Second Annual Texas Wine and Song Festival Returns
to Downtown Austin

EVENT: Second Annual Texas Wine & Song Festival presented by Regions Bank
DATE/TIME: Sunday, Oct. 19, 2008, 3-10 p.m.
LOCATION: Copper Tank Events Center, Trinity and 5th streets

DESCRIPTION:The Gourds, Carolyn Wonderland and Suzanna Choffel headline a day-long festival celebrating the finest in regional wines, foods and Austin music. Participating restaurants include Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, Zax Restaurant, Sugar Mama’s Bakeshop and others. More than six award-winning Texas wineries will be on hand including Llano Estacado, Messina Hof, Fall Creek and Peregrine Hill plus beverages from Savvy Vodka and Sweet Leaf Tea. The festival also offers food and wine pairing seminars and cooking demonstrations.

COST: Tickets, which include food and drink samplings, are $30 in advance or $35 at the door; additional tasting cards may be purchased at the event.  Advance tickets may be purchased at www.texaswineandsong.com
Proceeds benefit the SIMS Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides financial support for and access to mental health and addiction recovery services for Austin area musicians and their families, and Texas Wine & Song Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit that provides scholarships and grants for the study and development of Texas enology and viticulture.

PARKING:                 Complimentary valet parking will be available.
WEB SITE:                 www.texaswineandsong.com
CONTACT:                Josh Coffee, joshcoffee@gmail.com, 512-750-6541

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St. David's Community Health Foundation Grants
SIMS $90,800 for Mental Health Services
August 27, 2008

AUSTIN, TEXAS—The SIMS Foundation, an organization providing low-cost counseling and other mental health services for musicians and their loved ones for 13 years, has been granted $90,800 from St. David's Community Health Foundation—who have announced that they are awarding more than $1.3 million in grants to 17 Central Texas non-profits that provide mental health services for Central Texans. The funding from St. David's comprises 25% of SIMS funding over the coming 12 months.

Marking the third year that St. David's Community Health Foundation has awarded money to SIMS, this year’s grant will enable SIMS to provide more support to an increased number of Austin's musicians and their families. With this grant, SIMS Foundation’s long-standing purpose of providing quality counseling, psychiatric services, addiction treatment and information, and referral services will continue to thrive.

According to several studies published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, creative individuals such as artists, writers, musicians, composers, etc. suffer disproportionately from mood disorders and suicidal ideation. Stresses such as unstructured work hours, constant scrutiny, and rejection combine to put artists at a 112% increased risk of suicide. “The need for professional, affordable mental health services in our community continues to grow, but evaluation and treatment services are often not available or affordable to those who need them," said Becky Pastner, program officer for St. David's Community Health Foundation.

A significant part of St. David's Community Health Foundation's mission is to fund organizations that provide health care services to the uninsured and underinsured in our community. Last year, recognizing the importance of addressing mental health needs in
our community, they instituted a special grant cycle for mental health services and granted
16 awards totaling almost $850,000. This year's increase shows the Foundation's ongoing commitment to supporting the providers who strive to meet the community’s mental
health needs.