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The Atlantic-Pacific Tang Soo Do Federation recently conducted a two day advanced training symposium in the outskirts of Mexico City.

 On October 11, the Atlantic-Pacific Tang Soo Do Federation hosted its 2008 New England Regional Championships at the Meriden Boys and Girls Club in Meriden, Connecticut. A couple hundred gathered to enjoy the day and everyone had a wonderful time. Black Belts and Gup members competed in divisions for weapons, forms, free sparring and board-breaking.

The facility handled all the activities beautifully. The gymnasium was spacious, with two entrances controlling the flow of people, and a tiered seating/spectator gallery along one side. The layout was well-organized; a station for purchasing boards for breaking events, and another for raffle tickets and commemorative T-shirts. Master Marc Sattler, surprised us with his own Tang Soo Do artwork on the shirts, copied from his original painting. He also presented his first print to Grandmaster St. James during the opening ceremonies.

On July 18-19, the Atlantic-Pacific Tang Soo Do Federation hosted its 2008 International Championships at the Gwinnett County Fairgrounds in Lawrenceville, Georgia. Several hundred people attended the event and there were competition divisions for weapons, free sparring, breaking, traditional forms, team forms, and creativity.

The Atlantic-Pacific Tang Soo Do Federation recently conducted a four day advanced training symposium on the island of Aruba. Mr. Richard Vrolijk, Dan - owner and Kyo Sa Nim of Aruba Tang Soo Do hosted Kwan Jang Nim John St. James, the President and Founding Master of the Atlantic-Pacific Tang Soo Do Federation.

Atlantic-Pacific Tang Soo Do Federation - 375 people gathered for the first ever APTSDF New England Regional Championships held at Kennedy Middle School in Plantsville, Connecticut. The event being hosted by Sa Bom Nim Steve Fernandez, Sa Dan and attended by Kwan Jang Nim John St. James and eight other Federation Masters and Master's Candidates was a tremendous success.

In August, Team USA of the Atlantic Pacific Tang Soo Do Federation headed by Kwan Jang Nim John St. James headed down under to the enchanted continent of Australia to attend the 2007 Asia Pacific Tang Soo Do Federation International Championships.

Master Carole Coker, owner of The Family Karate Center and Coker's Tang Soo Do in Montgomery, Alabama has been chosen to tape Child Abduction Prevention Tips on The Christian Broadcast Network. The Program is called "The Family Karate Center Presents: Stranger Danger Tip of the Week". Different safety segments and self defense quick-release moves were taped by the Tiny Tiger and Little Dragon Students at Master Coker's school.

When one thinks of Morris they have to have a smile on their face. He was loving man, a great husband, a great martial arts instructor, a wonderful friend, and a true student and warrior!

When I first met Morris many years ago, I saw him standing at the side of our training hall with a video camera in his hand. He seemed quiet and reserved and yet nothing could be further from the truth.

Originally published in Fall 2006 Tae Kwan Do Times.

The week of July 24th was huge for the Atlantic-Pacific Tang Soo Do Federation under the direction of Master J. John St. James, Chil Dan. The Federation, headquartered in Suwanee, Georgia, put on it's annual Masters (KODANJA) Clinic (July 25 - 28), and it's International Championships, Awards Banquet, and Championship Party (July 28 - 30) at both the Marriott Boca Center and Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida.