Fun with Garry and Gina

I just discovered that they posted the video of my appearance on News 25 Today from last Thursday.  Here it is!

Post by News 25 Today.

Ledger Article

I just found out I was featured in an article in the Canton Daily Ledger last week:  ARTICLE

Apparently It's Just TOOO Cold (No Tyroni's Tonight)

Just got off the phone with Tyler Barnes, owner at Tyroni's in Bartonville, and he's decided to give me the night off.  Apparently no one's moving around out there much, and they're calling for wind chills tonight of -30 F, so he thought it would be best to let me stay home.

So you'll just have to wait 'til next month to get your Tyroni's Magic Night fix!  Hope to see you the first Wednesday in February.

Stay warm!

Warm Your Heart and Mind with Magic

Happy New Year to all my family, friends, and clients!

The weather outside may be frightful, but the magic and food is delightful.  It's a new year, and it's also time to check out Magical First Wednesday at Tyroni's.  It's well worth braving the cold:  warm, friendly atmosphere; hot, delicious Italian cuisine; and the warm, inspiring wonder of my magic.  You can't go wrong with that!  Tomorrow, Wednesday, January 7 from 5:00 to 7:30 PM.

Magic for the Holiday on TV 25

Here's my magical holiday poem from this morning on News 25 Today.

Post by News 25 Today.

Holiday Magic on TV

This Thursday, December 18 at around 5:50 AM I'll be joining Garry Moore on News 25 Today, WEEK-TV's morning news show.  I'll be offering some special holiday themed magic.  Be sure to tune in if you're up and about.

Goodbye to a Dear Friend

I just got the news that one of my closest and dearest friends, Andrew Dakota, passed away this week.  Though I hadn't seen him in quite some time, since we lived so far apart, I did speak to him on the phone a few weeks ago.  Though he'd been struggling with some rather severe health issues for quite some time, he was, as always, very positive and upbeat.

To those who knew Andrew, he was not only a brilliant and exceptionally creative magical artist, but also one of the kindest and most generous of persons.  Andrew was what I like to call a "wise soul".  He had tremendous compassion and deep insights into what it means to be an honorable, conscientious, and caring human being.  He was truly magical in the deepest sense.

Known in the international magic community as a prolific inventor, Andrew loved exploring a truly artistic approach to magic.  We had frequent in depth conversations not only about performing and creativity in magic, but about life, spirituality, and the nature of reality.  He was a deep thinker and a true philosopher, not just in the academic sense (though he was certainly highly intelligent and could hold his own with even the most intellectual of conversationalists), but even more in the deeper sense of having a profound, intuitive sense of wisdom about how things are and how life should be lived.

We were kindred spirits in so many different ways, and he had a profound impact on my life, as well as on that of my wife, Kathi, and on our relationship.  He was a true friend to us in the deepest sense of the word, and we will miss him greatly.  Wherever you are, Andrew, I know you'll be giving us all a knowing wink and a warm smile... until we meet again...  Farewell, my friend.

Andrew Dakota
(born Mark Andrew Diekman)
April 5, 1955 - December 1, 2014

Tyroni's and Little Free Libraries

Where has November gone?  Didn't I just work at Tyroni's a few days ago?  And yet here it is:  my monthly "first Wednesday" appearance there is this Wednesday, December 5 -- as usual -- from 5:00 to 7:30 PM.  If you're out Christmas shopping, or just want to take a break from cooking, why not stop by for some great food and fun magic?

On another note, some of you may know that I recently headed up a project with my Rotary Club here in Canton of building and placing two Little Free Libraries, one at the Canton Family YMCA and one at the entrance to Big Creek Park (photo below).  These are to promote reading by sharing free books.  Anyone who wishes may "Take a Book or Return a Book".

We're currently in need of donations of children's books for the libraries.  If you have kids' books that you can donate, feel free to contact me, or if you live in Canton, you can simply drop off your books at either of the libraries.

Giving Thanks

I'm experiencing profound gratitude for all the blessings in my life, primary of which are my family, friends, and clients.  True abundance lies in the blessings of relationships. Thanks for playing a crucial role in my life.  Wishing you all the most blessed and abundant of Thanksgivings.

The Magic of Gratitude

I had to get up at 3:30 this morning to do this TV spot, so you should at least take a look and enjoy!

Post by News 25 Today.