NOVEMBER 2008

nuçi’s space396 Oconee StreetAthens, GA 30601706.227.1515space@nuci.orgwww.nuci.org

Newsletter Contributors

Bob SleppyWill KiserLaura FordBeth Johnson

Photos

Terrance MedinaMike White

Design & Layout

Larry Tenner

Connecting The Dots by bob Sleppy

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

I was first introduced to the “nine-dot puzzle” as an undergraduate at the University of Georgia during an elective leadership development

course. For those of you who may not be familiar with this particular puzzle, it’s designed by placing nine dots in a perfect square. The goal is to connect the dots by drawing four straight, continuous lines, and never lifting the pencil from the paper.

As I stared at the puzzle I became increasingly frustrated. I thought to myself, “The answer can’t be that hard.” I tried every conceivable approach to solving the problem—starting my line at the top, bottom, side and diagonal. Despite my “brilliant” attempts, there was always one dot still left untouched. My frus-tration accelerated to a boil as I noticed that a kid sitting a few rows ahead of me had already finished. My ego deflated, I sur-rendered and waited for the professor to reveal the solution.

After a few minutes the professor asked if we were ready for the answer. The class groaned with an affir-mative. Starting with the dot located in the bottom right-hand corner, the professor quickly drew four straight lines, connecting all nine dots. After care-ful examination, the class erupted in objections and questions.

“Hey, you can’t draw your line outside of the box!”

“But you drew the line past the dot before you changed direction?”

“Of course! It’s easy when you do it that way.”

The professor agreed with the last statement. The puzzle is quite easily solved if you draw the lines outside of the restrictions of the square area defined by the nine dots themselves. It was this puzzle that inspired the popular phrase, “thinking outside the box.” The phrase and the use of this puzzle and oth-ers like it gained popularity with the study of lateral thinking during the late 1960s. Lateral thinking can be defined as methods of thinking concerned with changing concepts and perception. In general, it is the use of reason to look beyond the obvious and find solutions that may not be obtainable by using only traditional step-by-step logic.

Suicide prevention, mental illness and aware-ness of these issues are “nine-dot puzzles” we are confronted with on a daily basis. Fortunately, Nuçi’s Space lies “outside of the box.” After eight years of challenging the traditional methods of access to care and message delivery, we are seeing concrete and quantifiable results to these difficult problems. As

Nuçi’s Space’s success continues and our programs grow to meet an increasing community need, the influence and power of traditional think-ing has increased its pressure to keep us in a “box.” The “box” represents strict adherence to

acceptable guidelines, regardless of their success, that conform to their preconceived ideas. However, our results will suffer if we are limited to out-of-date thinking. We will have to challenge not only our own way of thinking, but the boundaries and perceptions dictated to us by others. If we can not find the cour-age to challenge the status quo, there will always be one dot that we are unable to connect.

On the evening of October 4th, Nuçi’s Space invited supporters, volun-teers and musicians to help celebrate our 8th year of existence. Food was gener-ously provided by Marti’s At Midday, The Grit, East-West Bistro, Papa John’s, Sons of Italy and Last Resort. Beer and wine was provided by Terrapin, Gosford Wine and Ansley Wine Merchants.

Performing at the anni-versary party were some musicians who’ve played an integral part in Nuçi’s Space’s history. Bands S2 and Shot From Guns played, along with sets from Ben Mize and Dan Nettles, Paige and Rachel Keane and singer-

songwriter Jim White. Nettles is a long-time staff member and Mize is a former Nuçi’s Space board member and Camp Amped counselor. The Keane twins were campers at both the 2007 and 2008 sessions of Camp Amped.

Also part of the anni-versary party was a silent auction. Some of the highlights included signed memorabilia from Gnarls Barkley, Widespread Panic, Drive-By Truckers, Cat Power and Perpetual Groove. Jewelry from Aurum Studios in down-town Athens and pottery

from R. Wood Studio was also auctioned off to benefit Nuçi’s Space.

Nuçi’s Space 8th Anniversary Party

Nuçi PhillipsMemorial Foundation

Board of Directors

Ben RobertsLinda V. PhillipsPierre PhillipsKP DevlinPatterson HoodRebecca Hood Matt JustusBill OrrStephanie SharpSally Speed

Emerita

Virginia EllenbergJan Barstow

Legal Counsel

James C. WarnesTimmons, Warnes & Anderson, LLP

nuçi’s spaceStaff

Bob SleppyWill KiserLaura FordAlyssa BernsteinDan NettlesTerrance MedinaChris Byron

Recent DonoRsAthens Beard and Mustache ClubAthens Hospitality Holdings Group LLCAthfest, Inc.Ballard, MatthewBurch, Jr., CharlesDigital InsightDollar, John & PriscillaDurrett, Dr. Donald M.Dutton, LafeEpperly, DavidEpperly, LindseyFlanagan, NancyGaines, Joseph & VickiGimson, DeborahGimson, Florence KGimson, Frederick & VictoriaGrace, CarliseGreyBird FoundationGuibert, MaryHale, Benjamin & StaceyHale, Sanders & LenoirHinsch, Steve & HollisJackson EMC Foundation, Inc.Johnson, BryceJones, Everett and AnnKnox, John and PamelaKoplan, Carol & JeffreyLester, BillLichtman, Dr. & Mrs. JeffreyModern Skirts, LLCMontevideo, Harry & MickeyNichols, Carl & KathrynNicholson, Dr. PeterOrdonez, Dr. & Mrs. CarlosPaine Insurance & Realty Company, IncPeach, Jason And JanePentecost, Mark

Pettyjohn, Vanessa M.Plexus Web CreationsPotter, JinnyR.E.M./ Athens, LLCRoberts, III, BenRosenberger, Charles & ChandlerRoss, AJSchear, Abe & LindaShort, BonnieShumate, Carol & JerrySleppy, JanetSoileau, Jeff & SheridanSteadman, NancyStein, DanielTeam ClermontTucker, ShonnaUnwala, Adi H. & Scheherazade A.Van Wieren, JonVanderyt, Brittany BestWiebe, RobinWilliams, Matthew

In Memory of James FordPospahala, John & Wanda

In Memory of Ted HaferBierema, LauraGreene, JessicaHourihan, Carrie

In Memory of Ben HardmanSpalding, Margie

In Memory of Sims HibbertBarwick, Clark & Molly

In Memory of Nuçi PhillipsMcCarthy, Frances

In Memory of Matt StephensonHood, Patterson & Rebecca

In Memory of Jesse TewksburyTewksbury, Lyndon & Rene

Donations in Memory of George Mathis and Mary Ogletree

Moore, Robert & Marina

Widespread Panic’s Tunes for Tots FundAbrams, JohnAllen, CraigBailey, AaronBarnes, ZacharyBenefield, BrandonBingham, CaseyBranch, JoshConnaly, CarlaDaniels, JeramyFountain, ThomasGlustrom, RobertGower, TerryGroover, MichaelHeavner, WesHouchens, NicholasLawson, RobertLombardi, ChristineNelson, JeremyO’Neil, IanPritzker, NicholasRay, JamesRoberts, GeorgeSmith, TerraSmith, WyattTormey, JohnWagstaff, DawnWessinger, Jacob

Active Volunteers

Active VolunteersMcKenzy BaileyThomas BarrineauIsik BensonKristen BergLauren BloodworthMichael CairelliPhillip CarpenterWick CauthornDevin CampbellDeborah ChasteenJayne ClampLesley CobbsCasey CrockKelly DefilippisJodi D’hollosyLori DionneLindsey EpperlyJessica EwingBrett GabrielDeborah GimsonCarrie GoggansTeresa GrooverCorey HartleyMarini HeltonChrismon HinschRebecca HoodAshley HowellBill HusseyCatherine JohnsonNicole JonesEmma KiserKatie KappColleen KennedyBrittany KimballBrian KummJiahui LiuDaniel McCarterPaige MitchellGarry MoonEllen MundyDiana OrquiolaKatie ParkerLouis PelotKristin PhillipsPaul PraeTyler RobertsonJessica RogersMicah RosenbergerLynne SeymourWill SmithJulia ThomasChisholm ThompsonHolly ThorntonBonnie TurnerMarshall Yarbrough

This past July 7th–19th, Nuçi’s Space presented Camp Amped, its summer rock day-camp for youth ages 11–17. For the sec-ond summer in a row, Camp Amped participants received instrument-specific instruction, formed bands, wrote and learned original songs, participated in style survey classes, recorded a demo in a professional recording studio, and had the opportunity to listen to some knowledgeable guest speakers. Camp Amped 2008 also included a new com-ponent, “Survival Skills for Creative Minds,” an hour-long session in which participants were able to discuss the difficulties of being a teenage musician with their peers and instruc-tors. These sessions were facilitated by licensed counselors Sally Speed and Michelle Estile. Some of the topics addressed were effective conflict res-olution, how to use music to cope with difficult

situations, occupational hazards of being a musi-cian, and what to do when you or someone you love is struggling with mental illness.

The two weeks of Camp Amped 2008 were packed with lots of excitement. In addition to

CAMP AMPED 2008 by laura Ford

IndecisiveInstructor: Ben MizeIsik Benson Mary CookJustin GranadosAaron HunnicuttJohn Layher

Minor MiracleInstructor: Dan NettlesSam BensonAlex BlankenshipJosh DuncanPaige KeaneMaddie Schmidt

Public AffairInstructor: Joel ByronRoy BeattyEmmett CappiXqyuavis ClayMack GregoryRachel Keane

Yield to PedestriansInstructor: Claire CampbellLucy Barsness Hunter HulseyDeylah McCartyJack Reynolds DJ Wayland

camp FacilitatorCarl Lindberg

Lead InstructorDan Nettles

AssistantsDonna BarnettChris JensenKaitlin JonesThayer SarranoWyatt Pless

AdministrationLaura FordBob Sleppy

sponsors Anna & Ken ZankelThe Recording Academy (Atl.)Jackson EMC FoundationKim CogginsAthfestSigma Alpha IotaThe Georgia Music Hall of FameBruce & Lisa FordNeal & Pat Priest

In KindMusician’s WarehouseMoleskineKrogerPublixBarberitos Johnny Carino’sDePalma’s DowntownFive Star Day CaféMama’s BoyJimmy John’sTaco Stand

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daily lessons, campers were treated to a variety of special activities. On July 8th, local heavy rock-ers and friends of Nuçi’s Space, Pride Parade, performed for the camp participants. Campers also took part in a field trip to the Georgia Music Hall of Fame in Macon, GA and received a spe-cial tour of the Otis Redding “I’ve Got Dreams to Remember” exhibit by GMHOF Education Director Jared Wright. While in Macon, camp-ers had the opportunity to hear some inspira-tional words from Karla Redding-Andrews, Otis Redding’s daughter.

One of the highlights of Camp Amped 2008 was on July 15th when Patterson Hood, Brad Morgan and John Neff of Drive-By Truckers vis-ited Camp. Patterson was able to participate in the day’s Survival Skills session on “the occupa-

tional hazards of being a musician” and sat in on a songwriting class led by Ben Mize. Meanwhile, Brad Morgan gave some of the camp’s drummers a private lesson and John Neff showed campers and instructors a thing or two on the pedal steel guitar. The trio then played a show for the camp-ers and took the time to explain the story behind each song and offer some advice to the kids. They ended their set on a moving rendition of “World of Hurt” with Patterson exclaiming “It’s great to be alive!”

The Grand Finale on July 19th was a huge suc-cess. Members of Indecisive, Minor Miracle, Public Affair, and Yield to Pedestrians performed for an audience of over 200 family, friends and community members. The video of the final per-formance will be available for purchase within the next month.

Nuçi’s Space is pleased to announce that we are in the process of developing an after-school

program to keep young musicians involved with our organization year-round. Camp Amped 2009 will take place June 8th–20th and will have 20 available slots for campers. If this session fills up quickly and there is enough demand, there is a possibility for a July session as well. Please check www.nuci.org for updates, and please email Laura Ford at laura@nuci.org for

more information about the after-school program or if you are interested in participating, sponsor-ing, or being involved with Camp Amped 2009.

Thank you again to everyone who helped to make Camp Amped 2008 a success!

CAMP AMPED continued from previous page

special thanks to: Chrismon Hinsch, Pride Parade, Drive-By Truckers, Sally Speed, Michele Estile, Athens School of Music, Bruce Burch, Keith Perissi, Michele Caplinger, Catherine Stinson, Ashley Reiner, Kaylah Walker, Marini Helton, McKenzy Bailey, Michael Cairelli, Bill Hussey, Julia Thomas, Bonnie Turner, Gary Moon, John Seay, Nick Canada, Frankie Wylie, Mike White, Pete Dugas, DARC, Chase Park Transduction, John Keane Studios, Eikon Productions, and the entire Nuçi’s Space staff.

Fundraising EventsFor the past five years, Digital Insight has

hosted a chili cook-off featuring recipes from local restaurants and individuals. The proceeds from this year’s affair benefited Nuçi’s Space. The cook-off took place on October 10th at The Arch bar on Lumpkin Street. Digital Insight provides online banking services to community banks and credit unions like Johns Hopkins Federal Credit Union and First American Bank and Trust. Every year employees of the Athens Digital Insight office nomi-nate the non-profit who they believe does the most good in their community. The chili cook-off was made possible by contribu-tions from over 30 indi-viduals and local vendors who participated by serving chili or by donating prizes for the cook-off winners. This year, vendors included Barberito’s, City Salon, Dondero’s, Espresso Royal, Five Star Café, Harry Bissett’s, Honey Baked Ham, Last Resort, Little Italy, Loco’s, Georgia Theatre, Mama’s Boy, and Weekday Gourmet.

The Athens Beard and Moustache Club held an Artists Market at Nuçi’s Space on October 19th. Locals sold paintings, sculptures, handmade wooden toys and other artwork throughout the morning. The AB&M Club did all the work for the market, seeking out artists whose table rental fees benefited Nuçi’s Space.

Nuçi’s Space volunteers helped promote and staff a listening party for the newest Modern Skirts album All Of Us In Our Night. On October 1st at the Ciné theater downtown, fans got to

preview tracks from the album and check out a series of paintings that Sanithna Phansavanh created to go along with each of the 12 songs.

By The Numbers: S.P.A.C.E. Race 2008

Thank you to everyone who helped make our 5th Annual S.P.A.C.E. Race 5K our most success-

ful race yet! Here are a few facts to let you know just how successful the 2008 S.P.A.C.E. Race was:

• The turnout for this year’s race was our best yet—over 260 people registered.

• 17 teams of runners registered.

• The overall winner was Nuçi’s Space board member Dr. Bill Orr with a time of 19:25. Susan Adams was the first female to finish,

running the 5K race in 21:10.

• 12 Nuçi’s Space interns and 30 volunteers worked the morning of the race.

• Our biggest fundraising team was Drive-By Truckers, headed up by Nuçi’s Space board members Patterson and Rebecca Hood. Fans of the band donated online and raised $1,615 in the days leading up the race.

• The individual fundraising efforts of Charles Hale, Alyssa Bernstein, Deborah Gimson and Matthew Ballard raised another $1,385.

The Nuçi’s Space Student Organization started off the year strong by planning the first ever Nuçifest, an all-day music two-part concert event on November 14th. The first part was on campus and featured local and student acts. The NSSO held auditions on October 25th and had 14 total acts try out for the six slots. With such an over-whelming response to the auditions, the NSSO is

hoping to have a second showcase in the spring. The second part of the concert was at Nuçi’s Space and featured Ben Deignan, The Jompson Brothers Band and Trances Arc. Admission was a $5 donation that went toward Nuçi’s Space and the NSSO. The NSSO hopes to continue to grow throughout the year, and we can expect many more awesome events from them!

Fall 2008 Interns:

Jenny BaileyKristen BergAllie BrantleyDennis ByrdMel ChizLindsey EpperlyBeth JohnsonJulie McCollumPaige MitchellSydney SlotkinJordan TateBilly Wilson

High School Intern:

Abby Willis

nuçi’s spaceStudent Organization

Co-Presidents

Beth JohnsonLiz Evans

Nuçi’s Space Student Organization Update by beth JohnSon

nuçi’s space396 Oconee StreetAthens, GA 30601

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