Kickstart Leon Playing Cards

From the Leon Playing Cards Kickstarter page:

My name is Chris Mayhew. I am a magician living in Toronto Canada, and I love playing cards. For me, my interest in magic was inevitable. I grew up in Calgary Alberta, close to a magic shop that opened a few blocks down the street from my house.

As soon as I walked into that shop I was hooked. I would spend every chance I could hanging out at the magic shop, absorbing as much as I could from the local magicians that frequented it. I found the Dr. Leon Playing Cards at the magic shop, and fell in love with the look and feel of the cards instantly.

Read more and back project.

From Chris Mayhew's Twitter feed:

For the last year I have been working on this project to bring it to fruition. There have been so many obstacles,... https://t.co/CRsmYGVdNx

— Chris Mayhew (@SurrealMayhew) November 6, 2017

Random thoughts from the Browser's Den of Magic 42nd anniversary party

I had the pleasure of spending some time at the Browser's Den of Magic 42nd anniversary party on Sunday.  A great time appeared to be had by all!  Here are a few random thoughts:

• I missed the auction, but heard it was absolutely packed, with a lot of great deals to be had.
• There are lots of a amazing finds and deals in the Back Room.
• It was still pretty busy in the afternoon.
  

  It was a packed house at @theBrowsersDen 42nd anniversary party! pic.twitter.com/cghsXjvP61

  — Canada's Magic (@canadasmagic) November 13, 2017

• The trivia segment was great fun, as always.  Jeff has a lot of very knowledgeable patrons!
  

  The patrons @theBrowsersDen anniversary party were in fine form for the trivia challenge. pic.twitter.com/deXvFOLVa3

  — Canada's Magic (@canadasmagic) November 13, 2017

• Trivia question answers included: Jeff Hinchliffe, Jeff Pinsky, and 1995.
• Bernice was looking well.  It was great to see her.
• It's not an anniversary party without an award ceremony...
  
  
  
• Happy to see Sorcerers Safari alumnus RJ Steele win the Len Cooper Memorial Award this year.
  

  Lovely to see Bernice come out to the party!
  
  Congratulations to RJ for winning the Len Cooper Memorial Award @theBrowsersDen ! pic.twitter.com/1s47mglbzA

  — Canada's Magic (@canadasmagic) November 13, 2017

• Congratulations on another great anniversary event, Jeff et al!

Congratulations to Luc Langevin!

Congratulations to Luc Langevin and his wife Esther Béland on the arrival of the newest member of their family!


From an article by Karine Paradis published in En Vedette (and translated through Google):

This is not an illusion!

Luc Langevin and his wife Esther Béland welcomed a new member into their small family ...

See the first post on Luc's Instagram account:

👶🏻👌🏻

A post shared by Luc Langevin (@langevinofficiel) on Nov 7, 2017 at 10:09am PST

Toronto: The Toronto Magic Company presents Paul Vigil (one night only!)

From The Toronto Magic Company's Facebook event:

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A "Go Fund Me" for Gerard Dietrich

I remember Gerard from the Ring 17 club exchange days.  I think it was Gerard who first introduced me to the work of Bruce Posgate.  A a couple of years back, at the Browser's Bash I became acquainted with Gerard's son Scott, who set up this campaign to help out his parents.

Wishing Gerard a speedy recovery!


From the "Save Santa's Christmas (broken hip)" Go Fund Me page:

After 40+ years of delighting children with his holiday magic, and listening intently to their Christmas wishes, professional Santa Claus, Gerard Dietrich’s Christmas is in jeopardy.

On Sunday, November 5th Gerard accidentally fell and broke his hip, specifically his femur just below the ball joint. On Tuesday, November 7th he had a successful operation to mend his broken hip which included inserting a metal rod into the bone and securing it with screws and wire.

All though Santa is on the road to recovery, it will take an estimated 6 weeks. He cannot drive a car, let alone a sleigh for this length of time either. This means he will miss his main season of employment, which he and Mrs. Claus (my Mom) rely on. Without their supplemental Christmas income, it could be a very long winter for Mr. and Mrs. Claus; two kind hearted people who have brought joy to thousands.

The money collected will go to supplementing their lost income to cover basic bills, rent, etc. and any additional medical expenses.  This time of year Santa should be focused on making children’s holiday wishes come true, not how he will pay rent.

Read more and donate.