Article: "Durango sees some Japanese flair"
Posted 8/26/2008 3:45pm [from Jun Akiyama]
This article entitled "Durango sees some Japanese flair" focuses on a summer festival held in Durango, CO to benefit the Aikido Life Program in the Durango School District 9-R schools. From the article: "Students from third grade through high school can take an Aikido program as a physical-education elective, and more than 250 kids have taken advantage of the program in its 1.5 year lifespan. [...] "It has a lot to offer as far as an art, and it really helps you see things differently," said Cady, who said that before the Aikido Life Program he was a violent and troubled young man. "You lose your violent feelings, and I learned different ways to get through situations that I couldn't before. It's definitely been a positive change for me," he said."

Article: Duluth resident nabs alleged burglar
Posted 8/24/2008 4:21pm [from Jun Akiyama]
Here is an article entitled "Duluth resident nabs alleged burglar" which tells us of an aikido instructor in Duluth, MN, who helped apprehend a burglar. From the article: "Dale Bergeron had his Aikido grip on a suspicious-looking woman he apprehended after he saw her pulling a suitcase — which turned out to be loaded with items stolen in a London Road burglary — along the shore of Lake Superior late Thursday afternoon."

Seminar: Mary Heiny in Brattleboro, Vermont - Oct 17-19 2008
Posted 8/22/2008 9:38am [from Don Hebert]
The River Valley Aikido Club is pleased once again to host Mary Heiny Sensei in Brattleboro. This will be Mary's first seminar since having her hip replaced this past spring and she sends her deepest gratitude to everyone who contributed to her surgery. We are keeping this seminar limited to 27 people so that each person has the maximum opportunity to receive the benefit of Mary's unique and insightful teaching. Anyone wishing to both broaden and deepen their Aikido practice should consider attending this seminar. Weekend of October 17,18,19. For more information contact info@rvaikido.org or call 802-254-4118

Geoff Flather Sensei, 7th Dan in Devon, UK, 28th Sept 2008
Posted 8/22/2008 9:38am [from Mike Haft]
Geoff Flather Sensei, 7th Dan will be teaching a seminar at Holcombe in Devon on 28th September. The first 3 hours (from 10am-1pm) will be aimed at anyone wishing to attend, with the second half of the day (starting 2pm) aimed at yudansha. Course is open to all please bring proof of insurance, if wishing to attend please contact Shaun West holcombe@banyuhattenaikido.co.uk

Shigenobu Okumura Sensei Passes Away
Posted 8/14/2008 11:12am [from Jun Akiyama]
I have just heard that Shigenobu Okumura sensei (9th dan, Aikikai Hombu Dojo shihan) has passed away. According to his entry on Aikido Journal, he was born in 1922 and was the "Standing Director of All-Japan Aikido Federation. [...] He became part of the Aikikai Hombu Dojo teaching staff in the early 1950s. [...] He received the Budokorosha award from the Japanese government in 1987." He is listed as the senior most instructor at Aikikai Hombu Dojo after Moriteru Ueshiba sensei. My condolences go out to his family, friends, and loved ones.

Rodney Grantham Sensei Passes Away
Posted 8/13/2008 3:57pm [from Jun Akiyama]
Rodney Grantham sensei, 6th dan, who founded the Aikido Center of Atlanta in 1967, has passed away at age 80. According to his obituary, "While stationed in Yokuska, Japan, during the Korean War, he began the study of Judo, eventually reaching the rank of third degree black belt. After returning to the states he began teaching judo and established several judo schools in Alabama. In 1967 he began the study of Aikido and reached the rank of sixth degree black belt. He founded the Aikido Center of Atlanta which is the third oldest Aikido dojo on the East Coast and is still in existence having been given over to one of his students." My condolences go out to his family, friends, and loved ones.

Article: "Gardner, 80, 'kicking' way toward aikido black belt"
Posted 8/13/2008 10:11am [from Jun Akiyama]
Here's an article entitled "Gardner, 80, 'kicking' way toward aikido black belt" which introduces us to Norm Gardner who started training aikido a couple of months ago at age 80 i Boca Raton, FL. He says in the article, "Before I kick the bucket, I would like to earn a black belt in aikido." He goes on to say, "There are some aikido movements that are so complex and time-consuming to master that they are called the '20-year techniques,'" Gardner said. "That challenge in itself gives me the inspiration to see if I can make it to 100 years old and, who knows, maybe even a little beyond."