The out-of-towners are taking over. So why not here, too? This week’s column
is dedicated to our throng of guests (and all that luscious green they bring to
our Austin spring).
It’s the Arts
Hello, new-to-towners! Welcome to Austin, Texas, and welcome to The AustinChronicle‘s “Public Notice,” as far as we know, the only column of its sort
in this wacky world of alternative newsweeklies. Every week, we give Austin our
snappy little assessments of the public service scene and make snappy little
remarks about local charity events. This week, we’ve decided to focus on
introducing you foreigner-types to the side of Austin’s public service
community which reflects your interests: music, film, multi-media… the arts.
First, though, we thought we’d offer this handy phone list of services
reflecting some of your other interests. You may need these while you are here.
Phone Home
EMS: 911Correct Time & Temp.: 973-3555
Weather Forecast: 476-7744, 451-2424
Austin Tourist Info: 478-0098, 463-8586
Capital Metro Buses: 474-1200
To Locate Cars Towed by Police: 480-5001
Health Services — People’s Clinic: 478-8924
Texas Wildflower Hotline: 832-4059 (from March 16 on)
Dial-a-Prayer: 259-2760
Dial the Atheist: 458-5731
Sex Addicts Anonymous: 440-1494
Drug & Alcohol Abuse Info: 474-6789
Drug Abuse Hotline: 800/662-4357
U.S. Probation, Parole Office: 482-5761
U.S. Secret Service: 916-5103
Legal Aid of Central Texas: 476-7244
Taking Care of Our Own
Austin is a town as dedicated to public service as it is to maintaining itstitle: “Live Music Capital of the World.” It only stands to reason that these
communities intersect.
* 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. 476-4458.
* 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 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. 494-1007 or http://www.sims-foundation.org
* 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. 326-9084 or sue@austinfree.net
* Women’s Access To Electronic Resources (WATER) House says it all in
their name. In this case, “electronic” means film, video, sound recording, and
multi-media. 444-1672.
* American Institute for Learning (AIL) takes high school drop-outs and
at-risk students and gives them hands-on experience and job training in
multi-media, business, and/or construction. 472-3395 or
http://www.ail.org
Church of Subtle Genius
Bob Newhart was “Bob” way before the be-piped Bob was “Bob,” and this week,you have the rare opportunity to see the original slack-master himself at a
benefit for Any Baby Can, Thu, Mar 20 at the Austin Music Hall. See Ken
Lieck’s groovy recommendation in this week’s Calendar Listings for more info!
Email: pnotice@auschron.com Mail to: “Public Notice,” The Austin Chronicle, P0 Box 49066, Austin, TX 78765. Deadline: Wednesday,
6pm, eight days prior to publication. Phone calls have a .001% chance of being
returned.
This article appears in March 14 • 1997 and March 14 • 1997 (Cover).