2011 August

AUGUST 2011

the newsletter for Nuçi’s Space, a nonprofit musicians’ support/resource center

The Best Day of Your Life?

E

arly this summer I was in Atlanta to attend a conference for nonprofit directors. While crossing the street to the conference center I overheard an exchange between two fellow attendees. When asked, “How are you today?” I heard the voice of an energetic, young man respond without hesitation, “It’s the best day of my life.” His response caught me off guard.

I quickly turned my head to catch a glimpse of this person. I thought to myself, “Did he just win the lottery? Did his girlfriend just accept his marriage proposal? Is he a new father?”

I was intrigued. “What made today the best day of his life?”

The inner-detective in me wanted to get to the bottom of this mystery so I decided to keep an eye on him during the course of the day.

I first heard the term “positive psychology” when reading the book “Flow” written by noted psychology professor and researcher, Mihály Csíkszentmihályi. The general definition of positive psychology is a focus on promoting positive mental health rather than merely treating mental illness. Although the term was first introduced by Abraham Maslow in his 1954 book “Motivation and Personality,” it wasn’t until the research of Mihály Csíkszentmihályi and Martin Seligman in the late 1990’s that positive psychology became recognized as a new area of psychological study. One aspect of positive psychology is the creation of a “life of enjoyment.” This area of study examines how people optimally experience, forecast and savor the positive feelings and emotions that are part of normal and healthy living.

Fortunately, for the purposes of my new-found interest in detective work, I found myself in the same panel discussion with my very joyful and positive-minded subject. From an outward appearance he didn’t seem to have an advantage for experiencing a “better than average day” than his counterparts sitting around him. At the conclusion of the panel discussion, he asked one of the featured speakers for some advice about a financial problem his organization had recently encountered.

Not only did his question dismantle my theory about his “best day” being linked to recent lottery winnings, his positive outlook in the wake of financial instability piqued my interest even more.

Often times when people are chronically overwhelmed and stressed, they begin to deteriorate emotionally, physically and socially. This negative state can perpetuate into a limited and narrow view of coping skills and behavior, leading to feelings of exhaustion, depression and hopelessness. The role of positive psychology is to complement, not replace traditional psychology. One of the best known researchers in the field of positive psychology is Barbara Fredrickson. In her work, Broaden-

nuçi’s space by

Bob Sleppy

and-Build Theory of Positive Emotions, she proposes “that the positive emotions broaden an individual’s momentary mindset, and by doing so help to build enduring personal resources.”

In general, positive psychology asks the question “If negative emotions cause a narrowing effect on coping skills, could the experience of positive emotions have an upward spiraling effect that expands thinking and coping skills?” Fredrickson’s research posited that positive emotions, such as joy, hope and contentment can broaden the cognitive capacity to be more flexible and receptive to new ideas. Furthermore, as positive emotions broaden possibilities and behavior, it leads to building greater personal resources. By building personal resources such as improved health, greater hope, optimism and healthy relationships, people are able to incorporate these assets and skills when facing negative situations.

As the two of us exited the conference room after the panel discussion, our paths crossed near the exit doors. When our eyes met, he extended his hand to greet me, asking “How are you today?” I replied in a somewhat subdued tone, “I’m good, thank you. How are you?” Once again, without hesitation as he had done before, he replied, “It’s the best day of my life.” Before I could inquire about his answer he must have read the perplexed look on my face and began to share an explanation. “Every day that I wake up is the best day of my life.” At this point I was expecting cartoon birds to land on his shoulder and start whistling happy show tunes. You’ll have to excuse my skepticism, but I can quite easily distinguish between when I am having a “good” day and when I am having a “bad” day. Unfortunately I can’t blindly subscribe to the idea that ‘every day that I wake up is the best day of my life.’ The idea is a little too “Pollyanna” for my jaded personality. I think he could tell that I wasn’t buying his “every day is beautiful and wonderful” act so he continued his explanation [paraphrased]. “Because of the work I do in the community, I see a lot of pain and suffering on a daily basis. I used to wake up preparing for the worst to happen and guard myself from the inevitable pain that I’d experience. However I realized that by desensitizing myself from the painful aspects of my job I had also dulled my senses to all the great things that happen to me every day. One day I had to choose between focusing on the negative or on the positive. I chose to focus on the positive and I try to think of every day as the ‘best day of my life’ as sort of a reminder for myself.” After his thoughtful explanation, my outlook turned from skepticism to envy. I thought to myself, “Is it that easy? Could today be the best day of my life?”

To be honest, I have no idea but at least I’ll be open to the idea. Who knows? Maybe that’s just enough to get the ball rolling?

396 Oconee Street Athens, GA 30601 706.227.1515 space@nuci.org www.nuci.org

Newsletter Contributors

Bob Sleppy Will Kiser Laura Ford Matt Hudgins Lesley Cobbs Ceclia Hadley Photos

Desiree Grigsby Design & Layout

Larry Tenner

Nuçi Phillips

Memorial Foundation

Board of Directors

President: Matt Justus Treasurer: Robert Bachman Stephanie Sharp Linda V. Phillips Pierre Phillips Patterson Hood Rebecca Hood Dr. Bill Orr Sally Speed Benjamin Roberts III Ellie MacKnight David Barbe K.P. Devlin Executive Director

Bob Sleppy Legal Counsel

Mike Lavender Jim Warnes

Sparkle Song: A Celebration of the Music of Elissa Hadley Elissa Hadley was an Athens musician and actress, most notably with her bands Lenny and Breathlanes. Elissa passed away in the summer of 2006 after a battle with cancer. Below, her mother Cecilia explains her family’s connection to Nuçi’s Space.

who kept her focused and grounded throughout the last years of her life. Elissa lived to welcome each day, to use her talents in doing satisfying things that made her and the people around her happy. She lived to know how many people loved her. She lived with gratitude for all If you wonder why the people and situaNuçi’s Space was chotions which had come sen for Sparkle Song, together to help her Saturday, August 27th at 5 pm wonder no more. realize how wonderful Music from Caroline Aiken, Scott Simpson, When Elissa realized life could be… and she Jane Stebbins, Matthew Kahler, that alcohol was the was especially grateKodac Harrison and Neal Fountain. only thing standing ful to Nuçi’s Space for between her and the setting her compass life she wanted, she took the first step toward to point toward happiness and fulfillment. She recovery when she reached out to Nuçi’s Space learned so much in those last few years. She grew for help. Sounds simple, but asking for help is into a beautiful woman, inside and out. None of incredibly difficult. Those of you who have been us knows how long we’re given. For however long in recovery know how many changes have to be I have, I’ll continue to show Nuçi’s Space how made in one’s life and how important the strong grateful I am for giving my daughter back to me, support of family and friends is to this process. for helping her to have her miracle of recovery.

That support, thankfully, included Linda Phillips In Elissa’s words, “I am better, I am braver… I (Nuçi’s mom), who not only said yes to Elissa’s am flying starlight clean… thank you, thank you, plea, but guided her to the perfect counselor, who thank you.” led her to the right AA group and to a sponsor Cecilia Hadley

Sparkle Song

Recent Donors Apex Signs Babaliaros, Constantine & Fotini Ball, William Blackmon, Dan Blackmon, Warren Bryan, Philip & Jane Carrier, Michelle Casey, Noleen & John Cauthorn, Nohr & O’Dell DBT Recording Inc The D’Addario Music Foundation Downs, Bertis & Katherine Firstgiving, Inc. Ford, James G Frierson, Sarah & Jack The George Link Jr. Charitable Trust Gholson, Jag and Chris Gill, Larry Gordon, Bobbi Griffin, Gwen W.

Hammes, Paul & Dana Harden, Carrie Jackson EMC Foundation, Inc. Johnson, Eric T. Kim, Bo-Kyung Kitchens, James Lester, David Love, Lisa Lyndhurst Foundation McDonald-Fain, Mary Beth Nettles, Victor Nicholls, Anna M. Ordonez, Dr. & Mrs. Carlos Pattavina, Denise Pittard, Wilma Publix, Alanta Division Rackley, Brant & Melissa Recreation and Leisure Studies Roberts, Don Rowe, Joe Schools, David Smith, Walter E. & Rosie O. Southern Distinction Starrs, Chris Van Dyck, Peter & Marla

Van Ophuijsen, Sarah Wallace, April Wal-Mart Foundation White, Jim In Memory of April Bachtel Rodgers, Thomas

In Memory of Maime Parker Hicks, Kip In Memory of Michael Roberds Roberds, Thomas & Pamela In Memory of Mike Sparrow Caitlin Mitchell & Friends

In Memory of Crane Guy Vandenoever, Chris Hoenshel, Linda Wright, Catherine

In Memory of Nuci Phillips McCarthy, Frances Phillips, Dr. & Mrs. Pierre

In Memory of Elissa Hadley Hadley, Cecilia

In Memory of Rose & Jim Fisher Sleppy, Janet

In Memory of Eve Carson Clarke, Eli & Emma

In Memory of Ted Hafer Hafer, Matt & Mary Kay

In Memory of Jerry Fuchs Phillips, Dr. & Mrs. Pierre

In Memory of Vic Chesnutt Bunnell, John

In Memory of James Ford Ford, Bruce & Lisa

How It Works The Counseling Assistance Program Sometimes I wonder if the most straightforward things are almost daunting in their simplicity. Maybe there’s a jaded part of us that wants to make things more difficult? You come across something that’s so cut and dry you wonder to yourself—Is this too easy to be true? I’d like to think of our Counseling Assistance Program that way—because of that simplicity, it works. In the following paragraphs I’ll walk you through how it works.

We’ll start with a local musician who is feeling depressed. He’s just been through a tough breakup; he’s hounded by constant money problems and issues within his band. The result of all these concerns is constant anxiety and mounting depression.

We’ve found that word of mouth is what sends people our way more than anything. Sometimes I’ll ask a client how they got to Nuçi’s Space and most of the time the answer is “a friend told me I should do it.” This is a promising sign—one of the quickest way to destroy the power that stigma has over us is to hear a friend say “I’ve done it, it’s okay for you to do it too.”

Back to our imaginary client… one of his friends suggests Nuçi’s Space so

he calls down here during the day and asks about our counseling program.

The first step is for him to meet with me for a short “intake” appointment.

At this point I don’t know if he’s a musician or not but that doesn’t matter— in the spirit of simplicity we want to cut down on any obstacles to treatment for everyone. There’s so much red tape in the world of mental health, and we strive to be the antithesis. It takes a lot of guts to pick up the phone and ask for help—the last thing we want to do is slow down that positive momentum.

Once the client is in the Space for their intake we’ll have a short meeting where we talk a little about what they’re looking for and what would best suit them.

For local musicians and artists, Nuçi’s Space provides financial assistance toward receiving professional counseling or visits to a psychiatrist.

In these cases I’ll set the client up with a specific therapist, based on what they’re going through at the time.

Some people have specific issues they want to address, or specific requests (a male or female therapist for example), so I take all of that into account when setting up the appointment.

by

Will Kiser

I’ll stay involved beyond the intake appointment as well—sometimes clients need help finding affordable medication or they might need a safe, comfortable place to hang out during the day. In response to those needs, I can help find prescription assistance or generic medicine programs. If they need to get out of the house I get them acclimated to the Space—our library, our practice rooms, our instruments.

Here’s where the Nuçi’s Space building becomes an ancillary part of their treatment plan—instead of being isolated they can be around people in a new environment and be distracted with music or reading or just hanging out and drinking coffee.

This is our counseling assistance program and it wouldn’t happen if it wasn’t for your support. Last year we paid for over 2,000 appointments with either a psychiatrist or a professional counselor—this year that number is certain to be higher. We thank you and the Athens creative community thanks you.

For more info email me at will@nuci. org or leave a voicemail on my confidential counseling line at 706.227.6141.

Stressed out? Anxious?

New Yoga Class for Musicians Guadalcanal Diary bassist and registered yoga therapist Rhett Crowe is open about the effect that yoga has had on her body and mind. Since becoming a teacher in 2005 she’s successfully used yoga to manage her severe depression (and tendonitis!) and now is ready to help other local musicians who may be in need of the same care.

Rhett has designed a yoga class for musicians in Athens that will stretch and strengthen muscles used in playing.

The class will also focus on meditation and will give people

breathing techniques that help to alleviate stress. Crowe has been stressing the following for anyone interested in the class—“…this is a practical method that you can do anywhere, and you don’t need to be a vegetarian or “in shape” to do it.”

INFO: Call 706.227.1515 or email space@nuci.org if you are interested in taking the class, we are currently looking for a time and day-of-the-week that will work for everyone.

Camp 2011 Wrap-Up Camp Amped

2011 Sponsors Amici Italian Café Apex Signs Athens Music Collective Bertis & Katherine Downs Brady & Kathy Rackley Brant & Melissa Rackley Bruce & Lisa Ford Clocked D’Addario Music Foundation DePalmas Eastside Dondero’s Kitchen Five Star Day Gyro Wrap Harry’s Pig Shop Hendershots JEMC Foundation Jimmy Johns John Coggins 3 Foundation Junior League of Athens Linda and Pierre Phillips Loco’s Grill Mamas Boy Marti’s at Midday Paul & Dana Hammes Publix Sigma Alpha Iota Steve Sacco Taco Stand–Milledge Tealvox The Athens Band The Grill The Grit The Wal-Mart Foundation Victor Nettles William & Vicki Ball WUOG Seize the Airwaves

The summer of 2011 marked the 5th anniversary of Nuçi’s Space’s Camp Amped summer program, and we could not have asked for a more amazing experience. For 5 years Nuçi’s has had the privilege of spending the summer with some of the most remarkable teenage musicians in Athens, and each year’s group seems more respectful, talented and creative than the last. This year’s group was no exception.

The Grand Finale performances for the June and July sessions may have been (in our unbiased opinion) two of the best and most well-attended local shows of the summer, with over 200 people in attendance at each show.

At the end of each day, Campers and Instructors sit in a circle and share their “apples and onions,” the best and worst parts of their day, so we thought we’d share some of the summer’s “apples” with you. June’s “apples” were definitely a show by local band Manray, a guest performance by Nuçi’s Space board member and Drive-By Truckers front man Patterson Hood (and the always wonderful Brad Morgan), Claire Campbell’s Junkyard Orchestra seminar, and the group performance of the Beach Boys’ “God Only Knows” at the Finale.

July’s apples included another performance by Patterson Hood (this time accompanied by Brad Morgan and Jay Gonzalez), a show by The Heap, a guest instruction session with Parker Gispert of The Whigs to help one of the bands learn “Right Hand on My Heart”, and the group performance of Pink Floyd’s “Another Brick in the Wall”. Of course, apples for both sessions were the band photographs taken by Jason Thrasher and the studio visits to Chase Park Transduction, John Keane Studios, Slow Records and Japanski Recording Studio.

It is important to remember that Camp is more than about playing music, though. Camp is about serving the deeper mission of Nuçi’s Space, which is to provide support to the music community in any way we can. Camp Amped not only teaches teenagers how to play music, it teaches them deeper lessons in self-expression, communication and emotional intelligence through a daily seminar called Survival Skills for Creative Minds. Just as Nuçi’s Space wants This year we had several campers attend who will be too old to attend next year. We will miss them all next year but we hope to see them practicing at Nuçi’s and playing shows around Athens in the very near future.

In particular, Nuçi’s Space would like to recognize departing campers Alex Blankenship and Hunter Hulsey.

Alex and Hunter have been with us every year since Camp Amped began in 2007, and they will always hold a special place in our Nuçi’s Space family.

to ensure that no person is turned away from mental health assistance for financial reasons, we are also committed to ensuring that no potential Camper is turned away because of a lack of finances. With the help of our generous sponsors, Nuçi’s Space has been able to award 84 separate scholarships for a total of over 30,000 since 2007 so that young musicians facing financial hardship would be able to attend Camp Amped. When you add the Camp Amped After School scholarships, the figure tops $36,000. There is a list of sponsors on the side of this page, and I urge you to read through it and take note of the wonderful national and local organizations and businesses that support Nuçi’s Space’s youth programs. With the support of our sponsors, we look forward to continuing the Camp Amped Programs for many years to come!

If you have any questions or if you’d like to be added to the Camp Amped Programs mailing list, please email Camp Coordinator Laura Ford at laura@nuci.org.

2011 Participants & Instructors Participants

Brooklynn Adams Ward Archibald Evan Ayers Oliver Benson Alex Blankenship Nicholas Bradfield Remy Buxton Nicholas Byrne Hampton Campbell Robby Casso Sienna Chandler Ana Colon Jacob Conley Marcos Cotlar Hailey Glenn Emily Hansford Hunter Hulsey Caleb Hunter Spencer Kapelewski Joey Kegel William Kissane Willow Martin Porter McLeod Lennon Medvick Gabriela Mejias Shelby Moss

Marisa Mustard Blake Mustard Jack Reynolds Jordan Richey Seamus Rosenberg Tanner Rutledge Chris Saucier Eli Schilbrack-Cole Benjamin Simpson Sascha Smith Henry Sutter Mitchell Taylor Alex White Zachary Wright Lead Instructor

Dan Nettles Instructors

Peter Alvanos Claire Campbell Betsy Franck Jojo Glidewell Shauna Greeson Seth Hendershot Allen Owens Thayer Sarrano

We Love Our Volunteers!

Volunteers are our backbone and can be found througha volunteer at Nuçi’s sets you in the very heart of the music out the entire organization. In high profile positions or community and offers practical as well as networking opporworking away invisibly in the background, volunteers are tunities you can use to further your personal goals. You’re making Nuçi’s Space happen. From a gardener making the also in good company as many of our volunteers are some of Space beautiful, to Dr. Kip the most talented creative visiting uninsured musipeople in their field. cians twice each month, Volunteers are valued st to the Board of Directors because they are an esIf you’re considering volunteering, we make the 1st guiding the direction of the sential part of Nuçi’s Space.

Tuesday of every month available to anyone who would organization, everyone inThey give us extra resourclike learn a little more about the Space and what it has side and outside the Space es, enhance our services, to offer. Come by, have a look around and discus how gives so much. The ripple push boundaries and make you can fit into Nuçi’s strong and effective volunteer effect from just one voluna very real difference to our team. Already a supporter? Bring your friends and show teer’s afternoon can cause a day-to-day operations and Nuçi’s off. You can also check out our volunteer section tidal wave of impact. to our community. Thank at www.nuci.org. Adding your details to our database As well as the very real you to all our volunteers, will ensure you will be updated with current volunteer assistance given to help past, present and future. opportunities.

Nuçi’s Space reach its own We wouldn’t be here withaims and objectives, being out you!

1

T u e s d ay

Fundraising Event Wrap-Up:

Guitar Art Auction at Hotel Indigo On April 14th, Nuçi’s Space held our first Guitar Art and Music Memorabilia Auction at Hotel Indigo in downtown Athens. The event was a beautiful affair that took place in the Hotel’s Rialto Room, a music venue and bar in the lower level of the Indigo. Attendees hung out in the Rialto Room, ate hors d’oeuvres and checked out the instruments and memorabilia while singersongwriter Kyshona Armstrong played in the listening room. After the bidding wound down the Artie Ball Swing Band took the stage and performed.

Planning for the event was put into motion years ago when The Gretsch Foundation awarded Nuçi’s Space seven guitars and one drum-set as part

of a fundraising program called Guitar Art. The Gretsch Company, based in Savannah, designed the program in order to help nonprofit organizations raise money. They donate instruments to the organizations who, with the help Guitar Artists Wilma Chris Bilheimer Chris Wyrick Chris Gholson John Gholson Jamie Calkin Wes Freed Lamar Wood John Ahee Lou Kregel Jason McFarland

of local artists, turn them into beautiful and unique pieces that are then sold at auction.

Nuçi’s Space distributed the initial batch of instruments to local artists, then collected more memorabilia to supplement the Gretsch donations.

Once everything was collected, we settled on holding the event at Hotel Indigo–the perfect spot to highlight these beautiful pieces of artwork.

Some of the instruments were autographed items—like the silver glitter hollow-bodied guitar signed by The B-52’s and the hand-made Scott Baxendale acoustic guitar signed by Drive-By Truckers. The DBT guitar was special because Baxendale’s work is in high demand and this guitar was built from scratch and is also adorned with Spooner Oldham’s signature.

Oldham is a legendary musician and a member of the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame, a former Neil Young band mate and songwriter for Aretha Franklin— he was touring with DBT at the time of the signing.

Other memorabilia highlights include an acoustic guitar signed by Green Day and the drumset Ben Mize used when he was a member of The Counting Crows. A big thank-you goes out to all the artists, musicians and attendees who helped make the auction a success.

nuçi’s space Staff

Bob Sleppy Will Kiser Laura Ford Matt Hudgins Dan Nettles Chris Byron Paul Prae Lesley Cobbs Allison Cook Recent Volunteers

Alex Blankenship April King Ashley Hanna Bobby Gordon Cathy Edmonds Dan Hesketh David Prae Desiree Grigsby Dunja Kokeza Dusko Stojanovic Emma Jacoby Geoffrey Keller Jacob Ogletree Jared Stepp Jayne Clamp Kahja Washington Karin Blankenship Katherine Curry Lesley Cobbs Madeleine Dahl Marisa Mustard Mei Tsuryta Nancy Milligan Natalie Werve Pamela Baxendale Patricia Hatcher Patterson Justin Paul Prae Renee Wetli Ryan Monahan Sam Benson Skye Taylor Taylor Adams

SAVE THE DATE!

Nuçi’s Space will be holding its 11th Anniversary party on Friday, October 7th from 5:30-9:30. We’ll be celebrating another year of existence with volunteers, donors, musicians and friends at the Space, so please come and join us!

Attention Gearheads!

On Saturday, May 7, Nuçi’s Space partnered with Wuxtry Records and OK Café to hold the first-ever “ReWired: A Music Thrift Sale to Benefit Nuçi’s Space.” Thanks to those businesses’ generous donation of space for the day at the corner of Clayton Street and College Avenue, dozens of local musicians were able to peruse and purchase a wide variety of used gear ranging from recording equipment to drums, and from PA’s to acoustic guitars at prices well below the local or online average. Nuçi’s Space, in turn, was able to raise nearly $1,000 in less than four hours to further our mission of assisting local musicians. Keep your eyes open for upcoming ReWired sales, and if you have an old drum set, banjo, cassette four-track or any other unused music-related items gathering dust in a closet or extra bedroom, donations of sellable equipment are always accepted at Nuçi’s Space, and tax receipts are provided upon request. If you have any questions, please email Matt Hudgins at matt@nuci.org

Upcoming Events at Nuçi’s Space August Now–August 31st: VOTE for Nuçi’s Space at refresheverything.com August 25th: Camp Amped After School Begins August 27th: Sparklesong: Celebrating the Life of Elissa Hadley

October October 7th: 11th Anniversary Party

Pepsi Refresh Grant Contest Nuçi’s Space is in the running for a Pepsi Refresh grant for $50,000, but the only way we can win is with your help!

Voting runs from NOW through August 31. You can vote a few different ways. Here’s how it works: • Go to www.refresheverything.com/nucisspace and vote for Nuçi’s Space (you can do this ONCE each day) • Text “108023” to the number 73774 (you can also do this ONCE each day) • Buy yellow-capped bottles and 12-packs of Pepsi, Diet Pepsi or Pepsi Max with the special “Power Votes” marking on the package and enter the code on the refresheverything.com website. Each code will earn you 5–100 extra votes that can be used to vote for Nuçi’s Space (you can enter up to TEN codes each day in addition to your regular votes) • Like the Nuçi’s Space Facebook page (http://www. facebook.com/nucisspace) and share our posts with all your friends so that they will know to vote, too!

So please, reset your homepage or bookmark to www.refresheverything.com/nucisspace and remember to vote every day! $50,000 would make a huge impact on Nuçi’s Space, but we can only win with your help.

We really appreciate your support!

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