The May 2012 issue of TaeKwonDo Times Magazine is out and it features Grandmaster John Pellegrini on the cover!

The timing could not be better as this year we are celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the founding of the ICHF.

GM Pellegrini has been on the cover of TaeKwonDo Times an incredible 5 times!! (the last one was 10 years ago in 2002).

The interview style article, titled "GM Pellegrini - From the Dojang to the Battlefield" is authored by Julie Greene.

Our HQ has purchased a bulk quantity of copies with the intent to launch a fundraiser for the Wounded Warrior Project. We hope that all of our members will be happy to participate (specific details will be mailed out to everyone).

 

GENESEE COUNTY, Michigan -- The Genesee County Sheriff's Department is in need of reform, said Dan Allen, who is trying to uproot incumbent Robert Pickell.

Allen, who is the Argentine Township police chief, said he would put more deputies inside the city of Flint where crime is "growing out of control."

"You can't ignore the fact that the City of Flint is the biggest community in Genesee County and businesses aren't going to come here if crime is out of control," he said. "You have to get a handle on that."

He also said he would use "out of the box thinking" to handle jail overcrowded. The 580-person jail is constantly overcrowded and there are 51,000 outstanding warrants in the county.

Allen said he would expand the tether and work release programs to handle some of the overcrowding. Allen announced his candidacy nearly a year ago.

Let's support him and help him win!!!

Please click HERE for more information about the 20 Year Anniversary Banquet and application.  We are also sending this information out via USPS but have been getting a lot of request for information so we wanted to post it here as well.

Some eager individuals have called our office to ask about hotel reservations for the November 10, 2012 event. Until now we were not able to provide the info because the hotel did not yet have a special code for the event.... But now they do!! Here is the info you need to get the special rate of $99 a night:

Phoenix Airport Marriott Hotel
1101 N 44th Street, Phoenix AZ 85008
Direct Phone:  602-273-7373

Click on the link below to take you to the website if you want to book online:

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/PHXAP?groupCode=DSIDSIA&app=resvlink&fromDate=11/8/12&toDate=11/12/12

The special rate has been extended from Thursday, November 8th, 2012 to November 12th, 2012. 

If you call to make your reservations, please use the special rate code:  "DSIDSIA" and get a confirmation code and bring it with you so there are no problems later when you check in!

More information will follow as we have it!

The deadline for submission of the paperwork to be included in the "Who's Who in Combat Hapkido" Lineage book is June 30, 2012. You have a little over 3 months to get everything in our hands. If you want to be included, do not procrastinate, do not take chances... we do not want you to miss out!!

It's here!!  The new, revised "Combat Hapkido Tactical Pressure Points" manual is now available! Master Mark Gridley has worked for over 6 months to improve this essential guide to the use of combative Pressure Points. The new manual contains 100 pages packed with scientific knowledge, practical applications and colorful charts. No Combat Hapkido student or Instructor should be without it. In fact Martial Artists of every art or style will benefit by the information contained in this easy to read guide. And there is more good news...  The first edition of this manual (titled ATS) sold for $45. However, since we were able to negotiate a better deal with our printer, we can now offer it for $35. To order go to the DSI Store at www.combathapkido.com

I will file this under the, "It sounded like a good idea at the time" or maybe even in the, "No good deed goes unpunished" file.  When I came up with the idea of recognizing our most senior members with an honorable mention in the "Founder's Society", I never expected that it would generate so much drama, controversy, and problems (but then again... human nature being what it is, maybe I should have anticipated the fall-out).  Our office has been inundated with phone calls and emails concerning the eligibility, the criteria, and the worthiness of individuals for, or against, inclusion.  This has resulted in a gigantic headache and an enormous waste of time for me and the HQ staff.  Here is a sample of the questions/comments we have received:

• Why did you pick the arbitrary date of 2000 for cut-off?  I joined a few months later and I am being penalized.
• I joined as a Charter in 2002 but I had been an Individual member for three years before that.  It should count.
• I joined in 1998 but then I moved and had to drop out for 5 years.  I re-joined in 2003.  I should qualify.
• I qualify for the Founder's Society but I should not be forced to pay to be in the "Who's Who in Combat Hapkido" section if I don't care to be included.
• I have a student who is a 4th Dan and has been in Combat Hapkido with me since 1999.  He should be included.
• I know that Master "X" has been around for 15 years but he is a jerk, he is not supportive of the Federation and does not deserve to be there.
• I had to close my school last year but I had been a loyal Charter since 1997.  Even if I am no longer an active member, I should be included.

I am sure that now you see the complexity of the problem.  In view of that, I have made the executive decision of scrapping the whole idea of the Founder's Society.  Sorry, but my staff and I cannot deal with the egos, complaints, bickering, stupid questions, and assorted annoyances this idea has generated, together with the potential of offending and alienating some of our members.  Problem solved!

All the newsletters and the forms for induction in the "Who's Who in Combat Hapkido" Lineage Book have been mailed.  If you need more forms you can:
1) Make copies of the ones you received
2) Download them here
3) Get them emailed to you from HQ (send us an email requesting them)
4) Call HQ and we will mail you more

We need everything back by June 30, 2012 to allow enough time for the printer to produce and ship the books in time for our November 11, 2012, 20th Anniversary Event.  So you have four months to complete the package and send it back to HQ.  PLEASE do not procrastinate and wait until the last minute.  Unforeseen delays may cause you to miss the insertion.  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call HQ.

Click here for the FORMS

From 03-01-12 through 03-31-12 we are offering a great special:  GM Pellegrini's book "Intelligent Self Defense" is on special for only $20 and in addition to this autographed classic, you'll receive a free autographed copy of the 2002 issue of TKD Times magazine featuring GM Pellegrini on the cover. This is a unique opportunity to acquire 2 great items of Combat Hapkido history. Don't miss out!