MAGI-GRAM

Official Newsletter of IBM Ring 50 -- The National Capital Ring Volume 65 No. 2 February 2011

Past Presidents Perform at Ring 50

♠ Our leaders from 1978 to 2011 ♠
I.B.M. Ring 50’s February 2nd President’s day is celebrated of two pieces of bread and placed
meeting was opened by President during February with President them in a brown paper bag. A
Arnie Fuoco. Fifty-three Lincoln’s Birthday on the 12th and spectator, Valentina Selnick,
members and guests were present. President Washington’s on the opened the bag to find the two
Announcements were made and 22 nd. Ring 50 was honored by pieces of bread have magically
the 50/50 drawing was won by performances by it’s past transformed into a Peanut Butter
Joe Patane. The February presidents at the February and Jelly sandwich!
meeting showcased a variety of meeting. Leading off the fathers of
talents by the Past Presidents of Ring 50 was Lorenzo (Larry Ken Norris (1993-94) along
Ring 50. The evening was packed Lipman) (2002-03) with a PB & J with a spectator used a new deck
with effects ranging from the routine. He displayed a large jar of of cards to demonstrate the Hindu
sublime to the miraculous and peanut butter on one side of the Shuffle, Riffle Shuffle, some cuts,
ridiculous. table and a jar of jelly on the other a Faro Shuffle and several more
cuts. With the assistants Sally and
.
uestions covered many areas relate
to performing magic. Many
questions were discussed in depth.
TheInternational
following areBrotherhood
just some of the
of Magicians Ring 50
highlights.
The National Capital Ring
One person asked how to
overcome anxiety President or shaking
hands while Arnie performing
Fuoco card
(703) 521
tricks. Several -6286
members of the
panelpresident@ibmring50.org
gave suggestions. Most all
performersVice have a certain amount
President
of nervousness
Danny Selnickbefore a Tom he had a card selected (with
performance.(202)-250-3834
Over time you may his back turned) and was able to
overcomevp@ibmring50.org
some of this but not all. find the card reversed in the deck.
Mainly practice and build your
Secretary & Webmaster Ken then predicted a card counted
confidence Eric in the effect you are
Henning down to a number selected by
performing. You can always use
(301)-369-0025 Tom Next with the deck
secretary@ibmring50.org
the gag line from Hugh Turley, side. He placed a cover over each thoroughly mixed up deck he dealt
“My hands Treasurer
a shaking because I jar and after a few magic words he three hands of poker. Each hand
learned this Bobtrick in Minnesota.”
Patterson said the peanut butter and jelly was better than the next, except
Al Cohen(703) once
490said:
-1222 “Just tell have changed places. Then he he held a royal flush. The cards
them treasurer@ibmring50.org
a story that you just got off repeated the miracle and returned were shuffled again and he
the planeSergeant-at-Arms
from Alaska, and you the jars to their original locations dealt a nearly perfect bridge
are still recovering....”
Tom Paxton and lifted the covers to prove it.
hand. This was an amazing
Another(301)person
596-7407 said he Of course the audience was not
convinced. Then he did it again demonstration of card handling
occasionally would
sgtarms@ibmring50.org like to
perform using a stage illusion like showing they really did change with a new deck out of the box.
Magi-Gram Editor
places. Next he showed both sides
Bob Patterson (Continued on page 5)
magi-gram@ibmring50.org

March 2nd is Auction Night.
Gather up those great effects that
you no longer need and put them
in the Auction (include the
instructions too, if you can find
them). A 10% fee is charged to the
seller for each item sold in the
Auctions. Auction Procedures :
Silent Auction:
1. Each person having items to be
auctioned in the Silent Auction,
must complete an IBM Ring 50
Silent Auction Bid Sheet for each
item describing the items and any
reserve bid if necessary. Each
seller should provide a full and
accurate representation of the
item, such as missing instructions,
repairs, wear and tear, etc.
Otherwise it shall be assumed that
all items are complete and in
working order and includes
instructions. This form is will be
sent by email and will be available
at the Auction.
2. The Silent Auction will
terminate at designated time.
Items will be collected and sorted
by winning bidder. Winning
bidders will pay for the items and
collect the items when their name
is announced at the close of the
auction.
Live Auction (items with a
retail value over $20):
1. Each person bidding in the
auction registers and is given a
Number.
2. Each person having items to be
auctioned in the Live Auction
will complete an IBM Ring 50
Auction Inventory Sheet in
DUPLICATE, describing the
items and any reserve bid if
necessary. Each seller should
provide a full and accurate
representation of the item, such as
missing instructions, repairs, wear
and tear, etc. Otherwise it shall be
assumed that all items are
complete in working order and
includes instructions. This form is
will be sent by email and will be
available at the Auction.
3. The Auctioneers and staff are
not responsible for condition of
items or misrepresentations
whether based on information
from the seller or the Auctioneer's
observations.
4. A lot number will be assigned
when the item is submitted to the
Auction Committee.
5. Lots may be auction off by the
Auctioneer in random order.
Bidding will be in whole dollar or
higher increments, as the
auctioneer deems appropriate.
6. As the Live Auction progresses
the Treasure and helpers would
complete an IBM Ring 50 Auction
Tally Sheet for each successful
numbered bidder with item name
and final bid amount. The
Auctioneer will annotate the
Auction Inventory Sheet with the
successful final bid and the
winning bidder’s number.
7. After the auction is over the
Auction Tally Sheets would be
totaled and the numbered bidder
would pay the amount on the sheet
when their name is announced.
8. When all monies have been
collected for items won in the
auctions, then the submitting
members will receive their money.
Please have patience by all parties
this may take a while.
Ring 50 M agic Youth
International
“The Counts of Conjuring”
At the February 2nd meeting the
members of the Counts of
Conjuring were treated to classic
effect in magic - the Cups and
Balls. Chief Wizard, Theo Rushin,
demonstrated the classic Rub-A-
Dub-Dub Cups and Balls effect
and then presented to each of the
members their own set of cups and
Page 2
balls along with the script. The
practice session followed as each
member "did their own thing".
The second half of the meeting
was spent showing each other
close-up cards effects.
Don’t forget to encourage a
youth to attend the Ring 50 MYI.
The youth meeting starts at 6:00
pm at the Holiday Inn in
Alexandria. The Youth Ring is
open for children ages 7-17.
Please let Theo Rushin, Chief
Wizard for the youth group, know
if you are bringing any youths so
that we can be better prepared for
them.
I want to thank all the former
Presidents who performed this
month. It was quite a profile
ranging from the 1970s to the
present. Thanks to Augie Arnstein
and Buddy Smith, we also got
Larry West in there. Please bring
your magic collectibles and dust
collectors to the auction at the
MARCH meeting for some fun
and profit. We have superlative
auctioneers in the form of Dick
Christian and Wayne Alan hosting
this event. Don't forget to join me
before the meeting at the Holiday
Inn for dinner. I'm looking
forward to Wayne Alan’s lecture
at the April meeting and of course
Magi-Whirl April 29 & 30.
 Page 3

Coming Events IIBBM

Sheraton Hotel - Dallas, Texas
June 28 - July 2, 2011
FOUR big evening stage
shows! You also get a fun and
exciting banquet included with
your registration. Learn from the
best in the business with a stellar
line-up of lectures and teaching
sessions. You’ll see great close-up
shows, cabaret shows, fantastic
new youth activities and events
are in the works, and some great
new activities for spouses, and the
Order of Merlin. We’re redefining
the ‘dealer’s room’ experience!
And you’ll see the Gold Medal
and Gold Cups Contests - often
regarded as the best-run contest in
magic! Register at I.B.M. website
www.Magician.Org.
SS..A
A.M
M. P
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buurrg
g free meeting room. The people at
The Society of American
Magicians will be hosting the
North American Championship of
Magic as an integral part of its
annual four day convention to be
held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania,
July 13-16, 2011. The convention
will be holding up to six contests
of magic to accommodate the 50
contestants who will be selected to
compete for the title of North
American Champion of Magic.
Multiple winners across six
categories of magic will be
guaranteed a position if they wish
to compete at the FISM World
Championship of Magic to be held
in Blackpool, England, in July
2012. Future S.A.M. Conventions
are scheduled for: 2012 Las Vegas
NV, 2013 Arlington VA.
M RRiinngg 5500 SScchheedduullee
2011
Mar 2 …. Auction Night
Apr 6 …. Wayne Alan Lecture
Apr 29 & 30… Magi-Whirl 2011
May 4 …. Dan Lacey Contest
Jun 1 ….. Winton Carroll Contest
July ……. No Meeting in July
Aug 3 ….. TBA
Sep 7 ...… TBA
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We have had a very good
relationship with the Management
of the Holiday Inn. They give us
the meeting room free in return for
our members eating at the
Eisenhower Station Restaurant in
the hotel. The restaurant
justifiably expects those to whom
it gives meeting space to USE its
dining facilities.
Over the last few months hotel
management has noted the Ring
50 attendance at the dining room
has dwindled. This may
jeopardize our relationship for the
the Holiday Inn have been more
than courteous to us. Members are
encouraged to make a concerted
effort to eat dinner at the
Restaurant. So come to the
meeting at 6:30, have a nice meal
in the dining room, chat with the
other members, and then attend
the Ring 50 meeting.
Membership
Have YOU
brought a Wednesday,
prospective
member to the
meeting? They must be interested in
magic and be a member of the
International Brotherhood of
Magicians. Applications are
available from the Treasurer, Bob
Patterson.
Ring 50 Treasurer Collecting
Dues for 2011
Ring 50 annual dues of $15 for
2011 are due by February.
Anyone, wishing to do so, can pay
their dues at the March 2nd
meeting, but come early as we
will be very
busy with the
auction items.
The Ring 50
Treasurer, Bob
Patterson,
requests that
you pay by check, as this eases the
record keeping. Make checks
payable to IBM Ring 50. Cash
will be accepted providing you
have the correct change ($15). If
you are unable to make the
meetings, you can also send a
check to his home address at 3450
Wainscott Place, Lake Ridge, VA
22192-5362. Enjoy your Ring
activities throughout 2011 by
paying your dues now.
If you haven’t
already, don’t
forget to keep your
membership active
in the International Brotherhood
of Magicians to enjoy the benefits
of membership. Send dues to:
International Brotherhood of
Magicians, 13 Point West Blvd,
St. Charles, Missouri, USA 63301
MARCH MEETING
March 2, 2011
HOLIDAY INN
Alexandria, VA
6:00 Cocktails
6:30 Dinner
8:00 Auction

Magi-Whirl 2011
February Update
Magi-Whirl is a Ring 50 production. Magi-
Whirl 2011 is Just around the Corner! Convention
and Public Gala Show tickets are on sale on the
Magi-Whirl website (http://magi-whirl.org/) and at
our IBM Ring 50 monthly meetings
(http://ibmring50.org). Episode #1 of the Magi-
Whirl Convention Podcast is now on the website.
Visit the podcast page (http://magi-
whirl.org/podcasts/index.php), and download our
podcast episodes in order to stay up-to-date with
what is happening with Magi-Whirl. You will also
hear interviews with past and present performers,
dealers, and individuals. In Episode #2 our host
and Magi-Whirl Producer, Theo Rushin, will be
talking about the new Magic Oasis and
interviewing Laurie and Kevin Curry.
The Magi-Whirl Lecturers are: Dirk Losander,
Luna Shimada-Losander, Keith Fields, and Mark
Mason. The Close-up performers are: Dirk
Losander, Luna Shimada, Keith Fields, and Mark
Mason. The Saturday night 90 minute Gala show
will have: Keith Fields, Magician of the Year
Noland Montgomery, Dirk Losander & Luna
Shimada, and emcee Dick Christian.
Ten dealers are scheduled for the dealer room.
Dealers contracted so far are Dirk and Luna
Shimada Losander, Keith Fields, Magic Goods -
Pravin Ponnuri, Sorcery with Class - Scott Correll,
JB Magic - Mark Mason, Magic & Sound Systems
– Joe Lefler, DoveLite Silks – Bob Sanders, Fred's
Books – Fred Mitchell, and Paul Hallas Magic.
Magi-Whirl is held at Bishop Ireton High
School, 201 Cambridge Rd, Alexandria VA. For
details go to: www.Magi-Whirl.Org. Come and
join the fun and meet new magical friends.
Registration forms will be available at the
March meeting. Registration for members signing
up at the meeting until April 1st is $45, non-
members $50. After April 1st it will be $65 for
everyone.
Page 4
Jerry Foster’s Wife Succumbs
“It was discovered in May of 2010 that Suzanne
had lung cancer. Despite radiation and chemo
treatments the cancer took its toll on her life.
Suzanne passed away on January 19, 2011.She
died at home very peacefully with her family and
friends by her side. I have been with Suzanne since
2005 and officially moved to Simi Valley,
California June 20th 2009. Simi Valley will remain
my home”. Jerry Foster. Jerry is a current member
of Ring 50 residing at 2355 Heywood St, Simi
Valley, CA 93065-3656 (thumbtip1@yahoo.com).
Tim Conover Dies Feb 2, 2011
Tim Conover was a mentalist, magician, and
corporate entertainer for over thirty years. It is
very sad to report on
the passing of the
amazing magician
and mentalist.
According to what
we have been told so
far, Tim took his own
life, suffering from
personal problems
after his divorce. He
was a member of
Ring 50 around the
70’s. The magic
world will miss not
only a wonderful performer, but a great guy as
well. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family
and friends.
Michael Conover, Tim’s brother sends this: For
all the people who have extended their love and
support for my brother Tim's untimely passing, the
Memorial service will be held Friday, February
18th, 6:00 pm at The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints, 2397 Newstead Drive, Virginia
Beach VA 23454. We're looking forward to
celebrating Tim's life with you.
 Page 5
placed in a paper bag (Buddy ate the corner) and
Past Presidents Perform at one card was removed which was burnt toast and
the missing burnt corner was found in Buddy’s
Ring 50 pocket. Next they took Laurie Curry on a Larry
O West ESP Safari. Eight cards were placed on the
Ouurr lleeaaddeerrss ffrroom
m 11997788 ttoo 22001111 table and eight different objects were randomly
(Continued from page 1)
placed on the cards. An audio tape was played and
John Roberts instructions were diligently followed by moving
(1992-93) told the objects around on the cards. When all was finished
story of how this is the tape narrator announce the card under one of
an interesting the objects. However, it was wrong and the tape
numeric year. Many narrator said “Oh S**T.” Best laugh of the
dates have the evening.
number 1 in a Mike Taggert (2007-08) demonstrated a
combination. Some space/time continuum with two very long ropes -
of these are: 1/1/11, separate and distinct. He then used a spectator and
1/11/11, 11/1/11, his jacket to perform a penetration. The ropes were
and 11/11/11. threaded thru the sleeves of the boy’s jacket. The
Another interesting boy put the jacket on and a knot was tire in front of
aspect he explained, him. The helpers on each end of the ropes pulled
if you add your age
that you will be in
2011 to the last two
digits of the year you were born you will get 111
(i.e. age 50+ 1961=111). With a homage to Harry
Houdini, John had a large loop of steel chain
examined to insure there were no open ends. He
placed the loop over his arm and made a second
loop by handcuffing his wrist to a link on his vest
trapping the chain loop on his arm. A few moves
and wiggles and he escaped from the chain with
the handcuffs still attached to his wrist and vest.

Augie Arnstein (1979-80) and Buddy Smith
(1978-79) did a comedy routine using a loaf of
bread as a deck of cards. The loaf was shuffled and
a card (slice of bread) was selected. A corner was
removed and held by Buddy. The cards were
hard and the ropes morphed thru the jacket and the
boy. Then he pulled from his pocket a purse fame
showing it empty. Discussing memories of his kind
grandmother, he proceeded to produce balls from
the seemingly empty purse frame. With Valentina
Selnick assisting, the sponge balls magically
doubled, disappeared, and jumped from hand to
hand.
Dwight Redman (2006-07) at the beginning of
his performance introduced a Collector’s
Workshop Samurai Sword and then cl oaked it
in a protecti ve c loth . H e went on to
perfor m a sign ed card that was fo ld ed
into fourths and torn into fou r pi ec es. The
four pieces are visibly fused together one piece at a
time until the entire signed card was restored.
(Continued on page 6)
 Page 6
upside down and then inside out. Although
Past Presidents Perform at repeatedly shown to be quite empty, it continued to
give forth eggs. Finally he instructed Betty to
Ring 50 perform the effect by demonstrating it in slow
O motion. This resulted in a hilarious ending.
Ouurr lleeaaddeerrss ffrroom
m 11997788 ttoo 22001111 Arnie Fuoco (2010 – present) closed the
(Continued from page 5)
evening but was having problems with
Peter Nardi would be proud of Dwight’s remembering colors. However the silks he
performance with the Extractor. A card was displayed had the
selected and signed by a spectator and not shown wrong color
to the magician. The card was placed into the deck printed on them,
in the card box. The box was closed and put into such as the green
Dwight’s inside jacket pocket. Through magical silk said purple,
powers Dwight was able the yellow had
to name the card and green written on it
produce the singed card and so on. He
from his trouser pocket. gathered all the
With a borrowed ring silks together and
from Kevin McGuire he puff they blended
followed this with Ring in to one large
and String routine in mixed up silk.
which the ring Then Arnie
mysteriously came off produced a red
and on the string. Then Christmas
the ring vanished. He ornament and used
directed Kevin’s a ball and vase
attention to the covered holder was able to make it disappear and reappear,
Samurai sword and when over and over again each time changing color from
the cover was removed green to white to finally, red.
miraculously Kevin’s
ring was seen threaded YOU KNOW THAT YOU'RE A MAGICIAN
onto the sword. WHEN...
Eric Henning (2003-04) had Alina Selnick ♦ You bottom deal when playing Go Fish.
select a card from the deck. Her two of hearts was ♦ You carry six decks of cards on you.
placed back in the deck and vanished, in fact the ♦ You worry about spending certain change in your
all the faces and backs had vanished on the cards. pocket.
It seemed the magic wand was malfunctioning. To
recalibrate the wand Eric rubbed it with a hank R
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from his pocket and when the hank was fully
furled it I.B.M. Ring 50 meets the first Wednesday of
displayed her each month (except July) at the Holiday Inn I-
two of hearts. 95 at Telegraph Rd., Alexandria, Virginia.
The he went on
to perform the
- Easy access from all parts of the DC metro
perfect trick,
rolled up his area.
sleeves and - Across a parking lot from Metro (Yellow
began a great Line - Eisenhower Ave.)
egg bag routine. - Full service restaurant with entrees from
Betty Heyman $7.00 and up - The hotel has added a one -
volunteered as price buffet for our convenience
he proceeded to - Full bar that welcomes members to perform
show that it was before and after the meeting. (We can
quite empty by perform in the restaurant, too.)
turning it first

Seen at Kapital Kidvention
Eric Henning on a balloon motorcycle
This was a great experience for all who
attended the Kapital Kidvention. Producer Louis
Meyer was seen covering all the events and break-
out sessions. Eric Henning was seen riding a
balloon motorcycle. Bob Patterson was seen
behind the Registration Desk. Wayne Alan was
seen in the parking lot with the locksmith (ask
Wayne). Other Ring 50 members attending the
Kapital Kidvention were: Ring 50 President, Arnie
Fuoco, Greg Clements, Cassandra Rogers, Geoff
Weber, Todd Eisenstadt, Dick Leary, Laurie Curry,
Sylvia Lett, David Juraschek, Kevin McGuire, Bob
Malinchock, and Mike Taggert. There may have
been others, and some that may have attended the
evening show on Sunday, sorry if we missed them.
The vendor room had a flurry of activity and the
magic vendors had some neat items and supplies.
If you are a children’s entertainer, be sure to watch
for the announcements for Kapital Kidvention
2012 and sign-up! Own a piece of history! The
largest convention for children's entertainers is
now on DVD. 14 DVDs in all, over 30 hours of
content! Price: $150 for the whole set!
Page 7
Barry Mitchell to Lecture at
Magic Party Place
Barry Mitchell couldn't make the Kidvention in
January due to health issues. In his 30 plus years of
performing he has never missed a performance due
to illness until this event and he wants to make it
up. He is making a special trip to the DC area to
present his Stage Up-ers lecture that we missed at
Kidvention.
He'll present Stage Up-ers and a demo session
of his latest and most popular products. That
means you'll see even more of Barry in this one
night special event than you would have at the
entire convention.
Meet Barry on Monday March 14, 2011, and
see his latest creations in the comfort of the Magic
Party Place beginning at 8 pm in Vienna, VA.
Only $20 and the Stage Up-ers $29 value CD is
FREE. Sign up now. Click Register Now! or
contact Louis Meyer, 703-765-1923, Email:
louis@childtimemagic.com. Magic Party Place,
312 Dominion Rd., Vienna, VA 22180
Found in the January 1993 Magi-Gram
Ray Eyler Named to Chair the SABAR
Award Committee
President John Roberts has named long time
member Ray Eyler as the chairman for the SABAR
Award Committee. The SABAR Award is the
highest honor bestowed upon a Ring 50 member
for their unselfish service to our club. Past
recipients include – Dr. Bill Wells, Jack Nance,
and Ray Eyler.
{ED. Note: Other awardees have been: Al Cohen,
Winton Carroll, Larry West, Art Emerson, John
Roberts. and Jim Flanigan}