Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/94610
On Location CELEBRATING BELVA MIXING IT UP IN FLORIDA S San Francisco - Northern California Friends and members celebrate Belva Davis' birthday. T he San Francisco-Northern California Local celebrated the 80th birthday of a national treasure — Belva Davis. Davis has been a union activist for years; she's been celebrated and honored by so many organizations there isn't enough room to name them all. For more than four decades, she has been the face of Bay Area news and in her "spare" time authored a book titled Never in My Wildest Dreams: A Black Woman's Life in Journalism. Davis (above, center) was honored with video greetings from SAG-AFTRA Co-Presidents Roberta Reardon and Ken Howard; National Director, Policy & Diversity Advocacy Ray Bradford; Dick Van Dyke; SAG- AFTRA National Executive Director David White; and surprise guest Kim Roberts Hedgpeth, former SAG-AFTRA co-national executive director. While she officially turns her microphone off in November aſter decades of work as a broadcast journalist, don't expect Davis to slow down, play golf and sit in a rocking chair — that just would not be Belva! Members enjoy Central Florida mixer. AG-AFTRA members had the opportunity to enjoy the company of their peers at two successful mixers in Florida. In Orlando on Sept. 28, the SAG-AFTRA Central Florida Office held a mixer at Le Rouge Wine Bar and Tapas. he 72-plus members and industry guests had a great evening of socializing and networking, while enjoying fantastic tapas and live music. Among the industry guests in attendance were various franchised agents, producers and casting director and Orlando Film Commissioner Sheena Fowler. SAG-AFTRA Miami Local Executive Director Herta Suarez was also on hand with David Fazekas, local assistant director, Central Florida, meeting and chatting with Central Florida members in person. he Aug. 29 mixer in Miami took place at Soyka restaurant. At the well-attended event, members enjoyed getting together and networking in a nonbusiness setting. Members also had the chance to talk to our special guest, Rick Blitman, associate creative director at Tinsley Advertising. Miami NEW YORK OPENS ITS DOORS F New York 64 SAG-AFTRA | Winter 2013 | SAGAFTRA.org or 35 years, the former AFTRA Open Door program provided the opportunity for New York Local members to meet one-on-one with casting directors and agents. his year, the program has been presented again, this time as the SAG-AFTRA Open Door program. More than 1,000 members came through the lottery held during the first week of October. he random lottery was the first part of a three-step process that had members selecting a registration date to return to schedule their one-on-one meeting. Members then met with the casting director or agent of their choice in October or November. At last year's Open Door program, members met with 120 agents and casting directors. he committee, made up of 35 SAG-AFTRA members, volunteer hundreds of hours to administer the program. From left, Open Door Committee Chair Janette Gautier, committee member Eileen Lacy and committee member Mary Ann Hay