Only 2 Weeks Left!

That's right -- only two weeks are left before Christmas is officially here. Where the heck did this year go? Every Friday, I feel like Monday was just beginning, the year's whizzing by so quickly! Part of the reason it seems to go so quickly is due to the fact that this season is the busiest we've ever encountered. We've even scheduled and extra UPS pickup specifically for the month of December, making it a total of three per day in order to get the boatload of packages out the door!

The Post Office says that you should make your final shipments by the 10th this year, which is earlier than it's ever been. But fear not, for if you need, we have overnight and next day air services available for your shopping needs. Thank you all for your overwhelming support this entire year. More holiday goodies are appearing daily on the website, so make sure you check it every day to see what's new and hot!



Where to put the tree? Seems to be the million dollar question this year at the Gross household. If you remember, I mentioned a few weeks back about the major remodeling going on. There's hammering, painting, tile guys, floor guys, electricians -- you name it, and the furniture is everywhere where it isn't supposed to be. Max's room is in the living room, the living room is in the music room, the kitchen is in the dining room! ARRRRRRRRRRGH! Rest assured, however, we WILL be clearing a space this weekend for the very special Christmas tree. Now, the only problem is finding the boxes with all the decorations...

Dean Dill Update

I spoke to Dean yesterday over the phone, and he is now home. He sounded to be in good spirits, considering both his family's and his condition. He has at least another month or so before he is out of his body cast, and then it's physical therapy for awhile. Because of you and your generous efforts and thoughts, Hocus Pocus has raised a large sum of money for Dean and his family. Dean is very touched by the huge outpouring of support through your emails, well wishes, and donations. If you wish to donate, you can do so by clicking here!

This weekend will be the first annual Hocus Pocus holiday dinner. Everyone will be there so watch for the pictures to appear next week on the blog!

Until next time,

Paul

Dean Dill

Dean Dill

This week's letter will be different than most. For those of you who do not already know, Dean Dill, his wife, and son were involved in a massive automobile accident in Las Vegas earlier this week. Although massive injuries were a result of the crash, Dean reported that they are all lucky to be alive. Dean has suffered the worst with multiple broken bones and is expected to stay in the hospital for a time. According to the news I received yesterday, he will be in the hospital for at least another 10 days to 2 weeks before being released. Because of his injuries, it will be many months until Dean is able to get back on his feet. I have to tell you that in all my years in this business, I have never met a nicer, unassuming, and honest person than Dean Dill. We wish nothing but the best of wishes for a speedy recovery for Dean and his family. If you want to write Dean, you can do so by emailing him at:

intmiracle@deandill.com

The holidays are a-happening around here! It's been go, go, go non-stop since the end of the month of November like no other year prior! As fast as your orders are coming in, we are shipping out. In fact, the shipping department has had to come in early for most of the week so far to accommodate the shipping load! Have no fear; all orders will go out in plenty of time.

In other news, we hired another sales representative, Jeremy Avery. He will start here full-time on the 9th of December and be a permanent part of the Hocus Pocus family! We can't wait to have him. Make sure you make him feel welcome by introducing yourself when calling us. Jeremy is a very charismatic person and his specialty is in street magic!

Also, we will begin another tradition here at Hocus Pocus! I've decided that the first annual Hocus Pocus Holiday Dinner will begin this year. Formally, I mean. We used to have an informal little party at the shop, but this year, Betty and I have decided to make it a more eventful evening by taking the entire staff out for dinner and drinks to celebrate what a fantastic year we've had. Of course, plenty of pictures will be taken and shared with you here, so look forward to those...

Please remember that as the holiday season has officially arrived, try to take it easy when possible between all the shopping and performing, and try to email Dean Dill and his family to wish them well.

Thank you to all of you who have sent in your Thanksgiving stories. I had a blast reading them, and they sure brought back some memories for me. Have a safe and fulfilling weekend.

Until next time,

Paul

Turkey, turkey, turkey!

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday and enjoyed spending time with all of your family and friends. We had a great time at my mother in-law's house, and we ate, ate, and ate some more! Thankfully, my mother in-law had a 22 lb. turkey, so there were plenty of leftovers for us all to take home. There's nothing like that day-after-Thanksgiving turkey sandwich, which can only be enhanced with my sister's clam dip and chips!

This morning, Betty was up bright and early, taking advantage of the Day After Thanksgiving Sales! I don't know how she does it, fighting all the crowds, but she always comes away a winner!

Speaking of holiday shopping, the phones are ringing off the hook and every couple of seconds, my email notification sounds off! It looks like it's going to be a bright holiday season here at Hocus Pocus! Thank you!

With that said, I'll cut it short, but before I do, I want to say thank you all, for your tremendous support and holiday wishes.

Until next time,

Paul

Giving Thanks

Pass the turkey and don't hog the gravy! Yep -- it's that time of year again! Thanksgiving is just a few days away! What happened to the months of October and November? They went by so quickly, I couldn't believe it. Almost as if I blinked and it was over!

I don't know how you spend your Thanksgiving, but for the Gross household, we'll be going to my mother in-law's as always. There'll be plenty of turkey, dressing, gravy, mashed potatoes, and all sorts of appetizers. And of course, how can I forget her yalanchi and suberage? They're to die for, both these Armenian delicacies! My sons, Max and Cole, will fight over who gets the wishbone. I don't have to tell you, but you probably know that Max wins out every time. There will be so much food, even after we're finished it won't look like the food was even touched! My mother in-law swears she'll never cook so much again, but she always manages to outdo herself every year. Don't forget, as you sit down with your family, friends, and loved ones, to give thanks for all you have.

For me personally, I'm thankful for my loving wife, Betty, who supports my every endeavor 100%. I'm thankful for my four children, who are all healthy and happy. I'm thankful that my needs are met on a daily basis, and I'm thankful for each and every Hocus Pocus supporter, who enables me to make a living doing what I enjoy the most! I thank you!

So don't overeat (yeah, right), and toast to your family, and if you want, email us and let us know how you spend your holidays! I always enjoy hearing from you.

So, on behalf of myself and the Hocus Pocus family, I wish you the very best of Thanksgivings.

Until next time,

Paul

We Salute You!

Today, as everyone knows, is Veteran's Day. We wish to take a moment and thank all the men and women who have given so much to guarantee our freedom! With great respect and honor, we salute all veterans, past, present, and those who have given the ultimate sacrifice to insure we live safely and securely! Thank you, all!

Busy is the key word here at Hocus Pocus! If you've been keeping tabs on our web site, you'll see exactly what we mean! Mike took a short vacation and was gone for three days, but you wouldn't have known as he took his laptop with him and continued to update the site in his absence! You can check out the photos below and see that it wasn't all work for Mike:


A view from Mike's room.


Monterey, California


Mike's Hotel, the Monterey Beach Hotel


Alexander Valley


Criss Angel Mastermind DVD, Volume 1

Hooray! After many long delays, the Criss Angel Coin in Soda Can finally arrived on Tuesday! The shipping department had to arrive extra early to guarantee shipping a little over 300 pre-orders along with the orders placed that day for the long-anticipated DVD! It was quite a feat, and all packages went out without a hitch! If you haven't yet ordered this DVD, we have plenty in stock for immediate delivery!



If you are looking for holiday effects to add to your shows, make sure you check out the Hocus Pocus Holiday Section located here! You'll find lots of great effects and even some new ones like "Forgetful Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" and "Christmas Presents!"

We keep saying it every week, but the holidays are fast approaching! Here are a couple of sneaky ways to give hints to those who are wondering what to get you:

1. If you're a member and have a wish list, why not print off a copy and leave it in a conspicuous place?

2. You could always ask for a gift certificate for Hocus Pocus!

Rest assured, we'll take good care of all who call to make sure they make the best selection possible!

Last week, I told you that we were undertaking a major remodeling of the Gross family household, and this week it began in full force! Ripping up carpet, tearing down walls, and removing kitchen cabinets have insured that Betty and I will be going out for dinner this week! The entire process will last until the end of January/beginning of February, and I just keep telling myself how great it will look when it's all done!

Keep yourself busy but remember to have a lot of fun in the process! Have a safe and happy weekend.

Until next time,

Paul

Only Two Months Left!

As I sit here and write the blog today, I look at the calendar and realize that we are only a couple of months away from the end of this year and the beginning of a brand new year! This year seems to have raced faster than any other. My dad always said, "The older you get, son, the faster the years pass by," and he was right! Before you know it, it will be "Pass the turkey," and then the Christmas carols begin.

This week has also zipped by extremely fast. Lots of new items hitting the door every day, and as fast as we put them up, more and more come in! Do yourself a favor and check out the Skeleton Mental Energy Transfer pocket watch on the site. Only 12 have been made exclusively for us at Hocus Pocus, and we've already sold 8 of them. The only way to get yours is to pre-order it today, because as soon as we sell out, it will disappear forever from our site!

Also, we just received long-overdue reprints of some of the best magic books ever printed: Strong Magic by Darwin Ortiz, Smoke and Mirrors by John Bannon, and Seance by Scott Moore-Davis! If you've checked out eBay in the past few years, you'll undoubtedly remember copies of Seance going for upwards of $500.00! Wow!

One more thing I'm proud to carry is something called the Old Lady Illusion. When we first viewed the demo video, we couldn't believe our eyes! I am convinced that if you ever wanted to add a quick-change illusion to your show, this would be a great way to start! This effect is perfect for all types of audiences, whether you perform for children or adults, and it is a guaranteed applause-getter! If you don't believe me, click here and watch the online video for yourself! That's what I really like about this business: looking for unique and different magic effects that cannot be found elsewhere.

I enjoyed being on the Mike on the Mic Program on Magic Broadcast this week with Mike Giusti. Thanks to the listeners for the great comments and questions. There was one person in particular who sent me and Mike a very heartfelt letter, and I told Mike the very next day that receiving that letter was worth the entire broadcast! Support the Magic Broadcast and help it continue to grow. Check it out here!

This weekend starts the major remodeling of the Gross household. What once started as wall painting has turned into a major ordeal, and for the next two months, or possibly longer, I will update you as the process continues. There may be some inconveniences, but I know the payoff will be worth it, and I look forward to the beginning of this project!

Until next time,

Paul

Halloween, Hurricanes, and More, Oh My!

Happy Halloween, everyone! We're just a few days away from all Hallow's Eve, and the Gross household is abuzz! My son, Max, has completely decorated our house with all the Halloween paraphernalia we've collected over the years, and the candy bowl is awaiting its supply! Max's costume is all set -- he's going to be Napoleon Dynamite, and what a funny one he makes! He does a perfect impression when he's all dressed up in costume, and he cracks us up!

On Monday, we received distressing news that John and Tammy Calvert were somewhere lost at sea in their yacht, "The Magic Castle II," due to Hurricane Wilma in Florida. We breathed a sigh of relief when we received the below article from the newswire:

Surviving Wilma on the waves
Couple ride out terror as John Calvert, 94, and his wife, Tammy, 63, survive Wilma on a runaway boat

Laurin Sellers Sentinel Staff Writer
Posted October 26, 2005



Retired stunt man John Calvert, 94, and his wife, Tammy, 63, row back to shore Tuesday after being rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard. They spent a rough day Monday on their 67-foot boat after Hurricane Wilma destroyed the dock to which the craft was tied in Merritt Island.

MERRITT ISLAND -- At the height of Hurricane Wilma, John Calvert stood on the bow of his yacht in the Banana River struggling with a frayed anchor line.

If it snapped, the 94-year-old man was certain the fierce winds would send his boat crashing into the Mathers Bridge.

Inside the thrashing 67-foot vessel, Calvert's wife, Tammy, prayed.

"I was scared to death," she said Tuesday. "I thought it was the end of us."

Hours earlier, Tammy Calvert, 63, who can't swim, had urged her husband to leave the yacht they call home and ride out the storm at a friend's house.

But Calvert, a former stuntman, magician and adventurer who has flown blindfolded and once doubled for Clark Gable, was convinced they would be fine.

The yacht he had helped build 25 years ago was tied to a dock and was weighted with seven anchors.

But as the winds howled Monday afternoon, a nearby dock suddenly broke apart and slammed into the dock where the Calverts' boat, the Magic Castle II, was moored.

"I had to cut the moor lines and all but two of the anchor lines loose so I could get away from the dock," Calvert said.

He managed to start the motor and steer toward the middle of the Banana River about 100 yards from shore, where the water is 20 to 25 feet deep.

Despite near-100 mph winds, 5-foot waves and pounding rain, Calvert still was convinced they would be safe.

Then he noticed the fraying line.

"I had to get that part of the rope pulled in so it wouldn't break," he said. "I have to say, I was getting very concerned."

Using a cell phone with a dying battery, Calvert called his friend Bob Green and asked him to get help. Green called 911 and then the U.S. Coast Guard.

But even before Green called him back, Calvert knew nobody would come for them.

The winds were too strong to send a helicopter, and all the boat ramps were flooded, Coast Guard Petty Officer Ben Fleming said.

"I already knew I would have to figure my way out," said Calvert, adding that the Coast Guard kept close tabs on them, calling every hour.

Somehow, Calvert managed to secure the anchor line, and the couple spent the rest of the night huddled inside the stranded yacht.

Early Tuesday, a Coast Guard vessel brought the weary pair to shore.

By late afternoon, a diver from a salvage company was trying to untangle a mass of ropes and lines in the murky water, some of which had gotten caught in the boat's propeller.

"I don't have a bone or a muscle in my body that isn't aching," Calvert conceded. "I've never worked so hard in my life."

Tammy Calvert spent the morning on the phone with her sister.

"We both just cried," she said, the tears suddenly welling.

As for the Magic Castle II, Calvert said he had decided to sell it just days before the hurricane hit.

Tammy Calvert couldn't be happier.

"This was like going through hell," she said.

Other friends who have been hit hard in the Florida area like Guy Bavli, who called the other day to say they won't have power for 3-4 weeks are also doing well, despite the inconvenience. We're also hoping to get in touch with Ulf Morhling and Lawrence Lemon, both of whom live in the hardest-hit area of Florida. Hopefully, they'll read this and get in touch with us; we want to make sure they are doing OK.

Next Tuesday evening, November 1st at 8:15 PM, Mike Giusti has invited me to be his guest on his show for the Magic Broadcast. If you have a chance, please tune in and give us a call during the show with any questions or comments you may have. I look forward to talking with some of you during the broadcast.


Harry Blackstone Jr.

I received a most precious gift from my good friend Ron Allesi this week. Ron knows how much of a fan of Harry Blackstone Jr. I am and when he came across one of Harry's Vanishing Birdcages, he sent it to me as a belated birthday gift, and I couldn't be happier! For those who know me well enough, you know how much of an influence Harry was on my life in magic. Someday, in the near future, I'll tell you the story of Harry Blackstone Jr. and myself. Definitely one to look forward to!

We're staying extremely busy as the Holidays gear up, and each day gets more and more hectic. We couldn't be happier. We're ready for the holiday rush and gearing up to bring you some of the best magic for your holiday shows! Look for the special Hocus Pocus Holiday Page in the next week!


Losander and Luna

A big congratulations go to Luna and Losander on the birth of their son, Adam, yesterday morning. Losander called me today, and I could tell how proud of a father he was as we talked. Luna, the baby, and he are all doing fine, and we wish them all the happiness in the world!

So there you have it -- an extremely eventful week, to say the least! Make sure you have a safe and fun-filled Halloween this weekend and don't eat too much candy!

Until next time,

Paul

Max's Funny Farm

Well, as promised, below you'll find below the photos of my son, Max, selling his wares at last week's school carnival! From the moment we set up at 2:00 until we closed at 8:00, the kids came in droves! Max broke all previous sales records and raked it in for his school's music and arts department! I'm really proud of Max. Some of our best sellers were:

Shocking Pens
Itching Powder
Grab Bags
Exploding Golf Balls


Max putting the finishing touches on his Funny Farm.


A fan looks at all the merchandise!


The customers begin showing up.


It's a madhouse!

All in all, everyone had a good time for a great cause.

Exciting news back here at the shop: we have made arrangements with Borodin to sell his entire act! If you own the book, Sheherazade, you will see many of the effects featured there. These are one-of-a-kind pieces that were custom made by Borodin himself and used in his now famous act for many years! Mike will be creating a special page with photos and descriptions for these items next week, so stay tuned; this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to not only own a unique piece of magic, but a piece of history as well!

Last week, I mentioned how busy it was becoming due to the holidays. This week, we received hundreds of orders, and we're literally running to fill them. Again, thanks to all of you for your continued support that keeps Hocus Pocus going.

WANTED:

Khyber Kobra by Collector's Workshop

We are looking for a Collector's Workshop Khyber Kobra. If you have one you are no longer using and wish to sell it for immediate cash or trade for new magic props, give me a call toll-free 800-407-4040 or email me at sales@hocus-pocus.com.

Sorry to keep it short this week, but there's so much to do. UPS just delivered about 40 boxes of new merchandise. I'm like a kid at Christmas time and can't wait to open those boxes to see what's arrived!

So, have a safe weekend, spend some quality time with your family, and most of all, have fun!

Until next time,

Paul

Step Right Up!

That's what we'll be saying all day today as Betty, Max, and I will be manning Max's Funny Farm booth at his school's carnival. Last year was our first try, and it was a huge success! Max sold over $600.00 in novelties and gags to his friends and made out like a bandit! All the proceeds went to his school library fund. This year, the organizers called and begged him to come back as he was so successful last year. So, I've loaded up the truck, my car, and I'll be leaving very shortly to help set up and prepare for the throng!

Tony Blanco has graciously volunteered to stop by after work to juggle and perform magic along with balloon animals to draw in more of the crowd. Mike will be stopping by as well to take photos, which we'll be posting here next week for you to see.

Today is our own Mike Giusti's birthday! He's met a very special person, and she, along with his friends, are going out for a night of fun this evening! We all wish Mike a very happy 36th birthday! And we're NOT going to mention the gifts he's received from our staff here at the shop!

Oh yes, welcome to the Hocus Pocus Barber Shop! To prove that I don't allow Tony any time off, our friend Louis (who Mike pointed out eerily resembles Dean Dill) gives Tony a quick clip & dip at his desk. Whoever said Hocus Pocus isn't a full service shop? Watch out, Dean!


Louis has his work cut out for him.


Is this how Dean Dill started out?


Criss Angel

Last night, Criss Angel called me at home to tell me the good news: he was named 2005 Magician of the Year by The Academy of Magical Arts (AMA) at a press event at Hollywood’s Magic Castle. Congratulations, Criss, and keep up the good work! Criss is hard at work on some exciting new projects and ventures, which will soon be publicly announced. He said he's up everyday for about 21 hours and hasn't been home to New York in almost a year. I believe it! Congratulations, Criss!

Also, my dear friend Richard Burr sent me the good news that he was inducted into the Guiness Book of World Records for breaking 3 world records with coin rolls, beating out Jeff McBride who held the current record for one of them! Check this out:


Richard Burr, breaker of 3 world records!

Guinness World Record #1

Using the classic “coin roll” technique, Richard Burr (USA) passed a single silver dollar around the fingers of his left hand a total of 40 times in a minute. The record was previously held by Jeff McBride with 31 revolutions in a minute.

Guinness World Record #2

Richard Burr (USA) simultaneously rolled two silver dollar coins (one in each hand) using the classic rolling technique, 68 times (30 in the left and 38 in the right).

Guinness World Record #3

Richard Burr (USA) simultaneously rolled two silver dollars forwards and backwards over the fingers of both his hands (one per hand), each hand completing 40 moves in one minute. For a total of 80.

All three records were set the Magic Castle in Hollywood, California, USA, on February 8, 2005.

Congratulations, Richard!

It continues to be extremely busy here, and we can feel the momentum begin to build for the holidays every day. If the last two weeks are any indication, this will be the biggest year Hocus Pocus has ever had! And we have you to thank for that.

So while Mike enjoys his birthday, Tony enjoys his new 'do, and I enjoy Max's carnival, make sure your weekend is filled with fun, relaxation, and be safe.

Until next time,

Paul

All Systems Go!

To say that it has been another week of high activity here at Hocus Pocus would be an understatement! There is so much magic bursting at the seams that we cannot make room fast enough to accommodate it!

I was extremely excited to see Icarus Effect come through the doors, and I immediately checked it out. All I can say is, "WOW!" Aaron Paterson has really outdone himself on this one. The comprehensive DVD that accompanies the package is phenomenally well put-together and is clear, concise, and captivating. This has to be the best self-levitation to come out since the Balducci! In case you haven't checked it out yet, take a look!

Another product worth your consideration is "I'm Sitting On It" by Greg Gleason, a fantastic Bill or Card on Seat effect that comes to you as a kit to make your own gimmicked and ungimmicked chairs. I watched the DVD and immediately wanted to put one together myself; it's that fun to watch and extremely motivating! The props constructed are extremely well-made, and the method is different from anything ever offered on the market. And the best part is, you don't have to be Bob Villa to put it together; it is extremely easy and will only take one half hour to assemble. There are no special tools required! Check it out here!

And how can I forget our latest Hocus Pocus Exclusive, Cesaral Time Perfect! If you've ever wanted to perform the now-classic mentalist effect, "Time Prediction," but you didn't want the hassles of extra gimmicks, stalling for time, etc., this is the one for you! The method is completely different from any other, and it's super fast and 100% accurate! The performer never needs to even touch the watch as soon as the effect has begun. I'll give you a hint: if you can push a button, you can perform this trick! Check it out here!


The Fresno Fair

In other news, the big Fresno Fair began this week, and Betty and I made sure we were one of the first people through the door! I love the fair, and so does Betty. It's one of the things we look forward to going to each and every year, and we never miss it! The food is terrific, and the entertainment is unmatched for a family atmosphere. My favorite is the corn dog and this year, I indulged in a foot-long corn dog! Betty loves the cinnamon rolls and soft tacos. This weekend, we'll take the kids so my son, Max, can toss ping pong balls to win goldfish! So far, he's undefeated each and every year! Last year, he won a total of 8 fish! You think he's figured out the method?



It's good to see some of my old friends like Tom Jorgenson and Ernie Guderjahn at the fair this year. Both are extremely talented performers both in magic and in the allied arts. Ernie's Travelling Game Show is one of the biggest attractions at the fair, and Tom is a hot commodity to the fair circuit!

Today, I'm doing double duty as Tony Blanco has flown back to Las Vegas to pick up his remaining storage. He'll be behind the wheel of a 26' truck all day tomorrow. How a little guy can have so much stuff is beyond me! He may even have to go back for a second trip!!! You're insane, Tony! Drive safe.

Mike is going on his third date this Saturday, and he's pacing the joint like he's addicted to prescription drugs! Could this be love? Could it be friendship? Could it be...? Tune in next week to find out the answer, friends. But seriously, we've all been giving him a ration since he's entered the dating game after 14 years. To say he's been nervous is an understatement. This girl he's been dating sounds like she's a pretty cool cookie with a good sense of humor (a must if you're going to spend some time with Mike).

Don't forget -- Halloween is coming. Dust off your Halloween costume, get the candy, and don't forget those Halloween effects. As for me, I'm going into physical training to be able to down another corn dog!

Until next time,

Paul