Testing & bELIeve Bracelets

Just a few announcements today...


Testing Results
Congratulations to everyone on their new ranks. Testing went very well, and we're excited to start our new testing cycle. For our youth students, remember that your school work comes first. Below is a picture of Olivia Weir, demonstrating an excellent flying side kick (note the positioning of her kicking leg & foot).




bELIeve Bracelets
BHMA will be selling bracelets designed by Eli Matthews. For those of you who don't remember, Eli passed away after a courageous battle against Leukemia. Bracelets will sell for $2.00 each, with funds continuing to go towards the Eli Seth Matthews Foundation. See an instructor for more details.

Class Cancellation

Classes Cancelled
Bill Hammond's Martial Arts (BHMA) will be closed today (Monday, August 29th, 2011).

Hopefully everyone is doing well in the wake of Hurricane Irene. A number of households are still without power, while some roads are still blocked by fallen trees.

We are reminded of our first code of martial artists, "Be loyal to your nation". Our nation is made up of many communities, and we're happy to see people reach out to each other. From our volunteer emergency crews redirecting traffic, to next door neighbors helping clean out flooded basements, to even older children helping watch younger ones. Thanks to everyone for displaying wonderful examples of character!

Our gym handled the storm quite well, however we will honor our inclement weather policy. Since Avon Grove School District has cancelled their first day of classes, we will do so as well. We would prefer people not test out roads that are still possibly flooded, as well as do our small part in reducing traffic for any service vehicles to brings things back up to speed.


Upcoming Events
Instructor Class: Wednesday, August 31st -- 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Labor Day Closing: Friday, September 2nd - Monday, September 5th (Gym Closed)

Testing Update

Testing Update
Summer belt testing will be held the week of August 22nd. Regular classes will be held the beginning of the week (Monday the 22nd & Tuesday the 23rd). No regular classes will be held during the testing dates of Thursday the 25th & Friday the 26th.

Testing, board breaking, and belt ceremonies will be held on the same night. Do not be late, and show up in FULL UNIFORM!

If you are scheduled to test but are unable to attend your time slot, you are required to let one of the instructors know as soon as possible.

Good Luck, Everyone!

Thursday, August 25th
5:00pm -- Current Purple Belts & Higher (Youth)
6:45pm -- All Adults

Friday, August 26th
5:00pm -- Current White & Orange Belts (Youth)
6:00pm -- Current Yellow & Green Belts (Youth)


Upcoming Events
Summer Belt Test: Thursday, August 25th - Friday, August 26th
Instructor Class: Wednesday, August 31st -- 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Labor Day Closing: Friday, September 2nd - Monday, September 5th (Gym Closed)

Summer Update

Summer Belt Testing
BHMA will be holding their belt testing the week of August 22nd. Testing, board breaking, and belt presentation will be held on the same night. More information (including times) to be announced soon.

Thursday, August 25th
1st Test -- Current Purple & Blue Belts (Youth)
2nd Test -- Current Red Belts, Il Dan Bo, & Black Belts (Youth)
3rd Test -- All Adults

Friday, August 26th
1st Test -- Current White & Orange Belts (Youth)
2nd Test -- Current Yellow & Green Belts (Youth)


Instructor Class
The next class for instructors (including junior instructors) will be held Wednesday night, August 31st, from 5:30pm - 6:30pm.


Labor Day Closing
BHMA will be closed from Friday, September 2nd to Monday, September 5th in recognition of Labor Day.


Upcoming Events
Summer Belt Test: Thursday, August 25th - Friday, August 26th
Instructor Class: Wednesday, August 31st -- 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Labor Day Closing: Friday, September 2nd - Monday, September 5th (Gym Closed)

Catfish Sprint Triathlon

Congratulations to Ellen Gray on finishing the Catfish Sprint Triathlon in Harrisburg, PA!

The event started with a 0.8 mile swim in the Susquehanna River, then a 14.5 mile bike, and concluded with a 3.1 mile run.

Ellen trained very hard and was determined to finish 5 minutes faster than her last triathlon. Instead, she shattered her record by finishing over 12 minutes faster, with a time of 1:32:46 -- earning 5th in her division!

Proceeds went to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Black Belt Ceremony

Black Belt Ceremony
BHMA will be holding their Black Belt Ceremony on Saturday, July 23rd. More details to be announced regarding location, time and participation.


Upcoming Events
July 4th Break: Saturday, July 2nd - Tuesday, July 5th (Closed)
Summer Camp (AM): Monday, July 11th - Friday, July 15th
Black Belt Ceremony: Saturday, July 23rd, more info TBA
Summer Camp (PM): Monday, July 25th - Friday, July 29th
Summer Camp (AM-Pee Wee): Monday, July 25th - Friday, July 29th
Summer Camp (X-treme): Monday, August 15th - Friday, August 19th
August Belt Test: Week of August 22nd, more info TBA

Eli Seth Matthews 5k

Inaugural 5k
On Sunday, June 19th, BHMA was proud to participate in the inaugural Eli Seth Matthews Foundation 5k run. Proceeds went to the Eli Seth Matthews Leukemia Foundation in the continued fight against cancer.

BHMA Participants Included:
Trish Dalton
Christopher Johnson
Janet Johnson - *3rd in her division*
Paul Matthews (*Son: Austin, won 2nd in his division*)
Norma Ocampo
Ricky Pullin
JJ Ruszin
Evan Snyder - *1st in his division*

Upcoming Events
July 4th Break: Saturday, July 2nd - Tuesday, July 5th (Closed)
Summer Camp (AM): Monday, July 11th - Friday, July 15th
Summer Camp (PM): Monday, July 25th - Friday, July 29th
Summer Camp (AM-Pee Wee): Monday, July 25th - Friday, July 29th
Summer Camp (X-treme): Monday, August 15th - Friday, August 19th
August Belt Test: Week of August 22nd, more info TBA