December 2009

In this issue:

Feature Articles

Special New Years Workout
and Annual Membership Meeting

By Patricia Broughton, Board Chair

Mark your calendar now for two important events in the life of Thousand Waves: Kagami Biraki, our traditional New Year celebration/workout for adult and teen training members, and the Annual Member Meeting, for all supporters of Thousand Waves, including parents of children and youth members, teens, adult training members, alums and Community Partners.

Both events will be held on Sunday morning, January 10th, beginning with Kagami Biraki at 8 a.m., followed by a member-supported breakfast at 9:30 a.m., and the Annual meeting from 10 a.m. to noon. This year’s Kagami Biraki and Annual Meeting hold special significance as Thousand Waves begins its 25th year. So it is especially fitting to kick off the New Year with two community endeavors focused on a rededication of spirit, effort and discipline.

Warm Welcome to New Board Members!

By Diane Miller, Board Member

The Thousand Waves Board of Directors is pleased to announce the election of its newest board members – Annie Gregory, Ryan Libel, Scott Rapacz, and Julie Swift. Together they bring expertise in not-for-profit management, fundraising, events management, writing, law, and computers. They also share a history of service to the Thousand Waves community. If you participated in Spirit Challenge or Punch and Kick-a-thon this year, chances are you know these new board members. Please take a minute to learn more about their unique talents and what they hope to accomplish by serving on the board.

Camp Kokoro 2010 Registration Opens January 2nd!

By Sarah Ludden, Camp Coordinator


Fun – Spirit – Community – Non-violence – Respect – Art – Courage. These words capture the essence of Camp Kokoro, enticing campers to return year after year and attracting new families looking for quality summer activities. Registration opens January 2nd. You will receive a $50 discount during the month of January and be assured of a spot in this very popular program. The camp fills up quickly, so don’t wait!

Open to:
Junior Class: Age 6 to those entering 2nd grade (fall of 2010)
Youth Class: 3rd grade to age 11
Counselors in Training (CIT): Age 12 those entering 8th grade (fall of 2010)

 

New 2010 Class Schedule for Adults and Teens!


  The 2010 Class Schedule is now available. Print one out and mark it up with the classes for your level. You’ll see some of your old favorites still there, plus some new classes you’ll want to check out in January. Now is the perfect time to organize your training schedule for the next year and set your personal health and fitness goals.

Highlights include:

Upcoming Events


Holiday Gifts Event at the Martial
Arts Superstore in our lobby!

Monday, November 30th - Saturday, December 12th ONLY! Find special gifts for the martial artist in your life, or give the gift of empowerment with a Thousand Waves gift certificate for karate classes or a self-defense course. Free gifts for those whose purchases total $50 or more!

Holiday Pot Luck Dinner Parties
Saturday, December 12th, 5 - 8:00pm
This year, Thousand Waves is hosting two holiday pot-luck dinner parties. One party is for adult members and teens (age 15 and up) and the other party is for families with kids (up to age 14). Please sign-up to let people know what you are bringing for the potluck and if you can volunteer to help set up or clean up.

Dojo Clean up
Sunday, December 13th, 8:30am-2:00pm
It has always been the tradition at our dojo that twice a year we undergo a major cleaning. Dust bunnies are our opponents, mildew our enemy. We do it for ourselves, our senpai, our training partners and all who have yet to enter our doors.


Thousand Waves Closed for Holidays
We will be closed December 24th and 25th AND December 30th, 31st, and New Year’s Day.

On Wednesday, December 30th, the staff is working all day to reorganize the office and lobby areas to better accommodate our retail presence, growing administrative staff, and public space for students and visitors. Hopefully, when you return to the dojo in the New Year, January 2nd, you will be pleased with the design.

Best wishes from all of us for happy holidays and a peaceful and joyous new year!

Camp Kokoro Registration Opens
Saturday, January 2nd
Families receive a $50 discount during the month of January and are assured a spot in this very popular program. The camp fills up soon so don’t wait! Camp Kokoro is open to children between age 6 to those who will be entering 8th grade in fall of 2010.

Kagami Biraki & Annual Membership Meeting
Sunday, January 10th
Kagami Biraki is at 8 am, followed by a member supported pot-luck breakfast at 9:30. The Annual meeting runs from 10 to noon.

Self-Defense Course for adults and teens
4 Saturdays, January 16th – February 6th, from 1 – 4:00pm
Discounted fee of $95 through December 26th; $115 after. Scholarships available.

Meditations on Activism: The Power of Forgiveness
Saturday, January 16th, 4 – 6:00 pm
Rev. Jacki Belile, CEC, founder of Living Well Ministries will show the film “The Power of Forgiveness” and lead a discussion exploring the connections between forgiveness, nonviolence and the sustained activism which heals our lives and the world.

 

Community Outreach

Director of Violence Prevention had Voice at Important Panel

Thousand Waves' Marie O'Brien, Director of Violence Prevention, was one of three panelists at the Younger Women's Task Force's Fall Education Event: Call and Response: Being an Advocate Every Day. Panelists discussed the impact of domestic/intimate partner violence in our community, how men can join as allies, and how we can safely and effectively intervene when witnessing domestic violence situations. Other organizations represented on the panel were Between Friends and Men Against Sexual Violence at the University of Illinois in Chicago. Thousand Waves taught practical skills for intervening safely when we witness violence, and shared our handout that highlights strategies for intervening in all sorts of conflictual situations. Both panelists and participants left with practical tools to use on a daily basis. Thousand Waves thanks the Younger Women's Task Force and Between Friends for including Thousand Waves in this educational event.

TW’s Peace Team Commemorates Domestic Violence Awareness Month

As Domestic Violence Awareness Month drew to a close in October, Thousand Waves participated in Lights of Hope, a candlelight vigil honoring the thousands of women killed each year at the hands of their abusers. Thousand Waves’ Peace Team joined a silent circle on a clear October evening, each candle lit against the darkness of violence and abuse. We also listened to a courageous speaker who shared her inspirational story of ending an abusive relationship. Lights of Hope was coordinated by Between Friends, a domestic violence service agency, and a partner to Thousand Waves through our Alliances for Hope, Healing and Action project.

Thousand Waves Partners with Project Vida/Project Life

Thousand Waves recently partnered with Project Vida/Project Life, an organization that concentrates on HIV education through outreach and direct service for people and youth infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. Thousand Waves held a three-hour Self-Defense and Empowerment Program focusing on GBTQ issues for one of Project Vida’s programs called The CRU. The CRU is a prevention group for GBTQ Latino and African American men 14-24 years old. Taught by Kate Webster, Associate Director of Violence Prevention, and Jeff Edwards, Self-Defense Instructor, a group of 13 young gay men came to Thousand Waves on Saturday, October 10th to learn strategies for facing conflict and stopping violence. Through role plays, active discussion and physical exercises, the participants learned and practiced tools to decrease violence they face, and to resolve conflict peacefully.

This year’s partnership was one of several between Project Vida/Project Life over the years. Thousand Waves is proud to provide self-defense training for Project Vida/Project Life and recognizes the vital services they provide in Chicago for those impacted by HIV/AIDS.

Correction

The last Kiai! contained an error in an article about black belt testing at Honbu. Sensei Wai Kwok's remarks were taken out of context and resulted in a misrepresentation of what he said. We sincerely apoligize for this error.

Member News

Congratulations to all Karate-ka that promoted in recent months:
 

Aaron Alberg
Abigail Stowe
Aidan Black
Aiden Grant
Alex Cohen
Alexis Fernando
Allison Brannen
Angel Machuca
Anthony Aguirre
Antonio Amezcua
Arushi Beohar
Ava Polzin-New Junior Black Belt!
Ben Lindau
Braden Seavoy
Brandon Scales-New Adult Black Belt!
Bryce Bezergan
Bryce Wolf
Charles Mazzeo
Charlie Brennan
Chase Michaels
Clara Laden-Guindon
Danielle Wash
Dante Bradley-New Adult Black Belt!
Darrin Goins
David Fite
David Furst
Elias Furst
Elijah Rompala Mathews
Ethan Rompala Mathews
Gabrielle Wolf
Gina Omiotek
Isabel DePaul
Isidora Jovanovic
Jack Hampton
Jacob Baumstark
Jeffrey Gore
John Shoemaker
Josh Palles
Katie Speth
Kylie Palles
Leo Daly
Lulu Daly
Madeleine Greenblatt
Matt Birnholz
Max Brown-New Adult Black Belt!
Michael Marling
Michele Curley
Miles Kozlowski
Owen Patterson
Petar Veljkovic
Rae Azumi
Robert Postma
Ryan Kralovec
Ryan Libel-New Adult Black Belt!
Sophia Steck
Sophia Trimarco-New Junior Black Belt!
Sui Lin Tam
T.J. Nakano-New Junior Black Belt!
Tom Polzin
Wendy Lehman
Will Glynn
Zoe Morgan-New Junior Black Belt!