02/01 Milt Larsen, The Magic Castle - CARMEN POLICY, CASA PIENA WINERY, Frederick L. Dame, Steve Evans

Milt Larsen - Co-Founder of The Magic Castle 

Milt Larsen, co-founder of The Magic Castle, as he prepares for the film, the release of a new book, entitled “My Magical Journey: The First 30,000 Days”, and the 50th anniversary of the the Hollywood landmark.

The construction of the original structure began in 1908 and In November of 2009 the historic structure once known as the Lane Mansion celebrated its centennial. On Jan 2nd, 1963 that same structure became, what is now known as, the world famous Magic Castle. In January, 2013, fans and fanatics of the mystical and mysterious world of illusion gathered to celebrate its 50th anniversary.

The Magic Castle has grown over the years from its original design to include 13 performance spaces including close-up magic, the Parlor of Prestidigitation and, of course, The Palace of Mystery. Practically every great magician of the modern era has appeared within walls, as well as a few noted amature illusionists including Cary Grant, Johnny Carson, Jason Alexander, Dom Deluise, Tony Curtis, Neil Patrick Harris, to name a few and boasts a membership that includes many of todays top stars such as Johnny Depp, Jane Fonda, Florence Henderson, Carol Channing, Romi Dames, Tippi Hedren, Stephen Hawking, and more.

The Magic Castle is not only the showplace for some of the greatest magicians from around the globe, it also houses one of the largest original collections of Houdini's great tools of the trade including his personal handcuffs, straight jacket, metamorphosis trunk and famous milk can escape in the Houdini Séance Room. Houdini himself used these props to mystify thousands. The castle also houses collections from W.C. Field, Johnny Carson, Walt Disney and many more.


CARMEN POLICY - CASA PIENA WINERY 
 

The man who helped guide the San Francisco 49ers to four Super Bowl victories thinks the team is primed to bring home yet another Lombardi trophy. Carmen Policy, who was one of the architects of the Niners’ glory days, was a guest on KCBS’ most recent In Depth, reminiscing about the team’s winning years, and pondering whether the streak can be resumed “I don’t want to seem overly confident but I think this is the Niners’ game,” he told KCBS. “This is the Niners’ sixth trophy coming back to San Francisco,” he added. “The Niners will win.” These days Policy is making Napa Valley cabernet at his winery, Casa Piena . He admitted to KCBS that he still avidly follows the team from the comfort of his couch.

Carmen Policy (born January 26, 1943 in Youngstown, Ohio) is an attorney and American football executive who is best known for his front office work for the San Francisco 49ersduring the 1980s and 1990s. Policy, a native of Youngstown, Ohio, joined the San Francisco 49ers in 1983 as vice president and counsel. In 1991, he became president and chief executive officer of the San Francisco 49ers and played a key role in the 49ers Super Bowl victories in 1985, 1989, 1990 and 1995. Policy was graduated in 1963 from Youngstown University. He earned his Juris Doctorate Degree from Georgetown University Law Center in 1966. While practicing law, he was listed in the industry publication The Best Lawyers in America. Policy and his wife, Gail, designed and endowed the Carmen and Gail Policy Clinical Fellowship at the Georgetown University Law Center, which promotes advocacy of civil rights issues.

In 1994, he was named the National Football League Executive of the Year by The Sporting News and Pro Football Weekly, as voted on by NFL owners and executives. The Sporting News and GQ also named him one of the Most Influential People in Professional Sports.

He would later become involved with the current incarnation of the Cleveland Browns. While serving as President & CEO of the Browns, Policy served as a member of the NFL Business Ventures Committee as well as the Super Bowl Advisory Committee and the Los Angeles Market Advisory Group. He also served as a member of the NFL Finance Committee. Policy stepped down as president and chief executive officer of the Cleveland Browns on May 1, 2004, after five years.


Frederick L. Dame - Master Sommelier 

Frederick L. Dame, Master Sommelier brings an impressive blend of experience, expertise and enthusiasm to the world of wine and cuisine. He is the first American to have served as President of the Court of Master Sommeliers Worldwide and assists restaurateurs and hoteliers in developing their wine programs in his role as Director of Prestige Accounts for Beam Wine Estates. He is currently the President of the Guild of Sommeliers Education Foundation.

Dame's ability to transmit his passionate interest in wine make him a natural teacher. One of just seventy-three Americans to have passed the Master Sommelier Examination, Dame was the first to successfully pass all three parts in a single year. This feat and his high score won him the coveted Krug Cup of the British Guild of Sommeliers in 1984. Dame founded the American Branch of The Court of Master Sommeliers in 1986 and has played an active role in the expansion of the Master Sommelier program throughout America since that time.

As Cellarmaster of The Sardine Factory in Monterey, California for twelve years, Dame created a wine list which won the Wine Spectator Grand Award. With the many wine events held in the brick and wine lined Wine Cellar, Dame turned The Sardine Factory into a wine destination restaurant of world renown. He is also active in the culinary arts serving as an Honorary Trustee of The American Academy of Chefs, the honor society of The American Culinary Federation. He was awarded the Antonin Careme Medal and was made a Supreme Knight of the Knights of the Vine in 2000. He has been elected to the prestigious National Restaurant Association College of Diplomates for 2004.

A sixth generation Californian, Dame graduated from Washington and Lee University with a degree in journalism and communications. A European trip after high school piqued his curiosity about wine and food. Since then, he has applied his considerable persuasive skills to the service and appreciation of fine wine.



STEVE EVANS - "THE MOVIE GUY"

GREAT MOVIES OPENING THIS WEEKEND AND BOX OFFICE PREDICTIONS AND HOPES. FIND OUT WHAT MOVIES ARE WORTH YOUR HARD EARNED MONEY. GET SET FOR THE WEEKEND.