Thank you to all the volunteers for December 4th's event for Brooklyn Friends school to raise money for underprivileged children. From top row, Sabumnim pictured with 2 future martial artists; Michael, Nell, Maurisha, Kimberly, Pavan, Pete, Ameer, Tayesha. The second row: Mary, Liz, Stephanie, Rosa, Frankie, Kamaal, Georgia, Ashley, Betty. Front row, Jacqueline, Ezeldeen, Rayland and Alex. Not pictured was of course the organizer, Bodan Susan F who was tirelessly working the rest of the event.

For those of you who may not know, Sabumnim is a bit shy about his birthday. If you didn't get a chance to wish him an excellent one last week, now's the time to do it. Mary who helps take care of the Brooklyn dojang has been asking people to pose for her these last couple of weeks for a card for Sabumnim and the wonderful collage pictured here is the fruit of her labor. Happy Birthday Sabumnim, we wish you a healthy, joyous and blessed year!

Sunbai Red belts Baijanta (top picture) and Frank (2nd pic) received their bodan belts this past Friday. Along with Jack, Bobby and Mary (from the June test) they join the group that will be our next generation of black belts. Congratulations everybody!

I was in a cab on Smith Street near the Brooklyn dojang when I spotted one of our posters on this telephone booth. I loved seeing this on one of the busiest streets in Brooklyn. It's always exciting for me to see our dynamic posters up which are so important to let the community know that we are there. Black belt Kristen W is responsible for the design of this poster. She and Kyosanim do many of the visuals for the school, so next time you see one of our promo materials and you like it, let them (and Sabumnim) know!

Speak softly and carry a big stick. Truer words were never spoken, especially when we're talking about black belt Stephanie G (who is by chance doing stick form in the picture). Stephanie is, herself, a woman of few words.... one of those quiet forces of the dojang who has been a steady rock for Sabumnim, Kyosanim and the school. If one takes a look at any recent WMAC events; whether it's a Friday night test, demo or Warrior Weekend, Stephanie has been there to give her support. Always humble and gracious, yet possessing of a keen sense of humor if you talk to her, Stephanie is one of those people that make WMAC such a special community.

With Father's Day coming up on Sunday, I thought I would take this chance to congratulate some members who became recent fathers... Senior Instructor Felix has many fans among the students but they might need to take a backseat for a little while to the adorable Zoe. It's all in the family as well; with Aunt Taty also a black belt instructor, Zoe is surrounded by Mu Do spirit. I expect to see her in about 4 years in classes.

Red belt Michael, a regular to Kyosanim's classes, became a father in February. Lillian (who is napping quite nicely in Michael's arms) is child #2 for the proud papa. Not pictured but not forgotten is high blue belt Carlos (married to fellow blue belt Flori) and orange belt Van Lee, all with recent happy additions to the family. We salute these dynamite dads in the WMAC community.

The first pictures are up from Warrior Weekend 2010 and they are great! Black Belt Christy W shows off her photography skills with the gorgeous backdrop of the Catskill Mountains. If you are not yet a member of the World Martial Arts Group on Facebook, click here now to join it and see all of the weekend's pictures and many more.

1st pic: Hapkido chil technique taught by Senior Instructor Jonathan. 2nd pic: blue belt Christine learning fan form and techniques. Photos by Christy W.

I always look forward to Warrior Weekend every year. It's a welcome break from busy city life and a chance to do something that I love, martial arts, in a beautiful, natural setting. This was last year's morning meditation out by a waterfall. There's nothing like being in nature and following the martial way: I envision myself following the same path that martial artists from hundreds of years ago followed. It's also a chance to spend time with Sabumnim for a few precious days; how priceless is that? This year we also are lucky to have Kyosanim for the weekend. The "spa" level of lodging this year should make it easier for those city slickers out there. That, combined with our having it in conjunction with the UMAC schools should make for a very fun,informative and transformational weekend.