Sept. 25, 2006

We, the students and instructors of what was formerly Northeast Aikikai are in a period of transition. Northeast Aikikai is closing, effective the end of Sept. 2006 and Mill City Aikido is beginning. The first class of Mill City Aikido will start on Sunday, Oct. 1 at the Lion’s Den, 195 Princeton Blvd. Chelmsford, MA, 9:30 – 11:00 AM. Mark Jackson will be instructing. Directions: Rte. 3 (in MA or NH) to Exit 32 in Chelmsford, MA. Take Rte. 4 North off the rotary. At the second set of lights (not counting the rotary lights) turn right (Princeton Blvd.). Lion’s Den is just ahead, on the right – a wooden, single story, blue colonial.

Lion’s Den is a martial arts dojo recently opened by Steve Burke. Steve has agreed to share his space with us. This is intended to be a temporary stopover for us, on our way to a new permanent home. We are free to hold classes whenever Steve doesn’t have any. His current class schedule is only Monday and Wednesday nights. Our schedule, while sharing his space, will be Tues., Thurs., and Fri. nights (6:30pm); Mon. – Fri. noontimes, and Sat. & Sun. at 9:30 AM. Children's classes will continue Tuesdays at 5:30PM and Saturdays at 11:00 AM. Amy Bauer and Kim Kinnear will continue to instruct them. This schedule will hold unless Steve decides to add more of his own classes, in which case, we will adjust. Kathy Fitzgibbon, Shidoin, will teach Tues. & Thurs. evenings. Mark Norton will cover Saturday, and Mark Jackson, Sunday. Peter and/or Patrick will cover Friday nights. Most noon classes will continue with the same instructors, although there will be some adjustment.

The Lion’s Den needs us to be respectful, when parking, of the rights and needs of the other businesses in the immediate area, especially at noontime. There is ample parking in the back.

Our search committee will continue looking for a permanent home for us. We’re hoping to have something identified, and hopefully secured, by the new year. It will be close to our current location. Moving into a new space will be a lot of work and expense. We’ll have to purchase equipment, supplies, and furnishings. Cleaning and renovation of a new space is definitely expected to need a lot of “sweat equity”, and will probably be a long term effort. Things may not be beautiful and elegant, when we first start practicing in our new home. Our continued commitment will build the beauty.

Please think of ways you can contribute to the effort. This can include participating in labor, providing professional services, locating good deals on needed supplies and furnishings, transporting equipment, etc. Parents should also think about encouraging their children to join in the “dojo building”. Other dojo’s that have gone through similar transitions have found that children who participated in the process gained a sense of accomplishment, belonging, and ownership. It will also allow them to get to know the adults, which should make transitions to the adult classes easier for them, when that time comes.

A note on dojo dues: We do not have any increases planned at this point. In fact, dues for full time students (high school and college) will decrease to $50/month. The method of collecting dues will change. Dues will now be collected at the beginning of each month. New people joining mid-month will pay a pro-rated amount for the first month. We will not be able to accept credit or debit cards, so cash or check will be necessary. Timely payment will be greatly appreciated as it will help us remain financially viable.

Many things are changing, but continuity remains in the most important things: who we are, what we offer, our values. You’ll see the same faces, get the same instruction, enjoy the same open approach and philosophy, and continue to benefit from our affiliation with the Aikido Association of America.

We are the dojo. We will build ourselves; and our energies, commitment, and aspirations will shape what we grow into. No goodbyes…