Belt Promotions: Testing was held in February 6th. Congratulations
to the following on their promotions: Terry Wacholz, yellow belt; JD
Shultis, blue belt. Wayne Krysowaty also received his escrima
weapons patch. The next testing will be announced in class.

Business: Just a reminder that monthly membership fees are due this
month. Please have dues paid by February 8th. If you've ordered
gear or equipment please pay for it right away.

Upcoming Events: May 5th there will be the annual International
Taekwondo Tournament in Clark, SD. Competitors come from as far away
as Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico to compete. This is a big
tournament and it's sponsored by Master Sanchez of Clark TKD.

Dojo: As some of you have realized we have not had any new students
join in the last two months. I've also been informed that another
student will be leaving the dojo at the end of February. I'm no
longer in a position where I can continue to pay the dojo operating
costs out of my own pocket. After all I am a cop and cops don't make
that much. I'm trying to make arrangements for those that want to
continue their training. Remember a naked man in an empty room can
practice karate. It doesn't take special equipment or a fancy
building. Being a martial artist is more than a hobby, it's a way of
life. I've guided many of you for the past two years down the path
towards enlightenment. You all have the ability to continue if you
choose to. Remember it's not up to me if you become black belts or
not, it's up to you. My goal has always been to make you all better
than when you started and to have you all become better martial
artists than me.
For now the dojo at 506 NE 1st Ave will be shutting down. I'm
going to take March off to get my life back on track as I'm currently
going through a divorce. Come April I plan on picking up my training
and moving forward. I want to test for my 3rd degree black belt by
this summer.
For many of you this is a shocker. For me I'm used to it. I've
had many dojos shut down that I trained at but it didn't prevent me
from continuing my training. Continue with your training. Again I
made a commitment to train you and you made a commitment to learn.
For those that want to continue to train I will continue to teach
you, it jsut won't be in the present dojo.
You can stay in touch with me via the email address below and my
old phone number. I hope that some of you will compete in the TKD
tournament in Clark in May. I still plan on going and will coach
whoever wants me to. I will be keeping the Yahoo Groups webpage up
and running. It's a good way for everyone to stay in touch. I
strongly recommend joining it if you have not already done so.
It has been my pleasure to serve as your instructor for the last
two years. I've had the chance to have almost 100 people come
through the dojo in that time. I hope I've offered you all a
positive experience of the martial arts. Kenpo is such a unique
martial art. Many other arts are based on kenpo. Martial arts have
been a part of my life for the last 18 years of my life. I hope
someday you, the next generation of martial artists, will carry on
the tradition to future generations to come. Karate is not about
fighting, it's a system of thought. Never forget that.

Other: Be sure to check out our Yahoo Groups webpage:
http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/aberdeenkenpo/ And as some of
you noticed on the last newsletter there is an email address listed
below. Feel free to email me but please no spam.