It's become a New Year's tradition to get an HIV test and know my status. Now I do go at least once a month, but I like starting my new year fresh. It's a simple 30-minute task that you could do on your lunch break. I got tested and thankfully my test came back negative, although they did have to stick me four times – two in each middle finger – because the first 3 tests were not functioning properly.

So a little hassle, a lot of relief. Know your status. It doesn't matter if you're on the DL or the OL (out loud), there's no excuse for not knowing. It's FREE for crying out loud!

The best way to prevent the infection of HIV and other conditions transmitted through sexual contact to to practice safe sex by using condoms and dental dams, and using good judgment with your sexual partners. As we all know, the safest sex is no sex, but I am a realist. I know not everyone can withstand the desires as good as I can. But even still, I get tested because it's affirming for me to know my status.

Here are some resources to find a testing center near you:
National HIV Testing Resources
NYC Department of Health: Testing Sites
DC Department of Health: Testing Sites
Whitman-Walker Clinic
HIV Testing in Los Angeles
San Francisco AIDS Foundation (well-designed site!)
The Berkeley Free Clinic
California Department of Health Office of AIDS
Dallas County Health & Human Services
Testing Resources in Alabama
AIDS Action Coalition: Huntsville, AL

Here are some other resources:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention HIV/AIDS Fact Sheet
Advice for people testing positive for HIV
HIV Testing Frequently Asked Questions (And no, you can't get HIV from getting tested!)
Warts.org AIDS Resource (Thanks Ellie!)

HIV and HIV testing in the news:
Husband Urges Men Who Slept With Wife to Get HIV Test
Women can get HIV easier than believed
Deadly Passions: What's done in the dark could kill you
FDA approves new HIV blood test from Roche
Five Years On: My Diagnosis and Mission Living As HIV-Positive

Have a safe and healthy new year. Don't put yourself at risk and start your new year off right with a free HIV test from your nearest testing facility.

Labels: AIDS, Alabama, Clinic, Dallas, HIV, Holidays, HRC, Human Rights Campaign, Huntsville, Justin Schuck, LGBT, New York, Testing, Texas, washington dc

Originally Scheduled: November 3, 2008
Updated: December 19, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

HUNTSVILLE, AL – Justin Schuck and Company, an innovative provider of photography, design, consulting and event planning services, announced in an online webcast today that it has completed the sale and merger of its various operations in an effort to raise capital and streamline operations.

Earlier this year company president Justin A. Schuck announced plans to sell domain assets, and merge the less successful divisions of the company in an effort to reduce overhead. Schuck also previously announced plans to move the company from Washington D.C. to Dallas, TX. While plans to formally move the company are in the works, the company is not likely to relocate until all restructuring efforts have been completed..

The merger of Innovative Brand Concepts and That’s Sick Viral Marketing into JSDS has been finalized forming the newly rebranded JSDS design + consulting. JSDS is now better capitalized to continue a projected path of growth through 2009, and Schuck also hinted at a new pricing structure for JSDS to better serve companies in the changing market. Acknowledging the company had seen an unexpectedly large number of account defaults in Q2 and Q3 2008 (totaling more than $50,000 in lost revenue), Schuck expects the division to regain full profitability within the next four quarters.

As part of the company’s drive to generate revenue, the Schuck Interactive Group (SiG) was sold to its strategic partner Enterprise Applications PH of the Philippines. JS+Co. will maintain ownership of the SiG domain (www.ischuck.com) and the rights to the SiG name.

“While our domain fire sale wasn’t as productive as I would have preferred, we are in negotiations to sell a bundles of domains, including those not previously listed. These negotiations are ongoing, but we hope to have the completed in the next few months.” Schuck said in his webcast. He continued saying that any unsold domains posted for sale would be sold through an online service.

Schuck said that while this has been a “tumultuous” year for the company, he expects the company to be in a stronger position going forward.

In August, Schuck announced the formation of a new partnership with L/A Events, the world’s new premiere event planning firm. “We’ve started the soft launch of L/A Event’s new website:
anlaevent.com. It’s very exciting.” Schuck continued that “although we are entering a deep recession, Andrea and I feel that L/A Events is in a better position than other event planning firms. Because of our unique partnership with preferred vendors, and the cost savings from our innovative website, we can offer our services at a fraction of the cost.”

PR-Nov3_Update.pdf

Labels: Blog, business, Dallas, design, DFW, Domains, Events, JSDS, Justin Schuck, Justin Schuck + Company, L/A Events, News, Press Release, Sale, Schuck Interactive Group, Texas, washington dc

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WASHINGTON DC – Justin Schuck and Company, an innovative provider of photography, design and marketing services, announced today that it is moving it's main office from Washington, DC to Dallas, TX in October.

In a news conference broadcast on the web Friday, company president Justin A. Schuck announced "with great enthusiasm and excitement" the relocation of the company to 'The Big D.' "We felt that our interests would best be served by the pro-business atmosphere in Texas, Dallas specifically. The low level of competition in our specific industries will give us an even better market position." he continued.

The company plans to use a broad range of targeted advertising, business partnerships, event sponsorship and charitable donations to establish its identity in Dallas.

Schuck made a specific point during the news conference to assure all existing clients in the primary markets of Washington D.C. and New York City that the company will continue it's operations as normal. "I have been working for several years now to train my photographers and develop a staff that can fully serve our client base. Of course I will make myself available whenever possible, especially on all existing contracts. I love my clients and it's very important for me to continue to work on existing and future contracts."

will still benefit from easy access and a local number.While the company will no longer operate with a formal office in Washington, existing clients. "I'm looking forward to what Dallas offers, but I can't wait to return to Washington and New york with new creative vigor and a stronger company behind me." Schuck said as he closed out the web cast.

The new temporary office is expected to open in North Dallas in early October 2008.

PR-Gone_Texan.pdf

Labels: business, Dallas, DFW, moving, Press Release, Texas, Video