Thank you Guro Crafty for a most informative and enjoyable seminar last night.  We also had a very fun time, notwithstanding all my coughing.

Woof Marc,

Do you anticipate doing another camp sometime that would focus in-depth on sticks, palm stick, and knives?  I would especially be interested in that material.

I've had a chance to train a little bit with Matt Thornton and some of the people that were affiliated with him in the past.  I think that they all have some good things to offer and I've enjoyed learning from them.  I have not trained in Thornton's stickfighting methods, so I can't speak to it from personal experience.  However, I would note that he has credited Burt Richardson for the stickfighting curriculum.  Burt, as you probably know, was one of the original Dog Brothers.  So, it stands to reason that DBMA has probably had some influence on Thornton's approach to stickfighting.

Kidnapping Suspect Was Girls' Martial Arts Instructor
Updated: Monday, Oct. 3, 2005 - 2:20 PM

VIENNA, Va. - A frightening experience for twin 10-year-old girls allegedly involving a man who had taught the girls martial arts at a school in Vienna.
Police say Andrew Jacobs, 42, of Vienna is charged with burglary, two counts of abduction and four counts of assault after he allegedly broke into their Vienna home late Saturday.

Jacobs taught the girls martial arts at a Vienna school, and apparently did a pretty good job, judging by the bruises seen on his face in court Monday. Police say he got a black eye and other injuries when the girls fought back during the break in.

The girls also managed to partially pull off a mask Jacobs was wearing, and they also recognized his voice. The parents hit Jacobs over the head with a lamp.

A judge is ordering Jacobs held without bond on assault, abduction and burglary charges.

(Copyright 2005 by WTOP Radio and The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Have you checked out the first series of video instructional tapes from the Dog Brother.  They have various stick drills that you can practice solo.

Saw this posted in another forum.  I thought it would be of particular interest to DBMA types:

Tony Jaa to wield a 'Sword' for third film

Variety's Asian film blog Kaiju Shakedown reports that Tony Jaa is teaming up with director Prachya Pinkaew yet again for a third martial arts actioner, this time set in Thailand's past and featuring swordplay.

According to published information released at this year's Cannes, Sword will be a "spectacular saga" that "depicts the heroism of Thai history's legendary warriors as they fight to protect their homeland."

As for the martial arts, Tony Jaa will be using the ancient art of Dab Thai, or Double-Handed Sword Fighting. This style of swordplay is described as "one of the most beautiful yet lethal weapons arts ever seen on film."

Dab Thai swordplay is a uniquely Thai martial art that has been around for well over a thousand years. What sets it apart from other Asian sword techniques is the integration of fist, feet and knee attacks. Identical double-edged swords are often used and the sword grips may be employed to attack the enemy's weak spots, such as joints.

Jaa's second film, Tom Yum Goong, is presently set for theatrical release in Thailand and other parts of East Asia on August 11th, 2005.

Will it be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day?

I do not think they are implying that the people on the list are certified by the organization; rather, they are just listing people out there who teach JKD.

Woof Marc!
     Is there going to be another DBMA practitioner/instructor camp in Hermosa Beach this year (2004?) If so, when do you anticipate holding it?  I'm trying to work out my schedule for the remainder of the year so there's no conflict.  Thanks.