Taking on the role of the evil, angry Jud Fry for Monte Vista Christian High’s production of "Oklahoma!" taught Brett Bolich a lot about voice projection and clever story-telling, two skills a good magician needs.
Brett, 16, has been performing magic ever since his aunt, Barbara "Mimi" Foster of Scotts Valley, gave him his first magic kit 10 years ago.
He’s performed at birthday parties, and he regularly appears at area senior care facilities under the aegis of the Surf City Kiwanis Club.
When he can, Brett likes to learn from other magicians by attending their shows. He’s seen Siegfried & Roy before the tiger accident, Penn & Teller, Rick Thomas and David Copperfield.
In March, Brett, his parents Ann and Tom Bolich of Santa Cruz and cousin Kevin Weech of Live Oak took a trip to Las Vegas to see the newest production by magician Lance Burton.
That the famous magician came out after the show to meet Brett was no accident.
"I called his secretary and set it up," Brett said recently.
Lance shook Brett’s hand, they chatted about magical things, and the star gave the fledgling magician a copy of his advice book for magicians just getting started.
Brett is a member of the Coastal Magicians Club that meets on the fourth Wednesday of the month
in the Rec Hall of the Silver Crest Apartments, 740 Bay Ave., in Capitola.
The club has about 10-15 members, one as young as 8, another around 86, and Blindini, a blind magician who’s been practicing magic for 31 years.
This month, Magician Mike aka Michael Stroud of Santa Clara will give a show, with socializing beginning at 7 p.m. and the show running 7:30-9:30 p.m. or so.
It’s interesting to note that, when Brett needs a break from drama and magic, he turns to his other interest: juggling.

santacruzsentinel.com

Nineteen people have died after a Ukrainian gas company’s helicopter crashed in the Black Sea.
The Naftogaz Mi-8 helicopter came down as it attempted to land on an offshore floating platform, Russia’s state news agency Itar-Tass reported.
Naftogaz spokesperson Valentin Zemylansky explained that only one passenger had survived the crash, which took place at 09:00 local time (07:00 BST).
All the victims are thought to be employees of the gas company.
Mr Zemylansky said pilot error was probably to blame for the crash after the helicopter’s tail hit a rig support pole during its landing.
Mi-8s are commonplace in former Soviet republics, but their ageing mechanics have been blamed for a spate of fatal crashes.
Last month 12 people died when a Ukrainian border guard helicopter crashed into the Black Sea.

inthenews.co.uk

Police Beat is compiled from reports released to the media by area law enforcement agencies. Anyone arrested is presumed innocent until proved guilty in court.
Two hurt in Andrew Road crash
Two people were taken to the hospital after their car left Andrew Road, half a mile east of Illinois 29, near Sherman and slid down an embankment about 10 p.m. Thursday.
The car flipped onto the driver’s side, coming to rest in a ditch, said Sangamon County sheriff’s Sgt. Tim Mazrim.
Deputies did not know the names of the female driver or her male passenger, but noted the man was conscious and alert when they arrived. The semi-consciousness female was extricated from the vehicle by Sherman and Illinois Air Guard firefighters after being trapped inside for nearly 45 minutes. The extent of their injuries was unknown.
An Athens resident, Patricia Schnapp, 41, said the car had been following her vehicle from Peoria Road, and it was veering across traffic lanes.
Man grazed by bullet
A man told police a bullet grazed his foot when someone fired shots into his house in the 1300 block of East Edwards Street about 11:40 p.m. Wednesday.
Police found bullet holes in the interior walls of the house, and one round went through a TV screen. The victim, who is 20, told police he was in the living room and heard shots fired. One of them grazed his foot, causing an abrasion, but he did not require medical attention.
Police found shell casings inside.
Neighbors reported hearing four shots fired, possibly by men in dark clothing who fired from a nearby vacant lot.
Teen girl battered, robbed
A Springfield man allegedly battered and robbed a 16-year-old girl.
Barrien B. Miller, 25, of the 2100 block of Bradley Court was arrested at his home Wednesday.
The incident happened early Wednesday at an apartment in the 300 block of South Durkin Drive. The girl told police she was home alone because her mother works the night shift. About 1:30 a.m., Miller, whom she knows as “B.C.,” showed up asking to be let in. He and the girl talked for a while, but when the conversation turned sexual, she became uncomfortable and ran out of the apartment.

sj-r.com