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MVKS News, Views and Clues |
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Vol 2 Issue 11 |
November 2004 |
In this Issue
| Kids Art of the Month |
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Kenpo News |
- past and upcoming events |
Kicking Seminar Was Awesome!
A kicking seminar was held at MVKS on Friday Oct 8th from 7:00 - 8:30 by 3rd Black Belt John Ford, and Rick Chapman, 2nd Black, from Riverside TaeKwonDo in Weare, NH.
16 eager MVKS students attended this seminar and were simply amazed by the athleticism and expertise of these two gentlemen. The demonstrations of their abilities was jaw-dropping, and their approach to teaching was nothing short of professional. Their goal was simple, to help our students feel more comfortable about kicking by offering sound, proven advice.
My goal for having them in was to give MVKS students an opportunity to "go outside the walls" of their Studio and see and appreciate what other styles of martial arts have to offer. Mr. Ford and Mr. Chapman did not disappoint, and we look forward to having them back again!
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This Month |
Mr. White Is Coming
I would like to proudly announce that my Instructor, Mr. Steven White will be conducting a seminar here on Thursday, November 18th at 7:00 p.m. The subject will be on advanced Kenpo knife training drills. This seminar is open to all adult students and advanced kids green belt and up. Anyone that has learned from Mr.White can attest to the fact that he is a Master Instructor and that his seminars are always exciting and action - packed. You definitely don't want to miss this opportunity to train with one of Kenpo's best! Reserve your space today - class size is limited to 20 students. You will need a training knife for this seminar. Sign up sheet is on the bulletin board. Also, please be reminded that there will be no 7:15 or 8:00 class that evening.
Black Belt Candidates Move On
Congratulations to Madeleine Landrum, Jamie Robb, and Irene Robb for passing their 2nd of 3 Black Belt tests! These students are "candidates" for Black Belt and wear a candidates belt: ( 1/2 white - 1/2 Black ). This belt symbolizes that they will be tested on all the material they have learned from White to Black Belt. These belts have some history as well, as they have been worn ( and signed ) by previous MVKS Black Belts. Their final test is scheduled for Nov 6th with a promotion ceremony scheduled for Friday, Nov 12 @ 7:00. Wish them well and join me on the 12th as I award Black Belts to these fine students!
Catalog Shopping Week
As November rolls in, our thoughts turn to the Holidays, and you know what that means. Festive get-togethers with family and friends, and,.........shopping!!
We want to make that last part a little easier for you this year. During the week of November 15 - 20, shop for the Karate kid in your family while they're in class. The Century Christmas catalog is in, and there are many great gift ideas in it, just take one home and see for yourself! We will have staff available all week to answer any of your questions, and they'll help you to place your order. Not sure what to buy? Our staff will offer suggestions to fit your child's needs for their rank. Still not sure? Gift certificates are always a winner. All catalog orders must be made by the Nov 20th deadline to ensure on time delivery. Thank - you and Happy Holidays!!!
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- in my opinion... |
Thinking Statues ...
As I write this, the Boston Red Sox were in St Louis, waiting to play the Cardinals in game three of the World Series. Anyone who knows me knows what a huge fan I am and haven't been getting much sleep lately as I've been up late watching the games for what seems to be the last month. Unless you've been living under a rock, you now know that the Red Sox did something that no other team in baseball history has done - come back from a 3 - 0 deficit in the league championship series by winning four in a row ( against the Yankees! ) and advancing to the World Series. It has been reality television at its' best. It certainly has been the best baseball I have ever seen. You would have to be a robot not to be inspired by some of the events that have happened, and leave it to me to put a Karate spin on it. For instance:
Out of nowhere comes 2nd baseman Mark Bellhorn, who in the beginning of the playoffs was o - for - infinity at the plate. Fans were chanting for his replacement and he was getting boo-ed every time he stepped up to hit. His manager didn't give up on him, though, and he went on to get game winning hits in game 6 of the LCS and game 1 of the World Series. I was always taught that the more you stick with a student and believe in them, sometimes your worst can become your best.
Then there's Pedro Martinez, who endured 60,000 New Yorkers chanting " Who's your daddy?! " on his way to a game 2 loss in NY. Pedro could have been crushed by all that negative attention and his inability to beat NY, but instead after the game talked about how fortunate he was, to be able to be in the situation to begin with, reminding us all of his humble beginnings. My Instructor always told me the importance of taking something positive out of every life experience.
And then there's Curt Schilling, who made everyone's heart sink when he lost game 1 of the LCS and announced that he had a ruptured sheath that covers a tendon in his ankle. He was probably done for the year. A couple of days later we learned that he was willing to risk his career by having an experimental medical procedure done to keep his damaged tendon in place. The procedure worked ( twice! ) and Schilling won game 6 of the LCS and game 2 of the World Series. Before game 6 of the LCS, I said to another student " He's thinking statue" , referring to the fact that if the Red Sox win the World Series, Curt Schilling would go down in history as THE man who brought a championship to Boston. A feat that surely would be followed by a statue of him at Fenway Park. A former instructor of mine used to say, " They don't build statues of people sitting on a couch." No, they just build them for people who have made a difference, people who other people can say that their lives are better because of that person. So in closing I ask you ( and me ) this: Although you or I won't be cast in stone at Fenway Park, Is what we're doing with our lives worthy of a statue, even if it's a personal one in our minds, our living rooms, or our communities? Until next month....JP
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Kenpo News |
- continued |
Now Appearing On Student's Uniforms - Green Stars!!!
Congratulations
to Raju Gandhi, who was the 1st Student to earn a green Star for
finding the link on our website and uncovering the phrase of the month. Great
job, Raju! And to all the other students who discovered the phrase: Only four
more to go before you earn a prize!! What??!! You haven't found the phrase yet?
Keep trying , you'll get it ( Hint: it's in the Student Center).
SPECIAL THIS MONTH: Find the hidden phrase and be automatically entered to win a drawing for an extra star, bringing you one star closer to earning a prize!! Good Luck!!
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- Kenpo questions to help you along... |
In the technique Grip of Death:
- Other than a headlock, what could your opponent be attempting to do with this attack?
- The double hammer fist combination is done to momentarily "freeze" your opponent. Explain how this can be achieved.
Find more questions and tips for this technique in the library. {MVKS students, please visit the Monthly Techniques in the Student Center.}
Mr. Parker Says
" Knowledge does not grow like a tree where you dig a hole, plant your feet, cover them with dirt, and water daily. Knowledge grows with time, work, and dedicated effort. It cannot come by any other means."
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Kenpo News |
- continued |
Coming Next Month ...
Mr. Wedlake will be conducting a couple of Seminars in Manchester to make up for the ones he had to cancel in September. Look for the upcoming flyer for more info.
New Ranks! (October 22, 2004)
"Learn the system, and learn to do it well."
Congratulate these student on a job well done!
Green Belt: Dan Nichols, Cecilia Nichols, Evan Macentee
Blue Belt: Gabrielle Herman
Purple Belt: Cady Smith, Wyatt Smith, Raju Gandhi, Tom King
Yellow Belt: Dante Aguayo, Ryan Dubreuil, David Kibbie, Cole Eby
Beginner Adults Orange Belt: Russell Sloan
Tiny Tiger Orange Belt: Timmy Driscoll
Also, congratulations to William Bernard and Brendan Sloan who are graduating from Tiny Tigers into the Beginner Kids class!
Keep up the good work!
View Tiny Tigers Photos View Promo Night Photos
A Reminder About Holiday Closing And Inclement Weather
Our school will be closed for the long Thanksgiving weekend, with week 5 resuming on Monday, Nov 29.
With stormy weather just around the corner, please call the Studio one hour before your scheduled class if you are not sure if classes take place. If the answering machine doesn't announce that we are closed, we're open!! An announcement will be made on 95.7 WZID as well.
Happy Birthday!!!
Another year older and wiser....
11/02............... Austin Quinlan
11/03 ........................ John Ives
11/09 ..............Nathan Sanford
11/10 .................. Dante Aguayo
11/10 ........... Aleka Chouramanis
11/12 ...................... Ryan Quinlan
11/21 .................... Brandon Sloan
11/22 ................... Tanner Harz
11/29 ...................... Tyler Harz
Welcome New Students!
Tiny Tigers: Camryn Quinlan, Eric
Beginner Kids: Austin Quinlan, Ryan Quinlan, Erin Quinlan
Please take a moment and welcome our new students to the MVKS family!
Thought for the Month
"There are two rules for being successful in the Martial Arts. Rule One: Never tell others everything you know."
NEW This Month: Book Review - The
Martial Arts Reader
from the Overlook Press
This book was given to me years ago by my wife for Christmas. It ranks up there as one of the best gifts I have ever received. It contains excerpts from well over 35 books written by martial artists and authors of the arts that have become must reads for anyone seriously interested in the histories, philosophies, and techniques of the Arts. Not surprisingly, many of which are still valid and taught to this day. Highly recommended, this book has something for everyone, and could be read time and again to be fully appreciated and understood. Check it out!
What's New