Featured News - Current News - Archived News - News Categories

Grandmaster Jim Wood and his wife, Nina, strike a karate stance for State Sen. George Maziarz. (photo by Joshua Maloni)
Grandmaster Jim Wood and his wife, Nina, strike a karate stance for State Sen. George Maziarz. (photo by Joshua Maloni)
No Prior Images
Viewing 1 of 2
View Next Image

Martial arts studio celebrates grand opening

by jmaloni
Thu, Nov 18th 2010 05:45 pm
YI-DAN CHA GI Martial Arts and Kid Safe Center celebrated its grand opening in Wheatfield on Saturday, Nov 6. Grandmaster Jim Wood started the business 20 years ago in North Tonawanda while his wife, Nina, was instructed in self-defense starting in 2001.

Grandmaster Wood, now a ninth-degree black belt, and Nina Wood, a first-degree black belt, saw the need to move the business as more programs such as karate, women's self-defense, silver star self-defense/awareness for children, defensive tactics for law enforcement and seminars for groups/businesses started to evolve.

Wheatfield Supervisor Robert Cliffe began the grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Standing alongside a group of children, Cliffe said, "There is nothing more important than the safety and security of our young. This is a great start."

Sen. George Maziarz visited and spoke on the center, saying, "This is an activity that I fully and wholly endorse. I have witnessed demonstrations that Jim and Nina have given on teaching young people about self-esteem, self-control and how to protect themselves, and there is not a better message or messengers than Jim and Nina and the staff at YI-DAN CHA GI Martial Arts Center."

The Woods are both inductees in The U.S. Martial Arts Hall of Fame. Grandmaster Wood has received numerous awards and honors for his instructing ability, while Nina Wood has been certified and made an agent for the National Security Alliance Kid Safe/Women Safe Network.

YI-DAN CHA GI Martial Arts and Kid Safe Center is located at 3305 Niagara Falls Blvd., Wheatfield. Those interested may inquire about one free class. Specials and discounts are available from Nov. 18 through the holiday season.

The center is also collecting non-perishable food products for disabled veterans.

For more information, visit www.safetomorrow.net or call 692-2738.

Hometown News

View All News