 |
 |
||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|||
Phillip Emminger announces infrastructure challenge grant
April 2008
In order to root AE's support structure for the long term, recently emeritus Board Member, Phillip Emminger, has called for the appointment of a half-time Executive Director and offered $10,000 U.S. if it is matched by another $30,000 from additional sources. Much gratitude to Phillip and to those working to match his generous challenge.
Awassa Peace Dojo celebrates two breakthroughs
Jan. 31, 2008
The AE mission in Ethiopia marked two leaps forward in January. Visiting AE President Don Levine inaugurated a new dojo built by students from bamboo and other local materials. He also spoke with
the Curriculum Director of Addis Ababa public schools, who wishes to introduce a requirement of aikido training for all high school seniors and asked AE to help provide intensive training for staff over the summer.
Peace Dojos Worldwide gets under way
Jan. 3, 2008
An AE task force has begun to explore next steps in organizing an international network consistinf of martial arts dojos of any disciplien that train explicitly for peace and involve a social outreach activity. Besides aikido, dojos teaching capoeira, karate, and taekwondo have joined the enterprise. The team consists of Bill Leicht, chair; Danny Hakim; Paul Linden; Steve Thomas; and David Weinstock. For more information, contact Bill Leicht
Wendy Palmer Gift Challenge Met!
Dec. 10, 2007
In order to help Aiki Extensions keep on functioning during this time of diminished resources, Wendy Palmer offered a gift of $1,000 pending receipt of $10,000 in gifts from the AE Board and Advisory
Council. Thanks to a generous last-minute gift of $1400 from a member of the Advisory Council, this challenge was met. This has enabled AE to continue its activities withoutserious cutbacks. Checks are still welcome at Aiki Extensions, PO Box 397454, Chicago,IL 60637 or donate through Paypal.
Weinstock troupe completes rousing Aiki Corps stint
Dec. 17, 2007
David Weinstock's troupe of five has returned from a successful
6-week tour as Aiki Corps Volunteers at the Awassa Peace Dojo
in Ethiopia. In addition to fine-tuning the aikido training at the Awassa
Youth Campus, they delivered welcome inputs in the areas of tap dance,
music, art, theater, and cooking.
opening.
Iraqi Aikido Organization in exile celebrates first year
Dec. 16, 2007
The Iraqi Aikido Organization, a group inspired by the Training Across Borders Seminar in Cyprus, and for whom AE provided mats at three dojos, fell into hard times due to the conflagrations in Baghdad not long after they formed. Several of their members are now in exile in Amman, others in Damascus. The IAO Amman dojo recently celebrated their first anniversary and held their first kyu tests. Of their achievement, they wrote: "It is our delight to see that we were able to participate in spreading the Aikiway in our environment and affect positively . . ."
UKAE Holds Benefit Seminar in Slough, England
Sept. 20, 2007
UK's newest and largest permanent aikido dojo hosted an AE benefit seminar in Slough, just west of London, on September 8. Host Sensei William Timms, who uses aikido in corporate work, provided venue, luncheon, and a class featuring clear body movement and strong technique. Senseis Frank Burlingham and Piers Cooke taught other sessions. Seminar organizer Quentin Cooke Sensei delivered a piece of AE philosophy: "Aikido is not just about two hours a day on the mat, but the other 22 hours a day as well." Returned Aiki Corps volunteer Mark Walsh (Awassa, Sao Paolo) shared photos and stories from AE's diverse projects that the funds from the seminar would benefit.
New Book by Tim Warneka to Benefit AE
Sept. 17, 2007
The Way of Leading People: Unlocking Your Integral Leadership Skills with the Tao Te Ching, a new book by Tim Warneka and brother Patrick, with foreword by Richard Strozzi-Heckler, interprets Lao Tzu's classic to address today's global realities. For a limited time, Tim will donate to Aiki Extensions 100% of the proceeds of this book when purchased through the publisher's website, at this link. See more on the book at this link.
Three August Benefits for Awassa Dojo
Aug. 6, 2007
Three cities will hold fund-raising events this month in support of the Awassa Peace Dojo and related activities supported by the Awassa Children's Project. San Francisco (Aug 18) and Los Angeles (Aug 21, at Forbidden City, Hollywood & Vine) will feature "MYethiOPIA", a one-man touring show, written and performed by David Schein. Contact Krishna LeFan. On Monday, Aug 13 Chicago will hold a spectacular benefit at the Triad Sushi Bar featuring John McKay, director of the Awassa Youth Campus which houses the Peace Dojo. John is fresh from an Ethiopian tour of the One Love HIV/AIDS Awareness Theater and its related aikido demo program.
Five Senseis Lead Benefit Seminar for Mideast Aikido Project
Aug. 1, 2007
Kayla Feder's Aikido of Berkeley dojo will host a seminar to benefit AE's Mideast Aikido Project on September 29, 2007. In addition to Feder sensei, other senseis will include AE members Robert Frager (Institute for Transpersonal Psychology), Linda Holiday (Aikido of Santa Cruz), and Jamie Zimron (Mideast Aikido Project); and Pietro Yuji Maida (Northern California Ki Society).
First Aiki Corps Tour Completed
Aug. 1, 2007
AE's fledgling Aiki Corps program, a way for volunteers to help train young people in hardship situations, began in autumn 2005 when Neil Mick, sandan at Aikido of Santa Cruz, started a program for middle-school students at the Seven Tepees center in San Francisco. Since then, Neil provided semiweekly classes and collaborated with AE Members Kayla Feder and Robert Kent in sending his group to a weekend gasshuku for teenagers in Berkeley. Neil's kickoff was followed by Aiki Corps placements in Awassa, Ethiopia, and Sao Paolo, Brazil. Completing his tour this summer, Neil is recruiting someone to follow and keep the Seven Tepees program moving.
