The electronic newsletter of Local 802
Jan. 13, 2016 | Send us comments by clicking here.

BREAKING NEWS: New York City Opera is back! See the story on our Facebook page here, and please share your comments.

SAVE THE DATE: LIVE MUSIC FUNDRAISER AT LOCAL 802 ON JAN. 28

WHAT: Live music performance featuring Wally Dunbar and JAZZ ELEVEN

WHEN: Thursday, Jan. 28 from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Local 802.

WHY: Fundraiser for the Local 802 Musicians' Emergency Relief Fund.

ADMISSION: Donate what you want. All donations will help your fellow Local 802 members who are in need. Checks and credit cards accepted at the door. Or donate anytime at www.Local802erf.org

MORE INFO: E-mail Andy Schwartz by clicking here.

MARY WHITAKER CASE
GOES TO COURT

As many know, Local 802 member Mary Whitaker was murdered on Aug. 20, 2014 at her home in Chautauqua, New York. She was only 61 when she was killed and she had been a member since 1976. Now, the two murderers are coming to trial in February, and both have pled guilty.

The courts are accepting "Pre-Sentencing Victim's Impact Statements," written by people who were affected by Mary's death. The letters should be submitted immediately. The first trial will be in federal court in Rochester. After federal sentencing, the second trial will be in state court in Mayville, New York.

Click here for instructions for submitting letters.

JAZZ CONNECT CONFERENCE

Local 802 will be hosting a panel discussion as part of the Jazz Connect Conference, this coming Friday, Jan. 15 from 10:45 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. in the music room at St. Peter's Church. The panel will feature Jimmy Owens, Bob Cranshaw, Christian McBride and Ted Nash, plus Local 802 reps.

AFM members can attend the conference for a discounted price by clicking here.

Our panel is called "When To Call the Union: Fighting for Your Rights as a Jazz Musician." It will include a spirited discussion of musicians' rights with regard to live performing, recording and other issues relevant to the jazz scene in New York. Panelists will speak of their own experiences, how the union is working to advocate for musicians, and how jazz artists can organize to demand that the industry better serve their community. See you there!

OPEN ENROLLMENT FOR HEALTH INSURANCE

The Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) requires most Americans to have health insurance. THE LAST DAY OF OPEN ENROLLMENT IS JAN. 31.

If you don't currently have health insurance through the Local 802 plan or through another source, please note that it's open enrollment time at www.HealthCare.gov. This is a great chance to compare health insurance plans and find the one that's best for you! The last day of open enrollment is Jan. 31. Need extra help? The Actors Fund will help you (and other musicians and artists) navigate your way through the health insurance system. Click here.

MAKE NEW CONTACTS BY ATTENDING A NETWORKING MEETING AT LOCAL 802

Would you like to share networking tips with fellow musicians? Local 802's monthly Musicians Networking Group is ready for you!

Get inside information on our industry and hear from special guests, including professional life coaches and Local 802 union reps. Refreshments are always served!

The next gathering is Tuesday, Feb. 2, from 2 p.m. to 3:30p.m. here at Local 802. It's free, but RSVP's are required*. Limited same-day registrations are available as space allows.To guarantee a spot, reserve by Feb. 1. Presented by Local 802 and The Actors Fund.

*To RSVP now, click here.

FREE PILATES CLASSES
FOR MUSICIANS

Do you want to improve your endurance, stop masking performance pain, give your body a tune-up, and learn strategies for lifelong health?

Join bodyworker instructor Karin Fantus for a series of free classes! Registration is required. Classes fill up early. We offer a beginner body awareness class and a Pilates exercise class. (You must have taken a class with Karin previously in order to register for the Pilates class.)

Classes take place on Friday afternoons in midtown. To get full application information, contact Elaine Davenport by clicking here. Location and times will be given out once you apply. Classes fill up early!

DO YOU USE LS-1 CONTRACTS?

ALL LS-1 CONTRACTS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY JANUARY 15, 2016 for the benefit period that begins MARCH 1, 2016.

Only teaching (private and institutional) and/or solo, live engagements performed between July 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015 can be reported on the LS-1 (i.e. no theater or electronic media work). Please call to discuss any other exceptions.

* If there are multiple employers and/or students, a separate LS-1 contract must be submitted for each one.
* Health contributions CANNOT EXCEED 15 percent of the gross wages.
* Work dues must be included at the time of submission.
* You must be a member in good standing (i.e. all past due work dues and membership dues must be up to date).
* Proof of engagement must be included -- copies of contracts, invoices, pay stubs/vouchers, spreadsheets of private students, etc.
* No benefits will be processed unless all these criteria are met.

For more information or to make an appointment, please contact Bettina Covo at (212) 245-4802, ext. 152 or click here. All checks and completed paperwork should be sent to Bettina Covo, Local 802, 322 West 48th Street, Third Floor, New York, NY 10036.

HOW HAVE YOU OVERCOME STAGE FRIGHT?

Local 802's Allegro magazine would like to do a story about overcoming stage fright. We'd like to hear from musicians who have suffered and overcome stage fright, including the use of therapy, meditation, mindfulness, other techniques -- and even medications like beta-blockers and tranquilizers. The point of the story would be to help other musicians overcome stage fright by sharing success stories. If you're interested in learning more, e-mail Allegro editor Mikael Elsila by clicking here.

NEXT LOCAL 802 MEMBERSHIP MEETING: WEDNESDAY, FEB. 10, 2016 AT 5 P.M. HERE AT LOCAL 802. THE MEETING WILL INCLUDE TWO BYLAW AMENDMENTS.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE LATEST ISSUE OF OUR UNION MAGAZINE ALLEGRO.

DID YOU MISS AN ISSUE OF 802 NOTES? OUR ARCHIVES ARE HERE.

ADVERTISEMENTS

(to advertise here, see below)

FOR SALE: Cello: Saint Cyr 2003, Model Guadagnini w/Pegheads. Double Bass: Vintage Francesco Ruggieri. Double Bass French bow: Vintage Prosper Colas/w papers. Inquire (click on e-mail address): rldyb@hotmail.com. Photos available.

Ames Violins and Bows....check it out: www.tourte.com

Worried about your ears? We can help...!

GET A LOAN FOR THAT NEW INSTRUMENT YOU'VE BEEN WANTING!

Loan rates have been slashed at the Actors Federal Credit Union. All Local 802 members are invited to join the credit union. Click here for more information on loans.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO REACH THOUSANDS OF PROFESSIONAL MUSICIANS? Paid ads in this newsletter support the union and help reduce costs to our members. To promote your product or service and reach thousands of musicians, click here for more info. Please visit our advertisers above and tell them you saw their ad in Local 802's newsletter.

Local 802, American Federation of Musicians
(212) 245-4802 | www.local802afm.org

Send us comments or questions by clicking here.