UPDATE:
The North Georgia Health District and the Northwest Georgia AIDS Task Force (the regional Ryan White planning consortium) are announcing the details of their 20th Anniversary World AIDS Day Commemoration on December 1, 2008.
The emphasis of this observance will be on "the arts" since the purpose this year is to promote awareness of the absence from the cultural community of all the artists who have died of AIDS. This event will serve as a memorial and as a reminder of the empty space in the culture of the arts, as well as in every community throughout the world, due to the HIV epidemic.
The local World AIDS Day events on Monday, December 1 will be at Dalton State College (DSC), Dalton, GA, and will include an Art Exhibit and a Performing Arts Event for which volunteers are urged to register.

Registered volunteers may:

• Display artwork (their own or others) writings, crafts, photography, needlework, sketches, poetry, paintings, sewn clothing, jewelry, etc.
  
• Display a photograph taken by the exhibitor illustrating or depicting what it is like to live with HIV. Photograph can be black and white or color and must be at least a 4x6 size or larger.
  
• Perform a reading, a vocal song, an instrumental song, or a dance
  
• Volunteer to monitor the art exhibit on December 1.  

Volunteers are also needed to:

• Set up the event prior to December 1
  
• Help on December 1 with general assistance throughout the day.
  
• Serve on the Discussion Panel
  
• Give extra credit to students or employees who participate in the World AIDS Day activities
  

To participate, please complete the registration form located at the top of this press release under "Related Documents", and either fax the form to 706-281-2390, email it to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or mail it to the Whitfield County Health Department, 808 Professional Blvd. Dalton, GA 30720, ATTN: World AIDS Day 2008.
World AIDS Day events at DSC on December 1 are scheduled as follows:

• HIV Testing , Pope Student Center, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
  
• Arts on Exhibit, Pope Center, 11 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
  
• Performing Arts, Pope Center Stage, 11 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., and 6 - 7 p.m.
  
• Community-wide HIV Update, Memorial Hall Auditorium, 4:30 - 5:15 p.m.
  
• Panel Discussion/Living with HIV, Memorial Hall Auditorium, 5:15 - 5:45 p.m.
  
• Reception with Light Refreshments, Pope Center, 6 - 7 p.m.
  
• World AIDS Day 2008 Memorial Service and Candlelight Vigil, Pope Center and Bell Tower, 7 - 8 p.m.

The Task Force Chairman is Billy Nimmons, and local consortium World AIDS Day 2008 Co-Chairs are Bob Angle and Gene Perkins.  For more information, or to participate in the arts exhibit or performing arts event, please contact The Task Force at 706-281-2360.