A Blessed and Joyous Holiday to All!

For anyone who's not on my email list, here's my digital holiday card. All my best wishes to you and yours for the holidays!

And hey, if you're all shopped out and looking for something to do this week before the festivities begin, stop by and see me at The Whammy Bar Thursday evening 5:30--8:00 pm.

Joy to Your World!

I Was on WEEK-TV This Morning

Hey, did anyone see me on News 25 Today, this morning? I was on around 6 AM.

I thought it went well, but I didn't have a chance to record it, so didn't get to see the spot.

My Photo in the Journal Star

A nice photo of me appeared in today's Peoria Journal Star from my show yesterday at the Salvation Army's Red Stocking Party at Manual High School.

SHIFT Party Cencelled for Today

The SHIFT Arts Party that was scheduled for today at the Cornerstone Building in Peoria has been canceled due to the blizzard conditions. I'll post here if we decide to reshedule for another date.

Stay warm!

You're Invited to a Party for the Arts at the Cornerstone!

Just over a year ago, Rocco Landesman, Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts, made a visit to Peoria to learn about our arts community. He was impressed with what a truly thriving arts community there is in Central Illinois, and when asked how we could influence those in power to see the arts community as a driving economic and political force well worth investing in, he laid down a challenge: come together to move forward the priorities of the arts, entertainment, and creative community. Work together to promote the arts as the truly valuable economic and social resource that they are.

I'm happy to say that we've risen to the occasion, and have accomplished a great deal in the last year. The arts are truly alive and thriving in Central Illinois. And a big part of that movement has been events called SHIFT, where a group of those interested in promoting the arts have met and discussed strategies and projects for furthering that aim.

As a member of the SHIFT planning committee, I invite you to join us as SHIFT celebrates the accomplishments of the past year, and looks forward to the future...

We're holding a holiday arts party at the beautiful, historic Cornerstone Building on December 12 from 1 to 3 pm.


There will be food, drinks, music, and fun, and you can learn more about the Cornerstone and the exciting arts events that are happening there as well. We'll be unveiling a community mosaic photo collage (which we'll be sending on to Rocco), and enjoying the music of folk/rock/acoustic guitarist Jared Bartman and singer Mary Greenhood, who will perform a variety of original and inspiring folk ballads.

You can also feel free to bring a treat or beverage if you like.

You can RSVP for the party by calling ArtsPartners at 309-676-2787 or by email at admin@artspartners.net.

If you love the arts and want to celebrate with us, I promise you'll have a great time and meet some truly inspiring people. Hope to see you there!

Two Chances to See Me This Week...

I sense...
...that you have a strong urge to see some mind blowing close up magic...
Now just imagine having it completely fulfilled.
Here's your chance!

This Wednesday I'm at Tyroni's in Bartonville, and Thursday at the Whammy Bar downtown Peoria. You know you want to...

I know, you're busy, don't know if you can fit it in... Meanwhile, that urge gets stronger, and stronger, and STRONGER...

You know what to do!

I'll see you there!

Gratitude Is Its Own Reward

Thanksgiving is not just a national holiday, it's state of mind. Giving thanks, expressing gratitude, being thankful, is an attitude that whispers to your subconscious mind that you are fortunate, fulfilled, and prosperous. It is not only the appreciation and celebration of what you have, it is a crucial aspect of the process of receiving.

If you aren't expressing gratitude for all that you receive, you are blocking the emotional and psychological flow of receiving more. Remember that whatever you focus your attention on increases. If you focus on problems... you'll get more problems. But if you focus on what Zig Ziglar calls "an attitude of gratitude", you'll get more of what makes you grateful.

On an interpersonal level, in your relationships, if you don't express gratitude to those who have been generous to you, whether in big ways or small, how likely are they to want to continue giving to you?

And besides, being grateful just feels good. It's a healthy state of mind, and it's one form of giving back to those who have given to you.

And as we approach this season of "Giving Thanks", I'm reminded of all that I have to be grateful for... my family and friends, my clients, customers, and business acquaintances, and all the wealth of opportunities, new friends, challenges, and so much more that I've been so fortunate to receive in the past year.

And finally, to you, I appreciate your interest, support, and attention, and wish you all the best in the coming year... and hope that you will "pass it on", and discover the wealth of experiencing and expressing your own gratitude. Be well.

My Press Release on Holiday Party Planning Resources

I just published a press release on my various tips and resources for planning holiday parties that can be found on my website.

At the Whammy Bar Tonight!

Just a reminder that I'm currently working at the Whammy Bar in downtown Peoria on Thursday evenings from 5:30 to 8 pm, doing tableside close up magic.

Stop by for dinner, they've got a surprisingly decent menu.

A couple of weeks ago, Councilman Ryan Spain was in with his lovely wife. They both had some really nice things to say about my magic. (Which actually means something coming from Ryan, as his father is a very talented magician, and an old friend of mine, Steve Spain, who owns The Costume Trunk.)

I won't be there next week on Thanksgiving, of course, so why not make it out tonight?

Hope to see you there!

Rotary International

I'm really happy to announce that last week I was officially inducted into Rotary International here at the local club in Canton, Illinois. For any of you who aren't familiar with Rotary, it is a service based organization with more than 1.2 million members in 33,000 clubs worldwide. Their motto is "Service Above Self", and Rotary members are volunteers who work locally, regionally, and internationally to combat hunger, improve health and sanitation, provide education and job training, promote peace, eradicate polio, and much more.

If you've been a subscriber to my newsletter, The Magic Word, for any length of time, you'll know that I'm a big proponent of service, in both business and personal life. I'm very much looking forward to my work with and through Rotary.