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Elusive Siegfried and Roy Shooter’s Sad Story

 

Cole Ford in Better Days

You wouldn?t think someone well-known from his days in the NFL would be so difficult to find.  Then again, you wouldn?t suspect that someone who once had a promising career as a pro kicker would drive up to the Las Vegas home of Siegfried & Roy, fire shotgun blasts, and scream epithets. 

 

On September 21st, Las Vegas Police say Cole Ford drove to the magic duo?s sanctuary, fired on the building, screamed “We need to get these … out of our country,? drove off and returned a few minutes later to show again.  

 

Not surprisingly, authorities believe the former NFL place-kicker should be considered ?armed and dangerous.?  

 

This new Cole Ford doesn?t match up with those who recall him from USC and later the Oakland Raiders.  A former coach at USC told reporters, Mr. Ford was ?A bright kid, a good-looking kid … he had it all.  This is not the Cole Ford we all remember.?

 

But work as a kicker is tough.  Mr. Ford told sports writers before his senior year in 1994: ?A kicker can get lonely out there, especially if you missed a couple of field goals the last game, You’re more sensitive to what people think. You have the feeling that you let your teammates down.?

 

After a career-ending injury and a string of sub-par kicking accuracy, Mr. Ford was cut by the Oakland Raiders, spent a short time with the Buffalo Bills and then was cut again.  He moved to Las Vegas, worked day jobs and lived in motels.  He stopped talking with family and friends and became a loner.  

 

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October 27th, 2004 | Category: Magic News | Leave a comment

The New York Times Profile on Larry Hass and Muhlenberg College?s School of Magic

 

Larry Hass, Ph.D

Dr. Hass is a philosophy professor by way of experience and education but a magician by way of avocation.  He wanted to teach a course on the Finest Art at his Muhlenberg College in beautiful Allentown, Pennsylvania.  Actually, he wanted a little bit more than that.  He hoped to make the college a center for the study of theatrical magic.

 

Dr. Hass told the New York Times, “I was very, very nervous to bring it up to the deans. There was the concept and I was also asking for resources – about $20,000 – which would not be insignificant.”  Dr. Hass is no fool: he waited until he was tenured before proposing his concept.

 

The idea was met not with hostility or doubt but acceptance and resources.  

 

The curriculum began with two courses half a decade ago and is now a successful part of the unique college.  World-class magician Juan Tamariz lectured students for about a week and there were few seats available for the course.  

 

Mr. Tamariz not only discussed the best methods for entertaining, focusing and holding an audience, but also provided advice on innovating.  According to the New York Times article, “By the way,” he advised at one point, “all the rules of art are made to be broken. You just have to come up with a really good reason for breaking them.”

 

The profile is great and the course is worthy of such a great story.  You can read it …
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October 27th, 2004 | Category: Magic News | Leave a comment

Siegfried and Roy Shopping Book Deal

 

According to MSNBC?s Jeannette Walls, ?Siegfried Fischbacher and Roy Horn, the hugely popular big cat tamers who were sidelined when Horn was mauled by a tiger last year, are secretly shopping around their joint memoir.?  

 

The duo intend to ?tell all? about their ?private and personal lives.?  One insider told Ms. Walls, they hope to meet with ?top publishers? in the next few weeks. Interested in buying the book rights? Be ready to pony up seven figures.  

 

Spokesmen for Siegfried and Roy didn?t return calls from MSNBC.

 

Read Ms. Walls? report here.

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October 27th, 2004 | Category: Magic News | Leave a comment

Worker dies in fall at Siegfried-and-Roy Theater

 

Artist’s Rendering of New Theater

James Hamby, a sheet-metal worker, fell to his death while working on the demolition of the Siegfried & Roy Theater at The Mirage.  His brother was below Mr. Hamby and saw the horrible scene.  Mr. Hamby was 49 years old. 

 

Federal OSHA officials have begun an investigation of the site and the events leading to the tragedy.  As we reported earlier this month, The Mirage has begun the complete conversion of the soon-to-be-former Siegfried & Roy Theater to make a new home for a show produced by Cirque du Soleil and the Beatles.  

 

Our prayers are with Mr. Hamby’s brother and family.

 

Read more on the KRNV website here.

Continue reading Worker dies in fall at Siegfried-and-Roy Theater

October 27th, 2004 | Category: Magic News | Leave a comment