Public Notice

Welcome to Austin, Texas. Welcome to SXSW! As much as we Austexans make fun of you out-of-towners, touristas, and industry-types... as much as we talk about you behind your backs, you know we really love you, right? What do you mean, we don't even know you? Of course we know you; you've been landing on our third coast for some 12 years now. You're like the jolly fat uncle who comes to dinner, tells gross jokes at the dinner table, eats more than his share, and hogs the remote as the women clean up after you in the kitchen. But you bring great presents, tell terrific tales from the big city, and remind us that we are regarded highly. We adore you; just don't let the bluebonnets hit you on the way out, okay?

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Cellphones & Goatees

Normally (when we're not being invaded by the above), "Public Notice" covers the PSA beat. So, in the spirit of public interest, here are some handy numbers for your convenience:

Emergency Medical Services: 911

Correct Time & Temperature: 973-3555

Weather Forecast: 476-7744, 451-2424

Austin Tourist Info: 478-0098, 463-8586

Capital Metro Buses: 474-1200

Roy's Taxi: 482-0000

American Yellow Checker Cab: 452-9999

To Locate Cars Towed by Police: 356-4249

People's Community Clinic: 478-8924

Sexual Assault Hotline: 440-7273

Sex Addicts Anonymous: 440-1494

Drug & Alcohol Abuse Info: 349-6600

Legal Aid of Central Texas: 476-7244

U.S. Probation, Parole Office: 916-5761

U.S. Secret Service: 916-5103

Dial-a-Prayer: 259-2760

AAA (maps for the way home...): 444-4757

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They May Be Slackers... But They're Our Slackers

Austin is a town as dedicated to public service as it is to maintaining its standing as "Live Music Capital of the World." It only stands to reason that the public service and entertainment communities intersect. We take pride in taking care of our own. So after you hotshot A&R-types get back to the coast after signing all those bands, send these good folks some dough. Or if you are an Austin band or artist, here are some resources you might need after your big advance dries up and those A&R-types no longer take your calls.

* Artists` Accounting & Legal Assistance (AALA) exists to provide up to 10 hours of pro bono accounting and legal services to artists for arts-related matters. They help demystify the twisted maze of legalese, assisting in things like contract negotiation, copyright, accounting, tax laws, and more. The organization also sponsors a number of seminars open to the public. PO Box 2577, 78768. 407-8980.

* SIMS Foundation was formed in memory of local musician Sims Ellison, who committed suicide with a shotgun in June of '95, two weeks after his band Pariah officially was dropped from Geffen Records. Like many musicians, Sims felt he was on his own to deal with stress, depression, and an unfulfilled creative drive. Is it really better to burn out, than to fade away? Where does one turn for help? The foundation responds to the needs of musicians and artists in trouble and assists in providing mental health care at affordable costs. PO Box 1622, 78767-1622. http://www.sims-foundation.org or 494-1007.

* Austin Free-Net is a cooperative effort involving Austin educational, civic, and corporate entities that provides community computing resources and on-line access for the benefit of citizens of the Austin area. 1711 S. Congress, 78704. info@austinfree.net or 326-9084.

* Women's Access To Electronic Resources (WATER) says it all in their name. In this case, "electronic" means film, video, sound recording, and multimedia. 709 W. Johanna, 78704. 444-1672.

* American Institute for Learning (AIL) gives drop-outs and at-risk students hands-on experience and job training in multimedia, business, and/or construction. 204 E. Fourth, 78701. http://www.ail.org or 472-3395.