2012 August

AUGUST 2012

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

What’s the Emotional Arrangement?

July 21st—I’m writing this just a couple of hours after the Grand Finale performance of our second session of Camp Amped. Another batch of extremely talented kids performed a great show before a large, energetic crowd. By now everyone has filtered out of the building and Henry and I have agreed to stay and finish cleaning up and preparing the Space for tomorrow morning. Henry quickly steps behind the counter to queue-up some “cleaning music” on the stereo for us. Unprepared for his music selection, I hear the first few notes of “Pain Reduction Center,” the first song on Nuçi’s posthumously released record, Right Side Glows.

I thought to myself, “Perfect choice.” Today would have been Nuçi’s 38th birthday. The moment is bittersweet.

Just a few hours ago the room was filled with broad smiles of satisfied young musicians, parents beaming with pride and older musicians, playfully envious of the talent displayed by musicians half their age. When I think back to just two weeks prior, when many of these kids were walking through the door into Nuçi’s Space for the first time, I’m amazed by some of their transformations. My favorite part of Camp Amped occurs within the first couple of hours on the first day. In most settings when a group of strangers gather to meet for the first time, participants are usually asked to introduce themselves by standing, sharing their name and maybe a few details about their life. Well, this exercise is facilitated a little differently at Camp Amped. Within the first couple of hours, just as the kids are starting to get their bearings and get comfortable, the instructors pass around a hat with little, numbered pieces of paper. Each

by

Bob Sleppy

of the 20 students and 8 instructors are asked to take a number. By design, an instructor is usually accepts “#1.” After all the numbers are chosen, it is explained that when their number is drawn they will step up on stage, introduce themselves and play a little music on their chosen instrument in front of their peers. This sounds horrifying doesn’t it? At least that’s what I felt as I watched this unfold for the first time several years ago. However, I quickly realized that this exercise was about trust and asking each participant to invest in building a safe and secure environment for one another. It wasn’t about finding out who the best players were or distinguishing the introverts from the extroverts. Subtly, without anyone knowing, these kids were drafting and signing a contract. The agreement was simple; the person on stage would let their guard down and do the best they could and in return, those watching would support, encourage and protect the person standing alone on that stage. It is quite an amazing thing to witness.

The experience the campers have is not dissimilar to what a person seeking mental health treatment at Nuçi’s Space feels. Often times that person is anxious and uncertain about reaching out for help. In some cases they are alone, in search of a support system. Then… subtly, without anyone realizing, we are entering into an agreement. The agreement is simple; the person seeking help agrees to ask for help, let us into their lives and do the work necessary to improve their health. Nuçi’s Space agrees to support, encourage and advocate for that person in need. It is quite an amazing thing to witness— and experience.

nuçi’s space 396 Oconee Street Athens, GA 30601 706.227.1515 space@nuci.org www.nuci.org www.facebook.com/ nucisspace Newsletter Contributors

Bob Sleppy Will Kiser Laura Ford Chris Byron Lesley Cobbs Jackie Burson Photos

Chris Rank Design & Layout

Larry Tenner

Recent Donors

Nuçi Phillips

Memorial Foundation

Board of Directors

President: Rebecca Hood Vice President: Ellie MacKnight David Barbe Barrie Buck Julie Cheney Todd Emily Patterson Hood Bill Orr Helen Pinson Benjamin Roberts, III Sally Speed Beth Hall Thrasher Anna & Ken Zankel

Athfest, Inc. Avid Bookshop Babaliaros, Constantine & Fotini Barbe, John Boyles, James & Sandra Carrier, Michelle Cotlar, Leo & Betina Kaplan DBT Recording, Inc. Doctors In Training Downs, Bertis & Katherine Ferguson, Bruce & Rosemarie Gabriel, Janette & Kenneth Gholson, John & Chris Gillis, James & Lucy Intuit Foundation Johnson, Arthur & Donna Ashley Kazez, Will Kim, Bo-Kyung Kitchens, James Kucerik, Brianne Lachowski, Michael Lester, David Malik, Robert & Jennifer McFerran, Matt McGough, Michael & Courtney McKee, Anna

McNeece, John Mejias, Erin & Sergio Merkowitz, Jennifer Monagle, James Monroe, Doug Nicholson, Dr. Peter Ordonez, Dr. & Mrs. Carlos Ouzts, Harvey Pattavina, Denise Pettigrew, Sharon & Harry ReDefine UGA SGA Roberts, Don Rogers, Kelly The Ron and Lisa Brill Charitable Trust Scott, Donald Shropshire, Mr. & Mrs. William Southwest Airlines Speakeasy Stephenson, F.J. & Sharon Stone, Robin Tomlinson, William Van Dyck, Peter & Marla Williams, Kevan In Memory of Meagan Anderson Athens Orthopedic Clinic

In Memory of April Bachtel Douglas & Bonnie Bachtel In Memory of Ian Brussack Castellion, Kathy Priest, Neal & Patricia In Memory of Vic Chesnutt Jessica Greene In Memory of Dennis Daniel Athens Orthopedic Clinic In Memory of Rosie & Tim Fisher Janet Sleppy In Memory of James Ford Bruce & Lisa Ford In Memory of Robbie Furter Purcell, R.W. & K.P. Scott, Barb In Memory of Drew Gladstone Athens Orthopedic Clinic In Memory of Elissa Hadley Theresa M. Stroud

In Memory of Ted Hafer Greene, Jessica Hafer, Matt & Mary Kay In Memory of Jon Kay Allen, JoBeth Barsanti, Jeanne Bower, Don & Julie Farber, Happy & Derrick Fezekas, Robert Laing, Emma Medlock, Amy Ross, John & Shirley Sargent, Cindy Stephens, Ralph In Memory of Nuçi Phillips Linda & Pierre Phillips In Memory of Michael Roberds Thomas & Pamela Roberds In Memory of Dr. Robert Schwin Sarah Kenagy In Memory of Richard J. Sleppy David Sleppy In Memory of George Williams Sarah Coleman

Founding Family

Linda Phillips Pierre Phillips KP Devlin Executive Director

Bob Sleppy Legal Counsel

Jim Warnes Mike Lavender

Nuçi’s Space Wins Southwest Airlines LUV Grants for Good Award A couple months ago Southwest Airlines began flying out of Hartsfield-Jackson Airport in Atlanta and to celebrate, the airline decided that it wanted to make an impact in Georgia communities by giving away $150,000 to nonprofits in Georgia. They called their grants Southwest Airlines LUV Grants for Good, and when Nuçi’s Space learned about the contest to receive funding, they decided to apply. From a pool of 352 submissions, a panel of judges from the Georgia Center for Nonprofits and Southwest Airlines selected 15 finalists in three categories, from large to small organizations, based on yearly budget. Each finalist had to make a 90-second video telling how their organization shows love to their community. Jason Thrasher and his team at Thrasher Photo & Design put together an amazing video in less than 10 days to tell the story of how Nuçi’s Space shows love to our community, and then Nuçi’s Space sup-

porters rallied behind us to vote daily for our video on the Southwest LUV Grants For Good website. Over 15,000 votes were cast, and at a luncheon at Zoo Atlanta on March 21st, we learned that Nuçi’s Space won $25,000 as a top vote-getter in the small nonprofit category. We are very appreciative of the support of our friends for voting every day and spreading the word to help us win the LUV Grant to support our mission!

Reshaping Harmony: The Survivors of Suicide Support Group What S.O.S. Means to Those in Need “When Nuçi died, I had a large and caring group of friends. I didn’t feel the need to seek outside support. It wasn’t until after I started the SOS group at Nuçi’s Space that I realized the power and healing effect of being among people who had also suffered the loss of a loved one to suicide.

I realized in a profound way that “I am a good mom” whose child died of a terrible disease. What a source of strength and empathy there is to be found in such a group.

It helps to reshape a harmony that has been so rudely shaken.”

— Linda Phillips, Nuçi’s mom and founder of Nuçi’s Space Following the loss of a loved one to suicide, time seems to move in a dreamlike slow-motion for those left behind and the reverberation of shock and grief takes many different forms. This is the time when it’s vital to be around and talk to other people who have experienced a similar loss. “Survivors of Suicide” is a support group designed for that very purpose – an emotional shoulder to lean on that grieving families can’t find in other places.

Since before our actual building even opened for business 12 years ago, Nuçi’s Space has organized the only Survivors of Suicide support group in the area. The group was started by Nuçi’s mom Linda Phillips, as a response to the tragic loss of a local 14-year old girl.

A transformation takes place for some of our group members. As newcomers they were once raw from the shock of their loss, and wary of attending the meeting. As time goes on they become advocates and educators – they become a steadying guide for new attendees who are in a place they know all too well.

Jackie Burson is one of those people.

Two years ago she lost her only son to suicide. The following piece is a look at a tribute she made to her late son a few months ago.

Survivors of Suicide is a support group for anyone who has lost a loved one to suicide. The group meets on the 3rd Wednesday of the month at Nuçi’s Space at 5:30 p.m. For more info, please email will@nuci.org

“My name is Jackie Burson and on May 26, 2010, my only son, Matthew Worley Minshew, took his own life. This was, by far, my most tragic day. It seemed as if the world stopped for me. The intense pain I carry from that day has lessened but will never completely go away. There will always be a huge hole in my soul. By attending support groups like S.O.S. at Nuçi’s Space, I have learned to keep going and live my life to the fullest. I try to honor my son in all that I do. Last year, I went to

Haiti and it was an amazing experience. I came back with a peace in my heart that I thought was gone forever.

My son Matthew was enlisted in the United States Army and was stationed at Ft. Stewart in Hinesville, GA where he wanted to join the airborne division. The disease of depression and mental illness stole this from him as he took his own life before it could happen. May 26, 2012 marked two years since he left us. So, to honor his memory I did a tandem skydive jump from 15,000 ft. on that day. It was amazing! I had no fear or anxiety about jumping. Once again, I experienced a peace and feeling of serenity that was so powerful. I know and feel that Matthew was there with me the entire time.

I would like to encourage anyone that has lost someone to suicide to get involved with the S.O.S. group. We have an unfortunate common bond and we can help each other get through the pain and tears and then maybe learn to smile again. Always honor your loved one and hold dear the sweet memories.”

Camp Amped

2012 Camp Amped

2012 Sponsors Anna & Ken Zankel Apex Signs Athfest Educates Baxendale Guitar BCB Art Collective Big City Bread Café Bruce and Lisa Ford Chase Park Transduction Clocked D’Addario Music Foundation Five Star Day Café Jackson EMC Foundation Japanski Recording Studio John Keane Studios Linda & Pierre Phillips Mama’s Boy NOHS Art Club Norm Scholz Protect Downtown Athens Publix Ruby Sue Graphics Steve Sacco Studio 1093 Supporters of Thayer Sarrano’s Indie Gogo Campaign Taqueria Del Sol Ted’s Most Best The Athens Band The Georgia Theatre The Grill The Grit The National Thrasher Photo & Design Trinity Accounting Group Victor Nettles White Tiger

Wrap-Up Every summer since 2007, Nuçi’s Space has offered our Camp Amped program to young musicians ages 11-17. For a few short weeks, we have the privilege of hosting some of the most remarkable teenage musicians in Athens, and each group seems more impressive than the last. Camp Amped 2012 participants were no exception.

At the end of each day, campers and instructors will sit in a circle and share their “apples” for the day with each other, so we thought we’d share some of the summer’s apples with you. Apples for both sessions were the band photographs taken

by Jason Thrasher and the studio visits to Chase Park Transduction, John Keane Studios, Studio 1093 and Japanski Recording Studio.

June’s apples included a drop-in visit from Jonathan Byrd and his band, a show by local band Manray, and a guest performance by Patterson Hood and the Downtown Rumblers. Other June apples included Jay Gonzalez dropping by to serve as a guest instructor to help a band learn “Everybody Needs Love” and a pretty magical group performance of “Hey Jude” complete with thousands of fan-propelled bubbles. July’s apples included another performance by Patterson Hood and his band, a show by Elf Power, another guest-instructor appearance by Jay Gonzalez to help some campers learn his song “Tension,” and TWO group performance pieces: Outkast’s “Hey Ya” and Bruce Springsteen’s “Hungry Heart.” Another apple for July is that Camp Amped was chosen as the subject of a documentary and film makers

from FlashBang Media joined us to film Campers for a movie tentatively titled “Amped.” The Grand Finale shows for both sessions were perhaps our best yet, and we loved seeing so many friends and community members supporting the Camp Amped participants.

Nuçi’s Space exists to provide support to the music community in any way we can, and that includes future members of the music community, too. Just as Nuçi’s Space wants 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 99 separate scholarships for a total of over $37,000 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, that brings the total number of scholarships to 115 and the financial assistance figure tops $43,000. There is a list of sponsors on the side of this page, and we ask you to please 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.

CAAS Fall 2012 Applications Available NOW Our Camp Amped After School Program will start up again this Thursday, August 16th and will conclude with a Grand Finale on Sunday, November 11th. If you’re a young musician age 11-17 and you’re interested in applying, please visit www.nuci.org/caas for more information.

Participants & Instructors Participants Adam Baker Adam Leed Alec Peyton Alex Kozlosky Alexis Saldana Annabelle Martin Barrott Cole Benjamin Simpson Brook Peden Carlie Driver Chris Saucier CJ Southall Daniel Miller Dillon McCabe DJ Wayland Drew Appleby Emily Hansford Evan Ayers Hailey Glenn Hampton Campbell Henry Sutter Jacob Cona Jacob Conley Jordan Rhym Kevin Pope Lewis Gutierrez Marcos Cotlar Nick Byrne Oliver Benson Parker Allen Porter McLeod Remy Buxton Sascha Smith Seamus Rosenberg Sienna Chandler Simone Zaccaria-Jeffers Tanner Rutledge William Kissane Willow Martin Zach Wright

Lead Instructor Dan Nettles

Instructors Peter Alvanos Claire Campbell Betsy Franck Jojo Glidewell Shauna Greeson Seth Hendershot Allen Owens Thayer Sarrano Ted Kuhn Jim Wilson

portunity to meet so many wonderful people who are Nuçi’s Space willing to volunteer their time and energy simply beWelcomes New Board cause they want to help make their community better!

Members & Leadership Athens Nurses Clinic The first half of 2012 has been very busy for the Opens Facilities to Nuçi Phillips Memorial Foundation, Inc. Board of Directors. During 2011 four Board Members; Matt Nuçi’s Space Patients Justus (Bank South), Robert L. Bachman (Trinity Accounting Group), Stephanie Sharp (Plexus Web Creations) and Nikki Boatwright (Hotel Indigo) fulfilled their terms and completed their volunteer service on the Board. Their dedication, commitment and service to Nuçi’s Space are appreciated.

At the beginning of 2012, remaining Board members nominated and elected Rebecca Hood to serve as President and Ellie MacKnight to serve as Secretary of the Board of Directors. In addition to our new leadership, we are very excited and proud to welcome 7 new Board members to our ranks.

Barrie Buck (The 40 Watt Club) Helen Pinson (First American Bank and Trust) Beth Hall Thrasher (Thrasher Photo & Design, LLC) Julie Cheney (Alumni Relations, University of GA) Anna & Ken Zankel (The Grove Cafes) Todd Emily (Morgan Stanley Smith Barney)

Volunteer Update

by Lesley Cobbs Nuçi’s Space volunteers have been busy for the past few months helping out with landscaping around the Space. In April, a UGA student group planted some pretty annual flower beds that have been blooming all summer, and Community Connection /Hands on Northeast Georgia worked with us to help plant Spring flowering bulbs in the area by the river.

They also brought us our youngest volunteer, little Aaron, who at age 4 worked for 5 hours planting and did a great job! In July, Teens in Action teamed up with us and sent a van full of enthusiastic young volunteers who set about weeding and tidying all our beds. They also planted some summer flowering bulbs so next year they will look even better.

We always enjoy the opportunity to work with schools and community organizations, as it allows us to reach out and spread the Nuçi Space message to people we wouldn’t necessarily connect with. It is such a joy to see so many different groups of people having fun working together. I must say, though, the best part of working with these groups of volunteers is the op-

Starting this past Spring, uninsured musicians who come to Nuçi’s Space with health concerns will now be able to visit a free medical clinic through a partnership with the Athens Nurses Clinic.

For the last decade Dr. Kip Hicks has dedicated two days a month to seeing uninsured musicians here at Nuçi’s Space. In the fall of 2011, a group of medical students from the University of Georgia Medical Partnership (the new med school campus in Athens) studied how they could help expand services for the working poor in Athens. This community health class helped connect what Dr. Hicks was doing at Nuçi’s Space with the Athens Nurses Clinic. Dr. Hicks will continue donating his time to seeing uninsured musicians, except now he’ll do it at the Nurses Clinic office.

One of the benefits of working with the Nurses Clinic is that they will provide facilities, exam rooms and follow-up opportunities that Dr. Hicks did not have available seeing patients here at Nuçi’s Space.

If you are interested in making an appointment to see Dr. Hicks please call Nuçi’s Space at 706.227.1515.

Rewired

by Chris Byron The Nuçi’s Space Rewired gear sale has come and gone yet again. If you are unaware of Rewired, here’s the breakdown: local musicians donate used/broken gear, our wonderful volunteers help clean up and fix this gear, and then Nuçi’s Space sells this gear for very reasonable prices to raise money for our mission. This past sale featured 6 drum kits, more than 10 guitars, PA equipment, used drumheads, guitar amps, studio equipment, orchestral instruments, and much more. Although the most recent sale was a huge success, some items were not sold. Nuçi’s Space will be putting these leftover items on Craigslist and they should be easy to find by typing Nuçi’s into the search field. Also, it is never too late to donate your used equipment to us in exchange for a tax receipt. If you would like to find out more about Rewired, please visit http://www.rewiredgearsale.blogspot.com or contact Matt Hudgins at matt@nuci.org.

nuçi’s space Staff

Bob Sleppy Will Kiser Laura Ford Chris Byron Lesley Cobbs Matt Hudgins Peter Hill Henry Kiser

Rock N Raffle 2012: DBT at the Georgia Theatre Drive-By Truckers and Foundry Park & Spa have “banded” together to help raise funds for Nuçi’s Space via our online raffle system (www.rocknraffle.com). The website allows anyone in the country to log on and buy raffle tickets for the grand prize. On August 6th we’ll draw a winner.

The August 2012 Rock N Raffle contest winner will receive an all-expenses paid trip to Athens to see DBT play the beautiful (and newly-renovated) Georgia Theatre for two nights in late August (23 & 24). In addition to tickets to the shows, the winner will have a room at downtown’s Foundry Park & Inn, dinner at The National, spending money and a meet-and-greet with the Truckers during sound-check!

The best part about it is that all the money raised goes to Nuçi’s Space and helps us provide services for local musicians and artists.

group’s leaders, “The youth members of the crew have been discussing using our 83-mile trek as a possible fundraiser for a local charity. Three were nominated and Nuçi’s Space got the most votes.”

The group raised over $1,200 for Nuçi’s Space by asking friends, family members and local businesses to sponsor them for an amount per mile. To commemorate the trip and share their experience with us, the scouts planted a flag with the Nuçi’s Space logo and posed for a group photo at the peak of Baldy Mountain (elev. 12,441 ft.) on Saturday, June 23.

We extend a sincere thank you and congratulate this great group of Scouts and volunteers for including Nuçi’s Space in their plans and for completing this monumental achievement.

Scouts raise funds (and a flag!) for Nuçi’s Space In mid-June a group of Boy Scouts, 8 youth members and 4 adult volunteers, from three local Scout units headed to Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, NM to embark on a 10-day, 83-mile hike in the backcountry. According to Dale Green, one of the

Upcoming Events at Nuçi’s Space Now through August 6th: Rock N’ Raffle entry period @ www.rocknraffle.com Wednesday, August 15th: Survivors of Suicide, 5:30 p.m.

Thursday, August 16th: CAAS Fall 2012 begins Sunday, August 26th: Camp Amped instructor showcase @ Melting Point Wednesday, September 19th: Survivors of Suicide, 5:30 p.m.

Friday, October 12th: Nuçi’s Space 12th Anniversary Party @ Nuçi’s Space

(L-R) Marcus Fechheimer (Troop 1), Cody Green (Troop 149), Tom Greene (Troop 1), Jake Cooper (Crew 149), Hannah Walters (Crew 149), Maria Kriesel (Crew 149), Chris Franklin (Crew 149), George Gaby (Troop 1), Jason Hatfield (Troop 1), Nathan Fechheimer (Troop 1), Dale Greene (Troop 1) and Corey Green (Crew 149).

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