By C. Dennis Schick, I.B.M. Portal Editor (posted 9/2/10)
The September issue of The Linking Ring has been posted on the Portal (see the cover above), and is in the mail. While you are waiting for your hard copy, remember that the entire issue is available to you RIGHT NOW -- if you're an I.B.M. member -- either to download and be available on your computer all the time, or to read on the Internet, in digital form.
When you go to the digital edition, look at the tool bar at the top. Notice that you can ZOOM to make the page and type larger (for us with bifocals), can use the search feature to find specific people, etc., and do other neat stuff. And isn't it fun to turn pages, in 3-D?
What follows is a summary of some of the highlights of the September issue. Executive Editor Sammy Smith and his stellar staff have put together another interesting, informative, and entertaining issue for all of us who love magic.
GIACOMO BERTINI IS THE STAR. When Associate Editor Jason Goldberg traveled to Italy recently, he interviewed YouTube sensation Giacomo Bertini, and brings you an in-depth profile on this dynamic magician. And, as a bonus, Bertini even gives us seventeen pages in a special Parade. After this issue, you won't say "Bertini-who?" anymore. You'll be a big fan.
CONVENTION COVERAGE CONTINUES. As always, the I.B.M. annual convention is too big to cover in just one issue. So the coverage continues in the September issue. Relive those memories in articles about the Order of Merlin Breakfast (including several group photos of the awardees); and reviews of the Big Three Events, and of all of the lectures. There also are a couple of pages about the awards given to the best of The Linking Ring content over the past twelve months.
BE INSPIRED BY SAM SANDLER. Whenever you start feeling sorry for yourself, you might go back and re-read this inspiring story about Sam Sandler. Dr. Simon J. Carmel -- who is deaf himself -- tells about how Sam Sandler has overcome the challenge of going deaf, and is still a very successful magician. And, as a bonus, read a review of one of Sandler's lectures, on page 35. Yes, he can and does lecture.
BRICK AND MORTAR SHOPS are still around and important, and Michael Stephanic gives us some of this thoughts in an essay, "An Eleven-Cent Friendship."
Shawn Farquhar's APPROACHABLE column includes helpful card advice from two world-class magicians, Lance Burton and Helder Guimaroes -- great advice for both youth as well as all of us. We appreciate both of them pausing from busy schedules to share their advice.
The I.B.M. is so fortunate to have two of the best storytellers in the business as columnists, so that we all may share in their rich experiences, as well as all the wisdom and advice therein. Note ninety-nine-year-old John Calvert, and his story about making the motion picture "Dark Venture." And then there is the always-entertaining Bev Bergeron, who shares some of his experiences at fairs and with sideshows.
Cliff Bumgardner found the subject for his "Millennials Rising" column in England. Read about how Megan Knowles-Bacon (17) is getting lots of attention, and awards.
As I thumbed through this issue, I noticed the first full-page house ad for the I.B.M. annual call for entries in the world-famous I.B.M. CONTESTS. Start psyching yourself up now to compete, and watch for more information in coming issues.
This month's Card Corner by Mike Power features John Carey's "Stacked Do as I Do, from his book, "Letters to Friends."
Tom Craven brings us Tom Paxton's instructions how to make your own Magnetic Object Holdout in his Havenly Close-up column.
If you like gags (and puns), Peter Marucci's Showtime column will tickle your funny bone (or lead to a loud groan).
The Storytelling Magic column by Ed Solomon always gives us some fascinating thoughts.
As always, one of the most popular sections of each issue is Hocus in Focus, this month featuring fifteen books, videos/DVDs and tricks, to help you decide which ones to seek out.
Those are only some of the highlights. We always appreciate the business advice from Julian Franklin ("Sometimes you have to walk away"). Elizabeth Warlock covers all aspects of our largest ring -- the British Ring. And Vanni Pule' combines a couple of classic effects in an original way.
Finally, don't forget the advertisers! You DO know that ADVERTISERS pay a major share of the cost of both the magazine and this portal, don't you? So please read all the ads, and buy from them as often as you can. Also, one of the neat things about ads on the portal is that every click on every ad is registered and reported to each advertiser. What a terrific feedback to them.
We hope you appreciate all the work by so many people who produce The Linking Ring each month, including the work of photographer Rick Bamman, illustrator Tony Dunn, and graphic artist Jessica Friend. See something you like? A thank you note to individuals would be appreciated.
