Congratulations to the staff of JUGGLER'S WORLD for the continuing improvement of the magazine! Though increasing size often tends to relate inversely to quality, the latest issue is both bigger and better.

I was disappointed, however, that amid all the coverage of the recent convention, there was no explanation of the Public Show fiasco. The author of the overview article only said that "there was too much talent for the allotted time."

Though this author also called the Public Show a "disaster," I was left with the feeling that he/she might have meant a natural disaster, something like an act of God. To me, this is a strange attitude toward what actually happened.

I have no wish to demand apologies nor to determine blame - such things are worthless if not freely given or assumed - but to express my feelings of disappointment that the mess apparently will be left unaddressed to compost and rot in our memories; to express disappointment, sadness and shame that no attempts will be made to clear the air with open explanations of what went wrong or why it couldn't happen again.

Additionally, I found no expression of gratitude toward those performers and audience who, following the rude ending of the Public Show, reassembled in the gym and concluded the event. Especially, Edward Jackman deserves some thanks and acknowledgement for emceeing the end of the show and for helping, along with all the other performers, to turn an embarrassing failure back into an evening of entertainment.

I wanted to let you know that my first convention is not my last. It was fantastic.

Sure there were problems, but if you don't drop you're not learning. I'd like to give a few opinions and observations.

An annual convention is great and must be professionally run. Meaning long-range plans, large budgets and hassles with other groups (Summerfare or casinos). It's unfortunate that we can't all meet in a backyard for ice tea and ice cream.

Having the dorm available for extra nights saved me over $300 in air fare; please keep that service. The hotline and transportation telephone numbers prevented a couple headaches, too. Five days seemed far too short a time to get everything done, could an extra day or two help?

The workshops were a little crowded. How about having two or three classes on the same subject? Especially dangerous and popular ones. Is Clark Kent ready to teach combat juggling next year?

Great job.

I think the non-stop juggling world record was 11I hours straight, set by Andy Swan of Sacramento, California, on November 8, 1977.

Was that record broken January 17, 1981 or anytime since then?

Drop Clubs, Not Bombs!

Don't Juggle With Nuclear Arms!

These are slogans jugglers at recent IJA gatherings have raised to voice their concern about the survival of the planet in the nuclear age.

About 30 Jugglers For Peace (JFP) from all over the world attended a convention workshop this summer to share ideas, experiences, concern and inspiration.  A variety of ways of waging peace were discussed, and several people offered examples of ways they had used juggling to convey a peace message.

One thought that arose from the brainstorming was related by Larry Forsberg, a spokesman for the group. He said, "War and the threat of war are depressing and often immobilizing. As performers we need to come up with positive, inspiring alternatives to the arms race and world suicide. Our goal should be to make people think while they laugh and laugh while they think."

Forsberg said jugglers interested in becoming part of the JFP network should send in their names to:

Like Adam Frey, I have no delusions about the Soviet Union. They believe in a strong nuclear force.

President Reagan has tried to stop nuclear build-up by both sides to no avail. The U.S. must maintain a peace through strength policy simply because dropping behind the Soviets in any area of weapons is scary.

Anti-nuke activities should be directed at changing Soviet policy, not U. S. policy. Until Soviet policy changes, peace through strength remains wise.

As Adam Frey pointed out, fallout shelters have low ceilings.