Postmarks

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The SIMS Facts

Dear Louis,

The SIMS Foundation was established in 1995 with the vision of helping to provide low-cost mental health services to Austin music industry professionals and their families.

Since then, the SIMS Foundation has provided approximately 6,800 hours of case management services, approximately 10,000 hours of individual counseling services, and provided a safe place to ask for help for more than 24,000 people.

The mental health service needs in our community are larger than any one organization can provide. The SIMS Foundation is part of a network of mental health resources in Travis County. We are here to help, but if you are unable to reach the SIMS Foundation for any reason, please call MHMR "First Call for Help" at 472-4357 or Capital Area Mental Health 302-1000.

Sincerely,

Peyton Wimmer

Director, the SIMS Foundation

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In Defense of the SIMS Foundation

Editor:

I must take issue with the bashing afforded Peyton Wimmer/SIMS Foundation by a Mr. Grady ["Postmarks: SIMS Doesn't Earn Paycheck," March 29]. Specifically, all I have heard of their contributions is positive, and Mr. Wimmer has returned all of my calls. Which leads me to wonder how many volunteers, therapists, and contributors (to SIMS) were actually consulted by Mr. Grady for his "So hey" generalities; further, I wonder if he has ever had experience running a foundation.

I know little of the inner workings there, but do know that I owe my life to SIMS. Any number of friends would concur, as would those others who have benefited from the foundation.

To offer my sympathy to Mr. Grady for his condition and experiences -- I have a sinking feeling -- would be playing his game; I'd rather not go there. Perhaps if he were to fire up his own ass and stop pitying himself, he might find the help he seeks. (Maybe from one of the no doubt countless volunteers who apparently support his position?) There are other avenues, here and elsewhere.

Frankly, if Mr. Grady is the whiner that he presents himself to be, I certainly wouldn't want to return his phone calls.

Thank you, and keep up the good work,

Shawn Sanders

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SIMS Makes Time for Musicians

Hey Louis,

This is in response to Mr. Grady's letter about the "worthless" SIMS Foundation and Peyton Wimmer ["Postmarks: SIMS Doesn't Earn Paycheck," March 29]. I personally must stay out of the politics involved in this situation, so my one and only intention is to notify Mr. Grady, the SIMS board, and anyone else interested in the fact that I and many other musicians like myself would probably not be alive today if it were not for the constant sacrifice of time and help that Peyton made. I can't speak for others, but I've never had any problems "having my phone calls returned." On the contrary, Peyton has always made himself more than available to me even though I know he deals with many, many others every day. And when his time was not as accessible as it might be, he wasted no time in referring me to others that did have time. It's scary to think that because one person has had some difficulty in reaching Peyton that his only solution is to "fire his ass." And it truly concerns me to think that Peyton could lose his job because he isn't behaving the way Mr. Grady thinks he should. Peyton has done nothing but give of himself to me and others. The fact that he could be hindered from helping those that he so passionately cares about because Mr. Grady has some telephone issues really upsets me. The Austin music community is so much healthier and happier because of Peyton's thankless work at SIMS. Thanks for everything you've done, Peyton.

Sincerely,

Rey Washam

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The Bubble and Sounds on 7th

Hello,

I am writing in regard to this week's front cover article on the Bubble ["Showers of Sound," March 29]. I want you to know up front that I am not writing to complain that you did not do a story on my studio, rather I am writing to inform you of some relevant facts that were blatantly ignored. First of all, I own a recording studio called Sounds on 7th that is located on East Seventh Street across from the State Cemetery, kinda sounds like where the bubble is, eh ... I moved in July of 2001, I found the location, designed and built the studio, and ran my studio there alone until December of 2001, when I was approached by Steven Hall about maybe sharing the space. It was a good decision for both of us, since the Bubble wanted to move downtown and I needed some help with the rent because things were looking grim for me. So, they moved in, but the lease is in the name of Sounds on 7th, as well as all of the bills, and yes, I frequently bring my dogs to the studio. I also still run my studio there, we share the space, known as Sounds on 7th. It is a fully working studio where local producer Mike Mariconda frequents, as well as bands such as the Snobs, the Crackpipes, Eastside Suicides, South Filthy (featuring Mike Buck, Walter Daniels, Jack Oblivian, Monsieur Jeffrey Evans), Geraldine, and the Damn Times. I am an active member of that studio on a daily basis and clean up after Chris "Frenchie" Smith's SXSW parties so I can run my sessions. All in all, what I really want to convey to you is that the Bubble is not the only studio there, it is not their space, and they would not have that space if it was not for me. Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

Ryan Anderson

Sounds on 7th

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The Chicano-Less Texana Dames

Dear Chronicle folks,

I thought you'd be interested to know: On the last day of SXSW, the Texana Dames, who had won second in the "Tejano or Conjunto" category [in this year's Austin Chronicle Music Poll, March 15], I noticed on stage at Guero's the Dames had two black guys (Paul Mills on drums and Gary Miles from Lousiana on steel), a Jew (Paul Skelton, guitar), a white man (John X Reed, guitar), and the three women.

Ruben Hernandez and Tomas Ramirez are often with the Texana Dames, but neither happened to be there that particular day. Not a Chicano on the stage!

Tommy X Hancock

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The Messer Effect

Dear Mr. Black:

I want to thank The Austin Chronicle, and editor Kate Messer in particular, for your continued support of the Wired for Youth Centers at the Austin Public Library. We recently held a program to celebrate Women's History Month and provide opportunities for young people to meet and interact with successful women from our community. Ms. Messer agreed to be one of the women who spent time at the Carver Branch Library on March 22. Her involvement, and the publicity generated by three articles in The Austin Chronicle, increased the visibility of the program. In addition to more than 50 young people (at 4:30 on a Friday afternoon!), many parents, as well as representatives from other community organizations, attended the celebration. I believe that The Austin Chronicle is much like the women we celebrated: contributing to the past, present, and future success of youth in Austin!

Jeanette Larson

Youth Services Manager

Austin Public Library -- ACYS

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'What Is Real Patriotism?'

Editor:

A "thank you" to Ryan Amundson, who has the courage to speak out against the "endless cycle of violence and retaliation engendered by war" ["Naked City: 9/11 Victims for Peace," March 29].

I, too, as a former New Yorker, am concerned about the Bush administration's war on terrorism which appears to be one of "eye for an eye" retribution, expanding our military and flexing our muscles, and combating "evil" however we choose to define it around the world.

It is particularly troubling to see the administration's ever-expanding definition of what it considers as "evil" encompassing countries which might not even harbor the Taliban but are evil because of policies or past actions. If we are going to bomb countries that harbor evil people, then we may well have to bomb ourselves as we have our share of evil people, too.

It is also frightening to see so many administration policies, including drilling for oil in Alaska, cloaked in the red, white, and blue mantle of fighting terrorism and patriotism. And it concerns me to see senators or representatives who disagree with administration policies or call for an honest debate labeled unpatriotic or even traitors. Hopefully some congressmen/women will realize that it is unpatriotic to not question or seriously debate issues that affect us all.

If there is one benefit from September 11, it is perhaps that a spirit of patriotism has been rekindled among Americans. But, unfortunately, what is being labeled patriotic is all too often vulgar and in effect an irreverent desecration of the American flag. For instance, is it really patriotic to battle with one's neighbors over who can have the most flags in their yard, or the biggest flags on one's home or gas-guzzling SUV? Or wear clothes covered by the flag? Or to base foreign policy on how much oil a country supplies us?

It is very confusing. What is real patriotism?

Claude M. Gruener

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'Chronicle' Endorsements

Editor:

The Chronicle announces its endorsements and pushes for reconstructions of the Democratic Party ["Chronicle Endorsements," March 29]. I submit that its endorsements display why the Democratic Party finds itself in need of "reconstruction." The Chronicle states that Ron Kirk is a "historical payback for the Democratic Party's cynical reliance on African-American voters" and that "Kirk and Morales are not far apart on the issues." In short the Chronicle states vote for Ron Kirk not because his stance on issues he might face as a United States senator, such as the Mine Warfare Treaty or Tobin Tax, but because of his race.

Is it not just as wrong to vote for an individual based on race, ethnicity, sex, or religion, as it is to vote against a person for the same reasons? Would the Chronicle use the same excuses to endorse a Marion Barry over Victor Morales? This is the same type of thinking that put the Democratic Party in need of reconstruction. To rebuild, the Democratic Party in Texas is going to have to offer more than race as an issue and more than merely re-label itself from liberal to "progressive." Give the voters a real reason to vote Democratic. That is not gong to be achieved by offering the voters a Balkanized ballot: A black for senator, Hispanic for governor and bigger government checks in your mailbox. Will the Democratic Party of the future impose racial quotas on the candidates it offers the voters instead of candidates qualified by their stance on issues? How does Tony Sanchez, millionaire, oilman, with wells on state parkland and a savings and loan scandal behind him differ that much from his Republican counterpart? Or do we vote for Sanchez merely because of his race?

Carl Anderson

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Upcoming ACC Board Election

Dear Editor:

ACC's board is once again having elections May 4. I urge you to speak with all of the candidates before you make any endorsements. In particular, you need to interview Monica Loera, who is running for Place One, and Dr. James McGuffee, who is running for Place Three.

Loera and McGuffee have both been endorsed by the Citizens for Educational Excellence at ACC, the Austin Community College/American Federation of Teachers Union, the Central Labor Council, and Education Austin. Loera, who made an excellent run in 2000, is a former ACC student and employee, and currently works as an office manager for the Texas Association of Mexican American Chambers of Commerce.

Loera supports hiring more full-time faculty (preferably from the adjunct pool), shared governance, and stricter monitoring of the ACC's budget.

Like McGuffee, Loera's youthful energy and passion appeal to ACC's faculty, staff, and students during these difficult times.

Thank you,

Becky Villarreal

ACC English Instructor

Citizens for Educational Excellence at ACC

Cedar Park

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Fringe Benefits

Editor:

Letter writer Carl Swanson suggests in your March 29 issue ["Postmarks: Lefties, Open Your Minds!"] that those who attended the Jim Hightower Rolling Thunder Down-Home Democracy Tour had to listen to "fringe liberals" like Molly Ivins and Michael Moore and Granny D.

Since Michael Moore currently sits atop the nationwide bestseller list with his latest book, and since Granny D's walk across America recently culminated in President Bush signing campaign finance reform legislation, it seems to me that Mr. Swanson is "fringe" and just doesn't realize it yet.

As for Molly, hell, he may be right about her, but she's home folk and can defend herself!

Through the Fog,

Jackson Williams

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What's in a Name

Editor,

Jim Hightower has his nerve, bitching about the "color-coded terrorist warning system." ["The Hightower Lowdown," March 29]

The color-coding was a goodwill effort to dumb down to the lowest common denominator, illiterate liberals. We figure if you can't read and write (or punch a chad) maybe you've at least learned your colors.

And why can't y'all figure out what you want to call yourselves? (Not that non-liberals give a hoot.) Why "progressive?" AIDS is progressive. Colon cancer is progressive. Any disease left unchecked is progressive. Wait ... progressive just might work.

Kurt Standiford

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A Hater of the Hard Rock Cafe

Editor:

There's a fucking Hard Rock Cafe opening in Austin?! Jesus Christ, I'm gone for two years and the town turns to shit.

Victor Gallo

New York City

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Letter From a Native American?

Sirs:

The problem with third-world immigration is this: as the Hindoo, for example, continues to flood us and to change this society, that change hurts him not at all, quite the contrary. For if this country becomes one that he does not care for, then he can return to his homeland; and his homeland, his heritage, his birthright are intact.

But, as his presence does and has changed this country, my country, where am I to go? This is my homeland; and the change has rendered my heritage and my birthright into a society that I increasingly do not recognize.

I have no other place to go. My homeland is disappearing; my heritage has been hijacked; my birthright is being destroyed.

The immigrant has the best of both worlds: he is changing my homeland to suit his religion, his society, his language, and himself. And when his transmogrifying of my homeland does not at long last satisfy, perhaps because of my very presence, then he is free to return to his homeland and culture.

But I, I am torn loose of mine. Where is the fairness here?

There is no magical component to North American air that causes everyone to have, to feel and hold sacred the elements that my race does hold so; those beliefs, attitudes, and values that built my society; those borders, language, and culture that were my native birthright.

Cultures are race-specific. For example, when enough Mexicans live in Texas, it will become Mexico, regardless of the name used for it.

Sincerely,

D.C. Stewart

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The Campaign Finance Reform Bill

Dear Editor:

The recently passed campaign finance reform bill is the truest expansion of democracy we have seen in decades. No longer can candidates rely on a few fancy parties to fund their campaigns, or knock on one executive suite and walk away with hundreds of thousands of dollars. The new arena of campaigning will require that candidates earn the confidence of the average citizen.

The plaintiffs in the legal challenge to this bill display and astonishing degree of callousness given the recent revelations of Enron's influence in state and national government. Nothing in the bill limits free speech, although candidates may well be forced to find new avenues for disseminating information about themselves. How about a simple one-page synopsis of the candidate's experience and proposals, mailed or e-mailed to every registered voter? This would be less expensive and much more informative than any slick television commercial.

Robert Wilks