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Whatever happened to ...

the magician with multiple sclerosis?

By AMBER MOBLEY
Published December 29, 2006

Village Inn magician Rodini the Great now has to pad his preparation time. After living in a one-bedroom apartment on E Busch Boulevard for the past decade, Rodini Walthour is moving to two bedrooms on E Hillsborough Avenue.

The magician, who has multiple sclerosis, hopes the move will put him in a healthier state of mind. Still, his new digs are a 15-minute drive from the N 30th Street restaurant where he performs each Tuesday at 6 p.m. It was a three-minute commute from his old place.

It can take Rodini two hours or more to prepare for each gig, and now he must contend with traffic. "These people will run you over," he said. Still, he considers the move a move up, and he looks forward to walking without a cane.

Amber Mobley can be reached at 813 269-5311 or amobley@sptimes.com.

You really do get your prize money, Celeste McLaughlin learned after she won more than $58,000 in cash and prizes as a contestant on Wheel of Fortune.

In the months following her win in late 2005, she received a new car, a digital camera, cash and a trip to New York City.

The stay-at-home mom, who was paired with Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Derrick Brooks for the contest, became the proud owner of a silver Cadillac CTS in April.

That same month, a digital camera arrived, as well as a check for more than $17,000.

In October, on Wheel of Fortune's dime, McLaughlin and her husband went to New York, where they stayed at the Doubletree Metropolitan for four days.

She had to pay for tags and taxes on the car and is keeping the cash to cover taxes on her winnings.

Still, she said, "It's true, I got my prizes. And we're so appreciative of all of it."

Dong-Phuong Nguyen can be reached at (813) 269-5312 or nguyen@sptimes.com.

Bob Bazer made his classmates crack up at Wharton High School, worked the local comedy circuit and hosted his own show at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center. He also helped write the screenplay for a New York University student project, which was filmed in North Tampa in August.

Now, the 20-year-old comedian plans to step up his career by moving to New York City in July. Bazer will move in with friend and fellow comic Jay Abbodanza, who performed with him in April. The two hope to "hit the college circuit pretty hard," Bazer said.

For now, Bazer is working at a Blockbuster store in New Tampa to save up for the move. Dead Weight, the short film he co-wrote with a friend, is awaiting review from several film festivals.

Emily Nipps can be reached at (813) 269-5313 or nipps@sptimes.com.

[Last modified December 28, 2006, 07:07:45]