BOARD OF DIRECTORS BOARD OF TRUSTEES Randy Sinnott, President Joan Lawton, Chair [email protected] [email protected] Jim Steinmeyer, Vice President David Regal, Vice Chair [email protected] [email protected] APRIL 2016 OPEN SESAME ... VOLUME 55, NUMBER 4 Chip Chalmers, Secretary Tom Ogden, Secretary A Great Show Never Done ... Page 17 [email protected] [email protected] 7001 Franklin Avenue, Hollywood, California 90028 Newsworthy Notes ... Page 3 Catherine Haight, Treasurer Mark Wilson, Trustee (323) 851-3313 | www.magiccastle.com Election Recap ... Page 14 [email protected] [email protected] EDITOR: A Special Report ... Page 16 Sara Ballantine, Director Gay Blackstone, Trustee Dustin Stinett Awards Show ... Page 20 [email protected] [email protected] ART DEPARTMENT: Now Playing ... Page 23 Brian Tolman, Director Paul Green, Trustee Ben Roman Lecture Notes ... Page 24 [email protected] [email protected] Josh Stern 3 From the Menu ... Page 25 John Gaughan, Director Shoot Ogawa, Trustee Jen Ovadia Changing of the Guard ... Page 29 [email protected] [email protected] Steve Mitchell Michael Albright OUR MISSION: The Academy of Magical Arts DIGITAL LOGISTICS: has been and will continue to be the premier Josh Stern organization in the world dedicated to the art of EDITORS EMERITUS: Magic. We are an organization that encourages William W. Larsen, Jr. fellowship, promotes the art, and maintains the Milt Larsen highest ethical standards in our actions. We will DEADLINE FOR THE NEXT ISSUE: provide a friendly environment where Members The 20th Day of This Month and their guests can enjoy the art and each © 2016 Academy of Magical Arts, Inc. All rights reserved. “The Magic Castle” is a Registered Trademark of Magic Castles, Inc. used under license. The other’s company. Our goals and objectives are Academy of Magical Arts “Owl Ribbon” logo, text-only logo, “Owl Bell” logo, and The Academy Newsletter masthead are trademarks of the Academy of to advance the art and provide a positive image Magical Arts, Inc. 21 7 of Magic and Magicians worldwide. NEXT AMANewsletter APRIL2016 As We Go To Press: NOW THAT our April Fools Day fun—courtesy of next two years. See page 14 for a complete recap ON THE INSIDE (and with my eternal gratitude to) BEN ROMAN and of the elections as well as a list of nominees for the his MERRY COMPANY OF FOOLES—is over, it’s time to get showroom and lecture awards. 3 ... Newsworthy Notes Staff and Contributors down to business. The business of the AMA is up first. Congratulations, too, to MARTY ROSENSTOCK on being Please read President RANDY SINNOTT’S article on the 4 ... President’s Message named the AMA’s 2015 Employee of the Year. Randy Sinnott new agreements made between the AMA and MILT Selecting just one out of twelve well-deserving LARSEN. See page 16 for the easy-to-digest overview 7 ... A Note from the Trustees candidates is not easy. Marty was genuinely surprised Joan Lawton of the complex deal as well as links to the contracts and overwhelmed at the selection. But the fact is themselves. And Randy's inaugural "Message from the 9 ... General Musings that Marty is an excellent choice to represent our Joe Furlow President" is on page 4. incredible staff. Thanks for all you do, Marty. And 11 ... The Magic of Membership The year is just a few months old and we are all already thank you, dear readers, for your time. Please enjoy Trish Alaskey tired of the losses the world of magic—indeed the your April 2016 newsletter; no foolin'. ? 14 ... Election Committee News entertainment field—has experienced. I've lost count. Dale Boatman Unfortunately “Newsworthy Notes” is once again Dustin lacking in “news” and made up of far too many Alohas. [email protected] 16 ... A Special Report from the BOD Randy Sinnott I suppose all these good-byes might have us considering our own mortality. Enter Delaney 17 ... The Greatest Magic Show Clements, a 13 year old girl whose battle with cancer I Never Did has gained international attention. Her mission is to Sam Konugres bring awareness to childhood cancer, and to remind 21 ... Houdini Séance us to count our blessings and enjoy every minute of Leo Kostka life. Starting on page 17 is what happened when one 23 ... Now Playing Jack Goldfinger of the members of our Outreach Committee, SAM KONUGRES, encountered this inspirational young girl. 24 ... Lecture Notes Jack Goldfinger and the Board of Trustees BILL GOODWIN’S monthly video features—well, you need to see for yourself. His library column starts on page 25 ... From the Kitchen Chef Jason Sperber 27. And remember: Associates are invited! 27 ... WWL Memorial Library News Hearty congratulations are due those who were Bill Goodwin elected to the Boards of Directors and Trustees. May GM JOE FURLOW WITH 2015 EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR MARTY ROSENSTOCK 29 ... –30– wisdom and sound judgment guide you over the PHOTO COURTESY OF BRIAN JOSEPH OCHAB Staff PREVIOUS 2 NEXT AMANewsletter APRIL2016 NEWSWORTHY NotES SOUNDING OFF OR PAT PATTERSON LYONS She also created the puzzle known as organization, and as per her wishes, “The Vanishing Leprechaun” which donations can be made to it (http:// SOUNDING FAMILIAR? Those who subscribed to—or has seen countless iterations using all www.magicana.com) or to the have enjoyed the reprints of—the "We occasionally hear magic spoken of manner of objects and creatures. Kensington Hospice (https://www. periodical Ibidem undoubtedly also as dead, or slowly dying. But we must kensingtonhealth.org/Kensington- enjoyed the cover art created by PAT Pat Patterson Lyons passed away admit it frequently has lusty revivals. Hospice/Welcome.aspx). Not only through professionals, but PATTERSON. For many, her work was a peacefully on March 14, 2016. She was highlight of the magazine published amateurs whose only interest in the a supporter of David Ben's Magicana PAUL DANIELS by her husband, P. HOWARD LYONS. art is that of a hobby." If you were at the 38th AMA Awards – Printed in The Sphinx, April 1916 Besides the whimsical covers, her unique style of art could be found Show when PAUL DANIELS was honored ALOHA ... throughout each issue. with a Masters Fellowship, you’ll remember his uproarious acceptance OLIVER FILIPPI speech. The recent announcement Long-time AMA member OLIVER FILIPPI that he had an inoperable brain tumor passed away on March 4, 2016. He hit his many fans around the world was a Magician Member of the club hard. Though expected, his passing for 33 years. on March 17 hit even harder. His star shined brightly in the U.K. for decades DEREK VERNER and he will not be forgotten. ? One of DAI VERNON’S sons, DEREK VERNER, passed away at the age of 83. A model train buff, he stayed in touch with magic through its social media. Please email NEWSWORTHY NOTES contributions to [email protected]. The deadline for the next issue is the 20th of this month. Anonymous contributions will not be ABOVE: THE COVER OF IBIDEM NUMBER 10 AS DRAWN BY accepted, however name(s) can be withheld upon request. PAT PATTERSON. LEFT: PAT PATTERSON LYONS. PHOTO COURTESY OF MAGICANA, DAVID BEN, AND JULIE ENG. PAUL DANIELS PERFORMS HIS SIGNATURE CHOP CUP PREVIOUS 3 NEXT AMANewsletter APRIL2016 RANDY SINNOTT key meeting and was instrumental in getting us JOHN GAUGHAN, BRIAN TOLMAN, and SARA BALLANTINE. back on our feet. When the October 2011 fire hit, This is a hard-working group of long-term and Erika camped out overnight at the Castle and was dedicated club members who will strive to serve the a constant presence during the reconstruction. membership and the world of magic to the fullest Taking over as President, she stepped into the role extent possible. I would also like to thank retiring with a vision, sense of purpose, experience, and set Treasurer MAURICE NEWMAN for his six years of service of people skills that made her the ideal leader for on the Board. the past two years. She proved herself to be one of The Board of Trustees now consists of DAVID REGAL, our club’s great leaders, putting herself in the fine JOAN LAWTON, MARK WILSON, PAUL GREEN, SHOOT OGAWA, company of her father BILL and mother IRENE. TOM OGDEN, and GAY BLACKSTONE. I am sure they will The election results have been announced. I want guide our club’s magic to new levels. And thanks to to thank all of the members who ran for positions outgoing Trustees JON ARMSTRONG (Chair) MAX MAVEN THE AMA'S NEW PRESIDENT, RANDY SINNOTT on both Boards and all of the members who voted. (Vice Chair), STEVE VALENTINE, and ROB ZABRECKY. The The interest displayed by all members in the process incredible level of magic in our club every night is GREETINGS! I'd like to begin this message by ensures a level of thoughtfulness and passion that directly related to their extensive knowledge of the expressing my gratitude to ERIKA LARSEN, who has will bring great leaders to the forefront. world of magic. been our President for the past two years. She became Vice President during one of the most It is also my great pleasure to congratulate those The first quarter of this year has been one filled difficult periods in our club’s history, and rose to who will serve on those Boards for the next two with loss in the world of magic. IRENE LARSEN, TOM the task in an incredible way. As we tried to figure years. The Board of Directors will consist of myself MULLICA, JIM PATTON, and PAUL DANIELS are just four of out why the Club had lost so much money and was (President), JIM STEINMEYER (Vice President), CHIP the prominent members of our community that in such a precarious position, Erika attended every CHALMERS (Secretary), CATHY HAIGHT (Treasurer), we have lost.