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News from the World of Magic>
Holiday Magic
December 5, 2011
Everywhere you go people are touting the magic of the season. Royal Oak has its Holiday Magic Parade; then there's Macy's Holiday Magic; there's even the Christmas Magic song by Ali Lohan. Here at Wunderground Magic we celebrate magic year round with enough wonder and amazement to transform any day into a special holiday.
Hi, I'm Paul from Wunderground Magic where our very own magical elves have been working around the clock to bring you the most amazing assortment we can fit inside a tiny store. (They work around a clock because the table is too big for them.)
Back when I was nine years old, my uncle bought me a magic kit for Christmas. It was by S.S. Adams, and one of the tricks was a ring on string effect that (in retrospect) wouldn't fool anyone (I promise we don't sell it at Wunderground), but my parents watched that trick over and over. They encouraged me that with a little bit of work I could achieve the impossible.
Together with my trusty magic set, I would put on shows for anyone that would watch. It not only helped me become a magician, but without even realizing it built confidence and presentation skills that came in useful in my "real job" giving presentations, speeches, and talks including briefing the Senior Executive Staff.
Is it any wonder that some of our top performers and politicians got their start doing magic? People like Neil Patrick Harris, President George W. Bush, Muhammad Ali, Prince Charles, Norman Schwartzkopf, Arsenio Hall, Barbara Stanwyck, and Jason Alexander.
We celebrate this season of gift giving in honor of gifts of the magi to a young child, who would grow to change the world.
Where will your gift of magic take your son, daughter, niece, or nephew?
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Extended Hours
Our clocks don't just go up to eleven - now they go all the way up to twelve
To make it more convenient for you to get your magical gifts we’re extending our store hours. From now until December 25, we will be open from 10 AM until 8 PM, Monday through Saturday and from Noon until 6 PM on Sundays.
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Classes
For more details on these and other magical educational opportunities, visit the Wunderground Magic Academy Website
Children's Class
Every Saturday morning from 10 until 11 AM
Class topic available on Wunderground Web's Calendar
Adult Magic Workshop – Dec 6
First Tuesday of each month from 6:30pm – 8:00pm.
Topic: Everyday Objects
Imagine being able to perform amazing feats of impossibilities with pieces of paper, matches, pens, pencils, rubber bands, napkins, straws, and other objects that are within your grasp at all times. Learn to astonish anytime, anywhere, without having to lug around big props.
The next Adult Magic Workshop is Tuesday, December 6 at 6:30 PM, in the dungeons of Wunderground Magic for the pittance of only $20.
Executive Magic Instruction: Magic Goes to Work – Dec 20
George Tait teaches magic you can use on the job to make a lasting impression on colleges or customers.
December's theme - Holiday Party Icebreakers
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Events
Aaron Radatz comes home for the holidays
Aaron Radatz Holiday Magic Show - Dec 23
At The Village Theater at Cherry Hill in Canton. Our good friend Aaron writes: Direct from the Masters of Illusion LIVE tour, this is a special opportunity to see Las Vegas headliner Aaron Radatz: Magical Entertainer and his award winning HOLIDAY magic show at The Village Theater at Cherry Hill in Canton, Michigan. There will be only one 7PM performance on Friday, December 23rd. Tickets range from $17 to $22 and can be purchased either on-line by clicking http://sa1.seatadvisor.com/sabo/servlets/EventSearch?presenter=VTCH&event=AaronR or by phone at (734) 394-5300. NEW for 2011, Aaron Radatz will be presenting his One Man Show of magic and comedy. For those repeat customers, many new wonders will be presented; not seen in previous years. This is a unique appearance for Aaron Radatz as he only makes public appearances in the Detroit area every few years. Come celebrate the holidays with family and friends and enjoy an all ages show with an entertainer Time Magazine called, "The magician to see." www.aaronradatz.com. Please forward this information to your family and friends!
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American Museum of Magic Holiday Hours
This was one of my first actions as a member of the board of directors on the American Museum of Magic. Please show your support for this magnificent collection of treasure.
The American Museum of Magic is pleased to announce hours of operation between Thanksgiving and Christmas. The museum will be open Saturdays and Sundays from November 26 to December 18. The museum will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and from noon to 4 p.m. on Sundays.
“This is a big step for the American Museum of Magic”, said Jeff Taylor, the museum’s director. “AMM has traditionally closed at Halloween and not reopened until April Fool’s Day. The museum’s Board of Directors felt that we should extend the hours of operation to capitalize on the great success the museum has had this year”.
In addition to the weekend hours, the museum will also be open on Friday, December 2, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. to participate in the annual Marshall Retailers Open House. “The Open House is a great way for the museum to draw in new visitors,” said Taylor. “Most people don’t realize that we have a gift shop. We sell books, magic kits, postcards and other items that will make great gifts for any magician – novice or professional”.
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Scam on Magicians
Don't get taken in by this scam
It seems like this season seems to bring out the worst in some people. George Horner of the local magic ring passed on the following warning. I thought it was worth reproducing in it's entirety both for magicians and also for anyone who takes direct payment for services.
I just want to alert you to a booking scam I just went through. I have been working with the F.B.I., Federal Trade Commission, and the Grosse Ile Police Department trying to catch up with the scammers.
Here is how it went:
I was notified as Dear Performer I would like to know the type of program you provide for entertainment. Looking for a magical entertainment, It is for a Birthday Party and they want it for kids and the parents would be on the other side of the hall.
They asked 5 questions about how far I would travel, the cost and if I was available in the first week of December, (I received this 3 weeks ago), my availability, etc.
After I responded and sent them my resume they sent another email stating that they wanted to book me for a specific date in December. I tried to get a phone number to talk to the person to obtain some information and to get an address to send my contract to. They said they were out of town and would contact me by email. After several emails back and forth I became suspicious because they were being so vague about ever thing I asked. They must have felt my uneasiness and said they would send a check to lock everything up.
They emailed me and said the check had been sent and should arrive by fed ex. Fed Ex delivered a check in a Fed Ex truck and when I opened it it was for over Three Thousand Dollars. At this point I knew it was a scam and notified the F.B.I. and sent them an email that they had sent to much money. At this point the F.B.I. began tracking their activity. They sent another email for me to keep an extra $300 plus my fee and just return the difference. Per the F.B.I. directions I notified the Federal Trade Commission and the Grosse Ile Police Department and went to the bank where they examined the check and found it to be from a real account that had been closed. I was also advised to cease all future communication at this point.
These are the names that were on the email and where they wanted me to send the check.
First contact: tinuauthentic@yahoo.com from Kate
Several emails later: Same email but from a Mr. McCarthy
Wanted check sent to a Norma Mendoza in Minn.
They even sent me a list of all the local Western Union Transfer Offices ( Anyone can pick up a check from Western Union for someone without identification - Just learned this)
The check was a computer printed check with standard magnetic ink from a couple in Cal. who checked out ok and found their house on line etc. so they also stole their identity.
Anyway, I just wanted to give you an idea how elaborate their scam is so that if you see something similar you can notify the F.B.I. right away. I was informed that they may or may not change their names etc. however the scam will be basically the same.
Pass this on to all the magicians you know so that no one get burned by these guys.
In summation they book you send you to much money, you cash or don't cash their check and you mail them the difference and you are now out a lot of money when their check bounces.
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And Finally
Free Magic!
Be sure to get your FREE holiday magic trick from Wunderground Magic. We have a limited supply of card tricks that we're giving out in the store and through the website while supplies last. On the website have to pay a penny plus shipping because our esteemed leader, who has a PhD in computer science, couldn't figure out how to create an online shopping card that allows you to order things for free. (Maybe that's why he runs a magic shop instead of a computer company.)
Take care,
Paul
P.S. We really appreciate all the great reviews that you have been giving us on sites like Yelp, Google, and Yahoo. As a small business, this kind of visibility is invaluable. Thank you for helping us to share the magic.
Wunderground Magic, Inc.
Cool stuff for surface dwellers
16 S. Main St., Clawson, MI 48017
Phone: (248) 280-5925
Web: http://www.wundergroundmagicshop.com
Holiday store hours: Mon-Sat 10-8; Sun 12-6
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Cool stuff for surface dwellers
at Wunderground Magic, Inc.
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© Wunderground Magic, Inc. 2008-2011
16 S. Main Street
Clawson, MI 48017
(248) 280-5925
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