Chu's Martial Arts - after School and more program

We enrolled our son in an after school martial arts program at Chu's Martial Arts http://www.chusmartialarts.com/
this year. As a 4th Dan martial artist and instructor myself, I have learned that sometimes you have to give your child to someone else to teach. What is it that is important for kids from a martial arts school?

Firstly, the after school pick up is ideal for working parents. Instead of sitting in a sedentary daycare kids get a dose of professionally supervised instruction, with a positive respectful environment. Kids today have to fight against many potentially bad influences. Bullying is rampant in schools, poor diet, lack of exercise, and of course video games and TV. Martial arts programs are a bastion of traditional spartan education to counter the flow of modern sedentary life.

Kids need to learn to have confidence in themselves and not be affected by peer pressure. Kids need to learn to work hard and get results from their efforts, via the promotion testing. Kids need to learn that good manners and discipline count.

I have been quite pleased with the results we have received from Chu's Martial Arts after school program. The young instructors are gentle and nice with the kids, and seem to bring out the best in motivation and attitude in the kids. The after school martial arts pick up bus is perhaps the greatest single innovation I have seen in the martial arts in 30 years. Gone are the days of parents bringing their kid for an hour program and then back home again. I have always felt that martial arts should be part of the academic curriculum. The after school pick up brings that one step closer to reality.

While the style of martial arts may be of concern for some, I believe that all martial arts are buildt on the same principles: integrity, indomitable spirit, humility and good sportsmanship. Chus has these qualities as part of their curriculum. Make sure the school you find has it too.

Keep on Kicking,



The Adventure Guy

Toastmaster International Officers Training

I attended the Toastmasters District 60 http://www.toastmasters60.org/ officers training this past weekend. It was held at  bright industrial LEF learning center off of Black Creek and Tretheway Drive in North York Ontario. While Toastmasters is a non profit volunteer run organization it never ceases to amaze me with the quality of the education, the speakers and the value for time and money. I have a graduate degree in business and I find the leadership and marketing training current, timely and useful.

For a mere $7.00 we received muffins in the mourning lunch in the afternoon, advice from a world level speaker, Ross Mackay http://www.rossmackay.com/ and words of wisdom from acclaimed speaker Gary Mull http://www.garymull.com/
.
Toastmasters are a unique group of ethnic diverse, leader oriented people, who are polite, well read and into the development of themselves and helping others.

If your organization needs to work on developing its leaders and innovative thinking, Toastmasters is a place to learn and grow your people.

Look forward to seeing you at the top.


The Adventure Guy

Kimberley Wetmore Band at Roc N' Docs Port Credit

I attended the open mic jam at Roc N Docs this past Thursday night in Port Credit. The jam was hosted by the beautiful and talented Kimberley Wetmore see http://www.kimberleywetmore.com/ . Kimberley is a great vocalist and has assembled a group of talented musicians including Dave Gridlestone on lead guitar. I have attended many open mic jams around the city but this location outclasses them all. First of all, Port Credit is a beautiful waterfront town making the ambience much better than the urban Toronto scene. It hosts the annual South Side Shuffle blues festival  http://www.southsideshuffle.com/ which truly is a great event.   Secondly, Roc N Docs is a cozy bar with a roof top patio, and a lower level lounge which is intimate and friendly. Thirdly, Kimberly has an engaging and nurturing style that brings out the best in the experienced and the novice musicians. She is known as one of the great undiscovered treaures in the Toronto music scene. Independant, outgoing, a black belt in karate, Kimberly has a lot to give to the music scene.

                 
The evening starts by signing a list of interested jammers, and then kimberly sets the stage with the right music and back up to bring out the best of each musician. She will sing with the jammer, or back them up as need be.

For those who are experienced in the live music scene or still looking for new and interesting venues, check out Roc N  Docs on the second Thursday of every month, for the Kimberly Whetmore jam night.

Bring an instrument and some courage, and Rock the Docs.

Keep on Rockin'


The Adventure Guy

Gladstone Hotel - Speak Easy and Morgan Davis Blues Musician

I ventured through Queen West to the Gladstone Hotel to attend a Toronto Blues Society Thursday night event and listen to the Morgan Davis CD release party. Morgan is a fine blues musician, but not exciting enough for my tastes. He was a one man act, playing a variety of guitars, and even a cigar box guitar. Apparently he resides in Halifax now and is only visiting Toronto. He definitely should have had an accompaniement to brighten up his music. A drummer, bass and harp would have added alot to the presentation. For a CD release there could have been more energy, but then again, this is the blues!

I was impressed that next to the Melody bar,  was a black and white  exhibit by a young Sri Lankan photographer. Surrounding the exhibit was a group of young, chic members of the Sri Lankan community, and this cosmopolitan mix made me realize how lucky we are to live in Toronto and have this accumulation of various ethnics. They each add such a cool vibe to this town. The Sri Lankans were humble, polite and well mannered. Very different than the media interpretation we get of the Tamil Tiger etc. The exhibit showed pictures of Sri Lanka as it is under military control during these times.

On the second floor was an art exhibit known as the Speak Easy, a monthly gathering of the creative types. The Speak Easy http://www.speakeasyto.com/ happens the first Thursday of every month and the art form changes each event. A very cool group of art enthusiasts were milling through the gallery. Now in its 15th year SpeakEAsy has gained a reputation for showcasing the city's most talented artists designers and photographers. It is a pay what you can event with a $4.00 suggested donation.  Queen West has really become an arts mecca with a young refined crowd, expressing themselves in a variety of ways.

I know this street from my days as a commercial realtor leasing stores to methane clinics, and trying to lease vacanies in plazas that were drug distribution centers. I remember walking into retailers, trying to have them relocate, and realizing that I might be in the middle of a drug transaction, and leaving quickly.

Gentrification is often led by young artists searching for low rent districts to sell their wares or works. after them come the traditional businesses and residents who enjoy the flair of the creative types.

The Gladstone hotel has become an excellent gentrification landmark and anchor combining the history of the Hog Town establishment and infusing it with a young artsy urban crowd. Definintely a place to explore on Queen West.

Don't forget to wear black.

The Adventure Guy