Phoenix Karate Opens in Frederick

 FREDERICK.  Phoenix Karate held its grand opening on Saturday, October 18, on
a day filled with excitement, ceremony and sweat.  More than fifty karate
students and instructors from Phoenix karate schools located in Frederick,
Rockville, Pittsburgh and Holmdel, New Jersey, were on hand for the occasion,
as was Frederick Mayor Jennifer Dougherty and Alderman Bill Hall.  

	The grand opening was combined with a celebration of National Martial Arts
Day, Phoenix Karate's Annual Fall Seminar, and a "kickathon" to raise money for
Project Action, a national non-profit organization that benefits
underprivileged children who wish to study martial arts.

	The full day of activities began with a ceremonial opening of the Fall
Seminar and a karate workout.  Instructors Gary Reburn and David Greber then
gave seminars to members of the public on child safety and stranger awareness.
The Frederick County Sheriffís Department was on hand to photograph and finger
print children.  Members of the press and public were treated to demonstrations
of kata, free-fighting and tamashiwari (breaking) of cinder blocks and boards. 

	The morning's events included the reading of a proclamation by Mayor
Jennifer Dougherty, which declared October 18, 2003, as Martial Arts Day.  The
Mayor was then awarded an honorary black belt by Phoenix Karate Chairman Daniel
Soller, in recognition of her public service and support for the martial arts. 
At approximately noon, the Mayor officially opened the Phoenix Karate school by
cutting a red ribbon with a Japanese sword.
	In the afternoon, fifty-one karate students and teachers participated in
the kickathon for the benefit of Project Action, each throwing 1,040 kicks in
20 minutes, for a total of 53,040 kicks.  The number of kicks was reported to
Project Action as part of that organization's attempt to break the world record
for the number of karate kicks thrown within a single hour.  The remainder of
the afternoon was filled with basic training, free-fighting, and kata
instruction outdoors.

	When asked about the benefits of karate training, Phoenix Karate Frederick
Co-Chief Instructor David Greber said "karate helps kids to stay focused in
school and out of trouble on the streets."  He added that "parents often see
significant improvement in academic performance, particularly in the case of
students who have suffered from attention, attitude, or behavioral problems." 
When asked whether karate also has benefits for adults, Greber responded
"adults who take karate typically experience improvements in their
conditioning, weight and confidence."

	Phoenix Karate teaches Kyokushin, a traditional form of Japanese karate. 
They are located at 1828A Rosemont Avenue, in Frederick (next to Pizza Hut). 
For more information, call (301) 682-4114, or visit their web site at
www.phoenixkarate.com.