NOVEMBER 2014
the newsletter for Nuçi’s Space, a nonprofit musicians’ support/resource center
Another Year Has Passed…
H
ere I am again! Staring into a blank document on my computer screen. For a few moments it’s kind of soothing! Pleasant warmth washes over me, my eyelids relax. Ahhh! I’m so Zen! Nothing matters only this moment! I will it to go on and on. But of course it doesn’t. Often when I am so close to transcendence, life (aka my husband) intercedes! “So did you think of something to write about?” Argh! Immediately I’m back staring at that blank document challenging me to fill it with words that will grab your attention and make you want so badly to read what I have to say. Yes, it’s almost Thanksgiving and once again I’m writing to you. I can’t help but wonder how many of you have read any or even some of my fourteen annual ramblings. Hope we haven’t lost contact with you. That connection is very important and we need your help to continue. Loss in general is defined as the state or feeling of grief when deprived of someone or something of value. So much of what we lose is out of our control. For example, my family’s loss of Nuçi to suicide. On any given day if you ask how I feel, I’ll say, “I’m great!” But down not so far below the surface I hurt. Loss of a loved one leaves such a rip in our fabric—one that can never be completely mended. The crack is always there. As Leonard Cohen sings in his song, “Anthem,” “There is a crack in everything. That’s how the light gets in.” These cracks are what make us human. I put great store in them. Just as smile lines give a face character, the cracks from our losses reflect the texture and tone of our lives. From the first scratch on a new baby, to the broken foot in a soccer game, to the loss of a family pet or the death of a grandparent, by the time we reach adulthood, most of us have lots of losses and thus lots of cracks. Actually, we humans are quite fragile. It is helpful to consider our fragility and own up to the cracks within us. On first glance, most of us look pretty intact. Cracks! What cracks! I’m great! Since it’s a human tendency to want to appear OK, most of us hide our true feelings. Knowing this tendency about each other might allow a little more compassion for our fellow man. After all we never know what’s really going on inside of another. Given all the cracks that most
of us bear, there is a great opportunity to let lots of light shine in. And what might this light bring to our lives? It can bring clarity—the kind of clarity that requires us to see with our two eyes, our mind and our heart. The light that shines through all the cracks is what allows an individual to grow toward fulfilling his needs so that he can become a fully functioning person. At my age, I have lots of cracks and accepting them, I am very aware that what ultimately keeps me from shattering is the certainty that I am not alone. I have family and I have friends. I am loved. My goal for Nuçi’s Space is to impart to each person who passes through the assurance that “you are not alone.” It is my experience that this is the first step and perhaps the first glimmer of light that peeks through a crack and delivers us on a road to healing. It sounds so simple but when practiced, change can occur and that need to be a fully functioning person can be satisfied. So another year has come and gone. Nuçi’s Space is still open. I am thankful first to all the people this year who have allowed us the privilege of being of service in their lives. Of course closely behind are the health care professionals. They are never named but they know who they are. I consider them the backbone of Nuçi’s Space. I am thankful for my director who continues to give us his heart and hard work, no matter how intense the stressors. I am thankful for an exemplary staff and for all the volunteers who provide their energy to help us continue. I am thankful to our Board members who have so unselfishly given their time and energy to our cause. Last and for certain not least, I am thankful to you who have supported us so generously and I hope you will continue to do so. Without you, there is no Nuçi’s Space. It is my sincere hope that 2015 brings more peace into this big world of ours. We need a universal light to flood the cracks and illuminate the darkness that is so pervasive and threatening today. And most of all, we need to recognize the fact that no matter how different we are from one another, we are one world and we need each other.
Peace, Linda V. Phillips Nuçi’s mom and founder of Nuçi’s Space
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 Chris Byron Marc Tissenbaum Heather Heyn Matherly Lesley Cobbs Betsy Franck Dave Chamberlin Photos
Lesley Cobbs Design & Layout
Larry Tenner
Recent Donors April 16, 2014 – November 11, 2014
Nuçi Phillips
Memorial Foundation
Board of Directors
President: Helen Herring Vice President: Julie Cheney Secretary: Ellie MacKnight Treasurer: temporarily vacant Lisa Allen David Barbe Barrie Buck Julie Cheney Amy Coenen Todd Emily Jon Forche Nadine Forche Patterson Hood Rebecca Hood Jack Jones Bill Orr Linda Phillips Anna & Ken Zankel Founding Family
Linda Phillips Pierre Phillips KP Devlin Executive Director
A B C Charity Partners Akridge, Ben & Joi Amici’s Babaliaros, Constantine & Fotini Flicker Bar Beckett, Susan Bennett, Billy Cheney, James & Julie Little Kings Shuffle Club Cotlar, Betina Kaplan & Leo Frierson, Sarah & Jack Goodshop Gootman, Elliot & Marilyn Green, Derf Hanmer, Don & Penelope Joel Siebentritt & Carter Vest Johnson, Eric T. & Carol C. Jones, Dennis Kitchens, James Koone, A Jeffrey Kroger Community Rewards Laux, Joyce A. McCrory, Clint & Sue Custance McCoy, David Morgan Stanley Foundation Nicholson, Dr. Peter Mental Health America of NEGA Ordonez, Dr. & Mrs. Carlos Pattavina, Denise Reeves, Gregory Riverview Foundation Roth, Ira & Julie Scurry, Jeff Whatley & Trish Simeon, Renee Sleppy, Bob & Rachel Sommer, Marc Spritzer Family Foundation
Stephens, R H Stephenson, F.J. & Sharon Thomas, Kecia Walter & Dorothy O’niell William B. Whitman and Paula J. Schwanenflugel In Honor of Adam Baker Baker, Todd & Sara In Honor of Baxendale Guitar Mould, Robert In Honor of Bella Finley, M In Honor of Drive-By Truckers Contovasilis, John Stettler, Allison & Etienne In Honor of Robby King & Anna Gore Imken, Otto Michael, Robin In Honor of Those in Pain Rose II, Richard In Honor of Todd Partridge Dornath, Michelle In Honor of Tommy Conklin Roberts II, Don In Memory of A. Nuçi Phillips Barstow, Janet McMahon, Brian Phillips, Dr. & Mrs. Pierre Zhepova, Fildes & Drita In Memory of Brian Crane Sauers, Richard In Memory of Buren Fowler Lester, David
In Memory of Craig Lieske Rogers, Kelly
In-Kind Donations Anonymous Allstate Insurance In Memory of April Bachtel Artini’s Art Lounge Dr. Jo Gomez Athens Cine Athens YMCA In Memory of Doug Bachtel Bramlett, Randall Bachtel, Bonnie Brown, Lisa Branded Butcher In Memory of Elissa Hadley Baxendale, Scott & Pam Hadley, Cecilia Cheney, James & Julie Cillies Athens In Memory of Gary Vereen Community Goldstein, Colin Double Dutch Press Dearwent, Steve Dynamite Clothing Good, George Emily, Todd Hanson, Geoffrey Fluhr, Rob Olivo, Peter Foundry Park Inn & Spa Rabold, Chris & Michelle Heirloom Cafe’ Ross, Hardy Hip Pops Rust, Garrett Honey’s Salon Volin, Andrew Keaton, Eric Walczak, Sandy Kitchens, James Koone, A. Jeffrey In Memory of James Brown Last Resort Grill Brown, Lisa Lindsey, Gaby MacKnight, Ellie & Robert In Memory of James Ford Musician’s Warehouse Ford, Bruce & Lisa Paskiewicz, Annette Quinton Phillips & Cindy In Memory of Our Sweet Friend Jerrell, Zap Electric, LLC Lowrance, Hughes W. & Sara Reece, Greg Roberds, Thomas & Pamela In Memory of Richard Sleppy Spencer, Sloane Sleppy, David Taziki’s Mediterranean Café Ted’s Most Best In Memory of Sam Crowe Terrapin Brewery Conley, Ann & Timi The Grit Treehouse Kid & Craft In Memory of Wayne Sawyer Ward, Gaylene Kiss, Shannon Widespread Panic White Tiger In Memory of “Yogi” Bosmer World Famous Jackson, Peter & Edie Zen Mystic Studio
Bob Sleppy Legal Counsel
Jim Warnes Nuçi’s Space Staff
Chris Byron Lesley Cobbs Heather Heyn Matherly Betsy Franck Marc Tissenbaum Dave Chamberlin Glenn Reece Marisa Mustard
Camp Amped After School October sure was an exciting month for Nuçi’s Space! With celebrations abound, we brought in the Fall with a bang! Attracting more applicants than ever before, our Annual CAAS “Rocktober” Session was a great success. We had a fantastic group of young musicians who were a pleasure to work with and amazed as usual. With 2014 winding down, we now shift our efforts toward the Spring Session of CAAS. Stay tuned as March will be here before we know it (dates TBA). If your camper has never applied, the Fall and Spring sessions of CAAS are a great precursor to the two week sessions held in the Summer. Should you have any questions about the camp or wonder if your child is ready, please contact me: betsy@nuci.org . I will happily give you a complete rundown of our program, its requirements, and our recommendations.
Jason Thrasher
Reconstruction of the Steeple Contributors and supporters of Nuçi’s Space, noted Athens-based bands and music fans from around the globe are being asked to help save a historic music landmark as well as provide funding to help stabilize our operations. It’s a typical Athens, Georgia story, if you have any familiarity with the music scene here: local bands pulling together to help a cause, using the homegrown, do-it-yourself approach that this town is known for. But in this case, those bands include R.E.M., the B-52s, Pylon, Widespread Panic, Neutral Milk Hotel, Drive-By Truckers, of Montreal and Danger Mouse, and the project is “Reconstruction of the Steeple,” a campaign to preserve St. Mary’s Steeple, all that remains of the building where R.E.M. played its first-ever show on April 5, 1980. Because of its iconic status as a significant music landmark, the steeple is a means by which to amplify our story and introduce Nuçi’s Space to a large audience of potential donors and supporters. It is our chance to not only become good stewards of the music history we cherish by saving the steeple, but also to raise the funds needed to insure the health and stability of our programs. That’s why on Monday, November 3, Nuçi’s Space launched an Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign offering
unique and, in many cases, one-of-a-kind perks packages from all of the bands listed above. When we put out a call for help, something we are more in the habit of giving to musicians, the music community came running. The list of donated items includes autographed Rickenbacker guitars, a smashed Gibson SG guitar, stage outfits, stage props, artwork, limited edition posters, and autographed music accessories, posters, and albums. There are very rare collectible items being offered during this campaign at set donation prices. It is not an auction. There will also be a limited number of bricks that had to be removed from the steeple and original church building, each accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from Nuçi’s Space, R.E.M. and the Athens-Clarke Heritage Foundation. The significance of St. Mary’s in the annals of pop music is such that Rolling Stone Magazine placed it in their list of music landmarks in the South, alongside the Ryman Auditorium, Sun Studios, Graceland, and the Stax Museum. Despite its renown, the church itself was demolished in 1990 in order to build condominiums. The remaining steeple stood wholly unprotected and largely ignored until continued on next page
continued from previous page 2011, when city officials informed the condominium owners that it needed to be stabilized or demolished. In April 2013, after two years of careful planning, Nuçi’s Space accepted ownership of the steeple from its previous owners, the Steeplechase Condominium. Although the steeple stands less than ten yards from the back of Nuçi’s Space and is the iconic symbol of the Athens music scene, historic preservation does not fall within the range of programs and services we offer. Enter Reconstruction of the Steeple founding sponsors Kenneth and Anna Zankel, California restaurateurs, who saw the significance of the project and its potential for bringing greater attention to the work done at Nuçi’s Space. They gave a restricted donation to be used specifically for the steeple project which allowed Executive Director Bob Sleppy to move forward in August 2013, having Whitsel Construction, a company with more than 30 years experience in the restoration and renovation of historic structures, assess the condition and feasibility of restoring the steeple, then in October 2013, undertake the first phase of stabilizing the structure. Workers removed a non-load bearing wall that had been damaged, due to years of neglect, and was in danger of immediate collapse. It is now stabilized and awaiting reclamation.
The vision for the steeple, and its surrounding area, is as a meditative space, where clients of our healthcare services, the people who attend support group meetings, the musicians who rent hourly practice spaces, and all visitors to the Space can find a peaceful place in which to reflect about life. It seems appropriate that the music resource services that occur in the shadow of the steeple would grow to finally preserve it, redefining it as a space that directly impacts the lives of the musicians who are such a beloved part of our community. That’s why Athens most prominent musicians have rallied behind us, not just to save the steeple, which is a symbol and beacon of Athens’ musical heritage, but because our services have benefited them and their friends, either directly or indirectly, as we help our musicians find the balance they need to maintain their creative voices. Now we need you to make a contribution, post, blog, tweet and forward communications about the Steeple campaign. Help us keep it in the front of everyone’s mind. It’s time to roll up our sleeves and do the hard work of sustaining what we started. Please help us! Let’s make this campaign the success that Nuçi’s Space deserves. For more information and to make a contribution, please visit www.indiegogo.com/projects/reconstruction-of-thesteeple--2
Meet One of Our Wonderful Partners in the Community nuçi’s space A huge thank you to our recent volunteers!
Athens Nurses Clinic have partnered with us for several years now. Dr. Kip Hicks, an emergency room doctor volunteers his time to see our clients with non-urgent medical needs and the staff and volunteers at Athens Nurses Clinic help smooth the way offering free triage, blood work, monthly screening for women’s health, health education and information, and when necessary, even help with some prescriptions. Nuçi’s Space counts ourselves very fortunate to be partnering with such a service, having the ability to avail ourselves of their facilities twice a Annabella Uhde month. Interpreter/Office Administrator Athens Nurses Clinic serves an underfunded and largely ignored section of the community. Many of their clients are under-educated with no insurance, low or no income and often suffering with disabilities stopping them from being able to hold down regular Collette Rigney employment. It is long hours and hard work for all the staff, interns, Patient Assistance Program Manager and volunteers of Athens Nurses Clinic, yet still they will take time out of their day to assist others. During my recent visit to the ANC, I met with Paige M. Cummings (Executive Director), and the wonderful women in the photographs, Annabella Uhde (Interpreter/Office Melanie Burden Administrator) and Collette Rigney Volunteer and Patient Services Coordinator (Patient Assistance Program Manager). I can’t express how busy these people are and how hard they work; 283 unique clients, 433 service users, including 88 new patients in just one month alone (and saving the emergency services $300,000 for the same time period) might give you an insight into how busy their schedule is, how much they assist and save the local community. For information about Athens Nurses Clinic visit their website at athensnursesclinic.org
Alex Nash Becky Parker Carter Cathy Edmonds Causey Cato Cindy Nash Debbie Watson Deborah Jacobellis Gregory C Hanft Hailey Nash Hannah Settle Jack Jones Janet Wilson Jeff Whatley Joe Lineham Joe Rowe Kate Sadeski Larry Tenner Laura Johnston Miranda Hawks Paul Trudeau Raleigh Hatfield Renee Hodnett Sarah Emily Gehlhausen Sheldon Sutherland Sloan Simpson Stefan Santavicca Steve Hunter Tom Garne Special thank you
To all our Hope Haven Volunteers who drop by and clean and put up posters for us! Jordynn Abernathy and her Sorority for helping out at our annual events!
Re-Cap on the Anniversary Party! Our 14th annual Anniversary Party was very successful! Your silent auction bids, t-shirt sales and gracious donations raised over $5,000 for our organization. A HUGE THANK YOU goes out to all of our donors, sponsors, volunteers, Board, staff and Old Smokey for playing a great set during the event. Nuçi’s Space is thriving today because of the support from our community, which spreads far and wide. We cannot begin to express the gratitude we have for everyone involved with Nuçi’s Space. Thank you all for making this year so special. We had a blast and can’t wait to celebrate with you next year for the big 15!
INVITATION ART BY: Lou Kregel AMAZING AUCTION ITEMS FROM 6:00PM–8:45PM: Athens YMCA Annette Paskiewicz Jewelry ARTini’s Art Lounge Autumn Weaver Tarot Cillies Athens Cindy Jerrell Cine’ Country Fried Rock Community Double Dutch Press Dr. Lockman, Lockman Dermatology
Dynamite Clothing Foundry Inn Park & Spa Honey’s Salon Iron Factory Like Totally Kerry Steinberg Pottery Leon Farmer & Company: Wholesale Beer Distributor Leslie Grove Jewelry Nina Twin Rachel Cabaniss Heart Path Studio TREEHOUSE kid and craft Widespread Panic World Famous Zen Mystic Studio
Todd Emily Forty Watt Flowers CAKE BY: Deborah’s Specialty Cakes FOOD BY: The Branded Butcher Heirloom Cafe & Fresh Market Last Resort Grill Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe Ted’s Most The Grit The National White Tiger Gourmet Hip Pops Viva! Argentine Cuisine
Upcoming Events at Nuçi’s Space Be sure to check out our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/nucisspace for updates on all the exciting things happening around the Space.
Nuci’s Space and Widespread Panic are rocking and ringing in the New Year in style once again with another unique opportunity to support a great cause. Enter for a chance to ring in the New Year with Widespread Panic, December 30th & 31st in Charlotte, NC. Prize Package includes: 12/30 ~ Two Tunes for Tots VIP Concert Tickets at the Fillmore Charlotte and an autographed event poster. VIP tickets include a preconcert cocktail party with the entire band. widespreadpanic.com/ good-people/tunes-for-tots 12/31 ~ Two New Year’s Eve Floor Tickets at the Time Warner Cable Arena w/ VIP passes and event poster. widespreadpanic.com/ tour#fall-2014-853 Two nights stay at the Hyatt House. Check in 12/30/14 and out 1/1/15. charlottecentercity.house.hyatt.com/en/hotel/home.html $500 Cash (Estimated value: $1,600) THE CONTEST: For every $5 purchase, you will be entered to win the package offered in the contest. 100% of every donation goes to provide funds for Nuçi’s Space to continue their good works for musicians. The Raffle started October 28th and is drawn on December 5th. Entering online is easy. There is a 50¢ one-time per online transaction convenience fee assessed for all online credit card transactions. No matter how many $5 entries you purchase, you are only charged the 50¢ convenience fee once per transaction. Go to www.rocknraffle.com to enter!
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right side glows the newsletter for nuçi’s space, a nonprofit musicians’ support/resource center