Real Okinawan Karate-by Brad Hatfield

I am currently training with Hanshi Steve Stark and his  top student Mike Anderson in Olathe, Kansas. I feel energized in our time together, working on life protection techniques, advanced kata and weapons training in a  welcoming atmosphere. Our martial arts research group continues to flourish with new ideas and skills, working  with like-minded people.

I do not give many endorsements, but in this case feel it is entirely necessary to endorse
Hanshi Stark and Mike Anderson's Olathe school. Their school,Shin Shu Kan, is one of the very few schools in Kansas City teaching real Okinawan karate, the way it was taught to Mr. Stark, by Taika Seiyu Oyata. There is a lot of imitation-there are quite a few posers around, but there is an extremely limited number of people who have the depth of knowledge and fighting technique that Mr. Stark has and teaches.

About Hanshi Stark:
Hanshi Stark began training in Ryukyu Kempo karate in 1970.
He was a personal  student of Taika Oyata from 1977 to 2010.
Senior student of Taika Oyata.

I have trained off and on with Steve Stark for 20+ years.It was my honor and privilege to train as his student and to  help him run classes at his school in Overland Park, Kansas. There are very few people in the United States with his skill and knowledge.
My personal opinion?
He is probably the most complete, most skilled martial artist to come out of Mr. Oyata's organization. I believe his intelligence, physical skill, explosive speed/power and understanding of Mr. Oyata's martial arts have given him superior life protection techniques that  put him at a level very few practitioners have attained.
Mike Anderson is the top student of Mr. Stark. Having trained with him at Mr. Oyata's Headquarters for several years, it is a genuine  pleasure to see the level of maturity and skill he has attained in martial arts.He is a highly qualified instructor who holds Godan ranking. (5th degree) I am truly proud to train with these gentleman and to  share in their unique views on Taika Seiyu Oyata's martial arts.

Anyone looking for real martial arts training, not never ending discussion, martial arts
theory or tippy tap training, but real life protection/fighting skills,
 should come check out Mike Anderson's school in Olathe, Kansas.
Shin Shu Kan is located at 12003 South Strang Line Road,
just Northwest of the AMC Multi-Plex Theaters. 913-636-9325

Dormant Pruning of Trees by Brad Hatfield

It's getting to be that time of year again. The perfect time for pruning trees.
Late Fall/Winter or dormant pruning is important for several reasons.
First and foremost, there are no active pathogens at this time of year-no active diseases
to infect wood, branches or leaves.
There are also no active insects that might otherwise be attracted to fresh pruning cuts,
particularly bark beetles (Nitidulid) that might be attracted to Oak trees and a known vector of
the Oak Wilt fungus. This is a great, safe time to prune Oaks, particularly in areas where Oak Wilt has
been an issue.
American Elm trees should also be pruned this time of year, when there are no bark beetles that would be attracted to fresh pruning cuts-these are the beetles transmitting the Dutch Elm disease fungus.

The nice thing about dormant pruning is the lack of leaves-every part of the tree is visible this
time of year, without thousands of leaves blocking the light.
Individual limbs, points of attachment, any cracks/splits on individual limbs or between tree stems-everything is much easier to see.

Pruning-We need to be careful when pruning-every pruning cut is an injury to the tree, we must
make pruning cuts at branch collars or to an adjacent lateral limb 1/3 in size or greater.
When in doubt, hire a Certified Arborist-they can tell you exactly what your tree or trees need and  what they don't need.
Less is more in pruning. Branches and leaves are a "food" source for the tree, be careful that you
are doing selective pruning-have a plan so the minimum of foliage is removed.
Here in the Midwest, there is a tremendous amount of overpruning occurring.
People equate the amount of foliage removed with a good pruning job-this is not a haircut!

Remove 2 inch sized deadwood and larger, lightly thin inner canopy-selectively!
Prune back from roof, house, wires....etc. Consider pruning limbs back instead of complete removal.
Once that limbs is cut and removed, there is no putting it back on.

I cannot stress enough the importance of hiring professionals-you always get what you pay for.

Here is a photo I like that explains some of the basic concepts of pruning.