James S. Krzak, 1944-2009:
Magician at Schulien's restaurant

Trevor Jensen, a reporter for the Chicago Tribune, reported the death of James S. Krzak. He was 65 and died Tuesday.

Jensen writes:

John Booth: Minister, magican
worked to bring people together

With the death of John Booth Wednesday, the magic community has lost another legend, and the International Brotherhood of Magicians mourns the passing of the man who has held the longest running membership.

Booth, of Los Alamitos, Calif., was born Aug. 7, 1912, and died Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2009, after several weeks of diminishing health, according to longtime friends, Norm and Lupe Nielsen. He was 97.

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Broken Wand: Frank 'Fakini' Radtke

Harold Twaddle sent word about the death of Frank 'Fakini' Radtke, who developed, designed and manufactured the high-quality Fakini balls and other products. He died Nov. 8, 2009.

The world of magic
loses 'Amazing' man

Steve Dacri sends word that Carl Ballantine, 92, died on Nov. 3, 2009.

Ballantine, who is perhaps best known as Lester Gruber, one of the PT boat sailors in the TV series "McHale's Navy," was born Sept. 27, 1917, in Chicago, Ill., as Meyer Kessler. He was known by magicians as "Ballantine the Great" or "The Amazing Ballantine."

The Magic Web Channel site states Ballantine was "the only magician who never did a trick. Actually, in his early career, he did a manipulation act, but, as Carl says, 'when I saw Dick Cardini do his act, I threw away my show. I knew I could never be as good as Dick, so I stopped with the real magic.'"
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Broken Wand:
Rene Johnston, wife of Sid Lorraine