AUGUST 2012

nuçi’s space396 Oconee StreetAthens, GA 30601706.227.1515space@nuci.orgwww.nuci.orgwww.facebook.com/nucisspace

Newsletter Contributors

Bob SleppyWill KiserLaura FordChris ByronLesley CobbsJackie Burson

Photos

Chris Rank

Design & Layout

Larry Tenner

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

What’s the Emotional Arrangement? by bob Sleppy

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 tomor-row 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 post-humously 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 musi-cians, 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

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 extro-verts. 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 sup-port, 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 dis-similar to what a person seeking mental health treatment at Nuçi’s Space feels. Often times that person is anxious and uncertain about reach-ing 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 sup-port, encourage and advocate for that person in need. It is quite an amazing thing to witness—and experience.

Recent DonoRsAthfest, Inc.Avid BookshopBabaliaros, Constantine & Fotini

Barbe, JohnBoyles, James & SandraCarrier, MichelleCotlar, Leo & Betina KaplanDBT Recording, Inc.Doctors In TrainingDowns, Bertis & KatherineFerguson, Bruce & RosemarieGabriel, Janette & KennethGholson, John & ChrisGillis, James & LucyIntuit FoundationJohnson, Arthur & Donna Ashley

Kazez, WillKim, Bo-KyungKitchens, JamesKucerik, BrianneLachowski, MichaelLester, DavidMalik, Robert & JenniferMcFerran, MattMcGough, Michael & CourtneyMcKee, Anna

McNeece, JohnMejias, Erin & SergioMerkowitz, JenniferMonagle, JamesMonroe, DougNicholson, Dr. PeterOrdonez, Dr. & Mrs. CarlosOuzts, HarveyPattavina, DenisePettigrew, Sharon & HarryReDefine UGA SGARoberts, DonRogers, KellyThe Ron and Lisa Brill Charitable Trust

Scott, DonaldShropshire, Mr. & Mrs. William

Southwest AirlinesSpeakeasyStephenson, F.J. & SharonStone, RobinTomlinson, WilliamVan Dyck, Peter & MarlaWilliams, Kevan

In Memory of Meagan Anderson

Athens Orthopedic Clinic

In Memory of April BachtelDouglas & Bonnie Bachtel

In Memory of Ian BrussackCastellion, KathyPriest, Neal & Patricia

In Memory of Vic ChesnuttJessica Greene

In Memory of Dennis DanielAthens Orthopedic Clinic

In Memory of Rosie & Tim Fisher

Janet Sleppy

In Memory of James FordBruce & Lisa Ford

In Memory of Robbie FurterPurcell, R.W. & K.P.Scott, Barb

In Memory of Drew GladstoneAthens Orthopedic Clinic

In Memory of Elissa HadleyTheresa M. Stroud

In Memory of Ted HaferGreene, JessicaHafer, Matt & Mary Kay

In Memory of Jon KayAllen, JoBethBarsanti, JeanneBower, Don & JulieFarber, Happy & DerrickFezekas, RobertLaing, EmmaMedlock, AmyRoss, John & ShirleySargent, CindyStephens, Ralph

In Memory of Nuçi PhillipsLinda & Pierre Phillips

In Memory of Michael RoberdsThomas & Pamela Roberds

In Memory of Dr. Robert SchwinSarah Kenagy

In Memory of Richard J. SleppyDavid Sleppy

In Memory of George WilliamsSarah Coleman

A couple months ago Southwest Airlines began fly-ing 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 organiza-tions, based on yearly budget. Each finalist had to make a 90-second vid-eo telling how their or-ganization 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 At-lanta on March 21st, we learned that Nuçi’s Space won $25,000 as a top vote-getter in the small nonprofit cat-egory. 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!

Nuçi PhillipsMemorial Foundation

Board of Directors

President: Rebecca Hood

Vice President: Ellie MacKnight

David BarbeBarrie BuckJulie CheneyTodd EmilyPatterson HoodBill OrrHelen Pinson Benjamin Roberts, IIISally SpeedBeth Hall ThrasherAnna & Ken Zankel

Founding Family

Linda PhillipsPierre PhillipsKP Devlin

Executive Director

Bob Sleppy

Legal Counsel

Jim WarnesMike Lavender

nuçi’s space Wins southwest AirlinesLUV Grants for Good Award

ReShApinG hARmony:the survivors of suicide support Group

Following the loss of a loved one to suicide, time seems to move in a dream-like 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 simi-lar loss. “Survivors of Suicide” is a support group designed for that very purpose – an emotional shoulder to lean on that griev-ing 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.

“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 at-tending 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 unfortu-nate 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.”

survivors of suicide is a sup-port 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

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 suf-fered 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

Camp Amped2012 Sponsors

Anna & Ken ZankelApex SignsAthfest EducatesBaxendale GuitarBCB Art CollectiveBig City Bread CaféBruce and Lisa FordChase Park Transduction

ClockedD’Addario Music Foundation

Five Star Day CaféJackson EMC Foundation

Japanski Recording Studio

John Keane StudiosLinda & Pierre PhillipsMama’s BoyNOHS Art ClubNorm ScholzProtect Downtown Athens

PublixRuby Sue GraphicsSteve SaccoStudio 1093Supporters of Thayer Sarrano’s Indie Gogo Campaign

Taqueria Del SolTed’s Most BestThe Athens BandThe Georgia TheatreThe GrillThe GritThe NationalThrasher Photo & Design

Trinity Accounting Group

Victor NettlesWhite Tiger

Every summer since 2007, Nuçi’s Space has offered our Camp Am-ped program to young musicians ages 11-17. For a few short weeks, we have the privilege of hosting some of the most remarkable teen-age musicians in Athens, and each group seems more impressive than the last. Camp Amped 2012 par-ticipants 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 Man-ray, and a guest performance by Patterson Hood and the Down-town 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 magi-cal group performance of “Hey Jude” complete with thousands of fan-propelled bubbles. July’s apples included another perfor-mance by Patterson Hood and his band, a show by Elf Power, another guest-instructor appearance by Jay Gonzalez to help some camp-ers learn his song “Tension,” and TWO group performance pieces: Outkast’s “Hey Ya” and Bruce Springsteen’s “Hungry Heart.” An-other 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 ten-tatively 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 in-cludes future members of the mu-sic community, too. Just as Nuçi’s Space wants to ensure that no person is turned away from men-tal 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 Am-ped. When you add the Camp Am-ped After School scholarships, that brings the total number of scholar-ships to 115 and the financial assis-tance 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 orga-nizations and businesses that sup-port 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.

2012 Camp Amped

Participants & InstructorsParticipantsAdam BakerAdam LeedAlec PeytonAlex KozloskyAlexis SaldanaAnnabelle Martin Barrott ColeBenjamin SimpsonBrook PedenCarlie DriverChris SaucierCJ SouthallDaniel MillerDillon McCabeDJ WaylandDrew ApplebyEmily HansfordEvan AyersHailey GlennHampton Campbell Henry SutterJacob ConaJacob ConleyJordan RhymKevin PopeLewis GutierrezMarcos CotlarNick ByrneOliver BensonParker AllenPorter McLeodRemy BuxtonSascha SmithSeamus RosenbergSienna ChandlerSimone Zaccaria-JeffersTanner RutledgeWilliam KissaneWillow MartinZach Wright

Lead InstructorDan Nettles

InstructorsPeter AlvanosClaire CampbellBetsy FranckJojo GlidewellShauna GreesonSeth HendershotAllen OwensThayer SarranoTed KuhnJim Wilson

CAAS Fall 2012 Applications Available NOWOur 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 apply-ing, please visit www.nuci.org/caas for more information.

W r a P - U P

nuçi’s spaceStaff

Bob SleppyWill KiserLaura FordChris ByronLesley CobbsMatt HudginsPeter HillHenry Kiser

Nuçi’s Space Welcomes New Board Members & Leadership

The first half of 2012 has been very busy for the Nuçi Phillips Memorial Foundation, Inc. Board of Directors. During 2011 four Board Members; Matt Justus (Bank South), Robert L. Bachman (Trinity Ac-counting Group), Stephanie Sharp (Plexus Web Cre-ations) 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 mem-bers 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 leader-ship, 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 Updateby 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 flower-ing bulbs in the area by the river. They also brought us our young-est volunteer, little Aaron, who at age 4 worked for 5 hours plant-ing and did a great job! In July, Teens in Action teamed up with us and sent a van full of enthu-siastic 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-

portunity to meet so many wonderful people who are willing to volunteer their time and energy simply be-cause they want to help make their community better!

Athens Nurses Clinic Opens Facilities to Nuçi’s Space Patients

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 medi-cal 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 musi-cians, 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.

Rewiredby 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 in-struments, and much more. Al-though 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 con-tact Matt Hudgins at matt@nuci.org.

right side glows the newsletter for nuçi’s space, a nonprofit musicians’ support/resource center

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 beginsSunday, August 26th: Camp Amped instructor

showcase @ Melting PointWednesday, September 19th: Survivors of

Suicide, 5:30 p.m.Friday, October 12th: Nuçi’s Space 12th

Anniversary Party @ Nuçi’s Space

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163 E. Broad StreetDowntown Athens

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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 Au-gust (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 Truck-ers 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.

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

group’s leaders, “The youth members of the crew have been dis-cussing 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.

(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).