April 2016

Our April Meeting was another "Thumbs-up" night --

In more ways than one!

We had a great crowd at the meeting, ready to participate, interact, learn and help each other.

Demo Sessions - The "Judgment-Free Zone"

We had some great performances by several of our members:

- Everyone stood and watched as Andrew Bieber demonstrated an outstanding card effect, which he then explained in detail.

- Rich Rattotti amazed us with his cigarette production and paper ball routine to music.

- Ashok Soni took to the stage for his first presentation as a new Member and impressed us with a variety of wonderful effects. What a great start!

Sara Crasson dazzled us with her outstanding Shakespeare-themed Cups & Balls routine, which she has updated based on comments from her fellow compeers several months ago.

There were a number of helpful observations and suggestions from the group, which the presenters very much appreciated.

Table "Teach-ins"

We had three great Themes planned for the evening, which had everyone actively involved:

- Thumbs-up: David Crasson had a crowd at his table, where he taught a number of routines with Thumb Tips and gave each attendee at his table a Thumb Tip to take home-- Thank you David for your generosity!

- Tearing-it-up: Ted Lee was a hit with his Newspaper-Tear Table Teach-in; everyone learned the detailed set-up and presentation, with one-on-one guidance from Ted and Frank Reyes (thank you both!) -- There were also "free" newspaper giveaways!

- Card-mania: Jim Stranges came prepared to teach a variety of effects with cards from mini to Jumbo size and everything in between -- Thank you Jim!

Everyone walked away having learned something new and wanting more...

Based on feedback and observations over several Table Teach-in sessions, we may try something different in the future by rotating Instructors between tables after a set period of time to make sure that everyone has had the benefit of learning something at each table.

Please let us know your thoughts on this, and any Themes, effects or moves that you'd like to see at future Tables.

Down to Business

Our Business Meeting session was brief, but packed with updates:

Guests: We had three guests in attendance: Joel Zaritzky, Ariel Stein, and Ravil Lopez.

Regional Vice President Joel Zaritzky addressed the Members-

- Podcasts: Volunteers are need to help test the Podcasts being presented on the SAM Website; if you're interested, please contact Joel (mailto:jizdds@optonline.net)

- New Assembly: Please sign-up for the new SAM Virtual Online Assembly (http://www.magicsam.com/)

- Update your online SAM Profile: Please make sure that you log onto the SAM National site and update your online Profile (Its very easy to log-in). You automatically have a Profile set up as long as you are an SAM National member in good standing and your National dues are paid, but its up to you to log-in and complete all the information.

Members who have paid their local Assembly SAM 194 dues for 2016 should ensure that their SAM National profile indicates that you are an SAM Assembly 194 Member for accurate recordkeeping by the National SAM.

Thanks for coming -

- Joel had come to visit our Assembly last Fall and subsequently featured us in his excellent online Holiday Video Blog. He has been extremely complimentary of our members and Assembly activities, and has discussed our success with other Assemblies and at National meetings!

- Joel took lots of pictures and video at our April meeting, so Assembly 194 will be featured again in an upcoming Video Blog -- Stay tuned!

- Joel also won our end-of-evening 50/50 Raffle!

SAM Assembly 194 Dues

John Zygmunt, our Assembly Treasurer, announced that Assembly 194 dues for 2016 were still outstanding by several members -- Please make sure that you have paid your dues in order to continue participating in Member activities!

SAM Assembly 194 Online

- SAM 194 is now multi-media, with over 300 pictures from our activities over the past several month; please visit:

- Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/SAMAssembly194/photos).

- SAM Assembly 194 Website, still under construction (SAM194.com/ )

- SAM 194 Youtube Channel (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk-BzuMvtLVIya3sUQEK82g)

Community Events

- The 50/50 Magic show at Jefferson Elementary by Assembly 194 was a great success

- Ted Lee has organized two visits to perform magic at Arthur Howard's Assisted Living facility

- SAM 194 will be performing at the Gilda's Club event in June

Upcoming Field Trips

- SAM 194 has ten seats together for the field trip to the Salute to Magic show on May 7th

- Tom Pesce has offered discounts to his "Experience the Impossible" mentalism show in Ridgefield

- Discussions have started to participate in an "exchange evening" with the SAM Assembly in Poughkeepsie!

Magic for sale

After a brief discussion regarding logistics and member participation, it was determined that Assembly 194 will probably hold a Magic Auction in lieu of the proposed Magic Flea Market -- Details to follow.

Volunteer needed

A Librarian is needed for the new Mike Piacente Lending Library, started by Dennis Barlotta, to keep track of and maintain the library.

- Please send me an email if you are interested.

How're We Doin'?

Assembly 194 has experienced a fun, active year --

Are you getting everything that you want out of your membership?

Soon we'll be sending out a survey to Assembly 194 Members to find out what they think we've been doing well, what we can change, and what we still need to do.

Please participate -- Its your Assembly - Its up to you to make the most of it!

Next Month: Assembly 194 May 2014 Meeting

- There will be a Demo Session in May for anyone who wants to bring in something that they've recently purchased or a routine that they're working on.

- The Magic Theme at our May meeting will be "Classics of Magic" -

- Members are asked to please bring in a "Classic" effect to perform at the next meeting!

We ended the evening with a giveaway of THREE door prizes consisting of new effects donated by Steven Burchard -- Each attendee had a chance to win. Congratulations to all the winners, and thank you to Steven!

It's all about the Magic -- It's all about you!

Regards

Roger

Final Thumbs-up -

David Kaye ("Silly Billy") on Thumb Tip Island ...