FALLBROOK – Las Vegas Magician Garry Carson, featured on Fox TV’s "Masters of Illusion," appeared at the Bob Burton Theatre to raise much needed funds for the Fallbrook Animal Sanctuary on November 1, 2009. In the process, the entertainer lifted the spirits of audience members and the business prospects of sponsors.

"It was a wonderful success," reported Sanctuary founder Janet Lucore. "The 7 p.m. show was sold out. The 4 p.m. show was two-thirds full and everyone was astonished and mesmerized, especially when the two leopards seemed to appear out of nowhere! Words I continue to hear from those who were there like ‘incredible’ and ‘amazing’ don’t begin to describe the experience."

Managing Broker/Owner Chris Hasvold of Coldwell Banker Landmark Group, one of the key sponsors of the fundraiser, said, "I think most people were probably a little skeptical (about the show) and didn’t think they would miss much if they didn’t come. Boy, Advertisement

[ Shred and Go ] were they wrong! It was truly something that you don’t get to see here in town. We loved the show and honestly were surprised how good it was. As a sponsor, I also have to say that the way sponsors were promoted at the show was the best I’ve heard. Thank you for bringing this show to town."

Over 50 business sponsors and individual donors helped to pay promotion and production costs so that all ticket sales went to the sanctuary. Some of those businesses have already reported a return on their sponsorship investment.

"I had five parties come in using the coupons in the handout the evening after the magic show," reported Cynthia Decindis, an owner of Rio Rico Restaurant. That paid for my sponsorship donation ($250). Then two more parties with show coupons came in later the same week and I expect to get even more before the coupon expires."