We had the most amazing seminar yesterday at the dojo. Danielle Smith Sensei taught two classes. What a total blast. We had visitors from all over. And, best of all, Asia Currie gave a spectacular nidan (2nd degree black belt) demonstration. We’ll have video and photos posted ASAP.
Aikido Community Service in Nevada City/Grass Valley — Our Food Drive
As everyone probably know by know, Aikido’Ka held We Can Drive Through on October 8, 2011 in Nevada City. Here’s the tally for Satruday: $2,900 and 350 pounds of food.
That means in our 4 food drives, our Grass Valley martial arts school has raised $11,000 and 5,750 pounds of food for the Food Bank!
Click here for pictures of the food drive.
Helping the Hungry – Grass Valley/Nevada City Community Service
We held We Can Drive Through on Saturday, October 8. It was an amazing success. The day was absolutely gorgeous, happily sunny between rainy days.
Thank you so much to everyone who participated and donated.
The Food Bank hasn’t told me how much we raised yet, but I’ll let you know as soon as I hear.
I have posted photos of our food drive in a few places. They are:
High resolution photos. You can have these professionally printed, if you’d like.
Community service photos here at the Aikido’Ka site.
Please leave nice comments at the photos to show your appreciation for these folks efforts.
Helping the Hungry on Saturday, October 8
On Saturday, October 8, from 11 am – 6 pm (rain or shine), Aikido’Ka members will be at the corner of Broad & Union Streets, in Nevada City, for We Can Drive Through 2011. This will be the 4th Annual Aikido’Ka food drive for the Food Bank.
Drive Through is an amazingly easy and effective way for you to support the Food Bank and our community. Clean out your pantry and drop off your extra non-perishable food items at the corner of Broad and Union Streets in Nevada City. Just pull in on either side of the street, drop off your cash and/or food donation and drive away. We will be there rain or shine. It’s that easy!
Here is a partial list of the food items that the Food Bank needs (of course, this is not a complete list):
100% Fruit Juice
Canned Fruit
Dried Beans (any type)
Canned Tomato Products
Enriched Rice
Powdered Milk
Canned Fish and Meat
Enriched Pasta
Peanut Butter (plastic containers only)
Additional Child-friendly items:
100% Fruit Rolls
Raisins
Graham Crackers
Unsweetened Applesauce
Cheese and Crackers
Fruit Cups
Raisins
Pretzels
Trail Mix, Granola, Nuts
String Cheese
Dried Fruit
Please help us make this the most successful We Can Drive Through that we’ve had!
Please help us raise us many donations as possible by telling everyone you know about We Can Drive Through. Please invite all of your Facebook friends to the event. Here’s the link. Here’s the We Can . . . Drive Through link on the Aikido’Ka website.
If you have any questions, want to make donations or would like to volunteer, please contact Frank Bloksberg at (530) 273-2727.
Aikido – Path of Compassion
Asia’s 2nd degree black belt (nidan) test paper begins:
Aikido, the art of peace, is a path of compassion. It is a narrow path, winding with many turns and twists, always changing and ever challenging our concepts of self and the world around us. Not always easy to follow, it is compelling in its unfoldment of compassion for our own selves and others.
Compassion exists as a dynamic balance between the two extremes of mercy and severity. Being not fully one or the other but a blending of both. Although it may lean at times towards one or the other, it always includes both aspects. This balance is a fine line to walk. We weave and stumble our way along, sometimes forgetting about it altogether, but always returning to it. This is the work, the training, to walk this path. In this way we learn to be centered, grounded, connected, have expanded awareness with an open and loving heart, and all with a sense of trust and gratitude.