Vol 8, Issue 2

Binky's List

CMG does not necessarily endorse the events or organizations listed here, nor guarantee the quality of the goods/services offered. 

I don't care how attractive
you think you look,
if you have an ugly heart,
you're ugly.

                        —unknown
 

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Uncle Seal Wants YOU to Join Seal Watch! (Sonoma County)
February 7th is Seal Watch Training for the 2015 Season!  At the Bodega Bay Fire District Station.  There are some very cool presenters from the Marine Mammal Center and I will be doing a short equipment presentation,  We will also, weather permitting, go out to the seals on Goat Rock Beach.  I love the time on Goat Rock Beach with the seals and their pups (for 3 weeks there was a whale mom and calf too!). The seals really do appreciate it!  Please contact Jim Fleming (jim4seals@gmail.com) if interested.     1/17/15

Scientists 'delete' HIV virus from human DNA for the first time

• Scientists at Temple University used a DNA-snipping enzyme called Cas9 to cut out the virus
• The cell's gene repair machinery then takes over, soldering the loose ends of the genome back together – resulting in a virus-free cell 
• Process could also be a cure for other latent infections, researchers say
• It's an exciting discovery, but not ready to go into the clinic

Once HIV conquers a human cell, it will stay there forever.

It inserts its deadly genome permanently into its victims' DNA, forcing them to require medical treatment for the rest of their life.

But now, for the first time, researchers in Philadelphia have found a way to completely delete HIV from human cells by ‘snipping’ them out.  The team of Temple University School of Medicine said the breakthrough marks the first successful attempt to eliminate latent HIV-1 virus from human cells – and could be a cure for other latent infections.

‘This is one important step on the path toward a permanent cure for AIDS,' said Kamel Khalili, PhD, Professor and Chair of the Department of Neuroscience at Temple.  'It's an exciting discovery, but it's not yet ready to go into the clinic. It's a proof of concept that we're moving in the right direction,' he added.

In a study published by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Dr Khalili and colleagues detail how they created molecular tools to delete the HIV-1 proviral DNA.  When deployed, a combination of a DNA-snipping enzyme called a nuclease and a targeting strand of RNA called a guide RNA (gRNA) hunt down the viral genome and remove the HIV-1 DNA.  From there, the cell's gene repair machinery takes over, soldering the loose ends of the genome back together – resulting in virus-free cells.

Since HIV-1 is never cleared by the immune system, removal of the virus is required in order to cure the disease,' explained Dr Khalili.  These molecular tools also hold promise as a therapeutic vaccine; cells armed with the nuclease-RNA combination proved impervious to HIV infection.

Worldwide, more than 33 million people have HIV, including more than 1 million in the United States.  Every year, another 50,000 Americans contract the virus, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  In the UK, around 100,000 people were living with HIV in the UK in 2013. That’s around one person in 665.

Although highly active antiretroviral therapy (Haart) has controlled HIV-1 for infected people in the developed world over the last 15 years, the virus can rage again with any interruption in treatment.

In a study published by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Dr Khalili and colleagues detail how they created molecular tools to delete the HIV-1 proviral DNA.

Read more:
http://www.temple.edu/medicine/temple_researchers_eliminate_hiv_virus_from_human_cells.htm.

Seeking Cabinmate for All-Gay Cruises (Caribbean)
Depart Singapore March 29 with Atlantis Events on the Celebrity Millennium to Thailand, Vietnam & ending in Hong Kong April 9.  Note: I am not a travel agent, I'm just looking for the one right guy to share my INSIDE cabin with.  If interested, contact CMGer Charles Crockett at callcharlie2001@yahoo.com.     1/23/15


Psychotherapy Available (Los Angeles)
Most of you who know longtime CMG member Pavel Cerny, also know that he has been married for over forty years. His wife Helena Cerny, a PhD in Marriage Family Therapy, also sees many gay, lesbian, and transgender clients in her charming office at Studio City, CA. You can phone her for appointment at (818) 205-.8753 or you can email her at helenaweltcer@yahoo.com.     1/2/15


Vacation Rental (Palm Springs)
Stay in either a  300- or 400-sq. ft. en suite luxury room within a 1961 custom-built Mid-Century home during your Palm Springs visit.  Perched high above Palm Springs with sweeping views of the surrounding mountains, the tram, the windmills, and the valley floor.  Just 1.5 miles to the shops on Palm Canyon Dr.  Both rooms have king sized beds, robes, stereo system, alarm clocks, essentials, wireless internet connection, etc.  Rates vary depending on season.  https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/2715503?s=ZPIm and https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/4092920?s=KnGw.  Feel free to contact Dennis Woods at (310) 710-7123 or Dennis.L.Woods@gmail.com.     1/22/15


Walking Tour of Tijuana (Baja, Mexico)
Free* walking tour of Tijuana by Tijuana resident, Sam Warren, author of Having Fun in Tijuana and Gay Baja.  I enjoy seeing it again through other people's eyes. *Except for expenses & optional tip.  Contact Sam at sambookwarren@yahoo.com.     1/2/15


Offering Place to Stay (Tucson AZ)
Any CMG guy coming to or thru Tucson is welcome to stay in my home, & please do.  You'll have your own room, a host to either show you around or leave you alone as you prefer, a dog who will love you & artworks galore.  When coming, please let me know ASAP at 2msnguys@gmail.com or (520) 398-6826.  Hugs,  Merlin     1/25/15


Companion Care Services (Palm Springs)
Experienced companion care services for Coachella Valley area.  Services include: meal prep, pet care, driving to appointments or any necessary outing, light cleaning. and more. Please contact Flavio Semas @ (760) 459-5002 or coachellacompanioncare@gmail.com.  References available on request.     1/20/15


BA-MEN (So Cal)
BA-MEN (Beach Areas Men Enjoying Naturism), a men's naturist/nudist club in Orange County, Long Beach, and nearby areas, is planning a trip to Tecopa Hot Springs in the Death Valley area from Friday 4/10 to Monday 4/13.  We're inviting all men & brother clubs to join us!  Carpools planned from Orange County and other areas.  For full details & to RSVP, see: http://is.gd/NErejD.  Check out our local O.C./Long Beach events, too! Visit BA-MEN at: http://BA-MEN.Org.  Questions?  Write us at: BAMENClub@GMail.com.     1/23/15

 

Body-Centered Coaching For Men (Oakland)
Do you feel stuck in a transition and not sure how to move forward?  Wonder if you're living as fully as you could in your body, sexually vital and at peace?  Relationships aren't as deep as you want?  Grieving and feeling 'less than'?  Over 30 years working with men.  Approach combines body-work, energy work, breath work, and focuses entirely upon you.  Nothing is 'off the table' or 'taboo'. Contact for free consult. Ken Stofft, MA, CSB, Oakland, CA. www.transitionpower.com    1/13/15

 

LGBT Vacation/Retirement Community (Costa Rica)

Computer/Technology Assistance (Palm Springs)
Do you need assistance with: Buying or using your computer?  Expanding your abilities on your tablet or smart phone?  Getting what you want from the Internet or software programs?  Call an experienced, friendly technician for affordable in-home assistance.  Twenty-five years of technology experience.  FLAVIO (760) 459-5002 or flavioguy@yahoo.com.     1/20/15


Want to Give Yourself $20,000 Raise in 2015? (statewide)
Partner with America's leading natural nutrition company and take back control of your income and lifestyle. Work part-time or enjoy a six-figure new career. Build something that lasts, make an important difference and have fun doing it.  Call (562) 498-6800.     1/25/15


Start With Just 10 pounds (statewide)
Getting healthier is a process done step-by-step. Learn how you can lose fat while getting healthier by doing a Shaklee 180 Turnaround. Maintain your muscle mass and your metabolism and avoid the yo-yo diet syndrome. Whether you have 10 pounds or 200 pounds to lose, this program can make all the difference. Watch the video at http://www.P4HL.com/weight and then call (562) 498-6800 to learn how this state-of-the-art program can work for you.     1/25/15


Who's YOUR Valentine? (So Cal)
We all have that someone special in our lives . . . a romantic partner, a special friend, a valued colleague.  February's a great time to show them that you care with Gift Certificates from Integrating Touch.  "Massage Therapy You Can Trust" and a wellness program second to none.  Save 15%-30% on Gift Certificates through February 14.  Call (562) 498-6800 for more info.     1/25/15


Two Men's Nude Yoga Classes (Los Angeles)
Class #1: Men’s Nude Assisted/Partner Yoga Stretching: Sixty minutes of man-on-man Yoga stretches.  Guys are paired up according to height and level of flexibility.  Beginners to advanced flexibility.  Saturday, February 21th, 10-11 AM (1 hour).  Class #2: Nude Basic Yoga: Traditional yoga poses done with a much slower pace and held longer to maximize stretching.  Saturday, February 7th, 10-11 AM (1 hour).  Location: 7100 Owensmouth Ave., Canoga Park.  Each class: $15.00.  Email reservation is a MUST:  urbanbodies@hotmail.com.  Johny     1/21/15


Freshen Your Photos (statewide)
CMG-SD Chairman Milo Shapiro, with www.FreshenYourPhoto.com, saves old pictures, makes improvements to existing ones, and even removes people and things from photos.  This one features CMG familiar-face John Chisholm at age 5 in shot that was damaged beyond being enjoyable. This was a particularly tough case, but Milo took care of it for him and the shot is a great memory keepsake again.  What photo in your desk drawer needs fixing?  Check out all that he does (including a fun video of photos morphing from bad to good) and contact him through the site.     1/2/15


Massage (San Francisco)
CMGer and CMT Brian Swager offers serious, therapeutic, healing bodywork with a warm, sensual approach incorporating Swedish, deep tissue, shiatsu, lomi lomi, craniosacral, and Body Electric style tantric techniques. Warm, quiet, clean studio, quality table,  Sacred Earth lotion, shower.  Additional info: http://www.sfomassage.com.  (415) 551-7866 brian@sfomassage.com.     1/25/15