Parent and Me Classes Are Here to Stay

We have concluded all 4 weeks of the parent and me trial classes at Evolution Martial Arts Academy.  These trial classes were for us to adjust our teaching style to accommodate the youngest children we have ever taught.  After receiving lots of positive feedback from parents we have decided to officially add this type of class permanently.

We have learned parents want to keep their children active.  We will do our best to keep them moving and developing better motor skills while keeping everything fun.  We will also still incorporate a little martial arts into this program.  Class format will remain relatively the same because kids at this age like similar structure and familiarity.  Each week kids will work on a new martial arts technique the “skill” of the week.  The skill will cycle over again approximately every few weeks.  This class is a much slower paced class than our other martial arts classes.   

Here is everything you will need to know if you would like to join this program. 

• All new students who have never tried these classes will receive 2 free trial classes to decide if they would like to join. 
• Ages for this program are 2.5 to 4.  If your child is 4 or close to turning 4 we suggest they take our normal Tiny Tiger program where it is just student and instructor.  This program will be too easy and not challenging for them. 
• Class will be held only on Sundays 10:30-11:15am (days and times may change in the future) starting January 5^th 2014
• The Pricing will be $99 for a 10 Class Pack.  After every class the card will be punched, when you run out you can purchase a new pack.  Classes on packs never expire and can only be used for Parent and Me classes. 
• Students will be required to purchase and wear a uniform for $40 this includes patches and name embroidery.
• Family discounts are available if you have older children interested in martial arts or if parent’s are interested something for themselves.  Please email info@evomaa.net for pricing.

Evolution Class Schedule for Christmas and New Years Holiday.

Here is just a quick reminder if you haven't had a chance to look at the big board for the special class schedule for the Christmas and New Years Holiday.

Dec 23rd - Monday - Normal Schedule
Dec 24th - Tuesday - Christmas Eve CLOSED
Dec 25th - Wednesday - Christmas Day CLOSED
Dec 26th - Thursday - Short Schedule (only classes below)

• 10am Adult Hapkido
• 11am CF
• 5pm - Tiny Tigers, CF
• 5:30pm - Tiny Tigers
• 6:00pm - JR All Ranks, CF
• 7:00pm - Kickboxing, CF

Dec 27th - Friday - Normal Schedule

Dec 28th - Saturday - Normal Schedule

Dec 30th - Monday - Short Schedule (only classes below)

• 10am Adult Kickboxing
• 11am CF
• 5pm - Tiny Tigers, JR (Orange Yellow), CF
• 5:30pm - Tiny Tigers
• 6:00pm - JR (Green +), CF
• 7:00pm - Adult Hapkido, CF

Dec 31st - Tuesday - New Years Eve CLOSED

Jan 1st - Wednesday - New Years Day CLOSED

Jan 2nd -  Thursday - Normal Schedule

We wish you and your family a safe and happy holiday season and happy new year.  Please email info@evomaa.net if you have questions about this schedule.  Thank you.  

EVO Community, We Would Like Your Help for a Family in Need.

Our friend Jennifer Levinson of "Jen's List" has met a family that is need of help.  Below is their story and if anyone of you can offer some help that would be fantastic.  Below are some details from Jennifer 

I write this because I have been made aware of a situation at a local high school, about a 17 year old, that breaks my heart and I am reaching out to see if anyone has the resources to help.
I have been in contact with school administers and recieved this info this morning. Please take a minute to read it, count your blessings and if you know someone that can assist, email me at jen@jenslist.com.
He and his mother are living in a car and have been doing so for ten months.
He sleeps about 5-6 hours per night at most. He and his mother generally have been getting by with cold meals that they have purchased with food stamps. He has pericarditis, which he says is an inflammation of the sack around his heart. The condition causes chest pains and limits his ability to participate in any kind of physical activity. We believe this condition also accounts for times when he seems slow to respond or seems without the energy to complete his work or participate in class. He says that there is medication for it, but he is not on it right now. However he has not been to the doctor in quite some time and it is reasonable to assume that he may not be able to afford treatment. Furthermore, it"s also safe to assume that his options are fairly limited when it comes to a healthy diet, given his current situation.

It should be noted that he appears at school each day in the same clothes. He does not seem to have any real winter clothing for the nights. He tells us his day consists of going to school, then going to the library to do some work and get on the computer. He then goes to sleep and starts the day over again.
He and his mother would accept help. His words were "I"ve been living like this for ten months."
After the meeting, the boy immediately asked, "Is there a way to get into a bed or a place by Christmas?". The boy is doing well in school, great behavior, hard working and never asks for a thing.
At this point, connections with shelters and/or a place to stay, and perhaps a cardiologist pediatric or otherwise who would be willing to perform some pro bono work would be wonderful.

UPDATE

1st, I have to tell you that when I first posted about the mom and son that were living in their car, I NEVER in my wildest dreams imagined the outpour of support that has been rec’d.

As of now, I have rec’d hundreds of responses and still trying to get back to everyone.

I had the opportunity today to meet the mom. She is an educated 56 year old, with a bachelors degree and retired from law enforcement in Hawaii.  She and her son moved here for a job that unfortunately, did not pan out. She has been working part time, thru a temp. agency, but would love to get something stable.

Both mom and son are clean, NO drugs or alcohol. He is a straight A student that goes directly to the library after school and stays there until closing before going to the car they sleep in.

A Pediatric Cardiologist in Encino has offered to take care of the boy and his medical needs surrounding his Pericarditis.

The high school got the boy a prepaid cell phone, so that he can reach his mom, if needed.

At this time, they could really use gift cards to get themselves some warm clothing and hot meals.

Some suggestions were Wal-Mart, Old Navy, Ralphs or Vons. Someone has offered to help mom with her resume and I will gladly post it once completed to see if anyone can help her with a permanent job.

Mom was very gracious and appreciated the community support.

If you are interested in helping, gift cards can be mailed to(and remember, NO amount is too little):

Calabasas High School

Attn: Ryan Emery 

22855 West Mulholland Hwy.

Calabasas, CA 91302

His email is remery@lvusd.org

Ryan will make sure that all donations reach the family.

Lastly, we are working with the Anza hotel, in hopes that they will deeply discount their nightly rate, to at least give them a place to stay over winter break and have a warm bed to sleep in for the holidays. Details are in the works now to make this happen. If you would like to assist with housing, a visa/mc gift card can be sent. Please include a note to Ryan that the funds are specially to be used for housing and he will make sure that they are.

The past 2 days have been extraordinarily humbling to me and just another learning lesson for my children. While most of us think something like this will never happen to them, trust me when I tell you that this mom and son never thought it would.

Thank you for your generosity and willingness to help others in need.

Love,

Jen

If you can help donate anything please mail to the address above or drop off at EVO and we will take care of it.  Lets try to help by this weekend before Christmas!  Thank you everyone. 

2nd Annual Holiday Pot Luck Dec-22 12-2pm

We would love for you to join us for our 2nd Annual Holiday Pot Luck (who could forget last years chocolate covered bacon).  The pot luck will be at Evolution Martial Arts Academy on Sunday December 22nd from 12pm to 2pm.  This is always a fun way to talk and hang out with the coaches and other students and members off the mat and away from the weights.

If you would like to participate please bring enough food to serve 3-4 people.  There is a sign up sheet on the front counter.  As a reminder please bring serving utensils if your dish or food item needs it.

Lets have some fun as we close out the year.  We hope to see some of you there.

We Won the 2013 Chatsworth Best Martial Arts School.

With 2013 coming to an end we won the 2013 Chatsworth Best Martial Arts School Award from the Chatsworth Award Program.  Not too shabby for being open for 1-1/2 years.  Thank you to our students, parents, crossfitters, and everyone who comes in and supports us day in and day out.  Without all of you we wouldn't have the EVO community.  We look forward to a bigger 2014.  

Here is press release (source link at the bottom of the page):

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Evolution Martial Arts Academy Receives 2013 Best of Chatsworth Award

Chatsworth Award Program Honors the Achievement

CHATSWORTH December 3, 2013 -- Evolution Martial Arts Academy has been selected for the 2013 Best of Chatsworth Award in the Karate School category by the Chatsworth Award Program.

Each year, the Chatsworth Award Program identifies companies that we believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and our community. These exceptional companies help make the Chatsworth area a great place to live, work and play.

Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2013 Chatsworth Award Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the Chatsworth Award Program and data provided by third parties.

About Chatsworth Award Program

The Chatsworth Award Program is an annual awards program honoring the achievements and accomplishments of local businesses throughout the Chatsworth area. Recognition is given to those companies that have shown the ability to use their best practices and implemented programs to generate competitive advantages and long-term value.

The Chatsworth Award Program was established to recognize the best of local businesses in our community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to recognize the small business community's contributions to the U.S. economy.

SOURCE: Chatsworth Award Program (http://chatsworth.awardredemption.org/PressReleaseub.aspx?cc=dcqm-pbb7-tk33)

CONTACT:
Chatsworth Award Program
Email: PublicRelations@awardredemption.org
URL: http://www.awardredemption.org