Metamora Martial Arts - July 2008 Archives

Wednesday, July 30, 2008 9:49 PM

I'll basically repost this Friday afternoon when I do the archives, but here's a few announcements.

There is no class on Thursday. The schedule says there is, but there is not.

Look up top for a link to the thread about an upcoming village board meeting.

There is no karate class until Thursday, August 14, for the grade schoolers from 6-7PM.

I've uploaded all forms for each rank up through red/black, minus Sanchin and Tsue Sho. I have them all uploaded to YouTube, so check them out! Last night I taped Mr. Hawkey performing Shudo-so, but he is going to review the footage, and it will only be available to black belts on YouTube - you'll have to get a password to access it. I'll let you guys know what that's available to watch.

Sunday, July 27, 2008 11:53 AM

I forgot to post in the last update, but we did make the news once again for continuing to innovate in central Illinois. Discuss Parent's Night here.

Yesterday I made a commercial for any interested high schoolers to join the program that will hopefully air before or after Channel 1 when school starts up. I had some other ideas for it, wanting to make mention that we didn't just win a state title, but TWO NATIONAL titles. But I decided I didn't want to bury any of the other activities in the school because they do work hard, so I went ahead with just promoting our club and not mentioning other school programs.

I also finished a tournament commercial last week but hadn't uploaded it until now.

Last, I wanted to ask everybody (specifically business owners) what they thought of selling ad space on this part of the website.

Friday, July 25, 2008 6:25 PM

What a turnout we had last night! Parents, grandparents, siblings, cousins - almost everybody brought somebody in their bloodline. I had a lot of fun last night since I've seen my parents learn some new tricks. Also, it was odd that in the five years I've known the Deters family, I don't think I've ever seen Tom's mom step onto the mat and bust a move. This can be said for a lot of the parents (like Mrs. Schertz and Mrs. Robertson) who normally bring their kids but usually just watch. Really, it was a fun night and I hope we get to do it again sometime! Pictures from last night are available.

All pics are online for that article Mr. C is writing in a martial arts business magazine distributed by Century to all school owners. Vote for your favorites!

As far as the schedule, NEXT WEEK is the last full week of class until school starts. I believe Master's has been canceled for next Wednesday so we can get all the flyers mailed to the grade/high school students. There will not be anymore class until Thursday, August 14, where the grade school will get their hour from 6-7.

Remember Thursday, August 14, will be our biggest day since the tournament in April. Blood drive 2-7, grade school class 6-7, highlight video premier 7-8, pool party for martial artists who trained with us over summer from 8-10 (BRING $5 TO JOSHU ADAM!)

Wednesday, July 23, 2008 12:56 PM

It's been two weeks so it's time for SWAT tonight at 5:30! Bring $5 and prepare to stay after; we'll get pizza and work on mailing out flyers and letters to students at all the grade schools, and all the incoming freshmen.

Thursday, August 14 is turning out to be a pretty busy today for us. From 2-7 we have the blood drive, from 7-8 I'll show off my brand new highlight DVD, and from 8-10 we'll have a pool party at the Metamora pool! All I'm asking is that you bring $5 to cover the cost of renting the pool for the night.

But before we get to August, we have our STUDENTS TEACH THE PARENTS night tomorrow. If they can't come, bring a relative, or a friend as a last hope - but bring SOMEBODY. I'll have my camera and will be snapping pictures of everybody's parents with them. After that, don't forget about the canoe trip meeting at 8:30 following class. Because of the meeting, there will be no kobudo tomorrow night. Tomorrow is the last night I will be filming for summer highlights, so make sure you are there if you want to get on it!

Sunday, July 20, 2008 9:42 PM

I've uploaded Mr. Chianakas performing Tai Kyoku Kumi for anybody to watch, but especially for parents to help with their kids. This kata is explained on the Yellow Belt Requirements DVD that will be released soon, featuring music from local talent and (almost) all of what you need to know about earning your yellow belt. Of course, there are valuable lessons to be learned by attending class and this is by no means a substitute. It is designed to further enhance your home training.

Don't forget - it's PARENTS NIGHT on Thursday. Bring mom and dad, or if they can't come, a sibling, grandma, grandpa, aunt, or uncle will do just fine. I want to say we've done something like this before, but I honestly can't remember when, so maybe we haven't. It's going to be a fun night!

And for a special announcement regarding August 14, I'm going to direct you to this topic!

Thursday, July 17, 2008 10:10 PM

Black Belt Magazine subscribers got the good news in print today for our Hall of Fame awards. Also included in BBM today was the new article from Mr. Chianakas, talking about visualizing our kata. I've put it up for download under the Instructors link.

One week from TONIGHT - STUDENTS teach the PARENTS! If a parent can't come, bring a relative that isn't in karate. After the high school class, there will be an informative meeting for all interested parents regarding the canoe trip.

And don't forget the blood drive happening August 14!

Wednesday, July 16, 2008 2:18 PM

I've got a fantastic announcement to make. The news was apparently broken at last night's class while I was in St. Louis. Black Belt Magazine has inducted us into their Hall of Fame for BEST CHILDREN'S PROGRAM and BEST HUMANITARIAN ACT for Relay for Life. I remember finding out we were up for these on Christmas, and the word is finally official. Check out this thread for a link to Black Belt's write-up on these two awards!

Earlier this year we had our first-ever open tournament, and now we're going to have our first-ever BLOOD DRIVE! Susan Robertson (Faith and Tiffany's mom) is heading this up for her father-in-law. We were talking last week about this happening, and she gives both blood and platelets when she can and is extremely passionate about donation. I can't wait because I've donated blood a few times and platelets once, so I'm going to definitely back this blood drive 100%.

Monday, July 14, 2008 8:30 PM

Quick update. I wanted to post a link to new student orientations.

I also updated these pages - Instructors, Schedule & Events, and Roster.

Friday, July 11, 2008 4:41 PM

Not much new to add from yesterday, but Mr. C has finally made his biggest effort yet to rejuvenate Xtreme Black Belt Club. The idea was created when I first started making the site in October 2006 but hasn't really gotten off the ground yet. But Mr. C has put some plans in to where he will have to make it an effort for XBBC not to work. SWAT members REALLY need to pay attention to this if you didn't attend last night's or Wednesday's class.

Thursday, July 10, 2008 12:17 PM

I wanted to get a few topics your way today...

Vote for your favorite pics (you need to log in!)
STUDENTS: Teach your parents!
Production on the Yellow Belt Requirements DVD begins tonight!
Xtreme Black Belt Club?
Movie Ideas
You might owe Mr. C money for the canoe trip!

Also, I updated the roster. Please make sure it is correct.

Tuesday, July 8, 2008 3:10 PM

Get ready for a few changes tonight! Mr. Hawkey called my house this afternoon and said he will not be at class tonight because his back is not feeling well. He's been doing some heavy landscaping and said today it caught up to him. Mr. C has cut sai from the week's practices.

Also, the cookout has been officially moved to the high school because of the weather.

Hopefully this reaches a lot of people tonight. This is just one of several cases where checking this site will keep you up to date! Mr. C's e-mail (and for all I know, phone) is still down, so make sure you're interacting at the forums to keep updated!

Monday, July 7, 2008 10:57 AM

Remember to visit the forums and sign up for the grade school cookout, scheduled tomorrow night for 6PM at Black Partridge Park. Look out for a possible change of plans, as Mr. Unger pointed out that the immediate forecast looks "bleak." Also, Mr. Chianakas apparently lost his phone while in New York, so calling him might not be the best way to go and I'd recommend e-mail or PM through the forums.

Other than that, class is back to normal this week. I didn't get to tape Mr. Hawkey last Wednesday so that's scheduled to happen tomorrow night after kobudo. Last week at his house it was just Justin and me and we worked a little bit of different interpretation for Anaku before talking for about 20 minutes on teaching.

Tuesday, July 1, 2008 2:10 PM

What's up everybody? Remember we don't have karate tonight because Mr. C left for New York. There will still be Master's class at Mr. Hawkey's, where I will be doing some filming.

Grade School Summer Cookout - ONE WEEK FROM TONIGHT
Students teach the parents - July 24
While Mr. C is gone here is his alternate e-mail contact.
Judo matches from last Thursday night
Looks like everybody will get a taste of judo for the rest of the summer during the 6-7 hour!
Yellow Belt Requirements DVD coming later this summer/fall - new addition of music!
Canoe Trip update
Adam's selling some DVDs - hurry up and get 'em!