About
A strange Child Sits on a Grave
Rick Bruce, The Village Wizard, grew up in Southern California in the '70s. One of the very last of the Baby Boomers, Rick fell in love with the Pacific ocean and Magic.
As a young boy he attacked every book on sharks or magic available in the Glorietta Bay Elementary library or the frequent scholastic book fairs.
Nancy Drew, Tom Swift, The Hardy Boys, and The Three Investigators led him to a deep love or reading and mystery.
A computer Wizard
This picture was taken on the campus of Kaypro Corporation, one of the first micro-computer manufacturing companies. Rick started his corporate career here and it took him to a mahogany row corner office as CIO of PMR/InfoScriber.
During this period, Rick mentored a team of young magicians known as The A.C.E.S. To this day, he considers this one of the best things he's ever done.
In later years, Rick focused his corporate and technical skills as a software owner for several Learning Management Systems.
The Village Wizard - est. April 1, 2002
Rick Bruce arrived in his little village of Cambria, CA in the autumn of 2001. Before long, he had established himself as The Village Wizard and opened two retail establishments catering to fun, magic, and wonder. The Village Wizard lived up to its motto: "It's not just a shoppe, it's a show!"
Rumpelstiltskin Book Gallery/Spellbinders was a children's bookstore that focused on whimsey and imagination.
"I am your Village Wizard"
For nearly a quarter of a century, I've been your Village Wizard. Some of you fondly remember my magic shop, my bookstore, or maybe my performances. Perhaps you've seen me at the Ren Faire or your birthday party. Maybe you've seen me in local theatricals or even survived my production of War of the Worlds.
I am proud to have served as your wizard for all these years. As I get closer to retiring from "real work" I am making myself available for more events. If you have a party, festival, or show that you'd like to discuss, please reach out.