Idea for carving workshops: a webcam pointed at the carving area and projecting it onto a wall/screen - so we could see the technique without crowding around the carver...

I have been taking self-defense-only martial arts (hapkido) for years and would love to share some of what I know with my fellow hikers. My guess is that lots of people would be interested in learning some defensive strategies. I have found that many people think they know some stuff but it either is not accurate or wouldn't work if not applied correctly. For instance, "my boyfriend has a gun" or yelling "fire" are not the best options and "kick him in the nuts" can have serious repercussions if not done, shall we say, "thoroughly".

However, I am not quite a black belt (I'm blue 1st or level 8, BB1 is 11), so in my organization I'm not allowed to teach technique. (The basic thinking behind that is that since the goal is to defend your life and not be a sport and since the techniques are very specific, if I were to teach you incorrectly I could be jeopardizing your confidence and/or life.) Yet I have assisted in many self-defense clinics and am actually more comfortable teaching large groups than my instructor :-)

I know a Master in Helotes, TX, which is an 1.5 hours away. If there is a lot of interest, I could inquire whether he (and probably some of his students as assistants) would be willing to come. We'd probably need to pay him a fee (or at least for his gas!) but we could charge those who attend the class. It would only be 1 hour (or 2 tops) and I would prefer it to be in the evening when I'm back from the trails anyway, but I'd be willing to do a right-before-dinner time, too.

I'll also ask my instructor here if there are any parts I would be able to present by myself, since most of what we show in a basic class is not limited to hapkido, anyway.

Thanks for the offer! I'll run it by our planning team at the next meeting.

What exactly is "advanced carving"?

Carving does get better with practice but I'd like help with creating finer lines and more detailed carves, especially on small pieces.

finer lines and more detailed carves

I would say that's pretty much what "advanced carving" amounts to.

This could also include more advanced printmaking techniques, such as designing and aligning multilayered stamps, thinking about color blending, and approaches for plugging or rebuilding sections of a stamp with a mistake.

At past events I've done "donation boxes", like a service project. I'd be happy to bring any of them if someone local would be willing to take care of getting the donated items distributed. I have "I get a charge out of letterboxing" (donate packs of batteries for overseas military personnel), "Project Pajama Pants" (pretty self explanatory), "A Change for the Better" (benefitting Fisher House...this was a cash donation, but if a local House (affiliated with a VAMC) is in need of physical items, we could do that), and one for Honor Flight Chicago (which could be used to benefit your local Honor Flight hub).

How about a pumpkin carving contest?

I just realized that L&BXX is right before Halloween - I don't know how I missed that detail up to this point. I guess when we starting planning over a year ago it was too far away for that fact to sink in.

Has a decision been made about a Pajama Party or Costume Party and if so is there a theme? Did I miss a memo? It is coming down to the wire and not sure if we should bring costumes or not!!

-Amanda from Seattle

The costume party was discussed but Western Swing Dance with live music won out. Bring a cowgirl costume and you'll fit right in! Yeehaw!

Are there any workshops, activities, classes, special types of boxes, or anything you experienced at a previous event which you want to see again?

Prison tattoos?

See ya soon (If I make parole)

I'm sure you'll make parole if you tell them you're on a mission from God