july 2012——volume 2012 issue 7 july 12.pdf · next meeting: 7 p.m. sunday, july 5, 2012 —...

Next Meeting: 7 p.m. Sunday, July 5, 2012 — Energy Auditorium/Trinity River Campus Tarrant County College

July 2012—www.fortworthmagiciansclub.org—Volume 2012 Issue 7

On A Personal Note . . . Prayers and Best Wishes

[Editor’s notice: This column is dedicated news about our

members and friends in the greater North Texas magic

community, particularly regarding those who are under the

weather, recovering, and those of our community whom we

unfortunately lose. As we can, we will provide mailing ad-

dresses, email addresses, and telephone numbers for our

colleagues and their families.

To this end, please send your information to the Flashpaper

editor Geoff Grimes at [email protected] or call at

972-740-3125.

Please provide contact information as you can.

Features: June Report, Kidz Rule, Once Upon a Time, Magic In North Texas, Commentary, TopHatz

Arthur Emerson has suffered a fall while walking down

a stairs. He broke his arm and injured his shoulder. Art

is recovering back home, following his trip to England

where he suffered his fall.

Bob Utter has passed away at the age of 89. A little over

a week ago, Bob suffered a severe fall that broke his hip

among other injuries. He underwent surgery for the hip

earlier this week, but while in the hospital began taking

on fluid in his lungs and accompanying failure of his

kidneys. Bob passed away Friday afternoon on June

29th. Funeral service plans are pending.

Bob Utter Passes Away

Fort Worth Magicians Club mem-

ber Bob Utter passed away on

Saturday, June 29, in Fort Worth

from complications following a fall

which broke his hip and arm.

Bob was rushed to a Fort Worth

hospital where he underwent hip

surgery on Tuesday.

Bob had suffered a particularly

difficult year with the loss of his

son. He had battled cancer off and

on for a number of years.

Bob was a fixture in Fort Worth’s

magic scene for decades. Next

month will feature a tribute to Bob

who was 89 years old.

Bob Utter performs the famous “Two Coin

Trick” at the Fort Worth Public Library in

2009.

The Flashpaper, July 2012, Volume 2012, Issue 7, page 2

So July, what to do for a magic meeting? We had a great picnic meeting for June. That was fun and turned out to be a really nice day. Now we are back at our meeting room at the college. So July? Independence, fireworks, sunshine, summer, I give up. I did realize that we haven't had a “type of magic ”theme meeting. So I thought, “that's it! I will pick a type of magic for the July meeting of the Fort Worth Magicians Club.” So now, what do I pick? Apparatus magic? Eh, seen them. The Dallas club did silk magic awhile back. No. Animal? Rope? Mentalism? Ummm.. no. Is there a “type” of magic that hasn't been done as a theme before? Or at least one that is done pretty rare-ly. I figured what ever I pick, I need to be able to give examples. Well, just so happens, what I am interested in right now, is something pretty rare as a theme for a magic club. The theme for the July meeting will be “Science Magic”. What is science magic? Well, I would define it as simple reaction demonstration disguised as a magic trick. A good example would be the 'Sands of the Desert' with the water turning black and then clear. That is most definitely science magic. Libby did a nice version awhile back. I know I wouldn't mind seeing it again. I doubt anyone else would have a problem, and I am

sure some people missed it, but what ever. Just saying. But that's the idea. Think about it. You probably have some science you can lay on us. I can think of several things that could be done. One involves a knife and a jar of rice, but I digress. I think you get the idea. I have a few I can do. We also need to work on our show. Now to remind you, we have been building an act a little at a time. We have had some curve balls thrown at us and we are behind, but that's okay. That's exactly how it happens in real life. It usually comes down to the wire and you have to pull the rest out of, well you know. So that's what we are going to do. Quick de-cisions, quick answers, let's get it done. The performance totem is out and it will have been two months too. I hope the holder is ready to go, because we will all be waiting. The totem will be passed and we will see who our next performer is. It's also getting time to think about officers. Anyone wanting to be more involved, or thoughts on others who should be involved, or any thoughts, can be discussed. Randi

Randi says: “It’s Science Magic and a lot more for July”

Editor’s Note: Randi submitted this article before Bob Utter’s death late this week. After consultation with Ash Adams,

club president, we decided to run the article as written with time given over at the meeting for those who would like to

pay tribute to Bob. Let’s celebrate our friendship with Bob with a little magic in his honor.

Magic in North Texas

Three FWMC members will be performing at the Second

Saturday evening shows at Main Street Magic and Fun

Company, Saturday, July 14th at 211 North Tennessee in

Old Town McKinney. Featured performers will include Hal

“Doc Haliday” Hudgins and Libby Sharpe. Geoff Grimes

hosts the hour-long show as the magical emcee.

Main Street Magic and Fun Company offers two shows

designed as family entertainment with a whole range of

magic from the classic cups and balls to zany kids stuff, levi-

tations, and hilarious mentalism. Shows begin at 7:00 and

again at 9:00 p.m. Tickets are $10 each. Call for reserva-

tions at 214-274-7802 and ask for Jennifer.


FW’s Magic etc Anchors Magic in North Texas

Magic etc and Ft Worth Costume opened on February 12, 1985, in a 560 square foot space... Now, three moves and 27 years later, the pre-sent showroom is 8000 square feet—the magic department alone is 625 square feet. When it opened Derek Kennedy was the sole employee... with a sign that said, "Open 'around' 10am" on the door, because he was DJ'-ing at clubs around town till 2 AM, and then running the store all by himself. Now there are regularly 12 employees on staff year round, and the number grows to 50 employees during the Halloween months. When Derek opened in 1985, there were 8 magic shops in the DFW area: Magicland, Queen of Hearts, Positively Magic, Magic Dragon, Arlington Gags and Gifts, Tanner Miles Comics and Things, The Joke Shop, and Magic etc.

Over the years many famous magical personas have passed through the doors of Magic etc.: Yutaka Kikuchi, Eddie Tetylbaum, David Roth, John Calvert, Ralph Marcom, Arthur Emerson, Paul Osbourne, Steve Wyrick, The Spencers, Jimmy King Jr. (MAK Magic), Diamond Jim Ty-ler, Arsene Dupin, Daniel Garcia, The Buck Twins, and many more local and national celebrities. The magic counter is open 6 days a week from 10am to 6:30pm. How-ever, the real excitement comes once a month on the Second Sat-urday of the month. Every month, for almost 15 years, Magic etc has hosted the DFW magic community

at the Second Saturday Sale. From 9:00am till 12:00 a handful of expert magic demonstrators put on a show of all the new items, for a seated audience of pub-lic magic enthusiasts, which has grown to an average of 70 people in attend-ance each month. All items demonstrated are offered at a special discounted price during the hours of the sale. Food and beverages are complimentary. A fun time to see magic performances, learn new things, and hang out with a large gathering of DFW magic fans. Over the past 15 years of Second Saturday sales, many of The Fort Worth Magicians Club's past and present mem-bers have been demonstrators behind the counter at the sale... Ash Adams, Randi Rain, Patrick O'Gorman, Michael Ince, Michael Stein, Natalie Stenger, Matthew Martin, Ken Stewart, Devin Hall, Ryan Plunkett, Bizarro, Aaron Stone, Chris Brent, Jeff York, Brett Roberts, Kenneth Brown, Howard Hale, Arthur Moses, John Kingray, Jeb & Christy Sherril, etc. So don't feel bad if you haven't been able to stop by in the past 27 years... Magic etc will be around for 27 more.

Derek Kennedy, owner of Magic Etc.,

behind the counter in 1985

Derek holds court behind the “Mark

Wilson” counter, where the young MW

worked at Douglas Magicland.

Magic etc today as it sits on the north side of

Hwy –30 on Forest Park Blvd., Fort Worth.

The Flashpaper, July 2012, Volume 2012, Issue 7 page 4

Bill Irwin’s Kidz Rule ~ 6

Went to a school program where each class performed routines to Disney music. When Pre-K boys dressed in white with glittering suspenders and black canes brought the house down I knew this was going to be different from my public education experience. Costumes were purchased, dances choreographed, and the stage set. This was not a set of bleachers where each class came in and sang two songs before leav-ing (my experience through multiple elementary schools). Expectations were set higher. All the kids knew that they were special and the results were amazing. The rulez had been set and the kids were empowered to perform. What expectations do you have, can they be higher? What are you doing to have the kids in your life feel special, or yourself for that matter? Are you dressing the part, are you rehearsing, and do you have the support you need? For the kidz in your life, what can you do to increase your support? How about yourself? We have some great talent in the club. If you have not already, find someone you can exchange ideas with or work with to increase your support.

Bill Irwin, Co-Sponsor of the Cook

Children's’ Hospital Young

Magicians Club

Now for a couple ways to explore your inner kid: 1. Go to a Fort Worth CATS game. Where else can you exchange fist pumps with the players, get autographs, and

hear the players say "thank you for coming". Don't forget to take a kid with you and you will be reminded that Base-ball is a game and can be fun. Kidz can even run the bases.

2. 2. I have been reading Fred Allen's book Much Ado About Me, his autobiography (this is an old book and may take an effort to find). Allen was born in 1892 and raised in Boston during the age of Vaudeville. This book begins with a wonderful journey of a boy growing up and going to work at 14 to help support the family while feeling the pull of the stage. Throughout the book he shares his experiences of vaudeville and it is a nice read.

That's enough for now, go forth, raise your expectations and increase your support to bring out the best in whatever you do, and don't forget to Follow the Rulez Bill

June Picnic brings fun and relaxation

About 20 FWMC members braved the heat for an

unexpectedly beautiful outdoor picnic at Trinity

Park in Fort Worth for the June meeting. Every-

body brought food and drink, some impromptu

“magical” games, and a piñata, and

what more could you ask for? Every-

one agreed we should do this again!

A Flashpaper Interview with FWMC Member John “Johnny Top Hatz” Hatzenbuhler


President George H. W. Bush, Texas Governors Ann Richards, George W.

Bush, and Rick Perry, Dallas Mayor Annette Strauss, Congressman Dick

Armey—are just a few of the local, state, and national leaders who have rec-

ognized the public service of two-time Forth Worth Magicians Club president

Constable John “Johnny TopHatz” Hatzenbuhler. John will retire this year to

continue his life in magic and The Flashpaper honors John with this interview,

conducted in June 2012.

In this interview, John discusses his entry into magic, his kids’ antidrug cam-

paign with the use of magic, his magical marriage with Fran, his various

careers, the state of magic today, and his advice to the next generation of

magicians.

The Flashpaper: You received in 1991 from President George H. W. Bush,

one of the highest honors in the United States for public service, one of the

original recognized “1000 Points of Light.” What was that about?

John: President Bush wanted to recognize the contributions of private citi-

zens to their communities across the United States. You could send in nomi-

nations. Someone submitted my name regarding my work in law enforcement

to reduce drug use among kids here in North Texas. I always used magic to

emphasize my points and to hold kids’ attention.

The Flashpaper: So, President Bush selected you?

Constable John “Johnny Top Hatz”

Hatzenbuhler, FWMC Magician

John: I was very honored. It has always meant a lot to me.

The Flashpaper: You have been recognized by leaders across the political spec-

trum—Democrats and Republicans alike.

John: Drug abuse—and especially drug abuse among children—has always been a

national disaster. It affects everyone alike—beyond politics.

The Flashpaper: What made you choose magic as a method for teaching young

people?

John: Well, most kids love magic; it’s intriguing, so I decided to use magic sort of

like Gospel Magicians use magic—magic to make a point.

The Flashpaper: Explain that a little more.

John: Well, I had a whole program built around various magic tricks. I gave this pro-

gram in a lot of school and organizational assembly shows. I made a flyer called

“Smiling Mugs Use No Drugs” with a big happy face in the banner. Each kid got

one. On the front, I had photographs of me with the various props I used for each

act. I started off with one—a newspaper tear—called “Make Good Decisions.” From

there, I went to the needle through the balloon trick that I called “Resist Pressures.”

“Making It Through Life” was a metal disk through ring penetration trick. One of my

favorites was a change bag effect I called “Your Brain on Drugs”—the final change,

a plastic fried egg! “Ask for Help” was a magic coloring book. “Mr. Drug Free” was my dove production. Then, I had this

escape routine, “Don’t Get Chained on Drugs and Alcohol,” and I would finish up the show with my bunny production I

called “No False Images.”

On the back of the flyer was a letter on my Constable letterhead to each kid’s parents from me, telling them about the

assembly program their kids had witnessed and thanking each of them for helping their kids to abstain from drugs and

alcohol.

John stands next to state and

national honors, the “1000

Points of Light” at the top.

(Continued)


The Flashpaper: You’ve been in law enforcement a long time.

Where did you get your start?

John: In Detroit, Michigan where I grew up. I joined the police force

there, working in the 1st Precinct. I worked undercover on a motor-

cycle during the ’68 riots. I met Fran, and we got married in 1967—

I guess I would have to call that my first magical moment! But she

wanted to move to a warmer climate, so we moved to Fort Lauder-

dale, Florida. I joined the police department there, but I’ve done a

lot of things. Moved to Kansas.

The Flashpaper: What brought you to Texas?

John: I was working with an oil company—Primrose Oil Company

there in Kansas. I got hooked up with A-1 Oil Company, and I got

promoted to regional sales manager which involved a move to

North Texas—the home office was in Dallas. But I’ve done a lot of

things. I tried the life of an entrepreneur for a while. Fran and I had

three restaurants at one time—two of them called the “Sub and Pub” up there in Pittsburg, Kansas. We also operated a

horseback riding stable for a while. I’m a certified pilot—crop dusting, the Steerman bi-plane, the J-3 cub plane, multi-

engine sea planes—I was a helicopter mechanic in the Army from 1959-1965. I have been an instructor off and on. I

taught sales classes for Primrose Oil; of course, I taught the antidrug abuse program for more than 20 years. I taught

swimming and scuba diving for a while. And I was a home builder—built four houses as a home builder.

The Flashpaper: But you came back to law enforcement?

John: Well, I was never far away from law enforcement—been in law enforcement for over 30 years. I’ve been a Consta-

ble here in North Texas for 23 years now. I was the Double Oaks Marshal, appointed by the City Council. I was the

Crossroads Town Marshal, and I’ve been the elected Constable of Precinct 4 in Roanoak Oak for many years.

The Flashpaper: Let’s talk a little about your start up and career in magic.

John: Well, there was a magic shop there in Detroit when I was growing up, but I really didn’t get into magic until 1987-

88 when I decided I wanted to put together my antidrug abuse program. I saw magic as a kind of hook to keep the kids’

attention. My Chief Deputy Billy Madden did a little magic—he was a member of the Fort Worth Magicians Club for a

while. So he taught me a few tricks and got me interested in it. We got hooked up with the state’s antidrug program, and

that’s how I started.

The Flashpaper: In all these years, how many people’s lives do

you think you have touched?

John: My! Well, we used to keep a count. I know for sure that

we did the assembly programs for more than 300,000 kids. That

would be a place to start, but I did the program all over the place.

I took the campaign to Minnesota where I performed the program

for the Indian nations there. We created a video that was distrib-

uted all over Texas. It’s a lot. It would be hard to put a final figure

on it. Then we had a lot of local coverage on television and radio.

Clarice Tinsley on Fox 33—it’s now Channel 4, of course—

named me as a “Hometown Hero” and gave the message of the

program pretty wide regional play. Then, when Flower Mound

Mayor Jane Nelson was named “Governor for a Day,” she com-

missioned me as an “Admiral in the Texas Navy”—of course,

Texas doesn’t have a navy—it’s just an honorary title. Rick Perry

did it again for me! So the program has enjoyed wide acclaim and

visibility.

The Flashpaper: And a “National Jefferson Award,” too? (Continued)

John worked undercover from his motorcycle

during the 1968 riots in Detroit.

John brings his antidrug abuse message to his

neighborhood.


John: Yes, the program and I received a “National Jefferson Award for Public Service” in 1991, the same year I received

the “1000 Points of Light” Award. That’s awarded each year to local community leaders across the country by the non-

profit National Institute for Public Service created by Jackie Kennedy and Senator Robert Taft. Local media sponsors

nominate one person a year for the award. It’s dedicated to promoting volunteerism at the local levels throughout the

country.

The Flashpaper: Let’s get back to magic for a moment—you and Fran. Is Fran a

part of your magic?

John: Fran is my magic! Well, Fran has always been a part of magic from the

beginning with me. In 1997, the two of us won the “Comedy Award” from TAOM

[Texas Association of Magicians]. We called our act “Johnny Hatz and Friend.” We

had entered the year before, but Chuck Lehr told us we had to be really crazy. So,

the next year, we got this act together. Fran—she’s sitting at a table in an Italian

restaurant playing hard to get, and I’m this suave magician off to the side trying to

get her attention with magic tricks, you see. She keeps acting coy, until I finally

win her over, and when she gets up, she reveals she’s about 8 months pregnant!

And I go running off! It was hilarious! We got a great response!

Also, you may not know, but Fran has performed qualifying acts and membership

in both the Dallas Magic Clubs organization and the Fort Worth Magicians Club.

Fran is always contributing, sometimes in my acts, and always behind the scenes

she’s making contributions. At the banquets, Fran makes these beautiful, ornate

table centerpieces. I think our Christmas parties for the clubs are some of the

best, and she works for days organizing them and getting things ready.

The Flashpaper: You mentioned the Dallas Magic Clubs. I heard some-

thing about your qualifying act years ago.

John: Yes, well . . . as a law enforcement officer, I usually wear a

sidearm, a pistol. That night, I did a vanishing bird cage for my qualifying

act. Afterwards, I reached into my coat and pulled out of my belt holster a

huge .41 caliber revolver and laid it on the table and said, “I think I’m going

to pass!”

The Flashpaper: You have birds, and birds seem to be a kind of signa-

ture magical piece in just about every act.

John: I love the birds. I’ve always had birds in my acts. I have three

cages of birds in the garage where I train them. One of my birds just died. She was almost twenty years old—a great

loss. But every bird is different. They’re different in their reactions and how they approach you on their returns. They

have their own personalities and quirks. I have a beautiful solid white pigeon I use now as well—a huge bird that makes

for a great production!

The Flashpaper: What do you want to do with magic in the future?

John: Well, I think I would like to maybe do some more cruise ship

work. I won first place twice in the passenger talent shows on cruises.

That was fun. On one cruise, I had performed, and the next night

some of the passengers were asking to see “the magician who per-

formed last night,” hopefully, not too embarrassing for the cruise ship

magician!

Then, too, Fran and I will continue our weekly restaurant work. We’ve

created quite a little side business with balloon twisting and commer-

cial balloon sales—Fran works the balloon table, and I do the

John and Fran Hatzenbuhler

(Continued)

Monthly Meeting-July 5, 7:00 p.m., Energy Auditorium, Trinity

River Campus of Tarrant County College, Cherry St. at Belk-

nap, downtown Fort Worth.; dining at P.F. Chang’s, 3rd at

Taylor Streets, downtown Fort Worth.

Richard Turner-Lecture, 6:00 p.m., Saturday & Sunday,

July 7 & 8, at B Magic Shop,, 1902 W. Pioneer Pkwy, Ste 100,

Arlington, TX (817) 795-0404

Club Calendar—July, 2012


strolling magic for the patrons there at Cici’s Pizza in Lewisville. We’re over there every Friday and Saturday.

The Flashpaper: You’ve been a wonderful contributor to the Fort Worth Magicians Club for many years now. What do

you see as the primary purpose of the club—any magic club, for that matter?

John: That’s an easy one. The primary purpose of any magic club must be

to promote the art of magic. It should be a place to grow and to learn, a

place where to practice the art of magical entertainment. And I’ll tell you

something else. The magic club should be the place where you can make

your mistakes and learn from the suggestions of your peers. Magic clubs

should be a place where you can learn the protocols of performance and

presentations and should teach the importance of appropriate language,

dress, and style.

And I have to say, over the past few years, I have watched the clubs decline

in some ways. When people bring their qualifying acts, they should dress

the part of the performer; they should be poised and confident; and they

should have practiced their acts! We should be setting higher standards for

performance, and that’s where I see the clubs slacking. We should be pro-

moting the professionalism of our art, and I think we have a lot we can im-

prove on.

Flashpaper: What’s the funniest thing that’s ever happened to you in a per-

formance?

John: Well, one time, I was releasing a dove from its sling, and I accidental-

ly pulled all the tail feathers out of the bird! She fluttered on out and managed to fly around and land, but that was one of

the funniest—standing there with a handful of tail feathers!

The Flashpaper: And they grew back?

John: Oh, yes. They all grew back—took a while, though! A few weeks.

The Flashpaper: Who do you look back to as people who have contributed to your growth in magic?

John: Well, there have been several who really influenced me and to whom I am grateful. I can think of several I need to

mention: Johnny Brown, Louis Zaffrain, Bob Karlebach, Ed Reisig, Bob Utter, David Hira, Marvin Eads, Rick

Walker, and Lance Burton—I’d have to say he’s my favorite.

The Flashpaper: In closing, John, what advice would you give to the next generation of young magicians?

John: Very simple, learn what it means to be a professional! Act like a professional! And for Pete’s sake! Dress like a

professional! Learn how to apply make-up when the situation calls for it. Practice! Practice! Practice! Don’t just assume

you’re ready to perform a trick without practicing it and making it your own! Finally, observe the ethics of our art form,

and never give away the secrets of our acts. I think that’s about it.

The Flashpaper: Thank you, John.

Interview compiled by Geoff Grimes

Richard Osterlind-Lecture, 7:00 p.m. Friday, July 13 &

6:00 p.m., Saturday, July 14, at B Magic Shop, 1902 W.

Pioneer Pkwy, Ste 100, Arlington, TX (817) 795-0404

Monday Night Magic, 7:00 p.m. each Monday evening

at Humperdink’s Restaurant near Six Flags on Six Flags

Drive.

John with his formal dove act


Ash Adams

Bob Adams

Luther Adkins

Richard Amon

Dana Archip

Stacey Archip

Will Baffle

Thomas Bowes

Larry Brown

Rick Burcher

Jean Capshaw

Bruce Chadwick

Louis Daniel

Robert DeVargas

Bernard Dolenz

Arthur Emerson

Albert Fox

Tommy Garbin

Marvin Gearhart

Geoffrey Grimes

Jeffrey Hallberg

Don Hartman

Brendan Hartman

John Hatzenbuhler

Larry Heil

Craig Herron

Shel Higgens

George Hopkins

Hal Hudgins

Pamela Hudgins

Bill Irwin

Bob Karlebach

Jess Langston

Randy Keck

Ray Landry

Matthew Martin

Van McGee

Stephen Medellin

Mark Miertschin

Richard Pemper

Elena Ponsler

Ruth Porter

Walt Porter

Randi Rain

Michael Reiche

Michael Rubino

Libby Sharpe

Russell Shead

Pix Smith

Daryl Sprout

Logan Stadtman

Betty Jo Standridge

Michael Stein

David Thomason

Michael Tracie

Bob Utter

Leland Van Deventer

Earl Warren

Doug Wilson

Ron Wilson

David Youngblood

July Birthday Greetings!

Whooo —

Hoooh!!

Bernard Dolenz

Tom Dyer

“Once Upon a Time” with Arthur Emerson

And the time is 1944/5/6 . . . . .

Old vaudevillians must have come to Brockton, MA to retire and die!

We talked last time about Warren J. Keane, but now you must meet a greater influence upon my magic. His name was Harry Swan, and he managed the P & Q Clothing Store on Main Street. We met at a banquet where we were both performing. He was doing his old comedy vaudeville act with lots of “prat” falls as a comedy drunk.

When I wasn’t working at Harold’s, I could be found in the back room of the P & Q. One after-noon, Harry was approached by an old friend from The American Theatre Wing, Boston Chapter to aid the war effort by putting together a Camp Show led by himself and all the rest being youngsters. The American Theatre Wing of the Stage Door Canteen was the USO of that era for servicemen, but there were three nearby military bases that needed entertainment packages – The Harry Swan Revue did that for the next 2 years.

Five to seven youngsters and Harry drove at least once a week to Camp Miles Standish, Camp Edwards, or Fort Devens. We were fed before or after our show in dayrooms, hospital wards, and NCO Clubs.

What a great place to learn about audiences! This was a graduate course in show business, and we just thought we were having fun.

Too many memories and stories for this column, but you have to hear about one show. Our dancer, classmate, June Evans had sprained her ankle and could not dance that night, but she agreed to go on as my assistant. My act featured “Seeing With the Fingertips” where, blindfolded, I was led into the audience by June. The audience was asked to hold any object at their fingertips, and June placed my two hands a number of inches on either side of the object as my all-seeing fingertips identified the item. The first two items were named, and then we moved to the third, a serviceman just to the right of the last spectator. I attempted to lead June over to our right so as to stand in front of him – and she wouldn’t move! She was locked to the floor! She could not place my hands as required – she could do nothing!

I had not peeked as yet, since we were not in front of the G.I. – but then I did and immediately understood Junes’ dilem-ma. The soldier had reached up and removed his glass eye and was holding it at his fingertips. June was still frozen. I am afraid June went home with 2 sore legs that night as I kicked her left ankle to break the spell while telling the audi-ence that this soldier could always see a pretty girl even with one eye in his hand.

June never worked for me again!

Current Members of the FWMC

Coming Next Month: “In Defense of Sponge Bunnies!”

What do you carry in your pockets! It probably isn’t a handful

of sponge bunnies . . . Or is it?

When local luminaries in the North Texas magic community

met two weeks ago for the monthly Dallas Magic Clubs meet-

ing, anything “sponge” was decried as taboo at the restaurant

table, and your editor quickly slipped his hands into both

pockets to obscure the twin bulges of the bunnies that

hibernate within. So I did a little impromptu polling on

the place of the bunnies today in magic, and I’ll share

my results next month. Your Editor

Fort Worth Magicians Club Officers

PRESIDENT

Ashley “Ash” Adams, 817-908-9008,

[email protected]

EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT AND

PROGRAM CHAIRMAN

Randi Rain, 682-841-2375, [email protected]

VICE-PRESIDENT AND EDITOR OF

THE FLASHPAPER

Geoffrey A. Grimes, 972-740-3125, [email protected]

or [email protected]

VICE-PRESIDENT AND WEBMASTER

Bruce Chadwick, 817-832-6062, chadwickillusion-

[email protected]

SECRETARY

Jeff Hallberg, 817-479-3186, [email protected]

TREASURER

Larry Heil, 817-444-0743, [email protected]

SERGEANT AT ARMS

Mike Rubino, 817-262-3325, r_jack_jackal@yahoo,com

HISTORIAN

Rick Burcher, 817-469-7037, [email protected]

MEMBER-AT-LARGE

John Hatzenbuhler, 817-430-1867, [email protected]

MEMBER-AT-LARGE

Logan Stadtman, 817-350-8445,

[email protected]

MEMBER-AT-LARGE

Al Fox, 817-845-0419, [email protected]

TRUSTEE (Term Expires 2017)

Bruce Chadwick, 817-832-6062,

[email protected]


Arthur Emerson, 817-868-6827, [email protected]


Bill Irwin, 817-805-1655, [email protected]

APPOINTED TAOM REPRESENTATIVES

Bill Irwin, Ren Clark IBM Ring 15

Mark Miertschin, Bruce Chadwick SAM

Assembly 138

2012-13 Officer Nominations

We will have elections of new officers in Sep-

tember. To that end, please let Ash Adams

know if you are interested in serving on the

Executive Committee next year.


Rafael Benetar wrapped up the

2011-2012 Dallas/Fort Worth

lecture tour Sunday, June 24th at

Crystal’s Pizza in Irving.

Primarily a close-up and parlor

magician, Benetar entertained

about 20 North Texas magicians

and aficionados with an array of

card effects, coin works, and silk

penetrations.

“The Favorite Cards of My

Friends” is a flashy little opener in

which a spectator’s selected card

is placed into the upside down

deck separating two cards secret-

ly chosen by two other spectators.

Benetar began with “Altered Destiny, his

handling of a Paul Green effect in which a

spectator’s chosen card is revealed as a

jumbo card sealed in a large envelope clear-

ly visible at the beginning of the trick.

Patrick Page’s “Do As I Do” is a revelation of

matched pairs of cards from two selected

piles that have been randomly shuffled. Ben-

etar adds his own twist at the end.

In “Rage Therapy” Benetar roles a yellow

silk into a tied little wad which he drops in a

small glass tumbler. He covers the glass

with a black silk, wrapping the loose corners

in his hands in back of the tipped tumbler. With a steady pull, the yel-

low silk begins to poke through the taut surface of the black silk cover-

ing the mouth of the glass until it finally pops through completely, leav-

ing the black silk penetrated but undamaged.

Benetar asks a spectator to cut off 36” of a paper strip with the help of a

tape measure. The spectator then cuts off four inches of the strip and

hands the short piece to the magician who magically restores the four

inches to the original strip without attaching it. The restored strip once

again measures exactly 36”!

Demonstrating some deft mechan-

ics of the Goshman pinch, three

coins leap invisibly from one hand

into the other.

E-Cups, Benetar’s cups and balls

routine, ends with a surprise final

load of a cell phone.

Rafael Benetar brings a Spanish flare to magic

mailto:[email protected]









july 2012——volume 2012 issue 7 july 12.pdf · next meeting: 7 p.m. sunday, july 5, 2012 —...

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