Metamora Martial Arts

March 30, 2008

We are just five days away from the biggest day in Metamora Martial Arts' 6+ year history! A little help is needed in regards to coolers and ice - contact Mrs. Deters to make it happen!

Don't miss Amanda Dixon's official promotion to nidan tomorrow afternoon at 3:30. It's been over a month since she completed her testing. Bring your cameras!

March 28, 2008

We're officially 8 days away from our first-ever open tournament! Get your training in because this is coming up faster than you think!

I wanted to point everybody in the direction of the Instructors link. For the first time since I unveiled this site in November 2006, Mr. Hawkey finally has written himself a bio! Thank you to him for doing this and completing the Instructors section.

March 23, 2008

Happy Easter to everybody!

I'm not really updating with anything new, except that there is no class this week. Just remember to get going on Relay for Life donations and that our tournament is in just under two weeks!

Take note that Monday, March 31, is the official promotion of Amanda Dixon from Joshu to Deshi. Don't miss it!

This update is really spurred on by rage. I've re-imported all my footage from this past summer in Orlando and am re-doing the videos from it since my hard drive crashed and I don't have any original copies - the only ones left are low-quality YouTube ones. After spending nearly an hour editing in an awesome minute of footage, iMovie quit and none of my progress saved. So I figured I should do something that won't make me want to throw my laptop out the window. If you wanted any footage from Orlando and didn't get it when I had all the stuff imported, now is your time to get it.

Update: Edited the roster. The way I had it was too much work so I did away with it. I thought the idea was sweet but it didn't catch on.

March 18, 2008

Thanks to everybody who came to the parent meeting last night. If you weren't able to make it, make sure you get in contact with Mr. Chianakas or Mrs. Deters.

A bit of a change to Thursday's class can be read here. There is no Germantown class or volunteer meeting that night.

Before that, TOMORROW NIGHT is Mr. Stephens' last official night with us. I think Mr. C put it best when he said it won't be a "goobye" but more of a "see ya later," since Mr. Stephens will be back for Relay for Life during June 6-7. I'll be on hand taping some of the action and hope you guys bring your digital cameras for pictures!

Adults - new schedule is up on the forums.

I think that's all I've got for tonight.

March 14, 2008

Reminder to everybody that Mr. Stephens' farewell celebration is TOMORROW, March 15, starting off at 3 PM with basketball and ending around 8:30. His final class at Riverview will be this Wednesday, March 19. Let Mr. C know ASAP since room on the bus is limited and reservations are required for Kobe. I can also take some people and would appreciate a few bucks for gas.

But before that, Mr. Stephens is offering a special - FREE - two-hour tournament training seminar at RGS.

There is no class at Germantown next week, so make sure to hit either a Metamora class or a Riverview class, or both! This also means the parent meeting scheduled for then is canceled and only one will be held on the 17th.

Relay for Life prep is taking place now! Make sure to get signed up. This week I'm on spring break so I'll be sending out tons of e-mails and letters to friends and families asking for a donation. I'd suggest doing that when MTHS is on break the following week.

Mr. C has posted a thread on the much-anticipated return of SWAT team! This group was used a lot back when I first started but sadly hadn't had a meeting in over a year.

I've also uploaded Mr. C's new article in Black Belt Magazine. Check it out under his article list on the Instructors page.

March 12, 2008

Big change to Saturday's farewell to Mr. Stephens! Instead of just meeting for dinner, we are now playing some basketball, eating at Kobe, and seeing the new mixed martial arts movie "Never Back Down." Check this thread for more details.

Start raising money for Relay For Life! This thread has all the necessary information.

Also, for anybody interested, there is a tournament in Naperville this Sunday. Check Tournaments -> Upcoming if you're interested. Transportation will be on your own because I don't think anybody from our group is going. But, if you want to compete, Naperville isn't too far away.

The Great Debate is alive and well for the sophomores. Feel free to add in your own opinions, as well!

March 8, 2008

Well I said on Wednesday I wanted to make a presence, and I think we accomplished that. Of the four of us that competed, we brought home FIVE first place trophies. I believe this is the first time that we've come home with only first places. After Jim, Thomas, and I got done I looked at Joel and the pressure was on. So, I'm proud of everybody today and had fun and can't wait to do it next year.

Fortunately it doesn't sound like I have to wait another year to see the promoter, Mr. Morrow. I called him on Thursday and we talked for a few minutes, and today I showed up and he treated all of us like he'd known us for years. He played some of an arcade game with me and stopped by to talk to everybody around the dojo and was a genuinely nice person. He also put together a fine, fair judging squad. Mr. Morrow - I want to thank you on behalf of all of us who came today for showing everybody how tournaments should be run, and really look forward to seeing you again on April 5.

To see our results, pictures, and video, hit this link. Thanks to Mark and Joe for filming when I couldn't.

March 5, 2008

I'm officially heading up to Moline to make a presence from Metamora Martial Arts. I'm driving up along with Joel (one of my guys from MGS) and possibly another non-karate-ka friend. We're meeting former Metamora Martial Artist Joe Maubach. I'm competing in Forms and Joel is sparring for the first time!

http://www.metamoramartialarts.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=860 to go over tournament stuff. Also make sure to tell Mr. C what size shirt you're wearing by the end of the week and he'll buy you one for being a volunteer!

March 3, 2008

Just got word of two new tournaments today. One is this coming Saturday, March 8, in Moline. Their organization is sending people to our tournament in April and it would be sweet if we could send some of our talent up there. The other tournament is Sunday, March 16 in Naperville. If you want information on either, check the Tournaments link to the left (under Upcoming) or check out this thread.

March 2, 2008

Adults - if you are testing with me, we'll be doing that on Tues/Thurs. Feel free to e-mail me with any last-minute questions you guys have. If you weren't present last week, we went through a review and everybody looked ready.

Also, for ANYBODY looking at this site, tournament pre-registration is due by Wednesday, March 5!

March 1, 2008

It's the first of a month, meaning a lot of "housekeeping" things. First of all, the March schedule is available for download. You can also pick up a paper copy at practice this week. Absent from the calendar is Joshu/Deshi Amanda's official promotion date, so keep your eyes peeled and ears open for that announcement.

Also, I've added a Links section to the left to help hit your favorite martial arts websites. One of my personal favorites is KICKgen, I'd have to admit. I've applied for a job there and I'm also now on a member Advisory Board to help the site grow. I've also included Century, Karate Depot, and UFC banners due to us getting a slight commission from purchases made from their websites through clicking the links I provide.

Remember, I'm asking all households to turn in a survey handed out last week at Germantown, coming in paper form for the rest of you this week. If you can't wait, I've provided a link on the forums for you to download one. It is supposed to provide feedback to me from you about the site.

Clay Blum is hosting a UFC 82 party tonight at his house. Make sure to give him a call if interested.

Finally, make sure you hop on the forums to wish Mr. Chianakas a happy 29th birthday!