To All Members of Local 1 of the American Federation of Musicians;

Recently Local 1 experienced the theft of a laptop computer that contained membership files. A meeting of the Board was called as soon as the theft was reported. The National Office of the AFM was contacted and the Board was advised to secure protection against identity fraud for the members before informing those affected. The protection is retroactive to the date of the theft of the computer, as well as for one year from the date of the letter.

In accordance with Ohio law, once AllClear was engaged, a 45-day window (excluding days without mail) is provided to contact those affected. Because of heavy volume of mail this time of year, some letters may be delayed. Please read the letter carefully, and feel free to contact the toll-free AllClear call center if you have questions.   Please do not call Rhonda with questions – thank you.

The Trustees and Officers of the Cincinnati Musicians Association felt strongly that an orderly and safe sequence of events occur so that the members could be safely protected. AllClear Identity Protection is extremely precise in its requirements, and there were some delays in the preparations. Despite the six weeks it has taken to send out the notifications, the Trustees and Officers are confident that AllClear Identity Protection is the best choice of companies offering this service. AllClear has provided protection for many large retailers who have suffered breaches that were announced in the press. The terms of our contract do not permit us to name them, but one sells home improvement goods and another is a major package delivery service.

In closing, we are confident that AllClear will provide swift and effective service in the unlikely event that any of the personal information contained in the stolen device is used to create fraudulent accounts or access other personal data files. Where we regret that the car was vandalized and burglarized, the safety and security of our members past and present has been, and shall continue to be, our primary concern.

Paul R. Frankenfeld, President, for The Officers and Trustees of the Cincinnati Musicians Association

Gratified by the Greater Cincinnati community’s response in the year and half since they began showcasing the area’s top jazz performers, Washington Platforms Saloon and Restaurant has decided it’s time to expand the Washington Platform Jazz Series to Saturday nights. They began March 1 and will be offering live jazz, from Latin to vocal, and from straight-ahead to groove jazz. Look for some out-of-town players to be featured in coming weeks as well.

Their mission remains the same as it was in the beginning: to give the city a jazz venue for grownups; a place where folks can gather to hear solid, consistent live small-group jazz, to meet friends, to have an enjoyable and interesting meal and some honest drinks and a place where musicians like to play and listeners like to listen.

Washington Platform serves as a bridge between downtown and Over-the-hine, offering a civilized spot for folks to drop in and have a meal or drinks before or after symphony, ballet, theater, or art events. They serve food until 11PM on weekends and cocktails, of course, until closing. Patrons can park safely, for free, in the lot just across Elm Street on the northwest corner of the intersection.

Jazz runs from 9PM to midnight and there is no cover. There is a $10 food/beverage minimum.

I just got the news that Gene Frey, President emeritus of the CMA died peacefully in his sleep early this morning, Aug. 29. He had been suffering from congestive heart failure. His children, Gregrick and Karen had just spent the weekend with him. Funeral arrangements are pending. Look for news here.

Join us at the Blue Wisp Jazz Club, 7th and Race Streets, to help launch Martin’s new book ‘Before I Forget, stories and thoughts of a clarinet playing academic’.  The date is Sunday, April 14 at 4PM.  Free street parking on Sunday.  The book is published by Cincinnati Book Publishing.  Check them out at www.CincyBooks.com.  Join Martin and Victoria for some literary and musical fun.

Finally there has been legislation passed that allows people transporting large instruments on airplanes to carry them on board planes without being hassled (or so we hope): article