ILLINOIS JUDO NEWSLETTER – IPPON!!!
October 12, 2006

President:           Tim Schultheis
VP:                    Chuck Clark
Secretary:           Mary Gail Ford
Treasurer:           Frank Oliveri
Editor:                 Kei Narimatsu

THIS NEWSLETTER MAY BE PASSED ON TO ANYONE IN YOUR ADDRESS BOOK WHO MIGHT NOT GET THIS DIRECTLY FROM THE EDITOR.  I DO NOT ALWAYS HAVE CURRENT EMAIL ADDRESSES BUT CLUB INSTRUCTORS, STATE PRESIDENTS AND OTHERS MAY WANT TO LET THEIR MEMBERS HAVE THIS AS WELL.  PLEASE DISTRIBUTE AS YOU WISH.  IF THOSE INDIVIDUALS WISH TO GET THIS EMAIL  FIRST HAND, PLEASE CONTACT ME AT knarimatsu@microlamps.com  with subject:  Add to Illinois Judo Newsletter

Illinois Judo Newsletter – IPPON!! is the voice of Illinois Judo, sent whenever convenient to members of Illinois Judo and other interested parties. All articles and content are the opinion of the editor unless otherwise noted and do not reflect the opinion of Illinois Judo, its officers or members.  Information is gathered from various sources expressly sent for distribution.  Contents may contain inaccurate information.  If anyone can correct any inaccuracies, they will be published as soon as possible.  Information presented will be of a general nature only and will not promote any national organization except USJI/USA Judo or any of its state governing bodies.  Tournament and clinic notifications will be made for all organizations and will be guaranteed posted if sent to the editor in electronic format ONLY and in a timely manner.  Illinois Judo will make every effort to respect your privacy and never sell, trade, or otherwise abuse the privilege of serving you via this e-mail newsletter.

Cancellation: We're committed to Permission Distribution, so if you prefer not to receive the IPPON!!!, simply send a blank e-mail to knarimatsu@microlamps.com or hit reply with unsubscribe-IPPON in the subject line.  You will be omitted from my list FOREVER.

Contents:
Editorial –       Local Tournaments
                        Randy Pierce gains 1000 wins
From the IJI President
LOCAL NEWS
  Call for Competitors, Coaches and Referees 2nd All Women’s Championships
  22nd Annual Santa's Shiai – Saturday December 2nd  Fond du Lac WI
   WI state meeting + TACHIWAZA Clinic – Oct 29th Fond du Lac, WI
 USA JUDO NEWS
  2006 Junior World Championships Media Guide
  Junior worlds Day 1 Preview
  USA Judo Webcast US Open Finals – Live!!
  Pan American Infantile Championships Funding Incentives
  36kg Player Needed for Pan American Infantile Championships
  2006 Continental Judo Crown
  USA Judo National Assembly – An Event to Attend
  Puerto Rican National Championships Granted Junior Point Status
Serving Our Country
Something to Think About – Common Sense Advice
Upcoming Events
USA Judo Life Members

EDITORIAL: Local tournaments

With the emphasis of Judo centered on Junior Worlds this weekend and the US Senior Open next weekend, we tend to lose sight of the importance of the local tournament that should serve as the grass roots focus of this sport.  You hear a lot about major championships like the Junior World, Worlds or Olympic Games, but what about the tournament for the new Judo player who has been in for 6 months?  What about the player who practices once a week, goes to school, goes to work and can only make these local events because it is 30 minutes away by car, not in Miami, or Los Angeles?  I think they deserve as much recognition and thanks as our elite players because they are the ones who are going to keep this sport going.  What about the local coach who has trained hundreds, perhaps thousands of players?  How many of them make it to the Nationals?  How many of them make the National team? 

 

It is not about the glory, it is about the continuance of a sport which has impacted us all tremendously.  Jim Branson, tournament director of America’s Cup this past weekend told me that he has been influenced greatly by a few folks in Judo who quietly and effectively make Judo work at the National level but also at the local level.  It is not just friendships that he has developed, but it is the acknowledgement that he has a quiet crew working behind the scenes to make his tournament work.  And it is also the acknowledgement that these folks work for Judo, America’s Cup as well as all local event through out the Judo community.  I was privileged to have been a part of that acknowledgement and I am humbled because of the others who were also recognized for their various contributions to Judo over the years.  If you look at the list, you will see these folks all over the Midwest and the United States working quietly and not so quietly trying to make Judo better for you, the player, the coach, the referee, the parent.  Thank you Jim for your acknowledgement and most importantly, your friendship.  Those named were

 

Fred & Rebecca Barnett       Kentucky/Tennessee

Erroyl Cheatham                    Kentucky

Irwin Cohen                            Illinois

Richard Hahn             Indiana

Kei Narimatsu                        Illinois

Randy & Pat Pierce               Missouri

Jim & Hannah Starcher         Ohio

Sharon Vance             Kentucky

 

Randy Pierce gains 1001 wins at America’s Cup

Randy Pierce was on a mission.  1000 wins in Judo competitions.  He achieved this milestone at America’s Cup this past weekend and one could tell from his demeanor that a huge load has come off his back.  His wife, who was there to support him was extremely happy because now maybe her husband would settle down into a more normal Judo existence, maybe a little practice, some refereeing, maybe staying at home a few more weekend.  Over the course of the quest, I know that Randy has traveled thousands of miles to local, national and international events in his quest to accomplish the impossible.  It was not an easy quest as competition because stronger, all the while he was getting older.  During this time, Randy worked, raised a family, received two Master’s Degrees, taught Judo, refereed at competitions.  He would often drive up to Chicago in the morning, compete and drive back home that same day.  Randy is a big man but in the true spirit of Judo, Randy was also one of those quiet ones who worked to make Judo better.  Congratulations Randy for your achievement. 

From the IJI President:

It has been said from time to time that there are not enough tournaments in Illinois.  That may be true, but in the next several months there are three upcoming Illinois Judo events--first the 5th Annual Wolf Junior Judo Tournament, held at the Martial Arts Academy, Chicago, IL, on October 15, 2006, second, the annual Gurnee Veteran's Day Tournament, held at the College of Lake County, Grayslake, IL., on November 12, 2006 and, third, the newly re-established Illinois State Open Judo Championships, held at the Yorkville Middle School, Yorkville, IL, on February 18, 2007.  Please see attached flyers.

We are particularly excited about the third event listed above--the Illinois State Judo Championships--which we have not held for many years.  IJI has a large membership among the other state organizations in USA Judo.  We consistently score in the top 5 or so in points at the junior and senior national judo competitions.  It is only fitting, that IJI hold a state championship.  Expect a first-class event.  Our IJI Vice President, Chuck Clark, is the Tournament Director and our own IJF-A, 2005 World Championships referee, Dr. Narimatsu will serve as head referee.  Several of our clubs will be running the tables, pooling, medical, concessions, etc.  Remember, participating in your state's championships is a pre-requisite for the Junior Olympics and Senior National Championships.  Of course, the Illinois State Judo Championships proceeds will go to IJI, a non-for-profit corporation.

Just as exciting is our scheduled Open Workouts.  You may have noticed that we have scheduled 4 Open Workouts, posted on the IJI Newsletter under

Upcoming Events--2006.  The IJI Junior Development Chair, Brett Wolf, is organizing these events.  We hope to conduct them nearly once every month.  Menomonee Judo Club, his club, is hosting the first Open Workout, October 21st, 3:00-5:00 PM, at the Drucker Center, 1535 North Dayton Street, Chicago, IL.  Everyone is invited that has a current USJI/USJF/USJA membership card, regardless of state residency or junior/senior/masters.  At some of the host facilities, we may ask the masters to yield mat space to prioritize training for our juniors.  We are asking for the athletes to donate $5 each at the Open Workouts.  Again, proceeds will go to IJI, a non-for-profit corporation, to be used later promoting judo in our state and supporting our athletes.

We look forward to seeing you at our tournaments and workouts.

Tim Schultheis
Illinois Judo, Inc. President

LOCAL NEWS

 

CALL FOR COMPETITORS, COACHES AND REFEREES – 2nd All Women’s Championship

Southside Dojo would like to invite Referees, Competitors, and Coaches to the 2nd All Women's Championship, Nov. 3 to 5 2006 in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
This competition is open to all females, Jr., Sr., and Masters, Shiai and Kata. Please see attached Flyer.
We are looking forward to a great second year.
Sincerely,
Deborah L. Fergus
Competitor Liaison
USJA Women's Committee Chairperson

 

22nd Annual Santa's Shiai – Saturday December 2nd Fond du Lac, WI

A flyer is available online at www.judofdl.com/santa as of November 1st.  We will have referee clinics and a Kata Clinic.  Judo Santa will be giving gifts for all judoka and to volunteers and officials.  For further information please contact Brett Wood-Taylor at welcomemat@charter.net  or call 920-251-0456. 

 

Judo meeting and Tachi-waza clinic – October 29th – Fond du Lac, WI – a reminder for our Wisconsin neighbors

Greetings All:

Please note and pass along to to others in your dojo.

 

As a friendly reminder we are having our bi-annual Wisconsin Judo Meeting Sunday Morning October 29th at the Welcome Mat Judo Dojo 9:00 - 11:00 a.m.  The meeting and clinic is after the Saturday Badger Open in Fond du Lac. The Welcome Mat is at the old Fond du Lac High School where we have hosted many tournaments. The location is on the corner of 9th and Main Street in the gym's South Balcony. Enter through the East doors and go the stairs on the South end of the building. The gym is connected to the pool.

 

 BI-ANNUAL MEETING TOPICS COVERED:

 

Election of new Officers

Planning for the Ne Waza Clinic after the 2007 Bi-annual meeting at Wahadachi Judo Dojo end of January

Planning for the 2007  Midwest Masters Clinic and Tournament. This is a Wisconsin Judo fund raiser.

Planning for the 2007 Badger Open

Report of the 2006 Badger Open

Support of the 2007 National Junior Tournaments that are in the Midwest (supplying Technical Offcials, Referees etc.)

Other Business

 

TACHI WAZA CLINIC  12:00 - 4:00 p.m.

 

The bi-annual tachi waza (throwing techniques) clinic is designed to have Black Belts come together and share in their favorite throwing techniques with all ranks. We warmly encourage all players to attend this fun clinic. This clinic is open to players outside of Wisconsin. The general philosophy is that we have excellent Black Belts in the Midwest and sharing in these techniques only strengthens our Midwest Judo.

 

This event is a fund raiser for Wisconsin Judo. We areraising money to cover the cost of potentially repairing scoreboards or replacing future scoreboards which we use for our Wisconsin and area States' tournaments, as well as other costs..

 

To all Black Belts: Please contact Brett to let him know which throw you would like to teach. These can be any type of attack, counter attack, combination techniques etc. Again, we warmly welcome Black Belt teachers outside of Wisconsin as well as  any  players.

 

We have plenty of mat space as the Welcome Mat took over over the old high school weight room and we have use of the spacious adjoining wrestling room which has wall to wall mats.

 

Cost: $20.00    check payable to : Wisconsin Judo

No cost to clinicians

 

Please contact Brett at welcomemat@charter.net or 920-251-0456

 

We thank you kindly for your support in our development of Wisconsin Judo and Midwest judo.

 

Brett Wood-Taylor

President

Wisconsin Judo

 

 

USA Judo News
Complete coverage of these articles available at the USA Judo website.  Click on the link http://www.usjudo.org/  and click on the What's New page to see all the recent news items.  The items listed below may or may not be linked already.  To get further information on any of these stories, it is better to go to the USA Judo website.


2006 Junior World Championships Media Guide

Visit USA Judo's new page, dedicated to the latest Junior World Championships photos, news and results at www.usjudo.org/2006JuniorWorlds.asp  

 

Every day the page will feature interviews with athletes, photo galleries and results.

 

Read up on the Team USA in the 2006 Junior Worlds Media Guide and be sure to check back throughout the evening for the event's draws and previews of each day's competition!

 

Junior Worlds Day 1 Preview

 

(Colorado Springs, Colo.) – Jeanette Rodriguez (Margate, Fla. / North Miami USA Judo National Training Site / 48kg), Franchesca Durand (Coral Springs, Fla. / North Miami USA Judo National Training Site / 52kg) and Aaron Shiosaki (Lomita, Calif. / Gardena Judo / +100kg) will be the first athletes from Team USA to compete at the Junior World Championships when the event kicks off Thursday in Santo Domingo.

 

Draws for all 14 weight divisions were conducted Wednesday evening and preliminary competition begins at 12:30 p.m. local time on Thursday.

 

“There’s a lot of great players this year and it’s the Junior Worlds.  It’s going to be tough,” said Team USA Coach Jhonny Prado (Coral Springs, Fla. / North Miami USA Judo National Training Site).  “The main thing players will have to do is take every fight as if it’s the final.  We hope to get good results for the first day to give motivation for the players who compete during the rest of the week.

 

A preview of each of the divisions being contested Thursday is as follows:

 

Women’s 48kg

Jeanette Rodriguez (Margate, Fla. / North Miami USA Judo National Training Site) enters her first Junior World Championships with one of the best draws for Team USA.

 

The 16-year-old will compete first against Merys Mejia (DOM), a hometown athlete who recently moved up to 48kg after competing in the non-Olympic weight division of 44kg throughout 2005.

 

Should Rodriguez win, her next match would be against Shelimar Brisyo (PUR) who has yet to be seen internationally.  A quarter-final match-up could feature one of three athletes: Ewa Konieczny (POL) who finished fifth at the 2005 European… more>   

 

USA Judo to Webcast U.S. Open Finals LIVE!

USA Judo is pleased to announce that the medal matches of the U.S. Open Judo Championships, Oct. 20-21 in Miami, Fla., will be Webcast live on www.livesportsvideo.com.   The Webcast will kick off at 6 p.m. on both evenings and will feature commentary from two-time Olympians Pat Burris and Leo White.  This year’s U.S. Open will include nearly all of the top-ranked players in the United States, taking on some of the best athletes in the world.  Don’t miss the action!

 

Pan American Infantile Championships Funding Incentives

USA Judo has extended the following monetary high performance incentives for each age and weight division at the upcoming 2006 Pan American Infantile Judo Championships, Nov. 30-Dec. 1 in Maracaibo, Venezuela.
 
Gold medal - $300 
Silver medal - $200 
Bronze medal - $100 

 

36kg Player Needed for Pan American Infantile Championships.

A female 36kg judo player born in 1992 or 1993 is needed to compete on the U.S. Team in the Pan American Infantile Championships, Nov. 30-Dec. 1 in Maracaibo, Venezuela.  Interested candidates should contact Jim Hrbek, Chair of Junior Development, by Monday Oct. 16 at judolym@aol.com.  

 

 

2006 Continental Judo Crown

The Continental Crown, a USA Judo E-Level Tournament will be held Nov. 10-11 in Seattle, Wash. 

This tournament is a National Referee Examination & Re-Certification Site (sanctioned by Washington State Judo, Inc. #005-06).

Registration & weigh-ins will be held Friday, Nov. 10 from 5 – 9 p.m.

Competition begins at 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 11.

Tournament Headquarters is the Marriott Seattle Sea-Tac Airport Hotel.

Call toll free 1.800.341.0925 for room reservations (receive a special tournament rate up through October 31st).

The tournament site is the Highline Community College Pavilion Gym (4 tatami mat areas will be run).

Free transportation provided from the Marriott to the tournament site

Complete entry form and information is available at www.wastatejudo.org  and www.nwjudo.org.  

 

USA Judo National Assembly – An Event to Attend!

From the USA Judo CEO, Jose H. Rodriguez

 

In just under two weeks, the first USA Judo National Assembly will be held on Oct. 19 in conjunction with the U.S. Open in Miami, Florida.  Six months have passed since the last meeting of USA Judo was held in Houston and radical changes of bylaws and organizational structure were made.  Many members are attending this National Assembly with a sense of not knowing what to expect.  For some this sense of not knowing creates for them a feeling of excitement and positive expectations.  For others it creates a sense of concern.  And nearly everyone is looking forward to attending and watching some great competition at the U.S. Open and seeing what is in store for Judo in the year to come.   No matter which of the three groups you happen to fall in, this is written to help those of you attending this year’s U.S. Open and National Assembly get the most out of your attendance.   Let me begin by letting you know what this National Assembly will be about:

 

… The assembly will provide those attending with educational opportunities… with new ideas on how to grow Judo… with opportunities to get involved in committees that may help the organization and the sport grow and to learn where USA Judo is heading over the next few years. You will hear about USA Judo’s plans for the two years leading up to the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games as well as the London Games and beyond and you will hear how we will achieve this Vision by thinking out of the box.

 

At the same time, and since there will not be any elections until 2008, this USA Judo National Assembly will not be about politics or hallway politics.

The expectations of this National Assembly is that the energy spent during the day of meetings be used on thinking this sport out of the box and finding ways to support our state organizations, our clubs, our coaches and our athletes grow and be successful.

 

Thursday Oct. 19 has been divided into three segments.  The first part of the morning, from 9:00 a.m. – noon, will feature exciting presentations geared to club owners, coaches, referees and top-ranked athletes.

 

Here is a sneak preview of the morning meetings.  A complete schedule is available at http://www.usjudo.org/documents/2006USAJudoAssemblySchedule.pdf. 

 

USA Judo Success Club Kit This is a new program designed in cooperation with Martial Arts Industry Association (MAIA) and Century Martial Arts Products for all USA Judo registered Clubs. Each USA Judo registered club will receive one Success Club Kit free of charge. During the presentation by experts in the field of marketing and promotions within the martial arts field, club owners will be instructed in ways that other sports have been able to attract thousands of participants. This is a not-to-be missed presentation for club owners and coaches. It will surely spark new ideas and will help you grow your dojo and your membership base. You will be asked and taught how to think out of the box and how to achieve success never before attained.

 

USA Judo registered clubs not present in the meeting will be sent a copy of their success kit in the mail.

A second version of this success kit will be published in February 2007. If you are looking for new ideas on how to grow your club this is the presentation you do not want to miss!

 

USA Judo Referees Workshop A presentation will be made by PJU Referees Chairman Carlos Diaz on the video system now in use in most IJF competitions. USA Judo will be purchasing two of these systems to be used at the U.S. Open and in other major events.   All videos will then be kept as part of the USA Judo technical archives for coaches and athletes to use for the purpose of coaching and athlete performance as well as future referee education.

 

Referees attending this workshop also will receive the latest IJF DVD on border calls, courtesy of USA Judo. This will be the first of many workshops that will be hosted by USA Judo Referees Education Committee.

 

USA Judo Club Benefits Workshops Several key programs will be presented to club owners/coaches during this one-hour workshop. One of the presentations will be an insurance program that will be offered to USA Judo registered clubs. This program will allow club owners to purchase insurance at a discounted rate as part of a national program. Club owners/coaches also will hear a presentation on the National Police Athletic League and the Boys Scouts Venturing Program and how these two programs can increase the participation numbers in each individual dojo. This will be a dynamic hour of presentations and questions and answers that will benefit all clubs throughout the nation.

 

USA Judo Athlete Support Programs  This will be a one-hour overview of some of USA Judo Athlete support program to include the “Adopt An Athlete Program” and the announcement of a new vitamin/supplement support program for ranked athletes. This is a key presentation for top athletes and their coaches. Eddie Liddie, Director of Athlete Performance will explain the athletes’ assistance program in place and how decisions are made to select award recipients.   A lunch break will follow the morning session.  Beginning at 1:00 p.m., USA Judo Standing Committees will meet from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. During this same time frame, several new committees will meet under the leadership of their chairs. Among some of these new committees are:

 

Ø     Women in USA Judo Committee – This committee will work with the national office to promote greater participation and opportunities for women within the sport of judo in the United States.  USA Judo aims to increase women’s participation in the realms of athlete, coach, referee, and administrative roles.  The committee will be made up of six women although everyone is invited to attend the meeting and more members will be added to the committee as needed. This committee will identify projects to implement in 2007 and beyond to reach its goals.

Ø     USA Judo State Organizations Support Committee – This committee will be made up of 8-10 state organizations’ leaders and its’ aim is to work closely with the national office in order to identify ways that the national office can better support the needs of the State Organizations. Further, the committee will be a sounding board for the national office staff in order to carry out the necessary operational changes that will be required in months to come in order to better serve the athletes and the clubs. Although the committee is already made up of selected individuals, everyone interested in the growth of the State Organizations are invited to attend this meeting. This will be a true working committee that will establish set objectives to be achieved between the committee and the national office. 

 

The busy day will conclude with the USA Judo National Assembly where a recap of this year’s activities of USA Judo will be presented. Part of this presentation will include USA Judo Vision 2008 Beijing and Beyond plan.  Following the Assembly, participants are invited to attend a reception hosted by the Metro Dade Sports Commission.  It is our hope that this Assembly format will be of educational value in your quest to grow judo in your state, region and throughout the nation. We will try and make this a successful activity for everyone, but like most new ventures we will probably make a mistake or two along the way. We will aim to keep these to a minimum and, as always, we will be open to suggestions to improve on the concept as we move the sport and organization forward.   We all look forward to seen you in Miami in two weeks!  Until then, best wishes and safe travels!

 

Jose H. Rodriguez

CEO

USA Judo

 

P.S. – Follow our USA Judo Junior World Team as they travel to the Dominican Republic next week! Visit our Web site: www.usjudo.org to get the latest results news and pictures of our athletes taking on the world! Also, in case you can not make the U.S. Open, we will Webcast live the Bronze medal and Gold medal matches on Friday and Saturday evenings! USA Judo’s own two-time Olympians Leo White and Pat Burris will be doing the commentary with guest appearance by other key coaches during the program!!!

 

Puerto Rican National Championships Granted Junior Point Status: Nov. 2-5, 2006

The Junior Development Committee has voted in favor of granting TNLJ (Tournament Not Listed - Junior) status for the Puerto Rican National Championships. 

 

Puerto Rico has invited non-citizens to compete in this event and will NOT limit the number of entries from USA Judo.

 

TNLJ status was awarded to one event in Italy in 2005 and this will be the first one in 2006. It provides five points for 1st, three points for 2nd and two points for 3rd for the Junior divisions ONLY. It will apply to ALL of the rostered USA Judo age divisions including, the IJF Jr.

 

American Juniors who are 15 or older also may compete in the Senior divisions. For athletes who are under age 15, they ALSO can participate but they must secure an age waiver through the Jim Hrbek, Chair of Junior Development at judolym@aol.com, in accordance with our published waiver standards.

 

The USA Judo Junior Program is looking forward to continuing to expand our athletes' opportunities. This very uncommon opportunity to compete in the National Championship tournament of another country is a positive step in the progression, and we encourage our athletes to compete.

 

In addition, the opportunity for our older Juniors to compete in the Senior event provides a means to gain worthwhile experience in the adult divisions.

 

All athletes interested in participating must contact Mary Ann Relich, maryann.relich@usajudo.us, by Oct. 18. 

 

Ten housing slots are available without cost to IJF-Junior rostered athletes only.  The highest 10 ranked athletes as of the Oct. 16 roster who confirm participation will be awarded the 10 housing slots.  All athletes who receive this housing must confirm participation in both the IJF-Junior and Senior divisions.

 

For more information, contact Hrbek at judolym@aol.com. 

 

 

SERVING OUR COUNTRY                         
PVT Luke Jacobsen – Milwaukee, WI                                               
LTJG Donny Newsome, Gurnee, IL                                           
LT Nick Oldfield, Navy, Virginia – home base                            
William Hendrickson, MN – basic  – Camp Pendleton                
Mike Preditus, IL                                                                            
SGT Dennis Pruitt, IRAQ                                                             
Dan Smith, Dickson, TN                                                             
Please let me know other Judo families who have loved ones serving in our military:  rank, branch of service and where they are serving.  Thanks.

Something to Think About – Common Sense Advice

 
1. The best way to get even is to forget...

2. Feed your faith and your doubts will starve to death...

3. God wants spiritual fruit, not religious nuts...

4. Marriages are made in heaven, but they ALL have to be maintained on earth....

5. Unless you can create the WHOLE universe in 5 days, then perhaps giving "advice" to God, isn't such a good idea!

6. Sorrow looks back, worry looks around, and faith looks up...

7. Standing in the middle of the road is dangerous. You will get knocked down by the traffic from both ways.

8. Words are windows to the heart.

9. A skeptic is a person who when he sees the handwriting on the wall, claims it's a forgery.

10. It isn't difficult to make a mountain out of a molehill, just add a little dirt.

11. A successful marriage isn't finding the right person; it's being the right person.

12. The mighty oak tree was once a little nut that held its ground.

13. Too many people offer God prayers with claw marks all over them.

14. The tongue must be heavy, indeed because so few people can hold it.

15. To forgive is to set the prisoner free and then discover the prisoner was you.

16. You have to wonder about humans, they think God is dead and Elvis is alive!

17. It's all right to sit on your pity pot every now and again.  Just be sure to flush when you are done.

18. You'll notice that a turtle only makes progress when it sticks out its neck...

19. If the grass is greener on the other side of the fence, you can bet the water bill is higher.
20. Some folks wear their halos just a little too tight.

UPCOMING EVENTS - 2006
Please note the following events on the horizon for Illinois and the Midwest.  Communication and download information can be gotten directly through this email by attachments or by going to www.judofdl.com  (Brett Wood Taylor Welcome Mat Judo). OR www.judocalendar.com  (Jim Carmer).  Either site is a wealth of information on Judo events.  Both have more events listed than I have, so visit their sites often.  Thanks.

Oct 15             5th Annual Wolf Junior Tournament     Military Arts Institute – 6101 N Broadway, Chicago, IL
                Contact   Brett Wolf                 azumah4@yahoo.com
                Yarina Birnbaum 773-348-8641/ philya@ameritech.net  /Fax:773-442-1550
                IJI BOARD MEETING 9:00am – 10:00am 

Oct 15             2006 Great Lakes Open Judo Championships  Ypsilanti, MI  NEW!!!
            Contact Neil Simon      NJSimon@aol.com            
             Dave Wertheimer       Dave.Werthiemer@farmington.k12.mi.us

Oct 20-21        2006 US Open             Miami, FL
             Contact Ms Sherri Phillips   sportsconsult@aol.com   1-719-491-9682

Oct 21     Junior Development Clinic – Open Workout                3pm – 5pm             Menomonee Judo Club       Chicago, IL 
Drucker Center, 1535 North Dayton Street, Chicago       Donation $5.00 to benefit Illinois Judo
Contact Brett Wolf              azumah4@yahoo.com

Oct 28-29        Badger Open Judo Tournament  Fond du Lac, WI
             Contact Brett Wood-Taylor               welcomemat@charter.net
             Tournament package available at www.wisconsinjudo.com

Nov 4 – 5        2nd Annual All Women’s Championships      Kalamazoo, MI          
            Contact Deborah Fergus           DeFrgs6@cs.com              http://www.southsidedojo.com/womens

 Nov 12          Gurnee Veteran's Day Judo Tournament            Grayslake, IL        
            Contact         Tim Schultheis  tschulth@warpnet.net   or flyer available www.gurneejudoclub.com

Nov 17         Jimmy Pedro – A Special Judo Seminar Midway Judo Club – West St Paul, MN
         Contact George Trembulak  651-778-3740

Nov 18                   Junior Development Clinic – Open Workout                Yorkville Judo Club             Yorkville, IL
Contact Brett Wolf              azumah4@yahoo.com

Dec 2               Santa’s Shiai  Fond du Lac, WI
            Contact            Brett Wood-Taylor       welcomemat@charter.net

Dec 10    TENTATIVE         IJI Coaches Certification Clinic      at Tohkon Judo – Chicago, IL
Clinicians:  Jim Colgan, Jim Peterson, Barry Henby
Contact                  Tim Schultheis tschulth@warpnet.net  for more information

Dec 26 – 30            Gurnee Judo Holiday Camp featuring Carrie Chandler             Gurnee, IL
Contact                  Tim Schultheis tschulth@warpnet.net  for more information www.gurneejudoclub.com

Dec 30                    Junior Development Clinic – Open Workout                Gurnee Judo Club                Gurnee, IL
Contact Brett Wolf              azumah4@yahoo.com

2007 dates

Jan TBD Junior Development Clinic – Open Workout                Tohkon Judo Academy      Chicago, IL
Contact Brett Wolf              azumah4@yahoo.com

Feb 18    Illinois State Open Judo Championships     Yorkville IL
            Contact   Chuck Clark:  (630)553-5741 clarkmail@sbcglobal.net  OR
                                 Tim Schultheis (847)244-7847

Feb         Sensei Memorial   San Jose, CA        -               Referee Examination Site

Mar 2-4  Midwestern Championships  Illinois                -               Referee Examination Site

Mar 10    New York Open, New York City

Mar 24-26  MS/HS/Collegiate National Championships – Miami, FL

Apr 1-2   Liberty Bell – Philadelphia, PA          -               Referee Examination Site

Apr 7-8   Northglenn – Denver, CO

Apr 20-21  Senior Nationals – Miami, FL

May 29-30  Am-Can Challenge – Buffalo, NY -               Referee Examination Site

Jul 7 – 8  Junior Olympics –

Jul 2007  USJA Junior Nationals – Indianapolis, IN

Jul 14-15 USJF Junior Nationals – Ypsilanti, MI

Aug 4-5  USA Judo Junior Open – Ft Lauderdale, FL?

Sep 2007  Ladder and Fall Classic

Sep/Oct 2007         USA Judo Senior Open

Nov 2007               Continental Crown – Seattle, WA     -               Referee Examination Site

Nov 2007               Dallas Invitational – Dallas, TX         -               Referee Examination Site

LIFE MEMBERSHIPS INFORMATION – USA JUDO
For more information on Life Membership in USA Judo, please contact USA Judo and click on “LIFE MEMBERSHIP”  
Nat’l       Order     Name
030          1             Henry Okamura(deceased)
041          2             Kei Narimatsu
065          3             James Colgan
122          4             Richard Fukuyama(deceased)
125          5             Joanne Barthold(deceased)
139          6             George Stanich
148          7             Mary Gail Ford
161          8             Kevin Narimatsu (CA)
162          9             Scott Narimatsu (CA)
164          10           Byung Chul Cho
167          11           Yung Kim
177          12           Kyu Yoon
181          13           John Bek
189          14           Quentin Thompson
201          15           Michiyuki Sasa
216          16           George Weers
271          17           Susan McConnell
289          18           William Jaconetti
291          19           Jean S Narimatsu
292          20           Susan Narimatsu
324          21           Timothy Tremaine
342          22           Stephen Bergren
349          23           Timothy Canty
355          24           Tim Schultheis
358          25           Bradford Lee (NV)
363          26           Frank Oliveri
364          27           Michael Ogata (FL)
370          28           Jeanette J Narimatsu
371          29           Julie K Narimatsu
374          30           Joe Kajita (CA)
378          31           Eiko Shepherd
381          32           Bill Dunning(deceased)
382          33           Yasko Odagiri
383          34           Wren Odagiri
385          35           Cary Yamanaka (MN)               
387          36           Don Bordeau

There are currently only 36 Life Members in Illinois.  You can start a membership for $75 minimum start payment and $25 per payment thereafter until completed.  You can pay by cash, check or credit card.  For more information, please contact www.usjudo.org  and select “LIFE MEMBERSHIP” Let’s do our share in Illinois.   Thanks.