The BIG NIGHT Starts HERE

Karina Preparing gifts

Some of our dignitaries

Sensei explaining the evenings events

You funny man

Yes it is true...

He is funny.

Great Grandmaster Banks is the life of the party

And what a Party it is with 14 masters and Grandmasters to support our LEGEND PROMOTION

Now the serious part begins with Sensei Guzman being inducted at SAN-Dan carrying his "Burden" of responsibility of our future Senseis

The Blind leading the blind with lit candles.

The road to master is hard and rocky

The "Gates" prepare for entrance of new Yellow and Green belts

Shihan Varon mentally prepares for his ordeal

As the "Art" was brought by the founder from the EAST, Japan, so Grandmaster Keller faces East, and as it was developed and expanded in the WEST so Master Varon faces America, the west

The Pledge or promise or obligation is read

Congratulations on your promotion to GREEN BELTS (Just before their awards)

Steph and Jenn (In one month they won 8 medals and trophies)

Shihan Mirrione inducts Sensei Lenchus into the Living Legend Hall of Fame

Great time for all

Mrs Varon expresses Pride

With congrats from Grandmaster Bill Louie

Shihan and his ladies

Show me the Love

And to all..

A GREAT NIGHT!!!

12th Annual International MA Achievement Awards

The 12th Annual International Martial Arts Achievement Awards was held on May 27, 2006 in Orlando, Fl and was sponsored by World Head of Family Sokeship Council.
2 awards were presented on that day and they were to GM Lenchus and GM Keller.
"Living Legend Award" was presented to GM Rick Lenchus, but due to family obligations, he was unable to attend and accepting the award on his behalf was GM Joe Onopa.
"Grand Master of the Year" was presented to GM Keller.

A heartfelt congratulations on your achievments and recognition.
Shihan Varon

And the LEGEND SHALL NEVER DIE!

Last night the Legend Family came together to mourn the loss of a truely magnificent and beautiful soul, Sensei Keyla Salgado, the First Legend Black Belt to die.

Not a wonderful accomplishment since she was so young and full of laughter, and so loved and will be so missed. All within a week she graduated college celebrated her 21st birthday and died.

Daughter to Sensei Dav and Shihan Carl Thomas and sister to us all we found it extremely difficult to say good-by for now.

The family never ended, the lines being so long into the street to pay last respects to their sensei.

Sensei Durkee drove 5 hours from Vermont dojo. Sensei Ariel flew in and Sensei Bismark called from Las Vegas.

Tears ran like great rivers from hardened Warriors at all our loss.
Great men and women who could fight a thousand men, broke down, and wept for this sensei who was so full of life and had so much further to go and give.

I have been touched so many times by so many passings of my peers and other grand masters,

By the loss of dear close family members from Joan and Frank Oliveri to Frenchy and Babes family members, and it NEVER gets easier

Frenchy said last night that this all was because of me, The Founder , that so many people came out to stand beside "Bones" on her journey.

I was deeply moved by that, but truth be said, It was because of Frenchy and Babe (I can still call them that) that the Legend never died, and all those people came as loyal, respectful students of theirs, and for that I thank everyone, and tell you all how proud I am to be one drop amongst your powerful stream.

I wrote this many years ago since I did not think I would live so long after the mad life I have had....

"If and when I pass away,
Tell no man where I've gone
For I am the LEGEND Here today,
and the Legend must live on and on and on"

Osu
Lenchus

WHERE DO I START ?

So much is going on with our "Little Dojo that could and can"

Last week we had Sensei Maury Englander teach us the basics of Iaido.


This week we are preparing our candidates for testing Yellow and Green Belts

We promote only in June and December.
We usually promote Brown and Black in December.

We are also making ready for our trip next June to JAPAN to celebrate Kawanabe Sensei's 50th Anniversary of Kawanabe -DO and we have had good response from Arizona, Vermont, New York Chinatown Dojo , and Staten Island NY

Shihan Varon has been running wild with his Harley riders to "Roaring Thunder" in Washington


Then his emergency calls of Fire and falling buildings as the Assistant Director of the Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services .


Then this week in Chicago to become a Medic First Aid/CPR Instructor.


Sensei Lenchus went with Shihan Varon to a Mason Function last Sunday June 11th

Sensei Lenchus lost his dog "Hoshi" the North Star last week and Chris Price had to bury her alone in the rain.

Today we are all praying for the health of GRANDMASTER ONOPA from Taylor Michigan
who is in the hospital with heart problems.
We say to him "Atsah"
His team knows what it means

GM Lenchus

Sifu Billy Maysonet:7 Star Praying Mantis Kung Fu

Our goal is to not only teach Shotokan Karate, but also to expose our students to different styles and teachers.
We were so honored by a visit and training seminar by Sifu Billy Maysonet-Muay Thai and Kung Fu Champion.
It was a wonderful exchange of information and technique and will be repeated at future classes. Enjoy!