Austin is a town as dedicated to public service as it is to maintaining its "Live Music Capital of the World" status. It stands to reason that our public service and entertainment communities would intersect. Artists' Accounting & Legal Assistance (AALA) offer 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 helpful seminars open to the public. SIMS Foundation was formed in memory of local musician Sims Ellison, who committed suicide 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 musicians, artists, and others in the music biz in trouble and assists in providing mental health care at affordable costs. Peyton Wimmer of the SIMS Foundation and Michele Polgar of AALA not only represent the many people who volunteer, support, and finance these organizations, but also reflect the absolute best this town has to offer. We are proud to reside here all the more because of them.
