Weekly Round-Up
by SCOTT WELLS
November 17, 2008
Howdy friends. I said last week that we had a successful magic auction this month. Well the totals are in and sales exceeded $5,500 this year! Congratulations to all who sold their items and to all who got the good deals. We have all the numbers and statistics and would be glad to share our ideas with you to help your club host a successful auction. Also this week we have a new (potential) series of video interviews with your I.B.M. Board. The first of these interviews is with I.B.M. International Secretary Don Wiberg. We would love to have your feedback on this and if you want more. Also, a few other magic items and happenings to report but to read them, you will have to Click Here to Read More.
This year's H.A.O.M. Annual Magic Auction was a record breaking success. Sales exceeded $5,500 raised from 52 attendees. This is at least 50% greater than any previous auction. A total of 335 items exchanged hands. We generated over $700.00 for the club from attendee fees, seller commissions and donations of $136.00. This will help us for T.A.O.M. 2009.
Congratulations are in order to Doug Kornegay for doing a superb job of promoting the event and coordinating the auction hall. Dick Olson was our treasurer who kept track of all the sales and accounted for every dime. Others who deserve accolades include everyone who helped people check out: Donnie Kornegay, Judy Donaldson, Jeff Lanes, Chris Williams and Gene Protas. Also kudos to Scott Wells for providing his auctioneering talents and the auction handlers who helped up front: Carol Ann Maurer, Don Wiberg and Dick Hatch.
Speaking of Don Wiberg, we had the opportunity to sit down and chat with our International Secretary while he was in Houston. I thought it might be of interest to our many members to get to know some of the I.B.M. Board members. Equally important, I thought some might like to know how to advance "up the ranks" of the I.B.M. and make a difference in our organization. So, I have put together a ten minute video interview with Don Wiberg (Click Here) that lets you hear how he advanced to the presidency then on to become the International Secretary. The I.B.M. is always looking for dedicated members with fresh ideas so please take a little time to watch this video. And if you think this is worthwhile, then leave a comment and perhaps this just might become a series.
The T.A.O.M. 2009 convention is still on target with Judy Donaldson and President Scott Hollingsworth still planning on visiting every T.A.O.M. club in Texas between now and next September. We are still finalizing the talent roster but regret that we have lost Reed 
McClintock from our line-up due to another performing obligation. Visit our website at www.taom2009.com for updates, newsletters, schedules, dealer info and more.
A hearty group of magicians from Houston will provide the holiday party entertainment at this year's magic banquet for the Austin magicians. Scott Wells will emcee an evening show on Monday December 15th that will include: Phil Kampf, Richard Hatch, John Star, Rachel Dunn and John Trower. We will also have close-up magicians Rick Hebert and Trixie Bond providing some walk-around entertainment as well. This should be some great fun and a wonderful way to "share the magic of the season" with our brother magicians.
Scott Wells will perform magic "on the grill" this week at Tokyohana's Grill and Sushi Bar at 3239 Southwest Freeway (I-45) on Thursday night November 20th (the day before his birthday) from 7:00 to 9:00 then Shane Wilson will be there on Saturday November 22nd from 7:00 to 11:00 p.m. Eric Falconer continues as the house magician two nights a week at Sakekawa, a sushi restaurant in the Woodlands, a northern suburb of Houston. Eric will be performing tableside and "grill" side each Tuesday from 6:30 to 8:30 then again on Saturdays from 6:30 to 8:30. You can call Sakekawa for reservations at 281-419-5988.
This birthday week I think it's important to remember our elders and those whose experience has taught us what we should know: "Let us respect our gray hairs, especially our own." - J.P. Sears
