JAN - MAR 2008

The long awaited book on our deceased member, Maestro Peter Urban is now available from Grandmaster Don Warrener's Rising Sun Productions in California. To order your copy of this historical work, you can contact Grandmaster Don Warrener at DonRW@earthlink.net or write to Rising Sun Productions at 15805 Chase St., North Hills, CA. 91343. Grandmaster Vincent Lyn of Connecticutt also has a new book coming out mid 2008 by Unique Publications on his martial arts lineage entitled "Ling Gar Legacy", to receive more information on his book you can contact Vincent at  VincentLyn@hotmail.com  or write to 21 Bridge St,

Stamford, CT. 06905; and last but not least, Grandmaster John Byrne of Nebraska has a new book out (the first of 3 volumes) on pressure points written in conjunction with a Doctor entitled "Compensatory Responses: Minimally Invasive to Lethal". If you would like more information on this book which gives the Western medicine perspective of "why" pressure points work & the damage that can be affected by light, medium & heavy blows to these areas , you can contact John at EByrne2@cox.net or write to 9342 Camden Ave., Omaha, NE. 68134.

 For those of you who will be attending our 15^th Annual WHFSC celebration in San Antonio, Texas, Rising Sun Productions will be premiering the new WHFSC Members Book there. This first printing is expected to be a collectors item & is a hard bound cover set with gold seal of our temple logo accompanied by a letter of authenticity.  You can reserve your copies in advance by e-mailing Grandmaster Warrener at the addresses referenced in the beginning of our newsletter.

 Also be aware that the deadline for reservation of your rooms for our 15^th Annual WHFSC celebration taking place May 23^rd -24^th in Texas is April 23^rd . To get your room discounts at the "4 star" rated Crowne Plaza Hotel bordering San Antonio's famed River Walk, call their direct number at 1-210-354-2800 & mention our "martial arts hall of fame room block" as the rooms are going fast!! If you are coming from an international location, please e-mail our sponsors, Sensei Phillip & Glenda Spears for help in reserving your room(s). Their e-mail addresses are uwillbehappier@aol.com & GSpears@Talbott-Adams-Moore.com . You can also charge your banquet fees by debit/ credit card this time around by contacting our sponsors at the above e-mail addresses. So come & bring the whole family for a fun filled family vacation at the famed River Walk in Texas!  For more information visit http://www.bushido.org/whfsc/promo/whfscevent.htm 

Sijo Adriano Emperado

 Received a call from Grandmaster Dechi Emperado that her Brother & WHFSC historical member, Sijo Adriano Emperado of Kajukenbo was admitted to the hospital on February 29^th  . Hopefully, Sijo, you are already up & about. Much love & respect from myself & this Council!  "Thank you" Grandmaster Dechi for also making us aware of Sijo's being admitted to the hospital!

Grandmaster Gary Alexander

Grandmaster Yip Chun

Grandmaster Leung Ting

Grandmaster Gary Alexander's 45^th Anniversary Karate, TKD, Kung Fu Championships & Trade Show, one of the best run tournaments in the world,  takes place April 13^th in the Grand Ballroom of the Radisson Hotel in Piscataway, New Jersey - for more information on America's longest running tournament, where "Eagles, Legends & Pioneers, still gather" you can contact Gary at GaryAlex2@verizon.net . Grandmasters Yip Chun & Leung Ting were featured on the BBC series "Mind, Body & Kickin' Moves" which aired on the FSN Channel in Florida December 23^rd of last year. Chris Crudelli, the Host of the show is expected to be at our May 23^rd - 24^th event in San Antonio to receive an award this year��

 Received a nice surprise when I visited the website of www.completemartialartists.com . Their Hall of Fame contains several of our members listed in this section. They are Great Grandmaster Ralph Castro, Grandmaster Al Dacascos, Grandmaster Charles Ferraro, Grandmaster Ray Geraneo, Great Grandmaster Helio Gracie, Grandmaster Rorion Gracie, Great Grandmaster Masaaki Hatsumi, Grandmaster Stephen Hayes, Professor Wally Jay, Great Grandmaster Ji Han Jae, the late Grandmaster Imi Lichtenfeld, Grandmaster Mitsuyo Maeda, the late Grandmaster Ed Parker Sr., the late Grandmaster Moses Powell, the late Grandmaster Remy Premas, Grandmaster Bill Wallace & myself.    

Dr. Kent Haralson

Professor Gary Dill

Dr. Dennis Hanover

Dr. Kent Haralson, Chairman of the Gospel Martial Arts Union reports that the next National Conference for the GMAU will take place October 10^th - 12^th at the GMAU Hombu in Idianapolis. For more information visit the GMAU Website at www.GMAU.org . Professor Gary Dill of Oklahoma reports that his new Homeland Combative tapes developed as the official curriculum for the American

Board for Certification in Homeland Security (ABCHS) are now complete as a 12 volume set. Robert O'Block, the CEO for ABCHS will be at our May 23^rd - 24^th event in San Antonio along with Gary. Also CONGRATULATIONS to our member, Dr. Dennis Hanover of Israel who was just named "Father of Israeli Combatives" there!

Grandmaster Vincent Marchetti (white Gi  in front) trains snipers

Poster of new movie "Thunderkick" featuring Grandmaster Gary Wasniewski

During the Iranian President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's visit to the U.N. Headquarters in New York last year, U.S. Snipers who were on call there came to train with Grandmaster Vincent Marchetti at his Michi Budo Ryu Dojo in New Jersey while they had their helicopter parked at the Giants Stadium, just like a scene out of an action movie!.....Speaking of which, Grandmaster Gary Wasniewski's new movie produced by Grandmaster Leo Fong's Sky View Entertainment of Hollywood, CA. is now available on DVD. For information on ordering, visit  info@Thunderkickthemovie.com  or call 0044-208-9462258

Professor Don Jacob

Dr. David Grago

In our new members department, we are proud to announce the following individuals to our esteemed Council. From Trinidad, we have the famed "Purple Dragon", Professor Don Jacob of Don Jitsu Ryu & from Texas, Dr. David Grago, inheritor of Ch'uang Chuan Pai. WELCOME gentlemen to your new family of the world's martial arts elite!

  In the magazines this month (available on the newstands as of this writing). Black Belt Magazine's May issue features an article on Grandmaster Willem de Thouars with a mention of Grandmaster George Alexander's recent recognition of 10^th dan status by the Okinawa Shorin Ryu Karate Kobudo Association; & Grandmaster Bill Wallace's monthly column, "Full Contact". Inside Kung Fu's May edition features a mention of Master Jackie Chan's DVDs, "The Myth" & "Robin B Hood" as well as photos of Grandmaster Ernesto Presas demonstrating blocking - countering techniques. Masters Magazine's Fall 2007 issue contains the monthly columns of Professor Tony Annesi entitled "The Dojo Files" & Grandmaster Rorion Gracie's "On the Mat" & lastly, Combat Magazine's January 2007 issue mentions Grandmaster Jeff Speakman in it's Combat Film Column.

 Well, this concludes this edition of our newsletter. Please remember to send in your news to me for our next one. In the meantime, "stay aggressive & fair" in all you do until next time!

Sincerely yours in martial arts brotherhood,  Grandmaster Frank E. Sanchez 10th dan (judan) Founder/ Executive Director International