Magic Castle Larsen Legacy
Re: Magic Castle Larsen Legacy
"... the Magic Castle Dark Furher..."
I would say this is relevant.
I would say this is relevant.
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Re: Magic Castle Larsen Legacy
Kirk,
So, what it sounds like you're saying is that nothing is going to change.
It seems to me that unless someone is willing to bear the brunt of the backlash from the ptb, then this will remain rumors and inneundos among a tiny coterie of castle goers.
You don't make a cake without breaking a few eggs.
I wouldve thought our spartacus would be willing to at least run the risk of a little sword play.
But unless there is outreach and information - and in todays world of the web there is no reason their can't be - then I think this will end up being a few people kvetching a little more loudly than they already do -- but not much.
And to be clear, I hate seeing repeated posts about there being crisis in the castle. But until things move from backroom whispers into out in the open discussion, I fear it will never end.
So, what it sounds like you're saying is that nothing is going to change.
It seems to me that unless someone is willing to bear the brunt of the backlash from the ptb, then this will remain rumors and inneundos among a tiny coterie of castle goers.
You don't make a cake without breaking a few eggs.
I wouldve thought our spartacus would be willing to at least run the risk of a little sword play.
But unless there is outreach and information - and in todays world of the web there is no reason their can't be - then I think this will end up being a few people kvetching a little more loudly than they already do -- but not much.
And to be clear, I hate seeing repeated posts about there being crisis in the castle. But until things move from backroom whispers into out in the open discussion, I fear it will never end.
Brad Henderson magician in Austin Texas
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Re: Magic Castle Larsen Legacy
As long as there are people there will always be politics and partisanship. Generally speakingthough it often gets a bad rapthere is nothing wrong with partisanship as long as the minority is allowed to air and debate their opinions in a civil manner without fear of retribution. That is when the fur flies, tempers flare, and wickets get sticky.
Dustin
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Re: Magic Castle Larsen Legacy
Smurf wrote:"... the Magic Castle Dark Furher..."
I would say this is relevant.
Nah--it's just someone copping my act.
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Re: Magic Castle Larsen Legacy
It's called drama, Brad. Cue the organ music with images of each of the cast looking intense. This episode of "The Clubroom at the Castle" was brought to you by ...
Mundus vult decipi -per Caleb Carr's story Killing Time
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Re: Magic Castle Larsen Legacy
I tried to edit my post, but I have crappy internet here
I wanted to clarify that though I referred to the 'ptb' I still, honestly, have no idea who exactly 'they' are or what 'they' have done. I mean, we know that menus were pulled, posts were deleted on the castle forum, and people don't like showtunes but I still don't know exactly who is doing these things.
More importantly, we read these are just symptoms.
Is this just a case of rabble rousing and 'us' versus 'them' or should we expect substance at some point?
I wanted to clarify that though I referred to the 'ptb' I still, honestly, have no idea who exactly 'they' are or what 'they' have done. I mean, we know that menus were pulled, posts were deleted on the castle forum, and people don't like showtunes but I still don't know exactly who is doing these things.
More importantly, we read these are just symptoms.
Is this just a case of rabble rousing and 'us' versus 'them' or should we expect substance at some point?
Brad Henderson magician in Austin Texas
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Re: Magic Castle Larsen Legacy
Brad Henderson wrote:... or should we expect substance at some point?
I dunno - did you like the finale of Lost?
Re: Magic Castle Larsen Legacy
Brad,
I think nothing will change until someone cares enough to fund the money and time to file a well done suit to force compliance and release the un-redacted books.
I think nothing will change until someone cares enough to fund the money and time to file a well done suit to force compliance and release the un-redacted books.
Re: Magic Castle Larsen Legacy
Also, PTB is an apt anacronym as we aren't sure if it is the Board taking the action or "others".
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Re: Magic Castle Larsen Legacy
Seems to me that folks could win election on a "transparency" platform.
Opening books to our members. Giving weekly reports to the membership at large. Blogging. Opening board meetings to the general membership. Putting the ban hammer out of reach....
Opening books to our members. Giving weekly reports to the membership at large. Blogging. Opening board meetings to the general membership. Putting the ban hammer out of reach....
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Re: Magic Castle Larsen Legacy
Aren't the finances of non-profit organizations supposed to be public?
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Re: Magic Castle Larsen Legacy
I don't understand it completely and I'm sure someone can explain it better but there is a significant and legal distinction between the Magic Castle and the Academy of Magical Arts.
The AMA is a not for profit organization that uses the Magic Castle as it's clubhouse. There is also a business(MFB)that runs the clubhouse that, I believe is for profit. I think the AMA gets some of the door charge but none of the money from food, beverage, gift store etc.
In addition, there is some formula where Milt Larsen receives a percentage of the sales as part of his (well deserved) compensation. That money comes from the AMA coffers.
This is my understanding and I'm sure someone will jump in and expand on it and/or make corrections.
The AMA is a not for profit organization that uses the Magic Castle as it's clubhouse. There is also a business(MFB)that runs the clubhouse that, I believe is for profit. I think the AMA gets some of the door charge but none of the money from food, beverage, gift store etc.
In addition, there is some formula where Milt Larsen receives a percentage of the sales as part of his (well deserved) compensation. That money comes from the AMA coffers.
This is my understanding and I'm sure someone will jump in and expand on it and/or make corrections.
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Re: Magic Castle Larsen Legacy
My understanding is that the AMA is a non-profit organization but that it has not applied for 501(C) status, possibly because it is too closely tied to for-profit activities.
501(c) status would allow certain tax exemptions, but would subject it to the greater financial scrutiny to which Mr. Kaufman refers.
As a side note, I think that the MC juniors program is a true 501(c)3.
501(c) status would allow certain tax exemptions, but would subject it to the greater financial scrutiny to which Mr. Kaufman refers.
As a side note, I think that the MC juniors program is a true 501(c)3.
Re: Magic Castle Larsen Legacy
Mark Collier wrote:I don't understand it completely and I'm sure someone can explain it better but there is a significant and legal distinction between the Magic Castle and the Academy of Magical Arts.
The AMA is a not for profit organization that uses the Magic Castle as it's clubhouse. There is also a business(MFB)that runs the clubhouse that, I believe is for profit. I think the AMA gets some of the door charge but none of the money from food, beverage, gift store etc.
In addition, there is some formula where Milt Larsen receives a percentage of the sales as part of his (well deserved) compensation. That money comes from the AMA coffers.
This is my understanding and I'm sure someone will jump in and expand on it and/or make corrections.
Mark, That was the way it WAS. The way it's been the past 1 1/2, There is no MFB anymore, The AMA runs the restaurant again. So all moneys are the AMA's (sans rent and Milt's percentage). Also and this I'm not 100% sure of, The AMA is a Not-for-Profit that is different from a Non-profit
Magically
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Re: Magic Castle Larsen Legacy
The AMA is in fact a California not for profit mutual benefit corporation.
As such under Ca law "all accounting books and records" are available for inspection by any member. There is no mention of allowing for any names or other items to be redacted prior to inspection.
Hal
As such under Ca law "all accounting books and records" are available for inspection by any member. There is no mention of allowing for any names or other items to be redacted prior to inspection.
Hal
Hal Scheie
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Re: Magic Castle Larsen Legacy
The AMA is in fact a California not for profit mutual benefit corporation.
As such under Ca law "all accounting books and records" are available for inspection by any member.
I don't think this worked out too well when Tony Giorgio tried it a few years back.
brian :cool:
Re: Magic Castle Larsen Legacy
Oh boy Brian!
Well, that was a while ago, and I can't recall anybody recently trying to review our books, although there was a financial audit around the time that the MFB experience came in. It was not, however, a complete audit in depth, of all transactions, paperwork, etc.
I assume that Board Members look at these things, but I'm not sure what that would entail, time-wise.
Of course, that might be presumptuous of me?
Well, that was a while ago, and I can't recall anybody recently trying to review our books, although there was a financial audit around the time that the MFB experience came in. It was not, however, a complete audit in depth, of all transactions, paperwork, etc.
I assume that Board Members look at these things, but I'm not sure what that would entail, time-wise.
Of course, that might be presumptuous of me?
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Re: Magic Castle Larsen Legacy
Hal,
Thanks for the clarification.
More information on not for profit organizations can be found at this place.
Thanks for the clarification.
More information on not for profit organizations can be found at this place.
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Re: Magic Castle Larsen Legacy
I asked the young lady if it was okay to post her phone number. I have deleted the entire post as a result of that conversation.
Thanks,
Dustin
Thanks,
Dustin
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Re: Magic Castle Larsen Legacy
When I talked to Heidi she said it would be okay. She didn't realize how many phone calls she would get. You can find Heidi Hoff on Facebook.
Re: Magic Castle Larsen Legacy
I found several Heidi Hoff's on Facebook, but couldn't connect them here. Does someone want to paraphrase what was covered in the now deleted post?
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Re: Magic Castle Larsen Legacy
There were no details to paraphrase in the post other than her contact information and that she would talk to people about her experience there. I contacted her and she asked me to delete it so I did.
Dustin
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Re: Magic Castle Larsen Legacy
She obviously had second thoughts after some of the powers that be at the Castle called her. That would have been an interesting conversation to listen to ...
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Re: Magic Castle Larsen Legacy
Reads like we've gone from soap opera to cartoons:
? Natasha not ready to defect to Free States of Magic? No tales for Moose and Squirrel? Boris from the Castle says nyet to open book pests. Jay Ward would be proud.
? Natasha not ready to defect to Free States of Magic? No tales for Moose and Squirrel? Boris from the Castle says nyet to open book pests. Jay Ward would be proud.
Mundus vult decipi -per Caleb Carr's story Killing Time
Re: Magic Castle Larsen Legacy
So did she hint as to her experiencd or the reason for the posting here?
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Re: Magic Castle Larsen Legacy
To be clear: She did not post here. (I doubt that before yesterday she had ever even heard of the Genii Forum.)
Alan B. alluded to her short and (according to him) negative experience working at the Castle and gave her phone number--apparently with her knowledge--for those who wanted to contact her. I followed up by verifying with her that it was okay for him to do so. She--for reasons we did not go into in our conversation--asked that the post be deleted. I obliged. End of story (well, that part of it).
Dustin
Alan B. alluded to her short and (according to him) negative experience working at the Castle and gave her phone number--apparently with her knowledge--for those who wanted to contact her. I followed up by verifying with her that it was okay for him to do so. She--for reasons we did not go into in our conversation--asked that the post be deleted. I obliged. End of story (well, that part of it).
Dustin
Re: Magic Castle Larsen Legacy
Thank you Dustin.
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Re: Magic Castle Larsen Legacy
It wasn't good time working there for her. She didn't realize how many phone calls she would get. So, she wanted the post deleted.
PS
Dustin, according to her.
PS
Dustin, according to her.
Re: Magic Castle Larsen Legacy
She might be under an NDA -- I spoke with another one who was compensated long after "leaving", and did not give specific details, other than that NDA's are one of the PTB's favorite cudgels for silence. My guess is that Heidi received a non-gentle reminder of that over the phone.
It's easy to understand their fear of openness when they are willing to censor a post on the MC Forum which was a very funny joke about censorship. They couldn't have been more obvious, unless they had posted "WE ARE PARANOID!"
It's easy to understand their fear of openness when they are willing to censor a post on the MC Forum which was a very funny joke about censorship. They couldn't have been more obvious, unless they had posted "WE ARE PARANOID!"
Re: Magic Castle Larsen Legacy
Have a bunch of posts been deleted from this thread?
EDIT: Now it appears they are back as soon as I posted the above. Probably a computer glitch.
EDIT: Now it appears they are back as soon as I posted the above. Probably a computer glitch.
Last edited by KirkG on July 31st, 2010, 5:18 pm, edited 0 times in total.
Reason: more info
Reason: more info
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Re: Magic Castle Larsen Legacy
Kirk wrote:Have a bunch of posts been deleted from this thread?
EDIT: Now it appears they are back as soon as I posted the above. Probably a computer glitch.
Happened to me earlier today in other threads, but all seems well now.
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Re: Magic Castle Larsen Legacy
I deleted one or two posts and edited another because of that.
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Re: Magic Castle Larsen Legacy
Some back and forth between Dustin and Bursky ... no big deal.
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Re: Magic Castle Larsen Legacy
It's okay: Alan and I enjoy going back and forth, up and down, side to side. No cheek to cheek yet; but there's still time.
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Re: Magic Castle Larsen Legacy
Kumbayah,... Kumbayay,...
Anyone want another Som'Mores?
Anyone want another Som'Mores?
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Re: Magic Castle Larsen Legacy
Bill McFadden wrote:Folks, I ask this question respectfully: Are the Castle showrooms SRO most nights? No agenda, merely curious.
I've usually been able to get in the rooms with a 30-45 minute wait. Personally, I would rather wait than come later and get a poor seat, so I don't get in the back of a long line.
The Palace wait is longer in order to accommodate the diners but I get in four out of five times. And that fifth time I usually get in for a later show.
--c
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Re: Magic Castle Larsen Legacy
I haven't been able to get into the Palace in years because of all the people in the dining room who get automatic seating. I don't want to waste half my evening standing in line. Perhaps that's changed now.
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Re: Magic Castle Larsen Legacy
Nope, it hasn't changed.
Re: Magic Castle Larsen Legacy
Hmmm...There seems to be some discussion going on about forum censorship at the MC Forum today. Wow.