Thank you to Goya sensei (OCB) and Brown sensei (TOR) for joining us. And thank you so much to the moms for preparing the delicious first keiko feast: fresh mochi and zenzai!

Norwalk kenshi: be sure to review the shiai page, not just 3dan and above but everyone, since the first dojo tournament of the year will be next Monday!

Tour summary:
Fri 2/15 7:30-9pm: iaido at NOR
Sat 2/16 9am-4pm:  iaido seminar at OCB
Sat 2/16 5:30pm:   dinner at Brazilian bbq
Sun 2/17 9-11am:   iaido shinsa at OCB
Mon 2/18 7-8:30pm: kendo and iaido at NOR

Congratulations to Yoon Courtney for taking 3rd place (14-15 division) and for being a member of the SCKF junior team, which placed 3rd. And congratulations to Kariya Yoshijiro and Yoon Brian, who were members of the SCKF senior team which took 1st place! Great job, everyone!

Note: please pay up now even if you don't think you'll be able to participate regularly until later in the year. There is no benefit to delaying (federation dues are the same whether you join now or in December). If you join now, on the other hand, your federation membership will be backdated to Jan 1, 2013. More importantly for returning yudansha, your membership will be continuous from 2012 and you will be eligible for the SCKF Championship tournaments in June and September. Also, March membership numbers determine AUSKF election voting. If you know anyone who is "missing in action", please contact them to let them know we welcome all old members back!

During April we will have kata practice every Monday for shinsa applicants. You may also practice on your own during Friday ato-geiko.

Also, Mary Iwami is stepping down as editor of the Tomodachi newsletter after many years of service. The Center is looking to our youth to take over, see memo for details.

• North-South tournament 4/21: suggest each participating dojo give a donation to NCKF. There will be an open youth keiko on Saturday from 1-5pm at Lee HS.
• AUSKF Jr Gasshuku 4/28 at Lomita Park Gym: approx 50 from all federations except PNKF, about 10 from SCKF
• Jr Nationals 6/23 in Las Vegas: need more shinpan and volunteers. Renting bus(es), need an estimate for riders.

Congratulations to all our trophy winners: Hahn Lance (3rd place, 10 and under), Domen Sumi (3rd place, women's), Hamamura Yu (3rd place, 3-4 dan), Kariya Yoshijiro (2nd place, 3-4 dan).

Pictured at right are big brothers Yuuki and Yuugo with their new little sister (click on it for a photo of Naomi).

Congratulations to everyone who passed their ranking exams: Choi Daniel (5kyu), Kim Jun Bae (5kyu), Kim Soung Bae (3kyu), Ji Daniel (2kyu), Lim Steve (2kyu), Kim Christie (1kyu), Trost Jeffrey (1kyu), Hahn Danielle (1dan), Yoon Courtney (1dan), Fu Linda (2dan), Yoon Brian (3dan), and an extra big congratulations to Hamamura Yu, who passed 4dan.

• received auskf id cards for new kenshi
• June meeting moved to June 1
• sponsoring a contingent to attend the PNKF Women's Taikai in July: players ($400 each) Kim Esther (GED), Yoon Courtney (NOR), Tada Casey (STYO), Kil Yuri (CHUO), Sano Nishiki (STYO); coach, chaperone ($200 each): Huh Kevin (CHUO), Yoon Brian (NOR); vans and misc (total sponsorship $2600). Last February SCKF sponsored a boys contingent to Steveston.
• Norwalk missed toban this month, will share duties with Santa Barbara next month

• festival glossy fliers in 3 sizes are available for distribution; advertisement also being taken out in Community News (9 local cities) and Rafu Shimpo. Thanks to Dean (judo) for handling. Ernie will handle press releases.
• first cut festival dish washing schedule handed out; kendo has kitchen sink duty Sat 9-11pm, Sun 8-10pm
• there are some minor tweaks to the booth layout; Brian will communicate them to Linda

Extra big thanks to Fu Linda for masterminding the designs, not to mention purchasing and preparing the materials!

Report from Kim Kay: Everyone advanced to the second round. Courtney placed third in the 4-18 yr division and her team (SCKF Girls Team A) placed 1st in the team match. Good job everyone, and congratulations Courtney!

Congratulations to Moon Joshua, who was awarded kantosho (fighting spirit award) in the 5-4 kyu group, and Kim Matthew, who was awarded kantosho in the 0-6 kyu group. This was Matthew's first tournament!

• cultural festival
  • ondo practice 7:30pm Mon and Thu from 7/8 to 7/25. Do not park in the front area of the parking lot.
  • on festival days must park outside the premises (only handicapped and seniors may park inside). Kendo has one reserved spot for running errands.
  • security: be extra vigilent since may have strangers present (5-city ads)
  • any groups with medical professionals please notify when they are scheduled to be at the Center
  • food booths: see Linda Kusuda's handouts, including sign posting requirements; be sure to have a thermometer
  • use outside sinks for dishwashing only (not food)
  • do not throw meat trimmings into the dumpster or trash (bag and refrigerate until trash pick up Wed, or maybe combine into one container with dry ice?). Grease buckets will be there until Tue (use to dispose of grease and oil; no water).
  • complimentary tickets: make sure has Shinomoto red stamp. blue=meal for dignitaries; pink=$1 for neighbors.
  • need a representative present 5:30am Sat morning when NYS sets up tents (even though we and judo will set up Fri)
  • please hand out glossy fliers (have lots extra). Thanks again to judo for printing these, as well as the big banners on the building and gate.
• misc
  • kendo is responsible for minutes from July through Sept
  • Camp Hanabi: 50 kids signed up (5-10 yrs), some repeat but most new. Kendo will handle as one large group (vs splitting into two separate sessions).
  • all groups asked to empty trashcans, especially outside, and keep the Center clean
  • next Tomodachi deadline is Mon 8/26
  • Mr Yoshimura installed a new PA system in the judo area
  • dance inquiring if ok to add a 6th stainless steel table in the kitchen

• kata seminar will be led by Henmi sensei and Shikai sensei
• Nikkei Games info was sent out 7/2 but not to NOR reps
  - volunteer sign up was due 7/9; will accept for a couple more days
  - tournament application deadline 7/25
• Nisei Week taikai will probably be at Almansor Gym, Alhambra
• Aug board meeting will be 8/3 (instead of 8/10)
• starting to talk about a memorial iaido taikai for Yamaguchi sensei (later this year or early next year)
• checking San Diego area for US Championships

Courtney placed best 8 in individual competition, and was on the SCKF team which took 3rd. Congratulations!

Thank you to Fu Linda for the creating the festival booth layout diagram!

Congratulations to Korhan for passing his 1kyu promotional examination!

Congratulations to Nguyen Emil and Yoon Brian, who each won 3dan 3rd place medals.

Norwalk participants include Cho Daniel (10 and under); Kim Jun Bae, Moon Joshua, Kim Matthew (11-13); Kim Soung Bae (14-15), Kim Christie (women's); Ji Daniel, Trost Jeffrey (16 and over 3-1 kyu); Chang Jeffrey (coach); Kodama Jean, Yoshimura Steve, Kariya Yoshijiro (shinpan). In addition, Henmi sensei will be chief judge, Chang Jeffrey and Hamamura Yu will demonstrate kendo kata, and Nguyen Emil will demonstrate iaido at the tournament.

Congratulations to Kim Christie for taking 3rd place in the women's division, and to the Norwalk team (senpo Cho Daniel, jiho Moon Joshua, chuken Kim Christie, fukusho Ji Daniel, taisho Trost Jeffrey) for taking 3rd in the team competition.

• this is the last month kendo has to take meeting minutes
• treasurer Marvin commented that he and Jim were not receiving the additional financial details requested from kendo, judo, and karate. However it turned out he hadn't yet looked at the updated info provided by kendo the previous week, so we can wait until we get specific feedback from that submission.
• received two books (20 tickets at $5) for NYS pancake breakfast 10/5
• next Tomodachi articles due 10/28
• need volunteers to help working on the Center Sundays 8am (eg yardwork, maintenance on roof, etc)

Welcome new kenshi: Wu Teresa, Hong Steven (Noah, Ellie, and Daniel's dad).

Welcome new kenshi: Kim Ryan, Solorzano Omar, Aria Gonzalo

Congratulations to the championship team for taking 3rd place! They put on an awesome showing against some very stiff competition, including San Diego, Sho Tokyo, and OCB.

Congratulations to Korhan for taking first place in the mudansha (kyu) division! He was the only non-PNKF competitor to place in the tournament. Awesome!

Henmi sensei talked to yudansha:
- don't be late; keiko starts Mon 7pm, Fri 7:30pm
- motodachi: for opening kote raise tip up (not to left which encourages hitting the fist), for do don't lift too high

During keiko we practiced kihon test and started talking about the SCKF shinsa. A preliminary list of Norwalk participants was announced (RSVP and bring check by next Friday's practice).

After keiko we had yudansha practice, plus some follow up kata testing (Cho In Ho w/Kariya sensei).

Thank you to Liao Steve (1D, COV) for donating a case of bottled water to the dojo!

And welcome new members: Park Brandon, Lee Eui Rol, Lee Daniel, Kim Damian, Kim Isaac

• from spring'14 shinsa 4dan seminar requirements will be enforced
• AUSKF zone 3 shinpan seminar Nov 16-17 in San Jose
• need suggestions for New Year's party (else Feb Almansor Court)
• Nov board meeting changed from 11/9 to 11/2, will review calendar

Congratulations to everyone who passed their ranking exams: Cho Daniel (6kyu), Cho Ryan (6kyu), Moody Anthony (5kyu), Choi Jonathan (5kyu), Hahn Lance (4kyu), Kim Jun Bae (4kyu), Moon Joshua (4kyu), Kim Matthew (4kyu), Tseng George (3kyu), Kim Soung Bae (2kyu), Ji Daniel (1kyu), and an extra big congratulations to Nguyen Emil, who passed 4dan.

• Team SCKF members will be finalized by the 1/19 practice. Prelim AUSKC info was sent in Nov (see link). SCKF will need volunteers to help run the Championships (in San Diego).
• new dojo in Alhambra starting in Jan at Alhmansor Gym, head instructor Shinada sensei, Tue nights
• 2014 Kitamoto Camp: SCKF's turn (one kenshi), deadline 1/11
• AUSKF March'14 membership is important (election year)

Tonight's shiai geiko cancelled due to shock.

Henmi sensei is retiring, so everyone please come out to help us express our gratitude and best wishes.

Thank to everyone who came out to the party. It was our first time having the photo booth, which was a great success. Of course the food was great. Thank you especially to all the moms, not only for tonight's feast, but for working so hard for us all year long.

Congratulations to kenshi who received special awards at the party: monthly tournament winners Moon Joshua (0-5kyu), Ji Daniel (4-1kyu), Trost Jeffrey (adult kyu), and Amano Shotaro (yudansha), and sensei's pick for Steveston Taikai Yoon Courtney and Moon Joshua. Also, congratulations again to everyone who received new ranks in the May and October shinsas.

And thank you to Nguyen Emil for being MC, to Domen Sumi and Chang Jeffrey for planning and running the games (it was just for the kids this year), and to Mrs Horii (TOR) for her wonderful photographs.

Thanks very much to the parents for blowing up the balloons, and to Sumi for running the fun and games.