Spellbound

My fantastic family got this book for me SPELLBOUND - THE WONDER-FILLED LIFE OF DOUG HENNING by John Harrison for Christmas. Wow! What a fun read. I've had trouble putting it down. I don't even think you'd have to be a magician to enjoy the story of this wonderful man. If you enjoy biographies of interesting people... this one is truly fascinating. Available at all bookstores and Amazon.com. It's around 45 bucks for hard cover. Great job John Harrison on filling in the bits and pieces that made up a truly inspiring life... the wonder-filled life of Doug Henning.

No Smoking In Sillyville

I think this pretty much says it all. :)

Late Night Magic in Las Vegas

For years the magicians of Las Vegas have gotten together after their evening shows and shared magic, ideas, and gossip with each other. I was lucky enough to be in Vegas for the IAFE convention recently and got to go to Boomers Lounge (in the back room of course) and hang out with the magic crowd. It was terrific. I got to visit with the incredibly generous and talented Gary Darwin (in photo). He showed me a terrific version of the "retention vanish". It totally made me rethink my use of this tricky sleight of hand vanish. I've been working on it ever since then. Thanks Mr. Darwin! I also got to visit with the incredibly talented Steve Daley - Tiny Bubbles - has his finger in so many show-biz pies... it's amazing. I loved hearing the plans for new projects (late into the evening) and am sure he'll make them all happen. Good luck Stevo. I got to meet many other talented and interesting performers this time out. Many thanks to you all. Hope I get to see you all soon.

LOVE

Every year for the last decade or so, I have attended the IAFE convention in Las Vegas, Nevada. It's a booking convention for Fairs and Expos. If you have a county or state fair... someone from your town is probably at this convention. Generally the convention is held at the Paris Hotel (a really nice hotel by the way) in December. I really enjoy the convention and Vegas this time of year. At the convention I get to meet lots of new people and catch up with friends I don't get to see through-out the year, but probably my favorite thing is seeing Las Vegas shows. Wow! The shows in Vegas can be sooooo amazing. The quality is astounding... shows I've seen and loved in the past include... The BLUE MAN GROUP, CARROT TOP, GEORGE CARLIN, CHICAGO, MAC KING, FITZ OF LAUGHTER, LANCE BURTON, SECOND CITY, STEVE WYRICK and PENN & TELLER. But I finally got to see The Beatles LOVE by Cirque du Soleil last week. Man o' man was that a terrific show! First of all, they start with some of the best pop music ever made (The Beatles), but it's been remixed to give it a new flavor. I was unsure if I'd like the new mix (I don't think you should mess with perfection) but I was quickly converted when I heard the new mix from the most awesome surround sound system I've ever witnessed. Then add to that the "dreamscape" style show that Cirque is able to create full of non-literal images and color, and skill, and it was one of the funnest theatrical evenings I've ever spent. Between my smiles, I sang along to almost the entire show. The show also reminded me of something... all you need is... love. Steve :)

Plarn Purse

Today I was at the IAFE convention in Las Vegas and met Caroline Craig from the Topsfield County Fair, MA. She showed me the most marvelous purse. It's made of plastic shopping bags, but it's not REcycled. It's REused. She formed the bags into yarn... which apparently is called PLARN. Get it? The words Plastic and Yarn are conjugated or contracted or co-joined or something... anyway. She found the pattern on a marvelous web site that shares exactly what you need to know to make these bad boys. www.myrecycledbags.com is the site. It's full of great info and the best part... it's free. If you're into DIY. Try it. :)

Wind

Good news! My web sites www.stevetrash.com and www.concretedream.com are now 100% Wind-Powered. FatCow - my web site hosts - buy 100% powered by wind energy to offset the energy used for their servers, data centers, and offices. So now their machines are fully eco-friendly. This energy is purchased from Community Energy. Very good idea... the wind is harnessed to make electricity for green magic shows. I like it! Steve :)

NEW Green Jobs Czar Announcement

It's official. I - Steve Trash - am running for the advisory position of Green Jobs Czar. Van Jones - the last adviser got booted about a month ago. I know what you're saying. "Hey Steve... you're not a political guy. It's why we love you". I know. I know, but hear me out. I'm NOT very political, but I AM the right guy to be the adviser to President Obama on Green Jobs. Here's why. I've been a small business owner for over 25 years. I know what it's like to make payroll. I know what it's like to borrow money to invest in my company (Concrete Dream Inc.). I know what it's like to take a risk on myself and my business. I know business, BUT I also know green. I've been a green entertainer most of my life. I live in an earthbirmed energy efficient home (thermal mass concrete filled walls, on demand "gas" water heater, south facing windows to capture the suns energy in the winter). My wife and I compost in a clawfoot bathtub in my rural "Frog Pond" back yard. We recycle like crazy and most important of all. I get it. I get that it takes both a healthy economy and a healthy environment to make the world work. So please take a moment to VOTE for me at www.votetrash.com. Thanks and remember. There is no red, nor blue... only green. Steve Trash - Rockin' Eco Hero :)