New Year (By Master Todd)
Another new year starts for Axe Taekwon-Do.  I hope everyone enjoyed the holidays.  If the weather will cooperate we will get back to training.  As I discussed recently not all students will be eligible to test this month.  Don’t worry as I know that none of you are in a hurry to be promoted simply to have a new belt color.  You will be much better and ready next testing if you are not selected for this test.  Due to basketball and the inclement weather our testing this month will be conducted on a regular class night.  This month our newsletter was created by Ms. April Bowing, 4th dan and we will take turns this year.  Look over the schedule for this year and I hope you plan on attending as many events as possible.  We had a little trouble with tuition during the last part of last year but I am certain that will not reoccur.  If you have any questions please let us know.

Winter Weather: This time of year in Nebraska the weather can shut down everything on a moment’s notice.  If the weather causes the base and Youth Center to close, then there will not be a class.  If the base closes there will be announcements on the local radio and TV channels.  If the base closes on short notice, we will attempt to notify everyone by phone and email.  So, unless we let you know in advance, if the base and Youth Center are open on a normal class day we will have a class.  If the weather is bad and the base and Youth Center are not closed, use your best judgment when driving to class.  Safety should be the most important decision you make, if driving is not safe; then don’t come to class.  However, if the class is not canceled and you are not coming to class, then let Master Todd, Mr. Bushor or Miss Bowing know that you will not be there.

New Master Designation:  (Just a reminder) Due to the large number of Master Instructors (7th and 8th Dans) in the USTF, Grand Master Sereff has established a new title for 8th Dans.  Their new title is “Senior” Master Instructor.  If you address an 8th Dan they are now Senior Master Sereff (or whatever their appropriate last name is).  We don’t know what the appropriate Korean term is for the new rank, but we will pass that on as soon as we know.

Black Belt Class:  The next scheduled Black Belt Class is Saturday, February 6th starting at noon.  All Black Belts and Black Stripes are required to attend and must talk to Master Todd if you will not be there.
                                                     
Schedule 2010:
Jan 12th – Black Belt Pre-Test (starts at the 6:30 pm class)
Jan 19th – Promotion Testing (This IS a Tuesday, starting at 5:30 pm)
Feb 6th and 7th – USTF Class C Instructor Course – Broomfield, CO (Two full days 8-7)
Feb 20th thru 21st – USTF Class B Instructor Course – Kirksville, MO (Two full days 8-7)
Apr 3rd – Black Belt Pre-Test
Apr 10th – USTF Referee Course – Kirksville, MO
Apr 16th – Promotion Testing
Apr 17th and 18th – USTF Class B Instructor Course – Broomfield, CO (Two full days 8-7)
May 1st – 3rd Annual Axe TKD Tournament
Jun – USTF Class C Instructor Course – Bellevue, NE (Two full days 8-7) (dates TBD)
Jun 13th thru 18th – USTF World Camp – Snow Mountain Ranch, CO (see Mr. Bushor for info)
Jul – Black Belt Pre-Test (date TBD)
Jul – Promotion Testing (date TBD)
Jul 30th – Aug 1st – Region 6 Summer Camp, Mexico, MO
Sep 11th – Battle of the Belts – Missouri
Oct – Black Belt Pre-Test (date TBD)
Oct – Testing (date TBD)
Oct 16th – Basic HSS – Kirksville, MO
Oct – GM Sereff Tournament – Denver, CO (dates TBD)

Reminders/FYI (By Ms. Bowing, 4th Dan)  If you are a Black Belt or Black Stripe and cannot make the pre-test on the given date, let Mr. Bushor know so you can set a date that will be better suited to do the pre-test. All Black Belts and Black Stripes are eligible for the pre-test unless instructed otherwise.

When Master Todd enters and/or leaves the room at any time, the first person who sees him (no matter what their rank) needs to call the room to attention (Charyot).  If you are the one calling the room to attention you NEED to be loud.  If you do not hear the room being called to attention but you see other people standing at attention facing the entrance to the gym, stand at attention just to be on the safe side.

If you are a Red Belt or below, you are able to attend the Class C Instructors course in June. The only downfall is that you will only be able to stay until your belt rank. For example, if a student who is a Blue Stripe were to take the class they would have to leave after going through Yul-Guk.

2010 USTF Maintenance Fees  It is time to renew your USTF memberships.  For all current members (Green Stripes and above are required to be members) that received a USTF Membership card last year, your 2010 USTF Maintenance Fee is $50.00.  The USTF is offering a family discount again this year:  $50.00 for the first student, $35.00 for the second, $25.00 for the third, and all other family members are FREE.  The fees are due to the USTF Headquarters by the end of March, so we are establishing February 25th as the cutoff date so all the appropriate paperwork can be completed and turned in on time.  Make your checks payable to AXE TKD.  Mr. Bushor will send one check for all memberships.

As mentioned earlier, all students Green Stripes and above must join the USTF to be able to test or participate in any USTF sponsored event (tournaments, instructor / referee / ho-sin-sul courses, etc.).  All students Green Stripes and above that are not currently members must join immediately.  The cost is $50.00 per student.  Sorry, there are no family discounts for new memberships.  If you are joining for the first time, you do not have to pay the maintenance fee until next January.

Please talk to Master Todd, Mr. Bushor, or Miss Bowing if you have any question about either the USTF Maintenance Fee or joining the USTF for the first time.

Notes from the USTF: 

To:       USTF Officials and Instructors

From:  USTF Headquarters

Re:       USTF Membership/Maintenance

We want to thank you for renewing your USTF Membership via the Maintenance fees 2010.  All events within the USTF will require this card to be presented including USTF Tournaments, Seminars, Workshops and Camps.  Some of the instructors have their students send in direct and some collect the fees and submit one check.  This is up to you. 

We are proud to have Grand Master Charles Sereff and Grand Master Mike Winegar still teaching throughout the USA!  Their teaching and training by example is what Taekwon Do is meant to be!