Magically benevolent Canadians

In this month's issue of the Linking Ring (Vol 94, #2, February 2014, pages 30-34), five Canadians were featured in the article "Still Giving:  The Benevolence of Magic Continues, part 3."  They are:

• Marien Hopman and "Busking for Hunger"
• Mike D'Urzo fundraising for "Dental Volunteers for Israel" and volunteering at functions for children with developmental challenges
• Magic Mike Segal for benevolence born out of Sorcerers Safari Magic and Performance Camp

and last but not least

• Matt DiSero and David Peck in their effort to reduce the incidence of malaria via "Mosquitos Suck"

If you recall, Canada also had an entry in the article that started it all in The Linking Ring (v92, #12), Dennis Schick wrote "The Benevolence of Magic" (page 56) which had a lovely mention of Magicana for it's My Magic Hands, Senior Sorcery and Tony Eng Youth Fund initiatives.

Broken wand: W. Doug Hobbs

From The Star:

DOUG HOBBS Peacefully with his family by his side at the Hamilton General Hospital on Sunday, May 5, 2013 at the age of 68 years. Loving husband and best friend of Nannette (Bambi) for 47 years. Devoted father of Shari and her husband Ben Diamond of Winnipeg and Tammi and Tim Tyler of St. Catharines. He will be greatly missed by his grandchildren Laurie, Jessica, Megan, Ethan and Madison. He is survived by his sister Ginny Huebsch. He is predeceased by his daughter Laurie (1976). Doug was a broadcaster/sport director for many years for CKTB Radio, the voice of the Baby Blue Jays, Official Scorekeeper for the Toronto Blue Jays for many years, a lifetime member for the Order of Magicians, as well as an avid swimmer and a collector and lover of music.

Read more.

[via The Linking Ring, Vol 94, #2, February 2014]

Toronto: Brant Matthews lecture

From the Browser's Den:

SUNDAY, MARCH 23, 2014

Though BRANT MATTHEWS has been a customer of Browser’s Den for over twenty years he has spent much of that time traveling the world with his special brand of street performing (Fire, Juggling, Magic, Comedy).

He has seen all the right and wrong approaches to street performing and busking.  It was Brant’s idea to give this lecture. He truly wants to give back to the community some of what he has learned the hard way…through trail and error.

Read more.

FCM Video Q&A with Gwyn Auger

Go over to Full Circle Magic to watch Gwyn Auger's live video Q&A!

Broken wand: Jack Bateman

I'll post more details as they become available to me.

From the IBM Ring 17 Facebook page:

I am sorry to report the passing of an old ring 17 member. Mr. Jack Bateman, also known as the Wacky Wizard, passed away last Monday evening at Scarborough General Hospital. A good friend, a great mentor, and always inventing new ways to display his magic. R.I.P. Jack. You will be missed

Toronto: Playing Card Collectors Meeting

From the Browser's Den:

Sunday March 2nd, 2014

Calling all playing card collectors within a 200 kilometer radius of Toronto and the GTA!

With the help of 52 Plus Joker (North American Playing Card Collector's Club), the Browser's Den proudly offers you the opportunity to spend an entire afternoon with World renowned Playing Card Experts and authors of the Hochman Encyclopedia of Playing Cards - Mr. Tom & Judy Dawson.

Read more.

Brian Michaels remembered in the Hamilton Spectator

From The Spec:

Brian Moynagh crammed more life into 39 years than most do in a lifetime, his wife says.

While the Burlington magician was known internationally for his seamless tricks, he was awe-inspiring off stage, too, as he persevered against his cystic fibrosis.

Moynagh — who went by the stage name Brian Michaels — died Feb. 7.

Aware from the start of his CF diagnosis, Carrie Lamers says she and her husband lived life together "with eyes wide open but a healthy dose of denial — We knew what we were getting into, but we never dwelled on it at all."

Even after receiving a double-lung transplant in 2006, he was back on stage in two months.

Read more.

[via Ring 17]