Page 4 Spring 1990
Hello...
Goodbye... The
different and lovely typography of this issue is ample clue to the
fact that the art direction of Juggler's
World has changed hands. IJA board member Laura Green, who designed
more than 20 issues of Juggler's World from Fall 1984 through Winter
1989 has given up the position to devote her time to service as IJA
championships director and to her own performing career. Hearty thanks
are not enough to repay Laura for her patient effort and cheerful
spirit.
Her
able successor is Sharon Jacobs, an assistant art director for the Van
Nostrand Reinhold publishing company in New York who also has strong
ties to the juggling world. Her husband, Allan Jacobs, is the 1983
U.S. Nationals champion and the taller half of "The Gizmo
Guys." We welcome Sharon to the staff with loud applause for this
issue, her initial offering to IJA members. Bill
Giduz, editor Oops! We
apologize to New York photographers Linda Alaniz and Jim Moore. Alaniz
should be credited with last issue's cover photo of Michael Moschen.
Alaniz works in the studios of Martha Swope, who mistakenly received the
credit. Moore's first name was misspelled in a photo credit on page 13
of the Moschen story.
Researching
The Juggling Life One
subject I would like to see researched, if it hasn't been already, is
the relationship between juggling and longevity and / or upperbody
fitness. A few years ago a widely publicized survey published the
average life-spans of people in various occupational groups. Somewhat
surprisingly, the longest-lived occupation in the survey was orchestra
conductor.
Many
variables may be at the root of this correlation, but one that is
strongly suggested is that the upperbody exercise that conductors get
enhances their cardio-vascular fitness and adds extra years to their
lifespans.
This
suggests that jugglers, too, may live extra-long lives by virtue of
their constant upper-body activity. We could conduct a survey of the
lifespans of jugglers, or a more direct approach would be to determine
whether juggling does indeed improve one's cardio-vascular fitness. A
controlled study could be run on physical education students. Half would
be taught to juggle and half would be taught some other skill lacking
the upper-body component.
It
stands to reason that the heavier the objects juggled the greater the
workout will be. As the inventor of Exerballs, I firmly believe this to
be true. If any qualified researcher wants to put this question to a
test, I would be willing to supply a few sets of the weighted Exerballs
with which to conduct the study. I would need a detailed proposal for
the research and would want to be able to quote from the results of the
study in my own writing and promotions for my product. If you are
interested, please write me, Scot Morris, Del Mar, CA.
This
past year as Affiliates Director has been an enlightening experience for
me. Being responsible for some 45 clubs throughout North America is
exciting and challenging. Many members may not know that the IJA
publishes and mails a semimonthly "Clubs & Affiliates
Newsletter" to its contacts in clubs and affiliates.
If you fall into that category and haven't received your copy yet, we'll be glad to send you one now if you'll contact me. Send your name, address and name of your affiliate to: Perry Rubenfeld; Winnipeg, Manitoba; Canada. |