat Hotline at 416-5700 ext. 3636 for times. In addition to lining up on the sidewalks along the Congress Avenue bridge there are other safer and popular spots for bat-watching:

• Austin American-Statesman public viewing area on the Southeast end of Congress Avenue.
• Cruises on Town Lake are another way to see the bats. Lone Star Riverboat and Capital Cruises offer bat-watching cruises.
• Watch the bats from the Shoreline Bar & Grill, T.G.I. Fridays (in the Radisson Hotel), or the Four Seasons Hotel.

Doesn’t it shound like a great weekend for the family.  Do as much or as little as you wish.  Spend all the time indoors to beat the heat or cool down naturally in Barton Springs.

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This is a continuation of this post: Family Fish in Texas State Parks | Texas RV Travel blog. Please see that post for an explanation of Family Fish, which is a free event in all State Parks in Texas.

Here is a listing of all the Texas State Parks that require no fishing license as part of Family Fish.

Below are special events held in conjunction with Family Fish, from September to the end of the year. These clinics help everyone in the family to become better fisher folk. Some of the events include the loan of fishing equipment and instruction in different methods of fishing. Others have prizes and fun related activities for the kids. The events with a blue wheelchair symbol are suitable for family members who are mobility and visually impaired.

September 2008 — Caddo Lake SP&WMA — Family Fishing Clinic — Every Sunday. Bring the kids and learn how to have fun fishing! All the basics will be taught, then practice what you’ve learned with hands-on fishing. 9 a.m.-noon (903) 679-3351.

September 2008 — Goose Island SP — Pier Fishing with a Ranger — Every Sunday. Bring your rod and reel and join us on the fishing pier to learn the tackle and techniques of fishing in the Texas bays. Loaner fishing tackle will be provided for the first 10 participants. Accessible for the mobility impaired. 10-11 a.m. (361) 729-2858.

September 20, 2008 — Lake Texana SP — Fish with a Ranger — It all starts with free fishing at the Day Pier in the morning. No fishing license required and poles and bait provided. Then in the afternoon, we will have fish printing on t-shirts (bring your own t-shirt or get one of ours for a $5 donation) at the Nature Center. Accessible for the mobility and visually impaired. Fishing 9 a.m., fish printing 2 p.m. (361) 782-5718.

September 27, 2008 — Brazos Bend SP — Junior Angler Education Workshop — Join us at a free clinic for parents and children that will provide the opportunity for families to spend time together while learning the basics of fishing through hands-on instruction. Class size is limited to 30 participants. Children should be 6 years old or older and accompanied by an adult. Accessible for the mobility impaired. 9-11 a.m. (979) 553-5101.

September 27, 2008 — Palmetto SP — Basic Angler Training and Fun Fish — This fishing event features training in basic fishing skills along with prizes and awards for the kids. No fishing license required. 9 a.m.; register at the park office (830) 672-3266.

October 2008 — Caddo Lake SP&WMA — Family Fishing Clinic — Every Sunday. Bring the kids and learn how to have fun fishing! All the basics will be taught, then practice what you’ve learned with hands-on fishing. 9 a.m.-noon (903) 679-3351.

October 12, 26, 2008 — Goose Island SP — Pier Fishing with a Ranger — Bring your rod and reel and join us on the fishing pier to learn the tackle and techniques of fishing in the Texas bays. Loaner fishing tackle will be provided for the first 10 participants. Accessible for the mobility impaired. 10-11 a.m. (361) 729-2858.

October 18, 2008 — Brazos Bend SP — Junior Angler Education Workshop — Join us at a free clinic for parents and children that will provide the opportunity for families to spend time together while learning the basics of fishing through hands-on instruction. Class size is limited to 30 participants. Children should be 6 years old or older and accompanied by an adult. Accessible for the mobility impaired. 9-11 a.m. (979) 553-5101.

October 18, 2008 — Palmetto SP — Basic Angler Training and Fun Fish — This fishing event features training in basic fishing skills along with prizes and awards for the kids. No fishing license required. 9 a.m.; register at the park office (830) 672-3266.

November 2008 — Caddo Lake SP&WMA — Family Fishing Clinic — Every Sunday. Bring the kids and learn how to have fun fishing! All the basics will be taught, then practice what you’ve learned with hands-on fishing. 9 a.m.-noon (903) 679-3351.

November 8, 2008 — Brazos Bend SP — Junior Angler Education Workshop — Join us at a free clinic for parents and children that will provide the opportunity for families to spend time together while learning the basics of fishing through hands-on instruction. Class size is limited to 30 participants. Children should be 6 years old or older and accompanied by an adult. Accessible for the mobility impaired. 9-11 a.m. (979) 553-5101.

November 22, 2008 — Palmetto SP — Basic Angler Training and Fun Fish — This fishing event features training in basic fishing skills along with prizes and awards for the kids. No fishing license required. 9 a.m.; register at the park office (830) 672-3266.

December 6, 2008 — Brazos Bend SP — Junior Angler Education Workshop — Join us at a free clinic for parents and children that will provide the opportunity for families to spend time together while learning the basics of fishing through hands-on instruction. Class size is limited to 30 participants. Children should be 6 years old or older and accompanied by an adult. Accessible for the mobility impaired. 9-11 a.m. (979) 553-5101

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