June 27, 2006 -On June 11, 2006, the SAM Hall of Fame conducted an Induction Ceremony held at the SAM Assembly 22 Annual Installation and Awards Banquet for the recently elected members of the Hall of Fame. The Inductees were the class of 2006, André Kole and Irene Larsen, and from the class of 2005- Dr. Abraham Hurwitz who was represented by his daughter Barbara Okun. Hall of Fame certificates were presented by Hall of fame President John Engman.

Andre Kole

Irene Larsen

Barbara Okun

June 26, 2006 -The Society of the American Magicians Magic Endowment Fund is happy to announce the awards of three additional full tuition scholarships with travel expense to attend Sorcerer's Summer Safari magic camp located in Ontario, Canada.

The very deserving and qualified youngsters are Chad Juros of the USA, and David Shack and David Lekei of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. With an earlier award to Josh Miller of Cambridge, England, there now is a total of four scholarships to Sorcerer's Summer Safari magic camp awarded this year.

We now would also like to announce the winners of two additional full tuition scholarships plus travel expenses to attend Tannen's Magic Camp in Long Island, New York: Elizabeth Perry of Cookstown, New Jersey, and Matt Singer of Calabasas, California.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Warren J. Kaps 15 Warren Street
Hackensack, NJ 07601
Tel. (201) 489-5277
Fax. (201) 489-0477

June 6, 2006 - Skype, the free computer telephone company used by many of our National officers, has offered to provide "Skype Kits" to every registrant of our convention in Louisville. The company will supply an earbud, a speaker and a plug, along with a mini CD of their computer software for Windows or Mac.

Many members of the S.A.M.'s National Council use Skype to hold conference calls and keep in touch with each other. They enjoy using the product so much that they wanted to share with the convention attendees.

Skype is a free computer telephony company that allows you to make USA/Canada phone calls from your computer for free. You can also call around the world for pennies. No ads, no gimmicks, just clear quality phone calls.

Thanks to an arrangement between Second Vice President Bruce Kalver and the computer phone company *Skype*, all convention attendees will receive a free */Skype Kit/*. To find out more about Skype go to www.skype.com

Mail ballots are due by Friday, July 7, 2006. Please send them to:

Ed Thomas, P.N.P.,
Election Chair
3010 Wilshire Blvd. #232
Los Angeles, CA 90010-1146

Delegate (and Proxy) appointments are due Saturday, July 1, 2006, and should be sent to:

Richard Blowers, National Administrator
The Society of American Magicians
P.O. Box 510260
St. Louis, MO 63151-0260

Reports are due Monday, June 26, 2006, and should be sent to:

Joan Lehr, National Secretary, KlownChuck@aol.com.

June 6, 2006 - The successful use of Audio Podcasting opens the door for quick information to be heard and downloaded to your computer. Listen to the new Stars of Tomorrow podcast with Hope Anderson. Coming soon: Gene Anderson and Arian Black. Click here for more info.

April 30, 2006 - The Society of American Magicians National President, Richard Dooley, has appointed magic legend Marshall Brodien as International Deputy - United States.

Marshall joins the following other International Deputies in the S.A.M.'s continuing effort to build bridges across the globe by promoting membership in the S.A.M. throughout the world:

• Alan Watson - New Zealand
• Terry Seabrooke - England
• Yosi Notkovitz - Israel
• Domenico Dante - Continental Europe
• Tony Brooke - Portgual
• Shintaro Fujiyama - Japan
• Andreas Swatosh - Austria
• Clem Kinnicutt - At-Large

April 18, 2006 - This year, for the first time, The Society of American Magicians Magic Endowment Fund is proud to announce that we have joined with The Magic Circle to provide a way for a very special and deserving youngster by the name of Joshua Miller, from Cambridge, England, to attend a magic camp located in Toronto. The young magician is receiving a full tuition scholarship for his tuition to attend Sorcerer’s Summer Safari magic camp in Toronto, Canada, and his travel expenses from England to Canada.

Josh Miller is 15 years old, attends Swavesey Village College, and is a member of Peterborough Magic Club and The Young Magicians’ Club in London, which he attends monthly, although it is a two-hour trip each way. He has appeared on several TV shows, such as on a 10-week series called Tricky TV with Stephen Mulhern, which was shown on CITV in September 2005. He has won several magic competitions; and in 2004, at age 13, he was the winner of the ITV’s Ministry of Mayhem Junior X-Factor competition, whose finalists were judged by Simon Cowell. He has also performed before literally thousands of people during two weeks at Marvin’s Magic Shop located in Hamleys of Regent Street, the largest toy store in the world. Joshua also contributes his time very generously to various charities and fund-raising events.

We are particularly proud to contribute to Josh Miller’s chance to travel to another continent to broaden his magical experience and develop his expertise in magic at a young impressionable age.

This year, The Society of American Magicians Magic Endowment Fund intends to provide four other full tuition scholarships with travel expense to Sorcerer’s Summer Safari magic camp in Toronto, and to Tannen’s Magic Camp in New York. Applications can be obtained by writing to the above address or sending a request by email to KapsMagic@earthlink.com.

March 1, 2006 - Here is all the information on venue, dates and a full report on this exciting convention. These are available as downloadable MS Word documents:

• Full Report and vital information
• Printable Registration Information and Form

Enjoy! And we look forward to seeing you there!

January 30, 2006 - In a continuing effort to "build bridges" among magicians, the Society of American Magicians National President, Richard Dooley announced the appointment of three new International Deputies in Europe.

Domenico Dante of Italy has been appointed as International Deputy - Continental Europe. Andreas Swatosch has been named International Deputy for Austria; Tony Brook, International Deputy - Portugal. The new Deputies will work as liaison officials to bring greater awareness of the S.A.M. to their regions while cultivating new members abroad. They will be able to answer members' questions and promote the camaraderie among the existing members in their regions.

Other International Deputies around the world are Terry Seabrooke (UK), Shintaro Fujiyama (Japan), Yosi Notkowitz (Israel) and Alan Watson (New Zealand).

Please join us at the S.A.M. booths at the World Magic Seminar in Las Vegas, the Blackpool Convention in England and at FLASOMA in Bogota, Colombia this month.

Tony Brook, Portugal

Andreas Swatosch, Austria

Domenico Dante, Italy

November 30, 2005 - The Society of American Magicians Magic Endowment Fund has made provisions to assist magicians who are victims of the recent hurricanes in the Gulf Coast and in Florida. To date seven people have received funds to help them get a new start. Many victims have still not been able to get to their old homes to access damage. Some magicians have lost their livelihoods and props. All assistance needs are confidential and are evaluated by the special trustees and payments are immediate. To receive aid, victims do not need to be members of the S.A.M.

In spite of the surge of "we must help them" e-mails and letters, very few people have actually made donations. While the Red Cross and other reputable organizations have been assisting other victims, our help goes directly to the magicians in need.

We thank those few who have already sent donations. Those monies have been used and we are now using our reserve fund to assist others.

The magic fraternity is urged to send tax free contributions to the S.A.M Magic Endowment Fund- (Indicate "Disaster Relief" on your check) and mail to:

S.A.M Magic Endowment Fund
234 Towyn Court
Lower Gwynedd, PA 19002

All contributions will be acknowledged.

To read the message from President Dooley on the S.A.M's Disaster Relief Fund, click the link.

New York- October 1, 2005 - Richard M. Dooley, National President of the Society of American Magicians, proclaimed the week of October 25 to October 31 as National Magic Week throughout the United States and Canada. For more than forty years the Society has recognized the anniversary of the death of Harry Houdini with a special "week" of events to highlight the charitable work of the Society throughout the year.

Houdini died at 1:26 PM on October 31 in 1926 and was president of the Society for the previous nine years. His grave is in New York City. Click the image at the left to view the gravesite.

During the year the members of the S.A.M. perform for Senior Citizens in nursing homes, plus in VA Hospitals and for schools and libraries for children who cannot afford the luxury of live entertainment. The free shows are part of the service programs by its members. Magic Week is when the magicians can take their bows. Public magic events and exhibits will be taking place all over the country.

Each year Governors, Mayors and other governing bodies are requested to issue proclamations declaring the last week in October as a National Magic Week.

Maria Ibanez, National 2nd Vice President of the S.A.M., in an effort to assist the RVPs and assemblies, has requested proclamations from all the State Governors. The requests need to come from Assemblies in each State- You can petition the Mayors of your city six weeks before the event. Contact Maria for details on how to get to your Governor.

To read more about the history of Magic Week and the S.A.M., please click here!

Watch for further info on Magic Week to be posted on the home page and other locations on the S.A.M. website. To report your upcoming Magic Week event, please contact Maria Ibanez at Merlina17@aol.com.

Sept 27, 2005 - Please read the message from President Rich Dooley on the S.A.M's new Disaster Relief Fund, who it is for, and how you can help.

Society of American Magicians Assembly #206 members in Austin, Texas Have been the first to offer Hurricane Katrina victims food and shelter. Many members of the group are opening their homes to people seeking refuge. The Burger Center in Austin is also open for temporary shelter. Those with New Orleans drivers licenses can obtain food stamps and gasoline. If you hear from anyone displaced by the disaster contact Ron Cartlidge at 512-444-8729 or by email at texashoudini@msn.com. Other Texas, Mississippi or Alabama magicians are encouraged to assist in this worthwhile endeavor.

The first 750 people to register for the 2006 S.A.M. Convention in Louisville, KY (July 12-15) will receive a free ticket for a magical cruise on the Ohio River's oldest operating steamboat. You'll also see some great river close up magicians in action. Save the date: Friday July 14. Rain or shine. Board at 3:00 pm , SAIL at 3:30 pm SHARP, return at 5:30 pm in time for dinner and the gala show. Don't be left on shore. Register now!