Results tagged “simsfoundation”

The SIMS Foundation has been offering counseling to the music community in Austin ever since Sims Ellison’s tragic suicide in 1995. This Wednesday, the entity presents “Party with The Band” at Copa Bar & Grill. The event is an opportunity for interested parties to learn more about SIMS’ services and resources, donate to the 'I’m with the Band' campaign, and of course, enjoy some live music. Louis Black (Austin Chronicle and SXSW) will host the event which features performances by T Bird and the Breaks and a “surprise guest” as well as beats courtesy of DJ Swing and DJ Protege. The Chairman of SIMS’ Board of Directors, Mark D. Grossman has this to say to Austin’s residents -- “Our challenge to this city is for anyone who participates in live music as a band, bartender, promoter, practice space, studio, venue, and so on - to show up to declare their support for musicians and the 'I'm With The Band' initiative, then we could truly broaden our reach in this community.”

Our favorite funk outfit in town Foot Patrol has been keeping busy in the latter half of 2008. The band lit up September's Prince Nite, turned in an amazing performance at Local Music Is Sexy VI, and in late November, celebrated the release of its new record No Small Feat. On New Year's Eve, RubyRico Productions offers up the latest edition of Prince Nite at Scoot Inn, featuring once again, Foot Patrol, along with The Funk Peepshow Dancers, DJ maHEALani, and emcee Rick Daddy. The usual Prince Nite shenanigans ("Spin the Purple Wheel of Sensuality, Dance in the Cage, Writhe on the Love Sexy Bed, Take a Bite of the Purple Rock") is also a part of the scheduled entertainment; proceeds from the event go to The SIMS Foundation.

Austin's SIMS Foundation has been providing low cost counseling and mental health services to Austin musicians and their families since 1995. The foundation was formed after local musician Sims Ellison took his own life after a profound battle with depression. Sadly, there are many musicians in the live music capitol of the world in need of help battling depression, anxiety, drug and alcohol dependency and other mental / neurological disorders, sometimes present before the big jump into the world of music, sometimes exacerbated by the pressure of living in a town saturated with hundreds of other people trying to make it as well. Financial pressure, relationship woes and general stress can all contribute to an artist's mental stability (or lack thereof), and oftentimes extends to the rest of the family as well. SIMS understands, and SIMS exists to help.

The SIMS Foundation is a local nonprofit dedicated to providing low-cost counseling and other mental health services to Austin-area musicians and their families. They're currently running a special online auction over on eBay, to help raise funds for the organization. Check out awesome, custom-designed Gibson Les Paul electric guitars like: Mike Judge's portrait of "Butthead" Bob Schneider's abstract, "Rock, Sex, Drugs, and Roll" Billy Gibbons' (ZZ Top) "Gold Signature" Robert Hurst's "Jimmy Page Tribute"...

Happiness and the rest of the shops at South 1st Street's El Corazon plaza have brought in a huge shipment of exotic desert plants from the Southwest. This weekend, they're hosting their first annual Cactus and Succulent Show, where, in addition to selling these special plants, they'll be featuring a bevy of paintings, pottery, clothing, and photography "inspired by all things cacti." Consider dropping by on Saturday for a glass of nopalito juice -- proceeds...

• Change in Austin/Round Rock unemployment rate from February to March, according to the Texas Workforce Commission : -.1% [reference]
  
• Combined wattage of new solar panels installed at Austin's St. Gabriel's Catholic School: 21,000 [reference]
  
• Equivalent pollution reduction this represents, in number of cars per year: 6
  
• Amount hoped to be raised by Austin resident-slash-actor Dennis Quaid at his annual Charity Weekend in May : $500,000 [reference]
  
• Number of pounds Quaid thinks he lost back in 1994 after developing manorexia: 42 [reference]
  
• Number of single-family homes sold in March 2006: 2,400 [reference]
  
• Total funding allocated to new internship program between tech consortium Sematech and Austin Community College: $4 million [reference]
  
• Cost of a modest home on Valeria Street in Zilker neighborhood in 1953: $10,000 [reference]
  
• Estimated population of Austin that year: 125,000
  
• Increase in New Commercial Building Applications (permits) from 2004-2005 to 2005-2006, through March: 18% [reference]
  
• Total firetrucks needed to contain a 50-acre fire in Caldwell County this week, plus unknown number of helicoptoers, : 18 [reference]
  
• Number of Branch Davidians released from prison this week: 6 [reference]
  
• For-sale items on austin.craigslist tagged "vintage": 992
  
• Acreage of new manmade lake in Pflugerville: 180 [reference]
  
• Estimated number of feet that a mobile home in Georgetown was thrown by last night's gusty winds: 50 [reference]
  
• Check cut by 107.1 KGSR from proceeds of Broadcasts, Vol. 13 to the SIMS Foundation: $223,687 [reference]
  
• Rank of Texas' high-tech sector versus other states, according to a national industry trade association report: 2 [reference]
  
• Percentage of private sector employees in Texas employed by a high-tech firm: 5.7%
  
• Amount allocated in 2006 city budget for bridge maintenance: $725,000 [reference]
  
• Amount earmarked for school crossing guards: $1.13 million
  
• Cost of a day trip to the "Barton Healing Springs" during ACL for out-of-towners, if booked through ACL Concierge Service : $106 [reference]
  
• Realistic estimate of how much this would actually cost: $12
  

Tired of Barton Springs? Spend this Sunday, April 3, at Pokejo's BBQ on W. 5th St. for the Choose Austin First .2K Run. This charity event benefits the SIMS Foundation, which according to their website, "...is a non-profit organization that provides access to low-cost mental health services for Austin musicians and their immediate families." Tickets can be purchased through Front Gate Tickets for $10, or $15 at the door. So, for the price of going to see a movie, you get a t-shirt, free food from local restaurants, games & prizes, treats for your canine friends, and live music by KTEL and the Hit Machine, Heybale!, the Resentments, and Carolyn Wonderland. The fun lasts from 2:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. but get there early before the free (Amy's) ice cream melts.