My Experiences With HealthCare.Gov
Mon, Dec 12, 2013
by Drew McManus
Unless you’ve been living under a rock the last several months, you’re likely aware that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) launch was a clusterfuck of gargantuan scale. That sort of language isn’t common here and it is used now to reinforce just how wretched of an experience it has been interacting with the ACA’s primary
Potentially Troublesome USPS Forwarding Policies
Fri, Dec 12, 2013
by Drew McManus
During my recent move, I noticed something different about the USPS mail forwarding policy compared to the my previous move eight years prior in that bulk mail (periodicals, newsletters, magazines, advertisements, circulars, etc.) is no longer automatically forwarded along with other types of mail classes. That option must be manually selected in one of the
The Right Way To Gear Up For The End Of Year Online Giving Push
Thu, Dec 12, 2013
by Drew McManus
Although it is no surprise that arts orgs are gearing up for the end of the year contribution push, one trend catching my attention in 2013 is the increase in groups focusing more efforts to streamline the online donation process. Of particular interest is providing the ability for potential donors to get in and out
The Orchestra 990 Database Project Update: HELP!
Wed, Dec 12, 2013
by Drew McManus
Good news everybody, exploratory work for the Orchestra 990 Database Project is all done. The technical aspects are worked out and not only do we know it can be done, we also have a very firm idea of how much time and resources it will take; but there’s one thing that has us stumped so
Giving Program Pick For December, 2013: Mae Mai
Tue, Dec 12, 2013
by Drew McManus
My choice for December’s Giving Program recipient is Jon Silpayamanant’s Mae Mai; a broad collection of posts on a variety of classical music topics both traditional and contemporary. Jon’s writing about the series of labor dispute related crisis at US orchestras has been fascinating to watch evolve from casual observer to someone who is eyeball deep in
Here It Is, Your Holiday Moment Of Zen
Mon, Dec 12, 2013
by Drew McManus
You know it, you love, it, and it just isn’t the holiday season without it: The Messiah Organist On Crack. If this holiday classic is new to you, give it moment and hang in there until the end; I’m sure you’ll agree that it’s 0:43 of unfiltered Messiah goodness.
Minnesota’s “Artistically Vibrant” Future
Fri, Dec 12, 2013
by Drew McManus
The cultural blogging community is abuzz with in the wake of this week’s pronouncements from the Minnesota Orchestra Association (MOA). Only Bill Eddins could pull a witty J.R.R. Tolkien comparison out of his hat the day before the latest blockbuster movie installment was set to release. Alex Ross, the king of cultural wordsmithery finds those
Is There Anything Stronger Than Divorce?
Thu, Dec 12, 2013
by Drew McManus
Divorce is a messy business. All parties face daunting legal, economic, and psychological difficulties. And much like a knife fight, there’s no way to go through one without getting cut but it looks increasingly like the labor equivalent of divorce is the option of choice in Minneapolis where the Minnesota Orchestra Association (MOA) leadership and
Big Changes In Store For Chicago
Wed, Dec 12, 2013
by Drew McManus
The rumors were confirmed yesterday by way of official news that Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO) president Deborah Rutter will become the new president of the Kennedy Center in September, 2014. This is probably some of the best news the Kennedy Center could hope for following the departure of former president Michael Kaiser but that gain
It Is Not Too Late For Redemption