Friday, January 11, 2008

Seattle Center limits on street performers OK'd

But critics call the appeals court ruling a blow to free speech

By PAUL SHUKOVSKY
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER

Michael Berger -- aka Magic Mike -- whose balloon animals and sleight-of-hand tricks have been a Seattle fixture for almost three decades, can be regulated and even banished by Seattle Center, a federal appeals court ruled Wednesday.

The 2-1 decision by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld Seattle Center rules aimed at addressing territorial disputes between street performers and complaints about performers making too much noise, blocking access or aggressively seeking donations.

Berger, the dissenting judge and the American Civil Liberties Union called the ruling a blow to freedom of speech.


Michael Berger
Entertainer Michael Berger lost his bid to curb Seattle Center restrictions on street performers when an appeals court overturned a previous verdict in his favor. He vows to appeal.
Berger sued the city and Seattle Center in 2003, challenging the rules as unconstitutional.

U.S. District Judge James Robart agreed, invalidating several portions of the rules, including one requiring buskers to wear badges and stay away from people waiting in line.

Robart awarded Berger $1 in damages and $22,000 in attorney fees, prompting an appeal by the city.

Two of the three judges on the appeals panel overturned Robart, saying the rules "further significant city interests, by keeping street performances from posing threats to the flow and convenience of Seattle Center patrons in heavily congested areas."

Seattle Center "authorities had the right to protect captive audiences (such as people in a ticket line) seeking to enjoy such functions without being forced to choose between enduring harassment and leaving the facility," the court held.

Seattle Center Director Robert Nellams said Wednesday he was pleased with the ruling.

"The campus rules that were put in place to ensure everyone's safety and comfort are fair and reasonable, and we are pleased that the 9th Circuit Court has reaffirmed their proper place," he said.

In a stinging dissent, Judge Marsha Berzon blasted Seattle Center for imposing "a raft of speech restrictions on park-goers and street performers. The Seattle Center has imposed a broad 'captive audience' rule which bans any speech -- artistic or political -- within 30 feet of a line of people, or even of people eating lunch in a seating area, because these groups are supposedly captive.

"There is no case anywhere, as far as I can tell, approving a speech-permitting scheme of this kind," Berzon wrote.

The rules "may seem innocuous, (but) the principle that American citizens ordinarily do not need government permission to speak in public places is a precious one, and one the majority entirely ignores," the judge added.

Thursday, January 10, 2008

Recently sold on Ebay

VERY RARE 1ST EDITION COPY OF EXPERT AT THE CARD TABLE!


HERE NOW FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION IS A CHANCE TO OWN ONE OF THE MOST HIGHLY SOUGHT AFTER BOOKS IN MAGIC!

It Is A Very Rare, Hard to Find, 1st Edition Copy of EXPERT AT THE CARD TABLE!..It is one of the only about 100 known copies that still exist today! In Overall Very Good Condition. Written and published by the Author. I have owned this book for 37 years and am now thinning out my magic library! So now is a great time for you to own a fantastic piece of magic history! And remember, it's a Wonderful Collectable as well as a Great Investment!



This bad boy sold for a cool $3,750

Wednesday, January 09, 2008

The Magician


The Magician, originally uploaded by JShine.



When appearing upright, this card stands for = New beginnings, optimism, understanding, personal growth, meditation, desire, leadership, awareness, originality, creativity. To control body with mind, balance desires with needs.

When appearing reversed = Stagnation, boredom, imbalance. Lacking self-confidence. Narrow minded. Incompetent. Driven by physical desires and ego.

The Golden Compass

This is the first movie of 2008 that Polly and I went to last week. Good movie, adventure fantasy extravaganza.

View trailer Click HERE


The Golden Compass, originally uploaded by Dai Vernon.

The people you meet on the streets

Ran into an interesting fellow while working Hollywood Blvd. the other evening. It was Steve Goshman, son of Albert Goshman. We had a nice chat about his pops. I was a bit gushy about his dad, he maintained that he was just another guy. Not in my eyes. As a kid I saw Goshman do his act at least a dozen times.

Steve continues manufacturing the best sponge balls ever made for magicians (I prefer the 2" super soft).

I asked if there was any chance of seeing the manufacturing process. He respectfully declined, seemingly embarrassed by the old school technology involved in the process. Or maybe it's just a secret.

Another interesting encounter from the streets.

Sunday, January 06, 2008