December 2007
Grappling Room Make Over:
I still have a lot of work left in the down
stairs grappling room, until I complete to project all
grappling classes will be held in the main training
area. I will try to have it completed as soon as
possible. If anyone would like to volunteer to help
during the afternoon hours please let me know. Thanks.
Winter Weather
Cancellations:
If the weather is going to be unsafe for driving,
classes will be cancelled for that day. Please call the
school to confirm that classes are cancelled.
Mighty
Dragon’s Student of the Month:
I would like to congratulate the following student as
our Mighty Dragon’s Student of the Month:
Megan Fulton
Mighty
Dragon’s Bring a Friend Day:
Do to the Holidays there will not be a bring a friend
day this month.
Holiday
Schedule:
The school will be closed on the following days for the
Holidays.
Monday Dec. 24th,
Tuesday Dec. 25th, Monday Dec. 31st,
(Evening Classes Only), and Tuesday Jan. 1st,
2008. I wish all my students and their family a
wonderful Holiday.
Grappling
Tournament Results:
I would like to congratulate all the students who
competed in the BJJ on Dec. 1st. I had 9
students compete and came home with 7 medals, and took 2nd
place in the team competition. The following students
won medals in their divisions:
1. Corey Konsoki won a
Gold Medal
2. Caleb Gober won a
Silver Medal
3. Gabriel White won a
Silver Medal
4. Jenna Gonzales won 2
Silver Medals in two different divisions
5. Joseph Ogo won a Silver
Medal
6. Matt Linsemier won a
Bronze Medal
Other members of our team
where Andrew Page, Eric Johnson, and Youg Kim. They did
an excellent job but came just a little short to win a
medal.
Class Time Change:
The Kali class will be moved to Friday nights
from 6:30pm to 7:30pm starting Jan. 4th,
2008.
Crohn’s
and Colitis Foundation of America:
Please help Naomi raise money for this benefit and wish
her luck in her half marathon she is running in on
January 27th in Miami. Donations will be
accepted until Jan. 14th, 2008.
Please remember not to
disturb classes while they are still going on, and
always
REMEMBER TO SIGN IN FOR ALL CLASSES !!!
Sincerely
yours,
Daniel Smith
Owner/Head Instructor
October / November 2007
Grappling Room Make Over:
The next few weeks I will be taking the ceiling down and
moving the lights up into the rafters. During this time
the grappling classes will be held in the main training
area. Open gym time during those classes will be
restricted to the back heavy bag area and upstairs
training area. AMAFA has purchased new mats to be placed
in the new grappling room when it is finished. If anyone
is interested in buying any of the old mats please let
Mr. Smith know as soon as possible. A price sheet for
the used mats will be displayed on the information board
down stairs. Yoga classes will still be held down stairs
during construction.
Student Promotions:
I would like to congratulate the following students on
their recent promotions here at AMAFA.
1. Jason Green promoted to Thai Boxing Student Level 4
on September 8, 2007
2. Jason Hall promoted to Thai Boxing Student Level 2 on
September 8, 2007
3. Eric Johnson promoted to Yellow Belt in Brazilian
Jiu-Jitsu on September 6, 2007
4. Corey Konsoki promoted to Thai Boxing Student Level 3
on September 8, 2007
5. John Murray promoted to Thai Boxing Student Level 1
on September 12, 2007
6. Andrew Peterson promoted to Thai Boxing Student Level
4 on September 8, 2007
7. Ryan Zernec promoted to Thai Boxing Student Level 1
on September 12, 2007
8. Lauren Kelley promoted to Orange Belt in the Mighty
Dragon’s on Nov. 7, 2007
9. Molly Sullivan promoted to Yellow Belt in the Mighty
Dragon’s on Nov. 14, 2007
10. Sifu Daniel Smith promoted to Associate Instructor
Level in the Thai Boxing Assoc. of the USA on October 7,
2007
Mighty Dragon’s Student of the
Month: I would like to congratulate the
following students as our Mighty Dragon’s Student of the
Month:
1. Matt Kelley - Student of the Month for October 2007
2. Molly Sullivan - Student of the Month for November
2007
Mighty Dragon’s Bring a Friend
Day: Our next bring a friend day for the
mighty dragon’s will be on Wednesday, November 28th,
2007. Your welcome to bring as many friends as you like
ages 5 to 13.
Holiday Schedule:
The school will be closed on Nov. 22, and 23, for the
Thanksgiving Holiday. There will be class on Saturday
Nov. 24th.
Note to Students:
During class times please do not come into the training
area until class is completed. This is so that classes
are not disturbed. That includes the back heavy bag
area. Thanks.
PLEASE REMEMBER TO SIGN IN FOR ALL CLASSES!
Sincerely
yours,
Daniel Smith
Owner/Head Instructor
August/September 2007
Passing of my Teacher:
My teacher
Sifu Larry Hartsell, President of Jun Fan -
Jeet Kune Do Grappling Association passed away on August
20th, 2007. Sifu Hartsell was a wonderful man and a
great instructor. I started training with Sifu Hartsell
in 1991 making it to Associate Instructor under him on
February 5th, 1999. I have cherished every chance I had
to train with him and learned so many great lessons and
skills that I will pass on to my students. He will be
deeply missed as my instructor, but his teaching will
live on through me and the thousands of other
instructors and students that he has given knowledge
too. Rest in peace my friend..
New Class Times on Thursday
Nights: The Women’s self-defense class will
now run from 6:00pm to 7:00pm and the Brazilian
Jiu-Jitsu class will run from 7:30pm to 9:00pm starting
Thursday September 6th.
Class Cancellation:
The Advanced Mighty Dragon’s Class on Thursdays from
5:00pm to 6:00pm will be cancelled until I have more
students eligible to take the class. Right now I only
have one student that is eligible. Student must be a
Green belt and above to be in this class. I will inform
parents when the class will start back up.
Wing Chun Classes to Begin
Thursday Sept. 6th: Wing Chun classes will
begin this Thursday Sept. 6th, from 7:00pm to 9:00pm.
Classes will be taught by Sifu Jeff Kolman. If AMAFA
students are interested in taking Wing Chun the cost
will be $20.00 a month. Classes will be on Thursdays and
Saturdays. I am very excited to have Sifu Jeff teaching
here and I will be taking the class as well. If you
would like more information about classes visit Jeff
here at the school or contact him at 517-488-8081.
Students Promotions:
I would like to congratulate the following students on
their recent promotions here at AMAFA.
1. Eric Kimmel promoted to JKD Student Level 2 on June
10th, 2007.
2. Eric Kimmel promoted to Kali Student Level 2 on
August 6th, 2007.
3. Corey Konoski promoted to Orange Belt in Brazilian
Jiu-Jitsu on August 23rd, 2007.
4. Megan Fulton promoted to Yellow Belt in the Mighty
Dragon’s on August 8th, 2007.
5. Brandon Hill promoted to Orange Belt in the Mighty
Dragon’s on August 1st, 2007.
6. Matt Kelley promoted to Orange Belt in the Mighty
Dragon’s on August 1st, 2007.
7. Lauren Kelley promoted to Yellow Belt in the Mighty
Dragon’s on August 22nd, 2007.
8. Jenna Gonzales promoted to Brown Belt in the Mighty
Dragon’s on August 27th, 2007.
9. Becky Smith promoted to Thai Boxing Student Level 6
on September 7th, 2007.
Mighty Dragon’s Student of the
Month: I would like to congratulate the
following students as our Mighty Dragon’s Student of the
Month:
1. Zachary Booher -
Student of the Month for August 2007
2. Brandon Hill -
Student of the Month for September 2007
Mighty Dragon’s Bring a Friend
Day: Our next bring a friend day for the
mighty dragon’s will be on Wednesday September 26th.
Your welcome to bring as many friends as you like ages 5
to 13.
Upcoming Seminars by my
Instructors: The following instructors will
be in seminars on the following dates:
Guro Dan
Inosanto, world renown JKD and Kali
instructor will be in seminar Sept. 15th, & 16th, in
Waterloo, IN. Hosted by the Wetoskey Academy of Martial
Arts. Sifu Smith will be going to this seminar. If you
are interested in going please let him know or contact
Keith Wetoskey at 260-837-7454.
Shoot Wrestling
Master Eric Paulson will be in seminar
Sept. 22nd & 23rd, in Clawson, MI. Host by Martial Arts
Unlimited. Sifu Smith will be going to this seminar as
well. If your interested in learning this awesome
grappling art then let me know or contact Chris Malgeri
at 248-435-4030.
AMAFA Boxing Team:
Congratulations to George “Jo Jo” Sanchez for his
awesome victory on August 25th, Boxing matches at the
Lansing Center. Jo Jo won a 6 round unanimous decision
over his opponent. Thanks to Leroy for his great
coaching.
Sincerely
yours,
Daniel Smith
Owner/Head Instructor
Monthly News Letter
July 2007
A Note to Students:
So
far this summer has been steaming with heat and during
times of extreme heat I will keep our training more at a
technical level than a physical level. I encourage all
my students, young and old to drink plenty of fluids and
listen to your body for signs of fatigue and weakness.
Make sure during class that you keep your water by you
so you can take water breaks as much as possible. A
towel is also a good idea to dry off with. I am still
trying to find someone to help me install my ceiling
fans. I hope that this month I will be able to have that
project completed, until then I will buy more fans to
place around the gym to keep you cool. If any of my
students has some scaffolding that will reach that high
please let me know, I would like to start running the
wiring.
DON’T FORGET TO SIGN IN FOR THE
CLASS YOUR TAKING!!! THANKS.
Membership Cards: I
will be trying to make membership cards for all my new
and old students. When you sign in, check in the black
box to see if your card is in their yet. If you do not
have a membership card please let Naomi or myself know
so we can make one up for you.
Students Promotions:
I would like to congratulate the following students
on their recent promotions here at AMAFA.
1. Chris Barnes promoted to Thai Boxing Student Level 2
on June 16, 2007.
2. Avi Banerjee promoted to Thai Boxing Student Level 2
on June 16, 2007.
3. David Cohen promoted to Thai Boxing Student Level 1
on June 16, 2007.
4. Ronda Mensch promoted to Thai Boxing Student Level 1
on June 16, 2007.
Mighty Dragon’s Student of the
Month: I would like to congratulate the
following student as our Mighty Dragon’s Student of the
Month for JULY.
JENNA GONZALES
Mighty Dragon’s Bring a Friend
Day: Our next bring a friend day for the
mighty dragon’s will be on Wednesday July 25th. Your
welcome to bring as many friends as you like ages 5 to
13.
Class Cancellation:
Until my student numbers increase in my Kali classes, I
will be cancelling the Thursdays Kali class from 6:00pm
to 7:00pm. During that time slot there will be open gym
in the main training floor.
Savate Training Seminar:
My Savate instructor, Professor Salem Assli will be
conducting a Savate Camp on July 27th, 28th, and 29th.
If you are interested in attending please see flyer on
information board. The seminar is located in Clawson, Mi
at my friends and instructors school. You may visit
maunlimited.com or call 248-435-4030 and take to Chris
Malgeri.
New Water Dispenser:
I now have my water dispenser up and running. This
is for students that forgot to bring water or money to
buy a beverage from the pro-shop. You are to use the
cups provided by the dispenser. PLEASE DO NOT FILL YOUR
PERSONAL WATER BOTTLES FROM HERE. When you are done with
your cup please throw it away in the trash can by the
dispenser or any of the many trash cans around the
school.
Beverage Purchases: Please remember to log in
your beverage purchases on the sheet provided and place
your money in the envelop when there is no one working
the front desk. Lately students have been doing a good
job in doing so. Now that I have the water dispenser
there will be NO credit for beverage purchases unless
oked by myself.
Yoga Classes: During
the month of July, Robert will be on vacation from
teaching Yoga. Classes will start back up on August 6,
2007. I am very happy having Robert teaching his class
here and so far it is doing good. I would like to make
his class even better, so if you know anyone that would
be interested in taking Yoga please pass the information
on to them. Or if you would like to try out this awesome
class, the cost is only $5.00 a class. For information
on this class contact Robert at 517-327-8467.
Lost and Found Box:
If you have forgot something here, there is a lost a
found box under the front desk. Anything I find will be
put in there. If it is something of value I will either
keep it in the cash drawer or my office for safe
keeping. Anything that is left for more than 6 months
will be disposed of. Please remember to put your name on
all your training equipment so that we can get it back
to you easier. American Martial Arts Academy is not
responsible for lost or stolen articles inside the
building or in the parking lot, so please secure your
items of value.
Ending Note: Always
remember that if you have any comments, concerns, or
suggestions about your training, this school, or someone
training/teaching at this school that you can always
come to me. I will do everything to make this school a
very comfortable training and learning environment for
all. I always hate to be the last to hear about a
problem. Remember that I am here for all of you as a
teacher and a friend.
