Show A6 Wednesday September 15 2004 Martial arts studio in Gunnison serves southern Sanpete needs Off the Wasatch Roger Baker By By Anita Lyons ryvy Staff writer Convention time We probably noticed it in Sanpete The Republicans had a convention two weeks ago It wasn't like conventions in the olden days with coverage on the major television networks and ferocious fighting about the platform even though there were some minor platform fights with the most conservative in the party seeming to have a hit mote influence Holding the second convention the Republicans had the privilege of being the last at bat and had a chance to rebut the Democrats line for line They also seemed to get more live coverage with FOX airing 48 minutes (20 percent) more of the live Republican speeches than it did Democratic speeches CNN kept the difference in coverage to 2 minutes and CNBC' lavored the Democrats by 6 percent or 20 minutes felt a bit lost because it didn’t make as much sense for me to stay glued to the television or radio for the entire convention when could read every speech in short order on the Internet And I did read every speech as did for the earlier Democratic Convention The disadvantage of having the last convention may be the evitable comparisons with the first Democrats had put out the word that they wanted no Bush bashing and for the most part( courtesy prevailed in the convention In fact the convention was so calm that sometimes the iXnnocrats didn't seetn like Democrats at all But while the Democrats did most of their Bush bashing outside theirconvention with groups nominally connected to the patty the Republicans didn't get the courtesy word and unleashed Zell Miller who replaced the famous Dean scream with the Zell yell It was embarrassing to watch the spectacle and it has set the nasty tone for both parties It makes me glad that I live way off the Wasatch and that Utah isn't a swing state that has to endure the interminable charges and countercharges as the tone gets ratcheted up on annoying commercials The biggest difference between the two conventions for me was the lack of homage to past presidents at the Republican Convention The Democrats had speeches from two former presidents Carter and Clinton and one former vice president Gore Although the Republicans evoked memories of Reagan and Arnold Swurtcnegger said that he was inspired to become a Republican by Richard Nixon there was no speech from President George HW Bush or President Gerald Ford I can understand Ford not speaking after all he is 91 years old and has had at least one small stroke but don’t understand the slight le was president under the most difficult of circumstances assuming the presidency after the resignation of President Nixon To curb inflation Ford had to veto almost forty bills The President Carter said at his inauguration after defeating Ford that he wanted to thank President Ford in behalf of the nation “for all he has done to heal our land” I le was a unifier not a divider The slight of President George II W Bush is harder to understand The man sat patiently in the presidential box during much of the convention without much mention and his son is the current president And the truth of the matter is that the first President Bush was a successful war president w ho put together a coalition in the Gulf War that was as unified as the world has ever seen He persuaded coalition members to foot almost 95 percent of the Gulf War bill In the current war in Iraq the US is paying 90 percent of the cost and sustaining 90 (XX) Americans to date percent of the coalition casualties: We can debate ixir heads off here in our little place off the Wasatch but it really won’t matter that much in the scheme of things Bush will win Utah and Kerry will take New York — states that just aren't up for grabs But at least if we read the speeches debate and vote we will have canted a right to our own opinion — something we all have here in Saniete ROGER HUFFMAN FLOORS Royal West recently moved in to the “Charlie’s Closet” building on the comer of Main Street and 100 South And if you like the changes on the outside of thebuilding you should look side The carpets have been removed the wood floor underneath has been sanded and varnished and the whole place glimmers with a fresh coat of while paint “We’ve been looking at different buildings a long time” she added When they heard TeriLee Hammond was looking to start teaching dance again and wanted to share the building rental costs getting into a new place became a reachable goal Opoulos commented that the nicest thing about the new location is that she can display trophies and pictures and keep the mats in the room instead of having to lock everything up in a storage unit when classes are over for the day I hc school opens Opoulos and her husband Brent who also teaches at the school got into martial arts in 1994 through an invitation from a friend Opoulos went to observe her husband's first class in Ephraim and was struck by the artistic feel in the forms which were comparable to a dance routine She told her husband “You're not doing this without me” Ten years later Valerie is a black belt and head instructor "My goal is to teach and progress as I can and help others do the same" Opoulos began as an assistant to her Fphraim instructor Gay Dene Montoya and moved up to regular instructor at Montoya's side When Opoulos and her husband moved to Gunnison DARLENE Montoya invited them to begin a new studio that would cover the south end of Sanpete County Martial arts ‘Give back’ Expanding the teaching of martial arts comes with the territory because one of the requirements of a student is to “give back” Opoulos explains “It’s very reinforcing to have someone teach” trying to show the exact foot or hand position a student finds out how well he knows it “It’s a universal concept” comments Opoulos “that we need to help each other and helping each other we all progress” One of the most appealing aspects of the martial arts in America today is learning it for Opoulos says “I’m hoping none of my students ever have to face a dangerous situation but I want them to have the best chance possible if they do” Soon after she moved to Gunnison someone commented to her “Ooh you're a black belt Should I be scared?" Her response was “Only if you attack me” In the martial arts classes that says Opoulos “I try to teach attitude You need to look capable and in control” She feels that learning martial arts is good for someone who is bullied “If nothing else it will teach hint that he is just as good as anyone out there and that he has the right to defend that fact” Opoulos teaches everyone in class that they are a team and the way die classes are planned encourages them to W’ork together old or young inexperienced or advanced A family activity According to Opoulos die optimal learning takes place when a student comes three times a week for strength building and reinforcing what is being learned But she allows students to create their own schedule She has a price schedule for each class attended something similar to the pool pass The bulk of Opoulos’ students are children She comments “I get excited when parents sign up with their children” Too often she observes “Parents want opportunities 5 & Laminate CROSS-CAMPU- S CROSS-COUNTR- Y portunities” One parent who seized the opportunity is Stacy Stafford who earned her black belt last May and is now also a teacher at the school Stafford is also currently preparing to begin a Tai Chi class Opoulos explained that Japanese Karate Chinese Kung Fu and Korean Tae Kwon Do are all similar In her school Opoulos teaches a mediod developed hy a Korean American Ok Hung Kim in the 1960s The name of her school comes front Royal J West the regional director (a 7th degree black belt who lives in Provo) of the American method Opoulos hopes to stay in the new “Charlie’s closet” location She enjoys the fact that her children can walk home from class stead of “camping out” until she’s done teaching About her impact on Main Street she says “At least it’s not another empty building” & $550 SENIORS: $350 6 PM) AND TUE NIGHTS $350 MOVIES SUBJECT CLOSED TO CHANGE SUNDAYS F6rthsWeek6f SejJ17:23 Starts 845 Sat Matinee Without a Paddle PG 13 Wicker Park Friday 6:15 3:45 IPG 13 r Wj wm wm Starts Friday 7:45 Sat Matinee MESSENGER (mpmaiTKimmi 5:30 Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow Playing Mon Fri Sat at 830 Napoleon Dynamite PG ffeJl I Phones at art at $2499 Rate plana start at $3999 Aak about our special student UlDEOTRONIX 96 North Main rT"" r BITE offers Richfield MEXTEL MMiitsTsmt 'k'nkaiikt' JltlXr rzzt ivr rjz nnua ew itrt 4e W4 out of your budget? Offices Ephraim in and Moroni acL your first s915? CW6 box wwwmoronifeedcuorg A yfd of checks Gunnison Must be eligible for membership PG PHOTO Three Gunnison black belts line up at the 4th of July parade Valerie and Brent Opoulos and Stacy Stafford are Instructors at the Royal West Martial Arts studio Every Nmtel- - phone comei with walk le talkie and access Messaging that lets you connect under a second And plenty ot other features to help you get more done prin- for their kids but they hold themselves back from those same op- MATINEES Starts Friday 6:45 9:00 Sat Matinee 4:30 ANITA LYONS PHOTO and ADULTS: Opoulos The classes also work to build and confidence “Attackers are hxiking for someone who's going to be an easy target” Sales and Installation INSTANTLY but CHILDREN Opoulos teaches part of is learning Rather than punching a bully in the jaw “You try everything else first before explains “Your local HoornTl" Vinyl MESSENGER AGREN kicking youngsters learn not only martial arts techniques ciples of philosophy High TO 50 S State Ftn Green Carpet p — For nearly three years Royal West Martial Arts Studio has rented space in the “Jeana’s Danccworks” building in Ccnterfield but new students and new growth have forced the company to adress the growing pains and pick up and move “We’ve got feet going in different directions and we wanted to make sure we have the room we need” explained Valerie Opoulos head teacher and owner of the business GUNNISON Member NCUA |