Local makes international martial arts history
Mark Colangelo, a former civil litigation attorney and Point Loma resident, was recognized recently for accomplishments in the international martial arts arena.
Colangelo was presented the Founder’s Award, which recognizes him internationally as the shuso (founder) and soke (headmaster) of a new martial art known as go jiu bujitsu (“the way of hard and soft martial arts”). He teaches martial arts at a facility in Ocean Beach.
Colangelo left the practice of law 14 years ago to pursue his passion of training and teaching martial arts.
Colangelo’s achievements include: 30 years in martial arts experience; a 6th-degree black belt in Neko Ryu goshin jitsu; a 6th-degree black belt in USJA-jujitsu; a 5th-degree black belt in Cuong Nhu karate; a 3rd-degree black belt in judo; a black belt in Cuong Nhu soft-style; induction into the United States Martial Arts Hall of Fame (instructor category); recipient of the Master’s Community Leadership Award; being named Instructor of the Year in 1988 and 1995; producing 57 black belts; and operating a full-time dojo (martial arts school) since March 1994.
To be recognized, Colangelo submitted his instruction and training manual for go jiu bujitsu to the World Head Of Family Sokeship Council (WHFSC), one of the largest, most prestigious martial arts grandmasters councils in the world. The group is made up of 9th- and 10th-degree grandmasters from around the world.
Colangelo said go jiu bujitsu is a “civilized mixed martial art” consisting of a blend of traditional jiu jitsu, traditional Shotokan karate and traditional judo. Colangelo said the new style makes it possible for men, women and children to learn all the UFC, MMA and BJJ techniques in a challenging but fun and safe environment and without injuries.
Colangelo teaches at Setting Sun Mixed Martial Arts in Ocean Beach. For more information, call (619) 223-8827 or visit www.gojiubujitsu.com.
PLNU Heritage Society honors donors, recipients
The Heritage Society at Point Loma Nazarene University held its 17th annual Heritage Luncheon on Feb. 15 to bring together members, university students, staff and scholarship donors and recipients.
Established in 1991, the Heritage Society is made up of those who have made the university a beneficiary of a will or a life insurance policy or who have set up an endowed scholarship. Members are invited to the annual luncheon, and each year the society honors new members.
The 2008 Heritage Society honorees included:
“¢ The Smee Hall Building endowment and The Lighthouse Endowed Scholarship ” The Find Us Faithful Foundation;
“¢ The DeCristofaro Fund for sensory integration ” Dominic and Margaret DeCristofaro;
“¢ The Helping Hands Medical Scholarship ” Bill and Jo Ann Taylor;
“¢ The Richard B. Hill Accounting Endowed Scholarship ” Richard and Darlene Hill;
“¢ The Al and La Verne McCoy Endowed Scholarship ” Al McCoy, Sr.;
“¢ The Heather L. Michel Media Communications Endowed Scholarship and the Kimberly A. Michel Biological Sciences Endowed Scholarship ” Larry and Deborah Michel;
“¢ The Ravi Patel Educational Associates/EDUCAP Endowed Scholarship “” Judy Patel;
“¢ The Marion D. and Helen M. Redding Music endowed Scholarship and The Marion D. and Helen M. Redding Veterinary Endowed Scholarship ” Marion D. and Helen M. Redding;
“¢ The Gordon and Shirley Schulz Endowed Religion Scholarship ” Gordon and Shirley Schulz;
“¢ The Reese D. and Ellen Verner Endowed Scholarship ” Reese E. Verner, Lynda Swanson and Elizabeth Michaelson.
PL Nazarene students to aid SD Rescue Mission
The San Diego Rescue Mission, aided by hundreds of Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU) students and faculty, will open its doors and serve over 1,400 hot meals to homeless San Diegans as part of an annual Easter Congregate Meal. From 2 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 15, volunteers will serve over 900 pounds of ham, 250 pounds of green beans and 200 pounds of scalloped potatoes, according to the Rescue Mission.
For Point Loma students, the Easter banquet will be a way to get together outside of their training sessions for the Short-Term Mission Program, LoveWorks.
According to PLNU officials, LoveWorks is an international mission program that gives students the opportunity to be global citizens over the summer. Groups of 10 to 12 students will go to nine destinations for three weeks this summer, including Thailand, Bangladesh, Nepal and India. PLNU students began training for their trips in February.
“We stress cross-cultural awareness, group dynamics, and travel safety. We also customize the team according to what that particular field has asked,” said Jeff Bolster, director of international ministries at PLNU.
“We support the ongoing work of the host; we don’t create something “¦ We’re networked through the Church of the Nazarene and are contacted by missionaries, locals running orphanages, locals with clean water projects ” a diverse range of projects,” he said.
LoveWorks is partnering with the rescue mission because one of the directors at the mission is an alumnus of the school and a former trip leader for the program.
The San Diego Rescue Mission, a nonprofit shelter, works to serve the poor, addicted, abused and homeless of San Diego, who number around 10,000. The mission requests donations of $18.30, which can feed ten people. For more information or to donate, visit www.sdrescue.org.