I must have been about eleven years old when it occurred to me to open a phone book and look for a magic shop. I remember asking my mom to take me and I remember it being a long drive. I don't remember her complaining.

Not in all the times she did it.

She drove me to magic shops and libraries to visit section 793.8. See took me to the Buffalo Zoo to see Rob and Carol Allen perform the Milk for Health Magic Show. She drove me to see David Copperfield, Harry Blackstone, and Doug Henning.

That first magic shop is gone - so are most phone books for that matter - but the result remains. I'm a magician and that's due in no small part to the efforts my mom made.

In the many years I ran a retail shop, displayed at conventions, and now produce the Real Magic Roadshows - I've seen many a mom bringing their sons and daughters through the doors. It's a different time - but moms are still making sure their kids connect with what's important to them. Magic shops, little league, scouts, music lessons - whatever calls out to a child - there's a mom making sure their child is there.

This weekend is Mother's Day. Thank your mom in whatever way you can. I know that's what I'll be doing on Sunday. In truth, she deserves a lot more than a single day.

But somehow I know she won't complain...

Twenty years is a pretty long time. By magic shop standards it's even longer. I was just 22 years old when I opened the doors - a kid really - and I never could have imagined what we've grown into. We live in a time when dealers seem to crop up everyday and are often gone in the blink of an eye. The last two decades have seen the loss of many reputable (and some not so reputable) dealers. It's not an easy road and making it twenty years doesn't guarantee that the next twenty will be any easier.

But it does mean this...

We've been fortunate enough to have customers who value what we offer - and see the difference between us and the latest fad dealer. Customers who appreciate that above all you need a dealer you can trust and rely on. We aren't perfect - but for twenty years we've tried to improve and grow sensibly. Not growth at any cost for the sake of being the biggest - but growth that is a result of reaching to being better.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, I'm a lucky guy - and I promise to do my best to keep earning your business and loyalty.

Thanks for an amazing twenty years!

I know it’s been a bit quiet on the blog – but it’s been the exact opposite on this side of the screen. I’ve been on the road so much lately for the Real Magic Roadshow that I must admit it’s left little time for regular posts. Between travel, product production, managing the events, general Elmwood Magic business, and real life – my time has certainly been spread a bit thin lately.

But it’s the good kind of thin – productive and fun.

The response thus far to Real Magic Roadshow has been absolutely stellar, with crowds growing larger at each event. I’ve been posting updates, photos, and videos on the Real Magic Roadshow website – so I won’t duplicate that information here. If you want to know more, just click here and we hope you’ll join us on the road!

Aside from our regular best sellers, there’s no doubt that the hottest items at the shows have been our three “secret” new releases. I say “secret” because since we’ve released our latest Elmwood items at Blackpool in February, we have ONLY made them available at conventions and the Real Magic Roadshow events. They are not on the site and won’t be until May. I’ve been contacted by many people asking why we’re doing this and the answer is twofold and simple...

One, we wanted to have some special items that could ONLY be found by attending the events. A little extra “thank you” for coming out to support us. The second reason? Time. We can barely keep up with the demand for the items at the live events – so trying to satisfy both the real world and the online one would be a little rough. Not to worry, they will be on the site soon.

For now, just remember these names:

Naked, Token, and iBalance

You’ll be hearing a lot about them in the next couple months!

"What day is it?" asked Winnie the Pooh.
"It's today," squeaked Piglet.
"My favorite day," said Pooh.
- A. A. Milne

As the year clicks down and the holidays draw close I've been thinking of those lines a lot. I love the holidays, especially Christmas Eve. The anticipation of what could be is something I hold on to - and Christmas Eve is all about the anticipation.

People are drawn to magic for many reasons, but I think ultimately we're all here because we're believers - or at least want to be. Not the kind of believer that sits back and waits for a miracle - but instead the kind that takes up the reins to make magic happen.

We live in strange and wondrous times. Like every generation before us, we sometimes feel the world is at its worst. It's an easy trap to fall into - and I've crawled out of it a time or two. But remember, the world is not just a collection of dirt and rocks, it's a community of people. If you want magic in the world, it's on you - and today is a good day to begin.

See good, do good, be good, and Merry Christmas everyone.

I feel compelled to write something about the tragedy in Newtown, CT.

Forgive me if it seems out of place, I suppose I’m looking for a selfish bit of catharsis. The pain must go somewhere and this is where it’s fallen.

I look at those kids on TV and all I can think of is my own child. My heart breaks for the parents - and the children who have lost an irretrievable innocence. My thoughts are with parents that have Christmas gifts, hidden in closets that will never be unwrapped. With teachers that will be forced to restore a sense of security to children too young to ever consider it could be taken. To the first responders and police, who walk in and face horror head on when all good sense says to run the other direction. To the children forced to confront issues beyond their years.

I try always to focus on the positive. To find good, a sliver of hope and meaning, in otherwise dark situations.

But this time – this time - it’s just too much.

I’m sad beyond measure.

My deepest sympathies go out to all of the families touched by this tragedy.